China continues to provide humanitarian assistance to Gaza Xinhua) 08:48, March 21, 2024 CAIRO, March 20 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese government continues to provide humanitarian assistance to Palestine to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, the Chinese Embassy in Egypt said in a press release on Wednesday. China has provided a batch of cash assistance to Gaza and is currently delivering two batches of food, medical supplies, and other essential humanitarian aid to the enclave through Egypt, according to the embassy. During the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, China is intensifying efforts to provide food supplies to the Gaza Strip. Chinese aid of rice will arrive at Egypt's Port Said on March 28 and then be transported to the Strip through the Rafah crossing, according to the embassy. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) A man is suspected of dying by suicide during an altercation with Flathead law enforcement on Wednesday evening, according to authorities. At about 10:07 p.m., Flathead sheriffs deputies were dispatched to a disturbance with a weapon call on the 100 block of South Hilltop Road in Columbia Falls, according to a news release from the Flathead County Sheriffs Office. Deputies were advised a subject had come to the residence and shot at them before leaving the residence, the news release stated. Flathead County Sheriff Brian Heino didnt immediately return a call to clarify who the suspect allegedly shot at. Officials found a suspect vehicle at the 500 block of 10th Avenue West North. The suspect allegedly refused to talk with deputies when they contacted him, the news release stated. Law enforcement received information that there were several firearms in the residence, according to the news release, and the man made statements about intending to shoot it out with police, the release said. The Northwest Regional SWAT team was deployed to the scene. They used gas munitions and a noise flash diversion device after trying to communicate with the man. He was unresponsive, according to the release, and a drone was sent into the house. The man was found dead, and the news release said he took his own life. The Flathead County Sheriffs Office requested the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, part of the state Department of Justice, investigate the incident. Identification of the man is pending notification of his family. Nearly 86% of Montana students who started high school graduated on time last spring, according to newly released data from the Office of Public Instruction, almost identical to the year prior. During the 2021-2022 school year, the statewide graduation rate from public high schools was 85.8%. It dropped down slightly to 85.6% during the 2022-2023 academic term. OPI Superintendent Elsie Arntzen boasted in an email statement that the consistency is a sign of how Montana is increasing student engagement through innovation. We are all Montana proud of the students, parents, teachers and school leaders who are committed to academic success, she said. However, last years graduation numbers reflect a slight dip from the pre-COVID peak. Montanas graduation rate soared between 2009 and 2020, growing from 80.2% to 86.6% during that period, according to state data. OPI focused on reducing dropout rates and expanding community resources to help high schoolers stay on track to graduation. In the 2019-2020 school year, the public high school graduation rate was 87% nationally, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Statewide dropout rates improved slightly from 4% to 3.8%. Students are still dropping out of high school at a higher rate than they did before the pandemic. The statewide average for the 2019-2020 school year was 2.9%. American Indian students experienced a nearly 4% decline in graduation rates year-over-year. About 66% of Native high schoolers graduated on time last spring. But dropout rates decreased significantly by over 17% between the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 academic terms. Nearly 9% of American Indian students dropped out of high school last school year. Nearly 11% of Montanas school-aged population is American Indian. Education experts widely agree that the graduation rate gap between these students and their non-Native peers can be attributed to structural barriers such as obligations to care for family, economic insecurity and lower rates of early childhood literacy due to under-resourced schools in tribal communities. Cultural challenges such as exclusion of their language or heritage also make it harder for American Indian students to thrive in a traditional classroom setting. A total of 9,563 students graduated from high school in the spring of 2023. Another 729 people passed their HiSet exam to achieve a diploma. Since the dawn of the republic, Americans have engaged in spirited, often heated, debates about the meaning of the Constitution. Contentious arguments about the Constitution, it may be said, are in our DNA and a function of our birthright, which is not surprising given that the American Revolution itself was framed as a constitutional crisis with England. These sharp disputes across a vista of two centuries raise questions of great moment for a nation committed to the rule of law, equal protection and democratic values. May states nullify federal law and secede from the Union? Do women possess a right to govern their own reproductive organs? Is the president immune from criminal prosecution or subordinate to the law and amenable to judicial process? Constitutional conversations among the people are vital to the health, maintenance and integrity of the republic. Informed citizens engaged in public debate, the framers of the Constitution believed, can scrutinize and improve governmental programs, policies and laws with valuable criticisms, insights and recommendations. Concerned citizens Madisonian Monitors, in honor of James Madison, Father of the Constitution can insist on the employment of facts, evidence and truth in public discourse. They can heighten public awareness that governmental departments are overleaping their boundaries, abusing power and infringing on the rights of the citizenry. Such awareness is a necessity, since only that power which has been recognized can be effectively limited. Constitutional conversations, then, are integral to the fulfillment of the premises, promises and principles of American Constitutionalism: Government based on the consent of the governed and governmental accountability to the rule of law and the citizenry. If they accurately reflect a working grasp of those principles, so much the better, for they would serve the founders historic goal, as Alexander Hamilton explained in No. 1 of the Federalist Papers, of a nation governed by reasoned discussion and debate, rather than one ruled by force and oppression. Americans regularly declare their affection, admiration and even reverence for the Constitution, but too few can claim knowledge of it. Civic literacy a functional knowledge of the ideals of the Declaration of Independence, the content and purposes of the Constitution, a familiarity with the powers of the three branches of the federal government and an understanding of the implications of defining moments in our history is alarmingly low. Many citizens cannot name half the rights and liberties protected by the Bill of Rights or a third of the Justices on the U.S. Supreme Court or explain the constitutional amendment process or the mechanisms of the Electoral College. Civic illiteracy must be remedied. It can be deadly to the very enterprise of republicanism. It is never too late to start, never too late to become a Madisonian Monitor, a student of the Constitution and an effective citizen. Where to begin? John Adams, second President of the United States, a Man of Letters, statesman, diplomat and drafter of the worlds oldest written constitutionthe Massachusetts Constitution of 1780 enshrined in his states governing document words of wisdom for our time: A frequent recurrence to the fundamental principles of the Constitution, he wrote, is absolutely necessary to preserve the advantages of liberty and to maintain a free government. Among those fundamental principles is the First Principle of American Constitutionalism: Government has only those powers enumerated and implied granted to it by the Constitution. As Justice Hugo Black observed in 1957, in Reid v. Covert, The United States is entirely a creature of the Constitution. Its power and authority have no other source. It can only act in accordance with all the limitations imposed by the Constitution. That foundational principle, set forth by James Otis Jr., a brilliant Revolutionary War attorney, in the landmark Writs of Assistance Case in 1761, chartered a distinctively American conception of what constitutes a constitution. It invites our exploration as Madisonian Monitors in Constitutional Conversations. For all their hyper-Christianity, you have to wonder whether the Gianforte administration slept through the Sermon on the Mount. Wherever you look, you see that whatever kingdom awaits the poor in Heaven, right here and right now in Montana they dont have a prayer. And it isnt just the poor, but the steadily disappearing middle class. Home-ownership? The median sales price in Missoula in 2023 was a record high of $550,000, a 5.8% increase from 2022, another record-high year. Not as bad as Bozeman, where the median price was $820,000 overall and, for single-family homes, a whopping $1,161,000! Or Whitefish, where the median listing for a home last month was $1.4 million. Great Falls? Median listing prices are up 7.6%. Billings: Up 7.1%. Miles City: At $273,000, up 30.3% from last year. Meanwhile, median residential property taxes increased 21%, and 45% more Montanans are unhoused, the third-highest rate nationwide. Yet while these numbers sky-rocketed, Gianforte touted the great progress his Housing Task Force made in developing commonsense solutions for the 2023 Legislature to consider. Actually, an interim legislative committee already had a solution all queued up. SB 15 would have provided an income tax credit to low-income property owners and renters with exceptionally high property taxes, thus mitigating the fact that the highest property tax rates are paid by the Montanans with the lowest incomes. SB 15, as Rose Bender of the Montana Budget & Policy Center noted, would have chopped the effective property tax rate for Montanans with the lowest 10 percent of incomes in half. With all the books to ban, librarians to jail, and rampant wokeness to anaesthetize, the Republican supermajority had other priorities. SB 15 died in committee. A motion to revive it on the Senate floor failed, 21-26. Instead of creating a permanent fix to our regressive property tax system, the supermajority handed 81% of the richest 20% in Montana a property tax rebate. Renters, 24% of whom are low-income, got nothing. Oh, well. It was just a lollipop, anyway. Not much help when the cupboards are bare. Meanwhile, high on Mount Olympus, our governor, who has dismissed the declasse mansion his predecessors lived in as long in the tooth, (sooo 1959) announced hed spent 4 of his $204 million on a historic mansion to house himself, and through his post-term largesse, all our future governors! (It was built in 1885, so sink your long teeth into that.) Apart from the fact that the religious iconography in this nationally registered historic home makes a very public space feel more like a cathedral apse than a gathering place in the official property of a state thats supposed to separate church and state egad! The sheer tone-deafness of this extravagance while homeless rates and property taxes soar is astonishing. Let them eat parquet, I guess. Wake up, Montana. Were becoming a state of haves and have-nots and the majority of us who consider ourselves haves are one paycheck, one departure, one medical event, one disability, one disaster away from pariah-hood. While the Pharisees fixate on molding all Montanans into their image of righteousness, our true problems, the problems Christ cared about the poor, the hungry, the sick, the marginalized are left unaddressed. But the poor are always with us, right? Even in Jesuss time, they seldom fired up a base. One need look no further than the endless fiascos at the Department of Health and Human Services the state hospital, Medicaid redetermination, TANF Pathways to see how far from the promised land both biblical and democratic Montana is straying. Of that, more soon. This is unconstitutional has become a frequently used phrase intended to subvert the logic and rational understanding of the Montana Constitution. When improperly applied, it perverts the intended checks and balances of our three-branch state government system. If a person, group, or political party doesnt like the political content of an issue, they cry unconstitutional. This takes our process of state government that was intended be a matter of adjudication and inappropriately inserts politics. An egregious example is current Montana Supreme Court candidate, Jerry Lynch who stated at a December fundraiser, The judiciary is the last bastion against a supermajority, so to speak. And you know what Im talking about. (montanafreepress.org) This exemplifies perversion of the judicial process with judicial politics. Consequently, when there is a need for a direct ruling to clarify the intent of our Constitution, boundaries have become murky, creating a boldness by district judges to exert authority not given to them. This is exactly what happened in the district court ruling in Held vs. Montana. Instead of giving you my opinion regarding this while ignoring the Constitution (as our District Court did), lets examine the Montana Constitution. Article III states No person or persons charged with the exercise of power properly belonging to one branch shall exercise any power properly belonging with of the others. In essence, each branch of state government has distinct and separate roles. Article IX, Environment and Natural Resources, is comprised of seven sections. This is where the right to a clean and healthful environment is found, the hinge on which the Held lawsuit swings. Section 1 states, The state and each person shall maintain a clean and healthful environment in Montana for present and future generations. The very next sentence states, The Legislature shall provide for the administration and enforcement of this duty (emphasis added). The directive could not be clearer. It is the designated responsibility of the Legislative branch to define policy. The Montana district court ruling in Held v Montana wandered beyond constitutional directive into policy making. Article IX directs oversight, management and responsibility of Montanas environment and natural resources 13 times to the Legislature. Not once was the judicial branch mentioned in Article IX, nor given any power to set policy or direction. Thirteen distinct times our Constitution explicitly gave the Legislature the enforcement of balancing the right of a clean and healthful environment and now a Montana District court has erroneously ruled in lieu of the Legislature. Thirteen to zero, how could the authors of our Constitution make it any clearer? Regardless of the issue, we must uphold the function of our state government and not pervert the role of the Judicial Branch. I look forward to the Montana Supreme Court following the Constitution, upholding the integrity of the court, and placing this issue back where it belongs in the Legislature. A legislature elected by the people and closest to the people. The Capitol legislative hearing room is where the public testifies, where legislators respond to our constituents and set environmental policy as our Constitution directs. That does not happen in a courtroom and never should. A man was charged late Tuesday night after leading a public safety officer on a brief chase. John Juan Jose, 31, of Morganton, was charged with felony flee to elude arrest, reckless driving to endanger, driving during revocation (impaired revocation), driving while impaired, failure to stop at a steady red light, simple possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and resist, delay and obstruct an officer, according to a release from the Morganton Department of Public Safety. Charges against Jose came after an MDPS officer saw a silver Toyota Tacoma run a red light at the intersection of West Union Street and West Fleming Drive at a high rate of speed, the release said. The officer had a green light and proceeded to catch up to the pick up truck, which tried to evade arrest, the release said. The truck turned into the parking lot of Saint Charles Borromeo Catholic Church on West Union Street, drove around the the back of the church then turned back onto West Union Street. From there, the truck turned into Union Square Apartments, which are diagonally across from the church on West Union Street, continuing to drive recklessly through the parking lot, the release said. The truck turned onto Asheville Street, later entering the parking lot of Asheville Street Baptist Church where Jose, the driver, was taken into custody, the release said. Joses vehicle was seized under North Carolinas Run and Youre Done law, the release said. He has previously been convicted of driving while impaired and speeding to elude arrest or attempted speeding to elude arrest, according to records from the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction. Joses bond was set at $10,000 secured, and hes due to appear in court Thursday. Gun pulled Just before 5 p.m. Monday, police were called to the 600 block of Travonia Street where a man had allegedly just pulled out a Ruger 357 magnum while having a verbal argument with his neighbor. The woman told police that Tommy L. Wells Jr., 36, of Butte was upset because someone had reportedly shined a laser or lights at his home. He then got in his car and left the area. Police found Wells in the 500 block of West Aluminum Street with a loaded gun tucked into his waist. He was arrested for assault with a weapon and probation violation. Taken into custody On Monday, Holli A. Bell, 44, of Seattle, Washington was a passenger in a car stopped in the 2000 block of Harrison Avenue. She was taken into custody on a warrant out of Port Orchard, Washington. Fighting patrons At around 1:30 a.m. Monday, bar patrons got into a fight outside the Vu Villa, 521 W. Park St., but dispersed when police arrived. Rock thrown It was reported Monday that the windshield of a 2018 Jeep Cherokee had been hit with a rock while parked on East Galena and Ohio streets. Unwelcome visitor At around 7 p.m. Monday, someone entered a home that was not their own in the 2500 block of Placer Street. The case is under investigation. Building shot at On Tuesday, a person living on Second Street witnessed a man firing two shots at the rear of CLR Services, 1400 E. Second St. The guy then took off on foot and police could not locate him The group trying to get a constitutional amendment on Montanas ballot this fall that would clarify the right to access a pre-viability abortion signaled this week it would file additional litigation if the Republican attorney general revises the language used to explain the issue on ballots. That could delay the timeline for backers to go out and gather the roughly 60,000 signatures needed to qualify the measure to appear before voters in the fall. The state Supreme Court on Monday, after more than a month following the appeal from Montanans Securing Reproductive Rights, issued an order saying Attorney General Austin Knudsen was incorrect in declaring the amendment language legally insufficient. The court ordered Knudsen by March 25 to either forward the ballot language as-is to the Secretary of State or write a new version of the language and move it forward. MSRR in a press release Tuesday said any changes to the language could prompt additional litigation to ensure that voters receive clear, accurate information when casting ballots on this important issue. That would further delay signature-gathering efforts, which would need to be completed by June to qualify the measure for the ballot. Gathering signatures is a massive undertaking as they must be collected from at least 40 of the states 100 House districts and supporters must account for some portion of what they gather to be rejected. Earlier this month the Montana Free Press reported that MSRR in a court filing said it could be "virtually impossible" to gather enough signatures by June 21 if the measure faced additional delays. We urge the attorney general to approve the clear, neutral ballot statements submitted by MSRR with haste to avoid more unnecessary litigation, read a joint statement Tuesday from Akilah Deernose, executive director of ACLU of Montana; Kiersten Iwai, executive director of Forward Montana; and Martha Fuller, CEO and president of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Montana, all a part of MSRR. Montanans have a tremendous opportunity to directly secure their access to reproductive health care and after unrelenting attacks on abortion rights in Montana, we know that this right is at risk like never before. Now is the time for Montanans to come together and secure their right to abortion once and for all. We will do everything we can to ensure that Montanans have their say in November. A spokesperson for Knudsen said in an email Tuesday evening that the attorney general would follow the court order, though she did not say if he would revise the language or not. While saying the requirements of a broad new law on land use planning can improve how communities in Montana grow, local officials from around the state worry about the costs of complying with it. Some cities also said they might struggle to meet the deadlines in the law. The representatives from cities including Belgrade, Columbia Falls, Laurel, Missoula and Whitefish spoke Wednesday to an interim legislative committee thats monitoring how the law is implemented. The law is also the subject of litigation thats so far succeeded in a temporary pause on two other housing bills passed last legislative session, throwing a bit of uncertainty about its future into the mix. The bills were brought last legislative session and passed by a Republican-majority Legislature in an attempt to ease the rapidly rising cost of housing in Montana. The legislation followed the work of a task force formed by Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte to look at housing prices. It's very interesting in Laurel right now, trying to comply with all these legislative mandates and then figure out how we're going to fund these plans going forward. So with that, we're going to need some help, said Kurt Markegard, planning director for the city of Laurel, during Wednesdays meeting of the Local Government Interim Committee. Markegard said the city is applying for a $30,000 grant and looking for city council support to fund its compliance with Senate Bill 382, but theres been no funding source identified yet. Senate Bill 382 requires cities with a population of more than 5,000 within a county of more than 70,000 to establish a planning commission to develop and review a land use plan and future land use map, as well as zoning regulations and associated maps, subdivision regulations and any other land use planning documents, among several other provisions. Plans must be reviewed every five years, though updates can happen at any time and must go through a public process. The bill comes with a years-long timeline to comply, depending on what progress a community has already made. Generally cities have three years to meet requirements in the bill, but if a local government had completed a growth policy within five years of the bills implementation, they can extend that deadline five years from when that policy was adopted. Any cities that newly meet the population threshold have three years to comply. Those maps, regulations and other documents can cost tens of thousands to produce, posing a challenge for communities that werent already doing that work and would need to find money to pay for either additional employees or consultants to complete the projects. What we're looking at and most concerned about with (Senate Bill) 382 is the portions of the implementation that require the studies, said Eric Mulcahy, a consultant that does city planning work for Columbia Falls. He said a housing assessment created by consultants would cost between $40,000 and $80,000 and updating capital improvement plans for sewer and water could cost more than a quarter of a million dollars. (Senate Bill) 382 is an expensive endeavor for the city of Columbia Falls and we don't have the identified sources of financing these studies, Mulcahy said. The future land use map for Laurel has already cost $10,000 to create four maps, Markegard said. Whitefishs director of planning and building said the city was planning to update its growth policy before Senate Bill 382, but still had some worry about meeting the deadlines in the bill given the extensive process and public input required on sometimes-controversial topics. We hope to have our whole growth policy completely updated by the end of 2025, but we definitely are concerned like some of the other cities about meeting the May 2026 deadline with regard to implementing the plan, amending our zoning and subdivision regulations, and getting a full implementation of Senate Bill 382, said David Taylor. Laurel would also have issues meeting the timelines, Markegard said. The deadlines that are set in this bill, I'm not sure we could even meet them. We need to do a lot of work in order to comply with this, working with Public Works, working with the police, fire, ambulance to identify their needs, Markegard said. And pretty much everyone in Laurel is stressed. We are working long hours and we just don't have the time, so with that I would need help. Mulcahy in Columbia Falls echoed that. I believe the deadline is to do all of this and rewrite our zoning and subdivision regulations. I don't think it can be done in the timeframe, he said. Markegard said theres discussion of a clean-up bill next legislative session, which starts in January 2025, to address some of the issues and look at ways cities could pay for whats required under the new law. A lawsuit filed last year by a group called Montanans Against Irresponsible Densification challenged Senate Bill 382, along with Senate Bill 245, which requires cities with more than 7,000 residents to allow apartments in areas zoned for commercial use; Senate Bill 323, which requires cities of more than 5,000 to allow duplexes on any lot zoned for single-family use; and Senate Bill 528, which requires cities to allow accessory dwelling units. A Bozeman judge late last year temporarily blocked the accessory dwelling units and duplex laws while the rest of the lawsuit plays out. The state has appealed that decision to the Montana Supreme Court and in a filing earlier this week, arguing that MAID had not proven theyd suffer irreparable harm if the laws were in place. A legislative effort that's been knotted up in procedural loopholes and months of litigation will get another vote by lawmakers in the coming weeks. Nearly a year after the Legislature adjourned, lawmakers will consider overriding Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte's veto of Senate Bill 442, which would expand the marijuana sales tax revenue spending for habitat conservation and veterans' services. For the first time, those revenues would also pay for county road repairs in areas of high recreation use. "The substance of the bill is great," said bill sponsor Sen. Mike Lang, R-Malta, in a phone interview Wednesday. "We're talking veterans, we're talking about helping a lot of people who need help and we're talking about county roads. There's many good facets." Legislators have until 5 p.m. April 18 to return their ballots. In a letter to state lawmakers Tuesday, Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen, a Republican, called the override poll "historic and unprecedented." The novelty of this poll largely comes from the jagged efforts to keep it from going out to lawmakers: Senate President Jason Ellsworth, also a Republican, called the poll unconstitutional on Monday and Gianforte has for months defended in courts the veto procedure that ultimately precluded the Senate from attempting an override while the session was still in action. The Supreme Court last week ruled against an attempt by the governor to delay the poll until the gaps in constitutional guidance over the process could be decided, allowing the legal arguments and poll to move forward in tandem. "I look forward to the state's supreme judicial body weighing in on this significant case," Jacobsen wrote in the letter to lawmakers. Conservation groups Wild Montana and the Montana Wildlife Federation joined the Montana Association of Counties in that litigation to put the override poll back into play. The bill saw significant support from lawmakers during the session, but now faces the uphill battle against Republican leadership who have sought to stall the poll and general engagement issues that are common with override polls after the session has adjourned and lawmakers go back their civilian lives; ballots that aren't returned are counted as "no" votes. On Wednesday the Montana Wildlife Federation began sending lawmakers a letter signed by 32 sportsmen and wildlife conservation organizations supporting the bill. "Hunters, anglers and landowners will be able to tap $30 million for habitat improvements, representing the largest investment in conservation in over four decades," Wildlife Federation director Frank Szollosi said in a statement. "Respectfully to the 130 legislators who supported this vital bill almost a year ago, 'Stick to your guns,' the next 30 days will impact what makes Montana, Montana, for the next 30 years." Wild Montana has likewise taken up lobbying lawmakers on the upcoming poll. "At this time, we're focused on trying to ensure that SB 442, a bill that helps every Montanan, gets a fair shot at becoming law," Wild Montana policy director Noah Marion said. "SB 442 had the support of over 100 organizations representing tens of thousands of Montanans and 130 of 150 legislators during the session. This kind of collaboration deserves to be honored and SB 442 deserves to become law." Several proposals to retool Montana's surging marijuana sales tax revenues were up for debate during the 2023 Legislature. The governor's administration supported legislation that would have scrapped the current distribution for habitat conservation in favor of law enforcement resources. Lawmakers ultimately turned that proposal down in favor of SB 442. Counties have high hopes for county road repair relief Fergus County has roughly 1,500 miles of county roads. Some 75% of road use there is for recreation, while the rest is local farm and ranch operations. The key component in Lang's bill is the county road construction and maintenance funding. Much of that funding would go to rural counties where recreational marijuana sales are prohibited, but county officials in those areas say they see so many travelers from the rest of the state that those dollars would go a long way in maintaining county roads for local residents and emergency services. Fergus County, for example, has roughly 1,500 miles of county roads, many of which feed recreationists into the Missouri River Breaks area popular for its scenic landscapes and proven hunting grounds. The county's road and bridge supervisor told reporters last year 75% of the road use there is for recreation, while the rest is local farm and ranch operations. Gianforte rejected this component in his veto letter last year, writing that the state should not pick up the tab for local, ongoing expenses. He suggested with the financial assistance, counties would not lower citizens' taxes but instead "reallocate those dollars to capricious, unnecessary projects, resulting in a net increase of Montanans' tax burden." Despite widespread support during the session, 28 Republican senators, all of whom voted for SB 442 during the session, signed Ellsworth's letter this week to the Montana Supreme Court denouncing its order that the override poll be carried out. In a press conference Monday, Senate leadership said their contention was not with the merits of the bill but the judicial branch making determinations on the legislative process. Lang said Wednesday he wishes the end-of-session scramble over the bill could have gone differently. The Senate never had a chance to consider Gianforte's veto because it was never read across the rostrum. Ellsworth announced to the press this week he had the bill in his possession when the chamber adjourned, and that he didn't move it procedurally into play because the haphazard adjournment, pulled off by Democrats in the minority and a handful of Republicans, surprised everyone. "We could have went with the normal process and we would have had a veto override opportunity," Lang said. While Senate leadership took up a narrative against the court's involvement in the process this week, Lang, who is termed out of the Senate and did not file to run for the House, said he's focused on the bill's merits. "It's bridging the gap between landowners, federal lands and the people who are trying to enjoy them," he said. Comments made by South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem during a March 13 bill signing in Mitchell and later at a town hall in Winner have caused three tribes to call for her to apologize. During the two town hall meetings, Noem accused tribal council members of standing in her way, failing youth and benefiting from drug cartel operations. Now, tribal leaders from the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, Oglala Sioux Tribe and Crow Creek Sioux Tribe are responding to those allegations. Her remarks were made from ignorance and with the intention to fuel a racially based and discriminatory narrative towards the Native people of South Dakota, said Rosebud Sioux Tribe President Scott Herman in a March 15 press release. We demand an apology from the governor. During a question-and-answer session after signing two new education bills, Noem commented on low graduation rates and low attendance rates due to a lack of parental involvement. Because they live with 80% to 90% unemployment, their kids dont have any hope. They dont have parents who show up and help them, Noem said. They have a tribal council or a president who focuses on a political agenda more than they care about actually helping somebodys life look better. Noem said as of 2022, six of the 11 poorest counties in the United States were in South Dakota: Todd County, which is part of the Rosebud Reservation; Mellette County, Oglala Lakota County and Jackson County, which are part of the Pine Ridge Reservation; Corson County, which is part of the Standing Rock Reservation; and Ziebach County, which is part of the Cheyenne River Reservation. I have tribal councils that are standing in my way, Noem said. Because theyve got control and theyve got money coming into their pockets, theyre taking from their people and their communities. Theyre not benefiting their kids. That's next on my agenda. A majority of Native children in South Dakota are enrolled in public schools off-reservation. Data from the South Dakota Board of Education indicated only 5,013 children, or 25% of the states Native youth, attended tribal schools for the 2023-2024 school year, 300 fewer than the previous school year. Statewide, one-third of Native students dont graduate from public high schools and 84% are not considered college-ready. Later that day during a town hall in Winner, Noem again alleged that Mexican cartels are operating on tribal lands in South Dakota and are trafficking drugs, children and sex to the rest of the Midwest. She then accused tribal leaders of benefiting from cartel presence. Noem has previously alleged that cartels are operating on tribal land, specifically within the Pine Ridge and Lake Traverse reservations. After the first cartel allegations were made Jan. 31, representatives from the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate held a meeting with Noem to discuss her remarks. The tribe requested she collaborate on a cooperative law enforcement plan with tribal governments. The Oglala Sioux Tribe also moved to ban Noem from the reservation a second time. In response to the March 13 allegations, the Oglala Sioux Tribe pointed to a 2007 publication from the National Drug Intelligence Center stating that most illegal drug activity in South Dakota moves through Sioux Falls and Sioux City. I suggest that Noem as Governor should, perhaps, clean up her own backyard in the Watertown and Castlewood area (where her ranch is located) instead of trying to cast the Sioux Tribes in a false light by insinuating that all the Mexican Drug Cartel trafficking comes to South Dakota population centers like Sioux Falls and Rapid City from the Sioux reservations, said Oglala Sioux Tribe President Frank Star Comes Out in a March 16 press release. In 2022 The Oglala Sioux Tribe launched a lawsuit against the federal government to try to get the United States to honor its obligation to provide the reservation with adequate public safety resources. For years, the reservation has experienced high rates of murder, suicide, drug offenses, robbery, rape, aggravated assault, burglary and missing persons cases, according to tribal officials. The Crow Creek Sioux Tribe has also struggled with a lack of police officers, leading to the development of a citizen patrol force. The tribe is also requesting additional law enforcement personnel and general public safety assistance. In the 8 months since the citizen patrol force was established, calls to dispatch dropped by 30% to 40% and ambulance calls are down 30% to 35%. Over one dozen employees have been hired by the tribe to aid in the program. Tribal leaders said a majority of the guns and drugs brought into reservations are coming from cities like Sioux Falls and Rapid City, not directly into the reservation. Ian Fury, chief of communications for the governors office, said Noem has attempted to schedule meetings with Rosebud Sioux Tribe President Scott Herman, Crow Creek Chairman Peter Lengkeek and Oglala Sioux Tribe President Star Comes Out, but has not heard back. She is loving all the conversations that shes having with their community members she has appreciated their encouragement and support, Fury said in an email to ICT and the Rapid City Journal. We would challenge the tribes to prove the Governors comment false by banishing the drug cartels from their reservations." Three Louisa County fire departments extinguished a house fire in the 5300 block of Highway 99 in rural Oakdale early Monday. According to release from Wapello Fire and Rescue, the department was called at about 3 a.m. on Monday to assist Oakville Fire Department with a structure fire. Upon arrival, Oakdale Fire Department was on scene at a single-family house. Heavy smoke and flames were seen coming through the roof from inside the home. Crews attacked the fire and ventilated the structure. The firefighters also remained on scene for several hours conducting salvage and overhaul operations before the fire was extinguished. Firefighting efforts were complicated by high winds and freezing temperatures. The home sustained heavy damage from fire, smoke and water. No damage estimate is available but the home has been declared uninhabitable. The American Red Cross was requested to assist the residents. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Two residents were home at the time of the fire and were able to escape the structure, but one occupant of the home was transported to a nearby hospital by ambulance. Two cats also were located and rescued by the firefighters. No injuries were reported to any of the firefighters. Agencies responding to the fire included Oakville Fire and Rescue, Wapello Fire and Rescue, Wapello Community Ambulance, Morning Sun Fire Department, Louisa County Sheriff's Office, Eastern Iowa Light and Power and Servpro. Photos: Area fire departments fight Rock Island livestock barn fire Senior Counsel Ahmednasir Abdullahi has initiated legal proceedings at the East African Court of Justice in Arusha, Tanzania, seeking to overturn a decision that barred him and his law firm employees from appearing before the Supreme Court of Kenya. Ahmednasir has filed a lawsuit against the Attorney General on behalf of the Government of Kenya, demanding an order to compel Attorney General Justin Muturi to reverse the pronouncement made by the Supreme Court. He argues that the decision by the Justice Martha Koome-led court violated his rights to fair administrative action, access to justice, and a fair trial. The Senior Counsel additionally accuses the State of violating his universally accepted fundamental right to work. What they did was unfair. The effect of the ban affects my right to earn a living, he submitted. As a result, Ahmednassir is also pursuing Kes.200 million in damages, representing fees lost from cases he had previously handled before the Supreme Court. The advocate alleges that the Supreme Court did not adhere to any legal framework in its pronouncement. That this Honorable Court be pleased to award damages of Kshs. 200,000,000.00 or other sums to the Applicant being the fees that the Applicant forfeited for cases he had conduct of before the Supreme Court, the Senior Counsel stated. The Grand Mullah is also challenging the action taken by the Apex court to banish him for an unspecified period. No sooner had President Wiliam Ruto assented to contentious the Affordable Housing Bill than a petitioner moved to court to challenge it. Ruto signed the Affordable Housing Bill into law on Tuesday, March 19, paving the way for the implementation of the affordable housing programme. But in a petition filed on Tuesday, Magare Gikenyi, a Nakuru-based doctor, argued that there is no justification as provided by Affordable Housing Act, 2023 to limit the enjoyment of rights to individuals. The petitioner argues that the Act has failed to acknowledge that some Kenyans have already organized their housing arrangements, including the location of the building, its style, design, and payment method, among other factors. He added that there is no rational justification to compel all Kenyans to pay the levy for the benefit of others. Communist Ideologies He further argued that the Affordable Housing Act attempts to introduce communist ideologies, which are not permitted by the constitution. Kenya is not a communist state and the constitution does not envisage it, he said. Gikenyi also accuses the respondents, including the Cabinet Secretaries for Lands and Treasury, the Attorney General, the National Assembly, and the Senate, of blatant dismissal of the results of the public participation process. He accused them of imposing a levy that the majority of Kenyans oppose. The doctor informed the court that the actions of the respondents would erode public confidence and lead to the outright abuse of political power, to the detriment of many Kenyans. He emphasized the significance of upholding constitutionalism, the rule of law, law and order, good governance, non-discrimination, and the protection of the Constitution. Gikenyi requested orders to prevent the respondents from evicting Kenyans from public land under the guise of implementing the Affordable Housing Act, pending the hearing and determination of the suit. He urged that the matter be brought before a judge and orders issued to preserve and safeguard public interests. During a meeting with 300 clergy at the Full Gospel Church of Kenya in Kitale, marking her first gathering in Trans Nzoia County, Pastor Dorcas Rigathi, urged churches to actively engage in rehabilitating individuals affected by alcohol, drugs, and substance abuse. The Spouse of the Deputy President provided an example of PEFA Church in Donholm, which opened its doors to individuals struggling with addiction. Through their efforts, 400 people have reportedly transformed their lives, becoming alcohol and drug-free while also receiving training in technical skills. Led by Bishop Dr. Mophat Kilioba, the church was one of the pioneers in church community-based rehabilitation initiatives when Pastor Dorcas began advocating for faith-based organizations to open their places of worship to the vulnerable. If the 300 gathered here could rehabilitate 10 each, we shall have rehabilitated 3,000. The future church is in the gutter, drug dens and muguka shades. Let us fish them out from there, pastor Dorcas said on Wednesday. The foundation of the Office of the Spouse of the Deputy President (OSDP) is centered on Chaplaincy, Outreach, and Family Values, wherein she collaborates closely with clergy from various denominations including Christian, Muslim, and Hindu. With Kenya boasting more than 10,000 churches, mosques, and temples, Pastor Dorcas firmly believes that if these faith-based organizations open their doors and extend outreach to those battling addiction and vulnerability, an entire generation could be saved. Pastor Dorcas shared the vision of her office, focusing on A Dignified Future for Vulnerable Populations, which encompasses the boy child, widows, orphans, and people with disabilities (PWDs). Throughout her three-day working stay in Trans Nzoia, she will conduct various programs targeting different groups across the county. These initiatives include a medical camp and meetings with widows and individuals with disabilities. Cabinet Secretary for Interior, Kithure Kindiki, bolstered the fight against banditry and terrorism by commissioning the first batch of security equipment on Wednesday. Consequently, the CS directed security officers to use the equipment to combat criminals without mercy. Security officers are now directed to use this equipment to deal with criminals mercilessly and thwart the work of bandits and terrorists. Take down those armed criminals before they take you down or any of our citizens, Kindiki ordered. The CS inaugurated the Kes.7.6 billion worth of modern security equipment at the GSU Headquarters in Ruaraka. The first batch, designated to support Operation Maliza Uhalifu in the North Rift Valley, will also cover the Northern Grazing Area of Meru County, Isiolo, and Marsabit Counties, as well as aid counter-terrorism efforts in the North Eastern Region and the Boni Enclave in Lamu County. Govt to Spend a Further Kes.29.4B Kindiki mentioned that the Government has in the last six months invested Kes.7.6 Billion and will spend another Kes.29.4 Billion in the next three years under the Police Equipment Modernisation (PEM) programme to acquire more sophisticated equipment. The equipment includes Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) and Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles (MRAPs), Armoured Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), Drones, Gunship Helicopters, Mine Sweepers, and Personal Protection Equipment. With the release of the security equipment, the Interior boss declared that the end of bandits, terrorists, and other organized criminals had finally arrived. Days of bandits and terrorists brutalising our people are over. Time for liberating our people is here and that time is now, Kindiki said. He added; The Government remains focused on complete suppression and neutralisation of terrorism, banditry, livestock rustling and other organised criminal activities as the sure way of turning around our National Security and putting Kenya on a firm path to equitable development and shared prosperity. Some photos below. Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has challenged Kenyans to stop complaining and instead channel more effort toward building a wealthier and economically stable nation. Mudavadi emphasized that Kenyans have no one else but themselves to rely on to reverse the countrys economic fortunes. We must stop crying and work ourselves out of poverty. There is no time for lamentations. The focus should be on work and we have to sweat for us to achieve what we envisage as a people, Mudavadi said. Mudavadi delivered his remarks during the inaugural Kakamega International Investment Conference at the Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology on Wednesday. He advocated for enhanced partnerships between national and county governments. Mudavadi highlighted that counties possess immense potential and untapped opportunities that could serve as a game-changer if properly exploited. Counties should take advantage of the trade and investment opportunities that the government has negotiated through bilateral agreements, including with but not limited to the European Union, the United Kingdom and other nations that we are negotiating with at the regional and global level, he said. Mudavadi reiterated the governments commitment to supporting counties, affirming that President William Rutos administration fully backs devolution. Likewise, Mudavadi urged counties to concentrate on the distinctive opportunities available to them and to explore ventures that would pave the way for investment, development, job creation, and sustainable growth. Kenya is a champion of Africas integration through the Africa Continental Free Trade Area Agreement, and counties should be at the forefront in supporting the national government in utilizing the opportunities that are being presented through such trade agreements, said Mudavadi. Authorities on Wednesday officially released a brief video clip showing an American Canyon police officer shooting an 18-year-old man in January during a foot pursuit in Vallejo. The 20-second clip, which the Napa County Sheriffs Office posted to its Facebook page, shows Officer Josh Coleman shooting Rogers Demarea Vaughn III on Jan. 11. The foot pursuit and shooting followed a vehicle chase that had begun in American Canyon and ended with a crash in north Vallejo. Footage shared by the sheriffs office came from security cameras at houses on opposite sides of the street where Coleman a former Vallejo policeman who joined the American Canyon force in 2018 twice shot Vaughn, who was reportedly wounded in the buttocks and hospitalized. Hands up! Drop the gun! Coleman shouts while holding his service handgun and chasing Vaughn down a two-lane suburban street from left to right in the camera frame. Drop the gun! Drop the gun! Drop the gun! Drop the gun! Drop the gun, Ill shoot you! Drop the gun! Coleman then fires two shots, and Vaughn immediately crumbles to the curbside. The videos second portion shows the gunshots from the opposite side of the street. The sheriff's office, which staffs the American Canyon force, earlier announced that Coleman was put on paid administrative leave, in line with department policy following an officer-involved shooting. Residents of the camera-equipped homes gave the video footage to the Solano Major Crimes Task Force, which conducted the investigation of the pursuit and shooting, according to the Napa County Sheriffs Office. In a statement posted with the video, the sheriffs office said it asked the Solano task force and the Napa County District Attorneys Office for a copy of the video clips, but was turned down by both agencies because an investigation was still underway. The sheriffs office obtained the home security videos only on Wednesday, the agency said, which was critical because its the only video that captured the shooting. Having access to this video allows the Sheriffs Office to share the (officer-involved shooting) video along with accurate context." The security video was first made public by The Press Democrat on March 13. Less than a week earlier, authorities also provided footage from the body-worn camera Coleman was wearing on Jan. 11, but that footage did not include images of the gunshots because the battery on Colemans device had run down, Sheriff Oscar Ortiz told the newspaper. Vaughn, whom authorities had earlier identified as Demarea Vaughn Rogers III, was the passenger in a car driven by 18-year-old Amarion Jozan Hill of Vallejo, who authorities said evaded American Canyon officers when they tried to stop him for a code violation. The chase continued south for three miles before the vehicle crashed into a fence and the two men fled the vehicle carrying loaded guns, the Solano County District Attorneys Office said at the time. Vaughn, a Vallejo resident who has since turned 19, pleaded no contest Feb. 21 in Napa County Superior Court to a felony count of carrying a loaded firearm and a misdemeanor count of resisting arrest, according to court records. His sentencing is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Friday. Hill pleaded no contest March 12 in Napa to evading police officers, carrying a loaded gun and resisting arrest, and is slated for sentencing April 10. The Jan. 11 incident marked the fifth time Coleman had fired his gun on duty in his law enforcement career, the Vallejo Sun reported earlier. Coleman was one of two Vallejo Police officers who fatally shot William Heinze on March 20, 2013. He was later involved in shootings in 2013, 2014 and 2016. A 2017 study by the Pew Research Center reported that only 27% of U.S. police officers ever fire their service guns while on duty. According to the Vallejo Sun, a former supervisor of Coleman at Vallejo Police in 2022 implicated him the practice of badge bending, the ritual of bending the police badges of officers who have shot and killed people in the line of duty. Former Lt. Kent Tribble said in Solano County Superior Court that he bent Colemans badge of the 2016 shooting, and saw Coleman do the same for another officer in 2017. Coleman, who spent 15 years on the Vallejo force, testified that his badge was bent against his will and denied ever bending other officers badges, the Sun reported. Photos: Napa Valley Faces and Places, March 16, 2024 On February 13, 2024, a new border skirmish took place between Armenia and Azerbaijan, months after Baku regained its territories in Nagorno-Karabakh. While the sides accuse each other of provocations, such incidents could also lead to larger clashes. While a peace deal is needed in order to put an end to the decades-long conflict, reaching an agreement will take time. Meanwhile, to encourage it, both states should now focus on trust-building initiatives, particularly in the humanitarian, economic, and environmental areas. Such short-term initiatives have the potential to assist and stimulate the evolution of new narratives on peaceful coexistence a challenging but vital task for current and future generations. BACKGROUND: On September 19, 2023, Azerbaijans Defence Ministry announced local anti-terror measures aimed to ensure the provisions of the Trilateral Statement an agreement signed by the leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia in November 2020. For almost three years, the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh had remained unstable. The Trilateral Statement had failed to stop mutual attacks from time to time, and Armenia and Azerbaijan had failed to agree on the realisation of main transport corridors and the future of Nagorno-Karabakh residents. The so-called Nagorno-Karabakh republic remained a self-proclaimed, illegal, and unrecognised formation (even by Armenia). At the same time, Baku was accused of creating a humanitarian disaster by blockading supplies on the Lachin road. As these conditions became unacceptable for both parties, escalation was to be expected. The 2020 Second Karabakh War resulted in an asymmetric balance of power. Azerbaijan proved able to leverage its decisive military advantage into territorial gains; its claims over Nagorno-Karabakh have been recognised within international law since 1993; and it has more powerful and decisive allies (primarily Turkey but also Israel and Pakistan). In turn, Armenias situation became highly vulnerable. The Collective Security Treaty Organization, in which Armenia participates as a member state, ruled out any involvement in this conflict, even after Yerevan accused Baku of shelling the southern Armenian towns of Goris, Kapan and Jermuk. Russia has denounced recent political actions and statements by Yerevan, including in relation to Armenia-US military exercises or the process of ratifying the ICC Statute, as hostile. Previously considered a key ally, Russia is now perceived in Armenia as failing to deliver on its security commitments and its peacekeeping contingent as being unable to protect Armenia. Calls made by the EU, France and the US for Azerbaijan to stop its 2023 military activities in Karabakh can be considered contradictory in the context of Ukraines efforts to liberate its territories. Indeed, Azerbaijan and Ukraine are sovereign states where separatist forces were supported by foreign countries. In the case of Ukraine, the West recognised its right to regain territories by military force and supplied weapons for this purpose, while taking the opposite stance regarding Azerbaijan. According to Brenda Shaffer, Calling on Azerbaijan to withdraw from Karabakh is like calling on Ukraine to withdraw from Mariupol. Within days, Azerbaijan took over control of the remainder of Karabakh. Approximately a hundred thousand local Armenians fled to Armenia. In March 2024, the Armenian government decided to return to Azerbaijan four frontier villages that fall within Azerbaijans internationally recognized territory. The military resolution of a 30-year conflict led to a new geopolitical reality in the region, which brings new challenges and prospects. IMPLICATIONS: To avoid future confrontation, Armenia and Azerbaijan need to agree on a peace deal, which is delayed by several sticking points. The first relates to the delimitation and demarcation of borders between the two republics. The second guaranteed by the Trilateral Statement refers to transport connectivity, especially between Azerbaijan and its enclave Nakhchivan. And third, international guarantees and dispute resolution mechanisms are needed. While these issues are essential, they will take time to resolve and negotiations for a peace deal may last for an extended period. Yet simultaneously and in parallel, Armenia and Azerbaijan can focus on a proactive and positive agenda to create a better climate for a peace deal and a secure and predictable future. For instance, several important issues in the humanitarian area could form the basis for closer cooperation if necessary attention is received from both sides. Demining territories of Nagorno-Karabakh is one such issue, which requires Armenia to share maps for hundreds of thousands of mines. Exchanging prisoners of war is another area of potential cooperation. The sides also need to seriously approach a scenario in which Karabakh Armenians can safely return to the territories regained by Azerbaijan. Azerbaijans declaration of its readiness to reintegrate Armenians wanting to stay in Karabakh faced mistrust in Yerevan, demanding concrete security guarantees for the local Armenian population. Launching further discussion about the right to return can demonstrate the parties commitment to peaceful co-existence. Finally, restoring the cultural heritage of the region is also a considerable challenge. Moreover, much can be done in the fields of economy and environment. While there is a discussion about the potential benefits and threats to Armenia of launching the Zangezur corridor, it is clear that developing the regions connectivity serves the geo-economic interests of both states. And observing the pacta sunt servanda principle in accordance with the content of the Trilateral Statement (Provision 9, in particular), all economic and transport links in the region need to be unblocked. Collaboration between Armenia and Azerbaijan in the environmental area can also intensify for mutual benefit, particularly in making the regional ecological policy more effective and systemic within a holistic understanding of the Caspian-Caucasian bioregion. In this regard, including Yerevan in the work of the Tehran Convention Secretariat and other relevant regional mechanisms should be prioritized. However, in light of the traumas that the recent war has incurred on the Armenian and Azerbaijani peoples, initiatives focused on cooperation risk being received with misunderstandings and anger, and need to be paired with a deeper engagement with public discourse. For example, it is essential to refer to good examples of the common history of Armenians and Azeris and explain the advantages of economic cooperation and unblocking cultural ties with neighbours. Relevant narratives should be promoted by officials, opinion leaders and mass media. The discourse of rivalry needs to be substituted with a discourse of cooperation. Although this is a lengthy process that will hopefully be continued by future generations, making the first move today, in conjunction with the above-mentioned cooperation initiatives, is of great importance. Recently, Armenias Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has called to revise the Constitution and remove provisions connecting Armenia with the Nagorno-Karabakh region. While this is widely considered a result of pressure from Baku, it also represents an attempt to build a new Armenia in which development is not hindered by revanchist ideas in historical and political narratives. Similarly, along with its stated policy to reintegrate the Karabakh population, Azerbaijan needs to develop a persuasive narrative about new compatriots to shape public attitudes towards Armenians with Azerbaijani passports while guaranteeing their safety and citizen rights. Azerbaijans President Ilham Aliyev has referred to the Armenian population of Karabakh as our citizens stating: We intend to build a life together based on peace, mutual understanding, and mutual respect. We have no problems with the Armenian people. We have no enmity. While rhetoric itself is not enough to build trust between the two nations, it remains important at this stage, especially as a basis for commencing the outlined cooperation initiatives and making headway towards a peace agreement. CONCLUSIONS: The narrative dimension of the conflict is essential not only for short-term cooperation or a pragmatic peace deal but also for the long-term perspective and the future history of the two nations. As the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is deeply rooted in historical myths and the strategic narratives of both Armenia and Azerbaijan, a long-term solution must be rooted in the readjustment of mutual images and collective perceptions of the two nations. Shifting from the competition of historical biographies, toxic otherings, and exceptionalist representations is key to normalizing relations between the two states and their diasporas abroad. While difficult and very long-term, Armenia and Azerbaijan need to construct and establish narratives of mutual respect and cooperation focusing on peace rather than on war and speculations about the past. Geopolitics is a less significant determinant of the conflicts development than the historical perspectives of the two nations themselves. The implementation of stable solutions in security and cooperation depends on the efforts and intentions of todays leadership of the two states. However, the possibility for these solutions to remain in place and work for future generations depends on mutual representations in public perception and national biographies. We should not underestimate the significant role of the narrative dimension in the conflict and the urgent need to implement a discourse of trust rather than rivalry. AUTHOR'S BIO: Intigam Mamedov is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Department of Social Sciences, Northumbria University, UK. His research interests include international relations, critical security studies, Russian and Post-Soviet Politics. Guwahati: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Wednesday said that it has postponed Prime Minister Narendra Modis two-day visit to Bhutan citing inclement weather at Paro airport. Due to ongoing inclement weather conditions over Paro airport, it has been mutually decided to postpone the state visit of the Prime Minister to Bhutan on 21-22 March 2024. The new dates are being worked out by the two sides through diplomatic channels, the statement said a day before the scheduled visit. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was slated to visit Bhutan from March 21-22, 2024. The visit was in keeping with the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between India and Bhutan and the Governments emphasis on its Neighbourhood First Policy. ???India and Bhutan share a unique and enduring partnership which is rooted in mutual trust, understanding and goodwill. Our shared spiritual heritage and warm people-to-people ties add depth and vibrancy to our exceptional relations. The visit was expected to provide an opportunity for both sides to exchange views on bilateral and regional matters of interest and deliberate on ways to expand and intensify our exemplary partnership for the benefit of our people. Internal legal grounds being created for Armenia to apply to ICC in connection with Azerbaijan's war crimes European Union responds to Azerbaijan statements on EU-US-Armenia trilateral meeting Russia MFA: Friends of Armenia Network report objective is to tear Armenia from Russia, EAEU Russian 102nd Military Base in Gyumri is only guarantee of Armenia's sovereignty, Russia MFA says Siranush Sahakyan: Hard to convince international organizations to pressure Azerbaijan on Armenian captives matter Lawyer: Ruben Vardanyan gave international resonance to Karabakh issue, earned Azerbaijans hatred Armenian woman is appointed state minister in new Palestine government Lawyer: Azerbaijan uses matter of Armenian captives, hostages for political purposes Ameriabank named the Best Bank in Armenia for 2024 by Global Finance magazine International law expert: Azerbaijan should at least promise autonomy so that Armenians can return to Karabakh Ombudsman: There are 20 Armenians left in Nagorno-Karabakh Armenia ex-ombudsman: Azerbaijan pursued goal of de-Armenianizing Karabakh from very beginning Russia TV programs Evening with Vladimir Solovyov and Sunday Evening with Vladimir Solovyov blocked in Armenia US State Department to Zakharova: Turbulence in South Caucasus is fueled by Russia's actions in recent months Russia FM: Putin was surprised by Armenia PM Pashinyan's decision to recognize Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan Lavrov: PM Pashinyan invited EU mission to Armenia, promising Azerbaijan that it will be for 2 months Legislature head: Armenia will attend for first time the gathering of EU countries parliament speakers Armenia parliament speaker: We are trying to defend our country by all possible means Iraqi security services eliminated a high-ranking IS member Armenia parliament speaker: Our ally Russia left us all alone at most critical moment Lebanon to file a complaint to UN Security Council over Israeli strikes on south of country Armenia legislature head: We are not going to concede anything that is ours Clinton and Obama to participate in Biden's campaign fundraiser Armenia legislature speaker to meet with Azerbaijan counterpart again Media: Powerful explosion hits Somalia's capital city France detains 2 suspects for sending bomb threats to lycees Military aircraft crashed into the sea near Sevastopol White House: US passed detailed data on terrorist attack threat to Russian Federation Lavrov: EU mission in Armenia is turning into a NATO mission Mash: A mass round-up of migrants began in Moscow and the region Members of the European Council's Political and Security Committee to visit Armenia EU envoy: We already have attracted 60M to develop Armenias educational sector Armenia ruling force MP: We are EAEU member, in parallel we work towards integration with EU, other markets Dollar, euro lose value in Armenia Mahmoud Abbas approved the new government of Palestine Labor, social affairs minister: Increase in number of 3rd and subsequent children recorded in Armenia MP: Euronest urged EU to develop specific proposals on how to respond to Armenia's European aspirations Armenia government humanitarian aid reaches Gaza (PHOTOS) Armenia government makes allocations to hold events for Parajanov, Aznavour 100th birth anniversaries Armenia to provide $300,000 to Japan for earthquake relief Armenia MP: Euronest called on EU to increase humanitarian, financial aid for forcibly displaced Karabakh children Yerevan ex-mayor Hayk Marutyan is founding political party Azerbaijan ombudsperson meets with dozens of Armenians remaining in occupied Karabakh capital Stepanakert Russia MFA spox: Armenia is being turned into tool for implementing dangerous plans of the West Europeans for Artsakh discusses upcoming actions toward protecting Karabakhs interests Armenia to provide humanitarian aid to 1.5 million people displaced from Gaza Pashinyan: Some circles forcibly displaced from Karabakh are taking steps that create threat to Armenias security Secretary General: Armenia, indeed, has not recently participated in CSTO Secretariats work State Department disagrees with Azerbaijan comments on upcoming US-EU-Armenia meeting President: Document to dissolve Karabakh republic was only way to save compatriots Newspaper: Generals are gone, Armenia PM has decided to hand over some Tavush Province settlements to Azerbaijan Volvo launches its last diesel car US First Lady writes childrens book about her cat Almost 1 child in 6 is cyberbullied in Europe Foreign Ministry: Upcoming Armenia-US-EU high-level meeting not directed to any third party Zakharova on Azerbaijan weapons supply to Ukraine: Main thing is that something similar doesnt appear about Armenia Russia MFA spox: Future of entire South Caucasus is only tool for France Zakharova: Everything that will benefit the people of Armenia can only be welcomed Russia MFA spox: We do not use the term Zangezur corridor Wings of Tatev opens a new tourist season Parliament speaker: Armenia not waiting to become EU membership candidate Alen Simonyan: Russia needed twice as much as we needed Russian border guards presence in Armenia Armenia legislature chair: I don't think Russian border guards will protect us if Turkey attacks Armenia does not join CSTO statement condemning terrorist attack in Moscow Region Armenia parliament head: What we want at this time is to get the border with Azerbaijan No discussion at this phase regarding Armenia's EU membership, legislature speaker says Armenia parliament chair does not rule out that Azerbaijanis will attack Armenia has calculated the risks if Tavush Province defense line collapses, legislature head assures Parliament speaker: No part of Armenia territory is subject to negotiation Armenia PM, France delegation discuss processes taking place in South Caucasus Moscow Region terrorist attack death toll rises France lawmakers visit Armenian Genocide Memorial in Yerevan France ambassador, French MPs visit Armenias Sotk gold mine Lemkin Institute expresses concern that Azerbaijan regime may get revenge upon Armenian captives AraratBank places its 27th issue of dollar bonds 2.5-year-old girl in critical condition after falling into boiling water container in Armenias Byureghavan Friends of Armenia Network report: Offering Armenia EU candidate status would be important signal US State Department reveals objectives of upcoming Blinken-Pashinyan talk Newspaper: Azerbaijan leader reprimands Armenia PM Nikolay Konashenok, who tried to fly to Armenia, is taken into custody for 14 days for petty hooliganism Internal legal grounds being created for Armenia to apply to ICC in connection with Azerbaijan's war crimes European Union responds to Azerbaijan statements on EU-US-Armenia trilateral meeting Russia MFA: Friends of Armenia Network report objective is to tear Armenia from Russia, EAEU Russian 102nd Military Base in Gyumri is only guarantee of Armenia's sovereignty, Russia MFA says Siranush Sahakyan: Hard to convince international organizations to pressure Azerbaijan on Armenian captives matter Lawyer: Ruben Vardanyan gave international resonance to Karabakh issue, earned Azerbaijans hatred Armenian woman is appointed state minister in new Palestine government Lawyer: Azerbaijan uses matter of Armenian captives, hostages for political purposes Ameriabank named the Best Bank in Armenia for 2024 by Global Finance magazine International law expert: Azerbaijan should at least promise autonomy so that Armenians can return to Karabakh Ombudsman: There are 20 Armenians left in Nagorno-Karabakh Armenia ex-ombudsman: Azerbaijan pursued goal of de-Armenianizing Karabakh from very beginning Russia TV programs Evening with Vladimir Solovyov and Sunday Evening with Vladimir Solovyov blocked in Armenia US State Department to Zakharova: Turbulence in South Caucasus is fueled by Russia's actions in recent months Russia FM: Putin was surprised by Armenia PM Pashinyan's decision to recognize Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan Lavrov: PM Pashinyan invited EU mission to Armenia, promising Azerbaijan that it will be for 2 months Legislature head: Armenia will attend for first time the gathering of EU countries parliament speakers Armenia parliament speaker: We are trying to defend our country by all possible means Iraqi security services eliminated a high-ranking IS member Armenia parliament speaker: Our ally Russia left us all alone at most critical moment Lebanon to file a complaint to UN Security Council over Israeli strikes on south of country Armenia legislature head: We are not going to concede anything that is ours Clinton and Obama to participate in Biden's campaign fundraiser Armenia legislature speaker to meet with Azerbaijan counterpart again Media: Powerful explosion hits Somalia's capital city France detains 2 suspects for sending bomb threats to lycees Military aircraft crashed into the sea near Sevastopol White House: US passed detailed data on terrorist attack threat to Russian Federation Lavrov: EU mission in Armenia is turning into a NATO mission Mash: A mass round-up of migrants began in Moscow and the region Members of the European Council's Political and Security Committee to visit Armenia EU envoy: We already have attracted 60M to develop Armenias educational sector Armenia ruling force MP: We are EAEU member, in parallel we work towards integration with EU, other markets Dollar, euro lose value in Armenia Mahmoud Abbas approved the new government of Palestine Labor, social affairs minister: Increase in number of 3rd and subsequent children recorded in Armenia MP: Euronest urged EU to develop specific proposals on how to respond to Armenia's European aspirations Armenia government humanitarian aid reaches Gaza (PHOTOS) Armenia government makes allocations to hold events for Parajanov, Aznavour 100th birth anniversaries Armenia to provide $300,000 to Japan for earthquake relief Armenia MP: Euronest called on EU to increase humanitarian, financial aid for forcibly displaced Karabakh children Yerevan ex-mayor Hayk Marutyan is founding political party Azerbaijan ombudsperson meets with dozens of Armenians remaining in occupied Karabakh capital Stepanakert Russia MFA spox: Armenia is being turned into tool for implementing dangerous plans of the West Europeans for Artsakh discusses upcoming actions toward protecting Karabakhs interests Armenia to provide humanitarian aid to 1.5 million people displaced from Gaza Pashinyan: Some circles forcibly displaced from Karabakh are taking steps that create threat to Armenias security Secretary General: Armenia, indeed, has not recently participated in CSTO Secretariats work State Department disagrees with Azerbaijan comments on upcoming US-EU-Armenia meeting President: Document to dissolve Karabakh republic was only way to save compatriots Newspaper: Generals are gone, Armenia PM has decided to hand over some Tavush Province settlements to Azerbaijan Volvo launches its last diesel car US First Lady writes childrens book about her cat Almost 1 child in 6 is cyberbullied in Europe Foreign Ministry: Upcoming Armenia-US-EU high-level meeting not directed to any third party Zakharova on Azerbaijan weapons supply to Ukraine: Main thing is that something similar doesnt appear about Armenia Russia MFA spox: Future of entire South Caucasus is only tool for France Zakharova: Everything that will benefit the people of Armenia can only be welcomed Russia MFA spox: We do not use the term Zangezur corridor Wings of Tatev opens a new tourist season Parliament speaker: Armenia not waiting to become EU membership candidate Alen Simonyan: Russia needed twice as much as we needed Russian border guards presence in Armenia Armenia legislature chair: I don't think Russian border guards will protect us if Turkey attacks Armenia does not join CSTO statement condemning terrorist attack in Moscow Region Armenia parliament head: What we want at this time is to get the border with Azerbaijan No discussion at this phase regarding Armenia's EU membership, legislature speaker says Armenia parliament chair does not rule out that Azerbaijanis will attack Armenia has calculated the risks if Tavush Province defense line collapses, legislature head assures Parliament speaker: No part of Armenia territory is subject to negotiation Armenia PM, France delegation discuss processes taking place in South Caucasus Moscow Region terrorist attack death toll rises France lawmakers visit Armenian Genocide Memorial in Yerevan France ambassador, French MPs visit Armenias Sotk gold mine Lemkin Institute expresses concern that Azerbaijan regime may get revenge upon Armenian captives AraratBank places its 27th issue of dollar bonds 2.5-year-old girl in critical condition after falling into boiling water container in Armenias Byureghavan Friends of Armenia Network report: Offering Armenia EU candidate status would be important signal US State Department reveals objectives of upcoming Blinken-Pashinyan talk Newspaper: Azerbaijan leader reprimands Armenia PM Nikolay Konashenok, who tried to fly to Armenia, is taken into custody for 14 days for petty hooliganism Ancient boats built with advanced construction techniques discovered in Italy lake Iran's supreme leader receives Hamas politburo chief in Tehran Olivier Decottignies The right of return of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians is being violated today FSB: Primary data received from detainees in Crocus terrorist attack case confirm Ukrainian trace Tigran Balayan to Toivo Klaar: Azerbaijan is gearing up for new aggression against Armenia Iran's ambassador to Russia: Next meeting of 3+3 platform may take place as early as this year Armenia nuclear plant, Rosatom Service directors sign contract on new cooling systems for plant Armenia President: We have warm relations with Greece, this is also related to our history, principles, beliefs Kirill Komarov: Rosatom can offer Armenia nuclear reactors with capacity of 50 to 1,000 MW Armenia PM is presented Military industry Committee 2023 activity report US, UK, Ukraine are involved in Moscow Region terrorist attack, Russia official says State Department: US supports South Caucasus countries sovereignty, territorial integrity Dollar drops, euro rises in Armenia NATO discussing possibility of shooting down missiles near alliance borders Justice minister on returning Azerbaijani who crossed Armenia border: Political decision enabling correct positioning Switzerland launches 10-year project of CHF 9 million in Armenia Britain's Supreme Court rules over Assange's extradition to US Anne-Laurence Petel: We reaffirmed France's support for Armenian democracy Premier: Armenia has been ready to implement liberalization of visa regime with EU for long time Nikol Pashinyan: Highways, railways, pipelines, cables must enter Turkey from Azerbaijan via Armenia Speaker of the National Assembly of Armenia, Alen Simonyan, delivered an address at the 11th Plenary Session of the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly. Simonyan noted as follows, in particular: I would like to begin by commending the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly for the resolution it adopted in the previous session regarding humanitarian issues associated with the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, including the release of Armenian POWs held in Azerbaijan, information about the fate of missing persons, and the need for a UNESCO mission to preserve cultural heritage in the region. Over a three-day period, last September, we witnessed the wholesale ethnic cleansing of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh as they were driven from their historical homeland in toto. Had the world heeded Armenias warnings that Azerbaijans militant, anti-Armenian rhetoric and blockade of the Lachin corridor were a presage to tragedy, it could have been prevented. Such geopolitical developments further underline the threat to democracy globally. Unity in the defense of shared values is imperative: Human rights must be respected, appeasement must be rejected, and global peace and stability must be promoted. Since the exodus of the Armenian population from Nagorno-Karabakh, our government has focused on addressing the humanitarian situation of the more than 100,000 refugees. In this regard, I thank the EU and EU member states for the humanitarian assistance they provided to address the immediate needs of these people. Obviously, ongoing assistance is needed for these individuals to rebuild their lives, and we hope that the EU will continue to support the social programs crafted by the Armenian government, such as those focused on employment and housing. Despite the security challenges that Armenia has faced in recent months, we are steadfast in our determination to build a society that fully embodies our values - values we share with the EU. We applaud the EU for its commitment to deepening our cooperation and await the updated Partnership Agenda, which will reflect our shared priorities. I would also like to reference the historic statement of the Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, who, in October 2023, clearly voiced Armenia's intention to draw closer to the EU. In this context, we view the Eastern Partnership, which has fostered closer cooperation on a broad agenda, as a solid foundation for Armenia-EU relations. The Eastern Partnership has made an enormous contribution to the evolution of democracy in my country, which has unequivocally chosen the path of democratization and reform. Armenia - with the support of the European Union - is resolute in continuing this journey. Armenia remains committed to creating a durable and dignified peace in the region. Let me use this moment to thank the EU Council for deploying and later expanding the EU civilian [monitoring] mission in Armenia. The EUMA has improved the security situation in the border regions of the country. We look forward to launching the Visa Liberalization Dialogue as part of the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement. This will mark a significant step towards further Armenia and EU cooperation, stimulating people-to-people contacts, and conveying an important political message to the people of Armenia. Dear Colleagues, The security situation in the region and Armenias need to develop and diversify its defense capabilities remain priorities. Therefore, we emphasize the provision of assistance within the framework of the European Peace Facility and seek the support of all EU member states in this matter. Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to the European Parliament for its recent resolution on closer ties between the EU and Armenia and on the need for a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia. This further exemplifies the high-level engagementrooted in a common, expansive visionbetween Armenia and the EU, and it also reflects the will and aspirations of the Armenian people. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met with his Belgian colleague, Alexander De Croo, on the margins of the first-ever Nuclear Energy Summit in Brussels, the capital of Belgium. The interlocutors discussed Armenia-Belgium cooperation, the Armenian PM's office informs Armenian News-NEWS.am. The parties underscored the opening of the Belgian embassy in Armenia and expressed their belief that it will give a new impetus to multi-sectoral cooperation between the two countries. Also, Pashinyan and De Croo touched upon the current situation in the South Caucasus, in particular, the process of the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty, and the possibilities of unblocking the regional infrastructure. In addition, Nikol Pashinyan briefed his Belgian interlocutor on the Crossroads of Peace project of the Armenian government and its principles. The activities of the EU monitoring mission in Armenia also were emphasized on both sides in terms of the strengthening of peace and stability in the region. Furthermore, views were exchanged on Armenia-European Union (EU) cooperation. In particular, they reflected on the democratic reforms being implemented in Armenia, with the support of the EU, and the dialogue on visa liberalization. Teatro alla Scala Ballet from Milan, Italy, will present four shows of Giselle at Shanghai Grand Theatre from March 21 to 24. The renowned company just completed four successful performances of Le Corsaire at the Hong Kong Arts Festival, and will perform in Shanghai only for this tour in the Chinese mainland. Teatro alla Scala Ballet made its first China visit in 2006, when it performed at the grand theatre one of its most celebrated repertoire , A Midsummer Night's Dream. In 2018, it staged again at the grand theatre, dancing Don Quixote. La Scala Ballet was founded in 1778 and is widely recognized as the finest representative of Italian ballet style, said Zhang Xiaoding, general manager of the grand theatre. The frequent shows by internationally acclaimed companies reflect the theater's strong vision for art resources all over the world, while sustaining high level for top quality productions, she said. French dancer-turned choreographer Manuel Legris took the job as its artistic director in 2020. Legris recalled Shanghai audiences' passionate love for ballet from his previous two visits at the grand theatre in 2014 and 2016, respectively, performing at the ballet gala nights. The star dancers for the leading roles, Nicoletta Manni and Timofej Andrijashenko, said on March 20 that the two of them began to dance together in Giselle, and the production accompanied their growth. The couple will be dancing Giselle together for the first time in Shanghai, after they got married last August. The first-ever Nuclear Energy Summit, which Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is also attending, has started in Brussels, the capital of Belgium The event is co-chaired by Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi, and with the participation of numerous world leaders. In his address at the summit, PM Pashinyan emphasized that Armenia, as a country relying on nuclear energy production, firmly stands with the consensus that nuclear energy is irreplaceable in the fight against climate change, Armenpress reported. Nikol Pashinyan noted that Armenia proudly joined the historic decision adopted at COP28, which recognized nuclear energy as one of the solutions to climate change, along with other low-carbon energy sources. The premier stressed that nuclear energy plays an important role for Armenia and helps in the implementation of actions defined at the national level by the Paris Agreement. Pashinyan said that based on set priorities, Armenia has decided to extend the operation period of its nuclear power plant from 2026 to 2036. This extension will lay a solid foundation for a smooth transition to the new power unit after the end of the extended operation period of the Armenian nuclear plant, which is the ultimate goal, he added. Also, Nikol Pashinyan noted that Armenia's transparent and open policy of safe and peaceful use of nuclear energy will continue to guide the country's efforts. The Armenian PMs aforesaid address in English is presented in full in the video above. Sargis Khandanyan, a member of the delegation of the National Assembly (NA) of Armenia to the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly (PA) and Chair of the NA Standing Committee on Foreign Relations, gave a speech at the Plenary Session of the Euronest PA. Over the past two years, the relationship between Armenia and the European Union has experienced significant improvements in both quality and pace. I express my gratitude to our colleagues in the European Parliament for acknowledging the efforts and aspirations of the Armenian government in this regard, and for their unwavering support for our democracy and independence. The deployment of the long-term European civilian monitoring mission to Armenia not only enhances Armenia's security architecture but also fosters opportunities for cooperation in the security sector. I am optimistic that a decision regarding access to the European Peace Facility will be reached soon too. We are also eager to start the visa liberalization dialogue at the earliest opportunity and remain committed to fulfilling our part of the job under the CEPA, as well as pursuing joint initiatives in connectivity, the energy sector and more. Armenia also anticipates continued and stronger engagement from the European Union in the normalization process between Armenia and Azerbaijan. In this regard I express my appreciation for the resolution adopted by this Parliament on March 13, on closer ties between the EU and Armenia and the need for a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia. This resolution accurately reflects the evolving dynamics and positive developments in the relationship between Armenia and the European Union, as well as the guiding principles of the peace process and negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Paragraph 16 of this resolution clearly expresses the principles that should form the basis of normalization and future peace agreement. My colleague has already spoken about these principles. I just want to add that these principles have been agreed and reconfirmed between the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan during the negotiations of the past two years. Armenia at the highest level reconfirmed its commitments to those fundamental principles for the normalization of relations as soon as possible. Regrettably, Azerbaijan continues to impose additional demands on Armenia and obstruct progress in the peace process. It is imperative to underscore that adherence to the principles outlined in the Almaty Declaration is not only actual for the context of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan but also fundamental for respecting the territorial integrity of Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova, Sargis Khandanyan said, in particular. For decades, the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant has been serving as a critical element of our energy system ensuring the stability and sustainability of energy production. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated this in his address Thursday at the first-ever Nuclear Energy Summit in Brussels, the capital of Belgium. Pashinyan added as follows, in particular: "Presently, about 30% of our countrys electricity derives from nuclear energy. Our course of arrival to that point was thorny, marred with dramatic period of the closure of the Nuclear Power Plant. Today, we can proudly state that among other crucial things, it also symbolizes and strengthens our sovereignty. However, this critical role means great responsibility. We are committed to upholding the highest standards of nuclear safety and security in the operation of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant. This commitment is behind the large-scale modernization and re-equipment of the Plant during the recent years, which allowed to extend the operation of the Armenian NPP until 2026. Armenia actively collaborates with the International Atomic Energy Agency [(IAEA)], adopting a proactive stance to ensure nuclear safety and security while fulfilling all its obligations. We regularly host review and peer review missions, reports of which clearly indicate that Armenia is operating the power plant in line with IAEA safety standards. The absence of any nuclear or radiation safety incidents throughout the history of our plant's operation speaks volumes about our unwavering dedication to this cause. This achievement is a testament to Armenia's political will and expertise. We also acknowledge with gratitude the indispensable technical assistance, knowledge and guidance from the IAEA and partner countries, which have been critical in guaranteeing the safe, secure, and reliable operation of our Nuclear Power Plant. (...) Today we renew our collective commitment to unleashing the full potential of nuclear power and fostering conducive conditions for its development. Regrettably, ongoing conflicts worldwide, including recent ones in our regions, not only jeopardize the safety and security of nuclear facilities but also hinder the advancement of peaceful nuclear initiatives. Armenia calls upon all international partners to seize the historic opportunity of the current Summit and with joint efforts advance the commitments and goals set out in the Summit Declaration to pave the way towards a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable future for the generations to come." During the United Kingdom (UK) House of Commons discussions on international assistance for Armenian refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh, Leo Docherty, the UK Minister for Europe, was asked what London intends to do to assist those forcibly displaced Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh, to guarantee their possible safe and secure return to Nagorno-Karabakh, to hold Azerbaijan accountable, to ensure the return of Armenian captives from there, and to contribute to the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process. In response the minister for Europe said the UK government is committed to assisting Armenia and will continue to work with international partners and Yerevan to increase capacity to assist the aforementioned refugees and their host communities. He added that they are ready to assist Azerbaijan in integrating Armenians who want to return. The UK's role is to try to enable those two countries to successfully settle and conclude a lasting peace. The UK sees Russia's role in the entire region as nothing more than extremely useless interference. Practical experience has shown that Russia is an unhelpful and unreliable ally, said the UK minister for Europe. Docherty noted that the UK will host the summit of the European Political Community in July. According to the minister, this will be a good opportunity for the leaders of the South Caucasus countries to come together with other European leaders to promote peace. The UK official assured that his country takes the reports of the destruction of religious and cultural sites very seriously, and supports the work of international organizations that are carrying out a monitoring mission to assess them. The UK minister for Europe emphasized that London continues to encourage the return of all prisoners of war and the remains of those who died from conflicts, and is happy that Armenia and Azerbaijan released 34 detainees in December last year. In conclusion, Leo Docherty reiterated that the UK stands with those affected by the conflict. He assured that they will continue to provide humanitarian assistance and actively offer diplomatic assistance. Docherty expressed hope that there is a real, meaningful, and sustainable possibility for peace in the South Caucasus. China's forex market saw a stable performance in February, with a more steady flow of cross-border capital, demonstrating the enduring allure and promising prospect of yuan-denominated assets, according to analysts. The country's commercial banks saw a net forex settlement surplus of 12 billion yuan (about 1.69 billion U.S. dollars) in February, data from the State Administration of Foreign Exchange showed. In yuan terms, forex purchases by banks stood at about 1.09 trillion yuan, while sales reached about 1.08 trillion yuan. Growing willingness to invest in China The net inflow of cross-border funds under the goods trade and the securities investment categories both remained at a high level in February, said Wang Chunying, deputy director and spokesperson of the administration. The daily net inflow of cross-border funds under the goods trade category, deducting the Spring Festival holiday effect and other factors, rose by 3 percent year on year during the period, which continues to underpin the fundamentals of cross-border capital flow, Wang said. The net increase in foreign holdings of domestic bonds stood at a higher level at 11.1 billion U.S. dollars in February, and foreign investment in domestic stocks turned to net gain during the period, Wang added. Commenting on the expansion of foreign holdings of domestic bonds, Zhao Qingming, a specialist in international finance, said the data reflects that international financial institutions are bullish on the returns of yuan-denominated bonds in the future. Enduring appeal of Chinese market Looking ahead, Wang said China's forex market would maintain stable performance, bolstered by the country's solid economic fundamentals, consistent support policies and the market's growing resilience. She cited reasons such as China's efforts in enhancing macro-control to underpin economic recovery momentum in 2024, steadily advancing institutional opening-up, and improving the business environment to facilitate cross-border trade, investment and financing. A higher sense of risk management on forex rate fluctuations among enterprises, increased share of RMB use in cross-border trade and the potential monetary policy shifts of major developed economies, which could alleviate external liquidity squeeze, are also likely to contribute to the stability of China's foreign exchange market, Wang added. Experts believe that a positive outlook of the Chinese market presents sustaining appeal for foreign investors. The Board of the Pension Protection Fund of the United Kingdom has recently been greenlighted by the China Securities Regulatory Commission as an eligible overseas institution to invest in China's domestic securities and futures market. It is the fourth foreign institution investor to receive approval since the beginning of this year. Wen Bin, chief economist at China Minsheng Bank, said the yuan-denominated assets are revealing their hedging value and the investment value, and foreign investors are more willing to invest in the Chinese market and increase their holdings of yuan-denominated assets in their portfolio. Four Seasons raises luxury in the Caribbean, Mediterranean with launch of its first yacht Astronomers accidentally discover 49 new galaxies in just 3 hours Winston Churchill had painted painting in honor of his favorite whiskey, Johnnie Walker Italys Florence fights to protect dignity of Michelangelo's David Internal legal grounds being created for Armenia to apply to ICC in connection with Azerbaijan's war crimes European Union responds to Azerbaijan statements on EU-US-Armenia trilateral meeting There may be life on Venus, claims new research Russia MFA: Friends of Armenia Network report objective is to tear Armenia from Russia, EAEU Yerevan to host 2027 World Weightlifting Championships Russian 102nd Military Base in Gyumri is only guarantee of Armenia's sovereignty, Russia MFA says Siranush Sahakyan: Hard to convince international organizations to pressure Azerbaijan on Armenian captives matter Siamese twins Abby, Brittany Hensel from TLC reality show get married Lawyer: Ruben Vardanyan gave international resonance to Karabakh issue, earned Azerbaijans hatred Artificial intelligence will fail easy tasks Bill Gates Armenian woman is appointed state minister in new Palestine government Lawyer: Azerbaijan uses matter of Armenian captives, hostages for political purposes Ameriabank named the Best Bank in Armenia for 2024 by Global Finance magazine Irina Shayk shows up in killer image to Swarovski campaign International law expert: Azerbaijan should at least promise autonomy so that Armenians can return to Karabakh Ombudsman: There are 20 Armenians left in Nagorno-Karabakh AJCN: Sugar in bread, rice, pasta can cause insomnia in women, study finds There will be a total solar eclipse on April 8: How long will it last? Robert Downey Jr. plays 4 characters in new HBO series Armenia ex-ombudsman: Azerbaijan pursued goal of de-Armenianizing Karabakh from very beginning Tom Cruise breaks up with Russian socialite because of her ex-oligarch husband Russia TV programs Evening with Vladimir Solovyov and Sunday Evening with Vladimir Solovyov blocked in Armenia US State Department to Zakharova: Turbulence in South Caucasus is fueled by Russia's actions in recent months Demi Moore proves again that age is just a number Former head of bankrupt FTX crypto exchange has been sentenced to 25 years in prison, with confiscation of $11 billion Miami Open: Pairing of women's final decided Beyonce eats spaghetti with hands on her private jet, makes fun of memes about her cowboy look Miami Open: Carlos Alcaraz out unexpectedly Apple will present new iPad Pro and iPad Air tablets in early May: What changes will they have? Selling Sunset TV series star chooses strange, revealing outfit for playing golf Mayo Clinic: Taking aspirin for asthma can cause coughing, wheezing Russia FM: Putin was surprised by Armenia PM Pashinyan's decision to recognize Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan Lavrov: PM Pashinyan invited EU mission to Armenia, promising Azerbaijan that it will be for 2 months Legislature head: Armenia will attend for first time the gathering of EU countries parliament speakers Armenia parliament speaker: We are trying to defend our country by all possible means Iraqi security services eliminated a high-ranking IS member Armenia parliament speaker: Our ally Russia left us all alone at most critical moment Lebanon to file a complaint to UN Security Council over Israeli strikes on south of country Armenia legislature head: We are not going to concede anything that is ours The Lancet: homeless people are more likely to develop dementia at a young age Planet not far from Earth could potentially be habitable ocean-planet Clinton and Obama to participate in Biden's campaign fundraiser Armenia legislature speaker to meet with Azerbaijan counterpart again Rebel Wilson hopes to spread 'positive message' by revealing she lost her virginity at 35 Media: Powerful explosion hits Somalia's capital city France detains 2 suspects for sending bomb threats to lycees What is the best camera smartphone in 2024? CIES: World's most expensive footballers named Military aircraft crashed into the sea near Sevastopol SciAdv: taking medication for ADHD may weaken the heart White House: US passed detailed data on terrorist attack threat to Russian Federation Lavrov: EU mission in Armenia is turning into a NATO mission Wine Story: How to choose right wine for Easter? 5 most beautiful living buildings in the world: One of them is located in Armenia (photo) Mash: A mass round-up of migrants began in Moscow and the region Members of the European Council's Political and Security Committee to visit Armenia "Napoli" is ready to increase Kvaratskhelias salary by 3 times EU envoy: We already have attracted 60M to develop Armenias educational sector Armenia ruling force MP: We are EAEU member, in parallel we work towards integration with EU, other markets Food Bioscience: dark chocolate supports growth of beneficial gut bacteria Dollar, euro lose value in Armenia Mahmoud Abbas approved the new government of Palestine Labor, social affairs minister: Increase in number of 3rd and subsequent children recorded in Armenia FFA and the UN Refugee Agency announce the launch of the refugee team MP: Euronest urged EU to develop specific proposals on how to respond to Armenia's European aspirations Armenia government humanitarian aid reaches Gaza (PHOTOS) Powerful sun flare triggers rare phenomenon that was last seen in 1942 Abu Dhabi plans to create paradise for gamers: World's first eSports island Latest Navitimer watch celebrates Breitling's historic connection to aviation, space Nature Neurology: Chemicals in baby wipes can damage brain structures, study shows Armenia government makes allocations to hold events for Parajanov, Aznavour 100th birth anniversaries Hackers find new method to flood iPhones with notifications that they use for phishing attacks: What to do? Armenia to provide $300,000 to Japan for earthquake relief Armenia MP: Euronest called on EU to increase humanitarian, financial aid for forcibly displaced Karabakh children Yerevan ex-mayor Hayk Marutyan is founding political party Martin Scorsese to host, produce 'Saints' for Fox Nation Azerbaijan ombudsperson meets with dozens of Armenians remaining in occupied Karabakh capital Stepanakert Southgate does not guarantee Rashford's participation in Euro 2024 Karl Lagerfeld's futuristic Paris apartment sells for $10.8M Qatar Airways has introduced first virtual flight attendant operating in AI Russia MFA spox: Armenia is being turned into tool for implementing dangerous plans of the West Odell Beckham Jr. breaks up with Kim Kardashian because of her desire to start family with him Europeans for Artsakh discusses upcoming actions toward protecting Karabakhs interests Armenia to provide humanitarian aid to 1.5 million people displaced from Gaza Julia Roberts to star in thriller directed by Luca Guadagnino Mourinho wants to take helm at a national squad Pashinyan: Some circles forcibly displaced from Karabakh are taking steps that create threat to Armenias security Michael Jackson's 3 kids hit red carpet in honor of late father Budget iPhone SE 4 to receive 6.1-inch OLED screen from Chinese manufacturer Secretary General: Armenia, indeed, has not recently participated in CSTO Secretariats work State Department disagrees with Azerbaijan comments on upcoming US-EU-Armenia meeting Griezmann recovers from injury, ready for game against Villarreal Kim Kardashian is sued over furniture President: Document to dissolve Karabakh republic was only way to save compatriots Real to extend contracts of Nacho, Vazquez Student, 21, dies of bird flu in Vietnam Xi congratulates Indonesia's Prabowo on election win President Xi Jinping attends a G20 Summit session in Bali, Indonesia, in 2022. File photo: AFP President Xi Jinping on Thursday congratulated Indonesia's Prabowo Subianto after his victory in recent presidential elections was officially confirmed, Xinhua news agency reported. China is one of the biggest sources of foreign direct investment in Indonesia. Last year, Jakarta inaugurated Southeast Asia's first high-speed rail, a multibillion-dollar project backed by Beijing. Prabowo and his vice presidential running mate Gibran Rakabuming Raka eldest son of outgoing leader Joko Widodo had already declared victory last month after unofficial counts showed them winning a majority. They were officially confirmed as winners on Wednesday after receiving over 96 million votes, more than 58.6 percent of the total count and enough to secure a first-round majority. The 72-year-old was widely predicted to win the presidency on his third attempt. He will take over the presidency in October after a transition period. (AFP) Blinken warns against Rafah offensive amid fresh talks Antony Blinken says Hamas can be dealt with without a major ground operation in Rafah. Photo: AP US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Thursday a major military operation by Israel in Gaza's southernmost city of Rafah would be "a mistake," adding that a truce agreement was "possible." Blinken said "gaps are narrowing" in ongoing ceasefire and hostage release talks in Qatar, where the head of Israel's spy agency was due to meet his American and Egyptian counterparts on Friday. "It's difficult to get there, but I believe it is still possible," Blinken said in a joint press conference with his Egyptian counterpart in Cairo. Blinken also said there is "a better way to deal with the ongoing threat posed by Hamas" than Israel's plans for a major military operation in Rafah. Global concern has surged over a looming Israeli ground offensive on Rafah, where 1.5 million mostly displaced Palestinians are sheltering, hemmed in by the Egyptian border. He said the ground offensive would be "unnecessary" and that "there is no place for the civilians amassed in Rafah to get out of harm's way." "There is a false choice involved here ... Hamas can be effectively dealt with without a major ground operation in Rafah," Blinken continued. Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry echoed the call for a "ceasefire and release of hostages and detainees" and an urgent "intensifying of aid operations in light of an unprecedented situation." The United Nations has repeatedly warned of imminent famine facing 2.4 million people in the besieged Palestinian territory, where over five months of war have largely destroyed civilian infrastructure and left most of the population displaced. The bloodiest ever Gaza war broke out on October 7 after Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on Israel, resulting in about 1,160 deaths, according to a tally of official figures. Militants also seized about 250 hostages, of whom Israel believes 130 remain in Gaza, including 33 who are presumed dead. Israel's retaliatory military campaign in Hamas-ruled Gaza has killed nearly 32,000 people, mostly women and children, according to the territory's health ministry. "Israel must not carry out any military operation in Rafah, to avoid even more civilian victims and displacement," Shoukry said, reiterating Cairo's previous warnings against the forced displacement of Palestinians. Blinken and Shoukry had earlier on Thursday held meetings with government ministers from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates, as well as a representative of the Palestinian Authority, which governs the occupied West Bank. In a joint statement, the Arab ministers called for "a comprehensive and immediate ceasefire" and the "opening of all crossings between Israel and the Gaza Strip." Blinken also confirmed the United States had circulated a draft UN resolution calling for an "immediate" ceasefire in Gaza, after months of Security Council vetoes objecting to the phrasing. The resolution stressed "the need for an immediate and durable ceasefire" to protect civilians and allow aid into the territory. Blinken stressed any immediate truce must be linked to the release of hostages taken by Palestinian militants during the October 7 attack. (AFP) PRNewswire Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India]/ Helsinki [Finland], March 21: Bengaluru-based pioneering deep tech EO analytics and platform company SatSure, along with its subsidiary KaleidEO, is pleased to announce the signing of a MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) with the Helsinki-based leading provider of software-first satellites, ReOrbit. This partnership is aimed at developing innovative full-stack solutions to meet the future market demands in the Earth Observation (EO) segment. As a part of this partnership, KaleidEO will provide the bleeding edge of future-ready payload technology meant for sub-meter imaging capability, with unparalleled quality and AI analytics on board. Meanwhile, SatSure's proven downstream solutions and analytics stack will support businesses needing last mile connection. The partnership brings together ReOrbit's Earth Observation (EO) satellite with optical inter-satellite link capabilities for data relay, KaleidEO's high-resolution sub-meter optical payload with AI-on-EDGE integration, and SatSure's suite of business-ready EO solutions (SatSure Sparta). This paves the way for the future of EO constellations to network and communicate with each other, enhancing mission efficiency through integrated functionalities. Through this joint proposition, we aim to provide a sector leading full stack EO infrastructure-as-a-service. "We are pleased to sign this MoU with ReOrbit. It is a testament to the growing demand and awareness for true full stack EO solutions. Together with ReOrbit, we look forward to enabling the democratization of space and its potential for enterprises, governments and asset owners with very high-resolution imagery capabilities on demand. This Indo-Finnish partnership shall leverage the best of both ecosystems for global market access," says Arpan Sahoo, COO, KaleidEO. "ReOrbit brings to the partnership the vision of the future of space applications where the transformation of satellites into truly intelligent, interconnected platforms requires satellite systems to be defined by software, which facilitates a complete network integration -- from space to ground. This future starts today, and our partnership with KaleidEO for high-resolution imaging payloads and with SatSure for EO analytic platform and solutions fosters it, enabling us to provide a holistic space infrastructure-as-a-service to entities that need EO data for either business, sovereign or security requirements", said Sethu Saveda Suvanam,Founder and CEO, ReOrbit. Prateep Basu, Founder & CEO, SatSure & KaleidEO, added, "The world has only just started exploring the business value of Earth imaging datasets. We are excited to partner with ReOrbit and provide a one-stop-shop solution for customers, globally, to reduce the time and cost to deliver value from EO data and insights." This partnership is being announced following the liberalization of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) regulations in India. The potential of the Indian private ecosystem is now made much more accessible and marks a new cornerstone for the India-Finland space ecosystem. About SatSure SatSure is a deep tech, decision intelligence company headquartered in Bangalore, India. Leveraging satellite imagery and AI, SatSure provides valuable insights to industries such as agriculture, insurance, and infrastructure. Their solutions empower clients to make data-driven decisions and drive sustainable development. For more information, visit here. About KaleidEO KaleidEO, a SatSure company, is on a mission to connect the dots between the Earth Observations upstream and downstream sectors. KaleidEO is committed to capturing high-resolution images and gathering data that aligns with user demands and expectations. For more information, visit here. About ReOrbit ReOrbit provides autonomous and interconnected satellites that are optimized for efficient and reliable delivery of customers' space-related data. ReOrbit is creating the most compelling in-space data flow company, by augmenting the world's information use via space. ReOrbit works with the most prominent entities within security, satcom and Earth Observation. Our technology is supported by Business Finland, the European Space Agency and the European Commission. Founded in 2019, ReOrbit is headquartered in Helsinki, Finland with additional offices in Sweden and Argentina. For more information, please visit here. Media Contacts: Sarvesh Kurane, VP- Marketing, SatSuresarvesh@satsure.co Jana Avdeeva, Head of Marketing, ReOrbitjana.avdeeva@reorbit.space Shreya Ganguly, Content Writer, SatSureshreya.ganguly@satsure.co+91 9123372772 Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2368136/SatSure_KaleidEO_ReOrbit_MoU.jpgPhoto: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2368137/space_technology_future.jpgLogo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2162476/Satsure_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) Although online shopping in Finland shrank in 2023 for the second year in a row, buying from Chinese online stores is gaining popularity in the country, the Finnish Commerce Federation said on Wednesday. "The significant rise of Shein and particularly Temu can be seen in the growth of digital purchases of fashion and electronics from China in Finland," said Jaana Kurjenoja, chief economist at the Finnish Commerce Federation. Both Shein and Temu are Chinese e-commerce platforms. According to the federation, in February 2024, Temu became the most visited foreign online store by Finns. Kurjenoja said that the advantages of Chinese online retailers include low prices, free delivery, AI-based ordering systems, effective social media marketing, and the ability to make shopping more entertaining. Finns' online shopping, both domestically and abroad, totaled approximately 5.3 billion euros last year. This represents a 3 percent year-on-year decline, said the federation. The decline in online shopping was particularly visible in purchases of construction and renovation products, books and home electronics. However, purchases of cosmetics, pet supplies, and food increased. BusinessWire India Bangalore (Karnataka) [India], March 21: Pashmina.com, an ecommerce brand store that transformed the lives of Kashmiri artisans and enchanted the world with exquisite pashminas, has announced it has selected VTEX (NYSE: VTEX), the composable and complete commerce platform for premier B2C and B2B brands. This migration from its current commerce platform of choice, Adobe Commerce, signals a new era for Pashmina.com, focused on cloud-native architecture for greater scalability, flexibility, and reliability with VTEX, the commerce platform of choice for brands such as Colgate, Motorola, Samsung, Under Armour, Whirlpool and more. The digital transformation journey for Pashmina.com stemmed from the need for a globally-trusted, comprehensive solution catering to personalized online shopping experiences. Leveraging VTEX's scalable and secure enterprise commerce platform, Pashmina.com can now expand its global reach while highlighting the rich heritage of Kashmiri culture, all without the burden of managing its own web infrastructure. This decision demonstrates Pashmina.com's unwavering commitment to optimizing its digital retail operations. The brand remains committed to showcasing the power of commerce innovation through VTEX, uplifting independent businesses in rural Indian communities and global craftsmanship to continue the heartbeat of timeless traditions. Pashmina.com is a well-known platform that links the makers of sustainably made Pashminas: handcrafted cashmere accessories to customers across the world. It showcases a wide array of Pashmina products, including Kani Pashminas, GI Pashminas, Solid & Printed Pashminas, Hand Embroidered Pashminas, and many other exquisite offerings. Prior to partnering with VTEX, the store emerged six years ago following a family pilgrimage trip to Kashmir. Today, the company evolved beyond a mere store; it has become the catalyst for social change, elevating communities and safeguarding their time-honored traditions and lifestyles. As an India-based website, Pashmina.com conducts 15 per cent of its business within the country, while a substantial 85 per cent comprises international exports through its website. A noteworthy 45 per cent of their customer base consists of repeat clients from the US, Europe, Australia, and even within India. This partnership with VTEX will continue to enhance the existing website's performance, introduce multilingual support, and enable the availability of pashminas in local currencies, allowing it to operate as a local business on a global platform. "VTEX is a leader in enterprise commerce, and we are delighted to have them as our platform of choice. With VTEX, we provide our customers with a performance level akin to industry giants. Given that we offer some of the world's most exquisite art, it's only fitting that we employ technology that can match our performance with the very best globally," said Varun Kumar, Founder, Pashmina.com. "This partnership will help us improve customer experiences, optimise digital storefronts, and streamline order management for our ecommerce outreach across multi-geographies. We are eager to leverage VTEX's features to create a dynamic and video-first presence for our brand." Choosing VTEX: The Decision Behind Pashmina.com's Selection Enterprises' real-world success stories reveal the significant advantages of VTEX, with a remarkable 133 per cent return on investment. Additionally, businesses experience substantial growth, yielding an extra USD 17.1 million, along with savings totaling USD $5.8M post-migration from legacy commerce platforms to VTEX. Find out more here. Enterprise brands that transitioned to VTEX have unlocked immense value, aligning with the platform's reputation as the exclusive vendor designated 'Customers' Choice' in the 2024 Gartner Voice of the Customer for Digital Commerce Report, underscoring VTEX's pioneering role in shaping the future of commerce. Through optimized digital commerce infrastructure, we are empowering enterprises across 43 countries worldwide to achieve sustainable growth and profitability. To learn more about VTEX, click here. Yashdeep Vaishnav, Country Head, VTEX India, said, "Pashmina's decision to choose VTEX's composable and complete platform is a testament to its dedication to innovation and unwavering commitment to deliver enterprise brands with an unparalleled shopping experience. Our work with Pashmina.com also represents a significant step in accelerating the future of commerce within India's digital commerce landscape. We are all geared up to achieve their business transformation and growth objectives with our robust ecosystem and cutting-edge commerce solutions that are trusted by brands including Colgate, Motorola, Sony, Whirlpool and more. Together with Pashmina.com, we aim to set new standards in India's ever-evolving digital retail landscape and beyond." Pashmina recognizes the importance of adaptability in the ever-evolving luxury ecommerce landscape. With VTEX, the brand is gaining the flexibility to scale its operations and introduce new features with ease, ensuring its position at the forefront of innovation, consumer needs and the luxury market. To discover more about Pashmina.com, visit here ahead of their upcoming migration to VTEX. (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) VMPL Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], March 21: In a world where innovation, perseverance, and excellence define the corporate landscape, Acharya Bangalore B-School (ABBS) stand as the beacon of acknowledgement for those who have not only weathered the storms but have soared to unparalleled heights. Acharya Bangalore B-School (ABBS) in association with HR Success Talk and National Human Resource Welfare Association (NHRWA) Trust today organized a one-day Success Symposium - AURA 2024 to showcase business plan ideas presented by graduating students of ABBS to top industry business & category leaders. It marked a culmination of a landmark first-of-its-kind, which recognized the ever-growing contribution back to the talent community, and in the providence of key business insights or intelligence critical to high performance yields for emerging talent. The event, held at The Capitol Hotel in Bengaluru, gathered more than 150+ luminaries, professionals, industry stalwarts and senior business professionals encompassing the functions of HR, Finance, Marketing, Operations, Entrepreneurship and Corporate Social Responsibility, for a day of profound discussions, knowledge exchange, and commendation of exceptional accomplishments. The ambitious students participated in "Start-Up Genesis Award" in intra-college competition to present their B-Plan on AURA-2024, 5 teams were mentored by the industry leaders made their final presentation on the B-Plan pitching, and the audience voted out the best team - Dark Capital (Nidhi Siddhapura and Team). AURA-2024 has been created with a focus to drive it as a student-industry engagement platform to showcase the invaluable insights and knowledge sharing done by the top industry leaders. The platform also focused on building relationships with the industry leaders to understand the challenges faced by the corporates in terms of finding the right skill force, the industry need, the gap between the industry & institute and finding the ways to bridge the gap. AURA 2024 was inaugurated by the Chief Guest Brig. Arun Dravid - Indian Army Veteran Entrepreneur and Training & Development Expert, Mahipal Nayar, MD-CHRO, Trelix India and was graced by Nakul Basani - Executive Director Operations, ABBS, Dr H R Venkatesha- Director MBA, Dr.Madhumitha Chatterji - Director PGDM, Bijoy Das - Head-Corporate Relations & Placements, Govind Negi - Founder, HRST & Narasimha M V Founder, NHRWA. Delivering the keynote address Mahipal Nayar, MD-CHRO, Trelix India said,"In today's fast-paced world, the timeless truth remains: there are no shortcuts to success. While many seek rapid growth and prosperity, it's vital to understand that success is not just a destination but a deeply personal journey. Along this journey, marked by hard work and perseverance, we discover invaluable lessons that shape our understanding of success. Embracing this journey, rather than fixating solely on the end goal, is the true path to fulfillment and lasting achievement." Chief Guest Brig. Arun Dravid, Indian Army Veteran Entrepreneur and Training & Development Expertquoted by addressing the crowd "Success isn't just about reaching the summit; it's found in the journey's challenges, lessons learned, and the satisfaction of knowing you've pushed beyond your limits. Much like in the army, it's about resilience, strategic planning, and the courage to face adversity head-on." Speaking on the occasion, Sankarasubramanian R, Executive Director (Radar) &Unit Head, Bharat Electronic Ltd (winner of Achievement and unrevealed recognition Award at Aura 2024)said that,"During times of national significance, individuals unite as one, transcending personal boundaries to make tough decisions crucial for progress, even amidst opposition. Despite the myriad challenges faced in our professional endeavours, it is our steadfast determination that drives us forward. True fulfillment in our careers is found in witnessing the tangible results of our labour. Let's consistently inspire ourselves and those around us, serving as guiding lights illuminating the path to success" The other prominent speakers at the convention included Govind Negi, Founder, HR SUCCESS TALK, Rishikesh G, Founder & CEO, HILFEE, and Narasimha MV, Founder, National Human Resource Welfare Association (NHRWA) amongst others. "We are thrilled to witness a massive success of AURA which aimed to celebrate the achievements of top professionals who are inspiring and shaping the future of the industry. Many college graduates, due to their current education system, often possess limited knowledge about industry requirements. To bridge this gap, fostering industry-applicable knowledge through campus outreach programmes and guest lectures from industry leaders are key. The success of any organisation still depends on the teamwork. It is not merely about individual contributions but it's a collective effort of a group that propels an organisation toward success. Regardless of the industry or sector, the synergy within a team is the driving force behind achievements." echoed the sentiment, shared, Venkat Nakul Dev Reddy Basani, Executive Director-Operations, Acharya Bangalore B-School. AURA 2024 evaluated the image of brand India and its evolution over the years, by being game changer not only for the institute but also for the industry, served as a platform to honor the remarkable contributions and accomplishments of individuals from the industries from various functions in one common platform to appreciate and honor them for their invaluable contribution towards the growth of the industry and the nation in their respective domains. The winners in the 8 categories are: HR 1. Exemplary Leader - HR Business Partner (Male Category)- Ashish Banka, Cradel Wise, Head - HR 2. Exemplary Leader - HR Business Partner (Female Category), Upasana Dattani, Your Space, Head HR / GM Customer Experiences 3. Exemplary Leader - Diversity, Equity & Inclusions (Male Category), - Romit Sen, EY GDS TAX, Assistant Director - HRBP 4. Exemplary Leader - Diversity, Equity & Inclusions (Female Category)- Nipun Sharma Sonata Software Manager - Delivery and Recruitment 5. Exemplary Leader - HR Practices (Male Category) -Dr. Ranjith T P Volvo group India pvt ltd Head of Talent Acquisition- India 6. Exemplary Leader - HR Practices (Female Category) -Nandini Vijaisimha MMS Holdings Inc Sr. Director, India Corporate Affairs 7. Exemplary Leader - Learning & Development (Male Category)- Rahul Chatterjee Sansparsh Infraventure Pvt Ltd. Head HR and Training and development 8. Rising Excellence in Human Resources ((Male Category) -Shubham Pandey Infosys Ltd Senior Associate Lead 9. Rising Excellence in Human Resources (Female Category)- Manasa R Gowda Leadsquared Campus Recruiter Finance 1. Exemplary Leader - Finance -Manikantan T Mphasis Ltd, Senior Vice President 2. Exemplary Leader - CFO -Venkatanarayana D Quesscorp, CFO 3. Outstanding Finance Leader -Anand Dhelia, Vialto, Partner Marketing 1. Rising Excellence in Sales and Marketing- Prashant Keshri, Zinnov Head HR and Training and development 2. Exemplary Leader - Marketing Analyst- Dr. Kunal Saxena, SPNSU Director 3. Exemplary Leader - Branding - Ajeesh Venugopalan, AJ & VG Media, Founder CEO & Fractional CMO Operations 1. Exemplary Leader - Quality Assurance- Narasimha Kumar S V N BEL SR.DGM-Corporate Quality 2. Outstanding Logistics and Supply Chain Management Leader- Prabhanjan Sreedhar Murthy Tripath Logistics Marketing Director 3. Rising Excellence in Supply Chain Management-Abhisek Maji Flipkart Internet Private Limited, Senior Manager - Supply Chain Planning Entrepreneurship 1. Business Leadership Excellence Award- Lokesh Venkataswamy, Innomantra Consulting Private Ltd CEO & Managing Director 2. Entrepreneurial Excellence Award -Rooshi Hashmi Healing Space Founder CEO and clinical psychologist 3. Rising Entrepreneurial Talent Award (M) -Sonu Gupta Codersvrain Technology Pvt Ltd Founder and CEO 4. Rising Entrepreneurial Talent Award (F)- Ronak Sharma Hasyahetu Founder and Director 5. Exemplary Leader - CEO -Jeevan Guruprasad Rao Sahib, Indelox Promoter Director Corporate Social Responsibility 1. Social Entrepreneurial Excellence Award (Male Category), Milan Monappa Home Meal localzi CEO and Founder at Localzi 2. Social Entrepreneurial Excellence Award (Female), Alina Alam, Mitti Social Initiative Foundation CEO, Founder 3. Social Activist of the Year, Praveen Kumar Shukla, Being Social-Ek Nayi Shuruaat Founder 4. Exemplary Leader - CSR, Bhuvaneshwari Loganathan, Raj Square Charity Foundation President Lifetime Achievement Awards 1. Entrepreneur of the Year 2024- Prakash Pushpak, Pushpak Group Managing Director 2. Life Time Achievement in HR -PB Kotur L&T Technologies Global Head - Engineering Academy 3. Life Time Achievement in Finance- Jagannathan C Sonata Software Chief Finance Officer 4. Life Time Achievement in Marketing -Prabhakar Sourirajulu Ascent Software Vice-President,Marcom 5. Life Time Achivement in Operations -Sankarasubramanian R BEL Executive Director 6. Life Time Achievement in Quality- Krishan Kumar Agarwal BEL Head-Corporate Quality 7. HR Leader of the Year 2024- Naganagouda S J Tally Solutions Chief People Officer 8. Life Time Achivement in Public Governance -Sanjay Bisariya, IRAS Financial Advisor and Chief Accounts Officer Traffic 9. Influencer of the Year 2024 -N Deep, CII, Head Business Development Corporate Leadership Awards 1. Leadership Excellence in Corporate Culture -Amit Saha ExcelR Edtech Pvt Ltd Associate Director - Institutional Partnership & Operations 2. Leadership Excellence in Corporate Culture -Hem Chandra Tewari Mohan Meakin Limited Head HR (Level GM) 3. Leadership Excellence in Corporate Culture- Bikram Keshori Nayak ,Empert Consultants Private Limited Chief Business Officer and HR Advisor 4. Leadership Excellence in Corporate Culture- Vishwanadh Raju, ANSR Global Head Global Talent 5. Leadership Excellence in Corporate Culture -Hepsiba Bala S, Hinduja Housing Finance Ltd Corporate HR Manager 6. Leadership Excellence in Corporate Culture- David Netto, ADP India Senior Talent acquisition business partner 7. Leadership Excellence in Corporate Culture -Malathi Tamizhselvan, VA Tech Wabag Head - TA 8. Leadership Excellence in Corporate Culture -A Annapurna, Fime India Private Limited Head - Human Resources & Admn.( India , South Asia & UAE) 9. Leadership Excellence in Corporate Culture- Bhoopala Krishna Urs M G, Rishi FIBC Solutions Pvt Ltd Sr.GM - HR (Corporate) 10. Leadership Excellence in Corporate Culture Sougata Sen / Neelam Roy, Hexaware Technologies Senior HR Leader 11. Leadership Excellence in Corporate Culture -Karuna Shettennavar, Novartis Healthcare Pvt Ltd Sr Talent Acquisition Business Partner - Campus Manager 12. Leadership Excellence in Corporate Culture -Ritu Sharma, Brillio Operational Excellence and University Relations HR Success Talk: HR SUCCESS TALK is an 11-year-old global community of 1,50,000 members (HR professionals and business leaders) who come together to learn from each other and share talent and business-related matters. We currently have chapters in 10 countries- India, UAE, Ghana, Saudi Arabia, Costa Rica, Philippines, Iraq, United States of America, United Kingdom and Zimbabwe. Our objective is to bring HR and Business Leaders together to discuss and solve talent-related business problems and share best practices with each other. Our learning ecosystem is built around our Webinar, HR Conference, YouTube Channel, HR Forum, Website, Blogs, Awards, Elite Clubs, EDGE Talk, College Collaborations, Online assessments, and Certifications with a strong presence in social media. Visit our Website, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, HRForum or YouTube Channel for more information. National Human Resource Welfare Association (NHRWA) NHRWA hosts an annual conference, providing a vital platform for HR professionals in India. This event seamlessly blends networking opportunities with practical solutions, addressing contemporary HR challenges. Attendees enjoy complimentary access to job portals and a vendor portal, streamlining talent acquisition and connecting HR experts with valuable resources. At NHRWA's Annual Conference, our mission is to elevate HR practices in India by fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing. Join us in shaping the future of workforce management, where insights and innovation come together to advance HR excellence. Acharya Bangalore B-School (ABBS): Acharya Bangalore B-School (ABBS) is a pioneering educational institution located in Bengaluru, Karnataka, managed by the Samagra Sikshana Samithi Trust. ABBS offers a wide array of programs, including undergraduate and postgraduate programs in Science, Commerce, Management and Arts, with the flagship MBA program. The institution's consistent 'A' grade accreditation from NAAC through three cycles underscores its unwavering commitment to academic excellence. ABBS stands out by integrating superior faculty, modern infrastructure, and innovative teaching methodologies to empower students to navigate the challenges of an ever-changing world. For more information, please visit www.abbs.edu.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) The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) have announced the launch of the BhashaNet portal at the Universal Acceptance Day event held in the national capital on Thursday. The event was held with the active support of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). The event marked a significant milestone in advancing digital inclusion and promoting Universal Acceptance across India. The theme of the event, "BhashaNet: Impetus Towards Universal Acceptance," highlighted MeitY/NIXI's unwavering commitment towards ensuring that, regardless of linguistic or textual barriers, everyone can fully participate in the digital world. The event featured engaging panel discussions and workshops, with representatives from Bhashini, ONDC, NIC, C-DAC Microsoft, UASG of ICANN, Data Xgen, Infibeam, ZOHO and FICCI sharing insights and best practices for achieving Universal Acceptance readiness. These sessions aimed to empower participants and the community at large in their efforts to make applications and systems Universal Acceptance compliant. India's successful hosting of the regional Universal Acceptance Day event paved the way for the upcoming Global Universal Acceptance Day scheduled to take place on March 28, 2024, in Belgrade, Serbia. Secretary, MeitY, S Krishnan in his keynote address highlighted that Universal Acceptance is a necessity for a truly inclusive internet to allow non-English speakers to access the internet. He spoke of "leveraging technology and collaboration to ensure every user's needs are met, regardless of language or script." In his address Krishnan mentioned that about 800 million ppl in india are internet users and this number is bound to grow. To make internet inclusive for these users, Universal Acceptance is absolutely necessary. "As people use voice to communicate with their devices, even that is going to change. Internet is going to bring a huge change in the way we live. We need to make sure, it works for us. So the bases should be covered and equal opportunities should be provided to all" he said. He further emphasised on India's potential to lead in standards for Universal Acceptance conformance. Government officials and industry leaders gathered to commemorate this milestone, underscoring India's dedication to creating a more inclusive digital space. (ANI) In a breakthrough, the Special Task Force (STF) of Assam police apprehended two top-rung leaders of ISIS in Assam''s Dhubri district, officials said on Wednesday. The special operation was carried out by the STF team led by Parthasarathi Mahanta, IGP (STF) and Kalyan Kumar Pathak, Additional Superintendent of Police (STF). Partha Sarathi Mahanta told ANI that, information was received from sister agencies that two top-rung leaders of ISIS in India who were camping in a neighbouring country would cross over to India at the Dhubri Sector to carry out sabotage activities. "Based on the input, an STF team was deputed to locate and apprehend the said accused persons, who are also wanted by NIA. The team proceeded to Dhubri in the evening hours of March 19. Thereafter, since the input was credible, a manhunt was launched in the International border area to nab the culprits. At around 4:15 am on March 20, the accused persons were detected in Dharmasala area of Dhubri after they had crossed the international border. Both of them were apprehended and brought to the STF office at Guwahati," IG (STF) Mahanta said. IG Mahanta further said that the identity of both of them was ascertained and it is found that accused Haris Farooqi alias Harish Ajmal Farukhi S/o Ajmal Farooqi of Chakrata, Dehradun is the head of ISIS in India and his associate Anurag Singh alias Rehan S/o Manbir Singh of Diwana, Panipat got converted to Islam and his wife is a Bangladeshi national. "Both of them are highly indoctrinated and motivated leaders/ members of ISIS in India. They had furthered the cause of ISIS in India through conspiracies to carry out recruitment, terror funding and terror acts by means of IEDs at several places across India. Several cases are pending against them at NIA, Delhi, ATS, Lucknow etc. STF, Assam will hand over the accused to NIA for taking up further legal actions against these fugitives," Partha Sarathi Mahanta said. (ANI) A significant political development unfolded in Tripura as major opposition parties, including CPIM, Congress, Gana Manch, All Tripura Peoples Party, CPI, and CPIML, joined hands to form an alliance under the banner of the INDIA Alliance to preserve democracy and uphold the Constitution and said that they are determined to combat the "fascist government" both at the state and Centre during the Lok Sabha polls. The announcement was made at a press conference held at the Agartala Press Club Conference Hall on Wednesday, attended by key political figures such as Jitendra Chowdhury, the opposition leader of Tripura, and Ashish Kumar Saha, the TPCC President & West Lok Sabha constituency candidate. Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee President Ashish Saha stated that jointly we will fight against the "fascist government that is prevailing both in the State and the Centre". "In INDIA Alliance, in Tripura, along with Congress & CPIM, now three more parties, i.e., Gana Manch, All Tripura Peoples Party, & CPIML, have jointly come together, it's a matter of happiness. We all together will fight against the BJP government, which Tripura MOTHA joined recently. Our fight is to save democracy, and protect the Constitution and we will contest in a democratic way. And jointly, we will fight against the fascist government that is prevailing both in the state and the Centre," he said. The coalition aims to challenge the ruling BJP, Indigenous People's Front of Tripura, and Tripra MOTHA government in the upcoming Lok Sabha Election. Jitendra Chowdhury, the Leader of Opposition and CPIM leader, said that to save the country's Constitution and democracy in India and to sustain religious harmony, all the opposition parties have come together. In Tripura, too, the same thing will happen. "To save our Constitution and democracy in India and to sustain religious harmony, all the opposition parties have come together. In Tripura, too, the same thing will happen. And in both the Lok Sabha constituency of Tripura, and the candidate in the by-election, from our side, we will fight to sustain religious harmony and democracy. We fight against various issues and for the election, we came together to fight against the ruling government," he said. This alliance marks a significant shift in the political landscape of Tripura, setting the stage for a high-stakes electoral battle. (ANI) After the Congress' Central Election Committee met on Wednesday to finalise candidates for the Lok Sabha elections, Maharashtra unit party President Nana Patole said that candidates have been finalised for 12 seats. He also mentioned that Congress will hold a meeting with Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar today to finalize the remaining seats. Nana Patole said, "We have discussed at least 18-19 seats of Maharashtra, we have finalized at least 12 seats and tomorrow morning we have a meeting with Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray. Final discussions will be held and all seats will be announced by tomorrow or the day after tomorrow...'' The meeting of the CEC was attended by former Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Congress general secretary K C Venugopal and other members of the panel. Rahul Gandhi, who is also a member of the panel, was not present during the meeting. On the announcement of the Maharashtra candidates list for Lok Sabha elections, party leader Ramesh Chennithala said, "We are going to announce some seats and later we will announce other seats also. Maha Vikas Aghadi is intact and we are all going together..." The panel headed by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has been deliberating on the candidates' list for Maharashtra, Gujarat and Rajasthan.On the announcement of candidates for Lok Sabha elections, Congress MP KC Venugopal said, "Anytime it can be expected.. The Congress has so far announced 82 candidates in two lists for the seven-phase Lok Sabha polls beginning on April 19. Amid the swiftly changing allegiances among political leaders in Maharashtra, Bajrang Sonawane, previously aligned with Ajit Pawar's faction within the NCP, made a significant move by joining Sharad Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) . The event took place in Pune, with Sharad Pawar and State President Jayant Patil present. Sonawane, hailing from Beed district, Maharashtra, was regarded as a staunch supporter of Ajit Pawar and Dhananjay Munde following the split in the NCP last year. Notably, he accompanied Ajit Pawar when the latter joined the Eknath Shinde-led Grand Alliance government while serving as the NCP president for Beed district. In the past, Sonawane contested against Pritam Munde in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections for the Beed seat, putting up a formidable challenge. During the Pune event at the NCP SP headquarters, Sonawane expressed his decision to join Sharad Pawar's camp without harbouring any expectations. He stated his readiness to undertake any responsibility entrusted to him by Pawar. Sonawane pledged his full support to the NCP's candidate from Beed, highlighting his enduring loyalty to the party. He emphasized that his decision to switch sides was influenced by the sentiments of numerous party workers who felt discontented elsewhere. Addressing the gathering, Sharad Pawar acknowledged Sonawane's return and his past electoral performance. Pawar indicated that the party's senior leadership would deliberate on fielding Sonawane in the upcoming elections. He thanked the party workers for their support and assured them that a decision regarding the Beed constituency candidate would be made after careful consideration by senior leaders. Pawar emphasized the importance of not hastily making political decisions based solely on localized issues and stressed the need for thoughtful deliberation before finalizing candidate selections. (ANI) Responding to Rahul Gandhi's reference to electoral bonds as 'hafta vasooli', Union Home Minister Amit Shah, on Wednesday said that Rahul Gandhi needs to clarify where he obtained Rs 1,600 crore termed as 'hafta vasooli'. In response to Rahul Gandhi, who had referred to the bonds as 'hafta vasooli', "Gandhi also received Rs 1,600 crore. He should clarify where he got that 'hafta vasooli' from. We assert that it's a transparent donation, but if he labels it as vasooli, he should provide details," Shah said in a video posted on his X account. When asked if the BJP would disclose their donor list like some other parties, Shah responded, "I assure you, once the details are out, the INDIA alliance will find it hard to face the public." "Electoral bonds were introduced to end the domination of black money in Indian politics, they were brought to eradicate black money... Now the scheme has been scrapped and I fear the return of black money," Shah said. He further stated that there should be reforms regarding the electoral bonds, rather than scrapping it. "I believe that rather than scrapping it, there should be reforms, but it does not hold any significance, as the apex court has given its verdict and I respect that," he added. "But my personal opinion is that bonds had almost ended black money in politics. This is why the entire INDIA bloc, led by Rahul Gandhi, was against the bonds and they wanted the old system of cut money to rule over politics once again," the senior BJP leader stated. The Electoral Bond Scheme was a way for political parties in India to get money without revealing the donor's identity. But, the Supreme Court, in a ruling in February, struck down the Centre's Electoral Bond Scheme and ordered the SBI to stop issuing Electoral Bonds immediately. In compliance with a directive from the Supreme Court, the Election Commission of India (ECI) recently uploaded data on electoral bonds to its official website. The State Bank of India (SBI) supplied the information, which includes details about these electoral bonds. (ANI) In the vibrant city of Jaipur, Rajasthan, preparations for the traditional 'Gulal Gota' have begun in anticipation of the upcoming Holi festival. Gulaal Gota refers to delicate spheres made of lac, filled with vibrant dry colours. These spheres are securely sealed and are typically tossed at individuals during the celebration of Holi. This unique craft, which has been passed down through seven generations, holds a special place in the cultural fabric of the region. Artisan Awaz Mohammad, a custodian of this dying craft, shares, "Gulal gota is made of natural lac shells weighing 5-6 grams each, which are then filled with natural colours and sealed with 'ararot' taking the total weight of gota to 21-22 grams." "Traditionally made for the royal family, this craft dates back seven generations and the first batch of gulal gota is sent to Vrindavan every year," he said. The significance of this craft extends beyond the boundaries of Rajasthan. It is deeply rooted in the history of India, tracing back to the era of the Pandavas and Kauravas. "This is a dying craft and has been going on for seven generations in our family," he said. "Lac work is an ancient practice which has been going on from the time Pandavas and Kauravas made Lakshagraha. We have been making gulal gota for the Royal family ever since. The first batch of gulal gota is sent to Vrindavan every year..." Holi, also known as the "Festival of Colours," is a vibrant Hindu festival celebrated with enthusiasm across India. Holi will be celebrated on March 25 this year. The festival also involves lighting bonfires, signifying the burning of the demon Holika. Amidst the revelry, traditional sweets are shared, fostering a sense of community and togetherness. Holi truly encapsulates the spirit of joy and love. (ANI) Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane on Wednesday presided over the maiden test-firing of India's first indigenously-made 1500 Horsepower (HP) engine for Main Battle Tanks at BEML's Engine division in Mysuru complex. "The achievement heralds a new era in the country's defence capabilities, showcasing the technological prowess and commitment to self-reliance in defence technologies," as per a press release from the Ministry of Defence. The 1500 HP engine represents a paradigm shift in military propulsion systems, possessing cutting-edge features such as high power-to-weight ratio, operability in extreme conditions including high altitudes, sub-zero temperatures, and desert environments. Equipped with advanced technologies, the engine stands on par with the most advanced engines globally. Inaugurating the Test Cell, the Defence Secretary described the achievement as a transformative moment which will enhance the capabilities of the Armed Forces. "Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) of BEML Shantanu Roy stated that the accomplishment solidifies BEML's position as a key contributor to defence production in the country, underscoring its commitment to serving the nation's needs in this critical sector," as per the release. The first test-firing of the 1500 HP engine signifies the completion of Generation One, focusing on technology stabilisation. Generation Two will see BEML producing engines for various trials at Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment, a DRDO laboratory, and their integration into actual vehicles for user testing. "The project is slated for completion by mid-2025. The project, initiated in August 2020, has been meticulously structured into five major milestones, ensuring timely completion and adherence to quality standards," as per the release. The Defence Secretary also inaugurated the 'Wall of Fame' to recognise the extraordinary efforts of the BEML team. It symbolises their contribution towards advancing the defence capabilities of the country and achieving milestones in indigenous technological innovation. Senior civil and military officers of the Ministry of Defence; industry partners and officials of BEML Ltd were present on the occasion. (ANI) At the event, the Chief Minister danced with the senior officials of the Parishad and the locals and wished everyone a festival of unity and gaiety. The Chief Minister said that the tribal society of the state is also constantly progressing due to the all-round development taking place under the able leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said that our state government is committed to bringing them to the forefront of society by linking tribal pride and prestige with development and public welfare. https://x.com/pushkardhami/status/1770495683365072898?s=20 In a series of posts on X in Hindi, CM Dhami said, "Celebrating Holi, the holy festival of joy and goodwill, with the brothers and sisters of the Tharu tribe endowed with rich cultural heritage in Khatima..." "Due to the all-round development taking place under the able leadership of respected Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji, the tribal society of the state is also continuously progressing," the CM said in another post. The CM said, "Our state government is determined to bring tribal pride and prestige to the forefront of society by linking them with development and public welfare." The Holi Milan ceremony is a celebration of cultural pride and spiritual unity. Holi, also known as the "Festival of Colours," is a vibrant festival celebrated with enthusiasm across India. This year, Holi will be celebrated on March 25. The festival also involves lighting bonfires, signifying the burning of the demon Holika. Amidst the revelry, traditional sweets are shared, fostering a sense of community and togetherness. Holi truly encapsulates the spirit of joy and love. (ANI) Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, chairs a symposium on further energizing the central region in the new era in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, March 20, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday called for solid efforts to further energize the central region at a higher starting point. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks while chairing a symposium on further energizing the central region in the new era. In his speech, Xi highlighted the central region's pivotal role as the country's important grain production base, energy and raw material base, modern equipment manufacturing and high-tech industry base, and comprehensive transportation hub. Xi called for synergy in promoting high-quality development and writing new chapters of energizing the central region in the process of advancing Chinese modernization. Li Qiang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Chinese premier, Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, and Ding Xuexiang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Chinese vice premier, attended the symposium. Since the previous symposium on energizing the central region was held five years ago, the region's development has reached a higher level, Xi said. Xi also noted that further energizing the central region still faces many difficulties and challenges that require practical research to solve them. More efforts should be made to push forward industrial innovation led by scientific and technological innovation, and actively cultivate new quality productive forces, he said. Xi called for forward-looking plans for future industries and a faster pace in modernizing the industrial system underpinned by advanced manufacturing. The campaign to energize the central region should be better linked with the nation's other major development strategies to help the region better integrate into and support the country's new development pattern, he said. Xi urged the region to promote deep reforms and high-level opening up in a coordinated manner in its efforts to grow into a more competitive inland pacesetter for opening up. He also called for efforts to coordinate ecological environment protection and green and low-carbon development, and accelerate the building of a beautiful central region. Xi highlighted the need to pursue integrated development of urban and rural areas and take solid steps to advance rural revitalization across the board. Efforts should be made to make high-quality development and high-level security reinforce each other, and enhance the capabilities of ensuring food and energy security, Xi said. Xi urged the related central authorities to conduct research and propose policies to further energize the central region in the new era. At the symposium, Li Qiang called for efforts to faithfully study and implement the guiding principles of Xi's important speech, and turn the region's geographical and resource advantages into development advantages. Ding Xuexiang stressed sticking to the requirements of high-quality development to secure new achievements in further energizing the central region. Union Minister Jitendra Singh will file a nomination on Thursday from the Udhampur constituency for the Lok Sabha election. The seat goes to polls in the first phase on April 19. Elections will be held in 102 Lok Sabha seats in 17 states and four Union Territories in this phase. Jitendra Singh performed puja at his residence in Jammu, ahead of filing his nomination from Udhampur (J&K) as a BJP candidate. According to the Election Commission of India, the nomination for Udhampur Constituency can be filed by March 27, and the withdrawal of the nomination can be done by April 2. With a 46 percent vote share in 2019, the BJP secured both the seats in the Jammu region. Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister, won the Udhampur Constituency in 2019 by a margin of 3,57,252 votes. With 724,311 votes, Dr Jitendra Singh defeated Vikramaditya Singh, the Congress candidate, by 367,059 votes. Dr Singh also won the 2014 Lok Sabha election from the Udhampur constituency with a margin of 60,976 (5.9%) votes by defeating former Congress leader Gulam Nabi Azad. Earlier, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh expressed hope from the first-time voters of Jammu & Kashmir. Speaking to ANI, the Union Minister said "We have expectations from all first-time voters. The picture has drastically changed since 2014. This city was so deprived of roads that folk songs were made in Dogri." "In the last 10 years, roads were constructed in Udhampur under PMGSY. Three medical colleges have opened. A radio station and even a passport office have now opened up here," he added. On March 1, the BJP announced Dr Jitendra Singh will contest Lok Sabha polls from Udhampur and Jugal Kishor Sharma from Jammu. Along with Udhampur in the first phase of elections, 39 seats in Tamil Nadu, 12 in Rajasthan, 8 in Uttar Pradesh, and 6 in Madhya Pradesh will go to the polls. Five seats in Uttarakhand, Assam and Maharashtra, four seats in Bihar, three in West Bengal, two in Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya and one seat in Chhattisgarh, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Jammu and Kashmir, Lakshadweep and Puducherry will also go to polls on April 19. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP-led National Democratic Party (NDA) won a total of 303 seats, leaving Congress behind at 52 seats. Polling for the Lok Sabha elections will be conducted in seven phases across the nation from April 19 to June 1. Votes will be counted on June 4.(ANI) Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma asserted on Thursday that they will "eradicate" terrorism from the nation under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. His reaction came a day after the Special Task Force (STF) of Assam police apprehended two top-rung leaders of ISIS in Assam's Dhubri district, officials said on Wednesday. https://x.com/himantabiswa/status/1770635373728661712?s=20 Reacting to a tweet from the Assam police, CM Biswa said, "We shall continue our fight against the fundamentalist and eradicate terrorism from the soil of our nation under the leadership of the Honorable Prime Minister @narendramodi. Thank you, @assampolice". In a breakthrough, the Special Task Force (STF) of Assam police apprehended two top-rung leaders of ISIS in Assam's Dhubri district, officials said on Wednesday. According to officials, the apprehended top ISIS leaders were identified as Haris Farooqi alias Harish Ajmal Farukhi, who is the head of ISIS in India, and his associate Anurag Singh alias Rehan. The special operation was carried out by the STF team led by Parthasarathi Mahanta, IGP (STF) and Kalyan Kumar Pathak, Additional Superintendent of Police (STF). Partha Sarathi Mahanta told ANI that, information was received from sister agencies that two top-rung leaders of ISIS in India who were camping in a neighbouring country would cross over to India at the Dhubri Sector to carry out sabotage activities. "Based on the input, an STF team was deputed to locate and apprehend the said accused persons, who are also wanted by NIA. The team proceeded to Dhubri in the evening hours of March 19. Thereafter, since the input was credible, a manhunt was launched in the International border area to nab the culprits. At around 4:15 am on March 20, the accused persons were detected in Dharmasala area of Dhubri after they had crossed the international border. Both of them were apprehended and brought to the STF office at Guwahati," IG (STF) Mahanta said. IG Mahanta further said that the identity of both of them was ascertained and it is found that accused Haris Farooqi alias Harish Ajmal Farukhi S/o Ajmal Farooqi of Chakrata, Dehradun is the head of ISIS in India and his associate Anurag Singh alias Rehan S/o Manbir Singh of Diwana, Panipat got converted to Islam and his wife is a Bangladeshi national. "Both of them are highly indoctrinated and motivated leaders/ members of ISIS in India. They had furthered the cause of ISIS in India through conspiracies to carry out recruitment, terror funding and terror acts by means of IEDs at several places across India. Several cases are pending against them at NIA, Delhi, ATS, Lucknow etc. STF, Assam will hand over the accused to NIA for taking up further legal actions against these fugitives," Partha Sarathi Mahanta said. (ANI) In a crackdown against drug peddlers and manufacturers, Maharashtra Police have arrested five Nigerians under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS) and seized around 170 grams of MD. According to the police, 11 other Nigerians were also detained, who were found staying here illegally. "An action was taken a couple of weeks back where we had seized approximately 1,800 kgs of contraband. In furtherance of that investigation, an operation was carried out at various locations today (March 20) by the Pune Crime Branch. We have seized around 170 grams of MD from five different locations. Five Nigerians have been arrested, and action under the NDPS Act is being taken. During that operation, we also detained around 11 Nigerians who were found to be staying here (in Pune) without valid documents. We have initiated the process of deportation after assessing each of those cases individually," city CP Amitesh Kumar told ANI. He also emphasized that this exercise against drugs and everyone involved in the drug trafficking should be dealt with very firmly. Earlier on March 19, Mumbai Customs Zone-I incinerated 31.948 Kgs of heroin, cocaine, marijuana, etc., valued at Rs 265 crores. "Mumbai Customs Zone-I remains steadfast in its commitment to strict law enforcement against drug trafficking. Today, 31.948 kg of NDPS (heroin, cocaine, marijuana, etc) valued at approx 265 crores is incinerated. This is the 3rd such incineration in this financial year, 1st on July 19, 2023, of 128.47 kgs valued at approx 865 crores rupees and 2nd on December 13, 2023, of 54.85 kgs valued at approx 410 crores. Thus, a total of 215.268 kgs valued at approx 1540 crore rupees has been incinerated this financial year," Mumbai Customs said on X. (ANI) Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader Kanimozhi on Thursday arrived in her Lok sabha Constituency Thoothkudi and expressed her gratitude to the Chief Minister for selecting her for the second time. Talking to reporters, she emphasized that the Chief Minister is still aiming to bring many new investments to the area in the state. "Thanks to Chief Minister Stalin for allowing me to contest in Thoothukudi again. I also thank the allies including Minister Anitha Radhakrishnan, Minister Geetha Jeevan and Congress Legislators who supported me during my five years of service here," she said. THE DMK leader pointed out that a drinking water project is nearing completion to resolve the problem in the area. "This area is a problem area for water. The drinking water project covering 361 villages is nearing completion. They have assured the Chief Minister that they will train the youth and young women who may be in Thoothukudi and provide employment opportunities to those who may be here in the recently started Win Fast (Car Company) in Thoothukudi," Kanimozhi said. "The Chief Minister is still aiming to bring many new investments to Tuticorin," she added. MP Kanimozhi, who is re-contesting the Thoothukudi Lok Sabha seat, arrived in Thoothukudi this morning by flight from Chennai. Anita Radhakrishnan, Minister of Southern District DMK, gave her a rousing welcome at the Tuticorin Airport. Assembly members Markandeyan Shanmugaiah, Urvashi Amirtaraj and DMK allies participated in the event. Meanwhile, DMK chief MK Stalin on Wednesday announced the party's candidates list for the Lok Sabha elections 2024. Stalin also announced the party's manifesto and said that it is DMK who made the manifesto before the election and continued it. "Do what we say is what our leaders taught us. Our Party Deputy General Secretary and my sister headed the election manifesto committee and prepared it. As Kanimozhi said they went all over the state and listened to various. It's not only a DMK manifesto but a people's manifesto," he said. According to the manifesto, there will be a Supreme Court branch in Chennai, state rights for Puducherry, Union Exam in Tamil, Indian citizenship to Sri Lankan Tamils who returned to India, Rs 1000 monthly money for women all over India, toll gates in NH will be taken, CAA will be not implemented, LPG will be sold for Rs 500, Petrol for Rs 75 and Diesel for Rs 65, Uniform civil code will not be implemented. (ANI) Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday took a jibe at the Maha Vikas Aghadi over seat-sharing for Lok Sabha elections and said that MVA leaders have been holding meetings for two months but haven't reached a decision yet and the BJP, in just one meeting, took 80 per cent decisions on seat-sharing. "They (Maha Vikas Aghadi) have been having meetings since two and a half months but they haven't reached a decision yet. We made 80 per cent of the decisions in just one meeting. We will decide the remaining 20 per cent in the second meeting," Fadnavis told reporters. Meanwhile, MVA leaders began arriving at Sharad Pawar's residence for a meeting that will be attended by Nana Patole, Balasaheb Thorat, Jitendra Awhad, Jayant Patil, Anil Deshmukh and Sanjay Raut. Earlier on Wednesday, Maharashtra unit party President Nana Patole said that candidates have been finalised for 12 seats. He also mentioned that Congress will hold a meeting with Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar today to finalize the remaining seats. Nana Patole said, "We have discussed at least 18-19 seats of Maharashtra, we have finalized at least 12 seats and on Thursday morning we have a meeting with Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray. Final discussions will be held and all seats will be announced by Thursday or Friday." The Congress has so far announced 82 candidates in two lists for the seven-phase Lok Sabha polls beginning on April 19. The Maha Vikas Aghadi consisting of the Congress, the Sena (UBT) and the NCP (SPawar) has not detailed out their seat sharing agreement despite numerous meetings between alliance partners. Maharashtra will vote in five phases for 48 constituencies in the upcoming general elections. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP won 23 out of 25 contested seats, while the undivided Shiv Sena secured 18 out of 23 seats. The Lok sabha Elections 2024 would be held in seven phases starting on April 19 and ending on June 1. The counting will take place on June 4. (ANI) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has expressed his confidence for a massive victory in the upcoming Lok Sabha election in the state stating that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is going to clean sweep the state by winning all 29 parliamentary seats in the state. CM Yadav made the remark while addressing media persons in Jabalpur district on Thursday morning and also said that the state government was making a development roadmap for the state for the coming years. "On Wednesday, the first Lok Sabha nomination was filed from Sidhi in the state. We are making a development roadmap for the state for the coming years. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, the BJP will get a huge majority," CM Yadav said. The CM further added that they have moved towards the elections under the guidance given by PM Modi and were getting response from the public. "Under the guidance given to all of us by PM Modi, we have moved towards the elections and are getting responses from the public. Due to the wave of PM Modi, the situation has become such that Congress is not getting candidates for the Lok Sabha elections in the state. We have declared our candidates but Congress is still not finding candidates," he added. "The public's response is with BJP and with PM Modi. Under the leadership of PM Modi, BJP is once again moving towards victory with a huge majority. In the 2014 general elections, we won 27 seats out of 29, similarly in 2019 we won 28 and now we are going to clean sweep this time in the state," the chief minister further said. CM Yadav also said that he wanted to assure the public of the state that the double engine government under the leadership of PM Modi would move forward at a fast pace and would leave no stone unturned in any matter of development. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections the BJP won 28 of the 29 seats with Kamal Nath's son Nakul Nath emerging as the lone winner from the Congress. (ANI) The second accused in the double murder case of two children in Budaun has been arrested, Uttar Pradesh Police said on Thursday. Days after two minor children were hacked to death at their home allegedly by one Sajid a barber in Baba colony in the western UP district, his brother Javed, also an accused and who was absconding was arrested on March 20 night in Bareilly. In a video sourced to police, Javed said, "...I ran straight to Delhi and from there I have to come to Bareilly to surrender. I have received phone calls from people about what my brother did..." "As there was a big crowd in Budaun, I went to Delhi. Now I have come to Bareilly to surrender because I have many call recordings in which I was told that my brother had committed murder. I don''t know why he has done this as we had a good relationship with that family" Javed is heard saying in the video. Locals caught him at the satellite bus stand and handed him over to the police last night. Budaun Senior Superintendant of Police (SSP) Alok Priyadarshi said, "The second accused, Javed - who is the brother of accused Sajid, has been arrested by the District Police...He surrendered in Bareilly, his video is viral...After talking to the officers, our team is bringing him back. Further action will be taken after questioning him." Bareilly Inspector General Rakesh Kumar had earlier said that Sajid was killed in retaliatory fire in a police encounter on March 20 when he was attempting to escape. Meanwhile, Javed had switched off his mobile and had fled to Delhi. An FIR was registered against two persons Sajid and Javed on the basis of a complaint filed by the deceased children''s father at the Civil Lines Police station. Earlier today, the mother of the two deceased children said that enquiry should be conducted in front of her so that she could know why the accused had killed her children. "I want Javed. The inquiry should be conducted in front of us. Just as my child was tortured and killed, in the same way, he will also be tortured. He (Sajid) came to our house at 06:30 pm and he immediately went to the terrace with a child. He just asked me for money. My child was playing on the first floor, and seeing another child he also went to the terrace with him. We never talked to him. I just want to ask why he did this or if someone made him do it," she told ANI. She also added that the accused made a false excuse that his wife was pregnant. The father of the deceased children told ANI that they never had any doubts about the behaviour of the accused. "We used to go to his shop, so neither his behaviour was wrong nor ours. We would like him to be caught and interrogated. Justice will be served only when it is known who made him do this," he said. SSP Budaun Alok Priyadarshi said, "The accused Sajid entered the house yesterday at around 7:30 pm and went to the terrace where the children were playing. He attacked the two children and murdered them. He then came down where the crowd tried to hold him back but he escaped. Police teams swung into action when they got to know that the accused had escaped. The accused fired at the police and was killed in retaliatory fire. The murder weapon and the revolver have been recovered. In the FIR, the family of the deceased children has also named the brother, Javed of the accused. Teams are working to find him and he will be arrested soon. According to the family, the accused had demanded Rs 5,000 from the father of the deceased children," the SSP said. (ANI) A unique locality in Madhya Pradesh's capital Bhopal, 'Chowk Mohalla' is popularly called as 'MPs Mohalla' by the local residents as it has a reputation for being home to several Members of Parliaments (MPs) and even the former President of the India. The Chowk Mohalla is located in the old Bhopal area and it is known for its narrow streets, wholesale market, Patiyabazi (an evening get-together of people discussing day to day happenings, politics etc) as well as being the home to many MPs. Late Maimoona Sultan, who lived in Chowk Bazar in the city was elected as MP of Bhopal parliamentary seat for two terms 1957 and 1962. After that Late Shankar Dayal Sharma, who started his politics from Chowk Bazaar, became MP of Bhopal in 1971. Later, Sharma served various constitutional posts and also became the ninth president of India, from 1992 to 1997. Later on, K N Pradhan, a resident from the same locality was also elected MP from the Bhopal Parliamentary seat in 1984. Now after decades, Alok Sharma, a resident of Chowk Bazaar, has been made a candidate from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. BJP candidate Alok Sharma said that, "If there is real Bhopal then it is of Chowk Bazaar which we also call old Bhopal. From Maimoona Sultan, Dr Shankar Dayal Sharma to KN Pradhan, all come from our chowk. If you want to see Ganga-Jamuna culture then one can go to Chowk Bazaar of Bhopal. This locality has given many leaders to Bhopal and the state. From here only Dr Shankar Dayal Sharma became the President of the country." Former President Shankar Dayal Sharma's house is located in this narrow street locality where his younger brother, Ishdayal Sharma does the work of treating people as a Vaidhya (doctor) following his ancestral tradition. Ishdayal Sharma said, "Many leaders and MPs emerged from the Chowk Bazaar. They did a lot of work for Chowk and especially for Bhopal. Shankar Dayal Sharma also started his politics from this locality. Today, Alok Sharma has been made the candidate from here which is a matter of happiness for us." BJP candidate Alok Sharma's father and litterateur Gaurishankar Sharma said, "The Chowk was built by Raja Bhoj and its design is in the shape of Swastika. All the MPs from Chowk have started politics from this locality. Be it Shankar Dayal Sharma or KN Pradhan. This locality has been the centre of politics of Bhopal. This locality has given many small and big leaders to Bhopal and the country along with the President and MP. If the BJP candidate Alok Sharma, a resident of this locality, wins the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from Bhopal Lok Sabha seat, which is considered to be the stronghold of BJP, then he will be the fourth MP from this locality." The election for Bhopal Parliamentary seat will be held in the third phase on May 7 along with seven other parliamentary seats in the state. (ANI) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday expressed his gratitude to former Tata Sons chairman and philanthropist Ratan Tata on Thursday for building the state's first semiconductor manufacturing plant. Taking to his official handle on X, CM Sarma said Assam will be forever grateful to the veteran industrialist for enabling the commercial production of semiconductors while opening up new employment opportunities in the tea-growing state. "My visit to Mumbai yesterday was extremely special. Assam will always be grateful to @RNTata2000 Ji for establishing the state in the world's semiconductor circuit and creating new job opportunities for our people by expanding the group's presence," the Assam CM posted from his X handle on Thursday. Tata Semiconductor Assembly and Test Pvt Ltd (TSAT) will set up a semiconductor manufacturing unit in Assam's Morigaon. With a capacity of producing 48 million chips per day, this facility is being built at a cost of Rs 27,000 crore. Segments that are to be covered by this new semiconductor unit are automotive, electric vehicles, consumer electronics, telecom, and mobile phones. Earlier, on Wednesday, CM Sarma said leading industrial captains never considered setting up factories or manufacturing units in the Northeast during previous phases of industrialisation across the country. However, the region, which was largely neglected in the past, is now central to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of transformative development and technological revolution, Sarma added. Ratan Tata, whose conglomerate has invested Rs 27,000 crore into the semiconductor plant in Morigaon, said the manufacturing of semiconductors will put Assam on the global map. "The investments being made in Assam transform the state into a complex treatment for cancer care. Today, the state government of Assam, in partnership with the Tata group, will make Assam a major player in sophisticated semiconductors," Ratan Tata posted on his X timeline. He tagged his post with images of himself along with CM Sarma and Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran. The Tatas, in collaboration with the Assam government, has already set up several cancer care hospitals across the state. "This new development will put Assam on the global map. We wish to thank the Chief Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma for his support and vision that have made all this possible," the former Tata Sons chairman posted on X. Earlier, on Tuesday, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw assured that the first semi-conductor chip in the country would be rolled out soon. On March 13, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the three semiconductor facilities that are being built at a combined cost of Rs 1.25 lakh crore. Two of these units are coming in Gujarat while the third is being built in Assam. The Tatas are setting up two of these three plants--one each in Gujarat and Assam. While the semiconductor industry in India is still in its nascent stage, various local and multinational companies have evinced an interest in tapping into its vast potential. Meanwhile, American chip maker Micron's high-end semiconductor fabrication plant at Gujarat's Sanand, which is India's first, is coming up at a rapid pace. It is expected to be operational in late 2024. (ANI) The Delhi High Court on Thursday sought a response from the central government on a plea challenging a circular asking all states to ban 23 dog breeds posing dangers to humans. Justice Subramonium Prasad issued a notice to the Centre. The matter was listed for further hearing on August 9. This petition was filed by Sikander Singh Thakur and others through advocates Nikhil Palli and Kshitij Pal. However, the court, while admitting the plea, said the government circular was a policy decision. Justice Prasad said, "We will examine the portion of the circular that mandates that even the current owner shall get their such pets sterilised." The counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the circular was 'without rationale'. "A high court issues a notice in this matter while the Karnataka High Court has stayed the circular (banning 23 dog breeds). A detailed response must be filed," the counsel for the petitioner argued. The petitioner challenged the circular issued on March 12 by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, asking all states and union territories to ban 23 'ferocious' dog breeds. The circular sought a ban on the import, breeding, and selling of the breeds, including Pitbull Terrier Tosalnu/ American Staffordshire Terrier Fila Brasileiro, Dogo Argentine, American Bulldog, Boerboel, Kangal, Central Asian Shepherd Dog (ovcharka)/ CaucasianShepherd Dog (ovcharkaJ South Russian Shepherd Dog (ovcharka) Tornja~ Sarplanina~ Japanese Tosa and Akita/ Mastiffs (boerbulls) Rottweiler Terriers/ Rhodesian Ridgebac~ Wolf dogs/ Canario/ Akbash dog/ Moscow Guard dog/ Cane Corso/ and every dog of the type commonly known as a Ban Dog (or Bandog). The notification or order also imposed a mandate on current owners of the said breeds to forcibly sterilise their pets, thus severely restricting their rights as pet owners and imposing undue hardships on responsible pet caregivers, the plea stated. It added that the notification lacks scientific basis and is devoid of any research or reports supporting the purported cause of reducing dog bites or enhancing public safety. The absence of substantiated scientific evidence or justifiable empirical data backing the classification of specific dog breeds as 'ferocious' renders the notification arbitrary ab initio, the plea contended. "By failing to adhere to established scientific protocols or engage in comprehensive research methodologies regarding canine behavior, temperament, and risk factors associated with dog-related incidents, the impugned notification lacks the necessary credibility andlegitimacy required for such regulatory interventions," it stated. "Consequently, the arbitrariness inherent in the notification's formulation casts serious doubt upon its validity and warrants judicial review to ensure adherence to constitutional principles of reasonableness, fairness, and evidence-based policymaking," the plea added. (ANI) China's Ministry of Education on Wednesday published its annual notice on college enrollment for 2024, pledging to advance the reform of entrance exam and admission policies. Seven provincial-level regions, including Jilin, Anhui and Guizhou, are urged to implement new policies on the college entrance exam this year, according to the notice. The ministry said efforts should be made to ensure that the exam focuses on testing not only the knowledge acquired by candidates but also their competence and academic caliber. The ministry will also step up its crackdown on cheating in exams, particularly that involving high-tech devices, and will work to prevent colleges from adopting improper admission policies, such as excessive scholarships. In China, college admission relies primarily on the results from the entrance exam. In 2023, a record 12.91 million people sat for the exam. After Congress old-timer and a sitting member of its working committee, Anand Sharma, wrote to party president Mallikarjun Kharge questioning its campaign pitch around the promise of a nationwide caste census, the BJP accused the grand old party of 'hypocrisy'. Speaking to ANI on Thursday, BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of 'disrespecting his predecessors' by putting forward the demand for a countrywide caste census, as the idea was opposed by former Prime Ministers Pt Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi. "The Congress itself has exposed the Congress by showing the mirror to the Gandhi-Vadras and baring their real faces and hypocrisy. Their sole agenda, going into the elections, is to divide the country for a few votes. It's an agenda they are going to people with to mine votes but one they will never commit themselves to fulfilling. Isn't that what Anand Sharma cited (in his letter to Congress president Kharge)? The idea of a caste census was debunked by Pt. Nehru while the Mandal Commission (which recommended caste quota in government jobs and education) was roundly opposed by Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi. Their slogan was 'jaat par na paat par, mohar lagegi hath par' (neither on caste nor religion, votes will be cast in favour of the Congress). This isn't the first time Rahul Gandhi is being called out from within the Congress for taking a U-turn, showing hypocrisy, and disrespecting what his predecessors had preached," the BJP spokesman told ANI. "Even his allies such as (Samajwadi Party chief) Akhilesh Yadav have called out his hypocrisy time and again," Poonawala added. In his letter to Kharge, Sharma said the party had "never engaged in nor endorsed identity politics", adding that the departure from the 'historic position' was a matter of concern for many in the party. Sharma, in his letter, also quoted Indira, saying her clarion call in the 1980 Lok Sabha elections was "Na jaat par na paat par, Mohar lagegi Haath par", while also invoking Rajiv Gandhi's September 1990 speech in the Lok Sabha during a discussion on the Mandal Commission report, in which he said, "We have problems if caste is defined to enshrine casteism in our country ..." A caste census, Sharma stated, "cannot be a panacea nor a solution for unemployment and prevailing inequalities". "Parties of the alliance also include those which have pursued caste-based politics for long. However, the Congress policy on social justice is based on a mature and informed understanding of the complexities of Indian society. Leaders of the national movement were firmly committed to emancipating those who had historically suffered denial and discrimination. Affirmative action, as enshrined in the Constitution, provides for reservation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. That reflects the collective wisdom of the framers of the Indian Constitution. Decades later, OBCs were included as a special category and accordingly given the benefit of reservations. That has found acceptance across the country now for 34 years," the Congress old-timer wrote further in his letter to the party president. Rahul has been vocal about his demand for a nationwide caste census, making it the centrepiece of the Congress's campaign during the Assembly elections late last year and in the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls. Responding to Sharma's letter to Kharge, Congress leader Pawan Khera said, "Anand Sharma is a senior leader and also a member of the CWC. If he wanted to discuss anything, he could have brought it up within the four walls of a party forum." (ANI) Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah hit out at the BJP government at the centre and compared it to modern-day Asura. He urged the Election Commission to direct the concerned authorities and allow Congress to use the bank accounts ahead of the parliamentary polls, frozen by the Income Tax Department. CM Siddaramaiah said, "In an unprecedented move that undermines the very pillars of our democracy, the Income Tax Department has frozen the bank accounts of the Congress. This unjustified action has been strategically timed just two months before crucial election campaigns, severely crippling the party's ability to contest effectively. The Election Commission should direct the concerned authorities to allow Congress to use the bank accounts." He alleged that this is not merely an administrative measure but it is a calculated assault on democracy itself. "This deliberate act has resulted in significant operational handicaps for the party, from restricting mobility to curtailing essential campaign activities such as advertising and constituency outreach," he said. The CM said that it is crucial to recognize that this manoeuvre does more than just target a single political entity. It undermines the democratic right of every Indian citizen to a free and fair electoral process. The timing and nature of these actions suggest a distressing pattern of using state apparatus for political gains, thereby setting a dangerous precedent for the future of Indian democracy. "In the great saga of India, the BJP has assumed the role of modern-day Asuras, harnessing the Shakti of agencies like IT, ED, and CBI as weapons against democracy. Their power, strengthened by alliances with entities like Adani, starkly contrasts with the authentic Shakti of India's people. This BJP's slide towards autocracy is a direct assault on our democratic spirit. The time has come for the true Shakti of India, residing in its citizens, to confront this menace. Our nation's soul is at stake, demanding a resurgence of democratic Shakti to reclaim its essence," he added. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday lashed out at the Centre and asserted that there is "no democracy" in India today, alleging that the idea that India is a democracy is a lie. The Congress MP asserted that by blocking the accounts of the largest opposition party the BJP had caused great damage to Indian democracy. "This is a criminal action on the Congress party, a criminal action done by the Prime Minister and the Home Minister. So, the idea that India is a democracy is a lie. There is no democracy in India today. The idea that India is the world's largest democracy is a lie. A complete lie," he said. (ANI) Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's legal team has filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the High Court's order which denied interim relief to him in an Excise policy case. Sources said Kejriwal's legal team is making efforts for urgent listing in the matter. An Enforcement Directorate team reached Kejriwal's residence for questioning hours after the Delhi High Court refused interim protection to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal from coercive action in connection with the excise policy case. The Delhi High Court on Thursday refused interim protection from coercive action to Kejriwal and said at this stage the court is not inclined to grant interim relief. The court was hearing a plea by Kejriwal seeking protection from coercive action against him in connection with the excise policy case. The bench of Justice Suresh Kumar Kait and Justice Manoj Jain passed an interim order on his petition with the main matter listed for July 22, 2024. During the hearing, Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who appeared for Kejriwal, submitted that the summons issued under Section 50 do not even reveal whether the person summoned is a witness, suspect or accused. He said his client has apprehension that he would be arrested "for political purposes". "What prevented you from arresting him, and why are you issuing summonses back-to-back?" the court asked ED during arguments. Additional Solicitor General SV Raju replied that the agency never said that they are going to arrest. "The power is there. You come to join the investigation, we may or may not arrest you." Raju opposed the plea on maintainability grounds and submitted that the petition is seeking to quash and set aside all proceedings qua the petitioner in the capacity of his being national convener of a political party. "But here, AAP has not been made an accused yet and the fact that he's challenged means that his figment of imagination can't lead to a grant of relief. A person or entity that has not been made an accused can't seek to strike down a provision," Raju said. On Wednesday, during the hearing in the related matter before the Delhi High Court, Kejriwal's lawyers stated that they have apprehension that the ED will arrest him and that he is ready to appear if he is given protection. Kejriwal, through his plea, has sought, the declaration of Section (2) (s) OF PMLA to be ultravires, unconstitutional and arbitrary insofar it is construed to include a political party within its ambit and sweep. Kejriwal's plea stated that the present petition is being filed in extremely urgent and emergent circumstances where such arbitrary procedure under PMLA is sought to be employed "to create a non-level playing field for the impending general elections scheduled to be held from April 19, 2024, and to skew the electoral process in the favour of the ruling party at the Centre that controls the ED through the Ministry of Finance". ED on Sunday issued two fresh summons to Kejriwal in connection with two different cases - a liquor policy case and a case linked to the Delhi Jal Board. This was the ninth summons to the Delhi Chief Minister in a money laundering probe related to irregularities in the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22 case, asking him to join the investigation on March 21. The fresh summons to the Delhi Chief Minister followed the eighth summons, which he had skipped on March 4. Last week, the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate of Rouse Avenue Court granted bail to Arvind Kejriwal on two complaints filed by ED for non-compliance with summons issued by the agency. During the hearing, Kejriwal appeared physically before the court. According to the ED, the agency wants to record Kejriwal's statement in the case on issues like the formulation of policy, meetings held before it was finalized, and allegations of bribery. In its sixth charge sheet filed in the case on December 2, 2023, naming AAP leader Sanjay Singh and his aide Sarvesh Mishra, the ED claimed that the AAP used kickbacks worth Rs 45 crore generated via the policy as part of its assembly elections campaign in Goa in 2022. The now-scrapped excise policy was aimed "at revitalizing the city's flagging liquor business" and replacing a sales-volume-based regime with a licence fee for traders. Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena had ordered a probe into alleged irregularities in the policy. AAP has accused Saxena's predecessor, Anil Baijal, of sabotaging the move with a few last-minute changes that resulted in lower-than-expected revenues. Two senior AAP leaders, Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh, are in judicial custody in the case. Sisodia, who was the then Delhi Deputy Chief Minister, was arrested by the CBI on February 26 following several rounds of questioning. On October 5, ED arrested Sanjay Singh, who is a Rajya Sabha member. (ANI) Coming down heavily on the Siddaramaiah-led government, former Karnataka chief minister Basavaraj Bommai on Thursday said the fiscal condition of the state has deteriorated under the ruling Congress. In a fierce attack on the Congress regime amid the severe water crisis in Bengaluru, the former CM said the best and biggest irrigation projects in the state were implemented during the previous BJP government. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, the senior BJP leader, who was named as one of the party's candidates from the state for the Lok Sabha elections, said, "The fiscal state of the Karnataka, which was strong during our government, has been rendered far worse under the present Congress regime. Our treasury is ringing hollow and the state doesn't have a penny to release for drought management." Addressing an election rally near Makanur in Ranebennur taluk in Haveri on Thursday, the former CM said, "Some of the biggest irrigation projects in the state were implemented under the previous BJP government. Our former CM Yediyurappa also luanched a special initiative for the upliftment and well-being of the oppressed sections in the state. It seems the Congress leaders are only trying to mitigate the drought and drinking water crises through meetings and empty platitudes." Responding to state minister Shivanand Patil's statement that Bommai was left to fend for himself in the Lok Sabha elections, the former CM said he has been fighting all his elections by himself as he is more than capable of managing his campaign. Claiming that the Congress has the appearance of a divided house going into the general elections, the BJP leader said, "At the Congress meeting on Wednesday, there were more people on the dais than in the hall. They were forced to project a show of strength, while, in reality, there is no unity in that party." On former CM Sadananda Gowda's statement, calling for 'purification' of the BJP's Karnataka unit, Bommai said the former, who decided to retire from active politics and not contest the general elections, is a senior party member who articulated his views. "However, it (Gowda's statement) would not impede his commitment to the BJP or take away from his affection for the party," he said. Also weighing in on senior BJP leader KS Eshwarappa's remark on the need to save the party from the 'father-son duo' (veiled reference to former CM Yediyurappa and his son and state president BY Vijayendra), Bommai said the former made an 'emotional' statement. "Our party leaders would soon hold talks with him. The party's central parliamentary board meeting would be held where the second list of candidates would be released," Bommai said. Eashrappa hit out earlier after Bommai was named the BJP's Lok Sabha pick from Haveri, claiming that he was promised that his son would be on the ticket to contest the seat. Earlier, on March 13, the BJP released its second list of 72 Lok Sabha candidates, including three former chief ministers and four Union Ministers. In Karnataka, the party fielded Union Minister Pralhad Joshi from Dharwad, Tejaswi Surya from Bangalore South, Bommai from Haveri and PC Mohan from Bangalore Central. The BJP also named BS Yediyurappa's son BY Raghvendra from Shimoga and V Sommana from Tumkuru. After this announcement Eshwarappa turned on his own party, saying, "BS Yediyurappa had promised that he would give the ticket to (his son) KE Kantesh from Haveri. So I sent Kantesh there to campaign. But today, my son didn't get the ticket and Yediyurappa's son did." (ANI) Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Thursday said that the Bharatiya Janata Party can freeze the bank accounts of the Congress but it cannot "throttle our spirit." DK Shivakumar said that the action taken by Income Tax authorities is a ploy used by the BJP-led Centre as it fears defeat in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. "The ploys that are being used by BJP Govt to stifle free and fair elections are not only undemocratic; they also show how desperate it is to win since it is staring at a horrifying defeat. The latest is freezing Congress Party's bank accounts in the guise of income tax issues. BJP can clearly see how people are associating with the Congress Party's call for 'Nyay' and shunning its injustices, and that's what is scaring BJP the most," DK Shivakumar posted on X. DK Shivakumar also said BJP is forgetting that "true power lies with peoples' votes". "After using agencies like CBI and ED for its own political agendas, now the BJP Govt is further tightening the noose around democracy by freezing Congress's bank accounts. We must all come together and raise our voices against this blatant show of power to save democracy. Also, BJP is sadly mistaken- It can freeze our accounts but it cannot throttle our spirit!" he added. Earlier today, the Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah urged the Election Commission of India to direct the Income Tax authorities to allow Congress to use the bank accounts. "In an unprecedented move that undermines the very pillars of our democracy, the Income Tax Department has frozen the bank accounts of the Congress. This unjustified action has been strategically timed just two months before crucial election campaigns, severely crippling the party's ability to contest effectively. Election Commission should direct the concerned to allow Congress to use the bank accounts," Siddaramaiah posted on X. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party leader Ravi Shankar Prasad on Thursday slammed Congress leadership over its allegations concerning the freezing of its accounts and said "the party had sought to make an alibi at the highest level" for its "imminent defeat" in the Lok Sabha polls. He also asked Rahul Gandhi to apologise for castigating the Election Commission, Courts and Media. "You went to ITAT, Tribunal and courts, then how can you say that you are not being heard? By this utterly irresponsible shameful comment, Sonia ji, you and your son have shamed Indian democracy globally. We are proud of this country," he said. Earlier last week, the Delhi High Court upheld the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) order refusing to stay on the Income Tax notice for recovery of more than Rs 105 crore as an outstanding tax against the Congress. The Congress recently moved the Delhi High Court to challenge the dismissal of its plea by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) against the imposition of penalties for discrepancies in certain tax returns and sought a stay on the Income Tax notice for recovery of more than Rs 105 crore as outstanding tax. (ANI) The Uttarakhand Chief Minister danced and played the traditional drum at the event with the party workers of the Champawat and Lohaghat Assemby under Lok Sabha constituency Almora and wished everyone a festival of unity and gaiety. The Holi Milan event, Bhentvarta and Samvad programme with party workers took place at Goralchaud Maidan in Champawat. The Chief Minister also prayed for the progress of the state and the happiness and prosperity of all the people of the state in the temple with due rituals. Earlier on Wednesday evening, Chief Minister Dhami attended the traditional Holi Milan function organised by Rana Tharu Parishad in Khatima. At the event, the Chief Minister danced with the senior officials of the Parishad and the locals and wished everyone a happy and blessed festival. The Holi Milan ceremony is a celebration of cultural pride and spiritual unity. Holi, also known as the "Festival of Colours," is a vibrant festival celebrated with enthusiasm across India. This year, Holi will be celebrated on March 25. The festival also involves lighting bonfires, signifying the burning of the demon Holika. Amidst the revelry, traditional sweets are shared, fostering a sense of community and togetherness. Holi truly encapsulates the spirit of joy and love. (ANI) Vietnam President Vo Van Thoung resigned on Wednesday amid an anti-corruption campaign from last year and raised concerns over the political stability of the nation, The New York Times reported citing state media. Thoung became the second president to step down in a little over a year, and the details of his alleged wrongdoing have not been publicly disclosed yet. While the president is part of a leadership collective, which includes the leader of the Communist Party, the prime minister and Parliament that governs Vietnam, the post is a ceremonial one. In recent years, power has been largely consolidated in the hands of the party leader, Nguyen Phu Trong, The New York Times reported. Still, Thuong's resignation is likely to unnerve many officials within a one-party system that prides itself on unity and stability. And it could be a sign of an internal power struggle for the future of Vietnam, Thuong, 53, was the youngest president in recent history and seen as a potential successor to Trong, 79, in ill health and had recommended him for the job. "The mere fact that two presidents have resigned within two years is not a positive sign for a country often praised for political stability," said Nguyen Khac Giang, a visiting fellow at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, a research organization in Singapore. He said Thuong's resignation signalled an "intensifying" period of power struggle within the Communist Party ahead of the next leadership transition in 2026. Vietnam's Communist Party has governed the country for nearly five decades since reunification. In 2021, Trong was reappointed as general secretary for an unprecedented third five-year term as party leaders failed to reach consensus on his successor. Vietnam has often been praised for the delicate balance it has struck between the United States and China. During his short tenure, Thuong met with many foreign leaders -- including President Biden and President Xi Jinping of China -- as the world's major powers courted Vietnam, home to one of Asia's fastest-growing economies. But the shake-up could spook foreign investors, who have flocked to Vietnam in recent years, believing that the country offered a stable political climate. On Wednesday, Vietnam's state news outlets reported that Thuong had asked to resign after the Central Inspection Committee found that he violated regulations for party members. It did not specify what regulations those were, but the party has often used such language to indicate corruption. "Thuong's violations and shortcomings have caused bad public opinion, affecting the reputation of the party, the state and him personally," according to a report from Dan Tri, a state-run online publication. The report was carried verbatim by other state news outlets. Thuong's resignation comes amid a yearslong anti-corruption campaign that has led to the downfall of many top officials, including his predecessor. Earlier this month, several top officials in Quang Ngai Province were arrested on bribery charges, fueling rumors that Thuong could soon be in trouble. That's because he had served as the party secretary of that south-central region from November 2013 to April 2014, The New York Times reported. Speculation about Thuong's downfall grew stronger in recent days, after a state visit to Vietnam by the Dutch royal family slated for next week was suddenly postponed, The New York Times reported. The sweeping anti-corruption effort was launched by Trong, the Communist Party chief, in 2016. He said graft could threaten the survival of the Communist Party, and vowed to eradicate "bad roots" and purify the party. Vietnam ranks 83 out of 180 countries on Transparency International's corruption index, below China and Cuba. The New York Times reported that thousands of party members across all levels of government have been sacked, dismissed from the party or imprisoned, though many have questioned whether some of these targets were political purges within a closed political system. The campaign has expanded to the top tier of party leadership in recent years. Thuong's predecessor, Nguyen Xuan Phuc, resigned in January 2023. His departure came after the authorities said that two deputy prime ministers and three ministers "committed violations" in relation to two scandals involving the distribution of Covid testing kits and the repatriation of Vietnamese during the pandemic. In March 2023, Thuong became president. Several analysts have said the results of the campaign have been mixed. While red tape and bribery appear to have decreased, there has also been a slowdown in decision-making. Officials have been hesitant to approve business licenses for fear of being embroiled in a possible investigation. Since 2020, about 40,000 public employees have resigned, leaving a weakened bureaucracy. Giang said it was likely that Thuong was forced to step down over accusations of graft. "Ultimately, the forced resignations of two presidents send a clear message: No one is safe," he said. (ANI) Following the attack and reported open firing on the port, a large contingent of police and security forces has reached the scene while intense firing is ongoing. No casualties have been reported so far. Meanwhile, the Majeed Brigade of the proscribed Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for the attack. Pakistan has witnessed an uptick in terror activities in the past year, especially in KP and Balochistan after the banned militant Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan ended its ceasefire with the government in November 2022, Dawn reported. In November, 14 Pakistan Army soldiers were killed after militants attacked two vehicles of security forces in Gwadar. The military vehicles came under attack while moving from Pasni to Ormara in the coastal district. According to a security report issued by the Centre for Research and Security Studies last month, Pakistan experienced 97 militant attacks in February, resulting in 87 fatalities and 118 injuries. The report highlighted a significant escalation in violence in Balochistan, juxtaposed with a decline in tribal districts and mainland KP. Security forces foiled an attack on the Gwadar Port Authority (GPA) complex and killed the eight attackers, The Express Tribune reported citing sources. Further details awaited. (ANI) At least two Pakistani soldiers and eight terrorists were killed in the fighting that erupted after multiple blasts and gunfire were reported at Pakistan's Gwadar Port Authority Complex on Wednesday, Dawn reported, citing the military's media wing. Pakistan's Inter Services Public Relations informed in a statement that a group of eight terrorists attempted to enter the Port Authority Colony but were "successfully thwarted" by security forces personnel. "A large quantity of arms, ammunition, and explosives was also recovered," the ISPR added. The Majeed Brigade of the proscribed Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for the attack, according to Dawn. The Majeed Brigade is opposed to China's investments in the province of Balochistan and accuses China and Pakistan of exploiting the region's resources. Makran Commissioner Saeed Ahmed Umrani said that multiple blasts were also reported in the attack. A large contingent of police and security forces had reached the scene when the intense firing was ongoing, he added. Gwadar Senior Superintendent of Police Captain (retd) Zohaib Mohsin initially said that eight armed assailants were gunned down but later revised the count to seven. Regarding the status of the assault, he said that the firing had "completely stopped." A statement from the United Nations Department for Safety and Security said "several explosions followed by continuous firing" were reported during the attack on the complex, adding that the facility hosts several government and paramilitary offices. The statement added that there were no immediate reports of casualties, elaborating that seven personnel from three UN agencies based in Gwadar and two UN agencies on missions were "safe and accounted for." The Gwadar port, which is controlled by China, is significant to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). It includes multi-billion-dollar roads and energy projects and is also a part of Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Notably, Pakistan has witnessed an uptick in terror activities in the past year, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, after the banned militant Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan ended its ceasefire with the government in November 2022, as reported by Dawn. According to a security report issued by the Centre for Research and Security Studies last month, Pakistan experienced 97 militant attacks in February, resulting in 87 fatalities and 118 injuries. The report highlighted a significant escalation in violence in Balochistan, juxtaposed with a decline in tribal districts and mainland Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. (ANI) Prabowo Subianto has been elected as the President of Indonesia, after a decisive win against two rivals who have vowed to file a legal complaint about the voting. Defence Minister Prabowo and his vice presidential running mate, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, received a majority of votes in the February 14 first round, winning 59 per cent, or more than 96 million votes, General Elections Commission, Chairperson Hasyim Asy'ari said on Wednesday. Anies Baswedan secured nearly 41 million votes, or 25 per cent of the total count, while Ganjar Pranowo received 27 million votes, more than 16 per cent. Prabowo, a former special forces commander, is expected to take over from outgoing President Joko Widodo, Gibran's father, in October after a transition period. The 72-year-old swept the election on promises of continuing Widodo's policies, riding on the president's popularity and using social media platforms like TikTok to tap the support of Indonesia's huge young voter base, according to Al Jazeera. Notably, Prabowo had already claimed victory in the election after unofficial vote counts showed him with a significant lead over his rivals. "We should not be arrogant. We should not be proud. We should not be euphoric. We still have to be humble. This victory must be a victory for all Indonesian people," he said at the time in a speech broadcast on national television. After the results, his rivals Anies and Ganjar have said that they plan to submit a complaint to the Constitutional Court about "irregularities" and allegations of fraud during the general election. Prabowo's legal team, however, is confident the result will not be successfully challenged because of his wide margin of victory, local media reported on Tuesday. However, the road to Prabowo's win was marred by controversies and concerns about patronage politics over his alliance with the president, popularly known as Jokowi, who was widely accused of abusing his position to favour his former rival. But the allegations were denied by his allies. Prabowo too has been accused of human rights abuses in East Timor, which won independence from Indonesia in 2002 after the collapse of the Soeharto government, and in Indonesia's troubled eastern region of Papua, as reported by Al Jazeera. On the campaign trail, Prabowo and Gibran pledged to continue the policies of Gibran's father, who retained an approval rating of about 80 per cent but was barred from running again because of the term limit in the Constitution. The new leaders will inherit an economy that grew a little more than 5 per cent last year and has a slate of ambitious infrastructure projects, including the transfer of the capital from Jakarta to the island of Borneo.(ANI) You are here: China Chinese Premier Li Qiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, inspects a career center in Nanchang, east China's Jiangxi Province, March 19, 2024. Li made an inspection tour in Fujian and Jiangxi provinces from Monday to Wednesday. [Photo/Xinhua] Chinese Premier Li Qiang has stressed meeting people's expectations for high-quality life and improving their well-being while promoting high-quality development. Li, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during his inspection tour of Fujian and Jiangxi provinces that ran from Monday to Wednesday. When visiting a local park in Fuzhou, capital city of Fujian Province, Li said a sound eco-environment is the most inclusive contributor to people's wellbeing and more efforts should be done to improve the environment. While in Fujian, the premier underlined the importance of providing better care for the elderly and children, and improving a housing system that meets the needs of different groups and encourages both renting and buying of properties. He also urged efforts to promote scientific and technological innovation through institutional innovation, and improve the business environment. When inspecting a career center in Nanchang, capital city of Jiangxi Province, Li said employment is crucial to the people's well-being and called for full support for jobseekers facing difficulties in securing employment. While in Jiangxi, he also visited a vocational college, a community health service center, and an agricultural firm. State Councilor Wu Zhenglong took part in the inspection. Top US diplomat, Donald Lu, has termed the case of the alleged assassination attempt against Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun a "serious issue" between the two countries and said that Washington is working with New Delhi to hold accountable those responsible behind it. The US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, Donald Lu, was asked about the issue during a US Congressional hearing on the Pakistan election on Wednesday (local time). During the hearing titled 'Examining the Future of Democracy in Pakistan and the US-Pakistan Relationship', the top US diplomat highlighted that India has created a committee to investigate the matter. "This is a serious issue, a serious issue between the United States and India. The Department of Justice has alleged that Indian citizen at the behest of someone working in the Indian government has attempted to kill American citizen American soil. We take this and the administration incredibly seriously and have raised it at the highest levels with India," he said at the hearing. "We are at the moment working with India to encourage India to hold accountable those responsible for this terrible crime. What we can see is that India itself has announced that they have created a committee of inquiry to look into this matter and we ask them to work quickly and transparently to make sure justice is done," Donald Lu added. Gurpatwant Singh Pannun is an India-designated terrorist who holds American and Canadian citizenship. As per the US Justice Department indictment, an Indian national, Nikhil Gupta, who is currently in custody, has been charged with murder-for-hire of Pannun. The US Justice Department had claimed that an Indian government employee, who was not identified in the indictment filed, had recruited the Indian national to hire a hitman to allegedly carry out the assassination of Pannun, which was foiled by US authorities. In December last year, US Principal Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer acknowledged India's establishment of a Committee of Enquiry to investigate the plot to allegedly kill Pannun in the US. (ANI) Out of these 32 People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, 20 crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's southwestern, southeastern, and eastern air defence identification zone (ADIZ). Taiwan's Armed Forces monitored the situation and employed CAP aircraft, navy vessels, and coastal missile systems in response to the detected activities in their region, the MND stated. Yesterday, the Ministry of National Defense reportedly tracked 15 Chinese military aircraft and 10 naval vessels across Taiwan, between 6 am on Tuesday (March 19) and 6 am on Wednesday (March 20), Taiwan News reported. Among the 15 People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, six entered the southwest corner of Taiwan's air defence identification zone (ADIZ), according to the MND. However, no PLA aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait median line at that time, as reported by Taiwan News. Responding to that, Taiwan sent aircraft and naval ships and deployed air defence missile systems to monitor the PLA activity. Since September 2020, China has increased its use of gray zone tactics by gradually increasing the number of military aircraft and naval ships operating around Taiwan, according to Taiwan News. Gray zone tactics are defined as "an effort or series of efforts beyond steady-state deterrence and assurance that attempts to achieve one's security objectives without resorting to direct and sizable use of force." In a similar incident, the MND reported the tracking of ten Chinese naval vessels and nine military aircraft in the vicinity of Taiwan between 6 am on Monday and 6 am on Tuesday. Among the nine People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, one Chinese drone breached Taiwan's air defence identification zone (ADIZ) in the southwest, while a PLA helicopter was monitored in the southeast sector of the ADIZ. (ANI) Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Hammad Azhar has stepped down as the general secretary and acting party president of Punjab, citing his legal troubles and his performance of his duties, according to Dawn. In a letter to party leaders Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Omar Ayub, Azhar said that he was entrusted with the dual responsibilities by PTI founder Imran Khan last year and had since "bravely endured the onslaught of a fascist regime that remained bent upon dismantling the party machinery." Azhar further informed them that he was charged in 42 cases and the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority has banned him from all electronic media, reported Dawn. "My home has been raided repeatedly, ransacked and sealed, my family has been harassed," he said, adding that he had to send his family abroad to protect them from the "weekly trauma" of raids "or worse" while he continued to work for the party "from an undisclosed location since May 2023." Moreover, Azhar said that it was an honour to serve the party but it would be selfish of him to continue in the roles while "I am still in hiding and unable to represent the party even on television." He further gave his opinion that the party would be best served at the current juncture by leadership in Punjab, as reported by Dawn. "In addition, it should be able to appear on television and, most importantly, have access to the founding chairman directly to receive instructions and communicate with him directly," he added. Azhar stated that after much thought and deliberation, he had decided to step down from his roles, adding that he felt it to be the correct choice despite having "agonised" over the decision. He said his decision came from a "place of concern for the wellbeing of my party to which I have dedicated 13 years of my life and a desire to serve its best interests, not mine," adding that he would continue to render his services to the PTI as a "loyal and ideological worker." Azhar has been declared a proclaimed offender in several cases related to the May 9 riots, Dawn reported. Moreover, he also has a pending inquiry on corruption charges with the Anti-Corruption Establishment against him. (ANI) A Parliamentary delegation led by Harivansh, Deputy Chairman, of Rajya Sabha, will leave for Geneva, Switzerland, from March 23-27 to attend the 148th Assembly of Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Rajya Sabha Sources told ANI that Deputy Chairman Rajya Sabha Harivansh is visiting Geneva, Switzerland, to attend the 148th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). The delegation, led by Harivansh, is accompanied by five Rajya Sabha members, namely S Niranjan Reddy, Kartikeya Sharma, Ashok Mittal, Prashanta Nanda, and Sumitra Balmik, along with PC Mody, Secretary General, Rajya Sabha. "The IPU has a membership of 180 countries. The Deputy Chairman will be delivering an address during the General Debate on the theme of 'Parliamentary Diplomacy: Building Bridges for peace and understanding,'" Sources told ANI Rajya Sabha Sources further said that during the conference, Harivansh will also be participating in a discussion on different items on the agenda, such as the meeting of the BRICS Parliamentary Coordination Forum along with other bilateral meetings on the sidelines of IPU. The delegation will participate in a number of meetings of different standing committees, namely the Standing Committee on Peace and International Security, the Standing Committee on Sustainable Development, the Standing Committee on Democracy and Human Rights, and the Standing Committee on United Nations Affairs, in addition to forums of young parliamentarians and women parliamentarians of the IPU. Besides, there are several other subjects that are before the nations at the global level on which members of the delegation will participate in putting forth India's role and contribution in those areas. The Inter-Parliamentary Union is an international organisation of national parliaments. Its primary purpose is to promote democratic governance, accountability, and cooperation among its members; other initiatives include advancing gender parity among legislatures, empowering youth participation in politics, and sustainable development. The organisation was established in 1889 as the Inter-Parliamentary Congress. Its founders were statesmen Frederic Passy of France and William Randal Cremer of the United Kingdom, who sought to create the first permanent forum for political multilateral negotiations. Initially, IPU membership was reserved for individual parliamentarians but has since transformed to include the legislatures of sovereign states. As of 2020, the national parliaments of 180 countries are members of the IPU, while 13 regional parliamentary assemblies are associate members. (ANI) Indian diplomat Prashant Pise has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to Slovenia, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday. An Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer of batch 1995, Pise is presently India's envoy in Iraq. "Shri L. Prashant Pise (IFS: 1995), presently Ambassador of India to the Republic of Iraq has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Slovenia," the MEA said in an official press release. He is expected to take up the assignment shortly. Diplomatic relations with Slovenia were concretized when the Ambassador of India in Vienna presented credentials on 03 February 1993 for concurrent accreditation to Slovenia. India opened its resident Mission in Ljubljana in February 2007. Slovenia opened its resident mission in New Delhi on 01 August 2002 and upgraded it to Ambassador-level in September 2009. There have been nine sessions of the Foreign Office consultations (FOC). The Ninth Session of the India-Slovenia FOC was held on 06 January 2023 in Ljubljana. Notably, Soumendu Bagchi has been appointed as India's next ambassador to Iraq, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). "Shri Soumendu Bagchi (IFS: 1993), presently DDG, ICWA, has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Iraq. He is expected to take up the assignment shortly," the MEA said in a release on Wednesday. India and Iraq have historical and civilizational ties. Since the outbreak of war in Iraq in 2003, India has been supporting a free, democratic, pluralistic, federal and unified Iraq. Iraq has consistently been among the top suppliers of crude oil to India for the last several years. Meanwhile, Abhilasha Joshi has been appointed as the next envoy of India to Chile. "Ms. Abhilasha Joshi (IFS: 1995), presently Additional Secretary in the Ministry, has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Chile," the MEA said in a release. She is expected to take up the assignment shortly. India-Chile relations are characterized by warmth, friendship and a commonality of views on a wide range of issues. The first India-Chile Joint Commission Meeting was held virtually on October 16 2020, co-chaired by India's External Affairs Minister and Chile's Foreign Minister. The Eighth Round of India-Chile Foreign Office Consultations was held in New Delhi on March 31 2023. (ANI) Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) candidates - Murad Saeed, Azam Swati, Khurram Zeeshan and Sanam Javed have filed appeals in election tribunals against the rejection of their nomination papers for the senate polls, Pakistan-based ARY News reported. In the appeals filed in the Peshawar election tribunal, PTI candidates Murad Saeed, Azam Swati, and Khurram Zeeshan said, "The election commission has challenged nomination papers over baseless allegations." In the appeal, the PTI leaders requested approval of their nomination papers and allow them to contest the polls in the Senate. PTI's Sanam Javed challenged the election commissioner's decision to reject her nomination papers at the election tribunal in Lahore. In her appeal, Javed stated, "The election commission has rejected the nomination papers of Sanam Javed for Senate election against the facts," according to ARY News report. The plea stated, "They objected that the plot was not declared in the nomination papers, while Sanam Javed doesn't have any plot." Sanam Javed requested the tribunal to approve her nomination papers. Speaking to reporters after filing appeal against rejection of his nomination for the Senate polls, Azam Swati said, "The election commission has continued its tradition to reject the nomination papers." He said, "I have remained member of various house committees including the judges committee." Swati stated, "If I am not eligible for technocrat seat then cigarette sellers and property dealers will become senators," according to ARY News report. Azam Swati said that he has remained a senator for 18 years and noted that only a few senators have had that time in the senate. He said, "I have sided with the PTI founder and being punished for it." Earlier this month, the Election Commission of Pakistan announced that the elections for the upper house of Pakistan's Parliament will be held on April 2. The revised list of candidates will be issued on March 29 and the candidates can withdraw their nomination papers by March 27. Members of the National Assembly in Islamabad will elect members of the Senate against one general seat and one seat for technocrats including Ulema, according to Geo News report. Members of the four provincial assemblies will elect senators for seven general seats, two women seats, and two seats for technocrats, including Ulema from each province and one seat for non-Muslims from both Punjab and Sindh provinces. A total of 42 candidates have submitted their nomination papers for the Senate election in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A total of 25 candidates have submitted their nomination papers for seven general seats, according to a list issued by ECP Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chapter spokesperson Sohail Ahmad. Meanwhile, ten candidates have filed their nomination papers for two technocrat and Ulema seats in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Seven women candidates have filed nomination papers for two reserved seats for women from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, according to Geo News report. The Balochistan Election Commission has issued the preliminary list of candidates for the province's vacant seats in Pakistan's Senate. (ANI) India has launched 'Operation Indravati' to evacuate its nationals from Haiti to the Dominican Republic, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stated in a post on social media platform X. As part of the ongoing operation, 12 Indians were evacuated on Thursday. Taking to his official X handle, Jaishankar posted, "12 Indians evacuated today. Fully committed to the security and well-being of our nationals abroad." "Thank the Government of the Dominican Republic for their support," he added. https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1770825804001190195?s=20 The spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, in a weekly press briefing on March 15, said India was ready to evacuate its citizens from Haiti if need be. "As you know, there is a crisis in Haiti. And if required, we will evacuate. We are ready to evacuate. And if required, we will do that," Jaiswal stated. Amid violence and looting in the impoverished Caribbean nation, a control room and an emergency helpline number were opened to evacuate distressed Indian nationals from Haiti. "We have established a control room here in the Ministry of External Affairs. We have emergency helpline numbers," Jaiswal added in the press briefing. On concerns over the safety of Indian nationals in Haiti, Jaiswal said the embassy in Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic, which holds accreditation for Haiti, was monitoring the situation. "Our embassy in Santo Domingo is monitoring the situation and the ministry also is fully monitoring the situation," Jaiswal added at the presser. Haiti has been under a state of emergency after some armed groups attacked the country's largest prison in Port-au-Prince earlier this month, killing and injuring police and prison staff and enabling some 3,500 inmates to escape, according to CNN. A leader of one of these armed groups, Jimmy 'Barbecue' Cherizier, took credit for the prison break, saying it was part of a plan to overthrow acting Prime Minister Ariel Henry's government. The armed groups now control 80 per cent of Haiti's capital, according to United Nations estimates, while continuing to fight for the rest. While Henry was out of the country, gangs laid siege to the country's main airport to prevent his return. The ongoing chaos has forced tens of thousands to flee their homes, adding to the more than 300,000 already displaced by gang violence. (ANI) The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) in their latest report called the mental health of women in Afghanistan "very weak." They said that 76 per cent of women consider their mental health as "very poor" or "poor," Afghanistan-based Khaama Press reported. According to SIGAR, early marriages, domestic violence and restrictions on education and employment in Afghanistan have increased rates of depression, stress, and aggression among women. Based on the report by the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, women participating in this survey spoke about loneliness, social withdrawal, low self-esteem, anxiety, stress, and aggression and termed their situation "very poor," Khaama Press reported. Recently, the United Nations Women, UNAMA, and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) published a joint report indicating that feelings of anxiety, isolation, and depression among women have witnessed a rise of nearly 70 per cent between April and June of 2023. For the report, nearly 600 women from 22 provinces of Afghanistan were interviewed online, face-to-face, and through group counselling sessions and individual surveys, Khaama Press reported. According to the joint report, the women who were interviewed spoke about mental health issues and pressures like depression, fear, isolation, insomnia, depression, hopelessness and suicidal thoughts. Previously, UNAMA had spoken on issues like child labour, domestic violence, illegal migration, early marriage and child labour and stressed that these issues have emerged due to poverty and educational restrictions for girls, according to the report. These warnings come at a time when similar reports have highlighted the worsening situation of women's mental health in Afghanistan. Earlier this month, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations and Head of the UN Deputy Mission in Afghanistan, Roza Otenbayeva, highlighted the growing risk that prohibitions on women would drive Afghanistan even deeper into poverty and isolation, Khaama Press reported. The head of the UN Deputy Mission in Afghanistan urged the Taliban to abolish the restrictions placed on women and girls as the world observes International Women's Solidarity Day on March 8. Otenbayeva regrets seeing in Afghanistan a "disastrous negative investment" rather than investing in women, which causes serious harm to women and girls and impedes peace and prosperity, according to a statement released by UNAMA. In its statement, UNAMA also highlighted Afghan women's appeal for international solidarity in their advocacy, guarantees women's active involvement and representation in all talks about Afghanistan's future, and uphold foreign aid that specifically benefits women, reported Khaama Press. In addition to these pressing appeals, Afghanistan is experiencing severe humanitarian problems that are made worse by political unrest and violence, which increases the vulnerability of women and girls.The dire need for swift action to alleviate the situation of women and girls--who are disproportionately impacted by the conflict and socioeconomic limitations--is highlighted by the global leaders. Despite the Taliban's initial promise to take a moderate approach towards women's rights after it seized power in August 2021, the ban on higher education is just one of many steps that the armed group has taken to further segregate the country and limit women's role in society. In the immediate aftermath of August 2021, the Taliban banned girls from going to school beyond the sixth grade and imposed strict rules requiring women to wear hijabs and to travel only with a male chaperone. (ANI) Rubina Greenwood, chairwoman of an international Sindh rights organisation, the World Sindhi Congress, participated virtually in the 38th meeting of the 55th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council on Thursday. In her statement, Greenwood highlighted the miserable condition of the people of Sindh because of Pakistan's atrocities. "The distressing situation in Sindh, Pakistan, necessitates immediate international intervention. The challenges faced by the Sindhi people, especially Sindhi human rights activists, have reached alarming levels." Greenwood said. "The recent tragic murder of Hidayat Lohar, a committed schoolteacher, allegedly by Pakistani security agencies, has created a pervasive atmosphere of fear and insecurity among Sindhis, highlighting the grave risks individuals face for their beliefs," Greenwood added. She also highlighted the recent manipulation of elections in Sindh, which she said further undermined the region's integrity. Fabricated candidates systematically marginalise indigenous Sindhis, denying them fair representation and governance, she added. "For over 75 years, Sindhis have endured rights violations, resource misappropriation, enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and violence against indigenous communities and religious minorities," Greenwood stated. "Given the significant erosion of trust in the Pakistani government's ability to address Sindhi grievances, I urge the international community to stand in solidarity with the cause of Sindh. It is imperative to pressure Pakistan to respect the fundamental rights of Sindhis and enable them to determine their own political future," she added. Calling for the attention of international platforms towards the atrocities perpetrated by Pakistan on the Sindhi community, Greenwood added, "I earnestly request UN bodies and the international community to collaborate with Sindhis in pursuing peaceful self-determination. The international community holds a pivotal opportunity to address and manage escalating conflicts in South Asia." She also accused the Pakistani establishment of not protecting minorities and allowing them to be systematically targeted. "Unfortunately, the reality is that yes, Pakistan has become very, radical towards its minority. I don't know whether, over the 70 years of systematic brainwashing of our people and the education system, the culture has actually changed the outlook of the country, and the outlook of the people as well. But we need to fundamentally understand that, the whole political thinking and the institutionalisation of Pakistan as well," she said, adding, "Pakistan was built as a Puritan State." A Puritan State is one that uses religion to control the people, their mindset, growth, and thinking. "They have changed the whole county's mindset through the education system and their cultural mindset. The people of Sindh, Punjab, are secular. They are not hostile people. It is the 70 years of institutionalisation that have had an impact on the mindset of the people." Grenwood said. (ANI) Former US President Donald Trump's lawyers on Thursday rejected the New York attorney general's office's several suggestions on how he can pay bond, CNN reported. Trump is in panic mode as the deadline approaches to secure a half-billion-dollar bond to appeal his civil fraud case in New York, the report said citing multiple sources. Trump's lawyers acknowledged Monday that he was struggling to find an insurance company willing to underwrite his $454 million bond. The suggestions include the idea that Trump could get several underwriters to secure bonds totalling the judgement, saying it would still need the former US President to post half a billion dollars in cash or stock - money he doesn't have. The court's decision comes as the former US President now has four days to satisfy the judgement or sway an appeals court to allow him to post a smaller amount or defer posting the payment until after the appeal, according to CNN report. In the filing, the legal team of Trump stated that the New York attorney general's office shouldn't be able to challenge their claims. New York Attorney General Letitia James said that she will take steps to seize assets if Donald Trump agrees to no arrangement. On Wednesday, the attorney general's office said that it's common for large companies to post billion-dollar bonds and suggested Trump should have posted real estate with the court. Trump's lawyers wrote, "The suggestion is both impractical and unjust. The Attorney General cites no New York case law to support this contention. In any event, from the perspective of risk, the Attorney General's proposal of a 'court-appointed officer' to 'hold real estate' is functionally equivalent to what Supreme Court has already imposed through the requirement of a court-appointed monitor to oversee Defendants' business operations." According to Trump's lawyers, being forced to sell properties at a fire sale would cause irreparable injury as they could not later recover the property if they were to win an aspect of the appeal. Trump's lawyers wrote, "By demanding an undertaking in the full amount of the judgment in order to appeal, the Attorney General and Supreme Court have sought to impose a patently unreasonable, unjust, and unconstitutional (under both the Federal and New York State Constitutions) bond condition." Panic mode has set in for Trump as he grapples with the task of obtaining a half-billion-dollar bond, CNN reported citing multiple sources familiar with his situation. Acknowledging the difficulty in finding an insurance company willing to underwrite his USD 454 million bond, Trump's legal team has been working tirelessly to explore various avenues. Privately, Trump had pinned his hopes on Chubb, the insurer behind his previous USD 91.6 million bond in the E Jean Carroll judgement, according to CNN report. However, hopes were dashed when Chubb informed his attorneys that this option was no longer viable. In a bid to secure the necessary funds, Trump's team has reached out to affluent supporters and considered the possibility of selling assets quickly. The weight of the approaching March 25 deadline is palpable, particularly for Trump, whose image has long been intertwined with his wealth. Concerns over the optics of facing a financial crisis have only intensified Trump's anxiety, according to CNN. Behind closed doors, Trump has expressed frustration towards New York Attorney General Letitia James and Judge Arthur Engoron regarding the matter. Trump perceives the deadline and the financial strain it entails as unjust, and he continues to privately criticise the legal proceedings. Expressing his anger publicly, Trump took to social media in the early hours of the morning, posting multiple times about the impending deadline. He argued against the necessity of putting up the required funds, expressing worry about the potential repercussions on his assets. However, these grievances were swiftly countered by Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung, who labelled them as baseless innuendos. Cheung emphasised Trump's efforts to challenge what he perceives as an unjust judgement, characterising it as a political witch hunt orchestrated by a corrupt Attorney General. On March 18, the attorneys for former President Donald Trump stated that he is having "insurmountable difficulties" getting a bond to pay the USD 464 million civil fraud case, ABC News reported. In February, Judge Arthur Engoron found Trump guilty of conducting a decade's worth of business using false financial statements that exaggerated his real estate assets and inflated his fortune, and he sentenced him to pay USD 464 million in disgorgement and interest. A three-year ban on Trump's ability to run any New York-based corporation was also imposed. Furthermore, his sons, Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr, each received a USD 4 million fine and a two-year ban."Defendants have faced what have proven to be insurmountable difficulties in obtaining an appeal bond for the full USD 464 million," according to an affirmation by Trump Organization general counsel Alan Garten, ABC News reported. (ANI) Li Shulei, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, attends the opening ceremony of the third "International Forum on Democracy: The Shared Human Values" and delivers a keynote speech in Beijing, capital of China, March 20, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] The third "International Forum on Democracy: The Shared Human Values" was held Wednesday in Beijing. Li Shulei, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, attended the opening ceremony and delivered a keynote speech. Over 200 guests from various countries, regions and international organizations engaged in discussions on topics including "Democracy and Modern Governance," "Democracy and the Rule of Law in the Digital Times," "AI and the Future of Democracy" and "Democracy and Global Governance in a Multipolar World." They agreed that democracy is a significant sign of the progress of human civilization, and is what the CPC and the Chinese people have consistently been pursuing. After long exploration, China has carved out a democratic development path with Chinese characteristics, which has safeguarded the democratic rights of over 1.4 billion Chinese people, and provided strong support for advancing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization, according to the guests. Noting that democracy is a common value of all mankind, the guests called for full respect for developing countries' efforts to pursue, develop and realize democracy, and voiced their opposition to the acts of triggering division, spreading prejudice and undermining peace in the name of democracy. The forum was hosted by the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council Information Office, and co-organized by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the China Media Group and the China International Communications Group. Three corrections officers were ambushed and shot early Wednesday while taking an inmate back to prison from a medical center in Boise, Idaho, officials said. The inmate and shooter are believed to have escaped together, triggering a manhunt. The Idaho Department of Correction officers transported inmate Skylar Meade to Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center on Tuesday night, the City of Boise said in a news release. As they were preparing to leave with Meade at 2:15 a.m. local time, an unknown suspect attacked and fired at the officers, striking two of them. A third person, later determined to be a corrections officer, was shot by responding Boise police officers. Boise Police detectives on Wednesday afternoon identified the shooting suspect as Nicholas Umphenour. (1/3) An officer-involved shooting investigation is underway after an incident at Saint Alphonsus early this morning. Officers have secured the scene. Boise Police are looking for two outstanding suspects traveling in a grey four-door sedan, possibly a Honda Civic with ID plates. pic.twitter.com/Km3mdKw7XP Boise PD (@BoisePD) March 20, 2024 "A preliminary investigation indicates Meade and the shooting suspect got into a grey four-door sedan and fled the area just prior to Boise Police officers arriving," the news release said. One officer shot by Umphenour is in critical but stable condition, while the second officer shot by Umphenour has serious but non-life-threatening injuries, officials said. The third officer injured by police gunfire sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Meade engaged in "self-injurious" behavior Tuesday night, after which officers determined he needed to be transferred off-site for care, Josh Tewalt, director of the state's Department of Correction, said at a Wednesday news conference. An updated photo of suspect Skylar Meade. / Credit: Boise Police Department "We believe this was a coordinated attack or ambush to free him from custody," Boise Police Chief Ron Winegar said, adding that they've received dozens of leads. The hospital was locked down while police searched for the suspects. A manhunt is now underway across the Treasure Valley to find Umphenour and 31-year-old Meade, who is a documented member of the white supremacist gang the Aryan Knights and has many prior convictions, according to Winegar. Meade had been incarcerated since October 2016 for aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer with a firearm enhancement. His most recent sentence was set to end in 2036, according to a news release. The shooting suspect, Nicholas Umphenour. / Credit: Boise Police Department Meade, who has a series of distinctive tattoos on his face and body, is approximately 5 feet 6 inches and weighs 150 lbs, officials said. Detectives described Umphenour as being 5-foot-11 and about 160 pounds, with brown hair and hazel eyes. Officers have obtained a warrant for Umphenour's arrest. The warrant has a $2 million bond. The vehicle in which the suspects escaped is believed to be a gray 2020 Honda Civic with license plate 2TDF43U. Both men are considered armed and dangerous, and residents are advised not to approach them but to instead call 911 or the Ada County Dispatch at 208-377-6790. Oprah Winfrey opens up about using weight-loss medication in new TV special Caitlyn Jenner endorses transgender athlete ban in Nassau County, New York Why Texas' SB4 immigration law is undergoing legal whiplash As a kid who grew up listening to hip-hop, it makes sense that Burna Boy idolizes New York City. Thats why I Told Them, Burnas latest project filled with features including 21 Savage, GZA, RZA and J. Cole, is heavily inspired by the genre born from the slums of the Bronx. So for the albums accompanying tour, it was only right that the show, which stopped in South Florida on March 12, incorporated various elements of the Big Apple. Theres the set design thats essentially an ode to an NYC street, complete with a barbershop and a bodega. The videos that play on the monitor as he sings incorporate the Statue of Liberty, subways and graffiti. One of his dancers even sports a New York Yankees pinstripe jersey. The show seems to transport the audience to Burna Boys New York, an idyllic place where dreams come true. The story of me in New York is basically the story of my whole career, Burna Boy told the Los Angeles Times in 2023. There were no elevators. It was a straight staircase. I went from PlayStation Theater to Gramercy Theatre to the Apollo to Madison Square Garden and finally Citi Field. As such, the performance and much of Burna Boys career, for that matter felt like an olive branch to the African Diaspora. Burna Boy has frequently discussed how he wants his music to be a unifying force for people of African descent and as he cycled through hits from I Told Them and beyond, you could actually see the crowd come together in real time. Ye felt like a resounding triumph. Each stomp during the City Boys chorus felt like a chance to stand up over the haters. Even RZAs voice on Jewels which served as an intro to his performance of If Im Lying felt like a call to action. What makes Burna Boy such a unique artist aside from the aforementioned visual details is that he actually performs instead of just standing around singing his songs. He jumps, he flails, he dances he actually puts on a show. That alone makes him one of the more engaging artists not just in the Afrobeats scene, over which he reigns supreme, but in all of music. - C. Isaiah Smalls II INSIDE THE 305 Uncle Lukes documentary about the rise and fall of Freaknik echoes Miami Beach spring break: A crowd on Peachtree street near Underground Atlanta Saturday, April 22, 1995 pushes over a city barricade in open defiance of a group of nearby police officers. The gathering centered around the three day long Freaknik 95 celebration. Freaknik is an annual gathering of students from traditionally black colleges. (AP Photo/Andrew Innerarity) ANDREW INNERARITY/ASSOCIATED PRESS Miami Herald Race and Culture reporter C. Isaiah Smalls II spoke to Miami hip-hop legend Luther Uncle Luke Campbell about his new documentary Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told. The documentary covers one of the biggest Black social events of the 90s. Theres a misconception that Freaknik was a haven of debauchery. Its origins, however, were rather innocent: a spring break alternative in Atlanta for Black college students not interested in going to Daytona Beach and Galveston. Started by four students at Spelman and Morehouse colleges from Washington D.C., Freaknik only later evolved into the citywide party that Atlantas political arm eventually shutdown. And though it was an Atlanta event, make no mistake: Freaknik wouldnt be the same without Miami bass and Uncle Luke. I felt like were the freak kings of music thats definitely a weekend we got to be a part of, Luther Uncle Luke Campbell told the Miami Herald. The full story of Freaknik will be explored in the new documentary Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told available March 21 via Hulu. Executive produced by Uncle Luke, Jermaine Dupri and 21 Savage, the documentary explores the history of the event but also the factors that simultaneously led to its downfall and Atlantas explosion of Black culture. A prominent Black lawyer in Coral Gables nominated as federal judge in South Florida Coral Gables lawyer Detra Shaw-Wilder was nominated as a federal judge in South Florida by President Joe Biden. Kozyak Tropin & Throckmorton law firm Black Coral Gables attorney Detra Shaw-Wilder has been nominated to be a federal judge by President Joe Biden and Herald reporter Jay Weaver got all of the details: A prominent Black lawyer was passed over for three federal judicial vacancies in South Florida, but on Wednesday Detra Shaw-Wilder finally got the nod from the president for a fourth opening on the bench. Shaw-Wilder, an attorney with the Kozyak Tropin & Throckmorton law firm in Coral Gables since 1994, was formally nominated for a federal judgeship in Miami by President Joe Biden. Shaw-Wilder, 54, who received her law degree from the University of Miami School of Law and her bachelors degree from the University of Florida, served as managing partner of the firm and is currently its general counsel. The high-profile commercial law firm was involved in securing a settlement for the families of victims killed in the Surfside condo building collapse in June 2021. We couldnt be prouder of Detra Shaw-Wilder, said one of the law firms name partners, Harley Tropin. A great moment for her and the legal community. OUTSIDE THE 305 Online racism is linked to PTSD symptoms in Black youth, study finds Kids today have to deal with the challenges of social media and this NBC News story brings that to light. A recent study show that Black children and teens face racism online that can lead to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Mounting evidence shows the devastating toll online racism takes on Black youth. According to a study published Wednesday in the journal JAMA Psychiatry, Black children and teens who experience racial discrimination online may develop symptoms related to post-traumatic stress disorder. Those PTSD symptoms, the researchers found, were also potentially linked to suicidal thoughts. The suicide rates of Black youth have risen over the past two decades, said study co-author Ashley Denise Maxie-Moreman, PhD, a pediatric clinical psychologist at Childrens National Hospital in Washington, D.C. A 2023 report from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that from 2007 to 2020, the suicide rate in Black children and teens ages 10 to 17 increased by 144% the fastest increase compared to other racial and ethnic groups. The researchers suspected that online racism might play a role in suicide risk. We know that cyberbullying is an issue for all kiddos, Maxie-Moreman said. But in particular, for our Black youth, cyberbullying in the form of online racial discrimination is a really big issue. HIGH CULTURE Finding Ourselves in Dragon Ball: How Black Fans Connected To The Anime Series La serie de manga Dragon Ball, que comenzo en 1984, es un exito internacional con ventas millonarias que se convirtio tambien en una popular serie anime, videojuegos y peliculas. Wikimedia Commons Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama passed earlier this month at the age of 68 and his famous anime and manga work transcended languages and social barriers. Bradford William Davis wrote about Dragon Balls importance in the Black community for Slate. On March 8, a few minutes after seeing the news that the titanic anime and manga creator Akira Toriyama had died on March 1 at the age of 68, I, like all Black men in mourning, started drafting a text to my group chat. But before I could fire off my reflexive expression of grief and celebration, my guy Daniel wrote simply: RIP to our king. The word our leaped out at me, striking in all that it represented. Black people claim Akira Toriyama; he was ours. He was everyones, of course; I dont mean to hog a man whose work has no borders. Its difficult to sum up just how influential and universal Toriyamas work was, but believe me when I say that you can see the impact of his oeuvreespecially Dragon Ball, one of the bestselling manga series of all time, which spawned a colossal anime and media franchiseacross nearly every domain of pop culture, from music to sports to video games to comics to TV and film. After filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki, Toriyama is likely the most influential Japanese artist of modern times, Gene Park wrote for the Washington Post. Toriyama transcended language, race, and ethnicity, too; last year for the Los Angeles Times, JP Brammer penned the definitive essay about witnessing Toriyamas most iconic characterthe pure-hearted, spiky-haired hero Goku, who stars in each iteration of the Dragon Ball franchiseapproach the status of secular sainthood in Mexico. Where does The 44 Percent name come from? Click here to find out how Miami history influenced the newsletters title. CAMDEN The Battleship New Jersey, a focal point of the local waterfront since 2001, made its highly anticipated departure today with a celebratory send-off. The floating museum also "made great time," finishing the first leg of its journey at the Paulsboro Marine Terminal just after 3:15 p.m., said Marshall Spevak, CEO of the museum and memorial. The original schedule anticipated arrival between 4 and 6 p.m. The New Jersey's voyage began as tugboats pulled the massive ship into the Delaware River as a large crowd cheered shortly after noon. Spectators jammed the front of the ship's pier, trying to get the best view and photos as the 887-foot vessel was rotated to head downstream. Strong winds and music from the Camden Creative Arts High School Band drowned out any creaking of the ship during her departure, but the crowd's eager excitement was palpable in the frigid air. Passengers also watched aboard two cruise ships the Rendezvous and Spirit of Philadelphia that trailed the "Big J's" security perimeter. Just a short time earlier, one of the battleship's guns had fired a salute that awed the crowd of some 2,000 people. Spectators also saw two New Jersey State Police helicopters conduct a flyover on the Waterfront. Onlookers also gathered in waterfront viewing spots along the battleship's route to Paulsboro. People poured out along her route, gathering at Gloucester City's Freedom Pier, Red Bank Battlefield in National Park, and Eagle Point in West Deptford. Bringing back the 'Navy days' Earlier in the morning, the museum's gift shop quickly drew a crowd, with elderly veterans and others huddling to escape the nipping cold. The temperature was just above the freezing point, and a chilling wind blew along the waterfront. But the crowd's energy was warm with excitement and camaraderie. John "Johnny Q" Quinesso, a 98-year-old Navy veteran of World War II, described the day's events and the turnout as "wonderful." John 'Johnny Q' Quinesso, a 98-year-old Navy veteran, sits in the gift shop at the Battleship New Jersey on Thursday, March 21. The Vineland man didn't serve on the battleship but became a tour guide in 2001 to "get back on the water." Seeing fellow vets and volunteers on Thursday "brings back the Navy days," he said. Norman Bloomfield, a 90-year-old Navy veteran, carried decades-old photographs depicting his history with the "Black Dragon," another nickname for the battleship. Bloomfield came to Camden in the early 2000s to work on the ship's restoration. Being back on the pier, he said, "brought back memories." The battleship's 'Bon Voyage' As the gates opened at 10 a.m., volunteers distributed American flags and programs to people already carrying blankets, cameras and Navy memorabilia. When bugler Nan LaCorte played the National Anthem, the only other sounds to be heard were the winds whipping the battleship's flags and the whirring blades of distant helicopters. Tugboats escort the Battleship New Jersey down the Delaware River on Thursday. Spevak described the historic ship as a tapestry of 45,000 sailors and Marines" during his opening remarks. He also drew laughter from an audience of some 2,000 people by describing the ship as "another in a long line of truly great Jersey girls who doesn't pump her own gas. Over 400 people, bundled in layers and military paraphernalia, gathered on the pier. Many more were massed along a waterfront walkway. Getting to dry dock The battleship had been berthed for more than two decades on the Jersey-side on the Delaware River, and it had gone even longer without needed maintenance. The ship is moving from Camden to Paulsboro before it heads to the Philadelphia shipyard it was built in in the late 1930s. Spevak has referred to it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. "Just getting to today was a gigantic task in and of itself," he said. Spevak, who stepped into his role in November of 2023, explained that, amongst all of the excitement and emotions swirling around those involved with the move, there is also a strong level of gratitude for those that made it possible through years of planning. More: Four tugboats will help move battleship out of port; how theyll do it "It's been a very heavy lift," he said, acknowledging the cooperation and support from numerous groups, like military and police organizations. The ship will stay in Paulsboro for several days for additional preparation before crossing the river to the Philadelphia Navy Yard to be dry docked, a crucial form of maintenance that inspects and repairs the ship's hull. Navy regulations require decommissioned vessels to be dry docked for maintenance every 20 years. For the USS New Jersey, it's been over 30. More about the battleship: More: Battleship New Jersey by the numbers. Here are some interesting facts More: Want to tour the Battleship New Jersey in Philly? Here's how to get tickets More: The Battleship New Jersey is leaving Camden, and these are 5 things you need to know More: Maintaining a memorial. The Battleship prepares to leave Camden Kaitlyn McCormick writes about trending issues and community news across South Jersey for the Courier-Post, The Daily Journal and the Burlington County Times. If you have a story she should tell, email her at kmccormick@gannett.com. And subscribe to stay up to date on the news you need. This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Battleship New Jersey leaves Camden for maintenance, dry dock By Humeyra Pamuk and Simon Lewis CAIRO (Reuters) -The United States and Saudi Arabia have made "good progress" in talks on normalising ties between the kingdom and Israel, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Thursday without providing a timeline for concluding a deal. "I believe we can reach an agreement, which would present a historic opportunity for two nations, but also for the region as a whole," Blinken said at a joint press conference with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry in Cairo. Talks on normalisation had been put on ice in the immediate aftermath of the Oct. 7 attack by Palestinian Hamas fighters and Israel's subsequent assault on Hamas-ruled Gaza, but conversations have resumed in recent months. While trying to forge a ceasefire in the Gaza war, the Biden administration has been working to secure a normalisation deal. Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries want the creation of a Palestinian state to be part of any such deal with Israel. Riyadh is also looking to clinch a mutual defence pact with Washington and get U.S. support for its civil nuclear program. Blinken discussed the topics on Wednesday with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah during an official visit. "We had a very good discussion about the work that we've been doing for many months now on normalisation, and that work is moving forward. We're continuing to make good progress," Blinken said but added that he could not offer a timeframe. Earlier a senior State Department official said Washington and Riyadh were down to a handful of bilateral issues and there was political will to address those gaps. A pact giving the world's biggest oil exporter U.S. military protection in exchange for normalisation would reshape the Middle East by uniting two long-time foes and binding Riyadh to Washington at a time when China is making inroads in the region. For such a deal to advance, Israel needs to agree to a pathway for creation of an independent Palestinian state, a prospect that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly rejected. Washington sees any normalisation deal woven into post-war planning that would include Arab countries providing security guarantees for Israel in return for the creation of a Palestinian state under a reformed Palestinian Authority. Blinken did not say how Washington would overcome Netanyahu's objections to creation of a Palestinian state, but said the ongoing violence benefited Iran. "The perpetuation of this cycle only benefits Iran and the proxies that are working for it. So I think as that choice is clear, people will begin to really think about it and make decisions," Blinken said. Until Oct. 7, both Israeli and Saudi leaders had been saying they were moving steadily toward a deal that could have reshaped the Middle East. Hamas stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing around 1,200 people and taking 253 hostages, by Israel's count. Israel's military offensive has killed nearly 32,000 Palestinians, Gaza health authorities say. Five months of war in the densely populated Gaza enclave have triggered starvation and food shortages. The head of the World Health Organization said only opening more border crossings for trucks carrying aid could prevent famine in Gaza. (Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk in Cairo and Simon Lewis in Washington; Additional reporting by David Ljunggren; Editing by Howard Goller) This story was updated 5 p.m. March 21 after a news conference Thursday, when police announced both suspects were in custody. Find the latest story here. The Boise Police Department has identified the man suspected of shooting two Idaho Department of Correction officers and helping an Idaho prisoner escape custody in a coordinated ambush at a hospital. Nicholas Umphenour, 28, aided in the planned attack to free 31-year-old Skylar Meade, an associate, from custody after he was brought to Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in the Boise Bench early Wednesday, according to a news release from the Police Department. Officers obtained a $2 million warrant for Umphenours arrest on two charges of aggravated battery against law enforcement and one charge of aiding and abetting an escape, the release said. Officers from the states correction department were about to bring Meade back to prison from the hospital at 2:15 a.m. Wednesday, police said, when Umphenour attacked and fired a gun at IDOC officers in the ambulance bay of the Saint Alphonsus hospital, the Idaho Statesman reported. Police said Meade and Umphenous fled in a vehicle before law enforcement arrived. Three officers, including one shot by police, were treated for injuries but remained in stable condition, IDOC and police said. We believe that this was a coordinated attack and ambush on the Department of Correction officers and certainly a planned endeavor to free (Meade) from custody, Boise Police Chief Winegar said at a news conference Wednesday. Boise Police Department Chief Ron Winegar, left, and Idaho Department of Correction Director Josh Tewalt, right, speak to the media about an early Wednesday morning shooting that involved an IDOC prisoner at Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center. Police described Umphenour as roughly 5 feet 11 inches, weighs 160 pounds and has brown hair and hazel eyes. He was incarcerated in 2016 on a felony burglary charge and again in 2019 after he pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a weapon by a convicted felon and grand theft by receiving, possessing or disposing of stolen property, online court records showed. Its unclear when he was released from prison. Police said Meade is a 5-foot-6 white man with brown hair and hazel eyes, with several tattoos across his chest and on his face, including some associated with the Aryan Knights, a white supremacist prison gang. Meade and Umphenour are members of the Aryan Knights, police said. Idaho State Police on Wednesday morning issued a Blue Alert for Meade, an alert used for suspects who injured law enforcement in the line of duty and is believed to be a public threat. Both suspects are now in custody, police said. Boise police said they were able to identify the vehicle the men escaped in as a gray 2020 Honda Civic with license plate number 2TDF43U. Police said they were considered armed and dangerous. Police said the suspects were last seen traveling in a gray 2020 Honda Civic with license plate number 2TDF43U. Two suspects were placed in custody in relation to an ambush at a hospital early Wednesday morning that left three Department of Correction officers with gunshot wounds, Boise police said Thursday. Police in a news conference said they believed these suspects, one of whom was a prisoner who escaped after the shooting, are also connected to two Idaho homicides that occurred in the past 24 hours. In the early hours of Wednesday morning, IDOC officers were preparing to transport Skylar Meade, 31, from Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in the Boise Bench back to prison. Officers were attacked and fired on by an unknown suspect, whom police later identified as Nicholas Umphenour, 28. The two fled in a vehicle before law enforcement arrived on the scene and were found and arrested Thursday afternoon, police said. A third IDOC officer was shot by Boise police, the agency said. All three officers were treated for their injuries and in stable condition, authorities said. Idaho State Police issued a Blue Alert for Meade on Wednesday, a statewide alert used for suspects at large who injured law enforcement and are believed to be public threats. Boise Police Chief Ron Winegar said at a news conference Thursday afternoon that both suspects were arrested following a short vehicle pursuit around 2 p.m. near the Twin Falls area and taken into custody separately. There were no shots fired or extensive use of force in this operation, Winegar said. IDOC Director Josh Tewalt said Umphenour and Meade were intermittently housed together in prison from December 2020 to January 2024, when Umphenour was released, and had mutual acquaintances outside of prison. Both were members of the Aryan Knights, an Idaho-based prison gang with white supremacist ideology, Tewalt said. Homicides in North Idaho connected to suspects Idaho State Police was assigned to investigate the homicides of two men that took place in rural North Idaho in connection with these suspects. Police declined to provide further details on the homicides and said law enforcement was still on the scene actively investigating them. State police said they believe the suspects fled northbound from the Treasure Valley to north-central Idaho. Detectives found the Honda Civic that the suspects initially escaped in near Leland, according to police, about 40 minutes northeast of Lewiston. One victim was found in Nez Perce County and the other in Clearwater County, police said. The Clearwater County Sheriffs Office said in a news release that deputies found a man dead around 8 p.m. Wednesday after someone called for a welfare check. The suspects were several hours out of Clearwater County when we received the call, the Sheriffs Office said. A pair of shackles that police believe Meade was wearing when he escaped were found at the scene of one of the homicides, Idaho State Police Lt. Col. Sheldon Kelley said at the news conference. The Nez Perce Sheriffs Office declined to comment and directed the Idaho Statesman to Idaho State Police. The coroners for Clearwater and Nez Perce counties are expected to identify the victims. Law enforcement believes the capture was successful due to the hundreds of tips from the public and the multiple responding law enforcement agencies, state police said. Anyone with additional information on the incident is asked to contact a Statewide Tip Line at 1-833-610-1026. Many of us have wonderful memories of our childhood home. Thats because we tend to edit out the bad memories and hang on to the good ones. Thats how it is with me when I remember growing up in Overtown. I usually blot out the ugliness of segregation and Jim Crow laws that had Negroes or Coloreds (as were called back then) living like second-class citizens, drinking from separate water fountains and riding at the back of buses. While that was a way of life back then, I want to remember only the closeness of neighbors and the camaraderie that existed in Overtown before the highway slashed through it, leaving it nearly a ghost town. I am a transplanted Miamian, which means I wasnt born here. I was born in Williston, Florida, a small rural town near Gainesville. We moved to Miami when I was 6, so I dont have too many memories of Williston. Few of those that I have are happy ones. Now, sometimes Williston seems like somewhere Id visited a long time ago. I have always loved Miami. Our first home, at 135 NW Ninth St. in Overtown, was where we made our debut as bonafide Miamians. I love the Bahamians who adopted my mom as one of them and loved me and my brother Adam like family. I loved the mixture of cultures, from the cornbread-making Georgians and Alabamians to the Johnny Cake makers from Cat Island in the Bahamas. I loved attending Overtowns schools, especially Booker T. Washington Junior/Senior High, where I was in the graduating class of 1956. Then, one day the world that I once knew and loved was gone. It all happened so suddenly, this killing off of Overtown. One day we were going about business as usual, and the next day, it seemed, the gigantic bulldozers and tractors had moved in. Homeowners lost their property and homes to and progress something called public domain. When the smoke had cleared, Overtown was a devastated village, a far cry from the bustling and vibrant community it once was. Gone forever was the drugstore on the southwest corner of Northwest 14th Street and Third Avenue. And the Capital Theater where I went to see Gone With the Wind when I was 17. And the restaurant around the corner on Third Avenue that the youngsters dubbed the Nasty Man Cafe. Gone, too, was the Pitts family dry cleaning store, where the Shop Boys hung out and played car poker from the sidewalk as cars passed along 14th Street. Houses of worship that had laid their faith foundations in the area decades ago were uprooted. Some relocated. Some were lost forever. Gradually, there were efforts, through Jackie Bell and the New Washington Heights organization, to revive Overtown. But nothing seemed to work for years, it seems, until Dr. Dorothy Jenkins Fields, founder of the Black Archives History and Research Foundation of South Florida decided she would not let her beloved Overtown die. She had already led the restoration of a few pioneer homes and businesses including the Chapman House, the Ward Rooming House, the Dorsey House and Dr. S. H. Johnson s X-Ray Clinic, and turned them into tiny museums that told Overtowns story. Her plan for reviving Overtown also included restoring one of the areas early iconic structures, the Lyric Theater, which was in ruins. Some people thought it couldnt be done. The building was too far gone. But in her quiet and determined way and with the help of her family and community supporters, The Lyric Theater was reborn. With its restoring came hope. And that hope propelled Fields to establish the Historic Overtown Folklife Village, Overtown Main Street and the Miami Dade County Black Heritage Trail. There were guided tours, and other businesses started moving to Overtown. New housing went up. Second Avenue was coming alive again. But it wasnt enough. There was still that area left blighted when I-95 and I-395 came to town. People driving over the highways couldnt see the homeless people, who, until law enforcement drove them away, spent their nights sleeping on discarded mattresses and blankets on mounds of dirt beneath the newly built highways. They couldnt see the pain, the hopelessness. Now, we have learned that a $60 million grant from the Biden Administration to build a new Underdeck Park will help bring back the spark to Overtown. The park will be a linear, one-mile multipurpose green space of about 33 acres. It will have bike paths and walking trails, playgrounds and dog parks. People will be able to go for walks in the park. They will say, Hi to each other, and perhaps strike up a few new friendships. Dreamer that I am, I like the idea. I believe that building the new park will help to connect neighborhoods and people. Maybe. It wont bring back the grandeur of our old Overtown. Nothing ever will. But everything changes. And maybe, just maybe, the new park will give us a chance to create some new memories. Students who have struggled to complete their financial aid applications following months of issues at the federal level will likely have one more month to file their paperwork in California. Senate lawmakers overwhelmingly passed a bill to provide this extension on Thursday, sending it to the Gov. Gavin Newsoms desk for final approval. The governor has not stated a position on the bill, but he is expected to sign it. The legislation, authored by Assemblywoman Sabrina Cervantes, D-Riverside, was fast-tracked this week to further help students who depend on financial aid to attend college. If signed, the bill moves the deadline for Cal Grants and other state aid programs from April 2 to May 2. Lets help make California students eligible for FAFSA and make their dream of a higher education a reality, said Cervantes during Mondays Assembly vote. Cervantes legislation is yet another attempt to ease some worries for students and families after a botched roll out of this years revamped Free Application for Federal Student Aid form, known as FAFSA. Thousands of students across the state continue to wait for their financial aid award letters, which for many is instrumental in deciding where they attend school. Last month, the University of California and California State University systems announced they would extend the deadline for students to accept their admission offers for fall 2024 to no earlier than May 15. And on Thursday, Sacramento State pushed its intent to register deadline to June 1. Delay after delay FAFSA problems started last fall when the new system fell behind schedule. The FAFSA form usually becomes available for students in October, but the application wasnt available until the last weekend of December. More technical issues followed, with some students unable to gain access to the website or forms, and others facing a shortage of help from the departments help line. Some students or parents have spent three hours waiting on the phone for someone to answer the departments help line, said Erika Viramontes, the director of the school counseling program at Green Dot Public Schools California, a nonprofit educational organization based in Los Angeles. The new form also particularly hurt students who could not provide a social security number for their parents or caregivers. Some of these families were unable to confirm their identity and thus couldnt finalize their applications. Many were required to submit emails with photos of their identification documents, such as passports and drivers licenses. Its been very disheartening to not have access to the form because of the system glitches, Viramontes said. These issues caused frustration and anxiety among many mixed-status families at Sacramento State, said Kimberly Gomez, program coordinator for the Dreamer Resource Center, which provides help to undocumented students and individuals with mixed-status families. The number of students asking for FAFSA help doubled compared to previous years, according to Gomez. Ive had to do a lot of reassurance with the students and their parents to let them know that its not them, Gomez said. They came to this country so their children can come to college, and they can have these opportunities and its not their fault. The U.S. Department of Education said earlier this month it had fixed many of the technical issues, but warned that other problems remained. Due to these ongoing issues, students are recommended to submit applications before May 2 and contact their financial aid offices if any problems arise. Tuesday was a rough night for school districts in central Ohio. Six districts Olentangy Local Schools, Heath City Schools, Fairbanks Local Schools, Madison-Plains Local Schools, North Fork Local Schools and Teays Valley Local Schools all had issues on the ballot to renovate and expand existing buildings or construct new ones entirely. And each of them failed badly Tuesday night, according to unofficial election results. So what went wrong, and what's next for central Ohio school districts? Central Ohio joins statewide districts in having new money asks rejected Central Ohio schools weren't alone in having voters reject their requests for new money. Statewide, only 17% of levy requests for new money for school districts were approved by voters on Tuesday, according to Jeff Chambers, spokesperson for the Ohio School Boards Association. One of the major factors, school administrators say, was a record increase in property valuations last year in central Ohio. "(Reappraisals are) creating that uncertainty in voters' mind and certainly one that we can understand," North Fork Superintendent Scott Hartley said. "Obviously we're disappointed, but we certainly understand it." Teays Valley Superintendent Kyle Wolfe also said the reappraisals of homes in the district drove negative voter turnout for the district Tuesday. More: Historic property value jumps to lead to tax spikes for many central Ohio rural residents Heath City Schools Superintendent Trevor Thomas said when property values increase sharply, "we obviously have to appreciate the stress it places" on the community. Until Tuesday, he said, Heath schools has not had an unsuccessful levy since 2006. Paul Imhoff, government relations director for the Buckeye Association of School Administrators, said it is "a difficult time" to ask for property tax increases for school districts. Additionally, Imhoff said general elections tend to fare better on average for school district ballot issues compared to primary elections. "Primary elections are always challenging," Imhoff said. Districts failed levies for second, third time Some districts in central Ohio were also handed their second or third loss in their attempts to raise money for new building construction. Madison-Plains Local School District, which serves nearly the entire southern half of Madison County and a small portion of Franklin County, was seeking approval of a 5.4-mill bond issue that would have raised $55.36 million to replace the district's aging campus buildings and build a new pre-K though grade 12 building. The request for construction was rejected Tuesday for a third time. Last May, the district had sought voter approval of a 9.9-mill, 37-year property tax levy to fund the district's $63,047,000 local share of the project. Voters rejected that measure 56% to 44%, causing the district to reassess and put a smaller $55 million ask on the November ballot, which also failed, The Dispatch previously reported. Superintendent Chad Eisler told The Dispatch on Wednesday that the district is "disappointed by the results and will take time to reflect on what the next steps are." Fairbanks Local Schools failed a second attempt at a levy that was rejected in November for capital improvements in the district, although voters did agree to continue an existing sales tax in November. Superintendent Adham Schirg said that they have heard feedback in the past 12 months that the district community wants to maximize the funding they currently have. North Fork also failed its levy for a second time this time losing ground by several hundred votes, Hartley said. He said the district doesn't want people getting in the habit of saying 'no' because a levy appears every election cycle. "We want them to really take a look at what we're asking, what's in their best interest and in the best interest of the kids in the community," Hartley said. "Those are the things that we want them to do, and we can't do that if we keep coming at them all the time." What's next for central Ohio districts? When levies fail, Chambers said school districts have the choice of changing the amount, changing the years it will be collected, changing the type of ballot issue or make cuts in the district. "If they're asking for money, they're asking it because there's a need that exists," Chambers said. "They're asking for bonds to build buildings because the need exists." As for districts that can't pass a levy for capital improvements, Imhoff said districts will bring in or expand modular or trailer classrooms, and when resources for that dry up, may switch to a split schedule to accommodate a growing student population in extreme cases. Olentangy Superintendent Todd Meyer said in a letter to parents and staff that the levy "was the districts lowest operational ask of this community in 30 years, and we are all naturally disappointed the ballot issue did not receive enough voter support" after 63% of voters rejected its bond and levy package. Meyer acknowledged in the letter that there are many questions about how this decision may impact current attendance boundaries, the construction and opening of new schools, and the timing of a future ballot issue. "We do not have all those answers yet," Meyer said. "We will take a closer look at resource alignment and our priorities as we work to meet the needs of an ever-growing student population." North Fork and Heath Schools, both located in Licking County, said they still need to prepare for an influx in student population as the Intel microchip plant project gets underway south of Johnstown in what is now expanding New Albany. Heath's Thomas said the districts around the Intel site should be considered for additional funding from the state as they anticipate a growing student population. It puts a stress on us. Thomas said. "They're coming here and they don't ask the school districts for permission." North Fork's Hartley said the district will be reevaluating and seeing how they can bring the cost of their proposal down. "I think the economy needs to change a little bit before we even come back at our communities and say, 'Hey, can you help us out here?' unless the state turns around and does something different with property taxes," Hartley said. Schirg said he looks forward to working with the Fairbanks community to develop solutions for the short, intermediate, and long-term needs of the district. "One of the great things I love about local government is people that live in your community get to make decisions," Schirg said. "We are the community's schools, and part of the democratic process is people have a say that gives us as a school district feedback, and allows us to carve a path moving forward." @Colebehr_report Cbehrens@dispatch.com This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: School levies went down in central Ohio on Tuesday. What went wrong? You may have noticed that Easter eggs are more expensive this year. But did you know that climate change is one of the reasons? Most chocolate is made from cocoa grown in West Africa, but a humid heatwave has blasted the crops and massively cut yields. Experts say that human-induced climate change has made the extreme heat 10 times more likely. Which? found some popular eggs have risen in price by 50% or more. The shortage of cocoa resulting from the heatwave has seen prices soar to almost $8,500 (6,700) a tonne this week. Cocoa trees are particularly vulnerable to changes in the climate. They only grow in a narrow band of about 20 degrees latitude around the Equator. Most global production is concentrated in West Africa. In 2023, 58m kilogrammes of cocoa beans worth 127m were imported to the UK from Ivory Coast and Ghana with 85% of the UK's cocoa beans sourced from Ivory Coast. However, severe drought conditions have hit the West Africa region since February this year. This has been caused by temperatures that soared above 40C, breaking records in countries including the Ivory Coast and Ghana. A chocolate maker works on an Easter egg It was these exceptionally high temperatures that the World Weather Attribution group, based at Imperial College London, found were made 10 times more likely by human-caused greenhouse gas emissions. Their study found that unless the world quickly reduces fossil fuel use, West Africa will experience similar heatwaves about every two years. "There were reports from farmers in Ivory Coast that the heat weakened the cocoa crop," according to one of the authors of the study, Izadine Pinto, from the University of Cape Town. He said the high temperatures increased the rate of evaporation, leaving the crops without sufficient moisture. Another factor impacting the crops was El Nino. This is a recurring, natural fluctuation in weather patterns in the tropical Pacific that drives up global temperatures and can lead to extreme weather in some places. A strong El Nino has been active since last June. El Nino years often present challenges for farmers, but global warming is exacerbating those changes, says Ben Clarke, an expert on extreme weather at the Grantham Institute at Imperial College. "Increasingly, climate change driven by fossil fuel use is multiplying this natural challenge in many regions. It fuels more extreme conditions, devastates harvests, and makes food costs higher for all," Mr Clarke said. Drought is not the only factor affecting cocoa growers. Both Ivory Coast and Ghana have been hit with an extreme weather double whammy. In December last year, both countries experienced intense rains. Total precipitation in West Africa was more than double the 30-year average for the time of year. The wet and humid conditions allowed a fungal infection called black pod disease to flourish, rotting cocoa beans on the trees. The result of these different extreme events has been the same - the price of cocoa has more than trebled since this time last year and doubled in just the last three months. Chocolate makers typically buy beans months ahead of time but soaring prices are now beginning to affect prices in the shops. "Lots of players who have already announced price increases. We are also part of that group," Martin Hug, of chocolate maker Lindt & Spruengli told city analysts earlier this month. Easter eggs In February, Mondelez, the company that owns the Cadbury brand, and the American chocolate maker Hershey were already warning rising cocoa prices could drive up the price of chocolate. Feeling the brunt of these price fluctuations are the farmers who grow the cocoa crops. There are estimated to be some two million smallholder farmers in the West African cocoa belt who rely on this labour-intensive crop for most of their income. Amber Sawyer, an analyst at the climate think-tank the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit, said wealthy countries like the UK can provide financial and technical support to developing countries to help their farmers better cope with extreme weather. But she warned that, "as climate change worsens, more support will undoubtedly be needed to protect their livelihoods and keep the flow of cocoa beans coming into the UK." China is Apple's most critical supply chain: Tim Cook Xinhua) 08:59, March 21, 2024 This photo taken on March 18, 2024 shows an interior view of a new Apple store, which is set to launch on March 21, in east China's Shanghai. (Xinhua/Liu Ying) SHANGHAI, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Apple CEO Tim Cook on Wednesday reiterated the company's long-term commitment to the Chinese market, speaking during his ongoing visit to Shanghai. "There's no supply chain in the world that's more critical to us than China," Cook said, noting that Apple will strengthen its long-term cooperation with its Chinese supply chain partners and work closely with them on green and smart manufacturing to achieve win-win results. Cook's visit will coincide with the Thursday opening of a new flagship Apple store in Shanghai, which is set to become the company's second-largest retail store globally. On Wednesday, Apple held a sharing session with Chinese suppliers such as BYD, Lens Technology and Shenzhen Everwin Precision Technology Co., Ltd., showcasing their latest achievements and progress in smart manufacturing, green manufacturing and talent training. "We think about 2030, which is only six years away now. We want to be carbon neutral. So as a company, there will be a tonne of innovation required from both our partners and ourselves in order to achieve that. But I feel from being here today -- and from being here many, many times over the years -- that it's very doable," Cook said. Apple has been working on its development in China for over 30 years. Data shows that 151 of the company's 200 major suppliers have production activities in China. And the U.S. tech giant has been stepping up its investment in China continuously. Just last week, Apple announced that it will expand its applied research lab in Shanghai and establish a new lab in Shenzhen later this year. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) CNN couldnt get the GOP nominee to run North Carolinas public schools to comment on a boisterous report about her calls to execute several top Democratsso the network confronted her directly. CNN reporter Shimon Prokupecz approached candidate Michele Morrow after a Wake Country Republican Party event in the state, questioning her on her incendiary social media posts. CNNs KFile reported how between 2019 and 2021 Morrow called for the deaths of Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden, as well as other prominent Democrats including Hillary Clinton and Andrew Cuomoall while promoting QAnon conspiracies and disparaging public schools as socialism and indoctrination centers. Morrow, an activist who homeschooled her children, defeated the incumbent superintendent in the GOP primary in a surprise upset earlier this month. Should Morrow win, shed be in charge of the states public education system and its $11 billion budget. .@ShimonPro caught up with Michele Morrow the Republican nominee to run North Carolina schools who called for executing Obama, Biden, and many many others she disagreed with. She didnt want to answer questions about her past comments. pic.twitter.com/6bFn1na066 Andy Kaczynski (@KFILE) March 21, 2024 Prokupecz and Morrow began cordially before the reporter disclosed his affiliation, causing Morrow and an associate to button up and refuse to answer his questions. Prokupecz pressed her on the inflammatory posts, asking if he stood by her calls to execute Democrats and her comments on public schooling. Do you stand by what youve said about the public education system, that it needs to be destroyed? Prokupecz directly asked. Morrow tried to brush him off before erupting at the reporter, questioning why CNN, as a New York-based national news outlet, would bother covering a North Carolina candidate. Do you know that education is a problem in this entire country? Morrow continued. So maybe they need to focus on whats going on in your state of New York which, by the way, is where I grew up. Maybe they need to focus on what's going on in California where children are not getting the education that they need. Maybe they needed to focus on what theyre doing in Michigan, because right now in North Carolina, Im focused on helping the families of North Carolina for their children to get quality education for them to be safe. At one point, Morrow tried to feign ignorance about her own tweets authorship when pressed by Prokupecz. How do you know those are my words? she askeda seeming attempt to suggest the tweets posted to her Twitter account were not written by her. Still, despite Prokupeczs best efforts, Morrow refused to acknowledge her hateful comments and moved along. 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 public hearing held Wednesday by the House Oversight Committee as part of its rapidly disintegrating impeachment inquiry into President Biden featured a GOP insider who testified from prison, a Republican lawmaker who confused Kazakhstan and Ukraine, and the former Rudy Giuliani associate at the center of it all who said the push to discredit the president is predicated entirely on lies floated by Russian intelligence. Committee chair Rep. James Comer (R-KY) stepped on rake after rake during the hearing, consistently undermining his own conferences case. Star witness Lev Parnas was largely responsible for disseminating the mistruths about Biden to Republican lawmakers, working with the ex-New York City mayor-turned-Trump crony to dig up damaging dirt in advance of the 2020 presidential election. The two traveled to Ukraine for the job, and came back with eye-popping tales of corruption involving Biden and his son Hunter. But on Wednesday, Parnas said, The only information ever pushed on the Bidens and Ukraine has come from one source and one source only: Russia and Russian agents. Mr. Parnas warned Chair Comer that the allegations in the FD-1023 repeated a long-debunked lie peddled by Trump and Giuliani. Comer didnt listen nor did he care. He continues to waste public resources trying to find non-existent evidence and peddling Russian conspiracies. pic.twitter.com/jbcUb0MqK1 Oversight Committee Democrats (@OversightDems) March 20, 2024 Comer said to his Democratic colleagues at one point, You made a mistake and said that Parnas is a Republican witness. He is very much your witness. To this, Parnas interjected: I was a Republican for Donald Trump. Comer took potshots at Parnas, saying, You couldve invited [Hunter Bidens] partners, but you invited this guy, to which Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) reminded Comer that Parnas was Donald Trumps partner. The testimony from Parnas upended Comers entire narrative, which his conference continues to peddle, nonetheless. When you review the entire record of evidence of these hearings going back over a year, you've actually provided more evidence to impeach Donald Trump for a third time than you have in so much as laying a glove on Joe Biden, Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-MA) said. In Raskins opening statement this morning, he said, With any luck, today marks the end of perhaps the most spectacular failure in the history of Congressional investigations, the effort to find a high crime or misdemeanor committed by Joe Biden and then to impeach him for it. A prime example of why Fox News and right-wing media are basically ignoring this hearing and impeachment in general -- they've lost all faith in James Comer and are sick of seeing him constantly faceplant. https://t.co/tLYBSnEOZC Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona) March 20, 2024 The GOPs pursuit of a Biden impeachment is entirely predicated on a bunch of false information that is being spread by the Kremlin, according to Parnas testimony. Parnas was sentenced in 2022 to 20 months behind bars on charges of wire fraud, false statements, and campaign finance violations. The conspiracy theories Giuliani and Parnas fed to Trump were used by the twice-impeached former president to push a false narrative that Biden, as vice president, was inappropriately pulling levers in Ukraine to protect Hunter Biden from being investigated in relation to his in-country business activities. On Wednesday, Parnas told the committee that he cautioned Giuliani over the disreputable origin from which the Biden dirt was coming. Still, he said, Giuliani continued to accept more and more bogus information from the same unreliable sources. Eventually youve brainwashed yourself [in]to believing certain things that are not true, Parnas said, calling the MAGA universe a cult. I started thinking [to] myself that this cant be true. And we were doing something wrong. Comer is literally Sideshow Bob stepping on a hundred rakes. Amazing https://t.co/03OE1OpwGo pic.twitter.com/cucwsFu8vs Chris Taylor (@christaylor_nyc) March 20, 2024 Americans have been lied to by Trump, Giuliani, and others who created falsehoods to serve their own interests knowing it would undermine the strength of our nation, Parnas said in his opening statement. In a written statement Parnas submitted to the committee, he calls himself a concerned American citizen who loves this country, and as a man who has faced up to his own wrongdoings. He said he was a key participant in efforts from November 2018 through October 2019 to prove that Joe and Hunter Biden were linked to corruption in Ukraine. Rudy Giuliani, on behalf of then-president Donald Trump, tasked me with a mission to travel the globe finding dirt on the Bidens so that an array of networks could spread misinformation about them, the statement said. They sought to damage the Bidens reputations and secure the 2020 election for Trump. But Parnas said on Wednesday that he never presented actual evidence of the Bidens corruption in Ukrainebecause there truly was none. On the contrary, by setting up a search for false criminality, every individual majorly involved in this plan was disguising their own criminal activity. That persists to this very day: The impeachment proceedings that bring us here now are predicated on a bunch of false information that is being spread by the Kremlin. The White House, for its part, called the hearing a total waste of time. That hearing was embarrassing for House Republicans, Ian Sams, the White House spokesman for oversight and investigations, told The Daily Beast. Its time to move on from this sad charade. There are real issues the American people want us to address. Lynch to Republicans: When you review the entire record of evidence of these hearings going back over a year, you've actually provided more evidence to impeach Donald Trump for a third time than you have in so much as laying a glove on Joe Biden." pic.twitter.com/n6t4myX7Fe Reda (@RedaMor_) March 20, 2024 Republican officials like then-Rep. Devin Nunes, who now works for Trumps Truth Social Twitter clone, knew the corruption tales were baseless, as did Fox News personality Sean Hannity and others at the network, Parnas said. Last July, Parnas wrote to Comer, telling him there was simply no merit to investigating this matter any further. Witness Jason Galanis, a onetime business partner of Hunter Biden, testified remotely from a federal prison in Alabama, where he is serving a 14-year sentence for defrauding a Native American tribe. Among his claims, which included allegations of dirty dealing by Hunter Biden, Galanis said he had been sexually assaulted behind bars, which he blamed on the government. On Wednesday, Raskin referenced an article The Daily Beast published just a few hours earlier, detailing further unreported ties between Tony Bobulinski, another former business partner of Hunter Bidens, and sanctioned Russian oligarch Viktor Vekselberg. Bobulinski, who testified in person, rambled expansively, accusing Democrats of lying to cover for the Bidens, earning rebukes from, among others, Raskin, who chipped away at Bobulinskis credibility again and again. And when Rep. Michael Cloud (R-TX) had his turn to speak, he presented a big map on an easel which identified Ukraine as Kazakhstan and vice-versa. In an emailed statement provided Wednesday afternoon by Giuliani spokesman Ted Goodman, he said Parnas is not to be trusted, and called House Democrats irresponsible and intellectually dishonest for letting him testify. Goodman claimed Parnas is desperate to generate headlines in order to sell his fledgling book, calling him a serial liar. Hunter Biden declined to appear at the hearing, his attorney, Abbe Lowell, calling it little more than a carnival sideshow. 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 Sacramento judge upheld a decision by Californias water regulator to cut back agricultural and municipal water use from the San Joaquin River. The decision could lend support for future regulations in the rest of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta system. It comes amid declining fish populations and increasing pressure on water supply due to climate change. But rather than move forward with strict regulations, the state agency is considering a plan pushed by Gov. Gavin Newsom that would grant water districts more flexibility. The March 15 ruling by Sacramento Superior Court Judge Stephen Acquisto rejected a litany of lawsuits by water districts against the State Water Resources Control Boards plan to boost river flows and help revive struggling native fish populations. Agencies that filed suit against the states plan include large agricultural water suppliers such as the Modesto Irrigation District, Westlands Water District and Merced Irrigation District, as well as the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission and city of Modesto. The judge ultimately supported the agencys water quality plan for the lower San Joaquin River including the Tuolumne, Merced and Stanislaus river tributaries which set specific goals to protect water flows for key fish species such as chinook salmon and steelhead trout. In his ruling, he wrote there is more than enough valid scientific evidence in the record to support the Boards general conclusion that increased flows in the lower San Joaquin River and its three eastside tributaries are of critical importance to reviving and sustaining native migratory fish populations. He denied all the petitioners claims about the water boards 2018 plan for the river that was passed with much controversy. That included complaints about the water boards process and contentions that the agency had abused its regulatory authority. In the San Joaquin River, which begins high in the Sierra Nevada and flows through the the northern San Joaquin Valley before reaching the ocean through the San Francisco Bay, sometimes more than 80% of its flow is diverted for farms and cities. The Delta is ecologically ailing. Populations of salmon, delta smelt and other native species have been on a steep decline in recent years. Regulators shut down the fishing season last year because populations of fall-run Chinook salmon last year were so low. Under its San Joaquin river plan, the water board would limit diversions during certain times of the year to between 50-70% of the rivers total flow. Lawsuits quicky followed after the decision. More than five years later, the rules have not been implemented. Developing regulations for the Delta, the beating heart of Californias water supply system, demands not just scientific research but also the ability to balance a variety of stakeholders with competing interests agriculture, cities, fisheries and ecosystems. Last weeks ruling comes as vindication for the agency as it continues a years long process of updating an overarching plan for the Delta. The 2018 San Joaquin plan was only one part one of the Bay-Delta Water Quality Control Plan, which in itself was the product of 9 years of research and stakeholder input the plan has not seen a substantial update since 1995. Its a real validation, said Felicia Marcus, who oversaw the 2018 plans adoption as then-chair of the water board. We have over-diverted from our rivers, for good things like agricultural and urban development, but diverted so much that weve shorted the environment. We were re-balancing the system. The agency is currently considering two different options for the Bay-Delta plan. Traditional regulations would set a minimum flow standard for rivers, such as the one adopted for the San Joaquin and supported in court. But over the last year, the Newsom administration has promoted another approach. Called voluntary agreements, his plan would let water agencies pledge to forgo certain amounts of water while funding wetland habitat improvement projects. The governor has framed the plan as a rejection of old binaries in favor of new solutions. But leading water experts, including Marcus, argue that voluntary agreements would only be successful if used to supplement strong regulation. A recent Stanford University report she co-authored concluded that the current proposal is a perilous strategy. It cant be either or, she said. A voluntary agreement is only good if its good and this isnt good enough yet. Theres got to be a more concerted effort and youre not going to get it unless you move forward with regulations. Some environmentalists are less optimistic about voluntary agreements, arguing that they lack accountability to meaningfully improve river flows. Under the agreements, science director at Baykeeper Jon Rosenfield said the path toward native fish extinction would only accelerate. In the abstract, this ruling should mean full steam ahead for the water board updating its water quality standards, Rosenfield said. In the real world, we have a governor actively resisting new standards because he favors a voluntary approach negotiated with water users in a back room, and is forcing the water board to consider if not adopt it. Managers of water districts such as Westlands in the western San Joaquin Valley, one of the litigants against the 2018 plan, continue to prefer a voluntary approach. Strict flow regulations in the Sacramento River would mean less water for the agricultural powerhouse. Were reviewing and evaluating next steps, said Westlands Water District spokesperson Elizabeth Jonasson of the court ruling. Were fully engaged in the voluntary agreements process... we believe in a comprehensive strategy achieved by working together. A public workshop to discuss the proposed voluntary agreements is expected to take place April 24-26 at the water board. An old-fashioned gunfight erupted outside a Florida home when a fearless dad grabbed his pistol and joined a deputy exchanging gunfire with a suspect in the yard, investigators say. It happened around 9:40 p.m. Tuesday, March 19, near Zolfo Springs, and began as a case of domestic battery by a man identified as Morgan Miguel Garcia, who was accused of violating a restraining order, the Hardee County Sheriffs Office said in a news release. Zolfo Springs is about a 75-mile drive southeast of Tampa. None of the people in the home were hit by gunfire, but the 29-year-old managed to escape in the dark, officials said. The deputy encountered Garcia in the back yard of the wooded property ... armed with an AR-15, the sheriffs office reports. The deputy ordered Garcia to drop his weapon, but he did not comply. Instead Garcia took cover and began firing shots towards the deputy. The deputy returned fire with his agency-issued rifle. ... The victims father, fearing for his familys lives, retrieved his 9mm handgun and returned fire. It was during the exchange of shots that the deputy observed Garcia fire multiple times at the homes door in an attempt to reach family members taking cover inside. When unsuccessful at breaching the door to the residence he broke through a window with the butt end of the AR15. Garcia then fled on foot and the deputy lost visual, officials said. The people in the home were evacuated and a search continued through the night for the armed and dangerous suspect. He was finally captured without incident Wednesday afternoon, when a tip led deputies to a home at an undisclosed location. Garcia has been charged with aggravated assault with a firearm on a law enforcement officer, shooting into a building, aggravated assault with a firearm, robbery with a firearm, attempted burglary while armed with a firearm, burglary with assault or battery, aggravated stalking, violate condition of pretrial release, discharging a firearm in a residential area, and criminal mischief. Armed bingo hall patrons catch man who shot at women in parking lot, Florida cops say Gunman ambushed riders on horseback, firing dozens of rounds, Florida sheriff says Family walking on Florida highway attacked by teen firing Glock-style BB gun, cops say Some Nampa voters could have a new question on their November election ballots this year: Should they create the citys first auditorium district? The creation of a Nampa Auditorium District would add a 5% tax on hotel rooms to help two event centers: the Ford Idaho Center and Nampa Civic Center. Jeff Agenbroad, former president of the Snake River Stampede, the annual rodeo in Nampa, is helping to spearhead the effort. He said the district would save Nampa residents taxpayer dollars that would normally go to fund upkeep and repairs at the event centers. Agenbroad estimates the district would generate $1.2 million per year for the centers. The centers remaining needs would still cost property taxpayers. The Snake River Stampede takes place annually at Nampas Ford Idaho Center and brings thousands of attendees and participants each year. The Nampa Auditorium District could charge out of town attendees an extra tax to help pay for improvements to the Ford Idaho Center. That isnt going to cover the entire improvement costs at both those facilities on an annual basis, but it does take that much of the tax burden off of just the Nampa property taxpayer and puts it on people that are benefiting from it who are outside the community, Agenbroad said by phone. Proponents of the Nampa Auditorium District estimated that the Ford Idaho Center hosts 155 events and 574,127 attendees per year, and the Nampa Civic Center hosts 415 events and 92,274 attendees. Agenbroad called the auditorium tax a user fee. He said the Nampa Civic Center and Ford Idaho Center are aging. Both were built in the 1990s. The tax would help the two buildings make improvements to accommodate the growth that Nampa has seen over the years. Because many of the people who stay in the hotels in Nampa are attending a function at either the Civic Center or the Ford Idaho Center, this is a way to share some of that burden to maintain the quality of the venues, he said. The Nampa Civic Center as it stands near City Hall. It could benefit from the proposed Nampa Auditorium District if voters approve. Idaho has three auditorium districts. The oldest is Boises, which was created in 1959. The Pocatello-Chubbuck district was created in 1998 and the Idaho Falls district in 2021. Idaho law requires that districts be initiated by a petition to a court. The petition must be signed by 10% of the registered voters who live within the boundaries of the proposed district. A group of proponents of the auditorium district, calling themselves the Nampa Tourism Development Council, submitted a petition for judicial review to state District Court on Feb. 24. Such petitions are normally filed to appeal a decision by a local governing body or agency, but theyre also the method prescribed by state law to review petitions for proposed auditorium districts. On Tuesday, District Judge Matthew J. Roker ruled that the council had not obtained the necessary number of signatures and denied the groups request to continue the hearing until the petition received the signatures, Agenbroad said. The bolded line outlines the proposed Nampa Auditorium District. Any hotel within the district would change an extra 5% tax on each room that would go towards the repairs and updates to the citys two auditoriums: Nampa Civic Center and the Ford Idaho Center. Agenbroad said proponents fell just 142 signatures short of the needed 2,512 signatures to get the auditorium district question placed on the May 21 ballots. But now they have plenty of time to collect the signatures before November, he said. He hopes to go before the judge through the same process in late spring with the additional signatures. The district would require a simple majority to pass. It would be put only to voters who live within the auditorium district, which was determined by the group seeing the petition. The Idaho Statesman called and emailed the Idaho Lodging and Restaurant Association seeking comment on the auditorium proposal, but the messages were not returned. In 2020, the same Nampa Tourism Development Council tried to get an auditorium district placed on the ballot, but it could not gather enough signatures, the Idaho Press reported at the time. Residents within the auditorium district can sign the petition at the Nampa Chamber of Commerce or by contacting the auditorium district at info@nampaauditoriumdistrict.com. Idaho Center to shatter outdoor concerts record this year. Heres another, more to come Will Realtors price-fixing settlement affect Idaho home buyers? What Boise experts say SANFORD, Maine Firefighters battled a blaze at a building on River Street on Thursday, March 21. Sanford Deputy Police Chief Eric Small said the fire broke out at 29 River St. Firefighters were seen pouring water from multiple hoses on the building well into the afternoon. The building is a mixed-use structure, with commercial space on the bottom floor and apartments on the second. The Sanford Food Pantry once occupied the space. The property at 29 River Street in Sanford, Maine, is engulfed in smoke as firefighters battled a blaze and high winds there on Thursday, March 21, 2024. Firefighters also had to contend with high winds, which fanned the fire and sent large, billowing clouds of black and gray smoke through the neighborhoods to the east. Firefighters from other communities, such as Kennebunk, also were at the scene. Firefighters drench the two-story structure that caught fire at 29 River Street in Sanford, Maine, on Thursday, March 21, 2024. They battled high and unhelpful winds too. Authorities blocked off much of the area, including the affected stretch of River Street and a few side streets. Access to the bridge crossing Number One Pond on Winter Street was also blocked off. A number of people watched events unfold from nearby Gateway Park, slowing down in their cars for a look, and broadcasting the scene live on social media. Additional details were not available mid-afternoon Thursday. This story will be updated. This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Firefighters battle flames, high winds at building fire in Sanford Following news earlier this month of layoffs and program cancellations at Texas Tech Public Media, seven former KTTZ-FM hosts and producers affected by the "reduction in force" are asking Texas Tech to give them the rights to their canceled radio shows. The Avalanche-Journal first reported the layoffs March 9. Nine employees of the organization's public radio and television stations were laid off and another was asked to retire. Six local radio programs were discontinued. The layoffs impacted the majority of the production staff at 89.1 KTTZ-FM, Lubbock's NPR member station, including two producers, according to documents obtained by the A-J. Clint Barrick, the longtime program director and a respected member of the Lubbock arts community, will retire at the end of the month. More: KTTZ layoffs come amid seismic change in Lubbock public media landscape On Thursday, Barrick and six others Vikram Baliga, Nicholas Bergfeld, Rachel Boyd, Charles "Chuck" Luck, Charles Olivier and Curtis Peoples sent an open letter to Matt Dewey, Texas Tech's vice president of marketing and communications. The former KTTZ-FM producers and hosts are seeking rights to their six canceled radio programs so they can "continue to utilize these highly popular and recognizable brands to the Lubbock public media listener community." "Like many in Lubbock, we read with dismay the details included in the recent article in the Avalanche-Journal," the letter reads. "The outpouring of community support and engagement with our shows while they were aired has motivated us to pursue alternative avenues for sustaining the programming so many have told us has become part of the fabric of their lives." Texas Tech Public Media, a department of Texas Tech University, operates PBS television stations in Lubbock and El Paso and NPR-affiliated public radio stations in Lubbock and San Angelo, serving an area with more than 1.4 million households. TTPM ended the 2023 fiscal year with a $2.49 million deficit, according to the organization's latest financial audit, with the station group last turning a profit in 2021. More than $1 million of that deficit is attributed to PBS El Paso, a Texas Tech Faculty Senate committee recently reported. Related: Texas Tech students protest after university suspends professor for anti-Semitic posts The hosts and producers say they hope the university will release the rights to "Around Town," "In the Grow," "More Than a Song," "Music Crossroads of Texas," "Noche de Tango" and "The Front Row" so their creators can pick up where they left off with the programming. "We want to continue the work of amplifying the many voices here in Lubbock. Our focus has been and will continue to be, to provide great shows for the Lubbock public media radio community," the group wrote, noting they are willing to work with the university to come to a mutual agreement. "The reclamation of our show rights would enable us to preserve the legacy and integrity of our work. It would also provide us with the opportunity to continue serving our dedicated listeners by making these shows accessible through alternative platforms, ensuring that the content we've passionately created can still reach and impact our audience," they said. The producers and hosts did not specify what alternate media platforms through which they plan to distribute their content. Texas Tech had not publicly responded to the letter by late Thursday. Earlier this month, Tech did provide answers to Avalanche-Journal questions regarding the changes, with the university blaming a lack of sufficient fundraising for what it called a reduction in force. "The existing revenue streams, primarily reliant on grants, underwriting and membership, fell short of sustaining Texas Tech Public Medias current personnel and programming levels," a spokesperson wrote. "The decision to undergo a comprehensive restructuring had to be made to ensure the future sustainability of the organization." Officials said TTPM will focus future locally produced programming on news intended to appeal to a broad listener base. Last month, the university announced its intent to change the way TTPM operates with a statement released Feb. 9. The announcement did not specifically mention layoffs or staffing reductions, but referred to "a journey to reimagine" the public media organization as it faces fiscal challenges. This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Former KTTZ-FM producers, hosts petition Texas Tech for show rights President Akufo-Addo is under pressure from both sides over the controversial bill The speaker of Ghana's parliament has blocked the approval of new ministers amid a row over the president's delay in signing an anti-LGBTQ+ bill passed last month. The presidency has asked parliament not to send the bill for his assent until legal challenges against it are dealt with. The speaker has condemned the presidency's move as "contemptuous". The bill criminalises gay relationships and anyone who supports them. President Nana Akufo-Addo is under intense pressure from those Ghanaians who want him to sign it into law, and also from Western donors and human rights groups who are urging him not to approve it. A lawyer has challenged the bill at the Supreme Court, saying there was not a quorum - the required minimum number of MPs - in parliament when it was passed. In a letter to parliament on Monday, presidential secretary Nana Asante Bediatuo said that it was "improper" for the president to receive the bill until the court makes a decision on the matter. Then on Wednesday, Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin halted the approval of new ministers and their deputies, apparently to increase pressure on the president. "The president's refusal to accept the transmission of the bill is, by all accounts, not supported by the constitutional and statutory provisions that guide our legislative process," Mr Bagbin told MPs. He said parliament could not approve new ministers, saying that the "ongoing scenario poses a grave threat to our legislative authority". President Akufo-Addo last month nominated 12 ministers and deputy ministers in a sweeping cabinet reshuffle that saw the finance minister sacked. The new ministers were being vetted by a parliamentary committee. Minority leader in parliament Cassiel Ato Forson supported Mr Bagbin's move, saying the speaker's concern was legitimate. However, parliamentary majority leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin said the speaker's decision was "disappointing" and "strange", and there should have been wider consultation first. The main opposition presidential candidate in December polls, John Mahama, has described the letter from the presidency as unconstitutional. He said the presidential secretary had no authority to write such a letter to parliament. 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. It imposes a jail term of up to three years for anyone identifying as LGBTQ+ and five years for promoting their activities. It has been backed by influential Christian and Muslim leaders. 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 international community that Ghana is committed to upholding human rights. Ghana's finance ministry said the country could lose a total of $3.8bn (3bn) in World Bank funding over the next five to six years because of the bill. The West African country 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. You may also be interested in: An inmate who escaped from an Idaho hospital with an accomplice who opened fire on the correction officers transporting him in a "brazen" attack have been captured, Boise police said. The Idaho Department of Correction inmate, Skylar Meade, and shooting suspect Nicholas Umphenour were located in the Twin Falls area around 2 p.m. MT Thursday, according to Boise Police Chief Ron Winegar. They were taken into custody following a short vehicle pursuit, Winegar said. They will be taken to the Twin Falls County jail and may face prosecution in several other locations, according to Lt. Colonel Sheldon Kelley from the Idaho State Police. State police are investigating two homicides that may be tied to this incident, according to Kelley. The homicides occurred in the last 24 hours at separate locations in Nez Perce and Clearwater counties and both victims were men, he said. Their cause of death has not been released. Shackles were found at one of the homicide scenes, Kelley said. PHOTO: The Boise Police Department released this photo of Skylar Meade. (Boise Police Department) The manhunt began early Wednesday, following what authorities described as a planned ambush. Meade had been transported to Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise Tuesday night for treatment after engaging in "self-injurious behavior," according to Idaho Department of Correction director Josh Tewalt. As correction officers were preparing to transport him back to the Idaho Maximum Security Institution around 2:15 a.m. Wednesday, an individual "attacked and fired" at the officers, striking two, Boise police said. MORE: Inmate, accomplice at large after 'brazen' ambush at hospital, authorities say A third correction officer was shot by a Boise officer who responded to reports of an active shooter inside the hospital's emergency department, Boise police said. The officer fired his weapon at an armed individual near the entrance who was determined to be an Idaho Department of Correction officer, police said. Investigators ultimately determined that Meade and his accomplice fled in a gray Honda Civic, just prior to Boise officers arriving, police said. The vehicle used in the escape had been reported stolen and was located near Leland, Idaho, authorities said. The two were located Thursday traveling in a different vehicle, Kelley said. Umphenour is an "associate" of Meade, police said. The two, at one point, were in the same housing unit while at the Idaho Maximum Security Institution and were linked by "both having membership with the Aryan Knights," according to Tewalt. Umphenour was released from custody in January, Tewalt said. MORE: Chicago grieves 11-year-old killed trying to 'protect his mother' during domestic violence incident The Idaho Department of Correction is investigating how the escape was planned, Tewalt said. There was increased security for Meade's hospital transport due to his history and he was in restraints while being escorted out of the hospital, Tewalt said. The transport "was in line with our policies," he said, adding that they are now investigating whether their policies and protocols are "sufficient enough." Two of the correction officers shot during the escape remain hospitalized Thursday afternoon in stable and improving condition, while one has since been released, Tewalt said. Amid the manhunt, officers on Wednesday obtained a warrant for Umphenour's arrest on two charges of aggravated battery against law enforcement and one charge of aiding and abetting an escape, police said. The warrant has a $2 million bond. Meade, 31, has been serving time for aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer with a firearm enhancement, according to police and Idaho Department of Correction records. His sentence was through October 2036, with parole eligibility starting in October 2026, the correction records show. He has been incarcerated since October 2016 and has prior convictions including felony possession of a controlled substance, grand theft and introduction of contraband into a correctional facility, police said. Escaped Idaho inmate and accomplice captured following 'brazen' ambush at hospital originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Delaware Gov. John Carney has announced his support for former Delaware State Housing Authority Director Eugene Youngs run for the states sole congressional seat. The governors endorsement of Young came less than 24 hours ahead of state Sen. Sarah McBrides news conference Thursday announcing additional major campaign endorsers to her own campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives. Carney said hes seen firsthand the work Young has done to help Delawareans access affordable housing, implement programs that helped residents become homeowners and overseen redevelopment efforts throughout the state. Governor John Carney (left) and former Delaware State Housing Authority Director Eugene Young (right) greeted students as they arrive for the first day school on Tuesday September 5, 2023 at EastSide Charter School in Wilmington. Carney has endorsed Young in the former housing cabinet secretary's pursuit for Delaware's U.S. Representative seat. Having served as a member of Congress myself, I know Eugene is the type of leader we need someone who will roll up his sleeves and work together to find real solutions for the people of Delaware, the governor said in his endorsement. Born and raised on the east side of Wilmington, Eugene has demonstrated a real commitment to public service. (He) has the skills, judgment, and commitment to service necessary to represent Delawareans well in Congress. WHO IS RUNNING FOR OFFICE: Our updated list of Delaware candidates, announcements Current Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester is running for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Sen. Tom Carper, who decided not to run for reelection, opening the U.S. representative seat. The endorsement for Young comes about a week after the state Senate confirmed Cynthia Karnai as Delaware's new housing Cabinet secretary and the director of the Delaware State Housing Authority. Young said he was humbled by the governor's endorsement. "Growing up on the East Side of Wilmington, I would have never envisioned that one day I would serve in the Governors Cabinet, let alone receive his endorsement for my candidacy for U.S. Congress," Young said in a news release announcing the endorsement. "I am campaigning to improve the lives of all communities from Claymont to Selbyville by standing tall to make housing, health care, and the cost of living affordable for all Delawareans. Young announced he was stepping down from the position that hes held since 2021 in February to focus on his run for Congress. RELATED: State treasurer, a former candidate for Congress, endorses McBride for U.S. representative Divided Democratic endorsements While Young has garnered the endorsement of Delawares governor, McBride clinched state Treasurer Colleen Davis support after the state official ended her campaign for the seat in February due to personal health concerns and the need to care for her father during his ongoing illness. 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. Earlier this month, McBride also received the endorsement of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 81 union, which has nearly 7,000 members across the state, along with several other labor unions and PACS. She also has the support of state Attorney General Kathy Jennings and state Auditor Lydia York. McBride earns more support from labor unions McBride's campaign for Congress on Thursday announced the state senator has received support from the Delaware Building and Construction Trades and 19 other construction craft local union affiliates. James Maravelias, president of the Delaware Building Trades, said the union was proud to support McBride for Congress given her "100% pro-union voting record." Working people across Delaware deserve a member of Congress who has a record of taking on big challenges and delivering for them Sarah is exactly that leader," he said. "Sarah is a champion for working people, for unions and shes our candidate for Congress. McBride lauded the union leaders, saying that the "backbone of the American middle class is the right to organize and form strong unions. "As President Biden said, The middle class built America, and unions built the middle class,'" the Democratic congressional contender said in a news release. "For 40 years, far-right extremists have sought to weaken federal protections for workers, undermine the enforcement of national labor laws, and strip workers of their right to organize. To restore the American middle class, we must do more to support unions and empower workers in their right to organize." Got a tip? Contact Amanda Fries at afries@delawareonline.com. Follow her on X at @mandy_fries. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware Gov. John Carney endorses ex-housing director for Congress This article was produced for ProPublicas Local Reporting Network in partnership with the Idaho Statesman. Sign up for Dispatches to get stories like this one as soon as they are published. School districts across Idaho will soon receive hundreds of millions of dollars to help repair and replace their aging buildings, thanks to a bill that cleared its final hurdle in the Idaho Senate on Thursday. House Bill 521 will invest $1.5 billion in new funding and redirect $500 million over 10 years for school facilities across the state. But critics say it still wont be enough to address the years of neglect left from the states failure to fund school facilities. Idaho school districts have for decades struggled to fix or replace their aging, deteriorating schools and build new ones to accommodate the states rapid growth. Over the past year, the Idaho Statesman and ProPublica have reported on how Idahos restrictive policies and the states reluctance to make significant investments in school facilities have led to students learning in schools with failing heating systems, leaking roofs, discolored drinking water and overcrowded classrooms. Citing the stories, Gov. Brad Little called to make funding for school facilities priority No. 1 in his State of the State address in January. He proposed putting $2 billion toward school facilities over 10 years, or $200 million per year. Together, we delivered, Little said in a statement released on Thursday. Together, we secured the largest-ever investment in school facilities funding in state history while giving families back more of their hard-earned money with property and income tax relief. The bill, which the governor is expected to sign into law, will create a new fund that will allocate money to districts based on average daily attendance. School districts could choose to take the money in a lump sum or annually over 10 years. Senators who supported the bill said that although it wont eliminate the need for school districts to run bonds to build new schools, it marks a historic investment in school facilities and would start the process of fixing the issues school districts have faced for decades. Superintendents say bill is just the start Estimates provided to the Statesman and ProPublica last month from the governors office show West Ada, the largest district in the state, will receive about $140 million from this fund. The Salmon School District, which has been trying for more than a decade to replace its elementary school and build a new K-8 building in remote Central Idaho, will get about $2.6 million not nearly enough to construct a new school. Some legislators raised concerns that the bill doesnt fully solve the problem, favors urban districts and leaves rural districts without the funding they need. Lawmakers also said the state doesnt have a complete picture of the scope of the issue, in part because there hasnt been a statewide facilities assessment in three decades. Lets not pass a billion-dollar bill and then say we fixed facilities at the literal expense of our rural school districts, said Sen. Carrie Semmelroth, D-Boise. The bill has been largely supported by education groups and superintendents across the state, though many agree rural areas will still not get the amount they need for new schools and maintenance. There are some who seem to believe this fixes the problem, Moscow Superintendent Shawn Tiegs said in an email. It doesnt. It is just the start. Under the bill, the Moscow School District will get about $8.4 million from the newly created fund, according to estimates from the governors office. Moscow schools have faced issues with overcrowding, leaks, security, and heating and cooling. One of its elementary schools is nearly 100 years old and has a boiler from 1926. Tiegs said the Legislature should consider prioritizing older schools or poorer districts. Some superintendents believe the Legislature should give a base amount to each district to level the playing field. A series of supplemental bills introduced Thursday could change how much money school districts get from the bill. The legislation, known as trailer bills, work like amendments by altering bills later. One of the bills, which would still need to be approved by the Legislature, would require that each school district get at least $100,000 and cap the distributions at $100 million. West Ada is the only district that would be affected by the cap, according to the estimates from the governors office. The remaining money would then be redistributed to smaller districts. Education groups and lawmakers also acknowledged the bill that passed Thursday will not eliminate the need for school districts to run bond elections to replace their schools. We believe this is an important leap in making these necessary investments in our school facilities, Quinn Perry from the Idaho School Boards Association said during a legislative hearing this month. While, again, this is an important investment, it simply will not exclude the reality that most districts will still have to ask their taxpayers for financial support on new builds or even school renovation projects. Salmon Middle School was abandoned after the district asked the state to help pay for a new school but only received enough funding for a new roof and seismic reinforcements. A bill to provide $1.5 billion in new funding to repair or replace school buildings was cleared in the Senate. School facilities bill includes concessions Passing bonds has been difficult for school districts because Idaho is one of two states in the nation that requires two-thirds of voters to support a bond for it to pass. A resolution, which could start the process to lower that threshold, has not yet been debated on the House floor. The facilities bill that passed Thursday will also add about $25 million a year and redirect about $50 million a year to a fund that school districts can use to pay off their bonds and levies. School districts with remaining funds can use it for facilities projects. The bill also included a number of concessions to gain support in the heavily conservative Legislature. It will lower the states income tax rate and eliminate the August election date, one of the three remaining dates school districts can run bonds and levy elections. Republican leaders say that given the new money, there will be less need for districts to ask their communities for funding. The bill will also phase out a program that used a formula based on income and market values to give some districts money to lower their debts from school bonds. Some superintendents have also raised concerns because the bill will require school districts on a four-day week that want to receive the funding to meet a minimum number of instructional days. Dozens of Idaho districts have moved to four-day weeks to save money or attract educators, and some districts worry these new guidelines could disrupt their schedules. But bills introduced Thursday could repeal the provision or delay its implementation for a year, giving school districts more time to plan. Paul Anselmo, the superintendent of the Kamiah School District, a small, rural district in North Idaho, said even with this bill, his district likely wont get enough to make lasting improvements in its schools. Kamiah will receive about $1.5 million from the newly created fund. Kamiah schools have faced issues with security, leaks, heating and cooling, exposed wiring and holes in the walls. While we appreciate the additional funds coming into our district, the amount Kamiah would receive would allow us to continue to put band aids on our facility issues, Anselmo said in an email. A small district could have severe needs and this funding would not allow them to fully address their needs. ProPublica engagement reporter Asia Fields contributed reporting. PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) Sorrow for the family of Montia Bouie has morphed into outrage. 10 On Your Side has learned of an alleged scheme with ties across the globe that may have contributed to the party bus crash that killed the mother of two, and brothers from Virginia Beach, Jontae Russell and Xzavier Evans. First of all, they might as well play Russian roulette, said Bouies grandmother, Velma Latham Chandler. These are peoples lives they are playing with. This is real life. They are ruining peoples lives. They took mothers. They took my baby away. They took a sister, they took cousins, they took family members. The driver of the tractor-trailer that slammed into the party bus on I-64 in York County told investigators his employer altered electronic driving logs, according to a report from the National Transportation Safety Board. The report also said a company in Lithuania helped Triton Logistics alter driving logs. Latham Chandler offered her assessment of the NTSB findings. Youre on the highway with multiple cars and multiple people, Latham Chandler said. People are dying because you falsified the document. The report said Triton also allegedly inserted a real persons name to create a fake co-driver of the truck, which was loaded with beer. This great-grandmother WAVY-TV viewers to see the faces of children who may never remember the mother who was killed in a crash, which now involves an international investigation. Chandler Latham told 10 On Your Side she is confident that justice will be served. A representative for Triton Logistics said the company has no comment on the allegations in the report that it had a method for altering drivers electronic logs. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. Get out and experience Indiana's natural environment with these events around the state this weekend and beyond. From wildflowers and woodpeckers to osprey and skulls, there are plenty of opportunities for Hoosiers to learn about the state's flora and fauna as they explore Indiana's natural areas. Friday, March 22 2024 Spring Photo Contest, ongoing at Indiana State Parks: Make photographs at Indiana state parks between March 21 and April 30 and enter them into the photo contest. Individuals can submit up to three photos. For more details, head to DNRs website. Spring Wildflower Hike, 10 a.m. on Trail 5 at Charlestown State Park: Search for wildflowers on this 2-mile, slow-pace hike meets at the campground gatehouse. Hoosier Birders Hour, 12 p.m. virtual meeting on Zoom: Join Indiana Audubon Societys Executive Director Brad Bumgardner for this months fireside chat. During the one-hour event, Bumgardner will provide organizational updates, engage in lively conversations with special guests and answer your burning questions on rare sightings, backyard birding tips and more. Will stream online at: facebook.com/IndianaAudubon Music of Treefrogs, 2 p.m. at Potato Creek State Park: Learn about Indianas native tree frogs and their calls with musical instruments at the nature center. Water Quality Monitoring, 2 p.m. at Clifty Falls State Park: Meet at the parks pool for a short hike to the creek. Conduct basic water quality tests during the hour-long event. What's That Skull?, 3 p.m. at McCormick's Creek State Park: View the parks collection of specimens at the nature center and learn about the clues skulls can give scientists. A family of raccoons come out of the woods Thursday, June 30, 2022 at Fort Harrison State Park. Saturday, March 23 Cabin Fever Day, multiple events at Clifty Falls State Park: Enjoy a full day of events beginning at 8 a.m. with a 1-hour waterfall hike. Other events throughout the day include kid-friendly Easter stories, live birds of prey, a bluebird box workshop and an American woodcock sky dance. Trail Naturalist Stations, 9 a.m. at Indiana Dunes State Park: Find park naturalists and volunteers along trails who will have live props to teach participants about the Indiana Dunes habitats. Wildflower Scavenger Hunt, 9 a.m. at Mounds State Park: Participate in a hunt for different wildflowers along the trails in the park. Produce at least three photos and show them to the naturalist at the nature center. Prizes are awarded for the coolest or most unusual: wildflowers or reports of flowers from new locations in the park. Sounds of Spring, 10 a.m. at Fort Harrison State Park: Walk with a naturalist along Schoen Creek and Tree Line Trails to hear and identify the sounds of wildlife. Meets at the visitor center parking lot. Woodpeckers of Indiana, 11 a.m. at Brown County State Park: Park expert, bird enthusiast and NPR personality Don Glass will give a presentation and discussion about Indianas seven native woodpeckers. Learn about the birds behaviors, looks and some issues they face. Sunday, March 24 Slime vs. Scales, 10 a.m. at Clifty Falls State Park: Learn about native reptiles and amphibians during a 45-minute program at the parks nature center. Welcoming the Osprey Hike, 10:30 a.m. at Potato Creek State Park: Ospreys traveled thousands of miles to come back to Indiana. Learn why Worster Lake is a stopover habitat for migratory birds and why ospreys choose Potato Creek. Environmental Racism in Indy neighborhoods, Sunday, March 24, 11:45 a.m. at All Souls Unitarian Church: An Indiana University researcher will share findings about how environmental contamination plagues certain neighborhoods in the city more than others. The event is open to the public and will stream online at https://zoom.us/j/94385152883. Bird Feeder Workshop, 1 p.m. at Patoka Lake: Create a pinecone bird feeder at the parks nature center. The program costs $1 per person and all supplies are provided. Later this month Lookout Towers of Indiana presentation, Tuesday March 26, 6 p.m. at Otis Park: RSVP required by March 22. Learn about Indianas lookout towers, the history of their use and which ones still have public access. Annual Outdoor Adventure Class, Saturday, March 30, 9:30 a.m. at Holliday Park: Central Indiana Wilderness Club is hosting this class featuring a variety of topics including selecting gear, trail safety, camping, backcountry ethics and pooping in the woods. RSVP here: ciwclub.org/event-5469832 Keep Indianapolis Beautiful - Marian University tree planting, Thursday, March 28 at 11 a.m.: Register to volunteer and plant trees in collaboration with the Center for Interfaith Cooperation. Tree-planting demonstration begins at 11:05 a.m. at the latest. Must register online at kibi.org. Keep Indianapolis Beautiful - Eagledale tree planting, Saturday, March 30 at 9 a.m.: Join KIBs Community Forestry team and help plant 137 native trees in an Eagledale neighborhood. Demonstration begins no later than 9:05 a.m. Must register online at kibi.org. Karl Schneider is an IndyStar environment reporter. You can reach him at karl.schneider@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter @karlstartswithk IndyStar's environmental reporting project is made possible through the generous support of the nonprofit Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Explore Indiana outdoors and environment this weekend with these events On Wednesday evening, as Kyle Rittenhouse prepared to speak at the UC Theatre at the University of Memphis, roughly 200 people gathered outside to protest his appearance. In August 2020, a 17-year-old Rittenhouse shot and killed two demonstrators in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and injured a third, who had been protesting the shooting of a Black man by a white police officer. He claimed self-defense and was acquitted of criminal accusations in fall 2021, but became a divisive figure across the country. And many U of M students and community members were furious he was speaking at the university. One protester held up a sign that said, Put Rittenhouse behind bars not a podium, while anothers display said, Murderers dont belong here. A third sign said, Face of a Weenie, next to photos of Rittenhouse, and a fourth said, No one should be open to: Racism, Christo-Fascism, Murderous Little Shits. As the crowd grew, a group walked up holding signs and chanting, No Justice, no peace. They continued their chants periodically, and someone banged along on a trash can like it was a drum. Watch: Kyle Rittenhouse storm out of University of Memphis event amid questions The protesters congregated near the entrance to the UC Theatre part of the University Center which was blocked off by several campus police vehicles and metal fencing, and guarded by both campus police and state troopers. A line of people attending the event began to form shortly after 6 p.m., behind the fencing. University of Memphis students gathered on campus to protest the appearance of Kyle Rittenhouse speaking on the lies of Black Lives Matter and the second amendment at the Memphis chapter Turning Point USAs event at the campus on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 in Memphis, Tenn. The event started around 7 p.m., but the protesters continued to stand out and chant, even after the doors were closed. As the sun began to set and the air cooled, a saxophonist and drummer started performing. How we got here In the days leading up to Kyle Rittenhouses talk at the University of Memphis on Mar. 20, the institution was inundated with complaints from students, alumni, and community members who were furious he had been invited to speak. University of Memphis students gathered on campus to protest the appearance of Kyle Rittenhouse speaking on the lies of Black Lives Matter and the second amendment at the Memphis chapter Turning Point USAs event at the campus on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 in Memphis, Tenn. U of M wasnt sponsoring the event; it had been arranged by the student chapter of the conservative nonprofit Turning Point USA. The school also maintained that it was legally required to let Rittenhouse talk, per the First Amendment and Tennessees Campus Free Speech Act. But this didnt assuage people who were upset, and in response to concerns, U of M released a statement earlier this month, reiterating that it was following the law. It asserted that the expression of different ideas and opinions plays an important role in maintaining a diverse campus environment that is open and inclusive. And it encouraged people to remain peaceful and respectful, however they may feel about Rittenhouses appearance. University of Memphis students gathered on campus to protest the appearance of Kyle Rittenhouse speaking on the lies of Black Lives Matter and the second amendment at the Memphis chapter Turning Point USAs event at the campus on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 in Memphis, Tenn. It is essential that these discussions take place while maintaining a safe environment on our campus, U of M said, in the statement. Speech that includes threats, harassment, or attempts to incite violence is not protected under the First Amendment and is strongly prohibited by the university. The university also noted that campus police services had a comprehensive plan to address potential safety concerns related to the event and that it was working with local law enforcement and providing additional security staffing before, during, and after it ended. Why people showed up On Wednesday night, The Commercial Appeal asked several demonstrators what had spurred them to come protest. Alexis Kershaw, a U of M senior, said, Im Black, so I feel like that was really enough, then added that she was a part of organizations that had been discussing peacefully protesting, like the Black Student Association. University of Memphis students Jack, far left, Olivia Malone, left, Kiya Wang, right, Danny Hundston, far right, hold signs as they gathered on campus to protest the appearance of Kyle Rittenhouse speaking on the lies of Black Lives Matter and the second amendment at the Memphis chapter Turning Point USAs event at the campus on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 in Memphis, Tenn. Emily Estrada, a U of M freshman who was there with Memphis Wesley a campus ministry associated with the United Methodist Church felt that what Rittenhouse did wasnt right. There are people who have gone to jail for far less worse crimes, she said. Also there with Memphis Wesley was Tondala Hayward, the groups pastor, who explained that it was important for the ministry to be there because it was focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion. But while most of the crowd seemed to be protesting the Rittenhouse event, there were people there who appeared to support him or at least werent staunchly opposed to the event. And there were some who had acquired tickets for his talk well in advance, only to be denied entrance on Wednesday night. A University of Memphis police directs students to back up as they gathered on campus to protest the appearance of Kyle Rittenhouse speaking on the lies of Black Lives Matter and the second amendment at the Memphis chapter Turning Point USAs event at the campus on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 in Memphis, Tenn. The morning of the event, U of M had announced that people would have to re-register for tickets and that the ones they had previously gotten were invalid. Charles Thompson said he hadnt been informed of the need to receive a new ticket and was frustrated. He had initially gotten a ticket two weeks ago. Now theyre telling us we cant get in, he said. It was obviously a tactic to dissuade supporters of free speech and the second amendment from showing up and showing their support. Like Thompson, Ronald Cortez Herd II had gotten a ticket in advance, about eight days ago, but was not able to enter. I think its weird that we say we love freedom of expression and freedom of speech, but we dont really practice what we preach as a country, he said. Im not a fan [of Kyle Rittenhouse], but Im also not a hater either. I dont have any type of ill will towards the man. He went through the legal process. Its not about if hes innocent or guilty. The burden of proof was not met by the prosecution, so they had to let him go. A University of Memphis police officer stands on a balcony as students gathered on campus to protest the appearance of Kyle Rittenhouse speaking on the lies of Black Lives Matter and the second amendment at the Memphis chapter Turning Point USAs event at the campus on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 in Memphis, Tenn. On Twitter, formerly known as X, photos surfaced of flyers that said a 9MM beats 911 every time, which people said were being passed out inside the event. A video on X showed demonstrators who had gotten tickets to the event booing, shouting at, and questioning Rittenhouse. Another X video showed some protesters running towards and shouting at people leaving the event after it was over. Who is Kyle Rittenhouse? Prior to 2020, Rittenhouse was a relatively unknown teenager. But that August, protests in Kenosha erupted after Jacob Blake, a Black resident in Kenosha, Wisconsin, was shot and seriously wounded by a white police officer named Rusten Sheskey. As The New York Times reported, hundreds of demonstrators marched through the citys downtown area, calling for Sheskeys arrest, and dozens of people in the crowd set fire to cars, looted and burned buildings, and knocked down streetlamps. Wisconsins governor, Tony Evers, sent members of the National Guard in to assist Kenoshas police officers. On Aug. 25, 2020, the third day of protests, Rittenhouse arrived in Kenosha, with a semiautomatic rifle that was purchased for him by a friend, as he was too young to buy it legally. Rittenhouse had come from Illinois to get to Kenosha, alleging he was there to protect local businesses and serve as a medic. Memphis Wesley, led by Pastor Tondala Hayward, second from left, gathered with other University of Memphis students gathered on campus to protest the appearance of Kyle Rittenhouse speaking on the lies of Black Lives Matter and the second amendment at the Memphis chapter Turning Point USAs event at the campus on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 in Memphis, Tenn. Per The New York Times, Rittenhouse was at one point chased into a used car lot by one of the protesters, Joseph Rosenbaum, who had no weapon. Rittenhouse fatally shot him and ran away, towards armored vehicles of police officers and National Guardsmen. Several members of the crowd pursued him, and he shot two of them, killing Anthony Huber and wounding Gaige Grosskreutz, who was holding a pistol. Rittenhouse was charged with five felony counts, including two counts of first-degree intentional homicide. During the trial in November 2021, Rittenhouse claimed that he feared for his life and acted in self-defense, and after about 26 hours of deliberation, the jury seemed to agree with him. In a controversial ruling, Rittenhouse was found not guilty of homicide or the other charges. This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Kyle Rittenhouse event at University of Memphis draws large protest The U.S. is taking its toughest position yet regarding Gaza as it pushes for a vote Friday on a U.N. Security Council resolution calling for "an immediate and sustained cease-fire'' in the Israel-Hamas war without tying it to the release of hostages. The resolution is in keeping with the Biden administration's rift with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has insisted on the need to bring a military offensive into the overcrowded southern Gaza city of Rafah. The U.S. and humanitarian organizations have warned that could be catastrophic for the estimated 1.4 million people sheltering there. A new draft resolution obtained Thursday by The Associated Press refers to the "imperative'' of a truce to protect civilians and allow for the flow of humanitarian aid to a territory of 2.3 million Palestinians grappling with severe food shortages. In the past, the U.S. conditioned a cease-fire request on the release of captives held in Gaza, but the new language merely supports diplomatic efforts to that end. Earlier Thursday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in Cairo that "gaps are narrowing" between Israel and Hamas on a deal for an extended truce, and that an "agreement is very much possible, although obstacles remain. He also warned an Israeli invasion of Rafah would be a "mistake.'' As a possible sign of progress in cease-fire talks, Netanyahu's office said David Barnea, head of the Mossad spy agency, will head back to Qatar on Friday to resume negotiations mediated among others by CIA chief William Burns. After convening Thursday with leaders of Middle East countries to talk about the war, regional stability and the future of Gaza, Blinken planned to visit Tel Aviv on Friday to meet with Netanyahu and his War Cabinet. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said Blinken will discuss "the need to ensure the defeat of Hamas, including in Rafah, in a way that protects the civilian population, does not hinder the delivery of humanitarian assistance, and advances Israels overall security. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, center, attends a meeting with Egyptian officials in Cairo on March 21, 2024. Developments: Alternate efforts to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza are welcome, but only the expansion of land crossings into Gaza can help prevent famine in the densely populated Palestinian enclave, World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Thursday. The Israeli military said it killed five Hamas senior officials in Rafah over the past week, aided by the Israel Security Agency and Military Intelligence. In briefing his Cabinet this week on his discussions with President Joe Biden, Netanyahu used the word "argument" for the first time, Israeli media reported. The hot topic was Israel's planned offensive into the southern Gaza city of Rafah, a plan adamantly opposed by the Biden administration and much of the world. After a severe equipment shortage at the beginning of the war, Israeli reservists do not trust the army to outfit them in the next escalation and are taking tactical uniforms, combat vests and weapons home with them, Israel's Walla news reports. Netanyahu speaks to GOP lawmakers: Prime minister vows to continue war in Gaza, criticizes Democratic leader US spending bill extends pause on UNRWA funding for a year The U.S. suspension in funding for UNRWA, the embattled United Nations agency for Palestinian relief, will be extended at least through March 2025 as part of the spending bill congressional negotiators agreed to Thursday. In January, the Biden administration had paused the funding the largest donation of any country, at around $300-$400 million a year after Israel said at least 12 of UNRWA's 13,000 employees participated in the Hamas-led attacks of Oct. 7. Republicans pushed for an extension of the ban and achieved it over objections from opponents who said UNRWA's ability to dispense humanitarian aid is irreplaceable, particularly at a time when so much of Gaza is confronting an acute hunger crisis. "UNRWA is the primary means of distributing desperately-needed assistance in Gaza so denying funding for UNRWA is tantamount to denying food to starving people and restricting medical supplies to injured civilians," Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland said in a statement. Latest postwar Gaza proposal could start with Rafah aid A Wall Street Journal report Thursday detailed an Israeli plan that would provide Palestinian leaders and businessmen with no ties to Hamas key roles distributing aid in Gaza before installing them into a Palestinian-led governing authority. The report said an unnamed top Israeli defense official held talks with Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan to build momentum for the plan, which drew a fierce backlash from Hamas while reportedly creating divisions in Israels War Cabinet. Major hurdles include lack of support so far from Netanyahu as well as Hamas, the Journal said. The proposed aid network would serve as a crucial element of Israels plan to evacuate noncombatants from Rafah ahead of the planned military offensive. The aid network would distribute food to up to a million people in displacement camps that Israel hopes will be built for those evacuating Rafah, the Journal said. US aiming to beat May 1 target for Gaza aid pier The temporary pier the U.S. plans to build to bring humanitarian aid from ships into Gaza may be ready before May 1, an American official said Thursday. "The U.S. military is doing everything they can to accelerate the deployment of this capability, to make it operational prior to the May 1 target date that they've set," Curtis Ried, chief of staff of the National Security Council, told reporters in Cyprus. Though it's much more efficient to transport food, water and other necessities into war-ravaged Gaza by land, Israeli restrictions and other impediments have limited how much assistance is getting to a territory where half the population is facing what the U.N. deems as "catastrophic'' levels of hunger. Concerns about famine are especially high in the battered northern Gaza. World Central Kitchen, the charity founded by celebrity chef Jose Andres, recently built a makeshift jetty from rubble in central Gaza, allowing its first shipment with 200 tons of food supplies to be carried into the enclave last week. The U.S. pier to be built by more than 1,000 troops is expected to have the capacity to accommodate larger ships with bigger loads. The Pentagon said March 8 that construction could take up to 60 days, but that timeframe may be shortened. "They are working very hard to advance that,'' Ried said. Most Palestinians want Hamas in charge when war ends More than 70% of Palestinians supportHamas decision to launch the Oct. 7 offensive into Israel that started the war, and 59% of them want Hamas to control the Gaza Strip when the war is over, according to a new survey by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research. Only 27% of Palestinians would prefer control by any version of the Palestinian Authority, a plan backed by the Biden administration. However, support for Hamas is dropping. When asked which political party or political trend they support, the largest percentage selected Hamas (34%), followed by Fatah (17%). Three months ago, 43% supported Hamas and 17% selected Fatah, the controlling party of the Palestinian Authority. Six months ago, before the war, support for Hamas stood at 22% and support for Fatah at 26%. The survey showed 94% of Palestinians believe Israel has committed war crimes during the current war while just 5% believe Hamas has done so. Only 44% of Gazans say they have enough food for a day or two and 55% say they do not. The survey of 1,580 adults included 830 interviewed in the West Bank, 750 in Gaza. It did not include Palestinians living in the most most besieged areas of northern Gaza. 35% of Gaza buildings damaged in war At least 35% of all buildings in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed since Israel's counterattack began hours after the Hamas attack Oct. 7, according to a United Nations Satellite Center assessment. The center said of the 88,868 damaged structures, 31,198 were destroyed. This analysis, based on very high-resolution satellite imagery collected Feb. 29, reveals a "significant increase" in destruction compared to previous assessments, including the one in early January. The governorates of Khan Younis and Gaza City have experienced the most significant rise in damage: Khan Younis has seen 12,279 additional damaged structures and Gaza City has experienced 2,010. Khan Younis has been hit particularly hard: 6,663 new structures have been destroyed. The update provides an estimate of 121,400 housing units impacted by the destruction in the Gaza Strip. Contributing: Reuters This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Israeli war updates: US pushes cease-fire resolution at UN Hey Subscribers, Before I get into the heart of this weeks topic, Id like to share a bit about well, me. You see. Ive been dethroned so to speak. I love space. I was born just days after the Apollo 11 mission returned from the Moon. I wore out the pages of my dads July 1981 edition of National Geographic that featured Voyagers images of Saturn. And even now, there are likely a dozen reels waiting for me on Instagram to discuss black holes, neutron stars and the vast distance between us and anything else. It also means Im a huge sci-fi nerd. Even as Im typing this, Im rewatching episodes of Star Trek: Voyager. For a long time, I thought I was truly FLORIDA TODAYs biggest space geek. But Enter Brooke Edwards. Brooke, the newest member of our team, joins Rick Neale on our stalwart Space Team. As someone who actually served as an analog astronaut, Brooke brings a unique perspective on NASA, space and the reasons why were pushing the boundaries of where humans can go, live, work and thrive. What the heck is an analog astronaut? Yeah, I thought the same question. Before Brooke joined us, she got the unique experience of being an analog astronaut with HI-SEAS (The Hawaii Space Exploration Analog and Simulation) in February 2021 where she served as her missions science communications officer. Brooke spent two weeks living in a habitat, 8,000 feet above sea level on Hawaiis Mauna Loa volcano, one of the closest places to Mars you can be on our planet. The desolate environment where little life exists is the perfect spot to give the analog astronauts the feeling of being on the moon, Mars or some other place. The simulation mission was lunar based, meaning for the two weeks she was confined to the habitiat, she had to live, work and play as if she was on the lunar surface. If one of the six crew left the enclosure without going through the simulated airlock and depressurization, the mission would end. A good test for actual astronauts as such an event could kill the entire crew. Of the experiments conducted over the course of Brooke's mission, several looked at astronaut mental health. As humans continue to venture farther into space, theres a need to determine the effects of isolation on the human mind. Brooke says that private analogs like HI-SEAS, as well as NASA analogs, are seeking to understand and find answers before humanity attempts to send crewed explorers to Mars and beyond. Her story fascinated me and I wanted to know more and share that information with you. Question: What excites you the most about covering space and about being part of the FLORIDA TODAY Space Team? Brooke: Since I was a young girl my two greatest passions have been space exploration and storytelling. If I wasnt looking up at the night sky or reading on space, I was writing stories. What excites me most is the fact that I can wake up every day and work on those passions. Growing up in Philadelphia, I never thought I would be involved in space or even see a launch in person. Now here I am writing about space on the Space Coast and watching history unfold. Q: What area of space is your favorite? Mine is our solar system, particularly Jupiter's moon Europa (thanks Arthur C. Clarke). Brooke: I would have to say Earths Moon. It is the only celestial body to be explored by humans (so far) and is responsible for Earths tides and stable axis. The view of the Moons craters through a telescope also never fails to disappoint. Q: What are the challenges you've faced on the job so far? Brooke: Every publication has their own style. The hardest part for me is remembering Gannetts style and attending to all the details in Presto, FLORIDA TODAYs content management system. The only other challenge is trying to navigate without the use of GPS, as I moved to Florida from Michigan. Q: How long have you been a journalist? Where did you go to school? Where are you from? (The basic stuff) Brooke: I have been writing articles since I was in my undergraduate years at Holy Family University in Northeast Philadelphia, where I grew up. Having a basic interest in writing, community news, and storytelling, I joined the university newspaper. Little did I know, I would find myself enjoying it and even gain a following. I was a reporter until I graduated with my degree in science education. In 2018, I decided to jump into writing about space exploration as a hobby. This decision changed everything. Starting in 2019, I wrote about space for Freshwater Reporter a small monthly newspaper in Manistee, MI. In 2023, I became a freelance local reporter with Manistee News Advocate the towns main newspaper. Q: What's your favorite way to decompress after a tough day on the beat? Brooke: After a long day, I like to go for a walk or find a dark sky for single-shot astrophotography. Q: Any pets? if so, type and name? Brooke: Yes, I have my active, orange and purple, crowntail betta fish. I fittingly named him Prince Peach Peach. Fun fact: He ended up competing in a pet showcase I was covering for Manistee News Advocate, and we were interviewed by the newspaper from the neighboring county. If you have questions about space or upcoming missions, or if you just want to say hello, you can reach Brooke at bedwards@floridatoday.com Normally I would end with "you can reach me at rlanders@floridatoday.com. Or you can find me on Instagram, TikTok or YouTube (just click the name, the internet will do the rest)," but this week I'm letting you know we'll be on hiatus next week (vacation and the high seas are calling). Look for the next newsletter on April 5th. As always, thank you again for subscribing to FLORIDA TODAY and for supporting the work of local journalists like Brooke. Rob Landers Sr. Multimedia Editor FLORIDA TODAY This article originally appeared on Florida Today: I've been dethroned as FLORIDA TODAY's biggest space geek Reality Check is a Star series holding those in power to account and shining a light on their decisions. Have a suggestion for a future story? Email our journalists at RealityCheck@kcstar.com. After reviewing a shooting where a police officer killed an unarmed woman and injured a teenager in 2023, a Kansas City Police Department panel made no policy or training recommendations. The officer is still employed and patrolling. In total, officer Blayne Newton has fatally shot three people and injured a fourth. He has also been accused of placing his knee into the back of a pregnant woman, beating and using a Taser on a teenager, and assaulting a woman while working off-duty. The shooting the department reviewed happened last summer. The Star reviewed dashboard and body camera footage last week. On June 9, Newton was driving near East 31st Street and Van Brunt Boulevard when he saw a disturbance between two vehicles. A person on the drivers side of a truck pointed a firearm out the window toward a white van and then drove off. Dashboard camera footage showed Newton, who had been behind the truck, pulled up to the passengers side of the white van and immediately opened fire. The van rolled through the intersection before coming to a stop. The passenger in the front seat, Marcell Nelson, 42, who was armed, died, according to John Picerno, an attorney involved in the case. The driver, Kristen Fairchild, 42, was not armed, Picerno said. She also died. Newton fired 15 times, according to Picerno. A teenager in the backseat was also struck. Two other juveniles in the backseat were not hit. Recordings from other officers called the scene a shitshow. Another said, You cant make this up. Department reviews use of force KCPDs Notable Event Review Panel, or NERP, reviews officers actions and can issue policy or training recommendations for the department. It also weighs if the officer should be allowed to return to duty. It is one way that, in theory, police leaders make formal judgments on officers use of force. After reviewing Newtons most recent shooting, the group made no training or policy recommendations, according to records obtained by The Star on Wednesday. There could be instances where an officers past actions could be part of an internal investigation, or a criminal investigation, both of those things took place in this case as well, but this notable event review panel in particular is not an investigation in those terms, said Capt. Jake Becchina, a spokesman for the police department. Its not generally productive to make any recommendations about policy updates or training changes based on things outside the particular incident being reviewed. Picerno said it was shocking to think that killing unarmed people is justifiable under their current policy. Its more sad than anything else. Information on internal investigations is a closed record. The Missouri State Highway Patrol investigated the shooting and forwarded reports to the Jackson County Prosecutors Office, said Sgt. Andy Bell, a spokesman for the highway patrol. Mike Mansur, a spokesman for the prosecutors office, said the case remains under review. The NERP has not made any policy recommendations in the past 69 use of force incidents it has reviewed dating back to June 2014. The panel has issued nine training recommendations, with the most recent relating to a December 23, 2019, shooting. History of force Newton, who has been with KCPD since January 2017, has shot and killed another person who was unarmed. In March 2020, Newton was patrolling near 51st Street and Prospect Avenue when he began following a man driving a Chevy Tahoe. The driver, later identified as Donnie Sanders, pulled over near the end of an alley and ran as Newton got out of his patrol car and began chasing him. Dashboard camera footage did not record a view of the two men, though Newton was heard yelling commands at Sanders to stop and show his hands. Newton fired five times, striking Sanders three times. Sanders, 47, died at a hospital the next morning. A day later, the police department said Sanders was not carrying a weapon. Prosecutors said they did not have sufficient evidence to file criminal charges against Newton. Seven months after Sanders shooting, Newton was captured on video as he put his knee on a womans back with her belly on the ground. The woman, Deja Stallings, was nine months pregnant at the time. In March 2022, the police department paid $325,000 as part of a legal settlement involving a Kansas City teenager who was punched more than 10 times and shocked with a Taser by three KCPD officers. Newton was one of the three. Last month, Newton was named in a lawsuit claiming he grabbed and twisted a womans arms and placed the heel of his boot on her foot and grinded it down. The Office of Community Complaints sustained the womans allegations of excessive force. Newton is assigned to the patrol bureau, Becchina said Wednesday. COLUMBUS Christine Cockley isn't satisfied. Cockley, 28, topped a field of six other candidates to secure the Democratic nomination for Ohio's 6th District in Tuesday's primary. Cockley collected 31.8% of the votes, an impressive total considering there were seven people in the field. Her closest challenger received 18.3% of the ballots cast. Christine Cockley A 2014 graduate of Lexington High School, Cockley sent out a message to her supporters. "We did it, team," she wrote. "We met with neighbors and canvassed the district, and our community selected me as the Democratic nomination for Ohio House District 6. But the work doesn't stop here." Cockley referenced the work ahead. "If we want an Ohio that is more fair, just and free, we need to win in November," she wrote. "Not just in House District 6 but in every competitive district across Ohio. "We need to pass a fair redistricting ballot initiative. We need to vote to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour. We need to ensure that reproductive rights stay protected in Ohio." Cockley's parents are lawyers Cockley's parents are local lawyer Mark Cockley and Heather Cockley, former domestic relations judge for Richland County and current Mansfield assistant law director. Christine Cockley says she is committed to public service. She graduated from Ohio State in 2018, majoring in public affairs with a specialization in nonprofits. She also holds a master's degree in public administration from the John Glenn College of Public Affairs. Cockley works as an executive assistant to the president and CEO at a Columbus-area YWCA. Her mother, who was the first female judge in the history of Richland County, did not have to provide any guidance on running a campaign. "I haven't given her as much advice as she's been through it with me," Heather Cockley said. Her daughter's campaign received a major boost when she recently appeared on MSNBC's "The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell." Cockley appeared alongside David Hogg, who rose to prominence during the 2018 U.S. gun violence protests as a student survivor of the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, helping lead several high-profile protests, marches and boycotts. Hogg co-founded a group called Leaders We Deserve, a grassroots organization dedicated to electing young progressives to Congress and state legislatures across the country. Cockley is one of about 30 such candidates he supports. The segment on "The Last Word" was dedicated to young candidates and why they are running for office. mcaudill@gannett.com 419-521-7219 X: @MarkCau32059251 This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Lexington High School grad Cockley wins primary, seeks Statehouse seat WASHINGTON It looks like its over for Adeel Mangi, President Joe Bidens court pick. Two Democrats say theyll oppose his nomination, making the math next to impossible for Mangi to get confirmed given Democrats razor-thin majority in the Senate. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) announced her opposition Tuesday, and an aide to Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) confirmed to HuffPost on Thursday that hes a no vote. Mangi, a 23-year civil litigator with a unanimously well-qualified rating by the American Bar Association, was on track to become the nations first Muslim U.S. appeals court judge. But now, his nomination to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit appears to be going down because of an ugly and baseless smear campaign aimed at casting Mangi as an antisemitic terrorist sympathizer. GOP senators and dark money groups, including Judicial Crisis Network, have spent months spreading lies and distortions about Mangis record and character. During his December confirmation hearing, Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) were appalling in their treatment of Mangi. They berated him and repeatedly distorted his record. They demanded that he share his personal views on the 9/11 terrorist attacks, last years Oct. 7 attack against Israel, and the Israel-Hamas conflict. Mangi repeatedly disavowed all forms of terrorism. Their treatment of Mangi was so offensive that the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the nations largest Muslim civil rights organization, publicly denounced them afterward. So did the Anti-Defamation League, the leading national group focused on combating antisemitism. And so did more than a dozen prominent Jewish groups. That didnt stop Judicial Crisis Network last month from running two ads accusing Mangi of being a radical and an antisemite, and of working with a group to teach students to hate Israel, to hate America and to support global terrorism. The ads even used video footage of the second plane crashing into the World Trade Center in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, overlaid with a misleading headline about Mangi. Not one of those claims was true, and Mangi had nothing to do with the 9/11 attacks. Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) appear to have tanked President Joe Biden's judicial nominee Adeel Mangi. Associated Press Republicans have recently been pivoting to a new line of attack, now accusing Mangi of being anti-law enforcement. Such claims are also false, absurd and even hypocritical. But they appear to have worked on Cortez Masto. Manchin, meanwhile, says hell no longer support any judicial nominee who doesnt have support from at least one GOP senator. Some Democrats are still defending Mangi. On Thursday, Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) went to the chamber floor to call out Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who had spoken moments earlier and parroted some of the baseless and ugly attacks on Mangi. To have a man characterized as antisemitic on the floor of the United States Senate is a gross miscarriage of justice in this case, Durbin said, speaking softly and shaking his head. This gentleman could not have been more explicit in his statements against terrorism, against what happened in Israel on Oct. 7, and the fact that he is coming before this body with no prejudice whatsoever toward the Jewish people, he said. Im sorry that this was said on the floor of the Senate this morning. I hope that the person who did it will have second thoughts about whether or not that was appropriate. The White House isnt throwing in the towel on Mangi yet. Its possible, if very unlikely, that Democrats could find a GOP senator willing to support Mangi, which could give him the votes to squeak through to confirmation. If they could find one such Republican, it would probably be either Sen. Susan Collins of Maine or Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. Both of them have voted with Democrats to confirm a number of Bidens court picks. Murkowski told HuffPost on Wednesday that she didnt know anything about Mangi. Collins told HuffPost on Thursday that she has concerns about him, but didnt elaborate. President Biden is proud to have nominated Adeel Mangi, whose extraordinary qualifications and integrity are gaining him new backing each day, White House spokesperson Andrew Bates said in a statement. He cited Mangis recent endorsements from seven law enforcement groups and a Republican former U.S. appeals court judge. Mr. Mangi, who has lived the American Dream and proven his integrity, is being targeted by a malicious and debunked smear campaign solely because he would make history as the first Muslim to serve as a federal appellate judge, Bates said. Senate Democrats should side with the qualities that makes America exceptional which Mr. Mangi embodies not the hateful forces trying to force America into the past. Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), who recommended Mangi to the White House for this court seat, did not respond to a request for comment. Igor Bobic contributed reporting. Two children were among multiple witnesses who watched their father pull a gun and kill their mom in the street, and the very public tragedy only worsened when he later shot himself, Florida investigators say. The siblings were spared witnessing that, when he had the foresight to pull over and hand them over to firefighters, the Cape Coral Police Department reports. Cape Coral is a 130-mile drive south of Tampa. Identities of the couple and the ages of their children have not been released. Police learned of the first shooting around 9:20 a.m. Wednesday, March 20, when multiple 911 callers reported seeing a body in the 1700 block of Southeast 12th Street, according to a news release. Callers .... believed it was the victims ex-boyfriend who shot the female victim while he was picking up their children in common, police said. They were exchanging children, officials said. She went back into the house to grab something. She came out. ... From there, he shot her and drove off with the kids. ... There were multiple, different callers that actually saw it happen. The suspect passed a group of firefighters not long after, and he stopped to hand over his children, telling the firefighters he wanted to kill himself, officials said. He then drove down a nearby street, where he was confronted by one of our officers. During the exchange with our officer, the suspect shot himself, and his vehicle rolled into a canal, police said. He died at the scene. The woman, who was in her mid 30s, was rushed to a hospital and pronounced dead, officials said. Relatives of the two children live across the street from the crime scene, and they have taken in the two children, officials said. Details of a motive have not been released, and the case remains under investigation, officials said. Armed bingo hall patrons catch man who shot at women in parking lot, Florida cops say Videos of women undressing at Florida gym appear on porn site, cops say. Man arrested Dad grabs pistol and joins deputys gunfight with suspect in yard, Florida cops say TechCrunch Amazon, Microsoft and Google have relaxed their egress fees, which are a tax of sorts that the cloud companies charge customers to move their data to another vendor. Its a way to keep existing customers in the fold, but its kind of a ham-handed way to do it, and doesnt exactly foster goodwill. For example, there are limits to the kind of data you can move, and each requires you to contact the vendor and open a request to get your own data out of the cloud. An actor who made appearances on NCIS, The Rookie, and Devils Night was indicted Thursday on misdemeanor charges stemming from him entering the U.S. Capitol through a broken window on Jan. 6, 2021. Nolan Freeman, of Nevada, is accused of entering the Capitol around 2:23 p.m., at the height of the riot, and leaving 28 minutes later. His indictment didnt detail specific actions he made inside the building, but noted he wore a red hoodie, a black jacket, and a red hat. His indictment, first reported by Politico, included seven photos that allegedly showed Freeman inside and around the Capitol, surrounded by supporters of Donald Trump. Those images were taken from security footage and a YouTube video that was posted with a title that promised to give viewers an EXTREMELY close up view of the riot, prosecutors said. Freeman stands accused of charges faced by nearly ever suspect arrested in connection to the riotobstruction of an official proceeding, and knowingly entering or remaining in the grounds of a government building without lawful authority to do so. He has also been accused of using loud, threatening, or abusive language to disrupt the orderly conduct of a session of Congress. Conservative Influencer Accused of Swiping Table Used to Attack Cops on Jan. 6 The FBI said it first received a tip about Freemans alleged presence at the Capitol on Dec. 2, 2022, with someone reporting him to its Reno, Nevada, field office. In listing evidence against Freeman, prosecutors cited the photos of him at the scene, as well as phone records that showed his cell phone was located inside the Capitol on the afternoon of the riot. It also cited flight records, which prosecutors claim showed that Freeman flew from Sacramento, California, to Washington and back between Jan. 4 and Jan. 8, 2021, on American Airlines. The FBI said it contacted Freeman to conduct an interview on June 27, 2023. He allegedly confirmed his phone number, but asked to speak with a lawyer when he was asked where he was on Jan. 6, 2021, prosecutors said. Freeman last appeared on screen in NCIS, playing Willie on the opening episode of its 17th season in 2019. His first performance came in 2010, when he featured in the short film Face to Face. 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. Developed on speculation, a Palm Beach house nearing completion in the ocean block of Seaspray Avenue has just sold privately for a recorded $12 million. H. James A. Atwood bought the Midtown house at 164 Seaspray Avenue as trustee of a revocable trust in his name, according to the deed recorded March 20. His mailing address, the document shows, is a Massachusetts home in Boxborough, a suburb of Boston. Atwood is a senior managing director and wealth manager with JPMorgan Chase in Boston and has a vacation condominium he co-owns with his wife, Kristen, in Gulf Stream south of Palm Beach, online and public records show. He was formerly with First Republic Bank, which failed last year and was sold to JPMorgan Chase. The house that just sold on Seaspray Avenue was developed by businessman and entrepreneur Hayati Banastey, who shares a condominium across town with his wife, Idil, in the Palm Beach Towers complex on Cocoanut Row. A rendering shows a late version of a house designed for a lot at 164 Seaspray Ave. in Palm Beach. Now finishing up construction, the house was developed on speculation by Palm Beach resident Hayati Banastey and just sold privately for a recorded $12 million. Banastey founded and is CEO and creative director of online retailer JCHS New York, which designs and manufactures casual apparel and outerwear for men and women. The companys business address is in downtown West Palm Beach. Banastey sold the house on Seaspray Avenue through a Florida limited liability company named Project Palm Beach, the deed shows. He bought the property for $4 million in August 2021, according to courthouse records. The two-story house has 2,979 square feet of living space, inside and out, property records show. The lot measuring a little more than a tenth of an acre is the third one east of South County Road. In the final stages of construction at 164 Seaspray Ave. in Palm Beach, a four-bedroom house developed on speculation by Palm Beach resident Hayati Banastey has just sold privately for a recorded $12 million. The shingle-style house stands on one of Palm Beachs famous Sea streets, which are among the oldest platted roads in town. Like its neighbors Seaview and Seabreeze avenues, Seaspray Avenue is home to many older homes and landmarked houses. The neighborhood is about a block north of Royal Palm Way. Broker Simon Isaacs of Simon Isaacs Real Estate acted on Banasteys behalf in the sale. Agents Ann Summers and Colt Robinson of Brown Harris Stevens represented Atwood. The agents declined to comment about the transaction. Their clients could not immediately be reached for comment. The house was designed to complement older homes in the neighborhood, Palm Beach architect Patrick Segraves told the Architectural Commission when the design was under review in 2022. With flared sides on the second floor, the houses exterior walls and roof are completely covered in wood shingles, accented by simple double-hung windows with white frames. Because the lot is so narrow, the most logical design solution was to put the front door on the side of the house, facing east, Segraves told the architecture board. Although the design underwent repeated revisions during its multi-month review, the architecture board voted unanimously in May 2022 to approve it with minimal conditions. Its a design we dont often see, and up by the beach, I think it works well, former Architectural Commissioner John David Corey said at the time of the houses approval. The house replaced a 1920s-era, three-bedroom cottage on the lot. The new home was designed to take advantage of a new zoning-relief program adopted for the Sea streets, where many of the lots are extremely narrow. Officials created the program to help protect the residential character of the neighborhood. Under the program, residences that meet certain conditions can be built within the same footprint of the house that previously stood on the site. As a result, their owners must no longer seek zoning-code variances related to the houses setbacks the distance from the house to the street, for example, or to the sides of the lot. The zoning relief also relaxes the rules about much land a house can occupy on the property. Sciame Homes is the contractor for the house on Seaspray Avenue, building records show. In the 2021 off-market sale when Banastey bought the property, Isaacs represented him and the seller, Joan F. de Bie, who sold it through a revocable trust in her name. * This is a developing story. Check back for any updates. * Darrell Hofheinz is a USA TODAY Network of Florida journalist who writes about Palm Beach real estate in his weekly Beyond the Hedges column. He welcomes tips about real estate news on the island. Email dhofheinz@pbdailynews.com, call 561-820-3831 or tweet @PBDN_Hofheinz. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Nearly finished 'spec' house on historic Palm Beach street brings $12M One of Nigeria's most popular actresses has been arrested for allegedly trying to bribe a police officer in Kano state. Police say Amal Umar gave an officer 250,000 naira (137; $175) to have her impounded car released. Her lawyer Adama Usman says she denies the charges, saying it was a police officer who first asked for money. She has appeared in hundreds of movies over the past decade and is also well known in neighbouring countries. Amal, as she is known by fans of Kano's film industry, Kannywood, has millions of followers on social media. According to the police, Amal's car was seized over a year ago on suspicion it had been purchased using proceeds of fraud allegedly committed by her boyfriend. "She gave our officer 250,000 [naira] with a promise to bring more money," Kano police spokesman Bashir Muhammad told the BBC. Amal's lawyer Mrs Usman told the BBC they would continue to fight the case in court as she thinks the Fuska Biyu star was coerced. "This is simply a case of abuse of her rights. We won the initial case in court where they were trying to link her with her boyfriend's activities which she has no hands in," the lawyer told the BBC. "But the police are yet to obey court orders four months in by still holding on to her car. "On this case of attempted bribery they are claiming, we are going to pursue it to the end because she was called to come and collect her car only for things to change," the lawyer said. Amal, 24, has been freed on bail. Police say Amal's boyfriend Ramadan Inuwa is wanted on charges of obtaining money by false pretences and is still at large. He has not commented on the accusations. You may also be interested in: I visited five of Kenya's best safari parks to see some of Africa's most famous animals in the wild. There were many aspects of the safari that surprised me despite the research I did before my trip. I was surprised by many things, including how long I spent sitting in safari cars. Seeing some of Africa's most famous animals in the wild has been on my bucket list for years. With adventure travel on the rise, I decided to take the plunge and make the 20+ hour flight to Africa to visit some of Kenya's best safari parks. Masai Mara is arguably the most famous for big-cat sightings, but Amboseli National Park, Crescent Island Game Sanctuary, Nairobi National Park, and Hell's Gate National Park are also must-see reserves teeming with wildlife. I did lots of research beforehand but found I was unprepared for many things I experienced while on safari and there are things I'll definitely do differently the next time I go. From what I should have worn to what seeing the animals was really like, here's what surprised me most about going on safari in Kenya. I sat in the safari vehicle for about 8 hours every day I spent about eight hours in the car each day. Lara Walsh Between a morning and afternoon game drive, I spent about eight hours in the car daily. It was shocking to see the low number of daily steps on my Oura ring. I started doing yoga at the end of the night to loosen up my hips. My airplane pillow also helped me stay comfortable, especially during the seven-hour drives to other parks. My shoes were off for most of the drives In hindsight, I should have worn sandals on my drives. Most safari vehicles have small windows and a top that lifts up, and you're frequently standing on the chairs to get a better view. We took off our shoes when we got into the car so we were ready to hop up on the chairs at a moment's notice. I had lots of early mornings and bedtimes. By the end of the day, I was exhausted and ready for bed. Lara Walsh The best times for safaris are in the mornings and at dusk, and sometimes, we had 4 a.m. start times. The lack of sleep, paired with the heat, made me eager to get to bed early. I'm not a morning person, but I preferred the early drives for the animal activity (and incredible sunrises) we saw. We used the less-ideal safari hours during the day to nap, do other activities in the area, or drive to other parks. Many animals can be difficult to spot due to distance or camouflage We used binoculars and a camera viewfinder to see animals that were further away. Lara Walsh We had our fair share of close-up sightings, but many of the animals we wanted to see were far away and sometimes not immediately obvious to the naked eye. We ditched our iPhones and used binoculars and someone's camera viewfinder to get a closer look. A pair of binoculars and a camera with a zoom lens are essential for getting the best view (and pictures) possible. There were long periods of time with minimal animal sightings During a safari, you can't control what animals you'll see or when you'll see them. Lara Walsh Safari drives can be frustrating because you can't control what animals you'll see, how far away they are, and how long the sighting will last. But being patient can be rewarding. During one dusk drive, we spent three hours searching for a pride of lions without any luck. Finally, as the sun set in the last half hour, we stumbled upon three female lions napping, a leopard, and giraffes. Many of the animals are sleeping during the day I expected to see animals moving around or hunting, but many were resting during the day. It was only when dusk approached that they started to slowly stake out a spot by the grazing herds. If I go on safari again, I'll book a night drive so I can see how the lions and other animals act during their peak hours of activity. My view was largely out of my control There were often traffic jams along the safari route. Lara Walsh Whenever a less common animal like a lion or cheetah is spotted, a traffic jam of safari vehicles speed over and line up, vying for the best view. What you see and sometimes, if you see anything at all can depend on your driver and what vantage point they can get. I spent a lot of time moving around the car to get a better look at the animals. Lara Walsh Your view can also depend on your position in the car. I spent a lot of time scrambling around to catch a sighting (and a photo, if I was lucky). Prey is plentiful, but seeing any action is unlikely I saw lots of gazelles on my trip. Lara Walsh Gazelles and impalas were everywhere, so it was surprising to learn that the lions might not eat for days. Our driver told us the best thing he's seen on safari was a cheetah hunting a gazelle, and then a pride of lions swooping in to steal his meal. However, these kinds of sightings are rare. Predators need to consider everything from the direction the wind is blowing to the length of the grass when trying to sneak up on their prey. Many hunts are unsuccessful, so seeing one in person is unlikely. Read the original article on Business Insider As New Hampshires education freedom accounts program has grown in scope, some lawmakers have pushed to scrutinize it. In 2022, the Legislature passed a bill requiring an audit of the way the state Department of Education is administering the program, and Republican Gov. Chris Sununu signed it. But two years after that bill, House Bill 1135, the audit is facing major hurdles. State employees with the Office of the Legislative Budget Assistant say they are unable to obtain the information they need on the students and families receiving education freedom accounts to complete the audit, citing a disagreement with the Department of Education over access to the data. Department of Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut, shown here during March 23, 2022, Executive Council meeting, said legislation passed in 2022 never mentioned the Childrens Scholarship Fund in its directive to audit the department. The Department of Education counters that the data is held by a private contractor, not the state, and thus cant be turned over to be audited. Without access to the data, the LBA says it will not be able to complete most of the audit required by the 2022 law. We could complete the audit of this chapter law based on what information we can audit and then issue a report to comply with the chapter law, said Christine Young, director of audits for the LBA, speaking to lawmakers Monday. That report would be very limited, because we cant review much of the information thats held by the scholarship organization. The disagreement caught the attention of lawmakers this week. Democrats on the Joint Legislative Performance Audit and Oversight Committee have pressed the department to obtain the data and share it with auditors to follow the statute. Some Republicans, meanwhile, have argued that the data belongs to a contractor and that it would be inappropriate for legislative branch auditors to seek it. The debate is the latest skirmish in an ongoing battle between Democrats and Republicans about the education freedom accounts program, which allows lower-income families to access state funds to help home-school their children or enroll them in private schools. The state is projected to spend $22.1 million toward the program in the 2023-2024 school year, according to department figures from October. Democrats have opposed the program since its creation in 2021, arguing that it inappropriately diverts taxpayer money away from public schools. Republicans have championed the program as a means to allow families opportunities to pursue alternative education if they are dissatisfied with their public school. The program is overseen by the Department of Education but is operated by a third party: the Childrens Scholarship Fund, a nonprofit organization based in New York. Under a contract with the state, the department transfers money from the states Education Trust Fund to the scholarship organization, and the organization then holds it and administers its disbursement to schools and services on behalf of the families. Since passage of the program, Democrats have attempted a number of bills to either repeal the program, pare back who is eligible, or introduce more oversight. Most bills have not survived votes in the Republican-led legislatures. But HB 1135 passed in 2022 on voice votes in the House and Senate. The bill requires the LBA to conduct a performance audit of the education freedom accounts program under the Department of Education. That audit must review whether participants are eligible; whether there are sufficient controls for how participating families may spend the money; whether the department is identifying and recovering ineligible expenditures; how the department is transferring the funds to the Childrens Scholarship Fund; how the department is administering phase-out grants to public schools to help reimburse for departing students; information on student outcomes within the program; and demographic details of the students participating, including their state of residence, grade level, type, and location of their education over the programs first two years. According to testimony Monday from multiple departments including Department of Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut the conflict arrived almost immediately. In January, the Legislative Budget Assistant, a nonpartisan office of the legislative branch that regularly carries out audits of state departments, began reaching out to the Department of Education for initial conversations around the audit, according to Young. But the department quickly told the auditors that much of the data being sought to answer the required questions was not in the departments possession, Young added. After facing the departments initial denial, the LBA reached out to the Childrens Scholarship Fund itself without consulting the department, Edelblut told lawmakers. The organization said that it could hand over the data, but only with direct permission from the department. In a follow-up letter, the organization said it could not deliver the data. The audit is still in its earliest stages, according to officials; the office is still assembling a scope statement to present to the legislative committee. But without the data, the LBA will not be able to complete much of its chartered task, said Young. Now, a bipartisan effort to introduce oversight into a growing state program has been caught up in a fight over details. Sen. Cindy Rosenwald, a Nashua Democrat and the chairwoman of the committee, has argued that the contract between the department and the scholarship organization means that the state owns all data, and can audit it. But lawyers for both the Department of Education and the Department of Justice disagreed Monday, contending that the contract only allows the state control over any data that the contractor purchased or obtained from the state. Edelblut noted that HB 1135 never mentioned the Childrens Scholarship Fund in its directive to audit the department. He and the department argue that means the LBA is limited to auditing the departments practices around the program, not those of the scholarship organization. And he argued that that separation between the department and its contractors is appropriate. Imagine the absurd application, he said. (The Department of Education has) a contract with Tutor.com. Can I go to Tutor.com and say, I want all of the personal identifiable information of every student and teacher that has ever done tutoring? Of course I cant, right? I didnt provide that data. Democratic lawmakers have expressed exasperation at the result. It takes my breath away a little bit that our taxpayers are spending millions and millions and millions of dollars on a program thats going to a private organization, and its a complete black box, said Sen. Becky Whitley, a Hopkinton Democrat. And that youre telling us that we have absolutely practically no opportunity to exercise our duties to make sure that taxpayer dollars are being spent appropriately. Rep. Lucy Weber, a Walpole Democrat, said she disagreed with the departments interpretation of whether it controls the data and raised the possibility of legal action. It sounds to me like theres every opportunity here to get a third branch of government involved in deciding who has the authority to say who can do which, and one would fervently hope that that is not necessary, Weber said Monday. Edelblut, meanwhile, voiced his own frustration with the LBA, which he argued had inappropriately sidestepped the department by contacting the Childrens Scholarship Fund directly. I just am concerned that we are almost it feels like a little bit of a fishing expedition, he said. He added that the department carries out its own oversight of the EFA program, answering many of the questions already in the audit. Speaking on behalf of the Department of Justice, Senior Assistant Attorney General Christopher Bond argued that the LBA should not have attempted to acquire the EFA data directly from the organization even if it felt the department was wrong. But Bond said the LBA was free to criticize the department for blocking the data in its final audit report. Mondays meeting ended without a clear resolution; Legislative Budget Assistant Michael Kane said his office would move forward with the process even with the limitations. Some Republicans agreed with the result. Having read all your audits for more than 20 years, I dont recall any that ever delved into a contractor, Rep. Ken Weyler, a Kingston Republican and the chairman of the Joint Legislative Fiscal Committee, said to Young. And many of our functions, especially in (the Department of Health and Human Services), are done with contractors. And we rely on the agency to monitor the contractors. And so this would be an expansion that Im not in support of. This story was originally published by the New Hampshire Bulletin. This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: NH Dept. of Education blocks data in education freedom accounts audit Some Nigerians have criticised President Bola Tinubu and his administration for their frequent foreign trips Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu will introduce a three-month ban on ministers and other government officials from going on publicly funded foreign trips. Mr Tinubu's chief of staff said the move was prompted by the president's "concerns about the rising cost of travel expenses" by public officials. The ban will take effect on 1 April. President Tinubu and his administration have been criticised by some for their frequent visits abroad. He came under attack, especially on social media, after his government sponsored over 400 people to attend the COP28 climate conference in Dubai last November. Since his inauguration in May 2023, Mr Tinubu has made more than 15 foreign trips. The Nigerian president is said to have spent at least 3.4bn naira ($2.2m; 1.8m) on domestic and foreign travel in the first six months of his presidency - 36% more than the budgeted amount for 2023, the Nigerian newspaper Punch reported in January, citing GovSpend, a civic tech platform that tracks government spending. Mr Tinubu's chief of staff Femi Gbajabiamila said the travel ban will cut costs amid Nigeria's "current economic challenges and the need for responsible fiscal management". The West African country is grappling with one of its worst cost-of-living crises in decades, a situation that has led to widespread hardship and anger. The three-month block on official travel by government officials is Mr Tinubu's latest attempt at countering the public backlash. In January, the Nigerian president announced a reduction in the size of the official travel delegation by about 60% , including cuts to his own travel entourage. When the ban takes effect in April, government officials will only go on foreign trips "deemed absolutely necessary". They will also require President Tinubu's approval at least two weeks before they travel. Mr Gbajabiamila added that the halt on travel will ensure that government officials "focus on their respective mandates for effective service delivery". Despite clamping down on travel by government officials, Mr Tinubu has not said whether he will reduce his own trips. The president and his representatives have in the past defended his trips as being vital in addressing the economic problems he is accused of ignoring. More BBC stories from Nigeria: Nobel laureate Pierre Agostini hands back a rupee with his autograph Wednesday to Suriyaa Ramanathan, a graduate student in condensed matter theory, at the Ohio State University's Physics Research Building on the Columbus campus. Agostini, an Ohio State professor emeritus, donated his replica Nobel Prize to the university for display in the building. Agostini was awarded the prize "for experimental methods that generate attosecond pulses of light for the study of electron dynamics in matter." Suriyaa Ramanathan and Arkaprava Mukherjee quickly discussed their game plan. The Ohio State University graduate students pulled out a couple of Indian rupees and pens. Their subject was within arm's reach. Now they just had to decide who would ask for an autograph first. The celebrity in question? Nobel Prize winner and Ohio State professor emeritus Pierre Agostini. Agostini, who was one of three winners of the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physics for his study of electron dynamics in matter, returned to Columbus Wednesday for a homecoming visit. Dozens of students and faculty members cheered as Agostini walked into the Physics Research Building on Ohio State's campus. Many wore scarlet-colored T-shirts congratulating Agostini's achievement and shook pompoms as he passed. Even Brutus Buckeye showed up to celebrate the university's second-ever faculty Nobel Prize winner. Ramanathan approached Agostini first; Mukherjee quickly followed. They both walked away with an autograph and a handshake. "This is certainly worth more now," Ramanathan said with a laugh, holding up his autographed 20 rupee bill, equal to about one U.S. quarter. Ramanathan and Mukherjee, both second-year graduate students in OSU's Department of Physics, said meeting Agostini was an exciting and humbling experience. Nobel laureate Pierre Agostini is welcomed by students and staff Wednesday as he returns for a visit to the Ohio State University Physics Research building. Agostini, an Ohio State professor emeritus, donated a 24-karat gold replica of his Nobel Prize to the university, which plans to make it part of a permanent display in the building's lobby. "I had goosebumps when he was walking in," Ramanathan said. "It raises the value of your degree with the Nobel Prize winner coming from your department," Mukherjee said. Agostini arrived at Ohio State in 2005 and retired in 2018. His work through the Agostini-DiMauro Atomic Physics Research Group focused on the interaction between atoms and intense laser pulses on an atomic timescale. It was the first lab of its kind established in the U.S., said Louis DiMauro, an Ohio State physics professor and the Dr. Edward E. and Sylvia Hagenlocker Chair. Agostini shared the Nobel Prize award with Hungarian-Austrian physicist Ferenc Krausz from the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics and French physicist Anne LHuillier from Lund University in Sweden. Their winning work explored how electrons move inside molecules and atoms. Electrons move at speeds of 43 miles per second, making them nearly impossible to study. The trio discovered a new experimental technique to capture an electrons movement at a single moment in time using ultra-short pulses of light. Nobel Laureate Pierre Agostini laughs Wedsnesday as he is interviewed at the Ohio State University's Physics Research Building on the Columbus main campus. Agostini is an OSU professor emeritus. Those pulses of light last an attosecond, measuring at one quintillionth of a second. For comparison, an attosecond is to a second what a second is to 31.7 billion years - more than twice the length of time the universe has existed, scientists estimate. Attoseconds research has broad applications in industries like medicine and electronics, but it also helps deepen researchers' understanding of physics itself, DiMauro said. Although he lives in France, Agostini still visits the OSU campus a few times a year. This time around, he brought a special gift with him: A 24-karat gold replica of his Nobel Prize medal. "I was really proud to be your representative of OSU's scientific community in Stockholm," Agostini told a crowd of students and faculty. "So I give this medal as a token of my gratitude to OSU and its physics department." Agostini handed the medal to Michael G. Poirier, professor and chair of Ohio State's Department of Physics. "I've never held this much gold before," Poirier quipped. Michael Poirier, left, professor and chair of the Ohio State Department of Physics, holds a 24-karat gold replica of the 2023 Nobel Prize awarded to retired OSU faculty member and professor emeritus Pierre Agostini on Wednesday at the OSU Physics Research Building. Agostini donated the replica to Ohio State to be displayed in the building. He and two other researchers won the Nobel Prize for experimental methods that generate attosecond pulses of light for the study of electron dynamics in matter. "Pierre has been such a wonderful mentor over the years," Poirier added. "Training young people in science is the way to have the most impact." The medal and information about Agostini's research will eventually be put on permanent display in the Physics Research Building's lobby. Ohio State professor emeritus Pierre Agostini, the second-ever faculty Nobel Prize winner, is welcomed by students and staff Wednesday as he enters the Ohio State University Physics Research Building for a homecoming visit. Agostini was visibly humbled by the planned display and Wednesday's welcoming event. "It's very flattering. I hope they can sell those t-shirts," Agostini said, referring to the number of students' shirts he autographed. Agostini said he hopes that the Nobel Prize will inspire future physicists to keep exploring and to stay curious. "Physics is far from being all discovered and understood," he said. Sheridan Hendrix is a higher education reporter for The Columbus Dispatch. Sign up for Extra Credit, her education newsletter, here. shendrix@dispatch.com @sheridan120 This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Pierre Agostini visits Ohio State for Nobel Prize celebration NORTH PROVIDENCE Detectives in North Providence are seeking the public's help as they continue to investigate the murder of a retired nurse from the Rhode Island Department of Corrections. Claire Flynn, 61, was found dead in her Centredale home on December 20, according to the North Providence police. She had been shot. The police are "seeking the public's assistance in identifying the unknown individual(s) responsible for the murder of Claire Flynn in North Providence," they say in a flyer posted to social media. The police are asking anyone with information about her killing "or anyone with knowledge of close friends/personal relationships Claire had during 2023" to contact them. On December 20, the police were contacted by Flynn's brother, who said he'd gone to his sister's house on Centredale Avenue to check on her, but she didn't respond, the police said previously. Looking inside, he could see her lying on her couch. The brother told police he hadn't heard from his sister since Thanksgiving. The North Providence police are seeking the public's help in identifying the killer or killers of Claire Flynn, a retired nurse with the Rhode Island Department of Corrections. Police and firefighters went inside the house, and an autopsy later showed Flynn had been shot and was the victim of a homicide, the police said previously. The police ask anyone with information to contact Detective Jason Burlingame at 401-231-4533 ext. 1115. Tips can remain anonymous, the police say. -- With reports from Journal Staff Writer Mark Reynolds This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: North Providence police seek help in probe of retired nurse's murder A Sutter County jury on Wednesday found a man guilty of murder in the brutal stabbing of his wife more than 24 years ago before he fled to Mexico with the couples two children, prosecutors said. Francisco Arellano, 52, was convicted of first-degree murder in the death of 32-year-old Blanca Duenas-Arellano, who was killed in a Yuba City home in a premeditated act, the Sutter County District Attorneys Office announced in Facebook post. Prosecutors said the womans estranged husband stabbed her 13 times in her abdomen, chest, arms and right leg, and a phone cord was wrapped around her neck four times. Arellano testified in court that he acted in self-defense, according to the District Attorneys Office. There is no valid theory of self-defense in this case, District Attorney Jennifer Dupre said in the Facebook post announcing Arrellanos conviction. There is no way that (Arellano) didnt use more force than was reasonably necessary to defend himself against anyone. On July 26, 1999, the mother was found murdered in her apartment in the 600 block of Queens Avenue. Prosecutors said her then 27-year-old estranged husband, Arellano, emerged as the prime suspect in the murder case. But Arellano fled to Mexico with the couples two children immediately following her murder, according to the District Attorneys Office. For the next 20 years, the womans stabbing death remained a cold case as the suspects whereabouts were unknown. In 2019, Yuba City police detectives learned Arellano was living in Morales, Mexico. The Police Department and the District Attorneys Office worked together, along with the U.S. Office of International Affairs, to extradite Arellano. In June 2022, authorities with help from the U.S. Marshals Service, took Arellano into custody in Mexico. Arellano was formally extradited to the United States on Nov. 18, 2022, and Yuba City police returned him to face the murder charge in Sutter County. Arellano has since remained in custody at the Sutter County Jail. He is scheduled to return April 26 for his sentencing hearing in Sutter Superior Court. Prosecutors said Arellano faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison. Washington delights in touting such noble terms as democracy, human rights and rules-based international order, but what it does betrays what it truly believes. The Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot, featuring violent protesters, damaged statues, vandalized offices and terrified lawmakers inside the "seat of American democracy," offered a revealing glimpse into America's dysfunctional political system. "So much for American exceptionalism, for our being a shining city on a hill." When Richard Haass, president of the Council on Foreign Relations, a U.S. think tank, made this comment following the incident, he told a truth that has become increasingly clear. The United States likes to portray itself as a "Beacon of Democracy." Yet the so-called beacon is getting dimmer, with politicians preaching democracy on the stage while engaging in money politics behind the scenes. As election campaign funds keep shattering the record, political division has been growing deeper. A Pew Center poll shows that 65 percent of Americans believe the U.S. democratic system needs major reforms, and 57 percent of respondents believe the United States is "no longer a model of democracy." Meanwhile, internal failure is no obstacle for Washington to lecture others on democracy and even impose its own version upon other nations. Now the world has come to realize that in the name of democracy, what the United States really does is to support pro-Washington governments and topple those it dislikes, all to serve its hegemonic interests. Such double-dealing forms the true background of the third so-called "Summit for Democracy," orchestrated by the United States and under way in South Korea. America likes to brand itself as a "defender of human rights." However, the American people have long been frustrated by deep-rooted problems including racial discrimination, gun violence and wealth disparity. The UN Human Rights Committee has pointed out that systemic racism is prevalent in the U.S. police and judicial systems. African Americans are three times more likely to be killed by the police and 4.5 times more likely to be imprisoned than white people in America. Failing to solve rampant human-rights woes at home, America has waged wars around the world and imposed sanctions on other countries over the past decades, causing large-scale humanitarian catastrophes. Since 2001, wars and military operations launched by the United States in the name of counter-terrorism have killed more than 900,000 people, of which about 335,000 were civilians. In addition, it has habitually engaged in torture, assassination and spying on foreign political figures. Since the outbreak of the latest Gaza conflict in October, Washington has repeatedly blocked the adoption of ceasefire resolutions by the UN Security Council. As to Washington's preaching of "a rules-based international order," the international community has realized that the term is no more than a camouflage the United States uses to get its own way. Those rules in its mouth are more often than not meant only for others. As Xiang Lanxin, a professor emeritus at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva, said in an article, Washington's "rules-based international order" is not even a peaceful and harmonious system; it only hinders peace and development, and it is not supported by a significant portion of the world's population. Such voices indicate that the world has woken up to America's hypocrisy. If Washington keeps saying one thing and doing another, its credibility will drain out soon. The FWC, the Lee County Sheriffs Office, the U.S. Coast Guard and Lee County EMS responded to the scene of a 24-foot vessel that collided with the rocks near the Sanibel Causeway on Thursday, March 21, 2024. One person was taken to a hospital Thursday afternoon after authorities say a boat crashed into the Sanibel Causeway. Hailee Seely, spokesperson for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, said the crash happened around 3:30 p.m., when authorities received a report of a single-vessel accident near the southwest side of the Sanibel Causeway. The FWC, the Lee County Sheriffs Office, the U.S. Coast Guard and Lee County EMS responded to a 24-foot vessel that collided with the rocks near the bridge, Seely said. The vessel's sole occupant is being treated for their injuries. The extent of the injuries remained unknown Thursday evening. Kayla Rincon-Miller murder: Cape Coral police arrest North Fort Myers teen linked to Sunday slaying of girl, 15 Nicole Groll, spokesperson for the U.S. Coast Guard, said initial reports indicated two boaters crashed their vessel into a jetty, but later learned it was only the one boater, who was with EMS. The crash comes less than a week after a boat crashed in North Naples, killing two. Tomas Rodriguez is a Breaking/Live News Reporter for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. You can reach Tomas at TRodriguez@gannett.com or 772-333-5501. Connect with him on Threads @tomasfrobeltran, Instagram @tomasfrobeltran and Facebook @tomasrodrigueznews. This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Sanibel Causeway boat crash sends one to the hospital When Laura Helvey met Catherine Gabbard in her yard in the summer of 2023, she was sitting on the ground next to her dog, Bossy, crying. Gabbard was about to disregard her court orders to go to addiction treatment for one simple reason: she couldnt leave Bossy behind. Gabbard was packed and ready to run into the woods with Bossy, just so she could stay by her side. Bossy, a pitbull-hound mix, was also pregnant and the only source of constant affection and support Gabbard had for the past couple of years, some of the worst times of her life. She helps me if I am sad, Gabbard told the Herald-Leader. She feels what I am feeling. When I was getting high, she was feeling the trauma from all of that, too. Helvey, a stranger to Bossy and Gabbard, sat and consoled the pair and ended up bonding with the dog. Helvey made the decision to foster Bossy so Gabbard would feel at ease to leave for treatment. Bossy, a pitbull/hound mix, is the first foster dog that was taken in by Fostering for Recovery in Madison County. Her owner, Catherine Gabbard, completed addiction treatment and has been reunited with Bossy. Silas Walker/swalker@herald-leader.com A few days later, she was fostering seven dogs Bossy and her six newborn puppies. They were nicknamed the recovery pups and named after recovery facilities in Kentucky: Hope, Isaiah, Ethan, Spero and Arc. One puppy, Spark, did not survive. Helvey, who lost her son Daniel to an opioid overdose in 2019, operates SPARK Ministries of Madison County, a centralized community center which runs as a non-profit to point families and people with substance use disorder towards rehabilitation programs, detox programs, support groups, churches, job opportunities and more. At its core, Helveys office helps remove barriers for people seeking recovery. Helvey: Fosters are the biggest need for group to thrive It wasnt until another woman came to the small SPARK office building on Main Street with her dog every day, resisting treatment because her dog had no place to go, that Helvey recognized another barrier. The group, Fostering for Recovery, quickly was created and calls were coming in weekly from people asking for Helvey and Kristall Morris to take in their dogs so they could go to treatment. Through all her struggles, that dog was with (Gabbard), Helvey said. That dog was with her when she lost her family, when she lost relationships, when she lost her home. The dog was with her. Bossy loved her unconditionally, no matter if they were living in a park or in a tent. Gabbard wasnt allowed to visit with Bossy for a while, but Helvey sent her pictures that Gabbard printed out and placed in her binder and on the walls in her room. When the two were reunited, Gabbard said, Bossy knew I was better. Gabbard successfully completed her treatment program, and has been reunited with her family and Bossy. She is one of nine people the program has helped get into recovery by fostering their pets. When we started advertising it, it really took off, Helvey told the Herald-Leader. We get several calls a week. In another instance, Helvey and Morris met a man who was about to be released from prison after 18 years. While in prison, he was partnered with a shelter dog to train the animal, and gain work experience and emotional support. The man was accepted into a trade school with the stipulation he complete an inpatient treatment program prior to his release. While going through treatment, he needed someone to watch his dog until they could reunite again. A foster took in the dog, and was later reunited with the man who successfully completed his program. Bossy (right) alongside her puppies, Spero and Isaiah, are part of the Fostering for Recovery program in Madison County, Kentucky. Silas Walker/swalker@herald-leader.com Finding fosters is the hardest thing, Helvey said. There are requirements that Helvey and Morris look for before allowing them to foster. There is only one treatment center in Eastern Kentucky which will take an emotional support animal when accepting clients, according to Helvey. We have had to turn people down because we dont have fosters. That is our biggest need, Helvey said. It is really sad. When the dogs are taken in, they are taken to the vet for spay and neuter operations, to establish responsible pet ownership once the pets are returned after their foster homes. Both fosters and clients sign contracts about their participation and expectations for being a part of the program. The rescue community is just overwhelmed. Another hard part of working with the dogs and their owners is the heartbreak that comes with how these cases can be resolved and the stress of finding people to care for animals sometimes permanently on very short notice. The woman who inspired the program (the one who continually showed up to the office with her dog) eventually got into treatment. The group thought she would be reunited with her dog, Remi, after her three-month inpatient treatment program was completed, where the woman thrived. Members of SPARK Ministries take foster dogs for a walk at Millstone Park in Richmond, Kentucky, on Thursday, March 14, 2024. SPARK Ministries works to remove barriers for people who are recovering from addiction. Silas Walker/swalker@herald-leader.com However, when the woman appeared in court for an old charge, hoping the judge would acknowledge her accomplishments, she was unexpectedly sentenced to eight years in prison on the spot, leaving Remi with nowhere to go. On a video call that night, Remis owner said goodbye, pleading that the dog never forget her or their time together. Remi is now living with Helvey in her home. With a lack of fosters, Helvey is no stranger to keeping the dogs herself. She currently houses three, in addition to her two personal rottweilers. Helvey has had as many as 10 dogs in her home at once. It is a really big need, she said. The rescue community is just overwhelmed. While she was in treatment, Gabbard said she heard stories from other women at the facilities who had not been as fortunate as her and lost their pets. One womans dog was killed, and another never learned what happened to her pet after it was placed in a pound. No words can explain the gratitude I have for (Helvey), Gabbard said. It was a blessing, what she did and a lot of people wouldnt do that, especially with the stuff she already does. Gabbard hopes that others will hear her story and it will inspire them to foster pets so their owners can seek help to return to them once again. Those interested in becoming fosters for animals can contact Helvey or Morris through the Fostering for Recovery at Morris Run Facebook page. Donations can be made through the groups Venmo or GoFundMe, or by purchasing items off their Amazon wishlist. Members of SPARK Ministries take foster dogs for a walk at Millstone Park in Richmond, Kentucky, on Thursday, March 14, 2024. SPARK Ministries works to remove barriers for people who are recovering from addiction. Silas Walker/swalker@herald-leader.com Members of SPARK Ministries take foster dogs for a walk at Millstone Park in Richmond, Kentucky, on Thursday, March 14, 2024. SPARK Ministries works to remove barriers for people who are recovering from addiction. Silas Walker/swalker@herald-leader.com Putin is ready to squeeze Russia's outrageously wealthy elite to fund a future war with NATO, analysts say Vladimir Putin is moving to squeeze Russia's wealthy elite, a think tank said. He needs the money to boost military spending, analysts said, and is prepared to ruffle feathers. Analysts said it's a sign Putin's readying for a war with NATO. Russian President Vladimir Putin is preparing to squeeze Russia's wealthy elite to fund a conflict with NATO, a think tank said. The Institute for the Study of War, a US think tank, drew attention to two recent speeches in which Putin voiced rare criticism of the rich loyalists who've been the backbone of his power. In a Tuesday meeting with leaders from Russia's lower parliament, the Duma, Putin set out the priorities for his new term in office. He urged officials to "act in the interest of the state instead of corporations or parties." The remarks could be seen as a thinly veiled swipe at the widespread corruption that characterizes modern Russia (and from which, Putin's critics allege, he has also handsomely benefited). In similar remarks given about a month before to Russia's Federation Council, Putin said that "individuals who 'lined their pockets' in the 1990s" who are among its crop of oligarchs are not the real elite. The actual elite, he said, "are workers and military servicemen who proved their loyalty to Russia." The ISW said the remarks indicated that Putin was sending a warning shot to the "siloviki," the wealthy ex-security officials who form an important part of his power base. Taken together, the remarks pick away at the long-standing implicit bargain analysts say Putin struck with the country's wealthy, agreeing to leave their riches untouched in exchange for political support. The ISW said Putin was changing tack, "signaling that Russia's long-term financial stability will require imposing at least some pain on some wealthy industrialist siloviki," it said. Putin appears willing to risk his accord with his wealthy backers to boost preparations "for a potential future large-scale conflict with NATO," the ISW said. The report comes after a series of warnings from Western leaders that Putin might be preparing for a war with the West. Denmark's defense minister said it could come in as little as five years. The NATO alliance has provided Ukraine with crucial support in fighting the Russian invasion, and Putin has repeatedly menaced the alliance with the prospect of nuclear war. Analysts say that the Russian president has long harbored ambitions to seize back control of territory in northern and eastern Europe that was once part of the Soviet Union and that victory in Ukraine could embolden him. But fulfilling that ambition would not come cheap. Who are the siloviki? When Putin came to power in 1999, he moved to punish some who had grown wealthy during the liberalization of Russia in the '90s. Specifically, he took on those who challenged him, such as the oil magnate Mikhail Khodorkovsky. A new faction expanded its power under Putin, the siloviki. Some were handed control over state energy companies and corporations in an apparent exchange for their loyalty, becoming vastly wealthy. The US sought to undermine Putin's power by targeting the assets of Russia's wealthy loyalists in a series of sanctions in the wake of the Ukraine war's start. But the Russian economy has managed to withstand the worst effects of the fallout from the Ukraine war, and the loyalty of Putin's wealthy backers has mostly held firm. Some members of the Russian business elite were critical of the Ukraine war, fearing the effects on Russia's economy and society. But, The Guardian reported, many have since resigned themselves to the war and Putin's continued rule. And it's not just Putin's willingness to shake up his relationship with his wealthy loyalists that indicates his readiness to rapidly expand Russia's military. Sergei Shoigu, Russia's defense minister, announced plans Wednesday to massively expand Russia's armed forces by creating two new armies. Analysts say that Russia is also expanding its military presence in Russia's northwest, near the borders with NATO's Baltic allies. "Several Russian financial, economic, and military indicators suggest that Russia is preparing for a large-scale conventional conflict with NATO," the ISW said, "not imminently but likely on a shorter timeline than what some Western analysts have initially posited." Read the original article on Business Insider Ron DeSantis, Floridas governor, has threatened to send Haitian refugees fleeing their shattered country to Democrat-led states such as New York and California. Haitians land in the Florida Keys, their next stop very well may be Marthas Vineyard, Mr DeSantis said on Tuesday, referencing the upmarket Massachusetts beach resort favoured by wealthy progressives. The move would repeat the controversial tactic used by Mr DeSantis and Greg Abbott, the Texas governor and fellow Republican, of putting undocumented migrants on buses and planes to states opposing stricter border policies. The pair initially sent thousands of foreign citizens, from countries including Venezuela, Honduras, El Salvador and Mexico, north in 2022 amid claims that the migrants had been misled that they would receive jobs and housing there. It would also inject the Haiti crisis into the heart of the United States heated immigration debate as Republicans and Democrats blame each other for the lack of action to tackle the issue. Although it has yet to materialise, there are fears that the bloodshed and anarchy gripping Haiti could spark a new wave of desperate refugees in rickety boats braving the 600-mile journey to Florida. Haitian migrants on the Texas-Mexico border in 2021. There are fears another wave of refugees will try to reach Florida - PAUL RATJE/AFP Meanwhile, the violence in the stricken Caribbean nation is not letting up, as negotiations to name the seven members of the US-backed transitional presidential council to temporarily rule Haiti appear to have stalled. Bodies and burning rubbish dot the streets of the capital, Port-au-Prince, while a large proportion of the population of 11 million go without the food aid on which they depend. On Wednesday, four people were shot dead, three of them believed to be gang members, as police repulsed an armed attack on the central bank. Meanwhile, Ezechiel Ze Alexandre, a gang leader, appeared to make a power play as he led residents to retake the Carrefour Feuilles neighbourhood in Port-au-Prince from the rival Ti Lapli gang, which had occupied it in recent days. Video on social media showed Alexandre, one of the nearly 4,000 prisoners who escaped from the countrys largest jail two weeks ago, leading a large, unarmed crowd as they marched back into the neighbourhood. Despite the apparently peaceful nature of the event, Alexandre had been in jail on suspicion of crimes including murder, rape and armed robbery. 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 upcoming anniversary of Daniel Prude's death after a 2020 encounter with Rochester police has prompted a renewed push for legislation to change how New Yorkers in the throes of a mental-health or substance-abuse crisis are treated. Lawmakers proposed a bill named for Prude in 2021 that would shift the response to those emergencies from police officers to teams of emergency medical workers and trained peers. The proposal has remained in committee without a vote in Albany for three legislative sessions and is pending again in its fourth year. This week, supporters of Daniel's Law will stage a series of rallies, vigils and public talks to urge state lawmakers and Gov. Kathy Hochul to enact the bill and include funding for a pilot program in the state budget now under negotiation. Those events include a rally outside Rochester City Hall at 6 p.m. on Thursday and a vigil at 6 p.m. on Saturday at the amphitheater in Rochester's Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park, which was renamed "Daniel Prude Square." That final vigil in the week-long campaign will take place four years to the day after Prude's death at age 41. Daniel Prude, a 41-year-old Black man died of asphyxiation complications after being pinned to the ground by police in Rochester, New York. What are the bill's chances of passing in NY? The bill's supporters are optimistic this year because both the Senate and Assembly have proposed budgeting $2 million for a pilot program testing the sort of emergency response outlined in Daniel's Law. "Prioritizing compassion over criminalization means healthier, safer communities," Sen. Samra Brouk, a Rochester Democrat who sponsored the bill, said in a post on X celebrating the potential funding. In an interview on Tuesday, Brouk said the funds "would be a really big step forward" for the broader legislative push, following last year's creation of a state task force tied to the pending bill. She said the $2 million could be used to support emergency response teams in multiple areas of New York, including some that already follow the model and de-escalation principles outlined in her bill. The pilot's goal is to test how well those systems work and thereby "accelerate the work of the task force," so Daniel's Law can be enacted, Brouk said. Reform push: Daniel's Law: Advocates in Rochester push for mental health response teams in New York What happened to Daniel Prude in 2020? Prude was behaving erratically when his brother called 911 early one morning in March 2020. Officers found him walking naked in the street and placed a "spit hood" over his head after he spat, holding his covered face to the ground for more than two minutes until he stopped breathing. Prude died a week later at Strong Memorial Hospital after being taken off life support. Demonstrators march on Monroe Avenue in downtown Rochester to protest the police and what they called the murder of Daniel Prude. The Monroe County medical examiner later determined he had died from complications from asphyxia and ruled his death a homicide. Toxicology tests found a low level of the drug PCP also known as angel dust in his blood. Initial reports: How did Daniel Prude die? What we know about Rochester homicide Protests over Prude's death erupted after police body-cam videos of his arrest were released in September 2020, nearly five months afterward. That outrage came in the wake of the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis and in the midst of nationwide protests over Floyd's death, adding Prude's case to the push for police reforms and racial justice. The plaza is now named Daniel Prude Square at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park. Anger over Prude's death and the city's attempt to conceal it lingered long afterward, leading to the firing of Police Chief La'Ron Singletary and contributing to the ouster of Mayor Lovely Warren. In 2022, Rochester agreed to pay Prude's family $12 million to settle a wrongful-death lawsuit against the city. Chris McKenna covers government and politics for The Journal News and USA Today Network. Reach him at cmckenna@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Will Daniel's Law pass in Albany four years after Prude's death? A year ago, I visited TikToks US headquarters to preview its new transparency center, a central piece of its multibillion-dollar effort to convince the US its meme factory isnt a national security threat . That effort has failed. The companys negotiations with the government stalled out and the company is now facing its most serious threat to a future in the United States yet. Last Wednesday, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved a bill that, if passed into law, would force ByteDance to sell TikTok or face an outright ban in the US. That lawmakers view TikTok with suspicion is nothing new . Because TikToks parent company, ByteDance, is based in China, they believe the Chinese government could manipulate TikToks algorithms or access its users data via ByteDance employees. But what has been surprising about the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act is that it managed to gather so much support from both sides of the aisle seemingly out of nowhere. After a surprise introduction , the bipartisan bill cleared committee in two days with a unanimous 50 - 0 vote, and was approved by the full House in a 352 - 65 vote less than a week later. Of the dozens of bills attempting to regulate the tech industry in recent years, including at least two to ban TikTok, none have gained nearly as much momentum. But the renewed support for banning or forcing a sale of TikTok doesnt seem to be tied to any newly uncovered information about TikTok, ByteDance or the Chinese Communist Party. Instead, lawmakers have largely been rehashing the same concerns that have been raised about the app for years. One issue often raised is data access. TikTok, like many of its social media peers, scoops up large amounts of data from its users. The practice has gotten the company into hot water in the past when many of those users were discovered to be minors. Many lawmakers cite its large cache of user data, which they claim could be obtained by Chinese government officials, as one of the most significant risks posed by TikTok. Our bipartisan legislation would protect American social media users by driving the divestment of foreign adversary-controlled apps to ensure that Americans are protected from the digital surveillance and influence operations of regimes that could weaponize their personal data against them, Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi, on the bills co-sponsors, said in a statement . TikTok has repeatedly denied sharing any data with the Chinese government and says it would not comply if they were requested to do so. However, ByteDance has been caught mishandling TikTok user data in the past. In 2022, ByteDance fired four employees, including two based in China, for accessing the data of reporters who had written stories critical of the company. Theres no evidence those actions were directed by the Chinese government. In fact the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act would do little to address the data access issue, experts say. Even if the app was banned or controlled by a different company, Americans personal information would remain readily available from the largely unregulated data broker industry. Data brokers gain access to vast troves of Americans personal data via scores of apps, websites, credit card companies and other businesses. Currently, there are few restrictions on what data can be collected or who can buy it. Biden Administration officials have warned that China is already buying up this data, much of it more revealing than anything TikTok collects. The data that's been collected about you will almost certainly live longer than you will, and there's really nothing you can do to delete it or get rid of it, Justin Cappos, an NYU computer science professor and member of the NYU Center for Cybersecurity, told Engadget. If the US really wants to solve this, the way to do it isn't to blame a social media company in China and make them the face of the problem. It's really to pass the meaningful data privacy regulations and go after [data] collection and go after these data brokers. The House recently passed a bill that would bar data brokers from selling Americans personal information to adversary countries like China. But, if passed, the law wouldnt address the sale of that data to other entities or the wholesale collection of it to begin with. Digital rights and free speech advocates like the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) have also raised the possibility that the US forcing a ban or sale of TikTok could give other countries cover to enact similar bans or restrictions on US-based social media platforms. In a letter to lawmakers opposing the measure, the EFF, American Civil Liberties Union and other groups argued that it would set an alarming global precedent for excessive government control over social media platforms. David Greene, a senior staff attorney at the EFF notes that the United States has forcefully criticized nations that have banned social media apps. The State Department has been highly critical of countries that have shut down services, Greene told Engadget, noting that the US condemned the Nigerian government for blocking Twitter in 2021. Shutting down a whole service is essentially an anti-democratic thing. President Donald Trump walks astride Russian leader Vladimir Putin, the man he calls the toughest guy in the world, someone who has done tremendous things for his country. Since making Moscow his first foreign trip soon after being reelected president in 2024, Trump has met with Putin three times in two years. Today marks the first time their meeting has occurred on Ukrainian soil, in Bakhmut, as Russian troops have overrun most of central Ukraine and are poised to conquer Kyiv in the coming days. Trump and Putin are joined by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko, and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to shake hands and celebrate the lifting of U.S. sanctions against Russia, China, North Korea, and others. At the press conference, Trump is the first to speak. I am honored to be with, well, they were just saying Im the greatest president in history, I dont know if thats true, Lincoln was OK, but thats what theyre saying. And these guys, he says, gesturing to the men sitting behind him, theyre fighting to defend our freedom and our civilization. And theyre running their countries properly, they run it strong. With crime, with terrorism, they run it strong. And were replacing NATO with something much better today, much tougher. Traditional U.S. allies are uninvited to todays event. Relations between the United States and the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Canada are strained after Trump called them parasite countries and referred to their leaders as twits. Australia recently recalled its ambassador to Washington after Trump insulted the country again by saying it should be obliterated for its trade policies. After he speaks, Trump takes a question from a reporter who asks about the absence of these long-standing friendly nations. Theyre losers, Trump says. Today, Im happy to be standing with the winners. If this scenario seems impossible should Trump get reelected in November, then you havent followed Trump closely enough. About 25 years before he announced his first run for the presidency, Trump gave a revealing interview with Playboy magazine. Alongside his standard homages to the death penalty and fabrications about donating millions of dollars to charity, he talked in the 1990 conversation about a recent trip to the Soviet Union he had undertaken. He returned unimpressed with Mikhail Gorbachev, because the Soviet leader was weak. Not a firm enough hand, Trump said of the humane, courageous individual who ended 70 years of dictatorship and gave Russian democracy a precious historic opportunity. Trump reserved praise instead for the Chinese governments massacre of students in Tiananmen Square that occurred the year earlier. The Chinese government almost blew it, he said. Then they were vicious, they were horrible, but they put it down with strength. That shows you the power of strength. For Trump, brutality has always been a sign of strength, a trait to be admired and imitated. Conversely, things like respect for the rule of law, a free press, fair elections, compromise, and cooperationall hallmarks of the democratic processare despised. Trump told Playboy he wasnt seeking elected office, but of course, that determination changed in 2015. In between the interview and his presidential announcement, he switched his public positions on many things: abortion, health care, which of his wives he wanted to cheat on. But in a life filled with opportunism and prevarication, Trump has remained uncharacteristically consistent through the years in one belief: his affection for tyrants. Of course, many American leaders have cooperated with autocrats, terrorists, and dictators throughout the countrys history, and even praised individual ones. Ronald Reagan once memorably termed the contras, Nicaraguan rebels known for kidnapping and torturing civilians, the moral equal of our Founding Fathers. President Joe Biden has reneged on campaign promises to loosen Americas bonds with illiberal leaders in Saudi Arabia and elsewhere. But Trump is unique among presidents in expressing outright adoration for despots and authoritariansnot because they can benefit American interests despite their cruelty, but because, whatever impact they may have on American interests, these leaders have the virtue of being cruel. As Henry Hill says of the gangster Jimmy Conway in Goodfellas, Trump is the kind of guy who root[s] for the bad guys in the movies. As president, Trump realized his ambitions to befriend tyrants, praising North Koreas Kim Jong Un (great strength economically), Turkeys Recep Tayyip Erdogan (hes doing a very good job), Chinas Xi Jinping (a very, very good man), and, of course, Russias Vladimir Putin (very smart). He saved his insults for NATO and countries like Denmark. During his post-presidency, and now in his campaign to become president again this November, Trump has continued gushing about leaders who expend copious resources repressing the basic freedoms of their peoples. He has brandished their endorsements as qualifications for his reelection. In December, Trump said of Kim Jong Un: Hes not so fond of this [Biden] administration, but hes fond of me. He was implying that voters should value the exceptional level of approval that he receives from someone overseeing maybe the worlds worst totalitarian state. To be fair, this was a rare time when Trump was not lying: Many dictators, wannabe dictators, and assorted international miscreants are indeed fond of him. Some of them simply see a kindred spirit in him, understanding that, as he has admitted several times, he would himself like to be a dictator. Other autocrats grasp that he can be manipulated to their personal benefit. Still other tyrants understand that Trumps assault on democracy in the United States makes their lives easier by weakening the leading liberal power, a country that represents freedom to many, even as it has sometimes undermined democratic forces around the world. Americas connection with the global cause of freedom has always been rocky, like a celebrity relationship. Soon after the American Revolution demonstrated the power of anti-colonial republicanism, the young United States made efforts to snuff out the Haitian Revolution, lest the enslaved at home get any ideas. Ever since, the United States has pinballed between serving as an example of republicanisms possibilities at home, acting in enlightened self-interest to support liberal forces abroad, and repressing huge numbers of people everywhere; between being the well-wisher to the freedom and independence of all, in John Quincy Adamss imperishable words, and being the greatest purveyor of violence in the world, in Martin Luther Kings. The foremost task of U.S. strategy is to secure the American system of government and the prosperity of its people, not to promote democracy elsewhere. As the journalist Walter Lippmann put it, the job of U.S. foreign policy is to act as a shield of the republic. But given our nations immense global importance, the actions that American leaders take (or fail to take) invariably have an impact on many, perhaps most, countries around the world. Youre not going to export democracy, but at the same time, by creating an international environment that is favorable for authoritarianism or favorable for democracythose things matter, said Stonehill College professor Anna Ohanyan, author of several books on the Eurasian region. Trumps reelection campaign occurs at a vulnerable period for the cause of liberty. For nearly two decades, more countries have become less democratic every single year. According to the nonpartisan organization Freedom House, authoritarians have gained ground during the past 17 years of global democratic decline. In some cases during Bidens tenure, such as Ukraine, the United States has played a vital role in supporting democratic forces that are resisting foreign tyranny. In other places, such as Israel and Egypt, the United States has provided instrumental aid to illiberal governments. But the mixed record at least offers reasons to believe that, in a second term, Biden could be pressured to take actions that strengthen a balance of power that favors freedom. A second Trump administration, meanwhile, would embolden czars and caesars the world over and correspondingly diminish indigenous movements and institutions advocating for human rights and freedoms. Imagining another four years of Trump, five eminent European political analysts warned in February in Foreign Affairs that the greatest risk Trump poses to Europe is to its values: multilateralism, care for the environment, the rule of law, and democracy itself. Through his rhetoric, Trump degrades the worth of these principles in public opinion. The same is true on every continent. Trump may be the first post-democracy American president. Given all that, here is a list of 11 tyrants and where they are likely to stand on the 2024 presidential contest, according to interviews with experts: Vladimir Putin, Russia For reasons that are still mysterious, Trump has uniquely exempted Russia from the lengthy roster of nations he insults and scapegoats for Americas woes, countries that include China, India, Germany, and Canada. He has lauded Putin in particular, variously calling him a genius, tough, savvy, and, perhaps accurately, nicer than I am. As president, Trump publicly certified Putins verbal assurances of his innocence, elevating them above the consensus of U.S. intelligence agencies, which declared that Russia had interfered in the 2016 presidential elections. And Trumps first instinct after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022 was to laud Putins supposed strategic smarts in launching the misbegotten war. Despite Trumps personal affection and friendly rhetoric for Putin, however, his administration was hostile to Russia in many ways, imposing sweeping sanctions in 2017, leaving a nuclear arms deal, and killing hundreds of Russian mercenaries in Syria. I dont think those were initiated by Trump, but he appointed people who were much harder on Russia than he was and didnt do anything in particular to prevent them going down that course, said Thomas Graham, a Russia expert at the Council on Foreign Relations. Kremlin hopes for a pliant United States under Trump were dashed and are not likely to be rekindled, according to Graham. In addition, the Russia-U.S. relationship might be so poisoned that it would be difficult for any president to repair it in the foreseeable future, even one, like Trump, oriented toward Putin. And yet, Trump represents the wing of the Republican Party that is furious about the United States financing Ukrainian self-defense. Congress may prevent a cutoff of aid, but, at the very least, Trumps return to the White House would boost Russian resolve and weaken Kyivs morale. Putin said in 2023 that he cannot help but feel happy about Trumps promises to resolve the Russo-Ukrainian war in 24 hours if he becomes president again. Of course, as George Orwell said, the quickest way to end a war is to lose it. Putin may be salivating at the prospect of Trump managing to convince Congress to stop funding Ukrainian resistance, or even encouraging the Russian military to steamroll into Kyiv. Trump will undermine NATO, perhaps fatally wounding the alliance that has been essential to keeping Russia close to its postCold War borders. Even if Russia does not hope to control Trump, having him in the public arena guarantees one thing: chaos. That at least offers something to Putin. The Kremlin generally prefers a predictable United States. But they think political disarray in the United States, for a short period, would certainly prevent the United States from taking any coordinated, concerted effort that would undermine Russian interests, Graham said. Xi Jinping, China During his run for the 2016 presidential election, Trump demonized China as no other major party leader had since the 1960s. But as was the case with his Russia policy, Trumps actions in office oftentimes contradicted his words. Scott Kennedy, author of numerous reports on China at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, argues that Trump pursued three different approaches to China: a futile initial charm offensive vis-a-vis President Xi Jinping, followed by a modestly successful unilateral pressure campaign focused on the bilateral trade balance, and, lastly, a pandemic era defined by sanctions across the board simply meant to punish Beijing. Sometimes people just sort of lump them all into one, but they were really pretty clearly demarcated over time, Kennedy said. The tough talk and trade war were significant, but Trump simultaneously kneecapped key advantages the United States had over China by injuring Americas alliance system in Asia and sapping U.S. soft power. In addition, Trumps catastrophic response to Covid and his incitement of the insurrection at the Capitol in January 2021 helped Xi portray the United States as an inept, declining power. Biden, however, has upped the focus on China without offering any of the benefits Trump provided to Xi. He has cracked down on Beijings access to vital technologies, particularly advanced computer chips. He repeatedly pledged to support Taiwan with U.S. troops if China invaded the island. Most importantly perhaps, Biden fashioned a trilateral agreement with Japan and South Korea, coordinating a strategy to deter China. It is unclear what a Trump second term would look like for China, except that it would probably be erratic and bombastic. We dont know whether well get Trump the negotiator or Trump the hawk, as Kennedy said. He said of Trump and Xi: I think they both believe that they can manipulate and use the other. However, Trumps unpredictability means that Chinas leaders may favor remaining with Biden, who, despite implementing severe measures to contain Beijing, has also de-escalated the inflammatory rhetoric, and frequently clarified that the competition between China and the United States should not deteriorate into violence anywhere. Chinese officials know that, whatever Bidens flaws, he is the only one of the 2024 presidential candidates they can be sure wont start a nuclear war impulsively. Diana Fu, a China specialist at the Brookings Institution, said, To many in and outside of China, the elections already have a predetermined outcome: The United States will continue to view China as a competitor and a threat, regardless of who is in the White House. And yet Xi seems to understand that Trump undercuts sources of Americas appeal abroad and is personally vulnerable to wild emotional swings and flattery. If Trump is reelected and pursues American isolationism, Beijing may actually stand to gain in terms of its influence in the Indo-Pacific and beyond, said Fu. Trump may accede to China annexing Taiwan and claiming the South China Sea, hoping to sign a deal he imagines will bring him greatness. Perhaps hell praise Xis brutality toward the Uyghurs and suggest the United States should follow suit with our Muslim population. Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel Long before he became president, Joe Biden declared himself a Zionist and close friend of Israel. And indeed, now as president, Biden has given Netanyahu and his government, the most extremist in Israeli history, virtually unconditional support in its campaign against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. His administration has sent huge amounts of arms to Israel, protected the Jewish state from diplomatic opprobrium at the United Nations, and given even less acknowledgment to the Palestinian cause than had previous Democratic Presidents Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, and Jimmy Carter. For all these reasons, Yousef Munayyer, head of the Palestine/Israel Program at the Arab Center Washington DC, said: I dont think Trump would have handled it much differently. But that doesnt reflect well on Biden. Yet Israels longest-serving prime minister would clearly prefer to see Donald Trump return to the White House. For one thing, the Biden administration has warned Israel against initiating a wider regional war and insisted that a Palestinian state must one day materialize, opposing discussions in Netanyahus government in both cases. More grandly, Netanyahu sees a similar spirit in Trump and has long had connections to the GOP. Netanyahu is something of a patron saint in the Republican Party, as Munayyer said. Since Trump left office, he has called Netanyahu disloyal and chided him for being unprepared for Hamass October 7 massacre inside Israel. But, despite these comments, Trump would likely permit Israel to unleash its formidable military capabilities beyond its borders, deeper into Lebanon, Syria, and perhaps Iran. The Palestinians would suffer even more, as Israels hard-liners would understand they can kill civilians en masse without retribution and will openly foreclose any possibility of a state for them, ever. After all, while president, Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israels capital, rejecting the consensus of other world leaders. Finally, his most intense domestic endorsements come from evangelical Christians who are supportive for religious reasons of the most extremist parties of Israel and are often hostile to Muslims, and he may seek to reward their backing. Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Egypt In 2019, President Trump was waiting for a meeting with Egypts president. Wheres my favorite dictator? he asked aloud. The Wall Street Journal suggested that, even if lighthearted, Mr. Trumps quip drew attention to an uncomfortable facet of the U.S.-Egypt relationship. But in fact, Trump was conveying admiration, not discomfort, for el-Sisis authoritarianism. Egypt has made tremendous progress under a great leaders leadership, Trump said on another occasion, although, of course, no such progress had been made. This rhetoric marked a shift from President Barack Obama, who had condemned el-Sisi on several occasions, withholding military aid for a time after he came to power in a coup in 2011. Despite saying there would be no more blank checks for Trumps favorite dictator, Biden has done the same two-step dance as Obama, approving the sale of nearly $200 million in missiles to Egypt while criticizing the governments human rights record. Israels assault on the Gaza Strip made Egypt more important to the United States than it had been, as the country mediates between Israel and Hamas. Given this extra incentive, it is difficult to imagine Biden taking a harder line against Egypt in a second term. Still, el-Sisi would opt for Trump to become president, given their shared distaste for civil liberties and democracy. Steven Heydemann, professor of Middle East studies at Smith College, said, What would be significant, and I think it would be something we might expect from a Trump administration, would be to signal much more vocally and much more visibly its support for Sisi personally, its support for his regime. That could push el-Sisi to transform Egypt into something more totalitarian, ending any potential opposition or dissent from emerging. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey Erdogan has overseen Turkey during its transition from a democratic-leaning state to an authoritarian, Islamist-influenced one. As president, Trump acceded to Turkish expansionism, as the country sent proxy forces to fight in Syria, met with members of Hamas, and intervened in Libya as a way of asserting power in the region. Congress blocked arms sales to Turkey for two years, which frustrated the Trump administration. Like other unsavory characters trying to get on his good side, Erdogan savvily played to Trumps bottomless capacity for vanity, leading Trump to once brag that world leaders he left unnamed had asked him to try to talk to Erdogan on their behalf, since Trump was the only person he respected. Trump once told an American whom Turkey had locked up dubiously for two years that, to him, President Erdogan was very good. As a presidential candidate in 2020, conversely, Biden called Erdogan an autocrat (a negative designation in Bidens lexicon, refreshingly) and urged support for domestic opposition to his regime, leading the Turkish government to say the former vice presidents notions were based on pure ignorance, arrogance, and hypocrisy. Since taking office, Biden has kept Erdogan at a distance, affirming that the Ottomans carried out a genocide against the Armenians early in the twentieth century, a historical fact the Turks have long denied. Biden also conspicuously excluded Erdogan from his ill-fated Summit for Democracy, although the president in January urged Congress to approve the sale of fighter jets to Turkey to reward the nation for agreeing to let Sweden join NATO. Turkeys president would love a photo op with the U.S. president to enhance his credibility as a regional leader. Asli Aydintasbas, visiting fellow specializing in Turkey at the Brookings Institution, said, Erdogan would probably rejoice at the prospect of a second Trump administration. Firstly, by embracing the Turkish leader, Trump would enhance his domestic profile as an international mover and shaker. He hasnt been able to demonstrate that to the public over the past four years, in part because Western European governments and the Biden administration have held him at arms length, said Aydintasbas. Any concerns about Turkeys democratic regression would be scorned by Trump, who would surely once again be vulnerable to ridiculous compliments from ill-motivated suitors. Erdogan might also like to see Trump remove U.S. forces from Syria and Iraq and could attempt to fill the void with personnel funded by Turkey. Stonehill College professor Anna Ohanyan said Erdogan would benefit tremendously from a Trump presidential revival. He got a lot out of Trump. Next time around, he would get even more, permitting him to unleash violence on the Kurds and end Turkeys democratic experiment for a generation. Viktor Orban, Hungary Of all leaders in the world, Hungarys president is perhaps the most open about his preference in the 2024 election. Just as in 2016 and 2020, Orban is loudly proclaiming his desire to see Donald Trump as U.S. commander in chief. Trump is the man who can save the Western world, he told media personality Tucker Carlson in August. Call back Trump! As a global symbol of white male grievance working in alliance with Christian conservatives, Trump naturally appeals to Hungarys leader, whom right-wing agitator Stephen Bannon once called Trump before Trump. To reward Orbans success in undermining Hungarys independent judiciary and liberal freedoms, Trump invited Orban for an Oval Office visit in 2019, which he had been denied since 1998. Biden, meanwhile, left Orban out of his Summit for Democracy, leaving Hungary as the only country from the European Union unrepresented there. That led Budapest to block the E.U.s formal participation in the summit. As the head of a quasi-free state that he is leading in an authoritarian direction, Orban has long been an inspiration for American conservatives and has looked to them, in turn, for legitimacy and support. Orban and Trump have a bromance going on, said Kim Lane Scheppele, an expert on Hungary at Princeton University. There are lots of people who go back and forth between that Trump orbit or Orban orbit. So, its not just that theyre kind of blowing kisses from a distance, but that they actually have people who work together, on a daily basis. In 2022, Trump, out of office, said he wished for Orban to triumph in upcoming elections, calling him a strong leader who has done a powerful and wonderful job in protecting Hungary, stopping illegal immigration, creating jobs, trade, and should be allowed to continue to do so. With Trump in office, Orban will solidify the authoritarian takeover of Hungarys once-promising liberal era. Bashar al-Assad, Syria Bashar al-Assad, responsible for killing hundreds of thousands of citizens of his own country, had high hopes for Donald Trump when he assumed the presidency in 2017. He imagined that Trump would be a natural ally in the fight against terrorism and rationalized the presidents Muslim travel ban as an anti-terrorism measure. And indeed, Trump reduced the presence of American troops in Syria, which no doubt met with Assads approval. But after Assad used chemical weapons to gas more than 100 people to death, Trump ordered that 59 missiles strike Syrian airfields, mused about assassinating Assad, and implemented sanctions against his cronies. The Biden administration had continued the hostile policy against Syria and discouraged the Arab League from bringing Damascus back into the organization (the league did so anyway). One of the interesting features of [U.S.] Syria policy has been its continuity, I think, across administrations, said Steven Heydemann. Even so, if he has a favorite, Assad is likely eager to see Trump take the White House again, since Trump may wish to further remove American troops from the Middle East. Said Heydemann: That would be seen as a significant win by the Assad regime, but I dont think in and of itself that is sufficient to give the Assad regime a sense that its future relationship with the United States or its broader position in terms of its pariah status in the international system might be affected by the outcome of the election this November. What Assad might get is more open support from Russia and Turkey. Kim Jong Un, North Korea Trump in office oscillated between thoughtless threats to totally destroy North Korea and equally hasty maneuvers to secure some pact by being the first U.S. president to visit the isolated country, and between calling leader Kim Jong Un a maniac and valorizing him as very honorable. Most bizarrely, after receiving a letter from Kim in 2019, Trump said, We fell in love. He clearly prizes the ostentatious displays of reverence North Koreas leader receives, saying that Kim speaks, and his people sit up at attention. I want my people to do the same. (Trump later lied and said he was being sarcastic in that comment.) In December 2023, Politico reported that Trump is considering a realistic approach to North Korea in a second term. Apparently, he would offer Kim a chance to get sanctions lifted and U.S. acquiescence to North Koreas nuclear program if the dictator refrained from adding further weaponry to his arsenal. Toby Dalton, senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said that its possible Trump would go further, declaring that he was pulling U.S. troops out of South Korea and Japan, effectively ending the alliances. Kim could assume there could be a huge change in U.S. policy, Dalton said, something that offers both risks and rewards for North Korea. However, Trumps ambitions might get constrained by his advisers and his administrations bureaucracy. That is essentially what occurred in his first term. Refining the details of international agreements is beyond his attention span, and his incessant need for obsequiousness means that Kim could rupture relations simply by not flattering Trumps ego sufficiently. Im not sure that Kim Jong Un is as fascinated with Donald Trump as the other way around, said Dalton. Ali Khamenei, Iran Unlike many leaders on this list, Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader of Iran, presides over a government that is deeply divided over whether to pursue better relations with the United States under any president. That was true even when Iran signed a deal concerning its nuclear enrichment program with President Obama and its allies in 2015, as mutual suspicions going back decades between the two sides remained severe. When Trump unilaterally withdrew the United States from the agreement in 2018 and imposed new sanctions on Khamenei and others, he not only reneged on a deal that was deeply favorable to U.S. interestsIran revived its nuclear program in 2020but confirmed the sentiments of the wing in Tehran that sees Washington as implacably hostile to the Islamic Republic. Sadly, Biden, as president, said the United States would rejoin the deal only if Iran took the first step of shuttering its nuclear enrichment program. That didnt happen, and the agreement was not revived. In January 2024, Iran-backed militias killed three U.S. service members near the Jordan-Syrian border, one of 165 attacks (as of early February) targeting American troops in the Middle East since the Israel-Hamas war began. Even though relations between Iran and the United States are horrible, they could be worse, as Republican senators such as South Carolinas Lindsey Graham and Arkansass Tom Cotton are angling for direct strikes on Tehran. As president, Trump reportedly called off an attack on Iran, but his impulsivity and need to appear tough make his future actions unpredictable, given his perennial need to appear militaristic. Barbara Slavin, an Iran specialist at the Stimson Center, said, Hard-liners in Iran would prefer Trump, because he will drag down the U.S. reputation internationally even more and make the U.S. more isolated. Conversely, More reform-minded Iranians would prefer Biden, who, in a second term, might be more amenable to compromise, as second-term Democratic presidents have tended to be. Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan Azerbaijan is one of those countries that receive little attention in the United States because it is small and arguably peripheral to American interests but is affected by decisions taken by Washington. President Ilham Aliyev has ruled the country for more than 20 years, succeeding his father, Heydar Aliyev. The leader is allied with Turkey and Russia and menaces neighboring Armenia. The Obama administration sporadically called out Aliyevs many human rights abuses and played an important role in negotiations between Azerbaijan and neighboring Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh, a disputed region that has been a flashpoint for war for decades. Trump has a long history with Azerbaijan. In 2012, his company signed deals with a notoriously corrupt family there to build a tower in Baku, the capital, possibly in violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, a law prohibiting U.S. companies from benefiting from foreign corruption. A New Yorker report called it Trumps worst deal. While he was president, the United States was conspicuously absent from talks that eventually led to a peace agreement concerning Nagorno-Karabakh. Trump did not even grant ambassador status to his representative in the region, signaling his administrations detachment from the conflict. The impact of his foreign policy in the South Caucasus, especially on Armenia and Azerbaijan, was just devastating, said Ohanyan. In September 2023, Aliyev attacked Nagorno-Karabakh again, launching an ethnic cleansing campaign, and U.S. officials have affirmed support for the regions Armenian population. If Trump comes to power again, he may again reduce the U.S. presence in negotiations, depriving Armenia of important leverage and greenlighting Azerbaijans takeover. Aliyev is banking on Trump winning, said Ohanyan, adding that his position at the negotiation table has already hardened in anticipation of Trumps return. Aliyev would benefit tremendously if Trump was elected. Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia Republican Presidents have usually been closer to Saudi Arabia than Democratic presidents, and Trump was no exception. Whereas Obama had publicly derided the Saudis and suspended some arms sales, Trump embraced them on his first foreign trip as president and resumed the weapons sales. He called them a great ally soon after the CIA concluded that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had ordered the murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Turkey. He vetoed congressional attempts to end support for the brutal Saudi-led war in Yemen and to halt arms sales for the war. Madawi Al-Rasheed, professor at the London School of Economics and Political Science, said of the crown prince and Trump: They share a lot in common, especially personality-wise. She added, They get on very well, because its transactional. They only understand power and interest and money. Trumps relationship with Saudi Arabia didnt even conclude at the end of his term: Soon after Trump left office, bin Salman rewarded his friend by investing billions of dollars in a private equity firm headed by Trumps corrupt son-in-law, Jared Kushner. Among the most disappointing areas of U.S. foreign policy under Biden has been Saudi Arabia. He has kept intact the desert nation as the top recipient of U.S. military equipment and flirted with offering it security guarantees. But a Trump revival would advance these deepening ties further. Saudi Arabia wouldnt have to worry about any pressure on human rights in Yemen or anywhere else. Steven Heydemann said, Among the most influential states in the Middle East, including in the gulf, the [United Arab Emirates], Saudi Arabia, even Qatar, there seems to be a sense that it would be easier for them to work with Trump, with the Trump administration, than with the Biden administration. Donald Trump would be disastrous for the cause of freedom in the United States and in the world. For one thing, the countrys ability to model itself as a functioning, just democracy, always its best and most underrated asset in foreign affairs, would be weakened beyond its already dismal state. Second, Trump appeals to authoritarian populists, corrupt kleptocrats, and white nationalists in ways unlike any other American leader, and his return to the presidency would energize these villains, giving them free rein to crush dissidents, defiance, and democracy. Third, Trump would take a hammer to Americas alliances with other democratic countries, weakening them individually and collectively. Finally, Trump may simply shift U.S. foreign policy in the direction of the dictators and autocrats he so admires, with little regard for American interests. In a long life of lying and larceny, Trumps valentines to strongmen and tormentors have been among his few reliable and truthful statements. Americas domestic problems are severe and numerous, and it would be understandable if voters concentrated on matters at home. But the Biden-Trump match carries high global stakes, and not only for Americans. Internationalist-minded conservatives may wish to consider the fate of freedom around the world in casting their vote. And liberals and leftists who imagine that Bidens blunders cannot be exceeded in foreign affairs, even in the Middle East, are suffering from a severe failure of imagination. As Shakespeare put it in King Lear, And worse I may be yet: the worst is not so long as we can say, This is the worst. Police officers walk outside the U.S. Supreme Court in 2021. Credit: Eric Lee for The Texas Tribune The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday heard arguments in a Texas case in which a former council member sued the city of Castle Hills, arguing that she was arrested in retaliation for criticizing the city manager. The question at the center of the case is whether people who criticize the government can sue local officials over retaliatory arrests. When the case came before the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, the court said that the plaintiff, to prove retaliation, needed to point to an identical situation to hers that didnt result in an arrest. Several Supreme Court justices on Wednesday asked whether the appeals court had too narrowly interpreted previous case law concerning the question. In 2019, the council member, Sylvia Gonzalez, was arrested and charged with tampering with a government document. Gonzalez said she had mistakenly placed a paper copy of a petition urging the city to remove the city manager in her binder before she realized the mistake. Weeks later she was charged with tampering with government documents, a misdemeanor, and held in Bexar County Jail. The charges against Gonzalez, who was the citys first Latina council member, were later dropped. Humiliated, Gonzalez resigned from the council and sued Castle Hills, a city that lies within the northern sprawl of San Antonio, and several of its officials. She accused Mayor JR Trevino and the police chief of arresting her in retaliation for exercising her First Amendment rights accusing the city manager of failing to do his job, through the petition she was accused of stealing. The Supreme Court previously considered the question at the heart of Gonzalezs case in Nieves v. Bartlett. In that 2019 case, the court found that plaintiffs are barred from making claims of retaliatory arrest when officers have probable cause to take them into custody. Gonzalezs legal team maintained that the council members case met the exception in Nieves. They argued that the tampering statute was normally reserved for making fake green cards or Social Security cards not for briefly misplacing a document. The flimsiness of the charge, Gonzalezs lawyer argued, was evidence of retaliation. When the 5th Circuit considered Gonzalezs case, it found that Gonzalez had failed to meet the exception outlined in the Nieves ruling. The New Orleans-based court said Gonzalez did not provide comparative evidence, in the form of someone else who had not been arrested for the same crime, to qualify for the exception. Lisa Blatt, the lawyer for Castle Hills, argued that the appellate court judged the case correctly. She said Gonzalez had failed to prove that similarly situated plaintiffs, who had also tampered with government documents, did not get arrested. Justice Neil Gorsuch expressed skepticism toward Blatts argument. He asked about the many statutes on the books that are never enforced. You're saying they can all sit there unused, except for one person who alleges that I was the only person in America who's ever been prosecuted for this because I dared express a view protected by the First Amendment, and that's not actionable? Gorsuch said. I'm going to try to convince you otherwise, Blatt replied. Justice Elena Kagan agreed with Gorsuch in asking whether the 5th Circuit went too far in interpreting what evidence is necessary to meet the Nieves exception. You should be able to say, They've never charged somebody with this kind of crime before and I don't have to go find a person who has engaged in the same conduct, Kagan said. Chief Justice John Roberts Jr., who wrote the majority opinion in the Nieves case, was hesitant to expand the exception outlined in that decision. The example of jaywalking, which many people do but are rarely arrested for, was cited as an exception in Nieves. If an individual who has been vocally complaining about police conduct is arrested for jaywalking at such an intersection, it would seem insufficiently protective of First Amendment rights to dismiss the individuals retaliatory-arrest claim on the ground that there was undoubted probable cause for the arrest, Roberts wrote in the 2019 Nieves decision. Gonzalezs lawyer, Anya Bidwell, said Nieves probable-cause rule should be applied to on-the-spot arrests when an officer is on patrol and has to make decisions in dangerous circumstances but not cases like Gonzalezs, in which there was an arrest warrant. Justice Samuel Alito questioned that logic. Are you making this argument because you have bigger fish to fry or because you think this is the argument that's most likely to succeed in this case and serve the interests of your client? Alito said. 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. U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin has authored a letter to President Joe Biden urging him to employ his authority under the Antiquities Act to create a national monument in honor of Springfield native and philanthropist Julius Rosenwald. As one of its owners, Rosenwald made Sears, Roebuck and Company a retail powerhouse, but during the Jim Crow era, he partnered with Booker T. Washington and nearly 5,000 Black communities in the South to build schools across 15 states for children without educational opportunities. A total of 5,357 "Rosenwald Schools" educated some 600,000 Black Americans in the South, including alumni Congressman John Lewis, Medgar Evers and Maya Angelou. Read more: Springfield-area man wins an Oscar thanks to a little help from his friends Springfield native and philanthropist Julius Rosenwald, in 1926. U.S. Sens. Tammy Duckworth, D-Illinois., Ben Cardin, D-Maryland, Chris Van Hollen, D-Maryland, Cory Booker, D-New Jersey, Sheldon Whitehouse, D-Rhode Island, Kirsten Gillibrand, D-New York, Tim Kaine, D-Virginia and Mark Warner, D-Virginia, also signed the letter. The National Park Service's Special Resource Study on Rosenwald is scheduled to wrap up later this year. Rosenwald's boyhood home on Eighth Street is being considered for the national monument. It serves as the headquarters for the Lincoln Home National Historic Site, which consists of several residences in Abraham Lincolns Springfield neighborhood. Rosenwald, who was born in 1862 to German Jewish immigrants, lived in a house on Seventh Street until his family moved to the Eighth Street home in 1869. Other sites in the North Lawndale neighborhood of Chicago and in Maryland also are being considered for the national monument. Rosenwald served on the Chicago Commission on Race Relations. He was also the principal founder and backer for the Museum of Science and Industry. Julius Rosenwalds philanthropy changed the course of African American education in the South and had significant impacts on our society. We support elevating the story, people, and schools that facilitated that change through the creation of a national monument, the senators wrote. A national monument would be of national historical significance and the first to commemorate the life and legacy of a Jewish American. It also would acknowledge the impact of Rosenwald Schools in the segregated South and address early Black-Jewish partnerships and the role of philanthropy in the United States. Importantly, a national monument also would pay tribute to the value of education as an equalizing force. As Julius Rosenwald so aptly stated, I do not see how America can go forward if part of its people are left behind, wrote the senators. The Antiquities Act gives the president the authority by proclamation to create national monuments from federal lands. The act has been used more than 100 times. Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788; sspearie@sj-r.com; X, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie. This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: President Biden urged to honor Springfield's Julius Rosenwald Each wing consists of 2 levels of cells in Unit ONe at the Chatham County Detention Center. Investigations of four deaths of Chatham County Detention Center (CCDC) inmates remain unresolved, pending a final decision from the Chatham County District Attorneys Office, according to a Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) spokesperson. After an inmate dies at CCDC, the GBI begins investigation, then passes the files to the District Attorney, who decides whether or not to pursue charges in the case. The case can then be administratively closed and files become available to the public. The open cases include; Sept. 26, 2021, death of Charles Nelson. According to county records, Nelson died of natural causes. Jan. 7, 2022, death of Hakiem Reid. According to county records, Reid died by hanging. March 5, 2023, death of Gregory Woods. According to county records, Woods died from suicide. April 29, 2023, death of Maurice Small. According to county records, Small died of natural causes. In an interview, Chatham County DA Shalena Cook Jones confirmed that her office is still reviewing the four investigations. "When I'm looking at a jail death, I'm looking at whether or not a crime occurred," said Jones. The only question that they're asking me is whether or not I'm going to prosecute somebody for those deaths. So, for people to say that they're waiting on the DA's office to release the records of their agency, they're not. Some of those deaths were affixation. Some of them were suicide. Some of them, there's nobody to blame. But wouldn't you rather a DA who takes their time to make that choice rather than rubber stamping what some other police agency said?" Jones said there was nothing stopping the CCSO from conducting its own internal investigation or GBI releasing available records. "But I am not going to be rushed or blamed by any office. I'm going to take my time and decide the decisions and the cases that come across my desk. The review of the investigations comes as other sheriff candidates call into question the transparency of the Chatham County Sheriffs Office (CCSO), particularly why Sheriff John Wilcher isnt immediately releasing the cause of deaths at the CCDC. During an interview in early March, Wilcher countered that he cant release the cause of deaths due to the ongoing nature of the investigations and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). Wilcher held a press conference at the CCSO in late September 2023 to confirm that the deaths of Lloyd James and Marco Ochoa were caused by drug overdoses. Both investigations still are pending at the GBI level. More: Chatham County Sheriff says two recent inmate deaths caused by drug overdoses More: Chatham County jail contract worker fired, arrested and charged with smuggling drugs More: Chatham County jail corrections officer fired, arrested and charged with smuggling drugs Investigations taking longer than normal Recent investigations have taken, on average, more than 402 days. One case has sat on the DAs desk for 685 days. Investigations of three other deaths of CCDC inmates, meanwhile, remain under investigation by the GBI. In a phone call, GBI spokesperson Lindsay Smith said the investigations into the alleged overdose deaths of James and Ochoa took longer than normal because GBI investigators were trying to determine how the drugs got into the jail. Those deaths have taken about 180 days for the GBI to investigate. More: Chatham County District Attorney's office closes four officer-involved shooting cases The DA chose not to pursue charges in the Feb. 25, 2021, death of Hilary Barnes. CCDC Inmate Robert Michael King died in a hospital on Nov. 28, 2020, but the GBI never investigated his death, according to Smith. Both Barnes and King died of hanging, according to county records. The GBI didn't investigate King's death because he died at a hospital, said Wilcher. According to previous reporting by the Savannah Morning News, two internal investigations of the Sept. 6, 2020, death of Lee Michael Creely revealed that Correct Health employees and corrections officers violated policies and procedures. Drew Favakeh is the public safety and courts reporter for the Savannah Morning News. You can reach him at AFavakeh@Gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Probes into Chatham County jail deaths still pending district attorney decision Flash The Chinese government continues to provide humanitarian assistance to Palestine to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, the Chinese Embassy in Egypt said in a press release on Wednesday. China has provided a batch of cash assistance to Gaza and is currently delivering two batches of food, medical supplies, and other essential humanitarian aid to the enclave through Egypt, according to the embassy. During the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, China is intensifying efforts to provide food supplies to the Gaza Strip. Chinese aid of rice will arrive at Egypt's Port Said on March 28 and then be transported to the Strip through the Rafah crossing, according to the embassy. What does Wisconsin have in common with the Hawaiian Islands, Florida Keys and Californias Channel Islands? They all are home to national marine sanctuaries. The Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary is one of 15 places in the country that have received the designation from the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration. Marine sanctuaries help to protect underwater resources, like rocky reefs, kelp forests, deep-sea canyons and archaeological sites. The Lake Michigan sanctuary off Wisconsin's coast is home to dozens of shipwrecks that represent and preserve both a moment frozen in time and a window into the past, said Russ Green, superintendent of Wisconsins national marine sanctuary. Besides being a cool place to experience shipwrecks, the marine sanctuary is an important site for science, tourism and education opportunities. Heres what to know about Wisconsins marine sanctuary. More: More than 3 times as many shipwrecks were discovered in Lake Michigan last year as ever before. Why? There are 36 known shipwrecks in the sanctuary The sanctuary covers 962 square miles, spanning Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Sheboygan and Ozaukee counties. Its co-managed by NOAA and the state. There are 36 known shipwrecks within the sanctuary boundaries that sank between the 1830s and 1930, 27 of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Its believed that there are another 60 that have yet to be discovered. A map of the Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary in Lake Michigan. The sanctuary covers 962 square miles, spanning Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Sheboygan and Ozaukee counties and is home to 36 identified shipwrecks. Cold freshwater has kept many of these shipwrecks virtually intact, Green said, and "by being good stewards of these historic sites, were both protecting this legacy and ensuring that we can share it with the public." In total, there are an estimated 780 shipwrecks in Wisconsin's Lake Michigan waters, and roughly 250 have been discovered, said Tamara Thomsen, maritime archaeologist with the Wisconsin Historical Society. More: How many shipwrecks are in Lake Michigan, and what happens to them? Visitors can paddle out to shipwrecks According to Green, one of the best places to paddle out to see a shipwreck is at Point Beach State Forest in Two Rivers. The Lake Michigan Water Trail is an interactive map that people can use to locate shipwrecks off Rawley Point in Point Beach. Green said that the sand is pretty dynamic there, but the wreck of the Major Anderson is often uncovered. Just north of the Park is the steamer Continental, the engine of which is just below the surface. The sanctuary also plans to install buoys this season at several shipwrecks so people can find them easier and explore. As always, follow safe paddling practices as well as Wisconsin and U.S. Coast Guard laws. And if you don't feel like heading out into the water, people can "visit" shipwrecks through 3D models sanctuary staff have created. A standup paddler explores a shipwreck in the Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary off Point Beach Forest State Park. The sanctuary is one of 15 in the country, and the second in the Great Lakes. More: These three men have paddled across all five Great Lakes and raised money to protect them It took six years to get the designation Wisconsins shipwreck sanctuary became the 15th and most recent site to receive the designation in 2021. And after six years of effort the site received the designation, but not without some political back-and-forth. The process of designating Wisconsins Lake Michigan coast as a sanctuary began in 2015 after former Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker asked the federal government to consider it. Walker rescinded the nomination after former President Donald Trump signed an executive order that prevented the naming of most new national marine sanctuaries in order to expand offshore drilling for oil and gas. A diver swims over the two masted schooner Walter B. Allen, which sunk in 1880. The shipwreck sits on the bottom of Lake Michigan in the Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary. Gov. Tony Evers asked NOAA to renew the proposal shortly after he took office in 2019. Putting Wisconsin on the map was a community-led effort with the vision of connecting the Great Lakes' rich maritime history with efforts onshore to boost tourism and recreation, Green said. The sanctuary has become a research hotspot The marine sanctuary designation also helps support conservation and science efforts, which is very much needed in the Great Lakes, where less than 15% of the lakebeds have been mapped. Wisconsins site is one of the most well-understood places in all of Lake Michigan, according to Green. NOAA has begun mapping the lake bottom using sonar, which Green said is like painting a picture using sound. Along with diving to the lake bottom, scientists are using technology, like robots, that can explore and characterize shipwrecks and other underwater features. Sonar helps paint a picture of the bottom of the lake with sound. This sonar image shows the wreck of the schooner Gallinipper, which sank off the coast of Centerville in Manitowoc County in 1851. The Gallinipper is Wisconsin's oldest known shipwreck and sits within the boundaries of the Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary. There is even a map tool where people can explore parts of the lakebed in the sanctuary. People used the sanctuary waters for thousands of years long before European settlers arrived, and the lake was integral to Indigenous peoples for trade, communication and sustenance, Green said. He hopes continued investigation and discoveries will unveil artifacts that represent this long history. More: Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast lays groundwork with sonar mapping, weather buoys, undiscovered shipwrecks in year one The Wisconsin site is one of two in the Great Lakes, for now The Great Lakes region was an important center for commercial fishing, shipping and shipbuilding as well as during military conflicts. So its no wonder there is a lot to find on the bottom of the lakes. To date, there is one other national marine sanctuary in the Great Lakes. Designated in 2000, the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary was the first marine sanctuary in the Great Lakes, protecting 4,300 square miles of Lake Huron off Michigans northeastern coast. A diver explores the shipwreck Gallinipper in the Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary. The area is known as Shipwreck Alley because it has some of the most treacherous waters and unpredictable weather in the Great Lakes. It is estimated there are roughly 100 shipwrecks in that sanctuary. NOAA is in the process of designating sites in Lakes Erie and Ontario as well. The Lake Ontario marine sanctuary would sit off New Yorks eastern shore, stretching across more than 1,700 square miles. That site includes 43 known shipwrecks as well as one aircraft. Lake Eries site would encompass 740 square miles off Pennsylvania's shore, and has 35 identified shipwrecks. Along with being commercial centers, the two sites are also culturally significant to Indigenous nations. More: Water quality issues challenge what it means to 'leave no trace' in beloved Boundary Waters Caitlin Looby is a Report for America corps member who writes about the environment and the Great Lakes. Reach her at clooby@gannett.com or follow her on X @caitlooby. Please consider supporting journalism that informs our democracy with a tax-deductible gift to this reporting effort at jsonline.com/RFA or by check made out to The GroundTruth Project with subject line Report for America Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Campaign. Address: The GroundTruth Project, Lockbox Services, 9450 SW Gemini Dr, PMB 46837, Beaverton, Oregon 97008-7105. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What to know about Wisconsin's marine sanctuary in Lake Michigan HUDDLESTON About twice a week Sen. Mark Peake, R-Lynchburg, said he gets a call from someone in his Senate 8 district that includes Bedford County asking when their broadband is going to arrive. He understands the urgency. It is absolutely critical for any locality, any county, especially our rural counties, to build out that broadband, Peake said Tuesday while celebrating the groundbreaking for RiverStreet Networks Fiber-to-the-Home project in Bedford County. A crowd gathered at Glenwood Hardware & Supply in Huddleston to mark the groundbreaking for a project that will cover just more than 356 miles of fiber and pass 3,027 locations over the next few years. RiverStreet Networks and the county have partnered to carry the project forward with funding assistance from the Connect America Fund, the Virginia Telecommunication Initiative (VATI) and the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund for a network that once fully complete will allow county residents to access internet speeds up to 1,000 megabits per second. At home, work or school everyone depends on the internet and investing in fiber broadband and networks is an investment in rural communities, said Eric Cramer, president and CEO of RiverStreet Networks, in a project overview. This is a true partnership, Cramer said of the $18.3 million project that is more than 70% funded through grants. Our DNA is to serve rural areas. Thats all we do. We want to go where people are unserved or underserved. Thats our mission. Peake, who was joined at the groundbreaking by Del. Tim Griffin, R-Bedford, said broadband is critical for economic development and all Virginians felt its importance during the shutdown from COVID-19 four years ago that brought virtual learning to the forefront for an extended period. Daniel Persico, chief operating officer for Glenwood Energy, said lack of high-speed internet has made it a challenge doing business in a rural part of the county. The Huddleston company looks forward to being among those who have access to the service in the near future, he said. This project is going to be very, very, very important not just to our business but to the entire area, Persico said. Im really thrilled this is happening. Michael Brown, vice president of operations for RiverStreet Networks, said construction already is underway and much work has been put into the project. RiverStreet Networks, which serves more than 29,000 homes and businesses in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia, said in a news release upcoming crews will work to bring fiber-optic internet services to more homes in Bedford County. It takes multiple companies to make this happen, Cramer said. Were just very grateful for the partnerships weve established. Bedford County Board of Supervisors members Edgar Tuck, Tommy Scott and Tammy Parker joined in breaking ground for the new project Tuesday. We couldnt have done this locally without partnerships and collaboration thats the key to the business of making broadband happen, County Administrator Robert Hiss said. Tuck, who represents the countys District 2 in much of the Smith Mountain Lake area and southeastern parts of the county, added: Its been a long time coming. He said the board is thrilled about what the project means for the southeastern part of the county. People will have more business and economic advantages, and we will see more educational opportunities for our citizens, Tuck said. Tamarah Holmes, director of the Virginia Office of Broadband, described Bedford County as innovative in pursuing countywide broadband coverage. I want to note this is one of several projects that are currently happening in Bedford County with multiple providers to make sure that every single Bedford home, business and community anchor has access to broadband, Holmes said. Its a model for what should be happening across the commonwealth. Since 2017, the state has invested almost $935 million and $1 billion in matched funds from the private sector into broadband expansion, Holmes said. Were currently building in 86 counties in Virginia, connecting to almost 400,000 locations, Holmes said. To be exact, we funded exactly 100 projects since this program started in 2017 with 62 projects currently being built across the state. Almost 90,000 locations to date have received faster broadband since the state program and Bedford is among those localities, Holmes said. Bedford County also announced this week about 1,000 addresses will have the opportunity to connect to high-speed internet with Verizon completing its broadband project in the Big Island and Wheats Valley communities. Verizon Fios is now available for eligible addresses in this area, effective March 1. Eligible addresses will receive mailed communication from Verizon announcing the service and next steps, according to a county-issued news release. We are pleased to achieve this significant milestone in broadband rollout for Bedford County, Tuck said in the release. We have found Verizon to be a solid partner in our efforts to provide crucial broadband availability to our citizens, particularly in these areas that have waited patiently for so long. This project was partially funded by Bedford County and a VATI grant with a mission of extending service to unserved or underserved areas. While there were about 350 official addresses identified to receive service from the VATI project, Verizons final availability list in the area is much larger and includes about 1,000 addresses, the release states. Representatives from Bedford County, Verizon and the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development kicked off the project in March 2023. In 12 months, Verizon has installed 90 miles of broadband fiber in the northern part of Bedford County. Holmes said while significant progress has been made in broadband expansion in Virginia more work is needed, and her office is committed to ensuring every location has access to affordable, reliable high-speed internet. We know the job is not done, Holmes said. We still need local governments and the private sector at the table. The Lynchburg City School Board has agreed to lower its local funding request of city council from $47.5 million to $43.7 million; from $8.2 million over the $39.4 million LCS received in local funding in fiscal year 2024 to $4.3 million over level funding. At its meeting Tuesday night, the board voted unanimously in favor of board member Anthony Andrews motion to make the final ask $47.5 million. It constitutes level funding plus the $3.1 million Superintendent Crystal Edwards had originally recommended the board ask for over FY 2024 funding after other cuts to the divisions operating budget. It also adds back in funding for LCS Restore ($1.2 million), a formerly CARES-funded pilot program focused on addressing student behavior problems. CARES funds are temporary COVID-19 relief monies that expire this year; Edwards and school administrators had cut LCS Restore and other CARES-funded positions in their initial recommended budget. The $47.5 million funding request the board voted 5-4 in favor of on Jan. 30 had also added back in funding for the divisions Virtual Academy another CARES-funded pilot program plus about 25 of the roughly 67 positions administrators had cut to make their initial funding request of the city. But in light of Lynchburg City Manager Wynter Bendas recent budget proposal which recommends level funding for city schools board members were rethinking their preliminary ask. An official funding request is due to the city by April 1. I would like to suggest that we not ask for that much not because I disagree with the desire to put these roughly 25 positions, the virtual academy and LCS Restore back on their feet but simply because theres zero probability that were going to get it, board Vice Chair Martin Day said. Weve been told over and over and over that its not possible. More outrage during public hearing Seven individuals spoke during the boards public hearing on the budget Tuesday night mostly parents of students at Sandusky Elementary School and T.C. Miller Elementary School for Innovation plus Sandusky Principal Derrick Womack and five individuals left voicemail messages for the board. Both schools are slated for closure as part of LCS facilities master plan and the board voted in October to postpone closing or converting both schools until fall 2025. Community members again voiced opposition to the closures, and said theyd been blindsided by a new development: a line in one of the budget summary documents included with the meeting agenda on the LCS website, Early [Fall 2024] Closure of Sandusky and T.C. Miller Elementary Schools. According to that document, early closure would save the division another $3.2 million. T.C. Miller parent Micah Davis spoke through tears about the October delayed closure decision: that meant my oldest child would get to finish elementary school at TCM. It meant she would get to take her final bows onstage as a fifth grader, a sacred ritual at TCM. What was the point of that vote on Oct. 24? How could the board possibly consider doing this to our students and staff? Have they gone through enough? In addition, where is the $15 million you are planning on requesting for expansion at Bass? It has not been included in this budget. What happened to that plan? she asked. Members of the school board, you have lost our trust. It is time for the school board to do the right thing and keep the promises that you have made to us and to our children. After public comments, Day said thered been a misunderstanding. There is no proposal to close Sandusky or T.C. Miller early. That is not what this document is. All this is saying is what if the city says no, the city insists that theyre only giving us flat funding. That leaves us with a deficit of about $3 million. Where are we going to find $3 million? This document simply suggests that one way to do that would be to close Sandusky and T.C. Miller early, but there is no proposal on the table to do that. This is just saying if the city insists on flat funding, we have a gap to fill. He also spoke to the $15 million the school board voted to request of city council in September as part of the facilities master plan scenario that includes elementary school closures; the money was requested to be used to expand and renovate W.M. Bass Elementary School to accommodate more students. The public needs to know that there is something in the works concerning the construction of additional classrooms at Bass. It will come to the board at its April 9 meeting, but at present the details of this are protected under the terms of the Public-Private Education Facilities and Infrastructure Act of 2002. That section of the Code of Virginia stipulates how private entities can partner with public entities to develop school infrastructure projects. Day said the board has been briefed about Bass expansion but that for now that information legally must remain confidential. The boards next meeting is a joint meeting with city council scheduled for 4 p.m. on March 26 at the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance, 300 Lucado Place. HOKKAIDO, Mar 21 (News On Japan) - A dog sled race, where teams compete against the clock as dogs pull sleds with riders, was held in Fukagawa City, Hokkaido, drawing wild enthusiasm from spectators at the high-speed event. The competition was organized by a group of dog sledding enthusiasts, and the venue in Fukagawa City welcomed 15 teams and over 50 dogs from local areas as well as from cities like Sapporo and Kushiro. The site featured two courses, one of 300 meters and another of 1.5 kilometers. At the start signal, dogs dashed off, vigorously pulling the sleds with their owners aboard. Among the participants was an elementary school student who had started dog sledding at the age of three, skillfully navigating the dogs around sharp curves. At the finish line, the crowd cheered the teams on, with owners embracing their dogs in recognition of their valiant efforts. A fifth-grade girl participating in the race said, "Every time I compete, I feel like I'm getting better at handling the dogs, and that's what I find appealing. I want to aim to reduce the number of times I fall." A female spectator commented, "The race was amazing to watch; I'd like to give it a go." Source: NHK KYOTO, Mar 21 (News On Japan) - The Kyoto Imperial Palace, typically reserved for semi-annual public viewing, is currently hosting a special spring exhibition titled "Introduction to Court Culture." From March 20th, visitors have the unique opportunity to admire imperial artifacts and explore the interiors of buildings usually closed to the public. This year's highlights include the display of the "Genji-e" screen, depicting scenes from the classic "Tale of Genji," for the first time in 11 years. Additionally, the "Omisoma" palace, once a temporary residence for Emperor Meiji, is open to the public after three years. The exhibition also features live performances of traditional Japanese court music (Gagaku) and Kemari (a classical Japanese ball game), along with guided tours by staff members. Admission to this special event is free, and it will run for five days until March 24th. Source: YOMIURI TOKYO, Mar 21 (News On Japan) - The upcoming TV anime "The Reincarnated Young Lady is Taming the Dragon Emperor" has announced its main cast with Shu Uchida as Jill Serveil and Kikunosuke Toya as Hadith Theos Rave. A teaser PV has also been released. Jill Serveil (CV: Shu Uchida), betrayed by her fiance, finds herself regressing in time from the age of 16 to 10 just before dying. She possesses powerful magic that has earned her the reputation of a war goddess. Determined not to repeat the same mistakes, she impulsively proposes to the cursed emperor, Hadith. Hadith Theos Rave (CV: Kikunosuke Toya) is the young emperor of the Rave Empire, believed to be the reincarnation of the Dragon God Rave and known as the "Dragon Emperor." Jill Serveil is a girl with the strong magical powers of a war goddess. After being betrayed by her fiance and facing death, she regresses in time and, in a bid to avoid repeating her past mistakes, proposes to the cursed emperor Hadith, the young emperor of the Rave Empire. He is known as the "Dragon Emperor," being the reincarnation of the Dragon God Rave. "The Reincarnated Young Lady is Taming the Dragon Emperor" is a fantasy story weaving the tale of Jill and Hadith, the young emperor of the Rave Empire. After having her engagement annulled by the crown prince and being sentenced to execution, Jill finds herself sent back six years in time at the moment of her death. To avoid the route to ruin, she impulsively proposes to Hadith, who is destined to fall into darkness six years later. The anime is scheduled to air in 2024. Source: Natalie Council Bluffs residents will have an opportunity to give testimony before their elected officials about the property tax levies being set by their city and county governments. Both the City of Council Bluffs and Pottawattamie County tax levies will drop in the new fiscal year, but climbing valuations mean that some property owners will still pay more in taxes in the coming tax year. The City of Council Bluffs is proposing a levy rate of $17.85467 per $1,000 in taxable valuation for fiscal year 2025, which is about a 2.22% decrease from the $18.26 tax levy for fiscal year 2024. The Council Bluffs City Council will hold a public hearing on its proposed levy at its March 25 meeting at 6:30 p.m. at Council Bluffs City Hall, 209 Pearl St. Pottawattamie County is proposing a countywide levy rate of $7.32578 per $1,000 in taxable valuation for fiscal year 2025, which is about a 3.16% decrease from the $7.56484 tax levy for fiscal year 2024. Rural residents would see an additional $3.27134 per $1,000 in taxable valuation levied on their property, about a 2.91% drop from the $3.36948 tax levy for fiscal year 2024. The Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing on its proposed levy at its April 2 meeting at 10 a.m. in Room 227 of the Pottawattamie County Courthouse, 227 S. Sixth St. Both the city and county governments are sending communications directly to taxpayers about the proposed levies, as there's general agreement that the forms mandated by the date are confusing particularly a section describing the hypothetical payment for a property valued at $100,000. A property owner can calculate their tax obligation by taking the assessed value of their property multiplied by the appropriate rollback rate, which is set by the state government, then dividing by 1,000 and multiplying by the levy rate. Residential rollbacks are set at 54.6501% for fiscal year 2024 and 46.3428% for 2025. The first $150,000 of taxable valuation on commercial and industrial property is subject to the residential rollback. Additional commercial and industrial valuation is subject to a 90% rollback, meaning their property tax obligation grows considerably slower as valuations rise. The City of Council Bluffs has created a calculator for city residents who want to see what their municipal tax bill would be. That's accessible at councilbluffs-ia.gov/2556/Property-Tax-Levy. The city's website also has information explaining proposed levy notices. The county also distributed information Wednesday in conjunction with mailing letters to property owners. DES MOINES Iowa law enforcement officials could arrest and order the removal of an immigrant who entered the U.S. illegally under a bill House lawmakers sent to Gov. Kim Reynolds desk on Tuesday. The bill, Senate File 2340, would create a new crime of illegal reentry and allow the state to prosecute immigrants if they are found to be in the country illegally after previously being denied entry or deported. Iowa Republicans have proposed several immigration enforcement bills this year, but the bill is the first to gain the approval of both chambers of the Legislature. Republicans argue the measures are necessary to respond to record numbers of illegal border crossings under President Joe Biden and have accused Biden of abandoning his responsibility to secure the border. Also on Tuesday, a similar Texas law was briefly allowed to take effect by the U.S. Supreme Court before being blocked for a second time by a federal appeals court while a court challenge plays out. The Texas law would allow state officials to arrest and deport immigrants who entered illegally. Immigration enforcement is generally the responsibility of the federal government, and opponents have argued states do not have the authority to take measures like those in the Texas law and Iowa bill. The bill passed the House 64-30 with mostly Republican support. Democratic Reps. Josh Turek of Council Bluffs and Kenan Judge of Waukee joined Republicans in support, while Republican Rep. Brian Lohse of Bondurant joined most Democrats in voting against it. It is now eligible to be signed into law by Reynolds, a Republican. President Biden and his administration have failed to enforce our immigration laws and, in doing so, have compromised the sovereignty of our nation and the safety of its people," Reynolds said in a statement provided by a spokesperson. "States have stepped in to secure the border, preventing illegal migrants from entering our country and protecting our citizens. Americans deserve nothing less. I look forward to signing SF 2340 into law. The bill, and others like it, have been opposed by a coalition of immigrant activists as theyve made their way through the lawmaking process. Manny Galvez, a board member of eastern Iowa immigrant rights group Escucha Mi Voz, said in a statement on Tuesday the group would attempt to block the bill through courts and other avenues. From Texas to Iowa, our message is No Tengan Miedo, have no fear, Galvez said. We will continue to fight this unconstitutional law during rulemaking, in the courts and on the streets. We will continue to organize to stop deportations, protect refugee children and keep families together." What does the bill do? Under the bill, a person arrested for illegal reentry by Iowa law enforcement could be punished with a Class D or Class C felony, depending on the circumstances. A Class D felony carries a prison sentence of up to five years, and someone convicted of a Class C felony could be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison. During court proceedings, a judge could issue an order to a person charged under the law requiring them to return to their country of origin. Law enforcement would not be able to arrest a person for violating the law while they are at a school, religious institution, health care facility or a facility that provides exams for survivors of sexual assault. The bill also would create civil immunity for city and state employees and contractors who are sued for implementing the law. Republican cites invasion at southern border House Rep. Steven Holt, R-Denison, the bills floor manager, employed arguments similar to those used by Texas officials to suggest the state has a right to enforce immigration laws. He said the influx of migrants crossing the southern border should be considered an invasion under the Constitution. This is the situation we face today, he said. It is a clear and present danger, and we do not have time to delay and hope the federal government suddenly decides to do its job. Clearly that is not happening. Biden proposed a bill earlier this year that would allow his administration to more strictly enforce border security and allow officials to more quickly deport migrants. The bill failed to garner support among congressional Republicans. Holt argued that the influx of border crossings presents a higher likelihood that criminal actors are entering the country illegally. He pointed to the death of Laken Riley, a Georgia woman whose suspected killer was not in the country legally and said lax enforcement is enabling human trafficking. Some opponents of the bill argued that it will encourage racial profiling as law enforcement has no clear way to determine someone's legal residency status. Holt said that a confirmation of citizenship would only be triggered if a person was arrested for a separate crime, which is already part of the legal process. "I don't think there's any aspect of racial profiling here because they don't do that for a speeding ticket," he said. "They don't take people into custody for a speeding ticket, so it's going to have to be something that raises to the level where the person would have to be taken into custody." Democratic lawmaker: Bill threatens immigrant communities Democratic Rep. Sami Scheetz of Cedar Rapids spoke out against the bill on Tuesday, arguing it would create more legal questions and encroach on what should be a federal issue. "This bill, in attempting to solve only one problem, risks creating others," he said. "Fostering fear among immigrant communities, disrupting families and potentially hindering cooperation with law enforcement. The ripple effects of this bill could touch every facet of our community life." Scheetz said the fear created by the bill had the potential to damage immigrant communities in Iowa. Scheetzs mother immigrated to the U.S. from Syria, and he said his partner is also an immigrant. Their stories, like those millions of immigrants throughout our nations history, are testaments to the enduring spirit of those seeking a place to call home, to contribute, to become part of the American mosaic, he said. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has approved a work plan submitted to the agency by Richard Minor of Gordon and Cherry County to mitigate damage to the Snake River resulting from an unauthorized drainage ditch excavated from Minors property to the river in 2020. Flash Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Thursday that China-Australia relations have its foundation among people of the two countries, always enjoying broad public support. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with Premier of the Australian state of New South Wales Chris Minns in Sydney. Wang noted that New South Wales has always been at the forefront of China-Australia exchanges, playing an exemplary role in cooperation between the two countries. According to the Chinese foreign minister, the most significant impression he had during his visit to Australia was that no matter from the ruling or opposition party, the business community or the circle of strategists, governments or the general public, people all voiced their support for strengthening dialogue and cooperation between China and Australia in various fields. Wang conveyed China's commitment to strengthening collaboration with Australia in traditional sectors such as energy, minerals, and agricultural and dairy products. China is also ready to cooperate with Australia to tap new growth areas such as scientific and technological innovation, climate change response, and green transition, as well as to boost people-to-people exchanges in fields such as education and tourism, Wang said, hoping New South Wales to continue its pioneering role in deepening China-Australia cooperation. Minns said that New South Wales has reaped numerous benefits from China's economic growth and Australia-China cooperation, and supports the improvement and development of Australia-China relations. New South Wales is looking to further enhance exchanges with China at the sub-national level and increase cooperation in economy and trade, education, tourism, and natural resources, said the premier. Minns also expressed his welcome for more Chinese students and tourists to the state. 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. Unidentified assailants have reportedly shot dead 15 individuals in South Sudans Pibor region, including its commissioner, just as a new UN report found that the number of people affected by violence in the country surged by 35% in the last three months of 2023 due to ongoing inter-communal conflict. The commissioner and his team visited Nyat village, and upon their return, they were ambushed, resulting in the deaths of 15 individuals, including the commissioner, a senior official stated on Wednesday (20 March). This incident marks an escalation of violence within South Sudan that has been battling with internal conflicts since gaining independence from Sudan in 2011. Civil war, which was fought primarily along ethnic lines between Dinkas and Nuers, caused widespread casualties between 2013 and 2018. Despite the 2018 peace deal, clashes among various armed groups have continued to wreak havoc on the whole communities, leading to civilian casualties and displacement. The latest deadly incident comes as a new report released by the United Nations warns that civilians are bearing the brunt of a surge in inter-communal conflict in parts of South Sudan. The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) documented 233 incidents of violence affecting 862 people. According to the new report, 406 people were killed, 293 were injured, 100 were abducted and 63 were subjected to conflict-related sexual violence. It also said that inter-communal violence by community-based militias or civil defense groups accounted for 86% of all civilians affected. Campaigning for the upcoming presidential election is in full swing in Senegal, as the countrys voters will head to the polls this Sunday (24 March), in which as many as 93 candidates, including six women, initially declared their intent to run. But this year, the total of 19 presidential candidates that were ultimately confirmed, were given a campaign period of only two weeks, which is shorter than normal, because of the delays of the polls. The West African nation was plunged into a political crisis when outgoing President Macky Sall decided to defer elections originally scheduled for 25 February just hours before campaigning was to begin, sparking violent protests and arrests. The countrys Constitutional Council subsequently responded to the unfolding political crisis by overturning Salls decision to push the polls back December, ruling the election had to take place before his term ended on 2 April. The 19 candidates now have just about two weeks to convince Senegals more than 7 million registered voters to choose them. One of the frontrunners is Amadou Ba, who was handpicked by President Salls for the top job and who only recently stepped down from his post as prime minister to campaign for presidency. Another frontrunner is Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who had been held in prison since April 2023 and was only freed as part of an amnesty deal last week. Another candidate, human rights activist Anta Babacar Ngom, has made history in Senegal when she became the first female presidential candidate since 2012 to enter the race. The ultimate challenge for Senegal now is to return to holding a peaceful, honest and transparent ballot that respects the electoral calendar, says Djibril Gningue, Executive Director of the Platform of Civil Society Actors for the Transparency of Elections in Senegal. An expropriation case in Rabat has exposed the extent of endemic misinformation of the Algerian regime, who issued a strong-worded statement claiming to be unaware and wrongfully denouncing a confiscation, until it was discredited by its own documents. Official Algerian correspondences leaked to Moroccan media showed that Algeria was fully aware of Moroccos intent to acquire the buildings that the Kingdom has offered to Algeria to serve as its embassy. The building is immediately adjacent to the foreign ministry and is part of the real estate that will be expropriated for public utility to expand the ministrys headquarters. Prior to the expropriation procedure, Morocco has been expressing to Algerian consul and in 8 correspondences its intent to reach an agreement regarding the villa amicably since 2022. In one of the responses, and before even Morocco launched its expropriation procedure, the Algerian consulate in Casablanca informed the foreign ministry that Algeria will expropriate the residence of the Moroccan ambassador in Algiers due to its proximity to the Peoples Palace for public utility purposes. However, the Algerian statement last Sunday failed to tell the truth that Algiers was the first to launch an expropriation procedure! Algeria is ill-positioned to speak about neighborliness after its decades-long support for an armed separatist group against Morocco, unilaterally cutting ties with Rabat, demonizing the Kingdom in its official discourse, cutting gas supplies, banning all Moroccan aircrafts from crossing its airspace, and preventing any trade with Morocco including transit through Moroccan ports. In return, Morocco has kept an open arms policy urging Algeria to open borders and has promised to protect the headquarters of the Algerian embassy- whose land was offered for free- even when the very concept of an embassy does not apply in the absence of diplomatic ties. Spain is committed to further improving ties with Morocco, said the Spanish Foreign Minister, describing Morocco as a key partner. Spain should have the best relations with a neighbor like Morocco. This is a rule of our foreign policy and state policy, foreign minister Jose Manuel Albares told the Spanish Senate. Morocco is a key partner in the fight against terrorism, in the dismantling of jihadist cells, and in the fight against irregular immigration, in addition to its importance for the Spanish economy, he said. Albares recalled that trade between the two countries exceeded 21 billion euros, with 17,000 Spanish firms exporting to Morocco. Over 1 million Moroccans live in Spain, while 17,000 Spaniards live in Morocco, he said. At the political level, a new era was ushered in relations between Morocco and Spain, since Madrid clearly backed Moroccos autonomy plan in the Sahara territory. A final investment decision (FID) to build the Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline is expected to be reached by the end of 2024, chief of state-owned Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) said. The pipeline, to cost about $25 billion, runs 7000 kilometers both on-shore but mostly offshore. There is ongoing engagement on the Nigeria Morocco Gas Pipeline Project (NMGP), which is at an advanced stage, to create a pipeline that will pass through 13 African countries and all the way to Europe, NNPC CEO Mele Kyari told the CERAWeek energy conference in Houston, Texas, organized by S&P Global. The final investment decision (FID) for the $25 billion NMGP project will be made by December 2024, Kyari said. Moroccan King Mohammed VI and former Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari have agreed to build the pipeline in 2016, as a key project to promote regional integration. King Mohammed VI had described, in a speech he delivered in November 2022, the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline as a project for peace, for African economic integration and for co- development a project for the present and for future generations. The pipeline has the support of regional and international financing institutions, which have expressed their wish to fund. The project has the backing of the ECOWAS west African economic grouping and is expected to help the region meet its energy security goals. The violations suffered by women at the hands of the Algeria-backed polisario separatists in the Tindouf camps were denounced during an event organized in New York by the International Network of Liberal Women (INLW). In a declaration adopted at the end of the event held on the sidelines of the 68th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (March 11-22) under the theme Exploring the feminization of poverty, the INLW spoke out against the violence committed against the women sequestered by separatist militias in these camps located in the southwest of Algeria. The INLW network, which brings together international experts and activists, said it was alarmed by the seriousness of the living conditions of women in the Tindouf camps, as well as by the very high tension in the camps which triggered a series of sit-ins and demonstrations. The International Network of Liberal Women has, in this context, called on the international community to act urgently to put an end to these gross violations of womens rights in the Tindouf camps and to organize hearings for victims of violence and rape, to prosecute the criminals responsible for these abuses. The INLW also called for the release of all women sequestered in the Tindouf camps. Speaking at the opening of this event marked by the participation of experts, parliamentarians, and representatives of UN member states, the INLW president, Khadija Oum Bachair El Morabit stressed that women in the Tindouf camps are subject to violations of their most basic rights, to rape, discrimination, extreme poverty, and human trafficking. She praised the courage of certain women who defied threats to denounce these abuses committed against them by the separatist militias of the polisario, citing in this regard the case of the young Sahrawi, Khadijatou Mahmoud, victim of a rape by the man called Brahim Ghali, current leader of the separatist movement. El Morabit further noted that the injustices suffered by women in the Tindouf camps constitute a shame in the 21st century, since the host country of the camps where these abuses are perpetrated prohibits any contact with the victims. After a high speed chase with a motorcycle reaching speeds over 100 mph Tuesday, Lincoln County Sheriff Jerome Kramer issued a press release announcing plans to address the annual increase in motorcycle traffic during the summer months. The release described a Tuesday incident where a northbound motorcycle was traveling at 100 mph on U.S. Highway 83. As the deputy prepared for a traffic stop, the motorcyclist turned abruptly onto Dodge Hill Road. While making the turn, motorcyclist accelerated and lost control of the bike. He sustained injuries and was transported to Great Plains Health. Kramer said in the release that his department will team up with the Nebraska State Patrol to employ the use of aircraft to track reckless motorcyclists breaking the law this year. It is the time of year again that the sport bikes are speeding on our highways, the release said. They will soon be running in packs in the residential neighborhoods and subdivisions, disturbing the peace. Any contact with a motorcyclist speeding will result in a citation or arrest. Kramer said warnings have had no impact on the amount of reckless driving. My policy is to get compliance with the least amount of force, Kramer said. Warnings have not had an impact so the offenders can have their day in court. Three Lincoln County first responders were awarded with the American Legion Post No. 163 Certificate of Commendation on Sunday. North Platte Police Departments Jay Meduna, Lincoln County Sheriffs Sergeant Wayne Connell and North Platte Fire Departments Koby Archuletta were all honored. Coinciding with the weekend after the American Legions birthday March 15 Post No. 163s Commander Joe Wiezorek said its a good excuse to get together, share a meal and honor significant people in their community. Thats part of our Americanism to show support to the people who serve our communities, Wiezorek said. All who received a local award have the opportunity for review for a state level award from the American Legion Department of Nebraska. Winners at the state level also have an opportunity for recognition from the National American Legion. Only Gov. Jim Pillens signature and federal approval stand between Nebraskas hospitals and an expected $1.4 billion in additional federal aid to help them better afford to treat low-income Medicaid patients. State senators gave 45-0 final approval Thursday to North Platte Sen. Mike Jacobsons Legislative Bill 1087. It would charge hospitals 6% of their gross income as matching funds, which the state would initially cover and which would come back to the hospitals with far higher Medicaid reimbursements. LB 1087 was one of several bills by western Nebraska senators to make progress before the Legislature adjourned for a three-day weekend. An accompanying bill to carry out the reimbursement plan (LB 1087A) also won passage on an identical 45-0 vote. Jacobson and Sens. Teresa Ibach of Sumner, Brian Hardin of Gering, Steve Erdman of Bayard and Tom Brewer of Gordon voted yes on both bills. Pillen is expected to sign LB 1087 into law at a signing ceremony next week, Jacobson said in a text later Thursday. Ivan Mitchell, chief executive officer of North Platte-based Great Plains Health, called passage of the Medicaid reimbursement bill a good day for Sen. Jacobson and health care in general across Nebraska. If you think about it, our state has been subsidizing everyone else because we havent done the provider assessments over the years, said Mitchell, who was 2022 Nebraska Hospital Association president. I think its a big win for Nebraskas taxpayers. Pillens signature will make Nebraska the 45th state to access a larger federal pool of funds for Medicaid support by using hospital assessments to tap it. The U.S. Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services still must approve Nebraskas approach, which nominally will require $581 million in total assessments from the states hospitals. Jacobson said during Unicameral debate that the state will front those assessments initially. Itll be repaid with the incoming federal funds, and the money representing the assessments would move back and forth between hospitals and the state every three months. Mitchell said the state hospital association continues to work with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services to finalize the data needed to win federal approval. He said he doesnt yet know how much GPH will receive toward its cost of serving Medicaid patients, many of whom arent able to pay on their own. Its not going to fully make up the gap between the cost of care and what were (already) reimbursed for Medicaid, Mitchell said. But itll be a significant improvement. Late-night Unicameral action Wednesday saw senators give 35-0 first-round approval to Ibachs LB 1368, the Nitrogen Reduction Incentive Act. All five western Nebraska lawmakers voted in favor, including cosponsors Jacobson and Hardin. The measure, Ibachs 2024 priority bill, would set aside $5 million a year through 2029 for incentive payments for farmers who use less commercial fertilizer in favor of biological nitrogen products and other products using innovative technology. Senators voted 34-0 to adopt a bill rewrite offered by Ibach that would tap the states cash reserve fund for the first years incentives. In recent action on other regional bills: LB 43, a priority bill of Brewers Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee, passed 39-0 Thursday. It includes the District 43 senators First Freedom Act (originally LB 277), which lets Native American public school students wear tribal regalia at school functions and prohibits state restrictions on religious groups during a state of emergency greater than those imposed on other groups. Lawmakers gave 38-0 initial approval to a rewritten version of Brewers LB 253, which would have added a Scottsbluff branch of the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center. It now would create a veteran justice program in Nebraskas courts, similar to problem-solving courts that defer district court sentences for some offenders who agree to treatment or counseling. Veteran offenders whose military service contributed to their crime would be eligible. A week ago, Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer gave a speech urging Israelis to hold new elections and to vote out Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and replace him with a leader committed to a two-state solution. Netanyahus American allies have responded with predictable fury. Schumers attack was directed at the people of Israel, because its the people of Israel who went and voted. Chuck Schumer had the arrogance and audacity to seek to instruct another nation as if it were a vassal state, a banana republic, said Senator Ted Cruz. Joe Lieberman, the former Democratic vice-presidential candidate who is currently trying to field a pro-Trump stalking-horse third-party candidate, wrote an op-ed excoriating Schumer, in Liebermans favorite more-in-sadness tone. Schumer, he charged, crossed a political red line that had never before been breached by a leader of his stature and never should be again. The alleged principle Schumer violated is to interfere in Israeli domestic politics. This is a shocking statement that treats Israel differently from other American allies by threatening to intervene in their domestic democratic politics, Lieberman writes. In making American support for Israel conditional, Mr. Schumer harms Israels credibility among its allies and enemies alike. Obviously, Israeli voters possess a sovereign right to select the candidate of their choice. But the United States also has a right to select which countries to support and to what degree. The first point is not the dispute between Schumer and Netanyahus friends. The latter point is. Liberal Zionists like Schumer believe Israels long-term interests, as well as the universal principle of self-determination, demand a state for Palestinians. This is a long-simmering dispute among Israel supporters, because Netanyahus most important lifetime commitment is to choking off such a state. Netanyahu is so committed to this goal that he pursued a policy of supporting Hamas and funneling it aid in order to build it up at the expense of Palestinian factions who could be credible peace partners. And it is because Netanyahus fanatical one-statism has led to such a disaster that Schumer feels compelled to speak up. Netanyahu is deeply unpopular but has said he cant hold elections until the war with Hamas ends, which obviously incentivizes him to prolong the war. Lieberman argues that Israelis support Netanyahus war aims. Perhaps so. But Netanyahus strategy has also involved a clever game in which he assures his right-wing Israeli allies he will never allow a Palestinian state, pretends otherwise to the Americans, and tries to convince Israelis he can maintain the American alliance. This strategy has worked. But it may not work forever. The war has brought home the bloody consequences of Netanyahus one-statism and highlighted his utter lack of any long-term strategy, unless you think indefinite periodic militarized reoccupations of Palestinian areas (mowing the grass, as Israelis cynically call it) is a strategy. Israeli voters have the right to know that American diplomatic and economic support for Israel is probably not going to last forever in the absence of a renewed commitment to Palestinian statehood. Netanyahu wants them to believe they can enjoy full U.S. support without making any concession to Palestinians. Anti-Zionists would also like nothing more than for Israelis to persist in this delusion, only to have the rug pulled out from them one day without warning. Schumer is trying to give Israeli voters the benefit of information Netanyahu wishes to deny them. Will they act wisely upon that information? Probably not the right has had a hammerlock on Israeli elections for a decade and a half. But Schumers determination to warn Israel about Netanyahus ghastly misgovernance is not an assault on its dignity or sovereignty. Its the sentimental act of a true friend. Catherine greets the crowd with her son Louis at Sandringham Church on December 25, 2023, the last time she attended a public event. Photo: Samir Hussein/WireImage What type of cancer does Kate Middleton have? Kate said she has cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy treatment in a video posted on March 22, but she did not say what type of cancer she has. In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London and at the time, it was thought that my condition was noncancerous, she said. The surgery was successful. However, tests after the operation found cancer had been present. She continued: My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment. A message from Catherine, The Princess of Wales pic.twitter.com/5LQT1qGarK The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) March 22, 2024 Why did Kate Middleton have surgery? We still dont know. On January 17, 2024, Kensington Palace announced that the 42-year-old Princess of Wales had undergone a planned abdominal surgery at the London Clinic the previous day. Why is this a scandal? For nearly 15 years, Kate Middleton has been one of the most popular and high-profile royals. So it was weird that she suddenly retreated from the public eye for three months, especially since she had appeared healthy and didnt give much detail on her condition. Imagine if the Trump administration had said Ivanka was being hospitalized for two weeks, wouldnt describe her illness, then offered no photos or health updates for three months. Wed have some questions! The story only exploded internationally due to a mix of bad luck and extraordinarily awful PR. Three events pushed the story into the mainstream: On January 17, a day after Middletons announcement, Buckingham Palace said King Charles would be treated for an enlarged prostate at the same hospital where Kate was recovering from surgery. On February 5, the Palace revealed Charles had been diagnosed with an unspecified cancer. On February 27, Prince William abruptly canceled an appearance at a memorial service for his godfather, the late King Constantine of Greece, due to a personal matter, raising concerns about his wifes condition. On March 10, Kensington Palace tried to reassure the public by posting a horribly edited photo of Kate with her children on Instagram. This backfired spectacularly, and Kate herself took the blame for this experiment with editing the following day. What had the Palace said about Kate Middletons health? Prior to Kates video announcing her diagnosis, all we knew was that shed had a planned abdominal surgery that Palace sources said was non-cancerous. Days after Prince William pulled out of his godfathers memorial, Kensington Palace spokespeople gave similar statements to multiple outlets saying Kate was still doing well but advised that more information might not be forthcoming soon. We gave guidance two days ago that the Princess of Wales continues to be doing well, the palace told ET on February 29. As we have been clear since our initial statement in January, we shall not be providing a running commentary or providing daily updates. What have the other royals said about Kates health? King Charles and Queen Camilla expressed their love and support for their daughter-in-law about an hour after she publicly revealed her cancer diagnosis, per People: A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said that King Charles is so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did. King Charles and Princess Kate were both hospitalized at The London Clinic in January, and the monarch has remained in the closest contact with his beloved daughter-in-law throughout the past weeks. Both King Charles and Queen Camilla will continue to offer their love and support to the whole family through this difficult time. Was there really any reason to think Kate Middleton was missing? On the one hand, no: Kensington Palace said in January that she was unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter. So she was supposed to be home recovering until at least March 31, and now we know she was undergoing chemotherapy. On the other hand, sort of! The last time she appeared at a public event was Christmas Day 2023, weeks before the reported date of her surgery, and Kensington Palace handled the situation rather oddly. Was Kate Middleton spotted after her surgery? Yes. Though hard-core Kate Truthers didnt trust these images, she was was spotted in public three times between the surgery announcement and the video revealing her diagnosis. On March 4, TMZ published a single paparazzi photo of Kate in a car with her mother near Windsor Castle. Carole Middleton was driving the black Audi SUV and Kate was in the passenger seat. Some people didnt believe it was her because she was wearing giant sunglasses and the photo was grainy. On March 11, hours after Kate took blame for the altered-photo debacle, other paparazzi captured a single photo of the princess riding in a car with William. People didnt believe it was her because she was looking away from the camera. Kate is pictured leaving Windsor Castle in car with William as she heads for 'private appointment' - while Prince makes his way to Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey https://t.co/AvKwpGbyMK pic.twitter.com/2haLXHkHJc Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) March 11, 2024 On March 17, the Sun reported that Kate had been spotted shopping with William at Windsor Farm Shop. There was widespread doubt about this story because the papers original report contained no photographic evidence or even named sources. In the following days, the Sun published a brief video of Kate and William as well as an interview with the man who took it. Some people didnt believe it was her, partly because theyre were too far down the rabbit hole, and partly because the royals had just admitted to sharing a heavily manipulated image. WORLD EXCLUSIVE: Princess Kate seen on video for the first time since surgery looking happy and relaxed on shopping trip with William. She's looking great! This should shut the trolls up! pic.twitter.com/k2bD4LuHuI The Sun (@TheSun) March 19, 2024 Whats the deal with the edited Kate Middleton photo? In a very ill-conceived effort to assure the public that Kate was just fine, Kensington Palace posted this image on March 10, which is Mothers Day in the U.K. People immediately noticed that the image is filled with Photoshop weirdness; for example, Charlottes skirt and sleeve dont line up, Kates hair is blurred, and theres a jagged edge in the trim by Louiss knee. Theres no official consensus on what was altered, but outlets counted as many as 18 errors. Within hours, several major photo agencies stopped distributing the image over concerns that it had been manipulated. The next day, Kate took the responsibility in a rare tweet signed C, claiming the photo was the result of her experiment with editing. Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing. I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused. I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mothers Day. C The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) March 11, 2024 Kensington Palace probably didnt anticipate the backlash, since it regularly puts out tweaked images. It has been accused of releasing altered photos as far back as 2015. Most recently, people spotted lots of anatomical weirdness in the familys 2023 Christmas card. Together again? Photo: Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP Theres not much question that the Republican Party has benefitted politically from the multifaceted tragedy unfolding in Gaza since Hamas attacked Israel in October. Its very much become Joe Bidens war in the eyes of many agonized Americans, particularly younger people. They believe the president has given a green light to Israeli operations that ostensibly target Hamas, but are taking a savage toll on the civilian Palestinian population. Its not the only reason for the 81-year-old Democrats shockingly low levels of support among what was a huge and hugely important element of his electoral coalition in 2020. But clearly support for a permanent cease-fire is high among under-30 voters. But Republicans may now be in the process of squandering whatever gains they made from Bidens Middle East problem. In the heat of the current conflict over U.S. policy, its been lost on many Americans that the GOP has in recent years been the party aligned uncritically and vociferously with the most belligerent expansionist elements in Israeli politics: typically opposing any two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, supporting the settler movement, encouraging Israeli saber-rattling toward Iran, and celebrating the fractious political career of Bibi Netanyahu. This tendency, heavily influenced by the power of conservative Evangelicals in the GOP, predated Donald Trump (in the 2012 election, Mitt Romney attacked then-President Barack Obama repeatedly for allowing daylight to appear between the U.S. and Israel on various policy issues). But Trump continued this tradition, developing a tight personal relationship with Netanyahu (marred temporarily by Trumps anger at Bibi for acknowledging Bidens 2020 victory), ignoring Palestinian national aspirations, and fulfilling such long-term conservative goals as the relocation of the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to disputed Jerusalem. So its probably not an accident that Trump has pursued what looks like strategic silence on the Israel-Hamas War, and for the most part Republicans have followed him. It makes sense politically: Let Biden take all the heat from both sides in the conflict, and do nothing to discourage the steady drift of voters angry at Bidens role in the war away from the Democratic Party. Now this silence seems to have come to an abrupt end, signaled by Trumps explosion of invective triggered by Chuck Schumers call for new Israeli elections to oust Netanyahu, as the Associated Press reported: I actually think they hate Israel, Trump responded to his former aide, Sebastian Gorka. I think they hate Israel. And the Democrat party hates Israel. Trump, who last week became the Republican Partys presumptive nominee, went on to charge: Any Jewish person that votes for Democrats hates their religion. They hate everything about Israel and they should be ashamed of themselves because Israel will be destroyed. That Trump presumed to challenge the religious authenticity not only of the highest-ranking Jewish politician in U.S. history, but of millions of Jewish Democrats, is both shocking and unsurprising. But his outburst appears to have unleashed pent-up GOP sentiment for maximum support of Israels leadership and its retaliatory war. If Democrats dont love Bibi, Republicans want to make it clear they really do, notes the Washington Post: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu joined Senate Republicans via live video conference Wednesday, his face and booming voice beamed into the partys weekly closed lunch meeting as he criticized the Senates Democratic leader, in the latest display of deepening partisan politics around U.S.-Israel policy. A week after Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) chastised Netanyahu and called for a new election in Israel, and amid mounting criticism from Democrats of Israels war in Gaza, congressional Republicans are seeking to amplify their partys unconditional loyalty to the Jewish state, in contrast with the party that has long attracted the most Jewish voters. House Speaker Mike Johnson quickly joined the Netanyahu parade as well, and wants to go very public with his partys embrace of the embattled Israeli prime minister, as The Hill reports: Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said Thursday that he would extend an invitation to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address Congress, after indicating Wednesday that he was considering the move. I would love to have him come and address a joint session of Congress. Well certainly extend that invitation, Johnson said in an interview on CNBCs Squawk Box. Its pretty clear Republicans and their beloved Bibi are now engaged in a mutual escalation of partisan rhetoric. Netanyahu is trying to use Schumers interference with Israeli politics to shore up his standing back home, while Republicans are loudly proclaiming the Israeli leaders estrangement from Schumer, Biden, and the Democratic Party. How long will it take before the voters and activists so infuriated with Biden for backing Israel notice that its the other party that unconditionally supports, as it has for many years, the most aggressive Israeli posture available? Well see if it matters as November grows nearer, but you do have to wonder why Republicans have chosen to go loud and proud on the Israel-Hamas war precisely when public support for Israel seems to be wavering. The smarter move politically is to take a page from the example of Richard M. Nixon in 1968, who successfully maintained ambiguity about Lyndon Johnsons war in Vietnam appealing to both hawks and doves and claiming he had a secret plan to end the war until he was safely in the White House and could do as he pleased. Photo: Courtesy Aint I A Woman?! Campaign Every week for more than a year, Nu Jun Zhu worked four 24-hour shifts as a home-care attendant. Though she was only paid for 13 hours each shift, she says she worked virtually every minute taking care of frail patients, leaving her no time to sleep. Its very exhausting, she told me through a translator. It was common for patients to get up every 20 minutes or so to have to be carried from bed to the bathroom to be washed by hand. She shows photos of her arm and leg that were bruised when she tried to prevent a patient from falling. Her fingers are misshapen from years of such work. As her health deteriorated, she asked the agency that employed her if another worker could take care of her patient; instead, she said, they told her to continue her work. In addition to her physical pain, she suffered emotional distress because she had to leave her husband and children for days in a row. She showed me the bag of medication that she must take after years on the job. On Wednesday, she joined other current and retired home-care workers in front of City Hall for a rally and then a hunger strike to demand an end to 24-hour shifts in the city. Organized by the Aint I a Woman?! campaign alongside groups like the Chinese Staff and Workers Association, the hunger strike is designed to pressure Speaker Adrienne Adams to bring a bill to a vote. The bill would split the 24-hour block into 12-hour shifts provided by two workers, and supporters say its based on similar legislation previously passed by the council. People who need 24-hour care would still receive it, said Councilmember Christopher Marte, who introduced the bill. But it wouldnt be on the backs of these women working 24 hours days on end, he told me. Under a current interpretation of state law, workers are only paid for up to 13 hours of their 24-hour shift. They are often unable to rest or take meal breaks, and Zhu compared the situation to slavery. Adrienne Adams, have a conscience, she said, telling me that she plans to get through her hunger strike by drinking water. I am not afraid, she adds. As long as we are united, we have the power. Zhu and her fellow hunger-strikers belong to a campaign that began in the 1990s, organizers told me ahead of Wednesdays rally. At the time, garment workers who were mostly women of color were fighting for shorter hours and better conditions on the job. Later, as the garment industry diminished in the city, many began to shift into home-care work. Aint I a Woman?! has been working primarily with home-care workers for the past ten years, and theyve protested repeatedly and publicly for an end to the brutal 24-hour shift. Former garment workers who raised the alarm over the shifts feared for their health, explained Sarah Ahn, an organizer with the campaign. She said many stated that even if they were paid for every hour of their shift, they would still choose not to work for 24 hours. The physical damage, and the emotional toll it inflicts, are too much to bear. A hunger strike is a drastic action. Most of the workers in front of City Hall are older women of color, and theyre putting their health on the line again after years of difficult work. They feel they have no other choice. After Candy Song worked 11 consecutive days during the height of the pandemic, she became exhausted and suffered an injury on the job. Shes now retired because of her injury, but she has joined the hunger strike and addressed Adams directly: Abolish the 24-hour workdays, immediately. Carmela Huang, an attorney with the National Center for Law and Economic Justice who has represented home-care workers since 2015, said there is a solution if there is the will to implement it. Part of the reason why there has been no will is because were talking about workers who are overwhelmingly women of color and immigrants, and then were talking about consumers who are elderly, disabled, and poor, she added. Theyre just two populations that our society tends not to care very much about. In a press conference this week, Adams said she absolutely supports workers, but that the city has no control over state Department of Labor regulations or Medicaid reimbursement rates. So the solution to address the 24-hour home care has to occur at the state level, she said. She has introduced a resolution urging the State Legislature to act (efforts to end the shifts have repeatedly stalled in Albany). On Wednesday, Marte told me that he disagrees with the Speaker. He believes that his bill has the votes to pass, and said the city has the legal authority to end 24-hour shifts. Tell us what part of this bill is illegal, he said, adding that the bill had been legally vetted before he introduced it. Its definitely within the confines of the city. 1199 SEIU, a powerful union that represents many home-care workers, has estimated that ending the 24-hour shifts could cost an additional $645 million per year in the city alone. New Yorks Medicaid program would pay the cost, with the state paying approximately half and the federal government kicking in the rest. The union had opposed a previous version of Martes bill but dropped its opposition this year after the removal of a provision that capped the home-care workweek at 50 hours. (In its current form, the bill caps the workweek at 56 hours. Employers can exceed that provided they follow certain procedures, like obtaining written consent from the worker.) Supporters of the 50-hour cap said at the time that it was necessary because employers often pressure workers into taking overtime; Helen Schaub, a political director for the union, told me the union opposed it because it restricted workers from earning time-and-a-half overtime, which in our view was not correct. Workers should be paid for each hour of their 24-hour shift, she added. Wednesdays hunger-strikers werent persuaded by Adamss belief that its the states responsibility to act. Zishun Ning, another organizer with Aint I a Woman?!, said the city wants to see women of color as the cheapest to be exploited, and continues to step on the women of color who are seen as the weakest. But now with hundreds, even thousands of home attendants rising up, it shows that the weakest can actually take the lead in fighting to change the society and these very inhumane working conditions, he added. As the first day of the hunger strike drew to a close, home-care workers settled into chairs on the sidewalk under the lengthening shadow of City Hall. They plan to go without food for around a week, and volunteers will look after them until the strike is over. Im almost 70 years old, said Lai Yee Chan, who added that she is still fighting. They exploit and oppress us, forcing us to do these 24-hour workdays. Our hope is to let the whole world know that Adrienne Adams, despite being a woman, still maintains the violence against us. While city and state officials argue over who has the authority to end the shifts, workers wait. This piece has been updated to clarify the language of the current bill. Is he or isnt he? Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images One of the impressive things about Donald Trumps quick and total victory over a large field of Republican rivals for the 2024 presidential nomination is that he pulled this off while deeply annoying one of his partys most powerful constituencies, the anti-abortion movement. Early on, Trump began blaming anti-abortion extremism for the GOPs disappointing performance in the 2022 midterm elections. Knowing several rivals (notably Mike Pence, Tim Scott, and Ron DeSantis) were staking out positions calling for more, not fewer, abortion restrictions, Trump rejected the national abortion-ban litmus test that many right to life groups were imposing on candidates for federal office. And he went out of his way to criticize some of the more restrictive state laws as a terrible mistake. Worse yet, from the point of view of anti-abortion absolutists, Trump cast himself as an honest broker between the contending sides on this issue, as he told Meet the Press last September: Trump declined to say what time frame he thinks is appropriate for an abortion ban and instead insisted that he would sit down with both sides and Id negotiate something, and well end up with peace on that issue for the first time in 52 years. Both sides are going to like me, he added. Im going to come together with all groups, and were going to have something thats acceptable. After hearing those remarks, my colleague Jonathan Chait argued persuasively that Trumps counterintuitive positioning showed how confident he was about winning the nomination: The Republican Party has a clear anti-abortion majority, and Trump is handing DeSantis an opportunity to wedge him away from the partys base especially in Iowa with its overconcentration of social conservatives. Trump would do this only if he believed the primary was effectively over and he could focus on the general election. Chait also noted, quite accurately, Trumps willingness to abandon unpopular Republican positions when it seemed prudent. As of 2024, Republicans are very definitely on the wrong side of public opinion on abortion policy. So that makes his latest move on abortion surprising. With the nomination contest over and the GOP being more than ever Trumps party to command as he wishes, hes just now on the brink of announcing support for a 15-week national abortion ban, as the Associated Press reported: Donald Trump suggested Tuesday that hed support a national ban on abortions around 15 weeks of pregnancy, voicing for the first time support for a specific limit on the procedure. The Republican former president has taken credit for striking down a federally guaranteed right to abortion by appointing three U.S. Supreme Court justices who voted to overturn Roe v. Wade. As he seeks the White House a third time, Trump has refrained from embracing any specific limit on the procedure, warning it could backfire politically and instead suggesting he would negotiate a policy on abortion that would include exceptions for cases of rape, incest and to protect the life of the mother. But in a radio interview Tuesday, Trump criticized Democrats for not endorsing a ban that would limit abortions in states that still allow the procedure. Unless there are details we dont know about, its the very proposal anti-abortion groups tried unsuccessfully to get him to embrace during the run-up to the early caucuses and primaries. With the general election being a holy war with the now almost universally pro-choice Democrats, there seemed to be little reason for Trump to fear defections from the forced-birth crowd, particularly since these are people who revere him for keeping his promise to create a Supreme Court that would overturn Roe v. Wade. Timing aside, the odd thing about the way Trump is talking is that hes now combining support for a national abortion ban with continuing efforts to claim hes somehow a compromising centrist on this issue, in APs account: Were going to come up with a time and maybe we could bring the country together on that issue, Trump said while calling into the Sid & Friends in the Morning show on WABC. Trump went on to say: The number of weeks now, people are agreeing on 15. And Im thinking in terms of that. And itll come out to something thats very reasonable. But people are really, even hard-liners are agreeing, seems to be, 15 weeks seems to be a number that people are agreeing at. First of all, theres actually not much agreeing on 15 weeks of pregnancy as the time to deny reproductive rights (Trump himself was hinting at a 16-week ban very recently). Pro-choice folk typically favor either the restoration of Roes fetal-viability threshold (with later abortions allowable under life-and-health exceptions) as a minimum demand, or support an unconditional right to abortion without government getting involved at all. And anti-abortion activists want abortions banned altogether, or at a minimum much earlier than 15 weeks. The national ban at 15 weeks idea should not be misunderstood as proposing a uniform national legal standard preempting the states. Its a federal ceiling on legal abortion that lets states enact more restrictive laws and even a total ban. So there is absolutely no way its enactment would produce peace on that issue for the first time in 52 years, as Trump promised last year. Perhaps Trump watched Nikki Haley deploy the soothing language of compromise and empathy without changing her underlying position and win an undeserved reputation for being a moderate on abortion. That would be great for him. But Haley was careful not to commit to specifics like a national abortion ban. But possibly Trump hasnt really made up his mind. Even as he talked up a national ban he seemed drawn back to the states rights position that the federal government should stay out of the issue altogether, as AP noted: Everybody agrees youve heard this for years all the legal scholars on both sides agree: Its a state issue. It shouldnt be a federal issue, its a state issue. Again, everybody does not agree, or the demise of Roe would not have created a national firestorm that threatens Trump and his party. But at least the states-rights position doesnt threaten blue-state self-determination on abortion laws, which makes it less of a presidential-campaign issue. If Trump makes and then sticks to a firm commitment to a national abortion ban, it will definitely become a red-hot issue nationally, and particularly in the battleground states that currently have less restrictive laws than a 15-week ban, including Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin and states like Arizona, which could be voting on pro-choice ballot initiatives this November. Clearly voters who favor the right to choose have no reason to trust the 45th president on this issue no matter what he says. But he seems to be inviting a fight his allies will never completely win. Capacity: 5 quarts | Speeds: 10 | Optional attachments: Over 20 This is the stand mixer I own and I love it. Like I said, its lasted me nearly a decade, and I use it a couple of times a month, give or take. That scores big points for durability, as it should be when youre investing in such a pricey appliance. (And if thats not enough to convince you, Matt Holloway and Michelle Davis, the duo behind the Bad Manners podcast and cookbooks, have been using theirs for twice as long, and its still going strong. This is a product you buy for life, they told me.) The motor is powerful: Whether Im kneading dough on a lower setting for a longer amount of time, or whipping cream on high for just a few minutes, the consistency of my mixtures turns out even and well-combined. I also like the tilt head. It unlocks and moves up making it easy to add ingredients then relocks firmly and securely into a downward position when its time to mix. The whole contraption is heavy, but in my mind thats a good thing: It stays firmly planted to the counter when in use. Its a plus for recipe developer and pro baker Samantha Seneviratne, too, who notes that her mixer kneads through batches of yeasted dough without shaking. On to the settings. The range between the speeds is wide, which allows it to accommodate many different types of doughs and batters but the difference between the settings is also subtle-enough to allow for maximum control. When I add flour, for example, I start low so it doesnt puff up everywhere, and then gradually increase seamlessly until its all incorporated. If I find Im not going quite fast enough to get my eggs and sugar pale and airy, a small tick upwards gets me there without overdoing it. John Kanell, cookbook author and founder of Preppy Kitchen, is yet another fan, and also points out that control: It can really mix anything from light fluffy meringues to super dense batters and candies, he says. Finally, if youre interested in purchasing attachments, KitchenAid makes an incredibly thorough guide to the more than 20 options that work with this mixer. Nina, Bella, and Luna by Nina Ricci Reply Thread Link i've been wanting to try nina ricci for so long cause of those cute bottles but it's hard to blind buy anything online in this economy lol good to know your rec's! Reply Parent Thread Link my favourite scent of all time is Paradise by Alfred Sung and it has been since like 2006. there's a Woody's deodorant that smells similar and i wear it all the time so can chase the high Paradise gives me lol Reply Thread Link Ooh smells :D Most of the time I'm not wearing anything in particular. Currently I have Water Lily Something from Bath and Body Works. I like the masculine scents or stuff that smells straight up like outside. Wind and rain. There was Burberry's The Beat I think that smelled like pepper. Reply Thread Link My favorite fragrance is still Jo Malones Hemlock and Bergamot. Ive been wanting to try some smaller companies perfumes but I dont have the money to experiment with something I cant smell beforehand. But Ive been really liking Good Chemistry which is at Target ngl. Im wearing Queen Bee rn and Im thinking of picking up Coffee Cloud next time. Reply Thread Link My favorite perfume is Nest Black Tulip. I would love to find the right coconut and chocolate scented perfumes but nothing I've tried has been right. If I could go around smelling like a chocolate croissant I would tbh. Reply Thread Link i forgot the current fragrance i have but it's sandalwood-y. i'm also thinking of buying a really small bottle of viktor and rolf good fortune. Reply Thread Link I've been wearing Amor Amor by Cacharel for like 20 years. I've tried other things but I always go back to it. Lately though I have been liking Rosie by Rosie Jane. Reply Thread Link Not much anymore. If someone stands beside me wearing perfume, I will be sneezing. My favourite natural scent is lilac. I just love sticking my face in lilac bushes. Reply Thread Link I collected perfumes for decades - Ive been kind of over it the last couple of years but I still have more than I could possibly use in my lifetime. I dont have a single favourite, but the ones I wear consistently include Miller Harris LAir de Rien, Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab Loves Philisophy, Black Rider and Snake Oil, Solstice Scents Lace Draped Spectre, Chanel Chance (the green one, proper name escapes me), Ava Luxe Loves True Bluish Light, Pinrose Gilded Fox, and Kerosene Unlnowm Pleasures, (which was actually recommended to me by someone here, so thank you for that, and sorry I dont remember who you are!). Reply Thread Link Chance Eau Fraiche? Reply Parent Thread Link Thats the one - most of my perfumes lean heavy on the wintery / gourmand side with a lot of amber, woods, tobacco, vanilla, etc. This is one of the few I have thats more summery - I wear it a lot in hot weather. Reply Parent Thread Link I also bought Unknown Pleasures bc of someone on here lol Reply Parent Thread Expand Link The 7 Virtues - Cherry Ambition is my favourite. I'm always trying to be more ethical with beauty choices especially and it smells sooooooooo good. Reply Thread Link my all time favorite might be opium YSL (not black opium) but i like a lot of fragrances the one i wear most is matcha meditation Replica Maison Margiela and the one i want to buy most rn is probably remarkable people or like this, both Etat Libre d'Orange Reply Thread Link Usually its Black Opium by YSL but Ive been trying to find a peach scented perfume thats not too sweet. Its been a struggle tbh. Reply Thread Link i've been wearing dossier dupes of YSL Y and le labo santal 33 for a while now because i can't commit to one scent and refuse to spend that much money on a single perfume but i think i may try out a sample set of something more niche (either from vilhelm or liis) and then settle on wearing one thing Reply Thread Link ohhhhhh, I didnt know about dossier! This is so dangerous to my pocketbook, since there are a lot of fragrances Id love to try but I can never justify the price point. Reply Parent Thread Link Instyle Fragrances has a whole bunch of "inspired by" scents for like 10 dollars per 3.4 oz bottle. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link my all time favourite is midnight poison by dior and im using it sparingly, because it was discontinued. i was searching for a replacement for years and i think i finally found it in le labo - the noir. not that its similar, but it gives me same vibes. except you know.. waaay pricier. Reply Thread Link Jersey Mikes Franchisee Violated Child Labor Regulations at Four Virginia Locations Charleston, South Carolina-based JM Burke LLC faces more than $100,000 in fines. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has fined JM Burke LLCwhich operates four Jersey Mikes franchises in Virginia$108,161 in civil money penalties following investigations that uncovered multiple violations of federal child labor regulations. According to a DOL release dated March 18, the DOL's Wage and Hour Division found the Charleston, South Carolina-based JM Burke allowed 14 minors to operate power-driven meat slicers and work hours beyond what is allowed for employees under age 16 at its Ashburn, South Riding, Springfield and Sterling, Virginia, locations. These actions directly violate guidelines set by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Employers who hire minors are legally and ethically obligated to comply with child labor standards that protect young people from harm, Wage and Hour Division District Director Nicholas Fiorello in Baltimore said in a statement. In addition to keeping them safe, employers must schedule young workers for times that allow for their education to remain the priority. To prevent future violations, JM Burke LLC has committed to enhancing its compliance measures, including staff training, increased site visits, the development of a violation reporting website, and investments in technology to monitor store activities. Western nations may be getting ahead of themselves in their ambition to swiftly roll out new nuclear power capacity in the current push to reduce dependence on Russian uranium and meet net-zero targets with more nuclear-generated electricity. At the COP28 climate summit at the end of last year, the United States and 21 other countries pledged to triple nuclear energy capacities by 2050, saying that incorporating more nuclear power in their energy mix is critical for achieving their net zero goals in the coming decades. The United States, alongside Britain, France, Canada, Sweden, South Korea, Ghana, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), among others, signed the declaration at the COP28 climate summit in Dubai. The Declaration recognizes the key role of nuclear energy in achieving global net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and keeping the 1.5-degree Celsius goal within reach, the U.S. Department of State said. John Kerry, President Joe Bidens climate envoy, says there are trillions of dollars available that could be used for investment in nuclear energy. We are not making the argument to anybody that this is absolutely going to be the sweeping alternative to every other energy source no, thats not what brings us here. But you cant get to net-zero 2050 without some nuclear power, he told reporters at the time. Too Optimistic Most Western governments with the notable exception of Germany are now betting on nuclear power to help them with the carbon emission targets. But many may have become too optimistic they would see a fast rollout of nuclear reactors and capacities in an industry notoriously known for years of delays and huge cost overruns. Clients, governments and ourselves as the industry players . . . we all become too optimistic, Ian Edwards, chief executive of Canadas engineering giant AtkinsRealis, told the Financial Times. We have this optimism bias towards being able to deliver faster. Related: Big Oil Grows Bolder in Transition Pushback The stakeholders need to plan better and get the execution phase done right, according to the executive of the company, which manufactures the CANDU reactor, the only nuclear reactor that doesnt need enriched uranium. The CANDU technology stands for Canada deuterium uranium because it uses deuterium oxide, or heavy water, as a moderator and coolant and uses natural not enriched uranium as a fuel. The West has seen in recent years several cautionary tales of huge delays and cost overruns in looking to boost nuclear capacity. Two of the glaring examples are the UKs Hinkley Point C project by French energy giant EDF and the Vogtle nuclear power plant in the U.S. state of Georgia. Early this year, EDF pushed back again the probable operational start at Hinkley Point C to 2029-2031, depending on various scenarios, compared to the original intention to have the first unit at the plan running in 2025. The costs have gone through the roof to an estimated $43.5 billion (34 billion), from $23 billion (18 billion) budgeted initially. In Georgia, a new reactor at the Vogtle nuclear power plant began commercial operation last summer in what was the first new nuclear reactor to start up in the United States since 2016. Construction at the two new reactor sites at Vogtle began in 2009. Originally expected to cost $14 billion and begin commercial operation in 2016 (Vogtle 3) and 2017 (Vogtle 4), the project ran into significant construction delays and cost overruns. The total cost of the project is now estimated at more than $30 billion. New Technology Promises Revival of Nuclear Power AtkinsRealis, whose natural-uranium reactor design differentiates it from the competition, has a sales pitch advantage because of the Russian dominance in enriched uranium supply, Edwards told FT. But he warned that demand for AtkinsRealiss technology is likely to exceed the companys capacity to meet it. Last year, AtkinsRealiss revenues from its nuclear division rose by 16.5% compared to 2022, thanks to higher sales volumes from Europe, Asia, and the United States. Despite the Wests attempts to reduce its reliance on Russian uranium, the EU doubled its imports of Russian nuclear fuel last year, mostly due to former Soviet bloc countries such as the Czech Republic and Slovakia importing Russian fuel for their Soviet-era nuclear plants, NGO Bellona said in an analysis last week, citing data from Eurostat and the UNs international trade service Comtrade. The United States is doubling down on its own supply of nuclear fuel and technology, including innovative reactor designs. ADVERTISEMENT Soaring uranium prices and a supply squeeze on the global uranium market have prompted U.S. uranium producers to revive abandoned mines that havent been operational in more than a decade. Early this year, Uranium Energy Corp said it would restart uranium production at its fully permitted site in Wyoming as the resurgence in nuclear power has led to a new bull market in uranium. Uranium market fundamentals are the best the industry has witnessed, Uranium Energy president and CEO Amir Adnani said in January. The U.S. is also backing advanced nuclear technology and small-scale reactors, hyped to be the future of nuclear energy. This week, TerraPower, a company working on small-scale nuclear reactor development backed by Bill Gates, said it would begin construction on its next-generation nuclear reactor in the United States as soon as June. TerraPower has been developing the Natrium technology for advanced reactors, which features a sodium-cooled fast reactor with a molten salt-based energy storage system. The Natrium demonstration plant will be built near a retiring coal facility in Kemmerer, Wyoming. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: UK oil major Wood Group is set to cut hundreds of jobs as it prepares to release its 2023 annual results, reports suggest. According to Sky News, the London-listed oil major is eyeing up the axeing of 200 positions from its 36,000-strong employee base. The firm employs roughly 6,500 in the UK, the majority of whom are based in Aberdeen. The news comes nearly a year after a rumoured 1.7bn takeover by private equity giant Apollo Management was culled, with the investment group saying that it would make no further offers. The news wiped 35 per cent off Wood Groups share price and it still lingers around 32 per cent lower than its position before the announcement. It is due to report full-year earnings for 2023 next week. The Scottish engineering giant generated 2.2bn ($2.9bn) in revenue over the first six months of the period up around 15 per cent year-on-year and profits before tax of of 149m ($195m), which is a six per cent boost over the same trading period for 2022. The group is one of the embattled group of UK-based oil majors that will have to continue to weather the battering taken from the governments windfall tax. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt extended the profits levy by another year in his Spring Budget speech and even told morning TV stations the day after that it was fair to classify the oil and gas sector as the Budgets losers. Woods North Sea compatriot Harbour Energy, whose chief executive has damned the windfall tax and its effect on energy companies in the past, said earlier this month that its 2023 revenue fell 31 per cent from $5.4bn (4.2bn) to $3.7bn (2.9bn). Harbours profit before tax fell 75 per cent to $597m (468.5m), with a post-tax profit of $32m (25.1m), up from $8m (6.2m) in 2022. Wood Group was approached for comment. ADVERTISEMENT By City AM More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Tokyo Institute of Technology scientists have reported hydrogen stored in hydrogen boride sheets can be efficiently released electrochemically. Through a series of experiments, they demonstrated that dispersing these sheets in an organic solvent and applying a small voltage is enough to release all the stored hydrogen efficiently. The results suggest hydrogen boride sheets could soon become a safe and convenient way to store and transport hydrogen, which is a cleaner and more sustainable fuel. The research paper, published in the journal Small, reported on the investigated potential of hydrogen boride (HB) sheets as practical hydrogen carriers. Scientists worldwide are looking for cleaner alternatives to fossil fuels, and many believe hydrogen is our best bet. As an environmentally friendly energy resource when combusted or energizing a fuel cell, hydrogen as two atom dihydrogen (H2) can be used in vehicles and electric power plants. Hydrogen release from hydrogen boride sheets explained graphically. Image Credit: Tokyo Institute of Technology. This image is too large and complex to reduce and show on a web post. The full size image can be seen at the press release page. It is also noteworthy that the study paper is Not behind a paywall at posting. Meanwhile, storing and transporting H2 safely and efficiently remains a challenge. Compressed gaseous hydrogen poses quite significant risks of explosion and leakage, whereas liquid hydrogen must be maintained at extremely low temperatures, which is very costly. This raised the question, what if we could store hydrogen directly in the molecular composition of other liquid or solid materials? Storing hydrogen in HB sheets is not an entirely new concept, and many aspects of their potential applications as hydrogen carriers have already been studied. However, getting the hydrogen out of the sheets is the tricky part. Heating at high temperatures or strong ultraviolet (UV) illumination is required to release H2 from HB sheets. But both approaches have inherent disadvantages, such as high energy consumption or incomplete H2 release. So, the team started research into a potential alternative: electrochemical release. In consideration of the mechanism of UV-induced H2 release from HB sheets, the team speculated that electron injection from a cathode electrode into HB nanosheets by an electric power supply could be a superior way to release H2 compared to UV irradiation or heating. Based on this theory, the researchers dispersed HB sheets into acetonitrile an organic solvent and applied a controlled voltage to the dispersion. The experiments revealed that nearly all of the electrons injected into the electrochemical system were used to convert H+ ions from the HB sheets into H2 molecules. Notably, the Faradaic efficiency of this process, which measures how much electrical energy is converted into chemical energy, was over 90%. The team also conducted isotope tracing experiments to confirm that the electrochemically released H2 originated from the HB sheets and not through some other chemical reaction. Moreover, they also employed scanning electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to characterize the sheets before and after H2 release, yielding further insights into the underlying mechanisms of the process. These findings contribute to the development of safe and lightweight hydrogen carriers with low energy consumption. Although the team studied the dispersed form of the HB sheets in the published paper, the current findings are applicable to film or bulk-based HB sheet systems for H2 release. Additionally, the team will investigate the rechargeability of HB sheets after dehydrogenation in a future study. The press release closes with, With any luck, this line of research will help pave the way to cleaner energy sources and more sustainable societies! ** ADVERTISEMENT This looks to be quite the breakthrough! There remains quite a list of questions, but the major ones about process and handling suggest this is a very promising start. On the other hand, the weight to energy potential is the typical low of hydrogen. H2 is only two of the smallest atoms in the universe. The energy potential is always going to be small. The potential of multiple carbon atoms with a bunch of H2 wrapped around them common to organic matter and petroleum molecules such as designed and trialed by nature over hundreds of millions of years is way beyond where H2 can ever go. Hydrogen does likely have a role in quite large niches. But its not clear that this tech would cut the risk of in-home storage to acceptable levels. Lets hope so though. By Brian Westenhaus via New Energy and Fuel More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Indias largest refiner, Reliance, has stopped buying crude oil sourced from Russia and carried on tankers owned by Sovcomflot as the U.S. tightened sanction enforcement. The information comes from two unnamed sources familiar with the situation who spoke to Reuters. Sovcomflot was among a number of Russian entities that were individually targeted with U.S. sanctions last month. As a result, Reliance has asked its Russian oil trading partners to not load the shipments on Sovcomflot vessels, the Reuters sources said. The latest round of U.S. sanctions caused worry among refiners in India, as the new restrictions make it more difficult to have oil shipped from Russia on non-sanctioned vessels, which would raise shipping costs and eat into refiners margins, Reuters reported at the end of February. Even before the latest U.S. sanctions, Refining margins for Indias biggest state-owned refiners had dropped amid more difficult access to Russian crude and soaring freight rates due to the Red Sea disruption to shipments, analysts and traders said last month. As a result of the U.S. sanction enforcement, Indian refiners are turning increasingly to U.S. crude, too, per a recent Bloomberg report. Since the start of March, Reliance and the two largest state-owned oil refiners, Bharat Petroleum and Indian Oil Corp. have bought some 7 million barrels of U.S. crude to load in April. This is the largest monthly volume of U.S. oil imports for India since last May, according to Kpler. "Our preference is that refiners should not take oil in sanctioned vessels, because of our political and commercial interests and the U.S. sanctions," one unnamed source from the Indian government told Reuters. Because of this shift, China is set to import even more Russian crude, including cargoes carried by Sovcomflot vessels. Kpler data cited by Bloomberg shows that imports of Russian crude into China this month would average 1.7 million barrels daily. ADVERTISEMENT By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The threat of attacks by Yemeni Houthis on vessels crossing the Red Sea have added 100,000 bpd to global oil demand as ships choose to divert to a longer route around Africa. This is according to the chief executive of commodity trading major Vitol, Russel Hardy, who said that "We have had to re-orientate so much all over," because of the crisis. Speaking at a panel at CERAWeek, as quoted by Reuters, Hardy noted that because of the situation in the Red Sea, the total distance traveled by ships now is about 3% more than it was before the Houthis began to attack vessels in the Red Sea. Analysts have been warning that the diversion of ship traffic from the Suez Canal to the Cape of Good Hope would tighten oil markers as it adds more than a week to the average journey between Asia and Europe. Earlier this year, one unnamed expert told Reuters that the rerouting had increased demand for oil by 200,000 barrels daily. This was also one reason why the International Energy Agency revised its oil demand outlook higher in its latest Oil Market Report. Calling the development unexpected, the IEA wrote that demand for oil was seen rising 1.7 million bpd in the first quarter of the year, on an improved outlook for the United States and increased bunkering. The oil market generally dismissed the effect that the situation in the Red Sea was having on oil demand, focusing on OPECs spare capacity, boosted recently by collective output cuts. However, the mood is beginning to change as the cuts get extended and Russian supply gets squeezed from Ukrainian drone attacks on refineries. With threats to supply elsewhere, the additional demand that the Red Sea situation may attract more attention and possibly serve to help oil climb higher still as there seems to be no resolution to it in sight for the time being. ADVERTISEMENT By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Russias coal sales to China plunged by 22% in January and February compared to the same months last year after China re-imposed an import tax, which makes Russian coal more expensive. The reintroduced import tax on coal doesnt affect either Australia or Indonesia, two major coal exporters and direct competitors of Russia, because they have free trade agreements with China. Despite the jump in total Chinese coal imports in the first two months of 2024, Russian sales plunged, according to official customs data from China cited by Bloomberg. Chinese coal imports soared by 23% year-over-year, but imports from Russia plummeted by 22% to 11.5 million tons. China removed the import tariff shortly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine upended the energy markets in 2022 and sent coal prices soaring to all-time highs at times when China was struggling to avoid blackouts. Now the tax has been re-imposed in a bid to protect Chinese coal mining firms and Chinese production, which has hit a record-high in the meantime. Currently, Indonesia is Chinas top coal supplier, while Russia keeps its second spot. Russia is struggling to sell its coal to the wider Asian market, too. The lower prices of coal from major exporters Indonesia, South Africa, and Australia are weighing on Russias capacity to sell more of its coal to Asia, which has become Moscows primary export market after the West slapped embargoes on its coal in 2022. China, South Korea, Turkey, and India are currently the top importers of coal from Russia. These countries received over 80% of Russias coal exports between August 2022 and July 2023, compared with 47% from August 2021 to July 2022, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) said in an analysis early this year. Domestic logistical challenges are also weighing on Russias coal exports. ADVERTISEMENT According to the EIA, limited eastbound rail infrastructure from the Kuzbass region in Western Siberia, where coal production is centered, leads to congestion, delays, and longer turnaround times. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: A substantial decline in LNG prices has led to an increase in purchases on the spot market from Asian buyers, such as China, India, and Southeast Asian nations. According to analysts cited by Reuters, this could see China break its own LNG import record, set back in 2021, and boost Indias intake of liquefied natural gas by 10% this year. In 2021, China imported 78.8 million tons of LNG. Asia LNG purchases on the spot market totaled 161 cargoes over the first three months of the year, S&P Global data shows, which was an annual increase of about 33%, Reuters reported. This increase is quite understandable when one looks at prices. The average price per million British thermal units of LNG this quarter stood at $9.82. A year ago, the average price was a whopping $18.75 per mmBtu. "We've seen some buy tenders coming in more frequently given lower Asian LNG prices, especially from price-sensitive buyers like India, Vietnam and China," Kpler LNG analyst Ryhana Rasidi told Reuters. "For this year, we believe that the increasing spot demand will contribute to raising overall Asian LNG demand." The price decline came after a milder-than-expected winter in some parts of the northern hemisphere, which left more gas in storage. The continued growth in supply, especially in the United States, also helped drive prices down. This year things may change as U.S. natural gas producers begin to scale back production in response to low domestic gas prices. ADVERTISEMENT LNG demand is seen continuing on a growth trajectory, wherever prices go. Last month, a TotalEnergies executive forecast that this year, China and Europe will be the biggest drivers of LNG demand. Shell also expects China to lead the demand growth trend in LNG, where the supermajor sees a 50% increase in demand over the years to 2040. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: U.S. senators introduced a bill on Thursday designed to expand the ban on selling off the nation's oil held in the Strategic Petroleum Reserves to China. U.S. President Joe Biden signed a funding bill earlier this month that blocked Chinese companies from purchasing U.S. crude oil held in the nation's SPR, but the bill still allowed oil sales to Chinese companies, provided the oil wasn't actually being exported to China. A next-level bill was introduced on Thursday that would expand the earlier funding bill to include all Chinese companieswhether the oil was destined for export to China or not. It would also block SPR oil sales or exports to Russia, Venezuela, and Syria. "This bipartisan bill will ensure America's Strategic Petroleum Reserve does not fall into the hands of those trying to harm us and ensure (Chinese Communist Party) controlled businesses are not making money by stockpiling taxpayer-subsidized oil," one of the sponsors of the bill, Republican Senator Joni Ernst, said in a Thursday statement to Reuters. Democrat Senator John Fettermana co-sponsor of the billstressed that enemies of the U.S. shouldn't be able to benefit from sales of crude out of the SPR. "Our adversaries should not be able to purchase oil from our SPRthat's just commonsense," he said. The bill is largely seen as a bipartisan one and could find sufficient support. The United States sold off more than 290 million barrels of crude oil from the nation's Strategic Petroleum Reserves since President Biden took office, and re-purchased about 15 million barrels of that since last July. A small amount of the crude oil sold out of the SPR was sold to a U.S. arm of China's Sinopec, drawing criticism. By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com ADVERTISEMENT More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Omaha police are investigating an incident involving a 28-year-old man being stabbed multiple times late Wednesday. At 11:51 p.m., police responded to the call at 16th and Jackson Streets in downtown Omaha. There, they found Reineil Medina suffering from stab wounds. He was treated by medics. Police determined that Medina was stabbed near 34th and Cuming Streets. The mans injuries are not considered life-threatening. Police have not identified any suspects. An Omaha businessman pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday to distributing an unregistered pesticide after he, through his company, sold a highly diluted disinfectant product that was falsely labeled as EPA-approved and effective at killing the COVID-19 virus. Matthew Petersen, 39, will face up to one year in prison and up to a $50,000 fine when he is sentenced on the misdemeanor charge in July. His company, Omaha-based adhesive and tool systems manufacturer Quin Global, separately pleaded guilty to mail fraud and distribution of an unregistered pesticide, and could face a fines of up to $500,000 and $200,000, respectively. The company will also be ordered to pay restitution, according to the plea agreement. According to the U.S. Attorneys Office, as the pandemic began in March 2020, Quin Global began efforts to expand into the manufacturing and sale of pesticides including antimicrobial pesticides, which destroy or suppress the growth of harmful microorganisms and viruses. Antimicrobial pesticides are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency. When the business was unable to quickly enter a legal agreement to distribute an EPA-approved disinfectant, they instead purchased a separate germicidal disinfectant from a supplemental distributor. Quin Global then diluted this disinfectant and repackaged it, passing it off as a proprietary, EPA-approved product called Ramsol-RS1, according to the plea agreement. The company also claimed Ramsol-RS1 was effective at killing the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which caused COVID-19. From April through July of 2020, Quin Global distributed the diluted disinfectant to 73 distributors throughout the U.S. and Canada, which then supplied the product to retail customers. In total, according to the plea agreement, the company sold 1,148 7-liter containers and 3,363 22-liter containers worth about $1.4 million. The company repeatedly assured their customers that its product would be effective against viruses, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. In reality, although the disinfectant from the supplemental distributor was approved for use against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the version distributed by Quin Global was far too diluted to have any effect. The disinfectant was meant to be diluted at 2 to 8 ounces per gallon of water, depending on the approved use. According to the U.S. Attorneys Office, the Ramasol-RS1 mixture was diluted more than 100 times than the product should be if diluted at eight ounces per gallon, which is well beyond efficacy against viruses. LINCOLN After three heated days of debate including comments that left one state senator facing potential censure the Nebraska Legislature blocked a bill to remove protections for K-12 educators if they face charges of providing obscene materials to minors. Legislative Bill 441 failed its first round of floor debate Wednesday in a 30-17 vote. The bill needed 33 votes to pass a filibuster-ending cloture motion. The legislative action followed a contentious floor debate that resulted Wednesday in a formal investigation of State Sen. Steve Halloran of Hastings and earlier calls for his resignation. Halloran has apologized Tuesday but declined to resign. Halloran made his comments on Monday in support of LB 441. He quoted extensively from a graphic rape scene from a memoir of a sexual assault survivor Lucky, by The Lovely Bones author Alice Sebold and repeatedly interjected the name Senator Cavanaugh into the passage. Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha introduced a resolution calling for Halloran to be censured one of three possible punishments available to the Legislature and accused him of sexual harassment. She said her purpose was to put the matter before a public hearing. Meanwhile, Sen. Raymond Aguilar of Grand Island, chair of the Legislatures Executive Board, said he filed a complaint against Halloran under the Nebraska Legislatures workplace harassment policy. This complaint launched a formal investigation that could lead to recommendations for repercussions for Halloran. Backers claim they are protecting school libraries from obscenity LB 441 was introduced by State Sen. Joni Albrecht of Thurston. It would remove a legal defense currently available to educators, which she says is a loophole in state law. In the state of Nebraska, obscenity is a safe zone in K-12 and their libraries, Albrecht said. Under state law, educators who are charged with providing obscene materials to minors can use a defense in court that the materials were provided under the purview of their jobs. A jury can still choose to convict them for this crime. Albrecht argued that this defense was only meant to be used by educators in higher education, and said it isnt justifiable for K-12 educators. Opponents said the measure would violate free speech rights and hinder students right to learn. Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln said the bill wasnt the correct route to keep children safe in schools. She also said the bill would weaponize criminal law as a way to fight culture wars, calling it a thinly veiled attempt to ban books. If a book is in a library, its not mandated that you read it, Conrad said. Sen. Lynne Walz of Fremont said the Legislature should be focused on preventing educators from being charged with crimes to begin with, and spoke favorably about establishing a more robust review process for content. Conrad said most school districts already have processes established for parents to voice concerns about learning materials they find offensive. Sen. Tom Brandt of Plymouth was one of the few Republicans who spoke against LB 441. He said he found the language overly broad and noted that there are many examples of art and literature that might be considered obscene, including in the Nebraska Capitol. Elementary students regularly pass by mosaics that depict nudity when they visit the building. Are we going to lay carpet over the Rotunda and Great Hall to protect our fragile sensibilities? Brandt asked. I would hope not. Sen. Dave Murman of Glenvil said obscenity isnt legally protected speech. If educators are concerned with facing criminal charges, he said that just serves as proof that objectionable content is being taught in Nebraska classrooms. Multiple opponents disagreed and accused LB 441 supporters of having a broader concept of obscenity than its legal definition. Sen. John Cavanaugh of Omaha said obscenity doesnt mean anything that an individual doesnt like, and said there can be value in content that makes people uncomfortable. The problem is that everything is obscene to you people, said Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha. Everything scandalizes you. The bills supporters said it would not lead to a spike in teachers being arrested. But Sen. John Cavanaugh of Omaha said the bill would be harmful because it would scare K-12 schools into removing books from the shelves solely because some people found them offensive in order to avoid the risk of criminal penalties. Hallorans comments draw national attention Nebraska lawmakers from across the political spectrum criticized Halloran, and the controversy resulted in numerous news reports across the country. Albrecht said she was mortified by what Halloran said on behalf of her bill. Halloran said his point was that it was inappropriate to make the books rape description available to children. But he said it was a mistake to name lawmakers while reading the passage. He said he did so in an effort to get lawmakers to pay attention to what he was reading. He also claimed that he was referring to Cavanaughs brother, John Cavanaugh, along with Sen. George Dungan of Lincoln, who had both spoken against the bill earlier in the day. Machaela Cavanaugh said she didnt believe Hallorans assertion. She said Halloran approached her and Sen. Lynne Walz of Fremont before he made his comments, and described the same passage he later read on the floor. Aguilar said he supported Cavanaugh introducing her censure resolution and said it wouldnt change much about the investigation, except that it would no longer be done by outside counsel as he previously stated. It will be an internal investigation instead, he said. If voted out of committee, the resolution would be put to a vote by the full Legislature, and require 25 votes to pass. While Cavanaugh acknowledged that censure is little more than a scolding, she said it would show that the body acknowledges that what Halloran said was abhorrent. Sen. Halloran must be held accountable, Cavanaugh said. And this body must stand up for dignity and integrity. Halloran said Wednesday that he has not changed his views on the incident but said he would have gone about his remarks differently if given the chance to do it over. He still would have read the excerpt, he said, but would have waited until the end of his turn on the microphone to call out the lawmakers for not listening to him. He said he views Cavanaughs resolution as an attempt to fast track censuring him. Halloran said he would prefer to wait for the attorney general to weigh in on the constitutionality of his comments. But State Sen. Julie Slama, who collaborated with Cavanaugh on the resolution, said she did so because she had no confidence that leaders in the Legislature truly wanted to hold Halloran accountable. She said Nebraskans deserve to see the matter handled quickly and publicly, rather than being swept under the rug. If we cannot take immediate action on something that is said on camera to the entire state, our policies are not sufficient, Slama said. Earlier, Speaker of the Legislature John Arch said he did not condone Hallorans words but urged lawmakers to move forward with the work left to do in the remaining 15 days of the session. We cannot let this derail this session, Arch said. Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of March 2024 LINCOLN Multiple Nebraska lawmakers pushed Wednesday for the Legislature to take action against a senator who invoked his colleagues' names in the reading of a graphic rape scene. State Sen. Steve Halloran of Hastings was under fire for remarks he made Monday in support of a bill that sought to regulate the state's obscenity laws. He quoted extensively from a graphic rape scene from a memoir of a sexual assault survivor Lucky, by The Lovely Bones author Alice Sebold and repeatedly interjected the name Senator Cavanaugh into the passage. Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha introduced a resolution calling for Halloran to be censured one of three possible punishments available to the Legislature and accused him of sexual harassment. She said her purpose was to put the matter before a public hearing. Meanwhile, Sen. Raymond Aguilar of Grand Island, chair of the Legislature's Executive Board, said he filed a complaint against Halloran under the Nebraska Legislature's workplace harassment policy. This complaint launched a formal investigation that will lead to recommendations for possible repercussions for Halloran. Sen. Julie Slama of Dunbar, who sits on the Executive Board, said that while an investigation is "better than nothing," she suggested it was also an attempt to slow-walk any consequences for Halloran until the end of the session. Aguilar denied this, and said he wants the investigation to be conducted as soon as possible. Lawmakers from across the political spectrum have criticized Halloran for what he said in support of Legislative Bill 441, which sought to remove current protections that make it harder to prosecute K-12 educators charged with providing obscene materials to minors. The bill was blocked from advancement Wednesday. State law lets teachers use a defense in court that the materials were provided under the purview of their jobs, although a jury could still choose to convict them. LB 441 supporters said that legal defense is a loophole that should be closed. They contend that school libraries currently contain materials that are inappropriate for children a view supported by numerous people who testified on the bill in March 2023 by reading explicit materials from books that were available in some Nebraska schools. Halloran read the passage based on the testimony at that hearing, and said it was inappropriate to make the book's contents available to children. The next day, Halloran apologized for naming lawmakers as he read the rape description, saying it was a mistake. He said he did so in an effort to get lawmakers to pay attention to what he was reading. He also claimed that he was referring to Cavanaughs brother, Sen. John Cavanaugh of Omaha, along with Sen. George Dungan of Lincoln, who had both spoken against the bill earlier in the day. Machaela Cavanaugh said she didnt believe Hallorans assertion. She said Halloran approached her and Sen. Lynne Walz of Fremont before he made his comments, and described the same passage he later read on the floor. Aguilar said he supported Cavanaugh introducing her resolution, and said it wouldn't change much about the investigation, except for that it will no longer be done by outside counsel as he previously stated. It will be an internal investigation instead, he said. If voted out of committee, the resolution would be put to a vote by the full Legislature, and require 25 votes to pass. While Cavanaugh acknowledged that censure is little more than a scolding, she said it would show that the body acknowledges that what Halloran said was "abhorrent." "Sen. Halloran must be held accountable," Cavanaugh said. "And this body must stand up for dignity and integrity." Halloran said Wednesday that he has not changed his views on the incident, but said he would have gone about his remarks differently if given the chance to do it over. He still would have read the excerpt, he said, but would have waited until the end of his turn on the microphone to call out the lawmakers for not listening to him. He said he views Cavanaugh's resolution as an attempt to "fast track" censuring him. Halloran said he would prefer to wait for the Attorney General to weigh in on the constitutionality of his comments. But Slama, who collaborated with Cavanaugh on the resolution, said she did so because she had no confidence that leaders in the Legislature truly wanted to hold Halloran accountable. She said Nebraskans deserve to see the matter handled quickly and publicly, rather than being swept under the rug. "If we cannot take immediate action on something that is said on camera to the entire state, our policies are not sufficient," Slama said. Earlier, Speaker of the Legislature John Arch said he did not condone Hallorans words, but urged lawmakers to move forward with the work left to do in the remaining 15 days of the session. We cannot let this derail this session, Arch said. Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of March 2024 LINCOLN Nebraska lawmakers advanced a bill Wednesday aimed at preventing desperate parents from abandoning their babies on doorsteps or other unsafe locations. Legislative Bill 876, introduced by State Sen. Rick Holdcroft of Bellevue, would expand on the states infant safe haven law by letting parents give up older babies and by expanding the number of places they could leave an infant. But the bill cleared first-round debate only after he agreed to drop provisions that would allow babies to be left in special drop-off boxes and to make other changes in how courts and child welfare officials handle cases of surrendered infants. He said he would work on the changes before the bill comes back for second-round debate. Holdcroft argued that updates are needed to the states 16-year-old safe haven law because babies are still being abandoned illegally in Nebraska. Current law allows parents to surrender a baby up to 30 days old by taking the child to a hospital and leaving it with an employee. He cited figures from the state Department of Health and Human Services showing there have been 14 babies surrendered since the laws passage in 2008. Another 200 were abandoned during the same period. He said he didnt know the circumstances of the abandonments, such as whether babies were left anonymously on doorsteps or left with caregivers while parents disappeared. Under LB 876, parents could surrender their babies up to 90 days old and could do so at more places. Along with hospitals and other health care facilities, they could leave babies at staffed fire stations or staffed law enforcement agencies or they could call 911 and give up the baby to the emergency medical workers who respond. It should, in theory, reduce the number of abandoned babies to zero, Holdcroft said, adding that the proposal would help answer concerns about laws limiting abortion and requiring women to carry pregnancies to term. As introduced, his bill also would permit a parent or a person designated by a parent to leave a baby anonymously in a special drop-off box. Such drop-offs are allowed in at least 19 other states. The boxes would have to be padded, climate-controlled and be equipped with a motion sensor and an alarm system. They allow a person to walk up, open the door, put an infant inside, close the door and walk away. They could only be installed at a fire station or emergency medical services location that is staffed 24 hours a day. Sen. Carol Blood of Bellevue argued strenuously against the use of such drop-off boxes, saying they are not required to meet any safety standards and could put babies lives at risk. Come on, friends, babies arent bank deposits, she said. Dont vote for this bill because it has the word baby in it because it is not safe for babies. In addition, Blood said the boxes could be used by terrorists to drop off bombs or toxic substances. She also said their anonymity would allow traffickers or abusers to leave babies stolen from parents. Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha took issue with the Judiciary Committee amendment to LB 876. The amendment sought to protect parents from being investigated for child abuse based on having surrendered a baby. It also addressed how courts and child welfare officials should handle safe haven infant cases. But Wayne said the amendment would create serious, unintended consequences. Lawmakers rejected the amendment at Holdcrofts urging. He said he would work with Blood and Wayne on fixing the problems. Nebraska originally passed its safe haven law with no age limit. Before the 30-day age limit was added in a special legislative session, 27 parents and guardians used the law over the course of 10 weeks to drop off 36 children. Most were teenagers or preteens with mental, emotional or behavioral problems. Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of March 2024 LINCOLN The Nebraska Legislature gave first-round approval Wednesday night to a bill that would restore voting rights to felons who have completed their sentence. Legislative Bill 20 advanced through its first of three rounds of debate in a 34-3 vote. Currently, Nebraska felons have to wait two years after completing their sentences before they can vote a period the bills introducer, State Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha, said was arbitrary and unnecessary. At the end of the day, when you have completed your sentence, when you are done, you should be able to participate in our society fully and completely, Wayne said. The issue has been pushed by lawmakers for years, but the previous bills were met with resistance. Some lawmakers who opposed such a measure in the past said Wednesday that theyve changed their minds, including Sen. Steve Halloran of Hastings, who voted no on advancing the bill out of committee last year, but now supports it. Sometimes, you have to put (yourself) in their shoes, Halloran said. Its called empathy. Sen. Steve Erdman of Bayard said his perspective also changed after sitting in on a State Board of Pardons meeting last year and seeing what people go through to pay their criminal penalties. Wayne noted that Nebraska was the only state in the U.S. with a two-year waiting period for felons, and Erdman said it was time to catch up to the rest of the country. Sen. Robert Clements of Elmwood was one of the three lawmakers who voted against advancing the bill. He said a two-year waiting period is reasonable, noting that in the past, some felons lost their voting rights permanently. The period is needed, he said, to ensure people dont return to criminal activity after finishing their sentence. Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of March 2024 LINCOLN Nebraskas smallest school districts could authorize security staff to carry guns in schools and at school activities under a compromise amendment added to a package of education bills. Legislative Bill 1329, introduced by State Sen. Dave Murman of Glenvil, includes measures that would allow schools to use construction dollars for safety infrastructure and would ease requirements for teacher training. The bill cleared the first of three rounds of debate on a 40-0 vote. Other measures in the package would bar school districts from turning over school lunch debts to collection agencies, require districts to provide truancy-avoidance services to students who have missed at least 20 days of school and allow students to change option enrollment schools three times during their K-12 career instead of just once. Heading into Wednesdays debate, the firearms provision promised to be the most contentious part of the proposal. It included provisions of LB 1339, introduced by Sen. Tom Brewer of Gordon. His portion of the package would give school boards the power to authorize trained security staff to carry firearms on school grounds and would remove criminal penalties for off-duty and retired law enforcement officials who carry weapons on school grounds, including concealed handguns. As introduced, his bill would have applied to all school districts in the state. The measure generated stiff opposition, particularly from the states most populous areas. To reduce the opposition, Brewer worked with Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha on a compromise that limited the bills application to districts with fewer than 5,000 residents. Brewer said larger schools generally have school resource officers, who can carry firearms. Most also are located in areas with law enforcement agencies close enough to respond quickly in case of a school shooting or other emergency. But smaller districts typically lack school resource officers and law enforcement officers may be a half-hour or more away. The compromise measure will apply to 192 of the states 244 public school districts but only affect about 68,000 of the states 328,000 K-12 students, he said. It would be up to each district to decide whether to make use of the new flexibility. Brewer is a longtime advocate for gun rights in the Legislature. Last year, he succeeded in passing a bill that made it legal for Nebraskans who are 21 or older to carry concealed weapons without a permit. LINCOLN After years of contentious debate over parental involvement in K-12 schools, Nebraska lawmakers gave first-round approval to a bipartisan measure on the subject. The Nebraska Legislature advanced Legislative Bill 71 Thursday on a 43-0 vote. The bill, introduced by State Sen. Rita Sanders of Bellevue, would require school districts in Nebraska to publicize a transparency policy for parents and guardians by August of this year. It all started with the parents and their need to know, Sanders said of the bill. In the policy, districts must include ways parents can access testing information and curriculum, and how parents can request that their child be excused from specific instruction or school activities. The Legislature began this week with three days of emotional debate on LB 441, which sought to remove a legal defense for K-12 educators accused of providing obscenity to minors. That bill was blocked from advancement. During its debate, multiple opponents referenced LB 71, framing it as a more measured way to regulate the content Nebraska schools teach. Sanders said she knew from the start that her bill had to have bipartisan support, and she made compromises on the legislation since she introduced it in 2023. The bill received support from the Nebraska State Education Association, the Nebraska Association of School Boards, the Nebraska Rural Community Schools Association and the Greater Nebraska Schools Association, among other education groups. LB 71s debate still saw some disagreement Thursday, particularly regarding an amendment proposed by Sen. Dave Murman of Glenvil, the Education Committee chair. While Murman referred to his amendment as friendly, Sanders disagreed, and another lawmaker called it a poison pill that could jeopardize LB 71s chance at passing. Murmans amendment incorporates provisions of his bill, LB 374, which has yet to move out of committee. It would have required public schools to notify parents whenever their child has checked out a book in their school library, and require districts to establish a hearing process for parents to object to specific learning materials. While Murman acknowledged that many school districts already have processes for parents to object to content they find offensive, he said hes heard complaints from some parents about their districts not listening to their concerns. He said he proposed the amendment as a means to make LB 71 more comprehensive. Multiple Education Committee members, including Sanders, objected to Murmans amendment. Sen. Lynne Walz of Fremont said she doubted Murman vetted the measure as much as Sanders vetted her bill. Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln noted that as the committee chair, Murman had the opportunity over two sessions to have the committee vote on LB 374, and chose not to do so. Lawmakers did adopt an amendment to LB 71 from Conrad that would give parents and guardians the power to have their student repeat a grade. Parents can hold their child back in kindergarten through fourth grade because of their academic needs, illness or excessive absences. They can hold their child back in fifth through 12th grade solely because of excessive absences, under the amendment. Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of March 2024 Kunle Awobodu, national president, Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG), says there are over 1,000 buildings unfit for human habitation in Lagos Island. Speaking in an interview with NAN, Awobodu said his group had brought such distressed buildings to the notice of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) for demolition. He was reacting to building that collapsed in the Ita-Faaji area of Lagos Island. There are over 1,000 distressed other buildings of this nature in Lagos, which, if nothing is done to demolish them, they will still collapse, resulting to more calamities in the state, he said. The collapsed building had been marked for demolition about three times, but the building regulatory agency has not demolished it. We are moving round the circle and this has to stop. Let the building control agency take the bull by the horn, by ensuring that all distressed buildings in the state are identified and demolished. Let the state government look for preventive measures, rather than spending money for evacuation, investigation and remediation after the calamities and damages have occurred. He added that all the agencies responsible for monitoring buildings should be more proactive rather than wait till buildings collapse. He also called on architects, building engineers, bricklayers and the end-users to live up to the expectations by complying with the construction rules and regulations guiding the industry. Adelaja Adekanmbi, chairman of the Nigeria Institute of Building (NIOB), Lagos chapter, who spoke on the side, said there is a need for a town hall meeting with the government, professionals, developers and end-users in the building environment. He said the meeting was necessary as a platform for comprehensive deliberation among the players, on how to tackle the issue of building collapse in Lagos state. Residents, who are the end-users have vital roles to play in curbing building collapse; they are in a better position to detect early illegal, abandoned and substandard constructions, he said. LASBCA and other building regulatory authorities alone cannot properly monitor to detect when buildings are defective or when illegal constructions are going on, without the support of the residents. It is the residents that are in a better position to detect distressed and substandard buildings within their areas. It will be wicked of us to wait until calamity happens before government, institutions, professionals or individuals, can start to look for prevention. It requires collective efforts to end building collapse, and all players in the industry must contribute their quotas. Invest & Get 20% In Just 90 Days Click HERE >> Delicious Noodles Pizza In Lagos Click HERE >> Outgoing Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, has claimed that the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, once sent his DSS detail to insult him. Okorocha said he had gone to interact with his party Chairman about issues relating to happenings in the party when he (Oshiomhole) sent his DSS personnel to push him out of his office. Speaking in an interview with Vanguard, Okorocha said the incident happened in the presence of the APC governorship candidate in Akwa Ibom State, Ekere Nsima. The Governor, however, said he was not considering leaving the ruling party, at least for now. Asked if he still feel comfortable in the APC, Okorocha, whose son-in-law, Uche Nwosu joined the Action Alliance, AA, prior to the general elections, said: I am APC. I have never thought of leaving the party for now and I have no reason because I won under the platform of APC. Where will I go to? I have to be in the APC, I formed the APC. Asked if he was stranded, he added: I am not stranded, I remain in APC and I have not indicated that Im going to leave APC. Remember that the intention of these people is to frustrate me out of politics and out of APC so that they can have a field of play. But all I advise today is that let no institution or organization allow themselves to be used as an instrument to destroy somebody politically, who has committed no offence. On what he will do if by chance he meets Oshiomhole today, Gov. Okorocha said: Oshare stated that the pressure and tensions were more prevalent in Okuama, which does not have people to speak for them and push their interests. A community leader in Delta State, Olorogun Sleek Oshare, has revealed why soldiers were killed in the state. Recall that sixteen military personnel were brutally murdered by suspected militants at Okuama community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of the State last Thursday. Speaking on the matter, Oshare disclosed that an agelong land dispute that degenerated into a violent conflicts in the community led to the death of the soldiers. Oshare made the disclosure when he featured on Channels Televisions Politics Today on Thursday. According to Oshare, the military personnel were in the area as part of efforts to settle a land dispute between Okuama and a neighbouring community. He explained that the dispute arose between two influential families but the matter escalated due to the perceived military connections of one of the communities involved. Oshare stated that the pressure and tensions were more prevalent in Okuama, which does not have people to speak for them and push their interests. He pointed out the absence of mention of the other community, Okoloba, in the narrative, suggesting that fear might have caused them to retreat from the spotlight. Oshare dismissed the conflict as merely a dispute between individuals and expressed the need for a thorough investigation to uncover the truth behind the incident. He stated, The quarrel was just a land dispute between one family and another family and land disputes happen over and over again. One community felt that the other had a military connection and they were being pressured unnecessarily. The pressure is more on Okuoma and they dont have anybody to speak for them. In the whole narrative, you dont hear the name of the other community. Where is Okoloba? In the last two days, Okoloba has disappeared because they are also afraid. Sometimes, it is made to look as if it were an ethnic thing. It was just a dispute between individuals and Okoloba, which seems to have more connections. The families that were involved in the dispute are highly placed. Until we go into the real investigation, the truth will not come out. It is then the nation will come out to sympathize with the children, pregnant women, and old people who could have lost their lives in the random shootings. By Izunna Okafor, Awka The Management of the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), Amaku, Awka, has debunked the allegation that its health workers play gamble with human lives. This is coming barely four days after a REPORT published by 247UREPORT, featuring a video of a middle-aged man, identified as Mr. Uche Ileabuchi, accusing doctors in the hospital of levity and gambling with his wifes life and those of other people. According to Ileabuchi in the viral video, his wife, who is a breastfeeding mother had her proposed surgery worrisomely delayed and repeatedly postponed by the assigned doctor in the hospital, leaving the wife and their 5-month-old baby starving unnecessarily in waiting for the surgery. Among other claims, Ileabuchi, who opined that many of the doctors in the hospital have and obviously give more attention and time to their private hospitals than they do to patients in the teaching hospital and other public hospitals where they are employed, also alleged that such thing accounts for major reason why people die like fowls in most governments hospital. However, in a press statement made available to newsmen on Wednesday, March 20, the Public Relations Officer of the hospital, Agbai Henrietta described the video as false and mischievous, adding that it was targeted to mock the reputation the hospital has built overtime as one of the best Teaching Hospitals in Nigeria. While accusing Ileabuchi of being obviously on a desperate mission to discredit the hospital, the PRO said the complainant was aware of existence of SERVICOM in the Hospital, where genuine complaints are channelled. Concerning the said surgery and the alleged postponement, PRO explained that Mr. Ileabuchis wife had a cold case and an elective operation booking which was cancelled because the Consultant Surgeon in charge of the patient attended an all-day COOUTH workshop on Thursday 7th March, 2024, being the only nominee of COOUTH Surgery Department for the event organised by the Research Management Office. He, however, did not deny the rescheduling of the proposed surgery. There is usually a surgery list that contains all the people that should be operated in a day. Some of the cases may come up later in the day, others may even be shifted to another day. This was courteously explained to him by a junior doctor in the team, & the operation duly re-scheduled for the subsequent week. He hastily shot and uploaded his complaint video at 11:21am. Indeed the wife successfully had her surgery same day and was discharged the following day. We are using this opportunity to intimate the general public on the truth of the matter. Continuing, the PRO further appreciated those who showed concern when the disturbing video was being circulated online. We are equally using this opportunity to let the general public know about SERVICOM, which is a department created to tackle issues involving patients and Staff of the Institution. SERVICOM is always there 24/7 hours to address every issue in the institution with fair manner without fear or favour. We are ready to address all issues arising from constructive criticism and genuine complaints, she concluded. Related The Tinubu Media Support Group TMSG has described the spate of recent press statements by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as a reflection of his deep frustration with President Bola Tinubu for achieving,at one attempt, what he spent 32 unsuccessful years struggling for. In a statement signed by its Chairman Jesutega Onokpasa, the group said it was not surprised that the former Presidential candidate is dabbling into all sorts of national issues in order to be politically relevant for yet another bid for the Presidency. While it is his fundamental right to offer his views in a bid to trade tackle and test President Bola Tinubu-led government in the market place of ideas, he betrays reason and stands logic on its head with hollow, irrational and poorly-researched so-called solutions. And as informed Nigerians still rate him for who he is- a political hustler with ill-digested, hare-brained ideas- he has added another by mooning around the National Assembly, specifically at the Senate where one of their own erred. A scrutiny of the vice presidents recent rapid press releases revealed his inner frustrations and perspiration in the face of silent successes as a result of major interventions by the Federal Government confirmed recently by leading local investors and global financial institutions such as Moody and Goldman Sachs These feats are fallout of the Presidents single-minded pursuit and unwavering commitment to alleviating current economic hardship of the Nigerian people through rigorous thinking out of the box, an attribute which is second nature to the former Lagos State governor as a bold and courageous problem solver. It is not the Presidents fault that the recent foiled coup in the Senate did not only nail its ring leader, Senator Abdul Ningi but blew in their faces in broad daylight. For the avoidance of doubt, the fate that befell Abdul Ningi and his co-travelers was foretold and avoidable. As a ranking parliamentarian who is believed to know budget process matters well, he knew what what he was up against hence he has no one to blame for hitting the canvass. And now that former vice president Atiku Abubakar has taken another job to peddle the lies of padding on the hollow pretext of interrogating the parliament on the allegation of the N3.7 trillion padding, we wish him well. What becomes obvious about the convoluted posturing of the former vice president in recent weeks is his almost-feverish craze to graze on matters he has scant idea so he gets lost in the maze, hence his resort to such grand opacity that often interrogates his trajectory and collateral damage to the dignity and integrity of the exalted office he once occupied. For former vice president Atiku Abubakar, it is redemption time. The rush to remain relevant ahead 2027 has consumed so much that he now dabbles on issues that dont even concern him. To make matters worse for his handlers and his fast-depleted followers, his rationality has taken flight. Logic has lost its lure. His statesmanship, in the market place, is fast losing value, it said. The pro-Tinubu media group added that it was time for Abubakar to cast aside what it described as his obsession with deceitful politics and adopt a more statesmanly role like past occupants of his former position in government. Related Customs Kebbi Command, says it was poised to facilitate legitimate trade as it has reopened Kamba Border in compliance with the directive of the Comptroller General of Customs,(CGC) Comptroller BA Adeniyi MFR. This disclosure was made over the weekend in a press release signed by the Commands public Relations officer Mohammed Tajuddeen Salisu, a Superintendent of Customs and made available to our Correspondent. Recall that the newly appointed Customs Area Controller (CAC), Kebbi Command, Comptroller Iheanacho Ernest Ojike has last week Friday , reopened Kamba Border for international trade as directed by Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi. Speaking shortly after reopening of the border in the midst of District Head of Kamba, Alhaji. Mamuda Fana, stakeholders and other sister agencies, the Commands Area Controller, Comptroller Iheanacho Ernest Ojike said that Kamba was a strategic border with major share in Kebbi Revenue generation insisting that the border reopening was aimed at paving way for legitimate trade that would impact positively on Nation building, not a permission for importation of prohibited items that would ransack the economy and compromise national security. Speaking further, he emphasized that officers and men of the Command were ever ready to facilitate legitimate trade and act within the ambit of the law to simplify trade across Kamba Border seamlessly as long as stakeholders import what was permitted by Customs extant laws, make proper declaration and pay appropriate duties to the Federal Government coffers even as he warned that exportation of Grains out of the country was still prohibited due to the scarcity of food in the country. Responding, the District Head of Kamba, Alhaji Fana commended the effort of the federal government, while maintaining that it was a new wave of hope to his people who have interest in cross-border businesses, and even small scale business owners domiciled in Kamba town and promised to caution his people on illegitimate trade. In another development, the Customs Area Controller (CAC) Comptroller Ojike paid a courtesy visit to the Emir of Gwandu Major General Muhammed Bashir Iliyasu (Rtd) to seek his blessings and cooperation as the royal father of the state and other sister agencies to gain their mutual cooperation and collaboration towards ensuring steady trade across borders, curb smuggling activities and provide security to the host communities. Related From Mohammed Nasir Shuaibu BAUCHI The Bauchi State Commissioner of Police, CP Auwal Musa Mohammed, has described the act of the irate youth as berbaric and inimical to the law governing our country and ordered a discreet investigation into the matter and the possible arrest of the culprits. Accordingly, CP Auwal frowned at the action of the irate youths, who instead of taking the suspect to the nearest police station for proper investigation and prosecution, they instead, beat him to death without any recourse to the law. Contained in a press release by the Command PPRO said the suspect was surrounded and beaten to death by an angry mob. Operatives attached to Toro Divisional Police Headquarters received a distress call from Magama Gumau Police outstation that a suspected motorcycle thief whose name and address were yet to be known was caught in the act at Magama Weekly Market for stealing a motorcycle. The suspect was surrounded and beaten to death by an angry mob. On receipt of the report, a team of police operatives led by the Divisional Crime Officer (DCO) immediately rushed to the scene in a bid to prevent the mob action from degenerating. However, on arrival at the scene, operatives discovered that the suspect was set ablaze by the mob. The body of the suspect was rushed to Toro General Hospital but certified death by a medical doctor. He warned Bauchi citizens that the Command, under his stewardship, will not tolerate or allow some recalcitrant in the society to take laws into their hands by killing suspects. He also warned that nobody has the right to treat a suspect in such a barbaric manner and it is wrong for anyone to assume the position of a law enforcement agency, adding that suspect apprehended in connection with any crime should be mediately handed over to the police or any law enforcement agencies saddled with the responsibility of investigating and prosecuting such. The Commissioner of Police appealed to the general public to be calm, as the investigation commenced in earnest. Related From Ahmad Saka, Bauchi Amalgamation of Bauchi Concerned Groups has called on the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio to as a matter of urgency, step aside and allow an independent investigation into the alleged budget padding by suspended Senatot Abdul Ahmad Ningi representing Bauchi Central The call was made on Tuesday during a press conference by the group held at the Conference Hall of the Bauchi NUJ Press Center. The group described the suspension of Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi as, unlawful and undemocratic. It also demanded that the Senate should immediately withdraw the illegal and undemocratic suspension of Senator Ningi and tender an unreserved apology to the senator and to the good people of Bauchi Central Senatorial District whom he ably represents. The group further demanded an order for an investigation into the allegation of N500 million given to some selected ranking senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria adding that the 2024 budget be reviewed and all anomalies therein be corrected with immediate effect. According to the Chairman of the Amalgamation, Umar Said Maigamo explained that the purpose of the press conference was to address all Nigerians on the decision by the Senate over the suspension of Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi, senator representing Bauchi Central Senatorial District saying that, We consider this decision as premeditated, hasty, unlawful and undemocratic on several grounds. According to him, You may wish to recall that Senator Abdul Ningi in an attempt to exercise his legislative and constitution right granted an interview to the BBC Hausa Service where he raised pertinent issues regarding the 2024 budget. In the said Interview, the senator revealed that there were some anomalies in the budget where he specifically stated that the sum of N3.7 trilion could not be traced to any projects or location in the 2024 budget. Senator Ningis assertion was corroborated by several professional groups including Budgit Foundation, a renowned civil society organization promoting accountability and transpiercing in public spending in Nigeria. However, in a rare display of injustice, disdain for the rule of law end democratic tenets, the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio at the plenary held on 12 March, 2024 announced the suspension of Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi for 3 months, he added. It is imperative that our democracy must thrive on the principle of justice fairness and accountability. We must uphold such values and hold our elected officials accountable for their actions and inactions, he concluded. Related Zenith Bank Plc has announced the appointment of Dame (Dr.) Adaora Umeoji, OON, as Group Managing Director/Chief Executive with effect from June 1, 2024, subject to approval by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). She takes over from Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu, whose five-year term expires on May 31, 2024, after a very successful tenure. Dame (Dr.) Adaora Umeoji is the first female GMD/CEO since the inception of the bank, and her appointment is consistent with the banks executive transition tradition, succession plan, and strategy of grooming leaders from within. Prior to this appointment, Dr. Umeoji has been the Deputy Managing Director of the bank since October 28, 2016 and has close to thirty (30) years cognate banking experience of which twenty-six (26) years has been with Zenith Bank. She is an alumnus of the prestigious Harvard Business School where she attended the Advanced Management Program (AMP) and an alumnus of Columbia Business School with a Certificate in the Global Banking Program. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Sociology from the University of Jos, a Bachelors Degree in Accounting and a First-Class honors in Law from Baze University, Abuja. She holds a Master of Laws from the University of Salford, United Kingdom, a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Calabar, and also has a doctorate in business administration from Apollos University, USA. She holds a Certificate in Economics for Business from the prestigious MIT Sloan School of Management, USA, and has attended various management programmes in renowned Universities around the world including the strategic thinking and Management programme at Wharton Business School, USA. She also attended the executive program in Strategic Management, and has a Certificate in Leading Global Business all from Harvard Business School, USA. She is a fellow of notable professional bodies including the Chartered Banker Institute, UK, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, Nigerian Institute of Management, Institute of Credit Administration, Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Nigeria, Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators, and the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria among others. In 2022, the Federal Government of Nigeria honored Dr. Umeoji with Officer of the Order of the Niger, as a recognition of her contributions to nation building. She is a Peace Advocate of the United Nations (UN-POLAC). She has impacted many lives through her philanthropic and humanitarian activities through her NGOs; Pink Breathe Cancer Foundation and the Adorable Foundation that educates, caters for Cancer patients and indigent children education especially the Girl-Child. Her contribution to humanity was recognized by the Sun Newspaper which recently bestowed on her the Humanitarian Service Icon Award for 2023. As a result of her passion for promoting professionalism in the banking industry and improving the well-being of the less privileged, Dr. Adaora Umeoji, OON founded the Catholic Bankers Association of Nigeria (CBAN), a platform she uses to promote ethical banking and service to humanity. She is a Lady of the Order of Knights of St. John International (KSJI), and was awarded a Papal Knight of the Order of St. Sylvester by His Holiness Pope Francis. Related By Chuks Eke No fewer than five elders of Umuenu community, Umuawulu in Awka-South Local Government Area of Anambra state escaped death as the ongoing Agu Udo/Agu Ofu land dispute between them and their neighboring Abo-Ani village of Awgbu in Orumba North Local Government Area of the state is getting messier. The escapees included a 94 year old Tochukwu Okoye, 88 year old James Anazonwu Nwafor, Mrs. Roseline Adibe, a widow, Mrs. Susan Nweke and Mrs. Chinwendu Nwanaka all indigenes of Umuenu village, Umuawulu. They alleged that some armed people from Abo-Ani village, Awgbu swooped on their farmlands while they were cultivating food crops, destroyed everything and chased them away with a stern warning that they should never step their feet in the land again because the land does not belong to them. The elders who recalled that they grew up and saw their forefathers farming on the same land that Abo-Ani people are laying claim to, called on Governor Chukwuma Soludo to come to their rescue. Following this development, the entire Umuenu villagers embarked on a peaceful demonstration in protest against what they termed as illegal encroachment into their ancestorial land called Agu Udo/Agu Ofu land, by the neighboring Abo Ani villagers of Awgbu country hometowm of the incumbent of Staff to Governor Soludo, Chief Ernest Ezeajughi. Specifically, the protesters are pointing accusing fingers on Ezeajughi alleging that he is using his good office as Soludos Chief of Staff and as an indigene of Awgbu community to influence the state Depuuty Governor, Ifeanyichukwu Ibezim who is the Chairman of the state boundary committee to suppress Umuenu villagers of Umuawulu who are the rightful owners of the land in favour of Abo-Ani villagers of Awgbu. However, Ezeajughi has in a swift reaction, debunked such an allegation by the Umuenu villagers, describing it as very spurious. Ezeajughi who debunked the allegation in a press statement, said the Deputy Governor is the Chairman of the Boundary Committee whose duty it is to look into boundary disputes in the state and resolve them amicably. I am not even aware of any meeting holding nor was I part of the team that went for land inspection or demarcation at the disputed land between villages in Umuawulu and another village in Awgbu community. Only the Deputy Governor has the authority to preside over decisions on land matters brought before the Anambra State Boundary Dispute Commission, said Ezeajughi Also in his own reaction, the Deputy ,Governor, Ibezim declared: I brought in a change in our boundary committee. I took my time to go to these disputed areas physically and verified all sorts of claims. At least, we would be able to see every sign of demarcation like trees, rivers and landmarks that keep communities together, the Deputy Governor stated. Ibezim further details: in the case in question, I went there and walked kilometres inside the bush and stood there. The two villages and a community because it is between Enugwu village in Umuawulu, Umuenu village in Umuawulu and Abo Ani in Awgbu, all of them for the case in my office and we fixed a date to go there. Shockingly, Umuenu did not come there. There, we didnt also want to take our own decision, so I called the leader of Umuawulu and the lawyer representing them, only to find out that after all of us agreed to meet there, he went back, because he was part of the decision that we will go physically there, he told me that he decided later to go to court again I made no statement there. All I told the people present was that we have seen things and that we will go back and take our decision, and that was all. I left. Whatever they are saying is just a matter of them not wanting to let peace reign. We have not released any official statement or taken a decision on the matter. They should wait for my decision first. I have not taken any final decision and they are carrying placards. I simply said that I have heard and I have seen the place but I have not made any decision. Asked if the Supreme Court judgment the people of Umuenu referred to was in favour of the village, the Deputy Governor said, People lay claims to all sorts of things. Let them bring the Supreme Court judgment. You have this judgment and that judgment, we have lawyers Some of the protesters had armed themselves with placards with the inscriptions, Governor Soludo come to our rescue, Abo Ani encroached on our land, we have supreme court judgment in our favor on the land, Deputy Governor Onyekachukwu Ibezim is biased, Deputy Gov has been influenced by Chief of Staff who hails from Awgbu, Deputy gov writes scripts of Chief of Staff and former director of Anambra State Boundary Commission, Chief Davidson Nkala, Soludo intervene before they take over our land, we have no other land where we cultivate except the disputed land, among others. Speaking to newsmen during the protest, the spokesperson of the protesters and former chairman of Umuenu Umuawulu community, Chief Humphrey Obi, recalled how the land dispute started in the 60s and how Umuenu won all the three court cases that included the Court of Republic of Biafra , Onitsha Judicial Division, the Supreme court of Nigeria and others which ruled against Abo Ani Awgbu community. Specifically, Obi quoted the July 5,1967 judgement of the High Court of the Republic of Biafra, Onitsha Judicial Division, presided over by Justice W. O. Egbuna in the suit filed by Jerome Okpala and Nwanaka Nwankwo for themselves and on behalf of Umuenu village, Umuawulu against Richard Onyenegbu and five others for themselves and as representing the people of Abo-Ani village, Awgbu which gave victory to Umuenu village. In the judgement which has its suit No. as 0/41/1963, Justice Egbuna declared: I have monitored the evidence led by the plaintiffs and I am satisfied that this Aguofu land in dispute belongs to Umuenu people of Umuawulu and not to Abo-Ani Awgbu, the defendants. The court further declared:I am also convinced that the plaintiffs have been farming on this land and also got judgement over this very land in 1928 and still made use of the land until the defendants trespassed into it. He said that not being satisfied with the three court judgments, the Abo Ani people proceeded to Anambra State Boundary Commission headed by the Deputy Governor, His Excellency, Onyekachukwu Ibezim, where they demanded for the demarcation of the disputed land. At the Commission we insisted that we are the owner of the land and also believe that the judgment of the Supreme court must be adhered to since it is still an extant law. Funny enough, our brother Enugwu community Umuawulu who supported Abo Ani and bear witness against us that Abo Ani owned the land in the court, now made U-turn and claimed that the land belongs to them, Enugwu, a claim which showed that they are being backed up by some powerful forces from the state government. Deputy Governor while we were interfacing with Abo Ani at the meeting Presided over by the Deputy Governor, told us that he has no business with the Supreme court judgment and others and that he has not even gone through the documents we submitted that he only wants the inspectiom and demarcation of the land in dispute. It is clear that from the utterances of the Deputy Go overnor that he is biased and influenced by the Chief of Staff who hails from Awgbu and Nkala who was a former Director of the Anambra State Boundary Commission and that is why we call on Governor Soludo to come to our rescue. It is the secred duty of Anambra State Boundary committee to follow and apply the said demarcation as judiciously fixed to accord with judicial fixed boundary, as anything short of that will not only amount to Anambra State Boundary committee reviewing, reversing the judgment of competent court but will amount to stretch contempt of court, Obi warned. In a petition by the President and secretary of Umuenu Umuawulu, Nze Okoye Godwin and Mr. Nwafor Tochukwu, respectively to Governor Soludo, they reminded him of his belief in the supremacy of law stating that as such should not allow any influence from any quarters to cede the land or part of it to both Abo Ani Awgbu and Enugwu Umuawulu as they were trespassers stopped by the courts of the land. Reiterating the danger inherent in ceding the land to the unauthorized communities, the duo urged Governor Soludo to rather invite the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice to interprete to them the implication of disobeying court order.1 Information has surfaced how Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, has reportedly taken measures to ensure a significant presence of Ododos supporters at the ongoing Kogis election tribunal sessions in Abuja, despite facing the looming threat of arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Ex Governor Yahaya Bello taking refuge within the confines of the Government House in Lokoja, Bellos strategy aims to overshadow the supporters of Muritala Yakubu Ajaka by compelling Ododos loyalists to attend the tribunal hearings. Sources reveal that one Kingsley Fanwo, dubbed the Commissioner for Misinformation, alongside other recently appointed commissioners, were spotted at the National Judiciary Institute (NJI) in Abuja carrying out Bellos order. They were tasked with identifying attendees, collecting their names, and contact information under Bellos directives. This move is perceived as an attempt to demonstrate overwhelming support for Ododo, thereby intimidating the opposition. An emergency meeting held on March 18, 2024, underscored the importance Bello places on this show of force. He mandated the presence of all Ododos appointees at the tribunal, with threats of punishment for non-compliance and promises of rewards for attendance adding that, subsequent appointments of the state government shall be based on the tribunal court attendance if they remain in power. Each attendee, as per the former governors instructions, is to receive N50,000 from the states coffers to cover their expenses, a directive facilitated through the office of the Accountant General of the State. The backdrop to these developments is a serious accusation of financial impropriety against Bello, his wife Aisha Bello, and his nephew, Alli Bello. The trio faces allegations related to the misappropriation of N100 billion from state funds, a matter that remains unresolved and adds a layer of intrigue to Bellos current maneuvers. As the EFCC contemplates its next steps, the eyes of Kogi State and indeed the entire nation are fixed on how this political drama will unfold, awaiting to see if justice will be served in the face of these audacious tactics by the former governor Yahaya Bello and his affiliates. Controversial Nigerian Islamic cleric, Sheik Ahmad Gumi, has vehemently opposed the Department of State Services (DSS) declaration of his associate, Mallam Tukur Mamu, as a financier of terrorism. The Federal Government recently unveiled a list of 15 entities of people involved in terrorism financing, which includes nine individuals and six Bureau De Change operators and firms, as disclosed by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) and shared with journalists. One of the individuals named on this list is a Kaduna-based publisher, Tukur Mamu. Mamu has been in the custody of the DSS since his arrest in Cairo, Egypt, in September 2022. He is facing charges for allegedly aiding terrorists who attacked the Abuja-Kaduna train in March 2022. At the time of his apprehension, Mamu was traveling with his family members en route to Saudi Arabia for lesser Hajj. During a recent X Space event organized by Daily Trust, Sheik Ahmad Gumi emphasized the importance of refraining from granting security agencies the authority to label an individual as a terrorist financier, especially when the matter is already undergoing legal proceedings. Despite facing charges related to terrorism financing in a Federal High Court in Abuja, Mamu maintains his innocence. Sheik Gumi underscored the ongoing court proceedings, urging patience and restraint from engaging in media trials. Mamus case is in court. Lets wait to hear from the court. Its wrong to resort to a media trial. Lets wait for the court to state whether he is a financier or not. I think if he is acquitted, he has a strong case to make on libel. Who declares someone a terrorist financer? Is it the court of law or a security agency? The security agency has no right to declare anyone a terrorist financier. The case is already in court, so why are they judging him on the pages of the newspaper? Once a case is in court, you allow the court to decide, Sheik Gumi emphasized. Asked to clear his name from Mamus case, as some people were already linking him to the controversy, Gumi said, I am a public figure; many people come to me. The good, the bad, the ugly. As a preacher, I cannot send anybody away, no matter how bad. If you ask, especially pastors, armed robbers come to them and confess but they cannot still take them to the authorities. What I know of Mamu and his arrest is a misunderstanding between him and the committee that was supposed to deal with the release of some victims. But since the case is in court, we hope the court will be just for him. That is what we wanted all along; take him to court. Instead of incarcerating someone and levelling phantom allegations against him. Bring your proof, And if Mamu is found guilty, he should have full-fledged punishment. But as of what I know, lets wait for the court. President Bola Tinubu has authorized what he termed a dignified burial for the 17 soldiers who lost their lives while on a peacekeeping mission in Delta State last week. This decision also includes the posthumous conferment of national honors on the fallen soldiers. The statement was made known by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, in a release on Wednesday. During a Ramadan fast-breaking event with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, and the House leadership, President Tinubu expressed his heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased soldiers. He pledged that their sacrifices would not be forgotten. He declared that the fallen officers would receive a fitting burial and national honors. In responding to distress calls, they met the end of their lives in a savage manner. Let us work to sympathize and symbolize the fact that they are worth the sacrifices they have made for Nigeria. We salute all our men and women in uniform, and we sympathize with them. I will soon make further pronouncements, but they must have a befitting burial and national honors, President Tinubu stated. A total of 17 Nigerian soldiers were tragically killed while attempting to quell clashes between two communities in Delta State last Thursday. Major General Cecil Esekhaigbe (retd.) revealed the circumstances surrounding the deaths, stating that the soldiers were ambushed by residents of the Okuama community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State. Reacting to the incident, the Nigerian Army, on Monday, refuted claims of reprisal against the Okuama community, labeling such assertions as propaganda. Additionally, the Defence Headquarters released the names of the fallen soldiers on Monday and emphasized the resolve to apprehend the perpetrators, warning of severe consequences. By Uzo Ugwunze As Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State marked two years in office by commissioning 12 kms asphalted roads, Street lights, Potable water supply and did foundation laying cum inspection of the ongoing General Hospital complex at Okpoko, the Ogbaru main market Chairman, Chief Ndubuisi Ochiogu (Mmaduadichie Okunenyeife) has urged all Igbos in Nigeria and diaspora to support Prof Chukwuma Soludo for Nigeria Presidency after he finishes his assignment as Anambra State governor in the next 6 years. Speaking at St Luanga Catholic Church Arena Okpoko, Ogbaru LGA, Ochiogu narrated the massive infrastructures and developmental projects already executed by the present administration within two years in office as governor without borrowing a dime saying that Soludo has already achieved what some governors did not achieve in 8 years. Before now, in 2021 I knew that Soludo will do well that was why Ogbaru main market became the only major market in the whole Anambra State to erect an APGA /Soludos billboard in our market to campaign for him. Today,Soludo has Kept his promises not just at Okpoko, Ogbaru LGA but the entire state. I know he will do more in the years ahead. All those coming out to contest with Soludo are simply wasting their time. They should wait till after 8 years of Soludos government. Soludo started with the poor people and a slum like Okpoko who had nobody to speak for them. He has kept his promise by transforming a slum city to New Heaven. We shall continue to pray for him. I see Soludo go far in his political career. After 8 years as governor of Anambra State, His Excellency, Prof Soludo Charlienwamgbafor will represent Ndigbo very well in Nigeria as a President. Anybody who is not supporting Soludo is not a true son of Igboland, said Ochiogu. Commissioning the roads, the governor recalled that immediately after his swearing in on assumption of office that he moved straight to Okpoko where he told them that it would be the first place he would develop and has fulfilled his pledge to the residents. Soludo said that he has given them roads, water, hospital, electricity, among others stating that more good things are on the way. You have not seen anything, I want to use Okpoko as a reference point because the area is where the poorest of the poor live. I want to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor in the state and that is why I provide free healthcare for pregnant women and free education up to Junior Secondary School 3, Soludo stated. The duo of Hon. Stephen Nnaemezie and Dr. Mrs Lynda Agwudobi APGA Stakeholders in there seperate remarks expressed satisfaction with the rapid infrastructural development of Okpoko by Governor Soludo, adding that he has shown that he is the man of the people through his array of achievements just in two years. Soludo has by his action told us that he came to better the welfare of the poor people of Okpoko and those of the state and I believe his second tenure bid is assured as his achievements have started speaking for him, they said. Earlier, Monsignor Theophilus Odukwe, who Presided over the mass that preceded the reception of the governor at St Charles Lwanga Catholic Church, commended the governor for feeling the pains of the poor residents of the community. I am happy that the governor has focused on Okpoko to better the welfare of the poorest of the poor in the state. He has done wonders and the people are happy and we pray that he continues to work for them, he prayed..b Related For six days, hundreds of women and children from Okuama community, Ewu Kingdom, in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, who fled their homes in fear of their lives as Nigerian Army troops began demolishing the community following the killing of 16 soldiers last Friday, have been stranded in the forests without food. This is even as a young man from one of the warring communities, suspected to be a militant, dared the Federal Government to declare him wanted in a viral video yesterday, saying the soldiers were killed because they allowed commanding persons to use them to oppress the people of Okuama. At the coastal town of Igbomotoru in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, the siege imposed by troops on the manhunt for a militant leader suspected to have masterminded the killings is pushing the community towards starvation. It could trigger a humanitarian crisis if it persisted. Some days ago, the Okuama women cried out that they fled into the forests when soldiers allegedly opened fire on the villagers in the town hall after the community refused their attempt to take away the community leaders. As of yesterday, Okuama is out of bounds as only the military could enter in and out of the town. The place is deserted, the state governor, Rt. Hon Sheriff Oborevwori confirmed he could not visit the place because of the situation. Vanguard learned that the neighboring communities to the abandoned Okuama refused to accept the fleeing residents as refugees in their homelands because of the persecution by soldiers, who come around searching for the perpetrators of the heinous crime. Because of how they escaped into the forests, the women could not take food items with them, and they could not return to the community either, as soldiers had taken over the town. One indigene of a bordering community in the Ewu Kingdom said the situation of the victims of the military onslaught on culprits of the Okuama killings was pitiable. Hunger is taking a toll on them, especially the children they are carrying. This is a humanitarian crisis, and the government has to open a refugee camp for these people and provide them with food. Soldiers molest innocent people in neighboring communities of Okuama in Ughelli South Local Government Area. As I am speaking with you, soldiers are still in the Orere community in the Ewu kingdom, molesting innocent people in the search for perpetrators. The fact is that neighboring communities of Okuama in the Ewu Kingdom are not receiving fleeing indigenes of Okuama, who are mostly women and children, for fear of harassment and molestation by the military. As we speak, neighboring communities are living in fear because the military has set up drones watching over all communities. A resident of the Orere community said that people in neighboring communities have had sleepless nights over the presence of soldiers in their domains. We are having sleepless nights over what happened at Okuama because the military is after the perpetrators fleeing from the scene of the incident. To be candid, nobody is happy over what happened to the soldiers at Okuama. But, the issue has degenerated, and we are all affected. They would come to your community, brutalizing innocent people over their onslaught of fleeing perpetrators. I want to use this medium to call on the federal government to consider setting up refugee camps for women and children displaced from the Okuama community, which nobody wants to accommodate because of the fear of the rampaging soldiers in neighboring communities. This is a clarion call on the Federal Government to save these victims. The government should set up Internally Displaced Persons, IDP, camps to accommodate these vulnerable victims so they can be identified and avoid the harassment of neighboring communities. I want to conclude by saying that nobody supports the killing of soldiers at Okuama, and the federal government should do something to save these innocent victims. Some concerned indigenes of Igbomotuoru, who spoke to Vanguard, called on the relevant authorities to prevail on the troops to relax restrictions on free movement in and out of the community to allow the people to pick up the pieces of their lives. Igbomotoru has been under military lockdown since last Sunday by troops in pursuit of militants allegedly behind the killing of some soldiers in Okuama, Ughelli South local government area of Delta State. Many lives were reportedly lost during the Sunday morning invasion of Igbomotoru, with houses used by the militants razed. According to local sources, the usually lively community is now a show of its old self; shops are shut down, and many of the natives who fled their homes are still taking refuge in the forest, while some relocated to other communities before the present lockdown in the area. People cannot come into the community with goods and foodstuffs, and those trapped cannot leave the area. It was, however, learned that the few persons in the community, especially the old, who could not run away are being denied access to their farms and fishing traps, a development informed sources said could trigger famine, as the people are facing hunger caused by restriction in movement. Many are disturbed that five days after the invasion, no government official has visited the area to sympathize with the people or send relief materials to ameliorate their sufferings. Access to food and water in the area is diminishing due to the military blockade, a source lamented, noting that the people may be compelled to source water from the polluted river. If two sachets of water are being sold for N50 in Yenagoa, you can imagine what it will cost at Igbomotoru where people are not allowed in and out. You can imagine what the local people are going through, our source added. A man who abandoned his wife in the village and escaped with two kids told our correspondent from his hideout that he trekked all through the day and night backing one of his kids and carrying the other on his shoulder through the forest to neighboring Tebideba, but that they were denied stay by the people for fear that soldiers may also invade their community. I trekked for one and half days through the thick of the forest, running away from the invading soldiers with one child strapped on my back and another lifted on my shoulder. I left my wife behind in that moment of confusion. When we got to Tebideba, I thought relief had come, but we were denied a stay by the people who said they did not want to have an issue with the military. Understating their fear, given the tense situation in the area, we had to return to the forest and continue our search for succor until we saw somebody paddling a canoe and pleading for assistance. The Good Samaritan paddled us to the boundary with the Sangana community, and there we got another lift through a local canoe to Sangana, from where we boarded a boat and left. You can imagine carrying two kids for one and a half days trekking through the thick forest, using the sun as a guide. It was just by the grace of God that we escaped. My worry now is about my wife, particularly, as I have been unable to reach her on the phone since I fled the town. Lamenting the plight of the people, an environmentalist, Alagoa Morris, who is also from the Southern Ijaw local government area, urged the authorities to protect the law-abiding people of the community, saying, With the restriction in Igbomotoru, a situation where nobody is allowed to go about, our peoples traditional means of livelihood fishing and farming the people may die of hunger, if not by a bullet. The federal and state authorities should step in and save the lives of law-abiding Nigerians in the community. Even in the ongoing war in Gaza, humanitarian workers are going in with drugs, food, and water, while criminals should pay for their crimes. The innocent citizens should enjoy the protection of the law. Also, a community leader and former councilor who represented Igbomotoru in the Southern Ijaw legislative council, Hon Ayebatari Easterday, said: Although I am not at Igbomotoru, whatever information I am giving is not an eyewitness account of what has befallen my people but I have people who give me a report on daily basis. I have been their representative as a councilor; they have confidence in me; they send the daily occurrence of the invasion of the community by armed soldiers. As of this morning, nobody living in the community can travel out, and nobody outside can also travel to the community. When I got the first report, I intended to go home and see how my people can be saved and how I can counsel them on ways of relating with the government, and particularly the security agencies. Several lives have been lost, but my appeal to everybody is to remain calm. As of yesterday, I talked to some government functionaries, and they said the government is on top of the matter to see how peace can return. Several people cannot be accounted for, and many people who ran into the forest are yet to be seen. They could have died of hunger in the forest. The children with no parents to cater to them may also die of starvation in the community. Our mothers are now helpless in the community and cannot go to their farms, and you know the source of livelihood in our communities is fishing and farming. They do not even have access to food anymore. Those who have shops cannot open not to talk of people coming to buy. When you cannot go fishing and farming- the only source of money to buy food to feed the family, these are some of the predicaments my people are passing through. The soldiers could have acted out provocation, but the beginning of every action determines the end. They should put their legs in the shoes of the community. Some of the victims are people who committed no offense. My candid appeal to the government headed by Senator Douye Diri and assisted by his capable deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo is to ensure that relief materials are timely sent to the people. These our brothers and sisters have no food to eat and water to drink, and you know that we live in an environment where the water is so polluted that they do not drink from it. These people have been helpless and could be forced to drink from the polluted river where they defecate, where the polluted oil flows, and also there could be another incident of unhealthy living for the people of the area. In the viral video, the militant claimed that Okuama and Okoloba communities were having a land dispute but some Ijaw people empowered by the federal government used the army to escort and carry out their crude oil business but decided to betray their brothers. He disclosed they used soldiers to carry three people and slaughtered them, adding, The day the soldiers were killed, they came to carry our community leaders, and the youth knew that once the community leaders were captured, they would be powerless. From his explanation, they killed the soldiers to stop them from taking away the community leaders and making the youths ineffective. That is why the action took place some people said the soldiers came for peacekeeping. Point of correction no army came for peacekeeping. They are fighting in support of somebody (names withheld) who ordered them to do so. This is my last video; my father is a retired army captain; he died last year, and I have lost over six of my friends and relatives in Nigeria. So if you like, take the matter to the next level. If they like, let the Federal Government declare me wanted, I am proud of it. You people are saying show my face; if I show my face, what will you do to me. *** Source: Vanguard China unveils regulations on water conservation Xinhua) 09:28, March 21, 2024 BEIJING, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang has signed a decree of the State Council, unveiling regulations on the country's water conservation work. Effective on May 1 this year, the regulations on water conservation aim to provide legal guarantee for China's water security, advancement of ecological progress and high-quality development. The regulations determine rules on water use management, including setting water use quotas for key crops, industrial products and service sectors, controlling annual water use amounts within administrative regions, and restricting water-intensive projects in regions with severe water shortage or groundwater over-exploitation. The regulations specify water conservation measures in sectors like agricultural and industrial production, and improved rules on supervision and safeguards for water conservation. The regulations also stipulate legal liabilities for unlawful acts such as using outdated and water-intensive technologies, equipment and products that have been eliminated by government orders. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) A political support group that worked for the emergence of Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the President of Nigeria has decried abandonment after the election victory. The group identified as Farmers Movement For Jagaba 2023 accused the President of appointing members and supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party in positions to spite the supporters of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The groups National Coordinator, Rilwan Ahmed on Tuesday stated that the Support Groups, PCC (Presidential Campaign Council) Members and foot soldiers of Asiwaju are not useless as you all may think. Also he added that they had cooked and it would be a great sin to stop them from eating the food when it was ready, warning that another election is in three years and that they will remind everyone about President Tinubus failed reward system. Part Ahmed statement read: President Bola Tinubu and his groups of Generals who had direct interactions with supporters and foot soldiers prior to his emergence as the candidate of our party and later president of Nigeria have all abandoned their now used and dumped supporters. Didnt they say power corrupt absolutely? No wonder power has made them forget their much talked about reward system. (Abiodun) Faleke, (Simon) Lalong who were at the helm of the affairs of the presidential campaign, who directly worked with those supporters, who today have been neglected after much assurance during the eve of election deserve every shame Nigerians are directing to those neglected supporters. It is now of concern and more disgraceful that the generals who were directly interacting with the president and his supporters have been shielding its members from getting their rewards from President Tinubu. Our bamboo has worked and it is worrisome and disappointing that none of our known soldiers have been appointed into ministries, departments, and agencies. Even though we heard the ministerial list was for the highest bidder, reason we have the worst cabinet since 1999. It is very unfortunate that Faleke and Lalong who oversaw the activities of Support Groups and Presidential Campaign Council members are shying from pressing the reward system buttons, or has the sudden power let go of those buttons promised? It is also thought-provoking seeing the president appointing members of the PDP and Labour Party to spite APC supporters because of Wike who never believed in this struggle during the pre-primaries, or was it not after he lost primaries to Atiku and was dropped as his running mate that he joined the struggle? He even boasted that he single-handedly appointed minister of petroleum and two other ministers. I think Wike will deliver Nigeria to him in 2027, Ahmed said. The same President went to Kaduna during a campaign to beg Mallam to work with him after the government was formed. He turned around to disgrace the same man that took a bullet for him during the election to the extent that northern leaders challenged his audacity and called him out but stuck to Asiwaju. What went wrong with our beloved Asiwaju??? Many may be surprised that 90 percent of those who worked for Tinubus success are children of nobody that also like to become somebody without knowing anybody. The slogan then was that Asiwaju rewards loyalty. Weve seen sons and daughters of presidents friends being appointed into political offices they never worked for, or who would tell us where they were when we were all tussling under the sun and in the rain for Asiwajus victory. Support Groups, PCC Members, and foot soldiers of Asiwaju are not as useless as you all may think. We have cooked and it will be a great sin to stop us from eating from the food we have cooked. Election is in two years and we will remind everyone about your failed reward system, the statement partly read. The group also accused President Tinubu and Shettima of rewarding undeserving individuals and politicians who have no value. It also slammed the President for allegedly appointing only people from Lagos, Osun, and Rivers states that embraced opposition parties and never delivered victory for his emergence, saying that the percentages are for everyone to see. Related Yes, the Senate may have suspended Senator Abdul Ningi but the issues he raised concerning the N3.7 trillion not specifically attached to any project in any location is not going away any soon. Senator Abdul Ningi, the Chairperson of the Northern Senators Forum (NSF), recently told BBC Hausa that the lawmakers sought the service of a private auditor and discovered irregularities in the budget. He reportedly said, For example, we had a budget of N28 trillion but after our thorough checks, we found out that it was a budget of N25 trillion. How and where did we get the additional N3 trillion from, what are we spending it for? Ningi had, in the interview alleged that the budget passed by the National Assembly for the 2024 fiscal year is N25tn while the one being implemented by the Presidency is N28.7tn. He was quoted as saying that, For the first time in Nigerian history, today we are operating two different budgets. One budget was approved by the National Assembly and signed by President Bola Tinubu and the one was implemented by the presidency. The one approved by us is 25tn while the one operating by the Federal Government is 28.7tn. Without inside information, corruption is hard to detect, prevent and combat. Rather than suspending Senator Ningi, the Senate ought to have used his allegations as a trigger for addressing the lingering problem of budget padding and corruption in the implementation of constituency projects or rather zonal intervention vote. So far nobody in the Senate has denied that the N3.7 trillion is not pinned down to any specific project in the 2024 budget. Nobody can even deny that, because it has been established. Even BudgiT, the Civil Society Organisation (CSO) that specializes in national budget analysis, has even backed the position that the said amount of money isnt traceable to any project in the budget. Why is the Senate not proving Ningi to be the liar by coming out clean to give detail explanation of why the 3.7 trillion is hanging? Why is the Senate excommunicating Ningi; to shut him up instead of coming clean on the alleged budget padding and hanging costs? Rightly as said in a media interview, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, the national coordinator, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), it is increasingly becoming clearer that what happened was that the senators allocated the huge sum to themselves. Some of the senators got N200 million; some got N500 million; and the leadership got theirs in billions of Naira. As we have seen so far, most of the senators have been coming to the media to explain this. So nobody is going to deny anything again. The senators unwittingly shot themselves on the leg by suspending the person who exposed the rot in the senate when they should have handled it better in a way such thing has been handled before. But unfortunately for them, they kicked out the man and the whole thing is now out in the open. In fact, almost all the senators have been coming out with the revelations of what they got and why they got what they got. How do you explain that? And Nigerians were not aware of all these, not until the senator from Bauchi State opened the cankerworm. What is the justification under the law or any convention for the senators to allocate certain sums of money to themselves in the name of Zonal Intervention? They are not parts of the budget. Had it been they were parts of it, there wouldnt have been one N3.7 trillion that will be hanging, which they are now beginning to explain to us. But come to think of it, have you ever heard of the zonal intervention project or vote as they call it? What we have always known is the constituency project, which itself has been very disputable. This is because the job of a senator is not to award contracts. He is a lawmaker and not a contract-awarding executive. So it is an aberration constitutionally. But this time, the senators call it zonal intervention. Whatever they meant by that its only known to them? It is outright heartlessness that our senators could hang N3.7 trillion for themselves in what they wittingly called zonal intervention in a budget that is running a deficit financed by external borrowing. Sad indeed! Whether the lawmakers accept this or not, majority if not even all Nigerians believe Ningi and see his suspension as a ploy to suppress the truth of the matter. In all, Tinubu is going to be the biggest loser in whats happening at the Senate which definitely is going to trickle into the House of Reps. As already made clear to the leadership of the Senate by SERAP, Senator Ningi is a whistleblower because of his public interest disclosures on alleged budget padding and corruption in the Senate in the context of carrying out his work as Senate and he is protected under article 33 of the UN Convention against Corruption to which Nigeria is a signatory and a state party. His action amounted to pure public interest disclosures that can contribute to strengthening transparency and democratic accountability in the Senate in particular and the country as a whole. Without mincing words, the suspension of Senator Ningi by the Senate followed a seriously flawed process and it amounts to retaliation. Senator Ningis status as a whistleblower is not diminished even if the perceived threat to the public interest has not materialised, since he would seem to have reasonable grounds to believe in the accuracy of the allegations of budget padding and corruption in the Senate. But why is President Bola Tinubu silent and comfortable with the leadership of the Senate over the ongoing melee at the nations upper legislative chamber? Curiously, immediately after the sitting to suspend Senator Ningi, the entire senate leadership drove into the villa to see the President, Bola Tinubu and to tell him that his order has been carried out to the letter. If not, does the Senate, the legislative arm of government report to the president, the executive arm on its activities? The senate leadership was not even patient enough to allow some time lapse before meeting with Tinubu. What Senator Ningi has done is a positive act of good citizenship. No whistleblower should ever be penalised simply for making a public interest disclosure. Referring the allegations to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) would improve public trust in the ability of the leadership of the Senate to ensure probity and accountability in the budget process. A word is enough for a fxxl because the wise does not need any word. God bless Nigeria! (IFEANYI IZEZE lives in Abuja: [email protected]; 234-8033043009) Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has opened up about his visit to the office of the Social Democratic Party, SDP. He dismissed speculations regarding his purported defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the SDP. Following his unexpected visit to the SDP National Secretariat in Abuja on Wednesday, where he was warmly received by the SDP National Chairman, Shehu Musa Gabam, and other party leaders, rumors circulated about his political intentions. In a statement released by his spokesman, Muyiwa Adekeye, El-Rufai clarified that his visit to the SDP headquarters was simply to reciprocate a visit from the partys chairman. El-Rufai emphasized his commitment to transparency and honesty in his political engagements, affirming that his actions would not be swayed by unfounded speculation. The statement reads: I consider the most recent speculations about Malam Nasir El-Rufai as reflecting an unhealthy obsession with politics. People have personal histories and relationships that predate political affiliations. It cannot be a hallmark of civilisation to have friends from within only your political party. When people visit each other or mingle across party lines, it is because human relationships exist, distinct from the political or the partisan. Malam Nasir El-Rufai is a senior member of the APC, one of the signatories to its merger documents, and a significant contributor to the partys demonstrated viability. These contributions do not require that he treats friends as anathema on account of politics or maintains an antiseptic distance from them. Malam Nasir El-Rufai hosted some friends to Iftar on Tuesday, 19 March 2024. NSA Nuhu Ribadu was at the Iftar with a senior APC figure like Alh. Kashim Imam. SDP National Chairman Shehu Musa Gabam was among the friends who partook in the Iftar. Gabam was not accused of considering crossing over to the APC on account of that. When Malam Nasir El-Rufai visited Gabam the next day, he was merely returning a visit to a friend who happens to be the SDP chairman. Malam El-Rufai is known for being open and forthright. If he had any political decisions to make, it would not be in character to let them be subject to speculation. Unfounded speculations about Malam Nasir El-Rufai have become an industry that has delivered tons of lies and clickbait in the last 18 years. This is unlikely to abate anytime soon, given the persistent obsession of its purveyors who relish in negativity and their tireless indulgence in conflating assumption with fact. A recent instance was when he visited former presidents late in 2023 to explain his Nigerian governance study book project covering each of their tenures, the speculators said it was about politics! That is why it is sometimes necessary to clarify matters lest the unwary be taken in. The Nigeria Police Force has raised some questions for the Nigerian Army to answer following the killing of three of its personnel and injuring others by soldiers on Wednesday, in Taraba State. The police had earlier accused the Nigerian Army of killing three police officers, who were parts of a team on a covert operation to arrest a high-profile kidnap suspect, Alhaji Hamisu Bala Wadume in Taraba state. Reacting to the accusation, the army in its statement on Thursday, August 8, 2019, said that the soldiers chased and killed the police officers because they were mistaken for kidnappers, having received a distress call from villagers that Alhaji Hamisu had been kidnapped. However, the police faulted the armys statement raising questions on the whereabouts of Hamisu and why the soldiers decided to release him without taking him to the Army base for documentation. In a statement issued that same Thursday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, tagged: Setting the record straight, the police asked the Nigerian Army to explain the whereabouts of a kidnap suspect, known as Alhaji Hamish Bala Wadume, who was set free after the killing of the policemen. Read the full statement below: The attention of the Nigeria Police Force has been drawn to the Press Release by the Nigerian Army dated 07 August, 2019, seeking to justify the unprovoked and unwarranted murder of three police officers and one civilian, and serious injury to other operatives, who were on legitimate criminal investigation activities to Taraba State, to arrest one Alhaji Hamisu Bala Wadume indicted in a series of high-profile kidnap incidents in the state. In the best tradition of esprit de corps, inter-agency harmony and national interest, the Nigeria Police Force would naturally have kept quiet, but it has become imperative to set the record straight by addressing the obvious distortion of facts inherent in the press release by the Nigerian Army. The most important question arising from the Nigerian Army Press Release is: Where is Alhaji Hamisu Bala Wadume? Alhaji Hamisu Bala Wadume is a millionaire kidnapper arrested by the Police but paradoxically treated as a kidnap victim by the Soldiers and subsequently rescued by them. Where is he? Where is the rescued kidnapper? Secondly, the press release was silent on the source of the alleged distress report or identity of the complainant, on the strength of whose report, the Army claimed had informed their decision to engage in the purported chase and rescue operation. Needless to state that in the true spirit of transparency and accountability, the Nigerian Army ought to have arrested the purported distress caller if any for obviously and deliberately furnishing them with false and misleading information. Besides, such arrest should in fact be made public! Thirdly, it is not true that the Policemen failed to identify themselves as alleged in the Press Release. The video on the incident, now viral, wherein the voice of one of the soldiers was heard loudly proclaiming that the Policemen were from the Force Headquarters, Abuja speaks volume. Besides, the presence of the IRT personnel was well known to the Taraba Police Command as the Operatives officially and properly documented not only at the State Command Headquarters but also at the Wukari Area Command and the Ibi Divisional Headquarters. As a matter of fact, some of the Detectives from the Taraba State Commands Criminal Investigation Department (CID) were part of the operation. The Force also considers it insensitive, disrespectful and unpatriotic for the Press Release by the Army to continue to describe Policemen on lawful National Assignment as suspected kidnappers long after it had become crystal clear to the Army that these are Law Enforcement Officers who unfortunately were gruesomely murdered in the line of duty by Nigerian soldiers attached to 93 Battalion, Takum. In the final analysis, we leave the Nigerian Army authorities to provide Nigerians with answers on the following questions emanating from their Press Release: Where is the notorious kidnapper, Alhaji Hamisu Bala Wadume rescued by the soldiers? How and why was Alhaji Hamisu Bala Wadume released by the soldiers? How could a kidnap suspect properly restrained with handcuffs by the Police escape from the hands of his military rescuers? If Alhaji Hamisu Bala Wadume is a victim of kidnap as claimed, and properly rescued by soldiers, why was he not taken to the Army Base for documentation purposes and debriefing in line with the Standard Operating Procedure in the Nigerian Army? Why were the Police Operatives shot at close range even after they had identified themselves as Police Officers on legitimate duty as evident in the video now in circulation? The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) reportedly arrested Uyi Giwa Osagie who is a legal adviser to Atiku Abubakar, and Abdullahi Babalele, the former vice-presidents son-in-law on Thursday evening, August 8. A spokesperson for the EFCC, Tony Orilade, told newsmen that he needed additional time to give official comments about the arrest. However, Premium Times learnt that the anti-graft commission had perfected plans to arraign Giwa-Osagie for alleged money laundering. Giwa-Osagie will be reportedly arraigned on three count charges, the sources alleged. The alleged charges are as follows: COUNT 1 That you UYIEKPEN GlWA-OSAGIE and ERHUNSE GlWA-OSAGIE, sometimes in February, 2019 in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired to commit an offence to wit: making cash payment of the sum of $2,000,000.00 (Two Million United State Dollars) without going through financial institution which sum exceeded the amount authorized by Law and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a), and 1(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under Section 16(2)(b) of the same Act. COUNT 2 That you UYIEKPEN GIWA-OSAGIE on or before the 12th day of February,2019 in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, procured ERHUNSE GIWAOSAGIE to make cash payment of the sum of $2,000,000.00 (Two Million United State Dollars) without going through financial institution, which sum exceeded the amount authorized by Law and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(c) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under Section 16(2)(b) of the same Act. COUNT 3 That you ERHUNSE GlWA-OSAGIE sometimes in February, 2019 In Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court made the payment of the sum of $2,000,000.00 (Two Million United State Dollars) without going through financial institution, which sum exceeded the amount authorized by Law and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Sections 1(a). & 16(1).(d) of the Money Laundering(Prohibition) Act, 2011 (As Amended) and Punishable under section 16 of the Same Act. The arrest is coming five months after Babalele and Giwa-Osagie were detained for several days while being questioned in a multi-million dollar money-laundering probe. He was reportedly arrested after a bureau de change operative allegedly identified him as the owner of $2 million found in its possession. The commission alleged that the funds were to be used for the 2019 general elections. The Niger Police Command has arrested a Soldier, Lance Cpl. Attahiru Jibril, for allegedly stabbing one Ali Mohammed to death, in Lambatta Market, Gurara Local Government Area of the state. Alh. Adamu Usman, Commissioner of Police in Niger, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Minna on Saturday. The suspect attacked and stabbed the victim to death with a knife, following a misunderstanding at the market, Usman said. He said that the incident occurred on Friday. We succeeded in rescuing the suspect from a mob attack at the market and notified military authorities accordingly, the commissioner said. Usman said the suspect claimed he was on special duty in Maiduguri, Borno. He added that Jibril would be charged to court after investigations were completed. Professor Ransford Gyampo and Dr. Paul Kwame Butakor The University of Ghana has suspended two of its lecturers who were caught on camera making sexual advances at some BBC journalists who posed as students. The lecturers, Professor Ransford Gyampo and Dr. Paul Kwame Butakor were relieved of their position following the BBCs Sex for Grades documentary. The University says it has commenced investigations into the allegations. Meanwhile one of the interdicted lectures Prof Ransford Gyampo says he respects the decision of the University and is ready to submit himself for any investigation that will so be required by the University. Attached is the release below: RE: BBC DOCUMENTARY SEX FOR GRADES UNDERCOVER IN WEST AFRICAN UNIVERSITIES The University of Ghanas attention has been drawn to a BBC documentary entitled Sex for Grades Undercover in West African Universities fully aired in the evening of October 7, 2019. We would like to state unequivocally that the University places great importance on issues of sexual harassment and misconduct, and condemn any of such acts. Given that commitment, the Business and Executive Committee of the University has taken a decision to interdict Prof. Ransford Gyampo and Dr. Paul Kwame Butakor, the two lecturers featured in the documentary to allow for further investigations into the matter. In line with University regulations, the two will be invited by the Anti-Sexual Harassment Committee in the next few days to assist with further investigations into the BBC documentary. While the University of Ghana believes sexual harassment is fundamentally about exploiting power imbalance and voicelessness, we also understand the harmful impact it has on individuals, families and institutions. It is for this reason that the University has taken steps to encourage students and employees to report any form of sexual harassment and misconduct, and has also instituted measures to punish anyone found guilty of the offence. In all instances where the University has been provided with information and/or evidence of sexual harassment or misconduct, our Anti-Sexual Harassment Committee has investigated the matter, interviewed the parties involved, and after making a determination, we have applied the appropriate sanctions as outlined in the policy, including dismissals. The University will prosecute the current matter under investigation, in addition to all outstanding cases before the Committee. We would like to state emphatically that the University of Ghana does not and will not shield any employee or student found to have engaged in sexual harassment or misconduct. No member of the University is considered above the law. The University would like to assure all members of the university community, including students, employees, our stakeholders and the public that it will continue to actively fight against sexual harassment/misconduct, and other acts of indiscipline. Further, to assure members of the university community and the public that the University of Ghana will use the existing structures to handle all matters of sexual harassment and misconduct, while protecting the rights of the victims. Meanwhile, members of the University community are reminded of the provisions of the Anti-Sexual Harassment Policy, and also encouraged to report any acts of sexual harassment and misconduct accordingly. As public heat intensifies on the request to probe the presence of bullion van on the premises of APC leader Bola Tinubus Bourdillion home in Lagos on the eve of the Feb 23 election, the ruling party has picked its words in defence of the partys biggest tactician. According to the tacit acceptance of that fact by the state chapter of the party, the bullion vans were parked as the internet warriors who started the trend alleged. But then it wondered how that bugged anybody. It was his money. It was for his party. It was for candidates contesting the presidential and NASS elections. If he has decided to spend his money on his party, how is that a problem? Let them come up with a proof that somebodys money is missing, said Lagos APC Spokesperson Abiodun Salami. Let them come up with the proof. The man is a private citizen and he has been out of government for the past 12 years. Among them those tearing their hair outis the Abuja-based rabble-rouser and convener of the Concerned Nigerians Dele Adeyanju who petitioned the EFCC last Friday. The commission said it had got no petition to dig into the bullion van saga. The commission would recall that it was reported all over the news that Bullion Vans allegedly containing an undisclosed amount of cash were seen entering the home of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former governor of Lagos State on the eve of Nigerias presidential elections, he stated in the petition. What are Bullion Vans doing in the house of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu? Adeyanju warned the commission not to wage its anti-corruption war against the opposition only. PV: 0 The Nigerian government has provided a bond of $200 million to a court in the United Kingdom, as part of efforts to overturn the $9.2 billion judgement debt against it, in favour of an Irish firm, Process and Industrial Development (P&ID). The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, said this in a statement on Thursday. He described the development as a positive step for Nigeria to set aside the judgement. He said the decision to provide the bond emanated from the British courts acceptance of a request from Nigeria for a variation of the September decision of the court. The court had ordered Nigeria to pay $200 million to the court, while permitting the stay of execution of the judgement. The statement also said the Nigerian government does not plan to forfeit the guaranteed sum to the High Court in UK. The Federal Republic of Nigeria today provided the English High Court with a bank guarantee as a security in compliance with the Court order. This variation in security, which was proposed by Nigeria as an alternative solution during a procedural hearing on 22nd November, has been accepted by the Court and P&ID. The deadline was extended by the Court to the 28th November. The provision of todays security is a positive step forward for Nigeria to overturn the injustice of the US$9.6 billion award, which was a direct result of fraud and corruption. The statement reiterated the point raised by the Nigerian government that the contract was fictitious. It said Nigeria was expending efforts towards ensuring the nullification of the controversial contract. Over the last few weeks, investigations have revealed a very serious fraud, bringing into question both the legitimacy of the GSPA (gas supply and processing agreement) and the subsequent award itself. As a result of these investigations, the Federation has recently expanded its legal team, which will now enable us to launch in full our challenge against the fraudulently procured agreement and award. Long road The UK Business & Property Courts (the Commercial Court), presided by Justice Butcher, on August 16 granted P&IDs request to enforce a March 20, 2013 award against Nigeria by a District Circuit Court in Washington DC. The $6.6 billion Nigeria was ordered to pay had accumulated to $9.6 billion due to interests accrued over the period. Following an application by the Nigerian government in September, the court granted a stay of execution of the judgement preventing the seizure of Nigerian assets while its legal challenge was pending. The court, however, ordered it to pay $200 million to the court within 60 days to ensure the stay. Controversial contract P&ID approached the court to seek compensation after accusing the Nigerian government of breaching a 2010 gas contract agreement. The contract for gas supply and processing was signed by the administration of late President Umaru YarAdua and P&ID. The contract was to build gas processing facilities around Calabar, Cross River State, and the government was to supply wet gas up to 400 million standard cubic feet per day. PREMIUM TIMES reported how the agreement was designed to fail as key elements necessary for its success were missing. The court initially granted the firm an arbitral award of $6.6 billion. But, the figure rose to about $8.9 billion with an additional $2.3 billion in accumulated interest at 7 per cent rate, after Nigeria refused to enter an appeal for over five years. The company said the accumulated interest was based on claims that the damages were calculated at the current value of 20-year income accumulated since 2013 when the ruling was first given. The barracks According to a report by Punch Metro, many policemen resident in Traffic Training School Barracks, Ikeja, Lagos, say they are on the verge of being homeless following an order, directing them to vacate the barracks on Tuesday, March 31. A notice to quit memo dated February 24, 2020 issued to the occupants by the Force Provost Marshal and signed by an Assistant Commissioner of Police, Ajewole Adebayo, stated that they would be forcibly ejected by Tuesday. You are by this letter directed to quit the Staff Quarters and Hostels of the Traffic Training School, Ikeja an advance (sic) Traffic wing of Police College, Ikeja, not later than March 31, 2020. You should note that your staying on the premises is illegal. If you fail to vacate the premises before the said date, you will be forcibly ejected and further disciplinary action will follow, it read. But some of the affected officers, who spoke to City Round on condition of anonymity for fear of being sanctioned, stated that the apartments were duly allocated to them contrary to the provosts claim. One of them showed our correspondent a letter from the Commandant Police College and signed by the Officer-in-Charge, Barracks and Housing, indicating that he was authorised to occupy a flat in the barracks. The policeman and father of four said they were shocked by the directive and not given genuine reasons for the imminent ejection. He said, We are serving officers, so why do they want to eject us? They said we have to vacate the barracks because we are not serving at the police college. Are we not under the same Nigeria Police Force? We met with the provost and he said the Inspector-General of Police (Mohammed Adamu) ordered that we should be ejected but we dont believe him. We called some people close to the IGP and they told us he is not aware. So where did the order come from? Over 30 families are affected. A female officer said she was stunned by the directive, adding that she had no idea where she, her husband and their three children would relocate to. How is it possible for us to relocate within that short period when we have families? Some people think they are senior officers and they can do whatever they like and get away with it. By the time they eject us now, we will be running helter-skelter to find another place. Does it mean the people that want to move in are better than us? We all swear to the same oath of allegiance to serve our fatherland. We are not illegal occupants; the apartments were duly allocated to us by the police college authorities, another policeman added. When contacted, the provost, Adebayo, directed our correspondent to the Force Police Public Relations Officer, DCP Frank Mba. He said, Go to the Force PRO if you want any information. Calls put across to the mobile of the FPRO were not answered and he had yet to reply to a text message sent to him on the matter as of press time. The Anambra Police Command has arrested a driver who rammed into schoolchildren on Monday in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State, Punch Metro report. The driver it was gathered killed four of the children and injured 10 others. The Oba Divisional Police Officer, Ifeanyi Abanaofor, told newsmen that the driver had been arrested. He said ,The injured were about 10 and they have been taken to various hospitals for medical attention. The driver of the ill-fated vehicle, Mr. Chibuzor Elebo, has been arrested, the DPO stated. A source attributed the crash to the recklessness of the driver, who was said to be driving a Pathfinder while answering telephone calls when the incident occurred. He lost control and veered off his lane into the other lane before ramming into the kids, killing three instantly, while the 4th one died at the hospital, the source stated. Another source, who claimed to be an eyewitness told our correspondent that the children were just dismissed from school for the day when the incident happened. He said, The schoolchildren came out in their large numbers having been dismissed at about 2pm on that fateful day. As they were milling down the Oba/Nnewi old Road, a vehicle, Infinity jeep with registration No. MYB 22 AAA, that was speeding while coming from Onitsha direction had brakes failure and rammed into the pupils, killing four on the spot while about 10 of them sustained injuries. The corpses of the deceased were deposited at Gateway Hospital morgue, Oba. Speaking, the President-General of Aboji Akanano Union Oba, Dozie Nweke, described the accident as unfortunate and a great loss to Oba people and the families of the pupils. The parents should take heart because it has happened. It was gathered that two of the deceased pupils were siblings. Source Share this: Related Share this: Real Madrid manager, Zinedine Zidane, has played down expectations they could still sign Paul Pogba or Neymar this summer. Speaking at a press conference today ahead of their LaLiga opener against Celta Vigo, Zidane insisted he is happy with the players at his disposal. Although Madrid have spent over 300million on new signings, the Bernabeu hierarchy were unable to meet Zidanes request to bring Pogba from Manchester United, while a late move for Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar has not progressed. However, Zidane was in a relaxed mood, when asked about transfer matters. Paul is a Manchester [United] player and we must respect that. Neymar is not a Real Madrid player. The important thing is the players who are here. I will settle with what I have. I have spoken with the person who has to do things. I have the best players here, no doubt I always say that. I am happy with them, thinking just about tomorrows game, Zidane said. BLOOMINGTON Bloomingtons Daniel DeJarld said he wants to create an impact by hosting art events. Without a community atmosphere in the arts, he said he cant make a living painting art. Thats the hardest thing, he said in an interview with The Pantagraph. I need to create that atmosphere before anything. DeJarld, 30, is the organizer of Derpfest, a new live-painting festival that will be brushing fresh strokes starting Friday at The Hangar Art Co., 105 W. Jefferson St., Bloomington. Open festival hours are set from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, when attendees can observe up to 22 participating artists painting a piece of artwork in under 48 hours. The event is free to attend, and culminates with a 1 p.m. Sunday sale of those works, with a 50/50 split of proceeds being shared with artists and the festivals charitable beneficiary, the Illinois Art Station in Normal. A statement from Hannah Johnson, executive director of the IAS, said DeJarld is personally committed to fostering a more robust scene for local and regional artists. Johnson also said DeJarld envisioned the festival as a first step in growing and evolving an already existing network of visual and music artists in the region. DeJalrd said the festival will include local and regional artists, including painters from Chicago. In the IAS statement, festival artist Rose Farrell was described as a quiet artist from Peoria who prefers to let my art speak for me. The statement said Farrell mostly creates art from spray paint and acrylic paint and often diverges from initial sketches. My art is inspired by nature and folklore, with a touch of psychedelica, said Farrell. Another participating artist for the festival is Ayrielle Ehlers of Escape Arts, who was described in the statement as a single mother of three who is also working on a masters degree to become a licensed counselor. I do a variety of work but enjoy having emotion come through the art, said Ehlers. Live music will be performed from 6-10 p.m. on Friday and 5-10 p.m. Saturday. DeJarld said Friday night will include bluegrass music by The Sweet Nothings (a group that's typically headed by Hannah Rose, who cannot personally attend); and rap music by Without a Tres, a group that includes artists Bigelo T and Nick Maestro Jones. On Saturday, DeJarld said electronic artists include Jodah, Badguy Moolah and Tru. During a Monday interview, DeJarld said he was preparing the festival space to be a gallery within a gallery, explaining that he will hoist new walls made out of foam board insulation. DeJarld has painted a brickwork pattern over the foam board walls, and said he will furnish them with paintings he has already worked on. DeJarld said he live paints at concerts about every other weekend, going to mainly electronic music shows and sometimes rock concerts. He said he likes the energy at concerts more than galleries because people are not inhibited by socially acceptable decorum. People are just legitimately coming out to concerts to feel something and dance, he said. At this weekends festival in downtown, he said visitors will also be welcomed create art themselves, too. DeJarld said he hopes people can witness the full process of creating art at his festival. At art galleries, DeJarld said viewers may seem stiff, in that theyll run through routine prompts of interpreting what art should mean. DeJarld, who brands his artwork under the term Derp, or Derp Enterprises, said he wants to forget those prompts. A logo he uses for his Derp brand, he said, sometimes depicts a pink turd, and the word itself means nothing. Thats me playing a joke on everybody that thinks way too seriously about art, he said. Some of DeJarlds art subjects portray animals like cats or lions. His styles may liken to comic books, or ornate illustrations of how a mushroom grows. If youre doing art, you cant always put art into words, he said. "Thats why 'Derp' is just the spirit of art within me that I want to put out. 20 life-changing locations that inspired movies, books, and art 20 life-changing locations that inspired movies, books, and art Hammamet, Tunisia: Paul Klee London: Jimi Hendrix Lake Geneva, Switzerland: Mary Shelley Bruges, Belgium: Martin McDonagh Rishikesh, India: The Beatles Chicago: The Hairy Who Mexico City: Frida Kahlo Pacific Crest Trail: Cheryl Strayed Hydra, Greece: Leonard Cohen Walden Pond, Massachusetts: Henry David Thoreau Montserrat, Caribbean: Sir George Martin Various locations, New Mexico: Georgia O'Keefe Antebellum South: Kara Walker Mount Fuji, Japan: Katsushika Hokusai New York City: Maira Kalman Pamplona, Spain: Ernest Hemingway Paris: Meret Oppenheim Bali, Indonesia: Elizabeth Gilbert Laurel Canyon neighborhood of Los Angeles: Joni Mitchell, et al. Santiago de Compostela, Spain: Paulo Coelho BLOOMINGTON An eclectic mix of cover bands, plus a rocking bluesman's group, are the featured artists of this year's Saturdays on the Square concert series in the Twin Cities. Now in its fourth year, the free series, presented by Pantagraph Media and The Castle Theatre in partnership with the City of Bloomington, has drawn in summertime crowds by the hundreds to the museum square in downtown Bloomington. It returns early this year with a special debut show in late spring, to help roll out the Route 66 Red Carpet Corridor Festival taking place May 4-5. That marks a fifth night of music in this series, which has previously hosted four concerts each summer. The 2024 lineup is as follows: May 4 Matthew Curry June 8 Hairbangers Ball June 22 The Docksiders July 13 Loudernow July 20 Southern Accents (Tom Petty tribute band) All shows start at 7 p.m. except for Curry's performance, which is scheduled for 6 p.m. May 4. Shows will take place at the intersection of Main and Jefferson streets in downtown Bloomington. Jonell Kehias, senior director of business development with Pantagraph Media, said the company is thrilled to bring the concert series back to downtown. She said with support from the City of Bloomington and event sponsors, they're excited to put on a vibrant musical experience. "Downtown Bloomington is a hub of activity, offering a myriad of attractions from First Fridays to the Farmers Market, shopping, restaurants and more," Kehias continued. "Saturdays on the Square adds another layer to the vibrant tapestry of our downtown, providing yet another reason for people to come and enjoy what our city has to offer." Jason Williams, director of talent for The Castle Theatre, mirrored Kehias' statements. "We are thrilled to continue our partnership with the City of Bloomington, The Pantagraph, and all of our wonderful sponsors to bring our community Saturdays on the Square," Williams said. "The concert series has become a summer tradition that so many music lovers look forward to every year and we're fortunate to be a part of something so great for Downtown Bloomington." The first show in last year's series rocked music lovers back into the 1980s with the leatherclad studs of Hairbangers Ball, and they'll be returning again this June. The Chicago glam rock act bashes hits like Warrant's "Big Talk" and Guns N' Roses' "Welcome to the Jungle." The Docksiders are second in the 2024 concert series lineup, and promise a smooth-sailing concert experience. This eight-piece musical crew describes itself as "America's favorite Yacht Rock tribute band," and recently recorded its first record. The band sends it with hits from The Doobie Brothers, Kenny Loggins, Robbie Dupree and Andy Gibb. The band is led by Kevin Sucher, a record producer who shares credits with several Grammy-nominated works by R&B artist Eric Benet. Slotted third in the series is Loudernow. The five-piece emo and pop-punk act from the Windy City has shared stages with Fall Out Boy and Alkaline Trio. Loudernow's extensive setlist ranges the styles of The All-American Rejects, Blink 182, Coheed and Cambria, Dashboard Confessional, Good Charlotte, Panic! At The Disco, Paramore, My Chemical Romance, Motion City Soundtrack and more. Southern Accents will be the series' final performance. Their August 2022 tribute show to Tom Petty packed Bloomington's downtown square with concertgoers. Taking a special concert spot this year is Matthew Curry, who's strumming up rock and blues roots to help rev up the Route 66 festival into action. He has covered "The Weight" by The Band, and released a 2019 album "Open Road" and 2016 EP "Shine On." His most recent single last year is titled "Barely Livin." Crystal Howard, president and CEO of the Bloomington-Normal Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, said they're pleased the Twin Cities are now part of "the prestigious Route 66 Red Carpet Corridor." She said the event is supported by the CVB, the Illinois Office of Tourism, The Pantagraph, The Castle Theatre, and both the City of Bloomington and the Town of Normal. Howard said they look forward to welcoming visitors for a Saturdays on the Square concert with a Route 66 theme. Vintage Pantagraph ads showcase the magic of music Kimball Pianos - Feb. 7, 1890 Wood Music House - April 13, 1909 P.A. Starck Piano Co. - March 6, 1911 C.H. Freeman - March 4, 1911 Cable Piano Co. - Nov. 22, 1923 Cable Piano Co. - June 11, 1924 Ensenberger's - Aug. 12, 1926 Kimball Piano - Feb. 5, 1930 Miller Music Co. - Dec. 16, 1942 Miller Music Co. - June 8, 1951 Miller Music Co. - Feb. 21, 1960 Pizzamiglio - May 5, 1967 Wilcox Music Center - Nov. 7, 1967 Miller Music Co. - Nov. 19, 1967 Musicland - Sept. 29, 1968 Musicland - Nov. 17, 1968 Miller Music Co. - April 6, 1979 Dick Benson's Music Music! - April 2, 1978 Byerly Music - Sept. 23, 1986 Byerly Music - Jan. 5, 1989 The Music Shoppe - Oct. 1, 1996 The Music Shoppe - March 19, 1999 BLOOMINGTON The Bloomington School District 87 Board of Education on Wednesday approved a three-year lease agreement with State Farm to share the newly purchased Oakland Avenue Building. The agreement came quickly on the heels of District 87 purchasing the building from State Farm for $4.5 million and sealed the compromise in which the insurance giant will maintain a 60,000-square-foot workspace there for more than $700,000 a year. "The exciting thing about it is we just ratified the lease agreement with State Farm, which ultimately what I'm excited about is it's a win-win for both organizations," said district Superintendent David Mouser. "And, again, shout out to State Farm for their leadership and their work in this. Because they're going to use the OAB space, continue to use it for their needs, while we're able to grow into the space that we're going to have," he said. The board voted earlier this year to buy the 250,000-square-foot building on 19 acres at 2309 E. Oakland Ave. with plans to use it for expanded pre-kindergarten and career training. Previous estimates put the total cost of the sale and renovations at more than $10 million to more than $18 million. The next step for the board is to hear from architects during a closed hearing in the coming weeks, where each potential contractor will present their own unique design for how District 87 can make the most use of the new facility, Mouser said. The partnership between District 87 and State Farm, a Bloomington-born business now an economic powerhouse on the world stage, is "fantastic," Mouser said. "I think it speaks volumes about who they are as a company and who their leadership is," he said. "When we engaged in these conversations early on, it was very clear that what they wanted was to be able to partner with our school to be able to provide as much as they could to help us." The board also heard from Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning Nicole Rummel about proposed new curriculum materials for all grade ranges, including phonics lessons for kindergarten through second grade and a slew of Advanced Placement courses for high school students. The textbook adoption costs range from just under $4,000 for AP Calculus II to almost $35,000 for U.S. History. "A lot of these materials are super old, and they don't always have an online piece," Rummel said. Moving forward, specifically concerning high school students, the district is shifting from a "valedictorian" style of student ranking to a "cum laude" ranking so that students have more equitable standing among their peers, Mouser told the board. One of the initial steps of this process may involve a rethinking of how advanced courses are weighted in students' grade point averages. Photos: Miller Park Zoo undertakes upgrades, repairs Check out photos from our journalists' recent visits to Miller Park Zoo. Video: Miller Park Zoo Director Jay Pratte speaks about AZA accreditation Jay Pratte, director, speaks on Friday about the AZA accreditation for Miller Park Zoo. 031724-blm-loc-zoo7 Sage, a snow leopard, watches the crowds on March 16 at Miller Park Zoo. 031724-blm-loc-zoo10 Rojo, the 17-year-old Sumatran tiger, came to Miller Park Zoo in 2015. 031724-blm-loc-zoo6 One of the river otters, Rhett Butler, at Miller Park Zoo on March 16. 031724-blm-loc-zoo3 Greater flamingos enjoy the sunshine at Miller Park Zoo on March 16. 031724-blm-loc-zoo4 Miller Park Zoo Director Jay Pratte speaks about upcoming improvements to the zoo's carousel, which will be removed in May and reinstalled aft 031724-blm-loc-zoo12 Greater flamingos hang out Saturday, March 16, at Miller Park Zoo. 031724-blm-loc-zoo5 A sign outside the enclosure inhabited by Sally, an American alligator at Miller Park Zoo, notes that she has the option to be outside for the 031724-blm-loc-zoo9 Rojo, the 17-year-old Sumatran tiger at Miller Park Zoo, is seen in his enclosure. 031724-blm-loc-zoo2 Miller Park Zoo Director Jay Pratte, right, speaks on March 15 about the upgrades to facilities and practices the Bloomington zoo is implement 031724-blm-loc-zoo Miller Park Zoo director Jay Pratte speaks Friday about ongoing upgrades to practices and facilities to keep up with current zoological standa 031724-blm-loc-zoo1 Rojo, the Sumatran tiger at Miller Park Zoo, is seen in his enclosure on March 16. The 17-year-old animal can choose whether to enjoy the outd 031724-blm-loc-zoo8 Miller Park Zoo Director Jay Pratte speaks about fencing that had to be cleared of foliage and repaired to meet accreditation standards set by CHICAGO Illinois schools will now more easily be able to get life-saving asthma inhalers to keep on hand in case a student is struggling to breathe. The Illinois Department of Public Health announced Wednesday that Director Dr. Sameer Vohra has signed a standing order allowing Illinois schools to more easily obtain asthma inhalers that can be administered to anyone on-site who is experiencing respiratory distress. The medication can only be administered by school personnel whove gone through training. Illinois first passed a law in 2018 that allowed schools to keep inhalers on hand in case a student or staff member without their own inhaler needed it. But until now, if a school wanted an asthma inhaler to keep on hand for anyone as opposed to for a specific student with a prescription it had to find a local physician willing to issue a standing order for the school. The new standing order covers schools statewide. Vohra said in a news release that the statewide order removes the last hurdle schools faced in obtaining inhalers for use in emergencies. As a pediatrician, I have witnessed how important access to albuterol inhalers can be to save lives, Vohra said in the release. Inhalers and medications like albuterol are essential treatments to treat severe asthma attacks in students diagnosed with asthma but also in individuals who may not even know they have it. Already, many Illinois schools have put inhalers obtained through other standing orders to good use. Between October and February of this school year, 126 Illinois schools in 96 school districts reported administering the on-hand medication to students in respiratory distress, with the students ranging in age from 5 to 17, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America MidStates Chapter. The chapter runs a program called Rescue Illinois Schools, in partnership with the Respiratory Health Association, that gives inhalers with albuterol to schools and trains staff on how to administer them, among other things. Illinois appropriated $2.4 million for the program for fiscal year 2023, and the program is now rolling out in about 78% of Illinois schools, said Chris Martinez, CEO of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America MidStates Chapter. Now with the standing order, he said: We wont have to get physicians to write those prescriptions, its in place, and not only is it in place, but its in place from an authority that has the opportunity to communicate it to schools. The standing order will remain in place through February and be reviewed and updated annually, according to the state health department. State law also allows Illinois schools to keep supplies of epinephrine, used to treat severe allergic reactions, and opioid antagonists, used to treat opioid overdoses, on hand. The state also has a standing order for opioid antagonists in schools. Photos: Pritzker Military Archives Center Those of us fortunate enough to have been spared direct involvement in a mass shooting perhaps assume that communities undergo stages of grief, so to speak. They move through initial shock and disbelief, to horror, to a communal coming-together Uvalde Strong in support of those who have suffered grievous loss and then, ultimately, to acceptance. Perhaps we assume its a process similar to the five-stage model of death and dying pioneered by the psychiatrist Elisabeth Kubler-Ross. For survivors, for a community, Kubler-Rosss final stage, acceptance, would be necessary for life to go on. However apt the comparison, the experience of most communities is not that simple. Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., where a gunman killed 20 first-graders and six educators, has been battling truth-deniers for more than a decade. Members of First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, survivors of a mass shooting that slaughtered 26 Sunday morning worshippers, are fighting the federal government over a financial settlement more than six years after the worst mass shooting in Texas history. Uvalde, Texas, is another aching example of the lingering devastation of a mass shooting. Uvalde survivors and family members, to put it bluntly, continue to get kicked in the teeth. Nearly two years after the small southwest Texas city lost 19 of its precious youngsters and two of its teachers in a mass shooting at Robb Elementary, emotions are still raw, still jagged. Too many of those in a position to help ease a communitys suffering politicians and law enforcement in particular continue to fail those they presume to serve. The latest outrage is an independent 182-page report exonerating all 25 Uvalde Police Department officers who, for the most part, responded to the shooting on the morning of May 22, 2022, by standing around in a school hallway and doing nothing while children died in nearby classrooms. The 25 were among some 400 law enforcement officers from eight local, state and federal agencies who showed up at the school and waited as children and teachers were trapped for an agonizing 77 minutes with the 18-year-old shooter before officers killed him. The consultant concluded that the Uvalde officers acted in good faith. Don McLaughlin, the former Uvalde mayor best remembered for cursing at then-gubernatorial candidate Beto ORourke for interrupting a news conference Gov. Greg Abbott was holding, told the Texas Newsroom he was shocked at the conclusion exonerating the acting Uvalde police chief. I dont fault the officers as much as I fault the leadership, because those officers were put on hold at one point and were waiting for somebody to do something, he said. I honestly believe if those officers had been told to go in they would have. The report says the acting Uvalde chief had no doubt the school was under the jurisdiction of the school district police chief. Written in anticipation of legal defense, it also says the only officer who violated policy was a nine-month pregnant woman who did not ask a supervisors permission to deliver ballistic shields. Parents and family members attending the recent news conference were more than shocked. They were outraged. ... They directed their ire at the cowboy-hat wearing consultant, Jesse Prado, who not only refused to answer questions but left the building before the crowd chanting coward and bring him back shamed him into returning. Im insulted by this report, said Councilmember Hector Luevano, as reported by the Texas Tribune. The families deserve more, the community deserves more. Councilmember Ernest Chip King III apologized to the angry crowd, many of whom walked out in disgust when Prado blamed family members for trying to break through police lines at Robb Elementary and rescue their own children when it became obvious law enforcement was doing nothing. Police Chief Daniel Rodriguez, who was on vacation in Arizona during the shooting, said last week he will step down April 6, after 26 years on the force. His parting comments only added to Uvaldes injury. Together, we have achieved significant progress and milestones, and I take pride in the positive impact weve made during my tenure, he said in a statement. He didnt mention May 22, 2022. Rodriguezs glib resignation letter and Prados absurd findings come two months after the U.S. Justice Department released a massive report that found cascading failures of leadership, decision-making, tactics, policy and training. An investigation by the Texas House of Representatives and various media outlets have reached similar conclusions. Unfortunately, the people of Uvalde have come to expect careless and irresponsible treatment, beginning with the governor communicating misinformation about brave law enforcement personnel rushing the school building. They have been stiffed by the Texas Department of Public Safety when they sought information. State lawmakers last year listened to them plead for some kind of gun-safety legislation and then, after the Uvalde residents got into their vehicles and began the long drive home, proceeded to ignore their pleas. And now Prado comes along to insult their intelligence. Uvalde is bracing for the next potential blow. District Attorney Christina Mitchell launched a criminal investigation into the police response months ago. A grand jury was summoned earlier this year, and some law enforcement officials have been called to testify. City officials, accusing Mitchell of refusing to provide them with information from other responding law enforcement agencies, sued her late last year. Family members of the victims fear a whitewash is in the works. Uvalde residents no doubt welcomed last weeks surprise visit by Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, but the city, still suffering, needs so much more than celebrity attention. So does every other community in this nation too many of them to mention that have been scarred by gun violence. If our elected officials if not the American people have come to accept the consequences of a gun-saturated society, if they have come to accept the reality of periodic mass killing in our schools, churches and other public gathering places, then surely they have a responsibility to deal with the consequences. Texas elected officials and their counterparts in Washington continue to ignore sensible gun-safety measures, but the least they can do is fund an army of grief therapists on call for the next grim inevitability, on call for months, even years at a time. Acceptance, as the people of Uvalde will tell you, does not mean closure. The pain may ease, but it does not go away. We would vastly prefer the sensible, life-affirming approach to gun safety that Great Britain, Japan, Germany and almost every other advanced nation have chosen, but those nations are not America. Their way is not the American way, especially not this version so distorted by Second Amendment absolutism. For that theyre no doubt grateful. Even as Sam Bankman-Fried faces decades in prison at his sentencing hearing later this month, the cryptocurrency market he promoted is staging a historic comeback. Since October, when a federal jury convicted Bankman-Fried of conducting a massive fraud, the price of bitcoin has more than doubled. The worlds leading cryptocurrency could shoot even higher next month ahead of a scheduled market event called halving that will reduce by half the supply of new bitcoins being produced. Bitcoin prices have soared so high that Bankman-Frieds old firm, FTX, which lost billions of dollars in customer funds, could ultimately pay back customers and creditors in full, based on the increased value of its investment holdings. That prospect is certain to be part of Bankman-Frieds plea for leniency on March 28 when he faces a federal judge who could impose a sentence of barely six years or less, as Bankman-Fried has requested, or the 40 to 50 years that the feds say he deserves. More broadly, the bitcoin boom highlights the growth of retail participation in the markets. A new generation is being drawn into speculating on stocks, options and alternatives like crypto, which are digital files created as artificial currencies and traded on electronic platforms worldwide. The boost in activity stems from a combination of temptingly rising prices, new smaller-scale products and technology that makes accessing the markets as simple as making a phone call. We have pushed for stronger rules and greater transparency in the crypto market, which we consider full of potential as well as peril. Established exchanges and trading firms are just beginning to bring order to what was a free-for-all. If cryptocurrencies were a crying baby at this point last year, they have developed into a willful toddler thats finally getting some adult supervision. A welcome milestone occurred in January when cryptocurrencies became available as exchange-traded funds. ETFs are common investments these days and subject to sensible regulations. So even though the underlying crypto is still a wild card, its a blessing to see responsible big kids like Chicagos CME Group and Cboe Global Markets playing in the same sandbox. At the recent Futures Industry Association conference in Boca Raton, Florida, established players pleaded for clearer rules governing upstart markets like crypto. Its no surprise to hear Rostin Behnam, chair of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, say he needs more authority from Congress to expand his agencys toolkit. Appearing at the same event, however, free-market advocate Ken Griffin of hedge fund giant Citadel said he also sees room for improvement: When you have regulatory clarity, youll bring the big players into the space. Meanwhile, Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Gary Gensler is forging ahead without additional authorization, bringing dozens of enforcement actions that equate crypto and other digital assets with securities like stocks. Congress, frustratingly, continues to dither, despite what appears to be bipartisan support for updating the relevant laws. Those updates are way overdue. Even as Congress fails to act, youthful investors continue to pull out their smartphones and jump into the fray. If the past is any guide, these newbies could lose big in the end. When markets go up and up, risks tend to multiply and the same people who think theyre making easy money trading Nvidia options or bitcoin ETFs can get a rude surprise if prices suddenly tumble. Behnams CFTC just published a report that deserves credit for stating a blunt fact about inexperienced amateurs who dare to trade in venues dominated by pros: In general, the report says, in a reference to regulated futures markets, we find that retail traders lose money. The CFTC report goes on to note how getting burned can turn off a generation of amateur traders. Representatives of Cboe, which has seen retail trading of its options contracts on more conventional investments surge, say theyre confident sufficient safeguards exist to protect investors. The real test will come if when? the market heads south in a hurry. The Bankman-Fried sentencing will provide a reminder of just how wrong things can go when regulations fall behind reality in the marketplace. His FTX collapsed in a matter of days at the end of 2022. Investigators found billions of dollars in customer funds were missing, and a federal jury swiftly convicted Bankman-Fried of seven felonies. The crypto markets rebound is good news for FTX victims, but no one should think they werent victimized just because the market rebounded. As Judge Lewis Kaplan prepared for Bankman-Frieds sentencing, he received a letter from Indiana resident Stephen Salmen, who identified himself as a former Cboe trader. Salmen wrote that he had never written to a judge previously but felt compelled when he heard the argument for leniency based on FTX account holders eventually being repaid in full. When Bankman-Frieds company collapsed, no one knew crypto prices would soar again so soon, and many victims had to sell assets at a loss to meet their obligations, Salmen wrote. They were harmed and will never be made whole. Salmen got it exactly right, and we hope Kaplan gives Bankman-Fried a sentence that reflects the outrageous facts of the FTX case. That would provide yet another public warning that anyone stepping into the financial markets needs to beware: Prices can go down much faster than they go up, regulation is lagging and investors should never put a penny more at risk than they can afford to lose. Chicago Tribune EUREKA Kevin McCumber was hired as a part-time dispatcher for the Woodford County Sheriff's Department in 1998, when he was in his early 20s. He went full time in 1999, and a year later, he moved to Washington, D.C., to work in the Office of the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives. But McCumber made quite an impression on his colleagues during his short time in the Woodford County dispatch center, and they predicted a bright future for him. They were right. In June, McCumber a Germantown Hills native and Metamora Township High School graduate now living in Alexandria, Virginia was sworn in by then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-California, as acting clerk of the House. McCumber isn't allowed to speak to the press, but his former co-workers in Woodford County were happy to speak about him. "Kevin was an excellent dispatcher. Very dedicated," said Connie Armstrong, who was the dispatch center director for 20 years, including the time when McCumber was employed there. "We all knew he was going places. He was built for big things," Armstrong said. "Everybody loved him. He was full of fun. He had a wonderful sense of humor and was easygoing." Being fun and easygoing was important back then, because the dispatch center was a tiny, crowded upstairs room in a house across the street from the Woodford County Courthouse that had been converted into the county jail. "Dispatchers had to be let in the back door by jail staff. They would walk through our office to go up the 'grand staircase' to dispatch," said Jail Superintendent Denny Wertz, who was a deputy working at the jail when McCumber worked in dispatch. The dispatch center is now located in Woodford County's public safety addition, which opened in 2000, that is attached to the north side of the courthouse. "I vaguely remember Kevin. I could tell, though, that he was very intelligent and had a great sense of humor," Wertz said. Dispatcher Colleen Rebman was pregnant with her first child when she worked with McCumber. "Kevin was my biggest supporter," she said. "He made sure I was eating right. He spoiled me. He even put together a baby shower for me in the dispatch center." Before Rebman's baby had a name, McCumber called the unborn child "Big Bird." "Big Bird" is now 24-year-old Sophia Rebman. She's a cosmetologist at Blush Studio in East Peoria and also works at Kirby Foods in Metamora. And Colleen Rebman has four other children, ranging in age from from 13 to 22. "The way Kevin treated Colleen was typical of him. He was always thinking of others," Armstrong said. Armstrong has unexpectedly crossed paths twice with McCumber since he left the Woodford County dispatch center. Once was at a 911 national conference in Denver, and the other time was at the annual "911 Goes to Washington" conference. McCumber has some big shoes to fill as clerk, even if it is on an interim basis until the House speaker makes a nomination for clerk after the 119th Congress is seated in January. Cheryl Johnson, McCumber's predecessor, was the first clerk to serve under speakers from both the Democrat and Republican parties. Johnson earned the respect of elected officials on both sides of the aisle during her tumultuous four-year tenure as clerk that included two impeachment proceedings; the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol; and the struggle by Republicans to elect a speaker at the start of the 118th Congress last year in an election that required 15 ballots, the most since 1860. This is McCumber's second stint in the clerk's office. He was there from 2000-2006, then left to study political science at the University of Colorado and, later, work for the Lakewood (Colorado) Police Department. He returned to the clerk's office in 2012 and "since then has performed nearly every role in the legislative process in some capacity," according to his biography on the clerk's office website. McCumber was appointed deputy clerk in 2021 after serving as chief of the office of legislative operations. The clerk has a myriad of duties, most of them nonpartisan administrative and procedural tasks that keep the House running smoothly. Among the duties that aren't administrative and procedural are to "preserve order and decorum" at the beginning of each Congress until the speaker is elected; receive messages from the president and Senate when the House isn't in session; deliver messages from the House to the Senate when requested; and supervise the staff of a deceased, resigned or expelled House member until a successor is elected. Much to do, see at Eureka Lake 050321-blm-loc-2explore 050321-blm-loc-1explore 050321-blm-loc-3explore 050321-blm-loc-4explore 050321-blm-loc-5explore 050321-blm-loc-7explore 050321-blm-loc-6explore 050321-blm-loc-9explore 050321-blm-loc-8explore 050321-blm-loc-10explore 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. Ralph Poku-Adusei, the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) Parliamentary Candidate for Bekwai Constituency in the Ashanti Region, has extended a helping hand to Muslim communities in Bekwai by donating essential food items during the ongoing Ramadan fast. In a gesture of solidarity, Poku-Adusei presented 20 bags of sugar (50kg), 15 cartons of milk, 15 boxes of Lipton tea, and other necessities to support the 30-day fasting period. The generous donation, aimed at aiding those observing Ramadan, will benefit communities such as Kensere, Kokofu, Bekwai, Dominase, Poano, Ntinanko, Wawase, Aniantentem, and Atwotwosu within the Bekwai Constituency. Expressing the significance of Ramadan to Muslims both locally and globally, Poku-Adusei emphasized the importance of supporting those fasting during this sacred time. He underscored the NPP's commitment to recognizing and respecting religious observances. Upon receiving the donation, leaders of the Muslim community in Bekwai expressed their gratitude to Ralph Poku-Adusei and the NPP leadership in Bekwai, acknowledging the thoughtful gesture. They assured fair distribution of the items to ensure that all fasting Muslims in the municipality receive assistance during the Ramadan. 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 Chiefs and people of Nyinahin-Mpasaaso have held a durbar to welcome the Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC) and Mytilineos S.A into the community. This follows the selection and announcement of Mytilineos S.A as strategic partner to develop portions of Nyinahin bauxite resources and build a refinery, known as Project 3A. Mytilineos is an industrial and energy multinational company, listed on the Athens Stock Exchange. It was a euphoric atmosphere as the people of Nyinahin-Mpasaaso and surrounding communities thronged the durbar grounds to welcome senior executives of GIADEC and Mytilineos. Omanhene of Mpasaso traditional area, Nana Tabiri Gyansah III and Bantamahene, Nana Baffuor Owusu Amankwatia VI who represented the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, graced the occasion. Also in attendance were Isaac Kofi Marfo and Joseph Frimpong Bonsu, District Chief Executives of Atwima-Mponua, and Ahafo Ano South West respectively. GIADECs 19-member committee of Mpasaaso and Nyinahene, the district police personnel and other key stakeholders within the area were also present for the big occasion. Bantamahene Nana Baffuor Owusu Amankwatia VI, described the occasion as a historic event that will inspire hope in the people. He emphasized that the execution of Project 3A, which involves the development of a mine and a refinery, will boost the local economy and transform the lives of the people and communities. He noted that the project has their emphatic support and made a passionate appeal to GIADEC and Mytilineos to consider, first, residents of the area for employment opportunities. He further urged the partners on the project to conduct their operations in a manner that respects the culture of the people and upholds environmental standards. The Omanhene of Mpasaso traditional area, Nana Tabiri Gyansah III on his part, reiterated the call on GIADEC and Mytilineos to prioritize the local people at every phase of the project. This, he said, would ensure that the project receive the buy-in of the people and give the partners the license to operate. Chief Executive Officer of GIADEC, Mr. Michael Ansah thanked the Chiefs and people of Nyinahin-Mpasaaso for welcoming GIADEC and Mytilineos and assured them that local content which will involve using local artisans, sub-contractors and providing skills training for the youth was at the heart of the plans of both GIADEC and Mytilineos. He emphasized that Mytilineos is a world class company with demonstrable experience and track record of upholding global environmental standards in their operations and has been carefully selected to lead execution of Project 3A, working with GIADEC. He added that Mytilineos can only succeed if the company gets the full support and co-operation from the chiefs and people of the area. Mr. Ansah commended President Akufo-Addo for his relentless support, adding that the collaboration between Mytilineos and GIADEC, will play a major role in the realisation of the vision of developing an integrated aluminium industry in Ghana. Administrative Director of Mytilineos, Dimitrios Kakarouchas stated that Mytilineos would leverage on the existing relationship built with the Ghanaian people over the years through the companys involvement in Ghanas energy sector and deepen their understanding of the people and local environment as they expand into metals. He said that Mytilineos would take initiatives that would empower the local communities, create quality job opportunities and stimulate economic activity. After the durbar, the Chiefs joined the team from GIADEC and Mytilineos to climb up the hills for the symbolic opening and entry into the project site where Mytilineos will, first, undertake Mineral Resource Estimates (MRE) to establish the bauxite quantities. The delegaton from GIADEC & Mytilineos S.A had earlier on Monday paid a courtesy call on the Asantehene at Manhyia Palace in Kumasi to introduce Mytilineos to Otumfuo. 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 A Member of the Okyeman Environmental Protection Taskforce, 35-year-old Offei Noah has been shot and killed in an armed attack at Asuaba near Adeiso in the Eastern Region. Three other members; Kyei Maxwell, Talata Richmond and Amoah Kwame respectively also sustained several gunshot wounds while returning from their usual daily patrol from Adeiso. The body of the deceased has been deposited at the Police hospital in Accra while the injured are receiving treatment at Eastern Regional Hospital in Koforidua. Information available indicates that, the Taskforce were ambushed by some unknown people on their return from Adeiso. The incident happened during the heavy downpour on Wednesday evening. The State Secretary for the Akyem Abuakwa State, D.M. Ofori Atta in a press briefing expressed surprise over the unprovoked attack and killing of a member of the Environmental Protection Taskforce who were going about their legal duty. "The Council condemns in no uncertain terms the senseless killing of Offei Noah and the wounding of 3 others. Members of the Taskforce were unarmed and were returning home after going about their lawful duties. We call on the Regional Police Command to institute a full scale investigation into this matter. The Council wish to assure the police of its full cooperation in order to bring the perpetrators to justice," Ofori Atta stated. He said the commission of such horrendous crime has no place in a civilized society. 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 spokesperson for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumias campaign team, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, has clarified that the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, did not criticize the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) during a recent meeting with the Ghana Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Miracles Aboagyes clarification comes in the wake of Dr. Bawumia's concerns over the GRAs alleged harassment of businesses under the guise of tax collection during a discussion with members of the Ghana Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Wednesday, March 20. During the meeting with the Ghana Chamber of Commerce, Vice President and flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party(NPP), attributed the current situation to the GRAs practice of setting unrealistic targets for its officers, resulting in excessive taxation of existing businesses. However, in an interview on Eyewitness News with Umaru Sanda Amadu on Citi FM, Miracles Aboagye stated that the Vice President was merely encouraging the GRA to be more creative in their revenue mobilization schemes as against the general assumption that he was attacking the GRA. He emphasised that Dr Bawumia has always been a strong advocate for creativity in public institutions and has led several initiatives in the same vein. Mr. Aboagye said, I dont think the Veeps position is an issue of attack. I think this is not the first time Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has raised this point. Hes been a chief advocate of the GRA being a bit more creative in the approach they use to revenue mobilisation. Hes been constant on that. Hes of the view that the GRA not just the GRA all other public institutions should be a bit more creative in the way they go about our activities. And he is not only advocating, he has been leading the drive towards it." 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 Private legal practitioner and Human Right lawyer, Lawyer Martin Kpebu has maintained that the Rt. Hon. Speakers response to President Akufo-Addos letter to Parliament appears to be a good test for the Ghanas democracy. The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin, stated in a 62-point response to the President, amongst other things, that the House is unable to continue to consider the nominations of His Excellency the President in the spirit of upholding the rule of lawuntil after the determination of the application for interlocutory injunction by the Supreme Court. The Speaker's position comes in the wake of the letter sent to the speaker through the clerk of parliament restraining him from transmitting the Anti-LGBTQI+ Bill following two suits laid before the Apex court. The letter signed by the Secreatry to the President, Nana Asante Bediatuo conveyed that parliament should cease and desist from transmitting the Bill to the office of the President until the Supreme Court rules on the motions presented before the court. Reacting to the ongoing impasse between the executive and the legislature, lawyer Martin Kpebu on March 20 said, this is typically a tit-for-tat situation which is that because the President has refused to assent to the anti-LGBTQ bill then the Speaker also has grounds to use the same argument in order not to proceed with the approval of the ministers. In fairness, this situation that has arisen about Parliament not being able to proceed with the approval of the ministers based on the same fact that theres a case in court is good for our constitutional democracy, its good, so we will get to test the boundaries of cooperation between Parliament and the Executive, Lawyer Martin Kpebu stressed. Lawyer Martin Kpebu, speaking on Ghana Tonight on TV3 on Wednesday, 20th March, added that the current constitution gives so much power to the Executive even more than anticipated, hence, the impasse between the two arms of government bodies will strengthen the democratic process of the country. So on occasions like this where Parliament also has the opportunity to extract or pull back some of the power we should be interested in that and excited that maybe through compromises they will find a way to get a solution, said Kpebu. However, the human rights lawyer expressed satisfaction with the Speakers decision to suspend considerations of the Presidents ministerial nominations, adding that the government is "already over-bloated and hence an attempt to freeze the approval of new ministers is welcoming. The context is that the government is over-bloated, this government is over-bloated so if these ministers dont get approved that will be good riddance for our democracy, said lawyer Kpebu, adding that, let the ministers who are in office see how they can cope with the situation with the caretaker ministers, etc. While the minority side are in full support of the speakers position, the majority also argues that the speaker's action is unconstitutional hence admonishing the general public to disregard the directives of the Speaker of Parliament. 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
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It's a double celebration for Nollywood actor, Emeka Ike who is celebrating his birthday today March 21 as well as the birth of his daughter, Comfort. T he veteran actor disclosed that his baby girl was named after his late mum, Madam Comfort Okwuchi Ike. Posting photos of himself, his South African wife and their new-born, an elated Emeka wrote; ITS A DOUBLE BLESSING FOR ONE LOSS Happy *BIRTHDAY* to me and WELCOME to baby, Chidera COMFORT Thando Ike The good LORD has filled the huge vacuum that Mama COMFORT Okwuchi Ike left behind, with another COMFORT Chidera T Ike My family and l are COMFORTED and can't ask for any better, this solemn times Thank you to my beautiful wife for taking the pains, of this wonderful gift I THANK YOU GOD!!!'' 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 African Legends Night is marking this years Heritage Month, celebrating African music in a special campaign dedicated to honoring the unforgettable celebration of African music. The African Legends Night Heritage Month campaign will showcase some of the continent's most illustrious musical talents, paying homage to the diverse traditions and legacies that have shaped the continents music. From the infectious rhythms of Afro-music, highlife to the soul-stirring melodies of traditional folk songs and Afrobeats, the campaign offers a mesmerizing journey through the vibrant tapestry of African music. The campaign serves as a tribute to the cultural heritage and musical prowess that have long defined Africa's identity. As part of the campaign, a specially curated daily music playlist segment has been created on YFM and Happy FM to play songs by African music legends for listeners to enjoy. "The African Legends Night Heritage Month is not only a tribute to the legendary artists who have shaped African music but also a celebration of the cultural diversity and creativity that define our continent. We invite music lovers to join us in celebrating unforgettable rhythms, melodies, and the enduring legacy of our African legendary artistes," said Jerry Ofori, Head of Events at Global Media Alliance. Powered by Global Media Alliance, African Legends Night is a concert held annually to recognize and celebrate African musicians who are considered living legends. African Legends Night has become synonymous with celebrating the musical excellence and contributions of African legends. These legends, each with their unique style and musical influence, captivate the audience in an unforgettable night of music and celebration The event has over the years celebrated living legends such as Hugh Masekela of South Africa, Femi Kuti of Nigeria, Freddy Meiway, and Ghanaian legends like Amakye Dede, George Darko, Ofie Cudjoe, Gyedu Blay Ambulley, Ben Brako, Kojo Antwi, Samini, Rex Omar, Nat Brew, Akosua Agyapong, Nana Tuffuor, Ofori Amponsah and Daddy Lumba 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 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: Electrocatalysts design to improve SRR kinetics in Li||S batteries. Credit: Nature Nanotechnology (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41565-024-01614-4 Lithiumsulfur (LiS) batteries are a promising alternative to lithiumion batteries (LiBs), the most common rechargeable battery technology. As sulfur is abundant on Earth, these batteries could be cheaper and more environmentally friendly than LiBs, while also potentially exhibiting higher energy densities. Despite these advantages, the deployment of LiS batteries has so far been limited, as many of these batteries also have a low cycle life and a high self-discharge rate. In addition, the predicted high energy density of LiS batteries often becomes far lower when in real applications, due to the high rates at which they charge and discharge. A chemical reaction that plays a central role in ensuring the high capacity of LiS batteries is the so-called sulfur reduction reaction (SRR). This reaction has been widely studied, yet its kinetic tendencies at high current rates remain poorly understood. Researchers at the University of Adelaide, Tianjin University and Australian Synchrotron recently carried out a study aimed at delineating the kinetic trend of SRR, to inform the future development of high-power LiS batteries. Their paper, published in Nature Nanotechnology, also introduces a nanocomposite carbon electrocatalyst that was found to boost the performance of LiS batteries, attaining a discharge capacity retention of approximately 75%. "The activity of electrocatalysts for the sulfur reduction reaction (SRR) can be represented using volcano plots, which describe specific thermodynamic trends," Huan Li, Rongwei Meng and their colleagues wrote in their paper. "However, a kinetic trend that describes the SRR at high current rates is not yet available, limiting our understanding of kinetics variations and hindering the development of high-power Li||S batteries. Using Le Chatelier's principle as a guideline, we establish an SRR kinetic trend that correlates polysulfide concentrations with kinetic currents." To further examine the kinetic trend of the SRR at high currents, the researchers also collected synchrotron X-ray adsorption spectroscopy measurements and ran various molecular orbital computations. Overall, their results suggest that orbital occupancy in catalysts based on transition metals is linked to the concentration of polysulfide in batteries, and consequently also SRR kinetic predictions. Based on the kinetic trend they delineated, Li, Meng and their collaborators designed a new nanocomposite electrocatalyst comprised of a carbon-based material and CoZn clusters. They then integrated this catalyst in a LiS battery cell and tested its performance, focusing on its charge-discharge rates. "When the electrocatalyst is used in a sulfur-based positive electrode (5 mg cm2 of S loading), the corresponding Li||S coin cell (with an electrolyte:S mass ratio of 4.8) can be cycled for 1,000 cycles at 8C (that is, 13.4 A g S 1, based on the mass of sulfur) and 25C," the researchers wrote. "This cell demonstrates a discharge capacity retention of about 75% (final discharge capacity of 500 mAh g S 1) corresponding to an initial specific power of 26,120 W kg S 1 and specific energy of 1,306 Wh kg S 1." Overall, the recent study by Li, Meng and their colleagues shows that increased polysulfide concentrations promote faster SRR kinetics; thus, catalysts that boost polysulfide concentration could speed up this reaction. This result was validated both via theoretical computations and experimental measurements. Building on their observations, the researchers already introduced one electrocatalyst that was found to enhance the capacity retention and cyclic stability of an LiS battery. In the future, their work could inspire the design of other promising catalysts, potentially contributing to the development of new high-power LiS battery technologies. More information: Huan Li et al, Developing high-power Li||S batteries via transition metal/carbon nanocomposite electrocatalyst engineering, Nature Nanotechnology (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41565-024-01614-4 Journal information: Nature Nanotechnology 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: Candida albicans in the yeast and hyphae form on human epithelial cells. Credit: Holland/Ozel/Zakikhany/Hube, Gudrun Holland, Muhsin Ozel, Katherina Zakikhany und Bernhard Hube / Leibniz-HKI Candida albicans is a fungus that occurs naturally in the digestive tract of most people. However, the fungus is not always harmless. It can cause mild to severe infections throughout the body. A toxin, candidalysin, is involved in these infections. It appears to be of central importance in vaginal infections in particular. A team from the Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (Leibniz-HKI), in collaboration with researchers from Brown University in the U.S., has now discovered that the toxin also plays an important role in the colonization of the digestive tract. Their study was published in Nature. "In our study, we focused on Candida albicans and the importance of its toxin candidalysin. The fungus is a natural part of the human microbiome and coexists with numerous other microorganisms such as bacteria in our gastrointestinal tract," says Richard Bennett, Professor at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. C. albicans multiplies in two different growth forms: a round yeast form and an elongated hyphae form. "Previous studies in mice indicated that the yeast form is advantageous for colonization of the intestine," says Bernhard Hube. He leads a department at the Leibniz-HKI and is a professor at the Friedrich Schiller University Jena. "The fungus develops its pathogenic effect primarily in the hyphal form. This form secretes candidalysin and thus damages host cells," explains Hube. "If C. albicans exists primarily as a colonizer of the intestine, i.e. as a round yeast form, why are almost all isolates of the fungus able to form hyphae? What selection pressure ensures that the fungi do not lose the ability to form hyphae?" Comparative studies on mice with a complete microbiome and a microbiome reduced by antibiotics now show that the previous assumption that the yeast form is better suited for colonization needs to be revised. As soon as a complex bacterial community is present, C. albicans uses both the yeast and the hyphae forms to colonize the intestine efficiently. But why is the hyphae form advantageous when bacteria are present? "Only in the hyphal form does the fungus produce the toxin candidalysin, which has an antibacterial effect. This enables the hyphae form to compete with bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. The toxin inhibits the metabolism and thus the multiplication of the bacteria. This gives the fungus a competitive advantage. "The release of candidalysin associated with the formation of hyphae therefore probably contributes to the fact that the fungus is such a successful colonizer of humans. This may explain why the hyphal form of C. albicans is also so important during colonization of the intestine," says Hube. If the formation of hyphae is blocked, the fungus is also less able to colonize the intestine. "The fungus has therefore not developed the toxin primarily to damage human cells, but to be able to compete with bacteria on mucous membranes," says Hube. The researchers want to investigate the interaction between fungi and bacteria and their effects on the host in more detail. "The Cluster of Excellence 'Balance of the Microverse' at Friedrich Schiller University Jena, with its focus on microbial interactions, offers us an ideal environment for this," says Hube. More information: Shen-Huan Liang et al, The hyphal-specific toxin candidalysin promotes fungal gut commensalism, Nature (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07142-4 Provided by Leibniz-Institut fur Naturstoff-Forschung und Infektionsbiologie - Hans-Knoll-Institut (Leibniz-HKI) 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: Couples strolled, TikTokers danced and friends shared takeout under the gnarled branches dappled in pale pink blossoms on the University of Washington's Quad on the last night of winter. With the help of record heat over the weekend, the blossoms exploded into peak bloomwhen at least 70% of buds have emergedTuesday. The exact date the Quad's Yoshino cherry trees may burst into puffs of pale pink and white blossoms varies each year. But university researchers are trying to add clarity to the annual bloom that draws thousands of tourists and locals. In 2018, they began collecting data on bud development and bloom for more than 100 trees covering 25 species on campus, to help inform local events centered on the bloom. If successful, the project could also help predict how climate change will affect when these trees flower. Records in Kyoto, Japan, and Washington, D.C., suggest those cities' cherry trees are blooming earlier in response to a changing climate. UW researchers have hypothesized the bloom would also be earlier as a result of increases in spring temperatures but only if the trees experienced winter temperatures cool enough to complete their dormant, or rest period. Researchers in 2011 found peak bloom in D.C. could be as much as four weeks earlier by 2080 depending on how much warming occurs. "The cherry blossom has been kind of used as an indicator of climate change that we can see," said Soo-Hyung Kim, a UW professor of environmental and forest sciences who helped launch the project in Seattle and co-authored similar research on the trees in D.C. A long history Scrolling through a roll of microfilm on Monday, lead researcher Autumn Maust paused on a page of The Daily, UW's student newspaper, from April 9, 1976. She adjusted the brightness and contrast to reveal a photo of a tree branch carrying blossoms hovering over the silhouette of gothic buildings. The team has been digging into archives, searching for any sign of when the trees blossomed over the years. The clips they've found also share blips of history: "U.W. Campus Visit Reassuring Fashion-Wise" one April 1969 Seattle Times headline read above a photo of a "well dressed coed," Laura Rasmussen of Poulsbo; in March 1978, "A Blooming Good Time" for a 2-year-old running through a Quad full of the blossoms; and in March 1995, Seattle Times photographer Alan Berner captured a moment with two kidsone hanging from a branchplaying around a tree in bloom. "What's been really exciting for me is just how charismatic and stunning and compelling these trees are and being able to be a part of this story that I think is so close to home for so many people," Maust said. "I'm hoping that it can be very helpful from a management perspective. But ... the great thing about charismatic species is a lot of people study them and so you can take this really broad lens, look at how climate change is changing their phenological patterns on this sort of huge scale that we don't often get to do." The university bought the Quad's Yoshino cherry trees in 1939 and planted them in the Washington Park Arboretum. They were replanted in the Quad in 1962 due to construction on State Route 520, Maust said. Cherry trees have deep roots in the Seattle area, going back to the early 20th century when Japan gave the city more than 3,000 cherry trees. It's not clear if any on UW's campus are scions from the gifted trees. The study at UW fits into a long pattern of researchers exploring published works to understand these flowering trees and get a glimpse of their futures. Scientists in Japan have combed through hundreds of years of historyold diaries and chroniclesto build a historical record of bloom times, Kim said. In another study, Kim and other researchers adapted a computer model with several decades of National Park Service peak bloom records and temperature records from Reagan National Airport to build an understanding of how the changing climate could affect the famous cherry trees along Washington, D.C.'s, Tidal Basin. Projections were made using two climate change scenarios developed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. A scenario with moderate warming suggests that by the 2050s the peak bloom could be five days earlier and by the 2080s about 10 days earlier. On Sunday March 17, the cherry blossoms in D.C., tied for their second-earliest peak bloom, Axios reported. The full flowering of Kyoto's cherry trees in 2021 was observed on the earliest date recorded in over 1,200 years, according to a 2022 study. The study found that human-induced climate change after about the 1930s led to earlier flowering, with an estimated shift of about 11 days in the present climate and 17 days by 2100. In general, the warmer it is, the sooner the trees are likely to bloom, Maust said. On the other hand, if winters are not cool enough, trees won't get enough time in their dormancy period, and that may push back the timing of the bloom. If fruit trees don't experience enough cool temperatures, they sometimes have trouble flowering and producing fruit, Kim said. Warmer winters also invite insect herbivores and pests out early, increasing the vulnerability of trees that didn't fully rest. Because Seattle experiences milder winters than D.C., researchers expect UW's trees to respond to different temperature thresholds. Maust hypothesized the bloom would be earlier due to increases in spring temperatures caused by climate change only if the required chilling thresholds continue to be met at the same pace. In short, warmer winters result in a slower bloom, while warmer springs result in a faster bloom. Since both seasons are affected by the warming climate, researchers have to determine the interactions of both processes. 'We cherish them' Susan Hooker smiled as she looked up, studying the buds and blooms on the upper branches of a cherry tree near the UW Medical Center early Tuesday. "The first time I was here, on campus, was in '97, which was a long time ago," Hooker said walking down the steps of Red Square. "That was my most favorite place to hang out. I would go to the Hub, get my sandwich, sit in the Quad, eat my sandwich, hang out and do homework. It was great." Hooker, who is studying biology, returned to school last spring after about two decades off to raise her kids. When the opportunity to document cherry tree bloom appeared in her inbox, she jumped on it. UW students, she said, want to preserve the trees. "We cherish them," Hooker said. On Tuesday, Hooker wandered to the row she's responsible for. She looked high into the branches where birds and bees loomed and began punching in observations on her phone. Hooker and 20 other undergraduate students visit every cherry tree on campus at least twice a week on average, often swinging by between classes. On each visit, they use an app to choose which bloom stage the tree appears to be in and how much of that stage is complete. Each tree is individually identified by number, location and species. The phases of UW's cherry blossoms There are more than 100 cherry trees on campus. The main species is Yoshino, including the trees in the Quad. Other varieties include the Higan, Hisakura, Kwanzan, Mt. Fuji and Shirofugen trees that can be viewed at locations across campus. The Yoshino trees bloom earlier than many of the other species. The research began under Michael Bradshaw, a former doctoral student in the School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, a self-described "plant addict" who now teaches mycology at North Carolina State University. Bradshaw connected with Kim, who had previously developed models that help predict Washington, D.C.'s, cherry tree blooms, in hopes of providing the same for Seattle. Now, the university has collected seven years of fine-scale data on each tree on campus, looked back in the archives to build historical estimates of bloom data and accessed historical temperature data. The field data collection is expected to continue indefinitely. Researchers have already created the model to predict bloom time based on weather data and are finalizing the results. Bradshaw's successor, Maust, led a team of more than a dozen undergraduates researching and tracking campus cherry blossom development from 2021 to 2023. Her colleague Marlee Thiel has taken over the training and ongoing data collection. Now, Maust is working with co-authors to finalize the results of the research and plans to submit it for peer review as soon as this summer. 2024 The Seattle Times. 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 Should I invest my money with a small chance of big returns? Or is it better to pick investments that promise a series of modest returns? A psychologist from the University of Basel conducted a scientific experiment to study when people prefer certain types of investments. When a company first goes public on the stock exchange, the corresponding securities are referred to as IPO (initial public offering) shares. These shares are typically characterized by their below-average returns for the first few years after the initial offeringwith the exception of a few outliers that boom right from the start. In other words, the likelihood of high returns is rather small. So why do people still purchase IPO shares? Because they overestimate the probability of the stock becoming one of the rare super performers. This phenomenon is described by prospect theory, the leading theory used to explain decision-making in the face of uncertainty. It's a similar story when people purchase lottery tickets: they are hoping to hit the jackpot. There are also investments that result in a much different distribution of profits and losses, with a high likelihood of small returns. This is the standard case, so to speak. On the other hand, big losses are unlikely, such as with catastrophe bonds or "cat bonds." Insurance companies use these bonds to create a financial cushion that enables them to guarantee coverage in the event of a disaster. If nothing happens, investors receive a series of small payouts. In the statistically unlikely event of a natural disaster, however, all of the money they have invested is lost. Then what stocks should I pick? What circumstances affect how people select a given type of security in the first place? Dr. Sebastian Olschewski from the Faculty of Psychology has published a study on the topic in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. In the experiment, test subjects were asked to choose between two or three different stocks, for example, one offering "a low probability of high returns" and another offering "a high probability of modest returns with rare but potentially high losses." To aid in the decision-making process, information was provided about the performance of the stocks, i.e., when and what returns were generated by the specific stocks on day 1, day 2, day 3, etc. This allowed test subjects to closely examine the volume and frequency of the returns from each individual stock. Frequent returns preferred The results showed that having the possibility to compare different stock types greatly affects a person's decisionand in a way that favors investments on the cat bond end of the spectrum. "In our experiment, the test subjects selected stocks that generated the highest returns on the greatest number of days. The overall total of the returns had only an ancillary effect." This is what experts refer to as the "frequent winner effect." To demonstrate the weight of this effect, the data on the stock returns was modified in a second experimental design in such a way that the "lottery-like" investments more frequently showed higher yields, which quickly shifted the test subjects' preference towards this type of stock. Gaining a better understanding of the stock market What are the possible conclusions of the study? "If we want to predict how the stock market will perform, we also need to consider how people go about finding information," says Olschewski. "Whether they simply research a single stock or compare two or three options." Being able to predict things like this is important for economists or analysts who want to predict price trends on the stock market. But it is also important for social resource planningfor instance, in the case of governments investing for the benefit of their citizens. After all, the Swiss pension system is partially invested in the capital market, as the researcher points out. More information: Sebastian Olschewski et al, Frequent winners explain apparent skewness preferences in experience-based decisions, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2024). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2317751121 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 Young people are reportedly being priced out of rural communities by soaring housing costs. Official statistics for England show that affordability in rural parts of the country is worse than in towns and cities, excluding London. In 2021, even the cheapest houses in rural areas cost around 9.2 times more than the earnings of the lowest paid workers. In urban areas, it was eight times more. Since Brexit, there has been a rise in the number of landlords transferring long-term rental housing into short-term lettings on platforms like Airbnb, in a bid to cash in on the growing staycation market. COVID has increased the appeal of rural living, with more people buying second homes. Affordability has worsened since 2020. These recent pressures have accentuated the decades-old trends of general counter-urbanization and demand for rural homes that my colleagues and I discuss in our 2022 book, Village Housing. A combination of planning constraint and external demand pressures, focused on the smallest villages and hamlets, is driving land price expectation and making it difficult to build affordable homes. Land values belong to the communities that create them. A way needs to be found of fixing the cost of land at a price that supports the delivery of affordable homes in rural locations. Upward pressure on land price Rural planning authorities largely operate according to the rationale that housing and service needs can more effectively be met in towns than in the countryside. They generally respond to increased housing demand in rural areas by allocating sites in service centers and larger towns for new development. They also fix policies in local plans that require the inclusion of affordable homes in market-led schemes. Far less gets built in villages. There, the existing stock is gradually sold as investment opportunities to wealthier incomers or to seasonal and weekend residents. This dynamic places upward pressure on land prices. In those few instances where sites for market development are allocated in smaller villages, land price soars. The resulting housing is high end and unaffordable to local people. It is within this challenging market that registered providers of social housing and community land trusts, formed by groups of concerned residents, try to secure affordable land for affordable housing through the so-called "rural exception site" approach. Since 1991, communities have been able to work with partners on securing exceptional planning permission for affordable homes on small parcels of unallocated land (sufficient for up to a dozen homes, depending on the scale of proven local need) on which permission for housing would not normally be granted. Getting a landowner to accept that this is an "exception" to normal planningand not a regular allocationis a key hurdle. The landowner needs to agree to sell plots at a price that supports affordability. Affordable land supports affordable housing Since 2012, exception sites have been able to include market housing, whose role is to support project viability in a context of falling grant rates. Those grants are channeled to registered providers by Homes England, a government agency sponsored by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. Government has been targeting grant-free development, with the help of the market, although exception sites usually need some grants to achieve viability. But the inclusion of market homes on rural exception sites comes at a cost. Landowners' price expectations are raised, driving up the price paid for land, and meaning that an ever larger component of market housing is needed to cross-subsidize the affordable element. Bigger developments comprising more homes for sale, and relatively fewer affordable homes for local need, will not gain the same level of community support. Threats to the viability of rural exception sites, largely because of rising land costs, means that communities stand to lose a critical source of affordable homes in otherwise unaffordable villages. The question is what can be done about this. Raising grant rates would allow social housing providers (or taxpayers) to bear higher land costs. But our research notes that this is unlikely to happen given public funding constraints and governments' preference for market support. And in any case, the justice of such an approach (taxpayers effectively subsidizing landowners' rent extractions) is questionable. A fairer approach would be to fix the cost of land at a price that supports a range of affordable housing types. That fix can be achieved by setting an advisory price for rural exception sites in national planning policy or, where an advisory price does not encourage sale, by using simplified and remodeled compulsory purchase powers to bring land into public ownership. Experience elsewhere in the UK shows that the prospect of compulsory purchase is often enough to encourage landowners to sell. Our research has shown that the land price that typically supports affordability on rural exception sites is 10,000 per plot. Assuming a valuation density of 35 dwellings per hectare, this figure is far higher than agricultural value (600 for a similarly-sized plot), but far lower than full residential value (150,000, say, in South Cambridgeshire). Some landowners will accept a price that supports affordability, motivated by a desire to help their communities. Others will resist sale at any price short of full residential value. Right now, however, too much is being left to the market. Local authorities need the power to bring small plots of land into public ownership, quickly and at an affordable price. This would enable registered providers and community land trusts, and also local councils, to match their building programs to the scale of need for rural housing. 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: Prof. Dr. Richard Merrill: How butterflies choose mates: gene controls preferences. Credit: Carolin Bleese / LMU Tropical Heliconius butterflies are well known for the bright color patterns on their wings. These striking color patterns not only scare off predatorsthe butterflies are poisonous and are distasteful to birdsbut are also important signals during mate selection. A team led by evolutionary biologist Richard Merrill from LMU Munich, in cooperation with researchers from the Universidad del Rosario in Bogota (Colombia) and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (Panama), has now exploited the diversity of warning patterns of various Heliconius species to investigate the genetic foundations of these preferences. In the process, the scientists identified a gene that is directly linked to evolutionary changes in a visually guided behavior, the first time such a connection has been demonstrated in an animal, as they report in the journal Science. For their study, the researchers carried out hundreds of behavioral experiments to investigate the mating preferences of three Heliconius species in Colombia: Heliconius melpomene and Heliconius timareta, both of which have a bright red band on their forewing, and Heliconius cydno, which has a white forewing band. They discovered that males of all three species prefer partners that look like themselves, with no differences in the preferences of the two more distantly related red species. Using genomic analyses, the researchers demonstrated that the preference for red females is associated with a genomic region where hybridization between these two red species has resulted in sharing of genetic material. "We managed to identify regucalcin1 as a key gene controlling visual preference, in these butterflies," says Matteo Rossi, who carried out research on the butterflies in Merrill's lab alongside fellow Ph.D. candidate Alexander Hausmann. "If regucalcin1 is silenced, it impairs courtship toward conspecific females, proving a direct link between gene and behavior," explains Rossi. Genetic exchange through hybridization Further analyses by the scientists showed that regucalcin1 was transferred from H. melpomene to H. timareta sometime in their evolutionary past. "We've known for quite a while that the red color pattern gene was introduced from one species to the other through hybridization, and suspected that the same might be true for the corresponding preference. To finally show it, and identify the specific gene is really exciting," says Carolina Pardo-Diaz, Dean of Biology at the Universidad del Rosario, and one of the lead authors on the paper. Thanks to regucalcin1, the attractiveness of red females and thus the reproductive success of H. timareta was increased. "We see differences in visual preferences all around us in nature when animals choose who to mate with. With our results, we were able to establish a direct link between a particular visual preference and a specific gene for the first time, and also demonstrate that hybridization can play an important role in the evolution of these behaviors," emphasizes Merrill. More information: Matteo Rossi et al, Adaptive introgression of a visual preference gene, Science (2024). DOI: 10.1126/science.adj9201. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adj9201 Journal information: Science 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 As the nation braces itself for another pivotal presidential election year, the spotlight on gun control intensifiesone of America's most contentious issues. Shedding light on this debate, new research by Dr. Michael Nelson, emeritus professor of economics at The University of Akron, and Dr. Rajeev Goel, professor of economics at Illinois State University, unveils a surprising revelation: female legislators wield a significant influence on the trajectory of gun laws across the United States. "The average number of firearm laws across all U.S. states has nearly doubled since 1990," highlights Nelson, emphasizing the magnitude of the shift in firearm purchases. Yet, amidst this shift, the researchers discerned a striking pattern: States witnessing a surge in female legislators concurrently experienced a notable uptick in the enactment of gun laws. Women in these areas of state legislature are important since, Nelson explains, "most gun laws originate at the state level and not the federal level." As Nelson and Goel's research demonstrates, gender provides a compelling perspective on gun laws. The proportion of women in state legislatures has increased in many states over this period, providing significant contributions to the passage of gun legislation in these states. Furthermore, their findings also suggest that when it comes to gun legislation and female legislator representation, it matters which chamber they are elected to. While female house members enacted more gun control laws, their counterparts in the Senate mirrored the patterns observed among male legislators. Different interest groups can also significantly bear upon gun legislation. "While causation cannot be definitively established," concedes Nelson, "factors such as inherent risk-taking differences between genders offer intriguing avenues for further exploration." This research was published in Social Science Quarterly and, according to Nelson, was a result of the timely debates on gun legislation and its prominence in the news. The analysis is based on data from 1991 to 2020. The authors conducted a review of the total number of gun laws enacted and 5-year differences in gun laws from 14 categories of firearm legislation during that period, including gun dealer and buyer regulations, prohibitions for high-risk gun possession, background checks, assault weapons restrictions and domestic violence, among others. As the nation grapples with the complexities of gun legislation, this research offers insight to the multifaceted forces shaping our societal landscape. More information: Rajeev K. Goel et al, Hold your fire! Influence of female legislators on gun legislation in the United States, Social Science Quarterly (2023). DOI: 10.1111/ssqu.13322 Journal information: Social Science Quarterly 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: In a Finnish outcrop nestled between some of Northern Europe's oldest mountains, researchers have found traces of a previously hidden part of Earth's crust that points more than 3 billion years back in time. Credit: Andreas Petersson The oldest Scandinavian bedrock was "born" in Greenland according to a new geological study from the University of Copenhagen. The study helps us understand the origin of continents and why Earth is possibly the only planet in our solar system with life. In a Finnish outcrop nestled between some of Northern Europe's oldest mountains, researchers have found traces of a previously hidden part of Earth's crust that points more than 3 billion years back in time and north toward Greenland. These traces were found in the mineral zircon, which after chemical analyses, indicated to researchers from the Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management that the "foundation" upon which Denmark and Scandinavia rest, was probably "born" from Greenland approximately 3.75 billion years ago. "Our data suggest that the oldest part of Earth's crust beneath Scandinavia originates in Greenland and is about 250 million years older than we previously thought," says Professor Tod Waight, a geologist at the Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management. The researchers' study of the zircon showed that, in several ways, its chemical fingerprint matches those of some of the oldest rocks on the planet found in West Greenland's North Atlantic Craton. The findings are published in the journal Geology. "The zircon crystals we found in river sand and rocks from Finland have signatures that point toward them being much older than anything ever found in Scandinavia, while matching the age of Greenlandic rock samples. At the same time, the results of three independent isotope analyses confirm that Scandinavia's bedrock was most likely linked to Greenland," says Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management researcher Andreas Petersson. A water world without oxygen Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland rest atop a part of Earth's crust known as the Fennoscandian Shield, or the Baltic Shield. The researchers believe that it broke away from Greenland as a "seed" and shifted for hundreds of millions of years until it "took root" where Finland is today. Here, the plate grew as new geological material accumulated around it, until it became Scandinavia. At the time of the crust's detachment from Greenland, the planet looked very different than today. The zircon crystals found in river sand and rocks from Finland have signatures that point towards them being much older than anything ever found in Scandinavia, while matching the age of Greenlandic rock samples. Credit: Andreas Petersson "Earth was probably a watery planet, like in the movie Waterworld, but without any oxygen in the atmosphere and without emergent crust. But, because that's so far back in time, we can't be really be sure about what it actually looked like," says Tod Waight. According to the researchers, the fact that Earth even has a continental crust composed of granite is quite special when they look out into space and compare it with other planets in our galactic neighborhood. "This is unique in our solar system. And, evidence of liquid water and a granite crust are key factors when trying to identify habitable exoplanets and the possibility of life beyond Earth," explains Petersson. Continents are the key to life The new study adds pieces to a primordial continental puzzle that began long before life on Earth truly blossomed, but which has largely paved the way for both human and animal life. "Understanding how continents formed helps us understand why ours is the only planet in the solar system with life on it. Because without fixed continents and water in between them, we wouldn't be here. Indeed, continents influence both ocean currents and climate, which are crucial for life on Earth," says Petersson. Furthermore, the new study contributes to a growing number of studies which reject the means used thus far to calculate how continents have grownespecially during the first billion years of Earth's history. "The most commonly used models assume that Earth's continental crust began to form when the planet was formed, about 4.6 billion years ago. Instead, our and several other recent studies suggest that the chemical signatures showing growth of the continental crust can only be identified about a billion years later. This means that we may need to revise much of what we thought about how early continents evolved," says Waight. At the same time, results of the study add to previous research that found similar "seeds" from ancient crusts in other parts of the world. "Our study provides us with another important clue in the mystery of how continents formed and spread across Earthespecially in the case of the Fennoscandian Shield. But there is still plenty that we don't know. In Australia, South Africa and India, for example, similar seeds have been found, but we're unsure of whether they all come from the same 'birthplace,' or whether they originated independently of one another in several places on Earth. "This is something that we would like to investigate more using the method we used in this study," concludes Waight. More information: Andreas Petersson et al, An Eoarchean continental nucleus for the Fennoscandian Shield and a link to the North Atlantic craton, Geology (2023). DOI: 10.1130/G51658.1 Journal information: Geology Warren County officials are optimistic about spring and summer tourism numbers as major events such as the solar eclipse on April 8 and Belmont Stakes in June sell out regional hotels. Weve been watching the Zartico data specifically on the eclipse and on the Belmont Stakes, said Gina Mintzer, Executive Director of the Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce and CVB. We know some of our hotels are already sold out specifically for the eclipse on Sunday night or that whole weekend. Mintzer explained how the advanced bookings were hard to ignore even though she could not yet provide hard data in her report to the Warren County Tourism Committee. The chamber and CVB work closely with the countys tourism office and committee. Belmont began as soon as those tickets were announced. Exit 18 filled up first and then slowly its been moving north, Mintzer said. Our Courtyard [by Marriott hotel] is already sold out. Normally run at the Belmont Race Course on Long Island, The Belmont Stakes is coming for two years to the Saratoga Race Course. The race is scheduled for June 8 this year. Both large and branded hotels in the Albany and Clifton Park area have performed exceedingly well for Belmont Stakes, according to Mintzer. The Renaissance Albany Hotel, the Albany Marriott, and several Hilton properties were examples she used of high-performing hotels. Belmont Stakes to move to Saratoga in 2024, get cut to 1.25 miles Next year's Belmont Stakes will take place at Saratoga Race Course. New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced the move Wednesday. The final leg of horse racing's Triple Crown June 8 will be shortened to 1 1/4 miles and the purse increased from $1.5 million to $2 million. The change of location for at least 2024 is because of a massive renovation of Belmont Park. It'll be the first time the race is held at Saratoga. The Belmont construction project is also expected to keep the race in Saratoga in 2025. BELMONT STAKES coming to Saratoga Race Course in 2024 The third jewel in the Triple Crown is headed for Saratoga Race Course this summer. The four We looked at this Zartico data for that. Amadeus is a platform within Zartico where we could see who was already sold out or who took their inventory out so they didnt put it on what we would call the OTAs, which are the online travel agencies, Mintzer explained to the committee. Mintzer and her team look at data from Zartico to get a better understanding of regional hotel performance. Zartico is a data technology company that operates within the tourism and travel marketing industries, their website says. Additionally, hotel rooms within 25 miles of Saratoga Springs are all sold out during Belmont Stakes weekend, with rooms going for $1,000 a night, according to Gene Merlino, Chairman of the Warren County Board of Supervisors Tourism Committee. Mintzer did not have any advanced data for Airbnb or Vrbo sales; however, she stated we are already feeling that compression in the market. Tourisms new website debuts early April The Warren County Tourism Department will also be unveiling a new website on April 3 as they begin a strategic full court press for the coming months. Were very excited about that, said Heather Bagshaw, Tourism Director for Warren County. Bagshaw identified several cities known as designated market areas (DMAs) for geographic targets in their new media strategy. These cities include New York City, Albany, Syracuse, Utica, Rochester, Buffalo, Philadelphia, Boston, Springfield, Hartford, and Montreal. A multitude of digital media tactics will be deployed to these specific market areas. Of those strategies, 38% will be for connected TV or streaming ads, 33% for television commercials, 9.2% for paid social, 7.5% for native advertising, 5.1% for Google Ads, 4.8% for digital video, and 2.5% for retargeting, according to Bagshaw. SOUTH GLENS FALLS As the town of Moreau works through the process of imposing a moratorium on its manufacturing and industrial zones, the South Glens Falls village board is taking steps to put off any would-be waste processing facilities looking to move in to the area. We all know that [Saratoga] Biochar was looking for a place, Twin Bridges was looking for a place, said Village Trustees Harry Gutheil during a November meeting of the board. Gutheil was referring to the recently closed Essity building and property located within the villages industrial zone. He first brought up the idea of shoring up the zoning codes in order to ensure that officials would be able to prevent any waste management company from swooping in on the property. Its our village, he posited. Since then, the village board has been watching as the drama plays out in Moreau regarding efforts from the community to thwart Saratoga Biochars plans to build its facility in the Moreau Industrial Park, a facility that would create carbon fertilizer from wood chips and the dried biosolids that come from water treatment plants. On Monday in Moreau, the Moreau Town Planning Board voted to progress Local Law No. 2, a moratorium on new projects inside the towns industrial zones if the project had not already been given final approval. The law would also halt any disposal or processing of waste or waste material through any method which may release contaminants into the environment within the town. The moratorium will last nine months, if approved. Town officials have been adamant that the step is not meant to be a salvo against the biochar project, but a much-needed action to clear up a 30-year gap in the towns zoning code review. The local law was drafted by Bill Nikas, an attorney who represents several municipalities in the area, including the Village of South Glens Falls. The proposed moratorium directly references South Glens Falls impact on the town in one section. The closing of the Essity paper plant in the Village of South Glens Falls may present a host of land use issues, depending on the nature of any proposed use by its successor, the section reads in part. It goes on to state that although the village is a separate entity from the town, the proximity of the former Essity property to the towns Moreau Industrial Park will require an anticipatory evaluation of its potential impacts on the Park, going forward. The proposed moratorium is scheduled for review by the Saratoga County planning board. Which typically meets on the third Thursday of each month, but will meet on March 28 instead. In the meantime, South Glens Falls officials are in the beginning stages of setting their own regulation with an amendment to chapter 123 of the village code, also drafted by Nikas, which would grant the village board all necessary and proper powers to ban the importation of solid waste generated from outside of the boundaries of the Village of South Glens Falls, and, to prohibit the commencement of any use or operation within the boundaries of South Glens Falls which may include the disposal and/or processing of any solid waste by incineration, landfilling, pyrolysis, or by any other method which may release contaminants into the environment. The villages amendment will also be sent to the Saratoga County planning board for review. Public hearings will be set by both boards once the reviews are completed to gain input from the community regarding the steps. GLENS FALLS With the federal government threatening to ban TikTok, many people in the social community are up in arms about not just restriction of freedom of speech, but an end to their livelihoods. TikTok, the popular video based social media app, has become, to many, a means of making an income. The platform offers an array of options to make money on the app, often through giftingsending money to an online tip-collection or through donations of goods or servicesfrom fans of influencers during live streams. The only trade-off to one of the strongest social media algorithms is the security risk the app poses to its users. While all data is stored in Texas and the app is owned by TikTok LLC., a U.S.-based firm, its parent company is ByteDance, based in China. The fear is that the Chinese government has access to the app and all of the private information collected by the app. Late last week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation that would ban TikTok if ByteDance did not sell its stake to a U.S.-based firm. So how would this potential ban affect content creators when there are other social media outlets out there? And are these criticisms of the app by Congress valid? I joined TikTok in late 2021 as @avcollecting, with no intention of ever making a single post. I only ever meant to support my then-girlfriends page and find some quality memes. Now I have 13 thousand followers for talking about film and the nearly 3,000 movies I own in my physical media collection. For this ability to reach movie-buffs and offer an opinion, Im receiving screeners from movie studios, and early 4K UHD Blu Rays from companies such as Universal Studios and Paramount Pictures. With this platform, Ive had the opportunity to expand past film, and step into the world of BookTok, arguably the strongest asset the publishing industry has today. Using both Film- and BookTok, I was able to launch my novel, Empire of the Void, and a publishing house, Valenza Publishing, by connecting with other influencers and TikTok authors, and working with them to promote our books. In all, its been incredibly lucrative, and the best platform I could have used to share my stuff. And if it all went away tomorrow? Unfortunate. But not the end of the world. For better or worse, there will always be another place for creators to share their content while maintaining their style. Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts provide the same format as TikTok. Additionally, theres an app called Clapper that is basically a carbon copy of TikTok in every way except performance. These other platforms may be safer, but is the security threat really why this ban has moved forward? If the bill is officially passed, ByteDance has to sell TikTok to a U.S. company or be banned. And theres one social media company that has been known to buy up its competitors. Meta, the owner of Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Threads and Workplace. And who are some of the people that voted to pass the bill? According to opensecrets.org and CNN, representatives that own stock in Meta such as Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Rep. Josh Gottheimer, Rep. Joyce Beatty and Rep. Debbie Dingell, to name a few. It is so clear that many of these votes are motivated by means not in the best interest of the American people, but in the pockets of the representatives. I would have no issue with this ban if it was for the right reasons, because there are plenty. The app doesnt do enough to ensure that its age restrictions are adhered to, which also falls on the parents of the children using the apps. There definitely is a security risk, and the app should be banned from government computers and phones. If it was found that ByteDance was pulling U.S. citizens data from the facility in Texas and using it for psychological operations against its users, for instance, catering the content seen to rage bait us and cause division, then yes, that issue should be addressed. Unfortunately, that isnt why the ban is being discussed. Its just typical politics. If TikTok was banned, I wouldnt be thrilled that I had lost my platform. Ill move on to the next app and start again but Ill be incredibly disappointed with our representatives, left and right of the aisle, for doing what is always done in politics, putting their own greed before the people. Correction: In the original posting we listed a U.S. Representative from Illinois as an owner of Meta stock. His office reached out to us, saying that he does not own stock in that company. They provided the financial disclosure form to prove it and asked that we remove his name from the story, which we did. We had gotten the information from a much earlier source that could not be independently verified as still accurate. We regret the error. 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. OCEAN CITY Each summer, thousands of visitors crowd the beaches of the Jersey Shore, vying for space for blankets, beach chairs and umbrellas. Shy, tiny and astonishingly well camouflaged, the piping plover also needs a piece of those beaches in the summer. Along with the least tern and the black skimmer, the endangered birds nest on the beach and dunes. New rules under consideration could increase protection for plovers and other endangered species. In a unanimous vote recently, City Council has opposed those rules, describing the proposal as being in conflict with the public trust doctrine, a protected right of public access to the beach with roots in English Common Law, dating to before the American Revolution. City Business Administrator George Savastano described the rule change as government overreach. He cited a report from the Lomax Consulting Group, prepared in cooperation with Cape May County. Lomax puts this in a very nice way without using that phrase, but Ill use it. Its government overreach, Savastano said. He said Ocean City already has protections in place for endangered species. The approved resolution suggests the rules could impact public safety by impeding water rescues and that the change under consideration could cost the state hundreds of millions of dollars in tourism tax money. The state Department of Environmental Protection held a public meeting on the potential changes in September. According to Larry Hajna, the DEP press director, the rule changes have not yet been formally proposed, which will take place when they are published in the New Jersey Register. At that point, he said in an emailed response to questions, a public comment period begins. For towns like Ocean City, which operates under a state-approved beach management plan, some elements of the proposed rules are already in place. For instance, the placement of string-and-post fencing to protect the nesting sites of endangered birds on the upper beaches. New Jersey once again blocks access to newly emerged 'Horseshoe Island' off Brigantine New Jersey has once again closed off what it has dubbed Horseshoe Island, a curl of sand rou Those have been used for at least 20 years where endangered birds have nested. But not every area of the states beaches is covered under a beach management plan, which is tied to beach replenishment projects. The rules under consideration would cover all coastal sites. It also would include the intertidal zone. The intertidal zone is the area between mean low tide and mean high tide, an area that is rich in food sources for bird species, Hajna wrote. Under current regulations, the upper beach zone is afforded protections through sign posting and fencing but the intertidal areas where the species forage is not as well protected. Areas of the coast are critical for threatened and endangered species, Hajna wrote, for breeding, foraging and other activities. That makes the areas worthy of special protection. At the Ocean City meeting, resident Donna Moore spoke against the resolution and in favor of increasing protections for wildlife. We are lucky when we have the rare occurrences each season to actually see some of the birds that are endangered, she told council. Instead, were fighting because the DEP is trying to protect these to a greater degree. She described the citys opposition as contentious and as an overreaction, and asked council to vote no. Instead, council approved the resolution unanimously. Council members Jody Levchuk and Tom Rotondi agreed with Savastanos assessment. Any time an unelected bureaucracy can come in and enforce rules, they are going to do it, Rotondi said. One plover chick nears adulthood on the Strathmere beach UPPER TOWNSHIP On a sunny summer afternoon, Deborah Rivel waves to get a familys attentio Savastano denied that the citys vote was contentious. He said he expects the full rules to be out sometime this year, with the potential to be implemented for 2025. The city recognizes the need to balance the protection of threatened and endangered species with the need to maintain the beaches, which he said incurs a considerable cost. At the DEPs meeting on the rules in September, a video of which has been posted online, state officials mentioned red knots, piping plover, skimmers and least tern, along with the occasional sea turtle, as relying on beaches for reproduction. The presentation included images of a dog chasing a skimmer, along with boats landed on beaches and crowds. Another image showed numerous footprints on beach sand directly adjacent to a line of string demarking a protected area. The proposal outlined three conditions for restricting access to a site, including documenting that an endangered species is using or is anticipated to use tidal waters or the adjacent shoreline, that the shoreline is a critical habitat area and that anticipated injurious use could harm the animals as prohibited under the Endangered and Nongame Species Conservation Act. Savastano said the rule proposal could mean the presence of a footprint could be enough to shut down sections of summer beaches. Later in the meeting, Moore suggested the tiny endangered birds might not last long enough to have an impact. She also is a critic of the citys sea gull mitigation program that uses falconers on the beach and Boardwalk. The hawk might have already gotten it. I mean one of the hired hawks, Moore said. DALLAS With inflatable tanks, radio trickery, costume uniforms and acting, the American military units that became known as the Ghost Army outwitted the enemy during World War II. Their mission was kept secret for decades, but on Thursday the group stepped out of the shadows as they were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal at a ceremony in Washington. The actions of the Ghost Army helped change the course of the war for thousands of American and Allied troops and contributed to the liberation of a continent from a terrible evil, Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth said during the ceremony at the U.S. Capitol. She said that many of the techniques the Ghost Army pioneered are still used on the battlefield. Even though technology has changed quite a bit since 1944, our modern techniques build on a lot of what the Ghost Army did and we are still learning from your legacy, she said. Three of the seven known surviving members attended the ceremony at the U.S. Capitol: Bernard Bluestein, 100, of Hoffman Estates, Illinois; John Christman, 99, of the Leesburg section of Maurice River Township; and Seymour Nussenbaum, 100, of Monroe Township, Middlesex County. Their work during the war was like putting on a big production, Nussenbaum said in an interview before the ceremony. We have had in some cases people impersonating generals, putting on a generals uniform and walking around the streets, he said. Nussenbaum, who grew up in New York City, was studying art at the Pratt Institute before he joined the Army. Eventually, he joined a unit specializing in camouflage that was part of the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops. Our mission was to fool the enemy, to put on a big act, said Nussenbaum, a painter who went on to a career in commercial art. Sen. Edward Markey of Massachusetts said during the ceremony that the Ghost Army members were creative, original thinkers, who used engineering, art, architecture and advertising to wage battle with the enemy. Their weapons were unconventional but their patriotism was unquestionable, he said. House Speaker Mike Johnson said during the ceremony that its estimated that between 15,000 to 30,000 lives were saved because of the Ghost Armys work. The legislation to honor the military units with the Congressional Gold Medal Congress highest honor was signed into law by President Joe Biden in 2022. That came after almost a decade of work by family members of the soldiers and Rick Beyer, a filmmaker and author who has helped bring their story to light after their mission was declassified in 1996. Beyer, president of the Ghost Army Legacy Project, produced and directed the 2013 documentary The Ghost Army and co-authored the 2015 book The Ghost Army of World War II. They put themselves in harms way wielding imagination, bravado and creativity in order that other soldiers might be able to fight and live, Beyer told those gathered Thursday. This is a day that has been a long time coming but it has been well worth the wait, Beyer said. The Ghost Army included about 1,100 soldiers in the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops, which carried out about 20 battlefield deceptions in France, Luxembourg, Belgium and Germany, and around 200 soldiers in the 3133rd Signal Company Special, which carried out two deceptions in Italy. One of the biggest missions, called Operation Viersen, came in March 1945 when the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops deception drew German units away from the point on the Rhine River where the 9th Army was actually crossing. They had hundreds of inflatables set up, Beyer said in an interview before the ceremony. They had their sound trucks operating for multiple nights. They had other units attached to them. They had set up multiple phony headquarters and staffed them with officers who were pretending to be colonels. This was an all-hands-on-deck affair and it was completely successful, Beyer said. It fooled the Germans. They moved their troops to the river opposite where the deception was. In September 1944, the Ghost Army helped fill a gap in Gen. George Pattons line during an attack on the Germans in the French city of Metz. They end up holding this part of the line for eight days, which is really long in terms of doing a deception, trying to keep up appearances, Beyer said. Kim Seale of Dallas said that his fathers work in the Ghost Army came as a surprise to him. Only about six months after his fathers death at the age of 84 in 2001, he was told of the connection by a past member of the Ghost Army who was putting together a reunion. I said, What do you mean, Ghost Army? Seale said. My Dad never talked about it, Seale said. He kept the oath. He said his father, Oscar Seale, who was a captain, had told him that at one point during the war that he had transitioned from a tank division to a position as a courier. Seale said he now thinks thats when his father joined the Ghost Army. Its been a 20-plus year journey of learning about the Ghost Army, learning about what my Dad did, learning about what the men did and just being amazed at that story, he said. The man who opened fire on a pair of New Jersey police officers, one of whom was wounded, has been identified. Vincent Correa died in the gunfire exchange with officers, who were also identified by the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General on Wednesday as Derek Fiabane and Paul Piromalli. Fiabane and Piromalli were responding to reports of a domestic violence incident when the deadly shooting unfolded, police said. They were called the night of March 8, around 10:07 p.m., to a residence in Hamilton Township, Mercer County, where they were almost immediately met by 44-year-old Correa. Police said he started shooting at the officers with a rifle as soon as they arrived on the scene, prompting them to return fire. Correa was fatally struck in the shootout. Officers and emergency medical personnel rendered first aid to Mr. Correa, who was pronounced deceased at the scene at 10:38 p.m., according to a news release from the New Jersey Attorney Generals Office. Vineland man wanted in Saturday murder A Vineland man is wanted for murder after a man was shot and killed outside an apartment complex Saturday, the Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office said. A handgun and a rifle were recovered from the scene. One of the officers was also struck several times during the shooting and later transported to a hospital with non-fatal injuries, the state attorney general said. He was released from the hospital just under a week later. Its not clear whether it was Fiabane or Piromalli who was wounded in the gunfire. Hamilton Police, Hamilton Police PBA 66, and Officers family would thank everyone who offered prayers and support, the New Jersey State PBA wrote in a post celebrating his release from the hospital. Miracles do come true! An investigation into the matter is ongoing, and the attorney general said no further information is being released at this time. New Jerseys legislative leaders said they have the authority to rework New Jerseys county-line ballots in a statement issued one day after a federal judge signaled skepticism to clerks arguments that a move to another kind of ballot before Junes primary is impractical. As many involved in the legal process have pointed out, there is longstanding precedent that the Legislature has the authority to determine the law regarding ballot design and the appropriate discretion used by county clerks. Accordingly, the proper authority to consider modifications is the Legislature, majority and minority leaders from both chambers said in a rare joint statement Tuesday. Opponents of New Jerseys county-line ballots an only-in-Jersey design that groups candidates for multiple offices by slogans in a single column or row say the practice lends party-backed candidates an improper advantage at the ballot box. Rep. Andy Kim (D-03) and two congressional candidates have sued clerks in 19 of New Jerseys 21 counties, alleging the ballot design violates multiple constitutional protections and seeking to bar the designs use in Junes primaries. Kim is seeking the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in June against three others, including chief rival first lady Tammy Murphy. The statement by Senate President Nicholas Scutari (D-Union), Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin (D-Middlesex), Senate Minority Leader Tony Bucco (R-Morris), and Assembly Minority Leader John DiMaio (R-Warren) provided no indication of what sorts of changes they would seek. We are committed to beginning a public process on ballot design in New Jersey, including a thorough and thoughtful review of other states, as well as a process that involves input from the public, they said. Some opponents of the county line immediately signaled skepticism, worrying legislative leaders may seek changes that keep some powers entrenched with party organizations or their chairs. Scutari is also Union Countys Democratic chairman. If they want to end the line, great end the line, said Henal Patel, law and policy director at the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice. The letter yesterday doesnt seem like theyre quite there yet, or at all, which is concerning, and its frankly not, I think, where the public is right now. Deadline to change parties ahead of primary election is April 10 Voters who wish to change their party affiliation must do so by April 10 to participate in the June 4 primary election, the Atlantic County Superintendent of Elections said Monday. Patel is counsel for several groups, including the League of Women Voters of New Jersey, that oppose the line and have joined the case as friends of the court. She added that the timing of the leaders statement raises eyebrows, noting a separate and substantially similar challenge to the county line in another federal case that has been ongoing for four years without lawmakers intervention. They never had to wait for a court case to resolve for us to get rid of the line. The New Jersey Legislature always had the ability to do that, Patel said. Its, to put it mildly, fascinating that they are doing it right now at the eve of this court case that is moving very quickly for a reason. At a hearing on Monday, U.S. District Court Judge Zahid Quraishi appeared skeptical of clerks defenses of the line, questioning the candor of clerks and a printing house vendor who claimed a court order to move to a different kind of ballot would create chaos. Kim allies have argued in favor of office-block ballots, which group candidates by the office theyre seeking. That hearing followed a letter from Attorney General Matt Platkin, who said he would not join the suit to defend New Jerseys ballot design because it is unconstitutional. Platkin did not join the case, and the parties are to submit arguments by Friday on whether Quraishi should consider Platkins opinion. The judge on Monday criticized Platkin for lobbing his opinion from the cheap seats by filing the letter without seeking to intervene in the case. The legislative leaders statement isnt likely to save the county line if Quraishi finds merit in Kims arguments on constitutionality. Though legislative leaders noted New Jerseys ballot design has withstood challenges before the state Supreme Court, federal courts are not bound by the decisions of state courts on federal questions. If the judge finds Kim and his fellow plaintiffs are harmed by the line, as they have charged, such harm would not be addressed by ballot changes that are unlikely to be in place in time for the primary. U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., plans to soon announce whether hell seek reelection while facing federal corruption charges. Ill make an announcement this week, the embattled Democratic lawmaker told NJ Spotlight News Tuesday night. Menendez is accused of accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes and acting on behalf of foreign governments. Hes expected to stand trial in a Manhattan federal court in May. Since being indicted in September, Menendez has faced pressure to resign from fellow Democrats, including New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman. Fulop rescinds Tammy Murphy endorsement, backs Andy Kim for Senate Democratic Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop has rescinded his support for New Jersey first lady Tammy Murphy in her quest for his party's nomination for U.S. Senate. Fetterman went so far as to surreptitiously solicit the services of disgraced former New York congressman George Santos, who unwittingly recorded a Cameo message in December encouraging Bobby from New Jersey to stay strong. Fetterman posted that video on Instagram and addressed it to his ethically challenged colleague. Menendez would reportedly need 1,000 signatures by Monday to run for reelection as a Democrat but could appear on ballots as an independent candidate in November if 800 signees back him by early June. The U.S. Attorneys Office in the Southern District of New York claims Menendez and his wife accepted cash, gold bars, a luxury automobile and home furnishings for participating in a years-long bribery scheme. The senator, who assumed office in January 2006, maintains his innocence. Look forward to trial, Menendez told NJ Spotlight News Tuesday. Finally get my defense up. A famed battleship was floating down the Delaware River on Thursday as the USS New Jersey left its dock in Camden, New Jersey, on its way to the Philadelphia Navy Yard for extensive maintenance work. The vessel, guided by tugboats, was first headed to the Paulsboro Marine Terminal, where it will be balanced to prepare for dry docking and will then go to the Navy Yard in six days. The maintenance work is expected to take about two months to complete, officials said. Three major repair projects are planned, including repainting the ships hull, fixing the anti-corrosion system underneath the ship and inspecting through-hull openings. The battleship, which was built in the 1940s in Philadelphia, served for about 50 years before its retirement in February 1991. It has been a floating museum since 2011. The ship was built at the former Philadelphia Naval Shipyard and was launched from there on Dec. 7, 1942, the first anniversary of the Japanese air attack on Pearl Harbor. The ship is the most decorated battleship in Navy history, earning distinction in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War and conflicts in the Middle East, according to its website. The ship steamed more miles, fought in more battles and fired more shells in combat than any other battleship. USS New Jersey traveling to Philadelphia for repairs The USS New Jersey is scheduled to move Thursday from its dock in Camden, New Jersey, when it will head to the Philadelphia Navy Yard for extensive maintenance work. Thursday's ceremony was attended by some veterans who served aboard the ship, including Capt. Walter M. Urban Jr., who was a public affairs officer from 1970 to 2000, serving with both the Army and Navy Reserve. He worked aboard the battleship in February 1985 and February 1991 and remembers those times fondly. You always felt the presence of those who walked the decks before you, Urban said. She was born in a time of war, was a symbol of our great country at that time .... to be part of that history and see her today about 81 years later is fascinating. Ryan Szimanski, the battleship's curator, said moving the ship could be a once in a generation occurrence." He described the ship as one of the most impressive man-made objects ever," noting it's the size of a 90-story office building, can displace 57,500 tons and can move through the water at about 38 mph. Szimanski said there are some concerns about the move, mainly due to the ship's age, but believes things will go smoothly. Authorities have dropped a murder case against a Rock Island woman. A gunman shot Desavion Foster, 19, Rock Island, to death on May 22, 2022, in the area of 10th Avenue and 15th Street, Rock Island, according to previous reporting. The Rock Island County States Attorneys Office had charged two people with first-degree murder in relation to Fosters killing, according to county court records. They are Damya Payton, 22, and Terrionce C. Kitchen, 20, both of Rock Island. Payton also faced charges of aggravated discharge of a firearm, court records state. In February, prosecutors dropped the murder and discharge of a firearm charges against Payton, and she pleaded guilty to obstructing justice as part of an agreement with the states attorneys office. Prosecutors charged Kitchen not long after the shooting, records state. They charged Payton in August of 2023. During Kitchens preliminary hearing in 2022, Rock Island police Detective Jonathan Shappard testified that Foster and another man were walking along 10th Avenue at 15th Street to go get a tire when a ski-masked gunman approached on foot and began shooting. Foster was hit and suffered fatal injuries, Shappard testified. The other man fled and was not hurt in the attack. After the shooting, the masked gunman ran away, Shappard said. A family member of Kitchen who was nearby heard the shots and then saw a person in all black and wearing a ski mask, but recognized the person as Kitchen, Shappard said. The murder case filed against Payton does not provide details on exactly how investigators think she was involved in the death of Foster, but Illinois law under certain circumstances allows someone to be prosecuted for a crime even if that person did not directly commit the act. These circumstances can include intentionally facilitating the act in some way, according to Illinois statute. Another example is a person being involved in a criminal scheme with others. All involved in the plot are responsible for acts performed to accomplish that plot. The states attorneys office had already filed an obstruction of justice case against Payton in 2022, also related to the Foster killing. Payton was in a relationship with Kitchen in May of 2022, court records state. Authorities allege Payton provided false information in an attempt to obstruct their prosecution of Kitchen. At the same hearing in which she entered her plea, Judge Frank Fuhr sentenced her to 24 months of probation and 30 hours public service, according to court records. Payton testified as a prosecution witness in Kitchens January murder trial, court records state. The details of her testimony were not available in the current court record. On Jan. 26, a jury convicted Kitchen on the murder charge, according to court records. His trial lasted five days. Kitchens sentencing has been set for March 25. Western Illinois University-Quad Cities will host an ImpactLife Blood Drive from 1-3:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 28. The drive will take place in rooms 103/104 of Riverfront Hall, 3300 River Drive in Moline. Walk-ins are available, though ImpactLife encourages donors to make an appointment. It's important to eat and drink fluids before donating. To schedule a donation, visit bit.ly/3UR3x6L. For more information, contact Shelbee Bradley at sm-bradley@wiu.edu. Masks will be optional at the drive. ImpactLife is the sole provider of blood products and services to over 120 hospitals in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri and Wisconsin. Each year, ImpactLife collects blood at 22 fixed-site donor centers and more than 5,000 mobile blood drives. Photos: Fifth annual Get Lit Writing and Art Contest at WIU March Madness is finally here, and with it comes new merchandise for excited fans, including in Iowa. Joining in on the fun is the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum in Milwaukee. Three bobbleheads depicting the mascots for Iowa, Iowa State and Drake have all been added to the online store. The bobbleheads, which are in stock for the University of Iowa, come at a cost of $35 each and an extra $8 for shipping. The bobbleheads for Iowa State and Drake are expected to ship in August. "Were excited to unveil these bobbleheads featuring Iowa, Iowa State and Drake in conjunction with March Madness as five Iowa teams look to dance deep into March, National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum co-founder and CEO Phil Sklar said. These bobbleheads are the perfect way for Iowa, Iowa State and Drake fans, alumni, students, faculty and staff to show off their school pride! This weekend in the Womens NCAA Tournament, top-seeded Iowa will host the winner of the Holy Cross vs. Tennessee-Martin play-in game on Saturday in Iowa City, while seventh-seeded Iowa State will travel to California to take on 10th-seeded Maryland. On Friday 12th-seeded Drake will face fifth-seeded Colorado in Kansas. In the men's bracket, second-seeded Iowa State will take on 15th-seeded South Dakota State, while 10th-seeded Drake will take on seventh-seeded Washington State, with both games Thursday in Nebraska. The winners of those games will face each other on Saturday in Omaha, Nebraska. Photos: Drake takes home Hoops in the Heartland championship Walgreens on the corner of Brady and Locust streets in Davenport is set to close April 3. A representative from the company said the pharmacy at 1805 N. Brady St. closed months ago and this was a front-end store closure. In a statement, the company said it has to weigh many factors when deciding to close a store. Brady Street is closing due to staffing shortages and unsustainable business performance, the statement reads. "We apologize for the inconvenience. We know that our customers and patients rely on our stores and trust our team members for their health care needs. And, when we must close a store, it affects them and their community," the statement said. "Our priority is to ensure a smooth transition for our customers and team members during this time." A spokesperson for the company said Walgreens' standard practice is to offer affected team members employment at other area locations. Update: This story has been updated with information on team member employment. Photos: Hawkeye's Kate Martin signs autographs at Zimmerman Honda in Moline Bettendorf City Council members say speeding in residential neighborhoods has become one of the top complaints from their constituents. As a result, residents may see a ramped-up communication campaign by the city on social media as well as more officers and signage in areas with high numbers of complaints, especially school zones, city staff said. Council members identified slowing down speeders as a top priority when council members set goals in October for the upcoming year. On Monday, council members heard from city staff on plans to address it. Police Chief Keith Kimball said the goal was not necessarily to write more speeding tickets but to get residents to change their behavior, especially in areas with a lot of complaints. Kimball said they planned to ramp up communications on social media and alerts to residents reminding them of the 25 mph speed limit on residential roadways. On the enforcement side, the city also has routinely received a $50,000 yearly grant from the Iowa Governor's Traffic Safety Grant Program, which pays for the reimbursement of officers working overtime for additional traffic enforcement. Kimball said the department received the grant again for the upcoming year. Also, City Engineer Brent Morlok said the city would develop a traffic-calming policy aimed to use street infrastructure to slow drivers. It would include criteria for what streets would qualify for additional study and what traffic-calming measures should be put in neighborhood infrastructure, such as additional signage, new lane markings or speed humps. Last year, the city of Davenport was crafting a scoring policy to determine what neighborhood streets would qualify for additional study and traffic-calming measures after piloting speed humps on a couple of streets that saw a lot of cut-through traffic. Kimball said the total number of warnings, citations and arrests for traffic matters by BPD in 2023 was about 7,300. That includes citations or arrests during traffic accidents, minor equipment infractions, registration violations, driver's license violations, careless driving, operating while impaired (OWI), eluding, window tint and seatbelt violations. 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 Editors note: This story has been updated with more voter turnout information from Rock Island County Clerk Karen Kinney. Andalusia Fire Protection District will get a new fire station. A little over 50% of voters approved the 20-year bond for a $5.2 million referendum in the Tuesday primary. Fire Chief Justin Hicks said they are grateful residents approved the referendum so they can keep providing services. "We are really happy the community decided to help us with this," Hicks said. The next steps will be to meet with the architect and construction teams within the next few weeks, Hicks said. The Dispatch-Argus/Quad-City Times previously reported that the station will be five bays, 9,000 square-feet and located along Andalusia Road near Midwest Bank. The new station costs a total of $6 million and about $800,000 is saved. Hicks said they hope to break ground this August and that it will be about a nine to 10 month build out with the goal of it operating sometime in 2025. Voters also approved the other referendum to levy a tax of 0.4% of the equalized assessed value of property in order to provide ambulance service. In Illinois, EAV is one third of the market value for residential properties. Election turnout down from 2020 This years primary election had about a 13% turnout rate for the county, according to the unofficial results. In 2020, the last primary presidential election year, the county had a 24% turnout rate, according to the official March 2020 primary election results. A total of 21,052 ballots were casted. In the 2022 primary election, there was nearly a 20% voter turnout. The 2022 election were for congressional and state lawmaker seats. County Clerk Karen Kinney said the turnout was a bit disappointing but that there wasn't much on the ballot for the primary. Many races were uncontested for both Republican and Democrats. There are about 87,000 registered voters in Rock Island County and a little over 11,000 voted, Kinney said. She said there were around 7,000 vote-by-mail ballots sent and they have received around 4,350 so far. Vote-by-mail ballots must be postmarked by or on election day to be counted in Illinois. The primary results will be certified in two weeks, she said. Kinney expects more voters to come out for the general election since more will be on the ballot. Early voting for the November election will begin six weeks before the election, she said, meaning voters can early vote beginning at the end of the September. 17th Congressional district Former Judge Joe McGraw will challenge Democratic Congressional Rep. Eric Sorensen for Illinois' 17th Congressional District seat. According to the unofficial Rock Island County results as of Wednesday, March 20, all precincts were reporting and McGraw received about 2,659, or 60% of the vote. His opponent in the primary Scott Crowl, a Milan farmer and former president of a local union, received 1,721, or 39% of the vote. McGraw released a statement on his social media Tuesday evening, saying it was an important milestone in his campaign and that the job is not finished yet. "Tomorrow (Wednesday) morning, we will be hard at work talking to voters across IL-17 about our vision to return this district to a safe, free and economically prosperous community a place where people want to live, work, and raise a family," he said in the announcement. He is a retired judge and former prosecutor who sat on the bench in the 17th Judicial Circuit, which covers Boone and Winnebago counties. Current Congressional Rep. Eric Sorensen did not face a challenger in the Democratic primary. District wide, McGraw received 19,967, or 67% of the vote, and Crowl received 9,567, or 32% of the vote, according to the Associated Press election results. As of Wednesday, AP was reporting that 91% of the votes had been counted for the Illinois 17th Congressional District. The race was called by AP at about 9:15 Tuesday night. The Illinois 17th Congressional District encompasses portions or all of Stephenson, Winnabago Counties, Carroll, Whiteside, Rock Island, Mercer, Warren, Knox, Fulton, McDonough, Tazewell and McLean counties. 37th Senate District Liandro Arellano Jr., Dixon, won the 37th Senate District. The district covers all of Whiteside and Lee Counties, along with parts of Rock Island, Henry, Bureau, Stark, Peoria, Woodford, Marshall, LaSalle, DeKalb and Ogle counties. As there is no Democrat running in the district, Arellano is expected to succeed current Republican Sen. Win Stoller as he did not run for re-election. "I am very grateful I will be able to bring my small business and government reform background to Springfield to begin to help turn Illinois around like I did as mayor in Dixon," Arellano said in a media release. Other races County board seat for District 19 will see a contested race in the November general election. J. Robert Westphfal is being challenged by Jeff Stulir. District 19 encompasses a portion of the city of Rock Island, which includes the downtown, Longview Park and neighborhoods near the park. President Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump won the Illinois primary. Biden received 92% of votes in Rock Island County and Trump received 78% . Statewide, Biden received 91% and Trump received 80%, according to the AP election results. Reporter Anthony Watt contributed to this report. Western Illinois University-Quad Cities will host an ImpactLife Blood Drive from 1 to 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 28. The drive will take place in rooms 103/104 of Riverfront Hall, 3300 River Drive in Moline. Walk-ins are available, though ImpactLife encourages donors to make an appointment. It's important to eat and drink fluids before donating. To schedule a donation, visit bit.ly/3UR3x6L. For more information, contact Shelbee Bradley at sm-bradley@wiu.edu. Masks will be optional at the drive. ImpactLife is the sole provider of blood products and services to over 120 hospitals in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri and Wisconsin. Each year, ImpactLife collects blood at 22 fixed-site donor centers and more than 5,000 mobile blood drives. The Grundy Care Center in Grundy Center, Iowa. (Photo via Google Earth) A judge has awarded jobless benefits to an Iowa nurse who quit her job at a care facility that has a history of issues with staffing and resident abuse. State records indicate Jessica M. Nelson worked at the Grundy Care Center from February 2023 to January 2024, when she resigned her position as the interim director of nursing. The facilitys previous director of nursing had left the facility the summer of 2023, after which, Nelson later told an administrative law judge, she began working very long shifts that sometimes exceeded 12 hours. On other occasions, she alleged, she was assigned to work a shift of less than 12 hours, but was expected to return to work within two or three hours to work an additional shift. Nelson told the judge, who presided over a recent unemployment-benefits hearing, that she told her superiors she had concerns about her ability to drive safely during her commute to and from work and about her ability to properly perform all of her patient-care duties in a manner that wouldnt jeopardize her nursing license. She alleged she had refused the job of interim director of nursing but was assigned those duties anyway. She said that although she had the authority to have other nurses stay to the job to cover shifts, the other nurses would often threaten to walk off the job. She also alleged that in December 2023 and January 2024, there were three instances in which she had to work without any opportunity to rest. According to Nelson, the homes administrator, Robyn Beeken, was sympathetic but was unable to resolve the issue. Nelson alleged she spoke with the management at the Florida company that operates the home, but they suggested she fill shift openings by using a temp agency that rarely had nurses available. On Jan. 20, Nelson was in Chicago when the home was short-staffed, which resulted in a floor nurse covering the majority of two 12-hour shifts. Nelson said she then had to drive back to Iowa from Chicago to work the evening shift on Jan. 21. She resigned the next day, effectively immediately, and applied for unemployment benefits. The company that operates the care center, Arboreta Healthcare of Florida, challenged the application, which led to a hearing before Administrative Law Judge Alexis Rowe, who ruled Nelson had been subjected to intolerable working conditions. Nelson, Rowe ruled, quit the employment because there was an absence of meaningful responses to her concerns regarding the increasing frequency of excessively long shifts. (She) had reasonable concerns about her own safety and her ability to properly provide care for her patients should she be forced to work without proper rest. She had notified multiple people at the employer regarding her concerns. Man would prey on female residents The 40-bed Grundy Care Center has the lowest possible rating from the federal government for overall care, inspection results and staffing levels. Last August, the facility was cited for 19 regulatory violations, including a failure to have competent nursing staff. One nurse aide who was employed through a temp agency reportedly told state inspectors, The facility does not give any training You just figure it out as you go. There are no care plans on the wall, so I dont know what (the residents) need because I do not have access to the computer to chart. The facility was also cited by the state for placing residents in immediate jeopardy by failing to protect them from abuse. Inspectors reported that one of the homes male residents had been seen entering female residents rooms and had been seen kissing or inappropriately touching three other residents who had diminished cognitive abilities. In one instance, the man was reportedly found in a womans room with his hands on her breasts and genitals. According to inspectors, a registered nurse at the home stated that the man would prey on female residents who are not able to say no and are not able to get away from him. A medication aide at the relayed similar concerns to inspectors and said the man would size up newly admitted women and would target those with diminished capacity. The state inspectors reported that the homes administrator and vice president of clinical services acknowledged they had failed to prevent the abuse despite their knowledge of the mans behavioral issues. The facility was also cited for an 8% medication error rate, failure to provide residents with pain medication, using unnecessary psychotropic medications and issues with infection control. As a result of those findings, the home was fined $25,970 by the federal government. In April 2023, the home was cited for failing to investigate abuse and failing to report abuse to the state. In that case, residents and employees had reported that a nurse aide had verbally abused a resident by getting in the womans face and telling her to shut up. The home was also cited for resident abuse in September 2022 after a registered nurse allegedly threatened a resident who complained about not receiving his pain medication. The resident alleged the nurse told him, I dont appreciate what youre saying about me, and then said she was the only nurse working and that it would be his fault if she walked off the job and all the residents of the home were left without nursing care. According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Arboreta Healthcare has ownership or management ties to 24 care facilities in five states. Over the years, CMS has fined the company a total of $1,252,289, according to the agency. Officials at Grundy Care Center and Arboreta Healthcare did not return calls Wednesday from the Iowa Capital Dispatch. States sending the most people to Iowa #24. Maryland #23. Ohio #20. New Jersey #16. Nevada #14. Hawaii #11. Michigan #10. Arizona #6. Missouri #5. Texas #3. Minnesota Freshman year of college brings new challenges and opportunities for every student. For Timothy Bilik, his freshman year was the first school year he was able to hear his teachers and classmates out of his right ear. Bilik, 21, is studying computer engineering at South Dakota Mines. He was born with unilateral microtia and anotia, meaning his outer right ear and his right ear canal are not fully formed. For the first 18 years of his life, he was only able to hear out of his left ear. Now, with the aid of the Cochlear Osia System, Bilik has hearing in his right ear. The Osia System is an implant and sound processor system designed for people with conductive hearing loss, mixed hearing loss and single-sided deafness. Through most of his life, Bilik had been able to compensate for his hearing loss especially in school by sitting near the front of the class and reading lips. At times, he recalls teachers in his hometown of Milford, N.H., would use an FM microphone and transmitter system to communicate with him directly in class, though that system only allowed him to hear the teacher well, and not his classmates. That was the only technology I used through [kindergarten to high school], Bilik said. For the longest time I did not really do anything to treat that hearing loss. The start of COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 made Bilik realize he needed help with his hearing loss. Essentially, everyone was wearing masks. I couldnt read lips anymore and get away with the old tricks I used to use, Bilik said. In Feb. 2021, he consulted an audiologist and learned about the Cochlear products, including the Osia System. The system is a bone-anchored hearing aid. It relies on sound being conducted through bones in Biliks skull so he is able to hear. In June 2021, at the end of his senior year of high school, Bilik had the surgery to get an Osia System. The outpatient procedure and recovery time took about five hours, Bilik said. Several weeks later, he was able to hear out of his right ear for the first time. I would say that its not exactly like the hearing on my left side. Its not quite like that. Its definitely very good and something I adjusted to very quickly, he said. My mind adjusted pretty quickly and after a while, I found the sound produced by my [Osia System] sounded more natural over time. Its been a very big help for me, Bilik said. While its not on par with my left side, now I can hear pretty well on my right side. The first patient was implanted with an Osia Implant in a 2017 clinical trial. The Osia System became available in the United States in 2019 and, as of March 2023, is now available in 35 countries worldwide. As of July 2023, Bilik was one of 10,000 people internationally who have the Osia System. In Aug. 2021, Bilik and his new Osia System traveled more than 1,800 miles to South Dakota. Bilik said he chose School of Mines because it was a smaller, affordable school. He is working toward a bachelors degree in computer engineering, which he plans to complete in 2025, and hes considering graduate school. Especially in crowded settings such as classrooms and career fairs, the ability to hear out of both ears has been vital. When it comes to college classes, its definitely been a help, but I still have the habit of sitting at the front of the classroom and I still tend to lip read, but its helped me in addition to what I already do. I can hear those around me better as well, said Bilik, who has made the deans list four times in the past three years. Bilik participates on the South Dakota Mines Competitive Computer Programming Team, and he works part time at Raven Industries as a software engineer intern. Bilik is contemplating a future career in the medical technology field. The ability to hear has been a benefit in school and in the professional world, Bilik said. The company I interned at this past summer, Raven Industries, is where I will be interning at [this summer]. I talked to them at a career fair. The Osia System allowed me to talk to the company I work at now, Bilik said. South Dakota Mines has these career fairs that are big and they can be loud. I found it highly beneficial to have the Osia System for that sort of environment where theres a lot of people talking. Ive attended a couple of other career fairs and I feel like Ive been successful. Because of his success at School of Mines, Bilik was recently awarded the 2024 Anders Tjellstrom Academic Scholarship from Cochlear named after a pioneer in the hearing implant industry for academic excellence, tenacity and leadership within the hearing loss community. The scholarship awards $2,000 per school year for up to four years, and its awarded to someone who uses Cochlear products. Winning the Anders Tjellstrom Scholarship made me realize how unique my story is, Bilik said. When I won the scholarship, it felt like a gentle reminder from my late mother [who died from breast cancer in 2013] that the attributes and stories I carry are still special. In addition, I appreciate getting a scholarship from a company whose products made a difference in my life. Cochlear gave me the hearing I never had, after all. James Tom O'Rourke CHADRON - James Tom O'Rourke, 81, died unexpectedly in Chadron, NE, March 5, 2024. Jim was born to Joseph and Jean (Moeller) O'Rourke on November 16, 1942, in Alameda, California. From California the family moved to Fort Collins, Colorado where his father Joe finished his forestry degree and was employed as a District Ranger, U.S. Forest Service, residing at Stub Creek Ranger Station. At age nine, Jim and family moved to Bayfield, Colorado, residing there for four years. At the beginning of eight grade, the family moved to Buffalo, Wyoming where Jim graduated from high school in 1961. During the time in Buffalo, the family resided at Hunter Ranger Station from where Jim explored the Bighorn Mountains in depth, accompanying his father on his forest and range work, developing his interest and love of range work, and emulating his father's work. Jim received his Bachelor of Science in Forest and Range Management from Colorado State University and his Master's Degree and PhD in Range Management from the University of Arizona. Jim taught range science at Chadron State College from 1988 to 2002 and helped establish the Range Management program at CSC which continues to have high numbers of range students. Even though he retired in 2002, he remained active in the range management program teaching classes and taking students on field trips. Jim always promoted the CSC range program worldwide. He enjoyed hosting the "O'Rourke Twilight Tour" during the Range Short Course. Prior to CSC, Jim taught range science at Utah State University from 1979 - 1986. Jim was a passionate champion of rangelands both domestic and international. During his 60-year membership with the Society for Range Management (SRM), he served in many positions including President in 2001, Second Vice President and First Vice President 1999, 2000. And Board of Directors from 1994-1997. He was also President of the Nebraska Section SRM in 1994. He received SRM's top honors including the Frederick G. Rennner Award, Fellow Award, Outstanding Undergraduate Teacher Award, and Range Management Service Award. He also received numerous awards from other professional organizations including the Leopold Conservation Award; Presidential Citation from the American Forage and Grassland Council; Distinguished Service Award, Chadron State College; International Professor of the Year, Utah State University and Conservation Education Award from the Upper Niobrara White Natural Resources District, Chadron, NE. Jim's international rangeland management work was extensive. His leadership and dedication within the International Rangeland Congress (IRC) spanned 26 years. He served on the IRC Continuing Committee for 13 years, from 1995 to 2008, including president between 2003-2008. This is the longest term of any serving member. He spent over 10 years living and working in Africa, (2 years each in Morocco, Tanzania, and Nigeria). In addition, he worked in many African countries, Mongolia, China, Columbia, Australia, and for many organizations including but not all, Near East Foundation; US Agency for International Development; Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations; United Nations Development Programme, World Bank, University of Minnesota, Rabat, Morocco, and the Peace Corps. Jim was instrumental in the establishment of the "International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists 2026" which is a worldwide event that recognizes the importance of rangelands and sponsored by the United Nations Environmental Assembly (iyrp.info). Jim served as Global Chair of IYRP from 2015 to 2022. Jim served in the U. S. Army as an Education Specialist on the DMZ of Korea 1967-1969. After the Army he married Nancy McCoy of Big Horn, Wyoming. Jim adopted Nancy's two wonderful boys Charles and Keith. Their wonderful daughter, Valerie, was born in Arusha, Tanzania. Jim met his second wife, Lora Hawkins of Ophir, Utah, and they lived in Kaduna, Nigeria for two years before moving to the RUJODEN Ranch south of Chadron, Nebraska. Jim and Lora's twins, Seth and Shannon, were born in Chadron and were Jim's pride and joy. The ranch is named after his grandparents, Frank and Jerene O'Rourke's children Ruth, Joseph and Dennis. Jim worked tirelessly on the ranch implemented a short duration-high intensity grazing system, building fence and water developments, planting 1,000's of trees and managing the timber and riparian areas. At the time of his death, Jim was working tirelessly on his new passion, writing a book on sheep wagon builders. Jim and Lora's collection of 21 sheep wagons are housed in a building with the goal of establishing a museum that represents a sheep wagon made by each of the major builders. Jim was restoring his eighth wagon at the time of his death. Jim was also currently working as a Technical Service Provider under the Natural Resources Conservation Services CSP program. He worked with over a 100 ranchers teaching rangeland assessment and livestock grazing management. Jim thoroughly enjoyed working with ranchers throughout the Nebraska panhandle and sandhills. His other passion was restoring the historic 1870 Lawrence Brothers Mercantile which sits in the historic mining town of Ophir, Utah. Jim is survived by his wife, Lora of 38 years; daughter, Shannon and son, Seth; daughter, Valerie; son, Keith and his wife, Denia O'Rourke (daughters Kaelyn and Kiana) and son, Charles and his wife, Sonja O'Rourke (daughters: Madison and Ariana and son, Charles); brother, Jack and his wife, Mary O'Rourke (sons: Mark and Michael) and sister, Janice and her husband, Jeff Cowger (son, Matthew and daughter, Carrie) and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. Jim was a compassionate husband, loving father, dedicated brother, and friend to so many. Jim lived his life to the fullest and touched many, many lives and will forever be remembered. A celebration of life will be held June 22, 2024 at 11:00 a.m., at the RUJODEN Ranch, 61 Country Club Road, 5 miles south of Chadron, Nebraska. A memorial has been established for the completion and publishing of Jim's "Sheepwagon Builders" book. Donations can be sent to Homestead Bank, P.O. Box 1351, Chadron, NE 69337. Inside the Childrens Home Society of South Dakota at the end of Jolly Lane in Rapid Valley is a small room with colorful sound-dampening panels on the walls, a simple table, a mic underneath a lampshade hanging from the ceiling and cameras. Every year, about 350 children sit in the room for forensic interviews and recount stories of abuse experienced or crimes they witnessed. Forensic interviewers at the Childrens Home Child Advocacy Center a program within the Childrens Homes Rapid Valley building conduct the interviews with children ages 3 to 18 and adults with developmental disabilities. Family advocates also work in the center. An interview itself is a non-leading, non-suggestive, developmentally appropriate interview of a child that is culturally responsive and trauma informed, said Tifanie Petro, director of child and family services. [Forensic interviewers] are skilled at collecting the most accurate information that a child can share. Petro works on an as-needed basis as a forensic interviewer in addition to her other duties. In 1999, the Childrens Home Society launched the CAC in Rapid City. Petro said the CAC partners with law enforcement, prosecution, child protection services, mental health providers, advocates and medical partners. The bulk 70% of cases that go through the CAC are child sexual abuse-related. Thirty to 40% of those involve children inappropriately touching other children, Petro said. Forensic interviews also stem from incidents where children are the victims or witnesses to violence, and when theyve been exposed to or consumed drugs. In the drug cases, Petro said the information is helpful to facilitate medical treatment. Theyre invaluable as far as interviewing a child that may have experienced a traumatic incident, said Pennington County Sheriffs Sgt. Scott Sitzes. We want to make sure that we give them an opportunity for their voice to be heard, but we want to make sure that we do it in a way thats comfortable for them. Sitzes said investigators corroborate the interviews with follow up, but they are "incredibly reliable." Part of that comfortable setting includes items for the child to play with while they are interviewed and not forcing them to talk. A cabinet outside the room contains items such as playdough and fidget toys. Petro said child advocacy centers are born out of the need to reduce multiple interviews and the systemic traumatization children experience when theyve disclosed abuse. Pennington County States Attorney Lara Roetzel said forensic interviews are a crucial part of our case. Prosecutors utilize the interviews as evidence in criminal cases and as an aid when working with child witnesses and victims. Were watching that interview even before we meet the child to kind of get a feel for their developmental stage, their personality, Roetzel said. That's the most important piece of evidence that we have when we're talking about child sexual assault cases, especially." The certification process for a forensic interviewer involves 40 hours of training, but Petro said, being an interviewer is so much more than just the training. Its really about how you do the work versus how you do the training, Petro said. Petro said that involves working in a multidisciplinary team, peer review and having others watch interviews and provide feedback. The emotional toll of working as a forensic interviewer can be difficult as well. Petro said the average time someone spends as a forensic interviewer is two years, but CAC has not experienced that rate of turnover. When you think about what keeps people in this work, it's how we handle it, its how we process it, and because the team is there, we share this lift together, Petro said. The work will always be hard, and we don't have to let it destroy us in the process. Forensic interviews are one of many services CHS offers. Founded in 1893 as an orphanage, the Children's Home Society of South Dakota stands as the oldest nonprofit human service organization in the state. The Black Hills Childrens Home in Rockerville is CHSs West River residential treatment and education center. In 2022, the Childrens Home served 53 children. The Sioux Falls Childrens Home is the East River residential treatment and education center that also offers a day school program. The Jolly Lane building houses the foundation and community-based programs, such as CAC. The center also offers counseling and prevention education, which includes classes on topics such as trauma-informed parenting. Therapeutic foster care serves children who have needs that exceed basic foster care. It involves a case manager and in-home therapy wraparound services that would not be available through other organizations. We fill a gap, honestly, that the justice system can't provide because of the way that it's designed, Petro said. In Dec. 2023, CHS announced plans to consolidate the Jolly Lane location and the Black Hills Childrens Home in Rockerville at the former National American University, which sits on 12 acres on Mount Rushmore Road. CHS also purchased an additional adjacent 17 acres for future expansion. Kara Flynn, director of development, said March 2026 is the hopeful move-in date for the new campus, which will also offer day school in addition to residential and community-based services. Were meeting with architects right now, Flynn said. David here with some of my favorite selections from our Literature of Resistance Book Club. In that club we focus on writers and thinkers who have fought against the oppression of marginalized people across the globe, and while I don't usually agree with everything they write, the perspective I gain from reading these works has helped me understand the state of the world that we live in and the problems that we face as a society. Come to the club and let us know what you think! "Anarchism and the Black Revolution" by Lorenzo Komboa Ervin A lot of people are having a hard time figuring out what to do about the socio-political mess weve gotten ourselves into, myself included. When the box we know doesnt include the answers that were looking for, we need to look outside of the box, and thats exactly what this book does. Ervin uses his experiences working with and learning from many different people and organizations to build an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of our various political structures, coming to the conclusion that none of the established options can fix the problems theyve created. Hes equally critical of capitalism and state socialism/communism, preferring the small-scale organization and personal responsibility of libertarian socialism because of the emphasis it puts on community relationships and its flexibility. He doesnt shy away from discussing the problems in the anarchist movement, particularly its deeply embedded racism, but hes hopeful that a new approach can help alleviate those issues. The idea of true democracy (one person, one vote) seems impossible given the circumstances and the longstanding propaganda campaigns of both the left and right against anarchism, but this book presents it in a way that made me hopeful about the potential of a political system for the first time in a very long time. If youre looking for a way to make change, this is a good place to start. "Women, Race, and Class" by Angela Davis It is not an easy task to write about the convoluted history of social movements in our country in a way that wont put the reader to sleep, but Davis has it down to a science. Her ability to break down complex situations in a few easily digestible pages is remarkable, and her status as one of the foremost social critics in the world is easy to understand after reading her work. The interplay of gender, economics, and race has been monumental in shaping modern history, and this book gives much needed context on the intimately connected issues in the fights for womens rights, African American and Black rights, and workers' rights. In a world that is slowly but surely realizing the importance of intersectional analysis, this book stands as an aspirational model and makes it obvious that none of these issues can be addressed effectively on their own. The plight of disenfranchised people is a universal issue, and only by making connections between the various movements will we be able to see the whole picture clearly. This is required reading for anyone who wants a better understanding of how all the pieces of the social puzzle fit together and continuously impact and influence each other. The March for Jesus organized by Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot will take place on Saturday, March 30. The event starts at 6:30 a.m. at Anglers Roost south of Hamilton and proceeds north on the Bitterroot Trail along U.S. Highway 93, ending at Set Free Christian Fellowship Church in Lolo around 8 p.m. Organizers are looking for individuals, families, or churches to walk 3 miles as they carry a wooden cross from south of Hamilton to Lolo. Organizer Brian Wrede said the event creates fun memories, can become a tradition and everyone is welcome. Some people think it is just for veterans but it is open to everyone, he said. Weve had families who bicycle or roller skate as someone is carrying the cross. Weve had fellowships carry a banner as they walk along for advertisement. Every is welcome we exclude no Christians. Wrede said they are encouraging valley churches, youth groups, families, friends, and individuals to participate by walking the 3-mile section as a group. Your time commitment is the drive to the checkpoint, a one-hour walk, and then the drive home, Wrede said. We still need cross bearers for this years march. He said as they walk the path along Highway 93 most of the responses are positive. Even when it is snowing it is a great time of fellowship, he said. "Some groups sing songs as they walk, and some groups pick up trash as they walk along. This year Wrede will be driving the shuttle service to drive walkers the 3 miles back where they left their vehicles. He said there are ways people can be involved that dont include walking. Some people cant walk but do support at the check points like serving water," he said. There are all kinds of ways for people to be involved in this. If you can walk you only need to walk what you can. Wrede said carrying the cross is symbolic and meaningful. The cross is not made out of railroad ties, it is wood, lightweight and easy to carry, he said. I encourage people to pass it around, take pictures to remember and make it a fun event make a new tradition. The March for Jesus is held on a Saturday, the day before Easter. The next day is resurrection day, unfortunately some people forget that, Wrede said. This is another way of remembering what it is all about. It is not sponsored by any church; it is just Christians of the valley who want to get out and do something. It lasts all day, 3 miles at a time. People are welcome to join after their Easter Egg hunt. We dont want to detract to whats already happening, but add a special element. The number of participants in the March for Jesus varies greatly from year to year. But every year we have had every slot covered, Wrede said. We have 12 check points, 12 segments. Sometimes the slots arent covered until the last minute and some people do all 40 miles. We have several families who have done it year after year after year. For more information or to register, contact Wrede at 406-369-5813. People can also attend the Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot prayer breakfast at BJs every Monday at 7 a.m. or online go to http://corvallispost91.blogspot.com/ or facebook.com/corvallispost91. Our motto is give back with love, and our goal is to help fellow veterans, their families and the local community through prayer and work, Wrede said. We want all Christians, particularly veterans, to know that they are not alone, and we and others are here to help them. Montana utility regulators and NorthWestern Energy failed to follow state law requiring the development of community renewable energy projects, the state Supreme Court has ruled. For years, Montanas Public Service Commission gave NorthWestern a pass for not building or buying community renewable energy projects for its generation lineup. At one point, the PSC granted waivers to NorthWestern five years running. Tuesday, the Montana Supreme Court faulted the PSC for not enforcing the law, including one year when commissioners indicated they were doing so to send a message to the Legislature about the law that had been on the books for about a decade. Commissioners will now have to revisit a waiver granted to NorthWestern for 2016 and determine whether the company was compliant with its legal obligation for that year. The lawsuit was brought by the Montana Environmental Information Center. CREPs, as the renewable energy projects are known, stemmed from a 2005 Montana law that required the states two monopoly electric utilities to incorporate a combined 75 megawatts of capacity from projects typically built by a third party with a lot of community ownership. On average, a 75-MW wind farm would generate enough electricity to power slightly more than 26,000 Montana homes for a year. The states largest monopoly, NorthWestern, with 400,000 metered electric customers shouldered a 65.4-megawatt capacity share of the obligation. Montana Dakota Utilities, with 26,000 electric meters spinning in Montana, was obligated for the other 9.6 megawatts. In this ruling, the court laid out a scenario in which NorthWestern once a year issued a request for proposals, or RFP, for community renewable energy projects, but with requirements that no developer was likely to meet, namely that the proposed projects be completed in 18 months. The following year, the process would start over. In its 2015 RFP, NorthWestern unreasonably required projects to be operational by the end of year, while it had previously acknowledged that no CREP project has ever been newly constructed in less than two years, the court said. The record demonstrates that NorthWesterns determination to set a short time frame for project completion was unreasonable as it needlessly inhibited NorthWestern from examining longer term opportunities to obtain future CREP compliance. With no community renewable energy projects able to meet the one year start to finish scenario, the utility would then petition the PSC to waive the CREP mandate, which regulators reliably did. There were commissioners uncomfortable with flouting the law. In 2018, Commissioner Travis Kavulla noted that the law does require the commission to consider whether a utility has taken all reasonable steps within its control and if we find they have not, the commission shall impose a penalty. Kavulla said NorthWesterns time from bid to finished product wasnt long enough. He suggested that instead of starting over, the utility select a project from the previous year that hadnt met the deadline. NorthWestern also could have complied by building its own project. The law, as Kavulla observed, said the PSC shall impose a penalty if a utility is hasnt complied with the CREP law. That penalty is at play in the Supreme Courts decision. A lower court had determined NorthWestern was noncompliant with the law and fined the company $2.5 million. But the Supreme Court ruled that the compliance issue, and the penalty had to be determined by the PSC, specifically for 2016. As the PSC consistently issued waivers to NorthWestern, state legislators attempted to amend the CREP requirement out of the law by repealing the renewable portfolio standard, in 2015, 2017, and finally 2021 when a Republican majority repealed the renewable standard on a party line vote. In the 2021 repeal bill, sponsored by Rep. Jerry Schillinger, R-Circle, lawmakers attempted to exempt utilities from the CREP requirement retroactively. However, the High Court ruled the 2021 repeal didnt exempt utilities for years NorthWestern and the PSC were being sued. Richmond police announced they had arrested a suspect in the March 8 shooting at a bus stop outside of City Hall in Richmond. Police said officers on Wednesday arrested Jonathan Jackson, 29, of Richmond, in connection with the shooting death of Vincent Robertson Jr., 33, also of Richmond. Jackson has been charged with murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. Jackson was arraigned Thursday, according to court records. His next hearing date could not immediately be determined. Officers initially responded to the Government Center GRTC Pulse bus stop outside City Hall in the 900 block of East Broad Street at around 7:47 a.m. March 8 for the reports of a shooting. At the scene, officers found Robertson suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. Robertson was transported to VCU Medical Center, where he died his injuries. Police said the shooting stemmed from a brief interaction between Jackson and Robertson. Immediately following the shooting, Jackson fled the scene on foot. Police have been searching for him for nearly two weeks. I am constantly impressed by the dedicated persistence of our officers and detectives, by the steadfast assistance of our partner agencies and by the important contributions of tips from the public, Richmond Police Chief Rick Edwards said. Richmond police were assisted in the investigation by the Virginia Capitol Police, Virginia State Police and VCU police. 9 Richmond-area restaurants that closed in 2024 Hurleys Tavern SB's Main Street Love Shack Nick's Roman Terrace Baker's Crust City Dogs District 5 Nama Indian Hatch Local Food Hall Coco + Hazel Property comes with deeded boat slip (#10). This stunning and meticulously designed home located at Lake Anna offers an abundance of space for both guests and family members. A total of 5 bedrooms, including 2 owner's suites, and 4.5 bathrooms, this property offers a luxurious retreat with all the amenities you could desire, providing convenience and functionality for entertainment on any of the 3 levels. The main floor features an open kitchen with ample storage and countertop space. Spacious living room with a stone fireplace. One of the owner's suites with vaulted ceilings, a walk-in closet, a bathroom equipped with twin vanities, a deep soaking jetted tub, and a separate shower. Furthermore, the main floor offers 2 additional bedrooms, a full bathroom, and additional storage space. Upstairs is where you will find your second owner's suite which offers a spacious and comfortable living space. There is also a deep storage closet and a bonus room that can be used for various purposes, such as a home office, playroom, or another guest room. The basement features a spacious rec room complete with a pool table, wood burning stove, and kitchenette with a wet bar, making it an ideal space for entertaining. The media room down the hall provides another perfect spot for entertainment where you can enjoy movie nights or relax with your favorite TV shows. Another bonus room, bedroom and full bathroom are also located in the basement, providing extra privacy and convenience. Continuing with the entertainment, the tiki bar is a fantastic addition, giving you an island-inspired retreat right in your own backyard. Just a few steps down from the lively tiki bar, a charming gazebo awaits with its cozy fireplace. The guest suite above a 2-car garage is a convenient and versatile space that can be used for accommodating guests, as a home office, or as a separate living area. With its own entrance and bathroom. It is an ideal solution for homeowners who need additional living space but don't want to sacrifice their garage. 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View More Petersburg City Public Schools Superintendent Tamara Sterling announced her resignation Wednesday evening after she has been gone for nearly a month and the school division has refused to comment on her absence. Sterlings last day on the job was in late February, according to a state education official with knowledge of the matter. On March 1 after news reports about Sterlings absence, Petersburg School Board Chair Kenneth Pritchett released a statement that said Sterling was on leave. Pritchett had not responded to calls, texts, emails and voicemails from the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and he did not answer questions about the superintendent role when approached in person. Sterling updated her LinkedIn profile in late February and listed her tenure as Petersburgs superintendent as lasting from September 2022 to February 2024. The 6 p.m. Wednesday announcement comes after nearly a month of Petersburg city and school officials refusing to answer questions about Sterlings status or who is in the superintendent role. The news release did not provide a reason for Sterlings resignation. In a portion of her resignation letter, shared with the media, Sterling said: After a great deal of reflection and conversations with my family, I am writing this letter as formal notification of my resignation as the Superintendent of Petersburg City Public Schools at the end of April. As I announce my resignation, I am filled with gratitude for the time I have been able to serve in Petersburg. I will cherish every encounter with our students, staff members, community members, and the Petersburg School Board, as they have been the driving force behind the divisions many successes. I am confident that the dedication and hard work of the staff, faculty, and administration, with governance from the School Board, will continue to propel the district toward even greater heights in the future. John Farrelly, the school divisions chief of staff, will oversee the day-to-day operations of the school division, and details regarding the School Boards plans for hiring a new superintendent with be forthcoming, according to a news release from the school division. The school division is under a Memorandum of Understanding with the Virginia Department of Education due to its schools troubles. The state education department declined to comment on Sterlings official resignation Wednesday evening. According to state data, the Petersburg school division enrolls about 4,300 students, 86% of whom are Black and 86% of whom are deemed by the state to be economically disadvantaged, a rough gauge of poverty. Before assuming the role in Petersburg on Dec. 1, 2022, Sterling was the superintendent of Franklin City Public Schools. Prior to that, she was a school administrator in Chicago, Houston and Providence, R.I. Gallery: Colorado State stomps Virginia in March Madness NCAA Colorado St Virginia Basketball NCAA Colorado St Virginia Basketball NCAA Colorado St Virginia Basketball NCAA Colorado St Virginia Basketball NCAA Colorado St Virginia Basketball NCAA Colorado St Virginia Basketball NCAA Colorado St Virginia Basketball NCAA Colorado St Virginia Basketball NCAA Colorado St Virginia Basketball NCAA Colorado St Virginia Basketball NCAA Colorado St Virginia Basketball NCAA Colorado St Virginia Basketball A Powhatan family has sued the county School Board, the county superintendent and Virginia Superintendent Lisa Coons over implementation of special education services for their child, who is diagnosed with autism. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia last week, claims that the defendants violated federal disability law when Powhatan Schools refused to pay for an elementary school students tuition at a private day school that the school division agreed was the appropriate placement for him. Federal law requires all children with disabilities to receive a free and appropriate public education. State Superintendent Lisa Coons in August sent a letter to the school division saying that it could no longer delay placing the student in the private day school. She also said that if the school division does not comply, the Virginia Department of Education will seek remedies available under the Federal Code of Regulations, which may include withholding federal funding from the school division. The plaintiffs John and Kathy Halvorsen argue in the lawsuit that Coons had a duty to carry out her warnings against Powhatan Schools, and her failure to do so constitutes a denial of their right to due process of law. They also argue that Coons contributed to their severe emotional distress. Coons is being sued in her personal capacity. Spokespeople for the Virginia Department of Education and Powhatan County Public Schools said they cannot comment on pending litigation. The Halvorsens enrolled their son in Believe-N-You Academic Center, a private day school that uses multi-sensory strategies, at the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year. This placement was agreed upon by Powhatan County Public Schools, which the child had previously attended before the Pocahontas Elementary School head principal assaulted (the child) by grabbing and holding him so he could not move for more than 15 minutes, the lawsuit alleges. The child suffered significant emotional trauma from the incident and refused to return to school, according to the lawsuit. The childs individualized education plan, a legal document under U.S. law that is developed for each public school child who needs special education, said that Believe-N-You Academic Center was the appropriate private placement for the child. The plan was agreed to by the Halvorsens and by Powhatan Schools, according to the lawsuit. Virginias Children Services Act, which establishes a single state pool of funds to support services for eligible troubled or at-risk youth, typically pays for private school placements for students with disabilities that are agreed upon by the local public school division. The Halvorsens refused to give Children Services Act their consent to pay the private school tuition because of a requirement for the family to include personal and financial information to allow CSA to pay the childs tuition. Parents are not required to sign the consent, but their refusal makes the CSA funds inaccessible. A message from the Powhatan CSA to Powhatan Schools sent in June 2022 said in part: For these reasons, Powhatan must deny CSA funding, and the school system is responsible for the provision of a Free Appropriate Public Education under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The lawsuit claims Powhatan County Public Schools is on the hook for paying the private school tuition. The school division to date has refused to pay for the childs tuition to attend BNU. Coons, in her letter to the Powhatan school division, said that there is no requirement in Virginia law that restricts the payment source for public placements in private day schools. In fact, such a requirement would be contrary to federal law, as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) simply does not allow the provision of (a free and appropriate public education) to be conditioned on a funding source, Coons wrote. Coons urged the school division to stop delaying completion of the private school placement, according to the lawsuit. This February, BNU sent a letter to the Halvorsens advising them that their child would be unenrolled effective March 1 because the school has not received any communication from the Powhatan school division regarding its financial responsibility for the students placement. The parents argue that their child is being denied his constitutional right to a free and appropriate education. The Halvorsens in the lawsuit are asking for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction against the School Board and Superintendent Beth Teigen requiring them to pay enough tuition to BNU to keep their child enrolled pending the outcome of the litigation. They are also asking the court to declare that the School Board and Teigen discriminated against their child because of his disability, and that Coons violated their childs rights under the 14th Amendment. The parents are asking for $3.5 million in compensatory damages and $350,000 in punitive damages. A hearing on the plaintiffs motion for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction is set for April 30. Atlee Teacher wins $25,000 Milken Educator Award Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares and House Speaker Don Scott Jr., D-Portsmouth on Wednesday announced reductions in a dozen Virginia cities where a program called Operation Ceasefire is in operation. Operation Ceasefire, which emphasizes both prosecution and community efforts to prevent crime, was announced in October 2022 as part of Gov. Glenn Youngkins Operation Bold Blue Line. Both projects consisted of a series of investments in law enforcement training, recruitment, equipment, and prosecution. During an announcement Wednesday in Norfolk, the officials said Portsmouth, which Scott represents in the House of Delegates, saw a 5% reduction in offenses overall with an 8% reduction in violent offenses. The violent offense categories are aggravated assault, murder and non-negligent manslaughter, rape and robbery. Richmonds reductions included a 7% reduction in violent offenses and a 7.2% reduction in all offenses. Statewide, violent offenses went down by 1.5% Eleven other cities targeted by the program include Petersburg, Norfolk, Hampton, Newport News, Chesapeake, Roanoke, Emporia, Lynchburg, Martinsville, Danville and Hopewell. Twelve of the 13 Ceasefire cities saw reductions in crime, and nine saw an overall reduction in violent crime, according to the Attorney Generals Office. It said the cities saw 225 fewer violent crimes in the designated categories in 2023 than in 2022. Hopewell, with a population of about 23,000 residents, saw the largest overall percentage decrease of 33%. Newport News Commonwealths Attorney Howard Gwynn joined the news conference on Wednesday and noted how happy he was to see his jurisdiction selected for assistance with Operation Ceasefire. But, he added: that (happiness) is a double-edged sword. Youre selected because your crime stands out. The Attorney Generals Office secured $2.6 million from the state Department of Criminal Justice Services to disburse over two years. The money stemmed from the state Operation Ceasefire Grant Fund, which the department administers. It enabled the Attorney Generals office to hire a handful of prosecutors and group violence intervention coordinators. At Wednesdays gathering in Norfolk, Miyares called it a holistic approach to reducing and preventing crime with a goal of increasing coordination between local, state and federal law enforcement and attorneys. In a call with the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Miyares said a key to success for the prosecution side of the initiative has been to target those repeat violent offenders and make sure that they are not in our streets in our neighborhoods. His office brought in seven special assistant United States attorneys to work with his office on prosecutions. Of the 155 cases so far, 38 have involved repeat violent offenders, he said. On the prevention side, Miyares said the collaboration has meant working with private partners, providing grant money to different entities doing mentorship and education of our young people I think its important as well. During the gathering in Norfolk, he said: You cant just prosecute your way out of crime. Thats where organizations like Ketchmore Kids, a Newport News-based nonprofit he mentioned, come in. The organization is one of several around the state to sponsor programs that engage with youth and prevent violence. Scott celebrated the program Wednesday along with the still-pending state budget that he and his fellow lawmakers will reconcile with the governor over the next month. The best way to keep kids from getting in the justice system is through education, and our budget funds public education at the highest level ever, Scott said. Were doing those things that make it easy nobody wants to go and do any crime when they study. Its hard to get somebody to do something wrong when they got a job, and then go into work every day. Miyares noted illegal gun seizures that he said have occurred while handling crimes through Operation Ceasefire. Democrats have sent a number of bills to Youngkin aimed at further helping prevent gun violence, that they hope he will sign. Scott noted one such bill during the event, which would hold people accountable for crimes committed with guns that were not properly stored and were stolen from their vehicles. Were going to continue to make sure that we do everything that we can to empower our communities to help themselves, he said. PHOTOS: Youngkin's State of the Commonwealth address Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., wasted no time in getting to the bottom line on whether Congress would fully fund the federal government for the fiscal year that began more than six months ago. Im going to talk about a familiar topic government shutdown and the fact that were going to avoid it, Kaine said at the beginning of a briefing for Virginia news media on Wednesday. The senators confidence reflected an agreement reached on Tuesday by President Joe Biden and congressional leaders including House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La. on an appropriations package to fund six federal agencies and end a long, often bitter struggle to keep the federal government running. Congress approved a $467 billion spending package almost two weeks earlier to avoid the shutdown of six other departments of the federal government. Now, it faces a deadline at midnight on Friday to adopt appropriations for the rest of the government, including the Department of Defense, which is particularly critical for the Virginia economy because of its reliance on federal military spending. Meeting the deadline will not be easy because of a rule in the House of Representatives requiring 72 hours notice to allow members to review the spending bill before voting. Rep. Bob Good, R-5th, chairman of the House Freedom Caucus, urged congressional Republicans on Wednesday to insist on AT LEAST 72 hours to read it because you will own every dollar of increased spending, every disastrous Biden policy this funds, and (every) crazy wasteful earmark. Budget earmarks, now called community project funding, allow members of the Senate and House to request money in the appropriations bills for priorities in their districts. Kaine acknowledged that the timing of congressional approval could be a little bit iffy, but he said, The fact that theres a deal is good news. Delaying votes by the House and Senate until the weekend would not be anything new in this Congress, which has dodged a potential default on the national debt with a deal last spring to raise the debt ceiling and has postponed budget deadlines four times in the past six months to avoid a government shutdown. The first stop-gap funding bill, adopted just before the end of the last fiscal year on Sept. 30, triggered a revolt by members of the Freedom Caucus that cost then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., his job. All legislative work then came to a halt in the House, as it struggled for three weeks to elect a new speaker in the face of opposition by Good and other conservatives to further compromise with congressional Democrats and the White House on federal spending and policies. I joked with my husband that I knew I was going to make history, but not this much history, quipped Rep. Jennifer McClellan, D-4th, who voted for the first spending package on March 6, the day before the first anniversary of her swearing in as the first Black woman elected to Congress from Virginia. Its been a bit more chaotic than anyone expected. The political division that has paralyzed Congress in enacting a federal budget also is reflected in Virginias U.S. House delegation, which includes six Democrats and five Republicans. Kaine and Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., are both Democrats and former Virginia governors. McClellan represents Richmond; portions of Chesterfield and Henrico counties; Petersburg and the Tri-Cities area; and rural localities from Charles City County to the North Carolina line in a solidly Democratic district. Good represents part of Hanover County and the counties of Powhatan, Goochland, Amelia, Louisa in a heavily Republican district that runs from Albemarle County through central Virginia to North Carolina. Rep. Rob Wittman, R-1st, also represents portions of Henrico, Chesterfield and Hanover in a Republican-leaning district that extends from the Potomac River through much of eastern Virginia. Ive been long frustrated that Congress continues to budget by crisis, Wittman said after voting for the first funding package on March 6. It shouldnt be this difficult or take this long to fund the government so that it operates effectively for the American people. The Virginia delegation also is divided on the use of budget earmarks for community projects. Good opposes them, as does Wittman, although he supports federal funding for a half-dozen priorities, including money for processors of wild-caught blue catfish. McClellan said she secured more than $15 million in the first package for priorities in her district, including funding for advanced manufacturing and life sciences. Kaine and Warner touted $148 million in funding for more than 100 projects covered in the first spending package, including $4 million for a U.S. Army Reserve training facility in Richmond. The second funding package also will include money for what they called congressionally directed spending by the six agencies covered by the spending bills, but they have not released details. The biggest obstacle to funding the rest of the government has been the appropriations bill for the Department of Homeland Security, which includes border protection, immigration and customs enforcement a hot-button issue for Republicans in a presidential and congressional election year. The battle over border policy scuttled a proposed foreign aid package in the Senate that also included money for Ukraine, Israel and Gaza. Earlier this week, Good and Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, led a push to tie the power of the purse to an end of what they call open borders policies to prevent undocumented immigrants from crossing into the U.S. from Mexico. No members of the Freedom Caucus voted for the first spending package two weeks ago. It doesnt reflect the Republican majority that ran on reducing spending, Good said in an interview then. It doesnt make meaningful policy changes to reflect Republican priorities either. While Good has argued that Congress should not fear a government shutdown, McClellan asserted, It would definitely be catastrophic for Virginia and for a Virginia congressman to say that is frankly irresponsible. Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan is sworn in on historic day RHB Bank has partnered with SkyWorld Development Bhd in an inaugural collaboration to offer its green home financing scheme to individuals who purchase units from the developers The Vesta Residences and Curvo Residences. This is in a bid to promote green-certified homeownership among more Malaysians. In a joint statement, RHB said that it will offer a higher margin of 95% green home financing for both projects via this scheme. This is in comparison to the usual maximum margin of 90% that is provided by conventional mortgages. To note, RHBs green home financing scheme offers a minimum financing amount of RM30,000 with a minimum tenure of five years. Managing director of group community banking at RHB Banking Group, Jeffrey Ng said that the bank recognises the critical role of green financing in driving the nations transition to a low-carbon future. We are firmly committed to supporting this crucial journey by promoting sustainable financing solutions with a positive environmental impact, he said, adding that the bank has provided financing of close to RM700 million to support the development and certification of green buildings in Malaysia. Meanwhile, the chief executive officer of SkyWorld, Lee Chee Seng hopes that customers will be encouraged and incentivised to invest in eco-friendly, green-certified homes with this financing scheme. This will ultimately enable them to contribute to a more sustainable future. For context, The Vesta Residences as SkyWorlds latest project is developed as part of the 13.6-acre SkySierra mixed development in Setiawangsa, Kuala Lumpur. Featuring multiple green elements and facilities, such as a rain harvesting system and electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, it has been awarded a provisional GreenRE SILVER rating. Meanwhile, Curvo Residences is the final residential phase of the 28-acre SkyArena master development in Setapak, Kuala Lumpur, and it is certified with Green Building Index (GBI). 0 0 votes Article Rating SHARE Cancun thief who turned to extortion jailed Cancun, Q.R. A man accused of extortion against a Cancun business owner was arrested Wednesday. Oscar Dario N was taken into custody on an outstanding warrant after the business owner filed a legal complaint. The now detained, Oscar Dario N, is believed one of seven people who arrived at her business on January 20, tied up her and her employees and stripped them of their cash as well as the companys sales. Less than a month later, the same business owner found an envelope taped to her door with banking instructions demanding 20,000 pesos per month. On March 20, one of those men believed responsible for the extortion demand was arrested. The State Attorney General detailed that on January 20 of this year, approximately seven people arrived driving motorcycles to the victims business, located in Supermanzana 100 in Cancun where they subdued the employees and owner, stripping them of cash and a weeks sales. On February 14 of this year, the victim found an envelope, addressed to her, taped to the door of her premises. In a note they provided her with the number of a bank account to which she had to deposit 20,000 pesos per month. Oscar Dario N is facing charges of extortion as well as drug-related offenses. CFE attempts repairs to decaying Isla Mujeres poles Isla Mujeres, Q.R. CFE personnel were in La Gloria Wednesday in response to a hanging overhead line. Personnel from the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) Cancun Zone made adjustments to the sagging line after residential complaints. CFE trucks were also seen in other areas of the island where heavily weather-worn poles have been reported. The company responded to the report after a child was injured by falling pole debris last week. On March 13, a young girl received two stitches on the top of her head after being hit by a piece of concrete. The girl was walking with her mother in residential Coca-cola when a small chunk of concrete fell from a CFE pole. She was taken to hospital where doctors determined stitches were necessary. In regard to the Wednesday repairs, the CFE said that the staff is carrying out supervision on the lines with the purpose of identifying defects in the networks and avoiding any incident that affects citizens, in addition to the timely attention of citizen reports. When contemporary transhumanists like Yuval Noah Harari speak about future migrations and amalgamations of human consciousness, they generally preface their ideas with outright dismissals of religion and the truths it may offer. In A Cloud of Unknowing, the new book by Andrew Gillsmith, transhumanism, among other topics, is grappled with alongside and in the context of religions pervasive truths. Indeed, it is difficult to tell if the novels archvillain, a scientist named Ralph Channing, is himself the actual antichrist or just a particularly nasty version of a Harari-like figure. This is no criticism, as the book is actually made the better for the readers inability to make a distinction on this point (or on many other philosophical questions). That is to say, Gillsmiths book is a satisfying read that achieves its goals by, in many ways, not satisfactorily resolving the thorny and deeply complex issues it raises. A Cloud of Unknowing is a sequel to 2022s Our Lady of the Artilects, which introduced a future world of neural implants in most human brains and a population of humanoid cyborgs designed to reason and make moral judgments just as humans do. (The first book certainly needs to be read in order to understand the second.) A religious vision shared by all the cyborgs (or artilects) and the apparent demonic possession of one of them drives the plot of the first installment. Prison camps in Xinjiang, China, where a holocaust of the countrys Christians had previously occurred, also play an important role in the story. The newly released sequel likewise focuses on the artilects and their moral status, and it draws the reader even deeper into the mysterious camps. Channing is the common antagonist in both installments, although he is revealed to be far more sinister and far more enduring a threat than the first book had suggested. The other characters, too, are mostly returning ones from Our Lady, including priests, cardinals, imams, soldiers, scientists, and artilects. Most prominently, Fr. Gabriel Serafian, the hero of the initial story, remains at the center of the proceedings in Cloud. Much of the Serafian character (and the books plot) owes a good deal to a real-life person from recent history, one Fr. Malachi Martin. Martin was a one-time academic, a Jesuit priest (and later, a non-Jesuit priest), an exorcist, a confidant of cardinals in Rome, and a keen observer of geopolitics (especially in his nonfiction book The Keys of This Blood, which placed the Catholic Church at the center of an assessment of the struggle for global power in the closing decades of the 20th century). Across multiple hours-long interviews on Art Bells overnight conspiracy theory/occult radio program, Coast to Coast AM, in the late 1990s, Martin shared his (sometimes deeply unserious) views on the antichrist, astronomical signs and the Vaticans observatories, and the Luciferian manipulation of radiation. For his part, the character Serafian is a one-time academic turned Jesuit, an exorcist, and a confidant of a cardinal in Rome. Key plot points in Cloud include the ways in which the Church is trying to maintain its central role as it navigates complex geopolitics, confrontation with a potential antichrist, an intervention by the director of the Vatican Observatory, and mysterious radiation (dubbed Lucifer particles) besetting the Earths atmosphere. Indeed, Gillsmith hat tips the connection in the most obvious of ways: Martin sometimes wrote under the pen name Serafian. That said, and thankfully, the books priest-protagonist lacks some of the silliness of the man upon whom he is based. (In one installment of Bells show, a caller claimed to be a vampire, which Martin accepted as the basis for an extended and nonconfrontational conversation in which the priest stated that he was familiar with the vampire school the caller attended.) Serafian is rather a more sober and reliable guide through the events of Cloud, in which he plays a role in a papal conclave, seeks to further understand and counteract the threat of the Lucifer particles, and tries to prevent the destruction of the artilect population by global leaders who blame them for a dramatic and frightening event that took place at the end of the previous book. Through these efforts, he begins to realize the full importance of the camps at Xinjiang, where he must travel to finally put all the pieces together. It is there, too, that he must make the storys crucial decisionone that leaves the reader conflicted. To be sure, this new installment is a more challenging read than the preceding one. This is both because it delves deeper into both scientific and philosophical questions about consciousness, belief, and human value in repeated, extended conversations, but also because it is simply a darker and more brutal story. A Cloud of Unknowing borrows its name from a mystical treatise from the 14th century that focused on the unknowability of God and the manner in which this unknowing allows the faithful to grow closer to Himan approach that Yuval Noah Harari or Ralph Channing would certainly reject outright. But other characters in Gillsmiths book struggle mightily with the appropriate extent of knowing, and the positions they take have eternal consequences. Gabriel Serafian stands firm in his view on the subject, leading him to a stunning act of sacrifice that feels necessary but unheroic even to himself. Sacrifice itself is a major theme in the story, and three separate characters make some version of the statement that the universe requires sacrifice. It always has, and it always will, because the universe is sacramental. Its a statement that was likewise made multiple times in Our Lady of the Artilects, in which its implications were both far less severe and more satisfying. In Cloud, the author seems to be challenging the reader to consider which sacrifices are worthy and who can choose what is sacrificed and when. To this point, it is telling that the book mentions the story of Abraham and Isaac more than once, and that the statement about sacrifice being needed because of the sacramental nature of the universe is made by actors on opposite sides of the moral spectrum. Of course, those who hold a sacramental worldview acknowledge that the sacraments themselves entail more than sacrifice: they also impart grace. Transformative, sanctifying, and actual graces abound in the world and are appreciated and longed for, by definition, by any person who believes in sacraments at all. One can in fact say that a sacramental universe is defined by grace, by the real working of God using the materials and humans of His creation. It seems likely that there will be a third book in this series (and readers should look forward to it). Perhaps it will have a place for the grace as well as the sacrifice that make the universe sacramental. He is of the view that Member States may not request the Commission to examine a concentration which does not have a Community dimension, even where they have no competence to review such a concentration under national law The EU system of merger control governed by the Merger Regulation[1] is primarily based on the turnover of the merging companies. Some provisions in that regulation, particularly Article 22, by way of exception empower the Commission to review mergers not meeting the turnover thresholds in question, when cases are referred to it by the Member States authorities and, as the case may be, after being invited to do so by the Commission. In the present case the Court of Justice is essentially required to assess whether Article 22 of the Merger Regulation enables the Commission to review a merger referred to it by some Member States authorities, where the latter lack any competence to review it, since the merger in question falls below the thresholds set out in their national legislation on merger control. The merger involves the acquisition of sole control of Grail LLC, a US-based company that develops blood tests for the early detection of cancer, by Illumina Inc. another US-based company marketing sequencing- and array-based solutions for genetic and genomic analysis. Since the merger did not have a European dimension, due to the low turnover of the parties as defined by the Merger Regulation, it was not notified to the Commission. Additionally, since it did not fall within the scope of national merger control rules, it was also not notified to EU and EEA Member States. Following a complaint relating to the concentration and having invited the Member States to submit a referral request, the Commission received such a request from the French Competition Authority asking it to examine the concentration at issue[2]. Through an information letter, the Commission informed Illumina and Grail of the referral request, stating that the concentration at issue could not be implemented provided that, and in so far as, the standstill obligation laid down in the Merger Regulation was applicable. By its judgment in Illumina v Commission[3], the General Court dismissed the action by Illumina challenging that information letter and the Commissions decisions accepting the referral and the requests to join it. Illumina and Grail have appealed this judgment. In todays Opinion, Advocate General Nicholas Emiliou proposes that the Court should set aside the General Court judgment and annul the Commission decisions accepting the referral and the requests to join it as well as the Commissions information letter. Advocate General Emiliou finds that the General Court erred in its interpretation of Article 22 of the Merger Regulation when it came to the conclusion that a literal, historical, contextual and teleological interpretation of that provision supported the view that Member States may request the Commission to examine a concentration which does not have a Community dimension, even where they have no competence to review such a concentration under national law. After considering the wording, origin, context and purpose of that provision, and having taken into account the logic of the EU system of merger control as well as of some fundamental principles of EU law (such as institutional balance, subsidiarity, legal certainty, and territoriality), the Advocate General takes the view that Article 22 of the Merger Regulation cannot be interpreted as supporting the General Courts broad interpretation of the provision. Such interpretation gives rise, inter alia, to a very significant extension of the scope of the Merger Regulation and of the Commissions jurisdiction. In one fell swoop, the Commission would gain the power to review almost any concentration, occurring anywhere in the world, regardless of undertakings turnover and presence in the European Union and the value of the transaction, and at any moment in time, including well after the completion of the merger. Moreover, the procedures that would result from a broad interpretation of Article 22 of the Merger Regulation would hardly be efficient, predictable and capable of ensuring legal certainty to the parties. AG Emiliou concludes that the General Court erred in its interpretation and application of Article 22 of the Merger Regulation. Under a proper construction, that provision does not empower the Commission to adopt decisions such as those challenged, and therefore those decisions and the information letter should be annulled. [1] Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 of 20 January 2004 on the control of concentrations between undertakings (the EC Merger Regulation) [2] The referral request was made by the French Competition Authority while the Belgian, Greek, Icelandic, Netherlands and Norwegian authorities asked to join the referral. [3] Judgment of 13 July 2022, Illumina v Commission, T-227/21, (see Press release No 123/22). :: Advocate Generals Opinion in Joined Cases C-611/22 P | Illumina v Commission and C-625/22 P Grail v Commission and Illumina Roanoke public schoolchildren will travel this fall with the technology-assisted student transportation company Zum to and from the schoolhouse under a five-year, $77 million contract OKd by the school board last month. Zum, pronounced zoom, is a 10-year-old private company based in Californias Silicon Valley that has garnered substantial outside support for its mission to modernize student transport. Those efforts include AI-assisted routing and a phone app available to parents that pinpoints bus location. Fortune described the back story of founder and CEO Ritu Narayan, a parent and a Stanford Graduate School of Business fellow with prior jobs at eBay, Yahoo, Oracle and PricewaterhouseCoopers. What started as a way to improve pick-up and drop-off for parents evolved into a complex business involving AI, electric vehicles, and public-private partnerships with school districts. It had not been confirmed as of press time that electric vehicles will be used in Roanoke. Zum succeeds Durham Student Services of Lisle, Illinois, which had issues with buses running late. White former officers get sentences of 10 to 40 years in torture of 2 Black men in Mississippi A federal judge has given prison terms of about 10 to 40 years to six white former Mississippi law enforcement officers who pleaded guilty to breaking into a home without a warrant and torturing two Black men The Latest | Blinken says he'll talk with Israelis about alternatives to Rafah ground assault U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says he will share alternatives to Israels planned ground assault into the southern Gaza town of Rafah when he meets with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his War Cabinet this week US Jews upset with Trump's latest rhetoric say he doesn't get to tell them how to be Jewish Why Israel is so determined to launch an offensive in Rafah Israel is determined to launch an offensive against Hamas in Rafah, Gazas southernmost city, a plan that has raised global alarm because of the potential for harm to the hundreds of thousands of civilians sheltering there Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. Electricity, water, and heating are essential utilities that form the backbone of household infrastructure and contribute significantly to the cost of living in both the U.S. and Canada. But despite both countries sharing a border, utility prices between these two North American neighbors can differ substantially due to factors such as government policy, local resources, and climate variations. Understanding the reasons behind these differences can help shed light on the factors that influence affordability and resource management in both countries. This article from debtreliefcanada.com will compare electricity, water, and heating costs in the U.S. and Canada, examining how they vary across borders and impact the daily lives of their residents. Electricity Electricity consumption is a fundamental aspect of modern living in todays world, powering homes, appliances, and electronic devices. In the U.S., electricity rates vary considerably by state due to factors like energy source diversity, infrastructure investments, and regulatory frameworks. States that are heavily reliant on renewable energy sources like hydroelectric and wind, for example, often boast lower electricity rates compared to those dependent on fossil fuels or nuclear power. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports that the average residential electricity rate in 2020 was 13.19 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh). Conversely, Canadian electricity costs exhibit regional disparities influenced by factors such as energy generation methods, population density, and infrastructure maintenance. Northwest Territories tend to have higher electricity costs due to the region's rugged and harsh terrain requiring more costly methods of generation while Quebec benefits from greater hydroelectricity potential and therefore lower electricity prices. Overall, the Canadian Electricity Association reports that the average residential electricity rate across the country stood at 14.21 cents per kWh in 2020. Water Access to clean and reliable water is essential for various household activities, sanitation, and daily living. In the U.S., water rates can fluctuate wildly based on a number of key factors, such as regional climate conditions, water source availability, and population density. Municipalities often implement tiered pricing structures, where higher consumption incurs progressively higher rates to incentivize conservation. According to data from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average household water bill in the U.S. was $104 per month in 2018. Similarly, water rates in Canada also tend to fluctuate based on geographic location, water source availability, and treatment processes, and conservation-oriented pricing mechanisms are widely used to encourage responsible water usage. Some areas, however, prefer to charge water at a flat rate where all residents pay the same amount per month regardless of usage. Statistics Canada indicates that the average monthly water bill for households was $53 in 2019. Heating Heating is vital for maintaining comfort and livability, especially in regions where the temperature can drop significantly during the winter months. In the U.S., heating costs vary depending on factors such as energy source availability, heating system efficiency, and insulation quality, and homes predominantly heated with natural gas or electricity may experience different cost dynamics compared to those reliant on oil, propane, or wood. According to the EIA, the average annual heating cost for households using natural gas in the U.S. was $630 in 2020, while those using electricity incurred an average cost of around $1,155. In Canada, heating expenses are influenced by similar factors but are mainly based on climate conditions and home insulation standards. Provinces with harsh winters, such as Alberta and Manitoba, tend to have higher heating costs compared to regions with milder climates, such as British Columbia and Ontario. The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) reports that the average annual heating cost for Canadian households ranges from $700 to $2,300 depending on the heating fuel and climate zone. Comparing Utility Costs When comparing electricity, water, and heating costs between the U.S. and Canada, several key observations emerge. Firstly, the average electricity rates in both countries are relatively close, with variations primarily driven by regional factors and energy source distribution. However, Canadas electricity rates tend to be slightly higher on average, possibly due to differences in energy generation methods and infrastructure investments. Secondly, water expenses in the U.S. are notably higher than in Canada, with the average household paying nearly double for water services. This disparity may stem from differences in water management practices, infrastructure development, and pricing policies between the two countries. Finally, heating costs exhibit significant variations depending on factors such as energy source availability, climate conditions, and home insulation standards. So, while both countries experience substantial regional differences in heating expenses, Canadas colder climate and reliance on certain heating fuels may contribute to higher average costs compared to the U.S. Environmental Impact Beyond financial considerations, it's also important to address the environmental impact associated with electricity, water, and heating in both the U.S. and Canada. For example, fossil fuels have been proven to contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, which directly impacts climate change and has a negative effect on public health. In contrast, renewable energy sources like hydroelectric, wind, and solar power offer cleaner alternatives with lower carbon footprints. Similarly, water management practices, such as wastewater treatment and conservation measures, play a vital role in preserving a healthy ecosystem. By promoting energy efficiency, both countries can take steps towards reducing their environmental impact and creating a more sustainable future for current and future generations. Conclusion Overall, electricity, water, and heating costs represent significant components of household expenditures in both the U.S. and Canada. However, while there are some similarities between some factors, such as utility provision and pricing structures, there are notable differences when it comes to government approaches and climate variations. By understanding these cost disparities, you can better manage your budget and stay informed of rising living costs, ultimately reducing the likelihood of utility bill debt. So, whether youre relocating across the border or from further afield, knowing how the U.S. and Canada compare when it comes to electricity, water, and heating costs can help you make an informed decision and manage your finances accordingly. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this contributor content belong solely to the contributor. This provided content was produced by Lee Enterprises. The news and editorial departments had no role in its creation or display. The Mary Wallopers: (From left to right) Roisin Barrett, Ken Mooney, Andrew Hendy, Sean McKenna, Charles Hendy, and Finnian OConnor (Sorcha Frances Ryder) On a grey day in central Manchester, the three founding members of The Mary Wallopers are chatting to me on the upper floor of the universitys concert hall. They play traditional Irish music, raucously, with the wildness of The Pogues and the heart of a young Christy Moore with harmonies all their own. Theyre not short of an opinion either. We said something like, F*** the Catholic Church in some article, one of the trio, Charles Hendy, tells me, and some f***ing p**** of a priest down the country read mass, saying, Theres a band called The Mary Wallopers. Theyre turning people away from the church. How did they feel? F***ing delighted! Thats the biggest compliment you can get. The group fronted by vocalists Charles, 30, his brother Andrew, 29, and Sean McKenna, 31 seem to have a take on just about everything and everyone. Irish humour? The English dont get jokes. Shane McGowan? His poetry could move mountains. Bono? F*** Bono! They have a way with words thats both profane and rich in colour, brought to life in thick, charismatic brogues. Under our conversation is the long, mellifluous drone of pipes: the final stages of a sound check. A few hours later theyll be onstage doing some preaching of their own this time very much to the converted. The Wallopers started out as a trio, playing for pints in their hometown of Dundalk, halfway between Dublin and Belfast. Over the past few years, theyve blown up (were like diarrhoea, Charles interjects) an expansion that began in lockdown, as they performed increasingly buzzy gigs to pandemic-trapped listeners over livestream. When they were loosed, they hit the live circuit with a vengeance. Gigs were manic, sweaty, jovial affairs. The aim: bedlam. Within a short time, theyve gone from total anonymity to selling out serious venues. Their number swelled to six with the additions of bassist Roisin Barrett, drummer Ken Mooney, and Finnian OConnor on whistle and pipes. On New Years Eve, they stole the show on Jools Hollands Hootenanny. We have a tour bus now. Things are nice! says Charles. Well, now it f***ing smells and were all on top of each other. As part of their ongoing UK tour, theyre playing this week at east Londons Troxy and The Roundhouse in Camden, to a combined audience of thousands. In a few months, the band are set to return to Glastonbury, this time on the long-coveted Park Stage. Story continues What, exactly, is the secret of their appeal? Theres something very genuine and accessible about us, says McKenna. Things are very plastic, I suppose. People say bubblegum music and pop music are so fake. We try to remove the pedestal between the audience and musicians. I first saw the Wallopers in 2022, when they were playing before a small crowd of middle-class revellers at Wilderness, a notoriously bourgeois music festival. Throughout their set, they seemed palpably mocking of their audience, cracking jokes about the IRA and telling them repeatedly, this is our first ever gig. At one point, they stared menacingly at the crowd, introducing Rich Man and the Poor Man: This is a song about rich people going to hell. They were, despite this brazen, unrecognised scorn or perhaps because of it absolutely brilliant. Oh yes! Thats the real Tory festival. They told us about David Cameron going, so we had a prejudice towards it, Andrew says. And then we arrived and our prejudice was correct! Dundalk trad band The Mary Wallopers pose for a photo (Sorcha Frances Ryder) It was full of Tories in tutus, which is an unimaginable horror, says Charles. We had this f***ing group of English girls at the front, who kept going Sing Galway Girl. And we were like, Shut the f*** up, you f***ing English bastards! Mostly, though, festivals are a lark. Except for the hippies, he continues. F*** them c***s. They were annoying bastards. We hate hippies. All types of hippies. If you dont like wearing shoes, f*** off! Most hippies are not too far away from Tories anyway, Andrew adds, a little more sincerely. Theyre all far right, his brother says. F***ing hippies used to be like, Peace and love, man. Now theyre like, Jews run the world, man. Theyre f***ing wasters. Hippies are wasters, and they should all get jobs. They all burst into laughter. It can be tricky getting a completely straight answer out of the Hendy brothers or even an answer thats legally acceptable to publish. Charles, the elder Hendy, does the most talking, and has his face fixed in an infectious, rabble-rousing grin. Andrew, the younger and slighter of the two, looks almost sweet as punch but then chips in with something sharp and outrageous, like a choirboy possessed by the spirit of a more vicious Bugs Bunny. The moustached, deceptively gruff-looking McKenna, meanwhile, is almost mild by comparison. All three seem completely without filter. Charles Hendy performs as part of The Mary Wallopers at Jools Annual Hootenanny (BBC Studios / Michael Leckie) Before the Wallopers took off, the Hendys had brief viral success with a hip-hop single under the moniker TPM (Tax-Payers Money). On paper, this is quite the genre shift imagine the horrors of a Bob Dylan grime album but in practice, it speaks more to the Wallopers understanding of what folk actually is: something urgent and pugnacious. Folk music got this name for a while that it was a lad in a f***ing tweed f***ing hat. Folk music is radical music, he says. Theres this perception that its safe, something to put on in art class. Whereas it should be, Oh my God, theres a folk artist playing. I wonder what theyre gonna say. How much money would be in England if you got rid of the royal family? You could sell the big gaff by the park as well This is the Wallopers whole musical ethos. In their covers, they sing about social issues: from poverty, immigration, the hypocrisy of the Catholic Church. It is original songs, though, that will be the true test of greatness. The three originals included on their 2022 sophomore album Irish Rock N Roll (The Idler, Vultures of Christmas and Gates of Heaven) suggest they have the goods, fitting in seamlessly with the established classics some centuries old not just in the musical style, but in the punch and flow of the lyrics. Their next record, still a few months away, will be mostly original material. (You just have to f***ing do it, you know?) There seems to be little difference between their onstage personas and everyday convictions. The trio have predictably robust opinions on everything from the violence in Palestine a recent fundraiser for medical aid saw the band hit with fascist abuse from creepy bastards on the internet to the British royal family. Theyve been ripping off the people of England for years, says Charles. That fella with the fingers [the King] I saw people were talking about him and saying, Well, Jesus, if he dies now, how are we going to be able to afford another coronation? Heres an idea dont bother! How much money would be in England if you got rid of the royal family? You could sell the big gaff by the park as well. Sell the f***ing s***hole! In the jacks: pubs and venues are usually turned upside down during Mary Wallopers shows (Sorcha Frances Ryder) Go to the bar or the toilets at a Wallopers gig, and wherever in the world you are, youll likely be surrounded by Irish accents. I ask about their own relationship to Irishness whether they ever feel wary of how they present their culture when, for instance, touring around England. Irish people a very small amount of Irish people have complained more about it being paddywhackery. Theyre making Irish people out to be eejits and all that, he says. But theyre Irish people who denounce being Irish. Theyre ashamed of their culture. We sing a lot of old songs that a lot of bands wouldnt sing because they sound too Irish. Well we are f***ing Irish. We are incredibly proud of that. Theres been enough bands that have pretended not to be Irish like f***ing U2. Later that night, the gig is in full swing. The crowd is rapt; packed; yelling along to every song. But even this isnt enough. We want you to tear the f***ing roof off, they tell the crowd. It feels almost lacking if a Mary Wallopers night doesnt devolve into mayhem. And when the encore arrives, surely enough it does. The Mary Wallopers will play The Troxy, London on 21 March; all tour dates can be found here. Palm Sunday Dinners Bethany Lutheran Church, 1201 Dubuque St., will host its annual Palm Sunday Brunch after the 10:30 a.m. worship service on Sunday, March 24. Serving will be from about 11:30 a.m. to about 12:30 p.m. and will feature waffles and syrup, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, orange juice, coffee and milk. The public is invited to both the worship service and brunch, and there will be a free-will offering. Community United Methodist Church, 101 Baker St., Sergeant Bluff, will hold a ham dinner from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday, March 24, sponsored by Methodist Women. Food served will include ham, au gratin potatoes, vegetable with a salad bar and desert. Free will offering. Holy Week Services Grace United Methodist Church, 1735 Morningside Ave, will begin Holy Week with the Palm Sunday services at 5:30 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. on Sunday where palms will be processed. Services on Holy Thursday and Good Friday will be at 7 p.m. The Easter worship service will be at 10 a.m. All services at Grace Church are open to the general public. Redeemer Lutheran Church, 3204 S. Lakeport, invites the public to Holy Week and Easter Services. Beginning with Palm Sunday, please join on Sunday, March 24, at 8:15 and 10:45 a.m., Maundy Thursday services on Thursday, March 28, at 11:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. with Holy Communion. Good Friday services on Friday, March 29, at 11:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Easter Sunday services with Holy Communion and the Hallelujah Chorus on Sunday, March 31, at 6:30, 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. Easter Breakfast served 7:30 to 10 a.m. Augustana Lutheran Church, 6th and Court St., will be holding worship services throughout Holy Week, including Palm Sunday on March 24 at 10 a.m., Maundy Thursday on March 28 at 7 p.m., Good Friday on March 29 at 7 p.m., Easter Vigil Saturday on March 30 at 7 p.m., and Easter Sunday on March 31 with breakfast from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. and worship of the Risen Lord at 10 a.m. All are welcome! United Lutheran Church, 315 Hamilton Blvd., will hold services for Holy Week. Maundy Thursday service will be at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 28; Good Friday service will be at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, March 29; and service will be at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 30. Easter Sunday services will be a sunrise service at 7 a.m. and regular service at 10 a.m. with an Egg Bake Breakfast following the sunrise service. St. Mark ELCA, 5200 Glenn Ave., will hold Holy Week services this week with Maundy Thursday worship at 7 p.m. on March 28, Good Friday worship at 7 p.m. on March 29, and Easter Sunday worship at 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. on March 31. Living Faith Lutheran Church, a new ELCA congregation in Le Mars, meets at the Presbyterian United Church of Christ, 858 7th Ave SE, Le Mars, will hold Easter Sunday Worship at 11:15 a.m. on March 31. Monthly Carmelite Board Meeting The monthly Carmelite Board Meeting will be held Monday, April 1, at the Carmelite Monastery, 2901 S. Cecelia Street with Mass at 7 a.m. and refreshments at 8 a.m. The business meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m., the rosary will start at 9 a.m. and prayers with the Sisters at 9:15 a.m. Honorary members are always welcome. Leonetti to keynote Mens Conference National Catholic speaker, youth minister, parish mission leader, author and Des Moines Catholic radio host Jon Leonetti will be the keynote speaker for the April 6 Mens Conference in Le Mars, Iowa. The Men of the Cross conference is co-sponsored by the Catholic Diocese of Sioux City and the Le Mars All Saints Catholic Parish Mens Ministry group. Leonetti shared that he will be talking to the conference participants about humans being created in Gods image and likeness, as described in the book of Genesis. He pointed out that humans are the highest form of Gods creation. Men of the Cross will include three keynote presentations from Leonetti, two 30-minute breakout sessions, lunch and Mass at 2 p.m. with Bishop Nickless. The Plymouth County Pork Producers will be providing a hearty pork chop lunch for the men, which has become an annual favorite for the participants. Bower explained the breakout speakers will include Father Zach Jones, Father Michael Erpelding and Daniel Swalve, parishioner and father of young children. To register for the conference, participants can go to scdiocese.org/mensconference. Cost is $40 per person if registered by March 22. After March 22, the fee increases to $50 per person. Fathers and sons registering together will receive a $5 discount off of each registration. The conference will be held at All Saints Catholic ParishSt. Joseph Church, 605 Plymouth St. NE in Le Mars. Carmelite Shower of Roses Luncheon and Card Party All parishioners and friends are invited to attend the annual Carmelite Shower of Roses Luncheon and Card Party on April 9 with doors opening at 11 a.m. Free will donations accepted. The event will take place at St. Michael Parish Center, 2223 Indian Hills Drive. The day includes a light luncheon: chicken salad on lettuce, croissant, a wonderful dessert bar, coffee and ice tea. Cards may be played until 3 p.m. following lunch. There will be an opportunity to purchase raffle tickets until 1:30 p.m. Tickets will be sold for $1.00 apiece and winners will be announced at 2:15 p.m. The Luncheon and Card Party is sponsored annually by the Carmelite Board members to assist the Carmelite Nuns of Sioux City. Please come and enjoy an afternoon of fun, food, cards and socialization. For more information please call 212-0248 or 898-6267. Citywide confessions In an effort to encourage the Catholic faithful to participate in the sacrament of reconciliation (confession), the four Catholic parishes in Sioux City are collaborating on citywide confessions throughout the next year. Each parish will host one of four come and go confessions to remind Catholics that the sacrament is available throughout the year not just during the liturgical (church) seasons of Advent and Lent. Confessions will be available at the following locations from 7 to 8 p.m. and the Blessed Sacrament will be exposed for confession participants to pray in adoration if they wish. Multiple priests will be present at each citywide confessions event. June 18, 2024 at Sacred Heart Parish at 5010 Military Road. Pastors of the four parishes include: The Rev. David Hemann of Holy Cross Parish, which includes Blessed Sacrament and St. Michael churches; the Rev. David Esquiliano of Cathedral Parish, which includes the Cathedral of the Epiphany, St. Boniface and St. Joseph churches; the Rev. Brad Pelzel of Mater Dei Parish, which includes Immaculate Conception and Nativity churches, and the Rev. Tim Friedrichsen of Sacred Heart Parish. Food pantry St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 1200 Douglas St., will have its food pantry open from 10 a.m. to noon Mondays. STORM LAKE, Iowa Tyson Fresh Meats has reached settlements with the families of three workers who contracted COVID-19 at the company's Storm Lake pork plant and later died. In June 2022, the estates of Ken Jones, 60, a 12-year employee who died on June 3, 2020; Juan Jauregui Samudio, 60, who died on June 10, 2020, and had worked for more than five years at Tyson; and Victor Barahona Rivera, a 27-year Tyson employee who died on June 15, 2020, filed negligence lawsuits against the Arkansas-based meatpacker and plant managers in Buena Vista County District Court. The families said in the lawsuits that Tyson and its managers knew of the COVID-19 risks soon after the outbreak in early 2020 but continued to expose workers to high risks of contracting the virus by forcing them to work in close quarters without proper personal protection. The suit also said Tyson's sanitizing and disinfecting procedures and COVID-19 testing and screening were inadequate, and the company didn't comply with state and national safety precautions. Each lawsuit sought judgments to compensate the families for losses and damages in excess of $10,000. Storm Lake attorney Willis Hamilton, whose firm represented the workers' families, said they had reached monetary settlements with Tyson and did not wish to divulge the amounts. The lawsuits were dismissed March 4. A Tyson spokeswoman said the company had no information to share regarding the settlements. Tyson, which employs more than 2,300 workers at its Storm Lake pork and turkey processing plants, had said in earlier court filings that it was not liable for the workers' deaths. A similar lawsuit filed in Buena Vista County against Tyson in December 2020 by the family of 65-year-old Michael Everhard, a 27-year Storm Lake plant worker who died from COVID-19 in June 2020 has yet to be resolved. The case has been stayed for months while appeals are heard in similar lawsuits involving COVID-19 deaths of workers at Tyson's Waterloo, Iowa, plant. Tyson in mid 2021 said that, up to that point, it had spent more than $700 million on COVID-19 protective measures and on-site testing and vaccinations for its workers and had hired dozens of additional nurses. HARTLEY, Iowa -- A 16-year-old was killed Wednesday morning in a single-vehicle crash northwest of Hartley, according to a minimal crash report from the Iowa State Patrol. The juvenile male, who was from Hartley, was not named in the report. The crash happened at 8:30 a.m. in the area of 300th Street and Van Buren Avenue. The report stated that the 16-year-old was driving a 2000 Honda Accord eastbound on 300th Street, when the vehicle left the roadway and struck a creek embankment. "The driver was not restrained and suffered a fatal injury," the report stated. Hartley EMS, the O'Brien County Sheriff's Office and the Iowa DNR assisted the Iowa State Patrol at the scene. Australia ready to work with China to seek common interests as far as possible: Australian PM Xinhua) 09:32, March 21, 2024 Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese meets with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, in Canberra, Australia, March 20, 2024. (Photo by Chu Chen/Xinhua) CANBERRA, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Differences and disagreements should not define the Australia-China relations, and both countries should seek common interests as far as possible, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Wednesday. Albanese made the statement while meeting with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Canberra. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, is currently on a tour from March 17 to 21 for an official visit to New Zealand and to Australia. The Australian side is pleased to see that in the past two years, Australia-China relations have returned to the right direction, and Australia is willing to keep close high-level exchanges with China and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields, Albanese said. Albanese stressed that Australia always has and will adhere to the One-China policy. Noting the obstacles encountered in China-Australia relations have been overcome one by one, and the outstanding cases are being properly resolved, Wang said China-Australia relations have realized a second important transformation after the current Australian Labor government came to power. China is willing to work with Australia to promote high-level exchanges, resume the dialogue mechanism between the two countries, and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields, Wang said. Calling for efforts to manage and transcend differences in a spirit of mutual respect, Wang said the two countries should jointly promote the building of a more mature, stable and fruitful China-Australia comprehensive strategic partnership. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) SOUTH SIOUX CITY Roughly a year ago, 35 cameras were affixed to black poles on major thoroughfares in South Sioux City. The cameras, which capture high resolution images of the backs of vehicles and license plate data, are a component of Flock Safety's license plate recognition, or LPR, system. Since the LPR cameras were implemented last April with City Council approval, the Police Department has located 20 stolen vehicles and aided in three outside agency homicide investigations, including the fatal stabbing of a Dakota Dunes woman in August. "It really helped us, ultimately, with providing information to attempt to get him located," Police Lt. Jeanette McFee said of Alfredo Castellanos-Rosales. The 39-year-old Sioux City man has pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder, contributing to the neglect of a child and contributing to the abuse of a child in connection with the April 25 stabbing death of 23-year-old Jordan Beardshear in her apartment at The Wellington at the Dunes complex. South Sioux City license plate cameras A license plate recognition camera is shown near the intersection of West 29th Street and Highway 77 in South Sioux City. The northeast Nebras Flock Safety's LPR system allows South Sioux City police officers to use their laptops and cellphones to query identifying vehicle features, such as color, make, bumper sticker, top rack and pickup box. It also sends an alert to law enforcement when a vehicle on the "hot list" is detected in the area. The system leverages the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), a computerized index of missing persons and criminal information. "If a license plate is entered into NCIC, once it passes one of those cameras, an internal system notifies us that possibly the owner has a warrant, or there's possibly a missing person inside this vehicle," McFee said. 'We're not trying to be big brother' Flock Safety's cameras, which are in operation in more than 4,000 cities in 42 states, have come under fire from the American Civil Liberties Union, which has asked citizens to reach out to local elected officials and law enforcement to "pump the brakes" on the use of what is calls a "nationwide mass-surveillance system." "Such a system provides even small-town sheriffs access to a sweeping and powerful mass-surveillance tool, and allows big actors like federal agencies and large urban police departments to access the comings and goings of vehicles in even the smallest of towns," the ACLU said in a February 2023 report published on its website. South Sioux City Police Chief Ed Mahon said he's only heard from a couple of individuals who are concerned about "big brother" potentially watching in South Sioux City. He said only one person he talked with was "strongly opposed" to the cameras. "We're not trying to be big brother. We just want another tool. We can reach out and get information we really need for the worst crimes," he said. South Sioux City license plate cameras South Sioux City Police Chief Ed Mahon, right, and Lt. Jeanette McFee talk underneath a license plate recognition camera near the intersection Mahon said Flock Safety's LPR system doesn't use facial recognition technology, the ability to match a human face from an image to a database of faces. "It's just to the rear of the car," he said of what the cameras capture. "Occasionally, we'll get a front plate, but I don't know if you could really identify anybody out of the front." When searching the data LPR cameras capture, McFee said officers have to report what they're looking for. She said Nebraska state statute requires that searches be related to criminal activity. She said the images taken by the cameras "are gone" from a secure cloud server after 30 days. "If I'm driving down the street as a patrol officer, I'm seeing all kinds of license plates. That's exactly what these cameras are getting," she said. "They're not telling me whose car that is. I don't know that. I would have to do further investigation -- running the plate and doing all that before I know whose vehicle that would be. If someone's not involved in a crime, I'm not looking at their car." Crimefighting tool Mahon said Flock Safety's LPR cameras, which are solar and battery-powered, are "a really good tool" for his department. Even the dispatchers have access to the internet-based system, which allows them to assist officers in locating a vehicle when an alert comes in. "I think there's been a tremendous amount of interest from the officers and a lot of activity. It's one of the high-tech items that really the officers use all the time," Mahon said. South Sioux City is leasing the camera system from Flock Safety at a cost of around $100,000 over a two-year period. American Rescue Plan Act funding is covering the cost of the cameras, which Flock Safety provides 24/7 technical support for. Dakota County also has four LPR cameras. "From my perspective, they've been working extremely well. We've found several missing cars. We found the issues with murder cases here that happened in other areas. We're glad to see that it's expanding and covering many more cities across the county," South Sioux City Administrator Lance Hedquist said of the Flock system. "I think it's done great." South Sioux City license plate cameras A license plate recognition camera is shown near the intersection of West 29th Street and Highway 77 in South Sioux City, Nebraska. Since the cameras were installed, McFee said the system helped police locate six missing people who were entered into the NCIC, including a juvenile female who was found in an adult male suspect's vehicle. She said the cameras even led to the identification of individuals who were passing counterfeit bills in Sioux City and South Sioux City. "We found that the vehicle had been a rental vehicle and, in the last month, it had gone from Michigan to Iowa, through Illinois, Des Moines, Nebraska, and back through Illinois and Wisconsin to Michigan. It's basically a big counterfeiting ring, where they're getting items with these counterfeit bills at different businesses," McFee said. "We have nationwide access, so any agency that has a Flock camera we can search. I was able to search this particular vehicle going through all of these areas." South Sioux City saw a 6.3% decrease in serious and violent crime last year, as well as a 6.7% decrease in total crime. Motor vehicle thefts dropped by nearly 44%, from 41 in 2022 to 23 in 2023. Mahon is unsure whether LPR cameras are a contributing factor in the decline, but he hopes they are deterring criminals. "If we could afford it, I'd love to double the number of cameras and really put out there, 'If you're going to do this, don't come here, because we're going to do everything we can to arrest you,'" he said. Are LPR cameras coming to Sioux City? Last April, the Sioux City Council approved a resolution allowing South Sioux City to install two of its LPR cameras on the Iowa side of the Siouxland Veterans Memorial Bridge. During a Feb. 17 operating budget session, Sioux City Councilwoman Julie Schoenherr asked Police Chief Rex Mueller if his department intends to pursue LPR cameras. "Right now, the state is kind of lumping LPRs into ATE (automated traffic enforcement), so we're unsure where that's going to go. We're monitoring that," said Mueller, who mentioned there are some private LPR cameras operating in the city. "Depending how automated traffic enforcement comes out, we think that's a positive resource. But what we're also looking at is some of the automated traffic enforcement companies out there actually have LPR capabilities. So rather than just putting in LPR cameras, you have ATE cameras that can also have that capability." Sioux City Police Capt. Ryan Bertrand told The Journal the police department is going to ask the council for permission to apply for a Byrne-JAG grant to fund the purchase of LPR cameras. He said the police department is partnering with the Woodbury County Sheriff's Office and Tri-State Drug Task Force on the grant request, which will be in the neighborhood of $125,000. Bertrand said there are half a dozen other LPR systems, but he said Flock Safety's is the one the police department spent the most time researching. "For quality, network, bang for the buck, affordability, Flock is the one we're looking at right now. It's a subscription-based kind of service. Flock owns the camera, hardware and equipment. They maintain the equipment. If the equipment breaks, there's no charge," he said. "If every police agency in the United States had a Flock system, you'd have an incredibly powerful intelligence network. Your crime-fighting abilities would be amazing." Bertrand said as few as 10 LPR cameras could have an impact in the city if they were put in the right places. Exactly how many cameras Sioux City could acquire is up in the air, as the grant funding is not guaranteed. Bertrand said the cameras would be placed in public locations where anybody has the right to be. "There's no Fourth Amendment concerns. There's no privacy concerns. The license plate readers focus on license plates. They're not capturing data 24/7. They're not full-time surveillance cameras that way," said Bertrand, who said he thinks more people today expect businesses and property owners to have working cameras. "People actually are embracing technology that way. Most people want to be safe. They want to be protected." SIOUX CITY -- A former delivery driver for an Onawa, Iowa, pharmacy has been charged in federal court with stealing prescription opioids from a former customer's home. Sarah Haptonstall, 46, of Onawa, was arrested Tuesday and is charged by a complaint in U.S. District Court in Sioux City with one count of acquiring and attempting to acquire a controlled substance by misrepresentation, fraud, deception and subterfuge. She also faces charges in Monona County of breaking into former customers' homes and stealing their prescription painkillers. Haptonstall was a delivery driver for Stangel Pharmacy in 2021 and later resigned after it was discovered she was stealing drugs. A complaint filed in federal court said a 2023 Monona County Sheriff's Office investigation of burglaries and drug thefts showed that all victims had been customers of the pharmacy while Haptonstall worked there. A U.S. Department of Health & Human Services special agent said in the complaint that Haptonstall targeted homes of her former customers to steal leftover painkillers. Monona County deputies on March 8, 2023, took a report of stolen prescription pills and oxycodone from an Onawa home. A neighbor's surveillance camera showed Haptonstall leaving the home. A deputy was granted a court order to place a GPS tracker on Haptonstall's vehicle. Tracker data showed Haptonstall's vehicle had been driven to the victim's home a day later. The deputy met with the victim again, and they discovered a bottle of hydrocodone had been stolen from a bedroom. Deputies interviewed Haptonstall and searched her vehicle, finding a 9mm pistol. She was prohibited from possession firearms because of a previous conviction for stealing drugs. Several empty prescription bottles also were found. Haptonstall was arrested March 10, 2023, and charged in Monona County District Court with stealing prescription drugs, including percocet, oxycontin and hydrocodone, from at least three homes. She has pleaded not guilty to six counts of third-degree burglary, five counts of drug diversion and single counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a controlled substance. She's scheduled to stand trial in June. Haptonstall previously pleaded guilty in February 2023 to one count of drug diversion for swapping out 10 hydrocodone tablets with Tylenol and keeping the hydrocodone for herself while she was a delivery driver for the pharmacy. She received a 10-year suspended prison sentence and was placed on three years' probation. Haptonstall previously worked as a nurse and has since surrendered her license to the Iowa Nursing Board. SIOUX CITY Days after an internal memo about the suspension of the City of Sioux City's cultural inclusion liaison was leaked to The Journal, city staff have declined to release information about what exactly prompted the disciplinary action. On March 14, a Journal reporter filed an open records request with the city under the Freedom of Information Act, seeking the following: Documents including but not limited to an investigation concerning violations of city work rules by Semehar Ghebrekidan Documents placed in Ghebrekidan's personnel file providing the reasons and rationale for certain disciplinary actions, which would be considered public records and must be provided in response to an open records request per House File 291 City Attorney Nicole DuBois denied the requested documents in an email Monday, writing that documents including but not limited to an investigation concerning violations of city work rules "are confidential under Iowa Code 22.7(11)." The code section cites an exemption to the open records law for "personal information in confidential personnel records of government bodies relating to identified or identifiable individuals who are officials, officers, or employees of the government bodies." In response to the Journal's FOIA request for documents placed in Ghebrekidan's personnel file, DuBois wrote, "there are none." As of Wednesday afternoon, DuBois had not yet responded to a modified request The Journal emailed Tuesday afternoon. Under Iowa open records laws, the city has 10 business days to reply to the request and up to 20 calendar days to determine what should be made available, if the request could include confidential records or information. Ghebrekidan was suspended with pay effective Feb. 21, pending the completion of an investigation concerning "violations of city work rules," according to the internal memo. She has been employed with the city since 2021. During Monday's City Council meeting, several residents spoke out against Ghebrekidan's suspension. "She's suspended. Her supervisor will tell her when it ends. She's been on it 30 days Thursday," said Jim Jung, who serves on the Inclusive Sioux City Advisory Committee, which Ghebrekidan oversees. "No reason is given in this memo why she's at home. So, I'm here to show my support for Semehar." City staff and council members said little during the exchange, which occurred during the citizen comments portion of the meeting. At one point, when a supporter asked whether she could pose questions to the council, Councilwoman Julie Schoenherr responded, "We're not allowed to answer." Sioux City resident Trisha Rivers said she's not sure why Ghebrekidan was suspended, but she said she's upset about the suspension and wants answers from the city. "We are the second-most-diverse county here in the state of Iowa, and we're doing this to a pregnant Black woman. Do none of you care? Bob, do you care?" Rivers said, directing her question at Mayor Bob Scott. Scott responded by saying that Ghebrekidan has hired an attorney. "When someone hires an attorney, we don't have the privilege or the opportunity to say anything in the public about that," he said. DuBois said that personnel matters are confidential and "the city is prohibited from comments." Mariana Pacheco, a Sioux City resident and educator, said the city has taken "cruel measures" against Ghebrekidan, "whose role is centered around fostering a more inclusive workplace." "It is a shame that instead of acknowledging Semehar's valuable contributions to the community, your perspective is blinded by animosity, leading to cruel measures, such as unwarranted and unlawful house arrest upon a pregnant woman who you all know is at high-risk," Pacheco said. The memo states that during Ghebrekidan's suspension, her residence essentially becomes her assigned work area. "If you want to be absent from your residence for any reason other than a lunch period, you must contact your supervisor in advance and obtain the appropriate authorization. If you want to leave town at any time during this time period, you need to contact your supervisor in advance and obtain the appropriate authorization. If approved, your timecard will reflect the use of sick leave." The memo goes on say that Ghebrekidan must contact her supervisor if she needs to go to a medical appointment or pharmacy, or schedule a medical treatment. "You must contact your supervisor in advance (where practicable) for authorization. If approved, your timecard will reflect the use of sick leave," the memo states. Ghebrekidan's suspension is in effect until she is notified by her supervisor to return to work, according to the memo. "You will be notified at the completion of the investigation," the memo states. Ghebrekidan's husband Logan Arguello told the council there have been "many times" that he wanted to come before the council and express his concerns. He spoke about his wife being put in uncomfortable and even dangerous situations while on the job. But Ghebrekidan asked him to refrain from doing so. Arguello mentioned that Ghebrekidan's performance was "brought up" by Councilman Matthew O'Kane last year and Councilman Alex Watters this year, during city budget sessions. "It seems that the city only appreciates my wife when it's easy and it makes you look good. As soon as it is uncomfortable, you lash out and hurt her. I didn't say anything, because my wife handled all of these incidents and more without any support," he said. "But I do have to say something about what you did to her almost four weeks ago. You put my wife on suspension for doing her job, which is calling out social injustices at the City of Sioux City." Ike Rayford, the president of Sioux City's chapter of the NAACP, said the community inclusion liaison is "very important" to the community, as well as the NAACP. He described the city's internal memo as "vague" and said, "It really made no sense." "We are concerned. We would love to know what needs to happen and what we can do to ensure that (Ghebrekidan) is protected. I believe that she has done the job she was hired to do," he said. Ghebrekidan worked in a variety of diversity, equity and inclusion positions throughout her time in college. Before coming to work for the City of Sioux City, she was employed as an HIV case manager at Siouxland Community Health Center. Last March, Ghebrekidan was honored during the 38th annual Women of Excellence Awards ceremony with the award for "Women Striving to Improve the Quality of Life." Then, in November, Ghebrekidan launched a campaign for a vacated Sioux City school board seat. She ultimately lost the election to Dan Greenwell, who is currently serving the two-year term on the board. JERUSALEM A 12-year-old boy in east Jerusalem lights the fuse of a long firework and hoists it in the air. Then, just before it explodes and illuminates the night sky with a burst of red, Israeli police shoot him in the chest and he falls dead to the ground. A clip of Rami Halhouli's final moments last week has been circulating on social media for days. Human rights activists say it shines a light on the surge of Palestinians including dozens of children who Israeli forces killed without justification since Oct. 7. Halhouli's family says the boy was struck by a bullet fired from the direction of an Israeli police watchtower looking over the Shuafat refugee camp. Halhouli, his brother and four friends, the family says, were lighting fireworks to celebrate the end of another day of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month marked by dawn-to-dusk fasting. Israeli police say the officer who fired the shot acted appropriately, citing regulations that permit shooting someone who is aiming a firework at another person in a life-threatening way. The Israeli government says the shooting is under investigation. Ali Halhouli, the boy's father, was at home when he heard the gunshot and then his son crying out for his mother. "When I rushed out of here I saw him lying on his face," he said. Violence across east Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank has spiked since Oct. 7, when Hamas militants staged a surprise attack on southern Israel and sparked a brutal war in the Gaza Strip. Israelis killed at least 435 Palestinians from east Jerusalem and the West Bank since then, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. Many have been shot dead in armed clashes, others for throwing stones at troops. Some appear to have posed no apparent threat. About 100 of these 435 fatalities have been children under 18, according to the Israeli human rights group B'Tselem. In 60 of these cases, the group say there seems to have been no justification for the use of lethal force. These include cases where teens or younger children were hurling rocks or participating in protests. "It's clear there is a trigger-happy attitude among Israeli soldiers and border-police officers, and it affects Palestinian children too," said Sarit Michaeli, a B'Tselem spokeswoman. "Regarding the specific case in Shuafat refugee camp," she said, " a young child was not posing any threat to a heavily armed border police officer." Halhouli, the youngest of seven siblings, was shot at around 8 p.m. last Tuesday outside his home on a garbage-strewn alleyway, his father said. He was about 200 feet from the Israeli police watchtower; video of the incident shows Halhouli pointing the firework in the rough direction of the watchtower, but not directly at it. The police acknowledged the fatal shooting that evening, saying its forces shot after fireworks were launched at the watchtower. Throughout the night last Monday and Tuesday, Palestinian protesters from the camp threw Molotov cocktails and launched fireworks at Israeli forces, police claimed. Standing at the spot where the shooting took place, Ibrahim Halhouli, a 16-year-old relative of the slain boy, said they now all steer clear of the alleyway. "We are scared," he said, looking up at the watchtower. Shuafat, home to some 60,000 Palestinians, has long been a flashpoint. It is a poor, densely packed neighborhood that lacks municipal services despite falling within Jerusalem's city borders. It is the only Palestinian refugee camp in Jerusalem, and a number of militants involved in attacks on Israelis have come from the area. It is segmented from the rest of Jerusalem by a heavily manned checkpoint and Israeli forces regularly raid the camp to arrest suspected militants. After the shooting, Ali Halhouli said his other sons took the body to a medical center in Shuafat where staff pronounced him dead. In desperation, the family found an ambulance to transport him to Hadassah hospital, one of Israel's largest medical facilities, where doctors said the bullet had struck his heart. "The boy is dead, you brought him dead," Ali Halhouli said, recounting one of the doctor's words. Soon after, a police officer arrived at the ward and said they needed to transfer the body to an Israeli forensic institute for an autopsy. Ali Halhouli, 61, said he was left in limbo for days, contacted three times by different police officers, each of whom told him his son's corpse would soon be returned. On one occasion he was told he must keep the funeral to fewer than 40 people or face a fine. Funerals of slain Palestinians often escalate into protests. The body was eventually handed back to the family overnight Sunday and buried the next morning, he said. On-duty police officers and soldiers are rarely prosecuted for killing Palestinians. According to Israeli legal rights group Yesh Din, a police officer was last charged of murder in 2021 after shooting dead an unarmed autistic Palestinian in Jerusalem's Old City. The officer was later acquitted in 2023, it said. Today in history: March 21 1685: Johann Sebastian Bach 1952: Moondog Coronation Ball 1965: Rev. Martin Luther King Jr 1997: Bill Clinton 2006: Jack Dorsey 2007: Al Gore 2012: Kofi Annan 2012: Sean Payton 2016: Raul Castro 2017: Chuck Barris 2017: Neil Gorsuch 2019: Donald Trump DES MOINES A proposal that would change the structure and funding of Iowas nine Area Education Agencies, set general state funding for K-12 public schools, and boost public teacher salaries narrowly passed the Iowa House on Thursday at the Iowa Capitol. It was the latest legislative attempt by Republican state lawmakers to follow through on Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds proposal to overhaul AEA operations and funding, a pitch she made in January during her Condition of the State address to the Iowa Legislature. Area Education Agencies oversee education of Iowa students with disabilities and offer media and consulting services to schools and students within their boundaries. On Thursday, the House voted 51-43 to approve the legislation, which is significantly pared back from what Reynolds proposed and similarly does not go as far in overhauling AEAs as a bill that Senate Republicans passed earlier this week. Only Republicans voted for the latest House bill Thursday, while nine Republicans joined all Democrats in voting against the bill. The proposal now goes back to the Senate. Reynolds and legislative leaders in the House and Senate have been negotiating their differences. House Speaker Pat Grassley, a Republican from New Hartford, called the bill passed by the chamber Thursday night his caucus final position. We wanted to make sure that as we went home this weekend that our schools and Iowans had an idea of where House Republicans stand and where our final position is going to be on these three topics, Grassley told reporters after the debate. Asked if that meant the proposal is House Republicans take it or leave it proposal, Grassley said, Thats our expectation. In a statement issued after the bill passed Thursday, Reynolds thanked House Republicans for passing a bill that represents a compromise that honors the intent of her original proposal. Todays vote by the House paves a path forward to further strengthen Iowas education system in meaningful ways, Reynolds said in the statement. Every student deserves a quality education that helps them reach their potential. By reforming the AEA system, empowering school districts and improving oversight and transparency, we are committing to better outcomes and brighter futures for Iowas students with disabilities. They deserve nothing less. Sen. Jack Whitver, a Republican from Grimes and the Senate majority leader, said in a statement he is happy to see progress on the topics covered in the latest House bill. He said Senate Republicans will discuss the new proposal next week and that he is "looking forward to resolution on these issues." What lawmakers said during debate Democrats levied heavy criticism of the bill and the legislative process that brought it to House debate Thursday night. Republican leaders set a hard deadline for debate to be concluded by 6:30 p.m., which prevented Democrats from speaking on the bill beyond that point. During their remarks, just shy of two hours of debate, Democrats called on Republicans to ditch the proposal altogether and form a task force to study the topic and Area Education Agencies after the legislative session, and have that task force make recommendations next year. They also read letters and emails from special education professionals and families who pleaded with legislators to not change the way AEA services are delivered. Democrats also charged that the entire legislative proposal is simply a political ploy by Reynolds and pushed back at some Republicans assertion that their remarks were fear mongering. There are consequences to every part of this legislation unintended and intended consequences, said Rep. Jennifer Konfrst, the leader of the House Democrats from Windsor Heights. Its already happening. And nothing about what were doing today is exaggerated or fear mongering. Two House Republicans with students who have received special education services from AEAs spoke in favor of the bill. I want to make it very clear that AEAs are not failing students. The people that work in the AEAs are not failing the students. My two children have benefited greatly because of the people that work at the AEA, said Rep. Chad Ingels, a Republican from Randalia who has two children with Down syndrome. Rep. Skyler Wheeler, a Republican from Hull, said he asked to be the bills manager because he has a 5-year-old daughter with autism who receives special education services from an AEA. I assigned it because I knew if this deals with special education, this deals with my daughters future. But it also deals with so many of the different families and individuals that I know in the disabilities community, Wheeler said during debate. To say that this is destroying them, an attack on them, disrupting them is ridiculous, in my mind. I would never support or push for any piece of legislation that I thought would harm that community. What's in this latest bill? The provision passed by House Republicans on Thursday would keep in place much of what they passed last month, according to a summary provided by a House Republican spokesperson, and combine it with funding for schools and increasing pay for teachers. The plan has drawn strong opposition from educators and parents of students with disabilities who worry it will hurt special education in the state. Some school superintendents are in favor of the bill, saying they want more control of their special education dollars. Currently, federal and state special education funding goes directly to the area education agencies, which provide support services to schools. AEAs also receive property tax funding for media services and other education services for schools in their region. The House and Senate had both sent separate versions of the bill to the opposite chamber, with major differences in how AEAs are funded and how they provide services. House amendment keeps most special ed funding with AEAs The latest House proposal keeps much of the components of the chambers previous bill in place. Once fully phased in, it would require schools to spend 90% of their special education funding with the AEAs, while 10% could be used for special education through a third party. After the first year, funding for media and other education services would go directly to the schools, who would have the option to spend it with the AEAs or with another party. The Houses initial bill would have sent state special education funding directly to school districts, while requiring them to spend the money with the AEAs. Federal special education funding would stay with the AEAs. The Senate proposal would allow schools to retain 90% of their special education funding, while 10% would stay with the AEAs. The schools would be allowed to use that funding with the AEAs or with another provider. Both proposals also call for creating a division of special education in the Department of Education, and the House bill would convene a task force to study the structure and funding of the AEAs and suggest future changes. The House amendment would raise the starting teacher salary to $50,000 over two years, and provide a fund to increase the hourly wage of paraprofessionals and other support staff. It also would give Iowa schools a 2.5 percent funding increase for the coming school year, matching Reynolds' proposed budget. Democrats: Republican proposals is 'all politics' Speaking to reporters before the latest proposal was unveiled shortly before debate started Thursday Konfrst said Republicans were trying to play political games by not providing Democrats or the public with an amendment sooner. It is disgraceful, it is unacceptable, Konfrst said. To imagine, that on Thursday of this week, with no necessary deadline they are dropping a 49-page amendment with the three most important issues to educators and kids in this state, and expecting us to vote on it in a couple hours. Lawmakers from both parties have said they have received a flood of messages from constituents in opposition to the bill and a far smaller number of messages in support. Two groups of superintendents sent letters to lawmakers this week advocating both for and against the bill. Konfrst said Republicans should listen to their constituents and slow down the major changes to the AEAs. We don't work for the governor. We don't work for the Senate. We don't work for the speaker, she said. We work for Iowans. Iowans have told us they dont want this. Theyre shoving this bill down our throat and its absolutely deplorable. A spokesperson for House Republicans said lawmakers have debated the issues in the bill several times, and the public has had the chance to weigh in on its components through subcommittee and public hearings. These are concepts that have been debated on the House and Senate floor and in the committee process. Iowans have been able to weigh in on these pieces of policy for weeks, said Melissa Saitz, the House Republicans spokesperson. We have worked hard to take feedback from the AEAs, superintendents and parents to find resolution on this topic so we can continue with the rest of the priorities that remain this session. DES MOINES Cedar Rapids' police chief joined other law enforcement officials in the state in advocating support for proposed legislation working its way through the House and Senate to regulate the use of automated traffic enforcement cameras across the state. A House subcommittee on Wednesday advanced a bill that would require Iowa cities to obtain approval from the Iowa Department of Transportation for the placement of speed cameras along interstates and highways. The DOT rolled out a policy a decade ago in 2014, but the Iowa Supreme Court ruled the agency lacked the legal authority to regulate traffic cameras. The cities of Des Moines, Muscatine and Cedar Rapids filed lawsuits in 2015 successfully challenging the DOT rules that prohibited cities from placing the systems on highways and interstates. The DOT had ordered some of those cameras turned off in 2015, sparking the lawsuit. Cedar Rapids Police Chief David Dostal joined police chiefs from Des Moines and Altoona on Wednesday in support of measures in the House and Senate to preserve, regulate and standardize automated traffic enforcement across the state as an alternative to a separate effort that would ban their use. Cedar Rapids uses the cameras at nine locations along its primary highway system and major thoroughfares for both speed and red-light enforcement, including four speed cameras around the S-curve on Interstate 380 near downtown. Dostal told lawmakers the cameras have resulted in a significant reduction in serious injury crashes over the past three years. Theres a change in traffic behavior, resulting in traffic safety, Dostal said. Lawmakers have attempted several times over the years to prohibit or regulate use of the devices, citing concerns over their growing use, including in smaller communities, and that theyre principally being used to generate revenue because of a lack of funding. The devices capture video of vehicles speeding or running red lights. Law enforcement then reviews the images captured by a camera vendor, and issues citations to the vehicle's registered owner. House Study Bill 740 advanced out of a three-member subcommittee Wednesday with unanimous support. It moves next to the House Ways and Means Committee. Police chiefs urge regulation in lieu of ban Iowa cities, including Cedar Rapids, Des Moines and Davenport, see the cameras as traffic safety tools that reduce public safety costs, providing 24/7 traffic monitoring and enforcement at a significantly lower cost than deploying officers to those areas. That frees cities to focus strained resources elsewhere. The city of Cedar Rapids began using automated traffic enforcement in 2010. Speeding citations are issued for vehicles that exceed the posted speed limit by 12 mph or more. Revenues from traffic citations issued for violations captured by cameras often go to fund police departments. Cedar Rapids anticipates the cameras will generate $7.2 million in revenue for the fiscal year beginning July 1 and ending June 30, 2025. Roughly $5.5 million of that amount is budgeted to fund 41 police officer positions. More than $1.7 million is earmarked for the citys traffic camera service provider and collection costs. Cedar Rapids partners with vendor Sensys Gatso USA Inc., to run the program. For red light citations, Sensys Gatso receives $22 per paid citation and the city receives $78 per paid citation. For speed citations, the vendor receives $18 per paid citation and the amount to the city varies depending on the amount of the fine. Dostal and law enforcement officials said theyre willing to put guardrails on the use of traffic cameras to make sure that they're used as intended for safety purposes, and support a regulatory structure that creates a reliable, standardized process. I appreciate having this conversation about a regulatory bill. Its long overdue, Des Moines Police Chief Dana Wingert said. There are jurisdictions out there that are doing it the right way. Some that are not. But all the things I see in this bill on the regulation side are things that we're already doing; things we've been doing since the inception. What the bill does The bill codifies the previously adopted 2014 DOT rules. Cameras would only be allowed in areas with documented high-crash or high-risk locations that make it unsafe for police to make in-person traffic stops, such as the I-380 S-curve. Cities and counties would be required to apply to the Iowa DOT for permission to install a speed camera on a state highway or interstate and justify the location with data showing a high volume of crashes, as well as documentation of alternative solutions tried and considered but not implemented, including engineering and design changes, and public education campaigns. The bill applies only to cameras used by local jurisdictions to monitor and enforce excessive speed violations on DOT-maintained primary road systems. The Iowa DOT would not have authority to regulate traffic cameras that issue tickets for vehicles caught speeding or running red lights on city streets. It also would prohibit the DOT from using automated traffic enforcement or receiving related payments from cities and counties. Cities and counties could appeal the DOT denial of a traffic camera location, and would be required to report back to the DOT annually on the number of citations issued and any change in crash volume to justify the continued need for a camera at approved sites. The bill requires stationary cameras be calibrated quarterly, and mobile systems calibrated before each use at a new location. Cities and counties also would be required to post signs in advance of locations where traffic cameras are in use to alert drivers. It also states automated traffic enforcement cameras must be used in conjunction with conventional law enforcement methods, not as a replacement for law enforcement officer contact. Wingert suggested House lawmakers amend the bill to standardize fines across the state so that Iowa drivers know what to expect. Altoona Police Chief Greg Stallman, representing the Iowa Police Chiefs Association, also suggested including red-light cameras, which are not addressed in the bill, and requiring a public information and education program to take place before cameras are used to issue warnings. Subcommittee chairman Rep. Phil Thompson, R-Boone, said hes open to amending the bill to include those suggestions. Where the bill goes from here The Senate has advanced its own bill to regulate the use of automated traffic enforcement cameras. Unlike Senate File 2408, the House bill does not specify how local governments must handle revenues from traffic tickets. The Senate bill would require communities to give up a share of revenues to the state for law enforcement training and an award program for volunteer firefighters and emergency medical personnel. Revenues kept by cities and counties could only be used to pay for road projects or to offset police or fire department operating costs. The Senate bill also would ban traffic cameras for communities under 20,000 in population, and specifies how fines could be issued by larger communities. I fully expect us to marry language between the House and the Senate on a regulatory piece and move that forward, subcommittee chair Rep. Phil Thompson, R-Boone, said. Both chambers also introduced legislation this year that combined a traffic camera ban with another controversial bill that would ban the use of hand-held phones or other devices behind the wheel. Senate File 2337 is on unfinished business in the Senate. A similar House bill failed to advance. I really think there is a middle ground here, Thompson said. I totally understand the perspective of people who want an all out ban. I'm honestly philosophically probably in that camp. But working with (police) chiefs, especially in the Cedar Rapids area these can play a good role in public safety. So I think we're really striking a good middle ground here, as far as making sure that it is about public safety, and not about revenue generation. Sen. Mike Klimesh, R-Spillville, the chair of the Senate Transportation Committee who proposed the Senate regulation bill, said he intends to sit down with House lawmakers in the coming days to hammer out compromise language. I've always been pro-regulation and look forward to continue to work on that as it moves forward and see what kind of compromise we can come up with, Klimesh said. One city's surprising tactic to reduce gun violence: Solving more nonfatal shootings One city's surprising tactic to reduce gun violence: Solving more nonfatal shootings Other cities have woken up to Denver's example Nebraska is now down to one surgical abortion provider less than a year after lawmakers passed a 12-week ban. The Bellevue clinic founded by the late Dr. LeRoy Carhart once one of only three providers in the country to perform third-trimester abortions no longer does surgical procedures but does offer patients abortion pills, clinic employees confirmed to the Flatwater Free Press. That means Nebraskans who want a surgical abortion or who are past the cutoff for the abortion pill must go to Planned Parenthood, their sole legal option left in the state. Nebraskans options are dwindling even as more out-of-state abortion seekers, residents of states with stricter abortion bans like Missouri, Mississippi and Texas, come to Nebraska to receive abortion services, abortion rights advocates said. The increased out-of-state demand, limited availability and packed appointment schedules is causing more Nebraskans, in turn, to travel outside the state to seek an abortion. Leaders of Nebraska Abortion Resources, a nonprofit abortion fund, told the Flatwater Free Press the rate of their clients crossing state borders to get an abortion has more than doubled since the 12-week ban. Using an abortion medication also continues to grow more popular since Roe v. Wade was overturned, Nebraska abortion rights advocates believe. The abortion pill is often perceived as less intrusive, but there are limitations, including potential diminished effectiveness later in the pregnancy. Most clinics only administer the medication up to the 11-week mark. I have seen that jump personally, and some of that is because it's like, Well, we can get you in for a medication abortion next week, but if you want a surgical abortion, it might be another three weeks, said Shelley Mann, executive director of Nebraska Abortion Resources, which provides financial assistance to those seeking an abortion. Medication abortion made up 75% of abortions reported to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services in 2022, under Nebraskas old 20-week ban. That rate will likely rise now that the stricter, 12-week ban is in place, abortion rights advocates said. The Bellevue clinic that has stopped surgical abortions has long been situated, both symbolically and practically, at the center of Nebraskas abortion fight. Carhart, who died last year, was the lead plaintiff of two cases heard by the U.S. Supreme Court after he challenged laws prohibiting an abortion procedure that removes an intact fetus from the uterus, which anti-abortion activists refer to as a form of partial-birth abortion. Carhart faced threats and his friend and colleague Dr. George Tiller was murdered by an anti-abortion extremist in Wichita, Kansas. Carharts clinic was the leading abortion provider in Nebraska as recently as 2022, when it was responsible for 58% of all abortions reported to HHS, according to the department's latest report. Janine Weatherby, Carharts daughter and operator of the clinic, didnt respond to requests to discuss the clinics decision to switch to medication abortion only. But leaders of Planned Parenthood say the availability of abortion services often boils down to a single problem: staff. Planned Parenthoods only full-time Nebraska-based physician retired in 2022, and her position is unfilled, said Andi Curry Grubb, state executive director of Planned Parenthood North Central States. Mounting abortion restrictions and the ongoing uncertainty amid legal fights have made it challenging for the organization to recruit more doctors. Planned Parenthoods Nebraska clinics now rely on part-time abortion providers who live in Nebraska and other states, Curry Grubb said. Patients who want a surgical abortion but cant get one in Nebraska are often sent to Minnesota, said Mann. Planned Parenthood closed its Council Bluffs clinic at the beginning of 2024. Its currently only providing abortion services in its Lincoln location while its Omaha health center undergoes construction. The organization plans to eventually move all abortion services to Omaha. A Nebraska law passed in 2011 requires a physician to be physically present in the room when a patient takes the first pill to begin an abortion. This law outlaws abortion medication bought on the internet or delivered via telehealth. Violators can be charged with a felony, though the law says patients shouldnt face any civil and criminal penalties. Patients then take misoprostol, often within 48 hours of the first pill, mifepristone, which contracts and empties the uterus. Heavy bleeding is expected after the misoprostol intake. The so-called abortion pill has become more widely used since the COVID-19 pandemic, when many clinics cut down in-person visits. Anti-abortion advocates question the safety of mifepristone and misoprostol. We've always had great concern for the chemical abortion drugs, said Sandy Danek, executive director of Nebraska Right to Life, citing its failure rate, as well as risk for side effects or complications when used past the suggested time frame. Danek applauds the state ban on distributing abortion medication via telehealth and says the measure increases medical scrutiny. Danek said she and other abortion opponents are concerned that the Biden administration is trying to remove the medical oversight and medical safeguards that (we) need to protect the health and safety of the women. Data show the drugs are safe, said Dr. Amy Bryant, a gynecologist based in Durham, North Carolina, and board member of the Society of Family Planning. Going through a medication abortion is safer than carrying a pregnancy to full term, she said. Nonetheless, having surgical providers available is important, Bryant said, so that they can help patients when a medication abortion is unsuccessful or unavailable. What we're going to be seeing is a real maldistribution of people with expertise in this area, Bryant said, where people in some areas of the country have access to excellent care and others in areas that just don't have that and are at risk for more pregnancy complications. The Flatwater Free Press is Nebraskas first independent, nonprofit newsroom focused on investigations and feature stories that matter. Photos: Anti-abortion advocates rally in downtown Lincoln for 50th annual Walk for Life DES MOINES Cedar Rapids' police chief joined other law enforcement officials in the state in advocating support for proposed legislation working its way through the House and Senate to regulate the use of automated traffic enforcement cameras across the state. A House subcommittee on Wednesday advanced a bill that would require Iowa cities to obtain approval from the Iowa Department of Transportation for the placement of speed cameras along interstates and highways. The DOT rolled out a policy a decade ago in 2014, but the Iowa Supreme Court ruled the agency lacked the legal authority to regulate traffic cameras. The cities of Des Moines, Muscatine and Cedar Rapids filed lawsuits in 2015 successfully challenging the DOT rules that prohibited cities from placing the systems on highways and interstates. The DOT had ordered some of those cameras turned off in 2015, sparking the lawsuit. Cedar Rapids Police Chief David Dostal joined police chiefs from Des Moines and Altoona on Wednesday in support of measures in the House and Senate to preserve, regulate and standardize automated traffic enforcement across the state as an alternative to a separate effort that would ban their use. Cedar Rapids uses the cameras at nine locations along its primary highway system and major thoroughfares for both speed and red-light enforcement, including four speed cameras around the S-curve on Interstate 380 near downtown. Dostal told lawmakers the cameras have resulted in a significant reduction in serious injury crashes over the past three years. Theres a change in traffic behavior, resulting in traffic safety, Dostal said. Lawmakers have attempted several times over the years to prohibit or regulate use of the devices, citing concerns over their growing use, including in smaller communities, and that theyre principally being used to generate revenue because of a lack of funding. The devices capture video of vehicles speeding or running red lights. Law enforcement then reviews the images captured by a camera vendor, and issues citations to the vehicle's registered owner. House Study Bill 740 advanced out of a three-member subcommittee Wednesday with unanimous support. It moves next to the House Ways and Means Committee. Police chiefs urge regulation in lieu of ban Iowa cities, including Cedar Rapids, Des Moines and Davenport, see the cameras as traffic safety tools that reduce public safety costs, providing 24/7 traffic monitoring and enforcement at a significantly lower cost than deploying officers to those areas. That frees cities to focus strained resources elsewhere. The city of Cedar Rapids began using automated traffic enforcement in 2010. Speeding citations are issued for vehicles that exceed the posted speed limit by 12 mph or more. Revenues from traffic citations issued for violations captured by cameras often go to fund police departments. Cedar Rapids anticipates the cameras will generate $7.2 million in revenue for the fiscal year beginning July 1 and ending June 30, 2025. Roughly $5.5 million of which is budgeted to fund 41 police officer positions. More than $1.7 million is earmarked for the citys traffic camera service provider and collection costs. Cedar Rapids partners with vendor Sensys Gatso USA Inc., to run the program. For red light citations, Sensys Gatso receives $22 per paid citation and the city receives $78 per paid citation. For speed citations, the vendor receives $18 per paid citation and the amount to the city varies depending on the amount of the fine. Dostal and law enforcement officials said theyre willing to put guardrails on the use of traffic cameras to make sure that they're used as intended for safety purposes, and support a regulatory structure that creates a reliable, standardized process. I appreciate having this conversation about a regulatory bill. Its long overdue, Des Moines Police Chief Dana Wingert said. There are jurisdictions out there that are doing it the right way. Some that are not. But all the things I see in this bill on the regulation side are things that we're already doing; things we've been doing since the inception. What the bill does The bill codifies the previously adopted 2014 DOT rules. Cameras would only be allowed in areas with documented high-crash or high-risk locations that make it unsafe for police to make in-person traffic stops, such as the I-380 S-curve. Cities and counties would be required to apply to the Iowa DOT for permission to install a speed camera on a state highway or interstate and justify the location with data showing a high volume of crashes, as well as documentation of alternative solutions tried and considered but not implemented, including engineering and design changes, and public education campaigns. The bill applies only to cameras used by local jurisdictions to monitor and enforce excessive speed violations on DOT-maintained primary road systems. The Iowa DOT would not have authority to regulate traffic cameras that issue tickets for vehicles caught speeding or running red lights on city streets. It also would prohibit the DOT from using automated traffic enforcement or receiving related payments from cities and counties. Cities and counties could appeal the DOT denial of a traffic camera location, and would be required to report back to the DOT annually on the number of citations issued and any change in crash volume to justify the continued need for a camera at approved sites. The bill requires stationary cameras be calibrated quarterly, and mobile systems calibrated before each use at a new location. Cities and counties also would be required to post signs in advance of locations where traffic cameras are in use to alert drivers. It also states automated traffic enforcement cameras must be used in conjunction with conventional law enforcement methods, not as a replacement for law enforcement officer contact. Wingert suggested House lawmakers amend the bill to standardize fines across the state so that Iowa drivers know what to expect. Altoona Police Chief Greg Stallman, representing the Iowa Police Chiefs Association, also suggested including red-light cameras, which are not addressed in the bill, and requiring a public information and education program to take place before cameras are used to issue warnings. Subcommittee chairman Rep. Phil Thompson, R-Boone, said hes open to amending the bill to include those suggestions. Where the bill goes from here The Senate has advanced its own bill to regulate the use of automated traffic enforcement cameras. Unlike Senate File 2408, the House bill does not specify how local governments must handle revenues from traffic tickets. The Senate bill would require communities to give up a share of revenues to the state for law enforcement training and an award program for volunteer firefighters and emergency medical personnel. Revenues kept by cities and counties could only be used to pay for road projects or to offset police or fire department operating costs. The Senate bill also would ban traffic cameras for communities under 20,000 in population, and specifies how fines could be issued by larger communities. I fully expect us to marry language between the House and the Senate on a regulatory piece and move that forward, subcommittee chair Rep. Phil Thompson, R-Boone, said. Both chambers also introduced legislation this year that combined a traffic camera ban with another controversial bill that would ban the use of hand-held phones or other devices behind the wheel. Senate File 2337 is on unfinished business in the Senate. A similar House bill failed to advance. I really think there is a middle ground here, Thompson said. I totally understand the perspective of people who want an all out ban. I'm honestly philosophically probably in that camp. But working with (police) chiefs, especially in the Cedar Rapids area these can play a good role in public safety. So I think we're really striking a good middle ground here, as far as making sure that it is about public safety, and not about revenue generation. Sen. Mike Klimesh, R-Spillville, the chair of the Senate Transportation Committee who proposed the Senate regulation bill, said he intends to sit down with House lawmakers in the coming days to hammer out compromise language. I've always been pro-regulation and look forward to continue to work on that as it moves forward and see what kind of compromise we can come up with, Klimesh said. Not a month goes by, it seems, when the country doesn't have some minor cultural trend to spar over. These "debates" can be fun or not. But in almost every case, fights over these passing fixations are futile. OK. Let's get specific. There's that recent skirmish over something called "bookshelf wealth." Never heard of it? Well, Architectural Digest called bookshelf wealth "2024's first major design rrend." TikTok is all over it. What is bookshelf wealth? It is arranging your bookshelf in a visually pleasing manner. For fancy people, that means amassing a "curated" collection of books placed just so. The intention is to advertise one's brainy interests. A related TikTok phrase is "dark academia." It refers to a subculture that venerates reading and writing. Typical decor includes overstuffed couches, sculpture and walls painted a murky midnight blue. Needless to say, there's been considerable blowback by people who are serious readers or claim to be. Books to them are holy objects with value far beyond the decorative. A yellowing paperback of "The Sound and the Fury" deserves more veneration than a ceramic horse. Some TikTok influencers address this objection, or try. "These aren't display books," one insists in a not convincing way. "These are books that have actually been curated and read." If she says so. Some widely circulating videos on bookshelf wealth show shelves laden with vases, candlesticks and black-and-white art photography -- interspersed with a few book spines. "Embrace odd numbers," the instructions say. And "keep your shelves feeling as intentional as possible." One critic responded: "Bookshelf wealth doesn't mean you have books. It means you have built-ins." As proof that she reads, the woman supplied pictures of books piled on her floor. Libraries have become hoo-ha designations in upscale new houses. They imply that the owners don't spend all their free time frozen before the monster screen in the "media room." They also do quiet contemplation My favorite fake library was in the now-defunct Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Manalapan, Florida, just south of Palm Beach. I was meeting someone there and thought, oh, a hushed library would be a nice place to hang out. The "clubby room" had carefully arranged books, all with leather covers in the same moss green. Closer inspection showed titles all in Dutch. I decided to wait in the bar. As you may guess by now, we're not here to discuss the merits or silliness of bookshelf wealth. We are here to argue against arguing about it for any purpose other than the recreational. If someone wants to arrange a bookshelf in a way to imply intellectual heft -- or to display a bowling trophy -- it's their bookshelf. As for those who don't read but want to portray a rich life of the mind, no one's stopping them. Kindle has complicated matters for readers who like to have physical books around them. An interesting thing about bookshelf wealth is that it promotes sales of the old-fashioned paper product. Serious readers can stick a finger in the eye of the bookshelf wealth aesthetic by topping a stack with a Big Bird plush toy, but they should know, that's posing, too. Given today's politics, one is not sure how long TikTok will be with us. But as long as it is, be aware that what TikTok features, TikTok mocks. There may be important concerns over whether the social media platform gives the Chinese government a tool to spy on us, but TikTok does one useful thing: It cuts silly cultural conflicts down to size. Thus, declaring winners in the bookshelf wealth debate is of no consequence, even to the winners. Everyone does what they want with their bookshelves. That's as it should be. When 20 Days in Mariupol won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature, March 10, Jordan Dykstra wasnt on the stage of the Dolby Theatre, basking in the spotlight. Instead, the Sioux City native was cheering his team on from the audience. Dykstra, a 2003 Bishop Heelan Catholic High School graduate, wrote the musical score for 20 Days in Mariupol, a film which revolved around a team of Ukrainian journalists trapped in the besieged city of Mariupol when Russian troops invaded Ukraine. The 38-year-old Dykstra had already written scores for such films as Blow the Man Down, Hail Satan? and 2019s Documenting Hate, which had won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Investigative Documentary. However, 20 Days in Mariupol directed by Mstyslav Chernov was a unique experience for everyone involved in the making of the film. I think I can speak for the whole team in saying we knew the film was going to have an impact, Dykstra said. The film also allowed Dykstra a chance to mingle at the Oscars, while wearing a responsible wool suit by COS as well as an off-white shirt by Another Aspect. Which was at least one nice aspect. 20 Days was such a tough film for me to work on, Dykstra said. Ive never wept so much on the job before. Dear Annie: My parents have had property for many, many years. This property was to be divided among us kids upon their death. My father passed away, which puts my mother in charge of everything. Recently, we found out that she gave ALL this property to one of our siblings. We were always a close-knit family, but this has caused a huge rift among us. I know its her money/property and she is entitled to do what she wants, but it really hurt us that she chose one child over her other children. We always suspected he was her chosen one, but now we really know he is the chosen one. We ALL have been there for her, and this brother has only been there for her since our dad passed. How do we move past this? Hurting Kids in Ohio Dear Hurting Kids: I am sorry for your loss both of your father and now your inheritance. It is no surprise that you feel hurt so much. Im not sure how close your siblings are to each other, but maybe the brother who inherited everything will try to make things more equitable. I would suggest having a family get-together, mother included, and discuss the situation as calmly as possible. Remind everyone that family is more important than possessions. Dear Annie: My husband and I are in our mid-60s and have been married for almost 50 years. We married and started our family very early in life. My problem, Im sure, is shared by many women my age. My husband cant stop ogling other women in public. He is always secretly looking up the sexually dressed women and videos. I have told him many times how that hurts me. He says hes sorry, but then later his behavior rears its ugly head again. He also is very friendly with females in public. He says hes just being nice. Ive gotten so that I dont want to go to public places with him. I love him, but I dont like how he disrespects me as his wife and especially as a woman. I cant compete with whats out there, nor do I want to. Disrespected Wife Dear Disrespected Wife: Your husband is acting like a louse. You should keep talking to him about how disrespected you feel he is being to you and to the women who he is ogling in public. If he continues to ignore your requests, it is time to seek the help of a professional marriage counselor. 'GHOSTBUSTERS: FROZEN EMPIRE' (Rated PG-13 for supernatural action/violence, language and suggestive references) When the discovery of an ancient artifact unleashes an evil force, Ghostbusters new and old must join forces to protect their home and save the world from a second ice age. 'IMMACULATE' (Rated R for strong and bloody violent content, grisly images, nudity and some language) Cecilia, a woman of devout faith, is warmly welcomed to the picture-perfect Italian countryside where she is offered a new role at an illustrious convent. But it becomes clear to Cecilia that her new home harbors dark and horrifying secrets. 'SLEEPING DOGS' (Rated R for violence/bloody images, sexual content and language) An ex-homicide detective (Russell Crowe) with memory loss is forced to solve a brutal murder, only to uncover chilling secrets from his forgotten past. 'LATE NIGHT WITH THE DEVIL' (Rated R for violent content, some gore and language including a sexual reference) A live television broadcast in 1977 goes horribly wrong, unleashing evil into the nation's living rooms. 'ON FIRE' (Rated PG-13 for action/peril, disturbing images and some strong language) Follows a family who lives in a trailer home in the woods and are suddenly confronted by a wildfire. Survival becomes their main objective. NEW DVD RELEASES FOR THE WEEK Cult Killer' 'Niki and Nora' 'Rick & Morty: The Complete Seventh Season' 'Jonah' 'Sonic Prime," season one Each week in Dear Prudence Uncensored, Prudie discusses a tricky letter with fellow Slate writer (and her husband!) Joel Anderson, only for Slate Plus members. This week, they dig into Food Fling. Dear Prudence, My question concerns asking someone out on a date. I (50s gay man) work at a food pantry which has regular clients who can come in once a month. Over the last couple of years there is one client (40s gay man) who comes in and is very friendly and slightly flirty. We have client information, including phone numbers. Would it be completely inappropriate to text with a casual It was great to see you today at the pantry, I would like to get to know you better outside of work, would you want to grab a coffee/have lunch sometime? I know that might seem innocuous, but he didnt give me his phone number, so would know that I looked it up (Creepy, right?). And since he receives a service from me which he counts on, it could make it awkward for him to come back. (Really bad, yes?) He is really nice, and I think we would have a good time hanging out, but having been out of the dating scene for a while Im hesitant. Food Fling Read Prudies original response to this letter. Jenee Desmond-Harris: So I chose this one because I wanted to err on the side of making sure the letter writer didnt sexually harass a client (particularly someone vulnerable and in need of food), but Im worried I missed a creative way for him to make a move. As someone whos always been a good flirt and has a knack for pickup lines, what do you think? Joel Anderson: Hold up before I answer anything, I need to clear the air: Youre the one who once told me that you were a flirt, and you said it in a way that made clear it was an immutable fact about yourself, like having curly hair or long legs. Whereas I never remember saying this about myself, ever! Jenee: Maybe Im misremembering and you just said you never had trouble getting a date. Whatever! Do you have anything to add to help this man? Joel: Thats also false but let me get down to business. This is a terrible idea. I actually thought you chose this letter because of that time I was setting up landline phone service in Florida (yes, this was many, many years ago) and the customer service rep texted me back after the call to I dont really know what youd call it. But she said she thought I sounded cute. And you know what I couldnt help but think after initially being flattered? That it was wildly unprofessional and inappropriate. Sir, please dont do this. It seems like you have a good thing going for now. If things are going to turn personal, you should let the client be the one to make that happen. Jenee: Id forgotten about that customer service interaction. At least in that case, you never had to see her again and werent relying on her for anything after the call ended. It also reminds me of when I made a report about a stolen cell phone and the police officer who came to take it kept asking where I was going to hang out that weekend. Not great. I do wonder, though, if theres some way thats still within the bounds of professionalism that the letter writer can communicate warmth and openness. Like, I dont know Oh I see you got some apples this week! I make an amazing apple pie. If you want, I could bring some in for you to try next time I bake one. What do you think? Too much?? Joel: Oooooh look at the flirt, back in action! But thats pretty good. I also think if the LW just lets the interactions continue, if theyre as friendly and flirty as he believes, that itll gradually escalate to a point where the client will eventually ask them out. But if the LW just doesnt want to leave fate to chance, then yeah, maybe making it clear hes doing something special for the client, like making an amazing apple pie, is a potential opening. Jenee: I guess the rule Im comfortable with is You can be really, really nice and friendly to set the stage for him to make a move but you should stop short of suggesting spending time outside of the food pantry. The closest Id be comfortable with would be Any fun plans this weekend? Im going to the Memorial Day parade. Maybe Ill see you there! Joel: No wonder you used to have so many suitors! But yes, the details of the invitation are much less important than what the LW shouldnt do, which is make a direct ask or call or text them at their personal number. In fact, if the LW did the latter, they could find themselves being fired from their position. Jenee: Nothing that would require the client to say no. Joel: Its definitely an open-ended invitation, like Im going to be here on this day and then let them take it from there. Or per your earlier advice, the LW should do something that lets the client know hes interested in him beyond their routine interactions at the food pantry. Even if its complimenting a special item of clothing, or turning How was your weekend? into a real opportunity for engagement and not polite small talk. Jenee: Yep. Also: Do you ever wonder what could have been with the Comcast rep? Joel: Not really, because I was in a relationship at the time! Do you wonder about what couldve happened with the cop who wanted to help you with your phone? Jenee: Not in the least. Imagine me as a Blue Lives Matter wife! Joel: Well, you did once give money to a police fund but Im glad were on the same page, lol. Jenee: Okay that was a very different time and they got me with a story about injured officers. Well save the analysis for another column. Joel: I cant wait to read all about it. My sister Theda had been bedridden for seven years when she first decided she wanted to die. She was 32 then, and a mysterious chronic illness had diminished her will to live. Though it wasnt legal in Australia at the time, she wanted to die by euthanasia. Technically, this would classify the death she wished for as a suicide. But ethicallyand within the familywe understood it differently. Theda was 24 when her symptoms began. The fatigue came on first. A few years later, she developed chronic nerve pain, light and sound sensitivity, and multiple food intolerances. Our mother cared for her at home, and Theda only left the house for medical appointments. She lost any semblance of a social life, and eventually, she could no longer read, watch TV, or use a computer without getting migraines. Conversing with her became difficult because she couldnt concentrate enough to construct sentences. Her suffering was physical, but it was also socialit affected our family and community. Nothing helped. The only change, despite so much effort, was that it got worse. I was backpacking around India when she initially broached the topic of euthanasia. My mom had called to explain the situation, and I talked to Theda the next day from a public phone on a dirt path atop a cliff overlooking the coast. I remember some backpackers haggling with a street vendor nearby, and feeling anxious because I wasnt sure what I would say. Her voice came wispy and weak over a crackling connection, but it was clear enough. At first, I did most of the talking. I spoke of India and made some jokes about backpacking culture. Then she told me how things were at home. She had almost run out of treatment options. Her doctors were scratching their heads. One had diagnosed her with chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia. Others argued her problem was a mental illness with psychosomatic symptoms. Theda had chosen to follow the doctor claiming it was chronic fatigue. This doctors treatments were slowly bankrupting our family, and we hadnt seen any improvements. Our father had checked out and moved away, so it was just Theda, Mom, and me. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Khin, she said. Ive read some chapters of a book about euthanasia, and it suggests asking your loved ones permission before you start making plans. This was in 2006. The book she was talking about was by Derek Humphry, a controversial figure who advocated for extending medically assisted dying to the chronicallynot just terminallyill. He offers an ethical framework and practical advice to those wishing to pursue a peaceful death, even when doing so may be illegal where they live. I accepted my sisters request over the phone that day. I realized as we were speaking that I couldnt refuse her the right to die. Here I was exploring the world with a backpack and a healthy life while shed been in bed for seven years. It was deeply troubling: Part of me resisted her wish, but another part knew that shed proceed regardless without my blessing, which meant shed potentially face a lonelier and more distressing death. Advertisement Advertisement She assured me she wasnt ready to give up living yetshe was just setting her ducks in a row. Enjoy India, she said. Ill see you when you get back. Advertisement Theda didnt follow through until six years later. In that time, her symptoms worsened. New doctors appeared, and with them came new treatments and cycles of hope and disappointment. Mom suffered two stress-related strokes, and my mental health declined. We tried mainstream medicine, and dipped into the outer reaches of alternative therapies. We got scammed by questionable people promising impossible cures. Mom lost all her retirement savings, and Theda began to experience regular psychotic breaks. Then, in 2013, Theda found a website that sent euthanasia drugs internationally using a process called hushmail. For years she had followed the work of Philip Nitschke, whose organization Exit International helps people seek euthanasia in places where its illegal. She worried the drugs she saw online might not be real, but with advice from Nitschkes website at her fingertips, she felt confident enough to proceed without getting scammed. Advertisement The drugs arrived in a nondescript cardboard box postmarked from Mexico. Inside were two vials of sodium pentobarbitala clear liquid used in animal euthanasia and death row executions. She locked the vials in a petty cash box under her bed. Im not going to take it yet, she told me. Its just comforting to know its there. I can go on longer knowing an escape hatch exists. But she would use them soon enough. She took the drugs a few months later. Advertisement Advertisement I had told Theda in no uncertain terms that I didnt want her to die. My mother was hit hardest, but we both had to accept it. Its only because of these thingsour familys embrace of Thedas choice and the medical method she used to diethat our story is about euthanasia, not suicide. Euthanasia involves loved ones, dignity, and a peaceful method. Suicide usually is decided alone. Its generally performed haphazardly, with uncertain and often traumatic results. Advertisement Advertisement The complex ethics of euthanasia are tackled differently across the globe. Some of the most permissive assisted dying laws can be found in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Switzerland, which offer people with chronic nonterminal conditionsincluding mental illnessesthe right to die. These conditions can range from severe autoimmune diseases and nonterminal cancers to treatment-resistant forms of depression and schizophrenia. In Belgium and the Netherlands two doctors must deem a persons suffering as incurable and intolerable, and they must also agree that the patient is mentally equipped to make such a request. In the United States, the debate is complicated by a lack of universal access to health care; experts point out that suffering from a chronic condition may be exacerbated or even caused by an inability to get treatment, making euthanasia a grim option. Currently, euthanasia is allowed in a small number of states, each of which has slightly different laws. In those states, only people with a terminal illness like ALS/Lou Gehrigs disease or some forms of cancer may access the drugs, and in some cases, the patient must have been given a prognosis of having six months or less to live. This is, perhaps, the option that is easiest for the general public to get on board with: the right to dictate when ones impending death will happen, and that it will proceed in a predictable manner. Advertisement Advertisement Canada currently offers medically assisted deaths to people with terminal illnesses and chronic illnesses. The debate about whether that should extend to chronic mental illness has caused a stir. The current Canadian government has a plan to offer medically assisted death to mental illness patients on a case-by-case basis, but it hasnt yet put it into action. A process for assessing these patients was originally slated to begin in March of this year, but it has recently been pushed back to 2027, after Canadas next federal election. Advertisement My family tackled euthanasia from an especially troubling angle, one that falls far outside firm categories of illness. The question of whether Thedas condition was mental or physical was constantly debated, and it initially weighed heavily on me when thinking about her right to die. Doctors who believed mental illness was at the core of her problem argued that her physical symptoms were psychosomatic. This is known as conversion disorder, where people experience physical and sensory problems because of psychological distress. Others who diagnosed her with physical conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and Lyme disease eschewed psychiatric explanations and treatments altogether. The tension between these two camps was never resolved. Even after her death and an autopsy, the nature of her illness remains uncertain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That uncertainty highlights the way our culture ranks suffering in conversations about who deserves the right to die. Were socialized to see some types of suffering with less sympathy. Wellcome Prizewinning neurologist Suzanne OSullivan discusses this prejudice in her 2016 book Its All In Your Head, which focuses on psychosomatic illnesses. I have come to realize that not all suffering is the same, she writes. It is not necessarily the greater suffering that receives the greatest consideration and sympathy. Illness is not scored in that way. Deadly disease obviously scores higher than others. After that there is an unofficial ranking system for illness in which psychiatric disorders are the out-and-out losers. Psychiatric disorders manifesting as physical disease are at the very bottom of that pile. Advertisement This distinction between physical, psychological, and hybrid suffering didnt matter much to Theda in the end. After 13 years of being unable to get out of bed, suffering was suffering. What we called itor what her diagnosis waswas beside the point. Advertisement All of the diagnoses she was given, whether mental or physical, relied on clinical assessments. No blood tests or scan-based technologies were capable of definitively proving what was causing her sickness. For each possible diagnosis, a doctor would interview her about her symptoms, and she could only describe them. The symptoms she described were on lists for multiple diseases. Definitively proving any diagnosis was impossible, so she had to choose among those on offer, and then commit to a treatment plan. Advertisement Advertisement Over the years, I tended to believe the doctors who attributed my sisters condition to mental illness. I felt this way for a number of reasons, but I learned to keep my mouth shut about it because I soon realized that evoking mental illness upset her immensely. I started to think about why we stigmatize some diseases, especially those linked to mental health. Stigma affects a sick persons life profoundly. It adds to their suffering. And it affects their family. Importantly, it can perpetuate their resistance to a diagnosis that involves the mind, keeping them from trying treatments that might help. Part of the reason I believed Thedas physical symptoms were connected to a deeper psychological issue was that she started to have regular psychotic breaks at the age of 26. Looking back, I see that these psychotic breaks could have been caused by her ongoing physical pain and social isolationbut psychiatrists often told us that it was the reverse. They believed her physical symptoms were hallucinations caused by an underlying psychiatric issue. I privately agreed with them, though I didnt judge my sister for it as she feared some people might. Im not crazy! she told me when mental illness causing physical symptoms came up once. She neednt have worried, because I never saw her as crazy. I loved her and only wanted her to get better. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When she was psychotic, she talked to me a lot. I would be her confidant in the locked psychiatric wards in which she was sometimes committed. In these wards, she was stripped of her rights and unable to leave, so I would visit her daily. Her personality was completely transformed. Usually mild-mannered, polite, and cautious, she became melodramatic, forthright, and charismatic when a psychosis hit. She could be violent and irrational, too. We usually had to call the police to get her from my mothers house to the hospital. These breaks with reality came about once every nine months. She would barely recognize me as her brother during those times. She preferred to categorize people according to archetypes. I was often the brother or sometimes Neo; Mom and our father were the mother and the father. She even spoke about herself in the third person, as if commenting on a troubled twin with whom she occasionally shared a body. Shed also talk to people who werent there, babbling about gods and demons. It was during these times that I first heard her talk about our childhood traumas. Advertisement Theda and I grew up in a broken household with ethnic tensions. Dad was a Burmese refugee, and Mom was a working-class Englishwoman who couldnt afford to get back to the Northern Hemisphere. Cut off from any extended family, one parent wanted us to identify as Asian, and the other as Western. Throughout adolescence, we were bullied for being dark-skinned in a predominantly white neighborhood. We lived in a suburb adjacent to where the Australian Nationalist MovementPerths active white supremacy grouphad set up its headquarters. We went through adolescence in a backwater part of the worlds most isolated city in the 1980s, and when I was 12, nearly half a million posters appeared around town stating that our kind were not welcome. Anti-Asian immigration had been the government policy in my country until just before Theda was born, so the bigotry in our city was still strong. Racism came at us from teachers, peers, and adults. It was implied in stories we read and the television we watched. That made for a tough and confusing childhood, leaving both Theda and me with a sense that something was intrinsically wrong with us. We internalized racism because we werent empowered with a language to describe what we were experiencing. We blamed ourselves. For me, that manifested as major depression from the ages of 13 to 24. For Theda, I believe it contributed to her getting sick. I later discovered research that links poor adult health to the particular kinds of developmental stress minorities often face as children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Theda was sane, she never talked about our childhood. Only psychotic Theda did that. During a psychosis, it was like she became another person. Her speech patterns changedshe had what psychiatrists call pressured speech, which is the constant need to talk (somewhat incoherently). She also clanged, which is a tendency to fill silence with simple rhyming speech patterns. She trusted me during these times in a way she didnt seem to trust anyone else. She tried to communicate with me, and there were narratives in the content of her speech that I recognized. She talked a lot about her physical condition, calling it the sickness Theda has. She believed that her illness existed because our family was in the wrong realm. She mythologized our migration and ethnic experience when speaking like this, saying our parents had migrated from more agreeable realms in their past lives. She also commonly linked her physical illness to trauma from a past life in which shed been raped and buried alive for attempting to move freely in a single-ethnicity culture while being a half-caste. Advertisement It was my sisters personality to repress painful childhood memories, but they came tumbling out when her sanity was compromised. Most importantly, all her physical symptoms would temporarily vanish as that occurred. This is one reason I always felt her illness had psychological rootsher physical symptoms seemed capable of transforming into mythic narratives about trauma. It was remarkable to witness. Her food intolerances would stop, light and sound would no longer give her migraines, she didnt experience any fatigue or pain, and her short-sightedness improved, quite dramatically. The abatement of symptoms would last for the duration of each psychosis, usually around 10 days. After that, her symptoms would return. This tracks with theories about how repressed trauma can drive psychosomatic illnesses. These theories, which began with Freud in the late 1800s, revolve around the idea that when people cannot consciously process trauma, their brains manifest perceptions of physical symptoms instead. When they find a way to face the trauma consciously, those physical symptoms tend to abate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The world of psychogenic research is fascinating, sometimes counterintuitive, and often deeply resonant. Functional neurologic disorderanother name for conversion disorderappears in the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and it can include symptoms like blindness, paralysis, allergies, seizures, fatigue, and pain. Once known as hysteria and attributed mostly to women, it still gets some bad press. Many people, including some doctors, equate it with faking or hypochondria, whereas others imagine that it simply doesnt exist, citing sexist ignorance in past eras as the only reason such things were ever diagnosed. But psychogenic diseases do exist, and much research confirms that they arent the same as faking. These conditions have been recorded since ancient Egypt, and they happen to both men and women. They have been cured in some people, and they remain incurable in others. Diagnosing them is difficult, but proof often appears when a psychological treatment eliminates otherwise inexplicable physical symptoms. Research estimates that 20 percent of all neurology consultations include patients with some conversion disorder symptoms. Advertisement For many years I believed that my sister had severe conversion disorder. But as I learned more about medically inexplicable conditions, I also began to consider other possibilities. Emotional distress can change our cells, which is quite different from conversion disorder and explains why my sisters hormone levels were often out of whack when tested. Chronic teen bullying victims, for example, can have higher levels of disease-indicating C-reactive proteins that can last a lifetime. Women who have been physically or psychologically abused by a partner show altered neurological and gastrointestinal function. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a strikingly illustrative example of how emotional and social distress can potentially alter our physical health through our hormones. It is a heart disease that shows up on echocardiograms as a deformation in a patients left ventricle, caused by spikes in their stress hormone levels. It can kill, and it occurs in in people who are struggling with grief, financial stress, or social isolation. Crohns disease and endometriosis are two more well-known physical conditions that have also been partially linked to psychological trauma. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like many people, I once classified mental and physical diseases as quite distinct from each other. In my mind, a key difference involved their cause and cure. My perception was that mental illnesses were generally caused by social and familial distress, and that they could be cured with medication and/or therapy. The reality is that mental illnesses can be, for some, a lifelong burden. They have genetic factors too. And social and familial distress can cause physical illnesses just as they can cause mental illness. When we recognize that mental and physical illnesses are not so cleanly divided, we can also question the usefulness of that divide for deciding on someones right to die. Should a person experiencing a temporary mental health episode be considered a euthanasia candidate? Everyone would agree the answer is no. Just like someone experiencing a bad case of mononucleosis shouldnt be given the right to a medically assisted death, nor should someone experiencing an episode of depression. Advertisement But should someones right to die be explicitly about their diagnosis? When someones suffering is intolerable and without an end in sight, that should be enough of a reason to consider their right to a peaceful death, on a case-by-case basis. We should listen to people in that situation when they ask for more rights, no matter the cause of their illness, as a cause may not be able to be neatly untangled. Advertisement Advertisement Stigmatizing some types of diagnosesand seeing some terrible chronic conditions as worthy of the right to die and not othersis a form of collective victim-blaming. Social psychologist Melvin Lerner can give us insight there. He hypothesized in the 1970s that victim-blaming is driven by the blamers desire for an illusion of safety. When we imagine that someones misfortune is caused by their own folly, we can strike that misfortune from our own list of personal concerns. Consider how that plays into the ways we stigmatize some illnesses. Blaming the patient alleviates our anxiety about that particular sickness. Hence, mental illnesses get stigmatized because many people wish to imagine themselves immune. As noted by OSullivan, psychosomatic conditions attract the intense victim-blaming because they challenge the very framework separating mental and physical illnesses. This challenges our illusion of invulnerability in a significant way. Advertisement Advertisement I learned to see beyond that as I went through this story with my family. My big sisters illness was not her fault. It was an illness as real as any other, and beyond her control regardless of whether it was mental or physical in origin. It was likely caused by social trauma, but it proved untreatable. And her suffering was terrible. In a 2023 essay for the Atlantic, David Brooks argues that the right to die should be afforded narrowly, only for people with terminal physical conditions. You dont have the right to make a choice you will never be able to revisit, he writes. Banish the question from your mind, because the answer is a simple no. He believes sick people owe it to their ancestors and society to continue living despite their suffering. He blames modern liberal culture for prioritizing individual well-being over our responsibility to others. Our individual choices take place within the framework of the gifts we have received, and the responsibilities to others that those gifts entail, he continues. Advertisement I agree with Brooks that tackling the rights of chronically ill patients involves thinking about responsibility. But instead of putting the emphasis on the individual, as he does, we must think about responsibility more broadly. We need to examine how we rank illness-related suffering as a culture. Thats our responsibility. We also need to consider how social injustice plays a role in causing chronic and mental illnesses. In the final month of my sisters life, I traveled to America because of pressing concerns in New York. Meanwhile, Theda was back in Australia with pentobarbital under her bed. She had promised me she wouldnt end her life without first calling me back to Australia. I knew it was a risk leaving, but I took it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The night I arrived in New York, George Zimmermans trial was on a TV in the reception area of my accommodation.* It was mainstream news, and two anchors were orchestrating a conversation between talking heads in live feeds. The topic turned to growing up Black in America and how it could affect the long-term psychological well-being of people like Trayvon Martin. They argued about the impact of racial inferiority complexes. I remember watching that debate with awe. Theda and I hadnt grown up in a society debating such ideas. We never encountered those thoughts in our social circles or on national news. Some of our ignorance came from growing up working class, and the rest was colonial Australias tendency to sweep discomfort under the rug rather than discussing it on TV. Id never heard the term racial inferiority complex until that year, but it resonated. I remember being affected by how my sister would perceive and react to what I was seeing. Witnessing a nation discuss such things makes thinking about them possible. A robust public discourse on racism would have helped her to shine a light on the childhood experiences that she seemed to understand in her head when psychotic, and in her body when she was sane. I realized that night in New York that I was witnessing one of the ways a society can speak to the sick. Advertisement A month later, Theda euthanized herself while I was still abroad. It happened after shed attended a medical appointment with a neurologist who implied her suffering was her fault becausethat neurologist believedit had a mental health component at its core. I was staying at an Airbnb in Ithaca at the time. I hadnt truly imagined Theda ending her life without calling me home. That day, Mum phoned while I was at a cafe getting ready to catch a bus to Albany. After the call, I remember walking down the main street toward the bus station on autopilot, unsure where I was going. Mums voice was playing over in my head, telling me that my sister was gone. It felt like I was watching myself from outside my own flesh. Advertisement Advertisement I wasnt mad at Theda for ending her life. She had chosen euthanasia after reaching the end of what she could tolerate. I knew that it no longer mattered whether her illness had been in her body or mind. All I knew is that she was no longer suffering. If you need to talk, or if you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, text the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The Biden administration faces increasing backlash over new legislation that will re-classify gig workers as employees. The Labor Departments (DOL) new Independent Contractor Rule came into effect on March 11. It imposes six criteria that employers must consider when deeming whether to classify a worker as an independent gig contractor or an employee. The new rule makes it more difficult for employers to classify workers as independent contractors, which is likely to have a significant impact on industries that rely heavily on gig workers, such as ride hailing, food delivery and creative services. According to Statista data, as of February 2024 there were 76.4 million freelance workers in the US. Turning a sizeable amount of the millions on independent contractors into unionized employees would help President Joe Biden achieve his promise of being the most pro-union president in American history. But the new law has been criticized by gig workers, small business advocates, trade groups, and lawmakers. They liken it to the controversial rule in California, which governs gig work and that came into effect on January 1, 2020. The law, known as Assembly Bill 5 (AB5), requires many businesses to treat gig workers as employees. Under the rule, the number of articles freelance journalists can be paid for are capped. However, following an outcry by gig workers, the legislature in California passed over 100 exemptions for industries that were being impacted by the law. At least five lawsuits have been filed against the Biden administration to stop the new Independent Contactor Rule. The US Chamber of Commerce is one of the latest groups challenging the law. But the DOL argues that the legislation helps protects workers rights and offers more consistency through the Fair Labor Standards Act. More Perfect Union, the union-friendly organization, support the rule, argues that the forthcoming legislation will result in higher wages and overtime pay for millions of workers in gig jobs. However, workers continue to prioritize the flexibility and autonomy that contracted employment models provide, as a Harvard Business Review study found. Karen Anderson, founder of the Freelancers Against AB5, described the rule as disruptive and cruel. Within our membership, weve identified more than 600 categories of professions affected by this destructive, disruptive and cruel law, she said. Mary Kathleen Rhodes (Kathy), 66, of Leonardtown, MD, passed away on March 12, 2024, at home with her family by her side after a courageous battle with ovarian cancer. Kathy was born on April 26, 1957, in Leonardtown, MD, to the late George Kalnasy and Patricia Ann (Reithmeyer) Kalnasy. Kathy was the second oldest of six children and a lifelong resident of St. Mary's County, Maryland. She attended Father Andrew White, S.J. School, and was a 1975 graduate of St. Mary's Academy. Shortly after graduation, Kathy started her career with the Internal Revenue Service in Washington, DC. Several years later, she transferred to the U.S. Department of the Navy at Patuxent River, MD, where Kathy remained until she retired as a Supervisory Human Resources Specialist in 2017. Kathy met and became lifelong friends with many co-workers, and even stayed in touch throughout her retirement. On May 21, 1982, she married John Taylor Rhodes in Leonardtown, MD. They were blessed with two daughters who gave them four grandchildren. Family was extremely important to Kathy and she was a proud wife, mother, grandmother, sister and aunt. Her grandchildren meant the world to her and she would call them every evening to check in and say goodnight. In her free time, she enjoyed restoring furniture and some of her favorite pieces were those she refinished for her grandchildren. She also enjoyed photography, especially when the subjects were her grandchildren, as well as annual vacations with her daughters and extended family. Kathy also served the community as a volunteer EMT with the Leonardtown Volunteer Rescue Squad for many years. She was a Past President and member of the Executive Board. She is survived by her husband, John; daughters, Kelley Grace Bean (Sean) of Hollywood, MD, Emily Taylor Franklin of Leonardtown, MD; siblings, George Kalnasy, Jr. (Dolores) of Leonardtown, MD, Paul Kalnasy (Debbie) of Valley Lee, MD, Khriss Howard (Jimmy) of Tall Timbers, MD, Marta Bullis (Ritch) of Leonardtown, MD, Patty Dabbs (Jay) of St. Mary's City, MD; grandchildren, Madelyn, Sophia, Maci Ann, and Maxwell, and many nieces and nephews. At Kathy's request, all services are private. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to: the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (ocrahope.org), or Hospice of St. Mary's, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650. On March 15, 2024, Deborah Kathryn "Kathy" Vassallo, 69, a cherished wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend, passed away peacefully at her home in Deale, MD, with her family by her side. After a 2.5-year battle with cancer, Kathy's strength and grace throughout her illness were an inspiration to all who knew her. Born to Richard and Frances Mayer on August 11,1954 in Camp Springs Maryland, Kathy attended St. Philip the Apostle School and graduated from Crossland High School in 1972. Marrying the love of her life, with whom she shared over 50 beautiful years, they settled in Dunkirk, MD. Their union was blessed with two wonderful daughters, and together they shared the importance of the Catholic faith. Kathy's professional life was deeply rooted in Catholic education, having worked for 20 years at St. Mary of the Assumption School and later 9 years at St. Pius X Regional School, where she would say the highlight of her career was working with both of her daughters. Kathy's warm smile greeted countless families, sharing with them the importance of a faith-based education. It was within these communities that she formed enduring friendships, which evolved into family. Kathy loved the beach, boat rides, shopping, reading, cruises with family and friends, and of course a good chocolate martini. Her compassionate spirit extended into her role as a founding member of the St. Mary of the Assumption Ladies Auxiliary, where she relished in planning events and volunteering to support those in need. Kathy leaves behind her beloved husband, John; daughters, Vicky (Rich) McCann and Stephanie (Brian) Heller; and her grandson, Stewart. She is also survived by her sister, Theresa Fanone, and was preceded in death by her brother, Stephen Mayer, along with many nieces, nephews, and friends who were blessed to know her. A Visitation for family and friends will be held Wednesday March 20, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, followed by a Mass to celebrate Kathy's life at 11:00 A.M. A Private Interment will take place at a later date. Kathy loved to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. The family asks in her memory to wear a bit of green and make this a Mass of celebration of her life. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to support tuition assistance within The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington Schools. Donations can be made payable to the "Catholic Education Foundation" and mailed to the Catholic Education Foundation, C/O Office of Development, P.O. Box 29260, Washington, DC 20017-0260, in memory of Kathy Vassallo. Visit Spring music festival or screening of French film Annie Colere. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Share Music | Nature | Film Music video //www.youtube.com/embed/G6GJLYQWbhA Bratislava Spring festival 2024 March 24-26, 19:00 in Hall of Mirrors of the Primate's Palace, Primacialne namestie. The international choral festival in Bratislava, brings the most interesting from the field of choral singing. We invite choirs from all over the world to contribute to the peaceful spring mood with their singing, traditional culture and spontaneous performance. 11 choirs from 5 countries will participate in the festival, coming from Serbia, Slovenia, Denmark, Lithuania and of course Slovakia. You can learn more about the ensembles on the main page of the festival. https://en.frame.mapy.cz/s/lejucupatu Nature Vapenna (Source: One2We) Hike to Klokoc and Vapenna Meeting point: March 23 at 7:20 at Nivy bus station. This weekend the hikers will head out on a challenging hike to the peaks at Klokoc and Vapenna. They will cover 12-13 km in just over 4 hours over steep elevations and rocky terrain. So, the group will meet at Nivy bus station early in the morning, at 7:20, for the 7:33 bus on Platform 14. On their way to Plavecke Podhradie, where the hike will start, they will make a change at Rohoznik. The hikers will take the path out of the village, into the forest, and then to the first peak at Klokoc (661 m). They will continue along the ridgeway to Vapenna (752 m) then head down to Solosnica for the bus back at 14:00. If you'd like to go on a hike by yourself, see the map below. https://en.frame.mapy.cz/s/cucononalo Film video //www.youtube.com/embed/Bh67hz0eAww Screening of the film "Annie Colere" March 26, at 18:20 at the French Institute (Sedlarska 7). January 1974. Annie, a working-class mother of two, accidentally becomes pregnant and encounters the Abortion and Contraception Liberation Movement, which provides illegal abortions to the public. The film depicts how Annie meets both comrades and opponents through her struggle. The film is in French, but English subtitles will be available. https://en.frame.mapy.cz/s/dovazezoza If you have tips for free events in Bratislava or you would like to share your hiking or cycling trip ideas with readers, let us know at kseniia.husieva@spectator.sk. A story about a Ukrainian mother living in Bratislava, one of the largest banks to increase fees, and an idea to save a famous museum. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Share Good evening. Here is the Thursday, March 21 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in less than five minutes. Slovakia refuses to support Czech initiative Czech Republic's Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky, second left, welcomes his counterparts from Poland Radoslaw Sikorski, left, from Slovakia Juraj Blanar, right, and Hungary Peter Szijjarto, second right, as they meet in Prague, Czech Republic, on March 21, 2024. (Source: TASR) Slovakia won't join the Czech Republic's initiative to buy ammunition for Ukraine from third countries, said Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar (Smer) following a meeting of the heads of diplomacy of the V4 countries in Prague on Thursday, writes the TASR news agency. Hungary won't join the initiative, either. Poland supported the Czech move on Wednesday, however. The Czech Republic is trying to swiftly buy ammunition from countries outside Europe, asking several of its allies to finance this. A number of European countries, including France, have supported the initiative. The Slovak minister reiterated that there's no military solution to the conflict in Ukraine. He added that Slovakia is not isolated in the world of diplomacy, although Slovakia was not invited to a recent tele-conference on Ukraine. "We have also achieved results, for example, we managed to have a Slovak citizen removed from the list of anti-Russian sanctions, which was agreed upon by all EU member states. Do you think that if we had been isolated we would have achieved this result?" asked Blanar. Ministers in Prague also decided to increase the budget of the International Visegrad Fund, which should be headed by Slovak Linda Kapustova Helbichova from summer. Opposition: "Our neighbour is facing brutal aggression and we expect it to defend itself with pillows and duvets?" asked Progresivne Slovensko leader Michal Simecka in response to Blanar's decision. He added that the Slovak administration is sabotaging the good name of Slovakia. FEATURE STORY FOR THURSDAY The Ukrainian mother who has found a home and love in Slovakia Olena Kulish. (Source: The Nest Away From Home) For Olena Kulish's small family from eastern Ukraine, a simple room in a dormitory accommodation in Bratislava has become a place where she and her children can exist, safely, and can laugh as much as their lives allow them to. More stories from The Slovak Spectator website Business: Tatra Banka to introduce change to its price list, including new fees. Tatra Banka to introduce change to its price list, including new fees. Culture: The Slovak Mining Museum has come up with an idea to please collectors and raise money for the restoration of the famous Berggericht museum. The Slovak Mining Museum has come up with an idea to please collectors and raise money for the restoration of the famous Berggericht museum. Bratislava: After many years behind a lock, Bratislava may finally open its historic attraction to the public. If you like what we are doing and want to support good journalism, buy our online subscription with no ads and a print copy of The Slovak Spectator sent to your home in Slovakia. Thank you. WHAT TO DO IN BRATISLAVA Pay a visit to the French Institute Vapenna (Source: VaGa) You can look forward to a film screening at the institute next week or join other hikers on a trip to the Small Carpathians this weekend. In other news The General Prosecutor's Office has dropped the charges pressed against former head of the Slovak Information Service, Vladimir Pcolinsky, and head of the National Security Office, Roman Konecny. The Office used Section 363 the Criminal Procedure Code to do so. The charges concerned a criminal group that allegedly thwarted investigations into corruption cases. pressed against former head of the Slovak Information Service, Vladimir Pcolinsky, and head of the National Security Office, Roman Konecny. The Office used Section 363 the Criminal Procedure Code to do so. The charges concerned a criminal group that allegedly thwarted investigations into corruption cases. Electronic Maturita school-leaving exams at secondary schools and the testing of ninth graders at primary schools called 'Testing 9' might be introduced as of 2026, and at some schools even as of next year, said Education Minister Tomas Drucker (Hlas) on Thursday. at secondary schools and the testing of ninth graders at primary schools called 'Testing 9' might be introduced as of 2026, and at some schools even as of next year, said Education Minister Tomas Drucker (Hlas) on Thursday. An emergency situation has been declared in several districts in the north of Slovakia due to the occurrence of synanthropic bears, which have got used to living near humans. It applies to the districts of Liptovsky Mikulas, Ruzomberok, Zilina, Martin, Turcianske Teplice, Poprad and Kezmarok. in the north of Slovakia due to the occurrence of synanthropic bears, which have got used to living near humans. It applies to the districts of Liptovsky Mikulas, Ruzomberok, Zilina, Martin, Turcianske Teplice, Poprad and Kezmarok. A 52-year-old woman from Senica, Trnava Region, died after being shot dead in the street by her former husband, who fled the crime scene. The police launched a manhunt for the man and a patrol found him half an hour later by a shopping mall near the Jewish cemetery, where he turned the gun on himself. by her former husband, who fled the crime scene. The police launched a manhunt for the man and a patrol found him half an hour later by a shopping mall near the Jewish cemetery, where he turned the gun on himself. The Defence Ministry is considering the purchase of four more F-16 supersonic aircraft, Defence Minister Robert Kalinak told the Pravda daily. The number could thus increase from 14 to 18 jets. Exhibitions entitled Silence Will Not Protect Us in the Synagogue - Contemporary Art Centre in Trnava on March 13, 2024. (Source: TASR ) WEATHER FOR FRIDAY: On Friday, expect varying degrees of cloud cover across the country, with some areas experiencing temporary reductions in cloudiness. Occasional showers or rain are likely throughout the day, so it's wise to be prepared with umbrellas or rain jackets if you plan to be outdoors. Temperature-wise, the day will range from 10C to 17C. Wind speeds will remain light, with breezes reaching up to 20 kilometres per hour. (SHMU) MARCH 22 NAME'S DAY IN SLOVAKIA: Benadik. Thank you for subscribing and reading. It means a lot to us. P.S. If you have suggestions on how our news overview can be improved, you can reach us at editorial@spectator.sk. Follow The Slovak Spectator on Facebook and Instagram (@slovakspectator). Bay Area coffee lovers, head out to Oakland immediately. Mr. Espresso is collaborating with Bay Area chef Michael Woods to craft a signature beverage for their gorgeous flagship location The Caffe for a limited time. The Bussdown is a toasted marshmallow candied yam latte, named after Woods innovative concept kitchen, offering an elevated dining experience, delivered to your door. Chef Michael Woods has created a latte that tells the story of the African diaspora, just as he does with his innovative Bussdown menu, says The Caffes co-owner and Mr. Espresso Vice President Luigi Di Ruocco. Chef Michael Woods got his start staging at 2-3 star Michelin star restaurants, and cooking for award-winning area restaurants such as Zuni Cafe, Delfina, Sobra Mesa, Plum, and Gather. Hes now the owner of & Grits, Bussdown Delivery, and Too Much Sauce. He brings fine dining technique to Pan African Soul food, Di Ruocco explains, and you taste it in this balanced spiced and heated drink, mellowed by marshmallow cream. We start by roasting whole sweet potatoes, then combine with dark brown sugar to create a puree, says Di Ruocco. Adding allspice, berbere, cinnamon, and cayenne sourced from the local Oaktown Spice Shop, the puree takes on a complexity while still letting the espresso shine through. I can still taste the coffee, a customer noted. To build the drink, baristas pull an espresso shot over the candied puree, stir to combine, and top it with steamed milk. We top off the candied yam latte with a dollop of house-made, toasted marshmallow cream, Di Ruocco adds. The drink is an entry in The Caffes ambitious chef collaboration series, celebrating local chefs like Woods to create truly inventive signature drinks. We approached [Chef Michael Woods] about collaborating with us for The Caffes Chef Series, Di Ruocco explains, this was the idea he brought to the table. Chef Mike and I worked together to develop the final recipe. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mr. Espresso (@mrespressooak) Over at The Caffe, The Bussdown latte ($6.50) is turning heads and the response has been overwhelming. Its delicious! Its the best yam drink Ive had! Flavor is there. Its not too sweet but sweet enough, and has spice yet you can still taste the coffee, said one customer, while another added, This drink is AMAZING! I dont live downtown, but, damnit, Im gonna try to make it at least one more time. On social media, customers sing the beverages praiseson Instagram, a customer reported, Had it last week super delish. The spice is what makes it! while another added, Delicious! I am definitely going back. Folks who havent had the opportunity to try it have a few days left before its gone. The Bussdown Toasted Marshmallow Candied Yam Lattes last day is this Saturday, March 23rd. Visit The Caffe in Oakland, California at 1120 Broadway. Follow The Caffe @thecaffeoak and Mr. Espresso @mrespressooak on Instagram. For more, visit their official website. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240321/antwerp-is-crowned-as-europes-cocaine-capital-for-the-second-time-in-a-row-1117473324.html Antwerp 'Crowned' Europe's Cocaine Capital for Second Straight Time Antwerp 'Crowned' Europe's Cocaine Capital for Second Straight Time Sputnik International Expert analyses reveal the prevalent use of illicit substances like cocaine, ketamine, 'esctasy' in Europe, especially in major European coastal cities with seaports. 2024-03-21T19:23+0000 2024-03-21T19:23+0000 2024-03-22T08:07+0000 world europe newsfeed antwerp belgium european union (eu) european monitoring centre for drugs and drug addiction (emcdda) cannabis https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/104906/25/1049062541_0:254:4928:3026_1920x0_80_0_0_44123666545c648f20450afb24c64cb2.jpg Belgiums port city of Antwerp has claimed the dubious honor of being "Europes cocaine capital" for the second time.That is the verdict of a report by the European Union (EU) drugs agency in conjunction with the SCORE group a network analyzing sewage across Europe.The report is a compilation of wastewater analyses conducted in 88 cities across the EUs 23 nations and Turkiye, which has a population of roughly 55.6 million.The data revealed a spike in cocaine consumption, along wth ketamine and Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or Ecstasy). The study indicated that consumption trends for amphetamines and cannabis were imprecise.According to the experts, wastewater analysis offers valuable insights into drug use prevalence in a particular area.Following the findings, the director of the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA), Alexis Goosdeel, said the report gives an early warning of emerging health threats and shifting trends."Antwerp kept its place as Europe's leading cocaine consumer, with 1,721 milligrams detected per 1,000 people daily although that was a decrease from 2022's figures.Authorities seized a record-breaking 116 tons of cocaine in the port of Antwerp in 2023, six tons more than in 2022, Belgian Finance Minister Vincent Van Peteghem announced in January.Source: EMCDDAFranky De Keyzer, chief of Antwerp's public prosecutor's office, admitted a week ago that Dutch criminal gangs are overrunning the port.The EMCDDA chief said the study demonstrated growing similarities in drug habits between large and small cities.The top five locations with increased cocaine use are coastal cities, including Antwerp in Belgium, Amsterdam and Rotterdam in the Netherlands and Tarragona in Spain. Among the top-five, only the Dutch city of Leeuwarden is situated inland.The skyrocketing demand for cocaine fuels alarming levels of gang violence, the EU drug agency warned earlier this month.Europes illicit drugs market is estimated to have a turnover of at least 31 billion annually, according to EMCDDA.Also disturbing is the growing involvement of minors in drug-peddling, with some even resorting to gun violence. Ports authorities in Antwerp and Rotterdam have witnessed numerous cases of adolescents being recruited to extract cocaine hidden inside shipping containers in exchange for cash rewards. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240117/us-investigators-found-cocaine-on-hunter-bidens-gun-holster-last-year---reports-1116218815.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230825/spanish-police-seize-record-95-tonnes-of-cocaine-coming-from-ecuador-1112890279.html antwerp belgium 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 cocaine, ketamine, mdma, emcdda, europe's cocaine capital, major cocaine ports in europe. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240321/bidens-point-man-visits-ukraine-with-bundle-of-promises-on-getting-aid-out-the-door-1117462999.html Biden's Point Man Visits Ukraine With Bundle of Promises on Getting Aid 'Out the Door' Biden's Point Man Visits Ukraine With Bundle of Promises on Getting Aid 'Out the Door' Sputnik International Joe Bidens National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan makes covert trip to Kiev on Wednesday. 2024-03-21T06:49+0000 2024-03-21T06:49+0000 2024-03-21T06:49+0000 world us ukraine jake sullivan joe biden https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/03/15/1117460745_0:161:3071:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_774cd44f8c46c998797f4fcb0dfade01.jpg A big bag of nothing but promises is what Joe Bidens national security advisor brought with him on his covert trip to Kiev on Wednesday.As Jake Sullivan offered a rehash of the same old promises of Washingtons commitment to supporting Ukraine, he could not put any specific timeframe as to when more aid might be forthcoming.It would appear that the whole point of Bidens point man visiting Ukraine was to placate Kiev while exuding confidence that the gridlock in Congress over supplementary aid to Ukraine would end at some point.This was Sullivans first trip to Ukraine since he accompanied Biden to the Ukrainian capital on February 20, 2023. This hurried visit could be taken as a sign that things look pretty bleak when it comes to hopes of getting the aid package out the door. And yet, Sullivan ruled out any "Plan B," saying:Im confident that we will achieve Plan A... We are confident we will get a strong bipartisan vote in the House for an assistance package for Ukraine Its already taken too long," he said, noting, however, that "Im not going to make predictions about exactly when this will get done. Media reported that House Republicans are in the early stages of work on an alternate foreign aid bill that they hope will be ready by April. Current discussions are believed to be centered on trying to get the aid approved in the form of a loan.Last week, Pentagon cost savings allowed Washington to scrounge up $300 million in Ukraine military assistance that included air defense interceptors, artillery rounds, and armor systems. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin touted it before European allies at a meeting of Ukraines Defense Contact Group at Ramstein Air Base on March 19."Those supplies rush to you as we speak, said Sullivan. As for Kiev's coveted larger package, he reiterated that we are confident that we will get this aid to Ukraine.Sullivan also put a damper on the Kiev regimes hopes of getting their hands on American longer range ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile Systems) with a range of up to 300 kilometers. There were reports that these systems might be included in the $300 million Ukraine aid package.It is worth noting that Kiev already has in its possession an older and shorter-range version of the ATACMS, which Russian forces have successfully been shooting down. Last year when Ukraine first used them to attack the port city of Berdyansk in Zaporozhye, Russia's President Vladimir Putin called the missiles delivery a mistake and stressed that the weapons would create additional threats. Putin assured that Russia would be able to repel ATACMS strikes, and that the weapons wouldnt change the situation on the battlefield.Earlier, US officials predicted Ukraine's failure in the NATO proxy conflict with Russia in a worst-case scenario unless Congress approves additional military aid to Kiev."This doesn't go well for Ukraine over time without a supplemental, and it could lead to potential collapse," an unnamed official was quoted by The Washington Post as saying, adding:"But here's the bottom line: Even if Ukraine holds on, what we really are saying is that we are going to leverage countless lives in order to do that."Western countries have pumped hundreds of billions of dollars' worth of aid to Ukraine since the start of Russia's special military operation in February 2022. But since then, the neo-Nazi forces of the Kiev regime, bulked up by mercenaries after the failed summer counteroffensive, have had little battlefield successes to boast of. Ukraine has lost more than 71,000 soldiers and over 11,000 units of various weapons since the start of the year, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Wednesday.Ukraine has also lost four Abrams tanks, five Leopard tanks, six HIMARS multiple rocket launcher systems, and five Patriot complexes, he added.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 eventually be destroyed. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240309/us-republican-lawmakers-work-on-alternative-aid-for-ukraine-including-loan-format---reports-1117223657.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240314/pentagons-300-mln-mini-bailout-for-ukraine-will-run-out-in-matter-of-weeks-1117336759.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240315/us-officials-predict-kievs-potential-military-collapse-without-washingtons-aid---reports-1117351386.html 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 joe bidens national security adviser jake sullivan visits ukraine, ukraine aid stalled in congress, ukraine, ukrainian crisis, aid for ukraine, nato's proxy conflict against russia in ukraine, is ukraine losing, https://sputnikglobe.com/20240321/get-a-sneak-peek-at-new-russian-troop-arrivals-training-in-special-op-zone-1117468026.html Get a Sneak Peek at New Russian Troop Arrivals Training in Special Op Zone Get a Sneak Peek at New Russian Troop Arrivals Training in Special Op Zone Sputnik International The Russian army's success on the front lines of the special operations zone can be attributed to the soldiers' supreme skills in managing weaponry, carrying out precision strikes and navigating the terrain in the course of combat missions. This is precisely why new Russian troop arrivals undergo thorough military training 2024-03-21T14:28+0000 2024-03-21T14:28+0000 2024-03-21T14:32+0000 multimedia russia sergei shoigu zaporozhye ministry of defense russian army military training https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/03/15/1117467805_0:161:3071:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_bb8e61e0312a30f203c0f8458a28a91c.jpg Earlier this week, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu reported on Ukraine's losses since the start of the year. According to the Ministry of Defense, so far Ukrainian troops have lost over 71,000 soldiers in 2024. "In general, the losses of the Ukrainian armed forces during this period [...] exceeded 71,000 people and 11,000 units of various weapons. This is almost three times higher than the same period last year," the defense chief said at a meeting with senior military brass.These numbers reflect how dire the situation is for the Ukrainian military. Furthermore, the Kiev regime is suffering such losses specifically because of the superior combat skills that Russian soldiers possess. This edge is attained through the mandatory and rigorous training that all new troops undergo.Check out Sputnik's exclusive photo gallery to find out more! 1 russia zaporozhye 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 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, total ukrainian losses, how many people did ukraine loose, how many people did kiev loose, new russian weapons in ukraine, advanced russian weapons, russian defense ministry statements, latest russian military statements, what did shoigu say about ukraine, donetsk peoples republic, nato in ukraine, is nato in ukraine https://sputnikglobe.com/20240321/macron-sending-troops-to-ukraine-like-a-dog-urinating-on-odessa-1117460033.html Macron Sending Troops to Ukraine Like a 'Poodle' Urinating on Odessa Macron Sending Troops to Ukraine Like a 'Poodle' Urinating on Odessa Sputnik International Russian Foreign Intelligence Chief Sergey Naryshkin said on Tuesday that thousands of French troops are being prepared for deployment in the Odessa region of... 21.03.2024, Sputnik International 2024-03-21T02:20+0000 2024-03-21T02:20+0000 2024-03-21T09:07+0000 analysis mark sleboda emmanuel macron sergey naryshkin odessa russia ukraine nato sputnik the critical hour https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/105698/75/1056987594_0:0:2945:1657_1920x0_80_0_0_1d29b6253dce953ef34b39be5fb09b72.jpg French President Emmanuel Macrons plan to put around 2,000 troops in Odessa would only serve as a human tripwire force and would be the equivalent of NATO, like a dog, urinating on Odessa, marking it as NATOs territory, Mark Sleboda, an international relations and security expert, told Sputniks The Critical Hour on Wednesday. He added that in this analogy, France is like a poodle.On Tuesday, French ground army chief of staff General Pierre Schill said in an op-ed that his forces are ready to respond to the toughest engagements and said the country could engage a division of 20,000 troops within 30 days.By comparison, Russia has more than 600,000 troops deployed in the special operation zone, according to both Russian and Western analyses. There is a likelihood that the French believe that Russia will not fire on these French troops, [because] they are under uniform, out of fear of striking a NATO member, even though of course, NATOs Article Five would not apply, Sleboda explained.Sleboda added that he believes Macron thinks that if French troops are killed by Russia, then that will create more support for the conflict domestically and help politically mobilize other European countries to join the fight.Of course, with NATO troops officially in uniform dying in Ukraine, that would take us to a whole other level, he warned.Sleboda predicted that there will be a very big information warfare game, the targets of which will be the French people, and other NATO member states, noting that Finland, the Czech Republic, the Baltics and Canada have all already suggested that they might join the French.Co-host Wilmer Leon asked if Macron could seriously believe a behind whopping isnt on the horizon, Sleboda responded by describing NATOs salami-slicing tactics of incrementalism.We now have NATO leaders openly admitting, yeah, weve got troops all over Ukraine. Theyve been heavily involved in all operations of combat, he said, citing a Spanish newspaper. Russia has still not taken any retaliatory actions against NATO outside of Ukraine, outside of the parameters of the proxy war. So, I think this is one more escalation they believe they can get through [using] incrementalism. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240319/french-troops-in-ukraine-may-be-play-by-macron-to-propel-himself-to-status-of-21st-century-sun-king-1117433277.html odessa russia ukraine 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 mark sleboda, emmanuel macron, sergey naryshkin, odessa, russia, ukraine, nato, sputnik, the critical hour https://sputnikglobe.com/20240321/putin-addresses-russian-public-following-presidential-election-results-1117466107.html Putin Addresses Russian Public Following Presidential Election Results - Full Video Putin Addresses Russian Public Following Presidential Election Results - Full Video Sputnik International Sputnik goes live as Russian President Vladimir Putin addresses Russian citizens after the official results of the Russian presidential election. 2024-03-21T10:01+0000 2024-03-21T10:01+0000 2024-03-21T14:30+0000 russia vladimir putin 2024 russian presidential election russian central election commission russia ella pamfilova https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/03/15/1117468168_92:0:1328:695_1920x0_80_0_0_9d84f33709cfb03713d12402b0506a87.jpg Watch the full video of Russian President Vladimir Putin addressing the nation's citizens after the official results of the Russian presidential election.A total of 76,277,708 citizens went to the ballot box in Russias presidential election, casting their votes for incumbent President Vladimir Putin, according to the Russian Central Election Commission's report on Thursday. Hence, Putin received an overwhelming 87.28% of the votes, while Nikolai Kharitonov from the Communist Party of the Russian Federation garnered 4.31% of the ballots, Vladislav Davankov from the New People's Party received 3.85%, and Leonid Slutsky from the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia obtained 3.20%.The three-day voting process for the Russian presidential election ran from March 15 to March 17. 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 Putin Addresses Russian Public Following Presidential Election Results Sputnik International Putin Addresses Russian Public Following Presidential Election Results 2024-03-21T10:01+0000 true PT3M03S 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russian president vladimir putin, russian citizens, russian presidential election https://sputnikglobe.com/20240321/russias-presidential-election-turnout-amounts-to-7749---cec-1117465191.html Russia's Presidential Voter Turnout Comes to 77.49%, Election Officials Report Russia's Presidential Voter Turnout Comes to 77.49%, Election Officials Report Sputnik International The final turnout in Russia's presidential election amounted to 77.49%, Central Election Commission chief Ella Pamfilova said on Thursday. 2024-03-21T08:54+0000 2024-03-21T08:54+0000 2024-03-21T08:58+0000 russia 2024 russian presidential election central election commission russia ella pamfilova https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/03/10/1117363522_0:4:3630:2046_1920x0_80_0_0_426ca04a6fd1a559fe70bc19888be5c0.jpg "It has been established that the final turnout at the presidential election of Russia amounted to 77.49% of the number of voters ... In absolute terms, 87,576,075 voters took part in the election. In the modern history of Russia, such indicators have never been seen before, " Pamvfilova said at the Central Election Commission meeting.The three-day voting in the Russian presidential election ended on March 17. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240321/election-and-polls-show-russia-is-united-while-west-fractures-1117460371.html 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 russia's presidential election, central election commission chief ella pamfilova https://sputnikglobe.com/20240321/saudi-arabia-to-allocate-40mln-to-unrwa-for-humanitarian-aid-to-gaza-strip-1117460228.html Saudi Arabia to Allocate $40Mln to UNRWA for Humanitarian Aid to Gaza Strip Saudi Arabia to Allocate $40Mln to UNRWA for Humanitarian Aid to Gaza Strip Sputnik International Saudi Arabia will allocate $40mln to the UN Relief and Works Agency for its humanitarian efforts in the Gaza Strip, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) said. 2024-03-21T02:06+0000 2024-03-21T02:06+0000 2024-03-21T02:06+0000 world saudi arabia gaza strip united nations relief and works agency for palestine refugees in the near east (unrwa) israel-gaza conflict israeli-palestinian conflict palestine-israel conflict https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/07/0f/1097352357_0:0:3073:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_fe979db1b760b268b059a7bded791acb.jpg "The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, through KSrelief, enhances its funding to UNRWA with USD 40 million to support lifesaving operations in Gaza," the center said on X. The additional funding will help provide food for more than 250,000 people and shelter for about 200,000 people, the organization added.UNRWA is the primary humanitarian agency in the Gaza Strip, with over 2 million people depending on it for their survival. In January, Israel shared data with UNRWA's leadership on the alleged involvement of some of the agency's staff in Palestinian movement Hamas' attack on October 7, 2023.Several countries, including the United States, Finland, Italy, Germany, Sweden, Australia, Canada, Japan and the United Kingdom, suspended funding for UNRWA. Canada, Sweden and Australia have lifted their suspensions of UNRWA funding after a pause of more than two months. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240225/un-agency-for-palestine-refugees-calls-suspension-of-funding-by-some-nations-insane-1116980050.html saudi arabia 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 unrwa, sponsors, unrwa, humanitarian efforts in the gaza strip, king salman humanitarian aid and relief center, ksrelief https://sputnikglobe.com/20240321/us-frustrated-by-ukraines-fanatical-defense-of-areas-of-limited-strategic-value-1117478114.html US Frustrated by Ukraine's Fanatical Defense of Areas of Limited Strategic Value US Frustrated by Ukraine's Fanatical Defense of Areas of Limited Strategic Value Sputnik International Russian forces are engaged in a slow, methodical advance through the Donbass, cracking heavily fortified Ukrainian defenses after blunting last years counteroffensive. Meanwhile, Kievs NATO allies have been dropping increasingly obvious hints that theyre looking for a way out of the quagmire after leaving their client state in ruins. 2024-03-21T19:12+0000 2024-03-21T19:12+0000 2024-03-21T19:19+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine military & intelligence vladimir putin ukraine russia nato https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/02/18/1116954498_0:161:3071:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_c569947ccac3e9a5361784291b083840.jpg Americas self-anointed newspaper of record has called into question Ukraines strategy of defending places with little strategic value at the cost of both men and weapons as Washingtons military support shows signs of running dry.That strategy has led to a brutal, months-long slog in Rabotino, Zaporozhye, one of the few places where Ukraines disastrous summer 2023 counteroffensive managed to make any headway. Ukrainian forces captured the village, maneuvering themselves into a vulnerable bulge which Russian can now push back on from three sides, creating a dilemma: abandoning that pocket, which NYT said would ease the pressure on them, or risking another symbolic setback in the war, losing territory they gained last year at a high cost in casualties and destroyed weaponry.Ukrainian troops interviewed by the newspaper complained of Russias artillery superiority, and described unrelenting Russian attacks in and around the ruins of the village.But Ukrainian officials have their justifications. At some point, symbolic becomes strategic, former Ukrainian Ministry of Defense advisor Yurii Sak said, arguing that holding on to the ruins is important for morale, for the support of the population and the hope that Ukraine can still somehow win.In the meantime, NYT noted, Russia is continuing an offensive along the entire frontline, cracking through fortified defenses in the Donbass, and pursuing Ukrainian forces in Kherson, Kharkov and Zaporozhye.The NYT expose is one among a growing number of increasingly frank stories in Western legacy media hinting at Ukraines Western partners growing weariness with the conflict, with similar stories pointing to the Russian defense industrys overwhelming superiority over that of NATO, reporting on the potential resumption of behind-the-scenes peace talks, and increasingly blaming Kiev for assassinations and terrorist plots targeting Russia.Russian President Vladimir Putin announced plans Monday to pursue the creation of a buffer zone inside Ukraine to protect Russian territories from Ukrainian attacks. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240321/bidens-point-man-visits-ukraine-with-bundle-of-promises-on-getting-aid-out-the-door-1117462999.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240318/whats-the-buffer-zone-putin-proposed-in-ukraine-1117410009.html 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 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ilya Tsukanov who's winning in russia-ukraine conflict, will ukraine lose https://sputnikglobe.com/20240321/us-weighs-plea-deal-for-wikileaks-founder-assange-with-espionage-charges-dropped---report-1117465035.html US Weighs Plea Deal For WikiLeaks Founder Assange, With Espionage Charges Dropped - Report US Weighs Plea Deal For WikiLeaks Founder Assange, With Espionage Charges Dropped - Report Sputnik International The US government is considering offering WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange a plea deal, The Wall Street Journal reported. 2024-03-21T11:19+0000 2024-03-21T11:19+0000 2024-03-21T13:24+0000 world us us justice department wikileaks founder julian assange case julian assange barry pollack london https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/03/15/1117464798_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_860ac35b358cb4b545abc640487021a7.jpg The US government, according to The Wall Street Journal, is exploring the option of offering WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange a plea deal. The Justice Department is contemplating the possibility of dropping the 17 current charges against him under the Espionage Act. This would be in exchange for Assange pleading guilty to a lesser offense of mishandling classified information, which is categorized as a misdemeanor.Assange would be able to enter such a plea deal remotely from Londons HM Prison Belmarsh, where he has been incarcerated since April 2019. By accepting this plea bargain, the whistleblower would effectively end his prolonged legal battle against being extradited to the US on espionage charges. Additionally, the publication noted that since Assange has already spent five years in custody in the UK, it is likely that he would be released shortly after the deal is finalized.In response to the report, one of Assanges defense attorneys, Barry Pollack, said in a statement:Back in January 2021, a British judge ruled it would be oppressive to extradite the WikiLeaks founder to the US.However, the decision was overturned after an appeal by US authorities.In a filing to the UK court this February, lawyers representing the US government claimed Assange threatened the strategic and national security interests of the United States and put the safety of individuals at serious risk. In response, his defense lawyers argued in a hearing that Assange could become a target for extra-legal attack elimination by US security services.During the two-day hearings of arguments over whether to grant the WikiLeaks founder a fresh appeal against his extradition on February 20 and 21, Assange was absent from court due to illness, his lawyers said. Outside, crowds of supporters demanded a ruling in his favor. However, the judges refrained from making an immediate decision. Now, in a matter of weeks, Britains High Court is expected to make its final decision.Should Julian Assange exhaust all of his legal options in the UK, his wife, Stella, said earlier that they would apply to the European Court of Human Rights for an order under Rule 39 to stop the extradition while it considers his case. Stella Assange has repeatedly claimed that her husband's extradition would result in his demise, underscoring that "his health is in decline, mentally and physically. His life is at risk every single day he stays in prison, and if hes extradited, he will die." https://sputnikglobe.com/20240222/us-always-planned-for-assange-to-die-in-prison-1116910930.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240304/scholz-speaks-up-against-assanges-extradition-to-us-due-to-prosecution-threat-1117129888.html london 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 us justice department, wikileaks founder julian assange, a plea deal, julian assange extradition trial, day x trial, free assange, will julian assange be sent to the us, when is assange's trial https://sputnikglobe.com/20240321/watch-russias-smerch-mlrs-annihilate-ukrainian-artillery-1117466551.html Watch Russia's Smerch MLRS Annihilate Ukrainian Artillery Watch Russia's Smerch MLRS Annihilate Ukrainian Artillery Sputnik International The Russian Defense Ministry has released footage showing a Russian Smerch MLRS crew demolishing the artillery crews of Ukrainian terrorist formations in the border area with the Belgorod region of Ukraine. 2024-03-21T12:34+0000 2024-03-21T12:34+0000 2024-03-21T12:34+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine video ukraine belgorod russia russian defense ministry multiple-launch rocket systems (mlrs) smerch https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/03/15/1117471206_92:0:1340:702_1920x0_80_0_0_d11cf26252bd3928b0a661bda2292033.jpg The Russian Defense Ministry has released footage showing its Smerch MLRS crew demolishing the artillery crews of Ukrainian terrorist formations in the border area near Russia's Belgorod region.According to the ministry, the crew of the Zoopark radar station detected the deployment of enemy MLRS and foreign artillery howitzers in the border area of the Belgorod region. Subsequently, the crew calculated the trajectory of the shells to pinpoint the targets' locations. Upon acquiring the target, the Smerch MLRS crews of Battlegroup Zapad promptly moved into firing positions. Following precision rocket strikes and consecutive salvos, the soldiers successfully neutralized the enemy's artillery.The crews eliminated US-made M777 howitzers, Grad MLRS and armored combat vehicles of Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance groups, the ministry added. ukraine belgorod 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 Smerch MLRS crews wipe out artillery crews of Ukrainian terrorist formations in border area in Belgorod region Sputnik International Smerch MLRS crews wipe out artillery crews of Ukrainian terrorist formations in border area in Belgorod region 2024-03-21T12:34+0000 true PT1M04S 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russian defense ministry, annihilate ukrainian artillery, russian smerch mlrs Bucktober is no stranger to the headlines and returned to the top once again in the Wednesday (March 20) evening Preferred Handicap Trot at The Raceway at the Western Fair District. However, the Katie MacNeil student had to climb from last to first to earn the winner's share of the $11,600 purse. Bucktober and Tyler Borth got away last in the field scratched down to five. After panels in :28.3 and :58.3, Bucktober moved into fourth as Insanity (Jason Ryan) stepped backwards. With the field now standing at four in contention, Bucktober continued with a view of the field ahead at the three-quarters in 1:28.3. With a zippy :30.1 final panel, Bucktober swooped the group to win by one length in 1:59.4. Stablemate Johnny Buckshot (Scott Wray) took second and favoured Dahlquist Hanover (Travis Henry) had to settle for the show spot. Tyler Borth, William Borth and Karen Sparling own the five-year-old Flanagan Memory-Armbro Equinox gelding. Bucktober moved his seasonal tally to 3-2-2 in nine starts and career record to 22-4-8 in 55 starts. He now owns $132,840 in career earnings. He returned $6.20 to win as the 2-1 second choice. To view Wednesday's harness racing results, click the following link: Wednesday Results - The Raceway at the Western Fair District. (Standardbred Canada) Robyn Ryan hopes her new exhibit, which chronicles the monthlong artist residency at Bandelier National Monument in New Mexico, will impact others the way the canyons, mesas and caves carved into cliffs of soft rock spoke to her. She spent November 2022, living in a casita or small house provided by the park as she sketched rock walls, scenic vistas and local wildlife. Then, back home in her Fauquier County studio, she devoted last year, and all of 2024, to putting the finishing touches on 50-plus pieces which are part of her solo exhibit in Manassas. Ryan described the New Mexico visit and subsequent creations a 16-month passion project. I hope my transformational journey, as depicted through this body of artwork, will inspire others to embark on their own adventures and reclaim their own sense of awe and wonder with the beauty that surrounds us, she wrote in an email. Ryans exhibit will be on display through April 28 at the Caton Merchant Family Gallery at the ARTfactory, 9419 Battle St. in Manassas. The nonprofit organization provides programs in the arts for ages 5 and above and features local and regional artists in its displays. For three Saturdays in April, Ryan will talk about the month she spent immersed in the beauty of Bandelier in Los Alamos, New Mexico. Shell be at an artist reception from 6-8 p.m. on April 6; present an artist talk from 2-4 p.m. on April 13; and provide a demonstration of her artwork from 2-4 p.m. on April 20. Shes titled her exhibit, Pathways & Precipices, a nod to the fear she had to overcome as she found herself on the edge of canyons, which produced stomach-flopping feelings that she had to overcome. The artwork highlights Robyns personal and artistic journeys moving from simple observation, to exploration and discovery of new environments, to considering the lasting impacts on herself and her artwork, said Jordan Exum with ARTfactory. The pieces were created using water-based media including watercolors, gouache and acrylics as well as mixed media, including collage and Ryans unique technique of acrylic layers. More information is available online at virginiaartfactory.org/pathways-and-precipices. Culpeper first responders evacuated 15 homes Wednesday night following a large brush fire that burned well into the night in the area of Obannons Mill Road in Boston, on the countys western side. Firefighters were also busy elsewhere around the county Wednesday, as weather conditions resulted in the ideal storm with low humidity and windy conditions with high gusts bringing down powerlines, resulting in several outside fires, stated Junior Perryman, Culpeper County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association president and deputy chief at Culpeper County Volunteer Fire Co. 1. Both the northern and western parts of the county dealt with significant brush fires in difficult areas, resulting in a great deal of hand work (rakes and chainsaws) to bring them under control, he said. No injuries to first responders were reported, just a lot of tired firefighters, Perryman said. One civilian was transported to the hospital after passing out, according to Culpeper County Board Chairman Paul Bates. The OBannons Mill fire, first reported around 4 p.m. Wednesday, consumed approximately 60 acres and was contained as of Thursday morning. Some outbuildings in the area were burned, but no homes, Perryman said. A couple of units stayed on scene until about 6 a.m. on Thursday, he stated. Multiple units from around Culpeper County and other counties, as well as the state, responded to the wildfire. Some private citizens also offered use of bulldozers and other equipment while firefighters built fire lines to contain the blaze that neared several residences, but never reached them. We got fire five-feet from two structures up here, one firefighter could be heard on the scanner, at the height of the event. We need water. At one point Wednesday evening, Rappahannock County deployed a tanker with 4,500 gallons of water to help. Trees were knocked over by the wind onto powerlines, there was fire in the woods, on the road and, at one point, close to Longlea Conference Center. Firefighters navigated many dangers, including the presence of large fuel tanks outside homes in the area. Local crews undergo wildland fire training using tools of the trade chainsaws, rakes and leaf blowers, Perryman said. They coordinate with the Department of Forestry, which brings in bulldozers that plow lines around the fire, he added. This time, DOF resources were tied up with multiple other fires around the state, so firefighters reached out to private companies for equipment assistance, Perryman continued. Meanwhile, local crews battled another smaller brush fire, about half-acre in size, Wednesday night in Culpeper near Rixeyville, he said. According to Perryman, it had the same root cause as the one in Boston a tree fallen onto a power line. The tree was energized and started the fire on the ground. Whipping winds gave it and others fuel. The Culpeper County Board of Supervisors declared a local state of emergency at 6:10 p.m. Wednesday, as high winds made containment difficult. On Thursday, Bates said the countys volunteer companies are top notch. We are extremely fortunate and grateful to have such dedicated men and women, he said. Bates said the county would lift the state of emergency. Six evacuees were housed during the height of the fire Wednesday at a shelter at Culpeper Volunteer Rescue Squad. Many residents sheltered in place and were ready to go, if needed. Culpeper Police Department drones assisted in the air above the fire, reporting location and size to firefighters for targeted suppression. Every agency contributed to the success Wednesday, Perryman stated in an email to his volunteer chief on Thursday morning, naming Culpeper, Brandy, Richardsville, Salem, Little Fork, Rapidan and Reva volunteer fire companies. Culpeper Rescue staffed two medic units and provided emergency shelter for evacuated residents until late into the evening. The Sheriffs Office assisted with evacuations, career staff opened the EOC to coordinate outside agency responses and other key resources needing support, Perryman said. At the heart of all these activities, our E911 Center, our dispatchers, did an amazing job multi-tasking with dispatching and keeping track of responding units. There were a lot of demands/requests, radio traffic was almost constant while all calls for service were efficiently dispatched and the community was always in great hands, he said. The response efforts displayed on a very busy and dangerous afternoon is a testament to magnificent job by many, Perryman added. For those who spent the night in the woods, for those who contributed to the 10-plus hours on the ground across the county, doing what we are trained and called to do, a big pat on the back to every one of you. Virginia Department of Forestry reported that amid Wednesdays elevated fire weather conditions, its firefighters and various partners contained 16 wildfires and were actively working to contain dozens more. Red Flag Warnings were in place due to high winds, dry conditions and low relative humidity. Louisa County also declared a local state of emergency on Wednesday night due to a large fire there and evacuations in the area of West Old Mountain and Shannon Hill Road. Wildfires were also reported in Madison and Rappahannock counties and elsewhere around Virginia. A local state of emergency was declared Wednesday in Madison in response to ongoing fires in their area. Fires burned near Main Street in town as well as Weaver Hollow in the Syria area, the Madison County Eagle reported. Rappahannock Electric Cooperative cut power to the Etlan, Syria and Poorhouse areas as a precaution as downed power lines can spark additional fires and help spread existing fires, the local newspaper reported. Shenandoah National Park closed Skyline Drive on Thursday, from Thornton Gap to Mathews Arm, due to the Rocky Branch Wildfire. Trail closures were in the area along the Appalachian Trail, and a parkwide fire ban was in effect. The park fire started Wednesday afternoon, estimated at 450 acres burning timber litter, according to a park release Thursday afternoon. National Park Service firefighters were working with Luray Fire Department and Virginia Department of Forestry. No structures were immediately threatened by the fire and the cause was unknown, according to the release. The county board expressed intent to begin discussion of the countys fiscal year 2025 budget sooner than usual at a meeting on Monday. The budget discussion was placed on Mondays agenda by commissioner Charlie Knapper, who noted that the board often discusses starting the budgeting process sooner, but typically puts it off due to the deadlines for budgets set by state statute being so late in the year. The commissioners tossed around several potential ideas for kicking off their budget work, including holding a work session or forming a small committee that could meet with management accountant Lisa Rein between scheduled board meetings. Although chairman Ken Meyer and commissioner Mike Blue were supportive of a committee to streamline the process, Knapper and commissioner Russ Reisig pushed back against the idea. Im not interested in streamlining the budget process, Knapper said. I think we need to be hands-on, all five on deck. Reisig said, Every time we budget, someone always comes up with an idea or solution. The board agreed to place a brief budget discussion on the agenda for its next meeting on Monday, April 1. At that time, the commissioners will bring forth their initial budget goals to help inform the countys department heads in their decision making process. Assessor Robert Simpson also spoke regarding the countys budget, encouraging the board to help push a completed budget out by the beginning of the fiscal year in the future rather than by the statutory deadline in the fall. I think its important for people to have time to come up with a thoughtful budget and have that approved so they know what their limitations are for the fiscal year rather than waiting three months, Simpson said. Commissioner Mark Harris agreed with Simpsons line of thinking. Its absolutely ridiculous to me that we start our new fiscal year before we have a budget set. That seems totally crazy to me, but the process certainly allows for that. Knapper also noted the current state of Legislative Bill 1067, which will potentially shake up the budgets of counties across the state by eliminating inheritance taxes, among other changes. The board has discussed the LB 1067 at previous meetings, with the general sentiment among commissioners being that eliminating inheritance taxes without providing replacement funding sources would be a detriment to Nebraska counties. According to commissioners previous discussion, such a change would result in a collective loss of $90 million for the budgets of those counties. LB 1067 will potentially return to the Legislatures agenda later this week. The Nebraska Association of County Officials is pushing for the replacement of all funding that would be lost with the elimination of an inheritance tax. I dont know that we should be too concerned. I think well have replacement funding, Knapper said. Another budget item on the agenda included consideration of a spending adjustment for the countys relief/aid fund, which Rein said is being spent at a pace that is likely to exceed the appropriated funds by the end of the fiscal year. The relief/aid fund utilizes Keno funds to serve as a last resort in filling the needs of county residents experiencing poverty, such as purchasing gas or paying for cremations. The board gave Rein the go-ahead to spend whatever is necessary on those services, and agreed that the budget could be adjusted later in the interest of filling the needs of all legitimate applicants for those resources. The Scotts Bluff Commissioners meet on the first and third Mondays of every month at 4:30 p.m. on the second floor of the county administrative building. North Platte state Sen. Mike Jacobson served notice Wednesday night that hell push for changes in a homestead exemption bill melded from several others that won first-round approval. The District 42 lawmaker joined three of western Nebraskas other four senators in the 39-0 vote for first-round approval of Legislative Bill 126. But Jacobson told his colleagues that hes bothered by findings in analyses for the Star-Herald and the North Platte Telegraph that lower-income senior citizens in modestly valued homes could lose ground under the Revenue Committees call for homestead exemption recipients to make minimum property tax payments. I will tell you that if we adopt the bill the way it is, he said, there will be more people losing their homestead exemption than benefiting from it. Jacobson said hes working on an amendment to fix that for second-round debate on LB 126. Meanwhile, senators are awaiting completion of a revised fiscal note on the committees plan by the Legislative Fiscal Office. Jacobson was one of several senators to offer 2024 bills to reform the 55-year-old homestead exemption program. Its currently available to qualified Nebraskans who are 65 and older, have various disabilities, are veterans with disabilities or surviving spouses of such veterans who havent remarried. A Star-Herald story Tuesday reported that total annual exemptions have varied little since 2008 in Scotts Bluff County, the Panhandle and statewide. In Lincoln County, County Assessor Julie Stenger said newly approved exemptions roughly offset former recipients who die, leave the state, sell their homes or lose their exemptions as taxable values grow. Omaha Sen. Lou Ann Linehan, chairwoman of the Revenue Committee, said the panel sought to include the best of the bills before them in a near-total rewrite of Omaha Sen. Jen Days LB 126. The new version would replace partial exemptions based on taxable values by saying houses are eligible unless their owner has $1 million or more in total household assets. The rewrite of LB 126, accepted on a 39-0 vote Wednesday, would allow disabled veterans to gain partial exemptions if they have a service-related disability rated at 50% or higher by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Totally disabled veterans now can receive full exemptions. But the revised bill would do away with total exemptions for other current recipients unless they qualify for one in 2024 and opt to stay with the current system. People now receiving partial exemptions could choose likewise. LB 126 says future homestead exemption applicants would have to pay at least $1,200 in annual property taxes in exchange for exempting the rest of their gross tax bill based on their homes taxable value. That minimum payment would grow according to a new sliding, income-based scale. But Stenger said she knows single seniors on fixed incomes for whom even a $1,200-per-year minimum payment would be difficult. Unicam homestead-exemption plan could hurt some seniors, help others First-round Unicameral debate is expected this week on a Revenue Committee plan to require most homestead exemption recipients to pay a set amount of property taxes based on household income. The Star-Herald analysis found that the minimum tax payment system would result in higher effective exemptions for senior Scottsbluff homeowners who make Scotts Bluff Countys per-person average income ($33,158 in 2022) but own homes worth more for tax purposes than the countys average residential taxable value ($122,748 in 2022). If their homes were valued at or under the county average, their partial exemptions would be slashed. Single homeowners with a $33,158 income and $100,000 taxable value actually would have paid more in 2023 under LB 126s system ($2,100) than their gross Scottsbluff tax bills before state credits ($1,972.05). But 65-and-older homestead exemption recipients in Gering and Terrytown each of which had combined 2023 property tax rates about 25 cents per $100 higher than Scottsbluffs would receive higher effective exemptions than their Scottsbluff counterparts under LB 126s new system. A similar analysis for the Telegraph found similar results to Scottsbluffs for senior North Platte homeowners. Thats not what the homestead exemption program ought to do, Jacobson told senators Wednesday. I think when you start looking at all the disparity across the state in terms of household income and average (home) values and tax rates, it creates some problems without further changes to the revised LB 126, he said. Linehan didnt address Jacobsons concerns during Wednesday nights first-round debate. She said the Revenue Committee favored setting minimum tax payments in part to hold down state reimbursement costs that have nearly doubled since 2008. If youre staying in your house, youre paying insurance, youre paying utilities, the police still have to come by and the Fire Department still has you there, you should pay something, she said. To further hold down the states reimbursement costs, Linehan said, the rewritten bill also would require eligible homeowners 65 and older to be receiving some type of retirement income to qualify. In other words, youre not going to be qualified for a homestead exemption just because you turned 65, because many of us are 65 and still working, she said. So you actually have to be retired. Day, LB 126s original sponsor, said she and Jacobson had discussed his concerns. She took the rewritten bill to AARP, and they assured us twice that seniors will be better off overall even with minimum tax payments, she said. However, I am flexible with that if thats a sticking point for several people to backing the bill, he said. Jacobson emphasized that he wants to see the partial homestead exemptions for disabled veterans added to the program. If we get nothing else done than that, Id be OK, he said. Senators Wednesday also attached the language of Bellevue Sen. Rick Holdcrofts LB 1019, which would eliminate the need for county boards to rubber-stamp a state Tax Equalization and Review Commission decision on a property owners valuation protest. Western Nebraskas five state senators generally supported a bill on obscenity in school and public libraries that proved emotionally explosive over two nights and a morning of discussion. The Legislature voted 30-17 Wednesday in favor of ending debate on Thurston Sen. Joni Albrechts Legislative Bill 441, three votes shy of the 33 needed to move the bill to a first-round vote after eight hours. The bill would have removed the ability for K-12 educators or public librarians criminally charged with providing obscene materials to minors to claim an affirmative defense that they did so in connection with their jobs. LB 441 also would have excluded from that defense relevant references to, accounts or portrayal of nudity, sex or excretion in the context of non-postsecondary education and public libraries, according to a Judiciary Committee statement on its contents. Sens. Brian Hardin of Gering, Steve Erdman of Bayard, Tom Brewer of Gordon and Teresa Ibach of Sumner voted to break a filibuster led by Lincoln Sen. Danielle Conrad and reinforced by the Unicamerals liberals. North Platte Sen. Mike Jacobson was excused from Wednesdays morning session and did not vote on the cloture motion to end debate on LB 441. He told The Telegraph later that he was in Omaha for an appointment that was scheduled three weeks ago. LB 441 had great intentions, but I did have issues with the solution, Jacobson texted. In the end, my vote would not have helped since the cloture vote fell three votes short. Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha, who spoke repeatedly against LB 441 earlier in floor debate, also was excused from the Wednesday morning session. Opposing senators warned that exposing librarians to prosecution would create a chilling effect on educating people about sexual assault and other uncomfortable topics. K-12 schools have processes for parents to question such materials or shield their children from them, LB 441s foes added. After Wednesdays vote, Ibach noted in a statement that she was one of five Judiciary Committee members who voted to advance LB 441 to the floor. During its public hearing, I sat and listened to multiple hours of testimony wherein the public quoted countless books which contained objectionable material that can be found in school libraries, the District 44 senator said. LB 441 is not a perfect bill, Ibach added, but she supported seeking a compromise to address such material while at the same time protecting the librarians who work in these important institutions. In a brief floor speech before Wednesdays vote to break the filibuster, Hardin traced the high emotions that repeatedly boiled over during the bills debate to Americas 21st-century attitudes about sex. Culturally, we reject Gods context for this powerful part of life, the District 48 lawmaker said. Unfortunately, weve decided that sex is not just for marriage, sex is not just for a man and a woman, sex is not just for adults, its not just for the privacy of your bedroom and its really for everyone of any age group. So sex has been stripped of its context. And so we live in a world where obscenity hurts. And we want to protect our kids from that. Erdman did not return a text from The Telegraph seeking comment. Brewer said he supported LB 441 but also referred to the latest outbreak of highly charged partisanship its debate set off in the officially nonpartisan Legislature. I think it became a fight over left vs. right and not the content of the bill, the District 43 senator said. Chief Glenn Kurfees of the Statesville Fire Department announced the successful completion of a comprehensive inspection conducted by the North Carolina Association of Rescue and EMS. The inspection has not only resulted in the reaffirmation of existing certifications but has also led to the acquisition of several new certifications, showcasing the departments commitment to excellence and community safety. The Statesville Fire Department has undergone successful reinspection of Medical Responder, Heavy Rescue Provider, High Angle Rescue, and Confined Space Rescue certifications, demonstrating the departments dedication to maintaining high standards of service delivery in these critical areas. In addition to the reaffirmed certifications, the department has been awarded new certifications in Trench Rescue, Swiftwater Rescue, Agriculture Rescue, and Surface Water Rescue. These certifications are a testament to the hard work, training, and professionalism exhibited by every member of the Statesville Fire Department, Kurfees said. Kurfees expressed his gratitude to all department members for their dedication and efforts in achieving these certifications. He emphasized that the acquisition and maintenance of these certifications reinforce the departments commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of the community in various emergency situations. We are proud of our teams accomplishments and their dedication to serving our community with integrity, compassion, and proficiency, said Kurfees. These certifications, alongside our esteemed ISO-1 rating and reaccreditation with the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI) and the Center for Public Safety Excellence, Inc. (CPSE), are a testament to our commitment to excellence in emergency response. A growing consensus among Syrians recognizes the nation as a casualty of international conflict, Marwan Qabalan writes in al-Araby al-Jadeed. This week, Syrians from all political backgroundswhether they are supporters, opponents, or somewhere in betweenrevisited the beginnings of the revolution/crisis that unfolded 13 years ago. Emulating the movements in Tunisia, Egypt, and other nations of the Arab Spring, a significant number of Syrians sought freedom and a better life. Among the Arab revolutions, Syrias uprising was perhaps the most unexpected, challenging the regimes decades-long reliance on violence and cruelty as deterrents against societal dissent. Notably, US intelligence assessments to President Barack Obama in 2010 had anticipated protests in several Arab countries due to long-simmering internal issues exacerbated by the global economic crisis, yet Syria was not mentioned. Despite this, Syria witnessed a revolution marked by noble intentions and significant sacrifices but ultimately limited by the absence of a unifying vision and leadership, alongside external interventions that derailed its aspirations. Thirteen years later, Syrians are divided in their perspectives on the revolution/crisis, its origins, and its transformation from peaceful protests to a proxy conflict with international implications. However, there is unanimous acknowledgment of the calamity it brought: over half a million dead, a million injured, approximately 150,000 missing, and millions displaced both internally and abroad. The destruction has touched nearly a quarter of all Syrian homes, with financial losses estimated between 400-1300 billion dollars. The presence of foreign military forces has effectively fragmented Syria into separate territories. A growing consensus among Syrians recognizes the nation as a casualty of international conflict, where neither the oppositions nor the regimes allies have prioritized Syrian welfare or aspirations. This global chess game has been played at the expense of Syrian lives, with foreign policies and military actions contributing to the nations fragmentation and the exploitation of its remaining resources. This realization has sparked widespread disillusionment with both the opposition and the regime, each demonstrating incapacity and neglect toward their constituents. The opposition appears debilitated, while the regime struggles to meet even the basic needs of its populace, undermining its claims of victory with the stark reality of hunger and sickness among its people. Amidst these challenges, a unified Syrian sentiment is emerging, recognizing the urgent need for action to salvage a nation on the brink of disintegration. This collective awakening underscores the importance of swift, inclusive efforts to foster a national dialogue and implement a realistic plan for democratic change. Such a transformation requires compromise and a departure from vengeful tactics, aiming instead for a future where all Syrian political forces, free from foreign influence, can collaborate to establish a new democratic governance structure. 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. Talks in Damascus centred on enhancing collaboration between Syria and the IAEA, the pro-government Tishreen writes. On Wednesday, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad welcomed Rafael Mariano Grossi, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), along with his team for discussions. The talks centred on enhancing collaboration between Syria and the IAEA in various peaceful initiatives, with a special focus on health, cancer therapy, agriculture, and scientific research projects. Grossi highlighted the significance of establishing a productive and ongoing dialogue between the IAEA and Syria to foster cooperation. In a related meeting, Syrias Foreign and Expatriates Minister, Fayssal Mikdad, and Grossi explored efforts Syria is making to strengthen its partnership with the IAEA and strategies to overcome obstacles hindering this cooperation. 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. Sources lauded Mekdad's visit to Riyadh as highly fruitful, according to al-Watan. Arab diplomatic sources disclosed to Al-Watan that significant diplomatic efforts have been underway recently in preparation for the second meeting of the Arab Liaison Committee. This meeting, hosted in the Egyptian capital Cairo in August of the preceding year, faced delays due to various factors, including the war in Gaza. However, a positive turn of events, particularly marked by the successful visit of Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Faisal Mekdad to Riyadh, has reinvigorated these efforts. During his visit, Mekdad affirmed Syrias readiness to participate in the upcoming meeting, with strong Saudi support, thus propelling the scheduling of the committees next session. The sources lauded Mekdads visit to Riyadh as highly fruitful, where discussions encompassed a spectrum of topics pertinent to joint Arab endeavours. Syria reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to bolster Arab cooperation in confronting regional challenges. It has been revealed that the second meeting of the Arab Liaison Committee is slated for May 8th, with expectations leaning towards the attendance of foreign ministers from all involved countries. Anticipation is high for positive outcomes from this gathering, seen as a significant stride toward normalizing Syrian-Arab relations. Deputy Prime Minister and Iraqi Foreign Minister Fouad Hussein, during his encounter with Mekdad on March 5th on the sidelines of the League of Arab States ministerial-level session, underscored the urgency of convening the liaison committee and expressed Iraqs readiness to host such a meeting. Ahmed Abu Zeid, the official spokesperson for the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, highlighted in a post on his official X platform account after a meeting between Mekdad and his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry on March 6th, that discussions centred on resolving the Syrian crisis and monitoring the efforts of the Arab Ministerial Liaison Committee on Syria. The Arab Liaison Committee comprises the foreign ministers of Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Lebanon, and Egypt, alongside the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States. Its formation was announced on May 7, 2023, following the decision to readmit Syria to the Arab League. This decision emphasized the establishment of the committee to oversee the implementation of various agreements concerning Syria, with a focus on gradual crisis resolution in accordance with Security Council Resolution No. 2254 and the principles of direct dialogue with the Syrian government. Additionally, it called for Syrias renewed participation in the League of Arab States activities. 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. Major General Hossam Louka, head of the regime's General Intelligence Service, reportedly facilitated dialogue between the UAE and Hezbollah. The Bashar al-Assad regime has embarked on a strategic maneuver, seeking to reposition itself as a significant regional player, partly to break out of its isolation and partly to secure financial advantages amidst Syrias dire political and economic crisis. In a surprising move, Major General Hossam Louka, head of the regimes General Intelligence Service, has facilitated dialogue between the UAE and Hezbollah. This development is noteworthy given Hezbollahs designation as a terrorist organization by the UAE, accused of destabilizing the security of the Persian Gulf, while Hezbollah, in turn, has labeled the UAE a den of Zionists. Reportedly, Louka has diligently worked over recent months to mediate between Hezbollah and the UAE, offering political and security assurances that the regime claims it can uphold. Wafiq Safa, leading Hezbollahs liaison and coordination unit, travelled to the UAE accompanied by a delegation on a private plane. His visit coincided with the arrival of the Syrian intelligence chief, Major General Hossam Louka. Sources indicate that Safa is scheduled to meet with UAE National Security Adviser Tahnoun bin Zayed and UAE Intelligence Director Ali al-Shamsi. This marks a shift away from the previous diplomatic involvement of General Security Director Abbas Ibrahim. The negotiations, ongoing since the inception of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, were initiated at the personal request of Assad to his Emirati counterpart, Mohammed bin Zayed. Safas visit aims to address several key issues, including the establishment of a lasting political relationship between Hezbollah and Abu Dhabi. This move leverages the perceived thaw in Gulf-Iran relations, potentially impacting Lebanon and Syria. Of particular interest is the discussion surrounding the Lebanese presidential candidacy, with reports suggesting the UAEs support for George Khoury, known for his ties to Abu Dhabi, and his favorable relations with both the Syrian regime and Hezbollah. This strategic realignment is occurring against the backdrop of strained relations between Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Assad and Hezbollah are capitalizing on these regional dynamics, exploiting Arab divisions to foster closer ties with various nations. Hezbollah aims to allay Abu Dhabis security concerns, offering assurances that no subversive activities will be conducted within the UAE. 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. Fidan emphasized the importance of upholding the Astana agreement. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan recently affirmed that Turkey remains open to engaging in talks with Syria, indicating a shift from his earlier statement about unsuitable conditions for reconciliation between Ankara and Damascus. During a televised interview on March 18th, Fidan stated, Turkey has never shied away from dialogue with Damascus to address ongoing issues. Highlighting Turkeys stance on the Syrian matter, Fidan emphasized the importance of upholding the Astana agreement, urging restraint to prevent clashes between opposition factions and the Syrian army. He underscored the need for resolving current challenges and disparities through mutual respect and shared interests. This assertion contrasts with Fidans remarks during a press conference on March 3, held at the conclusion of the third Antalya Diplomatic Forum, where he deemed the conditions unfavourable for normalization with Damascus. During the forum, Fidan reportedly discussed the Syrian issue extensively with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Further efforts toward dialogue were evident on March 16 when Turkish and Russian officials, led by Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Burak Akcapar and Russian counterpart Mikhail Galuzin, conducted joint consultations. Sources confirmed that discussions encompassed various aspects of the Syrian conflict, acknowledging the complexity of resuming normalization between Turkey and Syria. Meanwhile, Damascus has reiterated its demand for the withdrawal of Turkish forces from northern Syrian territories under their control as a prerequisite for rapprochement. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, however, reaffirmed Turkeys commitment to its operations in Syria during a speech in Ankara on March 4th, emphasizing progress in securing the border with Iraq. The public journey toward Syrian-Turkish reconciliation commenced on December 28, 2022, with a meeting of defense ministers from Russia, Syria, and Turkey in Moscow. Subsequent engagements at the ministerial level involving Syria, Russia, Turkey, and Iran, alongside their deputies and defence ministers, marked further steps in this diplomatic process. 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. Syria said it stands in solidarity with Cuba, condemning the sanctions and the harsh blockade imposed by the U.S. Syria has unequivocally condemned what it describes as overt interference by the United States in Cubas internal affairs. The Syrian Foreign and Expatriates Ministry issued a statement denouncing the U.S.s provocative tactics, which include instigating unrest, distorting facts, and levying unfounded accusations against the Cuban government. The ministry accuses the U.S. of exacerbating Cubas economic challenges through immoral sanctions and a comprehensive financial, trade, and economic embargo lasting over 64 years, which it deems illegal. Furthermore, the ministry highlighted the Cuban governments efforts to mitigate economic hardship through proactive measures, asserting that the U.S. could genuinely aid the Cuban populace by lifting the blockade, facilitating maritime access, and removing financial restrictions on Cuban banks. Syria stands in solidarity with Cuba, condemning the sanctions and the harsh blockade imposed by the U.S., and calls upon the international community to take action towards lifting this blockade. The ministry urges global partners to support Cuba in meeting its peoples fundamental needs and pursuing sustainable development. 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. 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 Your daily brief of the English-speaking press on Syria. Nowruz meaning new day is an ancient festival celebrating the first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. Syrian Kurds celebrated the event on Wednesday. More than 300 million people celebrate the Persian New Year, which has been observed for more than 3,000 years in different regions, including the Balkans, the Black Sea basin, the Caucasus, Central Asia and the Middle East. Nowruz is celebrated on the day of the astronomical vernal equinox, which usually takes place on March 21. The festival that lasts 13 days is rooted in Zoroastrianism, a religion practised in ancient Persia that predates Christianity and Islam. It is listed as part of the worlds intangible cultural heritage by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). In 2021, the UN General Assembly proclaimed March 21 as International Nowruz Day. Given its origins, the festival is marked in countries with significant Persian cultural influence, including Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, India, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Turkey, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Syrian Kurds march with torches during the celebration of Nowruz, the Persian New Year, in the Kurdish-majority city of Qamishli in Syrias northeastern Hasakeh province, Syrias Kurds celebrate Newroz despite years-long oppression For decades, Syrias Kurds celebrating Newroz have been subjected to attacks motivated by racial and ethnic discrimination. Even though the perpetrators varied between the security services of the Syrian government, the Islamic State group (ISIS), and the Turkish-backed armed opposition factions, aka the Syrian National Army (SNA) but the victim remained the same. Yet the millennia-old holiday bears a special significance for Kurds. Newroz represents renewal, liberation, and the victory of justice over injustice in the context of the Kurds ongoing struggle for survival, recognition, and peace. Syria Nuclear Probe Reactivated After UN Watchdog Meets Assad A stalled investigation into an alleged clandestine military-nuclear facility in Syria was renewed this week, signaling President Bashar al-Assad may be ready to resolve questions about a site bombed by Israel almost two decades ago, Bloomberg reported. The International Atomic Energy Agency began investigating the Deir al-Zour site in eastern Syria in 2007, weeks after Israeli forces destroyed it in a midnight raid. Subsequent years of war and official stonewalling delayed the probe until Tuesday, when the IAEAs Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi met Assad in Damascus. We are re-engaging, Grossi said Thursday on the sidelines of a nuclear-power meeting in Brussels. It was very important I had the opportunity to speak directly with President Assad. While Syria has always maintained the destroyed facility was non-nuclear, IAEA inspectors detected uranium particles on site. The case was referred to the UN Security Council in 2011. For too long, Syria has sought to put forward a public facade of cooperation without engaging on matters of substance, Laura Holgate, the US ambassador to the IAEA, said earlier this month. The only path to a meaningful process is for the Assad regime to finally provide the IAEA with access to all sites, information, materials, and persons. The IAEAs visit yielded tangible steps that could move the investigation forward, according to Grossi. We are going to try, he said. One Year of the Islamic State Worldwide Activity Map The analysis provided by Aaron Y. Zelin and Ilana Winter, based on the Islamic State Worldwide Activity Map by The Washington Institute, outlines significant insights into the global activities of the Islamic State (IS) over the past year. The main findings include: Diversification of Activities: Despite the degradation of core IS provinces in Iraq and Syria, the group has diversified its operations. The Khorasan province in Afghanistan (IS-K) leads external operations, while various African provinces have established territorial control. Major Terrorist Attacks and Law Enforcement Responses: IS supporters continue to plot significant terrorist attacks, particularly in Turkey, with most thwarted by law enforcement. However, bombings in Kerman, Iran, in January 2024, were a notable exception. Claims of Responsibility: IS claimed responsibility for 1,121 attacks, causing approximately 4,770 casualties. The West Africa province (ISWAP) and provinces in Syria, Iraq, Central Africa, and Mozambique were particularly active. The Khorasan province had the most devastating attacks on average. Designations and Sanctions: The U.S. government sanctioned 24 individuals for IS-related activities, targeting financial and operational aspects of the group. These actions spanned a variety of locations and aimed to disrupt ISs funding and recruitment networks. Arrests: The IS Activity Map tracked 470 legal cases in 49 countries, covering attack plots, propaganda activities, financial transfers, foreign fighter involvement, and recruitment. Turkey, Iraq, and the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria had the most cases. Policy Implications: The findings suggest an increasing global threat from IS, especially from IS-K plots, and an uptick in IS territorial control in Africa. Theres a noted potential for new foreign fighter mobilizations and the necessity for continued vigilance in counterterrorism efforts. Additionally, changes to the U.S. military presence in Syria or Iraq could have broad implications for global and regional security, potentially enabling IS to regain strength. This analysis underscores the importance of maintaining focused counterterrorism efforts against IS and adapting to the evolving threat landscape. I Was a US Embassy Officer in SyriaThat Kid Still Haunts Me In 1963, amidst a year marked by significant global and personal events, Otho Eskin began his journey as a Foreign Service officer in Damascus, Syria. During this tumultuous period, characterized by an attempted coup and a near-revolution, Eskin encountered various challenges, including dealing with the political instability and witnessing the harsh realities of conflict. One of the most haunting memories from his time in Syria involves aiding an American undergraduate who suffered a severe drug overdose and was detained in a condition that threatened his sanity and well-being. Tasked with ensuring the safety and care of American citizens abroad, Eskin managed to arrange for a psychiatrist from Beirut to examine the young man and eventually secured permission to transport him to Lebanon for treatment, under the vigilant care of an embassy Marine and with the aid of diplomatic privileges. This experience left a lasting impact on Eskin, prompting him to reflect on the vulnerability of youth to drug addiction and the devastating consequences it can bring. It influenced his later work as a fiction writer, where he explores themes of justice, the opioid crisis, and the moral complexities of combating such pervasive issues. Through his novels, Eskin seeks to expose the dark underbelly of the pharmaceutical industry and the societal injustices that continue to plague the world, all while holding on to the hope for a better future, inspired by his efforts to make a difference during his time in Syria. Otho Eskin, now 89, is a published author with a career spanning law, military service, and the Foreign Service. His experiences, particularly the encounter with the young American in Damascus, serve as a poignant reminder of the human stories behind global crises and the enduring impact of individual acts of kindness and responsibility. The commander of the Irish Peace Force in the Syrian Golan, noted in February that tensions along the Syria-Israel border had escalated significantly. On Wednesday, the Irish Peace Force withdrew from its positions in the Quneitra countryside and the Yarmouk Basin, located within the Syria-Israel disengagement zone, according to private sources confirmed by Sowt al-Asima. The withdrawal consisted of a convoy of ten cars belonging to the Irish Peace Force departing from points in the Quneitra countryside. Approximately half an hour later, another convoy of nine cars carrying around 50 members followed suit, heading towards the capital, Damascus. Key locations where the Peace Force had been stationed included Hader, JJubata, al-Hurriya, al-Hamidiya, Khan Arnaba, Jabba, Bariqa, Bir al-Ajam, Ruwaihina, Quneitra, al-Qahtaniyah, Kodna, al-Rafid, Ghadeer al-Bustan, al-Muallaqa, Jamla, Nafaa, and Ain Dhikr. Irish media reports from Tuesday, March 5th, indicated that the peace force was preparing to withdraw from the Golan Heights in early April, following the governments decision to cease contributing personnel to the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force. A substantial amount of equipment, valued at around 23 million and comprising approximately 280,000 pieces, is scheduled to be transported to Ireland by sea. This includes 14 Mowag armoured personnel carriers, each weighing 20 tonnes. Colonel Oliver Claire, the commander of the Irish Peace Force in the Syrian Golan, noted in February that tensions along the Syria-Israel border had escalated significantly since the commencement of the Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip in October. Since their deployment to Syria five months prior as part of the 68th Infantry group, the Irish Peace Force has been compelled to seek shelter in fortified locations on four occasions due to the volatile situation in the 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. The Suweida mouvement progresses towards curbing the longstanding presence of the party institution in the province, Enab Baladi writes. Since August 2023, the governorate of Suweida has witnessed a revolt, marked by demands for the overthrow of the Syrian regime and the implementation of UN Resolution 2254, which advocates for a peaceful transfer of power in Syria to end the longstanding conflict. The peaceful uprising, which has persisted on the streets of the province for over six months, has targeted the branches of the Baath party. Some of these branches have been repurposed into headquarters for charitable endeavors, while others have been closed altogether. Demonstrators have scattered security reports found within the party headquarters onto the streets. Periodically, protesters in the province occupy the party branches, signaling a trend towards the disestablishment of the partys presence in the region. Previously, the spiritual leader of the Druze Almohad sect, Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, had identified the party institution, alongside the security establishment, as one of the two entities causing suffering to the Syrian people. Does Suweida exclude the party establishment? In the initial month of protests in Suweida, demonstrators shuttered Baath Party centers across villages and towns in the governorate following an incident where protesters came under fire from a security group stationed in the party building in the heart of Suweida city. Fortunately, there were no injuries or damages reported. During this period, local news outlets specializing in coverage of the province circulated photos and videos depicting the closure of partisan offices across the region. One such outlet, al-Rased, shared footage showcasing the closure of the partys headquarters in al-Ghariya village, located southwest of the governorate. Similarly, in Rima Hazem village, protesters repurposed the Baath Party headquarters into a charitable associations headquarters. Furthermore, protesters closed two Baath Party offices in the towns of Mazraa and Ghariya following the aforementioned shooting incident. It was reported that the demonstrators aimed to transform the Ghariya Division building into a kindergarten named Freedom. Jamal al-Shoufi, a political affairs researcher residing in Suweida, informed Enab Baladi that the rejection of Baath Party branches in Suweida by its inhabitants is not an organized movement but rather a collective sentiment against the negative impact of this party institution on Syrian society, including Suweida. Shoufi stated that the anti-party movements in the province stem from the Baath Partys failure to heed the demands of the demonstrators to cease operations in the area, leading to the eventual closure of these party establishments by protesters. However, Shoufi expressed skepticism regarding the demise of the party establishment in Suweida, as it remains tethered to the ruling authority in Damascusa characteristic applicable to all Syrian provinces, not just Suweida. Thus, the partys dissolution can only occur with the downfall of the ruling authority. The researcher posited that the demand for political change under UN Resolution 2254, as advocated by the people of Suweida, symbolizes the end of the regimes political hegemony and the dismantling of Baath Party control over Syria. Are movements reflected on the street? The party apparatus of the Syrian regime, under its control for many years, has been a focal point for security operations targeting regime opponents, often resulting in their arrest, as evidenced by security reports discarded onto the streets of Suweida by protesters. As the movement in Suweida progresses towards curbing the longstanding presence of the party institution in the province, it prompts consideration of the potential implications of its demise. Researcher Shoufi suggests that while the overarching trend is towards demanding political change at the national level in Syria, there are also perspectives advocating for halting the Baath Partys activities in Suweida as a precursor to broader cessation across Syria post-political transformation. While plausible, this outcome remains uncertain. He asserts that power in Syria will persist unless political change, whether in security apparatuses or partisan structures, is realizeda change that could extend to Suweida. Regarding the impact of totalitarian ideologies, such as that espoused by the Baath Party, al-Shoufi notes that their demise hasnt yielded unequivocally positive results since the onset of the Arab Spring in 2011. He warns of potential adverse effects on Syria and the wider region if demands to overthrow the regime are met, citing Iraqs struggles post-Baath Party removal, marked by sectarianism, religious divisions, and political factionalism. Given Syrias aspiration for a state not monopolized by a single ideology, al-Shoufi emphasizes that the aim isnt to sever Syrias ties with the Arab world entirely but rather to dismantle the pervasive dominance of a singular ideology, allowing for diverse political engagement. Drawing lessons from past experiences, al-Shoufi highlights Iraqs challenges following the Baath Partys removal, suggesting that a binary approachtotal retention or total demiseis insufficient. Instead, he advocates for a continual push towards establishing a national state that fosters political freedoms. 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. WENATCHEE Sweet cherry growers in Washington state are eligible for up to $500,000 in federal Emergency Farm Loans following a formal disaster declaration from U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack for the 2023 cherry harvest season. The designation will result in low-interest emergency loans for cherry farmers, according to a news release from the offices of U.S. Sens. Maria Cantwell, Patty Murray, and U.S. House Representative Kim Schrier on Tuesday. Last year, Washingtons cherry growers lost around half their crop to extreme weather. Now, as they prepare to kick off their new season, this disaster designation from the Secretary of Agriculture will help growers access federal assistance to keep this $1 billion industry going and ensure Washingtons famously delicious sweet cherries make it into shopping carts, Cantwell said in the release. Warm weather last spring caused the Washington cherry harvest season to compress from the usual 90 days to 30 days, while at the same time, rain and cold weather delayed the California cherry harvest season, causing both to overlap and resulting in an oversupply of cherries on the market. Because of the compressed cherry season, many farmers opted not to pick all of their cherries to save labor costs, resulting in a 50% loss of the cherry crop, according to the release. However, Northwest Cherries, managed by the Washington State Fruit Commission, estimated a cherry crop of 22-23 million 20-pound boxes of cherries for Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Utah in 2023. But due to the compressed market, the total amount of cherry boxes harvested was estimated at around 18 million. Washington state is famous for our delicious sweet cherries but throughout the 2023 season, sweet cherry growers in our state saw major weather-driven losses and were forced to leave crops unharvested, Murray said in the release. This disaster declaration will open up access to emergency loans to help sweet cherry growers get back on their feet I want to thank President Biden and his administration for always supporting Washington state growers. In February, the Washington congressional delegation sent Vilsack a letter to ask him to declare a Secretarial Disaster Designation for the 2023 Washington cherry harvest. Gov. Jay Inslee also requested a Secretarial Disaster Designation. Through no fault of their own, our cherry growers experienced immense challenges and economic losses last season, with data showing growers experienced losses of more than 50%, Schrier said in the release. Thats why I proudly joined my colleagues in the Washington delegation in calling for a disaster declaration to help our growers recover and prepare for this upcoming growing season, and Im pleased to see the administration officially make this declaration. Thumbs up: Rainier museum funding Its a great thing to see people be rewarded after theyve worked so long on a project. Thats what happened for the Rainier Historical Society, which recently received a $500,000 grant from the Oregon Legislature to build a stand-alone building to house the Rainier Oregon Historical Museum. Currently, the museum is inside Rainier City Hall, where it has resided since 2017. While it was a great start for the collection, the limited space presents problems for displaying certain items, such as Rainiers first fire truck, which dates back to 1936. The collection has simply outgrown its home which is a great thing to be able to say. But the new museum has required a lot of hard work and planning from the society. We first reported on members securing and clearing a site back in 2020. At that time, the historical society had less than $2,000 in its building fund. The gap between the money members had and the cost of the museum they wanted must have seemed insurmountable, but the people at the historical society didnt let that stop them. They spent years pursuing grants and squirreling away donations. By late 2023, they had nearly $400,000 in their building fund, with a target number of $2 million. Thanks to the recent grant from the state of Oregon and an in-kind donation of $1 million, theyve finally hit that target. The museum is expected to open in spring 2025, and to say were excited is putting it lightly. The chance to see the displays they have planned for their new building become reality cant come soon enough. Thumbs down: Smelt licenses The state of Washington has decided that unlicensed smelt fishing is something officials can no longer allow. The state Legislature has passed a bill requiring all dippers to have a license, and once Gov. Jay Inslee signs the bill, a 90-day clock begins ticking. After that, theres one fewer outdoor activity that can be enjoyed without having to get a pass, permit or ticket. A one-day license for smelt would cost about $10. But officials say that its not about collecting funds but, instead, closing loopholes. Tom McBride, the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlifes legislative director, said that requiring a license would help enforce overfishing rules. But this just doesnt add up to us. With or without a license, overfishing is a violation of the Endangered Species Act. What happened to ignorance of the law is no excuse? If not knowing the rules is somehow getting citations excused, thats the problem that legislators should be trying to solve, rather than doing something that burdens law-abiding recreational fishers as well. The other goal that legislators hope to accomplish is to close a loophole currently used by people hoping to illegally catch salmon. According to McBride, game wardens are often told that people fishing illegally claim that they are just fishing for carp. We strongly support protecting salmon, and if that means closing this carp-fishing loophole, thats what needs to be done. However, we dont see them as the same issue that can be fixed with the same solution. One is a question of enforcing an existing law more thoroughly, and the other is about closing off an alibi used by poachers. A one-size solution doesnt seem like it fits all in this case when the core causes are so different. Thumbs up: Net Nanny stings Earlier this week, we reported that the Net Nanny stings had produced yet another conviction. Wed like to take a moment to acknowledge the hard work that goes into the program. The initiative has been responsible for more than 300 arrests since it began in 2015, according to the Washington State Patrol. That number includes 15 men arrested as part of a November bust in Cowlitz County. Theres a lot of unpleasant jobs out there, but being part of the Net Nanny sting crew has to be among the most emotionally taxing. Even just reading some of the crimes that are investigated by Net Nanny operatives like attempted child rape or the commercial sexual abuse of a minor are hard to think about even as abstract criminal charges. Now just imagine having to talk to the people who perpetrate these crimes, and having to pretend to be a child to lure them in. Its a dark and difficult task, but if it helps keep kids safe, its worth it. We dont need to know whos behind the keyboard; whomever it is, they have more than earned their privacy. We just want to say thank you, and that youre making a difference. 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 For the thousands of tech workers recently laid off in California and across the country, the future may not be as bleak as it looks right now: Many are likely to retrain fairly quickly for new jobs in the burgeoning field of artificial intelligence. The massive rounds of layoffs at tech giants and many smaller companies were largely the result of stricter investor demandswhat managers saw as over-hiring during the pandemic and a stock market that rewarded those personnel cuts. But the industry also was clearing the way to focus on AI, which is expected to revolutionize computer-related technology and work in the years aheadeven as it displaces jobs, previously handled by humans, in areas as varied as coding and background acting. Not only is AI taking over more standard computer programming once done entirely by humans, it is also starting to spur waves of new applicationsand with them, jobs, both tech and non-tech, in a wide range of industries, including in Southern California. "What we're seeing is a lot of tech companies are actually monetizing the AI solution," said Jenn Longnion, the Los Angeles-based founder of See & Free Consulting, which helps businesses grow sustainably. "They've had AI for a very long time. But they're finding ways now to monetize that and actually promote that and sell that as a solution to other businesses. ... Every industry is now having those conversations." Job postings in the U.S. that specifically mention AI, though still a tiny fraction of all openings, were up by 13% in February from a year ago, even as software development was off more than 30%, according to the employment website Indeed. Silicon Valley, where most of the AI action is today, figures to lead the way. In February, 9% of companies in the Bay Area said they already use AI, compared with a little more than 5% in the U.S. as a whole, according to the Census Bureau. The share of Los Angeles-area companies wasn't significantly higher than the national average, but about 8% of firms in the Southland said they expected to adopt AI in the next six months. In Silicon Beach, which has emerged as a home for companies focusing on AI and augmented reality, firms are hiring for hundreds of AI-related jobs, including content writers and software developers who will train the technology. Tom Case, a founder at Atticus Growth Partners, a tech recruiting firm in San Francisco, said the proliferation of AI entrepreneurs and startups translates into more jobs. In the last few years, companies have been hiring primarily for research labs, he said, but the industry is beginning to move from AI models to getting them into production. "We're in an almost gold rush where everybody's building an AI company model," he said. "Very little AI is deployed in production. ... At the moment, it feels like the dawn of job creation." After pivoting her startup from business operations software to customer service ticketing through AI, Sophie Wyne saw interest skyrocket. "I actually have never seen this amount of interest before for a product," said Wyne, founder and chief executive of Ariglad in San Francisco. "It's really just combining two things which people are really caring about. One is AII think everyone's really interested in how can that actually help my day-to-day in reality and not be so abstract. And the other side is, I just hate updating my knowledge base." Among the hundreds of AI startups looking for talent is Quest Labs, a Bay Area firm co-founded by Debparna Pratiher. The 27-year-old previously worked as a product manager at Nvidia, the highly publicized Silicon Valley supplier of chips used in gaming and other high-performance computing, particularly AI. Pratiher is an alumnus of UC Davis and Carnegie Mellon University. Her firm, with seed money from Techstars and Afore Capital, has a staff of about 20. The business has been moving quickly to build data sets for ecommerce as Google has started to phase out third-party cookies, which track and learn what users are doing online. "If cookies are gone, you're blind to consumers," Pratiher said. She said she's had difficulty finding qualified data scientists and other AI engineers with deep experience in machine language learning. "For all the AI hype and interest, buyers need to adopt the technology, and for that, they need better data," Pratiher said. For those recently laid off, getting up to speed on machine language learning and other in-demand AI skills isn't as daunting as one might think. Some skills, such as learning programming languages and databases to build AI models, might take a matter of weeks for IT workers. Even those with little or no experience in tech have been able to pivot. Shakil Kamran attended a Salesforce conference in 2017, set on trying to break into tech and transition out of his retail management career, which regularly involved 60-hour weeks and left little time to spend with his son. He took courses through Trailhead, San Francisco-based Salesforce's online learning platform, increased his skills and began seeing AI as the future. Today, Kamran, 37, is a Salesforce consultant and focuses on helping organizations use AI to help their business grow. "AI is going to help us. It's going to assist us in growing and becoming more effective and efficient," said Kamran, who lives in Connecticut. "It's going to supercharge our lives." Others are following Kamran's lead. Trailhead expanded its AI curriculum last year to include 43 "badges" that are earned by completing courses. So far, users have tallied more than 1.1 million badges , said Ann Weeby, senior vice president of Trailhead. "We're seeing employees from every level, in every type of business ... jump in and start learning, because they want to apply generative AI to their business yesterday," Weeby said. For their part, many universities are pivoting to incorporate AI in courses on computer science and other disciplines. "It's not a death knell," said Charles Lee Isbell Jr., who studied at MIT's AI Lab and recently became provost at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. Isbell is pushing for classroom emphasis on AI data-driven simulations and so-called deep learning, which uses multiple layers of what are called "artificial neural networks"complex algorithms designed to mimic the human brain to generate new data. "Coding and programming aren't going away," he said. Tech layoffs have slowed from last year's frenetic pace, but they remain substantial. More than 28,000 job cuts by tech firms nationwide were announced in the first two months of this year, according to Challenger, Gray & Christmas, an outplacement and research firm. Only a few hundred of those layoffs were explicitly attributed to AI, but thousands more cuts in tech and other industries were said to be the result of "updating or incorporating new technology," Challenger said. It noted that some of that may be companies overhauling budgets and staffing to make room for AI work. Although AI may not be directly responsible for most of the tech sector's job cuts, companies are realizing that greater utilization could mean they don't have to rehire for some positions, or that they can transition parts of those jobs over to the new technology, said Longnion of See & Free Consulting. Background actors expressed fears during last summer's strike that AI technology would be used to replace their jobs. Their new contract secured rules to guard against that. Data from Layoffs.fyi show that a growing number of layoffs have hit software developers, also known as coders, whoafter decades of disrupting other industries and other workers' jobs with their programsfind themselves victims. In recent months, hundreds of coders and other IT specialists have been let go by tech giants Google, Meta and Apple, as well as many smaller industry-focused digital platforms and cloud services, including Toast (restaurants), Flexport (logistics) and Block (financial services). Many of the layoffs have come in the Bay Area, putting a pause to two decades of growth at California's computer-systems design firms and related services. Most of the cuts probably reflect a pullback after excessive pandemic-driven hiring, due in part to ecommerce and remote work. But the correction may be ending soon, as new tech jobs come into view and workers adjust. Ayanna Howard, a robotics expert and dean of the engineering college at Ohio State University, said it wasn't long ago that coding was all the rage, and people were flocking to computer boot camps. She remembers how hard it once was for people to create a website. Now, with AI tools, you can build one within minutes by simply putting in blocks of information, she noted. AI can also do coding on back-end servers, the side responsible for storing and organizing data, including security. But Howard said not all is lost for even low-level coders. "If you're trained to learn, you can evolve," she said, just as those who began by using Pascal and BASIC learned to program in Assembly and Python, used for many machine learning and AI solutions. Others are emphasizing the inimitable human touch that AI could never replace. Since Alissa Marr was laid off last month from an early-stage AI startup, the product designer has mostly focused on building her business acumen and strategic problem-solving ability rather than just retooling her software skills. "Those kinds of things are not something an AI can do," said Marr, 39, who lives in Providence, R.I. "You need to have a human with expertise and knowledge about the customer and the business problem. There needs to be someone pulling the strings, because it can't just be automated by AI and just go out as is." AI may ultimately lead to a smaller tech workforce, said Howard of Ohio State. But there will also be AI-augmented jobs, as well as new jobs. One position in high demand is prompt engineer, who designs prompts and other processes to get optimal performance from generative AI tools, whether text or images. A company buying AI conversational programs such as ChatGPT (from OpenAI) or Gemini (from Google) will still need engineers to refine and customize the tools to replicate human-like dialogue suitable for its customers. "We don't necessarily know what it is that we need," Howard said. "But they will come out, and when they do, it'll be like, 'Oh, guess what? It's another field.'" 2024 Los Angeles Times. 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 A new method for classifying electronic music has been developed by researchers in China. The approach offers a novel solution in an age of exploding digital content to curating music libraries and streaming services. Writing in the International Journal of Arts and Technology, Hongyuan Wu and Lin Zhu of the College of Music at Chong'qing Normal University, explain how such services are currently overwhelmed in terms of valid classification methods. Traditional approaches are simplistic, based on labeling, and not keeping up with modern use and tastes. The team points out that classifying electronic music by genre is particularly difficult as this broad genre has wide and diffuse boundaries between different styles that are often highly subjective and influenced by cultural nuances. The team's new approach uses a complex decision tree framework to achieve high accuracy and speed up processing times, making a leap from 33-and-a-third to 45, you might say. The process starts with noise removal using principal component analysis and then segments the track into small chunks. The features from each chunk are then extracted using a method known as short-time Fourier transform. The team then fine-tunes their decision tree model to achieve the most precise classification possible. Indeed, their tests have shown that their method can be very effective, with a classification accuracy up to 98.6%. The implications go far beyond academic interest, with potential applications across the music and other industries. Music streaming services and online libraries rely heavily on accurate genre classification and could take advantage of this new approach to allow them to organize their collections and market music more subtly to their users. Users might include everyday music fans or those involved in the media or elsewhere who need specific styles of music to accompany their creative outputs. For instance, the classification approach should make it easier for everyday users to explore music, discover new sounds or retrieve golden oldies. In marketing and advertising and other areas, understanding music preferences based on genre classification is critical for targeted campaigns based on music taste. More information: Hongyuan Wu et al, Adaptive classification method of electronic music based on improved decision tree, International Journal of Arts and Technology (2024). DOI: 10.1504/IJART.2024.137296 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 pedestrian and bicycle bridge in Albstadt, Germany, is an early example of a textile-reinforced concrete structure. The bridge is about 100 meters long. Credit: Udo Jandrey By reinforcing concrete with textiles instead of steel, it is possible to use less material and create slender, lightweight structures with a significantly lower environmental impact. The technology to utilize carbon fiber textiles already exists, but it has been challenging, among other things, to produce a basis for reliable calculations for complex and vaulted structures. Researchers from Chalmers University of Technology, in Sweden, present a method that makes it easier to scale up analyses and thus facilitate the construction of more environmentally friendly bridges, tunnels and buildings. "A great deal of the concrete we use today has the function to act as a protective layer to prevent the steel reinforcement from corroding. If we can use textile reinforcement instead, we can reduce cement consumption and also use less concrete and thus reduce the climate impact," says Karin Lundgren, who is Professor in Concrete Structures at the Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering at Chalmers. Cement is a binder in concrete and its production from limestone has a large impact on the climate. One of the problems is that large amounts of carbon dioxide that have been sequestered in the limestone are released during production. Every year, about 4.5 billion metric tons of cement are produced in the world and the cement industry accounts for about 8% of global carbon dioxide emissions. Intensive work is therefore underway to find alternative methods and materials for concrete structures. Picture from the construction of a pavilion at the RWTH Aachen University of Technology in Germany. The shell-shaped roof structure has been reinforced with carbon fiber textile and is only six centimeters thick. Credit: Robert Mehl Picture from the construction of a pavilion at the RWTH Aachen University of Technology in Germany. The shell-shaped roof structure has been reinforced with carbon fiber textile and is only six centimeters thick. Credit: Robert Mehl Reduced carbon footprint with thinner constructions and alternative binders By using alternative binders instead of cement, such as clay or volcanic ash, it is possible to further reduce carbon dioxide emissions. But so far, it is unclear how well such new binders can protect steel reinforcement in the long term. "You could get away from the issue of corrosion protection, by using carbon-fibers as reinforcement material instead of steel, because it doesn't need to be protected in the same way. You can also gain even more by optimizing thin shell structures with a lower climate impact," says Karin Lundgren. In a study published in the journal Construction and Building Materials, Karin Lundgren and her colleagues describe a new modeling technique that was proved to be reliable in analyses describing how textile reinforcement interacts with concrete. The paper is titled "Textile reinforced concrete members subjected to tension, bending, and in-plane loads: Experimental study and numerical analyses" "What we have done is to develop a method that facilitates the calculation work of complex structures and reduces the need for testing of the load-bearing capacity," says Karin Lundgren. One area where textile reinforcement technology could significantly reduce the environmental impact is in the construction of arched floors. Since the majority of a building's climate impact during production comes from the floor structures, it is an effective way to build more sustainably. A previous research study from the University of Cambridge shows that textile reinforcement can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by up to 65 percent compared to traditional solid floors. Concrete reinforced with carbon fiber textile. Credit: Stipriaan | Wikimedia Commons Test set-up where textile-reinforced concrete is loaded in the Structures Lab at Chalmers. Credit: Chalmers University of Technology | Sebastian Almfeldt Method that facilitates calculations A textile reinforcement mesh consists of yarns, where each yarn consists of thousands of thin filaments (long continuous fibers). The reinforcement mesh is cast into concrete, and when the textile-reinforced concrete is loaded, the filaments slip both against the concrete and against each other inside the yarn. A textile yarn in concrete does not behave as a unit, which is important when you want to understand the composite material's ability to carry loads. The modeling technique developed by the Chalmers researchers describes these effects. "You could describe it as the yarn consisting of an inner and an outer core, which is affected to varying degrees when the concrete is loaded. We developed a test and calculation method that describes this interaction. In experiments, we were able to show that our way of calculating is reliable enough even for complex structures," says Karin Lundgren. The work together with colleagues is now continuing to develop optimization methods for larger structures. "Given that the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) expects the total floor area in the world to double over the next 40 years due to increased prosperity and population growth, we must do everything we can to build as resource-efficiently as possible to meet the climate challenge," says Karin Lundgren. More information: Adam Sciegaj et al, Textile reinforced concrete members subjected to tension, bending, and in-plane loads: Experimental study and numerical analyses, Construction and Building Materials (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.133762 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: Flow of the physics-based energy yield simulation framework. Credit: IMEC The journey toward a sustainable future hinges on our ability to harness the power of renewable sources effectively. Solar energy, in particular, has emerged as a cornerstone of this transition. However, the unpredictable and variable nature of sunlight poses a significant challenge for accurately predicting energy yields. This uncertainty not only hampers innovation, but unnecessarily delays the sun's use in global energy production. While a solar cell's conversion efficiency is conventionally measured in a controlled environment, its real-world performance, influenced by diverse weather conditions, can significantly deviate. For stakeholders such as solar farm managers and energy providers, the paramount concern lies not in the cell's efficiency percentage, but in understanding its actual annual power generation in a specific location. With this (financial) yield uncertainty, the full potential of solar panelsand their integration into buildings, car roofs or agricultural applicationsmight remain unharnessed. The pressing need for precision Predictive models of energy yields currently exist, aiming to enhance accuracy and applicability across various photovoltaic (PV) technologies. But traditional 'grey box' models are often reliant on historical data and empirical insights, struggling to provide the precision required for optimizing solar installations. In response to this pressing need for precision, imec's Energy Systems team at EnergyVille, Belgium, presented their own model in 2017. Unlike conventional approaches, the model adopts a bottom-up approachit delves into the intricate interplay of light, temperature, and electrical dynamics within solar panels, with a physics-based model of their interactions. This holistic approach is crucial, especially as the renewable energy landscape expands into uncharted territories of integrated photovoltaics, such as integration in infrastructure. Understanding the Energy Yield model: A physics-based simulation framework The system model weaves together three interlinked components: an optical, a thermal, and an electrical model. The optical model employs sophisticated "ray tracing" techniques, simulating how solar modules respond optically. By also considering reflection or absorption across various wavelengths and angles, the model excels in capturing the nuances of sunlight interaction with different panel technologies. Second, the thermal model takes a leap beyond global module temperature estimates for solar panels, by factoring in local variations. This distinction is particularly significant for building-attached installations, where adhesion to e.g., concrete walls can be done seamlessly or by including space for airflow. Understanding these local '"chimney" effects is key to accurate temperature modeling and provides more nuanced predictions. Last, delving into the core of power generation, the electrical model considers various factors, such as the specific type of solar cell and the presence of (acoustic) absorbing material. It provides insights into the generated current and identifies potential areas of efficiency loss. "The synergy of these three models, responding to environmental inputs like meticulous meteorological data and positioning, paints a comprehensive simulated 3D picture. Besides the straightforward impact of direct sunlight, factors like elevated temperatures and diminished wind currents can adversely impact solar panel yields. "The model's focus on local meteorological intricacies ensures a more accurate and dynamic representation of real-world conditions, enabling the model to predict the daily or yearly energy yield of solar cells under varying meteorological and irradiation conditions," emphasizes Prof. Michael Daenen, Principal Investigator at imo-imomec/EnergyVille. From theory to real-world validation Beyond theoretical simulations, the Energy Yield model has since served as a practical guide for optimizing PV integrationwith experimental energy yields being compared to the simulated ones. The Interreg Rolling Solar project, for example, focused on the integration of PV systems into public infrastructure, envisioning large-scale electricity generation without the need for additional land. Among others, a concrete noise barrier wall was built at EnergyVille, Belgium, in which existing and newly developed solar modules were incorporated, to showcase their feasibility and measure their energy yields over the course of several years. Prof. Ivan Gordon, Department Director at imo-imomec/EnergyVille, explains the energy yield results. "Our physics-based model gave remarkably accurate predictions, especially for crystalline silicon solar panels, within a 15-minute window. With over 95% of current PV installations being silicon-based, you can imagine the value of such accurate predictions. "Challenges arose when we extended the predictions to thin-film technologies like CIGS modules. In response, we developed a separate electrical model for thin-film materials and included empirical corrections. With iterative refinement, we were able to significantly reduce the error (Root Mean Square Error (RMSE)) of our predictions to minor margins. This showcases the model's adaptability to different materials and technologies." In a second phase of the Rolling Solar project, modular bifacial solar panels were included in the wall, extending the model's scope again. While bifacial PV systems can generate up to 20% more electricity, compared to monofacial PV, their energy dynamics are significantly altered since photons can enter from both sideshighly dependent on the surroundings and varying throughout the day. These unique challenges were addressed with modifications in the optical model. "The key strength of the Energy Yield model lies in its flexible framework," emphasized Dr. Arnaud Morlier, team lead of the Energy Systems team at imec/EnergyVille. "This enables our model to evolve with real-world experimentation and progress in solar panel technologies and applications. It serves as a foundational framework that can be expanded to incorporate different materials and applications, providing insights into energy generation under different conditions." Beyond model optimization A precise energy yield prediction of a specific application offers numerous advantages: a module engineer can assess the real-world impact of technical adjustments made to solar cells without the need for physical production. Additionally, a virtual presentation can aid in optimizing and testing scenarios for solar panel placement, considering factors like angle adjustments. From the design of PV-integrated solutions to estimating its energy yield in a specific location and optimizing investment strategies, the Energy Yield model can be a guiding beacon throughout the entire journey. Together with the software company PVcase, imec has transformed the predictive model into a commercially available simulation software, tailored for solar parks. The software is versatile, incorporating bifacial and other state-of-the-art technologies, allowing for easy design and accurate prediction of the energy yield in PV power plants. The predictive model continues to play a crucial role in designing and optimizing curved solar panels for car roofs. Recognizing that current solar roofs offer only a limited increase in driving range, the SNRoof project integrated highly efficient solar cells into car roofs. Simultaneously, the HighLite project explored the development of cost-effective solar car roof modules, aiming to contribute to a competitive EU PV manufacturing industry. Currently, the Energy Systems team is evaluating the optimal placement of solar cells to facilitate the development of fully autonomous electric vehicles. More recently, building on the success of Rolling Solar, the SolarEMR project was finalized. This 18-month endeavor focused on demonstrating cost-effective automated PV module production and electric interconnection of solar cells, for both building and infrastructure integration. Interestingly, the project also considered aspects beyond technical and financial optimization, such as regulatory frameworks and business viability, paving the way for large-scale PV projects. By collaborating with energy market providers, the simulation model was used to not only create more efficient solar cells, but also improve installation techniques, and micro-grid stabilitya collaborative effort thus enabling quicker green solutions. Take, for instance, the profitability of investing in solar-integrated sound barriersa venture that hangs in the delicate balance of their placement. With roads winding and meandering, at times veering away from the sun's rays, the integration of PV technology into sound barriers may not always be a straightforward choice. Enter the Energy Yield model, offering insights for the seamless execution of such large-scale projects based on intricate road maps, solar cell properties, and local weather conditions and regulations. A beacon for a sustainable tomorrow Beyond design and optimization, an accurate virtual presentation of PV-integrated applications can also aid in its operation and maintenance. When an experimental energy yield is not reaching its simulated one, this can indicate e.g., damage to the solar panels or overgrowing grass which needs to be cut, offering a way to detect anomalies. This enables a centralized operating system, reducing the need to visit the solar-sitebeneficial for remote or isolated solar farms. Ongoing projects utilizing the prediction model involve the improvement of accurate weather forecasting (E-TREND) and "nowcasting" (TRUST-PV) with the help of sky-imagers and artificial intelligence (AI). The prospects for precise solar energy modeling hold immense promise, spanning from individual installations to entire energy networks. Finally, consider this: to guarantee its stability, it is crucial for supply and demand to always be balanced. A simulation model predicting energy yields with a 15-minute window of accuracy, can not only assist in grid management for large manufacturing facilities or urban areas, but can also enable countries to trade energy more efficiently on the international market. Kenmare Resources plc (LON:KMR Get Free Report) insider Andrew Webb bought 10,000 shares of Kenmare Resources stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 20th. The stock was bought at an average price of GBX 302 ($3.84) per share, with a total value of 30,200 ($38,446.85). Kenmare Resources Stock Performance Shares of LON KMR traded up GBX 11.50 ($0.15) during trading hours on Thursday, reaching GBX 313 ($3.98). The stock had a trading volume of 493,367 shares, compared to its average volume of 251,393. The businesss fifty day moving average is GBX 311.82 and its two-hundred day moving average is GBX 369.82. Kenmare Resources plc has a twelve month low of GBX 291 ($3.70) and a twelve month high of GBX 500 ($6.37). The company has a market cap of 279.29 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 177.35, a PEG ratio of 0.03 and a beta of 0.39. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.78, a current ratio of 4.84 and a quick ratio of 1.22. Get Kenmare Resources alerts: Kenmare Resources Increases Dividend The company also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 17th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, April 11th will be paid a dividend of $0.39 per share. This represents a dividend yield of 10.13%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 11th. This is a positive change from Kenmare Resourcess previous dividend of $0.18. Kenmare Resourcess dividend payout ratio is 2,882.35%. Kenmare Resources Company Profile Kenmare Resources plc, together with its subsidiaries, produces and sells mineral sand products in China, the rest of Asia, Europe, the United States, and internationally. It operates the Moma Titanium Minerals Mine located on the northeast coast of Mozambique. The company's products include ilmenite, rutile, and zircon; and concentrates, including secondary zircon and mineral sand concentrates. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Kenmare Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Kenmare Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ares Commercial Real Estate (NYSE:ACRE Get Free Report) had its price target reduced by stock analysts at UBS Group from $10.50 to $8.00 in a research report issued on Wednesday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a neutral rating on the real estate investment trusts stock. UBS Groups price target would indicate a potential upside of 2.17% from the companys current price. Other analysts have also issued reports about the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their target price on shares of Ares Commercial Real Estate from $9.50 to $8.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Friday, February 23rd. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods cut their price target on shares of Ares Commercial Real Estate from $10.25 to $8.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a report on Monday, February 26th. TheStreet cut shares of Ares Commercial Real Estate from a c- rating to a d+ rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 5th. JMP Securities cut shares of Ares Commercial Real Estate from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 5th. Finally, Bank of America restated an underperform rating and issued a $7.00 price objective (down from $11.00) on shares of Ares Commercial Real Estate in a report on Monday, March 4th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and eight have issued a hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $9.00. Get Ares Commercial Real Estate alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Ares Commercial Real Estate Ares Commercial Real Estate Price Performance Insider Transactions at Ares Commercial Real Estate Shares of ACRE stock traded up $0.07 on Wednesday, reaching $7.83. The companys stock had a trading volume of 320,565 shares, compared to its average volume of 751,738. The company has a market capitalization of $426.11 million, a P/E ratio of -10.87 and a beta of 1.41. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $8.66 and its 200-day simple moving average is $9.50. Ares Commercial Real Estate has a 12-month low of $7.15 and a 12-month high of $11.24. The company has a quick ratio of 1.43, a current ratio of 1.43 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.42. In other news, CEO Bryan Patrick Donohoe sold 18,868 shares of Ares Commercial Real Estate stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $10.32, for a total transaction of $194,717.76. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 197,414 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,037,312.48. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In other news, CEO Bryan Patrick Donohoe sold 18,868 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $10.32, for a total value of $194,717.76. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 197,414 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,037,312.48. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, VP Anton Feingold sold 5,890 shares of Ares Commercial Real Estate stock in a transaction dated Monday, January 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $10.37, for a total value of $61,079.30. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 68,975 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $715,270.75. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 1.95% of the companys stock. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Ares Commercial Real Estate Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. UBS Group AG lifted its position in Ares Commercial Real Estate by 1.1% during the 1st quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 95,757 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,486,000 after acquiring an additional 999 shares during the period. Rhumbline Advisers boosted its holdings in Ares Commercial Real Estate by 1.3% in the 3rd quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 83,893 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $799,000 after purchasing an additional 1,100 shares during the last quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp grew its stake in shares of Ares Commercial Real Estate by 0.3% in the 4th quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 386,179 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $4,001,000 after buying an additional 1,219 shares during the period. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD raised its stake in shares of Ares Commercial Real Estate by 2.6% in the 4th quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 49,285 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $511,000 after acquiring an additional 1,258 shares during the period. Finally, Alliancebernstein L.P. lifted its holdings in shares of Ares Commercial Real Estate by 3.9% in the 3rd quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 37,300 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $390,000 after acquiring an additional 1,400 shares during the last quarter. 38.37% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. About Ares Commercial Real Estate (Get Free Report) Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation, a specialty finance company, originates and invests in commercial real estate (CRE) loans and related investments in the United States. It provides a range of financing solutions for the owners, operators, and sponsors of CRE properties. The company originates senior mortgage loans, subordinate debt and preferred equity products, mezzanine loans, and other CRE investments, including commercial mortgage-backed securities. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Ares Commercial Real Estate Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ares Commercial Real Estate and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Black Diamond Group Limited (TSE:BDI Get Free Report) Director Steve Stein sold 5,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$8.84, for a total value of C$44,200.00. Steve Stein also recently made the following trade(s): Get Black Diamond Group alerts: On Monday, March 4th, Steve Stein sold 500 shares of Black Diamond Group stock. The shares were sold at an average price of C$9.28, for a total value of C$4,640.00. Black Diamond Group Stock Performance Shares of BDI traded down C$0.06 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting C$8.85. The companys stock had a trading volume of 17,055 shares, compared to its average volume of 47,632. The stocks 50-day moving average is C$9.03 and its two-hundred day moving average is C$7.99. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 72.03, a quick ratio of 1.05 and a current ratio of 1.10. The firm has a market capitalization of C$532.86 million, a PE ratio of 18.06 and a beta of 1.73. Black Diamond Group Limited has a one year low of C$5.35 and a one year high of C$9.92. Black Diamond Group Dividend Announcement Black Diamond Group ( TSE:BDI Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, February 29th. The company reported C$0.13 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of C$0.10 by C$0.03. The business had revenue of C$103.40 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of C$89.70 million. Black Diamond Group had a return on equity of 11.11% and a net margin of 7.72%. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Black Diamond Group Limited will post 0.4650565 EPS for the current year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 15th. Shareholders of record on Sunday, March 31st will be paid a dividend of $0.03 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 27th. This represents a $0.12 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.36%. Black Diamond Groups dividend payout ratio is currently 24.49%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities research analysts recently commented on the company. Canaccord Genuity Group boosted their price target on Black Diamond Group from C$9.50 to C$11.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, March 4th. BMO Capital Markets upped their target price on Black Diamond Group from C$11.00 to C$12.00 in a research report on Friday, March 1st. Finally, Acumen Capital upped their target price on Black Diamond Group from C$12.00 to C$12.50 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Monday, March 4th. View Our Latest Stock Analysis on BDI About Black Diamond Group (Get Free Report) Black Diamond Group Limited rents and sells modular space and workforce accommodation solutions. It operates through two segments, Modular Space Solutions and Workforce Solutions. The Modular Space Solutions segment provides modular space rentals to customers in the construction, real estate development, education, manufacturing, health care, financial, government, and defense industries in North America. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Black Diamond Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Black Diamond Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY Get Free Report) have been assigned a consensus recommendation of Hold from the nineteen analysts that are covering the company, MarketBeat Ratings reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, fifteen have issued a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 1-year price objective among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $61.12. BMY has been the topic of several recent research reports. Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price on Bristol-Myers Squibb from $58.00 to $51.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, February 6th. Societe Generale lowered Bristol-Myers Squibb from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, March 11th. Redburn Atlantic lowered Bristol-Myers Squibb from a buy rating to a neutral rating and dropped their price objective for the stock from $77.00 to $54.00 in a research note on Tuesday, February 6th. StockNews.com upgraded Bristol-Myers Squibb from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Friday, March 1st. Finally, Bank of America lowered Bristol-Myers Squibb from a buy rating to a neutral rating and dropped their price objective for the stock from $68.00 to $60.00 in a research note on Wednesday, January 3rd. Get Bristol-Myers Squibb alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on BMY Bristol-Myers Squibb Price Performance BMY opened at $51.88 on Thursday. The stock has a market cap of $104.91 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.44, a PEG ratio of 1.56 and a beta of 0.38. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a 1 year low of $47.58 and a 1 year high of $71.07. The company has a current ratio of 1.43, a quick ratio of 1.31 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.24. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $50.55 and a 200 day moving average price of $52.73. Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Friday, February 2nd. The biopharmaceutical company reported $1.70 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate 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 company had revenue of $11.48 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.19 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.82 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up .6% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts forecast that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 6.61 EPS for the current fiscal year. Bristol-Myers Squibb declared that its Board of Directors has initiated a share buyback program on Thursday, December 7th that authorizes the company to repurchase $3.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the biopharmaceutical company to purchase up to 2.9% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are often an indication that the companys management believes its stock is undervalued. Bristol-Myers Squibb Dividend Announcement The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, April 5th will be issued a $0.60 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 4th. This represents a $2.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.63%. Bristol-Myers Squibbs payout ratio is presently 62.18%. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Bristol-Myers Squibb A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of BMY. True Wealth Design LLC bought a new stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb during the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Coppell Advisory Solutions Corp. bought a new stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb during the 4th quarter worth approximately $31,000. Coppell Advisory Solutions LLC bought a new stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $28,000. Live Oak Investment Partners bought a new stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb during the 4th quarter worth approximately $33,000. Finally, OFI Invest Asset Management bought a new stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $25,000. 74.98% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About Bristol-Myers Squibb (Get 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. Contravisory Investment Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund bought 6,522 shares of the construction companys stock, valued at approximately $437,000. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. DecisionPoint Financial LLC acquired a new stake in Masco during the second quarter worth approximately $29,000. VisionPoint Advisory Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Masco in the 2nd quarter valued at $35,000. Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC acquired a new position in shares of Masco during the 4th quarter valued at $44,000. Center for Financial Planning Inc. boosted its stake in Masco by 270.6% during the third quarter. Center for Financial Planning Inc. now owns 667 shares of the construction companys stock worth $36,000 after acquiring an additional 487 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Indiana Trust & Investment Management CO acquired a new stake in Masco in the third quarter worth $64,000. 91.67% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Masco alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of research analysts recently weighed in on the company. Citigroup assumed coverage on Masco in a research note on Friday, February 2nd. They set a neutral rating and a $70.00 price target on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price objective on shares of Masco from $66.00 to $73.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, December 14th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on shares of Masco from $58.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, December 6th. Truist Financial increased their price target on Masco from $65.00 to $81.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, February 9th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on Masco from $58.00 to $69.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, December 14th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $68.92. Insider Activity In other news, VP Richard Allan Marshall sold 5,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, March 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $77.05, for a total transaction of $385,250.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 10,465 shares in the company, valued at approximately $806,328.25. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other news, insider Jai Shah sold 42,552 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $76.36, for a total value of $3,249,270.72. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 15,830 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,208,778.80. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, VP Richard Allan Marshall sold 5,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $77.05, for a total transaction of $385,250.00. Following the sale, the vice president now owns 10,465 shares of the companys stock, valued at $806,328.25. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 83,762 shares of company stock worth $6,337,597 in the last three months. Corporate insiders own 1.50% of the companys stock. Masco Stock Performance Masco stock traded up $2.03 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $78.26. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,094,788 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,111,844. Masco Co. has a 12-month low of $46.69 and a 12-month high of $78.85. The company has a market capitalization of $17.20 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.61, a PEG ratio of 2.12 and a beta of 1.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 30.05, a quick ratio of 1.08 and a current ratio of 1.68. The firms fifty day moving average price is $72.16 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $63.13. Masco (NYSE:MAS Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 8th. The construction company reported $0.83 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.66 by $0.17. The company had revenue of $1.88 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.79 billion. Masco had a return on equity of 3,111.50% and a net margin of 11.40%. The firms quarterly revenue was down 2.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $0.65 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts predict that Masco Co. will post 4.12 EPS for the current fiscal year. Masco Increases Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 11th. Investors of record on Thursday, February 22nd were paid a dividend of $0.29 per share. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, February 21st. This represents a $1.16 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.48%. This is a boost from Mascos previous quarterly dividend of $0.29. Mascos payout ratio is currently 28.93%. Masco Profile (Free Report) Masco Corporation designs, manufactures, and distributes home improvement and building products in North America, Europe, and internationally. The company's Plumbing Products segment offers faucets, showerheads, handheld showers, valves, bath hardware and accessories, bathing units, shower bases and enclosures, sinks, toilets, acrylic tubs, shower trays, spas, exercise pools, and fitness systems; brass, copper, and composite plumbing system components; connected water products; thermoplastic solutions, extruded plastic profiles, specialized fabrications, and PEX tubing products; and other non-decorative plumbing products. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Masco Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Masco and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Contravisory Investment Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Koninklijke Philips (NYSE:PHG Free Report) during the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund acquired 8,588 shares of the technology companys stock, valued at approximately $200,000. Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Citigroup Inc. lifted its position in shares of Koninklijke Philips by 1.3% during the first quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 36,882 shares of the technology companys stock worth $1,126,000 after purchasing an additional 483 shares in the last quarter. Firsthand Capital Management Inc. lifted its holdings in Koninklijke Philips by 4.5% in the second quarter. Firsthand Capital Management Inc. now owns 11,373 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $247,000 after buying an additional 486 shares during the period. US Bancorp DE raised its holdings in Koninklijke Philips by 0.8% in the second quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 66,485 shares of the technology companys stock worth $1,442,000 after purchasing an additional 496 shares during the period. Advisory Services Network LLC raised its holdings in Koninklijke Philips by 28.7% in the first quarter. Advisory Services Network LLC now owns 2,226 shares of the technology companys stock worth $41,000 after purchasing an additional 496 shares during the period. Finally, 1832 Asset Management L.P. raised its holdings in Koninklijke Philips by 1.1% in the first quarter. 1832 Asset Management L.P. now owns 56,735 shares of the technology companys stock worth $1,708,000 after purchasing an additional 619 shares during the period. 6.64% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Koninklijke Philips alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes A number of research firms recently weighed in on PHG. BNP Paribas downgraded shares of Koninklijke Philips from an outperform rating to an underperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 7th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Koninklijke Philips from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Thursday, February 8th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating, one has issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $19.00. Koninklijke Philips Stock Performance NYSE PHG traded down $0.21 during trading on Thursday, reaching $20.40. The companys stock had a trading volume of 377,148 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,022,546. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58, a quick ratio of 0.78 and a current ratio of 1.20. Koninklijke Philips has a 12 month low of $15.63 and a 12 month high of $24.27. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $21.37 and a 200 day moving average price of $20.97. Koninklijke Philips (NYSE:PHG Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, January 29th. The technology company reported $0.44 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.41 by $0.03. Koninklijke Philips had a negative net margin of 2.53% and a positive return on equity of 14.17%. The company had revenue of $5.45 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.47 billion. Sell-side analysts expect that Koninklijke Philips will post 1.56 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Koninklijke Philips Company Profile (Free Report) Koninklijke Philips N.V. operates as a health technology company in North America, the Greater China, and internationally. The company operates through Diagnosis & Treatment Businesses, Connected Care Businesses, and Personal Health Businesses segments. It also provides diagnostic imaging solutions, includes magnetic resonance imaging, X-ray systems, and computed tomography (CT) systems and software comprising detector-based spectral CT solutions, as well as molecular and hybrid imaging solutions for nuclear medicine; echography solutions focused on diagnosis, treatment planning and guidance for cardiology, general imaging, obstetrics/gynecology, and point-of-care applications; integrated interventional systems, and interventional diagnostic and therapeutic devices to treat coronary artery and peripheral vascular disease. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PHG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Koninklijke Philips (NYSE:PHG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Koninklijke Philips Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Koninklijke Philips and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Edwards Lifesciences (NYSE:EW Get Free Report) had its target price upped by investment analysts at Morgan Stanley from $95.00 to $103.00 in a research note issued on Thursday, Benzinga reports. The firm presently has an overweight rating on the medical research companys stock. Morgan Stanleys price target indicates a potential upside of 8.72% from the stocks previous close. EW has been the subject of several other research reports. StockNews.com cut Edwards Lifesciences from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday. Citigroup cut Edwards Lifesciences from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a report on Monday, December 11th. Wolfe Research cut Edwards Lifesciences from a peer perform rating to an underperform rating and set a $57.00 price target for the company. in a report on Tuesday, November 28th. Royal Bank of Canada upped their price target on Edwards Lifesciences from $82.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, February 7th. Finally, Oppenheimer boosted their price objective on Edwards Lifesciences from $93.00 to $100.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Monday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $88.50. Get Edwards Lifesciences alerts: View Our Latest Research Report on Edwards Lifesciences Edwards Lifesciences Stock Performance EW traded up $1.70 on Thursday, reaching $94.74. 844,721 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,114,188. The companys 50-day moving average price is $83.58 and its 200 day moving average price is $75.23. Edwards Lifesciences has a fifty-two week low of $60.57 and a fifty-two week high of $95.27. 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 firm has a market capitalization of $56.97 billion, a PE ratio of 41.19, a PEG ratio of 4.68 and a beta of 1.05. Edwards Lifesciences (NYSE:EW Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 6th. The medical research company reported $0.64 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.64. The business had revenue of $1.53 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.50 billion. Edwards Lifesciences had a return on equity of 23.56% and a net margin of 23.35%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 13.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.64 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Edwards Lifesciences will post 2.76 EPS for the current fiscal year. Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, VP Donald E. Bobo, Jr. sold 14,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $91.01, for a total transaction of $1,319,645.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 39,503 shares in the company, valued at $3,595,168.03. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. In other news, VP Donald E. Bobo, Jr. sold 14,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $91.01, for a total transaction of $1,319,645.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 39,503 shares in the company, valued at $3,595,168.03. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, CFO Scott B. Ullem sold 14,510 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, December 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $76.55, for a total value of $1,110,740.50. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 19,248 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,473,434.40. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 196,859 shares of company stock valued at $16,445,296 over the last quarter. 1.29% of the stock is owned by insiders. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Edwards Lifesciences by 11.4% during the 1st quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 9,181 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $1,081,000 after buying an additional 941 shares during the last quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. increased its position in shares of Edwards Lifesciences by 34.7% during the first quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. now owns 1,738 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $204,000 after purchasing an additional 448 shares in the last quarter. Covestor Ltd increased its position in shares of Edwards Lifesciences by 18.2% during the first quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 1,223 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $144,000 after purchasing an additional 188 shares in the last quarter. Mather Group LLC. increased its position in shares of Edwards Lifesciences by 53.5% during the first quarter. Mather Group LLC. now owns 7,182 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $846,000 after purchasing an additional 2,503 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Mackenzie Financial Corp increased its position in shares of Edwards Lifesciences by 3.1% during the first quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 655,567 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $77,173,000 after purchasing an additional 19,798 shares in the last quarter. 79.25% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Edwards Lifesciences Company Profile (Get 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 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. Galvin Gaustad & Stein LLC cut its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Free Report) by 4.0% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 2,510 shares of the companys stock after selling 105 shares during the quarter. Galvin Gaustad & Stein LLCs holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $1,463,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in Eli Lilly and Company during the 4th quarter valued at $3,416,206,000. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC raised its stake in Eli Lilly and Company by 102,752.2% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 5,446,026 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,992,374,000 after buying an additional 5,440,731 shares during the last quarter. Morgan Stanley raised its stake in Eli Lilly and Company by 44.1% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 12,059,204 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,411,740,000 after buying an additional 3,691,436 shares during the last quarter. Imprint Wealth LLC raised its stake in Eli Lilly and Company by 53,716.8% during the 2nd quarter. Imprint Wealth LLC now owns 1,751,200 shares of the companys stock valued at $175,120,000 after buying an additional 1,747,946 shares during the last quarter. Finally, T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. purchased a new stake in Eli Lilly and Company during the 4th quarter valued at $445,944,000. 81.38% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Eli Lilly and Company alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on LLY shares. Bank of America boosted their target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $800.00 to $1,000.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, March 1st. Cantor Fitzgerald restated an overweight rating and issued a $815.00 price objective on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research note on Tuesday, February 20th. Truist Financial upped 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 upped their price objective on Eli Lilly and Company from $700.00 to $825.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 6th. Finally, Barclays upped their price objective on Eli Lilly and Company from $680.00 to $810.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 7th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seventeen have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $689.52. Insider Buying and Selling In related news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 78,573 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, January 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $648.07, for a total value of $50,920,804.11. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 99,333,810 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $64,375,262,246.70. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Insiders have sold 195,055 shares of company stock valued at $125,254,657 in the last ninety days. 0.13% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Eli Lilly and Company Trading Up 0.2 % Shares of NYSE:LLY traded up $1.49 during trading on Thursday, reaching $774.35. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,508,164 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,292,820. The company has a current ratio of 0.94, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.69. Eli Lilly and Company has a 12 month low of $323.26 and a 12 month high of $800.78. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $714.46 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $628.78. The stock has a market capitalization of $735.76 billion, a PE ratio of 132.59, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.70 and a beta of 0.34. Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 6th. The company reported $2.49 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.30 by $0.19. Eli Lilly and Company had a net margin of 15.36% and a return on equity of 51.22%. The firm had revenue of $9.35 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.95 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $2.09 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 28.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts predict that Eli Lilly and Company will post 12.42 EPS for the current fiscal year. About Eli Lilly and Company (Free Report) Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. The company 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; Jardiance, Mounjaro, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes; and Zepbound for obesity. Further Reading 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. General Electric (NYSE:GE Get Free Report)s share price was up 1.4% during trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $176.62 and last traded at $176.45. Approximately 1,690,178 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 71% from the average daily volume of 5,918,734 shares. The stock had previously closed at $173.93. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Barclays boosted their price target on General Electric from $153.00 to $181.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, February 29th. Oppenheimer reissued a market perform rating on shares of General Electric in a report on Tuesday, March 5th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised shares of General Electric from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and raised their price target for the company from $166.00 to $180.00 in a research note on Friday, March 8th. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price objective on shares of General Electric from $148.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, March 1st. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group increased their price objective on General Electric from $180.00 to $195.00 in a report on Monday, March 11th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, General Electric currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $146.54. Get General Electric alerts: Get Our Latest Research Report on GE General Electric Price Performance The business has a 50 day moving average price of $146.00 and a 200-day moving average price of $126.83. The company has a market capitalization of $193.12 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.08, a P/E/G ratio of 2.30 and a beta of 1.28. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a quick ratio of 0.85 and a current ratio of 1.18. General Electric (NYSE:GE Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 23rd. The conglomerate reported $1.03 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.90 by $0.13. General Electric had a net margin of 13.95% and a return on equity of 10.88%. The company had revenue of $19.42 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $17.27 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.24 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was up 15.4% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts predict that General Electric will post 4.57 EPS for the current fiscal year. Insider Activity In other news, SVP Michael J. Holston sold 22,055 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $144.87, for a total transaction of $3,195,107.85. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 56,284 shares in the company, valued at $8,153,863.08. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In related news, SVP Michael J. Holston sold 13,601 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $135.55, for a total value of $1,843,615.55. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 48,339 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,552,351.45. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, SVP Michael J. Holston sold 22,055 shares of General Electric stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $144.87, for a total value of $3,195,107.85. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 56,284 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $8,153,863.08. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 0.67% of the companys stock. Institutional Investors Weigh In On General Electric A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in GE. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in shares of General Electric by 0.6% during the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 88,444,222 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $11,288,136,000 after acquiring an additional 550,996 shares during the period. BlackRock Inc. grew its holdings in General Electric by 4.4% during the second quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 70,480,887 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $7,742,325,000 after purchasing an additional 2,974,946 shares during the period. Capital International Investors increased its position in General Electric by 0.3% in the second quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 54,261,585 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $5,960,462,000 after buying an additional 156,054 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp lifted its position in shares of General Electric by 3.5% during the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 50,207,805 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $5,515,327,000 after buying an additional 1,717,793 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of General Electric by 2.5% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 19,748,382 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $2,162,919,000 after acquiring an additional 476,355 shares during the period. 74.83% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. General Electric Company Profile (Get Free Report) General Electric Company operates as a high-tech industrial company in Europe, China, Asia, the Americas, the Middle East, and Africa. It offers gas and steam turbines, full balance of plant, upgrade, and service solutions, as well as data-leveraging software for power generation, industrial, government, and other customers. See Also Receive News & Ratings for General Electric Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for General Electric and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Glatfelter (NYSE:GLT Get Free Report) and Lee & Man Paper Manufacturing (OTCMKTS:LMPMY Get Free Report) are both construction companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, valuation, profitability, dividends, earnings and risk. Insider and Institutional Ownership 79.3% of Glatfelter shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 0.0% of Lee & Man Paper Manufacturing shares are held by institutional investors. 2.6% of Glatfelter shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth. Get Glatfelter alerts: Analyst Ratings This is a summary of recent recommendations and price targets for Glatfelter and Lee & Man Paper Manufacturing, as provided by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Glatfelter 0 0 0 0 N/A Lee & Man Paper Manufacturing 1 0 0 0 1.00 Valuation & Earnings This table compares Glatfelter and Lee & Man Paper Manufacturings gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Glatfelter $1.39 billion 0.06 -$79.05 million ($1.75) -1.05 Lee & Man Paper Manufacturing N/A N/A N/A $4.02 0.75 Lee & Man Paper Manufacturing has lower revenue, but higher earnings than Glatfelter. Glatfelter is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Lee & Man Paper Manufacturing, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Profitability This table compares Glatfelter and Lee & Man Paper Manufacturings net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Glatfelter -5.71% -14.04% -2.45% Lee & Man Paper Manufacturing N/A N/A N/A Summary Lee & Man Paper Manufacturing beats Glatfelter on 5 of the 8 factors compared between the two stocks. About Glatfelter (Get Free Report) Glatfelter Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the manufacture and sale of engineered materials worldwide. It operates through three segments: Composite Fibers, Airlaid Materials, and Spunlace. The Composite Fibers segment offers food and beverage filtration materials for single-serve coffee and tea products; wallcover base materials for wallpaper manufacturers; metallized products that are used in labels, packaging liners, gift wraps, and other consumer product applications; composite laminates consisting of decorative laminates for use in furniture, household and commercial flooring, and other applications; and specialty engineered products, which are used in electrical energy storage, home, hygiene, and other engineered fiber-based applications. The Airlaid Materials segment supplies absorbent cellulose-based airlaid nonwoven materials that are used to manufacture consumer products, such as feminine hygiene and other hygiene products, specialty wipes, tabletop, adult incontinence, home care, food pads, and other consumer and industrial products. The Spunlace segment manufactures spunlace nonwovens for cleaning, high-performance materials, personal care, hygiene, and medical applications. The company was formerly known as P. H. Glatfelter Company. Glatfelter Corporation was founded in 1864 and is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. About Lee & Man Paper Manufacturing (Get Free Report) Lee & Man Paper Manufacturing Limited, an investment holding company, engages in the manufacture and trading of packaging papers, pulps, and tissue papers in the People's Republic of China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Macau, and Hong Kong. The company operates through Packaging Paper, Tissue Paper, and Pulp segments. It offers various pulp products, such as dissolved pulps for use in viscose chemical fibers, bamboo fibers, glass papers, acetate fibers, refined rayons, etc.; unbleached bamboo kraft pulps for use in ecru life papers, environmental table wares, food bags, etc.; and bleached bamboo kraft pulps for use in tissue papers, fine papers, cigarette papers, cup papers, etc. The company also provides containerboard products, including kraft and test linerboards for use in cartons, paper bags, file boxes, paperboards, wall papers, etc.; and corrugating liners for use in corrugated layer and septi-layer of paperboards, and honeycomb-like products. In addition, it offers white lined chipboards and environment friendly white linerboard coated products for use in graphic cartons, color card printing, and offset printing, as well as in packaging of commodities, household appliances, IT products, medicine/health care products, food products, toys, gifts, ceramic products, stationery products, beverages, etc.; toilet rolls for wiping and cleaning of hands, faces, food, etc.; and unbleached paper for use in various applications, such as baby care, menstruation, facial, sensitive skin, table, kitchen, etc. The company was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in North Point, Hong Kong. Receive News & Ratings for Glatfelter Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Glatfelter and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Whittier Trust Co. raised its stake in Graphic Packaging Holding (NYSE:GPK Free Report) by 2.7% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 305,866 shares of the industrial products companys stock after purchasing an additional 7,990 shares during the period. Whittier Trust Co. owned 0.10% of Graphic Packaging worth $7,536,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Citigroup Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Graphic Packaging by 1.3% in the 3rd quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 1,490,937 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $33,218,000 after buying an additional 19,514 shares during the period. Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its stake in Graphic Packaging by 5.2% during the 3rd quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 12,681,314 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $282,540,000 after purchasing an additional 628,663 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc. boosted its stake in Graphic Packaging by 3.5% during the 3rd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 7,128,914 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $158,832,000 after purchasing an additional 241,245 shares during the period. Neo Ivy Capital Management acquired a new position in Graphic Packaging during the 3rd quarter valued at about $480,000. Finally, ASB Consultores LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Graphic Packaging in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $263,000. Institutional investors own 99.67% of the companys stock. Get Graphic Packaging alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades GPK has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on shares of Graphic Packaging from $20.00 to $21.00 and gave the stock 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 research note on Thursday, February 22nd. Citigroup upped their price target on shares of Graphic Packaging from $29.00 to $32.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, February 23rd. Raymond James downgraded shares of Graphic Packaging from a strong-buy rating to a market perform rating in a report on Monday, November 27th. Finally, Robert W. Baird boosted their target price 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. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Graphic Packaging currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $28.22. Insiders Place Their Bets In related news, EVP Joseph P. Yost sold 70,000 shares of the companys 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 of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,377,052.20. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Insiders own 1.20% of the companys stock. Graphic Packaging Stock Up 2.1 % Graphic Packaging stock traded up $0.57 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $27.84. The company had a trading volume of 544,992 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,916,413. The firm has a market capitalization of $8.52 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.60 and a beta of 0.83. 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 firms fifty day moving average is $25.90 and its 200-day moving average is $23.83. Graphic Packaging Holding has a fifty-two week low of $20.07 and a fifty-two week high of $28.64. Graphic Packaging (NYSE:GPK Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, February 20th. The industrial products company reported $0.75 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.69 by $0.06. The company had revenue of $2.25 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.40 billion. Graphic Packaging had a net margin of 7.67% and a return on equity of 35.66%. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 5.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.59 earnings per share. On average, research analysts forecast that Graphic Packaging Holding will post 2.71 earnings per share for the current year. Graphic Packaging Dividend Announcement The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 5th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 15th will be given a $0.10 dividend. This represents a $0.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.44%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 14th. Graphic Packagings dividend payout ratio is 17.02%. About Graphic Packaging (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. Featured Articles 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. IDACORP (NYSE:IDA Get Free Report) had its price objective hoisted by analysts at Morgan Stanley from $92.00 to $95.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Thursday, Benzinga reports. The firm currently has an equal weight rating on the energy companys stock. Morgan Stanleys price objective suggests a potential upside of 5.46% from the stocks current price. Several other equities analysts have also recently weighed in on IDA. TheStreet cut shares of IDACORP from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a research note on Thursday, February 15th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on shares of IDACORP from $100.00 to $94.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Friday, February 16th. Guggenheim downgraded IDACORP from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $93.00 price objective for the company. in a research note on Monday, January 22nd. Finally, Mizuho lowered their price objective on IDACORP from $99.00 to $88.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, March 5th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and five have issued a hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $93.80. Get IDACORP alerts: Read Our Latest Analysis on IDA IDACORP Stock Down 0.3 % IDA stock traded down $0.29 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $90.08. 45,835 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 383,193. The firm has a market cap of $4.56 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.54, a P/E/G ratio of 3.88 and a beta of 0.55. IDACORP has a 1-year low of $86.43 and a 1-year high of $112.96. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $90.69 and its 200 day simple moving average is $94.69. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.95, a quick ratio of 1.33 and a current ratio of 1.58. IDACORP (NYSE:IDA Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 15th. The energy company reported $0.61 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.60 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $411.95 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $429.84 million. IDACORP had a net margin of 14.79% and a return on equity of 9.06%. During the same period last year, the business earned $0.83 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts predict that IDACORP will post 5.32 EPS for the current fiscal year. Hedge Funds Weigh In On IDACORP Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Wellington Management Group LLP lifted its stake in IDACORP by 50.3% during the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 1,634,463 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $160,700,000 after acquiring an additional 546,818 shares in the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. increased its position in shares of IDACORP by 3.3% during the 4th quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 266,005 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $26,154,000 after purchasing an additional 8,479 shares during the last quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky increased its position in shares of IDACORP by 19.7% during the 4th quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky now owns 42,569 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $4,185,000 after purchasing an additional 6,997 shares during the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD increased its holdings in IDACORP by 11.1% in the 4th quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 52,986 shares of the energy companys stock worth $5,210,000 after acquiring an additional 5,304 shares during the last quarter. Finally, GSA Capital Partners LLP increased its holdings in IDACORP by 16.5% in the 4th quarter. GSA Capital Partners LLP now owns 11,942 shares of the energy companys stock worth $1,174,000 after acquiring an additional 1,687 shares during the last quarter. 83.00% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. About IDACORP (Get Free Report) IDACORP, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the generation, transmission, distribution, purchase, and sale of electric energy in the United States. The company operates 17 hydropower generating plants located in southern Idaho and eastern Oregon; three natural gas-fired plants in southern Idaho; and interests in two coal-fired steam electric generating plants located in Wyoming and Nevada. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for IDACORP Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for IDACORP and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE:PRU Get Free Report) major shareholder Pgim Strategic Investments, In purchased 1,191,895 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 2nd. The shares were acquired at an average price of $25.17 per share, for a total transaction of $29,999,997.15. Following the purchase, the insider now owns 4,056,632 shares in the company, valued at $102,105,427.44. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Large shareholders that own more than 10% of a companys stock are required to disclose their sales and purchases with the SEC. Prudential Financial Price Performance Shares of Prudential Financial stock opened at $115.33 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a quick ratio of 0.13 and a current ratio of 0.13. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $107.00 and its 200-day simple moving average is $100.31. Prudential Financial, Inc. has a twelve month low of $75.37 and a twelve month high of $115.57. The firm has a market cap of $41.40 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.24, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.83 and a beta of 1.36. Get Prudential Financial alerts: Prudential Financial (NYSE:PRU Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, February 6th. The financial services provider reported $2.58 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.67 by ($0.09). Prudential Financial had a net margin of 4.89% and a return on equity of 14.52%. The business had revenue of $13.02 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $12.99 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $2.42 earnings per share. Prudential Financials revenue was up 6.7% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts expect that Prudential Financial, Inc. will post 13.42 EPS for the current fiscal year. Prudential Financial Increases Dividend Hedge Funds Weigh In On Prudential Financial The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 14th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 20th were given a $1.30 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 16th. This is a positive change from Prudential Financials previous quarterly dividend of $1.25. This represents a $5.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.51%. Prudential Financials payout ratio is 77.73%. Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. FMR LLC boosted its position in Prudential Financial by 2.9% in the third quarter. FMR LLC now owns 1,315,215 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $124,801,000 after buying an additional 36,599 shares in the last quarter. Czech National Bank boosted its position in Prudential Financial by 46.8% in the third quarter. Czech National Bank now owns 63,444 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $6,020,000 after buying an additional 20,235 shares in the last quarter. Bridgewater Associates LP boosted its position in Prudential Financial by 80.5% in the second quarter. Bridgewater Associates LP now owns 248,877 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $21,956,000 after buying an additional 110,982 shares in the last quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. raised its stake in shares of Prudential Financial by 14.5% in the third quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 268,728 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $25,500,000 after acquiring an additional 34,054 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Allen Mooney & Barnes Investment Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Prudential Financial in the third quarter worth about $9,507,000. 54.92% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Analyst Ratings Changes Several research analysts have recently commented on PRU shares. TheStreet upgraded shares of Prudential Financial from a c+ rating to an a- rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 6th. UBS Group raised their target price on shares of Prudential Financial from $108.00 to $112.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, February 12th. Morgan Stanley raised their target price on shares of Prudential Financial from $105.00 to $109.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 7th. Raymond James lowered shares of Prudential Financial from a strong-buy rating to a market perform rating in a research note on Friday, February 9th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated a neutral rating and issued a $118.00 target price (down from $119.00) on shares of Prudential Financial in a research note on Wednesday, January 3rd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and ten have given a hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $105.60. Read Our Latest Stock Report on PRU About Prudential Financial (Get Free Report) Prudential Financial, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides insurance, investment management, and other financial products and services in the United States and internationally. It operates through PGIM, Retirement Strategies, Group Insurance, Individual Life, and International Businesses segments. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Prudential Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Prudential Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. nib holdings limited (ASX:NHF Get Free Report) insider Mark Fitzgibbon sold 35,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of A$7.92 ($5.21), for a total value of A$277,025.00 ($182,253.29). NIB Price Performance The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 27.78, a quick ratio of 1.61 and a current ratio of 2.13. Get NIB alerts: NIB Increases Dividend The business also recently declared a Interim dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 9th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, April 9th will be paid a dividend of $0.15 per share. This represents a dividend yield of 1.89%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 6th. This is an increase from NIBs previous Interim dividend of $0.10. NIBs dividend payout ratio is 71.43%. About NIB nib holdings limited, together with its subsidiaries, underwrites and distributes private health insurance to residents, international students, and visitors in Australia and New Zealand. The company operates in five segments: Australian Residents Health Insurance, New Zealand Insurance, International (Inbound) Health Insurance, nib Travel, and nib Thrive segments. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for NIB Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for NIB and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (LON:IHG Get Free Report) has been given an average rating of Hold by the six brokerages that are covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 12-month price objective among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is GBX 6,415 ($81.67). A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group restated a buy rating and set a GBX 6,400 ($81.48) price target on shares of InterContinental Hotels Group in a report on Tuesday, February 20th. Citigroup reiterated a sell rating on shares of InterContinental Hotels Group in a research note on Thursday, February 22nd. Berenberg Bank raised their price objective on InterContinental Hotels Group from GBX 6,000 ($76.38) to GBX 7,400 ($94.21) and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 28th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on InterContinental Hotels Group from GBX 5,400 ($68.75) to GBX 6,100 ($77.66) and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 27th. Get InterContinental Hotels Group alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on InterContinental Hotels Group InterContinental Hotels Group Stock Down 0.2 % InterContinental Hotels Group Increases Dividend Shares of LON:IHG opened at GBX 8,056 ($102.56) on Friday. The firm has a fifty day moving average of GBX 7,864.44 and a two-hundred day moving average of GBX 6,863.85. InterContinental Hotels Group has a 12-month low of GBX 5,086 ($64.75) and a 12-month high of GBX 8,790 ($111.90). The firm has a market capitalization of 13.24 billion, a P/E ratio of 2,328.32, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.83 and a beta of 0.98. The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, May 14th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, April 4th will be paid a dividend of $1.04 per share. This is a positive change from InterContinental Hotels Groups previous dividend of $0.48. This represents a yield of 1.04%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 4th. InterContinental Hotels Groups dividend payout ratio is currently 3,497.11%. About InterContinental Hotels Group (Get Free Report InterContinental Hotels Group PLC owns, manages, franchises, and leases hotels in the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Greater China. The company operates hotels under the Six Senses, Regent, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Vignette Collection, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Hotel Indigo, voco, HUALUXE, Crowne Plaza, Iberostar Beachfront Resorts, EVEN, Holiday Inn Express, Holiday Inn, Garner, avid hotels, Atwell Suites, Staybridge Suites, Iberostar Beachfront Resorts, Holiday Inn Club Vacations, and Candlewood Suites brand names. Read More Receive News & Ratings for InterContinental Hotels Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for InterContinental Hotels Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Invesco Russell 1000 Equal Weight ETF (NYSEARCA:EQAL Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high during trading on Thursday . The company traded as high as $45.65 and last traded at $45.65, with a volume of 2733 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $45.32. Invesco Russell 1000 Equal Weight ETF Stock Up 0.7 % The firm has a market capitalization of $705.29 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.57 and a beta of 1.11. The firms 50 day moving average is $43.90 and its 200 day moving average is $41.98. Get Invesco Russell 1000 Equal Weight ETF alerts: Institutional Investors Weigh In On Invesco Russell 1000 Equal Weight ETF Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. UBS Group AG increased its stake in shares of Invesco Russell 1000 Equal Weight ETF by 23.4% in the third quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 173,097 shares of the companys stock worth $6,903,000 after acquiring an additional 32,852 shares during the last quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC lifted its holdings in shares of Invesco Russell 1000 Equal Weight ETF by 56.3% during the 3rd quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 9,621 shares of the companys stock valued at $384,000 after buying an additional 3,464 shares during the last quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in Invesco Russell 1000 Equal Weight ETF in the third quarter worth approximately $556,000. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. raised its position in Invesco Russell 1000 Equal Weight ETF by 7.1% during the third quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 31,878 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,271,000 after acquiring an additional 2,124 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of Montreal Can acquired a new stake in Invesco Russell 1000 Equal Weight ETF in the second quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Invesco Russell 1000 Equal Weight ETF Company Profile The Invesco Russell 1000 Equal Weight ETF (EQAL) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the Russell 1000 Equal Weight index. The fund tracks an index of the 1,000 largest US stocks. Each sector receives equal weight, and each stock within a sector receives equal weight. EQAL was launched on Dec 23, 2014 and is managed by Invesco. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Invesco Russell 1000 Equal Weight ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Invesco Russell 1000 Equal Weight ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (NYSEARCA:EWY Get Free Report) shares reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $68.20 and last traded at $68.20, with a volume of 211016 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $66.83. iShares MSCI South Korea ETF Trading Up 1.4 % The stock has a market capitalization of $3.95 billion, a PE ratio of 7.39 and a beta of 1.05. The companys 50-day moving average is $63.06 and its 200 day moving average is $61.86. Get iShares MSCI South Korea ETF alerts: Institutional Investors Weigh In On iShares MSCI South Korea ETF Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Bryn Mawr Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in iShares MSCI South Korea ETF during the 3rd quarter worth about $213,000. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI South Korea ETF by 14.8% during the 3rd quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 28,000 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $1,650,000 after purchasing an additional 3,600 shares in the last quarter. Richard Bernstein Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of iShares MSCI South Korea ETF by 11.3% in the 3rd quarter. Richard Bernstein Advisors LLC now owns 291,300 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $17,169,000 after purchasing an additional 29,500 shares during the period. Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in iShares MSCI South Korea ETF by 70.0% during the third quarter. Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors LLC now owns 4,089 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $241,000 after buying an additional 1,683 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. acquired a new stake in iShares MSCI South Korea ETF during the third quarter valued at $1,041,000. About iShares MSCI South Korea ETF iShares MSCI South Korea Capped ETF (the 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 MSCI Korea 25/50 Index (the Index). The Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Stock Market Division of the Korean Exchange. Read More Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI South Korea ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI South Korea ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Tesco PLC (LON:TSCO Get Free Report) insider Ken Murphy bought 48 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, March 15th. The stock was bought at an average cost of GBX 288 ($3.67) per share, for a total transaction of 138.24 ($175.99). Ken Murphy also recently made the following trade(s): Get Tesco alerts: On Friday, February 16th, Ken Murphy purchased 49 shares of Tesco stock. The stock was acquired at an average price of GBX 277 ($3.53) per share, with a total value of 135.73 ($172.79). On Friday, January 19th, Ken Murphy purchased 47 shares of Tesco stock. The stock was acquired at an average price of GBX 298 ($3.79) per share, with a total value of 140.06 ($178.31). On Friday, December 22nd, Ken Murphy purchased 48 shares of Tesco stock. The stock was acquired at an average price of GBX 288 ($3.67) per share, with a total value of 138.24 ($175.99). Tesco Stock Down 0.7 % LON:TSCO opened at GBX 285.70 ($3.64) on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 129.69, a quick ratio of 0.60 and a current ratio of 0.74. The company has a market cap of 20.11 billion, a PE ratio of 1,428.50, a PEG ratio of 3.72 and a beta of 0.52. Tesco PLC has a 52-week low of GBX 244.20 ($3.11) and a 52-week high of GBX 303.70 ($3.87). The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of GBX 286.26 and a 200 day simple moving average of GBX 280.88. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Separately, Shore Capital restated a buy rating on shares of Tesco in a report on Friday, February 23rd. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on TSCO Tesco Company Profile (Get Free Report) Tesco PLC, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a grocery retailer in the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary. It offers grocery products through its stores, as well as online. The company is also involved in the food and drink wholesaling activities. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Tesco Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Tesco and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Moody National Bank Trust Division lessened its stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS Free Report) by 61.9% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 3,070 shares of the investment management companys stock after selling 4,997 shares during the quarter. Moody National Bank Trust Divisions holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group were worth $1,184,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. raised its position in The Goldman Sachs Group by 0.4% in the 4th quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. now owns 33,677 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $12,991,000 after purchasing an additional 125 shares during the last quarter. Whittier Trust Co. raised its position in The Goldman Sachs Group by 1.2% in the 4th quarter. Whittier Trust Co. now owns 70,387 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $27,152,000 after purchasing an additional 810 shares during the last quarter. Vest Financial LLC raised its position in The Goldman Sachs Group by 25.4% during the 4th quarter. Vest Financial LLC now owns 33,660 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $12,985,000 after buying an additional 6,810 shares during the last quarter. Chapin Davis Inc. raised its position in The Goldman Sachs Group by 14.7% during the 4th quarter. Chapin Davis Inc. now owns 6,248 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $2,410,000 after buying an additional 800 shares during the last quarter. Finally, BKM Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in The Goldman Sachs Group during the 4th quarter worth $32,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 69.06% of the companys stock. Get The Goldman Sachs Group alerts: Insiders Place Their Bets In other The Goldman Sachs Group news, Treasurer Philip R. Berlinski sold 11,650 shares of The Goldman Sachs Group stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $390.64, for a total value of $4,550,956.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the treasurer now owns 18,408 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,190,901.12. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other The Goldman Sachs Group news, CFO Denis P. Coleman sold 12,680 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, February 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $394.43, for a total value of $5,001,372.40. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 29,417 shares in the company, valued at $11,602,947.31. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, Treasurer Philip R. Berlinski sold 11,650 shares of The Goldman Sachs Group stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $390.64, for a total transaction of $4,550,956.00. Following the sale, the treasurer now owns 18,408 shares in the company, valued at $7,190,901.12. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 38,907 shares of company stock valued at $15,080,021 over the last 90 days. 0.54% of the stock is owned by company insiders. The Goldman Sachs Group Stock Up 3.5 % NYSE:GS traded up $13.79 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $410.26. The stock had a trading volume of 1,470,895 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,312,206. The company has a current ratio of 0.76, a quick ratio of 0.76 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.29. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. has a 1-year low of $289.36 and a 1-year high of $412.30. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $385.21 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $354.25. The company has a market cap of $133.14 billion, a PE ratio of 18.03, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.51 and a beta of 1.42. The Goldman Sachs Group (NYSE:GS Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 16th. The investment management company reported $5.48 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.62 by $1.86. The Goldman Sachs Group had a net margin of 7.85% and a return on equity of 8.03%. The company had revenue of $11.32 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.80 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $3.32 earnings per share. The Goldman Sachs Groups revenue for the quarter was up 6.9% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts predict that The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. will post 32.79 EPS for the current year. The Goldman Sachs Group Announces Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 28th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 29th will be issued a $2.75 dividend. This represents a $11.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.68%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, February 28th. The Goldman Sachs Groups dividend payout ratio is presently 48.20%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In GS has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. JMP Securities reaffirmed a market outperform rating and set a $440.00 price target on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in a research note on Wednesday, January 17th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $421.00 to $424.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday. Oppenheimer decreased their price target on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $506.00 to $446.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday. Morgan Stanley raised shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and raised their price target for the stock from $333.00 to $449.00 in a research note on Tuesday, January 30th. Finally, Edward Jones assumed coverage on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in a research note on Tuesday, February 27th. They set a buy rating on the stock. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, The Goldman Sachs Group has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $406.87. Read Our Latest Analysis on The Goldman Sachs Group The Goldman Sachs Group Profile (Free Report) The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc, a financial institution, provides a range of financial services for corporations, financial institutions, governments, and individuals worldwide. It operates through Global Banking & Markets, Asset & Wealth Management, and Platform Solutions segments. The Global Banking & Markets segment provides financial advisory services, including strategic advisory assignments related to mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, corporate defense activities, restructurings, and spin-offs; and relationship lending, and acquisition financing, as well as secured lending, through structured credit and asset-backed lending and involved in financing under securities to resale agreements. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for The Goldman Sachs Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for The Goldman Sachs Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on shares of NCR Voyix (NYSE:VYX Free Report) in a research note published on Monday, Marketbeat Ratings reports. The firm issued a neutral rating and a $14.00 price target on the stock. Other research analysts have also issued research reports about the company. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $23.00 target price on shares of NCR Voyix in a research report on Tuesday, March 5th. DA Davidson decreased their target price on NCR Voyix from $24.00 to $20.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, March 6th. Needham & Company LLC reduced their price objective on NCR Voyix from $22.00 to $20.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Friday, March 1st. Finally, Northcoast Research upgraded NCR Voyix from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $17.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Tuesday, March 12th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, NCR Voyix has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $18.83. Get NCR Voyix alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on NCR Voyix NCR Voyix Stock Up 2.8 % VYX stock opened at $13.10 on Monday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.71, a current ratio of 0.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 102.52. NCR Voyix has a 52-week low of $10.99 and a 52-week high of $19.01. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $14.33. The stock has a market cap of $1.89 billion, a P/E ratio of -4.35 and a beta of 1.58. NCR Voyix (NYSE:VYX Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 29th. The company reported ($0.10) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.82 by ($0.92). The business had revenue of $963.00 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $959.23 million. NCR Voyix had a positive return on equity of 21.46% and a negative net margin of 5.98%. The businesss revenue was down .3% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that NCR Voyix will post 3.17 EPS for the current year. About NCR Voyix (Get Free Report) NCR Voyix Corporation provides various software and services in the United States, Americas, the Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The company operates through Retail, Hospitality, Digital Banking, Payments & Network, and Self-Service Banking segments. It offers managed services, including ATM-as-a-Service solutions that allow banks to run their end-to-end ATM channels; software, services, and hardware; and digital banking solutions for financial institution's consumer and business customers. Read More Receive News & Ratings for NCR Voyix Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for NCR Voyix and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Occidental Petroleum Co. (NYSE:OXY Get Free Report) has been given an average recommendation of Moderate Buy by the fourteen ratings firms that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. The average 1-year price objective among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $69.56. Several research firms recently issued reports on OXY. Morgan Stanley upgraded Occidental Petroleum from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and set a $68.00 price target for the company in a research note on Monday, December 11th. Truist Financial lowered their price target on shares of Occidental Petroleum from $80.00 to $77.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, February 16th. Raymond James cut their price objective on shares of Occidental Petroleum from $70.00 to $68.00 and set a strong-buy rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 24th. Stephens reaffirmed an overweight rating and set a $74.00 target price on shares of Occidental Petroleum in a report on Thursday, February 15th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded Occidental Petroleum from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, March 15th. Get Occidental Petroleum alerts: View Our Latest Stock Analysis on OXY Institutional Inflows and Outflows Occidental Petroleum Trading Down 0.4 % Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Berkshire Hathaway Inc raised its position in Occidental Petroleum by 8.7% during the 4th quarter. Berkshire Hathaway Inc now owns 243,715,804 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $14,552,271,000 after purchasing an additional 19,586,612 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Occidental Petroleum by 0.4% in the second 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 during the period. Bank of New York Mellon Corp increased its position in Occidental Petroleum by 24.1% during the 3rd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 12,021,929 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $779,983,000 after purchasing an additional 2,334,651 shares during the period. Pacer Advisors Inc. lifted its position in shares of Occidental Petroleum by 22.2% in the 4th quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. now owns 5,995,258 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $357,977,000 after purchasing an additional 1,088,052 shares during the period. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its position in shares of Occidental Petroleum by 2.4% during the first quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 5,035,799 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $285,732,000 after buying an additional 118,928 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 77.54% of the companys stock. Shares of Occidental Petroleum stock opened at $63.78 on Thursday. Occidental Petroleum has a 1 year low of $55.12 and a 1 year high of $67.67. The company has a market capitalization of $56.09 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.31, a P/E/G ratio of 2.07 and a beta of 1.63. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $59.18 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $60.84. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.84, a current ratio of 0.92 and a quick ratio of 0.69. Occidental Petroleum (NYSE:OXY Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 15th. The oil and gas producer reported $0.74 EPS for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $0.74. Occidental Petroleum had a net margin of 16.24% and a return on equity of 20.63%. The business had revenue of $7.53 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.93 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.61 EPS. Occidental Petroleums quarterly revenue was down 9.6% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts forecast that Occidental Petroleum will post 3.57 EPS for the current year. Occidental Petroleum Increases Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 8th will be given a $0.22 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 7th. This is an increase from Occidental Petroleums previous quarterly dividend of $0.18. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.38%. Occidental Petroleums dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 22.51%. About Occidental Petroleum (Get 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, and North Africa. It operates through three segments: Oil and Gas, Chemical, and Midstream and Marketing. The company's Oil and Gas segment explores for, develops, and produces oil and condensate, natural gas liquids (NGLs), and natural gas. Featured Stories 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. OneAscent Financial Services LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Lithia Motors, Inc. (NYSE:LAD Free Report) by 30.0% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 1,688 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 390 shares during the quarter. OneAscent Financial Services LLCs holdings in Lithia Motors were worth $556,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in LAD. Mariner LLC grew its stake in Lithia Motors by 4.1% during the 3rd quarter. Mariner LLC now owns 4,401 shares of the companys stock worth $1,300,000 after purchasing an additional 174 shares in the last quarter. Citigroup Inc. increased its position in Lithia Motors by 95.6% in the 3rd quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 12,649 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,736,000 after acquiring an additional 6,181 shares during the period. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky increased its position in Lithia Motors by 93.2% during the 3rd quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky now owns 9,412 shares of the companys stock worth $2,780,000 after purchasing an additional 4,541 shares during the period. Comerica Bank acquired a new position in Lithia Motors during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $4,608,000. Finally, Mirabella Financial Services LLP acquired a new stake in shares of Lithia Motors in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $758,000. Get Lithia Motors alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In other news, Director Shauna Mcintyre sold 135 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $297.84, for a total transaction of $40,208.40. Following the sale, the director now owns 1,662 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $495,010.08. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. 1.90% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Analysts Set New Price Targets LAD has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Evercore ISI assumed coverage on Lithia Motors in a research note on Wednesday, January 17th. They set an outperform rating and a $400.00 price target on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on Lithia Motors from $298.00 to $315.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Thursday, February 15th. Stephens reissued an overweight rating and issued a $375.00 target price on shares of Lithia Motors in a report on Wednesday, February 14th. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price target on Lithia Motors from $300.00 to $334.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, February 15th. Finally, Bank of America decreased their price target on shares of Lithia Motors from $440.00 to $380.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, February 29th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Lithia Motors presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $336.40. Get Our Latest Analysis on LAD Lithia Motors Price Performance Shares of LAD stock traded up $3.03 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $297.50. 11,359 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 189,740. The company has a market capitalization of $8.19 billion, a PE ratio of 8.12, a PEG ratio of 2.50 and a beta of 1.59. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $293.53 and its 200-day simple moving average is $286.67. Lithia Motors, Inc. has a 12-month low of $203.65 and a 12-month high of $331.96. The company has a current ratio of 1.41, a quick ratio of 0.45 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.15. Lithia Motors (NYSE:LAD Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 14th. The company reported $8.24 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $8.11 by $0.13. The company had revenue of $7.67 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.95 billion. Lithia Motors had a return on equity of 17.33% and a net margin of 3.22%. Lithia Motorss quarterly revenue was up 10.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $9.05 EPS. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Lithia Motors, Inc. will post 35.27 earnings per share for the current year. Lithia Motors Announces Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 22nd. Stockholders of record on Saturday, March 9th will be paid a dividend of $0.50 per share. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.67%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 7th. Lithia Motorss payout ratio is 5.51%. Lithia Motors Profile (Free Report) Lithia Motors, Inc operates as an automotive retailer worldwide. It operates in two segments, Vehicle Operations and Financing Operations. The company's Vehicle Operations segment sells new and used vehicles; provides parts, repair, and maintenance services; vehicle finance; and insurance products. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding LAD? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Lithia Motors, Inc. (NYSE:LAD Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Lithia Motors Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Lithia Motors and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Paragon Capital Management Ltd lowered its stake in shares of WestRock (NYSE:WRK Free Report) by 17.9% during the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 7,195 shares of the basic materials companys stock after selling 1,571 shares during the period. Paragon Capital Management Ltds holdings in WestRock were worth $299,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in WRK. Norges Bank purchased a new position in WestRock in the 4th quarter worth $194,739,000. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD boosted its stake in shares of WestRock by 59.0% during the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 9,318,827 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $283,947,000 after purchasing an additional 3,459,641 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. boosted its stake in shares of WestRock by 9.6% during the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 26,528,567 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $808,325,000 after purchasing an additional 2,320,073 shares in the last quarter. Pentwater Capital Management LP bought a new stake in shares of WestRock during the 3rd quarter valued at about $61,378,000. Finally, Segantii Capital Management Ltd bought a new stake in shares of WestRock during the 3rd quarter valued at about $59,428,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 85.51% of the companys stock. Get WestRock alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In other WestRock news, insider Vicki L. Lostetter sold 3,500 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, February 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $42.77, for a total transaction of $149,695.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 92,117 shares in the company, valued at $3,939,844.09. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 0.49% of the stock is owned by company insiders. WestRock Stock Performance Shares of WRK traded down $0.72 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $48.72. 847,243 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,117,841. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.81, a quick ratio of 0.95 and a current ratio of 1.55. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $43.26 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $39.87. WestRock has a 1 year low of $26.85 and a 1 year high of $49.66. The stock has a market cap of $12.50 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -7.32, a P/E/G ratio of 4.01 and a beta of 1.09. WestRock (NYSE:WRK Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 1st. The basic materials company reported $0.20 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.35 by ($0.15). WestRock had a positive return on equity of 6.87% and a negative net margin of 8.58%. The firm had revenue of $4.62 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.79 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $0.55 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 6.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts anticipate that WestRock will post 1.95 earnings per share for the current year. WestRock Announces Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, February 21st. Investors of record on Friday, February 9th were given a dividend of $0.3025 per share. 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 2.48%. WestRocks dividend payout ratio is -18.01%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several research firms recently commented on WRK. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of WestRock in a research note on Friday, March 15th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Seaport Res Ptn lowered shares of WestRock from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, January 29th. Royal Bank of Canada reissued a sector perform rating and set a $42.00 price objective on shares of WestRock in a research note on Friday, February 2nd. Wells Fargo & Company reissued an equal weight rating and set a $45.00 price objective (up previously from $42.00) on shares of WestRock in a research note on Thursday, January 11th. Finally, Truist Financial boosted their price objective on shares of WestRock from $40.00 to $48.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, January 4th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, WestRock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $42.40. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on WRK About WestRock (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. Featured Articles 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. Pinnacle West Capital (NYSE:PNW Get Free Report) had its price objective hoisted by equities research analysts at Morgan Stanley from $69.00 to $70.00 in a report released on Thursday, Benzinga reports. The firm presently has an equal weight rating on the utilities providers stock. Morgan Stanleys price objective suggests a potential downside of 3.83% from the stocks previous close. A number of other research analysts have also recently commented on the stock. UBS Group upgraded shares of Pinnacle West Capital from a sell rating to a neutral rating and upped their price target for the stock from $68.00 to $71.00 in a report on Monday, March 11th. StockNews.com cut shares of Pinnacle West Capital from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Thursday, March 14th. Guggenheim upgraded shares of Pinnacle West Capital from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $78.00 target price on the stock in a report on Monday, January 22nd. Evercore ISI dropped their target price on shares of Pinnacle West Capital from $76.00 to $69.00 and set an in-line rating on the stock in a report on Monday, March 4th. Finally, Mizuho lowered their price target on shares of Pinnacle West Capital from $77.00 to $75.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, March 6th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Pinnacle West Capital currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $72.91. Get Pinnacle West Capital alerts: View Our Latest Research Report on PNW Pinnacle West Capital Trading Up 0.0 % Institutional Investors Weigh In On Pinnacle West Capital Shares of PNW traded up $0.01 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $72.79. The stock had a trading volume of 93,802 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,497,156. Pinnacle West Capital has a 1 year low of $65.20 and a 1 year high of $86.03. The firm has a market cap of $8.26 billion, a PE ratio of 16.51, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.02 and a beta of 0.48. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.20, a current ratio of 0.67 and a quick ratio of 0.50. The stocks 50 day moving average is $69.54 and its 200 day moving average is $72.54. Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. MeadowBrook Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Pinnacle West Capital during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Financial Gravity Asset Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of Pinnacle West Capital by 338.3% during the 3rd quarter. Financial Gravity Asset Management Inc. now owns 355 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 274 shares during the period. BOK Financial Private Wealth Inc. acquired a new stake in Pinnacle West Capital in the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. First United Bank & Trust acquired a new stake in Pinnacle West Capital in the 4th quarter valued at $29,000. Finally, Tobam grew its stake in Pinnacle West Capital by 2,620.0% in the 4th quarter. Tobam now owns 408 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 393 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 84.95% of the companys stock. About Pinnacle West Capital (Get Free Report) Pinnacle West Capital Corporation, through its subsidiary, provides retail and wholesale electric services primarily in the state of Arizona. The company engages in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity using coal, nuclear, gas, oil, and solar generating facilities. Its transmission facilities include overhead lines and underground lines; and distribution facilities consist of overhead lines and underground primary cables. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Pinnacle West Capital Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Pinnacle West Capital and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Redrow (LON:RDW Get Free Report) was downgraded by equities research analysts at Royal Bank of Canada to a sector perform rating in a report released on Thursday, LSE.Co.UK reports. They currently have a GBX 750 ($9.55) price objective on the stock. Royal Bank of Canadas price objective would indicate a potential upside of 12.61% from the companys current price. RDW has been the topic of several other research reports. Berenberg Bank reiterated a buy rating and issued a GBX 643 ($8.19) price objective on shares of Redrow in a research note on Wednesday, February 7th. Citigroup reiterated a neutral rating and issued a GBX 756 ($9.62) price objective on shares of Redrow in a research note on Friday, February 9th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Redrow currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of GBX 627 ($7.98). Get Redrow alerts: View Our Latest Research Report on Redrow Redrow Stock Performance Insider Transactions at Redrow Shares of LON RDW traded up GBX 13 ($0.17) during midday trading on Thursday, reaching GBX 666 ($8.48). The companys stock had a trading volume of 569,101 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,593,033. Redrow has a 12-month low of GBX 423.63 ($5.39) and a 12-month high of GBX 700 ($8.91). The firm has a 50 day moving average price of GBX 635.73 and a 200-day moving average price of GBX 564.59. The stock has a market capitalization of 2.20 billion, a P/E ratio of 1,040.63, a PEG ratio of -0.81 and a beta of 1.66. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49, a current ratio of 4.08 and a quick ratio of 0.36. In other news, insider Matthew Pratt sold 27,430 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, February 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 653 ($8.31), for a total value of 179,117.90 ($228,030.43). Insiders own 25.08% of the companys stock. Redrow Company Profile (Get Free Report) Redrow plc focuses on housebuilding activities in the United Kingdom. It is involved in acquires, develops, and resells land; develops and sells residential housing properties; and business park maintenance services. Redrow plc was founded in 1974 and is based in Flintshire, the United Kingdom. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Redrow Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Redrow and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Skechers U.S.A., Inc. (NYSE:SKX Get Free Report) CEO Robert Greenberg sold 30,339 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, March 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $61.11, for a total value of $1,854,016.29. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 132,783 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,114,369.13. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Robert Greenberg also recently made the following trade(s): Get Skechers U.S.A. alerts: On Thursday, February 8th, Robert Greenberg sold 99,139 shares of Skechers U.S.A. stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $57.87, for a total value of $5,737,173.93. On Tuesday, January 2nd, Robert Greenberg sold 12,605 shares of Skechers U.S.A. stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $62.21, for a total value of $784,157.05. Skechers U.S.A. Stock Up 0.8 % SKX stock opened at $61.02 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.46, a current ratio of 2.38 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.06. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $60.99 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $56.10. The company has a market cap of $9.35 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.48, a P/E/G ratio of 1.09 and a beta of 1.32. Skechers U.S.A., Inc. has a twelve month low of $43.67 and a twelve month high of $65.17. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Skechers U.S.A. ( NYSE:SKX Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 1st. The textile maker reported $0.56 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.52 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $1.96 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.03 billion. Skechers U.S.A. had a return on equity of 12.89% and a net margin of 6.82%. The businesss revenue was up 4.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.48 earnings per share. Analysts anticipate that Skechers U.S.A., Inc. will post 3.82 EPS for the current fiscal year. SKX has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Bank of America initiated coverage on Skechers U.S.A. in a research note on Friday, March 8th. They set a neutral rating and a $67.00 price objective for the company. TD Cowen increased their target price on Skechers U.S.A. from $70.00 to $74.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, March 6th. Wedbush decreased their price target on Skechers U.S.A. from $75.00 to $68.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Friday, February 2nd. Raymond James decreased their price target on Skechers U.S.A. from $68.00 to $66.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Monday, February 5th. Finally, Evercore ISI initiated coverage on Skechers U.S.A. in a research note on Thursday, February 15th. They issued an outperform rating and a $73.00 target price on the stock. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Skechers U.S.A. currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $66.18. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Skechers U.S.A. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Bfsg LLC boosted its stake in shares of Skechers U.S.A. by 2.9% during the 4th quarter. Bfsg LLC now owns 6,545 shares of the textile makers stock worth $408,000 after acquiring an additional 186 shares during the period. US Bancorp DE boosted its stake in Skechers U.S.A. by 13.1% in the 4th quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 1,618 shares of the textile makers stock valued at $101,000 after purchasing an additional 187 shares during the period. National Bank of Canada FI raised its holdings in Skechers U.S.A. by 7.1% in the 4th quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 3,035 shares of the textile makers stock valued at $188,000 after acquiring an additional 200 shares in the last quarter. Janney Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Skechers U.S.A. by 2.8% during the 3rd quarter. Janney Capital Management LLC now owns 8,646 shares of the textile makers stock worth $423,000 after buying an additional 233 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Spire Wealth Management raised its holdings in shares of Skechers U.S.A. by 30.1% during the 2nd quarter. Spire Wealth Management now owns 1,021 shares of the textile makers stock worth $54,000 after buying an additional 236 shares in the last quarter. 80.54% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Skechers U.S.A. Company Profile (Get Free Report) Skechers U.SA, Inc designs, develops, markets, and distributes footwear for men, women, and children worldwide. The company operates through Wholesale and Direct-to-Consumer segments. It offers footwear under Skechers Hands Free Slip-ins, Skechers Arch Fit, and Skechers Air-Cooled Memory Foam brands. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Skechers U.S.A. Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Skechers U.S.A. and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Rockland Trust Co. trimmed its position in shares of American Express (NYSE:AXP) by 24.2% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 10,246 shares of the payment services companys stock after selling 3,263 shares during the quarter. Rockland Trust Co.s holdings in American Express were worth $1,919,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC lifted its stake in American Express by 118,198.3% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 13,732,068 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $2,028,913,000 after acquiring an additional 13,720,460 shares during the period. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of American Express in the 4th quarter worth approximately $911,554,000. Boston Partners bought a new position in shares of American Express in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $210,540,000. Alliancebernstein L.P. lifted its stake in shares of American Express by 162.6% in the 4th quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 1,961,999 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $289,885,000 after purchasing an additional 1,214,731 shares during the period. Finally, CI Private Wealth LLC bought a new position in shares of American Express in the 4th quarter worth approximately $124,325,000. 83.08% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get American Express alerts: Insider Transactions at American Express In related news, insider Howard Grosfield sold 7,029 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, January 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $203.65, for a total value of $1,431,455.85. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 12,388 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,522,816.20. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. In other news, insider Laureen Seeger sold 84,420 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $212.98, for a total transaction of $17,979,771.60. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 57,512 shares in the company, valued at approximately $12,248,905.76. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, insider Howard Grosfield sold 7,029 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $203.65, for a total value of $1,431,455.85. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 12,388 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,522,816.20. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 172,047 shares of company stock worth $36,528,388. Insiders own 0.12% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In AXP has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Oppenheimer raised their target price on shares of American Express from $208.00 to $219.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, January 29th. Monness Crespi & Hardt initiated coverage on shares of American Express in a report on Wednesday, December 20th. They set a neutral rating for the company. UBS Group increased their price objective on shares of American Express from $188.00 to $206.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Monday, January 29th. BMO Capital Markets increased their price objective on shares of American Express from $157.00 to $159.00 and gave the company an underperform rating in a report on Monday, January 29th. Finally, DZ Bank lowered shares of American Express from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Thursday, January 4th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $189.00. Read Our Latest Report on AXP American Express Stock Performance AXP stock opened at $227.88 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.71, a current ratio of 1.63 and a quick ratio of 1.63. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $206.55 and a 200 day moving average price of $177.91. The company has a market capitalization of $164.95 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.33, a PEG ratio of 1.24 and a beta of 1.23. American Express has a 1-year low of $140.91 and a 1-year high of $228.06. American Express (NYSE:AXP Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Friday, January 26th. The payment services company reported $2.62 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.64 by ($0.02). American Express had a net margin of 13.84% and a return on equity of 30.99%. The company had revenue of $15.80 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $16 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $2.07 EPS. American Expresss revenue for the quarter was up 11.4% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that American Express will post 12.83 EPS for the current fiscal year. American Express Cuts Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, April 5th will be paid a dividend of $0.10 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 4th. This represents a $0.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.18%. American Expresss payout ratio is 21.41%. American Express Company Profile (Free Report) American Express Company, together with its subsidiaries, operates as integrated payments company in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the Asia Pacific, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America, Canada, the Caribbean, and Internationally. It operates through four segments: U.S. Consumer Services, Commercial Services, International Card Services, and Global Merchant and Network Services. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AXP? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for American Express (NYSE:AXP Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for American Express Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for American Express and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. General Mills (NYSE:GIS Get Free Report) had its target price upped by investment analysts at Stifel Nicolaus from $68.00 to $77.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Thursday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a buy rating on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus price target would indicate a potential upside of 11.05% from the stocks previous close. GIS has been the topic of several other reports. Bank of America cut their price objective on shares of General Mills from $72.00 to $68.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, December 21st. Evercore ISI reduced their target price on shares of General Mills from $75.00 to $72.00 and set an in-line rating for the company in a report on Monday, December 11th. Mizuho lowered their price target on shares of General Mills from $70.00 to $65.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Friday, December 22nd. Piper Sandler reduced their price objective on shares of General Mills from $77.00 to $76.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Friday, December 15th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada dropped their target price on General Mills from $74.00 to $72.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, December 21st. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, twelve have issued a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $73.44. Get General Mills alerts: View Our Latest Stock Report on GIS General Mills Price Performance NYSE GIS opened at $69.34 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.36, a current ratio of 0.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.09. General Mills has a 52 week low of $60.33 and a 52 week high of $90.89. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $64.56 and a 200-day moving average price of $64.71. The firm has a market capitalization of $39.38 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.87, a PEG ratio of 2.41 and a beta of 0.15. General Mills (NYSE:GIS Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, March 20th. The company reported $1.17 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.05 by $0.12. The company had revenue of $5.10 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.97 billion. General Mills had a return on equity of 25.44% and a net margin of 12.06%. General Millss revenue was down .5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $0.97 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that General Mills will post 4.49 earnings per share for the current year. Insider Activity In other news, insider Jonathon Nudi sold 7,671 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, January 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $64.15, for a total transaction of $492,094.65. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 102,924 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,602,574.60. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In related news, insider Jonathon Nudi sold 7,671 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, January 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $64.15, for a total value of $492,094.65. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 102,924 shares in the company, valued at $6,602,574.60. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CEO Jeffrey L. Harmening sold 60,056 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, January 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $64.44, for a total transaction of $3,870,008.64. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 318,483 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $20,523,044.52. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.24% of the companys stock. Institutional Trading of General Mills A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in GIS. Stratos Wealth Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of General Mills by 1.9% during the 3rd quarter. Stratos Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 11,278 shares of the companys stock worth $722,000 after buying an additional 213 shares during the last quarter. Adviser Investments LLC purchased a new stake in shares of General Mills during the third quarter valued at approximately $323,000. Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec lifted its position in shares of General Mills by 5.9% during the third quarter. Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec now owns 342,794 shares of the companys stock worth $21,935,000 after purchasing an additional 19,209 shares in the last quarter. Dark Forest Capital Management LP lifted its holdings in General Mills by 60.4% in the 3rd quarter. Dark Forest Capital Management LP now owns 12,261 shares of the companys stock worth $785,000 after buying an additional 4,616 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Savoie Capital LLC purchased a new stake in shares of General Mills during the third quarter worth about $724,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 75.31% of the companys stock. General Mills Company Profile (Get Free Report) General Mills, Inc manufactures and markets branded consumer foods worldwide. The company operates through four segments: North America Retail; International; Pet; and North America Foodservice. It offers grain, ready-to-eat cereals, refrigerated yogurt, soup, meal kits, refrigerated and frozen dough products, dessert and baking mixes, bakery flour, frozen pizza and pizza snacks, snack bars, fruit and salty snacks, ice cream and frozen desserts, nutrition bars, and savory snacks, as well as various organic products, including frozen and shelf-stable vegetables. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for General Mills Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for General Mills and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Trilogy Capital Inc. decreased its stake in shares of Black Hills Co. (NYSE:BKH Free Report) by 12.4% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 3,923 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 554 shares during the period. Trilogy Capital Inc.s holdings in Black Hills were worth $212,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. State of Wyoming acquired a new position in Black Hills during the 2nd quarter worth about $27,000. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. increased its stake in 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 purchasing an additional 262 shares in the last quarter. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. bought a new stake in Black Hills in the second quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Lindbrook Capital LLC increased its stake in Black Hills by 678.4% in the third quarter. Lindbrook Capital LLC now owns 685 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $35,000 after purchasing an additional 597 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Belpointe Asset Management LLC raised its holdings in Black Hills by 60.6% during the 1st quarter. Belpointe Asset Management LLC now owns 652 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $41,000 after buying an additional 246 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.64% of the companys stock. Get Black Hills alerts: Black Hills Stock Performance Black Hills stock traded down $0.21 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $51.99. 242,802 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 577,654. Black Hills Co. has a 52 week low of $46.43 and a 52 week high of $66.85. The firm has a market cap of $3.55 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.32 and a beta of 0.64. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $51.89 and its 200 day simple moving average is $52.09. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.15, a quick ratio of 0.56 and a current ratio of 0.70. Black Hills Increases Dividend Black Hills ( NYSE:BKH Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 8th. The utilities provider reported $1.17 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.06 by $0.11. Black Hills had a net margin of 11.25% and a return on equity of 8.09%. The business had revenue of $591.70 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $863.67 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $1.11 EPS. On average, analysts expect that Black Hills Co. will post 3.9 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 16th were paid a dividend of $0.65 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 15th. This is a boost from Black Hillss previous quarterly dividend of $0.63. This represents a $2.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.00%. Black Hillss dividend payout ratio is presently 66.33%. Analyst Ratings Changes BKH has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Scotiabank raised their target price on shares of Black Hills from $57.00 to $58.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a report on Friday, February 9th. StockNews.com upgraded Black Hills from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reduced their price target on Black Hills from $61.00 to $57.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a research report on Friday, February 9th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and five have issued a hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Black Hills has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $55.80. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Black Hills 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. The company operates in two segments: Electric Utilities and Gas Utilities. The Electric Utilities segment generates, transmits, and distributes electricity to approximately 222,000 electric utility customers in Colorado, Montana, South Dakota, and Wyoming; and owns and operates 1,394 megawatts of generation capacity and 9,106 miles of electric transmission and distribution lines. Featured Articles 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. True North Commercial REIT (TSE:TNT.UN Get Free Report) had its price target decreased by research analysts at Raymond James from C$11.25 to C$10.00 in a report issued on Thursday, BayStreet.CA reports. The brokerage currently has a market perform rating on the stock. Raymond James price objective suggests a potential upside of 10.62% from the stocks previous close. Other research analysts also recently issued research reports about the company. CIBC increased their price target on True North Commercial REIT from C$8.05 to C$9.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday. Canaccord Genuity Group raised their target price on True North Commercial REIT from C$7.25 to C$9.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 20th. Finally, National Bankshares raised their target price on True North Commercial REIT from C$8.65 to C$8.75 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research note on Monday, January 29th. Get True North Commercial REIT alerts: Read Our Latest Report on TNT.UN True North Commercial REIT Stock Performance True North Commercial REIT Company Profile Shares of TNT.UN stock traded down C$0.11 on Thursday, hitting C$9.04. 61,213 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 42,007. The company has a current ratio of 0.29, a quick ratio of 0.06 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 178.41. The firm has a market capitalization of C$142.74 million, a PE ratio of -2.54 and a beta of 1.50. True North Commercial REIT has a one year low of C$6.33 and a one year high of C$20.58. The firms 50 day moving average is C$9.01 and its two-hundred day moving average is C$6.14. (Get Free Report) The REIT is an unincorporated, open-ended real estate investment trust established under the laws of the Province of Ontario. The REIT currently owns and operates a portfolio of 46 commercial properties consisting of approximately 3.7 million square feet in urban and select strategic secondary markets across Canada focusing on long term leases with government and credit-rated tenants. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for True North Commercial REIT Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for True North Commercial REIT and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Virgin Money UK (LON:VMUK Get Free Report)s stock had its hold rating reaffirmed by analysts at Shore Capital in a research report issued on Thursday, LSE.Co.UK reports. Other equities analysts also recently issued reports about the stock. Citigroup cut their price target on shares of Virgin Money UK from GBX 265 ($3.37) to GBX 180 ($2.29) and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Monday, November 27th. Berenberg Bank cut their price target on shares of Virgin Money UK from GBX 220 ($2.80) to GBX 200 ($2.55) and set a hold rating for the company in a report on Monday, November 27th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has issued 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 target price of GBX 198.75 ($2.53). Get Virgin Money UK alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Report on Virgin Money UK Virgin Money UK Stock Up 2.7 % Virgin Money UK Company Profile LON VMUK traded up GBX 5.60 ($0.07) during midday trading on Thursday, hitting GBX 213.40 ($2.72). The company had a trading volume of 25,768,662 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,626,633. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of GBX 165.13 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of GBX 161.43. The stock has a market cap of 2.77 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 1,185.49, a P/E/G ratio of 5.69 and a beta of 1.87. Virgin Money UK has a fifty-two week low of GBX 134.20 ($1.71) and a fifty-two week high of GBX 218.80 ($2.79). (Get Free Report) Virgin Money UK PLC provides banking products and services for consumers, and small and medium sized businesses under the Clydesdale Bank, Yorkshire Bank, and Virgin Money brands in the United Kingdom. The company offers savings and current accounts, mortgages, credit cards, and home loans; business loans, overdraft facilities, treasury solutions, and corporate and structured finance; risk management; asset and invoice finance services; international trade services; and home, car, and life and critical illness insurance products. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Virgin Money UK Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Virgin Money UK and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. trimmed its holdings in The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO Free Report) by 1.6% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 105,694 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,747 shares during the quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc.s holdings in Coca-Cola were worth $6,229,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Fairfield Bush & CO. acquired a new position in shares of Coca-Cola in the first quarter valued at $77,000. Merit Financial Group LLC raised its stake in Coca-Cola by 16.7% during the first quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC now owns 12,227 shares of the companys stock worth $758,000 after acquiring an additional 1,754 shares in the last quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC raised its stake in Coca-Cola by 41.4% during the first quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 149,275 shares of the companys stock worth $9,255,000 after acquiring an additional 43,680 shares in the last quarter. Ergoteles LLC raised its stake in Coca-Cola by 385.3% during the first quarter. Ergoteles LLC now owns 19,032 shares of the companys stock worth $1,180,000 after acquiring an additional 15,110 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Mackenzie Financial Corp raised its stake in Coca-Cola by 11.9% during the first quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 2,840,557 shares of the companys stock worth $176,115,000 after acquiring an additional 301,804 shares in the last quarter. 68.96% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Coca-Cola alerts: Coca-Cola Trading Up 0.1 % Shares of KO stock traded up $0.06 on Thursday, hitting $60.81. The stock had a trading volume of 1,592,506 shares, compared to its average volume of 14,101,519. The firm has a market cap of $262.16 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.50, a PEG ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 0.59. The company has a current ratio of 1.13, a quick ratio of 0.95 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.29. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $60.00 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $58.24. The Coca-Cola Company has a twelve month low of $51.55 and a twelve month high of $64.99. Coca-Cola Increases Dividend Coca-Cola ( NYSE:KO Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, February 13th. The company reported $0.49 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.48 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $10.80 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $10.68 billion. Coca-Cola had a return on equity of 42.50% and a net margin of 23.42%. Coca-Colas revenue for the quarter was up 6.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.45 EPS. As a group, analysts forecast that The Coca-Cola Company will post 2.81 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.485 per share. This is a boost from Coca-Colas previous quarterly dividend of $0.46. This represents a $1.94 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.19%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 14th. Coca-Colas dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 78.23%. Insider Activity at Coca-Cola In related news, CEO James Quincey sold 247,188 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $60.94, for a total value of $15,063,636.72. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 442,546 shares of the companys stock, valued at $26,968,753.24. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In other Coca-Cola news, CEO James Quincey sold 247,188 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $60.94, for a total transaction of $15,063,636.72. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 442,546 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $26,968,753.24. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, insider Bruno Pietracci sold 18,551 shares of Coca-Cola stock in a transaction on Monday, March 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $59.41, for a total value of $1,102,114.91. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders sold 375,407 shares of company stock valued at $22,795,742. 1.00% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several research analysts have issued reports on the company. Barclays increased their price objective on Coca-Cola from $60.00 to $66.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 16th. Citigroup increased their target price on Coca-Cola from $67.00 to $68.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, January 17th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on Coca-Cola from $64.00 to $66.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, February 14th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $67.00. Check Out Our Latest Report on KO Coca-Cola Profile (Free Report) The Coca-Cola Company, a beverage company, manufactures, markets, and sells various nonalcoholic beverages worldwide. The company provides sparkling soft drinks, sparkling flavors; water, sports, coffee, and tea; juice, value-added dairy, and plant-based beverages; and other beverages. It also offers beverage concentrates and syrups, as well as fountain syrups to fountain retailers, such as restaurants and convenience stores. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding KO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Coca-Cola Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Coca-Cola and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. China's development opportunity for Australia, not threat: Chinese FM Xinhua) 09:38, March 21, 2024 Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with members of the Australia-China Parliamentary Group in Canberra, Australia, March 20, 2024. (Photo by Chu Chen/Xinhua) CANBERRA, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met Wednesday with members of the Australia-China Parliamentary Group, saying China's development is an opportunity for Australia, not a threat. The journey since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries shows that China and Australia are partners, not rivals, said Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee. China is willing to work with Australia to enhance trust, minimize misunderstanding and eliminate interference, Wang said, adding members of the Australia-China Parliamentary Group are welcome to visit China more often. At the meeting, the Australian parliamentarians said the Australia-China relationship is very important. They welcomed the significant improvement and progress in the Australia-China relationship in recent years. The Australian Parliament supports the enhancement of dialogue and exchanges between Australia and China, and looks forward to the resumption and strengthening of cooperation between the two countries in the fields of economy, trade, education and other areas, they said, adding Chinese students and tourists are welcome to return to Australia. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Adam E. Jarzynka, 49, of Grand Island was sentenced Tuesday in federal court in Lincoln to 10 years in prison for the distribution of methamphetamine. Senior U.S. District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Jarzynka for one count of distribution of methamphetamine mixture, one count of distribution of five grams or more of meth (actual), and two counts of distribution of fifty grams or more of meth (actual). There is no parole in the federal system. After Jarzynkas release from prison, he will begin a five-year term of supervised release. In August and September of 2021, drug investigators used a confidential informant (CI) to arrange the controlled purchase of meth from Jarzynka. Four meth purchases were conducted during that time period at various locations in Grand Island. The quantities purchased during those buys ranged from a quarter of an ounce to nearly three ounces. In total, Jarzynka sold more than 167 grams of lab-confirmed meth to the CI. The case was investigated by the Tri-City Drug Enforcement Team (TRIDENT). TRIDENT is a task force with law enforcement personnel from the Adams County Sheriffs Office, Buffalo County Sheriffs Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Grand Island Police Department, Hall County Sheriffs Office, Hastings Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, Kearney Police Department and the Nebraska State Patrol. The employees of the Hall County Attorneys Office want to make sure that the contributions and personality of the late Lisa Wooten are not forgotten. Wooten, who worked as a paralegal, passed away unexpectedly on Feb. 15 at the age of 59. She had worked in the office for 21 years. On March 12, a group of women from the office appeared at a Hall County Commission meeting. Two of the women, Bunny Schlick and Brandy Stjohn, talked about how much Wooten meant to their office. In her statement, Stjohn said Wootens departure has been an immeasurable loss to the Hall County Attorneys Office. On Tuesday of this week, Schlick and Stjohn kept tissues handy as they talked about their thoughtful co-worker. Schlick is the office manager. Stjohn is a paralegal. Wooten worked 4.75 hours on the day she died. She sent an email saying she would be leaving at 12:15 p.m. for an appointment. She was apologetic about leaving because she knew the office was short-handed that day. She hoped to be back as soon as she could. In a later email that morning, Wooten wrote, I am dealing with a serious issue. I have spoken with my doctors office a couple of times this morning and will be going in this afternoon. I anticipate this involving a trip to the hospital, but hope so much that I am wrong. She expressed regret that another paralegal would be working alone. She would try to get through as much of her work as she could before she left. At 4:35 p.m. that day, Schlick received a phone call saying that Wooten had passed away about an hour earlier at CHI St. Francis. Having to return to work the next day, trying to deal with business as usual, is something we do not wish for anyone to experience, Schlick said. On March 12, Schlick read a statement to Hall County Commissioners. As we go through the course of our days, weeks, months and years it is nonstop business as a public servant. This is exactly what Lisa Wooten did honorably, willingly and with extraordinary pride until the day she left us. She took her job duties very seriously and had profound respect for Hall County citizens, Schlick said. The news of her passing was devastating to our office, Schlick said. While people say that everyone is replaceable, Schlick would have to differ. The role she filled as a Hall County employee will be tough to fill, particularly with the dedication and integrity she demonstrated. The people who work in the Hall County Attorneys Office regularly deal with the effects of crime, tragedy and death. They hear about children who are mistreated, and lives that end too early. Stjohn told commissioners that Wooten truly cared about the taxpayers and the office. I intend to try to live more like her, Stjohn said. She saw the emotions and humans behind the people she encountered and when she asked how you were doing, she wanted the long version. I think we can all do better on this. She would often leave treats on our desk and would never let a birthday, death or sickness pass without asking you about it. Stjohn said Wooten was always thinking about work and Hall County first. She told commissioners that Wooten trained many past employees and was an expert at creating and editing documents in our CMS program and Karpel. There were many nights and weekends spent catching up on work or pulling and verifying data for our Karpel conversion. She was someone who would work until the work was done. From day one, she took this job very seriously very seriously, Schlick said in an interview. When you told her this was confidential, even if you worked here, she wasnt going to share it with you. It also didnt matter what needed done. and when it needed done. I mean, bless her heart, she would put her life on hold for this place, Schlick said. She was always dedicated to her job. She thought very highly of the people that she worked with. She was very compassionate with all of them, Schlick said. Even if she struggled with a personality or struggled with a situation, you would have never known it. When they had something going on in their life that was a crisis, if there was a celebration in their life, she was always there for her co-workers. She was just genuinely a very caring person. On Facebook, Stjohn wrote that when you work with people, especially in high-stress professions, you end up a trauma-bonded family. Its just a very stressful fast-paced beehive, and she was such an important part of that beehive, Stjohn said this week. In her address to commissioners, Stjohn said, It was a hard lesson to learn that no one should work themselves to death and to not spend so much time worrying about tomorrow, which may never come. To Wooten, this place was more important than her own damn health, Schlick said this week. On Facebook, Stjohn wrote that Wooten was one of the kindest souls, always caring so deeply for everyone else. There wasnt a sickness or life event that she didnt acknowledge or let you know she cared. A lot of people didnt get to know off-the-clock Lisa, but she was so funny. Schlick was on vacation in Texas when Wooten died. She wanted to return to Nebraska, but didnt because everyone knew Wooten would have been angry if she had. Still, Schlick thought about Wooten the whole time she was gone. Schlick said Wootens passing left a huge void in the office. Its not as though her co-workers are waiting for Wooten to come back from vacation. They know shes gone, and its really tough. Just seeing her parking stall out there always empty, its hard. Its really, really hard. And we just want to make certain that shes not forgotten, Schlick said. When high-profile figures retire, they get a lot of attention, Schlick said. Lisa was a quiet individual that dedicated her life to Hall County, to a T. And she left quietly, Schlick said. But we want to make certain that her time spent as a county employee, representing the county, focusing on the taxpayers of the county, that she is recognized as a marvelous individual. And the county as a whole not only lost a true citizen, but one heck of an employee. Foreign investors to be allowed to trade stocks in Vietnam without pre-funding: draft circular By My Ha, Minh Hue Thu, March 21, 2024 | 10:54 am GMT+7 Foreign institutional investors will not have to deposit 100% of the transaction value before trading stocks in Vietnam, according to a draft circular. The draft circular amending and supplementing a number of articles of circulars on securities transactions on the stock trading system; clearing and settlement of securities transactions; operations of securities companies and information disclosure on the stock market has just been released by the State Securities Commission (SSC) for public feedback. Six months ahead of the market status upgrade is the best time to buy stocks, say experts. Photo by The Investor/Trong Hieu. Under the circular, securities companies will be responsible for evaluating customer capacity to determine the pre-funding rate under the signed contract and make up for the shortfall via a self-directed brokerage account if the customer does not pay in full. The securities company can sell shares as soon as they come to the self-directed brokerage account. Differences arising will be settled according to the contract signed by the two parties. The bank where the foreign institutional investor opens a securities depository account is responsible for paying the shortfall in the case of incorrect confirmation of the customer's deposit balance, leading to a lack of money to pay for securities transactions. In necessary cases, to stabilize the market, the SSC has the right to temporarily suspend foreign institutional investors trading without 100% pre-funding. According to the SSC, the requirement for 100% pre-funding before trading ensures safety but makes foreign investors miss investment opportunities if they cannot transfer money in time or lose fees when they cannot buy shares. In addition, foreign investors also suffer losses due to frozen capital during the time of transferring money to Vietnam without successful transactions, and risks related to exchange rate fluctuations. This has become one of two major bottlenecks preventing the Vietnamese stock market status from being upgraded from a frontier to an emerging market, said the commission. At a conference entitled Vietnam stock market: status upgrade and transparency in listed firms information disclosure held by The Investor in October 2023, economist Vo Tri Thanh, director of the Institute for Brand and Competitiveness Strategy, said transactions in the financial market, especially large transactions by foreign investors, have a huge spillover impact. Therefore, unfinished transactions affect not only the securities company where the order is placed, but also market sentiment. Meanwhile, Dr. Can Van Luc, chief economist at Hanoi-based BIDV bank, said in the case of no pre-funding, the rate of investors around the world who do not pay is only 2%, equivalent to a loss of $3 billion per year. Therefore, Luc advocated increasing the power given to securities companies to assess risks and make their own decisions. This proposal is supported by the majority of securities companies who are confident in their own risk management capabilities. The government's current goal is to have the stock market upgraded before 2025, said Pham Thi Thuy Linh, deputy director of the SSCs market development department. Vietnam has met seven out of nine criteria for the market status upgrade. The two remaining criteria are 100% pre-funding and the ownership ratio cap for foreign investors, she said. According to Maybank Investment Bank (MSVN), market access including information disclosure in English and raising the foreign ownership limit (FOL) are the main obstacles to the upgrade of Vietnam's stock market. The FOL issue can be resolved through the introduction of non-voting depository receipts (NVDR), which was included in the new Securities Law in 2021. The stock market often performs positively before being upgraded, MSVN recommends that investors should seize the opportunity to participate in the market early. The appropriate time to buy stocks is about six months before the official market status upgrade. Malaysia leads global Halal food market By Vietnam News Agency Thu, March 21, 2024 | 8:51 am GMT+7 Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has said that the global demand for halal products is steadily increasing, with forecasts estimating a market worth $5 trillion by 2030. AZahid, who is also Chairman of the Malaysia Halal Council, told local press on the sidelines of a regular cabinet meeting that the global Muslim market represented 24% of the world's population in 2022, amounting to 1.9 billion people, and is forecast to reach 2.2 billion by 2030. Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. Photo courtesy of bernama.com. He said with available potential and strength in this area, Malaysia has to look within the context of halal product exports, given that the global market for such exports was valued at $3 trillion in 2023 quite a substantial amount, and it is anticipated to reach $5 trillion by 2030. He urged Bumiputera entrepreneurs to be aware of the vastness of the global halal market, which sees demand stemming from both Muslim and non-Muslim consumers who place importance on cleanliness. The Deputy PM said that he has also asked the Islamic Development Department of Malaysia (Jakim) to accelerate the issuance of halal certificates to Bumiputera entrepreneurs, under the condition that they fulfil the guidelines outlined by the agency. He also said the Rural and Regional Development Ministry has divided halal certification applications into four categories, namely High Critical, Critical, Semi-Critical, and Green Lane. Certification schemes placed under the High Critical category, with an application review period of 14, 10, five and three working days respectively, cover food and beverage products, cosmetics, consumer goods, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and food premises (hotel/convention kitchen/hospital). Malaysia has been a global market leader in the Halal food industry and has secured the top position in the Global Islamic Economy Index for nine consecutive years. In 2022, the total halal export value was MYR59.46 billion ($12.56 billion), contributing 7.4% to the country's GDP. Public companies to disclose information in English from 2025 By Tri Duc Thu, March 21, 2024 | 3:34 pm GMT+7 Public companies will have to disclose information in English, starting 2025, according to a draft circular issued by the Ministry of Finance in line with a request from the State Securities Commission (SSC) of Vietnam. Accordingly, large public and listed companies must periodically disclose information in English from January 1, 2025, and ad-hoc and at-request information in English from January 1, 2026. Vietnam's State Securities Commission is headquartered in Hanoi. Photo courtesy of Cong Thuong (Industry & Trade) newspaper. Other public companies must periodically disclose information from January 1, 2027, and ad-hoc and at-request information in English from January 1, 2028. Similarly, the Vietnam Stock Exchange and the Vietnam Securities Depository and Clearing Corporation will have to publish information in both Vietnamese and English. In case there are differences or different interpretations between information in Vietnamese and English, the information in Vietnamese shall prevail, according to the draft circular. Additionally, the draft circular has updated terms related to securities transactions on the securities trading system, clearing and settlement of securities transactions, and activities of securities companies. US chip tool maker Lam Research eyes $1-2 billion investment in Vietnam By Minh Anh Thu, March 21, 2024 | 11:09 am GMT+7 California-based chip manufacturing equipment supplier Lam Research has plans to partner with Koreas Seojin Company to develop factories and establish a supply chain with an investment of $1-2 billion in the first phase as it seeks to expand in Asia. In the next phase, the U.S. firm will consider direct investment or expansion in Vietnam, Karthik Rammohan, vice president of global operations at Lam Research, told Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in Hanoi on Wednesday. Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (right) hosts a reception for Karthik Rammohan, vice president of global operations at Lam Researchin, Hanoi, March 20, 2024. Photo courtesy of the government's news portal. Seojin already has factories in the northern provinces of Bac Ninh and Bac Giang, and both house major multinational semiconductor and electronics manufacturers. Rammohan expressed interest in studying Vietnam's investment promotion policies and potential initiatives to support the development of a supply chain ecosystem for the semiconductor industry in the Southeast Asian country. For his part, Chinh stressed that both the U.S. and South Korea are comprehensive strategic partners of Vietnam, and science-technology and innovation are key pillars of their partnerships. Vietnam is looking to develop its high-tech and semiconductor industries with leading players like Lam Research by providing incentives and modern infrastructure, the government chief added. To realize this goal, Vietnam is training a workforce of 50,000-100,000 engineers by 2030. He said that major tech companies such as Samsung, Intel, and Foxconn are already present in Vietnam while many other leading global corporations are exploring opportunities and planning investments in the country. Chinh suggested both companies focus on research and development and technology transfer, helping develop a robust semiconductor ecosystem in Vietnam. The two companies should continue working with relevant Vietnamese authorities and localities to ensure a smooth and legal investment process, the Prime Minister said. In 2023, Lam Research booked revenue of $14.3 billion in 2023 and spent $1.7 billion on R&D, the firm said on its website. Mainland China accounted for 40% of its 2023 revenue, followed by Korea with 19%, Japan with 14% and Taiwan with 13%. Vietnam policies to remain the same despite presidents resignation: VinaCapital By Quang Minh Thu, March 21, 2024 | 3:56 pm GMT+7 The surprise resignation of Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong on Wednesday after being in office for only a year will have no bearing on Vietnams economic development or other policies, asset management firm VinaCapital has commented. While this sort of news is unwelcome, we believe that it will have no effect whatsoever on Vietnams economic development strategy. This has remained remarkably consistent over the last two decades, irrespective of the individuals holding the key positions, the firm said. Former President Vo Van Thuong. Photo courtesy of Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper. The Party Central Committee on Wednesday agreed to relieve Thuong from all Party and State positions due to violations and shortcomings, without offering further details. Although the specific reasons for Thuongs resignation have yet to be disclosed, there has been some speculation that it may be related to the ongoing anti-corruption campaign that has been in full swing for two years, VinaCapital said. The campaign has ensnared officials at all levels of government as well as several business executives who have allegedly violated the law. In a talk to The Investor last month, Adam Sitkoff, executive director of AmCham in Hanoi, noted a slowdown in the investment approval process as local officials were afraid of getting involved in a corruption investigation. VinaCapital said: As we have stated in the past, this campaign is ultimately positive for Vietnam as it demonstrates the governments commitment to tackling this issue and will help build greater confidence among citizens and foreign investors. The government has consistently pursued pro-business, investor-friendly policies over the years, and we have every reason to believe that will continue, it adds. VinaCapital said it maintains its views on the growth of the economy and market in 2024. While developments of this nature can understandably raise some questions among foreign investors, it did not believe that this should warrant serious concern. In an article published shortly after Thuongs resignation, Le Hong Hiep, a senior fellow and coordinator of the Vietnam Studies Program at the Singapore-based ISEAS Yusof Ishak Institute, said like his predecessor, Thuongs departure will not result in significant policy shifts. However, the resignation has raised concerns among investors. Many of these investors were drawn to Vietnam precisely because of its relatively stable political climate compared to other countries in the region. The West Lake area in Hanoi, northern Vietnam. Photo courtesy of Vietnam Airlines. To counteract the political uncertainties and restore investors confidence in the countrys political and economic prospects, Hiep suggested the government improve the investment climate through streamlining bureaucratic procedures, enhance decision-making efficiency, and remove legal and regulatory barriers for investors. 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 Lets hear it for women who make change happen! March is Womens History Month and the 2024 theme is Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. I know March is nearly over but there are plenty of opportunities now and throughout the year to learn about women who have made a difference throughout history, as well as today. For example, the Smithsonians National Portrait Gallery showcases womens achievements in its Recent Acquisitions exhibit with each of the 21 portraits either representing a woman or created by a woman artist. Its on view until Oct. 27. The Smithsonians National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) celebrates Black women entrepreneurs the entire month of March on the museums social media channels @NMAAHC. In New Orleans, The National WWII Museum recently debuted Our War Too: Women in Service, a groundbreaking special exhibit honoring the nearly 350,000 American women who answered the call to serve their country during World War II, serving in the womens component branches of the US Army, Coast Guard, Navy and Marine Corps, and with the civilian Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP), as well as the additional 73,000 women who served in the Army and the Navy Nurse Corps. In Philadelphia, celebrate revolutionary women at the Museum of the American Revolution. They include Deborah Sampson who disguised herself as a man to fight in the Revolutionary War and Phillis Wheatley, Americas first published B lack female poet. And in Hyde Park, N.Y., two miles from Franklin D. Roosevelts home, you can visit Eleanor Roosevelts home at Val-Kill, preserved as a National Historic Site. She is the only first lady with her own national park site. An active partner in FDRs political career, she became an important Democratic Party leader and humanitarian in her own right after his death. She was also an early champion of civil rights, traveled widely to see how FDRs policies impacted ordinary people, and broke precedent by holding her own news conferences and penning a widely syndicated newspaper column. The National Park Foundation notes 10 sites that celebrate womens history around the country, including the young immigrant women who worked the textile mills at Lowell National Historic Park in Massachusetts to the female shipyard workers at Rosie the Riveter World War II Home Front National Historic Park in Richmond, California. The Cesar E. Chavez National Monument in Keene, California, also honors the work of Dolores Huerta who was key in expanding the United Farm Workers of America. The Womens Rights National Historical Park in Seneca Falls, N.Y., honors the beginning of the womens suffrage movement. Take the opportunity to chat up women you meet national park rangers, for example. They account for about a third of park rangers. When the organization was formed in 1916, few female rangers worked within its ranks. In case you are wondering, records show that the first paid female park ranger in the National Park Service was Esther Brazell at Wind Cave National Park. Brazell was hired as a park ranger in 1916, by her father Thomas W. Brazell. In Denver, visit the Center for Colorado Womens History that focuses on the experiences of women who helped build Colorado. (Kids are free!) Another good bet in Denver is the Molly Brown House Museum. Molly Brown famously became the unsinkable Molly Brown when she survived the sinking of the Titanic. What is less well- known is that she helped the survivors of that tragedy, spoke out for miners and womens rights, and worked on relief efforts in France during World War I. Seek out women who are outstanding in their fields. If you are in London, you can have sushi crafted by Miho Sato, the citys only female sushi master. The qualification can take up to a decade to achieve, Miho now heads up the sushi offering at The Aubrey, at the Mandarin Oriental in Hyde Park. Have a suit made at The Deck, the first womens- only tailoring house on Savile Row, long synonymous with fine mens tailoring. Founded by Daisy Knatchbull, The Deck specializes in heritage tailoring for the modern woman, from suits to bridal. Chat up women ski instructors or female wranglers at dude ranches. Better yet, take your favorite gal pals, sisters, daughters, nieces to a girlfriend getaway at a Dude Ranch. Bar W Guest Ranch in Montana, for example, offers a package for women to Cowgirl Up and take over the ranch; White Stallion Ranch in Arizona offers several Cactus Cowgirls packages each year. Sustainable luxury travel curator Up Norway invites travelers to explore Norway from a gender-equality perspective with its Tracing Norways Super Women journey. Norway is one of the worlds most gender equal countries, and this journey (available year-round) offers a historical and geographical adventure that introduces travelers to remarkable stories. Highlights throughout the 10- day journey include Scandinavias only Womens Museum; witchcraft and wildlife at the Steilneset Memorial; king crab fishing with storytelling about strong female characters who historically have served the same roles as men; Ekeberg Sculpture Park, acclaimed as one of the worlds top five sculpture parks, which features depictions of women and work by female artists, and more. Make sure to ask the women in your lives about their accomplishments. I bet there are lots of their stories you dont know. (For more Taking the Kids, visit www.takingthekids.com and also follow TakingTheKids on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram where Eileen Ogintz welcomes your questions and comments. The fourth edition of The Kids Guide to New York City and the third edition of The Kids Guide to Washington D.C. are the latest in a series of 14 books for kid travelers published by Eileen.) There has never been a better time to establish a new College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) in South Carolina. The human-animal bond is profound and unique, and with the changing face of animal agriculture, efforts to capture the new colleges mission and vision are more important than ever. Building the CVM team The College of Veterinary Medicine plans to welcome its first class of veterinarians in 2026 upon receiving provisional accreditation. Dr. Steven Marks, the Colleges founding dean, continues leading the team in hiring faculty and finalizing plans for state-of-the-art facilities and a rigorous curriculum. Our goals are to provide an exceptional student experience in a challenging, nurturing and values-driven environment to produce prepared veterinarians from Day One, Marks said. In the companion animal world, the human-animal bond has a very positive and important impact on the physical and mental health of their human families. In the large-animal and production animal world, there are still important impacts of the human-animal bond, but there are also important public health, food safety and economic impacts in the state. Breed joins Clemson as attending veterinarian Experienced veterinarian Matt Breed has joined Clemson University as attending veterinarian and director of the Office of Animal Resources and Godley-Snell Research Center. Need for SC veterinarians Clemson studied the need and found that a third of South Carolina counties have fewer than five veterinarians. Additionally, qualified candidates are applying to veterinary colleges, yet there needs to be more seats nationwide to accommodate students desire to become veterinarians. Clemson trustees OK property acquisition, veterinary school progresses The Clemson University Board of Trustees met virtually on Friday to approve the acquisition of an 87-acre tract of land immediately adjacent to the Clemson Experimental Forest and to approve appropriated funding by the South Carolina General Assembly for the continued development of the state's first College of Veterinary Medicine. According to Dr. Michael J. Neault, the South Carolina state veterinarian and Clemsons director of Livestock-Poultry Health, there is a particular need for large-animal practitioners. Right now, agribusiness is the largest industry in the state, and that field needs veterinarians, said Neault. Im excited about whats going on at the College, and this is a great opportunity for the state of South Carolina to train and retain its veterinarians. This is a win-win for the field of veterinary medicine and the state. Clemson trustees OK new College of Veterinary Medicine Clemson University is preparing to launch the first College of Veterinary Medicine in South Carolina. Impacting public health Veterinarians are key to monitoring the animal population for a variety of illnesses. When animals are healthy, communities thrive. The training of veterinary clinicians and scientists can impact public health in many ways, said Marks. Public health can be impacted by promoting and protecting the human-animal bond but can also be related to food safety and infectious disease management. Variety of career opportunities There are many career opportunities within the field of veterinary medicine. Students can work in private practices treating large and small animals and pursue a focus on clinical and scientific work. Veterinary medicine is a popular career, and we hope that will bring more people to the state, said Neault. From there, we hope people will stay and practice in the state. The animal-human bond is extremely important. Animals are our pets and companions, and they are livestock as well. There is this drive to care for the animals in our lives, and Clemsons College of Veterinary Medicine is a key piece of this equation. Journey is just beginning The College of Veterinary Medicine is uniquely positioned to support Clemsons land-grant mission. The land-grant mission is to teach and educate, conduct research, and provide service to the community, said Marks. The College of Veterinary Medicine will contribute in each of these areas. The Orangeburg County School District has entered into a partnership with the Charleston-based International African American Museum to provide students with access to the museum. The district and the IAAM leadership signed a memorandum of understanding that will allow all district fourth, eighth and eleventh-graders to visit the museum free of charge. The museum will cover all transportation and entry fee costs. In addition, the IAAM will provide district third, seventh and tenth-grade classrooms with in-classroom instruction twice a year. Orangeburg is only the second school district in the state to sign such an agreement with the IAAM. Charleston County is the other school district. The partnership will be fully rolled out in the fall semester. A signing ceremony was held at the district's headquarters in Orangeburg on Monday to make the partnership a reality. We are extremely excited to be able to continue to expand partnerships but also provide additional opportunities for our students, OCSD Superintendent Dr. Shawn Foster said during the signing ceremony. Foster said the district's mission is to ensure all students discover and develop their person, purpose and platform and that the partnership with the IAAM aligns with the district's strategic plan and mission. The first one is understanding who they are, Foster said. There is an old saying that you have to read history because oftentimes it defines who you are. The district hopes to expand the opportunity to all grades in the future, Foster said. The partnership will include educator professional development opportunities, such as teacher nights and educator panels. The IAAM is a museum of African-American history on the site where Gadsden's Wharf once stood. It was the disembarkation point for up to 40 percent of all American enslaved persons. The museum opened on June 27, 2023. It provides visitors with a history of how Africans and African Americans have shaped the world. We don't just focus on Charleston. We do have information about Orangeburg in our museum and about many other places throughout the state of South Carolina, IAAM Director of Education Dr. Felice Knight said. We tell a local story, a statewide story, a nationwide story and a global story. We are really excited to have your students come and join us for what we have found with the students who have come so far is truly a transformative experience, Knight said. The number one remark we have gotten so far is We just wish we had more time. Foster said the partnership came about when the district and members of its Classroom and Instruction team visited the museum, looked at the resources and made sure the standards were aligned with state standards. That is why we selected and they agreed to select the fourth and eight and eleventh grade, because those are the grade levels that teach South Carolina history, Foster said. This was not done haphazardly. IAAM Chief Learning and Engagement Officer Malika Pryor said the partnership will include a museum liaison with the district to plan school trips and expose students to content outside of the classroom walls. Following the signing ceremony, Foster encouraged everyone to visit. He has been to the museum twice. It is an experience, Foster said. One particularly poignant experience for him was reading the names of 2-year-olds who were slaves. While the museum teaches about transatlantic slavery, Foster said it also includes the story of domestic slavery. There were more slaves traded in the domestic slave trade in Orangeburg than anywhere in the country, Foster said. For us to have our kids to understand that impact and where these things happen, it is encouraging to know the significance this place has played in history." (TBTCO) - Ngay 1/4/2024, Kho bac Nha nuoc buoc sang nam thu 34 truong thanh va phat trien. Trong hon 30 nam qua, tu mot Kho bac truyen thong voi 4 nghiep vu chinh (ke toan thong ke, kho quy, giao dich va ke toan tong hop), Kho bac Nha nuoc a tro thanh kho bac ien tu, tao nhieu thuan loi cho khach hang trong giao dich. Trong tien trinh chuyen oi so hien nay, Kho bac Nha nuoc ang tiep tuc thuc hien nhieu cai cach, hien ai hoa e huong toi kho bac so vao nam 2030. Whatever Happened to Whats his name? by | 21/03/2024 Danny O'Neills recent Talking Point article about under-rated Everton players made me think about some of the many players we have signed under our current ownership who were most definitely over-rated. We all usually know what happens to players who become top players, even if they move on to other clubs. The poor players move on and seem to disappear off the radar. The one that has stuck in my mind was Sandro Ramirez, a Steve Walsh signing quite early in Moshiris reign and before we knew the disasters that would follow. I remember my expectations being high because he was so massively hyped. That was obviously before I saw him play. He had come through the ranks at Barcelona before moving on to Malaga. Everton triggered a 5.2M release clause to sign him, but the implication was that his real value was much more and the club had a steal. I remember walking to Goodison for the first home game after he had signed and seeing several young lads (2 actually) wearing dazzling new shirts with SANDRO emblazoned on the back. Expectations were high. Ex Barca, we could have paid 30M according to the hype. Then we saw him play. He started the home game with Stoke City, 12 August 2017. Oh dear. Although we won 1 - 0, he was largely anonymous. Now that I think about it, the second shirt might have been on Ramirez himself Article continues below video content In total, he made 8 appearances for Everton, mainly as a substitute, for no goals. It soon became patently obvious that he was nowhere near Premier League quality. Just 6 months later, he was gone in the January 2018 window to Sevilla on loan. It was around this time that I read that the Barcelona technical director had said that he had only been retained in the squad as the club was under a transfer embargo for breaking some rule or other. Everton really should have refunded for all the Sandro shirts (surely greater than 2). You dont expect to buy a shirt with a new top players name on the back, only to find that, 6 months later, hes gone. Then, 7 months after that, he was shipped to Real Sociedad, again on loan. A bit of a hot potato. By the start of the next season, he was at Real Valladolid on another loan for a year. Here, he scored his first goal for 2 years, having failed to score for his three previous clubs. The next season, he signed on a free transfer for Huesca on a 3-year deal. The hot potato had cooled somewhat, you may think but no, as 12 months later he signed a 1-year loan deal with Getafe. After another 12 months, he was on the move once more with a loan deal to Las Palmas in the Segunda Division. To be fair, he scored 7 goals in 21 appearances and Getafe were promoted to La Liga. This season however (he has remained there) he has made only 10 appearances out of 29 games for no goals, so it looks like he has lost his place. Sandro must be jinxed. He finds his level in the second division, gets a goal every three games and gets them promoted back to Liga 1 where he struggles and loses his place. So it looks like his level is the Spanish second division. Of course, if we should be relegated in the next two seasons. No, forget I said that! Return to Talking Points index : Add your Comments Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer () How to get rid of these ads and support TW ToffeeWeb 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). This file photo taken on Dec. 17, 2022 shows Leo Varadkar (C) in Dublin, Ireland. The prime minister of the Republic of Ireland Leo Varadkar announced Wednesday that he will resign as party leader immediately and as Taoiseach as soon as his Fine Gael successor is selected. (The Houses of the Oireachtas/Handout via Xinhua) LONDON, March 20 (Xinhua) -- The prime minister of the Republic of Ireland Leo Varadkar announced Wednesday that he will resign as party leader immediately and as Taoiseach as soon as his Fine Gael successor is selected. "One part of leadership is knowing when the time has come to pass on the baton to somebody else, and then having the courage to do it," Varadkar said in a statement. "That time is now. So I am resigning as president and leader of Fine Gael effective today and will resign as Taoiseach as soon as my successor is able to take up that office," he said, adding that his reasons for stepping down are "both personal and political." Varadkar said the current government "could be re-elected" but he did not feel he was the "best person for the job anymore". Varadkar, 45, has led the Fine Gael party since 2017 and served as Taoiseach twice. He currently leads the coalition government in Dublin along with Fianna Fail and the Green Party. In the 2020 Irish general election, Varadkar's party ended in the third place in terms of number of seats in Dail Eireann, the lower house of the country's parliament. His resignation announcement followed the Irish government's defeat in twin referendums earlier this month. As part of the coalition deal struck between the parties, Varadkar and Micheal Martin of Fianna Fail would hold the position of Taoiseach for two years each. In 2020, Martin was appointed Taoiseach with Varadkar serving as his Tanaiste (deputy prime minister), before the two swapped roles in 2022. Tanaiste Micheal Martin said he was "very surprised" at Varadkar's resignation. "I want to take the opportunity to thank him sincerely. We got on very well. We had a strong personal relationship... which I think was important in terms of the continuity and stability of the government," Martin said. This file photo taken on Dec. 17, 2022 shows Leo Varadkar (C) in Dublin, Ireland. The prime minister of the Republic of Ireland Leo Varadkar announced Wednesday that he will resign as party leader immediately and as Taoiseach as soon as his Fine Gael successor is selected. (The Houses of the Oireachtas/Handout via Xinhua) The story of Wyomings housing woes cannot be boiled down to one statistic, map or issue. If it could, the Wyoming Community Development Authoritys recent housing needs assessment wouldnt need to be 300 pages long. That said, one thing is clear: Theres a need for more and better affordable housing, said Scott Hoversland, executive director of the development authority. Theres a current need for almost 50,000 homes or some types of modifications, he emphasized. Thats because more than 50,000 Wyoming households at or below 100% area median income are overcrowded, lack adequate facilities or plumbing or cost more than local workers can comfortably afford, Hoversland said. Additionally, Wyoming will need a larger, more diverse housing stock for the states changing employment landscape and to encourage future growth, the assessment found. That translates to a need for between 20,700 and 38,600 new units in Wyoming between 2021 and 2030 for a range of income levels, report authors said. At the same time, counties differ significantly in the challenges they face and the solutions theyll need to bolster housing at the local level. Break it down The report shows that certain housing struggles are nearly ubiquitous, while others vary greatly across Wyoming. It found certain industries do pay enough for their workers to afford housing, but in some cases, those industries are shrinking in Wyoming. Meanwhile, other industries dont pay enough for workers to afford a home without requiring them to overextend themselves financially. For example, only in Carbon County can people in the leisure and hospitality industry earn an average annual wage and still afford median rent prices without being cost burdened a term for when workers spend more than 30% of their income on housing. Every other countys rental prices have outgrown these employees ability to comfortably afford housing, even though the industry makes up around 14% of employment in the state. Considering the median sale prices for houses with a mortgage, interest and other home costs very few industries pay enough to allow single people to buy a house without being cost burdened in Wyoming. Meanwhile, the mining and natural resources industry which does have a median income high enough for employees to buy houses in most of the state saw a 31% decline in employment between 2010 and 2022. Lower-paying industries like education and health services are on the rise, but workers in those fields struggle to afford housing, according to the report. Beyond the overall trends, there are several key differences between counties. While most counties are suffering Johnson County arguably the most others must be doing great because median wages are keeping up with median rent growth. But the truth is more complicated, and comparing just median income and median rent doesnt paint the whole picture. Hoversland sent this report to legislators around the state, he said, and some said it didnt look like there was any issue. You can look at one specific thing, and it doesnt look like a problem, he said. You may have enough homes, but then you may have a lot of the service industry workers that are in your county, but they cant afford either the rent or the homeownership. For example, in Hot Springs County, median income is growing faster than median rent an indication that workers there can afford housing but other stats dont look so good. The countys poverty rate increased from 9% to 13% between 2010 and 2021, according to the report. Hot Springs is also projected to lose 6% of its population by 2030 while still needing between 40 and 204 new houses by then (depending on how many residences need to be replaced). And while these median rent and income growth statistics are helpful, they dont capture the experiences of those making far more and far less money. Just look at Albany County, where median income is reportedly keeping up with median rent. Its also home to the states largest gap between rental needs and infrastructure for people making less than $25,000 a year. And then theres Teton County, which is its own thing. Statistics may show a surplus of affordable housing for people earning less than $25,000 a year in Teton County, but the report states that this can be misleading given how many people making a low income relocated to live outside the county. Beyond that, 60% of the housing thats affordable for people making less than $35,000 a year is taken up by higher-income earners in Teton, Hoversland said. So even though theres more available, the higher income renters are taking those, he said. All this is to say, housing issues are complicated and affected by several factors in each area. Planning for housing in Wyomings future will likely be just as complicated. Next, stakeholders around Wyoming will create a strategic plan using this new data, Hoversland said. Forming over the next nine months, he said it will include the Wyoming Association of Municipalities, the Wyoming County Commissioners Association and the Wyoming Economic Development Authority, among others. And then Hoversland expects outcomes and suggestions to go to the Wyoming Legislature. The WCDA will also be publishing short, individual reports for each county and 99 communities around Wyoming in the near future. To see the broader, initial report, go here. WyoFile is an independent nonprofit news organization focused on Wyoming people, places and policy. In the latest barrage against the Bureau of Land Managements Rock Spring Resource Management Plan proposal, a land-use guideline for 3.6 million acres of public lands in the states south-west, Rep. Harriet Hageman introduced a bill that bluntly seeks to prohibit the agency from enacting its conservation-centric draft plan. If the bills passage is farfetched, its message, at least, is crystal clear: Wyomings congressional representatives have no intention of letting up in their fight against the Biden Administrations conservationist prerogatives. The Rock Springs plan has become an emblematic battle between conservation-minded citizens and commercial sectors eager to capitalize on the states abundant natural resources. But its also become a symbol for the troubled relationship between Wyoming and its federal partners, with whom attitudes have soured over disagreements on mineral developments and fossil energy policy. Hageman insists that the plan process has been skewed and predetermined from the start, and pointed out that the agencys preferred alternative received inordinate attention from federal staffers, while other options, including plans to promote more commercial development and additional uses, were summarily sidelined. The point was corroborated by Land Use Director for Sweetwater County, Eric Bingham, who testified before the committee and suggested that local interests could seek legal action to thwart the plan. I dont think there is a better example of [federal overreach] than what has been happening in Wyoming with the BLM Rock Springs District Office Resource Management Plan. It is very apparent to me that that particular documentis a test case.. and effort by the BLM to determine whether they can turn our BLM lands essentially into National Parks Service Lands, Hageman said during a House Federal Lands Subcommittee meeting on Wednesday. She expressed frustration that by implementing the drafts sweeping conservation standards the state would loose revenue from unrealized mineral development. Though her bill captures the issues prevailing antagonismechoed by a recent legislature attempt to spend more money to sue the federal governmentHagemans assertions of local stakeholder exclusion are contradicted by recent developments. Following intense blowback from the initial draft release, Gov. Gordon instituted a special Rock Springs task force, who were brought earnestly into the process following the BLMs decision in December to extend the public comment period beyond the original deadline. Then in January BLM Director Tracy Stone-Manning met with the Governors task force in a meeting participants described as fruitful. The fact that [Director Stone-Manning] cared enough to come out here and meet with the governor and meet with us gives me a little bit of hope. Time will tell whether the BLM was really listening to us or not, but at least at this time I hold out some hope that they will pay attention, Jim Magagna, who represents stockgrowers on the task force, said at the time. And in a separate but related initiative, the states long dormant Resource Advisory Council in January reconvened a quorum that puts local voices at the center of federal land-use decisions in the Cowboy State. How much the plan ultimately reflects local perspectives remains to be seen. FOLLOWING a spate of robberies at its outlets across the country in just over a year and a half, Massy Stores yesterday replaced the firm responsible for its security. G4S Secure Solutions Trinidad Ltd yesterday assumed the role of security provider for Massy Stores, replacing Amalgamated Security Services Ltd. Kadeem Charles should be a dead man. On February 3, 2019, Charles, then just 20 years old, found himself looking down the wrong end of the barrel of an assault rifle, held by a masked assailant. Already shot in the back and unable to move his legs, the frightened Sea Lots-born youngster closed his eyes and silently called out for Jesus Christ. An elderly man visiting Trinidad from Canada has been murdered in his familys home by intruders. The body of Hilton Smith, 75, was found on Friday on a bed. His mouth was gagged, and his feet and hands tied. Last Tuesday, 17 prison officers and six inmates were injured at the Port of Spain prison. Social media had described the incident as a riot, but when contacted by the Express, Commissioner of Prisons Deopersad Ramoutar downplayed the event, stating in a media release later that it was all in a days work for the prison officers who are at times, undervalued, and unappreciated. Everyones injuries were said to be minor, although all the officers involved were still sent on sick leave. The day after the country learned the cause of death for an LGBTQ+ Owasso sophomore who had been bullied, President Joe Biden said: Nex Benedict, a kid who just wanted to be accepted, should still be here with us today. The 16-year-old died Feb. 8, one day after being involved in a fight at Owasso High School. Jill and I are heartbroken by the recent loss of Nex Benedict, Biden said in a statement Thursday. Every young person deserves to have the fundamental right and freedom to be who they are, and feel safe and supported at school and in their communities. A summary report of the autopsy for Benedict, who used masculine or gender-neutral pronouns, states a fatal combination of antihistamines and antidepressants was found in their system. Nonbinary and transgender people are some of the bravest Americans I know, Bidens statement reads. But nobody should have to be brave just to be themselves. In memory of Nex, we must all recommit to our work to end discrimination and address the suicide crisis impacting too many nonbinary and transgender children. In a police interview at the hospital after the fight, Benedict said a group of freshmen girls had been antagonizing Benedict over a period of weeks. Benedict said they did not report the bullying to any teachers or administrators, only a parent, because I didnt really see the point of it. Biden in his statement said no one should face the kind of bullying Benedict experienced, stressing the importance of taking reports about bullies seriously. To all LGBTQI+ Americans for whom this tragedy feels so personal, know this: I will always have your back, Biden said. To LGBTQI+ young people across the country you are loved exactly as you are. A statement released to media Thursday by the familys attorney says the Benedicts continue to be overwhelmed by the outpouring of support. The Benedicts continue to call on our schools, administrators, lawmakers, and communities to come together to prevent any other family from having to suffer through the heartache now borne by Nexs loved ones, the statement reads. Reforms creating school environments that are built upon the pillars of respect, inclusion and grace, and aim to eliminate bullying and hate, are the types of change that all involved should be able to rally behind. Nicole McAfee, executive director of Freedom Oklahoma, said the summary report of Benedicts autopsy offers only limited insight into the reason for the students death. We have said from the beginning that whether Nex died as a result of the physical or emotional harm, our elected officials, our appointed State Board of Education, Owasso High School, and all of us failed Nex in allowing for policies and rhetoric that created a regularly hostile environment. McAfee called out those in power who are using their platforms to advance anti-trans rhetoric. We reaffirm our calls for (State) Superintendent Ryan Walters, state library advisory board member Chaya Raichik who also operates the anti-2SLGBTQ hate account LibsOfTikTok and any other policymaker who has and continues to contribute to Oklahomas culture of anti-trans bigotry to step down immediately, McAfee said. A statement from Walters, sent Thursday to the Tulsa World, reads: The loss of our student in Owasso is tragic for the family, the community, and our state. The LGBTQ groups pushing a false narrative are one of the biggest threats to our democracy and I remain, more than ever, committed to never backing down to a woke mob. More than 100 people, including some area high-schoolers, gathered Thursday at the Oklahoma Capitol to express their grief for Benedict and the messaging surrounding their death. We have leaders in here that never got out of high school, said Kris Williams, a program developer at Diversity Center of Oklahoma, gesturing toward the Capitol. They are literally gaining their popularity from our deaths. Williams said the group wanted to bring awareness that were not being represented appropriately. They dont know how resilient we are. They dont know how wonderful and bright and talented we are. They dont open their eyes because they dont actually understand what the word woke means, said Williams. My people love me. The rural areas of Oklahoma have much more accepting people than they do hateful people. Reps. Jeff Boatman, R-Tulsa, and Lonnie Sims, R-Jenks, are among eight Oklahoma House members who released a statement Thursday about Benedicts death, calling it a harsh reminder of the power that words have. As public officials and policy makers, we have a sacred obligation to ensure that as we do the work of the people, we do so with respect and dignity, the statement reads. Every human life is precious and created in the image of God regardless of who they are or who they love. We call on all Oklahomans to join us in our commitment to being respectful and deliberate in our language. Oklahoma House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, released a statement, saying: I believe Nex Benedicts death is a direct result of a society and government that consistently pushes back and restricts their identity and those of other LGBTQ+ individuals. To LGBTQ+ people grappling with this tragedy, we see you and we are doing everything we can to stop the harmful legislation and policies that attack your existence. World Capitol Bureau reporter Melissa Jacques contributed to this story. March and rally for Nex Benedict at Oklahoma Capitol on March 14, 2024 031524-tul-nws-nexreax-p12 031524-tul-nws-nexreax-p2 031524-tul-nws-nexreax-p3 031524-tul-nws-nexreax-p6 031524-tul-nws-nexreax-p8 031524-tul-nws-nexreax-p9 031524-tul-nws-nexreax-p11 Check out our latest digital-only offer and subscribe now HIDE VERTICAL GALLERY ASSET TITLES The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. ISLAMABAD, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani security forces conducted an operation on Wednesday night and killed a terrorist and injured two others in the country's southwest Balochistan province, the military said on Thursday. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement that security forces conducted the intelligence-based operation in Panjgur district of Balochistan. The ISPR said that the troops effectively engaged the terrorists' location during the operation and killed a wanted terrorist named Chakar Liaquat besides leaving two others wounded. "Weapon and ammunition were also recovered from the killed terrorist, who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities," said the ISPR. According to the statement, security forces launched a clearance operation to eliminate any other terrorists in the area. Arizona stakeholders are calling for Congress to fully fund the installation of non-intrusive inspection technology at U.S. ports of entry, following a national report that a lack of Congressional funding has left critical scanning machines sitting unused in warehouses. This week U.S. Rep. Raul M. Grijalva sent a letter to House and Senate Appropriations Committee leaders, urging them to fully fund installation of fentanyl scanners and other non-intrusive technology, which allow the agency to quickly x-ray vehicles without impeding the flow of commerce and traffic across the border. Fentanyl scanners, which are in place at ports of entry in Nogales, are critical to stopping dangerous fentanyl from entering our country through our ports of entry, wrote Grijalva, a Tucson Democrat. However, recent reports indicating that fentanyl scanners are sitting unused in warehouses because Congress has not appropriated funding to install them is incredibly troublesome and must be immediately addressed. U.S. Customs and Border Protection has not yet responded to the Arizona Daily Stars inquiry about whether there is any unused inspection equipment waiting for installation at Arizona ports of entry. Grijalva is the latest Arizona official to issue such a call, in the wake of NBC News reporting that some ports of entry have uninstalled equipment due to the lack of funds. We do have technology thats in the warehouse that has been tested, CBP Commissioner Troy Miller told NBC News, during a tour of the Mariposa port in Nogales earlier this month. But we need approximately $300 million (to) actually put the technology in the ground. Its extremely frustrating. In a Monday visit to Nogales with Arizona Rep. Ruben Gallego, state Attorney General Kris Mayes called out extremists in Congress for blocking the failed bipartisan border-security package in early February, which would have funded tools to stop the flow of fentanyl into the U.S. Under pressure from former President Donald Trump and top House Republicans, GOP senators voted to kill the bipartisan legislation, co-authored by Sen. Krysten Sinema, I-Arizona. Half of the fentanyl seized in the U.S. in recent years was interdicted in Arizona, Mayes wrote in a March 7 letter to Arizonas Congressional delegation urging funding to install scanning equipment. Because of the actions of the Mexican drug cartels, Arizona now serves as the fentanyl funnel for the rest of the nation, the Democratic attorney general said. This devastating public health crisis has wrecked communities, harmed families, and pushed drug overdose deaths to astronomical heights. It is ridiculous that technology that would help prevent the flow of this drug into our country sits unused because of Congressional inaction. About 90% of drugs seized nationally by CBP are discovered at the ports of entry, rather than by border agents between ports of entry, according to CBP. So far, in fiscal year 2024, which began in October, CBP has seized more than 7,000 pounds of fentanyl; 6,000 pounds of that was seized by officers at the ports of entry. CBP has stopped more fentanyl in the last two years than in the previous five years combined, and we continue to optimize our intelligence and field operations to stop these deadly substances from reaching American communities, according to a February CBP statement. Yet CBP is only able to scan a fraction of personal and commercial vehicles that enter the U.S. at ports. Miller told NBC News that less than 5% of personal vehicles entering the U.S. are scanned, and 20% of commercial vehicles. Hed like to raise those figures to 40% and 70%, respectively. Nogales Mariposa and DeConcini ports of entry interdict more fentanyl than any other port in the nation, said Jaime Chamberlain, board chairman for the Greater Nogales and Santa Cruz County Port Authority. Providing adequate resources, and the latest technology, at ports of entry is critical, he said. Surges in migrant arrivals between ports of entry have led to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security reassigning port officers to assist Border Patrol agents with processing migrants, he said. This week, Gallego, a Democrat running for the U.S. Senate, and other Arizona legislators have also been pressing legislators to approve additional Shelter and Services Program funding, which would prevent the unsheltered street releases of legally processed migrants, expected to begin in Tucson on April 1. Shifting resources from the ports into the field is short-sighted and detrimental to national security, Chamberlain said. How can we continue with this uncertainty? he said. Were always waiting for the ax to fall, or in this case, a decision to come from DHS to pull men and women in blue from Customs away, to give them to Border Patrol. And for what? For processing (migrants), not for patrol. While Chamberlain said hes not aware of non-intrusive inspection equipment thats sitting uninstalled in Arizona ports of entry, this type of equipment working in concert with highly-trained human and canine inspectors is critical for the countrys fight against fentanyl smuggling, he said. This is one of the reasons why were saying that DHSs decision to pull people away from the ports of entry just doesnt make sense at this critical time, when were being flooded with (fentanyl), he said. Affirm Wealth Advisors: Affirm Wealth Advisors, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. in Peoria, Tucson and Sierra Vista, has earned the Ameriprise Client Experience Award for 2023. Award recipients earned an overall client satisfaction rating equal to or greater than 4.9 out of 5.0 and maintained stellar business results. The award represents an elite group of Ameriprise advisors recognized as leaders for their commitment to making a difference in the lives of their clients. Gordley Group: Tucson-based marketing firm Gordley Group brought home a total of five awards during the 2024 Annual American Advertising Federation (AAF) Tucson ADDY Celebration, the most received by any one agency this year. The agency received two Gold awards and three Silver awards. Gordley received two Gold ADDYs for its 2023 interactive holiday card in the categories of Augmented Reality and Direct Marketing & Specialty Advertising. Gordley was awarded two Silver ADDYs for its I will be campaign with Pima Community College (PCC) in the Integrated Branding Content and Out-of-Home categories. A third Silver was awarded to the firm in the Brand Elements category for creating Oro Valleys Path Forward general plan branding for the Town of Oro Valley. True Ranch Collection: True Ranch Collection announced that two of its historic southern Arizona dude ranches have been named among the countrys best by the USA Today 10Best Readers Choice Awards. White Stallion Ranch placed second, and Rancho de la Osa placed ninth in this years Best Dude Ranch contest. The two ranches were nominated to a selection of 20 finalists by a panel of USA Today editors and other travel experts, then voted on by visitors to the 10Best website over four weeks. White Stallion Ranch is a historic dude ranch on the west side of Tucson, bordering Saguaro National Park. It has been owned and operated by the True family for more than 55 years and offers a year-round, family-friendly dude ranch experience. True family member Russell True founded Ranch Preservation Holdings, LLC, with partner Jaye Wells to preserve and manage additional historic dude ranches within the True Ranch Collection, including Rancho de la Osa. Located in Sasabe, along the U.S.-Mexico border and adjacent to the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge, Rancho de la Osa features a Spanish-style Hacienda and is home to the longest continually operated building in Arizona, built in 1722 by Jesuit missionaries and now the ranchs Cantina. The Republican-backed bill aiming to limit shared governance at public universities is headed to the full Arizona Senate after narrowly passing through a committee Wednesday. The Senate Education Committee advanced the bill on a vote of 4-3. According to Rep. Travis Grantham of Gilbert, University of Arizona President Robert C. Robbins, who has not made a public statement about the proposal, said he had no opposition to the bill, HB 2735. The bill, cosponsored by Grantham and David Livingston of Peoria, would require the Arizona Board of Regents and university presidents to consult rather than share responsibility with faculty regarding educational and personnel matters. Grantham told the Education Committee that he met with Robbins in the last couple of weeks to let him know this isnt an attack on the university or the faculty. Not everyone sees it that way, however. Proponents of shared governance say it would destroy governing bodies such as the UAs Faculty Senate. Mark Stegeman, a professor in the UA Eller College of Management and the parliamentarian for the Faculty Senate, drove two hours to speak to the committee for around 10 minutes. There have been well publicized administrative issues at the UA recently, he told the senators. None of them have anything to do with the Faculty Senate. Because the Faculty Senate doesnt make any budgetary decisions it only discusses and approves academic program changes it should not be blamed or punished for the universitys financial crisis, Stegeman said. The bill would force the (Faculty) Senate to lose those responsibilities and force them to return those to the (UA) administration, he said. It removes a tiny amount of authority to the (Faculty) Senate and gives it back to the administration. In fact, Stegeman said, the Faculty Senate hasnt actually blocked a proposed program in the last five years. The ability to block provides useful public discussion and useful public record, he said. He said that is important because the university administration is a large, substantially unsupervised, bureaucracy. Sen. Justine Wadsack, a Tucson-area Republican, asked Stegeman about the political ideology of the Faculty Senate. He responded that there was no political litmus test for being in the Faculty Senate and issues relating to that rarely come up in the (Faculty) Senate. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has released documentation indicating that an Owasso student died by suicide the day after a fight at the high school. Nex Benedict, 16, who identified as nonbinary and used gender-neutral pronouns, died Feb. 8, one day after being involved in a fight at Owasso High School, police say. The summary report provided Wednesday by the state medical examiner states that Benedict took a fatal combination of two drugs commonly known as Benadryl and Prozac. A full autopsy report, including toxicology results, has yet to be released. Benedicts death became a rallying cry for LGBTQ+ allies after allegations surfaced in mid-February that the Owasso sophomore was fatally injured when beaten by a group of bullies. The Owasso Police Department released video footage from a hallway at the high school, as well as a police interview at the hospital, showing that Benedict was not injured fatally in the fight. When interviewed by a school resource officer, Benedict said the group of freshmen girls had been antagonizing Benedict over a period of weeks. Benedict did not report the bullying to any teachers or administrators, Benedict said, because they had no hope of effecting change. I didnt really see the point of it, Benedict told the officer. An Owasso school resource officer told Benedict in the hospital that Benedict would be subject to discipline for assault because they had admitted to pouring water on the bullies, starting the fight. From the beginning of this investigation, Owasso Police observed many indications that this death was the result of suicide, Owasso Police Lt. Nick Boatman said Wednesday in an emailed statement. However, investigators did not wish to confirm that information without the final results being presented by the Oklahoma Medical Examiners Office. The investigation into Benedicts death remains open, Boatman said, with findings being presented to the district attorney. The Owasso Police Department would like to take this moment to inform anyone in crisis or contemplating suicide of the Oklahoma Mental Health Lifeline, just call or text 988, the Police Department said in a Facebook post. Owasso Public Schools also mentioned the 988 crisis hotline in a statement from Superintendent Margaret Coates. The district said Wednesday that counseling would be available for students and staff. As we mourn together, OPS remains focused on the safety and well-being of our students and staff, Coates statement reads. Lets continue to lean on each other in the days ahead. A national survey last year by the Trevor Project found that 41% of LGBTQ+ young people seriously considered attempting suicide in 2023, including roughly half of transgender and nonbinary youth. The Trevor Project provides confidential counseling and 24/7 crisis support for LGBTQ+ youth: Text START to 678-678 or go to thetrevorproject.org/get-help. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. PHOENIX A Senate panel voted Thursday to shut the public out of the key business of the state agency tasked with finding new water for Arizona. House Bill 2014 authorizes the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority to enter agreements to facilitate construction of a project to bring water from outside the state into Arizona. It also empowers the agency to negotiate deals with others to agree to purchase the water once it becomes available. And it exempts all communications and information gathered about water augmentation from being subject to the states Public Records Law. The only time anyone could get information would be on the consent of the authority. That secrecy is necessary for the authority to accomplish its goal of supplementing Arizonas water supply, Chelsea McGuire, an assistant director of the agency, told the Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Energy and Water. The GOP-led committee approved the bill on a 4-3 party-line vote Thursday, sending it to the full Senate. Arizona Sierra Club leader Sandy Bahr told lawmakers, You should say no to this confidentiality. It will guarantee more sweetheart deals with no opportunity for public review until it is too late to stop the runaway train, Bahr said. And it can potentially encumber millions of taxpayer dollars. Lawmakers previously allocated $1 billion over three years for the water authority, known as WIFA. But Gov. Katie Hobbs, citing the states budget deficit, has proposed reducing this years allocation from $333 million to just $33 million. McGuire acknowledged the fiscal issues. Its not the best year for an ambitious appropriations act, as Im sure everybody is aware, she said. And so what we were tasked with was giving the Legislature a non-monetary pathways for showing tangible support for the mission of bringing a new, sustainable water supply to a drought-stricken state thats one of the fastest growing in the nation. One form that could take is borrowing money for construction costs which could run into the billions of dollars with repayment pledged from future revenues. That financing structure could include off takers, essentially cities and water companies that would pledge to buy a certain amount of the water when it becomes available. The agency wants to do that without having to disclose to the public what deals it is negotiating. That alarms Bahr, president of the Grand Canyon Chapter of the Sierra Club. She reminded lawmakers of a mess left the last time WIFA tried to negotiate a behind-closed-doors deal. The Ducey administration tried to rush through a deal with IDE Technologies via WIFA, Bahr said. That refers to former Gov. Doug Duceys efforts to have a desalination plant built on the Sea of Cortez in Mexico in order to pump water north to Arizona. He had hoped to have a deal inked before he left office in January 2023. After behind-the-scenes talks with Israel firm IDE about terms to build a $5.5 billion desalination plant in Mexico, the WIFA board agreed to begin negotiations strictly with IDE. Some of the people involved in those talks, including state lawmakers, signed non-disclosure agreements. It all blew up when word got out. McGuire told Capitol Media Services after the meeting that it is not the intent to shield the entire process from the public. What needs secrecy, she said, are talks with those with whom WIFA is negotiating to buy future water. She compared it to the procurement process in which the state seeks sealed bids. In those cases, the government wants the lowest cost. By contrast, any deal to sell water would be looking to bring in as much money as possible. When youve got a bunch of people bidding for a contract, their bid, their ability to pay, their needs, those arent subject to public record until the end of the process, McGuire said. Thats what were trying to do. But she conceded thats not whats in the measure as approved Thursday. The language does not reflect that very well, McGuire said, calling the wording inartful. She said there will be an effort to narrow its scope when the measure now goes to the full Senate. That still raises the question of whether there could be a repeat of what happened with IDE. Its a fair question, she said. As for what happened previously with non-disclosure agreements, That was IDE going out and asking the people that they were talking to to sign those non-disclosure agreements, McGuire said. She said thats part of the reason the board ultimately decided it didnt have enough information about the company and its plan to sign on the dotted line. McGuire also said the board has since crafted a policy in response to what happened to very clearly delineate that public process and very clearly state that there is no avenue for an IDE-like non-solicited proposal to come before us. That wasnt the way we wanted that to happen, she said. We not only want to make it clear to proposers what were asking for, but we want to make it clear to the public what were asking for. Because, otherwise, were just going to run into more problems than are worth solving. Sen. Priya Sundareshan, D-Tucson, said she could not support the legislation with the current language that exempts various records from the Public Records Law. These are public funds, she said. Its a public entity. We would like to keep open as much disclosure and public engagement as possible. That includes providing relevant information from the agency to legislators as well, she said. Public disclosure aside, Sundareshan said she appreciates WIFA for trying to do more with what is available given the current budget situation. When Mabelle Kennedy came to Oklahoma in a covered wagon with her parents and three siblings, her grandmother was sure the family would be killed by outlaws or scalped by Indians. Years later, the woman who became known as "the grand dame of Oklahoma politics" and who served in many political and governmental roles, told a reporter that period's often-rumored Indian Territory dangers remained just rumors. "It was a delightful trip," she said. The 1891 trip was made in two covered wagons by the family of five from near Kansas City to the Enid area, where they disliked the wind and blowing sand, and eventually to Ralston where they settled -- long before her political career began. "We bought produce from farmers along the way and camped by streams. It was a picnic to me all the way and I was sorry when it was over," she told a reporter. While living in Ralston, which she said was "as big as any town in Oklahoma at that time," Kennedy returned to Missouri for schooling. It was on one of her trips home from Oakland College that she met her future husband, Edmund Kennedy, a young Kansas City banker. He had come to Oklahoma for a visit. After their marriage, they moved to Pawhuska, where he bought the National Bank of Commerce in 1909. She spent much of her time raising five children until her husband died in 1936, leaving her the bank and five Osage County ranches. "I had never done anything about business in any way," she said. "I told myself 'I'm not going to let this go down under me' " and enrolled in banking and ranch management courses so she would be more capable of handling business. She also got more involved in politics. She served as mayor of Pawhuska, delegate to four national Democratic conventions, Democratic national committeewoman from Oklahoma, assistant treasurer of the United States and on a goodwill commission to Brazil -- a position that carried the rank of ambassador. Kennedy had met Harry Truman at one of the political conventions, was impressed by him and joined his "Whistle Stop" campaign when he was a candidate for his own term as president after serving out the unexpired term of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. She later served on Truman's inaugural committee and he ap pointed her as assistant secretary of the treasury, the second woman to hold such a position. He later appointed her to the goodwill commission to Brazil, a job she accepted with her usual joking humor: "If I made a failure of it, I was not well-known enough that it would make a difference." In 1980, Kennedy was chosen by Gov. George Nigh to receive the fourth annual Pioneer Woman Award. Nigh said she was a person who was "highly deserving and a natural recipient because of her true pioneer heritage and lifelong civic involvement." In 1974, she had been honored with a "Mabelle Kennedy" day in Oklahoma. Kennedy told a reporter in 1971 that she'd had some heart problems. "It's bound to get out of balance once in a while," she said about her health. She said the first flare-up came 30 years earlier when her doctor told her she should relax. "I told him to relax," she said, adding "you needn't worry about me; they don't have any wings up there to fit me anyway." She also explained the unusual spelling of her name. She said she was named May Belle after two aunts but when she started to school, she couldn't make the "y" correctly. Her mother told her that a child should have a voice in how he or she is named and added, "From now on, you are Mabelle." She was "deeply touched" in 1975 when a new highway that replaced a 32-mile stretch of U.S. 60 known as "Lizard Lane" was named the "Mabelle Kennedy Highway." It was the first stretch of highway in Oklahoma to be named for a woman. The opening of the new highway climaxed a 23-year fight to improve the road between Ponca City and Pawhuska. "I prayed to live long enough to see this highway finished," Kennedy said at its opening. "But that doesn't mean I'm going to kick off tomorrow. I'm going to live to enjoy it." She died six years later, at the age of 93. Illustration research by Rachele Vaughan. Like this column? Read all the columns in the Only in Oklahoma series from the Tulsa World Archive. Kevin Canfield Tulsa World Staff Writer Follow Kevin Canfield 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 Tulsa city councilor said Wednesday he has yet to determine whether he will move forward with a proposed ordinance that would prohibit the use of city funds to house, accommodate or provide public benefits to illegal immigrants. The statement from Jayme Fowler, also a Tulsa mayoral candidate, comes a week after his colleagues on the City Council voted to reject the proposal and just days after he vowed to reintroduce the ordinance. We have so many opportunities, Fowler said of his work on the council. Weve got other issues to address. The latest version of the proposed ordinance would have added asylum seekers to the definition of illegal immigrants and imposed a fine of up to $5,500 for individuals or organizations that failed to comply with the ordinance. The proposed ordinance also would have required recipients of grants from the city to maintain and make readily accessible to the city their ledgers documenting the allocation and expenditure of funds. Nonprofits or other nongovernmental organizations that failed to comply with the ordinance would have been disqualified from receiving city funding for a minimum of three years. City employees and contractors who violated the ordinance would have been terminated and could not have worked for the city again for a minimum of 10 years. Fowler has said his proposed ordinance was not intended to prohibit illegal immigrants from accessing public safety services or other benefits protected under the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Fowler has argued that his proposal is a prudent measure intended to ensure that Tulsa does not end up like Denver or New York City, which have had to spend millions of dollars to handle waves of illegal immigrants, many of whom were sent by bus from Texas. Among his concerns, Fowler told councilors last month, was that busloads of illegal immigrants arriving in the city would overwhelm Tulsas capacity for assistance. However, Gov. Kevin Stitt and Texas Gov. Greg Abbotts office told Fox 23 in Tulsa this week that they knew of no plans to send migrants to Tulsa. Fowler on Wednesday said his remarks had been misunderstood and that he was not speaking specifically about the migrants being bused to major cities by the state of Texas. That was meant really to be an example of our capacity of being able to handle things, Fowler said. Just to give some scope and scale to an issue that is all that was meant. Hypothetically, if we had two busloads of immigrants brought into our city, that will simply exhaust our emergency shelter. In an unusual move, a majority of city councilors voted last week to suspend City Charter and City Council rules to vote on the measure after its first reading. Proposed ordinances typically are voted on after a second reading. The councilors action caught Fowler by surprise, prompting an extended and sometimes heated exchange among him and several of his council colleagues. I think it was just kind of a real cheap shot, quite frankly, Fowler said at the time. A low blow. On Wednesday, he made clear that the spat was history. My respect for my fellow councilors, the mayor, is just that a deep and professional respect, Fowler said. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. The Tulsa-based Terence Crutcher Foundation is one of 279 nonprofits selected to receive a $2 million grant, foundation officials announced this week. A total of $640 million was awarded from Yield Giving, a benevolence project started by billionaire philanthropist and author MacKenzie Scott. Of the total awarded, some 361 small nonprofits received either $2 million or $1 million grants. Its just a beautiful, beautiful feeling, said Tiffany Crutcher, founder and executive director of the Tulsa foundation. She said the foundation submitted an application as part of an open call launched in March 2023. Yield Giving, which netted more than 6,300 applications, planned initially to give out 250 awards of $1 million each. But it was later decided to expand the pool and the amount. Crutcher said she didnt know the foundation was receiving $2 million until this week. We were in disbelief in shock, really, said Crutcher, whose foundation is named for her late twin brother, who was fatally shot by a Tulsa police officer in 2016. My team was there when we got the news, she said. There were a lot of tears and hugs. Tears of joy. I told them it was the first time in a very long time Ive felt so seen and valued. Crutcher said the $2 million gift comes with no restrictions on use but that she expects most if not all of it will go toward one project the foundations restoration of the North Pointe Shopping Center, which is part of its larger mission to help revitalize north Tulsa and the Black Wall Street area. The foundation bought the shopping center property, located on the northeast corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Pine Street, over a year ago for $1.7 million after it sat in disrepair for several years. MacKenzie Scott, former wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, so far has given away $16.5 billion from the fortune she came into from the couples divorce. The donations announced this week are more than double what Scott initially had pledged to give away through the application process. Nearly 2,000 nonprofits have received gifts through Scotts Yield Giving since she began her philanthropy in 2019. Previously, Scott and her team researched and selected organizations without an application process. The $2 million recipients included 279 nonprofits, while 82 organizations in a second tier received $1 million each. Crutcher said its expected that at least $15 million will be needed to renovate the shopping center. We hope this gift can be a catalyst and help bring in more support, Crutcher said. Among needed improvements are a new roof and new heating and air systems. She said the idea is for the center to combine a variety of services at one location, including food and retail, mental health services and co-working spaces. Now in its seventh year, the Terence Crutcher Foundations range of initiatives has grown to include several that support youth. That includes the RISE program, a partnership with the USA BMX Foundation that connects north Tulsa youth with athletes and mentors. More recently, the foundation started the Black Mental Health Alliance and expects to announce plans related to it soon. Crutcher said her parents, who helped start the foundation to honor their son, deserve much of the credit. Her late mother, who died from COVID-19 in 2021, would be so proud of whats happening and to know that we arent giving up the fight, she said. Crutchers father, the Rev. Joey Crutcher, continues to raise her late brothers son, Terence Jr., who is now 11, she said. The foundations work includes advocating for policy changes, honoring the legacy of Black Tulsans, including those affected by the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, and strengthening the community through leadership and economic development. Yield Giving seeks to support community-led, community-focused organizations whose explicit purpose is to enable individuals and families to achieve substantive improvement in their well-being through foundational resources. For more information, go to terencecrutcherfoundation.org and yieldgiving.com. <&rule> 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 State lawmakers citing the need for government transparency have chimed in after it was reported that District Attorney Jason Hicks maligned the attorney general for sharing his views during a highly publicized death-penalty case. Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond has been criticized by some state prosecutors for taking the position that the death-penalty conviction of Richard Glossip should be set aside. Glossip was first convicted in connection with the death of his employer, Oklahoma City motel owner Barry Van Treese, in January 1997. The case has been back and forth in court, but jurors in 2004 determined that Glossip should be sentenced to death after concluding that he paid to have Van Treese murdered. Last year, Drummond told the U.S. Supreme Court that the 2004 verdict should be set aside because a key witness against Glossip gave false testimony that was not corrected by the prosecution. The Supreme Court in January agreed to give new consideration to the case. Months ago, state Reps. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane, and Kevin McDugle, R-Broken Arrow, asked to see public records and communications from state district attorneys related to the Glossip appeal. In a press release Wednesday, Humphrey said he and McDugle filed the records request and a lawsuit to promote transparency in government. These records show that some district attorneys are more interested in protecting their own than acknowledging how problems in the Glossip investigation undermined the integrity of his death sentence, Humphrey wrote. The public deserves to know if district attorneys illegally opposed Oklahomas chief law enforcement officer in the Richard Glossip case. We will continue our pursuit for transparency. District attorneys are officials who wield enormous power in our justice system, and they should be held to the highest standards. McDugle has said he believes that members of the Oklahoma District Attorneys Council had improper communications with the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board prior to Glossips clemency hearing in April 2023. Hicks, a prosecutor in south-central Oklahoma who serves on the District Attorneys Council, released texts and emails only recently, after Humphrey and McDugle filed a public records lawsuit. According to The Oklahoman reporter Nolan Clay, the communications revealed that district attorneys referred to Drummond as a douche and complained among themselves that the attorney general had turned Glossips clemency hearing into a circus and that Drummond needs to stick to his job, not looking at his run for governor. It is time to end the shiny politicians who have no spine and get people who are willing to fight for justice into the offices that can change things for victims and law enforcement, Hicks wrote in one exchange. Glossip, 61, was not recommended for clemency because the Parole Board split 2-2 after one member recused. He is suing for another clemency hearing. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. 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 Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond on Wednesday urged the Legislature to enact a law similar to a disputed Texas statute that allows state and local law officers to arrest people for being in the state without proper documentation. Shortly afterward, Speaker of the House Charles McCall said he will oblige. The Supreme Court may well be poised to set new precedent allowing state law enforcement to act, Drummond said in a press release. If and when that day comes, I want Oklahoma to be prepared with a robust law that empowers local law enforcement. Drummond was referring to a U.S. Supreme Court decision announced Tuesday lifting its enforcement hold on the Texas law while challenges in lower courts continue. Hours later, however, a divided three-judge panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ordered a new stay while it hears arguments in the case. Oklahoma is a law and order state, and should be the last place illegal immigrants want to settle when they cross over the border, McCall said in a written statement. For those reasons, and in light of recent court rulings regarding Senate Bill 4 out of Texas, I am immediately introducing legislation to secure the borders of Oklahoma in the same fashion as our neighbors to the south. Iowa passed similar legislation on Tuesday, and a few other states reportedly are considering it. The Oklahoma Legislature is out the remainder of the week and doesnt seem to have any such legislation in play. One bill passed by the House last week would bar illegal immigrants from some taxpayer-supported services. In recent years, Oklahomas highest-profile issue with immigration has involved the smuggling of laborers into the state to work on marijuana farms. It is unclear how many were undocumented. Public safety is my paramount concern, Drummond said. Oklahoma state, county and local law enforcement know all too well the impact of the nations porous border. The Biden administration has failed to secure our border, leaving us to suffer the consequences. If the federal government wont do its job, then it is imperative that Oklahoma be allowed to protect our citizens. Historically, immigration has been a federal matter, but some border states have attempted, off and on for decades, to enforce their own laws when they think the national government is not doing the job. In November, Texas passed legislation creating a misdemeanor for first offense and felony thereafter for people crossing into the U.S. at other than a legal port of entry. Republicans and some Democrats say the Biden administration is allowing widespread misuse of asylum claims to essentially open the southern U.S. border to all comers. The administration blames Congress, and especially congressional Republicans in recent weeks, for failing to enact meaningful immigration reform over the past three decades. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. PARIS/NANCHANG, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Fine lines of blue and red shaped an Eiffel Tower on the surface of a pure and thin porcelain cup, integrating elements with distinctive features from both China and France. To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, these types of cups were packaged into exquisite gift boxes with French cosmetics. This gift box recently attracted the attention of Europe as soon as it was unveiled at an exhibition of porcelain artworks from Jingdezhen, east China's Jiangxi Province, at the China Cultural Center in Paris. As a witness and promoter of the friendship between France and China, L'Oreal Paris collaborated with Jingdezhen Longzhuge, a century-old porcelain brand, to launch the "Heart-to-Heart, Word-of-Mouth" 60th Anniversary Limited Gift Box, which includes a French red lipstick and a pair of porcelain cups. Alexis Perakis-Valat, president of the L'Oreal Consumer Products Division, told Xinhua that this collaboration embodies the diverse cultural craftsmanship of both nations, transcending borders, cultures and time. The collision of traditional Chinese art and French fashion colors reveals to the public the beauty of cultural diversity. In the Yishan Industrial Zone in Jingdezhen, white porcelain cups with the Longzhuge pattern on the bottom were produced on the production lines. This historically significant pattern has new connotations and has become an essential symbol of Jingdezhen's cultural and creative products. In history, Longzhuge was one of the important back stamps for Jingdezhen's exports. Emblazoned with the logos of European royal families or social groups, etc., various types of armorial porcelain were made by craftsmen in Jingdezhen during the Ming and Qing dynasties to meet the requirements of overseas clients, including the French royal courts. "Jingdezhen has long played the role of 'cultural exchange envoy' between China and France," said Weng Yanjun, director of Jingdezhen Imperial Kiln Museum. Exquisite blue and white porcelain was transported thousands of miles across the sea along the Maritime Silk Road, enriching European cultural life. The living room of the House of Victor Hugo in Paris is decorated with a "Chinese porcelain wall," an example of the common pursuit of beauty between China and France. Jingdezhen is home to an extensive network of supply chains and state-of-the-art facilities. Today, it pays more attention to creative design and innovation, said Gang Hao, general manager of Jingdezhen Towyi Cultural Development Co., Ltd. "The dreamy linkage between the two brands of Longzhuge and L'Oreal Paris represents the integration of international aesthetics, creating a unique aesthetic identity," said Gang. "Beauty is a heritage that transcends different cultures. We firmly believe that beauty has the power to preserve cultural heritage, stimulate innovation, foster social and economic growth, promote diversity and inclusiveness, and contribute to harmony with life," said Fabrice Megarbane, Chief Global Growth Officer of L'Oreal Group. "Our goal is to continue being a friendly ambassador in all fields of Sino-French exchange," said Megarbane, "especially in the cultural and economic areas." PARIS -- France's competition watchdog on Wednesday said it fined Alphabet's Google 250 million euros ($271.73 million) for breaches linked to EU intellectual property rules in its relationship with media publishers, citing concerns about the company's AI service. The watchdog said Google's AI-powered chatbot Bard - since rebranded under the name Gemini - was trained on content from publishers and news agencies, without notifying them. Google has pledged not to contest the facts as part of settlement proceedings, the watchdog said, adding the company also proposed a series of remedy measures to certain shortcomings. Google said it accepted the settlement "because it is time to move on", adding "we want to focus on the larger goal of sustainable approaches to connecting people with quality content and on working constructively with French publishers." The company said the fine was disproportionate, and said the watchdog had not sufficiently taken into account its efforts "in an environment where its very hard to set a course because we cant predict which way the wind will blow next." The fine is linked to a copyright dispute in France over online content in a case triggered by complaints from some of the country's biggest news organisations, including Agence France Presse (AFP). The dispute appeared to be resolved in 2022 when the U.S. tech giant dropped its appeal against an initial 500 million euro fine issued at the end of a major investigation carried out by the Autorite de la Concurrence. But in Wednesday's statement, the watchdog said Google violated the terms of four out of seven commitments agreed in the settlement, including conducting negotiations with publishers in good faith and providing transparent information. The watchdog in particular cited Google's AI chatbot Bard, launched in 2023, which it said was trained on data from unspecified media outlets and news agencies without the company informing them or the regulator. "Subsequently, Google linked the use of the content concerned by its artificial intelligence service to the display of protected content", the watchdog said, adding that in doing so Google hindered the ability of publishers and press agencies to negotiate fair prices. The fine comes as many publishers, writers and newsrooms seek to limit the scraping - or automatic collection of data - by AI services of their online content without their consent of fair compensation. The New York Times in 2023 sued Google rivals Microsoft and OpenAI, the creator of the popular artificial-intelligence platform ChatGPT, accusing them of using millions of the newspaper's articles without permission to help train chatbots. "We - and others - need more clarity on whom we are paying for what", Google said. ($1 = 0.9200 euros) A tidal wave of plastic trash has left a normally pristine beach on the Indonesian resort island of Bali awash with garbage, a bleak annual event caused by the monsoon that has left tourists vexed and local officials scrambling to clean up. The Southeast Asian nation has a mammoth marine waste problem, ranking as one of the world's biggest contributors of plastic pollution and marine debris. Images showed Kedonganan beach in Bali's popular Kuta area covered in discarded plastic bottles, cups and packaging, much of which was driven towards Bali from Indonesia's cities by prevailing monsoon winds and rains. "I call on all people in Indonesia, don't litter in empty lands, don't throw rubbish on cliffs and rivers because it will end up on sea and will arrive at our beautiful beaches," said local environment agency official Anak Agung Dalem. Around 300 officers and six excavators were made available to help clear the trash, he said, with a local NGO also helping out. For tourists -- on whom much of Bali's economy depends -- the garbage-strewn sands were a stark contrast to what they had seen in travel brochures. "I came here because I heard that it was a very nice place to visit, but what I see is all of this plastic. It's a real disaster for me," said Frenchman Denis Le Merre, who flew from Australia. "It's impossible to (stay) here. I think I will never come back." Nearby, some locals picked through the plastic trash for recyclable material, which can be sold for a few dollars. Each year, pounding rains wash away mountains of plastic waste from Indonesia's cities and bulging rivers into the ocean, with some of it drifting for hundreds of kilometres (miles) and ending up on Bali's beaches. The trash wave is "something that repeats" on Kedonganan beach and others in the area annually due to the monsoon rains and winds between November and March, according to Dalem. Indonesia, an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands, has pledged to reduce marine plastic waste by 70 percent by 2025. Tourists were frustrated by the sight of plastic piles washed up on the island's beaches. "I think it's a horrible thing. And for tourists, it's the reason why a lot do not visit Bali. Because of the trash," said Russian Danil Kovalev, who has visited the island three times. "Sometimes I see this on other beaches." While concerned about the trash problem, locals were confident the beauty of their island -- which attracts millions of visitors every year -- would come to the fore once again. "If the trash is cleaned, this place will be more beautiful to see, and more people will come here," said Paulina Kaka, who lives in the Kedonganan area. Dalem called on the tourists to be patient because "the beach cannot be separated" from the ocean. "The rubbish that entered the sea came from all over the regions," he said. "So we will clean it up but it will take time." Vietnams lawmaking National Assembly (NA) dismissed Vo Van Thuong from his posts of President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam for the 2021-26 tenure and Deputy of the 15th NA at an extraordinary meeting in Hanoi on Thursday morning. Lawmakers approved a resolution on the dismissal at the meeting presided over by NA chairman Vuong Dinh Hue. On Wednesday afternoon, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam agreed to relieve Thuong of the following roles: member of the Politburo, member of the 13th Party Central Committee, President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, and Chairman of the National Defense and Security Council for the 2021-26 term. Reports from the Central Inspection Commission and relevant authorities indicate that he has breached regulations prohibiting certain actions for Party members. He has failed to fulfill the responsibility of setting an example for officials and Party members, particularly crucial for members of the Politburo, the Secretariat, and the Party Central Committee. He has also been held accountable as a leader in accordance with Party rules and state laws. Thuong's violations and shortcomings have stirred negative public sentiment and have had an adverse impact on the reputation of the Party, the state, and his personal integrity. Having a clear understanding of his responsibilities to the Party, the state, and the people, he submitted a request to relinquish all of his assigned positions and duties. Vo Van Thuong, 54, a native of the Mekong Delta province of Vinh Long, was sworn in as state president in March 2023. He holds a master's degree in philosophy. Thuong was a standing member of the Party Central Committees Secretariat from February 2021 to March 2023 and the head of the Partys Central Propaganda Department from February 2016 to January 2021. Thuong served as a member of the all-powerful Politburo from January 2016 and a member of the Party Central Committee from January 2011. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Health authorities in Ho Chi Minh City have issued an urgent dispatch requiring all medical units and rabies vaccination facilities to promptly take measures to curb the disease that killed over 20 people in Vietnam in the first two months of this year. In the emergency message issued on Wednesday, the Department of Health requested that all its units in districts and the citys Center for Disease Control (HCDC) closely monitor suspected rabies cases, typically resulting from dog or cat bites, offer guidance on rabies vaccinations, and promptly address rabies outbreaks. According to the Ministry of Health, rabies killed 22 people in Vietnam over the January-February period, compared to 10 cases recorded from a year ago. The Ho Chi Minh City Pasteur Institute administered 4,813 rabies vaccinations in the same period, including 2,622 inoculations in February, far higher than the average of 2,100 per month in the first two months of 2023. The Ho Chi Minh City Hospital for Tropical Diseases has also recorded a sharp increase in rabies immunization, with 5,296 cases in the first two months of this year compared to 4,221 from a year earlier. During this timeframe, the hospital admitted seven patients with rabies, all of whom succumbed to the disease, contrasting with only two cases reported in the same period of 2023. The department asked grassroots health authorities to coordinate with animal medicine facilities to timely provide information about cases of people bitten by dogs or cats having or seemingly having rabies. The department also called for boosting communication about the dangers and consequences of rabies, alongside measures aimed at preventing and managing the disease, such as advocating for rabies vaccinations for both humans and animals. People should be encouraged to promptly seek medical attention at healthcare facilities for examination, consultation, and rabies vaccination if bitten by dogs or cats suspected of having rabies. The department tasked the HCDC with providing guidance, monitoring, and oversight of efforts to combat rabies in humans, as well as coordinating with the Sub-Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine under the citys Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to promptly investigate and address outbreaks, aiming to prevent the transmission of rabies from animals to humans. A week ago, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh issued an official dispatch urging efforts from the health sector and other agencies to prevent and control rabies nationwide. According to statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO), rabies is estimated to cause 59,000 human deaths annually in over 150 countries, with 95 percent of the cases occurring in Africa and Asia. WHO said dogs are the primary source of human rabies deaths, responsible for 99 percent of all transmissions to humans. Thus, preventing rabies can be achieved through vaccinating dogs and preventing dog bites. Rabies is a vaccine-preventable, zoonotic, viral disease that affects the central nervous system, and once clinical symptoms of rabies appear, the disease is virtually 100 percent fatal, with children aged five to 14 making up 40 percent of the death toll, according to WHO. The incubation period for rabies is typically two to three months, but may vary from one week to one year, depending on factors such as the location of virus entry and the viral load. The first symptoms of rabies may be similar to the flu, including weakness or discomfort, fever, or headache, but patients may have discomfort, prickling, or an itching sensation at the site of the bite, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said. These symptoms may last for days before progressing to cerebral dysfunction, anxiety, confusion, and agitation. As the disease progresses, patients may experience delirium, abnormal behavior, hallucinations, hydrophobia (fear of water), and insomnia before death, CDC stated. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The Peoples Court of Tu Son City in Bac Ninh Province, northern Vietnam on Wednesday ordered major state-run lender Vietcombank to compensate a customer VND700 million (US$28,259) of the VND11.9 billion ($480,409) she had lost in a scam. Earlier, the victim, 50-year-old Tran Thi Chuc, filed a lawsuit against Vietcombank to the Tu Son City Peoples Court, demanding that the bank compensate her the VND11.9 billion she had lost to swindlers. On April 22, 2022, Chuc visited the Kinh Bac branch of Vietcombank in Bac Ninh Province to open an account. Between April 22 and 24, 2022, Chuc and her family members transferred over VND11.9 billion to the account. However, she received neither phone calls nor text messages about changes to her account balance. As the bank was closed for the weekend on April 23 and 24, Chuc reached out to it on April 25, 2022 to check her balance. She was shocked when the banks employee said her account had just VND114,718 ($4.6) though she had never made any withdrawal. During the court proceedings, Chuc stated that the bank's employee failed to clarify Vietcombank's regulations or guide her to review pertinent documents at the Kinh Bac branch when assisting her in opening the account. Chucs lawyer, Le Ngoc Ha from the Hanoi Bar Association, said the lender failed to instruct Chuc on how to protect the money in her account and never provided measures to prevent the loss of the money to swindlers. Meanwhile, Vietcombank affirmed that it had properly followed procedures on the opening and use of its bank accounts. Chuc must take responsibility for her failure to protect her bank account information, as stated in Vietcombanks regulations and the contract betweeb her and the lender, a bank representative said. According to the court, the bank has publicized documents relating to the opening and use of bank accounts at its Kinh Bac branch and on its website. The documents, however, are not easy to access and the banks employees did not help the victim access such documents before opening her account. These are indirect reasons for the loss of Chucs money in her account, the court stated. The Kinh Bac branch of Vietcombank also failed to explain the banks regulations and warn of swindlers new tricks to the customer. As Chuc was never told about the bank account authentication process, she installed an app under a swindlers instructions which led to her losing control of her phone and allowed the thieves to access her account, according to the court. Chuc on Thursday lodged an appeal to the court. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Four part British drama Litvinenko, starring David Tennant as a former Russian secret service agent, and defector, recruited to MI6 before being poisoned in the United Kingdom. This premiered in the UK in December. David Tennant portrays Alexander Litvinenko, the former Russian Spy whose death from Polonium-210 poisoning in November 2006 triggered one of the most complex and dangerous investigations in the history of the British Metropolitan police. During the police interviews, Litvinenko provided meticulous details from his hospital bedside about the events leading up to his illness, which he knew would prove fatal. The story also focuses upon Marina, portrayed by Margarita Levieva, Alexanders fearless, dignified widow who fought tirelessly to persuade the British Government to publicly name her husbands killers and acknowledge the role of Vladimir Putin & the Russian State in his murder. Episode One: November, 2006. Two Police officers are summoned to a hospital in London to interview a man named Alexander Litvinenko, who claims to have been poisoned. Wednesday, 27 March at 9.30pm on SBS Veteran US character actor M. Emmet Walsh, best known for Blade Runner, Blood Simple, My Best Friends Wedding has died, aged 88. His manager Sandy Joseph confirmed that he died on Tuesday in Vermont of cardiac arrest. In Ridley Scotts 1982 Blade Runner, Walsh was Harrison Fords LAPD boss, while he played the vicious private detective Loren Visser in the Coen brothers directing debut Blood Simple. His other roles included the corrupt sheriff in the 1986 horror film Critters and a small role as a security guard in Knives Out. Walsh appeared in 150 films, including Little Big Man, Whats Up Doc?, Slap Shot, The Jerk, Fletch, Back to School, Raising Arizona and Twilight. Walsh made his debut in movies in Alices Restaurant in 1969. He was also active on TV, appearing in Sneaky Pete, The Mind of the Married Man and guesting on dozens of series including Frasier, The X-Files, NYPD Blue and The Bob Newhart Show. Every time, you [have to] try to figure something individual that works for the character, Walsh told The Guardian about his private detective in Blood Simple. If youre playing a villain, you dont play villain. Visser doesnt think of himself as particularly bad or evil. Hes on the edge of whats legal, but hes having a lot of fun with all that. Hes a simple fella trying to make an extra buck and going a little further than hed normally go in his business enterprises. In a 2017 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Walsh said he was asked about Blade Runner more than any other movie he had ever made. We shot down in [Los Angeles] Union Station, he recalled. They set it all up in a little office over in a corner, and we had to be out by five in the morning because commuters were coming in for the train. I dont know if I really understood what in the hell it was all about. Source: Variety Versie 46 van Gnome is uitgekomen. Deze uitgebreide, gebruiksvriendelijke opensource-desktopomgeving is verkrijgbaar voor besturingssystemen die tot de Unix-familie behoren, zoals Linux en de diverse BSD-varianten. De naam is een afkorting voor GNU Network Object Model Environment. Gnome bestaat uit een desktopomgeving en een ontwikkelplatform voor het maken van andere applicaties, die in de desktopomgeving kunnen worden geintegreerd. Het is in dat opzicht vergelijkbaar met de KDE. Uitgebreide informatie over de veranderingen in versie 46 kunnen op deze pagina worden gevonden; dit is de aankondiging: Introducing GNOME 46, Kathmandu March 20, 2024 The GNOME project is excited to present the latest GNOME release, version 46. This latest version is the result of 6 months hard work by the GNOME community. Thank you to everyone who contributed! GNOME 46 is code-named Kathmandu, in recognition of the amazing work done by the organizers of GNOME.Asia 2023. Lets dive in and explore whats new in GNOME 46. Search Everywhere Files comes with a new global search feature in GNOME 46. The feature is simple: activate it by clicking the new search button, or by using the Ctrl + Shift + F shortcut, then enter your query to search all your configured search locations. Global search is a great way to jump directly into search, without having to think about where the items you want are located. The new feature also leverages GNOMEs existing file search capabilities, including the ability to search the contents of files, and filter by file type and modification date. Another great thing about global search is that it makes it possible to search multiple locations simultaneously, which can include locations that arent in your home directory. To set this up, go to the newly refined search locations settings, and add the locations that you want to be included. Enhanced Files App In addition to global search, the Files app has had a serious upgrade for GNOME 46. Feedback about long-running file operations has been improved, with a new dynamic progress section at the bottom of the sidebar. This makes it possible to view the progress of individual operations, as well as see which operations are ongoing and which have finished. Significant code refactoring during the development of GNOME 46 has also delivered a welcome performance upgrade in the Files app. In the past, switching between list and grid view would involve a delay and content would progressively load on screen. In GNOME 46, this is gone: changing view is instantaneous, making for a faster and more frictionless experience. Finally, Files in GNOME 46 also comes with a fantastic set of other smaller improvements: Search for preferences: you can now search within the Files preferences to locate specific settings. you can now search within the Files preferences to locate specific settings. Detailed date and time: the Files preferences now include an option to show the date and time in a more comprehensive and consistent format. the Files preferences now include an option to show the date and time in a more comprehensive and consistent format. Location entry on click: quickly access the file location address bar by clicking on the file path area. quickly access the file location address bar by clicking on the file path area. Starred favorites in grid view: quickly identify and access your starred files with visual markers in grid view. quickly identify and access your starred files with visual markers in grid view. Improved network discovery: more available networked devices now appear in the Other Locations view. We encourage you to explore the new features in Files and experience a whole new level of file management efficiency! Upgraded Online Accounts, Now With OneDrive GNOMEs Online Accounts feature have had a major upgrade for GNOME 46. The biggest improvement is the new support for Microsoft OneDrive. Setup a Microsoft 365 account from the settings, and your OneDrive will appear in the Files sidebar, where it can be easily browsed and accessed alongside your local files and folders. A collection of additional improvements to Online Accounts have also been made, thanks to funding from the Sovereign Tech Fund: The default web browser is now used when signing into accounts as part of account setup. This allows a wider range of authentication methods to be used, such as USB tokens. to be used, such as USB tokens. A new WebDAV account type has been added, providing a generic method for integrating online contacts, calendars and files into your GNOME experience. has been added, providing a generic method for integrating online contacts, calendars and files into your GNOME experience. The Online Accounts settings have also had a complete revamp, and now have modern up to date designs. A necessary consequence of these changes is that Online Accounts are no longer included as part of the initial system setup assistant. Remote Login with RDP GNOMEs remote desktop experience has been significantly enhanced for version 46, with the introduction of a new dedicated remote login option. This allows remotely connecting to a GNOME system which is not already in use. Connecting in this way means that the systems display can be configured from the remote side, resulting in a better experience for the remote user. The new remote login feature means that GNOME systems can be used as fully fledged remote resources. It can be found in the Remote Desktop settings, which provide information on how to connect. Stepped-Up Settings The Settings app has received a comprehensive update in GNOME 46. Navigation Improvements The Settings app has been reorganized for GNOME 46, to make it easier to navigate. To this end, a new System section has been created, which contains preferences for Region & Language, Date & Time, Users, Remote Desktop, Secure Shell, and About. The Apps settings have also been consolidated, and now include the Default Apps and Removable Media settings. These changes have the effect of reducing the total number of sections in the Settings app, giving you fewer places to browse and a faster path to the settings you need. New Touchpad Settings The touchpad settings have been expanded for GNOME 46, with two new settings. The first, called Secondary Click provides configuration for how secondary clicks (often called right click) are performed with a touchpad, and includes options to use either two fingers on the pad, or to click in the corner of the pad. The second new setting allows the Disable Touchpad While Typing behavior to be turned off. Doing this allows touchpad movement to be combined with key presses, which can be necessary for some apps and games. Massive Polish Effort The Settings app has also received a vast amount of polish for GNOME 46. This includes: improved settings descriptions and tooltips more keyboard mnemonics, to enhance keyboard navigation (hold down Alt to see these) extensive UI modernization and refinement additional options for compose key assignment faster loading of the appearance settings, as well as sharper previews additional fine-grained control when setting Wacom stylus pressure Altogether, these improvements result in a Settings app which is clearer, easier to understand, and is fantastic to use. Accessibility Improvements Accessibility has been a strong work theme for GNOME 46, with multiple aspects of accessibility seeing improvements. Much of this work has centered on the Orca screen reader: Under the hood, a significant modernization effort has been under way. This will result in improved performance and reliability, and will enable compatibility with Wayland and sandboxed apps in the future. has been under way. This will result in improved performance and reliability, and will enable compatibility with Wayland and sandboxed apps in the future. A new sleep mode feature has been added. This much requested feature allows users to temporarily disable Orca, using the Ctrl + Alt + Shift + Q shortcut. Sleep mode is useful when using virtual machines that have their own screen readers, as well as self-voicing apps. feature has been added. This much requested feature allows users to temporarily disable Orca, using the + + + shortcut. Sleep mode is useful when using virtual machines that have their own screen readers, as well as self-voicing apps. New commands allow Orca to report system status , including battery status, CPU and memory usage. , including battery status, CPU and memory usage. Table navigation has been much improved, with more apps being supported and new commands added, including toggle table navigation ( Orca + Shift + T ) and move to the final cell ( Orca + Alt + Shift + / / / ). has been much improved, with more apps being supported and new commands added, including toggle table navigation ( + + ) and move to the final cell ( + + + / / / ). Orca now has experimental support for Spiel, an exciting next generation speech synthesis API. Those who are interested in this feature are invited to help test it. Orca hasnt been the only place where accessibility improvements have happened for GNOME 46. Other accessibility improvements include an high contrast mode which is now more consistent and usable, and a new setting to show on and off symbols in switches. Much of this accessibility work was funded by the Sovereign Tech Fund and Igalia. System Enhancements GNOME 46 contains many small improvements and polish changes to the core GNOME experience: Beautiful fallback avatars: if you dont specify an avatar for your user account, GNOME generates one for you. These fallback avatars have been refreshed for 46, and look fantastic. If you are upgrading from a previous version, clear out your old avatar to see the new default avatars in action. if you dont specify an avatar for your user account, GNOME generates one for you. These fallback avatars have been refreshed for 46, and look fantastic. If you are upgrading from a previous version, clear out your old avatar to see the new default avatars in action. Enhanced notifications: with improved layouts, and a new header in each notification to show which app sent it. It is now also possible to expand notifications in the list, in order to use notification actions at a time that suits you. New app launching shortcuts: apps which have been pinned to the dash can now be launched using Super + . For example, Super + 1 will launch the first app in the dash. GNOME 46 includes additional shortcuts to allow launching a new window, by adding the Ctrl modifier, for example: Super + Ctrl + to launch a new window for the first app in the dash. apps which have been pinned to the dash can now be launched using + . For example, + will launch the first app in the dash. GNOME 46 includes additional shortcuts to allow launching a new window, by adding the modifier, for example: + + to launch a new window for the first app in the dash. Improved on-screen keyboard: with automatic capitalization and new keyboard layouts for entering phone numbers, email addresses, and URLs. with automatic capitalization and new keyboard layouts for entering phone numbers, email addresses, and URLs. Tap to click is now enabled by default: for a more intuitive touch experience. Better Apps Many of GNOMEs core apps have also been upgraded for GNOME 46. This includes: Improved Software app: this now shows verified badges for Flathub apps whose developers have been verified, ensuring a trusted source for your software. The Software app also has redesigned preferences, better error messages, and a new keyboard shortcuts window. this now shows verified badges for Flathub apps whose developers have been verified, ensuring a trusted source for your software. The Software app also has redesigned preferences, better error messages, and a new keyboard shortcuts window. Various Maps enhancements: An updated OpenStreetMap point of interest editing experience, as well as other user interface and routing improvements. New map style and support for dark mode Information about multiple floors is now shown for points of interest that have them Expanded public transit routing (now available for Norway) Redesigned Extensions app: a cleaner list makes it easier to scan and toggle your installed extensions, and the modernized design is also adaptive. It is now also possible to turn off extensions which have been automatically deactivated. a cleaner list makes it easier to scan and toggle your installed extensions, and the modernized design is also adaptive. It is now also possible to turn off extensions which have been automatically deactivated. Polished Calendar app: with improved visuals, modernized interfaces, and performance improvements. with improved visuals, modernized interfaces, and performance improvements. Quick timers in Clocks: when starting a timer, click a duration in the quick start section to quickly start a timer. when starting a timer, click a duration in the quick start section to quickly start a timer. Smarter Contacts: multiple VCard files can now be imported at the same time and, when importing new contacts, the confirmation dialog will also helpfully preview the names of the contacts to import. multiple VCard files can now be imported at the same time and, when importing new contacts, the confirmation dialog will also helpfully preview the names of the contacts to import. Monitor disk usage: Disks has gained a new resource graph for disk I/O. Improvements Under the Hood The improvements in GNOME 46 are not just skin deep, and the new version comes with deep technical enhancements which result in a more performant and refined experience. Performance and resource usage improvements , including reduced memory usage for search, enhanced screen recording performance, and more intelligent use of system resources by the image viewer app. There have also been significant speed improvements in GNOMEs terminal apps. , including reduced memory usage for search, enhanced screen recording performance, and more intelligent use of system resources by the image viewer app. There have also been significant speed improvements in GNOMEs terminal apps. Security improvements include enhanced protection from malware in the image viewer app and GNOMEs search technologies. include enhanced protection from malware in the image viewer app and GNOMEs search technologies. Rendering improvements include sharper app interfaces, crisper on-screen text, and clearer UIs when using fractional display scales. These rendering improvements are thanks to GTKs new renderers, and are found in GNOME apps which use the latest GTK version. include sharper app interfaces, crisper on-screen text, and clearer UIs when using fractional display scales. These rendering improvements are thanks to GTKs new renderers, and are found in GNOME apps which use the latest GTK version. Variable refresh rates (VRR) is a feature which can, under some circumstances, produce smoother video performance. This is included in GNOME 46 as an experimental feature, which needs to be enabled by entering the following from the command line using: gsettings set org.gnome.mutter experimental-features "['variable-refresh-rate']" . Once enabled, a variable refresh rate can be set from the display settings. Welcome, Circle Friends! GNOME Circle is a group of fantastic apps for GNOME, which the GNOME project promotes and supports. Since GNOME 45 was released, seven new apps have been added: Welcome to these new members of the GNOME community! Developer Experience GNOME 46 includes new features and improvements for developers who are using the GNOME platform. Read the developers section to learn more. Getting GNOME 46 GNOMEs software is Free Software: all our code is available for download and can be freely modified and redistributed according to the respective licenses. To install it, we recommend that you wait for the official packages provided by your vendor or distribution. Popular distributions will make GNOME 46 available very soon, and some already have development versions that include the new GNOME release. You can also try the GNOME OS image as a virtual machine, using the Boxes app. PHNOM PENH, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia attracted 988,574 international tourists in the first two months of 2024, an increase of 18 percent from 837,446 in the same period last year, said a Ministry of Tourism's report released on Thursday. Thailand topped the chart among international arrivals to the Southeast Asian country during the January-February period this year, followed by Vietnam and China, the report said. Some 247,530 Thais traveled to Cambodia, down 10 percent, the report said, adding that 185,385 Vietnamese and 109,990 Chinese visited the kingdom, up 41 percent and 38.5 percent, respectively. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said last Saturday that the country received 5.45 million international tourist arrivals in 2023, generating a gross revenue of 3.08 billion U.S. dollars. "We hope the number of international tourists to Cambodia will surpass the pre-COVID-19 pandemic level by 2025," he said in a speech at a River Festival in Siem Reap province. In the pre-pandemic era, the kingdom registered 6.6 million international visitors in 2019, earning 4.92 billion dollars in revenue, according to the Ministry of Tourism. Hun Manet believed that the 2024 Cambodia-China people-to-people exchange year, together with the Visit Siem Reap 2024 campaign and the Cambodia-India tourism year, would help attract more international holidaymakers to Cambodia. He added that the Chinese-invested Siem Reap Angkor International Airport, which officially commenced commercial operations last November, is becoming a potential magnet by facilitating the trips of international tourists to the UNESCO-listed Angkor Archaeological Park in particular and to Cambodia in general. The increase in migrants seeking to enter from Turkey comes despite more patrols along the barbed-wire border fence (Nikolay DOYCHINOV) A rising tide of anti-migrant misinformation has flooded Bulgaria, stoking rallies and xenophobia ahead of Sofia's partial accession to the European Union's visa-free Schengen zone. After more than a decade of talks, EU members Bulgaria and Romania finally got the green signal in December to join the Schengen zone, but only for air and sea travel, from the end of this month. The move came after Austria lifted its veto. But in exchange, Vienna insisted that Bulgaria and Romania take back asylum seekers who entered Europe through those countries. The bloc's so-called Dublin regulation stipulates that migrants must apply for asylum in their first European port of call. The pro-Western government in the EU's poorest country has consequently faced attacks both from the left and the far-right. In January, the leader of the pro-Russian Vazrazhdane party Kostadin Kostadinov, said Bulgaria could become "the world's biggest refugee camp". Some far-right politicians posted videos on social media they said showed "migrants beating up young Bulgarians" in Sofia. Police, however, described the incident as an altercation between two rival Bulgarian groups. Security has been stepped up in the capital and at refugee centres after several incidents targeting foreigners and anti-refugee rallies. "There is no migration crisis, but a crisis narrative that poses a real threat to security," said Ildiko Otova, a migration expert and lecturer at Sofia University. Unlike most Western countries, the majority of Bulgarian politicians were choosing to get involved, she added. - 'Penal colony for criminals' - Bulgaria is part of the EU's eastern border, with Turkey to the southeast. It has become a gateway into the bloc for rising numbers of people over the past two years, despite increased patrols along its 234-kilometre (145-mile) barbed-wire fenced border with Turkey. Most of the migrants -- mainly from Afghanistan, Syria and Morocco -- do not stay long in Bulgaria and move instead to Western Europe. Story continues After Germany deported about two dozen people to Bulgaria, the Socialists accused the government of rubber stamping a "penal colony for criminals, murderers, rapists and money launderers". German authorities said the only known criminals among those deported were some Bulgarians released after having served their sentences in Bavaria. The others were 18 Syrians -- including children below the age of six -- none of whom had been convicted of serious offences in Germany. - 'Playing on people's fears' - Last week, Bulgaria dismissed opposition claims of "unprecedented migratory flows" into the country. Relatively speaking, Bulgaria has been spared given that more than one million asylum applications were registered across the EU in 2023 -- a seven-year high. According to official Bulgarian figures, as of 11 March, 190 had been transferred back to Bulgaria so far this year under the Dublin rules. In the last two months of 2023, the figure was 127. Bulgarian officials say its reception centres for asylum-seekers are only 43 percent full. The government has accused some political parties of "inciting hatred and insecurity by spreading false information". It also suggested that the Kremlin might be behind this with its "predictions of chaos and destruction". Pro-Russian websites have picked up on and publicised most of the recent claims concerning migrants. Politicians from smaller parties with a pro-Kremlin stance even went to the airport in a bid to show planes allegedly carrying "hordes of migrants", posting photos in an attempt to back up their claims. rb-anb/kym/jj/ach By Jonathan Saul, Noah Browning and Mohammed Ghobari LONDON/ADEN (Reuters) - Two tankers, containing oil and toxic waste, are stuck in the Red Sea in the firing line between Western naval forces and Yemen's Houthi militants despite repeated efforts by the United Nations to empty and move the ships to avoid a spill. The vessels, one of which has been stranded for years, are near the port of Ras Issa from where Iran-aligned Houthis launch missiles on ships passing through the Red Sea and where U.S. missiles land as they target the Houthis. The United Nations last year led efforts to remove a million barrels of oil from the decaying tanker, the FSO Safer, to a new tanker, the MT Yemen, in an operation that cost $121 million. The UN had hoped to move the FSO Safer, which still contains toxic waste water and oily residue, for disposal elsewhere and sell the oil aboard the MT Yemen. Neither of the ships has moved since August as the Houthis and their foes in Yemens internationally-recognised government could not agree who should receive the money for the oil, a Houthi source speaking on condition of anonymity told Reuters. The source also said there was no an agreement to tow the ship away. The UN Development Programme said it was in discussion "with all relevant parties in Yemen" about the handover of the vessel. "(UNDP) has not had any indication from the de facto authorities in Yemen of threats to deliberately damage the vessel," a UNDP spokesperson said, referring to the Houthis. A source with the internationally recognised Yemeni government, also speaking on condition of anonymity, said he believed the Houthis have refused to release either of the ships and were using them to increase their bargaining power. TOXIC SLUDGE A former supertanker built in the 1970s, the FSO Safer was converted into a floating storage and offloading facility for oil before the outbreak of civil war in Yemen in 2014. It is so decayed its rotting hull threatened to spill its cargo into the Red Sea. Story continues Last year, the United Nations contracted Dutch-based SMIT Salvage, which removed the oil. Belgium's Euronav provided the MT Yemen vessel. The toxic sludge and wash water used to scrub oil out of the tanker have still not been removed, a shipping source said. He asked not to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter and added that some 70,000 metric tons of residue were still onboard the FSO Safer. A spokesperson for Boskalis, the parent company of SMIT salvage, said it had been contracted to remove the oil but not the Safer vessel. Belgium's Euronav has maintained a crew onboard the MT Yemen since August under its contract with the UN. "Once the handover process is complete, the crew will leave," the UNDP spokesperson said. Euronav said it continued to assist the UNDP to safely handover the MT Yemen. It did not specify who might ultimately receive the ship. (Reporting by Jonathan Saul, Noah Browning and Mohammed Ghobari; Editing by Simon Webb, Dmitry Zhdannikov and Barbara Lewis) These places really make a splash J.S. Lamy/Shutterstock Under the water's surface, there's a whole world to explore. From submerged cities that date back hundreds of years, dazzlingly white caves that resemble underwater cathedrals to museums and abandoned planes, we've trawled the watery depths to find the world's most amazing subaquatic sights. Read on to discover the world's best attractions hiding underwater... Underwater Sculpture Park, Grenada, Caribbean R Gombarik/Shutterstock The world's first underwater park in the world set the wave of underwater galleries rolling when it opened in May 2006. It's anchored two miles (3.2km) from Grenadas capital, in the Molinere Beausejour Marine Protected Area. Here, 75 sculptures by British artist Jason deCaires Taylor, featuring both human and still life form including a ring of children holding hands (pictured) and the contemplative Lost Correspondent sat with his typewriter dot the sun-dappled seabed. Coral Carnival, Grenada, Caribbean Courtesy of Jason deCaires Taylor DeCaires Taylor's latest exhibition in the Molinere Underwater Sculpture Park features 25 spectacular life-size sculptures adorned with jewels, sequins and even feathers. The elaborately dressed dancers, entitled Coral Carnival, were inspired by Grenada's vibrant annual carnival, Spicemas, and it's the first time colour has been used on underwater work. The sculptures, which are individually placed 9.8 feet (3m) below the surface of the Caribbean Sea, are purposely textured to allow marine life to colonise and thrive. Museum of Underwater Art (Moua), John Brewer Reef, Australia Courtesy of Jason deCaires Taylor Elsewhere, Jason deCaires Taylor's 2020 creation Museum of Underwater Art (Moua) on Australias Great Barrier Reef is a two-hour boat ride from the Queensland coast. The project was designed to highlight the danger the reef is in, with the sculptures made from special cement and stainless steel to encourage coral growth. The spectacular under-the-sea exhibits are open to divers and snorkellers. Story continues Christ of the Abyss, Italy lastdjedai/Shutterstock Set just off Italy's western coast, near San Fruttuoso, this was the original underwater Jesus statue, a figure whose copies can now also be glimpsed in locations around the world. Now coral-encrusted, the statue arms outstretched, face raised to the heavens is eight feet tall (2.4m) and set 56 feet (17m) below the water. The sculpture was created by Guido Galletti and commissioned by Italian diver Duilio Marcante in 1954 to honour his friend and fellow diver Dario Gonzatti who died diving a few years prior. Underwater military museum, Aqaba, Jordan AFP Photo/Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority Just off the coast of Aqaba on Jordans Red Sea coast is a surprising collection of military hardware. Tanks, a helicopter and a troop carrier have been sunk and arranged to mimic a battle formation. Lying 50 to 90 feet (15-28m) below the surface, the museum opened in July 2019 and welcomes both divers and snorkellers. Much care was taken not to disturb marine life during the construction, with any hazardous material and chemicals removed. The Great Blue Hole, Belize Globe Guide Media Inci/Shutterstock Set 60 miles (97km) from the coast of Belize, surrounded by shallow turquoise waters and encircled by an atoll, this perfectly cylindrical sinkhole blinks from the depths like a vast, inky eye. A dazzling sight from above at 1,000 feet wide (304m) and more than 400 feet deep (122m), this is one of the worlds largest submarine sinkholes. It was made famous when the explorer Jacques Cousteau filmed it in the 1970s and today the Belize Barrier Reef, of which The Great Blue Hole is part, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Florida Keys Shipwreck Trail, USA Haig Jacobs/Florida Keys News Bureau/HO Stretching from Key Largo to Key West, the 120-mile-long (193km) Florida Keys Shipwreck Trail follows a series of notable wrecks from ancient Spanish galleons to more recent military ships. Highlights include the oldest wreck, the San Pedro, which once formed part of a 1733 Spanish treasure fleet. The latest vessel, the intentionally sunk USS Vandenberg, is a 524-foot-long (160m) missile tracker that boasts vast radar dishes. Cape Tarkhankut's Underwater Museum, Ukraine serg_dibrova/Shutterstock When the Soviet Union fell, diver Vladimir Borumensky collected discarded statues of Communist leaders and began dropping them into the sea at Cape Tarkhankut. At first these busts, which include Lenin, Stalin and Marx, formed the 'Alley of Leaders' a subaquatic line-up of historic figures from the USSR. Over time, these have been added to by fellow divers and now more than 50 sculptures pepper the seabed, forming an eclectic hoard ranging from Londons Tower Bridge to the Eiffel Tower. Dos Ojos, Mexico lastdjedai/Shutterstock Proving that some of the most incredible underwater experiences dont have to be out at sea, Mexicos Riviera Maya is riddled with a vast network of cenotes striking sinkholes that plunge deep into the ground. Of these, Dos Ojos (or "Two Eyes", a reference to the cave's double entrance) is one of the most striking, a cavernous cenote between Playa del Carmen and Tulum. While it's usually possible to admire the fish and rock formations that fill the crystal-clear waters of Dos Ojos with snorkelling gear, scuba divers can go further and explore the dark tunnels that lead off from the main pool. USAT Liberty, Bali Shahar Shabtai/Shutterstock Set in shallow, calm waters just 131 feet (40m) from the northeastern coast of Bali, this wreck site has attracted both advanced divers and snorkellers over the years. Once a supply ship, the USAT Liberty was hit by a Japanese torpedo during the Second World War and ended up stranded on a beach, until in 1963 a volcanic eruption pushed it back into the sea. In the years since, marine life has reclaimed the ship, transforming it into an underwater haven cloaked in corals that attract a dazzling variety of sea creatures. Underwater Post Office, Vanuatu CRAIG BERULDSEN/AFP/Getty Images For many of us a visit to the post office is one of life's more mundane tasks, right? Not so in Vanuatu, where the worlds first, and only, underwater post office lurks nine feet (2.8m) below the waters surface just off the coastline in the Hideaway Island Marine Sanctuary. Visitors can snorkel or scuba dive down to the fibreglass postal booth and drop off a special waterproof postcard here, which can then be sent to anywhere in the world. Shipwreck of the Sweepstakes, Canada ontariotravel.net/uk The Great Lakes are said to hold more than 6,000 shipwrecks, most of which have never been accessed by people. One of the most captivating though lies in the shallow waters of Ontarios Lake Huron. Wonderfully preserved, the Sweepstakes is a 19th-century schooner that sank in 1885. Divers and snorkellers can explore the site, however those who dont fancy getting wet wont have to miss out: glass-bottomed boats drift over the site revealing the ships vast hulk resting hauntingly just below the water's surface. Hilma Hooker, Bonaire, Caribbean Peter Nijenhuis/Flickr/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 In an area packed with dive sites, the mystery-shrouded Hilma Hooker is the most fascinating. Originally a cargo ship, it first sank in 1975 but was rescued and so the story goes became involved in drug smuggling after it was later found carrying a hefty stash of illegal substances. The case went to trial but was never resolved and the ship sank during proceedings in 1984. Now in its final resting place, large tubular sponges have repopulated the hull of the 236-foot (72m) Dutch freighter and barracuda, parrotfish and angelfish are frequent visitors. Piccaninnie Ponds, Australia kaohanui/Shutterstock One of South Australia's most striking freshwater diving sites isnt just for those who don scuba gear. Thanks to the water-filtering limestone that encircles it, Piccaninnie Ponds boast a stunning visibility of up to 131 feet (40m) meaning that snorkellers get to see a lot here too. Starting as a shallow lake, the water gradually reaches The Chasm, where snorkellers can drift over the dramatic 115-foot (35m) sheer-walled, algae-coated canyon. Scuba divers can go on to explore the Cathedral, a spectacular underwater cavern surrounded by gleaming limestone walls. Underwater Suites at Atlantis, Dubai Courtesy of Atlantis The Palm Dubai is famed for its ability to dream up the impossible, so it shouldn't really come as a surprise that it's home to one of the most unique places to stay in the world. The Palms five-star Atlantis hotel is renowned for its aquatic attractions it has a water park and an aquarium and adding to that watery roster are its underwater suites. Guests can wake up to a marine world of lurking sharks, kaleidoscopic schools of fish and swooping stingrays, all projected onto floor-to-ceiling windows. Ginnie Springs, Florida, USA Valerijs Novickis/Shutterstock Ginnie Springs' water clarity is legendary, making it a highly popular freshwater diving site. Located on the Santa Fe River in High Springs, Florida, the highlight of a dive is The Ballroom, a large cavern filled with turquoise water that's dazzlingly illuminated by sunlight filtering through the entrance. Just beyond this, more experienced divers can explore the Devils Springs, the gateway to a maze-like cave system twisted with more than 30,000 feet (9,000m) of passages. Shark and Yolanda Reef, Egypt Anna segeren/Shutterstock Set in the Ras Mohammed National Park, the diving at the southernmost point of Egypts Sinai Peninsula is some of the best in the Red Sea. Shark Reef is an area abundant in reef fish, which dive between gorgonian fans and colourful corals, and larger fish like sharks and rays. Just beyond this is the unusual sight of the Yolanda shipwreck, a cargo ship that was carrying ceramics when it grounded in 1980. Strewn around the ship are a bounty of rust-speckled toilets and bathtubs that litter the surrounding seabed. Neptune Memorial Reef, Florida, USA Courtesy of Neptune Memorial Reef This underwater cemetery lies just off Floridas Key Biscayne. Around 40 feet (12m) below the water's surface, the structures have been modelled on Atlantis, complete with a majestic entrance guarded by lions. The cemetery is still expanding, initially holding 850 placements (cremated remains mixed with concrete moulded into marine shapes) with plans to eventually cover 16 acres of once-barren ocean floor, transforming it into the largest ever man-made reef. Yonaguni Monument, Japan Yong Hoon Choi/Shutterstock One of the worlds most mysterious underwater sites, the Yonaguni Iseki' stones have divided opinion since their discovery in 1987. Off the remote island of Yonaguni, at a depth of 82 feet (25m) lurks what appears to be a vast prehistoric structure: huge rock slabs carved at right angles and shaped into a pyramid. To some, this is the workings of nature, the result of an area known for its tectonic activity. To others, these are the remains of a Japanese Atlantis, an ancient city that sank after an earthquake about 2,000 years ago. Silfra Fissure, Iceland VicPhotoria/Shutterstock This place offers divers something utterly unique: the chance to swim between two continental plates. Formed in 1789 by an earthquake, the fissure between the North American and Eurasian plates is filled by a mix of underground spring water and pure glacial meltwater, which results in sparkling underwater visibility. Set in Icelands Thingvellir National Park, this is a living site, with the chasm widening by 2cm each year and the shifting Earth creating new caverns and tunnels. Four to six-hour tours are available from the capital, Reykjavik. RMS Titanic, The Atlantic Ocean Courtesy of OceanGate The most famous shipwreck of all time, the RMS Titanic has rested two miles (3.2km) below the Atlantic since its fateful maiden voyage in 1912. In August 2019, divers explored the wreck for the first time in 15 years and discovered that it's deteriorating from bacteria and salt corrosion. The starboard side of the officer's quarters has disappeared and the divers predict it wont be long before the entire ship is lost. Huvafen Fushi spa, the Maldives Courtesy of Huvafen Fushi The Maldives is getting rather good at underwater firsts it was home to the worlds first underwater restaurant back in 2005, and now is also the site of the first spa to offer subaquatic treatment rooms. Part of the luxury Huvafen Fushi resort, this spa has two rooms where guests can enjoy a signature treatment (using products with an emphasis on sea minerals, of course) while taking in views of the surrounding ocean depths swirling with rainbow-coloured fish and elegantly twirling manta rays. Green Lake, Austria Janik Rybicka/Shutterstock During the winter, Austrias Green Lake is just that: a small, relatively shallow lake set in a park that offers a number of scenic hiking trails. Yet every summer something strange happens here. Snowmelt from the surrounding Karst Mountains floods the park, transforming it completely into a vast body of water that envelops 43,000 square feet (4,000sqm). Submerged in 39 feet (12m) of crystal-clear water are trees, benches, bridges and footpaths, creating an underwater world that's suddenly off-limits to anyone without diving gear. The Grotto, Canada Aivoges/Shutterstock Located in Tobermory the scuba diving capital of Canada this underwater attraction is one that snorkellers can typically enjoy too. Set in the Bruce Peninsula National Park, the Grotto is tucked at the edge of Indian Head Cove, a site that requires a 30-minute hike, which ends in a bit of a shimmy down the rocks to get there. The Grotto is a stunning sight, a deep turquoise pool set in an expansive stretch of swirling azure hues. For divers, the Grotto can be explored even further; two entrances lead to a sunken cavern submerged in 20 feet (6m) of water. Chuuk Lagoon, Micronesia J.S. Lamy/Shutterstock One of the worlds best Second World War wreck dive sites, Chuuk Lagoon (formerly named Truk Lagoon) was a stronghold of Japans Imperial Navy, which in February 1944 was bombed into oblivion in a surprise attack. The remains of the event now dot the ocean floor forming a coral-encrusted ghostly collection of over 50 ships and around 260 planes. Among the shattered hulls, rusted artillery and discarded ammunition are prowling reef sharks and iridescent gatherings of visiting fish. Coron Bay, Philippines littlesam/Shutterstock Coron Bay, off Palawan island, holds some of the world's best-preserved Second World War wrecks. Like Chuuk Lagoon, this was the site of a US bombing campaign against the Japanese, the results of which half a dozen wartime vessels now dot the seafloor. The most highly regarded are Okikawa Maru, a 551-foot (168m) long oil tanker, and the Akitsushima, a heavily armed ship complete with a seaplane-launching crane. Parco Archeologico Sommerso di Baia, Italy Ruthven/via Wikimedia Commons/ CC0 Not far from Italys famous Pompeii lies the ruins of a lesser-known city, that of the submerged world of Baia. It's an underwater city of mosaicked floors, intricate frescoes, chiselled statues and the key sites of Villa Protiro and Portus Julius. So what happened here? The city was the victim of bradyseism the gradual lowering and raising of the Earth a process that means Baia may not remain underwater forever. Pictured are the remains of statues from Emperor Claudius' nymphaeum or grotto. Shicheng, China Nihaopaul/via Wikimedia Often called the 'Atlantis of the East', the submerged city of Shicheng lies 131 feet (40m) under Qiandao Lake in China's Zhejiang Province. Unlike its mythical counterpart, Shicheng was intentionally flooded in 1959 to allow for a dam and hydroelectric station. The city was all but forgotten until it was rediscovered in 2001 and interest in Shicheng began to grow. This wonderfully preserved 600-year-old city, an architectural time warp of Chinas Imperial past complete with stonework lions, phoenixes and dragons and five imposing entrance gates is best experienced by advanced divers. Ithaa Undersea Restaurant, the Maldives Conrad Rangali Resort, 2018 Hilton Built in 2005, this place set the benchmark for underwater luxury. At the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island's restaurant Ithaa, the worlds first all-glass underwater restaurant, theres no need to worry about booking the best seat in the house the panoramic windows ensure all 14 guests usually have a magnificent experience. Submerged 16 feet (5m) below sea level, this high-class restaurant promises sophisticated cuisine paired with once-in-a-lifetime ocean views. HMS Southwold, Marsaskala, Malta Courtesy of Malta Tourism Authority Malta might be a modestly-sized archipelago in the Mediterranean but, along with Egypt and the Maldives, it's regularly named one of the world's best places to dive. HMS Southwold, a 278-foot long (85m) Second World War ship that hit a mine during 1942, is just one of the nation's officially listed underwater sites that draw explorers to Malta, Gozo and Comino. Today, visitors require a special permit from Heritage Malta to dive this specific wreck and its colourful coral. Underwater museum, Cannes, France Courtesy Jason deCaires Taylor Thanks to its annual film festival the French resort of Cannes is used to welcoming well-known faces. But now instead of Hollywood celebrities the latest stars to grace the town are six, 10-tonne pH-neutral cement sculptures, part of Jason deCaires Taylor's museum situated between Cannes and the Ile Sainte-Marguerite. Each face is cast from the profiles of Cannes residents and includes schoolchildren and a fisherman. The project took over four years to complete, with rubbish cleared from the site to make way for the artworks. Aimed at snorkellers, entry is free. Deep Dive Dubai, Dubai, UAE Courtesy of Deep Dive Dubai The world's deepest swimming pool opened in Dubai in 2021 and it's a world of its own. At a record-breaking 197 feet (60m) deep, holding an enormous 3.1 million gallons (14 million litres) of water, Deep Dive Dubai will offer numerous free-diving and scuba diving experiences for all abilities. In its depths, you'll find an incredible 'sunken city' complete with an abandoned streetscape, garage, arcade and apartment. It'll be illuminated by mood lighting and includes NASA-developed filtering technology. The Wit, Turneffe Atoll Marine Reserve, Belize Courtesy Belize Tourism Board The world's second-largest barrier reef lies in the Caribbean Sea off the coast of Belize. Covering an area of 370 square miles (960sq km), it's home to numerous endangered species, from the hawksbill turtle to the West Indian Manatee. And now there's an attraction which aims to protect and enhance it. The Wit is a 375-foot (114m) concrete ship which was submerged near Blackbird Caye resort in December 2021 to create an artificial reef and diving destination. The hope is that it will increase the area's biodiversity and detract divers away from fragile natural habitats. Museo Subacuatico de Arte, Mexico Donald Miralle/Getty Images for Lumix Started in 2009 with the works of Jason deCaires Taylor, this underwater sculpture gallery populated with 500 life-sized sculptures plunged into the waters off Cancun is enchanting. Built with materials to promote marine life, the sculptures are being enveloped in a living reef, taking the pressure off strained nearby sites. The effect is a lost world of coral-encrusted figures including a man slouched on a sofa, expectant huddles of people and an abandoned car, all surrounded by shoals of fish. Abandoned aircraft, Jordan Brett Hoelzer Divers can explore this abandoned Lockheed Martin L1011 Tristar plane, which lies at the bottom of the Red Sea in the Gulf of Aqaba, Jordan. The passenger plane, which stopped being used in the early 00s, was intentionally sunk in 2019 to create an artificial reef that encourages coral growth and marine life. Professional divers, such as Brett Hoelzer, who took this picture, can even enter the wreck to see the plane's remarkably preserved, coral-lined interior. Now check out America's best underwater attractions What we can learn from countries ranked high in the World Happiness Report. (Getty Images) Happiness is an important factor in our overall health and well-being and a new report shows Americans are lacking it. The annual World Happiness Report has ranked the U.S. 23rd in the world for happiness, falling from the No. 15 spot in 2023. The happiest country is Finland, followed by neighboring nations Denmark, Iceland and Sweden. Israel, The Netherlands, Norway, Luxembourg, Switzerland and Australia round out the top 10. The report, which uses data from the Gallup World Poll and is analyzed by scientists, looked at six variables: gross domestic product per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom, generosity and perceptions of corruption. According to the report, young people in the U.S. are less happy than older generations. The reason the U.S. dropped out of the top 20 is due to a real drop for the adolescent and young adult group, which dropped down to No. 62, Dr. Gail Saltz, associate professor of psychiatry at the NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital Weill-Cornell School of Medicine and host of the How Can I Help? podcast, tells Yahoo Life. While above-60-year-olds remained in the top 10, it's young people that brought the U.S. down to 23. This raises a lot of questions about what we can do better going forward. While happiness is relative and depends on a wide range of factors, there are some common themes that come up in the countries with the most joy. Mental health experts recommend adopting these habits to boost your happiness. Get out and socialize All of the countries in the top 10 ranked high on socialization. Meaning, people hang out with each other and value their relationships. In the U.S., Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy has called loneliness and isolation a public health crisis, noting that those conditions can increase the risk of early death to levels that are comparable to having a daily smoking habit. We are social creatures, and interacting with others makes us happy, Thea Gallagher, a clinical assistant professor of psychology at NYU Langone Health and co-host of the Mind in View podcast, tells Yahoo Life. Social support is a huge contributor to overall happiness. If we don't have it, it can raise the risk of depression and anxiety. Story continues Gallagher suggests making a point to have regular meetups with friends and family. If you're new to an area or don't feel that your current social connections are strong, joining a club or organization can help you meet new people, Jaime Zuckerman, a clinical psychologist specializing in the treatment of adults with anxiety, mood disorders and relationship difficulties, tells Yahoo Life. Lower your screen time Americans spend nearly half their days in front of screens, which isn't doing mental health any favors research has found that higher levels of screen time are linked with a greater risk of depression. People are having less in the form of in real life social supports because so much of their community has moved to online, Saltz says. That doesn't promote the same level of interaction you'd get from talking to someone in person, she says. It is actually, in some instances, extra-alienating. If you work in front of a computer, there's only so much you can do during your workday. But once you're done with work, she suggests making a concerted effort to get away from screens more. Volunteer Generosity is a big theme in the happiness report, with people in the happiest countries reporting high levels of giving in their country. Generosity is important, Gallagher says. While you can't make others be generous to you, Gallagher points out that you can volunteer to give back to the community. We know that volunteering can help with depression and mood, she says. It's a worthwhile investment. Zuckerman recommends thinking about your values and finding a volunteer organization that lines up with them. Any behavior we do that takes us away from our values sets us up for depression and anxiety, she says. If you're volunteering with something that you value, and you're mindful of that, the more you will do it and the better you will feel. Listen to your body Finland offers universal health care, which means that everyone in the country has access to social, health and medical services. The same isn't true for Americans. We have such a broken system, Zuckerman says. While you can't change the entire health care system today, she recommends doing your best to advocate for yourself if you feel sick to ensure that you are as healthy as possible. It's very common to have your symptoms dismissed and to even dismiss your own symptoms, she says. If you think something is wrong and everyone tells you it's not, continue to press for answers until you feel satisfied. Do what you can to minimize stress Some stress is inevitable, but chronic stress is linked to lower rates of happiness along with a higher risk of developing serious health conditions like hypertension, heart disease, obesity and type 2 diabetes. Adding in stress-combating lifestyle moves like meditation, mindfulness and yoga can help, Zuckerman says. Make sure to practice self-care and schedule pleasurable things you enjoy, she says. That can decrease levels of the stress hormone cortisol in your body, which will then lower levels of inflammation that can make you sick, she adds. Try to find a work-life balance Experts admit that a good work-life balance can be tricky to achieve, but Gallagher says it's important to try to maximize your time off when you have it. In this country, there is a lot of commitment to working upwards of 40-plus hours a week, she says. That naturally impacts your ability to socially connect and can interfere with healthy habits around working out and eating well. But socializing, eating well and exercising regularly can help promote a more positive mindset, making them things to prioritize, Gallagher says. Add more movement to your day The cultures in many of the top 10 countries promote being active, and Finland in particular is known for having a physically active population. The studies are just mounting that being out in nature, moving our bodies and exercising is so crucial and important to our physical and mental health, Gallagher says. I really try to encourage people to shake the notion that exercise is self-care. This is health management, like eating and sleeping. If you're not as active as you'd like to be, Zuckerman recommends starting small and managing expectations. Walk to the mailbox. Instead of taking the elevator, use the stairs. [Cook] something healthy twice a week, she says. It gives you a sense of mastery and makes you feel in control and that can lead to more happiness. Welcome Guest! You are here: Home India Notice to NCPCR Chairman Priyank Kanungo over his remarks against Jamiat Open School Jamiat Ulama i Hind has issued a legal notice to National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) Chairman Priyank Kanungo asking him to retract his 'false, concocted, and defamatory' statements made about the Jamiat Open School. Read More Thursday March 21, 2024 8:02 PM , ummid.com News Network New Delhi: Jamiat Ulama i Hind has issued a legal notice to National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) Chairman Priyank Kanungo asking him to retract his 'false, concocted, and defamatory' statements made about the Jamiat Open School. Supreme Court Lawyer Vrinda Grover has served the notice to NCPCR Chairman on behalf of the Jamiat demanding Priyank Kanungo to retract his statements within seven days, failing which a legal action will be pursued against him. In the notice addressed to Priyank Kanungo dated March 20, 2024, Jamiats legal representatives have refuted the baseless allegations. "These allegations, disseminated through various media channels, have tarnished Jamiats reputation and integrity as an organization dedicated to serving the educational needs of the marginalized communities, particularly from the Muslim minority", the lawyers said. On March 13, NCPCR Chairman Kanungo levied baseless accusations against Jamiat Open School in a letter to the National Institute of Open School (NIOS), branding its operations as 'organized crime' and insinuating improper financial ties with Pakistan. "These defamatory remarks were further propagated during a televised interview", the Jamia said. The Jamiat in its notice unequivocally rejected these allegations, emphasizing that the Jamiat Open School operates within the legal parameters, providing formal education opportunities accredited by the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) to the marginalized communities, particularly the Muslim minority. "The initiative is aimed at empowering students who have been deprived of mainstream educational opportunities, facilitating their integration into civil society", the Jamiat said. "Kanungo's deliberate use of hostile language towards the institution of Madrasas and Dar-ul-Ulooms is unwarranted. It is essential to note that Madrasas enjoy recognition in our legal scheme.In fact, in Sec. 1(5) of The Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, it is specifically stated that the Act shall not apply to Madarsas, Vedic Pathsalas and other institutions primarily imparting religious instruction", the Jamiat said. "There is thus statutory recognition of the validity of Madarsas, and there are various state level laws which also recognize these institutes of religious teaching", one of the largest organisations run by Muslims in India said. "He falsely, and maliciously termed an initiative named as Jamiat Open School that only facilitates learning through NIOS for the students of different educational institutions (linguistically, Madrasa in itself meaning educational institution) to running an open Madrasa", the Jamiat said. "Moreover, Jamiat does not stop children from getting formal schooling but facilitates formal education for children with informal education. By employing the above quoted false imputations against Jamiat he severely harmed the reputation", the Jamiat said. The Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind also said that the NCPCR Chairman's insinuations regarding financial impropriety are baseless, as the organisation adheres strictly to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, 2010, with a valid FCRA certificate issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs. "Needless to say, the Jamiat is wholly compliant with all requirements under the FCRA law and rules, and no money is transferred to Pakistan and neither is it used for any purposes impermissible under law, which is under constant monitoring of the FCRA wing of the Ministry of Home Affairs as per the mandate of the FCRA law", the Jamiat said. "This issue is beyond the mandate of the NCPCR and as such his actions reek of malice especially given that your statements are rooted in falsehoods, surmises and untenable assertions", it said. The Jamiat in its notice admonishes Kanungo's irresponsible conduct as the legally appointed Chairperson, urging restraint from further defamatory statements detrimental to organizations dedicated to societal betterment. "He is hereby put on notice to immediately cease and desist from issuing any such statements, communications, representations, directions or orders, either in your personal capacity or as Chairperson of the NCPCR, which directly or indirectly cast false, baseless, untenable and per se defamatory aspersions on my Client or the Jamiat Open School", the Jamiat said. Meanwhile the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind also implored the media to exercise caution in disseminating unverified allegations that tarnish the reputation of organizations committed to serving the educational needs of marginalized communities. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. MEKONG DELTA - Mekong Delta localities are promoting agricultural product traceability in order to incorporate them into supply chains, ensure safe processing and export, and build consumer trust in Vietnamese agricultural products. The Mekong Delta is a major hub for rice, aquatic products, and key fruits for export so effective management of the traceability of agricultural products is necessary. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the country has issued 6,883 export farming area codes for 25 products to 11 markets. The Mekong Delta has the largest number of farming area codes with 3,975 codes in operation. Nguyen Van Man, director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Tien Giang Province, said that 528 farming area codes and packaging facility codes of the province are implemented in accordance with current regulations. Over 180 farming area codes are issued to Chinese markets from seven types of crops such as jackfruit, dragon fruit, mango, watermelon, rambutan, longan, and durian. The provincial department has established inter-disciplinary inspection teams to inspect compliance with regulations on the use and maintenance of farming area codes and packaging facility codes. Tien Giang Province is also implementing a pilot program to develop database management software for durian farming areas. This software will display information about durian farming areas on maps, serving as a basis for expanding mapping to cover all durian and key crop farming areas in the province. Ben Tre Province currently has 41 farming areas issued with 84 codes. Some agricultural products with issued farming area codes, such as coconut, green skin grapefruit, rambutan, mango, and durian, have been exported to Europe, the United States, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, and China. Vo Van Nam, head of the provinces Plant Protection and Cultivation Sub-department of Ben Tre Province, said that farming area codes and packaging facility codes will guarantee the traceability of export agricultural products. The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Ben Tre Province is promoting localities to monitor the production and manage farming area codes. At present, consumers are increasingly concerned about traceability and food safety, as the prevailing trend prioritises health, disease prevention, and the urgent need for a healthier living environment. According to a representative of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), product transparency will be a factor in the purchase of agricultural products. When consumers want to know about the products, they can trace the final product to its original production location, and review each stage in processing and distribution using a traceability code printed on the packaging. Consumers can enter the traceability code on the product's website to find information, or use a smartphone with traceability software installed to scan the traceability code. o Thanh Hiep, director of Hoa Le Clean Dragon Fruit Cooperative in Ham Thuan Bac District, Binh Thuan Province, said that when buying a dragon fruit from Hoa Le Cooperative, consumers can trace information such as production batch, producing unit, types of fertilisers and pesticides applied, types of certificates and transaction information about harvest dates, production, packaging, expiry dates. A representative of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Binh Thuan Province said that there are many enterprises and cooperatives with reputable brands in the province. These include the Hoa Le Dragon Fruit Cooperative, Hai Nam Limited Liability Company, and Phan Thiet fish sauce, all of which apply traceability labels to their products. Products with traceability labels increase competitiveness, stimulate consumer purchasing, and maximise investment cost savings. - VNS ISLAMABAD, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Thursday called for the need to harness technological innovations to preserve and improve forest cover in Pakistan amid growing threats of deforestation and climate change. "Innovations can help us sustainably restore, protect, manage and use our forests in the most efficient manner by hampering risks of deforestation, habitat degradation and climate change," the prime minister said in his message on the International Day of Forests being observed Thursday. He said that the total area under forest cover in Pakistan is less than 5 percent, and around 1.5 percent of these forests are lost every year, highlighting the profound impacts on the country's biodiversity, environment and agriculture due to deforestation. "Being one of the most climate-impacted countries in the world, climate change events are becoming more frequent and massively devastating for Pakistan...There is an urgent need to conserve our indigenous forests," he said. Commenting on the country's initiatives, Sharif underlined that the incumbent government is embarking on the next phase of the Green Pakistan Initiative to improve forest cover, saying concerted efforts are being made to conserve biodiversity in Pakistan. "The Green Pakistan Initiative aims to improve the forest cover, preserve wildlife habitats and help carbon sequestration. Given the important role that forests play in the environment, let us resolve to protect and conserve them," he said. The prime minister also called upon the stakeholders to synergize their efforts in safeguarding invaluable resources and ensure effective stewardship for the next generation. The fruit and vegetable export is poised to reach new heights this year after recording a whopping rise of 70 per cent to set a record of US$5.69 billion in 2023. ang Phuc Nguyen, General Secretary of the Viet Nam Fruit and Vegetable Association, spoke with Viet Nam News reporter Mai Linh about export prospects and how Viet Nam can become a fruit and vegetable export powerhouse. After a successful year in 2023, what are your forecasts for fruit and vegetable exports this year? The fruit and vegetable industry was like a compressed spring during three years of COVID-19 which has sprung strongly since China reopened its market in 2023. Exports recovered strongly to set a new record of more than $5.6 billion last year. The notable point is that farmers, cooperatives and enterprises in Viet Nam have made remarkable improvements in both quantity and quality to meet the requirements of import markets to achieve such export revenue. This demonstrates that Viet Nams fruit and vegetable exports are making significant breakthroughs. With a favourable geographical location near China, a large consumption market and a diversity of fruits all year round, I believe there are bright prospects ahead. In 2024, exports will continue to grow at around 15-20 per cent to set a new record of at least $6.5 billion and even $7 billion if more markets are opened. Exports in the first two months of this year is estimated at nearly $815 million, up 40 per cent over the same period last year. Despite a drop of 41.5 per cent in February over the previous month due to Tet (Lunar New Year) holidays, the export will return to normal in March. What are the grounds for such optimistic forecasts? Efforts to open markets for fruits and vegetables, especially the signing of protocols with China, which pays the way for official exports, are promoting exports. Taking durian is an example. Durian became the top export fruit of Viet Nam with a revenue of $2.2 billion in 2023, or nearly 40 per cent of the countrys total fruit and vegetable exports and jumping five times against 2022. This is because China opened its official export of fresh durian to this huge market of 1.4 billion people in July 2022. If a protocol on exporting frozen into China is signed this year, durian exports will be very robust. The durian export might reach $3.5-4 billion this year, equivalent to or even exceeding the value of rice exports. Negotiations are underway for many other types of fruits such as coconuts, pomelos and avocados. Currently, Viet Nams coconut export stays at around $200 million per year. If this fruit can enter the Chinese market, the revenue will be two to three times higher. Can we be optimistic that Viet Nam can become a fruit export powerhouse in the region? Completely. I think that Viet Nams fruit and vegetable export can reach $8 billion in the next two years, equivalent to Thailand, a major exporter in the Southeast Asian region. The production of Viet Nam is improving remarkably and the gap is being narrowed with Thailand, a country that is nearly 20 years ahead of us in vegetable and fruit growing and processing technology. Still, greater efforts are needed. The focus should be on improving the transportation and logistics infrastructure system to facilitate the transport of fruits and vegetables, especially by road to China. Production should also be reorganised. Farmers and enterprises should cooperate to establish value chains that will help control and enhance quality. Farmers should participate in cooperatives which will make it easier to apply for growing area codes for export expansion as well as access banking credit or participate in farming technique training programmes. The formation of cooperatives is critical to promote the development of the fruit and vegetable industry. The fruit and vegetable industry set the goal of achieving an export revenue of $8-10 billion per year. This threshold is within reach, but I think not until 2030 can Viet Nam achieve the goal. Despite robust exports, Viet Nam lacks established national fruit brands. Can durian become one? Durian will continue to be a strategic product for the fruit and vegetable industry this year. Durian export is very promising, especially to China, as the growing areas granted codes nearly double and output increased significantly, by at least 20 per cent. Viet Nam has durian Ri6 of very good taste and quality. Still, durian has just extended its reach to the international markets for just two years. Building a durian brand will take time, step by step. What are the most important factors to promote the sustainable export of the fruit and vegetable industry? In my opinion, the most important factor is to improve plant varieties to create products that can compete in terms of quality and taste with products from other countries. A clear example of the importance of plant varieties is the success of rice ST24 and ST25. The improvement of plant varieties remains slow. Many types of plant varieties come from other countries such as Thailand and Malaysia. There are still a few outstanding varieties in Viet Nam. It is necessary to develop policies to encourage the improvement of plant varieties together with the renovation of farming techniques to create products of the best quality. Besides, the processing technology should be improved. A lot of things need to be done to turn Viet Nam into a fruit export powerhouse. The key to sustainable development will be to establish a linkage with harmonised benefits between farmers, cooperatives, enterprises and scientists. Another important factor is that the production must strictly comply with the quality requirements of import markets to build brands and export sustainably. VNS HA NOI Viet Nams stock market is among the best performers in Southeast Asia to start 2024, and the VanEck Vietnam ETF (VNM) is participating in the rally, according to a report on the USs etftrends.com. As of March 15, the original ETF dedicated to Viet Nam equities is beating the MSCI Emerging Markets Index by a margin of better than 3-to-1 this year. That index is the gauge to which Viet Nam is angling for a market classification promotion. The financial services sector, specifically brokerage firms, is one of the groups leading the way in Viet Nam this year. Thats good news for VNM investors because thats the ETFs largest sector exposure, at a weight of 27.63 per cent. According to the newswire, there are a few reasons Vietnamese banks and brokerage firms are rallying in the first quarter. One is that rising liquidity in the previously illiquid market. Another is expectations that Viet Nam will, at the very least, be promoted to emerging markets status by FTSE Russell at some point this year. The country is currently classified as a frontier market. Bloomberg said the liquidity boost and retail trading boom have benefited the overall market as well, with the VN-Index being the best performer among benchmarks in Southeast Asia this year. The daily trading value of Vietnamese stocks hit an almost seven-month high on March 8 while the new brokerage account openings reached 113,300 last month, up 80 per cent from a year ago. Further supporting upside for VNM and its financial services components this year is a belief among market observers that the long-awaited promotion to the emerging markets designation is bringing more local retail investors into Vietnamese markets. On a global basis, significantly more capital will be allocated to emerging markets funds active and passive than that to comparable frontier markets products. If Viet Nam achieves the desired emerging markets promotion, fund managers and issuers benchmarked to indexes incorporating Vietnamese equities must purchase those stocks, potentially including VNM holdings. The country is also making technological strides in its capital markets. And those strikes aim to lure more global investors and enhance liquidity. The nation plans to introduce a platform that can handle 3-5 million orders per day, compared with the current capacity of about one million, and make settlement smoother. The central bank, meanwhile, has carried out four rounds of policy easing, helping spur an economic rebound and lure more individual investors, according to Bloomberg. VNS HA NOI Viet Nam's fruit and vegetable export value is estimated to reach about US$1.25 billion in the first quarter of 2024, up 27 per cent over the same period in 2023, according to the Viet Nam Fruit and Vegetable Association. The association cited preliminary statistics from the General Department of Customs, showing that in March, the fruit and vegetable exports are estimated at $433 million, an increase of nearly 4 per cent year on year. Viet Nam's fruit and vegetable export exceeds $1 billion in the first quarter of the year for the first time. This shows great prospects for the future export growth of the fruit and vegetable industry. Its major export markets are still China, South Korea, the US, Thailand and Japan. Association's general secretary ang Phuc Nguyen said this positive result is due to the contribution of off-season durian. Notably, Thailand has promoted purchasing Vietnamese durians, helping this market rise to fourth place in the list of Viet Nam's fruit and vegetable importers. By the end of February, exports to Thailand witnessed a high growth at 125.9 per cent over the same period last year, reaching $28.6 million. That lifted the Southeast Asian country's market share from 2 per cent to nearly 4 per cent. According to Nguyen, many Chinese tourists visiting Thailand love to eat durian. However, Thai domestic durian is only available for about four months per year, while Viet Nam has durians all year round, so they import this fruit to serve tourists. Along with durian, Viet Nam's key fruit and vegetable exports are still dragon fruit, bananas and mangoes. Meanwhile, Viet Nam's imports of fruits and vegetables in the first three months are estimated to reach nearly $500 million, up more than 19 per cent over year-on-year. VNS HA NOI US companies should continue to expand their investment scale in Viet Nam and facilitate the transfer of technology used for emerging sectors such as digital and circular economy, climate change adaptation and green transformation. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh delivered this statement during a working session with the US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC) and 60 leading investment funds and businesses in the US on Thursday in Ha Noi. The PM also urged US enterprises to support Viet Nam in perfecting its institutions, improving its governance capacity, and training high-quality human resources to serve development in the new era. In his speech at the event, PM Chinh praised the contribution of the US business community in promoting two-way relations in economy, trade, and investment, thus helping Viet Nam build a socialist-oriented market economy. The PM said he believed that the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations would be detailed through specific cooperation programmes and projects. The results of this would be beneficial for both sides. For his part, USABC President and CEO Ted Osius spoke highly of the country's socio-economic development over the past years and its investment climate. He expressed gratitude for the government's support and cooperation with businesses, including US ones, saying that US businesses were strongly committed to continue investing in Viet Nam in priority areas such as science and technology, electronics, aviation, electric vehicles, logistics, energy, healthcare, finance, e-commerce, food and tourism. US businesses that participated in the event proposed Viet Nam continue to improve its legal framework, speed up administrative reforms, especially in issues related to investment licencing, labour permits and visas, and provide incentives in certain priority areas. Viet Nam should also promote a circular and green economy, green transportation development, carbon emission reduction and energy transformation, while developing logistics infrastructure to facilitate their business operations in the country, they suggested. 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. The US has 1,286 valid investment projects in Viet Nam with a total registered capital of $11.7 billion, becoming the 11th largest investor out of 143 countries and territories currently investing in the country. The investment influx from the US in Viet Nam will continue in 2024 with priority fields like technology, clean energy, energy transition, financial services, tourism and defence. VNS HCM CITY As many as 300 guests, including representatives from the Vietnamese and Dutch governments, along with numerous businesses from both countries attended the Viet Nam - Netherlands: Mekong Delta Business Forum in HCM City on Thursday. The forum discussed the challenges faced by the Mekong Delta and feasible solutions, as well as the cooperation between the two countries for the sustainable development of the Mekong Delta. Tran Thanh Nam, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, said that the Mekong Delta is a key agricultural hub of Viet Nam, contributing significantly to the nation's agricultural output. It accounts for 56 per cent of the country's rice production, 70 per cent of its aquaculture output, and 60 per cent of the total fruit production. This region plays a crucial role in ensuring food security for the nation while also serving as a major source of exports. However, the Mekong Delta faces issues such as climate change, environmental degradation, and market challenges. The Mekong Delta is making efforts to develop mechanised agriculture, apply digitalisation in product tracing, and devise plans for agricultural logistics development. In addition, he also introduced the Vietnamese Government's plan for developing 1 million hectares of high-quality, low-emission rice to fulfill the United Nations commitment to reducing emissions by 2050. Mark Harbers, Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management of the Netherlands, said that both Viet Nam and the Netherlands have similar challenges related to climate change, rising sea levels, and salinisation. However, both countries have similar opportunities, such as good strategic location and sustainable agriculture. He also introduced many solutions to address the issues facing the Mekong Delta. According to experts at the event, the Vietnamese Government's master plan for the Mekong Delta is in line with Viet Nam's and the Netherlands' long-term bilateral relationship. The Netherlands is committed to cooperating with Viet Nam and its businesses, scientific and non-governmental organisations to successfully cary out the plan. The event also had panel discussions on three topics related to the sustainable development of the Mekong Delta, including solutions for salinisation, digitalisation and connecting the Delta. The event had a signing ceremony where 18 agreements were signed between businesses from the two countries, with the aim of serving green growth and sustainable development. The business forum was part of a series of activities organised by the economic and trade delegation from the Netherlands, consisting of 70 companies and organisations visiting Viet Nam. The delegation's key focus areas include water technology and management, sustainable agriculture and food cultivation, and green and smart logistics. VNS HA NOI The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) has released a plan to implement the development strategy of the coal industry to 2030 with a vision to 2045. According to the Decision No 543/Q-BCT signed by Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien on March 18, the plan focuses on developing and deploying the industry and trade industry's solutions to realise the coal industry development strategy. Based on this plan, units under the ministry will review, develop and adjust their plans and action programmes on carrying out the coal industry's development strategy. They also have inspection, supervision and evaluation for the implementation of the coal industry development strategy. Then, the ministry will report these issues to the Prime Minister to have adjustment for this strategy if necessary. On January 17, 2024, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha signed the Decision No 55/Q-TTg to approve the development strategy of the coal industry to 2030 with a vision to 2045. Accordingly, coal output is expected to be between 45 and 50 million tonnes by 2030, and between 38 and 40 million tonnes in 2031-2045. Under the strategy, the industry will focus on exploration for upgrading existing coal resources along with new coal mines. A goal set by the strategy is to start pilot exploitation in the Red River coal basin before 2040 so as to proceed with industrial-scale mining before 2050 if the trial is successful. A coal market with many sellers and many buyers will be formed, while coal sources and suppliers will be diversified towards operating a fully competitive coal market after 2030. The export and import of coal will be conducted in accordance with market demand and following the Government's direction to meet domestic coal demand, especially for electricity generation. VNS QUANG BINH The Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park Management Board in the central province of Quang Binh has announced that it has recently received 11 rare wild animals transferred by the Hanoi Wild Animal Rescue Centre for further rescue and release back into the natural environment. Accordingly, the Hanoi Wild Animal Rescue Centre handed over two hornbills (Buceros bicornis), three pig-tailed macaques, one golden monkey, four civets, and one large Indian civet to the Centre for Rescue, Conservation and Creature Development of the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. The wild animals are all on the list of endangered, precious, and rare animal species stipulated in Government Decree No. 84/2021/ND-CP on the management of endangered forest plants and animals and implementation of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The Centre for Rescue, Conservation and Creature Development has prepared adequate conditions in terms of infrastructure and specialised personnel to continue caring for, nurturing, and rehabilitating the wild behaviours of these animals before releasing them back into the natural environment. Previously, the Centre for Rescue, Conservation and Creature Development also received two hornbills. VNS BEIJING, CHONGQING Hotpot cooks now have their own national working and evaluation standards, which will provide them a better opportunity to excel in their careers. The State-level hotpot standard, released by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and the Ministry of Commerce in February, set a five-level evaluation system for the profession. At the entry level, hotpot cooks should know the proper way to clean ingredients such as vegetables and meats, while those at the highest level should be able to develop hotpot soup recipes and arrange and manage a hotpot banquet. Designated as a national profession in 2022 by the human resources ministry, a hotpot cook is defined as a person who possesses the skills to make hotpot seasonings, soups and dipping sauces and to prepare meats and vegetables. The ability to ensure food safety and awareness of the importance of environmental protection are also required of the cooks. The standard sets rather general, well-balanced working and evaluation guidelines allowing for the diversity and differentiation of hotpot cooking methods, including spicy hotpot with stir-fried sauces and light-flavored hotpot with mushroom soup, experts said. Chinese hotpot has numerous flavors, said Wang Wenjun, the leader of the group of editors involved in setting the national hotpot cook standard, who is also a Chinese cuisine expert. The four main types spicy, sauerkraut, tomato and mushroom make up around 85 percent of the market share. He said that the editors visited eight cities famous for their different hotpot flavors including Chongqing for its spicy hotpot and Kunming, Yunnan province, for its mushroom hotpot and sent questionnaires to 85 hotpot-related organizations and companies nationwide to solicit advice. The State-level standard was revised 28 times over a period of six years before its official release in February. Wang said that work ethic is the most important quality to consider when evaluating hotpot cooks, followed by their cooking theories and practical skills. He said that in the future, the standard may add criteria on cooks management, teaching and innovative abilities, as well as their craftsmanship. Wang Huayuan, vice-director of Chongqings vocational skills appraisal center, said that the release of the national standard can help cultivate future talent and put them on a path to progression in the industry. The nation has a large number of people working in the hotpot industry, and we didnt have a standardized identification for their profession before, which hampered their career development, she said. The hotpot cook profession is now a nationally approved profession and has its own working standard, offering systematic and professional evaluation to the cooks and giving them opportunities to grow from ordinary caterers to skilled workers, which can help ensure the industry achieves better, sustainable development. Wang Wenjun, the standards editing group leader, said that he hopes with national certification, hotpot cooks will see salary increases. He also wishes more cooks would participate in national or international cooking competitions. In 2021, the China Cuisine Association released a report on the industry, saying that hotpot sales were responsible for roughly one-third of domestic catering revenue in 2020. E-commerce platform Meituan said that the number of hotpot restaurants in Sichuan province and Chongqing two of the most famous hotpot destinations in the nations southwest made up nearly 60 percent of the nations total in 2021. The Chongqing municipal government said that it has over 20,000 hotpot companies and more than 30,000 restaurants as of October last year. The city has nearly 1 million people involved in the industry, with annual revenue reaching over 400 billion yuan (US$55.7 billion) as of that month. - CHINA DAILY/ANN World Water Day 2024 with the message "Water for Peace" emphasises unity to promote harmony and the ability to restore water resources worldwide. Nguyen Minh Khuyen, Deputy Director of the Water Resources Management Department under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, spoke with the Vietnam News Agency about the issue. This years World Water Day on March 22 was launched by the United Nations with the theme "Water for Peace". What is the significance of this event to Viet Nam? This year's World Water Day focuses on the crucial role of water resources in the stability and prosperity of the world. A report by the United Nations Water (UN-Water) shows that there are over three billion people worldwide dependent on transboundary water sources. In the context of the current impacts of climate change and increasing global population, countries must unite and take action to balance human rights and the needs of everyone for water, balancing the benefits from shared water sources among nations. This serves as a stabilising force, a catalyst for sustainable development. Without unity and fairness, water can become a cause of conflict when the interests of different water users cannot be reconciled or when the quantity and quality of water decrease, potentially affecting human health and ecosystems. Water can be used as a weapon in armed conflicts, employed as a means to gain or maintain control over territories and populations, or as a tool to exert pressure on opposing groups. Water can also be a victim of conflict when water resources become targets of violence, such as attacks on dam systems or water treatment plants, posing serious health risks and violating international humanitarian law. Viet Nam has 3,450 rivers and streams with lengths of 10 kilometres or more. Of those, 405 are inter-provincial rivers and streams, including transboundary rivers. Therefore, Viet Nam needs to enhance cooperation and sharing in the exploitation of transnational water resources on rivers across borders such as the Mekong River, Red River, Ma River, Sesan River and Sre Pok River. Viet Nam joined the Convention on the Law of Non-Navigational Uses of International Watercourses in 2014. How is the monitoring of the enforcement of international conventions carried out? Viet Nam is the first country in the ASEAN region to participate in the Convention on the Law of Non-Navigational Uses of International Watercourses. Viet Nam's accession to the convention in early 2014, as the 35th member, officially brought the convention into force in the third quarter of 2014, after 17 years of adoption but not being in effect due to a shortage of members. This is the first global convention comprehensively regulating the relationship between countries in the use of international watercourses in a fair and rational manner between upstream and downstream countries, fulfilling obligations without causing significant harm to related countries according to common international principles and standards. The provisions of the convention are binding on member countries. In cases where one or several countries adjacent to the water source does not or do not participate in the convention, the principles and measures of the convention can be used as a basis for negotiation or agreement to resolve issues related to international watercourses. Therefore, joining the convention creates a favourable legal basis for Viet Nam to negotiate and sign bilateral and multilateral agreements with countries sharing water resources for cooperation, dispute resolution and handling issues related to international watercourses, especially given Viet Nam's dependence on exploiting, using and protecting water resources from upstream countries. To ensure the effective implementation of the Law on Water Resources 2023, what key tasks will the Water Resources Management Department prioritise in the coming time? Water Resources Law 28/2023/QH15 takes effect on July 1, 2024. To ensure the effective implementation of the law, its provisions are integrated into social life and implemented by organisations and individuals, ensuring comprehensive water resource management that brings economic value and environmental aesthetics. In 2024, the department will focus on key tasks such as drafting detailed regulations for the implementation of the Water Resources Law 2023; issuing implementation plans for the law; and drafting and issuing, as appropriate, detailed regulations for the contents assigned in the law. The department will strengthen dissemination and education on the Water Resources Law 2023, including conferences to thoroughly discuss and disseminate the law and its detailed regulations to ministries, sectors, localities, organisations and enterprises. The department will also develop a national water resource database to meet the requirements of the national digital transformation programme; draft water source scenarios to serve as a basis for ministries, sectors and localities to develop efficient water usage plans. Particularly, the department will promote the implementation of tasks to restore depleted, exhausted and polluted water sources for rivers such as Bac Hung Hai, Nhue, ay and Ngu Huyen Khue. In the long term, the department will closely monitor the implementation of tasks outlined in the Water Resources Law 2023, and enhance coordination with ministries, sectors and localities to effectively manage and utilise water resources for economic, social and environmental benefits. This will help ensure water source security. VNS HA NOI Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hosted a reception for Argentinas Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship Diana Elena Mondino in Ha Noi on Wednesday (March 20). PM Chinh affirmed to his guest that Viet Nam always attaches importance to the traditional friendship and comprehensive partnership with Argentina. He expressed satisfaction at the outcomes of the talks between the Argentinean minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son on March 19, saying that the ministers visit will help bolster bilateral relations in the time ahead, with a focus on areas meeting both sides potential and needs such as industry and agriculture. The PM suggested that the two countries continue to exchange delegations, particularly those at high levels, and accelerate talks towards the signing of cooperative documents facilitating business and investment activities, thus further raising bilateral trade value, which has been staying stable and reached US$3.45 billion in 2023. He asked Argentina to support and push negotiations on a free trade agreement between Viet Nam and MERCUSUR, thus contributing to economic development of each country. The government leader also requested that ministries and agencies of both countries to coordinate to promote cooperation in other fields such as culture, sports, tourism, education-training, and security-defence, while exploring collaboration in new realms like climate change adaptation, green growth, digital transformation, circular economy and clean agriculture. In addition, the two countries should enhance mutual support and consultation at multilateral forums and international organisations, PM Chinh said. Minister Mondino affirmed that the Argentinean government attaches importance to Viet Nams increasing role and position in the region and the world. She proposed that the two countries promote cooperation in finance, taxation and aviation, which are priorities of Argentina. The minister also asked PM Chinh to push collaboration with Argentina in agriculture and trade, towards the early establishment of a bilateral strategic partnership in industry and agriculture. Mondino briefed the PM on the outcomes of her talks with FM Son and meetings with Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien and a deputy minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, saying that they have reached agreement on specific measures and a programme on co-operation in agriculture and trade in the time ahead. The minister conveyed an invitation from President Javier Milei to PM Chinh to visit Argentina. The PM accepted the invitation and asked the foreign ministries of the two countries to arrange the visit at a suitable time. VNS GAZA, March 21 (Xinhua) -- An average of at least 37 mothers are killed per day due to the ongoing Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip, the Palestinian Red Crescent Society said Thursday, when the Arab world celebrates its Mother's Day that falls on March 21 annually. The Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs in Palestine Liberation Organization, along with the Palestinian Prisoners Club Association, said in a joint statement on the occasion of Mother's Day that the ongoing Israeli offensive in Gaza has resulted in massive deaths of Palestinian mothers and children. The statement added the Israeli army has carried out mass arrests of women in the enclave since the onset of its all-out conflict against Hamas last October. "Israeli crimes and violations against female (Palestinian) prisoners, including mothers, escalated dramatically after Oct. 7, 2023, with the most prominent being the arrest of mothers as hostages to pressure their husbands or sons and their detention in very harsh conditions," said the statement. The majority of female Palestinian prisoners, including social activists, were arrested on charges related to incitement or administrative detention. It called on international women's organizations and movements to bear their responsibilities in the face of the "horrific crimes" against Palestinian women, including female prisoners held by Israel. Trong Kien HA NOI A United States State Department official has affirmed that the US business community is excited to take advantage of the double upgrade in relations between Viet Nam and the US to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership last year. Sarah Morgenthau, Special Representative for Commercial and Business Affairs at the US' State Department, was speaking during an interview with Viet Nam News, while in Ha Noi to accompany the 50-business mission from the US-ASEAN Business Council. The delegation, through engagements with government officials and key stakeholders across various ministries and agencies, aimed to reaffirm their dedication to supporting the Government of Viet Nam's endeavours while proposing further collaboration across multiple sectors. The US business community is also actively seeking avenues to support the realisation of initiatives and commitments delineated in the Viet Nam-US Comprehensive Partnership. US Special Representative Sarah Morgenthau said that this year, the two countries are celebrating the 30th anniversary of the lifting of the US trade embargo, and economists, business people and young entrepreneurs have agreed that the future of the Viet Nam-US relationship is bright. Viet Nam ranks as the US' ninth largest trading partner, and the US one of Viet Nam's top trading partners, with bilateral trade reaching over US$124 billion this past year, which makes Viet Nam the largest trading partner in ASEAN, she noted. The two countries' leaders US President Biden and Vietnamese Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong have pledged to create favourable conditions and facilitate the further opening of markets for each other's goods and services, support trade and economic policy and regulatory measures, according to Sarah, with both countries having "shared interests in diversifying the supply chains." She said: "To achieve this aim and to address issues such as market access barriers, fulfilment of this pledge promises to create new opportunities for businesses and both our nations and that's one of the reasons the USABC mission that I am a part of this week has one of the largest US trade missions to Viet Nam in its history. "US businesses are looking forward to building on the momentum of the upgrade. From conversations I've had, businesses are very excited to look forward to the new opportunities these market openings will bring." Addressing the impacts of the upcoming election in the US and potential change in administration on bilateral relations, Sarah appointed by President Joe Biden said while she couldn't speak to the outcomes of the elections, the US "is truly committed" and "the Biden-Harris administration fully supports the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership". The US side is looking forward to meaningful discussions with Vietnamese partners that will "create a more business and investment-friendly climate, including a clearer and more predictable legal and regulatory regime, greater compliance with international standards and enforcement of rights in key areas and more nimble government decision-making processes," she remarked. Special Representative Sarah said the current US business delegation includes "America's finest companies" in the fields of consumer and personal products, health, digital transportation, energy, financial security and other sectors. "Our desire truly is to explore ways to expand our business to business, business to government, government to government and people to people ties," she said. "I am joined here with other senior US government officials from the Biden administration, including Reta Jo Lewis, President and Chairwoman of the Export-Import Bank of the United States, and Lindsey Ford, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for South and Southeast Asia. We flew 8000 miles to this beautiful country because we believe in it." Regarding semiconductor cooperation, one of the highlight items within the Viet Nam-US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the US State official reaffirmed the country's commitment and that the US lives by its commitment "to increasing support for Viet Nam in the training and development of a high-tech workforce." She added: "Our leaders pledged to support the rapid development of Viet Nam's semiconductor ecosystem and work together to increase Viet Nam's engagement in the global supply chain. "To this end, our countries have signed a memorandum of cooperation on semiconductor supply chain workforce and ecosystem development to formalise this partnership. "The Embassy here in Ha Noi is working hard every day to carry out this mission. And we see several US companies that are deeply interested in continuing to grow their level of investment in Viet Nam and see huge potential in Viet Nam as a semiconductor hub. Thanks to its educated, literate young workforce, a drive to do more in this industry." She reaffirmed that US companies are "eager to invest in Viet Nam", including ways that will support Viet Nam's climate and green energy ambitions, and their interest in Viet Nam complements US Government's efforts under the Just Energy Transition Partnership, which will mobilise $15.5 billion in public and private finance to support Viet Nam's transition. "We are excited, we are here to stay, and we are committed," she said. VNS US-ABC business mission From March 18 to 21, the USABC lead a delegation of senior executives from 50 leading US companies to Ha Noi for its annual Business Mission to Viet Nam. Representatives from diverse industries such as digital technology, energy, aerospace, defence, manufacturing, fast-moving consumer goods, food and agriculture, financial services, healthcare, investment funds, and others are eager to explore new opportunities and investment potential in Viet Nam. This reflects the enthusiasm of US companies towards Viet Nam as an attractive emerging market and investment destination.Companies participate in the Business mission include: 3M, Abbott, AES, AIG, Amazon, Atmo, Bay Global Strategies, Bell, Chubb Life Vietnam, Coca-Cola Vietnam, Dieago, Dow, Energy Capital Vietnam, Estee Lauder Companies, FedEx, Ford, GE Genova, IMSG, JP Morgan, Koch Industries, KKR, Manulife, Marriott International, Mastercard, Meta, Mondelez Kinh Do Vietnam, Organon, Pacifico Energy, PepsiCo Foods Vietnam, Pernod Ricard, Procter & Gamble (P&G), Reinsurance Group of America (RGA), Roblox, Salesforce, SAP Asia Pte Ltd, SnowBridge Capital, Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam Beverage, Tilleke & Gibbins, Viatris, VinFast Manufacturing US, Visa, Vriens & Partners, Zuellig Pharma Vietnam. HA NOI Viet Nam has underscored the importance of empowering women and settling youth-related issues to the prevention of extremism, violence, and conflicts. Charge daffaires Nguyen Hoang Nguyen, Deputy Permanent Representative of Viet Nam to the United Nations, attended the UN Security Council (UNSC)'s open debate themed Promoting Conflict Prevention Empowering All Actors Including Women and Youth held in New York on March 13 and 19. Addressing the event, Nguyen called on the UNSC to adopt a comprehensive, inclusive, and people-centred approach, and pay due attention to resolving root causes of conflicts to break the vicious circle of underdevelopment, inequality, injustice, and violence. He held that the UNSC should make better use of available tools like preventive diplomacy, reconciliation, and peaceful settlement of disputes on the basis of international law and the UN Charter. It should also prioritise more investment for trust building efforts and early warning mechanisms, Nguyen added. The diplomat emphasised the importance of womens empowerment to conflict prevention, affirming that Vietnam has taken concrete steps to enhance womens leadership and engagement in all management levels. The country pledges to continue promoting womens participation in and contribution to UN peacekeeping operations, Nguyen remarked. He added Viet Nam considers the settlement of youth-related issues like education, employment, and welfare as the key to preventing extremism, violence, as well as risks of conflicts or conflict recurrence. At the debate, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo and other participants stressed the UNSCs role and responsibility in conflict prevention. They appealed for effectively implementing UNSC Resolution 1325 on women, peace, and security and for promoting the youths involvement in and contribution to peacebuilding. Many also highly valued the UN Secretary-Generals New Agenda for Peace that focuses on conflict prevention. They welcomed the Peacebuilding Commissions role in enhancing cooperation among UN agencies, international and regional organisations, and member states to prevent conflicts and maintain sustainable peace and security. VNS HA NOI Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan was appointed as the acting president of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam on Thursday, following the resignation of former President Vo Van Thuong. The announcement was made by the Standing Committee of the National Assembly after the conclusion of the Sixth Extraordinary Session of the 15th National Assembly. At the session, the NA adopted a resolution on relief of Vo Van Thuong from the Presidency of Viet Nam in the 2021-2026 term and the position of NA deputy. Xuan will hold this position until the National Assembly convenes to elect a new President. According to reports from the Central Inspection Commission and relevant agencies, former President Vo Van Thuong has violated Party regulations regarding prohibitions for Party members, as well as regulations on the responsibility of officials to set an example, especially members of the Politburo, Secretariat, and the Central Committee of the Party. This has led to negative public opinion and has affected the reputation of the Party and the State. As a result, Thuong has submitted a letter requesting relief from his assigned duties and work, to which the Party Central Committee has agreed. VNS HA NOI - The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will continue its cooperation with Viet Nam, especially in technical assistance, personnel training, infrastructure development, and the perfection of regulations and standards to ensure nuclear safety and security, said its Deputy Director General Hua Liu on March 21. Hua, who is on a visit to Viet Nam, told Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang that during the visit, he held fruitful meetings with representatives from the Ministries of Science and Technology, Agriculture and Rural Development, and Health. The IAEA has repeatedly hailed Vietnam's pioneering role in sub-regional cooperation, particularly in the trilateral cooperation model between Viet Nam and neighbouring Laos and Cambodia in the application of nuclear science and technology in economic-technological sectors, he stressed. The IAEA Deputy Director General also pledged to help Viet Nam optimise nuclear technology in smart agriculture. For his part, Quang thanked the IAEA for its support to Viet Nam over the past years through both bilateral and multilateral cooperation mechanisms, elaborating that in the 2018-2023 period alone, the agency directly assisted the country in 17 national projects with total funding of nearly EUR 3 million (US$3.26 million). The Deputy PM lauded Huas efforts in accelerating the signing of the cooperation framework programme between Viet Nam and the IAEA for 2022-2027, and his support to Viet Nam in amending the Law on Atomic Energy. Quang called on the IAEA to further its cooperation with Viet Nam, especially in policy making and personnel training in atomic energy. Viet Nam commits to fulfilling its obligations and contributing responsibly to international treaties to which it is a signatory, especially those related to safety and security control, the fight against illegal trafficking and transportation of radioactive substances and nuclear materials, and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, he affirmed. The official noted that Viet Nam always backs the IAEA's central and leading role in shaping standards and frameworks for nuclear safety and security, especially emerging nuclear technologies. - VNS HCM CITY Learning from successful models like the ones used in the Nordic Region, is important for Viet Nam to leverage its potential to create a dynamic and inclusive labour market. That was the message from President of Fulbright University Viet Nam, Professor Scott Fritzen speaking at the Nordic Day 2024 event on Wednesday in HCM City. The theme of this year's event is "Adapting Viet Nam's Labour Market - Lessons Learned from the Nordic Region and Implications for Viet Nam." The Nordic Embassies in Viet Nam (Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden), in collaboration with the Fulbright University co-organised the conference. This year marks the sixth edition in conjunction with the Nordic Day on March 23. Fritzen said they were honoured to co-host the event and contribute to the discussions on Viet Nam's evolving labour market. "We believe that this event will provide valuable insights and inspire actionable strategies to shape Viet Nam's future workforce," he said. Ambassador of Norway Hilde Solbakken said dialogue between government, employers and workers has been central to the development of the welfare state in the Nordic countries, and in enabling our economies and labour markets to adapt to a continuously changing world. "I hope that sharing the Nordic experiences can contribute to Viet Nam's journey towards a highly skilled, innovative, and equitable labour market," she added. Viet Nam now aims to become a higher-income country with net-zero emissions by 2050. To achieve this goal, the country is shifting its labour market towards high-skill, high-tech industries and technology. This transformation necessitates a focus on innovation, digitalisation, vocational training, education, skill development, and investments in research and development. "Security and innovation are key to the success of the Nordic Region, said ambassador of Finland Keijo Norvanto. The social security net in the Nordic countries fosters innovation by providing individuals with the confidence to take risks and think creatively. This allows them to explore new ideas without the fear of losing everything they have built in life, he said. He added that the Nordics also pay great attention to work-life balance. Employee-friendly working time, flexibility at work, strong support for families including parental leaves and affordable day care, are just some of the social innovations that we are taking to ensure a healthy balance between work and personal lives. Viet Nam has committed to ratify, during the 2021-30 period, all of the International Labour Organisation's core conventions on labour standards, including Convention No. 87 on Freedom of Association. Strengthening workplace dialogue and improving working conditions are essential aspects of this commitment. Additionally, Viet Nam faces the challenge of an aging population, which will eventually test its social welfare system. Ambassador of Sweden Ann Mawe highlighted the importance of developing robust plans including social insurance systems to face challenges such as an aging population, which eventually will also be a pressing reality for Viet Nam. The "Nordic model" offers valuable lessons on how to improve and adapt the labour market to meet the demands of the global and greener economy. The Nordic countries are renowned for their public provision of social services funded by taxes, investments in education, childcare, elderly health care, and other services associated with human capital. They also prioritise strong labour-force protections through independent unions and a robust social safety net. Notably, the Nordic countries rank among the world's richest nations in terms of per capita GDP and excel in global innovation. VNS HA NOI Vietnamese and Australian scientists analysed and made policy recommendations on important development issues of Viet Nam during a conference held on Thursday in Ha Noi. The conference "Viet Nam: 40 years of oi moi and vision to 2045", was co-organised by the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics and the Australian Embassy in Viet Nam. It attracted more than 200 domestic and international representatives. The event, an important part of the research series to review Viet Nam's 40 years of oi moi (Renewal), is supported by the Viet Nam-Australia Centre. The research results are expected to serve a draft report on 40 years of oi moi, to be submitted to the 14th Party National Congress. At the conference, experts discussed six main topics identified as central to Viet Nam's development process, including global megatrends, public administration reform, overcoming the middle income trap, financial reform, urbanisation and sustainable development. Speaking at the discussion, professor Nguyen Xuan Thang, Politburo member and also Director of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, emphasised the importance of the research series and cooperation between Australian and Vietnamese experts. This demonstrated political trust and commitment to knowledge sharing between the two countries, he said. The cooperation will strengthen the relationship between Viet Nam and Australia that has been built and nurtured over the past 50 years and is increasingly developing, especially the two countries comprehensive strategic partnership, he said. He hoped that after the conference, experts would draw lessons from experience and policy directions that can be inherited and promoted to expand successfully in the new period. Thang proposed the representatives point out limitations, weaknesses and shortcomings that still exist in many fields affecting the countrys growth. He also wished that international experts would share profound experiences from the world, especially experiences from countries with similar levels of development with Viet Nam. The lessons would help Viet Nam find feasible solutions to address difficulties, challenges, limitations and inadequacies in the process of renewal, integration and growth. Viet Nam wanted to study not only lessons of success, but also lessons of failure that many countries have experienced, he said. Australian Ambassador to Viet Nam Andrew Goledzinowski expressed his impression of the efforts of nearly 40 Australian and Vietnamese experts in collaborating on the research. He said that Australia was trying to support Viet Nam in realising its vision to 2045. The relationship between the two countries had never been stronger than at this time, and the two countries would continue to cooperate in various fields that both sides were interested in. The cooperation was based on trust, as confirmed in the joint statement on upgrading Australia and Viet Nam relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, he said. VNS HA NOI A number of automobile registration centres nationwide are likely to face a shortage of registrars as many of them have to serve prison sentences. Amid increasing registration demand from April to July and last months of the year, congestion is forecasted at the centres in 31 provinces and cities as many centres have been closed for investigation. According to the Vietnam Register (VR), Viet Nam now has 1,760 registrars working at 277 out of 293 automobile registration centres with 519 out of 545 registration lines qualified for operation. VR leaders said the distribution of registration centres is uneven, leading to some places having a shortage and some having an excess. More than 900 registrars have been prosecuted nationwide. Many more are expected to be prosecuted in the future, leading to the human resource shortage. The VR estimated that there will be 70 registration centres in 24 provinces and cities forced to temporarily suspend operations, causing congestion of vehicles coming for inspection in these localities if there is no proactive solution. Provinces like Bac Kan, Hoa Binh va Thai Binh even have no registration centres in operation. Other provinces and cities may also be affected due to congestion of vehicles flocking from other localities. The VR asked for permission from the transport ministry to allow the agency to utilise qualified and skilled registrars who have been dismissed from the Party and sacked from work until the court brings them to trial. The VR will allow registrars subjected to suspension sentences and not banned from working to continue their jobs until December 31, 2025. VNS KHANH HOA Chairman of the Peoples Committee of Khanh Hoa Province Nguyen Tan Tuan on Thursday said the south-central locality wants to cooperate with Indonesian localities, ministries and agencies in the areas of their strengths. Speaking at the Meet Khanh Hoa-Indonesia event, jointly held in Nha Trang City by the provincial Peoples Committee, the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Indonesian Embassy in Viet Nam, the official stressed that Indonesia is Viet Nam's third largest trade partner in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), while Viet Nam is the fourth biggest of Indonesia in the grouping. Indonesia was also the first Southeast Asian nation to establish diplomatic ties with Viet Nam in 1955, he continued. Tuan briefed the participants on Khanh Hoas potential, strengths and development orientations in aquaculture, high-tech agriculture, tourism and trade, and suggested the two sides step up exchanges and promote their close ties, contributing to strengthening the Viet Nam-Indonesia relationship. In his remarks, Ambassador Denny Abdi emphasised that the friendship between the two countries has been growing across spheres, with bilateral trade reaching US$13.8 billion last year. To deepen the cooperation, Vietnamese and Indonesian investors should look towards such areas as digital economy and tourism, and enhancing collaboration in agriculture and aquaculture, he suggested. Indonesias Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono noted that the Indonesian Government commits, encourages and creates optimal conditions for foreign investors to operate in maritime and fishery areas. At the conference, the two sides looked into their potential, strengths and cooperation ability, with priority given to processing-manufacturing, energy, tourism, and high-tech agriculture. Following the event, Indonesian delegates visited Australis Aquaculture LLC, Van Ninh KN solar farm, a tourism-agriculture cooperative and several tourist sites in Khanh Hoa. VNS HA NOI The annual Vietnam International Travel Mart VITM Hanoi 2024 will take place between April 11 and 14 in downtown Ha Noi. According to Vu The Binh, chairman of Viet Nam Tourism Association, under the theme of Viet Nam Tourism Green Transition for Sustainable Development, the event will promote a new tourism trend: responsible tourism together with environment protection for sustainable development. The event will gather 3,500 international and domestic enterprises at 450 stalls, while thousands of tours and tourism products will be available at favourable prices at the site. Some 80,000 visitors are expected to join the mart. There will be many Business to Business (B2B) and Business to Consumer (B2V) meetings at the site. A forum on sustainable development will gather up to 3,000 representatives from State agencies, tourism experts, and enterprises to discuss solutions to green transition and expanding tourism markets for green tourism. Localities throughout the country such as Kien Giang, Mekong Delta, Thai Nguyen, Ninh Binh, Thanh Hoa, and Nghe An will host various tourism promotion events within the framework of the travel mart. The event will host many distinctive art performances by art troupes from Malaysia, Chinese Taipei and South Korea. VITM Ha Noi 2024 will not only be a tourism fair but also an exchange and cooperation platform for the Vietnamese tourism sector, Binh said. It has special meaning in 2024 as this year the sector will fully recover from the pandemic, and international tourism will be more promoted. The tourism sector will define Vietnamese brand in the international market. The event will take place at the Ha Noi Friendship Culture Palace, 91 Tran Hung ao, Hoan Kiem District, Ha Noi. VNS LUSAKA, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Zambian on Thursday officially handed over Mopani Copper Mines to International Resources Holding Limited from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). International Resources Holding Limited was chosen as a strategic partner in December last year after emerging as the preferred bidder. President Hakainde Hichilema said that the new partner would revive the mine's operations, which had become stagnant due to inactivity. "We would like to thank International Resources Holding for the decision to invest in Zambia. But this is not by chance but a deliberate decision that was undertaken," he said at a handover ceremony held in Kitwe city in the Copperbelt Province. Underlining the unfortunate deterioration of Mopani's assets in recent years, Hichilema said the mine would not only receive a capital injection from the new partner but also substantial debt reduction. He added that this decision would lead to an increase in production, which had significantly declined, thereby creating more jobs and business opportunities. Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, chairman of International Resources Holding Limited, said his firm is committed to its investment in the mine as well as being ready to overcome any challenges that may arise on the way. Since assuming control of Mopani from Glencore, a Swiss multinational commodity trading and mining company, in 2021, Zambia has actively sought a new investor for the assets. This move followed an agreement to pay Glencore 1.5 billion U.S. dollars in a debt-funded deal. Under the agreement, the UAE firm will acquire 51 percent shares in Mopani, with the Zambian government retaining the remaining 49 percent. Discover the Xiaomi 13T Pro 5G smartphone with or without subscription at Orange Luxembourg. Several mobile offers are available according to your needs. Xiaomi 13T Pro Review YugaTech Xiaomi Mi 13T Pro 5G 6.73AMOLED 16/1TB Global Version Leica 50MP 120W USAship Best Xiaomi Phones of 2024: Which Xiaomi Suits You Best? 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Ethiopia and China have enjoyed a longstanding relationship that spans over five decades, and there is a need "to enhance cooperation and foster enduring friendship between our two nations," Gebeyehu Ganga, director-general of the Middle East, Asia and Pacific Affairs at the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told a symposium on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) held Wednesday in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital. He said Ethiopia is committed to further strengthening cooperation with China by harnessing the opportunities presented through the BRI and other China-proposed initiatives. "Initiatives such as the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative underscore our joint efforts in driving the implementation of key programs under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC)," Ganga said. 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The prolonged hostilities not only exacerbate the suffering of the people in both countries but also pose unpredictable risks and challenges to the region and the world at large. Therefore, there is a growing international call for peace and dialogue. Many countries have proposed initiatives and plans aimed at restoring trust, resolving the crisis, and rebuilding peace. China highly appreciates these efforts and hopes that a consensus can be forged among all parties to explore a solution to the conflict. As a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and a responsible major country, China takes an objective and just position on the Ukraine issue, and works actively to promote peace talks. Since the full escalation of the Ukraine crisis, Chinese President Xi Jinping has had in-depth communication with leaders of countries including Russia and Ukraine, and has put forward four principles, called for joint efforts in four areas and shared three observations on Ukraine, which outline China's fundamental approach to the crisis. One year after the full escalation of the Ukraine crisis, China formulated and released China's Position on the Political Settlement of the Ukraine Crisis, which covers 12 aspects including respecting the sovereignty of all countries, abandoning the Cold War mentality, ceasing hostilities, resuming peace talks and more. As the Special Representative of the Chinese Government on Eurasian Affairs, I have been engaged in a series of diplomatic activities regarding the Ukraine crisis over the past year. Last May, I went to Europe for the first round of shuttle diplomacy. In August, I attended a meeting in Jeddah on the Ukraine crisis, and I also met intensively with representatives from various parties in Beijing to exchange views. China's efforts to restore peace and achieve a political resolution to the Ukraine crisis have been widely recognized and highly appreciated by the international community. After a year of communication with various parties, my greatest impression is that, despite the ongoing uncertainties and prominent conflicts, war is not good for the vast majority of countries, and achieving peace is the common aspiration. In this regard, I recently embarked on a second round of shuttle diplomacy to Russia, Ukraine, and other European countries involved, with the aim of exchanging views and building consensus with all parties on promoting a political resolution to the Ukraine crisis. During this visit, three impressions stood out to me. Firstly, it is crucial to build consensus for a ceasefire and an end to the fighting. Conflicts and wars produce no winner. History has shown that all wars can only be resolved through negotiations ultimately. Every bit of consensus accumulated brings us closer to the dawn of peace, while every day of conflict adds to the risks in the world. China has consistently supported and expected both Russia and Ukraine will act in the fundamental and long-term interests of their peoples, meet each other halfway, and resume direct dialogue as soon as possible, so as to achieve a ceasefire at an early date. China is willing to create all necessary conditions for negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. China supports an international peace conference that is to be held in due course, recognized by both Russia and Ukraine, and is attended by all parties on an equal footing for fair discussions on all peace plans. Secondly, the spillover risks of the crisis must be controlled. The Ukraine crisis, as the largest geopolitical conflict in Europe since World War II, has severely impacted relations between major countries and the global governance system. The crisis has exacerbated instability in the global industrial chain, leading to serious concerns regarding energy security, food security, nuclear security, cross-border infrastructure security, humanitarian crises, and other issues. These have significant impacts on global peace and development. The prolonged and complex nature of the Ukraine crisis may give rise to various security risks that are not in the interest of all parties. A ceasefire and an end to the conflict as soon as possible is the right way to solve the problem. Thirdly, the mistake of the Cold War must be avoided repeating. The Ukraine crisis has complex historical and realistic factors. The Cold War has been over for more than 30 years, but the Cold War mentality is still firmly rooted in some countries, strengthening military alliances, and provoking bloc confrontation, which ultimately led to the crisis. China believes that the security of a country should not be pursued at the expense of others, the security of a region should not be achieved by strengthening or expanding military blocs, and the legitimate security interests and concerns of all countries must be taken seriously and addressed properly. Only by abandoning the Cold War mentality, promoting dialogue and negotiation among all parties on an equal footing, and building a balanced, effective, and sustainable European security architecture, can long-term stability be achieved in Europe. At the same time, we firmly oppose any attempt by individual countries to use conflicts to seek selfish gains, force others to take sides, threaten to decouple and sever supply chains, build "small yard and high fence," and attempt to repeat the mistake of bloc confrontation. There is no panacea for defusing the crisis. However, I firmly believe that a political solution is the best and only way to address the Ukraine crisis, which is the most important conclusion of my shuttle diplomacy this time. Both Russia and Ukraine are important strategic partners of China with long-standing friendly and cooperative relations. China does not have selfish interests or seek to put up exclusive blocs. It has not added fuel to the fire or taken advantage of the situation. The international community should adhere to the vision of a common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, take each other's legitimate security concerns seriously, and promote the building of a balanced, effective, and sustainable security architecture for the region and the world, in order to jointly safeguard world peace. Peace, like air and sunshine, is hardly noticed when we are benefiting from it. But none of us can live without it. Making the world peaceful, stable and safe is the strong desire of all people, the common responsibility of all countries, and more importantly, the right direction for the advancement of our times. As a Chinese proverb puts it, it takes more than one cold day to freeze three feet of ice. There is no simple solution to the Ukraine crisis. Long as the journey is, we will reach our destination if we stay the course; difficult as the task is, we will get the job done if we keep working at it. China is ready to work with all peace-loving and progressive forces in the world to play a constructive role in resolving the crisis and achieving peace. We will always stand on the side of peace and dialogue, that is, the right side of history. (Li Hui is the Special Representative of the Chinese Government on Eurasian Affairs.) (Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun) DHAKA, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Over 400 Bangladeshis have visited the Inner Bar Dredging of Mongla Port Channel project implemented by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) in southwestern Khulna district. The participants, including Bangladeshi Mongla Port Authority officials, and students and teachers from Khulna University of Engineering and Technology, learned about the operation of the dredging project, which aims to ensure smooth waterway access for commercial vessels. The Inner Bar Dredging of Mongla Port Channel project was undertaken by CCECC following the company's completion of the Outer Bar Dredging Project in the South Asian country in 2020. The project plans to dredge a 23.4-km navigation channel, with a total dredging volume exceeding 21.6 million cubic meters. Upon completion, sea vessels with a draft of 10 meters can directly berth at Mongla Port, which will increase port throughput and make Mongla Port the new international gateway of Bangladesh. "It's a good opportunity to come here and see the project," Muhammad Abdullah, a student from Khulna University of Engineering and Technology, told Xinhua. The Chinese company are doing all the things with their technical capabilities," Abdullah said. "They are doing a great job. They successfully completed four maintenance operations," said AKM Anisur Rahman, a member of Mongla Port Authority. "In the process of dredging, we found that the sedimentation of the river is very serious," Guo Zhipei, project manager of CCECC, said. He said that in order to solve this problem, the company has jointly carried out scientific research with Khulna University of Engineering and Technology and Mongla Port since 2019. Sage Bambino Plus Review: The Best Espresso Machine For Working 252.00 4.5 (549) En stock Por un escritor de hombre misterioso Painting Cherry Furniture with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint 10.00 4.5 (560) En stock Por un escritor de hombre misterioso The deal was agreed during a Dutch trade mission's visit to Vietnam. VDL is a provider of advanced technology equipment for the semiconductor, analytical, and health industries. Construction of the new VDL factory in the northeast of Vietnam will start soon. The schedule is for the first modules to leave the new plant to supply international customers by the end of the first quarter or beginning of the second quarter in 2025. VDL Groep's overall growth strategy covers Europe, America, and Asia. VDL's global customers are asking for even better global coverage, with local production for local markets. Being able to deliver anywhere is a major advantage for VDL's existing and new customers. VDL is therefore also investing on all three of these continents, the majority in Europe. These investments are aimed at maintaining and strengthening employment in the current plants. VDL ETG also has locations in Asia in Singapore and Suzhou (China). The expansion in the Southeast Asian nation is part of VDLs global growth strategy. About 60 staff will initially join VDL ETG in Vietnam. Semiconductor development surge keenly anticipated Vietnam will look to build on its semiconductor diplomacy with the formulation of a strategy on developing the much-needed products. Synopsys partners with VNU-HCM to offer chip design training On March 15, Synopsys, a leader in software design for semiconductors, signed a cooperation agreement with Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCM) to strengthen training and research capacity in semiconductors, especially in the field of IC design. A rebound in export orders brought Vietnam $17.4 billion in total export value from the US in the first two months of this year, a nearly 34 per cent jump on-year. Exports to US eye rosier prospects, illustration photo/ Source: freepik.com In January, domestically made computers, electronic devices and components worth nearly $1.8 billion were exported to the US, a 74 per cent spike on-year, which were followed by machinery and equipment, handsets, and textile and clothing, valued at $1.56 billion, $1.4 billion and $1.32 billion, respectively. Exports to the US market, with its 300 million-plus population, have been gaining rebound momentum from late last year, which was instrumental to nearly $60 billion in Vietnams total export value in the first two months of this year. There have been positive signs that signify a rebound in industrial production, mirrored by the amount of newly committed foreign direct investment in the processing and manufacturing sector which approximated $2.54 billion in the first two months of this year, accounting for 59.1 per cent of total registered capital volume and up 16.8 per cent on-year. This provides a catalyst for exports in the processing and manufacturing sector, particularly with the US which is one of Vietnams top export markets. Last year, despite global economic headwinds, Vietnam still counted nearly $97 billion in total export value to the US. Compared to 2022, despite being down by nearly $13 billion, this value still made up 27.2 per cent of the countrys total export value. Last year, 12 product groups to the US market eyed at least $1 billion each in total value, led by machinery and equipment, and spare parts, followed by computers, electronics devices, accessories, and textile and apparel. The total export value of tech products from Vietnam to the US has been augmented, largely due to top US corporations expanding production in Vietnam. Vietnam has become the largest footwear manufacturer for Nike, with more than half of this companys shoe output produced in the Southeast Asian nation. The $7.1 billion value of footwear products the US imported from Vietnam last year showed that supply from Vietnam is important to US retailers. Meanwhile, in the second half of last year, US tech giant Apple completed the transfer of 11 audio device production facilities to Vietnam. In addition, Intel had initiated phase 2 of its chip verification plant in Ho Chi Minh City, with investment value touching $4 billion. According to Ta Hoang Linh, director general of European-American Market Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the US is pushing a strategy striving to diversify supply sources and supply chains, gearing towards Asia, helping Vietnam to grow into a major production and export hub in the global value chain. Vietnams export structure to the US is undergoing radical changes. Besides traditional strong items such as textile-clothing, footwear, and seafood, manufacturing items as electronics and wood furniture have become top players, Linh said. At a meeting with US businesses late last year, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang voiced expectation that the upgrade of Vietnam-US relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership and implementation of cooperation pillars across the board would lay the bedrock for the mutual trade value to soon hit $200 billion. International trade analysts believe that the new cooperation framework will not only help strengthen Vietnam-US diplomatic relations but provide an opportunity for the US to recognise Vietnam as a market-based economy, helping the two countries to enjoy more economic benefits. As the US government has stepped up efforts to promote the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity, recognition of market status for Vietnam will help the country bolster trade and investment relations with it. When the US recognises Vietnam as having a market-based economy, it will push US companies to diversify their supply chains. Additionally, lower import prices and greater market access could allow US companies to increase output and production in Vietnam. In return, the benefits that US companies get are increased market access and export opportunities, especially in agriculture, machinery, aircraft and pharmaceuticals. All this contributes to promoting supply chains that align with US interests. Most importantly, recognising Vietnams market status will also contribute to reducing trade barriers, helping US businesses export goods and services to Vietnam more easily and at lower costs. According to Le Thanh Toan, deputy director of Binh Duong Department of Planning and Investment, "Binh Duong is currently home to 18 German-invested projects to the tune of more than $50 million." German groups have mostly invested in the manufacturing sector, with one notable project being telecommunications equipment venture, Teleq, a joint venture between VNPT and Siemens AG. Hasan Dermapharm Joint Venture Co., Ltd., Messer Vietnam Industrial Gases Co., Ltd., and Siemens are among the other players in Binh Duong. Alexander Ziehe, chairman of the GBA in Vietnam, said, "German investors consider Binh Duong as a potential investment destination due to its proximity to Ho Chi Minh City. The province boasts a system of qualified suppliers and a skilled workforce, with most industrial parks providing quality services and infrastructure. The province also has attractive tax incentive policies." At the meeting, German investors expressed their interest in developing rooftop solar systems for factories in Binh Duong. They also proposed for the province to resolve the infrastructure bottlenecks, especially the main routes connecting with Ho Chi Minh City. Other areas where German investors are looking for improvement include customs clearance procedures, work permits for foreigners, and fire safety regulations in factories. Meanwhile, several German businesses in Binh Duong proposed that they be notified of any policy updates at least three months in advance, with them being clearly announced on media channels in both English and Vietnamese. In response to the proposals, Nguyen Loc Ha, Vice Chairman of Binh Duong Peoples Committee, said, "Binh Duong is committed to creating improvements for business as we provide supporting policies and investments in modern infrastructure to ensure that foreign businesses can feel secure in doing business here." Binh Phuoc calls for investment from European businesses The southern province of Binh Phuoc is calling for foreign investment in high-tech agricultural projects, food processing, large-scale production, and renewable energy. Binh Duong aims to attract investments for new-generation industrial parks This year, Binh Duong province plans to attract 130-140 investment projects to industrial parks (IP), securing 1.2-1.3 billion USD from foreign capital and 1.1-1.2 trillion VND (about 48.535 million USD) from domestic investors. On March 20, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had a meeting with Karthik Rammohan, group vice president of Lam Research, and a representative of Seojin Company (South Korea). The two companies are cooperating in semiconductors in Vietnam. Founded in 1980, Lam Research Corporation is a global supplier of innovative wafer fabrication equipment and services to the semiconductor industry. Headquartered in California, the chip-making technology provider posted revenue of $19 billion in 2022. Rammohan shared that the group is looking to expand its operation and diversify its supply chain in Asia. In Vietnam, Lam Research plans to tie up with Seojin, which has factories in Bac Ninh and Bac Giang provinces, to develop factories and a supply chain with an investment capital of $12 billion in the first phase. Following the first phase, Lam Research will possibly make direct investments or bolster its operations in the country. The corporation would like to research the investment promotion policies and initiatives that Lam Research can join to support suppliers and the supply chain of Vietnams semiconductor industry. PM Chinh said the United States and South Korea have formed comprehensive strategic partnerships with Vietnam, in which science, technology, and innovation are important cooperation areas. Amidst the changing wave of global FDI, Vietnam hopes to woo high-quality capital in high-tech industries. Vietnam plans to train 50,000100,000 engineers for the semiconductor industry by 2030. Meanwhile, other tech giants such as Samsung, Intel, and Foxconn are already present in Vietnam. The PM hoped that Lam Research and Seojin focus on research and development as well as tech transfer, contributing to the development of the semiconductor ecosystem in Vietnam. Bac Giang makes its play for investment in semiconductors Vietnam is hoping to emerge as a top market for semiconductor production. Luong Van Nghiep, deputy director of Bac Giang Department of Planning and Investment, told VIRs Minh Oanh about the northern provinces potential and its strategies to draw in foreign investors in the sector. Victory Giant Technology to invest $800 million in Bac Ninh Victory Giant Technology is to invest in a high-precision, printed circuit boards project in the northern province of Bac Ninh, according Vuong Quoc Tuan, standing Deputy Chairman of Bac Ninh People's Committee following a meeting at the Chinese manufacturer's factory in Guangdong province on March 19, during Tuan's visit to the country. Large emitters still to get to grips with carbon market, illustration photo/ Source: freepik.com In the framework of a training course which was held two weeks ago in Hanoi on the emission trading system (ETS) and carbon market, Vietnam Energy and Environment Consultancy (VNEEC) released the survey results on awareness and readiness, as well as capacity-building needs for participation. The survey was implemented on nearly 550 targeted installations with estimated emissions of above 10,000 tCO2e, which is a part of over 1,900 installations according to Decree No.06/2022/ND-CP on mitigation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The targeted installations focus on industry and trade, construction, waste treatment, and transport. The survey indicated that just over two-thirds of surveyed firms have yet to conduct a GHG inventory. Meanwhile, more than half of firms that have already conducted GHG inventories hired a third party to do it. In addition, 28 per cent of questioned companies already have GHG mitigation plans, while more than half stated that they are going to formulate such plans. Just over half of responded firms stated that they had heard about the ETS and carbon market, but were not familiar with the basic principles. Only 1.3 per cent of companies shared that they clearly understand how the ETS and carbon market work, their differences, and their roles in carbon trading exchanges. VNEEC co-founder Dang Hong Hanh said, The survey results strongly suggest that the understanding of companies about the ETS and carbon market is limited, thus organising training courses for businesses is essential. However, it is good to know that almost all of the surveyed firms stated that they are willing to participate in the ETS. Limited understanding of ETS and carbon market can have certain impacts on businesses in developing emission reduction plans and conducting GHG inventories, Hanh explained. For the roadmap specified in Decree 06, the deadline is short. From 2024, targeted installations must conduct grassroots-level inventories and develop reports every two years. With current understanding, businesses may lack preparation and miss these milestones, Hanh said. If businesses do not raise awareness and start reporting, they may encounter difficulty maintaining and growing their reputation, especially in international markets, she added. According to the roadmap of carbon market development in Vietnam, which is regulated in Decree 06, Vietnam will operate the carbon credit exchange mechanism on a pilot basis from 2025 and will officially start operation of the mechanism in 2028. The time until the pilot phase is short, and so it requires political determination and active participation from various stakeholders. It is also difficult to operate the ETS without sufficient databases of large emitters, with the first reporting deadline in March 2025, Hanh said. In addition, the carbon market is volatile, requiring flexible policies and continuous adjustment. Decree 06 prescribes three groups of participants of the national carbon market. The first group is the entities participating in the voluntary national crediting programme. The second group combines GHG-emitting installations subject to GHG inventory such as thermal power plants, freight transport companies, and commercial buildings with total annual fuel consumption of 1,000 TOE or more, in collaboration with solid waste treatment facilities with an annual operating capacity of 65,000 tonnes or more. The third subject is other organisations and individuals involved in the investment and trading of emission allowances and carbon credits on the voluntary carbon market. To catch up on the timeline to participate in the carbon market, enterprises are urged to develop GHG inventory preparation and reporting, ETS market activities, and a GHG mitigation plan for 2026-2030. Roxanne Tan, finance and carbon market manager at climate-focused consultancy South Pole, said, To prepare GHG inventory, businesses need to identify all inputs and outputs: fuel, feedstocks, products, and waste streams. They can refer to various information systems and documentation to conduct a stocktake of process units and equipment, and the manufacturing/industrial processes. It is necessary to identify measurement methods for activity data and conversion factors, such as the use of default emission factors. From 2025, businesses can craft an internal carbon pricing strategy to guide the companys development of long-term decarbonisation strategy and investment strategy, continuous monitoring of developments in industry and policy, Tan added. From 2026, they should focus on the identification of emission reduction opportunities and cost-benefit analysis of mitigation measures. The following year, they can focus on the implementation and tracking of mitigation measures via planning for the deployment of mitigation measures based on the understanding of future ETS policy prices and government plans for the sector, Tan said. Vietnam seals major carbon credit deal, fetching $53 million Vietnam has successfully executed a landmark transaction, selling 10.3 million tonnes of CO2 emission credits to the World Bank for nearly VND1.25 trillion VND ($52.74 million), as confirmed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to the prime minister on December 28. Tran Thi Thu Hien, deputy general director Hoa Phat Group We propose lowering incentives to be created on land and water surface rent for projects with capital of over VND5 trillion ($208.3 million) located outside preferential areas, rather than $500 million. In addition, we should extend the support period for land rent exemption/reduction for projects that are receiving incentives by location. The current decree draft stipulates that the subjects of support are high-tech enterprises, while Clause 2, Article 18 of the Investment Law 2020 regulates the subjects receiving investment support more broadly, including high-tech enterprises, sci-tech enterprises, and rural agriculture groups. We hope that the draft decree still retains these. We also propose to add businesses that make great contributions to the locality, being affected by the global corporate tax, and deploy projects for key added-value industrial sectors prescribed by the government to the list of beneficiary subjects. Decentralisation of approval for some project groups at different levels should be divided. If every project is submitted to the government, the procedures will be complicated, take a lot of time to approve, and be forced through many levels. This can cause fear for businesses and the funds performance will be poor compared to initial expectations. Despite numerous large-scale projects, none of our ventures are eligible for support according to the draft decree. I hope the drafting committee will consider expanding the number of beneficiaries receiving support. Dang Duc Hien, deputy general director Saigon Water Corporation The conditions to receive support in the decree draft are currently too difficult, as total investment must be $500 million or more, and we do not have any such projects. The key difficulty is that the balance of our science fund is about $12.5 million as of the end of 2023. However, we are struggling to spend money in this fund, so the project must be submitted to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Science and Technology for review and approval before implementation. Currently, we have invested in some projects on innovation such as changing water filtration technology to improve water quality and reduce the cost of raw materials, such as lime, alum, and chlorine. However, these projects have a scale of only about $8.3 million or less, so they are not in the scope of this fund. Other initiatives for increasing scale and forming fixed assets are also not included in the support scale of this draft. Ha Thanh Huong, head of Planning and Investment, Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group In the draft decree, the project scale of $500 million is too large and the group (VNPT) does not have any project reaching this amount. In post and telecommunications, according to the Law on Public Investment, projects with an investment of over $33.3 million in group A, and $417 million is a special project. VNPT requests the Ministry of Planning and Investment to consider converting the concept of investment project into a specific programme. For example, we have a 5G investment programme similar to those of Viettel and MobiFone. This programmes value is about $417 million, but VNPTs project scales are too small for this requirement. The draft should stipulate whether the venture is to form fixed assets or new assets. For example, VNPT will be assigned to implement the Vinasat satellite launch project by the Ministry of Information and Communications, which is estimated at $208 million. It is too difficult for us to carry out disbursement within three years as stated in the draft, and it is also very complex for VNPT to spend money on research and development. Our fund has about $41.7 million, but on average, it can only disburse about $4.2 million each year, so the requirement related to such spending in the draft decree is too high. Michalon also highlighted that Vietnam was a key market for civil and specialised helicopters of Airbus. Going forward, Airbus Helicopters will focus on research and technology transfer, the training of pilots and engineers, and the maintenance of new-generation helicopters in the country, Michalon said. Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha said he appreciated Airbus cooperation with Vietnamese partners in the aviation industry. The prime minister noted that Airbus could support Vietnam in developing strategies and plans for the aviation industry. He called for Airbus to assist Vietnamese partners in training the workforce, research, and transferring technology in component and equipment manufacturing under its global value chain. The group should expand partnerships across new areas like aerospace/satellite, helicopters, science and technology, search and rescue, security, and defence. Airbus Helicopters should deploy research and investment based on the development strategy and potential of the Vietnamese market, the deputy prime minister noted. Airbus' existing partners in aircraft component manufacturing include Artus (Meggitt) Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City, which provides electromechanical equipment for the A320, A330, and A350 wide-body aircraft. The other partner, Nikkiso Vietnam, in Hanoi, manufactures composite structures for the A320 Sharklet aircraft and components for the A330neo and A350 aircraft. Airbus is the leading aircraft supplier to airlines in Vietnam. Up to now, domestic airlines have operated more than 220 Airbus aircraft, and there are more than 110 aircraft awaiting delivery. Airbus eyes growth potential in military and space businesses in Vietnam In anticipation of the high growth potential in Vietnam, Airbus is accelerating its moves in its military and space businesses to meet the modernisation demands in the country. Airbus taps Vietnamese suppliers to manufacture components Airbus, the world's largest airliner manufacturer, is increasing its commitment to establishing a sustainable supply chain in line with Vietnams net-zero emissions roadmap. This ambition was underlined as the conglomerate unveiled plans to roll out new work packages for its commercial aviation operations in the country. TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) Republican lawmakers in Kansas have joined their GOP counterparts in other states in trying to restrict diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives on university campuses, but the proposals they've advanced are written to avoid having to agree on how to define DEI. The Kansas House on Thursday approved a bill aimed at preventing universities, community colleges or technical colleges from basing a student's admission or an employee's hiring or promotion on any statement or pledge about diversity, equity or inclusion. While the bill includes those words, it also says universities cannot require a statement about any political ideology or movement. The House's 81-39 vote, mostly along party lines, came a week after the Senate approved a proposed $25 billion state budget with a provision designed to force universities to eliminate such requirements and mandatory DEI training. The provision would withhold $35.7 million from the state's six universities until they report to Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly and the Republican-controlled Legislature's leaders that they have done so. Republicans in at least 20 states have sought to limit DEI initiatives, arguing that they are discriminatory and enforce a liberal political orthodoxy. Alabama's governor signed into law an anti-DEI bill on Wednesday; Utah enacted a law earlier this year; and proposals in Kentucky and South Carolina advanced this week. Universities have chosen to embrace ideologies that discriminate against people who do not hew to their orthodoxy, state Rep. Steve Howe, a central Kansas Republican and the chair of a committee on higher education, said during a House debate Wednesday. The House measure now goes to the Senate. As for the anti-DEI budget provision, negotiators for the two chambers expect to discuss it as they draft the final version of the annual budget. Paulette Granberry Russell, president and CEO of the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education, called the Kansas proposals mean-spirited and said they attempt to force universities to turn back the clock on all the progress made in the past 70 years to support students, faculty, and staff. The backlash against diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and programs is rooted in ignorance and prejudice, Granberry Russell said in an email responding to questions. The ability to support, educate, and provide services that address the diverse needs of students should be an expectation. The Kansas House bill sets up a process for hearing DEI complaints, giving universities time to reverse contested actions. But it also allows the attorney general to file civil lawsuits against the universities and colleges and seek fines of up to $10,000. A legislative audit released last month said 1.6% of the spending by Kansas' six state universities, or $45 million, went to DEI initiatives but noted that each university defined DEI differently. Besides initiatives traditionally seen as DEI, such as training and recruiting, they also included food pantries for poor students and services for military veterans and disabled students. But neither Kansas measure defines DEI. Its hard for me to pass a bill to punish a university for doing something that we dont define," said Democratic state Rep. Tom Sawyer of Wichita. The words diversity, equity and inclusion to me, in themselves, are positive words. Kansas House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican, said his chamber's bill creates a simple test whether a university requires ideological statements from students, job applicants or employees that doesnt require everyone to agree how to define DEI. Everybodys got a different definition, Hawkins said. To get everybody to aspire to one definition is pretty difficult. In statehouses across the U.S., Republicans and Democrats have been pushing opposite definitions of fairness and opportunity in education and state workplaces. Democratic lawmakers in more than a dozen states are promoting more than 30 measures this year to require greater consideration of diversity, equity and inclusion. Republican state lawmakers have countered with more 60 measures to prohibit or restrict it, according to an Associated Press analysis using the bill tracking software Plural. Five of those GOP bills have won final approval. The new Utah law prohibits government agencies, universities and K-12 schools from having diversity, equity and inclusion offices. Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb, a Republican, signed legislation last week barring higher education institutions from considering statements about diversity, equity and inclusion in decisions about employment, benefits or student admissions. That legislation also specifies that any diversity programming must address both cultural and intellectual diversity. Republican lawmakers in Idaho and Wisconsin last week passed bills barring higher education institutions from conditioning employment and admission decisions on diversity statements. In Wisconsin, Democratic Gov. Tony Evers is expected to veto his state's legislation. In Kansas, Kelly hasn't said what she would do if either GOP proposal passed, but she vetoed an anti-DEI provision included in budget legislation last year. The measure approved by Alabama lawmakers would prohibit state agencies, universities and K-12 school systems from sponsoring DEI programs. It also would prohibit them from forcing students or employees to adhere to a divisive concept," a term that covers concepts such as white privilege, systemic discrimination and the idea that merit-based systems actually are racist or sexist. The new Alabama law, which takes effect Oct. 1, would prohibit universities, K-12 school systems and state agencies from sponsoring DEI programs, defined under the bill as classes, training, programs and events where attendance is based on a persons race, sex, gender identity, ethnicity, national origin or sexual orientation. Legislation that passed the Kentucky House this week includes similar language in its definition of discriminatory" concepts that state universities would be barred in using in training programs or course requirements. In the Kansas House, the higher education committee wrestled with drafting a definition. Republican Rep. Clark Sanders, another central Kansas Republican, initially expressed misgivings about the lack of one but later came around. I may not be able to give you an explanation or a definition, but I'd know it when I saw it, he said. Lieb reported from Jefferson City, Missouri. ISLAMABAD, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Two soldiers were killed and 15 others injured in a suicide attack in Pakistan's northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Thursday, official sources confirmed. The incident happened in Dera Ismail Khan district of the province when some unknown militants opened fire at a convoy of security forces, sources from the Counter Terrorism Department of the province told Xinhua. The firing was followed by the suicide attack in which the two soldiers including a military driver were killed, the sources added. The area had been cordoned off for investigations. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet. VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / March 20, 2024 / Noram Lithium Corp. ("Noram" or the "Company") (TSXV:NRM)(OTCQB:NRVTF)(Frankfurt:N7R) announces that all motions put forward for approval at its 2024 Annual General and Special Meeting held March 18th in Vancouver, British Columbia (the "AGM") were passed. 2024 Annual General Meeting Results At the AGM, the following individuals were re-elected as the directors of the Company: Anita Algie, Sandy MacDougall, Arthur Brown, Cyrus Driver and Adam Falkoff. The Company's new Omnibus Plan was approved and Dale Matheson Carr-Hilton Labonte, Chartered Professional Accountants, was also re-appointed as the auditors of the Company for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2025. About Noram Lithium Corp. Noram Lithium Corp. (TSXV:NRM)(OTCQB:NRVTF)(Frankfurt:N7R) is focusing on advancing its 100%-owned Zeus Lithium Project located in Clayton Valley, Nevada an emerging lithium hub within the United States. With the upsurge in the electric vehicle and energy storage markets the Company aims to become a key participant in the domestic supply of lithium in the United States. The Company is committed to creating shareholder value through the strategic allocation of capital. For additional information: Investor Relations at ir@noramlithiumcorp.com Telephone: 1-604-553-2279 ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Cyrus Driver Interim Chair About Noram Lithium Corp. Noram Lithium Corp. (TSXV:NRM)(OTCQB:NRVTF)(Frankfurt:N7R) is focusing on advancing its 100%-owned Zeus Lithium Project located in Clayton Valley, Nevada an emerging lithium hub within the United States. With the upsurge in the electric vehicle and energy storage markets the Company aims to become a key participant in the domestic supply of lithium in the United States. The Company is committed to creating shareholder value through the strategic allocation of capital. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Information This news release may contain forward-looking information which is not comprised of historical facts. Forward-looking information involves risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those SOURCE: Noram Lithium Corp. View the original At the Mission Waco Jubilee Theatre this weekend, the Wild Imaginings theater company will sing about successful and unsuccessful presidential killers. And, yes, its a musical. Across town at Baylor Universitys Hooper-Schaefer Fine Arts Center, Baylor Theatre imagines a story where a three-generational family moves into a mans apartment and gradually takes over his life even though theyre strangers. Its not your usual theater weekend in Waco, one where theatergoers can experience a pre-eclipse dose of dark comedy. For the Wild Imaginings company, the dose is Stephen Sondheims musical Assassins, a 1990 work in which he puts nine people whove tried to kill a president in conversation with each other. Director Trent Clifford said its not a serious look at or endorsement of political violence, but more of a study of characters and their motivations within their time period and culture. Its capturing the people more than facts and figures, he said. A common thread and one that resonates in a presidential election year during polarized times is the all or nothing attitude that drives the assassins to action. What better year to do a show like this? Clifford said. Assassins and would-be ones like John Wilkes Booth (Jason Sanchez), Lee Harvey Oswald (Ethan Trueman), Lynette Squeaky Fromme (Meg Burleson), Sarah Jane Moore (Chris Gibson) and John Hinckley Jr. (Chris Clifford) are the most recognizable ones, but the musical also features lesser-known Charles Guiteau (William Priest), who shot President James Garfield, and Leon Czolgosz (Jordan Cheek), who shot President William McKinney. Farther down the infamy ladder are Samuel Byck (Jeffrey Vitarius), who schemed to kill President Richard Nixon, and Giuseppe Zangara (Karen Savage), who tried to shoot President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. The actions set in a carnival shooting gallery, where characters share their stories and interact with each other with a Balladeer (Carrie Qualls) stitching together the story. With characters spanning more than a century of American history, Assassins samples an eclectic mix of folk and pop styles, sung to a prerecorded track and with music direction by Melanie Wheat. Its an eclectic little musical ... not for kids, but, simultaneously, its hilarious, Clifford said. Assassins runs Thursday through Sunday at the Jubilee Theatre with performances at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $18. At Baylor Theatre, the play is Kobo Abes 1967 Friends, in which an apartment dweller finds a family of eight a married couple, their five children and a grandmother announcing they are his new friends to fight his loneliness, moving into his living space. As the play proceeds, the invaders not only take over his apartment, but his life. Director and Baylor theater professor David Jortner is a scholar of Japanese theater and longtime fan of Abe, a playwright and author best known for his novel The Woman in the Dunes, whose 1964 film adaptation became a cinema classic. Abes absurdist Friends speaks to audiences beyond the playwrights original urban Japanese audience of the 1960s, Jortner said. Its a story of individuals versus the collective. Its something we struggle with in the United States all the time, he said. The invading familys tactics of taking the apartment owners words and twisting them to their purpose also rings true in an era where gaslighting, the often public denial of an obvious fact or truth, seems on the rise. Its how people influence others and are able to use twists of logic to make people act against their will, he said. Jortner took his four-person Baylor production design crew to Tokyo on a two-week study trip last year, and that contact shapes the look and sound of Friends. The set evokes the sliding interior doors and screens of many Japanese residences, but with surprises hidden behind. Friends continues through Sunday at Baylors Hooper-Schaefer Fine Arts Center with performances at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $20. A 22-year-old man was sentenced to eight years in prison Tuesday after pleading guilty to intoxication manslaughter in a drunken driving crash that killed his brother. Alexis Gutierrez was arrested following an August 2022 car crash in which his brother, 23-year-old Abelardo Gutierrez, was killed. The Tribune-Herald previously reported Gutierrez was seen driving a pickup truck and doing doughnuts prior to the rollover crash, which happened at about 3:30 a.m. Abelardo Gutierrez was dead when medical personnel arrived, according to an arrest affidavit. Alexis Gutierrez initially denied that he was driving, but witnesses told police they saw Alexis Gutierrez in the drivers seat and showed police a social media video Abelardo Gutierrez posted before the crash showing Alexis driving with alcoholic beverages visible in the center console. McLennan County First Assistant District Attorney Ryan Calvert said Alexis Gutierrez was charged with aggravated assault in August 2021 after threatening other drivers in a road rage incident, and was later placed on deferred probation in July 2022. The deferred probation deal was revoked after his 2022 arrest, Calvert said. Calvert said Gutierrez was also sentenced to eight years for violating his probation in the aggravated assault case. The two sentences will run concurrently. When appropriate, we try to temper justice with mercy. Mr. Gutierrez received that benefit once, Calvert said. On the manslaughter case, the victims family did not want prison time. But Gutierrezs continued criminal conduct abused the communitys trust and cost a man his life. Those actions demanded meaningful prison time. Gutierrez must serve at least half of his term before becoming eligible to seek parole. A woman has been charged with assisting in the June 17 armed robbery of Boozers Jewelers, in which $1.7 million dollars worth of jewelry was stolen and employees were tied up and threatened. Sabrina Raquelle Glasker, 39, formerly of Waco, was arrested in California on March 5 by a U.S. Marshals Service task force and was extradited to McLennan County on Thursday, according to Waco police. She was charged with aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon, a first-degree felony. Five others were indicted in October in connection with the robbery. John Wesley Rainwater, 43, was charged with committing the robbery and was also charged by the FBI in two 2022 Hewitt Drive bank robberies, while four others were charged with assisting Rainwater pawn the stolen jewelry in Austin. Lawanda Lynette Joiner, Tonia Freeman, Tontanisha Freeman and Jessica Renee Tolbert were each charged with third-degree felony theft between $30,000 and $150,000. The Tribune-Herald previously reported that two armed robbers entered Boozers Jewelers, 1025 N. Valley Mills Drive, around 4 p.m. June 17, just before the stores closure. The robbers, one male and one female, zip-tied two employees and forced a third at gunpoint to empty the stores shelves. Brad Boozer, the jewelry stores owner, said at the time the thieves took approximately 90% of his stores inventory. According to Glaskers arrest warrant affidavit, she was identified after police conducted a search warrant of Rainwaters phone and found messages between him and Glasker. They learned Glasker and Rainwater had communicated about getting temporary license plates from Joiner, and later discovered Joiner had rented an Airbnb for Glasker in Austin in late June and early July. Phone record searches also revealed Glaskers phone was in the area of Boozers around the time of the robbery, the affidavit says. Police also learned Rainwater and Glasker had communicated over the phone while he was in jail, where Rainwater told Glasker to locate Tontanisha Freeman to get the stuff back. Police later tied Rainwater to the robbery after his arrest in connection with the two Hewitt Drive bank robberies. He was charged in the April 2022 armed robbery of First Convenience Bank in the Walmart at 600 Hewitt Drive, and in the October 2022 armed robbery of Texell Credit Union, 1221 Hewitt Drive. According to court documents, police noticed similar tactics used in the two robberies, such as zip-tying the employees, and noticed Rainwater matched the suspect caught on security footage in the Boozers robbery. Rainwater was also found in possession of jewelry stolen during the Boozers robbery when he was arrested on federal warrants in July. Tontanisha and Tonia Freeman were arrested in Travis County on Aug. 4, and both were released the next day on $8,500 bond. Joiner was arrested in Waco also on Aug. 4, and was released on $3,500 bond on Aug. 5. Tolbert was arrested in Williamson County on Oct. 9 and was released the same day on $15,000 bond. Rainwater remained jailed Thursday on $1.5 million bond. Glasker remained jailed Thursday on $750,000 bond. China Spring and Midway High School students will take flight in planes of their own making within the next two years. Both districts have partnered with the educational nonprofit Tango Flight to start a new engineering program, allowing students to build and fly in a two-seat plane, though a professional pilot will be at the controls. Tango Flight provides the building materials, blueprints, regular inspections and a dual-credit curriculum that introduces students to the disciplines of aerospace, electrical, mechanical, manufacturing and design engineering. With hands-on training, students apply their classroom knowledge to building a plane over a two year period. Even after the planes take to the sky and are sold to fund future Tango Flight programs, school officials hope the experience leaves a solid foundation for their engineering programs to build on and for individual students future endeavors in engineering. China Spring Students enter the shop and immediately break off into groups. Everyone seems to knows what they need to work on for the plane. Jeff Bray, engineering instructor at China Spring High School, stands back, waiting for students to approach him with questions. Were at a point now where they come in, and theyve done it for almost a year now, so they know how to follow directions, Bray said. They know what to do. If they dont know what to do, they dont guess because theyve learned that sometimes a simple mistake can cost you hours of work to undo and redo. Bray and 19 students started the Tango Flight program in the fall. Since then, they have made significant progress. The class meets for two hours a day, three to four days a week, to learn about tools, read blueprints, identify mechanical pieces and actively build their plane. Bray estimates 90% of the planes body will be complete by the end of the year. According to Tango Flight, for us just running one practicum class right now, we are way ahead of schedule and have the least amount of errors and reordering of any program out of the 32 this year, Bray said. Bray attributes part of the programs success to the volunteer mentors who help guide the project. When students make mistakes, the mentors come up with creative solutions. One of the class mentors, Robert Chalmers, a private pilot and someone who has worked with planes for most of his life, helps the students follow instructions and proper safety measures. Theyve been doing well, Chalmers said. From the time when I got here up until now, things are starting to take shape, looking more like an aircraft all the time. Chalmers and his fellow mentor, Gary Stokes, a retired aviation mechanic, connected with the program through Bray. The volunteers were then required to complete a background check and Tango Flight mentor training over the summer. Students were selected for the program based on a mix of criteria, including the completion of prerequisite courses, the ability to take future engineering classes and student interest in the program. Caitlyn Liles and Ariel Asare, juniors at China Spring High School, were both interested in the course because they hope to study engineering after graduation. I feel like I am lucky because you have to take certain classes to be allowed in this class, said Liles, who hopes to study software engineering after high school. I think I was lucky to get in here, especially since I am a girl and its just not what you would think. Asare, who wants to study astronautical engineering in college, is excited to see the plane fully constructed but does not think she will take a ride in it because she has a fear of heights. This class has really helped us grow together and become great engineers, Asare said. Its a very tedious process but its really fun too. The students seem determined to be the first school in Central Texas to finish the program. Next year they will work on installing the powerplant, propeller and interior flight controls. Then, the school will coordinate with the Waco Regional Airport and inspectors from Tango Flight to allow students to fly in the plane with a professional pilot. In the next couple years, Bray foresees the expansion of the engineering program at China Spring High School due to the success of the current program. With our engineering program being in its inaugural year, we have had phenomenal growth and interest by our student body to get involved, Bray said. I can easily see us having many engineering teachers on staff in the next few years, as well as offering other areas of engineering focus as a result of this venture. It is nice to see other school districts in the area look at this program and to decide to pursue it as a result of our efforts and success. Midway Midway Independent School District will begin its program in the fall. The partnership between the district and Tango Flight has been made possible by $133,000 in donations from the Midway Education Foundation and other community partners. Community members gathered at Midway High School last week to present donations to Jess Wheeler, director of college and career readiness at Midway ISD. Wheeler will lead the program and said it is an opportunity to prepare students for college and future careers in science, technology, engineering and math. Whats going to happen is kids are going to come and build an airplane, but at the same time, theyre going to get to work alongside industry partners, theyre going to get to work alongside post-secondary partners, and thats not something that happens throughout much of the building on a day-to-day basis, Wheeler said. The Midway Education Foundation made the bulk of the donations, with $89,962 pledged to the program. The Jim & Lynnette Allmon Foundation donated another $25,000, and various community partners, including Blackhawk Aerospace, the Texas State Technical College Foundation, Haggard & Stocking, the Baylor University Institute for Air Science and Col. Joe McKethan, contributed $19,000. Students and administrators at the event expressed excitement for the upcoming course. Midway Superintendent Chris Allen said the program is more than just students building a plane. We live in a time where theres a certain amount of cynicism when it comes to the hope we should have for the next generation, Allen said. And what I love is seeing events like this where you see all these people come together to support our young people and begin to share a message that runs against that cynicism. The fact of the matter is, if well believe in our young people and well put them in positions to be successful, theyll exceed our expectations in ways we couldnt even begin to imagine. Midway junior Ragen Barker is interested in the program and feels lucky to gain the experience during high school, as he hopes to study mechanical engineering in college. It makes me feel excited for myself, but hopeful for the people that come after me, because its not like Im the only person whos going to get to experience this, Barker said. There are many other students who will also gain the experience that Ill have. Students who have taken prerequisite engineering courses will be eligible for the program next school year. Over the next two years, students will work on the plane in the schools windowed shop, allowing all students passing by to watch their progress. Tango Flight The Tango Flight nonprofit was founded in 2015 to address a shortage of aerospace engineers, aviation mechanics and young pilots. Since the first successful program in Georgetown, Tango Flight has provided support for more than 20 programs across the country. The homestead exemption process can save homeowners thousands in property taxes, and the McLennan County Tax Office says it takes most people only minutes to complete without charge. But officials warn they have noticed an uptick in third parties charging hefty fees up to half the recovered amount to help homeowners apply for the exemptions. They are not calling these practices scams, but they urge homeowners to know the facts: Securing an exemption is simple and should cost nothing. Kathy Hollomon, chief deputy at the county tax office, said she knows of someone due homestead-related refunds totaling $6,000. But she will split that windfall with a company agreeing to pursue the exemption for a price. There are people who have likely paid considerably more, Holloman said. If someone does not want to mess with pursuing a homestead exemption, thats fine, but I believe some simply do not know their options. Maybe they moved here from out-of-state, sold their home in California for $1 million and bought one in China Spring for $500,000. Thats a lot of money to be saved. School districts statewide must reduce by $100,000 the appraised value of homes that qualify for homestead exemptions. McLennan County and McLennan Community College reduce homestead values by 20% each, the city of Waco trims homestead values by 15%, Hollomon said. The tax office takes the matter seriously, issuing a press release reminding residents it is free to file a homestead exemption form. It appears that there are out of town companies that are filing Residence Homestead Exemptions for property taxes and charging unreasonable amounts of money to do so, McLennan County Tax Assessor-Collector Randy Riggs said in the press release. An exemption for a homestead may be filed for free with the McLennan Central Appraisal District. The homestead exemption application, known as Form 50-114, is available at mclennancad.org or from the Texas State Comptrollers Office at comptroller.texas.gov. The form includes three pages, though only two pages have fields for applicants to fill out. Some citizens in McLennan County have allowed third-party companies to file the form on their behalf charging hundreds of dollars, according to the press release. It says anyone with questions may call the county tax office at 254-757-5130 or the McLennan Central Appraisal District at 254-752-9864. Hollomon said the tax office a year ago noticed an influx of letters from third parties, advising they would be collecting refunds related to homestead exemptions, and would take their agreed-upon fee from the proceeds before passing along the balance to the homeowner involved. She said in some cases the tax office already had mailed refunds to homeowners before learning of third-party involvement. She estimated the tax office has received about 200 such letters, which arrive in waves and then stop. She said the tax office recently received 31 such letters. Many letters come from Refund Advisory Corp., Hollomon said. A Refund Advisory Corp. employee in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, who identified himself as a refund recovery specialist but would not give his name, said the company receives inquiries, but not what he would call complaints. He said the company maintains a presence statewide. Some taxing entities take a straightforward approach to processing homestead exemption requests, he said, while others are more complicated. Some homeowners may want help dealing with homestead rejection letters, having received a list of reasons why they were not approved. The staffer said the company charges a contingency fee that varies from case to case. Jim Halbert, acting chief appraiser at the McLennan Central Appraisal District, said having third parties enter into contracts with homeowners is something that has been around awhile, but we have seen an uptick. These are legitimate companies, but people are paying for something available free, Halbert said. You can fill out the forms on our website or in our office, which is located at 315 S. 26th St. Homeowners who have failed to request homestead exemptions they were eligible for can pursue refunds for the two years before the current tax year, Halbert said. Owners generally qualify for homestead exemptions on any type of home they use as their primary residence, including up to 20 acres of land used for residential purposes. Additional exemptions may apply for homeowners who are 65 or older, disabled or military veterans. Eclipse history Eclipses in History and Culture will be presented from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday at the Waco-McLennan County Central Library, 1717 Austin Ave. Baylor University astronomer Barbara Castanheira-Endl will discuss eclipses and how people and societies have reacted to them through the years. Castanheira-Endl will be available for questions and answers at the end of the program. A limited number of eclipse glasses will be available for program attendees. Tickets will be handed out on a first-come, first-served basis to be redeemed for one pair of eclipse glasses at the end of the program. Hazardous waste Wacos annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day will run from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Waco Solid Waste Operations Center, 501 Schroeder Drive. The free service is available to people who live in the city limits of Waco, Bellmead, Hewitt, Lacy Lakeview or Woodway. Pre-registration is available for a fast lane via waco-texas.com/HHWD the Waco Curbside Services smartphone app or by calling 254-299-2606. Pre-registered residents are asked to bring their registration confirmation number and a photo ID. Residents who do not pre-register must bring a current water or utility bill with matching identification. For lists of accepted and prohibited items, go to waco-texas.com/HHWD and click the registration link. For more information, call Solid Waste Customer Service at 254-299-2612 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, email soildwasteinfo@wacotx.gov or text 254-644-3336. One Hour, One Planet Texas State Technical College will host One Hour, One Planet at 10 a.m. Saturday at the TSTC Recreation Center, 2025 Campus Drive. The free event will feature science, technology, engineering and math activities and a planetarium experience. All ages are welcome. Registration is available at https://forms.gle/onUzmDD1XAtWfPAr9. Mammoths on the March The Waco Mammoth National Monument, 6220 Steinbeck Bend Drive, will hold its annual Mammoths on the March celebration from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Activities will include a petting zoo, flower plantings, egg hunt, crafts, sandbox excavations for kids, fossil fun and community exhibitors. The event is free to attend. Guided and self-guided tours of the fossil quarry in the Dig Shelter will be open all da, with the regular fee. The parks hiking trails, restrooms and gift shop will also be open. Storytelling guild The Heart of Texas Storytelling Guild will meet at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Good Neighbor House, 2301 Colcord Ave. Storytellers and story listeners are welcome. Beekeeping class McLennan Community Colleges Highlander Ranch, 223 Cobbs Lane, will host a beginning beekeeping class from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. The class will cover details of how to keep honey bees, what tools are needed right away, how to use them, beekeeping tips and tricks and how to adjust methods according to the season. Cost is $69, which includes a one-year membership in either the Bell/Coryell, Heart of Texas or Temple Area beekeepers association. For more information, call Aimee Edwards at 254-299-8553 or email aedwards@mclennan.edu. Board Game Bonanza The West Waco Library, 5301 Bosque Blvd., will host Board Game Bonanza from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday. Participants can relax over a board game, meet new friends and have a chat. Options available at the library include Scrabble, dominos, Uno, Monopoly and an assortment of other games. Participants also can bring their favorite board game along and introduce it to others, and are welcome to bring drinks and snacks. City Easter egg hunts The city of Waco will hold Easter egg hunts Saturday at the Dewey, Doris Miller and South Waco community centers. The events are free to the public, and children ages 13 and under are invited to participate in the egg hunt. Times follow: 10 a.m. at the South Waco Community Center, 2815 Speight Ave. 11 a.m. at the Dewey Community Center, 925 N. Ninth St. Free photos with the Easter Bunny will also be available. Noon at the Doris Miller Community Center, 1020 Elm Ave., starting with a family carnival featuring games and activities at the center. The egg hunt will follow at 1:30 p.m. Eclipse: Shining Shadows Eclipse: Shining Shadows, a juried exhibit, will have its opening reception from 6 to 8 p.m. March 28 at Art Center Waco, 701 S. Eighth St. The exhibit will remain open March 28 through May 4 and feature more than 30 Texas artists and their expression of the awe inspiring phenomenon of the eclipse. Admission is free. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Scholarship applications The Heart of Texas Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America annually awards educational scholarships to deserving students who are pursuing or plan to pursue undergraduate or graduate studies at an accredited institution of higher education. The scholarship announcement and applications, due April 5, are available at HOTMOAA.org. He said he didnt hit her multiple times. She climbed on the bed and ran across the bed to get away from him and fell. Shaikh Nawaf S. Al-Sabah (R), deputy chairman and CEO of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, speaks at the global forum CERAWeek in Houston, Texas, the United States, on March 19, 2024. Energy leaders from the Global South on Tuesday outlined their companies' plans to increase oil and gas production while developing more renewable energy during the ongoing global forum CERAWeek. (Photo by Chen Chen/Xinhua) by Nie Shangyou HOUSTON, March 21 (Xinhua)-- Energy leaders from the Global South on Tuesday outlined their companies' plans to increase oil and gas production while developing more renewable energy during the ongoing global forum CERAWeek in Houston, Texas. "We will invest 300 billion (U.S.) dollars between now and 2040 to increase production capacity from current 3 million barrels per day (b/d) to 4 million b/d by 2035, and sustain at that level until 2040," Shaikh Nawaf S. Al-Sabah, deputy chairman and CEO of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, told the CERAWeek audience. The company plans to start offshore production soon and welcomes outside investors and partners to form a new type of partnership that features more direct involvement in the operations, he said. Kuwait also has an ambitious plan to develop more renewable energy with its abundant solar energy resources, first to power its oil production, he added. "Most people do not realize that Nigeria has more gas than oil," said Mele Kyari, group chief executive officer of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation. The company has raised its oil production from below 1 million b/d in 2022 to the current over 1.6 million b/d, and together with its international partners, it is building a new processing unit in the Nigerian LNG project to bring the capacity to 30 million tons per annum (mtpa) from the current 22 mtpa, said Kyari. He voiced hope that a final decision will be made before the end of this year for the 5,300-km Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline project. Once completed, it can be extended to supply Europe and is expected to benefit as many as 10 African countries along the route. The economic growth of the Global South will be key to global oil demand growth in the next decade when the world is going through an energy transition and seeing rapid renewable energy development, said local analysts. However, the Global South's role in tackling climate change and energy transition is also becoming increasingly important, as some 85 percent of the world's population lives there. During the forum, speakers from the Global South stressed the importance of an orderly and just energy transition, calling for "big and different thinking" to address "energy poverty." They criticized some groups for forcing an unrealistic pace for energy transition when much of the Global South does not even have access to electricity to meet basic needs, adding that the priority of the Global South is to provide affordable, reliable and sustainable energy to their people. The 2024 CERAWeek's theme, multidimensional energy transition, reflects the recognition that the energy transition will be complex unfolding in different ways in different regions, with different priorities among governments, companies, and consumers, said Daniel Yergin, vice chairman of CERAWeek's organizer S&P Global. CERAWeek, known as the Super Bowl in the global energy industry, draws over 9,000 government, industry and academic leaders from more than 80 countries and regions this year. It will run till Friday. Mele Kyari (R), group chief executive officer of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, speaks at the global forum CERAWeek in Houston, Texas, the United States, on March 19, 2024. Energy leaders from the Global South on Tuesday outlined their companies' plans to increase oil and gas production while developing more renewable energy during the ongoing global forum CERAWeek. (Photo by Chen Chen/Xinhua) Shaikh Nawaf S. Al-Sabah, deputy chairman and CEO of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, speaks at the global forum CERAWeek in Houston, Texas, the United States, on March 19, 2024. Energy leaders from the Global South on Tuesday outlined their companies' plans to increase oil and gas production while developing more renewable energy during the ongoing global forum CERAWeek. (Photo by Chen Chen/Xinhua) A participant takes a photo during a session at the global forum CERAWeek in Houston, Texas, the United States, on March 19, 2024. Energy leaders from the Global South on Tuesday outlined their companies' plans to increase oil and gas production while developing more renewable energy during the ongoing global forum CERAWeek. (Photo by Chen Chen/Xinhua) WATERLOO -- A nonprofit will celebrate its first anniversary with a fundraiser. Cedar Valley Thrift and Outreach is hosting a Western-style "Sip and Paint" from 6 to 9 p.m. on April 6 at the Grout Museum, 503 South St. in Waterloo. ReShonda Young, the co-founder of Bank and Jabez, will be the speaker. There will be a "chuck wagon chow down" featuring ribs and fried catfish. A $50 prize will be given out to the best dressed cowboy or cowgirl. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased by sending payment via CashApp at cash.app/$karmintcv2 or purchased in-store at 1109 East Fourth St. in Waterloo. CEDAR FALLS Four year old Maggie McRoberts wants to be a doctor for pets. She was at the UNI-Dome Tuesday going from booth-to-booth during the Cedar Valley Family STEM Festival, learning all about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. She played with blocks at a booth for the Cedar Valley Society of Women Engineers. Another girl at the booth, Kenna Edgerton, said she was most excited to learn about anything that will help her become a first grade teacher. Its really fun to walk around these events and see just how excited kids are to learn about different things that are not necessarily in a school setting, said Kylie Meyer, a University of Northern Iowa junior who was volunteering at the STEM festival. And, she added, its the exact reason events like this exist. The Northeast Iowa Region of the Governors STEM Advisory Council hosted the event, which included more than 70 exhibitors. Organized like a street festival, families wandered around the UNI-Dome, visiting booths and participating in all kinds of activities that piqued their interest. Children were seen lining up blocks, coloring, using robots to move cups from one location to another and even creating experiments with household items like tin foil and salt. FIRST Tech Challenge Team 6420, Sabre-HOOF Tigers of Cedar Falls, showcased its robots, which thrilled the younger attendees. Employers like InVision Architecture, Power Engineering and Manufacturing, First Bank, and John Deere were also on hand to hype up the crowd. At John Deeres booth, children used rock salt to make ice cream in a bag. This sweet treat was a hit with both children and their parents. Fred Sandoval, a member of the John Deere Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, said he enjoys meeting children at the festival who may not have yet bridged the gap between fun and their future. We love coming to events like this because it helps kids to start to think about their future, said Sandoval. I was a kid also and didnt care about anything but hanging out with my friends. But, as you get older, you start to think about where you are going to be in five years. STEM careers on average, pay more for just a four year degree, he said. Then (with) just about anything else ... you can write your own ticket. Writing her own ticket is what led Meyer to volunteer for the festival. STEM is really important. Its a very good avenue for lots of kids to go down. There are a lot of job opportunities for both kids and adults, she said. We put on this festival to bring different organizations from all of the Cedar Valley and some from Iowa City to highlight what STEM is all about. To learn more about STEM, including fun experiments for kids, go online to neiowastem.com. Close Colby Dieckman of Cedar Falls, 10, runs an excavator simulator at the Hawkeye Community College Regional Transportation Training Center exhibit during the Cedar Valley Family STEM Festival on Tuesday at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. Children drive robots at the Cedar Falls FIRST Tech Challenge Sabre-HOOF Tigers Team 6420 exhibit during the Cedar Valley Family STEM Festival on Tuesday at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. Millie Webster of Cedar Falls, 11, grabs a flower that was dipped in liquid nitrogen at the University of Iowa Chemistry Department exhibit during the Cedar Valley Family STEM Festival on Tuesday at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. Allison and Luke Dobes of Cedar Falls race each other as they pump water in rubber duck competition at the Viking Pump exhibit during the Cedar Valley Family STEM Festival on Tuesday at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. Caleb Pruess of Cedar Falls, 7, blows air between balloons to see the effect of the Bernoulli Principle during the Cedar Valley Family STEM Festival on Tuesday at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. Families browse through the exhibits during the Cedar Valley Family STEM Festival on Tuesday at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. Cedar Valley Family STEM Festival held at the UNI-Dome Families enjoyed the Cedar Valley Family STEM Festival on March 19, 2024, on the University of Northern Iowa campus. Colby Dieckman of Cedar Falls, 10, runs an excavator simulator at the Hawkeye Community College Regional Transportation Training Center exhibit during the Cedar Valley Family STEM Festival on Tuesday at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. Children drive robots at the Cedar Falls FIRST Tech Challenge Sabre-HOOF Tigers Team 6420 exhibit during the Cedar Valley Family STEM Festival on Tuesday at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. Millie Webster of Cedar Falls, 11, grabs a flower that was dipped in liquid nitrogen at the University of Iowa Chemistry Department exhibit during the Cedar Valley Family STEM Festival on Tuesday at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. Allison and Luke Dobes of Cedar Falls race each other as they pump water in rubber duck competition at the Viking Pump exhibit during the Cedar Valley Family STEM Festival on Tuesday at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. Caleb Pruess of Cedar Falls, 7, blows air between balloons to see the effect of the Bernoulli Principle during the Cedar Valley Family STEM Festival on Tuesday at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. Families browse through the exhibits during the Cedar Valley Family STEM Festival on Tuesday at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. WATERLOO The fact that several people were bitten by a couples dog is not enough to define the pet as a threat and deserving of the worst punishment, an attorney told a judge Wednesday. The city cant just say there have been five incidents and (the dog) needs to be killed, attorney Jamie Hunter argued on behalf of LyAnn and Chris Western during a brief hearing in Black Hawk County District Court. The Westerns are appealing the decision to euthanize their pet made by Cedar Falls Police Chief Mark Howard. The City Council upheld the chiefs decision during a November public meeting regarding the brown and white American Bully dog. At that point, the Cedar Falls couple represented themselves during the proceedings. Judge Joel Dalrymple said he will make a ruling as soon as he can but noted afterwards not to expect one this week. If Dalrymple were to rule in favor of the city, the judge said what is a little unique case on a topic he doesnt deal with very often could be further challenged through one of the states appellate courts. Hunter, who attended the hearing virtually, told the judge that he needs to look beyond the fact that the dog, named Reese, bit five people between May 2021 and October 2023. She noted the bites were all very minor and said other factors need to be considered, like how the Westerns responded to the incidents involving their beloved dog. At every stage, theyve acknowledged their role, said Hunter. She explained that the Westerns havent claimed to be innocent in the matter and have taken steps to address what might be evidence that Reese gets excited and anxious around strangers. For example, the Westerns told the council in November they took away a doggy door after previous incidents at their 18th Street residence when the dog had gone through and bitten people right outside the home. In her written briefs, Hunter, who specializes in animal rights cases with Dickey, Campbell & Sahag Law Firm in Des Moines, also took issue with the due process in some instances, calling parts illegal and improper. But she didnt address that portion of her argument orally Wednesday, as attorney Austin McMahon, representing the city, pointed out during an in-person appearance at the courtroom. However, he said officials stood behind the process outlined in city code. They had a meaningful opportunity to be heard, he said about the hearing lasting more than two hours in front of the council. McMahon, from Swisher and Cohrt in Waterloo, noted the facts are undisputed. He wrote in his briefing and restated in the courtroom that the appropriate question is whether the evidence presented is sufficient to support the actual findings and conclusions made, not whether reasonable minds could have arrived at contrary findings and conclusions. After five dog bites, he told the judge, the city doesnt want to wait for the sixth or seventh incident. Photojournalist Chris Zoeller's favorite photos of 2021 Flags for a father Ironman Battalion Returns Kimberly Lone rider Gucci Rowers Waterloo Election Night Mayor Hart Heartbeat Might of the Irish Doggie Dive Attack on unions As a longtime UAW and Teamsters member I am very angry at a state Legislature that constantly tells its own constituents they have no rights! Once again we have a bill to restrict public employees rights! This is about control and Republicans hate of unions! When I organized for the Teamsters we did so undercover because we knew what would happen. They would find a reason to fire! Our own Republican legislators in Congress and the Legislature rarely speak out in favor of union, nor do they submit legislation to guarantee the freedom to organize. It is shameful. What is also really shameful is despite the trumpeting of local control, every session legislation moves through the Legislature to restrict or end local control. Seems to me Republicans want to be your boss. Why are you allowing it, voters? Harold Tuchel, Waterloo Trump and Putin Our U.S. representatives would provide military aid to Ukraine if theyd dump their cowardly obedience to their Fuhrer Trump. He told them to vote against that proposed aid package. Trump still has control over his intimidated puppets. If hed tell them the sun rises in west, and sets in the east, theyd simply agree with him. When Putin invaded Ukraine two years ago, Trump said Putin sure is a smart man. Does anyone get the feeling he wants Ukraine to fall to his pal Putin? If that Russian aggression isnt stopped, it will keep expanding. Whats this conversion therapy Iowa Republicans are pushing? Is it an effort to make a person into something the person doesnt want to be? Its like forcing a truck driver to become a cook, or forcing a surgeon to become a tax accountant, or visa versa? Iowa Sen. (Brad) Zaun has cleverly baited his bill to ban lifesaving, crash preventive speed enforcement cameras by mixing it in with a different issue. He and too many Republicans claim to be pro-life, but they go pro-death on sensible and necessary traffic laws and enforcement. They know where their election funding comes from. Herman Lenz, Sumner On Christian nationalism Everyone should understand what Christian nationalism is. Here in Iowa and across the country, religious extremists are pushing for new laws that restrict the freedom and liberty of those who are not straight, white evangelical Christians. This began in 1973 with The Institutes of Biblical Law by R.J. Rushdoony, who claimed that all the laws of this country ought to be based explicitly on fundamentalist interpretation of the Bible. At the time it was dismissed as a crackpot theory, but today, Christian nationalism is a potent political movement, and its primary goal is power. Its Seven Mountains Mandate calls for dominance in seven areas: family, religion, education, media, entertainment, business, and government. Gov. Reynolds and the Iowa GOP are climbing several of these mountains right now. On family, curtailing the rights of LGBTQ+ citizens and their families, with a long-term plan for ending same-sex marriage. On business, eviscerating unions. On government, limiting oversight by the state auditor. On education, dismantling AEAs and sending tax dollars to private religious schools. There was a time when Christian theology and clergy controlled and dominated all of Europe, and it lasted for centuries. Today we refer to that time as the Dark Ages. Doug Smith, Cedar Falls Land of the free As we draw closer to another national election, I wonder what kind of nation we want to be. Do we want a country that treats all equally? Or not? Will we be a nation where all Americans will be free to realize their full potential, not by the accident of their birth, but by the potential they possess? Will we be a nation willing to face its true history, both its triumphs and its atrocities? Will we have the courage to allow our schools to teach the complete truth? Will we be a country in which every eligible voter is able to easily cast a ballot and have that vote respected? Will we have a government that seeks freedom, or one that does what it can to control our lives and limit our freedom? Will we live in a place where the law has meaning? Or not? Will we settle disagreements by civil discourse and compromise, or by threats and violence? Will we trust elections, or only when they come out our way? The next election will answer these questions and many more. I pray that the nation will be more free, more democratic, with more opportunities for all. Jerry Nissen, Cedar Falls Not councils role I totally share the need for a cease-fire in the Middle East towards a lasting peace; but it is totally unfair to City Council members, who are fully committed to the well-being of Cedar Valley, to be asked to weigh in on something they have absolutely no control over. It creates unnecessary tension. What I believe would be more helpful is for the community leaders who wish to draw attention to this tragedy in the Middle East to host a Cedar Valley Rally for Peace, and I will personally help to invite speakers who can help us understand the history of that chronic war, and call for lasting solutions. In the process, we hear each other, we listen, we learn, and we support each other. That will be much more meaningful than a council resolution. Kamyar Enshayan, Cedar Falls More critical thinking Because of the limits of these letters, perhaps my generalities were too broad as I tried to cover wide ground. But glittering and wanderlust? And, because I did not give as detailed a description of critical thinking as Mr. Van Oort, I must be a linear zombie. And I do apologize for including other right-wing nonsense in my critique that Van Oort did not address specifically. Let me be specific. Dr. Michael Nehls, the author of The Indoctrinated Mind of which Mr. Van Oort is so fond is a German doctor whose work has been used by Nobel Prize winners. He also has been criticized severely by his peers for other works as pseudo science with conclusions that could be detrimental to some patients. Another part of critical thinking is not to begin with preconceived notions, as they say in court, to assume facts not in evidence. The main focus of Dr. Nehls book is to prove, without real evidence, an international conspiracy to control minds using the COVID pandemic as a cover. There are other points, but Im near the limit of words here. Think for yourself and look them up. Rick Johnson, Waverly WAVERLY The City Council gave its final stamp of approval for automatic speed and traffic cameras on Monday. The ordinance, allowing for their installation, passed 5-2 on its final of three readings. Councilmembers Rodney Drenkow and Tim Kangas dissented. Subsequently, the council approved in a 6-1 vote a master services agreement for Jenoptik Smart Mobility Solutions of Jupiter, Florida, to provide the technology services for at least five years. Kangas opposed. Fourth Street Southwest will be the initial focus, specifically at the intersections of 29th, 10th and Bremer avenues, where sensors will capture images of vehicles speeding, but also running red lights and not yielding to pedestrians when they have the right of way. Traffic light and pedestrian violations will be tagged with $100 fines. Speed violations will start at 11-20 mph above the limit at $75; 21-25 mph at $100; 26-30 mph at $150; and 31 mph or more at $200. Jenoptik will collect 35% of all fines as part of its service agreement with the city. The violations will not affect a persons driving record or insurance. Offenders will receive notice through the mail and have the option to pay them online. PHOTOS: Division III Wrestling Championships, Day Two, March 16, 2024 DES MOINES Organized retail theft would become a new state crime, and in certain cases would be a felony offense, under legislation that earned unanimous approval from Iowa state lawmakers. The proposal is on its way to Gov. Kim Reynolds desk for her consideration after it passed the Iowa Senate on Wednesday. The Senate passed the bill with a 47-0 vote; it previously passed the House on a 97-0 vote. The bill, House File 2594, creates the new state crime of organized retail theft and defines that crime as individuals working together steal retail merchandise and then attempting to sell that merchandise, advertising the stolen merchandise for sale or attempting to return the stolen merchandise for a refund. Legislators said the bill is needed because of an increase in retail theft in Iowa. Sen. Scott Webster, R-Bettendorf, said the bill will help fix the situation by creating a deterrent for such crimes. Sen. Tony Bisignano, D-Des Moines, praised the proposal but also said he wished it would go further and create punishments for other types of theft that have become more common, like stealing delivered packages from porches and doorsteps. Were seeing more and more that theft has become a profession, become organized, Bisignano said during debate. We need to combat organized theft. Under the bill, organized retail theft, depending on the value of merchandise stolen, would range from a serious misdemeanor to a Class C felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine between $1,000 and $10,000. Flat tax proposal moves ahead A requirement that Iowa have just one income tax rate for all workers would be put to a public vote as an amendment to the Iowa Constitution under legislation advanced by Senate Republicans. The Iowa Constitution can only be amended by a provision that passes consecutive Iowa General Assemblys, and then approved by a public vote. Under Senate Study Bill 3189, the Iowa Constitution would be amended to state that there shall not be more than one state income tax rate above zero at any one time. The proposal passed the Iowa Senates tax policy committee on a party-line vote, with all Republicans supporting and all Democrats opposing. It is now eligible for consideration by the full Senate. A bill considered previously by statehouse Republicans included both the single tax rate provision and another that would require the approval of two-thirds of the Iowa Legislature in order to increase the state income tax. That provision is not included in the bill moving in the Senate. Sen. Dan Dawson, R-Council Bluffs, said the two proposals will both advance, but they must be separated so they can be posed as separate questions to the voters. Iowa AG asks court to raise age rating for TikTok Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird is asking a court to force TikTok to raise its age rating on app stores as she pursues a lawsuit against the social media company. Bird, a Republican, sued TikTok in January, alleging the app is misleading parents by hosting content inappropriate for its 12+ app store rating. Bird filed a motion for a temporary injunction in the Polk County District Court on Wednesday, asking the court to stop TikTok from listing a 12+ rating on the Apple App Store and from listing that it contains only infrequent/mild references to alcohol, sexual content and suggestive themes. TikTok said when the lawsuit was filed that it has significant safeguards in place and limits access for users under 18. TikTok also has been under scrutiny at the federal level, as congressional lawmakers seek to force its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to sell the app or face a ban from U.S. app stores. A change in tax law has some solar providers walking on sunshine A change in tax law has some solar providers walking on sunshine Actually very sobering video. Destruction of a UAV operator base and they never suspect they are being watched Ouch and that building is dismantled instantly Good info to think about if you desire to kill Russians WtR A 41-year-old Winona woman was still in critical condition Wednesday at a hospital in La Crosse after police say she was hit by an SUV in a Winona crosswalk last week. On Wednesday, police identified the victim as Elizabeth Carol Ressie. Ressie was walking eastbound in a crosswalk on Mankato Avenue at the intersection of 10th Street at about 10 p.m. March 16 when police say she was struck by an SUV traveling southbound on Mankato Avenue. The Winona Police Department identified the driver of the SUV as Jorgina Mari Rae Meyer, 41, of Winona. Ressie was found unconscious on the train tracks when police arrived at the scene. Police say when she was hit by the SUV, she landed on the roof of the vehicle and then she fell off and was run over. She came to rest on the train tracks. Ressie was transported to Gundersen in La Crosse. Police noticed the odor of an alcoholic beverage on Meyer's breath and noted signs of impairment, but a preliminary breath test resulted in a low blood to alcohol level of 0.017 the legal limit to drive is 0.08. Meyer told officers she was taking prescription medication and smoked marijuana the day prior to the crash, police said. A blood sample was taken from Meyer. According to the police department Wednesday, the investigation is still ongoing and the Minnesota State Patrol is assisting with a crash reconstruction. The investigation could take months before it is completed, the department stated. No charges have been filed against the driver. Winona Area Public Schools Board of Education member Karl Sonneman said Monday he plans to offer a new proposal related to the districts elementary schools at the upcoming school board meeting Thursday evening. Sonneman proposed eliminating attendance area boundaries for the district's elementary schools, rather than organize them by grade levels as the board is considering now. The new proposal would allow families to choose the elementary school their children attend. Sonneman proposed making busing available for the families, too. According to the plan, enrollment caps would be set for each grade at each building. The proposal then suggests establishing single-level class size goals. Multi-grade classes would potentially be established if necessary. Teaching assistants would also be used more in elementary classes, according to Sonneman. The Rios program would be kept at Jefferson. For early childhood education, Sonnemans plan proposes that east and west programs would be created to serve the neighborhoods where families live. Sonneman's proposal also provides a long-term plan for the district. Sonneman proposes expanding the land footprint of Washington-Kosciusko Elementary School. This would potentially include closing the schools adjoining street, but not Mankato Avenue, and acquiring more lots near the closed street on the adjacent block. The district, according to the proposal, would attempt to make the changes voluntary and use capital from the geothermal tax refund. Sonneman proposes the district make one or more of its elementary schools interest-based magnet schools. Each school would potentially focus on a different topic area, based on popularity, with the goal of drawing additional students into the district. The school board is already looking at a proposal that would impact how the elementary schools are organized. The current proposal, first offered by Winona Area Public Schools Board of Education members Nancy Denzer and Michael Hanratty in February, would place students in an elementary based on grade level, rather than geography. The plan would place pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students at Goodview Elementary, first- and second-graders at Washington-Kosciusko Elementary and third- and fourth-graders at Jefferson Elementary. Placing some pre-kindergarten students at Washington-Kosciusko is also considered. The board plans to vote on the Denzer-Hanratty proposal Thursday evening during the regular school board meeting. Last week, numerous staff members attended a special board meeting to express their disapproval for that proposal. They expressed a variety of concerns, including the frequency of transitions, the inability for students to establish long-term relationships with staff and older students, the financial impact and more. This story contains spoilers, in case you havent yet watched the latest episode of Top Chef. The first episode of Top Chef: Wisconsin, which aired Wednesday night on Bravo, provided the frenetic drama typical to the 18-year-old reality cooking show along with postcard-perfect shots of Milwaukee. Milwaukee shows off The Pfister Hotel, where the contestants went downtown for a meet and greet and drink, was in all of its glory, as were the views of Lake Michigan. The show started with new host Kristen Kish, the Top Chef: Seattle season 10 winner, introducing herself to the cheftestants and saying the applause gave her goosebumps. She told the group of 15 chefs that she grew up on the other side of Lake Michigan, in Kentwood, Michigan, a suburb of Grand Rapids. So this kind of feels like a homecoming in more ways than one. What Wisconsin food would you like to see used by Top Chef contestants? You voted: Cheese curds Hotdish Venison Bratwurst Brandy Old Fashioned Braunschweiger and Limburger Cannibal sandwich Vote View Results Back Cheftestants compare awards Many of the contestants talked about how many times theyd been nominated for a James Beard Award. Dan Jacobs, the chef/co-owner of Milwaukees DanDan and EsterEv restaurants, the first Wisconsin contestant in the shows 21 seasons, said he was nominated for a Beard Emerging Chef award and has been a five-time Beard semifinalist for Best Chef: Midwest. The contestants were asked if theyd ever worked in a Michelin-starred restaurant and many of them raised their hands, but Jacobs didnt. Contestants face immunity plot twist Kish told the contestants that first impressions are important in the competition, but that they wouldnt be making one that day because they were scrapping the normal lead-off quickfire challenge, something introduced in season 12. Quickfire is the first competition in an episode when contestants square off and the winner gets an advantage in the elimination round, which is the second part of the episode when they face off against other competitors. The loser packs their knives and goes home. In this episode, the immunity normally given for a quickfire win was to instead go to the winner of the elimination challenge, which one competitor called a plot twist. Immunity means that the winning contestant cant be sent home in the following challenge. It just gives you more incentive to keep cooking gangster food the entire time, Kish said. One soup, one pasta, one chicken Contestants drew knives with the three judges names on them to divide into teams. One team needed to make a soup. Another, stuffed pasta. The third had to roast a chicken. The contestants were given $200 each and 30 minutes to shop at Whole Foods Market. The next day they had two hours to cook. They served their dishes to the judges at Milwaukees Lupi & Iris restaurant. The local Milwaukee judges, joining Kish, and longtime star judges Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons, were Paul Bartolotta, co-founder and owner of The Bartolotta Restaurants, and Adam Siegel, executive chef and owner of Lupi & Iris and a Beard Award winner. He does Italian food. Good luck, guys, Jacobs piped in. One chef appeared to be struggling David Murphy, chef/co-owner of Shuggies Trash Pie + Natural Wine in San Francisco, was the contestant who seemed to be struggling the most. Kish asked the Texas native with the cowboy hat, necklaces, and arm and neck tattoos if he had a plan for his dish as he scurried around the kitchen. I dont know what Im doing. I dont have a vision for the dish, Murphy said as he produced a bowl with poached shrimp, Sungold tomatoes, a coconut-cilantro broth with a green curry sauce. A warning: Keep things simple In the judges discussion, Colicchio said the chefs needed to keep things simple. Im surprised theres still so much going on in these dishes. He described Murphys dish as stuff that he just put in a blender, and gave a whirl to see what happens. Kish gave the final decision: David, please pack your knives and go. Two months after a Muslim told a Christian in Pakistan he could not stop him from taking the Christians 13-year-old daughter for marriage to his 28-year-old Muslim son, the girl was kidnapped on March 13, her father said. Shakeel Masih said his daughter, Roshni Shakeel, had spurned the advances of Muazzam Mazhar before the young Muslim man kidnapped her from her home in Basti Khaliq Pura in Multan District, Punjab Province. Masih said that Muazzam Mazhars father, Mazhar Abbas, called him from Saudi Arabia where is working two months ago and demanded Roshnis hand in marriage for his unemployed son. You have a beautiful daughter, and it would be better for you to give her to my son yourself theres nothing you Chuhras can do to stop us from taking her, Abbas told Masih, the 33-year-old Christian father said. Chuhra is a pejorative term used for Christians in Muslim-majority Pakistan. Masih said he flatly rejected Abbass demand, telling him that under no circumstances would he agree to marry his daughter into a Muslim family even if she were of marriageable age. I stopped taking Abbass phone calls after that, and this offended him to the extent that he encouraged his son to abduct Roshni and forcibly marry her, Masih told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. Two days after Roshnis abduction, local Muslim Bilal Hatim told Masih that he should give up hope of finding his daughter because she had converted to Islam and married Muazzam Mazhar, Masih said. On March 15, Bilal Hatim told me that he had information that Roshni had converted and married Mazhar of her own will, Masih told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. He said that instead of wasting money to find her, I should consider reaching a settlement with the accuseds family to protect my honor. I turned down his offer, saying that I wanted my daughter back at all costs even if it meant putting my honor at stake. Roshnis just a child, and I love her with all my heart. How can I forsake my own flesh and blood? After Masih went to police who refused to take action, he filed a petition in the Multan Bench of the Lahore High Court on Monday (March 18) for Roshnis recovery, expressing fear for her life. Only then did he learn that his daughter had appeared at sessions court that day and recorded a statement, apparently under severe coercion as typically happens in such cases, in favor of the suspect. We were only verbally informed by the police about Roshnis statement in court, Masih said. To date, I have not formally received any document regarding her conversion and marriage. I only know that they have shown her to be 18 years old in the marriage certificate that was allegedly documented on March 11, two days before she was taken. The Christian said Abbas, who lives in Saudi Arabia with his second wife while his two sons from his first marriage live with their aunt in Pakistan, orchestrated his daughters kidnapping. The accused used to force my daughter to befriend him, but she turned down his offers and brought the matter to my notice, Masih said. I complained about his lecherous behavior several times, but instead of stopping him, his family encouraged him to continue with his evil actions. The impoverished Masih, who works as a cleaner at a restaurant, said Roshni had stopped going to school after grade seven because she did not like to recite quranic verses taught in the government-run institution. Roshni did not feel comfortable in that school because of the overtly Islamic education imparted there, he said. Despite my meager resources, I was determined to educate my children and told her that she should continue her studies at home. I will never believe that a girl who did not like quranic studies has suddenly grown so interested in that faith that she converted. Her conversion and marriage are just a cover for sexual abuse. Poor Access to Justice Highlighting the systemic challenges faced by vulnerable Christians in seeking justice in Pakistan, Masih said police worked hand in glove with criminals. The Sital Mari police have shown prejudice from the onset of the case, he said. I informed them within minutes of Roshnis abduction, yet no action was taken for hours. We pleaded with them to stop the abductors from leaving the city, but they simply refused to budge. A member of a local Brethren church, Masih said repeated visits to the police station the following day also failed to prompt any action. Our pleas fell on deaf ears, Masih said. It was as if the police deliberately delayed action to give advantage to the abductors. Their connivance in the crime became more evident when, after our hue and cry, they arrested the brother of the accused but released him soon after. In a desperate quest for justice, Masih sold household items, including mobile phones and his brothers motorcycle, to fund efforts to find his daughter. Im determined to bring my daughter back no matter what happens, he said. The high court will take up my petition on March 25, and Im hoping that the judge will allow us a meeting with our daughter. We havent seen her since the time she was taken, and my wife and I are certain that she will be encouraged to change her statement when shes not under the influence of the accused and the police. Human rights activist Joseph Jansen said police and other authorities in Pakistan facilitate crime instead of protecting minor victims from forcible conversion to Islam. It is particularly distressing to note the involvement of religious authorities, as well as the complicity of police and the justice system in facilitating these atrocities, Jansen told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. Such actions blatantly disregard national and international human rights laws, which unequivocally prohibit such coercive practices. Jansen said that despite the legal framework provided by the Child Marriage Restraint Act, officials with Islamic mindsets lack the will to enforce such laws. This reluctance has emboldened perpetrators to continue their heinous crimes under the guise of Islamic marriage and conversion, he said. Without legislation specifically addressing forced faith conversions and adequate enforcement of the existing domestic laws, these harmful practices will persist. 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. 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. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form From left, Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban, French President Emmanuel Macron and Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk during a round table meeting at an EU Summit in Brussels, Thursday, March 21, 2024. European Union leaders are gathering to consider new ways to help boost arms and ammunition production for Ukraine. Leaders will also discuss in Thursday's summit the war in Gaza amid deep concern about Israeli plans to launch a ground offensive in the city of Rafah. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert) More than 12 years ago, Ken Koehler was in his mid-50s, leading an active lifestyle, working 70 hours a week managing two recycling companies, and enjoying long bike rides and sailing along Maines coast on weekends. Everything came to an unexpected halt when he started feeling sick in a way he had never felt before, culminating in two days on his bathroom floor and 18 hours in an emergency room. I had no idea what was going on, he said. I honestly just wanted to die. I felt so horrible. His symptoms included the worst diarrhea and vomiting he had ever experienced. When blood appeared on the second day, he knew it was time to go to the hospital. At the emergency room, Koehler was so dehydrated that he required three IV bags of fluids and underwent a series of tests to determine the root of the problem. After he was discharged, a doctor followed up with the news that he had a severe case of salmonella. He was prescribed ciprofloxacin, one of the few antibiotics effective against the strain identified in the outbreak. It was a very rare strain, he said Identifying the cause Recovering at home in bed, Koehler received a phone call from a representative of the Maine Center for Disease Control & Prevention, who asked him questions about what he had eaten in the days before he became ill. Ask me what I had for breakfast, and I probably cant tell you. Im going 100 miles an hour all the time, he said. This woman was trying to figure out what I had and where I got it from. And within 20 minutes of her asking me specific questions, she was able to narrow it down to shopping at Hannaford and the ground beef I had purchased. AARP; (Source: Getty Images(2)) He relayed that he had divided a 3-pound package of ground beef into individual pounds and still had some left in his freezer. Within five minutes, he said, somebody showed up in a hazmat suit and a cooler and came in. I pointed to where the packages were, and they took them out. I signed a release, and off they went. The sample he provided yielded a positive test result and served as evidence to prompt Hannaford to initiate a recall of more than 112,000 pounds of ground beef. Almost 55 years later, two veterans, now in their 70s, embarked on a journey back to Vietnam. Over 11 days, they biked nearly 400 miles to return to their former bases deep in the jungle and visit locations they never saw during their deployment. The long-awaited trip wasnt solely for their own reflection it served as a tribute to the lives lost on both sides of the conflict. What we hope to do is carry the spirit of all who were with us, and so many of those have already passed, said Kent Sovern, 75, before leaving on the trip. He got involved with the expedition after coming across a post online by fellow veteran Marc Gimbel, who turned 77 the last day of the trip, seeking other veterans and bicycle enthusiasts to join him. The two men served in the same U.S. Army Rangers company, undertaking the same mission at the same time, but they never crossed paths; Gimbel was attached to the 4th Divisions 3rd Brigade performing long-range reconnaissance patrols from LZ Oasis, several miles southwest of Soverns location at Division headquarters at Camp Enari, south of Pleiku city. Although both are avid cyclers, Gimbel didnt begin biking until age 50. He started out riding an old bike that was sitting in the back of his garage, eventually working his way up to cycling across multiple states and even Europe. He and I are gung ho about this, as we used to say in the Army, Sovern said. Video: Returning to Vietnam The team's Facebook page, Facebook.com/VietnamHighlanders, has updates, images and stories of the journey through Vietnam. Stay tuned for more information on a live interview AARP will host with Sovern and Gimbel to hear all about their trip. Personal challenges and resilience Sovern, a former AARP Iowa state director, had wanted to return to Vietnam since 1998 after watching Vietnam, Long Time Coming, a documentary that followed a group of veterans who biked from northern to southern Vietnam. Soverns plans were interrupted when his wife experienced complications from Parkinsons disease, requiring him to become her full-time caregiver. He was able to make this trip, his first away from his caregiving duties, thanks to the help of family members who served as interim caretakers. Health issues also delayed Gimbel: He was diagnosed with prostate cancer, a condition the Army attributed to his exposure to Agent Orange during his military service. Benefits programs havent kept up one limit on personal assets that affects how much federal assistance people with disabilities can receive hasnt been updated in decades and the process to qualify for them is a tangle of red tape. Minors with disabilities qualify for one kind of benefit, for instance, but in most cases, when they turn 18 they must qualify again for adult disability benefits. This paperwork is so daunting, and people are afraid of the penalties for getting it wrong, Goldfarb says. All of these benefits have different rules, and then you might need to appeal [after an initial rejection] to get these services. There is an enormous amount of complexity. Its preventing people from getting benefits and getting the services they need. For example, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), a Social Security-administered program that provides monthly benefits for people with disabilities and limited financial resources, requires that individual recipients have no more than $2,000 in assets such as bank accounts, a cap that hasnt been raised in 35 years and leaves little room for beneficiaries to save for emergencies or future needs. There hasnt been a political will, I think, to increase benefit amounts, so theyve just stayed low, says Molly Costanza, coauthor of the University of Wisconsin study and a former research analyst at the Social Security Administration. AARP has endorsed the SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act, bipartisan legislation introduced in Congress in 2023 that would raise the individual income cap to $10,000 and index it to inflation. There are tools parents can use to build greater financial security for children with disabilities without risking loss of benefits, Alexander notes. She cites Achieving Better Live Experience (ABLE) accounts, which allow people with disabilities to save up to $100,000 that is not counted against the SSI asset cap. The Arc chapters in many states operate pooled special needs trusts that similarly allow families to set aside money for future needs while protecting benefit eligibility. But federal assistance is only part of the equation. There are nearly 700,000 people, including many with disabilities, on state waiting lists nationwide for services such as home health or adult day care and nonmedical transportation, according to the health policy research organization KFF (formerly the Kaiser Family Foundation). In some areas, particularly rural regions, such services arent available at all, the University of Wisconsin study says. Theres a huge lack of direct-support professionals, so even if theyre able to get off these wait-lists, theres not enough individuals to provide the service, let alone the additional hours they might need, Goldfarb says. Since 2022, the Portuguese have increasingly expressed pessimism about their future. They worry about their financial responsibilities and fear their income might not be enough to cover basic expenses. The radical change in the political status quo in Portugals recent elections is proof of the current mental state of the country. The Portuguese went out to vote with an enthusiastic 66% participate rate; this hasnt occurred in 30 years. Chega (meaning Enough), a five-year-old party, came in a close third place right behind the established Social Democrat and Socialist parties. Capturing over 1 million votes, Chega says it aims to tackle Portugals multiple crises. Yet Josue Da Ponte, secretary general of the Portuguese Evangelical Alliance, said to Evangelical Focus that Chegas discourses often focus on speech against immigrants and some ethnic groups. Wide-spread frustration in Portugal appeared in two recent studies. The Observatory of Portuguese Society (PSO) conducted a survey at the Catholic University of Lisbon in 2023, and Intercampus, a market research company in Portugal, led the other for Gallup International Association (GIA). The Gallup study compared Portugal with other 40 countries. In a statement, Intercampus said, Portugal is the fifth most pessimistic country in the world. Da Ponte believes this is the time for the church to help those who need it the most. Churches need to respond to the many families struggling just to have food on the table as young people leave our country. He explained the gap between the high cost of life and low wages makes life in Portugal highly unsustainable. The housing prices have become, very expensive and take a huge part of a familys budget. This causes a problem for future generations as younger, recent graduates opt to emigrate to different countries in search of well-paying jobs that cover their expenses. Many of [the recent graduates] are recruited when theyre still in university, Da Ponte said. People need stability Here its very difficult to rent an apartment, to start a family, to get further in life. Da Ponte exhorts people to pray for Portugal and the younger generation striving to grow in the country, not only for their physical lives but for their spiritual lives. Churches struggle to find leaders because young people are moving out of Portugal. Da Ponte encourages people to pray for Portugals teenagers. We need to renew the leadership and invest in young disciples, Da Ponte said. Because in this is the stage of their life, many are moving away from the church. According to the PSO, half of those surveyed between the ages of 20 and 69 admitted, being pessimistic or very pessimistic with the majority believing that they will find it difficult to maintain their standard of living. In the GIA study, 63% of the respondents admitted thinking 2024 would be a year of difficult economic prosperity. Most respondents recognized theyll have to depend on their savings to overcome the cost of living, since they will have some or great difficulty in maintaining their standard of living. 53% said it would be difficult, whereas only 13% mentioned they would be able to maintain the standard of living they kept until now. Cohiba Appoints CEO and Non-Executive Director Melbourne, Mar 21, 2024 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Cohiba Minerals Limited ( ASX:CHK ) ( CHKMF:OTCMKTS ) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Faheem Ahmed as Chief Executive Officer and Mr Jamie Larmont as Non-executive Director of the Company effective immediately. Mr. Ahmed holds a Bachelor of Engineering and Bachelor of Project Management and has over 7 years of experience in project evaluation, asset management, data analysis, lifecycle cost analysis and risk modelling including projects in the fields of infrastructure, mining, health and transport. More recently Mr. Ahmed joined Viridis Mining & Minerals in February 2023 and led the transition of the company into the Rare Earths sector where he played a hands-on role in the company's successful exploration and development strategy. Mr. Faheem Ahmed currently sits on the board of Viridis Mining & Minerals ( ASX:VMM ) as a Non-Executive Director. A summary of Faheem's Executive Services Agreement is included at Annexure A* of this Announcement. Jamie Larmont is a seasoned mining professional and corporate strategy expert, boasting extensive experience in operational and project management while working for BHP and RIO for over a decade. With a Bachelor of Engineering and a decade of hands-on experience, alongside his consultative work, Jamie brings a profound understanding of operational strategy, project value analysis, and corporate communication to his roles. Mr. Larmont's work in the mining industry has consistently demonstrated a robust commitment to generating business value and astute leadership qualities with the ability to manage large operational teams. The Company also advises that Mr Mordechai Benedikt will step down as Executive Chairman to a Nonexecutive Chairman role. As a result of the new appointments, Mr Andrew Graham has tendered his resignation as CEO and Executive Director of the Company. The Board wishes to thank Andrew for his tenure on the Board and guidance through the Company's exploration activities. Commenting on the appointments and resignation, Chairman Mordechai Benedikt said. "We welcome both Jamie and Faheem to the Company and look forward to their experience assisting the Company move forward. I would like to deeply thank Andrew for his guidance and leadership of the Company over the past 4 years and wish him all the best in his future endeavours." *To view Annexure A, please visit: https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/47RT6VK9 About Cohiba Minerals Limited Cohiba Minerals Limited (ASX:CHK) is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange with the primary focus of investing in the resource sector through direct tenement acquisition, joint ventures, farm in arrangements and new project generation. The shares of the company trade under the ticker symbol CHK. The Company recently acquired 100% of the shares in Charge Lithium Pty Ltd, which holds exploration licences in Western Australia. Related Companies Infill Sampling Confirms High Priority Lithium Anomalies Perth, Mar 22, 2024 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Raiden Resources Limited ( ASX:RDN ) ( YM4:FRA ) is pleased to announce the results of an infill soil sampling program undertaken over previously defined anomalies at the Mt Sholl North Project. Mr Dusko Ljubojevic, Managing Director of Raiden commented: "This infill sampling program has delivered substantial results for the Company. The following action for Raiden will be to undertake a follow up program with the objective to delineate further pegmatite targets on the Mt Sholl project. The infill sampling program has significantly constrained the mineralised trends, allowing for a more focused mapping program to define potential pegmatite targets." Highlights - Infill soil sampling program has confirmed previously defined lithium anomalies on Mt Sholl project - Program has delineated two high value Lithium targets, further constraining initial anomalies and with a peak soil value of 188 ppm Lithium (405 ppm Li2O) - The lithium in soil trends cover a strike length of 3.5km in Northcentral part of tenement and 2.5km in the South-eastern section - The results will allow for a more focused follow up campaign, to define potential targets - Further mapping and sampling will be undertaken over all the defined anomalies Soil Sampling Overview The objective of the infill soil sampling program, was to follow up and define in further detail previously identified anomalies generated during the 2023 sampling campaign. The infill sampling grids were executed on a 50 metre by 100 metre grid and a 50 metre by 200 metre grid over the anomalies, infilling the original survey line spacing. As a result, the lithium anomalies are currently further constrained within distinct geometries, with peak values of up to 188ppm Li (405 ppm Li2O) in soils. The geometry of the defined anomalies appears to broadly reflect the geometry of the mapped pegmatites in the southeast zone of the tenement, and the pegmatite trends on GreenTech's ( ASX:GRE ) Osbourne project to the east of the Mt Sholl project. To obtain further information additional mapping and evaluation of these trends is being considered as next steps with the objective of defining further potential drill targets. *To view tables and figures, please visit: https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/P5N35644 About Raiden Resources Limited Raiden Resources Limited (ASX:RDN) (DAX:YM4) is a dual listed exploration and development company which is advancing the Mt Sholl Nickel-Copper-Cobalt-Palladium deposit in the Pilbara. The Company's portfolio host metals and commodities considered critical for the energy and electrification revolution. Related Companies Christian Daily International recently interviewed Rami Al Halaseh, Arabic Channels Executive Director of Sat-7, a ministry whose mission is to provide the churches and Christians of the Middle East and North Africa an opportunity to witness to Jesus Christ through inspirational, informative and educational television and digital media services. Al Halaseh, who lives in Jordan, shared about the current atmosphere in the Middle East amid the ongoing war in the Holy Land, the importance of remembering Christians in the region, a great spiritual thirst for Jesus and more! The interview has been edited for length and clarity. CDI: Thank you so much for taking the time. You're working in a context that has attracted a lot of media attention in recent times with the ongoing war in the Holy Land. There is so much polarization and tension as people are talking about it. But what is the reality on the ground? How do people feel in the region? Rami Al Halaseh: Thank you for having me. First of all, generally speaking it's not a secret to say that people are living in fear of the future. People are wondering: What's going to happen? How will this end? And, of course, everybody wants this to end as soon as possible. In Jordan specifically, there has been a long history of connectedness between Palestinians and Jordanians. During the 1948 refugee influx, a huge number of Palestinians came across the river into Jordan. So nowadays, a big percentage of Jordanians have Palestinian background. For example, my late aunt was married to a Palestinian, so my cousins are of Palestinian origin. The reason I'm saying that is because Jordan has always been the refuge for not only Palestine, but all of the region. So, looking at the situation today, the people of Jordan are not only living in fear, but also not happy about what's happening. Throughout the ages, the role of the Church has always been to focus on how we can bring hope to the people. But from a Christian point of view, our region has experienced this before. This is not the first conflict, and I believe this is not the last one. And throughout the ages, the role of the Church has always been to focus on how we can bring hope to the people. How can we keep reminding the people of our land of what is most important? It is not that what is happening is not important, it is very important, but what is the voice of the Church? What do we have to focus on? And we believe we need to focus on bringing the message of hope. For us at Sat-7, we have been broadcasting into the region in Arabic, Turkish and Farsi, and our focus is on making God's love visible through our programs. It's unique because it's being done by the people of the region: people from the Middle East speaking to people in the Middle East. CDI: How have the recent few months affected people? And how do they perceive the response of the international community including Christians around the world to the war? Rami Al Halaseh: If we are talking about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, this has been going for more than 70 years. What we always have to consider and I think our friends in the West need to remember that is that this is affecting the Church. This is affecting the body of Christ in the region. Most of the time, the international community forgets about Christians in the region. Most of the time, the international community forgets about Christians in the region. I believe that for us as Christians, because we follow the teachings of Jesus Christ and we follow what the Bible says, it is not Christian to take sides in a conflict. Rather, it is Christ-like to look at this and say, what would Jesus do? How does God look at this? And as Christians, we believe that God weeps when He looks at this. At SAT-7, we don't go into politics. That's not our mission. That's not our focus. Our mission is to make God's love visible. Our mission is to make the gospel available to everyone. But to answer your question, the Christian existence in the Middle East is shrinking more and more. Now, if we don't remind people of that, I think it will shrink even more. And one day the Middle East may be empty of Christians, which means empty of light and salt of the world. And who is happy when that happens? The enemy. According to the Bible, we as Christians shouldn't think of any human being as the enemy. Because according to the Bible, our fight is not against flesh and blood, it's against spiritual forces. (Ephesians 6:12) And we believe that any conflict in the world, any conflict that leads to the killing of children, women and men, is in its essence a spiritual problem, and we cannot solve a spiritual problem with carnal solutions. Unless we believe in Jesus, unless we are in Christ, we can never see peace established. They talk about peace. They have been talking about peace for the last seventy years and beyond. But peace cannot happen and cannot be experienced without a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. The Bible says that Jesus is the author of peace and author to me means he invented the concept. He invented that status of peace. So, unless we believe in Jesus, unless we are in Christ, we can never see peace established. It will only last for a few years, but then something else will happen. And then we'll go back to the same old Psalm. CDI: Talking about believing in Jesus, could you share a bit about Sat-7s ministry in the Middle East: what are some of the questions you receive and how do you interact with your audience? Rami Al Halaseh: We do have our audience relations team for our different channels in different languages. We are there to communicate and to engage with the viewers firsthand, among others also through our social media platforms, which allow for instant communication. So, we make sure to let our viewers know that we're there for them, we're listening, we care about their concerns and about their situations. Our ministry is actually not only to answer questions [...], but it's about us showing them that we care. And we've been receiving so many I can say thousands and thousands of comments and letters where people express how thirsty and how hungry they are for this Jesus whom we're talking about and for this unconditional love. They ask all kinds of questions. But our ministry is actually not only to answer questions, because they can google any question and can get the answer, but it's about us showing them that we care. And through this care, we want to show them the unconditional love of God and lead them to a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. This is, of course, not just at the push of a button, it's a journey. Therefore, what we promise is that we will go with them on this journey, not only through SAT-7 but also through our partners. Going the extra mile and accompany them on a journey of discipleship and make sure that they understand that kind of love and they receive that kind of love. We believe this is the work of the Holy Spirit, it's only by the grace of God. Our broadcast and our programming are focused on showing that and bringing that message of reconciliation with God through Jesus Christ. CDI: You touched on discipleship. As your ministry is through broadcast and online engagement, how do you guide them to live out their faith in a context where it's not as straightforward as in some other places around the world? What is important for us is that their own people speak to them. Rami Al Halaseh: We make sure that whatever is shown on our programs and our social media is full of relevant content and full of essence. We do not only want to tell them something that they like to listen to. What is important for us is that their own people speak to them. For example, the Iranian production is done by Iranians. So they understand how their people, their fellow Iranians feel, and what kind of questions they ask and what kind of concerns they have. And they make sure that they address those. We see countless messages where people express this real thirst, saying, We want this Jesus that you're telling us about. Just tell me what can I do to be saved? And the journey starts from there. We work a lot with our partners. Some of them are online, some of them might be on the ground. I cannot share too many details because its sensitive, but the numbers that are coming out are amazing. CDI: What can we pray for to support our brothers and sisters in Christ in the region? Pray for the protection of their faith, so it will not be shaken. Rami Al Halaseh: Pray for our viewers in general, because their first battle is not with people. Their first battle is with the enemy of the souls, with Satan himself. So, first of all, I think we have to keep praying for them, for their safety, for their resilience, especially when there are hardships. Pray for the protection of their faith, so it will not be shaken. Because if it's not built on the rock of salvation, Jesus Christ, if it's only emotional, then it'll be shaken. So, I think we need to pray for that first line of resistance or that first line of battle against their faith. And then, we need to pray for them to be united because they find their ways of meeting together, and I think we need to pray for their strength and unity. And for those who decide to leave their land and go outside, we need to pray for them to be light and salt wherever they are and for their faith to be preserved. CDI: Would you have a word of encouragement that believers in other parts of the world could consider when thinking of the Christians in the Middle East? Rami Al Halaseh: Looking at the believers who live under pressure, I think it is a strong reminder for all of us not to take our faith lightly, not to take the grace of God lightly and not to take our faith for granted. Because there are people who die for that experience, for that faith. For some of us, it was just a decision. It was a thought decision, like a mental decision because it was convincing to us maybe, and then we had an experience of faith. But for many, it is a life-or-death decision because it is a threat to their lives. So, I pray for all the Christians around the world who listen to stories about Christians from non-Christian backgrounds, to appreciate what we have and to guard it, and to live a holy life that glorifies God, and also not to underestimate or under-appreciate the grace of God. It is only the Church, the body of Christ that can bring the light to the world. The second thing, I think we need to pray for the Christians out there to be inspired and to have that focus of bringing God's love to others. It is something that I call the exclusive agency or our exclusive rights. It is only the Church, the body of Christ that can bring the light to the world. It is only the Church, the body of Christ, that can be the salt of the land of the earth. If we don't do this, no one else will do it. If we don't raise up that voice, no one else will do it. So we shouldn't expect it from any other people. So, I would encourage Christians everywhere to take it seriously, to take the message of salvation and the gospel message of the love of God seriously. It's not about what our skills are. It's not about what we know. But it's about Who we know, and that should bring us back to the foundation of our faith. It's the end times, and Jesus has been saying his kingdom is near for more than 2000 years. I think we need to be focused and to work, to live a holy life, and then to tell others about who Jesus is and what he does. Stage is set for the highly anticipated DIGIXX Summit and Awards 2024, the ultimate recognition for achievements in digital marketing and advertising. Brought by Adgully, this premium industry event is being today, March 22, 2024, at the Radisson Blu Plaza, Mahipalpur, New Delhi. DIGIXX: A Legacy of Excellence Renowned for its dedication to exceptional work, innovation, and effectiveness, the DIGIXX Awards have become the industry benchmark. They showcase and celebrate groundbreaking campaigns and innovative strategies from the dynamic world of digital initiatives. Setting the Bar Higher: What to Expect at DIGIXX 2024 Each year, DIGIXX raises the bar, recognizing the visionary leaders and groundbreaking campaigns that are shaping the future of digital marketing. This year promises to be even more exciting, exploring the newest trends, strategies, and insights that are transforming the digital landscape. Some of the key topics to be discussed at DIGIXX 2024: Building Authentic Partnerships in the Age of Influencers: Dive deep into cultivating genuine influencer partnerships that resonate with audiences and drive meaningful engagement. Crafting a Winning Global Marketing Strategy: Lessons Learned and Future Trends: Industry experts will share invaluable lessons and insights, drawing from real-world experiences and future projections, to help you devise effective global marketing strategies. The Measurement Maze: Navigating Metrics and Proving ROI in a Multi-Channel World: Learn how to navigate the ever-changing world of marketing measurement and effectively demonstrate ROI across various channels. International Digital Marketing Trends from Now to Tomorrow: Gain a glimpse into what the future holds for marketers worldwide with in-depth explorations of the latest trends and innovations shaping the global digital marketing landscape. Martech Magic: Orchestrating a Personalized Customer Journey: Discover the secrets to crafting personalized customer journeys that captivate audiences and drive conversions through the power of marketing technology (Martech). Unlocking the Power of Martech: Leveraging Cutting-Edge Tools to Drive Marketing Success: Explore how to leverage cutting-edge Martech tools to achieve outstanding results in your marketing efforts. A Beacon of Inspiration The 2024 DIGIXX Awards recognize and celebrate the professionals who are pushing boundaries, embracing creativity, and driving tangible results in the ever-evolving digital sphere. "Celebrating excellence in digital marketing and advertising is not just about acknowledging achievements; it's about inspiring innovation and driving the industry forward," said Bijoya Ghosh, Founder-CEO of Adgully. "The DIGIXX Awards 2024 will once again shine a spotlight on the trailblazers, visionaries, and disruptors who are redefining the boundaries of digital engagement. We are excited to witness the groundbreaking campaigns, innovative strategies, and transformative ideas that will shape the future of our industry." Please click the link below to register: https://www.digixx-awards-2024.adgully.com/register_to_attend_without_payment_summit.php?utm=article Bira 91 Indias leading craft beer company, and one of the fastest growing beer brands globally, and New Belgium Brewing one of the largest craft brewers in the United States, today announced the release of Chutney Sour, a collab beer that brings together vibrant flavors of Indian street food and the legendary craft brewing heritage of Colorado. Brewed with Tamarind a puckering sour fruit used in Indian chutneys and curries the beer is based on the classic Dubbel, a Belgian-style ale perfected by the New Belgium Brewery. The beer was simultaneously released in the companies respective taprooms - Bengaluru & Delhi-NCR, in India for Bira 91, and Fort Collins, Colorado for New Belgium Brewery. The release was timed to coincide with the Indian Spring festival of Holi a joyful celebration of color, flavors and renewal. Holi has crossed over into the mainstream and several cities across the world have a variety of celebrations including music festivals, outdoor block parties, color runs and culinary events. Commenting on the collaboration, Ankur Jain, Founder and CEO, Bira 91, said, "We couldnt be more excited to collaborate with New Belgium Brewing. Colorado is at the center of beer innovation in the world, and New Belgium is the most well-respected beer company in the United States. Our Limited Release beers are brewed with a two-word MO for our brewers Go Crazy! Right from the word Go, our respective brewers started jamming and vibing, and came up with this crazy, but in hindsight, such an obvious idea making a Belgian Sour Ale with Tamarind a Chutney Sour. The result is a brilliant surprise, and I am sure consumers who get their hands on this Limited Release will love it! India is known for its exciting culinary flavors, and were excited to partner with Bira 91 on a beer that brings these flavors to life for our Fort Collins craft enthusiasts, said New Belgium CEO Shaun Belongie. Collaborations like this allow us to play with new and unexpected flavor combinations and invest in our best-in-class beer innovation. The beers will be brewed only once and will be sold in the taprooms till stocks last. Bira 91 x New Belgium Chutney Sour Adani Wilmar, one of the largest Food FMCG companies in India, has launched an exciting campaign titled 'Holi ke rang, Fortune ke sang.' This campaign resonates with the festive colors and fervor celebrated across the HSM (Hindi-speaking market) belt. Crafted to showcase Fortunes premium offerings, including edible oils, besan, basmati rice, atta, pulses, sugar, and poha, the brand unveiled the campaign with a vibrant and captivating 70-second digital film to celebrate Holi, Indias cherished festival. Conceptualized by Ogilvy India, the campaign film captures the essence of Holi as a festival cherished by every Indian. It vividly portrays the vibrancy of the festival through bursts of colors, showcasing the robust and euphoric celebrations observed across the country. The film takes the colorful celebration from the streets to the kitchen, where traditional Holi delicacies like gujiya and khasta mathiri are prepared using Fortune products, including kachi ghani mustard oil, soyabean oil, and sunflower oil. The film concludes with the message, Toh aap bhi apne dhang se Holi manaiye aur Fortune se tyohaar ki ronak badhaiye! Kyunki Fortune ke har rang mein hai kuch khaas #Fortunewaliholi. The campaign deeply resonates with Fortunes core brand values, reflecting its commitment to nurturing traditions and embodying the spirit of India. Through the portrayal of home-cooked dishes, the campaign emphasizes the significance of love and nurture within familiesa message that Fortune has championed for years. Mr. Mukesh Mishra, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Adani Wilmar, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, Holi, the vibrant festival of colors, holds a special place in the hearts of millions across India. It's a time when communities come together, transcending barriers, and spreading boundless happiness. At Fortune, we cherish these values deeply, and as a brand deeply rooted in the cultural fabric of India, we are thrilled to connect with our consumers on a more emotional level, especially in the HSM (Hindi-speaking markets) belt, where Holi holds profound significance. Our commitment to promoting home cooking and healthier lifestyles is unwavering. However, we understand that festivals like Holi are not just about food; they are about creating memories, sharing joy, and strengthening bonds. That's why our Holi initiative goes beyond providing cooking essentials. It's about becoming a companion in moments of celebration and joy, enriching the festivities with the essence of home. Following the success of past campaigns like 'Pujo in the East,' we are excited to replicate this feat with our Holi campaign. By doing so, we aim to establish Fortune not only as a cooking essential but also as a cherished part of the Holi celebrationsa brand that understands the cultural significance of the festival and resonates with the emotions it evokes. At Fortune, we believe that "Ghar ka khana, ghar ka hota hai" (Home-cooked food is the best). This isn't just a tagline; it's a philosophy that drives everything we do. And what better way to embody this philosophy than by celebrating festivals like Holi, which epitomize the essence of home, family, food, and joy? We are keen on connecting deeply with our consumers during these moments, not just as a brand but as a trusted companion, enhancing every aspect of their festive experience. This Holi, let's celebrate togetherness, happiness, and the flavors of home with Fortune. Because when it comes to creating cherished memories, every dish cooked with Fortune becomes a celebration in itself Schools are increasingly becoming a target of abductions in some parts of Africa triggering concerns over the violent expansion of radical groups and the safety of school-going children. In a span of 10 days in early March 2024, 372 children were reportedly kidnapped in Nigeria and Mozambique by armed men suspected to be either bandits involved in the herder-farmer conflicts or Islamist militants. The northern region, notorious for kidnappings, saw two back-to-back attacks by armed men on motorbikes. On March 9, 287 students between the ages of eight and 15, who were attending a morning parade in a government primary and secondary school in Kaduna state, were kidnapped by armed men on motorcycles. This is the single largest abduction since 2021 where 150 children were kidnapped and released months later after the families paid ransom money. Two days later, 15 other children were abducted in a school in Sokoto state, northwestern Nigeria, leaving scores of parents in shock and despair as some households have up to six children missing following the spate of kidnappings. A week after the abductions in Kaduna, the gunmen demanded a ransom of $621,848 to be paid within three weeks threatening to kill all the hostages if their demands were not met. Nigerian authorities have vowed not to pay any ransom money to the abductors. It is estimated that 1500 students have been abducted by armed gangs and Boko Haram in the last 10 years. The 2014 abduction of 276 girls in Chibok, Borno state brought into sharp focus the efforts of Boko Haram to disrupt modern education, which the group sees as an affront to radical Islamic beliefs. Despite worldwide condemnation and a protracted campaign to rescue the Chibok girls, 98 of the abducted students are yet to be reunited with their families. A report by Amnesty International that has tracked the conflict in Northeast Nigeria from 2012 states that children have been the most impacted, through repeated attacks on schools; widespread abductions; recruitment and use of child soldiers; and forced marriage of girls. This recent spate of abductions marks a resurgence to mass kidnappings with an immediate demand for ransom revealing one of the main motives behind the kidnappings. Security expert Bulama Bukarti believes that paying the ransom would embolden the bandits. Paying the ransom will only exacerbate the problem because the more money these violent criminals get, the more weapons and logistics they would stock; and the more people they would abduct and the more terror they would unleash on Nigerians, commented Bukarti in a TV news show. Nigerian investigative journalist, Ibe Pascal, told Christian Daily International that when 300 school children were abducted in Kankara in Katsina state in 2022, the Nigerian government ordered the military to hunt down the bandits. But local sources revealed that a huge amount was paid as ransom to ensure the release of the children Apart from kidnapping of school children, we have seen many times where the citizens are abducted and ransom is paid by either the families (of the victims) or by the government, said Pascal. Thousands displaced in Mozambique In Mozambiques northern province of Cabo Delgado, Jihadists with links to the Islamic State (IS) group are believed to be behind the disappearance of 70 children and displacement of close to 100,000 people fleeing the attacks that started early February. Aid agencies and local authorities confirmed that several people were killed during the March 6 incident and 500 buildings, including schools, homes and churches were torched by the IS-affiliated group that has been making in-roads in the province since 2017. Reports that an unspecified number of children had been rescued by a vigilante group known as local forces is yet to be independently verified. Southern Africa security analyst, Jasmine Opperman, noted that the insurgents, who refer themselves to IS-Mozambique (IS-M), focused on influencing (local) communities in Eastern Cabo Delgado. Mozambique In Eastern Cabo Delgado, insurgents prioritize influencing communities, while recent assaults in Chiure (22 reported incidents) reveal a pattern of selective strikes against institutions diverging from their extremist ideology.https://t.co/AzAXfAauAL pic.twitter.com/Ar0TK2tBD6 Jasmine Opperman (@Jasminechic00) February 20, 2024 Policy and research organisation, Hudson Institute, notes that IS-Ms affiliation with IS suggests that the insurgents are seeking to establish an Islamic state in northern Mozambique. However, while insurgents have always claimed to target Christians, many Muslims have (also) been killed throughout the conflict, which has resulted in the displacement of over a million people since 2017, analysts at the institute stated. Google has been slapped with a 250 million fine by French regulators for failing to uphold a 2022 agreement regarding compensation for news content displayed online. The Authority for Competition accused the tech giant of breaching intellectual property rules and negotiating in bad faith with news publishers. Key points of the dispute: Breached commitments: The fine stems from Google's violation of four out of seven commitments made in the 2022 agreement. French regulators claim Google failed to negotiate transparently and in good faith with news outlets regarding payment for their content. AI training concerns: France's competition watchdog expressed concern over Google's AI service, Bard (now known as Gemini). They allege that Bard was trained on content from news publishers and agencies without their knowledge or notification. Content usage and negotiation: The watchdog further claims that Google linked the use of this news content within Bard to the display of copyrighted material. This, they argue, weakened the negotiating position of news publishers seeking fair compensation. France has been at the forefront of protecting publisher rights in the digital age. They were the first EU nation to enact a "neighbouring rights" directive, allowing print media to demand compensation for online content use. This ruling has been a test case for similar regulations across the EU. In 2019, complaints from major French news organisations triggered the investigation. Google initially contested a 500 million fine issued in 2021 for failing to negotiate in good faith. A settlement was reached in 2022, with Google agreeing to negotiate fairly with news outlets. The latest 250 million fine highlights Google's alleged non-compliance with the 2022 agreement. This case underscores the ongoing battle between tech giants and news organisations over content ownership and revenue sharing in the digital landscape. It also raises concerns about transparency in AI development and the potential misuse of copyrighted material. Kedaara Capital today announced an investment in Dairy Classic Ice Creams Private Limited (Dairy Day), a leading ice cream brand in South India. Through the investment, Kedaara seeks to support the Companys vision of emerging as one of Indias most loved ice-cream brands. The investment will also provide full exit to Motilal Oswal Private Equity and other Angel Investors. This partnership marks a pivotal moment in Dairy Day's journey. Dairy Day, headquartered in Bengaluru, has established a strong presence in the states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Maharashtra with over 50,000 retailers. Dairy Day will soon be adding 1.5 lakh litres per day production capacity to its existing two lakh litres per day capacity, and it has achieved a revenue growth of 30 per cent compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) over the last decade. Kedaara will work closely with the promoters, Mr. M.N. Jaganath and Mr. A Balaraju and the professional management team in the Companys next phase of growth. M.N. Jaganath, Managing Director and CEO and A. Balaraju, Director Technical said "We are delighted to welcome Kedaara as our valued partner for the next phase of our growth. Given the convergence of values and aspirations, we are confident Kedaara will help us deliver on our vision to make Dairy Day one of Indias most loved ice-cream brands. Their wealth of expertise and in-depth retail and consumer experience will be invaluable as we expedite our growth. We are confident of setting up world class production facilities in various locations in the coming years. We are also thankful to Motilal Oswal Private Equity our collaboration with them has been extraordinary. Our relationship has set a gold standard for what a true partnership should be. Sunish Sharma, Founder and Managing Partner and Anant Gupta, Managing Director of Kedaara Capital, said, Ice Cream is one of the fastest growing categories within the entire food & beverage segment. Dairy Days dedication to quality, and its commitment to delivering goodness has resonated deeply with consumers across its target markets, propelling the brand to a market-leading position. The company is led by a passionate and very strong execution focused team. We are excited to partner with Mr. M.N. Jaganath, Mr. A. Balaraju, and rest of the team to help them unlock Dairy Days full potential, and further strengthen its leadership position. Vijay Dhanuka, Managing Director, MO Alternates, said, As long-term shareholders and partners to Mr. M.N. Jaganath and team, we have had a ring side view of Dairy Days growth journey. Over the last 6 years, they have demonstrated strong growth and established a market leading position in South India. With Kedaara coming in, we believe the Company will be well-funded and strengthened to build an enduring business. EY acted as the exclusive investment banker on this transaction. On the occasion of the on-going International Womens Month, Meta hosted an event in Mumbai to celebrate women from across the industry. With the theme of Together We Flourish the event recognized the collective power of women and their ability to accelerate progress for each other and become a catalyst for change for the society at large. Among other industry leaders, the event saw designer, actor and entrepreneur Masaba Gupta and actor, filmmaker, and producer Neena Gupta in a candid conversation with Sandhya Devanathan, Vice President (India) at Meta. During their conversation, Masaba and Neena Gupta threw light on how they have re-imagined the definition of their growth, opportunities and barriers to build thriving careers while authentically expressing themselves. The event also saw renowned Oscar winning producer Guneet Monga talk about the power of re-writing ones story. When asked how Masaba juggles multiple businesses, including her latest venture LoveChild, as well as an acting career, she said that she puts in the work and the discipline everyday, I have a fear of being mediocre, and I like being the master of my own destiny. Masaba also recognized the role of Instagram in her journey as a public figure as well as that of her businesses. She said social media should be fun and called out Mute, Post, and Stories as her favorite Instagram features. Actor, filmmaker, and producer Neena Gupta said, Dont ever hesitate to ask for work, referring to her Instagram post from 2017 in which she said that she was looking to do good work. During the discussion, she also threw light on how conversations around gender have evolved, and the importance of work-life balance. Praising her daughters determination, she also said that she admires how Masaba doesnt give up easily. Talking about how important it is for women to support each other, Guneet Monga, the Oscar-winning film producer for the short-film documentary, The Elephant Whisperers said, In the rooms that were alone in, how we represent each other actually defines us somewhere. When a woman breaks open a door, and enters through it, she makes room for ten more. Said Sandhya Devanthan, Vice President (India), Meta, At Meta, we believe in creating a world where everyone has equal opportunities to thrive and succeed regardless of their gender or any other characteristic. It was incredible to hear from so many women leaders at our event, including powerhouses like Masaba and Neena Gupta and Guneet Monga. We feel humbled that we get to play a role in the economic progress of women from all walks of life including creators, entrepreneurs, business leaders, developers and many others. We hope that the conversations we had during the event can help us all come together to spur growth for women everywhere in the times to come. The Indian Express has announced the promotion of Nandagopal Rajan to the position of Chief Operating Officer (COO). Rajan, who previously served as the business head at the renowned publication, brings with him a wealth of experience spanning over two decades in the field of journalism. Rajan's journey with The Indian Express began in 2013 when he joined as the editor of new media, demonstrating his adeptness in navigating the digital landscape. Over the years, he has exhibited a remarkable understanding of the evolving media landscape, consistently delivering content that resonates with readers across various platforms. With a career deeply rooted in journalism, Rajan has made significant contributions to esteemed media houses such as India Today and Hindustan Times, solidifying his reputation as a seasoned journalist and a prolific writer. His dedication to journalistic integrity and innovation has earned him recognition within the industry and among readers alike. With his extensive experience and visionary leadership, Rajan is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future trajectory of The Indian Express as it continues to evolve in the ever-changing media landscape. Naxnova (formerly known as Classic Stripes), a design & technology company & one of the leading industry leaders in surface augmentation, announced the acquisition of Quad Industries Belgium, a prominent player in the printed electronics sector today for INR 90 crores ( approx. Euro 10 Mn). This substantial investment marks a significant strategic move for Naxnova as it expands its market presence and solidifies its position as a frontrunner in delivering disruptive products and services for its customers. Naxnova has acquired 74% stake from the current shareholders of Quad Industries and the balance stake shall be acquired in a phased manner making the transaction a 100% share purchase deal over the next few quarters. Established in 1998, Quad Industries Belgium has garnered a strong reputation for its next generation technology in developing and manufacturing user interfaces and other printed solutions for the medical, wearables, consumer goods & automotive sector in the European Union. This acquisition brings together the complementary capabilities of Naxnova and Quad Industries Belgium, enabling the combined entity to offer a broader range of next generation products, particularly in the automotive, consumer goods, and healthcare sectors. Led by Arne and Ruben Casteleyn, Quad Industries has a well-established development and manufacturing facility located in Belgium and Slovakia. In the past few years, Quad expanded its activities in the field of printed electronics even further so that we can now also provide these sectors with innovative, flexible sensor solutions. Commenting on the acquisition, Mr. Salil Musale, Managing Director of Naxnova, expressed his excitement for future opportunities: "We are delighted to welcome Quad Industries into the Naxnova family. This strategic acquisition aligns with our growth strategy to offer the latest advanced products to our customers globally. This transaction perfectly aligns with our growth strategy not just worldwide but immediately in the Indian market as our new offerings will replace old technology products in consumer durables market and in the 2 wheeler and 4 wheeler segment. This will help us increase our market share and revenue from Indian operations exponentially going forward. Our merged capabilities will allow us to design, develop & supply advanced, high value next generation products to our customers with more speed, fostering stronger customer relationships and leaping ahead of our competition. Speed, high quality & best design functionality are the core of our business. Through collaborating with the best companies we want to serve customers better than anyone else and we are on our way to do just that. Mr. Ruben Casteleyn, Founder & Managing Director of Quad, also expressed his excitement about the acquisition: "Joining forces with Naxnova presents an excellent opportunity for both companies. The synergies created through this collaboration enable us to deliver a great set of products and services to our customers. Together, we will continue to push the boundaries of technology and shape the future of printed electronics in markets where we operate." Both Naxnova and Quad Industries Belgium share a commitment to fostering innovation, fast product development and learning new technologies in line with customers current and future needs. Naxnova's product lineup includes a wide array of next generation solutions designed to enhance interior and exterior branding, improve safety, provide comfort & convenience and offer a wow factor with its design strengths. Their products range from illuminated surfaces for branding, safety sensors, touch HMIs to soft and hard surface thermal management, battery thermal management, etc. Additionally, Naxnova offers various other electronic products such as wireless chargers, paddle door handles, interior roof lighting, parking sensors, exterior body kits, e-mirrors, blind-spot detection sensors, defogging sensors, electronic sidesteps, etc. While expanding its futuristic product portfolio, the company has also steadily expanded in its decorative by adding more decorative and aesthetic products for the two-wheeler and passenger car segments in India. With this acquisition, Naxnova will have added more products to offer the Indian 2 wheeler, passenger car, and white goods industry. In recent months, Naxnova has also made an aggressive entry into the Indian white goods and passenger car segments. We are thrilled to enter the white goods and passenger car segments with more customer centric, wow products which are orbits above existing products offered by others in the industry. With an aggressive growth strategy in mind, we are confident that these innovative solutions will allow us to gain a substantial market share in India in 2024 and beyond. We have also significantly reduced our product development timeline, which is a significant achievement for us and extremely advantageous and in line with customers today. Our focus remains on providing exceptional value to our customers while keeping their needs at the center of our operations. We are perfectly aligned and our working hard towards our Honble PMs initiative and vision of designing and manufacturing products in India for the World. Mr. Salil Musale added. Naxnova's acquisition and expansion into the white goods and passenger car segments represents a significant milestone for the company. Leveraging its expertise and commitment to innovation, Naxnova is positioned to revolutionize the Indian market, setting new industry standards. NDTVs legacy program Battleground is back with Sanjay Pugalia, Editor-in-Chief, NDTV Network at the helm. The platform delves deep into the intricacies of seat distribution in upcoming elections, challenges for the current government and the opposition, and much more with the foremost experts in the field. The first episode, brought together a panel of esteemed experts to dissect the dynamics shaping the electoral battleground in Maharashtra, just a month before the elections. The discussion, aired on March 18, 2024, offered invaluable insights into the current political scenario, policy perspectives, growth indicators, and challenges confronting both the ruling coalition and the opposition in Maharashtra. With two significant political realignments in the past three years, including the formation of the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance, the state's political landscape has witnessed considerable shifts, setting the stage for a fiercely contested electoral battle. The panelists engaged in a robust exchange of ideas and analyses, covering a wide array of topics crucial to understanding Maharashtra's electoral dynamics. From the impact of electoral bonds on political funding to the intricacies of affordable housing projects and the imperative of cooperative federalism, the discussions provided a comprehensive overview of the multifaceted issues influencing voter sentiments and electoral outcomes. Notable highlights from the discussion include observations from political strategists like Amitabh Tiwari, who emphasized the complexity of voting behaviour and the significance of late deciders and floating voters in shaping election results. Chief Economist of Axis Bank Neelkanth Mishra stressed on the importance of infrastructure development in driving growth and addressing key challenges such as unemployment, while political analyst Manisha Priyam shed light on the evolving perceptions of leadership and governance among voters. Understandings from panelists like Nilesh Shah, Managing Director of Kotak Mutual Fund, added depth to the discussion, highlighting the imperative of both cooperative federalism and competitive federalism in driving growth and development. His remarks emphasized the significance of fostering collaboration among states whilst promoting healthy competition to spur progress. Insights from senior journalists Rohit Chandavarkar and Sandeep Shastri further enriched the discussion, with Chandavarkar highlighting the pivotal role of Maharashtra as a deciding state due to its substantial electoral representation, and Shastri laid impetus on the standing of states like Maharashtra in reflecting the national mood. The panelists' diverse perspectives and expert analyses underscored the nuanced nature of Maharashtra's political landscape, characterized by a blend of regional dynamics, socio-economic factors, and ideological considerations. As Maharashtra braces for a pivotal electoral contest, the discussions on #BattlegroundOnNDTV provided stakeholders with valuable insights to navigate the complexities of the state's political terrain. For further updates and in-depth analysis, viewers can tune in to NDTV for comprehensive coverage of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections and stay informed about the latest developments shaping Maharashtra's political landscape. Up next, NDTV heads towards Battleground Karnataka in the coming week. In a significant move aimed at propelling Nissan Motor India into its next phase of growth, the company has officially appointed Saurabh Vatsa as its new Managing Director, effective April 1, 2024. Vatsa will succeed Rakesh Srivastava, who will be stepping down as the incumbent MD upon his retirement on March 31, 2024. "Saurabh Vatsa's elevation to the role of Managing Director underscores our commitment to fostering talent and ensuring seamless leadership transition within the organization," remarked Frank Torres, President of Nissan India Operations and Region Divisional Vice President of Business. "His proven track record and strategic vision make him the ideal candidate to lead Nissan Motor India into the future." Vatsa's appointment follows his recent designation as Deputy MD on January 15, reflecting the company's strategic foresight and emphasis on continuity in leadership. As he assumes this new responsibility, Vatsa will report directly to Torres, bringing his wealth of experience and fresh perspectives to drive Nissan's ambitious growth agenda in India. Under the stewardship of Rakesh Srivastava, Nissan Motor India achieved remarkable milestones, notably the successful launch of the Magnite B-SUV in 2020. "Rakesh Srivastava has been instrumental in steering Nissan through challenging times and positioning the company for success," Torres acknowledged. "His leadership, resilience, and strategic acumen have been invaluable in driving our business forward." Looking ahead, Vatsa conveyed his excitement about the new role and outlined Nissan's commitment to innovation and customer-centricity. "I am honored to lead Nissan Motor India at this pivotal juncture," Vatsa commented. "We are poised to build on our legacy of excellence, leveraging our global brand stature and cutting-edge technology to deliver unparalleled value to our customers." Nissan Motor India remains steadfast in its commitment to the Indian market, with plans to invest Rs 5300 crore ($600 million) as part of the Alliance and introduce a compelling new product portfolio aligned with its transformation plan in 2023. With Vatsa at the helm, the company is poised to embark on an exciting journey of innovation, growth, and customer satisfaction. As part of our World Water Day initiative, QNET India launches social media campaign: The Power of HomePure Nova Pi-Water. This campaign aims to raise awareness about the importance of drinking clean, healthy water while minimising water wastage. Through engaging content and informative resources, we encourage citizens worldwide to embrace their social responsibility and join us in safeguarding our water resources for future generations. Harnessing cutting-edge technology, HomePure Nova offers a sustainable remedy to water quality concerns. This state-of-the-art 9-stage water filtration system utilises advanced technology to purify tap water, effectively eliminating impurities and contaminants, thereby providing households and communities with safe and clean drinking water. Its innovative design ensures Zero-Water-Wastage and operates without electricity, aligning with environmental conservation efforts while offering a cost-effective solution for households in India. Particularly suited for pre-treated water supplies with low TDS levels, it guarantees optimal performance. The advanced water filter cartridge of HomePure Nova can deliver up to 5,000 litres of clean and pure drinking water. Notably, it can produce Pi-Water, enriched with essential nutrients and minerals, mirroring the properties of our body water, also known as Living Energy. This enriched water not only enhances hydration but also contributes to bolstering the immune system and retarding the cell aging process. HomePure Nova boasts certifications from NSF International and the Water Quality Association (WQA), ensuring its compliance with stringent quality standards. HomePure Nova stands as a testament to environmental consciousness and sustainability. With zero water wastage and no electricity consumption, HomePure Nova minimises its ecological footprint, embodying QNET's commitment to environmental stewardship, remarked Nischal C, head of corporate communications, QNET India region. Rakuten India Enterprise Pvt. Ltd., a key technology hub and development center of Rakuten Group Inc., has issued an urgent warning to the public regarding a fraudulent scheme carried out under the guise of an entity named "R-ole". The company has uncovered unauthorized activities where its brand and leadership identities are being exploited in a scam soliciting personal funds under deceitful pretenses. This scam is mainly spreading through messaging platforms such as Telegram and WhatsApp. It involves over 17,000 subscribers and bogus invitations for an office tour that does not exist, planned from April 1st to 3rd. Fake documents such as the "Activity Flow Sheet", which outlines the supposed activities planned during this office tour, and invitations using Rakuten Indias office address still continue to circulate. Rakuten India urges the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious events related to the scam known as R-ole, to the concerned police authorities. Rakuten India takes this matter extremely seriously and is taking firm action to combat the unauthorized use of its brand as part of fraudulent, criminal activity. Rakuten India asserts in the strongest terms that it never solicits financial contributions or personal banking details for any purpose. Rakuten India hopes that by highlighting these developments, unsuspecting individuals will not be duped by the scam. Additionally, Rakuten India wants to clarify that no activities are planned at its office in India from April 1st to 3rd. This should serve as a reminder to remain cautious and not fall victim to this scam. Upon the discovery of individuals being duped into an ostensible R-OLE Business Plan that falsely claims a partnership with Rakuten India and other reputed brands, Rakuten India has lodged a First Information Report (FIR) with the Cyber Crime Police. A comprehensive investigation is active, and expedient measures are being taken to curb these criminal acts. The International Internet Business Department of Xiaomi announces the extension of its strategic partnership with Xapads for the year 2024. As the global core agency for Xiaomi Mi Ads, Xapads has demonstrated the crucial role it plays in the mobile internet advertising business of the smartphone OEM. Continuing their successful collaboration, Xiaomi Mi Ads and Xapads reinforce their commitment to evolving the advertising landscape and aim to provide advanced & effective advertising solutions, addressing the changing needs of clients. Commenting on this, Ramneek Chadha, COO at Xapads Media said, Aligned with our shared vision for contributing to the mobile advertising industry, this will offer opportunities for mobile marketers to access Xiaomi's extensive markets. Further, it will also ensure that app developers and brands have comprehensive access to Xiaomi Ads products and services, facilitating better audience targeting in a streamlined manner with innovative user acquisition strategies.. Adding to this, Huang Xu, Country Head, Xapads Media, China said, "Brands and agencies can explore exclusive & unique ad formats and connect with a broader audience from Xiaomi's diverse user base worldwide. We look forward to continuing our journey of delivering impactful advertising solutions." Bono Wu, Lead channel sales team for Mi Ads globally, said, In 2024, We look forward to establishing and deepening collaborations with both new and existing partners to explore new mutually beneficial ways and share the fruits of our global market successes with every industry partner, Xapads is our important partner and our sustained growth hinges on our collective effort to continuously create value for both of us. Xapads Media and the International Internet Business Department of Xiaomi entered into a strategic partnership in 2022 to give advertisers exclusive access to premium app inventory for in-app advertising in the global market. As the core agency partner, Xapads helps brands leverage on-device app recommendations via Xiaomi and supports marketers with real-time insights, quality user acquisition, and premium ad placements, creating a controlled environment for lead generation and product recommendations. Judy Garland's iconic pair of ruby slippers, which she famously wore as Dorothy Gale in the legendary film: "The Wizard of Oz," has finally been reunited with its owner after years of being in "limbo" following its theft from the Minnesota museum built in honor of the actress. According to a press release by the Minneapolis Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), collector Michael Shaw was ecstatic after seeing the famed red shoes again, aptly reunited at the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Of the reunion, the FBI wrote: "When Shaw, accompanied by his niece, laid eyes on the slippers for the first time in nearly two decades, he likened the experience to a heartfelt reunion with a long-lost friend." During the return ceremony, where the pair of ruby slippers was once more placed on their pedestal at Garland's childhood house-turned-museum, the Minnesota institution's Founding Director John Kelsh echoed Shaw's delight and said it is "grateful to be a part of [its] homecoming." The Saga of Judy Garland's Ruby Slippers and Its Theft As per the US District Attorney's Office of North Dakota, the shoes were first taken from the actress-honoring institution back in 2005 and it was only in 2018 that the pair of slippers were recovered following a sting operation in Minneapolis. Two culprits in their 70s, Terry Martin and Jerry Hal Saliterman, were each charged separately for the theft, with the former pleading guilty last year and the latter being charged with the crime just this recent week. That said, Saliterman claims that he is innocent. Before Saliterman was identified to be Martin's "partner-in-crime," Martin's legal counsel claimed that his accomplice at the time of the theft initially thought that the shoes were embedded with real rubies. Instead, as per the Smithsonian, the shoes are just painted in red and decorated with sequins. Despite this fact, however, the slippers remain incredibly valuable due to their history and are estimated by the US District Attorney's Office of North Dakota to be about $3.5 million in value. That price is soon to be tested, as the shoes are slated to go under the hammer soon in a sale facilitated by Heritage Auctions, following a months-long tour around the globe. In a statement to KARE, the Garland Museum said that it is currently gathering the funds to buy the iconic slippers as a permanent display in the institution. This effort is supported by Minnesota state legislators, expressing interest in keeping the famed shoes at the museum. In line with this endeavor, a state senator has even introduced a bill that could help allocate funds to the state's preservation society and purchase the famous sequined shoes for the museum. Read Also: Paula Vogel's 'Mother Play' is Gearing Up for Its World Premiere in Broadway's Second Stage Theater This April 2024 Classicalite All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Bern, 21.03.2024 - Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the FDFA, officially concluded his multi-day trip to East Africa today with a visit to the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, following earlier stops in Ethiopia and Djibouti. Mr Cassis' talks with the presidents and foreign ministers of the three countries focused on bilateral relations, regional challenges and opportunities, and multilateralism. The trip also provided important insights for the new Sub-Saharan Africa Strategy that is currently being drawn up. In adopting the first Sub-Saharan Africa Strategy in 2021, the Federal Council clearly signalled that Switzerland intended to step up cooperation with its African partners. The trip was in line with this strategy and provided important insights for the new Sub-Saharan Africa Strategy that is currently being drawn up. Global and regional security in Switzerland's interests Mr Cassis's discussions with the presidents and foreign ministers of Ethiopia, Kenya and Djibouti, as well as with the chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, focused primarily on global and regional security issues. These issues are of central importance to Switzerland, among other reasons as it is currently serving on the UN Security Council. Mr Cassis stressed the importance of finding peaceful solutions to regional and global conflicts. In relation to the war in Ukraine, possible steps towards a peace conference in Switzerland were discussed. Other topics addressed included the situation in the Middle East, security in the Red Sea and the future of Somalia after the AU's peacekeeping mission is concluded. The conflict in Sudan, which has been raging for almost a year, was another important topic on the agenda. Mr Cassis highlighted the serious humanitarian consequences and the destabilising impact of the crisis on the region, and discussed possible solutions to the conflict. The countries of the region, together with the AU, have a key role to play in this process. Switzerland supports peace efforts and provides humanitarian aid aimed at ensuring food security, improving livelihoods and protecting civilians. In addition to providing emergency aid, Switzerland also contributes to the development of sustainable solutions for internally displaced persons and refugees. The Swiss special envoy for the Horn of Africa is also in contact with the parties to the conflict and has offered Switzerland's good offices. Closer bilateral relations In line with the objectives of the Sub-Saharan Africa Strategy 202124, Switzerland is committed to further enhancing cooperation with its African partners. An instrument to achieve this is the modernisation of the network of representations. Alongside Ethiopian Minister of Foreign Affairs Taye Atske Selassie, Mr Cassis participated on 19 March in the ceremonial laying of the foundation stone for the construction of a new embassy in Addis Ababa: "The construction of this new embassy is a clear sign of how much importance Switzerland attaches to the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa". The visit to Kenya coincided with an important anniversary: Switzerland and Kenya are celebrating six decades of diplomatic relations this year. Mr Cassis paid tribute to the excellent partnership between the two countries and expressed his commitment to deepening bilateral relations, with a particular focus on economic cooperation, double taxation and climate protection. Science diplomacy in Djibouti On 20 March, Federal Councillor Cassis visited a project in Djibouti aimed at safeguarding the coral reefs of the Red Sea. For the past five years, scientists from across the region have collaborated to study how environmental factors affect these reefs. As Mr Cassis noted, this Swiss-supported project, led by EPFL, highlights the growing role of science diplomacy the intersection of science and international relations. Address for enquiries FDFA Communication Federal Palace West Wing CH-3003 Bern, Switzerland Tel. Press service: +41 58 460 55 55 E-mail: kommunikation@eda.admin.ch Twitter: @SwissMFA Publisher Federal Department of Foreign Affairs https://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home.html Farmers in large numbers were gathered at Delhis Ramlila Maidan to hold Kisan Mazdoor Mahapanchayat today. Samyukt Kisan Morcha leader also called the Bharatiya Janata Party an anti-farmer. Samyukt Kisan Morcha has called for a one-day Delhi Chalo, in which all the organizations related to the front are gathering at Ramlila Ground in Delhi. Thousands of farmers have arrived. Farmers taking part in the Mahapanchayat said that the stage proceedings will start from noonon Thursday. Darshan Pal, SKM leader said that ever since they first came to Delhi (in 2020 Kisan Andolan), they have expanded their network. We have made laws for how we have to work, he said. Todays Kisan Mazdoor Mahapanchayat is being organized because we want to tell the people of the country that the BJP government has betrayed us. Today we are trying to show the anti-farmer face of BJP in the entire country. Till now people are facing problems in reaching here. We were also given permission two days ago and many conditions were imposed. we condemn this. We want to tell you that Delhi ab Door nahi hai, he added. On security arrangements, DCP Central M Harsha Vardhan told ANI that the police have made elaborate arrangements to ensure that law and order are maintained. The organising group has also given a written undertaking in which there are various points relating to maintaining law and order. A lot of farmers have come and it is an ongoing process. But we are hopeful that it will be under the limit of what the SKM leaders have told us. Sufficient forces are available with us. We are trying that without any law and order disturbance and with minimal traffic disturbance everything happens, he said. Notably, the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) has appealed to farmers and workers to make the Kisan Mazdoor Mahapanchayat on March 14 massive and peaceful. As per the report, preparations are in full swing to ensure massive participation and make the event politically significant and successful, the SKM said in a press release. The Mahapanchayat will adopt Sankalp Patra or Letter of Resolution to intensify the fight against the pro-corporate, communal, dictatorial policies of the Modi Government, to fight to save farming, food security, livelihood and the people from corporate loot. In the context of the forthcoming general election to the Lok Sabha, the Maha Panchayat will declare the future plan of action of how to intensify the ongoing struggle to achieve the genuine demands of the farmers as well as the workers, the press release stated. SKM appealed to all the Mass and class organisations and unions of workers, students, youth and women to join the Mahapanchayat. The Delhi Police had issued the NOC for conducting the Mahapanchayat at Ramlila Maidan on March 14 and arranging parking space and other basic amenities like water, toilets, and ambulance with the support of the Municipal Administration of Delhi. SKM expressed its pleasure and welcomed the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) Chaduni group of farmers to join the Kisan Mazdoor Mahapanchayat. The efforts of the six-member committee to coordinate with the Kisan organisations for greater issue-based unity and rally maximum farmers against the anti-farmer, anti-worker policies are continuing. SKM strongly protests against the surrender of the Modi Government before the Developed European Countries and signed the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Free Trade Agreement, the press release said. The SKM alleged that this agreement would destroy the home market and the peoples livelihood massively. Ahmedabad Others 18 migrants granted Indian citizenship in city In all 114 Hindus who had migrated from Pak, Af, Bangladesh were granted citizenship in 2023 18 individuals who immigrated to Ahmedabad from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh were granted Indian citizenship by State Minister for Home Affairs Harsh Sanghavi at a ceremony held at the Ahmedabad Collectorate on Saturday. With this, the total number of immigrants who have been granted Indian citizenship touched 1167, of which 114 Hindu migrants were granted citizenship in 2023. Speaking at the citizenship awarding camp Sanghvi said, Muskariye kayun ki ab aap sab Bharat ke nagrik hai (smile, as all of you are now Indian citizens). We have to work together to achieve the vision of a new India and you are expected to participate in the developmental journey of the country. It should be noted that as per the 2016 and 2018 Gazzette, only the District Collectors of Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar and Kutch in Gujarat have the authority to grant Indian citizenship to individuals from minority communitiesHindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, and Christianof Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. Ahmedabad Education Turkmenistan student, hurt in hostel brawl, misses exam First year BA student faces academic setback, ICCR intervenes Array ( [galleryId] => 853b4f75679f2a7ac06da1df0e2aec216dbba3b134fda4e0 [thumbImage] => https://ngs-space1.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/am/uploads/mediaGallery/image/1710963773292.jpg-thmb [largeImage] => https://ngs-space1.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/am/uploads/mediaGallery/image/1710963773292.jpg-sldr [fullImage] => https://ngs-space1.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/am/uploads/mediaGallery/image/1710963773292.jpg-org [videoObj] => [caption] => Security has been beefed at GU after the incident on Saturday [altText] => Security has been beefed at GU after the incident on Saturday [description] => Security has been beefed at GU after the incident on Saturday [title] => ) A first-year Bachelor of Arts student from Turkmenistan, who suffered a severe abdominal injury in abdomen in a clash on Saturday night at Gujarat Universitys Hostel Block A, meant for international students, had to miss the internal examination starting from Wednesday. The student reached out to the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) with his health concerns and his inability to appear for the exam owing to the physical pain and lack of preparation in wake of the attack on international students offering Taraweeh-Ramadan prayer. ICCR on students plight The ICCR in a meeting with Gujarat University authorities briefed them about the students health update and of missing the colleges internal exam on Wednesday. When we met the students at the hostel on Monday, the student showed us the injury and explained his inability to sit for the internal examination, said ICCR sub-zonal officer Surender Kumar. We spoke to the GUs new coordinator and hoped that the students condition will be considered to allow him to appear for the next exam, he added. Future uncertain Mahipatsinh Chavda, Principal of LD Arts College where the Turkmen student is enrolled, said that the internal exam started from Wednesday. According to rules, students not attending internal exams may not be allowed to appear for university-conducted exams. We are going to start re-tests from March 26, and if the student cannot participate, the university has to take a call as a special case, Chavda said. AL.com Columnist Kyle Whitmire has been named a finalist for a national journalism award through the American Bar Association. Whitmires commentary Alabamas Desperate Bid for a Milligan Do-over is a finalist for the organizations Silver Gavel Awards for Media and the Arts. Whitmires 2023 columns critiqued the states response to the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Allen v. Milligan requiring the state legislature to redraw its congressional districts to conform to requirements for racial equity under the Voting Rights Act. Whitmire also revealed the one lawyer driving Alabamas resistance to federal input and his role in helping craft the legislative response. The awards, recognize outstanding work that fosters the American publics understanding of law and the legal system, the association stated in a press release about the finalists, adding that the award is its highest honor for journalists. Whitmires entry is the only finalist in the commentary category for the award. Other finalists among the 29 named include The New Yorker, Vanity Fair, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Bloomberg Industry Group, the Chicago Tribune, WNYC Radio and ABC News. Winning entries, which will include documentaries, books, drama, literature, magazines, newspapers, radio, television, and commentaries will be announced May 22. The finalists were selected from 176 entries and were judged by a committee of 50 individuals with legal and media expertise, according to the association. We received outstanding submissions this year and are grateful to the Gavel Awards Screening Committee for their dedicated review and difficult decisions they had to make, said Lisa Bail, chair of the ABA Standing Committee on Gavel Awards in a press release. Sharon Stone stopped by Dana Carvey and David Spades Fly On The Wall podcast to discuss the time she hosted Saturday Night Live back in April 1992 shortly after the release of her erotic blockbuster Basic Instinct. Stone remembered being terrified during the live taping as protestors stormed the stage seconds before her monologue. Six men were eventually arrested due to the incident. Stone said SNL creator Lorne Michaels personally saved my life when the protestors charged. I came out to do the monologue live, which is super scary, and a bunch of people started storming the stage saying they were going to kill me during the opening monologue, Stone recalled. Actress Sharon Stone attends the premiere of "The Eyes of Tammy Faye" at the SVA Theatre on Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)Evan Agostini/Invision/AP The security that was in there froze because they never had seen anything like that happen. Lorne started screaming at [security], What are you doing? Watching the fucking show? And Lorne started beating them up and pulling them back from the stage. The stage manager looked at me and said, Hold for five. So all these people were getting beat up and handcuffed in front of me as we went live. If you think the monologue is scary to begin with, try doing it as people are getting handcuffed in front of you, Stone added. She said the protestors were mad at her because it was the beginning of my work as an AIDS activist. No one understood at the time what was happening and they didnt know if amfAR could be trusted or if we were against gay people. Instead of waiting for an intelligent, informative conversation they thought, Oh lets just kill her. I was so not prepared, Stone continued. As you remember, the audience wasnt up like it is now. Every time we were making a change youre really physically changing your clothes while youre running through the audience. I was just terrified. I honestly blacked out for half of the show. When the conversation pivoted to some of the sketches, Carvey noted that Stone was such a good sport and the comedy we did with Sharon Stone, wed literally be arrested now. That was 1992. One of the more controversial segments was Airport Security Sketch, in which Stone played a woman who gets stopped by airport security and asked to remove one item of clothing at a time. Stone isnt carrying anything dangerous, the security guards just want to see her take her clothes off. Carvey appeared as an Indian security guard. I want to apologize publicly for the security check sketch where I played an Indian man and were convincing Sharon, her character, or whatever--to take her clothes off to go through the security thing, Carvey said, with Spade chiming in that it was so offensive. Its so 1992, you know, its from another era, Carvey continued. Stone said she actually didnt mind the sketch at all, adding: I know the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony. And I think that we were all committing misdemeanors [back then] because we didnt think there was something wrong then. We didnt have this sense. That was funny to me, I didnt care. I was fine being the butt of the joke. Now were in such a weird and precious time, Stone continued. People have spent too much time alone. People dont know how to be funny and intimate and any of these things with each other. Everyone is so afraid and are putting up such barriers around everything that people cant be normal with each other anymore. Its lost all sense of reason. Listen to Stones full appearance on the Fly on the Fall podcast here. 2024 Variety Media, LLC, a subsidiary of Penske Business Media; Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC A saloon building that has lasted for 125 years is bound to have a few haunts hanging around. The Peerless Saloon & Grill in Anniston, Ala., is no exception. Peerless is Alabamas oldest operating bar, according to its website. The bar is still housed in the building constructed in 1899 by Robert Daddy Garner at 15 W. 10th St. As the name implies, it still offers food and beverages for weary travelers and anyone else who stops by. As for the ghosts: the Oxford Paranormal Society says, the site is haunted by a lady who appears in early 1900s style clothing there are claims that in the early 1900s, there used to be a brothel here and the lady seen is the actual madam that managed that brothel. If you dont believe in that kind of spirits, there are plenty of spirts to imbibe at the bar. Ironically, back in 1903, the original owner got into trouble with the public over an advertisement he wrote about drinking. He published a public apology in the Anniston Star on March 22, 1903: To the public: Upon opening the new Peerless saloon, I announced that I proposed to run same on first class principles and cater to men who know how to drink, and my announcement seems to have been misunderstood The owner of the Peerless Saloon published a public apology in the Anniston Star in 1903.Courtesy of Anniston Star Apparently, some townsfolk thought Garner would be running a full-on party palace. His ad sought to reassure them that It is my desire to make the Peerless a nice quiet orderly place where it will be a pleasure to trade. It seems to have worked in his favor. At some point after 1904, Garner felt the need for a new bar mirror. He found a well-known one: the massive mirror-backed mahogany bar was featured at the 1904 Worlds Fair in St. Louis. Garner operated the saloon until his death in 1919 and the building was eventually abandoned. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. The Peerless Saloon reopened for business in 1992; in 2009, the restaurant was added. The Alabama tourism site says the saloon features live music Thursday through Saturday nights and the restaurant offers delicious southern cuisine in a relaxing atmosphere. If youre thinking of checking it out, stay for a weekend and see the historic Anniston Inn Kitchen, the Coldwater Creek Covered Bridge, Worlds Largest Office Chair and some of the historic buildings in downtown Anniston. Find lodging in the area like the historic Victorian Hotel Finial at Booking.com or Vrbo.com. BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) The U.S., Canada and several indigenous groups announced a proposal on Monday to address pollution from coal mining in British Columbia that officials say has been contaminating waterways and harming fisheries on both sides of the border for years. The proposal would be executed through a century-old U.S.-Canada boundary waters treaty, establishing independent boards to study the pollutions extent and make cleanup recommendations. Details were obtained by The Associated Press in advance of the proposals public release. It comes after indigenous groups in British Columbia, Montana and Idaho lobbied for more than a decade for the federal governments in the U.S. and Canada to intervene and stop the flow of pollution. Scientists from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency several years ago confirmed high levels of selenium in fish and eggs in Montanas Kootenai River downstream of Lake Koocanusa, which straddles the U.S. Canada border. The chemical, released when coal is mined and washed during processing, can be toxic to fish, aquatic insects and the birds that feed on them. Some members of the Ktunaxa Nation which includes two tribes in the U.S. and four first nations in Canada depend on those fish populations for sustenance. The fish, especially the smaller ones, you see a lot of damage. Youre starting to get abnormalities in their bodies, reproductive issues, said Tom McDonald, Vice Chairman of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes in northwestern Montana. It has to stop. Selenium concentrations in water entering Lake Koocanusa have been increasing for decades, and studies have shown its coming from coal mines in the Elk River valley of British Columbia. The Elk River drains into the Kootenai before it crosses the border into Montana, then flows into Idaho and eventually joins the Columbia River. Diplomatic groundwork for Mondays proposal was laid last year, when President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced in March 2023 that the U.S. and Canada hoped to reach an agreement in principle in the following months to reduce the pollution in the Elk-Kootenai watershed in partnership with tribes and first nations. All the parties know that time is of the essence, said Stephenne Harding, senior director for lands at the White House Council on Environmental Quality. The pollution levels in this system are increasing and we need shared solutions to protect people and species. This process helps bring together all the data and the knowledge so we have it in one place where we can make important decisions. Gary Aitken Jr., Vice Chairman of the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho, said tribal leaders have been lobbying for federal intervention for at least 12 years. Its been frustrating, he said. We hope its a turning point and that the governments will work in good faith to finally begin cleanup work. The proposal submitted through a bilateral panel known as the International Joint Commission calls for no more than two years of study to gauge the extent of pollution. The goal is to develop a plan to reduce pollution impacts as quickly as possible, said U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Rachel Poynter. This is a first step and we recognize that, but it is a critical key first step, Poynter said. Officials from Montana, Idaho and British Columbia also would be invited to participate. Sen. Jon Tester of Montana issued a statement saying hes pleased that officials in Canada are involved after previous complaints from tribes that they were not cooperating. Ill continue to put pressure on the State Department to hold the Canadian government accountable, the Democratic lawmaker added. A Canadian coal company paid a $60 million fine in 2021 after pleading guilty in a court case involving pollution discharges in British Columbia blamed for harming fish populations. Investigators found Teck Resources Limited discharged hazardous amounts of selenium and calcite from two coal mines. Teck Resources spokesperson Chris Stannell said in response to Mondays proposal that the company is making progress in improving water quality. It has built four water treatment plants that are removing at least 95% of the selenium from treated water, he said, with six more treatment plants planned by 2027. The plan is working, selenium concentrations have stabilized and are now reducing downstream of treatment, Stannell said. Coal from the region is mined through a highly disruptive method known as mountaintop removal and sold to foundries for steel and metal production. Kathryn Teneese, who chairs the Ktunaxa Nation Council that includes the indigenous groups, said two years to study the issue and come up with potential solutions marked an aggressive timeline. Im hopeful it will help inform Teck, also in terms of the work theyve been doing, Teneese said. We acknowledge and recognize they have been doing what they can to address it, but hopefully some outside intervention will speed up that process. By MATTHEW BROWN Associated Press Gov. Kay Ivey signs bill banning some forms of help with absentee voting Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey has signed into law a bill that Republicans say would prevent fraud in absentee voting but that Democrats and some advocacy groups say will criminalize work that helps the elderly, disabled, and incarcerated people cast their ballots. The new law takes effect immediately. Ballot harvesting is a term that generally means the mass distribution or collection of absentee ballot applications or ballots. Republican officials supporting the bill have said it happens in Alabama but have generally not provided specific examples. Democratic lawmakers who opposed the bill said it was was part of a national GOP effort to try to give some credibility to former President Trumps unsubstantiated claims that mass fraud caused his defeat in the 2020 election. The new law adds new restrictions and criminal penalties to section 17-11-4 of the code of Alabama, which governs absentee voting applications. The strictest penalties apply to those who receive a payment or pay someone else for helping with applications. Some parts of the new law apply to situations not involving a payment. The League of Women Voters of Alabama, which opposed the bill since Republicans first introduced it last year, issued a statement after the bill passed, saying that helping voters is not a crime and should not be treated as such. Birmingham mother testifies at U.S. Senate in support of IVF A woman who had her IVF treatment interrupted after the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos are children testified yesterday in Washington in support of protections for the treatment. Jamie Heard of Birmingham told members of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee that she was diagnosed with a disorder that made it difficult to become pregnant. She and her husband used IVF to become pregnant with their son and had hoped to add another child. They met with their doctor on Feb. 14 to begin that process. On Feb. 16, a majority on the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos are children under the states Wrongful Death of a Child Act. Heard had just begun treatment to have another embryo transferred when the decision occurred. Her clinic and others around the state paused procedures to evaluate the legal risks. A bill to protect IVF treatment access across the country has faced opposition from Republican members of Congress. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., blocked a vote on the bill, arguing that it went too far and could expose anti-abortion and religious groups to lawsuits. Republican members of the Senate Judiciary Committee said yesterday that they supported IVF, but some accused Democrats of using the issue as a weapon. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, said the hearing was not about IVF, but about access to abortion. Democrats said the Alabama IVF ruling was one example of how losing federal protections for abortion has affected reproductive health care. The committee chair, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Illinois, said the fall of Roe vs. Wade opened the door to disruptions in IVF treatment in Alabama. Alabama legislators add ban on Pride flags in schools to Dont Say Gay expansion Alabama legislators waved through a bill that would ban discussion or instruction about gender identity or sexual orientation in all grades, K-12, to the floor, and added a ban on Pride flags in schools. The House Education Policy Committee also considered an amendment from the bills sponsor, Rep. Mack Butler, R-Rainbow City, that would add Space Camp as a place that cannot instruct children on LGBTQ issues, but the rider failed. Butler wanted the amendment added after a Huntsville school parent posted on social media about a transgender employee at Space Camp. The parent and lawmakers who then called for the employees firing did not specify any wrongdoing by the employee. The U.S. Space and Rocket Center told media that no child has been physically harmed on our campus. In 2022, Alabama passed a law that stops K-5 educators from specifically talking about LGBTQ topics in the classroom. Butlers bill would expand the prohibition to all K-12 teachers. Some educators and state officials say they dont think the bill is needed, and that it could make it hard for educators to teach on certain topics. LGBTQ advocates say the bill is targeted at LGBTQ young people and will make students more likely to be isolated and afraid. The amendment says that no teacher, or other public K-12 employee, may display a flag or other insignia relating to or representing sexual orientation or gender identity in a classroom or on the property of a public K-12 school. Alabama committee wants to stop electing the board of a local library A House committee approved a bill by Rep. Arnold Mooney, HB89, that would appoint the board members of an Alabama library system instead of selecting them through a public election. The North Shelby Public Library is the only system in Alabama not formed or maintained under a city council or county commission. A 1988 legislative act created the library as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit thats almost entirely funded by residents. This legislation follows months of book challenges and concerns about inappropriate content for children in public libraries statewide. The proposed legislation has been years in discussion, according to a statement this week on the Shelby County legislative delegation website. Under the current statute, there is no oversight to the board, and we believe that every dollar of tax payer money should have the same checks-and-balance that other publicly funded entities have to meet, the delegation said. The legislation requires one member be a business owner living in the district. More Alabama news Listen to the podcast The son of an Alabama death row inmate and the widow of the last person executed in the state took part in a rally at the Alabama State House on Thursday calling for the Legislature to pass a bill that would allow 33 condemned inmates to have their sentences changed to life in prison. Robin LeAndrew Hood, son of Robin Rocky Myers, and Deanna Smith, widow of Kenneth Eugene Smith, spoke at the rally in support of the legislation and in support of clemency for Myers, who has been on death row for 30 years on his conviction for the fatal stabbing of Ludie Mae Tucker, 69, who was a neighbor. After the rally, some in the group crossed the street to the Capitol went to Gov. Kay Iveys office to notify her staff about a petition asking her to commute Myers sentence to life without parole. TJ Riggs of Birmingham, who works with Amnesty International USA, said there are more than 600,000 signatures on the petition, which he said was being sent to the governors office electronically. No date has been set for Myers execution. The Morgan County jury that convicted Myers in 1994 recommended a sentence of life without parole. But the judge overrode that and sentenced Myers to death. One of the jurors said last year she believes Myers is innocent. Read more: Alabama could execute Robin Rocky Myers soon. A juror says hes innocent In 2017, the Alabama Legislature eliminated the judicial override and gave juries the authority to decide whether those convicted of capital murder receive the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole, the only two options on a capital conviction. But the law did not apply retroactively, meaning that judicial override death sentences handed out before 2017 remain in place. HB27, by Rep. Chris England, would require a judge to resentence those inmates to life without parole. Justice demands us to afford those individuals who are still on death row, who are there for a judicial override, the opportunity to be resentenced, England told the crowd at the rally. It only makes sense, and thats in its purest sense what justice means. Englands bill is pending in the House Judiciary Committee. It has not come up for a vote this session. England sponsored the same bill last year, but it did not advance. Alison Mollman, interim legal director for the ACLU of Alabama, noted that Kenneth Eugene Smith, who was executed in January, was also on death row because of judicial override. She said that underscores the urgency of passing the bill. Oftentimes when we talk about legislation, we can say, Well see what happens next year, Mollman said. But while we were seeing what happened next year, Kenny Smith was executed, and he would not have been executed if that bill had passed last session. Smith was the first inmate ever executed by nitrogen hypoxia, an alternative to lethal injection. Smith was convicted for the murder-for-hire of Elizabeth Dorlene Sennett in Colbert County in 1988. Sennett was a pastors wife who was beaten and stabbed. Mollman and death penalty opponents who spoke at the rally talked about the humanity of the people on death row. Mr. Smith was beloved by men on the row, by his family, by his friends, and although the state of Alabama has tried to define him by the worst thing hed done, what we know is Kenny is much more than that, Mollman said. Smiths widow, Deanna Smith, called on the Legislature to change the law and spare the lives of those sentenced by judicial override, including Myers. If seven years ago this was decided as unconstitutional, that we have a right to a jury by our peers, then its still unconstitutional today, and it was unconstitutional all the years before that, Deanna Smith said. We shouldnt have to fight for them to do the right thing. If we leave it to the courts, well, you know where that will be. The Alabama Supreme Court and the U.S. Supreme Court did not stand up for Kenny. But right now we have a chance and a choice to make it right for people like Rocky and the other men on death row. So please, please vote for House Bill 27. Please dont let it slip by like it did last year. Because the truth is, peoples lives are at stake. This isnt just something we can continue to push on and wait. Because once a persons life is taken, it cannot be given back. Hood, who is Myers son and was 11 when Ludie Mae Tucker was killed, said he loves his father and believes he is innocent. Hes always in good spirits, Hood said. He tells me Im his hero, or whatever, but hes my hero. I dont think I could be in there as long as hes been in there and still have the mindset that he has. He told me he still sees the light at the end of the tunnel. Hood said his father still thinks he is coming home after 30 years on death row. Hood said he believes that could happen because of his faith in God. I believe God can do all things through Christ, Hood said. I know my father, if he dont come home, hes going to heaven. Hes going home. So if they dont want to let him go in the world, hes going home anyways. An enigmatic, momentous discovery was made at the unassuming and newly built parking lot of the historic Burghley House in the UK. The find? A 1,800-year-old Roman bust of marble make. How the Marble Roman Statue Was Found Although it is typical for Burghley to have such an artifact of great artistic and historical value, being one of the few remaining examples of 16th-century Elizabethan houses, finding one outside of the estate is a head-scratcher, to say the least. According to the press release of the "Prodigy House," the principal discoverer of the ancient Roman artifact was excavator operator Greg Crawley, who was working on the site when he saw a "suspicious-looking" pale stone that later turned out to be the marble head of the sculpture. "I had a real shock as the digger bucket rolled over what I thought was a big stone to reveal a face," Crawley recalled. "When I picked it up, I realized it was a head of a statue. I couldn't believe it when they told me it was a Roman marble statue." "It was an amazing feeling to have found something so old and special - definitely my best-ever discovery," he added. Read More: Dorothy's Stolen Ruby Slippers from 'The Wizard of Oz' Now Found, Returns Home After Nineteen-Year Absence Insights Behind the Burghley House Roman Statue Mystery As per the release, the experts who examined the artifact said it was likely from the 1st or 2nd century AD and that the iron dowel present in the statue was added later on around the late 18th century. They added that this was adapted into the sculpture by Italian dealers to increase its "attractiveness" to aristocrats who were visiting Italy in droves during a 17th- to 19th-century cultural rite of passage known as the Grand Tour. This event saw European aristocrats embarking on a journey across the continent to gain new learnings and insights regarding classical art, architecture, and culture. In particular, Italy became the focal point of this endeavor, as the elite frequented cities like Rome, Florence, and Venice to visit numerous archaeological sites and museums. This journey also gave the aristocrats countless opportunities to better acquaint themselves with acclaimed artists and intellectuals. After going on this Grand Tour, the travelers often come home with a hoard of art pieces and antiquities in tow. In light of this, the Burghley House believes that the ninth Earl of Exeter may have been the one to take home the recently found sculpture after embarking on the tour around the 1760s. How it ended up in the parking lot remains a mystery, spawning a host of varying theories involving a theft-gone-sour or even the possibility that it was just casually discarded without heavy thought behind the act. As per the New York Times, experts have yet to discover any historical reports of a burglary that happened at the house, however, resident curator Jon Culverhouse told the publication that it may just be "under the wraps" because news of such manner would have been "very embarrassing" to the owner. Regardless, the sculpture is now back inside the Burghley House, following reassembly by the hands of a specialist conservator. It will also be joining the display at the house starting on March 16, standing alongside other artifacts bought by the 9th Earl. Read Also: Kate Prince's Acclaimed 'Message in a Bottle' Dance Show to Play at the New York City Center This April 2024 Classicalite All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Officials in Santa Rosa County, Fla., are keen on the idea of erecting Floridas tallest flagpole, eclipsing the 200-foot flagpole in Clearwater which currently holds that distinction. What they may not be so keen on, however, is the price tag. Santa Rosa County commissioners recently opened bids submitted for the proposed flag project, which calls for the flagpole and accompanying giant U.S. flag to be erected in the City of Milton, perhaps outside a county-owned building in the downtown area, according to the Pensacola News Journal. But to do it will cost in the neighborhood of $300,000. The lowest of the two bids received came in at $291,070, while the other was for $301,653. The lower bid broke down the cost, which includes: $165,150 for a 227-foot flag pole $110,250 for one-day installation $1,600 for lights to illuminate the flag at night $9,500 for the flag Once erected, there would be 207 feet of flagpole above the ground, surpassing the 200-foot flagpole at a Harley-Davidson dealership in Clearwater, which is currently the states tallest, according to the PNJ. Commissioner James Calkins has led the charge for the flagpole, with support from fellow commissioner and chairman Sam Parker. The News Journal reported three other commissioners seem uncertain on the idea. When the idea was first floated during a February meeting, commissioner Ray Eddington suggested the money could instead be spent on things like roads and infrastructure. His comment was greeted by applause from some in attendance, according to the PNJ. Others have suggested local citizens could band together to raise the funds needed for the giant pole. Its possible the county could use proceeds from a local tourism bed tax to cover the cost, although some have questioned exactly how a giant flag pole qualifies as a tourist attraction. A Morgan County jail employee has been arrested as part of what the sheriffs office calls an ongoing narcotics investigation into jail contraband. On Wednesday, the sheriffs Drug Enforcement Unit executed a search warrant on a residence in the 1800 block of College Street in Decatur. According to investigators, they found fentanyl, amphetamine and marijuana. Deborah Terrell, 42, Decatur, has been charged with drug trafficking, drug possession and marijuana possession. She is no longer employed at the Morgan County Jail, according to the sheriffs office. Also arrested was Lester Bufkin, 44, of Decatur. He faces charges of drug trafficking, drug possession and marijuana possession. The two were released on $11,300 bond. According to the sheriffs office, additional arrests are possible. On April 8, the Great American Eclipse will cut a path across the U.S., giving millions the opportunity to see a total solar eclipse. And while almost all of the U.S. will get to experience the eclipse, 15 states will be along the path of totality, meaning they will experience the greatest periods of darkness when the moon blocks out the sun. Those states are Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, as well as small parts of Kentucky, Michigan and Tennessee. READ MORE: Total solar eclipse on April 8: Rare devil comet will be visible during eclipse The eclipse will begin over the South Pacific Ocean before passing over Mexico and then into the U.S. and Canada. Weather permitting, the first location in continental North America that will experience totality is Mexicos Pacific coast at around 11:07 a.m. PDT, according to NASA. It will exit continental North America on the Atlantic coast of Newfoundland, Canada at 5:16 p.m. NDT. How much of the eclipse will you see? People viewing the eclipse from the path of totality will be treated to the ghostly-white outer atmosphere of the sun, known as the corona, when the moon completely blocks out the suns disk during the total eclipse, NASA explained. Along the path, the sun will be blocked out for about 4-and-a-half minutes. Viewers in locations outside the path will not experience the total eclipse but will likely see a partial one, depending on how close they are to the center line. READ MORE: Total solar eclipse on April 8: How to safely look at an eclipse Wondering how much of the eclipse you will see? NASA has a tool that lets you search by city or ZIP code to see complete eclipse details. For example, in Huntsville, the eclipse will start at 12:42 p.m. and be completely finished by 3:18 p.m. At its maximum, 90% of the sun will be covered by the moon. In Birmingham, the eclipse will start at 12:41 p.m. and be finished by 3:17 p.m. with 86% coverage. In Mobile, the eclipse will start at 12:34 p.m. and end at 3:12 p.m. with 79% of the sun covered by the moon. You can try out the tool here. A Limestone County woman has pleaded guilty to stealing more than $180,000 from volunteer fire departments in the county. According to court documents, Paige Bates Crouch, 56, will serve a year in jail and three years of probation after pleading guilty to first degree theft last month. Crouch has been ordered to repay $180,634.63 to the Limestone County Association of Volunteer Fire Departments, after her release, at $200 a month, according to court documents. She was arrested in January. She began serving her sentence on Wednesday, according to jail records. According to her indictment, the theft occurred sometime between January 2000 and January 2023. Alabama is set to execute a man for the brutal slaying of an elderly northwest Alabama couple 20 years ago. On Thursday, the Alabama Supreme Court authorized an execution by lethal injection for Jamie Ray Mills. Mills, 50, does not yet have an execution date. The timeframe for the execution will be set by Gov. Kay Ivey. Mills was convicted of three counts of capital murder for the June 2004 killings of Floyd Hill and Vera Hill. According to court records, then-30-year-old Mills and his wife at the time, JoAnn Mills, went to the Hills home in Guin to rob the couple on June 24, 2004. Vera Hill, 72, was in poor health. Her husband of 55 years, Floyd Hill, was 87 years old and her caretaker. Records state Floyd Hill was known to members of the community, including at his local gas station where Mills had worked, to carry large sums of cash. Though Mills denied knowing either of the Hills, there was evidence from which the jury could have concluded that Mills, out of work at the time, certainly did know the Hills and preconceived a plot to rid them of their cash... and, then brutally executed them with a machete, tire tool and ballpeen hammer, said an order from the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals. The court called the killing a horrendous, gutless and cowardly act. One of the Hills adult grandchildren went to check on her grandparents later on June 24, 2004, but couldnt reach them. She called police, who discovered the bodies in a shed on the property. Vera Hill was still breathing when help arrived, and died several months later. She had been treated at several hospitals for brain injuries, a depressed skull fracture on the back of the head, fractures around her left eye, fractures to the nasal cavity, a fractured neck, and crushed handsHer autopsy listed the cause of death as complications of blunt head trauma. Jamie Mills and JoAnn Mills were arrested the following day. In their car, authorities found prescriptions belong to Vera Hill, along with a concrete block, bloody clothes and shoes. They also found Vera Hills purse and Floyd Hills wallet. Also in the car were one machete with blood and hair on it, one ballpeen hammer with blood on it wrapped in paper, and one lug nut tire tool, according to court records. DNA testing on those items later confirmed the blood belonged to the Hills. During Jamie Mills trial, JoAnn Mills testified that the two had been smoking meth in the hours before the slaying. She said she and Jamie Mills ran some errands and then went to the Hills house, where they went inside and used the phone. At some point, the Hills took the Mills to the shed to show the Mills their yard sale goods. She testified she heard a loud noise and saw a silhouette through the buildings plastic siding of what appeared to be Jamie Mills with something raised over his shoulder with both hands, as if he was swinging something. JoAnn Mills then followed Vera Hill back into the shed to see what had happened. Upon entering the shed, JoAnn saw Floyd Hill lying on the ground and saw Jamie Mills hit Vera Hill in the back of her head with a hammer. When Mrs. Hill attempted to get up he struck her again with the hammer. She said her husband continued to beat the couple. They then exited the shed and went inside the Hill home, where they stole various items. Jamie Mills was convicted and sentenced to death by a jury vote of 11-1. JoAnn Mills was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. Breeze Airways is offering 34% off on roundtrip fares from Huntsville International Airport to Las Vegas and newly added Los Angeles. Travelers will have until 11:59 p.m. Pacific time on Friday to book the discounted flights. A bill in the Alabama Legislature seeking to prevent prisoners from being returned home without organs has moved closer to becoming law. Rep. Chris England, D-Tuscaloosa, introduced HB200 after families across the state claimed their loved ones, who died while in the custody of the Alabama Department of Corrections, had their organs taken out during autopsies and never returned. Englands bill would make retaining a persons organs without notification and consent of the persons next of kin a Class C felony. The legislation is aimed at medical examiners. In Alabama, a Class C felony can carry a prison sentence of up to 10 years. The House Judiciary Committee passed the bill Wednesday and it will now move into the House. Autopsies are standard for inmates who die in prison. Testimony in a January court hearing in the case of a missing heart revealed that some inmates bodies are sent to UAB for autopsies, while others are sent to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences. The hearing came after one family claimed their loved ones body was returned after an autopsy at the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences missing a heart. Brandon Dotsons family filed a lawsuit in federal court, where its still pending. Several witnesses from the Alabama Department of Corrections and the Department of Forensic Sciences testified at that hearing, but no one knew where the heart was. Another woman claimed in that same lawsuit that the body of her father, who died at a different Alabama prison in a different year, was sent to a funeral home missing organs, including his brain. He had his autopsy conducted at UAB. A spokesperson from UAB sent a lengthy statement to AL.com in response to that case, saying the university doesnt comment on pending or threatened litigation, but added that UAB only conducts autopsies after obtaining consent or authorization from the appropriate state official. For inmate autopsies, UAB said, the department is responsible for obtaining proper authorizations from the appropriate legal representative of the deceased. The authorization forms not only provide permission for the autopsy, but also specifically include consent for the removal of organs or tissues for diagnostic or other testing including final disposition, said the spokesperson. Nevertheless, UAB can say that it does not harvest organs from bodies of inmates for research as has been reported in media reports. In 2018, UAB medical students worried about the process of extracting organs from people who died in custody and did not give consent. Two of those students, representing a group of 13, went before doctors that September to seek guidance about the legal and the ethical status of this tissue procurement process and the teaching use of these specimens. This is a guest opinion. Alabama loves its military and veterans. From Redstone Arsenal, to Maxwell Air Force Base, to Fort Novosel, to the Coast Guard Aviation Training Center, to the many National Guard and other military facilities around our great state, the military is a vital part of our collective heritage, economy, and national defense in Alabama. Home to approximately 400,000 military veterans, Alabama has one of the highest per capita populations of veterans in the nation. Most of those Alabama veterans are doing great in life and actively contributing to their communities. However, the statistics used to track veterans in need of help have been getting worse in recent years. The rates of veteran suicides are particularly troubling. Veterans in our state are twice as likely to take their own lives as the general population. In addition, veterans in Alabama are more than twice as likely to die from opioid overdoses as their civilian counterparts. While such deaths among any of our citizens are heartbreaking, it is particularly alarming that the worsening statistics seem to be especially on the rise among younger veterans. Both the physical and mental wounds of war sometimes take years to manifest themselves, and we are sadly seeing that delayed effect play out among our veterans. Supporting Alabamas veterans has always been a responsibility shared between the federal government and the state. It has been heartening to see several measures taken by the federal government in recent years to boost that shared responsibility. For example, in 2014 Congress passed the Choice Act, and in 2019 the Mission Act, both designed to give veterans more options in healthcare. In 2022 Congress passed the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act, designed to better address the healthcare needs of veterans suffering long-term health effects from exposures to everything from Agent Orange in Vietnam to burn pits in the Middle East. All of these Acts of Congress, eagerly signed into law by various presidents of both parties, have helped improve, in the words of President Abraham Lincoln, the healthcare for those who shall have borne the battle for our nation, and for those veterans dependents. As recently as March 5, 2024, the federal VA nobly expanded the ability of veterans across the nation to enroll in VA healthcare. While all of these legal and policy developments were needed, this has understandably increased the workload of the federal VA, which may need assistance in filling the gap. The statistics once again illustrate the danger, with wait times for VA healthcare and adjudication of disability claims now sometimes taking many months. The delays are especially troublesome when dealing with the mental healthcare of veterans, with federal VA staffs sometimes short-handed and limited in their ability to make referrals to non-VA community care providers by the overall lack of mental health providers in our state. That is where the federal-state government partnership can assist, and other states have eagerly jumped into the fray. For example, our neighbor to the south, Florida, has created the Veterans Dental Care Grant Program to provide oral health care to those veterans who reside in the state, including all members of the Florida National Guard and Reserve who were discharged under honorable conditions. There are many other examples around the nation of bipartisan legislation to help Veterans with new and innovative programs. Given this background, it was especially promising to see the March 17 announcement by Lieutenant Governor Will Ainsworth and the Military Stability Foundation of its annual Military Bills Package. Among those bills are two, House Bill 197 and Senate Bill 135, sponsored by Representative Chip Brown and Senator Andrew Jones, respectively, that would be the first of their kind in the nation to bolster the federal-state partnership in taking care of our veterans. Those two companion bills, aimed primarily at improving the mental healthcare for our veterans by establishing a statewide, integrated system, would supplement and coordinate existing federal, state, and private sector healthcare programs and provide a more holistic approach to assessing and treating the unique needs of those Veterans. Addressing the mental health needs of Alabamas veterans will require that coordinated approach among many partners. Those needs often stem from unique factors such as chronic physical pain, post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury, and transition challenges. These factors, which disproportionately affect the veteran community, call for tailored, unique treatments that are currently limited in our state. We have some outstanding models of tailored programs for veterans. For example, our states approximately 26 Veteran Treatment Courts (VTCs) offer peer-based counseling and mentoring services that have a proven track record in addressing the complex mental health needs of veterans, and the superb recidivism rates resulting from those programs illustrate the need for unique methods. In addition, several private sector partners also provide unique mental health services specifically tailored for the veteran community, but they often operate on shoe-string budgets and very limited geographic services. The bills offered by Rep. Brown and Sen. Jones have initiated a productive conversation about the issues and their solutions. While there are concerns among some partners, my only concern is us missing a historic opportunity to support Alabamas military veterans. I am 100% confident that these partners can work together to increase veterans access to care in our great state. On March 29, we will pause as Americans and Alabamians to commemorate National Vietnam Veterans Day. On April 2, the state legislature will celebrate Military Appreciation Day. In May, we dedicate an entire month to show thanks via National Military Appreciation Month. On June 6, we will honor the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy during World War II. By giving serious consideration to assisting our veterans through state legislation, we could properly honor those events by continuing to work together, find solutions, and advocate on behalf of Americas Finest. Rear Admiral Davis currently serves as the Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs. Born in Montgomery, he has also lived in Anniston and Millry, Alabama for many years and returned permanently to his native state after retiring from several decades of service in the U.S. Army and U.S. Navy. He is a veteran of five combat zone deployments, most recently in Afghanistan. He once again lives in Montgomery with his family. Early childhood education students will be supported with new endowment ALVA Grace Wessels established the Grace L. Wessels Scholarship in Early Childhood Education because of her love for education and helping students. Wessels support of Northwestern Oklahoma State University and its students stems from her fellowship with the staff and students, which makes this scholarship important to her on a personal level. Building community and relationships strengthens rural northwest Oklahoma. Wessels goal is to help students alleviate the need for student loans, allowing them to leave with a degree while remaining debt free. Wessels also hopes to retain graduates in northwest Oklahoma to retain its strength and increase growth. Grace Wessels recently finished serving two three-year terms on our Foundation & Alumni Association Board of Trustees, said Skeeter Bird, CEO, Northwestern Foundation & Alumni Association. As soon as she stepped off, we missed her. Grace is extremely passionate about helping young people reach their potential. She and her husband, Darrell, have spent much of their time and financial resources supporting this passion. This scholarship has a double impact because it will first help young educators reach their potential of college graduation. The new teachers will then be trained to positively impact young minds in early childhood classrooms. Applicants must be continuing full-time students, have a major or minor area of study in early childhood education and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5. For more information on the Grace L. Wessels Scholarship in Early Childhood Education or about investing in Northwestern students, contact Skeeter Bird at 580-327-8593 or email at [email protected]. It has not even been over a week since Banksy's new tree mural appeared on the side of a residential building along Hornsey Road in North London and it has already been defaced with white paint by a still-unidentified vandal. Actions Taken to Protect the New Banksy The piece, which was recently authenticated by the artist himself on social media last Monday, March 18, has been "caged" using a protective metal fence by Islington Council, the local governing body in charge of the London borough. According to a report by the BBC, the council is also in the process of installing a close-circuit surveillance system in the area as an added precaution. The mural is mostly a mimicry of the nearby "harshly maimed" cherry tree's foliage, standing on a small patch of grass in Finsbury Park. Just below the painted "leaves" is a life-sized stencil of an individual depicted as if they were the one who splotched the green paint on the wall. In a statement to the British publication, a council spokesperson expressed their disappointment over the defacement and said that the community "very much want it to stay," especially because it's trying to convey "the vital role that trees play in our communities and in tackling the climate emergency." The spokesperson added that council officials are currently in talks with the building owner regarding developing ways that can "enable everyone to enjoy the artwork." Read Also: Imelda Staunton Reunites with Director Dominic Cooke for Revival of Classic Musical 'Hello, Dolly!' in London Other Banksy Artworks That Faced Unfortunate Fates This recent incident is not the first time a work by the famed graffiti artist has faced trouble, be it through vandals or thieves. In particular, in 2021, two Banksy murals were painted in the coastal towns of Norfolk and Suffolk became victims of vandalization. However, according to a release by the East Suffolk Council, the culprit for the latter piece's defacement was caught in the act by local security patrols and effectively stunted the damage that would've been irreversibly destructive for the Banksy artwork. In another incident that happened at the tail-end of last year, Banksy's anti-war piece that was installed on a stop sign along an intersection in Peckham, Southeast London was straight up stolen from its post. Thankfully, the two suspects were arrested by local authorities just two days after the theft, as the culprits were caught on camera in the middle of dismantling the sign. Despite largely being welcomed by the communities that "receive" Banksy's artwork, other factors such as negative attention or increased unwanted traffic can prove to be challenging for the property owner. A Banksy artwork worth $1.2 million was even demolished alongside the crumbling building it was on despite conservation efforts, which proved to be too costly to continue. Either way, one thing is for sure: where a Banksy may lay, something "interesting" will always follow. Read More: Ancient Roman Statue Unearthed in Parking Lot of the UK's Historic Burghley House After 1,800 Years 2024 Classicalite All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. During oral arguments before the Supreme Court in Murthy v. Missouri a dispute that Senator Rand Paul rightly calls the most consequential free speech case in U.S. history Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson expressed concern that the First Amendment is hamstringing the government in significant ways, in the most important time periods. As with so much of the U.S. Constitution and specifically the Bill of Rights that has gotten in the way of the federal governments march toward absolute power, a foundational American right is now in jeopardy. A member of the highest court in the land would rather destroy whats left of the peoples withering protections against tyranny than admit that the governments authority has limits. If the questioning from other members of the Court signaled anything, it is that a majority of the justices will likely find a way to validate the governments coercive relationship with social media companies and its viewpoint-based censorship of the American people. The White House, the FBI, the CDC, and the broader Intelligence Community, it seems, must be allowed to silence dissent and control public conversation. It is in the most important time periods, of course, when the First Amendments protections for free speech are indisputably vital. Reserving free expression and vigorous public debate for times of civil peace and relative social unity is like protecting a persons Second Amendment right to own a gun only when his life is not threatened. As with the firearms we possess, the words we speak and write matter most during times of emergency! It is precisely when the government is certain in its point of view and committed to its plan of action that contradictory voices and public dissent are necessary. If the First Amendment stands for anything, it is that the governments speech is never more important than the peoples. And the louder the governments voice rises over any issue, the louder the peoples voice must be able to rise to help filter out truth from the mind-numbing spectacle of official propaganda. The paramount lesson of the COVID apartheid State in which Western governments flagrantly abused their legal powers to criminally punish, isolate, and harass opponents of rank totalitarianism disguised as health care is that dissent matters! Permitting the free flow of scientific information matters. Public debate matters. Holding public officials feet to the fire is the only method of reining in the governments perverse predilection for demagoguery, medical experimentation, unethical mandates, religious discrimination, thuggish enforcement of arbitrary rules, and brutal suppression of contrary points of view. How many elderly nursing home patients were murdered by Democrat governors who recklessly transformed vulnerable facilities into drop zones for COVID patients while silencing the outcries of family members forced to watch their loved ones fall ill and die? How many young and healthy people have experienced heart damage and other vaccine-related injuries because government health tsars falsely described the virus as a threat to all ages, hid the availability of alternative treatments, and censored evidence of the expanding litany of harms connected to the experimental vaccines? How many small businesses went bankrupt because despotic bureaucrats deemed them inessential? How many students suffered lifetime learning loss because government fear-mongering outweighed parents pleas that their children receive a proper education? How many families ate through their life savings because government experts decided that only some workers should be permitted to earn a living? These and other serious questions will haunt every community victimized by the governments COVID authoritarianism and coercive censorship regime. In the most important time periods, it is crucial that the public be empowered to hamstring foolish government before it can do the most harm. That is the lesson of COVID demagoguery and apartheid that the bigger the perceived emergency, the more likely that agents of the government will take the opportunity to diminish rights, destroy liberty, and orchestrate incalculable damage. Any government that believes that the Constitution and Bill of Rights must be shredded in order for the nation to survive is a government willing to demolish the nation in order for the government to survive. No emergency is ever worth that cost. Free and unfettered speech is the last exit ramp from a dead-end road leading to social strife and political violence. Once the government claims a monopoly on determining what can be said out loud, factions of society will do whatever it takes to claim that privilege. Todays tyrants believe as have all tyrants throughout history that the exercise of raw power to silence their critics is a foolproof strategy for eliminating criticism. Criticism, however, does not dissipate just because it is unseen. Its pressure grows under the surface of society much like sulfuric gases trapped under volcanic rock, and when its latent fury can no longer be contained, it explodes in the same way. Empowering the government to censor the public can never lead to long-term peace. It will, instead, ensure a catastrophic eruption from an uncontrollable American volcano. If the Supreme Court lacks the wisdom and moral strength to protect the people from their government, then it guarantees a future in which the government cannot be protected from the people. That last sentence is not a threat, but rather a tragic certainty borne across the pages of history. The leftists who have taken control of the American educational system have done their best to rewrite Americas foundations in liberty as despoiled by the institution of slavery. If the Founding Fathers can be canceled because some owned slaves, then the Enlightenment ideals that formed the bedrock of American freedom can be bulldozed into the kind of rubble more conducive to the World Economic Forums Marxist globalism. Its a twisted assault on history. Leftists decry those who once owned plantations while simultaneously shoving Americans onto communisms oppressive plantation. In their rush to destroy Americas historic protections for human freedom, though, leftists also discard the voluminous written record documenting the Founding Fathers case for limited government. Their preference for personal freedom came not only from a moral belief that each individual should exercise sovereignty over the trajectory of his life, but also from a practical understanding that strong, centralized governments lead inextricably to their own undoing. They were just as familiar with the reasons for the Roman Republics demise as they were with the causes of the several English civil wars that had pitted their ancestors against one another in the previous century. Wherever and whenever the exercise of power becomes a zero-sum game, the quest for power destroys political stability. Constructing an American government that divides power among mutually competing branches and between federal and state governments, while reserving inherent rights for the people, had a twofold purpose: (1) to protect individual liberty and (2) to promote long-term political peace. The U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights are not merely unprecedented guarantees of human freedom against excessive government, but also the linchpin in a system meant to minimize political violence. Where vast, centralized powers are allowed to amalgamate unchecked, costly social divisions and horrific civil wars are sure to follow. Respect for personal freedom is the least craggy path toward peace. In the last few years, the U.S. government has framed President Trump as a Russian spy. It has conspired with social media companies to censor truthful information. It has spied on Americans financial transactions without warrants or probable cause. It has collaborated with foreign cartels to flood the country with unvetted immigrants and hostile invaders. It has persecuted J6 protesters and conservative activists for their beliefs. And it has desperately sought to bankrupt and imprison Trump and his associates. There has never been a more important time to protect free speech. Image: Tim Geers via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0. The Gods of Political Correctness dictate that all religions are of equal worth; that there are three great Abrahamic religions, and The Arabs are Semites too, so they cant be anti-Semites. All three of these sacred cow cliches need to be slaughtered on the altar of truth. While Christianity and Islam are both offshoots of the Jews and took from them the concept of having ones own holy writ, their self-definitions as new faith communities were radically different. The Koine Greek language narratives that Christians append to their version of the Hebrew Bible purport to be a continuation of Jewish history. The Catholic Church even defines itself in Latin as Verus Israel, the True Israel. But Muslims do not claim this. On the contrary, the Koran plagiarized many of the stories in the Hebrew Bible but always with changes, and when a Muslim is asked to explain the different versions of the same stories, he will say the Jews stole them from Islam. When asked to explain how this theft happened since the former text came into the world in the year 1313 BCE at Mt. Sinai and the latter over 2,000 years later, in the late 7th and early 8th centuries, the Muslims say that Musa (the Arabic mispronunciation of the Hebrew name Mosheh) brought the Koran down from Mt. Sinainot the Torah as the Jews believe. And then, down below, the evil Jews snatched it away from Musa and re-wrote it and called it their Torah. When Muhammad came along, he restored the original text, todays Koran. Image: Abraham sending away Hagar and Ishmael by Georg Pencz. Public domain. In Islams universe, the Jews Torah is a stolen, plagiarized version of Muslim scripturewhich resonates with the contemporary charge that the Jews also allegedly stole Filistin (i.e., Palestine) from the indigenous, putatively primeval Palestinian people. As for the cliche that Islam is an Abrahamic religion, this is a head-on collision with the Biblical text. The greatest authority on what is Abrahamic was Abraham himself, who accepted that he had to expel his first-born son Ishmael from his family, community, and country because he was not at all Abrahamic, like his father. To Jews, Abraham was the kindest man in the world, which is probably why God chose him. For the religious revolution that Abraham ignited (ethical monotheism) was not only the concept of one God but a kind Godversus the capricious, cruel, and often immoral gods in pagan pantheons. Islam is not Abrahamic because Ishmael was, as the Bible prophesies, a wild ass of a man, a normal physical male but with the spirit of an undomesticated jackass. And indeed, the behavior of Muslims throughout history and certainly in our time reveals them not to be the progeny of a kind man, for they are masters of cruelty, being head-choppers, mutilators, and skyjackers, with a particular appetite for raping and the satanic torture of women. Their Allah smiles on mass murder and no less the glorious sacrifice of oneself, viz. suicide. Islamists are totalitarians who license themselves to murder anyone who ridicules their idea of a prophet, with the very idea of a prophet also pilfered by them from the Jews. As for the cliche that Arabs are Semites, no, they are Hamites. Yes, Muhammad was an Arab descended from Ishmael, one of Abrahams eight biological sons, but Judaism also makes clear that Ishmael was not his fathers spiritual heir. Ishmael is expelled (Genesis 21:9) from his fathers Promised Land for his antediluvian propensity for violence. His expulsion at age sixteen came about when he jealously mocked his little half-brother Isaac at the latters weaning party. Then, Isaacs onlooking wise and perceptive mother, the Matriarch Sarah, who had watched Ishmael grow up, realized he was capable of murdering her son after her aged husbands passing. For that, he had to go. Abraham and Sarah were also descendants of Shem, son of Noah (whence the word Semite), but Ishmael was not. While many nations hold that a son inherits his nationality from his father, the Jews do not. For them, it passes through the mother. Thus, because Ishmaels mother, Hagar, was an Egyptian, and Egypt was one of the four sons of Noahs other son Ham (Genesis 9), his mother was Hamitic. The Bible also records (21:21) that she found for her son a wife, an Egyptian like herself, which only compounds the evidence that Ishmaels progeny are Hamites, not Semites. And who was Ham? Noahs problem child, arguably the first sex criminal in history for disrespecting his fathers nakedness. Indeed, to this day, sexually speaking, an abyss separates Judeo-Christian society from Islam, and that is most apparent in the Judeo-Christian insistence on monogamy versus Islams polygamy. It is part of the Western respect for women versus Islams abuse of them. (Feminists in the West can complain all they want about men, but compared to the life of women in Islam, they are living in paradise.) Osama bin Ladins father sired children with fifty-six separate women. Ibn Saud, the tribal chieftain who founded the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia where bin Laden grew up, produced todays four thousand princes who monopolize that countrys wealth and vie among themselves for power. Polygamy famously leads to rivalry between wives, between half-brothers, and between mothers fighting for their sons. One could make the case that Islams attitudes toward women are at the root of its many social pathologies, which is yet another reason it does not belong in America. America has defiantly rejected polygamy as antithetical to core constitutional values. We know this because of the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, the Mormons. Founded in upstate New York in the 1830s, the new community resurrected polygamy, and, for this, the Mormons were driven from town to town, often violently. In the 1840s, Mormons fled to the far west and established themselves at a great salt lake even before Congress created the Utah Territory in 1850. Their community grew and, after reaching the legal requirement in population necessary for statehood, they petitioned Congress for that status. Congress refused because of the Mormons sexual behavior. Over the next Biblical generation of forty years, the Mormons repeatedly asked for statehood and were repeatedly denied until, in 1890, they outlawed polygamy, and Utah finally joined the Union in 1896. To this day, polygamy remains illegal in all fifty states, and as such, every mosque in the country that promotes polygamy is arguably an illegal operation and should be shut down. Concerned citizens might advise the proper authorities about the presence in their jurisdiction of such an institution fostering the practice. Sheriffs and marshals armed with court orders could be dispatched to padlock them as they do a crack house or house of ill repute. In Colonial India, the British Raj put a stop to suttee, the practice of surviving widows being burnt to death alongside their dead husbands, and the Brits did so in the conviction that, no, not all religions are of equal worth as the Gods of Political Correctness dictate. General Douglas MacArthur, likewise, when he became governor of post-war Japan, reformed the Shinto religion by stripping the emperor of his divine status. American culture enshrines Patrick Henrys Give me liberty or give me death, the Statue of Liberty in New York, and the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia engraved with the Bibles Hebrew phrase marking the Jubilee Year, Proclaim liberty throughout the Land. The first American rebels against the King called themselves The Sons of Liberty. By contrast, Islam is no friend of liberty. It means submission, and when a Muslim prays, he assumes the position of a slave, face to the floor. There are fifty-six officially Muslim states, virtually all of them dictatorships, and not one is a liberal democracy that any red-blooded American man or woman would want to live in. Islam does not belong in America and should be outlawed. At least until it reforms itself. Shai ben-Tekoas Phantom Nation: Inventing the Palestinians as the Obstacle to Peace is available at Amazon.com in hard cover or a Kindle ebook. His podcasts can be heard on www.phantom-nation.com. Should Israel follow the advice of Joe Biden and Anthony Blinken on Gaza? The right answer is simple but not easy. It has nothing to do with partisan politics. It has to do with results. A country should pick its advisors and its strategy the same way someone picks a professional to do a job: a plumber, electrician, dentist, piano teacher, or orthopedic surgeon. Normally, we check that professionals record fixing pipes or teeth or mending wires or bones. Then we ask about satisfied customers. With Joe Biden and Tony Blinken, as you look around the world, there are not many living satisfied customers. The Biden-Blinken strategic portfolio includes the less-than-exemplary American withdrawal from Afghanistan and the not-exactly-wonderfully executed war in Ukraine. Since the Biden Administration is really staffed by many from Barack Obamas Administration, we need take a quick peek at the strategic record of Barack Obama and his team. Obama got a Nobel Peace Prize scarcely weeks after taking office, and then sped the world to war and chaos. Obama rushed to remake the Middle East by sowing destruction and mayhem in Egypt, Libya, and Syria. Obamas satisfied customers included the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, the Assad Regime in Syria, the ayatollahs in Iran, and a power-hungry dictator in Turkey. Very satisfied customers included Vladimir Putin who got a military base in Syria thanks to the Obama-aided anarchy that ripped the country to shreds and sent waves of Muslim refugees to Europe. No red lines there. There were also a few happy gangs in Libya that killed the U.S. ambassador and three other American officials. However, the Obama-Biden-Clinton policies left many unsatisfied customers -- hundreds of thousands who were killed or displaced thanks to the brilliant initiatives of Mr. Obama, the Peace Prize laureate. The prize-winning oratory of Obama also included whispering words of encouragement -- over an open microphone -- to Russian dictator Vladimir Putin via Russian President (and Putin stooge) Dimitri Medvedev. Putin listened. Is it any surprise that Putin waltzed into Crimea and Syria (with mass destruction in both) under Obamas watch? Later, he invaded the rest of Ukraine on Bidens shift. The Biden-Obama team coddled Iran, abetting some of the worst terror around the world -- from the Red Sea shipping lanes to the shores of Lebanon and Gaza -- via Iranian agents like Hamas, Hizballah, and the Houthis. Aside from the death and displacement of millions, there has been economic carnage worldwide. So, there are many reasons for Israel to think twice or many times more before taking Biden-Blinken advice on strategic affairs, military operations, or counter-terror matters. As for border rectification, before heeding Biden's advice on Gaza, Israel should check out Americas border situation and what it says about the Biden Administrations expertise in this realm. One suspects that Joe (the Plumber?) Biden and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas would not be the natural candidates that come mind when it comes to building ports or handling fences and tunnels. When it comes to advice on handling terrorism, lets recall that Vice President Biden warned Obama against the successful operation that killed arch-terrorist Osama Bin-Laden. Obama is happy he did not listen to Joe. Biden and his supporters think Israel owes President Biden a lot of respect and gratitude for his support of Israels defense of itself after the monstrous mass murder-rape-invasion of October 7 2024. Yes, Israel should respect President Biden because we should respect the elderly and also because any democratic state should respect the elected leader of the greatest democratic state in the world. And yes, Israel should be grateful for any support against the invasion of the body snatchers and two-legged Hamas zombies who decapitated babies and dismembered women while raping them on a Jewish holiday. However, there is a limit -- a real red line -- to Israeli readiness to consent to Biden-Blinken ideas especially as another bloody Ramadan begins amid escalating attacks on non-Muslims worldwide, but especially in Israel Well-meaning but clueless Westerners -- from Washington to Hollywood to the UN -- urging Israeli restraint or open-ended ceasefire, should understand why nearly all Israelis will go elsewhere for advice. Dr. Michael Widlanski is the author of Battle for Our Minds: Western Elites and the Terror Threat (Threshold-Simon and Schuster, 2012), and Can Israel Survive a Palestinian State? (1990). He was strategic affairs advisor in Israel s Ministry of Public Security, editing captured PLO documents. Earlier he advised Israeli negotiation teams at the Madrid and Washington talks in 1991-92. Dr. Widlanski was a visiting professor at Washington University in St. Louis in 2007-8 and at the University of California, Irvine in 2014, taught political communication for two decades at The Hebrew University and Bar Ilan University. Earlier he was a reporter at The New York Times and Cox Newspapers, war correspondent for Israeli Army Radio and Diplomatic Correspondent for Israel Television in English (IBA). Image: Pixabay Many Americans are paying attention to daily news events. But more need to see beyond the daily events to the larger plot. Part of that larger plot involves understanding that were now living in an environment of psychological warfare. In The Matrix, what most people describe as reality is revealed to be a highly scripted illusion orchestrated by hostile forces for their own nefarious purposes. The hero evolves from being entirely enslaved to that illusion to seeing through and eventually overcoming it. More Americans need to become Neo. Certain peeks behind certain curtains can offer glimpses into dynamics that are usually hidden beneath the surface. Enough peeks can transform suckers into seers. This isnt easy to do but a recent incident can help make it clear. Anyone interested in learning the evil magicians tricks could study the encounter between George Stephanopoulos and Nancy Mace on March 9th. First, a quick aside: Stephanopoulos once worked as press secretary for Bill Clinton. He was paid to manage narratives to help achieve Democrat/communist political agendas. From there, he became Chief Anchor at ABC News. This fact alone should have alarmed us long agoa blinking red warning sign that theres something profoundly off about journalism and media today. Its absurd. In a media system that is what it pretends to be, Stephanopoulosa Democrat operative pretending to be a journalistand the executives who hired him would have been fired long ago, and ABC would have been discredited as a news organization for even trying. Yet here we are. Americans who trust ABC News either dont know or dont care and are apparently happy to be herded like sheeple. Image: George. Stephanopoulos (edited). YouTube screen grab. Back to the story. Stephanopoulos likely baited Nancy onto his show by offering an opportunity to tell her side of the story. But since we live in a time of psychological warfare, she should have known that this only happens when theyre confident they can orchestrate an ambush to discredit their political opponents. That was the plan. Yet this time, the ambush didnt go as planned. The plans failure offered Americans that peek behind the curtain. Stephanopoulos brought up Nancys past as a rape victim: As a rape victim, how can you defend convicted rapist Donald Trump? Heres where things got interesting. In the scripted exchange, the ABC producers/Democommunist operatives likely envisioned, Mace would have been caught off-guard. Fair point! Rape is bad. Donald Trump was convicted of rape. And yet, I still support Donald Trump! Those seem contradictory! Cognitive dissonance! Im lost! Shed then mumble some forgettable word salad talking points and slink away, discredited and humiliated. The psychological battle won, as usual. That was the plan. But instead, Mace fired back: George is trying to shame me as a rape victim, and I find it quite disgusting. Boom. Glitch in The Matrix. Usually, the Democrat-communists hold a monopoly on the victim card. But Maces curveball turned tables, and the scripters of reality suddenly found reality going off-script. Most of us who have a conscience, a sense of decency and manners, and who arent psychopaths, would have likely apologized at this point in the conversation, conveyed that we didnt intend to offend anyone, and moved on. Stephanopoulos, however, might be more like Ted Bundyhandsome, charming, verbally skilled, and thoroughly psychopathic. (Remember the Friends girls swooning over him?) As a highly skilled practitioner in a type of warfare most of us dont know were involved in, hes also used to winning. So, Bundy-Stephanopoulos came again: How can you (Mace) support a rapist? Again, Mace responded: Youre trying to shame me. Actually, he was trying to catch her in a contradiction in order to discredit her as someone who counters The Narrative. Why? Because those who think outside of The Narratives realm must have their credibility destroyed. In psychological warfare, all political enemies must be ridiculed and discredited in public. From the days of Mao and Stalin onward, these tactics have always been key components of the communist agenda. The same back-and-forth happened again. Bundyphanopoulos: Since youre a rape victim, how can you support a rapist? Mace: Youre trying to shame me as a rape victim, and its disgusting. (Remember Me Too and Believe all women?) Democommunists typically find victims useful (temporarily), exploiting them by pretending to fight for them. Its standard, block-and-tackle Marxist political tactics. Pretend to care about victims of sexual assault (as long as they arent victims of Bill Clinton, Jeffrey Epstein, or other allies) for so long as its helpful toward the real aim of destroying political opponents. The same exchange happened again and again. Despite a few diversions (civil trials versus criminal trials, rape versus sexual assault, E. Jean Carrolls lack of credibility, etc.), and despite Bundyphanopoulos clearly giving off waves of abusive boyfriend vibes, the argument kept returning back like a heat-seeking missile to its target: Youre a hypocrite! vs. Youre shaming a victim! Bundyphanopoulos came back at her fifteen times. The interview consisted largely of a single question that was asked fifteen times. Remember: George Stephanopoulos pretends to be a journalist. He wants us to believe that his job is to inform the public on important topics. But his actual job is to destroy political enemies by trapping them in contradictions in order to publicly humiliate and discredit them. Whatever his target actually thinks or says, the drama is already pre-scripted: Mace is a hypocrite for supporting Donald Trump. Now, Im going to perform that drama in front of everyone. Its more of a play than an interview. Eventually, realizing this line of attack was failinga rarityan exasperated Bundyphanopoulos gave up trying to direct his live-action struggle session and resorted to Plan B: just say it. So, he just declares: Youre comfortable with Donald Trump being found liable for rape.* (Therefore, you have no credibility and should be ignored.) Mace: Youre putting words in my mouth. Bullseye. Mace clearly has experience with abusive men. Those with ears to hear are aware: this is psychological warfare. There are several lessons we can take from this. Many viewers still think theyre watching news. Psychological warfare masquerading as news is the norm, not the exception. The tactics of the Media Industrial Complex are usually much more subtle, polished, and undetectable. Obviously, the problem isnt just news. Democommunists have corrupted formerly respectable institutions such as late-night talk shows, SNL, and scores more. Most Republican politicians are either 1) dinosaurs, who still think its 1990 and are utterly oblivious to our current situation, or 2) eunuchs, who know whats happening but lack the spine to do anything about it. More Americans need to awaken to some harsh truths. The above is just one peek. There are many more. Yeonmi Park, for example, escaped North Korea, came to America, went to Columbia University, and soon declared that Columbia was worse than North Korea. More Americans need to join The Resistance. The Illusion has power only as long as people believe it. The evil magicians tricks work only when suckers cant see through them. Were living in a situation of psychological warfare. Its time to gear up for the coming psychological battle. For those not yet aboard: Wake up. The Matrix has you. ______________________ *Note: Even in a New York court, Trump was not found liable for rape, and hes suing ABC and Stephanopoulos for that assertion. Steve Rose is a pseudonym. I entered duty with the U.S. Border Patrol in 1995, back when there were only 5,000 people (Agents and support personnel) in all of the USBP. I was the Director of the Aircraft Maintenance Facility in Del Rio, Texas in the Del Rio Border Patrol Sector My guys maintained Piper Super Cubs and Aerospatiale A-Star AS-350 helicopters for our cadre of pilots. Back then, the Chief Pilot and I collected daily Air Operations performance data. The pilots annotated (after flight) on their flight logs how many aerial-assisted apprehensions (APPs) they performed as well as the number of GOT AWAYs pilots counted from the air. Such as, Border Patrol Agents performing flying duties would detect and follow tracks in the desert, (called cutting sign) and when those tracks stopped or disappeared, such as at a paved road where a groups of illegal aliens were picked up, those tracks left in the desert were counted as GOT AWAYs. The Chief Patrol Agent of Air Operations at El Paso collected the data from each of the ten Border Patrol Sectors Air Operations and published the data as Measures of Performance as required by the Government Accountability Office. Monthly and annual reports went to Congress, the Chief of the Border Patrol, the I&NS Commissioner, and because the Border Patrol was part of the DOJ at the time, the Attorney General. The annual report was fairly uniform across all of Border Patrol Air Ops - -Border Patrol Pilots conducted about a million aerial-assisted apprehensions per year and counted, across all Sectors, about two million GOT AWAYs. After 9-11, when the Department of Homeland Security was created and the Border Patrol was wrapped up with the U.S. Customs Service, I assumed the newly formed Customs and Border Patrol Air and Marine (CBP) still collected Measures of Effectiveness data or something similar under a new name. When I moved to Washington, D.C., no longer with the Border Patrol, every year I heard reports from the networks or in the Washington Times reports of the number of illegal aliens in the country, and every year I would say B.S. because I had been there in Del Rio, collecting annual performance data, where the numbers of APPs and GOT AWAYs remained fairly uniform, 1 million apprehensions and 2 million GOT AWAYs, even when the Border Patrol grew to 20,000 Agents. But noteworthy, every year the various media reported there were about 10 million illegal aliens in the country. It was an anecdotal data point that could not be researched. When President Trump came into office, and his efforts to secure the border were put into place, I assumed the number of apprehensions and GOT AWAYs would go down. My 2018 American Thinker article, Real Walls Prevent Illegal Border Crossings discussed the different political strategies of walls. And I noticed something funny; that there were still magically 10 million illegal aliens in the country. Every once in a while, someone on the news would say there were more, but never less and never citing a solid reference, like an annual Measures of Effectiveness report, it was a just a SWAG -- silly wild ass guess But over the last three years, President Biden and the DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas assured America that there was no crisis and the border was secure, even when video after video of Del Rio Sector Stations (Del Rio and Eagle Pass, specifically) were massing on the Mexican border before overrunning Border Patrol Stations with countless numbers of illegal aliens crossing the Rio Grande and entering the U.S. through removed or opened border barriers. The Democrats and the media just engaged in military-grade propaganda. It may be possible Trumps policies and wall construction projects prevented millions of apprehensions and GOT AWAYs every year only to be reversed by Biden when he moved into the White House. In my October 2023 American Thinker article, Democrats Plot to Turn Texas Blue, the Democrats are welcoming foreign invaders into the country in violation of established law for a simple reason; to change the dynamics of the next election. President Ulysses S. Grant would call their actions traitorous. (From the Grant quote: There are now two parties, traitors and patriots.) What is happening in America reminds me of the political situation in 1917 and the Russian Revolution; there was a schism between the Bolsheviks (majority party) and Mensheviks (minority party) where the Bolsheviks eventually crushed and outlawed the Mensheviks. One party rule in Russia introduced the country to communism. By my calculations, since 1995, the Border Patrol had probably performed as many as 25-30 million illegal alien apprehensions (where some were removed and some criminal aliens went to jail), and if you assume the number of GOT AWAYs was linear year over year, with the exception of the Trump years, there seems there may have been as many as 40 to 60 million GOT AWAYs; the actual number that are in the country isnt known, ten million seems to be a farcical number, but however many are in the United States they are just a single signature away from getting amnesty. Meaning todays illegal alien is tomorrows Democrat voter. Even if there isnt an immediate amnesty, many of the illegal aliens being let in will have access to illegal weapons and can form terrorist cells. Do not think illegal aliens are peaceful; that is Democrat and media propaganda. Laken Riley is just the latest abduction/rape/murder by an illegal alien. Only a moron would think her death was a unique occurrence. As long as the border is unsecured, there will be many more illegal aliens committing rapes and murders. The full treachery of the Democrat party is now on display as some idiot Democrat members of Congress are suggesting, let them into the military, let them become police, let them vote. Democrats must believe they have enough illegal aliens in the country now to ensure they will always remain in power. Democrats have become the majority Bolshevik party; the neutralization of Republicans is nearly complete. They are one signature away from making it impossible for Republicans to compete in any election, and one-party communist rule will dominate. Which means the Constitution and the Second Amendment will be shredded. The hated NRA will be abolished and Republicans will be disarmed. Thats the Democrats plan. Because, if you give illegal aliens money, schools, licenses, homes, hotel rooms, cell phones, and the vote, they will vote for the criminals who let them into the country. Its obvious when you have a critical mass of newly potential Democrat voters. History will show that the Democrats' plan to destroy the Constitution, justice system and the military from within was on track until Donald Trump got elected. Remember Obamas fundamentally transforming the country, Hillarys missing emails, Huma Abedins boxes of Muslim Outreach documents, as well as Joes boxes of classified documents he willingly retained. Hundreds of articles were written on what Obama, Hillary, Huma, and Joe had done: sabotage, espionage, and treason, that is until the very compromised FBI running top cover for Democrats say it wasnt. Washington and blue state Democrats, Americas domestic enemies, are stealing America. Trump was supposed to be neutralized, but Democrats find themselves in a race to stop Trumps second term. If he is reelected, there will be a political bloodbath. Trump will not allow domestic terrorists and criminals to run roughshod over the country. Trump has had to learn the hard way what triggered the Democrats response and what they were truly up to. President Trump didnt have the benefit of a war college education where he would have learned what Clausewitz observed: Politics is combat by other means. Trump is being bombarded today with every bogus charge the Democrats can muster to stop him. The governors of Texas and Florida recognized the federal government was attacking them with military-age invaders. These deep red states are on the front lines and are doing what they can to protect their state; moving military-age illegal aliens out of those states where they can be welcomed in a blue sanctuary city and no longer a threat to Texas and Florida residents. The Democrats Ministry of Propaganda, the DHS-media complex, is trying to leverage every psychological operational trick in the book to influence the narrative: there is no invasion, the border is secure, and there are only a few million climate refugees in the country. The liberal media has been disingenuous and hysterical; Fox News and the alternate media are reporting relentlessly, with live video from the border, essentially reverse engineering Democrat propaganda. Are Americans waking up to the fact that Washington Democrats are domestic terrorists who have not only lied to them on what is happening at the border but that there was another purpose to Biden opening the border to invaders? Destroy the Republican Party, create one party rule, and welcome a communist government. Image: Screen shot from 9News video, via YouTube Just yesterday, the New York Times ran an op-ed titled: It Turns Out the 'Deep State' Is Actually Kind of Awesome. The opinion piece, done by two Times staffers, begins as follows: As America closes in on a major election, mistrust is brewing around the mysterious government entity thats now denounced in scary-sounding terms the deep state and the swamp. What do those words even mean? Who exactly do they describe? The authors, Dam Westbrook and Lindsay Crouse, and the Times editorial team are not even pretending to possess journalistic curiosity or objectivity. The goal of the piece is revealed in the very few paragraphs when they place the term 'deep state' in quotes. The piece continues: We went on a road trip to find out. As we met the Americans who were being dismissed as public enemies, we discovered that they are us. They like Taylor Swift. They dance bachata. They go to bed at night watching Star Trek reruns. They go to work and do their jobs: saving us from Armageddon. The authors use ridicule as a tool to push a narrative. In his notorious "Rules for Radicals: A Pragmatic Primer for Realistic Radicals" Marxist 'activist' Saul Alinsky wrote, "Humor is essential to a successful tactician, for the most potent weapons known to mankind are satire and ridicule. The following is the text of the second paragraph: Sure, our tax dollars pay them, but as youll see in the video above, what a return on our investment we get! When we hear deep state, instead of recoiling, we should rally. We should think about the workers otherwise known as our public servants, the everyday superheroes who wake up ready to dedicate their careers and their lives to serving us. These are the Americans we employ. Even though their work is often invisible, it makes our lives better. The core of the piece is a video in which the Times claims the viewer will "meet a few of our hard-working American public servants," which leads you to infer that they are "not scary at all" but instead, "theyre kind of awesome." The video depicts seemingly innocuous-looking federal government employees. The fact that they agreed to be part of a propaganda piece should make us wonder if they are indeed apolitical and regular. NEW: The New York Times has released a propaganda piece labeling the Deep State as Awesome in a desperate attempt to gaslight the American people. The outlet interviewed low-level government workers to gaslight the American people into thinking that the deep state is just pic.twitter.com/YA7ZnB645N Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) March 19, 2024 The piece concludes by employing what they think are scare tactics: But if Donald Trump is re-elected and enacts Schedule F, that could change. He would have the power to eviscerate the so-called deep state and replace our public servants with people who work for him, not us. The goal of the piece is to deny the existence of the deep state and ridicule anyone who thinks the deep state exists. To achieve this, they purposefully conflate federal government servants with nefarious deep state agents. Why would they put out such a half-baked piece? These are the echo chambers of the Times, whose members are not only the editors and writers but also the subscribers who consume the paper to have their biases confirmed. Consuming the lies and hateful propaganda by the New York Times will be a nauseating experience for any regular human being. But their subscribers are almost like drug addicts looking to get high from their latest dose of propaganda. Hence, the NYT propagandists have to strive to be more outrageous and toxic. The usual material fails to cause any inebriation after a while. If the Times were to cover President Trump fairly, their subscribers would cancel their subscriptions. The NYT does not even care to hide its bias. In fact, it deliberately makes its bias amply clear in its headlines, without which their consumers will not read or watch. A few years ago, the NYT was forced to alter the headline of an anti-Trump story multiple times after their Trump-hating consumers were outraged that the headline wasn't distasteful enough. The paper no longer cares to differentiate between itself and the Democrats. Before the 2022 midterms, veteran columnist Maureen Dowd wrote: We cant give up on the president (Biden) because hes all that stands between us and the apocalypse at the hands of Trump, DeSantis, etc. She didn't say The Democrats or liberals but used 'us', and nobody among the NYT editors objected. It is also important to understand that the NYT is not erring when it peddles propaganda; instead, it is their objective. The Times is aware of what they are doing and is proud of it. If they want immediate remedial action, it can be taken by ensuring true diversity. This is not the 'diversity' based on genetic attributes such as gender, race, or sexuality, but the real diversity, which is the diversity of ideas. The NYT and others abhor the diversity of ideas. This is why Bari Weiss, who is a liberal, was harrassed and was compelled to resign from the Times. She deviated from the groupthink at the NYT. So what does one make of this? The NYT is not pro-Democrat or pro-Deep State because it would mean it is an independent entity being influenced by the Democrats and Deep State. The NYT is the mouthpiece or PR agent within the Democrat party and the Deep State. There is no difference between the utterances of a Democrat politician and personnel within mainstream media. For any major political occurrence, the 'experts' across the media often use identical phraseology and push the same narrative. This isn't a coincidence. The chief propagandist supplies these terms and narratives, which the media obediently and repeatedly follow until they become the de facto narrative. If there is any merit in reading the Times, it is to understand the mindset of contemporary leftist Democrats and Deep Stage agents. Back to the Deep State piece. Cambridge Dictionary defines the Deep State as follows: "organizations such as military, police, or political groups that are said to work secretly to protect particular interests and to rule a country without being elected" When President Trump refers to the Deep State, he means the unelected government agents surreptitiously trying to undermine the agenda for which he was elected and are currently targeting him without basis. A prime example of nefarious deep state agents is those who pushed the Trump-Russia collusion hoax. But the NYT didn't interview them because they were part of the hoax. The NYT even won a Pulitzer for pushing the Trump-Russia Collusion hoax. The NYT genuinely fears a Trump victory in November. They know that Joe Biden cannot beat Donald Trump on his record as president because there is no comparison between the tenures of Trump and Biden. Under President Trump, the border was protected, the economy was strong, and the world was peaceful. Biden's own Defense Secretary admitted that Trump was more effective in foreign policy. Under Biden, there is chaos and despair across the U.S. and beyond. Since the Times and its Democrats do not have facts, they resort to blatant fabrications and scare tactics. When matters go haywire, it is worth revisiting the fundamentals. In a democracy, the media has a function to question and hold the government accountable. The public relies on the media to cover facts and provide insightful opinions to inform their decision on voting. The media is supposed to be performing an essential public service. But that has emphatically not been the case for many recent decades. Instead of being fearless watchdogs, they have become servile lapdogs who crawl when asked to bend and prostrate when asked to crawl. When President Trump calls the mendacious media the enemy of the people, he is absolutely right. Image: Screen shot from shareable New York Times video, via Twitter Heres an only in 2024 story: It seems that, in Chicago, a cartel-linked illegal alien Venezuelan with a long criminal record apparently shot an illegal alien man who claims to be a woman and works as a prostitute. One would think the shooter would be sucked into Chicagos criminal justice system and put away for life for past crimes and transphobia. However, the alleged shooter walked right out of jail without charges. The story comes from the Chicago Sun-Times, with my edits for accuracy, as opposed to wokeness: Early one mild morning last month, a transgender woman [i.e., a man] who recently migrated from Venezuela [i.e., almost certainly migrated illegal] was waiting for a ride outside a Little Village nightclub when a driver pulled up and made an ominous remark in Spanish. Bad gay, he allegedly said before firing three shots at the [illegal alien transvestite] around 4:30 a.m. on Feb. 4. [He] was struck in the groin and both legs and left in critical condition, according to Chicago police records. The police decided this was no ordinary crimebecause in Chicago, merely shooting someone in the groin and legs, leaving them in critical condition is a mehbut was, instead, a hate crime. With this impetus, they were able to determine that the suspect was a 29-year-old Venezuelan man who was linked to a drug cartel by federal authorities. Moreover, in a U.S. Marshal document, he was identified as an illegal migrant. Well, that doesnt sound very good, but hes been allowed to walk because the police cannot find a good witness. However, theres a little problem with the guy: He had been arrested two days earlier in Austin and hit with a list of charges, including felonies for illegally possessing a gun and ammunition, court records show. After a judge ordered him released that day, police records show he was quickly arrested again and brought in for questioning. While he had been identified as the gunman and police had recovered key evidence including a shell casing and video of the Ford Explorer used in the attack Cook County prosecutors wouldnt bring charges. Later in the same article, we learn that, while in Chicago, He was cited for driving without a license and blowing a stop sign, but the case was dropped the following day. Is there nothing the guy can do to get arrested and stay in jail? It turns out, too, that witnesses, including the victim, arent cooperating with law enforcement because this guys reputation precedes him: A law enforcement source said the victim stopped cooperating because [he] believes [he] was targeted for being a sex worker and has fears about the suspects association with El Tren De Aragua, a violent Venezuelan gang known in South America for human trafficking and drug sales. El Tren De Aragua isnt just a violent gang. Its the largest growing criminal organization in the world and, thanks to Bidens policies, its here in America, along with (probably illegal) foreign nationals who are working as transvestite prostitutes. Combine this with leftist district attorneys, weak judges, and BLM-authored state bail laws, and were left with a system in which alleged criminals freely walk the streetseven when theyve allegedly shot the lefts current favorite victim group. This isnt really much of a story nowadays. Its pretty much par for the course. I just found it amusing in a black comedy kind of way because even intersectionality cannot stand against the Democrats complete destruction of any semblance of law and order in America. So, if youre a repeatedly arrested illegal migrant with ties to a violent Venezuelan cartel, the streets are yours. Image: Young, male illegal aliens. YouTube screen grab. In short, China wants Boeing out. Chinas new knock-off passenger jet is waiting for approval as a replacement for the Boeing 737, and the Biden administration is only too willing to help the Chinese by demonizing an American manufacturer, with national security implications. As major media report, Boeings crisis may open a gap for Chinese jets to fly through. With a Trump presidency, this would not have happened, and its another reason why the DNC and its China-first allies want Trump permanently sidelined. To an unusual extent, the major media are reporting what seem to be a nearly unending series of mishaps involving U.S. commercial airline aircraft made by the Boeing company. Whether its a window blowing out in flight, a tire falling to the ground after takeoff, or a sudden nosedive in cruising flight, it seems the Boeing jet, especially the 737, cant be trusted anymore, and the public is being conditioned to think so. There are two things I would propose that readers consider, however, in all these mass media stories. One is that there are actually many more flight irregularities on any given day, anywhere in the world, on many different aircraft types, that media do not report at all, or that passengers never know about. Many involve routine items that are managed by the crew or addressed by maintenance personnel in a normal manner. But statistically, it is hard to explain the sudden cluster of reported issues with Boeing aircraft, and based on random occurrence, while China is aggressively lobbying to have its copycat model replace it. Moreover, the major media seem intent on scaring the public with related stories of Boeing safety whistleblowers, including one apparently found suddenly dead. I suggest that these irregularities may not be random. Allow me to explain. Little known to the general public and air travelers is that China has made an exact duplicate of the Boeing 737 and wants to see it in service as a replacement, worldwide (with a convenient firefighting tanker model as well). This Chinese knock-off costs a fraction of the Boeing model and is waiting for U.S. regulatory approval. What better way to accelerate its introduction than to engage in a classic disinformation program to discredit the safety of the current competitive model? Who stands to win in such a scenario? A number of parties, political, financial, and commercial. Airline management care about cost, and they will pursue cost reduction in any way they can. Unknown to most Americans is that airline major maintenance is largely done outside the United States, in such countries as South Korea, Singapore, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and El Salvador, with China next. A Chinese passenger jet that costs half the price, and is financed by the Chinese, would be welcomed with open arms. Airline executives are also ideologically captured to an unusual extent by the current White House, based in part on billions of dollars in COVID rescue funds, along with regulatory pressure to comply with White House narratives including the promotion of minorities and the adoption of racial identitarian themes in labor practices and hiring. This also includes Biden biosecurity programs involving passenger compliance and controls. The Biden administration, directly in opposition to President Trump, made China accommodation a centerpiece of its foreign policy and industrial policy. It is feasible that Bidens people are actively facilitating the current public relations war against Boeing and its suppliers and paving the way for China to bring thousands of its replacement aircraft into our airspace. (Like illegal migrants crossing our borders, it is another form of invasion.) These aircraft also fit a number of Biden ideological agendas, including what kinds of pilots are trained and used to fly our commercial aircraft. China has worked to make its model especially easy to operate by automation, the Chinese claim, with supposedly less actual pilot skill involved, making cockpits more open to pilot candidates based on criteria other than experience, skill, or psychological fit. This is a dangerous illusion, but it sells easily to the current Biden political class and its Department of Transportation, which is more a political institution than a technical one at its senior levels. Most of all, this is a threat to U.S. national security. Also unknown to most passengers is that the U.S. military maintains its reserve program authority to convert U.S. airlines into military operations at its discretion. What would this mean if the domestic U.S. airline fleet were composed of Chinese-manufactured models, with Chinese parts, software, computer code, electronic sensors effectively a flying iPhone that can be tracked and traced, or interrupted, or shut down, on command by a foreign government? The Boeing corporation is among our most central American defense suppliers, and it should be asked to what extent it is being attacked by foreign interests, or infiltrated politically and administratively. I submit that this scenario is technically feasible; institutionally possible; and probable in circumstantial, historical, and direct evidence standards and implications. Matthew G. Andersson is a corporation founder and former aviation CEO. He was previously an executive adviser with the aerospace and defense practice of Booz Allen Hamilton and a senior aviation consultant with Charles River Associates. He is the author of The New Airline Code, a text on aviation law and policy, and is a jet aircraft commander and flight instructor. He has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, and the Financial Times and received the Silver Anvil award from the Public Relations Society of America. He testified to the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Aviation, Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, concerning new aircraft in the national airspace system. He graduated from the aeronautical science and flight technology program of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University; the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business; and the University of Texas at Austin, where he worked with White House national security advisor W.W. Rostow at the LBJ School of Public Affairs. Image: formulanone via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0. A liberal Illinois federal judge has ruled that an illegal immigrant was wrongly banned from possessing a firearm. US District Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman, an Obama appointee, ruled earlier this month that an illegal migrant residing in the US had his 2nd Amendment rights violated when he was charged for possession of a weapon. Heriberto Carbajal-Flores was charged by prosecutors under US Code 18 922, which prohibits illegal immigrants from carrying guns or ammunition. In her ruling, the judge with a liberal track record wrote: 'The noncitizen possession statute, 18 USC 922(g)(5), violates the Second Amendment as applied to Carbajal-Flores. Illegal no more, I guess. This is an absurd ruling for two reasons. First, an illegal (or if you prefer undocumented) is already breaking the law. They have no legal standing to pass a background check or whatever other requirement we have to purchase a gun. My guess is that a person with no legitimate identification would raise all kinds of red flags at the gun shop. Of course, maybe Heriberto bought the gun in the streets, another violation. Second, this judge's opinion is a slap in the face to those of us who came here legally and became U.S. citizens the old-fashioned way, which is legally. Remember the citizenship test or pledging allegiance to the flag? What message are you sending? Not a healthy one with this total mocking of law. Young Chinese vlogger strengthens China-Cambodia friendship People's Daily Online) 09:48, March 21, 2024 A young Chinese individual has gained widespread popularity in Cambodia through his short videos that highlight both Chinese and Cambodian cuisine, serving as a bridge for cultural exchange between the two countries. Yang Yidong, a 29-year-old from south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, goes by the name BaFido on short video platforms. He has amassed an impressive following of 2.71 million, with over 50 million likes. His combination of humor, wit, and exceptional cooking skills has earned him considerable praise. Fluent in Khmer, he effortlessly performs both Chinese and Khmer songs, making him especially popular among Cambodian youth. In 2013, Yang went to Cambodia for the first time with his mother and began working as a chef in a Chinese restaurant in Phnom Penh. His interest in singing led to invitations to perform at many events. In 2015, Yang fell in love with a Cambodian woman who would later become his wife. She encouraged him to post cover songs on short video platforms. As his popularity grew, he began to think about how to leverage his strengths to offer Cambodian viewers higher-quality and more varied content. Following discussions with his wife, he started to upload videos that showcased recipes for both Chinese and Cambodian dishes, such as clay pot rice, spicy crayfish, and pickled sour vegetables. His popularity exploded in 2021, with his follower base skyrocketing from just a few hundred thousand to 2 million. For three consecutive months, he held the top spot on Cambodia's most popular short video platforms. His rise to internet fame caught the attention of government officials, who encouraged him to continue producing uplifting and entertaining videos for Chinese and Cambodian viewers. "BaFido's videos on cooking Chinese and Cambodian dishes are the most interesting," said Monique, a 25-year-old follower. "He has given me a better insight into Chinese culinary culture." "The Cambodian people are passionate about food, especially Chinese cuisine, and they prefer humorous content. Blending these elements is a unique and innovative approach," Yang said. With his own studio, Yang and his team are expanding cooperation with Cambodia by showcasing its beautiful natural scenery to Chinese and global audiences, thereby facilitating friendship and cultural exchange between the two countries. (Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun) TikTok, the popular social media app that has been criticized for its ties to China, is at risk of being banned outright in the United States. The U.S. House of Representatives already voted in favor of a bill that would require TikTok to be divested to a U.S. company or be banned, and TikToks fate now rests with the Senate. But, Department of Justice officials are having secretive meetings this week to help avoid a TikTok ban, according to The Business Times. The DOJ has a clear preference to forcing ByteDance to sell TikTok, rather than banning it altogether. ByteDance is based in China, and there are concerns that the countrys government could use TikTok to harm the U.S. This could be through collecting data from American users, or by influencing Americans with content shown on TikToks For You page. Either way, these fears have created tremendous pressure from the U.S. government. Part of the reason that the DOJ wants ByteDance to sell TikTok is due to the apps data. Chinese laws can force companies to hand over data to the government, and ByteDance could have to comply with a request for data, if asked. Advertisement Advertisement Lisa Monaco, the deputy attorney general, is leading the effort. Additionally, the report notes that lobbying is taking place now. In a shocking twist, there is bipartisan support for action against TikTok. But Monaco believes ByteDance can sell TikTok to avoid a ban. What we have seen is the asset that is being sought by our adversaries is not the brick-and-mortar institution, Monaco said, as reported by The Business Times. The asset is the data itself. Will ByteDance sell TikTok after DOJ pressure? Though the DOJ is lobbying for TikTok to be sold, its unlikely. There arent major benefits to selling TikTok for ByteDance. The app is used globally, which means U.S. users only make up a small portion of TikToks global user base. As such, ByteDance might rather TikTok be banned than be sold. There has been no indication that ByteDance intends to sell TikTok, even after DOJ pressure. Additionally, leaders at ByteDance and TikTok have maintained that they plan to fight U.S. legal action. If the Senate passes legislation, TikTok and its owner will exhaust all legal challenges, according to Bloomberg. Similarly, TikTok has categorically denied the allegations posed by some U.S. lawmakers. The apps algorithm is not directed by any government, it says. Well have to wait and see how the Senate proceeds, but a resolution could be months away. For breaching an agreement with news publishers to pay for their online content, the French regulatory body slammed Google with a 250 million fine. The European investigative publication, Watchdog, has accused Google of not negotiating in good faith with news publishers and violating intellectual property rights in news publishing. The fine is also based on concerns about the companys AI service, Gemini. Google fined big in France for breaching intellectual property rights The Guardian expands on the topic and explains how the company violated the 2022 commitments leading to the imposed fine. In its earlier settlements, Google had agreed not to contest facts during settlement proceedings but instead suggested remedies for its wrongdoings. Advertisement Advertisement France has taken a leading role in fighting for publishing rights and revenues against technology giants like Google and Facebook. The EU introduced neighboring rights copyright laws, allowing print media to demand compensation for the use of their content. France enacted the directive on publishing rights in 2019, requiring large tech platforms to negotiate with publishers seeking remuneration. The recent penalty comes after a copyright dispute that started from complaints by major news companies in France back in 2019. However, in the recent negotiations for transparency details, there were infringements, identified by competition Watchdog despite earlier settlements and commitments from Google to do fair negotiations with news organizations. Geminis training is the main reason for Googles ensuing fine in Europe Especially, it was noticed that Googles AI chatbot Gemini was trained and operated without correct permission from media outlets. This led to unfair negotiation positions adopted by publishers and press agencies resulting in the levying of this fine. Advertisement In return, Google explains in a blog post how it entered into substantial licensing agreements with French news publishers covering hundreds of publications and paying millions of euros annually. Despite having a justifiable stance, Google has decided to settle the case and change how it negotiates in the future. The company disputed the proportionality of the fines saying that they have already addressed some of the concerns raised by regulators. This fine demonstrates that technology firms still face hurdles when navigating through intellectual property (IP) laws. Copyright laws, especially concerning the employment of artificial intelligence (AI) systems, raise eyebrows while aggregating and distributing content. If youve been experiencing issues trying to play games with GeForce NOW, youre not the only one, as the service has been hit with a global outage that has stopped players from booting up games. The good news is that NVIDIA has acknowledged the problem and immediately got work addressing how to fix it. On the GeForce NOW service status page, theres an alert that mentions the global outage for GeForce NOW services for all subscribers. NVIDIA began investigating the issue around 9:50 AM PST on March 21. Not long after, a new alert popped up around 11:28 AM PST that said a fix was implemented. Following the fix, NVIDIA is now monitoring the results. Presumably to be sure that the outage doesnt resurface. Advertisement Advertisement As it stands right now the service does seem to be working. Having checked on multiple devices, we were able to personally log into a few different games and stream them over the cloud. This included checking Starfield, Forza Horizon 5, and The Ascent. All were able to launch without an issue. Save for the occasional frame drop because of the Wi-Fi network. All-in-all, the outage seems to have subsided, for now. Having said that, this doesnt mean that there arent still people having problems. While we were able to get the service working, you may have different results. So keep that in mind along with the fact that NVIDIA is monitoring the situation. PSN went down around the same time as the GeForce NOW global outage GeForce NOW wasnt the only service experiencing issues this morning. Right around the same time it was having outage problems, PSN went down. Resulting in players on the PS4 and PS5 being unable to use certain features. Among those was the inability to access the PlayStation Store for game purchases. However, this issue also seems to have been mostly fixed. Advertisement In the past hour or so, trying to access the store from the browser website or the PS app resulted in getting nothing more than an oops, something went wrong message. All after waiting more than a few minutes for the page to load. Some reported being able to get into the store and add games to their cart, but not finalize the checkout. We can confirm that at least for us, PSN is now working again. As we were able to get into the store and purchase Rise of the Ronin for PS5. But again, your results may vary depending on where youre located. For the moment, both GeForce NOW and PSN seem to be working relatively fine. So if you had issues accessing either before, give them another try as things may be up and running. As 9To5Google mentioned, the GeForce NOW outage returned results of an error in their brief testing. But that was earlier this morning shortly after the outage started. Google Calendar undergoes a major transformation as it moves away from the traditional appointment slots feature in favor of the new appointment schedules. The company has announced this change aiming to provide users with advanced and streamlined scheduling services. New Appointment Schedule Features for Google Calendar Appointment scheduling, brought to replace appointment slots, makes it possible for users to create booking pages that they can share through a link. Integrated into Google Calendar, these pages help create a conflict-free scheduling system. Moreover, users can have their timetables customized by allowing buffers between appointments and setting limits on appointments per day. Advertisement Advertisement Google claims that Appointment Schedules offer a smoother way of booking coupled with more robust functionalities than those enabled by appointment slots. Consequently, as of July 18, 2024, appointment slots will come to an end, completely giving rise to Appointment Schedules. After this date, there will be no more appointment slot booking pages thus pushing users towards adopting this new system. However, existing appointment slots will still be functional until the transition date but they will not automatically migrate to appointment schedules. People should recreate their setups using appointment schedules to ensure consistency in their scheduling process. Detailed instructions and guidance about features and setup processes for Appointment Schedules can be found on the Google support page where Users can see a step-by-step guide in the tab on the right side. Who can use the appointment scheduling feature? Moreover, Google has announced that there is now support for appointment scheduling among Google Workspace Business Starter customers. The availability expansion covers various plans within Google Workspace such as Business Starter, Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Fundamentals, Education Standard, Education Plus, Teaching and Learning Upgrade, Nonprofits, and Google Workspace Individual customers. Also, people with a Google One Premium subscription can take advantage of this feature. These changes aim at offering users an efficient and comprehensive scheduling solution tailored to various educational institutions or corporate organizations needs. Are you ready for a new and improved search experience on the Google Play Store? Well, get excited because Google is rolling out a game-changing update that will make finding your favorite apps and games easier than ever before! After successful testing in December, Google has officially relocated the Play Store search feature to the bottom bar, introducing a fresh Search tab. Play Store adds a new dedicated Search tab Google Play Store now has a dedicated Search tab at the center of the bottom bar instead of at the top of the screen. Tapping on this tab will bring up the search bar at the top of the screen as usual. This seemingly small change enhances the user experience significantly. Advertisement Advertisement You might be wondering why Google decided to move the search function to the bottom bar. Well, by placing the search tab within easy reach of your thumbs, Google is making it more convenient for users to search for apps and games without having to stretch their fingers to reach the top of the screen. This new design aims to enhance usability and streamline the search process for all Play Store users. The updated search feature is currently rolling out with version 40.1.19-31 of the Play Store through a server-side update. If you havent received the update yet, dont worry it should be available to all users in the coming days. Once you have the latest version of the Play Store installed on your device, simply open the app and look for the new Search tab in the bottom bar. From there, you can easily search for your favorite apps, games, and other content with just a few taps. To sum up, Googles decision to move the Play Store search function to the bottom bar is a welcome change that will greatly improve the overall user experience. By making search more accessible and intuitive, Google is continuing to enhance the Play Store and make it easier for users to discover new content. So, get ready to explore the new Search tab and find all the apps and games you love with ease! Samsung will soon launch a new mid-range Android tablet, the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (2024). It is a refreshed version of a 2020 tablet of the same name. The device has been refreshed once in 2022, with the company upgrading the chipset and the OS version. Leaks suggest the 2024 model will be a similarly minor upgrade. There may be a new color option this time, though. Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (2024) may come in a new color Renders leaked via X by @Sudhanshu1414 show the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (2024) in three colors. These are reportedly named Chiffon Pink, Oxford Gray, and Mint. The former two colors were also available for the 2020 and 2022 versions of the tablet. However, the Mint option is new. It replaces Angora Blue as the third color variant for the device, which doesnt see any aesthetic change. Advertisement Advertisement This means the upcoming tablet will look identical to the one launched four years ago. It has a fairly slim profile with flat edges, rounded corners, and bulky but symmetrical display bezels. There is a single rear-facing camera without an LED flash. You get a camera on the front as well. The device supports S Pen and boasts AKG-tuned dual stereo speakers. The power and volume buttons sit on the right side where you will also find a microphone hole and the SIM tray. There is a second microphone hole at the top, alongside a 3.5mm headphone jack and a speaker. The bottom edge has room for the USB Type-C port and a speaker, while the left side is blank. You will find a Samsung logo and Sound by AKG printed on the back. The internals of the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (2024) also largely remain unchanged from the 2020 and 2022 versions. The display is a TFT LCD panel measuring 10.4 inches diagonally with a 1200 x 2000 pixels resolution. The rear camera is an 8MP unit while the selfie camera is a 5MP unit. The tablet is fueled by a 7,000mAh battery that, sadly, still charges at just 15W speed. Advertisement Samsung has upgraded the chipset again The original Galaxy Tab S6 Lite shipped with the Exynos 9611 processor and Android 10. The 2022 version got Qualcomms Snapdragon 732G/720G and Android 12. The upcoming model will now ship with the Exynos 1280 and Android 14 out of the box. The RAM amount remains unchanged at 4GB, while you also only get 64GB and 128GB storage variants. The tablet supports a microSD card. The Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (2024) also upgrades from Bluetooth 5.0 to Bluetooth 5.3. You still get Wi-Fi 5 and miss out on NFC. Leaks say Samsung will release the tablet in Wi-Fi and 5G versions. The former will carry a starting price of 429 for the 64GB variant in Europe. The top-most variant (5G version with 128GB of internal storage) will reportedly cost 519. Stay tuned for the official launch. We are knee-deep into Q1 2024, so we are starting to see numbers trickling in from Q4 2023. Were able to get a glimpse at how smartphone companies performed during the final three months of the year. Well, it looks like Google has caused to celebrate because Pixel phones are nearing 5% of the US market in terms of market share. Right now, the global smartphone market is facing some challenges with stagnated growth due to the poor economic situation. However, several companies are seeing varying degrees of success in the smartphone market. For example, the Galaxy S24 series of phones seems to be doing pretty well for Samsung. These phones are breaking sales records for the company. Advertisement Advertisement Pixel phones are nearing 5% market share in the US The top three spots in the US smartphone market are pretty much set in stone. Apple (51.9%) is in first place by a large margin, Samsung (22.4%) is in second place, and Motorola (8%) is in third. It will take an act of cosmic proportions to move any of these three heavy hitters from their spots. However, the lower spots fluctuate much more frequently. According to a new report from IDC, the Google Pixel phone is starting to near the 5% mark in terms of market share for the US. The number might not seem significant in the grand scheme of things, but it shows that Pixel phones are rising at a steady rate in the US. Sure, Pixel phones are extremely popular in Japan, but the US is Googles home. Looking at the numbers, Google was able to tackle 4.6% of the US smartphone market in Q4 2023. All of this is despite a heavy 13.6% decline in YoY shipments for the same quarter. Pixels were able to secure fourth place in the US in terms of market share, just beating out TCLs 4.2%. Advertisement Below TCL, we have the rest of the riffraff, the dreaded Other category. This section of the market made up 8.6% of the US smartphone market share. As for the smartphone market as a whole, it shrank by an unfortunate 6.9% YoY. There were 130.6 million units shipped during the last 3 months of 2023. Unlocked phones Google was also able to sell a significant amount of unlocked phones in the US last quarter. According to the numbers, Motorola was able to make up 34% of the total number of unlocked phones sold in the US, and that gave it the top spot. In second place, with 20%, we have Samsung with Apple following it closely with 19%. In fourth place, we have Google with 9% of the market. Thats pretty significant. Under Google, we have TCL with 6%. With this news, were certain that Google is celebrating and planning on pushing its market share even further in the coming year. According to a report issued by Global News and Winnipeg Free Press, a UPS worker in Canada stole and resold $1.3 million worth of Apple products. His name is Orville Beltrano, and he stole approximately 866 devices from the warehouse where he worked since 2013, based on the reports. A UPS worker in Canada stole well over $1.3 million worth of Apple products The reports stated that the worth of the equipment he stole is over $1.3 million, actually. He resold that equipment in order to make a profit. Mr. Beltrano was positioned as a supervisor and was selling products on Kijiji. Advertisement Advertisement It was revealed that Beltrano deposited over $232,000 in his bank accounts between September 2023 and January 2024. UPS fired him on January 22, and he was arrested that very same day. Investigators were able to find $9,000 in cash while searching his home and vehicle. They also found a Mac laptop and jewelry valued at over $9,000. Beltrano did admit to his crimes. He actually said that he used the money to purchase a home which is worth $680,000. He also used that money to pay off a $60,000 Audi hatchback which was purchased in 2021. Multiple charges were issued Beltrano has been charged with theft over $5,000, theft under $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, and possession of the proceeds of crime by the police. How did they catch him? Well, UPS realized something was wrong as many Apple devices were missing from the warehouse in Winnipeg. With that in mind, the company decided to launch an investigation in December last year. UPS installed security cameras and was able to catch Beltrano in the middle of the act. He was caught stealing products from pallets. Those products were supposed to be shipped to Ontario. Beltrano was not exactly trying to be subtle about it either. He stole 120 iPhones in a single shift in January 2024, it is reported. His house, cash, bank accounts, and car will be confiscated, it seems. The Biden administration is now looking forward to imposing further trade sanctions on four Chinese companies associated with Huaweis semiconductor manufacturing. This move comes in response to Huaweis recent technological breakthrough and aims to further restrict Beijings artificial intelligence and semiconductor ambitions. The potential trade sanction underscores escalating tensions between the US and China and represents US efforts to curb Huaweis influence in the global tech industry. If implemented, this measure would mark another notable escalation in the ongoing campaign to constrain Chinas semiconductor capabilities. The decision would increase pressure on Huawei, a key player in Chinas technological advancement, which has somehow managed to make strides despite existing sanctions. Notably, Huawei achieved a significant milestone by producing a smartphone processor last year that many in Washington deemed beyond its capabilities. Advertisement Advertisement This time the target is Chinese companies that might be helping Huawei in its chip manufacturing The companies targeted for potential sanction include chipmakers Qingdao SiEn, SwaySure, and Shenzhen Pensun Technology Co., along with Chinas leading memory chipmaker, ChangXin Memory Technologies Inc. These entities were previously identified as chipmaking facilities associated with Huawei. Additionally, the US government may sanction companies like Shenzhen Pengjin High-Tech Co. and SiCarrier, suspected of aiding Huawei in obtaining restricted equipment. Furthermore, US officials are urging allies, including the Netherlands, Germany, South Korea, and Japan, to tighten trade sanctions and impose further restrictions on Huaweis access to technologies and equipment related to chip manufacturing. However, it remains unclear whether the US Department of Commerce has sufficient evidence linking these companies to Huawei. Despite this, the US has the authority to sanction businesses deemed a potential threat to national security, without needing to prove past harmful or illegal activity. Advertisement The potential ban is influenced by various factors, including the status of US-China relations and ongoing policy considerations. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellens upcoming visit to China and discussions between President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping will likely impact the timing of the decision. Additionally, discussions about adjustments to China tariffs and potential tariff increases on older-generation chips further complicate the situation. Huawei Mate 60 series 7nm chip suggests Chinas progress in / access to the required technologies Huaweis addition to the entity list in 2019 significantly restricted its access to American technology. However, Huaweis recent unveiling of the Huawei Mate 60 series powered by a domestically produced 7-nanometer chip suggests Chinas progress in semiconductor manufacturing. Despite this, China still heavily relies on foreign technology. It highlights the challenges for Huawei to achieve self-sufficiency. Actor Brian Cox has said he is delighted to be the newest patron of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The Succession star will take on the role alongside previously announced alumni patron Eddie Izzard and Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who is honorary president of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society. Known for roles including the first incarnation of Hannibal Lecter in Manhunter (1986) and CIA chief Ward Abbott in the Bourne franchise, Cox has a strong history as a supporter of the arts. He is a patron of the Scottish Youth Theatre in Glasgow, The Old Rep in Birmingham, the British American Drama Academy in London and The Space in his native Dundee, and in 1965 he was among the founding members of the Royal Lyceum Theatre Company in Edinburgh. Cox said: The culture of the performing arts in Scotland is embedded firmly in my DNA, and its impossible to talk about Scotlands performing arts culture without talking about the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Brian Cox starred in hit series Succession (PA) Im delighted to come aboard as an ambassador for this incredible event, and to champion its well-earned reputation as a springboard and a proving ground for generations of performing artists past, present and future. Cox is also an honorary patron of the campaign to modernise the historic Kings Theatre in Edinburgh. The Edinburgh Festival Fringe will take place from August 2 to 26 this year. Shona McCarthy, chief executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, said: To say were pleased to have Brian on board is an understatement. Hes done so much to promote homegrown artistic talent, not just through his incredible CV of acting work but also through his patronage and support of organisations the length and breadth of this country. Hes set an iconic example with his own artistic journey, and an inspiration to both the established and emerging artists who bring their magic to the Edinburgh Fringe every single year. Were thrilled to have him as a champion, and welcome his support in the months and years ahead. You may have heard that shelter pets come in all shapes and sizes, and it's true! You can find puppies, kittens, senior pets, and even special needs animals at your local humane society. Your perfect match might need some extra meals to bulk up after time on the streets, or you may meet an animal like Dr. Kitty who could stand to drop a few pounds. No offense, Dr. Kitty! You are 'purrfect' just the way you are, but it's much better for any cat's health to be toward the lower end of the scale. That's why he's looking for a forever home that can help him reach his weight loss goals. On March 14, the Humane Society of Pikes Peak in Colorado shared a sweet video of the 10-year-old shelter sweetheart. Viewers love this rotund cat and his easygoing demeanor, but everyone is waiting with bated breath for the day he finds him forever home. OMG--look at him! It took a few video clips for me to truly see his chunky size, but once I processed what I was seeing, I was stunned. The animal shelter really wasn't exaggerating when they said he's a big cat. He weighs more than many small dogs! Related: Former Farm Cat Looks For a Relaxing Home After Receiving Medical Treatment at the Shelter While 27 pounds may be considered normal for extra large cat breeds--such as a male Maine Coon cat--that's way too heavy for your average housecat. Most domestic breeds, like the American Shorthair, should only weigh around 10 to 15 pounds, depending on their gender. Thankfully, the shelter has already started implementing a weight loss regimen for Dr. Kitty. He's been in their care for less than a week, but every day counts when it comes to turning around a pet's health. With a dedicated forever person by his side, no one doubts that this shelter cat has a long, happy life ahead of him. The Infamous 'Chonk Chart' When it comes to feline weight loss, it can be difficult to pinpoint where a cat needs to be under all that fluff. Luckily, veterinarians have created a visual chart to help pet parents compare what's healthy and unhealthy. Simply look at your cat and see where they land on the chart! This 'chonk chart' is extremely helpful and easy to understand, but when it comes to the Internet's obsession with fat cats, it's entertaining too. A version of this chart went viral online for its funny descriptions of each weight level, though in reality, obesity is serious for people and for pets. Fortunately, a visit to their cat's veterinarian can help any owner learn what steps to take to help them lose weight. Good luck, Dr. Kitty! 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. Jesus Tito Salas is CEO of CodersLink LLC, a San Antonio-based startup that recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Courtesy A San Antonio company that connects Latin American tech workers with U.S. companies has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, citing a need to restructure its debt as it continues growing. CodersLink LLC, a startup that nabbed a Google Latino Founders Fund grant in 2022, filed its petition with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in San Antonio on March 12. The business, which operates out of the Geekdom coworking space in the Rand Building at 110 E. Houston St., reported about $516,000 in assets and liabilities of $712,000. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Its CEO said currency exchange rates played a role its debt issues. We are seeing consistent growth and promising projections, Jesus Tito Salas, CEO of CodersLink, said in a statement. However, we decided to file for Chapter 11 to restructure the debt we received last year that we got to reduce the impact that we had from the fluctuation between the U.S. Dollar and Mexican Peso, which increased our costs (talent salaries) and reduced our profit by 15% margin. In its petition, CodersLink reported revenue of about $5.4 million in 2022, $6.9 million in 2023 and $826,070 for 2024 up to its March 12 filing. A large Geekdom sign is seen March 6 in the Rand Building in downtown San Antonio. The coworking space is home to CodersLink LLC, a San Antonio-based startup that recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News CodersLinks struggle is the latest example of an evolving market for computer coding jobs. Late last year, Codeup, a San Antonio-based computer coding school, abruptly folded. The shutdown left 21 staffers jobless and 112 students in limbo. That company has retained a local bankruptcy lawyer but has yet to file. Advertisement Article continues below this ad CodersLink filed its Chapter 11 petition under a subchapter of the bankruptcy code designed for small-business debtors. It imposes shorter deadlines for filing a reorganization plan, giving the debtor flexibility in negotiating with creditors. The filing also stops creditors from taking action against it while the bankruptcy plays out. The company didnt list any creditors with secured claims, while its largest unsecured creditor is New York-based Capchase Finance LLC, which is owed almost $570,000 on a loan. Other unsecured creditors include three individuals in Mexico and one in McAllen, who are owed loan repayments ranging from $14,000 to $33,000. We saw Chapter 11 as a strategic way for us to extend the term loan repayments and continue growing without any risks, Salas said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In 2022, Googles Latino Founders Fund provided capital to CodersLink, which uses a digital platform to connect Latin American tech workers to U.S. companies looking to build remote teams. Despite the bankruptcy filing, Salas remains optimistic. Watch: Danny Dyer questions John Torode's cooking skills What did you miss? Danny Dyer tickled This Morning viewers as he teased John Torode about his cooking, complaining that his peas were a bit hard. EastEnders star Dyer was a guest on the ITV show on Thursday (21 March), and MasterChef star Torode was also in the studio for the cooking segment. Dyer was in the background as Torode whipped up a roast chicken and joined hosts Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard to sample some when it was ready. But he couldnt resist weighing in on Torodes dish leaving the cook looking surprised. What, how, and why? Danny Dyer had This Morning hosts Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard cracking up with his comments to John Torode. (ITV/Shutterstock) (Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock) Torode was showing the presenters how to make a Spring roast chicken stuffed with lemon and creme fraiche and served with potatoes and peas. Shephard invited Dyer to come along for a taste and he eagerly tucked in, although he said he thought the sauce looked filthy. How is it? Deeley asked, and Dyer replied: Peas are a bit hard. I like a bit of an Al dente pea, Shephard remarked. Looked confused, Torode asked: What do you mean the peas are hard? Have a bang on one of those peas John, honestly, Dyer said, pointing at the plate. Danny Dyer through John Torode's peas were hard. (ITV screengrab) (ITV screengrab) The chef sampled the veg himself and insisted: They are perfect! Dyer, who is well known to TV viewers as Albert Squares Mick Carter, then explained that he preferred a mushy pea. When the hosts commented on how much they loved Torodes sauce, Dyer then quipped: Not for me. Im joking John! he added, as the chef pretended to be outraged. John Torode cooked a roast on This Morning. (ITV screengrab) (ITV screengrab) What did viewers say? The segment amused viewers, with several posting about it on X. Peas arent even cooked right lol, said one, as another laughed about the "Al dente peas". Another posted a string of crying with laughter emojis as they joked: That's Danny banned - peas are hard. Another wrote: Danny Dyer trying what John Torode just cooked on This Morning! He said the sauce looked filthy (it was creme fraiche and it looked awful to be fair) then he said the peas are a bit hard! Have a bang on one of them peas! Then he goes yeah that sauce aint for me! Read more: Danny Dyer Watch: Danny Dyer sometimes has booze for breakfast as he reveals new weight loss method Mckenna Grace in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, which has been criticised by some reviewers for rehashing old material. (Sony) (Courtesy of Sony Pictures) Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire has landed in cinemas, but don't expect it to be fun to call your favourite ghoul-wranglers if the critic response is anything to go by. The film follows on from the 2021 Ghostbusters: Afterlife, which introduced us to a new set of plucky heroes, including Egon Spengler's daughter Callie (Carrie Coon) and his grandchildren Phoebe (Mckenna Grace) and Trevor (Finn Wolfhard). Now the team, alongside Gary Grooberson (Paul Rudd), are ready to bust some ghosts just like their the late great Egon, and they have their work cut out for them when a Death Chill lands in New York City. Read more: Ghostbusters movies ranked from worst to best As well as including the new Ghostbusters, the sequel brings back the old gang too like Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, and Ernie Hudson as well as a whole host of other characters from the good old days. Ahead of the film's release, though, critics shared scathing criticism of it. For the most part, critics weren't too impressed with Frozen Empire with many pointing out the tired plot and empty fan-service, which all led to the movie feeling more like a rehash of old material than something exciting and new. The Telegraph called Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire a 'shameful' sequel that will have audiences 'dying of boredom'. (Sony Pictures) (Sony Pictures UK) The Telegraph's Robbie Collin did not mince words when reflecting on the film, calling it a "shameful" sequel that will have audiences "dying of boredom". He wrote: "There is a noxious undead pong emanating from this latest entry in the 1980s franchise, which is now being necromantically sustained through force of sheer commercial desperation, and nothing else." Collin also criticised: "This fifth film has no ideas, next to no plot, and almost no ghost-busting either." IndieWire's Kate Erbland felt similarly, saying of the film: "Despite being crammed with characters the final big battle includes no less than eleven good guys, Kenan can barely keep them all in frame, let alone fighting back and packed with subplots, little of Frozen Empire makes a lick of sense." The critic also argued that the film doesn't make it easy to want more, writing: "This franchise might not be entirely dead just yet, but its latest resurrection doesnt make nearly enough good arguments to keep pumping life into it." Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire brings back a number of old favourites, but some critics felt it wasn't needed. (Sony Pictures) (Sony Pictures UK) Empire's Alex Godfrey gave the film just two stars, writing: "This is nifty work and a good gang! But it soon becomes apparent that underneath the exploits theres just not much for them to do. Nowhere of real substance for the Ecto-1 to go. This old jalopy is running out of road." Reflecting on how the sequel compared to its predecessor, the critic added: "Afterlife presented a fleshed-out family drama that grounded the whole thing, the ghostly goings-on playing second fiddle to a portrayal of sadness and love, and while this one explores the familys growing pains, it does so with the broadest of strokes, buried under an unwieldy plot, crushed under the films obsession with its legacy. The life is squashed out of it." It wasn't all negative though, as there were a few critics who enjoyed the film. Deadline's Damon Wise wrote: "It is confusing at times, and not everything works, but Frozen Empire does a very good job of keeping the flame alive, 40 years after the fact." The critic added that the film's fan service was more of a hindrance than anything, writing: "Unusually for a reboot, this fan service actually gets in the way of whats good about this new iteration: Rudd and Coon have a warm and understated flaky chemistry that really works, while Wolfhard and especially Grace feel real, awkward and honest in a way that blockbuster teenagers havent in a long time." It wasn't all bad though, as The Independent called the film 'funny, silly, and a little scary'. (Sony) (Jaap Buitendijk) Variety's Owen Gleiberman spoke of how Frozen Empire "has to work even harder to invent a reason for itself to exist", adding: "Frozen Empire has enough going on in it to connect, but now that Jason Reitman and company have brought this series back to life, its time to re-infuse it with the spirit that Kumail Nanjiani brings. In a Ghostbusters film, the laughter should be more than just a ghost of itself." The Independent's Clarisse Loughrey called the film "a notable improvement on Afterlife" and said it was "funny, silly, and a little scary, with its pockets full of hand-built doodahs and the occasional excursion into the realm of pseudo-mythology and parapsychology." The critic went on to say of the film: "Its a little bloated, too, with a somewhat queerbaiting, spectral love interest who throws up unnecessary ethical questions about the Ghostbusters practices. But, here, at least, were firmly on the way to a Ghostbusters film that actually feels like a Ghostbusters film." Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire premieres in cinemas on Friday, 22 March. Watch the trailer for Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire: Excavation of HS2s longest tunnel has been completed after a second machine reached the end of its 10-mile journey under the Chiltern Hills. The machine, named Cecilia, broke through on Thursday at a site near South Heath, Buckinghamshire. It was one of two tunnel boring machines (TBMs) digging a twin-bore tunnel with a depth of up to 80 metres that will be used for HS2 trains travelling between London and Birmingham. The other TBM, named Florence, broke through last month. They both began their journeys near Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, close to the M25 motorway. Workers pose for photos after digging machine Florence broke through in February (Aaron Chown/PA) Cecilia, named after Buckinghamshire-born astronomer and astrophysicist Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin, was launched in June 2021. This was two months later than Florence, named after Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing. HS2 Ltd said each machine operated as an underground factory with crews of around 17 people working in shifts to keep them running constantly. (PA Graphics) They excavated the tunnel, lining it with 112,000 pre-cast concrete wall segments and grouting them into position, moving forward at an average speed of 16 metres per day. HS2 Ltds head of civil works for this section of the route, Mark Clapp, said: Today is a remarkable achievement for all concerned. Cecilias arrival completes excavation of HS2s 10-mile twin-bore tunnel, but its only the end of the first chapter in the story of building Britains high-speed railway under the Chiltern Hills. Several years of intensive, world class engineering lies ahead of us to complete the tunnels four ventilation shafts plus headhouses; install the mechanical and electrical plant and machinery, slab track and overhead electrical wires before trains begin passing through at 200mph. HS2 workers wave flags after boring machine Cecelia completing a 10-mile journey under the Chiltern Hills (Andrew Matthews/PA) Headhouses are buildings on top of ventilation shafts which contain air flow and ventilation systems. The TBMs, which each have a diameter of 10.25 metres, were manufactured in Germany by specialist company Herrenknecht. They were operated by HS2s main works contractor Align, which is a joint venture formed of infrastructure companies Bouygues Travaux Publics, Sir Robert McAlpine and VolkerFitzpatrick. (PA Graphics) Aligns underground construction director Didier Jacques said: Ten miles is a long drive for a TBM, with a typical average being around three miles. The complexity and technical challenges of completing such a long drive for both our TBMs has been significant, however I am delighted that as a team we have risen to the challenge. Both TBMs were designed in partnership with Herrenknecht and incorporate innovations and technologies that have been introduced on TBMs in the UK for the first time, to enhance performance and safety. This includes semicontinuous boring, allowing our TBMs to build the rings that line the tunnels without pausing. The boring machine Florence (Andrew Matthews/PA) The machines will be dismantled over the coming weeks, with parts either reused where possible or scrapped. The three million cubic metres of chalk and other material removed during the tunnelling is being used for a grassland restoration project at the site where the machines were launched. Some pet owners refuse to travel. If their dog can't go, then they can't go either. But what if there was another solution? Enter one man, who decided to lay out big bucks to buy his giant dog a seat on his plane. Not to call into question how much any of us love our dogs, but this dog owner really took the cake when it came to making sure his dog was comfortable. Shared in a video by a TikToker who goes by Super Saiyan Sedi, it shows the dog chilling in his seat on the aircraft. It honestly looks like the pup is paying attention to the airline employee explaining the safety instructions. He's lucky he wasn't sitting in an emergency exit row! Related: Dog Snoozing the Day Away in a First Class Airplane Seat Is Truly Living the Dream "How much do you love your dog?" Sedi asked in the clip. "Do you love him enough to buy him his own seat on a plane?" Honestly, if our dogs were as good as this big guy we might just give it a shot. It seems like people in the comments section were totally game. "I would rather sit next to that dog over most people," wrote one man. "I would pay extra to sit next to the dog," a second commenter agreed. While a third person admitted there were no limits to how good they would treat their dog. "I would co-sign for a car if my dog wanted one," they joked. Buying Your Pet a Seat on a Plane If you're ready to splash out and buy your dog their own plane ticket on your next vacation here is everything you need to know. First you'll want to check and see if your airline will allow you to bring your dog on your plane. Air Alaska, JetBlue, JSX, and United Airlines all allow passengers to buy dogs a seat. Your dog's breed and size could play a factor in whether an airline will allow this as well. Even if you can buy your dog a seat, they usually must still be able to fit in a carrier and be stowed under your seat during take-off and landing. Once the plane is in the air you'll be allowed to take your dog out of its carrier and let it rest on the seat. Sadly, many larger dogs will need to be stowed in the cargo hold (this big guy was an exception). So you'll have to decide if that's the right decision for your pet. Airline travel with a dog can be difficult. But as the dog proves where there's a will, there's a way. 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. Ministers are under fresh pressure to chart a course forward for the Governments troubled Rwanda Bill as a parliamentary stand-off over the legislation persists. The plan to send some asylum seekers on a one-way ticket to Kigali was dealt another setback when peers inflicted a further series of defeats to the draft law on Wednesday. MPs rejected a raft of changes made to the draft legislation by the House of Lords earlier this week and ministers urged the unelected chamber to help get it on to the statute books. But peers have again pressed their demands for revisions to the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill, including overturning the bid to oust the courts from the process. Home Secretary James Cleverly blamed the Opposition (Stefan Rousseau/PA) James Cleverly sought to blame Labour for the latest setback, claiming the Opposition and their allies were seeking to thwart its passage. The Home Secretary said: While Labour and their allies try anything to delay, disrupt or destroy that plan, people are risking their lives in the hands of people who dont care if they die as long as they pay. The talking needs to end so we can get on with the job of saving lives and stopping the boats. But his opposite number Yvette Cooper said the Tories would be bringing the Bill back next week to get on with it if they were serious about implementing their plan. The half a billion pound Rwanda scheme is a failing farce, which will only cover less than 1% of asylum arrivals, she said. It is clearer than ever that Rishi Sunak knows this plan wont work and only sees it as a political gimmick to get what the former immigration minister described as symbolic flights off just before an election. If the Conservatives were ready to implement this, they would be bringing the Bill back to complete the remaining stages next week and get on with it. But because their plans arent ready, theyve decided to delay the Bill as well, so they can try to blame everyone else for the chaos they have created, and the fact that they havent got a proper plan. A prayer room at the Hope Hostel in Kigali, Rwanda (Victoria Jones/PA) The latest setbacks means a continuation of the Westminster stand-off known as parliamentary ping pong, where the Houses bat one anothers proposed changes to draft legislation back and forth. As such there is little chance of the Bill clearing Parliament before MPs leave Westminster for the Easter break next Tuesday. The Bill and a treaty with Rwanda are intended to prevent further legal challenges to the stalled asylum 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. But the Lords has again insisted on an amendment to restore the jurisdiction of domestic courts in relation to the safety of Rwanda and enable them to intervene. Peers also renewed their demand for the Bill to have due regard for domestic and international law and that Rwanda can only be declared safe when the protections in the treaty are fully implemented and while they remain in place. Other changes included moves to reduce the risk of unaccompanied children being sent to Rwanda and a block on the removal of victims of modern slavery and human trafficking, as well as those who worked with the UK military or government overseas, such as Afghan interpreters. Travellers are being urged to plan ahead and take precautions amid a rise in mosquito-borne infections, such as dengue and malaria, to pre-pandemic levels. Cases of the diseases have risen to levels not seen since 2019, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) warned. Dengue is not usually serious but can be severe in some cases, with symptoms similar to flu. Malaria causes a fever, headaches, confusion and muscle pains among other symptoms and can be fatal. You can not catch either infection from another person. In our latest news story, we share our latest data that indicates travel-associated mosquito-borne infections are returning to pre-pandemic levels. Read more here: https://t.co/cvTw2NtiOq UK Health Security Agency (@UKHSA) March 21, 2024 Last year, some 634 dengue cases were reported in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, similar to the 2019 level of 790. The majority of the people who caught the disease did so while travelling to Southern and South East Asia, particularly India. There was also a spike in cases from Central America and the Caribbean, the UKHSA said. From January to October 2023, some 1,637 cases were also confirmed in England. This is similar to the 1,719 reported in the UK in the year before the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as the annual average of 1,612 cases between 2010 and 2019. Here is what Dr Philip Veal, Consultant in Public Health at UKHSA has to say on our latest story. pic.twitter.com/E3ouvdl6UN UK Health Security Agency (@UKHSA) March 21, 2024 Dr Dipti Patel, director of the National Travel Health Network and Centre, said: If you are making plans to travel abroad this year, please take a moment to prioritise your health and plan ahead. When you return to the UK, if you feel unwell, seek medical attention and ensure you inform your healthcare provider that you have been travelling recently. There was also eight cases of Zika virus in England in 2023, a similar level to 2022. Dr Philip Veal, a consultant in public health at the UKHSA, said there are a number of simple steps a person can take to reduce the risk of infection, including using insect repellent, covering exposed skin and sleeping under a treated bed net. Even if you have visited or lived in a country before, you will not have the same protection against infections as local people and are still at risk, he added. The Travel Health Pro website, which is supported by the UKHSA, provides information on health risks in countries across the world. It recommends travellers should consult a GP, nurse, pharmacist or travel clinic four to six weeks before their trip for advice on vaccinations. UKHSA also urged travellers to ensure they are fully up to date with their measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) jabs, especially if going abroad with children. It warned that returning from countries with a high circulation of measles could make the outbreak in England worse. There have been 730 cases of measles in England since October last year. Products featured in this Yahoo article are selected by our shopping writers. We will earn a commission from purchases made via links in this article. Pricing and availability are subject to change. This is the pick-me-up purchase your week needs. (Amazon / Yahoo Life) A cup of tea and a few chocolate biscuits can really brighten your day. And if you love a sugary 11am or 3pm pick-me-up every day (we're guilty too), then we've found a deal too good to miss. Amazons Spring Sale has reduced Nestle's Big Biscuit Box that is packed with a range of crowd-pleasing chocolate biscuits to a bargain price. The bulk box has a whopping 69 chocolate biscuit bars inside and weighs in at nearly 1.4kg. It is currently discounted by 20% from the original price of 19.80 to 15.84. Thats a lot of biscuit bars for your buck. Nestles KitKat and Friends Big Biscuit Box: Quick Overview Product on sale: Nestle KitKat and Friends Big Biscuit Box Best deal weve found: Now 15.84 down from 19.80 Average star rating: 4.7 out of five Reasons to buy: This great value bulk box means that you are getting a lot of biscuits for your buck To ensure your snack time is never boring, The Big Biscuit Box contains a wide assortment of bars. There are three different KitKat flavours (Dark, Orange and Original) to choose from, as well as Toffee Crisp bars that contain crispy cereal and biscuits smothered in caramel and milk chocolate, and lastly, Blue Riband wafer biscuit. To be precise, the box has 21 KitKat Two-Finger Original bars, 16 Blue Riband bars, 14 Toffee Crisp bars, 9 KitKat Orange bars and 9 KitKat Dark bars - so there's plenty to squabble over. The biscuit box is bound to make Monday mornings so much better. (Amazon / Nestle) It's packed with KitKat's, Toffee Crisp and Blue Riband. (Amazon / Nestle) Shop now This huge treasure trove of treats is also great for sharing, making it ideal for family gatherings at Easter. You could even share it with your colleagues as an afternoon pick-me-up - youll be the most popular person in the office! At the discounted price, each bar works out to only 23p per bar, making this box really great value for money. Its highly popular among customers, earning a rating of 4.7 out of five stars and there are more than 27,000 reviews. One customer said they were very impressed with the "choice and quality" of the bars included in the box, while another added that it is "brilliant to use for lunchboxes". Shop now: Nestle Kitkat and Friends Big Biscuit Box | 15.84 (Was 19.80) It's not the only chocolate bargain in Amazon's Spring Sale - here are a few more of our favourites. Sam Phillips is due to appear at Harrow Crown Court on April 13 - Facebook A boarding school has written to parents warning them pupils may have been victims of a teacher accused of child abuse. Sam Phillips, 27, who taught at Belmont School in Mill Hill, north London, where fees are 23,400 a year, was arrested and charged last week with 11 sexual offences against teenage children. Mill Hill School, a 43,590-a-year boarding school that Belmont feeds to, wrote to parents on Wednesday to inform them that some of the alleged victims were pupils of Mill Hill. Notable alumni of Mill Hill include Richard Dimbleby, the BBC war correspondent, Patrick Troughton, the Doctor Who actor, and Lord Lebedev, the media owner. Mr Phillips, from Sutton, south London, taught at Belmont from Sept 2017 to Mar 2021. He is accused of one charge of causing a girl aged 13 to engage in sexual activity, one charge of attempting to meet a 14-year-old girl following grooming, and four charges of making indecent images of a child. Mr Phillips also faces two charges of attempting to cause a girl aged 13 to engage in sexual activity and three charges of engaging in sexual communication with a child. Parents offered support David Benson, the Mill Hill headteacher, told parents that all pupils would be offered support during a series of house meetings taking place on Thursday. I am writing to share some distressing news regarding a former foundation member of staff, Mr Sam Phillips, Mr Benson wrote in the letter, according to The Times. We have been informed by the police that Mr Phillips was arrested and charged last week with recent online sexual offences involving teenage children. The allegations relate to a period after Mr Phillips left Belmont. We are fully cooperating with the police and local authority safeguarding teams and taking their guidance regarding the information we can share. The charges are deeply concerning, and our thoughts are with the victims and their families. According to the letter, Mr Phillips was suspended and then resigned from Belmont in March 2021 after matters concerning activities outside of school were raised. Parents were told in a newsletter that he had left for personal reasons at the time. However, many are said to be furious they were not informed about the real circumstances of his departure in 2021. They told The Times: Every one of the parents is furious and angry. [Mr Phillips] was my daughters form tutor and had one-to-one mentor meetings with her every week but neither her nor her mother and I have been spoken to by the school. He was my daughters favourite teacher and you would think the school would have spoken to us. A spokesman for the Mill Hill School Foundation said: We have been shocked to learn of the charges against a former Belmont member of staff Sam Phillips, who worked as a teacher at our prep school from September 2017 until March 2021. These relate to alleged online offences committed between December 2023 and February 2024. Given the ongoing criminal proceedings, we cannot comment further. The wellbeing of our pupils remains our absolute priority and we are committed to maintaining the safety of all the children in our care. The school has robust safeguarding procedures in place which are regularly reviewed. Mr Phillips is due to appear at Harrow Crown Court on April 13. Lord Cameron reportedly demanded that the Red Cross be allowed to visit Hamas prisoners - Lukas Coch/Shutterstock Britain has warned Israel it will cut off arms supplies unless it lets aid into Gaza and sticks to international law. Lord Cameron, the Foreign Secretary, is ready to suspend the UKs export licence to Israel if there is a change in his departments legal advice on whether Israel is complying with international humanitarian law. He is understood to have told Israeli officials in recent talks that an arms embargo could be declared if Hamas prisoners held in Israeli jails are denied access to visits from the Red Cross. The threat to withhold weapon sales was first reported by the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, citing Israeli officials. A Whitehall source told The Telegraph: We have clearly been having and continue to have conversations with the Israelis about international humanitarian law. We are constantly monitoring the situation. It follows reports last month that the British Government was considering withholding arms if Israel were to invade the Gazan city of Rafah. Lord Cameron has now reportedly demanded that the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) be allowed to visit Hamas prisoners in line with the Geneva Convention but Israel claims an exemption to that law on security grounds. It came as the Foreign Secretary spoke of his enormous frustration that British aid has been routinely held up at the Gaza border while it undergoes screening and clearance procedures by Israeli officials. His language a marked hardening in tone came in a letter sent yesterday to Alicia Kearns MP, the foreign affairs select committee chairman. Enormous frustration He said: You cite claims that I have also heard elsewhere that international donors should send as much aid as they wish and Israel will facilitate its entry. I wish this were the case. It is of enormous frustration that UK aid for Gaza has been routinely held up waiting for Israeli permissions. For instance, I am aware of some UK-funded aid being stuck at the border for just under three weeks waiting for approval. The main blockers remain arbitrary denials by the government of Israel and lengthy clearance procedures, including multiple screenings and narrow opening windows and daylight hours. Last night, Downing Street said the Government still believed Israel was acting within international humanitarian law, despite the Foreign Secretarys criticism about Hamas prisoner visits and the aid being delayed. A No 10 spokesman said: Our assessment hasnt changed. We do keep it under constant review and act in accordance with that advice. They said the UK has a close working relationship with the Israeli government, adding: That means that we are candid and frank in our conversations and in raising concerns where we have them. Earlier this month, Israel Katz, Israels foreign minister, reportedly sent a letter to Lord Cameron, asking Britain to rally around Israel and not undermine its position amid negotiations for a hostage release and ceasefire with Hamas. He is said to have told Lord Cameron there is no room for steps such as restricting weapons supplies at such a crucial moment in the negotiations. The Israeli prime ministers office and the foreign ministry were not immediately available for comment. Darren Cavanaugh claims senior colleagues 'conspired' to oust him - Champion News A company director kept a bust of Stalin on his desk and acted like a dictator before he was sacked, a court heard. Darren Cavanaugh, 57, was formerly a director of a steel engineering business where he had built a successful career since the 1980s. He was sacked in November 2018 after a colleagues complaint about his behaviour and is now suing, claiming he suffered a breakdown due to stress triggered by the handling of his case before his ousting. Bust of Stalin similar to one Darren Cavanaugh is said to have displayed - Champion News His former bosses claim he was a dysfunctional character who acted more as a dictator, not a director and even kept a 2in bust of Man of Steel Josef Stalin on his desk. The fact that Mr Cavanaugh felt able to associate himself with a character as authoritarian and ruthless as Stalin says a lot about his true personality, David Platt KC, the companys barrister, told the High Court. Mr Cavanaugh joined Bolton-based Folsana in 1987, aged 21, and was considered a hard-working and capable worker within the company, the court heard. But he said he was shocked and humiliated by his suspension in late 2018 and by a demeaning email sent to the companys suppliers warning that any of his requests would not be honoured. Bullying and demeaning style He told Judge Gavin Mansfield KC that the news was a bombshell, which came out of the blue and left him scrambling to clear his belongings from his office desk. The suspension followed the resignation of another boss in September 2018, who cited Mr Cavanaughs bullying and demeaning management style, the court was told. But Jeremy Hyam, Mr Cavanaughs KC, said he was left in the dark about the disciplinary case against him and suspended for some 43 days before being given specifics of the disciplinary complaint against him. Mr Cavanaugh suggests his suspension was based on manufactured flimsy evidence and that senior colleagues conspired to oust him in order to avoid handing over a costly severance package, as he had been considering leaving to set up his own laser cutting business. He now blames his psychiatric problems on his employers failure to take heed of a series of reports he made about his fragile mental health during the disciplinary process. He said he had complained of stress, anxiety and depression and told a grievance officer: I am really not in a good place at the moment physically and emotionally. Before his suspension, he had been a resilient and high-achieving boss, but although still able to hold down challenging roles, he is currently not capable of working in a high-pressure highly-skilled role similar to his old job, said his KC. However, Folsana insists that the claim is groundless and that the suspension and disciplinary process was bona fides and properly conducted against a boss who thrived on conflict and domination. Its perhaps indicative of these personality traits that the witnesses describe that the claimant proudly kept a bust of one of the great monsters of the 20th century, Josef Stalin, on his desk, Mr Platt, for the company, said. No idea why he was given bust Quizzed about why he had a Stalin figurine on his desk, Mr Cavanaugh explained that his son brought it back for him following a trip to Russia, also giving him a Faberge-style ornamental egg. These two items ended up on his desk alongside a toy sheep, said Mr Cavanaugh, adding that he had absolutely no idea why his son had given him the Stalin bust. You brought it into the office and put it on the desk so that everyone could see it, said Mr Platt. I suggest that you were trying to project a message that you were a big tough guy? Thats incorrect, replied Mr Cavanaugh, explaining that since he had never been a history buff he had little knowledge of who Stalin was. All I was aware of was that he was a Russian leader. Thrived on conflict And asked why a colleague had described him as a dictator, not a director, Mr Cavanaugh replied: I dont recognise why he said that. Mr Platt said Robert Haslam, the companys former owner, claimed Mr Cavanaugh tried to take ownership of absolutely everything and thrived on conflict, which provided him with an opportunity to show his domination. He could only function as the dominant party in any relationship, insisted on getting his own way and was absolutely convinced of his own opinions to the point of delusion. The former colleague whose resignation sparked the disciplinary process had been left virtually in tears by Mr Cavanaugh, he told the judge. The case continues. A Guadalupe County woman has sued Universal Toyota for more than $1 million, alleging that a salesman accessed naked photos of her that were stored on her cellphone. She had handed her phone to the salesman so that he could access her financial information during her purchase of a used vehicle. Google Earth 2023 Former Universal Toyota salesman Connor McFarland Griffin entered into a plea deal Wednesday to resolve charges that he texted naked photos of a customer from her phone to his Bexar County Sheriff's Office A former Universal Toyota salesman has accepted a plea deal related to criminal charges accusing him of sending himself naked photos of a customer that were stored on her phone. Connor McFarland Griffin was sentenced by state District Judge Kristina Escalona on Wednesday to four years of deferred adjudication, a form of probation, after pleading no contest to three counts of publishing or threatening to publish intimate visual material. Five identical charges were waived. Griffin, 26, also must pay a $2,000 fine, perform 120 hours of community service and undergo evaluation for possible treatment services, a court document shows. His lawyer, Leo Gonzalez, didnt respond to a request for comment. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The customer, a Guadalupe County woman whom the San Antonio Express-News is not identifying, given the nature of the charges, made a complaint in June 2022 with the San Antonio Police Department, which referred the complaint to its human exploitation unit. Griffin was arrested in November 2022 and released on $25,000 bail. A Bexar County grand jury indicted McFarland in October. As part of his plea agreement, he must have no contact with the woman. Griffins employment at Universal Toyota ended after the incident. The dealership is part of Red McCombs Automotives group of dealerships. Meanwhile, the woman filed a civil lawsuit seeking more than $1 million in damages from Griffin and Judson Motors Ltd., which does business as Universal Toyota. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The woman said in her complaint that she gave her cellphone to Griffin so he could obtain financial information from her bank to complete the purchase of a 2012 Sequoia. She alleged that Griffin stepped away to surreptitiously browse through naked photos and videos of her with her now-husband, then texted the content to his phone before deleting the message from hers. She later discovered the texts, which had been backed up on her Apple iCloud storage account. Griffin never filed an answer to the suit, and the woman identified as Jane Doe in May obtained a partial default judgment. A judge found Griffin liable for six causes of action, including fraud, breach of fiduciary duty and intrusion on seclusion, which is considered a highly offensive form of invasion of privacy. The amount that Griffin may have to pay in damages has not been determined. Universal Toyota asserted a general denial to the allegations in a December court filing. Advertisement Article continues below this ad On Feb. 27, state District Judge Marisa Flores in San Antonio denied the dealerships motion to compel the parties to arbitrate the dispute. However, the dealership has appealed the ruling. The proceedings in the lower court have been stayed pending the outcome of the appeal, which was transferred to the 8th District Court of Appeals in El Paso. Universal Toyota argues that the woman signed an agreement to arbitrate any dispute when she entered into the sales contract. She opposes the case going to arbitration. The arbitration clause is supposed to pertain to the purchase or lease agreement, not to their sales associate rummaging through your private, intimate photos on your phone, said Austin lawyer David Dunham, who represents the woman. Dunham also cited the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act, signed by President Joe Biden in 2022, in advocating for the case to remain in court. Advertisement Article continues below this ad This case fits within those definitions, so there shouldnt even be arbitration, Dunham said. The dealership has said that what Griffin is accused of doing was outside the scope of his employment, making it not responsible for such actions, Dunham added. He questioned why the arbitration provision would apply if thats the case. Trumps finances are under pressure as he prepares to contest the US presidency with Joe Biden for a second time. Photograph: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Donald Trumps wealth is set to increase by about $3.4bn (2.7bn) if a shareholder vote on Friday paves the way for the float of his Trump Media business. The former US president is preparing to list Trump Media & Technology Group, which operates the Truth Social tech platform, via a merger with a special purpose acquisition company, or Spac. The Spac, called Digital World Acquisition, has scheduled a vote on the merger with Trump Media for Friday. However, there are complications around the planned vote after Digital World sued sponsor ARC Global Investments, which is trying to delay the deal, to back the merger. If the merger goes ahead and Trump Media goes public as soon as next week, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee would not be able to cash in any of his potential paper wealth immediately. The merger document contains a provision that blocks major shareholders from selling stock for six months. Trumps finances are under pressure as he prepares to contest the US presidency with the incumbent, Joe Biden, for a second time. Last month Trump was formally ordered by a New York judge to pay $454m following a civil fraud case, in which the former president was found to have manipulated the value of his properties to obtain advantageous loan and insurance rates. Related: A campaign for vengeance: critics warn of a radical second Trump term Trump has described the case as a witch-hunt, has denied all wrongdoing and intends to appeal against the ruling. Monday is also the deadline for him to obtain a bond against his assets guaranteeing payment of the $454m. However, this week his lawyers said it was a practical impossibility to obtain the bond after 30 surety companies turned him down. Spacs raise money via a stock market flotation and then buy or merge with an existing company in this case Trump Media. The newly combined company will have a stock market ticker comprising Trumps initials, DJT. Trump would own just under 79m shares in the company. Based on Digital Worlds closing share price of $42.90 on Wednesday, the former presidents stake in the post-merger business would be worth about $3.4bn. Trumps potential windfall is dependent on Trump Media maintaining its price post-flotation despite a modest financial performance. Last year a securities filing revealed that Trump Media had lost $31.6m since its launch in 2021, with sales of less than $5m. Trump maintains he is worth several billion dollars. Last year he testified he had about $400m in cash, as well as further wealth tied up in properties and other investments. Shares in Digital World have climbed 145% this year, reflecting its status as a so-called meme stock, the term for an equity that is boosted via internet memes in Digital Worlds case, posted on forums like Truth Social and Reddit encouraging non-professional investors to buy into it. Julian Klymochko, the chief executive of Accelerate Financial Technologies, which has a Spac-focused fund, said: Digital World Spacs trading is 100% influenced by the probability of Trump winning the election. It surged in January when Ron DeSantis threw in the towel. Referring to its valuation, he said: DWAC is not a traditional stock based on fundamentals, but a meme stock used for betting on whether Trump gets elected. The merger document contains a standard provision barring founder share owners like Trump from selling their stock until six months after the completion of the deal a clause designed to prevent a glut of shares hitting the market and suppressing their price in after a listing debut. Bills for the typical band D home will exceed 2,500 Households will receive the first 5,000 council tax bills next week as it emerged the levy has soared by 50 per cent since David Cameron came to power in 2010. For the first time, bills for the typical band D home will exceed 2,500 in four local authorities from April 2024. People living in the most expensive band H homes in these areas will pay more than 5,000 next year. The most expensive council tax is in Englands smallest county of Rutland, where Band D households will pay 2,543 up five per cent on the previous year. Those living in band H homes will pay double that at 5,087. People in Nottingham, Dorset and Lewes, East Sussex, will also pay more than 2,500 in band D and more than 5,000 in band H. Overall, across England the average band D council tax bill will be 2,171 up 51 per cent since 2010. Then, the average council tax bill was just 1,439. It has risen in recent years because of adult social care costs. Annual council tax increases remained below one per cent between 2010 and 2015, but rose to five per cent for the first time in 2018/19. Across the country, average bills in April 2024 will be 5.1 per cent higher than 2023 or 106 more for band D households. It is the largest increase since 2003/04, when bills went up by an average 126, and is the second-largest increase in cash terms since council tax was introduced. The highest increase is in Birmingham, where bills will rise by 9.3 per cent, adding 178 to the typical bill. The Labour-run council, which had to declare effective bankruptcy last year, was given special dispensation by the Government to put its section of the bill up by 10 per cent. The rest of the bill comes from police and fire authorities. Benjamin Elks, the grassroots development manager of the TaxPayers Alliance, said: Local residents up and down the country are taking yet another hit to dwindling household budgets. With bright spots few and far between, the vast majority of taxpayers face a further increase to already sky-high bills. Councils should learn from the rare examples where rates were frozen to find out how they can achieve similar results next time round. The band H bill in Rutland will be 5,086.58. In Nottingham, it will be 5,059.38, in Dorset 5,007.26, and in Lewes 5,006.96. The 5.1 per cent average increase is the joint largest percentage rise since 2004-05, when council tax bills rose by an average 5.9 per cent for band D taxpayers. Just five councils, all district ones, froze or cut council tax. These were Fenland, East Cambridgeshire, Harlow, Harborough and Castle Point. As well as Birmingham, Slough and Thurrock were allowed to increase bills by more than five per cent. The rises will be 159 and 142 respectively. Council bills are sent out by unitary authorities and district councils. They also include precepts for fire brigades, police forces, parish councils and county councils if there is one. In London and metropolitan areas, there is a precept for bodies such as the Greater London Authority. Upper-tier authorities are allowed to put up bills by five per cent a year, including two per cent for social care. If they want more, they have to hold a local referendum. There are different rules for district councils and police forces. Councils that have gone effectively bankrupt can ask for power to put up their bills by even more. Local authorities have warned they face difficult trade-offs because of a prolonged funding squeeze across local government, despite the Government recently boosting available funding by 600 million. Shaun Davies, the Labour chairman of the Local Government Association, said councils were starting the financial year in a precarious position and scaling back or closing a wide range of services. This means many are again left facing the difficult choice about raising bills to bring in desperately needed funding, he said. It is unsustainable to expect them to keep doing more for less in the face of unprecedented cost and demand pressures. Keeping councils on a financial drip feed has led to the steady weakening of local services. Local government needs greater funding certainty through multi-year settlements to prevent this ongoing decline. State representative Jennifer Decker, who sponsored the bill that would in effect ban DEI programs at public colleges and universities. Photograph: Jon Cherry/Getty Images Kentucky is poised to become the next state to ban diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs at public colleges and universities, prompting student backlash. Under a new bill advanced last week by the Kentucky house, the state would defund DEI offices and related staff at public universities and prohibit all scholarships that consider a students race, gender or religion in the selection criteria. Related: Alabama bans DEI in schools and says bathrooms must be designated by biological sex DEI, an umbrella term first conceptualized during the civil rights movement of the 1960s, was popularized in 2020 following the killing of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. DEI programs attempt, in part, to address racial and gender discrimination in higher education and the workforce. For example, a common DEI goal for universities and colleges is to hire more Black and brown professors racial groups that have been historically excluded from academia. The proposed legislation in Kentucky eliminates any degree program requiring students to complete coursework that teaches as truth that privilege and power in todays society are rooted in oppression, colonialism, socioeconomic status, religion, race, sex, color, or national origin. The bill now returns to the Republican-dominated senate, which is expected to vote on the house version in the coming days. Earlier this week, Alabama Republicans passed a similar bill that bans funding for DEI programs and blocks public universities and colleges from allowing transgender people to use the bathroom that aligns with their gender identity. Carlie Reeves, a senior at University of Louisville, said that these bills are part of a larger political agenda to create legal discrimination in public institutions. Just this week, Reeves helped organize a campus rally against Kentuckys proposed DEI ban. Reeves, a first-generation college student, has spent the past few weeks closely monitoring the status of Kentuckys anti-DEI bill. During her time at the University of Louisville, Reeves found friends, networking opportunities and emotional support at the Cultural and Equity Center, a building on campus that hosts affinity programs for Black, LGBTQ+ and other marginalized students. She credits the center, in part, for her recent acceptance to the University of Chicago law school. I remember when I first started to go on law school tours, I overheard things like oh, my dad is fraternity brothers with this clerk, my parents helped me get an internship at this law firm. Reeves said. The center helps level the playing field, they bring in non-profit leaders to speak, they helped me make connections with people in the legal world who I otherwise would not have been able to meet. If passed, the DEI bill could jeopardize the future of the student center, which relies on state funding. The state representative Jennifer Decker, the house bill sponsor, told fellow legislators last week that Kentuckys public colleges and universities need to be held accountable to dismantle the misguided DEI bureaucracies that have cost Kentucky taxpayers an unknown amount. Critics have described the proposed DEI ban as a rollback of hard-won advancements in racial equity. In a speech earlier this month, the Kentucky governor, Andy Beshear, a Democrat, pledged to veto any bill targeting DEI in higher education, saying the acronym represents three very important values that are found in our Bible. But Republicans hold supermajorities in both chambers of the Kentucky legislature, so the governors veto can be sidestepped with an override vote. The Kentucky bill comes amid the Republican partys mounting campaign against DEI programs in American higher education. Florida, Texas, Tennessee, Oklahoma and North Dakota last year enacted similar bans on DEI in public universities and colleges. This year, Republican state legislators across the country introduced roughly 80 bills aimed at restricting or eliminating DEI programming and resources. In Kentucky, the anti-DEI bill enjoys vocal support from high-ranking Republican leaders such as the state attorney general, Russell Coleman who in an opinion issued last week said: Kentucky public postsecondary institutions will not achieve equality by being forced to treat students of different races differently. The crusade against DEI is part of coordinated backlash against what many rightwing leaders believe to be a liberal takeover of American culture. Project 2025, a sprawling policy blueprint written in anticipation of Donald Trumps possible return to the White House, describes DEI as the dangerous invention of woke culture warriors. The document urges the next conservative administration to dismantle DEI, saying the term is closely tied to the LGBTQ+ agenda. After the latest house vote, University of Louisville leaders, including its president, Kim Schatzel, released a statement expressing an unwavering commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. Related: Code words and dog whistling: why the conservative attack on higher education is so efficient We cannot, without equivocation, support any legislation that limits the universitys diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in support of our highest priority, the statement said. The expression of support offered little comfort to Savannah Dowell, a student who worked closely alongside Reeves to organize Mondays campus protest. Since the bill was introduced, weve gotten a lot of words from Kim Schatzel, but not a lot of action, Dowell said. Im tired of getting empty words. For Kentucky undergraduate students like Reeves and Dowell, Florida offers a frightening warning of how Kentucky university officials might buckle under legal pressure by Republicans, if the DEI ban is signed into law. Earlier this month, the University of Florida terminated all its diversity, equity and inclusion positions to comply with a state law passed in January that prohibits state or federal funds from being used to fund the programs. On Tuesday, the University of Louisville student government unanimously passed a resolution condemning the states DEI ban, calling on administrators to take a more forceful stand against the bill. The resolution, shared with the Guardian, urges Schatzel to personally issue a strong, public statement condemning the pursuit of these bills and publicize her tangible plan of action to put substance behind said statements. Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Rome, Georgia, on 9 March 2024. Photograph: Mike Stewart/AP The federal judge overseeing Donald Trumps prosecution on charges of retaining classified documents appears to be entertaining his most brazen defenses that could ultimately result in ensuring the acquittal of the former president. The issue revolves around an order from the US district judge Aileen Cannon on Monday asking Trump and prosecutors in the office of the special counsel Jack Smith to draft jury instructions for two scenarios that gave extraordinary credit to Trumps defense theories. Related: Trump gambit in Florida could mean no election trial before 2024 vote The two jury instruction scenarios, as conceived by Cannon, were so beneficial to Trump and so potentially incorrect on the law of the Espionage Act that it would bring into serious doubt whether it made sense for prosecutors to take the case to trial. In her two-page order, Cannon asked for both parties to draft jury instructions supposing it was true that Trump had the power under the Presidential Records Act to turn any White House document classified or not into personal records: records he was authorized to retain. The authorization issue is key to the case because Trump was indicted for unlawfully retaining national security materials under the Espionage Act. If Trump could show that he was somehow authorized to keep the documents at Mar-a-Lago, it would preclude his prosecution. The first scenario envisioned that it was up to the jury to decide whether prosecutors could show beyond a reasonable doubt whether Trump had designated each classified document he took to Mar-a-Lago as a personal document. The second scenario envisioned that Trump had the sole authority to turn a document he came across as president into a personal record that he could keep, and the very fact that he took them with him to Mar-a-Lago meant it was a personal record. Prosecutors could find a way to work with the first scenario, in large part because showing that the classified documents seized at Mar-a-Lago were not personal records would not be difficult. Classified documents have long been considered materials which belong to the US government, meaning it necessarily could not be a personal record, and personal documents are defined as purely private papers which do not relate to or have an effect upon the carrying out of presidential duties. But the second scenario, which would not allow prosecutors to contest whether a seized document was personal, could be fatal to the case because Trump would surely argue all the classified documents at Mar-a-Lago were personal by virtue of them being taken to Mar-a-Lago at the end of his term. If that jury instruction was taken to trial, legal experts suggested, Trump should file for what is known as a Rule 29 directed motion for acquittal and Cannon could hold as a matter of law that a reasonable jury would never convict Trump of violating the Espionage Act. And if the jury instruction went forward and Trump filed for acquittal as trial, because the trial would have already started, double jeopardy would have attached preventing prosecutors from re-trying the case later for instance with a different judge or different jury instructions. If Trump could show that he was somehow authorized to keep the documents at Mar-a-Lago, it would preclude his prosecution Ironically, the curious order from Cannon asking both parties to draft jury instructions appears to have come about because she felt inclined to deny Trumps motions to dismiss the indictment under the Presidential Records Act and wanted the case to proceed to trial. Trump had asked Cannon to dismiss the indictment on multiple fronts, including one contention that Trump had turned the classified documents at issue into personal records and could not be second-guessed, relying on a strained reading of a case involving the conservative group Judicial Watch. The Judicial Watch case involved the so-called Clinton socks case. When Bill Clinton was president, he made 79 tapes for a memoir, which included portions of his phone calls as president. Judicial Watch sought access to the tapes, but the National Archives said it did not have them, and at any rate regarded them as personal not presidential records. Judicial Watch sued, trying to force the National Archives to designate them as presidential, but the lawsuit was dismissed. But Cannon appeared dubious of Trumps position, and at one point told Trumps lead lawyer Todd Blanche that for her to dismiss the indictment on Presidential Records Act grounds, it would require her to rule that it eliminated the Espionage Act altogether. It was precisely around that discussion that Cannon asked Trumps lawyers what the instructions would be for the jury to decide what unauthorized possession entailed, taking into consideration the Presidential Records Act. While prosecutors maintained that the Presidential Records Act had nothing to do with classified documents governed by the Espionage Act, Blanche muddied things for Cannon by insisting their position was the jury instructions needed to include language from the Presidential Records Act. 'All that we the public need to know is that Kate is on the road to recovery', says one reader - Samir Hussein/WireImage The Princess of Wales has continued to be at the forefront of the news this week, as the fallout from the digitally manipulated Mothers Day photo continues. It was reported on Tuesday that the hospital where the Princess of Wales underwent abdominal surgery is investigating claims staff tried to access her medical notes. Telegraph readers have been weighing in on the saga, with many expressing concerns over the alleged privacy breach. The Princess of Waless health is her business Reader S.S. deems the purported breach utterly appalling, and argues that the Princess of Wales deserves privacy and confidentiality in medical matters as we all do. The guilty party must be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Similarly, reader Lo Win also recommends the consequences be severe: An attempt to access the health records of the Princess of Wales should be more of a blow to the hospital and all staff there. We have to hope that very strict sanctions will be applied immediately. Kath Avery believes everyone has the right to total privacy of their health records, any treatments and conditions. In fact, apart from your voting preference, I would think this is the only other thing you could be assured would be kept confidential. The Princess of Waless health is her and her familys business - not anyone elses. Nevertheless, reader Jon Jaycee shares a different view: The Princess of Wales is perfectly entitled to keep her medical history private but if she does, she has to accept that there will be gossip about the operation she had. She could end that by saying what it was. He continues: Its not a choice she should have to make, maybe, but thats how the cookie crumbles. King Charles avoided the gossip by saying what he was being treated for. To conclude, K Taylor Vickers says: Now does anyone wonder why Prince William and his staff have been so protective of the Princess and her privacy? Social media and miscreants in general have been coming at them from every angle. It is appalling. The expectation of the public cannot be switched on and off like a light bulb While some readers defend the Princess of Wales right to privacy, others also argue that the matter of public interest is up for debate. Many agree with Royal Editor Hannah Furness that the Royal family should rethink a communications strategy fit for the internet generation. Reader Andrew Hicks says: The royals spend most of their lives demanding publicity for themselves and the causes they support. Theres nothing wrong with that although the relentless, sycophantic drivel is tedious in the extreme. Then they want their privacy. The two concepts are diametrically opposed and contradictory. The expectation of the public cannot be switched on and off like a light bulb. Publicity is a function of the privileged positions that they enjoy. I admit that it does not extend to the disclosure of medical records but it goes much further than attempted over this past episode. If this couple wants privacy, then they are in the wrong jobs. Another reader, TC George adds that speculation is inevitable where the Palace has been silent up until now. He writes: The speculation could have easily been squelched from early-on by a standard photo or two from home or even a brief home video. Jonny Bandwidth comments on the role of social media, questioning what did the Palace expect?. He explains: In a world where nothing is ever as it seems, the truth is liberally bent to suit individual agendas and opinions become fact in a second on social media. The royals are hardly shining bastions of openness, everything is communicated on their terms. This time it went quite badly wrong. A pupil raises their hand during a lesson at Whitchurch high school in Cardiff, Wales, 2021. Photograph: Matthew Horwood/Getty Images Waless new first minister, Vaughan Gething, faces a major challenge in improving the countrys schools, after the Institute for Fiscal Studies found that pupils in Wales were performing only as well as disadvantaged children in England. The IFS study follows Waless weak performance in the OECDs most recent Programme for international student assessment (Pisa) standings, in which results in Wales declined by more than in other UK nations and were well below the average across OECD countries. Waless lower attainment cannot be explained by higher levels of poverty, according to the IFS, as pupils in areas of England with higher or similar levels of deprivation such as Liverpool or Gateshead achieved significantly higher GCSE results than their counterparts in Wales. Related: Welsh schools could have shorter summer holidays in proposed shakeup The IFS said the Pisa results showed the average pupil in Wales performed at the same level as the most disadvantaged children in England, despite education spending per pupil being similar. Luke Sibieta, the author of the IFS study, said: Faced with this gloomy picture, policymakers should have the courage to make reforms based on solid evidence, such as increasing the emphasis on specific knowledge in the curriculum and making better use of data to shine a spotlight on inequalities throughout the system. Without reform, the picture may worsen. The IFS urged the Welsh government to revise its recent curriculum changes, which it said emphasised general skills over knowledge, and to pause its planned GCSE changes that would increase the amount of teacher assessment in place of exams, as well as removing biology, physics and chemistry as individual subject options. But a spokesperson for the Welsh government said its GSCE reforms would go ahead and defended its performance, saying that before the Covid pandemic Wales had been the only UK country with improving Pisa results in literacy, numeracy and science. We recognise that the pandemic has had a detrimental impact on this improvement and have set out clear plans on how we will address this, the spokesperson said. The minister for education and welsh language [Jeremy Miles] has been very clear that there is more to do, and recently hosted an education leaders summit to reflect on the challenges facing education in Wales. He has also published the annual report on personalised assessments, which includes data on attainment in reading and numeracy in years 2 to 9. The role of knowledge is at the forefront of our new curriculum and it is wrong to claim otherwise. Having worked with teachers and experts to create a curriculum fit for the modern world, we are pleased to see evaluations showing schools confidently embracing the opportunity to raise the aspirations of all learners. The IFSs report comes as Conservatives in Westminster have been targeting Waless performance under a Labour government in the run-up to the UK general election. Laura Anne Jones, the shadow education minister in the Senedd Cymru, said: The state of education in Wales is incredibly concerning and this report highlights how badly Labour have got it wrong with their reforms. Laura Doel, the national secretary at the National Association of Head Teachers Cymru, cautioned against exaggerating the Pisa results, saying: Schools in Wales are working hard to deliver for their pupils, but this dedication hasnt been matched by the investment needed, especially on the back of the pandemic and cost of living crisis. While we support the renewed focus from the Welsh government on numeracy and literacy, schools do not have the time or funding to deliver this in the way they would like to. Police have renewed the search for Samantha Murphy in bushland at Buninyong, south of Ballarat, the last known position of her mobile phone. Photograph: Victoria police Victoria police have deployed specialist technology detector dogs in their search for the missing Ballarat woman Samantha Murphy. The renewed search for Murphy, 51, zeroed in on bushland at Buninyong, south of Ballarat, on Wednesday. The search focused on the last known position of Murphys mobile phone. But later that day police said it had concluded without finding the alleged murder victim. Related: Samantha Murphy: police conclude fresh bushland search for body of missing Ballarat woman Victorias chief police commissioner, Shane Patton, said investigators were continuing the search on Thursday. Were up around there again today, he told ABC radio. Well be going to a different location but we will also use assistance from the Australian federal police today in technical detection dogs. We still havent recovered her phone and her watch. Patton said the AFPs dogs were able to sniff out technology such as mobile phones and sim cards. We dont have the capacity were trying to get that capability, he said. The AFPs tech detector dogs were recently used to sniff out five iPads, a USB and a smartwatch at the home of Erin Patterson, the Victorian woman charged in connection to an alleged mushroom poisoning plot last year. Murphys family reported the mother of three missing when she did not return home from a run on Sunday 4 February. She had told family and friends she planned to go for a 14km run in the Woowookarung regional park, near her home in Ballarat East. Police said on Wednesday new intelligence from a number of sources had led them to return to comb through bushland in the Buninyong area. The significant search focused on the area where Murphys mobile phone was last detected on the day she went missing last month. But police on Wednesday afternoon said they had concluded the search without locating the mother of three. The renewed search effort came after police charged 22-year-old Patrick Stephenson, from the nearby farming town Scotsburn, with Murphys murder, earlier this month. Wednesdays search included officers from specialist units including the missing persons squad, search and rescue squad, dog squad and mounted branch. Acting Det Supt Mark Hatt said on Wednesday investigators remained committed to finding Murphy so she could be returned to her family. We will also look at further searches in the Ballarat area as the investigation progresses, he said. Police allege Stephenson murdered Murphy, 51, in a deliberate attack on 4 February the day she vanished last month. After Stephenson was charged on 6 March, Patton said the accused had not disclosed the location of Murphys body. Patton said on Thursday the renewed search was not based on information provided by Stephenson. Murphys husband, Michael, issued an emotional plea after police charged Stephenson, saying he hoped the 22-year-old had information that would help police find the body. Police have not disclosed how Murphy was allegedly murdered but Patton alleged it was an intentional act. He said Stephenson was not known to Murphys family and was believed to have acted alone. Stephenson remains in custody and is scheduled to reappear in court for a committal mention hearing on 8 August. Legislation that comes into force in Scotland on April 1 could lead to police investigating JK Rowling if activists lodge a formal complaint about her gender critical statements - Tolga Akmen/AFP The SNP has admitted trans campaigners could target JK Rowling with multiple complaints using their new hate laws when they come into force on April 1. Fulton MacGregor, an SNP MSP who sits on Holyroods criminal justice committee, said it was possible that the Harry Potter author would become the subject of police complaints under the legislation. He insisted such complaints would not capture the essence and the spirit of the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act but conceded that they could still be made. However, Douglas Ross, the Scottish Tory leader, described the law as a shambles and warned: People such as J K Rowling could have the police at their door every day for making perfectly reasonable statements. Hamza Yousaf told First Ministers Questions that offences involving stirring up hatred were nothing new in Scotland, adding: If I have the protection against somebody stirring up hatred because of my race - and that has been the case since 1986 - why on earth should these protections not exist for someone because of their sexuality, or disability, or their religion? He said the Acts threshold of criminal liability is not that a victim feels offended, a subjective test, but that a reasonable person would consider the perpetrators action or speech to be threatening or abusive. Unworkable and dangerous law But Mr Ross said: In just 11 days time, the police will have to enforce an unworkable and dangerous law. Officers have had just a few hours training for a very complex and controversial law. He added: Humza Yousaf is setting the police up for failure and undermining public trust in policing. He is putting frontline officers in an impossible position by forcing them to police free speech. Mr Yousaf oversaw the passage of the legislation at Holyrood in 2021, when he was Justice Secretary in Nicola Sturgeons government. However, it will not come into force until April 1 as Police Scotland said it needed time for training. It creates a criminal offence of stirring up of hatred, expanding on a similar offence based on racist abuse that has been on the statute book for decades. Offences are considered aggravated, meaning they could lead to stiffer sentences, if they involve prejudice on the basis of age, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation or transgender identity. But concerns have been expressed that the legislations definition of a hate crime is too ambiguous, potentially leading to a chilling effect on freedom of speech and a torrent of vexatious complaints being made to police. Fulton MacGregor said though 'deliberately misgendering someone' could be deemed a hate crime, the legislation did not intend to curtail free speech - Ken Jack/Getty Images Europe Although Mr MacGregor insisted the legislation did not intend to curtail freedom of speech, he admitted that deliberately misgendering someone could be deemed a crime. Activists have unsuccessfully attempted to have Rowling arrested under existing laws for misgendering after she publicly called India Willoughby, a transgender TV personality, a male. Roddy Dunlop KC, dean of Scotlands Faculty of Advocates, responded to the admission that the author could be targeted by tweeting: Dear God. Police Scotland has pledged that all complaints made under the new legislation will be investigated. Hate crime champions Jo Farrell, the forces chief constable, warned on Thursday morning this could create a resource implication for the force and added that more than 500 officers had been designated hate crime champions. Joanna Cherry KC, an SNP MP and feminist who has been highly critical of the Scottish Governments gender policies, has said she had no doubt that the new laws will be weaponised against women exercising their right to freedom of speech. She has suggested that trans activists have Rowling in their sights because the author has regularly argued that trans women are not women and this week vowed to continue calling a man a man after this ludicrous law comes into force. The Telegraph disclosed that attendees at an official Police Scotland hate crime event in February were presented with a scenario involving a character called Jo who thinks that sex is binary and bizarrely calls for transgender people to be sent to gas chambers. Feminist groups claimed the character was a thinly veiled parody of Rowling, whose Christian name is Joanne and is called Jo by friends. Asked by the BBCs Newsnight programme whether multiple complaints could be made against Rowling, Mr MacGregor said: It is possible that those complaints can be made. As Ive said earlier on, those complaints could be made just now. Referring to various tweets by the author, he said: I would not envisage that those should be taken further forward by the police. They dont capture the essence in the spirit of the law thats been passed. Police have promised to investigate But he was pressed on the fact that activists could still make complaints and the police have promised they will all be investigated. Mr MacGregor said: Yeah, youre right to say that. It doesnt stop an individual contacting the authorities, no. But I have faith that this law will be implemented properly, that it will be implemented in the spirit that is intended, and in achieving its aims of those of which are to tackle the scourge of serious hate crime across Scotland, which I think everybody agrees there is an issue. Asked whether misgendering could be a crime, he said: It depends on the circumstances of that, whether that would be classified as stirring up hatred. So its not an example I can talk about without the full context. Jo Farrell, Police Scotland's chief constable, has said the legislation may place additional demands on officers - Jane Barlow/PA Ms Farrell told a meeting of the Scottish Police Authority that the hate crime laws were an example of when new legislation could place additional demand on policing and create a resource implication for us. She said officers had been provided with training, operational guidance, in order that they can apply the law in a measured way, using their discretion and their common sense. Were a rights based organisation and our officers balance individual human rights against other laws every single day. And this new Hate Crime Act is no different, she said. In fact, it contains a specific reference to the protections people have around freedom of expression. And our training reflects all aspects of the act and has reminded officers of our human rights obligations. Rowling has repeatedly denied being transphobic, insisting that she believes people should be able to live their lives as they please. She has, however, voiced concerns that accepting that trans women are literally women, as trans activists claim, and giving them access to female-only spaces, poses risks to the rights and safety of biological women. Rowling threatened legal action The growing furore over the SNPs hate crime laws came as Rowling threatened legal action against a social media site, alleging it had made false claims about her daughter. The author called out Wizarding News on X, formerly Twitter, on Wednesday night after the account reportedly posted inaccurate information about her eldest child. The account had wrongly identified her daughter then claimed she had moved to Portugal to get away from Rowling. It also falsely claimed the author had a granddaughter. After Rowling threatened legal action, the account posted: We are unreservedly sorry... to JK Rowlings eldest daughter... for understandably mixing her up with a VERY coincidentally named person found in multiple published online articles & biographies identifying her as such, and extrapolating & sharing inaccurate details therefrom. But the author responded on Thursday morning: No real apology, no retraction, continuing to insinuate Im lying. This is not my daughter. Are you so deluded you imagine Id deny something so easily proven, if true? Your behaviour is not only despicable but dangerous. A Taiwanese defence minister said the country was running an 'exchange' with the US to 'figure out how to improve' its military - SAM YEH/AFP The United States has positioned troops on a tiny island chain less than four miles from the Chinese coast, Taiwan has admitted. In an apparent escalation of the American military presence in Taiwan, a Taiwanese defence minister told reporters the country was running an exchange with the US to figure out how to improve its military. Although the US has announced it was training Taiwanese forces on the countrys main island, Formosa, the Pentagon has never acknowledged the presence of American troops on the Kinmen Islands, which lie 3.7 miles from the Chinese coastal city of Xiamen. In response to reports that US special forces were operating on the islands, Chiu Kuo-cheng, the Taiwanese minister, admitted on Tuesday that his countrys military was learning from American forces there. This exchange is for mutual observation, to identify the problems we have, figure out how to improve and to recognise their strengths so we can learn from them, he said. He added: We can learn from each other to see what strengths we have. This is a fixed thing. The Kinmen Islands sit on the far side of the Taiwan Strait, the 110-mile body of water that separates Taiwan and China. They are around 100 miles from Taiwan, but easily visible from the Chinese mainland. Taiwan has stationed its amphibious soldiers, known as frogmen, on both the Kinmen Islands and other outlying islands, amid concerns about a Chinese invasion that US officials have said could take place by 2027. In recent months, China has stepped up military exercises in the Taiwan Strait and Communist Party officials have not ruled out occupying Taiwan with military force in the future. On Thursday the Taiwanese government said nine Chinese aircraft had crossed the median line in the strait, prompting it to deploy appropriate forces and assets in response to the detected activities. Air defence violations Taiwan says its air defence identification zone has been violated on a near-daily basis by Chinese aircraft as tensions have mounted. Earlier this week, Taiwan said the country had constructed enormous bases on three islands nearby. The admission that US forces are operating so close to China risks inflaming tensions between Washington and Beijing, which has long objected to the American military operating in the region. In January, the Chinese government accused the US of dangerous provocations after a US naval destroyer sailed through the Taiwan Strait, in what was perceived as a show of force. While the US does not support full political independence for Taiwan, the countries maintain informal diplomatic relations and Joe Biden has said that American forces would defend the country in the event of an invasion. The row over Taiwans sovereignty is viewed by the US as part of its wider competition with China in the Indo-Pacific region. A Pentagon spokesman refused to confirm reports of American troops on the outlying islands, telling the Wall Street Journal: Our commitment to Taiwan is rock-solid and contributes to the maintenance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and within the region. The Duke of Sussex experienced overwhelming intrusion into his private life from the age of nine thanks to unlawful activity by the publisher of the defunct News Of The World, the High Court has heard. Harry is suing News Group Newspapers (NGN) over a number of unlawful acts allegedly carried out by its publications, the News Of The World and The Sun, spanning three decades. The duke, 39, is one of several high-profile figures taking legal action against the publisher over claims of unlawful information gathering, including the use of private investigators. The company denies the accusations, with a trial scheduled for January next year. Harrys barristers have previously told the court that NGN unlawfully gathered information on him from 1996 to 2011, which included details of interactions with his family and the relationship with his former partner, Chelsy Davy. But in court documents for a hearing on Thursday, lawyer David Sherborne said that several further Sun and News Of The World articles dating from 1994 to 2016 showed evidence of unlawful activity. The Duke of Sussexs barrister, David Sherborne (Lucy North/PA) It was claimed that some of these came from NGN unlawfully intercepting phone calls of Diana, Princess of Wales, and Charles when he was the Prince of Wales and his now-wife Camilla Parker Bowles. This had the inevitable and/or intended consequence of revealing private information about Harry, the court was told. Mr Sherborne told the hearing in Londons Rolls Building that one article which was the product of unlawful activity, published when the duke was aged 10, contained information relating to his welfare, his relationship with his mother, Princess Diana, behind the scenes, and her state of mind. The activity was said to be known about, encouraged and concealed by those in positions of responsibility at NGN, including former News Of The World editor Piers Morgan. It allegedly continued until 2016, when two articles were published about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex at the start of their relationship. Two articles allegedly the result of unlawful information gathering concerned the Duke and Duchess of Sussex at the start of their relationship (Jordan Pettitt/PA) Mr Sherborne said in court: What is said is that in 2016, the defendant instructed one of its regular private investigators in the United States. What we say he did was obtain private information in the form of a report about the Duke of Sussexs then-new girlfriend, Meghan Markle, in order to obtain new information about their relationship, for the purpose of publication in The Sun. The report allegedly included the duchesss mobile number and social security number, which was unlawfully obtained in the full knowledge of NGN, the court was told. Barristers for Harry and the other individuals have applied to the High Court to add the new information to the dukes legal challenge, and to update parts of the individuals case. Mr Justice Fancourt previously told Harry that he could not pursue claims of phone hacking by NGN but could continue his case concerning unlawful information gathering. The duke was also told he could not rely on an alleged secret agreement between the royal family and senior executives working for Rupert Murdoch as part of his case. But Mr Sherborne said on Thursday that evidence of phone hacking remained plainly probative of unlawful information gathering by other means, which was the modus operandi of how these journalists work. Barristers for NGN have previously told the court that updating the case is wholly unnecessary and positively undesirable, describing the new information as designed to grab headlines. The hearing is being held at the Rolls Building in London (Nick Ansell/PA) In written submissions, Anthony Hudson KC, representing the publisher, said the dukes updated case was wholly different in nature to the claims currently made. He said the new set of allegations lacks any proper particulars of the elementary matters required to be pleaded, namely the information allegedly obtained by NGN, the means by which that information was allegedly obtained, by whom and when, and the basis on which such obtaining constituted a misuse of the claimants private information or a breach of his confidence. He continued: NGN would have to engage in extensive investigations of entirely new allegations concerning new time periods and different individuals, journalists, information, alleged acts, forms of wrongdoing and/or causes of actions. A spokesperson for the company said on Wednesday that it had made an unreserved apology in 2011 to victims of phone hacking at the News Of The World and has since been paying damages to those who were the victims of wrongdoing. They said that it had also paid damages in cases against The Sun where there were good commercial reasons, without accepting liability. But they said that the updated claims were a scurrilous and cynical attack on current and former staff which should be viewed with considerable caution. They said: The attempt to add the amendments now has nothing to do with seeking compensation for victims of phone hacking or unlawful information gathering. They are irrelevant to the fair and just determination of claims. Mr Justice Fancourt is expected to rule on whether new information can be included at a later date, following the conclusion of the hearing on Friday. San Antonio construction company owner Michael Angelo Padron, 64, failed in his attempt to have his conviction set aside. In 2022, a jury found him guilty of conspiracy to defraud the United State and six counts of wire fraud. Bill Oxford/Getty Images San Antonio construction company owner Michael Angelo Padron, found guilty of illegally obtaining more than $240 million in government contracts intended for service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses, has lost a bid to have his conviction set aside. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals this week affirmed his conviction on conspiracy to defraud the United States and six counts of wire fraud. In 2022, a federal jury in San Antonio found him guilty of those seven counts while clearing him on two other wire fraud charges. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Padron, 64, was sentenced in January 2023 to 27 months in federal prison. U.S. District Judge Xavier Rodriguez also ordered him to pay a $250,000 fine on each count a total of $1.75 million. He already is serving the final days of his sentence in a San Antonio halfway house also called a residential recovery center. His scheduled release date is Aug. 3, after which hell have to serve three years of supervised release. He argued in his appeal brief that the evidence was legally insufficient to support his conviction and that the fine was an improper and unreasonable variance from sentencing guidelines. Court papers indicated the conspiracy ran from 2004 through at least 2017 and resulted in Padrons Blackhawk Ventures and other companies receiving contracts intended for service-disabled vets. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Although two service-disabled vets were at relevant times Blackhawks nominal owners, the appeals court found there was significant evidence that they were placed in those positions by Padron for the purpose of obtaining SDVOSB (service-disabled veteran-owned small business) certification, and that Padron effectively made all relevant decisions, in contravention of program requirements. The appeals court also disagreed with Padrons argument about the fines he must pay, saying Rodriguez identified some of the factors underlying his decision including the seriousness of the offense and the need for adequate deterrence. Padron has not demonstrated any clear or obvious error regarding the determination of the fine, the appeals court added. Two other defendants, Ruben Villarreal and Michael Wibracht, pleaded guilty rather than stand trial. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Rodriguez sentenced Villarreal, who had been under pretrial supervision for about 30 months, to time served last year. The judge sentenced Wibracht to two years of supervised release and ordered him to pay a $2,000 fine. He also is prohibited from engaging in any government contracts. Political activist Owen Jones has quit Labour, claiming Sir Keir Starmers party wont even do the bare minimum to improve peoples lives. The socialist Guardian columnist is supporting a new political initiative supporting left-leaning candidates standing against Labour. The We Deserve Better campaign will support Green and independent candidates in seats where Labour could be vulnerable. The group will back Green co-leader Carla Denyer against shadow cabinet minister Thangam Debbonaire in Bristol Central, and independent Leanne Mohamad against shadow health secretary Wes Streeting in Ilford North. It will also back Jamie Driscoll, a former Labour politician, in the north-east mayoral contest in May. Mr Jones suggested the movement could exert pressure on Labour from the left in the way Reform UK influences Tory opinion from the right. I just quit Labour after 24 years. We deserve better than the race to the bottom between Labour and the Tories. Labour want you to think there's no alternative. But there is. Join it: https://t.co/qDe6BzpwS4 pic.twitter.com/e08FLa7lNq Owen Jones (@OwenJones84) March 21, 2024 In his Guardian column, he blamed Sir Keirs position on Gaza and abandonment of policies he championed during his Labour leadership campaign. My decision isnt based on a desire to see Labour forever in the wilderness, Mr Jones said. Reaching it has been a gradual, painful process of realising the party wont even do the bare minimum to improve peoples lives, or to tackle the crises that have led Britain to catastrophe; and that it will, in fact, wage war on anyone who wants to do either making anyone with politics to the left of Peter Mandelson feel like a pariah on borrowed time. In a statement on the launch of We Deserve Better, he added: Until now, opposition to Labour has been fragmented. We Deserve Better marks the beginning of that opposition coming together to form a serious challenge to Labour in key seats, pressuring Labour from its left flank, mirroring Reform UK and the Conservatives. Labour will win the next general election by default thanks to the Tories self-immolation. So those of us who cannot in good conscience support a party which plans to maintain ruinous austerity measures which, for example, keep 250,000 children in poverty, or back a Labour leader who defends Israels war crimes, can be safe in the knowledge that theres no risk of the Tories getting back into government if we campaign for non-Labour candidates. Starmer has alienated Labours base and taken seats for granted based on an arrogant assumption that those voters have nowhere else to go. But at the next election, they will be able to back an alternative based on the politics of hope. Three in five (60%) fraud victims have struggled with their mental health in the aftermath of the crime, a survey has found. More than half (55%) of people whose mental health was affected said they experienced anxiety. Some of those whose mental health was impacted also reported dealing with depression (48%), or low self-confidence and self-esteem (51%). The research was carried out for Stop! Think Fraud, a recently launched Government campaign. It is backed by organisations representing law enforcement, tech, banking, telecoms and charities. Just over a quarter (26%) of fraud victims experienced physical changes as a direct result of losing money. They included losing or gaining weight, experiencing headaches and suffering from panic attacks. Being a victim of fraud also led to sleep problems for more than two-thirds (69%) of people, with more than a fifth (21%) citing a significant impact on their sleep. The campaign quoted a 64-year-old fraud victim who said: I think more people need to recognise just how much of a toll fraud can have on someones mental health. The stress affects all aspects of your life, and if you dont have a good support network around you, it could easily become really overwhelming. To this day I still receive texts, calls and sometimes emails from people trying to steal my money. Id like to think Im a lot more vigilant now, but anyone could be caught out by these scams. My advice to anyone is do not respond to unsolicited calls, texts or emails, and keep a close eye on your bank account. If youre unsure of something, stop, think and check before you do anything. It could save you thousands and protect your mental health in the long run. The campaign has teamed up with Mental Health UK and behavioural psychologist Dr Linda Papadopoulos. Charlene Marks, head of Mental Health UKs mental health and money advice service, said: This research demonstrates that fraud is about more than losing money it can have a profound impact on our wellbeing. These worrying statistics also underline how money and mental health are intrinsically linked. In fact, we know from other studies that we at Mental Health UK have carried out that if a person is already struggling with their mental health, this can make them much more vulnerable and three times more likely to be a victim of online fraud. Unfortunately, its not uncommon to be targeted by criminals looking to steal your money, and its understandable to feel worried it could happen to you or a loved one. Understanding the risks of fraud and knowing how to protect yourself can help address any anxiety you might experience. Dealing with fraud can be distressing, and its common that this is compounded with feelings of shame or blame. Its really important that people seek support for their mental health if its having a continued impact on their wellbeing. With the right support people can move forward with their lives, and for many seeking help from their GP or a registered counsellor represents a positive step forward. Dr Papadopoulos said: One of the most insidious things about these scams is that they create a barrier to seeking support, because the victim feels ashamed. There is a sense that they should have known better, that they could have spotted the signs, and as a consequence, this embarrassment often stops people from not only feeling entitled to seek support but, critically, from processing and responding to what has happened in a way that minimises the impact on their mental health. The fact is that scams like these can happen to anybody. Fraudsters and the technology they use are becoming so advanced that our ability to spot fraud and respond to it is constantly being challenged. Its vital to get people not only to have a sense of entitlement about seeking support, but to equip them with the skills to stop, think twice and develop tools to respond. The key message here is to encourage anyone that has experienced fraud to seek support, because good effective support is out there. Here are some tips from Dr Linda Papadopoulos for guarding against fraudsters: 1. Common tactics can include impersonating an authority or trusted voice or using language that evokes powerful emotions such as fear or even hope, promising big financial gains if you act now. 2. While you cannot stop a criminal attempting to defraud you, you can make yourself a harder target. In the moment, this could be about breaking contact by closing a text, email or conversation. Or it could be changing your online passwords to help protect yourself online. 3. If you believe you have been a victim of fraud, report it. If you live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, report it to Action Fraud online or by calling 0300 123 2040. In Scotland, fraud should be reported to Police Scotland by calling 101. 4. If you have been affected by fraud, remember help is available. It is important to feel empowered to ask for help, as by calling it out, we ultimately take back control. Savanta surveyed more than 2,100 people across the UK in February and March who have been victims of fraud. People can find out more about scams and getting support at stopthinkfraud.campaign.gov.uk. College lecturers in Scotland will begin almost three weeks of rolling strikes from next month in a long-standing dispute over pay, union officials have said. The Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) said on Thursday strikes would begin on April 16 and would continue until May 3. The rolling strikes will span all of Scotlands further education colleges, from the Borders to the Shetland Isles and involve several colleges each day for fourteen days. The first day on April 16 involves lecturers from City of Glasgow, Glasgow Clyde and Glasgow Kelvin college walking out. An EIS statement said: This marks a further escalation in the pay dispute, where members of the EIS-Further Education Lecturers Association (EIS-Fela) have been taking action short of strike since the middle of February and have already taken a national day of strike action. Members at Dundee and Angus College held strikes last week, with others this week at Fife College and more planned at Glasgow Clyde College next week. The EIS believes the strikes can help bring an end to the long-running industrial action and finally deliver a fair pay settlement for lecturers. It added: College lecturers should have received a pay uplift at the beginning of September 2022 but following over a year of protracted negotiations, College Employers Scotland have stated that all they can provide is a full and final pay offer of 5,000 over three years, this amidst the worst cost-of-living crisis in generations. For many EIS-Fela members, the amount of money tabled in the second and third years of this offer sit below the levels of cost-of-living pay awards set by current public sector pay policy. The EIS-Fela does not accept that their members should be treated any differently to any other public sector worker and are simply seeking a pay offer which is reflective of their public sector status and their professional role in education. Gavin Donoghue, director of College Employers Scotland, said: It is deeply regrettable that the EIS-Fela is persisting with strike action which will not result in an improved pay offer, and will only lead to more disruption for students. Colleges have proposed a full and final 5,000 consolidated pay rise for all staff over three academic years: 2,000 in 2022/23, 1,500 in 2023/24, and 1,500 in 2024/25. If accepted, this offer would keep Scotlands college lecturers as the UKs best paid, with a starting salary of more than 40,000 in 2024/25. Given that the sectors budget is set to be cut by a further 32.7 million, employers simply cannot afford to go beyond it. He added: Public sector pay policy (PSPP) has not yet been set for year three of the pay offer (2024/25). However, the proposed 2,000 pay increase for all lecturers in year one (2022/23) is well ahead of the recommended cash increases set out in the 2022/23 PSPP. The 1,500 pay increase proposed for lecturers in year two (2023/24) is also in line with the 2023/24 public sector pay strategy. We urge the EIS-Fela to cancel plans for more strikes and to take the employers pay offer to its members in a formal ballot. The Scottish Government said that, while it respects the right of trade unions to take industrial action, it is concerned about potential impacts the strikes will have on students. A spokesperson added: That is why ministers are encouraging both sides to come to a resolution and bring this action to a close. It is of course for the college unions and employers to negotiate pay, terms and conditions, not the Scottish Government. The Further Education Minister will continue to engage with both management and unions as they work to reach a settlement that is fair and affordable. Defence Secretary Grant Shapps has signed a new Defence and Security Co-Operation Agreement with his Australian counterpart. The agreement, which the Ministry of Defence said strengthens our partnership to meet the challenge of a more dangerous world, follows talks with Australian defence minister Richard Marles in Canberra. Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron and Mr Shapps are also due to meet Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and foreign minister Penny Wong as part of the annual Australia-UK meetings. The agreement is designed to make it easier for the two countries armed forces to operate in each others territories, as well as facilitating UK submarine crews visiting Australia as part of the Aukus partnership with the US. Mr Shapps said: The UK and Australia fought side by side 80 years ago against tyranny on the beaches of Normandy. Today our two great nations continue to stand together to secure peace and prosperity the world over. He said it was extraordinary the countries did not already have a formal agreement in place. Defence Secretary Grant Shapps, left, and Australian defence minister Richard Marles (Lukas Coch/AAP Image/AP) We do already co-operate very significantly on defence matters, he said. Well always be looking to deepen that co-operation between our countries. Our view and world outlook is very, very similar. Our understanding of the world order is almost identical and the need to act together is never more pressing than it is today. Were facing the challenges of a more dangerous world together, and through partnerships like this agreement, Aukus and our continued support to Ukraine, were defending our freedoms and shared values. The agreement formalises the two nations consulting each other on issues which affect sovereignty and regional security. Mr Marles, who also serves as Australias deputy prime minister, confirmed Australia will play a role in drone coalition supporting Ukraine which is being led by the UK and Latvia. He said: Australias relationship with the UK is dynamic and enduring. From the UKs leadership of support for Ukraine and efforts to address the Houthi threat, to increasing contributions in the Pacific and the Indo-Pacific, we are working together to support a global rules-based order. He continued: As the world becomes more complex and uncertain, we need to modernise our most important partnerships to keep pace with change. The agreements we reached today will secure this outcome into the future. Australia was among a coalition of nations which supported UK and US missile strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen after attacks around the Red Sea. Lewis Hamilton said he has never supported Formula Ones ruler Mohammed ben Sulayem and believes the sport is sending out a message that if you file a complaint, you will be fired amid the Christian Horner controversy. Ben Sulayem, elected as FIA president in December 2021, was cleared by his own organisations ethics committee on Wednesday after he was accused of meddling with the result of last years Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and attempting to block the certification of F1s 500m Las Vegas Grand Prix on the Strip in November. But four hours later, on another whirlwind day in the controversy-hit world of F1, Susie Wolff announced she has filed a criminal complaint against the FIA following the sporting federations conflict of interest inquiry into her and husband Toto, the team principal of Hamiltons Mercedes team, in December. FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has been cleared of any wrongdoing (David Davies/PA) Earlier this month, Christian Horners accuser was suspended on full pay in the wake of Red Bulls investigation into alleged inappropriate behaviour by the F1 team principal. The employee of the Milton Keynes team has since appealed against the decision to exonerate Horner. Speaking ahead of this weekends Australian Grand Prix, Hamilton was asked if 62-year-old Emirati Ben Sulayem remains the right person in charge of the FIA and if he still has his backing. He never has, said Hamilton. The seven-time world champion was then asked for his thoughts on Wolffs decision to launch legal action. Firstly, Im incredibly proud of Susie, said the seven-time world champion. I think she is so brave, and she stands for such great values. Shes such a leader and in a world where often people are silenced, for her to be standing up sends such a great message. Susie Wolff has started legal proceedings against the FIA (David Davies/PA) There is a real lack of accountability here, within this sport, within the FIA. There are things that are happening behind closed doors, there is no transparency, there is really no accountability and we need that. The fans need that. How can you trust the sport and what is happening here if you dont have that? So, hopefully this stand that shes taking now will create change, will have a positive impact, and especially for women. It is still a male-dominated sport, and were living in a time where the message is if you file a complaint, you will be fired, and that is a terrible narrative to be projecting to the world, especially when were talking about inclusivity here in the sport. We need to make sure we stay true to the core values. The probe into the Wolffs arose at the end of last year after a report in Business F1 magazine claimed that other team principals were concerned Susies husband Toto was benefiting from information shared by his wife, who runs the all-female F1 Academy series. Two days after the FIA announced its compliance department was looking into the allegations, the federation said it can confirm that there is no ongoing investigation in terms of ethical or disciplinary inquiries involving any individual. At the time, Susie, 41, described the allegations as intimidatory and misogynistic. And on Wednesday, she wrote on social media: I can confirm that I personally filed a criminal complaint in the French courts on the 4th of March in relation to the statements made about me by the FIA last December. There has still not been any transparency or accountability in relation to the conduct of the FIA and its personnel in this matter. I feel more than ever it is important to stand up, call out improper behaviour and make sure people are held to account. Whilst some may think silence absolves them from responsibility it does not. The FIA has been approached for a comment. Carly Madison Gregg has reportedly been charged as an adult and pleaded not guilty to the charges. Northwest Rankin High School Ashley Smylie A 14-year-old girl has reportedly been arrested over the shooting of her mother and stepfather at their home in Mississippi. Carly Madison Gregg is being tried in court as an adult after being accused of killing her mother Ashley Smylie, 40, and injuring her stepfather with a pistol, according to WLBT, WAPT and Vicksburg News. The Rankin County Sheriffs Office said that officers responded to a call of a shooting on Tuesday at around 5:07 p.m. in a neighborhood in Brandon, Miss., according to the Clarion Ledger, When officers arrived on the scene, a man with a gunshot wound to the shoulder later identified as Gregg's stepfather told them that he found his wife dead when he had arrived home earlier that evening, per the outlet. Related: Student, 18, Arrested After Police Say He Plotted Shooting at Southern California High School He added that his stepdaughter had been armed with a pistol and had shot him in the shoulder, but that he was able to wrestle the firearm away from her before she fled the scene across their backyard, according to the outlet, citing police. A Mississippi Highway Patrol helicopter and additional officers were dispatched to the area and they eventually located Gregg near the property at around 5:30 p.m. added the Clarion Ledger. She was taken into custody without incident. The Rankin County Sheriffs Office said, per the Clarion Ledger, that the teen had been arrested on murder and attempted murder charges, and has been transported to the Rankin County Juvenile Detention Center. The Rankin County Sheriffs Office did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs request for comment. Related: Teen Sentenced for Killing 'Best Friend' After Man Online Offered $9M for Videos of Murder 16 WAPT News Jackson/Youtube Police search the scene of Ashley Smylie's death During a Wednesday hearing in juvenile court, a judge approved a request to charge her as an adult and Gregg was transferred to the Rankin County Adult Detention Center, according to WLBT and WAPT. 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. The teenager pleaded not guilty to the charges and her bond was set at $1,000,000, according to the outlets. Smylie was identified as a math teacher at Northwest Rankin High School, where her daughter also attended classes. Prior to that, she was a teacher at Warren Central High School, according to the Vicksburg News. "You can't fathom those kinds of thoughts. You just wouldn't think the child would do anything like this," Laruen Martinez, a neighbor of the family, told WAPT of the incident. "It just feels like there's something missing. There's something wrong. It's like a level of caution that you don't think something like that would happen." For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Two teenagers have been charged in the abduction and murder of a 21-year-old man, who was found dead from an apparent gunshot wound in rural Utah several days after he disappeared, authorities said. Alexia "Alex" Franco's body was discovered in a remote desert some 50 miles from the area where he was last seen stepping into a Jeep on Sunday afternoon, according to the Taylorsville Police Department. Taylorsville police have not released the names of either teenager accused in Franco's killing. But the department identified them as 15-year-old and 17-year-old boys in a statement announcing their arrests. The teenagers were booked into the Salt Lake Valley Detention Center on multiple felony homicide charges, CBS affiliate KUTV reported. Their arrests came one day after police detectives found Franco dead in an isolated and arid part of Lehi, a small city near Provo. Because he had been missing since the weekend, detectives were investigating Franco's disappearance as a possible abduction and searching for the white 2000s Jeep Liberty that ultimately led them to the suspects. Police said they were able to find the Jeep with the public's help after the discovery of Franco's body shifted their investigation from possible abduction to homicide. The car was located in Salt Lake County, where Franco's girlfriend, Alyssa Henry, told KUTV that "friends of friends" had picked him up on Sunday afternoon, seemingly with a plan to drive the couple to a park. Surveillance footage that showed a white 2000s Jeep Liberty parked outside of Henry's home in Taylorsville was circulated widely as police asked the community for tips as to its whereabouts. When Franco stepped into the Jeep on Sunday, Henry told police and KUTV reporters that she heard what sounded like a gunshot firing from inside the car. Then, the car drove away. "He didn't do anything," Henry told KUTV, recalling the moment. "All of them looked at me and then drove away, and I started chasing the car, and I got to the end of the street before someone found me and called the police." Henry said she was immediately concerned by the apparent gunshot and the Jeep's prompt exit, so she started to track Franco's cell phone after the car pulled away, according to KUTV. "It got to the end of the street before it just stopped tracking it," Henry said. Deadline approaches as Trump struggles to pay $464 million bond in fraud case $1.2 trillion spending package unveiled by Congress, must pass by Friday to avoid shutdown Boeing says it's burning through more cash than expected following plane mishaps Beverly Shaw drove around Indianapolis in a 2014 blue and black Hyundai Sonata with two goats and a binder of evidence, page after page of pictures, medical papers, hand written notes and legal documents that she hoped would help her win guardianship of her husband of more than four decades. "I remember telling David years ago, I said 'don't worry about getting old. I'll wipe your hiney if I have to, I love you so much,'" she said recently, explaining her tireless crusade. "I'm just trying to get him out and go back home." Back home to their farm in Missouri where the goats raised. Her goats. Well he loved them, she said, and their life together until he fell sick on a trip to Shelbyville. Beverly Shaw checks on her goats outside of the hotel where she is staying Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024 in Shelbyville. Shaw has been fighting for guardianship of her husband, David Shaw, who is at a Shelbyville nursing home. She has launched a publicity campaign for public support, raising over $25k. David wound up in a Shelbyville hospital where health care providers questioned Beverly's ability to care for her husband. She quickly lost guardianship, or the power to make decisions for David, to a county program and struggled in court for more than six months to see that power go to a family member. During that time, David was transferred from the hospital to a Shelbyville nursing home, hundreds of miles from the Shaws' Missouri residence. The Shaws' story is a complicated one that reveals flaws in the system set up to protect some of society's most vulnerable individuals. And, say advocates, it shows that the guardianship system set up to safeguard against exploitation by unfit family members is in need of safeguards of its own. There's not enough done to keep guardianships in the family, said Rick Black, a national advocate for guardianship reform based in Charlotte, N.C. If families are not on board with the plan, they may find themselves fighting a lopsided case in which they may struggle to find and or afford a lawyer. "Guardianships were designed to be paternalistic and benevolent, but over the last few decades, adult guardianship has lost its way," Black said. "It's too often used as a weapon to yield power over vulnerable individuals with often complete disregard for the obligation to care and comfort (the individual) and conserve the estate." Lauren Rynerson, the director of The Volunteer Advocates for Seniors and Incapacitated Adults of Shelby and Johnson County, said the organization does its best to involve family members in these cases before assigning a guardian. The organization also works to connect family with legal aid when they can't afford representation, she added. Approximately 1.3 million Americans are under guardianship, some in troubling situations, according to a 2018 study by the National Council on Disability. Many guardianships, under lawyers, professional guardians or social workers, are imposed despite lack of facts or evidence showing that it's warranted, according to the study. Courts also lack resources to hold guardians accountable and prevent them from exploiting their wards, by drawing off of their savings or other assets. The American Bar Association recognizes the need for guardianship reform and has called for a national standard to ensure representation for families. The Shaws' story, along with those of two others who tangled with the process when a loved one could no longer make his or her own decisions, highlight how the system can go awry. In both cases the guardianship system targeted their homes, including one in which a judge assigned a professional guardian to oversee the estate of a deceased family member against the wishes spelled out in his will. No legal representation Beverly's defiance of doctor's orders, her uncompromising personality, financial struggles to keep up with the bills and unorthodox decision to keep her goats with her as she drove between Missouri and Indiana may have contributed to concerns about her ability to care for her husband. In fact, her all-or-nothing spirit, inspiring to some but grating to others, prompted her to take her goats to the streets of New York City last fall to raise attention to her plight. She spun that trip into features in national media, including the New York Times. And she spun that coverage into more than $26,000 GoFundMe funding to help pay for hotel bills and travel. "Everybody was behind me and said 'this is horrible,'" she said, referring to those she encountered in New York. The nursing home that cared for her husband said patient privacy laws prevented them from explaining why David Shaw had been moved into public guardianship. Black, who helped Beverly navigate her guardianship fight, said he believes Beverly did need help caring for David and the Shelby County public guardianship office should have done more to find support with the family before putting someone outside of the family in control of David. Families who lose guardianship can't sue nursing homes, making it guardianship an attractive option for nursing homes when there's tension with families, he said. Nursing homes and lawyers can challenge a family's guardianship for a loved one for a number of reasons, ranging from concerns over a family member's ability to care for the loved one to a family falling behind on payments. Families can lack the resources to fight back as finding a lawyer to take these cases can be difficult and expensive. One way to fix the inequity would be to follow Nevada's example and guarantee free legal representation to represent the individual and their family, Black said. Another solution, he said, is to require video recordings of the court hearings to hold judges and attorneys accountable. Right now, it's too easy in most states to remove a family member from guardianship, he said. "Here is a perfect storm of a bunch of disparate systems converging on each other," he said. Shaw combed through law firms before finding a lawyer, who later dropped her as a client. Losing the house Amber Mitchell lost guardianship of her mother's northwestside home, where she was living at the time. Court documents show Mitchell failed to pay nursing home bills and fill out paperwork showing financial hardship. Professional guardian Debra Woods was assigned the case first to make financial decisions. A few years later the court gave Woods full guardianship of Mitchell's mother. But Mitchell said that Woods did not invest much time in her mother's care. "It's a sham," she said. "She only made a visit every six months. She might see my mother twice a year." Woods was part of a Bloomberg investigative series on guardianship titled: 420 Cases, One Guardian: System Runs Amok on Just $35 a Month. In the series, Woods tells the reporter that she needs to have the heavy caseload to make ends meet, earning more than $7,000 a month for the more than 200 plus guardianship clients she oversees at one time. Woods declined an IndyStar request for comment. In 2022, after receiving court approval, Woods sold Mitchell's mother's house to pay nursing home debt and to ensure that Mitchell's mother remain in the home, court records show. Amber Mitchell was living in the house before it was sold. Shortly after the house sold, Mitchell's aunt received guardianship of her mother and moved her to Nebraska, where she lives. Billing dispute turns ugly Marty Weyand, a Speedway resident, didn't lose control of his father's affairs until after he died. His father had spent the last few years of his life at Trilogy Health Services in Warsaw, Indiana, getting treatment for COPD and a host of other chronic health problems. In those years, Weyand made decisions about his treatment and paid his bills. The family's relationship with the nursing home was rocky. There were multiple disputes over payments. The nursing home didn't bill Medicare in time to get paid, sticking Weyand with the bills. The home also mistakenly put his father in a larger room, he said. To make matters even worse, he alleged, the checks he sent the nursing home weren't applied to his father's account. Marty Weyand shows papers and documents he accumulated while working through guardianship issues placed on his late father by the nursing home where he lived. Photo taken Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at his home in Speedway. This type of problem is fairly common, according to the National Consumer Law Center. Nursing homes can make mistakes in applying for Medicare or Medicaid coverage and then aggressively try to collect disputed bills. After Weyand's father died in 2021, tens of thousands of dollars were still in dispute between the nursing home and the family. So in 2022, a lawyer representing the nursing home petitioned Kosciusko Superior Court to assign a personal representative, a lawyer and professional guardian Stacy McGuyre, to replace Weyand to control the estate. McGuyre said she's a neutral party in the dispute, a characterization with which Weyand disagrees. She said while some documents support Weyand's side of the story, she concluded Weyand's father had a debt that needed to be paid and explained that the dispute was due to Weyand misunderstanding of his father's insurance. Marty Weyand shows papers and documents he accumulated while working through guardianship issues placed on his late father by the nursing home where he lived. Photo taken Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at his home in Speedway. Weyand has received requests from McGuyre and the nursing home attorney seeking to take his father's house in Kosciusko county as well as his own house to pay the disputed debt. McGuyre said that the attempt to seize Weyand's house was a clerical mistake.That's no solace to Weyand. "I've been living in this hell for two years and I'm about at the end of my wits," he said. Marty Weyand shows papers and documents he accumulated while working through guardianship issues placed on his late father by the nursing home where he lived. Photo taken Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at his home in Speedway. Like Shaw, Weyand has a binder where he's kept financial records, medical information, testimony, payments and correspondence with the nursing home, Trilogy, that took care of his dad. That way, he has proof that the nursing home failed to submit for Medicare reimbursement. He has documents showing he was mistakenly charged for a larger room. He has a letter from his father's insurance company, saying that he should not be held responsible for billing errors on the part of the nursing home. He has copies of checks that were cancelled and correspondence from the nursing home demanding those same charges be paid. Trilogy officials did not comment on the case. Early this year, Weyand settled with the nursing home for $50,000, after his lawyer estimated that dragging out the legal case could cost him more than that. What's Next Recently, a compromise was reached in David Shaw's case in which David moved into a nursing home in Missouri under the guardianship of his and Beverly's son, Jeremiah Shaw. Jeremiah Shaw confirmed that he was appointed guardian but declined to discuss the case further. The nursing home in Missouri is about an hour and a half from Beverly and David's home. She's hopeful that David will recover fully and they will be together soon. "It may take time, money. I said, I'm never giving up on getting you home," Beverly said. Binghui Huang can be reached at 317-385-1595 or Bhuang@gannett.com This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Flaws in Indiana's guardianship system concern families, advocates Alabama governor Kay Ivey during an NCAA football game on 7 October 2023, in Troy, Alabama. Photograph: Vasha Hunt/AP The Alabama governor Kay Ivey has signed a bill into law in effect banning diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs across public schools, universities and state agencies, the latest move in a wave of a Republican-led legislation that aims to restrict diversity efforts. The law, known as SB129, imposes restrictions around what it calls eight divisive concepts, including assigning fault, blame or bias to any race, religion, gender or color, or discussions of whether slavery and racism are aligned with the founding principles of the United States. It authorizes state agencies to discipline or terminate employees or contractors who violate this act. Related: States push fetal personhood bills despite outrage at Alabama IVF ruling It also requires higher education institutions to designate bathrooms for use based on biological sex, essentially barring trans people from using public bathrooms that align with their gender identity. The governor signed the bill after the Republican-led state legislature gave final approval on Tuesday. The law will take effect on 1 October. In a statement, Ivey said her administration will continue to value Alabamas rich diversity, but vowed to stop bad actors on college campuses to push their liberal political movement counter to what the majority of Alabamians believe. The bill faced vehement opposition from Democrats, civil rights advocates and student groups, who said the bill was a thinly veiled attempt to sabotage free speech and diversity efforts. The free-speech advocacy organization Pen America compared the bill to Floridas Stop Woke Act, which regulated how race and race issues can be taught in schools until it was blocked in court earlier this month. SB129 is even more restrictive, it said. The result would be a campus environment devoid of intellectual freedom, and a state law so draconian that it gives Florida a run for its money. Birmingham mayor Randall Woodfin said he would encourage Black athletes to consider attending other institutions outside of the state. Why would you make it illegal for institutions of higher learning to promote diversity and inclusion among its faculty and staff? Why would you block fair representation and opportunities for all people? he wrote in a Facebook post last month. The ACLU of Alabama said SB129 was intended to have a chilling effect on discourse regarding race, class, sexuality and national origin, writing on its website: This is not only a form of classroom censorship, its an anti-truth bill which curtails an education on systemic inequities, racial violence and the historic efforts to gain civil rights and civil liberties for marginalized communities throughout our nations history. The investigation into Angela Chao, the CEO of a global shipping company who died at a private Central Texas ranch last month, found she inadvertently reversed her Tesla SUV into a stock pond and drowned as rescue attempts faltered, according to an incident report obtained Wednesday by the Austin American-Statesman, part of the USA TODAY Network. A toxicology screening ordered as part of the month-long investigation indicated Chao, 50, had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.233. The legal limit to drive in Texas is 0.08. The findings released Wednesday are the most detailed account to date by officials in Blanco County. The ranch is located outside Johnson City, about 40 miles west of Austin. The release comes after the sheriff's office repeatedly declined to provide information about the incident other than a brief statement characterizing the death as an "unfortunate accident." Chao's older sister, Elaine Chao, served as U.S. labor secretary in the George W. Bush administration and U.S. transportation secretary in the Trump administration and is married to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. Angela Chao is shown with husband Jim Breyer in January, a few weeks before her death in an accident in Blanco County. In a statement Wednesday, Robert Woodring, chief deputy for the sheriff's office, said the report's release signals the end of its investigation into her death. Chao had invited seven friends to the ranch for a weekend getaway, according to the report. They had attended a Pitbull concert in Austin the night before. On Feb. 10 at 11:53 p.m., a sheriff's deputy received a 911 call describing how a woman later identified as Chao had driven into a stock pond located between the ranch's main house and a guest house. The deputy arrived at the ranch about 17 minutes later and saw a man standing on top of a submerged vehicle about 25 yards from the pond's bank, according to the report. The report says deputies, who jumped into the pond after stripping off some of their gear, struggled to extract Chao from the vehicle. The deputies attempted to find her by swimming through an opened back passenger door but were "unable to," according to the report. The report describes a hectic scene. As the rescue effort continued, a group of Chao's friends were "screaming frantically" at the deputies from the pond's back. They told deputies they knew Chao was inside the vehicle because she had called one of them as the Tesla was sinking. The phone call lasted eight minutes, according to the report. During the call, Chao told her friend she was unable to get out, the water was rising and that she was going to die. She told the friend, "I love you," before the vehicle went under water. The friend Chao called had entered the pond with a kayak to attempt a rescue, according to the report. Once additional emergency responders arrived, an emergency medical responder and a firefighter joined the deputies in the pond with tools, including a pike pole and a Halligan bar, a multipurpose tool used by firefighters, to force an entry. They managed to break a side window and extract Chao, according to the report. Chao was removed from the vehicle at about 12:56 a.m., according to Benjamin Oakley, the emergency medical services chief for Blanco County. EMS responders delivered "advanced life support" for 43 minutes to try to resuscitate her. She was pronounced dead. Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace Randy Brodbeck, who did not respond to multiple requests for comment in the weeks after the incident, requested Chao's blood be drawn so a toxicology screening could be performed, according to the report. He did not order an autopsy. Surveillance video reviewed by a sheriff's office investigator showed the Tesla, driven by Chao, "lurch" forward and then reverse over the top of a limestone block wall, entering the pond at about 11:38 p.m., according to the report. Investigators with the FBI and the Texas Rangers, the investigative arm of the Department of Public Safety, reviewed the evidence collected by sheriff's deputies on Feb. 15, four days after the incident. After inspecting evidence obtained by sheriff's deputies, the federal and state investigators "felt this incident was nothing more than an unfortunate accident," according to the report. In the days and weeks after Chao's death, authorities with the Blanco County sheriff's office repeatedly declined to provide information about the incident. The slow trickle of information in the weeks after Chao's death, already under a national spotlight given her status and connections, gave rise to conspiracy theories online. Chao's father addressed the incident in a statement provided to the Statesman through a spokesperson for the family. Angelas passing was a terrible tragedy, and words cannot describe the family's profound grief. The family is grateful for the friends and first responders who tried so hard to save her," Dr. James S.C. Chao said. Chao was married to Jim Breyer, a billionaire venture capitalist and chief executive of Austin-based Breyer Capital. The 900-acre ranch in Blanco County is owned by a trust with the same Chicago address as a Breyer-owned investment and public equity firm, public records show. I am heartbroken by the terrible tragedy," Breyer said in a written statement Wednesday. "I am so appreciative for the remarkable efforts of the many first responders in Blanco County who did everything possible to save my wonderful wifes life. On Feb. 28, McConnell said during a speech on the US Senate floor that the death of his sister-in-law informed his decision to step down as minority leader. "As some of you may know, this has been a particularly difficult time for my family. We tragically lost Elaine's younger sister, Angela, just a few weeks ago," McConnell said during the opening remarks of his announcement. "When you lose a loved one, particularly at a young age, there's a certain introspection that accompanies the grieving process." This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Angela Chao death investigation findings show high blood-alcohol level Starship sits on its launch pad the day before its March 14 launch from South Texas. The commercial space companys president said this week the next launch could be in early May. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer SpaceXs Starship on its launch pad before its third flight on March 14. The commercial space companys president says the next launch could be in early May. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Gwynne Shotwell, SpaceX president and chief operating officer, says Starship could fly again from the companys South Texas Starbase by early May. Bill Ingalls/NASA The entrance to SpaceX's South Texas launch facility on Boca Chica Beach. The company's president said this week the next flight could take off by early May. Marvin Pfeiffer/Staff Photographer SpaceXs second in command says Starship could fly from South Texas again by early May. During a panel discussion Tuesday at the Satellite 2024 conference in Washington, Gwynne Shotwell, SpaceX president and chief operating officer, said the next launch could be, hopefully, in about six weeks. Were still going through the data, she said of last Thursdays flight, which saw Starship fall just short of its planned splashdown in the Indian Ocean. It was an incredibly successful flight. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Still, problems crept in after the lower-stage Super Heavy Booster separated from the upper-stage Starship and both eventually were lost. That means Starship wont be able to fly again until a mishap investigation is done and SpaceX completes any required modifications. READ MORE: SpaceX Starship makes it to space on its third test flight from South Texas After separation, the booster experienced problems as it descended toward a water landing in the Gulf of Mexico. It failed to complete the controlled landing SpaceX had hoped to demonstrate and exploded 462 meters above the ocean about seven minutes into the flight. The Starship continued its suborbital trajectory for about 49 minutes, testing its payload door and transferring propellants across tanks while in space. It was unable to relight a Raptor engine in space due to vehicle roll rates during coast phase, according to a company statement posted online. Starship went on to experience its first ever entry from space, providing valuable data on heating and vehicle control during hypersonic reentry. Advertisement Article continues below this ad SpaceX lost Starships signals as it broke up on reentry somewhere over the Indian Ocean. Obviously, we hit exactly where we wanted to go, Shotwell said Tuesday. It was not an orbital flight, with purpose. We wanted to make sure we could passively come back on a trajectory that we could count on if we didnt relight the second stage engine a second time basically to re-enter. CEO Elon Musk, Shotwells boss, congratulated the Starship team on social media, saying, Starship reached orbital velocity! The FAA now will oversee a SpaceX-led mishap investigation into the loss of the spacecraft. Until that and required modifications are done, Starship is grounded. Advertisement Article continues below this ad FAA approvals of future flights might become more streamlined, Kelvin Coleman, the FAAs associate administrator for commercial space transportation, said Monday. Were trying to work with (SpaceX) to get them on a different program, if you will, in terms of how we approve their launches going forward, he said during Payloads Space Capitol III event. We want to get away from the launch-by-launch approvals and get more into an approval of a portfolio of launches. He also hinted that based on what he saw of the third flight, approvals for the fourth may come more quickly than they did for the second attempt in April and last weeks launch. We didnt see anything major. We dont think theres any critical systems for safety that were implicated, Coleman said. Usually if theres not any critical systems for safety implicated, the mishap investigation can be pretty clean and it can move pretty quickly. Advertisement Article continues below this ad SpaceX has said its aiming to launch from six to nine Starships this year. President Bidens national security adviser Jake Sullivan traveled to Kyiv, Ukraine, on Wednesday to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Sullivan took the secret trip to reaffirm the United States unwavering commitment to Ukraine in its self-defense against Russias brutal invasion, National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said in a statement. Sullivan and Zelensky discussed the multiple lines of U.S. support to Ukraine and the need for Congress to pass more aid to Ukraine. The head of the Office of the President Andriy Yermak and other senior Ukrainian officials also joined the meetings. Other topics included work with allies and partners to hold Russia accountable, work to mitigate the economic impacts of Russias war, and anti-corruption work globally. Sullivan briefed reporters on Monday on national security issues, including Ukraine and the war in Gaza, among other issues, before heading to Ukraine. The White House has pushed the House to advance the Senate-passed national security package, which includes $60 billion for Ukraine. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has been under pressure to move on additional aid for the war-torn country this week, but has focused on funding the government before moving to foreign policy issues. Johnson, along with some Republicans in the Senate, have floated sending money to Ukraine as a loan, as a possible way of overcoming resistance within the GOP. Zelensky visited Washington in December to push for more aid. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A man who shot a Fort Lauderdale officer was killed during a shootout with police in a hotel room Thursday morning after telling 911 that he had killed a woman at the 17th Street Causeway hotel, according to authorities. Around 7:40 a.m., Karl Chludinsky told a 911 operator that he killed a woman at the Holiday Inn Express, 1500 SE 17th Street Causeway, Fort Lauderdale Police Chief William Schultz told reporters outside the hotel. After Chludinsky, a 46-year-old from Margate, didnt answer calls to his room nor respond to officers standing outside the door, Fort Lauderdale cops stormed the room. Thats when he shot one of the officers, who Schultz said then opened fire before Chludinsky barricaded himself. Moments later, Schultz added that a SWAT team swarmed in, only to find his body and no other person in the room. A Fort Lauderdale police officer was shot by a man after entering a room at the Holiday Inn Express on Southeast 17th Street in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday morning, March 21, 2024, police say. It was not immediately known whether the man was killed by the three officers who shot at him or from one of his bullets, Casey Liening, a police spokeswoman, told reporters. Police did not identify the injured cops. Schultz said the officer shot during the incident was taken to Broward Health Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries. Hes since been released and is expected to make a full recovery. Another, who was not shot, suffered minor injuries. A Fort Lauderdale police officer was shot by a suspect near the Holiday Inn Express on Southeast 17th St. on Thursday morning, March 21, 2024. The trio of Fort Lauderdale officers who shot at the man will be put on administrative leave as the Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigates, Schultz said. A Fort Lauderdale police officer was shot by a suspect near the Holiday Inn Express on Southeast 17th St. on Thursday morning, March 21, 2024. Legal troubles? Chludinsky faced both criminal and financial troubles in the past two decades. In 2020, he was sentenced to more than a year of probation for driving under the influence and possessing meth, according to Broward County court records. Chludinsky had previously been given probation for a cocaine-related charge in 2006. Up until early this year, American Express National Bank was garnishing his checks for a debit totaling over $8,000 in which the bank sought civil court action, court records reveal. Oh my God. Karen Bianco of Rhode Island told the Miami Herald she was in a taxi heading to her hotel from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport when she and her fellow traveler spotted the large police presence. The shooting caused major traffic tie-ups Thursday morning, which cleared up by the afternoon rush hour. When Bianco got closer, she realized the officers were at the Holiday Inn, where they would be staying Thursday night before leaving on a 10-day cruise the next day. A Fort Lauderdale police officer was shot near the Holiday Inn Express Fort Lauderdale Cruise Airport on Southeast 17th Street on Thursday morning, March 21, 2024. Bullet holes can be seen in the window above the pool deck at the hotel. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel) We were having such a hard time getting here because of the commotion but we didnt know, Bianco said. And, I went, oh my God. A page from the Democratic presidential playbook is to win the swing states of Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvaniabut Nebraska? Thanks to population shifts since 2020, the upper Midwest is no longer a guaranteed path to victory for the Democratic Party when it comes to the Electoral College, which consists of 538 electors. Each state has a number of electors equal to its congressional delegation: one for each member of the House of Representatives and two for each U.S. Senator. To win the presidency, the candidate must secure at least 270 electoral votes, and all eyes are on the Cornhusker State's second congressional district, which holds a single electoral vote that could potentially determine the outcome of the election. Nebraska and Maine differ from the rest of the country in the way they distribute their electoral votes. They award points to candidates who win individual congressional districts, unlike the remaining 48 states that use a winner-take-all approach. More: What is the Electoral College? Here's how it works to elect the president. In 2020, President Joe Biden won Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District, also known as the "blue dot" and includes Omaha, the biggest city in the state. The Democrats are focused on winning this district again while also facing challenges in rebuilding support in the "blue wall" states that helped Biden win four years ago, such as the Great Lakes region. Former President Donald Trump, who easily carried the rural parts of the state and won the district in 2016, lost to Biden by nearly seven points in 2020 a fact that has not gone unnoticed by the Democrats. In response, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff recently made his fourth visit to the Cornhusker State, where he asked voters to deliver the "blue dot" to Biden for a second time. "Joe Biden and Kamala Harris won here ... and were going to do it again because this vote, this electoral vote, is important," Emhoff said. "Thats why Im here and Im sure well be back." Prep for the polls: See who is running for president and compare where they stand on key issues in our Voter Guide Vice-president-elect Kamala Harris isn't the only one making history in her household, as her husband will be the nation's first 'second gentleman.' C.J. King, chair of the Douglas County Democrats, has reported a noticeable surge in voter mobilization in the district over the past month. While optimistic about the momentum, King acknowledges that a high voter turnout will be required to secure a win. "There is no key demographic, the races are so tight, we need to motivate voter turnout among all groups, King said. Theres a narrow margin; we have to concentrate on everything; we can't leave anyone behind. In past presidential elections, the second congressional district's single electoral vote didn't receive a lot of attention, but as races have been narrowing, it is seen as a tie-breaker in the event of a 269-269 result. Robert Alexander, a political science professor at Ohio Northern University, has suggested that an Electoral College tie in the 2024 election is possible. If Biden fails to win some of the states he narrowly carried last time, such as Georgia, Arizona, and Nevada, he could still win with just one electoral vote from Nebraska. It really doesnt take a lot of imagination to get yourself to an electoral college tie, Alexander said. It can be very important, especially in a close election. OMAHA, NE - OCTOBER 27: Supporters wait to watch US President Donald Trump speak at a campaign rally on October 27, 2020 in Omaha, Nebraska. With the presidential election one week away, candidates of both parties are attempting to secure their standings in important swing states. (Photo by Steve Pope/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 775581207 ORIG FILE ID: 1229318651 Established in 1991 by the Nebraska Legislature, Nebraska's split vote system didn't divorce the state from its red voting record until former President Barack Obama narrowly won the second district in 2008. Republican state lawmakers have attempted several times to revert Nebraska back to a winner-take-all state but have not been successful. He also notes that when campaigns invest more time and money into these swing districts, it can signal a potentially tight election. The more attention you see on Nebraska, its signposting how close the election will be, Alexander said. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Could Nebraska's "blue dot" help Biden win the election? Multiple states reported disrupted services at department of motor vehicles offices Thursday in a "national outage" that halted license-related transactions due to "a loss in cloud connectivity." The American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, a nongovernmental group that provides software to DMV offices, said Thursday: The network that connects motor vehicle agencies across the United States to each other and to various verification services experienced an outage due to a loss in cloud connectivity. The outage lasted from 9:50 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ET, a spokesperson for the AAMVA said. "During that time, there was no ability to process messages that support transactions of driver licenses and motor vehicle titles. This prevented a number of motor vehicle agencies from issuing driver licenses and vehicle titles during the outage," the AAMVA said, noting it was working internally and with cloud providers to determine the "root cause" of the outage. The AAMVA said connectivity was restored to nearly all states as of 2 p.m. ET, noting the outage had nothing to do with software strictly connectivity. DMV offices across the country had issued warnings about the outage to locals on social media Thursday. Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias wrote on X that all driver's license facilities and DMVs in Illinois and across the country were down. The Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles asked Coloradans with appointments at a state driver's license office to reschedule due to the outage, which they attributed to the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators. The outage affected most driver's license services, including online options, but not driver's license knowledge tests, permit tests or requests for motor vehicle records, Colorado's DMV said. In a 2:53 p.m. ET update on X, the office said that "it is once again serving Coloradans after a technical issue that caused nationwide outages was successfully resolved" and that "All DMV services are now fully operational." Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles wrote on X that it cannot process any license or ID related transactions at this time due to a national system outage. The outage was resolved by the afternoon, the Massachusetts RMV posted on X at 1:49 p.m. ET. A banner alert on New York states DMV website Thursday said: DMV transactions are currently unavailable due to a network outage. Please check back later. The banner was still on the website as of 3:30 p.m. ET, and no updates were posted to the New York DMV's account on X. Virginias DMV said its system was back up and running just before 1 p.m. after a third-party system outage that affected drivers license transactions at our offices and website. This is a developing story. Please check back for updates. Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for alice + olivia UPDATE 3/21/24 9:20 a.m. EST: Hours after the news of Karen Hugers car crash broke, TMZ revealed that she had been charged with a DUI and DWI for the incident. Before news of her arrest broke, the Real Housewives of Potomac star released a lengthy statement about her emotional state at the time of the accident. Thank you all for your prayers and well wishes during this very frightening experience. I am still in shock from last nights incident, but grateful to be alive today. With the passing of my Beloved Mother, Grief comes and goes in waves, and with Mothers Day approaching it has felt more like a tsunami, Huger told the outlet. Last night I met a girlfriend for dinner, we talked and brought up some very emotionally sensitive topics. I was crying on my way home and saw a car heading right for me. I swerved to avoid the head-on collision, hit the divider and then a tree. Im hurt, bruised up a bit, but so grateful I am alive! I did receive citations, one of which was unrelated to the incident which is understandable, but what was most surprising is that the car that almost hit me just drove away! She concluded: I would like to stress, its important to understand your emotional state when driving and may this be a reminder to all to use their seatbelts, my Mother may be my Guardian Angel but the seatbelt saved my life. Hugers charges include a mandatory court appearance, but no date has been publicly released. Original story below: The Real Housewives of Potomacs Karen Huger was reportedly involved in a major car wreck. Huger was driving her 2017 Maserati in an aggressive manner late at night on Tuesday, March 19, in Potomac, Maryland, the Montgomery County Police told TMZ on Wednesday, March 20. As a result, she struck both an intersection crosswalk sign and a parking sign before her vehicle came to a halt. No information has been shared about whether Huger or others were injured during the incident. Hugers airbag was deployed in her car, and her vehicle was reportedly damaged beyond repair and was retrieved from the scene by a tow truck. Huger was not arrested but allegedly received multiple citations from police. Us Weekly has reached out to the Montgomery County Police and Hugers rep for comment. RHOP Cast Unveils Season 8 Reunion Looks and Fans Are Finally Pleased Prior to her Maryland car crash, Huger was soaking up the sun with her daughter, Rayvin Huger, on a tropical Jamaica vacation. The disrespect my child @rayvinhuger hijacked all of her make up @maccosmetics while vacaying in Jamaica from her dear mother, Karen captioned one of her daughters TikTok videos via her Instagram on Friday, March 15. Can we all say, share a little? I had no idea she was filming this . Rayvin captioned the funny video, which featured audio of Karen criticizing her for not putting away her makeup products, POV youre on vacation with your mom. (Karen shares her daughter and son, Brandon, with her husband, Raymond A Huger.) Shannon Finney/Bravo Karen has yet to address her car wreck on social media. On early Tuesday evening, Huger posted her RHOP reunion look via Instagram. ART was the assignment. Present and accounted for! she wrote. Karen has been an original RHOP cast member since the Bravo series premiere in 2016. While her tagline for the shows current eighth season I dont ride the fence, honey, I am the fence. You ride me is nothing short of iconic, she exclusively told Us that she regrets not using another catchphrase instead. People come for me all the time. They just dont find me, she shared in January. I wish that had been my tagline. Former Real Housewives of Potomac Stars: Where Are They Now? Karen isnt afraid to be her authentic self on the show as she was inspired to launch a wig line with RPGSHOW after her memorable wig shift moment in season 3. I think many women who wear wigs should own it. And so when it shifted, I just [thought] like, Let me make a moment out of it, she explained to Us. I locked that puppy down and kept it moving and created an RPGSHOW. Now I have my own wig line. La Dame keeps pushing ahead. Last month, Karen made a fashion statement by going pantless during an appearance on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen. She instead sported a pair of black velvet underwear, which she paired with matching black tights, a blazer, a white button-down and black close-toed heels with a diamond ankle strap. The inmate who escaped from an Idaho prison and his suspected accomplice who shot corrections officers in Boise and set off a manhunt were taken into custody Thursday, and officials say they are investigating two other deaths that may be linked to the men. Skylar Meade and Nicholas Umphenour were arrested in Twin Falls, Idaho, around 2 p.m. Thursday after a short car chase, Boise police Chief Ron Winegar said. No gunfire was exchanged during the arrests, and there was no "extensive use of force," he said. Idaho State Police are investigating two homicides in separate locations one in Nez Perce County and one in Clearwater County that may be linked to the escape and manhunt, Lt. Col. Sheldon Kelly said. Police said handcuffs believed to have been worn by Meade when he escaped were found at the scene of one of the homicides. The homicide investigation is ongoing, and the coroners office will provide the victims both adult males identifications and causes of death, he said. Officials have said that Meade and Umphenour had planned the brazen attack that wounded three corrections officers in order to free Meade as he was being transported from a Boise hospital after he had injured himself, authorities said. What we know, with near certainty, this was not an accident, said Josh Tewalt, director of the Corrections Department. This was a planned event. And were channeling every resource we have into trying to understand exactly how they went about planning it. Skylar Meade. (Idaho Department of Corrections via AP / AP) Meade, 31, is serving a 20-year prison sentence for shooting at a sheriffs sergeant during a high-speed chase. At 2:15 a.m. Wednesday, state Corrections Department officers were trying to transfer him back to the corrections facility after he was taken to Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center for treatment, Boise police said. During the transfer, Umphenour fired at the officers, police said. Two of the officers were shot one faced non-life-threatening injuries while the other was stable in critical condition following the shooting. The pair then fled the scene, setting off the manhunt that stretched into Thursday afternoon. Boise officers also responded to reports of an active shooter at the hospital, which was placed on a modified lockdown at the time of the incident, according to the police department. One of the responding officers fired at an armed person who was at the entrance of the hospital, who was later determined to be a Corrections Department officer, police said. The officer sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Tewalt said Thursday that one of the officers was released from the hospital Wednesday night and that the other two remain at the hospital but are "stable" and "improving." Meade performed "injurious behavior" Tuesday night while he was in a maximum-security facility, and prison medical staff determined he needed to be treated at the hospital, where he arrived shortly before 10 p.m. local time, Tewalt said. He was being held in administrative segregation, a form of restrictive housing that is the highest custody level at the Corrections Department, at the time, Tewalt said Wednesday. The Corrections Department is investigating how this incident could have happened, according to Tewalt. Security during Meade's transfer was "augmented" because of his criminal history and that Meade was wearing restraints, Tewalt said Thursday. He added he believes staff adhered to department policies. Authorities said that both Meade and Umphenour are members of the Aryan Knights, "one of multiple security threat groups that we monitor and try to interrupt their activities." Umphenour has also served time and the men's sentences overlapped on and off at an Idaho maximum security institution from Dec. 29, 2022, to Jan. 17, 2024, Tewalt said. This past summer, the Federal Reserve introduced a new payments system that makes it possible for people to send and receive money into their bank accounts instantly. The system, known as FedNow, operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. That means you can get funds deposited in your checking account at any hour of the day or night, even on weekends. But chances are you wont be able to use the system yet because its only available at select financial institutions. So for many Americans, the traditional, and slower, Automated Clearing House (ACH) system remains the only option. But as FedNow gains adoption among banks and credit unions, its worth taking time to note how the two payment options differ, and when you might find yourself using FedNow. What is FedNow? FedNow is an instant payments service that makes it possible for banks and credit unions to send and receive financial transactions within a matter of seconds, not days, on behalf of the customer, 24/7. Its the first settlement service that supports instant payments and the first new payments infrastructure system from the Federal Reserve Bank since the introduction of the ACH system in the 1970s, notes Todd Koehn, vice president/Faster Payment Solutions at Bankers Bank headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin. But if you think the FedNow instant payment system is a new financial phenomenon throughout the world, think again. Central banks in such countries as Brazil, China and India, already have instant payment systems (Pix, for example, is a dominant system in South America), so the U.S. is hardly an innovator in this space. When it comes to daily transfer limits, FedNow has a maximum limit of $500,000 a day, compared with ACH which has a higher daily transfer limit of $1 million. Its possible that a bank will charge a fee for sending money with FedNow. I do not see financial institutions charging to receive funds via FedNow, but I can see them charging to send payments, Koehn says. The Federal Reserve will be charging banks to use this service. What is ACH? For half a century, countless many Americans have been able to receive their paycheck straight into their checking accounts via direct deposit thanks to the ACH system. Since its introduction in the mid-70s, ACH has eliminated the need for many Americans who earn a steady paycheck to take time to travel to a bank branch, with paycheck in hand, and wait in line to deposit it, usually at the end of the work week. Today, ACH is the dominant payments system in the U.S. According to the National Automated Clearing House Association (NACHA), 88 percent of W-2 employees receive their paychecks via direct deposit. Last year, the ACH network processed 14.5 billion consumer bill payments, with the vast majority of bill payments made directly to billing companies, NACHA says. Whats more, some banks enable you to initiate ACH transfers through the banks mobile app or website, NACHA adds. ACH payments are batch-processed, Koehn says. Batches typically (contain) lots of payments bundled together to make up the ACH file. FedNow will be processed in real time as individual payments. FedNow vs. ACH FedNow Consumers with access to FedNow are able to send and receive money instantly. Maximum transaction limit is $500,000 a day. FedNow is a pilot program at 564 financial institutions. ACH ACH transactions typically take a couple of days to process and post to your account only on days when banks are open. Maximum transaction limit is $1 million a day. About 88 percent of W-2 employees receive their paychecks via direct deposit using the ACH system. Bank holidays and weekends when banks are closed can make availability of funds challenging. But one major benefit of FedNow is that every day is a banking day when it comes to sending and receiving money. FedNow is always on, which is unique compared to other Federal Reserve bank payment services which would be off on a bank holiday, says Koehn, who is also on the board of directors of the U.S. Faster Payments Council. Bank holidays will not impact the ability of businesses or consumers to send or receive payments via FedNow. A payment will be debited (sent) and credited (received) in a few seconds at the business or consumer level. And most importantly to financial institutions that have joined, they will have the settlement funds in real time. Unlike FedNow, bank holidays and weekends will still impact the time required for sending or receiving money via ACH, a wire transfer and in depositing checks with funds available. When it comes to wire transfers, FedNow is only available for domestic payments at this time, Koehn says. Which begs the question, what can you do with FedNow? Julie Redfern, chief banking officer at Lake Ridge Bank, says the two biggest use cases for FedNow in the instant payment space are earned wage access and digital wallets. The former means paying employees after their workday ends and the latter refers to payment apps such as PayPal and Venmo. Theyre starting to get a payment out there a salary in the hands of their employers in a faster way than weve traditionally seen before, Redfern says. Sending funds via FedNow isnt available at all participating banks Both First Internet Bank of Indiana, an online-only bank based in Indiana, and Lake Ridge Bank, a bank that has 20 locations in Wisconsin, are two banks where customers only have FedNow enabled for receiving funds. The ability to monitor that activity and make sure that we dont have fraudulent transactions is top of mind, says Anne Sharkey, senior vice president, chief risk officer at First Internet Bank of Indiana. And when the moneys moving very quickly, you have to have the right protocols and systems in place to be able to monitor that activity, which is why I think a lot of banks are approaching this cautiously from a send standpoint because they want to make sure they have everything in place before they enable that functionality, Sharkey adds. Bottom line FedNow enables payments to be made instantly any day of the year, unlike ACH payments, which takes days to process the transfer of funds. But only a few banks currently have FedNow at this time and some banks only have receive-only capabilities as it has been in operation for less than a year. Instant payments available through FedNow could help people avoid overdrafts, such as early direct deposit can, because people will have their funds available sooner to pay bills and other expenses. FedNow might be better for sending money to individuals, but ACH is still a great way to send bulk payments. Tim Cook is facing fires everywhere. The U.S. Justice Department and over a dozen states just hit Apple with a long-anticipated blockbuster antitrust suit, covering a vast array of alleged violations that were all aimed at protecting Apple's control of the iPhone ecosystemplacing restrictions on third-party digital wallets and app stores, stymying cross-platform messaging, suppressing cloud gaming services, and more. Consumers should not have to pay higher prices because companies violate the antitrust laws, Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement. We allege that Apple has maintained monopoly power in the smartphone market, not simply by staying ahead of the competition on the merits, but by violating federal antitrust law." This is the U.S. government attempting to do what the EU is trying to achieve with its crackdown on Apple (and other Big Tech firms) via the new Digital Markets Act. Many elements are sharedbut these American claims go even further, by adding things like Apple's refusal to let third-party smartwatches work fully with the iPhone. At the time of writing, Apple's share price had fallen by 2.6%. Make no mistake: If the DOJ and states get their way, Apple's whole way of doing business is under threat, and not just in Europe this time. The suit comes just after Cook launched a charm offensive in China, on his latest visit there. Theres no supply chain in the world thats more critical to us than China, he said yesterday in a China Daily interview. Today he opened Shanghais eighth Apple store, chatting with suppliers and taking selfies with customers. He knows he has his work cut out for him there. Apple's iPhone sales are sliding in the face of strong competition from local champion Huawei, and a drive from Beijing itself to have state employees ditch their iPhones in favor of Chinese devices. The flood of ever-cheaper Chinese electric vehicles was probably a major factor in Apples decision to abandon its own auto plans. And tech relations between the U.S. and China keep getting testier and testier. While Cook made his visit, Bloomberg reported yesterday that the Biden administration was considering an escalation of its campaign against the Chinese semiconductor industry by applying sanctions against seven chipmakers and chipmaking-equipment firm in the country, all of which work with Huawei in some capacity. The apparent logic is that existing sanctions havent stopped Huawei from making great technological strides, including the introduction of the 7-nanometer chip that powers the Huawei Mate 60 smartphonethe same device thats been taking a chunk out of iPhone 15 sales in China. Meanwhile, the U.S. House of Representatives yesterday built on last weeks anti-TikTok bill by passing a new data-privacy bill called the Protecting Americans Data from Foreign Adversaries Act. If it then makes its way through the Senate and gets President Joe Bidens signature, this law would make it illegal for data brokers to pass on Americans sensitive data to any foreign adversary country, which means China, Russia, North Korea, Iran, Cuba, and the Venezuelan regime. And it looks like this measure has a better shot than last weeks bill, which would force Chinas ByteDance to sell TikTok to a non-Chinese concern or see it banned in the U.S. It passed the House 414-0, whereas the TikTok bill passed by 352-65. As Politico notes, even opponents of the TikTok bill like this one because, rather than targeting a particular company, it would limit what an entire sector can do with Americans data, making it the first potential federal data-privacy law in a long time. This is what we should have voted on last week, Gen Z Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.) told the publication. All the Cookian charm in the world cant make up for this growing U.S. hostility to Chinas tech interests, and the responses it will trigger if this continues. And as for the rapidly metastasizing threats to Apple's controlling naturewell, I wouldn't want to be in Cook's shoes right now. More news below. David Meyer Want to send thoughts or suggestions to Data Sheet? Drop a line here. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com A plane carrying 14 Floridians who asked the state of Florida to rescue them from Haiti landed at the Orlando airport on Wednesday evening, marking the first rescue flight coordinated by the DeSantis administration since a violent gang takeover began threatening the Caribbean nation. We can finally report that a plane carrying passengers has left Haitian airspace, Gov. Ron DeSantis said at a press conference. This will be the first of probably many flights to bring people U.S. citizens, obviously who are in harms way given what is going on in Haiti. The state has identified about 360 Florida residents who are in need of rescuing from Haiti. But getting them out has proven difficult, DeSantis told reporters. It is not as simple as showing up with seats on the plane, the governor said. We thought we were going to do two flights yesterday, but that didnt end up happening. Details about the rescue mission are scant, but DeSantis said the state has personnel on the ground and that the flights are being done at no cost to evacuees. The state has contracted four private vendors to help with different aspects of the operation. Due to the nature of this activation and for the safety and security of these vendors, state officials said they could not say who those vendors were at this time. Flight data shows that the state charted a twin-jet to bring the 14 Floridians back to the U.S. They landed at 6:10pm at the Orlando International Airport. Due to safety concerns, state officials are not saying where in Haiti they are operating. A violent upheaval in the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince, has been ongoing for days as armed groups target key government facilities, including airports and seaports. Kevin Guthrie, the director of Floridas Division of Emergency Management, said the state was committed to ensuring peoples safety. We are picking people up at their front door, getting them into a plane, getting them to this airport and getting them to their front door in Florida, Guthrie said. That is what we are committed to doing. Many U.S. citizens stranded in Haiti have increasingly resorted to private rescue missions dangerous journeys without the support or often knowledge of the U.S. or Haitian governments to leave the country. Read more: Florida missionary tells of risky overnight rescue out of Haiti For years, the State Department has warned Americans not to travel to Haiti and urged those living in the country to depart. Now, amid gang violence and a crumbling government, departures are far more difficult, with nearby gunfire closing the international airport, and the neighboring Dominican Republic shutting the border to Haitian citizens, including those with dual nationality. The State Department chartered a plane to fly U.S. citizens out of Cap-Haitien this week. But government officials warned Americans that their travel to the northern coastal city would be perilous and taken at their own risk. DeSantis said the states efforts have been met by tough situations. On Wednesday, state personnel ran into a police roadblock as they tried to get people into the landing zone, Guthrie told reporters. It is a very fluid situation, Guthrie said. It is a very dangerous situation. Logistically, DeSantis and Guthrie complained about federal bureaucracy slowing down the states efforts in recent days. We are just running into problem after problem getting people vetted. Again, not vetted on the Haiti side, vetted on our side, Guthrie said. It is a very, very difficult, arduous process. DeSantis said the state will continue to coordinate rescue missions in Haiti, as hundreds of Florida residents remain stranded there. Israel has secured a trove of intelligence on Hamas during its military offensive in Gaza, giving it a detailed picture of the internal workings of the militant organization, according to an administration official, an intelligence official, a congressional source, an Israeli official and a former U.S. official. The intelligence has been gleaned from hard drives, cellphones, laptops, maps and other material seized during Israels invasion of the Gaza Strip, as well as electronic eavesdropping conducted by the U.S., the sources said. The information obtained by the Israel Defense Forces includes extremely detailed information about Hamas leadership, command and control, and communications, an intelligence official said. They have more understanding and intelligence on Hamas than they ever had before, said Matthew Levitt, a former senior official in the Treasury and State departments and now a senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. They have the HR [human resources] files and more. So their understanding of what Hamas was able to do is much, much more granular, said Levitt, who recently traveled to the region. Israeli forces operate in the Gaza Strip israeli hamas conflict (Dylan Martinez / Reuters file) The intelligence successes most likely enabled Israel to locate and kill Hamas No. 3 official, Marwan Issa, in an airstrike last week in Gaza, current and former officials said. They have put a lot of pressure on Hamas leadership and capabilities, and they absolutely have taken advantage and are exploiting materials for additional intelligence and information, a senior Biden administration official said. They have definitely taken advantage of the material that theyve been able to collect, the administration official said. The intelligence seized in raids of Hamas command centers helped inform Israels accusations that 12 staff members of the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, known as UNWRA, took part in the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel, according to current and former officials and an Israel official. As it tries to track Hamas leaders and weapons stockpiles, Israel is also receiving assistance from U.S. intelligence agencies. The rest of the top [Hamas] leaders are in hiding, likely deep in the Hamas tunnel network, and justice will come for them, too, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters Monday. We are helping to ensure that. Since the Oct. 7 attacks on Israel, U.S. spy agencies have shifted resources and stepped up intelligence gathering in Gaza to help Israel in its fight against Hamas, including providing signals intelligence information gleaned from electronic eavesdropping on communications according to current and former officials. Before Oct. 7, Hamas had received a lower priority as a U.S. intelligence target, and Israels political leaders and intelligence and military services have faced accusations they failed to focus sufficiently on the threat posed by Hamas militants or to anticipate the terrorist attack, the deadliest in Israels history. In the Oct. 7 attack, hundreds of militants swarmed over Israels southern border and killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took more than 200 hostages. Israels military forces are now focused on hunting down Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas in Gaza, and Mohammed Deif, the commander of Hamas military wing. The IDF offensive has also targeted Hamas weapons production sites and resupply routes out of Gaza. Over the past two decades, Hamas had built up a large military infrastructure and developed the capacity to manufacture weapons and ammunition, including sniper rifles and rockets. But the Israeli offensive has shattered that arms production complex, current and former officials said. The Israeli operation also appears to have severely curtailed Hamas capacity to secure weapons shipments into Gaza from Iranian and other sources. Although Israel says its military campaign is on the path to crippling Hamas, the steep civilian casualty toll in Gaza and the dire humanitarian conditions have sparked international outrage. The Biden administration has urged Israel to scale back its offensive and to avoid a full-blown assault on the southern Gazan city of Rafah, where 1.5 million people have taken shelter. A crew operating a Brink's armored truck was robbed at gunpoint Wednesday on the Northeast Side. Robert Alexander/Getty Images San Antonio police are searching for two suspects who robbed a Brinks armored vehicle crew at gunpoint Wednesday on the Northeast Side. The incident happened just before 10 a.m. in the 1500 block of Austin Highway as the crew was completing their morning rounds, according to a preliminary police report. Police said the robbers approached the crew from behind and pointed a gun at them. The crew was ordered to get on the ground while the robbers stole the contents from inside the vehicle, according to the report. Police could not confirm if they stole cash. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The suspects then left in an unidentified vehicle, according to the report. No shots were fired and no one was injured. WASHINGTON In a Hail Mary bid to keep his impeachment inquiry going, House Oversight Committee chair James Comer (R-Ky.) announced Wednesday he would ask the president to testify. Comer made the announcement after wrapping up a hearing in which Democrats mocked him for having failed so far to produce evidence that could warrant removing Joe Biden from office. In the coming days, I will invite President Joe Biden to the House Oversight Committee to provide his own testimony and explain why his family received tens of millions of dollars from foreign companies with his assistance, Comer said. The presidents brother, James, and his son, Hunter, spoke to Republicans in closed-door interviews earlier this year, but Hunter Biden declined to appear at Wednesdays hearing. Its hard to imagine the sitting president showing up on Capitol Hill to entertain queries about his family members. White House spokesman Ian Sams mocked the idea, saying the committees witnesses had already refuted Comers corruption claims. This is a sad stunt at the end of a dead impeachment, Sams said on social media. Call it a day, pal. The impeachment inquiry so far has pursued a mix of unsubstantiated accusations against the president, including that he did his son an official favor pushing for the removal of a Ukrainian prosecutor when he was vice president and that he participated in his sons foreign business deals after his vice presidency. A slew of Hunter Bidens former business partners have told Republicans they never saw the president participate in his sons work, but Tony Bobulinski who testified at Wednesdays hearing insisted the elder Biden was involved. Bobulinski based his accusation on the fact that he met Biden twice in 2017, when he and Hunter Biden were part of a group trying to wrangle investments from a Chinese company. Bobulinski said he and Joe Biden spoke about their respective family backgrounds in a hotel bar, and that the next day they chatted after Biden made a speech at the hotel. He thanked me for helping his son and brother, and asked me to keep an eye on them as I walked him out to his car, Bobulinski said Wednesday. For Republicans, the fact that the presidents conversations with Bobulisnki apparently contained no business content doesnt matter. No lawmaker pressed Bobulinski for more details about the particulars of his conversations with Joe Biden during the eight-hour hearing. Theres no evidence, Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) said at the end of the hearing. Hundreds of thousands of pages of documents, dozens of hours of testimony, but not a shred of evidence of presidential wrongdoing, much less an impeachable offense by President Biden. Related... JetBlue Airways is eliminating a number of unprofitable routes to destinations in the U.S. and overseas as it moves to cut costs after a judge blocked its $3.8 billion bid for Spirit Airlines earlier this year. The airline will also completely exit Kansas City, Missouri, and Newburgh, New York. In a statement to CBS News, the JetBlue said its removal of certain routes will reduce "the chance of delays for our customers." The cuts will also free up aircraft to operate more flights on its most profitable routes. JetBlue also cited limited aircraft as a driver of the route cuts. About a dozen Airbus aircraft remain grounded over issues with their Pratt & Whitney engines, which are currently undergoing inspection. "These moves will allow us to redeploy our fleet to increase frequencies on well-performing routes from JetBlue's focus cities while continuing to increase crucial ground time for our aircraft, reducing the chance of delays for our customers," Dave Jehn, JetBlue's vice president of network planning and airline partnerships, said in an internal memo viewed by CBS News. He added, "The changes will also help us during a time when aircraft availability is limited particularly with some of our aircraft grounded due to Pratt & Whitney GTF engine inspections." In addition to exiting two U.S. cities, the airline will also leave Bogota, Colombia; Quito, Ecuador; and Lima, Peru. "With less aircraft time available and the need to improve our financial performance, more than ever, every route has to earn its right to stay in the network," Jehn added. JetBlue is trimming its route network after scrapping its proposed deal for Spirit earlier this month following pushback by federal antitrust enforcers. A federal judge in January ruled that the acquisition would weaken competition by eliminating a major discount airline, potentially leading to higher airfares for travelers. That setback thwarted JetBlue's plans to expand service in key hubs, according to Jehn. In Los Angeles, for instance, JetBlue now plans to pare back to 24 flights per day, down from roughly 34, he noted in his memo. "[W]ithout aircraft time and gates available to grow organically, we need to refocus," he wrote. The airline added that post-Covid changes in consumer travel interests have made eliminating routes necessary. Here are the routes JetBlue is cutting in JuneAguadilla, Puerto Rico, to Tampa, Fla.Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to Atlanta, Ga.Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to Austin, TexasFort Lauderdale, Fla., to Nashville, Tenn.Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to New Orleans, La.Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to Salt Lake City, UtahLos Angeles to Cancun, MexicoLos Angeles to Las VegasLos Angeles to LiberiaLos Angeles to MiamiLos Angeles to Puerto Vallarta, MexicoLos Angeles to Reno, Nev.Los Angeles to San FranciscoLos Angeles to Seattle New York/JFK to Detroit Orlando to Salt Lake City, Utah Deadline approaches as Trump struggles to pay $464 million bond in fraud case Shop owner accidentally orders 720 chocolate Easter eggs for Scottish island with 500 people Antitrust lawsuit against Apple announced The designer, who was found guilty of two separate hate crimes in Paris in 2011, opens up about his fall from grace in the new doc, 'Highs & Lows: John Galliano' Kevin Mazur/Getty John Galliano attends Vogue's Forces of Fashion Conference at Milk Studios on October 12, 2017 in New York City. John Galliano is revisiting and repenting for his past controversies. In Kevin Macdonald's new documentary, High & Low: John Galliano, out now, the 63-year-old fashion designer looks back at the 2011 scandals that led to his immediate firing following a 15-year tenure as the Creative Director of Dior. Galliano was one of the couture fashion industry's most influential names and visionaries throughout the '90s and early '00s, before he upended his career in 2011 following a string of antisemitic and racist incidents, including the infamous video in which he professed his love for Hitler at a restaurant in Paris. At the top of the film, the designer, who has been the creative director of Maison Margiela since 2014, begins by admitting, It was a disgusting thing, foul thing that I did. It was just horrific. The documentary showed footage of two of Gallianos verbal attacks, and gives space to one victim, Philippe Virgitti, who was on the receiving end of the designer's vitriol in a bar in Paris in 2011. Seeing yourself like that was the most frightening, Galliano says of watching the footage back. I couldnt recognize that person. I felt horrified. Ashamed. Embarrassed. While Galliano says he apologized to Virgitti for the tirade, Virgitti says he doesnt remember an apology and finds the designer insincere. I felt bad for him, he admits of Galliano. I did feel bad for him. Reflecting on his outbursts, Galliano, who was born in the British territory Gibraltar, adds, I can say Im not racist, but every day you actually learn that all of us are a bit. But we just need to unlearn it and like immigrants. I am one. I was one. Virgitti, however, claims in the doc that he feels the designer is racist, and regrets saying in court that he isnt. Following his multiple outbursts, Galliano was convicted of committing two hate crimes in Paris and faced a fine equivalent to $8,500. Jason Kempin/Getty Images John Galliano In the first incident, which resulted in Gallianos Feb. 24 arrest, he was accused of verbally assaulting two people at La Perle, a cafe down the street from his Marais apartment. The second case involved an incident on Oct. 8, 2010, at the same bar, where he was accused of insulting a 40-year-old woman. During the trial, he'd taken the stand in his own defense and testified that he didn't remember the outburst that was directed at Virgitti due to a triple addiction to sleeping pills, Valium and alcohol. "I have an addiction. I am currently seeking treatment," he told the courtroom at the time. Related: 13 Fashion Controversies That Sparked Passionate Debate At the height of his career which started at Givenchy in 1995 before he took over Dior in 1997 Galliano says he always wanted to escape. He says he'd find himself drinking for days and throwing myself into the gym, trying to get sober and get back to work. It was this vicious cycle. I was in denial, but I am an alcoholic, he shares. Derek Hudson/Getty John Galliano poses at the former atelier of Christian Dior in 2005 The documentary also features a handful of high-profile celebrities who shared their memories and experiences with Galliano, as Kate Moss admits he taught her how to walk on a runway and Penelope Cruz recalls him creating an "incredible" wedding dress for her without her even asking. Galliano was not like all the other fashion designers," Charlize Theron says. There was something about him that was so odd and unique. He was just so into it. Related: Kim Kardashian Shares Behind-the-Scenes Look at 'Mystical Magical Margiela' Show with Kylie Jenner and Mom Kris Star Max via AP John Galliano and Charlize Theron at the Met Gala in 2006 Touching on his controversy, the actress, 48, adds, I will never make excuses for him. It was despicable, disgusting behavior. But its really, really hard to kind of explain circumstances that another person has never been in. Now Ive never been there, but Ive witnessed that. My father wanted to shoot me. So the concept of like, You cannot do bad things. This illness is so beyond what a lot of people can even wrap their heads around." Naomi Campbell says she never watched the videos of Gallianos verbal attacks. This is a person that Ive grown up with that I love thats opened my mind in this world that I knew nothing about and I wasnt gonna see him go down like that. David M. Benett/Getty John Galliano and Naomi Campbell attend a party in celebration of Edward Enninful in London on December 1, 2014 Anna Wintour had a similar approach, as she admits in the documentary that she didnt worry about the cost to her reputation of maintaining her friendship with him. I just wanted to help him. 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. In the 12 years since his fall from grace, Galliano has met with Holocaust survivors, rabbis and made a concerted effort to educate himself. Some people will forgive me and some people will never forgive me. I realize that now. Today, Im clean and sober and have been for 11 years now. Im in a much happier place and creating, he said before noting, "I will be in recovery for the rest of my life." High & Low: John Galliano is out now in select theaters and available to stream on Mubi or rent on Vudu. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Katie Reed Winning by a margin of about 24,000 votes, Katie Reed was picked by voters Tuesday as the Summit County Clerk of Courts Republican candidate who will run in the November election. Reed, the current clerk for Barberton Municipal Court, led her opponent Napoleon Rodgers throughout the night. She had 28,271 votes to Rodgers' 4,107, according to Summit County Board of Elections unofficial results. Primary: Katie Reed, Napoleon Rodgers Jr. running for Summit County clerk of courts in GOP primary Reed will face Democrat Tavia Galonski, who was appointed as the county clerk of courts in early January. "I'm extremely humbled by the outpouring of support and confidence the voters have shown in me," Reed said. "Being the Barberton Municipal Clerk of Court, I'm constantly looking for ways to make my office more efficient and accessible to the public. I want to take that to the next level for all of Summit County." What is the clerk of courts? The clerk's office is divided into two divisions: legal and title. Prep for the polls: See who is running for president and compare where they stand on key issues in our Voter Guide The legal side maintains and preserves records, including case files and calendars, for each court while the title division issues title certificates for watercraft and motor vehicle owners, according to the Summit County Clerk of Courts website. The clerk oversees and manages this office and the staff that carries out these tasks. Who is Katie Reed? The 35-year-old Reed of Green was appointed to her current clerk role in July 2023 but has four prior years of municipal court experience. Reed had run campaigns for candidates across Ohio, including one for Judge Jennifer Hensal of the Ninth District Court of Appeals, she said. In 2019, she became a bailiff at Akron Municipal Court before taking a job in the Barberton court where she learned the ropes and managed the office. Bryce Buyakie covers courts and public safety for the Beacon Journal. He can be reached by email at bbuyakie@gannett.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @bryce_buyakie. This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Katie Reed wins Summit County Clerk of Courts Republican primary (Photo Credit: Ilona Seipp | Getty Images) Authorities in Houston, Texas, are actively searching for a 27-year-old woman who went missing during a routine walk with her dog. Reports say Christina Johnson, a recent graduate, left home on Mar. 6 with her 10-year-old mixed-breed dog and has not been seen since. Police announced the dog named Max was found last Friday, Mar. 15, about seven miles away from their home. He was wandering all alone during a storm, looking scared and lost. Search continues for woman who went missing while walking her dog in Texas According to Daily Mail, Christinas dad, Emmanuel Johnson, reported her disappearance on Mar. 9, days after she failed to return home. Mr. Johnson revealed Christina often took her dog for walks, and the two would always come back home before the evening. The distraught father shared he found it very alarming when Max was discovered alone since Christina always has Max with her. Unfortunately on that day, Christina did not carry her phone. Moreover, her dad revealed she had been in a little depressive state prior to her mysterious disappearance. Callie Clemens, the woman who found Max, said the exhausted pup was soaking wet and was shaking out of fear. Mr. Johnson shared that ever since Max came home, hes been acting completely different. I think him being out there on his own maybe eight days, so obviously hes in a rough condition right now, Johnson explained, adding, But we are looking forward to getting him groomed. Hes not acting normal. Hes scared almost. According to Johnson, Max is a house dog and has never been on his own like that. Now, the Houston Police Department is carrying out drone searches, hoping to finally spot Christina and reunite her with her loved ones. I was just speaking with the detective, Johnson shared. Theyre getting sightings possibly another ten miles from here, he added. The post Search for Missing Houston Woman Continues; Dog Found Miles Away appeared first on DogTime. (Photo Credit: monkeybusinessimages | Getty Images) Tuesday, March 19, marked a heartwarming addition to the Lewisburg Elementary Huskies. The school community welcomed a nine-month-old Labradoodle, Pixie. She becomes the 22nd therapy dog placed in the Friends with Paws program, a partnership with Communities in Schools (CIS). Lewisburg Elementary School welcomes Friends With Paws therapy dog Pixie The Lewisburg Elementary Huskies recently embraced the arrival of a new member to their school community, as WVVA reports. Pixie, a delightful nine-month-old Labradoodle, joins as a therapy dog in West Virginia school under First Lady Cathy Justices esteemed Friends with Paws program. The program came into existence two years ago in collaboration with Communities in Schools (CIS). First Lady Cathy Justice noted, If you came into the school today and just saw the smile on every childs face in here, its just great. People are happy to see it, even the grownups and the children as well. Continuing, she added, Everybody likes dogs, and it gives them a calming effect, and [its] just really a special time. At Lewisburg Elementary, Pixies days will include making rounds alongside school personnel. Additionally, she will warmly greet students as they start their day and offer companionship to those in need of a friend. The Friends With Paws program strategically assigns certified therapy dogs to schools statewide, offering invaluable companionship and solace to students requiring support. Since February 2024, a notable total of 22 therapy dogs, including Pixie, have been thoughtfully placed across various regions of the state, fostering a positive impact on school communities. Moreover, this initiative is actively striving to deploy at least one therapy dog in every county across the state. First Lady Justice shared during Tuesdays event that she recently discovered six additional dogs ready for the program. Ideally, these dogs will receive allocations to their respective schools in time for the commencement of the 2024-2025 school year. Regarding Pixie, she becomes the second therapy dog to reside in Greenbrier County. Last August, Ruby, a Golden Retriever, was stationed at Greenbrier East High School. The post Therapy Dog Pixie Starts New Role at West Virginia School appeared first on DogTime. Three boys dubbed the "little rascals" for allegedly robbing a Texas bank were behind bars Thursday, the FBI said. The juveniles, ages 11, 12 and 16, have each been charged with robbery by threat, a spokesperson for the Harris County Sheriff's Office in Houston said in an email. "Because they are juveniles, their names, and no additional details will be released," the spokesperson said. It was the FBI's office in Houston that nicknamed the underage suspects after they were caught on camera March 14 allegedly robbing a Wells Fargo bank in the Greenspoint neighborhood of the city. The FBI posted a photo on X of the hoodie-clad threesome inside the bank's lobby and asked the public for help finding them. "Recognize these 'little rascals'?'" the FBI posted. "Believe it or not they just robbed the Wells Fargo at 10261 North Freeway." The boys passed a threatening note to a bank teller and then fled on foot with an undisclosed stash of cash, Houstons ABC 13 reported. The parents of two of the boys identified them after the FBI released the photo and called the agency, the station reported. The third boy was identified by the authorities. The FBI office in Houston appears to have a penchant for giving wanted suspects catchy nicknames. Earlier this week, the agency posted on X a photo of a man wanted for the March 13 robbery of a Capitol One Bank branch in west Houston and dubbed him the "Over the Hill Heister. Cinco de Mayo is an annual holiday that marks the anniversary of Mexicos victory over France at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. Also known as the Battle of Puebla Day, Cinco de Mayo (which is Spanish for May 5th), is often confused with Mexican Independence Day. In Mexico, however, the holiday isnt nearly as widely recognized as it is in the United States, where it has become a popular way to celebrate Mexican-American culture. The below quotes, song lyrics and sayings toast the holiday, express pride and patriotism, and express happy sentiments in Spanish and English alike. Some may be familiar, like the patriotic phrase Viva Mexico whereas others might not be as popular but carry equal weight. If youre looking for some thought-provoking or inspiring words to share this Cinco de Mayo, whether it be to a loved one or in a social media post, youve come to the right place. Keep reading for 40 Cinco de Mayo quotes to raise your spirits for the happy day. Without further ado, lets raise a glass (or a margarita) and toast to Mexican-American pride. Spanish expressions for Cinco de Mayo Feliz Cinco de Mayo! (Happy Cinco de Mayo!) Feliz Dia de la Batalla de Puebla (Happy day of the Battle of Puebla) Viva Mexico (Long live Mexico!) Que tengas un feliz Cinco de Mayo! (Have a happy Cinco de Mayo!) Famous quotes about Mexico Mexico is a mosaic of different realities and beauties. Enrique Pena Nieto Every year, thousands of Americans mistakenly refer to Cinco de Mayo as Mexicos Independence Day. Joe Baca Time in Mexico is at times cruel and punishing, but it is never indifferent. It permeates everything, changes reality. Einstein would have loved Mexico because there, time and space are one. I stare more often into empty space when Im in Mexico. Rudolfo Anaya, Silence of the Llano In Mexico your wishes have a dream power. When you want to see someone, he turns up. William S. Burroughs, Junkie In Mexico, we never forget; we always remember those who fought for freedom on Cinco de Mayo. Monica Ortiz I dont want to go to the United States, Mario, another of the old men, said, and he pointedfour blocks north was the fence. My family is here. I was born here. This is my home. Paul Theroux, On The Plain Of Snakes: A Mexican Journey Write the story of a contemporary cured of his heartbreaks solely by long contemplation of a landscape. Paul Theroux, On the Plain Of Snakes: A Mexican Journey At least you dont need a prescription for tequila. Rachel Vincent One single visit is not enough to be able to say that you know Mexico. Enrique Pena Nieto Mexico. Our brother from another mother. A country, with whom, like it or not, we are inexorably, deeply involved, in a close but often uncomfortable embrace. Look at it. Its beautiful. It has some of the most ravishingly beautiful beaches on earth. Mountains, desert, jungle. Beautiful colonial architecture, a tragic, elegant, violent, ludicrous, heroic, lamentable, heartbreaking history. Anthony Bourdain In years of making television in Mexico, its one of the places we, as a crew, are happiest when the days work is over. Well gather round a street stall and order soft tacos with fresh, bright, delicious tasting salsasdrink cold Mexican beer, sip smoky mezcals, listen with moist eyes to sentimental songs from street musicians. We will look around and remark, for the hundredth time, what an extraordinary place this is. Anthony Bourdain I took a trip down to Mexico. It kind of changed my perspective on life a little bit. Derrick Favors Quotes from notable Mexicans and Mexican-Americans It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees. Emiliano Zapata Is that why you stare at the stars? he asked. Are you searching for beauty or dreaming with your eyes wide open? Silvia Moreno-Garcia, There is nothing more precious than laughter it is strength to laugh and lose oneself, to be light. Frida Kahlo Nothing is absolute. Everything changes, everything moves, everything revolves, everything flies and goes away. Frida Kahlo I love you more than my own skin. Frida Kahlo If you have a dream, dont let anybody take it away. Selena Quintanilla At the end of the day, we can endure much more than we think we can. Frida Kahlo Once social change begins, it cannot be reversed. You cannot un-educate the person who has learned to read. You cannot humiliate the person who feels pride. You cannot oppress the people who are not afraid anymore. Cesar Chavez Only when we have become nonviolent towards all life will we have learned to live well with others. Cesar Chavez You are never strong enough that you dont need help. Cesar Chavez There youll find the place I love most in the world. The place where I grew thin from dreaming. My village, rising from the plain. Shaded with trees and leaves like a piggy bank filled with memories. Youll see why a person would want to live there forever. Dawn, morning, mid-day, night: all the same, except for the changes in the air. The air changes the color of things there. And life whirs by as quiet as a murmur...the pure murmuring of life. Juan Rulfo, Pedro Paramo The sky was filled with fat stars, swollen from the long night. The moon had risen briefly and then slipped out of sight. It was one of those sad moons that no one looks at or pays attention to. It had hung there a while, misshapen, not shedding any light, and then gone to hide behind the hills. Juan Rulfo, Pedro Paramo Perhaps no one really knows us who does not know the way we laugh. Valeria Luiselli, Lost Children Archive No one behind, no one ahead. / The path the ancients cleared has closed. / And the other path, everyones path, / easy and wide, goes nowhere. / I am alone and find my way. Octavio Paz One day there will be no borders, no boundaries, no flags and no countries and the only passport will be the heart. Carlos Santana People get stuck in their stories. My advice is to end your story and begin your life. Carlos Santana, The Universal Tone: My Life Song lyrics about Mexico Mexicanos, al grito de guerra el acero aprestad y el bridon. Francisco Gonzalez Bocanegra, Mexican National Anthem (Mexicans, at the cry of war, assemble the steel and the bridle.) Oh, Mexico / It sounds so simple, I just got to go / The suns so hot, I forgot to go home / Guess Ill have to go now. James Taylor, Mexico I left out of Tucson with no destination in mind / I was runnin from trouble and the jail term, the Judge had in mind / And the border meant freedom, a new life, romance / And thats why I thought I should go / And start my life over on the seashores of old Mexico. George Strait, The Seashores of Old Mexico Cuando volveras a Mexico otra vez? Juan Gabriel, Cuando Volveras A Mexico (When will you return to Mexico again?) You cant say no, in Acapulco / With every beat your heart will answer yes / Where lovers sing instead of talk / And dance instead of walk together / In a night, thats filled with stars / And strumming guitars. Elvis Presley, You Cant Say No in Acapulco Weather-wise, its such a lovely day / You just say the words and well beat the birds / Down to Acapulco Bay. Frank Sinatra, Come Fly with Me Laid back in an old saloon, with a peso in my hand / Watchin flies and children on the street / And I catch a glimpse of black-eyed girls who giggle when I smile / Theres a little boy who wants to shine my feet. Bob Weir, Mexicali Blues Picture postcards n hot tequila / French perfume, man, from Venezuela / When youre on a Tijuana Taxi ride! / Give those bulls a great big hand, / Love that mariachi band, / But the best thing in the land / Is that hand-me-down Tijuana Taxicab. Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass, Tijuana Taxi This article was originally published on TODAY.com The company behind Americas first biometric smart gun one that fires only when gripped by authorized users will face a crucial test in the coming weeks. After decades of failed attempts by other manufacturers to bring a reliable smart gun to market, Biofire, a Colorado-based startup, says its shipping its first batch of 9 mm handguns equipped with fingerprint and facial-recognition technology by the end of the month. The companys smart gun is designed to serve a very specific purpose: a weapon that can be quickly accessed to defend against a home intruder, but that cant be used by anyone unauthorized, particularly children. As Biofire markets its gun to firearm enthusiasts and skeptics alike, the company is walking a careful line to avoid the massive blowback from the gun-rights movement that derailed previous iterations of smart guns. For more on this story, watch Hallie Jackson Now on News Now at 5 p.m. ET. Gun control advocates have long seen biometric technology as a game changer for reducing gun violence, and Biofire has drawn their praise by emphasizing safety and the need to prevent children from accessing guns. At the same time, the company has built ties with the gun industry and opposes any government mandates to require biometric features in guns, trying to head off fears that the technology is a Trojan horse for gun control. So far, Biofires approach has been received with a mix of cautious optimism, curiosity and distrust. But the most important question wont be fully answered until the gun is in peoples hands: Does it really work? I dont want to be the first guy to find out, said Pierre Salomon, who runs a firearms training company in Massachusetts. I dont think the technology is there for me to be putting my life on the line and my familys life on the line. Biofire says its smart gun has undergone rigorous testing and has a battery that can last months on a single charge. (Courtesy Biofire) Kai Kloepfer, the companys CEO and founder, says its $1,499 gun is reliable and thoroughly tested. More than twice as expensive as a typical handgun, it isnt just a standard firearm with biomechanical sensors affixed. When an authorized user pulls the trigger, it sends an electric signal to fire the bullet, rather than rely on a physical trigger mechanism the first gun ever designed to fire that way, the company says. Its just a very, very different approach and one that has involved rigorous testing and validation of every single piece of the system, said Kloepfer, who compares the complexity of his product to a small satellite. Kloepfer began trying to develop a smart gun as a high school student who had been rattled by the 2012 Aurora, Colorado, theater shooting. He dropped out of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to focus on the product, ultimately raising more than $37 million in venture capital and private funds. Biofire says its first batch of smart guns will go to investors, friends and others in the firms inner circle this month. In the following months, Biofires first paid customers who number in the thousands, the company said, declining to be more specific will be receiving their orders. Biofire said roughly a third of them are first-time gun owners. The gun is designed to allow up to five authorized people to fire the weapon instantly upon gripping it, and to disable the trigger mechanism the moment it leaves their hand. That should help prevent unintentional shootings by children, as well as teen suicides, theft and criminal use of the weapons, Kloepfer said. Its unfortunately common that a kid finds a gun in a purse, or a kid finds a gun in a drawer and plays with it, Kloepfer said. The biometric technology wont work if users faces and hands are completely covered, but Biofire says that shouldnt be a problem, since its meant to be used at home. The companys website shows the gun stored on a bookshelf behind a family watching TV and above a kitchen counter with kids nearby. Kai Kloepfer (Matt Mills McKnight / Reuters) There are no federal product safety regulations for any firearms, including Biofires gun, due to a carveout in the 1972 consumer protection law, and there are no industry standards for testing biometric weapons. Biofires smart gun meets safety requirements for consumer electronics, as well as handgun safety standards that some states have established, the company said. Kloepfer added that Biofires fingerprint and facial-recognition sensors are designed to be far more reliable than a smartphone; people typically grip a weapon in a more consistent position that makes it easier to unlock accurately through fingerprints or facial capture. The product has undergone rigorous testing under conditions including a wide range of temperatures and sweaty palms, and has a battery that can last months on a single charge, he said. The promise of this technology has led many safety advocates to champion the development of smart guns as a critical breakthrough for reducing gun injuries and deaths. At a primary debate in 2019, Joe Biden declared that no gun should be able to be sold unless your biometric measure could pull that trigger. The website for his 2020 presidential campaign included a call to put America on the path to ensuring that 100% of firearms sold in America are smart guns, without specifying how that would be achieved. Nick Suplina, senior vice president for law and policy at Everytown, a gun control advocacy group, sees Biofire as a potential step in that direction. This could be the beginning of everybody opting in on safer firearms, Suplina said. As Biofire enters the marketplace, there is going to be pressure on other manufacturers to create similar products. Leading gun-rights advocates have not embraced Biofires smart gun with the same enthusiasm. Instead, they have stressed that they do not oppose smart gun technology itself, but rather any government plan to use it as a means to control which types of guns can be sold. Some have also raised the concern that smart guns could be disabled remotely, including by the government. Biofire says remote access to its gun is not possible. Biofire's biometric weapon uses fingerprint and facial recognition to identify authorized users. (Courtesy Biofire) Aidan Johnston, director of federal affairs for Gun Owners of America, a gun rights group, said these and other concerns will lead a lot of gun owners to be extremely skeptical about smart guns. What these so-called smart guns do is lock your firearm so its inaccessible in certain situations when youre going to want it like a life-or-death situation, he said. Gun-rights activists helped shut down the last major attempt to sell a smart gun in the U.S. in 2014, when a German company called Armatix introduced a gun equipped with radio-frequency technology that used a specialized wristband to authorize users. The NRA and others tested the weapon and criticized it for technical flaws including misfires and unlocking without authorization; Armatix denied that there were any problems. After a Maryland gun store announced that it would stock the product, the stores owner faced protests and death threats. The backlash was linked, in part, to a New Jersey law that required all of the states gun dealers to switch their entire handgun inventory to smart guns after they became commercially available anywhere in the U.S. Retailers scrapped their plans to sell the Armatix weapon, which never became available for sale in U.S. gun stores, and the company later filed for bankruptcy. New Jersey eliminated its requirement for smart-gun-only inventories in 2019, after state lawmakers acknowledged the effort had unintentionally backfired. The state replaced it with a new requirement for all dealers to stock smart guns as an option for customers when they become available. Biofire has gone out of its way to avoid Armatixs fate, joining with every major gun-rights group in opposing New Jerseys new requirement, arguing that the choice should be up to individual retailers. The company has not submitted paperwork for its product to be evaluated by the state, as Biofire doesnt want New Jersey gun shops to be required to sell its weapon. For now, all sales go through Biofires website. It remains to be seen whether theres a broad market for Biofires product or any smart gun. Kloepfer believes theres a large appetite for a home defense handgun and wants to provide more affordable offerings over time. While noting Biofires steep price tag, KiOwana Phillips, an active-duty Army sergeant major who also runs a firearms training business in North Carolina, said she can see the appeal of biometric security features to help protect her 10-year-old at home. The Biofire gun could be more immediately accessible for emergencies while remaining secure, she said, compared to her traditional gun safe and cable locks that would take more time to open. I would like to know and test it for myself to see if it actually works, Phillips said. I would personally like to try it. An American woman who previously posed as heiress to a fortune faces extradition to Northern Ireland to face charges in connection with alleged schemes in which she is accused of duping investors out of over $150,000. She was previously convicted in a scam in Los Angeles that was detailed on the "Queen of Con" podcast. Marianne Smyth, 54, is accused of defrauding five customers by enticing them to invest with her while she worked as a mortgage advisor in Northern Ireland from March 2008 to October 2010, British and U.S. officials said. She is accused of scamming five people out of 135,570 (US$172,000), money that she said would be invested but instead kept for herself, the officials said. An arrest warrant in Maine was signed and issued Feb. 23 for her arrest and extradition to Northern Ireland, where she is charged with four counts of fraud by abuse of position and four counts of theft. An extradition hearing is set for April 17 in Bangor. An attorney listed for Smyth did not reply to a request for comment. Smyth could face up to 10 years in prison for each of the charges, prosecutors have said in court, according to The Guardian. Marianne Smyth. (Police Service of Northern Ireland) Alleged Northern Ireland schemes Smyth is accused of defrauding the five people while working as an independent mortgage adviser for An Independent Mortgage Solution Ltd. In that role, she was supposed to "safeguard the financial interests of her clients," a complaint filed in the U.S. District Court of Maine said. Instead, she stole her clients' money, U.S. prosecutors said on behalf of British officials seeking her extradition. Police in Northern Ireland received reports about Smyth's fraud and theft in July 2009. But by then, she had left the U.K. and returned to the U.S., prosecutors said. One victim, identified in court documents as J.S., told police he met Smyth in 2009 when she arranged a mortgage on his home. He said Smyth offered him the opportunity to invest in a high interest-bearing account held with the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, the complaint said. On June 15, 2009, J.S. and his wife met with Smyth and gave her a check for 20,000 to be invested, the complaint said. But the couple never saw or heard from her again, it said. Officials said a police investigation determined that the check was deposited into Smyths bank account the day after it was issued and that there was no evidence that the funds were ever invested or returned to the couple. That account was closed Oct. 4, 2010, according to court documents. Police said they received similar accounts from other alleged victims. One person, identified in court documents as S.S., told police he was offered the opportunity to invest in a high interest-bearing account with the Commonwealth Bank of Australia with a return of 400 a month if he invested 20,000. He gave Smyth a check on Oct. 28, 2008, according to officials. From November 2008 until April 2009, and again in June 2009, S.S. received 400 a month, which he believed to be the return on his investment, the court documents said. But after June 2009, the payments stopped, officials said. Prosecutors say that when he contacted the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, a representative informed him the bank had no record of an account associated with his name and that the account number did not exist. S.S.'s attempts to contact Smyth were unsuccessful, according to court documents. Smyth last arrived in the U.S. on June 25, 2013, on a U.S. passport and hasnt left the country since, the complaint said. The British Embassy requested her extradition in 2021 and again in October. Surveillance was conducted by the U.S. Marshals Service; Smyth was located in Bingham, Maine, in January; and the complaint and warrant were signed and sealed on Feb. 23. Guilty of fraud in California Years after she disappeared from Northern Ireland in 2009, Smyth was convicted in Los Angeles of defrauding podcaster Johnathan Walton, who has said that at one time he considered her his best friend. Smyth was convicted in January 2019 of grand theft in California and sentenced to five years. In an essay for HuffPost in 2019, Walton detailed "a four-year nightmare" involving Smyth, who he called "an immensely lovable woman who inserted herself into my life and became my best friend." "Unfortunately, she was also an international con artist on the run from the authorities and I was about to become one of her many 'marks,'" Walton wrote. Walton wrote that Smyth conned him out of nearly $100,000, forcing him into bankruptcy, while "she was also scamming dozens of others around the world by impersonating psychics, mortgage brokers, psychologists, lawyers, travel agents, and even pretending to be a cancer victim." Before Smyth was convicted, Walton started a blog about his situation with Smyth after he filed a police report in 2017. He said in the essay that others began coming forward with allegations against Smyth. As the story gained traction, he wrote, police in Northern Ireland reached out and said they had been searching for Smyth for years in connection with a number of other alleged scams. In 2018, Los Angeles police arrested Smyth. During her grand theft trial in Los Angeles, Walton said four other people testified to show a pattern of her behavior. Smyth was found guilty of scamming Walton out of $91,784 in January 2019 and sentenced to five years. She was released from prison early on Dec. 12, 2020, at a time when California was freeing thousands of nonviolent prisoners to curb the spread of Covid. Walton then turned his story into a podcast series, "Queen of the Con," in early 2021. As a result, The Guardian reported, listeners contacted Walton with Smyth's most recent address in Maine. He said he then shared the address with Northern Irish authorities, according to The Guardian, which led to Smyth's arrest in Bingham. Damion Terrell Blue Campbell, 46, was sentenced to 42 years in prison for murder and aggravated assault for killing a woman and injuring two others at a Diesel Barber Shop in 2020. Courtesy, Bexar County Sheriff's Office Damion Terrell Blue Campbell wanted a haircut, said he forgot his money and went outside to get it. He returned to fatally stab an employee who had just turned 20. The rampage at a Northwest Side barbershop in 2020 killed Evan-Helle Jae Sorrell Ford ORegan and injured two others, Brittany Hood-Wright, 34, and Gabriella Harrell, 28. Campbell, then 42, was charged with murder and two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Advertisement Article continues below this ad On Monday, he pleaded guilty to all three charges in exchange for a 42-year prison term under a plea agreement reached between prosecutors Jeffrey Wright and Jeff Mulliner and defense attorney Albert M. Gutierrez Jr. An affidavit supporting Campbells arrest stated that the three employees at the Diesel Barbershop in the Bandera Oaks shopping plaza were preparing appointments when Campbell arrived on May 6, 2020. He spoke to ORegan outside the business, came in to book an appointment and went outside to get his wallet but returned armed with a knife and a gun, the affidavit said. He ordered the employees to the back of the business, choked ORegan until she passed out and could be seen on security video stabbing her multiple times before fleeing. ORegan died at the scene. Hood-Wright and Harrell were assaulted, but were able to escape, according to a statement from the Bexar County District Attorneys Office. Court records indicate Campbell, now 46, is awaiting transfer to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to begin serving his sentence. Had he gone to trial and been convicted, he would have faced up to life in prison. Advertisement Article continues below this ad By Brenda Goh SHANGHAI (Reuters) -Apple CEO Tim Cook on Thursday opened Apple's newest store in Shanghai in front of a large crowd, some of whom had queued overnight. Cook, who arrived in Shanghai on Wednesday, opened the store's doors and flashed a victory sign with his fingers before greeting the first few customers who had started waiting outside the day before. The new store, which faces Shanghai's historic Jing'an Temple, is Apple's 57th in China and its eighth in the Chinese financial hub. It is also the company's second-largest flagship store after its Fifth Avenue outlet in New York city. Its opening comes as Apple battles falling iPhone sales in China and rising competition from domestic rivals such as Huawei. Apple's iPhone sales in China fell 24% year-on-year in the first six weeks of this year, according to consultancy estimates. Cook, who was accompanied by Deidre O'Brien, Apple's senior vice president of retail and people, did not make any public remarks at the store. The store opening drew hundreds of people, with Chinese police stepping in to manage the crowd. He spoke to local media outlets on Wednesday, who said he met with Apple's Chinese suppliers including Wang Chuanfu, founder and president of BYD, whose electronics arm supplies components to the U.S. firm. Cook is expected to travel next to Beijing to attend the China Development Forum, a gathering of foreign CEOs with top Chinese policymakers. (Reporting by Brenda Goh; editing by Jason Neely, Elaine Hardcastle and David Evans) SYDNEY (AP) Australia and the United Kingdom signed a new defense and security cooperation agreement with the defense ministers of both countries saying it was required to meet contemporary challenges to maintain a global rules-based order. The treaty was signed by Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles and his U.K. counterpart Grant Shapps following annual bilateral ministerial defense talks at Parliament House in Canberra on Thursday, as part of the Australia-UK Ministerial (AUKMIN) meeting, which was first held in 2006. Australias relationship with the UK is dynamic and enduring, Marles said in a written statement Thursday. From the UKs leadership of support for Ukraine and efforts to address the Houthi threat, to increasing contributions in the Pacific and the Indo-Pacific, we continue to work closely together to support a global rules-based order. As the world becomes more complex and uncertain, we must modernize our most important partnerships," the statement said. The treaty also includes provisions to make it easier for the respective forces to operate together in each others countries, such as the joint training of Ukrainian troops in the U.K. Shapps said the treaty formalizes how the two countrys will consult on issues that affect each others sovereignty and regional security. I think one of the most important elements is it describes a mechanism by which we consult when either of our countries are under threat and we have those discussions more formalized than it is at the moment, Shapps said at a joint press conference with Marles at Parliament House in Canberra on Thursday. We do already cooperate very significantly on defense matters, it should be said. So well always be looking to deepen that cooperation between our countries. Other areas within the agreement included continued cooperation on capability development, including through the AUKUS alliance, as well as closer collaboration on undersea warfare, intelligence and military exercises. Refreshing the bilateral defense treaty was a commitment made at the AUKMIN conference held last year in the U.K, and is unlikely to have come as a surprise to others powers in the region, namely China. Beijing has been a frequent and strong critic of defense partnerships between nations it perceives as having the aim of containing its aspirations in the South East Asian and South Pacific. Coincidentally, Australia received the most senior Chinese leader visit in seven years earlier this week, where security and stability across the region had been high on the agenda between the respective foreign ministers. In his opening remarks before the bilateral meeting on Tuesday, Chinas Wang Yi said Australia should maintain an independent foreign policy and not allow third parties to disrupt ties between the two countries. The comments were widely regarded as a thinly veiled reference to the United States, which Beijing has often claimed is building a new military bloc, AUKUS which also includes the U.K. to contain Chinas aspirations in the Asia-Pacific region. The Australian governments plan to develop nuclear powered submarines under the AUKUS pact also continues to be a particular sticking point for China-Australia relations, which are thawing after some recent frosty years. By Kirsty Needham and Renju Jose SYDNEY (Reuters) -Australia and the United Kingdom on Thursday signed a new defence and security cooperation agreement that makes it easier for their defence forces to operate together in each other's countries. British Foreign Secretary David Cameron and Defence Secretary Grant Shapps were in Australia for annual talks on Friday with their counterparts in Adelaide, where local media have reported that a British company is expected to be named as the contractor to build a nuclear submarine under the AUKUS agreement. The treaty signed on Thursday requires the two nations to consult each other if they come under threat, Shapps told reporters in Canberra. "The need to act together [has] never been more pressing than it is today," said Shapps. The world had moved from a post-war world to a pre-war world, he added. "Not because we are about to go to war tomorrow, I hope, but because we need to be more prepared than ever before. Our stance needs to change," he said, pointing to the conflict in Ukraine as being relevant to the Indo Pacific region. Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles said the treaty added a strategic dimension to one of Australia's oldest partnerships, noting that the UK had a much bigger presence in the Indo-Pacific region than it has in a long time, and it would send a carrier strike group to the region next year. Marles said that Britain would contribute to a submarine rotational force in Australia, and that the treaty would strengthen the ability of the two militaries to work together. The UK will also contribute to a Combined Intelligence Centre in Australia, within Australia's Defence Intelligence Organisation. Under the AUKUS deal between Australia, Britain and the United States, Australia will buy several U.S. Virginia-class submarines in the next decade, and build a new AUKUS submarine at Adelaide shipyards by 2040. Australia is boosting defence interoperability and military exercises with the United States and regional partners after a defence review last year said China is undertaking the largest military buildup of any country since the end of World War Two. (Reporting by Kirsty Needham and Renju Jose in Sydney; Editing by Tom Hogue, Cynthia Osterman and Gerry Doyle) WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden announced Thursday that $6 billion in student loans would be canceled for 78,000 borrowers, bringing his administration's total student debt cancellation to nearly $150 billion. Biden, a Democrat, last year pledged to find other avenues for tackling debt relief after the Supreme Court in June blocked his broader plan to cancel $430 billion in student loan debt. The latest group includes public service workers, like teachers, nurses and firefighters, who qualify under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program created in 2007 to forgive student debt for Americans who go into public service. "These public service workers have dedicated their careers to serving their communities, but because of past administrative failures, never got the relief they were entitled to under the law," Biden said in a statement. As of June 2023, about 43.4 million U.S. student loan recipients had $1.63 trillion in outstanding loans, according to the Federal Student Aid website. Higher education debt has tripled since the 2008 financial crisis. Steep interest and hefty payments on these loans mean younger Americans struggle to buy homes or make other investments, and Democrats have pushed for U.S. government forgiveness for years. Republicans largely oppose such actions. Biden is seeking re-election in November and needs the youth vote to help him win. "I wont back down from using every tool at my disposal to deliver student debt relief to more Americans, and build an economy from the middle out and bottom up," Biden said. A White House official said Biden's latest move brought the total amount of debt cancellation under the Biden administration to $144 billion for nearly 4 million Americans. (Reporting By Steve Holland; Editing by Heather Timmons and Christian Schmollinger) President Biden with union members at an Intel plant in Chandler, Ariz., on Wednesday. (Brendan Smialowski / Getty Images) Courting Western states voters that are critical to his reelection bid, President Biden completed a two-day swing through Nevada and Arizona on Wednesday with a focus on Latinos, housing affordability, taxes and his predecessor and 2024 rival, former President Trump. In a series of official White House events and political gatherings, Biden blasted Trump for cutting taxes for the wealthy, increasing the federal deficit and failing to follow through on plans that could help the nation. "Remember my predecessor kept talking about 'Infrastructure Week' for four years? Well, he didnt build a damn thing," Biden told supporters at a community center in Las Vegas on Tuesday. "I proposed and signed the most significant investment in our nations infrastructure in generations, and now were going to have an 'Infrastructure Decade' so far, 47,000 new projects modernizing Americans roads, bridges, ports, airports, public transit ... $3.4 billion in projects right here in Nevada." Winning Arizona and Nevada in November two states Biden narrowly won in 2020 is vital to the Democrats reelection effort. But averages of polling in both states show the incumbent trailing Trump by more than five points in each, according to Real Clear Politics. These states also figure prominently in some of the most critical issues in this years election, such as border security, abortion rights, election denialism and concerns about the softening of support for the Democratic ticket among Latino voters, a critical part of the coalition Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris need to hold to win reelection. Biden highlighted policy successes that he said have boosted both state's economies, and on Wednesday announced that Intel was being awarded up to $8.5 billion in grants and $11 billion in loans to boost the manufacture of semiconductor chips in Chandler, Ariz., and in other states across the nation an investment expected to create tens of thousands of jobs. Read more:Arizona and Nevada make up 3% of the U.S. population and are vital to picking a president "Not a damn thing America can't do if we set our mind to it," Biden told cheering supporters at a construction site in Chandler. "It's gonna put us on track to manufacture 20% of the world's leading-edge chips by the end of the decade. And right here in the United States." After Bidens state of the union address earlier this month, Harris immediately traveled to Phoenix and Las Vegas to promote their message a reflection of Democrats need to strengthen their relationship with Latinos that Democratic leaders in these states acknowledge. We have not been talking to folks about the issues that President Biden has been delivering on and that's what we are determined to do, Arizona Democratic Party Chairwoman Yolanda Bejarano told reporters after Biden spoke at a campaign event in Phoenix on Tuesday. Among the Biden administrations accomplishments that need to be highlighted include job creation, capping insulin prices and protecting entitlements, Bejarano said. She added that while Trump may be entertaining, Arizona will be a battle in November and Democrats must highlight what will happen if he is elected to another term. People like [to] laugh at his rallies, you know, it's like they're going to a circus. They're listening to him just joke about things very, very serious things, she said. We just need to be very, very focused and, you know, make sure that Latinos understand exactly who Donald Trump is and what a danger he presents to us. Biden campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez identified the Western battlegrounds as one of three swaths in the nation that the presidents reelection bid will hinge upon, in a campaign memo released Tuesday. The campaign will have more than 40 staff members on the ground in the two states by the end of March, she wrote. Were investing early to reach these voters and highlight the Biden-Harris administrations work to bring down costs, create good-paying jobs, and keep their families safe rather than treating them as base voters to engage at the last minute, Chavez Rodriguez wrote. On Tuesday, Bidens campaign announced a new ad focused on Latino voters delivered in English, Spanglish and Spanish as well as the launch of Latinos con Biden-Harris, an effort to mobilize Latino voters in the 2024 election. "You're the reason why in large part I beat Donald Trump," Biden told supporters Tuesday evening at El Portal, a Mexican restaurant in Phoenix, who shouted, "Viva Biden." "I need you badly." Republicans discounted the effort as too little, too late. Democrats have taken the Hispanic community for granted for far too long, and no amount of money the Biden campaign spends will change the fact that Biden and Harris have been a disaster for our community, from the failing economy to the border crisis and the uncontrollable raise of crime in our neighborhoods, Jaime Florez, the Republican National Committees Hispanic outreach and communications director, said in a statement. Republicans will continue receiving with open arms thousands of Hispanics that are moving to our party, disappointed with Democrats and their policies, and will be fundamental to Republican victories all over the country in 2024." The Biden campaign also focused on union jobs created since the pandemic gutted employment, a particularly salient point in Nevada. The states tourism industry was decimated by the 2020 COVID-19 shutdowns and hasnt fully recovered. Historically, labor has been an enormous booster of Democrats in the state, and more than one in 10 workers was were a member of a union in 2023, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Supporters repeatedly called Biden the most pro-union president in history. Among the policy proposals Biden and his campaign highlighted during the trip were a $10,000 tax credit for first-time home buyers, building and renovating more than 2 million homes, expanding the child tax credit and increasing taxes on the wealthy. Biden also twice touted a high-speed rail project that will connect Las Vegas with Southern California, funded by billions of federal dollars. Guess what? he told supporters at the campaign event in Reno. "It's coming." Get the best of the Los Angeles Times politics coverage with the Essential Politics newsletter. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Fotogramma/ROPI via ZUMA Press Federal prosecutors are pursuing a deal to allow WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to avoid espionage charges and instead plead guilty to the misdemeanor of mishandling classified data. The Wall Street Journal first reported on the talks between U.S. authorities and Assange's lawyers on Wednesday. The independent outlet Consortium News then confirmed that it had learned the same details "off the record" several months ago. Assange has been detained in Britain for five years awaiting extradition, and the Journal reported that he "would likely be free to leave prison shortly after any deal was concluded" due to time served. Although it's not a done deal, the proposal is good news for the First Amendment, because it avoids setting a precedent that allows the U.S. government to treat journalists as spies. Attorney General Merrick Garland still has to sign off on any deal, according to the Journal. And Assange's brother Gabriel Shipton told Consortium News that Assange is dead-set against signing a deal that would require him to come to the United States, due to worries that the U.S. government could change the terms at the last minute. After the news broke, Assange's lawyer Barry J. Pollack stated, "We have been given no indication that the Department of Justice intends to resolve the case." Pollack didn't deny that negotiations were happening, and accusing the other side of being unserious could be a negotiating tactic. But both sides have a strong incentive to avoid a trial. In addition to saving Assange from significant jail time, a plea deal could allow the Biden administration to wriggle out of a self-inflicted political conundrum. WikiLeaks became a thorn in the U.S. government's side in the early 2010s when it published classified data provided by former Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning, including a database of U.S. diplomatic cables and a video of a U.S. Army helicopter gunning down a news crew in Iraq. The Obama administration prosecuted Manning but decided not to prosecute Assange because of the "New York Times problem." Even though WikiLeaks is not a traditional newspaper, its activities are legally not so different from The New York Times and other news organizations, which often publish stories based on leaked classified information. Indeed, Assange partnered with the Times, The Guardian, and other international outlets for the "Cablegate" leaks. When the Trump administration finally decided to prosecute Assange for espionage in 2019, the Times editorial board called the case a weapon "aimed straight at the heart of the First Amendment." Because of Assange's case, a bipartisan group in Congress is pushing for a law to overhaul the Espionage Act completely. With a misdemeanor plea deal, prosecutors could avoid a fight over the Espionage Act and the First Amendment, without looking like the Biden administration backed down. As the Journal put it, putting Assange on trial "would throw a political hot potato into the lap of the Biden administration." The post Biden Wants To Avoid a First Amendment Showdown Over WikiLeaks appeared first on Reason.com. By Humeyra Pamuk and Simon Lewis CAIRO (Reuters) - The United States and Saudi Arabia have made "good progress" in talks on normalising ties between the kingdom and Israel, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Thursday without providing a timeline for concluding a deal. "I believe we can reach an agreement, which would present a historic opportunity for two nations, but also for the region as a whole," Blinken said at a joint press conference with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry in Cairo. Talks on normalisation had been put on ice in the immediate aftermath of the Oct. 7 attack by Palestinian Hamas fighters and Israel's subsequent assault on Hamas-ruled Gaza, but conversations have resumed in recent months. The Biden administration has been working to secure such a deal. Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries want the creation of a Palestinian state to be part of any deal. Riyadh is also looking to clinch a mutual defence pact with Washington and get U.S. support for its civil nuclear program. Blinken discussed the topics on Wednesday with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah during an official visit. "We had a very good discussion about the work that we've been doing for many months now on normalisation, and that work is moving forward. We're continuing to make good progress," Blinken said but added that he could not offer a timeframe. A pact giving the world's biggest oil exporter U.S. military protection in exchange for normalisation would reshape the Middle East by uniting two long-time foes and binding Riyadh to Washington at a time when China is making inroads in the region. For such a deal to advance, Israel needs to agree to a pathway for creation of an independent Palestinian state, a prospect that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly rejected. Washington sees any normalisation deal woven into post-war planning that would include Arab countries providing security guarantees for Israel in return for the creation of a Palestinian state under a reformed Palestinian Authority. (Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk in Cairo and Simon Lewis in Washington; Additional reporting by David Ljunggren; Editing by Chris Reese and Howard Goller) BEIJING (Reuters) -China is considering launching talks on maritime affairs with Australia, a foreign ministry spokesperson said on Thursday, as increased tension among several nations bordering the South China Sea threatens regional security. The ministry announced the talks on the final day of a visit to Australia by China's foreign minister, Wang Yi, who met his counterpart and other leaders of the country this week to discuss trade and differences over regional security. Australia and China, its largest trading partner, are rebuilding ties after relations hit a low in 2020 when Canberra called for an independent investigation into the origins of COVID-19, and Beijing responded with barriers to trade. Most have been lifted since a change in the Australia government two years ago. Maritime issues have been a hot-button topic between China and Australia amid growing confrontations in the vital economic waterway that China claims almost in its entirety, despite overlapping claims by many Southeast Asian nations. "Both sides agreed to restore and establish dialogue in various fields," said Lin Jian, the foreign ministry spokesperson, in response to a query on the visit, adding that both are also considering launching talks on maritime issues. Other areas in which both will look to promote co-operation include diplomacy, trade, technology, education and law enforcement, he added. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said the country is concerned about unsafe and destabilising behaviour in the South China Sea amid confrontations between Chinese and Philippine vessels in disputed waters. The two have had altercations over disputed atolls, most notably the Second Thomas Shoal. In November, Australia also criticised China for an "unsafe and unprofessional" naval interaction between their vessels that injured Australian military divers. In a joint statement this month, Australia and the ASEAN regional grouping said all countries should refrain from unilateral action in the South China Sea that endanger peace, security and stability in the disputed area. China claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, angering neighbouring countries, which dispute some boundaries they say cut into their exclusive economic zones. TRADE In a readout on Thursday of a meeting with the premier of New South Wales in Sydney, Wang said many Australians from the government and various sectors support the improvement and development of bilateral relations. "The greatest feeling from this visit to Australia is that both the Australian ruling party and opposition party, the business and strategic circles, officials and ordinary people support the strengthening of dialogue and cooperation between China and Australia in various fields," he said. Wang also said China is willing to work with Australia to consolidate and expand cooperation in sectors such as energy, mining, agricultural products and dairy products. China's commerce ministry said on Thursday it welcomed Australia's decision to drop anti-dumping measures against Chinese wind turbines and is willing to work together on climate change. (Reporting by Laurie Chen, Liz Lee, Joe Cash and Xu Jing; Writing by Bernard Orr; Editing by Clarence Fernandez and Neil Fullick) WASHINGTON A federal judge who has overseen numerous criminal cases against Donald Trump supporters who viciously assaulted police officers during the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol expressed concern during a sentencing hearing Thursday that the former president could trigger another violent attack in the lead-up to or aftermath of the 2024 presidential election. U.S. District Judge Rudy Contreras voiced those concerns while sentencing Jeffrey Sabol, a Colorado geophysicist, to 63 months, or more than five years, in federal prison. Sabol had told the FBI that he believed there was no question the election was stolen and that Dominion voting machines had been tampered with. Sabol also told the FBI he was filled with patriotic rage on Jan. 6, that a call to battle was announced and that he answered the call because he was a patriot warrior. Contreras said that Trump and his allies had spurred the attack on the Capitol, saying he was worried that Sabol would respond once again if a similar call was issued. "It doesn't take much imagination to imagine a similar call coming out in the coming months," Contreras said Thursday. Sabol, who repeatedly assaulted officers at the lower west tunnel during the Capitol attack, was one of a fraction of the Jan. 6 defendants who had been held pretrial, so he's already served the majority of his sentence. He was arrested on Jan. 11, 2021, just five days after the attack. Sabol destroyed his laptop in a microwave oven, dropped his cellphone in a body of water and tried to board a flight to Zurich, Switzerland, prior to his arrest, prosecutors said. Contreras on Thursday also ordered Sabol to pay $32,165.65 in restitution and serve three years of supervised release. Jeffrey Sabol, center, seen during the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. (U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia) In the lead-up to the Capitol attack, many Trump supporters saw the former president's Dec. 19, 2020 "will be wild" tweet encouraging people to come to Washington on Jan. 6 as a "call to arms." As criminal cases against hundreds of Trump supporters have made their way through federal court, Jan. 6 defendants have said time and time again that they took the actions they did because they believed the former president's baseless lies about the 2020 election. Some Jan. 6 defendants have said they were duped and manipulated and expressed retroactive embarrassment about their lack of critical thinking skills, with some defendants even calling themselves idiots. In the court gallery for Sabols sentencing was Micki Witthoeft, the mother of Jan. 6 rioter Ashli Babbit, who was shot and killed by a Capitol Police officer as she jumped through a broken window leading into the House Speakers Lobby. Witthoeft attended a vigil for Jan. 6 defendants outside a jail in Washington this week, which was livestreamed, saying that she had spoken with Trump on the phone earlier in the day and that the former president talked about setting these guys free when he gets in, a message he asked to be passed along to Jan. 6 defendants. The former president was supposed to be currently standing trial in connection with his efforts to overturn his election loss. Instead, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on Trump's claims of total presidential immunity from criminal charges next month, and it is unclear if he will face trial before Election Day 2024. Numerous members of the federal judiciary in Washington have indicated that they believe Trump is responsible for the events of Jan. 6. Contreras said at a prior sentencing against a Jan. 6 rioter that Trump and his allies bear responsibility for what occurred that day. Judge Amy Berman Jackson, at a prior Jan. 6 sentencing, said that the Republican Party was "actively shunning the few who think standing up for principle is more important than power and have stepped forward to educate the public and to speak the truth." The threat to democracy, Berman Jackson said, did not evaporate or dissipate just because the 2020 election results were certified. "The lie that the election was stolen or illegitimate is still being propagated. Indeed, its being amplified, not only on extremist social media sites, but on mainstream news outlets," she said. "And worse, its become heresy for a member of the former presidents party to say otherwise." More recently, Senior U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth expressed astonishment that Republican politicians had so readily latched onto "preposterous" claims about the events of Jan. 6 itself. He cited claims that criminals convicted in a court of law or ordered held until trial by federal judges because of their danger to the community or risk of flight were "hostages," a term Trump and his supporters like Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., have used. The Court is accustomed to defendants who refuse to accept that they did anything wrong. But in my thirty-seven years on the bench, I cannot recall a time when such meritless justifications of criminal activity have gone mainstream, Lamberth, who was appointed by former President Ronald Reagan in 1987, said. I have been dismayed to see distortions and outright falsehoods seep into the public consciousness, Lamberth continued. The Court fears that such destructive, misguided rhetoric could presage further danger to our country. Edinburg Mayor Ramiro Garza Jr., second from right, speaks as San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg, far right, listens along with Brownsville District 1 Commissioner Bryan L Martinez, from left, Weslaco Mayor Adrian Gonzalez and McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos during a news conference this week at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine. They were attending a South Texas Alliance of Cities meeting. Joel Martinez/(McAllen) Monitor San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg walks back into the meeting room at the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine. He was attending Mondays meeting of the South Texas Alliance of Cities. Joel Martinez/(McAllen) Monitor San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg, right, and Edinburg Mayor Ramiro Garza Jr. take part in a news conference this week during a meeting of the South Texas Alliance of Cities, held at the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine. Joel Martinez/(McAllen) Monitor From left, Brownsville District 1 Commissioner Bryan L. Martinez, Weslaco Mayor Adrian Gonzalez, Edinburg Mayor Ramiro Garza Jr. and San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg attend a news conference at the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine. They were attending a South Texas Alliance of Cities meeting. Joel Martinez/(McAllen) Monitor EDINBURG Theres power in speaking with a unified voice, and thats precisely what municipal leaders from Brownsville to San Antonio hope to leverage through a new partnership called the South Texas Alliance of Cities, or STAC. Its all part of a relatively new effort spurred by San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg to capitalize on the shared heritage of the communities in the greater South Texas region in order to wield more clout economically and politically. When we work together as a collaborative community, we can combine our strengths, we can leverage our political and economic force, and we can make sure that the rest of the country knows the importance of South Texas, Nirenberg said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Nirenberg and leaders from Edinburg, McAllen, Weslaco, Brownsville and Mission were attending a quarterly STAC meeting held earlier this week at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valleys School of Medicine campus in Edinburg. The focus of the meeting was to find out about the schools recent successes, learn about local economic development opportunities and get a closed-door briefing on border security from U.S. Border Patrol. We want to make sure that we are telling the story of South Texas, the importance of it, the important strong friendship and binational economic partnership between the United States and Mexico, Nirenberg said at a news conference after the mayors had convened for a working breakfast Monday. The San Antonio mayor spoke of how, increasingly, people are beginning to recognize South Texas for the powerhouse that it is; that economic, social and political trends seen here are often reflected in the state at large, and ultimately, nationwide. As South Texas goes, so goes Texas and so goes the United States, he said. While the discussions at this meeting focused more on issues that are more hyperlocal to the Rio Grande Valley, such as Hidalgo County Judge Richard F. Cortezs Prosperity Task Force, or Edinburgs economic development progress, the alliance also has turned its attention to larger issues. Advertisement Article continues below this ad That includes challenging the narratives of the region that often play out in national headlines, particularly regarding border security and immigration. We need to make sure that we share all the information on our area, our region, Edinburg Mayor Ramiro Garza Jr. said. Garza serves as the inaugural chairman of the alliance, which first assembled last May. Within a 150-mile radius of Edinburg, theres 10 million people. That includes the northern part of Mexico. A lot of that is not talked about. So theres a lot of opportunities here, Garza continued. Nirenberg spoke of the importance of presenting South Texas predominantly Latino culture as an asset and a strength rather than simply a political talking point. Advertisement Article continues below this ad We have a shared heritage, a history that were proud of and thats something that needs to be seen as it is, which is a strength for this country and for this state and for our economy, Nirenberg said. Part of the reason for forming the South Texas Alliance is to tell that story and make sure it resonates, he added. The alliance has begun to take steps to provide context through commentary on border-related legislation. Most recently, the group of mayors have come together to urge Congress to pass a bipartisan border bill that would provide increased funding for border agents, hire 1,500 customs agents and add more than 4,300 asylum officers, according to a fact sheet provided by the White House. However, the bill has remained stalled since last month, when House Republicans blocked its passage. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The bipartisan border bill is one of those solutions that Congress can take to improve the situation on the border and to also deal with issues that, frankly, Congresses past and present have walked away from for the last 40 years, Nirenberg said. The alliance has yet to formally take a stance on a piece of border legislation thats much closer to home Texas Senate Bill 4. The law, originally set to take effect March 5, makes it a crime to enter the state from Mexico illegally and allows any law enforcement officer in Texas to arrest migrants they suspect of violating the law. It empowers judges to order the removal of anyone convicted under the law. Currently, enforcement of the law has been paused thanks to a temporary stay while the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals weighs what to do next. A federal judge in Austin last month blocked the law, calling it patently unconstitutional, and the appeals court is now deciding what to do with his order. Collectively, we have not taken a position on that Senate Bill 4, Edinburgs Garza said, adding that, I can tell you from my standpoint, it will be hard for our police department to enforce that. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Nirenberg said the bill is not a solution to the issues border communities face, and again called on Congress to settle the matter by taking action. SB4 is just another attempt by partisan state legislators to exploit the challenges of our immigration system that has not been modernized, or meaningfully addressed by Congress in over a generation, Nirenberg said. Last Saturday, Richard Slayman made history: He became the first living person to receive a genetically modified kidney from a pig, surgeons at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston said Thursday. Slayman, 62, whose kidneys had failed and who had been on dialysis, underwent the four-hour operation Saturday to receive the pig kidney, said his nephrologist, Dr. Winfred Williams, the associate chief of the nephrology division at Mass General. It really is a groundbreaking milestone, William said. Should the kidney continue to work well and this is a success, I think it represents a breakthrough in a number of different areas. The first successful pig kidney transplant in a living recipient a milestone in the field of so-called xenotransplantation, or animal-to-human transplant could offer hope to the tens of thousands of people in the U.S. on the waiting list for organ transplants, as well as countless others worldwide. More than 100,000 people in the U.S. are on transplant waiting lists, including about 90,000 who need kidneys, according to the United Network for Organ Sharing, a nonprofit group that manages the U.S. organ transplant system. But xenotransplantation still comes with significant risks. There have been two pig-to-human heart transplants in the U.S.; in both cases, the patients lived for no more than two months. Slaymans operation was five days ago. Hes still recovering at Mass General, but Williams said his doctors hope to send him home this weekend, as long as no complications come up. So far, there have been no signs that his bodys immune system is rejecting the kidney, Williams said. animal to human transplant genetically modified organ (Michelle Rose / Mass General) His blood pressure, his vital signs are very stable, he said. He looks almost completely on the way to full recovery. Still, doctors are collecting samples of Slaymans blood around the clock, looking for signs of a dangerous virus, which is believed to have killed the man who received the first genetically modified heart from a pig in 2022. The question of how long the kidney will last remains. It will be really interesting to learn whether or not the xenograft is ultimately a bridge, meaning it lasts for a short period of time until a human allograft can be found, or if its going to be what we call destination, meaning it will last this individual the rest of his life, said Dr. Jayme Locke, a transplant surgeon at the University of Alabama Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine. Even so, "it's game-changing," Locke said. A one-off, for now Xenotransplantation isnt approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Though its been touted as a potential solution to the worldwide organ shortage, it could be years before the procedure is widely used, as much more data is needed. "What we really want to do is get to the initial clinical trials, where you have multiple patients that are receiving xenografts and several centers that are participating where you can really test a hypothesis and see how safe this is and how well it works," said Dr. Robert Montgomery, the director of the NYU Langone Transplant Institute. Surgeons prepare to transplant the pig kidney, seen here on ice, into the patient's body. (Michelle Rose / Mass General) Slaymans transplant was performed under the FDAs compassionate use program, which lets patients with serious, life-threatening conditions access experimental treatments when nothing else is available. Its a one-off transplant, said Karen Maschke, a researcher at the Hastings Center, a bioethics research institute, who studies the ethical, regulatory and policy issues involving the use of new biomedical technologies. While Slayman was unique in that he was chosen for a pig kidney transplant, his condition was far from rare: About 800,000 people in the U.S. have kidney failure and require dialysis, often a time-consuming process for patients. Slayman had previously received a kidney transplant from a deceased human donor in 2018 after having been on dialysis for seven years. The transplant, however, showed signs of failure last year, and he resumed dialysis. Williams said putting Slayman back on the waiting list for a new kidney was an option, although that would have entailed a wait of six to seven years, a time frame Williams doubted Slayman would have survived. He was in dire straits, Williams said. So Dr. Leonardo Riella, the medical director of kidney transplantation at Mass General, proposed another option: a pig kidney transplant, which, Williams said, Slayman agreed to, adding that he was frustrated with dialysis. "Our hope is that dialysis will become obsolete," Riella said at a press conference Thursday. The transplant surgery took four hours to complete. The operating room erupted in applause when they realized the operation had been a success. (Michelle Rose / Mass General) The hospital got the genetically modified kidney from the Cambridge, Massachusetts-based drugmaker eGenesis, Riella said. The kidney contained a total of 69 gene edits, he said, 10 of which were made to reduce the risk of rejection. The 59 other edits were made to lower the risk of infection from viruses. The pig kidney was roughly the same size as a human kidney, and "when you look at it microscopically, looks exactly like a human kidney," Riella said. "But based on the divergence 80 million years ago between humans and pigs that are different, the genetic edits that have been made allow us to have a much more compatible kidney." Dr. Tatsuo Kawai, the surgeon who performed the operation, said the operating room erupted in applause when people realized the transplant was successful. Right after the restoration of the blood flow to the kidney, the kidney pinked up immediately and started to make urine, Kawai said. It was the most beautiful kidney I had ever seen. Six former officers charged in the case pleaded guilty last year, admitting that they subjected Michael Corey Jenkins and Eddie Terrell Parker to numerous acts of racist torture in January 2023 after a neighbor complained the men were staying in a home with a white woman. ACKSON, Miss. (AP) A fourth former Mississippi sheriffs deputy was sentenced Wednesday for his part in the racist torture of two Black men by a group of white officers who called themselves the Goon Squad, receiving 40 years in federal prison. Christian Dedmon, 29, did not look at the victims as he apologized and said hed never forgive himself for the pain he caused. All six former officers charged in the case pleaded guilty last year, admitting that they subjected Michael Corey Jenkins and Eddie Terrell Parker to numerous acts of racist torture in January 2023 after a neighbor complained the men were staying in a home with a white woman. Prosecutors said Dedmon slapped the men with a sex toy and threatened to brutalize them with it. U.S. District Judge Tom Lee said Wednesday that Dedmon carried out the most shocking, brutal and cruel attacks imaginable against Jenkins and Parker and against a white man during a traffic stop weeks earlier. Jenkins, who still has trouble speaking due to his injuries, said in a statement read by his lawyer that Dedmons actions were the most depraved of any of those who attacked him. Deputy Dedmon is the worst example of a police officer in the United States, Jenkins said. Deputy Dedmon was the most aggressive, sickest and the most wicked. This combination of photos shows (from top left) former Rankin County sheriffs deputies Hunter Elward, Christian Dedmon, Brett McAlpin, Jeffrey Middleton, Daniel Opdyke and former Richland police officer Joshua Hartfield appearing at the Rankin County Circuit Court in Brandon, Mississippi on Aug. 14. A federal judge has postponed sentencing for the six former Mississippi law enforcement officers, who pleaded guilty to a long list of federal charges for torturing two Black men in January. (Photo: Rogelio V. Solis/AP, File) Hours before Dedmons sentencing, former officer Daniel Opdyke, 28, cried profusely as he spoke before the judge announced his sentence of 17.5 years. Turning to look at the two victims, Opdyke said isolation behind bars has given him time to reflect on how I transformed into the monster I became that night. The weight of my actions and the harm Ive caused will haunt me every day, Opdyke told them. I wish I could take away your suffering. Parker rested his head in his hands and closed his eyes, then stood and left the courtroom before Opdyke finished speaking. Jenkins said he was broken and ashamed by the cruel acts inflicted upon him. The judge said Opdyke may not have been fully aware of what being a member of the Goon Squad entailed when Lt. Jeffrey Middleton asked him to join, but he did know it involved using excessive force. You were not a passive observer, Lee said. You actively participated in that brutal attack. All six former officers pleaded guilty last year to breaking into a home without a warrant and torturing the Black men with a stun gun, a sex toy and other objects. On Tuesday, Lee gave a nearly 20-year prison sentence to Hunter Elward, 31, and a 17.5-year sentence to Middleton, 46, calling their actions egregious and despicable. They, like Opdyke and Dedmon, worked as Rankin County sheriffs deputies during the attack. Another former deputy, Brett McAlpin, 53, and a former Richland police officer, Joshua Hartfield, 32, are set for sentencing Thursday. Last March, months before federal prosecutors announced charges in August, an investigation by The Associated Press linked some of the deputies to at least four violent encounters with Black men since 2019 that left two dead and another with lasting injuries. The former officers stuck to their cover story for months until finally admitting that they tortured Michael Corey Jenkins and Parker. Elward admitted to shoving a gun into Jenkins mouth and firing it in a mock execution that went awry. In a statement Tuesday, Attorney General Merrick Garland condemned the heinous attack on citizens they had sworn an oath to protect. The terror began Jan. 24, 2023, with a racist call for extrajudicial violence when a white person in Rankin County complained to McAlpin that two Black men were staying with a white woman at a house in Braxton. McAlpin told Dedmon, who texted a group of white deputies asking if they were available for a mission. No bad mugshots, he texted a green light, according to prosecutors, to use excessive force on parts of the body that wouldnt appear in a booking photo. Once inside, they handcuffed Jenkins and his friend Parker and poured milk, alcohol and chocolate syrup over their faces. They forced them to strip naked and shower together to conceal the mess. They mocked the victims with racial slurs and shocked them with stun guns. Dedmon and Opdyke assaulted them with a sex toy. After Elward shot Jenkins in the mouth, lacerating his tongue and breaking his jaw, they devised a coverup that included planting drugs and a gun. False charges stood against Jenkins and Parker for months. The majority-white Rankin County is just east of the state capital, Jackson, home to one of the highest percentages of Black residents of any major U.S. city. The officers shouted at Jenkins and Parker to stay out of Rankin County and go back to Jackson or their side of the Pearl River, court documents say. Opdyke was the first to admit what they did, his attorney Jeff Reynolds said Wednesday. On April 12, he showed investigators a WhatsApp text thread where the officers discussed their plan and what happened. Had he thrown his phone in a river, as some of the other officers did, investigators might not have discovered the encrypted messages. Reynolds also said Opdyke was sexually assaulted as a child and had seen the older deputies as father figures. That made him susceptible to the culture of misconduct within the Rankin County Sheriffs Office, Reynolds said. When a new officer goes over there, they start indoctrinating people, Reynolds said. Where is the true leadership? Why arent they in this court? Civil co-counsel Trent Walker, center, speaks to reporters on the sentencing of the third former Rankin County law enforcement officer, while his clients, Eddie Terrell Parker, left, Michael Corey Jenkins, listen while outside the federal courthouse in Jackson, Miss., Wednesday, March 20, 2024. Former Rankin County deputy Daniel Opdyke was sentenced to 17.5 years in federal prison for his role with five other now former Rankin County law enforcement officers, in the racially motivated, violent torture of Parker and Jenkins. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) Dedmon, who planted drugs on Jenkins to frame him on false charges, said he was promoted to narcotics investigator not despite his bad behavior, but because of it. Its because instead of doing the right thing, I chose to do the wrong thing, Dedmon said. Dedmon, like Opdyke and Elward, also pleaded guilty to taking part in an assault on a white man during a traffic stop Dec. 4, 2022 weeks before Jenkins and Parker were tortured. Prosecutors revealed the victims identity Tuesday as Alan Schmidt. Reynolds said Opdyke held Schmidt down until Dedmon arrived but didnt beat him or sexually assault him. The Associated Press does not typically name people who say they were sexually assaulted unless they consent to being identified or come forward publicly. According to a statement from Schmidt that prosecutors read in court, Dedmon accused him of possessing stolen property. Schmidt said he was handcuffed, pulled from his vehicle and beaten until he started to see spots. Prosecutors said Elward and Opdyke failed to intervene as Dedmon punched and kicked him, used a Taser on him, fired his gun into the air to threaten him, and then sexually assaulted him. What sick individual does this? Schmidt wrote in his statement. Dedmon admitted to firing a gun into the air to intimidate Schmidt but denied sexually assaulting him. Prosecutors said they read details from the sexual assault into the court record when Dedmon pleaded guilty, and Dedmon said he agreed with the facts presented. Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey, who took office in 2012 and was reelected in November after no one ran against him, revealed no details about his deputies actions when he announced they had been fired last June. After they pleaded guilty in August, Bailey said the officers had gone rogue and promised changes. Jenkins and Parker called for his resignation and filed a $400 million civil lawsuit against the department. Never miss a beat: Get our daily stories straight to your inbox with theGrios newsletter. The post Fourth ex deputy gets 40-year sentence for role in torture, sex assault of Black men appeared first on TheGrio. A house designed by one of the most recognized names in architectural history has landed on the real estate market in Kalamazoo, Michigan and for under $1 million to boot. Exterior Screen grab from Realtor Frank Lloyd Wright was a trailblazer in his field and changed the way people viewed architecture, and the estate known as the McCartney House might be one of his boldest marks in the Midwest. And its listed for $790,000. Bookshelf Screen grab from Realtor It was commissioned in 1949 by Ward & Helen McCartney & located in Parkwyn Village which is listed on the National Register Of Historic Places, this Usonian home is a testament to Wrights visionary approach to design, seamlessly blending nature with modern living, the listing on Realtor.com says. Interior Screen grab from Realtor Discover the distinctive features that define this iconic residence, from its horizontal lines, vaulted ceilings and cantilevered roofs to the seamless integration of indoor and outdoor spaces. This is perhaps the most dramatic Usonian designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in Parkwyn and is only 1 of 2 homes in Michigan that Frank designed using the diamond shaped module. Living room Screen grab from Realtor But the home has seen better times, according to listing agent Fred Taber, who spoke to Architectural Digest about the home. Wall of windows Screen grab from Realtor The home, like many in the area, fell into a state of disrepair, Taber told AD. Kitchen Screen grab from Realtor Upon receiving new owners in 2021, the residence has since undergone a makeover but could use a little more work, according to Architectural Digest. Interior Screen grab from Realtor If one were to stain the interior block it would be more aesthetically pleasing, Taber told the publication. Bathroom Screen grab from Realtor Along with the four-bedroom, two-bathroom house itself, original blueprints, furniture and paintings come with the sale, the listing says. Bedroom Screen grab from Realtor Immerse yourself in the timeless elegance of Frank Lloyd Wrights design, where every detail reflects his innovative vision. With its serene surroundings and historic significance, the McCartney House offers more than just a home - its a sanctuary for those who appreciate artistry and natures beauty. Bedroom Screen grab from Realtor Houses designed by Wright usually run well into the millions when it comes to cost, with a rare California house of his being listed for $22 million in 2023, Mansion Global reported. Exterior Screen grab from Realtor Kalamazoo is about a 140-mile drive west of Detroit. Seaside fortress is a symphony of glass and steel and is for sale in California California Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders announced Wednesday they had reached an agreement to take early budget action to help curb the states projected deficit but the actual outlines of proposed fixes remain unclear. The governor, Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, D-Hollister, and Senate President Pro Tem Mike McGuire, D-Healdsburg, said in a news release they are planning on $12 billion to $18 billion in budget solutions to address the shortfall. Newsom spokesman Alex Stack said the leaders agreed they need to address the budget deficit through early action. But there is not currently a deal to make that happen. The news comes after Newsom visited the Capitol throughout the week to meet with Rivas and McGuire, which he told reporters was related to early budget action. Despite the uncertainty due to the federal tax deadline delay last year, historic reserves and fiscal responsibility will assure a balanced budget that meets Californias needs, Newsom said in a statement. The announcement was light on details about what fixes are being implemented to address a deficit, which the nonpartisan Legislative Analysts Office has warned could be as high as $73 billion. However, Senate Democrats last week unveiled a plan that they say would shave $17 billion off the deficit and calls for Newsom to spend more than $12 billion in Rainy Day Fund reserves. The deficit is serious and its grown by billions since January, which is why we must move with speed to shrink the shortfall immediately. The quicker we make tough decisions, the better prepared well be to continue our work on a comprehensive budget to protect our progress, McGuire said in a statement Wednesday. Its been an all-hands-on-deck approach. In the same statement, Rivas said that he hoped the initial budget package would be completed by early April. But, he added, the Assemblys budget work continues, including more than two dozen budget and oversight hearings scheduled next month. There are tough choices on the horizon, which is why our process is so critical. The budget announcement was greeted with criticism by Senate Republicans. Sen. Roger Niello, R-Fair Oaks, who vice-chairs the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee, blasted Newsom and legislative leaders for their unilateral decision-making happening behind closed doors. The fact remains that the state is facing a major deficit that has continued to grow, and this process should be open, transparent, and deliberative, he said. By Humeyra Pamuk and Nidal al-Mughrabi CAIRO (Reuters) -U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Thursday he believed talks in Qatar could still reach a Gaza ceasefire agreement while Israel attacked Hamas gunmen in the enclave's Al Shifa hospital and evacuated patients. In Cairo, Blinken met Arab foreign ministers and Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi as talks in Qatar centred on a truce of around six weeks that would allow the release of 40 Israeli hostages in return for hundreds of Palestinians detained in Israeli jails. "Negotiators continue to work. The gaps are narrowing, and we're continuing to push for an agreement in Doha. Theres still difficult work to get there. But I continue to believe it's possible," Blinken said. "We've closed the gaps, but there are still gaps. So I can't put a timeline on it. I can just say that we're committed to doing everything possible to reaching an agreement." The main sticking point in ceasefire talks has been that Hamas says it will release hostages only as part of a deal that would end the war, while Israel says it will discuss only a temporary pause. A statement by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said Israel's spy chief David Barnea would travel to Qatar on Friday to meet mediators. In Gaza itself, Israel continued its raid of Al Shifa hospital, the only partially working medical facility in the north of the strip, for a fourth day. Residents said buildings inside the complex were in flames and others reported they saw gunfire and people shot in the complex. An Israeli military spokesperson said Hamas and Islamic Jihad gunmen were holed up in the building housing the hospital's emergency room and expected the army raid to continue for a few more days. Hamas has denied that the hospital harbours fighters and said those killed were wounded patients and displaced people. "We are evacuating the patients, around 220 patients, to another building," Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said in a televised statement, "with appropriate medical equipment so that all the patients and doctors can be safe. We continue to call on all the gunmen in the building to surrender." Hagari added some "very important" Hamas commanders have been captured but he could not disclose their identities yet because they were providing valuable intelligence. A local journalist, Osama Al-Ashi, who lives near the Al Shifa hospital wrote on his Facebook page he was unable to leave the area because it was surrounded by tanks. "I could die at any moment... I'm afraid of everything around me and of everything," he said. HUNGER AT RAMADAN With hunger worsening in the densely populated enclave, where five months of war have created critical food shortages, the head of the World Health Organization said only opening more border crossings for trucks carrying aid could prevent famine in Gaza. Israel's offensive has now killed almost 32,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities. The war was triggered by militants from Hamas, which governs Gaza, storming into southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing around 1,200 people and taking 253 hostages, by Israeli tallies. The Egyptian president stressed the need for a truce to address the escalating humanitarian crisis and warned of the dangers from Israel's promised military operation in Rafah, echoing growing international concern. The southern Gaza city is the last zone of relative safety for civilians and more than half the enclave's population is now sheltering there, pressed against the Egyptian border. An Israeli official insisted Israel would take control of Rafah even if it caused a rift with the United States, saying that a quarter of Hamas' original fighting force was there. "It's going to happen. And it will happen even if Israel is forced to fight alone," Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer said in a podcast. Blinken said a major military operation in Rafah would be a mistake, and that it was not necessary. Officials from 36 countries and U.N. agencies gathered in Cyprus to discuss ways to expedite humanitarian deliveries. "Recent efforts to deliver food by air and sea are welcome, but only the expansion of land crossings will enable large-scale deliveries to prevent famine," WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said. "Once again, we ask Israel to open more crossings and accelerate the entry and delivery of water, food, medical supplies and other humanitarian aid into and within Gaza." NO RAMADAN FEASTS Gaza's Palestinians despaired at observing Ramadan, a month-long Islamic observance that includes daytime fasting for adults, without relatives who have been killed and lacking adequate food for their children. At a Gaza school run by the U.N. Palestinian refugee agency, thousands of people who have fled Israeli airstrikes barely had enough food to break the daily fast, unlike fellow Muslims around the world. Basel al-Soueidi, sheltering in the Jabalia refugee camp, was cooking a few red lentils for the surviving members of his family, 17 of whom have been killed in the war. "There is no food or water, there is nothing. All my cousins died, there's no one left. We used to all gather during Ramadan, with my uncle," he said, close to tears. Israel said its troops had killed more than 50 Hamas gunmen over the previous day, taking the number of fighters killed around Al-Shifa hospital to 140, along with two Israeli soldiers. It added 358 Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants had been captured during the raid at the hospital complex. (Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk and Nidal al-Mughrabi in Cairo; Writing by Sharon Singleton, Alexandra HudsonEditing by Kevin Liffey, Frances Kerry and Cynthia Osterman) Georgia late Wednesday executed a man for the first time since January 2020, joining other states that have revived the practice as the death penalty in the U.S. entered a new frontier of punishment this year. Willie James Pye, 59, was convicted in the 1993 killing of an ex-girlfriend. He was executed at 11:03 p.m. at a state prison in Butts County, south of Atlanta, the state Department of Corrections said. "Pye did accept a final prayer and did not record a final statement," the department said. His execution at the Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison in Jackson occurred hours after its scheduled time of 7 p.m., after an appeals court and the U.S. Supreme Court rejected efforts to postpone it. His request for clemency from the State Board of Pardons and Paroles was rejected Tuesday. The board has "the sole constitutional authority to grant clemency in a death penalty case" in Georgia, it said. death row inmate convicted mugshot mug (Georgia Department of Corrections via AP) Anti-death penalty groups had tried to halt the execution of Pye, who is Black, arguing that he was represented by a court-appointed attorney accused of using a racial slur in another Black man's case and that his records show he has signs of an intellectual disability, potentially caused by fetal alcohol syndrome. "Had defense counsel not abdicated his role, the jurors would have learned that Mr. Pye is intellectually disabled and has an IQ of 68," his lawyers argued in a request for clemency. state execution chamber location (Erik S. Lesser / AFP/Getty Images file) Pye had lost a previous appeal on the grounds that Georgia, at the time a death warrant was signed for him, had not fulfilled certain requirements to restart executions created as a result of the Covid pandemic. Those requirements included the return of normal visitations at state prisons. Pye's lawyers argued that after the state decided he would be executed, they were having issues getting in contact with him: "This is not normal or consistent with access to and availability to counsel that was previously possible, and it is unacceptable." Pyes last meal request was two chicken sandwiches, two cheeseburgers, french fries, two bags of plain potato chips and two lemon-lime sodas, the Georgia Department of Corrections said. The last execution in Georgia was in January 2020. There were 36 men and one woman under death sentence in Georgia, including Pye. Other states have resumed executions in recent years, but efforts to use a primary method of lethal injection have grown increasingly harder as drugmakers have pulled back on access to the ingredients for executions. Idaho attempted its first execution in 12 years last month but had to abandon the procedure after prison staff members could not establish an IV line on the inmate's legs or arms. His lawyers called it a "badly botched execution attempt." No new date was immediately set. In January, Alabama, which has had difficulties obtaining lethal injection drugs, carried out the first execution in the country using nitrogen gas. Other states, including Louisiana, are eyeing the use of the controversial method with their own protocols. But Georgia has said it has been able to procure the sedative pentobarbital to carry out death sentences by lethal injection. Pye was convicted in Spalding County in the death of ex-girlfriend Alicia Yarbrough. Prosecutors said Pye, another man and a teenager went to her home, stole jewelry and abducted her as she was watching her baby. They took her to a motel and raped her, and Pye later shot her multiple times, according to court filings. The teenager agreed to a plea deal, and the other defendant received five consecutive life prison sentences. During the sentencing phase of Pyes trial, in which he was given the death penalty, prosecutors suggested in closing arguments that he might kill a prison guard to escape. Lawyers attempted to appeal the punishment, citing the speculative remarks, but the state Supreme Court upheld the sentence in 1998. A veteran Haiti politician who rejected last week having a seat for his party on a new presidential panel to form a new transition government has now said he will participate. The decision by Platform Pitit Desalin party had delayed the completion of the transitional presidential councils seven-voting members and led to emergency discussions as late as Tuesday night over what to do about the vacant spot. On Wednesday, the party, founded by former senator and presidential candidate Jean-Charles Moise, sent a letter to Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley naming a representative. Mottley is among the leaders from the 15-member Caribbean Community regional bloc known as CARICOM that has been trying to help Haitians forge a new path forward after pushing for the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry amid exploding gang violence. In the letter, the party cited the countrys ongoing violence by armed gangs that this week launched an attack on some of the capitals wealthier neighborhoods. The letter said that in view of the growing gravity of the crisis, the partys management was designating Emmanuel Vertilaire as its member on the presidential council. Vertilaire, according to sources, is a militant of the party that earlier this year allied itself with former rebel leader and convicted felon Guy Philippe and named him to be part of a three-person presidential council. The panel was created during a meeting last week of an international coalition that met in Jamaica. The council, which will consist of seven voting members and two observers, will hold presidential powers and name the next prime minister, welcome a multinational force to help Haitis police battle gangs, and prepare a path for elections. Panel members will not be able to run in the next elections, cannot have been indicted or convicted of a crime in any jurisdiction, can; cannot be under United Nations sanctions and must support the multinational security support mission to Haiti. Last week, Moise had said he could not accept the deployment of a foreign force. He also did not appear prepared to break his alliance with Philippe, pledging to move forward with his own presidential transition that included Philippe. CARICOM, which delayed sending the eight other names to Henry on Tuesday has not said if it will accept the partys representative. Henry said he will step down once the presidential panel is officially installed. At Long Beach's Cambodia Town Food & Music, crusty edges on the beef jerky pull away like string cheese. You dip the meat in a vinegary black pepper sauce. (Ron De Angelis / For The Times) Pepper-smeared strips of beef jerky fueled countless late-night study sessions in my college dorm room. I enjoyed the leathery, stringy belts I ate on road trips as a kid to Las Vegas, Palm Desert or wherever my parents drove us in my moms cherry-red Volvo station wagon. A bag of Trader Joes turkey jerky keeps me satiated on long international flights in economy. I am not above gas station beef sticks. But in all my decades as a beef jerky connoisseur, Id never had jerky like the one at Sophys: Cambodian Town Food & Music in Long Beach. And unless you frequent this restaurant on the outskirts of Cambodia Town, Im guessing you probably havent either. Chef Sophy Khuts jerky appears on the plate as hefty, six-inch slabs of steak. Theyve undergone a sort of meaty glow-up that involves six hands and two hours of fuss. Three people take turns working the wet marinade into the flank steak, passing it around every 20 minutes until all the liquid has been absorbed. Beef Jerky at Sophy's: Cambodia Town Food & Music. (Ron De Angelis / For The Times) The beef is dried, vacuum-sealed and then fried before service, allowing for crusty edges you can peel away like string cheese. It eats like tender beef ribs, the meat saturated in a garlicky marinade heavy with ginger, black pepper, fish sauce and just a hint of sugar. A hush falls over the table as people gnaw on their sticks, their heads cocked and their mouths busy. You dip the meat into a cloudy sauce sharpened with vinegar and hot with black pepper. Khut uses peppercorns from the Kampot region in Cambodia prized for the strength of their flavor and aroma. I greedily dunked my strips into the condiment, eager to get as much onto the strands as possible without actually submerging my entire hand in the bowl. Imagine salt and vinegar chips in liquid form. You may want to request a ramekin per person at your table. Some of Sophy's menu items are what you might expect from your neighborhood Thai pho joint. Cambodia shares a border, as well as some ingredients and techniques, with Vietnam and Thailand. But despite the obvious overlap, Cambodia's cuisine is distinct, with more funk and less spice than that of its neighbors. Salt and pepper shrimp being tossed in a wok in the kitchen at Sophy's: Cambodia Town Food & Music. (Ron De Angelis / For The Times) Khut comes from a long line of entrepreneurs who ran restaurants and a wedding catering service in the Siem Reap province of northwestern Cambodia. Its an area thats home to Angkor Wat, the eighth wonder of the world. Theres a beautiful image of the temple and its jagged sandstone peaks on one wall in the dining room. Sophys is a restaurant that feels very much like my Asian grandmothers house: cluttered but clean, no apparent organization to the plants at the back (and only) entrance, multiple Buddhas and scattered Christmas lights in March. Khut opened her first restaurant in Oregon after finishing school there but was coaxed to California by friends who told her about the large population of Cambodian people in Long Beach, the highest concentration outside the country. She took over a small diner called Ruth's Country Kitchen on Anaheim Street, which is where the first wave of Long Beach's Cambodian restaurants was clustered. Chef Sophy Khut at Sophy's: Cambodia Town Food & Music. (Ron De Angelis / For The Times) In the fall of 2000, she transitioned the menu from eggs and bacon to Cambodian food and renamed the restaurant Sophy's. A few years later, she moved to her current location on Pacific Coast Highway and later changed the name to Sophys: Cambodia Town Food & Music. She wanted the new name to reflect Long Beach's recent designation of the Cambodia Town Business and Cultural District, making it the first Cambodia Town in the United States. The menu is expansive. Im talking Cheesecake Factory-long, with numbered dishes that stretch into the 100s. Items labeled Khmer are intended to be traditional Cambodian, or at least Khuts version of a recognizable dish. A spread of dishes at Sophy's: Cambodia Town Food & Music, including ahmok, salt and pepper shrimp, beef jerky, somlaw machu kreoung, tuk kreoung Khmer and some popular desserts. (Ron De Angelis / For The Times) If the kitchen isnt too busy, your ahmok will arrive in bowls fashioned out of bent banana leaves. If it is busy, youll get a porcelain dish. Regardless of the vessel, Khut says the steamed fish curry is the most famous dish in Cambodia. She simmers catfish fillets in coconut milk laced with lemongrass, galangal, fingerroot, makrut lime fruit and its leaves. The curry is thickened with enough egg to transform it into a quivering custard that capitulates at the slightest touch of your spoon. Ahmok at Sophy's: Cambodia Town Food & Music. (Ron De Angelis / For The Times) Pungent is not a powerful enough word to accurately grasp the shock that accompanies the beef tuk prahok. The pale brown sauce, intended as a dip for the steak, is super charged with the funk of fermented fish, a staple ingredient in Cambodian cooking. Its blended with an onslaught of shallots, grilled garlic and lemongrass, but its severity remains immutable. The slices of raw eggplant, cabbage and green beans presented with the dip help mellow, only slightly, the rank thunderbolt that hits your tongue. This stuff will make your eyes water and youll keep coming back for more. The tuk kreoung Khmer is tamer, made with boiled fermented fish and grilled fish. Its muddy and wonderfully sour, with a tumble of fresh herbs and chunks of grilled fish crowding the bowl. Like the beef tuk prahok, its served with a variety of raw vegetables. Its also good spooned over white rice. Sophy's tuk kreooung Khmer, a "wonderfully sour" dip for raw vegetables. (Ron De Angelis / For The Times) Fermented fish is the not-so-discreet supporting character in the somlaw machu kreoung, adding a fishy backbone to the bright green soup. A paste of lemongrass, garlic, galangal, makrut lime, turmeric and tamarind makes for a potent elixir that Khut says is intended to cure a cold or flu. If you order the soup with beef or pork, expect any moisture to leach out into the broth, rendering the chunks as mostly garnish. Like all the soups at the restaurant, its served bubbling in a silver vat with a jumping flame that heats the vessel through the middle. The somlaw machu kreoung, like all the soups at Sophy's, arrives steaming hot in a heated serving pot. (Ron De Angelis / For The Times) The tom kha, a coconut curry soup youll find at most Thai restaurants, is decidedly better here than any version in recent memory. Each spoonful veers from sour to sweet and then spicy for a particular amalgamation of flavors thats both familiar and intoxicating. If youre in the mood for noodles, steer clear of the chah mi katahng. The thick gravy will drown out any char on the fat rice noodles and engulf the vegetables in its viscous depths. I prefer the Phnom Penh noodles, ordered dry. The thin rice noodles are chewy and slick with what tastes like garlic oil, tangled in a bowl with pork to the fourth power (ground, sliced, patty and meatball) along with shrimp and plenty of cilantro and bean sprouts. The dry version comes with a fortifying bowl of chicken and pork bone broth that smacks of roasted garlic. Sip, slurp and repeat. Chef Sophy Khut in the kitchen at Sophy's: Cambodia Town Food & Music. (Ron De Angelis / For The Times) The beef lok lak is almost unrecognizable from the plates youll find at some of the other Cambodian restaurants in the area, where the beef is cut into chunks and accompanied by a small mound of salt and pepper next to a few wedges of lemon or lime on a plate. Khuts rendition is served as tender shavings of flank steak that she cooks with a secret house sauce buttressed by chicken bouillon, ginger and garlic. A sprinkle of cornstarch helps the sauce adhere to the meat like a glaze. Its served alongside a dipping sauce of lime and fresh-cracked Kampot peppercorns. With a heap of fresh lettuce underneath, you can eat it like a salad. The black-pepper frog legs are the preferred crunchy escort for an icy bottle of Angkor lager. They're lightly battered, tender as chicken thighs and fervent with black pepper, garlic and jalapeno. Sophy's pepper frog legs. (Ron De Angelis / For The Times) Dessert comes in the form of fried bananas or mango with sticky rice, but focus on the off-menu items on a small counter at the front of the dining room. The tiers of banana-leaf-wrapped desserts sit next to bags of Kampot peppercorns for sale, cylinders of rice flour cookies and Ziploc bags full of steamed peanuts. Most of what Khut has on offer are a form of sticky rice cake wrapped around a fruit filling. The nom kum is the only one shaped like a triangle, with a rice cake so sticky its difficult to dislodge from its wrapper or your fork. Inside is a sandy, sweet mixture of shredded coconut, palm sugar and sesame seeds. The desserts at Sophy's include banana-leaf-wrapped sticky rice cakes. (Ron De Angelis / For The Times) On a busy weekend, its not uncommon to spot a child reaching up to pluck a nom kum or banana-filled rice cake dessert to take back to a table. Theres a sense of ownership in the families who gather and in the kids who run around the restaurant as if it were their living room. The front area is lined with booths set in about two feet from either wall, creating two narrow walkways that run the length of the room. During a recent visit, kids ran up and down the gaps between the tables. Indeed, in many ways, Sophys is a place that feels like it belongs to its community, with music posters advertising upcoming concerts fixed to the walls and a large picture of a local theater with the words Cambodian Film Festival lit up on the marquee. Though music is in the name, Khut says most of the music happens in the back banquet room during private parties, or when Dengue Fever, an American band that sings Cambodian rock music, comes to town. Diners at Sophy's: Cambodia Town Food & Music. (Ron De Angelis / For The Times) Depending on what you order, and the time you dine, each visit to Sophys can feel like youre experiencing an entirely new restaurant. But it doesnt matter what time it is or who is at the table across from you. Just remember one thing: Order the beef jerky. Sign up for our Tasting Notes newsletter for restaurant reviews, Los Angeles food-related news and more. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. By Dan Williams JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel will take control of Rafah even if it causes a rift with the United States, a senior Israeli official said on Thursday, describing the Gazan city packed with refugees as a final Hamas bastion harbouring a quarter of the group's fighters. The prospect of tanks and troops storming Rafah worries Washington in the absence of a plan to move more than a million Palestinians who have sheltered there since being displaced elsewhere in the Gaza Strip during the five-month-old war. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to ensure a civilian evacuation and humanitarian aid - measures that top Israeli aides are due to discuss in the White House in the coming days, at the behest of U.S. President Joe Biden. "We're quite confident that we can do this in a way that would be effective - not only militarily, but also on the humanitarian side. And they have less confidence that we can do it," one of those Israeli envoys, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, said on the "Call Me Back with Dan Senor" podcast. Dermer, a former ambassador to the United States, said Israel would hear out American ideas for Rafah, but the city on Gaza's border with Egypt would be taken whether or not the allies reach agreement: "It will happen even if Israel is forced to fight alone. Even if the entire world turns on Israel, including the United States, we're going to fight until the battle's won." As fighting raged in northern Gaza, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Cairo for talks with Arab officials about a proposed ceasefire. Israel is open to a truce, but has ruled out ending the war with Hamas in power. Dermer said leaving the Iran-backed Islamists standing would invite open-ended attacks against Israel from across the region: "And that's why the determination to take them out is so strong, even if it leads to a potential breach with the United States." While backing Israel's war goals, the Biden administration has been shaken by the soaring toll on Palestinian civilians. The offensive has killed almost 32,000 Palestinians, the Gaza health ministry said, without providing a breakdown of civilians and fighters. Hamas killed 1,200 people in Israel on Oct. 7 and abducted 253, according to Israeli tallies. Israel says it has killed, captured or scattered enough Hamas fighters to dismantle 18 of its 24 battalions, while 252 Israeli soldiers have been killed in the operation. Hamas does not detail its losses or deployments and has dismissed Israel's assessments as exaggerations. Yet Palestinian rocket salvoes have tapered off dramatically as most of Gaza has been overrun by Israeli forces. So have Israeli military losses. Dermer said there were four intact Hamas battalions in Rafah, bolstered by fighters who had retreated from other parts of Gaza, amounting to 25% of the group's pre-war strength. "We're not going to leave a quarter of them in place," he said. "We're going into Rafah because we have to ... And I think what people don't understand is that Oct. 7 is an existential moment for Israel." (Writing by Dan Williams; Editing by Kevin Liffey) A dozen asylum-seekers sat on the curb outside the city Migrant Resource Centers gate Wednesday, hours after the latest legal tug-of-war over whether a controversial and potentially unconstitutional Texas immigration law will take effect. Most of the migrants had their immigration documents in clear plastic folders, on full display so there would be no question that they were in the U.S. legally. I want to always be here legally, said a 24-year-old Venezuelan man who declined to give his name. Advertisement Article continues below this ad His first immigration court appearance is March 26 in Seattle. He was far less concerned about whether Senate Bill 4 would take effect than with how he, his wife and their 3-year-old son would make it to the Pacific Northwest. Originally set to take effect March 5, SB 4 makes it a crime to enter the state from Mexico illegally and allows any law enforcement officer in Texas to arrest someone they suspect of violating the law. It empowers judges to order the removal of anyone convicted under the law. On Tuesday, the U.S. Supreme Court said Texas could begin arresting and deporting migrants under the law. But a federal appeals court put SB 4 back on hold hours later. On Wednesday, the appeals court heard arguments in the case, with the next hearing scheduled for April 2. Most of the asylum-seekers passing time outside the city of San Antonios Centro de Bienvenida, commonly referred to as the Migrant Resource Center, were familiar with SB 4. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Asylum seekers sit at shopping center across the street from the Migrant Resource Center, where they are staying for a short period of time, on Wednesday afternoon, March 20, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Asylum seekers from Honduras wait in line to buy lunch from Cicis Pizza, which is located across the street from the City of San Antonios Migrant Resource Center on Wednesday afternoon, March 20, 2024. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Asylum seekers stand outside the gates of the Migrant Resource Center located on San Pedro Avenue on Wednesday afternoon, March 20, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Ive heard its unconstitutional, said Alexandra Balza, who is trying to get to North Carolina with her brother and three daughters after leaving Venezuela last year. But it will worry a lot of people because theyll fear the police. Balza keeps her immigration papers close at hand, and said she would keep quiet and ask for an attorney if stopped by a police officer. Edison Rodriguez of Ecuador was warned about SB 4 by family members living in the U.S. Rodriguez said he felt persecuted by the law, and he wants to get out of San Antonio and Texas as soon as possible. But that depends on how quickly family members in Pennsylvania can send him airfare. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Luis Miguel, a 23-year-old from Venezuela who declined to give his last name, was in a similar situation, waiting for help from his family. People walk out of the Migrant Resource Center located on San Pedro Avenue on Wednesday afternoon, March 20, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News He found out about SB 4 via an immigrant rights advocates Instagram page. If the law takes effect, it could open up the potential for an abuse of authority, Luis Miguel said, noting that he and other asylum-seekers didnt come to this country with bad intentions. Hes been waiting at the Migrant Resource Center since March 10. Hes hopeful his older brother in New York City can cobble together enough money from his work as a cook to buy him a plane ticket to New York by the end of the week. Catholic Charities expects to exhaust the Federal Emergency Management Agency dollars it uses to staff the center at 7000 San Pedro Avenue by December. The center provides asylum-seekers with a place to sleep and three meals a day, and has helped coordinate travel and purchase bus or plane tickets. Advertisement Article continues below this ad People stand across the street from the Migrant Resource Center located on San Pedro Avenue on Wednesday afternoon, March 20, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Asylum-seekers on Wednesday told the Express-News that the center wasnt providing help purchasing tickets. The center, which has a 700-person occupancy limit, opened at its North Side location in July 2022. If SB 4 kicks in before Luis Miguel leaves Texas, he said he would be less likely to venture outside the centers gate, something asylum-seekers are free to do. Advertisement Article continues below this ad RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) -Israeli forces killed two Palestinians in separate incidents in the occupied West Bank on Thursday, increasing to nine the number of Palestinians killed in the territory over 24 hours, the Palestinian news agency WAFA reported. Since the Gaza war began, Israel has stepped up military raids in the West Bank, where violence had already been surging for over a year. U.N. records show that Israeli forces or settlers have killed hundreds of Palestinians in the West Bank since Hamas's Oct. 7 attack on Israel that triggered the Gaza war. A 19-year-old Palestinian died after being shot by Israeli forces in El Bireh near Ramallah on Thursday morning, the Palestinian health ministry said. WAFA said he was wounded during confrontations with Israeli forces. South of Bethlehem, Israeli forces shot dead a 63-year-old Palestinian near the settlement of El'azar, WAFA reported. The Israeli military said soldiers had fired shots towards "a Palestinian who aroused their suspicion at the El'azar Junction." "A hit was identified and he was later pronounced dead," it said, adding that military police had opened an investigation into the incident. Citing Hebrew-language media, the Times of Israel reported that the 63 year-old man had his hands in the air when he was shot but there was no immediate confirmation from the military. Israel captured both the West Bank and the Gaza Strip in the 1967 war. Palestinians have long aimed to establish an independent state in the territories occupied in 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital. Israeli forces also killed four Palestinians in the Nur Shams refugee camp in the West Bank city of Tulkarm overnight, the Palestinian Red Crescent said, adding that two of them were shot and the other two killed in an Israeli strike. Residents said Israeli forces bulldozed roads in the area. Israeli forces also killed three Palestinians in the city of Jenin on Wednesday night, WAFA and the Palestine health ministry said, in what Israel's military said was an operation targeting Palestinian militants. The militant group Islamic Jihad said three of its fighters had been killed, calling it an assassination operation. Following the incident, local sources said Palestinian militants shot dead a Palestinian man in Jenin accused of spying for Israel. Militants also clashed in Jenin with security forces from the Palestinian Authority (PA), the body led by President Mahmoud Abbas that exercises limited self-rule over patches of the West Bank, angered at the arrest of one of their members, local sources said. HAMAS SUPPORT DIPS BUT ABOVE PRE-WAR LEVEL Tensions have long simmered in the West Bank between militants and the PA, established under interim peace agreements with Israel three decades ago. The PA lost control of Gaza in 2007 to Hamas, the militant group behind the Oct. 7 attack that killed 1,200 people in Israel and resulted in another 253 being abducted, according to Israeli tallies. Some 32,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza Strip by Israel's devastating retaliatory offensive, according to health authorities in the territory. A poll conducted by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Research in the West Bank and Gaza Strip in March found that support for Hamas had dropped in recent months, with 34% of people saying they supported the group when asked which faction they backed, compared with 43% in December. Six months ago - before the Gaza war - support for Hamas was at 22%. Support for Abbas' Fatah party was unchanged from December's level at 17%. The poll found that 84% want Abbas to resign, down from 88% three months ago. A vast majority across the West Bank and Gaza - 71% - said Hamas' decision to launch the Oct. 7 attack was correct, virtually unchanged from 72% in December. The Palestinians last held a presidential election in 2005, won by Abbas, while Hamas won the last parliamentary polls, held in 2006. (Reporting by Ali Sawafta; Writing by Tom Perry, Editing by Timothy Heritage and Hugh Lawson) State prosecutors in New York said Thursday that fewer than 300 of the over 170,000 documents recently turned over to lawyers for former President Donald Trump are potentially relevant to his criminal defense and that their case alleging falsified business records should proceed to trial on April 15. In a court filing, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office said the vast majority of the evidence turned over by federal prosecutors that it considers new and relevant originated from special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Trump lawyer Michael Cohen, and has no bearing on the allegations against Trump. Enough is enough. These tactics by defendant and defense counsel should be stopped, the DAs filing said, referring to Trumps attempts to further delay or derail the trial. Cohen is expected to be a key witness in the trial, which was delayed until at least mid-April following the eleventh-hour disclosures by the U.S. attorney's office in Manhattan. Trump's lawyers have accused the DA's office of failing to do its due diligence by getting the records earlier, and have asked Judge Juan Merchan to dismiss the charges as a punishment. In its filing Thursday, the DA's office called their arguments "a red herring." Alvin Bragg speaks during a press conference. (Angela Weiss / AFP - Getty Images file) "Defendant has reacted to the USAOs disclosures by demanding that this Court dismiss the charges, preclude witnesses, or adjourn the trial for at least ninety days; and by leveling wild and untrue allegations of misconduct and malfeasance," the filing said. "Defendant's accusations are wholly unfounded, and the circumstances here do not come close to warranting the extreme sanctions he has sought." Bragg's office said while it's still reviewing the mountain of materials, it now has "good reason to believe that this production contains only limited materials relevant to the subject matter of this case and that have not previously been disclosed to defendant: fewer than an estimated 270 documents." It says most of the 270 documents are "corroborative of existing evidence." The "major relevant items are witness statements not previously in any partys possession, consisting of about 172 pages of notes recording Cohens meetings with the Special Counsel investigating Russian interference," the filing said. The evidence is related to Cohens 2018 guilty plea to a number of criminal charges, including making secret payments to women who claimed they had affairs with Trump and lying to Congress about his boss business dealings with Russia. The hush money payments are at the heart of the DAs case, which alleges Trump falsified business records related to Cohens $130,000 payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels in the closing days of the 2016 presidential campaign. Federal prosecutors alleged Cohen paid the women off in coordination with and at the direction of Trump, who was not charged in the federal case. The former president has pleaded not guilty in the DA's case. The DA argued the overwhelming majority of the production is entirely immaterial, duplicative or substantially duplicative of previously disclosed materials, or cumulative of evidence concerning Michael Cohens unrelated federal convictions that defendant has been on notice about for months." As it has done previously, the DA's office also blamed Trump for the late disclosures, saying his lawyers didn't raise any concerns that items were missing when it turned over the information it had obtained from the U.S. attorney's office in June of last year. Trump's team didn't seek additional documents from federal prosecutors until this past January, which eventually led to the additional documents being turned over, the filing noted. The filing also shed some light on why the U.S. Attorney's office hadn't turned the documents over to the DA in June it said they didn't have the Mueller-related material at that time. An affidavit by one of the Manhattan D.A.s prosecutors, Christopher Conroy, said he'd been told that federal prosecutors didn't get the FBI interview records called 302s until Dec. 2023, when they were sent in response to a Freedom of Information request. The U.S. Attorney's office also turned over piles of information from its own investigation into Cohen, including bank records that may or may not relate to Cohen's guilty plea to the federal election charge stemming from the hush money payments. Federal prosecutors said it would be "unreasonably burdensome" for them to sort through the relevant bank records, so they handed them all over to the DA, and the DA then shared them with the defense, according to the filing. Conroy added that other evidence turned over by federal prosecutors was duplicative, including copies of Cohens cell phones, which the DAs office already had and had shared with Trump's defense. The DA's office noted it had agreed to a delay of the trial, which had been scheduled to begin on March 25, to allow Trump's team time to review the evidence. Merchan stayed the case until April 15, which the DA argued is when the proceedings should move forward. Trumps lawyers have asked for a 90-day delay. The DA's office contended there shouldn't be any more delays. Defendant has taken every possible step to evade accountability in this case for more than a year," the filing said, and his "motion and subsequent filings are a transparent attempt to shift the focus away from his own criminal conduct." A hearing on the matter is scheduled for Monday, when the judge could set a new trial date. Several dozen sites within the National Park System have gone cashless. Three Americans are suing the National Park Service over the agency's refusal to accept cash payments to enter parks across the U.S. The Americans from California, New York and Georgia filed the lawsuit earlier this month in federal court in Washington, D.C., saying that the park service is violating federal law by not allowing guests to pay cash to enter various parks, monuments and historic sites. The lawsuit says the park service's police violates a U.S. law that says that "coins and currency ... are legal tender for all debts, public charges, taxes and dues." "Thus, NPS refusal to accept U.S. Currency tendered for entrance fees constitutes a clear violation of federal law," says the lawsuit, obtained by USA TODAY on Wednesday. Here's what you need to know. Plaintiffs denied entry at NPS locations in New York, Georgia, Arizona The Americans who filed the lawsuit are Esther van der Werf of Ojai, California, Toby Stover of High Falls, New York, and Elizabeth Dasburg of Darien, Georgia. They say that 29 places throughout the country don't accept cash as payment to enter, including Saguaro National Park, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Tonto National Monument all in Arizona the Roosevelt-Vanderbilt National Historic Site in New York and the Fort Pulaski National Historic Site in Georgia. When Dasburg emailed Fort Pulaski asking how she can visit the park without a credit or debit card, she was told in writing that she could take her cash to a grocery store or Walmart and purchase a gift card, which could be accepted instead of cash, according to the lawsuit. Stover and Van der Werf also had similar experiences, with NPS denying their entries over failure to pay digitally. Saguaro Cacti in Saguaro National Park near Tucson, Arizona, on November 19, 2023. From Acadia to Zion: What travelers should know about each of America's national parks Why did NPS go cashless? In May 2023, the National Park Service announced that dozens of the 424 sites within the National Park System will no longer accept cash for entry. Justin Unger, National Park Service associate director for Business Services, told USA TODAY at the time that in recent years the U.S. Treasury created policies to reduce the amount of cash and checks handled across the federal government and many banks stopped partnering with the Treasury in that process. The number of formal banks with relationships with the Treasury Department, where we could actually take cash, has really dried up especially in more rural or remote areas, he said. That combined with the closure of many brick and mortar banks force park staff to take that cash even farther to deposit, costing both time and money. Death Valley spent roughly $40,000 a year on processing and transporting cash, according to the park. Unger added that visitor behavior also played a significant role in the move to cashless. The amount of cash that we are actually being offered has significantly declined by tens of millions of dollars," he said. Cashless transactions can also be processed quicker now that national parks have streamlined their various point-of-sale systems down to one system. By going cashless, Unger said that it frees up the agency to better do its job. "We're not paying for armored car service. We don't have to pay for an employee to be able to shuttle cash back and forth or to have our law enforcement officers doing that," he said. "Instead, they get to focus on doing law enforcement, providing emergency services. Rocky Mountain, Death Valley: What to know as more national parks go cashless Plaintiffs only seek restoration of cash payments at NPS sites The National Park Service (NPS) badge is seen on a staff member's uniform during a media visit to the Giant Sequoia tree and mixed conifer forest of the Redwood Mountain Grove in Kings Canyon National Park in California's Sierra Nevada mountains, on August 24, 2023. While the people who filed the lawsuit acknowledged that going cashless has benefitted the park service, they say that NPSs violation of federal law cannot be overlooked in favor of any purported benefit NPS Cashless could hope to achieve." The lawsuit is asking that the park service restore cash options for visitors, saying that millions of Americans do not have access to bank accounts. Their lawyer, Ray Flores, told USA TODAY that his clients "are merely asserting their right to pay with American money to enter some of America's National Parks." "They seek no monetary award," he said, adding that "Childrens Health Defense is financially backing the lawsuit." Flores added that the National Park Service's response to the lawsuit is due on May 16. The park service did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for a comment on the case. Contributing: Eve Chen, USA TODAY 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: National Park Service sued over cashless entry National security adviser Jake Sullivan met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Wednesday to reaffirm U.S. support for the beleaguered country as congressional aid efforts have repeatedly floundered. During the meeting, Sullivan "stressed the urgent need for the U.S. House of Representatives to pass the national security supplemental to meet Ukraines critical battlefield needs," National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said in a statement. Sullivan acknowledged the difficulty in passing supplemental aid for Ukraine, saying at a news conference Wednesday that he knew there were "questions here because of the back-and-forth in our Congress and the months that have gone by without the supplemental bill coming through." "We are confident we will get this done," he said. "We will get this aid to Ukraine." Later in the news conference, Sullivan said he was "confident" that the U.S. would "achieve plan A" and get an aid package passed in Congress. "We will get that money out the door as we should," he said. "So I dont think we need to speak today about plan B." Zelenskyy called Wednesdays meeting with Sullivan a very meaningful, very specific conversation, according to the English subtitles of a video in which he spoke in Ukrainian. They talked about defense cooperation and the joint political results we need to achieve, he said in the video posted to X, expressing his gratitude to the U.S. The pair discussed efforts to hold Russia accountable including through sanctions and export controls as well as progress on anti-corruption and other key reforms needed to further the countrys Euro-Atlantic integration, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said in an informal media briefing. politics political (Gleb Garanich / Reuters) Sullivan also met with Andriy Yermak, the head of Zelenskyys office, as well as other senior Ukrainian officials, Watson said. It is vital that American leadership remains strong in protecting the international legal order, Zelenskyy said, according to the English subtitles of his X video. The trip to Ukraine comes against the backdrop of a bitterly divided Congress that shows no signs of moving closer to an aid package. In February, the Senate passed a bipartisan national security package that included aid for Ukraine, as well as Israel and Taiwan. In the House, however, hard-line conservatives have pressured Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., to spike aid efforts until some of their preferred provisions regarding the southern border are included. Earlier in February, Republicans killed a border and immigration deal their own party negotiated with Democrats. In March, NBC News reported that Johnson and the chairs of certain House committees were working on a Ukraine aid package and considering treating some nonmilitary aid as a loan. A model of the Pillar of Shame, a memorial to victims of the Tiananmen Square massacre that was controversially removed from a Hong Kong university in 2021, has gone on display in front of the European Parliament in Brussels. Depicting a heap of contorted bodies and screaming faces, the statue was unveiled Tuesday as part of an exhibition of forbidden art that organizers said had been censored or deemed subversive by Hong Kong and mainland China. The exhibition was hosted by Jens Galschit, the Danish artist behind the famous sculpture, and Kira Marie Peter-Hansen, a member of the European Parliament (MEP). A further six MEPs, including representatives from each of the parliaments five largest political coalitions, were listed as co-hosts. Galschit wrote on his website that installing the artwork outside the European Unions main legislative building sent a strong signal to China that its censorship does not apply in Europe. Speaking on the phone to CNN from Brussels on Tuesday, Galschit called on Western galleries and auction houses operating in Hong Kongs lucrative art market to address perceived threats to freedom of expression in the territory. I dont think they want censorship either, but they (tacitly support it) because, if they dont, they know its not possible to do business, he said. Galschit created numerous versions of the Pillar of Shame in the 1990s and 2000s, though the one installed at Hong Kong University in 1997 the same year the former British colony was returned to Chinese rule is the best known among them. Until recently, Hong Kong was the only place on Chinese soil that tolerated memorials to Beijings bloody military crackdown on student protesters in 1989, and the sculpture was considered both a symbol and bellwether of free speech in the city. Jens Galschit's "Pillar of Shame" statue on display at Hong Kong University in October 2021, shortly before it was taken down. - Louise Delmotte/Getty Images/File In 2021, after Beijing imposed a sweeping National Security Law on Hong Kong to ban sedition, secession and subversion, the university removed the statue under the cover of darkness and placed it in storage. Last May it was seized by the citys police as part of an investigation into incitement to subversion, according to Reuters. Symbolic power getting much stronger At approximately eight feet seven inches tall (around a third the height of the Hong Kong version), the sculpture on display in the Belgian capital is not a replica but instead one of several smaller models Galschit produced in the 1990s. It stands atop a plinth featuring the artworks history and a message reading, The old cannot kill the young forever. Tuesdays grand opening featured a performance of Glory to Hong Kong, a protest song that authorities in the Chinese territory are seeking to formally ban. The ceremony was followed by a series of debates featuring politicians and human rights activists. In a statement, Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs told CNN that the countrys government has long drawn a clear conclusion about the political turmoil that occurred in the late 1980s and that any attempt to discredit China will only end in failure. The 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre remains one of the most sensitive political taboos in mainland China. Discussions of the event are strictly censored and any attempt to commemorate it can lead to imprisonment. Chinese authorities have not released an official death toll, but estimates range from several hundred to thousands. Last week, Galschit published a letter on his website that he and Peter-Hansen received from the Chinese Embassy in Brussels describing the exhibition and debates as nothing but political maneuvering to grossly interfere in Chinas domestic affairs under the pretext of democracy and human rights. CNN was unable to independently verify the letters contents as the embassy did not respond to a request for comment. Elsewhere in the Brussels exhibition, which was organized alongside the Czech Republic-based non-profit NGO Dei, works by self-exiled Chinese artists are displayed alongside a photo of Lady Liberty, the statue of a masked demonstrator that became a symbol of the pro-democracy protests that rocked Hong Kong from 2019. The unveiling took place on the same day Hong Kong passed a second national security law giving police new powers to crack down on dissent. Critics and analysts have warned that the new legislation, which comes into effect Saturday, aligns the financial hubs national security laws more closely with those used on the Chinese mainland, leaving the citys artists and galleries with further uncertainties about what is, or is not, legally permissible. China and Hong Kongs leaders say the new laws are needed to plug loopholes as part of their drive to restore stability following large-scale and occasionally violent pro-democracy, anti-government protests in 2019. The exhibition also comes as Asias largest art fair, Art Basel Hong Kong, prepares to open its doors to gallerists, dealers and collectors from around the world next week. In the years since Hong Kongs Pillar of Shame was taken down, Galschit has unsuccessfully lobbied to have it returned by the citys authorities. In the meantime, replicas and other versions of the work have been displayed in cities including Oslo, Taipei and Berlin. The artist said attempts to censor the sculpture had only strengthened its message. I think its (power as a symbol) is getting much stronger, he added. I wouldnt say China has helped us but I think they made a really big mistake. If theyd just given me the sculpture back and said, OK, its not allowed, then nothing would have happened. CNNs Beijing bureau contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com A Texas man was arrested after he boarded a Delta Air Lines flight in Utah using a photo of another passengers ticket, authorities say. Wicliff Yves Fleurizard, 26, faces a charge of stowaway on an aircraft after he boarded Delta Flight 1683 at Salt Lake City International Airport on March 17, bound for Austin, Texas. Fleurizard had been in Utah for a snowboarding trip but was trying to get back to his residence in George, Texas, as he had family from Florida visiting, according to his felony complaint filed in the U.S. district court of Utah. He had been booked on a Southwest flight but was later rebooked, as the flight was full. Instead of waiting for the next Southwest flight, he went into the Delta area of the airport, where he was seen on surveillance footage taking photos of multiple passengers phones and their boarding passes while they were not looking. He then used the pictures on his own phone to ultimately board Flight 1683. Fleurizard boarded the flight and entered the lavatory in the front of the aircraft, where he spent a significant amount of time as others were boarding. After boarding was complete, Fleurizard made his way to the back lavatory. When Fleurizard exited, a flight attendant noticed that there were no seats available on the plane and approached him. But at that point, the aircraft doors had been secured and the aircraft had began to taxi to the runway. Fleurizard told a flight attendant that his seat was 21F, but the flight attendant verified that 21F belonged to another person. Flight attendants got his name and were unable to locate a valid ticket or reservation for him on that Delta flight or any other Delta flight. The plane ended up returning to the gate, where Fleurizard deplaned and was met by law enforcement. Authorities interviewed a Delta gate agent who said that a minor female passenger traveling alone had an issue when the gate agent attempted to scan her ticket. When her boarding pass was scanned, the system showed that she was already on board. Fleurizard was seen in surveillance footage snapping a photo of that girls phone. He told authorities that he had been given a Southwest buddy pass ticket for March 16, but there were no available seats on board so he was rebooked for March 17. The second flight ended up being overbooked so he was rebooked for later that same day. But Fleurizard ended up leaving the Southwest boarding area and went into the Delta area. Fleurizard admitted he had made a mistake and was only trying to get home, the complaint said. The Transportation Security Administration said that Fleurizard had been screened at the airport on March 17 without incident using a photo ID that matched the name on the boarding pass. Delta said it is cooperating with law enforcement and federal agencies in the investigation. Fleurizard has an active warrant out of Austin, Texas, court documents said. Its unclear what the warrant is for, but Austin police flagged him as one having violent tendencies. He is being held in Salt Lake County on a federal detainer, according to online booking records. Its not immediately clear if Fleurizard has retained an attorney. Time to dig through the junk drawer to find those special eclipse glasses, as a rare total solar eclipse will cross North America in April to darken the afternoon sky. There are two or more solar eclipses across the world every year, but ones like this that can be widely viewed across the country don't happen often (the next eclipse of its kind won't occur in the U.S. for another 20 years). Here's what to know before April 8, when the moon will almost completely cover the sun to the delight of sky watchers around North America. What time will the solar eclipse happen? On April 8, the eclipse will be seen in a large swath that includes part of Mexico, 15 states in the U.S. and a part of eastern Canada. The event will start a little after 12 p.m. Central Time in areas of Texas and after 2 p.m. Eastern Time in Pennsylvania, New York and parts of New England. Where will it be visible? After beginning in the South Pacific Ocean and the Pacific coast of Mexico, the total solar eclipse will cut a 115-mile-wide path across 15 U.S. states. The eclipse can be viewed in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine, plus small parts of Tennessee and Michigan, according to NASA. The celestial event will begin in the U.S. around noon Central Time, which includes starting at 12:23 CT in Dallas. The totality of the moon covering the sun doesnt happen in Dallas until 1:40 p.m. CT, according to NASA. It will begin at 2:02 p.m. Eastern Time in Erie, Pennsylvania, and 2:04 p.m. ET in Buffalo, New York, according to NASA. NASA has a list of 13 cities spanning from Oklahoma to Maine and the local times when the eclipse is expected to begin. The list also includes the times for when the full eclipse will occur and when it will end. The full eclipse, where the moon completely covers the sun, only lasts for about two to five minutes depending on where it's being viewed. How wide is the path of totality? NASA has an interactive map showing where the moon's shadow will cross the country on April 8. You can click on it to zoom in on whether your local area will be on the outer edges of the eclipse, right in the middle, or out of the path entirely. Total eclipse of the Sun. The moon covers the sun in a solar eclipse (Getty Images ) There are ovals on the map inside the path of the eclipse that contain local times of when the eclipse will occur. The map was compiled using data from NASA missions and satellites, according to the agency. What is a total solar eclipse and how do you safely view an eclipse? In a total solar eclipse, the moon fully obscures the sun as it passes in front of it, temporarily blocking its light. People should avoid looking directly into the sun during a solar eclipse and should wear eclipse glasses or look through a pinhole projector, according to NASA. The only safe time to view it without glasses is the few minutes where the moon has totally obscured the sun. Friends watching solar eclipse (Leo Patrizi / Getty Images) Standard sunglasses do not offer enough protection, so people need to wear the special solar viewing glasses that are thousands of times darker. NASA also suggests that any eclipse glasses that are torn or scratched should also be discarded for new ones. Yet another major no-no: Don't look at the sun through a camera lens, telescope, or binoculars while wearing eclipse glasses or using a handheld solar viewer because the concentrated solar rays will burn through the filter and cause serious eye injury, per NASA. The eclipse glasses are sold online by many retailers, but the key is to check that they comply with the ISO 12312-2 international safety standard for filters. The American Astronomical Society also has a list of suppliers to help you avoid buying counterfeit knockoffs that may not properly protect your eyes. When was the last total solar eclipse in the U.S.? The last total solar eclipse occurred across the country in 2017, leaving millions in awe, with some calling it a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It also produced the meme-worthy moment of former President Donald Trump squinting directly at the eclipse without protective eye glasses. Image: President Donald Trump points to the sun as he arrives to view the solar eclipse, Aug. 21, 2017, at the White House in Washington. (Andrew Harnik / AP) He later put a pair of glasses on to witness the eclipse and gave a thumbs up to reporters when asked about his reaction to the event. One 2017 gathering for the eclipse in Oregon had more than 100,000 people in attendance. The upcoming April eclipse promises to bring in more viewers, because at 115 miles wide, the path of totality is twice as wide as the 2017 eclipse, and it's expected to last twice as long. Image: Trump and and Melania look up at the solar eclipse from the balcony of the White House (Nicholas Kamm / AFP - Getty Images file) This is the second eclipse event in two years, but they are not the same. In October 2023, there was an annular solar eclipse in which the sun takes the shape of a "ring of fire" because the moon appears smaller than the sun. Are there events scheduled around the eclipse? Many cities in the path of the eclipse have planned celebrations to mark the rare event. Columbus, a city of 50,000 in Indiana, has organized a host of activities during the eclipse. "I feel like we kind of hit the cosmic lottery," Erin Hawkins, director of the Columbus Area Visitors Center, told TODAY on Feb. 26. "We're planning downtown festivals with bands playing and vendors and food trucks." Bell County in Texas expects its population of 400,000 to double and possibly triple on the day of the eclipse from tourists hoping to witness the phenomenon. Hotel rates along the route have also spiked, and some resorts are offering cosmic-themed stays. Delta has a special flight from Austin, Texas, to Detroit along the path of the eclipse that sold out within 24 hours. This article was originally published on TODAY.com The United States has submitted a UN resolution that calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza in exchange for the return of hostages held by Hamas, secretary of state Antony Blinken has said. It comes just days after a UN report warned that widespread famine was imminent in northern Gaza, and a major acceleration of death would follow if an immediate ceasefire is not reached. Following weeks of increasing pressure from its allies at home and abroad over the humanitarian crisis caused by the war, Mr Blinken said in an interview that the US had drafted a security council resolution thats before the United Nations Security Council that does call for an immediate ceasefire tied to the release of hostages, and we hope very much that countries will support that. The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken as he departs Jeddah for Cairo on 21 March 2024 (AP) He added that a halt in the fighting would bring immediate relief to so many people who are suffering in Gaza and allow a much greater expansion of humanitarian assistance getting to them. The US blocked a similar UN resolution submitted by Arab states that called for an immediate ceasefire a little more than a month ago, and put forward an alternative one that called for a temporary ceasefire as soon as practicable. The secretary of state is currently on his sixth visit to the Middle East since Hamas killed some 1,200 people and took more than 200 hostage in a surprise attack on 7 October in southern Israel. Israels offensive in response has killed more than 31,000 people in Gaza, according to Palestinian health officials, who told The Independent there have been at least 27 reported deaths due to starvation and dehydration, including 23 children. After lending his administrations full political and material support for Israels war in Gaza for months, president Joe Biden has come under increasing pressure from the international community and from members of his party to convince Israel to halt its offensive as civilian casualties reached tens of thousands. Mr Biden faces a tough reelection battle against former president Donald Trump later this year. His prospects are likely to be harmed by a nationwide campaign led by Arab American groups to urge voters not to support Mr Bidens reelection in response to his support for Israels war. In recent weeks, the president has publicly urged Israeli leaders to do more to protect civilians and address Gazas humanitarian crisis. He has also expressed reservations over Israels plan to invade the city of Rafah, where more than one million Palestinians are now sheltering after being displaced by bombing elsewhere. However, the president has not shown any willingness to leverage massive US aid to Israel to pressure its ally. Instead, the Biden administration has quietly approved and delivered more than 100 weapons deliveries to Israel since 7 October, The Washington Post reported sales that were not announced publicly. The White House also bypassed Congress twice to send hundreds of millions of dollars of tank shells and ammunition. Meanwhile, the US has been unable to persuade Israel to allow sufficient aid deliveries into Gaza on the ground. That led to the US launching air drops of aid into the strip, and a plan to build a port on Gazas coast to facilitate further aid deliveries. Aid experts said those measures would be insufficient to prevent a famine. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), whose assessments are relied on by UN agencies, said this week that nearly three-quarters of people in parts of northern Gaza were now afflicted by the most severe level of food shortage, far exceeding the 20 per cent famine threshold. Antonio Guterres, the UN secretary general, called the IPC report an appalling indictment of conditions on the ground. This is an entirely man-made disaster and the report makes clear that it can be halted, he told reporters at the UN headquarters in New York, calling on Israel to ensure access to humanitarian goods throughout Gaza. He joined a chorus of condemnation from international diplomats, aid organisations and rights groups who said that Israel was wielding hunger as a weapon, which is a war crime. Starvation is used as a weapon of war. Israel is provoking famine, said EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell at the opening of a conference on humanitarian aid for Gaza in Brussels on Monday. The Israeli foreign minister Israel Katz hit out at such accusations and said specifically that Mr Borrell should stop attacking Israel and recognise our right to self-defence against Hamas crimes. Israel has allowed extensive humanitarian aid into Gaza by land, air, and sea for anyone willing to help, Mr Katz claimed on X/Twitter. Mr Blinken is due to meet with foreign ministers from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Jordan, as he pushes for a new ceasefire agreement in Gaza between Israel and Hamas. He said in the same interview with the Saudi media outlet Al-Hadath that the gaps are narrowing between Israel and Hamas in their negotiations for a ceasefire, and that an agreement is very much possible. The state department did not respond to a request for comment from The Independent. But on the ground, fighting has intensified in recent days around the Al-Shifa Hospital in northern Gaza. Al-Shifa is the only partially working hospital in the north and has been the scene of intense clashes over the last four days. Residents told Reuters that they had seen buildings inside the complex in flames. With additional reporting from Bel Trew By Khanh Vu HANOI (Reuters) -Vietnam's legislature on Thursday appointed Vice-President Vo Thi Anh Xuan as acting head of state, after President Vo Van Thuong became the latest top official to fall amid an intensified corruption crackdown by the ruling Communist Party. Thuong, 53, was removed from the powerful Politburo for unspecified violations of party rules, becoming the second president to exit in just over a year in Vietnam, where leadership changes have recently all been linked to a wide-ranging "blazing furnace" anti-bribery campaign. Xuan, one of only a few women in senior positions in Vietnamese politics, steps in as president for the second time in just over a year. "The Politburo has assigned Vo Thi Anh Xuan as acting president... until the National Assembly elects a new president, in accordance with Vietnam's constitution," reported online newspaper VnExpress. The government also confirmed her appointment. The president holds a largely ceremonial role but is one of the top four political positions in the Southeast Asian nation. Xuan filled the void in the six weeks after Nguyen Xuan Phuc stepped down as president last year for "violations and wrongdoing" by officials under his control. Thuong was widely regarded as being close to ageing General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, Vietnam's most powerful figure and architect of an anti-graft campaign that intensified recently. The party's central committee on Wednesday accepted Thuong's resignation and removed him from the Politburo, its top decision-making body, and his position of head of the National Defence and Security Council. About 88% of lawmakers supported his removal as president in Thursday's vote. The committee said Thuong's shortcomings "had negatively impacted public opinion, affecting the reputation of the Party, State and him personally", without elaborating on what he had done wrong. REPEATED RESHUFFLES Foreign investors and diplomats have blamed the sweeping crackdown for slowing decisions in a country already grappling with cumbersome bureaucracy. Analysts say the current malaise could be resolved with the swift election of a new president, but risks remain that repeated reshuffles of top leaders could hurt business sentiment in a country that is highly dependent on foreign investment. The legislature could announce a new president when it holds its next regular plenary session in May, or earlier if a special meeting is convened. The resignation "should not bring about significant changes in Vietnam's foreign policy, especially the country's neutral stance between the U.S. and China," Khang Vu, East Asian security expert at Boston College. The U.S. embassy in Hanoi said Washington "is confident that the positive momentum in our bilateral relationship will continue as we implement our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership". The exit of Thuong suggests the issue of who will succeed the paramount leader Trong remains open, said Darren Tay, an economist at BMI, a Fitch Solutions company. "While it does not reflect well on Vietnam, the issue has yet to directly affect reforms aimed at improving the business environment and foreign investors remain relatively insulated for now," he said. (Reporting by Khanh Vu Francesco Guarascio and Phuong Nguyen; Editing by Martin Petty and Lincoln Feast.) Train derailment disrupts coastal line operations in Sri Lanka Xinhua) 10:04, March 21, 2024 COLOMBO, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's Railway Department had to cancel 18 trains on Wednesday morning in the country's coastal line due to the derailment of a train between Colombo Fort and Kompannaveediya railway stations on Tuesday evening, a senior official said. Speaking to Xinhua, General Manager of Railways H.M.K.W. Bandara said the coastal line has two tracks where the accident occurred and both tracks were obstructed due to the derailment. He confirmed no casualty in the derailment and said they have managed to open one railway track for transport by 10 a.m. on Wednesday and are carrying out repairs on the other track. Both tracks will be open for operations by the evening, Bandara said. According to local media, 133 train derailments were reported in 2023 in Sri Lanka. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Ventriloquist Ignacio Nacho Estrada performs at an elementary school in this 2003 photo. Estrada died Jan. 28 at his San Antonio home at the age of 77. Steve Ueckert/Houston Chronicle Ignacio Nacho Estrada is shown with his puppet Tortiya Monster and ventriloquist dummy Maclovio in this 1983 press photo. Estrada performed as a ventriloquist at schools, festivals and other events for more than 40 years. Courtesy photo Ventriloquist Nacho Estrada performs with Maclovio at an elementary school in this 2003 photo. A memorial service will be livestreamed on YouTube on April 6. Steve Ueckert/Houston Chronicle Ignacio Nacho Estrada, who for more than 40 years performed as a ventriloquist at schools and festivals delivering a message of positivity and kindness, has died. Estrada spread his anti-bullying, anti-drug messages through comedic performances featuring a ventriloquist dummy named Maclovio and a puppet he called Tortiya Monster. In his act, Estrada would playfully chastise the sometimes mischievous Maclovio, known for his catchphrase Im not Ready, that was often imitated by audiences. Remembering her father and how he lived, Tanya Brock reflects on a simple principle that guided him. Advertisement Article continues below this ad If there is one thing I learned from my father, its to be kind to others no matter what, she said. A memorial service honoring Estrada will be livestreamed on YouTube at 6 p.m. April 6, his family announced last week. Estrada died Jan. 28 at his home in San Antonio. He was 77. Many San Antonio-area residents who attended elementary and grade school during the late 1970s through the early 2010s will remember Estradas school performances and his two characters. Both were created with Hispanic children in mind, Brock said, to make his shows relatable to South Texas audiences. I think around here, people thought it was hilarious, said Brock, who started working for her father while she was in high school, helping him book appearances and manage paperwork. Later, she would drive him to his performances across the state. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Brock recalled school principals and teachers excited to see Estrada because many had seen him perform when they were children. Such recognition, she said, was common. He knew so many people, Brock said. He lived big and loved everybody. Born in 1946 in Edinburg, Estrada became fascinated with ventriloquism as a teenager after meeting a man with the ability to throw his voice, his family said in a statement. Estrada began studying the technique, often referred to as distant ventriloquism because it makes a voice sound far away. By his 30s, Estrada worked as a school bus driver and later as a teachers aide in Eagle Pass, using his emerging talent as a ventriloquist to relate to children with special needs. Soon, Estrada was making a living performing his puppetry and ventriloquist act. He became a regular performer at the annual Texas Folklife Festival and the Poteet Strawberry Festival, yet performing at schools was his steady source of work and one of his greatest joys, his family said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad He could have made more money working with cruises, Brock said. But it wasnt about the money. In 1984, Estrada moved his family to San Antonio because the bulk of his work was in the area. He continued to travel the state, earning accolades for his work from fellow ventriloquists, who named him Ventriloquist of the Year at the International Ventriloquist Convention in 1995, according to the Estrada family. He also received commendation from law enforcement for his drug prevention efforts. At the peak of his career, Brock said, her father performed up to six 45-minute shows a day, and sometimes worked seven days a week. Estrada, described by his family as a devout Christian, used lessons he learned from studying the Bible as the basis for his acts three main messages to stay in school, stay away from drugs and be kind to one another. The characters of Maclovio and Tortiya Monster, patterned after the popular Sesame Street character Cookie Monster, made an impression on generations of children. Social media comments posted shortly after Estradas family announced his death reflected childhood memories of school visits. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I remember him visiting us in elementary school and all the kids cracking up, one fan wrote in a post. I saw him perform when I was in elementary school. I still remember it vividly, wrote another. Estradas colleagues also fondly recalled the veteran entertainer, who retired from performing in 2016. His gift of bringing out the child in all of us was truly an inspiration, longtime San Antonio radio DJ Sonny Melendrez wrote on Facebook days after Estradas death was announced. As hes already taken to the heavenly stage, I know hes already spreading his love, he wrote. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Because Estrada knew so many people all over the world, the family decided to livestream his memorial service so friends and fans can participate. Estradas family has created a channel on YouTube where some of his performances that were professionally recorded over the years will be posted soon. A video of the April 6 service will be posted there, too, Brock said, adding the family has appreciated the kind words many have expressed since her fathers passing. The Estrada family asks that those wishing to send condolences and share memories send an email to imnotready2024@gmail.com, or mail them to P.O. Box 158, Leming, TX, 78050. In lieu of flowers, the family requested donations be sent to Jehovahs Witnesses. A white supremacist Idaho prison gang member and an accomplice remained on the loose Wednesday after the accomplice staged a brazen overnight attack to free the inmate as he was being transported from a Boise hospital, police said. Police identified the man suspected of shooting two corrections officers during the ambush as Nicholas Umphenour. A warrant with a $2 million bond has been issued for his arrest on two charges of aggravated battery against law enforcement and one charge of aiding and abetting an escape, police said. Police said the search continues for Umphenour and escaped inmate Skylar Meade, who fled the hospital early Wednesday in a gray Honda Civic. Its not known where they are or where they are headed, police said. Three corrections officers were shot and wounded in the brazen attack two allegedly by Umphenour and one by responding police during the attack in the ambulance bay at Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center. Officials described Meade, 31, as a white supremacist gang member. Meade was sentenced to 20 years in 2017 for shooting at a sheriffs sergeant during a high-speed chase. The pair fled in the gray four-door sedan with Idaho plates, police said. The attack occurred at 2:15 a.m. as Idaho Department of Correction officers prepared to bring Meade back to prison. Department Director Josh Tewalt said during a news conference Wednesday afternoon that Meade was taken to the hospital at 9:35 p.m. Tuesday after he engaged in self-injurious behavior and medical staff determined he needed emergency care. One officer shot by the suspect was in critical but stable condition, police said, while the second wounded officer had serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The third injured corrections officer also sustained non-life-threatening injuries when a responding officer incorrectly believing the shooter was still in the emergency room and seeing an armed person near the entrance opened fire. This brazen, violent, and apparently coordinated attack on Idaho Department of Corrections personnel, to facilitate an escape of a dangerous inmate, was carried out right in front of the Emergency Department, where people come for medical help, often in the direst circumstances, Boise Police Chief Ron Winegar said in a written statement. Meade, 5-foot-6 and 150 pounds, has face tattoos with the numbers 1 and 11 for A and K, the first and 11th letters of the alphabet, representing the Aryan Knights gang he affiliated with, Tewalt said. Photos released by police also showed an A and K tattooed on his abdomen. Meade had been held in a type of solitary confinement called administrative segregation at Idaho Maximum Security Institution in Kuna, about 12 miles (19 kilometers) south of Boise, because officials deemed him a severe security risk, Tewalt said. Meade had been escorted in the ambulance and at the hospital by two uniformed, unarmed officers wearing ballistic vests, tailed by armed staff, Tewalt said. Under standard procedure for transporting a high-risk inmate, unarmed guards are on each side of the prisoner while an armed guard follows, he said. To the best of our knowledge, Meade was in restraints while being escorted in and out of the hospital, Correction Department spokesperson Sanda Kuzeta-Cerimagic said in an email to The Associated Press. She didn't specify whether the restraints were handcuffs, shackles or another type of restraint. Authorities also did not say if other security measures were in place when Meade was leaving the hospital. The attack came amid a wave of gun violence at hospitals and medical centers, which have struggled to adapt to the threats. A Saint Alphonsus spokesperson said the shooting happened in the ambulance bay by its emergency department. All patients and staff are safe, the medical center campus is safe and secure, and has resumed normal operations. The Emergency Department itself is currently under temporary lockdown while the Boise Police Department completes the investigation, Leticia Ramirez said Wednesday morning in a statement. She said as an added precaution, we have increased security on campus, all entrances to the hospital will be closed and monitored by hospital security until further notice. Ramirez declined to comment when asked about Meade, deferring to the police department. ___ Johnson reported from Seattle and Thiessen from Anchorage, Alaska. ___ This story has been corrected to show department name is Correction. A document offered to people exploring end of life choices under the Death with Dignity Law. Prescriptions for lethal doses of medication in Oregon increased by nearly 30% in 2023, the same year an amendment to the state's Death with Dignity Act removed the in-state residency requirement for patients, according to an Oregon Health Authority report released Wednesday. There were 560 prescriptions for lethal medication doses in Oregon in 2023, up from 433 prescriptions the year before. There were 367 deaths reported in Oregon last year from ingesting lethal doses of medication prescribed under the Death with Dignity Act. OHA attributed the difference in prescriptions and deaths due to: Some out-of-state deaths are not reported; some people die before taking the lethal dose; and some 5% outlive their six-month prognosis and could end up not taking it. The report speculated the amendment that patients are no longer required to be residents to receive a lethal dose prescription contributed to the rise in prescriptions. The number of prescriptions made to non-Oregon residents or deaths from ingestion is unknown. OHA has updated physician compliance forms to include patient residency status in 2024 to help them understand the how the amended law has impacted out-of-state access. What is the Death with Dignity Act? The Death with Dignity Act (DWDA) was first established in Oregon in 1997. It allows terminally ill patients to end their lives through self-administration of a lethal medication. A patient must verbalize their request two times, each request being at least 15 days apart, and make a written request in the presence of two witnesses before a physician can prescribe lethal medication. The law was passed by a voter ballot measure in 1994, but an injunction delayed implementation until 1997. An exemption went into effect in 2020 waiving the 15-day wait period for people with less than 15 days to live. Who is eligible to receive a lethal dose prescription? To receive a prescription for lethal medication a patient must be: An adult over the age of 18. Capable and competent enough to make health care decisions for themselves. And, diagnosed with a terminal illness that will lead to death within six months. What happens to unused lethal dose medication? Patients prescribed lethal medication can take it at any time, and there is no time by which they must take the medication. If a patient decides not to take the dose or is unable to take it, the medication does not have to be returned to the prescriber. OHA encourages patients, families and caregivers to properly dispose of unused lethal medications by taking them to community drug collection sites or at prescription drug take back day events held twice a year. Sydney Wyatt covers healthcare inequities in the Mid-Willamette Valley for the Statesman Journal. Send comments, questions, and tips to her at SWyatt@gannett.com, (503) 399-6613, or on Twitter @sydney_elise44 The Statesman Journals coverage of healthcare inequities is funded in part by the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, which seeks to strengthen the cultural, social, educational, and spiritual base of the Pacific Northwest through capacity-building investments in the nonprofit sector. This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Oregon lethal medication prescriptions increased nearly 30% in 2023 Over 2,000 people died during the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor and Richard C. Higgins, one of the last remaining survivors who witnessed that tragic day unfold, recently passed away at the age of 102. Higgins died of natural causes on Tuesday, Angela Norton, his granddaughter, told the New York Times. The veteran died at Norton's home in Bend, Oregon where he had been living, she told the outlet. Richard C. Higgins celebrating his 102nd birthday On an Instagram page named @quarantine_chats_with_gramps, Higgins would relive his time as a radioman stationed at the Pearl Harbor naval base on Dec. 7, 1941. On that day, 2,403 U.S. personnel, including 68 civilians, were killed by the airstrike ultimately leading to the country declaring war on Japan, according to the National WWII Museum. In the Instagram post from May 11, 2020, Higgins talks about how explosions of the bombs going off "all around" woke him up the day of the attack and how the first bomb hit the parking area and then a hangar. "I got on some shoes and pants and headed down for the hangar," Higgins recalled when he first woke up. A Pearl Harbor Day ceremony was held on Dec. 7, 2023, at Smugglers Beach. Cape Cod Marine Corps League Detachment 125 hosted the ceremony. Higgins 'moved planes away from ones that were on fire' during the Pearl Harbor attack U.S. Marines held Higgins back during the first wave of the attack, the veteran said. Once the Marines let Higgins go, he then pushed planes away from each other as bombs dropped around him and gasoline hovered over his head during the second wave of the attack. I was moving planes away from ones that were on fire, because when the tanks exploded, they threw burning gas on the others, he said. Higgins "tried to get things squared away in the hangar area" for the remainder of the day, the veteran said in the social media post. A wreath left by US President Joe Biden stands next to the Freedom Wall commemorating the 80th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, DC, on December 7, 2021. The radioman recalled not returning to his barracks for three days. During that time, he slept on a cot at the plane hangar and worked on trying to get planes back into commission," according to the Instagram post. Higgins also described his experience in a 2008 interview with the National Museum of the Pacific War. During the interview, he recalled jumping out of his bunk, running over to the edge of the lanai (the name for a covered porch in Hawaii) and seeing a plane fly right over his barracks. The plane had big red meatballs on it, Higgins said, about Japans rising sun insignia, "There was no doubt what was happening in my mind," he said. Higgins lived through the Great Depression, Dust Bowl Higgins was born on a farm near Magnum, Oklahoma on July 24, 1921, according to the oral history interview with the National Museum of the Pacific War. In an Instagram post shared April 16, 2020, Higgins talks about living through the severe dust storms during the Dust Bowl in the 1930s and the Great Depression from 1929-1939. The veteran described how dust and sand would darken the town and streetlights wouldn't switch on until the middle of the day, according to the social media post. He also recalled his father borrowing money to keep the farm animals fed. It was what you might call slim pickings, Higgins said about living through the Great Depression. Richard C. Higgins in the 1940s in front of his wifes childhood home in Philadelphia, Mississippi Before joining the Navy in 1939, Higgins's first gig was at a woman's hat factory, according to the oral history interview. The U.S. Army didn't come into the picture until he heard an ad on the radio, so he bypassed his initial plan to go to radio and television school in Kansas City, to go into the Navy and train to become an aviation mechanic at the time, the veteran said in the interview. "The tuition for that was $300, and I never acquired $300, and plus I would have to live also, so I joined the Navy," Higgins said. While stationed at Pearl Habor, Higgins went out on a patrol mission in mid-October 1941, but when he returned to base, the Japanese had attacked, he said in the oral history interview. On the morning of the airstrike, Higgins said the seaplane he returned to the base in was gone and replaced by a crater 7 feet deep and 20 feet across. 'Gramps went home,' Instagram account says A post was shared on the @quarantine_chats_with_gramps Instagram on March 19 announcing Higgins' passing. "Gramps went home to be with Jesus this morning," the post said. "He was a humble, generous, funny and loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend. This community has celebrated and honored him and we are forever grateful for the impact he has made on all of us. At 102 years old, we have lost a precious part of history but because of his belief in Jesus we know that this is not the end. We cant wait to see you again. Always and forever, we love you Gramps." After retiring from the Navy in 1959, Higgins worked as an aeronautics engineer, the New York Times reported. He married Winnie Ruth in 1944 while stationed in Florida, according to the outlet. Ruth passed away in 2004 at the age of 82. Higgins is survived by a son, a daughter, two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, Norton told the New York Times. He never thought that he was a hero; the heroes were those who didnt come home, Norton said. But he wanted to make sure their stories continue to be told, and we remember what an incredible country we live in and what sacrifices they made for us to have our freedoms. Jonathan Limehouse covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at JLimehouse@gannett.com This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Richard Higgins, Pearl Harbor attack survivor, dies at 102 Key takeaways It is possible to negotiate real estate commissions, but it ultimately depends on the individual agent's circumstances. Real estate commission rates used to typically total around 6 percent of a home's sale price, but in recent years, that amount has been closer to 5 percent. Due to a recent lawsuit, sellers will soon no longer be required to pay for their buyer's agent's fee. This may open the door to more competition and negotiation. In a real estate transaction, theres always some level of negotiation. If youre the seller, you face haggling not only with prospective buyers, but also with the person youre working with to seal the deal: your real estate agent. Thanks to a federal lawsuit that was recently settled, the way real estate commissions work will change in July 2024 (pending court approval). If youre looking to save some money, heres what you need to know about how commissions work, and how to agree on a rate that both you and your agent can feel good about. How real estate commission works, and who pays for it A generation ago, real estate commission rates were typically around 6 percent of a homes sale price. But the average real estate commission rate has gone down in recent years to just under 5 percent of a homes sale price, according to Real Trends, a real estate research and consulting firm, and to Anywhere Real Estate, the parent of Century 21, Coldwell Banker and other brokerage brands. Under the current system, the fee is typically paid by the seller at closing, and its customarily split down the middle between the sellers agent and the buyers agent. (So, for a 5 percent commission, each agent would earn 2.5 percent.) On a $400,000 transaction, which is around the median sale price nationwide, the 5 percent fee amounts to $20,000. Agents and brokerages can offer a variety of commission structures, though, with some marketing flat fees or other incentives. So there may be opportunity to negotiate the rate if youre looking to save on the cost of selling your home. There are agents and brokerages that reduce, discount or coupon their services, says Kevin Van Eck, an executive with @properties, a brokerage in Chicago. Each agent, along with their brokerage, can determine where they set commissions based on the value and success created. Can you negotiate Realtor fees? Often, yes, there is room for bargaining. And as of July, there may be even more room. As a result of a lawsuit involving the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and several major brokerages, new commission rules will take effect that month that will mean sellers no longer have to cover the cost of the buyers agents fee, which may lead to more aggressive price competition among buyers-side agents. In addition, listing agents will no longer be permitted to state the buyers agent commission in the MLS (multiple listing service), as has been common practice. Your success at negotiating often depends on an individual agents circumstances, says Dave Liniger, chairman and co-founder of RE/MAX Real Estate. Some agents are dead-set, he says. Other agents need the business so bad theyll readily negotiate. As you prepare to list your home for sale, you may want to meet with a few listing agents to find the right one for the job. Ask each agent about their commission rate and what exactly youll be getting for that price. Consider not only how the agent plans to market your home, but also their skill in pricing it, experience, resources and track record. Its OK for a seller to ask about the commission, but the best time is after talking with the agent and understanding their experience, how they will create exposure for the home and the value they bring to the table, says Van Eck. Liniger suggests that sellers invite three to five listing agents to their homes to make their pitches. The competing proposals will let you see how much agents charge, and give you leverage to bargain for a better deal. You dont get if you dont ask, he says. You might also consider weighing what you learn from full-service agents against the services of a discount broker. Just keep in mind that the discounters offerings may be limited compared to those of a traditional agent. How to negotiate real estate commissions Once you understand exactly what youre paying for, you will be in a better position to ask for a discount. Here are some tips: If youre able to offer the agent more than one listing opportunity, that might be a compelling argument for a reduced commission. If [youre] a real estate investor who is looking to offload several properties, I would definitely talk about the commission, says Dana Bull, an agent with Compass in the Boston area. Most agents welcome repeat business, she says. If you dont have another listing opportunity of your own to offer, try leveraging your ability recommend the agent to others in your neighborhood or network. This might be especially impactful if you know they are looking to build their business. I cant just slash my commission, but I might be willing to give a slight discount if the client offered some sort of other strategy to get more business after the sale, Bull says. If you have a home in a sought-after area, or a buyer already interested, or an unusually high sale price, your agent may not need to do as much to earn their fee. If neither party can foresee the need for additional services if an agent is coming in to basically just do some hand-holding, keeping the transaction on schedule and assisting with paperwork, Bull says that might be another good reason to propose a slightly lower rate. If you plan to buy a new home while selling your current one, use that in your favor. Liniger says an agent who can represent you on both the sale and the subsequent purchase will likely be willing to cut their fee. You may be considering skipping the commission conversation entirely and selling your home yourself. If so, be aware: While an experienced house flipper might be skilled enough to list a home without an agent, for most homeowners, the for-sale-by-owner route can be more challenging, more costly and more time-consuming in the long run. Bottom line In any negotiation, both parties must be willing to give and take. Negotiating your agents commission can work in your favor, but an agent can walk away if they dont necessarily need your business. Keep in mind, too, that it can make sense for sellers to pay more for additional services instead of negotiating the commission down, Bull says. These might include higher-end marketing, home staging or additional mailers, for instance. And if youre not in a rush, consider waiting until after the July rule change to see how things shake out. Ultimately, its important to find an agent you can speak with openly about cost, and who you trust to do the best job to sell your home. El Paso law enforcement is stuck in the middle of the ongoing legal argument over SB 4, the controversial Texas state law authorizing local police to arrest and deport suspected undocumented immigrants, officials said. The implementation of the immigration law pushed by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott was on hold as of Wednesday morning as arguments continued in the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. Senate Bill 4 would allow police to arrest people accused of illegally crossing the state's southern border outside of a port of entry. They would go before a magistrate judge's who could order them to return to Mexico or face prosecution, with possible penalties ranging from a Class A misdemeanor to a second-degree felony. The El Paso County Sheriff's Office and the El Paso Police Department would not make enforcing SB 4 a priority, El Paso Mayor Oscar Leeser and sheriff officials said. "The ruling (Tuesday) exemplifies the complexities of this issue by the courts direction to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals," Leeser said in a statement. "While the city of El Paso will always follow state law, it is no secret that our police department is short staffed. Our law enforcement responses are always priority-driven, and our number one priority has and will continue to be public health and safety, not enforcing immigration law." Previously: Supreme Court lifts hold on law letting police arrest migrants who illegally enter US Supporters of SB 4 say the law is necessary to help stop the continuing immigration crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border. Opponents contend that Texas is overreaching into federal jurisdiction and the law is born out of xenophobia with the potential for racial profiling, damaging trust between local police and residents, burdening county jails and passing the cost to local taxpayers. El Paso County Sheriff's Office Cmdr. Ryan Urrutia speaks about the local law enforcement impact of SB 4, a Texas law allowing police to arrest undocumented immigrants, at a Wednesday morning news conference outside El Paso County Sheriff's Office Headquarters. "Trying to simplify complex immigration law with one state law is really baffling," Cmrd. Ryan Urrutia, who heads the patrol division of the El Paso County Sheriff's Office, said at a news conference Wednesday morning outside sheriff's headquarters. "Its not the fix. This law definitely came into affect out of frustration between the state and the federal government and now its thrown law enforcement in the middle," Urrutia said. The Sheriff's Office would have to come up with training plan for its officers if law comes into effect, he said, adding that while deputies would not be told not to enforce the law, it would not be a priority. Urrutia reiterated the same concerns about SB 4's impact on community trust, jail capacity and inmate-related financial costs previously aired by Sheriff Richard Wiles after the law was approved in November by the Republican-held Texas Legislature. On Wednesday, Wiles was in meetings regarding SB 4 and other matters and wasn't available for comment, a sheriff's spokesperson said. SB 4 had been scheduled to take effect March 5, but its implementation was delayed after a lawsuit challenging the law on constitutional grounds was filed against Texas by the U.S. Justice Department and civil rights groups. The lawsuit includes El Paso County and Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center, which provides legal representation to asylum-seekers and other immigrants in El Paso. SB 4 could impact El Paso County jails, officials say The El Paso County Jail system could see an influx of undocumented migrants arrested under SB 4 by the Texas Department of Public Safety, which under Operation Lone Star has increasingly been involved in border enforcement efforts, sheriff officials said. More: Texas DPS busts El Paso cartel cell tied to firearms seizure, border migrant smuggling To make room, the jail would have to reduce the number of federal inmates it is contracted to house to accommodate state inmates it is mandated to take in. The loss of federal inmates would be a financial hit for the county. It costs the county about $87 a day to house an inmate and the federal contract pays about $100 a day, Urrutia said. There is no money assigned to SB 4 that would reimburse counties for enforcement or incarceration, he added. No-vacancy at the jail? In Texas, county jails are run by the local sheriff's office. The El Paso County jail system has a total capacity for up to 2,800 inmates at the Downtown jail and the Jail Annex on the far East Side. Borderland: Juarez police officers arrested in migrant kidnapping 'network of corruption' In a worst-case scenario, the jails could become full, forcing them stop accepting new inmates, sheriff officials said. "It could put us in a situation where we could see jail closures because we would be at capacity," Urrutia said. "Jail closures happened back in the 90s. We dont want that to happen again. We would pretty much book people and release them on a summons." A housing unit in the El Paso County Jail Annex which hosts 24 people per unit. The no-vacancy jail closures were basically resolved with the opening of the 1,880-bed Jail Annex in 1997. The Downtown jail is currently operating under its 1,000-inmate capacity because of renovations taking place. Urrutia was asked by a reporter what the solution was to the immigration crisis. "There needs to be a bipartisan effort in Washington that comes up with immigration reform that has been discussed over and over and over and thats what needs to happen," Urrutia responded. "Because now, we are seeing this placed on local law enforcement and just a few years ago there was a cry that law enforcement is being asked to do too much and here we are again being asked to do this." This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Amid Texas SB 4 debate, El Paso law enforcement stuck in the middle Ukraines capital came under heavy missile attack in the early hours of Thursday for the first time in six weeks just hours after a visit to the city by US national security adviser Jake Sullivan. More than 25,000 people took shelter in the citys metro stations while the attack was ongoing, with videos and images shared on social media showing crowds crammed together underground in images reminiscent of the early days of the war. Officials said Russia fired two ballistic missiles and 29 cruise missiles at the Kyiv region - all of which, they said, had been shot down. Tests will confirm exactly what missile types were fired, but a statement from the air force suggests it is possible the ballistic missiles were of North Korean origin. Authorities say about a dozen people were injured from falling debris; there were no reports of any fatalities. People take shelter inside a metro station in Kyiv during the missile barrage. - Alina Smutko/Reuters Valentyna Ivanivna, an 80-year old living in Kyivs central Podil district, told CNN she was woken at 5 a.m. by a loud blast that shattered her windows. I dont know whether it was a missile or what it was, but now I have holes instead of windows. Im alright, but my kitchen and a living room are now windowless. I was sleeping in the bedroom, which is behind another wall, which saved me from the shrapnel, she said. Anastasia Shulha showed CNN inside her flower shop, which had also had its main window blown out and front door damaged. Actually, this is the second time my shop has suffered an attack. Last time it was late spring last year, she said. Pointing to the damaged shop door, she added, Everything is wide open, and anyone could get in. it. I am going to need to stay here until the window and the door are replaced. Ruslan Kravchenko, head of the Kyiv region military administration, said there were no hits to critical infrastructure facilities or residential buildings - though pictures suggest at least one close call. Videos and images show a large crater just meters away from high-rise residential buildings. One image shows nearby cars covered in soil thrown up by the impact. Rescuers work at a site of a building damaged during a Russian missile strike. - Alina Smutko/Reuters More than 25,000 people, including 3,000 children, sheltered in the citys metro stations until shortly after 6 a.m., when the air raid warning was lifted, the Kyiv city office said. Ukraines President Volodymr Zelensky said the latest attack was a reminder of why he is pleading for more military support from allies. Russian terrorists do not have missiles that can bypass the defense of [US-made] PATRIOTs and other world-leading systems. Now this protection is needed here in Ukraine [..] This is quite possible if our partners have enough political will, he wrote on social media. An air force statement suggested the ballistic missiles were either KN-23 type, an Iskander-M class missile made in North Korea, or the Kh-47M2 type, which is Russian made and more commonly known as the Kinzhal. Last month, a Ukrainian official said missiles from North Korea had been used by Russia on dozens of occasions to strike Ukraine. Defense Intelligence targeted: source A Ukrainian defense source told CNN that based on the trajectory of the missiles, it was clear that all but one had been targeting facilities of Ukraines Defense Intelligence facilities. The Defense Intelligence is run by Kyrylo Budanov and has carried out a series of high-profile attacks on Russian targets, including a number of hits on naval vessels belonging to Russias Black Sea fleet. The directorate is also responsible for coordinating several units of Russian volunteers who are fighting for Ukraine. Most recently, these groups have been involved in cross border raids, as well as drone and artillery attacks, on Russias Belgorod and Kursk regions, which neighbor Ukraine to the north. Some of those fighters gave a press conference in Kyiv Thursday - which took place after the missile barrage but had been announced earlier in the week at which they said they had retaliated for the strikes on the Ukrainian capital by launching a drone strike on Belgorod. One of the volunteer fighters, Oleksey Baranovskiy, of the Freedom for Russia Legion, said their recent actions had succeeded in thwarting Russias offensive plans designed to coincide with Russias presidential election. Another, Denis Nikitin of the Russian Volunteer Corps, said, We were able to open a second front. Move the war effort on to enemy territory. By extending the front line, we managed to weaken the pressure of the Kremlins military machine along other parts of the front. North Korea supporting Russia: US U.S. and South Korean officials have accused North Korea of supplying Russia with missiles and other military equipment in recent months. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said at a White House briefing in early January that Russia had fired North Korean-made missiles at Ukraine on December 30 and January 2. Kirby and analysts who spoke with CNN said the introduction of the North Korean weapons into the war in Ukraine will reverberate 7,500 kilometers (4,600 miles) east to the Korean Peninsula. This is a significant and concerning escalation in the DPRKs support for Russia, Kirby said. On February 26, South Korean Defense Minister Shin Won-sik said North Korean munitions factories producing weapons and shells for Russia are operating at full capacity. In return, Russia is providing North Korea with food and other necessities, he said. A bomb squad member works next to a part of a missile. - Viacheslav Ratynskyi/Reuters On Wednesday, Sullivan told reporters in Kyiv he remained confident the US House of Representatives would eventually approve additional military aid for Ukraine despite it having been blocked in various iterations - in Congress for months. Last month, the US Senate approved a supplemental bill which would have unlocked $60 billion of military aid, but House Speaker Mike Johnson refused to bring it to the floor for a vote. Current discussions on Capitol Hill are reportedly focusing on trying to get at least some of the aid approved in the form of a loan, which might secure support from House Republicans. We are confident we will get a strong bipartisan vote in the House for an assistance package for Ukraine and we will get that money out the door [..] Its already taken too long Im not going to make predictions about exactly when this will get done, Sullivan said Wednesday, on what was the first visit to Ukraine by a top White House official in six months. First NATO visit since Russian invasion The strikes in Kyiv came on the same day as a NATO military delegation made its first visit to the Ukrainian capital since the start of the Russian invasion in 2022. The delegation led by Adm. Rob Bauer, the chairman of the alliances military committee attended the annual Kyiv Security Forum and met with President Zelensky and Ukraines army chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi. Bauer in a speech called the visit a testament to the fact that NATO and Ukraine are closer than they have ever been. This war is about President Putin fearing something much more powerful than any physical weapon on earth: democracy, he said, adding that if people in Ukraine can have democratic rights, real democratic rights, then people in Russia will soon crave them too. Bauer also said Ukraine has fundamentally changed many aspects of modern warfare by using combinations of Soviet style equipment with modern Western materiel. The official warned Ukraine against becoming overly pessimistic in 2024 and stressed that pessimists dont win wars. There is nothing you cannot do. The only thing you need is our help. NATO allies and many other nations around the world are providing unprecedented support to Ukraine and it has made a real difference, he said. Zelensky described Bauers visit as a strong signal of support for Ukrainian society. Additional reporting by Mariya Knight and Yulia Kesaieva For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com By Daphne Psaledakis and Simon Lewis WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The United States will ask the U.N. Security Council on Friday to back a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and an Israel-Hamas hostage deal, increasing pressure on its ally Israel to allow more humanitarian aid and better protect civilians. Nate Evans, spokesperson for the U.S. mission to the United Nations, said on Thursday that the resolution resulted from "many rounds of consultations" with members of the 15-seat Security Council. The resolution marks a further toughening of Washington's stance toward Israel. Earlier in the five-month-long war, the U.S. was averse to the word ceasefire and vetoed measures that included calls for an immediate ceasefire. The draft resolution, seen by Reuters, says an "immediate and sustained ceasefire" lasting roughly six weeks would protect civilians and allow for the delivery of humanitarian assistance. The text backs talks brokered by the U.S., Egypt and Qatar over a ceasefire and emphasizes support for using the period of a truce to intensify efforts in pursuit of "lasting peace." The Israeli embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment. To pass in the Security Council, a resolution needs at least nine votes in favor and no veto by the U.S., France, Britain, Russia or China. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Thursday he believed talks in Qatar, which are focused on a six-week truce and the release of 40 Israeli hostages and hundreds of jailed Palestinians, could still reach a agreement. The main sticking point has been that Hamas says it will release hostages only as part of a deal that would end the war, while Israel says it will discuss only a temporary pause. The U.S. has wanted any Security Council support for a ceasefire to be linked to the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and taking 253 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. Israel's offensive has killed almost 32,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities. The resolution is also intended to deliver a surge in humanitarian aid to Gaza, where severe hunger is worsening. During the war, Washington has vetoed three draft resolutions, two which would have demanded an immediate ceasefire. Most recently, the U.S. justified its veto by saying such council action could jeopardize ceasefire talks. The U.S. traditionally shields Israel at the U.N. But it has also abstained twice, allowing the council to adopt resolutions on increasing aid and calling for extended pauses in fighting. (Reporting by Daphne Psaledakis and Simon Lewis; Additional reporting by Matt Spetalnick; Editing by Leslie Adler and Cynthia Osterman) Chinese officials decried the lack of fairness in the US last week following the swift passage of a House bill that called for Chinese company ByteDance to divest its popular social media app TikTok. A foreign ministry spokesperson for China accused the US of using national security as a guise to willfully suppress other countries' superior companies, strongly hinting that the Chinese government would block any forced sale of its most popular social media app. But beyond preventing a spin-off, Chinese options for potential retaliation against the US remain limited, given the countrys current economic standing and its own policy of censorship, experts say. The more that they take sort of retaliatory measures, that actually turbocharges that decoupling agenda that some have in Washington, said Martin Chorzempa, senior fellow at The Peterson Institute for International Economics. [That] would encourage firms to pull out of China because they wouldn't feel safe there. Wang Wenbin, spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, speaks to the press on March 13, 2024, after the ministry accused the US on Wednesday of bullying Tiktok. (picture alliance via Getty Images) China weighs its options with TikTok The latest congressional action marks another twist in a yearslong effort to limit the scale and influence of a social media app that has grown to more than 170 million users in the US. Since launching in 2017 as the international version of parent company ByteDances popular Chinese app Douyin, TikTok has become one of the most downloaded apps globally, along with Metas (META) Instagram. But the vast amounts of data collected on the platform, as well as concerns about the Chinese Communist Partys ability to exert control over ByteDance, has raised the alarm for US lawmakers who have deemed TikToks ties to China a national security risk. In congressional testimony, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew has insisted that the company stores Americans' data in Virginia and Singapore, not China. However, the company later acknowledged there are some exceptions for creator data, as Forbes reported. Shou Zi Chew, CEO of TikTok, leaves a meeting in Sen. John Fetterman's office in the Russell Senate Office building on Thursday, March 14, 2024. (Bill Clark via Getty Images) The Chinese government does have broad legal authorities to compel corporations in matters of national security, said Colin Costello, a CFIUS and national security adviser at the Freshfields law firm. So from the perspective of someone who views the Chinese government as an adversary and as a very capable adversary, the question is not has it been used, but can it be used? And the answer to that, ... from the perspective of the people who wrote this bill, is yes. This isn't the first time Beijing has responded to threats of a US TikTok ban. In 2020, after former President Donald Trump signed an executive order effectively calling for the ban of TikTok and WeChat in the US, ByteDance immediately moved to update its export control rules. The changes restricted the export of technology based on data analysis for personalized information recommendation service. Reva Goujon, director at Rhodium Group, expects Beijing to intervene similarly if the Senate passes the House bill and President Joe Biden signs it into law to demonstrate its own resistance to the US. Visitors visit the TikTok booth at the Application & Electronics World Expo (AWE2024) in Shanghai, China, on March 14, 2024. (Future Publishing via Getty Images) But Chinas own economic reality and a broad slowdown in foreign investments may also influence Beijings calculation in the scale of its response. Foreign direct investments in China fell to a 30-year low in 2023, weighed down in part by concerns over geopolitical tensions and an unpredictable business environment. Beijing needs to weigh the risk of further alienating foreign investors when Chinas economic challenges are already on full display, Goujon said. More defensive moves, whether on export controls, data security, or cybersecurity measures, will only drive companies deeper down the diversification path. That hasnt stopped Beijing from responding in the past. Major American social media and online platforms, including Alphabets Google (GOOG), Metas Facebook, and Snapchat (SNAP), have already been banned from the worlds second-largest economy. The government also barred critical domestic infrastructure operators from purchasing Microns (MU) products last year, after Washington implemented export controls on key American components and chipmaking tools. Months later, China ordered employees at central government agencies to stop using Apples (AAPL) iPhones, citing national security concerns. If passed in the Senate, the TikTok bill sets a six-month deadline for TikTok to divest from ByteDance, a challenging scenario given the complexity of separating US assets from a global app. Chorzempa said Beijing is unlikely to approve any deal, regardless of the price tag or corporate structure, in part because of what TikTok represents: a global social media success story made in China. If Beijing is looking at a ban in the United States market compared to losing global control [over an app], it's not clear to me that it would prefer divestment and a payout for the existing shareholders over the loss of that channel, Chorzempa said. In part, he added, that's because the abundance of Chinese actions in the last few years makes clear that the interests of shareholders and the financial interests of shareholders just do not come in very high on the list of Chinese government priorities. Click here for political news related to business and money policies that will shape tomorrow's stock prices. Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance Don Arnold/TAS24/Getty Images Taylor Swifts fans took Shake It Off to the next level by causing a seismic event during one of her Los Angeles concerts last year, a new study shows. Its been well known that concerts make these harmonic signals and its not always been clear as to why, Caltech seismologist Gabrielle Tepp, who oversaw the study, explained in a recent interview with The Los Angeles Times. This was one thing that we were kind of interested in seeing if we could really nail down what was causing it. Tepp and her teams findings were disclosed in a report earlier this month titled Shake to the Beat: Exploring the Seismic Signals and Stadium Response of Concerts and Music Fans. In the study, it was revealed that when Swift, 34, performed at SoFi Stadium in August 2023 she brought her record-breaking Eras Tour to L.A. for six nights 70,000 Swifties jumped and danced around so much in the audience that they created seismic activity and generated distinct harmonic tremors. Breaking Down Taylor Swifts Remaining Eras Tour Schedule To get the data, researchers set up motion sensors more than 5.5 miles from the venue on the fifth night of Swifts residency. The information was then collected and analyzed via spectrograms, or graphs tracking wavelength frequencies. Of all the songs performed by Swift during her show, the data determined that Shake It Off produced the largest local magnitude of 0.85, followed by Love Story, which also had a significant amplitude. The L.A. show wasnt the first time the Grammy winner caused whats become known as a Swift-quake. Her July 2023 stops at Seattles Lumen Field was similarly stated to have resulted in seismic activity, according to CNN, creating an equivalent of a 2.3 magnitude earthquake. Swifts Era Tour kicked off in Glendale, Arizona, in March 2023 and has since taken her all across the United States, performing for more than three hours and surprising attendees with new acoustic songs each night. For her international leg, Swift has traveled to South America, Japan, Singapore and Australia. Blackpinks Lisa Hangs With Taylor Swift at Her Singapore Eras Tour Show Swifts concerts broke multiple attendance records, with the Guinness World Records announcing it was officially the highest-grossing music tour ever, becoming the first to surpass $1 billion dollars in revenue. While Swifts Eras Tour will continue overseas in Europe in May, the pop star is currently taking time to relax. Us Weekly confirmed that Swift is vacationing in The Bahamas with her boyfriend, Travis Kelce. The couple were spotted on an island getaway on Monday, March 18, per photos shared via gossip blog Deux Moi. In addition to touring, Swift has been working on new music. Her 11th studio album, The Tortured Poets Department, will arrive on April 19. 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. Gabriel Cantu, a fourth-grade teacher at Schertz Elementary School, was arrested Thursday. Guadalupe County Jail. A Schertz Elementary School teacher has been arrested on an accusation of indecency with a child. Gabriel Cantu, 42, a San Antonio resident, turned himself in early Thursday after an arrest warrant was obtained by the Schertz Police Department based on an outcry by one of his fourth-grade students, the department said in a news release. The girls mother reported the outcry to police March 11, the release said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Investigators obtained the warrant March 20 after working with the Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City Independent School District to identify the teacher, who was immediately placed on administrative leave, the release said. Cantu was arrested without incident and taken to the Guadalupe County jail. A judge set his bail at $200,000. The school district Thursday called the situation deeply concerning. All parents of current and former students who were directly taught by this teacher will be contacted individually today, a statement by an SCUCISD spokeswoman said. When the district was told of the police investigation March 12, during spring break, Cantu was promptly placed on leave pending investigation, with his access to all technology suspended immediately, she said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Schertz Police Chief Jim Lowery praised the districts cooperation. YEREVAN, MARCH 21, ARMENPRESS. Within the framework of the inaugural Nuclear Energy Summit, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met with Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo. The interlocutors discussed issues related to Armenia-Belgium cooperation. The parties highlighted the importance of the opening of the Belgian embassy in Armenia and expressed their belief that it will give a new impulse to multi-sectoral cooperation. Nikol Pashinyan and Alexander De Croo addressed the current situation in the South Caucasus, in particular, the process of the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty, the possibilities of unblocking the regional infrastructure. Nikol Pashinyan presented to the interlocutor the "Crossroads of Peace" project of the Armenian government and its principles. The sides emphasized the activity of the EU observation mission in Armenia in terms of strengthening peace and stability in the region. The interlocutors also exchanged ideas on Armenia-European Union cooperation. In particular, the issues related to the democratic reforms implemented in our country with the support of the EU, the dialogue on visa liberalization were addressed. YEREVAN, MARCH 21, ARMENPRESS. French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal has demanded Azerbaijan to withdraw its troops from the positions they have occupied in Armenia, Le Figaro reports. The French Prime Minister said this at the annual dinner of the Coordinating Council of Armenian Organizations of France, noting that the President of Azerbaijan himself admitted that Azerbaijani forces have advanced in several areas of the Republic of Armenia. "Our task today is to help Armenia protect its independence, democracy, sovereignty and territorial integrity," Attal said. The Prime Minister of France also added that Russia wants to punish Armenia for its aspiration for peace, respect for its sovereignty, as well as for the principles that Moscow disrespects in Ukraine. Attal mentioned Armenia's joining the International Criminal Court, stressing that Armenia has chosen the path of democracy and the rule of law. The French Prime Minister emphasized that Moscow did not condemn Azerbaijan's use of force in Nagorno-Karabakh, where Armenians had lived until the end of last year, adding that the so-called Russian peacekeeping forces allowed a humanitarian crisis to occur there. YEREVAN, MARCH 21, ARMENPRESS. The Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia and the Kingdom of Norway on Thursday held regular political consultations in Yerevan. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Paruyr Hovhannisyan and State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway Evind Vad Petersson conducted the consultations, the foreign ministry said. The interlocutors discussed a wide range of issues related to the development of bilateral relations. They emphasized the need to activate the Armenian-Norwegian political dialogue, expand cooperation in legal treaty fields and strengthen inter-parliamentary ties. They also highlighted the importance of revitalizing connections in trade, the economy, high technology, culture, education, tourism and other areas. The parties discussed cooperation within international organizations. They also exchanged thoughts on urgent issues on the regional and global agenda. During the meeting, the process of normalizing relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan was addressed. Deputy Minister Paruyr Hovhannisyan presented the interlocutor with the latest regional developments, emphasizing Armenia's positions on critical issues. The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia also presented the "Crossroads of Peace" project developed by the Armenian government to the Norwegian partners. National Guard and other law enforcement stationed outside of a now closed off Shelby Park on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, in Eagle Pass. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer National Guard and other law enforcement stationed outside of a now closed off Shelby Park on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, in Eagle Pass. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Members of the National Gaurd control the gate into Shelby Park letting in various branches of law enforcement in the early morning hours of March 20, 2024. Jessica Phelps/San Antonio Express News The day after Texas was briefly cleared to roll out its unprecedented migrant deportation law, the states solicitor general could not answer basic questions about how it would work. Outside the Texas Capitol, dozens of sheriffs tasked with arresting migrants under the law, which makes illegal entry from Mexico a state crime, could not agree on how it would be enforced. Advertisement Article continues below this ad And a lawyer who trains the officials who would be empowered to order migrants to leave the country under the law said he had to scramble to get quick and dirty guidance to them. For about nine hours on Tuesday, Texas was allowed to police immigration like no other state has tried in recent history. The Supreme Court declined to further halt Senate Bill 4, as its known, clearing the way for the state to essentially seize immigration enforcement authority long left to the federal government. Though the law was blocked again later that evening, those hours were an early sign of the challenges Texas may face in taking on such a new and expansive enforcement role. The rollout appeared at times piecemeal and confusing, with some law enforcement officials saying they had no guidance from state authorities, even as the House speaker lashed out at any police agency that refused to enforce it. No one appears to have been arrested under the law while it was in effect. Still, the ripple effects were profound. Residents living along the border expressed confusion over the law, and leaders of shelters that assist migrants said their clients were gripped by extreme disbelief and fear. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Chiqui Sanchez Kennedy, the co-founder and executive director of the Galveston-Houston Immigrant Representation Projects, said panicked clients and family members began calling Tuesday after they learned Texas law enforcement could begin detaining anyone they suspected of crossing the border illegally. They asked for advice on what to do if they were stopped by police officers, Sanchez Kennedy said. 'DISBELIEF AND FEAR': SB4 law now in legal limbo leaves Texas Latino communities on edge In Houston, anxiety spread through Latino communities amid concerns the law could lead to racial profiling and potentially result in U.S. citizens being detained, said Sergio Lira, president of the Greater Houston League of United Latin American Citizens Chapter 4967. It was an emotional roller coaster, Lira said. We were all on edge. 'Caught a lot of folks off guard' In court on Wednesday, the state said it too was waiting to see how the law would be enforced. Advertisement Article continues below this ad This is uncharted because we dont have any cases on it, Texas Solicitor General Aaron Nielson said during arguments over the law before the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which is weighing whether to keep the law on hold. Nielson could not answer several enforcement scenarios as Priscilla Richman, the chief judge on the appeals court, peppered him with hypotheticals. What if someone who entered the country illegally in Arizona moves to Texas after living there for five years? If an asylum seeker arrives in Brownsville and is given a notice to appear in federal court, would they be exempt from arrest under the law? I confess, your honor, I dont know, Nielson responded at one point. Gov. Greg Abbotts office said in a statement late Wednesday that the governor continues to work closely with the Texas Department of Public Safety and other law enforcement entities on how to implement Senate Bill 4. They declined to offer details on enforcement plans, and DPS did not respond to a request for comment. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Texas will not publicly give away our operational details to the Mexican drug cartels smuggling illegal immigrants, drugs and weapons into our country; but we are fully prepared to enforce Senate Bill 4, Abbott spokesman Andrew Mahaleris said. Some law enforcement agencies said they had been waiting on Tuesday to begin enforcement, at least until the courts issue a final ruling. Galveston County Precinct 4 Constable Justin West, who dispatches deputies to border counties to help with the governors immigration crackdown, said those working in Kinney County were cautious after Tuesdays court rulings. ABBOTT RESPONDS: Greg Abbott vows to continue migrant crackdowns even with Texas' deportation law SB4 paused Between the time the stay was lifted, and the stay was reapplied, I had not yet talked to my guys at the border, West said. They just continued business as usual. Advertisement Article continues below this ad State Rep. David Spiller, a Republican from Jacksboro who wrote the House version of the bill, said the law taking effect on Tuesday caught a lot of folks off guard and came as some police agencies were still finalizing their protocols for enforcing it. I dont fault anyone for that, Spiller said of the agencies not anticipating the Supreme Courts ruling. He said he had not heard of any statewide guidance being issued, but said he expects that DPS will have some guidelines and protocols in place for all of law enforcement, and hopefully we can get that in their hands sooner rather than later. Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan on Tuesday wrote on social media that compliance with Senate Bill 4 is not optional after the Fort Worth Police Department signaled that immigration enforcement should be left up to state and federal authorities. Any local law enforcement agency that refuses to enforce Senate Bill 4 is abandoning their sworn duty to uphold the rule of law, Phelan, R-Beaumont, wrote. The Legislature creates laws, and it is the duty of law enforcement to uphold them without bias. 'Light turns on, light turns off' Behind the scenes, a group that does training for justices of the peace was scrambling to get guidance to them. In almost all Texas counties, justices of the peace generally perform all magistration duties for people whove been arrested. Under SB4, the magistrate judge could now order a defendant to return to Mexico in lieu of being prosecuted, as long as the defendant consents. Bronson Tucker, a general counsel for Texas Justice Court Training Center, said he had recorded a canned quick and dirty version of a webinar the group had planned to offer. Tucker said he was in the middle of teaching a class when the Supreme Court cleared the way for the law to take effect. He got a text saying the training was about to go live. But then the law got blocked again. Of course, the light turns on, light turns off, light turns on, light turns off, Tucker said of the whipsaw court orders. Angelica Cogliano, president of the Austin Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, said that shes attended training sessions about the new law in recent weeks and is helping organize more. But theyve all been performed by other defense lawyers; shes not aware of any official guidance handed down by the government. I would definitely expect the state to be training the magistrates, the law enforcement, the prosecutors and us, and they havent been, said Cogliano, who has represented dozens of people charged with trespassing and other criminal offenses through Abbotts Operation Lone Star in the last two years. In Eagle Pass, where the state has arrested thousands of migrants on trespassing charges under Abbotts operation, residents were left confused about what the law means and how, if enacted, it could impact them. Amber Duncan, 32, worried about her older family members. Does this mean they cant even drive to the grocery store? she wondered. Spiller said some people are truly in fear of this that do not need to be because of misinformation theyve received about the law. Theyve said were going to round people up, that there are going to be mass arrests all over the state, the lawmaker said. Thats just not correct. Amber Duncan, 32, and her daughter Brianna Zamora, 3, pack essential belongings as move to another temporary apartment while navigating displacement on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, in Eagle Pass. Amber Duncan and her four children continue to have a challenging time finding stability after her husband was deported. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer While the law is in effect statewide and is left to the discretion of law enforcement, Spiller predicted that nearly all arrests would be within 50 miles of the border. Thats because for an officer to make an arrest, he said, theyll in most circumstances need to have witnessed or seen surveillance footage of a person crossing the Texas-Mexico border illegally. Unless you saw someone who you can identify cross, know where they crossed, when they crossed all aspects of the crossing then theyre gonna have a very difficult time proving this case, Spiller said. Brianna Zamora, 3, sits in what was once her room and now, a room full of her families belongings as they navigate being displaced on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, in Eagle Pass. Brianna Zamora, her mother and three siblings continue to have a challenging time finding stability after her father was deported. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Sheriffs visiting Abbott in Austin on Wednesday gave conflicting answers about the enforcement of SB4. The law empowers any law enforcement officer in the state to arrest someone suspected of illegally crossing into Texas from Mexico. Some sheriffs stressed the law would only majorly impact border counties, but others said they were ready to use it to crack down on illegal immigration in other parts of the state. Skylor Hearn, the executive director of the Sheriffs Association of Texas, said the group has been fielding questions about SB4 for months, and I dont think the public or law enforcement will see a great deal of difference if it is in effect. The global partnership will focus on "innovation to design, build, manage and modernise customers' vital systems". Meanwhile, Cloudflare has helped Kyndryl transform its network services and provide cloud cybersecurity protection, including DDoS mitigation. Since adopting Cloudflares global connectivity cloud network and security services, Kyndryl has "seen a reduction in IT infrastructure costs, accelerated web traffic and increased performance for data load balancing". "Together with Cloudflare, we are enabling enterprises to migrate to next-generation networks and capitalise on advanced cloud features to achieve greater agility and innovation. We are thrilled to expand our relationship with Cloudflare, an industry leader in cloud networking and Zero Trust," said Paul Savill, global practice leader of networking and edge compute at Kyndryl. "With Kyndryl's expert managed and consulting services, we will be helping our joint customers secure, streamline and simplify their IT infrastructure, all while reducing costs and improving operational efficiencies." Matt Harrell, global head of channels and alliances at Cloudflare, said the vendor had been able to "scale ... at a new level" since partnering with Kyndryl. "Our global strategic alliance can support any enterprise now across their entire network stack, regardless of where they stand in their cloud journey," he added. At the end of last year, Cloudflare appointed Steve Bray to lead its operations in Australia and New Zealand. Melbourne-based Bray now holds the title of head of Australia and New Zealand, having previously led the region for Zendesk for the last three years. Telstra has appointed Shailin Sehgal as its new global head of networks and technology following the departure of Nikos Katinakis last year. Sehgal first joined Telstra as executive vice president of network applications and cloud in June 2019. According to Telstra, Sehgal introduced "innovative" fixed wireless technology as well as cloud-hosted products and managed services. Justice Datta questioned Mehta about the reason behind advancing the process from March 15 to March 14 New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday questioned the Centre over the procedure adopted for the appointment of election commissioners and asked how six names were shortlisted from 200 within a few hours. A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta said the selection committee should have been given more time to apply its mind on the appointment of the election commissioners. The bench, however, refused to stay the appointment of new election commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, saying that doing so would lead to chaos and uncertainty as the Lok Sabha elections are around the corner. For one vacancy, there were five names. For two, you send six names. Why not 10? This is the language of the statute for one vacancy, five names have to be recommended. This appears from the record, the bench told Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre. They (the search committee) can consider 200 names, but what is the time given, maybe two hours? Two hundred names to be considered in two hours? You could have been transparent, it said. Mehta pointed out that the two new Election Commissioners were among the six short-listed from a pool of 200 names suggested by a search panel. Justice must not only be done, it must be seen to be done. We are dealing with the Representation of the People Act, which according to me, is the highest after the Constitution. Why leave any scope for the public to raise an eyebrow, Justice Datta told Mehta. Justice Datta questioned Mehta about the reason behind advancing the process from March 15 to March 14. For selecting one (Election Commissioner), you keep on 15th and for selecting two, you have advanced the meeting to 14th? Why, Justice Datta asked. Mehta replied that the selection committee members were aware of the six officials, who held offices across political party lines. The bench said it prima facie agreed with the submission of advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for NGO 'Association for Democratic Reforms', that the procedure adopted for the appointment of two new Election Commissioners was not transparent. The selection committee for appointment of election commissioners should have been given a fair share of time to understand the background of candidates, the bench observed. On Bhushan pointing out to the bench that the meeting of the selection committee was advanced, Justice Khanna told Mehta that the Centre should have deferred the meeting by a day or two as it knew about the pendency of the matter in the apex court. The manner in which it was done could have been avoided. These are constitutional appointments. The matter was sub-judice. Plus, a member of the selection committee had also said that he needed some time to go through the names, Justice Khanna said. Leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury had said he needed some time to go through the 200 names. The top court said it is not questioning the credentials of the election commissioners appointed but the procedure The scientific journal Lancet relaunches a statistical study according to which by 2100 only six countries in the world would exceed the replacement threshold of 2.1 children per woman. But already by 2050 India, Bangladesh and Pakistan would see their current birth rates drop by more than a third. Milan (AsiaNews) - The demographic decline no longer affects only the countries where well-being is more widespread. It is a global phenomenon, spanning every continent. And if it continues to a pace according to current dynamics, in 2100 only 6 countries in the world will still reach a fertility rate of 2.1 children per woman, the so-called "replacement threshold" which allows them to keep their population stable. This is supported by a new study based on statistical models and published by the British scientific journal Lancet. This is a demographic analysis on the gigantic amount of data from the Global Burden of Disease, Injuries and Risk Factors Study, carried out by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation of the University of Washington (and financed by the Bill Gates Foundation). Precisely those scientific circles that have long shouted about the "demographic bomb", therefore, today send out exactly the opposite message: births are drastically reducing on a global level. By combining thousands of studies relating to demographic dynamics in 204 countries with sophisticated systems, they certify not only that the fertility rate at a global level has halved in the last seventy years, falling from 4.84 in 1950 to 2.23 in 2021. But they also add that the decline will continue in the coming decades: according to the projections developed by combining the analyzes of maternity in the different age cohorts in each country, continuing with the current dynamics it would fall to 1.83 in 2050 and even to 1.59 in 2100. Translated the numbers absolute: according to this study, births in the world reached their peak in 2016, reaching 142 million. In 2021 they have already fallen to 129 million. But if the statistical model were confirmed in the coming decades they would decline further, reaching 112 million in 2050 and (even) 72 million in 2100. It is clear that longer-term estimates are exposed to very large margins of error. But the most interesting data from the research published by the Lancet concerns the dynamics taking place in individual geographical areas. Because if on the one hand the slowdown (which exists) follows a slower pace in sub-Saharan Africa, the collapse in the birth rate in South Asia would make the difference in the coming years. According to these projections, countries such as India, Pakistan and Bangladesh are on track to very quickly reach the low birth rates of Western Europe and the Far East. If in 2021 there were a total of 32 million births in South Asia, by 2050 they could already drop to 18.7 million. The data for Bangladesh is particularly striking where the projection (also due to migration) is more than halved: the proposed scenario assumes 1.37 million new births compared to 2.8 million in 2021. And, more generally, the projections on the fertility rate show a curve for South Asia that would end up even below that of high-income countries. These are numbers which - obviously - will have to be verified by the facts. Also because the study does not lack ideological statements, such as the idea that policies in favor of contraception and abortion should not be questioned in any case and that pro-natal policies are (essentially) ineffective. But beyond interpretations, these numbers show how the issue of demographic winter is a theme that now affects all of Asia. If the forecasts published by the Lancet were true, only Tajikistan would have a birth rate (slightly) above the replacement threshold in 2100. After the deep wounds created in China by the one-child policy and the inexorable aging of the population in Japan and South Korea, South Asia too could soon find itself dealing with these dynamics. And the face of tomorrow's Asia will depend on the answers. by Giorgio Bernardelli In a place where 1,832 people are already in prison on political grounds, the new law implementing Article 23 only cloak[s] injustice with a veil of institutional legitimacy, wrote a few months ago Chow Hang-tung, jailed for remembering the dead in Tiananmen Square. The real answer is not to forget this China behind bars, in Hong Kong and in the People's Republic. Milan (AsiaNews) An unjust system also needs rules to function and to perpetuate, just as much as a just system needs them. Indeed, rules can often cloak injustice with a veil of institutional legitimacy, facilitating the implementation of evil at scale through bureaucratic efficiency and indifference. In Hong Kong, after approval in record time (and strictly unanimously), the local version of the national security law will come into force on Saturday, 23 March, further restricting the room for dissent in the name of Article 23 of the Basic Law. Recently, many voices have rightly highlighted how much the new law undermines fundamental human rights in the name of "national security. But the words quoted above explain the essence of the showdown imposed by John Lee, Beijings enforcer at the helm of the Hong Kong government. Smuggled out of prison, they belong to Chow Hang-tung, a lawyer and pro-democracy activist who has been languishing in prison since 2021 for organising in Hong Kong the annual memorial vigil for the dead in Tiananmen Square, on 4 June. What outrages the world today are the draconian penalties such as life imprisonment for offences like "treason" and "insurrection", harsher sentences for "sedition", the possibility of quickly stripping persecuted politicians who found refuge abroad of their citizenship, the legal cruelty of denying people the right to legal counsel within the first 48 hours in police custody. In the end though, there is very little "new" compared to the wind that has been blowing in Hong Kong for the past four years. About 1,832 people are already behind bars on political grounds in the former British colony. In the most high-profile trial currently underway in Hong Kong the one against Jimmy Lai, the Catholic editor of the pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, who has also been in prison for more than a thousand days, Andy Li, a young, former pro-democracy activist who was intercepted at sea while trying to reach Taiwan with 11 other companions, is testifying as if nothing had happened. He spent seven months in jail in the People's Republic of China, reappearing at a psychiatric facility in Hong Kong, with strong suspicions that he had been tortured. In the trial, the ordinary interactions between a local newspaper and a local political movement with foreign contacts are presented as "evidence" of a plot against China. No one can run for Hong Kongs Legislative Council without ironclad "patriotic" credentials of loyalty to what the People's Republic of China has decided for Hong Kong. Indeed, no one has had any chance to raise any objections to the law on Article 23, while in 2003 the same attempt to pass a similar piece of legislation brought a million people into the streets, forcing the government of the time to backtrack. Why, then, was it so important to put in writing and sanction the latest crackdown with the seal of three unanimous votes? For the reason Chow Hang-tung mentioned: Because even for authoritarian regimes it is important to cloak injustice with a veil of legitimacy. Thus, in todays painful time, our thoughts can only go to the former trade unionist Lee Cheuk-yan, to the former president of the Democratic Party Albert Ho, and to all those who have been in prison for years simply for asserting the idea that Hong Kong must remain that crossroads of freedom that the history of the 20th century had shaped. Immediately after the passage of the Article 23 law the other day, John Lee was quick to state that "there must be one country before two systems", a reference to the "one country two systems" principle that paved the way to Hong Kongs return to Chinas sovereignty in 1997. Certainly, there is only one China today, behind bars, in Hong Kong as well as in the People's Republic. It is up to us not to forget it. RED LANTERNS IS THE ASIANEWS NEWSLETTER DEDICATED TO CHINA. TO RECEIVE A WEEKLY UPDATE EVERY THURSDAY, CLICK HERE. Arrivals, especially from Ethiopia and Somalia, are up as peace prospects appear to improve. According to OCHA, the total number rose from about 27,000 to over 90,000 from 2021 to 2023. The country remains one of the main transit points, but Houthi attacks have kept ships away from the Red Sea, resulting in an extra 100,000 barrels of oil burnt per day. Dubai (AsiaNews) With prospects for the situation in Yemen to improve because of talks between Houthi rebels and the pro-Saudi, internationally recognised government, hope for a lasting truce after years of brutal war has also been boosted. The possibility of peace, however fragile, seems brighter has led to renewed migration, which came virtually to nil during the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, the latest surge of migrants comes amid rising tensions due to attacks by the pro-Iranian rebel group on shipping in the Red Sea, this according to a session of the third European Humanitarian Forum in Brussels titled Vulnerable migrants in forgotten crisis and fragile environments protection and humanitarian assistance: a case study in Yemen Yemen, experts explain, is one of the main transit points for economic migrants, desperate to reach Saudi Arabia and Oman in search of work. And if food insecurity and political instability (i.e. war) affect both Yemenis and foreigners, it is mainly "migrants, refugees and asylum seekers" who experience the worst consequences. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the total number of migrants in Yemen tripled from 2021 to 2023, from about 27,000 to over 90,000. By 2023, there were about 308,000 migrants and 72,000 refugees and asylum seekers in Yemen, most of them from Ethiopia and Somalia, reports Intersos, an Italy-based NGO. With limited prospects for economic self-sufficiency and severe difficulties in accessing basic public services, most of this population lives in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions. What is more, "Migrant, refugee and asylum-seeking women, including girls" are particularly at risk from gender-based violence, like rape, forced marriages, forced labour and abuse. Except for Somalis, who are granted refugee status, migrants from other countries face "extremely negative consequences", including limited access to health services, such as Yemens failing hospitals. In addition, Intersos notes that migrants are often unable to access legal protection, which exposes them to the risk of exploitation, abuse, arrest, detention, and deportation, without access to adequate legal representation. Many people on the move are exposed to exploitative practices by smugglers and traffickers, including extortion, not to mention, The risk of abduction by trafficking networks and criminal gangs. According to Intersos, active in Yemen since 2017, needs are bound to rise this year, due to the lack of housing, employment, protection, and social inclusion. To meet the many needs of the migrant population, it is crucial to prioritize immediate humanitarian assistance, adopting a long-term perspective that addresses the root causes through sustainable development initiatives is crucial for long-term solutions to the migrant crisis. If the humanitarian crisis is bad, business and trade are also in poor shape, especially since the Houthi began attacking Western shipping in the Red Sea s in response to the war in Gaza. Missiles and drone attacks against ships have prompted many shipping companies to reroute their vessels from the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, the shortest route from Asia to Europe, with inevitable repercussions on expenses. Although tanker traffic in the Red Sea is higher today than five years ago, the crisis has increased the total distance travelled by about 3 per cent. As a result, an additional 100,000 barrels of oil are being burnt every day, warns Vitol CEO Russell Hardy. (Picture: International Organisation for Migration) by Mathias Hariyadi The Indonesian Election Commission (KPU) has certified the results of the 14 February vote for the new president who will take office in October. The winning tandem won 58.59% of the vote, averting a runoff. They paid tribute to their predecessor (and former rival) Jokowi, described as "a noble statesman" who "strongly supported my candidature".The 'girlfriends' rat in Central Asia akarta (AsiaNews) - A standard thanks to people for having participated in the vote and nvitation to rivals - and their voters - to unity, to a common commitment for the future of Indonesia, were the first words of the new president (and former Defense Minister) Prabowo Subianto, officially declared the winner of the elections of 14 February, following the official results published by the Indonesian Election Commission (KPU). However, his appeal seems to fall on deaf ears because the two main challengers Anies Baswedan and Ganjar Pranowo have already announced that they intend to contest the result. I truly thank all the Indonesians who have shown support for both of us declared the new president Subianto following the publication of the official data, also referring to his deputy Gibran Rakabuming Raka, eldest son of the current head of state. Following this, he quoted his predecessor and outgoing president Joko Jokowi Widodo whom he defines as a noble statesman, once a political opponent and today a friend who has strongly supported my candidacy. Subianto then addressed the dozens of diplomats and foreign leaders who "publicly expressed" their best wishes to him for his new role. We had - concluded the elected head of state of the third democracy in the world by number of inhabitants - the largest one-day elections in the world. A vote that took place smoothly and without any violent incident" under the watchful and watchful eyes of observers and the international community. Satisfaction has also come from outgoing president Widodo in these hours. From West Kalimantan he expressed "strong appreciation" for the work of the Indonesian Election Commission and its "success" in disseminating "the final results" of the election. Subianto and his deputy will be sworn in on October 20th, at the end of Widodo's five-year mandate, whose first mandate began in 2014, beating his successor, who had initially contested the outcome of the vote. However, over the years a relationship of esteem, friendship and collaboration has been created between Subianto and Widido himself, who decided to entrust the Ministry of Defense to his former rival as a sign of unity and alliance. The 72-year-old former general, subject to accusations of human rights violations for decades, won with 58.59% of the votes. In the elections of February 14, 80% of eligible voters participated, out of a total of 205 million people spread across 17 thousand islands and three different time zones. The preferences collected in the first round by the winning duo exceeded the quota necessary to avoid a run-off, while the two challengers Anies Baswedan and Ganjar Pranowo totaled 25% and 16% of the preferences. Anticipating possible protests from supporters of the two defeated rivals, the police deployed more than 3 thousand officers to patrol the streets of Jakarta in the hours before the vote was made official. In recent weeks some demonstrations had been held, at the base of which there were accusations - however unproven - of widespread fraud and electoral fraud. Security forces foiled the assault by a commando linked to the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA). Many Chinese companies are active in the economically strategic, mineral-rich region. The port is a strategic component of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Islamabad (AsiaNews) Pakistani security forces thwarted an attack by militiamen armed with guns and bombs against a compound outside the port of Gwadar, Balochistan. Located in the countrys south-west, on the Arabian Sea, the area has strategic importance for business and trade. All eight members of the commando were killed during the assault, as were two army soldiers defending the site. Chinese companies have invested heavily in the mineral-rich region, which Pakistan wants to protect from armed gangs and separatist groups that have sought independence for decades. Local sources report that the complex the armed group attacked is outside the port, housing government departments, intelligence agencies, and paramilitary forces. The militants threw bombs before trying to shoot their way into the complex, Government Commissioner Saeed Ahmed Umrani told Reuters. On X (formerly Twitter), Balochistan's Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti said that eight militants had been "neutralised by security forces. In a sign that the authorities plan to use iron fist against militant and separatist groups, he added: The message is loud and clear. Whosoever chooses to use violence will see no mercy from the state. The Pakistani army confirmed the death of two soldiers, noting that the assault was successfully repelled by the troops guarding the facility. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), the most important of the various separatist groups operating in Balochistan, claimed responsibility for the attack. In a statement, it stressed that it had targeted the offices of Pakistani intelligence agencies and that it would carry out more attacks. The BLA itself has previously been involved in operations against Pakistani and Chinese interests in the province and elsewhere in the country. The deep-water port of Gwadar is key to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which includes roads and energy projects, and is part of Chinese President Xi Jinping's Belt and Road Initiative. Balochi armed groups that attacked Chinese targets have justified their action by citing the failure of the central government in Islamabad over the decades to share more of the profits from the regions mineral wealth. Bernie Moreno, a Cleveland businessman, secured victory in the Republican primary for the US Senate seat in Ohio. The result marks a triumph for former President Donald Trump, who backed his support for Moreno in December. Moreno's win over two rivals, including Matt Dolan, supported by Governor Mike DeWine and former Senator Rob Portman, showcases Donald Trump's influence in Ohio's GOP. Trump's history of victories and support for Senator J.D. Vance has transformed the state's Republican landscape, reported Axios. Moreno is set to go head-to-head with Democrat Sherrod Brown in November in what's anticipated to be a closely contested race with the potential to shift the balance of power in the Senate. Moreno quickly turned his attention to Brown in his Tuesday night victory speech. "We have an opportunity now to retire the old commie ... and to save this country," he said. Democratic lawmakers are also putting effort in to promote Trump-backed Bernie Moreno in the Ohio GOP Senate primary. Brown, known as one of the Senate's most populist, nationalist, and protectionist Democrats, faces the challenge of winning over a significant number of working-class Trump supporters to maintain his position. The Democrat is aiming for support from Ohio Republicans similar to Nikki Haley, who prioritizes issues such as protecting abortion rights, defending democracy, and supporting Ukraine, revealed Politico Playbook. Brown also had choice words from Moreno when he took to X to post the "choice ahead of Ohio is clear," "Bernie Moreno has spent his career and campaign putting himself first, and would do the same if elected." Brown stands ready with $13.5 million in cash and unyielding Democratic support despite Ohio's conservative tilt during his term of office since 2007. As of the end of February, Moreno's campaign holds nearly $2.4 million in cash, with $1.2 million coming from a personal loan he extended to his campaign. The race will be among the most expensive and closely watched nationwide, said Axios. @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. SUV Of course, as with many Blue Ovals, the last time we mentioned a Ford Maverick in our newsreel was due to a recall involving a potential fuel tank open pinch joint and one regarding Maverick Hybrid's instrument cluster software issue. On the other hand, most likely, when the first quarter sales tally comes in, the compact Blue Oval pickup truck will reassert its massive dominance over the only other representative of the sector in the US automotive market Hyundai's Santa Cruz.The latter is getting a much-needed refresh and will premiere at the 2024 New York Auto Show, which kicks off on March 27 with the first press day (March 29-April 7 is general audience access) alongside its facelifted Tucsonsibling. Naturally, Ford is going to wait a little to see what's in store with the 2025 Santa Cruz and then will decide if it needs to mitigate the rival equipped with a standard 2.5-liter with 191 hp or an optional 2.5-liter turbo packing 281 horsepower.Suppose they take a stand against Santa Cruz with a new version of their best-selling Maverick. In that case, someone from across the imaginative realm of digital car content creators has already found an interesting solution borrow the looks and powertrain from the newly updated 2025 Ford Explorer ST. As such, Dimas Ramadhan, the virtual automotive artist behind the Digimods DESIGN channel on YouTube, has taken up the task of CGI-revealing a feisty Maverick ST compact unibody pickup truck.Because everyone's entitled to an opinion and beauty is always in the eye of the beholder, we are first going to give you our thoughts on the matter. For starters, we think a more powerful Maverick than the Maverick hybrid with 191 hp or the Maverick EcoBoost with 250 hp is more than welcome. It would help fight off the 281-hp Santa Cruz even better and enhance its payload and towing capabilities.However, the 3.0-liter twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 with 400 hp from the 2025 Ford Explorer ST and 2025 Lincoln Aviator is slightly overkill. If it fits in the engine bay, it would probably arrive with something along the line of 300 to 350 hp so as not to impact the sales of the 2025 Ranger Raptor, which carries the same 3.0L TT V6 with a rating of 405 horsepower. Also, the design is lacking a lot.This unofficial design project brings the updated looks of the 2025 Explorer ST to a potential Maverick ST variant, but we think that it would lessen the appeal of the compact pickup truck which is extremely popular exactly because it's the opposite of a stylish crossover SUV. What do you think? Hyundai is preparing to launch the facelifted Tucson crossover and Santa Cruz pickup in the United States. The two models are only a few days away from their local premieres, scheduled for the 2024 New York Auto Show on March 27. kW Photo: Baldauf As you already know, the Korean company already premiered the facelifted Tucson last November. However, that was the model destined for its local market. Still, we expect the US model to feature the same revised styling, comprising the updated front and rear ends and the fresh wheels. It will likely sport the same 12.3-inch dual screen inside, too, alongside the updated console and a few other things.Korea's 2024 Tucson (2025 in the United States) is offered with a gasoline engine and a diesel. The first one produces 178 hp (180 ps/132), the oil burner is good for 181 hp (184 ps/135 kW), and a hybrid joins the offering. America's outgoing Tucson uses a 2.5-liter mill making 187 hp (190 ps/140 kW). The hybrid enjoys 226 hp (229 ps/169 kW), and the plug-in hybrid brings 261 hp (265 ps/195 kW) to the party.We don't expect any major powertrain upgrades when it comes to the compact crossover's facelifted iteration, as it should soldier on pretty much in the same form as the current one. It is possible that Hyundai will slightly bump the price from the current $26,900 (MSRP) for the base flavor, $31,350 for the Hybrid, and $37,500 for the Plug-in Hybrid. Beneath the skin, it will retain the same platform, which is shared with the Staria, Santa Cruz, Sonata, Kia Sorento, Carnival, etc.While we know a lot about the upcoming Tucson, the facelifted Santa Cruz remains a mystery when it comes to the updates. Nevertheless, it is expected to have a new grille, revised lighting units, different front and rear bumpers, and probably fresh wheels to top off the exterior changes. Some believe the interior updates will be similar (if not identical) to the ones of the 2025 Tucson, but this is a simple rumor at the moment, albeit one that might hide some truth behind it.Details surrounding the powertrains are also unknown, yet we will remind you that the current pickup features a 191 hp (194 ps/142 kW) 2.5-liter naturally aspirated engine and a turbocharged mill with the same displacement that pushes out 281 hp (285 ps/210 kW). The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz starts at $26,900 before destination and dealer fees, and it is possible that the facelifted one will become a bit pricier.We will find out everything about the facelifted Tucson and Santa Cruz destined for our market in less than a week from today, and the first units should arrive at dealers in a few months. Photo: Instagram | Kelsonik Christened the Kia K4, it is expected to pack at least one gasoline burner that we know nothing about yet. Rumors also speak of a partially electrified powertrain, whose specifics remain a well-guarded secret, and some believe that the Korean automaker might eventually top the family with a battery-electric model.Mind you, while the 2025 Kia K4's oily bits are a mystery, at least we know how it will look. The usual scoops were joined last week by a few official teasers that partially reveal its sleek shape. It was a matter of time until someone tried to decipher the styling traits, and that someone is kelsonik, who recently took to social media to release a couple of renderings that stay true to the real thing.Buried inside a post that also includes a few digital illustrations of the upcoming Kia Sportage , these CGIs put the spotlight on the car's brand-new front and rear ends and the coupe-like appearance. The main clusters and LED DRLs look more modern, and the bumper has a larger central air intake. The grille, however, looks like an evolution of the one fitted to the old Forte.Kia has also buried the rear door handles into the C-pillars and has given it a more angular rear windscreen. The trunk lid is no longer home to the rear license plate holder, which was moved to the new bumper. It also has boomerang-shaped taillights that are joined by a light strip, bigger reflectors, and chunkier rear pillars. The corporate logo still bedecks its nose and trunk lid, and the wheels seem to have been inspired by the ones fitted to the teased K4.It will be interesting to see if the company has turned it into a liftback with a tailgate opening up into a more generous cargo area or if the car is still a four-door sedan. The model will offer more space inside, where the dual-screen setup will be the icing on the cake. It is also great to learn that the automaker hasn't ditched the physical buttons, as there are still many of them scattered around the cockpit, so users won't have to use the new central screen to access different functions.We will learn everything about the all-new Kia K4 , which replaces the Forte, on March 26 during the unveiling. Subsequently, the vehicle will celebrate its public premiere at the 2024 New York Auto Show, and we expect the first copies to start arriving at dealers in a few months. It may be the little things in life that make it meaningful, but that doesn't have to apply to a tiny home you'll be calling your forever home. If you're not convinced, the Macdonald would like a word. Photo: Fritz Tiny Homes Photo: Fritz Tiny Homes Photo: Fritz Tiny Homes Photo: Fritz Tiny Homes The Macdonald is a fully custom tiny house from Canada-based builder Fritz Tiny Homes, showcased to the world last year.Unlike most other tinies out there, many of which we've also covered extensively in recent years, this one is so lavish and beautiful it seems to leave behind all notions of downsizing. But it's still a tiny home in every sense of the word and more mobile than a regular park model, so it's still a great example of downsizing by living in a mobile home Tiny homes are all about leading more intentional, affordable, and sustainable lives. Ideally, a tiny home comes with a compact footprint that translates into more affordable housing, reduced overall costs, less pollution, and the proverbial cherry on the cake the ability to move from location to location at will.You can see why the tiny movement has gained so much popularity in recent years, especially after the 2020 international health crisis: tiny houses promise to address most of the most pressing housing issues of today while delivering unexpected freedom to work from home, wherever home might be.That said, tiny living remains a "niche" thing that's not for everyone. Downsizing means, before all these amazing things, scaling down your entire life to stuff that can fit inside a home built on top of a trailer. In a way, the biggest advantage of these mobile homes is also the number one detractor for many.A tiny house like the Macdonald bridges the distance between a proper home and tinies because it comes with a much larger footprint and customized touches that make up for everything else. It uses a gooseneck design to maximize the convenience of the layout and offers standing height throughout, an incredible amount of storage, a proper garage, and features you won't normally find in this type of home.Based on a triple-axle trailer, the Macdonald is 32 feet (9.7 meters) long, not including the gooseneck , 8.6 feet (2.6 meters) wide, and 13.6 feet (4.1 meters) high. This model was designed for two-person occupancy, which, of course, makes it appear even larger than it already is, but it can sleep up to four people in absolute comfort. The gooseneck design makes it more easily towable, which was one of the main requests of the owners.In fact, the home was "completely designed around the life of our clients." They asked for a couch in the living room that expands not into a queen-sized bed but into bunk beds; they asked for a spa-like bathroom and a bedroom with extra storage and plenty of headroom. They also asked for a garage they could store their e-bikes in, as well as for the ability to go completely off-grid.Fritz delivered on all these counts and, in the process, built a tiny that makes a very strong case for downsizing . The Macdonald has everything, from all the necessary appliances (including a dishwasher and a washer-dryer unit) to high-quality materials, and a bunch of surprise features. These include a spa-like bathroom with a soaking tub, custom concrete sink, heated rack, and a laundry station; a bedroom where you don't have to crawl on all fours just to make the bed, and which has his and hers wardrobes with hidden seasonal storage and even a fold-down home desk; a full kitchen, and a spacious lounge.The Macdonald also has a built-in projector in the living room, where one of the blinds doubles as a projector screen, large picture windows that let natural light in, in-floor heating, and custom furniture throughout. It has extended autonomy off the grid thanks to 12 roof-mounted solar panels and 100-gallon (378.5-liter) fresh and gray water tanks hidden under the elevated floor.The Macdonald also features a bike storage room, which Fritz dubbed the "gearage" and equipped with custom bike racks that make loading and bringing two heavy e-bikes into position a breeze. Also here is the inverter, the UV and particulate water filtration system, and the combi boiler, and you still have some roof left to store some biking gear."This is what retirement can look like for an adventurous, active couple ready to explore North America," Fritz says of the Macdonald custom unit. A better way of describing it would be something along the lines of "this is what downsizing can look like with an unlimited budget and zero compromises."The builder never revealed an estimated price for the Macdonald, which is not surprising if you remember that it's a fully custom unit. However, a similarly sized unit from Fritz Tiny Homes starts at $170,000 and can go as high as $190,000 with personalization. It wouldn't be that much of a stretch to assume this one cost even more, all things considered. The EH216-S recently completed another pioneering flight on its way to conquer the global market. The Chinese-made eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) made its official debut in Latin America with a public demonstration in Costa Rica. Chinese eVTOL maker EHang has turned out to be one of the most successful worldwide in attracting international customers. Its flagship aircraft became the first eVTOL selected by a police force to be part of its official fleet, and that happened all the way to Spain. The same electric aircraft is now due to kick off commercial service in the UAE and Latin America, in addition to the company's major contracts in its home country.The EH216-S stands out in the eVTOL market due to its certified autonomous capabilities, and it was the first of its kind to secure this type of certification. Although highly versatile as most eVTOLs are the Chinese-made air taxi will primarily target the aerial tourism market. The goal is to reinvent the concept of aerial sightseeing through flight operations that are not only emission-free but also pilot-free. This change could lower overall costs in this sector dramatically and also provide a sustainable alternative in the long run.EHang plans to implement the same model it has envisioned for China in other parts of the world. In Latin America, it begins with Costa Rica. This is where the EH216-S might soon start conducting innovative airport-to-city and resort commuting. Hospitality operators could use this pilot-free aircraft as a tool for intra-resort transportation and aerial tourism. Nothing official has been announced so far, but the Chinese eVTOL's debut flight in the area is a clear indicator of future projects in development.The autonomous eVTOL showed what it can do during a short demonstration flight at the Reserva Conchal resort in the beautiful Guanacaste province of Costa Rica. EHang's partners in this endeavor were AAM (Advanced Air Mobility) innovator Bluenest by Globalvia, Guanacaste Airport, and the hospitality division of FIFCO.While EHang is paving its way to future operations in Latin America, the first units out of a 100 aircraft order are getting ready to be delivered to Abu Dhabi. This major order resulted from the Chinese company's partnership with the SAVI (Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industries) Cluster, founded by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) and the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO).Not all of the 100 EHang eVTOLs due to operate in Abu Dhabi are air taxis. Some of them will start operating in logistics (the EH216-L configuration of the EHang eVTOL) and in firefighting (the EH216-F configuration).The air taxi version of the Chinese pilotless eVTOL is a compact, two-seat aircraft designed for short-range flights of up to 22 miles (35 km) at a maximum speed of 80.7 mph (130 kph). Contrary to what one would have expected after American space agency NASA announced it is delaying the launch of the Artemis II and III mission by one year, work on making human presence on the Moon a constant seems to have accelerated. From rockets to all sorts of other systems, they all seem to be advancing at a great pace recently. Photo: NASA Photo: NASA It was about four years ago when NASA gave us the first true look at something called the Lunar Terrain Vehicle. LTV for short, the vehicle is supposed to aid the astronauts of the Artemis V mission and beyond go further on the surface of Luna than all other previous crews.Back in the days of the Apollo program the Boeing-made Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV) was used beginning with the 15th mission of the program, helping people on the Moon cover distances of over 22 miles (35 km) on an area of 4.7 miles (7.6 km) around the landing site.Not impressive, by any standards, but a lot more than what the crews of previous Apollo missions were able to cover on foot just half a mile during a 20-hour stay on the surface of the satellite.The astronauts going up on Artemis III and IV will not be gifted with a crew-rated vehicle, but the subsequent missions will be aided by the above-mentioned LTV.It was in 2020 when NASA issued a couple of Requests for Information (RFI), asking interested parties for help in designing the next generation of "robotic mobility systems and human-class lunar rovers," of which the contraption is part.And now, four years later, with a delay of about half a year compared to the proposed timetable (contract award was expected in November 2023) we are finally getting ready to learn the name of the company (or companies) that will be tasked with making the rover. NASA said this week it will announce the names of those involved on April 3, officially kicking into gear work on perhaps the most important extraterrestrial vehicle ever made.Although they have not officially confirmed, several companies announced since 2020 that they are interested in making the vehicle, many of them joining hands for the gargantuan effort.The first group comprises Lockheed Martin and General Motors, an association that blends carmaking skills with space expertise. The second one is made up of Teledyne, Nissan and Sierra Space.Northrop Grumman, AVL, Intuitive Machines, Lunar Outpost, and Michelin are working together on their own, separate programs, as are Leidos and NASCAR. That's right, NASCAR.The exact specifications of the vehicle are not known outside what NASA has already made public.The vehicle has to be able to carry a crew of two people at a given time, but also cargo that may include "scientific instruments and technology demonstration payloads." For it to be able to perform its task, it will be equipped with two equipment racks located at both ends of the vehicle, and it will be rated as capable of carrying up to 500 kg (1,100 pounds), astronauts included.The rover will be equipped with headlights to make the terrain ahead more visible, a navigation console for the people onboard to get their bearings, and communications equipment, including the kind that would allow remote operation. A series of mandatory sensors and cameras are also included in the package.NASA never detailed the powertrain of the rover, but it did reveal it would have to be electric. Since there are no plugs on the Moon, its battery will have to be rechargeable "from internal power generation sources and from other lunar surface assets," including the lander.No speed and range specifications are known at the moment, and our knowledge about the LTV's surface capabilities is limited to the requirement of being able to climb slopes of at least 15 degrees.All the systems included in the machine will naturally have to be able to withstand the harsh temperatures usually encountered on the Moon, which generally range from 280 to minus 280 degrees Fahrenheit (138 to minus 173 degrees Celsius).To make sure nobody misses the announcement on April 3, NASA will be holding a televised press conference on that day, at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. We will all be able to watch history unfold on the NASA+ website, on NASA television, in the NASA app, and on the agency's official website.autoevolution will cover these events and we will report back with the hottest details on the Artemis Lunar Terrain Vehicle as soon as we know them.And we're also kind of hoping the companies that will not be declared winners will share their designs as well, because we space enthusiasts can't have enough of things meant to be used on other worlds, even if they will not actually go anywhere. Walla, citing defense officials, reported on Wednesday that IDF Chief of Staff, Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi plans to announce his resignation from his position between September and December. Until then, he intends to complete internal investigations into the war and present them to the relevant government officials. Halevi also reportedly plans to lead a massive wave of resignations by officials in high-ranking positions who participated in the security failure that resulted on October 7. Halevi To Announce Resignation Officials predict that other senior officers will complete their roles as planned and leave without waiting to be removed. They also clarified that Defense Minister Yoav Gallant favors Halevi, respects his professionalism, and thinks he will guide the IDF to victory in the conflict. Halevi persisted and managed to keep internal investigations on hold for at least five months, only allowing them to be approved in the last two weeks. Despite the intense criticism, he also quickly promoted and assigned several senior officials, ensuring there would be enough officials to take over if these high-ranking officials resigned. The chief of staff has managed to keep IDF personnel in high-ranking positions from being suspended until now despite the October 7 attack that resulted in the killing of over 1,200 people and the taking of over 240 hostages in the Gaza Strip. Earlier this week, Halevi said he was responsible for what happened on October 7, what has happened since then, and what will happen. He said that the IDF is currently at war, and they focused solely on the goals of this war. Read Also: EU to Offer Ukraine $3 Billion in Annual Profits Generated from Russia Assets Halevi Replaces Chief Aviv Kohavi Former Maj. Gen. Halevi entered office as the 23rd commander of the IDF on Monday and promised to keep politics out of the IDF. Halevi replaces outgoing chief Aviv Kohavi, who ended his four-year tenure as the army's highest-ranking officer amid growing uncertainty for the armed forces. He warned against the dangers of its politicization in a series of farewell speeches over the weekend. As soon as he assumed leadership, Halevi vowed to uphold morality, professionalism, and an IDF "free from all considerations other than security." The handover began at a 10 am ceremony at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem, where Halevi was promoted to lieutenant general. Recently, Halevi took over the crucial position of IDF deputy chief of staff, which paved the way for his ascent to the top. He assumed leadership amid escalating violence in the West Bank, a plethora of obstacles along its borders with Gaza and Lebanon, and a developing war against Iran in Syria. The security issues arise as a result of the right-wing government in Israel's attempts to reorganize military power in the West Bank and attack the army's chain of command. At the event, Gallant referred to the far-right ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich when he stated he would try to stop "external pressure" on the IDF so Halevi could carry out his duties. Related Article: Israel-Lebanon War Becomes Much Likely, IDF Chief Herzi Halevi Warns @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Japanese carmaker Lexus has established itself over the years as the maker of some fine luxury vehicles. Spawn from Toyota in 1989, the brand is now one of the pillars of its segment in several of the world's largest markets. But Lexus is not making only luxury SUVs, but yachts too. And a new one was just announced. 9 photos Photo: Lexus BMW is preparing its next generation of electric vehicles, which are previewed today by the Vision Neue Klasse X concept. This is a near-production design study, which gives us a good measure of what to expect from the successor of the BMW iX3. Like the legendary Neue Klasse models from the 1960s, the modern-day Neue Klasse models usher the German brand in a new era of electromobility. BMW Vision Neue Klasse X: The design Photo: BMW A radically redesigned cockpit Photo: BMW Sixth-generation BMW eDrive promises unparalleled efficiency EV Software is the brains and soul of the Vision Neue Klasse X Photo: BMW Sixty years ago, when the auto industry struggled to overcome the 1950s financial crisis, a new class of BMW models saved the company from bankruptcy. The BMW Neue Klasse (New Class) models launched in 1962 and beyond were a radical departure from anything BMW had done until then. The success was so huge that only one year after the launch of the BMW 1500, the company could pay dividends for the first time in 20 years.BMW is now ready to open a new chapter by launching a new generation of radically changed models. It's no wonder BMW calls it Neue Klasse, especially as it marks the introduction of a new generation of electric vehicles underpinned by a new EV-dedicated modular platform . The present-day Neue Klasse models bring more than that, though: they introduce a new design language that will change the BMW brand's identity forever.Today, BMW offered us a taste of the new breed of electric vehicles with the launch of the Vision Neue Klasse X concept. This previews the successor of the iX3 , and, given how polished this concept is, it should enter production almost unchanged. Buckle up because there is a lot to digest from the Vision Neue Klasse X concept, both in terms of design and features.Seen from the front, the Vision Neue Klasse X conveys a sense of belonging, linking the brand's glorious past with its promising future. It features a tall but reasonably small kidney grille modeled after the one introduced in the past Neue Klasse models. The headlights are also a metaphor for the double headlamps of the era, featuring two slanted daylight running lights on each side. The headlights and the illuminated grille are part of the welcome light effects that activate as the driver approaches the car.BMW offers the Vision Neue Klasse X a muscular stance , with bulging wheel arches and powerful proportions. Towards the rear, we see a reinterpretation of the famous Hofmeister Kink, this time emphasized by "reflective print" instead of a chromed trim. Depending on the view angle, the surface becomes transparent or reflective.The taillights offer a modern interpretation of the familiar BMW L-shaped lights, with horizontal optic blocks stretching toward the center. The 3D-printed elements are individually controlled and feature variable light intensity for a graphical depth effect.If you think the exterior design is polarizing, look inside the cabin. Although this is still a concept, we expect the user experience to remain largely unchanged in the production model. BMW breaks with the past and ditches most physical buttons for a clean, touchscreen-heavy interface. The BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant will also leverage voice control to interact with the car. The center infotainment screen is integrated into the dashboard, offering both the driver and the passenger access to the infotainment functions.Besides the redesigned steering wheel, which includes multifunctional controls, the most obvious change is the integration of the BMW Panoramic Vision . This is an information strip stretching over the windshield's full width used to project key information related to the drive. Consider it an instrument panel on steroids, able to display a wide range of information for both the driver and the passengers. Series-production models will also feature the BMW 3D Head-Up Display.Personal Sound Experience complements the user experience, offering a personalized sound adjustable via the HyPersonX Wheel. The sound is generated in real-time, turning the BMW Vision Neue Klasse X's cabin into a personal experience space.Designed from the ground up as an-only architecture, Neue Klasse EVs feature new cylindrical cells and an 800-volt electrical system. The round cells promise a 20% higher energy density by volume compared to the prismatic cells used in current BMW electric vehicles. Like Tesla, BMW will use bigger cells with a 46 mm diameter, but they will be taller, at 95 mm or 120 mm (Tesla's 4680 cells are 80 mm tall).The 800-volt architecture and the bigger cells will allow Neue Klasse EVs to offer a 30% improvement in charging speed. This means a 10-minute charge will add 300 km (186 miles) of range. And because the new architecture offers a significant boost in efficiency compared to existing models, it also provides 30% more range than previous generation EVs.This achievement is possible thanks to improved aerodynamics, with a wind drag that is 20% lower compared to current BMW EV models. This, along with the new efficient tires and a specially designed braking system, contributes to a 25% efficiency boost for the Neue Klasse models.While the hardware is impressive, BMW also promises that the software used to control everything is even more so. Neue Klasse models feature four driving computers to control the propulsion system, driving dynamics , and autonomous driving functions. All are powered by a new software package developed in-house.Two high-performance processing units are responsible for the Neue Klasse's driving experience. One of them is used to supervise the electric drive units , suspension, steering, and braking. BMW says it offers ten times the processing power of current systems and is largely responsible for creating the driving dynamics BMW customers expect.A second computer, which BMW calls a "super-brain," will control the driver assistance systems. Later, it will also make a new leap in autonomous driving possible. BMW is one of the few carmakers that offer an SAE Level 3 autonomous driving system on the 7 Series . This allows the car to drive itself unsupervised in specific conditions. The Neue Klasse EVs should bring new self-driving features and, later, Level-4 capabilities. 21 March 2024 20:24 (UTC+04:00) Elnur Enveroglu Read more Colonialism, disrespect for the sovereignty of the countries it colonized has got into the blood of the French government. Unfortunately, even though official Paris, which is used to this kind of attitude, has exceeded the limit, it is trying to behave in the same way towards Azerbaijan. Recall that when France was leading the Minsk Group of the OSCE, it was struggling to keep the territories occupied by Armenia under its constant control, using various pretexts and secret financial resources. However, Macron's government, which does not take into account the current situation, is still in its ampoule despite the changing geopolitical situation and most importantly, position of Armenia towards Azerbaijan. French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal behaves as if the South Caucasus is his entire private property. He is trying to violate international laws in addition to meddling in the internal affairs of Azerbaijan. In his statement, Attal called Azerbaijan's anti-terrorist measures against Armenian separatism in 2023 as an invasion. He went even further and called the sovereign territories of Azerbaijan the territory of Armenia. First up, it would probably be better for French PM to take care of its internal affairs with the dying French economy, rampant crime and racism, and the crisis in society. France should not forget that the authority that is hanged by a rope has no influence either in the territories it colonized or inside the country. Macron's government, which has gained enough antipathy towards itself, has only a way out - to extend its hand to the South Caucasus through Armenia. However, the official Paris still does not realize that that hand can be cut off one day. On the contrary, Frances PM makes ambitious speeches against Azerbaijan and interferes inappropriately in issues that do not relate to his countrys policy. Nevertheless, all his demands to Azerbaijan are nothing more than an ordinary bluff, since the French authorities know very well that Baku will not give a damn about all their demands from high above. Let them answer us this time. Let them answer that where was the French prime minister for 30 years, when 1 million Azerbaijanis were expelled from their homes? Somehow then France was silent about the humanitarian catastrophe zipping its mouth over the last three decades. Now, seeing that the situation has changed, official Paris has started to use Armenia as a tool for itself. Yerevan, which is in the midst of a decisive choice, complains in a sad voice that there is no return saying to France. Although Pashinyan understands that it is pointless to fight for something that does not belong to Armenia, the influence of France leaves Yerevan in an awkward situation. However, the Prime Minister of Armenia may not understand that French intercession will cost Armenia dearly; apparently Yerevan has not yet realized that such dangerous games with fire will bring huge problems. Trying to present to the world community that part of the Armenian territory is allegedly occupied, these shortsighted politicians modestly keep silent about the ongoing occupation of 8 Azerbaijani villages, and the fact that without delimitation and demarcation the border is of a conditional nature. The blame for this lies only with the Armenian side, which for so many years seized Azerbaijani lands, and now shouts at the top of its lungs that territorial integrity must be respected. However, several years ago such calls were not heard from Yerevan. At that time, France and Armenia believed that by increasing the pressure on Azerbaijan, the Grabagh issue would be frozen and removed from the agenda in favour of Yerevan. This happened exactly the opposite. Now France is more worried and upset than Armenia. For this reason, the prime minister of France is putting Armenia between fire and water with his absurd claims. --- Elnur Enveroglu is AzerNews Deputy Editor-in-Chief; follow him on @ElnurMammadli1 Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 21 March 2024 13:49 (UTC+04:00) In January-February of this year, there were 17,894 foreign trade participants in Azerbaijan. Access to paid information is limited Find the plan that suits you best. 21 March 2024 13:55 (UTC+04:00) Qabil Ashirov Read more The "One Belt, One Road" initiative plays a special role in the expansion of economic and trade relations between Azerbaijan and China in recent years. Azernews reports that Hikmet Hajiyev, assistant to the President of Azerbaijan - head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration, said this in an interview with China's CGTN TV channel. In this regard, during the interview, it was emphasized that maximum use of the opportunities of the Middle Corridor will make great contributions to economic and commercial relations in the future. Taking into account Azerbaijan's special relations with the countries of Central Asia, the possibilities of cooperation in China-Central Asia-Azerbaijan format were discussed. It was stated that Azerbaijan, together with partner countries, is continuously working for the operation of this trade and transport corridor under more efficient conditions. Furthermore, the program discussed the green transition and green development policy in Azerbaijan, and it was pointed out that China is an important partner of official Baku in this direction, and the existence of good opportunities for cooperation between our countries in this field. Besides, it was noted that the decision to host the COP29 is an embodiment of the strong will of Azerbaijan, which has rich oil and gas resources, regarding the green transition. Such measures will contribute to the implementation of Azerbaijan's priorities related to green transition and digital development. Within the framework of COP29, Azerbaijan will work towards achieving solidarity and consensus between the Global South and the Global North, and will spare no effort to hear the problems of developing, less developed countries and small island countries that are more prominently faced with the consequences of environmental changes. The program also discussed the tourism relations between the two countries, and in this regard, the work done to attract more travelers from China, which is one of the world's largest tourist markets, to our country was discussed. At the same time, it was emphasized that the simplified visa regime for Chinese citizens, direct flights between Baku and Beijing contributed to this work, cooperation between the regions of Azerbaijan and China was mentioned. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 21 March 2024 16:34 (UTC+04:00) Ulviyya Shahin Read more Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov met with Andrew Bowie, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero within the framework of his participation in the Nuclear Energy Summit in Brussels, Azernews reports, citing the ministry. During the meeting, Azerbaijan's contribution to energy security, various directions of cooperation between the two countries in this direction, as well as actions and projects within the framework of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) were discussed. It was emphasized that importance is attached to the development of bilateral partnership relations between Azerbaijan and the United Kingdom based on mutual respect and beneficial cooperation. The importance of joining efforts for further strengthening of these strategic relations was emphasized. The parties emphasized that in addition to the long-term strategic cooperation in the field of oil and gas production and export, the two countries have broad cooperation prospects in the field of alternative energy. At the meeting, the vast potential of Azerbaijan for the production of solar and wind energy, the currently implemented projects and the creation of Green Energy Zones were discussed. The work on the 240 MW solar power plant project implemented jointly with the BP company was reviewed. During the meeting, Minister Jeyhun Bayramov presented detailed information to the other party about the plans and priorities of our country for the COP29 presidency. The importance of joint efforts in combating climate change was noted. The meeting also discussed other bilateral and regional issues of mutual interest. 21 mart 2024-cu il tarixind Azrbaycan Respublikasnn xarici islr naziri Ceyhun Bayramov Brusseld Nuv Enerjisi Sammitind istirak crcivsind Birlsmis Krallgn Enerji Thluksizliyi v Sfr Emissiya Nazirliyind nuv enerjisi v alternativ enerji uzr dovlt naziri pic.twitter.com/DKPvhvQ0cj MFA Azerbaijan (@AzerbaijanMFA) March 21, 2024 --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 21 March 2024 10:45 (UTC+04:00) Qabil Ashirov Read more An event dedicated to the Novruz holiday was held at the headquarters building of the United Nations in New York with the joint initiative and organization of the permanent missions of 12 countries - Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, India, Tajikistan, Turkey and Turkmenistan and Iran to the UN. Azernews informs that UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres congratulated the participants at the event. The General Secretary said that Novruz is a celebration of the beginning of the new year, the arrival of spring and the revival of nature, which unites millions of people, generations and nations, and emphasized that Novruz promotes dialogue, good neighborliness and reconciliation in these difficult times. Guterres sent his congratulations to the representatives of all nations celebrating Novruz. In his speech, President of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, Dennis Francis, said that the solemn celebration of the Nowruz holiday, which has been held for many years by three hundred million people living in the world, serves to promote the solidarity of peoples. Then the speeches of the representatives of the permanent missions of 12 countries at the UN were heard. Tofig Musayev, Deputy Permanent Representative of Azerbaijan to the UN, who spoke at the event, conveyed his sincere congratulations and good wishes to the participants on the occasion of Novruz holiday. The diplomat said that Azerbaijan is proud to be the initiator and main author of the resolution No. 64/253, which was unanimously adopted by the UN General Assembly on February 23, 2010, recognizing March 21 as "International Novruz Day" and making a great contribution to conveying the importance of holidays to the world community. . T. Musayev added that today's world, where divisions, mistrust and hatred are rampant, needs the message of peace and renewal more than ever. In his speech, the diplomat emphasized the importance of Novruz holiday, that it plays an important role in strengthening relations between peoples based on the ideals of mutual respect, understanding and peace as a part of cultural heritage, reflects cultural and ancient traditions, contributes to the development of international cooperation and promotes intercultural dialogue: " Although Novruz is celebrated slightly differently in each country, it has unifying features that make it the perfect metaphor for the world as a whole, colorful and multifaceted, bringing together common goals and aspirations." At the event, a video showing the attributes, customs and traditions of Nowruz holiday in 12 different countries was shown. The images show the rich culture and history of Azerbaijan, the beauties of Baku, Novruz traditions and national dishes. At the event, guests were also presented with a huge khoncha with Novruz attributes. The colorful corner prepared by Azerbaijan in Khoncha was received with interest by the guests. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 21 March 2024 10:21 (UTC+04:00) Ulviyya Shahin Read more President of the Turkish Culture and Heritage Foundation Aktot Raimkulova met with the permanent representatives of the Turkish states at UNESCO within the framework of her visit to France. Azernews reports, citing Azertag that the activities of the Turkish Culture and Heritage Foundation in the direction of protecting the cultural heritage of the Turkish state and peoples and promoting it internationally were discussed at the meeting. On November 3 of last year, at the Astana Summit of the Organization of Turkic States, within the framework of the "Turkish Age" (TurkTime) strategic development program adopted by the heads of the Turkish states, the Fund's projects planned for the current and next year were discussed. The important role of UNESCO in the protection of cultural heritage and cultural diversity in the world was emphasized. The importance of the World Heritage List, which contains objects of exceptional universal value, has been drawn up. It was stated that the fund is ready to prepare transnational nominations for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List. At the same time, it was emphasized that the Turkish Culture and Heritage Foundation is ready to cooperate with the member countries in order to submit the nominations of the Turkish states to the International Memory of the World Register of UNESCO. On the occasion of the 950th anniversary of the "Divani Lugat-it-Turk", which is considered the first encyclopedic work of the Turkic world, it was mentioned that the Foundation is planning to implement the publication project, as well as the presentation of the book at the UNESCO headquarters. He continued with discussions on the future cooperation of the Foundation with the Permanent Representations of the Turkish states to UNESCO in the direction of the wider spread of the Turkish cultural heritage on an international scale. At the meeting, Aktoty Raimkulova, Ambassador Elman Abdullayev, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Azerbaijan to UNESCO, Ambassador Askar Abdrahmanov, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kazakhstan to UNESCO, Ambassador of Kyrgyzstan to France, Permanent Representative of the Kyrgyz Republic to UNESCO Sadik Sher-Niyaz, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Turkey to UNESCO, Ambassador Gulnur Aybet, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Uzbekistan to UNESCO, Ambassador Kamol Mukhtarov, Ambassador of Turkmenistan to France and Permanent Representative to UNESCO Maksat Chariyev also participated. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 21 March 2024 13:24 (UTC+04:00) In accordance with the action plan approved by Azerbaijan's Defense Minister, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov a series of events with regard to the Novruz holiday were held in types of troops, the Combined Arms Army, Army Corps, formations and special educational institutions of the Azerbaijan Army. Azernews reports, citing the Defense Ministry that during the events, the memory of National Leader of the Azerbaijani people Heydar Aliyev, and Shehids (Martyrs), who sacrificed their lives for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the Motherland, was honored with observing a minute of silence. The National Anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan accompanied by a military orchestra was performed. Speakers at the festive events emphasized that the coming of spring is celebrated joyfully and solemnly in Azerbaijan, and spoke about the history of Novruz traditions. It was also stressed that the Novruz holiday, which is one of the national and spiritual values, and precious to the Azerbaijani nation and state. It was noted that the congratulations of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Victorious Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev from the Victory Square in Khankendi on the occasion of the Novruz holiday caused great inspiration of the Azerbaijani people, including servicemen of the Azerbaijan Army. The congratulations of the President and Defense Minister were conveyed to the servicemen to promote the national and moral values, to further increase the fighting spirit and patriotism in the events held in the military units stationed in the liberated territories, and other areas. The bands of the Army Ideological and Cultural Center named after Hazi Aslanov, and the Ideological and Cultural Center of the Ganja Garrison presented concert programs. Festive events were held in closed conditions in the military units of the Azerbaijan Army in order to support health of servicemen and to preserve military personnel from respiratory viral infections. As part of the events, the graves of Shehids (Martyrs) were visited by the military personnel, the servicemen visited the families of the Shehids (Martyrs), enquired about their concerns, and presented holiday gifts. At the meetings, it was emphasized that the Azerbaijani state always pays tribute to the memory of Shehids, and provides great attention and care to their families and relatives. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 21 March 2024 13:01 (UTC+04:00) Fatime Letifova Read more Minister of Agriculture Majnun Mammadov participated in the III Meeting of Agriculture Ministers of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) held in Kazakhstan. According to information, the meeting chaired by the Minister of Agriculture of Kazakhstan, Aidarbek Saparov, and the General Secretary of the OTS, Kubanichbek Omuraliyev, was attended by the agriculture ministers and deputy ministers of the countries that are members of the organization and were invited as observers. Kazakhstan's Minister of Agriculture Aidarbek Saparov, who opened the event with his opening speech, emphasized that there is a great potential for increasing the trade turnover in the agricultural sector between the OTS countries. At the meeting, it was pointed out that in order to increase productivity and achieve sustainable development against the background of modern challenges, cooperation in the fields of digital transformation of agriculture, technology transfer in this field, sharing of advanced practices is necessary. Taraz city of Kazakhstan was declared the agricultural capital of OTS from September 2024 on the basis of predetermined criteria. An agreement was reached on holding the next meeting of OTS agriculture ministers in Kyrgyzstan. At the end of the event, the Final Declaration was adopted. Within the framework of the meeting, the III Agribusiness Forum of the Turkish States was held with the participation of the representatives of the state institutions and companies specialized in the agrarian field of the member states of the organization and the observer countries. Also, the participants of the meeting visited the exhibition organized within the international agricultural forum "KazAgroJambyl-2024". M. Mammadov held bilateral meetings with the agriculture ministers of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan within the framework of the visit. During the meetings, discussions were held on the future directions of bilateral cooperation in the field of agriculture between our countries. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Authorities in Belarus said on Wednesday that they had conducted dozens of raids to target those who are suspected of engaging in "extremist" activities. These raids are part of increased efforts by the political opposition to establish "people's embassies" in other countries. The latest raids are part of the government's ongoing efforts to put down any form of disagreement under the leadership of President Alexander Lukashenko. The Investigative Committee of Belarus, a prominent state criminal investigation agency, has conducted searches in the apartments and offices of individuals believed to be involved. 'People's Embassies' Amid Belarus Crackdown A global network of "people's embassies" will be built by the opposition in 24 nations. These embassies push to advocate for the opposition's interests and counter the narrative promoted by the Belarusian state, especially in European Union member states, the UK, Canada, Australia, and Brazil. The Belarusian authorities have responded quickly to the initiative. The spokesperson for the Investigative Committee, Siarhei Kabakovich, strongly criticized the establishment of these "people's embassies," alleging that those involved are engaging in information campaigns with the objective of damaging the country's reputation and undermining diplomatic channels. Kabakovich specified the possible dangers associated with these actions, and established the possible repercussions, such as being charged with involvement in extremist activities, which could pose a threat to national security. The Investigative Committee revealed that over 100 Belarusians allegedly involved in establishing these embassies could face prosecution, with potential prison sentences of up to seven years and asset confiscation looming over them, according to Fox News. Read Also: Alabama Governor Signs Ban on DEI Funds, Restricts 'Divisive Concepts' in Schools Belarus Alarming Convictions Authorities have taken down critics since the divisive August 2020 presidential election, which gave President Alexander Lukashenko a fifth term and provoked massive protests. Over 35,000 people have been taken into control, while a number civil society groups and independent media organizations have had to close down. According to a new report, there have been a substantial amount of convictions on imposes that are thought to be politically motivated. The figures provided by the human rights group Viasna are quite alarming, with at least 4,690 such convictions. In Belarus, the current situation is undeniably dire, with more than 1,400 people, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski, being held in detention as political prisoners. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the exiled opposition leader, attacked the recent raids on opposition activists, suggesting that they reflect Lukashenko's lack of belief. Tsikhanouskaya claimed that the increased crackdown is a result of Lukashenko's apprehension towards the rising global backing for the opposition's movement. Tsikhanouskaya told The Associated Press that the continued surge of searches, arrests, and trials indicates the regime's eagerness to crush criticism. She focused on this aspect in her remarks. Tsikhanouskaya offered hope in the diaspora, underlining the potential for persons residing away from Belarus to serve as "people's ambassadors" pushing for the democratic future of Belarus. The support was given in spite of the challenges that Belarusians are currently facing, ABC News reported. Related Article: Biden Signs Executive Order to Boost Women's Health, Adds $12B for Sexual, Reproductive Issues @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. 21 March 2024 14:50 (UTC+04:00) Ulviyya Shahin Read more We call on the French side to learn from its history, not to interfere in Azerbaijan's internal affairs, and to stop such provocative statements. According to Azernews, this was mentioned in the statement of the press secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Azerbaijan, Aykhan Hajizade, regarding the views expressed by the French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal at the meeting with the Armenian community. The comment strongly condemned the groundless claims made by the French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal against Azerbaijan on March 20, 2024, during the annual event of the Coordination Council of Armenian Organizations of France and unilaterally defending Armenia. "We remind the French Prime Minister, who condemned the anti-terrorist measures taken against the remnants of the Armenian armed forces stationed in Azerbaijan's sovereign territories and accused Azerbaijan of allegedly occupying Armenian territories, that the measures implemented by the Azerbaijani side are in violation of the norms and principles of international law, as well as the UN Security Council, of which France is a permanent member. It is fully consistent with the Council's resolutions on the past Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict. It is absurd that France, which does not oppose the Armenian aggression and occupation of Azerbaijani territories that has continued for almost 30 years, as well as Armenia's occupation of 8 villages in Azerbaijan, accuses Azerbaijan of using force without any basis. Once again, we call on the French side to learn from its history, not to interfere in the internal affairs of Azerbaijan, and to stop such provocative statements," A. Hajizade stressed. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 21 March 2024 14:56 (UTC+04:00) Qabil Ashirov Read more Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Aykhan Hajizade commented on the views expressed by the French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal at the meeting with the Armenian community. According to Azernews, A. Hajizadeh noted in this regard: "We strongly condemn the groundless claims made by the French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal against Azerbaijan on March 20 during the annual event of the Coordination Council of Armenian Organizations of France and unilaterally defending Armenia. We remind the French Prime Minister, who condemned the anti-terrorist measures taken against the remnants of the Armenian armed forces stationed in Azerbaijan's sovereign territories and accused Azerbaijan of allegedly occupying Armenian territories, that the measures implemented by the Azerbaijani side are in violation of the norms and principles of international law, as well as the former Armenia of the UN Security Council, of which France is a permanent member. - It is fully compatible with the resolutions on the Azerbaijan conflict. It is absurd that France, which does not oppose Armenian aggression and occupation of Azerbaijani territories, which has continued for nearly thirty years, as well as Armenia's occupation of 8 villages in Azerbaijan, accuses Azerbaijan of using force without any reason. Once again, we call on the French side to learn from its history, not to interfere in the internal affairs of Azerbaijan, and to stop such provocative statements." --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 21 March 2024 16:13 (UTC+04:00) Qabil Ashirov Read more Azerbaijani civil society representatives sent an open letter to the co-chairs of the Nuclear Energy Summit, which started in Brussels today - Prime Minister of Belgium Alexandre De Croix and General Director of the International Atomic Energy Agency (AEBA) Rafael Mariano Grossi. According to Azernews, in the letter, the representatives of civil society and scientists of Azerbaijan urged the leadership of the Nuclear Energy Summit to pay attention to the global threat posed by the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant, which is in a state of emergency and has long expired, and to raise the issue with the Armenian government about the immediate termination of the operation of this plant. they called "The Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant, built in 1976 in a seismic zone of 9.5 points, working with old technology and rated at only 8 points, poses a great nuclear threat to Azerbaijan, Turkey, Armenia and the entire region. The irresponsible behavior of the Armenian authorities regarding this NPP, the world community false reports calculated to deceive are leading the region towards the next Chernobyl and Fukushima accidents. This risk is growing with each passing day. Instead of decommissioning the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant and following the rules and procedures expected by the international community, the Armenian authorities are trying to artificially extend its life every time. Liquid waste from the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant is ultimately discharged into the Araz River, a transboundary river. The plant is located in a water-scarce area, drawing water from deep wells to cool its aging reactor. During earthquakes, the groundwater level and flow direction can change, clearly demonstrating the unreliability of the cooling system. ", the letter stated. Representatives of the NGO said that the illegal trade of some nuclear materials originating from Metsamor is of great concern: "There are more than 200 radioactive sources on the territory of Armenia. These sources include various types of isotopes. There are also cases of smuggling of radioactive isotopes in Armenia. This is a terrorist threat of radionuclides. increases the possibility of using it for this purpose. The fact that the landfills where Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant waste is placed are already full and the creation of a new nuclear waste landfill shows that there are serious problems with the disposal of this waste." Representatives of civil society called on the International Atomic Energy Agency and other relevant international institutions to cooperate closely with Azerbaijan as the main affected country in this field: "The Armenian authorities, which do not take into account the nuclear safety of their people and the peoples living in the regional states, can only be forced to stop the operation of the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant with joint global efforts. The Nuclear Energy Summit, which defines the achievement of the goals arising from COP28 as its main direction, acts as a convenient platform in this regard. This is the expectation of the Azerbaijani community, which will host COP29." The open letter was signed by the following Azerbaijani civil society representatives: Fagan Aliyev - International Academy of Ecoenergetics Islam Mustafayev - "Ruzgar" Ecological Public Union Sabit Bagirov - Entrepreneurship and Market Economy Development Assistance Fund Mirhasan Hasanov - "Chernobyl Disabled People's Union" Public Union Eyvaz Asgarov - Public Union "Chernobyl Disabled People of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic". Firuze Sultanzade - "EkoSfera" Social Ecological Center Gulshan Akhundova - "Women, Development, Future" Public Union Parvana Valiyeva - "Service to Health" Public Union Muslim Gurbanov - "Ecoil" Scientific Ecological Public Union Rovshan Abbasov - "Towards a Healthy Life" Ecological Public Union Zurab Israfilov - "Azerbaijan Nature Protection Society" Public Union Maryam Majidova - Youth Gender Equality Center "Gender Hub" Public Union Zaur Ibrahimli - "Prioritet" Social Economic Research Center Public Union Umud Mirzayev - International Eurasia Press Fund Israyil Iskandarov - "Umid" Social Development Support Public Union Ramil Iskanderli - Legal Analysis and Research Public Union Gunel Safarova - Chairman of "Vetandash" Research and Development Public Union Khalid Kazimov - Regional Human Rights and Media Center Public Union Ahmad Abbasbeyli - "Center for Community Development" Public Union Elchin Mukhtarli - "Service to Health" Public Union Amin Mammadov - Public Union "Experts in the Field of Water Use". Elman Jafarli - "Green World" Environmental Awareness Public Union Gorkhmaz Ibrahimli - Biosphere Public Union Gamza Yusubova - Environmental Education and Monitoring public association Rahila Mehtiyeva - "Social - Economic and Ecological Development" public association Irada Hasanova - "Sema va Eco" Social Economic Development Assistance Public Union Tukezban Agababayeva - Eco Hub Support for Ecological Initiatives Sevil Isayeva - Ekolex Ecological Legal Center Public Union Rustam Malikov - "Ana Kura" Public Association for Helping to Study Environmental Problems Azizaga Hunbataliyev - Environmental Environmental Protection Public Union Yazgul Abdiyeva - "Health Protection" public association Ayyub Karimli - Economic and Social Research Assistance Public Union Tavakkul Iskandarov - "Biological Diversity Center" Public Union Jasarat Huseynzade - "Support to Information and Social Initiatives" Public Union. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 21 March 2024 16:16 (UTC+04:00) Fatime Letifova Read more Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov participated and spoke at the Nuclear Energy Summit held for the first time as part of his business trip to the Kingdom of Belgium. According to Azernews, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs released information about this. It was noted that during the speech, issues of cooperation with Azerbaijan's International Atomic Energy Agency (AEBA) were touched upon, as well as the position of our country on the topic of the event was brought to attention. In the speech, it was stated that the reflection of nuclear energy as one of the methods "to reduce greenhouse gas emissions" in the Global Stocktake Report of the 28th session (COP28) of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change is an important result of global efforts towards the safe use of nuclear power. It was noted. In this regard, it was pointed out that AEBA's activities aimed at studying the environmental effects of nuclear energy, including initiatives such as "Atoms4Climate", are commendable. Touching on the future prospects of technical cooperation with AEBA in the field of using nuclear technologies, Minister Jeyhun Bayramov spoke about the importance of the next "Country Framework Program" framework document intended for Azerbaijan in the field of Technical Cooperation with AEBA, which is in the process of completion in this direction. Giving detailed information about Azerbaijan's experience of using nuclear technologies at the national level, the minister pointed out that together with AEBA, we are working on researching the possibility of applying nuclear technology to the field of combating the mine threat, which is one of the most important challenges for our country. It was emphasized that our priority in this field is to pay special attention to nuclear safety during the investigation of the possibilities of using nuclear energy. Within the framework of our presidency of COP29, it was brought to attention that we will keep the nuclear safety factor in the forefront, along with promoting the attraction of resources for the accessible use of nuclear technologies for peaceful purposes in the field of combating climate change. Confidence was expressed that AEBA's possible contribution to the efforts in these directions will play an important role. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 21 March 2024 16:45 (UTC+04:00) Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov met with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan within the Nuclear Energy Summit held in Brussels, Belgium. According to Azernews, this was informed in the X social account of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan. The ministers discussed multifaceted strategic bilateral and multilateral cooperation areas and touched on regional peace efforts. Foreign Minister @Bayramov_Jeyhun met with Minister @HakanFidan of brotherly #Turkiye on the sidelines of the #NES2024 in Brussels. Ministers discussed areas of multifaceted strategic bilateral and multilateral cooperation, and touched upon regional peace-building efforts. pic.twitter.com/Zx6t6dqdbt MFA Azerbaijan (@AzerbaijanMFA) March 21, 2024 --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 21 March 2024 17:06 (UTC+04:00) Fatime Letifova Read more Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Mohammad Ishaq Dar within the framework of the Nuclear Energy Summit held in Brussels, Azernews reports, citing the ministry. At the meeting, the minister discussed bilateral friendly relations between Azerbaijan and Pakistan based on mutual trust, solidarity and respect, cooperation prospects, and the current situation in the region. Jeyhun Bayramov conveyed his sincere congratulations to his colleague on the occasion of his appointment as Minister of Foreign Affairs and wished him success in this responsible position. They expressed satisfaction with the high level of cooperation between the two countries, including the current political dialogue, and emphasized the importance of high-level visits and contacts in all directions. It was pointed out that there is a wide potential for cooperation between Azerbaijan and Pakistan in economy, transport, trade and other fields. J. Bayramov asked his colleague about preparations for the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), restoration and reconstruction works in our territories freed from occupation, smart city and green energy projects, the ongoing mine threat, as well as Azerbaijan-Armenia normalization. informed about the process in detail. At the meeting, the ministers also exchanged views on other regional and international issues of mutual interest. In the margins of #NES2024, meeting between FM @Bayramov_Jeyhun & FM @MIshaqDar50 took place. The sides exchanged views on prospects of cooperation in the fields of economy, transport & communication, @COP29_AZ related preparatory works & post-conflict regional situation. pic.twitter.com/eN9zbAeVU1 MFA Azerbaijan (@AzerbaijanMFA) March 21, 2024 --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 21 March 2024 11:49 (UTC+04:00) Fatime Letifova Read more Fariz Jafarov, executive director of the Center for Analysis and Coordination of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4SIM) under the Ministry of Economy, participated in the "Innovation 2024" event of the Global Government Forum held in London, the capital of Great Britain, on March 19-20, Azernews reports, citing 4SIM. According to information, he attended the session "Artificial Intelligence and innovation in machine learning" as a speaker, "How to prepare the public sector for artificial intelligence?" made a presentation on the subject. F. Jafarov said that in order to prepare the public sector globally for the era of Artificial Intelligence, action is required on 5 main goals: education and workforce development, research and innovation, regulatory framework and ethical issues, infrastructure and data management, international cooperation. Later, the reforms carried out in the field of public services in Azerbaijan, services provided to citizens, including the activities of ASAN service centers, work done in the field of electronic and digital government, presented digital solutions, approaches and successful experiences were shared. It was noted that the country's digital economy strategy covering the period up to 2030 is currently being prepared, and the experiences and initiatives planned to be implemented within the framework of this strategy, as well as the projects currently being implemented by the center in the field of artificial intelligence, were reported. Co-hosted by the UK Government, the UK Civil Service and the Cabinet Office, the Global Government Forum exhibition-conference is a unique event that brings together government leaders, leading technology and consultancy companies from around the world responsible for transforming and accelerating public sector organizations and services. This year, more than 4,000 participants from 70 countries attended the event. The event included discussions on the role and obligations of the public and private sectors in the sustainable and transparent development of the innovation ecosystem, the challenges faced in this direction and the exchange of successful experiences. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 21 March 2024 17:33 (UTC+04:00) The West uses aggressive information campaigns to disrupt Russia's alliance with the CIS countries. According to Azernews, Maria Zakharova, the official representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, said this at the meeting of the Federation Council. "The West is trying to disrupt this objectively formed union with aggressive information campaigns against Russia and our neighbors. "Such steps lead to tragic consequences, first of all, for the countries of the post-Soviet space," he said. M. Zakharova believes that it is in the common interests of Russia and the CIS countries to ensure maximum interaction in order to strengthen and protect the information space. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Greggs experienced IT issues, becoming the fourth major business to face such problems within a week. This led to concerns among internet users, who speculated about the involvement of Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, security officials closely monitoring the activities of rogue states have dismissed any suspicions of foul play. Greggs Stores Hit by Technical Glitches Several technical issues have caused substantial delays at Greggs stores throughout the UK, which led to customers being unable to make card payments and leading to the temporary closure of certain outlets. Although the company has reassured the public that they are taking action to resolve these problems, there are concerns about the frequency and timing of these disruptions. Customers visiting Greggs outlets in various cities, including Cardiff, London, Manchester, and Birmingham, found themselves unable to use card payments, prompting some to resort to cash transactions or ordering via the app. Signs posted on the doors of affected stores, such as one in Lichfield, Staffs, apologized for the inconvenience caused by the IT issues. In Newcastle, where Greggs seems by a lot, customers spoke their frustration. Keely Hurst, a 22-year-old student, expressed her strong preference for Greggs, stating that it is unparalleled in its appeal. A customer named Daisy Wood, 21, pointed out the potential consequences of these disruptions on people's daily routines, especially pointing out the usual long queues at Greggs outlets. There has been suspicion over the potential presence of other parties among these technical issues. Regardless of no direct link to the recent IT issues faced by British brands, lingering concerns remain due to previous incidents involving the Russians. There were concerns raised last week about potential interference from Russia when a GPS signal was disrupted during a flight involving the UK's Defence Secretary near Russian territory, according to Express. Read Also: Shohei Ohtani's Interpreter Ippei Mizuhara Reportedly Stole $4.5 Million From MLB Star Russian Cyber Concerns Amid Greggs Glitches In a previous statement, the Foreign Secretary, Lord David Cameron, made an assertion that the Russian security service was responsible for cyber attacks that targeted public figures and politicians. Although diplomatic efforts have been made to counter such operations, worries regarding the capabilities of Russian cyberspace continue to exist. A spokesperson for Greggs acknowledged the IT issues, reassuring customers that efforts were underway to resolve them promptly. However, some observers noted an "odd pattern" in the recent tech glitches, raising questions about potential motives behind such disruptions. There have been talks about cybersecurity and the susceptibility of essential services to cyber attacks, and the discussions have been spread by suspicions regarding the involvement of independent actors. The need to implement stringent cybersecurity measures has been brought to light by recent incidents, one of which being a cyber attack carried out by Russian hackers against the Gloucester City Council. Professor Anthony Glees gave an advisory about the potential of cyber threats that might target critical infrastructure all around the United Kingdom. He emphasized the need of sustaining awareness and taking precautions in order to prevent such threats, Daily Star reported. Related Article: See Video: Penguins Gift Soulmates With Special Pebbles @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A unanimous panel of the state Court of Appeals has ruled in favor of the North Carolina Farm Bureau Federation, and against the state Department of Environmental Quality, in a dispute over animal waste permits.Appellate judges agreed Tuesday with the Farm Bureau that three conditions tied to general animal-waste permits adopted in 2019 were state rules. None of the three conditions proceeded through the state's official rule-making process in the Administrative Procedure Act. All of those conditions are invalid.The decision reverses a trial judge and reinstates an earlier ruling from a state administrative law judge. It affects permits for 2,000 hog, cattle, and poultry farms across North Carolina. Each uses ato address animal waste.wrote Judge Jeff Carpenter for the unanimous court.Each of the conditions had been tied to a settlement agreement DEQ reached with the North Carolina Environmental Justice Network and other groups after a federal civil rights complaint.Carpenter wrote.Carpenter wrote.Carpenter added.he added.Carpenter wrote.Carpenter concluded.Carpenter and Judges John Tyson and Fred Gore heard oral arguments in the case on Sept. 6.said Jake Parker, secretary and general counsel for the Farm Bureau.The Farm Bureau also offered aargument. DEQ adopted the three conditions after a 2018 federal complaint prompted negotiations between regulators and hog farm critics. Those negotiations excluded farmers.Parker said.DEQ countered that the challenged conditions aren't rules because any farmer can seek an individual permit that might not include the condition. The department also pointed out that several other proposed conditions from the Title VI process never made it into the general permit.argued Marc Bernstein, senior deputy attorney general at the NC Department of Justice.Bernstein added.Judge Fred Gore questioned a key point in Bernstein's presentation about the challenged conditions.Gore said.Judge John Tyson tested Bernstein's argument with a hypothetical situation outside the context of animal waste.Tyson added.A split 2-1 Court of Appeals issued an order in October 2022 blocking the rules from taking effect. That order is scheduled to remain in place during the Farm Bureau's appeal. 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? 98.7% No, I do not support Election Interference; I am a patriot unto our Constitution.1.3% 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? Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar announced his resignation from office on Wednesday (Mar. 20), stating that he would also step down as the leader of the Fine Gael party. In a press conference, the taoiseach - the Irish term for "prime minister" - described his tenure in the top job as "the most fulfilling time of [his] life," adding that his decision was influenced by "personal and political" reasons. "[A]fter careful consideration, and some soul searching, I believe that a new Taoiseach (prime minister) and a new leader will be better placed than me to achieve (the coalition government's re-election)," Varadkar said. Across the Irish Sea, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak wished Varadkar well following his resignation, with a spokesperson saying that he would "work closely with him and his successor." "Ireland is a vital partner of the UK," the spokesperson was quoted by the BBC. Varadkar's Legacy Varadkar became the youngest prime minister of Ireland when he became the leader of Fine Gael and the coalition government in Dublin which also included Fianna Fail and the Green Party. In his announcement, he said that he had "led Ireland from unemployment to full employment, from budget deficit to budget surplus, from austerity to prosperity." Being also the first openly gay Irish PM, Varadkar added that he was "proud that we have made the country a more equal and more modern place when it comes to the rights of children, the LGBT community, equality for women and their bodily autonomy." Irish Deputy Prime Minister Micheal Martin - who was prime minister from 2020 to 2022 in a power sharing agreement with Varadkar - said he was "surprised" by the decision. "I want to take the opportunity to thank him sincerely, we got on very well," Martin said, adding that he remained committed to fulfilling the full term of the coalition government. Read Also: Savannah Plans Supersized St. Patrick's Day Parade on 200th Anniversary Political Reactions Irish government parties said that they do not expect Wednesday's announcement to trigger a general election. However, Irish Opposition Leader and Sinn Fein party president Mary Lou McDonald spoke in the Dail - the lower house of Irish parliament - calling for a general election, saying that it was "unthinkable" for the next prime minister to be chosen by a "conclave" of Fine Gael politicians. "This is a time for fresh leadership. Not just a change of taoiseach, but a change of government, and a change of direction," she said. British-ruled Northern Ireland's First Minister Michelle 'O'Neill, also from Sinn Fein, concurred with McDonald, saying that it was "time for an election" in the Republic of Ireland. "Now is not a 'time for the rearranging of the deck chairs,'" she added. Sinn Fein was formerly affiliated as the political wing of the Irish Republican Army, according to Reuters. With the resignation of Varadkar, the race is on for who would replace him. Further and Higher Education Minister Simon Harris, Attorney General Helen McEntee, Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe, and Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys are in the lead-up for the top job. However, in an interview with Irish public broadcaster RTE, Fine Gael deputy leader and Enterprise, Trade, and Employment Minister Simon Coveney said that he was standing down from the taoiseach race. Related Article: Ireland Votes to Redefine Women's Role In Constitution, 'A Woman's Place is Anywhere She Wants It to Be' @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. While layoffs are slowing at hospitals and health systems as margins improve, some are still having to cut staff due to financial issues. ASCs and private practices in many markets have not been affected by the same staffing challenges, and the layoffs could create a larger talent pool for ASCs, who often cannot compete with high salaries at hospitals and health systems. "Fortunately for private practice, we haven't seen the same staffing challenges as hospital systems," Taif Mukhdomi, MD, interventional pain physician at Pain Zero in Columbus, Ohio, told Becker's. "With recent reports alluding to culture in the workplace affecting overall job satisfaction and patient outcomes, private practice is poised for growth." Additionally, ASCs often can offer employees a work-life balance that hospital jobs cannot always provide. "The ASC arena has historically enjoyed a modest human resource advantage," Les Jebson, regional administrator at Greenville, S.C.-based Prisma Health, told Becker's in September. "Specifically, this advantage is the result of predictability in work hours and perceived associated overall quality of professional life." Here are five hospitals and health systems that have cut jobs in the last month: 1. Robbinsdale, Minn.-based North Memorial Health is laying off more than 100 employees, citing ongoing financial challenges. 2. AHMC's San Gabriel (Calif.) Valley Medical Center will lay off 62 employees May 13. 3. Bristol (Conn.) Health's cut 60 positions amid ongoing financial challenges. 4. Miami-based North Shore Medical Center, part of Dallas-based Steward Health Care, laid off around 150 employees amid financial struggles. 5. Lion Star, which operates Nacogdoches (Texas) Memorial Hospital, is closing four clinics March 22 laying off under 50 people. An Ohio dentist is spending approximately $920,000 on a new building to house his expanded dental practice, the TimesReporter reported March 21. New Philadelphia, Ohio-based Weininger Dental is moving into a 3,500-square-foot office. Construction company Tucson, Inc., has already broken ground on a nearly one-acre plot of land for the office, the TimesReporter reported. Nick Weininger, DDS, said his practice has seen an influx of patients after several dentists in the area retired. The practice will expand from four operatories to seven once it moves into the new building. It currently has eight employees, but Dr. Weininger said he plans on hiring another dental assistant and hygienist to see more patients. The new office is scheduled to open in September or October. Altamonte Springs, Fla.-based AdventHealth has selected a location for its new $254 million community hospital in North Carolina, though the system is still awaiting the resolution of an appeal filed by Asheville, N.C.-based Mission Health. The 67-bed hospital is slated to be built in Weaverville, N.C. The facility would include a surgery suite, 12-bed emergency department, 13-bed labor and delivery unit, and 12-bed intensive care unit, among other features. North Carolina approved AdventHealth's certificate-of-need application to build the hospital in 2022. Mission Health, part of Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare, appealed the state's decision, which led to a trial last fall. The health systems are awaiting a judge's decision, which is expected in the coming weeks. "We are confident in the state's decision to award AdventHealth Asheville the CON for the new hospital. With the purchase of the property in Weaverville, we are ready to move forward building this hospital," Brandon Nudd, president and CEO of AdventHealth Hendersonville, said in a March 19 news release. The update comes as both systems fight to grow their footprints in Western North Carolina. Last fall, AdventHealth Hendersonville and AdventHealth Asheville appealed the CON application for Mission's planned $29 million freestanding ED in Candler, N.C. HCA pushed back against AdventHealth's decision, noting that emergency rooms nationwide are seeing an influx of patients and longer wait times post-pandemic. "This ER is an imminent solution to help meet the needs of our community and bring additional access to emergency care in Buncombe County," Nancy Lindell, a spokesperson for Mission Health, told Becker's last October. "It is disappointing other hospitals that regularly send their patients to Mission for a higher level of care would actively work to stop better access to emergent care for our communities." Editor's note: Becker's has reached out to Mission Health for comment on AdventHealth's planned community hospital and will update the article if more information becomes available. Racial and ethnic minorities experienced lower response rates from attending physicians for patient portal messages, but higher response rates from registered nurses, indicating potential disparities in triage prioritization, a March 18 study published in JAMA Network Open found. The study analyzed patient portal messages sent by patients at Boston Medical Center to assess if there were differences in care team responses to patient portal messages by patient race and ethnicity. The study analyzed approximately 40,000 patients of White, Black, Hispanic and Asian backgrounds and their 57,704 patient portal messages sent from January to November 2021. Researchers found that patients from marginalized racial or ethnic backgrounds had equal chances of receiving responses to their patient portal messages compared to their White counterparts. However, those from marginalized racial or ethnic backgrounds were less likely to receive responses from attending physicians. For example, the likelihood of a Black patient receiving a response from an attending physician was 3.95 percentage points lower compared to White patients, according to the study. "Our findings highlight potential disparities in how those resources are allocated across patient groups," the researchers wrote. "Understanding and addressing these disparities will be necessary for improving care equity and informing algorithms." Hospital and health system CEOs are working to tackle the challenges within their respective organizations and within the industry today, while also looking to prepare for the future. For some, this means reading up to prepare for the next three to 10 years. Larry Antonucci, MD, president and CEO of Fort Myers, Fla.-based Lee Health, recently told Becker's he finished "21 Lessons for the 21st Century" by Yuval Noah Harari. "It is a fascinating book that delves into what the century is going to look like regarding AI and robotics and computers and globalization," Dr. Antonucci said. "And how Big Data is watching us and the fact that when we use computers and we use the internet that we're not customers, we're actually the product. The information we put in there is being sold to others. It's really a very fascinating thought provoking book. I would recommend it to anybody." Bob Riney, president and CEO of Detroit-based Henry Ford Health, recently told Becker's he's reading a book called "Attack from Within: How Disinformation Is Sabotaging America" by Barbara McQuade. "It just came out, and the book itself is about the level of disinformation flooding citizens of our country vis-a-vis social media networks. But what I'm walking away with from reading the book is the unbelievable impact that it is having on our mental health," said Mr. Riney. "And so I look at the advancement of disinformation and the sophistication of disinformation as a real additional threat to our mental health and the impact that that could have on healthcare, because we're already seeing mental health demands that we are struggling to keep up with. And I think that the issues that are raised in this book tell me that we're going to see a lot more, and we have to prepare for it." Additionally, Cliff Megerian, MD, CEO of Cleveland-based University Hospitals, launched a book club for employees in 2022. Today, Cliff's Notes: A UH Book Club, which is named after Dr. Megerian, continues to evolve. He told Becker's earlier this year that the trust that's gained at the book club meetings where there are sometimes intense discussions as people give their opinions and perceptions of a book has elevated the culture of University Hospitals. "Whether it's the CEO or whether it is anyone else in the organization that person's opinion matters. And I think this also has helped elevate one of my goals of creating a speak-up culture where people feel empowered to speak up when they sense that something needs to be called out, something needs to be changed," Dr. Megerian said. Since its inception, Cliff's Notes: A UH Book Club has had more than 3,500 book checkouts, with a 44% increase from 2022 to 2023, and participants have read dozens of books. For two features "Strategy That Works" by Paul Leinwand and Cesare Mainardi and "Dream Town" by Laura Mecker the authors spoke to book club participants. In addition to reading books, at least four former and current health system CEOs have published books in recent months. That list includes Eugene Woods, CEO of Charlotte, N.C.-based Advocate Health, who wrote about the behind-the-scenes work of one of the country's largest health systems. The emergency department at Saratoga Hospital in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., was evacuated on March 21 after Jonathan Gardner, 31, who was treated and released, made claims of possessing a bomb while in the ED. The Saratoga Springs Police Department was contacted by hospital staff at 8 a.m. regarding the claims, according to a March 21 news release. The hospital evacuated the ED, and patrol division members arrived and apprehended the suspect. An explosive detection canine team conducted a sweep of the area and determined that Mr. Gardner did not have a bomb. Mr. Gardner was arrested, taken to the police department, and charged with falsely reporting an incident in the second degree. New York City-based Hospital for Special Surgery and New Hyde Park, N.Y.-based Northwell Health are the top hospital and health system, respectively, for orthopedic care, according to a ranking by Castle Connolly. Castle Connolly Accolades recognizes the top orthopedic health systems, hospitals and physician practices with the most Castle Connolly-recognized physicians in orthopedic care. Here are the top five hospitals and health systems for orthopedic care: Hospitals 1. Hospital for Special Surgery (New York City) 2. Mount Sinai Hospital (New York City) 3. The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center (Columbus) 4. Barnes-Jewish Hospital (St. Louis) 5. Massachusetts General Hospital (Boston) Health systems 1. Northwell Health (New Hyde Park, N.Y.) 2. Mount Sinai Health System (New York City) 3. NYU Langone Health (New York City) 4. Montefiore Health System (New York City) 5. University of Pittsburgh Medical Center There is an array of spine technologies and surgical techniques that have evolved over the years. But spine surgeons say there are some that remain underrated. Ask Spine Surgeons is a weekly series of questions posed to spine surgeons around the country about clinical, business and policy issues affecting spine care. Becker's invites all spine surgeon and specialist responses. Next question: What's something new that you plan to implement at your practice this year? Please send responses to Carly Behm at cbehm@beckershealthcare.com by 5 p.m. CST Wednesday, March 27. Editor's note: Responses were lightly edited for clarity and length. Question: What is the most underrated technology or technique in spine? Hansen Bow, MD, PhD. UCI Health (South Orange, Calif.): I believe the most underrated technology or technique in spine surgery is use of the interoperative ultrasound. The intraoperative ultrasound is frequently used in brain surgery to locate brain tumors, evaluate the extent of tumor resection and find trajectories for placement of intraventricular drains. In conversations with my spine surgery colleagues, use of the intraoperative ultrasound is less well known. In my practice, I frequently use it to make sure my laminectomy is sufficient in preparation for accessing intradural pathology. I also use it in the context of trauma to determine whether a patient needs a trans-pedicular decompression for a burst fracture. For spinal oncology, I use the ultrasound to verify that a separation surgery has created enough space between the spinal cord and the tumor. Another use that I found helpful is when I need to debulk an extradural cervical tumor using a posterior approach. I use both the ultrasound and navigation to identify the location of the vertebral artery, enhancing the safety of the operation. Brian Gantwerker, MD. The Craniospinal Center of Los Angeles: The most underrated technique in spine is being able to put pedicle screws in without navigation, using fluoroscopy only. I am afraid with the democratization of spine and the advent of robots will unfortunately result in residents and surgeons not knowing what to do when the robot flames out. I encourage anyone training to learn how to place pedicle screws with the navigation program in their brain, as well as in the computer. Osama Kashlan, MD. Weill Cornell Medicine (New York City): The most underrated technology in spine is a tie between Bendini from NuVasive and Corus/Cavux from Providence Medical Technologies. The reason they are underrated is that I do not believe their adoption reflects how useful those technologies are for our patients. As per NuVasives website, the Bendini is a spinal rod bending system that expedites manual rod manipulation via computer-assisted bend instructions. Historically, rod bending took a substantial portion of operative time in my hands. Moreover, many times the manually bent or prebent rods fit well in some parts of the construct but not others. In those instances, a substantial amount of force was needed to get a rod into a specific tulip head. This was especially true in long segment minimally-invasive cases. Finally, in the past it was very important for a surgeon to have all tulip heads line up to make the rod bending easier. After I switched to using the Bendini, these problems have become non-issues. Rod bending is straightforward and smooth. Equal force is placed over all tulip heads almost every time. I place screws wherever I feel purchase is best without thinking about how the screw heads will line up in the final construct because the Bendini will do all the work! With regards to Corus/Cavux, this technology is like no other technology on the market for achieving a posterior cervical fusion in a minimally-invasive manner. In that way, the facet cages can be placed to treat non-union after anterior cervical fusions. They can also be used to back up multilevel anterior cervical fusions without having to do an open posterior procedure. I have also used these facet cages in open approaches in three ways. First, they can be used to augment facet arthrodesis at C1-2 when performing a C1-2 fusion. Second, they can be used in situations when there is intraoperative concern regarding the strength of traditional posterior fixation as added support to the construct. Lastly, they can be used in any posterior instrumented procedure as a method to achieve indirect foraminal decompression of any symptomatic level. Jason Liauw, MD. Hoag Orthopedic Institute (Laguna Hills, Calif.): While there has been much well-deserved fanfare on enabling technologies in spine, I think one of the more underrated technologies/techniques in spine is endoscopic approaches to spine surgery. From the courses I have seen, endoscopic spine surgery is the pinnacle of extreme minimally invasive spine surgery. However, procedurally it takes a significant amount of training and expertise which is probably why it hasn't been adopted in every practice. I think that as the technology improves, endoscopic spine surgery including endoscopic spine fusion can really impact the future of spine surgery. Yoav Ritter, DO. HCA Florida University Hospital (Davie, Fla.): Minimally invasive lumbar decompression (MILD) would have to be one of the most underrated procedures. This procedure uses small incisions compared to traditional spine surgery. This procedure is not expensive and the recovery time is less. Steven Vanni, DO. HCA Florida University Hospital: Use of motion-sparing devices associated with lumbar laminectomies such as Coflex procedures is very underrated. Christian Zimmerman, MD. St. Alphonsus Medical Group and SAHS Neuroscience Institute (Boise, Idaho): To the chagrin of this practitioner, there are two underrated and underused technologies used in current neurosurgical practice: both generational, possibly linked to training biases and both complementary tools shown time and time again, to be fortuitous in a number of legal decisions. Surprisingly, there are those who choose not to use the intraoperative microscope and likewise, choose not to perform intra-operational neurological monitoring. Case dependent of course, the more complex surgical situation will welcome the safest and most efficacious methods of task completion. Job one for all readers is puissant assurances and effectual recourse as they apply to all patient outcomes. Irish theme park hopes to boost business with new 19m rides while attracting more visitors from NI Formerly known as Tayto Park, the Co Meath attraction previously couldnt market itself properly in Northern Ireland Charles Coyle, CEO of Emerald Park, with the new rollercoasters which are being built there. Photo: Frank McGrath John Mulligan Thu 21 Mar 2024 at 15:44 In December 2008, I stood outside the Tayto factory with Ray Coyle as we wrapped up an interview. The entrepreneur, who died in 2022, gestured to the fields opposite, where bison grazed lazily and the late winter sun cast a golden veil over the land. (Photo : Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) (L-R) Jim Breyer and Angela Chao. A police report says Angela Chao was drunk when she died in her Tesla. Angela Chao, the billionaire sister-in-law of Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, was drunk when she died after her Tesla slowly sank in a pond on her sprawling Texas ranch, authorities say. A police report released on Wednesday called the incident an "unfortunate accident." Chao, 50, the CEO of global shipping empire Foremost Group and the sister of former Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, had just left friends celebrating the Chinese New Year at a guesthouse on the 900-acre property outside Austin. She left her guests at the 10-bedroom house known as The Inn to return to the main house to be with her son, Chao. A video from an outdoor security camera captured Chao at 11:37 p.m. walking "unsteadily to her vehicle while continuing to hold her cellular phone in her right hand," according to the report. After getting in her car, Chao attempted to make a three-point turn, but tragedy struck. A panicked Chao called a friend from the car to say that she had put the car in reverse instead of drive, a mistake she had made before with the electric vehicle's gearshift. The Tesla suddenly shot backward, went over an embankment and landed in the pond. She also said she was "going to die" and "I love you" before the car sank, the report claims. The report, released by the Blanco County Sheriff's Office, described the chaos around the incident as friends responded and attempted to save her. One person used a kayak to reach the vehicle and another person swam to the car. They climbed on top of it and tried to get to Chao in the car, according to the report. Authorities reached the ranch shortly after midnight. They broke the window of the car to reach Chao. First responders pronounced her dead at 1:40 a.m. Toxicology found that Chao's blood alcohol concentration was 0.233, according to CNN. @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Vicky Davies chair of Business in the Community; Economy Minister Conor Murphy; Greggs CEO Roisin Currie and Kieran Harding managing director of Business in the Community More than 80 business leaders, including bakery chain Greggs CEO Roisin Currie, have met Economy Minister Conor Murphy to discuss economic growth and social mobility in Northern Ireland. The responsible business summit saw business leaders from across NI converge at Custom House in Belfast where a range of speakers urged businesses to take action and create opportunities for all. Mr Murphy said: Our economy is characterised by deep-seated problems of low pay, low productivity, and severe regional imbalances. These issues cant be addressed overnight, however, I am optimistic about the potential for change, and Im determined to get as much done in the time available. My economic vision, which I am pleased to note was very well received by the business community, identifies four outcomes that economic policy and growth should be directed towards good jobs, productivity, regional balance, and net zero and we now need to see delivery. "To this end, I recently appointed four independent experts to provide critical advice. My department will soon be presenting our plans to these experts to get some critical feedback and to ensure that we are doing enough to really turn the dial. All these policies and initiatives will need to be underpinned by partnership and I am encouraged in the knowledge that this is something Business in the Community recognises the importance of. Organised by Business in the Community, the event provided a platform for business leaders to connect and exchange insights, and underscored the imperative for companies to operate responsibly, help those who face additional barriers to gaining employment and proactively address pressing societal issues. Business in the Community is made up of over 600 member companies more than 270 are in NI and employ over 38% of its workforce. Speakers included representatives from Allen & Overy, PwC and Ulster University and each shared insight into their organisations approach to community engagement and business practices. Greggs chief Roisin Currie shared the companys approach to supporting those with criminal convictions to gain access to employment and how the business is reaching out to inspire and support primary school children through its breakfast clubs. Kieran Harding, managing director of Business in the Community said: "We recognise the challenges employers face in relation to attracting talent and skills. These are compounded by Northern Irelands high level of economic inactivity. "As a result employers increasingly recognise the need to consider the opportunity that addressing social mobility can bring, whilst appreciating the complexity and flexibility that embracing social mobility requires. "Making a real and lasting difference requires employers to foster workplaces that are fair and inclusive as they seek to provide opportunities for everyone. By bringing together CEOs and senior leaders from diverse sectors, we aim to facilitate meaningful discussions, drive collaboration, and inspire actionable solutions that positively impact society and business. I am heartened to see so many businesses striving to tackle the issue of social mobility and I am encouraged that together with government and society, business can make a lasting impact. Ex-Labour MP Alan Johnson: Ive a huge admiration for politicians who are in a much darker world than the one I had to occupy Ahead of his visit to Belfast this week, the ex-Home Secretary speaks with Aine Toner about the possibility of a Keir Starmer-led majority and his joy at writing thrillers Former Home Secretary Alan Johnson (centre) with ex-Sinn Fein MLA Caitriona Ruane and former UUP leader Sir Reg Empey in 2007 Aine Toner Thu 21 Mar 2024 at 08:30 Former MP Alan Johnson and his wife almost bought a house on the Bangor coast when they were visiting for a book festival. One of Northern Irelands longest-running trials concluded today with the acquittal of two men charged with terrorism offences. Five years after the non-jury trial commenced, Mr Justice OHara returned not guilty verdicts against Colin Duffy and Henry Fitzsimons. As he delivered his judgement at Belfast Crown Court, the senior judge ruled that covert recordings which formed the heart of the Crowns case did not meet the standard to secure convictions. Lurgan man Colin Duffy (56), whose address was given as HMP Maghaberry, and Fitzsimons (56), from Dunmore Mews in Belfast, were charged with offences arising from a gun attack on a police convoy in the Ardoyne area of north Belfast on December 5, 2013. The charges included preparing and directing terrorism and membership or professing to be members of the IRA, whilst Mr Fitzsimons was also charged with attempting to murder police in the convoy on December 6, 2013, and possessing the two AK-47 assault rifles and ammunition. The day after the shooting, a total of 14 covert devices secretly recorded a conversation between three men in the Lurgan Park areas of the Co Armagh town. The discussion concerned the gun attack which took place the night before, as well as a future operation, and it was the Crowns case that Mr Fitzsimons and Mr Duffy were two of the three men recorded. Henry Fitzsimons The prosecution contended that the names Collie and Harry could be heard on the audio. During the trial, several experts were called to give evidence about the audio recordings which were also carefully considered by Mr Justice O'Hara and which he branded "the most controversial part of the evidence in this intensely contested trial." Other parts of the Crown's evidence was the presence of a silver Lexus, which was the same make and model as Mr Fitzsimon's car and which was in Lurgan at the appropriate times. Mr Fitzsimons defence team argued that even if his car was in Lurgan on the day in question, this was not enough to place him in the area discussing terrorist matters. The Crown's case against Duffy included his identification by way of recognition by two police officers in the laneway at Lurgan Park. As he gave his ruling today, the Judge spoke of his "inability to conclude with the required confidence" that he could hear the names 'Collie' or 'Harry' on the audio. He added that it would be "unsafe" to reply on his own impression of the audio evidence given the "clear warnings" from the experts for both the Crown and defence - one of whom spoke of the poor quality of the recordings. Mr Justice O'Hara said: "In light of this conclusion I cannot say that I am satisfied to the requisite standard that the audio evidence proves that either Fitzsimons or Duffy was in the lane in Lurgan Park on the afternoon of the 6th of December, 2013. "The reasonable and legitimate suspicions raised about their presence and their intent from other evidence are not enough to form the basis of a conviction of either of them. "In these circumstances, I find both defendants not guilty on all charges." A third man, 62-year old Alex McCrory, was acquitted last March of all charges he faced. In a ruling on this, Mr Justice O'Hara concluded a portion of the Crown's evidence regarding the attribution of words on police transcripts of the audio recordings was "flawed" and it was therefore excluded. Father and son from the Crumlin area of Dublin are suspected of being the masterminds behind the botched shipmentGardai have secured charges under anti-gangland legislation in relation to 10 men arrested last week for an alleged drugs smuggling conspiracy off the coast of Co Cork Gardai have secured charges under anti-gangland legislation in relation to 10 men including a man from Co Fermanagh arrested last week for an alleged drugs smuggling conspiracy off the coast of Co Cork. All are due to appear before a number of district court sittings later this afternoon in Co Cork. It can be revealed for the first time that a father and son from the Crumlin area of Dublin are suspected of being the masterminds behind the botched shipment. The elder man is a convicted killer who has multiple previous convictions and has been on the Garda radar for over four decades for involvement in violent and organised crime. The Dublin-based father and son have not been arrested but two properties linked to them were searched by specialist gardai from west Cork last weekend in an attempt to gather evidence. It can also be confirmed that gardai firmly believe that 840kg of cocaine worth 58 million that was found washed up on beaches in Denmark in recent days was the drug haul that was destined for Ireland. Gardai have established that a six-man landing party left the Tragumna slip near Skibbereen in the early hours of March 12 in a 10m long rigid inflatable boat (Rib) to rendezvous somewhere off the coast with a mother ship carrying the drugs. Intercepted communications led to gardai discovering the details of a nine-man crew, who flew into the capital for the scheduled collection of a major consignment of cocaine off the coast of Cork on Thursday morning of last week. Nine of the 10 men arrested on Thursday are foreign nationals and include six Spaniards, a Serbian and two Iranians travelling on Dutch passports. The tenth person is a Fermanagh man who was arrested, in possession of an articulated lorry parked up near Tragumna, near Skibbereen, at 7.30am last Thursday. The men are aged between 25 and 56. Among those detained are men with addresses in Spain, the Netherlands, the UK and Ireland. At least two of those arrested have links to the Middle East. Several of the men are experienced divers - leading gardai to consider whether part of the cocaine consignment was to be hidden underwater offshore and retrieved when gang members believed it was safe to do so. A number of electronic items were seized, including mobile phones, tablets and a GPS device. Four of the men are to be charged in Bandon District Court; four are to be charged in Cork City District Court; and two are to be charged in Midleton District Court No drugs landed in west Cork, with gardai unclear whether the mission was aborted due to gang fears over police surveillance or poor sea conditions in the area. Several of the men are believed to have panicked when they were approached by a dog-walker in a high-visibility vest and mistakenly confused them for a police officer. Their suspicious behaviour then prompted a phone call to gardai from a member of the public. A camper van and articulated lorry were also seized. A rigid inflatable boat with powerful outboard engines is also being examined. A number of key individuals had been under surveillance for some time after arriving in this country. It was the longest-running terror trial in Northern Irelands legal history, costing millions in court costs and policing hours, and yet resulted in not a single successful conviction. Republican Colin Duffy and his co-accused Harry Fitzsimons both appeared relaxed as they entered the dock of the Crown Court to learn their fate. Alex McCrory, who had also been charged as part of the same investigation but was successful in having his charges struck out last May, was also in court, sitting in the public gallery alongside a handful of family members. All three are republicans of some vintage, with a history dating back long before the formation of the New IRA in 2012. The charges faced by the two remaining defendants carried anything from 13 years to life imprisonment. The trial has been in the legal system so long that the circumstances surrounding the gun attack on a police convoy can be traced to a bygone time in Northern Irelands troubled history. A dispute around a decision by the Parades Commission to ban an Orange Order march passing the national Ardoyne had sparked widespread protest and disorder. Loyalists set up a camp at the Twaddell interface, which had a 24-hour police presence. Dissident republicans from the recently formed New IRA took advantage of this and, having observed over a period of time the change in shifts of officers, launched a gun attack. A platform was built using scaffolding behind a high peace wall: it gave the gunmen both cover and a perfect vantage point. As the three-vehicle convoy passed, on its way to the Twaddell camp, two gunmen were waiting. One of the Romanian-made AK-47s jammed without firing a single shot, while the other fired 14 rounds, striking all three vehicles and piercing the armour of the third in line, a Volkswagen Transporter, which was towing a communications trailer. Those travelling inside were shocked but physically unharmed. It took more than five years before the case even made it to the Crown Court and another five from the first hearing until todays judgment. This would be unthinkable in any other jurisdiction. It was the prosecution case that Duffy had masterminded the attack and that Fitzsimons was one of the gunmen. But the evidence was mainly circumstantial. MI5 surveillance taken from listening devices in a park in Lurgan, on December 6, 2013 the day after the gun attack formed a large part of the prosecution case. CCTV of the alleged suspects was grainy, while voice recordings were unreliable, picking up broken parts of conversations and polluted with background noise. The surveillance may have been useful for intelligence but failed to reach the level required for a criminal prosecution. Phone cell analysis claimed to put the suspects in Lurgan, but none of this was enough to convict, ruled Mr Justice OHara, acting as judge and jury, in what he said was an intensely contested trial. The judgment was lengthy and detailed, taking over half an hour to read to the court. There was no audible reaction from the two men or their supporters when the not guilty verdict was delivered. But now the questions start. Final figures are yet to be calculated but the legal costs are expected to run to millions. All three suspects spent more than two years on remand and a further seven on strict bail conditions. McCrory and Duffy were represented by Peter Corrigan of Phoenix Law, who said that the prosecution was doomed from its inception. A case of trying to make the glove fit, he added. Fitzsimons was represented by Philip Breen, who said his client had served 27 months on remand, which has been followed with over seven years of curfew, with police calling continually during curfew hours. The absence of prosecutions raises questions for MI5, the PSNI and the Public Prosecution Service in justifying bringing a case to court based on evidence that unravelled once challenged by experienced defence lawyers. An alleged drug dealer who told his victim he had to pay his sons 30,000 drug debt or the big boys would burn his house down was today ordered to stand trial accused of blackmail. Appearing at Ballymena Magistrates Court by videolink from prison, Reece Carley (22) confirmed that he was aware of the five charges against him and that he had no objection to his case being returned to the Crown Court. Carley, from Adair Manor in Ballymena, faces three charges of blackmail, alleging that he made unwarranted demands with menaces of 10,000 on three occasions, making a threat to damage the complainants home between October 2-6 last year and being concerned in the supply of Class A cocaine between February 1 and October 6 last year. While none of the alleged facts of the case were opened today, a detective previously outlined how police believe Carley is a member of a large organised crime gang involved in drugs and extortion. The officer outlined how the alleged victim contacted police to report that he was being blackmailed by the defendant over a drug debt owed by his son, who is a cocaine addict. The injured party (IP) had previously paid 13,000 of his sons drug debt in July/August by using savings, borrowing from family and taking money from his pension, said the detective, adding that, at the time, he told the defendant that that would be the end of any payments. According to the complainant, however, Carley contacted him on October 1 to say that his son had bought more cocaine and now owed another 10,000, so he confronted his son, who confirmed that the defendant had provided him with 70 grams of cocaine on tick to be paid later. During a phone call from a withheld number but with the alleged victim recognising Carleys voice, the defendant told him he had to pay 10,000. Despite the alleged victim protesting that it was not his debt, Carley told him he had until Friday, October 6 to pay. Ten minutes later he got a further phone call to say that he [Carley] was at his front door, said the officer. He spoke to the defendant at the front door and he [Carley] told him that the big boys wont wait for the money. Carley allegedly told him that the big boys want 7,000, and 3,000 was due to the defendant, claimed the officer, adding that the defendant allegedly threatened: The big boys want paid by Friday or the house is getting burnt. When Friday arrived, Carley was told there was no cash and he allegedly told the complainant he had until Monday to get 4,000 and he was again threatened with the big boys. The IP is terrified of the consequences of not paying the drug debt but felt he had no option but to come to police as he cannot pay it any more, said the detective, explaining that police believe, since cash was handed over before, the victim can be pressurised to beg, borrow or steal more money. Carley was arrested at his home and he refused to answer questions during police interviews. Defence counsel Seamus Macgiollacheara has indicated, however, that the alleged extortionist denies the charges in their entirety. In court today, Mr Macgiollacheara conceded there was a prima facie case against Carley, who declined to comment on the charges or to call evidence on his own behalf. Remanding Carley back into custody, District Judge Nigel Broderick returned the case to Antrim Crown Court for trial and scheduled the arraignment to be heard on April 19. A woman who repeatedly threatened to kill her ex-partner during outbursts at his home faces imprisonment if she offends again, a judge warned today. Elzbieta Wisniewska was given a probation order for screaming threats as she kicked and banged on the property in Belfast. But Judge Liam McStay deferred sentencing the 39-year-old for returning five months later to target the victim again. He told her: If you commit any other offences in all likelihood there will be an immediate prison sentence. Wisniewska, of Saintfield Road in Belfast, was convicted of threats to kill, attempted criminal damage, and persistent improper use of a public electronic communications network. The citys Magistrates Court heard she appeared outside her ex-partners home in the Delaware Street area on September 27 last year and began kicking at the front door. A Crown lawyer said she screamed in the window Im going to kill you. At that time Wisniewska also made a series of abusive 999 calls where she branded operators on the system b****es, according to the prosecution. She was arrested again following a repeat incident at the Delaware Street house on March 1 this year. The victim told police Wisniewska started banging on his door and windows before declaring once again that she was going to kill him. A defence representative said the incidents had been triggered by family concerns. She is a mother-of-two who has been in the jurisdiction for almost 20 years and fully immersed herself in life here in Northern Ireland, the lawyer added. Imposing an 18-month probation order for the earlier offences, Mr McStay deferred sentencing on the later incident for nine months to see if she complies with any requirements. Those are the rules. If you play by them I will play by them, but if you dont then you know whats going to happen, the judge advised Wisniewska. He also granted a two-year restraining order, prohibiting her from entering Delaware Street or contacting her ex-partner. Education Minister Paul Givan gets a lesson in robotics from Mr Lavery at Belfast Model School for Girls Education Minister Paul Givan was presented with a portrait of himself, drawn by 13-year-old pupil Keira Calderwood (left), by principal Paula Stuart and Head Girl Jessica McFadden Education Minister Paul Givan meets with pupils during a visit to Belfast Model School for Girls DUP minister Paul Givan enjoyed a tour of one of educations success stories yesterday at Belfast Model School for Girls. However, that success means pupil numbers have grown, and Principal Paula Stuart reminded Mr Givan of previous financial commitments to extend facilities at the school in order to meet their needs. A new build in 2009 was originally designed to accommodate just over 900 pupils at the controlled non-selective post-primary school for girls. There are now around 1,200 pupils attending. Education Minister Paul Givan gets a lesson in robotics from Mr Lavery at Belfast Model School for Girls We had a development proposal approved by the department in 2018, said Ms Stuart. The biggest pressure we have is on the dining facilities. It wasnt built to cater for 1,200. We had a business case, plans and everything ready to go. Covid and the collapse of the Assembly prevented any further progress. We know we are very lucky, Ms Stuart added. We have a beautiful building. Anyone who visits here can clearly see that. I am aware there are other schools in a much, much worse position than we are, but we still would like the funding that was already agreed to be made available again. We have free school meal entitlement of over 60%. The need is significant. Education Minister Paul Givan was presented with a portrait of himself, drawn by 13-year-old pupil Keira Calderwood (left), by principal Paula Stuart and Head Girl Jessica McFadden Meanwhile at Stormont, Mr Givan said that work on the Strule shared campus in Omagh, Co Tyrone, is at a critical juncture and that the planned project would inform the future direction of education in Northern Ireland over decades. He said the project involving more than 4,000 pupils being taught in six schools with some shared facilities cannot proceed unless previously ring-fenced funding is restored. The cost of the delayed project has increased to more than 340m, and Mr Givan has previously said his department does not have the funds to cover a 170m shortfall. The Strule programme is currently at a critical juncture, he said. After a lengthy procurement process it is shovel-ready with a potential contractor in place and the full business case is being finalised. However, without the return of the previously ring-fenced Fresh Start funding, the Strule programme will not proceed. The Strule programme, unlike the other former Fresh Start projects, is not affordable solely from within the departments conventional capital project budget. Education Minister Paul Givan with principal at Belfast Model School for Girls, Paula Stuart Meanwhile, two of Northern Irelands main teaching unions have voted in favour of accepting a pay offer from Mr Givan, bringing to an end the threat of further industrial action. The offer will see the starting salary for teachers in the region rise to 30,000, equating to a 24.3% increase and making it equal to England. The proposal has been described as a cumulative total of 10.4% plus 1,000 being applied to the other teachers and leadership pay scales. The majority of members of both the NASUWT and NAHT accepted the deal. Results of the ballot of members of NASUWT show 82% of teachers were in favour of accepting the terms of the 2021-24 pay offer as part of the process for securing resolution of their ongoing dispute with the Department of Education. The NASUWT National Action Committee will now consider the results of the survey ahead of the Teachers Negotiating Committee meeting on March 26. Teachers in Northern Ireland have not had a pay increase for three years. Belfast dissident back at helm of Oglaigh na hEireann after prison release Terror chief Carl Reilly celebrated with family and friends after being released from Maghaberry Prison Carl Reilly raises an arm in celebration after being released from prison (photo via Sunday World) Paula Mackin Thu 21 Mar 2024 at 08:00 Carl Reilly has returned to the streets of Belfast and is back at the helm of Oglaigh na hEireann (ONH) after being released from jail. (Photo : Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Lawmakers need to pay legislation to keep the government open. Congressional leaders from both parties looked are trying to get their members to pass a $1.2 trillion spending package before current funding expires at midnight Friday. The money would fund several key government agencies. An official wording of the legislation was revealed Thursday. The spending package includes defense, homeland security, financial services and general government, labor-HHS, the legislative branch, and state-foreign operations. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said the bill includes $1 billion for child care and the Head Start program. The legislation also provides money aimed at combating the flow of fentanyl and strengthens detection and enforcement capabilities at the border. It also authorizes an additional 12,000 Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) for Afghans who assisted the U.S. government during the war in Afghanistan. House Speaker Mike Johnson says he expects the House to vote on the bill on Friday. This is a developing story and will be updated. @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The Indo Daily also nominated Kevin Doyle and Tabitha Monahan on The Indo Daily Podcast. Mediahuis team at Irish Podcast Awards where they won five prizes including best daily for the Indo Daily. Pic: Mark Condren The Belfast Telegraphs BelTel Podcast has been nominated at the prestigious New York Festivals Radio Awards 2024. The podcast was nominated under best Investigative Report for the series Killing Edgar: The IRA murder of lawyer Edgar Graham. In this two-part series, Northern Ireland Editor Sam McBride revisits the life of Edgar Graham, an Ulster unionist politician and law lecturer who would probably have become the leader of unionism. The 29-year-old was shot dead on December 7, 1983, by the IRA at Queen's University in Belfast. Sam McBride said: The podcast took months of work, and navigated legally difficult territory, but some 40 years later it included the vivid recollections of some of those who knew Edgar best and who demonstrably still mourn the passing of a young academic cut down in cold blood because of his political beliefs. Killing Edgar: The IRA murder of Edgar Graham Killing Edgar: The IRA murder of Edgar Graham (Part 1) Meanwhile, Mediahuis Irelands podcast The Indo Daily has also been nominated. The shortlist for this years awards, which honours exceptional radio and podcasts across all platforms worldwide, includes two nominations for The Indo Daily. Kevin Doyle and Tabitha Monahan on The Indo Daily Podcast. The Indo Daily podcast, which takes readers behind the headlines and is produced by the Irish Independent, was nominated under the best News Podcast category. The podcast, which started in 2021, is presented on a rotating basis by Kevin Doyle, Fionnan Sheahan, Tabitha Monahan and Ellen Coyne. The Indo Daily was also nominated for its five-part mini-series Im Not Here To Hurt You under the Serialised Podcast category. This series tells the story of one of Irelands most prolific bank robbers, John OHegarty, dubbed the polite bank robber after he held up at least 15 banks in 2004. John O'Hegarty. Photo: Mark Condren In it, Mr OHegarty tells of how he went from a bachelors degree in philosophy and a masters degree in psychoanalytic studies from Trinity College Dublin to a 12-year prison sentence. Mediahuis Ireland group audio producer Mary Carroll said: To see The Indo Daily shortlisted is a privilege. The podcast is now an integral part of our newsroom offering and Irish Independent journalists have embraced a new way of story-telling. "Were proud of the high-end production values we bring to each episode. The winners will be announced at the Storytellers Gala on April 16. The nomination marks the latest success for the Belfast Telegraph which last week was named Media Outlet of the Year at the CIPR NI Media Awards. Killing Edgar: The IRA murder of Edgar Graham (Part 2) The accolade was one of several collected by Belfast Telegraph and Sunday Life journalists at the event at the MAC Theatre last Friday. The awards, organised by the Northern Ireland group of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR), recognises the crucial role journalists play in informing, engaging and shaping public discourse. Business editor Margaret Canning was named Business Journalist of the Year. Kevin Scott, visuals editor at the Belfast Telegraph and Sunday Life, won the Photographer or Videographer of the Year award. The Belfast Telegraphs Weekend magazine, edited by Aine Toner and Gillian Halliday, picked up the Magazine or Supplement of the Year award. The Belfast Telegraph also won the Best Use of Social Media by a Media Organisation accolade. And Northern Ireland editor Sam McBride won the Best Use of Social Media by a Journalist (Individual) award. Budgie breeder slams disastrous process of bringing birds into NI due to post-Brexit rules Enormous amount of paperwork and quarantine now needed Budgie breeder Sammy Adams. Picture: Aodhan Roberts/Belfast Telegraph. Andrew Madden Thu 21 Mar 2024 at 07:40 A Co Antrim budgie breeder has spoken of the disastrous process he now has to follow when bringing the birds into Northern Ireland from Great Britain due to post-Brexit rules. The coffin of Pearse Mc Cauley enters the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Strabane (Photo: Pacemaker Belfast) A funeral Mass for convicted Garda killer Pearse McCauley has taken place in his hometown of Strabane. The priest told mourners gathered that all of us have sinned greatly and Pearse was no exception, while a tribute from a loved one remembered a man of warmth and passion and hope. The former IRA man was found dead at his home in Co Tyrone on Monday night. His death is not believed to be suspicious, the PSNI said. He will be buried in Strabane Cemetery later today after Requiem Mass in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Strabane, which began at 10am. A funeral notice described him as the father of Pearse and Eoghain, dearly loved son of the late Pearse and Sheila, much-loved brother of Nancy, Siobhan, Patricia, Micheal and the late Fionnuala, Thomas, Seamus and Maura and beloved partner of Mary. Fr Boland said McCauley was born on November 9, 1964, adding: All our journeys begin in a church when we were christened. On that day we were given a status and an identity as Christians which would remain with us forever. Wherever we go in life, and wherever our journey may bring us, we all come back to the place where it all began, at the foot of the alter, bringing with us all the contents and happenings of our lives. All that has shaped us to be the people that we are, to be surrendered in all his detail to the one who gave us life in the first place. This God is a God of mercy and love that has to be preached because all of us have sinned greatly and Pearse was no exception. He added: Let us not forget primarily that Pearse was a father, a brother, a partner and a friend of many. His loss is being felt deeply by those who love him. And a sense of suffering, emptiness and pain that death brings to those who are left behind to mourn is a heavy burden to bear and this family bear it accordingly. You cannot Google away grief, and a computer or some other gadget cannot embrace or comfort you when you weep or when loneliness breaks your heart. Fr Boland told those gathered: The Lord is close to the broken-hearted, and those whose spirits are crushed he will save. A tribute was paid during the Mass, with the mourner saying it was important to look at Pearse the person and not the past. He said those who loved him knew a man of warmth and passion and hope and who cared about oppressed people in the world. His passion and respect for those less fortunate in impoverished and war-torn areas of the world, particularly the plight of Palestinians in Gaza whose suffering saddened him deeply. Incidentally this was one of the many countries that Pearse visited a number of years ago in order to spread his message that he knew of another way forward, in hope that we could all move on from the dark days and live as one. Hope that societal evils affecting many people, particularly our youth and our young, could be eradicated. Pearse McAuley in 1995. Photo: Martin McCullough/PA He was deeply saddened as a result of what he witnessed upon his return to Strabane just less than two years ago, but he never lost hope of change. The individual spoke of McCauleys love for life and almost youthful innocence. A poem was read out and there was applause after the tribute. Sources said it appeared the former Provisional IRA man may have lain dead in his native town of Strabane for a number of days and that he died from natural causes. McCauley, who was almost 60 years old at the time of his death, walked free from prison in 2022 after serving his time for a brutal knife attack on his ex-wife. He stabbed Pauline Tully, now a Sinn Fein TD, 13 times in 2014. McCauley had previously served a sentence for killing Detective Garda Jerry McCabe in 1996, for which he was released from prison in 2009. Sinn Fein stood by Mc Cauley and three other IRA killers after the 1996 death of Det Garda McCabe during an armed robbery. McCauley was jailed for 14 years but was released in 2009 after serving 10. The party claimed he should have been released under the Good Friday Agreement and fought for his early release despite Irish Government opposition. McCauley met Ms Tully when she visited him in jail. They married in 2003 as he was serving his sentence. They have two children. He shot his way out of Brixton Prison in London in 1991 and fled to the Republic. After his release for the McCabe killing, the Crown Prosecution Service said it would not seek his extradition for the escape. The ex-Provo was later disowned by republicans following the attack on his wife. The Queen has met with First Minister Michelle ONeill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly at an event celebrating Northern Ireland literature and her love of reading. It comes on the second day of her stay as she began a series of engagements in Northern Ireland. The event was hosted by The Queens Reading Room at Hillsborough Castle and was named Northern Ireland: Poets and Their Place. Camilla is known to be a supporter of the arts and has a strong interest in highlighting the importance of literature. Watch: Queen meets with First Minister Michelle O'Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly Hosted by distinguished poet, Paul Muldoon, The Queen watched performances from Derry Girls actor Ian McElhinney, actor Frances Tomelty, and contemporary poet Micheal Longley, taking the Queen and guests on a journey from the 18th Century to the present day. After the performances, Her Majesty met performers, and invited guests such as Libraries NI, The Camilla Club (from Kilcooley Womens Centre), and Arts Council Northern Ireland. Queen Camilla meets staff at Coffey's Butchers during a visit to Lisburn Road in Belfast to meet shop owners and staff. Image: Liam McBurney/PA Wire Earlier, the Queen told well-wishers her husband the King was doing very well as she met business owners and staff at Coffeys Butchers, Knotts Bakery, and Arcadia Delicatessen on the bustling Lisburn Road in south Belfast today. The Queen was handed a get well card for her husband, who is undergoing treatment for cancer. There was an emphasis on local produce and favourite foods, with artisan and family producers sharing with the Queen their contributions to the community. Queen Camilla meets the owner of Coffey's Butchers during a visit to Lisburn Road in Belfast to meet shop owners and staff. Image: Liam McBurney/PA Wire Owners and staff from Coffeys Butchers, Knotts Bakery, and Arcadia Delicatessen all met the Queen and showed how traditional skills and methods of working are highly valued by these businesses. They also play an important role in supporting the local community. Coffeys has been operating on the Lisburn Road since 1929, with three generations of the family involved in running the business. The Queen met owner Phillip Armstrong and members of staff, learning how they are dedicated to preserving traditional butchery skills. Camilla was presented with a gift of some local favourites at Coffeys, including vegetable rolls and beer sausages, and responded saying: I shall take these back for my husband, he will make the most of them. Queen Camilla meets staff at Arcadia Deli during a visit to Lisburn Road in Belfast. Image: Liam McBurney/PA Wire In Arcadia, a delicatessen that has been part of the Lisburn Road retail offering since 1933, Her Majesty spoke to the small and dedicated team that sells charcuterie, cheese, and local meats. During her visit to The Arcadia, shop assistant Brenda Robb asked after Charles, and handed her a get well card for him, extending her best wishes. Camilla accepted the card and thanked her, adding: Hes doing very well . he was very disappointed he couldnt come. Responding to quips about men not being the best patients, Camilla said: I try to keep him in order. Queen Camilla meets members of the public during a visit to Lisburn Road in Belfast. Image: Liam McBurney/PA Wire Ms Robb told the PA news agency: She was beautiful, a real lady. She accepted a get well card that I got for her husband and she said she was sorry her husband wasnt here. It was a very appropriate card. It had a wee saying from Belfast, basically rest up, take care, and on the back of it, it said from Ireland. It was picked with love. People say maybe hell not get the card, but I think he will. At Knotts Bakery, The Queen learned how a team of skilled bakers continues to use traditional Ulster baking methods with no machinery involved. In 2022, The Corrie Family, a third-generation family of butchers and farmers purchased the business, which now employs 120 people. While there she met owner William Corrie, as well as his wife, former Miss Northern Ireland and Blue Peter presenter Zoe Salmon, and their one-year-old son Fitz. Queen Camilla meets the owner of Knotts Bakery, William Corrie, his wife Zoe Salmon and their son Fitz during a visit to Lisburn Road in Belfast. Image: Liam McBurney/PA Wire The Queen chuckled as a joke was made that the young boy, dressed in a tux, had stolen her thunder, and smiled down at him. She left Knotts with a gift of their fruit loaf and iced madeira cake, adding she hoped to snack on it later. Zoe Salmon, son Fitz, and her husband meet the Queen in Belfast One of the people accompanying Camilla in the city was Lord Lieutenant of Belfast Dame Fionnuala Mary Jay-O'Boyle. Camilla arrived on Wednesday evening and was greeted by staff at the royal residence Hillsborough Castle in Co Down as well as Lord Lieutenant for County Down, Gawn Rowan Hamilton. Queen Camilla meets members of the public during a visit to Lisburn Road in Belfast to meet shop owners and staff. Image: Liam McBurney/PA Wire A bugler from the Hillsborough Fort Guard played as Camilla arrived at Hillsborough Castle. The Queen last visited Northern Ireland in May 2023 with the King on their first visit since the coronation. This time Camilla travelled without her husband, who has stepped back from his public duties while he is treated for cancer. An Assistant Chief Constable has warned that Northern Ireland is in danger of having neighbourhood policing in name only after inspectors revealed that up to three-quarters of community officers are being shifted to other duties in some areas. Criminal Justice Inspection NIs review of Community Safety and Local Policing arrangements described Neighbourhood Policing abstraction levels where officers are moved to other duties as concerning. Total officer numbers are currently around 6,400 much lower than the 7,500 recommended in the Patten report. Late last year, Chief Constable Jon Boutcher warned that the consequences of that would mean a significant reduction in neighbourhood policing patrol hours. The number of Neighbourhood Policing Team officers has fallen from 905 in March 2015 to 583 last December. The Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice, Jacqui Durkin, said inspectors were impressed by the dedicated, hardworking and passionate Neighbourhood Officers they met. Community groups and representatives spoke highly about Neighbourhood Officers noting that they were visible, accessible, responsive and community focused, she added. However, there were indications that this had started to reduce as officer numbers fell. She also noted how in December, Neighbourhood Officers spotted suspicious activity and apprehended a 10m drug haul in Co Armagh reported to have been the biggest PSNI cocaine seizure ever. But the report revealed that across the North Area the abstraction rate was reported as between 20% to 30%, a rate of more than 50% had been recorded within the South Area, alongside a rate of between 50% and 75% in the Causeway Coast and Glens District. NPT officers provided anecdotal evidence of having had only one or two full days dedicated to their NPT role within the previous four weeks, inspectors said. Neighbourhood Officers reported on being withdrawn from core duties for a range of reasons, including policing events or parades in areas outside their own areas, explosives escort for mining companies, or backfilling LPTs (Local Policing Teams) when minimum strength could not be achieved, often as a driver which had become more common as the overtime budget reduced. They also filled in as detention officers when gaps in police custody appeared. Neighbourhood Officers told inspectors that the apparent ease with which they were pulled from their core role had resulted in a lack of respect for neighbourhood policing. Inspectors asked for data on the level of abstraction across the PSNI, but this could not be provided. Their report called for a review and update of the current Abstraction Policy. Assistant Chief Constable for Local Policing Bobby Singleton said he was not surprised by the findings. He said the report was both very timely and very helpful as we work through the current budgetary challenges facing policing. What a future policing budget looks like going forward will of course determine how much neighbourhood policing we can deliver and we are now in danger of having neighbourhood policing in name only, he said. Our Neighbourhood Delivery Board has already commenced work to look at the recommendations and will seek to address all of them within the timescales. Simon Harris has emerged as the clear frontrunner to become TaoiseachJustice Minister Helen McEntee has ruled herself out of the race Higher Education Minister Simon Harris has secured sufficient support from the Fine Gael parliamentary party to secure a nomination to contest an election to replace Leo Varadkar. Justice Minister Helen McEntee on Thursday morning ruled herself out of the race, but other likely contenders Paschal Donohoe and Heather Humphreys have yet to declare their intentions. Mr Harris passed the threshold of six parliamentary party members before 9am on Thursday morning - before nominations formally open at 10am - after public declarations of support from Minister Neale Richmond, TD Emer Higgins, Senators Barry Ward, Martin Conway, John McGahon, Tim Lombard and MEP Maria Walsh. Minister for Justice Helen McEntee (left) and Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris were among those tipped to succeed Leo Varadkar (centre) (Brian Lawless/PA) Outgoing MEP Frances Fitzgerald and Sligo TD Frank Feighan have also endorsed Mr Harris. Justice Minister McEntee ruled herself out of the leadership race on Thursday morning. Speaking on LMFM, she said she will support "whoever puts themselves forward". She said she made the decision "a year or two ago" that she would not be contesting any leadership race. Dublin Mid-West TD Emer Higgins has also declared she is backing Mr Harris. Ms Higgins told the Irish Independent: In 2010, I shared an office with Simon, and 13 years ago, I knew he had what it takes to be Taoiseach and I told him some he'd be Taoiseach. That moment has arrived. I've seen his dedication and hard work up close, I'm confident in his ability to lead our party and our country with energy and instinct. Mr Harris is expected to secure further endorsements throughout Thursday. He is expected to formally declare his ambition to succeed Leo Varadkar as Fine Gael leader and Taoiseach later in the day. Mr Harris will be backed by a series of Fine Gael figures this morning as he aims to lock down the party leadership for which he is now the clear frontrunner. The Higher Education Minister will seek to replicate the campaign tactic of Leo Varadkar when he became leader. Neale Richmond was the first out of the blocks and it is understood junior minister Peter Burke will also lend his support. Fine Gael MEP and former deputy leader Frances Fitzgerald will back her former protege later this morning. Senators Martin Conway and Tim Lombard will also be backing Mr Harris. Mr Harris will announce his intention to run for the leadership later this morning. Watch: Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announces his resignation Mr Harris has emerged as the clear frontrunner to become Taoiseach next month after Leo Varadkar rocked the Coalition by resigning in a bid to salvage Fine Gaels electoral prospects. Mr Varadkar quit after determining Fine Gael was facing damaging seat losses under his leadership in Junes local and European elections - an outcome that could have precipitated a move against him. "I couldn't find anyone to stab me in the back, so I fell on my sword instead, Mr Varadkar told an emotional Fine Gael parliamentary meeting last night as he thanked TDs and senators for their support. Mr Harris is now the clear favourite to succeed him, with well-placed sources telling the Irish Independent that as many as 20 of the 54 members of the Fine Gael parliamentary party have already pledged their support to the Higher Education Minister. Enterprise Minister Simon Coveney ruled himself out last night but Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe was remaining tight-lipped. His withdrawal from a planned appearance on RTE News fuelled speculation he is considering contesting against Mr Harris amid suggestions some TDs were urging him to do so. Mr Varadkar said he had been considering his future since Christmas but firmly decided to step down only at the weekend. He shocked the two other Coalition leaders and some ministerial colleagues when he informed them of his plans on Tuesday night. After seven years in office, I am no longer the best person for that job, a visibly emotional Mr Varadkar said at a dramatic midday press conference in Government Buildings. Cabinet colleagues believe Mr Varadkars decision was crystallised by the two referendum defeats nearly a fortnight ago, the slew of Fine Gael TDs retiring at the next election, and the prospect of more damaging electoral losses in June all of which may have led to a heave against him in advance of the next general election. There was also a view among Government figures that Mr Varadkar had not embraced his second spell as Taoiseach with as much enthusiasm as his first term. He seemed slightly distracted and just not energised by it, a Cabinet minister said. A source close to the Taoiseach said last night: The principal motivation for the timing was to have a new leader in place for the ard fheis to set out their stall. Once hed made up his mind, he was determined to go ahead with it. Mr Varadkar said his reasons were both personal and political and later told reporters he had been weighing up stepping down since the Christmas and New Year period but had definitively decided to resign only last weekend as he concluded his St Patricks Day trip to the US. He ruled himself out of becoming the next European Commissioner and said he had not decided whether to run again in Dublin West. It is widely expected he will step down from the Dail at the next general election. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is applauded by cabinet colleagues after his speech announcing his resignation at Government Buildings. Photo: PA Fine Gael will install a new leader in advance of its ard fheis on April 6 and that person will be expected to become Taoiseach early the following week, with Mr Harris the clear frontrunner. However, the Wicklow TD was remaining silent as were most other potential leadership contenders. Mr Coveney ruled himself out, telling RTE News: "I got my chance and wasn't successful the last time." A senior figure in Fine Gael said: Paschal and Coveney had a conclave and decided only one or other of them will run. They know Harris is the man to beat. Mr Coveneys allies denied this, but Mr Donohoes supporters remained largely silent. A source close to Mr Donohoe said he was focused on his existing role as Public Expenditure Minister and Eurogroup chair. Mr Donohoe had been due to appear on RTEs Six One News but withdrew at short notice. An ally insisted that there was nothing to it and that something came up. There was no comment from Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys. Junior finance minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has also been mentioned as an outside possibility, although one source suggested she could become deputy leader. Tanaiste Micheal Martin and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan were blindsided on Tuesday night when Mr Varadkar told them of his decision, with Mr Martin admitting he was very surprised. Both party leaders said they wanted the Coalition to run the full term to March next year despite the change of leader in Fine Gael, which is likely to fuel speculation of an earlier election. The news sent shockwaves throughout the Government on Wednesday morning with Fianna Fail and Green Party ministerial advisers in the dark as Fine Gael scrambled to plan the announcement. Sinn Fein called for an immediate general election a view echoed by the Social Democrats, Labour and other Opposition politicians. What I saw was not from this earth: The Irish people who claim to have seen UFOs and the expert who is not surprised For decades, those who claimed to have seen UFOs were met with reactions ranging from scepticism to ridicule. But now scientists and governments worldwide are beginning serious investigations into reports of contact with extraterrestrial craft. Here, we meet the expert leading this research in Ireland as well as some people from across the country who have had their own close encounters What I saw was not from this earth Meet the Irish people who claim to have seen UFOs and the expert who is not surprised Chrissie Russell Thu 21 Mar 2024 at 09:40 At about 3.20am on a cold winters evening on Friday in November 2009, security guard Jimmy Louth stepped out of his prefab office for a cigarette. He worked 12-hour shifts from 7pm to 7am, every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, watching the security cameras at a factory, not far from Blackrock, Co Louth, monitoring CCTV of the front and back gates and doors to the premises. Cocoa pods on display during the Chocolate Show at Olympias National Hall, London as cocoa prices have soar in recent days (Nick Ansell/PA) The price of cocoa has soared ahead of Easter as the impacts of climate chance are worsened by conditions from the El Nino phenomenon, according to research. The Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU), an environmental non-profit, has set out how the combination of climate change and El Nino conditions have contributed to driving up cocoa prices ahead of the chocolate-heavy holiday on March 31. The price of cocoa beans hit a record high of more than 8,200 dollars (approximately 6,500) per tonne this week up from 2,600 dollars compared to this time last year. It comes as the worlds largest cocoa exporters Ivory Coast and Ghana have been hit by extreme weather in recent months. According to an analysis from the World Weather Attribution released on Thursday, climate change made the February heatwave in West Africa ten times more likely. Ivory Coast and Ghana saw heavy rains in December 2023, with total precipitation more than double the 30-year average for the time of year, which affected yields due to issues like cocoa plants rotting with black pod disease. The wet conditions were then followed by droughts typical of El Nino conditions in February, which further decimated yields due to cocoa being a drought-sensitive crop, the ECIU said. In a report released on Thursday, the ECIU noted that the impacts of this volatile weather has fed through to international commodity prices. Almost all cocoa globally 99.9% is grown in countries that are the most vulnerable and least well prepared to cope with worsening climate impacts, the ECIU said, citing data from the UNs Food and Agriculture Organisation. El Nino conditions have contributed to driving up cocoa prices ahead of the chocolate-heavy holiday on March 31 (Alamy/PA) It also synthesised UK Government trade data and University of Notre Dames Global Adaptation Index, finding that 58 million kilograms of cocoa beans worth 127m were imported to the UK directly from these countries, with 85% of all the UKs cocoa beans coming from Ivory Coast alone. Amber Sawyer, an ECIU analyst said farmers will need more support to protect their livelihoods and to keep the flow of cocoa beans as well as other commodities like tea, bananas and rice coming to the UK. Farmers in West Africa who grow the main ingredient, cocoa beans, of the Easter eggs many of us are looking forward to are struggling in the face of both extreme heat and extremes in rainfall, she said. Wealthy nations like the UK can provide financial and technical support to developing countries to help their farmers better cope with these extremes. Ultimately, if were to stop these extremes getting ever worse, we have to reach net zero emissions. Meanwhile, Ben Clarke, research assistant on analysis and interpretation of Climate Data for Extreme Weather at the Grantham Institute, Imperial College London, said: El Nino years often lead to challenges for farmers through changing patterns of weather. Increasingly, climate change, driven by fossil fuel use, is multiplying this natural challenge in many regions. It fuels more extreme conditions, devastates harvests, and makes food costs higher for all. Jon Walker, Fairtrades senior advisor for cocoa, said: While high prices may seem like a windfall for farmers, once they eventually filter through to the farmgate, the underlying causes are worrying. Higher prices offset by lower productivity simply perpetuates the income insecurity that keeps farmers trapped in poverty and threatens the future of cocoa. It remains to be seen if supply will bounce back, or whether the current trend will be longer-lasting. To make progress on environmental and living income goals, stable minimum prices and long-term contracts between buyers and cocoa producers are necessary. El Nino, which is a cyclical natural phenomenon in the tropical eastern Pacific which brings heat to the surface, can add an extra warming effect to the atmosphere and oceans on top of that from global greenhouse gas emissions, which continue to rise. The ECIU report warned that the combination is threatening other staple foods imported to the UK from affected countries, including rice from India, coffee from Vietnam, tea from Kenya, grapes from South Africa, bananas from Colombia and limes from Brazil. Bid to smear new HK security law criticized 10:11, March 21, 2024 By Atlas Shao ( Chinadaily.com.cn The Legislative Council (LegCo) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) passes the safeguarding national security bill in a unanimous vote during the third reading in Hong Kong, March 19, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] Officials strongly condemned some Western politicians on Wednesday for criticizing Hong Kong's new national security law, saying the attacks cannot stop the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region from achieving greater success. The SAR will enforce the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance on Saturday after it was unanimously cleared by the Legislative Council on Tuesday. The law has been created to prevent and punish five types of acts endangering national security, including treason, theft of state secrets and espionage. Some Western politicians have been critical of the ordinance, claiming that it will undermine Hong Kong's freedom. Among those who have been critical are David Cameron, the foreign secretary of the United Kingdom and Josep Borrell, high representative for foreign affairs and security policy of the European Union. The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Wednesday said it is firmly opposed to some countries and organizations denigrating and smearing the SAR's national security ordinance. At the Foreign Ministry's regular news conference, spokesman Lin Jian said the ordinance is a milestone in the development of "one country, two systems" in Hong Kong. It helps the city fulfill its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding national security, and further strengthens the security foundation for Hong Kong's development, Lin said. Lin stressed that any attack and smear on the ordinance is destined to be in vain. In a strongly worded statement issued on Wednesday, a spokesperson for the Commissioner's Office of the Foreign Ministry in Hong Kong refuted Cameron's remarks, emphasizing the new security law, legislated under Article 23 of the Basic Law, will not affect Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy, and will fully protect the normal activities of foreign institutions and personnel in the SAR. The spokesperson noted that the Sino-British Joint Declaration does not give the UK any right to interfere in Hong Kong affairs after the city's return to the motherland in 1997. He urged the British politicians to give up the illusion of continuing to peddle colonial influence in the city, and stop interfering in the internal affairs of China and the SAR. In a separate statement, the commissioner's office urged the EU to face up to Hong Kong people's broad support for the legislation, saying the ordinance is set to provide strong legal protection for the city's high-quality development and opening-up, better safeguard the properties of local residents, boost the confidence of local and overseas investors, and create a safer, and a more convenient and efficient business environment. The HKSAR government too on Wednesday condemned some Western countries, organizations and politicians for continuously making slanderous, highly misleading and false statements on the ordinance. A spokesperson for the SAR government emphasized that the ordinance was broadly supported by various sectors in Hong Kong, helping the city effectively prevent, stop and punish acts that endanger national security. Chris Tang Ping-keung, the secretary for security, said that only those who want to undermine the city do not want Hong Kong to have a law to protect national security. Experts familiar with Hong Kong affairs also criticized the smear campaign. Grenville Cross, senior counsel and former director of public prosecutions of the Hong Kong SAR, said some Western politicians only view the ordinance as a stick to beat Hong Kong with. He pointed out that the primary allegation is that it threatened human rights. On the contrary, Cross said the ordinance spares no effort to protect human rights, which goes further than any law in other common law jurisdictions such as Australia, Canada, the UK and the United States. British political and international relations analyst Tom Fowdy said that there is a persistent view that the city cannot make national security laws but only accept Western backed political interference. Fowdy called the view "nonsensical", saying that only those who have attempted to weaponize the city against China violate the city's long-standing strengths. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) (Photo : Riverside Police Department) Pastor Samuel Pasillas is accused of hiring hitmen to kill a man dating his daughter Police have arrested a Southern California church pastor for an alleged murder-for-hire plot that targeted a man who dated his daughter. The Riverside Police Department says an investigation began after a shooting five months ago. On October 21, 2023, Riverside Police Officers responded to a hospital regarding a person who just driven himself to the emergency room suffering from gunshot wounds. The shooting occurred around 7:00 p.m. in the Orangecrest neighborhood of Riverside. The victim, who apparently survived the ambush, said he was driving on Grove Community Drive when another vehicle pulled up alongside him. Someone in the car opened fire and hit him several times. He drove himself to the hospital and was treated for his injuries. Detectives say they learned it was a murder-for-hire shooting. The victim had been dating a woman whose father is a pastor for a Spanish-speaking church in the city of Victorville. The father was identified as 47-year-old Samuel Pasillas of Victorville. During their investigation, detectives uncovered evidence the father met with the men he hired and provided them with information about the victim, including his location the evening of the shooting. Detectives say Pasillas paid the men almost $40,000 to carry out the job. The men had allegedly conducted surveillance on the victim in the weeks leading up to when they shot him. Police served search warrants on Pasillas' home on Wednesday and arrested him. He was booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center for solicitation for murder, conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder, and assault with a deadly weapon. He is currently being held on $1 million bail. Juan Manuel Cebreros, 55, of Long Beach, was arrested for conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder, and assault with a deadly weapon. He is also being held on $1 million bail. Police say the investigation is continuing. @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt put blame for the latest delays to the Rwanda Bill firmly at the door or Labour (PA) Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt said she blames Labour not the House of Lords for delays to the Rwanda Bill, as the parliamentary stand-off persists. Meanwhile, Labour has accused the Government of pushing back the legislation until after Easter because it is not ready to implement the scheme. The plan to send some asylum seekers on a one-way ticket to Kigali was dealt another blow when peers inflicted a further series of defeats to the draft law on Wednesday. MPs had rejected a raft of changes made to the draft legislation by the Lords earlier this week and ministers urged the unelected chamber to help get it on to the statute books, but peers have again pressed their demands for revisions. The second round of Lords amendments to the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill, which includes overturning the bid to oust the courts from the process, will be considered on April 15. If the parliamentary ping pong persists and the Lords make any further changes to the Bill after April 15, time has been set aside on April 17 for the Commons to consider them. During business questions, shadow Commons leader Lucy Powell said: The Rwanda ping pong wont be until after Easter, so why if its such an emergency has she yet again delayed programming this legislation? She delayed committee stage over Christmas because of disquiet on their side, now shes pushed back further Lords amendments until after Easter. I know she will want to blame the Lords but its her timetable and it keeps getting stretched. Is it because the costs just keep going up and up and the scheme is unworkable? The truth is, if they were ready to implement this scheme, we would see the Bill back here next week. This is their timetable, its their delay, no-one elses. Ms Mordaunt replied: I have no wish to blame their Lordships in the delay in this Bill, let me be very clear: I wish to blame Labour for this delay. Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt blamed Labour for delays to the Rwanda Bill (Victoria Jones/PA Images) For all Labours talk of being tough on borders, they have voted against our plans to do that 111 times and they have voted 98 times against our measures to stop the boats. James Cleverly also sought to blame Labour for the latest setback, claiming the Opposition and their allies want to delay, disrupt or destroy the plan. The Home Secretary added: People are risking their lives in the hands of people who dont care if they die as long as they pay. The talking needs to end so we can get on with the job of saving lives and stopping the boats. But Mr Cleverlys opposite number Yvette Cooper said the Tories would be bringing the Bill back next week to get on with it if they were serious about implementing their plan. The half-a-billion pound Rwanda scheme is a failing farce, which will only cover less than 1% of asylum arrivals, she said. It is clearer than ever that Rishi Sunak knows this plan wont work and only sees it as a political gimmick to get what the former immigration minister described as symbolic flights off just before an election. If the Conservatives were ready to implement this, they would be bringing the Bill back to complete the remaining stages next week and get on with it. Home Secretary James Cleverly also sought to blame Labour for the latest setback (Jordan Pettitt/PA) But because their plans arent ready, theyve decided to delay the Bill as well, so they can try to blame everyone else for the chaos they have created, and the fact that they havent got a proper plan. The latest setbacks means a continuation of the Westminster stand-off known as parliamentary ping pong, where the Houses bat one anothers proposed changes to draft legislation back and forth. As such there is little chance of the Bill clearing Parliament before MPs leave Westminster for the Easter break next Tuesday. The Bill and a treaty with Rwanda are intended to prevent further legal challenges to the stalled asylum 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. But the Lords have again insisted on an amendment to restore the jurisdiction of domestic courts in relation to the safety of Rwanda and enable them to intervene. Peers also renewed their demand for the Bill to have due regard for domestic and international law, and that Rwanda can only be declared safe when the protections in the treaty are fully implemented and while they remain in place. Other changes included moves to reduce the risk of unaccompanied children being sent to Rwanda and a block on the removal of victims of modern slavery and human trafficking, as well as those who worked with the UK military or government overseas, such as Afghan interpreters. Paola Marra died at the Dignitas clinic in Switzerland, having fought breast and bowel cancer (Rankin/PA) A cancer sufferer who felt she had no choice but to travel to Dignitas left a message for politicians in the wake of her death, pleading for a change to the UKs current cruel law which criminalises assisted dying. Paola Marra died at the Swiss clinic on Wednesday, having fought breast and bowel cancer. The 53-year-old former music industry and charity sector worker teamed up with renowned photographer Rankin beforehand to speak out about assisted dying. In a film released on Thursday, she said: When you watch this, I will be dead. Im choosing to seek assisted dying because I refuse to let a terminal illness dictate the terms of my existence. The pain and suffering can become unbearable. Its a slow erosion of dignity, the loss of independence, the stripping away of everything that makes life worth living. Assisted dying is not about giving up. In fact, its about reclaiming control. Its not about death, its about dignity. Its about giving people the right to end their suffering on their own terms, with compassion and respect. So, as you watch this, I am dead. But you watching this could help change the laws around assisted dying. In an accompanying open letter to party leaders at Westminster, Ms Marra said that, due to the current law, she had to travel to Dignitas alone because she did not want her loved ones to be questioned by the police or get into trouble. Paola Marra left a message for politicians, pleading for a change to the UKs current cruel law criminalising assisted dying (Rankin/PA) The Canadian, who had lived in London for more than 30 years, wrote: I resent that I dont have a choice. I think its unfair and cruel. And for so many dying people who cant afford to pay an average of 15,000 to travel to Dignitas, this cruel law will force them to endure a painful death, or drive them to take their own lives. Rankin said he met Ms Marra on a project over Christmas and had been floored by her story. He said: I felt like I wanted to show somebody who wasnt suicidal. She wasnt depressed, she wasnt unhappy, she wasnt somebody that didnt love her life. She really loved her life and she really wanted her life to mean something. There is a wider purpose to (the film) The Last Request. In doing these photos and this film we wanted to highlight the need to change the legislation around end-of-life care. Earlier this month Sir Keir Starmer said he is committed to allowing a vote on legalising assisted dying should Labour win the general election. The party leader made the pledge to campaigner Dame Esther Rantzen, whose revelation that she had joined Dignitas as she lives with stage four cancer has put the subject under the spotlight in recent months. But Dame Esthers daughter, Rebecca Wilcox, said Sir Keirs commitment would be too late for thousands of people who are suffering today and has urged Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to have a vote now. Dame Esther Rantzen revealed she has joined Dignitas as she lives with stage four cancer (PA) Number 10 has previously said it would be up to Parliament whether or not to again debate legalising assisted dying. In February, a report by MPs warned that the Government must consider what to do if the law is changed in part of the UK or in the Isle of Man or Jersey. The Health and Social Care Committee said legalisation in at least one jurisdiction is looking increasingly likely and suggested the Government must be actively involved in discussions about how to approach differences in the law. Assisted suicide is banned in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, with a maximum prison sentence of 14 years. In Scotland, it is not a specific criminal offence but assisting the death of someone can leave a person open to murder or other charges. A Bill put forward by Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur to make assisted dying legal in Scotland is expected to come before Holyrood in the coming weeks. Rohingya refugees stand on their capsized boat as rescuers throw a rope to rescue them in the waters off West Aceh, Indonesia (Reza Saifullah/AP) An Indonesian search and rescue ship on Thursday located a capsized wooden boat that had been carrying dozens of Rohingya Muslim refugees and began pulling survivors who had been standing on its hull to safety. An AP photographer aboard the rescue ship said 10 people had been taken aboard local fishing boats, and the Indonesian craft was saving another 59. Men, women and children, weak and soaked from the nights rain, wept as the rescue operation got underway, and people were taken aboard a rubber dinghy to the rescue boat. It was unclear how many refugees were aboard the small craft when it capsized off Indonesias northernmost coast on Wednesday, with six survivors initially rescued by local fishermen estimated between 60 and 100 people. Rohingya refugees rescued from their capsized boat sit in a National Search and Rescue Agency boat (Reza Saifullah, AP) It was unclear whether all managed to cling to the capsized craft overnight or whether some had drowned. Indonesias search and rescue team only left Banda Aceh city in the evening on Wednesday, many hours after the boat capsized. They initially had difficulty locating the boat in the choppy waters off the coast. It finally found the boat and the survivors about midday on Thursday. Amiruddin, a tribal fishing community leader in Aceh Barat district, said those rescued indicated that the boat was sailing east when it started leaking. Then, strong currents pushed it toward the west of Aceh. The six said others were still trying to survive on the capsized craft. About 740,000 Rohingya were resettled in Bangladesh to escape the brutal counterinsurgency campaign by security forces in their homeland of Myanmar. Thousands have been trying to flee overcrowded camps in Bangladesh to neighbouring countries, with Indonesia seeing a spike in refugee numbers since November, which prompted it to call on the international community for help. Rohingya arriving in Aceh face some hostility from some fellow Muslims. The wooden boat carrying dozens of Rohingya Muslims capsized off Indonesias northernmost coast on Wednesday, according to local fishermen (Reza Saifullah, AP) Indonesia, like Thailand and Malaysia, is not a signatory to the United Nations 1951 Refugee Convention outlining their legal protections, and so is not obligated to accept them. However, they have so far provided temporary shelter to refugees in distress. Last year, nearly 4,500 Rohingya two-thirds of them women and children fled their homeland of Myanmar and the refugee camps in neighbouring Bangladesh by boat, the United Nations refugee agency reported. Of those, 569 died or went missing while crossing the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea, the highest death toll since 2014. Returning safely to Myanmar is virtually impossible because the military that attacked them overthrew Myanmars democratically elected government in 2021. No country has offered them any large-scale resettlement opportunities. Some Rohingya are seen after they were arrested while attempting to flee the country by boat from Kalegauk Island in the Andaman Sea, Ye township, Mon state, Myanmar, March 19, 2024. The Myanmar juntas navy arrested around 80 Rohingya attempting to flee the country by boat, residents who witnessed the event told Radio Free Asia (RFA), a BenarNews affiliate, on Thursday. Officials arrested the group on Tuesday morning in Myanmars coastal Mon state. The boat was intercepted off the shores of Ye townships Kaleguak Island in the Andaman Sea. Mon states junta spokesperson Aung Myat Kyaw Sein told RFA that although Mons administration was made aware of the arrest, other details had yet to be confirmed. The estimated number is about 80, but we do not know the genders yet, he said, adding that unspecified official processes still need to be carried out. The arrested Rohingya will be treated well and authorities will follow official procedures, he said. RFA was able to confirm the group traveled on a boat named Zwel Khit San, but could not identify where the group traveled from or where it intended to go. Many Rohingya who had remained in Rakhine state after being targeted in a genocide by the Myanmar military in 2017 fled to Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia following the countrys 2021 coup. In October and November 2023, junta troops arrested more than 200 Rohingya escaping to nearby countries by boat, citing job scarcity, unemployment and increasing restrictions placed on the ethnic minority. The junta announced on Feb. 10 that it would implement Myanmars military service law, under which Burmese men aged 18-35 and women aged 18-27, who face up to five years in prison if they refuse to serve for two years. Videos originating from Rakhine states west this month showed Rohingya undergoing military training. Troops have also preyed on Rohingya in internally displaced peoples camps, offering them freedom of movement in exchange for bolstering the juntas numbers. Mon state residents said that junta forces arrested 117 Rohingya on a rubber farm in Thanbyuzayat townships War Kha Yu village in January, but the reason is still unknown. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees reported on Jan. 23 that during 2023, at least 569 Rohingya died and went missing after leaving Myanmar and refugee camps in Bangladesh. Foreign fishing ships that have been captured and sunk are visible in this aerial photo in Natuna waters near Lagong island in Riau Islands province, Indonesia, Sept. 23, 2023. A majority of Indonesians perceive Chinas activities in the South China Sea as a threat to their countrys sovereignty, with nearly half favoring a defense alliance with Southeast Asian nations to strengthen its position, a new survey has revealed. Most respondents believe that Beijings actions in the waterway also threaten member-states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), according to the survey released this week that was conducted by Indonesia Strategic and Defence Studies (ISDS) and Kompas Research and Development. The Indonesian public does not like the aggressiveness of Chinese ships which are pushing into Indonesian territory, ISDS co-founder Erik Purnama Putra told BenarNews. Some 73% of respondents viewed Chinas presence in the South China Sea as a menace to Indonesian sovereignty, while even more 79% perceived Beijing as a threat to ASEAN nations. This sentiment is strongest among people aged 27-42, the study found. The poll indicated that Indonesians prefer ASEAN as the best partner for defending their territory, and a defensive alliance with these nations as the best bet for security. The United States was the most preferred non-ASEAN partner, the survey suggested. The poll results show that generally people think that the conflict in the South China Sea is a matter of territorial sovereignty, Dimas Okto Danamasi of Kompas Research told an online press conference in Jakarta on Tuesday, when the survey was released. The survey was held to measure the extent of public awareness regarding state sovereignty in four forms, namely political, economic, cultural and territorial sovereignty, Dima, a researcher at Kompas Research, said. A China Coast Guard vessel (above) shadows the Philippines BRP Datu Tamblot during a mission to assist fishermen at the Scarborough Shoal in the disputed South China Sea,, Feb. 15, 2024. [Jam Sta Rosa/AFP] The ISDS-Kompas Research survey polled 312 respondents between the ages of 17 and 60 in five cities Medan, Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Surabaya, and Makassar. The South China Sea remains a major source of friction among several territorial claimants. Beijings assertive actions have also alarmed the United States. China claims nearly the entire South China Sea, including waters within the exclusive economic zones (EEZs) of Taiwan and ASEAN member-states Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam. While Indonesia does not regard itself as a party to the dispute, its EEZ overlaps with Chinas expansive nine-dash line. Beijing claims historic rights to parts of that sea overlapping Indonesias EEZ in and around the Natunas. Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia have accused China of disrupting their oil and gas exploration activities. And the Philippines has expressed concern over recent encounters near Second Thomas Shoal (Ayungin Shoal) and Scarborough Shoal, which both lie within its EEZ. A fisherman unloads his catch from his boat at Baruk Bay port, at Sepempang village on Natuna island, in Indonesia's Riau Islands province Sept. 23, 2023. [Bay Ismoyo/AFP] An agreement to prevent such skirmishes from developing into a full-blown conflict in the making since 2002 will hopefully be completed by 2025, said Hadi Tjahjanto, coordinating minister for political, legal and security affairs. Negotiations between ASEAN and China for this agreement, a code of conduct (COC) for the South China Sea, resumed last year when Indonesia held the rotating chair of ASEAN. China is a strategic comprehensive partner for Indonesia and ASEAN which has a central role in regional peace and stability, Hadi said. We all hope that the COC can become an effective document, substantive, and actionable to avoid escalation and at the same time increase mutual trust and mutual confidence between countries with interests in the South China Sea, he added. There also needs to be increased collaboration among ASEAN coast guards, Vice Admiral Irvansyah, leader of Indonesias Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla), said at the online press conference. The situation in the South China Sea requires civil order management, rather than a military emergency response, he said. Diplomacy is the key Erik, the ISDS co-founder, advocated for a united ASEAN front and stressed the need for closer coordination among maritime security stakeholders, including the military and Bakamla, to make patrols more efficient and effective. As a non-aligned country, Indonesia cannot form military alliances, but instead [it] seeks as many friends as possible to solve common problems, he said. Agus Widjojo, Indonesian ambassador to the Philippines, said he was confident that diplomatic strategies and leveraging national power would be central to resolving the sea dispute. And here, he highlighted Indonesias potential influence as a major Southeast Asian power. Diplomacy is the key to resolving the South China Sea conflict, as no nation stands to gain from its escalation, he said. Indonesian presidential candidate Anies Baswedan (right) and his vice-presidential running mate Muhaimin Iskandar hold a press conference in Jakarta on March 21, 2024, after the election commission announced Prabowo Subianto the winner of last months vote. Losing Indonesian presidential candidate Anies Baswedan on Thursday filed a complaint at the Constitutional Court challenging last months election result, alleging that the inclusion of Joko Jokowi Widodos son as a vice-presidential contender influenced the fairness of the vote. The lawsuit comes a day after election officials declared that Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, who ran alongside Jokowis son Gibran Rakabuming Raka, secured 58.61% of the vote on Feb.14 far outpacing his rivals. Former Jakarta Gov. Baswedan received 24.9% and former Central Java Gov. Ganjar Pranowo won 16.5%. If this is accepted as a strong argument by the Constitutional Court, we hope for a re-vote without [Prabowos] vice-presidential candidate participating, said Ari Yusuf Amin, the head of Anies legal team. Allegations of nepotism surfaced following a contentious Constitutional Court ruling that changed eligibility rules to allow Gibran to become Prabowos running mate. The courts chief justice at the time, Anwar Usman, is Jokowis brother-in-law and he was later found guilty of ethical violations. Our submission highlights the problematic nature of the vice-presidential nomination process, Ari said. The issues began from the outset and escalated significantly, especially since the candidate in question is the presidents son, leading to far-reaching consequences. We call for a battle that is conducted with integrity, fairness and freedom, he added. Anies campaign has previously alleged that the election was marred by fraud and favoritism toward Prabowo, whose campaign was bolstered by the implicit support of the still immensely popular Jokowi. The outgoing president did not publicly endorse any candidate to replace him, but critics alleged that his administration had tampered with government materials and influenced the judiciary to ensure a victory for Prabowo and Gibran. The legal team of Indonesian presidential candidate Anies Baswedan files a petition over the result of the Feb. 14 election, which was decisively won by Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, at the Constitutional Court in Jakarta, March 21, 2024. [Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP] Anies, speaking before the lawsuit was filed, emphasized the importance of a fair electoral process. The process and the outcome are equally important. A proper process will yield a proper outcome, he told reporters at his campaign headquarters in Jakarta. Two watchdog groups have labeled the election as the worst since Indonesias transition to democracy 25 years ago, citing issues with campaign finance and electoral fraud. Hundreds of Indonesians took to the streets of Jakarta this week to call for Jokowis ouster for allegedly meddling in the election. But the Election Commission said on Wednesday it was confident that the vote was conducted fairly. Ganjar has also declared his intent to challenge the results, alleging widespread fraud and vote-buying. We have prepared a legal team and will soon register the dispute, whether tomorrow [Friday] or Saturday, he told reporters at his campaign headquarters in Jakarta. This is an excellent opportunity for the judges at the Constitutional Court to demonstrate their credibility. Prabowos campaign team dismissed the challenges as baseless. We are optimistic that we will be able to overcome the legal challenges, said Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, a spokesman for the campaign. The outcome of Anies legal challenge is expected to be announced in April. Rohingya stand on a capsized wooden boat before being rescued from the Indian Ocean off West Aceh, Indonesia, March 21, 2024. Indonesian rescuers on Thursday brought ashore 69 additional Rohingya who were found clinging to their wooden boat for nearly a day and suffering from hunger and dehydration after it capsized in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Aceh province, authorities said. Those rescued were brought to shore for medical treatment, said Supriadi, captain of the rescue ship, even as some locals protested their arrival. Six others from the same boat were rescued Wednesday by local fishermen. When they were found, they were weak due to dehydration and perhaps had not eaten for several days, said Supriadi, who goes by one name. Young Rohingya offer a drink of water to one of their boat mates following their rescue from an overturned wooden boat off the coast of West Aceh, Indonesia, March 21, 2024. [Zahlul Akbar/AFP] Authorities reported that search efforts were complete. A video taken by a fisherman on Wednesday showed more than 50 Rohingya standing on the overturned hull of the barely visible boat as they frantically waved for help. The boat had flipped over in waters off Kuala Bubon port (16 nautical miles from Meulaboh), possibly after being struck by large waves, according to officials. Zaned Salim, one of the original six to be rescued, said 150 Rohingya departed from a Malaysian refugee camp 24 days ago, hoping to sail to Australia, adding that about 50 people had died during the journey. Authorities said they did not recover any bodies during rescue efforts, adding that those efforts were finished. Meanwhile, hundreds of residents blocked roads in protest against the latest Rohingya arrival. The residents demand that the Rohingya refugees not be placed in their village, said Iswahyudi, West Acehs deputy police chief, who goes by one name. Local journalists reported that villagers were carrying banners and shouting their opposition to the refugees presence. We do not accept refugees here. Why bring them to our village? said one resident. Indonesia is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention, but has a long history of hosting refugees from various conflicts. It allows refugees to stay temporarily, while they wait for a third country to resettle them, a process that can take years. Aceh has a history of welcoming Rohingya, specifically, but there has been growing resistance fueled by negative sentiment on social media. Some residents claimed there are not enough resources for both themselves and the Rohingya. A Rohingya holds a floatation device as he swims toward a rescue boat in the waters off West Aceh, Indonesia, March 21, 2024. [Reza Saifullah/AP] Faisal Rahman, an associate with the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) praised the collaborative rescue operations by the local leadership and law enforcement. The UNHCR deeply appreciates the swift and compassionate action of the West Aceh district officials and their teams in aiding the Rohingya, Faisal said, adding several of those rescued were in poor health and rushed to a local hospital. Rahman said Zaned Salims claim that as many as 150 people were aboard the boat needed to be verified. If the refugees claims were true, it implies a tragic loss of lives at sea, as only 75 individuals have been accounted for, he said. Rescuers on a National Search and Rescue Agency boat watch over Rohingya after saving them from a capsized boat in the Indian Ocean off West Aceh, Indonesia, March 21, 2024. [Reza Saifullah/AP] Persecuted minority The Rohingya are members of a persecuted stateless Muslim minority from Myanmar who have been fleeing violence and oppression in their homeland for years. Following a 2017 military offensive in Myanmars Rakhine state that the U.N. described as a textbook example of ethnic cleansing, about 740,000 Rohingya fled from their homes across the border to Bangladesh. About 1 million Rohingya live in crowded camps in and around Coxs Bazar in southeastern Bangladesh. Desperate, many leave overcrowded refugee camps in Bangladesh, seeking better lives in other Muslim countries including Malaysia and Indonesia. The latest wave of Rohingya began arriving in Aceh in October 2023. Since then, over 1,800 refugees have landed in Indonesia and have been accommodated in locations across Aceh, according to the UNHCR. In January, the UNHCR reported that 569 Rohingya refugees had died or went missing at sea in 2023 while attempting to flee from Myanmar or Bangladesh. This March 21, 2024 photo shows relief supplies arriving at Lese Kavora, one of some 40 villages affected by king tides in Papua New Guineas Gulf province. Torrential rains and landslides in Papua New Guinea have caused about two dozen deaths over the past week while king tides have brought on fresh water and food shortages for thousands of people in coastal areas, officials said. Some 50,000 people in Gulf province are facing the aftermath of unusually high tides that flooded tens of coastal and downstream estuary villages and inundated staple crops such as breadfruit, its governor Chris Haiveta told BenarNews on Thursday. Relief supplies, said Haiveta, have started reaching affected villages where clean water is now scarce. Communities are being asked to be resilient as always and will need fresh water, health and emergency food supplies in the interim, he said. The National Disaster Centres acting director Lusete Man on Thursday said at least 23 people had died in highlands and northern provinces after flooding and landslides in the past week. Papua New Guinea, the most populous Pacific island country, has great expanses of rugged mountainous territory that combined with limited government resources and insufficient roads and airports, makes responding to frequent natural disasters a challenge. It is also prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions because of its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire. Mary Wia, who was organizing aid donations for Gulf province from Papua New Guineas capital Port Moresby, said some supplies had reached one of the affected villages on Thursday and would be distributed to others. We the Gulf community must organize to help our people in need at this time of disaster, said Wia, who is originally from Gulf province. This March 21, 2024 photo shows relief supplies being collected at Lese Kavora, one of some 40 villages affected by king tides in Papua New Guineas Gulf province. [Mary Oeseoka Wia/Lese Kavora Ma Taiva relief committee] In the Gumine district of Simbu province, a family was buried alive when a landslide engulfed their home, according to district administrator Francis Dion Kil. They were inside their house, in their family house and are still buried, Kil said in an interview Wednesday with Radio New Zealand. The retrieving process will soon begin to remove the mud and locate the bodies. Emmanuel Xavier, a policy advisor to the Gulf province government, said a woman and her child were killed in a landslide earlier this week in the Kaintiba area. The king tides and floods we are experiencing are throughout the country, he told BenarNews. Our response is collective. Communities and government making a collective effort to manage the situation as best as we can to prevent loss of lives and livelihoods. The National Disaster Office and provincial government had carried out an aerial survey of coastal and inland areas in the province to assess the full extent of the disaster, he said. Fiji is also suffering extensive flooding this week that has closed all schools and damaged property, according to Fijian government statements. (Photo : Spencer Platt/Getty Images) Members of the National Guard patrol a Manhattan subway station Monday in New York City. Police are looking for 13 people who assaulted and robbed a 19-year-old man in a Manhattan subway station early Wednesday morning. Police are searching for 13 people who they say stabbed and robbed a 19-year-old man of his sneakers and cellphone at a Manhattan subway station early Wednesday, according to a report. The victim was approached by a group of people around 1:15 a.m. on the D-train platform at Columbus Circle who engaged him in a conversation, PIX 11 reported, citing the NYPD. The 19-year-old man was then assaulted and the assailants took off with his coat, cellphone and sneakers. He was treated for minor injuries at Mount Sinai West Hospital. The incident comes amid an uptick of high-profile crimes on the subway and less than a week after a rider pulled a gun on a fellow commuter during an argument on an A train in Brooklyn. The other passenger managed to wrestle the gun away from the man and opened fire on the train, wounding the "aggressor" in the altercation and sending commuters scrambling for safety last Thursday. Gov. Kathy Hochul earlier this month ordered State Police and members of the New York National Guard to be deployed across the sprawling transportation system in an effort to reduce crime. @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his wife, Liza Araneta Marcos, arrive in Melbourne for the ASEAN Special Summit, March 3, 2024. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. canceled a Thursday forum scheduled with journalists following his doctors advice after he and his wife developed flu-like symptoms, but some observers called it an excuse to avoid tough questions from reporters. Marcos was supposed to appear before the annual Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) luncheon with the president scheduled for Thursday his first appearance with the group since being elected in 2022. The cancellation occurred a few weeks after his visit to Australia, when an Australian anchorwoman, during a sit-down interview, grilled him with questions about his late namesake fathers dictatorial rule and the billions of U.S. dollars that the Marcos family had plundered from the Filipino people. During his presidential campaign, Filipino journalists had criticized Marcos Jr. as the least open and inaccessible of the candidates. Preparations for the FOCAP event were finished Wednesday night, including sending invitations to foreign diplomats and dignitaries. Then, the Presidential Communications Office announced that Marcos and his wife, Liza Araneta Marcos, were under medical observation. The president and the first lady continue to experience flu-like symptoms but with improvements, maintaining stable vital signs, the office said Thursday. They are advised to continue medications, rest and hydration for full recovery. Marcos was working in his residence handling correspondence and directives within medical advice, the advisory said. He anticipates resuming full public engagements soon, per his physicians clearance. The couple were said to have developed the symptoms after traveling to Europe last week and hosting U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday, when they discussed American support for its Southeast Asian ally in the South China Sea. They also finalized Marcos April trip to Washington, where he was expected to take part in a three-way summit with U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to solidify an alliance. In canceling the meeting with FOCAP, Marcos communications team said the event would occur another time, but did not say when. The Presidential Communications Office is in constant communication with the FOCAP board to have the event rescheduled to a future date, communications secretary Cheloy Garafil said. But some foreign correspondents in Manila were not easily swayed, with one saying that Marcos would rather talk to journalists who dont wander off the reservation and simply ask safe questions. Marcos has repeatedly promised that media rights would be protected under his administration, after a campaign for the presidency two years ago where journalists had complained of repeated harassment, intimidation and disinformation by pro-Marcos forces. FOCAP, which includes reporters working for some of the Western medias leading news agencies, had complained then that several members had faced intimidation while reporting on Marcos. The organization expressed grave concern over alleged harassment and warned then that free speech was under threat during Marcos presidency, adding at least two FOCAP members were targets of online attacks from supporters during the campaign. FOCAP was founded when Marcos father and namesake declared martial law in 1972. Everything was taken from us During her interview with Marcos for ABC News (Australia) in early March, Sarah Ferguson rebuked the Philippine president when he laughed nervously as he reacted to a question from her about his fathers notorious corruption. A Philippine government agency has tried to recover up to $10 billion plundered by the presidents father, dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos, during his two decades in power. Toward the end of a 16-minute interview, Ferguson asked Marcos, why wouldnt you want all of that money back in the hands of the Filipino people? His response started with a laugh. May I ask you why thats funny, she asked. I take exception to many of the assertions that have been made, Marcos responded. He went on to say that cases had been filed against me, my family, the estate, and the assertions were shown to be untrue. Ferguson did not back down, telling Marcos that 5 billion had been recovered but did not say if that was in Philippine pesos or Australian or U.S. dollars. Everything was taken from us. We had nothing left, Marcos said. He went on to say that an actual true investigation showed claims against his family were propaganda. Ferguson also asked him, How do you resist the impulse to authoritarianism? I have no impulses to authoritarianism whatseover, Marcos said, adding that the Philippines had a good system going and a constitution that has worked for the past 36 years, although his administration hoped to make some changes to the charter. No, I have not felt any tug or temptation to make it a more authoritarian system. If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom. After more than 24 hours, the frantic manhunt for a prison escapee and his alleged accomplice came to an end Thursday when authorities announced the pair were arrested over 100 miles away. Skylar Meade and Nicholas Umphenour were taken into custody in Twin Falls, Idaho, according to police, KTVB-TV, KBOI-TV, and CNN reported. Umphenour was wanted on two charges of aggravated battery against law enforcement and one charge of aiding and abetting, in connection with Meade's prison break, which resulted in the shootings of three officers. Authorities allege Umphenour helped facilitate Meade's "brazen" and "coordinated" escape from a Boise, Idaho, hospital in the middle of the night Wednesday, where the inmate was taken for treatment for a self-inflicted injury. Umphenour is accused of firing on two Idaho Department of Corrections officers during the commission of the alleged breakout. A third officer was shot by a responding Boise cop, said police. The pair of suspects fled in a gray Honda Civic. They were apprehended Thursday afternoon, following a short pursuit, according to police. Authorities announced they are also investigating two homicides in the nearby counties of Nez Perce and Clearwater for a possible connection to the suspects, KBOI reported Meade was in the middle of serving a 20-year prison sentence for aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer with a firearm enhancement and was previously convicted of drug charges, grand theft, and introduction of contraband into a correctional facility, when he escaped, police said. He had been locked up since October 2016 and his sentence was set to end in October 2036. Umphenour and Meade previously met at the Idaho Maximum Security Institution. Both have ties to the Aryan Nations white supremacist group, investigators said. @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. POWNAL Electoral changes produced a reconstituted Select Board earlier this month, but after the annual reorganization process Thursday, Mike Gardner remained as board chair. Soon after assuming the gavel once again, Gardner proposed scheduling some future board meetings away from the town office building, and board members agreed to research the proposal. Angie Rawling was re-elected by board members as vice chair during the meeting. Both were elected unanimously and were the only board members nominated for their positions. Newcomer Bill Cottrell, attending his first session since March 5 town election, was elected board clerk. Board reshuffled The five-member Pownal board was significantly altered by the results of the annual election, which saw incumbents Bryan Harris and Bob Jarvis lose bids for new terms. The second newcomer joining the board, Karl Strohmaier, defeated Jarvis in a race for a three-year term. Cottrell and Rawling were elected to one-year terms in a race for two seats in which Harris and candidate Frederick Miller were defeated. Mobile meetings Also during the meeting, Gardner said he would like to see the board schedule some sessions with the fire departments, the rescue squad and other local groups or organizations to reconnect with townspeople after some recent controversies. The board had been accused of a lack of transparency on several issues and with holding too many discussions in executive session. Gardner said he would not want the additional board sessions to replace the boards regular twice-monthly meetings, but to be scheduled on some on the boards off weeks. He suggested meeting at the firehouses, at the Solomon Wright Library and other locations, adding, Id also like to meet in the trailer parks, with a goal of listening to the concerns of local organizations and residents. I think we need to reconnect with our town and the townspeople, he said. I dont think it was done on purpose, but I just think the Select Board has become disconnected from residents and organizations in our town. I think its time to reconnect. I think its a great idea, Strohmaier said, but he questioned how the meetings would be conducted logistically and whether they should be official, warned meetings, versus informal conversations. It would be hard for us not to conduct town business, during the sessions, he said, advising that the meetings be announced and warned. Board members came to a general consensus to research the idea further as well as open meeting law and similar considerations -- and revisit the topic at a future meeting. Contacted on Wednesday, town Executive Assistant Tara Parks said in an email, The board has not scheduled any of the remote meetings yet. I will work to get that scheduled over the next few months. She added, I believe they want to visit the fire departments, the rescue squad and library at least, but Im sure there are others that they would like to visit. I assume all of the board members would attend, unless, upon further discussion in open session, they decide to assign certain places to certain people, but all of the details are still being worked out. Even if it is decided that only certain board members will attend the meetings, we will still warn the meeting and it will be open to the public, Parks said. Jennifer Huberdeau is the features editor at The Berkshire Eagle. She can be reached at jhuberdeau@berkshireeagle.com or 413-496-6229. On Twitter: @BE_DigitalJen BECKET Critically-acclaimed American choreographer Pam Tanowitz will receive the 2024 Jacobs Pillow Dance Award during its June 22 Opening Gala. The Jacobs Pillow Dance Award is presented each year to an artist of exceptional vision and achievement and carries a cash prize the artist can use in any way they wish. Tanowitz is an influential collaborative and creative force, admired for her abstract treatment of classical and contemporary movement ideas, informed by rigorous research. There are very few contemporary choreographers who have created their own singular and theatrical language as Pam has done, Pamela Tatge, executive and artistic director of Jacob's Pillow, said in a news release. Its one grounded in ballet, but through the bodies of the amazing dancers she casts, it is transformed, personal, and new. When she creates for ballet companies, she gives those dancers the opportunity to discover new ways to express themselves, and they are better for it. Her collaborations with artists from other disciplines have been hugely inventive and ambitious in ways that the field needs right now. It is an honor to celebrate her with this award. Sign up for the In The Berkshires This Week newsletter Sign up Tanowitz has created or set work for New York City Ballet, The Royal Ballet, Martha Graham Dance Company, Paul Taylor American Modern Dance, Juilliard Dance, Ballet Austin and more. She has been commissioned by Jacobs Pillow Dance Festival as well as The Joyce Theater, The Kennedy Center, The Barbican Centre, Vail International Dance Festival, New York Live Arts, Guggenheim Works & Process, and many other leading arts institutions. This summer, her work "Secret Things," commissioned and performed by The Royal Ballet of the United Kingdom, will receive its U.S. premiere, July 3-7 at Jacobs Pillow Dance Festival, during the companys only U.S. engagement this year. Based in New York City, Tanowitz is an assistant professor of professional practice at Rutgers University, and is the first-ever choreographer-in- residence at the Fisher Center at Bard. In 2000, she founded Pam Tanowitz Dance, an accomplished company of world-class artists working across disciplines. Tanowitz made her debut at The Pillow in 2009, as part of the Inside/Out series on the Henry J. Leir Stage. She returned in 2016 with Pam Tanowitz Dance on the former Doris Duke Theatre stage. I am very much a dance history lover, and I am honored to be a part of the continuum of history at Jacobs Pillow, Tanowitz said in a news release. When I make my work, from day one, I never think of myself in a vacuum; I try to see the whole timeline of dance, and where I fit in. A lot of what drives my work is the constant question to myself of what has been done before, what I can do that is different, and what perspective I might add to history. Some will succeed, and some wont, but an opportunity that allows me the chance to make more dances is something I am grateful for. So, I am grateful for this honor from Jacobs Pillow. Tanowitz joins a list of Jacobs Pillow Dance Award honorees that include Misty Copeland, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Dormeshia, Ronald K. Brown, Annie-B Parson and Paul Lazar, Bill T. Jones, Merce Cunningham, Kyle Abraham, Michelle Dorrance, Camille A. Brown, Liz Lerman, and Faye Driscoll, among others. The Jacobs Pillow Dance Award was established in 2007 and is philanthropically supported by an anonymous donor. The Jacobs Pillow Season Opening Gala will include The School at Jacobs Pillow Contemporary Ballet Performance Ensemble, performing a world premiere by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa. Additionally, in honor of the 100th Anniversary of George Gershwin's iconic "Rhapsody in Blue," the gala will feature tap dancer and choreographer Caleb Teicher and pianist Conrad Tao in their highly acclaimed interpretation. Tickets to the gala can be purchased online at jacobspillow.org/gala. LEE The town has refiled its lawsuit against Monsanto, General Electric and others regarding the manufacture and use of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which it called a "criminal corporate action." The civil lawsuit, filed March 13 in Berkshire Superior Court, alleges the companies knew PCBs impacted human health and the environment, constituting intentional infliction of harm to humans and the environment." It makes prominent use of documents showing that in 1972, GE agreed to absolve Monsanto of liability for health and environmental damages caused by PCBs as a condition of Monsanto continuing to sell the man-made organic chemical to GE. Those documents were made public in a letter sent by the town of Lee to federal and state elected officials, including President Joe Biden. The contract between General Electric and Monsanto DJ-20 was executed by General Electrics Vice President and General Counsel and by Monsantos Vice President, according to the complaint, filed by attorney Cristobal Bonifaz. Thus it was a criminal corporate action that has caused damages to the Town of Lee and its residents. While the lawsuit makes use of the words crime and criminal, the case is being heard in civil court, and does not involve allegations brought by county or state prosecutors. Initially filed in federal court in Springfield, the suit was dropped in July 2023 due to a health emergency affecting Bonifazs family. The court dismissed the suit without prejudice, meaning it could be refiled, and the town of Lee said at the time that it planned to do so. GE used PCBs in its manufacture of power transformers at its East Street campus from 1930 through 1977, when Monsanto stopped making them. The chemical was dumped into the Housatonic River, leaked into the groundwater in the area, dumped at sites throughout the region, and landed in residential yards as fill given to GE employees. In 2000, GE signed a consent decree in which it agreed to remove PCBs from its campus and the Housatonic River. The current Rest of River cleanup, from the confluence of the East and West branches of the Housatonic to Great Barrington, was negotiated in 2020 and upheld by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit last year. In a prepared response, Monsanto said the town is attempting to "impose environmental liability on a manufacturer that did not dispose of PCBs in or near the Town and is not a party to a settlement under which the Town agreed to create a PCB disposal site." "After accepting a share of a $55 million settlement payment related to the clean-up, the Town is now unhappy with the remediation plan that resulted from its own settlement, and has filed suit against Monsanto, attempting to hold the Company liable for the environmental nuisance and trespass created by the Towns own decisions," it says. Lee officials and many residents remain opposed to plans for a lower-level PCB landfill proposed for a former gravel quarry off Woodland Road as part of the cleanup. While the landfill would be designed with a five-layer liner and hold sediments with an average of less than 50 parts per million, residents are concerned that the landfill is sited over a groundwater aquifer near the Housatonic, that it will negatively affect real estate values, and that residents will be exposed to PCBs being trucked through town to the landfill. The suit alleges that Monsanto knew, and did not tell GE or its other customers, that PCB Aroclors 1254 and 1260 would bind to river sediments instead of washing out to sea. Those specific formulations of PCBs were used by GE Power Transformer in coolants and lubricants for their insulating and fire-resistant properties. This is another path toward undoing the injustices perpetrated on the residents of Lee and the Housatonic River Corridor, Lee Select Board Chair Bob Jones said in a press release issued by the town. The abuses of multibillion dollar corporations over decades, the lack of response of our elected representatives, and the ongoing deception in order to keep all of us in the dark must end here. The suit also names Solutia and Pharmacia, firms spun off from Monsanto to handle the companys chemical products business and pharmaceutical business, respectively. As in its previous complaint, brought in April 2023, the lawsuit cites Monsanto internal communications as proof the company knew PCBs were harmful to the environment and human health, yet continued to market and sell them to manufacturers. While Monsanto sent a letter to customers in February 1970 advising that all possible care should be taken in the application, processing and effluent disposal of these products to prevent environmental contamination, the company knew in 1968 that PCBs released by its plant in Alabama were showing up in sediments in the Escambia River, rather than washing into the Gulf of Mexico, according to the lawsuit. As for the 1972 agreement with GE, Monsanto reasserted that was "a routine commercial arrangement between two sophisticated companies that were doing business together, and we reject that it was improper in any way. The agreement is only between GE and Monsanto; it did not (and could not) release any party from liability to third parties." Furthermore, Monsanto said the agreement came at the same time a federal Interdepartmental Task Force on PCBs concluded that "PCBs should not be banned entirely as their continued use for transformers and capacitors in the near future is considered necessary because of the significantly increased risk of fire and explosion and the disruption of electrical service" that might arise from a ban. Can you imagine what it felt like to face a Roman death penalty in the early first century? The Romans, masters of cruelty, didnt give a prisoner a choice of how they wished to face their demise. Criminals either had their heads taken off, were thrown from a great elevation, strangled, killed by a beast, drowned, buried alive, impaled, or crucified. All were brutal, and only beheading was quick. Imagine again what it would have been like to have been the thief on the cross, crucified alongside Jesus Christ, hearing the large crowd of mockers spewing venom at Him, and seeing Him die, knowing your death is soon to come. Who Was the Thief on the Cross? For the purpose of this article, we will refer to the thief who repented. The Bible does not give us a name or any other details about the thief only that he was a criminal (or robber, depending on the version you read). Luke 23:33 states, And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. Matthew 27:38 and Mark 15:27 state the same. John 19:18 calls them two others. What Did the Thief Experience? The thief, himself being crucified (and therefore suffering a slow and painful death from asphyxiation), would have had a hard time breathing. Every inhalation came in anguish as he pushed himself up in order to gain a breath. Body weight pulled the thief down and made breathing extremely difficult. His heart and lungs would lose their functions due to blood loss from the wounds (from the flogging and pierced hands and feet). When killed this way, death was expected within twenty-four hours. Once the legs faltered, the arms would bear their weight, and soon their shoulders would detach from their sockets. Yet, Since it was the day of Preparation, and so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water (John 19:31-34). We know the thief died a few feet from Jesus and woke that day knowing it was his last day on earth (implied). What could the thief do but agonize, observe, and listen? He: - Witnessed and heard the mocking crowds. - Would have heard Jesus speak to His disciple, John (John 19:25-27). - Would have heard Jesus speak to His Father (Matthew 27:46, Luke 23:34, 46, John 19:28). - Experienced the earthquake. - Faced the darkness from the sixth to the ninth hour. He also would have listened to the centurion and his cohorts say, Truly this was the Son of God (Matthew 27:54). Lukes record states, Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, Certainly this man was innocent (Luke 23:47)! Mark 15:32b tells us, Those who were crucified with him also reviled Him. Matthew 27:44 also records their actions, And the robbers who were crucified with Him also reviled Him in the same way. From this record we see both thieves insulted Jesus. How Does the Other Thief Being Crucified Respond to Jesus? Luke 23:39-43 shares the conversations between Jesus and the two thieves. The one we learn is the unrepentant thief mimics what he obviously heard from the mocking crowd. Verse 39 says he railed at Jesus. He said, Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us! (Luke 23:39). We can infer from what he said he was not sincere in his retort, for the word used for His remark to Jesus (railed) means he hurled abuse at Him. What Did the Thief Do? The one we learn is the repentant thief admonished the other. We, on this side of Calvary, can surmise the thief took all the mocking of Jesus to heart. No matter their intent, the thief heard the crowd remind Jesus that He said He would destroy the temple and raise it again in three days (Matthew 27:40). He also overheard them say if You are the Son of God (Matthew 27:40). The crowds also proclaimed He saved others (John 19: 42). And the mockers acknowledged He called Himself the Son of God (John 19:43). He heard about Jesus from the mockers. In essence, he heard the Gospel preached by them. The thief, though, also heard precious prayers from Jesus to His Father. Jesus did not throw insults back at His revilers. Instead, He prayed, Father, forgive them for they know not what they do (Luke 23:34). Luke 23:46 records this: Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, Father, into your hands I commit my spirit! And having said this He breathed His last. With all of this probably in mind, he said to the other thief, Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong (Luke 23:41). He then said to Jesus, Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. Jesus replied, Truly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in paradise (Luke 23:43). Why Does Jesus Say the Thief Will be With Him in Paradise? This is the gist of the whole interaction between Jesus and the thief. We must remember Jesus knows the hearts of men (Luke 9:47). The thief recognized his own wretched condition, as we read in Luke 23:41. Recognizing our sinful state is part of how God draws us to Him. The penitent thief also asked the other thief if he feared God, knowing he too was condemned. We can infer from this the thief who spoke understood his consequence and feared God. And then the thief displayed belief (faith) in and surrender to Jesus when he asked Him to remember him when He came into His kingdom. Jesus reply to the thief was one of veracity and compassion. Veracity because Jesus said, Truly. Compassion because Jesus told the man that day he would be with Him in paradise. He gave the thief hope that He forgives a broken and contrite heart and this life is not all there is. The best is yet to come, for paradise is the realm of the righteous dead awaiting the resurrection of the body. What Does This Mean for Us? Entering paradise is not a matter of works; it is a matter of faith and repentance, two things we see in how the thief responded to what he saw and heard. He told the other thief they both deserved their penalty and, like them, we, too, deserve the death the other thief died. But God. Romans 5:8 reads, but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. That penitent thief lived in the very moment Christ died for us. He, in effect, is eyewitness to Romans 5:8! Burk Parsons said, Jesus promised paradise to the thief on the cross (Luke 23:43) and He has promised it to us, too (Revelation 2:7). What Does This Instance Teach Us about Faith? God numbers our days, not us. Therefore, when we wake each morning, we dont know if its our last day on earth. That thief did, and so did the Lord Jesus. But knowing Jesus and having surrendered our lives to Him in contrition and belief, we trust His sovereignty over our lives. The thief did not work for his salvation. He repented and believed. He had faith. Faith is like a receptacle we hold in anticipation of what only God can do to fill it. The thief didnt see paradise, but He trusted the One who would take him there. Hebrews chapter 11 is rightly called the Hall of Faith. The portrayals are those who looked forward to something they had yet to see and had assurance it would be all for which they hoped. Acts 16:31 relates how Paul told the jailer he would be saved by believing in the Lord Jesus. Belief is trusting. Trust is faith. Romans 10:17 states, So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. The thief could do nothing but listen. He listened to Jesus and to the mockers. And he heard enough to verify who Jesus is, God. We have but to read this account of the thief on the cross to understand repentance and faith. Jesus would not have welcomed that man into paradise with Him if the thief had not humbled himself by admitting he was a sinner in need of Jesus. Admit youre a sinner, repent, and have faith. Jesus was the thiefs only hope, and Hes our only hope, too, for in Him is life. Photo credit: Getty Images/AlessandroPhoto Lisa Loraine Baker is the multiple award-winning author of Someplace to be Somebody. She writes fiction and nonfiction. In addition to writing for the Salem Web Network, Lisa serves as a Word Weavers mentor and is part of a critique group. She also is a member of BRRC. Lisa and her husband, Stephen, a pastor, live in a small Ohio village with their crazy cat, Lewis. Initiative is a part of Qualcomms ecosystem enablement commitment to the Indian startup ecosystem Qualcomm Incorporated has announced the winners of the eighth edition of Qualcomm Design in India Challenge, Indias longest-running hardware startup incubation programme, launched in collaboration with Nasscom and Startup India. 3 winners were chosen from the 12 finalists through a meticulous evaluation by a jury comprising leaders and experts from within and outside Qualcomm. Ayati Devices , who has developed a laser-based medical imaging device for real-time microcirculation visualisation and quantification, emerged as the challenge winner receiving a Rs 50 Lakh grant award Rymo Technologies , with its computer vision and AI/ML technology to integrate with physical rehabilitation solution took the 1 st runner up spot receiving a Rs 30 Lakh grant award SIAMAF Healthcare, with its AI/ML enabled MafPro device platform, an ultrasensitive hand-held magnetic probe system for detecting cancer staging, localisation and margins, bagged the 2nd runner up spot receiving a Rs 20 Lakh grant award The eighth edition of Qualcomm Design in India Challenge witnessed a total of 155 applications out of which 12 startups were shortlisted to the 2023 cohort, with solutions catering to use cases across areas such as medtech, robotics, automotive, AR/VR, AI/ML, and IoT, Through the programme, each finalist received a grant of up to Rs 3.2 lakh along with business mentorship and access to dedicated engineering support and the well-equipped, state of the art Qualcomm Innovation Lab to help them build out their prototypes for various commercial use cases and applications. The finalists also qualified to receive incentives for patent-filing, opportunities to participate in Qualcomm hosted or sponsored events and business development opportunities from Qualcomm Technologies global sales and business teams. David Paniagua, a contractor with Comcast, shovels out dirt from the base of a telephone pole as the company installs its new fiber network in Hempstead. Michael Wyke/Contributor Jose Nacianceno, a contractor with Comcast, operates a horizontal drilling rig that bores a hole 5 feet underground as the company installs its fiber internet network in Hempstead, northwest of Houston. Michael Wyke/Contributor When most folks think of Comcast's internet service, they think cable. Since the company started offering online access, it has been over the same copper wires as cable-based TV. But that's changing. Comcast and other cable providers are increasingly using fiber-optic lines, strands of glass that carry information over light waves, to provide broadband. The company on Thursday said it will spend $256 million to expand its footprint in four counties north of Houston, and in most cases its fiber that will be sold to residential and business customers. A spokesperson said it will be the biggest such project across all the companys regions in 2024. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In doing so, not only does Comcast compete with telecom giant AT&T in the fiber arena, but it goes up against small companies that are hustling to offer fiber in the same suburban and rural areas. As I wrote in last weeks column about Ooklas new directory of internet providers, the northern counties are a surprising hotbed of fiber activity (see houstonchronicle.com/ISPdirectory). This is not to say that Comcast, which sells home internet access under its Xfinity brand, is abandoning its legacy cable product. The company this year is expected to roll out the latest version of the cable-modem standard, DOCSIS 4.0, which will make it more competitive with fiber-optic service. Last month, Comcast announced the XB10, the DOCSIS 4.0 gateway it will rent to customers. It comes with WiFi 7, the latest version of the Wi-Fi standard. Right now, fiber internet has a big technological advantage. Fiber isnt saddled with data caps, the bane of existence for heavy users of cable internet. And it typically is sold with symmetrical download and upload speeds, meaning data travels both directions on the network at the same rate. The current cable-modem standard, DOCSIS 3.1, cant do that. In the Houston area, most customers have upload speeds that are a fraction of downloads. An example: I pay for 1-Gbps download service from Comcast, but my uploads are only 20 Mbps. (The company recently bumped up most of its service tiers to this upload rate.) The company is upgrading its Houston-area network so that many customers will see 200 Mbps uploads, even before DOCSIS 4.0 arrives. Some locals reading this may already have them. You can check at xfinity.com to see if they have reached you yet. Advertisement Article continues below this ad When DOCSIS 4.0 hits, Comcasts fiber and cable-based services will look similar, with symmetrical download/upload speeds. Many customers wont know the difference. (Comcasts chief network officer) always says when someone asks about fiber and coax: Who cares?, said spokesperson Joel Shadle. The experience for the customer is really what's important to them that WiFi in their home. The wire just delivers it. Comcasts network is built on mostly fiber, even in existing areas like Houston and its immediate suburbs. In most cases, fiber brings internet to a neighborhood, street or block, but the last segment to the building uses traditional copper cable. Even in the expansion zone, some homes will still be served by coax, said Leron Lee, senior director for Comcasts Construction Advanced Services. In the expansion, Comcast is focusing on Montgomery, Waller, Grimes and Liberty counties, and the towns of Conroe, Montgomery, Hempstead, Porter, Navasota and Cleveland. The project will add 100,000 homes that could be served, should customers sign up with the company. But Comcast is not the only entity spending hundreds of millions of dollars to offer new fiber service. Rival AT&T said it spent $1.3 billion in the Houston area from 2020 to 2022, but that was for cellular and fiber internet expansion; 2023-2024 numbers weren't available. Advertisement Article continues below this ad And in November Ezee Fiber, which primarily serves northern parts of the Houston region, announced it would spend $200 million to expand to parts of Fort Bend County. Its adding 125,000 potential customers in cities such as Mission Bend, Sugar Land, Missouri City and Pearland. Well hit the 60,000 mark in terms of homes passed this month, said Christine Scott, Ezees vice president of marketing. By the end of the year, she said, the Fort Bend expansion should eclipse the numbers in its original northern footprint. Smaller companies like Ezee which built fiber-optic networks for schools, hospitals, governments and businesses for 25 years before moving into residential service tend to spring up in areas where traditional providers have lagged. As rural areas morph into suburbs that surround a growing metropolis like Houston, thats an opportunity both for upstarts and established internet-access players. And it can be very lucrative. If we can overbuild a market with fiber, and if there is not another fiber provider in the area, (a small company) can get penetration of, say, 40 percent of the customers there over two to three years, said Jeff Baumgartner, a senior editor at Light Reading, a trade publication that tracks the telecom and cable industries. They can go in and be competitive and very successful. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Comcast is not alone in its decision to move to fiber internet connections, Baumgartner said, as many other cable providers are doing the same. He recently attended a conference of cable companies and fiber-first was a part of the agenda. Internet providers with a legacy product could replace that with fiber, which is considered the gold standard for internet connectivity. But Baumgartner said doing so would be very expensive. But eventually, its coming. Fiber is the end game for everyone whos building a wireline network. Eventually cable operators will overbuild (their existing coax networks) to bring fiber to the premises, he said. In the end, everything will be fiber. A majority of the Montana Senate has delivered letters to the Montana Supreme Court, Governor, and Secretary of State outlining our concern that a recent court order is unconstitutional. It's easy to get lost in the weeds of the issue, but the heart of the matter is pretty simple. It's about the separation of powers among our three branches of government. The Legislature is the branch closest to the people. We cannot abide a situation where the people's voice in Helena is ignored by the other branches. First, it's important to know that there is an official, physical version of every bill the Legislature handles. Attached to that official bill are all the formal actions taken on it. A bill passed the 2023 Legislature. It was transmitted to the Governor. The Governor vetoed the bill and returned it to the Senate while both chambers of the Legislature were in session. Before the full Senate could be notified that the bill had been vetoed and was back in the Senate's possession, a surprise motion ended the Senate's legislative session. The full membership of the House received notice of the veto before the House wrapped up its business. The Senate has had physical possession of the bill ever since. Article VI, Section 10 of the Montana Constitution is explicit. "If the legislature is not in session when the governor vetoes a bill...he shall return the bill...to the secretary of state. The secretary of state shall poll the members of the legislature by mail..." to vote on whether to override the veto. Per the constitution, a mailed poll may only happen if a veto comes after the Legislature has adjourned. Who has custody of the official bill matters. The Executive Branch has no authority to take any action on a bill that they don't have. Despite the constitutional clarity, District Court Judge Mike Menahan, backed up by the Montana Supreme Court, has ordered the Governor to give the Secretary of State a bill he doesn't have and ordered the Secretary to conduct a mailed poll. A majority of the Senate has pledged not to participate in this unconstitutional poll. In his own letter to the Secretary of State, Governor Gianforte said he is giving her an unofficial copy of his veto in an attempt to comply with the court order, but noted he cannot provide the official bill or veto because he doesn't have them. A generous interpretation of the courts' actions is that they're trying to help the Legislature by making sure we have the opportunity to override the veto. What the courts are actually giving the Legislature is a Trojan horse. We don't need their help; we have numerous ways we can fix the veto override issue ourselves. Those include calling ourselves back into session, adjusting our rules (which is already in progress), and being organized with how and when we end a legislative session. The courts' "solution," on the other hand, opens the door to the Executive and Judicial Branches grabbing power that isn't theirs by acting on bills in the Legislature's possession. Imagine a Governor preemptively vetoing a bill before it reaches his desk, or a judge blocking a bill while it's still under development. Such a precedent is alarming for Montanans' elected representation at the Capitol. As clearly stated in our letters to the other branches of government, the Senate rejects this unconstitutional Trojan horse from the courts. Senator Jason Ellsworth, R-Hamilton, is the President of the Montana Senate 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. Conor McGregor in a scene from "Road House." Laura Radford/Associated Press Here are the major new movies opening in theaters or on streaming this week. 'Agak Laen' Indonesian horror-comedy in which a patron dies at a haunted house attraction and then his spirit turns the place into the real thing. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Unrated. Opens Friday at Cinemark Tinseltown 290, Houston. 'Au Revoir Les Enfants' Louis Malle's 1987 classic about two boys who become friends at a French boarding school during World War II. Rated PG. Screens 7 p.m. Friday at 14 Pews, Houston. 'Exhuma' Advertisement Article continues below this ad South Korean horror-thriller in which the excavation of a grave leads to dire consequences. Unrated. Opens Friday at AMC Loews Fountains 18, Stafford; Cinemark Longmeadow, Richmond. 'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' Ghostbusters new and old unite to fight a foe that wants to unleash a second ice age. Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, Paul Rudd, Annie Potts, Bill Murray, Patton Oswalt and Kumail Nanjiani star. Rated PG-13. Opens Friday throughout Houston. Advertisement Article continues below this ad 'Immaculate' Sydney Sweeney stars as a devout nun who moves into a convent but finds out the place has dark secrets. Rated R. Opens Friday throughout Houston. 'Kitab al Asfir: Book of the Journey' Baba Hillman's metaphysical documentary, inspired by works of Sufi poet Ibn 'Arabi, is a meditation on life and death. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Unrated. Screens 7 p.m. Saturday at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. David Dastmalchian stars as a talk-show host in "Late Night with the Devil." IFC Films 'Late Night With the Devil' Australian horror film about a late-night TV talk show in 1977 where something goes very wrong and evil is broadcast into the country's living rooms Rated R. Opens Friday in theaters. Advertisement Article continues below this ad 'Madgaon Express' Comedy-drama from India about three friends and their trip to Goa in which things don't go as planned. Unrated. Opens Friday at AMC Willowbrook 24, Houston; AMC First Colony 24, Sugar Land. 'Mai' Vietnamese-language romantic drama from Vietnam that was a huge hit in its home country. Unrated. Opens Friday throughout Houston. 'Meet Me in St. Louis' Judy Garland stars in this Vincente Minnelli musical about a family in the days of the 1904 World's Fair. Unrated. Screens 7 p.m. Friday at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. 'Om Bheem Bush' Telugu-language comedy from India about three scientists who go to a village on the hunt for treasure. Unrated. Opens Friday throughout Houston. 'Pandora's Box' German director G.W. Pabst's silent-era classic starring Louise Brooks. Unrated. Screens 5 p.m. Sunday at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. 'Ramy Youssef: More Feelings' Comedian Ramy Youssef, most recently seen in "Poor Things," gets back to his stand-up roots in this follow-up to his 2019 stand-up special, "Feelings." Unrated. Begins streaming Saturday on Max. 'Road House' Hollywood veteran Doug Liman (Edge of Tomorrow," "Mr. and Mrs. Smith," "Swingers") directs this remake of the 1989 Patrick Swayze film about a bouncer at a seedy Southern bar. Jake Gyllenhaal, Conor McGregor, Post Malone, Billy Magnussen and Diana Melchior star. Rated R. Streaming on Prime. 'Sleeping Dogs' Russell Crowe stars in this Australian thriller about an ex-homicide cop with memory issues trying to solve a vicious murder. Rated R. Opens Friday at AMC Gulf Pointe 30, Houston. 'Swatantrya Veer Savarkar' Biographical drama focusing on Indian freedom fighter and reformer Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. Unrated. Opens Friday at AMC First Colony 24, Sugar Land. 'We Have Not Come Here to Die' Indian documentary about the movement for Dalit civil rights that was sparked by the 2016 suicide of activist Rohith Vemula. Unrated. Screens 6 p.m. Friday at Rice Cinema, Houston. 'William Shatner: You Can Call Me Bill' Documentary about the life and career of William Shatner. MacKenzie Scott awarded $8 million to Houston organizations in her latest giving spree. JORG CARSTENSEN, Contributor / dpa/AFP via Getty Images The Epilepsy Foundation of Texas hosted a walk at Houston Zoo. Epilepsy Foundation Texas Teacher Yessica Umana plays with her students at Houston's Chinese Community Center Early Learning Center. The school has a partnership with United Way of Greater Houston and ExxonMobil for the Bright Beginnings program. Annie Mulligan/Contributor Four local organizations are recipients of MacKenzie Scott's most recent charitable spree, in which she awarded $640 million. Houston-based non-profits Chinese Community Center and Daya will each receive $2 million grants; The Prison Entrepreneurship Program and Epilepsy Foundation of Texas, which have multiple locations throughout the state, including Houston, have also been awarded $2 million grants. Scott, billionaire philanthropist and author previously married to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, announced Tuesday via her platform, Yield Giving, that she would be distributing $640 million to 361 small-profits that responded to an open call for applications. To date, her team of staff and advisors has given more than $17.3 billion to 2,300 organizations since 2019. "It was very generous and to many of the agencies it was a surprise," said Chi-Mei Lin, CEO of Chinese Community Center. "First there was the open call, which was kind of an open competition with 6,353 applications from 50 states. Originally we were told they wanted to award 250 agencies $1 million each." Advertisement Article continues below this ad On her website, Scott credited Lever for Change with managing the selection process. The first round was a peer-to-peer, Lin said, in which each organization was tasked with evaluating five fellow agencies. The remaining 1,000 non-profits progressed to round two. Then the donor team decided to expand the awardee pool and the award amount, according to the Associated Press. Ultimately, 279 non-profits were each awarded $2 million, and the remaining 82 organizations received $1 million apiece. "It was a big surprise to us," Lin said. Chinese Community Center initially applied for $1 million. "This year we celebrate our 45th anniversary. A lot of our clients are Asian-American immigrant families. With mental health, there's even more taboo there. We don't want people from disadvantaged populations or backgrounds to suffer if you don't address those issues." Chinese Community Center's grant proposal included support for its mental health programming, which combats isolation and loneliness at the Senior Day Center. Lin plans to hire more counselors and add activities and support groups to help the elderly better engage with their adult children. She shared that ongoing COVID-19 recovery work has taken a toll, too. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "Little ones face a lot of developmental delay. They are understimulated, their test results suffer, and a lot of children fell behind during those years," Lin said. "We want to use this funding to help our students close the gap and equip them with skills to embrace the future. Technology is moving at such a fast pace. We want to make sure we help students address digital device challenges, and add more story time and language enrichment programs so that developmentally, they're ready for kindergarten or pre-K." The Epilepsy Foundation of Texas offers programs and services, such as summer camps, free medical clinics for the uninsured, medication, labs and seizure first aid certification classes, free of charge. "People with epilepsy have a higher risk of suicide, depression and anxiety. Hopefully, we'll be able to add mental wellness social workers," said chief operating officer Rebecca Moreau. "And support groups where people can feel like they're not alone on this journey with epilepsy. It's an exciting time." The Prison Entrepreneurship Program, known as PEP, offers a holistic prison rehabilitation program that includes education, mentoring and access to capital support services, such as accounting and business courses, that continue post-release. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "We start working with guys the last year they're in prison," said chief financial officer Tim Hamilton. "Our scaling strategy is to go deeper with the Texas prison system and wider with community solutions. Our vision is to serve five times more (people) over the next five years." 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 Postal Code Sydney Sweeney takes on two roles for her latest film Immaculate, starring and producing the horror movie set in an Italian convent. The Euphoria and The White Lotus actress plays young American nun, Sister Cecilia, who enrols in a convent in rural Italy. While she struggles to understand what seems off about the establishment, she suddenly finds herself pregnant. Advertisement "I saw this movie in my head and I really wanted to make it for a really, really long time and I think that I trusted and believed in myself to surround myself with the right team that would help me learn how to do the job to the best of my ability," Sweeney told Reuters. "I had a voice, and I was a part of all the creative decisions and the process and the business and I loved it so much," she added of producing the movie." Advertisement Sydney Sweeney attends the premiere of Neon's Immaculate during Beyond Fest at The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood on March 15th, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Amy Sussman/Getty Images The 26-year-old said she transformed into character as soon as she put on her costume. Advertisement "Whenever I put Cecilia's habit on or her outfits, I always felt like I walked a little different, held myself a little different, my shoulders are back, my hands are held differently," she said. Sweeney is in nearly every frame of the film and endures a lot, from being covered in blood and getting slapped to being submerged in a bath by a vengeful nun. "It was all so fun to me ... I truly felt like I was (in) my own playground playing and getting to dream up this crazy world and there were no limits or boundaries. It was a blast," she said, adding she was keen to produce more films. "I hope in the next five years I get to continue to find characters and stories that challenge me in new ways." With the Republican primary race behind him, Donald Trump now faces a big decision about his choice for a running mate to take on Democratic president Joe Biden in November. Will he choose loyalty over political ambition? Will he surprise with someone who isn't on most people's radar? The list of possible vice presidential picks runs long, both with names Mr Trump has mentioned or those floated by aides. One thing seems certain: Mike Pence, Trump's former vice president, won't make the cut for the No 2 spot in 2024, after Mr Pence said he would not endorse his former boss. Advertisement Here is a look at some potential Trump running mates: Tim Scott A US senator from South Carolina who is Black, Mr Scott has become a fiercely loyal Trump ally since he ended his own presidential bid in November. Aides have been urging Mr Trump to pick a woman or a Black man to add diversity to the ticket and attract more moderate voters. Advertisement Mr Trump has publicly praised the 58-year-old lawmaker, calling him a "great advocate". It remains to be seen whether the mild-mannered Mr Scott would be well-suited for the traditional "attack dog" role of a running mate. Kristi Noem Ms Noem, serving her second four-year term as South Dakota's governor after a landslide re-election victory in 2022, is close to Mr Trump. Advertisement She rose to national prominence after refusing to impose a statewide mask mandate during the Covid-19 pandemic. Ms Noem, 52, campaigned for Mr Trump at several events in neighbouring Iowa in January. "I think anybody in this country, if they were offered it, needs to consider it," she said when asked by CBS in January about being Mr Trump's running mate. Ms Noem is a skilled politician and may be too charismatic for Mr Trump, who does not like to be upstaged. And in March, she became the target of a lawsuit and a request by a Democratic state legislator for an inquiry after she posted an infomercial-style plug for a cosmetic dental practice in Texas where she had work done. Elise Stefanik Elise Stefanik with Donald Trump at a rally in New Hampshire. Photo: Getty Images Ms Stefanik, a New York congresswoman, is another fiercely loyal Trump ally and a rising star in the Republican Party as the US House of Representatives' highest-ranking woman. She gained national prominence in December after embarrassing the heads of three top universities about antisemitism on their campuses during a congressional hearing. Advertisement Advertisement Two of them later resigned, including the president of Ms Stefanik's alma mater, Harvard University. Ms Stefanik was one of the 147 members of Congress who voted not to certify Mr Biden's 2020 election win on January 6th, 2021, the day of the riot by Mr Trump's supporters at the US Capitol. There are concerns among some Republicans that Ms Stefanik, 39, may be too inexperienced for the presidential ticket. Sarah Huckabee Sanders Ms Sanders, 41, the Arkansas governor, is Mr Trump's former White House press secretary. She frequently defends his record from the governor's mansion in Little Rock. A seasoned, battle-tested spokesperson, she would be a skilled advocate for the former president on the campaign trail. It is unclear whether she would take the job of running mate. "I absolutely love the job I have," she said in January. Ms Sanders' father, one-time presidential candidate and former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, has also been a long-time supporter of Mr Trump. Byron Donalds Mr Donalds, 45, is a Black congressman from Florida. A conservative who belonged to the far-right Tea Party movement, he voted not to certify Mr Biden's 2020 election win on January 6th, 2021. An eloquent advocate for Mr Trump, the congressman can often be seen at the former president's campaign events. Advertisement Mr Trump told Fox News in February that Mr Donalds is on his short list. Asked by Reuters in February about that, Mr Donalds said it was "pretty cool" and confirmed he wants to be Mr Trump's running mate. Advertisement Vivek Ramaswamy Mr Ramaswamy is another former Trump presidential rival who has become an outspoken supporter since quitting the race in January. Mr Ramaswamy, 38, a multimillionaire former biotech investor, dominated many of the Republican presidential debates with his slick style and clashes with fellow candidates. But the more Republican primary voters saw of him, the less they liked him, according to opinion polls - one factor that might count against him. However, there are reports Mr Trump has ruled Mr Ramaswamy out for vice president and is considering him for another cabinet role. Marco Rubio The Miami-born Rubio, 52, is on Mr Trump's list of possible vice presidential running mates, a source familiar with the matter said. Mr Rubio, a long-time US senator from Florida and son of Cuban immigrants, ran unsuccessfully in 2016 for the Republican presidential nomination eventually won by Mr Trump. Mr Rubio endorsed Mr Trump for the 2024 nomination in January. Advertisement The US Constitution poses a problem, however, since it bans the electors who formally select the president and vice president from voting for both from their home state - and both Mr Trump and Mr Rubio call Florida home. Mr Rubio said he had not been contacted about the job. "I have not talked to anybody, either the president or anybody on his staff about that," he said in a March 21st interview with Fox News. Tulsi Gabbard Advertisement Tulsi Gabbard. Photo: Getty Images A former Democratic congresswoman who ran for president as a Democrat in 2020, Ms Gabbard left the party in 2022 to become an independent. She has become increasingly critical of Mr Biden and his administration, and she has become hugely popular among conservatives and a frequent guest on far-right TV and radio shows. In February, Ms Gabbard, 42, was a headline speaker at CPAC, the Conservative Political Action Conference, where she accused Mr Trump's Democratic critics of having the "mentality of dictators". The fact she was a long-time Democrat may work against her in securing the No 2 spot. Ben Carson Mr Carson is Mr Trump's former housing and urban development secretary. A retired neurosurgeon, Mr Carson, 72, unsuccessfully ran for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016. He rose to national prominence as a Black conservative after a 2013 speech at the National Prayer Breakfast when he criticised the policies of Barack Obama, with the then-Democratic president sitting just feet away. Mr Carson, a Seventh-day Adventist, stumped for the Trump campaign in Iowa this election cycle by visiting churches in the state. However, his low-key, quirky campaign style could knock him off the VP list. Kari Lake Ms Lake, a former TV news anchor, is running for a US Senate seat in Arizona this November. She ran unsuccessfully for governor in the battleground state in 2022 despite getting Mr Trump's endorsement. Advertisement Ms Lake has never conceded that race, and has promoted Mr Trump's baseless claim that his 2020 election defeat to Mr Biden was the result of fraud. The 54-year-old is a skilled public speaker but may be too polarising a figure in a year when Mr Trump will need moderate voters in swing states to win in November. Nikki Haley Some Republicans believe Ms Haley, the former UN ambassador who was Mr Trump's last remaining rival for the Republican nomination, would be an ideal running mate. She appeals to the more moderate Republican and independent voters Mr Trump needs to help him beat Mr Biden. But Ms Haley, 52, insists she will not be Mr Trump's running mate, and she angered Mr Trump by taking so long to quit the nominating race. When Ms Haley dropped out of the race earlier this month, she notably declined to say whether she would support Mr Trump against Mr Biden. Marjorie Taylor Greene The Georgia congresswoman, 49, is a pugnacious, outspoken critic of Mr Biden and defender of Mr Trump. Mr Trump likes her. But Ms Greene is also a controversial figure who might be too polarising as a running mate. She has promoted far-right conspiracy theories, voted on January 6th, 2021, not to certify Mr Biden's election victory, and once compared Covid-19 safety measures to the persecution of the Jews during the Holocaust. A young boy who sued claiming that there had been a failure to diagnose his acute appendicitis at a hospital leading to a 24-hour delay before he had surgery has settled a High Court action against the HSE for 87,500. The parents of Conor Naughton, who was then four years old, had to pay for a private ambulance to transport their son from Wexford General Hospital to Dublin for surgery when there was no ambulance in Wexford, the High Court heard. Advertisement The familys counsel, Bruce Antoniotti SC, instructed by Liston Flavin solicitors, told the court this followed a comedy of errors where a diagnosis of gastroenteritis was made by one hospital section and another section wanted the child transferred to Dublin for surgery. Mr Antoniotti said it was believed Conor had all the signs of peritonitis. Advertisement Conor had been brought to the Wexford hospital on August 18th, 2013, with a three-day history of vomiting and a high temperatures. The next day, it was claimed, the boy had a spike in temperature and a medical review was suggested and that there would be an attempt to transfer the child to a Dublin hospital. It was claimed the childs parents became deeply concerned as time passed, due to the fact that Conor got sicker and sicker. It was claimed there was a delay in arranging an ambulance for the transfer and the Naughtons decided to pay for a private ambulance, which arrived at around 5.30pm on August 19th for the transfer. Mr Antoniotti said the parents feared their son, who was in significant pain might not make it through but he had the abdominal surgery on arrival at Dublin and spent 17 days in hospital. Advertisement Counsel said experts on their side would say that the surgery should have been carried out on August 18.Mr Antoniotti said a full defence was filed in the case. Conor Naughton, now aged 14, of Ballycullen, Dublin, had through his mother, Claire Naughton, sued the HSE. In the proceedings it was claimed there had been a failure to consider adequately or at all the fact that the boys history included abdominal pain for three days and signs and features of peritonitis supported by inflammatory markers. It was further claimed that a diagnosis of gastroenteritis was made and there was a failure to consider adequately or at all the fact that the boy had signs of a surgical abdomen and had pain, vomiting and abdominal tenderness. There was an alleged failure to transfer the boy to the Dublin hospital on August 18th, 2013 and an alleged failure to ensure speedy surgical treatment in the case of advanced appendicitis. All the claims were denied. Approving the settlement, Ms Justice Carmel Stewart said it was a very distressing time for the parents. Britain's King Charles is doing very well, his wife Camilla has said during a visit to Belfast. Camilla was handed a get well card for her husband, who is undergoing treatment for cancer. Advertisement She is undertaking a number of engagements in Belfast on Thursday after arriving at the regions royal residence Hillsborough Castle on Wednesday night. On Thursday morning Camilla arrived to crowds of well-wishers on the bustling Lisburn Road in south Belfast. The Queen with Lord-Lieutenant Dame Fionnuala Jay-OBoyle during a visit to Lisburn Road in Belfast (Liam McBurney/PA) Advertisement She met owners and staff at Coffeys Butchers, The Arcadia deli and Knotts Bakery before doing an impromptu meet and greet with well-wishers. Camilla was presented with a gift of some local favourites at Coffeys, including vegetable rolls and beer sausages, and responded saying: I shall take these back for my husband, he will make the most of them. Advertisement During her visit to The Arcadia, shop assistant Brenda Robb asked after Charles, and handed her a get well card for him, extending her best wishes. Camilla accepted the card and thanked her, adding: Hes doing very well . he was very disappointed he couldnt come. Advertisement Responding to quips about men not being the best patients, Camilla said: I try to keep him in order. Ms Robb told the PA news agency: She was beautiful, a real lady. She accepted a get well card that I got for her husband and she said she was sorry her husband wasnt here. Camilla meets the owner of Knotts Bakery, William Corrie, his wife Zoe Salmon and their son Fitz during the visit to Belfast (Liam McBurney/PA) Advertisement It was a very appropriate card. It had a wee saying from Belfast, basically rest up, take care, and on the back of it, it said from Ireland. It was picked with love. People say maybe hell not get the card, but I think he will. Meanwhile, at Knotts, Camilla met owner William Corrie, as well as his wife, former Miss Northern Ireland and Blue Peter presenter Zoe Salmon, and their one-year-old son Fitz. Camilla chuckled as a joke was made that the young boy, dressed in a tux, had stolen her thunder, and smiled down at him. Advertisement Advertisement She left Knotts with a gift of their fruit loaf and iced madeira cake, adding she hoped to snack on it later. Camilla arrived in the region on Wednesday evening, with a bugler from the Hillsborough Ford Guard playing to mark her arrival at Hillsborough Castle in Co Down. She was last in Northern Ireland in May 2023 when she and Charles undertook engagements on their first visit to the region following the coronation. She is travelling alone this week after Charles stepped back from his public duties while receiving treatment for cancer. Updated: 1.30pm. Additional reporting by Vivienne Clarke. Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris has the backing of a number of his party colleagues to become the next leader of Fine Gael, while Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys and Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe have become the latest senior TDs to rule themselves out of the running. Advertisement Following Taoiseach Leo Varadkar's shock announcement that he is to resign as leader of the Government and Fine Gael, nominations for his party successor opened on Thursday morning and are set to close on Monday. Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise Neale Richmond confirmed his support of Mr Harris becoming the next party leader on Thursday morning. Speaking to RTE radio's Morning Ireland, Mr Richmond said while no one has yet declared their leadership bid, if Mr Harris was to do so, he would "absolutely be backing him to be the next leader of our party". Advertisement The junior minister said he had spoken to Mr Harris briefly, "but not about the specifics", adding that the Minister "certainly said he was considering" putting his name into the mix. Advertisement Our Party and our country wakes to a new dawn; earlier I declared my support for my good friend @SimonHarrisTD to be the next Leader of Fine Gael & ultimately the next Taoiseach. I believe Simon has the compassion, vales & vision to lead Fine Gael.pic.twitter.com/JfkjVtRvAR Neale Richmond (@nealerichmond) March 21, 2024 Sharing a clip of the interview on X, formerly Twitter, Mr Richmond wrote: "Our party and our country wakes to a new dawn. Advertisement "Earlier I declared my support for my good friend Simon Harris to be the next leader of Fine Gael & ultimately the next taoiseach. "I believe Simon has the compassion, values & vision to lead Fine Gael." Speaking to the same programme, Fine Gael TD Alan Dillon, who is chair of the Fine Gael parliamentary party, said his role is to ensure that the contest for a new leader runs smoothly and fairly. Mr Dillon explained a nominee needs at least 10 per cent backing, which equates to a minimum of six party members. The parliamentary party counts for 65 per cent of the share in the leadership vote. Advertisement Advertisement There will then be regional hustings on March 26th, 27th and 28th, with voting among party councillors on April 2nd, 3rd and 4th. Following that, there will be a meeting of the parliamentary party on April 5th, when the votes will be verified and counted, and the new leader will be announced. New era The Mayo TD said he thinks everyone would welcome a contest, adding it will mark the beginning of a new era for Fine Gael. He said he is confident the party can gain more in the next general election under a new leader, adding that while Mr Varadkar's decision had caught everyone off-guard, he respected his decision. I think for anyone to resign from high office certainly takes a certain level of courage and dedication, and he believes that a new leader will be in a better place to gain seats, and renew and strengthen the top tier team within Fine Gael. Advertisement And I think what we need now is to move on from yesterday's earthquake, to ensure that we have a structured process in place, which will be overseen by the senior Executive council, which met last night to discuss the way forward. It's a transparent and inclusive process that gives every member a voice, Mr Dillion added. Advertisement He said the party is fortunate to have really high calibre members who could contest the leadership. I think having a contest will, in one sense, allow those candidates to engage with the membership all across the country, in outlining their position, creating a renewed focus on both the direction of the party, but also in policy. Mr Dillon declined to say who he would support in the leadership contest, stating it would not be appropriate in his role as chair. Contest Early indications suggest Mr Harris is the frontrunner to step into the leadership position. On Wednesday, Mr Coveney ruled himself out of the race, while Ms McEntee confirmed her own similar decision on Thursday morning. Speaking to LMFM, Ms McEntee said: This is a decision I suppose I probably made a year or two ago, that if this was to come up in the near future or the immediate future, that its not something that Id be putting myself forward for. She added she will support whoever puts themselves forward for nomination as party leader. Mr Coveney, who ran against Mr Varadkar for leader in 2017, said "I had my chance" on the prospect of running again, adding: "I made a decision quite some time ago that I wouldnt stand in another leadership contest." On Thursday afternoon, Ms Humphreys and Mr Donohoe each confirmed their decisions not to partake in the contest. He said he expects more than one candidate will go for the position, but said he has no preferred candidate. The Irish Times reports, in addition to Mr Richmond, Mr Harris has also gained the backing of several of his parliamentary party colleagues. They include Senators Barry Ward, Martin Conway, John McGahon and Michael Carrigy. The party's MEPs Frances Fitzgerald and Maria Walsh are also set to support Mr Harris, should he run. The tally means Mr Harris has secured the minimum required support to secure a nomination to become party leader. The hearing of a woman's damages claim for alleged assault against mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor has been listed for hearing before the High Court next month. The action has been brought by a young woman allegedly known to Mr McGregor. Advertisement Mr McGregor, originally from Crumlin in Dublin, denies all claims of wrongdoing against him. The matter, which is due to heard before a jury and presided over by a judge of the High Court, was briefly mentioned before Mr Justice Alexander Owens on Thursday. The judge fixed the hearing of the action to the week commencing April 23rd. The action will only go to trial when several other cases listed ahead of it that week are resolved. Advertisement The judge fixed the hearing date after Siun Leonowicz BL, for the woman, told the court that the case is ready to proceed. Advertisement The case is one of two initiated against the sportsman over events alleged to have taken place in 2018. The woman has also sued an associate of Mr McGregor. Her action was filed in the High Court in 2021. However, no details of her claim have been aired in open court. A second personal injuries action, also against Mr McGregor, has been taken by the womans mother. That case is not due to be heard before a jury. The allegations in both of those actions are fully denied. Both women suing Mr McGregor are represented by David Coleman of Coleman Legal Partners, while Mr McGregor is represented by Michael J Staines and Company. Northern Irelands First Minister has stood by her criticism of the resigning Taoiseach after the Tanaiste branded her comments very partisan. Tanaiste Micheal Martin said Michelle ONeills remarks following Leo Varadkars announcement left a lot to be desired. Advertisement In a press conference in Belfast on Wednesday, Sinn Fein vice president Ms ONeill accused Mr Varadkars party Fine Gael of 13 years of failure as she insisted it was time for a general election in the Republic. She was making the comments as First Minister in a joint appearance alongside DUP deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly. Its not a time for a rearranging of the deckchairs, Ms ONeill said. And, ultimately, its for the people to decide who will be the taoiseach. Advertisement Advertisement So I think its now over to the people, there should be an election, people should have a chance to pass their verdict, particularly after 13 years of Fine Gael in power, 13 years of failure on their part, 13 years of failure to build houses, 13 years of failure to support people through the cost-of-living crisis. So, ultimately, what we now need to see is an election. Tanaiste Micheal Martin said Michelle ONeills comments left a lot of be desired (Niall Carson/PA) Advertisement Mr Martin referred to the remarks as he sparred with Sinn Fein TD Pearse Doherty in the Dail on Thursday. He said they stood in contrast to Sinn Feins glowing welcome for the recently announced increase in Irish Government funding for Northern Ireland through its Shared Island Fund. Just last week your party were calling us and acknowledged and thanked the Government in terms of the Shared Island initiative and huge funding in Northern Ireland, he told Mr Doherty. I thought the comments from your First Minister left a lot to be desired. Advertisement Very partisan comments from the First Minister in respect of Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, given a month ago, the glowing response to the Governments Shared Island Initiative. Weve done more in respect of cross-border development and investment in Northern Ireland than any government for many a year. Advertisement First Minister Michelle ONeill (left) made the comments in a joint press conference with deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly in Belfast on Wednesday (Peter Morrison/PA) Advertisement Speaking to reporters in Hillsborough on Thursday, Ms ONeill was asked whether she believed her remarks were appropriate and if she had struck the correct tone for a Stormont First Minister passing comment on the resignation of Irelands premier. While she said she had not heard Mr Martins comments in the Dail, she added: What I can say is Im quite sure the Tanaiste, as a coalition partner, would rather talk about anything other than his performance and their performance in government. My position is very clear in terms of what needs to happen next, its not for Fine Gael to rearrange the deckchairs, its not for Fine Gael to decide who gets to take up the helm of taoiseach. Ultimately, it should go to the people for an election. On a personal basis, I wish Leo Varadkar the very best, I wish him very well in terms of his personal life and whatever life may hold for him next. I think thats only the courteous thing to do. But I think I was responding to a question yesterday in terms of what should happen next in terms of the replacement of Taoiseach. Advertisement In the same press conference on Wednesday, Ms Little-Pengelly had remarked that unionism did not always see eye-to-eye with Leo Varadkar but she wished him well. A protest is continuing outside a former factory in north Dublin that some believe is being considered to house asylum seekers. It comes after traffic was blocked by demonstrators, including some on horseback, on Wednesday night. Advertisement Some motorists were beeping their horns to show support to protesters gathered at the old Crown Paints factory on the Malahide Road in Coolock on Thursday afternoon. On Wednesday night part of the road was brought to a standstill with gardai drafted in as a number of demonstrators and people on horses blocked the route. Thursday is the fourth consecutive day in which a protest has been held at the site. A screenshot of an email purporting to be from the Department of Integration was circulating on social media advising local representatives that it is considering an offer for the use of the former warehouse. Advertisement The proposal is for modular units placed inside the warehouse, providing mixed-use accommodation for families, couples, single adult males and single adult females, it reads. The email states that international protection applicants would be accommodated on a gradual basis and an estimated 500 people may be housed there. The Department of Integration has been asked for comment by The Irish Times concerning the site and the emails legitimacy. A sign at the corner of a State Highway 3 was how some residents of a League City neighborhood learned about a proposed battery storage facility which would be built near their homes and an elementary school. The sign has since been removed following a request by the developer to postpone consideration of the item by city council. Andy Aycoth After a proposed League City battery storage facility was met with vehement opposition from residents of a nearby neighborhood, the project developer has paused the city approval process to allow for more public meetings and outreach. The city council was originally scheduled to vote April 9 on whether to allow Cypress Creek Renewables to build Berkman Storage, a 200-megawatt lithium battery storage system, at the corner of Washington Street and Texas 3. The facility would be designed to provide backup power to homes and businesses is projected by the developer to generate an estimated $9.8 million tax benefit to the community. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The proposed site is around 500 feet from the Oaks of Clear Creek neighborhood and 1,500 feet from Parr Elementary School. The project was unanimously denied by the League City Planning and Zoning Commission during a March 4 meeting. The community's input is extremely important to us, said Cypress Creek Renewables spokesperson Parker Sloan in an email to the Houston Chronicle. The fact that there were questions that came out of the planning and zoning meeting led us to decide that additional community outreach was essential before moving forward. We hope to gather as much input as possible from residents before our next steps. Christine Thomas, a resident of Oaks of Clear Creek for more than 30 years, learned about the project just days before the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting on March 4 by way of a misshapen city public hearing notice sign on the corner of a busy Texas 3. Its about the size of a garage sale sign, and it was bent in half, so you could not read it without stopping and taking a picture of it, which on Highway 3 is a little foolish, said Thomas, 73. The delivery of information like that is pretty shoddy, and its no way to let citizens know about potential hazards in their community. Advertisement Article continues below this ad What is BESS? At the March meeting, Sloan compared the Battery Energy Storage System, or BESS, to that of a cell phone re-energizing while its user is asleep so that stored power can be used when its most needed. The company, which develops and owns solar and storage projects throughout the United States, further explained in an email that rows of small batteries stacked together create one big battery which is then connected to the electric grid, and in the event of an unexpected storm or a prolonged heat wave, that power would be ready to be used. Thomas and others say they're worried that fires could occur or that fumes could be released by the process. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "If these things are really necessary - and I am not convinced they are why cant they be built where people are not around? Thomas said. Timmothy Dodson, 42, a certified safety professional and an Oaks resident, worries that the emergency response system touted by Cypress Creek Renewables is too new and referred to an explosion at a lithium-ion battery storage system at the McMicken Battery ESS in Surprise, Arizona in 2019, which injured several first responders. Drey Hicks, a spokesperson for the city, said in an email that the batteries housed at the facility would be lithium-ion batteries, and that will be no specific chemicals being stored in the facility outside of the chemicals the exist within a lithium-ion battery. Sloan said the area of the proposed project is close to an electrical substation in need of more capacity and all the neighboring parcels are zoned industrial and commercial. He also cited a report published by the Electric Power Research Institute, a non-profit energy research and development organization, which said that BESS incidents since 2012 registered a failure rate of less than 2%, and that these incidents had no impact outside the of the facility. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Sloan said the company held a community meeting last July at Parr Elementary School, inviting residents who lived within a 300-foot radius, and reached out to the HOA of the Oaks neighborhood. Company leaders also studied environmental considerations and met with local fire officials to develop an emergency plan, he said. Thomas and others had planned to attend the previously planned April meeting, where they expected to present a petition in opposition to the project that has so far collected more than 700 signatures. This (30-day extension) feels very much like a delay tactic to calm down the serious concerns and high level of opposition, she said. According to Cypress Creek Renewables, of the estimated $9.8 million in tax benefit to the community, over half would go to Clear Creek Independent School District, with the remainder going to League City and Galveston County. Advertisement Article continues below this ad To Oaks resident Darlene Peaks, 75, any potential tax incentives to the city arent worth the anxieties of living near the facility. When I moved here to this community, it was mostly farmland with cows grazing, she said. Maybe I should have had foresight that it wasnt going to be farmland forever, and I am not against development, but this is different. My life is worth more than any tax benefits. Cypress Creek Renewables, according to Sloan, plans to re-double our efforts to engage residents and community groups and will be publishing more information available to the public in the coming weeks. An applicant for a separate storage facility, a 10-megawatt facility that would be located at Caroline and FM 646, has asked to appear on the city council's March 26 agenda. That application was previously denied by the Planning and Zoning Commission during a Feb. 19 meeting, where League City fire authorities cautioned that any emergency response protocol remains untested because the BESS system is a relatively new technology. These battery storage facilities are part of a of a growing trend in the U.S. and Texas that comes as developers dive into the state's erratic electricity market and look to boost energy supply as demand for electricity grows. ERCOT reports that one megawatt can power about 200 Texas homes during peak demand. League City Mayor Nick Long was not available to comment at the time this article was published. Sinn Feins leadership has called for a general election and said the Government should let the people have their say. It comes a day after the shock announcement that Leo Varadkar was standing down as Fine Gael leader and would step aside as Taoiseach once his successor is appointed. Advertisement Sinn Fein's finance spokesperson, Pearse Doherty, said voters should be allowed to decide if they want a change of taoiseach or a change of government. Speaking on Newstalk radio, Mr Doherty said he was convinced that people wanted a change of government. I am confident that if the people have their say, they will not choose Fine Gael to go into conclave and decide who is going to be the next Taoiseach of the country, he said. I think that they will have a very different opinion. Advertisement Mr Doherty said it did not bother him who was the leader of Fine Gael. It doesn't bother me a bit. What does bother me is the highest office in the land. That there's an idea now, over the next number of days, that a group of Fine Gael senators and TDs that are, in my view, completely out of touch, are collectively responsible for what we're seeing in our State every single day. Advertisement Mr Doherty said he had no interest in how a new leader of Fine Gael was selected, but he did have an interest in how the Taoiseach was selected. This will come to a vote before the Dail. And I do have a vote, and the Opposition does have a vote in what we are saying, particularly to people and the Independents who have given support to the Taoiseach. But this is not what we should have. We shouldn't have a third rotating Taoiseach, and this term we shouldn't have a carve up that is basically decided by Fine Gael. Meanwhile, Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said the office of taoiseach should not be reduced to an internal conversation within Fine Gael. Ms McDonald said the Dail "simply rubber-stamping" the appointment of a new taoiseach was the "wrong approach". Advertisement Advertisement I think it will cause a huge amount of frustration out on the ground, she told RTE's Morning Ireland. The idea of Fine Gael now in conclave and amongst themselves, making a decision, the effect of which will be who the next taoiseach is really not acceptable. We're four years into this administration, were on Taoiseach number three. The Taoiseach himself has stood aside saying he's no longer fit for the job, that he's not the person to lead. I think his reflection on himself is very much a collective reality in terms of the Government, which has run out of road. The appetite for change that was evident in 2020 is still there. It's alive. And I think at this juncture, the appropriate democratically correct thing to do is to go back to the people, put the people in the driving seat and ask them what they believe should be, and consequently, who should lead government. Advertisement The Sinn Fein call for an election came as Fine Gael politicians began to publicly back Simon Harris as their next leader and potential taoiseach. Ireland Fine Gael leadership: Donohoe and Humphreys join n... Read More Nominations will open for the Fine Gael leadership from Thursday morning and will close on Monday at 1pm. Six members of the parliamentary party comprising TDs, senators and MEPs are needed to nominate a candidate, and the parliamentary partys vote counts for 65 per cent of the share when the party elects its new leader. If there is a contest between two candidates, which many members of Fine Gael have said they expect and want to happen, hustings will take place before votes are cast. The final result will be officially announced on Friday, April 5th. Britain's Prince Harry experienced overwhelming intrusion into his private life from the age of nine thanks to unlawful activity by the publisher of the defunct News Of The World, the High Court in London has heard. Harry is suing News Group Newspapers (NGN) over a number of unlawful acts allegedly carried out by its publications, the News Of The World and The Sun, spanning three decades. Advertisement Harry (39) is one of several high-profile figures taking legal action against the publisher over claims of unlawful information gathering, including the use of private investigators. The company denies the accusations, with a trial scheduled for January next year. Harrys barristers have previously told the court that NGN unlawfully gathered information on him from 1996 to 2011, which included details of interactions with his family and the relationship with his former partner, Chelsy Davy. Advertisement But in court documents for a hearing on Thursday, lawyer David Sherborne said that several further Sun and News Of The World articles dating from 1994 to 2016 showed evidence of unlawful activity. Advertisement Prince Harrys barrister, David Sherborne. Photo: Lucy North/PA It was claimed that some of these came from NGN unlawfully intercepting phone calls of Diana, Princess of Wales, and Charles when he was the Prince of Wales and his now-wife Camilla Parker Bowles. This had the inevitable and/or intended consequence of revealing private information about Harry, the court was told. Advertisement Mr Sherborne told the hearing in Londons Rolls Building that one article which was the product of unlawful activity, published when the duke was aged 10, contained information relating to his welfare, his relationship with his mother, Princess Diana, behind the scenes, and her state of mind. The activity was said to be known about, encouraged and concealed by those in positions of responsibility at NGN, including former News Of The World editor Piers Morgan. It allegedly continued until 2016, when two articles were published about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex at the start of their relationship. Advertisement Two articles allegedly the result of unlawful information gathering concerned Harry and Meghan at the start of their relationship. Photo: Jordan Pettitt/PA Mr Sherborne said in court: What is said is that in 2016, the defendant instructed one of its regular private investigators in the United States. Advertisement What we say he did was obtain private information in the form of a report about the Duke of Sussexs then-new girlfriend, Meghan Markle, in order to obtain new information about their relationship, for the purpose of publication in The Sun. The report allegedly included the duchesss mobile number and social security number, which was unlawfully obtained in the full knowledge of NGN, the court was told. Advertisement Barristers for Harry and the other individuals have applied to the High Court to add the new information to the dukes legal challenge, and to update parts of the individuals case. Mr Justice Fancourt previously told Harry that he could not pursue claims of phone hacking by NGN but could continue his case concerning unlawful information gathering. The duke was also told he could not rely on an alleged secret agreement between the royal family and senior executives working for Rupert Murdoch as part of his case. But Mr Sherborne said on Thursday that evidence of phone hacking remained plainly probative of unlawful information gathering by other means, which was the modus operandi of how these journalists work. Barristers for NGN have previously told the court that updating the case is wholly unnecessary and positively undesirable, describing the new information as designed to grab headlines. Advertisement The hearing is being held at the Rolls Building in London. Photo: Nick Ansell/PA In written submissions, Anthony Hudson KC, representing the publisher, said Harrys updated case was wholly different in nature to the claims currently made. He said the new set of allegations lacks any proper particulars of the elementary matters required to be pleaded, namely the information allegedly obtained by NGN, the means by which that information was allegedly obtained, by whom and when, and the basis on which such obtaining constituted a misuse of the claimants private information or a breach of his confidence. He continued: NGN would have to engage in extensive investigations of entirely new allegations concerning new time periods and different individuals, journalists, information, alleged acts, forms of wrongdoing and/or causes of actions. A spokesperson for the company said on Wednesday that it had made an unreserved apology in 2011 to victims of phone hacking at the News Of The World and has since been paying damages to those who were the victims of wrongdoing. They said that it had also paid damages in cases against The Sun where there were good commercial reasons, without accepting liability. But they said that the updated claims were a scurrilous and cynical attack on current and former staff which should be viewed with considerable caution. Advertisement They said: The attempt to add the amendments now has nothing to do with seeking compensation for victims of phone hacking or unlawful information gathering. They are irrelevant to the fair and just determination of claims. Mr Justice Fancourt is expected to rule on whether new information can be included at a later date, following the conclusion of the hearing on Friday. New York prosecutors urged a judge to start Donald Trumps hush money criminal trial on April 15th, saying the defences calls for further delays or dismissal of the case because of a last-minute evidence disclosure were a red herring. The vast majority of evidence that the Republican former presidents lawyers received in recent weeks, more than 100,000 pages from a previous federal investigation into the matter, was entirely immaterial, duplicative or substantially duplicative of evidence they had already been given, prosecutors said. Advertisement In one batch of 31,000 documents turned over to Mr Trumps lawyers last week, fewer than 270 were relevant to Mr Trumps case and had not previously been disclosed to his lawyers, prosecutors said. Federal prosecutors finished giving evidence to Mr Trumps lawyers last week. Advertisement Judge Juan M. Merchan last week postponed the trials start until mid-April after Mr Trumps lawyers complained that the late arrival of evidence from the federal investigation was hindering their preparations. Mr Trumps criminal trial, the first of a former US president, had been scheduled to begin on Monday. Advertisement The hush money case is among four criminal indictments against Mr Trump, the Republican Partys presumptive 2024 presidential nominee. Former president Donald Trump waves to supporters (Wilfredo Lee/AP) Instead, on Monday, Mr Merchan will hold a hearing to assess who, if anyone, is at fault for the late evidence, whether it hurt either side and whether any sanctions are warranted. Advertisement Mr Trump, who has pleaded not guilty in the case, is expected to attend the hearing. The evidence includes records about Mr Trumps former lawyer-turned-key prosecution witness Michael Cohen, who went to prison as a result of the federal probe. Mr Trumps lawyers have said some of that evidence appears to be exculpatory and favourable to the defence. Prosecutors argue it mostly pertains to Mr Cohens unrelated federal convictions, though that material could come in handy to Mr Trumps lawyers in seeking to undermine Mr Cohens credibility. Advertisement Mr Trumps lawyers want a 90-day delay, but they have also asked Mr Merchan to dismiss the case entirely, alleging the late disclosures amount to prosecutorial misconduct and violate rules governing the sharing of evidence. Advertisement That sharing process, called discovery, is routine in criminal cases and is intended to help ensure a fair trial. The Manhattan district attorneys office did not oppose Mr Merchans 30-day delay but said it would fight the defences attempts to put the trial off any longer. Prosecutors said in a court filing Thursday that the Trump legal teams allegations were wholly unfounded, and the circumstances here do not come close to warranting the extreme sanctions that are being sought. Advertisement They said there was no discovery violation because evidence-sharing rules apply only to material in their possession, not evidence kept by outside parties like the US attorneys office. Prosecutors contend Mr Trumps lawyers caused the problem by waiting until January 18 to subpoena the US attorneys office for the full case file a mere nine weeks before the scheduled start of jury selection. The defence has also sought to delay the trial until after the Supreme Court rules on Mr Trumps presidential immunity claims, which his lawyers say could apply to some of the allegations and evidence in the hush money case. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments on April 25. The hush money case centres on allegations that Mr Trump falsified his companys records to hide the true nature of payments to Mr Cohen, who paid porn actor Stormy Daniels 130,000 US dollars during the 2016 presidential campaign to suppress her claims of an extramarital sexual encounter with Mr Trump years earlier. Advertisement Mr Trump pleaded not guilty last year to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records and has denied having a sexual encounter with Ms Daniels. His lawyers argue the payments to Mr Cohen were legitimate legal expenses and not part of any cover-up. After a decade of working for Mr Trump, Mr Cohen broke with him in 2018 and soon pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations related to the hush money payments, making false statements on a bank loan application, evading taxes related to his investments in the taxi industry and lying to Congress. Mr Cohen went to prison for about a year before being released to home confinement because of the Covid-19 pandemic. He became an outspoken Trump foe and is poised to be a key prosecution witness against Mr Trump. Mr Trump and his lawyers, meanwhile, contend Mr Cohen is untrustworthy. In their case against Mr Cohen, federal prosecutors said the hush money payments were made to benefit Mr Trump and occurred with his knowledge but they stopped short of accusing Mr Trump of directly committing a crime. The Justice Departments Office of Legal Counsel, which provides legal advice and guidance to federal agencies, has maintained that a sitting president cannot be indicted. Federal prosecutors did not revive their investigation once Mr Trump left the White House after losing the 2020 election to Democrat Joe Biden. Russian president Vladimir Putin has thanked Russians for casting ballots in a presidential vote in which he cemented his grip on the country for another six years after the harshest crackdown on dissent since Soviet times. Any public criticism of Mr Putin or his war in Ukraine has been stifled, independent media have been crippled, Mr Putins fiercest political foe, Alexei Navalny, died in an Arctic prison last month and other opposition activists are either in jail or in exile. Advertisement Western leaders denounced the election as a sham. Speaking in a video address following the announcement of the final results of the March 15th-17th election which showed him winning 87 per cent of the votes, Mr Putin argued that it reflected strong public backing of his policies. Advertisement It means support for the countrys political and economic course, our common achievements that, of course, should be even greater but even now make Russia stronger and more independent, he said. Advertisement The Central Election Commission on Thursday released the final official results of the balloting, which showed Mr Putin getting more than 76 million votes, the largest number in his nearly quarter-century rule. His three token rivals from Kremlin-friendly parties who backed Mr Putins policies each received 3 to 4 per cent of the vote. Advertisement In addition to there being little choice, no independent monitoring organisations were able to observe the election and analysts said online polling meant it was highly susceptible to manipulation. While Mr Putins landslide victory was never in doubt, many Russians still attempted to defy the preordained outcome, heeding a call by Mr Navalnys associates to protest against Mr Putins repression at home and his war in Ukraine by showing up at polling stations at noon on Sunday. Lines outside a number of polling stations both inside Russia and at its embassies around the world swelled at that time. Mr Putin has led Russia as president or prime minister since December 1999, a tenure marked by international military aggression and increasing intolerance of dissent. Advertisement At the end of his fifth term, Mr Putin would be the longest-serving Russian leader since Catherine the Great, who ruled during the 18th century. Russia fired 31 ballistic and cruise missiles at Kyiv before dawn on Thursday in the first attack on the Ukrainian capital in 44 days, officials have said. Air defences shot down all the incoming missiles, though 13 people including a child were injured by falling wreckage, they said. Advertisement Residents of Kyiv were woken up by loud explosions at around 5am local time as the missiles arrived at roughly the same time from different directions, said Serhii Popko, head of the Kyiv City Administration. Firefighters work near a crater after a Russian attack in Kyiv, Ukraine (Vadim Ghirda/AP) Ukraines air force said Russia launched two ballistic missiles and 29 cruise missiles against the capital. Advertisement Kyiv has better air defences than most regions of the large country. The missile interception rate is frequently high, rendering Russian attacks on the capital significantly less successful than during the early days of the war. Advertisement An 11-year-old girl and a 38-year-old man were admitted to hospital, the city administration said. Eight other people sustained light injuries, according to mayor Vitali Klitschko. Advertisement Ukraines Emergency Service said around 80 people were evacuated from their homes. Falling wreckage from the intercepted missiles set fire to at least one apartment building, burned parked cars and left craters in streets and a small park. Some streets were littered with debris, including glass from shattered windows. Advertisement Burned cars after Russian attacks in Kyiv, Ukraine (Serhii Popko, the head of the citys military administration via AP) The attack came after repeated Ukraine aerial attacks in recent days on Russias Belgorod region near the border with Ukraine. On Thursday, five people were injured in the latest attack on the Belgorod region, which damaged homes and the city sports stadium, governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said. Russias Ministry of Defence said it stopped 10 rockets over the region. Advertisement Russian president Vladimir Putin had threatened on Wednesday to respond in kind to the attacks. At an event in the Kremlin, Mr Putin said Russia can respond in the same way regarding civilian infrastructure and all other objects of this kind that the enemy attacks. We have our own views on this matter and our own plans. We will follow what we have outlined. Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelenskiy urged the countrys Western partners to send more air defence systems so they can be distributed across the country where missile strikes have become more common. Advertisement Every day, every night such terror happens, he said on Telegram after Thursdays attack on Kyiv. World unity is capable to stop it by helping us with more air defence systems. Firefighters work near the crater at the site after Russian attacks in Kyiv, Ukraine (Vadim Ghirda/AP) Mr Zelenskiy said Russia does not have missiles that can evade US-made Patriots and other advanced air defence weapons. Russia has largely turned its attention to other Ukrainian cities, targeting them with drones and ballistic missiles. On Wednesday, Russian ballistic missiles killed five people and injured nine in the eastern Kharkiv region, and strikes on southern Odesa last week killed 21. The General Assembly approved the first United Nations resolution on artificial intelligence, giving global support to an international effort to ensure the powerful new technology benefits all nations, respects human rights and is safe, secure and trustworthy. The resolution, sponsored by the United States, was adopted by consensus with a bang of the gavel and without a vote, meaning it has the support of all 193 UN member nations. Advertisement US national security adviser Jake Sullivan said earlier this month that adoption of the resolution would be a historic step forward in fostering the safe use of AI. The resolution would represent global support for a baseline set of principles for the development and use of AI and would lay out a path to leverage AI systems for good while managing the risks, he said in a statement. Advertisement The resolution aims to close the digital divide between rich developed countries and poorer developing countries and make sure they are all at the table in discussions on AI. It also aims to make sure that developing countries have the technology and capabilities to take advantage of AIs benefits, including detecting diseases, predicting floods, helping farmers, and training the next generation of workers. Advertisement The resolution recognises the rapid acceleration of AI development and use and stresses the urgency of achieving global consensus on safe, secure and trustworthy artificial intelligence systems. It also recognizes that the governance of artificial intelligence systems is an evolving area that needs further discussions on possible governance approaches. Big tech companies generally have supported the need to regulate AI, while lobbying to ensure any rules work in their favour. United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres (Omar Havana/AP) Advertisement European Union politicians gave final approval March 13 to the worlds first comprehensive AI rules, which are on track to take effect by May or June after a few final formalities. Countries around the world, including the US and China, and the Group of 20 major industrialised nations are also moving to draw up AI regulations. The UN resolution takes note of other UN efforts including by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the International Telecommunication Union to ensure that AI is used to benefit the world. Advertisement Advertisement Mr Sullivan said the United States turned to the General Assembly to have a truly global conversation on how to manage the implications of the fast-advancing technology of AI. The resolution encourages all countries, regional and international organizations, tech communities, civil society, the media, academia, research institutions and individuals to develop and support regulatory and governance approaches and frameworks for safe AI systems. It warns against improper or malicious design, development, deployment and use of artificial intelligence systems, such as without adequate safeguards or in a manner inconsistent with international law. A key goal, according to the resolution, is to use AI to help spur progress toward achieving the UNs badly lagging development goals for 2030, including ending global hunger and poverty, improving health worldwide, ensuring quality secondary education for all children and achieving gender equality. Advertisement The resolution calls on the 193 UN member states and others to assist developing countries to access the benefits of digital transformation and safe AI systems. It emphasises that human rights and fundamental freedoms must be respected, protected and promoted through the life cycle of artificial intelligence systems. US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said last week that the resolution aims to build international consensus on a shared approach to the design, development, deployment and use of AI systems, particularly to support the 2030 UN goals. If adopted, she said, it will be an historic step forward in fostering safe, security and trustworthy AI worldwide. Authorities are searching for a white supremacist Idaho prison inmate and an accomplice who fled after the accomplice shot and wounded prison officers as they were transporting the inmate from a Boise hospital, according to police. Police said Nicholas Umphenour is suspected of shooting two officers during Wednesdays ambush in the ambulance bay at Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Centre. Advertisement A warrant with a $2 million bond has been issued for his arrest on two charges of aggravated battery against law enforcement and one charge of aiding and abetting an escape, police said. He and inmate Skylar Meade drove off early Wednesday after the shooting in a grey 2020 Honda Civic with Idaho plates. It is not known where they are or where they are headed, police said. Advertisement Surveillance video of a vehicle near the scene of a shooting at Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Centre (Boise Police Department/AP) Three prison officers were shot and wounded during the attack, two allegedly by Umphenour and one by responding police. Advertisement Officials described Meade, 31, as a white supremacist gang member. Meade was sentenced to 20 years in 2017 for shooting at a sheriffs sergeant during a high-speed chase. Advertisement The attack occurred at 2.15am as Idaho Department of Correction officers prepared to bring Meade back to prison. Department Director Josh Tewalt said during a news conference that Meade was taken to the hospital at 9.35pm on Tuesday after he engaged in self-injurious behaviour and medical staff determined he needed emergency care. One officer shot by the suspect was in critical but stable condition, police said, while the second wounded officer had serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The third injured corrections officer also sustained non-life-threatening injuries when a responding officer, incorrectly believing the gunman was still in the emergency room and seeing an armed person near the entrance, opened fire. Advertisement This brazen, violent, and apparently coordinated attack on Idaho Department of Corrections personnel, to facilitate an escape of a dangerous inmate, was carried out right in front of the Emergency Department, where people come for medical help, often in the direst circumstances, Boise Police Chief Ron Winegar said in a written statement. Umphenour, 5ft 11in and 160lb, has brown hair and hazel eyes, police said. Advertisement Detectives have confirmed that he is an associate of Meade, police said. Meade, 5ft 6in and 150lb, has face tattoos with the numbers one and 11 for A and K, the first and 11th letters of the alphabet, representing the Aryan Knights gang he affiliated with, Mr Tewalt said. Advertisement Photos released by police also showed an A and K tattooed on his abdomen. The Aryan Knights formed in the mid-1990s in Idahos prison system to organise criminal activity for a select group of white people in custody, as well as outside prison walls, according to the US attorneys office in the district of Idaho. In 2021, a man described as a leader in the group was sentenced to life in prison for his role in a plot to traffic drugs behind bars and use violence to collect unpaid debts. The leader, Harlan Hale, was one of 10 group members charged in the case. In a court filing ahead of Hales sentencing, federal prosecutors described the Aryan Knights as a scourge within the states prison system that drains its resources. The hate-fuelled gang engages in many types of criminal activity and casts shadows of intimidation, addiction, and violence over prison life, prosecutors wrote. Advertisement In 2022, the Anti-Defamation League counted 75 different white supremacist prison gangs in federal or local facilities in at least 38 states. The ADL said two of the largest such groups, the Aryan Circle and Aryan Brotherhood of Texas, had at least 1,500 members. Meade had been held in a type of solitary confinement called administrative segregation at Idaho Maximum Security Institution in Kuna, about 12 miles south of Boise, because officials deemed him a severe security risk, Mr Tewalt said. A police vehicle is parked outside Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Centre in Boise, Idaho (Sarah A Miller/AP) Tewalt said earlier in the day that Meade had been escorted in the ambulance and at the hospital by two uniformed, unarmed officers wearing ballistic vests, tailed by armed staff. Later in the day Correction Department spokesperson Sanda Kuzeta-Cerimagic said in an email that officials had confirmed that one officer had been in the ambulance with Meade and two officers were in an escort vehicle. To the best of our knowledge, Meade was in restraints while being escorted in and out of the hospital, Kuzeta-Cerimagic said. She didnt specify whether the restraints were handcuffs, shackles or another type of restraint but said transport procedures are dependent on the custody level of the person being transported. Authorities also did not say if other security measures were in place when Meade was leaving the hospital. Advertisement The attack came amid a wave of gun violence at hospitals and medical centers, which have struggled to adapt to the threats. A Saint Alphonsus spokesperson said the shooting happened in the ambulance bay by its emergency department. All patients and staff are safe, the medical center campus is safe and secure, and has resumed normal operations. The Emergency Department itself is currently under temporary lockdown while the Boise Police Department completes the investigation, Leticia Ramirez said in a statement. She said as an added precaution, we have increased security on campus, all entrances to the hospital will be closed and monitored by hospital security until further notice. Ms Ramirez declined to comment when asked about Meade, deferring to the police department. B. Chase Williams & Shabach - "Power of God" | The Bellamy Group Atlanta, GA -- B. Chase Williams & Shabach released their CHASing THE NEXT CHAPTER EP last fall in support of continuing their quest to keep Gospel Choir music alive. Having celebrated thirty years as a choir in music and ministry, B. Chase & Shabach advocate and promote the genre to ensure that it remains a thriving element of music beyond its sacred foundations. The first single from CHASing THE NEXT CHAPTER is the immersive anthem "POWER OF GOD," which has steadily made its way up the Gospel radio charts. Written by multiple award-winning songwriter Jason Clayborn, "Power Of God" has moved up to #37 on the Mediabase Top Gospel chart, (week ending March 16). "Power Of God" also reached #8 on the Gospel Top 40 Chart (week of Feb 27) and peaked at #5 on the Radio Airplay Experts Gospel Chart. The powerful chorus of God's promises is persuasively delivered with the same confidence Shabach desires listeners to achieve in their walk with the Lord. "Power Of God" single and CHASing THE NEXT CHAPTER EP are available on all streaming and digital music outlets. You can also watch the vibrant "Power of God" official lyric video single here. B. Chase & Shabach have created a platform to further assist keeping choir music alive and relevant. You are invited to a power-packed worship experience - CHOIRS ROCK 2024. Get ready to be blown away by the incredible talents of some of the best choirs in the country including E. Tony Gaines & Victory, Nate Bean & 4G, Rameco Lattimore & TWC, Bishop J. Nathan Paige & True Glory and of course, Dr. B. Chase Williams & ShaBach! CHOIRS ROCK 2024 will be held on Saturday, March 23, at Saint Paul A.M.E. Church, located at 1540 Pryor Road SW, Atlanta, GA 30315. This worship experience promises to be a night filled with anointed, soul-stirring, electrifying Gospel music that will enrich and inspire you. Get your tickets and soak the POWER of music as these amazing choirs take the stage and ROCK THE HOUSE at an unforgettable evening of pure vocal virtuosity! Get Tickets Here! In addition to his busy music ministry schedule, B. Chase is adding a new title to his resume - radio show host! His new syndicated radio show is The RadiKal Prayyyzzz Hour with co-host Jason Wright. The Radikal Prayyzzz Hour has a mission to "bring you music, ministry, and information that will Radikally change your life!" The show can be heard on WGSR - Gospel Sounds Radio on Saturday and Sunday at 8PM EST (Birmingham, AL), on rSPIRIT.online on Mondays and Fridays at 5PM EST (Rochester, NY), on DAF Gospel Radio each Saturday at 4PM EST (Nashville, TN), and on We LIT Gospel Radio every Sunday at 7PM EST (Montgomery, AL). "My new radio show will feature a mixture of music from independent and national artists who produce good-quality music," states B. Chase. "I will be playing choirs, quartets, and praise and worship, by solo artists and inspirational groups. And, you will not hear the same music on every show." Get more exciting news from B. Chase & Shabach on Facebook @bchasewilliamsandshabach. Houston's Lotus Seafood to release first ever Crack Sauce product. Submitted by Lotus Seafood Houston's Lotus Seafood to release first-ever Crack Sauce product. Submitted by Lotus Seafood Houston's Lotus Seafood to release first ever Crack Sauce product. Submitted by Lotus Seafood A new addictive sauce created by a Houston-based seafood restaurant will soon be available to purchase and use at home. Lotus Seafood, which has been open since 2006, will release their Crack Sauce for sale in April as a retail product. Lotus Seafood general manger Buddha Ly said that the company has been selling Crack Sauce at the restaurant for about 15 years now and has had a lot of people asking about how to purchase it to take home. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Everybodys been asking us, like 'hey when are you going to bottle it' ... or people out of town they come eat at our restaurant and theyre always asking whether we can get the sauce shipped, said Ly. So, after some time we decided to bottle the sauce." The restaurant has gained a cult following and offers seafood combo packs that include shrimp, snow crab, potatoes and sausage. Ly said the Lotus Seafood team, who are all from Houston, decided to put the sauce in a medicine bottle because "Houston is known as the city of syrup." However, the company does not promote or condone the use of drugs. Publicist Sherrie Handrinos said the restaurant always likes to have fun with things when their marking their restaurant. She said that the new item took months to roll out and had a lot of thought behind it. You want to match your brand right, you want to match who you are, and everybody knows that Lotus is like that place you can go to with the crack sauce but then has the great food, said Handrinos. We know the Lotus following likes the fun stuff. They like all the new things we roll out and people are really receptive to it. Advertisement Article continues below this ad On April 1, the new 16-ounce medicine style bottle will be available at all Houston locations and online for purchase worldwide. The creamy Crack Sauce gives you a taste of butter and garlic flavors, and can be used for an all-purpose sauce for shrimp, fries, lobster or wings. Kering shares plunged after the French luxury group warned that sales at its Gucci brand have fallen about 20 per cent in the first quarter as its brash look loses favour with Chinese shoppers. The stock dropped 12 per cent in Paris trading, its steepest decline since March 2020, wiping about 6.3 billion euros ($10.5 billion) from Kerings market value. Gucci has long been one of the most volatile of the major luxury brands. Credit: Bloomberg Kering blamed a steeper-than-expected sales drop at Gucci in the Asia-Pacific region. The fashion group has been trying to revitalise the Italian label that accounts for about two-thirds of its profit, so far without success. The warning will likely prompt renewed speculation over how Kering might lessen its reliance on a brand known for flamboyant designs that are out of step with the current trend toward understatement. Controlled by the billionaire Pinault family, Kering has struggled to keep up with rivals like LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton and Hermes International as luxury sales have cooled over the past year, especially in China. LVMHs broader brand portfolio and Hermess long waiting lists for handbags have made those companies more resilient. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Investigative journalist Louise Milligan is slightly distracted when we meet, apologising for checking messages each time her phone pings. A week later, the reason is revealed: she was finalising the Four Corners episode about Sydneys prestigious Cranbrook School that eventually led to the resignation of its principal and prompted the federal government to announce an investigation into the school. Milligan has spent much of her career covering such stories, holding power to account. After finishing an arts/law degree at Monash University, she studied a graduate diploma of journalism at RMIT, then took a cadetship at The Australian. Later, she switched from print to television, moving to Seven News, then the ABCs 7.30 and Four Corners. The Irish-born, Melbourne-raised reporters first foray into fiction is released this week. Pheasants Nest is a gripping crime thriller that tells the story of journalist Kate Delaney, who ends up in a living nightmare when she is abducted. Along the way, it provides an insight into the media, policing and crime, informed by the authors knowledge of how things work in real life. It is deliberately written from Delaneys perspective. I didnt want her to be just this sort of object, that whole idea of the oval [picture] in the frame, the pretty victim, Milligan says, alluding to how parts of the media cover such crimes. I wanted to be inside her mind, [to show] what she was thinking about, but from a knowing perspective because shes someone whos covered these crimes. She knows that instead of them being done by psychological masterminds, the perpetrator is usually a bit of an idiot. Various real-life cases resonate throughout the novel. Melbourne woman Jill Meagher, who was raped and murdered not far from her home in Brunswick, is one. When her killer, who had committed violent crimes against women many times, was sentenced, Milligan interviewed Meaghers husband, Tom. His experience stuck in her mind; like Kates boyfriend in the novel, Tom Meagher was initially suspected by police, adding to his trauma. One element of the novel came from covering a coronial inquest for The Australian in the early 2000s, when someone had ended their life by jumping off Pheasants Nest Bridge in the NSW Southern Highlands. Local police gave heartrending accounts of post-traumatic stress disorder from picking up the bodies of the jumpers, she says. Later, at the ABCs 7.30, she conducted a series of interviews with police about the trauma that goes hand in hand with their work. Cops get a really bad run a lot of the time, they have to see things that the rest of us cant even imagine and have to somehow process [them]. A lot of the time, like the character, DAmbrosio, in the novel, when they fall apart, theyre treated like theyre diseased, like its catching, Milligan says. That bridge setting on and around the Hume Highway was another inspiration. I was always really struck by that stretch of road, how Gothic that section is, and knowing all the backstories about the kids [who had died in 1990] in the pylons, about Ivan Milat. And it just started coming to me in the car, she says, recalling the initial inspiration for what would become Pheasants Nest in the summer of 2015. I got home and I wrote three chapters just like that. Advertisement Fast-forward to 2021, when Milligan revisited the fledgling manuscript, and sent it to her friend, former publisher Louise Adler, who encouraged her to finish it. While away from home for work, she got stuck into writing in unusual circumstances. Pheasants Nest is the first novel by investigative reporter Louise Milligan. I had had this quite weirdly creatively inspiring COVID, where I was having fever dreams. My mind was really alive. I know it sounds crazy, but I wrote six chapters in a week. I was just in the zone. And that was it, then I couldnt get these people out of my head, she says. You hear that whole cliche about characters living in peoples heads and whatever, but it was like they were literally telling me what to do. Writing the book at a difficult time in her life, she says, was almost a kind of therapy. [Someone] I was talking to a lot during that period said to me, Every time you talk about your book, your whole face changes, it just lights up. Milligan has found herself in the headlines in the past decade. In 2018, she was a high-profile witness in the committal hearing for George Pell, cross-examined about what one of the complainants had told her about his alleged assault in the mid-1990s. More recently, she was sued for defamation by the then federal attorney-general, Christian Porter, who dropped the legal action when the ABC agreed to pay mediation costs, while the story in question (which alleged that as a teenager, he raped a girl) remained unaltered on the national broadcasters website, albeit with an editors note. Porter has denied the allegations. In 2021, federal Liberal MP Andrew Laming sued the reporter for defamation over a series of tweets that alleged he upskirted a woman. Laming has denied the allegations. Though several other journalists and politicians had made the same allegations, Milligan was the only one taken to court; as part of a settlement, she agreed to pay Laming $79,000 in damages plus legal costs, which the ABC paid on her behalf. Recently, she was embroiled in Antoinette Lattoufs Fair Work case against the ABC, after the sacked radio presenter claimed the broadcaster paid for Milligans defamation fees because she is white. Parallels between the main character in Pheasants Nest and its author are inevitable: both are high achievers and journalists, both came to Australia from Ireland as children. Advertisement Kate is not her, Milligan says, but there are definitely synergies. Certainly, the Irish-Australian thing is one of them, and the Child of Prague. I did leave a Child of Prague statue in the bin [in Ireland], which was given to me by my maternal great aunt. That aunt is the only character in the book who is pretty much exactly the same [as in real life]. Between working full time and having two children, I wonder how she made time to write. I just basically stopped watching TV, she says with a laugh. I had a sort of rule for myself: just write a paragraph a day. And you always end up writing more. But at least every single day, I had that discipline. Having written two acclaimed non-fiction books, Milligan has form on this front. Cardinal, about the late Pell, the Ballarat boy who became one of the highest-ranking officials in the Catholic Church and was found guilty of sexual crimes against children and jailed, won the Walkley Book Award in 2020. The High Court eventually quashed Pells convictions on appeal and he was released from prison. TAKE 7: THE ANSWERS ACCORDING TO LOUISE MILLIGAN Worst habit? I seem absolutely incapable of keeping my bedroom tidy. Greatest fear? Spiders. Im from the old country. Were afraid of beasties. The line that stayed with you? Ive always loved Dickens and I keep returning to that quote from the character, Steerforth, (in David Copperfield) who is quite a repugnant bully: Ride on! Roughshod if need be, smooth-shod if that will do, but ride on! Ride over all obstacles and win the race! It is by no means an inspirational quote (I hate inspirational quotes), its a type of person and institution I have repeatedly seen in my work. Biggest regret? Not continuing with a second or third language. I had a natural flair for language but gave it up in the latter part of school because, being a terrible girly swot, I wanted to get the highest possible marks to get into a law degree and worried a language might drag me down. Its not a great insight into what we value in schools. Favourite room? The Long Room in the Old Library of Trinity College in Dublin. Its such a beautiful space, with the barrel-vaulted wooden roof, the floor-to-ceiling books. The reason the roof looks like it does is they actually raised it in 1860 because they had run out of room for all the books and they had to increase the space to fit more. I love that. The artwork/song you wish was yours? Its really hard to narrow it down, so Ill go with a song I have been thinking of lately Under The Milky Way by The Church. It reminds me of going on long car trips as a teenager and pressing my face against the cold glass of the car window and staring up at the stars. If you could solve one thing... Well of course, poverty. I find the saying, money cant buy you happiness, kind of irritating. It cant. But if buying the basics in life is a constant struggle, it is pretty hard to be happy. To write Cardinal, Milligan drew on the experiences of many people who spoke to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Abuse. She also drew the ire of high-profile figures across the country who counted Pell as a friend, including former prime ministers Tony Abbott and John Howard. Her second book, 2021s Witness, is a harrowing, forensic account of how victims of sexual abuse are treated in the Australian legal system. Years of reporting on crime and interviewing victims hundreds over the course of the royal commission alone takes its toll, and Milligan has been diagnosed with secondary PTSD, although she is loath to talk about it. Nothing that I have ever experienced even holds a candle to what the people whose stories I tell have experienced. I could never know how bad it is to go through what they have gone through, she says. I want to be honest about the impact doing this work has, and on the other hand, I fall back into that thing that women often do, that I dont want to make this all about me. Advertisement Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Make the most of the autumn sunshine with a waterfront meal at Portarlingtons Arlo. Plus, two more places in the country to check out if youre hitting the road. A red-and-white tablecloth Italian restaurant with food by a former Embla chef is keeping Kyneton locals twirling pasta until 10pm some nights since it rolled into the central Victorian town three weeks ago. Meaning ours in Italian, Nostra combines Dane Hewsons chef skills and Lydia Greenwoods events background to create a pop-up family-style Italian restaurant wherever it goes. Since launching less than a year ago, the couple has held sell-out dinners atop Lulie Tavern in Melbourne, a residency at Red Hill Hotel in Chewton (near Castlemaine), and now Shirley in Kyneton, which will be home to Nostra until late May. Pumpkin ravioli with sage, hazelnuts and brown butter. Erin Neale I really fell in love with the country and getting to know the people in a small town, says Greenwood. Its something that I wasnt really expecting to love as much as I did. Lasagne is a new menu addition, but already a fan favourite. Drawing on his time at Embla cooking over fire, Hewson sneaks in an unusual ingredient not once but twice. Smoked tomatoes are turned into an oil and also used in the lasagnes ragu to add a complex, savoury layer to the dish. Britain and Australias defence and foreign ministers have pushed back on doubts about the progress of the AUKUS pact, declaring they are confident the two nations are up to the task of building a new class of nuclear-powered submarines. A day after they announced Australia would provide almost $5 billion over 10 years to help British defence production lines, Defence Minister Richard Marles and Foreign Minister Penny Wong met with their UK counterparts in Adelaide on Friday for the annual Australia-UK ministerial talks, known as AUKMIN. Defence Minister Richard Marles (centre) with (left to right) Foreign Minister Penny Wong, UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron, South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas and UK Secretary of State for Defence Grant Shapps. Credit: AAP Asked about whether AUKUS would survive a Donald Trump presidency, British Foreign Secretary David Cameron said it was important to ensure the pact was in the best possible shape so whoever is the new president can see that theyre working with a very successful set of arrangements. Marles agreed, saying: We feel confident given what weve seen, particularly over the course of the last few months, in Congress, that the AUKUS arrangements really do enjoy support across the political spectrum in the US and we move forward with complete confidence about what the future will hold. Responding to doubters of Australias plan to acquire nuclear-powered submarines, Cameron said that such boats clearly have capabilities in terms of distance and endurance that out-match other submarines. I think its vital technology and Britain has been running these submarines for many years and theyre extremely effective and were looking forward to investing in the new generation of the AUKUS submarines, Cameron said. Australia is one of the most capable countries in the world when it comes to delivering big projects and this is a big project. Iron Mikes adventures in art (C8) continue, via George Manojlovic of Mangerton: What does Mike Tyson have in common with Pablo Picasso? They both re-arrange faces. The mention of Swedish lingonberries (C8) reminded me of the time I did white water rafting in freezing water in northern Sweden, says Tim Ingall of Scottsdale, Arizona (US). As we got out of the rafts on a sandy beach, they had a small cauldron being heated over a wood fire from which they served hot lingonberry juice stiffened with vodka. I highly recommend this adult beverage to readers. Mike Fogarty of Weston (ACT) says that St Patricks Day was celebrated with typical craic at my local Irish club last Sunday. An obliging young employee, who identified himself as an Indian, exchanged a conversation with me. Of Hindu parents, he lived and studied in the Irish Republic for seventeen years. I innocently asked him if he spoke Gaelic. He answered in their vernacular and also with flawless English. He had a delightful yet neutral mid-Atlantic accent, which impressed me. All this from a fellow honorary Paddy. Dave Ritchie of Mosman writes: So the next Australian swimmer to star at the Olympics is to be Molly OCallaghan. This is not a surprise but the continuation of an obvious trend. Before Molly were Olympic champions Susie ONeill, Emma McKeon and Kylee McKeown all clearly having a Celtic background. Even the great Dawn Frasers father was born in Scotland. A collective noun for former prime ministers (C8)? How about thicket? suggests Ryszard Linkiewicz of South Caringbah. Not to be outdone, John Kouvelis of Neutral Bay thinks: It has to be lodge, surely? Thats where well leave todays updates. Thanks for joining us well return to update you on the news as it happens on Monday. Here were the stories that mattered today. The car was set on fire in Wavell Heights after the alleged hit and run in Chermside. Credit: Nine News The tradesman accused of a fatal hit-and-run in Chermside yesterday had allegedly seen the victim in the mirror but driven off, then changed his clothes, set the vehicle on fire and disposed of his phone. Proposed changes to rental laws in Queensland have sparked debate among industry figures: the CEO of Tenants Queensland says limits are needed on how much rents could rise, but REIQs chief says its actually tenants who have been electing to offer more rent or pay rent in advance to secure a property. And the Brisbane 2032 Games venues continue to cause dissent, with Andrew Liveris, the president of the Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee Board, admitting the weeks events are not a good look for any of us. The Queensland government has confirmed it spent $6.4 million on the development of a project validation report for the Gabba. But it seems the PM is just about the only politician not fazed: he says that whatever happens, the Games will be a cracker. Debbie Harry of Blondie was part of the Pandemonium line-up. She performed at Coachella, California, in 2023. Credit: Getty Fans of rockers Alice Cooper and Blondie have been left confused, with reports a rock festival bound for Queensland and featuring the classic performers has been cancelled. Reece Walsh and his nasty gash after Thursdays game. After the Broncos were belted last night, none more so than Reece Walsh, who left the paddock in the opening minutes, coach Kevin Walters has issued an impassioned plea to the NRL to address duty of care laws in the game. And Queensland Reds coach Les Kiss is faced with the ultimate selection headache which could have huge ramifications for Australian rugby. School principals have reported being bitten, having clumps of hair pulled out and finding students with knives, as physical attacks and threats increase to a level never seen before. Some have resorted to asking to wear body cameras to record evidence of unruly students as helicopter parents, who wont accept the authority of those making the rules, create a minefield for principals. The Australian Catholic Universitys annual principals survey shows the highest levels of violence against school leaders since the study began in 2011, in what one investigator has called an escalating trend. Almost half (48.2 per cent) of the respondents were subjected to physical violence in 2023, up from 44 per cent in 2022. More than half (53.9 per cent) were threatened, up from 48.4 per cent. It was 1975. Colour TV had only just arrived in Australia. Gough Whitlam was out; bell-bottoms and safari suits (allegedly) were still in. Queens Bohemian Rhapsody competed with Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelins latest in the charts. It was also the year Western Australias newly minted Environmental Protection Authority identified its own version of the charts; the best of the best of the states natural wonders, the special places it believed should be protected forever. One of those chart-toppers was the eastern Exmouth Gulf wetland, as was the closely connected Ningaloo Reef. Like some quality songs ahead of their time, Exmouth Gulf was more of a slow burn than an instant hit, but that began to change in the 1990s when its extraordinary value was reaffirmed, this time by the federal government when the eastern gulf was included in a list of the most important wetlands in Australia. Senior Labor figure and Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne has taken an extraordinary swipe at his NSW parliamentary colleagues, warning Premier Chris Minns that he has no mandate to pass laws to tighten bail laws for children. Byrne said the Minns Labor government should withdraw legislation to incarcerate more children until the matter can be debated at the NSW Labor Party Conference in July. Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne says the Labor Party must debate the governments planned new bail laws for children. Credit: Dion Georgopoulos He said party members were furious that a Labor government had taken such a hardline approach to children, especially disadvantaged Indigenous teens. The laws, which have passed the lower house and will be debated in the upper house on Thursday, were in response to worsening crime in regional areas, where young people in areas such as Moree are increasingly breaking into homes and stealing cars. London: Leo Varadkar, Irelands barrier-breaking prime minister, says he will resign, days after a double referendum in which voters rejected constitutional changes his government had championed, and after years of waning public support for his political party, Fine Gael. Varadkar, the gay son of an Irish nurse and a doctor born in Mumbai, India, became the countrys youngest-ever leader when he was named prime minister in 2017 at the age of 38, and in many ways he personified the rapidly changing identity of the modern Irish state. Leo Varadkar is stepping down as Irish prime minister and party leader. Credit: Getty But Fine Gael, which is ruling in coalition with two other parties, has struggled recently, and, before local and European elections in June, polls suggest public support for the party has flatlined. I know this will come as a surprise to many people and a disappointment to some, but I hope you will understand my decision, Varadkar said at a news conference outside Leinster House in central Dublin. I know that others will how shall I put it? cope with the news just fine, he said. That is the great thing about living in a democracy. Houston Police Chief Troy Finner speaks to the media during a press conference on March 7. Finner found himself in front of a small crowd Wednesday night invested in hearing from him about how his department would handle the new law. Karen Warren/Staff photographer Less 24 hours after Texas was jolted by the start, and sudden stop, of SB4, the state's new deportation law, Police Chief Troy Finner found himself in front of a small crowd curious to know how his department would handle the controversial law. By coincidence, Finner and members of the police department's command staff were scheduled to attend HPD's first-ever, Spanish-language Positive Interaction Program Wednesday evening in an effort to connect the community with police. QUESTIONS ABOUT SB4: Everything to know about Texas' migrant deportation law SB4 after latest pause Advertisement Article continues below this ad The meeting, held at Southwest Multi-Service Center, was meant to encourage people to feel comfortable calling police to report crimes, either through 9-1-1 or other means. More than half of the questions Finner faced were about how the new law would be enacted in the country's most diverse city. Senate Bill 4 allows any law enforcement officer in Texas to arrest migrants they suspect of entering illegally and empowers judges to order their removal. Finner mostly demurred, noting that it had already been blocked again by legal challenges after being enforceable for about nine hours on Tuesday. "We're going to be just fine here," Finner said. On Tuesday, an HPD spokesman said the department was still reviewing the law as it took effect and hadn't given officers directives on how it should be enforced locally. Other local police leaders expressed skepticism on how the law could be enforced by their officers so far from the border. Advertisement Article continues below this ad NINE HOURS: Inside the chaotic period when SB4 went into effect Fnnner, whose department is already facing scrutiny over its handling of the suspension of more than 260,000 incident reports dating back nearly a decade, said it was important that people continue to feel comfortable approaching police officers. "I do understand the fear is real," Finner said, about the effect the law was having on immigrant communities. "But fear makes people move. Let's use that momentum to come together closer and have more meeting and educate people. That's what I want. We build trust in the this city with face-to-face meetings." The meeting attracted about 20 people in person but was watched by hundreds more online, Finner said. The department planned to do more Spanish-language meetings in the future, and Finner promised the group that Mayor John Whitmire would attend one of the gatherings. After much fanfare, the US House impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden is all but winding down, lacking hard evidence of wrongdoing and political appetite from within the Republican ranks to go forward with an actual impeachment. House Oversight and Accountability Committee Chairman Representative James Comer waves papers. Credit: AP What happened? At a hearing on Wednesday (US time), the chairman of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, James Comer, made a last-ditch push for the Biden impeachment inquiry, announcing he will seek testimony from Biden himself. Comer said the Democratic president was either complicit or incompetent in his son Hunter Bidens business dealings, he said. The committees top Democrat, Representative Jamie Raskin of Maryland, said the Republicans have turned the investigation into a laughing stock and the comedy of errors of the Biden impeachment inquiry is finally crashing to an end. Somali Piracy Resurfaces, Threatening Global Shipping Amidst Regional Conflicts (Photo: Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Jason R. Zalasky, USN / Public domain) The resurgence of Somali piracy is posing a renewed threat to global shipping, complicating an already strained situation with escalating risks and costs for the industry. A recent incident involving the hijacking of the Bangladeshi-flagged bulk carrier Abdullah by over a dozen Somali pirates has underscored the growing menace in the western Indian Ocean. Despite a distress signal and an emergency call, the crew, including the captain and second officer, was taken hostage, highlighting the critical security challenges in the region. This resurgence comes after a period of relative calm, achieved through concerted international naval efforts that had significantly curtailed pirate activities. However, with more than 20 attempted hijackings since November, the maritime community is on high alert. The increased pirate activity has led to a rise in the costs associated with shipping, including higher premiums for armed security guards and insurance coverage, not to mention the looming specter of potential ransom payments. The pirates' renewed boldness is partly attributed to the diversion of international naval resources towards addressing other regional security threats, such as drone and missile strikes by Yemen's Houthi militia. This shift has provided a window of opportunity for Somali pirates to re-establish their operations, exploiting the reduced naval presence off the Somali coast. The hijacking incidents, including that of the Abdullah, have prompted a robust response from international forces. The Indian Navy, for example, successfully intercepted and freed the Malta-flagged Ruen, which had been seized by pirates and used as a base for further attacks. This operation led to the surrender of 35 pirates and the rescue of 17 hostages, highlighting the potential for effective deterrent actions against piracy. Despite these successes, the Somali government and maritime security experts emphasize the importance of a comprehensive approach to tackling piracy. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has advocated for enhancing Somalia's law enforcement capabilities both at sea and on land, rather than solely relying on international naval patrols. However, resource constraints, including limited operational coast guard vessels, pose significant challenges to these efforts. The international community remains committed to supporting Somalia in addressing piracy, with missions led by the European Union, the United States, and NATO playing pivotal roles. Yet, the lapse of a crucial U.N. resolution authorizing foreign vessels to patrol Somali waters has further complicated the situation, underscoring the need for renewed international cooperation and engagement. As the shipping industry navigates through these troubled waters, the specter of Somali piracy serves as a reminder of the persistent and evolving threats to global maritime security. With billions of dollars and thousands of lives at stake, the resurgence of piracy off the Somali coast demands urgent attention and coordinated action from the international community to safeguard the vital shipping lanes that underpin the global economy. Prince Charles lived like a single man when he was seeing Camilla while still married to Princess Diana. (Photo: REUTERS/Tracey Nearmy/Pool) Queen Camilla has provided a fresh update on King Charles' health during her solo tour of Northern Ireland, assuring the public that the monarch is "doing very well" as he continues to receive cancer treatment. The Queen, who travelled to Northern Ireland while King Charles focuses on his recovery, shared the positive news during her visits to local businesses in Belfast. When asked about the King's health, Queen Camilla responded, "He's doing very well. He was very disappointed he couldn't come." She also playfully added, "I try to keep him in order," when someone joked about men not being the best patients. The Queen's visit to Northern Ireland follows her recent trip to the Isle of Man, where she conferred city status on the Borough of Douglas. During her speech on behalf of King Charles, the Queen conveyed the monarch's apologies for not being able to attend the celebration himself, describing it as an "extremely special occasion." Throughout her tour of Belfast, Queen Camilla visited several artisan and family-run food shops, including Coffey's Butchers, Knotts Bakery & Arcadia Delicatessen on Lisburn Road. At each stop, the Queen was gifted various local delicacies to take home to London and share with the King. At Coffey's Butchers, the Queen was impressed by the selection of meats on display, remarking, "My goodness me what a great selection. It's wonderful, it's all very tempting. It's lovely to see you thriving." She graciously accepted a bag filled with Northern Irish specialties, including Belfast pickle, beef sausages, and vegetable rolls, stating, "I shall take these back to my husband, he will really make the most of them." During her visit to The Arcadia deli, shop assistant Brenda Robb presented the Queen with a get well soon card for King Charles and shared her best wishes. Queen Camilla expressed her appreciation and reiterated that the King was "very disappointed he couldn't come [to Northern Ireland]." A particularly endearing moment occurred during the Queen's visit to Knotts bakery, where 23-month-old Fitzwilliam Corrie-Salmon, the son of one of the owners, photobombed the royal with an adorable smile and a wave to the camera. The Queen, delighted by the toddler's charm, joked, "We have got a natural for the cameras!" The Queen's trip to Northern Ireland follows the announcement on Feb. 5 from Buckingham Palace that King Charles had been diagnosed with cancer. While the palace has not specified the type of cancer, a spokesperson confirmed it is not prostate cancer, following the King's treatment for benign prostate enlargement in January. The monarch has postponed public-facing duties on the advice of his doctors while receiving treatment but has continued to work behind the scenes. Despite the King's absence, Queen Camilla's visit to Northern Ireland has provided a much-needed dose of positivity and reassurance to the public. Her interactions with local businesses and the warm reception she received from the people of Belfast demonstrate the enduring connection between the Royal Family and the communities they serve. Q&A What you need to know about viewing the total solar eclipse During the total solar eclipse on April 8, Buffalo will experience more than 3 minutes of totality, the time when the Earth, the sun and the moon are in total alignment and the moon is completely blocking the sun. Andrew Reynolds, clinical associate professor of ophthalmology in the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, is a pediatric ophthalmologist who provides patient care at the Ross Eye Institute/UBMD Ophthalmology. Reynolds spoke with UBNow about how to stay safe while viewing this extraordinary celestial event. What do you want folks to know about the total solar eclipse? First, be sure to get NASA-approved solar eclipse glasses for you and your family. To ensure that UB students, faculty and staff will be able to view the eclipse safely, University Events will be providing free eclipse-viewing glasses to members of the UB community. More information will be available soon. Erie County is making safe solar glasses available at the Buffalo Science Museum and at all 37 branches of the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library. (Visit the Buffalo Museum of Science website for more information about eclipse glasses.) Be sure your glasses have the following code on them: ISO 12312-2. This indicates they are NASA-approved. Regular sunglasses are not safe to use during the afternoon of April 8. Binoculars, telescopes and camera viewfinders are also not safe to use unless they are equipped with specific solar filters. When is it safe to look at the sky without eclipse glasses? The only time that it will be safe to look up at the sky during the afternoon of April 8 is from about 3:19 to 3:21 for optimal safety. The moon will be completely blocking the sun for about 3 minutes, from 3:18 to 3:21, but to be safe, we ophthalmologists are suggesting that the 2 minutes of peak totality are safe to look at the sun without protection. Otherwise, wear your eclipse glasses. What will it look like? Even though its the middle of the afternoon, it will look and feel like its nighttime during a full moon. Temperatures can drop as much as 10 or 15 degrees. For just those 2 minutes, you will be able to take off your NASA-approved solar eclipse glasses and look at the sun. Here's the schedule: From 2:04 to 3:19 p.m.: You MUST wear your solar eclipse glasses to look at the sun. You MUST wear your solar eclipse glasses to look at the sun. 3:19 to 3:21 p.m.: It is safe to look at the sun because the moon will be directly in front of it. Even though Buffalo will be in totality for a bit longer, we are advising our patients and the public that this is the only time you can safely take off your eclipse glasses to view the sun as its blocked by the moon. It is safe to look at the sun because the moon will be directly in front of it. Even though Buffalo will be in totality for a bit longer, we are advising our patients and the public that this is the you can safely take off your eclipse glasses to view the sun as its blocked by the moon. 3:21 to 4:32 p.m.: You MUST wear your solar eclipse glasses to look at the sun. What do parents and others need to know about children and the eclipse? Police Chief Troy Finner and Houston Mayor John Whitmire are joined by Houston Area Women's Center President Emilee Dawn Whitehurst and Deputy CEO Sonia Corrales for a press conference on Monday, March 11, 2024, in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Houston Mayor John Whitmire delivers a welcome remark at the luncheon at CERAWeek by S&P Global Monday, March 18, 2024 at Hilton Americas-Houston in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Mayor John Whitmire introduced the five members of the committee tasked with investigating the 264,000 suspended Houston Police Department cases during Wednesdays City Council meeting. The committee made of City Attorney Arturo Michel, Captain Jeff Owles, Rev. T. Leon Preston II, Christina Nowak with the Office of the Inspector General and former City Council and state representative Ellen Cohen has been given a list of eight directives from the Mayors Office. Among those directives include conducting a comprehensive review of the department's policies that contributed to the suspended cases, analyzing data and processes to identify trends and patterns in the suspended cases, reviewing individual incident reports and corresponding case files to determine which decisions and actions were deficient and conducting interviews to determine the timelines of suspended cases. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The committee is not only supposed to report its findings back to the mayors office and the public on its progress, but convene on a regular basis and issue a final report with findings, recommendations and long-term actions to ensure future incident reports are addressed properly. It is also supposed to hold a public meeting on its findings and recommendations. Were all in this together, Whitmire said Wednesday as he introduced the committee. I believe the eyes of Houston are upon us. The committees five members have already begun collecting data as a part of its investigation, Whitmire said, but the mayor did not give a timeline for when the review would be complete, and said he would leave the judgment to the panel itself. On Feb. 22, Houston Police Chief Troy Finner announced the department was launching an internal investigation into more than 4,000 reported sexual assaults that had been designated as "SL," suspended due to a lack of personnel in the department's record management system. The review quickly grew to include more than 264,000 cases across multiple police divisions dating back to 2016. Advertisement Article continues below this ad As the investigation into the suspended cases grew, Whitmire said he planned to launch an independent review of the department's handling of them. Having campaigned on public safety, Whitmire has used the controversy to criticize anti-crime efforts started by his predecessor, former Mayor Sylvester Turner, and said the suspended police reports scandal reveals that previous claims about crime data in Houston were spin based on flawed data. Schneider Electric, a global player in energy management and automation, has invested Rs 100 crore in a new cooling factory in Bengaluru, officially launched on Thursday. The company has also earmarked an investment of Rs 3,200 crore in India by 2026 to expand its presence across the country. The cooling factory in Bengaluru, spanning about 6.5 acres, will focus on developing innovative cooling solutions to meet the growing exponential demand for the data centre ecosystem in the country, the company said. The new manufacturing facility embodies our commitment to the vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat. It underlines our technological advancement, standing as a beacon of innovation and progress, poised to meet the demands of the data centre industry. India is a crucial market for us, we are set to invest Rs 3,200 crore by 2026 to expand our presence in the country. This factory, a part of that commitment, will go beyond manufacturing, creating job opportunities in the state of Karnataka and fostering the growth of the local economy, said Deepak Sharma, zone president Greater India, managing director and chief executive officer of Schneider Electric India. Eighty-five per cent of the products manufactured in this factory will be exported, significantly catering to the data centre segment, as well as to buildings, industry, and infrastructure. Fully owned by Schneider Electric, this factory will play a crucial role in the companys global supply chain. This new factory is equipped with cutting-edge technology and specialises in manufacturing cooling products and solutions that are tailored for data centres, telecom, commercial, and industrial applications, both in domestic and international markets, Schneider Electric said in a statement. The primary focus of the factory will be to produce the latest generation of row cooling systems, high-efficiency chillers, and other precision air conditioning systems. The global data centre cooling market size was estimated at $18.65 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.8 per cent from 2024 to 2030, according to Grand View Research. The increasing demand for energy-efficient data centres is anticipated to create lucrative growth opportunities for energy management players. The data centre industry is currently facing numerous challenges, and one of the significant issues is energy volatility. With the exponential growth of artificial intelligence, the demand for data processing is increasing rapidly, leading to an increased demand for cooling solutions," said Pankaj Sharma, executive vice president, Secure Power Division and Data Centre Business, Schneider Electric. "To cater to this growing need, our factory is equipped to manufacture efficient cooling solutions that not only address the cooling requirements of high-density computing environments but also contribute to building resilient and sustainable data centre infrastructure, Sharma added. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has signed a multimillion-dollar strategic partnership with Ramboll, a Danish global architecture, engineering and consultancy company. TCS will carry out information technology (IT) transformation for the company. TCS did not disclose the size of the deal, but analysts said it falls under the large deal category for the IT services exporter. A large deal for TCS is typically in the $100 million and above category. Click here to follow our WhatsApp channel ALSO READ: Back to office, everyone The new agreement, spread over seven years, will modernise and streamline Rambolls IT operating model to drive business growth and optimise costs. As a part of the partnership, TCS will induct more than 300 Ramboll IT employees in 12 countries. Thomas Angelius, senior group director and chief information officer at Ramboll, said, Our company has experienced remarkable growth, and we are determined to see this success forward. To continue our upward trajectory, we recognised the need for a trustworthy partner who can help us build a standardised, scalable IT platform that allows for innovation, and is agile enough to foster creativity. TCS will provide services to manage Rambolls Cloud and data centres, application development and maintenance, cybersecurity, and digital Workplace. This will set a digital foundation for Rambolls business growth, help to reduce its climate footprint, and increase scalability. Ramboll works in 35 countries and has revenue of more than DKK 17 billion. The companys growth in the past few years, including through mergers and acquisitions, has resulted in a complex IT architecture and operations structure. TCS will help reduce Rambolls IT costs by streamlining and consolidating the architecture and operations structure. "The partnership shall help Ramboll with a scalable, future-ready IT platform driving business agility. TCS will leverage the power of data, cloud, and analytics to help Ramboll drive intelligent business transformation and enterprise-wide growth," said V Rajanna, president, technology, software and services, TCS. TCS has been in Denmark for over 30 years. TCS is proud to have been trusted by Ramboll as their first-ever outsourcing partner for this multi-year and multi-phase global project. We look forward to working with Ramboll and building a flexible, agile, scalable, and secure IT and operational foundation to help take the business to the next level, said Vikram Sharma, country head, Denmark, TCS. ALSO READ: Amitabh Kant, former chief executive officer of NITI Aayog and Indias G20 Sherpa, at the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Southern Regional Annual Regional Meeting 2024 in Bengaluru India must aim to accelerate its pace of growth to 9-10 per cent over a three-decade period, said Amitabh Kant, former chief executive officer of NITI Aayog and Indias G20 Sherpa, at the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Southern Regional Annual Regional Meeting 2024 in Bengaluru on Thursday. Kant suggested that if India grows at 10 per cent, it would mean the gross domestic product (GDP) would surpass $35 trillion, elevating the per capita income to around $24,000. Click here to follow our WhatsApp channel It is very important that our ambition cannot be 7 per cent or 7.5 per cent, it must be very high to make a 10 per cent growth over a three-decade period. India cannot grow at all on the back of the services sector. India needs to grow on the back of manufacturing, smart urbanization, and agriculture. India cannot grow only on the back of the central government, it will only grow if the States grow, Kant said. Kant emphasised India's potential to outpace Japan and Germany, projecting it to become the world's third-largest economy by 2027. He further forecasted India's ascent to the third-largest stock market by the same year's end. India has emerged as a resilient powerhouse during the last three quarters and is an oasis of growth. This is once in a generation economic shift that is taking place, in its economic position - a rare movement, Kant added. Kant shed light on India's consistent growth, surpassing 8.3 per cent in the last three quarters. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), India is anticipated to contribute about 20 per cent of the worlds economic expansion in the next decade. Discussing India's anticipated growth, Kant suggested transitioning people from agriculture to manufacturing-led smart cities to create better-quality jobs and foster economic development. The challenge with India is that 42 per cent of our population is in agriculture. About 18-19 per cent of the GDP is coming from agriculture which is too high as the world average is about 5-6 per cent, added Kant. Kant emphasised the significance of bolstering India's manufacturing sector, highlighting its potential to equip the nation with the necessary size and scale to effectively enter the global market. We need to dig close to 5 per cent of the global trade and for that to happen, we need to grow manufacturing which is what we are doing through Production Linked Incentive (PLI), the former chief executive officer of NITI Aayog added. Highlighting India's growth drivers, Kant emphasised artificial intelligence is critical in business transformation. The use of AI integration will boost Indias GDP by over a trillion dollars. It would not be possible for a business to continue if it is not AI-first, Kant said. The delegation led by Harivansh is accompanied by five Rajya Sabha members, namely S. Niranjan Reddy, Kartikeya Sharma, Ashok Mittal, Prashanta Nanda, and Sumitra Balmik A seven-member parliamentary delegation led by Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh left on Thursday to attend the five-day 148th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) being organised in Geneva, Switzerland. The delegation, attending the event scheduled between March 23 and 27, will raise issues like parliamentary diplomacy, and building bridges for peace and understanding. The IPU has a membership of 180 countries. The delegation led by Harivansh is accompanied by five Rajya Sabha members, namely S. Niranjan Reddy, Kartikeya Sharma, Ashok Mittal, Prashanta Nanda, and Sumitra Balmik, along with Rajya Sabha Secretary General PC Mody. During the conference, a statement from the Rajya Sabha Secretariat said, that Harivansh will participate in discussions on different items of the agenda concerning parliamentary diplomacy, building bridges for peace and understanding. Harivansh will also participate in the meeting of the BRICS Parliamentary Coordination Forum along with other bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the IPU, it further mentioned. "The delegation will participate in a number of meetings of different standing committees, namely the Standing Committee on Peace and International Security, Standing Committee on Sustainable Development, Standing Committee on democracy and Human Rights, and Standing Committee on United Nations Affairs in addition to forums of Young Parliamentarians and Women Parliamentarians of the IPU." Besides, there are several other subjects that are before the nations at the global level on which members of the delegation will participate in putting forth India's role and contribution in those areas. The United States is working with the Indian government to hold accountable those behind a plot to kill Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on American soil, according to the Biden administration. An Indian national, Nikhil Gupta, was charged by federal prosecutors in November last year in connection with his involvement in a foiled plot to assassinate Pannun, who holds dual citizenship of the US and Canada. US federal prosecutors have charged that Gupta was working with an Indian government employee and had agreed to pay an assassin $1,00,000 to kill Pannun, who lives in New York City. India has already constituted a probe committee to investigate the allegations. During a Congressional hearing on Wednesday, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Donald Lu told members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, "This is a serious issue. A serious issue between the United States and India. The Department of Justice has alleged that an Indian citizen at the behest of someone working in the Indian government has attempted to kill an American citizen on American soil. We take this in the administration incredibly seriously and have raised it at the highest levels with India." "We are at the moment working with India to encourage India to hold accountable, those responsible for this terrible crime. What we can see is that India itself has announced that they have created a committee of inquiry to look into this matter and we ask them to work quickly and transparently to make sure justice is done," Lu said. Lu was responding to a question from Congressman Dean Phillips from Minnesota, who asked if sanctions similar to those placed on more than 500 individuals relating to the killing of Lexie Navalny in Russia are being considered for those believed to be behind the plot to kill Pannun. The three-year to five-year government bond yields were in the range of 7.06%-7.08%, while state bonds of similar duration yield around 7.38%-7.42%. Indian banks will gravitate towards corporate bonds they intend to hold until maturity once new central bank rules kick in next month, as yields are currently elevated and the investments would be spared from market-linked markdowns, treasury officials said. From April 1, corporate bond investments will be allowed under held-to-maturity (HTM) category for the first time, provided the fair value is disclosed and investments protected from mark-to-market volatility, according to revised Reserve Bank of India rules. Currently banks can hold up to 23% of their deposits under HTM as investments in government bonds and state debt and this cap will be removed in April. The current yield spread of more than 50 basis points in favour of corporate bonds makes them an attractive investment. "From April, for the HTM portfolios, the AAA-rated bonds especially of state-run companies are an attractive bet as they are yielding higher than the state bonds and do not carry much credit risk," VRC Reddy, treasury head at Karur Vysya Bank, said. The three-year to five-year government bond yields were in the range of 7.06%-7.08%, while state bonds of similar duration yield around 7.38%-7.42%. In contrast, LSEG's AAA-rated benchmark three-five year corporate bonds were yielding 7.62%-7.70%. Major beneficiaries would be highly rated and reputed names as banks would avoid even the slightest of credit risk for the HTM segment, the treasury officials added. The officials have said that bonds of AAA-rated state-run companies such as Power Finance Corp , REC and Power Grid Corp could be the preferred choice. Alok Singh, group head of treasury at CSB Bank, expects the spread between government and corporate bond yields to ease below 50 basis points, also aided by improvement in liquidity condition. "Some banks have already started increasing exposure to corporate bonds, and this is expected to rise further as they intend to capture the higher yields," Venkatakrishnan Srinivasan, founder and managing partner at Rockfort Fincap, said. Corporate bonds of some sectors such as infrastructure companies could benefit further as banks try to meet their priority-sector lending targets by raising exposure to debt, a treasury head of a state-run bank said, requesting anonymity as he is not authorised to speak to the media. Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal has been arrested by Enforcement Directorate in now scrapped Delhi liquor policy scam case. The Delhi High Court on Thursday refused to grant Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal any protection from coercive action in an excise policy-linked money laundering case. The Delhi High Court today refused to grant any interim protection from coercive action to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in connection to the Enforcement Directorate summonses issued to him in the Delhi liquor policy case. "We are not inclined to grant an interim relief," the high court said, seeking a response from the ED on fresh interim plea. The matter has been listed hearing on April 22. The State Bank of India (SBI) has submitted all the details on electoral bonds to the Election Commission of India (ECI) today. The data includes the unique codes for the bonds, which will help match the donors with the political parties that were the recipients. The Supreme Court on Monday asked SBI not be selective in its disclosure of details regarding electoral bonds and reveal complete information, including the alphanumeric codes corresponding to each bond. It had asked the chairman and managing director of SBI to file an affidavit by 5:00 pm on Thursday. Observing that the challenge to the FCU involves serious constitutional questions, the Supreme Court (SC) today stayed the Centre's notification on setting up a fact-checking unit under the Press Information Bureau (PIB) to identify fake news about the central government. The SC bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud set aside the March 11 order of the Bombay High Court which had refused to grant an interim stay on setting up the FCU under the amended IT Rules. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has asked the central government to "immediately halt" Viksit Bharat messages being sent over WhatsApp. The poll body has also directed the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to submit a compliance report. The Supreme Court on Thursday said it cannot put on hold the law on the appointment of Election Commissioners. During the hearing, Justice Sanjiv Khanna said, "You cannot say that Election Commission is under the thumb of the executive. At this stage we cannot stay the legislation and it will lead to only chaos and uncertainty." The State Bank of India (SBI) has submitted all the details on electoral bonds to the Election Commission of India (ECI) today. The data includes the unique codes for the bonds, which will help match the donors with the political parties that were the recipients.The Supreme Court on Monday asked SBI not be selective in its disclosure of details regarding electoral bonds and reveal complete information, including the alphanumeric codes corresponding to each bond. It had asked the chairman and managing director of SBI to file an affidavit by 5:00 pm on Thursday.Observing that the challenge to the FCU involves serious constitutional questions, the Supreme Court (SC) today stayed the Centre's notification on setting up a fact-checking unit under the Press Information Bureau (PIB) to identify fake news about the central government. The SC bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud set aside the March 11 order of the Bombay High Court which had refused to grant an interim stay on setting up the FCU under the amended IT Rules.The Election Commission of India (ECI) has asked the central government to "immediately halt" Viksit Bharat messages being sent over WhatsApp. The poll body has also directed the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to submit a compliance report.The Supreme Court on Thursday said it cannot put on hold the law on the appointment of Election Commissioners. During the hearing, Justice Sanjiv Khanna said, "You cannot say that Election Commission is under the thumb of the executive. At this stage we cannot stay the legislation and it will lead to only chaos and uncertainty." A senior Biden administration official today said that the United States recognises Arunachal Pradesh as an Indian territory and opposes any attempts by China to advance its territorial claims across the Line of Actual Control (LAC). This comes days after the Chinese military reiterated its claim over the state following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit there.A two-storey building collapsed in Delhi's Kabir Nagar Thursday early morning resulting in the death of two people. One person was left injured. Three workers were trapped under the rubble of the building. Officials from rescue services received a call at 2:16 am about the collapse of an old construction building. The victims were identified as Arshad, 30, and Tauhid, 20. The injured person has been identified as Rehan, 22. Police said that Legal action will be taken in the matter.Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday spoke to Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hours after speaking to Russian President Vladimir Putin, and emphasised India's commitment to peace amid the war between the two countries. Multiple media outlets reported that both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin invited PM Modi to their respective countries after the Lok Sabha polls.In a post on social media platform X, PM Modi stated he spoke to Putin and congratulated him on his re-election as Russia's President. "We agreed to work together to further deepen and expand India-Russia Special & Privileged Strategic Partnership in the years ahead," PM Modi said.Two earthquakes hit Maharashtra's Hingoli city, in a span of 10 minutes, in the early hours of Thursday. The first tremor measure 4.5 on the Richter Scale, according to the National Center for Seismology. It shook the city at nearly 06.08 am. The second tremor measured 3.6 on the Richter Scale, the National Center for Seismology stated. The Supreme Court on Thursday stayed a government notification of March 20 establishing a fact-checking unit to verify news items appearing in the media about the government. The Press Information Bureaus Fact Checking Unit (PIB FCU) was to act as a deterrent against creating and disseminating fake news or misinformation regarding the business of the Centre. A three-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) D Y Chandrachud said the notification would remain stayed until a third judge of the Bombay High Court took a final decision on the validity of Rule 3(1)(b)(v) of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. The court also said the validity of the rules involved serious constitutional questions and impacted the fundamental right to speech and expression. The Bombay High Court had on January 31 given a split verdict on a plea challenging the validity of the unit under the Rules in question. A third judge had refused to stay the fact-checking unit on March 11. The verdict was on petitions filed by stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra, the Editors Guild of India, the Association of Indian Magazines, and the News Broadcast and Digital Association, challenging Rule 3 of the IT Rules. The rule gives the central government the right to form an FCU to identify fake or false news. The fact-checking unit is empowered under the Rules to tag what it considers fake news online concerning any activity of the central government. The government notified the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2023 (IT Rules) on April 6, 2023. This is the second amendment to the original IT Rules notified in February 2021, and they were earlier amended on October 28, 2022. The IT Rules state intermediaries such as Facebook, X and other social media platforms will have to make reasonable efforts to ensure that users do not upload information about the central government identified as fake or false or misleading. Kunal Kamra, in collaboration with the Internet Freedom Foundation, had moved court, challenging the constitutionality of the fact-checking unit. He alleged the new IT Rules could lead to his content, which is mostly political satire, being arbitrarily blocked or his social media accounts being suspended or deactivated. This would harm him professionally, he said. Key takeaways Supreme Court says the validity of the rules impacts the fundamental right to speech and expression The verdict was on petitions filed by stand-up comic Kunal Kamra, the Editors Guild of India, the Association of Indian Magazines and the News Broadcast and Digital Association The Union government had said that the unit might only identify fake or false or misleading information and not any opinion, satire, or artistic impression. The rule gives the Centre the right to form FCU for identifying fake or false news The government says that the unit might only identify fake, false or misleading information and not any opinion, satire, or artistic impression Pursuant to the above definitive agreements, JV company will be equally owned and controlled by both JV Partners Powered by Capital Market - Live News Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content Amber Enterprises India has signed definitive agreements to acquire 50% stake in Resojet (JV company) - a part of LCGC Resolute Group, Hyderabad, to carry on the business of manufacturing of fully automatic top loading and front-loading washing machine(s) and its components. Modi's visit to Bhutan, which was scheduled for Thursday, has been rescheduled due to inclement weather conditions in the Himalayan nation | Photo: Wikipedia The Congress on Thursday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi if he has any intention of upholding his "guarantee" to the people of Ladakh on grant of statehood and self governance. In a post on X, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said "since the prime minister has put off his Bhutan photo-ops today, we hope he can devote some time to Ladakh". Click here to follow our WhatsApp channel Since February 3rd, when there was a complete shutdown of Ladakh by the locals, the people of Ladakh have been protesting in large numbers against the Modi Sarkars heavy Since the Prime Minister has put off his Bhutan photo-ops today, we hope he can devote some time to Ladakh.Since February 3rd, when there was a complete shutdown of Ladakh by the locals, the people of Ladakh have been protesting in large numbers against the Modi Sarkars heavy March 21, 2024 "Since February 3rd, when there was a complete shutdown of Ladakh by the locals, the people of Ladakh have been protesting in large numbers against the Modi Sarkar's heavy handed 'rule by bureaucracy,' which has made a mockery of local elected institutions," he said. The courageous environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk has brought the agony of the people of Ladakh to national and global attention, he noted. Posing a set of four questions the people of Ladakh have for the PM, the Congress leader said the people of Ladakh are demanding constitutional safeguards for the Union Territory of Ladakh, including statehood and inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. Incidentally, he said, the BJP had promised Ladakh's inclusion in the Sixth Schedule in its manifesto for the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections and the 2020 Ladakh Hill Council Polls. "Does the Prime Minister have any intention of upholding his "Modi ki guarantee?" If not, why did he make the promise in the first place? Ten years after he first took office, why is this issue still pending," he asked. Ramesh also said that since the dissolution of the BJP-PDP Government in the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir in 2018, the people of Ladakh have had no representative government at the state-level. "On August 5, 2019, by converting Ladakh into a separate Union Territory without a legislative assembly, the Modi Sarkar closed the possibilities of any self-government for the people of Ladakh. "What vision did the Prime Minister have for Ladakh when he declared it a separate Union Territory? Were the people of Ladakh ever consulted during the development of this vision," he asked. Ramesh also alleged that under Prime Minister Modi's governance, "India has lost prime pasture land in the Changthang plains in the north of Ladakh to Chinese encroachment. In addition to a national security crisis, this is also a serious socio-economic issue for the nomads of Ladakh". "The prime minister, however, gave a clean chit to China on June 19th, 2020, at the all-party meet on China, when he declared that not a single Chinese soldier had crossed over into Indian territory," he said, asking whether the people of Ladakh are lying while claiming that their lands had been encroached upon by the Chinese PLA. Ramesh claimed that the proposed Ladakh Industrial Land Allotment Policy 2023 has suggested single-window clearance committees that have only government officials and an industry representative. There are no Council members, civil society groups, and panchayat representatives in these committees, he claimed. "The document does not even lay out the environmental or cultural criteria for considering an industrial project, nor does it provide for any public consultation. "In a sensitive ecosystem such as Ladakh, in a region populated by nomadic tribes and other sensitive demographic groups, what is the cynical motive that underlines this proposed Land Allotment Policy? Is it yet another attempt by the Prime Minister to favour his industrialist friends at the cost of the people," Ramesh asked, using the hashtag "#ChuppiTodoPradhanMantriji". (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.) Modi's visit to Bhutan, which was scheduled for Thursday, has been rescheduled due to inclement weather conditions in the Himalayan nation. Dominican Prime Minister to visit China Xinhua) 10:12, March 21, 2024 BEIJING, March 20 (Xinhua) -- At the invitation of Premier Li Qiang of China's State Council, Prime Minister of Dominica Roosevelt Skerrit will pay an official visit to China from March 23 to 29, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian announced on Wednesday. Noting this year marks the 20th anniversary of the diplomatic ties between China and Dominica, Lin told a regular press briefing, "China welcomes Skerrit's official visit at this special moment." Lin said that President Xi Jinping will meet with Prime Minister Skerrit during his visit. Premier Li Qiang will hold a welcoming ceremony for him, have talks and jointly attend the signing ceremony of cooperation documents. Zhao Leji, Chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, will also meet with Skerrit. The two sides will have an in-depth exchange of views on bilateral relations as well as issues of common interest, and draw up a blueprint for the development of bilateral relations together, Lin added. Dominica is an important country in the Caribbean, also a good friend and partner of China in the region, he noted, adding that since the establishment of diplomatic relations 20 years ago, China-Dominica relations have grown steadily, setting a good example of mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit, common development and win-win cooperation between countries of different sizes. "It is believed that Skerrit's visit to China will further enhance political mutual trust between the two countries, promote practical cooperation in various fields, consolidate the traditional friendship between the two countries and push bilateral relations to a new level," said Lin. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Police Chief Troy Finner and Houston Mayor John Whitmire are joined by Houston Area Women's Center President Emilee Dawn Whitehurst and Deputy CEO Sonia Corrales for a press conference on Monday, March 11, 2024, in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer The Houston Police Department released a database of over 264,000 reports that had been closed out using the code suspended lack of personnel. The cases, which date back to 2016, include 4,017 reported sexual assaults, the department said. The department has scheduled over 130 interviews with potential victims, Houston Police Chief Troy Finner said at a March 7 news conference. The revelation stunned the city, prompting outrage from advocates and officials and leaving crime victims wondering if their case had been suspended. Advertisement Article continues below this ad HELP US REPORT: Help the Houston Chronicle report on HPD's suspended cases The database provided by HPD has been made searchable here by incident report number. Weve answered a few FAQs about the database and the unfolding saga below. What is an incident report number? An incident report number is an identifier assigned to each report made to law enforcement. Each incident report number is unique, so you should be able to use it to find out information about your case. Advertisement Article continues below this ad What if I dont know my incident report number? If you dont know your incident report number, you can call the Houston Police Department and ask for the division that handles your type of report. Then, give them your name, date of birth, when you reported the crime and what type of crime it was. I found my incident number in the database. Who do I contact? Houston Police Chief Troy Finner urged sexual assault victims to contact specialvictimsreport@houstonpolice.org or call the special victims division, 713-308-1180. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Houston Area Womens Center is also available to help survivors at 713-528-7273. (More information can be found on their website, www.hawc.org). What if my incident was not a sexual assault? You can call 713-308-1180. You can also call the specific division that likely handled your crime. (For example, if you were the victim of family violence, you can call that unit.) A list of HPDs phone directory can be found here. My incident number isnt in the database. Does that mean my case wasnt marked as 'suspended lack of personnel?' At the moment, thats unclear. The 264,000-plus incidents have been identified as being suspended, but theres an ongoing internal investigation within HPD which might or might not reveal more cases. Advertisement Article continues below this ad What will happen next? Much of that remains to be seen. Finner assigned HPD employees to look through the cases and reach out to victims. The chief also said on March 7 that detectives have reviewed over 3,000 of the 4,017 reported sexual assaults. However, he said the department does not have the capacity to review all 264,000-plus files and is prioritizing victims of violence. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel can't achieve its goal of total victory against Hamas without tackling Rafah | Photo: X @ANI Israel is determined to launch a ground offensive against Hamas in Rafah, Gaza's southernmost town, a plan that has raised global alarm because of the potential for harm to the hundreds of thousands of civilians sheltering there. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel can't achieve its goal of total victory against Hamas without tackling Rafah. Israel has approved military plans for its offensive. But with 1.4 million Palestinians jammed into the town, Israel's allies, including the US, have demanded greater care for civilians in its anticipated incursion. Most of those Palestinians have been displaced by fighting in other parts of Gaza and are living in densely packed tent camps or crammed into apartments. Netanyahu is sending a delegation to Washington to present the administration with its plans. Why Rafah is so critical Since Israel declared war in response to Hamas' deadly cross-border attack on October 7, Netanyahu has said a central goal is to destroy the Islamic group's military capabilities. Israel says Rafah is Hamas' last major stronghold in the Gaza Strip, after operations elsewhere dismantled 18 out of the militant group's 24 battalions, according to the military. Israel says Hamas has four battalions in Rafah and that it must send ground forces to topple them. Some senior militants could also be hiding in the town. Why there is so much opposition to Israel's plan The US has urged Israel not to carry out the operation without a credible plan to evacuate civilians. Egypt, a strategic partner of Israel's, has said that any move to push Palestinians into Egypt would threaten its four-decade-old peace agreement with Israel. In a phone call with Netanyahu this week, President Joe Biden told the Israeli leader not to carry out a Rafah operation, said the White House's national security adviser, Jake Sullivan. He said the US was seeking an alternative approach that did not involve a ground invasion. Israel doesn't appear close to sending in troops Netanyahu said he was sending a delegation to Washington out of respect for Biden. But in a statement Wednesday, he said he had told Biden that Israel cannot complete the victory without entering Rafah. Despite the tough talk, Israel doesn't appear close to sending troops into Rafah. This may be connected to ongoing attempts to broker a temporary cease-fire. Qatari mediators say those talks would be set back by a Rafah invasion. There are also logistical concerns. Israel's military says it plans to direct the civilians to humanitarian islands in central Gaza ahead of the planned offensive. Netanyahu said Wednesday evacuation plans had not yet been approved. Indonesian Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto was announced the winner of the presidential election in the world's third-largest democracy on Wednesday over two former governors who vow to contest the result in court over alleged irregularities. Subianto, who was accused of abuses under the past dictatorship and chose the son of the popular outgoing president as his running mate, won 58.6 per cent of the votes. Former Jakarta Gov. Anies Baswedan received 24.9 per cent and former Central Java Gov. Ganjar Pranowo got 16.5 per cent, the General Election Commission said. It posted polling stations' tabulation forms on its website, allowing for independent verification. Subianto said he will respect those who made different choices in the vote. We call on all Indonesian people to look to the future together," he told a news conference. "We must unite and join hands because our challenges as a nation are very big. Subianto has received congratulatory messages from other Southeast Asian nations as well as the Chinese, Russian, French, Dutch and British governments, who all expressed their wishes to work with his new government. We look forward to partnering closely with President-elect Subianto and his Administration when they take office in October, US State Secretary Antony J. Blinken said after his victory was confirmed. About 300 demonstrators held banners and signs criticising outgoing President Joko Widodo for supporting Subianto and alleging widespread fraud. They burned photos of the president with trash near the election commission's compound. The second- and third-place finishers have refused to concede. On Thursday morning, Baswedan's lawyers filed a challenge to the results in the Constitutional Court. Pranowo also plans a court challenge. We do not want to let these various deviations from democracy pass without historical records and set a bad precedent for future election organisers, Baswedan said after final results were announced. They have alleged fraud, citing the vice presidential candidacy of Widodo's son. Widodo could not run again, and his son's candidacy has been seen as a sign of his tacit backing of Subianto. Widodo's son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, is 37 but became Subianto's running mate after the Constitutional Court made an exception to the minimum age requirement of 40 for candidates. The court's chief justice, who is Widodo's brother-in-law, was then removed by an ethics panel for failing to recuse himself and for making last-minute changes to election candidacy requirements. The new president will be inaugurated on October 20 and will have to appoint a Cabinet within two weeks. Subianto had claimed victory on election day last month after unofficial tallies showed he was winning nearly 60 per cent of the votes. Voter turnout was about 80 per cent, the election commission said. Subianto won in 36 of 38 provinces and received 96.2 million votes compared to 40.9 million for Baswedan, who won in two provinces. Baswedan, the former head of an Islamic university, won a massive majority in the conservative westernmost province of Aceh. Pranowo, the candidate of the governing Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, received 27 million votes and did not win any provinces. Todung Mulya Lubis, a prominent lawyer who represents Pranowo, asserted that election irregularities occurred before, during and after the polls. Widodo has dismissed the fraud allegations, saying the election process was watched by many people including representatives of the candidates, the election supervisory agency and security personnel. Layered supervision like this would eliminate possible fraud, Widodo told reporters last month. Don't scream fraud. We have mechanisms to solve the fraud. If you have evidence, take it to the Election Supervisory Agency. If you have evidence, challenge it to the Constitutional Court. The campaign teams of Baswedan and Pranowo said they would provide evidence for their claims. But Lubis said his team has had difficulty getting witnesses to testify in court due to alleged intimidation by authorities. He acknowledged that successfully challenging the election result with such a wide official margin of victory will be difficult. The ethics panel that removed Anwar Usman as the court's chief justice allowed him to remain on the court under certain conditions, including banning him from involvement when the court adjudicates election disputes this year. That means any such cases brought to the court would be decided by eight justices instead of all nine members. Subianto's campaign highlighted the Widodo administration's progress in reducing poverty and vowed to continue the modernisation agenda that has brought rapid growth and vaulted Indonesia into the ranks of middle-income countries. But Subianto has laid out few other concrete plans for his presidency, leaving observers uncertain about what his election will mean for the country's growth and its still-maturing democracy. Subianto lost two previous presidential elections to Widodo, and the Constitutional Court rejected his bids to overturn those results because of unfounded fraud allegations. This time, Subianto embraced the popular leader and styled himself as his heir. His choice of Widodo's son as his running mate raised concerns about an emerging dynastic rule in Indonesia's 25-year-old democracy. Subianto comes from one of the country's wealthiest families. His father was an influential politician who was a government minister under both the dictator Suharto and the country's first president, Sukarno. Questions also are still unanswered about Subianto's alleged links to torture, disappearances and other human rights abuses in the final years of the brutal Suharto dictatorship, in which he served as a special forces lieutenant general. Subianto was expelled by the army over accusations that he played a role in the kidnappings and torture of activists and other abuses. He never faced a trial and vehemently denies any involvement, although several of his men were tried and convicted. It's not clear how Subianto will respond to political dissent, street protests and critical journalism. Many activists see his links to the Suharto regime as a threat. Sullivan's trip was meant "to reaffirm the United States' unwavering commitment to Ukraine in its self-defence against Russia's brutal invasion", said National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson | Photo: pexels President Joe Biden's top foreign policy adviser Jake Sullivan sought to reassure Ukrainians during an unannounced visit to Kyiv that the US will continue to support their efforts to fend off Russia's two-year-old invasion. The national security adviser expressed optimism Wednesday that lawmakers in Washington will break a month-long logjam and approve tens of billions of dollars in military and economic aid to Ukraine. Russian forces have exploited the shortfall to make some gains in the conflict. "We will get a strong bipartisan vote in Congress," Sullivan said during a press conference. "We will get that money to you as we should, so I don't think we need to speak about Plan B today." He also acknowledged that the process had "taken too long". Sullivan said the US would consider the conflict a victory for Ukraine if it emerges from the war as a sovereign, democratic and free country. He sought to reassure Ukrainians that the US will continue to support them as it did since the first days of Russia's invasion, despite the holdup in Congress. House Republicans have thus far refused to take up a Senate-passed bipartisan measure backed by the White House to fund military aid for Ukraine and Israel, as well as humanitarian assistance for people in Gaza. "There is wide understanding in the United States that Ukraine matters, that the security and future of Ukraine matters to the security and future of United States of America," Sullivan said. "And that we want to help aid a friend and a partner, but we also want to help ourselves in helping you." Sullivan's trip was meant "to reaffirm the United States' unwavering commitment to Ukraine in its self-defence against Russia's brutal invasion", said National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson. By Jordan Fabian and Justin Sink President Joe Biden said his $20 billion award to Intel Corp. demonstrated his investments in US industries that had withered under Donald Trumps tenure, touting a flurry of government spending he hopes will help him defeat his Republican rival in a general-election rematch. The president spoke Wednesday at an Intel campus in suburban Phoenix to announce the package of grants and loans, part of a swing-state blitz designed to burnish his record heading into Novembers election. Unlike my predecessor, I was determined to turn things around, to invest in America, all of America, all Americans. And thats what weve been doing, Biden said. Biden trails Trump in several crucial states, including Arizona, as voters remain skeptical of the presidents handling of the economy. Biden is responding by using his bully pulpit, as well as federal dollars, in states to show the public the results of his plans. The president said Wednesdays announcement would support 10,000 manufacturing jobs, including 3,000 in Phoenix. Its a fundamental break from the trickle-down economics supercharged by my predecessor, Biden said. I want to build a future in America. My predecessor is going to let the future be built in China and other countries, not America. The Intel funds came from the 2022 Chips and Science Act, one of his signature legislative accomplishments. Biden is arguing that his policies on infrastructure, domestic manufacturing and clean energy will improve peoples financial standing and strengthen the overall US economy. Biden called the law a smart investment that would transform the country in a way you dont even understand yet, spurring domestic job growth, shoring up supply chains disrupted by the pandemic and ensuring the US was at the forefront of developing new technologies. Biden is on a three-day swing that includes stops in Nevada and Arizona, swing states that he won in 2020 and is facing pressure to defend in his November rematch with Trump. The former president is leading his successor in both states, according to a Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll taken last month. $100 Billion Investment Intel is the first company to land a preliminary funding deal from the Chips Act for advanced manufacturing facilities. The law provided $39 billion in grants, plus loans and guarantees worth $75 billion to persuade companies to build factories on US soil and reverse a decades-long shift of semiconductor production to Asia. Wednesdays announcement is meant to support Intels project in Arizona, as well as similar facilitates in Ohio, Oregon and New Mexico. The company plans $100 billion in investments to support American production of cutting-edge chips, research and development. We are declaring America will not surrender leadership to our competitors, Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger said at Wednesdays event. Make no mistake, fragile global supply chains are a threat not just to our economic, but also to our national security. Arizona, in particular its biggest population center of Maricopa County, where Biden spoke, has reaped some of the greatest rewards from the Chips Act. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., the worlds leading chipmaker, is investing $40 billion to build two fabrication facilities in the state. The company is in line to receive more than $5 billion in federal grants to support its work there. The money, though, illustrates a political conundrum for Biden: it could take years for people in those places to see the benefits. Intel will not receive the funds right away. Instead, it will come after a due diligence stage and is dependent on production goals and other benchmarks set by the Commerce Department. DBS Bank India News Summary DBS Bank India announced a lending commitment of USD 250 million for new-age start-ups today. The initiative is part of the bank's focus on fostering innovation and entrepreneurship within the country's thriving start-up ecosystem. NIQ, the worlds leading global consumer intelligence company, today announced that R. Dane (Dane) Mauldin has joined the company as Chief Transformation Officer effective March 18, 2024. Mauldins diverse skillsets include expertise in operations, strategy, sales enablement, product development, analytics, customer service and compliance. He joins NIQ from TransUnion, where he was EVP and Chief Operations Officer, and previously EVP and Chief Product Officer. He reports to Tracey Massey, Chief Operating Officer, and is a member of the companys Executive Committee. Curtis Miller, who held the role most recently, has been appointed Chief Strategy Officer, accountable for Strategy and Corporate Development. Dane will lead our go-to-market strategy and sales enablement teams, to continue our journey of putting our retailer and manufacturer customers at the center of everything we do. As we pursue our promise to deliver the Full View, we will continue to invest in both people and innovation to deliver on our purpose to show the world what people want and enable our customers to grow, said Tracey Massey. With his strong customer focus and deep proficiency in applying data and analytics to solve business problems, Dane brings a distinct set of qualifications that will complement our leadership teams capabilities and help us reach our ambitious growth targets. Were delighted to have him on board, added Massey. I am thrilled to join NIQ at this exciting time. Ive had the chance to get to know many of NIQs senior leaders, and Im truly impressed with the quality of leadership, their focus on putting customers at the heart of all they do, and their inclusive and collaborative culture, said Mauldin. With his proven record of transforming businesses, Im pleased to welcome Dane to NIQ. Weve made strong progress in our transformation thus far, including significant work to integrate GfK and NIQ and Dane is uniquely positioned to help us accelerate our plans, said Jim Peck, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. About NIQ NIQ is the worlds leading consumer intelligence company, delivering the most complete understanding of consumer buying behavior and revealing new pathways to growth. In 2023, NIQ combined with GfK, bringing together the two industry leaders with unparalleled global reach. With a holistic retail read and the most comprehensive consumer insightsdelivered with advanced analytics through state-of-the-art platformsNIQ delivers the Full View. NIQ is an Advent International portfolio company with operations in 100+ markets, covering more than 90% of the worlds population. For more information, visit NIQ.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240320538474/en/ Texas is spending $4 million to extend an aggressive adoption marketing campaign that experts describe as highly misleading. The campaign, dubbed Modern Adoption, launched in October 2022 and has already generated millions of impressions through advertisements on billboards, radio, streaming services and mobile apps, according to state records. Billboard photographed on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Houston. Karen Warren/Staff photographer Texas is spending $4 million to extend an aggressive adoption marketing campaign that experts describe as highly misleading. The campaign, dubbed Modern Adoption, launched in October 2022 and has already generated millions of impressions through advertisements on billboards, radio, streaming services and mobile apps, according to state records. Billboard photographed on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Houston. Karen Warren/Staff photographer Texas is spending $4 million to extend an aggressive adoption marketing campaign that experts describe as highly misleading. The campaign, dubbed Modern Adoption, launched in October 2022 and has already generated millions of impressions through advertisements on billboards, radio, streaming services and mobile apps, according to state records. Billboard photographed on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Houston. Karen Warren/Staff photographer Since Texas banned virtually all abortions, Texans may have seen a rosy message about adoption pop up on their phone screens or dot the view on their daily commute. It might read something like this: Adoption helps empower women and allows them to be in control of their future. That message or sentiment appears on billboards and digital advertisements that direct people to ModernAdoptionPlans.org the product of a targeted, state-funded marketing campaign aiming to increase adoptions among young women and girls with unplanned pregnancies, according to documents obtained through an open records request. In the documents, organizers explicitly laid out a target audience with the highest incidence of unplanned pregnancies: low-income, single women that skew African-American and Hispanic between the ages of 12 and 34. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Seven adoption experts, including academics, adoptees and a birth mother, told Hearst Newspapers the campaigns fundamental message paints a misleading picture and oversimplifies what is a complex, traumatic experience for mothers who relinquish their child. Many of the experts were concerned about the potential for young people to make a life-altering decision based on an idealized image. Its so manipulative, said Adam Pertman, president of the National Center on Adoption and Permanency and an adoptive parent. It doesnt take into account what we know historically, what we know from research, what we know from personal experiences. The advertisements reflect a common anti-abortion talking point that adoption can replace pregnancy terminations and come as Texas increases its investment in groups that actively promote childbirth and marriage. Several of the private adoption agencies promoted on the adoption campaign website are Christian organizations that received up to $1.8 million in state funding in fiscal year 2023, according to public financial reports. The campaign, dubbed Modern Adoption, was pitched as a pilot project by the Texas Pregnancy Care Network, an anti-abortion group and the largest contractor under a state program known as Thriving Texas Families, formerly Alternatives to Abortion. TPCN tested the campaign in 2017 and officially launched it in August 2022 with $2 million from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. Last year, HHSC gave the group another $4 million to continue the project through fiscal year 2025, on top of TPCNs roughly $35 million annual budget, according to contract documents obtained by Hearst Newspapers. Advertisement Article continues below this ad TPCN leaders did not respond to emails, phone messages and a letter dropped off at its Austin office. HHSC declined to comment on criticism of the campaign, but a spokesperson said groups funded through the Thriving Texas Families program are required to provide evidence-based information regarding adoption services, programs, and related options. The groups also provide counseling and mentoring, educational information and classes on adoption, the spokesperson said. A campaign with broad reach TPCN does not provide services itself but administers state money to maternity homes and adoption agencies, as well as crisis pregnancy centers, which the American Medical Association describes broadly as sources of misinformation that undermine womens health. The network says it has helped thousands of clients with basic needs such as maternity clothing and baby outfits, food and shelter, as well parenting classes and job assistance. The Modern Adoption campaign reflects a significant expansion of the networks reach. The campaign funnels people to a glossy website that includes a brief explanation of different types of adoption, a section on frequently asked questions, and a resources page with a map of crisis pregnancy centers and a list of private adoption agencies. The website, which offers a Spanish translation, also includes a real stories section with videos produced by BraveLove, an adoption-promoting nonprofit. In the videos, birth mothers describe the emotions and challenges around the adoption but ultimately present their decision as positive and beautiful. Advertisement Article continues below this ad According to TPCNs project proposal, the campaigns mission is to help people of all ages and walks of life understand how adoption in Texas has changed and to support and empower birth mothers to make choices that create more happy lives, including their own. In the proposal, dated weeks after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, the network pointed to estimates that indicate a long line of people waiting to adopt a comparatively small number of infants: For each baby eligible for adoption in the United States, there are approximately 36 families waiting to adopt. The network said it intended to present adoption as an equally viable alternative to abortion. Acknowledging the states abortion laws, however, the network also saw an opportunity: Adoption is going to be needed more than ever, the group said in the proposal. The document also touted the support of Gov. Greg Abbott, an adoptive father. The judgment and stigma around adoption in the Black community and the purportedly high rates of abortion among Hispanics was also a point of emphasis in the proposal, which claimed that adoption could help prevent the poverty cycle and offer a better life. The campaign centers on major Texas cities and employs ads on streaming services, billboards, broadcast radio stations, mobile applications, websites, and podcasts, according to project documents. At one point, Mario Lopez, the actor and TV host, served as an influencer for the Modern Adoption campaign, health officials said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The billboards match images on the website and can be spotted along major highways, including along southbound Highway 59 near Bissonnet in southwest Houston. Asked to provide copies or examples of the digital and radio advertisements, Texas HHSC said it did not have them and referred the question to TPCN. The project proposal and other documents obtained by the Chronicle contain digital advertisements from the test campaign, which the network said it planned to build on. Each ad includes photos of smiling young women and messages like take control of an unplanned pregnancy or modern adoption plans put birth mothers in control. Similar messaging can be found in sponsored ads on Google. Other sources have heard Modern Adoption promotions on local radio stations in San Antonio. To boost the campaign, TPCN enlisted Steel Advertising. This Austin-based marketing company helped secure a powerful corporate partner, iHeartMedia, which boasts the largest reach of any digital audio company. Steel Advertising and iHeart did not respond to requests for comment. The iHeart network offers access to popular television and radio streaming services, such as ESPN Radio and TuneIn, and allows TPCN to target advertisements more effectively in ZIP codes with high levels of unplanned pregnancies, according to the proposal. But the ad targeting strategy probes deeper than ZIP codes. In its proposal, TPCN said that because most targeting is restricted to age 18-34, they would use another layer of ad targeting to reach young teenagers. Advertisements would specifically target people who frequent locations that indicate a greater alignment with young & at-risk behavior, such as high schools, shelters, churches and major bus stops, according to the proposal. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The targeting strategies appear to have paid off in the first campaign cycle, according to a project status report filed in October. Each advertising category generated millions of impressions, or views, in its 10-month rollout. Broadcast radio advertisements alone generated nearly 40 million impressions, the report says. An incomplete picture TPCN outlined some common misperceptions about adoption in its proposal: adoption is abandoning a child; adoption is the same as foster care; and moms who choose adoption never see their children again. In their attempts to offer more clarity, experts say TPCN presents an incomplete picture. For instance, the Modern Adoption website states women and girls can be in control of their own future and can help shape a bright future for their baby. At multiple points, the website says adoption gives birth mothers the power to make decisions about their involvement in their childs life. It touts open adoption the most common arrangement that allows for communication between the birth parents and adoptive parents as a way for birth mothers to stay connected with their children. Open adoptions do allow birth mothers to select adoptive parents and be involved in their childs life. But there are a lot of forces that shape what actually happens, said Deborah Siegel, an adoption researcher and professor in the School of Social Work at Rhode Island College. In Texas, adoption agreements are based on trust and are not legally enforceable. Adoptive parents can change their minds about the level of contact with the birth mother at any time. This fact is mentioned in vague terms on the Modern Adoption website, where it describes the open adoption process: It is guided by a non-legal agreement between the birth mother and adoptive parents. A more detailed description is buried in the websites FAQ section, only visible by clicking the 18th question listed on the page. Its misleading to imply or suggest that what the pregnant woman wants is whats going to happen, said Siegel, adding that fathers also have a say in the process. As part of Siegels research, she interviewed 22 adoptive families over more than two decades, starting in 1988, after they chose open adoptions. Most adoptive families supported open communication with the birth family, but a wide range of challenges emerged, according to her analysis published in the journal Social Work. One adoptee cut off contact with the birth mother for a year after learning the mother gave birth to and parented children after the adoption. Some adoptive parents divorced or disagreed over the wisdom of contact with the birth mother. One set of adoptive parents said the birth mother sent her infant son a letter declaring she regretted the adoption. The adoptive parents never shared the letter with their son as he grew up. They were unsure how to handle it. All kinds of stuff happens in life, Siegel said. Many prospective adoptive parents will say almost anything to come to an agreement with the birth parents, only to later realize they cant follow through, said Pertman of the National Center on Adoption and Permanency. Adoption agencies also have a financial incentive to secure adoptions, he said, noting that the cost typically ranges between $25,000 to $50,000 for the adoptive family. One private adoption agency, Abrazo Adoption Associates in San Antonio, clarifies the uncertainty surrounding adoption agreements on its website. Abrazos director, Elizabeth Jurenovich, said adoption agencies have a fiduciary responsibility to tell pregnant women considering adoption that the power ultimately resides with the adoptive family. Open adoption is being used as a pitch, she said of the Modern Adoption campaign. But theyre not providing information for women to make informed decisions. Making a 'constrained choice' The language that permeates the Modern Adoption website, describing mothers who relinquish their child as brave and loving, reflects how marketing tactics have changed around adoption over the last several decades, from a shame-based approach to one that makes women feel like theyre making the right choice, experts say. But women primarily turn to adoption when they lack social support and feel they have no other choice, said Gretchen Sisson, a sociologist at the University of California, San Francisco, who studies adoption and abortion. Its a constrained choice; it isnt an empowered choice, she said. If you gave people the resources they need to parent their children, theyd be parenting their children. Adoption also doesnt offer a way out of poverty or unsafe environments, said Sisson, who interviewed more than 100 birth mothers for her book, Relinquished: The Politics of Adoption and the Privilege of American Motherhood. She spoke to women who had returned to abusive relationships or homelessness after they relinquished their child. The adoption industry is almost entirely concerned with the child, she said. And by that, I just mean facilitating the adoption. At one point, the Modern Adoption website states that birth mothers can feel confident and avoid regrets. But even for those who decide adoption is the right decision, the process is physically, emotionally, and mentally heartbreaking, said Kelsey Vander Vliet Ranyard, a birth mother who has spent years pushing for adoption reform through private adoption agencies, law firms and advocacy work. In 2016, Ranyard relinquished her child in an open adoption in Indiana. She loves her childs parents, she said, but open adoption is the most complicated relationship Ive ever been in in my life. People arent really being told about any kind of nuance about the situation, including adoptive parents, she said. So then, when conflict does arise, they dont know how to handle it. Most of the adoption agencies listed on the Modern Adoption website either did not respond to a request for comment or said they could not comment by publication time. One Texas-based adoption agency, Gladney Center for Adoption, said it has a long track record of doing right by adoptees, adoptive parents, and birth mothers, and thats why we continue to grow our support services to better meet the needs of our clients, according to a statement from Gladney spokesperson Kasey Pipes. Even though state documents say the organization received nearly $2,000 from TPCN in fiscal year 2023, Pipes said we are not associated with Texas Pregnancy Care Network and havent been for some time. In fact, we were not associated with TPCN when this marketing campaign was launched, she said. The Modern Adoption website previously listed Gladney as a resource, but the agency was removed from the site after inquiries by Hearst Newspapers. Abbott and multiple Republican lawmakers who have supported the Thriving Texas Families program, including state Sens. Lois Kolkhorst and Bryan Hughes, did not respond to questions about the campaign. Amy ODonnell, a spokesperson for the anti-abortion group Texas Alliance for Life, said the campaign does a wonderful job of providing both stories and facts to let Texans know what is involved in the adoption process. Our state believes that (adoption) is a loving option when a woman feels like thats the best solution, she said. She added the campaign is a piece of a larger puzzle of womens support services in Texas, citing Healthy Texas Women, which provides family planning services. In a statement, state Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin, who chairs the Texas Womens Health Caucus, questioned the need for a campaign with coercive messaging that suggests adoption is the only brave and empowering option, implying that a decision to keep and raise ones child is not. That fact is that the state has not done enough to ensure that the adoption process is safe for all parties involved birth parents, adoptive families and, most importantly, adoptees, she said. Claire Partain is a suburban reporter producer for the Houston Chronicle, covering The Woodlands and writing the Woodlands Insider newsletter. She can be reached at claire.partain@houstonchronicle.com. She got her start as sports editor at Texas State University (go Cats!) before covering professional soccer team Austin FC and other Austin news at digital startup Austonia. Claire has also freelanced with her hometown paper, appearing in the Fairfield Recorder, Teague Chronicle and Corsicana Daily Sun. Fans of British mobility brands will have a new reason to celebrate as Mutt Motorcycles is set to open a new location in Metro Manila. The B... Track and trace system for cement and auxiliary products in Pakistan 21 March 2024 The Federal Board of Revenue of the Government of Pakistan (FBR) is seeking applications for the grant of five-year licence(s) under Licensing Rules, 2019, of track and trace system/solution (TTSS) for electronic monitoring of cement and auxiliary products manufacturers and importers in Pakistan. The licensee(s) will be responsible for the end-to-end installation and operation of a TTSS connecting manufacturing sites and import stations to the FBR's central control room (CCR). The TTSS would include the provision of integrated codes to enable real-time electronic monitoring of these products throughout Pakistan. Sealed applications/proposals must be delivered by or before 15h (PST) on 25 April 2024, which will be opened on the same date at 15.30h in the presence of the authorised representatives of applicants, who may choose to be present. A pre-licensing conference shall be held at FBR-HQ, Islamabad, at 11.00h on 27 March 2024. Published under Anhui Conch sees profit decline in 2023 21 March 2024 Anhui Conch Cement has reported turnover of CNY140,999m (US$19,588m) in 2023. This compares to CNY132,021m in the previous year. Gross profit declined from CNY27,190m in 2022 to CNY22,364m in 2023, while profit before tax contracted from CNY20,232m to CNY13,869m over the same period. According to the company, profit for the year came in at CNY11,018m in 2023, down from CNY16,357m in 2022. Published under At the Kingwood Park Community Center, a sign directed March 5 primary voters to the polls. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer A growing number of Americans are concerned about the legitimacy of election results, and its partly due to the hyper-partisanship in politics nowadays. But party differences are not new. And in the past, they proved to be productive. For instance, former President Jimmy Carter, a Democrat, and former Secretary of State James Baker, a Republican, were intense adversaries. Yet their fierce political battles helped shape the nation. And they both believed elections are the heart of democracy. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Their legacies can teach us lessons applicable today. Carter assumed the White House in 1977 by defeating the Baker-led campaign of Republican President Gerald Ford. Four years later, Baker turned the tables by helping Ronald Reagan beat Carter. The leadership both men practiced is consistently different from what we see today. Each sought common ground with their adversaries, often defining challenges in ways that opposing sides could support. They both recognized that when opponents can agree on overall goals, they have a better chance of building consensus to achieve them. Carter used that approach when he led the 1979 Camp David Accords to establish a historic peace treaty between Israel and Egypt. Baker did the same when he organized the 1991 Madrid Peace Conference, the first time Israel and all its Arab neighbors sat down to talk peace. Their leadership styles were particularly effective in 2005 when they co-chaired the Commission on Federal Election Reform that produced a bipartisan set of pragmatic recommendations to improve the way elections are held in this country. There are ways to counter the current trends to conduct U.S. elections in ways intended to give political advantage to one side or the other and using election results and laws as wedge issues to scare voters to the polls. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Party differences can still lead to progress. If both sides of the political aisle can agree on certain principles, perhaps they can develop laws and regulations that govern elections in sensible and pragmatic ways. The U.S. election system and the democracy it supports must be a national priority. With that in mind, the Carter Institute and the Baker Institute for Public Policy suggest these 10 principles to guide our elections: Americas election system and the democracy it supports must be a national priority. Election laws and policies should be clear, transparent and well-communicated to the public. Voter registration should be widely available to all who qualify. It should be easily accomplished, secure and well-run. Voting specifically the act of receiving and casting a ballot should be flexible enough to meet voters needs equitably. Voting technology should be a gateway, not a barrier, to the voting process. States and localities should prioritize policies that allow ballots to be cast and received on or before election day so that the final count can be completed as soon as possible after the close of polls. Military and overseas voters should continue having the opportunity to cast timely and valid ballots. Tabulation of election returns should be transparent and proceed in an orderly fashion. Jurisdictions should commit to regular and rigorous audits of the election process. And the U.S. should embrace recognized standards and best practices for elections and welcome nonpartisan independent election observation efforts. Reversing the domestic political polarization that has spread dramatically during this century is a difficult chore. But Democrats and Republicans can use these guiding principles to develop sensible and pragmatic elections laws that benefit everyone. Advertisement Article continues below this ad 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. President Joe Biden speaks about the economy, Tuesday March 19, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) Jacquelyn Martin/Associated Press LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 19: US President Joe Biden looks out at the crowd while speaking at Stupak Community Center on March 19, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Biden delivered remarks on making affordable housing more available for American families. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images) Ian Maule/Getty Images President Joe Biden greets people at a campaign event at El Portal restaurant Tuesday, March 19, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) Jacquelyn Martin/Associated Press When President Joe Biden arrives in Houston today his visit will be about one thing: money. After public campaign events in Nevada and Arizona earlier this week, Biden is back in Texas for a two-step through Dallas on Wednesday and Houston on Thursday for private fundraisers to help fuel his 2024 re-election campaign. Advertisement Article continues below this ad His campaign has no public campaign events planned as of now. With Biden and former President Donald Trump locking up their party nominations last week, both have turned their attention to building up their fundraising in anticipation of a bruising, expensive 8-month campaign for the White House. While most of that fundraising will ultimately end up paying for rallies and television ads in battleground states like Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, Texas is almost an ATM that helps keep the campaigns stocked. Bidens fundraisers come after Trump was in Houston in November for big-dollar appeals. History shows why Texas is worth their time. In 2020, Texas donors gave more than $108 million to the presidential campaigns. Only New York with $141 million and California with $290 million gave more. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Trump raised $59 million from Texas compared to $32 million for Biden in 2020. While Biden was well behind Trump in Texas fundraising, he was able to raise about $10 million more out of Texas in 2020 than Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama did in the three previous election cycles. Meanwhile, Trump's campaign continues to consolidate its financial apparatus even as he faces financial strain from lawsuits tying up his personal fortune. Earlier this month in Houston, Trumps campaign essentially remade the Republican National Committee by installing new, more compliant leadership, effectively paving the way for the national party and his campaign to work in lockstep as they raise money and seek to retake the White House. Houston is central to both Biden and Trump for fundraising. According to the non-profit Center for Responsive Politics, in 2020 Biden raised $11 million just from the Houston metro area - nearly double what Clinton had raised in 2016. Trump has raised $16 million from Houston in 2020. That was four times what he raised in 2016 in Houston when he relied mostly on self-financing. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Salvation Army of Chattanoogas Womens Auxiliary announces the upcoming Bacon and Boxers event, dedicated to serving unhoused and underserved men in the community. Following the success of the annual Mardi Bras event for women in February, the Womens Auxiliary continues their commitment to meeting the basic needs of those experiencing homelessness, officials said.The event will take place at The Salvation Armys ReCreate Cafe at 800 McCallie Ave. on Thursday, April 4 from 10 a.m.-noon.Attendees will be treated to a brunch as they receive essential items such as undergarments and basic hygiene products.We understand the importance of providing dignity and essential items to those who are facing difficult circumstances, said Major Douglas McClure, area commander for The Salvation Army in Chattanooga. Through events like Bacon and Boxers, we aim to not only meet immediate needs, but also to show compassion and support to those in our community who need it most.The Salvation Army is seeking donations to support this event. Needed items include mens boxers, pocket t-shirts, socks, deodorant, shaving cream and razors. Donations can be made in person at The Salvation Army on McCallie Avenue or through their Amazon Wish List at shorturl.at/pGU12.To learn more about The Salvation Armys work in the Greater Chattanooga area, or to donate or volunteer, visit www.csarmy.org or call 423-756-1023. Ferd Morris White entered into God's eternal presence on Monday, March 18, 2024. He was 91. He was a loving husband, son, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and best friend. He was born on Feb. 26, 1933, to George and Bessie White in Knoxville. He was married to Agnes Roach White for almost 70 years on August 20, 2024. The pair leaned on each other through all of life's ups and downs. They were the perfect example of what a loving couple and parents should be. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Bessie White and his brother, William White. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Aricia Whitton and Jeff Whitton, their son and his life partner, Greg White and Linda O'Neal, and their son and daughter-in-law, Chris White and Tanya Scoggins White, their grandchildren, Jennifer Whitton, Lauren Whitton and her spouse Julia Binnicker, Julie Whitton Greene and her spouse, Randal Greene, Hannah White and Tyler White, and their great-grandchildren, Eleanor Leipow, Lucy Greene and Whitt Greene, and his sister, Glenna White Julian (W.C. Julian-deceased), and several nieces and nephews. He was dearly loved by his family! Chaplain White was born and grew up in Knoxville. He lived in Chattanooga for over 63 years and shared a neighborhood with many beloved neighbors. He had a deep love for his church, First Baptist Church of Chattanooga, where he was an active member and served in leadership roles for over 50 years. He was particularly fond of the church's camp, Dogwood Lodge, serving on the camp's long-range planning committee. As chaplain, he supported the ministers of FBC for 56 years. He graduated from Knoxville Central High School. He earned degrees from Carson-Newman College and Southern Theological Seminary. Chaplain Ferd White served as chaplain at Erlanger Health System for 32 years before retiring at age 61. He started his tenure at Erlanger at age 29 at which time he was the youngest serving hospital chaplain in the country. He was instrumental in the implementation of the Clinical Pastoral Education at Erlanger. In recent years, the CPE of Chattanooga honored him with a scholarship fund for CPE students in his name. In the late 1960s, Chaplain White escorted the first African-American patient to share a hospital room with a white patient and for the first time integrated patient rooms. The transition was seamless and Erlanger entered a brighter era. He loved the outdoors and spent many happy days in North Georgia in a wooded sanctuary on Red Fox Lake. Ferd shared life at Red Fox Lake with his family and dear friends. Ferd continues to bless us with writings such as the following that he has left behind: As I have lived in the darkness of the endless night, I will also live in the glorious sunlight. Though it may and will come again I know of the constancy of the stars and the sunrise As the days of spring let the days again become longer than the nights, So will the spirit of the universe let my soul grow again With the vitality likened to a budding tree or a blossoming flower. Faith is the part of me that says, "It is good." Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 25, at First Baptist Church of Chattanooga, McEwen Chapel, 401 Gateway Ave., Chattanooga, Tn. 37402 with the Dr. Phil Summerlin and Dr. Thomas Quisenberry officiating. The family will receive friends from 1011 a.m. on Monday in the parlor at First Baptist Church. Burial will be at 3 p.m. on Monday at Caledonia Presbyterian Church Cemetery, 7817 N. Ruggles Ferry Pike, Knoxville, Tn. 37924. Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church of Chattanooga, 401 Gateway Ave., Chattanooga, Tn. 37402. Arrangements are by the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, 404 South Moore Road, East Ridge, Tn. 37412. Please share your thoughts and memories at www.ChattanoogaEastChapel.com. Amy Barnes reading an excerpt from Child Craft" Dr. William Woolfitt reading an excerpt from "Ring of Earth Dr. Donna Summerlin, department chair (far left) and a panel of English majors answering questions from the high school student attendees Previous Next Lee University hosted the Literary Masterminds Bootcamp, an event for high school students who entered the Spark Writing Contest held by Lee. This event was hosted by Lees Department of Language and Literature and took place on campus. We developed this event in 2022 as a way to connect with local students interested in literature and creative writing, said Dr. Rachel Reneslacis, professor of English at Lee. Lee English faculty and English majors are committed to fostering a community of creative writers in the Cleveland community, and this is our way of welcoming young writers into the writers' life. There was a kickoff lunch in the Deacon Jones Dining Hall with a group of Lee faculty and English majors. After lunch, the high school students attended a class with guest lecturer and author Amy Cipolla Barnes where they were led through some creative writing exercises. Other bootcamp activities included an open mic session for the high schoolers to share their writing, a Q&A with a panel of Lee English majors, and a trivia contest about well-known literature and writing. To conclude the day, there was a fiction reading by Dr. William Woolfitt, associate professor of creative writing at Lee, along with Ms. Barnes, as a part of this seasons Writers Series. Dr. Woolfitt read from his book Ring of Earth, a collection of fiction stories, and Barnes read from her book Child Craft, a collection of creative nonfiction and fiction pieces. Dr. Woolfitt is the author of four poetry collections, two story collections, and an essay collection. Ring of Earth was published by Madville Publishing in 2023; The Night the Rain Had Nowhere to Go is forthcoming from Belle Point Press in 2024. His fiction chapbook The Boy with Fire in His Mouth won the Epiphany Editions contest, and he is the recipient of the Howard Nemerov Scholarship from the Sewanee Writers Conference and the Denny C. Plattner Award from Appalachian Review. Ms. Barnes is the author of Ambrotypes (word west press) and Mother Figures (ELJ Editions). Her words have appeared in many publications, including The Citron Review, JMWW, Flash Frog, No Contact Mag, Leon Review, Complete Sentence, The Bureau Dispatch, Nurture Lit, McSweeneys, Southern Living, SmokeLong Quarterly, and others. Shes been nominated for Best of the Net, the Pushcart Prize, Best Microfiction, Best Small Fictions, and long listed for Wigleaf50 in 2021, 2022, and 2023. Shes a Fractured Lit associate editor, Gone Lawn co-editor, Ruby Lit assistant editor and reads for The MacGuffin, Best Small Fictions, and Narratively. After the reading, Molly Hampton, a 9th-grade student at Signal Mountain Middle High School, was announced as the winner of the Spark Young Writer Award. Honorable mentions and runners-up were also announced during this time. For more information about the Writers Series, contact Dr. Woolfitt at wwoolfitt@leeuniversity.edu. The upcoming Chattanooga Live Music events are scheduled through March 29. Send your event co-host invites to Chattanooga Live Music to amplify your events. 20-Mar Lafayette High Sch. Songs for the Band Benefit Concert at 7 PM 20-Mar Pokey's (Clevland) w/ Jamey and Jason at 6:30 PM 21-Mar Farm To Fork w/ Jacob Johnson at 7 PM 21-Mar The FEED co. Table & Tavern Eric Turner "ET" Live at 6 PM 21-Mar The Signal -St. Paul & The Broken Bones - w/ Lamont Landers at 8 PM 21-Mar Diving Mouse (Cleveland) Open Mic w/ DJ Fro at 8 PM 21-Mar Wanderlinger Brewery - Nooga Jazz Futures at 8 PM 21-Mar The Dark Roast - Xor w/ Pressure Heaven and M/I/N/E at 8 PM 21-Mar JJ's Bohemia - Kelsi Westfall & The Drovers w/ Brain & Bone at 9 PM 21-Mar JJ's Bohemia - Big Kitty (2nd show) at 11 PM 21-Mar Puckett's - Paul Edelman on stage at 7 PM 22-Mar B&B Marina (Charleston, TN) - Brandon Maddox - 6:30 PM 22-Mar The Diving Mouse - Conner Lilley at 9 PM 22-Mar Whiskey Cowgirl - Luke Brown & the Jubilee at 10 PM @ 22-Mar Hi-Fi Clyde's w/ Wilson Springs Hotel & Randy Steele at 9 PN 22-Mar Puckett's - Josh Driver Trio on stage at 8 PM 22-Mar Big Tom's Backyard Grille & Bar (Cleveland) w/ Brenna & Trev at 7:30 PM 22-Mar Barrelhouse Ballroom w/ Velcro Pygmies at 9 PM 22-Mar Whiskey Cowgirl - Luke Brown & the Jubilee at 10 PM 22-Mar The Dark Roast - Gozombiego W/ The Cutts & The Handsome Grandson at 7 PM 22-Mar Farm To Fork (Ringgold) - Aunt Betty Band at 8:30 PM 22-Mar Bud's Sports Bar - Night #1: The Essentials at 10 PM 22-Mar Creekside Grille & Bar - Aaron Carney at 6 PM 23-Mar Barrelhouse Ballroom - Doom Flamingo with LVNDR at 8 PM 23-Mar Farm To Fork - (Ringgold) Voodoo Returns at 9 PM 23-Mar The Dark Roast - Curses W/ Speakeasy And Drown It Out at 7 PM 23-Mar Bud's Sports Bar - Night #2: The Essentials at 10 PM 23-Mar Puckett's - Zech Dallas Band on stage at 8 PM 23-Mar Whiskey Cowgirl - Mary Kate Farmer at 10 PM 23-Mar Hi-Fi Clydes w/ Moon Juice at 9 PM 23-Mar The Boneyard Lillian EP Release at 8 PM 23-Mar Vincents Copper Top Pub (Blairsville, GA) Doctor Paul at 5 PM 23-Mar Big Tom's Backyard Grill & Bar w/Andru Jamison Acoustic at 7:30 PM 23-Mar Farm To Fork (Ringgold) - VooDoo Slim at 8:30 PM 23-Mar The Diving Mouse w/ Jack Endelouz at 9 PM 23-Mar Whiskey Cowgirl w/Mary Kate Farmer at 10 PM 24-Mar Wanderlinger Brewery- Brunch with Gino at 12 PM 24-Mar Wanderlinger Brewery - The Other Brothers at 6 PM 24-Mar Chattanooga River Market - Jolene Dixon at 12 til 3 PM 24-Mar The Dark Roast - Witness Chamber W/ Apex Predator And Disma at 9 PM 25-Mar Wanderlinger Brewery - Pull My Linger - Open Mic Comedy at 8 PM 25-Mar Gate 11 Distillery - Robin Baker Monday Night Blues Jam at 8 PM 25-Mar The Dark Roast - Folterkammer w/ Witching at 9 PM 25-Mar Walker Theatre w/Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox at 8 PM 26-Mar Tremont Tavern - Open Mic w/ Mike McDade at 8 PM 26-Mar Farm To Fork - Open Mic with Courtney & Ivan at 7 PM 26-Mar Barrelhouse - Queensryche's Geoff Tate & his Rock Show at 7 PM 27-Mar Wanderlinger Brewery - Wander Jam Open Mic at 10 M 27-Mar 1885 Grill - St. Elmo w/ Catfish Hill at 6 PM27-Mar Barking Legs - Wednesday Jazz: Clare Donahue at 1 PM27-Mar Barrelhouse - Free Event Pickleball Project Presents: The Pickle Pickers at 6 PM28-Mar Diving Mouse (Cleveland) Open Mic w/ DJ Fro at 8 PM28-Mar The FEED co. Table & Tavern e/ Jason Lyles at 6:30 PM28-Mar Barking Leg Theater -Susan Hefner/Evan Lipson/Ann Law/Bruce Kaplan 7 PM28-Mar The Boneyard - Dollars Family w/ Sam Steadman & Co & Josh Driver at 9 PM29-Mar Songbirds - BIAS with Jake Hess (Fundraiser for Guitars for Kids!) 7 PM29-Mar Barrelhouse - Drivin' N Cryin' with Abe Partridge at 8 PM29-Mar Walker Theatre Memorial Auditorium - Blue October at 8 PM29-Mar Farm To Fork - Sons of a Sinner at 8:30 PM29-Mar HiFi Clyde's - Backwater Still at 9 PM29-Mar Whiskey Cowgirl - Abigail Neilson at 10 PM29-Mar The Dark Roast - Reason To Hate W/ Cant Keep Up And Switchblade at 9 PMRoad to Night Fall Schedule15-Mar Granfalloon on MLK -Road To Nightfall 2024 at 7 - 11 PM16-Mar Granfalloon on MLK -Road To Nightfall 2024 at 7 - 11 PM21-Mar Granfalloon on MLK -Road To Nightfall 2024 at 7 - 11 PM22-Mar Granfalloon on MLK -Road To Nightfall 2024 at 7 - 11 PM23-Mar Granfalloon on MLK -Road To Nightfall 2024 at 7 - 11 PM6-Apr Granfalloon on MLK -Road To Nightfall 2024 at 7 - 11 PM - FINALS President Joe Biden talks with Mayor John Whitmire and Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, blocked from view, as he arrives on Air Force One at Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base on Thursday, March 21, 2024, in Houston. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer President Joe Biden arrives on Air Force One at Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base on Thursday, March 21, 2024, in Houston. (Jon Shapley/Houston Chronicle via AP) Jon Shapley/Associated Press President Joe Biden talks with Mayor John Whitmire and Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, blocked from view, as he arrives on Air Force One at Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base on Thursday, March 21, 2024, in Houston. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer President Joe Biden arrives on Air Force One at Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base on Thursday, March 21, 2024, in Houston. (Jon Shapley/Houston Chronicle via AP) Jon Shapley/Associated Press President Joe Biden used a fundraising stop in Houston on Thursday to blast Republicans on immigration and border issues again, part of a monthlong effort to turn the tables on the GOP over an issue that polls show has damaged the Democrats reelection effort. Biden didnt mention Gov. Greg Abbott or the states recently court-halted deportation law. Instead, he directed his attacks on former President Donald Trump for helping scuttle a bipartisan border security plan that Biden has said will help enforce existing immigration laws. Advertisement Article continues below this ad As he did on a stop in Brownsville last month, Biden noted that the bill would have given the nation 1,500 more border security agents, 100 more immigration judges and 4,300 more asylum officers to handle backlogged asylum cases. The president told donors at a 26,000-square-foot mansion in the River Oaks section of Houston on Thursday that Trump and the Republicans blocked the deal out of fear it would give Democrats a political win. Biden warned if Trump wins in November, it will bring more chaos to the border and immigration as a whole. Unlike Trump, Im not going to demonize immigrants, Biden said. I will not say immigrants are poisoning the blood of this nation. I will not call immigrants from Mexico rapists and murderers. I will not separate families. Trumps campaign said ahead of the visit that Biden is the one responsible for the situation at the border. Texas is on the front lines of the Biden Border Crisis, but instead of working to stop the flow of deadly fentanyl and migrant crime, Joe Biden is rubbing elbows with elite donors, said Michael Whatley, the new chairman of the Republican National Committee. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The new aggressive focus on immigration by Biden, particularly in Texas, shows a shifting approach. For most of the last three years, the White House has been playing defense on border security as record numbers of migrants crossed the border, particularly near Eagle Pass and El Paso. U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported last year that they encountered more than 2.4 million people at the border with Mexico, a new record for a single year. In December, they reported more than 300,000 crossings, a new record for a single month. But since then, border crossings have declined. In January in the Rio Grande, there were just over 7,000 crossings the lowest total for a month since Biden took office. One of the reasons for the drop, according to Democratic members of Congress, has been stepped-up efforts from Mexican officials who have been focusing more attention on their own southern border to slow the flow of migrants from Central and South America. Public polling shows that the issue remains an albatross for Biden and Democrats as a whole. Advertisement Article continues below this ad According to a January poll from the Associated Press and National Opinion Research Center, the share of voters concerned about immigration rose to 35% from 27% last year. Fifty-five percent of Republicans say the government needs to focus on immigration in 2024, while 22% of Democrats listed immigration as a priority. Thats up from 45% and 14%, respectively, from December 2022. Biden also used Thursdays visit to go after Trump for comments he made last week in Michigan, in which he warned of a bloodbath if he doesnt win in November. While critics said Trump was paving the way for violence, Trump has said he was referring to the state of the auto industry. Theres no place in American politics for political violence, Biden said Thursday. Bidens stops in Houston on Thursday and Dallas on Wednesday, which included no public events, were mostly aimed at building up his growing financial advantage over Trump as the two head for another showdown in November. New campaign finance reports released this week show Trumps fundraising picked up last month, but his political operation is still struggling to catch up to Biden and the Democratic Party. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Trumps campaign and his Save America political action committee, two key groups in his political operation, reported raising a combined $15.9 million in February and ended the month with more than $37 million on hand, according to filings with the Federal Election Commission on Wednesday night. Bidens campaign, meanwhile, said his political operation raised $53 million last month and ended February with $155 million on hand. That includes Bidens joint fundraising with the Democratic National Committee. Trump and Biden have good reason to focus on fundraising in Texas. In 2020, Texas donors gave more than $108 million to the presidential campaigns. Only New York, with $141 million, and California, with $290 million, gave more. Trump raised $59 million from Texas in 2020, compared to $32 million for Biden. Around 100 members of local activist groups lined the streets in River Oaks to protest the administrations stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Advertisement Article continues below this ad More than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed in retaliation for the Hamas attack in Israel that killed 1,139. Other protesters on Thursday included climate change activists who were raising alarms on the environmental impact of the conflict. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and Houston Mayor John Whitmire both greeted Biden at the airport ahead of the speech. But because of a driving rainstorm, both were escorted onto Air Force One to greet Biden instead of meeting him on the tarmac. An Arakan Forest Turtle pauses while hatching from its egg. This turtle and six of its siblings recently emerged from the same clutch laid by adults housed in off-exhibit systems at the Tennessee Aquarium. photo by Tennessee Aquarium/Doug Strickland A recently hatched Arakan Forest Turtle pauses briefly on a ruler at the Tennessee Aquarium. Measuring just a couple of inches long, adults top out at just under a foot in length when full grown photo by Tennessee Aquarium/Doug Strickland Tennessee Aquarium Herpetology Coordinator Bill Hughes demonstrates the size difference between a yearling and a newly hatched Arakan Forest Turtle. The Aquarium recently hatched seven of this critically endangered species, the largest single hatching event at a facility accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums photo by Tennessee Aquarium/Doug Strickland Tennessee Aquarium Herpetology Coordinator Bill Hughes holds seven newly hatched Arakan Forest Turtles. This group is the largest to ever emerge in a single event at a facility accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. photo by Tennessee Aquarium/Doug Strickland Tennessee Aquarium Herpetology Coordinator Bill Hughes holds a newly hatched Arakan Forest Turtle. The white protuberance on the end of the upper half of the turtles beak is the egg tooth. This hardened temporary structure is used by baby turtles to break through their egg shell when hatching. photo by Tennessee Aquarium/Doug Strickland Previous Next Like many Southeast Asian turtles, life in the wild is decidedly difficult for the critically endangered Arakan Forest Turtle. Rampant habitat destruction has reduced the range for this forest-dwelling reptile to just a narrow, mountainous strip of Myanmar and Bangladesh. Combined with the unwelcome attention of illegal traffickers supplying the pet trade and food markets, the wild population of Arakan Forest Turtles has decreased by 80 percent over the last three generations about 75 years according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Given the species profoundly unlucky streak, the Tennessee Aquarium is especially excited to offer a glimmer of celebratory hope for the future of Arakan Forest Turtles in the form of seven newly arrived hatchlings. These rambunctious little tykes recently emerged with 100 percent success from a clutch of seven eggs laid by adults housed in off-exhibit systems at the Aquarium. This represents the largest group of Arakan Forest Turtles to ever hatch at a facility accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The next largest clutch to emerge successfully was a group of five at Zoo Atlanta in 2013. The fact that all seven eggs hatched is really great, says Aquarium Herpetology Coordinator Bill Hughes. Every individual that hatches is a small victory because its one more in the population in human care when their population in the wild is declining. Unlike some imperiled species, Arakan Forest Turtles are housed at relatively few AZA-accredited aquariums, zoos, or wildlife centers. Nationwide, only six facilities care for populations of Arakan Forest Turtles. AZA Species Survival Programs manage a species across every facility where it is cared for by making recommendations for relocation of individuals and breeding pairings to ensure the overall populations health. Mr. Hughes managed the SSP for the Arakan Forest Turtle from its inception in 2011 until the program ended in 2023 due to the decline in facilities that worked with them. He continues to maintain the Arakan Forest Turtle studbook, a database documenting all births and deaths wherever the species is cared for. The arrival of the lucky seven continues the Aquariums streak of success, adding to the population in human care. Last year, the Aquarium hatched its first-ever Arakans a pair that emerged from a clutch of six eggs. These hatchlings represented the first addition to the population in human care since 2017. Thanks to the Aquariums reproductive success, the population of Arakan Forest Turtles in AZA facilities has increased by 27 percent in the last year alone. This growth gives Mr. Hughes hope to potentially broaden the number of facilities working with the species in the future. Having a viable population spread across zoos and aquariums is important. Then, if something happened to the last few in the wild, they wouldnt be totally extinct, he says. If we hatch enough babies hopefully, we do this again next year and have some surplus we can send them out to other zoos and get them excited about these guys again. Despite their abundance of energy and mobility in the early days after emerging from their eggs, Hughes kept close tabs on the seven hatchlings for the first few days. After giving them time to come to grips with life outside the shell, the seven hatchlings will join dozens of other tiny turtles in a publicly viewable turtle nursery in the River Journey building. By exhibiting these tiny representatives of an increasingly rare and embattled species, Mr. Hughes hopes to forge connections between guests and an animal they would otherwise be unlikely to encounter. This is a species that you probably dont know exists, except that we hatched them here, he says. You can actually see what they look like moving around rather than just as a picture in a book. For me, at least, thats very exciting. "I love books, and I love looking at pictures of rare things in books, but its not quite the same effect as seeing one moving around. And actually hatching them ourselves is even better. ===================================================== Wildlife trafficking is an international crisis that has devastating impacts to both animals and humans. Wildlife trafficking, which is fueled by an unprecedented demand for wildlife and wildlife products, is a significant threat to wildlife, driving many threatened and endangered animal species to the brink of extinction. Wildlife experts have confirmed that if we dont act quickly, trafficking will wipe out many endangered species in our lifetime. Learn more about the animals most at risk, and what you can do to save them through the Wildlife Trafficking Alliance. Noon Development celebrated the official opening of the East Ridge Physicians Building this week with a ribbon cutting hosted by the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce.Noon Development purchased and modernized the 27,770-square-foot medical office building at 929 Spring Creek Road. The building is now occupied by Spring Creek Pediatrics, Chattanooga Medical Research LLC, Galen OBGYN Ridgeside and Galen Digestive.The interior and exterior of this building are completely renovated, and we recruited new businesses to the location and helped the current tenants expand, said Bob Elliott, president of Noon Development.Each group of physicians worked with us to make the space unique to them and their teams. This project shows how you can transform and reinvent an older building while helping the tenants stay in a location that has worked well for them.Spring Creek Pediatrics resided in the building before the renovation and used the opportunity to update the office interior and expand by 2,000 square feet, including an area where sick patients can check in and wait, separate from children having routine visits.Spring Creek Pediatrics has added staff and patients, but we needed more room to truly expand the practice, said owner Dr. Stephanie Stegall. Our newly divided office creates a separate area for children with active symptoms, and that makes for a much better experience for everyone. Thanks to the expansion and renovation, we can now accept new patients.Two new tenants moved into the building, including Chattanooga Medical Research LLC (CRM), as well as multiple physicians with Galen Medical Group. CMR is a dedicated research center serving a range of therapeutic areas, including womens health, endocrinology, vaccines, internal medicine, weight loss and more. "Through its partnerships with major pharmaceutical sponsors, CMR brings opportunities to the community to participate in the cutting edge of medicine under the medical supervision of their physicians, David M. Barker, MD, Charles A. Crump, MD, and D. Scott Harnsberger, MD, as well as the entire professional research team," officials said.We are thrilled to relocate our clinical research center to the city of East Ridge, said Chattanooga Medical Research Co-Founder and Director Yvonne Chester. We are in a period of rapid growth with the number of clinical trials we are conducting, so expanding our office space is helping us better serve our patients.Multiple physicians with Galen OBGYN Ridgeside are located on the first floor, including Dr. Erica Angelino, Dr. David Barker, Dr. Scott D. Harnsberger, Dr. Melissa Lee, Dr. Jordan Staton, Dr. Lauren Thomas and Dr. Karen Tinsley. In addition, Dr. Camille Sommer and Corinne Hinson, NP, with Galen Digestive, will share part of the suite on the first floor.This location was selected due to its proximity to Parkridge East Hospital, which is located right next door, making it incredibly convenient for our physicians and patients, said Dr. Barker, Galen Medical Group.The city of East Ridge welcomed the renovation and new providers.We are pleased to welcome each of these new providers and their staff to the City of East Ridge, and were especially proud when businesses, like SpringCreek Pediatrics, choose to stay and invest further. That really reflects what a wonderful community we have here, said East Ridge Mayor Brian Williams in a written statement. This expansion brought more healthcare options and medical services to the citizens of East Ridge, and we were pleased to celebrate the continued growth within the City of East Ridge with the ribbon cutting.Just 2,363 square feet remain available for lease on the second floor of the building. "This newly-renovated space is a great fit for a medical specialty or for general medical office space," officials said.Those interested in this property or any medical real estate solutions can contact Heath Dotson, project manager at Noon Development, by emailing heath.dotson@noondevelopment.com or calling 423-742-0749, or by reaching out to Kelly Fitzgerald, vice-president of commercial brokerage at SVN | Second Story at kelly.fitzgerald@svn.com or 615-714-6378. Choosing the proper education for your child is crucial. While most families opt for local public schools, parents have other choices. School choice programs let families access schools beyond their neighborhood schools. The economic impact of universal school vouchers depends on the program's design and implementation. Research demonstrates that universal voucher programs primarily fund children already attending private schools. Supporters say universal vouchers encourage choice, innovation, and efficiency, while critics cite equity, funding, and education quality issues. Private schools can choose students, but not all accept vouchers or serve disabled students, and some discriminate based on disability, religion, or language. School choice lets families choose schools beyond their neighborhoods, but lack of transportation can hinder this. With private education vouchers, schools have the power to choose, not the students. Forty-two percent of rural districts in Tennessee have no private schools, and 84% have three or fewer, making it difficult for students to participate. Parents should make informed decisions to ensure their child is educated to their full potential. This includes the following. Open enrollment. Families can choose public schools outside their area code through open enrollment, inter-district, and intra-district choice programs. Public schools prioritize students within district lines. Magnet. Magnet schools or programs offer specialized programs for students with shared interests in public schools. Application and acceptance are required for enrollment. Career Academies. A career academy is the ultimate choice for a specialized high school education. It offers a rigorous college-prep curriculum with a career-oriented focus, comprising diverse academic subjects. Small learning communities integrate technical skills and academics for graduation and college admission. The curriculum aligns with private sector advancements, providing work-based learning opportunities to maximize student potential. International Baccalaureate Program. The International Baccalaureate Program is a rigorous college prep curriculum emphasizing liberal arts and sciences. Initially created in the '60s for a group of international schools, it's now offered in over 5,400 schools worldwide. Charter Schools. Charter schools are publicly funded and operated independently. A lottery is held to accept students when there are more applicants than open seats. Homeschool. Families in Tennessee have three options for K-12 education: homeschooling (independent or church-related) or enrollment in an accredited online school. Online schools offer a home-based alternative to traditional schools. Hybrid Model. Hybrid homeschooling combines the benefits of both homeschooling and traditional classroom learning. School Vouchers. Voucher programs provide families with partial or complete tuition vouchers to enroll their children in private schools, including religious and non-religious options. Traditional voucher programs. States require private schools to meet voucher criteria and reimburse education funds for tuition. Education Savings Accounts. Publicly funded savings accounts for parents offer multiple uses, including paying for school-related expenses and college savings. However, they are only available to eligible students. Tax credit scholarships. States offer tax credits to businesses or individuals who donate to scholarship organizations. Eligible students can use funds for tuition at private schools. Universal vouchers. These universal school vouchers are available to all students in the state, including those who already attend private schools and those that had not previously attended public schools. This has the effect of adding new costs to the state education budget. Online Learning. Online learning is education conducted over the Internet, allowing students to work with their curriculum and teachers online. Online schools can be used in a public, private, or homeschool setting. Micro-schooling. Micro-schooling is a personalized education system tailored to individual students needs. It has become a popular option since the outbreak of COVID-19 and can be a part of public, private, or charter schools or operate independently. Funding every type of school choice system without adequately funding public schools may not be sustainable in the long run. That is why vigorous debate is needed. The state of Tennessee is currently facing a revenue shortfall. The state is looking at $1.9 billion in franchise tax breaks and refunds to businesses, which will undoubtedly cause a more immediate loss of revenue. Additionally, the state is altering its method of charging franchise taxes, which will cost the state $400 million in revenue starting this year. More importantly, universal vouchers may hurt other choice options. Policymakers should remember that you can change the zip code where a child attends a school, but they are not changing the home address. You will not address the real issues until you address the impact of factors outside the classroom on student achievement. This is an ongoing debate, but we must get it right, given this issue's critical and costly nature. JC Bowman Executive Director of Professional Educators of Tennessee Its 9:30 Monday morning and the Brock-Lazenby Room inside Alumni Hall is filled with 81 McCallie sixth graders getting ready to interview 15 inspiring, generous adults on personal growth, priorities and leadership. The brainchild of Middle School English teacher Weesie Cook and Middle School Learning Center Director Kelcey Watson, the purpose of the Human Library program was to bring together community leaders in medicine, education, law, and race relations to discuss their jobs and their lives with the students. The idea first came to Cook and Watson from David Brooks book How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Seen. People are eager, often desperate, to be seen, heard, understood, wrote Brooks in his book. And yet we have built a culture, and a set of manners, in which that doesnt happen. The way you fix that is simple, easy, and fun: Ask people to tell you their stories. So thats what happened from 9:30 to 11:30 on Monday inside Brock-Lazenby. Seated five to table, the sixth graders peppered the adults with questions about their lives and the adults responded with answers that would make the students think about the world theyll soon enter and how they might learn from societys past mistakes. A vivid example: Elijah Cameron is the director of community relations and development for the Bessie Smith Cultural Center. A Chattanooga native who graduated from all-Black Riverside High in the mid-1960s, Cameron was asked by one of the sixth graders what his scariest moment in life had been. Without hesitation, Cameron began to tell of the time he was headed back to Southwestern Christian College in Terrell, Texas, in December of 1966 after being home for Christmas. The car he was riding in with a couple of other people suffered a flat tire outside of Meridian, Mississippi, in the dark of night. When they got out to inspect the damage, Cameron saw a large cross burning on a nearby hillside. We knew what that was, he said. That was the KKK. We needed to get out of there fast. They got back in the car and drove on the flat tire to Meridian where they knew of a white-owned Esso station (now Exxon) that welcomed Black customers. Back then, it was widely known that Esso stations often served Black customers in the South, Cameron explained. In fact, two Esso stations in Chattanooga were owned by Blacks. Wed stopped at that station in Meridian before. Even though it was almost 10 oclock when we pulled in, we knew the owner would help us. He not only got us a new tire, but a new wheel because we ruined the other one driving on the flat. There were good people back then, but you needed to know who they were and where to find them. Troy Rogers grew up in Knoxville, where his mother taught at now-defunct Knoxville College for 40 years, a Historically Black College and University (HBCU). Hes now the Public Safety Coordinator for Chattanooga as well as serving as head of ViolenceInterrupters, a group of concerned citizens who, in Rogers words, Fight for people who cant fight for themselves. He told the students about his mother often walking out the front door of their home many mornings with food and blankets for her students. Shed tell me, I cant teach hungry people, I cant teach people who are cold, Rogers told the kids at his table. Helping people is how I find my happiness. Not all the stories were that serious. Local physician Tom Langston 82 decided hed turn the table on his students and ask the questions. I asked one of them, 'What is your favorite subject?' he recalled. The boy said, Backwork. Then I asked what his second favorite subject was. He replied, Lunch. This healthy back and forth, this sharing of history and perspective and resolve, went on for roughly two hours. Watson said one of the goals for the Human Library event was simple: We all have a lot of shared experiences. You have more in common with people than you realize. Yet it also helped the students reevaluate earlier positions they had on certain topics. I used to believe we shouldnt let anyone into our country at the Southern border, said William Miller. But after listening to Dr. (Kelly) Arnold, whose father immigrated here from Italy, I had a new perspective. There are people trying to get here to start a better life for themselves and their families. When it ended, the adults took turns delivering a final thought for the students to take with them. Gena Ellis, who has sent three sons to McCallie Edward 16, Samuel 21, and William, a junior who will graduate in 25 told the students, Dont be afraid to fail. Be who God intended you to be. Turner Howard, a 1965 McCallie grad who practices law in Knoxville: Do whats right when nobodys looking. Community leaders speak to McCallie middle school students about their lives and careers at the Human Library event Then, it was time for Dr. Everlena Holmes, a Civil Rights leader in the 1960s, to speak. Be open to all possibilities in life, she said. The world is changing, and more change is coming. You need to get on board with those changes. For 81 sixth graders to get to interact with adults whove changed so much in our community and beyond for the good is sure to make a difference going forward, both at McCallie and in the larger world those 81 students will one day enter as McCallie graduates. Chattanooga is a top-three candidate for the first Choice Lanes in the state, Tennessee Deputy Governor and Commissioner of Transportation Butch Eley told members of the Rotary Club of Chattanooga on Thursday. Traffic congestion studies have put Nashville and Knoxville on the short list, too, leaving behind Memphis, which first needs a new bridge over the Mississippi River, Mr. Eley said. Were going to continue to lean in, he said of Choice Lanes, and that the state will prioritize Choice Lane projects that he said will quickly pay for themselves. Mr. Eley did not specify where in Chattanooga. Officials earlier discussed the possibility of the congested I-24 section at Moccasin Bend. An informational video played during the meeting stated that user fees would be based on demand. Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, Virginia and Texas have Choice Lanes that work, the video stated. Mr. Eley said he and Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly are working together to bring passenger rail to Chattanooga as part of a line connecting Bristol, Nashville, Memphis, Chicago and Atlanta. We are committed, he said. Its a long haul... Weve come a long way in the last year. Mr. Eley looked back to 1854 when a new railroad was built from Nashville to the Tennessee River. They ended up choosing Chattanooga, he said. History repeats itself in so many ways. Were excited to be part of that, he said. Governor Bill Lees $3 billion Transportation Modernization Act of 2023 consists of public/private partnerships to build Choice Lanes. Private firms design, build, operate and maintain new traffic lanes, and charge a user fee. This frees the states highway fund, made up of gas taxes, to pay for needed projects in other parts of the state, Mr. Eley said. We can invest in other projects that are needed, he told club members. He said the highway fund revenues are totally flat, year over year. Yall can probably tell thats getting harder and harder as we go. The act will raise electric vehicle taxes to the level of gas vehicle taxes. Finally, the act pledges to find better and faster ways to finish road projects. Projects take an average of 15 years to complete, if theyre completed at all, he said. Many proposals have not included right-of-way costs or construction costs. When they run out of money, the project stops. Mr. Eley said TDOT has identified projects to fund to completion over the next 10 years, and going forward What gets started gets done. Mr. Eley reminisced about former Hamilton County Mayor Claude Ramsey, who was Deputy Governor under Governor Bill Haslam after serving as county mayor for 16 years. He always looked after me to make sure that I could find my way up at the capital, said Mr. Eley. He and Mr. Ramseys wife, Jan, are both from Cheatham County, he said. EAGLE PASS, TEXAS - MARCH 20: In an aerial view, a National Guard soldier stands atop a barrier of shipping containers while patrolling at Shelby Park on March 20, 2024 in Eagle Pass, Texas. Hours after the U.S. Supreme Court authorized Senate Bill 4, a federal appeals court halted the decision based on an earlier injunction. Senate Bill 4 allows state law enforcement officials to detain and arrest migrants suspected of illegally crossing into the U.S. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images) *** BESTPIX *** Brandon Bell/Getty Images In an aerial view, National Guard soldiers patrol the Rio Grande river near Shelby Park on March 20, 2024 in Eagle Pass, Texas. Hours after the U.S. Supreme Court authorized Senate Bill 4, a federal appeals court halted the decision based on an earlier injunction. Senate Bill 4 allows state law enforcement officials to detain and arrest migrants suspected of illegally crossing into the U.S. Brandon Bell/Getty Images WASHINGTON The Mexican government is urging a federal court to block Texas migrant deportation law, arguing it will trample the countrys right to regulate its own borders, terrorize the 2.4 million Mexican nationals living in Texas and threaten crucial cross-border trade. The unforeseen ramifications of this law would have a substantial impact and hardship on the Mexican community, the nation wrote in a brief submitted Thursday as a federal appeals court weighs whether to keep the law on hold. The law, known as Senate Bill 4, makes it a crime to enter Texas from Mexico without permission. It empowers any law enforcement officer in Texas to arrest migrants they suspect of violating the law and allows judges to order their removal from the country. Those who do not comply face 20 years in prison. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Mexican officials have said the nation will not accept anyone Texas tries to send across the border. And the government argued the law will frustrate international efforts between Mexico and the U.S. to manage migration. The law is likely to cause confusion and chaos at the border as people seek to enter Mexico to avoid criminal penalties under SB 4, said the brief, which was signed by Austin attorney Sinead OCarroll. The law briefly took effect on Tuesday but was put on hold while the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals weighs its constitutionality. Civil rights groups and the U.S. Department of Justice sued to block the law permanently, arguing the law runs afoul of more than a century of court precedent on immigration powers and would interfere with the federal governments enforcement efforts. Texas Republicans, who passed the law last fall, say it is necessary to protect the state against a rise of migrants seeking asylum in the U.S. and Mexican drug cartels. They say the state has to step in because the federal government is not doing enough to stop border crossings, which have hit records under the Biden administration. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Mexicos brief said the law wholly eviscerates the long-standing principle that immigration should be handled solely by the federal government. It cites a U.S. Supreme Court ruling from 2012 that struck down portions of an Arizona law authorizing police to arrest anyone suspected of being in the country illegally. The U.S. Supreme Court provided the most definitive statement yet on this principle, declaring that it is fundamental that foreign countries concerned about the status, safety, and security of their nationals in the United States must be able to confer and communicate on this subject with one national sovereign, not the 50 separate States, the brief said. The brief also said Mexico is deeply concerned that enforcement of SB 4 by Texas officers could lead to improper harassment, detention, removal, and criminalization of Mexican citizens and individuals of Latino appearance. And it said those concerns could put a damper on the $285.6 billion trade relationship between Texas and Mexico, which is the states top trading partner. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In the waters of the Mediterranean near a Greek island, 10 shipwrecks, including one from the Roman era, have been found by a team of marine archaeologists in collaboration with the National Hellenic Research Foundation in Greece and the Ministry of Culture. They had been exploring an area around the island of Kasos, which lies in the Aegean Sea when the discoveries were made. The goal of the project was to delve deeper into the maritime history of the Aegean region. This island has long been overlooked in historical narratives, and we aimed to uncover its significance in ancient maritime networks, Xanthie Argiris, the projects lead archaeologist, told Newsweek. By exploring the underwater cultural heritage of the region, we sought to reveal Kasos role as a crucial node along ancient trade routes, thus contributing to our understanding of the broader historical and archaeological context of the southeastern Aegean. Recently, evidence of 10 shipwrecks was identified, along with some artifacts from various points in time. According to Argiris, the shipwrecks date as far back as the Classical era and as late as the 19th and 20th centuries. The range of time shows that Kasos served as an important landmark for maritime activity throughout the ages. In addition, a Roman shipwreck dating back to the second to third centuries was among the finds. The ship had been hauling a cargo of Aegean cylindrical amphorae, which were an ancient type of storage vessel. Since the environmental conditions of the Aegean Sea are not suitable for the preservation of wood, shipwrecks are usually identified by the ceramic cargo or anchors they had been carrying instead of their wooden remains. Out of the 10 shipwrecks, seven were ancient and did not have a preserved hull. One had a section of a wooden hull and an iron cannon from what is believed to be the 19th century. Two of the shipwrecks were more recent, containing wooden and metallic parts. One of the more modern wrecks was a vessel possibly from the World War Two era. It was a wooden boat with metal parts and was approximately 82 to 98 feet long. Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox. Researchers at the University of California-Riverside (UCR) have made the first-ever confirmation of a potentially deadly dog parasite located in a stretch of the Colorado River flowing through California. The parasite known as Heterobilharzia americana, commonly called liver fluke, is a type of flatworm that, until now, was predominantly identified in Texas and states along the Gulf Coast. This discovery marks the first occasion it has been detected so far west. Sadly, this worm is responsible for canine schistosomiasis, a disease that affects dogs livers and intestines. Dogs can die from this infection, so we are hoping to raise public awareness that its there. If youre swimming in the Colorado River with them, your pets are in peril, said Adler Dillman, a nematology professor at UCR. Upon hearing about instances of the infection in local dogs, Dillman assembled a research group and headed to Blythe, a town on the border east of Joshua Tree National Park in Riverside County. Each of the affected dogs had been swimming in the nearby river. The disease is transmitted through a snail that carries the worm. So, the research team collected more than 2,000 snails from the riverbanks. In their recent report, they detail how DNA analysis was used to verify the identities of both the snails and the flatworm. We actually found two species of snails that can support H. americana in the river in Blythe, and we found both snails actively shedding this worm. Not only was it a surprise to find H. americana, we also did not know that the snails were present here, Dillman explained. Once a flatworm transforms inside a snail, it emerges with a singular mission: to infect a mammal. At this phase, it can only live independently for about 24 hours. Infection takes place when a dog or a raccoon is either in the water or drinking from it. Afterward, the worm enters the veins in the intestinal lining, where it matures into an adult and reproduces. But the issue isnt the adult worms living in the veins; its the eggs that travel to the lungs, spleen, liver, and heart. The immune system attempts to combat this, leading to the formation of hard clusters of immune cells known as granulomas. Over time, this results in the organs ceasing to function properly. Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox. If youve been keeping up with this years Oscar nominations or have been reading any headlines about the hit movies of 2023, youve likely heard of actress Lily Gladstone. The buzz surrounding Lily Gladstones promising acting career is well deserved, as aside from being extremely talented, shes making history and opening the door for Indigenous American actors. Lily is best known for her breakout and Oscar-nominated performance in Martin Scorseses 2023 film, Killers Of The Flower Moon, but here is a little more information about her journey to Hollywood and why its so important. Lily was born in 1986 and grew up on the Blackfeet Reservation in Montana. She is of Siksikaitsitapi, also known as Blackfeet, NiMiiPuu, and European heritage. When she was around 11 years old, her family moved to Seattle in search of more opportunities. As a little girl, Lily enjoyed performing and discovered her passion for acting when she performed as one of Cinderellas stepsisters in the Missoula Childrens Theatre production of Cinderella. Lily received much support from her parents, who enrolled her in acting and dance classes. She performed in several theater productions in high school and became involved with her local community theater. Lily attended UMs Davidson Honors College and graduated in 2008 with a BFA in acting and a minor in Native American studies. She was the first Native American student to receive the schools Presidential Leadership Scholarship, and she quickly earned a reputation around campus as a talented actress with an excellent work ethic, enthusiastically participating and performing in as many student productions as possible. After college, Lily did a lot of work with the Montana Repertory Theatre, continuing to act and dipping her toe into writing and directing productions. Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox. Nine federal departments have issued new regulations governing social service grants for a range of programs including drug rehabilitation; assisting penitentiary inmates reentering their communities; sheltering the homeless; aiding needy families with dependent children; settling refugees; and providing overseas lifesaving aid in response to natural disasters, war, famine, and public health crises. The regulations take effect on April 4, 2024, governing tens of billions of dollars in taxpayer funds. And they represent a threat to the many Christian ministries that have long provided these social services with the help of federal grants while maintaining their religious identity and mission. Rather than follow the rule of equal treatment secured in recent Supreme Court decisions, the Biden administration opted for outdated and unwieldy alternatives that will entangle the government in the work of religious nonprofits offering social services. Since the 1996 welfare reform enacted in the Clinton administration, faith-based organizations have been invited to compete on an equal basis for social service grants under the Charitable Choice act sponsored by former senator John Ashcroft. At the time, it seemed foolish for federal grants to exclude community-serving organizations that were already embedded in depressed neighborhoods via churches and storefront outlets, and whose mercy workers were known to the poor and trusted by those they were serving. These ministries of hope had a holistic approach that proved especially effective for addressing certain afflictions. Early in 2001, then-president George W. Bush created the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives to nurture the idea. The hope was that the office would expand on the number of social service programs that required all grant applicants to be treated the same, emphasizing in particular that there be no penalties on account of an applicants religious character. The criteria for applicants was no longer Who are you? but rather, Can you do the job? And that job was the effective delivery of the programs services. Whatever else that might be communicated of a spiritual nature was not only not the concern of the government but was something with which officials were not to become entangled. The Obama administration continued the initiative largely unchanged, albeit under the altered moniker of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. This was a rare instance of bipartisanship, and President Barack Obama had to withstand some heat from his partys progressive left. Article continues below Over the last 20 years, there have been major rulings by the US Supreme Court reforming the law of church-state relations and making it easier to direct government aid to the best-performing charities, without penalty for being religious. So long as the purpose of the aid wasfrom the governments point of viewsecular, such as education, health care, or social services, then the government was to steer its money to the most capable applicants. For example, the high court has long said that a state may choose to fund only its K12 public schools, but if a state wants to also help private schools, it must treat religious and secular private schools equally. Under the First Amendment, evenhanded aid to K12 religious schools is not only permitted by the establishment clause, but to discriminate against such schools is now prohibited by the free exercise clause (Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof). Whether one deems this development good or bad, there is no denying that there has been a sea change in the inclusion of religious K12 schools in government largess. This has spawned a school-choice surge in about half the states. Those same First Amendment principles apply to social services. What became known as the faith-based equal-treatment regulations during the Bush administration were to be kept in line with developments at the Supreme Court. These equal-treatment regulations now span nine federal departments, with big-money programs at the likes of the US Departments of Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, and Justice, as well as the US Agency for International Development. Given the current trajectory of the high court permitting government to pursue school choice, any needed updating by the Biden administration of the equal-treatment regulations should have been straightforward. The simple path was for social service providers, secular and religious, to compete equally for grant funding. The governments interest begins and ends with the effective delivery of the designated aid to the program beneficiaries, be it drug rehabilitation, housing, job retraining, or reducing domestic violence. The regulations just released by the Biden administration, however, are not only not simple but soul-killing to faith-based social service providers. Article continues below First, the regulations distinguish between whether the aid is delivered directly to the provider or delivered indirectly by way of a voucher given to the beneficiary to be passed on to the provider. In actuality, the distinction makes no difference; the result is the same for purposes of the First Amendment. It once made a difference because the Supreme Court, starting in the early 1980s, interpreted the establishment clause to allow indirect aid to religious schools. It was expedient for the court to entertain the fiction that when a voucher or other form of indirect aid first went to parentswho selected the school for their childthe aid was from the parent, not the state. But all concerned knew this was really government aid to private schools, including religious schools. Thats why the public-school lobby fought vouchers. In any event, todays court has moved beyond this fiction, and so must the equal-treatment regulations. Second, the Biden regulations require that any faith-based provider be monitored to ensure that none of the funding is used for explicitly religious purposes. This too is an artifact of the courts cases from 25 years ago but is superseded by todays free-exercise clause principle that faith-based providers be treated the same as secular providers. The specified monitoring of religious providers will entangle church and government in ways inimical to our heritage, which rightly separates the two. More fundamentally, the rule prohibiting aid for explicitly religious purposes is asking the wrong question. The proper inquiry is whether the provider, secular or religious, is doing the job of effectively delivering the programs services. If the answer is in the affirmative, the government has received full value for its funding and its interest comes to an end. As noted above, the free exercise clause no longer allows discriminatory treatment of religious providers. Third, if a grantee is faith-based, then the Biden regulations provide that a beneficiary may raise a religious objection to any part of the social service program and demand an adjustment. Consider the impossibility of operating a religious K12 school that must allow each of its students to pick and choose from its educational program, where students can opt out from any part of the curriculum that they find religiously objectionable. In parallel fashion, under the Biden rules, a faith-based drug rehabilitation center must admit a beneficiary to its programwhich integrates faith with the whole of lifeand then adjust its program depending on the religious ideocracies of the beneficiary. A provider cant do that efficiently, especially when what makes the program successful is each beneficiarys full participation in an integrated program, including its spiritual aspects. Article continues below What the regulations ought to provide is a way for beneficiaries who have a religious objection to be sent to a different program. In the rare instance where there are no non-religiously objectionable programs for a beneficiary, then the establishment clause requires the government to provide an equivalent service. The establishment clause places the duty on the government because the First Amendment runs against the government, not the faith-based provider. The Trump administration could have been helpful here but failed. A White House Faith-Based Office sets a vision for the initiative and provides focus for the vast and unwieldy executive branch. Trump set up a White House partnership advisor, not an office; did not fill that position until two years into his administration; and then placed that person in the Office of Public Liaison, the unit that coordinates with supportive coalitions and mobilizes voter support. In other words, Trump politicized the initiative. From that low point, one would think just about anything the Biden administration did would have been an improvement. Yet Biden stumbled over even that low hurdle. Carl H. Esbeck is the R.B. Price Professor of Law Emeritus at the University of Missouri. When John Ashcroft was attorney general in the Bush administration, Professor Esbeck headed the task force to implement the faith-based initiative at the US Department of Justice. It is time for part three of our four-part series, Advice From a Woman. Today Christian women face multiple tensions between home and work, navigating complex gender dynamics in the workplace and social pressure to hold together picture-perfect lives. Joanna Meyer addresses a critical gap in Christian women's discipleship by speaking to the roles we play in public and professional life. Heather also adds another tool to your social toolkit as she discusses social media and how your employer or potential employer may be using it to learn more about who you are. The lines between our private and public lives can get blurred when we log online. Heather gives you a tip she thinks you should remember every time you post. Resources Referenced: Guest Bio Joanna Meyer is director of public engagement at the Denver Institute for Faith & Work, where she leads public events, hosts the Faith & Work podcast, and founded Women, Work, & Calling. Her latest book is called Women, Work, and Calling: Step into Your Place in Gods World. Host Bio Heather Thompson Day is an associate professor of communication at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan. She is the author of eight books, including Ill See You Tomorrow and Its Not Your Turn. Reach out to Heather on X, the app formerly known as Twitter at @HeatherTDay and on Instagram @heatherthompsonday. Receive Heathers weekly inspirational email every Friday at 7 p.m. ET; sign up at www.heatherthompsonday.com/links. Viral Jesusis a production of Christianity Today Host and creator: Heather Thompson Day Executive Producer: Ed Gilbreath Producer: Loren Joseph Mix Engineer: Alex Carter Director of CT Podcasts: Mike Cosper Home News Democrat presidential candidate Jason Palmer wants 'religion to come back into public life' Most Americans didn't know who Democratic presidential candidate Jason Palmer was until he upset President Joe Biden by winning the territorial caucus in American Samoa on Super Tuesday. His victory marked the first time since 1980 that an incumbent president lost a presidential primary or caucus. While Biden has clinched the delegates necessary to secure the Democratic nomination, Palmer vows to remain in the race for the foreseeable future. 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 His platform includes balancing the federal budget within five years, sending a thank-you letter to taxpayers telling them exactly how their money was spent, term limits, public funding of elections, ranked-choice voting and the establishment of a new Department of Innovation and Technology. In many ways, Palmer's priorities overlap with those traditionally associated with the modern Democratic Party. For example, he favors a law that would codify the Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion nationwide into federal law, enacting healthcare reform that would allow people aged 50 years and older to buy into Medicare for the price of a Gold or Silver Obamacare plan and looking into a "Federally sponsored reparations program." On the other hand, Palmer differs from his fellow Democrats on certain issues related to education, religious liberty and the role of religion in public life. He discussed the ins and outs of his political views and his take on issues many Evangelicals find important ahead of the 2024 election in an interview with The Christian Post. Below is an edited transcript of the interview. The Christian Post: What would you like to say to a Christian audience? Palmer: I've been a Quaker by choice since I was about 17 years old. And I've been a Christian all my life. My mother was Methodist, and I've grown up in a Christian tradition. CP: How does your Quaker faith influence your politics? Palmer: Quite substantially, actually. Quakers believe there is that of God in every person, and that makes us strong advocates for peace. In the current times, I've been advocating for a ceasefire in Gaza since November, and I'm more open to creative solutions to the Ukraine conflict as well as because we have to prevent loss of life. We have to make sure this doesn't become a forever war. CP: Can you share how you came to your Quaker faith? Do you have a testimony story? Palmer: My best friend and his family invited me to attend some Quaker meetings, and then, over time, I ended up going to a place called New York Yearly Meeting every summer, which is a gathering of sort of 300 Quakers from all over New York state. Just participating in more Quaker meetings, reading Quaker testimonies, and really loving everything about Quaker tradition eventually led me to start circling the box. When you get asked to go to college, it says, "What religion are you?" or at least it used to. I actually don't know if it says that anymore, but I would circle the box or fill in the box that said "Quaker," and I've been a Quaker ever since. I consider myself Quaker-ish, which is not really a word. I don't actually have a home meeting that I have formally registered with or been adopted into, and that's because I've moved around a lot over the course of my life. I lived in Boston for a while. I lived in Charlottesville, Virginia; Berkeley, California; Seattle, Washington; and now I live in Baltimore, Maryland; and so I've attended meetings all over the country. But I don't actually have a home meeting, which some people think is needed to be officially Quaker, but most Quakers do not. CP: Do you attend meetings on a regular basis regardless of where it is? Palmer: I would say I am an irregular attender, to be perfectly honest, of weekly meetings, but I'm a very regular attender of the yearly meeting. Home News 3 highlights from Marjorie Taylor Greene's hearing on aborted baby parts 'black market' WASHINGTON Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia sought answers this week about how the abortion industry handles the body parts of aborted babies, hearing testimony from activists who accused providers of violating federal law. On Tuesday, Greene led a hearing titled Investigating the Black Market of Baby Organ Harvesting alongside fellow Republican Reps. Chip Roy of Texas and Mary Miller of Illinois. David Daleiden of the Center for Medical Progress and Terrisa Bukovinac, founder of the Progressive Anti-Abortion Uprising, testified during the hearing. Greene said the purpose of the hearing is to begin making changes. She and her colleagues are not condemning women who have had abortions, Greene said, but attempting to answer what happens to unborn children after they are killed in an abortion. 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 biggest change that needs to be made is: there should be no baby slaughtered in their mothers womb or partially born and slaughtered barbarically for their body to be sold, Greene said. I cant imagine any American disagreeing with that. Here are three highlights from the hearing. Home News Boston pastors family trapped in Haiti amid violence and civil unrest A pastor from Boston is trying to evacuate his family from Haiti as chaotic civil unrest unravels and the U.S. government has begun transporting American citizens out of the Caribbean nation. Pastor Dieufort Fleurissaint has two sisters and about 10 nieces and nephews who have been unable to escape from Haiti amid an increase in violence that has led to thousands being displaced from their homes in recent weeks. "No one is safe in Haiti. God is the only protection they have," he told NBC10 Boston. 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 "They're afraid even just to come to the phone and speak with me. It's much better for them to send me a text or WhatsApp." Fleurissaint, who runs a nonprofit charity that helps Haitians, told the outlet that he has tried for over a year to get his family into the United States through a government program. Fleurissaint's story isn't unique as the aftermath of a March 8 attack unravels. On that Friday, gangs launched a coordinated, large-scale attack on government buildings in or near downtown Port-au-Prince. A source who spoke with ABC News reports that various gangs targeted different buildings, including the Presidential Palace, the Interior Ministry and a police headquarters. This resulted in gangs and police engaging in gun battles, sending civilians fleeing the area. The Presidential Palace hasn't been occupied since the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in 2021. The recent uptick in violence began after armed groups conducted raids on two of the country's largest prisons, freeing thousands of inmates. Port-au-Prince is under a complete state of emergency. "It's a very sad situation knowing that I can't do much at this point," Fleurissaint told NBC 10 Boston. Since last July, the U.S. State Department has issued a level 4 travel advisory urging Americans not to travel to Haiti. In early March, the State Department urged Americans in Haiti to depart "as soon as possible by commercial or other privately available transportation options." This week, the U.S. government began chartering flights for Americans out of Haiti to neighboring Dominican Republic. State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said that nearly 1,600 citizens have registered with the State Department seeking information on leaving Haiti. "Some are interested in exploring departure options. Some just want to stay in touch with the United States of America or the embassy," he told reporters on Wednesday. "Some want expertise advice on how they may be able to remain safe, and others may not be in a place for safe departure now but may be down the line." Amid the chaos, members of a congregation in the Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania called The Greater Shiloh Church, which has a house of worship in Bresilienne, Haiti, are trying to spread the Gospel and evangelize despite the spiraling turmoil. Pastor Joe Isidore is the pastor at the church in Bresilienne. His church is located high in the mountains, far from Port-au-Prince, where the violence is predominantly happening. Isidore told WFMZ via phone, "It is not OK anywhere in Haiti." "Everybody is careful the way they go around the street, it's like, OK we don't know when that is going to spread around to our area," he added. Pastor Brandon Sardik, the director of campuses for Greater Shiloh Church, agreed that Haiti is facing "an atrocity [and] tragedy is all over the place." "He has to navigate through checkpoints where there are gang members who won't allow you to go past the checkpoint unless you pay a certain price," said Pastor Sardik, who said he communicates with Isidore every day. Traveling is limited in Haiti and food and clothing are scarce, according to Isidore. "Everyone, they stay home and, keep watching who's around in the community," he said. Even with the chaos and disastrous conditions, Isidore said he would never abandon his church's mission. "He's very optimistic," Sardik said. "He is a man of faith, so he believes that good outcomes will come out of spaces like this." Home News Arizona church sues after city halts food ministry that fed families in need An Arizona church is suing a city near the Mexican border, claiming that local officials unlawfully stopped the congregation from giving food to families in need through a ministry that has been in operation for around a quarter century. Gethsemani Baptist Church filed a complaint in federal court last week against the City of San Luis, Mayor Nieves G. Riedel, Acting City Manager Jenny Torres and City Code Enforcement Officer Alexis Gomez Cordova. According to the filing, the city shut down a food ministry that has operated since 1999 and has regularly helped hundreds of impoverished families by distributing hundreds of thousands of pounds of food and sharing the Gospel. 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 complaint states that following Riedel's election in 2022, the city began cutting support for the ministry and argued that the outreach program violated zoning laws, such as having semi-trucks in a residential area. City officials deemed the church to be engaging in "commercial-level food distribution." "Since 2012, when the City adopted its current Zoning Code, the Church and its Food Ministry were treated as a 'legal nonconforming use,' meaning that it could continue to operate in the residential zone," the filing states. "While the Food Ministry has certainly grown in scale in the years since its founding, requiring larger trucks as early as 2002 to effectively transport food and supplies, it has not dramatically changed in scope or character since the Zoning Code was adopted." The city stated that the church couldn't operate the food ministry without a "conditional use permit," which the church believes would be "a fruitless and cost prohibitive effort." "Because of Defendants' threats, the Church ceased almost all Food Ministry efforts and cancelled multiple events, including its annual Thanksgiving turkey drive-thru and its Christmas toy drive," the complaint reads. The city is also accused of treating nearby non-religious entities located blocks from the church more favorably when it comes to their use of commercial trucks in the residential zone. The complaint cites the use of commercial vehicles from FedEx, furniture stores, buses, food trucks, a tow truck company and a local head start program that "are frequently seen parking, loading, and unloading on residential streets and residences sometimes, for hours or days at a time." The church seeks relief under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, which states that the government is prohibited from imposing or implementing a land use regulation that substantially burdens the religious exercise of a person or religious institution unless the government can prove that the burden is the least restrictive means of furthering a compelling interest. Even though the church switched to using smaller trucks, the legal filing claims the city continued to enforce a "cease and desist" order. When reached for comment, a city spokesperson told The Christian Post that the "City of San Luis has to consult with its Attorneys on this matter." The church is represented by the conservative legal group the First Liberty Institute as well as the law firm Snell and Wilmer L.L.P. "It's unconscionable that the City of San Luis won't allow Gethsemani Baptist Church to continue its 25-year mission of providing food for the hungry, hurting people in the surrounding communities," said FLI Senior Counsel Jeremy Dys in a statement. "People who take action to care for the hungry should be encouraged and affirmed, not threatened and fined." Last December, the church was forced to cease its food distribution charity, with Pastor Jose Manuel Castro telling CBS 5 that the ministry has "a lot of people with needs, a lot of people." He told the outlet that issues arose with the city in August after one of the trucks crashed into the fence of a nearby home, causing neighbors to complain. Home News Journalist recounts being shackled, placed in cell with meth dealer over Jan. 6 misdemeanor charges A conservative journalist who is facing four misdemeanor charges related to the U.S. Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021, recounted how he was shackled and placed in a cell with a meth dealer after turning himself in to the FBI earlier this month. "They handcuffed me, fingerprinted me, marched me up to the car, which has been seen on camera," Steve Baker, a reporter with Blaze Media, said during an interview on the Tucker Carlson Network that aired Wednesday. "They took me to the courthouse, handed me over to the U.S. Marshals, and that's where they put the leg chains, the belt chain, chained my wrist to my stomach, and then sat me in a jail cell with a meth dealer." 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 Ep. 82 Joe Biden has put hundreds of his political opponents in jail. Heres the latest, a working journalist whos exposed the fraudulence of the January 6th myth. pic.twitter.com/wukggVvY8j Tucker Carlson (@TuckerCarlson) March 20, 2024 Baker, who was a freelance journalist when he allegedly went into the U.S. Capitol for about 37 minutes on Jan. 6, made an initial court appearance in Dallas on March 1 after surrendering to the local FBI field office, his defense attorney William Shipley told The Associated Press. Weeks before, Baker tweeted that the Department of Justice had already informed him that he would be charged with crimes related to the Jan. 6 riot. He stands accused of charges that include trespassing and disorderly conduct, and an FBI affidavit alleges he "antagonized" police officers, according to the AP. Baker told Carlson that he first learned of his impending prosecution in November 2021, when an assistant U.S. attorney out of Philadelphia emailed his attorney. Baker said they heard nothing more for 20 months until he received a grand jury subpoena in August 2023 demanding the videos he took during the riot, which he provided. On Dec. 14, while he was sitting in the office of Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., he said he received a text from his attorney telling him, "I think this is the one, the big one." "So I stepped out into the hallway there at the Rayburn Building and called my attorney," Baker said, adding that his attorney told him the FBI wanted him to self-surrender the following week in his hometown of Raleigh, North Carolina. Baker, who was by that time working for Glenn Beck's outlet Blaze Media, noted that they issued a "media offensive" in response that garnered millions of views, after which the federal government "backed off yet again." "Then we got another call the next day from the FBI saying that they were going to put that off until sometime after Christmas," he said. "Once again, we didn't hear from them for two months until two weeks ago." Baker recounted that U.S. Assistant Attorney Adam Dreyer requested he show up to the field office in shorts, a T-shirt and flip-flops, which he saw as an indication that they intended to change him into an orange jumpsuit and march him before the magistrate. Following negotiations with his lawyer, he said he was allowed to show up wearing his own clothes. Baker also noted that the agents who arrested him were silent when he asked them if his treatment was typical of those charged with misdemeanors, and added that rank-and-file members of the FBI have intimated to him their disgust with what is happening in the agency. "I have received messages from retired whistleblowing agents all over the country, apologizing to me for the behavior of the agency they were once proud of," he said. The journalist went on to speculate that federal law enforcement has become increasingly politicized in recent years amid a new generation of special agents who have joined since the passage of the Patriot Act and the Obama administration, which he alleged ushered in "overwhelming" politicization of the FBI from the top down. Baker also said that one of the U.S. Marshals who processed him at the courthouse in Dallas looked at his paperwork, called his charges "bulls---," and said that former President Donald Trump should be paying the legal fees of every Jan. 6 defendant. "I strongly agree with that," Carlson replied. More than 1,300 people have been charged with federal crimes related to Jan. 6, including multiple journalists, though prosecutors and judges have typically dismissed the defense that their activities on that day were covered by the First Amendment. Home News Michael Brown suggests Martin Luther eternally condemned for antisemitic writings When asked whether German theologian is in Hell, 'Line of Fire' host says, 'I don't know' Is Martin Luther, the father of Protestant Christianity, condemned for eternity because of his antisemitic writings? Thats one of several arguments that were made during a four-hour roundtable with apologist and author Justin Peters, author and pastor Jim Osman, podcast host Michael Brown, and Sam Storms, pastor emeritus of Bridgeway Church in Oklahoma City. Originally recorded in April 2023, the debate focused on the gifts of the Holy Spirit, specifically the gifts of healing, prophecy, and tongues, as well as finding a working definition for a false prophet. 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 roundtable began with an October 2021 segment from Browns show The Line of Fire with Dr. Michael Brown, in which Osman called Brown during a segment titled How To Deepen Your Discernment. In that segment, Osman accused Brown of giving a lot of shade to some of the worst and most egregious Charismatics, charlatans, false prophets and hucksters that the Charismatic movement has churned up in recent years, including Sid Roth and Benny Hinn and others. Brown himself appeared on the "This Is Your Day with Benny Hinn" program in 2014, which drew public criticism from Peters at the time. During the roundtable conversation, the topic came up of Hinns 1990s nine Persons of the Godhead claim and other false teachings, which Brown said was 30 years ago and likely not a position that Hinn currently holds. Peters then brought up Storms previous statements in which he said he believes Hinn is a brother in the Lord who loves Jesus. Now, you and I would definitely depart on that, Peters said, pointing to Hinns Godhead teaching, which Brown characterized as one little tangent that was a bizarre, crazy statement. Brown, addressing Peters, added, If everything that you said about Benny Hinn is accurate, then of course he's a false teacher. If what you described, OK, the whole description of lifestyle and this and that unrepentant ongoing sin, if that's true, and ongoing denial of fundamentals of the faith never retracted, never corrected, yeah, of course, he would be a false teacher. As the conversation continued as to what exactly constitutes a false teacher, Brown suggested that definition could be applied to Luther. Would you agree that Martin Luther was a false teacher? he asked. No, both Peters and Osman replied. In support of his claim, Brown pointed to the writings of Luther being quoted by the Nazis in the run-up to World War II at the infamous Night of Broken Glass or Kristallnacht, as well as a medieval sculpture of Jews engaged in obscene acts with a pig which appears on the facade of a historic German church where Luther preached. So the man who said that Jews should be forbidden to teach under penalty of death, whose words were used literally by Adolf Hitler at Kristallnacht, the opening of the Holocaust, who said God commanded me to kill hundreds of thousands, 150,000 peasants, that God commanded me to do that? Brown asked. So a man whose words were used to fuel the fires of antisemitic hatred that put millions and millions of Jews to death, who was unhinged in all kinds of rhetoric against all kinds of people. ... Brown then referred to the medieval sculpture of Jews, saying Luther praised the image hanging on a church building in Germany of a pig where the rabbis are trying to suck in the excrement or nurse from the pig's breast, the pig's nipples, and talking about the Jews. He's not a false teacher? I mean, to me, that's a massive double standard, he added, saying he could present more on Luther that would make the Hinn allegations seem childishly unimportant compared to the horrific things that Luther said and did that led to, that contributed to the slaughter of millions of people, and thats not a false teacher? Brown appeared to equate Luthers writings with the act of murder by suggesting the German theologians eternal destiny may not have been what most Protestants would presume. But to give him a pass, to say he could racially, theologically hate Jews, that he could say, if their rabbis teach put them to death, and you're still going to say he has eternal life, right? No murderer has eternal life, 1 John 3, he said. ... I just don't understand why you can't agree, why you can't say to me, If everything you're saying about Luther is true, then we agree he's a false teacher. During a March 15 broadcast of The Line of Fire, Chris Roseborough, pastor and host of Pirate Christian Radio, asked Brown to clarify his statement on Luthers eternal destiny. Do you believe Luther is in Hell today because of his antisemitism? Roseborough asked. I dont know, said Brown. I dont know how a converted person can say what he said. In a conversation with CP, Roseborough, who described himself as an outspoken critic of all manifestations of antisemitism and Nazism, said Browns argument had some logical fallacies. Basically, he's saying, Well, you can't say they're a false teacher, because you don't say Martin Luther is a false teacher. That's not how it works, he told CP. And so, I considered his argument to be distracting from the actual topic and the points that need to be addressed when it comes to the false teachers and false prophets within the charismatic movement. While Roseborough acknowledged that Church controversies surrounding terms like Judeo-Christianity can be linked to some antisemitism running around there, there is also evidence that modern-day Orthodox Judaism is not the same religion that King David practiced. It's actually the religion of the Pharisees that Christ condemned, added Roseborough. And so what happens is, is that people rightly push back when they hear the term Judeo-Christianity and say, Is this really something that we should be saying? Roseborough, who concurred with Browns characterization of Luther as antisemitic, also said Orthodox Judaism could be described in comparable terms. Its one thing to say that Judaism is the religion of the Pharisees, and it's inherently opposed to Christ being the Messiah. That's a legitimate thing to say, he explained. But it's a whole other thing to say that we need to now burn their synagogues and things like this. That's sinful. And so, we have to come to grips with the fact that every human being that we listen to, every preacher that we listen to, everyone that we hold up in high esteem as heroes of the faith, from Augustine, to Calvin, to Luther, to Wesley, each and every one of them had great sins that they've committed and are guilty of, and at the same time, they are mercifully covered by the blood of Christ. In comments made to CP, Brown said its critical for Christians to assess Luther fairly when considering his ultimate legacy. He was a [man] mightily used by God with some terrible, uncrucified areas of his life, because of which his expression was often vulgar and he wrote and said things that led to peoples deaths, from Anabaptists in his day to Jews during the Holocaust, Brown told CP. A self-described non-Catholic, Jewish believer in Jesus, Brown wrote in 2017 that while Luther in 1523 reached out with kindness and humility to the Jewish people, denouncing how the Church had treated them up to now with the hope that many would become Christians, Luther's own views changed after he was exposed to some blasphemous, anti-Jesus writings penned by Jews in past generations. It was these writings, known as the Talmud, a collection of rabbinical teachings from around 500 AD, which Luther targeted in his infamous treatise, Concerning the Jews and Their Lies. When asked whether Luthers writings could be compared to the Talmud which Brown acknowledged speaks disparagingly of both Jesus and Mary Brown said any such comparison would be inaccurate. There is no moral equivalence between the 1543 writings of Martin Luther, which called for rabbis to be put to death for teaching Judaism and for Jewish synagogues, houses, and places of business to be set on fire and destroyed and much more and some scattered references in the Talmud or rabbinic literature speaking disparagingly of Jesus or Mary, said Brown. He also noted that the vilification of the Talmud and the dangerous rise of antisemitism in the Church resulted in his team removing a number of social media comments from the roundtable video basically saying, What Luther did was not that bad given how evil the Jews are. Brown said most Christians have zero clue as to the content of the Talmud and "would likely get bored by the detailed legal discussions and debates." As for criticizing it fairly, as I have sought to do as a Jewish believer in Jesus, that is not antisemitic, he told CP. As for criticizing it unfairly, claiming it sanctions pedophilia or is primarily anti-Jesus or demonizes all Gentiles, that is antisemitic. Home News Pastor arrested for soliciting prostitution amid human trafficking investigation A North Carolina pastor and Christian school teacher has been arrested and charged with solicitation of prostitution as part of an ongoing human trafficking investigation, according to the Gaston County Sheriff's Office. Sixty-five-year-old Frank Johnson, the pastor of Hands and Feet Fellowship in downtown Gastonia and a teacher at a nearby Christian school, was arrested by Gaston County deputies on March 11. He was charged with a misdemeanor prostitution solicitation and released later that day on a 1,500 bond, court records show. 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 Johnson served as a middle school science teacher at Community Christian Academy's Dallas Campus. Johnson's biography description, which was still active on the school website as of Wednesday morning, states that he was in his third year at the school and tutored children in several subjects, including math, science, Bible, music and chess, for several years. "I felt called by God to serve here at CCA, and really love the work that is going on here with our kids," he wrote. At the school, he also spearheaded a school-sponsored podcast called "Our Morning Take." A Community Christian Academy spokesperson told The Gaston Gazette that Johnson is no longer an employee. Johnson will make a court appearance on May 7. Parents at the academy were alerted of Johnson's charges via a message from the school, according to WSOC. A parent who chose not to be named told the outlet that Johson also led worship at the school. "We expected them to be held to a higher standard especially with it being a Christian school," the parent was quoted as saying, wishing the school was more forthcoming about the details of the charge. "You can't trust anybody in this world but you would expect to be able to kind of trust somebody like that." Authorities couldn't reveal more information regarding Johnson's case as it is part of an ongoing human trafficking investigation. Johnson hasn't provided public comment except to say that he has an attorney and that the allegations have destroyed his life. Other pastors in recent years have been charged with prostitution. In November 2021, megachurch Pastor John Blanchard of Rock Church of Virginia Beach, Virginia, was charged with felony soliciting prostitution of a minor and use of a vehicle to promote prostitution. He was among 17 men busted in an online sting operation by police on Oct. 29, 2021. The charges were eventually expunged even though a special prosecutor concluded that the charges brought against him were "sound." Chesterfield County Police Chief Col. Jeffrey S. Katz of Virginia opposed the decision of Commonwealth Attorney Stacey Davenport to drop the charges due to "lack of evidence." The police chief contends that his investigators have presented less compelling evidence in other cases that led to a conviction. Katz spoke out after Blanchard's attorney filed a motion to "seal all police or court records, transcripts, and investigative records associated with this case." "When someone: 1. Rents a car, 2. Texts a phone number posted on a known sex worker website, 3. Solicits a 'qv' ('John' lingo for a 'quick visit'), 4. Makes multiple inquiries if the person he's texting is 'affiliated with law enforcement,' 5. Drives two and a half hours to a hotel and knocks on the hotel room door as directed by our undercover '17-year-old,' I believe a jury of Chesterfield County residents deserves to weigh in on the matter of criminal culpability," Katz stated. "Despite numerous convictions on cases with similar and in some cases less compelling evidence we have not been given any guidance as to where this investigation fell short of prosecutorial expectations. Moreover, the public has not been provided an explanation." Home News Pastor paid hitmen nearly $40K to kill daughters boyfriend: police A California pastor who allegedly paid hitmen nearly $40,000 last October to kill his daughter's boyfriend has been arrested and charged with solicitation for murder, conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon. Forty-seven-year-old Samuel Pasillas of Victorville leads the Spanish-speaking Centro Internacional de Oracion. The church did immediately respond to calls from The Christian Post Wednesday. Investigators from the Riverside Police Department did not identify the victim of the October 21, 2023 attack but said in a statement that they were called in initially to a local hospital around 7 p.m. after a man arrived with gunshot wounds in the Orangecrest neighborhood of Riverside. 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 male adult victim stated he was driving on Grove Community Drive approaching Plainview Street when another vehicle pulled up alongside him," the statement reads. "Gunfire came from this other vehicle, and he was struck several times. The victim drove himself to the hospital and was treated for his injuries, and officers located evidence of a shooting on Grove Community Drive and Plainview Street." Detectives discovered the alleged murder-for-hire nature of the shooting after a follow-up investigation. "The victim had been dating a woman whose father is a pastor for a Spanish-speaking church in the city of Victorville. The father was identified as 47-year-old Samuel Pasillas of Victorville," the release said. Authorities say the pastor met with the men he hired to kill his daughter's boyfriend and gave them information about him, including where he was located on the night of the shooting. "Detectives also determined these men were paid almost $40,000 by the father and had conducted surveillance on the victim in the weeks leading up to when they shot him," police said. Pasillas was arrested last Wednesday along with Juan Manuel Cebreros, 55, of Long Beach. Pasillas pleaded not guilty to all the charges, according to Riverside County Superior Court records cited by The Los Angeles Times. Cebreros was charged with conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder, and assault with a deadly weapon. Both men are in custody at the Robert Presley Detention Center, where bail has been set at $1 million each. Jesus Abel Felix Garcia is also under warrant and being sought by detectives, according to City News Service. "This investigation is still ongoing and there are no other details to release at this time," police said. Individuals with additional information about the case are being urged to contact Detective Nic Cantino at (951) 353-7104 or NCantino@RiversideCA.gov. Information can also be shared anonymously via the email RPDTips@RiversideCA.gov. Pasillas and Cebreros are expected to appear for a felony settlement conference on March 26. Home News Russia arrests Korean missionary on espionage charges, Christian association says On March 19th, the Korean Christian Public Policy Association, led by Chairman Pastor So Kang-seok, issued a statement condemning the Russian government for arresting a Korean missionary on espionage charges and urge his immediate release. In the statement, the association said, It was not until March that the Russian Federal Security Service became aware that a Korean missionary who had been doing missionary work in the Russian Far East and the Primorsky Krai for the past several years was arrested on espionage charges in January of this year and is currently being detained in a detention center in Moscow. They said, Russia claims that a Korean missionary is suspected of passing on Russian state secrets to a foreign intelligence agency. However, the currently detained Korean missionary is a Protestant missionary who has been providing humanitarian aid to North Korean workers for the past several years, and is a pure missionary and activist who has worked to protect the human rights of North Korean workers. 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 So far, the Russian government has not provided an explanation as to how the missionary acquired state secrets, what type of content was obtained, and through what route and to which country he leaked them, the association said. Based on the missionarys activities and experience, the Russian governments argument is unconvincing, and we cannot avoid the suspicion that the Russian government is arbitrarily enforcing the law in consideration of its diplomatic and political relations with South Korea and North Korea. The statement continues by highlighting, Article 1 of the Russian Constitution declares that it is a country ruled by law, and Article 28 of the Constitution stipulates that religious freedom is guaranteed to all individuals. In particular, freedom of religion includes the right to believe in the religion of ones choice, the right to change ones religion, and the right to spread it, it said. Regarding the detention of Korean missionaries, the association stated that it is not only a violation of the universal human rights norms stipulating freedom of religion, but also a direct violation of the Russian Constitution, so they should be released immediately. Our government must also fulfill its obligation to protect its citizens under Article 2, Paragraph 2 and Article 10, Paragraph 1 of our Constitution, the association said. We will actively provide legal assistance to ensure the safety and release of missionaries currently in detention. The association called on the South Korean government to take action: We urge you to take the necessary steps to resolve the issue by mobilizing all diplomatic channels available. This article was originally published by Christian Daily Korea and translated by CDI. Home News World Vision warns of grave impact on Haitian children as violence escalates, missionary evacuated Global Christian humanitarian aid organization World Vision has warned that children in Haiti are facing grave insecurity as escalating violence in the troubled Caribbean nation continues to lead to the death and displacement of thousands. The restriction on free mobility, the closure of businesses, and the difficulties in the supply of products is exacerbating hunger in a country where food insecurity and malnutrition is already chronic, Joao Diniz, World Visions regional leader for Latin America and the Caribbean said in a statement shared with The Christian Post Wednesday. Children are the most affected; thousands have no food, several medical centers have closed due to insecurity, and too many [families] have been displaced due to violence. According to the aid organization more than 5,000 people were killed in Haiti in 2023 and since the escalation of violence began on Feb. 29, more than 15,000 people have been displaced from their homes, bringing the number of displaced Haitians to an estimated 362,000. Nearly three in four of the countrys 11.4 million citizens are also now grappling with food insecurity, according to data from the World Food Program. 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 Since the beginning of the crisis, more than 1,000 schools have been closed because of the violence and because some schools are being used to house displaced people. This means that more than a half a million children are not able to go to school, Lesly Michaud, program director for World Vision in Haiti, said. We are living in a country where 70 percent of the population is young. And when you are not offering any opportunity to the youth and then they are being exposed to violence, the main exit is mostly either migration or [a turn] to gang activities. We need to give young people opportunities. Diniz implored the international community work to ensure the protection of Haitis vulnerable children as Michaud called for prayers. Restoring safe conditions to provide humanitarian aid in Haiti is urgent. Failure to do so anticipates a deterioration in the living conditions of children and an increase in irregular migration flows of people fleeing extreme poverty, insecurity and hunger, Diniz warned. We are also calling for prayer and for everyone to advocate [on behalf] of Haitian children, Michaud said. We want this next generation of children to see the international community responding to their concern, bringing hope that one day the situation will improve. The call from World Vision comes as the State Department and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, evacuated more Americans, including missionaries who were trapped in Haiti after gangs took over the airport in the Haitian capital, PortAuPrince. DeSantis, who pledged to evacuate Floridians including missionaries stranded in Haiti on Friday, made good on that promise with the evacuation of 14 people on Wednesday, according to CNN. This will be the first of probably many flights to bring people U.S. citizens, Florida residents, obviously who are in harms way, given whats going on in Haiti, DeSantis said. Kevin Guthrie, executive director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, said about 360 Floridians were still in Haiti Wednesday. A spokesperson for the State Department also told CNN that a government-chartered flight had evacuated over 15 U.S. citizens from Port-au-Prince, and they expect more than 30 Americans will be able to board U.S. government flights daily as needed. We will continue to monitor demand from U.S. citizens for assistance in departing Haiti on a real-time basis, the spokesperson said. The overall security situation, availability and reliability of commercial transportation, and U.S. citizen demand will all influence the duration of this departure assistance. Deputy State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel said during a press briefing on Wednesday that the governments chartered helicopter flights were going from Port-au-Prince to the Dominican Republic. He said Americans will be responsible for their own travel home after that. Americans who take U.S. government chartered flights out of Haiti must agree to reimburse the cost, which the State Department said will not exceed the price of a reasonable commercial flight prior to the crisis. DeSantis noted, however, that Americans evacuated by his team will not be charged. These are tough situations, the Florida governor said. I think the last thing these people want is to get stuck with a bill when theyre just basically running for their lives. The Love A Neighbor ministry, co-founded by Missionary Jill Dolan, revealed in a statement on Facebook Thursday that she was still trapped in the violence-torn country with four of her adopted children. Starting March 12th, Jill Dolan of Love A Neighbor began bravely reporting to the U.S. media regarding the U.S. govt's seeming lack of interest in helping U.S. citizens get out of Haiti. Our amazing ministry partners did the same: Lynn Joseph of Mission of Grace and Doodle Cinotti of Team Haiti. In my opinion, these reports 'inspired' the Biden admin's State Dept. to begin evacuating U.S. citizens from Port-au-Prince on Wed. 3/20, the ministry said. Also, Florida Gov Ron DeSantis engaged FL Div. of Emergency Mgmt. to rescue American citizens from Haiti. This process will take many days due to the dangerous and fluid nature of gang violence paralyzing most of Port-au-Prince, as well as the capacity of 30 citizens per day per the State Dept. We are extremely grateful for all the heroes helping [to] make this happen, they continued. Jill is still in Haiti and is on all the evacuation lists. She's praying she will get to FL in time for Sarah Dolan 's wedding this Saturday! Thank you for your continued prayers for that, and for Haiti's brighter future. Patel said Wednesday that some 1,600 people have filled out a crisis intake form. Some, he said, are seeking general help or specific assistance leaving Haiti. He noted at a press conference on Tuesday that not everyone who filled out the form is seeking help. "Some just want to stay in touch with the embassy," he said. "Some just want to see what information we have to share with them, advice on how they may be able to remain safely, and to potentially stay in touch if they choose to potentially depart in the future." Miriam Cinotti, a Jacksonville bakery owner who works with Mission of Grace and was trapped in Haiti for three weeks, was recently evacuated from Haiti, thanks to Project Dynamo, an organization that specializes in evacuation operations. It was scary, the missionary told NBC News about her experience being trapped in a remote village. We couldnt get to where the help was coming to, we couldnt get to Cap-Haitien, we couldnt get to, you know, different places, even get on a government plane, she said. Cinotti who has been traveling to Haiti for missionary work for the last 14 years said she had witnessed violence in the country before and she intends to continue praying for the people. Weve heard gunshots, wed been there when roads were blocked. Ive never felt scared enough not to go, she said. The people in Haiti still need the love, they need your funds to missions, she added. Were never going to forget Haiti, and I will forever keep putting them up there and lifting them up. This content is paid for by an advertiser and published by CP Brand Solutions. The Christian Post newsroom was not involved in creating this content. Learn more about CP Brand Solutions. Centuries ago, after King Solomon died, the Israelites divided their kingdom in two. The north became Israel with 10 tribes. The other two tribes in the south were called Judah. In 722 BC, Assyria conquered the Northern Kingdom of Israel. While many of the 10 Northern tribes emigrated to Judah, some members of these tribes fled, were taken captive or deported to other lands. (See 2 Kings 17:56 and 1 Chronicles 5:26.) These became known as the 10 Lost Tribes. The 12 sons of Israel became the Twelve Tribes of Israel. God freed them from slavery in Egypt and brought them into the land Israel that He promised to their forefathers. Where did they go? Captives from Israels 10 tribes were taken north, south and east. Some who fled captivity went south into Egypt while others followed trade routes eastward into the Orient, some continuing their migration across the millennia. Did they disappear? Did they assimilate into other societies? Were they persecuted and wiped out? Because of persecution over the centuries in many of the countries in which they now live, many hid their Jewish heritage by practicing their faith in secret. Some are locally known to be Jewish and suffer prejudice and persecution because of it but have only recently become known to the rest of the world. In the last 75 years or so, Jewish communities have become known in Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, India, China and other surprising countries. Even more surprising to some is that members of the "Lost Tribes" living in these countries look like any other people native to these regions. Even though the Lost Tribes are found, the name stuck because it says so much about their history. What problems do the Lost Tribes face? Poverty Some settled in areas of developing nations where resources are scarce and poverty is high. Superstition Many people believe ridiculous superstitions about the Jewish people and ostracize and blame them for influencing bad fortune, illness and even death. Discrimination Prejudice against Jewish people in these regions results in them being denied equal opportunity to jobs, business, and access to aid. Persecution Persecution can involve everything from insults and spitting to assault, arson and murder in some of the remote places where members of the Lost Tribes of Israel live around the world. No Access to the Gospel When it comes to sharing the Gospel, Jewish people are often overlooked. But there is no other way for anyone, Jew or Gentile, to be saved. All Jewish communities especially the Lost Tribes who have very little access to the Gospel need to hear the Good News of their Messiah, Jesus. Why help the Lost Tribes? Our mission is to proclaim the Gospel to unreached Jewish communities even to the ends of the earth. One of the keys that opens doors toward this is compassionately meeting physical needs. We wholeheartedly want to alleviate physical suffering in these poverty-stricken Jewish communities. At the same time, we recognize that the spiritual side of things is even more critical because the consequences last for eternity. Medical, Dental and Eye Care Many Jewish people from the Lost Tribes of Israel live in remote, rural places in Africa with little access to medical care. Some areas have no dentist within 300 miles. A simple illness, toothache or injury can easily become a life-threatening infection. Cataracts steal away eyesight every year, forcing already impoverished people to endure even more loss. Jewish Voice conducts Medical Outreaches that have treated an average of 13,000 people each healing illness, reversing infection and restoring eyesight. Clean Water Initiatives In some of the places Jewish Voice goes, the same source of water that is used for bathing, doing laundry and watering animals is also used for acquiring drinking water. Waterborne illnesses are a constant problem. During our outreaches, Jewish Voice teaches short classes about the importance of clean water and hygiene and distributes long-lasting water filters to prevent disease. Breaking Down Prejudice Jewish Voice goes into rural areas where Jewish communities are present, but we minister to everyone who comes for help. In this way, the people of the region see that the Jewish people are the reason for this enormous blessing. It causes people to rethink their prejudices and elicits new respect for the Jewish people. Sharing the Gospel Through the Spiritual Care Ministry accompanying outreaches, Jewish Voice shares the Gospel, provides encouragement and offers compassionate prayer and counseling for the hurting. Over the years, thousands have accepted Jesus as their Messiah. When the short-term outreach ends and Jewish Voice and its volunteers go home, the ministry doesnt stop. Partnering in-country congregations supported by Jewish Voice follow up with new Believers and help start new Messianic Jewish congregations to strengthen and establish these new Believers in their faith. Jewish Voice also provides discipleship and leadership training. People dont care what you know until they know you care" Want to do more? Together, as Jewish and Christian Believers, we can proclaim the Gospel to all unreached Jewish people fulfilling God's prophesy to reclaim His lost sheep. to show mercy to the Jewish people because of God's mercy shown to you. (See Romans 11:31) Home News Archaeologists find ancient ring with Jesus face inscribed in 'almost new condition' A unique gold ring inscribed with the face of Jesus Christ, which may have been lost hundreds of years ago, was recently uncovered in great condition among 30,000 other medieval archeological objects in southeast Sweden. Archaeologists working for the government's National Historical Museums agency announced the discoveries in the coastal city of Kalmar amid a longstanding excavation plan involving 50 medieval plots, about 10 streets and parts of the old city wall in Gamla Stan. In addition to the rare jewelry that was found, there have also been hundreds of buildings, cellars, streets, latrines and everyday objects from 400 years ago, approximately 1250 to 1650 that have been recovered within a two-year time span in central Kalmar. 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 excavations were conducted with the hope of renewing and expanding water and sewage pipes, which in some cases have impacted the remains of medieval buildings. "In total, over 30,000 objects have been found. It is very unusual for such large contiguous areas to be investigated in the middle of a city and the result is beyond all expectation," reads an announcement from The Archaeologists, an entity that operates under the umbrella of the National Historical Museums. Magnus Stibeus, project manager of the Archaeologists, said the years of fulfilling the excavation plan led to advanced educational opportunities and resources for those conducting the studies on anything discovered. "We have been able to lift the lid on the city's Middle Ages and have had the opportunity to study how people lived, what they ate and drank and how this changed over time," Stibeus said in a statement. "Archeology becomes like a peephole into medieval history that allows us to learn more about how life was several hundred years ago." The gold ring was one of two "spectacular" discoveries made before the dig's completion. Stibeus said researchers also found an alsengem, or small glass stone, believed to have been used as a pilgrim amulet. "The gold ring was in almost new condition with a Christ motif and was found, like the alsengem, in contexts that we interpreted as waste storage. Probably someone was unlucky and lost the ring 500 years ago," Stibeus said. "The alsengemet is broken and may have been thrown away." "The gold ring with the carved figure of Christ dates to the beginning of the 15th century. That type of ring may have been worn by a woman because it is quite small. Some similar rings have been found in Northern Finland, Ostergotland and Uppland," Stibeus continued. "The alsengem archaeologists have found in Kalmar dates to the 13th to 14th centuries and has three carved figures." Other unique findings included remains of a rune stone that may have come from a burial mound in a cemetery in Kalmar in the 12th century. A brick cat paw print was also unearthed, as were "traces of the Kalmar War in 1611." US President Joe Biden announced that his administration will be awarding a multibillion-dollar grant to Intel's Arizona facility to expand its chip and semiconductor production, the New York Times reported. The cash grant is part of the $39 billion budget from the CHIPS and Science Act in the administration's bid to revive the semiconductor and technology industry in the US to compete with East Asian countries. Biden Promotes 'Investing in America' Project Ahead of 2024 Elections According to Biden, the award will help boost research and development efforts to revitalize the country's chip factories, as well as promote apprenticeship programs for the industry. The administration is seeking to award similar cash grants to Ohio and Texas as part of Biden's "Investing in America" project, which he will use for his re-election campaign against impeached President Donald Trump. Reuters have earlier reported Biden's announcement via anonymous sources. Also Read: Biden Pledges $150 Million More Funding for 'Research and Technology Advances' on Battleground States Biden Admin to Invest on Samsung, TSMC Aside from cash grants to its local chip manufacturers, the White House intends to boost its arsenal of advanced chips by investing in other chip businesses in its allied nations. People familiar with the matter told the NY Times that Biden is looking to invest in South Korea's Samsung and the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company. Since Trump's presidency, the US has been ramping up its acquisition of semiconductors and advanced chips as it competes with China's tech dominance. The plans to support South Korea and Taiwan came after reports of the US urging allied countries to further tighten policies to prevent China from accessing its chips. Earlier reports indicate that the Asian country is still able to acquire advanced chips from NVIDIA and other semiconductor manufacturers despite the US sanctions on the country. Related Article: US is Urging Allies to Tighten Regulations Against China's Access to Chip Tech Home News Christian family beaten by tribal animists wielding sticks, axes over refusal to deny Christ NEW DELHI A Christian couple in central India haven't seen their two young children for more than a month after an attack by followers of a traditional tribal religion drove them from their village for refusing to recant their faith. Aayatu Ram Podiyami, 35, was assaulted twice in Gupanpal village, Sukma District, 31 miles from the Sukma city in Chhattisgarh state, for refusing to recant his Christian faith. Aayatu Podiyami managed to escape into the jungle on both occasions, but his father, Mangu Ram Podiyami, is not young and swift and was unable to outrun the second assault, he 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 The mob stopped beating him after he passed out, and his assailants thought he was dead, Aayatu Podiyami said. He and his wife and father have not returned home since taking refuge at a secure place on Feb. 12. The couple has two daughters, ages 7 and 4. Aayatu Podiyami is the sole surviving son among three siblings, and also remaining at his house are his mother, younger brothers widow and child, and his older brothers son. I cannot go back home to see my children, Aayatu Podiyami told Morning Star News. Our assailants are on the watch, eyeing on our house, waiting for me to return. God is our only hope. Please pray for us. I can see no way forward. His father was released from a government hospital after receiving care for critical injuries for 16 days, and he is still being treated at a private medical center. I still have pain in my chest and breathing difficulty, Mangu Podiyami said. Aayatu Podiyami has worked as a day laborer to survive since the Feb. 12 assault. Pressure to recant The village leaders govern both Gupanpal and another village, and on Feb. 6 they summoned the two Christian families from Gupanpal and 10 others from the other village and ordered them to renounce their faith in Christ or be expelled, Aayatu Podiyami said. All 11 of the other Christian families returned to their animistic, tribal religion, he said. What have you decided? the village head asked him. Will you renounce your Christian faith or leave the village? I told them, Where will I go? This is my home, Aayatu Podiyami told Morning Star News. I have been believing in Jesus for four years, and I want to continue believing in Him. Soon a mob of about 100 people attacked the Christians with axes, knives and sticks, he said. While Aayatu Podiyami fled to the jungle, his father locked himself in a room in their home. After hiding in the jungle for an entire day and night, Aayatu Podiyami filed a complaint at Tongpal police station. Officers summoned the village representatives to the police station on Feb. 8 and negotiated an agreement between residents and the village leaders, citing individual right to religious freedom. No formal complaint was registered. On the morning of Feb. 12, however, villagers gathered in front of Aayatu Podiyamis house and repeated the ultimatum, questioning him six times. His reply was the same as before, and they told him to relocate to another village. Where will I go? Aayatu Podiyami responded. My forefathers lived in this village, and I am born and brought up here. This is my home. The mob then assaulted Aayatu Podiyami, he said. His wife and children somehow managed to free him from the assailants, and Aayatu Podiyami again fled toward the jungle. About 15-20 men chased me for almost a mile, he said. I ran and ran as fast as I could while the men ran after me. I continued to run in the jungle, as the men intently searched for me in the woods. I had foot sores for a week into the incident. The mob turned to his father, Mangu Podiyami, and began beating him. They also assaulted those who tried to rescue him, including Aayatu Podiyamis wife and other family members. Mangu Podiyami was beaten unconscious and left for dead. Aayatu Podiyami hid in the jungle for several hours, shifting locations as he knew the villagers were hunting him. I was so worried for my father, he said, his voice quavering. I knew I had left him behind as a soft target. He is old and frail. He cannot run to save himself as I did. All the while in the jungle, I was not sure if my father survived the assault or was killed. Police bias Arun Pannalal, chairman of Chhattisgarh Christian Forum, accused police of inaction, saying the Station Head Officer had received written information about the potential for more major attacks after the Feb. 6 assault. The police did not take proper action, Pannalal told Morning Star News. Mere talks and words were not enough. Police inaction strengthened the assaulters to redo what they had done earlier, but this time with much brutality. In spite the use of deadly weapons like axes and knives, after the second attack officers registered only a case under sections for preventative measures such as abetment of a thing and abetment of offense punishable with imprisonment, Pannalal said. It was a clear attack with intentions to kill, he said. The mild charges imposed by the police show their bias. Despite severe head injuries and Mangus critical condition, immediate medical assistance was not provided by the police. The family called for emergency services and an ambulance, Aayatu Podiyami said. The villagers surrounded the ambulance and would not let them transport my father to a hospital, he said. My family begged to let them take him, otherwise he would die. Aayatu Podiyami reported the second assault to police, but the First Information Report finally registered portrayed the assault as a mild scuffle, he said. With the help of an attorney, Aayatu Podiyami submitted a written complaint to the Sub-Divisional Magistrate office, Collectorate and police headquarters. A complaint is lodged with the National Human Rights Commission about the police deliberately indulging in and supporting attacks, Pannalal said. The only other Christian family in Gupanpal village, which came to faith six years ago, returned to tribal religion on Feb. 12, when they witnessed the brutal assault of my father, Aayatu Podiyami said. I will not renounce my faith even if I have to leave my home, my village, he said. If I go back, they will kill me. I have two children, and I have to think of them. If the situation does not improve, I will relocate to a different place and work as a daily-laborer and provide for my family but will not renounce Christ. Aayatu Podiyamis two children had to stop going to school because of the turmoil and danger to their lives, he said. For several weeks my children could not go to school, and their education suffered greatly, he said. Church worship in the area has ceased. Previously about 50 people gathered regularly to worship at an open structure at a nearby village. Christian response Christian society will not tolerate further attacks, said Pannalal, adding that Christians have formed rapid action teams to promptly reach the sites of reported attacks. Thousands of Christians on Feb. 28 gathered in Raipur, capital of Chhattisgarh, to protest the state governments refusal to protect Christians. Organized by the Chhattisgarh Yuva Manch, the rally culminated in a peaceful demonstration after foot processions and motorbike processions from all over the state. Organizers protested violations of basic human rights, targeting of churches, police bias and neglect by media that do not report on anti-Christian attacks. The government will be solely responsible for any untoward situation that arises between the communities in future, Pannalal said. Requesting the government to pay heed to the plight of the Christian community and take stringent action against the police, Pannalal said, We still have faith and hope that Chhattisgarh government will follow the Indian constitution in spirit and word. Sukma, located in the Bastar region at the southern tip of Chhattisgarh, has a population that is 85% tribal and is known for a significant Maoist presence. The hostile tone of the National Democratic Alliance government, led by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, against non-Hindus, has emboldened Hindu extremists in several parts of the country to attack Christians since Prime Minister Narendra Modi took power in May 2014, religious rights advocates say. India ranked 11th on Christian support organization Open Doors 2024 World Watch List of the countries where it's most difficult to be a Christian. The country was 31st in 2013, but its position worsened after Modi came to power. Home News Gunman shoots pastor twice after telling him God is not going to bless you tonight Texas Pastor Thomas Wilson of Meadowbrook Baptist Church is thanking God for sparing his life after a gunman he refused to lend his phone to shot him twice and robbed him moments after telling him God is not going to bless you tonight. Wilson, 61, was shot last Wednesday shortly after he left the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo with his secretary, according to KHOU 11. He said prior to being cursed and shot, the gunman had asked him if he could use his phone, but he refused. 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 "I told him no, and he kept going on and he even said these words, God is not going to bless you tonight," Wilson recalled. As he walked away from the man and toward his car with his secretary, Wilson said he noticed that his car had been burglarized. He said he was trying to call for help when the man who asked to use his phone approached him again but this time, he demanded that the pastor turn over his bag. "At first I was going to give it all, just give it up, but then he pulls the gun and it's pointing right here in my face, and I saw this guy has no intentions of letting me walk away from here, Wilson said. "As agitated as he had become, he was going to not only shoot me but also my secretary and I couldn't let that happen," he said. "I reached and grabbed at the gun and tried to get it away from my face and it went off, hitting me in my shoulder. Both men ended up on the ground and as they kept fighting, the pastor ended up getting shot in both of his shoulders and the gunman took off with his bag that had his credit cards, I.D., and passport. The gunman left behind a shoe, a phone, and other items which Houston Police are reviewing as evidence. "I want this man caught; I want to protect others, the pastor said while noting he was open to forgiving the gunman for what he did to him. "He still has to take responsibility for what he has done, but in the midst of that, we still have to have a forgiving heart, Wilson said. He also noted that even though he was shot twice, he has to thank God for sparing his life. "I thank God that I'm still here today, " Wilson said, noting how his faith has grown stronger because of the attack. "To Him be glory, I've not had any real pain since the shooting. Home News Ketanji Brown Jackson criticized for saying First Amendment is 'hamstringing the government' U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson drew criticism earlier this week for a line of questioning that appeared to criticize the view that the First Amendment is intended to limit the government. Jackson's comments came Monday during oral arguments in Murthy v. Missouri, a case brought by the states of Louisiana and Missouri, as well as seven individual plaintiffs against Surgeon General Vivek Murthy and other members of the Biden administration. The plaintiffs allege that the administration violated the First Amendment by illegally coercing social media companies to suppress posts and news stories expressing views unfavorable to federal officials on controversial issues related to COVID-19, Hunter Biden, election integrity and other things "under the guise of combating 'misinformation.'" 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 "My biggest concern is that your view has the First Amendment hamstringing the federal government in significant ways in the most important time periods," Jackson told Louisiana Solicitor General Benjamin Aguinaga during the arguments. KBJ doubles down: My biggest concern is that your view has the First Amendment hamstringing the government in significant ways. That is, quite literally, the entire point of the First Amendmentof the entire Bill of Rights. pic.twitter.com/gWMCaHDG1W System Update (@SystemUpdate_) March 18, 2024 "And so I guess some might say that the government has a duty to take steps to protect the citizens of this country, and you seem to be suggesting that that duty cannot manifest itself in the government encouraging or even pressuring platforms to take down harmful information," she continued. "So can you help me? Because I'm really I'm really worried about that, because you've got the First Amendment operating in an environment of threatening circumstances from the government's perspective, and you're saying that the government can't interact with the source of those problems," she added. Aguinaga replied that while the government is free to interact with tech platforms, and should get involved in situations "that present such dangerous issues for society and especially young people," the way it does so "has to be in compliance with the First Amendment." "And I think that means they can give them all the true information that the platform needs and ask to amplify that," he added. Jackson earlier floated the hypothetical of social media companies allowing posts about "teens jumping out of windows at increasing elevations" to go viral and whether the government would have the right to persuade the platforms to take the content down. Aguinaga said that the First Amendment would protect even potentially dangerous speech. Critics expressed concern with Jackson's comments, noting that the purpose of the First Amendment and the rest of the Bill of Rights is to restrain the government. Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey endorsed the idea that the First Amendment was intended to limit the government. "It is hamstringing, and it's supposed to," Bailey told Fox News. "The whole purpose of the Constitution is to protect us from the government, and the government exists to protect our rights. But here, the federal government is ignoring our First Amendment protections and weaponizing the federal government to silence our voices." Limiting what the federal can do is "a good thing," Bailey contends. Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, called Jackson's comments "literally one of the craziest things I've ever seen." "That is frightening," Jordan said. "Because if she really believes that, that is scary, where we are heading. Understand what took place here. This was censorship by surrogate. This was big government telling Big Tech to take down speech that they disagreed with, and it was the most fundamental kind of speech. It was political speech." "That's literally the point of the Bill of Rights," Republican California Rep. Bill Essayli tweted. "The government's powers derive from, and are subservient to, the rights of the People." Journalist and former First Amendment lawyer Glenn Greenwald said that Jackson is "speaking for American liberals here and she's saying, 'We can't allow free speech anymore. It's too dangerous.'" "That's what's at the heart of this case," he said. "That's what is at the heart of the Biden administration's behavior." Reason associate editor Billy Binion contends that the furor Jackson caused with her comments was an example of "confirmation bias" as some conservative justices echoed Jackson's concerns regarding what extent the First Amendment restrains government actors. Brett Kavanaugh offered the example of whether the First Amendment would bar government staff from calling journalists in an attempt to influence their coverage. "Kavanaugh, for example, invoked his experience working with government press staff, who regularly call reporters to criticize them and try to influence their coverage," Binion wrote. "Would it be illegal for the feds to prosecute those journalists for pieces that cast them in a negative light? Absolutely. Is it beyond the pale for the government to express what it believes to be true in seeking better coverage? Not necessarily, Kavanaugh said. That doesn't mean they're correct. But the great irony of the viral Jackson pile-on is that, based on oral arguments, her view may very well prevail." Home News UMC executive says denomination's response to Israel-Hamas war 'weak and timid' A top United Methodist Church executive believes that the denomination's response to the war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip has been "weak and timid," suggesting that Israel is guilty of "genocide." Roland Fernandes, chief executive at United Methodist Global Ministries and the United Methodist Committee on Relief, recently took issue with the UMC response to the conflict during a meeting of the boards of UMC Global Ministries and the General Board of Higher Education. "Church responses, especially the UMC, have been very weak and timid," Fernandes said, as quoted by the UMC's news service, UM News. 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 "We encourage all those in positions of authority to establish an immediate ceasefire so that those who are starving can be fed. As a Christian humanitarian organization, we ask that humanitarian organizations have full, immediate and safe access to Gaza." Fernandes said in an interview after the meeting that "something stronger needed to be said" about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and that "the term 'genocide' should be a descriptor we are using." "I'm in touch with our missionary on the ground there," he told UM News. "There's just so many people without food and starvation. It's just quite incredible, and I don't think the story is told clearly enough." Earlier this month, the UMC Council of Bishops released a statement demanding "an immediate and permanent cease-fire in the conflict between Hamas and Israel in Gaza and pledge our prayers and commitment to work for a durable peace for Israelis, Palestinians, and all in the region." "The ability of aid organizations to attend to the critical needs of the victims of this prolonged war has also been sharply limited by the lack of meaningful negotiations," stated the bishops. "It is estimated that 1.8 million Palestinians have been displaced, their homes and communities destroyed. The United Nations estimates that more than half a million people are living under 'catastrophic levels of deprivation and starvation.'" The bishops believe that "the current military strategy of the Israeli government, supported by U.S. weapons transfers and aid, will only lead to the destruction of the entire Gaza Strip, an unconscionable death toll that grows daily, the perpetuation of one of the world's longest conflicts, and the proliferation of increased enmity between Israelis and Palestinians." "The lack of a true cease-fire after more than five months of this deadly conflict compels us to raise our voices now," the UMC leaders added. "We pledge our prayers and commitment to work for a durable peace, an end to the violence and the release of the hostages." On Oct. 7, Hamas, a terror group that has controlled the Gaza Strip since 2007, launched a surprise attack on Israel, killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting about 240 hostages. In response, Israel launched a military offensive in Gaza with the aim of eradicating Hamas and securing the release of the hostages. The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry states that over 30,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began. The ministry figures do not distinguish between militants and civilians. In late February, Israel Defense Forces said at least 12,000 Hamas fighters were killed since the war began. Israel has maintained throughout the war that its fighters do the best they can to avoid civilian casualties in a complex urban environment in which Hamas has been accused of using civilians as human shields. While Hamas' death toll numbers are often cited by international media and world leaders, some have questioned the validity of those figures given that civilian deaths caused by Hamas' own misfired rockets have been blamed on Israel. The New York Post editorial board called Hamas' death toll numbers "pure fiction" given a sense of legitimacy by media outlets and global leaders who don't scrutinize the data. Earlier this month, a senior Biden administration official said that Hamas is holding up negotiations for a six-week ceasefire deal by refusing to release a certain number of vulnerable hostages. Israeli defense officials have claimed that Hamas has stolen aid supplies designated to help those displaced by the war and selling them at marked-up prices on the black market. At present, Israeli forces are on the cusp of attacking Rafah, Gaza's southernmost city, where hundreds of thousands of people are sheltering amid the conflict. Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu contends that Israeli forces can't achieve "total victory" over Hamas unless they enter Rafah, which Israel says is Hamas' last major stronghold. Some have expressed concern that such an offensive could lead to large numbers of civilian deaths. The Israeli military says that operations in Gaza have dismantled 18 of Hamas' 24 battalions, according to The Associated Press, which notes that Hamas is beginning to regroup in northern Gaza and continues to launch attacks. Home News Christian veteran who toppled satanic statue files to dismiss hate crime charge The Satanic Temple is not real religion, defense claims The U.S. Navy veteran who toppled a satanic display in the Iowa state Capitol in December filed a motion last Friday to dismiss the felony hate crime charge against him. Michael Cassidy's defense attorney Sarah Pasquale also argued in court filings that the charge is inapplicable to his situation because The Satanic Temple is not a real religion, according to the Des Moines Register. Cassidy, a former Republican candidate for the Mississippi House of Representatives, made headlines on Dec. 14 when he traveled to Des Moines and pushed over a statue of Baphomet that the Iowa chapter of The Satanic Temple had erected near a Nativity scene in the Iowa state Capitol. 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 statue, which stood before a candle-lit altar, had prompted debate even among Christian Republican state legislators regarding the limits of free speech and freedom of religion. When he turned himself into authorities immediately after tossing the Baphomet statue's silver goat head in the trash, Cassidy was initially cited with fourth-degree mischief, a misdemeanor. In January, the Polk County Attorney's Office enhanced the charge to third-degree criminal mischief in violation of individual rights, which is a Class D felony under Iowa's hate crime statute, according to a Jan. 30 statement. "Evidence shows the defendant made statements to law enforcement and the public indicating he destroyed the property because of the victim's religion," the Polk County Attorney's Office said at the time. Pasquale argued that the hate crime charge, which relates to crimes driven by "the person's (victim's) race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, political affiliation, sex, sexual orientation, age, or disability," is broadly unconstitutional and does not apply to Cassidy because The Satanic Temple is a legal entity that does not possess the characteristics of a person. "It could never be said, save in Wonderland, that Best Buy is Buddhist," she wrote. Citing multiple dictionaries, the attorney also argued that for the purposes of the statute, a religion is defined as "a system of faith and worship," and noted that by their own admission, The Satanic Temple is not a theistic religion that worships Satan as an entity. "[The Temple's] own words establish that it is not a religion within the ordinary meaning of religion, as they have no faith, do not worship, and reject the supernatural," Pasquale argued. "That they call themselves a religion simply does not make it so." Pasquale further claimed that even were the statute applicable to Cassidy, it would be a violation of free speech guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution and the Iowa state Constitution. "Because [the hate crime law] in this case seeks to punish Cassidys thoughts, it cannot withstand constitutional muster as it violates the First Amendment which protects 'the freedom to think,'" she wrote. In response to Pasquale's filing, TST co-founder Lucien Greaves on Tuesday tweeted: "Somebody needs to remind this moron of the Hobby Lobby ruling declaring that the shop, as a Christian business, is not obligated to pay for insurance coverage with contraceptive options." Cassidy, whose case is slated to go to trial in May, has raised more than $130,000 for his legal defense on GiveSendGo. During an interview with The Christian Post in December, Cassidy suggested he did the right thing and was critical toward Christians who hold that the U.S. Constitution protects satanic displays on government property. "The people who wrote our Constitution would be shocked to think of defending Satan as consistent with their beliefs when they wrote the laws that govern our nation," he said. "People start overcomplicating the truth, which is that God is great and should be honored, and the devil is evil and should not be honored," he added. "I think people are tying themselves in knots trying to justify it, and it's really a lot simpler than that." Public figures such as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Pastor John MacArthur have come to Cassidy's defense. "You have to take the consequences if you do it, but that was a noble thing to do," MacArthur said last month. "That was something that he felt very deeply in his heart." "What are they doing having an altar to Satan in a state public building?" MacArthur continued. "That is the offense. The offense isn't that it was removed, the offense is that it was there. But it demonstrates where the culture is, that he gets punished, not the people who set it up." Home Opinion Beware of preachers who attack Apostle Paul's teachings The teachings and epistles of the Apostle Paul have not been well received by people whose brand of Christianity is not in conformity with the Gospel. The attack on Paul and his teachings did not start today but began back in his time when the Jews fought him and his teachings to the point where they tried to kill him. So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say its all nonsense (1 Corinthians 1:23). The so-called Apostle Johnson Suleman, the founder and general overseer of Omega Fire Ministry, recently sparked controversy on social media and in the Nigerian Christian world. He said that Jesus told him directly that what Paul wrote was not from Him. 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 This is seriously a case of false apostles fighting divine revelation. We all know how Paul admonished the Corinthian church to be careful of false apostles: And I will keep on doing what I am doing in order to cut the ground from under those who want an opportunity to be considered equal with us in the things they boast about. For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:12-14, NIV). It is not surprising that prosperity gospel preachers are attacking Paul his teaching is a stumbling block to their merchandise. They know that those who are followers of Paul's teachings are immune from the deceptions of false apostles, prophets, and teachers. Evangelist Wendell Winkler described Paul as a master preacher next to Christ. According to him, The greatest and most effective preacher who ever lived was the apostle Paul. He evangelized three continents and penned two-thirds of the New Testaments epistles sacred documents which have revolutionized the world". False apostles who are the enemies of the cross of Jesus Christ have a reason why they attacked and keep attacking Paul. They want to keep their captives in perpetual bondage. They know that understanding the teachings of Paul is a veritable tool that sets the captives free. Discrediting the teachings and epistles of Paul is not only deceptive but harmful to Christianity. It is an attempt aimed at slandering the Bible for selfish reasons. Christians should be aware of those who claim to preach the Gospel but are working for their own benefit. Home Opinion IVFs moral implications: Justice for preborn life outside the womb The Alabama Supreme Court recently affirmed the personhood of a preborn child and the sanctity of life at all stages in a case that involved the wrongful death of embryos conceived through in vitro fertilization (IVF). In LePage v. Mobile Infirmary Clinic, Inc., the Court ruled that the parents of embryos killed at an IVF clinic in 2020 after someone tampered with the cryogenic nursery, destroying the frozen embryos inside, may proceed with a wrongful death lawsuit because the embryos conceived through IVF are children under Alabama law. This ruling was a wake-up call for many who had never considered the ethical implications of practices like IVF on the most vulnerable people group, the preborn. 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 Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Tom Parker wrote in his concurring opinion, each human being, from the moment of conception, is made in the image of God, created by Him to reflect His likeness ... Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I sanctified you (Jeremiah 1:5 NKJV 1982). All three branches of government are subject to a constitutional mandate to treat each unborn human life with reverence. Moral considerations of IVF Science has long ago affirmed, and continues to affirm, that human life begins at fertilization. The third edition of Langmans Medical Embryology, published in 1975, states: The development of a human being begins with fertilization. Maureen Condic, Ph.D., associate professor of neurobiology at the University of Utah School of Medicine, wrote, The conclusion that human life begins at sperm-egg fusion is uncontested, objective, based on the universally accepted scientific method of distinguishing different cell types from each other and on ample scientific evidence ... Moreover, it is entirely independent of any specific ethical, moral, political, or religious view of human life or of human embryos. Steven Andrew Jacobs, J.D., Ph.D., shared in his article, The Scientific Consensus of When a Human Life Begins, that 96% (5,337 out of 5,577) of biologists surveyed from 1,058 academic institutions affirmed that human life begins at fertilization. The American College of Pediatricians asserts that the difference between a human in its zygotic stage at conception and as an adult is simply one of form, not nature. Alabama Supreme Court Justice Jay Mitchell reflected the scientific fact that life begins at fertilization in the Alabama ruling when he wrote, unborn children are children ... without exception based on developmental stage, physical location, or any other ancillary characteristics. An embryo, conceived naturally or through IVF, is a human being worthy of the right to life. What most people dont realize is that IVF in America is more destructive to preborn lives than abortion. When Roe v. Wade was overturned in June 2022, the U.S. fertility industry panicked because so many of the practices employed in IVF and artificial fertilization rely on the destruction of embryos. Roe v. Wadepredated IVF, and its precedent helped pave the way for many of the practices the fertility industry employs when dealing with embryos. It is estimated that more than 1.5 million children are stored as frozen embryos nationwide. And countless embryos have been (and are being) destroyed during each cycle of IVF. The typical practice of IVF clinics fertilizes far more eggs than are necessary, and the resulting embryos are either: 1. destroyed if there is a suspected genetic abnormality; 2. implanted in the mothers womb; 3. frozen in cryogenic freezers; and/or 4. otherwise discarded. A grading process determines which embryos will be implanted, frozen, or destroyed. Among those created, only a fraction are implanted in the womb and born. In fact, Emma Waters, a senior associate who focuses on reproductive technology and bioethics at the Heritage Foundation, said on X that around 97% of embryos created in IVF are either destroyed, frozen, or fail to implant. Embryos graded as excellent have a 50% live birth rate and embryos graded as average have a 42.3% live birth rate (that is, if they successfully implant in the first place), according to a 2018 study. As Katy Faust, founder of the childrens rights organization Them Before Us said, The babies you do see who are born through IVF are built upon the bodies of dozens, hundreds of little IVF embryos that didnt make the grade. Since life begins at fertilization, and all human life is sacred, this should inform how we approach the fertility industry. Approaching IVF from a pro-life perspective As it now stands, the fertility industry in the U.S. profits from unethical, eugenic, life-destroying practices that are inconsistent with the fact that life begins at fertilization. It is a multibillion-dollar industry referred to as the The Wild Wild West due to the inadequate regulation of assisted reproductive technology. In contrast, an Italian law from 2004 (that has since been amended) limited the number of embryos created per cycle and required all embryos to be immediately transferred to the womb. To protect preborn life, IVF policies in the U.S. should similarly model a more conservative, life-affirming approach. A friend of mine who struggled with infertility approached IVF from a Christian, pro-life worldview and committed to carrying in her womb each embryo that was created, knowing each one was one of their children. Even when doctors encouraged her to abandon certain embryos deemed abnormal, she refused and determined to protect the life of each of her preborn babies. Though she lost several of her children implanted by IVF to miscarriages, she is now the mother of four children conceived through IVF. Although it was harder on her body, my friend insisted that only one embryo be implanted at a time with none being discarded. This couple found an IVF clinic that respected their position that every embryo is a human life. Children created through IVF are human beings made in the image of God, just as any child conceived naturally. As far as the future of IVF is concerned, it must be approached in a way that affirms the sanctity of each embryos life, places the protection of children before the desires of adults, and treats embryos as children instead of objects for sale. Ensuring justice for life inside (and outside) the womb Following the decision of the Alabama Supreme Court, the state legislature rushed to pass a law protecting IVF facilities at the expense of the preborn by providing medical professionals and IVF participants with legal immunity for the death or damage of a frozen embryo. The legislature missed the mark with its knee-jerk reaction that was swayed by political winds instead of by science and morality. This law fails to recognize the reality that human life begins at fertilization and contradicts both science and Alabama law. The location of the human embryo does not determine whether it is a human life entitled to protection. Life is the right of all rights. Thats why the Alabama ruling is so monumental in setting a precedent for the right to life for all embryos. All human life is fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139) in the image of God. Human life, born and unborn, or in this case, in the womb or out, must be protected. It is inconsistent to say that embryos in the womb are worth protecting, but embryos outside the womb are not they are all created imago Dei. Though many had never considered the moral implications of IVF, the practice is now under the microscope. Christians must be bold and consistent in affirming the right to life for all preborn humans. Because personhood begins at fertilization, how we approach IVF and the protection of embryos is a matter of life and death. Christian artist 'banned' from her own exhibition takes legal action against local council A Christian artist is taking legal action against a local council after claiming she was banned from her own exhibition after making trans-critical comments. Victoria Culf said she was talking with a council employee while setting up an art exhibition at Watford Museum when she said she thought it was harmful for children to try and change their sex. It emerged during their conversation that the employee's child was "socially transitioning" and had sought puberty blockers from the controversial Tavistock Gender Identity Clinic. Culf said that she politely and sensitively explained that she could not agree with this because of her Christian beliefs and that she "wouldn't be being true to myself" if she did. The artist said that she was later called by the council and told her there had been an allegation of 'harassment' and that she could not enter the exhibition without giving 24 hours' notice in order to 'safeguard' the council worker. She says she was also told she was being investigated by the police for a 'hate crime', although the police have confirmed to The Times that her comments did not meet the threshold, and Watford Borough Council said it had not reported her. She is taking legal action against Watford Borough Council claiming breach of contract, discrimination, harassment, misfeasance in public office, negligence, intimidation, defamation, conspiracy, and malicious falsehood. Launching the legal claim, Mrs Culf said, "My conscience and Christian beliefs will not allow me to lie over something that I believe to be very harmful. Are we supposed to be silent and allow the harm to continue unchecked? "We are now living in a culture where for just expressing opposition to transgender ideology, even politely, can lead to you being reported to the police. I am aware that me speaking out could be 'commercial suicide', but I am not prepared to be silent on these issues and I don't want this to happen to anyone else." She added, "I am determined to fight for justice and to speak about what has happened to me. I believe there are probably many other Christian artists, and artists from all walks of life, who have been treated similarly and have had to suffer in silence." Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, which is supporting her case, said: "Victoria has the courage to speak into her colleague's situation because of her love for Jesus and love for her colleague and their child. "It is a disturbing trend in society when Victoria, who was motivated by kindness and compassion, is subjected to such extreme punishment merely for expressing Christian truth. "Allowing and encouraging a child to take puberty blockers is harmful. To be punished for expressing concern on this shows us how all pervasive and tyrannical the trans lobby has become. "We cannot allow this trans tyranny in our culture to trample over beliefs that are protected in law, backed by expert evidence and which truly safeguard vulnerable children. "Sanity must prevail. The fear that professionals feel over speaking truth on these must end." Haiti's crisis is at a tipping point - the world needs to help For nearly three years, since the assassination of Haiti's president, Jovenel Moise, in 2021, the country has been run by lawless gangs, whose haphazard rule has exacerbated the poverty left by an earthquake in 2010. Recently, a surge in violence among these gangs has thrown crucial sectors into chaos, particularly impacting the health care system, educational system and child nutritional status. The current food crisis is grave, with at least 115,000 children in Haiti expected to suffer from life-threatening malnutrition this year a 30% increase over 2022. Approximately 40% of them reside in and around the capital, Port-au-Prince, which is significantly affected by gang violence obstructing critical food supplies. Most faith-based nonprofits serving in Haiti have had to cease or decrease operations due to the danger the gangs pose, as shown by the kidnapping of multiple aid workers and missionaries. Meanwhile only 1 in 4 health facilities today remain reachable, leaving a significant portion of the population without proper medical care. This poses a lethal threat to malnourished children who are already at risk of cholera. Haiti has been among the top five countries in numbers of recorded cholera cases, and the spread of violence has disrupted water treatment plants, making it difficult to combat the resurgent epidemic. Children are also being denied their right to education, with the brutal violence forcibly displacing families, disrupting educational routines. Many schools are located in areas that are now unsafe due to gang activity. The disruption of rice and agricultural production, a lifeline for the economy, further affects families' ability to support their children's education. Urgent humanitarian efforts are needed to address this crisis and protect Haiti's future generations. But that can't be provided until an international peacekeeping force can be dispatched to Haiti to help restore law and order, disarm gangs and create a secure environment for citizens. This is necessary to facilitate democratic processes, such as free and fair elections, which must take place in order for Haiti's government to be restored and for the will of the people to be enacted. Such stability is also essential for delivering humanitarian aid to vulnerable populations. A secure environment allows for rebuilding infrastructure, improving health care and addressing food insecurity. International peacekeepers can collaborate with local authorities to create a conducive environment for economic development. This is also important for preventing regional instability. Haiti's chaos has spillover effects on neighbouring countries. A peacekeeping force may prevent the crisis from destabilising the entire region; regional stability is crucial for trade, cooperation, and addressing shared challenges. For all these reasons, the international community has a moral obligation to support Haiti during this crisis. Peacekeeping forces demonstrate solidarity and commitment to peace, justice and human rights. Collective efforts can prevent further suffering and promote a path toward sustainable development. It is a crucial step toward stability and the eventual re-establishment of a functioning democratic government. Those who care about Haiti and its people have been petitioning for such a force since the gangs first started wreaking havoc. It is disappointing that the violence was allowed to escalate to this point before world leaders took notice, but I am hopeful we are seeing more momentum to facilitate this process. However, a complicating factor is the return of Guy Philippe, a notorious coup leader whose presence in the country is sparking grave concerns given the existing turmoil Haiti faces. There is a leadership vacuum following the resignation of self-appointed Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who was unable to return to Haiti from a trip abroad where he was raising support for peacekeeping forces. Philippe, however, is not likely to be the answer. A charismatic leader who was instrumental in the 2004 rebellion against former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, Philippe has powerful ties to police, politicians and the business elite. His influence, connections and past actions raise concerns that he may increase violence, undermine governance and hinder recovery efforts, while his messianic self-perception as a leader who should guide the nation adds to the uncertainty and turmoil. The solutions for Haiti have always been fraught. But the first step historically has been to establish security with the intervention of the international community to stop the bloodshed and ongoing human rights violations. Only then, after peace has been achieved throughout the country, can Haitian civil society rebuild democratic principles and hold free and fair elections. Then, to realise long-term success, Haitians must themselves control corruption and build critical infrastructure so their economy and population will thrive. But until people are free to leave their homes without being kidnapped or killed, we can't expect to see any of that happen. David Vanderpool is a surgeon who leads the international faith-based nonprofit LiveBeyond and provided emergency medical response in Haiti following the earthquake in 2010. Since then, he returned full time to establish a compound providing clean water, nutritional support and health care to the poor of Thomazeau, Haiti (currently run by Haitian staff with remote oversight). Religion News Service The White House seems to be weighing of imposing further restrictions on China-based Huawei and affiliated semiconductor firms from accessing advanced chips for their phones. Anonymous sources told Bloomberg that President Joe Biden is planning to blacklist several chipmaking facilities, including some based in the US, to prevent Huawei from acquiring its technologies. Although the plan is yet to receive approval from the US Department of Commerce, people familiar with the matter said that the Washington-based Semiconductor Industry Association could be impacted by the new sanctions. The plan came following reports of Huawei using US-made technology for its flagship Mate 60 Pro Smartphone amid the Western country's advanced chip embargo on China. The US has already been earlier reported as urging other allied nations to enforce stricter regulations in preventing China from accessing their chip technologies. China has earlier been noted as still acquiring banned NVIDIA and AMD chips for its state-sponsored institutions and companies despite the US sanction. Also Read: US is Urging Allies to Tighten Regulations Against China's Access to Chip Tech US Ramps Up Semiconductors, Advanced Chips Production Amid its tech war with China, the Biden administration has been increasing the government's efforts to revitalize stagnating chip industry across several states. Just yesterday, Biden awarded a $8.5 billion cash grant to Intel as part of the CHIPS and Science Act to expand semiconductor production to four states: Arizona, Ohio, New Mexico, and Oregon. It is worth noting that the administration's commitment towards its technology sector is among the projects Biden is touting for his re-election campaign just a few months away from the 2024 US Presidential Elections. Biden has earlier committed $150 million in additional funding for "research and technology advances in several swing states. Related Article: Biden Commits Multibillion Grant for Intel to Boost Arizona Chip Production US-China Tension Rises Amid Advancing Technology Control Reports of the US pushing to further China's access from its technology follow the widening gap between the two countries in a bid for economic dominance. With access to advanced technology in the forefront, both countries have been integrating their breakthroughs into their weapon arsenal and intelligence-gathering operations, including the employment of AI. Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping last year announced plans to hold discussions to prevent the misuse of AI in advanced weapons but such talk is yet to be finalized. In response to the executive order, the US government in early December launched its AI Talent Surge, with a corresponding website aimed at enticing applicants to bring their AI skills to government positions. All in on AI Although the hiring push is recent, federal efforts to lay the groundwork for bringing on AI talent dates back years. For example, Russ points to the AI in Government Act of 2020, which directed OPM to establish fundamental aspects of the AI workforce, such as identifying key skills needed; establishing an occupational series to include positions primarily dedicated to AI; estimating the number of federal employees in AI-related positions at each agency; and preparing two-year and five-year forecasts of the number of employees in AI positions that each federal agency will need to employ. Today OPM provides guidance to agencies on what AI and AI-enabling talent looks like, how to structure their tech and AI teams, and where and how they can find this talent, Russ says, noting, however, that each agency generally does its own recruiting and hiring. As part of its support, OPM is giving agencies a large degree of flexibility and latitude in bringing in AI talent quickly, by, for example, granting Direct Hire Authority for many technical AI positions, Russ says. OPM also supports agencies in adopting innovative hiring strategies such as pooled hiring and subject matter expert involvement in assessments, she adds. Furthermore, OPM this year will roll out guidance around skills-based hiring, pay flexibilities, and other programs designed to help bring in AI talent. Frances competition authority fined Google, its parent company Alphabet, and two subsidiaries a total of 250 million ($271 million) for breaching a previous agreement on using copyrighted content for training its Bard AI service, now known as Gemini. The Autorite de la concurrence said Wednesday that the search giant failed to comply with a June 2022 settlement over the use of news stories in its search results, News and Discover pages. Google avoided a fine at that point by pledging to enter into good-faith negotiations over compensation with news providers for their content, among other steps. Specifically, according to the authority, Google agreed to provide news agencies and publishers with a transparent assessment of their remuneration for usage rights, and to make certain that the negotiations didnt impinge on other economic relations between Google and the publishers. UN Women Moldova Country Office is looking for a Communications Associate. Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Communications Specialist, the Communications Associate supports the formulation and implementation of the communications and advocacy strategies to increase the standing and awareness of UN Women with partners, the media and the public. The Communications Associate collaborates closely with other Country Office colleagues, as well as the Headquarters and Regional Office counterparts, to ensure communications activities and organizational outreach efforts are aligned with corporate communications policies and initiatives and follow innovative approaches and good practices. The Communications Associate provides substantive support in the management of the UN Women website and social media channels. The Communication Associate applies and promotes the principles of results-based management (RBM), as well as a client-oriented approach consistent with UN Women rules and regulations. Interested candidates are invited to submit their online applications by 03 April 2024 to UN WOMEN Jobs - 115514- Communications Associate/SB3.5 (undp.org) , with the following documents: Motivation letter; All applications must include (as an attachment) the completed UN Women Personal History form (P-11) which can be downloaded from: https://www.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/Headquarters/Attachments/Sections/About%20Us/Employment/UN-Women-P11-Personal-History-Form.doc. Kindly note that the system will only allow one attachment. Applications without the completed UN Women P-11 form will be treated as incomplete and will not be considered for further assessment. Only short-listed applicants will be contacted. In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment. At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need. If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application. UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Womens policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check. 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 China, Australia can further tap economic complementarity while addressing existing trade disputes: analysts 10:22, March 21, 2024 By Chu Daye ( Global Times China and Australia can further tap their economic complementarity while addressing existing trade disputes, Chinese analysts said on Wednesday, as the visit to Australia by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi signified that bilateral relations are on the right track. China is willing to work with Australia in fostering more common interests and building a fair, transparent business environment for enterprises from both countries, in a bid to accelerate the bilateral relationship, said Wang, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, during the seventh China-Australia Foreign and Strategic Dialogue with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong. China is willing to expand cooperation with Australia in trade, new energy, digitalization, green economy and more, the Chinese Foreign Minister said, noting that the two sides should constantly strive to make the pie of common interests bigger. Chinese experts said that the Wang's visit has shown a new direction for economic cooperation between the two countries, which enjoy tremendous complementarity in both traditional sectors and emerging ones. The Albanese administration should take aim at new areas of cooperation with China, such as in the new-energy sector, while at the same time addressing its trade disputes with China, Chinese analysts noted. Wang Shiming, a professor at the School of Politics and International Relations of East China Normal University, told the Global Times on Wednesday that the visit by the Chinese Foreign Minister is a confirmation that China and Australia stand to oppose trade protectionism, advocate trade liberalization and investment facilitation. The visit also showed that China believes a steady and peaceful development of mutual relations is important to the Asia-Pacific region, he added. China and Australia are expected to enhance cooperation in areas such as environmental protection, renewable energy and climate change, the expert mentioned, noting that the two sides could broaden the scope of economic and trade cooperation and offer better access for two-way investment. "Facing economic pressure, Australia highly values its trade and economic relationship with China - it does not want to make unwanted problems that prevent the stabilization of its economic relationship with China," Zhou Fangyin, a professor at the Guangdong Research Institute for International Strategies, told the Global Times on Wednesday. "The consensus is that both sides hope for a stable economic relationship." Zhou noted that there is no need to set too high a target for the stabilizing and recovering bilateral ties. "So long as the two sides hold basically similar views on economic matters of common concern, bilateral trade and economic cooperation will stand a good chance to gain traction and prosper, boosted by the inherent nature of the two economies' strong complementarity." "Australia's resource exports to China have a natural advantage in quality and convenient transportation and China's vast market is very stable. So as long as the Australian side does not choose to irritate Chinese consumers, Australian companies are unlikely to suffer from unexpected challenges in the Chinese market," Zhou said. Australian companies have expressed a welcoming attitude to the Wang's visit, noting that dialogue fosters understanding and the two countries have new opportunities in emerging sectors. "We see the energy transition as a significant opportunity to cooperate with China. Already, we are exploring a range of options to reduce emissions in the steel value chain," Dino Otranto, CEO of Australian mining giant Fortescue Metals, told the Global Times over the weekend. Strong economic complementarity Last year, the company announced plans along with Chinese steelmaker China Baowu to work together on reducing emissions in the process of iron and steel production. Many in Australia have seen trade with China as a fundamental pillar supporting Australian prosperity for the past 50 years. In 2023, nearly 80 percent of Australia's foreign trade surplus came from trade with China, despite global uncertainties. A pragmatic, non-political way of approaching trade disputes has helped the two countries iron out their trade disputes. Last week, Australia announced that it is suspending anti-dumping tariffs on Chinese wind tower imports. Some Australian wine companies noted that a tariff on Australian wine exports to China could be canceled soon. A spokesperson of the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said last week that China will make a final review and ruling in accordance with the investigation procedures. The two sides may also conduct dialogue in the area of tourism since Australia reportedly hopes for China to be its top tourism source again, according to Chinese analysts. Since taking office in 2022, the Albanese administration has remedied its predecessor's irrational anti-China policies, prompting a positive response from the Chinese side. Hence, bilateral ties have gradually bottomed out, recovered and stabilized. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) (Photo : Unsplash/Gayatri Malhotra) The United Steelworkers union announced its endorsement of the 2024 re-election campaign bid weeks after President Joe Biden opposed the sale of U.S. Steel to Japan's Nippon Steel Corporation. The United Steelworkers Union's Biden Support The union supported Biden in 2020 and represents 850,000 workers across steel mills, manufacturing plants, mines, rubber plants, railyards, nursing homes, legal clinics, social agencies, call centers, and credit union sectors. In a tweet on Wednesday, the union cited Biden's support for retirement security, affordable healthcare, and laws that aid workers, highlighting, "We're eager for his administration's continued progress on our core issues." Biden's Opposition to U.S.-Nippon Steel Deal In a statement last week, Biden conveyed his commitment to supporting steelworkers, stressing the significance of the U.S. Steel maintaining its iconic status and remaining as an American-owned and operated steel company. READ ALSO: Biden Finalizes Manufacturing Regulation, Poses Threat of Wiping Out Million Jobs to Target Air Quality Standards The United Steelworkers, a strong opponent of the deal, filed a grievance in January, asserting a breach of its union contract in the proposed acquisition. Nippon Steel's Positive Commitment The $14.9 billion sale, announced in December, would end U.S. ownership of the country's second-largest steelmaker. The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States is currently reviewing the deal, assessing the potential impact of transactions on national security. The USW expressed concerns about whether Nippon would uphold existing labor agreements. Nippon Steel has pledged to enhance American supply chains and bolster economic defenses against China while aligning with American priorities, ensuring that no layoffs or plant closures will occur due to the transaction. Biden's Pro-Worker and Pro-Union Legacy The president has prioritized strengthening America's manufacturing base in his economic agenda and often describes himself as the most pro-union president in history. Julie Chavez Rodriguez, campaign manager for the president's re-election efforts, stated that Biden had fulfilled his pledge to be the "most pro-worker and pro-union president in the history of the United States," not just by advocating for the retention of manufacturing jobs in the United States but also by boosting American steel and domestic purchases, which created more economic opportunities nationwide. While the AFL-CIO, United Auto Workers, and other unions previously endorsed Democrat Biden in his race against Republican nominee Donald Trump, the Teamsters union has talked with both candidates and is still deliberating. Biden's opposition to Nippon's acquisition of U.S. Steel supports unionized workers, potentially at the expense of upsetting the business community and a crucial ally in Japan. U.S. Steel, headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, since 1901, makes it significant for the election. Trump also stated his intention to block the acquisition of U.S. Steel earlier this year, describing it as a horrible thing for a Japanese company to buy. Nippon asserted that the deal would benefit U.S. Steel, union workers, and national security by enhancing quality and competitiveness while strengthening the American supply chains. RELATED ARTICLE: Nippon Steel Under Serious Scrutiny, Declares No Layoffs, Plant Closures Amid $14.9B Acquisition Deal 2017 Jobs & Hire All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Salariul lunar net: 42000 MDL - 52000 MDL Asigurarea medicala internationala 100% acoperire To apply please follow the link/Pentru a aplica, va rugam sa adresati link-ul: Apply Background Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a leave no one behind approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks. The goal of the project Greening the future, advancing rights and stability: Spurring an inclusive and green transition with responsive governance in the Eastern Neighbourhood region Enhanced Governance in the Republic of Moldova through Multi-Stakeholder Engagement to Accelerate Green and Inclusive Transition is to contribute to accelerating inclusive and green transition, and responsive governance in the Eastern Neighbourhood region, by leveraging relevant efforts by governments, Denmark, EU, UNDP and other international development actors in Georgia, Moldova, and the Eastern Neighbourhood. In Moldova, the focus is in accelerating a just green transition within the energy and transport sectors, building on UNDPs experience in enhancing energy security by addressing the impacts of the energy crisis and laying the groundwork for a sustainable transition. Working with the government, the private sector and communities, the project seeks to reduce risks in investments related to Renewable Energy Sources (RES) and Energy Efficiency (EE) while fostering innovation, investments, job creation, and the adoption of green technologies. At the same time the project is part of a larger Programme on Accelerating a Just Energy Transition in Republic of Moldova which aims to drive a comprehensive and systemic just energy transition in the Republic of Moldova, effectively addressing the root causes of the energy crisis. It strives to promote sustainable development and ensure equitable access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy for all individuals and communities in the country. The Programme aims to achieve five key ambitions, co-designed with energy stakeholders: Accelerate Energy Diversification and Efficiency: By supporting the modernization of infrastructure, buildings, and the grid, the Programme aims to increase access to renewable energy sources, promote energy efficiency, and encourage investment in renewable energy and innovative technologies. Decarbonizing Industries and Economic Sectors: sectors The Programme seeks to drive the decarbonization of various economic sectors such as construction, transportation, agriculture, and the private sector. It aims to promote sustainable practices, share green business models, and develop vocational skills for the green energy sector to create equitable employment opportunities and support the transition to a low-carbon economy. Foster Sustainable Consumption Patterns: Through comprehensive public awareness campaigns and educational materials, the Programme aims to deepen understanding of energy efficiency and renewable energy among community members, business leaders, and government agencies. It strives to promote behaviour change towards sustainable energy practices, particularly among vulnerable populations. Strengthen Inclusive Energy Governance: The Programme recognizes the importance of inclusive energy governance at both the national and local levels. It aims to strengthen the capacity of relevant institutions and stakeholders to effectively govern and manage the energy sector. By promoting transparency, accountability, and participation, the Programme seeks to ensure that decision-making processes related to energy transition are inclusive, empowering all segments of society, including marginalized groups. Addressing Energy Vulnerability and Promoting Resilience: One of the Programme 's primary focus is to address energy vulnerability and promote resilience among households and businesses. It will provide further support to the Government in improving and implementing compensation mechanisms, including the established an on-bill compensation mechanism targeting the households by level of vulnerability. This intervention aims to provide immediate relief to energy-poor households and the private sector, while also fostering long-term energy resilience and efficiency. The Programme places a strong emphasis on meeting the energy needs of vulnerable groups, prioritizing affordability, reliability, and sustainability. To this end, it will explore conceptualisation of decentralized energy solutions, off-grid options, and harness the role of energy access in conflict and disaster recovery efforts, livelihoods, and social inclusion. The Programme duration is envisaged between 2023- 2027. Duties and Responsibilities Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Energy Transition Project Manager (NPSA10) and overall guidance of the UNDP Climate Change, Environment and Energy (EECC) Cluster Lead, the incumbent provides effective and efficient coordination of the Greening the Future Project, through a range of actions contributing to the design, planning, management and monitoring of project activities. The Project Manager applies and promotes the principles of results-based management (RBM), as well as a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations, as follows: Coordinate effective project planning and implementation: Oversee day-to-day operations and implementation of project activities; Ensuring effective content and operational management of the project Exercise close monitoring of project activities and produce monitoring reports; Ensure the timely and efficient delivery of Project outputs and products, as per the Project Document, leading to the achievement of expected results; Develop Work Plan, periodic narrative progress and final reports and expenditures status reports and submit to the supervisor; Ensure the implementation of the activities under the Project work plan according to indicators for achieving planned results, as well as the overall management of the Project in line with UNDP rules, regulations and procedures; Lead and coordinate the organization of meetings, workshops, conferences, trainings, study visits and related activities relevant to the implementation of the Project; Support UNDP CO in effectively managing human resources pertaining to the Project, including staff, consultants and short-term experts; conduct periodic performance appraisals; build, lead and motivate a solid team of professionals; Support the efficient management of the Project financial resources, including budgeting and budget revisions, as well as expenditure tracking and reporting; Continuously record and maintain Project issues and risks and suggest mitigation measures. Maintain a close collaboration with other related UNDP programmes to ensure synergies and complementarities; Maintain a continuous effective dialogue with the key stakeholders, central and local government authorities, other UN agencies and actors active in the sector, CSOs, partner organizations, international and national experts in the areas of the Project intervention in view of identifying synergies and avoiding overlapping of assistance; Ensure high quality information and visibility of the project activities to the mass media and stakeholders and support mechanisms for exchange of information, experience and lessons learned at the local, national, and as required at international levels; Perform any other duties connected directly with the implementation and evaluation of the Project as required. Knowledge Management and Sharing: Assist in coordinating the exchange of information internally and between relevant project stakeholders; Ensure timely and proper documentation of the programme implementation process and products produced in accordance with the UNDP guides; Ensure high quality information and visibility of the programme activities to the mass media and stakeholders and support mechanisms for exchange of information, experience and lessons learned at the local, national, and as required at international levels; Capture and disseminate good practices locally, nationally and as required internationally. Key Results The key results have a direct impact on the overall successful achievement of the Greening the Future Project and the Accelerating a Just Energy Transition in Republic of Moldova Programme. Accurate analysis and presentation of information enhances UNDPs position as a strong development partner. The information provided facilitates decision-making of the Project Board, the Beneficiary and UNDP management. Institutional Arrangement The Project Manager will work under the supervision of the Climate Change, Environment and Energy Cluster Lead and the Just Energy Transition Project Manager (NPSA10) and will ensure the provision of development services and products commensurate with the scope of the Project and assigned area of responsibility of the highest quality and standards to national and local counterparts and clients through applying HRBA and GE approaches. He/she is responsible and accountable to the Project Steering Committee for the Projects results. The Project Manager will coordinate the project team, consisting of several full-time employees and part time consultants, as envisaged in project organizational chart. The Project Manager will work in close cooperation with the Programme, Operations, Communications and other teams in the UNDP Country Office (CO) for effective achievement of results, anticipating and contributing to resolving complex programme/project-related issues and information delivery. He/she also collaborates with other UN projects, national stakeholders and other development partners in supporting the Government in energy related area. The incumbent is expected to exercise full compliance with UNDP programming, financial, procurement and administrative rules, regulations, policies and strategies, as well as implementation of the effective internal control systems. The Project Manager in close collaboration with the Programme Specialist, supports UNDP Country Office in developing concept notes and project documents in the energy related area to further develop the programme portfolio of Energy, Environment and Climate Change Cluster. Core Competencies Achieve Results: LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work. LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work. Think Innovatively: LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking. LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking. Learn Continuously: LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others, and support their learning. LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others, and support their learning. Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process. LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process. Act with Determination: LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously. LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously. Engage and Partner: LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships. LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships. Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making. People Management UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site. Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies Business Direction and Strategy - System Thinking Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system. Business Direction and Management - Effective Decision Making Ability to take decision in a timely and efficient manner in line with ones authority , area of expertise and resources. Business Management - Project Management Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals Business Management - Risk Management Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks Business Management - Monitoring Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and project performance and results Digital and Innovation - Futures and Foresight Ability to look at information from the past and present, identify patterns and trends and use them to inform decision making with a long-term view. Being sensitive and able to scan horizons and pick up weak signals of change, explore their potential implications and assess their impact and urgency. Using creativity and imagination to communicate insights in compelling and engaging ways to challenge current mental models; ability to develop scenarios, speculative designs to present future visions or by making it experiential. Being able to facilitate debate and discussion about possible futures; help people to feel comfortable with the discomfort of uncertainty. Partnership Management - CSO Engagement Knowledge and understanding of CSOs and the ability to engage with CSOs Required Skills and Experience Education Masters degree in environmental studies, engineering, law, public and/or business administration, economics or related areas is required. Bachelors degree in related field with additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of Master`s degree. Experience Minimum 2 years (with Masters degree) or 4 years (with Bachelors degree) of progressive working experience at the national or international level in design, monitoring and/or implementation of technical assistance and/or investment projects. Language Fluency in oral and written English, Romanian and Russian. Working knowledge of one or more additional languages relevant for Moldova, including Bulgarian, Gagauzian, Romani, Ukrainian or sign language is an asset. Required Skills Experience in managing a multidisciplinary team or coordination between different teams. At least 1 year of working experience in the energy efficiency and/or renewable energy areas; Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and web-based management systems, and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages. Desired Skills Relevant professional experience of engagement with a large variety of stakeholders (public, private, LPAs, central public authorities, mass-media etc.); Previous experience in development assistance or related work for a donor organization, development partners, NGOs,UN Agencies. Good networking abilities/experience and partnership development Prior experience with UNDP consultancy and/or project implementation. Professional Certificates Additional training and certification in project management and/or business administration would be an advantage. Disclaimer Applicant information about UNDP rosters Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements. Non-discrimination UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status. Scam warning The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web. Salariul lunar net: 42000 MDL - 52000 MDL Asigurarea medicala internationala 100% acoperire To apply please follow the link/Pentru a aplica, va rugam sa adresati link-ul: Apply Background Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a leave no one behind approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks. On 23rd of June 2022, the European Council granted the Republic of Moldova the status of EU candidate country which is a substantial achievement, but which comes with great responsibilities and obligations. One of such obligation is the Green Agenda and Sustainable Connectivity which includes Chapters of the environment and climate change acquis. In this sense, meaningful reform are expected in view of European Green Deal targets. The proposed Green Transition Project takes due account of this endeavor. Hence, it will put in place the enabling conditions for a green transformation in Moldova through a combination of cross-sectorial decision-making in joint stakeholder platforms, capacity building measures, general education and awareness raising, dissemination of best policy practices, information sharing and networking, as well as pilot-testing green-transition related solutions and other activities, to ensure that the green transition concept is well understood and implemented. The established enabling conditions and the investments into green-transition solutions will respond to the key development challenges that the country is currently dealing with such as the climate change, environmental pollution and the energy crisis. It is well acknowledged that Moldova is highly vulnerable to climate change, given the limited resources and institutional capacities to address the climate change impacts. It is also due to the heavy reliance on the agricultural sector, water scarcity and other geographical factors. Currently the country is advancing with the national adaptation planning, including in the agricultural sector, aimed at putting in place proper institutional, technical and budgeting capacities in the context of climate change, however significant gaps remain in embarking of the sectors into achievement of the long-term adaptation targets. Environmental degradation is also posing a major threat to Moldovas development agenda as its economy relies greatly on natural resources which leads to their overexploitation and pollution. Inadequate waste management practices and outdated practices and technologies in the key sectors of the economy also contribute to the environmental degradation and pollution. Mainstreaming of the green agenda into the countrys economic activities is taking place slowly. Moldova is in line with the global trend of continuously growing urbanization, with the proportion of the population living in urban areas expected to rise from 47% in 2010 to 60% in 2030 (UN Habitat). Cities are increasingly and significantly contributing to the main drivers of global environmental degradation. The municipalities have the greatest impact on air quality and are responsible for more than 50% of total air pollution in Moldova. From energy security perspective Moldova is highly dependent on imported energy sources, and rely mostly on the use of fossil fuels. In addition, inefficient energy supply and consumption across all sectors exacerbates the situation. Until recently being 100% dependent on Russian gas import, the country is actively seeking diversification of energy supplies after the war of aggression in Ukraine. Improvements both in energy efficiency and in the development of domestic resources including renewable energy resources for strengthened sustainability, competitiveness, and energy security rank high on the political agenda. Energy sector si also the main source of GHG emissions in the country. Against this background, the Green Transition Project aims to support the Government of Moldova to engage sustainably in a transformative green agenda by enhancing awareness, building capacities and encouraging investments into low-emission and resource efficient economy. The target areas of the project are resource efficiency, green and circular economy, cleaner and sustainable energy, and mobility. The Project will be implemented under the following three specific components: Socio-economic framework for a gender-responsive and inclusive green transition enabled. Capacity and awareness on the inclusive green transition increased among key stakeholders. Additional funding attracted by promoting and piloting investments in green and innovative technologies, while evidence-based decision-making for green transition is improved by deploying a reliable air quality monitoring system. The implementation period of the project is 48 months, and the total budget is 10 mln EUR. Duties and Responsibilities The role of the Policy and Legal Development Manager is to support governmental institutions in establishing a conducive policy and legal environment for a green transition aligning with the detailed concept document and upholding specified quality standards. Her/his responsibilities extend to overseeing the development of legal acts, formulating strategies, financial mechanisms, regulatory frameworks, standards, and other pertinent elements to advance the objectives of the green transition. In terms of the current project, this specifically applies to SMEs development, as waste, circular economy, green financing and cooperation, clean energy, sustainable mobility and transportation air quality monitoring and others relevant for advancing the green agenda. Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Green Transition Project Manager, in close cooperation with the Institutional Development and Capacity Building Manager, and overall guidance of the UNDP Climate Change, Environment and Energy (EECC) Cluster Analyst, the incumbent provides effective and efficient support to the initiative through a range of actions contributing to the management and monitoring of initiative activities. The selected Policy and Legal Development Manager applies and promotes the principles of results-based management (RBM), as well as a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations. He/she is responsible and accountable to the Project Board for the project results. The selected Policy and Legal Development Manager is expected to collaborate also with the Programme, Operations, Communications and other project teams in the Country Office (CO) for effective achievement of results, anticipating and contributing to resolving complex programme/project-related issues and information delivery. The incumbent is expected to exercise full compliance with UNDP programming, financial, procurement and administrative rules, regulations, policies and strategies, as well as implementation of the effective internal control systems. The Policy Development Manager, in close cooperation with the UNDP Country Office and all relevant stakeholders, incl. Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development and LPAs, private sector and other relevant stakeholders, will ensure the provision of development services and products (commensurate with the scope of the initiative) of the highest quality and standards to national counterparts and clients through applying human rights-based (HRBA) and gender equality (GE) approaches, specifically: Ensuring effective content and operational management of the activities related to the development of the relevant legal and normative acts, formulation of strategies and programmes, creation of financial mechanisms and defining standards; Ensuring the implementation of institutional development activities; Oversee day-to-day operations and implementation of project activities; Exercise close monitoring of project activities and produce monitoring reports; Ensure the timely and efficient delivery of Project outputs and products, as per the Project Document, leading to the achievement of expected results; Develop Work Plan, periodic narrative progress and final reports and expenditures status reports and submit to the supervisor; Ensure the implementation of the activities under the Project work plan according to indicators for achieving planned results, as well as the overall management of the Project in line with UNDP rules, regulations and procedures; Support UNDP CO in effectively managing human resources pertaining to the Project, consultants and short-term experts; conduct periodic performance appraisals; build, lead and motivate a solid team of professionals; Support the efficient management of the Project financial resources, including budgeting and budget revisions, as well as expenditure tracking and reporting; Continuously record and maintain Project issues and risks and suggest mitigation measures. Lead and coordinate the organization of meetings, workshops, conferences, trainings, study visits and related activities relevant to the implementation of the Project; Maintain a continuous effective dialogue with the key stakeholders, central and local government authorities, other UN agencies and actors active in the sector, CSOs, partner organizations, international and national experts in the areas of the Project intervention in view of identifying synergies and avoiding overlapping of assistance; Maintain a close collaboration with other related UNDP projects to ensure synergies and complementarities; Ensure high quality information and visibility of the project activities to the mass media and stakeholders and support mechanisms for exchange of information, experience and lessons learned at the local, national, and as required at international levels; Perform any other duties connected directly with the implementation and evaluation of the Project, as required. Key Results The key results have a direct impact on the overall successful achievement of the Green Transition Project in Moldova. Accurate analysis and presentation of information enhances UNDPs position as a strong development partner. The information provided facilitates decision-making of the Project Board, the Beneficiary and UNDP management. Institutional Arrangement The Policy and Legal Development Manager will work under the supervision of the Project Manager and the Climate Change, Environment and Energy Analyst and will ensure the provision of development services and products commensurate with the scope of the Programme and assigned area of responsibility of the highest quality and standards to national and local counterparts and clients through applying HRBA and GE approaches. He/she will coordinate the part time consultants, as envisaged in programmes organizational chart. The Policy and Legal Development Manager will work in close cooperation with the team in the Country Office (CO) for effective achievement of results, anticipating and contributing to resolving complex project/project-related issues and information delivery. The incumbent is expected to exercise full compliance with UNDP programming, financial, procurement and administrative rules, regulations, policies and strategies, as well as implementation of the effective internal control systems. Core Competencies Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline. LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline. Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements. LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements. Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback. LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback. Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible. LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible. Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident. LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident. Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships. LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships. Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination. Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies Business Management - Results-based Management Ability to manage projects and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results Business Management - Project Management Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals Business Management - Monitoring Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and project performance and results Business Direction and Strategy - System Thinking Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system Digital and Innovation - Agile' Methodologies and Practices Ability to manage projects and processes through continuous iteration, learning and improvement. Ability to manage a self-organizing cross-functional teams, foster a team culture of curiosity and learning. Being nimble and being able to improvise and quickly adjust to unforeseen events or changes in conditions or context. Digital and Innovation - Futures and Foresight Ability to look at information from the past and present, identify patterns and trends and use them to inform decision making with a long-term view. Being sensitive and able to scan horizons and pick up weak signals of change, explore their potential implications and assess their impact and urgency. Using creativity and imagination to communicate insights in compelling and engaging ways to challenge current mental models; Ability to develop scenarios, speculative designs to present future visions or by making it experiential. Being able to facilitate debate and discussion about possible futures; help people to feel comfortable with the discomfort of uncertainty Partnership Management - CSO Engagement Knowledge and understanding of CSOs and the ability to engage with CSOs Required Skills and Experience Education Masters degree in law, public administration, environmental economics and/or engineering, energy, transportation and other closely related fields is required. Bachelors degree in related field with additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of Master`s degree. Experience Minimum 2 years (with Masters degree) or 4 years (with Bachelors degree) of progressively responsible experience working in the public sector, specifically in the environmental, energy, transportation field is required. Language Fluency in English, Romanian and Russian. Working knowledge of one or more additional languages relevant for Moldova, including Bulgarian, Gagauzian, Romani, Ukrainian or sign language is an asset. Required Skills Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems. Desired Skills Relevant professional experience of engagement with a large variety of stakeholders (public, private, LPAs, central public authorities, mass-media etc) is an asset; Previous experience in development assistance or related work for a donor organization, development partners, think tanks, NGOs, UN Agencies is an asset. Prior experience with UNDP consultancy and/or project implementation; Previous experience in coordinating or contributing to the development of legal and normative acts; Familiarity and prior experience with the donors requirements and procedures is considered as an asset. Professional Certificates Additional training and certification in project management and/or business administration would be an advantage. Disclaimer Applicant information about UNDP rosters Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements. Non-discrimination UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status. Scam warning The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web. Salariul lunar net: 42000 MDL - 52000 MDL Asigurarea medicala internationala 100% acoperire To apply please follow the link/Pentru a aplica, va rugam sa adresati link-ul: Apply Background Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a leave no one behind approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks. On 23rd of June 2022, the European Council granted the Republic of Moldova the status of EU candidate country which is a substantial achievement, but which comes with great responsibilities and obligations. One of such obligation is the Green Agenda and Sustainable Connectivity which includes Chapters of the environment and climate change acquis. In this sense, meaningful reform are expected in view of European Green Deal targets. [1][2] The proposed Green Transition Project takes due account of this endeavour. Hence, it will put in place the enabling conditions for a green transformation in Moldova through a combination of cross-sectorial decision-making in joint stakeholder platforms, capacity building measures, general education and awareness raising, dissemination of best policy practices, information sharing and networking, as well as pilot-testing green-transition related solutions and other activities, to ensure that the green transition concept is well understood and implemented. The established enabling conditions and the investments into green-transition solutions will respond to the key development challenges that the country is currently dealing with such as the climate change, environmental pollution and the energy crisis. It is well acknowledged that Moldova is highly vulnerable to climate change, given the limited resources and institutional capacities to address the climate change impacts. It is also due to the heavy reliance on the agricultural sector, water scarcity and other geographical factors. Currently the country is advancing with the national adaptation planning, including in the agricultural sector, aimed at putting in place proper intuitional, technical and budgeting capacities in the context of climate change, however significant gaps remain in embarking of the sectors into achievement of the long-term adaptation targets. Environmental degradation is also posing a major threat to Moldovas development agenda as its economy relies greatly on natural resources which leads to their overexploitation and pollution. Inadequate waste management practices and outdated practices and technologies in the key sectors of the economy also contribute to the environmental degradation and pollution. Mainstreaming of the green agenda into the countrys economic activities is taking place slowly. Moldova is in line with the global trend of continuously growing urbanization, with the proportion of the population living in urban areas expected to rise from 47% in 2010 to 60% in 2030 (UN Habitat). Cities are increasingly and significantly contributing to the main drivers of global environmental degradation. The municipalities have the greatest impact on air quality and are responsible for more than 50% of total air pollution in Moldova. From energy security perspective Moldova is highly dependent on imported energy sources, and rely mostly on the use of fossil fuels. In addition, inefficient energy supply and consumption across all sectors exacerbates the situation. Until recently being 100% dependent on Russian gas import, the country is actively seeking diversification of energy supplies after the war of aggression in Ukraine. Improvements both in energy efficiency and in the development of domestic resources including renewable energy resources for strengthened sustainability, competitiveness, and energy security rank high on the political agenda. Energy sector is also the main source of GHG emissions in the country. Against this background, the Green Transition Project aims to support the Government of Moldova to engage sustainably in a transformative green agenda by enhancing awareness, building capacities and encouraging investments into low-emission and resource efficient economy. The target areas of the project are resource efficiency, green and circular economy, cleaner and sustainable energy, and mobility. The Project will be implemented under the following three specific components: Socio-economic framework for a gender-responsive and inclusive green transition enabled. Capacity and awareness on the inclusive green transition increased among key stakeholders. Additional funding attracted by promoting and piloting investments in green and innovative technologies, while evidence-based decision-making for green transition is improved by deploying a reliable air quality monitoring system. The implementation period of the project is 48 months, and the total budget is 10 mln EUR. [1] COM (2019) 640 final [2] The Green Deal was presented by the European Commission in December 2019 and is a comprehensive package of reforms aimed at transforming climate and environmental challenges into opportunities and to ensure a green transition to a fair and prosperous societies. Duties and Responsibilities The comprehensive responsibilities of the Business Development Manager encompass overseeing the achievement of project outcomes related to a green transition with the business/private sector engagement, aligning with the detailed concept document and ensuring strict adherence to specified quality standards. This includes coordinating the development of knowledge materials and providing crucial support to stakeholders, particularly business operators, in facilitating a green transition within their organizations. Additionally, the Manager plays a pivotal role in offering guidance on the application of green transition principles. In terms of the current project, this specifically applies to SMEs development, circular economy, green financing and cooperation, clean energy, sustainable mobility and transportation. Furthermore, the Manager is tasked with conceptualizing and coordinating the grant programs for the private sector in the energy, waste, and transport domains. This responsibility spans both national and local levels. Additionally, the Manager actively explores and supports the establishment of relevant public-private partnerships, further contributing to the overarching goals of the green transition initiatives and attraction of the private investments. Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Green Transition Project Manager and overall guidance of the UNDP Climate Change, Environment and Energy (EECC) Cluster Analyst, the incumbent provides effective and efficient support to the initiative through a range of actions contributing to the management and monitoring of initiative activities. The selected Business Development Manager applies and promotes the principles of results-based management (RBM), as well as a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations. He/she is responsible and accountable to the Project Board for the project results. The selected Business Development Manager is expected to collaborate also with the Programme, Operations, Communications and other project teams in the Country Office (CO) for effective achievement of results, anticipating and contributing to resolving complex programme/project-related issues and information delivery. The incumbent is expected to exercise full compliance with UNDP programming, financial, procurement and administrative rules, regulations, policies and strategies, as well as implementation of the effective internal control systems. The Business Development Manager, in close cooperation with the UNDP Country Office and all relevant stakeholders, incl. Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Economy and LPAs, private sector and other relevant stakeholders, will ensure the provision of development services and products (commensurate with the scope of the initiative) of the highest quality and standards to national counterparts and clients through applying human rights-based (HRBA) and gender equality (GE) approaches, specifically: Ensuring effective content and operational management of the activities related to the green transition specifically of the SME sector; Coordinate the development of the relevant knowledge products; Conceptualize and coordinate grant programmes in thematic areas such as energy, waste ans transport; Oversee day-to-day operations and implementation of project activities; Exercise close monitoring of project activities and produce monitoring reports; Ensure the timely and efficient delivery of Project outputs and products, as per the Project Document, leading to the achievement of expected results; Develop Work Plan, periodic narrative progress and final reports and expenditures status reports and submit to the supervisor; Ensure the implementation of the activities under the Project work plan according to indicators for achieving planned results, as well as the overall management of the Project in line with UNDP rules, regulations and procedures; Support UNDP CO in effectively managing human resources pertaining to the Project, consultants and short-term experts; conduct periodic performance appraisals; build, lead and motivate a solid team of professionals; Support the efficient management of the Project financial resources, including budgeting and budget revisions, as well as expenditure tracking and reporting; Continuously record and maintain Project issues and risks and suggest mitigation measures. Lead and coordinate the organization of meetings, workshops, conferences, trainings, study visits and related activities relevant to the implementation of the Project; Maintain a continuous effective dialogue with the key stakeholders, central and local government authorities, other UN agencies and actors active in the sector, CSOs, partner organizations, international and national experts in the areas of the Project intervention in view of identifying synergies and avoiding overlapping of assistance; Maintain a close collaboration with other related UNDP projects to ensure synergies and complementarities; Ensure high quality information and visibility of the project activities to the mass media and stakeholders and support mechanisms for exchange of information, experience and lessons learned at the local, national, and as required at international levels; Perform any other duties connected directly with the implementation and evaluation of the Project, as required. Key Results The key results have a direct impact on the overall successful achievement of the Green Transition Project in Moldova. Accurate analysis and presentation of information enhances UNDPs position as a strong development partner. The information provided facilitates decision-making of the Project Board, the Beneficiary and UNDP management. Institutional Arrangement The Business Development Manager will work under the supervision of the Project Manager and the Climate Change, Environment and Energy Analyst and will ensure the provision of development services and products commensurate with the scope of the Programme and assigned area of responsibility of the highest quality and standards to national and local counterparts and clients through applying HRBA and GE approaches. He/she will coordinate the part time consultants, as envisaged in programmes organizational chart. The Business Development Manager will work in close cooperation with the team in the Country Office (CO) for effective achievement of results, anticipating and contributing to resolving complex project/project-related issues and information delivery. The incumbent is expected to exercise full compliance with UNDP programming, financial, procurement and administrative rules, regulations, policies and strategies, as well as implementation of the effective internal control systems. Competencies Core competencies: Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline. Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline. Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements. Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements. Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback. Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback. Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible. Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible. Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident. Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident. Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships. Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships. Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination. Cross Functional and Technical competencies: Business Management- Results-based Management Ability to manage projects and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results. Business Management- Project Management Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and control resources, procedures, and protocols to achieve specific goals. Business Direction & Strategy- System Thinking Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system. Business Management- Monitoring Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and project performance and results. Digital & Innovation- Agile' methodologies and practices Ability to manage projects and processes through continuous iteration, learning and improvement. Ability to manage a self-organizing cross-functional teams, foster a team culture of curiosity and learning. Being nimble and being able to improvise and quickly adjust to unforeseen events or changes in conditions or context. Digital & Innovation- Futures & foresight Ability to look at information from the past and present, identify patterns and trends and use them to inform decision making with a long-term view. Being sensitive and able to scan horizons and pick up weak signals of change, explore their potential implications and assess their impact and urgency. Using creativity and imagination to communicate insights in compelling and engaging ways to challenge current mental models; ability to develop scenarios, speculative designs to present future visions or by making it experiential. Being able to facilitate debate and discussion about possible futures; help people to feel comfortable with the discomfort of uncertainty. Partnership Management- CSO Engagement Knowledge and understanding of CSOs and the ability to engage with CSOs. Required Skills and Experience Education: Masters degree (or equivalent) in economics, business administration, public administration and other closely related fields is required. Bachelors degree with additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of Master`s degree. Experience: Minimum 2 years (with Masters degree) or 4 years (with Bachelors degree) of progressively responsible experience in providing business consultancy services, preferably in the area of SME development and financing is required. Languages: Fluency in English, Romanian and Russian is required. Working knowledge of one or more additional languages relevant for Moldova, including Bulgarian, Gagauzian, Romani, Ukrainian or sign language is an asset. Required skills: Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web based management systems. Desired skills: Experience with UNDP consultancy and/or project implementation will be an asset. Experience in coordinating or contributing to knowledge products in SME development will be an asset. Familiarity and prior experience with the donors requirements and procedures will be an asset. Relevant professional experience of engagement with a large variety of stakeholders (public, private, LPAs, central public authorities, mass-media etc) will be an asset. Previous experience in development assistance or related work for a donor organization, development partners, think tanks, NGOs, UN Agencies will be an asset. Working knowledge of one or more additional languages relevant for Moldova, including Bulgarian, Gagauzian, Romani, Ukrainian or sign language will be an asset. Additional training and certification in project management and/or business administration will be an asset. The following documents shall be required from the applicants: Personal CV or P11 , indicating all past positions held and their main underlying functions, their durations (month/year), the qualifications, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate, and at least three (3) the most recent professional references of previous supervisors. References may also include peers. , indicating all past positions held and their main underlying functions, their durations (month/year), the qualifications, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate, and at least three (3) the most recent professional references of previous supervisors. References may also include peers. A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page) indicating why the candidate considers him-/herself to be suitable for the position. Managers may ask (ad hoc) for any other materials relevant to pre-assessing the relevance of their experience, such as reports, presentations, publications, campaigns or other materials. Disclaimer Applicant information about UNDP rosters Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements. Non-discrimination UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status. Scam warning The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web. Adobe, by Vitalii Vodolazskyi An employment tribunal has ruled that an interim chief executive of a charity was unfairly dismissed after raising concerns about the CV of the person appointed as their permanent replacement. Stephen Murdoch had submitted a whistleblowing email to Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust after its appointment of a permanent CEO, highlighting potential inaccuracies in his CV. An independent investigator was appointed to look into the whistleblowing claims, but the tribunal found that the unnamed successful candidate, Mr X, was confirmed as CEO before the investigation concluded. Murdoch declared his unhappiness and his intention to resign, saying he could not trust the board, did not trust Mr X and was not prepared to work with him, according to the tribunal. The tribunal ruled that the charity subjected Murdoch to detriments on the grounds that he had made protected interest disclosures. It also ruled that he was constructively unfairly dismissed. Tribunal documents state there is a 75% chance that Murdoch would have resigned had the charity not breached his contract. The compensation to be awarded to Murdoch will be determined at a remedy hearing listed on 9 and 10 April 2024, if not agreed between the parties beforehand. Murdoch said: The publication of this judgment represents a significant milestone in my case but there is still some way to go before matters are fully resolved. I would like to take this opportunity to thank my legal team, David Thomas at Quay Legal and Robin Moira White from Old Square Chambers for their work so far. Background to tribunal Murdoch was the charitys chief operating officer from 2018 and was appointed as interim chief executive upon the sudden resignation of the former CEO in February 2021, after 12 years of service. Trustees at Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust considered whether Murdoch should be appointed as the permanent CEO but were concerned by his relative lack of experience both as a charity fundraiser and as a chief executive in the charity field so decided that the role should be advertised on the open market. There was then a recruitment process for a permanent chief executive and 140 people applied for the role and six were shortlisted, including Murdoch. Mr X submitted a CV which stated he had been employed by another charity from April 2013 to August 2017 as director of fundraising and communications but the tribunal heard that was misleading because he took voluntary redundancy on 19 December 2016. He had also stated that he grew the income for the other charity from 1.1m to 2.9m in three years but the tribunal heard its turnover only increased to 1.46m in that time. Murdoch asked to see Mr Xs CV after a colleague highlighted the potential inaccuracies. Tribunal documents show a trustee at the charity emailed other trustees saying he did not think the inaccuracies would have made any difference to the employment process. The claimant submitted a whistleblowing email which alleged that the making of an unconditional offer of employment without having made appropriate employment checks was potentially a failure to exercise reasonable skill, care and diligence. Charity backs appointed CEO A statement from the board of trustees at Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust said it had asked for a number of corrections to the judgment, and we are awaiting the response from the judge on these. The board of trustees have always been, and continue to be, wholly supportive of our CEO and believe he has demonstrated in the last two and a half years exceptional commitment to the charity, its staff, volunteers and donors, helping our teams deliver outstanding impact and results, it says. Each of us as trustees are volunteers and we always aim to do everything in the best interests of the charity. We are also human, and we dont always get it right, and on this occasion some mistakes were made that led to us losing some elements of this case. We have kept the Charity Commission informed throughout, we have begun a thorough review of all board governance, and we have also begun the process of recruiting a new chair and a number of new trustees. A Charity Commission spokesperson said: We have opened a compliance case into Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust, to examine general governance concerns, and have begun to engage with the trustees on this matter. Editor's Note: This article has been updated with additional comment. sign up to receive the free Civil Society daily news bulletin here . For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector, Over the past decade or so, as social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter have become significant forums for public speech, governments in the US and elsewhere have made informal recommendations to them about their handling of issues such as hate speech, terrorist content, and disinformation. In legal parlance, this kind of contact is known as jawboning, a word that generally connotes an act of persuasion. But some critics, especially on the right, argue that it actually amounts to government censorship. In 2022, the attorneys general of Missouri and Louisiana filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration, alleging that officials violated the First Amendment by coercing or significantly encouraging social media companies to block content related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the efficacy of vaccines, and the legitimacy of the 2020 presidential election. Last July (as I wrote at the time for CJR), a federal judge in Louisiana handed down an injunction that forbade government agents from engaging in behavior of this type. He also described the discussions between the administration and the platforms as the most massive attack against free speech in US history. The Biden administration appealed. In September, a judge of the Fifth Circuit appeals court upheld the injunction. That judge also struck down some parts of the injunction, ruling that it was overly broad. The Biden administration was still not happy with the outcome, however. Elizabeth Prelogar, the solicitor general, asked the Supreme Court to block the order in its entirety, arguing that one of the cornerstones of presidential power is the ability to seek to persuade Americansand American companiesto act in ways that the president believes would advance the public interest. Allowing the injunction to stand, Prelogar wrote, would result in grave and irreparable harms. She called on the Supreme Court to rule, once and for all, on whether the administrations discussions with the platforms were lawful or not. Writing for CNN this week, Jennifer Jones, a staff attorney at the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University, described how a 1963 decision by the Supreme Court set the standard for how the government is allowed to interact with private companies. In that case, a Rhode Island government agency known as the Commission to Encourage Morality in Youth pressured a number of booksellers in the state to remove material that it believed to be obscene, even threatening the sellers with prosecution. The courts decision in the case made it clear that the government is not allowed to coerce private parties and the public into censoring speechthough it can advise them about its own views on certain matters. As Jones notes, lower courts have since tried to draw a line between coercion and persuasion, though that line is sufficiently blurry that decisions such as the Fifth Circuits can find coercion where others do not. Jones was writing because, on Monday, the Supreme Court began hearing arguments in the Missouri/Louisiana case. (As my colleague Yona TR Golding has noted, it is only one of five social-media-related cases that the Supreme Court is hearing this term.) According to a number of legal observers who followed the hearing, the justices appeared to be skeptical, both of the initial filing from Missouri and Louisiana and of the appeals courts ruling. Kate Klonick, an associate professor of law at St. Johns University and a fellow at Yales Information Society Project, described in a blog post how a number of the justices raked the Solicitor General of Louisiana, Benjamin Aguinaga, over the coals, asking him to show specifically how the Biden administration breached the First Amendment; in response, Klonick writes, Aguinaga kept saying things that made it seem like hed prepped for oral argument by reading the First Amendment Wikipedia page. Justice Sonia Sotomayor called out Louisianas brief from the bench, arguing that it omitted crucial information that changed the context of its claims, and that it attributed actions and statements to parties who were not involved. Among other things, the justices seemed confused by the failure of the Louisiana and Missouri attorneys general to show that anyone was injured by the alleged activities of the government, which is a crucial requirement when asking the court to adjudicate cases like this. Klonick noted that some of those named as plaintiffs in the case did not have their social media accounts banned or any of their online speech removed, adding that theres nothing in the record that demonstrates firm links that show causality between communications from government to tech companies and vice versa. Meanwhile, Mayze Teitler, a legal fellow at the Knight First Amendment Institute, pointed out that the platforms often rejected requests from the government and others to take action regarding certain content, complying with only 50 percent of takedown requests from the FBI and only 35 percent from the Election Integrity Partnership, a joint venture between the Stanford Internet Observatory and the University of Washingtons Center for an Informed Public that the suit alleged coordinated with the government to censor speech. Sign up for CJR 's daily email Dean Jackson, a legal consultant who worked as an investigative analyst for the congressional committee that investigated the January 6 insurrection at the Capitol, wrote for Tech Policy Press that the initial ruling and the Fifth Circuit decision in the case are on thin ice because both are based on cherry-picked evidence, flawed analysis, and misunderstandings about the internal workings of social media companies. Jackson argues that snippets of email exchanges between government officials and social media platforms have been used to portray a story of furious government officials and browbeaten platform staff. In almost every case, though, the quotes have been taken out of context, with the full exchanges telling a different story. Jackson also referenced comments that Biden made about Facebook killing people during the pandemic, by exposing Americans to disinformation about vaccinesarguing that, because these comments were public, they dont really qualify as coercion so much as political rhetoric. Jackson and some other observers maintain that the case before the Supreme Court is best understood not as an academic exercise in identifying where persuasion ends and coercion begins, but as part of a political campaign to end content moderation, spearheaded by right-wing groups that claim they are being censored by the government, Big Tech, and the nexus of the two. Such observers argue that, to some extent, this campaign has already succeeded whatever the Supreme Court may decide, by exacerbating a chilling effect on discussions between government and the platforms, as well as on research into disinformation. Even though the Fifth Circuit vacated the lower courts injunction on such discussions, the State Department has since canceled meetings with platforms; meanwhile, various researchers have been served with subpoenas amid allegations that they are complicit in state censorship. Kate Starbird, a professor at the University of Washington, told the New York Times this week that the people who benefit from the spread of disinformation have effectively silenced many of the people that would try to call them out. Others, of course, disagree, arguing that Missouri and Louisiana are correct in their assertions about government censorship of the platforms. Jim Lindgren, an emeritus law professor at Northwestern University who sits on the board of the New Civil Liberties Alliance (which represents most of the individual plaintiffs in the case), wrote in an opinion piece for Reason magazine that worrying about borderline cases where the government might need to communicate with the platforms is irrelevant, because the activity alleged in the case is miles away from any borderline. Lindgren argues that the government and its agents squashed speech that was true, promoted speech that was false, and went after lawful speech not in an isolated instance, but repeatedly and systematically as a matter of policyconduct that resulted in the suppression of entire narratives and lines of thought. On Monday, the Supreme Court also heard arguments in another case involving accusations of undue governmental influenceand the outcome of this one could be somewhat different. In 2018, the National Rifle Association sued Maria Vullo, the head of New York States Department of Financial Services, alleging that she had violated the First Amendment by pressuring insurance companies to cut ties with the NRA over its pro-gun advocacy. The case began when the state began investigating the legality of NRA-endorsed insurance products that covered losses caused by guns, even when the insured person intentionally killed or injured somebody. Vullo argued that these products violated state law, since they covered intentional criminal acts and related defense costs. She also sent letters to insurance companies warning about the reputational risks of working with the NRA. The NRA claimed that Vullos words carried a significant amount of influence within the insurance industry due to her position and that several companies cut ties with the NRA as a result of her letters, leading to millions of dollars in lost revenue. The group also claimed that Vullo offered to show leniency toward insurance companies that her department was investigating if they stopped doing business with the NRA. (Vullo has argued that these offers were typical of the give-and-take that occurs in plea negotiations.) In 2022, an appeals court found in favor of Vullo, but the NRA appealed to the Supreme Court. According to the Associated Press, the justices seemed more inclined to rule that there was unlawful coercion in this case than they did in the Missouri/Louisiana onein part because the NRA case involves what Ephraim McDowell, an assistant to the US solicitor general, has described as a specific, coercive threat. Not that either case is settled yet. The courts questioning of the lawyers in the Missouri/Louisiana case may suggest that the justices are skeptical as to whether government coercion of the platforms actually occurred. At the same time, no one seems to want to count their legal chickens before they are hatched. And this hesitancy may stem in part from comments that several of the justices have made on related issues in the pastcomments that reflect just how deep the speech questions thrown up by the rise of social media go. In 2022, I wrote for CJR about comments made by Justice Samuel Alito, who wrote that it is not at all obvious how our existing precedents, which predate the age of the internet, should apply to social media companies. Both Justice Clarence Thomas and Justice Neil Gorsuch, meanwhile, have recently questioned the decision in New York Times v. Sullivan, a landmark precedent that protects news organizations by establishing a high bar for libel proceedings involving public figures. These justices views about speech may be different from those of their predecessors and some of their colleagues. Whether the courts apparent skepticism about the Missouri/Louisiana case translates into a broad defense of government jawboning thus remains very much an open question. Other notable stories: ICYMI: Connie Walker and Max Green on the new season of Stolen and being canceled by Spotify Mathew Ingram is CJRs chief digital writer. Previously, he was a senior writer with Fortune magazine. He has written about the intersection between media and technology since the earliest days of the commercial internet. His writing has been published in the Washington Post and the Financial Times as well as by Reuters and Bloomberg. Boeing Co. needs to shift its focus from the business of making planes toward safety in the wake of recent findings on lapses surrounding the January failure of a fuselage panel, the top US aviation regulator said. Federal Aviation Administration chief Michael Whitaker told NBC Nightly News that his impressions from a recent visit to the manufacturers facilities was that there are issues around the safety culture at Boeing, according to interview excerpts released by the network. Their priorities have been on production, and not on safety and quality, Whitaker said in the interview scheduled to air Tuesday evening. What we really are focused on now, is shifting that focus, from production to safety and quality. The concerns were triggered by the Jan. 5 failure of a panel covering an unused door during an Alaska Airlines 737 Max 9 flight near Portland, Oregon. The failure prompted an explosive decompression and emergency landing. Boeing has come under intense scrutiny since the accident and as multiple reviews detailed problems with the planemakers safety culture and quality practices. The panel on the jet delivered last October was apparently installed without four bolts designed to hold it in place, according to preliminary findings by the National Transportation Safety Board. Boeing had no immediate comment on Whitakers remarks. Top photo: Michael Whitaker, administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), speaks during a House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Aviation hearing in Washington, DC, US, on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024. The Federal Aviation Administrations top official will pledge to hold Boeing Co. accountable for any quality lapses as the agency examines the US planemakers manufacturing processes following a near-disaster on an Alaska Airlines flight last month. Copyright 2024 Bloomberg. Often alarming, misleading or just plain annoying when mass tort lawsuit advertisements pop on a TV screen, many consumers instinctually reach for the remote. An expert believes that the ads are worth your attention. Especially for those in the insurance industry, ignore them at your own peril, your own risk, said Rustin Silverstein, president and founder of X Ante, a legal services company that shares data and insights on the forces driving the increase in mass tort litigation. An Unceasing Onslaught The Travelers Institute, the public policy and education arm of Travelers Insurance, recently hosted a webinar that explored the surge in attorney advertising encouraging consumers to pursue mass tort lawsuits. During the event, Silverstein shared that last year, an estimated $1.2 billion was spent on TV ads by lawyers and others soliciting clients or offering legal services. More than 16 million advertisements ran last year. Or, as Silverstein described it, an unceasing onslaught. To put that number in context, about 45,000 TV ads by lawyers and others soliciting legal claims aired across the United States every day. That works out to about 1,900 ads per hour, or about one lawyer ad airing on television every two seconds. General auto accident, slip and fall, and personal injury advertisements accounted for about $1 billion in spending, while a selection of more specific topics totaled $152.3 million. Some of these specific mass tort ads target prescription drugs, medical devices, specific consumer products, natural disaster insurance claims and more. I think one thing to understand about those lawyers and others who solicit these advertisements is that they will always be shifting their topics, Silverstein said. Theyre always going to look for what is the most likely to bring the most lucrative cases . So, theyre constantly shifting the targeting of their advertising, and thats something that we monitor. Advertising Drives Financial Rewards There is a lot to be gained by airing these ads, Silverstein said. Plaintiff firms that place these advertisements collect between a contingency fee of 25% and 40% from the rewards or settlements they receive, Silverstein said, and in the past 10 years or so, about 2,000 advertisers have sponsored ads related to mass tort. Only about 15 of those advertisers account for half of all the ad spending, though, and a third of those top-spenders arent even law firms theyre for-profit lead generation companies that exist to generate and sell claims to law firms. Third-party litigation financing is also increasing and has been an attractive proposition, Silverstein said, because returns have been high. These advertisers are very sophisticated, Silverstein said. They are direct marketers. So, when they see that particular ads will generate what they consider quality leads, quality clients, they will continue to invest in that. They will continue to advertise around it. And then, of course, when they get positive developments in litigation that will only fuel the fire and the interest in advertising in that particular topic. When it comes to verdicts and settlements becoming more expensive in general, Silverstein believes that a lot of it is driven by this attorney advertising, he said. People see these ads, and it drives them to file more claims. He added that this advertising not only generates thousands of lawsuits, but it also pressures insurers and defendants into settlements due to the cost of litigation that never ends because of the large volume of cases and the risk of damage to reputations. Also, when consumers see enough ads about a company, it begins to change their perception, Silverstein said, translating to impacts on bottom lines and stock share prices. It also influences people who sit on juries about whats a fair outcome, Silverstein said of the ads. Ill just conclude with saying that I think these ads are ignored at your own risk, he said. If you are involved in one of these industries thats targeted, you will probably face greater consequences. And what we argue with our clients is the more you can stay on top of whats happening with this advertising, the better prepared you can be to address these issues as they come up. Practical Steps and Key Takeaways Silverstein outlined three clear values of tracking mass tort advertisement data for insurance industry professionals. The first is the litigation risk component. From an underwriting perspective, are potential policyholders already vulnerable? These legal ads are like the canary in the coal mine, he said. You will see them before youll see the lawsuits being filed. So, before you write a policy for somebody who has a product in the market or may be vulnerable to potential litigation, you can see, have there already been ads run against them on this topic? When it comes to managing claim volumes, the ads can also be a good proxy for whats coming, Silverstein said. If were seeing a lot of lawsuits, is this going to continue for the next year, two years, five years? Well, the lawyer advertising will tell you that. If the ads continue to stay on TV and stay out there, you can expect more lawsuits to follow. Monitoring the ads can also be helpful, he said, because studying them can give insurers a sense of who is behind the lawsuits and who they may face on the other side of the negotiation table. In addition to that, they can help identify parts of the country that are susceptible to advertising and high verdicts and awards. Its a bit early to determine the effect of artificial intelligence on ad targeting, Silverstein said, but he believes AI will probably be utilized to streamline the potential client intake process firms have to go through early on in this process. He also sees AI being utilized to develop and tailor their messaging. Because so many of these ads are running, attorneys are constantly competing, Silverstein explained, and theyre always looking for new technology, [a] new approach to help them in this kind of never-ending competition. A Parting Thought During the webinar, Stef Zielezienski, executive vice president and chief legal officer of the American Property Casualty Insurance Association, pointed to Florida as an example of light at the end of the tunnel. Last year, Florida Gov. Ron Desantis signed comprehensive legal reforms into law that aimed to decrease frivolous lawsuits and prevent predatory practices of trial attorneys who prey on hardworking Floridians, according to a press release shared on the governors official website. The bill modifies the bad faith framework, eliminates one way attorneys fees and fee multipliers and ensures that Floridians cant be held liable for damages if the person suing is more at fault, the release said. Zielezienski shared that effectively highlighting the disconnect between the percentage of claims versus a high percentage of lawsuits was really what opened the eyes of those that were probably skeptical to reform. Director Angelle Siyang-Le on fair's return to full scale, evolution of Asia-Pacific art scene By Park Han-sol After four rocky years of grappling with COVID-19 and experiencing periods of reduced size, Art Basel Hong Kong is making a comeback at its pre-pandemic scale. The largest art fair in the Asia-Pacific region is set to return to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center from March 26 to 30. It will host 243 galleries from 40 countries and territories, marking a significant increase of 37 percent compared to last year. While the results of its 2023 edition, which drew some 86,000 visitors primarily from the region, surpassed expectations, the fair's director, Angelle Siyang-Le, anticipates an even more diverse attendance for the forthcoming iteration, for a good reason. "Last year, the show opened only a month after the reopening of Hong Kong, which meant a lot of the audience from afar including Europe and the U.S. was not able to return," she said during a recent video interview with The Korea Times, referring to the citys mandatory quarantine that was in place until January 2023. This year, her team anticipates a more dynamic mix of collectors and institutional representatives from around the world. Attendees are also encouraged to explore the changing cultural scene of the city, now anchored by two new sprawling landmarks the contemporary art museum M+ and the Palace Museum, both of which opened their doors at the height of the pandemic. Additionally, the fair comes on the heels of the first-ever Hong Kong International Cultural Summit at the West Kowloon Cultural District. When it comes to collectors attending the show, statistically, there have been more younger, and newer, collectors year-on-year, the director remarked, adding that there has been a noticeable upswing in the number of antiquarians and collectibles enthusiasts expanding their collections to include modern and contemporary art, particularly over the pandemic years. [The emergence of] these newer categories of collectors is a phenomenon that we've observed since [the onset of] COVID-19. Many leading international dealers are returning to the show, including Galleria Continua, Hauser & Wirth, Spruth Magers and Lisson Gallery. Among the participating exhibitors are 10 players from Korea Arario Gallery, Gallery Baton, Hakgojae Gallery, Johyun Gallery, Kukje Gallery, Leeahn Gallery, One and J. Gallery, PKM Gallery, Wooson and Whistle along with blue-chip dealers that have opened outposts in Seoul over the last six years, such as Gladstone Gallery, White Cube, Perrotin, Pace Gallery and Esther Schipper. Across the expanded sectors of the Hong Kong fair, a series of noteworthy presentations will shine a spotlight on both established and emerging Korean artists. In the Encounters section, dedicated to large-scale projects, Yang Haegue, renowned for her peculiar-looking sculptural assemblages that blend ethnic craft with modern industrial production to bridge divergent times, places and cultures, puts forth "Contingent Spheres." This expansive installation synthesizes two of Yangs works: a pair of biomorphic rattan sculptures and a set of suspended serpentine tentacles woven with white artificial straw and metal ropes with bells. These hybrid pieces evoke multiple cultural reference points, including the Binakol weaving pattern found in traditional Philippine textiles, 1960s Op Art and even a Korean folktale that tells the origin of the sun and the moon. Two Korean creatives from different generations will be highlighted in curated solo presentations: the late dansaekhwa (monochrome painting) master Park Seo-bo by Busan-based Johyun Gallery and rising artist of steel Lee Yona by the Australian dealer Fine Arts, Sydney. Parks signature canvas works, Ecriture, draw attention to his decades of meditative gestural strides and the rhythmic physicality of the surface, while Lees large new installation, In Transit, is a labyrinth constructed from stainless-steel tubes and ready-made everyday objects, serving as both a social space and a sculpture. In addition to the expanded gallery booths and sectors, there are several first-time highlights both within and outside the fair venue, according to Siyang-Le. Its the first time were collaborating with Tai Kwun [a 19th-century colonial prison compound converted into an arts complex with galleries, eateries and live performance spaces] for Artists Night. Its the first time we have a designated public program destination on-site, where were grouping all the public sectors [Film, Conversations and open-format experimental presentations] into one area to allow people to engage with the art industry firsthand even without a ticket, she said. There will also be a first-time on-site collaboration between Art Basel Hong Kong and Art Week Tokyo, Japans largest citywide initiative for contemporary art, taking the form of AWT Bar, conversation panels and a curated tour. We would like to activate the Asia-Pacific region from our platform in Hong Kong and really be a connector for the region. So in the future, we would love to see more of these activations from different parts of Asia also having a presence at the show, the director noted. Overall, given the backdrop of economic slowdown and political instability, the performance of Art Basel Hong Kong nestled in the second-largest art market after the U.S. according to Art Basel and UBSs "Art Market Report 2024" will serve as a crucial touchstone of the post-pandemic art market in Asia. Asia as fastest-growing art market In recent years, Asia's burgeoning art fair scene has witnessed a wave of newcomers such as Frieze Seoul, Art SG, Taipei Dangdai and Tokyo Gendai, joining their more established counterparts like Art Basel Hong Kong and West Bund Art & Design in Shanghai. The emergence of these new fairs is a testament to the rapid and explosive growth of the region's art market over the last decade or so, according to Siyang-Le. Asia is the fastest growing continent when it comes to the art market. Our region has seen tremendous development, not only from the art fair or auction points of view but in terms of the entire art scene," she said. There is now a stronger gallery scene, with more international galleries opening here. And over the past 10 plus years, [Western dealers] level of understanding of Asia has been bridged, as in there is an understanding that Asia has its own models and etiquette to operate art business," she added. "We now also have a stronger public infrastructure for art, particularly in the modern and contemporary sectors, not just classic antiquity. Korea, Hong Kong, mainland China, Singapore and Taiwan all these different parts of the region are paying more attention to cultural growth and giving the priority to the development of modern and contemporary art. Some have raised concerns about the apparent saturation of Asia's art calendar, suggesting that an influx of fairs may lead to intensified competition for a limited pool of collectors. However, the director of Art Basel Hong Kong views this phenomenon more as a chance for each city to cater to the diverse needs of an expanding group of collectors and galleries that are making their way into the region, with quality art fairs serving as their pivotal "congregation points." "Firstly, this is very much an opportunity for Asia to assert itself on a competitive footing with the rest of the world. In Europe and America, international art fairs and biennales have been a fixture for decades. Now, Asia is coming into its own," she observed. And this situation actually encourages different parts of Asia to take their local art scenes more seriously. M+, for example, has its own collection of Hong Kong artists. I know that Korea pays a lot of attention to cultivating its contemporary art history. During my visit to Frieze Seoul last September, I was very glad to see that the key institutions were staging Korean artist shows and educating the audience about the country's art history." Only when each location deepens its investment in its unique cultural identity for instance, Korea with its rising number of younger collectors coupled with long art history, Singapore as a key hub for Southeast Asia, and Hong Kong as a global meeting spot for collectors, museum professionals and curators can the region maintain and enhance this crucial momentum. That's why we want to see Seouls art market and scene continue to flourish, because it is mutually complementary [and beneficial] for us when we together educate on Asia's contemporary art scene on a global level," she said. MAYFIELD, Ohio -- Two vehicles that had been stolen from the Deacons auto dealership the morning of Feb. 25 were recovered March 14. Both were unoccupied when located separately in Warrensville Heights and Garfield Heights. One had damage to the front right side and a flat tire. The other had very minor damage. They were both towed to the station and processed by detectives. Police have arrested a Cleveland man, 19, in connection with the theft of the Dodge Hellcat SRT Durangos, valued at $110,000 each. PEPPER PIKE, Ohio Seven Orange High School students were recently given the opportunity to earn a new State of Ohio Governors Merit Scholarship that is being offered to support Ohios highest-achieving senior students attending in-state colleges. Based on their academic achievements and eligibility, these students can be awarded up to a $5,000 renewable scholarship for four years if they choose to attend an Ohio college or university. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- East Clevelands former police chief avoided prison Thursday for failing to pay more than $200,000 in sales taxes on his private security business. Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court Judge Jeffrey Saffold said Scott Gardner operated a yearslong scam in which he pocketed hundreds of thousands of dollars and sought unconvincingly to chalk it up as sloppy bookkeeping. You were stealing, Saffold told the former chief. To come in here and say something else is somewhat offensive. Still, Saffold told Gardner that he would sentence him just as he would any other defendant who pleaded guilty to a low-level, nonviolent crime. Although Im in no way fooled by your story as a hapless business owner, Im not going to overreact and incarcerate you, Saffold said. Saffold placed Gardner on probation for five years and ordered him to serve 600 hours of community service -- 100 hours for each year that he failed to pay sales tax. He also must repay the taxes. Gardner last week halted his trial on two dozen charges, including felony theft in office and aggravated theft, when he pleaded guilty to a single charge of failure to remit sales tax, a fourth-degree felony. Cuyahoga County prosecutors dismissed the remaining charges in exchange for the plea. Assistant Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Samantha Sohl asked Saffold to sentence Gardner to prison. Mr. Gardner took an oath to uphold the law, Sohl said. And here, he has broken the very law that he swore to uphold. She cited that Gardner was on probation for similar crimes related to a cigar company that Gardner co-owned when he began to pocket money from his security business. Each and every time this defendant has been presented with the opportunity to commit a crime, he does, she said. Gardner and his attorney, Allison Hibbard, said that the under-reporting was a mistake. As soon as he realized that he had been underreporting his taxes, he reached out to the prosecutors, an accountant and the state to try to fix the problem. This is not who I am, Gardner said. This is not what I want my perception to be. Saffold, citing Gardners two other criminal cases for a similar crime, said that his explanation didnt fly. Now a third time, and were supposed to write this off as just another oops? Thats nonsense. I dont buy it. Not for one minute, he said. Saffold said that he hoped Gardner would use his time on probation to do some soul-searching about how he wants the rest of his life to look. Cutting corners and running raggedy businesses where youre stealing from the state hasnt worked for you, Saffold said. Gardner was one of more than a dozen officers county prosecutors charged in the past two years from the East Cleveland department. His former officers are accused of taking bribes, beating drivers and stealing guns and drugs from residents. He was fired in 2022. Prosecutors said investigators found that Gardner had under-reported taxes on his security business by millions of dollars over five years. The move lowered his tax bill by $200,000. The initial charges against Gardner stemmed from three positions that Gardner held between 2014 and 2019, when the tax issues were first discovered. He was a commander and eventually chief in the East Cleveland Police Department, owner of the private security and investigation business CPACs and president of the Fraternal Order of Police lodge based in his hometown of Ravenna. Bank records showed that Gardner was passing money from three separate accounts to cover payments and expenses for his other obligations. Gardner also passed several bad checks, Sohl said. CLEVELAND, Ohio Spring has sprung in Northeast Ohio (despite the confused weather forecast). With a season, there comes plenty of new food and drink-related activities to get excited for. On the latest episode of DineDrinkCLE: The Podcast, hosts Josh Duke and Alex Darus are ready to talk about the latest food news thats sprouting up in Greater Cleveland this time of year. RELATED: DineDrinkCLE: The Podcast talks St. Patricks Day celebrations, Irish whiskey, corned beef First, theyre joined by reporter Marc Bona to discuss Ohio Citys Larder Delicatessen and Bakery, which will be expanding into a culinary store. The trio delve into Larders impact on the culinary scene and how the new storefront will continue the brands innovative streak. Next, reporter Peter Chakerian joins the crew to gab about food-truck season. The number of food trucks roaming Northeast Ohio is extensive. The group discuss the new Cousins Maine Lobster truck joining the scene and recall a few of their favorite trucks to stop at during the warm-weather season. Finally, Duke, Darus and Chakerian engage in the great Cleveland ballpark mustard debate ahead of the Guardians 2024 season. They go into a bit of the contentious history of Bertmans Ball Park Mustard and Stadium Mustard before sharing their personal opinions on which condiment reigns supreme. Listen live online here. To stay updated on the latest DinkDrinkCLE podcast episodes, follow us and subscribe on your preferred podcast platform. You can also find us at cleveland.com/podcasts. For more DineDrinkCLE content follow the team on Instagram at instagram.com/dinedrinkcle and sign up for the weekly DineDrinkCLE newsletter at cleveland.com/newsletters. Alex Darus writes about food, dining and drinking for Cleveland.com, check out her latest posts here. You can reach her with story ideas at adarus@cleveland.com. Follow her on Instagram @alex_darus. Be one of the cool kids and follow all Cleveland.coms food, dining and drinking coverage in the weekly DineDrinkCLE newsletter. It curates the latest on openings, closings, tastings and other events, plus recommendations, features and guides from our team of writers and critics. SUBSCRIBE Follow us on Instagram @dinedrinkcle CLEVELAND, Ohio Sheetz plans to hire nearly 430 employees in Ohio, the company announced Thursday. The company will host hiring events and on-the-spot interviews at each of its nearly 100 Ohio locations from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 27. MOUNT GILEAD, Ohio A fire Wednesday at what officials are calling a puppy mill in Morrow County killed 70 dogs, according to multiple reports. WBNS Channel 10 reports the fire occurred at about 1 a.m. in Johnsville in Morrow County, which is about 90 miles southwest of Cleveland. When firefighters arrived at the scene, the kennel already had partially collapsed, WBNS reports. Harlen Barrick, the chief of the Johnsville Fire Department, tells WCMH Channel 4 that it took about 40 minutes to get the fire under control. The owner of the building was able to save 17 dogs, WSYX Channel 6 reports. A firefighter saved another dog, WBNS reports. Officials say the fire likely started near the area where there was a wood-burning stove. BOISE, Idaho Three corrections officers were wounded Wednesday when they were ambushed by a gunman at a hospital, allowing an inmate they were escorting to escape custody, authorities say. Law-enforcement officials now are searching for inmate Skylar Meade, 31, and the man they say helped him escape, Nicholas Umphenour. Officials described Meade as a white supremacist gang member. By Yoon Ja-young Woori Bank has opened the Global Investment WON Center, dedicated to foreign direct investment. The bank announced that it opened the center at Seoul Finance Building in downtown Seoul, Wednesday, the second of its kind following the Gangnam Global Investment WON Center in southern Seoul. The Global Investment WON Center is a special channel introduced by Woori Bank CEO Cho Byung-kyu when he took the position last July. It specializes in overseas capital transactions by businesses, such as foreign direct investment and overseas direct investment. The new center in central Seoul's Gwanghwamun will provide businesses with diverse services all in one place, including acquisition of real estate or equities within the country or overseas, loans from overseas, launch of corporations overseas and escrow. Expert consulting meeting diverse needs in global investment and other services offered by Woori Financial Group affiliates will also be available. The opening of Gwanghwamun Center reflects growing customer demand for Wooris specialized services in overseas investment. Our experts, whose capabilities have already been proven, will provide the right solutions for complicated overseas capital transactions, Cho said. CLEVELAND, Ohio Tuesday was a decidedly successful day for supporters of Issue 26, Cuyahoga Countys Health and Human Services levy. More than 123,949 voters, 71.1%, cast their ballots for Issue 26 in the March 2024 Primary Election. Thats a higher percentage of yes votes than in almost any Cuyahoga County Health and Human Services election since at least 1984, the earliest time for which records were readily available. WASHINGTON, D. C. - The Weaponization of the Federal Government subcommittee headed by Champaign County Republican Jim Jordan is opening an inquiry into the Internal Revenue Services use of artificial intelligence (AI) to surveil Americans financial information. Saying they believe IRS and the Department of Justice is using an AI-powered system to actively monitor millions of Americans private transactions, bank accounts, and related financial information without any legal process, Jordan and Wyoming GOP Rep. Harriet Hageman on Thursday sent letters to Attorney General Merrick B. Garland and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen to seek more information. Rotunda Rumblings Old guard, new tricks: Bernie Morenos victory in Tuesdays Ohio Republican U.S. Senate primary showed that the clout of old-school Ohio GOP officeholders like Secretary of State Frank LaRose, Gov. Mike DeWine, and ex-U.S. Sen. Rob Portman couldnt overcome ex-President Donald Trumps power as a political kingmaker. Jeremy Pelzer explores the lessons Tuesdays election results teach about how old guard Republicans need to adjust how they run for office in the future, and the potential perils of not doing it correctly. COLUMBUS, Ohio Citizens behind an effort to abolish qualified immunity a legal doctrine that can shield police from liability amid accusations of excessive use of force are suing Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, alleging hes illegally blocking them from moving toward placing the issue on the ballot. Since February 2023, backers of the Protecting Ohioans Constitutional Rights initiative have submitted their proposed state constitutional amendment and summary language five times to Yosts office. Yost, whos only tasked to ensure the summary language accurately describes the amendment, has rejected their filings every time, most recently on March 14. By Anna J. Park AXA General Insurance announced Thursday that it has nominated Hans Vraken as its new CEO. Vraken is expected to officially take office as CEO on June 1, following approval at a regular board meeting. The nominee for the CEO position, a seasoned financial expert with over 20 years of experience, is expected to contribute to AXA's innovation and further growth with his business acumen and leadership firmly based on his understanding of the insurance business in diverse markets. Since 2021, he has successfully led various projects and initiatives as the director of people, communications and brand at international markets of AXA, demonstrating his leadership skills in fostering an inclusive organizational culture. He's also equipped with rich experience and insights into insurance management and the Asian insurance market. Prior to his current appointment, Hans Vranken served as the CEO of YUZZU, an insurance company in Belgium. He also led AXA Direct Japan as the CEO from April 2017 to August 2021, where he explored the insurer's new opportunities in the dynamic and competitive direct insurance market. "I am pleased and honored to take on the role of CEO of AXA General Insurance. Based on the firm's technical excellence and outstanding capabilities, I will do my best, alongside talented employees, to provide the best insurance products and services to customers in Korea," Vraken said. An appeals court in the Balkan country of Montenegro finalized a decision Wednesday to have Do Kwon, the co-founder of the cryptocurrency firm Terraform Labs, be extradited to his home country, Korea. In a statement on its website, the court said that it had rejected an appeal by Kwon's legal representatives and upheld an earlier decision by the country's High Court to hand over Kwon to Korea rather than to the United States. Korean prosecutors have sought the extradition of Kwon on a set of allegations related to the crash of Terraform Labs' TerraUSD and Luna coins in May 2022. The crash was estimated to have wiped out nearly 50 trillion won ($37 billion) in market value. Kwon has also been wanted by the U.S., where he was charged with fraud by federal prosecutors in New York. According to Bloomberg, Kwon's extradition could take place as early as this weekend when his prison sentence in Montenegro for using forged documents expires. He was captured at an airport in Montenegro in March last year when he was reportedly trying to board a plane bound for the United Arab Emirates on a forged passport. He had been on the loose after fleeing Korea amid a probe in connection with the crypto debacle. TerraUSD was designed as a stablecoin, pegged to stable assets like the U.S. dollar. However, holders of TerraUSD and Luna lost most of their assets after the stablecoin plunged far below its $1 peg. (Yonhap) By Lee Hae-rin The Chunhyang Festival of Namwon, North Jeolla Province, will include foreign nationals in its annual beauty contest for the first time, as a trial initiative to elevate the local tradition to a global scale. The aim is to attract 1 million visitors, both domestic and foreign, to the event this year. The 94th edition of the Chunhyang Festival will be held from May 10 to 16 in the southern city of Namwon, the city government and the festival organizing committee said during a press conference in Seoul, Thursday. Chunhyang Festival is open to everybody, from all over the world, said Namwon Mayor Choi Kyung-sik, dressed in hanbok as one of the characters from the "Chunhyangjeon" folk tale. For the 93 previous editions, Namwon has crowned six Korean beauties annually. This year, we plan to select multicultural Chunhyang, apart from the six Korean ones and assist their cultures to blend into the Namwon region and make the festival a global event, Choi said. Held since 1931, the festival commemorates the love between Chunhyang and Lee Mong-ryong, beloved characters from the best-known Korean love story and folktale. The story revolves around Chunhyangs devoted love for Lee despite trials and hardships. It is based on the pansori "Chunhyangga," the most famous of the five surviving tales of the Korean traditional genre of musical storytelling. The competition, which only allowed Korean nationals to compete, is now open to women of any nationality born between 1999 and 2007. Contestants should measure up to Chunhyang's key characteristics such as fidelity, integrity, wisdom and talents, Choi explained. Registration is open until April 6 and the beauty contest will be held on May 15. Winners of the contest will be awarded with prize money and become honorary ambassadors of the city. Meanwhile, the festival will also feature a large-scale parade with characters from the folktale, Korean traditional live music and dance performances, and a hanbok EDM DJ party near Gwanghallu Pavilion, a regional landmark. Additionally, the city will showcase its new brand of makgeolli, or Korean traditional rice wine, in collaboration with star chef Paik Jong-won during the festival. The city plans to improve amenities for tourists, such as English signboards and menus, to cater to foreign visitors, and will set up a hanbok rental booth during the festival to encourage them to participate in Korean culture. Koreas rural areas are going through a demographic crisis and multiculturalism is the key to our survival. This will be the first of many years to make Chunhyang Festival global and the city plans to help stimulate the regional economy through the event, Choi said. Namwon has a population of 76,479 as of February and some 31 percent of them are aged over 65. Parties go all out to woo voters as election day nears North Korea has engaged in "malicious" cyberactivities to generate about half of its foreign currency revenue and bankroll its weapons programs, a report by a U.N. panel of experts showed Wednesday. Pyongyang also funds 40 percent of its weapons of mass destruction (WMD) programs through "illicit cybermeans," the report said, noting it is investigating 58 suspected cyberattacks by the North on crypto-related firms from 2017-23, which are valued at roughly $3 billion. The panel under the U.N. Security Council (UNSC) sanctions committee on the North released a final report on its research from July 2023 through January based on open-source materials, information from U.N. member countries and other sources. It stressed that during its reporting period, North Korean cyberthreat actors continued targeting the virtual asset industry in an effort to evade U.N. sanctions and generate revenue. "The malicious cyberactivities of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) generate approximately 50 percent of its foreign currency income and are used to fund its weapons programs," the panel said, citing information from "one member state." DPRK is short for the North's official name. "A second member state reported that 40 percent of the weapons of mass destruction programs of the DPRK are funded by illicit cybermeans," it added. The panel is investigating 17 cryptocurrency heists last year, for which the North may be responsible, valued at more than $750 million, the report said. It is further looking into a total of 58 suspected cyberattacks on crypto-linked firms between 2017 and 2023 that are valued at approximately $3 billion. "One cybercompany branded the DPRK the world's most prolific cyber-thief," the report said. Moreover, the panel underlined that while flouting UNSC sanctions, the North has been tripling down on its nuclear and missile programs. "It further developed nuclear weapons and produced nuclear fissile materials, although its last known nuclear test took place in 2017," the panel said. "The light water reactor appeared to be operational at the Yongbyon site, and activities at the Punggye-ri nuclear test site continued." In particular, the panel called attention to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi's remarks indicating activities under way that could lead to the production of more fissile materials used for nuclear bombs. "The director general of the IAEA stated on Nov. 22 that 'since mid-October 2023, a strong water outflow has been observed from the (light water reactor) cooling system. These observations are consistent with the commissioning of the 'light water reactor,'" the report said. It went on to say, "The director general of IAEA also stated that the light water reactor, 'like any nuclear reactor, can produce plutonium in its irradiated fuel.'" The panel also highlighted that the North continued to breach UNSC resolutions through its efforts to advance ballistic missile capabilities, such as launching missiles and satellite launchers, and commissioning a purported ballistic missile submarine. Based on its observations and information from member states, the panel assessed that the North has advanced its missile program in various areas, including reliability, maneuverability, precision, air bursts and mobile launcher manufacturing. (Yonhap) Daniel Zhang gestures as he speaks during a panel session on day two of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020. Alibaba Group 's former CEO Daniel Zhang will join Firstred Capital as managing partner, Firstred Capital said on Thursday, six months after he left the Chinese e-commerce giant. Zhang will join the fund to work with its founder Liu Xiaodan to "explore a new future for merger and acquisition funds," Firstred said in a post on its official WeChat account. The fund has offices in Beijing and Shanghai and its investments include pet healthcare and semiconductor testing companies. Zhang worked at Alibaba for 16 years, rising to hold the CEO and chairman titles before announcing in June he would step down from those positions to focus on the company's cloud business. However, in September he quit that role as well in a surprise move. A Russian troupe has performed the ballet "Sleeping Beauty" in Pyongyang, North Korea's state media reported Thursday, the latest in a series of growing exchanges between Pyongyang and Moscow following a rare summit of their leaders in September. The troupe for the Primorsky branch of the Mariinsky Theatre in Vladivostok put on the performance at the Mansudae Art Theater in Pyongyang the previous day, the North's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said. The troupe is part of a cultural delegation led by Russia's Vice Culture Minister Andrei Maluishev that arrived in Pyongyang on Monday. The KCNA quoted Russian officials, including Maluishev and Oleg Kozhemyako, the governor of the far eastern region of Primorsky Krai that borders North Korea, as saying that the performance was possible thanks to their leaders. North Korea and Russia have been deepening cooperation in a wide range of areas following the summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin last year. Earlier this week, Kim sent a congratulatory message to Putin on his reelection, claiming the summit brought a "historic" turning point in bilateral relations, and vowed to strengthen their ties. (Yonhap) Australia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense Richard Marles (L) and Britain's Secretary of State for Defence Grant Shapps hold a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra on March 21, 2024 Australia and the United Kingdom on Thursday signed a new defense and security cooperation agreement that makes it easier for their defense forces to operate together in each other's countries. Britain's Foreign Secretary David Cameron and Defense Secretary Grant Shapps were in Australia for annual talks on Friday with their counterparts in Adelaide, where local media have reported a British company is expected to be named as the contractor to build a nuclear submarine under the AUKUS agreement. The treaty signed on Thursday requires the two nations to consult in a contingency that affects the sovereignty and regional security of both countries. In Canberra, Australia's Defense Minister Richard Marles said it added a strategic dimension to one of Australia's oldest partnerships, noting the U.K. had a much bigger presence in the Indo-Pacific region than seen in a long time. Marles said Britain would contribute to a submarine rotational force in Australia, which would be made easier under the new treaty. The U.K. would also contribute to a Combined Intelligence Centre in Australia, within Australia's Defense Intelligence Organization, he said. US President Joe Biden speaks during an event to announce that his Administration has approved $1.2 billion in student debt cancellation for almost 153,000 borrowers at the Julian Dixon Library in Culver City, California, on February 21, 2024. The Biden administration announced Thursday it would forgive $5.8 billion in student debt for 77,700 borrowers through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. It also said President Joe Biden would email another 380,000 public service workers starting next week, notifying them that they're on track to have their debt canceled within two years. The U.S. Department of Education has routinely announced waves of loan forgiveness, as the Biden administration seeks to use its existing authority to leave people with less debt after the Supreme Court struck down its sweeping $400 billion loan forgiveness plan last June. The Biden administration has so far cleared the education debts of nearly 4 million people, totaling $143.6 billion in relief. "For too long, our nation's teachers, nurses, social workers, firefighters, and other public servants faced logistical troubles and trap doors when they tried to access the debt relief they were entitled to under the law," U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said in a statement about the latest round of forgiveness. More from Personal Finance: Millionaires may have hit their 2024 Social Security payroll tax limit 78% of near-retirees failed or barely passed a basic Social Security quiz Many Americans believe pensions are key to achieving the American Dream The PSLF program, signed into law by President George W. Bush in 2007, allows certain not-for-profit and government employees to have their federal student loans canceled after 10 years of on-time payments. In 2013, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau estimated that one-quarter of American workers may be eligible. However, the program had long been plagued by problems, making people who actually received the relief a rarity. Borrowers complained about confusing rules and misinformation from their servicers. The Biden administration has worked to fix those issues. Before Biden's fixes to PSLF, just around 7,000 borrowers had received debt relief through the over 15-year-old program, according to the administration. Since 2021, it said, 871,000 borrowers have now had their debt canceled under the program. The flags of China and Hong Kong displayed in rows. China's embassy hit back against U.S. criticism of Hong Kong's new national security law on Thursday, saying the U.S. should "respect China's sovereignty." Hong Kong lawmakers passed a new national security law on Tuesday which critics say grants the government more power to quash dissent. The law includes stringent penalties for a wide range of actions including "treason" and "insurrection" which are punishable by life imprisonment. Following the announcement, the U.S. State Department described the threats outlined in the law as "poorly defined and incredibly vague." "We believe that these kinds of actions have the potential to accelerate the closing of Hong Kong's once open society," spokesperson Vedant Patel said. China's embassy in the U.S. responded by saying that other countries should not interfere in its affairs. "Hong Kong is China's Hong Kong. Hong Kong affairs are purely China's internal affairs, which no country is in the position to point fingers at or interfere in," a spokesperson said on Wednesday. "We urge the U.S. side to respect China's sovereignty, adhere to the principles guiding the international law and the basic norms governing international relations, and immediately stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs which are China's internal affairs." Hong Kong's Legislative Council had introduced the bill known as Article 23 on March 8 and Chief Executive John Lee had urged to pass the law "as soon as possible" amid an "increasingly complex" geopolitics backdrop. Earlier this month, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the U.S. had been devising "new ways to suppress China," and its accusations against Beijing had reached an "unbelievable degree." "There is some progress in the China-U.S. bilateral relationship, but we have to point out that U.S. continues to persist with a wrong understanding of China," he said. CNBC's Evelyn Cheng and Clement Tan contributed to this story. As problems with the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid persist into the spring, harsh words are being directed at the U.S. Department of Education. Former top student loan official Wayne Johnson accused the Education Department of "malicious negligence" in a March 7 letter written to U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona and other senior officials and shared with CNBC. "Continuing to whitewash this evolving calamity with 'corporate style crises management PR' is extraordinarily irresponsible," wrote Johnson, who served as the chief operating officer of the Office of Federal Student Aid from 2017 until 2019 and is now running for Congress. "Each of you is personally and collectively responsible for what is manifesting to be a level of incredible harm inflicted upon students and schools," Johnson wrote. More from Personal Finance: FAFSA fiasco may cause drop in college enrollment, experts say Harvard is back on top as the ultimate 'dream' school More of the nation's top colleges roll out no-loan policies Johnson had a "brief" tenure as COO of FSA, a department spokesperson told CNBC of his correspondence, "during which time none of the changes he now talks about were successfully implemented." "We will also note that the FAFSA Simplification Act requires not just a new form but a complete overhaul of the formula and process for delivering financial aid to students," the department spokesman added. A separate group of Republican lawmakers also has requested a federal inquiry into the rollout and whether students were given sufficient information on the new process. To be sure, the overhaul was a "major" undertaking imposed by Congress without additional funding or resources, a senior Education Department official said on a January press call. "Our 'North Star' here is trying to make sure that students get the help they need for college." In August, the Bank of England increased interest rates for the 14th time in a row. European stocks closed at a fresh all-time high Thursday following the latest monetary policy decisions from the Bank of England and Swiss National Bank. The pan-European Stoxx 600 index jumped past the record set earlier this month to close at 509.95 points. Almost all sectors traded in the green, with technology stocks up 3.2% while utilities fell 0.39%. The Bank of England held interest rates as expected and U.K. stocks jumped as investors digested the details of the announcement, widely described as having a dovish tilt. London's FTSE 100 index ended the session 1.8% higher as the British pound fell against the U.S. dollar and U.K. government bond yields fell. It was the FTSE's best session since September of last year. The Swiss National Bank had earlier surprised the market with a decision to lower its main policy rate by 0.25 percentage points to 1.5%, saying inflation is likely to stay below 2% for the foreseeable future. Swiss bank stocks rose on the announcement. U.S. stocks climbed Thursday after the three major averages stateside closed at new records, following the U.S. Federal Reserve's latest policy meeting. The Fed reiterated expectations for three cuts to interest rates this year and kept borrowing costs unchanged at its two-day March policy meeting, which concluded Wednesday. In Asia-Pacific markets overnight, Japan stocks hit a fresh all-time high. WASHINGTON Billionaire 5-hour Energy entrepreneur Manoj Bhargava maintained allegedly undeclared bank accounts worth hundreds of millions of dollars at the Swiss bank Pictet, according to documents cited by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden, D-Ore., in a letter sent Wednesday to the bank's managing partner in Geneva. The letter, which seeks information as part of an ongoing committee investigation, did not name Bhargava, instead referring to him as "Person 1." But according to a source familiar with the investigation and documents reviewed by CNBC, Bhargava was the account holder at issue. Wyden says he has received documents about an alleged scheme to avoid U.S. taxes on a personal fortune largely built on the sale of the tiny bottles of highly caffeinated liquid at retail points of sale across the country. "According to records reviewed by the Committee, Person 1 has been a Pictet client for at least fifteen years," Wyden wrote. The letter said Person 1's account that CNBC's reporting linked to Bhargava received a deposit of $255 million in 2013, but the account was later zeroed out at the end of that year. Wyden laid out allegations that "the documents explicitly suggest" Person 1 transferred the funds to a Bahamas entity nominally owned by another person, identified as "Person 2." Yet despite the transfer, the funds allegedly remained under Bhargava's control. An attorney for Bhargava, Bryan C. Skarlatos, told CNBC he had no comment on the letter. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., conducts a news conference with members of the House Republican Conference in the Cannon building on March 6, 2024, the day before President Joe Biden's State of the Union address. House Speaker Mike Johnson on Thursday said he will invite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address a joint session of Congress. Johnson, R-La., also bashed Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer over his recent criticism of Netanyahu's handling of the war in Gaza against the terror group Hamas. "I would love to have him come in and address a joint session of Congress. We'll certainly extend that invitation" to Netanyahu, Johnson said on CNBC's "Squawk Box." "We're just trying to work out schedules on all this," he added. Johnson has been asked to speak at Israel's parliament, the Knesset. Schumer, in a response later Thursday, said he would welcome Netanyahu to speak. "Israel has no stronger ally than the United States and our relationship transcends any one president or any one Prime Minister," the New York Democrat said in a statement sent from his office. "I will always welcome the opportunity for the Prime Minister of Israel to speak to Congress in a bipartisan way," he said. One week earlier, Schumer denounced Netanyahu and called for Israel to hold an election to oust him. Schumer accused the prime minister of "allowing his political survival to take precedence over the best interests of Israel." CNBC's Investing in Space newsletter offers a view into the business of space exploration and privatization, delivered straight to your inbox. CNBC's Michael Sheetz reports and curates the latest news, investor updates and exclusive interviews on the most important companies reaching new heights. Sign up to receive future editions. Another year, another SpaceX market expansion. Earlier this week SpaceX President and COO Gwynne Shotwell announced the company will begin selling "space lasers" (known formally in the industry as Optical Inter-Satellite Links, or OISLs) to other companies, commercializing a product that it's been deploying for the last few years on its constellation of more than 5,000 Starlink satellites. "We are going to roll out a capability, we call it 'plug and plasers,'" Shotwell said at an industry conference. Selling its OISL terminals to other companies marks the latest scaling of SpaceX's products and services. What started out as a transportation company delivering satellites, cargo and crew to space on its rockets has since grown into a broader infrastructure venture with the addition of its rideshare, satellite communications and imagery, and hosted payloads businesses. But none of this is a surprise, argues Abhi Tripathi, former SpaceX director of the Commercial Crew and Cargo program and now a director at UC Berkeley's Space Sciences Lab. "There's nothing of all the services that you just described, that SpaceX hasn't already told you it was going to go after a long time ago," Tripathi told me this week. Starlink? Needed as a moneymaker to fund the path to Mars and then create the same type of communications network around that planet. Rideshare? Just "squeezing more spacecraft" onto their rockets. Hosted payloads and satellite imagery? Tacking on capabilities to its Starlink satellite platform. "Unlike many companies, they don't go chasing revenue. They tell you exactly what they're going to build and then they will maximize revenue from that thing, whatever it is that they built," Tripathi said. For the OISL market, Tripathi explained the decision of selling to other spacecraft operators who need a way to get their data back from orbit but want to do that as cheaply as possible rather than build new ground stations on Earth or wait to connect to existing ones. "They can say to a potential customer: "Hey, we have an internet backbone we just put up in space that's laser fast. I am going to lower your barrier to entry of joining and using my laser link network by providing you an [OISL] terminal that will allow you to share data," Tripathi said. But the OISL marketplace isn't exactly vacant. Mynaric is a pure-play space company that has been focused on building these space lasers, particularly winning contracts to supply defense contractors' satellites such as under the Pentagon's SDA program. I spoke to Mynaric CEO Mustafa Veziroglu for his take on SpaceX's entrance into the OISL market. He was unfazed, saying "we don't see them as competitors." "From our perspective, it's not something that I was surprised about it really ties into their strategy, which is they're not really looking to sell terminals for business, they're trying to connect to their constellation. To do that, you need compatible terminals," Veziroglu said. More broadly, Tripathi pointed to SpaceX's commercialization of its space laser business as an example of how startups should think about entering the industry, making the analogy that SpaceX is a railroad. "They are laying track. You could decide you want to get in the track-laying business, or you could decide what you want to put on that track. I always tell people, 'Don't fight to build another railroad. Try to make your product maximize use of the railroad,'" Tripathi said. Former U.S. President Donald Trump attends the Trump Organization civil fraud trial, in New York State Supreme Court in the Manhattan borough of New York City, October 25, 2023. A judge ordered Donald Trump's company Thursday to inform a court-appointed financial watchdog about any efforts to obtain an appeal bond. Judge Arthur Engoron's order came three days after Trump's lawyers in an appeals court filing said it has been "impossible" so far for the former president to get such a bond for a civil business fraud case he lost. Trump sought the bond to prevent New York Attorney General Letitia James as early as Monday collecting on a $454 million civil fraud judgment against him as he appeals the verdict in Manhattan Supreme Court. His lawyers have said that more than 30 surety companies rejected writing a bond for Trump because they would not accept real estate as collateral. Trump has asked the appeals court to pause the judgment from taking effect without having to secure a bond. That court has yet to rule on his request. In his order Thursday, Engoron told the Trump Organization it must tell its financial overseer, Barbara Jones, "in advance, of any efforts to secure surety bonds." Boxes of Wegovy made by Novo Nordisk are seen at a pharmacy in London, Britain March 8, 2024. Medicare can start covering certain weight loss drugs for the first time as long as they are approved for an added health benefit, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said Thursday. That opens the door for broader coverage of some highly popular weight loss medications such as Novo Nordisk 's Wegovy, which is now approved in the U.S. for heart health. Those treatments have skyrocketed in demand over the past year despite their hefty price tags and spotty insurance coverage. Under the new CMS guidance, Medicare Part D plans can cover obesity treatments that receive Food and Drug Administration approval for an additional health benefit. Medicare prescription drug plans administered by private insurers, known as Part D, currently cannot cover those drugs for weight loss alone. The agency's guidance means Medicare patients could soon get coverage for Wegovy, as long as they have obesity and a history of heart disease and are prescribed the treatment to reduce their risk of heart attacks and strokes. Earlier this month, the Food and Drug Administration approved Wegovy for that purpose. The guidance also will open the door to future coverage of other weight loss medications, many of which are being tested for additional health conditions. Drugmakers such as Novo Nordisk, which also makes the diabetes drug Ozempic, and Eli Lilly are studying their weight loss medicines as treatments for fatty liver disease, chronic kidney disease, sleep apnea and more. To be covered, those drugs would need to return late-stage trial results and then be submitted for FDA approval for those uses. Wegovy is part of a class of drugs called GLP-1s which mimic a hormone produced in the gut to suppress a person's appetite and help regulate blood sugar. Coverage for those treatments when used for weight loss is a mixed bag. Roughly 110 million American adults are living with obesity and approximately 50 million of them have insurance coverage for weight loss drugs, a spokesperson for Novo Nordisk said in a statement last week. Some of the nation's largest insurers, such as CVS Health's Aetna, also cover the treatments. But many employers don't. An October survey of more than 200 companies by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, or IFEBP, found only 27% provided coverage for GLP-1s for weight loss, compared with the 76% that covered those drugs for diabetes. Notably, 13% of employers indicated they were considering coverage for weight loss. A provision of a 2003 law established that Medicare Part D plans can't cover drugs used for weight loss, but the program does cover obesity screening, behavioral counseling and bariatric surgery. A group of bipartisan lawmakers have introduced legislation that would eliminate the provision, but its fate in Congress is far from certain. A CMS spokesperson told CNBC last week that Medicaid programs would be required to cover Wegovy specifically for its new cardiovascular use. By law, Medicaid must cover nearly all FDA-approved medications, but weight loss treatments are among a small group of drugs that can be excluded from coverage. Around 1 in 5 state Medicaid programs currently cover GLP-1 drugs for weight loss. A son of a South Korean missionary detained in North Korea has urged the international community to press the North to repatriate his father and other detainees, saying families should no longer fall victim to such an inhumane act, the unification ministry said Thursday. Choi Jin-young, the son of Choi Chun-gil, made the call as he visited Geneva this week to muster international support on the issue of abductees in North Korea on the occasion of an ongoing session of the U.N. Human Rights Council, the ministry in charge of inter-Korean affairs said. Choi is one of six South Koreans currently detained in the North for years, including two other missionaries Kim Jung-wook and Kim Kook-kie with their whereabouts or fates unknown. During a session organized by the South Korean permanent mission in Geneva on Tuesday, the younger Choi urged the international community to work together to prevent families from being forcefully separated, mentioning cases including that of Otto Warmbier, a U.S. college student who died in 2017 shortly after being released from a yearlong detention in the North. He then met with Elizabeth Salmon, the U.N. special rapporteur for North Korean human rights, to share the suffering of the families of detainees and handed her letters from himself and the wife of detained missionary Kim Kook-kie, the ministry said. Accompanied by Lee Shin-wha, South Korea's ambassador-at-large for international cooperation on North Korean human rights, Choi met with her U.S. counterpart, Julie Turner, to highlight the importance of cooperation with the U.S. and Japan on the abductee issue, it added. Choi also met with officials from the human rights organizations Global Rights Compliance and Christian Solidarity Worldwide to discuss means to ensure the minimum level of rights for detainees. The ministry earlier said the government plans to seek international cooperation with the United States, Japan and Canada to help resolve the abductee issue, as those nations saw some of their nationals fall victim to Pyongyang's inhumane act. The conservative government of Yoon Suk Yeol views the issue of South Korean abductees and detainees as a pressing humanitarian matter, saying it is a violation of human rights against South Korean nationals. (Yonhap) Every weekday, the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer releases the Homestretch an actionable afternoon update, just in time for the last hour of trading on Wall Street. (We're no longer recording the audio, so we can get this new written feature to members as quickly as possible.) Setting records: The market hit new highs Thursday thanks in part to continued bullishness about how artificial intelligence is driving a wave of spending in semiconductor chips and other technologies. "The semis are reacting to the incredible comments from Micron CEO Sanjay Mehrotra about how business for his high-end chips is so strong that he is already on allocation," Jim Cramer said. "That means strength for Nvidia and Broadcom but also hyper scalers like Amazon , Meta Platforms , Alphabet , and Microsoft (and Synopsys , which I visited with in California this week and is amazing.)" Wait on Apple: Even though the broader market strengthened throughout the day, it did so without the help of Apple . Shares of the iPhone maker fell after the Justice Department sued the company on accusations it violated antitrust law . "Let's be clear, they are going to sell Apple all day," Jim said. "You do not get a turn in the stock. You have to let them sell. It might finish at the low. " Then the technicians will have you sell it tomorrow. This is how Apple trades. But the Justice Department did this with Google and now you can't even see where their lawsuit was filed when you look at the chart." In October 2020, the DOJ filed an antitrust lawsuit against Google over its search practices. In January 2023, the DOJ filed a suit against Google claiming anticompetitive auction manipulation of its digital advertising technology products . "Do not buy Apple today. Let them finish selling," Cramer added. More IPOs to come?: The IPO market is finally starting to heat up. Wednesday saw plenty of enthusiasm for Astera Labs , and that stock is continuing its gains. Reddit appears to be an early success as well based on its IPO price of $34 a share and first trade at $47. Morgan Stanley was the lead underwriter for both IPOs and our story from earlier talks about the flywheel impact a healthy IPO market has on the rest of Morgan Stanley's businesses. "Morgan Stanley is the biggest beneficiary of the hot IPO market. The stock is still very cheap," Cramer said. Big beat on existing home sales : 4.38 million vs. 3.95 million expected, up 9.5% month over month in February, the largest gain in a year. We bring this up because the existing homes market is a key proxy for Stanley Black & Decker tools business. The concept is simple. New homes don't need to be remodeled and fixed up, but older homes do. A homeowner is more likely to put money into their house after they buy it. Mortgage rates still need to come down to get this market going again, but this number was a step in the right direction. SWK shares are up roughly 3% Thursday, extending its week-to-date gains to more than 8%. Other items: "I am seeing weakness in many of the consumer product stocks but not Procter & Gamble . When the smoke clears, that means PG goes higher," Jim said. The consumer staples sector was one of the laggards in the market Thursday. This underperformance was likely due to the Fed's comments Wednesday that it is still penciling in three rate cuts this year, as well as preference for semiconductors and the AI trade amid bullish comments from Micron. "Watching retailers that aren't nearly as good as TJX going higher," Jim said. "Is it time to circle back to this high-quality retailer after good Ollie's quarter?" Big earnings night plus a key interview: With the Fed out of the picture, there is greater attention on earnings. Thursday is a big one, with Nike , Lululemon , and FedEx all scheduled to report. Also, Cramer is sitting down with Palo Alto Networks CEO Nikesh Arora on "Mad Money." "Will Nikesh come out swinging tonight? I think he will." (See here for a full list of the stocks in Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust.) 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. US Attorney General Merrick Garland announces an antitrust lawsuit against Apple, at the Justice Department in Washington, DC, on March 21, 2024. Mandel Ngan | AFP | Getty Images Palo Alto Networks CEO Nikesh Arora told CNBC's Jim Cramer why the cybersecurity company is partnering with companies involved with artificial intelligence like Nvidia , saying hackers are using the new technology to carry out attacks. "We have to protect our customers from anything that bad actors use these AI platforms for," he said. "And that's going to be a big deal." Bad actors are already using AI to attack people faster than they have in the past, Arora said, adding it's important that AI is embedded in Palo Alto's products. He said AI is going to be "transformative." Besides Nvidia, the the company is working with Google, Amazon Web Services and Open AI. Arora also mentioned that Palo Alto is now working with Change Healthcare, a subsidiary of UnitedHealth , which suffered a cyberattack about a month ago. Change Healthcare manages many administrative tasks across the U.S. health-care system. The breach caused serious disruptions, with doctors blocked from filling prescriptions electronically and providers unable to receive reimbursement from insurers. "I want to make Change Healthcare look like the example of what great looks like, because we think we all deserve that, especially as it relates to our health-care industry there is no risk that can be taken in that regard," Arora said. "I think the health-care industry is on alert, making sure that everything gets up to snuff as quickly as possible." The Reddit mascot Snoo is seen on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange as Reddit begins trading in New York, on March 21, 2024. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says he has no equity in the $80 billion artificial intelligence startup he co-founded in 2015. His Reddit ownership is another matter altogether. Following Reddit's stock market debut on Thursday, Altman's stake in the social media site ballooned by $200 million to over $613 million. Shares of the 19-year-old company jumped 48% in New York Stock Exchange trading to close at $50.44. Altman, 38, is among the biggest Reddit shareholders, with control of 7.6% of outstanding shares after the offering, according to the company's prospectus. That's behind only Conde Nast parent Advance Magazine Publishers and Chinese internet giant Tencent . Like other insiders, Altman is restricted from selling Reddit shares for six months during the so-called lockup period. Altman declined to comment. Prior to the emergence of OpenAI in recent years, due most notably to the popularity of its ChatGPT chatbot, Altman was best known as a startup investor and as the president of Y Combinator, a position he exited in 2019. Altman's investment portfolio includes past or present stakes in Airbnb , Uber , Instacart , Stripe and Asana . Reddit was one of his top bets. He was even on the company's board until around January 2022, when the company said he'd recently stepped down. In 2014, Altman led Reddit's $50 million Series B funding round, after using the service every day for nine years, he wrote in a blog post. He called the website "an example of something that started out looking like a silly toy for wasting time and has become something very interesting." In 2021, as the tech market was booming, Altman invested a combined $60 million in Reddit over two financing rounds. Those investments have yet to bear much fruit as Reddit's valuation, even after Thursday's rally, is below its private market peak. Reddit's filing shows Altman invested $50 million at $42.47 per share and $10 million at $61.79 per share. However, the money he pumped in a decade ago has multiplied many-fold. That's helped take the pressure off Altman when it comes to profiting from OpenAI, where his tenure has been controversial for other reasons. Late last year, Altman was briefly fired by the OpenAI board, which said it had lost confidence in his leadership. He was brought back days later after immense pressure built up from employees and investors. Earlier this month, OpenAI said Altman will rejoin its board following the conclusion of an internal investigation by U.S. law firm WilmerHale into the events leading up to his ouster. Altman told U.S. senators in a hearing last May that he's not in his current gig for the money. Filings show he made about $73,500 in total compensation in 2022. "I'm paid enough for health insurance, I have no equity in OpenAI," Altman said, when asked by Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., if he makes a lot of money in his job. "I'm doing this because I love it." CNBC's Jonathan Vanian and Jordan Novet contributed to this report The Federal Communications Commission said Wednesday that it is investigating Amazon and other retailers for the alleged marketing and selling of unlawful electronic devices, including radio frequency jammers. The Federal Communications Commission said Wednesday that it is investigating Amazon and other retailers for the alleged marketing and selling of unlawful electronic devices, including radio frequency jammers. The FCC does not always disclose ongoing investigations. It did so in a statement to NBC News after the news organization reported that some retailers and drone technology companies were marketing jammers online, despite FCC warnings that jammers are illegal. "We have several ongoing investigations into retailers, including Amazon, for potential violations of Commission rules related to the marketing and sale of equipment without proper FCC authorization," FCC spokesperson Jonathan Uriarte said in the statement. He said he had no further details to share immediately. NBC News reported earlier Wednesday that a variety of companies were marketing signal jammers online. They included Amazon third-party sellers, separate online stores based in China and small domestic companies that specialize in drone-related equipment. Amazon did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday regarding the FCC's statement about its investigations. Jammers have many possible uses, including to keep away unwelcome drones, disable security cameras and block Wi-Fi networks. But they can also interfere with emergency communications, normal phone use and critical infrastructure such as airport navigation systems, according to the FCC and outside experts. The FCC says the manufacture, importation, sale or offer for sale of jamming equipment violates the Communications Act of 1934. Not even local police are allowed to use them. NBC News found nine independent sellers on Amazon recently offering "jammer" devices for sale. All nine product listings disappeared from Amazon within two days after NBC News contacted the Seattle-based retailer. Amazon confirmed in an email earlier this month that its policies prohibit jamming devices and said it continuously monitors its marketplace to prevent third-party sellers from listing banned products. Amazon did not offer an explanation for how the nine sellers got past the company's monitoring. Firefighters try to extinguish the fire after a fire broke out residential buildings and conduct search and rescue operations after Russian attacks in Kyiv, Ukraine on March 21, 2024. As a result of Russia's attacks on the capital Kyiv, explosions occurred in Podilsk, Shevchenkiv and Sviatoshyn districts. As a result of the attack, residential areas, warehouses and a substation caught fire in the Podilsk region. 177 firefighters and 38 vehicles were used to extinguish the fires in the region. According to preliminary information, 12 people, including 1 child, were injured as a result of the attack, while 79 people were evacuated from the damaged areas. Ukraine's capital Kyiv has experienced one of the largest Russian strikes on the city in weeks, with city officials stating that at least 13 people were injured in a drone and missile attack Thursday morning. "Kyiv has not experienced such a powerful attack since spring," Serhiy Popko, head of the Kyiv regional military administration said on Telegram. "The enemy launched a massive, combined attack using drones and missiles." He said that more than 20 Russian missiles and drones were destroyed by air defense forces, the falling debris causing damage to property and buildings in the city. "Unfortunately, people died," Popko said, without providing further detail. The Vietnamese Communist Party has accepted the resignation of President Vo Van Thuong, the government said on Wednesday, in a sign of political turmoil that could hurt foreign investors' confidence in the country. The Vietnamese Communist Party has accepted the resignation of President Vo Van Thuong, the government said on Wednesday, in a sign of political turmoil that could hurt foreign investors' confidence in the country. The government said in a statement that Thuong had violated party rules, adding that those "shortcomings had negatively impacted public opinion, affecting the reputation of the Party, State and him personally". The Central Party Committee, a top decision-making body in Communist Party-ruled Vietnam, approved Thuong's resignation just about a year after his election. The president holds a largely ceremonial role but is one of the top four political positions in the Southeast Asian nation. Calls to the presidential office on Wednesday went unanswered. The committee's meeting preceded an extraordinary session of Vietnam's rubber-stamping parliament scheduled on Thursday, when deputies are expected to confirm the party's decisions. The government statement did not elaborate on Thuong's shortcomings, but major leadership changes in the one-party state have recently been all linked to the wide-ranging "blazing furnace" anti-bribery campaign. It is aimed at stamping out widespread corruption but is also suspected by critics to be a tool for political infighting. Foreign investors and diplomats have repeatedly blamed the campaign for slowing down decisions in a country which is already grappling with cumbersome bureaucracy. Thuong, 53, quit days after Vietnamese police announced the arrest for alleged corruption a decade ago of a former head of central Vietnam's Quang Ngai province, who served while Thuong was party chief there. He had also been a senior party official of economic hub Ho Chi Minh City, which has been rocked by a multi-billion-dollar long-running financial scam, for which a large trial is currently underway. Thuong was widely regarded as being close to ageing General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, Vietnam's most powerful figure and the main architect of the anti-graft campaign. Attorney General Merrick Garland and other U.S. Department of Justice officials briefed reporters on Thursday about their decision to file an antitrust lawsuit against Apple . The Justice Department and 16 attorneys general filed the highly anticipated suit on Thursday, alleging that Apple's iPhone ecosystem is a monopoly and that its anti-competitive practices extend to the company's Apple Watch, advertising, browser, FaceTime and news offerings. Garland was joined at Thursday's press conference by Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, Acting Associate Attorney General Benjamin Mizer, Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter of the antitrust division and New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin. The lawsuit is the Justice Department's third case against Apple. It previously sued the tech giant over e-book prices and an alleged collusion scheme to depress salaries. Subscribe to CNBC on YouTube. A new class of highly effective weight loss medications could deal a blow to several major Swiss food companies while benefiting others, according to Vontobel. The drugs, which imitate the effects of the GLP-1 hormone to reduce appetite and calorie intake dramatically, are showing remarkable efficacy in clinical trials. As a result, patients lose up to 25% of their body weight on average. Despite the high cost, the investment bank estimates that the demand for these drugs will grow 25% compounded annually over the next three to four years. "GLP-1 users report significantly lower hunger and food cravings, as well as a sensitive stomach," said Arben Hasanaj, equity analyst at Vontobel, in a note to clients on March 20. "Therefore, the most affected categories are snacks/confectionary, 'fast food', frozen packaged foods, ice cream, soft drinks & alcohol and, to a lesser extent, (red) meat, pasta, and coffee." Potential losers That spells potential trouble for Swiss conglomerates with significant exposures to those categories, like baked goods maker Aryzta and chocolate giant Barry Callebaut , according to Vontobel. Both stocks are traded in the U.S. over the counter. The Swiss investment bank estimated that the annual mid-term growth of those two companies could fall by 20 to 40 basis points if the obesity drugs gain widespread adoption. "Companies exposed to the mentioned categories and present in high-obesity countries (US, Europe) are more likely to see negative effects," the Vontobel analyst said. "Therefore, we see a medium impact" for both Swiss companies, Hasanaj added. Vontobel expects shares of Aryzta and Barry Callebaut to be relatively flat over the next 12 months. However, other analysts disagree. For instance, Stifel analyst Pascal Boll's bullish price targets point to a 37% upside potential for Aryzta. Meanwhile, Berenberg analyst Samantha Darbyshire expects Barry Callebaut to rise by 45% over the next 12 months. Potential beneficiaries Vontobel also pointed out that not all packaged food companies will likely lose out as the new weight loss drugs are adopted more widely. In contrast, Nestle and ingredient maker Givaudan could see a limited or positive impact, as they have diverse product portfolios that include many healthy offerings, Vontobel said. The two stock are also traded in the U.S. over the counter. "Diversified Nestle & Givaudan (both Buy) should be less affected as they can also contribute to this health trend," the Vontobel analyst said. Instead, companies with a "narrow focus on exposed categories" are likely to feel the impact of the weight loss drugs on their bottom line. many months" to get certain regulatory approvals from other international regulatory bodies but the airline is hoping to get international permissions for starting operations to Riyadh and Jeddah soon. "Expecting to launch ops to Riyadh and Jeddah in the latter half of summers," Dube said. Akasa Air, one of India's latest commercial airlines, is all set to commence its international operations on March 28. Akasa will debut on the international route by starting direct flights to Doha in Qatar from Mumbai.Speaking exclusively to CNBC-TV18, founder and CEO Vinay Dube said Akasa has "broken all records" by launching international operations within 19 months of starting operations."Akasa is the most customer-centric airline in the country. We are the most punctual airline as per Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) data. As long as we continue to be customer-centric, there will be no problem in creating a name for us even in a crowded market," Dube said.Akasa has also won bilateral rights to start operations to Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. However, the airline has yet to announce when flights on these routes will begin. The CEO said it takes "Though the airline is att set for its international flight, the CEO said Akasa has not yet set any targets for generating revenue. "We have a lot of ambition for international operations. We have capable aircraft in the fleet that can fly to East Africa, Hong Kong, Indonesia, parts of China, and various CIS countries," Dube said. The CIS or Commonwealth of Independent States consists of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russian Federation, and Tajikistan.Showing confidence, Dube said international travel in India is expected to grow much faster than domestic travel. "We will add many international destinations in the upcoming financial year."The airline is not exploring codeshare agreements at the moment and believes India can generate international traffic on its own.When asked about the pilot shortage and new FDTL (Flight Duty Time Limitation) norms , Dube reiterated a point made earlier to CNBC-TV18 that the airline has no shortage of pilots. "We have over 700 pilots. We are extremely pleased with the way we've been able to attract and retain pilots. Akasa is ahead of every regulatory requirement. We'll find a way to work out with the new FDTL norms."On the financial front, Dube said, "We can't give guidance on revenue; being a Private Limited company, that's one of the advantages you get. However, Akasa is in an extremely strong position from a cash perspective. Akasa has built a rock-solid foundation on the business model and cash. We expect to end FY24 on a growth trajectory that no one in the history of global aviation has ever seen. We will also end FY24 as India's most on-time airline."In January, Akasa Air became the first airline to place a triple-digit order of aircraft on Indian soil at the WINGS India 2024. Akasa placed an order for 150 MAX aircraft with Boeing."Delivery from Boeing in FY25 to meet our expectations and will allow us to grow as per plan. Expecting a lot of growth, and more international flights in FY25. Will further elevate the passenger experience with more amenities. All new Akasa aircraft will come with USB Type-C charging ports."Dube did not reveal specific plans for future domestic destinations. However, he said that the airline is planning to expand to more domestic routes and will also add more frequencies to existing cities.On the concerns around manufacturing practices at Boeing, Dube said: "As airlines improve and increase focus on safety every day, we expect Boeing or Airbus or any other manufacturer to continue to redouble their efforts on safety. The incidents that we have seen with Boeing are on aircraft that are not in Akasa's fleet. Aircraft selected by Akasa are very standard and not modified. We hope that Boeing and FAA will continue to raise the safety bar which will be a good thing for everyone." Guan Chong Bhd.,one of the worlds biggest cocoa processors, is scouting for beans worldwide as bad weather and disease pummeling crops in top West African growers send prices to a record.The Kuala Lumpur-listed company is looking to procure cocoa from countries such as Ecuador, Peru and Indonesia all minor growers and paying premiums to book their beans. Thats due to worries that some sellers in heavyweights like Ivory Coast and Ghana may default on supply contracts.Everybody is panicking, Brandon Tay Hoe Lian, chief executive officer of the firm, said in an interview in Kuala Lumpur. Prices are going higher every day, but the beans are not coming, he said. We not only have to fight for beans, were also paying premiums.The world is heading for a third year of supply deficit because of poor harvests in major growers. The shortages, which coincide with rising seasonal demand for chocolate, have sent futures to an all-time high. Cocoa has seen wild price swings and huge premiums for near-term supplies.Guan Chongs factories are still running and it is comfortably and sufficiently covered for the rest of the year, Tay said. But its continuously checking with suppliers to ensure deliveries, and also looking for more beans to avoid situations like contract defaults, he said.Grinders are forking out huge premiums to secure beans to prevent any plant closures, he said. These spreads are now reaching to about $400 a ton in Ecuador and Peru, and at least $500 in Indonesia. In Ivory Coast, buyers are paying as much as 2,000 ($2,542) extra, he said.The company sells products like cocoa powder and butter, which give chocolate its smooth taste and texture. But the global shortfalls of beans mean its starting to limit sales.We are quite skeptical about selling a lot because were worried whether the beans will be delivered, Tay said. I rather sell the minimum, just in case, as long as my cashflows are healthy. I dont want to commit to something that I cannot deliver.The most-active cocoa contract in New York has doubled this year and touched $8,493 a ton this week, the highest on record. The rally isnt over, Tay said. Theres a lot more room to go higher.Citi Research analysts said that prices could reach as high as $10,000 a ton and remain elevated until the second half of 2025. BMI hiked its average price forecast last week for ICE-listed second-month futures by 60% to $6,000 a ton.Tay said that he had not seen such frantic trading and supply problems in his three-decade long career in the cocoa industry. The company has increased hedging in futures and options to mitigate risks.People say we shouldnt panic, Tay said. But the reality is we dont see beans coming. When we ask people for supply, they tell us to wait.Guan Chong, which began as a family business in early 1980s in the southern state of Johor, has processing facilities in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Ivory Coast with a combined annual processing capacity of 3,50,000 tons. Its the worlds biggest grinder after Barry Callebaut AG, Cargill Inc. and Olam International Ltd. J-10 fighters take off in formation China Military Online) 10:24, March 21, 2024 A pilot assigned to an aviation brigade with the air force under the PLA Southern Theater Command climbs into the cockpit of his J-10 fighter jet prior to a flight training exercise in early March, 2024. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Wang Guoyun) A J-10 fighter jet attached to an aviation brigade with the air force under the PLA Southern Theater Command soars into the air during a flight training exercise in early March, 2024. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Wang Guoyun) Two J-10 fighter jets attached to an aviation brigade with the air force under the PLA Southern Theater Command take off in formation during a flight training exercise in early March, 2024. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Wang Guoyun) (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) South Korea and the United States agreed to launch a working-level consultative body to tackle North Korea's illegal smuggling of refined oil, the foreign ministry said Thursday. Lee Jun-il, South Korea's deputy nuclear envoy, and U.S. Senior Official for North Korea Jung Pak agreed to step up the allies' bilateral cooperation with the launch of the body during their phone talks earlier in the day, according to the ministry. "Noting that North Korea continues to smuggle refined oil in violation of U.N. Security Council (UNSC) resolutions, the two sides agreed to bolster their cooperation a step further to block such efforts through the launch of the South Korea-U.S. consultative body," the ministry said. The two sides also expressed deep concerns over the North's continued military provocations and its "hostile policy and aggressive rhetoric" toward South Korea. Under UNSC sanctions, the North is banned from importing more than 500,000 barrels of refined petroleum products per year. In a report released early Thursday, the panel under the U.N. Security Council sanctions committee on the North estimated North Korean-flagged tankers would have delivered 1,523,381 barrels between Jan. 1 and Sept. 15 last year. Lee is currently serving as South Korea's chief nuclear negotiator after its top nuclear envoy, Kim Gunn, recently resigned to join the ruling People Power Party ahead of the April general elections. (Yonhap) At least two people were killed and 22 others injured when a suicide bomber rammed a vehicle laden with explosives against a convoy of the security forces in Pakistan's restive northwest region on Thursday, police said.The incident happened in the Dera Ismail Khan district of the country's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province when the security convoy was on the move from one part of the district to another."In the suicide blast, at least 2 people were killed and 22 others injured. The two deceased are believed to be from the Army. However, it is not confirmed yet," said a senior police officer.The injured have been shifted immediately to a nearby hospital.The security forces and the police have rushed to the site and blocked the main Tank-Dera Ismail Khan road for all kinds of traffic.An official of the Bomb Disposal Squad said "we are determining the quantity of the explosives used in the suicide hit".The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province is a very restive state and attacks on security forces occur very often.Last week, an armed group attacked a military post in northwestern Pakistan near the border with Afghanistan using a vehicle laden with explosives as well as suicide bombs, killing seven security force members.In December last year, a total of 23 soldiers were killed when militants linked to a Pakistani Taliban affiliate rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into a security forces' post in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close 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. South Korea should be able to engage in negotiations on defense cost-sharing with the United States under "favorable conditions," its top diplomat said Thursday, promising efforts to ensure the new deal will be reached at a reasonable level. Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul made the remarks as the allies are expected to soon launch the negotiations on determining Seoul's share of the costs for the upkeep of the 28,500-strong U.S. Forces Korea (USFK). The two countries announced their respective chief negotiators for the talks early this month. The previous negotiations drew attention as Washington, under the presidency of Donald Trump, demanded a hefty rise in Seoul's share of the burden, reportedly a fivefold increase to US$5 billion. "We have spent more than 2 percent of our GDP (gross domestic product) on defense, if you compare the U.S.' dissatisfaction with Europe," Cho said in an interview with Yonhap News TV. Cho was referring to how many of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member states are not keeping their promise to spend at least 2 percent of their annual GDP on defense. Trump used this point to pressure NATO allies to pay more. "Since we have spent more than 2 percent of our GDP, I believe we can engage in the negotiations on favorable conditions in terms of persuading the U.S.," he said. Cho said the government will engage in the negotiations at a reasonable level to achieve the goals of fostering stable conditions for the stationing of the USFK and strengthening the allies' combined defense posture, among others. In regard to the South Korean national detained in Russia for suspected espionage charges, Cho said "careful consultations are under way" with Moscow. "We are focusing on how we can effectively provide consular assistance," he said. On the controversial return of Ambassador to Australia Lee Jong-sup, Cho repeated the government's position that Lee came back home to attend a meeting of ambassadors to six countries, including Australia, to discuss defense cooperation, slated for early next week. Lee returned home Thursday only 11 days after he left to assume the job, amid criticism of his appointment and departure when he is subject to an investigation into a Marine's death. Speculation has been raised that the next week's meeting of the chiefs of the missions could have been organized to give Lee a pretext to return amid worsening voter sentiment ahead of the April 10 general elections, because there has been no precedent for the country holding such a meeting separately. (Yonhap) Taking notes is serious business, and having the right note-taking app for your Android device can make a world of difference in your ability to stay organized. That's because a good note-taking app doesn't just help you take notes; it also makes it easy to find what you've saved later, regardless of where you are or what type of device you're using at that point. But figuring out which note-taking app makes the most sense for you isn't always easy. The Google Play Store has an endless array of similar-seeming options, and what's ideal for one person may not be optimal for another. I've spent a ton of time exploring the most prominent contenders for note-taking on Android, and I've identified the apps that rise to the top in five core categories: A "best for most people" tier, with a happy-medium balance of features and usability. A "best fully featured" division, with a focus on apps that provide a more robust set of functions for those who need it. A "best flexible" recommendation, with an app that goes beyond basic note-taking and offers endless malleability. A "best for voice memos" classification that focuses on spoken memos and the use of AI to summarize your thoughts. And a "best no-frills" class, for those seeking the utmost in simplicity. Here, section by section, are the best note-taking apps for Android. The best Android note-taking app for most people Google's note-taking app has come a long way since its awkward 2013 debut. These days, Keep is a well-rounded yet exceptionally intuitive offering with many compelling elements, particularly for anyone invested in the Google ecosystem (as many Android users tend to be). Simplicity is a key part of Keep's appeal because the reality is that most folks don't need a complex, multilayered note-taking tool with oodles of superfluous features. Most of us just want a simple and effective place to jot down thoughts, ideas, and lists in a way that'll make them effortless to access at a moment's notice. And that's precisely where Keep excels: Open the app and tap the plus icon in its lower-right corner or set up Keep's excellent Android widget on your home screen (by long-pressing any blank area of your home screen and selecting the "Widgets" option that appears) and you're off to the races. You can type using your onscreen keyboard, write using your finger or a stylus, speak (and then save both an audio file and a plain-text transcription of your ramblings), or snap a photo of a document or anything else and let Google pull the text out of the picture for you. Keep's main screen is a delightfully manageable collection of your most recent notes. Changing a note's position is as easy as dragging and dropping it or tapping a pin icon to ensure it stays at the top. You can color-code notes, if you want, and give them labels for subject-specific browsing. And, of course, you can use the search box at the top to quickly find notes by keywords both those included in your own text and those visible in any attached documents or images. JR Raphael / IDG Google Keep is easy to manage and easy on the eyes. Everything within Keep syncs automatically, without any configuration or manual action required. And you can get to your notes from pretty much anywhere, since Google provides near-identical interfaces for Keep on iOS and on the web. On that note, you can create a note-specific reminder within Keep on any device and then have it pop up on your phone at a specific date and time or even when you venture into a particular geographical location. That latter part is particularly useful and particularly significant, too, now that Google Assistant no longer supports location-based reminders for Android. JR Raphael / IDG Keep's time- and location-based reminders make sure you never forget an important note. And Keep works hand in hand with Google Docs as well: With a couple quick taps, you can send any note from Keep to Docs for more involved editing. The Docs website, meanwhile, lets you pull up your notes in its sidebar and send content in either direction. Factor in Keep's multiuser collaboration feature, which lets you share notes with others so they can edit them, and this simple-seeming app is actually chock-full of functionality. It may not have all the bells and whistles other products offer, but as long as it has everything you actually need in a note-taking app, its lack of clutter and complication can be a critical productivity feature. The best fully-featured Android note-taking app For some people, a note-taking app is more than just a searchable virtual notepad; it's a finely organized system with mountains of features and intricate options. Well, if you're someone who needs a little extra oomph in your note-taking hub, Microsoft OneNote is the Android note-taking app for you. OneNote does almost everything Keep can do and then some. In addition to the above-mentioned basics, the app features a notebook-based system for categorizing and organizing your memos. It lets you easily export any note as a PDF or plain text file so you can share it with someone else without requiring them to sign into the service. And it makes it easy to add both emails and web pages into your notebooks via a unique address for forwarding messages and a desktop-based browser Web Clipper extension for capturing content on your computer. Speaking of content, in addition to providing an account-wide search function, OneNote allows you to search within individual notes as you're editing them. And it has a bevy of advanced text-formatting tools for making your notes look any way your structure-loving heart desires. You can even combine regular typed-in text with finger- or stylus-made writing and markups in practically any arrangement imaginable. JR Raphael / IDG OneNote uses an unusual "canvas" system that lets you add bits of text and other visual elements into a note and then move them all around in any way you like. If you want something simpler, OneNote also allows you to create quick Post-It-like Sticky Notes within its main Home tab. These notes are as simple as can be, without any frills or complications, and they almost feel like a miniature, scaled-down version of the Keep experience within the OneNote framework. But they boast an advanced, if all-too-easy-to-overlook productivity power: Your Sticky Notes in the OneNote Android app are automatically synced with the Microsoft Sticky Notes app which allows you to view and edit the same notes on any Windows computer and even stick 'em to your computer's desktop. JR Raphael / IDG OneNote's Sticky Notes show up in the app's Home tab and quietly sync with the Sticky Notes app for Windows. OneNote is fully capable of working offline, and in addition to that purpose-specific bit of Sticky Notes syncing, everything you do in the app automatically syncs with OneNote on the web, on iOS, or in the dedicated Windows or Mac apps. And all of those apps, of course, integrate nicely with the rest of the Microsoft ecosystem a major plus if you're already invested in that universe. For all of its positives, the OneNote Android app does have some noteworthy downsides. First, given the service's complexity, it's just not as intuitive as Keep. Navigating through the app's layers of menus can get rather confusing, and its "canvas" system for formatting notes which lets you place text and other elements in individual, moveable boxes all throughout the screen can be a little overwhelming to wrap your head around. The phone app, rather surprisingly, also lacks some basic-seeming elements such as a built-in reminders system and, perhaps most vexing of all, access to OneNote's multiuser collaboration system and note-tagging system (both of which are available in OneNote's other editions). Still, if you can live with those compromises and want the extra bells and whistles Keep doesn't provide, OneNote offers an exceptional set of features and a polished experience along with a level of ecosystem integration you won't find in any other fully featured Android note-taking app. Most other serious contenders have even more compromises along with weaker ecosystems and a fair amount of clutter-creating and efficiency-reducing bloat and they often come at a not-insignificant cost, too, compared to OneNote's completely free nature. The best flexible Android note-taking app Notion (free with limitations) It's tough to know if it's technically a "note-taking app" or something else entirely, but our next entry absolutely deserves a spot in this list even if it does largely defy traditional categorization. The app in question is Notion, which is best described as an all-purpose organization, collaboration, and info-storing service. Notion essentially gives you a blank canvas in which you can create or import all sorts of information both simple and rich, and it has the potential to become an indispensable home for notes both personal and company-connected. Notion allows you to create an infinite number of pages, which are essentially starting points for storing any manner of information. With notes, specifically, you can think of each page as a malleable notebook that can morph into virtually any form imaginable a simple text list, a document-like collection of paragraphs, or even a column-based Kanban board with a series of cards (each of which is then its own page that can hold its own series of lists or native documents). JR Raphael / IDG Notion gives you powerful tools for both organizing and formatting notes and other information. You can create columns, insert collapsible headers, and format info in a dizzying variety of ways. You can even embed other types of online content, including PDFs, external documents, and entire web pages which Notion can import and then allow you to mark up and edit as if they were your own personal copies. JR Raphael / IDG Notion lets you import entire web pages into your notes and then annotate them in any way you want. Notion also makes it remarkably easy to create subpages and link existing pages together, which opens the door to a whole other level of note organization opportunities. Factor in the service's spectacular collaboration and sharing capabilities, and you've got a fascinating recipe for an advanced Android note experience like no other. The one catch is really just the complication: Because of its flexibility, Notion can be incredibly overwhelming to wrap your head around and figure out where to begin. If you take the time to think through how exactly it can work for you, though and you're okay with an unconventional approach to cross-platform note organization it can be a refreshingly powerful way to stay on top of things with your Android phone as well as any other devices you're using. (Notion's free plan is purely for individuals, by the way, and with some noteworthy restrictions in tow. If you're working within a team setup or just want the fully featured offering, without any limitations you'll likely be looking at a $96 per user per year price or possibly more for a bigger business environment.) The best Android note-taking app for AI-enhanced voice memos AudioPen (free with limitations) Like Notion, our next Android note-taking app falls into slightly murky terrain but for a very different reason: This one is a dedicated note-taking service, through and through; it just isn't an app you'll find in the Google Play Store, like most native Android offerings. That's because AudioPen is built as a progressive web app, which is a type of app that's browser-based and able to run on any device or platform. It looks and acts just like any other app, once you install it. And it absolutely works well on Android. It just isn't specific to Android. But that doesn't make it any less effective. The way AudioPen works is simple: The service records your spoken thoughts, then cleans up your rambling reflections and distills 'em down into neatly presented text summaries. All you do is talk, and AudioPen handles the rest. JR Raphael / IDG AudioPen records your spoken thoughts and then gives you organized summaries of everything you've said. The service will transform any meandering musings into a short, organized note for you up to three minutes per note for free users and 15 minutes for paying subscribers. You can always view the full text transcription, too, but it's the AI-powered summarization that sets AudioPen apart and makes it an exceptional part of any Android note-taking setup. The word "part" in that sentence is key: With its free version, you'll almost certainly end up using AudioPen alongside one of the other services in this list and relying on it mostly for its on-demand speech-to-text summarizing superpower letting AudioPen sum up your spoken thoughts, in other words, and then copying that info over into another app for future reference and discovery. If you want to go all in with AudioPen, though, the service offers a feature-packed $75-a-year (or $120 for two years) Prime subscription that gives you unlimited note storage, searching, and advanced organizational features like folders and tags. You'll get a bunch of other extras, too, such as the option to change the style in which your notes are written and to combine multiple notes into a single "SuperSummary." Whether you spring for that full package or simply lean on AudioPen for its summarizing smarts, it's well worth adding onto your home screen and keeping handy for the next time an out-loud-thinking note-capturing need arises. The best no-frills Android note-taking app The last official recommendation in our list is for anyone who wants a clean and minimalist space to take notes without any extras or unnecessary distractions. Simplenote lives up to its name and offers a refreshingly pared-down environment for writing and thought collection. The app, made by Automattic, the same company behind WordPress, presents you with a sparse list of text-based notes and a blank page for editing them no image or audio attaching, no formatting, no fuss whatsoever. JR Raphael / IDG From viewing notes to editing, Simplenote is as simple as it gets. Simplenote does have a handful of features beyond the absolute basics, including a simple system for tagging notes; an option for publishing notes to shareable URLs; and a slider for viewing a note's history and restoring old versions. And the app keeps your data synced and accessible across multiple platforms and devices, with versions available for Windows, macOS, iOS, Linux, and the web. Other than that, though, there's really not much to say about Simplenote and that, notably, is kinda the point. This story was originally published in December 2017 and most recently updated in March 2024. Dalkia Solutions Share your experience with this company Commercial and large-scale solar energy system installations plus HVAC services, refrigeration, LED lighting and battery sales. Serves the U.S. and some international areas. Financing options available. E2SOL LLC Share your experience with this company Residential, commercial, large-scale solar panel design, installation, maintenance plus smart home services and energy auditing. Products from Generac and SunPower. Serves Florida, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Ecojiva Share your experience with this company Commercial and utility-scale solar panel installations, energy monitoring and roofing services plus solar mounts and canopies. Serves the Northeast and the Midwest regions. Financing options and 25-year warranties available. GMI Solar Share your experience with this company Solar installations in nine U.S. states. Also offers solar tracking and solar monitoring. 25-year warranties on solar trackers and panels, 10-year warranties on inverters and five-year warranties on electronic components. GoGreenSolar Share your experience with this company Sells DIY solar kits throughout the U.S. Kits can be ground- or roof-mounted and include well-known brands like Enphase, Sol-Ark, IronRidge and SunSpark. Solar loans are available. Golden Gate Solar Tech Share your experience with this company Solar parts dealer and installer offering systems for homes, businesses, industrial buildings and cities. Also offers small specialty solar systems. Installations worldwide. Equipment from a variety of manufacturers. Green Wind and Solar Share your experience with this company Solar installer offering systems for homes and businesses. Also offers small solar for RVs and boats, as well as wind systems. Installs nationwide. Offers products from Enphase Energy, Kyocera, Schuco and Sharp. Hannah Solar Government Services Share your experience with this company Specializes in commercial, industrial, governmental and utility-scale solar. Performs large-scale engineering and contracting projects worldwide. Large-scale EV charging station design and implementation. J. Ranck Electric Share your experience with this company Commercial, institutional, municipal and utility-scale solar energy system installations. Also offers construction services, power distribution, communications infrastructure and transportation contracting throughout the U.S. Luminous Solar Share your experience with this company Specializes in commercial and residential solar installations. Finance with capital leases, operating leases or pay upfront. Offers 25-year manufacturer's warranties on products and variable-term workmanship warranties. Mortenson Construction Share your experience with this company Commercial and industrial solar installations, specializing in utility-scale installation. Carries JA Solar, LONGi, and SMA components. Founded in 1954. Service available nationwide. New Day Energy Share your experience with this company Residential and commercial solar energy system installations plus solar hot water heaters and carbon cleaning engines throughout New England. Product selection includes brands like Canadian Solar, Enphase, LG and Qcells. Novitium Energy Share your experience with this company Commercial solar installation and monitoring across the United States. Founded and headquartered in New Jersey. Finance through PPAs or loans. 25-year manufacturers warranty on panels. Been in business since 2009. Peck Electric Share your experience with this company Residential and commercial solar energy system installation as well as maintenance, monitoring and electrical services in the Northeast. Financing available through loans. Headquartered in Vermont and founded in 1972. Plugged Solar Share your experience with this company Offers several types of plug-and-play DIY solar kits for homeowners to install without additional labor costs. Shipping throughout the United States. All products come with a 30-day return policy and a minimum one-year warranty. RALCO Electric Share your experience with this company Residential and commercial solar energy system installations plus electrical services across Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Also offers home standby, RV and marine generators. Founded in 1986. Recon Roofing & Solar Share your experience with this company Residential and commercial solar energy system installation and roofing services for 31 states, including Idaho. Offers 25-year system and 10-year roof warranties. Free estimates available. Silver Sun Solar Share your experience with this company Residential, commercial and multifamily solar installations, solar water heating and solar pool heating in the eastern United States. Offers brands like Enphase Energy, SMA and SolarEdge. Finance with a loan. Simplex Solar Share your experience with this company Solar energy system and water heater installer serving 13 states and the District of Columbia. Manufactures some solar components. Financing available through loans or power purchase agreements. Six Star Solar Share your experience with this company Orlando-based solar installer servicing 24 states and Washington, D.C. Offers 25-year warranties on systems installations. Financing available through power purchase agreements. Offers American-made parts. Smart Roofs Energy Share your experience with this company Commercial solar energy system installation plus energy storage and EV charging across the U.S. Offers a 25-year warranty on solar array equipment. Finance with a solar loan, C-PACE loan, PPA or lease. Solar Flex Share your experience with this company Residential solar energy system installations, energy storage, solar monitoring and roofing services in 40 states nationwide. Offers brands like SunPower and Enphase Energy. 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SunLogic Power Share your experience with this company Residential and commercial solar energy system installations, energy storage, EV charging, roofing services and tree removal in nine states. Finance through a loan, solar lease or power purchase agreement. Synergy Smart Homes Share your experience with this company Residential and commercial solar installer serving Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Vermont. Products from Generac, SunPower and Tesla. 25-year warranties on panels, inverters, racking, power production and labor. Texas Solar Power Company Share your experience with this company Residential and commercial installation service available worldwide, including special custom projects. Uses components by Enphase Energy and SMA. Service inspections available to ensure system fidelity. The Sun Company Share your experience with this company Headquartered in Tucson, Arizona, and performing installations nationwide. Installs residential and commercial solar electric systems. Offers grid-tied, off-grid, battery storage and EV charging. Truly Solar Share your experience with this company Residential, commercial and agricultural installation and repair of solar energy systems plus energy storage and EV charging in 21 states and Washington, D.C. Offers production guarantees on systems. Finance with a PPA. Veregy Share your experience with this company Phoenix, Arizona-based solar installer specializing in residential, commercial and industrial solar installations. Offers services across the entire United States. Also installs EV chargers. Volition Share your experience with this company Energy management company offering commercial and residential solar design and installation worldwide. Headquarters in Lehi, Utah. Has completed more than 5,000 projects around the world. Wise Power Systems Share your experience with this company Solar installer serving homes in the mid-Atlantic region with solar power and water heating. Offers solar for businesses globally. Financing available through loans. Offers brands like OutBack Power, Sharp and Xantrex. Worldwide Energy Share your experience with this company Based in Kansas. Offers solar energy system installations to businesses across the United States. Founded in 2006. Provides lighting services as well as energy auditing services and assessments. Like stand-up comedy where every single thing is funny and doesn't waste your time? Follow Cracked Comedy Club on Instagram and YouTube for exactly that. Matt Stone and Trey Parkers South Park took on every major religion that deserved a poke in the eye, including Catholics and Muslims, but for years, they avoided Scientology even though it was just so fucking funny, Stone explained in the book Satiristas: Comedians, Contrarians, Raconteurs & Vulgarians. It wasnt that the guys were afraid of Scientologys army of attorneys. We were ignoring it, Stone said, just because Isaac Hayes, who played Chef, was a Scientologist. But finally, Parker joked, We decided, fuck him. South Park did its Scientology episode, one that was just on this side of legal. Scientology is known for taking people to court, so we had called Comedy Centrals lawyers, who said, Well, if you follow these guidelines, you can do it, Stone explained. And we did, but the way we do South Park is the reason that show got on the air. We do an episode in a week; if that show had sat on a shelf at Comedy Central, it would never have made it to air because they wouldve gotten cold feet. Understandably, Hayes wasnt pleased. He asked the guys to yank the episode, but Stone said, Isaac was a really nice guy. I think someone put him up to trying to make us pull it. Not surprisingly, Hayes discomfort paled in comparison to Tom Cruises, who was downright incensed. The first time that the Scientology episode was scheduled to rerun, Stone got a call from Comedy Central. The producers of Mission: Impossible III want the show pulled. We were, like, Tom Cruise? They said, THE PRODUCERS of Mission: Impossible III want the show pulled. Were gonna pull it tonight, and, uh, you guys cant say anything. Advertisement Advertisement Not saying anything wasnt really part of the Stone/Parker ethos, but they understood in this case, they didnt need to talk since everyone else would do it for them. Within hours, the South Park creators fielded calls from The New York Times, CNN and The OReilly Factor. The publicity did way more to boost Parker and Stones antagonistic bona fides than any rerun could have done. The best counterattack, they decided, was to fight Scientology with Scientology. See, the whole Scientology gig is that you have alien souls attached to your body, said Parker. And their Satan is named Xenu, said Stone. Were not making this shit up. So Parker and Stone released a press release with a simple statement: Ha ha, Scientology! Alien souls will be attached to your bodies forever, and you cannot save the human race. Hail Xenu! Praising Satan, er, Xenu, turned out to be much more effective than starting a fight, explained Stone, cause then youd get into a pissing war with Tom Cruise. And you dont wanna be covered in Tom Cruise piss, Parked added. The health ministry said Thursday it will begin suspending medical licenses of trainee doctors who have defied a return-to-work order from next week, as the government pushed ahead with its plan to hike the number of medical students. A monthlong walkout by trainee doctors in protest of the hike in medical school enrollment appeared to slide into a territory of little compromise as the government allocated Wednesday an additional 2,000 medical school admission seats to universities across the nation. The ministry has sent prior notices of license suspension to some 5,000 trainee doctors, and they are required to submit opinions over the punitive step by next Monday. After that, the ministry will be allowed to send formal notices of license suspension. "Starting next week, the government will take measures to suspend licenses under the principle regarding violation of the return-to-work order," Second Vice Health Minister Park Min-soo told reporters. "We urge junior doctors to return to their training hospitals, not only for the sake of patients, but for your colleagues who are filling in for your vacancies, and for yourselves who have chosen the career of medicine," Park said. About 90 percent of the 13,000 interns and resident doctors have remained off the job since Feb. 20, forcing surgeries and other public health services to be canceled or delayed at major hospitals. Park also cautioned that interns who fail to register in the training management system of hospitals by the end of this month will not be eligible to become residents next year. As junior doctors are also required to undergo additional training in the event of a gap exceeding one month, Park noted that the suspension of their licenses would have an adverse impact on their career path. The labor action by trainee doctors has shown signs of further escalating as medical professors have threatened to quit next week to support junior doctors. Bang Jae-seung, head of a group of medical school professors, hinted that the professors could sit down for talks with the government if punitive measures against junior doctors are lifted. "If the government lifts punitive measures imposed on junior doctors and makes a venue for dialogue, there is a possibility that professors could withdraw their resignations," Bang told media. The government has been pushing to sharply raise the number of medical students to brace for the country's fast-aging population, and a shortage of physicians in rural areas and essential areas, such as pediatrics and emergency departments. Doctors, on the other hand, say the quota hikes will undermine the quality of medical education and result in higher medical costs for patients. They have called for measures to first address the underpaid specialists and improve legal protection against excessive medical malpractice lawsuits. Meanwhile, a coalition of seven groups for critical patients, including the Korean Cancer Patients Rights Council, said it "can't just welcome" the government's allocation of new medical school slots because there were no measures to address a "vacuum" in medical services. "(The government's announcement) does not include any measures to respond to the damage of patients under critical conditions," the coalition said in a statement. (Yonhap) Whats the worst part of any amusement park trip? The crowds. Well, that and the heatstroke, but the latter is your fault for thinking an Icee was a viable form of hydration. As for the crowds, those arent something you can avoid, unless you want to walk around a bunch of closed roller coasters during a thunderstorm. What if, though, you visit an amusement park that no one ever goes to because its a terrifying, dirty, tetanus-filled nightmare where the whistling winds constantly have you checking for ghosts? Is it as good of a time as an amusement park with functioning electricity? Probably not. But the photo album from the trip is probably a lot more interesting (whoa, no way, thats what Disneyland looks like?) Here are eight shuttered theme parks to visit this summer, though it might not be legally or medically recommended 8 Six Flags New Orleans gonzo_vision When one of Americas premier cities is devastated by a natural disaster, including thousands of homes, its understandable that low on the list of priorities is the revitalization of a theme park. Which means that, post-Hurricane Katrina, Six Flags New Orleans is now just a Technicolor skeleton of the past on full display. The park, like much else in the area, flooded when the levees broke, and thousands of Dippin Dots were left to melt in the unwelcome water feature the park had become. The area is finally looking at redevelopment now, but thats less of a success story of the spirit of jazz and more a testament to the fact that wasted space that could be generating income will never abide in the modern world. Advertisement 7 Pripyat Amusement Park Pawel Szubert Its hard to top Katrina when it comes to crippling disasters, but Pripyat definitely has a hand worth staying in for. Thats because Pripyat, the unsurprising location of Pripyat Amusement Park, is close to a much more famous Soviet location: Chernobyl. As in, the site of the greatest nuclear disaster in history. The thing about nuclear disasters is, after theyve occurred, theres a lot more involved in making the area rehabitable than sweeping up the debris and patching up the buildings. Theres obviously the matter of everything around being soaked in radiation thats just looking for some flesh to melt. Advertisement Interestingly, the Pripyat Amusement Park never actually opened. It was all set to on May 1, 1986, but Chernobyl blew its top only a few days before on April 26th. 6 Bongoland Ebyabe Advertisement If you were interested in doing some sort of extreme, absolutely criminal prank on a friend of yours that involved giving them amnesia and having them wake up in an unfamiliar place? Bongoland in Port Orange, Florida, would be my number one vote for the place to do so. Theyd re-enter the living world in a strange, overgrown park filled with concrete dinosaurs, all dedicated to a baboon nicknamed Bongo. Thats how you break a human mind. Advertisement So what exactly is Bongoland? Unlike others on this list, no disaster was needed for Bongoland to fail: just general disinterest. It was a weird little DIY sort of amusement park built by a dermatologist named Perry Sperber, and never found success. The concrete dinosaurs that dotted the park, though, are still around amongst the overgrowth. 5 Ho Thuy Tien Waterpark Sketyl none Traditional amusement parks left to rot at least have one advantage: They are not, by design, filled with standing water. Waterparks are not so lucky, especially ones that are impossible or inconvenient to drain on closure. You now have a park designed for entertaining algae, even with the trunks-bleaching amount of chlorine you may have used to keep it from becoming one big case of ringworm. This is the fate of Ho Thuy Tien in Hue, Vietnam, which only enjoyed a couple years of sticky-fingered children playing before closing, and turning into a $3 million petri dish with a dragon on top. Advertisement Advertisement 4 Disney s River Country Coreyjune12 Its weird to see any Disney park show up on this list because theyre not a company that often fails. So its strange that theres a Disney-branded corpse still sitting in Orange County, Florida, by the name of Disneys River Country. It was Disney's first ever waterpark, and maybe they moved on to bigger and better things, deciding to leave it as a gift to swamp creatures who might like some time on the slides. It probably would have been used as the set of a dystopian film long ago if it wasnt also covered in copyrighted content owned by one of the countrys most litigious corporations. 3 Dunaujvarosi Vidampark Illustratedjc Good lord, even typing the name of this amusement park gave my fingers motion sickness. Based on that absolute barrage of vowels, you might be able to guess where its located: Hungary. Definitely one of the countries that really enjoys a good accent mark. The Vidampark, as Ill call it to avoid pulling a finger muscle, also boasts a fun detail related to its demise. It was a government-funded theme park, its swinging ships kept aloft by the coffers of the Soviet Union. When the Soviet Union fell, with it went this communist coaster kingdom. 2 Gulliver s Kingdom Public Domain In 1997, near Mt. Fuji in Japan, a theme park based on the 1726 novel Gullivers Travels by Jonathan Swift opened. It and youre not going to believe this wasnt a hit. It feels like every couple of years, somebody takes a big swing and says, Hey, remember Gulliver's Travels? And every time, the world says, no. This theme park was no exception, and closed four years later in 2001. In fact, the park itself might have legitimately become more of a landmark by closing and falling into disrepair, because that now means that there is a massive statue of a man left to slowly erode in the Japanese countryside. Cybersecurity is now a top priority for businesses in Singapore as IT and business leaders understand the financial and reputational damage that cyberattacks can inflict. However, relentless pressure from ever-evolving cyber attacks is leading to burnout among cybersecurity professionals. A recent Sophos report found that 88% of cybersecurity professionals in Singapore are impacted by cybersecurity burnout and fatigue. This is a real problem. This level of fatigue can lead to a decline in vigilance, creating openings for cybercriminals to exploit. In fact, 32% of respondents in the Sophos survey said burnout and fatigue make them less diligent in their roles with 23 per cent of respondents identifying this as contributing to a cybersecurity breach. The toll of cybersecurity burnout Cybersecurity professionals are under constant pressure to keep pace with an ever-increasing volume and sophistication of cyber threats. Even the best resourced teams are bombarded with alerts, struggle to keep up with the latest patches, and face the relentless pressure of preventing attacks that could cripple their organisations, with the associated threat of finger pointing if an attack does succeed. As a result, Singapore is seeing a rising rate of staff turnover in the cybersecurity sector an indicator that the never-ending workload is starting to become unsustainable for cybersecurity professionals. Meanwhile, employers are grappling with an industry talent shortage. Compounding the problem, some skilled professionals are leaving the field altogether despite strong salary and benefit packages. MSPs: the cavalry arrives Managed Service Providers (MSPs) have a golden opportunity to address the challenge of cybersecurity burnout. Not only is demand for cybersecurity services strong, its also profitable. The global managed security services market is expected to nearly double from US$36.05 billion to US$76.09 billion by 2028, with APAC being the fastest growing market, according to Mordor Intelligence. The opportunity for MSPs is to implement systems that can be applied across many organisations to manage cybersecurity workload efficiently. For example: Security monitoring and threat detection: MSPs can provide 24/7 monitoring of an organisations network for security threats, using their expertise and resources to investigate suspicious activity and potential threats. Security incident response: In the event of a cyberattack, an MSP can help an organisation to contain the breach, remediate the damage, and recover their systems. Patch management: MSPs can automate the process of patching vulnerabilities in an organisations systems. This helps to ensure that critical security updates are applied promptly. Security awareness training: MSPs can provide security awareness training to an organisations employees. This training can help employees to identify and avoid phishing scams and other social engineering attacks. Once MSP customers start leveraging the MSPs expertise, their internal IT security teams are freed up to focus on more strategic initiatives. The rise of the managed security services market The managed security services market is expected to experience significant growth in the coming years. The Asia Pacific region is expected to be the fastest growing market, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of more than 10% per year in Singapore. Why Sophos is the ideal partner for MSPs As a leader in the cybersecurity market, Sophos offers the portfolio, platform, and program for MSPs to build the cyber-confidence to grow their security practice. Importantly, Sophos has a channel-first approach and an understanding of the importance of profitable and sustainable business growth. With extensive experience working with MSPs, Sophos provides the tools, resources, and programs to help MPS grow their businesses and compete effectively. Sophos offers a comprehensive portfolio of security solutions that can be delivered through the MSP channel. These solutions include sophisticated endpoint protection against a wide range of cyber threats, including ransomware, malware, and zero-day attacks, a unified platform for managing security and managed threat response. Sophos helps MSPs boost profits with resources like marketing support, lead generation and co-branding tools, easing their entry into cybersecurity. By partnering with Sophos, MSPs can become trusted cybersecurity advisors to their customers, tooled with the security solutions and services they need to combat cybersecurity burnout and protect their valuable data. Grow your business with Sophos Learn more about building a thriving and profitable cybersecurity practice with Sophos MSP Connect Flex. Gov't urged to draw up measures to prevent top students from excessively flocking to medical school By Jun Ji-hye The Yoon Suk Yeol administration's plan to raise the number of medical students is stoking fears that an increasing number of top students may turn away from science and engineering-based courses and instead flock to medical schools. This concern has been made more probable due to the Yoon government's historic 15 percent cut to the nation's research and development (R&D) budget for this year, which researchers say is causing various setbacks in the science and technology sectors, such as job instability and disruptions to studies. At the end of last year, the contentious decision to reduce the 2024 national R&D budget by 4.6 trillion won ($3.5 billion) passed the National Assembly. The reduction marked the first R&D budget cut in 33 years. Like in many other countries, being a doctor guarantees a high income with no particular retirement age and is associated with honor and respect. Because of these advantages, many top students have been already aiming to be admitted to medical schools. The popularity of medical schools is expected to grow further, as the government decided to add 2,000 slots to the admission quota annually, starting next year. This decision will increase the admission quota for the country's 40 medical schools to 5,058. This accounts for about 93 percent of the quota for natural sciences departments of Seoul National University, Yonsei University and Korea University, which was set at 5,443 as of this year. The additional 2,000 seats surpass the number of new students admitted this year to four institutes of science and technology, including the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, which amounted to around 1,700. The increased placements at medical schools are expected to encourage students with higher grades to apply to medical schools rather than to science and engineering programs. This is because the chances of being admitted and becoming a doctor are getting higher, according to officials at private cram schools who analyze university entrance trends every year. "Expanding the medical school quota by 2,000 may encourage many students to think that it's worth trying, at a time when a doctor has been regarded as one of the most honorable professions," an official from Jongro Academy, one of Korea's major college preps, said. "We expect twice as many as students, whose grades are enough to be admitted to departments of science and engineering of top universities, to change their course and apply for medical schools." A number of people currently majoring in different subjects at universities or working in other fields are also expected to take the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) again to get into medical schools. CSAT is the national college entrance exam that takes place every November in Korea. The official noted that the growing popularity of medical schools will end up lowering the passing mark of other departments at major universities, including science and engineering. A professor of space engineering at a university in Seoul said that many top students have already opted to study medicine rather than science and engineering to become doctors. "The government needs to draw up policies to prevent top students from excessively flocking to medical schools, such as a measure to guarantee their career path," he said. Julia Blackwelder first noticed the sign on an otherwise pleasant day. Suzanne Carreker-Voigt passes the poster that reads [Expletive] Biden multiple times per week as she travels to the gym and grocery store. They are two of several area residents upset about a political sign disrupting life in Glenville. By Park Ki-jun I extend warmest congratulations to all the Pakistanis who live in Korea as you celebrate Pakistan Day. March 23 holds a significant place in the hearts of all Pakistanis, commemorating the Lahore Resolution of 1940, which laid the foundation for the creation of Pakistan. Embracing the core values of unity, faith and discipline inherent in Pakistan Day, I remain optimistic that Pakistan will continue to achieve remarkable progress in the years ahead. Pakistans abundant natural resources and youthful demographic offer a competitive edge for a promising future. Additionally, Pakistans rich tapestry of history, heritage and vibrant traditions has fostered the flourishing of diverse cultures. These combined human, material resources and cultural assets form a robust foundation for Pakistans ongoing development trajectory. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1983, Korea and Pakistan have been developing a deep bond of friendship and cooperation. Our collaboration spans various sectors, including trade, culture, people-to-people exchanges and development cooperation. As we celebrate Pakistan Day, I want to reaffirm our commitment to further strengthening ties between Korea and Pakistan, and exploring new avenues of cooperation towards a brighter future. On this significant day, I also want to congratulate the newly inaugurated government of Pakistan. May the spirit of Pakistan Day continue to guide the new government and Pakistani people towards continued success and prosperity. I wish you all a memorable and joyous Pakistan Day celebration. Park Ki-jun is ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. By Hassan Farid Strategically located at the crossroads of centuries-old trade and transport corridors, Pakistan is also a gateway to energy-rich Central Asia. Add its proximity to Gulf States and East Asia, and it forms a natural bridge, making it a marketplace teeming with possibilities. Sixty-four percent of Pakistans 240 million population is below the age of 30, which augurs well for long-term sustainable economic growth. And it is not just the numbers, we boast a workforce that is trained, hardworking and intelligent. Pakistan also possesses a large pool of well educated and experienced engineers, bankers, lawyers, IT and other professionals, many with substantial international experience. Pakistans Investment Policy in 2023 is designed to provide a comprehensive framework for creating a conducive business environment to attract foreign direct investment. With liberalization, deregulation, privatization and facilitation being the cornerstones, our policy trends have been consistent. Almost all sectors of the economy are open to investment and attractive incentives and liberal policies provide a competitive business environment for investors. The policy also provides assurances of basic rights of due process, enforcement of laws and contracts and provision of security. Foreign investors in any sector are allowed, at any time, to repatriate profits, dividends or any other funds. It also reinforces the commitment to security and safety of investments. Other critical issues of interest to a foreign investor, including fair and equitable treatment, access to national and international arbitration, and intellectual property protection are also covered in the policy. Additionally, the Special Economic Zones Law allows creation of industrial clusters with liberal incentives, infrastructure,and investor-facilitation services to enhance productivity, and reduce the cost of doing business. It envisages "After-Care" service for investors, and caters to the needs of global challenges of competitiveness. The size of Pakistans population, its agricultural output, its young IT savvy workforce and an increasing demand for goods and services make it a perfect country to invest in. Additionally, Pakistan could also be a gateway to huge markets in Central Asia, the Middle East and beyond. I therefore urge Korean companies to fully utilize the investment-friendly policies of the government to invest in Pakistan. They will be investing in their future. Hassan Farid is trade and investment counselor at the Embassy of Pakistan in Seoul. M&S Luxury Fruited Hot Cross Buns 1.85 for four Kirsten said Marks & Spencer's Luxury Fruited Hot Cross Buns were 'light and delicious' All you could want in a hot cross bun, it was light and not stodgy with delicious berries. Cant go wrong with these! - Kirsten Murray Rating: Tesco Finest St Clements Hot Cross Buns 1.60 for four Eleanor said Tesco's twist on hot cross bun was 'sensational' Tesco's twist on the hot cross bun is sensational! The addition of candied peel and extra fruit makes it like a normal hot cross bun, but better, and it's definitely more exciting. I will find it hard to see a regular hot cross bun in the same way now. - Eleanor Dye Rating: Morrison's Double Chocolate Orange 1.25 for four Luke gave the chocolate orange treat from Morrisons five stars They were so enticing, both in smell and appearance, that by the time the first bun had finished toasting I had already eaten the rest of the packet. When untoasted they had a delicious soft texture, despite me having left the pack open for much of the day. The toasted ones were also delectable but for a slightly different reason: the chocolate orange perfectly melts within the bun and tastes incredible. - Luke Whelan Rating: Tesco Finest Cheddar & Red Leicester Hot Cross Bun 1.65 for four Alanah thought Tesco's offering tasted like a 'cheesy roll' and could be use d for make sandwiches These were delicious. Perhaps not the best choice for those after a traditional hot cross bun, but luckily, I'm not one of them. It tasted like a cheesy roll and could even be used as a sandwich bread, but it still tasted great toasted with butter. I'd definitely add to my basket in the future. - Alanah Kholsa Rating: Tesco Finest Triple Chocolate Hot Cross Buns 1.25 for four Jo said the triple chocolate hot cross buns were 'filling, flavoursome and a great alternative to the fruity version' Traditionalists avert your eyes, there's a new bun in town that might well take the crown for the most delicious Easter treat this year. While this triple choc affair looks like a hot cross bun, it tastes nothing like one - the cocoa-laced dough and combination of milk and dark choc chips see to that. It's absolutely delicious though; we tried it toasted with a smidgen of butter and it was as if a pain au chocolate had happily collided with a teacake. Filling, flavoursome and a great alternative to the fruity versions. - Jo Tweedy Rating: Waitrose Richly Fruited Hot Cross Buns 1.85 for four Alanah thought these were a traditional hot cross bun, with extra sweetness The ideal hot cross bun for those with a sweet tooth. The fruit in the buns wasn't overpowering and provided the perfect balance in terms of taste and texture. For those looking for a traditional hot cross bun with added sweetness, these won't disappoint. - Alanah Kholsa Rating: Morrison's Mature Cheddar & Red Leicester 1.25 for four Bridie said these were delicious and tangy, with a strong flavour Delicious! Proper British cheese, fantastic strong taste in a soft bread. Nothing too overpowering, but tasty. I would buy again, and again, and again. Less than 32p a roll? What a bargain! - Bridie Pearson-Jones Rating: M&S Gluten-free 2.40 for four Rebekah thought M&S's gluten free option was sweet and springy M&S' delicious gluten-free hot cross buns definitely lived up to the brand's renowned quality. They boasted a sweet taste and springy dough, filled with mixed vine fruits, orange peel and ground spices. - Rebekah Absalom Rating: Waitrose No.1 4 Belgian Chocolate Hot Cross Buns Bridie said these are a chocoholics heaven 2.00 for four A chocoholic's heaven. Delicious and not overly sweet, you can tell these are made with dark chocolate. They tasted more like something you'd get in a Parisian bakery than a hot cross bun. Slightly stodgy, but in a good way. For extreme indulgence, add Nutella or another chocolate spread. When toasted, the chocolate chips melt into the bread which is another level of decadence. Although be warned, you might be left with chocolatey fingers - Bridie Pearson-Jones Rating: Asda Extra Special, Lemon & White Chocolate 1.40 for four Dan enjoyed the tartness of the lemon mixed with the sweetness of the white chocolate This was a very nice hot cross bun, with the tartness of the lemon balancing nicely with the white chocolate. When toasted, the melted chocolate really oozed too, and added to the flavour. - Dan Linstead Rating: Aldi Selected Banoffee Hot Cross Buns 1.25 for four Bridie thought these were creamy and delicious I thought these would be too sweet. But the mix the chunky pieces of fudge were offset by a creamy banana flavouring. A fun twist on a classic! Rating: M&S Extremely Caramely Hot Cross Buns 1.85 for four Kirsten said the bun itself was light and the caramel was nice and fudgy I had never had a caramel hot cross bun before so was intrigued to try this one out. It was a nice change, but I think I prefer the traditional. The bun itself was light and the caramel was nice and fudgy, but if you got a bit without caramel it was a bit plain. Would probably be best topped with chocolate or Biscoff spread. - Kirsten Murray Rating: Tesco Finest Apple & Cinnamon 1.60 for four Elmira said that 'apple and cinnamon is always going to be a winning combination' Apple and cinnamon is always going to be a winning combination and these didn't disappoint. The dough was perfect when toasted - slightly crusty on the outside but sticky and soft on the inside. The spice from the cinnamon was a great complement to the sweet sultanas and candied apple flavour, as well as the salty smothering of butter I put on top. My only qualm is that the flavour felt a touch too Christmassy - but still delightful! - Elmira Tanatarova Rating: M&S Extremely Cheesy .185 for four Bridie said M&S' offering was 'creamy, umani, delicious' Im not sure if you can call this a hot cross bun. It is a cheese roll with a cross on. That said, it is a delicious one. Extremely cheesy is an apt description, there was a strong taste of cheddar that lingers in the mouth beyond the final bite. Creamy, umani, delicious, I wish i could have this all year round. Not one for traditionalists but a divine savoury alternative to the classic HCB. Bridie Pearson-Jones Rating: Coop Richly Fruited 1.60 for four Laura said she would 'highly recommend Co-op's richly fruited offering' Best eaten toasted and smothered with butter, these Co-Op hot cross buns are well-worth the premium price point. While less squidgy than some, it's packed with a variety of fruit and the famous spiced flavour. This bun has proven to be a reliable option for anyone who prefers the original over one of the new flavoured versions that are dominating the market, so I would highly recommend. - Laura Fox Rating: Lidl Bramley Apple & Cinnamon 1.25 for four Eleanor said that these Bramley Apple and Cinnamon treats tasted 'Christmassy' The texture of the apple and cinnamon hot cross buns was slightly stodgy, but the flavours of apple and cinnamon coming through were delicious and weren't overpowering. They almost felt a bit Christmassy - but don't that put you off from having them as a warming snack. - Eleanor Dye Rating: Codie said Sainbury's offering had a nice crunch Sainsbury's Sticky Toffee 1.25 for four I expected these to be sickly sweet, but it was the perfect amount of salted caramel. The texture of the bread was nice too and they had a nice crunch when toasted. Would recommend! - Codie Bullen Rating: Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Fruity 1.25 for four 'Perfect toasted with lots of butter and with a big mug of tea' was Joanna's verdict These were delicious! Packed with fruit with an extra hint of spice and a sticky, glazed top. They smelt delicious too, from the moment we opened the pack. Im not a big fan of all the flavoured buns so I really enjoyed this traditional offering which also went down well with my six-year-old who declared it to be the yummiest Ive ever had. They were perfect toasted with lots of butter and with a big mug of tea. - Joanna Crawely Rating: Tesco Finest Salted Caramel & Chocolate 1.25 for four Jessica said: 'The texture was light and fluffy, although perhaps a little on the doughy side' I have been in mourning for the M&S chocolate and salted caramel hot cross buns since they were discontinued last year, so I hoped the Tesco Finest version would be a fitting substitute. There was a lot riding on this taste test, but I tried to keep all other variables the same - lightly toasted with butter on top and accompanied by a strong builder's tea. As I took a bite into the bun, the contrast between the sweet chocolate and caramel, plus the salt from the butter, was a perfect taste combination. The texture was light and fluffy, although perhaps a little on the doughy side - but as I scoffed down the tasty bun, I didn't have much time to notice. Overall I'm pretty pleased with this product and, while it can't live up to the wildly overblown expectations I had at the beginning of my experiment, it made for a delicious Saturday morning breakfast. - Jessica Taylor Rating: Waitrose Blueberry Hot Cross Buns with a Hint of Vanilla 1.85 for four Madison said the flavour of these buns was 'quite weak and could have been stronger' Tart blueberries and sweet vanilla make for a delicious taste combination thats more unique than a plain or fruited hot cross bun. However, the flavour was quite weak and could have been stronger, with more blueberries packed in for me personally. Although the fruit taste is more subtle than I expected, toasted with butter these made for a tasty Easter treat. - Madison Burgess Rating: Morrison's Lemon Drizzle 1.25 for four Morrisons' lemon drizzle flavour is a great option if you don't like too much fruit in your bun The Morrisons lemon drizzle hot cross buns were scrumptious. Soft and sweet with a great lemon flavour, I was impressed with these. I liked the great balance of fruit to dough because some hot cross buns can have too much fruit - Gina Kalsi Rating: Coop Blueberry & Lemon 1.60 for four Jowena said the Coop Blueberry and Lemon hot cross buns were great if you love zingy flavour These Co-op hot cross buns are the perfect balance of sweetness, tanginess and zest. When toasted, the melted butter oozes into the fluffy bread and brings out scrumptiously strong hints of lemon. If you love zingy citrus and bursts of blueberry - especially on muffins or pancakes - these would make for a deliciously light and refreshing Easter breakfast. - Jowena Riley Rating: M&S Extremely Chocolatey 1.85 for four Joe said these 'surpassed all expectations' As a chocolate fan, these surpassed all expectations. However, it is more of a cake than a bun - and didn't include any fruit. When toasted, the chocolate chips melted beautifully. I had mine with a bit of butter and it only added to the experience. If you've got a sweet tooth, this is the hot cross bun for you! - Joe Adams Rating: Asda Extra Special Extra Fruity 1.40 for four 'Delicious, moreish, and very fruity' is how Bridie said Asda's hot cross buns were Delicious, moreish, and very fruity! Tasty toasted and fresh, this is a great hot cross bun, especially for the price. Perhaps it's a tiny bit on the dry side, but overall great. - Bridie Pearson-Jones Rating: Waitrose Gluten-Free These have become a favourite for Rebekah 1.85 for four Initially uncertain about the density of the Waitrose gluten-free hot cross buns, I was pleasantly surprised by the perfectly balanced flavour, incorporating delicious orange-soaked sultanas, raisins and currants. They have become a new favourite - Rebekah Absalom Rating: A journalist has opened up about his experiences as a tutor to the kids of mega-rich Russians - from lavish locales and personal chauffeurs to once having to wait for his pupils in a cupboard to avoid being an 'eyesore' for the parents. Brit Cameron Manley, a news fellow at Business Insider in London, began working for a Moscow-based tutoring firm in late 2021, as he explained in an as-told-to essay for the news organization. 'The agency counted some of Russia's elite among its clientele - so I was quickly thrust into a world of private jets, guarded estates, and personal chauffeurs,' he recalled of his job. The aspiring reporter continued working out of Moscow through 'Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022,' at which point his firm relocated to Monaco. Cameron Manley, a news fellow at Business Insider in London, began working for a Moscow-based tutoring firm in late 2021 One of his students, Alexei, was 'a pleasant child' albeit one who 'appeared somewhat disconnected from reality' (stock image) Many of the most jarring moments for Cameron came about in the glaring contrast between the everyday lifestyle norms for him and his colleagues versus those of their students. One of his coworker's pupils had casually expressed hope that the weather wouldn't be too bad for an upcoming weekend getaway so that 'we can take the helicopter and don't have to drive.' Cameron also homeschooled two siblings: Alexei, 13, and his 11-year-old sister, Elena. The first time Cameron met Alexei 'he walked into our office sporting $1,000 Balenciaga trainers and a watch worth at least five times as much.' However, Cameron insisted Alexei was 'nevertheless a pleasant child' albeit one who 'appeared somewhat disconnected from reality.' In another meeting, Alexei expressed shocked when Cameron admitted that he, unlike the child, didn't have a personal masseur. 'It's been seven months since you had a massage? I have a massage every day, I have my own massage therapist,' Cameron recalled the tween had exclaimed. Meanwhile, Cameron described Elena as 'less communicative' and seemingly much less enthused about the 'lavish lifestyle she had.' Cameron's dealings with the rich families of Russia was cast in a different light following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Pictured center is Vladimir Putin in 2015 '"What have I done to deserve this? I hate my life," she would often say,' Cameron recalled. 'My colleagues and I became increasingly concerned about her well-being as time went on. 'She didn't enjoy classes alone and wanted to be with friends in a normal school. 'But her parents insisted.' Cameron further described that he encountered two types of parents: 'Those who spent thousands of dollars on their children because they cared about them, and those who spent the money so that they didn't have to think about them.' He sadly admitted that he felt 'many of the parents fell into the latter category.' In his own dealings with the parents, he confessed he often felt like an 'eyesore' in their otherwise 'luxurious lives.' Once, at a seaside villa in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat - one of the most expensive locales in the world - he'd arrived before the two kids, a four-year-old and a six-year-old, had finished their personal training sessions. Cameron was at first told he'd have to wait on the street, before the nanny hurried him into a 'large store cupboard in the furthest corner of the house' instead. There, he waited 'out of sight' for an hour until the kids were ready. Not long after he'd started tutoring, in February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine unprovoked - and the shifting geopolitical dynamics cast the tutor's dealings with the rich and powerful families of Russia in a different light. Many families 'came to us looking to find school placements for their children either in the West or in the United Arab Emirates, where many wealthy Russians fled at the outbreak of the war.' He recalled meeting with one couple over Zoom about placing their three kids in a school in Dubai who seemed 'polite, well-mannered, and bright.' But he later discovered that the kids were 'the grandchildren of a senior Russian politician who had played a major role in starting the war in Ukraine,' Cameron continued. The 'irony' of families placing their kids at private schools outside of Russia after some of the same families had pushed for the invasion of Ukraine wasn't lost on Cameron 'The irony was not lost on us that some of those who had played a key part in helping Putin initiate his brutal, unprovoked invasion were now trying to help their children escape Russia.' More generally, however, the tutoring company had 'explicitly' told the tutors to not bring up politics with their pupils, 'as the government was cracking down on protestors, and it could have put us and our pupils in danger.' But Cameron found that his pupils would often bring up politics on their own, 'their comments ringing with the ideology they had likely absorbed at home.' Alexei once commented that 'Ukraine is ours, after all.' A child named Ivan once pointed at a picture of Vladimir Putin and quipped, 'Oh, he's amazing! Don't you think he's amazing?' Still, other students, like one 15-year-old girl named Elizaveta, seemed more independent-minded. 'We're killing thousands of innocent Ukrainians. It's awful,' she'd said. The same week she'd been kicked out of her school for dying her hair and was taking extra classes so 'she didn't fall behind' while her parents tried to get her into a private school in England. 'The best thing I can do now is leave Russia,' she'd told Cameron. 'That's the last option I have. Perhaps from abroad, I might be able to do some good.' 'Elizaveta was an anomaly, and most of the time, you had to settle for smaller victories,' Cameron admitted. When he'd broken the news to Elena and Alexei that he and his colleagues were leaving Russia, Elena didn't seem to care - but Alexei looked 'genuinely upset.' 'It was as though the prism through which he saw the world had been, if not broken, then at the very least a little scratched,' Cameron concluded. A businesswoman refused to 'settle for less' and rejected three offers on Dragons' Den - proving the doubting Dragons wrong as her booming business is raking in 5million a year. Peony Li, who lives in London, appeared on BBC One's Dragons' Den this evening after pitching her healthcare company We Are Jude to the business moguls. Her company offers bladder care education, products, and treatment alongside raising awareness of bladder health. Its 'hero' product is a clinically-tested bladder strength supplement that claims to improve pelvic floor strength to reduce leaks and relieves the frequent urge of needing the toilet. Peony, 28, pitched her bladder care company to the Dragons, with the intention of highlighting the hidden epidemic of bladder incontinence in the UK - and securing funding. Peony Li (pictured) appeared on BBC One programme Dragons Den - but turned down the money she was offered However, her risky move has paid off, as now Peony says her business is turning over 5million each year Steven Bartlett, who initially made his fortune with a social media marketing company, dismissed Jude for its hefty marketing spend. Special guest Dragon Emma Grede - the self-made millionaire and co-founder of Skims and Good American alongside the Kardashians - made an offer of 100,000 in exchange for three per cent of the business. But determined Peony held firm and turned it down, along with interest from Peter Jones and Deborah Meaden. 'If I didn't have our other investors, I would definitely say yes to the deal,' Peony said. She continued: 'But I would love to counter propose the offers, 100,000 for 1.5 per cent.' But for Deborah, it was 'one step too far', which led her to decline the Peony's proposal. She believes her incredible success puts to bed the doubts raised from Dragon Touker Suleyman, who was unsure about Peony's plans to sell Jude products in Boots and on QVC. Unhappy with the initial proposal from the judges, Deborah offered a counter proposal of 1.5 per cent of her business in exchange for 100,000 But it was a proposal that Deborah (pictured) thought was 'one step too far', meaning she had to decline the offer Peony pitched a bladder care company that 'that claims to improve pelvic floor strength to reduce leaks and relieves the frequent urge of needing the toilet' Peony felt that 'taking a lower offer would diminish the input of my early investors', which is one of the reasons she turned down the money Since visiting the Den, Peony says her company is turning over 5million each year - with products selling out swiftly at both of the retails giants. Now eight months after filming the show, Jude's growth has quadrupled and marketing costs have halved. Peony said: 'Stepping into Dragons' Den felt completely surreal because I never dreamt I'd be part of such an iconic show. 'It was nerve-wracking, not only because I'd put years of work into creating Jude, but because it isn't just a business it's part of me, it's about my story, so it was a big deal to put myself out there. 'It meant so much that the Dragons recognised the importance of what I'm building and could see the potential impact of Jude. 'I was, of course, really flattered that such amazing business people bought into my vision and were prepared to invest in my company. 'But I am so passionate about what I am doing and the future of Jude that I knew I had to hold firm if I didn't get exactly what I was looking for. According to Peony, despite turning down the Dragons' offers, she says their help has been 'invaluable' The businesswoman has described being in major retail spaces like Boots as a 'milestone' for her business 'It wasn't just about me - I felt strongly that taking a lower offer would diminish the input of my early investors who had such faith in my vision that they bet on the business when it was nothing more than an idea. 'This experience underscores a common challenge for women in business, the temptation to settle for less particularly when negotiating with business titans and authority figures.' Despite rejecting the business giants' financial help, Peony said she learned a lot from the experience. Peony said: 'The Dragons' advice was invaluable, but I needed to take on board what they said while staying true to my strategy. 'I was convinced that introducing Jude products into retail spaces, even if earlier than is typical for similar businesses, was crucial. 'Being seen in these retail spaces, especially alongside established brands like Tena pads, was not just a milestone for us, it symbolised a progressive shift in the incontinence industry.' They decided to move to a farmhouse outside of the city of Okayama But, with a new baby, the pair have been reconsidering their quality of life An American couple shared why they plan to move from U.S. to Japan after finding an adorable farmhouse near the city of Okayama for only $30,000. Leika and Brandon Hansen, who both work as educators, have been living in the suburbs of Seattle for much of their adult lives, as they explained to Business Insider. But, since welcoming a new baby to their family, they'd begun to realize that the cost of living in the West Coast metropolis would mean it would always be 'tough' to 'afford things comfortably.' At the same time, both Leika and Brandon had spent time in Japan before starting their lives together. Leika and Brandon Hansen have spent most of their lives together in Seattle - but, on welcoming a new baby, realized their growing family needed a change of scenery Both Leika and Brandon had spent long stretches of time in Japan While Leika's mom is Japanese, she recalled disliking the hectic urban life in the country while spending time there growing up Leika's mom is Japanese, and she spent long stretches of time in the country growing up. But she admitted those early experiences hadn't made her fall in love with the country. 'I don't think I ever really expected to move there. It was a really fast-paced lifestyle - I didn't love it,' she said. 'If you told me five years ago I would be planning on moving to Japan, I'd be like, "What? Why?" I never really thought I would want to go back,' Leika continued. However Brandon had lived in the countryside of Japan from 2014 to 2016, which gave him a 'different experience.' Leika explained that he ultimately sold her on the idea of moving to a less hectic locale. 'I was like, "OK, maybe it's not all that bad,'' she said. Brandon added: 'The places where I lived were in the countryside. They were really chill towns or were quiet, cute towns and not busy and bustling. That was my perspective of Japan, and I was like, "I would live here."' However, Brandon ultimately convinced Leika that more rural locales in Japan offered the lifestyle they were both in search of, especially with beginning a family Among other things, the pair has been looking forward to leaving behind the car-centric culture of the United States On top of that, Brandon added that he was impressed with 'public services' in Japan. 'Schools are really regimented. They have safety, they have public transportation. It's easy to live here,' he elaborated. 'Japan is probably more family-centered, and it's very safe. There's a lot of community support and community engagement,' Leika chimed in. She further described that she didn't feel as safe 'as a woman' in Seattle, especially 'now having a kid' - adding that her car had been broken into in Washington state a couple years back. Brandon was concerned that, in the US, criminals are more likely to have guns in situations like Leika went through. 'That's a little less of a concern in Japan. Our kid will be able to run errands and do a little more,' he said. 'And walk to school on their own, and go grocery shopping. You don't have to have your tracker on them, always monitoring and making sure they're okay,' Leika continued. When they made up their mind to move to rural Japan, they were pleasantly surprised at how much easier the real-estate market was to navigate in the country. 'It has a first-come-first-served system, which we weren't used to. We are used to bidding and negotiating,' Brandon said, recalling having to go through 'so many different condos and bidding wars' in Seattle. 'The first house we looked at in Japan, they were like, "We can give you a house tour, but we have other buyers who are interested, so we're waiting for them." So it wouldn't be polite or customary for us to just walk in and be like, "We'll give you more."' They ultimately settled on a 100-year-old traditional Kominka-style farmhouse 30 to 40 minutes from the western Japan city of Okayama, nearby the town's train line. Brandon explained their community was technically a commuter town, known locally as a 'bed town' - 'just a town where people mostly commute to the big cities,' he said. 'It's not out in the mountains with nothing around,' Leika added. 'We wanted to take advantage of Japan's public transportation and walkable lifestyle,' Brandon emphasized. The two acquired a Kominka-style farmhouse outside of the city of Okayama for $30,000 The traditional, 100-year-old abode is in a commuter town about 30 to 40 minutes away from the city by train While the house's 900 square feet wasn't much bigger than what they'd had in Seattle, they were sold on the ample land The ample land surrounding the main house offers rice fields, sheds and other storage space Okayama coincidentally is almost equal in population to Seattle, with just over 700,000 in contrast to Seattle's 733,000 - though the U.S. city's populace fits into a much more compact 84 square miles, versus Okayama's sprawling 305 square miles. The house, at 900 square feet, is 'similar' in size to their abode in Seattle - but comes with a massive plot of land with 'rice fields,' 'a couple of sheds' and ample storage space, Brandon added. 'Land was our big motivation,' he said. 'In Washington, for what we could afford, we were pretty lucky to get the condo where we're at. We did some property searches in Washington, but everything was so expensive for the smallest plot of land.' The house itself, Leika said, was only worth about $2,000 to $3,000 on its own - with the surrounding land justifying the price tag of $30,000. More broadly, the couple was also happy to leave behind the car-centric culture of the United States. 'When we were living in Japan, we liked being able to bike or take the train to places. When we were looking for a house, we didn't want it to be super far away, especially since we're planning on having a family there,' Leika said. 'We wanted it to be close to schools. Even though I would consider it more rural, we still have amenities close by,' she continued. With that, having their 'own space' means never having to worry about 'other people nearby sharing walls and worrying if the baby is crying too loudly.' 'I'm excited to have a lot of little projects to work on, for the farm or otherwise,' she gushed. 'I really want honeybees. I'm super passionate about pizza and having an outdoor pizza oven. These are things that we think of as retirement dreams,' Brandon rhapsodized, further clarifying that he was was thrilled to have those sorts of things 'sooner.' 'We're starting to have a family now,' Brandon continued. 'If we stayed here, it'd probably be another seven to 10 years before we had a home where we could have a hobby farm on it. And by that point, the kids would be halfway through their time with family. 'It was really about getting a head start on that timeline.' A couple have signed up to be frozen after death in the hope of being brought back to life together in the future - but say if one of them doesnt make it they will 'pull the plug on the other'. Allan and Barbara Pease, from Queensland, will be cryogenically frozen together at a newly-built facility in the New South Wales town of Holbrook which is operated by Southern Cryonics and is the first facility of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. The couple, who are body language, communication and relationship experts and have been married for 35 years, said they want their love story to continue even after death. Speaking to 60 Minutes Australia, Allan said: 'They have got the technology to put us in, but they havent figured out how to get us out yet, and there is always a risk. But the alternative is eternal blackness. 'When we come back, whenever they find out a way to unfreeze us, if one of us doesnt unfreeze properly they will pull the plug on the other. Neither want to do it on our own, I don't want to come back without her. Allan and Barbara Pease, from Queensland , Australia, signed up to be frozen and brought back to life together in the future- but say if one is brought back without the other they want scientists to 'pull the plug on the other' Barbara added: 'I don't want to come back without him either. We don't think about death, we just live in the moment and enjoy every second.' Cryonics is an experimental area of research in which the bodies of the clinically dead are frozen at -196C so they can potentially be resuscitated if future medical advances allow. When the time comes for the couple, their bodies will be transferred from their home in Queensland to the cryonic facility in Holbrook were their bodies will be frozen in sub zero temperatures. They will be put into mental tanks were they will remain until science evolves enough to take them out and bring them back to life, which could take up to 100 years. The couple admitted they are not concerned about the world being a very different place if they are brought back in the future. Barbara said: 'I think the world will definitely be a different place but I am excited by that. To come back and have our babies and grandbabies here would be amazing but even if they choose not to [be cryogenically frozen], there would still be descendants of ours around.' People in the industry concede that there is no guarantee of future revival and the procedure itself has long faced scepticism from medical experts. But Cryonics devotees are willing to take the gamble for a chance for life after death. The couple, who are body language, communication and relationship experts and have been married for 35 years, said they want their love story to continue even after death Interiors of chambers where bodies are incased (pictured in a U.S. facility) head first, feet up, get down to a frosty -196C The new cryonics facility located next to the Holbrook cemetery, in New South Wales Australia Allan explained: 'Cryonics is like, if you were on an airplane flying over the Alps and the captain comes on and says, "The engines have all conked out we are going to crash in the next 15 minutes, however we do have onboard experiential parachutes, they have never been used but we think they are going to work'', would you take the parachute? Well that's what cryo suspension is, it's a parachute.' So far 50 Australians from all walks of life have paid $150,000 to secure a place at Southern Cryonics. Southern Cryonics director Peter Tsolakides previously told ABC News that it costs $50,000 for the process administered immediately after death, which includes a chemical infusion and staff waiting to swing into action at the moment of expiration. WHAT IS CRYONICS? WHAT IS CRYONICS? The deep freezing of a body to -196C (-321F). Anti-freeze compounds are injected into the corpse to stop cells being damaged. The hope is that medical science will advance enough to bring the patient back to life. Two main organisations carry out cryonics in the US: Alcor, in Arizona, and the Cryonics Institute, in Michigan. Russian firm KrioRus is one of four facilities outside the US to offer the service, alongside Alcor's European laboratory in Portugal, Tomorrow Biostasis GmbH in Germany and Southern Cryonics in Australia. HOW IS IT MEANT TO WORK? The process can only take place once the body has been declared legally dead. Ideally, it begins within two minutes of the heart stopping and no more than 15. The body must be packed in ice and injected with chemicals to reduce blood clotting. At the cryonics facility, it is cooled to just above 0C and the blood is replaced with a solution to preserve organs. The body is injected with another solution to stop ice crystals forming in organs and tissues, then cooled to -130C. The final step is to place the body into a container which is lowered into a tank of liquid nitrogen at -196C. WHAT'S THE CHANCE OF SUCCESS? Many experts say there is none. Organs such as the heart and kidneys have never been successfully frozen and thawed. It is even less likely a whole body, and the brain, could be without irreversible damage. HOW MUCH DOES IT COST? Charges at the Cryonics Institute start at around 28,000 ($35,000) to 'members' for whole-body cryopreservation. Rival group Alcor charges 161,000 ($200,000) while KrioRus' procedure will set you back 29,200 ($37,600). HOW LONG BEFORE PEOPLE CAN BE BROUGHT BACK TO LIFE? Cryonics organisations claim it could be decades or even centuries. However, medical experts say once cells are damaged during freezing and turned to 'mush' they cannot be converted back to living tissue, any more than you can turn a scrambled egg back into a raw egg. Advertisement He said the remaining money covers the company's fee, and that if there is any left over it will be returned to the deceased person's estate. Another famous freezing site in America is Alcor Life Extension Foundation in Arizona. From the outside, it looks like any other warehouse. But inside it contains the frozen dead bodies of hundreds of patients. It is on the pricier side, costing $200,000 for people to get their whole body stored in a high-tech freezer, but there is an option to put just the brain on ice for discounted price of $80,000. The number of patients at the Michigan center has grown dramatically from around 600 in 2006 to close to 1,975 in 2023. Another famous freezing site in America is Alcor Life Extension Foundation in Arizona (pictured) The longest-running patient, named Rhea Ettinger, has been there since 1977. Her son, Robert Ettinger, a World War Two veteran and the founder of the Cryonics Institute, is also in the arctic limbo, along with his first and second wives. The idea of a life able to be revived after being frozen for a length of time has largely been relegated to science fiction in scientific circles. Dennis Kowalski, the president of the Cryonics Institute in the U.S. told Discover Magazine there are three challenges for future technology advancements to overcome. Repairing the damage done by freezing, curing whatever ailment that killed the subject and reversing the ageing process will all be required so the person has a healthy body to enjoy their second chance at life. Shannon Tessier, a cryobiologist at the Massachusetts General Hospital in the U.S. said the freezing process alone is a permanent death sentence. 'There is absolutely no current way, no proven scientific way, to actually freeze a whole human down to that temperature without completely destroying and I mean obliterating the tissue,' Ms Tessier said. The daughter of a woman wrongly accused of causing the deaths of a mother and her two young children in an arson attack says the miscarriage of justice saw her mother spiral into drug addiction and a mental health decline that caused her death. In a new BBC Sounds podcast, Wrongly Accused: The Annette Hewins Story, mother-of-one Nicole Jacob discusses the family tragedy that changed the course of her and her siblings' lives forever - after they were forced into care while their mother was wrongly behind bars. In October 1995, Diane Jones, 21, and her two daughters, Shauna, two, and Sarah Jane, one, died in an arson attack on Jones' house on the crime-laden Gurnos housing estate in Merthyr Tydfil in Mid Glamorgan, Wales. A new BBC Sounds podcast recounts the miscarriage of justice that wrecked the life of Annette Hewins after she was wrongly convicted of causing death by arson in 1997 - before her conviction was overturned two years later Jacob's mother Annette Hewins was arrested along with two other women at the time, and two years later was convicted of arson with intent to endanger life at Cardiff Crown Court in June 1997 and given a 13-year sentence. The original trial heard Hewins, 31 at the time of the murders, had supplied the petrol that had started the deadly fire leading to the triple murder. Annette's niece, Donna Clarke, was also handed a 20 year jail sentence. She had been romantically linked to Diane Jones' boyfriend, Shaun Hibbard, who was the father of her two daughters, which detectives considered a motive for the deadly attack. A third woman, Denise O'Sullivan was found not guilty of the murders but convicted of perverting the course of justice - and served nearly four years. Annette, who had been pregnant with her fifth child at the time, served 18 months of her sentence - and spent a total of two-and-a-half years in prison. She was released by the Court of Appeal in 1999 after it was concluded there was no evidence against her. The four-star leaded petrol she had bought was not the same used to start the fire, forensics concluded. Nicole Jacob, the daughter of Annette Hewins presents a new podcast that looks into what happened to her mother - including delving into her happier years, and how being wrongly jailed had devastating consequences on her life Diane Jones was just 21 when she and her two daughters Shauna, two, and Sarah Jane, 13 months, were killed in the devastating deliberate blaze at her home on the Gurnos estate in Merthyr Tydfil in Mid Glamorgan, Wales Shauna Jones was just two when she succumbed to the house fire in October 1995 Empty bottles, believed to have been filled with petrol, were found outside Diane Jones' home following the triple murder in 1995 In the new podcast, Nicole says her mother's innocent trip to the garage the night before the murders happened led the police directly to their door - and misguided a jury to the first guilty verdict. Audio footage reveals her speaking to the press, surrounded by friends and family, upon her release at the Royal Courts of Justice, and during her time in prison. Annette urged the police to 'find the real killers' and she's heard saying on the tapes: 'They took my baby away from me. They wouldn't do to a dog what they did to me.' Her niece Clarke's sentence was also later quashed, after judges deemed the original verdict 'unsafe'. Annette's niece, Donna Clarke, was also convicted - with judges handing her a 20 year jail term. Her conviction was later quashed after it was deemed 'unsafe' The podcast also details the hours before how Annette tragically died in February 2017, at the age of 51, after a long battle with heroin addiction and mental health problems, which left her experiencing hallucinations and paranoia. She been sectioned at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital in Llantrisant and in her final moments was heard still trying to prove her innocence, and saying her baby had been taken from her. An inquest later concluded that she died of heart failure and there were 'matters of concern' about her care, including failure to perform an ECG test. Annette's daughter says the conviction haunted her mother until the end of her life, and even beyond her death. She recalls how a nurse in the hospital following her mother's death told her: 'Your mum just couldn't live with herself, could she?' Hewins (centre) pictured after leaving the Court of Appeal in London in 1999 with friends and family; she gave birth to her youngest son while in prison Annette had never taken hard drugs before her time in prison, but the mother-of-five descended into heroin addiction after her wrongful conviction Detailing her troubled childhood, Nicole says she had been just four when her mother was arrested, saying Annette had felt judged by the wider community in Merthyr Tydfil and feared revenge attacks on her family. Annette's descent into heroin began in prison, she says, explaining that her mother had never done 'hard drugs' before she was locked away. The first episode of the podcast also sees Nicole visit her father, who now lives in an assisted living home after an accident 20 years ago. He reflects on happier times for the family, including their wedding and early years of marriage before their divorce, saying Annette would spoil her children 'rotten'. Nicole describes the impact on her and her siblings' childhoods - who all ended up in the care system - because of the miscarriage of justice, saying 'that whole world collapsed for all of us after her arrest'. Annette's daughter says that she lived for a 'happy ending', saying: 'when she died, it was the ultimate blow, it really hit home this dream that I'd had since childhood was not going to happen now. 'It's bittersweet thinking about those years and what we did have because it never really came back.' Wrongly Accused: The Annette Hewins Story is available now on BBC Sounds Mary shot to fame in 2007 with the inception of the TV show Mary Queen of Shops which saw her help failing high street shops. She was then appointed by then Prime Minister David Cameron to lead an independent review into the future of the high street in 2011. Mary's brother Lawrence Newton provided the sperm to conceive Horatio with Melanie's egg through IVF. 'To be honest, I don't know which child is more high maintenance!' Mary told the Daily Mail in 2015, adding that she actually finds looking after her older children more challenging than her youngest. 'The [then] 19-year-old has come back from her gap year and is going off to university this Autumn. I spend so much time giving emotional and loving guidance, it's much more emotionally draining than the three year old!' Mary also went on to explain her close relationship with her brother Lawrence, who she revealed earlier in 2015 had fathered her child with Melanie. 'When you suffer a parent's death you stick together like glue. So we were always close,' she explained. 'We are family, that is it... I am a mother, I am a businesswoman, I have children, I have family, I just happen to live with another woman and she had a child who happens to be from my brother. The more I am able to normalise that, the better the world is going to be.' 'It's much heavier emotionally to deal with daughters. I was quite glad I had another son,' she confessed. 'No offence to my daughter - who I adore - but they are full-on. It's all those emotions that young girls go through. 'From being accepted by their friends to how they look - there is a huge pressure on them that is not on boys.' But the unconventional circumstances of Horatio's conception have their roots long before all this. They lie in the tragic childhood during which Portas was effectively orphaned at the age of 16 and became a surrogate mother to Lawrence, now the surrogate father of her child. When she and her brother first carried the baby into the West London sunshine outside St Mary's Hospital, Paddington, they could have been forgiven for reflecting on this extraordinary circle of life. Or as Portas puts it: 'I now know that it could only ever have been Lawrence who was Horatio's father.' To fully understand those words, it is necessary to turn back the clock 40 years, to the days when the multi-millionairess retail and brand consultant was a feisty 16-year-old, harbouring dreams of becoming a famous actress and hoping to take up a place at RADA. All that changed, suddenly and irrevocably, with the death of her mother, also called Mary, from meningitis in 1977. While Portas's three older siblings were already on the verge of leaving the family's run-down semi-detached home in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, her grief-stricken father found solace with another woman leaving Portas to care for 14-year-old Lawrence, to wash his clothes and feed him, while struggling to come to terms with her own broken heart. She may have earned celebrity status through her TV series Mary, Queen Of Shops, not to mention her role advising David Cameron on the future of the High Street, but Portas's beginnings were much more humble than her wealthy life today might suggest. Her parents were immigrants from Northern Ireland; her red-headed, green-eyed mother, Mary Flynn, was a laundress and her father, Sam Newton, was a bus conductor. Both were hugely aspirational and encouraged their five children to study hard at their Catholic schools. While Sam later became a factory manager for Brooke Bond, his wife devoted herself to raising her children, Michael, Patricia, Joe, Mary and Lawrence. The sudden loss of their mother erroneously diagnosed with depression caused by the menopause even as she lay dying was made worse by the reaction of their father who, having flung himself sobbing across their mother's body, declared that there was nothing left to live for. However, he swiftly replaced his wife with another one after meeting office clerk Rebecca at a widow and widowers' social club. He then sold the family home despite the fact that young Mary, who had barely left school, and Lawrence, still studying, were still living there. Both were made homeless, and Mary developed a fierce independence and self-sufficiency still so evident today. Everything in the house was sold or simply vanished. She has no photographs to remember her mother by, only a cookery book and a statue of a saint. Despite Lawrence's love of music, he was virtually ordered by his father to join the police force, largely because he would be given accommodation at training college in Hendon. Yet despite her own ordeal, an evercapable Portas was never far from her younger brother's side. She dropped out of her course at RADA because she couldn't cope, financially or emotionally, and devoted herself to looking after them both. Effectively, then, she sacrificed her dreams of becoming an actress to become Lawrence's surrogate mother, unaware that one day he would step in and thank her in the most poignant manner imaginable, by becoming a surrogate father to her child after deciding that he didn't want any of his own. 'We are just so close,' she told The Times at the weekend. 'Our bond is never going to change, never ever going to change.' Meanwhile, Portas grew up enjoying unequivocally heterosexual relationships and romantic feelings for men she met, eventually marrying chemical engineer Graham Portas after meeting him in a wine bar. By then she had found considerable career success. After attending Watford College Of Art, Portas began her retail career in the early Eighties with a Saturday job in John Lewis before moving on to Harrods, where she got her first experience in designing window displays. She moved on to Topshop before being poached by London department store Harvey Nichols, where her extraordinarily creative window displays made her the talk of London. She was a board member by the age of 30. For a while it seemed her professional success was matched by domestic happiness. Her son Mylo, now 21, was born in 1994. Her daughter Verity, now 19, nearly two years later. But slowly, the relationship began to fall apart and the couple divorced, very amicably, in 2003 after 13 years of marriage. She has since described those as 'some of the best years of my life...we just grew apart, and that happens.' It was not long afterwards that Portas met Melanie Rickey, a magazine fashion features editor, at a Royal College Of Art dinner, and the pair fell for each other almost immediately. Until that point, Portas had never considered a relationship with a woman 'I certainly wasn't a suppressed lesbian,' she later reflected and insists her love for Rickey took her by surprise, adding: 'She gives complete love to the world and it is the most refreshing, beautiful thing.' Rickey, too, had not come out as gay before meeting Portas. But their relationship quickly became both public and serious, making them Britain's most high-profile lesbian couple. The pair had a civil ceremony in 2010 and embarked on IVF the following year, with Melanie to carry the child as she was the younger woman. They were among the first samesex couples to convert that partnership into marriage on December 9 last year when Portas took Melanie for dinner and then surprised her by heading to Westminster Register Office at midnight, where their family and Horatio were waiting for them. Today, they share a 5 million home in London's Primrose Hill with Portas's eldest children, Mylo and Verity. Portas's ex-husband, the first person she told about Melanie, is a regular dinner guest. Melanie also spoke out this week about the unusual circumstances surrounding Horatio's birth, insisting that she had no qualms about Portas making it public. 'Gay people are getting married and they are having children, so I don't believe there's a downside to sharing the information,' she told The Observer. 'We are simply sharing something which feels very normal to us all as a family, and if it inspires people or makes them think differently or even if it changes their perception of 'normal' then that can only be positive.' But while Horatio's legal mother is the UK's leading retail and branding expert, his biological father is rather more low-key. Despite embarking on a career as a police officer, more recently he has worked as a bar manager for his eldest brother, successful entrepreneur Michael Newton. Indeed, Portas and her siblings remain close and highly protective of each other. While Lawrence has worked for his eldest brother, he lived for several years with another brother, Joe, in North London. For the past three months, he has been living with Portas, Melanie and their children at her stunning London home, where toddler Horatio addresses each in turn as Mama, Mummy and Daddy Lawrence. But Lawrence is about to emigrate to Bermuda to start a new life there with his girlfriend. Portas, who says she watched her brother struggling for years after their mother's death, says that while she coped by taking control and trying to micro-manage everything, Lawrence 'ran away' and 'became the hedonist' later in life. And the anger she felt as a child only grew as her own children grew up. This week she recalled: 'I'm looking at these two kids and thinking: 'Jesus! That was me coming home to do all the cooking. That's you, Lawrence. This is just criminal.' And I grieved for this 14-year-old boy and I suppose I grieved for the 16-year-old girl that I was. 'I didn't have a life for five years. It was a grey world, a very grey world.' But the rage she once felt towards her father, who died suddenly of a heart attack in the same year he remarried and left everything to his second wife, has softened thanks to several years of therapy, not to mention the birth of Horatio. Referring to her book, she said: 'With all the trauma in there, this is a beautiful, happy little world.' In an extract of her autobiography Shop Girl, published in The Times this week, she uses the present tense when she recalls the existence that she and Lawrence carved out together as teenagers alone at home without an adult to guide them. 'Together we have created our own way of being,' she writes. She might just as easily be describing the present. For while the choices she has made might seem unconventional, it seems clear that after years of private anguish, Portas has fought her own way towards a happy ending, one which has very much included the beloved younger brother she always vowed to take care of. A woman has spoken about the reason she was uninvited from her friend's wedding, despite attending the hen-do and spending thousands. Amy Dickinson, 30, from Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, shared a photo from the hen party on Instagram before her now former best friend did. Despite being best friends for more than five years, the bride-to-be soon dumped Amy from her wedding, claiming she had broken an 'unspoken' rule. Amy said: 'I really don't know why I was uninvited. Perhaps she was just looking for a reason to uninvite me and I've never spoken to her since this happened.' In preparation for what was a highly anticipated weekend and the wedding she was planning on attending; Amy had shelled out more than $2,500. Amy Dickinson, 30, from Brisbane , Queensland , Australia, has spoken about the shocking revelation she was uninvited from her friend's wedding, despite attending the hen-do and spending thousands That included getting flights, accommodation and dresses for the upcoming lavish occasion. After being glammed up for the hen's party, which was held on Hamilton Island, the mood took an unexpected turn after Amy unknowingly broke a rule when she shared a photo of the party and was soon slammed for it - despite others doing the same. The bride's mother also got involved, claiming she should have known about the rule without being told. After a heated argument, Amy was allegedly kicked out of her hotel room and feared that she could not have access to her flight tickets to travel back home. Shortly after the hen weekend, Amy was relieved to find out she had been uninvited from the wedding because the thought of spending further time with the bride would be a 'nightmare'. Amy has since blocked almost everyone she was with at the hen party on social media and never spoke to them again. Talking about her 'horror story', Amy, said: 'Overall it was an awful experience that left me traumatised. She was uninvited after sharing a photo from the hen party on Instagram before her now former best friend did After being glammed up for the hen's party, which was held on Hamilton Island, the mood took an unexpected turn after Amy unknowingly broke a rule when she shared a photo of the party and was soon slammed for it - despite others doing the same After a heated argument, Amy was allegedly kicked out of her hotel room and feared that she could not have access to her flight tickets to travel back home 'I never want to experience anything like that again. The behaviour I witnessed was truly disgusting. We were virtually best friends as we'd been friends for several years. 'I was happy to be uninvited because after the events that transpired, there is no way I would have attended anyway. 'For the wedding, I spent over $1,500 AUD (773), and over $1,000 AUD (515) on the hen do and never spoke to her since.' But, before his life of cold-blooded crimes across South East Asia, serial killer Charles Sobhraj, known as The Serpent, was briefly married to Frenchwoman Chantal Compagnon, who he shared a daughter with. The final episode to the three-part drama, The Real Serpent: Investigating a Serial Killer, is set to air on Channel 4 tonight at 9pm will detail how Sobhraj, 79, preyed on Western tourists on the hippie trail of South Asia in the 1970s. With the help of his girlfriend Marie-Andree Leclerc, the French serial killer was suspected to have murdered at least 20 backpackers in India, Thailand and Nepal, and was jailed for a total of 29 years before being released in December 2022. It's a world away from the life of his daughter Usha Sutliff, 52, who hasn't spoken to her father in decades, and, in a twist of fate, now has a job in the US Government as a 'classified' worker. So, who is Usha Sutliff and how has her life turned out since she cut ties with her serial killer father? Charles Sobhraj, 79, pictured with his former lover Marie-Andree Leclerc, who helped the French serial killer murder at least 20 tourists in South Asia in the 1970s (Photo: Shutterstock) Usha Sutliff (pictured) has had zero contact with Charles Sobhraj since she was a baby Who is Usha Sutliff? Usha Sutliff, 52, was born in Mumbai, India, to Charles Sobhraj and Chantal Compagnon. Sobhraj and Compagnon had met in Paris in their early twenties, and, despite Copagnon's conservative Catholic background - as well as the disapproval of her parents - the pair soon struck up a romance. After a brief period of dating, however, Sobhraj was reportedly arrested for attempting to evade police while driving a stolen vehicle and later sentenced to eight months in prison. Once he'd been released, he proposed to Compangnon, with the pair shortly going on to marry in Paris. Compagnon became pregnant after the wedding, and went on to give birth to a baby daughter, Usha. With Sobhraj vowing to Compagnon that he would leave his former life behind and go 'straight' once they married - the couple left Paris for Mumbai to start a new life with Usha. Usha's online biography on the website of a government consultancy, Lafayette Group, shows she was an expert in 'law enforcement, counter-terrorism, intelligence, homeland security and cybersecurity' However, Sobhraj had no intention of leaving his crimes at the altar, and he was soon arrested for the Hotel Ashok jewellery heist in New Delhi. Sobhraj escaped jail by faking appendicits and reunited with his increasingly resentful wife, with the family-of-three fleeing to Afghanistan in 1971. Compagnon, by this stage, had lost faith in the pair's marriage, and sent Usha back to Paris to be taken care of by her parents. In Kabul, Afghanistan, the pair were both arrested for car theft and failing to pay for their hotel. However, Compagnon was soon released and returned to Paris, last telling her husband: 'We are never going to see each other again.' Charles Sobhraj, aka 'The Serpent' being led to Tihar Jail in New Delhi, India in April 1977 Does Usha Sutliff still have contact with father Charles Sobhraj? In 1973, while Compagnon was held at the women's jail in Kabul in 1973, she was introduced to stone mason Leon Harris, 75, who had been visiting a friend at the compound. With Compagnon having lost all faith in husband, she grew closer to Harris, and shortly after her release and bidding farewell to her conman husband, the pair became romantically involved. After returning to Paris and reuniting with Usha, Compagnon was proposed to by Harris and the pair got married in 1975. The family-of-three later started a new life in America and settled in the small town of Litchfield, Connecticut, where Chantal divorced Sobhraj, found work in the music industry, and gave birth to her second daughter, Sandrine. Harris adopted Usha and became her legal father, and, in an exclusive interview with MailOnline, he said his daughter has had zero contact with Sobhraj since she was a baby. He revealed: 'Usha has no interest in seeing her blood father and the last thing she would do is talk about him 'She is a formidable woman, good looking and tough-minded like her father, but that is about the only thing they have in common.' Usha, now a mother of one, was eight years old when she first learned the truth about her biological dad, Leon said, but has never expressed any interest in meeting him. 'The rest of us have lived quietly for decades with this awful story and prefer it to stay that way,' he added. 'Usha has even cut off her mother because she is so eager to escape this aspect of her past.' What does Usha Sutliff do now? Usha now dedicates her life to fighting crime and has a 'classified' job with the US government, specialising in counter terrorism and homeland security. Usha's online biography on the website of a government consultancy, Lafayette Group, which she joined in 2008, shows that until recently she was an expert in 'law enforcement, counter-terrorism, intelligence, homeland security and cybersecurity.' She previously served at the Center for Policing Terrorism at the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research - the New York-based think tank that pioneered the 'Broken Windows' theory of policing - and was seconded full time to the LAPD's Counter-Terrorism and Criminal Intelligence Bureau. She has been a member of the LAPD Reserve Program since 2007 and is a former professional print journalist having graduated from Boston University. Usha is now married to Jason Sutliff, 49, a Fire Captain in San Marino, California, on the outskirts of Los Angeles. Facebook photos posted by his relatives show a smiling all-American family. But she cut off all contact with her own mother, now 77, some time after Sobhraj, was released from an Indian jail in 1997, according to her adopted dad. However, social media suggests half-sister Sandrine may still have ties to their mother, having shared posts dedicated to Chantal in 2021. The final episode of The Real Serpent: Investigating a Serial Killer, airs tonight on Channel 4 tonight at 9pm. Before being released in 2022, serial killer married Nihita Biswas while locked up She's a loyal wife who describes her husband as 'a good man', but the circumstances surrounding Nihita Biswas' marriage to Charles Sobhraj could not be more bizarre. Sobhraj, now 79, preyed on Western tourists on the hippie trail of South Asia in the 1970s and lured them to their death - with his 'snake-like ability' to seduce while avoiding detection by authorities earning him the nickname The Serpent. His crimes are examined in the final episode to the three-part drama, The Real Serpent: Investigating a Serial Killer, which airs on Channel 4 tonight at 9pm. He's believed to have murdered at least backpackers in India, Thailand and Nepal, and was intially jailed for a total of 29 years for two killings, spending a decade in a New Delhi prison before he escaped. The serial killer was later imprisoned for a further 19 years in Nepal and it was during this sentence that he met his lawyer's daughter Nihita, and fell in 'love at first sight' desipte an age gap of more than 40 years. Here Femail reveals the age-gap couple's relationship history and why Nihita has stayed by The Serpent's side, despite his horrific crimes. Charles Sobhraj (R) and wife Nihita Biswas (L) is guided by Nepalese policemen towards a waiting vehicle after a court hearing in Kathmandu on May 31, 2011 Charles Sobhraj, 79, spent a decade in a New Delhi prison, having been convicted for a string of murders, before he was later imprisoned for 19 years in Nepal While serving his sentence in Nepal, Sobhraj was introduced to his lawyer's daughter, Nihita Biswas (pictured), and the pair allegedly went on to get married (Photo: EPA) Who is Nihita Biswas? Nihita, who is in her mid 30s, was born Nepal in 1988 to a Bengali-origin businessman father and Shakuntala Thapa, a Nepalese lawyer and human rights activist. Nihita was educated at Kathmandu's St Mary's High School and got her law degree from Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Nepal, according to DNA India. She later made headlines in 2011 after becoming the first Nepali citizen to participate in season five of India's equivalent of Big Brother, Big Boss. However, she could only survive for a week and was the first contestant to be evicted, as reported by India Today. Nihita Biswas, 35, was born Nepal in 1988 to a Bengali-origin businessman father and Shakuntala Thapa, a Nepalese lawyer and human rights activist (Photo: Shutterstock) How did Charles Sobhraj and Nihita Biswas meet? Nihita's mother, Shakuntala Thapa, represented Sobhaj during his trial at the Supreme Court of Nepal, however, she failed to get her client acquitted. Sobhraj was sentenced to life - serving a minimum of 20 years - imprisonment in 2003 for the murders of two Americans and was held in a high-security prison in Kathmandu. Nihita, who is well versed in the French language, was enlisted as an interpreter for Sobhraj's visiting French lawyer, which is how she and Sobhraj initially met. Having quickly struck up a relationship, The Serpent got married to his second wife Nihita inside the Kathmandu prison on October 9, 2008. At the time, Sobhraj was 66 and reports put Nihita in her early 20s. Although her mother and Sobhaj's lawyer had left Nepal by the time Nihita met Sobhraj for the first time, it is alleged she made such an impression on him thereafter that he would conjure excuses to see her again. Nihita told Times of India: 'He pretended to have another assignment for me. He gave me a huge shopping list. It was mainly canned stuff.' Speaking of her decision to get romantically involved with a convicted serial killer, Nihita insisted that she believes he has always been innocent. She said: 'I don't know what he was. What he is now is important. He is a good man, I have seen the way he cares for his family. We have a good relationship.' 'He's innocent,' Nihita added, 'There's no evidence against him.' On his part, Charles Sobhraj, in a 2008 interview, said it was love at first sight for the two of them, according to Times of India. It is currently unknown as to whether Biswas (L) would join her husband Sobhraj (R) in France after he was released from prison in December 2022 (Photo: Getty Images) Are Charles Sobhraj and Nihita Biswas still married? The killer was first spotted publically with Biswas in 2017, after being taken from his cell to hospital in Kathmandu with the help of his wife for a life-saving coronary operation. In December 2002, Sobhraj was flown out of Nepal from Kathmandu to France after serving 19 years of his 20-year life sentence. Biswas was pictured on the day of his release on the phone walking outside the department of immigration as Sobhraj was taken inside, but her whereabouts as her husband got on the plane were unknown. Sobhraj, who was released from prison early due to his struggles with heart disease, is now expected to undergo medical treatment in France, which might involve open heart surgery. A source close to Sobhraj in Nepal said: 'His wife has said he may need further surgery and he will be closely monitored by doctors after he lands.' According to Times of India, Sobhraj and his wife had planned to solemnise their marriage following his release, and the pair have planned to write a book on how they 'found love in the most daunting of circumstances.' By Kim Hyun-bin The United Arab Emirates Embassy in Seoul, in collaboration with the Corea Image Communication Institute (CICI), organized a lecture centered on the future economy and market dynamics in light of declining birthrates and aging populations. The event hosted dozens of dignitaries such as business CEOs and ambassadors from other nations, including German Ambassador Georg Schmidt and Greek Ambassador Ekaterini Loupas at the UAE ambassadors residence in Seoul, Tuesday. This special lecture will provide insight into current trends, sector related strategic investment toward the future economy and the capital market, UAE Ambassador to Korea Abdulla Saif Al Nuaimi said ahead of the lecture. It reflects our shared commitment to fostering a deeper understanding of economic trend and preparing for a future that benefits not only our respective nation but the global community at large. The lecture was headed by Lee Kyung-su, executive managing director at Meritz Securities, who expressed optimism about the future of the market, despite prevailing economic concerns stressing its resilience and ability to weather challenges. Lee acknowledged concerns about potential downturns but dismissed the possibility of a recession. Referring to the recent surge in interest rates, Lee reassured, "We have surpassed the era of uncertainty. We have reserved the capacity to respond." He stressed the imperative need for technological preparedness in the face of imminent societal shifts, emphasizing the importance of understanding new developments including AI and robotics. "This is about massification. Anyone can see that with this amount of data, rapid development is inevitable, he said. "The mobilization of smartphones was initiated by touch. Before that, PCs relied on Windows and mice. When products become easily accessible to everyone, massification occurs." However, Lee addressed concerns regarding the displacement of labor, urging proactive measures to mitigate potential challenges. "We must invest in industries that can replace the disappearing workforce. Otherwise, the rest becomes meaningless," he said. "We are witnessing a societal transformation that replaces labor forces so industries will continue to evolve cyclically. He expressed concerns over the current state of the Korean stock market, stating, "The Korean stock market is in bad shape. ROE (return on equity) is low, and there is a lack of profitability." He pointed out the stark contrast between the ROEs of Korean companies, which hover around 10 percent, and those of their American counterparts, which approach 20 percent. "The idea of increasing debt is scary, but leveraging can help boost profitability," he said, advocating for companies to adopt more aggressive strategies, such as stock buybacks, to increase shareholder value. Lee stressed the importance of addressing structural issues within Korean companies to drive sustainable growth in the stock market. He urged policymakers and businesses to work together to implement meaningful reforms that will unlock the market's full potential. Queen Camilla was photobombed by an adorable 23-month-old as she visited local shops in Belfast. The royal, 76, who kicked off day two of her Northern Ireland trip today, couldn't help but smile as little Fitzwilliam Corrie-Salmon posed up a storm in front of the camera while his father, co-owner of Knotts Bakery, chatted with the King's wife. The toddler sported a tiny tuxedo as he grinned for the photos, coming right up to the lens. William Corrie watched his son on with Camilla, both looking equal parts amused and delighted. 'We have a natural for the cameras,' she announced, grinning as she watched him. Queen Camilla was photobombed by an adorable one-year-old as she visited local shops during a visit to Belfast 'There's something so wonderful about this kind of place.' 'She was a lovely lady,' said Mr Corrie. 'Genuinely interested in the products. It's very good to have her here.' 'She was asking questions about what we do,' he also added after the visit. 'We did joke that Fitz stole her thunder for a minute.' Speaking to interviewers later, the young boy's mother Zoe Salmon also gushed that 'they make a good pair, Queen Camilla and Fitzwilliam' - and that the royal was 'warm, charming and very lovely'. 'I just hope she had a great day in Northern Ireland.' Sporting the nation's trademark colour, the Queen opted for an emerald green Bruce Oldfield coat and crepe dress. She styled her platinum blonde tresses in their signature look, and paid homage to her late mother-in-law by wearing Queen Elizabeth's turquoise and diamond three leaf clover brooch. Queen Camilla has said the King is 'doing very well', despite missing out on a trip to Belfast as he undergoes cancer treatment. The royal, 75, who kicked off day two of her Northern Ireland trip couldn't help but smile as little Fitz William Salmon posed up a storm in front of the camera while his father, the owner of Knotts Bakery, chatted with the King's wife This morning Camilla met business owners and staff at a shop on the bustling Lisburn Road in south Belfast - on the second day of her stay in the region The toddler sported a tiny tuxedo as he grinned for the photos, coming right up to the lens. Pictured loving the camera His father William Corrie and Camilla watched on, looking equal parts amused and delighted. Fitz sported a very smart suit And she was given armfuls of local produce for him to enjoy by well-wishers who were keen he didn't entirely miss out. Her Majesty is in Northern Ireland for a two-day trip, that had been due to be undertaken by the both of them. After the King was compelled to stay at home, she decided to continue with elements of her own programme for the working trip. Today, that began with a visit to Lisburn Road to see three family businesses: a butcher, a baker and a delicatessen. Her Majesty came away with bags full of local produce, promising she would take them home for her husband - after enjoying a snack herself. Asked several times about the King's wellbeing, she said 'he's doing very well'. Responding to quips about men 'not being the best patients', she joked: 'I try to keep him in order'. 'He's very disappointed he can't come,' she added. At Coffey's Butcher, which has been operating on the Lisburn Road since 1929, she met some of the three generations of the family who run it, remarking: 'My gosh there are a lot of you!' Inspecting the meat counter, she said: 'My goodness me what a great selection' and asked: 'All of these are locally sourced? What do you sell the most of?' 'It's wonderful, it's all very tempting. It's lovely to see you thriving.' Exclaiming over a large bunch of flowers she was presented with, the Queen accepted a bag full of Northern Irish specialities including vegetable rolls, beef sausages and Belfast pickle. 'I shall take these back to my husband, he will really make the most of them,' she said. At the next shop Arcadia, a delicatessen that has been part of the Lisburn Road since 1933, she was also given a selection of their charcuterie, cheese, and local meats including Irish black butter. Camilla and William couldn't help but grin as they watched an excited Fitz throw poses at the camera Curious Fitz got close to the lens as Camilla visited his father's bakery - and looked very sharp for the royal visit The Queen was last in Northern Ireland in May 2023 when she and the King undertook engagements on their first visit to the region following the coronation Laura Graham-Brown, owner, said the Queen had been particularly interested in the social aspect of the shop, which is seen as a link to the local community. 'We had a discussion about the impact of local independent retail in the context of loneliness and social interaction,' she said. 'We know our customers and their families and lives. She was very interested in that.' In the third and final shop Knotts Bakery, the Queen was told about its traditional Ulster baking methods with no machinery involved in the family business which employs 120 people. She was given a fruit loaf and iced madeira, which she did not promise to entirely take home for the King. 'She said she'd eat some of them on the way home,' said co-owner William, 38. Outside, she was given an envelope of cards made for the King by the children of Fane Street Primary School, with 11-year-old Amaya handing them over to a smiling Queen. A small crowd of a few dozen people had gathered to see the visiting member of the Royal family, despite the trip not being announced in advance. The Queen spoke and shook hands with all of them, crossing the road to do so before departing for her next engagement. Among them was Anne-Marie Wallace and her 12-year-old son Oscar Dalzell, who has a collection of 15 letters from members of the Royal family he brought in a folder to show her. One recent letter, hand signed 'with best wishes Camilla R', thanks him for his latest letter and the 'beautiful picture of a crown'. The Queen told him it was 'lovely to put a face to the name of a correspondent', saying he writes 'lovely letters'. She also met Kelly Andrews, chief executive of Belfast and Lisburn Women's Aid, who had hosted an engagement about domestic violence and human trafficking for a royal visit in 2020. 'I remember that visit well,' said the Queen. 'How is it all going?' Camilla was all smiles as she attended an event hosted by The Queen's Reading Room to mark World Poetry Day Camilla beamed towards the camera as she stood next to First Minister of Northern Ireland, Michelle O'Neill (L) and Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, Emma Little-Pengelly (R) The royal mother-of-two appeared in high spirits as she smiled for the cameras The trio marked the special occasion at Hillsborough Castle with a photograph Camilla applauded after observing the World Poetry Day event hosted by The Queen's Reading Room Queen Camilla later inspected the riflemen during a parade at Thiepval Barracks in Lisburn, County Antrim, which, celebrates soldiers who have finished a junior leadership selection course The 76-year-old wrapped up warm for the event in a stylish black hat with a glamorous fur lining Camilla observed the rifleman at the event alongside Lieutenant Colonel Dan Brown (pictured left) Several members of the public told her they hoped the King was doing well, as he undergoes treatment for cancer. Later in the day, Camilla took to Hillsborough Castle to attend an event hosted by The Queen's Reading Room. Designed to mark World Poetry Day, the event, titled Northern Ireland: Poets and Their Place, spotlighted Irish literature. After the event, Camilla met Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Heaton-Harris with a firm handshake, who later introduced her to the First Minister of Northern Ireland, Michelle O'Neill and Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, Emma Little-Pengelly. Rifleman Hugo McDonald (centre) led the Cadre as the top student at Thiepval Barracks in Lisburn The royal appeared cheerful as she met the Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, Emma Little-Pengelly (pictured left) Camilla met with Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Heaton-Harris (left) during day two of her visit to Northern Ireland Camilla shook hands with First Minister of Northern Ireland, Michelle O'Neill (left) after being introduced by Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Heaton-Harris (centre) The royal took her seat at the 'Northern Ireland: Poets and Their Place' event at Hillsborough Castle The jam-packed day then saw Camilla travel to a parade at Thiepval Barrack in Lisburn - an event signifying soldiers who have finished their junior leadership selection course. The mother-of-two inspected the soldiers as they lined up in a row alongside Lieutenant Colonel Dan Brown. Camilla arrived in Northern Ireland on Wednesday evening, with a bugler from the Hillsborough Ford Guard playing to mark her arrival at Hillsborough Castle in Co Down, the royal residence in the region. The Queen was last in Northern Ireland in May 2023 when she and the King undertook engagements on their first visit to the region following the coronation. Pictured: Queen Camilla visits Arcadia food store in Belfast, Northern Ireland today. The Queen sported green A delighted Camilla appeared grateful to receive a bouquet of flowers as she made a visit to Belfast After stopping off at the bakery, Camilla chatted with wellwishers outside, on day two of her Northern Ireland trip She is travelling alone this week after Charles stepped back from his public duties while receiving treatment for cancer She is travelling alone this week after Charles stepped back from his public duties while receiving treatment for cancer. Meanwhile, yesterday the Queen joked that her grandson Louis was 'quite a handful' as she met crowds of well-wishers on a visit to the Isle of Man. Camilla made the comment as she greeted people outside Douglas Borough Council on Wednesday after presenting the letters patent, officially conferring city status on Douglas. Meeting 38-year-old Rachael Hughes and her 15-week-old twin boys Louie and Oliver, the Queen said: 'I have a Louis grandson... quite a handful'. Ms Hughes said the Queen had come over to 'admire' the boys in their matching blue outfits, adding: '[She] asked their names and said it gets easier when they are two. It was so lovely to see her. She is doing a great job and she looks fabulous.' Camilla has three grandsons, twin boys Gus, 13, and Louis, 15, by her daughter Laura Lopes, and 13-year-old Frederick, by son Tom Parker Bowles. She also has a step-grandson Prince Louis, the lively youngest son of the Prince and Princess of Wales. The Queen, dressed in navy adorned with a sapphire and diamond brooch, made a flying visit to the isle on behalf of her husband the King, saying he was 'so sorry' he could not be there himself to celebrate the 'extremely special occasion'. She thanked residents for their 'warm welcome' before reading out a speech prepared by the King which acknowledged the late Queen Elizabeth II and thanked his wife for reading his words. It read: 'The granting of your city status is particularly special to me, as your letters patent are the only ones in existence that hold both my signature and that of my late mother. Sporting the nation's trademark colour, the Queen opted for an emerald green Bruce Oldfield coat and crepe dress She styled her platinum blonde tresses in their signature look, and paid homage to her late mother-in-law by wearing Queen Elizabeth's turquoise and diamond three leaf clover brooch Delighted well-wishers were also pictured lining up the street as the royal made her visit. Pictured today Photos and videos from the outing also showed an impressed Camilla taking in the produce at Coffey's Butchers as she was introduced to staff Queen Camilla pictured meeting staff at Coffey's Butchers during a visit to Lisburn Road in Belfast Queen Camilla pictured during her visit to Knotts Bakery in Belfast today. She is on day two of her Northern Ireland trip 'Therefore, ladies and gentlemen, as you mark your well-deserved status as one of the newest cities in the British Isles, and the only one of the Crown Dependencies, I would like to offer on behalf of my wife and myself, my heartfelt congratulations and my very best wishes for the future.' Crowds gathered to meet the Queen after she unveiled a City Hall plaque, waving flags, handing her bouquets of flowers and shaking hands. After leaving the borough council, the Queen took an eight-minute drive to Government House in Onchan, the official residence of the Lieutenant Governor and his family, where she met community groups including the swimming club the Manx Bluetits and the RNLI, which was formed on the island. She was handed gift bags from the RNLI and The Fynoderee Distillery, which produced commemorative spirits to mark the lifeboat charity's 200th anniversary this year. The Queen then greeted schoolchildren who had gathered to see her, asking them if they were excited for the upcoming Easter holidays, what their plans were and if they were going to take part in Easter egg hunts. Camilla also spent around 45 minutes with Diana Parkes CBE, an Isle of Man resident who set up the Joanna Simpson Foundation in memory of her daughter who was murdered by her estranged husband, before leaving Government House. Douglas was one of eight towns to be granted city status in May 2022 as part of the celebrations for the late Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee, alongside Bangor, Colchester, Doncaster, Dunfermline, Milton Keynes, Stanley and Wrexham. Queen Letizia proved she's a real jewel in the crown as she stepped out in a chic emerald blouse today. The Spanish monarch looked elegant as she attended the Discapnet Awards, in Madrid, teaming her green shirt with a pair of matching heeels and white bootcut trousers. Her newly bobbed hair looked glossy and sleek and she smiled to wellwishers as she made her way into the event. Now in their seventh year, the Discapnet Awards honour ICT-based initiatives that make technology more accessible to disabled people. Queen Letizia proved she's a real jewel in the crown as she stepped out in a chic emerald blouse today, teamed with white belted trousers The monarch embraced 'sandwich dressing' and matched her heels to her green top for the event Letizia smiled to wellwishers as she arrived at the event which honours initiatives to improve accessibility to technology Four prizes of5,000 are on offer for categories such as 'Best-ICT based product or service' and media outlets who are helping inform people about the support available to them. It's no doubt of interest to Letizia as a former journalist who worked as a news anchor at CNN+ before meeting King Felipe. It comes after Letizia's daughter Crown Princess Leonor of Spain had a royal inspection from her father this week. King Felipe visited the future queen, 18, and her classmates at the military training centre in Zaragoza. Leonor put on her best camo as she joined the manoeuvres carried out by the students of the General Military Academy at San Gregorio National Training Centre on Monday. Letizia matched her heels to her emerald green top as she attended the Discapnet Awards 2024 in Madrid The Spanish King, who also donned the army uniform as the Commander-in-chief of all the Spanish armies Land, Navy and Air Force, shook his daughter's hand as she stood among other military trainees. The royals later sat next to each other as they enjoyed lunch with the military students at the national training centre. The Princess, who turned 18 in October last year, has been making solo appearances and training at the Military Academy to ensure she's ready for her future in the monarchy. Spain's future queen, the daughter of King Felipe (pictured) and Queen Letizia , put on her best camo as she attend the manoeuvres carried out by the students of the General Military Academy at San Gregorio National Training Centre on Monday Crown Princess Leonor of Spain donned her camouflage gear during military training as King Felipe visited his daughter at the training centre in Zaragoza The royal was pictured wearing a helmet and camouflage gear she carried out lessons with the group. It comes after Leonor was the picture of confidence as she made her debut appearance at the country's new year Military Easter ceremony in January. Proud parents Queen Letizia and King Felipe were also in attendance at the Royal Palace in Madrid as the heiress presumptive marked the start of the new year in full military dress. The annual ceremony welcomes in the start of the new military year, with the custom dating back to the Spanish King Charles III in the 18th century. The princess was clearly confident as she stood beside her mother and father in her military uniform. In September, the future Spanish queen enrolled at the General Military Academy of Zaragoza in northern Spain, where she will undergo three years of military training. After a year at the academy, it is expected that Leonor will move to a naval academy in Spain, before heading for her final year of training at the General Air Academy. She was the picture of military precision in January, with her hair slicked back in a braided bun and not a crease in her dark grey uniform, which featured a blue sash. Princess Leonor carried out manoeuvres with the students of the General Military Academy The royals later sat next to each other as they enjoyed lunch with the military students at the national training centre The Princess, who turned 18 in October last year, has been making solo appearances and training at the Military Academy to ensure she's ready for her future in the monarchy Her mother Letizia was typically chic in a high-neck silk blouse and skirt, which she paired with pointed black heels. She completed her simple ensemble with a sleek, ponytail hairstyle, and opted for simple, fresh make up to mark the start of the new year at the Royal Palace. The Spanish queen shrugged on a black jacket with a fur-affect collar as the family headed outside for a section of the ceremony to greet those in the Military Easter. Her husband, King Felipe, was equally dressed up for the annual ceremony. Like his eldest daughter, Felipe was in his military uniform, complete with a red sash around the waist and numerous glittering medals. The father of two daughters with his wife Queen Letizia, King Felipe served in the military for almost three decades until he acceded to the throne in 2014. King Felipe VI of Spain cut a sharp figure in full military dress at the General Military Academy at San Gregorio National Training Centre Throughout his long military career King Felipe was promoted multiple times, achieving the status of lieutenant colonel in the Army, frigate captain in the Navy, and lieutenant colonel in the Air Force in 2009. On becoming King on June 19, 2014 when his father abdicated, King Felipe was made Commander-In-Chief of the entire military. Given his own experience in the army, King Felipe must be especially proud of his eldest daughter, Princess Leonor, who will begin three years of military training in August. The heir to the Spanish throne will one day become a commander-in-chief of the Spanish armed forces. Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden appeared in high spirits as she kicked off the fourth day of her trip to Bangladesh with a business breakfast. The royal, 46, chatted with representatives of multilateral banks and international financial institutions over breakfast at the InterContinental Hotel in Dhaka. Looking typically chic, the mother-of-two donned a blue suit with an elegant cream blouse for the occasion. Later, Victoria visited the Swedish Embassy in Dhaka, and its Ambassador, Alexandra Berg von Linde. The royal appeared pleased as she accepted a bright yellow bouquet at the embassy. Victoria then traded her heels for a casual pair of trainers and a floral dress as she enjoyed a ride on the back of a rickshaw. Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden appeared cheerful as she enjoyed a cycle rickshaw ride in Dhaka Sporting a beaming smile, the 46-year-old made herself comfortable as she sat in the cycle rickshaw. The mother-of-two donned a pair of Nike Air Force 1 trainers but with added glamour, thanks to their floral detailing across the side. Matching the theme of her trainers, Victoria opted for a casual boho-chic dress with a floral and paisley print. Today marks the final day of Victoria's trip to the South Asian continent, which she undertook as part of her role as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). It comes after Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden beamed as she unveiled a portrait of herself during a visit to the Asian University for Women in Bangladesh yesterday. The royal, 46, appeared in high spirits as she uncovered the large portrait with visible excitement across her face. It was the second day of Victoria's trip to Bangladesh, which she is carrying out as part of her role as a UNDP Goodwill Ambassador. Victoria kicked off the busy day of engagements with a business breakfast at the InterContinental hotel The mother-of-two made herself comfortable in the back of a cycle rickshaw during the last day of her four-day visit to Bangladesh The regal portrait will hang on the wall of the Asian University for Women in Chattogram - an independent institution that welcomes all students regardless of their background. During the visit, the heir to the Swedish throne also chatted with the students and interacted with their work. The 46-year-old also gave a speech to staff and students at the institution that dedicates its efforts to advancing women's education. Elsewhere during the day, Victoria visited UNDP project focused on climate change adaptation in rural settings in the Khulna district in eastern Bangladesh. Victoria embraced tradition and donned a floral headpiece at the project, which has received contributions from both Sweden and the UNDP. Victoria enjoyed a breakfast with representatives of multilateral banks and international financial institutions Looking typically stylish, Victoria donned a pastel blue suit with a cream blouse for the breakfast meeting Earlier that day, Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden appeared in high spirts as she held a goat while visiting a climate change project in Bangladesh. The heir to the Swedish throne, 46, donned a red and white flower lei around her neck as she visited the female-led community project in the Khulna district on Tuesday. The royal appeared bright and breezy in flared white trousers with a blue summer print, which she paired with an oversized T-shirt and trainers. Victoria went for natural makeup and her brunette locks were pulled back into a laid back bun as she smiled for the cameras holding a small goat, while she held a fish in another snap. The mother-of-two looked cheerful as she was shown around the facility, which has received contributions from both Sweden and the UNDP. Victoria also visited the Swedish Embassy in Dhaka and Ambassador Alexandra Berg von Linde (left) She choose to wear a simple silver chain along with hoop earrings, a bracelet, a watch and rings. Princess Victoria has showed off her style credentials once again during her trip to Dhaka, yesterday. She donned an eye-catching pleated swan print dress from Swedish designer Jennifer Blom when visiting the Foreign Service Academy to see how the country uses digital solutions. Putting her best fashion foot forward for the visit, Victoria teamed her statement frock with a vibrant cherry red clutch bag. Victoria first wore the colourful dress in 2017, when she joined other members of the Swedish royal family to celebrate 100 years of independence in Finland. Prince William's impact on charities is 'very personal' and he often does work behind the scenes with homeless people, the CEO of one of the groups he works with has revealed. Mick Clarke, chief executive of The Passage, a homeless charity, said the Prince of Wales, 41, 'has an ability to listen, talk and to put people at ease'. Speaking to Tatler, in a piece which explores William's future as king, Mr Clarke explained the royal has come to quietly volunteer at the charity of several occasions. Other experts also discussed William commenting on the conflict in the Middle East and how he will, like his father, continue to 'space to speak out sparingly on carefully chosen issues'. The future King, 41, who is patron of more than 30 charities, first visited the Passage as a child with his mother Princess Diana - something he has said he was 'deeply moved by'. Prince William 's impact on charities is 'very personal' and he often does work behind the scenes with homeless people, the CEO of the passage has revealed. William is pictured volunteering at the charity in 2019 Willam may take a more 'hands on' approach than his father, royal experts have said, he is picture in Wales in 2023 Speaking to Tatler, Mr Clarke said: 'William's impact is very personal,' [...] 'Two weeks before Christmas, the prince came to our Resource Centre in Victoria for a Christmas lunch for 150 people. 'He was scheduled to stay for an hour, to help serve, wash up and talk to people. He ended up staying for two and a quarter hours, during which time he went from table to table and spoke to every single person.' 'William has an ability to listen, talk and to put people at ease. During the November 2020 lockdown, he came on three separate occasions to help. 'It gave the team a boost that he took the time; it was his way of saying: 'I support you; you're doing a great job.' In December, William praised the work of The Passage and said he was 'deeply moved' by visiting the charity as a child with Princess Diana. He shared a video explaining the 'great work' the charity does, including 'life-changing' work to prevent homelessness and human trafficking, which was posted on X on ICAP's 31st Charity Day. 'Having a place to call home is such a precious thing. Each and every day the Passage work tirelessly to achieve a society where homelessness doesn't exist and where everyone has a place to call home,' he said. See the full feature in the May issue of Tatler available via digital download and on newsstands from Thursday 28 March Prince William also sparked a few laughs when he said 'Who is pinching my bottom?' when he posed for a group photograph Tatler's article, written by former BBC Royal Correspondent, Wesley Kerr OBE, also looks at how William may continue as King. Speaking to Mr Kerr, The Times' Royal Correspondent Valentine Lowe said that William is 'shaping' the future of the Firm, in a more relaxed way that his father. 'He [The Prince of Wales] seeks his own way of being relatable, of benefitting everybody, in the context of an ancient institution undergoing significant challenge and upheaval, as the head of a nation divided by hard times, conflicts abroad and social and political uncertainty,' he said. 'Charles is sympathetic to William's approach and his desire to make time with his young family sacrosanct. They are confidantes, attested by the night of Queen Elizabeth's death; they were both at Birkhall with Camilla, reviewing funeral arrangements while the rest of the grieving family were nearby at Balmoral, hosted by the Princess Royal. 'Charles has had almost six decades in public life and is the senior statesman of our time, with even longer in the spotlight than Joe Biden. Last summer, William, 41, appeared relaxed as he joined vendor Dave Martin, 61, who has been a friend of the royal since they hit the streets selling Big Issue in 2021 The future king says he was 'deeply moved' by visiting the charity as a child with Princess Diana (pictured with Harry and Diana at the Passage in the 1990s) But will the the so-called 'call me William approach be successful? The Prince has certainly led the way in ditching the stiff upper lip and takes a more hand-on approach at engagements. In October, he hugged his was way round a room of Windrush veterans as he celebrated the Caribbeans who helped rebuild postwar Britain - but drew the line at kissing. The Prince of Wales was mobbed by well-wishers at the Grange Pavilion community centre in Cardiff, but cheekily told them: 'I draw the line at kissing!' Later, when the guests posed for a group photo, William laughed with Kate as they moved to a back row and ushered the Windrush veterans forward, but the room erupted when the prince joked: 'Who is pinching my bottom?' Mr Low believes that the royal has thought a lot about his 'call me William' approach to the throne, and wondered if it will work when the whole point of the Royal Family is mystique and being different, but is keen to modernise the monarchy. It has been a tough start to the year for the future king. His father, King Charles, is currently undergoing treatment for cancer while his wife Princess of Wales is recovering from abdominal surgery. Kate Middleton has been working from home on an early years project hailed as her 'life's work' while recovering from abdominal surgery. The Princess of Wales, 42, launched the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood's (RFCEC) Shaping Us project in January last year, aiming to highlight the importance of early years development in children. Kensington Palace has confirmed Kate is continuing to work on the project as she recovers at home; the Centre has funded a trial of a baby observation tool for health visitors to monitor social and emotional development in youngsters. The Princess personally suggested the tool could be used in Britain after seeing a similar system during a royal visit to Denmark, according to reports - meaning she is very invested in the trial and its results, due to be published today. The news she is being kept informed suggests she could be preparing to return to work as planned; Kensington Palace has maintained since January she is 'unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter'. See the full feature in the May issue of Tatler available via digital download and on newsstands from Thursday 28 March Queen Maxima of the Netherlands cut an elegant figure as she visited a MindUS project at Tobias School in Amsterdam today. The royal, 52, who is an honorary patroness of MindUS, took to the school to watch a theatre performance of KiKiD's Talk to Me. Maxima observed scenes from Talk To Me and invited students in their third year of pre-vocational secondary education to chat about the course. The KiKid Foundation produces educational theatre performances, training courses and teaching materials for schools on social-emotional themes such as mental health, sexuality, and bullying, according to the palace's website. For the occasion, the mother-of-four looked typically stylish in a patterned orange long-sleeve top with a pair of classic grey suit trousers. Queen Maxima appeared in high spirits as she watched a performance of KiKiD's Talk to Me at Tobias school in Amsterdam The royal added a touch of glamour to her outfit with a pair of statement monochrome earrings crafted in the shape of flowers. Colourful bracelets in shades of pink and orange added to the royal's fashionable jewellery choices - along with a chunky diamond band. Maxima styled her blonde tresses out and opted for a simple face of make-up, accentuating her eyes with black eyeliner. After watching the performance, Maxima chatted with representatives of the Tobias School and KiKiD employees about the importance of making mental health a topic of discussion in schools. The 52-year-old represented MIND Us, which aims to encourage a healthy mindset in young people by developing skills in resilience and learning to recognise when to ask for help. It comes after Queen Maxima of the Netherlands was photographed beaming during a visit to an Art Camp teaching vocational education in the Northeastern Netherlands. The 52-year-old attended the start of the camp at the Hedon pop venue in Zwolle earlier this month. Mother-of-four Maxima, who is honorary chairman of the More Music in the Classroom foundation at the venue, looked stylish during her appearance. Looking typically stylish, Maxima donned a patterned orange top with a pair of grey trousers and matching cape-style blazer After watching the performance, Maxima chatted with students in secondary education about the course The royal added a touch glamour to her outfit with colourful bracelets and a pair of statement floral earrings She donned a two-piece brown suit in a tweed-style fabric, and a semi-deep V-neckline. It had three-quarter length sleeves with small turn-ups below the elbow. The short blazer was cinched in at the waist with a wide black belt, and her matching A-line skirt flowed to just below her knees. Maxima matched all her accessories, carrying a black handbag and wearing black knee length boots which matched her belt. Meanwhile, she opted for a casual and light make-up look, boasting a fresh base and fresh peach blush, as well as light eye make-up and a nude lip. Maxima wore her long blonde tresses loose, flowing over her shoulders in loose waves, and tucked behind her ears to keep it away from her face. Jewellery-wise, the mother-of-two donned bangles on both wrists, as well as sizeable gold earrings in her lobes. The wife of King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands styled her blonde tresses out for the occasion Maxima appeared animated as she chatted with students at the Tobias School in Amsterdam As she walked to the venue, Maxima was pictured beaming widely, appearing pleased to be making her way to the appointment. The royal website says of the Art Camp, which started today (Wednesday): 'Through workshops, prospective pedagogical employees and teaching assistants learn how to use artistic disciplines in their work at and after school.' It adds that some 60 sixty students attend workshops in photography, theatre, dance, music and cartoon drawing. During her visit, the royal spoke to students about their experiences at the workshops. She also attended a meeting with professionals at the venue, where they discussed how 'the importance of art and culture education for MBO students is central and how this can be strengthened within these courses'. At one point, the royal appeared to get involved with KiKiD's Talk to Me performance and echoed the student's gestures by closing her eyes Maxima's final exercise of the day was to 'speak with cultural institutions in the region of the three participating MBO courses about the range they can offer'. The royal website explains: 'Art Camp MBO is the first step in a three-part program of More Music in the Classroom in collaboration with Noorderpoort, Alfa-College and ROC Midden Nederland. 'The aim is to strengthen cultural education in these secondary vocational education courses, so that pedagogical staff and teaching assistants can stimulate the arts and culture offering at and after school.' It adds that the More Music in the Classroom foundation has 'been committed to structural music education for all primary school children in the Netherlands and the Caribbean since 2015'. The iconic photo of the 11th century castle is commonly posted on social media Royal fans are once again back on the Photoshop case - and this time a picture of Windsor Castle has come under scrutiny. A photograph, which has been circulating on social media, is an aerial image showing the sprawling grounds of the residence of the British Royal Family in Berkshire. The image is often posted on architecture, history and tourism pages on Facebook, sometimes attracting tens of thousands of likes. However, the Royal Family's photos have come under immense scrutiny ever since Kate Middleton's edited Mother's Day picture was released on March 10, and now eagle-eyed social media detectives have pointed out a number of supposed 'errors' in the picture of the 11th century castle and claimed it's been 'Photoshopped'. One Reddit sleuth wrote: 'Keep seeing this picture of Windsor Castle on FB but every time I look it looks more like a model.' Royal fans are once again back on the Photoshop case - and this time a picture of Windsor Castle has come under scrutiny A picture of the castle as it stands today shows that the right side is actually lined by buildings instead of trees It is unclear where the photo has originated from - but a very similar picture appeared on the front cover of The History and Treasures of Windsor Castle by Sir Robin Mackworth-Young, published in 1982. Reddit users are convinced that several changes have since been made to the image, and including trees that have been 'copy and pasted' onto the right-hand side of the castle, while a car park has been erased. Any cars that were parked on the inner castle grounds have also been smoothed over. There's no indication as to who could have changed the image, or suggestion that the royals are responsible. Commenters on Reddit were quick to share their opinions, writing: 'Can confirm photo isn't real... mostly'; 'To the left of the castle should be the Riverside station, railway tracks, offices, and even the Thames'; 'Where's actual Windsor? Like the shops and restaurants... Railway?'; An almost identical picture appeared on the front cover of The History and Treasures of Windsor Castle by Sir Robin Mackworth-Young, published in 1982 'Stuff on the right side is just copy and paste trees.' 'Right? Where's the Wetherspoons and McDonald's opposite,' another pointed out. Shouldnt you be able to see the river on the left too?' a commenter pointed out. 'The missing road is confusing the hell out of me and making it hard to figure out if the river should be in shot. 'There was a car that crashed into the wall just a few days ago that wouldnt have got near it because of the trees in that image!' It follows a frenzy around royal photographs, after Kate Middleton's Mother's Day photograph featured apparent 'photoshop fails'. The picture-perfect image of a smiling Kate, 42, surrounded by her three children was supposed to put an end to vicious conspiracy theories swirling online about her condition. But picture agencies including Reuters, AP, Getty and AFP withdrew the picture due to concerns over digital manipulation. Some royal watchers pointed out that Princess Charlotte's wrist and sleeve of her jumper appeared to have been digitally altered. There also appeared to be an issue with the heel of Charlotte's boot and with the paving behind the family. Others pointed to Prince Louis' fingers on his right hand being crossed apparently in an unusual way with one of his digits looking shorter than the others. The Princess of Wales was forced to release a statement, admitting that it was she who edited the photo - in light of her penchant for 'amateur photography'. It has led fans around the globe to more closely analyse photos from the royals, including several that have been in the mainstream media for years. The picture-perfect image of a smiling Kate, 42, surrounded by her three children was supposed to put an end to vicious conspiracy theories swirling online about her condition. But some news agencies have pulled the photo due to concerns it had been 'manipulated' Buckingham Palace released a poignant photo in 2020 of the Queen standing side-by-side with Prince Philip to mark the Duke of Edinburgh's 99th birthday. But rumours began to swirl the snap had been photoshopped with people pointing to the shadow on the Queen's hand In December, the family's Christmas portrait was hit with criticism from around the world as it was noted that Prince Louis' fingers appeared to be missing. In 2020, Buckingham Palace released a poignant photo of Queen Elizabeth II standing next to the Duke of Edinburgh to mark Prince Philip's 99th birthday. Again, royal watchers seemed to focus on a shadow on the Queen's hand, as claims on social media began to swirl that it also had been digitally altered. Last April, tech chief executive Christopher Bouzy sparked backlash for saying Kate's 'beautiful' portrait of the Queen with her grandchildren at Balmoral had been photoshopped. The image showed the late monarch posing with eight of her 12 great-grandchildren and was taken just weeks before her death by the Princess of Wales. The late monarch appeared in her element with Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor, James, Earl of Wessex, Lena Tindall, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Isla Phillips, Prince Louis, Mia Tindall, Lucas Tindall and Savannah Phillips. It is not the first time the Waleses' photos have come under the spotlight. Most recently, in December, the family's Christmas portrait was hit with criticism from around the world This photograph was shared to mark what would have been the late monarch's 97th birthday last year. (Pictured L-R : back row: Lady Louise Windsor and James, Earl Wessex. Second row: Lena Tindall, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Isla Phillips and Prince Louis. Front row: Mia Tindall holding Lucas Tindall. The late Queen Elizabeth II and Savannah Phillips) Some of the great-grandchildren were missing, including the children of Montecito-based Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the son of Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank August and the daughter of Princess Beatrice and Edo Mappeli Mozzi. Calling on people to 'stop criticising' the snap, Mr Bouzy said: 'Yes, they Photoshopped it, and so what? It isn't easy to get the perfect photo with ten children. It appears they took multiple shots and then edited the photo to make it perfect. I would've done the same.' In a later tweet about the snap, which was shared on the official social media accounts of the Prince and Princess of Wales, he wrote: 'You can literally see where two sides of the sofa were spliced together, and there are pixels on the face that were not properly edited. 'As I stated in my original tweet, I don't see anything wrong with it. But to claim it's not Photoshopped is false. It's been edited.' Not knowing what to do or what not to do are the most common money errors women in their 30, 40s and 50s make, according to financial adviser Helen Baker. She has made it her life's work to help women make better decisions around money and investments - including getting a masters degree in financial planning and writing books on the subject. 'The most common money mistakes women make arise from a lack of awareness of what to do, or not do,' she told Daily Mail Australia. 'These mistakes, and their ramifications, can vary dramatically depending on your stage of life ... not understanding how your money really works can be costly. For women in their 30s, 40s or 50s, there are important money mistakes to avoid that can be make or break in years to come, the Brisbane based adviser said. Financial adviser and author Helen Baker has identified the mistakes women need to avoid in their 30s, 40s and 50s. A woman in her 30s working out finances is pictured READ MORE: I was a destitute single mum on Centrelink and couldn't even afford to buy nappies. Here's how I turned $5 into $17,000 in shares and a property empire Courtney Lorking (pictured) bought her first home in 2019 and started investing in 2021 Advertisement As part of her work and studies, she has identified the mistakes women need to avoid in what she calls the 'flirty 30s', 'sporty 40s' and 'nifty 50s'. Baker, who is the founder of the women's finance company On Your Own Two Feet, said a woman's 30s are 'the time to flirt with your big hopes and dreams, and implement plans to make them a reality'. Flirty 30s The demands of buying a first home, having children and the career interruption that brings, can get in the way on good financial planning, she said. Common mistakes made by women in their 30s include: A lack of safeguards. Failing to invest losing out on compound earnings over your working life. Accruing bad debts and a poor credit score. Instead, try: Protecting yourself: establish an emergency fund (easily accessible cash in your own account); take out advantageous insurances while you're young and healthy. Investing now: maximise returns over your working life, with time to recover any unexpected losses. That includes superannuation and other investments. Investing in yourself: gain more skills and qualifications to boost your income-earning potential. Controlling your debts: Spend less than you earn; borrow less than you can afford; promptly pay down bad debts (high-interest debts that don't generate income, like credit cards). Sporty 40s A woman needs to be nimble on her feet in her 40s, Baker said, 'to run around juggling family needs, work commitments, aging parents and home maintenance,' she said. 'These conflicting demands can easily push your own needs to the backburner.' Common mistakes in your 40s include: Abandoning budgets, wealth building strategies and expense reviews. Setting bad money habits, that your kids also learn from you. Ignoring your own health and wellbeing. Instead, try: Making regular sit-downs as a couple/family to discuss money. What's coming in? What's going out? What expenses are no longer needed (eg, unused subscriptions/memberships)? How can you get more bang for you buck (eg, reviewing utilities, rightsizing insurances, refinancing loans)? Revisiting financial and legal matters regularly. Ensure your will is up-to-date; your super is performing well; insurances are fit for purpose with adequate coverage; company and trust structures are properly set up; you're claiming all relevant tax deductions and benefits. Staying healthy physically and mentally. This keeps your healthcare bills down, protects your health longer term and safeguards your earning power (fewer lost work days; better decision-making at work and about money). Helen Baker (pictured) is the founder of the women's finance company On Your Own Two Feet Nifty 50s The nifty thing about your 50s is that your kids (if you have any) are generally older, you have some seniority at work and your earning potential is typically at its highest, Baker said. But she advises women in their 50s not to rest on their laurels. Common money mistakes made by women in their 50s include: Leaving financial matters up to your partner. This is why women in their 50s are the new face of homelessness divorce or the sudden death of their partner without back-up plans can quite literally left them out in the cold. Failing to leverage superannuation benefits. Not having a transition to retirement plan. Instead, try: Making financial decisions together. Know your individual and joint assets and liabilities; have contingency plans for death/divorce/illness/redundancy; get your estate planning in order. Embracing super benefits. Downsizing from the family home, spousal and catch-up contributions and low-income offsets can all turbocharge your super, and in some cases, cut your tax bill too. Making a retirement plan. Will you both retire together? When? What will your living costs be? Will you qualify for a pension/part-pension? How will you spend your days? A woman is pictured looking at bills and using a calculator to work out the payments Baker said that regardless of what age a woman is, a common mistake to avoid is seeking the wrong financial advice, or getting none at all. 'Friends and family mean well but, unless they are qualified (they) are offering opinions based on their own situation, not yours,' she said. 'Finfluencers (financial influencers) and self-styled "experts" typically peddle ideas that benefit themselves, not you. And DIY financing is risky because you simply don't know what you don't know.' She advises people to instead seek qualified, professional advice that is tailored to their unique situation, saying it 'can be the best investment you'll ever make'. Helen Baker's new book, On Your Own Two Feet: The Essential Guide to Financial Independence for all Women is out now. Proceeds from book sales are donated to charities supporting disadvantaged women and children. She was invited by her best friend who babysits for a rich divorced man A boyfriend is angry that his girlfriend is going on holiday to Hawaii A young man has been labelled as 'insecure' and 'jealous' for disapproving of his girlfriend going on a one-week holiday to Hawaii that's funded by another man. The 21-year-old girlfriend was invited on the trip by her best friend who babysits for a 'very wealthy divorced man' who paid for both of their return flights. The 22-year-old boyfriend felt odd about the situation and shared the details on Reddit. 'From my perspective I see many red flags as I believe men usually gift girls things when they want or expect something in return,' he wrote. 'I'm a huge fan of experiences and fully appreciate the opportunity to travel for free. However I am not naive and I know usually men don't just fly attractive women along with them on vacation for nothing.' A boyfriend has asked for advice after his girlfriend said she's going on a holiday to Hawaii with her best friend that's been paid for by a wealthy man (stock image) The 40-year-old divorced man is going on a holiday elsewhere and asked the babysitter to look after his place, saying she can bring someone along to keep her company. He offered his whole home along with $2,000 spending money in addition to her regular pay. The girlfriend works for an airline and was on standby to make her own travel arrangements but the 40-year-old offered to pay and confirmed her tickets. The boyfriend wrote: 'I believe it's valid to not be a fan of it especially since I've never met the guy. 'Part of me is hurt too since my gf and I went to Hawaii earlier in the year but stayed within our budgets. Staying at a hostel and not a fancy resort. 'It makes me wonder why am I here if she will just accept a super fancy vacation from another man, while I'm at home working to save for our future and pay for travel for the two of us.' The 22-year-old boyfriend felt odd about the situation and shared the details on Reddit . 'From my perspective I see many red flags as I believe men usually gift girls things when they want or expect something in return,' he wrote (stock image) Hundreds of Redditors dubbed the boyfriend as 'pathetic' while others said they'd feel the same way. 'Your girlfriend is not going on vacation with another man, she is going with her girlfriend who is working for the man. He said that she could bring a friend along, he did not specify that the friend had to be your girlfriend,' one wrote. 'No doubt, he extended the extra invitation to make her feel more comfortable. This was very thoughtful of him.' Another said it's 'normal' for rich people to spend money excessively. A third said: 'The tickets have your girlfriend's name on them, but they're actually for her friend. The friend who is babysitting and whose employer has said she can bring someone along.' Another said: 'Her friend is going on this trip to work, he's gotten your GF a ticket since she's her friend's plus one so she'll have someone on her downtime to be with. 'I think it's gross that your brain went to 'she must be using him as a sugar daddy if she accepts a gift.' However, some believed the girlfriend is in the wrong. One person said 'if the tables were turned' the girlfriend would be up in arms too. 'You can trust your gf and still not trust the intentions of the 40 year old divorced dude,' one wrote. Someone else wrote: 'Actually I would advise repeating all of this to the girlfriend. Communication is always key. May the chips fall where they may.' Three in four countries face the threat of 'underpopulation' by 2050 because of the world's plummeting birth rates, shock research warned today. By 2100 this could rise to 97 per cent of all nations, in what experts have described as a 'staggering social change'. Powerhouses such as Britain and the US will have to become reliant on immigration to avoid the 'immense' consequences the situation threatens, the study in the respected medical journal The Lancet concluded. Without replenishment of an ageing population, scientists claim public services and economic growth are at risk. Ever-declining birth rates will also pile extra pressure on the NHS and social care. Commentators today warned policymakers need to 'wake up to the fact that falling fertility rates are one of the greatest threats' to the West. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. The threat of underpopulation sparked by 'baby busts' is a pet topic of Elon Musk. In 2017, the eccentric Tesla billionaire said Earth's population was 'accelerating towards collapse but few seem to notice or care'. Dr Natalia Bhattacharjee, of the University of Washington's School of Medicine, said the trends will completely reconfigure the global economy and the international balance of power. She said: 'The implications are immense. 'These future trends in fertility rates and live births will completely reconfigure the global economy and the international balance of power and will necessitate reorganising societies. 'Global recognition of the challenges around migration and global aid networks are going to be all the more critical when there is fierce competition for migrants to sustain economic growth and as sub-Saharan Africa's baby boom continues.' She added: 'There's no silver bullet. 'Social policies to improve birth rates such as enhanced parental leave, free childcare, financial incentives, and extra employment rights, may provide a small boost to fertility rates. 'But most countries will remain below replacement levels. 'And once nearly every country's population is shrinking, reliance on open immigration will become necessary to sustain economic growth. 'Sub-Saharan African countries have a vital resource that ageing societies are losing a youthful population.' For a population to stay the same size, countries must achieve a 'replacement' level fertility rate of 2.1. In the UK, the birth rate is predicted to fall to 1.3 children per woman of childbearing age by 2100, however. The rate stood at around 2.2 in the 1950s, dropping to 1.9 in the 1980s. Currently it stands close to the 1.5 mark. The US will see a similar downward trajectory as the UK. Fertility replacement doesn't account for the impact of migration, meaning overall population levels can still increase in a country despite a drop in fertility rates. The study also predicted half of all babies will be born in sub-Saharan Africa by 2100. While many scientists have warned about the threat of overpopulation on the environment, food and housing supplies, underpopulation is also a challenge. If unaddressed, it can lead to an increasing ageing population, with a significant proportion needing care and unable to work. Professor Stein Emil Vollset, fellow researcher, said women in high-income countries who wish to have children must be better supported to maintain population size and economic growth. 'We are facing staggering social change through the 21st century,' he said. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. 'The world will be simultaneously tackling a baby boom in some countries and a baby bust in others.' He also warned that some of the poorest and most politically unstable countries in Africa will be grappling with how to support the youngest, fastest-growing population on the planet. The figures project that by 2050, seven of the top 10 countries with the highest birth rates will be in sub-Saharan Africa. Niger is forecasted to top the list with a rate of 5.15. Britain's fertility rate has been in freefall for a decade, apart from a blip during 2021 put down to a mini baby 'bounce' by couples who put their family plans on hold at the start of the Covid pandemic. Experts believe the trend is partly down to women focusing on their education and careers and couples waiting to have children until later in life. As fertility is linked to age, this can lead to some women never having children or fewer than they might originally have planned. The UK's fragile economy and cost-of-living crisis is also putting people off having children, some believe, evidenced by abortion rates simultaneously spiking. Others cite the environment, with people fearing that they will worsen their carbon footprint by having a child or that their child will have a bleak future due to climate change. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. For men, lifestyle factors like the rising prevalence of obesity in many countries is also thought to be having a downward impact on fertility. The threat of underpopulation has been a pet topic of Elon Musk, who has preached about it for years. In 2017, he said that the number of people on Earth is 'accelerating towards collapse but few seem to notice or care'. Then in 2021 Musk, who has 11 known children, warned that civilisation is 'going to crumble' if people don't have more children. At Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's 'Atreju' political festival in Rome in December, Musk also urged Italians to have more children to 'save Italy's culture'. Later, he added: 'My advice to all government leaders and people is make sure you have children to create a new generation or the culture of Italy, Japan and France will disappear.' He said: 'We are in danger of no longer having these countries.' The international research project, published in The Lancet, looked at past, current, and future trends in fertility and live births. The authors warned that governments must start planning for threats to economies, food security, health, the environment and geopolitical security brought on by the demographic changes. The way the NHS is funded requires a radical overhaul as it now too costly to rely on taxes alone, the deputy chair of NHS England has said. Wol Kolade highlighted the huge growth in healthcare spending in recent years and warned taxpayers can no longer afford to fund it at the rate that is required. He said budgets have increased from around 110billion a year when he first joined the board in 2018 to around 165billion now, adding: 'Where the hell is it going to stop? 250billion? 300billion?' Mr Kolade, who is also a leading private equity figure, said the country needs a 'big conversation' about how the health service is funded and suggested social insurance or 'some sort of private solution' may have a role. Wol Kolade highlighted the huge growth in healthcare spending in recent years and warned taxpayers can no longer afford to fund it at the rate that is required Your browser does not support iframes. His comments came as health leaders made a further plea for more cash and as a new study suggested the NHS needs an immediate injection of around 8.5billion a year over the next four years. Leading experts said the money is needed to make up a 32billion shortfall in funding in England and would help tackle problems such as high waiting lists, access to GPs and worker shortages. In the second report of the BMJ Commission on the Future of the NHS, economist and senior associate at the Nuffield Trust, John Appleby, plus two colleagues argue that, while the Government's recent spring budget funding pledges are a start, they do not go far enough. They said: 'In the recent spring budget, the Government has pledged a further 2.5billion for the NHS in England in 2024-25 to keep up day-to-day funding of the health service, with a further 3.4billion investment over three years to improve productivity through digital transformation. 'These figures, although a start, certainly will not make up the significant shortfall that the NHS now faces.' Their views were echoed by Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, who said: 'While pledges made in the latest Budget are a start, they do not go far enough in plugging the gap in health service funding. Unveiled as part of the Budget earlier this month, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt claimed the move will unlock 35billion in returns in terms of efficiency in the health service 'We have been calling for further investment in capital for some time.' However, in an interview with Private Equity News, Mr Kolade said: 'We can essentially no longer continue to fund at the rate at which we need. 'When I joined the board in 2018 it was something like 110bn. This year it's 160-170bn. 'That sort of rate of growth cannot continue. Where the hell is it going to stop? 250bn? 300bn? 'At what point do you say, will you think about the way we provide this? Is it a mixture of social insurance or some sort of private solution? It's a big conversation.' Mr Kolade became a non-executive director on the NHS improvement board in 2018 and deputy chair of NHS England in 2022. He is also managing partner at London-based private equity firm, Livingbridge, which has made a number of investments into UK healthcare. A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: 'The Government is fully committed to the NHS as a public service free at the point of need, which is faster, simpler and fairer. 'This is irrespective of whether care is provided by NHS organisations, which provide the majority of the UKs healthcare, or by the private, voluntary or social enterprise sectors. 'We announced in the Budget that the NHS in England will receive a 2.5 billion day-to-day funding boost this year and a further 3.4 billion investment in the latest technology from 2025. 'We are providing the NHS with record funding of nearly 165 billion a year by the end of this Parliament, an increase of 13% in real terms compared to 2019-20.' U.S. and Japanese diplomats stationed in South Korea on Thursday stressed the importance of stepping up their trilateral security cooperation to address North Korea's escalating military provocations. Joy Sakurai, deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, made the point during a seminar hosted by the Institute for Global Strategy and Cooperation, emphasizing that three-way cooperation is "crucial" for maintaining peace, stability and prosperity in the region. "And all of these achievements are very clear and tangible, and they make us all safer from threats posed by the DPRK's continued development of its unlawful nuclear ballistic missile programs and the growing military cooperation with Russia, as well as other regional threats," she said, referring to the North by its official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. She also noted that their "ballistic missile early warning information system that went online this year" is showing "early results." In December 2023, South Korea, the United States and Japan launched a trilateral system for the real-time sharing of North Korean missile warning data in a move to beef up cooperation against Pyongyang's growing military threats. Taisuke Mibae, deputy chief of mission at the Japanese Embassy in Seoul, also highlighted the need to "accelerate the momentum" for trilateral cooperation on the international stage, including the U.N. Security Council. (Yonhap) New AI tools can catch breast cancer early and predict which patients are more at risk of treatment side effects. The duo of breakthroughs offer hope for the 55,000 British women diagnosed with the disease every year. One of the tools, being tested in the UK, France and the Netherlands, opens up the door to giving patients more personalised treatment. It can calculate how likely a patient who has gone through surgery and radiotherapy will experience side effects, such as scarring, swelling of the arm (lymphoedema) and heart damage from radiation, years later. There are around 55,900 new breast cancer cases in the UK every year, according to Cancer Research UK WHAT IS LYMPHOEDEMA? Lymphoedema is a long-term condition that causes swelling in the body's tissues. It usually develops in the arms or legs. Lymphoedema affects up to 10million people in the US and more than 200,000 in the UK. It occurs when the lymphatic system does not work properly. The lymphatic system is a network of channels and glands that remove excess fluid and help fight infections. As well as swelling, which is often worse during the day, other symptoms may include: An aching, heavy feeling Difficulty moving Repeated skin infections Hard, tight skin Wart-like growths Fluid leaking from the skin Folds developing in the skin Lymphoedema can be inherited or occur as a result of infections, injuries or cancer treatment. Around one in five women with breast cancer and half with vulval cancer develop lymphoedema. There is no cure. Treatment focuses on minimising fluid build up via compression stockings and a healthy lifestyle. Source: NHS Choices Advertisement Patients thought to be at higher risk could be offered alternative treatment, or extra support. The tool found to be around 73 per cent accurate at making three-year predictions was trained on more than 6,000 breast cancer patients. The results were shared at the European Breast Cancer Conference in Milan. Consultant breast surgeon Dr Tim Rattay, based at the University of Leicester, told The Guardian: 'We hope this will assist doctors and patients in choosing options for radiation treatment and reduce side-effects for all patients.' Dr Simon Vincent, director of research, support and influencing at Breast Cancer Now, said the tool was 'exciting'. He added: 'This research is in its early stages and more evidence is needed before we can consider whether or not the AI tool could be used in medical settings, and we look forward to seeing results from the trial.' Another AI tool called Mia successfully identified tiny signs of cancer in 11 women, which were missed by human doctors. The tool was tested by NHS hospital Trust Grampian in Scotland. It analysed 10,000 mammograms. When cancers are in their earliest stages they can be extremely small and hard to spot, with many invisible to the human eye. But many cancers can grow and spread rapidly. One of the 11 patients whose cancer was flagged by AI tool Mia was Barbara. Her cancer had been missed when studied by the hospital radiologists, the BBC reported. Barbara's 6mm tumour was caught so early by AI that she only needed five days of radiotherapy and an operation. Because Barbara had not noticed any symptoms, her cancer might have not been spotted for another three years at her next mammogram appointment. More than 90 per cent of women diagnosed with early-stage invasive breast cancer, with tumours smaller than 15mm, will survive the disease for five years or more, according to Cancer Research UK. Tools like Mia could help to reduce waiting time for results, from two weeks to just three days. The tool might even reduce workload as breast cancer doctors look at around 100 scans in a session. During the trial each patient had a human review as well as one by Mia. However, it is hoped that instead of having two radiologists examine each scan, one radiologist could be replaced by this tool. An AI tool called Mia, has successfully identified tiny signs of cancer in 11 women, which were missed by human doctors Nearly one in six families have been impacted by incest at some point, according to a shocking new analysis that has not been peer reviewed. The taboo subject of incest is becoming increasingly discussed as at-home DNA tests from companies like Ancestry and 23&me become more common, revealing uncomfortable truths about family connections. It has previously been estimated that as few as as 2 percent of Americans had experienced sexual contact with a family member. But a review of hundreds of studies by a sexual health company earlier this month estimated that 15 percent of US families have had an 'incest event.' Dr David Lawson, a Texas-based psychologist who specializes in sexual abuse and trauma, told DailyMail.com that the true figure is likely higher: 'Whatever statistics you get, theyre probably conservative because these things are not things people tend to report.' According to World Population Review, a data aggregating site, inbreeding is most common in the states colored in red Incestual family relationships have garnered increased public interest after a 2004 documentary as well as exclusive DailyMail.com reporting about America's most inbred family, the Whittakers A portrait of the 'blue' Fugate family depicted by artist Walt Spitzmiller for a 1982 edition of the Science journal The results are from an analysis by the sexual health company BedBible, rather than a university or research team, and the methodology has not been made public. There are no firm estimates for incest cases in the US because it often involves sexual abuse against a child and goes unreported. But the new figure is not entirely out of sync with other estimates. In her book Healing the Incest Wound: Adult Survivors in Therapy, psychologist Dr Christine Courtois says prevalence among women is as high as 20 percent - though that book is almost 40 years old. More recent data have put the prevalence at between 2 and 10 percent. Dr Lawson said: 'Theres only about less than 20 or 30 percent of people that were sexually abused within the family that actually disclose that sometime during childhood and most of them feel like theyre punished for that. The stats would probably be higher if the facts were known.' Meanwhile, CDC research indicates that one in four girls and one in six boys are sexually abused before the age of 18 - the vast majority (91 percent) by someone the child or their family knows. BedBible says its researchers analyzed more than 290 published peer-reviewed articles including data from more than 11 million people spanning from 1980 to 2023. In that time, it said, 10 to 15 percent of families had incest events in their family trees. The majority were girls, according to the analysis - with one in five girls victims of incest compared with one in 14 boys. A quarter of cases involve two people not biologically related - such as a stepfather and stepdaughter - but the remainder are between two blood relatives. Incest is still legal to some extent in 19 US states, where two first cousins can marry. Most of the states fall on the coasts and in the South. New data coming to light suggests that sex among even closer relations is fairly common. The most frequent type of incest is father-daughter incest (34.8 percent of all incest cases is father-daughter; 23.1 percent is brother-sister; 6.1 percent is mother-son). Dr Lawson said early figures gathered in the 90s tended to consider only father-child and stepfather-stepchild incestual relationships, and the high figure as part of BedBible's analysis was likely due to researchers now giving more attention to sibling relationships. The vast majority of incest cases - 74 percent - take place within the biological family, but about a quarter of them involve a stepparent and stepchild. An estimated 32 million Americans reported to have been the victims of incest as a child, yet just 20 percent of incest victims report the crime to law enforcement, according to the report. The report added that over 50 percent of pornography on Pornhub have an incestuous angle, which appears to reflect a dark fascination with inter-family sex. The consequences of being a victim of incest can be severe. An estimated 93 percent of women who experience sexual abuse from their fathers develop eating disorders and nearly all have been diagnosed with depression. Sexual abuse victims are also 11 times more likely to become offenders themselves compared to people who were not abused. Ray, who can only communicate via barks and grunts, insisted on showing reporters around the property in Virginia Home DNA tests to determine one's ancestry have been popular for years, and companies like 23&me and Ancestry DNA have helped point people in the direction of uncovering disturbing truths about their origins. One person who found out the disturbing truth about her family history was 39-year-old Victoria Hill, who, at a high school reunion, got chatting about family trees with an ex-boyfriend with whom she was once intimate. Meanwhile, Virginia native Steve Edsel, found out via AncestryDNA that his parents were first-degree relatives, either siblings or father-daughter. He radiated anger at the thought of the origins of his conception, likely the result of sexual assault of his mother carried out by his grandfather. The companies themselves will not say explicitly whether someone's family had an 'incest event', but submitting DNA to third-party genealogy labs can answer that question. Incestual relationships seems to be more common in areas that tend to be more remote from larger metropolises. Around half of adults who carry out incest have been found to be unemployed. Nearly 84 percent of victims of incest are female, compared to about 16 percent of males. The Whittaker Family of Odd, West Virginia, lived in relative obscurity until a 2004 documentary followed by exclusive DailyMail.com reporting revealed the extent to which years of inbreeding had affected various generations. One family member, Ray, could only communicate via barks and grunts; others were intellectually disabled and suffered other physical conditions. Many members of the family have suffered from a heart attack, while two did not make it through infancy. Siblings Ray, Betty, Larry, and Lorene, and her son Timmy, live in a dilapidated homestead in West Virginia. A set of identical twin brothers sparked the family's history of incest, with the children of Henry and John Whittaker getting married and having their first child in 1937. Its not clear whether the early Whittakers were spurred on by a desire to keep their bloodline pure, as was the motivation of European royals, or if it was a function of living in a remote place with few opportunities for education and financial improvement. The latter is believed to have been the impetus for the Kentucky-born Fugate family to intermarry. The graphic comes from BedBible, a sexual health and intimacy site, which conducted a metastudy spanning 292 different published and peer-reviewed articles Commonly known as the Blue Fugates, the family settled in the US, starting with Martin Fugate in 1820, who arrived at Troublesome Creek with blue skin, the product of a certain gene mutation. He married Elizabeth Smith, who carried the same gene, though it was recessive. Of their seven children, four were reported to be blue. Today, most of the Fugate family descendants have lost their blue coloring, though the tint still comes out on their skin when they get cold or their tempers flare. Normally, a child gets an equal number of chromosomes from each parent, each one encoded with specific genes. If one parent has a recessive gene, such as one for blue eyes, it will be beaten out by the other parents dominant gene for brown eyes. But in cases of incest, the parents may have those same recessive genes, which are then passed down to the child. First-cousin marriage is permitted in the following states: Alabama, Alaska, California, Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, and Virginia, Some states allow first-cousin marriages, with some exceptions. However, several states have evaded the law. Data aggregator World Population Review and legal and estate planning company Hive Law named the following states hotspots for inbreeding: Alabama, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia, Virginia, South Dakota, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Montana. The recessive gene in the Fugates case was for a blood disorder called methemoglobinemia, which turned their skin blue. The course of incestual relationships in which members of the family married their second cousins or closer was borne out of the fact that they lived far removed from other people, surrounded by dirt roads and an absence of railways and access to larger towns and cities. However, breeding with a relative is thought to increase the risk of stillbirth and other problems for the child. An Egyptian study in 2013 looked at more than 8,100 patients in a Cairo childrens hospital. DailyMail spoke with members of the family who said they were thrilled with their new creature comforts. Pictured: Timmy, Betty and Lorene. Pastor William Plumley told DailyMail.com that Timmy and Lorene had been members of the Good Hope congregation for many years and enjoy getting involved in the sermons Over 93 percent of the patients who were deaf had parents who were related to one another. More than 76 percent of patients with mental retardation had related parents, and 92 percent had limb abnormalities. The children of two cousins are likely to have lower IQs and higher rates of mental retardation. A 2014 study published in PLOS One that examined the IQs of 408 children found that those who were the product of inbreeding were short between 10 and 25 IQ points compared to those whose parents were not related. Life expectancy in the US crept up slightly in 2022, official data shows but remains at a near 20-year low. Figures from the CDC show someone born today can now expect to live 77 years and two-and-a-half months, up by just over a year from 2021, when the Covid pandemic was still raging. It is the first time life expectancy has risen in two years, but the metric remains at its lowest level since 2003 and trailed the level in 2019, before Covid struck, when it was 78 years and nine months. Researchers warned today that the drops were a 'flashing red light' highlighting the declining health of the nation's population amid rising obesity rates. The US life expectancy continues to lag behind those in its European peers, including Germany where people born now can expect to live 81 years and eight months on average or five years longer than their US counterparts. The above graph shows life expectancy in the US by year from 1980 to 2022. There has been a slight rise in the most recent year that data is available Though the US is recovering from a surge in Covid deaths, the country still ranks far below other developed nations. Even taking into account the recent increase in life expectancy, nations like Japan, France, and Sweden rank far higher It also lags behind a swathe of other European countries including the UK, Austria, France and Switzerland. In the UK, for comparison, men can expect to live four years longer than their US counterparts while women can expect to live three years longer. The US life expectancy is also nearly five years less than in its neighbor Canada, where people born today can currently expect to live for 81 years and four months. Dr Steven Woolf, a population health expert at Virginia Commonwealth University, told CNN: 'Put simply, the fact that life expectancy in 2022 was lower than in 2019 means that Americans continue to die at higher rates than they did before the pandemic, despite the rebound. 'We are hardly out of the woods.' He added on the rise in deaths among children: 'This is a red flashing light about the poor health status of Americans and how it now puts our children at risk. 'This trend... is alarming nonetheless because it means that our children, our most cherished population, are less likely to survive to adulthood.' The CDC's report calculated life expectancy at birth based on the nearly 3.3million deaths recorded in 2022 184,300 lower than in 2021. They also analyzed death rates by age group to reveal trends and whether rates were rising among certain groups. The report did not give a reason for the uptick in life expectancy, although it did point to falling Covid fatality rates as more people have immunity from the virus. Data showed Covid deaths fell 57 percent from 2021 to 2022 and that Covid dropped from being the third to fourth biggest killer in the US in the same period. Heart disease and cancer remained the two biggest killers in the United States. Unintentional injuries such as car accidents rose from fourth to become the third leading cause of death and kidney disease rose from the tenth to ninth spot. Life expectancy in the US had pointed upward for decades surging from an estimated 50 years in 1900 to nearly 77 by the turn of the century. But after Covid struck life expectancy saw its biggest drop since World War II dropping one year and six months between 2019 and 2020. The record was set in 2014 when the average American was estimated to live for 78 years and ten months from birth. The above shows life expectancy at birth across the US for the latest two years that data is available The CDC said that the rise in life expectancy was partially driven by a dip in deaths from Covid The CDC report also looked at fatality rates in all age groups, which declined among older adults but rose among babies and young children. Data on infant mortality showed the rate was 560.4 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2022, an increase of 3.1 percent on the previous year. The rate also rose 12 percent among one to four-year-olds, from 25 to 28 deaths per 100,000 people, and seven percent for those aged five to 14 years from 14.3 to 15.3. The report did not suggest what had caused the shift, although Dr Woolf has previously suggested that this is linked to increases in drug overdoses and car accidents in the age group for children. For babies, there have been mounting concerns over declines in US maternity care for years. Dr Woolf said: 'Importantly, these are the same causes of death that have been claiming the lives of young adults in their 20s. 'What this means is that the causes of death that have been claiming the lives of young adults have now reached down to younger age groups, claiming the lives of teenagers.' A goat in Minnesota has tested positive for bird flu, in the first case of bird flu in domestic livestock in US history. The baby goat, who tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza strain H5N1, the strain of bird flu that has been spreading since 2022, was from a farm in Stevens County in the west of the state. Officials suspect the goat caught the flu from the infected bird because the animals shared the same space and had access to a shared water source. Dr Thomas Moore, an infectious diseases doctor at the University of Kansas, say it marks a 'worrisome development' because it shows the virus is edging closer to infecting other mammals and even humans. It is rare for mammals to get bird flu because they have fewer of the receptors in their upper airways which the virus binds to. The baby goat, who tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza strain H5N1, the strain of bird flu that has been spreading since 2022, was from a farm in Stevens County in the west of the state Officials suspect the goat caught the flu from the infected bird because the animals shared the same space and had access to a shared water source (stock image) All animals have been quarantined and there is an 'extremely low' risk to the public, with only those who have been in direct contact to the animals at risk, the Minnesota Board of Animal Health. While there doesn't appear to be any mutation this time, experts told DailyMail.com the longer the virus is around in mammals undetected, the more chance it has to mutate. The farm already had a an outbreak of H5N1 in poultry in February, and the birds had been quarantined in an attempt to stop the spread. Health officials are still investigating how the virus was transmitted, and the board said it has quarantined all other species on the farm. 'Thankfully, research to-date has shown mammals appear to be dead-end hosts, which means theyre unlikely to spread HPAI further.' Animals with weakened immune systems, such as baby goats in this case, are at higher risk of contracting disease in general. But Dr Moore told DailyMail.com that it was reminder that at any point, bird flu could acquire a mutation that makes it transmissible to humans. He said: 'It's obviously a worrisome development. Because you don't know, where it ends? ...The virus is constantly replicating and we don't really know where it's going to end. 'I think it's reasonable to assume this is the only goat that's infected. Particularly if you have documented infection and poultry nearby.' He added: 'The thing is that make it makes you worry a little bit is whether it's transmissible to wild birds in the area who can then transport it. You can do all the quarantine you want to goats and domestic poultry but if you think you have wild birds acting as a vector, then it can spread widely.' Dr Brian Hoefs, the state veterinarian, said: 'This finding is significant because, while the spring migration is definitely a higher risk transmission period for poultry, it highlights the possibility of the virus infecting other animals on farms with multiple species.' No one has become ill after being in contact with mammals infected with bird flu. In August 2023, two people in Michigan were diagnosed with swine flu after being exposed to infected pigs at county fairs. Like all flus, the virus is spread primarily through droplets in the air which are breathed in or get into a person's mouth, eyes or nose The current bird flu outbreak has been raging for almost two years, touching every corner of the world including Antarctica for the first time. Experts have warned that increasing cases in mammals could lead to a recombination event when two viruses, such as avian flu and seasonal flu, switch genetic material to make a new hybrid. A similar process is thought to have caused the global 2009 swine flu crisis that infected millions across the planet. For decades, scientists have warned that bird flu is the most likely contender for triggering the next pandemic. This could see a deadly strain of bird flu merge with a transmissible seasonal flu. In the UK, a December report showed four samples from the infected otters and foxes 'show the presence of a mutation which is associated with potential advantages for mammalian infection'. The UKHSA warned that the 'rapid and consistent acquisition of the mutation in mammals may imply this virus has a propensity to cause zoonotic infections' meaning it could potentially spread to humans. Yuko Sato, a poultry extension veterinarian and diagnostician from Iowa State University, told DailyMail.com that there appears to be no mutation between the virus received from the goat and the virus received from the chicken. 'Thankfully, it seems like there's it's just a horizontal spread,' she said. But she added: 'The biggest risk is probably just having the virus just being around in different groups of animals undetected. 'The longer the virus is around it, the more ability it has to mutate. As soon as there's something wrong, I think it was great that [the farmers in Minnesota] had it diagnosed really quickly and investigated, because the longer it festers, the more problems there's going to be.' On whether it raises the risk of human spillover, she said: 'I don't know yet. But this virus seems to be more likely to have that potential compared to the past virus in 2015.' The last case of bird flu in a commercial flock of birds in America was in June 2015. An outbreak of bird flu occurred between December 2014 and June 2015, with more than 200 cases of bird flu in both backyard poultry and wild birds. Bird flu led to the slaughter of five million birds in the US in 2023 in an attempt to prevent an outbreak. Last year, Dr Sylvie Briand, the WHO's director of epidemic and pandemic preparedness and prevention, said: 'The global H5N1 situation is worrying given the wide spread of the virus in birds around the world and the increasing reports of cases in mammals including humans.' H5N1 was first detected in chickens in Scotland in 1959, and again in China and Hong Kong in 1996. It first was detected in humans in 1997. Human-to-human transmission of H5N1 is incredibly rare, but not impossible. In 1997, officials confirmed 18 H5N1 cases in Hong Kong, some of which were acquired through human-to-human transmission. The outbreak stayed relatively small, though. And did not spiral into a massive issue at either the local or global level. This recent outbreak has caused particular concern. More than 15million domesticated birds, and countless wild animals, have been struck down by the virus. There is nothing to be done that can prevent the spread among wild birds, but officials are working to keep domesticated populations away from them. In the UK, all farmed chickens are now required to stay indoors. A woman in Oregon is suing her nail salon for $1.75million after claiming that a manicure gave her herpes. The customer, 23, who has not been named, visited the salon in June 2023 for the beauty treatment which saw her nails cut, filed and shaped. But immediately afterwards she noticed inflammation and swelling on two of her fingers and said she began to feel ill. Four days later, however, painful blisters erupted from her skin with the patient rushed to hospital and then diagnosed with genital herpes. The woman, who filed the lawsuit in Multnomah County Circuit Court which covers the state capital Portland, said she did not have herpes before but was infected at the salon. The above picture, shared by the 23-year-old woman in Oregon, shows the herpes on one of her fingers She says she caught the virus after going for a manicure at PDX Nails in Portland, Oregon In the lawsuit, she says the technician did not wear gloves which could have prevented any infections from spreading. The technician was also alleged to have stored drill bits used to help shape the nails inside a mints tin, from the brand Altoids. The woman is seeking damages from the salon PDX Nails in Portland saying that the infection has left her in pain and suffering from regular flare-ups in her hands. This has left her needing to wear band-aids on her fingers to cover up the sores which have, at times, attracted questions. The woman, known only as S.R., also fears she may never be rid of the infection and will have to be careful with any future children with herpes able to lie dormant in the body for decades. She told Oregon Live: 'The flare-ups can be super, super painful. It's always on my mind. 'People have asked: "What happened to your finger?". 'I don't want to tell them what it really is because it's really embarrassing.' The lawsuit names Tam Nguyen, who is listed as the salon manager, and Hai Nguyen, who is listed as the salon owner, as defendants. Neither responded to requests for comment. The woman also revealed how she had been getting manicures since she was about eight years old, regularly accompanying her mother to salons. On many occasions, she said she had visited the businesses for fun such as birthday parties and girl's nights out. Claimants have previously been awarded damages following injections at a nail salon. In 2002, a woman in Colorado was awarded $3.1million after finding she contracted herpes from a manicure that used non-sterile instruments. And in 2021, a woman in Florida was paid $1.75million by a salon after it emerged that she had suffered an infection that resulted in her leg being amputated. In 2012, a Multnomah County jury also awarded a Portland woman $900,000 after she contracted herpes from her date, who had sex with her without informing her of his status. Herpes is commonly transmitted via sexual contact, but the virus can also spread through contact with contaminated surfaces such as toilet seats and bedding. Warning signs appear within two to 12 days of an infection and can include painful blisters, fever, swelling and muscle aches. If left untreated, it can lead to more severe blisters on the infected area typically in the mouth or around the genitals. Doctors say this can leave patients struggling with daily activities including eating, drinking, sleeping and speaking due to the pain and discomfort. Treatment options include antivirals and over-the-counter pain relief medications, but patients can suffer from repeat flare-ups because the virus can lie dormant in the body for years. About 570,000 herpes infections are recorded in the US every year, data suggests. When Chris Overend's seven-year-old Mercedes Benz B Class broke down beside a dual carriageway on a freezing night last March, he assumed the RAC would swiftly arrive to help. Mr Overend, 66, works as a professional driver and he says the breakdown group had been brilliant on past call-outs. He'd paid 138 for his annual membership - up from 75 in 2021. 'Although I was in a precarious position - just at the side of a slip road off the A1 - I wasn't worried. I was confident that the RAC would get me home smoothly. How absolutely wrong I was,' Mr Overend says. Break down: Chris Overend called the RAC before 10pm - but the company had no patrols available (stock image) Chris and his wife Liz, 64, had been driving home to Grantham, south Lincolnshire, from Manchester and were left stranded overnight by the RAC in sub-zero temperatures. It took over 12 hours for the company to get them home. The Overends' first called the RAC just before 10pm - when it was -1C - but the company had no patrols available. 'We waited freezing by the roadside for eight hours, until a sub-contractor from a local garage arrived at 5am,' says Overend, 'but he couldn't recover the car, and drove us to a service area.' The couple finally arrived home at 10am, when they received a call from the Highways Agency, who had provided them with foil blankets during their overnight debacle. 'The Highways Agency told us that the RAC had not returned to pick up the vehicle, so they had had to remove it from the roadside to their compound.' The Overend's breakdown nightmare did not end there. 'I spent five hours on the phone to the RAC being passed around from one department to another. Breakdown nightmare? Have you suffered a breakdown nightmare at the hands of the RAC or any other compnay. Get in touch and tell us about it, putting Breakdown in the subject line at: editor@thisismoney.co.uk 'But it took another 12 days for the RAC to pick up my car from the compound and take it to the garage. 'In that time, I was not contacted by the RAC, or offered a hire car. I had to pay for a car myself to keep working.' Missed earnings, replacement car fees and the repair costs left the Overends more than 1,900 out of pocket - but the RAC offered only 150 compensation. 'It is difficult to convey the level of betrayal, frustration and abandonment,' Overend adds. The RAC said: 'We've also apologised to Mr Overend for not recovering his vehicle far more quickly and have offered him a gesture of goodwill to reflect this.' He has now ditched the RAC - which refunded his policy but allowed him to continue his policy for a year - and switched to another provider. Customers can take a complaint further, to the Financial Ombudsman, but it points out its jurisdiction is restricted to complaints about the brokering of a breakdown policy - arranging or administering the contract, for example, over a renewal or cancellation, rather than the breakdown service itself. Social media, and even the RAC's own online customer forum, is awash with criticism from disappointed members. In just the past month, there is a litany of complaints on X addressed to the RAC's assistance account. One wrote: 'My daughter has been waiting over five hours for somebody to get to her, on her own in a freezing car.' Another said the RAC was an 'absolute shambles of a company. Broken down, promised a recovery within 60-90 minutes as classed as 'high priority' on the side of a motorway. No sign of anyone for 7 hours! RAC was told one of the passengers is diabetic without medication.' A third complained: 'I had cause to use my RAC cover on my new car last night. After nearly four hours stuck in a dark, inner city street no one showed! Thankfully the AA came after 45 minutes. Disgusted by your appalling service! I will never use you again!' And in December, TV personality Debbie McGee slammed RAC for leaving her stranded after her car broke down. Not quite magic: Debbie McGee recently slammed RAC for leaving her stranded when her car broke down Some critics blame the company's change of ownership structure for its decline in service levels. The RAC enjoyed one hundred years of stability as a mutual until 1999 - but in the intervening years, no fewer than six different corporates have bought and sold the business. It's currently owned by three investment giants: the Singaporean sovereign wealth fund GIC, Luxembourg-based private equity firm CVC Capital Partners and Silver Lake, a US buy-out group which owns Dell computers. All that deal-making has heaped debt on the business. Although its 13million members in the UK bought in revenues of 664million in 2022, the latest published data, its financing costs were over 250million. Consequently the business posted a 316million loss, and slashed its tax bill during the year. RAC Group Holdings Ltd, which owns the breakdown business, paid 61 million in tax in 2021 - but just 4million in 2022. The RAC blamed this on the higher figure being 'impacted by a one-off charge of 49million due to the effect of future planned tax rate changes.' The company did manage to give its highest-paid director, most likely chief executive Dave Hobday, a pay rise. His 1 million pay package in 2021 rose to 1.24million in 2022. Stranded: The RAC left Lucy Tobin's elderly father in the lurch after a breakdown on New Year's Eve It took RAC 25 hours to arrive Hobday is a name I've personally grown familiar with, having spent recent months emailing him over my family's own poor service at the hands of the RAC. Our debacle began on New Year's Eve, when my father's two-year-old Nissan Leaf broke down at my parents' home. As my father is sadly very ill, I drove round to help, phoning the RAC - with whom my parents' had had membership for two years, a 'perk' which came with the purchase of the car from Nissan - around 9am. I was told the call was classified 'category one, medical priority' due to my father's condition - but a patrol vehicle didn't arrive for eight hours. He then re-started the Leaf by resetting the vehicle - wiping all error messages, which meant the garage could not ascertain why the fault had occurred, and so it reoccured, two weeks later. This time, my mum, who is in her 70s, was out driving when the car broke down. Luckily, she was only a mile away from home, picking up medication for my father, so I headed out to bring her home. She called the RAC just after midday. Again they promised swift progress as it was a medical priority call-out. But the RAC actually turned up to tow the vehicle 25 hours later. READ MORE: My car broke down and now the RAC has LOST it - CRANE ON THE CASE In July, I broke down near where I live in Essex and called the RAC. Unfortunately, my car couldn't be fixed by the side of the road and it was too late in the evening to take it to a garage. I was told my car would be taken to a secure compound while I waited for a repair - but when someone arrived to pick it up it turned out it was never taken there. > I broke down and RAC lost my car I had waited near the car until 7pm, when a patroller had arrived after seven hours, at 7pm, but his vehicle couldn't tow the Nissan Leaf - despite the car being logged on the call sheet. Standing on the freezing street, I asked the patroller if I had to wait with the vehicle until the tow truck arrived, and was explicitly told that this was not necessary. The pick-up truck, which I was then told was due to arrive at 1am, would contact me at my home, one mile away, to pick up the car keys, so no one had to wait in the car in sub-zero temperatures until the early hours. I went home to wait - however, when the tow truck company got in touch ahead of its 1am pick-up slot, the controller said there was 'no way' they would pick up keys from a separate location and that I needed to wait with the vehicle. At 10pm, I then phoned the RAC to ask if I was then supposed to sit in the broken down, unlocked car alone until 1am with my children, and was told yes - unless I wanted to rebook the pick up for a five-hour time slot the next day. Reluctantly I did so rather than wait in the car until 1am. The next day, I was given a five-hour time slot to wait out, and had to cancel family plans. The car to eventually picked up at 1pm Saturday, 25 hours after the first call to the RAC. The breakdown service's social media account is called RAC Care. But our experience and those of swathes of other customers suggested that sometimes, the private equity-owned business doesn't care much at all. The RAC said it was 'extremely sorry that Mr Tobin and Mr Overend didn't receive our normal high standard of service. 'The vast majority of our members receive a fast, efficient service, but when dealing with thousands of breakdowns in different locations every day, there will be times when things don't go as they should.' The RAC offered my parents 200 compensation, but their experience means they now intend to switch providers. Nationwide members look set to miss out on a vote over the building society's 2.9billion Virgin Money takeover, as the pair formalised the deal on Thursday. A fortnight ago, the two groups struck a preliminary takeover agreement that would create the UK's second-biggest mortgages and savings provider, with over 25,000 employees and about 366billion in assets. Under the terms of the acquisition, Nationwide will pay Virgin Money's shareholders 220 pence per share, a 40 per cent premium on the latter's average closing share price in the three months to 6 March. But the deal 'will not be subject to any condition relating to the passing of a resolution by Nationwide's members', the pair said, with the mutual's board having 'determined that no such member approval is required'. No hurdle: It remains uncertain whether Nationwide Building Society's members will get a vote on the proposed 2.9billion takeover of Virgin Money Sir Richard Branson, who owns a 14.5 per cent stake in Virgin Money, could receive 400million while the lender's chief executive, David Duffy, is in line for a 3.5million payout. Virgin Money will also retain its brand name and operate as a separate legal entity, with its own board and banking licence, before being completely integrated into the Nationwide business by about 2030. The deal requires approval from 75 per cent of Virgin Money's shareholders, having secured 14.7 per cent so far. However, the building society is under pressure to give its members a vote, with financial services expert Baroness Bowles and former pensions minister Baroness Altmann urging Nationwide to do so. 'The whole beauty of a mutual is that it is run in the interests of its members who have voting rights too, and giving them the chance to exercise their right in a major transaction seems sensible,' Altmann recently said. Nationwide thinks it would be impossible to allow its vast membership base a say within a short time period and that a vote is not legally needed under the 1986 Building Societies Act. It said: 'Having taken appropriate legal and financial advice, the Nationwide board has determined that no such member approval is required. 'Accordingly, the acquisition will not be subject to any condition relating to the passing of a resolution by Nationwide's members to approve the acquisition.' Nationwide believes that buying the firm will expand its products and services 'faster than could be achieved organically.' The Swindon-based group, founded 140 years ago and the world's largest building society, will make its first move into business banking with the takeover. Its chief executive, Debbie Crosbie, said the deal 'strengthens Nationwide and means we can offer more value and broader services for our current and future members. 'More people will experience the benefits of mutual ownership and the customer-focused approach of a building society.' Direct Line has brought back its dividend despite posting a huge increase in losses, as its new boss attempts to reassure investors with a cost-cutting programme and a 'comprehensive strategy review'. The insurer proposed a 4p per share dividend on Thursday, having been forced to scrap its final annual payout after a 2022 loss, which the group said was feasible because of its 'strong capital position', and 'good performance' in its home, commercial and rescue units. But the firm revealed cost-cutting plans it says will save it 100million a year by the end of 2025, and hiked its net insurance margin (NIM) target the amount it makes from selling policies after payouts to 13 per cent by 2026. Direct Line brings back dividend and plots cost cuts in efforts to buffer investor confidence This helped Direct Line shares jump by 1.8 per cent to 215.3p in early trading, having added almost 50 per cent over the last year in the wake of two rebuffed takeover bids. Direct Line posted a 189.5million operating loss for the 12 months to 31 December, up from 6.4million the prior year, owing to weakness in its motor business, which led to a NIM of -8.3 per cent. The group said that without the impact of its motor business its NIM was 12.2 per cent, while the sale of its brokered commercial business last year contributed to a profit before tax of 277.4 million - up from a loss before tax of 301.8million in 2022. Boss Adam Winslow, who replaced Penny James in the wake of last year's results, said: 'The group has not always managed volatile market conditions successfully in recent years, particularly in Motor. 'However, it is clear that the decisive actions that Jon Greenwood and the team have taken over the last year have created a strong platform for recovery, including significant pricing and underwriting actions to improve our Motor margins and the sale of our brokered commercial business. 'While the picture has improved, we need to do more to drive performance and we have identified immediate actions we can take in 2024 to create value, including substantially reducing our cost base, driving claims excellence and optimising pricing capabilities whilst returning us back to higher quotability levels.' Winslow's plans to revive Direct Line follow two 'opportunistic' takeover bids, with the insurer rejecting the most recent 3.2billion offer from Belgian rival Aegeas earlier this month. He added that Direct Line is currently running a 'comprehensive strategy review of the significant opportunities we see to deliver higher returns', which will be outlined at its capital markets day in July. Mark Crouch, analyst at eToro, said Winslow's plans 'will require fully utilising Direct Line's large customer base and strong brand, both of which will be fundamental in turning the company's fortunes around'. He added: 'However, with the share price trading at 10-year lows, it's not surprising Direct Line is being eyed up as a takeover target.' Matt Britzman, equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: 'Things have picked up, but there's a long way to go before this turnaround is complete. It's no secret that Direct Line has struggled over the past few years to deal with a challenging motor insurance market. 'Recent takeover news has propped up the shares, and they've remained at those elevated levels despite the board rejecting the offer. 'Yes, performance is improving and guidance at least offers a glimpse of hope for better things to come. 'But there's still a question about whether that's more to do with a better market in general, than Direct Line's own doing. 'Restoring investor confidence doesn't happen overnight, but there have been some early steps in the right direction.' READ MORE: Gen Z Aussies shock as they share thoughts about conscription A young Aussie fed up with social media has plastered a poster of himself across Sydney in the hopes of making 'real life friends'. The poster was spotted taped to walls around Sydney, including Town Hall, Chinatown and Redfern, and was the brainchild of 18-year-old Cooper. Cooper told Daily Mail Australia he was struck with the idea earlier this month while scrolling through his social media accounts at 1.30am. 'I was just up, and I was scrolling on my phone. I was like, "Man, this is so boring. I wish I was doing something else",' Cooper said. 'So I decided to make that poster. I told myself if I still think it is a good idea in the morning then I'll post it.' Cooper, 18, created a poster (pictured) to 'make real life friends' and plastered 35 copies across walls around Town Hall, Chinatown and Sydney's inner city suburb of Redfern The full-time student printed 35 copies of the poster he described as 'some graphic designer's worst nightmare'. He titled the creation 'I'm tired of online friends let's be friends in real life' and called on Aussies aged between 17 and 24 years old who were not 'bigots' to reach out. 'In the rise of social media, I say f**k it! If you want to be friends (or enemies) CALL ME TODAY!!!,' he wrote. Cooper said he received an overwhelming response to his poster, with more than 50 different people calling or texting him. He explained that of the 55 responses, some offered encouraging comments, and a small number were trolls, but a 'vast majority' were people genuinely looking to make friends. 'Now I've got plans from this week until next week for outings, places to go, and people to see, and that's nice,' Cooper said. Cooper believes the best way to connect with others is through comedy. He wrote down 'little funny things' on the poster so that people would laugh and be more inclined to text him. 'I think someone that's genuinely funny and can genuinely make people smile is a real treasure to social circles and humanity,' Cooper said. 'So, the entire idea [of the poster] was to make it so s****y and so out there that it revolves around to being good again.' Cooper (pictured left) meeting with a man who responded to his poster In the poster, Cooper included a picture of himself, and listed his interests as well as qualities he brings to a friendship. He described himself as the 'go-to guy' for complaining, a great movie watcher, a talker and a listener, someone who would text random thoughts at 12am and a person who would invite himself over to your house to cook eggs. He added: 'I'm very charming and funny actually'. The Gen Z-er, who is studying psychology and counselling at the Australian College of Applied Professions, said he used the poster to highlight how young Aussies are stuck socialising through social media. 'I feel like the younger generation has too much reliance on social media,' Cooper said. 'In this day and age, the rate of depression or loneliness is going up. We feel so isolated by our devices because we're more connected than ever, but in a way that's socially isolating. 'People don't put themselves out there. They don't make the effort to talk to people. I'm pretty sure the right people will look and they'll see the poster and hit me up.' Cooper (pictured) said he was motivated to create the poster as young Aussies are too reliant on social media to create friends and socialise He urged young Aussies to let go of their phones and encouraged them not to be afraid to put themselves out there. 'You only live once and you have to make sure that you know, this is the prime of your life,' Cooper said. 'You're not living it by being on your phone. You got to go out there and make the life experiences yourself.' Fitness instructors at two of Australia's largest chains of gyms have been granted a pay rise after an online petition won the support of thousands when it went viral. The petition by the United Workers Union (UWU) claims group fitness instructors at Fitness First and Goodlife Health Clubs had been paid at the same rate, $42.50 per class, for the past 15 years. While their pay plateaued for a decade-and-a-half, customer's gym fees were increasing alongside profits for parent company, Fitness and Lifestyle Group (FLG), union bosses said. Instructors were reportedly struggling to pay for rent and bills as their pay remained stagnant while the cost-of-living dramatically spiked. After reportedly knocking back negotiation talks, FLG agreed a deal within two weeks of the petition going live and increased staff pay by between 6 and 8 per cent. Fitness instructors employed by the parent company of two of Australia's largest gyms, Fitness First (pictured) and Goodlife, have won a battle to have their pay increased READ MORE: Seek survey reveals the one thing most likely to get Aussies a pay rise Advertisement UWU director, Godfrey Moase, said the pay issue had forced the instructors into unionising to confront FLG as a group. 'Fitness workers across Australia had been labouring under wage stagnation for many years and in response, they came together and joined their union,' he told Daily Mail Australia. 'The cohort of group fitness instructors working for FLG, which owns both Fitness First and Goodlife gyms, had begun organising and as part of that launched a petition which gained traction very quickly. 'FLG bosses had flat out refused to entertain a pay rise but as a result of organising efforts and within two weeks of the petition going live, the company made an improved wage offer, which is a huge win for the workers.' Mr Moase added the dispute is 'not over yet' and the union will 'continue to be guided on next steps by workers. The petition remains up over a week after the pay-rise and continues to add to the more than 3,500 signees from fellow instructors concerned gym-goers. The instructors had been paid the same rate, $42.50 per class, for over 15 years and were starting to struggle with paying for rent and bills (stock image) 'A great fitness class can make or break my week,' one wrote. 'These instructors deserve to have their wages improved,' one wrote. 'Fitness instructors deserve good secure jobs with fair pay,' a second wrote. A third added that 'fitness instructors have limited professional life and work extremely hard. The gyms can't function without them'. FLG was established in 2016 and purchased Fitness First and Goodlife shortly after, bringing in then-Goodlife CEO Greg Oliver to lead the company. The Brisbane-based company also owns Vietnam's largest gym network, California Fitness and Yoga, and influencer Emily Skye's namesake fitness program. The chain told Daily Mail Australia the issue now had been resolved. Lee remains confident as investigation makes slow progress By Nam Hyun-woo Lee Jong-sup, the Korean ambassador to Australia, returned home, Thursday, only 11 days after he flew to assume his new role, and urged the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) to question him over allegations of using his status to influence an investigation into the death of a Marine. His earlier-than-expected return has mainly to do with the CIO's incomplete investigation into the besieged former defense minister, as evidenced by the fact that other key suspects involved in the case have yet to face inquiries. Lee's appointment has drawn a fierce backlash, with President Yoon Suk Yeol being criticized for evacuating a criminal suspect. According to the foreign ministry, Lee's official trip to Korea is to attend a meeting of diplomatic mission chiefs related to defense industry cooperation. After the foreign ministry announced Lee's arrival schedule, the CIO said in a statement to reporters, We have no comment on the timing of the ambassadors subpoena, and added, The schedule will be fixed depending on the progress of the investigation. The CIOs stance is in line with its sluggish progress in the investigation. The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) filed complaints with the CIO over the Marines death in September last year. But the CIO began on-site investigations only in January by searching the offices of related ranking military officials, such as Marine Corps Commander Kim Gye-hwan. On March 7, just three days before Lee flew to Australia, he voluntarily appeared at the CIO and underwent four hours of questioning and the investigative authority said at the time that an additional subpoena is necessary. Given that Lee voluntarily appeared for investigations on March 7 and the CIO said it needs to summon the ambassador again, it appears that the CIOs investigations have yet to reach the point of questioning high-ranking officials like Lee, said a Seoul-based lawyer who served as a former prosecutor. This means that the CIO is still collecting testimonies from working-level officials and analyzing evidences it seized. In line with this view, the CIO has yet to summon other ranking officials related to the case, such as Marine Corps Commander Kim or then-Vice Defense Minister Shin Beom-chul. Against this backdrop, even if Lee stays in Korea for a relatively long period, chances are slim for the CIO to summon him immediately and reveal his critical misdeeds, which will negatively affect the ruling blocs campaigns for the general elections. While the CIO remains underprepared, the ruling People Power Party (PPP) stressed Lees remarks that he seeks an opportunity to appear for questioning and denounced the DPK, claiming that the main opposition is using Lees case to win votes. This is a matter that can be resolved through legal procedures, but the DPK is branding the ambassador as a subject of political instigation and strife, the PPP said in a statement. The DPK has been calling for Lees return. Now it is time to watch how their election strategy changes. In response, the DPK shifted its focus from Lees return to Yoons dismissal of the ambassador. DPK leaders staged a protest against Lee at the airport starting at 5 a.m. Wednesday, with its floor leader Rep. Hong Ihk-pyo and Rep. Park Ju-min holding banners urging Yoons dismissal of criminal suspect Lee Jong-sup during the protest. Regarding Lees comments seeking an investigation, DPK spokesperson Kang Sun-woo said is this something a suspect in his right mind under investigation can say? The floor leader said in a party meeting at the National Assembly that the point of this case is whether the president exerted his influence on the case through the key man, Lee Jong-sup, and suspect Lees appointment itself is a wrong decision. Upon his arrival, Lee told reporters that he had already said several times that suspicions surrounding him were not true and dismissed questions on his intention to resign. Lees return came after not only the opposition parties but also the PPP also criticized Yoons decision to appoint Lee as the ambassador. PPP interim leader Han Dong-hoon urged Lee to return and face questioning, while other big name candidates of the ruling bloc echoed that the appointment "did not meet the public's expectations." Against this backdrop, the six ambassadors meeting is seen as an outcome of Yoons decision, because it was created for the first time and is to take place just a month before all heads of Korea's overseas diplomatic missions gather in Korea for their annual meeting. Considering that recalling Lee back home merely 11 days into his tenure could be interpreted as a diplomatic discourtesy to Australia, it is also assumed that it was a decision made at the highest level. As Lee returned home and expressed his intention to cooperate with investigators, Yoon is now able to deal with criticism against administration, silence the opposition camps protests and address discord within the ruling bloc before the general elections. David Cameron has racked up nearly 100,000 airmiles and visited some 20 different countries during his four months as Foreign Secretary. Observers have remarked upon the former prime minister's energetic travel schedule since taking the role, with the 57-year-old zipping between European capitals and destinations further afield including Dubai, Paraguay and Thailand. His travel itinerary largely reflects the current state of global geopolitics, with Lord Cameron frequenting Eastern Europe and the Middle East in his efforts to urge support for Ukraine and encourage efforts towards a 'lasting ceasefire' in Gaza. But he has also found the time for more unusual diplomatic missions, including a trip to the Falkland Islands last month. This attracted the attention of George Osborne - who served in a Cameron cabinet as chancellor. 'He wants to go and visit the places that he heard about when he was a child following the troops at school - and what's the point of being Foreign Secretary if you can't get in a bit of political tourism along the way,' Ms Osborne told the Political Currency podcast. 'There's a perfectly legitimate foreign policy motive - to show support for the Falkland islanders - but it's also a pretty cool trip.' Lord Cameron has travelled around 90,043 miles so far as Foreign Secretary, according to an estimate by MailOnline that includes an upcoming trip to Australia for talks about the AUKUS nuclear sub deal. Yesterday he was in Bangkok, where he met the Thai prime minister on his first visit to the Indo-Pacific region as Foreign Secretary. The Cabinet minister's visit saw the signing of a UK-Thai 'strategic partnership road map' aimed at strengthening co-operation on defence, health and the climate between the two countries. As well as meeting Thailand's prime minister, Srettha Thavisin, Lord Cameron inspected Thai air force jets built with British parts and visited a university to highlight UK support for health and energy research. David Cameron talks to a pilot as he sits in the cockpit of a Gripen fighter jet at an Air Force Base in Nakhon Ratchasima province, Thailand Lord Cameron visits Gypsy Cove on the Falkland Islands last month, where he saw Magellanic Penguins Ukraine was his first trip as Foreign Secretary and he is seen here greeting Dmytro Kuleba, the minister for foreign affairs, in Kyiv on November 16 His jam-packed schedule has prompted praise from his foreign colleagues, with one European diplomat telling the Guardian he was 'getting a lot done'. Peter Ricketts, who served as national security adviser and ambassador to Paris during Lord Cameron's premiership, suggested his previous role made him perfect for the job. 'Cameron always found foreign affairs fascinating as prime minister, and now he can do it full time. With the authority that comes with he can speak out and he can push the envelope on British policy, as he did over the issue of recognising a Palestinian state.' However, some will undoubtedly question the cost of his foreign adventures, as well as their carbon footprint. In November, eyebrows were raised when Lord Cameron, Charles III and Rishi Sunak flew in three separate private jets to the Cop28 in Dubai. Lord Cameron meets British troops, part of the NATO-led peacekeeping mission, during a visit to Pristina, Kosovo in January He has made regular trips to European capitals, and is seen here at the Elysee Palace on February 26 The former Prime Minister enjoying a stroll with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock in Berlin on March 7 Liberal Democrat climate spokeswoman Wera Hobhouse said at the time: 'Sunak and Cameron travelling to this vital summit in separate jets is not just a waste of taxpayers' cash, it sends all the wrong signals about the UK's climate commitments.' The cost of Lord Cameron's foreign itinerary is not yet known but is likely to be significant - with just one trip taken to the Asia Pacific by his predecessor James Cleverly costing more than 560,000 or air transport alone. Lord Cameron earns 104,000 a year and is the first Foreign Secretary to operate from the House of Lords since Lord Carrington, who resigned in 1982 during the Falklands crisis. Next he will travel to Adelaide in Australia for a summit about AUKUS, a $368bn (190bn) nuclear-powered submarine project that will see the UK and USA help Australia build a fleet of next-generation nuclear submarines. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who inherited the pact from the previous conservative government, has defended it as necessary in the face of China's build-up of military power in the region, which he has called the largest since World War Two. Lord Cameron leaves the launch event of the United Kingdom-Brazil partnership for Digital Development at the Museum of Tomorrow in Rio de Janeiro on February 22 An American tourist was forced to fight for her life after she was brutally attacked during a taxi ride back to her resort in the Caribbean, DailyMail.com can reveal. Suyapa Ramos, 48, now fears she will lose sight in her left eye and partial hearing after being repeatedly bludgeoned on the head by suspect, 29-year-old local Davidson Martin. The mom, from Jersey City, New Jersey, had traveled abroad for the first time earlier this month to celebrate her birthday in the tropical Turks and Caicos Islands with a friend. But what had started off as the perfect paradise vacation ended up turning into a 'complete nightmare' when she decided to accept a ride back to her hotel from a 'part-time' cab driver on the final night of her trip. In an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com, Ramos described 'fighting for her life' and feeling like she was going to die at the hands of her attacker as she recounted the violent assault. 'He was beating me on my left side with his fists, growling like an animal, and telling me to die,' she said. Fighting back tears, she added: 'As it was happening, I couldn't believe that this was how my life was going to end. I couldn't believe that my life was going to end through violence. And I was fighting for my very life.' Suyapa Ramos, 48, was left bruised and battered after being assaulted by a local 'taxi driver' during her trip to the Turks and Caicos Islands earlier this month The suspected attacker, Davidson Martin, 29, (pictured) was arrested by The Royal Turks and Caicos Island Police Force and charged with one count of grievous bodily harm, but was later released on bond Ramos has also claimed that local reports have failed to identify the victim of the assault as a tourist, which she believes is an attempt to protect the island's tourism industry. 'The local police and local media are just saying 'a woman' was attacked. They don't say it was an American tourist,' she added, Ramos had innocently blundered into the potentially deadly nightmare when she left her resort to grab some food at one of the tourist haunts in the Grace Bay area of Providenciales island on March 9 around 9:30pm. She was accompanied by a platonic male friend, who had treated her to what should have been an idyllic break in the British overseas territory but that ended in terror and life-changing injuries. After the meal, the man who Ramos did not wish to name decided to hit a nearby casino, leaving her to wait for him in the popular Cielo cocktails and music bar because she didn't want to spend the night gambling. However, she said her friend did not return to pick her up and it was past midnight on Sunday March 10 when she realized she needed to make her own way back to her resort. Ride-sharing services such as Uber or Lyft are not available on the island and privately owned taxis only operate during specific business hours. 'I asked a bartender and he said, there's no taxis running that late. He offered to take me when he finished work, but then another guy approached and sat next to me,' said Ramos. 'He started talking with me and chatting to the bar staff. Everybody there knew him. They were laughing and joking and he was telling them, whatever she wants don't charge her. 'He said, you're looking for a ride back to your resort? And he added, well I do taxi on the side, I can take you. Everybody seemed to know him and I said, OK. Thinking, he's a part time taxi driver.' Ramos, originally from Jersey City, New Jersey, said she suffered extensive damage to her left eye, left side of her face, and hearing in one of her ears and now requires serious medical care and surgery In photos shared with DailyMail.com showed her battered head and face, which required 10 stitches, as well as scratches and bruises to her hands and legs The tourist had spent her final night at local bar Cielo (pictured) while her male friend who had accompanied on the trip was gambling at a casino Still not sensing the danger, Ramos got into the 'taxi' and the man drove off. But a few minutes later he said he need to stop at his apartment to get some marijuana, she said. 'I really needed the restroom and so I asked if I could use his real quick,' Ramos continued. 'We got upstairs and I guess he started smoking his weed. 'As I was coming out of the bathroom, instantly he attacked me. He just grabbed me and forced me into a bedroom and up against a bed. 'He kept smashing his fist into the left side of my head while growling like an animal and telling me to die. 'I was desperately trying to defend myself, trying to cover my head and my face because I was afraid of being unconscious. 'Even when all this was suddenly going on, I realized that if I blacked out it could have been the end. 'I don't know if he was trying to sexually assault me because this just happened out of nowhere. He was relentlessly pummeling me.' Ramos sustained other injuries to her abdomen and legs while trying to ward off the blows, before breaking free and heading for the apartment's front door. 'I just ran. I ran and ran and ran. I think I flew down a staircase because I don't remember going down the steps. I just know I ended up on street level with him chasing me. 'He was yelling, but I'd got a few yards on him. I ran through grass and then some gravel before coming to a road. I didn't know where I was heading, but I saw car lights and made for them. A few vehicles passed me then one stopped and two angels saved me. I saw the look of horror on their faces, so I knew I must look pretty bad.' After Ramos (pictured before her ordeal) managed to escape her attacker's clutches, two kind strangers found her and rushed her to the hospital for emergency treatment The mom has set up a Gofundme page to try to help with mounting medical bills from the attack and issued a warning about potential dangers abroad Her saviors were two Latino men who rushed her to the hospital for emergency treatment for the horror, revealed in exclusive DailyMail.com photos showing her battered head and face, which needed 10 stitches. 'I don't know the identities of the two men who saved me, but I thank them from the bottom of my heart,' said Ramos, whose injuries have prevented her returning to work as a hospital patient coordinator. She was fortunately able to return home to New Jersey the following day. 'I lost the vision in my left eye and I still can't see through it,' she said. 'I have just come from an eye doctor appointment in Jersey City and I've been told I need surgery for a muscle tear in the socket. 'I'm also still unable to hear through my left ear. I've no idea if that is going to change. This was a horrific thing to happen and on top of that I'm currently unable to work.' Ramos also issued a stark warning to tourists unfamiliar with their surroundings, saying: 'Please, please be aware of who tries to befriend you. 'Be aware of what's around you, all the potential dangers. I was singled out because I appeared to be a woman on her own. But this kind of thing could happen to anybody. 'I never want something like this to happen to another woman, or any other tourist and where ever.' The suspected attacker, Davidson Martin, was arrested by The Royal Turks and Caicos Island Police Force and charged with one count of grievous bodily harm. He is described as from Grand Turk, another island in the chain. But Ramos revealed: 'Officers have told me he was released on a $10,000 bond. I find it incredible he was let out. They also want me to send any medical paperwork so they can present it to the prosecutor. 'This was my first time ever using a passport and this happened. I'm not deterred from using it again, but I will be more cautious.' Turks and Caicos police refused to give DailyMail.com details of the case against Martin saying it was 'ongoing'. However, we can reveal he appeared before a magistrates on March 15, where he was freed on bond to appear at the island chain's supreme court on May 3. He did not enter a plea because the offense is indictable and must be heard at the higher court. Of Ramos's platonic friend, she said: 'It's fair to say we are no longer friends. I don't want to do into details, but I think he could have behaved differently.' The mom has set up a Gofundme page to try to help with mounting medical bills from the attack, in which she says: 'Be careful where you travel to because paradise can turn into a nightmare.' 'Opportunistic' muggings and armed robberies are 'somewhat common' on the islands, according to the Turks and Caicos tourism website. And walking at night, particularly outside the central Grace Bay area, is 'not advisable'. It adds that 'establishments that operate late into the night and early morning have a greatly increased risk of crime, altercations, and physical violence, especially outside of the Grace Bay area'. Meanwhile, an internal British Foreign Office investigation in 2022 reportedly revealed a murderous turf war between drug gangs that engulfed the islands in extreme violence. According to The Guardian, there were 31 deaths between rival gangs in the conflict by 2022, compared with four in 2017. A row is growing over a Romany Gypsy family, which has illegally set up home in open countryside, seeking permission to stay there permanently because life on the official traveller site is 'intolerable.' Despite strong local opposition from dozens of residents, council planning officials are recommending that Oathie Sykes and his extended family group, which includes 11 children, be allowed to stay permanently in the picturesque rural spot. If councillors give the go ahead at today's planning meeting they are certain to provoke fury as many local residents are vehemently opposed to the travellers staying there. Some of the family previously lived at an official council traveller site at Tara Park in Malton, North Yorkshire. A report to councillors revealed that there was space at that site for them but the family is 'not currently eligible' to live there as they keep chickens and livestock is banned. Tara Park traveller site in Malton, North Yorkshire has room for Oathie Sykes and his seven caravans but he described the area as 'intolerable' His family has illegally set up home in open countryside after rejecting life on the official traveller site Despite strong local opposition from dozens of residents, council planning officials are recommending that Mr Sykes and his extended family group be allowed to stay permanently In addition, some family members 'have not found the experience of living at the site suitable and acceptable to them or conducive to their well-being.' This was due to 'anti-social behaviour' by other residents. The planning application to North Yorkshire Council for change of use of land stated in relation to Tara Park: 'There is apparently no control of fly-tipping, raves, loud music playing, rat infestation and intolerable mixed tenants with threats of violence and total disregard of the Covid-19 regulations.' The family has also applied to run a dog breeding business in a nearby former agricultural building and this was given as another reason for needing to live at the rural site near Sheriff Hutton. Mr and Mrs Sykes are living in the countryside spot with their three older children and their own families. Documents state the group's 11 children all need healthcare and stability in schooling and that it has found difficulty in registering with doctors due to the lack of a permanent address. The Sykes family already have seven caravans at the site. The family has now applied for consent to set up four pitches, each with a static caravan, space for a touring caravan and parking. It also wants to erect an 'amenity building' to include a day room, kitchen, dining facilities, bathroom, shower facilities and laundry. But the Gypsy family is clearly very unwelcome in the area. A total of 76 objections were sent to the council. Sheriff Hutton Parish Council argued the proposal would be 'inappropriate development of the open countryside.' The family blamed 'anti social behaviour' of other residents for not wanting to live at the traveller site (pictured) The family has also applied to run a dog breeding business in a nearby former agricultural building Sheriff Hutton Parish Council argued the proposal would be 'inappropriate development of the open countryside' Public comments included Hannah Nelson who said it would be a 'blight on the landscape', Matthew Willgoss commented the caravans were an 'eyesore' and the family disturbed the 'peace and quiet' of the area and Simon Adamson-Mullins said the lives of friends who live in a neighbouring property would be ruined. Another resident said the local school 'would struggle to provide appropriate support for the children of the travellers.' While Geoffrey Nield pointed out that the 'integrity of the whole planning process' would be at risk if the family was allowed to stay as it had moved in and developed the site without permission. The planning officer's report stated the need to take into account human rights legislation, the fact that Romany Gypsies are protected under the Equality Act 2010 and the need to consider the 'best interests' of children. She concluded the scheme 'would have a harmful impact on the character and appearance of the landscape' but would 'not result in unacceptable harm' to neighbours. It would also contribute to the need to provide pitches to travellers in the area and that 'personal circumstances' of the family were a significant factor. She recommended conditions that no more than eight caravans should be allowed on the site and planning consent would cease if the family moved away. The clock is ticking for Donald Trump to secure a $454 million bond by Monday or have his assets seized by New York Attorney General Letitia James - and liberals can't contain their glee. 'You-know-who says he cannot come up with the cash,' gushed Whoopi Goldberg on 'The View ' Wednesday. President Joe Biden couldn't resist twisting the knife when he spoke at a Democrat fundraiser Wednesday night. 'Just the other day this defeated looking man came up to me and said: "Mr. President I need your help. I'm in crushing debt. I'm completely wiped out,"' Biden joked. His punchline: 'Donald, I'm sorry. I can't help you.' The crowd roared. Isn't it hysterical when the legal system targets your opponent? In February, a state Supreme Court ordered Trump to pay the giant penalty after he and the Trump Organization were found to have falsified financial statements, and misled banks and insurance companies. Now, the former president is being blocked by the Democrat AG from appealing the ruling until he pays up and you'd think Christmas came early for the Left. 'I can't believe it,' chuckled Mika Brzezinski on her MSNBC show. Brzezinski was joined by former federal prosecutor Andrew Weissmann, one of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's top deputies in the hoax Russian collusion investigation. 'You-know-who says he cannot come up with the cash,' gushed Whoopi Goldberg on ' The View ' Wednesday. President Joe Biden couldn't resist twisting the knife when he spoke at a Democrat fundraiser Wednesday night. 'Just the other day this defeated looking man came up to me and said: 'Mr. President I need your help. I'm in crushing debt. I'm completely wiped out,' Biden joked. His punchline: 'Donald, I'm sorry. I can't help you.' You won't be shocked to hear that he fears wait for it! more Kremlin interference. 'Everyone's national security concern is that there will be somebody, just hypothetically, like a Russian oligarch who thinks this is a very good investment [and bails Trump out], he said. 'No one wants to lend [Trump] the money in this country,' chirped 'The View' co-host Joy Behar. 'Who knows what will happen with Russia and Saudi Arabia' It's Russia, Russia, Russia and 2016 all over again. Trump can't secure this gargantuan bond. No insurance company is in the business of taking real estate as collateral. So, he's in a tough spot and Democrats believe their lawfare has finally drawn blood. 'I can't wait to see the chains on Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue. I'm kind of excited about it,' squealed 'The View's' Sunny Hostin. How foolish. What these unhinged Leftists don't understand and never will is that they are shooting themselves in the foot. Nothing's better for Republican unity than Democratic lunacy. If anything will convince stubborn Never-Trumpers to overcome their misgivings and vote for the ex-president this November, it's this brazen, extra-legal, nation-destroying madness. Yes, it appears Trump inflated his assets. And fraud is never acceptable. But it is nearly half-a-billion dollars bad? Put this penalty in perspective Bitcoin fraudster Sam Bankman-Fried's bail was $250 million. Trump's in a tough spot and Democrats believe their lawfare has finally drawn blood. 'I can't wait to see the chains on Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue. I'm kind of excited about it,' squealed 'The View's' Sunny Hostin. And that was for a criminal, not a civil case like Trump's. Notorious Ponzi-schemer Bernie Madoff's bail was initially set at $10 millionand prosecutors eased the terms after he failed to secure it. Those men were potential flight risks who harmed real victims. They deserved a burdensome bail. But Trump is running for President, so he's not fleeing anywhere. And there are no victims in this supposed crime of the century. No financial institution lost money lending to the Trump Organization and no one claimed to have been deceived, let alone 'defrauded,' by the Trump Organization. What's more, apparently all major real estate players juice their assets to secure favorable loans. Don't just take it from me. Here's 'Mr. Wonderful' Shark Tank star Kevin O'Leary, himself: 'If we're going to [fine Trump], let's penalize all the developers all across America. They've all done the same thing,' he said last month. 'All of them should go to jail and we should stop building buildings.' 'I would never invest in New York now,' declared O'Leary. 'And I'm not the only person saying that.' A spooked New York Governor Kathy Hochul tried her best at damage control but blundered into saying the quiet part out loud. 'This is really an extraordinary, unusual circumstance that the law-abiding and rule-following New Yorkers who are businesspeople have nothing to worry about because they're very different than Donald Trump and his behavior,' she told a New York radio station. You see, Trump was prosecuted because he's Donald Trump. As long as New Yorkers don't threaten the Democratic establishment they'll be safe, says the governor. It's official, we've gone full-blown banana republic! No financial institution lost money lending to the Trump Organization and no one claimed to have been deceived, let alone 'defrauded,' by the Trump Organization. New York State Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron denies Trump a jury trial, then assumes full control of the case and concludes mid-trial that Trump's palatial Mar-a-Lago estate is worth as little as a laughable $18 million. And it gets worse. During Tish James's 2018 campaign for AG, she vowed to pursue Trump, calling him an 'illegitimate president.' Did anyone not think the fix was in the moment she filed the lawsuit? Then, there's this judge, New York State Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron. First, he denies Trump a jury trial, then assumes full control of the case and concludes mid-trial that Trump's palatial Mar-a-Lago estate is worth as little as a laughable $18 million. Your Honor, have you ever taken a spin through Palm Beach on Zillow? Empty lots are going for $200 million. If your Spidey-sense is going off, it's not just you. During Tish James's 2018 campaign for AG, she vowed to pursue Trump, calling him an 'illegitimate president.' Did anyone not think the fix was in the moment she filed the lawsuit? In New York, there's no bail for murderous thugs who roam the streets of the Big Apple. Yet a Republican presidential candidate, leading in the polls against Uncle Joe, gets no such mercy. Folks in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and other crime-ravaged NYC neighborhoods would love to see that reversed. No one can earnestly look at what's been done to Trump and see anything other than a vindictive witch hunt and America is watching. Who wants to live in a country where you're targeted by the all-powerful state simply for holding the 'wrong' opinions? Never-Trumpers and supporters of Nikki Haley have a choice this November: It's either Trump or these vicious leftists, who'll stop at nothing to injure their political opponents. It won't be a hard choice. Josh Hammer is the syndicated host of 'The Josh Hammer Show' and senior editor-at-large at Newsweek A shocked Japanese tourist has shared footage of the moment he was racially abused and accused of being a Chinese spy by an Australian woman. Kentaro Jin, also recognized as Catman, is walking from Western Australia to Sydney in a leopard costume while pushing a wheelbarrow, in the pursuit of brining smiles to people's faces. He began his trek in Carnarvon in Western Australia's north in November and has since made his way down the coast to Margaret River in the state's south. While Mr Jin's adventure of a lifetime has been filled with happy memories and warm welcomes from locals, he was left reeling after being confronted by an angry Australian woman along the side of the road earlier this week. He began filming as the woman unleashed an expletive-filled tirade of abuse. Kentaro Jin aka Catman (pictured) recently copped a barrage of abuse during his travels READ MORE: American tourist reveals why she did not like Australia American travel blogger Gracie Cheng (pictured at Purling Brook Falls, Queensland) labelled her entire two weeks travelling in Australia as 'bland' Advertisement 'Chinese f**king Communist Party or what? What the f**k is going on? You don't know Chinese?' the woman began as she stamped her feet. A confused Mr Jin explained he was walking across Australia and tried to correct the woman that he was in fact, Japanese. 'I don't know about China, I'm Japanese. Look at my ID,' he explained. Mr Jin's pleas fell on deaf ears. 'You never heard of China? China! Chinese people. OK you stay there. I'm calling the police,' the woman threatened. She eventually realised that Mr Jin wasn't Chinese. 'You're Japanese? You say you're Japanese? Japanese eyed people ' she said. The video ended with the woman hurling a barrage of final insults. 'Take your f**king mask off you brain! Are you a CCP spy? Are you a Communist Party spy?' she yelled. 'Who are you? What are you doing here? Show me your ID! I don't give a f**k.' Mr Jin later described the ordeal as 'a very sad experience.' 'I started this style of travel with the desire to make many people smile,' he told his 29,000 Instagram followers. 'However, there are times when people turn on me because of differences in the way I think. 'I am Asian, and I cannot speak English well or listen to it perfectly. 'But many people in Australia accept me and are very kind to me. 'I love Australia because of such kind people.' The Japanese tourist was accused of being a Chinese spy by a woman (pictured) he came across during his trek down the coast of Western Australia Mr Jin was inundated with support from viewers. 'Honestly you should have called the police. This kind of behaviour is unacceptable and isnt tolerated in Australia. Really shameful!' one man commented. Another wrote: 'I'm so sorry Catman! People like that are everywhere and they will never understand your commitment and kind attitude. 'We believe in you and support you from everywhere around the world!' A third wrote:' This behaviour is not representative of us or our country. Im sorry you had to go through this.' Others provided helpful advice. 'When someone asks for your ID, make sure they are someone who has the authority to ask for it and not a regular civilian,' one wrote. Boogaloo in the Margaret River was the the most recent stop of his trek which is expected to end in Sydney. The family of the teenage girl charged with violently assaulting Kaylee Gain says that she is the real victim who was 'harassed and bullied' before the viral incident and are raising $150k for her legal defense, DailyMail.com can reveal. Kaylee, 16, from St Louis, Missouri has been left in a life-threatening condition by the student who repeatedly smashed her head into concrete. She suffered a skull fracture and frontal lobe damage during the violent March 8 brawl which was caught on camera near her high school. But her alleged attacker's family have hit back at calls to charge the 15-year-old girl as an adult. Kaylee Gain, 16, suffered a skull fracture when her head was repeatedly smashed into the ground during a brawl near her St. Louis high school earlier this month The family of the 15-year-old girl charged with the attack told DailyMail.com that she was 'defending herself' during the fight with Kaylee Viral video shows another teen smashing Gain's head into the pavement repeatedly before the victim appears to suffer a seizure Speaking to DailyMail.com her aunt confirmed that she was an honor roll student at Hazelwood East High School with an exemplary record and was 'defending herself' during the fight with Kaylee. The family has created a Change.org petition, calling on the St Louis Juvenile Court to show 'compassion' to the schoolgirl, DailyMail.com can reveal. Her aunt said Kaylee was not being bullied by her niece and urged people to donate to help with her legal bills as the situation wasn't exactly what it seemed. Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey warned the sickening attack against high schooler Kaylee Gain was a result of 'radical' DEI policies and a soft-touch approach to justice 'If people want to donate, they should give it on the CashApp, not the petition,' she added. 'We set up a GoFundMe but it was taken down in hours, we have a lawyer. The family are all together and we will get through this.' The fundraiser, which was removed by GoFundMe, said the teen was 'unfairly' painted as a bully and that she is the victim 'in a complicated situation'. It raised nearly $3,000 before being taken down. The page was set up on March 16, begging for help with her legal defense, as her family claim that they have been targeted with 'racist death threats'. But the funds will now be returned to those who donated, with officials at GoFundMe confirming that they removed the webpage hours after it was created. In a statement to DailyMail.com a GoFundMe spokeswoman said: 'I can confirm the fundraiser was removed and all donors have been refunded. 'GoFundMe's Terms of Service explicitly prohibit fundraising for the legal defense of an alleged violent crime.' But the girl's family says she 'deserves amnesty and a chance at forgiveness', adding that her 'fair trial hearing is being swayed'. The girl has been charged with felony assault and is being held by St Louis Family Court, with a hearing expected in early April. Her family describe her as an honor roll student who speaks four languages, who was being 'harassed and bullied' before the fight broke out. The Change.org petition calls on the St Louis Juvenile Court to show 'compassion' to the schoolgirl, DailyMail.com can reveal. So far more than 470 people have signed the plea, which claims the incident 'being used to define her character and incite racial divisions and political strife with the MO AG calling on the courts to charge her as an adult.' Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey previously warned the brutality was a result of an obsession with woke DEI policies and the soft-touch approach to justice under former St. Louis DA Kim Gardner and current Rep Cori Bush, a hardline progressive Democrat. He also called for the girl to be charged as an adult if Kaylee does not survive the attack, something which supporters of her attacker have lashed out at. A Change.org petition has been set up to support the teenager, calling on the St Louis Juvenile Court to show 'compassion' to the schoolgirl, DailyMail.com can reveal The petition adds: 'Prior to an incident on March 8th where she was seen defending herself from harassment and bullying, she had never been in trouble. Her work as a scholar was tainted by the bullying she had to endure at school. 'It is unjust that such an accomplished young woman should be charged as an adult for assault without considering all the facts of the case that led to the incident where harm occurred. 'We request that all aspects of her life be considered during indictment and sentencing her academic achievements, extracurricular involvement, linguistic skills and most importantly her victimhood as a bullied student who was merely defending herself under intense and flight vs fight circumstances. 'But because politicians are inserting themselves in a juvenile matter it has completely swayed public opinion and has incited more divisiveness not only in the local community but nationally.' The petition also claims that the family of the teenager have been subject to 'multiple racist death threats' and 'doxxing'. The webpage calls the incident 'one mistake made under duress', adding that the focus should 'be to pray for the healing and reconciliation of both parties'. 'This truly was a teenage fight that should've never happened to begin with, but did and spun completely out of control', it added. The petition is addressed to Chief Juvenile Officer Rick Gaines, and needs 500 signatures to escalate the issue to his office. By Thursday morning it had 502 signatures. However a spokesman told DailyMail.com that only the judge presiding over the case can rule if the teen is charged as an adult, not Gaines, and the court is unable to comment any further. Gregory Smith, the attorney for the suspect, did not respond to requests for comment on the fundraiser and petition. Gain's grandmother shared a post that said: '[You] ever just cry yourself to sleep begging God to heal everything you're going [through]', captioning it 'everyday right now' But he said in a statement that his client is a Hazelwood East School District student who was on the honor roll, played in the orchestra and on the school's volleyball team. 'I believe all of the facts and circumstances of this incident are not appropriate to discuss at this time when another child is in such a critical condition,' Smith added. 'Those facts and circumstances will have their day in court. I join the call to denounce teen violence and bullying. And most importantly, I join my client and her family in extending our prayers for this family and their child.' Kaylee's family says it wants 'justice through the legal system' but pleaded with other teenagers not to retaliate against her alleged attacker. Her devastated relatives said Monday they won't know the extent of her injuries until she wakes up in a statement through their lawyer and have raised more than $300,000 for her medical bills. They confirmed Kaylee suffered 'a fractured skull that resulted in brain bleeding and swelling' and she still has not regained consciousness 10 days later. 'Although the family would like justice to eventually be served through the legal system, their focus at this time is dedicated exclusively to Kaylee's recovery', her family said in a statement through their lawyer. 'The family also asks all members of the community at large to come together to denounce teen violence and bullying as there have been far too many recent examples of teen violence that have resulted in significant injuries, and even deaths in some instances. 'Kaylee's parents want to make a special request to their fellow parents in the community to ask them to reinforce to their children that physical violence and bullying are never appropriate, and to emphasize to their children that lives of both the perpetrators of teen violence and the victims of violence can be permanently and forever changed as a result of violent incidents that last only a few minutes. 'Lastly, the family wants to emphasize that they do not want any retaliation of any kind to occur toward anyone that was either directly or indirectly involved in this incident.' Kaylee's family say want 'justice through the legal system' but pleaded with other teenagers not to retaliate against her alleged attacker The statement ends by asking for prayers for Kaylee's 'full recovery' and hopes that 'teenagers realize that momentary violent actions can have life-altering consequences' through reading about the highly-publicized attack. Video of the incident circulated on social media showing another girl bashing the teen's head into the concrete after throwing multiple punches and sending her careening to the ground. Kaylee appeared to begin to have a seizure as groups of other teens brawled just feet away. Police found the girl suffering from a serious head injury near the intersection of Norgate Drive and Claudine Drive, roughly a five-minute walk from the high school campus. She was taken to the hospital and remains in critical condition. After news of the altercation broke, the Hazelwood School District released a statement condemning violence within the community. 'It is a tragedy anytime children are hurt,' the statement read. 'Bullying and fighting in the community is an issue for which we all need to take ownership and work towards a resolution for the sake of our children. 'The Hazelwood School District offers our sincerest condolences to everyone involved and will offer additional emotional support from our support and crisis team to those in need.' Arnett's tight-knit family have stepped in with a petition to raise awareness and save their beloved 'Mamaw's House' from being razed Janet Arnett has begged the developers to 'leave her be' as she is 'too old to start over' A 76-year-old Kentucky widow was told that her home of 55 years was going to be torn down to expand a highway The family of a 76-year-old widow started a petition to fight Kentucky highway developers who tried to uproot her home of 55 years - only to be left in the dark by local officials about the future of the beloved house. Janet Arnett bought the 63-acre property in 1969 and spent decades living in mobile homes before building her own house in 1998 with her husband Lowell - who passed away in 2015. The home became the tight-knit family's meeting point and was fondly referred to as 'Mamaw's House.' Arnett was told by highway developers in October that her home would be demolished for the Mountain Parkway expansion and that she would have no choice but to lose the home she treasured. Members of Arnett's family were heartbroken by the news. By losing the house, they would lose decades of memories and traditions along with it. Janet Arnett, 76, is begging to save her home of 55 years before it is knocked down to widen a nearby highway Arnett bought her 63-acre property in 1969 and spent decades living in mobile homes before building her own house with her husband Lowell - who passed away in 2015 Arnett was told by highway developers in October that her home would be demolished for The Mountain Parkway expansion and that she would have no choice but to lose the home she treasured This was the last photograph taken before Lowell Sr. died suddenly one morning while making coffee in the kitchen (from left to right: Lowell Jr., Janet Arnett, Lanessa DeMarchis, Lowlel Sr., Janeah Gullett) The home became the tight-knit family's meeting point and was fondly referred to as 'Mamaw's House' 'I'm too old to start over,' Arnett told DailyMail.com. 'Leave me be,' she pleaded Arnett's daughter Lanessa DeMarchis is campaigning with family, friends, and locals to convince state officials to reconsider the highway route. DeMarchis, Arnetts's youngest daughter, told DailyMail.com that she was 'devastated' at the thought of having her elderly mother ripped from the 'privacy, tranquility and safety' of her home. 'We grew up there without technology and not much money,' DeMarchis said of Mamaw's House. Ever since the petition started to gain traction online, gaining more than 2,000 signatures, local officials and highway developers went radio silent. The change.org page asked supporters to call upon to Transportation Secretary Jim Gray, Governor Andy Beshear, Senator Brandon Smith, Representative John Blanton and the Kentucky Department of Transportation. Local officials are being called upon to 'consider an alternative option which allows her to stay in her home and maintain some of her land.' DailyMail.com has reached out to all of the government agencies regarding plans for Arnett's home. Instead of offering a compromise or giving the family a construction timeline to prepare a solution, they have been ghosting Arnett and her relatives - leaving them in the dark about where they stand with the future of Mamaw's House. DeMarchis revealed that she spoke to officials on Wednesday morning, but they had no update. The youngest daughter demanded to know 'where are we moving her to?' because Eastern Kentucky has nowhere to relocate her mother. DeMarchis described the possibility of a move for her 76-year-old mother as 'impossible.' 'I'm too old to start over,' Arnett told DailyMail.com. 'Leave me be,' she pleaded. 'You don't just uproot someone from their life,' DeMarchis added. 'It's not right.' The change.org page called upon supporters to reach out to Transportation Secretary Jim Gray, Governor Andy Beshear, Senator Brandon Smith, Representative John Blanton and the Kentucky Department of Transportation Instead of offering a compromise or giving the family a construction timeline to prepare a solution, they have been ghosting Arnett and her relatives - leaving them in the dark about where they stand with the future of Mamaw's House Members of Arnett's family were heartbroken by the news. By losing the house, they would lose decades of memories and traditions along with it Arnett's granddaughter Zoe Parker said that Mamaw's House was where the family would celebrate all of their holidays. 'Who I am was built at Mamaw's House,' Zoe said Lanessa DeMarchis, Arnetts's youngest daughter, told DailyMail.com that she was 'devastated' at the thought of having her elderly mother ripped from the privacy, tranquility and safety of her home The Arnett family's farm pond on the property freezes over during winter in Kentucky Arnett's son, Lowell Jr., told DailyMail.com that Mamaw's House was more than just a property. For him, it was 70 acres of nature where he enjoyed playing as a child and got to watch younger generations of the family grow up in too. He described learning how to fish, hunt and swim in the land surrounding Mamaw's House and said that losing the house would be like losing his childhood. Lowell Jr. revealed that the success of the petition pushed local officials and highway developers in the opposite direction, leading them to ghost the family as they scramble to appease them. Arnett's granddaughter, Zoe Parker, said that Mamaw's House was where the family would celebrate all of their holidays. 'Who I am was built at Mamaw's House,' Zoe said. She recalled one of the last memories she has of her late grandpa, which was spent on the porch at Mamaw's House where he was bird watching, as he often did. Lowell Jr. revealed that the success of the petition pushed local officials and highway developers in the opposite direction, leading them to ghost the family as they scramble to appease them Lowell Jr. described learning how to fish, hunt and swim in the land surrounding Mamaw's House and said that losing the house would be like losing his childhood The home sprawled over 70 acres and even had a zipline Arnett's son, Lowell Jr., told DailyMail.com that Mamaw's House was more than just a property For Lowell, the property was 70 acres of nature where he enjoyed playing in as a child and got to watch younger generations of the family grow-up in too A sign on the wall of Arnett's home with the nickname the family has called it for decades 'People live on on in the places and people they leave behind,' the granddaughter said. Lowell Sr. died suddenly in 2015. He had been in the kitchen making coffee when he suffered a pulmonary embolism. For the Arnett family, the house holds a lifetime of memories of their grandfather that would be torn away if the home's destruction takes place. Arnett says she's grateful for the petition her family started on her behalf, and is thankful for all the support she has received since being told about the Mountain Parkway expansion in October. The 76-year-old said, 'Right now, I'm just down on the thought of what I'm facing.' 'Why they couldnt have built the road a little further in front or behind my house. Why right through my house?' The family have insisted that they think the road is a good thing - and that they want the people of Eastern Kentucky to enjoy the benefits of the four-lane highway. 'We don't want this to be a negative thing,' DeMarchis said - adding that the family have never once put an individual person or their local representatives on blast for the 'heartless' decision. Arnett says she's grateful for the petition her family started on her behalf and is thankful for all the support she has received since being told about the Mountain Parkway expansion in October The 76-year-old said, 'Right now, I'm just down on the thought of what I'm facing' 'You don't just uproot someone from their life,' Arnett's youngest daughter Lanessa DeMarchis said. 'It's not right' When the state transportation department told Arnett that they were taking her home, they offered to 'buy' the property. But to the widow and her family - the house is priceless The family is now pleading with everyone to support their grandmother in her time of need by signing the petition and contacting local officials until they offer a compromise Four of Arnett's grandchildren, who spent big parts of their lives on her property Plans for an expansion to Mountain Parkway run right through the middle of her land The family have insisted that they think the road is a good thing - and that they want the people of Eastern Kentucky to enjoy the benefits of the four-lane highway 'Officials are supposed to make you feel safe,' Zoe said of local government. But in this instance, they are doing the opposite, she added. When the state transportation department told Arnett that they were taking her home, they offered to 'buy' the property. But to the widow and her family, the house is priceless. The family is now pleading with everyone to support their grandmother in her time of need by signing the petition and contacting local officials until they offer a compromise. Cruz is the latest influential Senate Republican to throw his support behind her Senate hopeful Kari Lake has picked up another endorsement from an influential Republican who she hopes will soon be her colleague. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, announced Thursday that he will throw his support behind the former journalist-turned-politician in the competitive Arizona Senate race. 'Kari has proven that she will always prioritize the security and well-being of Arizonans and the American people and will not back down from a fight,' Cruz said in a statement shared exclusively with DailyMail.com. 'I am proud to endorse her for U.S. Senate today.' With Cruz's endorsement, Lake adds to her star-studded list of Senate supporters. Lake also has the endorsements of Sens. John Thune, R-S.D., John Cornyn, R-Texas, Steve Daines, R-Mont., John Barrasso, R-Wyo., Tom Cotton, R-Ark., Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, Mike Lee, R-Utah, and Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, announced Thursday he would support Kari Lake's bid for Senate Kari Lake previously met with Senate leaders in early March after Sen. Krysten Sinema, I-Ariz., announced she would not seek re-election Including Cruz, Lake has 19 endorsements from Senate Republicans, including the support of almost all of the GOP leadership. 'I am honored to have the endorsement of Senator Ted Cruz,' Lake said in a statement exclusively shared with DailyMail.com. 'He has been a conservative leader in the Senate, standing up for border security and fiscal responsibility. I look forward to working with him to save our country.' In his endorsement, Cruz noted Lake's tough stance on border security and immigration and said the state, which has seen huge numbers of illegal border crossings, needs a leader who is up to the task. 'Border states have been on the frontlines of Joe Biden's open border crisis for over three years, which is why we need a leader in Arizona who is not afraid to stand up and join the fight for a secure border,' he said. Lake has also received an endorsement from former President Donald Trump, who she fiercely defended amid his claiming that the 2020 election was rigged against him. He repeatedly noted how anomalies in Arizona's electoral process kept him out of office for a second consecutive term, and Lake agreed. Her support of the former president did not come for free, however, as it may have played a part in her narrowly losing the 2022 Arizona gubernatorial race to Democrat Gov. Katie Hobbs. And Lake's current bid for Senate has featured fireworks just like her past run. In January, DailyMail.com revealed that Jeff DeWit, the former chair of the Arizona Republican Party, offered to bribe Lake to stay out of the 2024 Senate race, saying ominously, 'there are very powerful people who want to keep you out.' DeWit continued: 'So the ask I got today from back east was: 'Is there any companies out there or something that could just put her on the payroll to keep her out?'' Lake shot back, 'this is about defeating Trump and I think that's a bad, bad thing for our country.' Just about a day after DailyMail.com's report was published, DeWit resigned from the Arizona GOP. Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., (Left) threw his support behind Lake in October 2023 Now, the Republican firebrand is running to replace outgoing Sen. Krysten Sinema, I-Ariz., who announced earlier this month she would not seek re-election. The 47-year-old Independent, who defected from the Democrats in 2022 and is a moderate in the Senate, warned that America is choosing 'anger and division' rather than working together in a video announcing her retirement. Lake's likely opponent in the race, Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., is a Marine veteran who has served in the House since 2015. An Emerson College Polling/The Hill poll released Wednesday found that 40 percent of Arizona voters backed Lake as opposed to 44 percent supporting Gallego. The same survey found that a whopping 16 percent of voters are still undecided. The fentanyl murderer who poisoned a millionaire couple in a 'cool and calculated' plot would have become a serial killer, police believe. Luke D'Wit, 34, wormed his way into the lives of Stephen, 61, and Carol Baxter, 64, and created up to 20 alter egos which he used to manipulate the couple. He had been hired by the Baxters in 2013 to help set up a website for their shower mat business, Cazsplash. Over the next decade D'Wit would frequently turn up at the couple's home as part of his twisted plot to befriend them in order to get his hands on their business by creating a fake will. The handyman later told police the couple saw him as like an 'adopted son', yet the couple's daughter, Ellie, said her parents were becoming 'irritated' by his frequent visits to their home and saw him as 'nerdy weird'. In April 2023, he laced their drinks with a fatal dose of fentanyl - 100 times more powerful than morphine - and watched them die on a secret camera app he had set up on his phone. Today, the detective who led the investigation to snare the killer described him as 'one of most dangerous men I've ever experienced' and was left in no doubt in believing he would have become a serial killer. Luke D'Wit, 34, in his police issued mugshot. He has been convicted unanimously of murdering a married couple after poisoning them with fentanyl Stephen and Carol Baxter were found dead at their million-pound detached home in West Mersea, Essex, in April 2023 Detective Superintendent Rob Kirby described D'Wit as one of the most dangerous men he had come across and was left in no doubt he would have killed again Ellie, 22, discovered her parents dead at their home in West Mersea, Essex, on April 9, with harrowing doorbell footage capturing the moment. D'Wit lived nearby and arrived at the million-pound detached home and coolly spoke with the 999 operator to say the couple were dead as grief-stricken Ellie wailed in the background. Police body-worn footage captured the him chatting with officers with Detective Superintendent Rob Kirby saying D'Wit would have 'enjoyed the drama and watching the scene he created'. Ellie wept today as D'Wit was convicted at Chelmsford Crown Court of their murders. The cold-blooded killer, who used a wheelchair throughout the trial, did not appear to react in the secure dock of the court as the unanimous verdicts were read out. Speaking outside court following the verdict, Det Supt Kirby warned D'Wit had developed a taste for murder. He said: 'There was no bloody murder scene. There was no obvious murder weapon. But Carol and Stephen Baxter's deaths were cold and calculated acts of murder carried out by a dangerous man who clearly planned to get away with it. 'In all my years in policing, Luke D'Wit is one of the most dangerous men I have come across. I have absolutely no doubt that had he not been caught, he would have gone onto commit further murders. 'He would befriend people and purport to be an upstanding, helpful and kind member of the community. The reality is far more sinister. He is a cold, calculated murderer.' Ring doorbell footage captured the horrifying moment the Baxters' daughter arrived at their home to discover her parents dead The couple were found at home by their daughter Ellie - pictured here leaving court during D'Wit's murder trial D'Wit, 34, was called to the scene by the Baxters' daughter because he was so trusted - he is seen here speaking to police, captured on their body-worn camera Police searching their home found this fake will D'Wit prepared to insert himself into their business as a 'person with significant control' He added: 'D'Wit went to great lengths to cover up his tracks. He deceived everyone who knew him, who welcomed him into their family homes and who relied upon him for help, or at least what they believed was help. 'We were all dolls in his dollhouse' - murder victims' children's fury and grief after killer is found guilty Ellie Baxter, daughter of Carol and Stephen Baxter 'My mum and dad are dead. But they didn't just die. They were taken from me and my young children. 'My mum lost her freedom, her will, her ability to function two years prior to her murder due to her illness. An illness no one could help with or understand because it was contrived by Luke D'Wit. 'Mum felt so alone and lost and there was nothing I could do other then give her my shoulder to cry on and cuddle her. 'My mum was full of life, and she always pushed me to be better. We would have girly days out at the spa and plenty of shopping trips. She was my best friend. We would laugh together, cry together and support each other. 'Over the coming years we had planned to go travelling as we both wanted to go to Japan and India. A dream of ours that now can never be fulfilled. My mum loved my son to bits. She would constantly buy him toys and take him out for walks in his pram. 'My dad was a strong man; "there are no short cuts in life," he would always say. He worked every day of his life and provided for mum, my brother and I. There was nothing we ever needed. He loved us all. 'He said my son just fitted perfectly in his arms like my brother and I did. He lit up and he was excited for my new baby. A new baby he never got a chance to meet. We used to stay up late talking and watching horror films. 'Dad also loved to play guitar. In the summer we would have bonfires and the guitar would always come out. Watching my dad play and sing so freely is where my love for music began. 'Dad initially got my brother Harry into guitar lessons where they would go together and learn then serenade mum and I. Never again will I be able to have a jam with my dad; neither will my brother.' Harry Baxter, son of Carol and Stephen Baxter 'Luke D'Wit took what we all held most sacred and found a way to extract it for himself. 'Our life will forever be punctured by the gravity of his actions. My eldest daughter will forever have lost the wealth of wisdom and experience my parents possessed. My mum was the definition of the word "love". 'I do not refer to April of 2023: I refer to the day Luke began his foul games torturing and drugging her. Unbeknownst to me, I had already lost my mother a long time ago. 'I feel great sadness looking back on the videos of her when she was acting strangely and seeing him in the background giggling and smiling knowing he's the one inflicting this pain as we were all dolls in his dollhouse victim to his manipulation. 'My father on the other hand is the definition of intelligence. A critical thinker and problem solver and a person people could absolutely rely on. Most of all thorough to an astounding level of excellence. Revered within his industry, it was almost as if it seemed like he never broke a sweat. 'He sacrificed his life for us to live on and when the days came where he could finally take time and retire and have time to teach me, a young man, naive and keen at the beginning of his adult life it was stolen away by someone we all trusted the most. 'Luke D'Wit completely destroyed everything we held close to our hearts and every memory and future dream we could have shared. 'All I can do now is focus on my family by loving and protecting my partner and baby and our future members of the family. We have the important role of not only mother and father, but also capture the memory of a now sadly lost grandmother and grandfather.' Advertisement 'What he didn't bank on was that our detectives at Essex Police were much smarter and determined to secure justice. 'Those lies, and that deception, continued in the evidence he gave in court. Disgracefully, he based his defence on collusion between himself and Stephen Baxter. 'Stephen is tragically not here to defend himself but from everything we know about him, this could never have been the case. Thankfully, the jury saw through his fantasies and gave guilty verdicts.' Mr Justice Lavender said sentencing would take place on Friday, adding: 'Mr D'Wit will be remanded in custody.' D'Wit, who added a clause to the couple's wills stating he was to be made a director of their specialist shower mats firm Cazsplash, befriended the couple as he helped them build a website for their business. He was found to have packets of fentanyl at the nearby home he shared with his mother. The drug had been prescribed to his father, who died of cancer in 2021. He denied any involvement in the Baxters' deaths during a five-week trial at Chelmsford Crown Court but was convicted unanimously by the jury today after they began their deliberations on Monday. Detectives say D'Wit is among the 'most dangerous' people they have ever encountered because of the way in which he killed his victims, and believe he would have gone on to become a serial killer if he hadn't been stopped. The Baxters' son, Harry, said afterwards: 'Luke D'Wit took what we all held most sacred and found a way to extract it for himself. Our life will forever be punctured by the gravity of his actions. 'I feel great sadness looking back on the videos of her when she was acting strangely and seeing him in the background giggling and smiling knowing he's the one inflicting this pain as we were all dolls in his dollhouse, victim to his manipulation. 'Luke D'Wit completely destroyed everything we held close to our hearts and every memory and future dream we could have shared. 'All I can do now is focus on my family by loving and protecting my partner and baby and our future members of the family. We have the important role of not only mother and father, but also capture the memory of a now sadly lost grandmother and grandfather.' The couple's daughter, Ellie, added: 'My mum and dad are dead. But they didn't just die. They were taken from me and my young children. 'My mum lost her freedom, her will, her ability to function two years prior to her murder due to her illness. An illness no one could help with or understand because it was contrived by Luke D'Wit. 'Mum felt so alone and lost and there was nothing I could do other then give her my shoulder to cry on and cuddle her. 'My mum was full of life, and she always pushed me to be better. We would have girly days out at the spa and plenty of shopping trips. She was my best friend. We would laugh together, cry together and support each other. 'My dad was a strong man. "There are no short cuts in life," he would always say. He worked every day of his life and provided for mum, my brother and I. There was nothing we ever needed. He loved us all.' Tracy Ayling KC said in her prosecution closing speech that D'Wit murdered Mr and Mrs Baxter 'calmly, coolly and in a way which had been entirely planned, maybe for some while'. Ms Ayling added that she would be preparing a sentencing note calling for a minimum jail term of 30 years or a whole life sentence 'because of the death of two people and other aggravating factors'. A Home Office pathologist concluded on June 29 last year that the couple had both died from fentanyl poisoning with promethazine poisoning also being a factor in Mrs Baxters death. DWit was arrested for the murders on July 6 last year. The bodies of Mr and Mrs Baxter were found in armchairs in the conservatory of their five-bedroom detached home by their daughter Ellie, 22, and her partner Marcus Young, on April 9. Oddball D'Wit, who shared a bedroom with his mother, set up a surveillance app on a mobile phone which he planted in their luxury home so he could watch on another device as they lay dying in their armchairs in their conservatory. Police later found that he had downloaded the iHeart home security app, often used by people to monitor babies and animals, on two of his phones, enabling one to be placed secretly in the Baxters' home and the other to receive pictures. The home of the millionaire tycoon husband and wife in Essex where their bodies were found Stephen and Carol Baxter were found dead in the conservatory of their million-pound home in Essex in April last year CCTV from a doorbell camera showing D'Wit leaving the Baxters' house on the day he poisoned them with fentanyl Luke D'Wit in police custody shortly after his arrest on suspicion of murder. He was convicted following a five-week trial at Chelmsford Crown Court Verification codes for the app were sent to both his phones on the afternoon of April 7 before one was left on a shelf where it was able to film their conservatory. Police later discovered six cached images showing the couple in their chairs between 5.14pm and 5.45pm on April 7. The images were shown to the jury with the faces of the couple blacked out. Miss Baxter and her partner broke in with the help of a neighbour wielding a hammer to smash the conservatory door after she saw them slumped and unconscious through a window. The jury heard how D'Wit was so trusted by Miss Baxter that Mr Young messaged him from the scene, and he rushed over from the cottage he shared with his widowed mother Jan in nearby Churchfields, West Mersea. In a harrowing 999 call, Miss Baxter could be heard wailing: 'They're poisoned. They're dead. They're frozen.' D'Wit described in court how he 'literally ran' from his home five minutes away. The jury was played the 999 call after he took the phone from Miss Baxter - as Miss Baxter could be heard crying hysterically in the background. He coolly told the call handler of her anguished cries: 'I need to come outside. It's their daughter you can hear. You can hear their daughter's devastated.' As Miss Baxter's heartbroken sobbing continues in the background, D'Wit adds, without a trace of guilt: 'They're both just cold.' Police body-worn camera footage then showed him at the scene speaking to officers, claiming Mrs Baxter was prone to overdosing on her prescriptions. Police initially assumed the Baxters had died from carbon monoxide poisoning but tests revealed the substance in their systems and launched a murder investigation. D'Wit became a suspect along with Miss Baxter and Mr Young, although their involvement was later ruled out. Miss Baxter, giving evidence, confirmed she and her partner had been arrested on suspicion of murdering her parents before being released without charge. Under cross examination by D'Wit's barrister Adam Davis KC, she denied 'doing her best' to try and implicate him. Mr Davis also asked her: 'Were you involved in a cover up of your parents' suicide, which involved saying things about Luke, which involved the planting of fentanyl patches?' Miss Baxter choked back tears as she replied: 'No, not at all. All I am guilty of is loving my parents.' Stephen and Carol were found dead sitting in their individual armchairs in their conservatory on Easter Sunday - April 9 - last year Police at the scene of Stephen and Carol Baxter's deaths in West Mersea in April last year When police searched the Baxters' home, they found items that were not there at the time of their deaths - including fentanyl patches and a fake will. The will, which was not held by the couple's solicitors, described D'Wit as a 'dear friend' who would take control of their company - immediately arousing detectives' suspicions. Prosecutors said he created the deceptive decree on his phone the day after the Baxters were found dead, making him a director of their shower mat company Cazsplash. Fentanyl: The painkiller 100 times stronger than morphine that is now a favourite among heroin users By Andrew Levy Fentanyl was originally designed as a painkiller but has been adopted by the illegal drug market, where it is often added to heroin. But it is around 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more powerful than morphine, with even a small dose potentially being deadly - leading to concerns about an epidemic of deaths among people who misuse it. In 2008 there were just eight fatalities from fentanyl poisoning in the UK. By 2017, this has soared to 135, according to a 2020 report commissioned by the Home Office. Synthetic opioids like fentanyl have been linked to thousands of deaths in the US. The Class A synthetic drug is prescribed for severe chronic pain or breakthrough pain that fails to respond to regular painkillers. It is often prescribed for cancer patients. Delivery is via an injection or patch on the arm. It can also be taken in a throat lozenge. It works by mimicking endorphins, the body's natural painkillers, which block pain messages to the brain. This also causes feelings of euphoria. Typical overdose symptoms include slow and difficult breathing, nausea and vomiting, cold, clammy skin, trouble walking or talking, and unresponsiveness. The treatment for an overdose is usually naloxone, which blocks the effect of opioids by attaching to receptors in the body, although several doses may be needed for fentanyl. Drug addicts can get hold of the substance as powders or pills or put it into containers such as eyedroppers or nasal sprays. It can also be smoked or injected. Street names for the drug include Apache, China Girl, Goodfellas, Great Bear, Poison and Tango & Cash. Withdrawal symptoms include vomiting and diarrhoea, anxiety, insomnia, runny nose, hot and cold flushes and dilated pupils. The 2020 report by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs warned the introduction of fentanyl and other opioids into the illegal UK market was 'of great concern', according to chairman Professor Owen Bowden-Jones. He said: 'To respond to this emerging threat, we must carefully examine the lessons learnt in other countries, particularly the US and Canada, to understand and implement effective interventions.' Advertisement Another fake persona - a solicitor - was used in connection with the new will, prosecutors said. And the patches found at the Baxters' home had the same batch number as those found in D'Wit's bag when he was arrested at the premises of multiple sclerosis charity MS-UK. D'Wit a 'nerd' who held a degree in computer science but had little social life and whose friends thought was asexual - ingratiated himself by carrying out chores for the Baxters, particularly mother-of-four Mrs Baxter, 64, who had an autoimmune condition that affected her thyroid and also had a pacemaker. He would make sure she took her medication and often made her and her husband, 61, 'disgusting' herbal remedies and smoothies. The concoctions which included lemon, iodine and turmeric, would have masked the taste of other drugs that he allegedly added, making Mrs Baxter feel tired and increasingly confused - a fact that did not go unnoticed by her children. The prosecution said D'Wit had been preparing drinks for them since 2022, including their 'final cup' on the day of their deaths. He had created more than 20 fake online personas, purporting to be from doctors and support groups among others, to 'manipulate' the family. One email from a bogus expert the day before the couple died suggested they have a drink made from hot water, aspirin and lemon juice. Miss Baxter, 22, said her parents became 'irritated' that D'Wit was so frequently at their home in Victory Road and they thought the computer-science graduate was 'nerdy weird'. Giving evidence in court, D'Wit claimed Mr Baxter, a senior executive with an international property firm, had asked him to invent the bogus characters and helped him draft messages from them to encourage his wife to take her medication but the jury saw through the deception. Police also found D'Wit in possession of capsules of the drug promethazine, an antihistamine used in over-the-counter cold medicines, which had been specially adapted to contain four times the usual potency using a makeshift pestle and mortar. The drug was also found in lethal quantities in Mrs Baxter's blood and was a contributory cause of her death. Jurors were told how Mrs Baxter had a CT scan in Colchester General Hospital on February 8, 2022, after complaining of abdominal pain and was found to have a 17mm metal tack in her colon. Identical tacks, which had been sold by Fred's DIY store in West Mersea, were later found in D'Wit's possession. Det Supt Kirby said: 'This was a significant and unique police investigation involving many teams across the force. The download and analysis of D'Wit's digital devices was one of the most complex we have seen. 'The holes in D'Wit's false account were opened to expose lies, deceit and calculated planning and he can now look forward to a very long prison sentence. 'We cannot forget the devastating impact this has had on Stephen and Carol's family, and our thoughts will remain with them as they I truly hope continue to rebuild their lives. 'I hope there is some comfort for them in knowing that the man responsible is where he should be.' The world knew him as 'Polio Paul,' a man kept alive in an iron lung since 1952, but at his funeral Wednesday, friends revealed a man who they called 'a force' whose remarkable life could not be contained by the medical chamber he lived in. Paul Alexander, 78, died a week ago in Dallas, Texas after living in a negative pressure ventilator for 70 years. Since he was struck with polio as a child, Alexander depended on the machine to survive. At his funeral, Alexander's brother revealed he would be buried alongside the ashes of his longtime partner and caretaker Kathy Mary Gaines. Gaines died recently after taking care of Alexander for 35 years. Paul Alexander, 78, died a week ago in Dallas, Texas after living in a negative pressure ventilator for 70 years. Pictured: Mourners line his grave, where he was laid to rest on Wednesday Alexander was buried immediately after with his love Kathy. A headstone with both their names was waiting for them Paul Alexander died aged 78 after an extraordinary life in an iron lung A headstone was prepared with both of their names on it - as well as an etching of Alexander in his infamous lung machine. During some periods of Alexander's life, he was able to spend short intervals out of the chamber as he eventually learned how to breathe on his own for short times. At 21, he became the first person to graduate from a high school in Dallas without ever attending class in person. He was accepted into Southern Methodist University in Dallas, after much difficulty with university administration and then got into law school at the University of Texas, Austin. He pursued his dreams of becoming a trial lawyer, and represented clients in court in a three-piece suit. Paul practiced law in North Texas for 30 years, known as a fixture in the Dallas County Courthouse where he was regularly seen in the hallways in special wheelchair that could hold him upright since he was paralyzed from the neck down. A friend and former driver, Daniel Spinx spoke about meeting Alexander after he answered in an ad in the paper for a lawyer who need a driver to take them to court. Among his many clients, Paul represented some Hells Angels, who became so close to him, they made him an honorary member of the motorcycle gang. Alexander was laid to rest in Dallas in funeral on Wednesday Mourners of Paul Alexander, the man who lived most of his life in an iron lung, greave at his funeral in Dallas Family and friends pay their respects to the man known as iron lung because of the machine he lived in Mourners hold back tears at the funeral on Wednesday. At his funeral, Alexander's brother revealed he would be buried alongside the ashes of his longtime partner and caretaker Kathy Mary Gaines Flowers are placed at the funeral of Alexander in Texas 'He loved the ladies,' Spinx told the 50 mourners gathered in an East Dallas funeral home Wednesday. 'He stopped by court flower shop and would go to court clerks and give them all flowers.' Spinx knew Alexander for 24 years and described him as a proud Texan who enjoyed a good steak and country music. 'Paul was my mentor. He always helped me without judging me. He was my best friend,' Spinx tearfully recounted. 'Paul sacrificed everything for every body. I can't wait to see Paul running around with Jesus,' his friend said. As loved ones shuffled past the casket to pay their last respects, the song 'Iris' by the Goo Goo Dolls played Paul Alexander pictured with his beloved brother Philip. In a heartbreaking Facebook tribute, Philip called his sibling 'loving' and 'also a pain in the as**' Over an extraordinary lifetime, Paul was able to travel, study the law and author a book A neighbor and friend described Alexa, the voice AI machine, as one of Alexander's most prized possessions describing hearing him constantly asking it to play music for him. 'He was the only one who get away with blasting his music without anyone complaining,' the neighbor explained about their community. Another former caretaker who only wanted to be identified as Mann, said Alexander taught him how to read and do math after he began working for him. 'He taught me how to think. He taught me how to be a man,' he said. 'He taught me, 'If I can do it, you can do it.' After a brief Greek Orthodox service, friends and family members took turns sharing stories about the accomplished man who was a mentor and counselor to so many. 'He's unencumbered and untethered now,' said another friend. 'This life has ended for Paul and his glorious new life has started in heaven.' As loved ones shuffled past the casket to pay their last respects, the song 'Iris' by the Goo Goo Dolls played. Alexander was buried immediately after with his love Kathy. A headstone with both their names was waiting for them. Former U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton has said that former President Donald Trump wants Americans to treat him the way North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is treated in the reclusive country. Bolton, who served as national security advisor under Trump from 2018-2019, made the remarks against the presumptive Republican presidential nominee in a social media post. He is known to have been at odds with Trump over major foreign policy issues while in office. "Donald Trump wants Americans to treat him like North Koreans treat Kim Jung Un. Get ready," he wrote on X, formerly Twitter, on Tuesday. Bolton has voiced sharp criticism of Trump, including through his memoir, "The Room Where It Happened." In a new edition of the memoir published in January, Bolton warned that Trump, if reelected, could attempt to reach a "reckless" deal on North Korea's nuclear program that would alienate South Korea. (Yonhap) Popular finance guru The Barefoot Investor has issued a stern warning to Aussies thinking of buying a new car. Scott Pape, who wrote the best-selling financial advice book The Barefoot Investor in 2016, argued that new 'internet-enabled cars' in the US often share data about a driver's speeding, braking and swerving with insurance companies. This data can then lead to an increase in their insurance premiums. Mr Pape recently wrote about his joyless experience driving a 'Chinese-built Haval Jolion SUV' on his blog. 'It is hands down the worst car Ive ever driven (and in my twenties I drove a Mitsubishi Magna that leaked more oil than Saddam Hussein),' Mr Pape wrote. Scott Pape (pictured), who wrote the best-selling financial advice book The Barefoot Investor in 2016, argued that new 'internet-enabled cars' in the US often share data about a driver's speeding, braking and swerving with insurance companies. This data can then lead to an increase in their insurance premiums Mr Pape recently wrote about his joyless experience driving a 'Chinese-built Haval Jolion SUV' (pictured) with all its sensors and alarms to keep a driver in check 'The Haval makes me feel like Im 17 years old, back on my L-plates, with my hyper-anxious mother in the passenger seat "guiding" me.' Mr Pape said the car would 'ding' repeatedly to keep him in check, including when he did not wear his seatbelt, tried to overtake or even if he looked away from the windscreen. He suggested something more 'sinister' might be at work. 'You see, in the US, internet-enabled cars are recording all those dings, swerves and sharp stops, and selling the data for millions to the insurance industry,' he wrote. 'The result? People are often pinged with higher insurance premiums.' While he acknowledged that this is only a reality in the US for now, he warned that it could soon be widespread in Australia. 'The most powerful car companies on Earth have teams of lawyers who craft 12,000-word privacy terms and conditions that they know no one ever reads,' Mr Pape wrote. 'This then allows the companies to track and sell our every move, and the buyers of that data feed it into algorithms and use it against us.' In October, Katherine Kemp, Associate Professor at the UNSW's Faculty of Law & Justice, warned that 'Australia's privacy laws need urgent reform'. Scott Pape (pictured with his wife Liz) warned Aussies to be wary of internet-enabled cars 'Australias privacy laws arent up to the task of protecting the vast amount of personal information collected and shared by car companies,' Ms Kemp wrote. 'And since our privacy laws dont demand the specific disclosures required by some US states, we have much less information about what car companies are doing with our data.' Ms Kemp cited a US study by the non-profit Mozilla Foundation which found that cars with internet-connected features were 'the official worst category of products for privacy' they had ever reviewed, dubbing them a 'privacy nightmare on wheels'. They tested all major car brands Toyota, Ford, BMW, Volkswagen, Tesla, Hyundai and found they all failed to meet minimum privacy standards. Almost 85 per cent share or sell your data to third parties, while Nissan and Kia reportedly even allow the collection of data on a driver's sex life. 'They come right out and say they can collect and share your sexual activity, health diagnosis data, and genetic information and other sensitive personal information for targeted marketing purposes,' the report by the Mozilla Foundation states. More than a decade after she was attacked by a stranger in her own street, Tahlia Giumelli has asked the grim question on the minds of so many Australian women. 'Will there ever be a time where as women, we feel safe even when walking in broad daylight?' The model, mother-of-two and wife of South Sydney Rabbitohs player, Tom Burgess, took to Instagram to share the experience that still impacts her to this day, revisiting the moment she was attacked in broad daylight. '14 years ago today, the day after my 17th birthday, I was walking home after school and was followed and attacked in my street at random,' she said in a post to Instagram. 'That one event would forever change my life.' Tom Burgess and Tahlia Giumelli pictured. Source: Instagram 'Spending months in and out of police stations, interview rooms, working with the police to draw up a sketch and months later eventually lead to a positive ID and arrest, which would then turn into more months of trials and waiting before a sentence hearing and ultimately a jail sentence for multiple offences against women.' In an Instagram post in 2018, Ms Giumelli spoke out about the attack and shared her anger at Australia's 'growing problem' of violence against women. The post coincided with the murder of Melbourne women, Eurydice Dixon. Ms Giumelli said the man who attacked would go on to reoffend after he was released from jail. 'Unfortunately in the last 14 years nothing has changed, women still can't go for a run or walk without being attacked or worse as proven recently in the media. Tahlia Giumelli has shared the moment she was attacked in her own street 14 years ago. Picture: Instagram Speaking to the Daily Telegraph in 2018 she said her experiences as a teenager left her with post-traumatic stress disorder, and nightmares. 'I live in fear. I live in fear because it has happened to me and it is still on the rise,' Ms Giumelli said. 'I have a six-foot five (196cm), built boyfriend and I am still scared. 'I will always look behind me, I will never walk at night.' Ms Giumelli has previously spoken about suffering PTSD as a result of the attack. Source: Instagram Police are still searching for the remains of Samantha Murphy, nearly two months after her disappearance. Ms Giumelli's comments come as Victorian police continue to search for the body of missing mother of three, Samantha Murphy, two weeks after Patrick Stephenson was charged with her murder. Ms Murphy was allegedly killed when she went for a routine jog in the Canadian State Forest on February 4. Ms Giumelli said as a mother, she is now forced to teach her daughters to remain aware of their surroundings at all times, simply by virtue of being born female. 'Now as a mum of two girls, it's my duty to teach them to constantly be alert to the dangers around them and to teach them the confidence to defend themselves because they are female,' she said. 'To think 14 years on, women are still as vulnerable as ever.' Ms Giumelli posed the question to her followers: 'When (will) we stop feeling vulnerable because of our gender.' Network Rail has launched an urgent investigation into how a Ramadan message, including one about 'sinners,' was shown on a board at King's Cross train station. On Tuesday, railway passengers at King's Cross in London station were shown an 'Hadith of the day' next to train times which read: 'The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) [Peace Be Upon Him] said: All the sons of Adam are sinners but the best of the sinners are those who repent often.' The message was shown on the ninth day of Ramadan, the holiest month for Muslims. Hadith's are collections of traditions containing sayings of the Prophet Muhammad which constitute the major source of guidance for Muslims apart from the Quran. The departure board also showed times for 'fajr' and 'maghrib' which are the Islamic sunrise and sunset prayer times. A hadith saying 'All the sons of Adam are sinners' was displayed on a board at King's Cross. The departure board also showed times for 'fajr' and 'maghrib' which are the Islamic sunrise and sunset prayer times King's Cross station where passengers were shown a 'Hadith of the day' on the departure board on Tuesday. Network Rail has now launched a full investigation into why it was shown in the station (stock image) Network Rail, who are the owner and infrastructure manager of most of Britain's railway network, have now deleted the message and launched a full investigation into why it was shown in the station. A spokesperson for Network Rail told the Daily Telegraph: 'We celebrate all the big religious festivals from Christmas to Ramadan at King's Cross to reflect our diverse passenger and employee base. 'However, our main departure board should be reserved for train information and our general Ramadan celebratory messages weren't used for some reason, which we're looking into. All has now been corrected.' The Telegraph reports that the investigation will likely last several days as multiple members of staff have access to the departure board. Humanists UK were among a large number of critics of the Ramadan message One X/Twitter user applauded the display at Kings Cross Station The message sparked social media debate about whether public information boards should display religious messages. On X, formerly Twitter, Humanists UK - a charity which advocates for secularism responded to the religious message. They wrote: 'Public train stations should not be urging 'sinners' to repent. It is obviously inappropriate and profoundly misjudged to broadcast hadiths or any religious scripture at passengers. We will be writing to the Transport Secretary to outline our concerns.' But many applauded the display. On X/Twitter user wrote: 'People being like 'where's the bible verses?' there usually is in train stations and all over the country during Christmas, and sometimes other Christian holidays too. It's Ramadan right now, of course there is going to be a hadith. Ramadan Mubarak.' A Network Rail spokesperson said: 'We celebrate all the big religious festivals from Christmas to Ramadan at King's Cross to reflect our diverse passenger and employee base. 'However, our main departure board should be reserved for train information and our general Ramadan celebratory messages weren't used for some reason, which we're looking into. All has now been corrected.' A British ex-pat from Scotland has been shot dead by police after he pointed a gun at them outside his home in Pennsylvania, in the US. Police opened fire on the Gregor Fleming, 44, after he aimed a gun and moved towards them on March 7 in Hampden Township. Mr Fleming had moved to the US from Thornliebank near Glasgow in 2013 and was planning on marrying his American finacee Kelly Thompson, a medical assistant. Ms Thompson, 47, watched on in horror as her partner was fatally shot. The 44-year-old, who had been drinking heavily and battling depression at the time of his death, had just received the news he may have cancer. Gregor Fleming, 44, was fatally shot by police outside his home in Pennsylvania, USA after he moved towards them with a gun Mr Fleming moved to the US from Thornliebank near Glasgow in 2013 and was planning on marrying his American finacee Kelly Thompson, a medical assistant before he died According to his fiancee, he had been in excruciating pain since February after breaking his back and a scan had revealed a potentially cancerous mass in his throat that doctors believed was likely cancer. She said he spiraled out of control after hearing the news and became suicidal. An investigation has been launched but Ms Thompson says she bears no grudges against the Pennsylvania State Police who she believes had been left with no choice. 'They told him to drop the gun several times and he refused. He started walking towards them with the gun and they had no choice but to do what they did.' She said the heartbreaking scene she witnessed on the street outside their home was ingrained in her memory. According to his fiancee, the Scot had spiraled out of control after receiving a cancer diagnosis and was battling depression The 47-year-old paid tribute to the ex-pat, calling him a 'selfless, kind, generous and loving person' who was an 'amazing stepfather' to her four children. The Scot, who had been training as a plumber, popped the question to his medical assistant girlfriend in July last year with a ring he had designed and made himself. The happy couple had planned on moving back to Scotland after getting married. His fiancee said she was unsure how to move on and said she wished she had been able to save him. In a statement, Pennsylvania State Police said: 'On March 7, 2024, Hampden Township Police were dispatched to the area of the 5000 block of Erbs Bridge Road, Hampden Township, Cumberland County, for a disturbance. 'At that time, the officers discharged their firearms striking the subject. The subject was pronounced deceased at the scene. 'Pennsylvania State Police's Troop H Major Case team is currently investigating this incident.' For support you call the Samaritans on 116 123 or you can visit https://www.samaritans.org/. Residents of an Australian suburb are furious after large piles of rubbish keep mysteriously appearing dumped right beside the roadside. One local who lives near Flynn Avenue, which runs through Middleton Grange and Austral in Sydney's west, took to social media to warn drivers to be careful of the most recent unexpected hazard, especially when driving at night. The rubbish appears to be waste construction materials, such as cement bricks and wood, that could cause significant damage to a car - with some commenters calling it an 'absolute joke' people had dumped it there. 'Be careful at the top of Flynn Avenue, again someone has decided to illegally dump here putting drivers at risk of an accident,' the woman who shared the picture said. 'Right at the crest of an already narrow road with debris spilling out onto the road when is something going to be done about this?' she asked. One local in the Liverpool Council area in Sydney took to social media to complain large piles of rubbish are being dumped right beside semi-rural roads (pictured) The area where the piles of rubbish have appeared is in the Western Sydney Parklands, with lower traffic and less residential properties in the area allowing for trucks to dump the scrap materials undetected. The road also does not have streetlights with some of those commenting on the post warning that the driving hazard could 'get someone killed'. Another commenter on the post was fuming over the brazen mess saying that 'people just need to stop being grubs'. Liverpool Council member Peter Harle said the problem has been going on for decades with the new construction projects in the area. He pointed out the area will remain part of Western Sydney Parklands with no housing, lighting or security but is near to new housing subdivisions, making it an ideal spot to get rid of the waste. 'Rural areas have millions of dollars worth of illegal dumping occurring every year. Normally, to take it to a tip costs about $350 a tonne. So if you've got 10 tonnes of rubbish, that's a lot of money they save by dumping it onto roads that aren't being monitored,' he told Yahoo News. 'What makes it more dangerous is that a lot of this material has got asbestos in it and it won't be taken by the normal waste disposal sites. They won't accept asbestos in the waste. It has to go to a special area where they have to pay a lot more. Illegal rubbish dumping can be subject to on-the-spot fines in the thousands of dollars and more for those who get caught repeatedly breaching the rules According to the NSW Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), dumping rubbish in an unauthorised area is illegal and significant fines apply. On-the-spot fines of $7,500 apply for individuals and $15,000 for companies, the EPA states. Repeat offenders and those who dump materials that can cause harm to the environment are subject to much larger fines up to $1million and even prison sentences for 'wilful offences'. Liverpool City Council is in the process of installing CCTV at six known rubbish dumping spots in the council area. But Mr Harle doesn't believe it will be effective and said the surveillance equipment has previously been damaged or stolen, even when it was situated covertly. He suggested council rangers should be tasked round the clock with monitoring the areas where frequent rubbish dumping occurs. He said that could work out cheaper then having to install, maintain and replace CCTV equipment. Pauline Hanson has repeated her most infamous slur - that Australia was being 'swamped' by Asians - in a parliamentary speech where she called for the country to halt immigration. In an address to the Senate shortly after 9am on Thursday, the One Nation leader called for a national vote to determine what Australians believe is an appropriate level of immigration. The call was made shortly before new figures showed immigration hitting a new record high, with foreigners making up 83 per cent of Australia's population growth. She argued that citizens want the level of immigration kept 'low' and, with only a slight difference, repeated her 1996 maiden speech to Parliament that made her one of the most controversial figures in Australia. She recounted how she 'warned we were in danger of being swamped by immigration from Asia' in that speech, after she was first elected as MP for the seat of Oxley, then covering Ipswich, Queensland. Almost 30 years ago, Hanson immediately became a divisive figure when she said: 'I believe we are in danger of being swamped by Asians'. She recounted the reaction to her speech to Parliament this morning, saying: 'I was called a racist, of course, by the major parties and big media who are in lockstep of a big Australia. 'But today, seven out of the top 10 source countries for immigration to Australia are in Asia - including four out of the top five - and the numbers are out of control. 'Was I right? You'd never admit it. But yes, I am.' One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has called for an immediate immigration halt, which Australia hasn't had since the pandemic in 2020 and 2021 India was Australia's No.1 source of permanent overseas migration in 2023, followed by China, the Philippines, Nepal, the UK, New Zealand, Vietnam, South Africa, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Unemployment in February fell back to 3.7 per cent, a big drop from January's two-year high level of 4.1 per cent as 116,500 new jobs were created in one month, new figures released on Thursday showed. But Senator Hanson repeated her 1996 comments that migrants were going on the dole. 'Immigration must be halted in the short term so that our dole queues are not added to by, in many cases, unskilled migrants not fluent in the English language,' she said. Poll Do you think Australia should have a national vote about immigration? Yes No Do you think Australia should have a national vote about immigration? Yes 1810 votes No 118 votes Now share your opinion Senator Hanson's comments came as a newly appointed Liberal senator called for Australia's immigration level to be slashed until housing supply can keep pace with rapid population growth. A record 548,800 migrants moved to Australia in the year to September. They made up 83.2 per cent of Australia's 659,900 new residents, including births minus deaths. Australia's annual population growth pace of 2.5 per cent is at the highest level since the early 1950s, with the net immigration pace more than double the mining boom level of 244,000 in 2007. It is also more than five times the 1996 level of 97,444 when Senator Hanson made her controversial maiden speech to the House of Representatives. Dave Sharma, the former MP for the Sydney seat of Wentworth who has revived his political career as a Liberal senator for New South Wales, says immigration needed to be cut until Australia could supply sufficient housing. 'The shortage of housing is being exacerbated by high immigration, which is fuelling demand for already limited supply,' he said in his maiden speech to the Senate on Wednesday afternoon. 'Until we are able to accelerate the pace of our home building, we need to reduce our immigration intake or else we will simply place further pressure on our housing market.' Dave Sharma, the former MP for the Sydney seat of Wentworth who has revived his political career as a Liberal senator for New South Wales, says immigration needed to be cut until Australia could supply sufficient housing With Australia's rental vacancy rate at record low levels of one per cent, Senator Hanson said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had ignored calls to stop high immigration. 'They're being heard in the growing lines of people waiting to inspect a single property in the hope of securing a rental,' she said. 'They're being heard around family dinner tables as Australians struggle to find the money for huge rent hikes amid our cost of living crisis. 'They're being heard in the daily traffic jams as record numbers of immigrants flood our cities and increase congestion. 'They're being heard in the growing cities of tents and swags and cars popping up around Australia as more and more people fall into homelessness and despair.' Sydney's median house price of $1.396million would require someone to earn more than $200,000 a year to even qualify for a home loan, CoreLogic data showed. With Australia's rental vacancy rate at record low levels of one per cent, Senator Hanson said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had ignored called to stop high immigration (pictured is a queue at Bondi in Sydney's east) An average-income worker on $98,218 can only afford a house worth up to $639,000, which wouldn't buy the median-priced capital city house valued at $949,410. Senator Sharma said unaffordable housing risked causing major social problems. 'Today's younger Australians have done all that we have asked of them,' he said. 'They finished school, got a qualification, found a job, are paying taxes yet they find no matter how much they earn or how hard they save, home ownership is beyond their grasp. 'This is a breach of our social compact and, if left unaddressed, we are storing up massive problems for the future. 'We will undermine social mobility in Australia and entrench inequality.' With Sydney home to a larger share of new migrants, Senator Sharma said the undersupply of housing was particularly prevalent in NSW. 'The failure here is overwhelmingly one of supply,' he said. 'Consistently, over two decades, we have simply failed to build enough new homes to meet the demands of Australia's population, and this problem is especially acute in my home state of New South Wales.' A record 518,000 migrants moved to Australia during the last financial year and updated figures due out on Thursday are expected to show even bigger influx for 2022-23 (pictured is Sydney's Wynyard train station) In the year to September, Australia built 109,322 houses and 60,813 units, Australian Bureau of Statistics building activity data showed. The 170,215 newly-completed homes would house 425,538, based on an average household size of 2.5 people per dwelling in the last Census. The supply of new housing would leave a shortfall of 92,462, based on new migrants. Senator Sharma pointed out NSW is building just 32,000 homes a year, which is well below the 40,000 level after War World II when Australia was home to 7.4million people, instead of 26.6million people now. 'We must do better. We must enable the building of more homes, more quickly, and more cheaply or we will fail Australia,' he said. He last year replaced former foreign minister Marise Payne as a Liberal senator for NSW and was previously the Liberal member for Wentworth in Sydney's east, until he was beaten by teal independent Allegra Spender at the last election in 2022. Senator Sharma said unaffordable housing risked causing major social problems (pictured are houses under construction at Oran Park in Sydney's south-west) Australia's former ambassador to Israel warned anti-Semitism was a major threat, following the Hamas terrorists attacks on October 7. 'What we have seen in recent months has clearly crossed the Rubicon and resulted in one community and one community alone the Australian Jewish community being made to feel unwelcome in their own country, fearful in their own neighbourhoods and anxious about the future they face here,' he said. 'This is utterly unacceptable. It is also incredibly dangerous.' Despite being a critic of high immigration Senator Sharma, who has Indian heritage on his father's side, warned about the dangers of singling out an ethnic minority group. 'We simply must not tolerate the mix of mob rule, lawlessness, anarchy and intimidation that has been allowed to flourish in Australia in these past several months,' he said. 'Today it might be Jewish Australians, but tomorrow it will be another group or another minority against which the forces of the populist mob are unleashed. 'Down that road lies civil turmoil and national disunity. Staying quiet, sitting on the sidelines and hoping it will all go away is a complete failure of leadership.' A man was forced to dodge bullets while taking his dog for a walk near a popular children's playground in Melbourne's north-east. The alleged shooting took place at Memorial Park on Fraser Rise shortly before 7pm on Wednesday night, and police suspect it was a targeted attack. A witness said they saw a blue car cruising past slowly before the incident. 'Then we heard this loud bang, bang and looked and saw this man with his dog running away from the blue car on the street,' he recalled. 'He left his dog at the fence to the park and jumped over and just took off.' Witnesses told police that they saw two men in black balaclavas each holding a gun who fired up to a dozen shots. A man walking his dog near Memorial Park (pictured) in Fraser Rise on Wednesday night when shots were fired 'We heard this loud bang, bang and looked and saw this man with his dog running away from the blue car on the street,' one man told the Herald Sun. Another witness told the publication the shooting unfolded really quickly. 'I think the reason the police got a phone call was because the sound [of the gunshots] carried through the area, and everyone was home at that time to hear it.' Police quickly cordoned off the park and called in the dog squad as an investigation was launched. It's understood the alleged offenders fled the scene in the blue car, which was later found burnt out 4km away in neighbouring suburb Hillside. Police are also investigating whether a second burnt-out car found in Caroline Springs is linked to the shooting. 'It is believed that this was not a random attack, and no one was injured as a result,' a police statement read. It comes hours after three men were injured in a late-night shooting 18km away in Tarneit shortly before midnight on Tuesday. Police are investigating whether two cars (one pictured) later found burnt out in separate suburbs are linked to the shooting Two men suffering from gunshot wounds were found in separate locations while a third later presented himself to hospital with an arm injury. A crime scene was set up at a nearby MacDonald's, where police examined two Mercedes vehicles. 'Police believe an altercation took place between two groups however the exact circumstances in relation to the shooting are still being determined,' a statement read. 'Detectives are treating the incident as targeted and the parties involved are known to each other.' Anybody with information, CCTV, or dashcam footage in relation to either incident is urged to call Crime Stoppers. The legislation, which takes effect Oct. 1, also requires higher education institutions to designate bathrooms based on 'biological sex' Alabama on Wednesday signed legislation that would ban diversity, equity and inclusion programs at public schools, universities and state agencies. The bill, titled SB129, places restrictions on eight 'divisive concepts', including assigning 'fault, blame or bias' to any race, religion, gender or color, or discussions of whether 'slavery and racism are aligned' with the founding principles of the US. It also requires higher education institutions to designate bathrooms based on 'biological sex', meaning that transgender people would be banned from using the lavatory that aligns with their gender identity. The measure, which takes effect Oct. 1, is part of a wave of proposals from Republican lawmakers across the country taking aim at diversity, equity and inclusion programs, also known as DEI, on college campuses. Republicans say the programs deepen divisions and promote a particular political viewpoint. But opponents say it is a rollback of hard-won advances and programs that welcome underrepresented student populations. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey delivers her State of the State address, March 7, 2023, in Montgomery Republican Governor Kay Ivey said: 'My administration has and will continue to value Alabama's rich diversity, however, I refuse to allow a few bad actors on college campuses - or wherever else for that matter - to go under the acronym of DEI, using taxpayer funds, to push their liberal political movement counter to what the majority of Alabamians believe.' Also Wednesday, an Alabama House committee advanced legislation that would ban teacher-led discussions in public schools on sexual orientation and gender identity and prohibit displaying Pride flags in classrooms. The measure, part of a wave of laws across the country that critics have dubbed 'Don't Say Gay,' now moves to the full House. The DEI measure was sharply criticized by opponents who said it was taking the state backward, instead of forward. 'This regressive measure undermines the strides weve made in cultivating an inclusive society in Alabama by stifling essential discussions and programs that are key to improving our state,' Alabama House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels said. Daniels said it 'detrimentally impacts the educational experience of college students by removing programs in which they can receive support, build communities, and learn how to be prosperous and inclusive citizens,' The Alabama legislation would prohibit universities, K-12 school systems and state agencies from sponsoring DEI programs, defined under the bill as classes, training, programs and events where attendance is based on a person's race, sex, gender identity, ethnicity, national origin or sexual orientation. The bill also says schools, universities and state agencies cannot require students, employees and contractors to attend classes and training sessions 'that advocates for or requires assent' to what the bill lists as eight 'divisive concepts.' The list of banned concepts includes that 'any individual should accept, acknowledge, affirm, or assent to a sense of guilt, complicity, or a need to apologize on the basis of his or her race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin,' or that fault, blame or bias should be assigned to people based on race, religion, gender or national origin. Auburn University, a public institution, said in a letter to faculty, staff and students that it was evaluating the new law's implications. The measure will affect 'use of state funds to sponsor DEI programs and activities' but does not prohibit instruction associated with accreditation standards and academic support for students of a particular demographic, university leadership wrote. 'We are resolute in our mission to deliver exceptional student experiences and to provide support to all of our students with particular emphasis on providing access and opportunity,' the letter said. The bill also would attempt to prohibit transgender people on college campuses from using multiple occupancy restrooms that correspond with their current gender identity. The legislation says colleges and universities 'shall ensure that every multiple occupancy restroom be designated for use by individuals based' on the sex that a person was assigned at birth. It is unclear how the requirement would be enforced. The Israel society at one of Britain's top universities has been forced to cancel an event where a former IDF soldier was due to speak after he was bombarded with death threats. Ely Lassman was due to speak at a panel event discussing the Israel-Palestine conflict organised by King's College London's (KCL) Israel Society on Wednesday. However, the event was cancelled for security reasons. Mr Lassman now runs an educational charity called Prometheus on Campus. His last record of military service for the IDF was in December 2017. The ex-soldier said the event was supposed to be a small-scale discussion about different perspectives on the conflict with another speaker Kiyah Willis. Ely Lassman was due to speak at an event organised by King's College London's Israel society The last record of the charity boss' military service for the IDF was in December 2017 (pictured second from the left in the second row) The Israel Society said they were shocked at the 'unfathomable levels of hostility within the King's community regarding anything remotely Israeli' Speaking to the Jewish News, Mr Lassman said 'made up information' about himself was posted online prior to the event. He was described as the 'embodiment of evil' and was branded a 'war criminal.' He also said a social media post 'called for anyone who is up for it' to harrass him. Meanwhile, Ms Willis describes herself as an 'Advocate for the Secular Liberal Right' and works for the Objective Standard Institute. In a post on X/Twitter, Ms Willis said she had also received death threats and that 'vicious lies' were spread about her prior to the event. She also claimed she had been banned from speaking at KCL. Mr Lasman described the harassment and intimidation that he experienced as 'ugly' and said it had 'exposed the evil in the UK and the West'.' The Israeli, who moved to the UK to attend university when he was 18, said he had always experienced forms of anti-Semitism in Britain but that it had got noticeably worse in recent months. In a statement to King College's student newspaper Roar, the Israel Society said there were dozens of threats to Mr Lassman's life and they were saddened at the 'unfathomable levels of hostility within the King's community regarding anything remotely Israeli.' Aurele Tobelem, president of KCL Israel Society said that the society had had multiple meetings with the student union as well as the security team to protect the speakers but ultimately the pair had received too many death threats for it to proceed. Following the cancellation of the event Ms Tobelem said: 'It is extremely alarming that in response to an event about conflict resolution, an online pro-Palestinian mob decided that the best course of action was to threaten our speakers with the sole intent of shutting us down. 'This sets an extremely ugly precedent for the future of our liberal-democratic institutions in Britain. Security risks at King's College London are ongoing, and we recommend that anyone who feels threatened report their concerns to the police.' Dilly Hussain, a prominent journalist and contributor to Al Jazeera English, posted on X/Twitter that Mr Lassman had committed war crimes but he later deleted the post and issued an apology stating that this was untrue. Comments on the original Instagram post advertising the event included people calling Mr Lassman a war criminal Kiyah Willis, who was also due to speak, she had also received death threats and that 'vicious lies' were spread about her The society had had multiple meetings with the student union as well as the security team to protect the speakers but the security concern was too high However, he followed his apology by saying: 'Does this mean that King's College students and pro-Palestine campaigners were wrong to peacefully protest against his planned event today to discuss 'conflict resolution' with the Zionist genocide enabling @kiyahwillis? Absolutely not.' He also criticised the London university for allowing the event 'given the death and destruction meted out by Israel in its collective punishment of Palestinians in Gaza.' It comes as London was declared the most anti-Semitic place in the West by Israel's diaspora minister. Amichai Chikli said that a combination of the far-Left, Islamic extremism and open immigration meant the capital was too dangerous for Jews. 'The anti-Semitism we see today in the West is the worst since the 1930s and it is because of a 'red and green' alliance the combination of the radical Left and the radical Islam groups that work together,' he told a press conference of European journalists in Jerusalem. MailOnline has approached Ms Willis for further comment. Guangzhou set to host opening ceremony of China's 15th National Games in 2025 Xinhua) 10:26, March 21, 2024 GUANGZHOU, March 20 (Xinhua) -- The opening ceremony of China's 15th National Games will take place in Guangzhou, the capital city of Guangdong Province, organizers said on Wednesday. The 15th National Games will be co-hosted by Guangdong Province, Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR in 2025, marking the first time Hong Kong and Macao have hosted a major national sporting event. "We will present a top level cultural event with first-class production team and first-class creativity," Zhu Xiaoyi, deputy director of the Guangzhou Division Executive Committee of the 15th National Games. The opening ceremony production team would draw experience from previous games and carry forward Chinese culture, especially Guangdong culture and Hong Kong-Macao culture, according to the organizers. The National Games are held every four years, usually the year after the Olympics, and are seen as a platform to unearth sporting talent. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Korea and the United States were staging combined urban combat training this week to bolster their readiness against threats in urban areas and underground facilities, Seoul's Army said Thursday. The five-day Army exercise kicked off at an urban operations training ground in the border city of Paju, 37 kilometers northwest of Seoul, on Monday. The exercise mobilized some 400 troops, including soldiers from the South's 9th Infantry Division, a U.S. infantry platoon and other units, as well as tanks, helicopters and drones, the Army said. The two sides staged attack and defense operations under the scenario of surprise attacks in urban areas and battles in underground facilities, which have drawn attention as a new battleground in light of the Israel-Hamas conflict, the armed service said. (Yonhap) Jewish cafe patrons sitting quietly chatting over their drinks have been subjected to a threatening tirade from a complete stranger, who accused them of being part of a 'genocidal race'. The two men, readily identifiable as Jewish by their yarmulke skull caps, and a woman were sitting at the cafe in the eastern Sydney shopping hub of Bondi Junction on Wednesday afternoon when the furious woman approached their table. She began berating them over the bloody conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. A group of Jewish cafe patrons in Sydney's east have been accosted by an angry stranger who accused them of genocide over Israeli actions in Gaza 'What you people did...' she yelled in an incident filmed on Wednesday afternoon by journalist Alison Bevege and posted to her Substack Letters from Australia. 'You are going to be spread around again,' the woman said, in an apparent reference to the dispersal of Jews around the world following historical persecutions. The group sitting at the table responded in reasoned tones but the woman shouted them down. 'Your people, your race are committing genocide,' she said. 'Bombing international health aid, for God's sake. Bombing hospitals in Palestine. 'Officially 25,000 people die, children, old women, old man.' In the video other onlookers can be seen filming the exchange as the woman storms off towards the lifts in the Eastgate shopping centre. 'The young woman sitting at the cafe had only arrived in Sydney yesterday,' Ms Bevege wrote in her Substack. 'She was in Australia for just one day before being abused.' Ms Bevege also wrote that she 'challenged the woman as she retreated to the lifts before giving words of comfort to the shocked Jews'. 'It is important, but sad, to remember that this woman sincerely believed she was doing the right thing,' she wrote. Australian Jewish Association CEO Robert Gregory told Daily Mail Australia on Thursday that Jews were being increasing openly targeted. 'Sadly, these scenes are becoming all to common,' he said. The woman also threatened that Jews would be 'spread around' in a reference to Jewish dispersal to escape persecution 'We are aware of numerous incidents of Jewish people being abused in the streets. 'Anti-Israel activists claim to not be antisemitic but their actions often end up leading to attacks on individual Jews in Australia. 'There has been a complete failure of leadership from the federal government to confront surging antisemitism.' Seven West Media Commercial Director Bruce McWilliam has resigned from the company after a 21-year reign. Seven announced McWilliam's departure in a statement on Thursday, with chairman Kerry Stokes' thanking him for his 'significant contributions' to the media company. 'Bruce has been an excellent executive of Seven for the past 21 years, having been involved in all of the major corporate initiatives we have undertaken during that period, and a director of Seven Group Holdings for many years,' Stokes wrote. 'I thank Bruce for his significant contribution to Seven West Media and Seven Group Holdings and wish him and Nicky all the best in the future.' Managing Director and Chief Executive James Warburton also paid tribute to McWilliam, labelling him a media industry icon. Seven West Media Commercial Director Bruce McWilliam (pictured) has resigned after 21 years in his role at the media organisation Warburton added that employees at Seven are going to miss working alongside McWilliam, who would generously offer his time and advice. 'Bruce is a doyen of the media industry and has been a fundamental part of all the corporate moves at Seven for more than two decades,' Warburton wrote. 'Working with Bruce has always been very rewarding and entertaining, and he is always extremely generous with his time and advice. 'Everyone at Seven will miss his wise counsel, guidance, knowledge and sense of humour, and we all wish him the very best for what lies ahead.' Reflecting on his tenure at Seven West Media (SWM), McWilliam said he was 'honoured' to be part of the organisation's transformation and growth. 'I've had a fantastic 21 years with Seven since I joined originally with David Leckie and Peter Gammell and of course the Chairman, Kerry Stokes,' McWilliam wrote. 'I've been honoured to be part of the transformation, growth and success of the business over the years. 'Working with Kerry Stokes and James Warburton in his two iterations at Seven has never been dull. 'I'm very proud of my association with Seven and the Seven team, and I wish them every success in the years ahead.' Following his departure, McWilliam explained he will be focusing on corporate and media advisory and property interests. McWilliam first joined Seven West Media in 2003 as the company's commercial director. Prior to joining Seven, he was a director of BSkyB, executive director of News International Television and general counsel of News International PLC. McWilliam served as Chairman Kerry Stokes' (left) right-hand man. Managing Director and Chief Executive James Warburton (right) said McWilliam was a media icon and will be missed McWilliam also advised some of Australia's most powerful media figures, including Kerry Packer in the 1980s and Rupert Murdoch in the 1990s. He also was a partner at Australian law firms including Gilbert+Tobin, Allen Allen & Hemsley and even founded a legal practice with former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull. Seven has yet to announce McWilliam's replacement. McWilliam is estimated to own around $100million worth of residential property in Sydney's eastern suburbs, as well as commercial property in Double Bay. McWilliam lives in a property in Point Piper. A 94-year-old man was boiled to death in a hospital whirlpool bath after staff failed to make a '$250 repair' and left him in the 134 degree water for 47 minutes. Four nurses at the state-run Hopemont Hospital in Terra Alta, located in Preston County, West Virginia have been sacked following the incident in January. Legal director of Disability Rights West Virginia, Mike Folio, who investigated the death, told West Virginia Watch: 'Even if he screamed out in pain, he couldnt be heard. His skin melted off.' The man, who died from the blistering heated water, was non-verbal. Folio claims hospital staff were aware of a broken thermostat a month before the death but made no effort to fix it. He told MetroNews: 'This gentleman lost his life because someone didnt step up and make a $250 repair.' The man, who has not been named, had dementia and required round-the-clock care but was left unattended in the bath for nearly an hour. A man died at the state-run Hopemont Hospital in Terra Alta, located in Preston County, in early January Mike Folio investigated the man's death and said it was the most 'egregious' case he had ever seen The man was a long-term patient at state-run care home Hopemont Hospital. He was placed into the bath by staff and left there for 47 minutes, in waters which reached up to 134 degrees Fahrenheit, well over the standard maximum 100 degree temperature. Folio said: 'Imagine someone who is elderly, nonverbal and has dementia left unattended in scalding hot water. 'Even if he screamed out in pain, he couldnt be heard because he was nonverbal.' After his death, West Virginia Department of Health Facilities said they had experienced an 'equipment malfunction'. A spokesperson said: 'A thermostat on a water tank servicing one residential unit failed resulting in unsafe water temperatures. Subsequently, one resident of the facility was treated for burns.' They added: 'As a precautionary measure, patients are being taken to other units for bathing purposes while staff repair the issue. This is an isolated incident and no other patients are at risk.' But Folio claims that the man's death was preventable as staff had known about the broken thermostat for a month. He told KDKA-TV: 'Roughly 30 days prior to this episode, one of the RNs at Hopemont sent an internal email advising staff about concerns of hot water and specifically said that there is a fear that patients may get burned.' Despite knowing there was a risk, he said they made no effort to make the '$250 repair'. Four nurses at the hospital were sacked after his death - three of them were contract nurses Folio claims that the man's death was preventable as staff had known about the broken thermostat for a month Since the death, four nurses - including three contract employees - have been sacked. Folio said: 'This is truly the most egregious case Ive seen.' Annie Moore, spokesperson for the states Department of Health Facilities, told West Virginia Watch: 'Hopemont Hospital administration and DHF have taken steps to prevent future occurrences including providing staff training on monitoring water temperatures prior to and during resident bathing and making repairs and upgrades to the facilitys hot water system. A spokesman for the Preston County Sheriffs Department told the outlet their investigation is ongoing and they couldnt release information. Matthew Keefer, DHF deputy commissioner told West Virginia Watch: 'Keeping residents safe is our number one priority. 'Any time a resident is injured in our care, we must exhaust every resource and investigate fully to ensure it does not happen again.' The Duke of Sussex's lawyers yesterday sought to drag Rupert Murdoch into the phone hacking case Harry and others are pursuing against the publisher of The Sun. The High Court was told the newspaper tycoon was personally involved in a cover-up of wrongdoing at News Group Newspapers (NGN) that was perpetrated 'right at the highest level'. The company denies the claims made by the duke and more than 40 others including actor Hugh Grant. They are suing over accusations of unlawful invasions of privacy by its newspapers, The Sun and the now-defunct News of the World, from the 1990s until 2016. The Duke of Sussex's lawyers yesterday sought to drag Rupert Murdoch into the phone hacking case Harry and others are pursuing against the publisher of The Sun The case is due to go to a trial in January. In a preliminary hearing yesterday lawyers for the claimants asked to change details of the case to include the names of Mr Murdoch and his son James. Barrister David Sherborne, said there were 'extensive allegations' the Leveson Inquiry in 2011 and 2012 had been given untrue information by Mr Murdoch and Rebekah Brooks, NGN's former boss. Anthony Hudson KC, defending, said the group was 'using this as a vehicle for wider campaigning interests against the tabloid press.' Billionaire shipping magnate Angela Chao knew she was about to die as she sat trapped in her car after reversing it into a pond while three times over the drink drive limit, police have revealed. The sister-in-law of Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell was pronounced dead at the scene after her Tesla SUV was hauled from the water on her 900-acre ranch in Texas on February 11. She had previously been confused by the gears on her Model X and mistakenly put the car into reverse after an evening with close friends at a lodge on the estate. The report from the Blanco County Sheriffs Office details their frantic attempts to rescue her as she spoke on the phone to one of them, Amber Keinan, from her slowly sinking car. Chao told Keinan the water was rising and she was going to die and said I love you, police discovered, Chao then said her goodbyes to Keinan. Angela Chao, a billionaire shipping industry CEO, tragically drowned in a pond at her Texas ranch after accidentally putting her Tesla in reverse Angela Chao (far right) is pictured in 2015 with her sister, former Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao (left), her brother-in-law Mitch McConnell (second from left), now President Joe Biden (center), and her father, James Chao (second from right) An aerial shot of the ponds on Chao's 900-acre Texas ranch outside Johnson City She had been spending the weekend with seven of her closest girlfriends who had flown in from New York to celebrate the Chinese New Year while her husband, venture capitalist Jim Breyer, was away at a conference in Dubai. Shortly after 11.30pm on February 10 she decided to return to the main house, where her son was soundly asleep. The February night air was chilly and rather than walk back to the residence, Chao thought it easiest to drive instead. Police said security footage outside the lodge recorded her at 11.37pm, wrapped in a blanket with a phone in her right hand walking 'unsteadily to her vehicle'. An attempted three-point-turn then ended in disaster as the electric vehicle shot backwards down an embankment and into the water. At 11.42pm she called Keinan to say she was trapped and spent eight minutes on the phone as friends ran to the scene with one paddling out on a kayak and another swimming to the vehicle and climbing on top. A third friend called 911 but it took first responders 24 minutes to reach the remote spot west of Johnson City as the vehicle filled up with water. Firefighters plunged into the darkness and one smashed the drivers window, feeling around until he found Chaos hand. They managed to pull her out and get her to the bank of the pond by 12.56am, spending the next 43 minutes attempting 'advanced life support' before she was pronounced dead at 1.40am. Chao had been spending the weekend with seven of her closest girlfriends celebrating the Chinese New Year while her husband, venture capitalist Jim Breyer, was away at a conference Her father, James S.C. Chao, remembered his youngest daughter as 'thoughtful, kind and devoted' as well as being a much-loved 'charismatic and visionary leader' Angela Chao is pictured with her husband Jim Breyer in 2023 From L to R, the Chao sisters: Grace, Christine, Elaine, May and Angela Chao, pictured in 2016 Angela Chao is pictured with her first husband Bruce Wasserstein, who died in 2009 just months after they wed Police refused initially to rule out foul play but concluded on Wednesday that her death had been an unfortunate accident. A toxicology report found a blood alcohol level of 0.233 grams per 100 milliliters, nearly three the legal limit for driving in Texas of 0.08 grams. 'Angelas passing was a terrible tragedy, and words cannot describe the familys profound grief,' a spokesman for her father, James SC Chao, and their family, said on Wednesday. 'The family is grateful for the first responders and friends who tried so hard to save her.' Chao was well-known in DC circles as chair and chief executive of shipping giant the Foremost Group and as sister of McConnells wife Elaine who has herself served as secretary of both the Labor and Transportation departments. Chao's husband, Jim Breyer, simply wrote: 'We are heartbroken.' The Chao family is the only one in the history of the school to have had four daughters attend the Harvard Business School. Angela completed her bachelor's in economics, graduating with summa cum laude, in just three years. She then went on to attend Harvard Business School before joining over her father's company, The Foremost Group, in 1996. Chao became the CEO of the company in 2018. She was remembered for her 'pioneering leadership' and for being a 'formidable executive' in the shipping industry. In June 2016, Chao was also appointed as independent director of the board of the Bank of China. Her husband, who has an estimated net worth of $2.9billion, is part owner of the Boston Celtics, and previously served on the boards of Facebook, Walmart, Marvel, News Corp. and Dell. Breyer said he was 'heartbroken by this terrible tragedy'. 'I am so appreciative for the remarkable efforts of the many first responders in Blanco County who did everything possible to save my wonderful wifes life,' he added. Chao was the sister of McConnell's wife, Elaine Chao, who has served as secretary of both the Labor and Transportation departments. McConnell and Chao are seen here in 1993 The Chao family: Standing far left is Angela - who died in the car crash. In the back row is her sisters Christine, May, and Grace. Sitting next to her father James S.C. Chao is Elaine Chao. James S. C. Chao is seated next to portrait of his late wife She was previously married to billionaire banker Bruce Wasserstein - who died in 2009, just months after they wed. Blanco Chief Deputy Robert Woodring said that Chao had committed no offence because she was driving on private property at the time of her death. 'Its something that you dont want to do, but its not a crime,' he told reporters. McConnell, 82, referenced her death when he announced last month that he would be stepping down as the Republican leader in the Senate later this year. Speaking on the Senate floor, he said: 'This has been a particularly difficult time for my family. We tragically lost Elaine's younger sister Angela, just a few weeks ago. 'When you lose a loved one, particularly at a young age, there's a certain introspection that accompanies the grieving process.' A business owned by Humza Yousaf's family has been accused of displaying antisemitic posters. The window display at Yousaf & Co accountancy firm's offices in Glasgow's Pollokshields, which was founded by the First Minister's father, features a poster showing a Palestinian flag covering a map of the Israeli state. A spokesman for the Scottish Council of Jewish Communities said: 'It is, of course, entirely in order to express support and sympathy for all civilians caught up in the war. '[But] posters, flags and social media posts which depict a single Palestinian state in all of the area 'from the river to the sea' are a call for the annihilation of Israel and of the Jewish people, since Israel does not exist outwith that area, and are therefore antisemitic. 'As such, they cause a great deal of distress to the vast majority of Jewish people in Scotland, most of whom have close relatives and friends living in Israel, and may be mourning those who were murdered, and desperate for the return of others kidnapped and taken to Gaza during the carnage of October 7.' A business owned by Yousaf's family has been accused of displaying antisemitic posters (Pictured: The First Minister with his parents, Shaaista and Muzaffar at a campaign event) The window display at Yousaf & Co accountancy firm's offices features a poster showing a Palestinian flag covering a map of the Israeli state A spokesman for the Scottish Council of Jewish Communities said that posters, flags and social media posts which show a single Palestinian state 'from the river to the sea' are a call for the annihilation of Israel Glasgow Tory MSP Annie Wells urged the accountancy firm to 'reflect carefully' as the posters 'could potentially alienate certain communities'. She added: 'Given the knock-on effects for communities as a result of events in the Middle East, high-profile businesses like this one must be mindful to act responsibly.' A spokesman for Yousaf & Co said: 'It is wrong they have been branded antisemitic. 'We feel no one can speak up and when you speak up, you get accused of antisemitism. That's how we feel.' Despite reports that the firm took down the posters after the backlash, the spokesman yesterday confirmed they 'are still there'. Mr Yousaf's father Muzaffar, 69, is the director of Yousaf & Co. The First Minister's mother, Shaaista Yousaf, 67, is listed as the company's secretary. The pair were spotted taking part in a pro-Palestine protest in Glasgow last October. An SNP spokesman said: 'The First Minister has been unequivocal in his calls for an immediate ceasefire by all sides and a long-term peace based on the two-state solution of an independent Palestine alongside a safe, secure state of Israel.' Britain's approach to mental health is in danger of 'going too far' with 'normal anxieties of life' being labelled as illnesses, the Works and Pensions Secretary has warned. Mel Stride today outlined plans to get 150,000 people signed off work with 'mild' illnesses to look for a job in a bid to tackle the UK's bulging welfare bill. He says the benefits bill - which is forecast to break the 100 billion barrier this year - is being driven up by people getting signed off work for mental health issues. He told The Telegraph although it was good that people who were once suffering in silence are now getting help, there was a danger some were telling themselves they had a serious mental health condition as opposed to the 'normal anxieties of life'. It comes as new data revealed last week that 20,000 people are off work due to their mental health every month. Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride said Britain's approach to mental health is in danger of 'going too far' More than 42million 16-to 64-year-olds were in work, around 75 per cent of the population, broadly the same as in September to November 2022 Mr Stride said: 'While I'm grateful for today's much more open approach to mental health, there is a danger that this has gone too far. 'There is a real risk now that we are labelling the normal ups and downs of human life as medical conditions which then actually serve to hold people back and, ultimately, drive up the benefit bill.' People are getting signed off 'too easily' following seven minute conversations with their GPs in which they say they are 'feeling rather down and bluesy', he suggested, which is 'holding people back'. As part of the clampdown, Mr Stride said people who suffer from 'milder problems', such as social anxiety, will be required to take up jobs where they can work from home. While he is also looking to rewrite guidance so only those with the most severe conditions can be signed off due to posing a 'substantial risk' to their health. Rishi Sunak has committed to reducing the number of people signed off sick. He previously said: 'We should be encouraging everyone who can to work. 'We now have almost 2.5million working-age people who have been signed off as unfit to work or even look for work or think about working and I don't think that's right.' Two thirds of incapacity benefits are dished out to people who are unable to work because of mental health problems, according to new figures released last week. Those claiming these benefits have an average of 2.7 health conditions each, prompting experts to warn that the benefits bill could become ever more expensive as long term medical conditions become more complex. This comes after data was published, showing that the numbers on long-term sick from work hit another record high of 2.8m in the wake of Covid which has triggered fears over the cost of benefits for those of working age. Rishi Sunak has committed to reducing long-term sick numbers and has said: 'We should be encouraging everyone who can to work' The true cost of providing for those on sick could increase by tens of billion of pounds over the next parliament (stock image) The Resolution Foundation think-tank said data shows 'Britain has a bigger, but sicker workforce than previously thought'. The true cost of providing for those on sick could increase by tens of billions of pounds over the next parliament. Figures have also shown that mental health and learning disabilities take up the bulk of benefits funding and are paid regardless of whether someone can work or not. Incapacity benefits are paid through universal credit for those who struggle or are out of work. Figures published by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show that two million people are receiving universal credit health benefits - an increase of 400,000 in a year and 69 per cent are judged unfit for any work. The data also shows that 69 per cent were deemed unable to work due to 'mental and behavioural disorders', and most people 538,000 were judged to have no prospect of being able to even look for work. Physical ailments also made up a large portion of reasons people were unable to work with back and joint problems making up 48 per cent of claims. Officials stress that claims can involve several different conditions and that the data does not distinguish which is the primary driver of illness. Britain is still spending millions in aid to China every year despite increasing tensions with Beijing and transparency concerns, a watchdog has warned. Government departments spent 8.2million on Chinese aid engagement last year on projects including Chevening scholarships for Chinese students and deforestation efforts. This figure is set to fall to 7.1million next year, according to the Independent Commission for Aid Impact. In 2021, the Foreign Office pledged to cut its aid budget for programs in China by 95 per cent. But the ICAI suggests aid is expected to remain at or around the current level while Beijing remains eligible for official development assistance (ODA). Government departments spent 8.2million on Chinese aid engagement last year on projects including Chevening scholarships for Chinese students and deforestation efforts (pictured: Chinese president Xi Jinping) Sarah Champion (pictured), chair of the Commons international development committee, said: 'For all its promises, it's shameful that the Government is still dragging its feet over winding up financial support to China' MPs and campaigners have urged the Foreign Office to take a tougher stance on providing assistance to the world's largest economy. Sarah Champion, chair of the Commons international development committee, said: 'For all its promises, it's shameful that the Government is still dragging its feet over winding up financial support to China.' Luke de Pulford, of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, commented: 'It is hard to understand why a country with an economy six times the size of the UK's, and which has spent an estimated trillion dollars expanding its global influence through the Belt and Road Initiative, needs development assistance from us. 'Beijing increased its defence spending by 7 per cent this year, and is engaged in the largest military build up in history. 'It should not be for the UK tax payer to subsidise the Chinese Communist Party.' And the Liberal Democrats' foreign affairs spokesman Layla Moran added: 'It is deeply concerning that at a time when this funding is needed in some parts of the world more than ever, UK funds are still being spent in China. 'The Government must put a stop to this immediately.' The Liberal Democrats' foreign affairs spokesman Layla Moran (pictured) added: 'It is deeply concerning that at a time when this funding is needed in some parts of the world more than ever, UK funds are still being spent in China. The Government must put a stop to this immediately' The ICAI also noted that a lack of transparency around the 'administration costs' of running aid programmes and other development activities. In 2022, the FCDO spent twice as much on administration costs - 4million - as it did on aid programme delivery, which totalled less than 2million. Commissioner Sir Hugh Bayley, who led the report, said: 'There is still too little transparency over how UK taxpayers' money is being spent in China, and we're concerned it seems to be going backwards on the issue of 'administration costs' charged to the aid budget which can run to millions of pounds. 'As China will soon be ineligible to receive aid, it's important that the government ensures there is a proper strategy in place for the transition if dialogue with the country on issues of global importance such as climate change is to continue.' An FCDO spokesperson said: 'We are clear that there is no direct aid or funding to the Chinese authorities and funding only goes to specific programmes that support British values around open societies and human rights. 'Direct aid to the Chinese Government was stopped in 2011 and the FCDO committed to cut ODA funded programmes in China by 95% from the 2021-22 financial year. 'We remain committed to transparency and will continue to work closely with ICAI to ensure that all UK aid spending maintains our high standards of transparency and has the greatest impact.' The private hospital at the centre of a scandal around alleged attempts to access the Princess of Wales's medical records did not report the suspected breach to the authorities for more than seven days after she was discharged, it is claimed. Three members of staff at The London Clinic are under investigation over claims of a data breach at the clinic, with the trio believed to have been suspended and facing professional sanctions if proven to have accessed her private medical information. The alleged breach took place at the clinic after the future Queen was admitted for planned abdominal surgery on January 16, with Kate being discharged 14 days later. She has rarely been seen in public since then, leading to cruel conspiracy theories on social media about her wellbeing and health. It was claimed one member of staff attempted to view her medical records while she was a patient there. The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) is investigating the incident, with reports claiming that part of the probe will look into whether there was a delay in the clinic flagging it them amid claims it took more than a week for a 'breach report' to be filed. Official rules state that any personal data breaches must be reported within 72 hours of their discovery, while data protection rules mean the private hospital could be fined up to 17million if found to have committed wrongdoing, one expert has claimed. King Charles has also used the clinic in recent months, first for treatment for an enlarged prostate and then after he was diagnosed with cancer. However, his private medical information was not affected by the breach. The alleged attempt by three members of staff at a private clinic to look at the Princess of Wales's medical information will be investigated by the Information Commissioners Office. Pictured: Kate and William at Manchester Cathedral in May 2022 The suspected breach happened at the same hospital where King Charles underwent treatment for an enlarged prostate and was diagnosed with cancer, although his data has not been affected. Pictured: King Charles waving to the public as he leaves Clarence House in Westminster yesterday The allegations centre around The London Clinic, a prestigious private hospital where Princess Catherine had planned abdominal surgery in January. Pictured: Police officers stand guard outside The London Clinic on January 17 Al Russell, the CEO of The London Clinic, has said the allegations are being investigated and there is 'no place at our hospital for those who intentionally breach the trust of any of our patients' The ICO says it is investigating the incident as the clinic itself says it will take 'all appropriate steps' to investigate the alleged breach. It is believed the police could probe the allegations, with one government minister claiming the Metropolitan Police have been 'asked to look at it', although the force says it is not aware of any referral as of yet. The CEO of The London Clinic vowed on Wednesday that 'all appropriate investigatory, regulatory and disciplinary steps will be taken' as it investigates the data breach claims. Al Russell, broke his silence yesterday, saying in a statement: 'Everyone at the London Clinic is acutely aware of our individual, professional, ethical and legal duties with regards to patient confidentiality. 'We take enormous pride in the outstanding care and discretion we aim to deliver for all our patients that put their trust in us every day. 'We have systems in place to monitor management of patient information and, in the case of any breach, all appropriate investigatory, regulatory and disciplinary steps will be taken. 'There is no place at our hospital for those who intentionally breach the trust of any of our patients or colleagues.' Executives have remained tight-lipped over the nature and extent of the embarrassing breach of private records. In addition to the alleged breach itself, the ICO is also said to be investigating whether the clinic delayed notifying the watchdog. Official rules state that any personal data breaches must be reported within 72 hours from their discovery if a risk is posed to a person's rights or freedoms. However, reports suggest the ICO did not receive a 'breach report' for more than a week after Kate was discharged from the hospital on January 29. One source told The Guardian that 'timeliness of reporting' was part of its 'ongoing' probe into the hospital. The Princess of Wales has been rarely seen in public over the last two months as she recovers from the planned surgery. Pictured: Princess Catherine at the opening of Evelina London's new children's day surgery unit in December last year The future Queen was last seen in public with her family attending Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church in Norfolk. Pictured: Catherine holds hands with her daughter Charlotte, as her sons George and Louis, her husband William and Mia Tindall walk to church A spokesperson for the clinic told ITV News that they would not comment further other than to say 'all our patients, no matter what their status, deserve total privacy and confidentiality regarding their personal medical information. The Princess is said to be aware of the allegations, while a spokesperson for Kensington Palace said: 'This is a matter for the London Clinic.' The ICO said on Wednesday: 'We can confirm that we have received a breach report and are assessing the information provided.' ONe data protection expert claimed that the Waleses could even sue The London Clinic if the breach is proven to have taken place. Iain Wilson, from Brett Wilson LLP, told The Sun: 'They've obviously got obligations to keep medical records secure through the Data Protection Act. If it is found they didn't have sufficient systems in place, for instance, they hadn't trained staff properly, then they could be fined by the information commission officer. 'A very large sum, I think up to 17.5million or 4 per cent of an organisation's annual worldwide turnover and potentially sued by the individuals in question.' He added that the hospital might have had 'all the training and systems in place' and the incident took place through a 'rotten egg' which is difficult to guard against. According to the 2018 Data Protection Act, it is an offence to obtain or disclose personal data 'without the consent of the controller'. A spokesperson for the General Medical Council, which is the watchdog for doctors, told the Telegraph: 'Patients must have confidence that their personal information is protected at all times. The Princess of Wales - pictured here with William in 2023 - has been maintaining a low profile as she continues recovering from surgery she underwent two months ago Catherine - pictured here in 2019 - underwent planned abdominal surgery at the London Clinic in January Kate has barely been seen in public since undergoing planned abdominal surgery in January; conspiracy theories about her health were fuelled by a Mother's Day photo that was later revealed to have been edited before it was released (above) 'Our guidance is clear: we expect doctors to make sure any personal information about patients is effectively protected at all times against improper access, disclosure or loss, and they must not access a patient's personal information unless they have a legitimate reason to view it.' Jon Baines, a data protection specialist from the law firm Mishcon de Reya, told ITV News: 'Any investigation by the ICO is likely to consider whether a criminal offence might have been committed by an individual or individuals.' 'Section 170 of the Data Protection Act 2018 says that a person commits an offence if they obtain or disclose personal data 'without the consent of the controller'. READ MORE HERE: Kate Middleton at centre of huge security breach as staff at hospital that treated her for abdominal condition are accused of attempting to access her private medical records without permission Advertisement 'Here, the 'controller' will be the clinic itself.' While the allegations are being probed by the ICO, it is also claimed that the police could investigated the situation alongside the watchdog. A source told The Mirror: 'The IOC will deal with anything as a criminal matter which could end up in a Magistrate's Court, but if there were further claims of wrongdoing such as a conspiracy to distribute illegally accessed information, then that could be a matter for the police.' The Metropolitan Police has said it is not aware of any referral to the force regarding the incident at this time. However, Health Minister Maria Caulfield said she understood 'police have been asked to look at it'. Speaking to Sky News, she said the allegations were 'pretty serious stuff'. She said: 'I say this as someone who's still on the nursing register, that the rules are very, very clear for all patients. That unless you're looking after that patient, or they've given you their consent, you should not be looking at patients' notes. 'So there are rules in place and the Information Commissioner can levy fines, that can be prosecutions, your regulator, so as a nurse my regulator would be the NMC (Nursing and Midwifery Council), can take enforcement action and can strike you off the register if the breach is serious enough. 'So there are particularly hefty implications if you are looking at notes for medical records that you should not be looking at.' When asked if the Met Police should also be looking into the matter, she said: 'My understanding is that police have been asked to look at it - whether they take action is a matter for them.' The Prime Minister's official spokesman urged Brits to 'get behind' Kate on Wednesday amid unsubstantiated speculation about her health and private life Royal experts say Kate has likely been left shocked by the news of the alleged data breach - but will be too busy focusing on her own recovery to let it get to her. Ingrid Seward, royal biographer and editor-in-chief of Majesty Magazine, told the Mirror the news will have come as 'a shock to the palace, a shock to the Princess and a shock to her husband and (to her) father-in-law, the King'. 'For the London Clinic, it is an embarrassment of the worst kind and they will do their best to appease everyone concerned,' she continued. But Ms Seward added: 'As for Catherine it is another emotional upset; she is going to have to put behind her. She is far stronger than she looks. She will not allow her battered emotions to get the better of her.' READ MORE HERE: Shopper who filmed Kate's first appearance since hospital treatment said conspiracy theorist trolls are 'delusional' Advertisement Quizzed by reporters on Wednesday, Rishi Sunak's official spokesman has urged Brits to 'get behind the Princess of Wales'. Asked about the alleged breach at the London Clinic, the spokesman said: 'Clearly there are strict rules on patient data that must be followed.' And on whether people should give Kate a break, he added: 'I think we all want to get behind the Princess of Wales, and indeed the Prince of Wales, and we obviously wish her the speediest of recoveries.' The Princess of Wales has been the subject of a series of cruel conspiracy theories in recent weeks while continuing to recover from surgery she underwent in January. Online trolls have suggested she is recovering from 'Brazilian butt lift surgery' or that she has even been replaced by a body double. The toxic discourse has been fuelled further by the Mother's Day photo shared from the Prince and Princess of Wales' social media accounts earlier this month - after it emerged the picture had been digitally manipulated at source before release. Global picture agencies including AP, Getty and PA issued a rare 'kill order' on the photograph after ruling that it had been manipulated beyond what they considered acceptable journalistic standards. It had been hoped that footage of Kate walking happily with William outside a farm shop in Windsor at the weekend might have silenced those sharing theories online. Instead, conspiracy cranks have pored over the footage trying to give weight to their completely unsupported suggestions that she has been replaced by a lookalike, or that the footage itself is old. Even professional Kate lookalikes have made it clear that they believe it is the Princess herself in the footage - calling for the conspiracy wonks to leave her alone. Palace sources have fumed at the 'madness of social media' as cruel trolls claim to have found 'proof' that the princess is more unwell than claimed, or has been replaced with a double. Kensington Palace has stated since the start of the year that the Princess will not return to public duties until sometime after Easter. It has not denied that the video of the Princess captured at the weekend is genuine. The man behind a construction company that recently collapsed owing $7million drives a McLaren and runs a successful video content app that recently took over the Instagram account of PR queen Roxy Jacenko. Main Facilities Pty Ltd, which traded as Main Industries, plunged into administration last Wednesday. The company mostly carried out contract work for the NSW state government on projects for schools, healthcare, courts and corrections facilities. Company director George Bancs - who drives a flashy $580,000 2023 McLaren Artura with personalised number plates - blamed the collapse of the construction firm on the government ending contracts with them. Mr Bancs has been in the construction industry for 26 years and set up the business in 2013. He also founded the social video content platform WWEEVV that has just under 95,000 followers on Instagram. George Bancs owns construction company Main Industries which recently fell into administration Mr Bancs' app WWEEVV recently took over the Sweaty Betty PR Instagram account of Roxy Jacenko in October last year after her 'business ceased trading' when she retired The app allows users to see content from their favourite creators all on the one platform, rather than having to switch between apps such as TikTok and Instagram. WWEEVV even recently took over the Sweaty Betty PR Instagram account of Jacenko in October last year after her 'business ceased trading' when she retired. 'WWEEVV has taken over my Sweaty Betty PR Instagram account. The business ceased trading in November 2022 as I retired from PR,' she said at the time. Mr Bancs also owns the app Talk5, an artificial intelligence-based platform that promotes safety in the workplace. The app's website says it allows employees, contractors, suppliers, and managers to 'seamlessly complete inductions through voice commands, interact in their native language, and cultivate a safer, more inclusive workspace'. Mr Bancs was seen in a snap from a black tie event where he represented Talk5 at Sydney's Doltone House for The Biaggio Signorelli Foundation's gala dinner in November. Mr Bancs owns successful social video content platform WWEEVV. He is seen at Sydney's Doltone House for The Biaggio Signorelli Foundation's gala dinner in November Mr Bancs is pictured alongside NSW Premier Chris Minns The foundation raises money for asbestos safety and awareness initiatives. Guy Sebastian was seen performing at the lavish event last year. Mr Bancs is also a car lover and has taken up motorsports as a hobby, racing other amateur drivers in his McLaren. 'With motorsport, the pressure, the teamwork and the stress are all just as intense as in business, but the transaction is so much more immediate: you put in and you take out on the track. Literally instant gratification,' he told the AFR in November. Mr Bancs said he was even preparing to build a team for the GT World Challenge Australia later this year. He also once featured in a video with popular TikTokker Fonzie Gomez, who is known for interviewing wealthy business people and celebrities and asking them how they became successful. Mr Bancs is seen being interviewed by popular TikTokker Fonzie Gomez while sitting in his $580,000 McLaren Mr Bancs, while sitting in his black McLaren, said his first job was working at a fruit market folding potato sacks. Main Facilities owes a total of $7million to creditors, including its 15 staff and Mr Bancs, news.com.au reported. The Australian Taxation Office is owed $2.4million, according to administrator Mohammad Najjar. Mr Bancs told the publication their contracts with the government dried up when Labor came into power last March. 'Once the Labor government came in they put a freeze on spending. They've hung us out to dry,' he said. A government spokesperson denied this and said the company had recently 'received contracts for maintenance work at several NSW public schools'. 'The firm also recently completed roofing upgrades at Hornsby and Wollongong courts,' they said. One worker claimed he stopped receiving superannuation payments and that staff were told not to return to work via a Zoom call last Tuesday. Mr Bancs said he put $700,000 of his own money into the business. The director also wears a Rolex watch and designer brands. 'Anything I wear personally is mine personally, not the property of the company,' Mr Bancs told the publication. By Kwak Yeon-soo In the lead-up to the April 10 general elections, concerns over possible interference by China are growing, spurred by a report by the U.S. conservative think tank the Heritage Foundation. The report warns that China may utilize cyber operations to influence the outcome of the April 10 general elections, hoping to seat more Beijing-friendly politicians in the National Assembly. "Beijing would see great benefit to covertly influencing South Korean public opinion in the run-up to the April 2024 National Assembly and 2027 presidential elections in favor of progressive candidates whose policies more closely align with Chinese objectives," Bruce Klingner, a senior research fellow for Northeast Asia at the foundation, said in his report titled "South Korea Must Counter Chinese Influence Operationsand the U.S. Should Provide Support." Klingner's report is not overblown, according to experts who say South Korea should be aware of China's potential attempts to interfere in the upcoming elections, given that Beijing has a history of using several methods to influence Korea's public opinion through disinformation campaigns and covert Chinese police stations. In 2022, a Chinese restaurant in Seoul was suspected of having functioned as a secret Chinese police station. In November last year, the National Intelligence Service identified 38 fake Korean-language news websites that allegedly tried to influence public opinion by distributing pro-China and anti-U.S. content. They were suspected of being operated by Chinese companies. "Beijing has intervened in elections in Canada and Australia, so it's possible for them to meddle in the April 10 general elections. They may use internet trolls or AI chatbots to stir public sentiment or inflate public support for a pro-China party or candidate," said Kang Jun-young, professor of Chinese Studies at the Graduate School of International Studies at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies. "The Chinese government may also try to mobilize the participation of ethnically Chinese people to support pro-China candidates," Kang added. Kang said that the growing strength of the South Korean-U.S. alliance is negatively impacting China, which wants to play a bigger role in the Indo-Pacific region. "The former Moon Jae-in government took a softer line with China compared to the Yoon Suk Yeol administration. It pushed for talks with North Korea and had relatively high expectations about China's role in the region," he said. Lim Jong-in, professor of cyber security at Korea University and special cyber secretary to Yoon, agreed that Seoul-Beijing relations have been frozen for some time. However, he said that not only China but also North Korea and other hostile forces may seek to influence Korea's political landscape. "The hostile forces can use deepfake technology, chatGPT and similar AI programs to interfere in elections. They are hard to detect because they use multiple [virtual private network] servers. Deleting disinformation posts on social media platforms can be a time-consuming process," he said. Lim added, "President Yoon asked Meta CEO Mark Zuckerburg to cooperate in countering AI-related and cybersecurity threats during their recent meeting in Seoul." "He also urged tech leaders to combat deceptive use of AI at the Munich Security Conference." Yoon called fake news and disinformation based on AI and digital technology serious threats to democracy at the third Summit for Democracy on Wednesday. "Fake news manipulates citizens into making wrong judgments based on false information, thereby threatening elections, which constitute the very foundation of democracy," Yoon said. "It is a clear provocation against democracy." Experts said there is a need to stay laser-focused and work together with allies to counter such threats that fuel political and social tensions. "We are now able to detect cyber threats employed by North Korea because we have grown familiar with their patterns. But we are still unable to track down threats by China or Russia. We should work together with international partners as well as private sector and key government agencies to reduce risks," Lim said. Kang called for stronger enforcement and legislative measures against those who engage in disinformation campaigns, saying, "Our voting and ballot counting systems are vulnerable to hacking. The National Assembly has to adopt legislative measures to prevent foreign manipulation and enforce laws against electoral interference. We should expand the current espionage law beyond threats from North Korea." In reality, she had been on a tropical vacation and abandoned her daughter Disturbing footage has captured the moment an Ohio mom calmly lied to cops about finding her baby girl dead in her crib - after secretly abandoning the infant to go on a tropical vacation. Kristel Candelario, 32, was confronted after her 16-month-old daughter Jailyn was found starved to death in her own filth after being left stranded for 10 days. The mom, sentenced to life in prison this week, was seen in police bodycam footage telling officers that her daughter had been 'throwing up' all week in June 2023. Candelario had actually been frolicking on a Puerto Rican beach. In the shocking clip, she cooly told officers: 'She was with no food, she was refusing.' As her daughter was starving to death, Candelario shared vacation snaps of her smiling on a beach, with the caption: 'The time that is enjoyed is the true time lived.' Kristel Candelario, 32, was seen in police bodycam footage lying to officers about finding her daughter dead, and fabricated a story over the infant 'refusing' to eat While her daughter starved to death, Candelario beamed as she posed on a Puerto Rican beach in an image captioned: 'The time that is enjoyed is the true time lived' A medical examiner ruled that the infant had died of starvation and severe dehydration, and a prosecutor said the sight will 'stick with me for many years to come' A medical examiner ruled that the infant had died of starvation and severe dehydration, and a prosecutor said the sight will 'stick with me for many years to come.' Although she later pleaded guilty to aggravated murder and child endangerment, the new bodycam footage shows she initially lied to cops as they questioned her over her daughter's sudden death. As she claimed the toddler was 'refusing food' before she died, an officer asks her: 'And how was she Wednesday and Thursday?' 'She was refusing, maybe because she didn't eat two days before,' she responded, before shrugging her shoulders to feign confusion in the spine-chilling clip. 'But that's why I was scared, because I say, oh my God we have to go to the hospital because she doesn't eat anything.' This week, Candelario was sentenced to life in prison without parole for leaving her toddler home alone to die In another picture taken from her cold-blooded holiday, Candelario donned jean shorts and a 'Mandalorian' Star Wars t-shirt as she appeared to visit a Star Wars theme park Candelario, who didn't appear upset or emotional over her daughter's death, said the infant was looking 'tiny' and was 'losing weight', and continued to fabricate a story about being home the whole time. 'This morning when I wake up she was asleep,' she said. 'She sleeps everyday, 12 hours.' 'She sleeps from 9pm to 9 or 10am, 12 hours, so this morning I was sleeping too, she never wake up.' An officer interrupted her to ask what had happened the night before, to which the murderess said: 'Last night she was crying a lot. 'And I see one moment, when I was taking a shower, she was screaming like 'Aaah', I don't know, probably she get in pain, maybe.' 'I pick her up this morning and she look really, like dry,' she continued, before she said a few phrases in Spanish. At the same time as her tropical vacation, her 16-month-old baby Jailyn lay dead in a pile of her own filth At her sentencing this week, a judge condemned her actions in the strongest terms as the mom was sent behind bars for life without the possibility of parole. County Common Pleas Court Judge Brendan Sheehan told Candelario she committed 'the ultimate betrayal' by leaving her daughter alone without food. 'Just as you didn't let Jailyn out of her confinement, so too you should spend the rest of your life in a cell without freedom,' Judge Sheehan said. 'The only difference will be, the prison will at least feed you and give you liquid that you denied her.' Candelario, who has struggled with depression and related mental health issues, said she has prayed daily for forgiveness. 'There's so much pain that I have in regards to the loss of my baby, Jailyn,' she said. 'I'm extremely hurt about everything that happened. 'I am not trying to justify my actions, but nobody knew how much I was suffering and what I was going through God and my daughter have forgiven me.' Strangely, she made the trips with her older daughter, and it is unclear why Candelario did not ask anyone to help her care for her child while she was traveling. She had pleaded guilty last month to aggravated murder and child endangerment. At her sentencing this week, a judge said: 'Just as you didn't let Jailyn out of her confinement, so too you should spend the rest of your life in a cell without freedom' The Ohio mom returned from her 10-day jaunt to her home in Cleveland, Ohio (pictured) to find Jailyn was not breathing After 10 days of sunning herself on the beach and enjoying the local attractions, she returned to her home on June 16 to find her daughter not breathing. Paramedics and Cleveland police tragically pronounced the one-year-old dead at the scene, and prosecutors said the child was discovered 'on a liner soiled with urine and feces with soiled blankets.' Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O'Malley, announcing the plea in February, said: 'This case is one of those truly unimaginable cases that will stick with me for many years to come. 'As prosecutors, it is our job to represent the victims and today we spoke on behalf of 16-month-old Jailyn - who is no longer with us - due to the selfish decisions her mother made.' After the news of the horrific death made headlines, a neighbor also revealed that this was not the first time Candelario had left her baby daughter home alone. An acquaintance told News5 Cleveland: 'We keep telling her not to leave her by herself, not just me, my friend across the street too, but she always leave her by herself.' Another female neighbor, who was not identified, told CNN that Jailyn was 'always a happy baby' and was 'always smiling.' The neighbor's daughter said there were 'plenty of people' around who could have watched the baby, saying: 'She could have knocked on any of our doors and asked us to take care of Jailyn and we would have.' 'When they told us the state they found her in, I was just heartbroken,' the teenage neighbor told CNN. The minister for common sense, Esther McVey, has claimed tens of thousands of pounds in rent from MP expenses for a flat just a mile away from her husband's home. Ms McVey, who is the Conservative MP for Tatton, rents a flat in London that she shares with her husband, fellow Tory MP Philip Davies, and appeared on the official records for the property for the last two years. During that time she received 39,000 in MP expenses for the Westminster flat, The Telegraph has revealed. But the couple could have received up to 250,000 from the taxpayer, as it is understood that they have claimed expenses on the flat since 2017, as Mr Davies's name appeared in official records connected to the flat for seven years. Questions have been raised why Ms McVey even had to claim expenses for a property in the capital, since her husband owns a flat in Waterloo, a mere 25-minute walk away from the flat she claimed expenses on. The minister for common sense, Esther McVey (pictured), has claimed tens of thousands of pounds in rent from MP expenses for a flat just a mile away from her husband's home Ms McVey, who is the Conservative MP for Tatton, rents a flat in London that she shares with her husband, fellow Tory MP Philip Davies (pictured), and appeared on the official records for the property for the last two years According to the register of interests, Mr Davies has declared more than 10,000 rental income for a property in Waterloo, which is understood to be the flat he has owned since 2005 and is currently renting out. He told the Telegraph last night that him and his wife were 'forced' into this arrangement since he couldn't claim any mortgage interest on his Waterloo flat following a rule change in light of the expenses scandal in 2009. Mr Davies said claiming back mortgage interest was an option that 'was removed from me' and he would have been 'happy' to continue claiming it rather than renting the second flat. Ms McVey and Mr Davies aren't the only ones who claim back rent in London while also receiving income from renting out their own flats in the capital, according to an analysis by political campaign group Led by Donkeys. The group looked at rent expenses claims made by MPs and found at least eight other MPs who claim back rent despite owning their own properties in London, which cost the taxpayer more than 1million in rental expenses since 2017. Ms McVey has been an MP for Taton since 2017 after first being a Tory MP for Wirral West from 2010 to 2015. She held several different ministerial positions and was appointed Cabinet Office minister by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in November last year. Ms McVey and Mr Davies, MP for Shipley, got married in 2020 and both claim rent for a property in London, according to data released by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA), which was created after the expenses scandal in 2009. Both of the MPs claimed 1,625 a month in rental expenses since 2017, which brings their combined expenses for accommodation in London close to 250,000. Ms McVey reportedly did not respond to comment requests by Led by Donkeys, while Mr Davies told them he would choose to stay in his flat if he owned it outright as this would not incur any cost - 'but that doesn't remotely apply in my case'. He added: 'As far as I am aware, all workplaces cover the accommodation costs of people working away from home, and I am surprised[you]think that should no longer be the case. In 2020, it has been revealed that Labour MP Cat Smith (pictured) rented a taxpayer-funded flat just a few miles from her husband's home to avoid a 46-minute commute 'That, of course, will lead to only the wealthiest people in the country being able to become MPs.' In 2020, it has been revealed that Labour MP Cat Smith rented a taxpayer-funded flat just a few miles from her husband's home to avoid a 46-minute commute. Ms Smith, 34, has submitted claims for 15,000 covering her first seven months in the apartment, across the river from the Houses of Parliament in Lambeth. The bills included rent, council tax, utility bills and letting agents' fees. She lived there with her husband Ben Soffa, the Labour Party's head of digital organising, and their son. But Mr Soffa owns a flat in a modern apartment block only six miles away in East London. Ms Smith, the MP for Lancaster and Fleetwood and shadow minister for youth affairs and voter engagement, is said to have felt she had no choice but to rent the flat because her previous commute involved a combination of walking, bus and trains. A source close to the couple, who married in 2016, said they had lived in the East London flat when Miss Smith became an MP but its location proved problematic following the birth of their son because it is not on a direct public transport link into central London. The quickest route involves a combination of walking, bus and Tube connections taking at least 46 minutes. Miss Smith and her husband were said to have 'felt unsafe' on the Tube in the rush-hour with a small baby. A spokesman for the couple said they wanted to live close to Westminster for 'childcare reasons'. Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority rules do not forbid MPs from claiming rent for a property even if they or their spouse already own one nearby. The restrictions are that they can make a rental claim for only one property either in London or their constituency. A scientist who was camping in a Gold Coast hinterland rainforest has discovered an incredible new species and genus of fluffy longhorn beetle. If finding a needle in a haystack is rare, an entomologist - someone who studies insects - discovering a new insect when not actually looking for one is even rarer. 'I was walking through the campsite at Binna Burra Lodge one morning and something on a Lomandra leaf caught my eye,' University of Queensland researcher James Tweed told Daily Mail Australia. He initially thought it was a bird dropping, but his scientific curiosity made him have a closer look. 'I'm an entomologist, so I went back to have another look and sure enough it was something pretty spectacular and I was glad I turned around ... and saw the most extraordinary and fluffiest longhorn beetle I had ever seen.' A scientist who was camping in a Gold Coast hinterland rainforest has discovered an incredible new species of fluffy longhorn beetle (pictured) University of Queensland researcher James Tweed is pictured after making his discovery The creature measured 9.7mm and 'was a striking red and black beauty covered in long white hairs'. Mr Tweed, who is working on a PhD, searched through books, scientific papers and online to find a match for the species, but nothing looked remotely similar. But an email to experts at the Australian National Insect Collection (ANIC) in Canberra confirmed the beetle was a completely new species. READ MORE: New venomous species of snake is discovered in Australia A new species of venomous snake, the desert whip snake (pictured), has been identified in Australia's outback Advertisement When Mr Tweed visited ANIC to compare his discovery to their huge collection, everyone realised it was not just a new species, but a new genus a family of species as well. 'We chose the name Excastra for the genus, which is Latin for "from the camp", and for the species name, we decided on albopilosa which translates to "white and hairy",' Mr Tweed said. The purpose of the Excastra albopilosa's long white hairs are a mystery, but he has a theory that 'they make the insect look like it's been killed by an insect-killing fungus. 'The theory is this beetle is trying to mimic death so that birds or lizards or other predators that see it go "Oh, no. I don't want to feed on that. That's infected with a fungus, that's not gonna be edible." 'But until someone can find more specimens and study this species further, we won't be able to say for sure why this beetle is so hairy.' Mr Tweed said the find was incredibly fortunate and rare because 'the area near Lamington National Park has been popular with entomologists for more than 100 years so it's puzzling that it hasn't been found until now. 'I've been back several times to look for more of them but haven't had any luck.' He discovered the new species in December 2021, but it is only being made public now as verifying it is a long process. 'You have to be confident that what you're describing is different than all the other species that have ever been described. 'That usually involves working with experts like I did with a couple of colleagues from the National Insect Collection.' The scientist also said he had to find the time to write the paper on the discovery - which has been published in the Australian Journal of Taxonomy - as it 'a side project' to his PhD. The beetle (pictured) measured 9.7mm and 'was a striking red and black beauty covered in long white hairs' James Tweed initially thought the beetle on a leaf was a bird dropping, but his scientific curiosity made him have a closer look Mr Tweed said chance discoveries like his show how many unknown species could be out there and how many of those could be under threat from extinction. 'We're experiencing rapid declines in biodiversity globally, and it's difficult to conserve species if we don't even know they exist,' he said. 'Insects are the most diverse group of animals on the planet but are also the most underappreciated and understudied. 'Best estimates suggest there may be 5.5million insect species worldwide and only one-fifth of these have been named and described.' The family of a security guard who was killed in a crush outside Brixton Academy is planning legal action to 'find out the truth' about what happened. Gabrielle Hutchinson, 23, was killed when fans without tickets tried to force their way into a show by Nigerian artist Asake at the venue on December 15, 2022. Lawyers for the relatives of Ms Hutchinson have sent letters before action to the owner of the Brixton O2 Academy, Academy Music Group (AMG) Limited, as well as security firms County Enforcement Limited and AP (ASP) Security Limited as they claim they have faced a wall of silence. Christine Hutchinson, Ms Hutchinson's mother, said: 'We will never let this rest. We are determined to get answers to ensure there are learnings from this and that nobody else attending or working in a similar environment has to endure what we have over the past 14 months. 'We have so many unanswered questions and we hope that by taking this action we can find out the truth and hold those who are responsible to account. Gabrielle Hutchinson, 23 (pictured) was killed when fans without tickets tried to force their way into a show by Nigerian artist Asake at the venue on December 15 2022 Brixton Academy in south London. The venue was closed in the wake of the crush, where 33-year-old Rebecca Ikumelo was also killed, but was given permission to reopen late last year (stock image) 'At no point since Gaby's death has anybody from Academy Music met us to discuss what happened or asked our thoughts on safety measures to be introduced to protect the public from this happening again. As a family, we are not reassured that a tragedy like this will not happen again.' The venue was closed in the wake of the crush, where 33-year-old Rebecca Ikumelo was also killed, but was given permission to reopen late last year. It will start hosting gigs again in April. About 1,000 people were outside the venue on the night the pair were killed and police found 'large-scale disorder' with crowds eventually pushing the doors open. When the doors were breached the crowd poured into the lobby towards the auditorium and surged over people who had fallen to the floor. AMG said it had developed new safety measures at the venue in the wake of the tragedy, including stronger doors, a better queuing system and more secure ticketing. The family's solicitor Patrick Maguire said: 'Fifteen months on from the incident, the family has been met with a wall of silence from those corporations who they feel have caused and contributed to the death of their beloved Gabrielle. 'We have now initiated a civil case against those in charge of the venue and those who were operating the security arrangements on that fateful evening. 'The family are seeking accountability from those who failed in their duty to protect Gaby and others who were killed and injured as a result of the shambolic and chaotic security procedures in place that night.' A spokesperson for County Enforcement Limited said: 'It remains a matter of deep regret and sorrow that one of our employees, Gabby Hutchinson, tragically passed in the events that took place on 15 December 2022 at the 02 Brixton Academy. 'Our thoughts remain with her family and friends and similarly to those of Rebecca Ikumelo. 'At this time the Police investigation into this matter is ongoing and we continue to support and co-operate fully with that process. As such we are unable to comment further.' In a statement ASP said: 'AP Security (APS) Limited, amongst others, has received a letter of claim from solicitors acting on behalf of the family of Gabrielle Hutchinson. We are fully co-operating with the police investigation into the tragedy. 'On legal advice it would not be appropriate for us to comment further as this could prejudice those investigations and any civil proceedings. Our thoughts remain with the deceased, their families, and friends.' MailOnline have also approached Brixton Academy for a comment. A 12-year-old girl from Idaho has vanished after posing as an 18-year-old on a dating site - with her family fearing that the child has met a stranger online. 'Energetic and fun' Payton Avery Murrieta was last seen by her family in the early hours of Friday March 15 in the area of 'The Ranch' and Midland in Nampa. After she disappeared, her mother found her phone and saw notifications from a dating site flash up on it. She told the Idaho Statesman that she made a fake account to log on and saw Payton's profile which said she was 18. Appealing for help, Nampa Police Department said: 'Her family is concerned that she has connected with an unknown adult online and may be with them.' Payton went missing in the early hours of Friday morning and hasn't been seen since Her mother Ali has been appealing for information. The missing sister is pictured left Payton has been missing for five days and her mother said she doesn't have her phone or her house keys. She said the last text she received from her daughter was to thank her and tell her she loves her 'beautiful mom.' She wrote on Facebook: 'None of her friends have heard from her and she hasnt been on any social media. 'If you see her please call the local Nampa police department at 208-465-2257. She about 55 - 125lbs, brown eyes, hair is now a dark red. Its possible she is with an older male.' A few days later she added: 'Anything can help even prayers. I cant work right now bc she doesnt have a house key or remember the garage code so if she does happen to come home I need to be here. 'Its almost day 5 and my heart aches for my daughter those who watch the news she has been on multiple news stations. I do have another daughter that I have to support.' Ali told the Idaho Statesman that she turned to her daughters phone for clues after she went missing. Ali told the Idaho Statesman that she turned to her daughters phone for clues after she went missing She and her husband created a fake account the dating site and found her daughters profile, which claimed she was 18 Most of Payton's family have taken time off work to look for her She said that she couldnt unlock the phone but was able to see notifications for a dating website. Then, she and her husband created a fake account the dating site and found her daughters profile, which claimed she was 18. She then handed the phone over to police. Most of Payton's family have taken time off work to look for her. On Wednesday night, Nampa Police appealed for video footage from a certain area. They wrote: 'Nampa PD is looking for video footage in the area of N. Midland and W. Sanetta Street from Friday, March 15 between the hours of midnight and 6 a.m. 'If you live in this area and have a camera system on your home, please send anything of interest to us. 'We are looking for vehicles in the area, suspicious activity, people waiting in a car, subjects on foot, etc. 'Our hope is to help locate any details about missing and endangered 12 year old Payton Avery Murrieta. Payton is described as 505, 125 pounds with dark red dyed hair and brown eyes.' She was last seen wearing glasses and may have been wearing tie-dye leggings and a hooded sweatshirt. Ali shared a video montage of photos of her and her daughter A family friend set up a GoFundMe to support the family A GoFundMe set up for the family read: 'Ali is an amazing single parent mom, raising two beautiful girls. She does everything she can to put them first above all means. 'She is an extremely hard worker who works long hours at a local restaurant to help take care of her and her girls for almost 25yrs with the same company. She has a beautiful heart and kindness about her that drives her to do everything for others verses herself. 'On the night of March 15th her youngest daughter went missing. Since then she has dedicated everything to help find her along with friends and family. Because of this she is unable to work at this time and still has her other daughter to support. 'I ask anyone to please help her and her family during this sad time and through this hard financial crisis. It is so sad. 'And we hope that Payton is found soon. Please help her and her family during this hard time and please also share her daughter's picture and name.' President Joe Biden mocked Donald Trump's massive legal debt and branded Ted Cruz a 'loser' as he asked Texans for their support. The president spoke to two major fundraisers in a posh Dallas neighborhood on Wednesday night, where he raised more than $2.5 million for his re-election campaign. He started off his remarks with a swipe at his Republican rival. 'Just the other day this defeated looking man came up to me and said: 'Mr. President I need your help. I'm in crushing debt. I'm completely wiped out.' Biden said he responded: 'Donald, I'm sorry. I can't help you.' President Joe Biden arrives in Dallas, Texas, where he had two fundraisers that raised over $2.5 million for his re-election campaign The crowd of about 100 people burst into laughter and applause. Trump's legal debts could come close to half a billion dollars. In New York, a judge ordered Trump to $355 million in fines, plus interest, after ruling that he had manipulated his net worth in financial statements. The state could seize his property if Trump can't pay. New York Attorney General Letitia James noted the interest payments totaled $99 million and would 'continue to increase every single day until it is paid.' The former president also was ordered to pay $83.3 million to the writer E. Jean Carroll for damaging her reputation after she accused him of sexual assault. Biden spent most of the night ripping the opposition. He asked the crowd not only to elect him, but to send the Democratic senatorial candidate Colin Allred to Washington so Republican Senator 'Ted Cruz joins another loser, Donald Trump.' A Cruz campaign spokesperson told DailyMail.com: 'Joe Biden is now campaigning for Colin Allred, while Colin Allred adopts Biden's basement strategy. For weeks, Allred has refused to address the biggest issues affecting Texans such as border security, the death of Laken Riley, and the Democrats' war on energy including Biden's new egregious EV regulation. Being scared is the opposite of the Texan way and Texans will throw the key away to his basement come November.' Meanwhile, at his fundraiser, Biden, 81, noted there was a lot of talk about his and Trump's ages. 'I'm 41,' Biden joked as the crowd laughed. But Biden added, 'it's about the age of our ideals.' During his remarks, Biden repeatedly blasted his Republican rival Donald Trump (above) Biden also called Republican Senator Ted Cruz of Texas (above) a 'loser' The president also blasted Trump for the trouble at the border, blaming the mess on his rival. 'Trump didn't just bring chaos to Americans. He also brought chaos to the American border,' Biden said. He blamed the former president for killing a bipartisan border bill in Congress by coming out against it. It has passed the Senate but House Speaker Mike Johnson refused to bring it to the floor after Trump announced his opposition. 'Unlike Trump, I'm not gonna demonize immigrants,' Biden said. Lit by the tail lights of President Joe Biden's motorcade, Carlisle Oellerman, 8, holds a hand written sign she made that says 'we love you,' as Biden arrives for a campaign fundraise Biden has been on a southwest campaign swing to keep the battleground states of Nevada and Arizona in his corner. The incumbent president won both states in the 2020 election but Trump currently leads in the polls there. Biden is capping off his trip with a fundraising swing in Texas. He has one more in Houston on Thursday. Australians are fleeing Sydney in droves as overseas immigration hits a new record high. A record 548,800 migrants moved to Australia in the year to September with the population growth pace of 2.5 per cent the highest since the early 1950s - even as the birthrate plunged. Sydney, already one of the world's most unaffordable housing markets, is so expensive many residents are moving interstate in search of cheaper housing as overseas migrants flood in. In a year, 33,202 residents moved out of New South Wales to another state as 186,433 overseas migrants moved in. But when the interstate exodus was accounted for, NSW was still having to house 153,231 new residents before 32,893 new births were accounted for. The big outflow meant NSW had a below-average population growth of 2.3 per cent, lagging behind Western Australia, Victoria and Queensland. Meanwhile, Tasmania was the only state to record a zero natural increase rate, based on births minus deaths. The island state saw 3,079 residents move interstate as 4,400 overseas migrants moved in - a very small net increase of just 1,321 new residents or a minuscule 0.3 per cent population rise. Australians are fleeing Sydney in droves as overseas immigration hits a record high Population growth league table 1. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: 3.3 per cent 2. VICTORIA: 2.9 per cent 3. QUEENSLAND: 2.7 per cent 4. NEW SOUTH WALES: 2.3 per cent 5. AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY: 2.1 per cent 6. SOUTH AUSTRALIA: 1.7 per cent 7. NORTHERN TERRITORY: 0.7 per cent 8. TASMANIA: 0.3 per cent Advertisement Sydney's median house price of $1.396million is significantly higher than Brisbane's $899,474 level, based on CoreLogic data. Queensland had the biggest interstate migration inflow of 32,625 as 87,954 overseas migrants moved in - for a net increase of 120,579 new residents before 23,010 net births were taken into account. Queensland's population growth pace of 2.7 per cent was slightly above the national average of 2.5 per cent. Victoria had 161,758 new overseas migrants but only 1,119 leaving for interstate, with Melbourne still having outer suburbs with a median house price under $600,000 like Frankston North and Broadmeadows. While Melbourne is cold in winter, Victoria is still expanding with a population growth pace of 2.9 per cent - surprisingly Australia's second highest. Mining-rich Western Australia had the second highest interstate migration inflow of 11,233 as 67,629 migrants moved in. WA had Australia's highest population growth pace of 3.3 per cent in a state where Perth's median house price has surged by 18.6 per cent during the past year to $718,560. South Australia had 1,007 residents move interstate as 28,587 overseas migrants moved in - for a population growth pace of 1.7 per cent. Per capita, the Northern Territory had the biggest interstate exodus of 3,606 as just 3,189 overseas migrants moved in, making it the only state or territory where the interstate outflow was bigger than the overseas influx. The NT population grew by just 0.7 per cent. The Australian Capital Territory covering Canberra had 1,845 residents move interstate as 8,792 overseas migrants moved in - giving it a below-average population growth pace of 2.1 per cent. Australia is now home to 26.8million people. Immigration accounted for 83.2 per cent of Australia's population growth in the year to September, with 548,800 new migrants and 111,100 new births - a natural increase plunge of 3.9 per cent compared with the previous year. Sydney, already one of the world's most unaffordable housing markets, is so expensive many residents are moving interstate in search of cheaper housing as overseas migrants flood in (pictured is a rent queue in Bondi) Immigration at new record high - here's where they moved NEW SOUTH WALES: Natural increase, 32,893; interstate migration, minus 33,202; overseas migration, 186,433 VICTORIA: Natural increase, 32,084; interstate migration, minus 1,119; overseas migration, 161,758 QUEENSLAND: Natural increase, 23,010; interstate migration, 32,625; overseas migration, 87,954 SOUTH AUSTRALIA: Natural increase, 3,158; interstate migration, minus 1,007; overseas migration, 28,587 WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Natural increase, 14,729; interstate migration, 11,233; overseas migration, 67,629 TASMANIA: Natural increase, zero; interstate migration, minus 3,079; overseas migration, 4,400 NORTHERN TERRITORY: Natural increase, 2,182; interstate migration, minus 3,606; overseas migration, 3,189 AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY: Natural increase, 2,632; interstate migration, minus 1,845; overseas migration, 8,792 Advertisement Shortly before the Australian Bureau of Statistics data was released, One Nation leader Pauline Hanson called for a vote on immigration policy. 'Australians have never been permitted to vote on immigration, multiculturalism,' she told the Senate. 'When have we been asked or consulted about our population? 'Governments have continually brought in high levels of immigration, so they say, to stimulate the economy - this is rubbish.' While Australia's economy is continuing to grow, there has been a per capita recession since the June quarter of 2023, where output per worker has been going backwards. Meanwhile, Tasmania was the only state to record a zero natural increase rate, based on births minus deaths (pictured is Hobart's Constitution Dock) Hundreds of families have been left devastated after a Florida special needs non-profit lost over $100 million held in trusts for their disabled children. Tampa-based Center for Special Needs Trust Administration (CSNTA) filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last month - two years after the eye-watering fortune used to aid disabled kids was discovered to be missing by its leadership. According to the filing, the center found that its founders had loaned themselves the millions - intended for disabled children - over an 11-year span, and never repaid it. While the missing cash has sent shockwaves through the community, one set of parents, Kimberly and Richard Muszynski, claimed to WFLA they alerted the FBI about the stolen funds over 10 years ago. The Muszynski's said they received over $800,000 in a wrongful birth lawsuit in 2013 because of their daughter Abagalye was born with the terminal disease Aicardi syndrome. Richard and Kimberly Muszynski won over $800,000 in a wrongful birth lawsuit over their disabled daughter Abagayle's condition (pictured together). They realized the money was stolen over 10 years ago, but were ignored when they contacted the FBI Richard slammed federal authorities for incompetence after the center filed for bankruptcy, saying they 'failed' to investigate his claims that could have halted the alleged scheme 10 years ago She suffered from cerebral palsy, epilepsy and blindness, and tragically died last November aged 11. After being granted the money in their lawsuit, which was intended solely for Abagayle's care, attorneys instructed them to move the money into a trust with the CSNTA. The center's founder Leo Govoni is accused of loaning himself $100 million from the trust that was never returned But they said they realized something was wrong within a year, when they weren't 'getting tax paperwork, and we weren't getting any accounting as promised,' Richard said. He said they struggled to receive any information from the center, leading them to alert authorities in Pinellas County. 'We had an internal audit done with a clerk and comptroller, and he pretty much triggered us there's a lot of money missing,' he said. Although there had once been over $800,000 in the trust, the audit found between $250,000 and $350,000 had gone missing. In a sweeping audit after the bankruptcy filing, it was found that the worst hit family had over $4.5 million drained from their account. It is unclear whether the founders, Leo Govoni and John Staunton, who allegedly loaned themselves the money are under criminal investigation at this time. A class action lawsuit was lodged against Govoni and his business partners and companies for running a 'decade long predatory scheme' earlier this year. The legal filing accused Govoni and his peers of draining more than 1,500 trust funds that were set up for disabled people, reports Tampa Bay Times. The Center for Special Needs Trust Administration filed for bankruptcy last month, after its new leadership said they realized the money was missing Richard claims they immediately notified the FBI - and have never heard anything about the case since. The bureau told WFLA that it doesn't comment on the existence of any investigative work. They also drove to the trust center in St. Pete, Florida to demand answers, but were again rebuffed. 'We were denied and refused, and they filed an action against us to have us removed as trust protectors because we were questioning a lot about the money,' Richard said. In 2016, a Palm Beach County judge removed the center as Abagayle's trustee. By that time, the trust had just $70,000 left. They claim they have never seen any of the missing money, and condemned how their tip to federal authorities over a decade ago could have prevented over 1,500 other trusts being exploited if it had been actioned upon. 'We uncovered this 10 years ago and tried to get every law-enforcement agency involved so this didn't happen and the FBI just completely failed,' Richard said. 'It's heartbreaking,' his wife Kimberley added. 'It's disgusting.' The Chamberlin family lost a 'significant amount' of the money they won to help care for their disabled son Clark The Chamberlin family's attorney launched a class action lawsuit after realizing the extent of the money lost, saying 'what's happened is disgusting' Following the center's bankruptcy filing last month, the entire board resigned, and spokeswoman Beth Leytham said they are still in the process of restoring the missing money. 'We hate that this is happening, but we're working around the clock as much as we can, all of us, to get the money back where it belongs,' she told WFLA. The filing said that the federal government is appointing a trustee to oversee the remaining $100 million in the center's coffers. Florida law firm Leeder Law is representing another of the families - and its managing partner said he has launched a class action lawsuit against the trust fund founders on behalf of others. 'What's happened is disgusting,' said Thomas Leeder. 'This should've never happened. Their lives have been devastated.' He is representing the Chamberlin family, whose twin sons Clark and Sawyer were born prematurely, leaving Clark disabled. He initially represented them in a medical malpractice case, which won the Chamberlin family money for Clark's care that they then put into the trust. 'They believed they had the financial security for Clark going forward, and that was their ultimate goal for the family,' Leeder said. Donna Rollins (left) said $46,000 intended to care for her son Matthew, 21, was lost by the trust It is unclear how much money they lost, but Leeder said it was a 'substantial amount' and they were among the top 30 creditor to lose out. While some lost millions, Marcus and Donna Rollins were devastated after $46,000 they needed to care for their special needs son vanished. They told the Victorville Daily Press that they needed the cash for their son, Matthew, which has now disappeared after the bankruptcy filing. '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.' Govoni has denied the allegations made by the center in its bankruptcy filing. Treasure from the world's most valuable shipwreck is about to surface for the first time since it sank in flames more than 300 years ago. Spanish galleon the San Jose was loaded with gold, silver and emeralds valued today at $17 billion when a British warship sent it to the bottom of the Caribbean in 1708. Now scientists in Colombia are just days away from retrieving the first artefacts since the wreck was first found lying under 2,000 feet of water in 2015. Spain, Colombia, Bolivia and a US search company are all laying claim to the cargo, but lhena Caicedo of the Colombian Institute of Anthropology and History said the wrangling is on hold as the mission gets underway. 'We aren't thinking about treasure,' he told the Guardian, 'We're thinking about how to access the historical and archeological information at the site.' Gold coins were also picked up on the video released by the Colombian government A remotely operated vehicle reached a depth of almost 3,100 fee allowing new videos of the wreckage. Operators found the found it untouched by 'human intervention' The 62-gun galleon was sailing from Portobelo in Panama at the head of a treasure fleet of 14 merchant vessels and three Spanish warships when it encountered the British squadron near Baru. Spain and Britain were fighting the War of the Spanish Succession at the time and the Royal Navy was approaching dominance on the high seas when it sent the San Jose to the bottom. Just 11 of the 600 men on board survived, and the ship's location remained a mystery until 2015 when the Colombian government announced that a team of navy divers had discovered it in the waters off Cartagena. Colombian president president Gustavo Petro pledged that the 131-foot ship would be raised before his term of office ends in 2026 but the scientists are due to start next month retrieving some of the 200 tons of cargo on and around the wreck. 'The contents are really varied and we have no idea how the remains will react when they come into contact with oxygen,' Caicedo said. 'We don't even know if it is possible to raise something out of the water.' A series of expeditions to the wreck has revealed an Aladdin's cave of coins, cannon, swords and gold ingots lying in the mud, and the Colombian military has been developing state-of-the-art salvage robots to assist in their retrieval. The wreck lies in around 2,000 feet of water about 16 miles off the coast of Cartegena, but the Colombian government has not revealed precisely where for fear of looters Colombian Culture Minister Juan David Correa said the first attempt would be a 'dry run' for retrieving the rest of the treasure and the ship itself The equipment used for searching of the remains of the galleon San Jose submerged almost 3,100 feet under the Colombian Caribbean Sea. It was operated by naval officials The Colombian army has revealed images of the wreck of the San Jose galleon, one of the largest of the Spanish Navy, sunk 300 years ago with its treasure off the Caribbean coast The images offer the best-yet view of the treasure that was aboard the San Jose - including Porcelain crockery, pottery and glass bottles Crabs wonder what the fuss is about as they stroll next to one of the ship's 62 cannon The operation is expected to cost more than $4.5million, but the value of items recovered from the shipwreck could be 'incalculable', according to Correa Authorities have kept secrecy about the mission's location, but the scientific ship in charge of exploring the treasure was seen anchored at the dock of the ACR Bolivar naval base in Cartagena, Colombia Recovering the ship and its bounty will be a challenge due to its depth underwater A Colombian flag flies inside the scientific ship ARC 'Caribe' in charge of exploring the treasure of the Spanish galleon But few wrecks of the San Jose's size have ever been raised, none of them in tropical waters, and retrieving the ship itself would be the biggest, most expensive and most complicated underwater recovery mission in history. Alex Hildred is head of the research program for the Mary Rose, Henry VIII's flagship which was raised of the south coast of England in 1982. He said the success of the salvage will be at the mercy of currents, sea temperature, the type of mud it is sitting in, where the ship's cannon ended up, and even which animals have since made their home in it. 'It was also set on fire,' he pointed out. 'Lifting the ship and creating a museum will be really difficult, really expensive and incredibly challenging, and then everyone wants a bit of it. It's just a nightmare.' American research company, Glocca Morra, claims it found the San Jose in 1981 and turned the coordinates over to the Colombians on the condition it would receive half the fortune once the vessel was recovered. But this was countered in 2015 by Colombia's then-President Juan Manuel Santos who said the Navy had found the boat at a different location on the seabed. Glocca Morra, now called Sea Search Armada, is suing for half the treasure - around $9 billion according to estimates - under the US-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement. But Culture Minister Juan David Correa said the government's team had visited the coordinates given by Sea Search Armada and found no trace of the San Jose. Complicating matters further, there are competing claims from the Spanish - whose Navy the vessel belonged to - and Bolivia's indigenous Qhara Qhara nation which says its people were forced to mine the gold and jewels, so the treasures belong to them. 'Not only for the symbolic issue but more for the spiritual issue. We just want our ancestors to be at peace,' native leader Samuel Flores told AFP. The San Jose galleon was owned by the Spanish crown when it was sunk by the British Navy near Cartagena of the coast of what is now Colombia It carried 62-guns, 200 tons of precious cargo and went down on June 8, 1708, with 600 people on board The coins on board are similar to these specimens salvaged from a 1715 Plate Fleet wreck off the coast of Florida Meanwhile, Colombia has hailed the find as a huge historic and cultural achievement. Correa told Bloomberg last year: 'This is one of the priorities for the Petro administration. The president has told us to pick up the pace.' The idea is 'to stop considering that we are dealing with a treasure that we have to fight for as if we were in colonial times, with the pirates who disputed these territories,' Correa, the culture minister, said. 'There are so many questions the San Jose could help answer,' said Ann Coats, an associate professor of maritime heritage at the University of Portsmouth in the UK. 'It would be nice if for once money wasn't driving things and a huge cultural collaboration could take place to study it properly.' He then deleted it and said he would never 'wish physical harm on anyone' A former NBC executive has provoked ire online for saying Barron Trump - the youngest child of the former president - is 'fair game' now he has turned 18. Mike Sington shared the bizarre message, insinuating that its now fine for the public to go after the 18-year-old, along with a photo of Barron and his father - but he was criticized for the 'creepy' message. Sington wrote on Wednesday: 'Barron Trump turns 18 today. Hes fair game now.' After a huge backlash with critics calling him out for the alarming message, Sington quickly deleted the tweet. He said he meant 'fair game' in terms of criticism from the press - but others saw it as meaning that Barron is now open to be harmed. Sington apologized for his outlandish words - and told Newsweek he never intended to invite or 'wish physical harm on anyone.' Former NBC executive Mike Sington shared the Tweet on Wednesday on Barron's 18th birthday Sington deleted the tweet after a harsh backlash online and said he never wished anyone 'physical harm' According to Sington's LinkedIn, he worked as director of operations at Universal for 30 years, until 2016, and created and produced the studio tour experience. Barron has been kept almost completely out of the limelight for much of his childhood - as a large proportion of his adolescence took place during his father Donald Trump's White House tenure. He was the first boy to grow up in the White House since JFK Jr in 1963 - and Barron has lived through many of his family's scandals in his teen years. In January 2018, he was not yet 12 when the media was engulfed by porn star Stormy Daniels's bombshell claims that she had an affair with Donald just four months after Barron was born. During his presidency, Trump's most ardent critics even resorted to criticizing the young boy as a means of attacking his father. Trumps adult children from previous marriages have faced criticisms due to their public profiles, but Barron's young age has protected him from much of the attention. Sington's remarks today caused him to immediately received hundreds of critical responses. Garrett Ventry, former senior communications adviser to the Senate Judiciary Committee Republicans, wrote: 'This is super creepy'. Michael R. Caputo, former assistant secretary of public affairs for the Department of Health and Human Services said: 'This creepy NBC guy is completely broken. I wonder if he has kids? Nephews? Nieces? How old are they?' 'See the little delicate hands,' said the business tycoon who would one day be mocked over the small size of his own hands. (Pictured: At his grandmother's funeral in January) We saw baby Barron's grand nursery, a corner room with sweeping views of Manhattan and stuffed full of huge soft toys, where The Donald borrowed his son from the nanny so he could hold him for the cameras. (Pictured: in Trump Tower in 2016) For a young man who has spent so much of his life kept fiercely out of the spotlight, Barron Trump made his TV debut at a shockingly young age. (Pictured: 10-months old with his parents in 2007) Javon A. Price, former aide to GOP Representative Byron Donalds, wrote: 'You sound like a creep dude.' In his apology, Sington said: 'I posted he was fair game now, meaning, as an adult, hes fair game for criticism from the press. 'Someone pointed out to me fair game could mean fair game to be harmed. I dont wish physical harm on anyone, so I took it down. 'I listen to the comments and criticism I receive.' Although he has been given as much protection as possible, it's not the first time Barron has been lambasted online. During Trump's inauguration, SNL writer Katie Rich tweeted: 'Barron will be this country's first homeschool shooter'. The slurs hurled at Barron got so bad, that another former First Child from across the aisle spoke up on his behalf. He soon became bilingual, learning to speak his mother's native Slovenian so well that he could phone his grandmother - who died in January - and not have to resort to English. (Pictured: Barron held by his grandmother, next to his grandfather, in 2007) 'I cannot stress enough how kind and polite Barron is he's just a great kid,' Stephanie Grisham, former White House Press Secretary and Melania's one-time chief-of-staff told DailyMail.com. (Pictured: 2020) Chelsea Clinton tweeted: 'Barron Trump deserves the chance every child does-to be a kid.' 'I cannot stress enough how kind and polite Barron is he's just a great kid,' Stephanie Grisham, former White House Press Secretary and Melania's one-time chief-of-staff told DailyMail.com. Grisham added that she saw a 'definite difference' between Barron and his much older half-siblings who include Ivanka, Donald Jr, Eric and Tiffany. 'Just very, very kind and humble and empathetic and smart,' Grisham said. 'Not that I'm saying his half-siblings aren't smart at all.' He was still only 10 when his father became President and, as First Lady, Melania had to contemplate giving up the very private and independent existence she cherished in New York. She famously insisted on staying in the Big Apple for almost the first five months of the presidency with Trump alone in DC so Barron could finish his school year. Prosecutors on Thursday raided the office of former Supreme Court Justice Kwon Soon-il as part of an investigation in connection with a high-profile property development scandal. The Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office sent investigators to Kwon's office to seize evidence, officials said. The raid came as part of the prosecution's corruption investigation into allegations that several former high-ranking government officials were illegally promised 5 billion won ($3.8 million) each by management firm Hwacheon Daeyu. Hwacheon Daeyu is at the center of a high-profile development scandal involving a lucrative apartment development project in the Daejang-dong district of Seongnam, launched while Democratic Party of Korea Chair Lee Jae-myung was the mayor of the city. Kwon, who served as a judge at the Supreme Court from 2014-20, has been accused of having served as an adviser for Hwacheon Daeyu without officially registering himself as a lawyer. Suspicions against him also include that he used his casting vote in favor of Lee Jae-myung, then Gyeonggi mayor, in the top court's 2019 acquittal of him in connection with official election law violation charges, in return for alleged financial rewards. (Yonhap) A video of a tourist deliberately touching an electrified dingo grid on K'Gari has been slammed by authorities as 'reckless'. The footage shows the man laughed as he knelt on the sand over the metal grate, designed to deter dingoes from crossing into certain areas, before he reached out, got zapped and then rolled around on the ground seemingly in pain. Bystanders can be heard on the clip as they egged him on to 'go one more'. Queensland's Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) told Daily Mail Australia they have seen the video and condemned the behaviour as dangerous. 'This type of behaviour is reckless and can endanger the life of the person and damage infrastructure meant to keep people safe from dingoes,' a spokesperson said. The tourist appears to joke about touching the electrified fence before he actually does and gets a large shock that sends him back onto the sand The Queensland government recently installed 16 dingo-deterrent grids on K'Gari, formerly Fraser Island, in an attempt to prevent the dingoes venturing into towns and campsites after a number of recent attacks on visitors. The 12-volt electrical grids are wire mesh that sit on the metal grates, which is solar-powered and deliver a mild shock, if touched, to discourage dingoes from crossing. While the grids are low wattage, there is still a risk a person could be seriously hurt if their skin was wet after swimming at the beach or if they had an underlying condition. 'Similar to cattle that learn to stay clear of electrified grids, dingoes soon learn not to cross the grids. It causes no harm to the animal,' the department said. The grids are covered with a wire mesh that delivers a low a wattage electric shock intended to deter dingoes from crossing 'Less than one per cent of areas on K'gari that are accessible to people, including some campgrounds, townships and resorts, currently have dingo-deterrent fences and grids. 'These are installed for the safety of dingoes as much as they are for the safety of people. 'It appears clear that fencing has been effective at eliminating serious incidents within fenced areas, but the potential for serious incidents to occur within them remains as long as gates are still left open.' Between 2018 and 2023 there were 33 incidents where a dingo has bitten or nipped a person on K'Gari. Two tourists have become the latest victims of dingo bites on the Queensland island, with six incidents in as many weeks. An 18-year-old woman was walking to Lake Wabby in February as part of a tour group when a tagged dingo bit her on the back of her left leg. She suffered puncture marks around her left knee and was treated by paramedics. About five hours later, a person on a separate tour was mouthed or nipped by a dingo on the beachfront near Dilli Village. Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service rangers will step up patrols in the areas and attempt to contact the tourists. The incidents are the latest in a spate of dingo attacks on the island. There have been more than 33 dingo attack on K'gari since 2018 A young boy was bitten at a campsite on the western side of the island and taken to Hervey Bay Hospital for treatment on February 3. A man was bitten on the back of his leg on January 15 while standing next to his car in the Hook Point barge area. Three days before that, a primary school-aged girl was taken to hospital with significant leg injuries after she was bitten multiple times while swimming near Hook Point. A seven-year-old girl was also bitten on January 4 after her mother tried to take a photo of a dingo. There have been at least nine dingo-related incidents on K'gari since December 10, six involving children. ABC radio star James Valentine has revealed that he is about to have surgery to remove his oesophagus and is both hopeful and terrified. In an article he wrote on the national broadcaster's website, Valentine told his fans and listeners there was something he had to tell them and that he would start with the end of the story first. 'The end of the story is I'm going to be fine,' he wrote. The beginning is I have cancer.' The 61-year-old, who was born in Ballarat, Victoria, acknowledged that 'If you open with that, no-one ever believes you're going to be fine'. 'Cancer is a trigger word for just about everyone because your own body turning against you is a horrible thing and, for many, the course of the disease is ghastly, and for many it's fatal. ABC radio star James Valentine (pictured) has revealed that he is about to have surgery to remove his oesophagus and it both hopeful and terrified James Valentine (pictured playing saxophone) has written about his cancer diagnosis and treatment READ MORE: Huge change coming to the ABC after 100 years that every Australian will notice An old ABC program being made is pictured Advertisement 'That's why my cancer so far has been kind of odd. I've been fine. Right now, I'm completely fine.' Valentine, who before working in radio and television was a musician, including with Melbourne band Models, got his first inclination there may be something wrong last December. He was at a party to celebrate his friend Tom's 40th birthday and shortly after 9.30 after eating some takeaway Thai food, he was choking and retching. His wife, Joanne, told him 'That's not good' and referred him to her sister's endoscopy clinic to get a gastroscopy. After waking up from the procedure, the doctor told him 'It's bad. You've got a 4cm tumour where your oesophagus meets your stomach.' He was so shocked by the news, he could not take it in. He went home and went to bed as normal to get up early to do his ABC Radio Sydney breakfast show. He fell straight to sleep. Valentine got up at 3.45am and while driving to work he started to remember what seemed like a dream that didn't make sense. After the program ended, he phoned his wife and said 'This might sound like a stupid question, but I have cancer, right?' In early January, he started five weeks of chemotherapy and radiation. 'For reasons that must be obvious, I don't like to use the more common term radiotherapy,' he joked. He said his cancer and the treatment of it has differed from how many others experience it. He got a mild dose of chemo and radiation, designed to shrink the tumour before surgery. The radiation made him tired and the chemo made him 'feel like my whole body had been sluiced through with liquid aluminium foil'. In an article he wrote on the ABC's website, James Valentine (pictured) told his fans and listeners there was something he had to tell them ABC radio presenter James Valentine (right) is pictured with actress Leah McLeod Despite that, he was still able to do his radio work and even did a couple of shows playing saxophone. Unlike many others, the treatment didn't make his hair didn't fall out and a few weeks after the treatment finished he felt well again. On Thursday, Valentine revealed that he is having surgery in a few weeks which will remove his entire oesophagus 'and then stretch my stomach up and attach it to my throat'. 'It is likely I will recover, although that may take some months. I will be able to eat, but small amounts at a time,' he said. There was a slight clue to Valentine being unwell on his Facebook page in February when a fan posted 'Please stop having Mondayitis, we love hearing from you 5 days a week on (Radio Sydney).' As well as his radio work and music, Valentine also does master of ceremonies work, including for scientists, engineers, lawyers and other professional organisations. He is pictured at the Australian Directors Guild Awards James Valentine is pictured MCing the opening night for the 2008 Sydney Festival in the Domain on January 5, 2008 His most recent live musical show was at the Camelot Lounge in the inner Sydney suburb of Marrickville on February 9. That show sold so well it was moved into the bigger room at the venue. 'Get a party up and get down!,' Valentine posted in promoting the show. As well as his radio work and music, Valentine also does master of ceremonies work, including for scientists, engineers, lawyers and other professional organisations. He is also the author of a series of books for teenage boys, including the sci-fi novel trilogy JumpMan. They said the number of case dismissals and lack of transparency is 'troubling' A new report from the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse analyzed the number of deportation cases thrown out - especially under Biden's tenure Around 200,000 migrant deportation cases have been thrown out under President Biden because the administration failed to file paperwork before court hearings, according to a new report. An analysis by the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse found the Department of Homeland Security failed to file the required Notice to Appear before court dates in 200,000 cases, leading to them being thrown out. The failure left courts without the jurisdiction to handle deportation cases and rule on asylum claims and left migrants in 'limbo' and unable to work. The report says it is 'troubling' as there is an 'almost total lack of transparency on where and why these DHS failures occurred', it adds: 'These large numbers of dismissals and what then happens raise serious concerns.' It also poses a problem for the migrants. The report says it can 'potentially extend the time and difficulties that individuals, and their families, face in securing food, shelter and other essentials.' The number of times an NTA wasn't filed, leading to a case being thrown out, jumped when Biden came to office, according to the new report 200,000 deportation cases have been thrown out after the Department of Homeland Security failed to file paperwork, according to a new report When they cross the US border, migrants are assigned a hearing date to explain to an immigration judge why they should not be deported. The hearing is often set years in advance. They are issued with a Notice to Appear (NTA) when they enter, but the document also has to be filed with the court by the Department of Homeland Security. Failure to do so means the hearing can't proceed and a decision can't be made. The number of times an NTA wasn't filed, leading to a case being thrown out, jumped when Biden came to office, according to the new report. Their analysis found 6,482 cases were dismissed after an NTA wasn't filed on time in 2020 compared to 33,802 in 2021. The numbers then jumped again to 79,592 in 2022 before falling to 68,869 in 2023. The numbers are much higher as a percentage of total cases under Biden too. Between 2014 and 2020, less than 1 percent of deportation cases were dismissed as a result of NTAs not being filed with courts, whereas in Bidens first three years in office, it was 8.4 percent of cases. A case being thrown out can be very damaging to a migrant. Without a formal asylum petition, asylum seekers cannot usually obtain work permits. The report said: 'These dismissals therefore potentially extend the time and difficulties that individuals, and their families, face in securing food, shelter and other essentials while waiting for a work permit. Having a case thrown out leaves migrants in limbo and often unable to work Two migrants struggle to cross the Rio Grande River on the Mexico-US border as Texas National Guards take security measures in Eagle Pass, Texas Migrants and their children camp out on the banks if the Rio Grande, the river that separates the US and Mexico 'Indeed, the lack of clarity about their case may only add to their sense of legal limbo rather than alleviate it.' The report said: 'Equally troubling is the lack of solid information on what happened to these many immigrants when DHS never rectified its failure by reissuing and filing new NTAs to restart their Court cases.' They found the mistake was only rectified for one in four migrants where NTAs were not filed with immigration courts. One possible explanation for the jump is Border Patrol agents and other personnel being given authority to schedule immigration hearings on their own. The report said: 'Ten years ago, DHSs failure to file an NTA before the scheduled first hearing was rare. 'However, the frequency increased once Border Patrol and other DHS personnel were given access to the Immigration Courts Interactive Scheduling System (ISS).' They added: 'DHSs relatively recent access to the Courts scheduling system created a new administrative problem: DHS employees could schedule Immigration Court hearings sooner than the agency could file the NTA, and this could have negative consequences for both the Immigration Court and the immigrant respondents themselves. 'With Immigration Judges staring down 3.5 million pending immigration cases, every wasted hearing is a hearing that could have moved another case forward or resolved it.' Eleven people have been taken to hospital with dizziness and nausea, sparking a hazardous materials probe at a far north Queensland office. The Department of Transport and Main Roads office's building in Cairns was evacuated after staff fell ill on Thursday. Paramedics were called to the office about 8am after reports of people suffering from dizziness and nausea. The Department of Transport and Main Roads office's building (pictured) in Cairns was evacuated after staff fell ill on Thursday Queensland Ambulance Service's Lauretta Howarth said some people had fainted or were light-headed and others complained of a 'funny taste' in their mouth. 'After the crew arrived on scene they realised fairly quickly there was an unfolding incident and there wasn't just one person that was affected,' Ms Howarth said. The 11 people affected were in a stable condition. Hazmat experts are investigating the incident. This video is no longer available This video is no longer available A fugitive crypto hedge fund founder grinned as he refused to apologize for blowing through billions of investors' cash before his firm imploded. Kyle Davies and his business partner Su Zhu face over $3.5 billion in creditors' claims after their bankrupt fund, Three Arrows Capital (3AC), crashed amid the 2022 crypto downturn. While Zhu was arrested and served three months in prison for failing to coordinate with liquidators, Davies managed to avoid the same fate by remaining on the run. In an appearance this week on the Unchained podcast, where he refused to reveal his location, Davies grinned as he was asked about whether he had any remorse over losing billions of investors' money. 'Am I sorry for a company going bankrupt? No, like, companies go bankrupt, almost every company goes bankrupt, right?' he said. Kyle Davies, the co-founder of bankrupt crypto hedge fund 3AC, grinned as he refused to apologize for losing billions of investor cash, saying 'almost every company goes bankrupt, right?' Kyle Davies and his business partner Su Zhu (right). In September 2023, Zhu was arrested in Changi Airport in Singapore for contempt of court after ignoring orders to comply with liquidators Davies and Zhu founded 3AC in 2012, and raked in billions from investors as cryptocurrencies soared. At its peak, the fund managed around $18 billion, but suffered heavy losses when the LUNA and Terra cryptocurrencies collapsed. According to Capital.com, the founders then defaulted on loans after their hedge fund went bust, which also came in part from their borrowing from over 20 institutions. With investors seeking their billions back, court orders in the British Virgin Islands, and subsequently in Singapore and the US, have struggled to nail down Davies. In September 2023, Zhu was arrested in Changi Airport in Singapore for contempt of court after ignoring orders to comply with liquidators, however Davies claimed in his podcast appearance this week that they didn't know they were being sought. Asked by host Laura Shin if he planned to fire the lawyers that allegedly failed to tell them about the court date, he said: 'Maybe we should.' He said Zhu clearly didn't know as otherwise he would never have re-entered Singapore, which is why he has not returned to the country despite renouncing his US citizenship to obtain a Singaporean citizenship. 'Su's prison time certainly caught him by surprise, no one wants to go to jail,' Davies added to New York Magazine. Su Zhu (left) was sought by officials in Singapore, the Virgin Islands and the US. Zhu was arrested last year and served 3 months behind bars, and Davies has remained on the run Davies has refused to offer his location, and viewers of his recent podcast appearance reacted with fury at his cavalier attitude to losing billions Davies (left) and Zhu (right). At its peak, the fund managed around $18 billion, but suffered heavy losses when the LUNA and Terra cryptocurrencies collapsed In an appearance this week on the Unchained podcast, where he refused to reveal his location, Davies grinned as he was asked about whether he had any remorse over losing billions of investors' money Davies has also been sentenced to the same four-month prison stretch as Zhu by Singaporean authorities, however his whereabouts have remained a mystery - although he reportedly told the outlet that he was in Portugal in February. He added that while he won't go back to Singapore 'immediately,' given the threat of prison, and felt that 'obviously these things just resolve at some point, there are settlements.' Many have reacted with fury at Davies' attitude in the podcast appearance, as he appeared to take a flippant approach to talking about the lost cash. 'Its how you build or what you do about it. Were definitely trying our best,' he said when asked about his regrets. 'We can add value in various ways. At a minimum, we can even tell the next Three Arrows how to do things better when they go bankrupt.' His talk of 'building' from the collapsed companies comes as scrutiny has also fallen on an April 2023 startup by the 3AC founders, OPNC, a bankruptcy claims exchange. According to Coindesk, OPNX was formally reprimanded by Dubai's crypto regulator for operating an unregulated exchange within a month of its founding. By February 2024, the exchange had been shut down. The two founders are pictured hard at work, before the crypto fund collapsed in 2022 Zhu still frequently offers crypto advice on his well-followed Twitter account AC3's demise came at the same time fellow crypto heavyweights were facing similar fates, including Sam Bankman-Fried (pictured center), who faces upwards of 100 years behind bars And with Davies continuing to make appearances in the cryptosphere, Zhu - who was released in December on good behavior - has remained active through his Twitter account, where he still offers trading advice. Their demise came at the same time fellow crypto heavyweights were also facing consequences, as many said the vulnerabilities in the cryptocurrency industry were becoming more and more evident. Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of infamous Bahamas crypto firm FTX, was convicted of one of the largest financial frauds in history while Zhu was behind bars. He is awaiting sentencing, which is scheduled for March 28. He faces upwards of 100 years behind bars. At the same time, the former CEO of Binance, Changpeng Zhao, pleaded guilty to anti-money laundering violations, and the trader behind Luna - which contributed to 3AC's collapse - was ordered to be extradited to the US and South Korea. While Bankman-Fried has been condemned by US prosecutors as one of the worst financial criminals in history, the disgraced trader blamed the wider 2022 crypto collapse directly on 3AC. 'I suspect they might be 80 percent of the total original contagion,' he told New York Magazine in 2022. 'They werent the only people who blew out, but they did it way bigger than anyone else did. And they had way more trust from the ecosystem prior to that.' The United States has submitted a draft United Nations resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, Anthony Blinked announced. Blinken, the US Secretary of State, announced the push for peace in the war-torn Middle Eastern region during a trip to Saudi Arabia early on Thursday morning. The US submitted the resolution to the UN Security Council calling for an 'immediate ceasefire linked to the release of hostages.' Hamas, the terrorist organization that control the Gaza Strip, took over 1,000 Israelis as hostage on October 7. Ensuing violence since then has resulted in thousands of civilian deaths. Blinken said: 'We have in fact submitted a resolution which is now before the Security Council calling for an immediate ceasefire linked to the release of the hostages, and we very much hope that countries will support it.' Blinken, the US Secretary of State, announced the push for peace in the war-torn region during a trip to Saudi Arabia early on Thursday morning Demonstrators hold placards during a protest calling for the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza since the October 7 attacks by Hamas militants, in Tel Aviv on March 14, 2024 Last week, Hamas presented a Gaza ceasefire proposal to mediators and the U.S. which would see the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for freedom for Palestinian prisoners, 100 of whom are serving life sentences. The group said the initial release of Israelis would include women, children, elderly, and ill hostages in exchange for the release of 700-1000 Palestinian prisoners, according to the proposal. The release of Israeli 'female recruits' is included. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said last Thursday that a new Gaza truce proposal presented by Hamas to mediators was still based on 'unrealistic demands.' Egypt and Qatar have also been trying to narrow differences between Israel and Hamas over what a ceasefire should look like - as a deepening humanitarian crisis has one quarter of the population in the battered Gaza Strip facing famine. Hamas said ceasefire negotiations had faltered over the past few weeks due to Netanyahu's rejection of its demands, which include a permanent ceasefire, Israeli withdrawal from the strip, the return of the displaced in the south of the enclave to the center and the north, and stepping up aid without restrictions. In February, Hamas received a draft proposal from Gaza truce talks in Paris which included a 40-day pause in all military operations and the exchange of Palestinian prisoners for Israeli hostages at a ratio of 10 to one - a similar ratio to the new ceasefire proposal. A displaced Palestinian man along with his belongings sits on a donkeycart amid the rubble of houses destroyed by Israeli bombardment, west of Khan Yunis in the Gaza Strip on March 14 Israel also rejected that draft proposal, citing its long-held goal of not ending the war until it destroyed Hamas. Hamas insists an agreement should end the war. Egypt is also seeking to reach a ceasefire in Gaza, increase entry of aid, and allow for the displaced in the south of the enclave to move to the north, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said. Sisi, speaking in a recorded message, also warned against the danger of an Israeli incursion into the border city of Rafah. Meanwhile, Australia said it would resume funding to the United Nations' main Palestinian relief agency, almost two months after pausing ties over allegations that some of the agency's employees participated in the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel. Weeks ago, President Joe Biden said he was 'hoping' for an agreement for Hamas to release Israeli hostages and a Gaza ceasefire by the start of Ramadan on March 10. 'Im hoping so, were still working real hard on it. Were not there yet,' Biden told reporters. His wishes for it to happen before Ramadan did not come to fruition. He admitted negotiators are still 'far apart' on reaching a truce to release the hostages, hours after he announced the U.S. military would begin aid airdrops for Palestinians. Biden wouldn't reveal details of the 'holdup' in talks and when he asked if there was still a chance of a negotiated ceasefire, he said: 'I'm still hoping for it. You know, it's not over until it is over'. Americans were scrambling through gang-controlled territory to reach a landing strip outside the US embassy on Wednesday as gunmen battled for control of the Haitian capital. Around 1,000 US citizens are thought to be trapped in the Caribbean country which has descended into near-anarchy since Prime Minister Ariel Henry was forced from office last week. Gun battles broke out in the embassy district of Petion-Ville as 15 Americans were evacuated by helicopter from the capital Port-au-Prince, and another 14 left for Orlando from the north of the country on a flight organized by Florida governor Ron DeSantis. The State Department predicted that 30 Americans a day could be evacuated as the gangs smashed down doors in the once prosperous neighborhoods of Petion-Ville, Meyotte, Diegue and Metivier. 'If the neighborhood had mobilized, we could have destroyed them, but they were heavily armed, and there was nothing we could do,' said Petion-Ville resident Samuel Orelus. A neighborhood vigilante group hold the tools with which they hope to keep the gangs at bay More corpses appeared overnight in the streets of the capital Port-au-Prince Large parts of the capital have been reduced to a lethal wasteland as gangs battle for control 'They were about 30 men with heavy weapons. 'When I woke up to go to work, I found I could not leave because the neighborhood was in the hand of the bandits.' The neighborhood is home to around a dozen foreign embassies and upmarket hotels which have been targeted by notorious gang leader Jimmy 'Barbecue' Cherizier. Thousands of residents have banded together in self-defense organizations known as the Bwa Kale movement in a bid to keep the gangs at bay, but they have also been accused of carrying out summary executions. Fifteen people were reported dead in the neighborhood on Wednesday and a Reuters reporter saw two suspected gang members killed, dismembered and set on fire before being dragged through the street. The capital's port and airport are being blockaded by gangs but DeSantis said Cap-Haitien airport in northern Haiti remained open to the approximately 360 Floridians are still trapped in the country 'This will be the first of probably many flights to bring people US citizens, Florida residents, obviously who are in harm's way, given what's going on in Haiti,' he added. 'We are willing to dedicate the resources, we understand this is important, we understand that there's people that are really in danger right now that are our fellow Floridians.' Police are outgunned and heavily outnumbered by the gangs whose ranks have been swollen by 4,000 prisoners freed when two of the capital's largest prisons were stormed Nothing but ash remains of this victim of the violence in the capital Coffins have become a routine sight as they are wheeled out to lift the dead from the streets His emergency management executive director, Kevin Guthri, said he was running into 'problem after problem' trying to verify evacuees' identities with the federal government but insisted the flights would continue. 'We are picking people up at their front door, getting them into a plane, getting them to this airport and getting them back to their front door in Florida,' he added. 'That's what we're committed to doing.' There were joyful scenes as the passengers were reunited with loved ones at Sanford Orlando Airport but those evacuated by helicopter from Port-au-Prince were taken to Santo Domingo in the neighboring Dominican Republic. 'We will continue to monitor demand from U.S. citizens for assistance in departing Haiti on a real-time basis,' a State Department official said. 'The overall security situation, availability and reliability of commercial transportation, and U.S. citizen demand will all influence the duration of this departure assistance.' More than 1.5million Haitians are at risk of famine according to aid agencies and around 17,000 have lost their homes. A woman clutches her baby and runs as gunshots ring out across Port-au-Prince with at least 80 per cent of the capital in the hands of the gangs who are turning their sites on the city's prosperous neighborhoods Bloodstains on an outside wall are all that remain of one victim shot dead in Petion-Ville The fighting has been intensified by the release of around 4,000 prisoners after two of the country's biggest jails were stormed by gangs. Former Prime Minister Henry, who was deposed after postponing already long-delayed elections has been stranded in Puerto Rico trying to broker the creation of a transition government among the warring factions. Hopes were raised of a breakthrough on Wednesday amid reports that a nine-member council had been agreed after the last remaining hold-out Jean-Charles Moise of the Pitit Desalin party agreed to join. A Qantas flight attendant who punched her 50-year-old former co-worker after finding out she had been sleeping with her ex-partner were 'best friends' before their relationship turned violent. Arabella Lansdown, 24, faced sentencing in the District Court in Brisbane on Wednesday after pleading guilty to punching Paula Graham at her home on November 26, 2022, when she found out her mate had been sleeping with her ex-partner Jackson Martin. However, according to a friend close to the trio, the women's friendship was more than just co-workers prior to their fallout. 'They were BFFs,' the source revealed to Daily Mail Australia. 'For a while they were doing everything together, I wouldn't say they were just colleagues because that's not accurate.' Arabella Lansdown and her on-again-off-again boyfriend Jackson Martin Arabella Lansdown (right) faced sentencing in the District Court in Brisbane on Wednesday after pleading guilty to punching Paula Graham (left) The source added that up until recently Ms Lansdown and Mr Martin, 26, were still in a relationship. 'Until very recently they were still 'dating' although they have a toxic relationship that has been on and off for years.' Both women were working as flight attendants for Qantas and Lansdown viewed her victim as a 'confidante'. The one-punch attach caused fractures to Ms Graham's cheekbone, upper jaw and eye socket. Ms Graham, who no longer works for the airline, required surgery that saw titanium plates and screws inserted into her face. The court was told Lansdown confronted Ms Graham at her home after finding out she had been sleeping with Mr Martin. Despite initial denials, the woman admitted to the sexual relationship and apologised. In her victim impact statement, Ms Graham said she still experienced continued numbness and psychological issues following the attack. Paula Graham required surgery and titanium plates and screws inserted into her face after an attack from her former friend Arabella Lansdown The women became best of friends while working at Qantas But Judge Loury noted the same woman did not wish harm on Lansdown, asking the court not to impose a harsh penalty. 'She writes: "May this (victim impact statement) along with your own stress be punishment enough",' Judge Loury said. Defence barrister Martin Longhurst submitted that the injuries in this case were 'borderline' with assault occasioning actual bodily harm. 'I don't think they're borderline, I don't think you can possibly say that,' Judge Loury told Mr Longhurst. 'This woman had to have surgery to repair these injuries ... they're significant injuries, it's significant that it's one blow that's caused the injuries. 'She's responsible for the injuries, whether she intended them or not.' Lansdown pleaded guilty to a single charge of grievous bodily harm on Wednesday. The court was told Lansdown was 'well regarded' by her colleagues, who said her actions were 'entirely out of character'. Arabella Lansdown and Jackson Martin were understood to be dating up until March 5, 2024 Both women were working as flight attendants for Qantas and Lansdown (left) viewed Ms Graham (right) viewed her victim as a 'confidante' Mr Longhurst said his client had begun an Indigenous traineeship with Qantas while in high school and had worked as a flight attendant for five years. He told the court that Lansdown risked losing her work as a flight attendant if convicted, as she would not be issued an Aviation Security Investment Card required for domestic travel as part of her work. Qantas had maintained Lansdown's employment and she could still work with the airline, just not on aircraft, the court was told. Mr Longhurst said Lansdown had experienced prejudice during her childhood and had been seeing a psychologist regarding 'difficulties' coming to terms with the end of the relationship with her ex-partner. His client had also offered compensation and written a letter of remorse to the court. Judge Loury ultimately handed the 24-year-old an 18-month jail term but suspended it for two years. Lansdown was also ordered to pay $2,000 in compensation to Ms Graham within four months. A husband and wife are the latest to reveal they spoke to missing University of Missouri student Riley Strain on the night he disappeared in Nashville, in an update a family friend calls 'incredible.' Strain, 22, was last seen on March 8 at Luke's 32 Bridge Food + Drink on Broadway, which is owned by country superstar Luke Bryan, according to the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department. Chris Dingman, a friend who has become the family's spokesperson, has connected with a couple visiting the city who said they saw him as he staggered down the streets the night he vanished. 'The mother reached out, she saw Riley and made a comment, like, 'You're not driving tonight?' and he goes, 'No ma'am,'' Dingman said. A husband and wife are the latest to reveal they spoke to missing University of Missouri student Riley Strain on the night he disappeared in Nashville, in news a family friend calls 'incredible' Chris Dingman, a friend who has become the family's ersatz spokesperson, has connected with a couple visiting the city who said they saw him as he staggered down the streets the night he vanished Nashville police released this haunting image of Strain walking along the sidewalk on the night he vanished, as he asked a cop how he was before telling him that he was 'doing good' Despite reports and criticism that the Metro Nashville Police Department have been slow to react to people providing tips, Dingman says the couple have been speaking to the authorities. 'They were able to contact the police,' Dingman told NewsNation. 'They reached out several days prior that they have been in contact with the police and turned over their information.' 'That is literally incredible news that we've gotten,' Dingman continued, with the thought being that more tourists may have seen the 22-year-old. Dingman noted that they didn't have an exact timeline on when they encountered Riley. Meanwhile, another homeless advocate is claiming a connection to Strain, believing to have seen a shirt belonging to Riley covered in vomit on one of the homeless men he works with. Chris Salisbury said that multiple people he works with saw the shirt on one of the homeless men on March 10, two days after Strain vanished, 'with puke on it.' 'He just wiped it off and then put it on,' Salisbury said, saying the homeless man had found it 'on a railing' while looking for copper on the riverfront. Riley was seen on surveillance video stumbling away from a bar in Nashville and a homeless person reported Strain was at an encampment the night he went missing. But, his whereabouts after remains a mystery. Chris Salisbury said that multiple people he works with saw the shirt on one of the homeless men on March 10, two days after Strain vanished, 'with puke on it.' Strain is pictured here on March 8 - wearing a white T-shirt that a witness later claimed to have seen being worn by a homeless man several days after his disappearance The new details come as the investigation continues to show no progress and Strain remains missing, with his family becoming critical of the police. A pair of TikTok sleuths put Nashville's police department to shame by discovering a key piece of evidence on the riverbank near where Strain went missing. Anna Clendening and Brandy Baenen livestreamed their search on TikTok. The stream documented the chilling moment that a credit card belonging to Strain was discovered amongst the rubble of a trash-littered riverbank near Nashville's downtown. Clendening, a musician, and Baenen, an artist, are both true crime enthusiasts who are passionate about bringing Strain home. The pair had been searching along the Cumberland River's steep embankment and the James Robertson Parkway bridge, where Strain was last spotted on camera and close to where his cell phone last pinged his location. It is also an area close to a homeless encampment. 'My stomach dropped,' Clendening said, describing the moment she turned over the card to reveal Strain's name. 'My innate reaction was to be like, 'Let's keep looking.' 'Riley's face- I'm seeing every time I close my eyes,' Baenen said. 'I haven't been able to sleep the last few days because I know his mom is not sleeping.' A pair of TikTok sleuths put Nashville's police department to shame by discovering a key piece of evidence on the riverbank near where Strain went missing The pair found the card as they searched the Cumberland River's steep embankment and the James Robertson Parkway bridge Anna Clendening, a musician, and Brandy Baenen, an artist, are both true crime enthusiasts who are passionate about bringing Strain home. The livestreamed the moment they found Strain's card along the riverbank 'We want answers for them (Strain's parents) and we're going to look for them. If nobody else will, we will,' Clendening told WZTV Nashville. Strain's father confirmed that police haven't said anything about the bank card being discovered. 'I think it just shines light on the B-minus job that the police force may be doing.' Since being slammed by family and members of the public, the Metro Nashville PD have released video of them searching the river themselves using helicopters. Officers have also defended their search efforts. 'When we start a missing person investigation, we're looking for a person. We're looking for a body. We're not looking for small pieces of evidence,' Sgt. Robert Nielsen said during a press conference. 'Can we miss somethings? Sure. But our primary goal is to find Mr. Strain and bring him home safely. Strain's relatives have said they staunchly believe the missing college student is still alive - and they want the FBI to step in and take over the investigation from the Nashville cops. 'With everything that's gone in the past few days - we've been reached out to and we've spoken today with the United Cajun Navy,' Riley's stepdad Chris Whiteid said. Strain, 22, was last seen on March 8 at Luke's 32 Bridge Food + Drink on Broadway, which is owned by country superstar Luke Bryan , according to the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department A bank card belonging to Strain was found on the embankment near Gay Street, which is a three-minute walk from the Downtown Smoke & Vape Shop on Church Street where he was last seen on video Our helicopters continue to fly over the Cumberland River in the ongoing search for Riley Strain. MNPD & @NashvilleEOC boats were on the water again today. The Cheatham Co. Sheriff's Office is also assisting down river. See him? Pls call 615-862-8600. pic.twitter.com/qF96AQqzAO Metro Nashville PD (@MNPDNashville) March 20, 2024 'We feel that we need the extra resources to come in and help us as we try and get more organized for our family and see if we can't bring some more clues to light.' Police previous shared footage on X showing Strain walking along the sidewalk past an officer, who appeared to be inspecting a car with a smashed window. Strain says, 'How are you?' to the officer, to which the cop responds, 'How you doing sir?' 'Good you?' Strain says. 'Good,' the officer said back. Metro Nashville PD said that it is evidence the student was away from Gay St, the last place he was seen alive. It comes as the last person to potentially see Strain said he caused a 'commotion' at a Nashville homeless encampment where the student's bank card was later found. 'We heard a commotion. We looked back up. He almost fell over. The last bush right there caught him,' an unidentified man who lives in the camp told WZTV. He was very, very, very intoxicated. I never seen anybody stumble that hard before,' the man said. 'I yelled get up. They said, 'He's just drunk. He's OK.'' His parents previously discussed how Nashville cops butchered the investigation into their son's disappearance, as more clues to Riley's whereabouts seem to have come from the public than officers. Michelle Strain Whiteid, left, and her husband, Chris Whiteid, speak to the media during a press conference to update the public about the disappearance of Riley Strain Strain's relatives said they staunchly believe the missing college student is still alive - and they want the FBI to step in and take over the investigation from the Nashville cops Strain's mother Michelle and Whiteid along with his father Ryan Gilbert earlier sat down with Ashleigh Banfield on NewsNation to discuss the ongoing search. 'We had not seen anything or heard from them throughout the week,' Strain's stepdad said - adding that they were getting frustrated with the police department's lack of communication. Banfield responded that she was 'steaming mad' that she had interviewed a key witness who had still not been interviewed by the police at the time of the NewsNation interview. The witness was a volunteer who works with homeless people near Nashville's downtown, where Strain went missing. She made an important connection several days after Strain's disappearance. Sabrina Martin, who volunteers with nonprofit group Souls United said she saw someone wearing a distinctive shirt just like Riley was last seen in. She had been feeding the homeless with a group of volunteers and as they were passing plates and water an individual passed by on a bicycle wearing a dirty hoodie with a very clean white shirt with a black collar underneath. He dropped a bottle of water and when he leaned over to grab it, Martin noted how clean the shirt underneath was an even pointed it out to a fellow-volunteer. Strain's parents have slammed Nashville cops for doing a 'B-minus job' in the investigation into their son's mysterious disappearance. Strain's mother Michelle and stepdad Chris Whiteid (middle) along with his father Ryan Gilbert (right) speak in an interview Monday Surveillance footage released by the Nashville police show him wobbling and appearing confused as he crossed a closed road near the water Martin also said it was unusual from a homeless person to be riding a bike. She encountered the homeless man only a 10-minute-walk from the bar area where Strain went missing. The volunteer described the homeless man as 6-foot 1-inch white man with a buzzcut and ungroomed facial hair. 'His face, his neck ands his hands were very dirty,' Martin described. Information has slowly dripped in about the last hours before Strain vanished and family friend Dingman is refuting initial assumptions that his phone lost power. 'That is something that we have been able to find and verify. Riley did have battery power at the time his phone went dark,' he told NewsNation. Dingman initially spoke Monday where he revealed the last communication anyone could find from Riley - which was a confusing text to a girl he was speaking with. 'She texted him to see how he was doing, if he was having fun. He sent kind of a scripted text back to her saying 'Good lops,'' Dingman said. Neither Dingman nor the girl appeared to understand what Strain meant by this, describing it as 'unclear slang.' Dingman said he thought to reflect Riley's alleged mental state. However, some have suggested 'lops' to be an acronym for 'low on power, sorry,' which Dingman says it's not true. 'What we have been told is the phone did not die due to battery capacity,' he added. Dingman said that it 'wasn't even at five percent, which some kids run around on and frustrates us as parents.' He also went into further detail as to why Strain was ejected from the bar, saying that it was not due to a confrontation but an employee who 'felt like, you know, maybe he had had enough.' Dingman said that he and Strain's family are growing frustrated with the inability to find him having seen both bodycam footage released by the police on Monday and additional recordings the public hadn't seen. 'Every piece of the puzzle we've been receiving, it leads us down 100 more questions,' he said. 'We're no closer to finding Riley.' A man in his 70s was killed in an alleged hit-and-run A man accused of hitting a pedestrian in his 70s and leaving him to die continued to drive to work following the alleged crash. Queensland Police arrested a 35-year-old man on Thursday following the alleged hit-and-run in Chermside, north Brisbane, about 5.15am. It's understood the elderly man was on his morning walk when he was struck by a car at the intersection of Kittyhawk Drive and Murphy Road. Detective Acting Inspector Ken Rogers claimed the man arrested had borrowed the car allegedly involved in the crash from someone he knew. It's alleged the driver, from Joyner, didn't stop to help the man but instead drove to work, leaving the man in a critical condition with head, pelvis and leg injuries. Queensland Police arrested a 35-year-old Joyner man (centre) on Thursday after a man in his 70s was found with critical injuries from an alleged hit-and-run The man in his 70s was treated at the scene by paramedics but died while en route to Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital. He was pronounced dead on arrival. Det Insp Rogers confirmed police believe a vehicle found burnt out on Awaba St in nearby Wavell Heights was involved in the crash. Residents first noticed the torched car shortly after 6am. Police and fire fighters examined the Honda CR-V for several hours before it was towed from the scene about 10am. The 35-year-old alleged driver was arrested at his workplace in Geebung this morning, the Courier Mail reported. Det Insp Rogers said he is expected to be charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death with callous disregard, failing to remain at the scene and arson of the vehicle. Police arrested the man at his workplace and seized a Honda CR-V found torched (pictured) near the scene of the crash Detective Acting Inspector Ken Rogers claimed the arrested man had borrowed the car (pictured) allegedly involved in the crash from someone he knew Police will allege he was alone in the car at the time of the crash. The alleged hit-and-run driver is assisting police with Insp Rogers noting he was 'still pretty well shaken up'. 'I can say a short time after he was located he became physically and emotionally upset,' he said. It's understood the pedestrian was walking in a westerly direction along Murphy Rd when he was hit by the vehicle as it allegedly ran a red light at the intersection of Kittyhawk Dr. Queensland Police allege the arrested man has made certain admissions in relation to the crash. Residents near the crash said they heard a loud bang early Thursday morning but initially thought it was a rubbish collection truck. It's understood the elderly man was on his morning walk when he was struck by a car at the intersection of Kittyhawk Dr and Murphy Rd (pictured) 'It's our bin day on a Thursday, so I thought it was the lids on the council bins slamming shut but then I heard a massive explosion,' one said. 'When I looked outside I saw a plume of smoke and fire towering over the house (on the corner of Abawa St and Highlands St).' The Forensic Crash Unit spent several hours at the scene on Thursday morning with detectives seen removing several items on evidence, including a pair of sneakers. Investigations remain ongoing. Anyone with CCTV or information is urged to contact police. Two Koreans have died after a Korean chemical tanker capsized off Japan's west coast earlier this week, the foreign ministry said Thursday. Eleven crew members were on board the Keoyoung Sun vessel when it capsized in waters near an island off the city of Shimonoseki in the Yamaguchi Prefecture on Wednesday. The crew members included two Koreans, including the captain, as well as eight Indonesians and one Chinese. Earlier, the Japanese Coast Guard said nine members were initially rescued and transported to a hospital but eight of them died, including one Korean. The coast guard had been conducting rescue operations to search for the two missing members, which included one Korean. On Thursday, an official from Seoul's foreign ministry confirmed the death of the missing Korean. "The ministry, along with our diplomatic mission there, the Korea Coast Guard and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, has been in communication with the families (of the victims) since the incident," he said. The ministry will respect the wishes of the bereaved families and provide the necessary support for repatriating the bodies back home or carrying out the funeral procedures in Japan, he added. Japan's Kyodo news agency, citing Japan's coast guard officials, also reported that one of the two missing crew members was found Thursday, though it said details of the member's condition remain unknown. The crew member confirmed alive is from Indonesia and reportedly in stable condition. The tanker, carrying 980 tons of acrylic acid, apparently departed from the Japanese port of Himeji on Monday and was en route to Korea's southeastern port of Ulsan but was anchoring near Mutsure Island due to high waves and strong winds. The vessel made a distress call to the Japanese Coast Guard at around 7 a.m. on Wednesday, reporting it was tilting before capsizing at around 8 a.m. No leak of chemicals has been detected. Korea's foreign ministry on Wednesday said it set up a task force to check for progress in the search and rescue operations in the area. (Yonhap) Australia's Defence Department has backflipped on a call to strip medals from a veteran, labelling the move an 'incorrect decision'. Tod Sheaves was among several crew members who received the Australian Active Service Medal (AASM) in 2013 for providing humanitarian aid and arms transportation, in East Timor throughout 2000 on board the HMAS Maroona. The naval ship was part of a deployment of Australian troops in 2000 that toured the country, now known as Timor Leste, to provide military support after violence and civil unrest broke out. Tod Sheaves (pictured) who served on the HMAS Maroona in Timor Leste was told he had to return his AASM after a tribunal ordered veterans who served on the ship to give the medals back Mr Sheaves was among veterans who served on the deployment who had proudly worn the medals for more than a decade. However, the Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal, made a decision recently to strip the crew members of the award. The medals were ordered to be returned because they were technically 'not force assigned to the original task group or operation' because they had been brought in on 'short notice'. The crew members who had their medals stripped were informed in a letter they should not wear 'the medal, the associated ribbon and the return from service badge' until Mr Marles ruled on the matter. Veterans and members of the defence community slammed the 'reprehensible' decision, on the verge of Anzac Day commemorations and called on the Defence Minister, Richard Marles, for an immediate response. Now, in a stunning backflip the Department of Defence has revoked the decision made by the tribunal. 'The Minister for Defence Personnel is aware of the Tribunal's recommendation and has not agreed to it,' a Defence spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia said. 'A letter was sent by Defence to an affected veteran providing incorrect information.' Mr Sheaves told Ben Fordham on the 2GB on Thursday he was grateful the decision has been reversed. He said the move to strip the medals from troops who served on the deployment was disrespectful to veterans. 'It's a bit of a slap in the face for veterans who did get the medal,' he said. More than 200 troops who served on the HMAS Manoora are still waiting to receive their AASM. Phillip Thompson, the Shadow Assistant Minister for Defence, told the program the government took too long to resolve the issue after he brought the matter was brought to their attention. 'It should not take myself giving them a kick in parliament for them to do the right thing, it's disgraceful,' he said. Mr Sheaves (pictured) praised the decision to revoke the initial move made to have the award returned after the government said the 'incorrect decision' has been made previously The tribunal's decision to deny the other crew members were to 'protect the integrity of the defence honours and awards system'. The decision comes as family and friends of diggers who have taken their own lives, tell their heartbreaking stories to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. The Commission which began on July 8, 2021 has been taking submissions and hearings into the matter, with the final submission to be handed down on September 9 2024. An interim report which was released in August 2022 made 13 recommendations. 'The prevalence of suicide and suicidality among serving and ex-serving Australian Defence Force members is something that should concern us all,' the interim report reads. 'Each death by suicide, each life lost, has profound effects on family, friends, colleagues and the wider community.' Daily Mail Australia has contacted Mr Marles's office for comment. Kate Middleton has been working from home on an early years project hailed as her 'life's work' while recovering from abdominal surgery. The Princess of Wales, 42, launched the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood's (RFCEC) Shaping Us project in January last year, aiming to highlight the importance of early years development in children. Kensington Palace has confirmed Kate is continuing to work on the project as she recovers at home; the Centre has funded a trial of a baby observation tool for health visitors to monitor social and emotional development in youngsters. The Princess personally suggested the tool could be used in Britain after seeing a similar system during a royal visit to Denmark, according to reports - meaning she is very invested in the trial and its results, due to be published today. The news she is being kept informed suggests she could be preparing to return to work as planned; Kensington Palace has maintained since January she is 'unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter'. Catherine, Princess of Wales, attending a Shaping Us event with the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood in November last year. The project is said to be her 'life's work' The Princess was last seen on Royal duties in December as she attended the Christmas morning service at Sandringham Church alongside the rest of the Royal Family William and Kate at the launch of the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood's Shaping Us campaign in January 2023 The project was launched with a claymation film (above) that highlighted the importance of early years development in young children William made reference to Kate's passion for early years development during a visit to Sheffield on Tuesday (above), noting that she should be 'sat here' for the discussions 'The Princess has been kept updated throughout the process,' a spokesperson for Kensington Palace told the Telegraph of the Royal Foundation project. The comment is the first the palace has made on Kate's early years work since she underwent planned abdominal surgery at the start of 2024. Today, the RFCEC is expected to publish the results of a study conducted in two NHS trusts that have piloted the early years development tool. READ MORE: Did hospital at the centre of Kate medical records scandal wait a week to report 'hack'? Advertisement It had asked health visitors to use a type of monitoring aid known as the Alarm Distress Baby Scale, which logs indicators such as eye contact, facial expressions and activity levels to help experts understand how babies express themselves. Those who have used it have reportedly expressed enthusiasm and support for the way in which it helps them to understand babies' behaviour and development. According to the the Princess's Foundation, the vast majority of Denmark's municipalities are trained in using the Alarm Distress Baby Scale - at least 82 out of 98 - so any signs of development issues can be identified early and acted on. Launching the campaign in January 2023, Kate said: 'The campaign is fundamentally about shining a spotlight on the critical importance of early childhood and how it shapes the adults we become. 'During this time we lay the foundations and building blocks for life. And it is when we learn to understand ourselves, understand others and understand the world in which we live. 'This is why it is essential to not only understand the unique importance of our earliest years, but to know what we can all do to help raise future generations of happy, healthy adults.' Its glittery inaugural event was attended by an army of celebrity supporters including Rochelle Humes, Professor Green, Fearne Cotton and England women's captain Leah Williamson. William made a sweet reference to his wife's passion project as he visited a housing project in Sheffield on Tuesday - noting that she should be 'sat here' for the discussions as they turned to childcare. Holding his palms out and smiling, he said: 'Venturing into my wife's territory here. She needs to be sat here to hear this.' William continued carrying out frontline Royal duties yesterday as he visited the Welsh Guards' barracks in Windsor to hear about rehabilitation projects for soldiers who have returned from active service. The Queen represented the monarch during a public engagement to the Isle of Man on Wednesday, and the King was pictured leaving his London residence days after Russian media reported a fake statement claiming he had died. Kate made several visits to childcare projects around the country last year - pictured here at the Windsor Family Hub in June last year The Princess at Sebby's Corner, a family poverty charity in north London, last November; the charity is a beneficiary of the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood The Prince of Wales continued carrying out Royal duties with a visit to the Welsh Guards' barracks in Windsor on Wednesday The Queen represented the monarch on a visit to the Isle of Man, where she presented letters conferring city status on the Borough of Douglas on the island King Charles was pictured leaving Clarence House on Wednesday - days after Russian media reported a fake statement claiming he had died The news that Kate continues to be updated on her project comes after she took a step back from public-facing duties, including those relating to the Foundation, after undergoing planned surgery for a non-cancerous condition in January. The Princess has spent most of the year to date out of the public eye after her last engagement attending the Christmas Day service at Sandringham Church with the rest of the Royal Family. She has only recently been seen in public - save for a handful of paparazzi photographs - at the Windsor Farm shop as of last weekend, walking cheerily alongside William through the car park. Neighbours say the couple have been there often in recent weeks as Kate's recovery continues - but her absence from public life, coupled with the recent scandal over her manipulated Mother's Day photo, have fuelled cruel conspiracy theories. And confirmation that she continues to carry out work behind the scenes comes as an investigation is launched into claims Kate's medical records were accessed by staff at the London Clinic, where she underwent surgery in January. Three staff have reportedly been suspended in connection with the alleged attempt to gain unauthorised access to the Princess' private information. Yesterday, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's official spokesperson urged the British public to 'get behind' her as she continues to recuperate. London has become the most anti-Semitic city in the West thanks to a mix of the 'radical Left and Islamic extremism', a top Israeli official has declared. Israel's diaspora minister Amichai Chikli, a notoriously hardline member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party, said earlier this week the capital was no longer a safe place for Jews because of the erosion of free speech in Britain. 'The anti-Semitism we see today in the West is the worst since the 1930s because of... the combination of the radical Left and the radical Islam groups that work together,' he told journalists at a Europe Israel Press Association conference in Jerusalem. 'This isn't just a problem for the Jews but for the British people, when even the statue of Churchill needs its own security. Today in the UK, Jews are hiding their yarmulkes and their (stars of David). They know that if they speak Hebrew on the subway they might get hit.' Chikli, who has developed a reputation for taking harsh stances against any criticism of Israel, went on to warn British officials of the dangers of radicalisation and suggested that immigration must be monitored more closely to prevent extremists from entering the UK. 'If you think that anyone who is coming now from Algeria or Iraq or Syria can be part of Western liberal society just by crossing the border you need to understand that it is not that simple... 'What is happening in the mosques? In the schools? In the UK you have a very large Muslim population most of them have nothing to do with this but a few people are being radicalised and that is going to have serious consequences.' Pro-Palestine activists stage a mass sit down protest in Liverpool street station Men wearing balaclavas and Hamas headscarves are seen at a pro-Palestine protest in London Groups supporting Palestine protest at Israel's retaliation to Hamas attacks across the UK The words 'From the river to the sea' are beamed onto Big Ben during a Commons debate last month in which MPs warned threats from 'Islamist extremists' were stifling democracy Israel Minister of Diaspora Affairs Amichai Chikli As part of Netanyahu's far-right government, Chikli is ruthlessly opposed to any criticism of Israel's actions in Palestine. Last month he slammed British Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron, comparing his suggestion that the UK could recognise Palestinian statehood to Neville Chamberlain's appeasement of Hitler prior to the outbreak of World War II. And just this week he declared Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez an anti-Semite after the politician voiced 'genuine doubts' over whether the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) were complying with international law amid their brutal assaults in Gaza. Chikli has even slammed Israel's chief ally, the United States, after the Biden administration began pushing for a ceasefire in Gaza, describing any attempt to negotiate with Hamas a 'reprehensible step'. 'Calling for a ceasefire now, which would ensure the survival of the Hamas terror organisation, as well as the absurd idea of recognising a Palestinian state as an outcome of October 7, is a strategic folly and, above all, an ethically reprehensible step,' he declared. It comes as the US circulated a draft UN Security Council resolution calling for an 'immediate ceasefire linked to the release of hostages' in the Gaza Strip - a significant signal of Washington's official shift in attitude toward the war. Washington has vetoed previous UN Security Council votes in favour of a ceasefire, objecting as recently as in February to the use of the term 'immediate' in a draft submitted by Algeria. 'We have a resolution that we put forward right now that's before the United Nations Security Council that does call for an immediate ceasefire tied to the release of hostages, and we hope very much that countries will support that,' US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told media in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday. 'I think that would send a strong message, a strong signal.' Blinken travelled to the region yesterday for his sixth diplomatic visit since the October 7 attacks as Washington attempts to broker a temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, with help from Egyptian and Qatari mediators. In an interview with the Al-Hadath network in Saudi Arabia, Blinken said the mediators worked with Israel to put a 'strong proposal' on the table. He said Hamas rejected it, but came back with other demands that the mediators are working on. 'The gaps are narrowing, and I think an agreement is very much possible,' Blinken said. But Israel remains determined to launch a ground offensive against Hamas in Rafah, Gaza's southernmost city, a plan that has raised global alarm because of the potential for harm to the hundreds of thousands of civilians sheltering there. One sign seen at the rally accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of being the 'mastermind' behind 'all evils' Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a joint press conference with the German Chancellor after their meeting in Jerusalem on March 17, 2024 Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (R) meets with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Jeddah, on March 20, 2024 An Israeli armoured vehicle drives on a road following a raid at the Nur Shams camp for Palestinian refugees near Tulkarm on March 21, 2024, amid a surge of violence in the Israel-occupied West Bank while battles continue between Israel and Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip Palestinian Muhammad al-Durra, whose house was destroyed in the Israeli attack and who lost his wife, breaks his fast on the floor he prepares with his children in the wrecked house, in Rafah city of Gaza on March 20, 2024 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel can't achieve its goal of 'total victory' against Hamas without going into Rafah. Israel has approved military plans for its offensive. But with some 1.3 million Palestinians jammed into the city, Israel's allies, including the US, have demanded greater care for civilians in its anticipated incursion. Most of those Palestinians have been displaced by fighting in other parts of Gaza and are living in densely packed tent camps, overflowing UN-run shelters or packed apartments. At least 31,819 Palestinians have been killed, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which doesn't differentiate between civilians and combatants in its count but says women and children make up two-thirds of the dead. A United Nations food agency warned that 'famine is imminent' in northern Gaza. Palestinian militants killed some 1,200 people in the surprise October 7 attack out of Gaza that triggered the war, and abducted another 250 people. Hamas is still believed to be holding some 100 people hostage, as well as the remains of 30 others. An abattoir worker who silenced his village's church bells after 150 years with a noise complaint says he has been receiving threats of violence on Facebook. The Devonshire community has been left furious after the council spent 2,000 silencing the chimes, which sounded every quarter-hour through the day and the night. They have now been limited to just one toll every 15 minutes during the day. The complainant - who works in an abattoir and lives 30 meters away from the historic church - says he has lived within five miles of Witheridge all his life but could not take the noise any longer. A bell ringer himself, he moved into his rented home four years ago when the bells' mechanism was broken, and claims not to have known about his noisy neighbour before it was fixed. He now says he has recieved threats of violence because of his complaint - with most of the villiage mourning the loss of the quarter-hour chimes. 'When we moved here, we didn't know they rang every 15 minutes. I tried to put up with it for six months. Come December, I couldn't take it any more. I phoned the vicar,' the abattoir worker, who did not want to be named, told The Times. The Devonshire community has been left furious after the council spent 2,000 silencing the chimes, which sounded every quarter-hour through the day and the night. Pictured: St John the Baptist Church, Witheridge The complainant - who works in an abattoir and lives 30 meters away from the historic church - says he has lived within five miles of Witheridge (pictured) all his life but could not take the noise any longer 'If he had been slightly different, my actions would have been slightly different. His exact words were: 'You'll get used to it.' That meant: f*** you.' The complainant says that he asked the parish council to limit the noise from the bell tower - but said he did not mind the chimes being hourly through the night. He even offered to 'put money in' to solve the problem and change the mechanism - at a cost of 3,000, which he was happy to pay entirely. But he decided to raise the issue higher when they deemed it not to be a nuisance. His fury only grew whem he found they had not recorded his offer to pay for the new mechanism. He continued: ''So I thought, I'm going to make it a nuisance. I phoned environmental [health at North Devon district council] the next morning.' The man also claimed that he was not the only neighbour who had complained. In a statement, the vicar told The Times that he thought the decision to fit a silencer to the bell was a 'good compromise' and that it is 'lovely' to have the bells sounding again. Residents set up a Change.org petition, which has since garnered a total of 395 signatures. A bell ringer himself, he moved into his rented home four years ago when the bells' mechanism was broken, and claims not to have known about his noisy neighbour before it was fixed The complainant says that he asked the parish council to limit the noise from the bell tower - but said he did not mind the chimes being hourly through the night A spokesman for North Devon Council, which issued the noise abatement notice, said it had decided that the noise was 'likely to wake or disturb the sleep of the complainant'. READ MORE: Dramatic moment massive chunk of famous Devon cliff collapses and crashes onto the beach below - as walkers are told to stay away Advertisement Witheridge parish has now installed a 2,000 silencer on the clock, which means the bells are restricted to chime every 15 minutes between 7am and 11pm. Jacky Harvey, chairman of Witheridge Parish Council, said: 'We were served an abatement notice and there was no way we could appeal, so it was just a question of closing the clock down. 'It was announced in church and people were furious that the clock had to be stopped - it's like taking away an icon. 'We are using Parish Council money which we could use on other things which is a problem. 'It's rate-payers money and we're really very upset about it.' Jan Spier, a 78-year-old retired resident, who has lived in the village for 20 years said the money was unnecessary. 'What concerns me is the Parish Council have paid 2,000, which has to come from somewhere,' she said. A notice was served by the council, and the bells stopped on January 5, locals said, leaving the vicar 'disappointed' 'If they're using money to pay for the silencer, that's 2,000 less that will be spent on the village. It amazes me that it was allowed to happen. 'If you don't like the bells, buy yourself some earmuffs. I think the whole thing is absolutely pointless. 'The church has always been the centre of village life - it's reassuring to hear it when you're out walking, or if you wake up in the night it's nice to hear them. 'It's a tradition that's been going on since the church was built, it's absolutely beyond comprehension that anyone could complain about that.' A notice was served by the council, and the bells stopped on January 5, locals said, leaving the vicar 'disappointed'. David Gale, a 75-year-old retired musician, physicist and resident of Witheridge, started the petition to prevent the bells being silenced. He added: 'We've been able to hear it chime in the dead of night - it's fantastic and atmospheric. 'Loads of residents speak about being awake in the night and hearing the comforting sound of the bell. John Hariris 82, and Gail Rose-Harris, 80 outside St John the Baptist Church, Witheridge 'If somebody lived near Big Ben and they decided they didn't like the noise, they wouldn't be able to do anything about it. 'It's just the unfairness of one person controlling what the rest of the whole village has been used to for years - the clock has been ticking away.' John Harris, the 82-year-old organist at St John the Baptist Church in Witheridge, said: 'The bells are a lovely chime, a typical clock sound with a beautiful ring just like an ordinary clock. 'They were cheerful with a lovely tone. To my mind the whole thing was stupid.' Vicar Reverend Adrian Wells said: 'The clock's original purpose was to call people in from their work in the fields, so I accept it is probably quite loud. 'It is lovely to have the chimes and bells back during the day, the clock is a real focal point for the village. It is so nice to have them ringing again.' The silencer was installed by the Cumbria Clock Company, the same company which restored Big Ben recently. Managing director Keith Scobie-Youngs, 60, fitted the silencer on Friday. He said: 'The problem is, it's all about noise abatement. 'I've been a clockmaker all my life specialising in church and public clocks and I feel that that should be allowed to strike through the night like they have for over 100 years. 'It's a shame, I'm hoping the rules change, so that clocks that have been there for a long time can continue to strike and chime.' A spokesperson for North Devon Council, said: 'The noise level from the clock bell was assessed by qualified and experienced officers of our environmental protection team. 'They considered the loudness, the frequency and duration of the noise. It was considered that the chime every 15 minutes was likely to wake or disturb the sleep of the complainant and other residents nearby. 'The level was such that is was determined that it was a 'Statutory Nuisance under Section 79(g) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. 'In line with the legislation we served a 'minded to notification' on the persons responsible - in this case the parish council - which gave them seven days to contact us and discuss how this could be resolved without the need for a notice. 'However there was no contact and therefore a notice was served in line with the requirements of the Act. 'The Abatement order requires the chimes from the clock to cease between 2300 and 0700. This notice included the appeal provisions that gave the recipient 21 days to appeal if they believed there were grounds to do so. 'The council has been contacted by other residents expressing disappointment at the silencing of the clock bells. However, most of these were not in close proximity to the bells and unlikely to be significantly impacted by the noise.' A migrant was stabbed in an attack by two men on a beach in France before he boarded an inflatable dinghy to successfully cross the English Channel. The victim was among a group being escorted into Dover on a Border Force vessel yesterday, before he was transferred to a lifeboat which brought him to shore. The man was then taken to hospital in an ambulance for treatment for his injuries which were described as non-life threatening, and he has since been discharged. He told Kent Police officers that he had been 'assaulted on a beach near Calais by two men who then stayed in France while he made the crossing to the UK'. The man had been on one of eight dinghies that made it to UK shores transporting more than 400 migrants on one of the busiest days of crossings so far this year. No arrests have yet been made over the stabbing, with detectives saying they are passing details of what happened to French authorities for further investigation. A group of migrants are brought into the Port of Dover on a Border Force vessel yesterday A Border Force vessel brings a group of migrants into the Port of Dover in Kent yesterday A Kent Police spokesman said: 'At 12.52pm on Wednesday March 20, Kent Police received a report of a man with injuries consistent with stab wounds, following the arrival of a small boat at Dover Western Docks. 'The man was taken to a local hospital for treatment and has since been discharged. READ MORE Moment overloaded boat carrying dozens of UK-bound migrants including babies motors away from French coastguard and into shipping lane off Calais - as RNLI and British Border Forces join rescue bid Advertisement 'He has reported that he was assaulted on a beach near Calais by two men who then stayed in France while he made the crossing to the UK. Details of the incident are being passed to authorities in France for further investigation.' Dozens of migrants attempted the crossing of the 21-mile wide Dover Strait yesterday in calm conditions, with many arriving in the early morning mist. Among the boats seen yesterday was a heavily-overloaded migrant dinghy which was witnessed motoring away from a French rescue vessel in a bid to reach Britain. Officials have previously described how migrants will refuse help from French authorities because they are aiming to cross the Channel's 'median line' into British territorial waters. Only then will they accept help, knowing they will be brought into Dover by the UK Border Force or the RNLI. The dinghy - which was carrying at least 50 people, thought to include some young children - seemed to be struggling despite calm conditions but the pilot moved it away from a French rescue launch. The UK Coastguard confirmed a rescue operation took place in the Channel yesterday morning, with two RNLI lifeboats and Border Force catamarans Hurricane and Defender dispatched. One of the many boats attempting the make the crossing yesterday was packed with migrants The latest arrivals come after 61 people were intercepted in a single dinghy on Tuesday as people smugglers took advantage of a narrow window in the weather. READ MORE Dozens of migrants are brought to shore by Border Force in Dover after an overloaded boat was seen motoring away from the French coastguard off Calais Advertisement French police also stormed a beach near Calais in the early hours on Tuesday preventing 60 people from attempting the crossing in a number of inflatables. They also seized canisters of fuel and an outboard engine. Official UK government figures show 3,468 migrants have crossed the Channel in 73 dinghies so far this year an average of 48 people per boat. This month's total stands at 1,213 migrants in 25 boats. Neither dataset includes yesterday's arrivals, which are yet to be confirmed. Last year saw 29,437 migrants make the crossing which was a significant fall on 2022 when 45,755 people reached the UK. At least 75 migrants have died in the Channel since the crisis began five years ago. Most recently, a seven-year-old girl drowned at the start of this month in a French inland waterway while heading for the Channel. A group of migrants are seen being brought ashore yesterday after arriving at Dover It comes as ministers are under fresh pressure to chart a course forward for the Government's troubled Rwanda Bill as a parliamentary stand-off over the legislation persists. READ MORE Asylum seekers on vessel that motored away from French coastguard and veered into shipping lane off Calais 'are brought ashore in UK' after RNLI dispatched two lifeboats Advertisement The plan to send some asylum seekers on a one-way ticket to Kigali was dealt another setback when peers inflicted a further series of defeats to the draft law yesterday. MPs rejected a raft of changes made to the draft legislation by the House of Lords earlier this week and ministers urged the unelected chamber to help get it on to the statute books. But peers have again pressed their demands for revisions to the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill, including overturning the bid to oust the courts from the process. James Cleverly sought to blame Labour for the latest setback, claiming the Opposition 'and their allies' were seeking to thwart its passage. The Home Secretary said: 'While Labour and their allies try anything to delay, disrupt or destroy that plan, people are risking their lives in the hands of people who don't care if they die as long as they pay. 'The talking needs to end so we can get on with the job of saving lives and stopping the boats.' One of the rescues yesterday saw Border Force bring 60 migrants into the Port of Dover A Border Force vessel carrying dozens of migrants arrives in Dover yesterday morning But his opposite number Yvette Cooper said the Tories would be bringing the Bill back next week to 'get on with it' if they were serious about implementing their plan. READ MORE Britain's FBI arrest six in raids on people smuggling gang after 100 migrants were found in lorry trailers coming through Dover into UK Advertisement 'The half a billion pound Rwanda scheme is a failing farce, which will only cover less than 1 per cent of asylum arrivals,' she said. 'It is clearer than ever that Rishi Sunak knows this plan won't work and only sees it as a political gimmick to get what the former immigration minister described as 'symbolic flights off just before an election'. 'If the Conservatives were ready to implement this, they would be bringing the Bill back to complete the remaining stages next week and get on with it. 'But because their plans aren't ready, they've decided to delay the Bill as well, so they can try to blame everyone else for the chaos they have created, and the fact that they haven't got a proper plan.' The latest setbacks means a continuation of the Westminster stand-off known as parliamentary 'ping pong', where the Houses bat one another's proposed changes to draft legislation back and forth. Boats used by migrants are lifted on to the quayside at the Port of Dover in Kent yesterday A RNLI lifeboat carrying a group of migrants arrives at the Port of Dover in Kent yesterday As such there is little chance of the Bill clearing Parliament before MPs leave Westminster for the Easter break next Tuesday. The Bill and a treaty with Rwanda are intended to prevent further legal challenges to the stalled asylum 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. But the Lords has again insisted on an amendment to restore the jurisdiction of domestic courts in relation to the safety of Rwanda and enable them to intervene. Peers also renewed their demand for the Bill to have 'due regard' for domestic and international law and that Rwanda can only be declared safe when the protections in the treaty are fully implemented and while they remain in place. Other changes included moves to reduce the risk of unaccompanied children being sent to Rwanda and a block on the removal of victims of modern slavery and human trafficking, as well as those who worked with the UK military or government overseas, such as Afghan interpreters. A Home Office spokesperson said: 'The unacceptable number of people who continue to cross the Channel demonstrates exactly why we must get flights to Rwanda off the ground as soon as possible. 'We continue to work closely with French police who are facing increasing violence and disruption on their beaches as they work tirelessly to prevent these dangerous, illegal and unnecessary journeys. 'We remain committed to building on the successes that saw arrivals drop by more than a third last year, including tougher legislation and agreements with international partners, in order to save lives and stop the boats.' Police have been accused of targeting JK Rowling in a parody by inventing a fictional trans-hating character called Jo who believes 'they all belong in the gas chambers' in a hate crime scenario. Police Scotland hosted an official crime event where those in attendance were given a scenario where 'Jo' was described as a gender-critical campaigner who believes people cannot change their sex. The 'youth engagement' event, held last month, was part of a series of events held for LGBT history month by the police force. The fictional character was also said to have a large social media following - and women's groups claimed 'Jo' was a not-so-subtle attempt to parody JK Rowling, who has 14 million followers on X. The Harry Potter author's name is Joanne, and is called Jo by her friends. She is well known for discussing gender issues online. Police have been accused of targeting JK Rowling in a parody by inventing a fictional trans-hating character called Jo who believes 'they all belong in the gas chambers' Police Scotland hosted an event where those in attendance were given a scenario where 'Jo' was described as a gender-critical campaigner who believes people cannot change their sex Ms Rowling has been targeted by activists who claim she could be prosecuted under the controversial new Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act which comes into force on April 1 (Pictured: Scottish Parliament building at Holyrood) On April 1, controversial new hate crime legislation in Scotland will begin to be enforced. Ahead of this, sessions were given to police officers in which those who express concern about male-born people using women's facilities were described as 'completely ludicrous', according to The Telegraph. The SNP's proposals to ban conversion therapy were presented as trying to 'achieve equal rights' and compared to the decriminalisation of being gay. The hate crime event was a part of these sessions - jointly organised by the Scottish LGBTI Police Association and the Time for Inclusive Education. 'Jo' was said to travel around universities to 'debate her beliefs about the LGBTI community', The Telegraph reported. The event also said she is a 'passionate' person who says things like there are only two genders and there are 'too many attention-seeking wannabes'. Similar views are aired on Rowling's social media accounts. She recently called Scotland's new hate crime laws 'ludicrous', as she vowed not to delete social media posts describing a transgender TV presenter as 'just a man'. The Harry Potter author was cleared of any wrongdoing by police in England earlier this month over an online post about broadcaster India Willoughby, who complained she had been 'misgendered'. But Ms Rowling has now been targeted by activists who claim she could be prosecuted under the controversial new Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act. On April 1, controversial new hate crime legislation in Scotland will begin to be enforced. Pictured is First Minister of Scotland Humza Yousaf The fictional character was also said to have a large social media following - and women's groups claimed 'Jo' was a not-so-subtle attempt to parody JK Rowling The author was cleared of any wrongdoing by police in England over an online post about broadcaster India Willoughby (pictured), who complained she had been 'misgendered' The 58-year-old wrote on X that she would not be taking down any of her posts about Ms Willoughby. She said: 'If you genuinely imagine I'd delete posts calling a man a man, so as not to be prosecuted under this ludicrous law, stand by for the mother of all April Fools' jokes.' The police event asked attendees whether a hate crime had been committed if Jo posted a video captioned 'they belong to the gas chambers'. They were also asked what action should be taken, and their opinions were noted down and 'fed back to decision-makers' at the police force. Marion Calder of the campaign group For Women Scotland told The Telegraph that the event was 'clearly trying to create a link with JK Rowling'. She added that it was 'deeply concerning' to see the character jump from 'reasonable' statements to the Holocaust, The Telegraph said. Ms Calder said that suggesting trans activists with a big social media presence endorse 'mass extinction' which is 'frankly bonkers'. Members of campaign group, Women Won't Wheesht, protest outside Scottish Government building St Andrews House in Edinburgh, to demand that no males are housed in women's prisons in Scotland. Pictured February 16, 2024 Gender recognition reform has become a fierce political debate in Scotland. (Pictured: A For Women Scotland protester in December) Supporters of For Women Scotland and the Scottish Feminist Network pictured protesting JK Rowling, who is outspoken on trans issues, donated 70,000 within hours of Scottish courts granting permission for an appeal to go ahead on the definition of a woman She continued that it sends a message to the police that 'perfectly sane women have been radicalised'. Ms Calder slammed the event as 'woke training sessions' which give officers a 'warped view' of hate crime issues. The campaigner also denounced the new hate crime legislation as 'ludicrous' and said she would continue 'accurately sexing' males who identify as women. Police Scotland told The Telegraph that stakeholders had helped with the formal training materials but didn't say who these were. One event by the Terrence Higgins Trust for Police Scotland, held on February 22, had a link to a video where trans model Munroe Bergdorf spoke about the debate over access to women's toilets. She dismissed the argument as 'completely ludicrous because you can't expect a girl to walk into the guys', The Telegraph reported. JK Rowling's representatives have been contacted for comment. A spokesperson for Police Scotland told MailOnline: 'Police Scotland marked LGBT+ history month by sharing content on our internal channels and hosting online events to recognise the contribution LGBT+ people have made to society, and the many challenges they have faced. 'These events were not mandatory for officers and staff and are not part of Police Scotland's training. 'Separately, our training package for the implementation of the hate crime legislation has been developed in close consultation with stakeholders, and is based on the Scottish Government's explanatory notes, to ensure officers are best prepared when they respond to hate crimes and incidents. 'Our training for the new Act reminds officers of their human rights obligations and it reflects all aspects of the new legislation, including the protection it includes around freedom of expression.' Rishi Sunak previously branded the SNP's new hate crime law a 'chilling' threat to freedom of speech. Rishi Sunak (pictured) previously branded the SNP's new hate crime law a 'chilling' threat to freedom of speech The legislation spearheaded by Humza Yousaf when he was Justice Secretary is set to come into force next month. Offences are considered aggravated if they involve prejudice on the basis of age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, transgender identity or variation in sex characteristics. The law creates new offences of 'stirring up hatred' which previously applied only to race and can be broken in private homes as well as in public, meaning that dinner party conversations could be criminalised. A No 10 spokesman said: 'I wouldn't want to comment or speculate about individual cases, but the Prime Minister himself believes in free speech. For example, he has been very clear on what the definition of a woman is, and that biological sex matters, and he doesn't believe that that should be controversial. 'For the Government's part, we would never and are not introducing any similar kind of legislation here in England. And we'd be very aware of the potential for chilling effects on free speech.' At the time the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill was passed in 2021, Mr Yousaf claimed that stating a belief would not cross the threshold for criminal behaviour but critics fear the law will lead to a surge in workload for an already overstretched police force. Police chiefs vowed to investigate 'every report' of a hate crime just days after effectively writing off probes into 24,000 minor offences a year as part of a more 'proportionate response'. Officers will be forced to look into complaints even if they are unlikely to meet the criteria for being criminal offences. They will be recorded as non-crime hate incidents, which Police Scotland noted on more than 5,500 occasions in less than a year. The Hate Monster was created by Police Scotland and launched last year but has only come to prominence this week after a bizarre advert featuring the flurry pink cartoon was shared In a post on its website, Police Scotland said men aged 18-30 from 'socially excluded communities' with 'ideas about white-male entitlement' are particularly likely to be perpetrators of hate crimes The Scottish Tories called it a 'pound shop version of a Sesame Street character' An online character created to back Humza Yousaf's controversial new hate crime laws called the 'Hate Monster' has attracted widespread ridicule after resurfacing online. The Hate Monster was created by Police Scotland and launched last year but has only come to prominence this week after a bizarre advert featuring the flurry pink cartoon was shared on social media. The footage is narrated by a man speaking in Glaswegian dialect, with the character seen 'growing' in response to anger before shrinking again. 'He loves it when you get angry, he'll make you want to have a go at somebody to show you're better than them,' the narrator says. 'It could be a neighbour, somebody on the street or in the chippy, your taxi driver even. Before you know it, you've committed a hate crime.' A 35,000 car has been 'written off' after its interior was splattered with gallons of white paint during a road accident. The video published on X shows the interior of the vehicle, believed to be a Toyota C-HR drenched in seven five-litre buckets of white paint. The now empty tubs lay in the backseat, having exploded their contents across the dashboard, wheel, seats, carpets, doors and roof when the car crashed into the back of a parked car in Essex. In an attempt to save the car it has been left with a top-end vehicle restorer, however experts are not confident that this level of damage can be fixed. You've seen the photos, so here's a video. Some of the paint has dried, but I'm pretty sure some of it never will. pic.twitter.com/GX3w6M2YOS LUDEN Automotive (@LUDENClassics) March 14, 2024 The video published on X shows the interior of the vehicle, believed to be a Toyota C-HR drenched in seven five-litre buckets of white paint It happened when the car crashed into the back of a parked vehicle in Essex The now empty tubs lay in the backseat, having exploded their contents across the car A spokesman for Luden Automotive in Upminster said: 'A lot of the paint has now dried but I am pretty sure some of it never will. It has left the interior looking like a sculpture' Howard Watts, who runs Britain's oldest garage, in Boxford, Suffolk said: 'It will almost certainly be scrapped. The cost of cleaning or replacing the interior would be more than the vehicle is worth' A spokesman for Luden Automotive in Upminster said: 'Someone did not have a good day. 'A lot of the paint has now dried but I am pretty sure some of it never will. It has left the interior looking like a sculpture.' Another classic car expert said that it is highly likely that the vehicle will be written off - because the cost of cleaning it could well exceed its value. Howard Watts, who runs Britain's oldest garage, in Boxford, Suffolk said: 'It will almost certainly be scrapped. 'The cost of cleaning or replacing the interior would be more than the vehicle is worth. 'The paint will have got everywhere - under the seats and carpets, into the roof lining, behind all the instruments and controls to replace that lot would cost thousands of pounds almost certainly more than the vehicle would be worth. 'And even if it is cleaned up and repaired it is still likely to need a completely new interior. It will also always be regarded as a vehicle that was damaged and repaired.' A pair of tradies were filmed ripping up a client's driveway after he allegedly refused to pay for their services. Damian Hallett, 37, and business partner Jamie Sommerville, 39, from Clare Concreting were seen arguing with a customer in Clare, a small town about 140km north of Adelaide. Three videos from the incident show Mr Hallett and Mr Sommerville using their bulldozer and power tools to destroy the driveway. Police were called to the scene as the customer pleaded for the pair to stop pulling up the concrete. Damian Hallett (right) and business partner Jamie Sommerville tore up a customer's driveway The tradies claim the customer refused to pay the full amount they were owed (pictured, Mr Hallett bulldozing the driveway) 'I'm ripping the whole f**king lot out,' Mr Hallett told him. 'It's not going to help anybody,' the homeowner replied. Mr Hallet shot back: 'It's not going to help me by leaving it here.' The two tradies claim the customer owed them $13,500 but only paid $10,000 and refused to pay the difference. 'I don't care, I'm pulling this out. At the end of the day you owe me $3,500. I'm pulling this out, you've had your chances,' Mr Hallett told the owner. The customer continued to argue so Mr Hallett told him: 'You said you're not going to pay me the money. If you're going to pay me the money I'll stop, if not I'm going to bulldoze now.' Another video showed a police officer asked Mr Hallet to stop bulldozing and 'be reasonable'. 'I've got messages to say a day ago you said you'll pay,' Mr Hallet told the client. The officer interrupted: 'Now we can go over here and talk about it.' Mr Hallett told him: 'You can go and talk to him, I'm done talking to him. Why do I need to talk to him?' Damian Hallett and Jamie Sommerville are pictured A third video showed the policeman eventually side with the tradies and tell the customer they needed to pay up. The clip started with the homeowner begging with Mr Hallett to stop destroying to pair's handiwork. 'Please, please - can I talk to you one second?,' he asked. 'Get the f**k away from my Bobcat, I'm digging the driveway up,' Mr Hallett told him. 'I've tried to bargain with you. If you're going to pay the money talk to me, if not f**k off. I don't care. I've never done this before in my life.' The police officer then caught on to the source of the argument and questioned how much the homeowner owed the tradie. When Mr Hallett told him, the officer said to the customer: 'Well then you need to pay him $3,500.' Mr Hallett later said he and Mr Sommerville 'don't condone' harsh interactions with customers but said they were pushed to their limit. Mr Hallett later said the customer paid the full cost of the driveway after a SA Police officer (pictured) arrived 'The main reason why it happened was he blatantly said to us he wasn't going to pay,' he told news.com.au. 'There were no quality issues. He said there was a discrepancy in the invoices, he wasn't sure what invoice was supposed to be paid when.' He added the pair are 'hard working Aussies' and thanked the policeman saying he was 'outstanding'. 'I couldn't believe it myself,' Mr Hallett said. In a follow-up post on Instagram, Mr Hallett wrote: 'In relation to this, we have been paid in full on the day. Thanks to South Australian police involvement.' A Georgia man convicted of the killing of his former girlfriend three decades ago requested cheeseburgers and chicken sandwiches for his last meal before his execution, it has been revealed. Willie James Pye, 59, was put to death with an injection of the sedative pentobarbital on Wednesday in the state's first execution in more than four years. Pye was sentenced to death for his conviction in the November 1993 abduction, rape and fatal shooting of his former girlfriend Alicia Lynn Yarbrough. For his final meal, Pye requested chicken sandwiches, cheeseburgers, lemon-lime soda, plain potato chips and french fries, FOX 5 Atlanta reported. His huge meal saw him order two of everything - except for the fries. The convicted murderer was pronounced dead Wednesday at 11.03pm at the state prison in Jackson. The Georgia Department of Corrections says he accepted a final prayer but 'did not record a final statement'. Willie James Pye, 59, received an injection of the sedative pentobarbital and was pronounced dead at 11:03 p.m. at the state prison in Jackson Pye's lawyers filed late appeals urging the US Supreme Court to step in, but the justices unanimously rejected to stop the execution. The defense team argued the state hadn't met necessary conditions for resuming executions after the COVID-19 pandemic and reiterated arguments that Pye was ineligible for execution because of an intellectual disability. State responses argued the claims had been previously settled by the courts and were without merit. Pye had been in an on-and-off romantic relationship with Yarbrough, but at the time she was killed, she was living with another man. He, Chester Adams and a 15-year-old had planned to rob that man and bought a handgun before heading to a party in a nearby town, prosecutors have said. The trio left the party around midnight and went to the house where Yarbrough lived, finding her alone with her baby. They forced their way into the house, stole a ring and necklace from Yarbrough, and forced her to go with them, leaving the baby alone, prosecutors said. The group drove to a motel, where they raped Yarbrough and then left the motel with her in the car, prosecutors said. They turned onto a dirt road and Pye ordered Yarbrough out of the car, made her lie face down and shot her three times, according to court filings. Yarbrough's body was found on Nov. 17, 1993, a few hours after she was killed. He is set to receive a lethal injection of the sedative pentobarbital at 7pm at the state prison in Jackson in what will be the state's first execution in more than four years Pye, Adams and the teenager were quickly arrested. Pye and Adams denied knowing anything about Yarbrough's death, but the teenager confessed and implicated the other two. The teenager reached a plea agreement with prosecutors and was the main witness at Pye's trial. A jury in June 1996 found Pye guilty of murder, kidnapping, armed robbery, rape and burglary, and sentenced him to death. Pye's lawyers had argued in court filings that prosecutors relied heavily on the teenager's testimony but that he later gave inconsistent statements. Such statements, as well as Pye's testimony during trial, indicate that Yarbrough left the home willingly and went to the motel to trade sex for drugs, the lawyers said in court filings. Lawyers representing Pye also wrote in previous court filings that their client was raised in extreme poverty in a home without indoor plumbing or enough food or clothing. His childhood was characterized by neglect and abuse by family members who were often drunk, his lawyers wrote. Pye's lawyers also argued that he suffered from frontal lobe brain damage, potentially caused by fetal alcohol syndrome, which harmed his planning ability and impulse control. Pye's lawyers had filed an eleventh hour request for clemency, arguing that the 1996 trial was 'a shocking relic of the past' and that the inmate was intellectually disabled. Pictured: Pye in 2001 Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison in Jackson, Georgia, where Pye was executed His lawyers had long argued in courts that he should be resentenced because his trial lawyer didn't adequately prepare for the sentencing phase of his trial. Pye's legal team argued that the original trial attorney failed to sufficiently investigate his 'life, background, physical and psychiatric health' to present mitigating evidence to the jury during sentencing. A federal judge rejected those claims, but a three-judge panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals agreed with Pye's lawyers in April 2021. Then the case was reheard by the full federal appeals court, which overturned the panel ruling in October 2022. Pye's co-defendant Adams, now 55, pleaded guilty in April 1997 to charges of malice murder, kidnapping with bodily injury, armed robbery, rape and aggravated sodomy. He got five consecutive life prison sentences and remains behind bars. Capital punishment has been abolished in 23 US states, while the governors of six others - Arizona, California, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Tennessee -- have put a hold on its use. There were 24 executions in the United States in 2023, all of them carried out by lethal injection. Medical records are 'easily available' to doctors and nurses at the prestigious hospital where a member of staff allegedly tried to look up details about the Princess of Wales, a Care Quality Commission report revealed. But CQC inspectors concluded that patient records were 'stored securely' at the London Clinic where the Princess underwent her planned abdominal surgery and stayed for 13 days in January. Their report also praised staff for treating patients with 'compassion and dignity' and respecting their 'privacy and dignity'. It revealed that the unannounced inspection was carried out in June 2021 after the CQC 'received information that gave us concerns about the safety and quality of services.' The report added: 'Those concerns arose from several never events and serious incidents and numerous whistle-blowers around staffing and culture.' It comes as three London Clinic workers who are under investigation by management over claims they tried to access Kate's private medical records are believed to have been suspended. Prince William and Kate open the Royal Liverpool University Hospital on January 12, 2023 The London Clinic private hospital in Marylebone is pictured yesterday as the probe continues The private hospital in Marylebone was given an overall rating of 'good' in the CQC report, but it found that leadership and governance required improvement. It was reported this week that a staff member had attempted to access the medical records of the Princess in what was said by an insider to be 'a breach of trust and ethics'. Hospital bosses have refused to confirm when they were first made aware of the allegation, whether anyone had been suspended, or whether any private information was accessed. Details about the hospital's approach to the management of medical reports emerged in the CQC report when it was published in September 2021. The report said: 'Staff kept detailed records of patients' care and treatment. Records were clear, up-to-date, stored securely and easily available to all staff providing care. 'Patient's records were held in paper format and also electronically. Paper based records were stored securely in clocked cupboards at the nurses' stations. Staff could access patient records easily. 'We reviewed eight patient records across inpatient surgical wards and the pre-assessment unit. Patient records were detailed and staff had signed and dated all entries. The CQC report in June 2021 said medical records are 'easily available' to doctors and nurses at the London Clinic, although inspectors concluded that these were 'stored securely' It revealed that the unannounced inspection was carried out in June 2021 after the CQC 'received information that gave us concerns about the safety and quality of services' 'All inpatient records had care plans which identified all their care needs. Care plans had been reviewed when required.' The CQC report gave the hospital a 'good' rating for its services being safe, effective, caring and responsive to peoples' needs, but in answer to the question, 'Are services well led?', it concluded: 'Requires improvement'. The problems highlighted included 'an inconsistent approach to managing patient safety incidents' and learning from them not always being 'used to improve patient care'. There was also criticism about some policies being out of date with 'ineffective systems to review them', and of a failure to have 'strong systems for monitoring the outcome of care and treatment'. The report added: 'Some of the local audit results including controlled drug compliance audits, care bundle audit and consents audits were consistently below the provider's target for the period reviewed. 'The service did not investigate complaints fully and lessons learned were not always shared with staff. Leaders did not always have the skills and abilities to run the service. The London Clinic private hospital is pictured yesterday as the investigation is carried out Al Russell, chief executive of The London Clinic, said the allegations are being investigated 'The service did not always operate effective governance processes. Staff at all levels were unclear about their roles and accountabilities but did have opportunities to meet, discuss the performance of the service. 'Leaders and teams used systems to manage performance. However, risks were not always identified and escalated appropriately. 'The service collected data and analysed it. However, staff could not always find the data they needed, in easily accessible formats to understand performance, make decisions and improvements'. The highlighted problems led to the CQC submitting a Warning Notice to the hospital under section 29 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 requiring it to show how it was making governance improvements and meet its legal obligations. But the report also praised the hospital in other respects, saying: 'Staff treated patients with compassion and kindness, respected their privacy and dignity, and took account of their individual needs. 'Staff were discreet and responsive when caring for patients. Staff took time to interact with patients and those close to them in a respectful and considerate way.' It added: 'Staff had training in key skills and understood how to protect patients from abuse. The service controlled infection risks well. Staff assessed risks to patients, acted on them and kept good care records. March 19: Prince William attends a Homewards Sheffield Local Coalition meeting on Tuesday March 11: Prince William and Kate are seen leaving Windsor together as they are driven in a car 'Staff gave patients enough to eat and drink and gave them pain relief when they needed it. Staff worked well together for the benefit of patients, advised them on how to lead healthier lives, supported them to make decisions about their care, and had access to good information. Key services were available seven days a week. 'Staff treated patients with compassion and kindness, respected their privacy and dignity, took account of their individual needs, and helped them understand their conditions. 'They provided emotional support to patients, families and carers. The service planned care to meet the needs of local people and took account of patients' individual needs. 'People could access the service when they needed it and did not have to wait too long for treatment. Some staff felt respected, supported and valued. They were focused on the needs of patients receiving care. 'Leaders and staff actively and openly engaged with patients, staff, equality groups, the public and local organisations to plan and manage services. They collaborated with partner organisations to help improve services for patients.' The report praised cleanliness procedures at the hospital, but highlighted seven incidents between January and June 2021 when women patients arrived at the theatres without having had valid pregnancy tests. March 10: Kensington Palace released the first picture of Kate since her abdominal surgery December 25, 2023: Kate was last seen with her family attending church at Sandringham It also revealed the hospital was 'highly dependent' on agency staff, but said they were all made aware of procedures prior to shifts. Anonymous staff members complained there was 'a cultural problem' where some felt 'their voices were silenced or unheard when raising concerns to senior managers'. Others believed 'there was a strong culture of fear amongst junior members of staff'. A follow up CQC visit to the hospital in November 2021 found 'improvements had been made in the majority of areas noted within the warning notice'. But it added that inspectors still had 'concerns relating to the handling of complaints'. Health minister Maria Caulfield revealed yesterday that police had been asked to look into allegations about a staff member attempting to access records for the Princess. The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has already confirmed that it is looking into an alleged breach. The London Clinic's chief executive Al Russell said in a statement: 'Everyone at The London Clinic is acutely aware of our individual, professional, ethical and legal duties with regards to patient confidentiality. 'We take enormous pride in the outstanding care and discretion we aim to deliver for all our patients that put their trust in us every day. 'We have systems in place to monitor management of patient information and, in the case of any breach, all appropriate investigatory, regulatory and disciplinary steps will be taken. 'There is no place at our hospital for those who intentionally breach the trust of any of our patients or colleagues.' Details of the Princess's medical condition have not been disclosed, but Kensington Palace previously said it was not cancer-related and that she wished for her personal medical information to remain private. Candidate registration opened Thursday for the April 10 general elections that could determine how the administration of President Yoon Suk Yeol will fare in the remaining three years in office. The ruling People Power Party (PPP) has called for voter support, saying the Yoon administration has been unable to push its agenda forward for the past two years in the face of the opposition-controlled National Assembly. The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) has urged voters to pass stern judgment on what it calls the "incompetent" administration, accusing it of causing the economy and the livelihoods of people to worsen seriously for the past two years. Up for grabs in the elections are 300 National Assembly seats, 254 of them directly contested seats and 46 proportional representation seats. Both the PPP and the DPK are vying to become the No. 1 party in the new National Assembly. In the previous elections four years ago, the DPK won a landslide victory by securing 180 seats. Candidate registration will last through Friday. Official campaigning is set to kick off on March 28, lasting for 13 days, with limited forms of electioneering permitted before the official campaign period begins. Overseas voting is scheduled from March 27 to April 1, while early voting will take place on April 5-6. Also drawing attention is how newly formed minor parties will fare, including the Korea Innovation Party led by disgraced former Justice Minister Cho Kuk, the New Reform Party led by former PPP leader Lee Jun-seok, and the New Future Party (Saemirae) led by former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon. (Yonhap) Dramatic footage has captured the moment Vladimir Putin used fighter jets to bomb his own territory in an attack on rebel fighters. The tyrant leader's armed forces struck Kozinka on Wednesday with glide bombs after it was taken over by rebel fighters who had vowed to 'take our land back from [Putin's] regime centimetre by centimetre'. It was the first time Moscow's armed forces have deliberately attacked a Russian border village in Belgorod - a region which has increasingly come under attack by pro-Ukrainian troops and incursions by Russian paramilitary partisans. Following the brutal FAB-500 glide bomb attack there is reportedly not a single intact house left in Kozinka - which before the war had a population of 1,132. Previously in the war, Putin's planes have bombed Russian territory due to misfiring, but in this case the act was pinpoint targeted. Footage shows for the first time the Russian armed forces deliberately bombing its own territory in a bid to halt an incursion by anti-Putin paramilitary fighters in Kozinka village, Belgorod region Huge clouds of dust and smoke could be seen in the aftermath of the strikes Putin's armed forced carried out the brutal attack using FAB-500 glide bombs Not a single house was left intact following the bombing of the village A local woman told Dozhd TV channel that Kozinka was 'practically destroyed' due to the Russian bombing. 'They dumped [the bombs] on residential buildings - and in most cases there are no houses.' The huge force of Putin's response was highlighted by Telegram channel BILD in Russian. 'This video shows massive Russian airstrikes on... Russia,' said analyst Julian Ropcke. 'Although forces hostile to the regime captured only one street in the small village of Kozinka in the Belgorod region, Putin responded with brutal force, such as numerous FAB-500 glide bombs from fighter-bombers.' Pro-Putin channel Two Majors said: 'Several groups of enemy infantry have already been destroyed. 'The fighting continues.' The strikes came days after the Russian armed forces denied the presence of enemy forces in Kozinka and other villages across the border from Ukraine. Pro-Putin governor of Belgorod region Vyacheslav Gladkov admitted the evacuation of civilians was underway but denied Ukrainian forces were on Russian territory. 'I can say there are no Ukrainian troops on the territory of the region, the battle is taking place outside its borders,' he claimed despite video evidence to the contrary. 'But our Kozinka suffered greatly, the destruction was very serious.' He claimed to have visited Kozinka and to have organised the evacuation of residents due to the cross-border attacks. The savage blitzing of the village reflects Putin's fury at the attacks on Belgorod regions by the Ukrainians and the partisan fighters. This week he ordered his military to respond by hitting civilian targets in Ukraine - which his armed forces have anyway done during the war - and demanded his FSB hunt down and kill anti-Putin partisan fighters wherever they area. Putin, 71, carried out the aerial bombing in the village, located in Belgorod - a region which is increasingly ravaged by Ukrainian attacks and incursions by Russian paramilitary partisans The village was left devastated after the savage bombing A Russian Volunteer Corps (RDK) fighter pictured in Kozinka during their ongoing assault into Belgorod Accusing his enemy of civilian strikes, he said: 'We can respond in the same way. '[We can hit] civilian infrastructure and all other objects of this kind that the enemy attacks.' Putin told FSB commanders: 'These traitors, I ask you, as this has always been the case in our history, not to forget who they are, to reveal them by name. 'We will punish them without a statute of limitations, wherever they are.' The Russian armed forces said: 'In the Belgorod direction, Russian units have completely cleared the settlement of Kozinka from the remnants of Ukrainian militants.' On March 12, rebels from the Russian Freedom Legion (RFL), Russian Volunteer Corps (RDK) and Siberian Battalion (SB) launched an unprecedented cross-border assault on their homeland. Fighters from the FRL, RDK and SB have joined forces to lead their attacks in the Russian border regions of both Belgorod and Kursk. They stated their goal was to disrupt Putin's sham elections last week and 'take our land back from [Putin's] regime centimetre by centimetre'. In a video shared online purporting to show clashes with Russian government forces, the SB said 'fierce fighting is going on the Russian Federation territory'. The group urged Russians not to vote in the upcoming presidential elections this week and said: 'We have said that it would not be possible to overthrow the criminal dictatorial regime in the Russian Federation peacefully. It can only be eliminated with weapons in our hands.' The FRL published another video message declaring: 'We do not come to kill, erase, destroy or punish. We come to set you free from misery, poverty and fear 'Give your children a normal civilised future without sanctions and repression Most importantly, without war.' Earlier this week, Gladkov announced an evacuation order to move 9,000 children away from areas closest to the Ukrainian border, where the paramilitaries have been active in shelling and cross-frontier forays. Later evacuees will be sent to the region of Stavropol, including the kids from the city of Belgorod that has been under sustained fire in recent days. The announcement came a day after the Russian president said the Kremlin wants to create a buffer zone to help protect border regions from long-range Ukrainian strikes and cross-border raids. But the evacuation order - one of the biggest publicly announced in the Belgorod region since the war began in February 2022 - was a stark admission that despite the continual display of the strength of his armed forces, Putin is unable to properly defend a Russian region. For days, the anti-kremlin groups have urged civilians to flee their homes ahead of what they called 'massive strikes'. It comes as Ukrainian capital Kyiv was attacked today, for the first time in 44 days. Ukrainian air defence forces shot down 'about three dozen enemy missiles, including ballistic missiles, over Kyiv and in the vicinity of the capital,' the city's military administration said on Telegram, adding that the raid had lasted three hours. It said 10 people were wounded, including an 11-year-old girl and a 38-year-old man, with two taken to hospital. Rocket fragments fell onto a kindergarten in the Sviatoshynskyi district of the capital, according to Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko, while an apartment building and a car caught fire in other areas of the city. The attack comes after Ukraine has continuously attacked Russia's Belgorod region near the border with Ukraine for several days. A local woman told Dozhd TV channel that Kozinka was 'practically destroyed' due to the Russian bombing An aerial view of Kozinka as it was targeted by Russian fighter bombers Since Wednesday, the region has come under 'massive strikes, including with the use of multiple rocket launcher systems,' Gladkov said on Telegram, referring to a border district targeted by air attacks and ground incursions by armed groups from Ukraine. Two people were killed there, and another man was killed in the regional capital, also called Belgorod, when shrapnel from a shelling attack hit his car, Gladkov said. Three people were wounded in a Ukrainian attack on Tuesday in the Belgorod region, Gladkov added, including a 14-year-old who had part of a limb amputated. His mother was also seriously hurt in the attack, he said. On Monday , four members of the same family died in an attack on the Belgorod village of Nikolskoe, according to Gladkov. A grandmother, mother, her partner and 17-year-old son were killed after a missile struck their house, he said. Kyiv has also escalated drone, rocket and artillery fire on the region over the last two weeks, in a wave of attacks launched in the lead-up to Russia's presidential elections. Pro-Ukrainian paramilitaries have also attempted armed raids across the border. Polling was suspended in Belgorod after it came under artillery fire, with clips circulated by Russian news channels on the Telegram messaging app showing trucks and cars blown to pieces by the shelling. Election officials were seen wearing bulletproof gear as they monitored voting on the first day of the three-day election that saw Putin crowned victorious. Partisan forces claimed 'more than 7,000 civilian vehicles of residents of Belgorod and the Belgorod region' heeded their call to evacuate. In Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin has vowed to restore order to the border regions, as the fallout from his invasion continues to spill into Russian territory. The Russian military 'continue to take measures to prevent the penetration of sabotage and reconnaissance groups of the Ukrainian Armed Forces into the border area'. A TikTok influencer is advising his followers on how to 'invade' American homes and invoke squatter's rights, making it difficult for them to be removed from properties. Leonel Moreno, who goes by @leitooficial_25 online and appears to be a Venezuelan migrant, has told his followers that under US law, 'if a house is not inhabited, we can seize it'. He is referring to squatter's rights, or adverse possession laws - a common law principle that allows an illegal inhabitant to acquire ownership of a property based on continuous occupation without the legal owner's consent. Moreno, alleging he has friends who 'have already taken about seven homes', argued the only way for migrants to not live in the streets or be a 'public burden' is to 'seize' and 'invade' abandoned properties. The now-viral video, which has been viewed almost 4million times, has prompted outrage from many social media users. Some have claimed Moreno is 'promoting terrorism' and are now calling on the FBI and Department of Homeland Security to action. Squatter's rights laws exist in all 50 states and have sparked a crisis across the nation. 'Serial squatters' are overtaking homes and helpless families booted out of their houses by crooks are desperately turning to vigilantes to reclaim their homes. Leonel Moreno, who goes by @leitooficial_25 online and appears to be a Venezuelan migrant, has advised his followers on how to 'invade' American homes and invoke squatter's rights, making it difficult for them to be removed from properties Moreno's video comes amid a squatting crisis in the US. Homeowner Adele Andolaro caught three squatters in this Flushing, Queens, New York home earlier this week A scantily-clad woman left Adele Andolaro's property in Flushing, Queens, on Wednesday covering her face Two vigilantes rolled up outside the Flushing home on Tuesday, where the three squatters have taken over. The furious homeowner, who had been in the process of selling the home, said: 'I'm really fearful that these people are going to get away with stealing my home' 'Serial squatter' Sang Kim is refusing to leave this $2million Bellevue, Seattle, Washington home and has pulled the same trick on his previous landlords, according to a lawsuit filed by his landlord Moreno, who is believed to live in a suburb of Columbus, Ohio with his partner and their infant daughter, has amassed a following of more than 501,000 on TikTok by creating videos targeted at migrants. The migrant influencer, in a video posted four days ago, is encouraging his followers to take over unoccupied homes. WHAT DOES THE LAW SAY ABOUT SQAUTTERS? Squatter's rights laws, also known as adverse possession, allow someone who inhabits a property illegally to continue using or occupying it - if the legal owner does not take action against them within a certain period of time. Squatting, while technically a form of trespassing, requires an individual to have the intention of making the property they illegally inhabited their permanent residence. Squatter's rights must be established over a designated timeframe, varying by state and ranging from a period of seven to over 20 years. In New York State, squatters who occupy a property openly and adversely for 10 uninterrupted years can make an adverse possession claim, provided they have paid property taxes over that decade. But in New York City, however, squatters are granted rights after just 30 days, meaning landlords must start an eviction proceeding as soon as a squatter has been discovered. In all states, a property owner must follow a legal eviction process to remove squatters. This process make look different depending on each authority, but typically begins with notifying local law enforcement and filing an eviction lawsuit. Advertisement Moreno, speaking in his native Spanish, told his followers: 'I found out that there is a law that says if a house is not inhabited we can seize it.' He argued the law applies to 'land invasion' and said he thinks 'that will be my next business, invading abandoned houses'. After disclosing his next business venture, Moreno prompted the alleged successes that other migrants have had by seizing properties. 'My African friends have told me that they have already taken about seven homes,' he continued. 'You have to look for the return, and the return right now is to invade a house.' He further argued that squatting is the 'only way we have to not live in the street and not be a public burden'. Moreno also claimed the law states that if they overtake abandoned homes that have 'deteriorated' or are in 'bad condition', repair and live in them, that they can 'ask for credits' when the properties are sold. The video has enraged social media users, with some arguing he 'needs to be charged with whatever crime'. 'Pretty sure this is illegal and I feel like he's encouraging others to engage in illegal activities,' one TikTok user commented. Another echoed: 'Go get a job. Stop waiting for us tax payers to support you.' 'There is literally NO law that says that, but go ahead and try' wrote another. One user added: 'This guys is always thinking in the worst and unlawful way to make a living and for some reason he gets away with it.' The video was re-posted on X and also received a negative response. One user claimed Moreno was 'promoting terrorism' and asked: 'Where's the @FBI and @DHSgov to track down this guy and arrest him? 'Why do we even have laws in this country that allow illegals to come in and seize homes they don't own? Our country is getting taken over. And our government is letting it happen.' It is unclear if authorities are aware of Moreno's video or investigating. DailyMail.com has approached the FBI, Homeland Security and Columbus police for comment. The now-viral video, which has been viewed more than 3.9million times, has prompted outrage from many social media users. Some have claimed Moreno is 'promoting terrorism' and are now calling on the FBI and Department of Homeland Security to action Moreno, who in previous TikToks has bragged about earning money by begging on the streets and collecting government handouts, is promoting a concept known as squatter's rights. Squatter's rights, also known as adverse possession, allows someone who inhabits a property illegally to continue using or occupying it if the legal owner does not take action against them within a certain period of time. Squatting, while technically a form of trespassing, requires the trespasser to have the intention of making the property they illegally inhabited their permanent residence. Squatters will often take control of abandoned or unattended homes because they are less likely to be monitored, according to asset protection firm Anderson Business Advisors. But a squatter is not immediately granted the right to adverse possession. Squatter's rights must be established over a designated timeframe, varying by state and ranging from a period of seven to over 20 years. Some local authorities require even less time to establish adverse possession. New York City has a more progressive take on the law and and allows a person can claim squatter's rights after residing in a property for just 30 days. Under city law, it is also illegal for a landlord or homeowner to change the locks, turn off the utilities or remove the squatter's belongings from the property. In all states, a property owner must follow a legal eviction process to remove squatters. This process make look different depending on each authority, but typically begins with notifying local law enforcement and filing an eviction lawsuit. Kevin Balletsy, who says he has a lease for the basement, says he'll only leave when he gets his deposit back Adele Andaloro, a Flushing, NY homeowner who was arrested earlier this week, skipped town on Wednesday Andaloro entered the home, flanked by reporters, after an unidentified woman unlocked the door. Inside, she was greeted by two men who were ultimately led away by police Squatting, which dates back to the days of the Wild West, has become a crisis in America in recent years. Two of the three 'squatters' who were caught red-handed in a Queens, New York woman's home fled in disgrace on Wednesday after being confronted by the media. The unnamed man and woman covered their faces with hoodies as they fled the home in Flushing, refusing to answer questions on their way out. The house is owned by Adele Andaloro, a mother who inherited the property from her parents. Earlier this week, Andaloro was put in handcuffs after a tense standoff at the house. She'd shown up to find multiple squatters who refused to move. Despite owning the house, she was put in handcuffs and taken away. Andaloro, shaken from her arrest, declined an interview as she skipped town with her family. 'We are leaving. We are getting out-of-town,' she said. Before leaving her home, she said the entire saga was 'crazy'. DailyMail.com spoke with neighbors who say they not only witnessed squatters living in the house, but also carrying out construction. 'We're leaving!' she told DailyMail.com on Wednesday as she and her husband packed up their car Andaloro's home in Rosalyn, Long Island, where she lives with family. It is one of two properties she owns A woman, who is squatting inside, peers through the window to watch a confrontation on Tuesday One man, who is believed to be squatting in the Flushing home, walks past the property on Tuesday Some were seen bringing doors inside and moving around furniture, they said. Kevin Balletsy, one of the men who lives in the house, insists he does so legally. He told DailyMail.com that he now wants his deposit back - and then he'll flee too. 'I have no idea what is going on here with this nonsense. I'm trying to get my money back and just get out of here. I have nothing to do with this. 'I have receipts saying I paid landlord and the real estate other than that I am no part of it. 'I wash my hands of this and I'm gone,' he said. The incident is the latest in a string of stand-offs across the US, with homeowners growing increasingly frustrated by ludicrous laws that protect squatters and punish the names on the deed. A squatter with a lengthy-criminal history was evicted from a $500,000 Atlanta-area home after he moved in while the home's owner, an Army officer, was away on active duty The LAPD descended on the $4.3 million Beverly Hills party mansion in January following reports of a home invasion The occupants of the $4.3million mansion claimed to be valid tenants, but the homeowner and property agent deny any rental agreements exist Last week, DailyMail.com revealed how entire communities in Los Angeles and Atlanta have been ravaged by criminals turning homes into strip clubs and hosting all night raves. Residents of Texas and Colorado have also detailed how they are being tormented by a serial squatter who is running rings around the police. There is a backlog of squatting cases throughout the nation and desperate families are turning to vigilantes who pledge to confront the squatters head on. Eviction lawyers have warned it is just a matter of time before disputes turned violent - and potentially fatal. A man who had his thumb bitten off by a Deliveroo rider during a blazing row over a 57 Pizza Express order said the horror injury turned his life upside down - causing him to split from his partner and lose his job. Jeniffer Rocha, 35, now faces prison after she gnawed Stephen Jenkinson's thumb down to the knuckle during the freak attack in Aldershot, Hampshire. The 36-year-old plumber said on Good Morning Britain today: 'My whole life has changed because of this. 'I've had to move out my house and I've separated from my partner because of the pressure this has put on us - not only from a financial point of view but also from a life point of view. 'Our relationship just broke down and I don't blame either of us for that - it is just unfortunate how everything just spiralled.' Stephen Jenkinson (pictured on Good Morning Britain) had his thumb bitten off by a Deliveroo rider during a blazing row over a 57 Pizza Express order Mr Jenkinson, a 36-year-old plumber, has been left 'permanently disabled' and unable to work Jeniffer Rocha, 35, (pictured outside Winchester Crown Court) now faces prison after she gnawed Stephen Jenkinson's thumb off down to the knuckle during the freak attack in Aldershot, Hampshire Mr Jenkinson was rushed to hospital after the bloody attack where he underwent an 11 hour operation. The procedure saw doctors remove part of his big toe and surgically sew it on to the stump of his missing thumb. Winchester Crown Court heard earlier this week that Rocha and Mr Jenkinson had a brief argument over a delivery code after his Pizza Express order was delivered to the wrong address. Rocha, who was due to face trial for grievous bodily harm with intent, pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm without intent. She will be sentenced at a later date. Mr Jenkinson also revealed on Good Morning Britain how his thumb ended up in the Deliveroo rider's mouth. He said: 'As she was swinging for me, I pushed her away to keep her at a distance. 'She was a little shorter than I am so as I put my hand up, she was wearing a helment and my hand hit the side of her helmet. Mr Jenkinson also revealed on Good Morning Britain how his thumb ended up in the Deliveroo rider's mouth Mr Jenkinson, 34 , pictured with his then partner Jessica Seymour, 33, in 2022 following the attack. The pair have now split 'My thumb went through her visor and she just clamped down on it until it was gone.' Prosecutor Rebecca Austin also told Winchester Crown Court about the 'devastating impact' the attack had had on the victim. She said: 'He has been left with a permanent disability and a part of his toe being removed. 'It has had a physical and psychological impact and continues to this day.' The court heard Mr Jenkinson ordered pizza from Deliveroo to his home on December 14, 2022 but Rocha arrived to the wrong address further down his street. When he went out to collect his food the father-of-one forgot to bring his phone and a brief argument erupted regarding the delivery code he was required to show. It was then that Rocha launched her attack, Mr Jenkinson told the BBC. He raised her hands to Rocha's motorcycle helmet and she bit his thumb. 'All I remember, I was shaking her helmet trying to get her off', he said. 'The force with which she must have been biting, she'd clean taken it off.' When she eventually let go, Mr Jenkinson lifted his arm and 'sprayed her with blood'. He said his thumb, which was severed just above the knuckle, looked as thought it had 'gone through a chainsaw'. Neighbours began to intervene in the argument with Rocha later arrested. Mr Jenkinson was rushed to hospital on December 14, 2022 where he underwent an 11 hour operation which saw part of his big toe surgically sewn on to the stump of his missing thumb Mr Jenkinson said his thumb, which was severed just above the knuckle, looked as thought it had 'gone through a chainsaw' He previously told the Sun: 'After realising the driver couldn't find us I messaged her asking her to come to my address, but she refused and told me to come to her, so I did. 'I ran out the house without my phone and when she asked for the code, I said I'll take the pizzas and come back with it, but she was having none of it. 'She immediately went for me, punching and kicking me, but I didn't want to hit a woman so I just pushed her, that's when my thumb ended up in her mouth and she just clamped down until it came off.' Addressing Rocha in court, Judge Timothy Mousley KC said it was a 'serious offence which may well result in you being sent to prison'. Rocha has citizenship in the UK until 2028. Deliveroo said in a statement to the BBC that riders are self-employed. A Deliveroo spokesperson told MailOnkine: 'This was an awful incident. We ended the account of the rider concerned immediately and have fully cooperated with the police on the investigation.' A German federal court said Wednesday it had rejected a woman's appeal of her 14-year sentence for allowing a 5-year-old Yazidi girl she and her husband enslaved when they were members of the Islamic State group in Iraq to die of thirst in the sun. The defendant, a German convert to Islam, was convicted in October 2021 of, among other charges, two counts of crimes against humanity through enslavement - one case resulting in death - and membership of a terrorist organization abroad. She was initially given a 10-year sentence, which was overturned by the Federal Court of Justice on the grounds that judges had erred in sentencing the defendant for a 'less severe case' of crimes against humanity and overlooked aggravating circumstances. A new sentencing hearing for the woman, identified only as Jennifer W. in line with German privacy rules, ended in August with the 14-year sentence. The court said Wednesday it rejected her appeal as 'manifestly unfounded'. The statement on the ruling didn't specify on what grounds she appealed. The defendant, ashamed to show her face, hid behind her legal folder in court in 2021 She was convicted in October 2021 of, among other things, two counts of crimes against humanity through enslavement and one resulting in death as part of ISIS The girl died in Fallujah, Iraq, in August 2015. At the original trial, the court found that the defendant did nothing to help the girl - who had been chained by her husband in their courtyard - although doing so would have been 'possible and reasonable'. The couple also enslaved the girl's mother. Jennifer W., now 32, was taken into custody while trying to renew her identity papers at the German Embassy in Ankara in 2016 and deported to Germany. Her former husband, an Iraqi citizen identified only as Taha Al-J., was convicted by a Frankfurt court in November 2021 of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and bodily harm resulting in death. He was sentenced to life imprisonment. The girl's mother, who survived captivity, testified at both trials. Following her conversion to Islam, Jennifer W. was recruited by the terrorist organization in mid-2015 to the group's self-styled hisbah morality police. She patrolled city parks in IS-occupied Fallujah and Mosul, armed with an AK-47 assault rifle, a pistol, and an explosives vest. She was tasked by the group to ensure strict IS rules on dress code, public behaviour, and bans on alcohol and tobacco. A Kurdish-speaking group hailing from northern Iraq, the Yazidis were specifically targeted and oppressed by the jihadists beginning in 2015. Pictured: A Yazidis girl in 2014 fleeing the violence rests at the border with Syria. The German ISIS member was originally given 10 years in prison in 2021 for her involvement in the death of a five-year-old Yazidi slave girl German law allows for a life sentence in cases where a defendant's actions result in a person's death Wenisch's initial trial began in April 2019, and was one of the first examples of court proceedings over the Islamic State group's brutal treatment of Yazidis. A Kurdish-speaking group hailing from northern Iraq, the Yazidis were specifically targeted and oppressed by the jihadists beginning in 2015. London-based human rights lawyer Amal Clooney - who was involved in a campaign for ISIS crimes against the Yazidi community to be recognised as a 'genocide' - was part of the team representing the Yazidi girl's mother at the time. Germany has charged several German and foreign nationals with war crimes and crimes against humanity carried out abroad, using the legal principle of universal jurisdiction which allows crimes to be prosecuted even if they were committed in a foreign country. A female army reservist who served in Afghanistan has been living in fear in a secret location after her 'evil' ex-boyfriend snuck into her house when she was sleeping and beat her up. Mother-of-two Lianne Ross-Lightbown, 33, was forced to move after Phillip Hansell waged a one-man war against her during their toxic relationship, Chester Crown Court heard. Hansell, 33, a former lance corporal from Crewe, has now been jailed for four and a half years after he admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm and stalking causing serious alarm or distress. Jurors heard how father-of-one Hansell repeatedly beat Miss Ross-Lightbown and then stalked her over social media when she went away on holiday. And in one incident jealous Hansell got into her home via a back door while she was asleep, before straddling and repeatedly punching her in the face. Former army reservist Lianne Ross-Lightbown was living in fear of 'evil' ex Phillip Hansell Former lance corporal Hansell, from Crewe, has now been jailed for assaulting and stalking her She was bombarded with social media abuse while on holiday in New Zealand When she left the UK the following day to fly 11,500 miles to New Zealand for a family trip, he posted abusive messages saying he had soiled her underwear and training shoes. In a series of posts, Hansell vowed: 'You are on the other side of the world but you are still managing to p*** me off. 'If you think I'm not going to f*** you when you come back you are very stupid. Do anything to me and I swear to God I will kill one of your kids'.' Hansell was arrested after Miss Ross-Lightbown arrived back home in Crewe with her children to find three missed calls from him on her mobile before he turned up at her property 15 minutes later. When she told to him to go, he hammered on the front door and tried the handle before laughing and shouting through a kitchen window: 'I've come to s*** you.' When interviewed by police Hansell alleged he was the victim and claimed he had been assaulted by Miss Ross-Lightbown on various occasions. In a statement, Miss Ross-Lightbown - who served with the Expeditionary Force Institutes at Camp Bastion in Helmand Province, Afghanistan - said she was left 'shaking like a leaf' by her experiences. She also told of going into 'meltdown' whenever she sees a dark silhouette at the window, because Hansell would always wear dark clothes. She said: 'He is an evil man who is a danger to women and I hope he's held to account for how he treated me. Miss Ross-Lightbown served with the Expeditionary Force Institutes at Camp Bastion in Helmand Province, Afghanistan Former army reservist Miss Ross-Lightbown, left, has been left traumatised by her ex-boyfriend's attacks on her She told the court of being left 'a shell of myself' by Phillip Halsall's treatment of her 'My life has been through a deeply traumatic experience and it has left deep scars, both physically and emotionally. 'I am so mentally and emotionally abused - he has left me a shell of myself. Even though I know that he is in prison I am scared that someone is coming to get me.' She described having cameras at the front and back of her new property for her own protection as well as a letterbox that can be locked. Miss Ross-Lightbown added: 'I shake for no reason and I worry about bumping anyone who knows him - I feel my chest get tight and I have panic attacks because of the stress of everything and how he treated me. 'I have been in the army and I have never witnessed things he has said and done before. He is in my brain all the time because of what he has said and done and it made me feel so isolated, I am in a different town. 'All the friends that I had did not want to be involved and I have to start again. I do not tell anyone where I live as I am so scared he will find out and I have got privacy films over the windows so people cannot see inside. 'My eldest son does not even know the town where we live so that he cannot tell anyone at school. I used to be happy-go-lucky but now I feel upset and miserable all the time.' The pair met at a gym in February last year and began dating shortly afterwards. Nicholas Williams, prosecuting, told the trial: 'There were outbursts where he became increasingly verbally aggressive but nothing was directed to Miss Ross-Lightbown herself. Father-of-one Hansell got into Miss Ross-Lightbown's home and repeatedly punched her Lianne Ross-Lightbown described Phillip Hansell as 'an evil man who is a danger to women' The mother-of-two has been forced to move to a secret new location, 'living in fear' of him 'She enjoyed his company and did not feel at risk at that point and by March they were in a sexual relationship with one another. 'On April 26 they were in bed when the defendant upset her by talking about having sex with another woman. She cried and the defendant punched her in the face with a lot of force. The punch connected with her left eye and caused a black eye.' Mr Williams described the attack on July 6 when Hansell entered her home through the back door before assaulting her, leaving her with 'significant bruising to the left arm, left eye and to the right hand'. And he told jurors Hansell then 'bombarded her with abuse by social media posts' after she had set off for New Zealand, adding: 'When she blocked him on one, he moved to another and created different accounts. 'Miss Ross-Lightbown ended up having to deactivate her social media all together. The messages referred to her as a rat and he also sent threatening video messages.' Hansell had 42 offences on his record including common assault, wounding, threatening someone with a blade, breach of a non-molestation order, breach of a restraining order and harassment. He was previously jailed in 2021 for a racially aggravated malicious communication offence. In a statement read to the court, Hansell - who spent four years in the army - said: 'I am deeply ashamed and take full responsibility. Miss Ross-Lightbown had to deactivate her social media accounts after his relentless abuse She had met Hansell at a gym in February last year and they began dating shortly afterwards Injuries he inflicted on her included a black eye last April 26 and a bruised arm on July 6 'I was brought up to never raise a hand to a woman and I hope my behaviour does not affect Lianne severely in future. I have an 11-year-old daughter and I should be setting a better example. I have let my sister and my nan down as well. 'I am suffering from depression and anxiety and I have previously had anger issues. Upon coming to prison I have been tackling those issues head on. I am changing to be better myself as a man, a son, brother and a father. I want to express my sincerest apologies to Lianne.' Sentencing Hansell while also imposing a restraining order, the judge Mr Recorder Eric Lamb told him: 'You have made the life of your victim an utter misery. 'It is to your credit that you are taking medication for your depression and acknowledging that you have been suffering from paranoia but the pre-sentence report makes it clear you are a dangerous offender because of your previous history and present situation.' The real estate agent who accidentally burned down a $3.2million home before an open house inspection had previously been in a relationship with the owner, court documents reveal. Julie Bundock's employer, Domain Residential Northern Beaches, was ordered to pay $862,315 to the owner and four tenants for negligently causing a fire which burnt the house to the ground. It can now be revealed that Ms Bundock was previously in a relationship with Peter Bush, who was preparing to sell the home at the time of the incident, news.com.au reported. When she was being cross-examined by Mr Bush's lawyer Dominic Priestley SC, Ms Bundock said the pair had been in a relationship when they were younger and were still friends in 2019. Ms Bundock is not accused of any criminal wrongdoing and there is no suggestion she acted with malicious intent when she accidentally caused the fire. Northern beaches real estate agent Julie Bundock accidentally burned down the Avalon Beach home Julie Bundock was preparing for an open house at a four-bedroom home on Sydney's prestigious northern beaches when she noticed the current renters had left some bedding on the deck to dry Earlier this week, Daily Mail Australia revealed that Ms Bundock is herself the owner of two coastal properties. The northern beaches real estate agent accidentally torched the Avalon Beach home in 2019 after she noticed the current renters had left some bedding on the deck to dry. She threw the sheets onto a shelf in a downstairs room and then turned on a light that was positioned above the shelf. Twenty minutes later a fire took hold and destroyed the entire home. It is believed the light heated the bedding until it ignited. Ms Bundock, who no longer works for Domain Residential Northern Beaches, has a vast property portfolio on Sydney's north shore. She is the owner of a two-bedroom Queenscliff unit boasting panoramic views of the nearby beach. She purchased the clifftop property in 2004 for a mere $785,000 and now leases the unit on holiday rental website Stayz for $695 a night. 'A very private and peaceful setting being the highest point on the hill, enjoy the sounds of the waves and take in the sunrises over the ocean and stunning sunsets over the hills,' she describes on the property listing. 'Luxuriously appointed with designer finishes, newly renovated with luxury carpets and open plan living flowing through glass sliding doors to an extensive wrap around balcony. 'Designer kitchen and bathroom, king size main, very comfortable second, views and built-ins to both. Sep WC with basin. Study, unlimited Wifi, washer dryer, lock up garage with auto door.' She is also the owner of nearby property in Dee Why which she purchased in 2007 for $290,000. The view from Ms Bundock's Queenscliff unit She is the owner of a two-bedroom Queenscliff unit boasting panoramic views of the nearby beach Ms Bundock on a trip to Jervis Bay Ms Bundock is no stranger to living luxuriously. On social media she shares photos from holidays to Vincentia in Jervis Bay and lavish trips to the snow. On Tuesday, Avalon property owner Peter Bush took a complaint to court, alongside the four tenants who lost everything in the 2019 fire. Mr Bush told the court that Ms Bundock said words to the effect of: 'Oh my God Pete, I think I have burnt down your house,' and did so in the presence of others. 'I had been doing some tidying up. I collected some sheets drying on the veranda and threw them on top of a free-standing metal shelving in the bedroom under the stairs,' Ms Bundock reportedly told Mr Bush. The home, which is estimated to be worth about $3million, along with all of its contents, were destroyed in the fire The real estate agency was ordered to pay more than $850,000 in damages after a high-flying agent accidentally burnt a multi-million dollar home to the ground just minutes before an open house Bundock's employer Domain Residential Northern Beaches was ordered to pay owner Peter Alan Bush for damages plus interest 'I just threw them there Pete, right up against the light on the wall. I think that's what started the fire.' In court on Tuesday, Ms Bundock's employer argued the four tenants renting the property at the time were to blame for the fire. The defence stated the tenants had left the home 'untidy', forcing Ms Bundock to remove the bedding from the deck ahead of the open house. During her cross-examination, Ms Bundock said the house was 'particularly messy' on the day and that she was making it 'presentable for sale'. Chief Judge in Equity Justice David Hammerschlag ruled that Ms Bundock 'actively created the risk of fire and the consequent harm'. 'That a fire might be caused by putting or throwing bedding up against a burning light is obvious. That risk was plainly foreseeable, and Bundock ought to have known this,' Hammerschlag said in his decision, also noting the agent was an 'aggressive and uncooperative witness'. 'Her evidence was clearly coloured by a heightened awareness that she had caused the catastrophe,' he stated. Mr Hammerschlag ordered Ms Bundock's employer to pay Mr Bush $740,642 for the loss of his house and a combined $121,475 to the four tenants, plus interest. Owen Jones has quit Labour swiping that Keir Starmer's party makes a 'pariah' out anyone 'to the Left of Peter Mandelson'. The Socialist columnist for the Guardian has announced he is shifting to support a new pressure group, We Deserve Better. It will back Green and independent candidates for Parliament, including some standing against shadow ministers. He complained that it had become clear that Sir Keir 'won't even do the bare minimum to improve people's lives'. The intervention by Mr Jones came as Sir Keir revealed that he talks to Tony Blair 'a lot'. Owen Jones has quit Labour swiping that Keir Starmer's party makes a 'pariah' out anyone 'to the Left of Peter Mandelson' Lord Mandelson (left) is a hate figure for many on the Left of the Labour Party, who are concerned about the direction taken by Keir Starmer (right) In his column, Mr Jones suggested the movement could exert pressure on Labour from the left in the way Reform UK influences Tory opinion from the right. The group will back Green co-leader Carla Denyer against shadow cabinet minister Thangam Debbonaire in Bristol Central, and independent Leanne Mohamad against shadow health secretary Wes Streeting in Ilford North. It will also support Jamie Driscoll, a former Labour politician, in the north-east mayoral contest in May. Mr Jones blamed Sir Keir's position on Gaza and abandonment of policies he championed during his Labour leadership campaign. 'My decision isn't based on a desire to see Labour forever in the wilderness,' Mr Jones said. 'Reaching it has been a gradual, painful process of realising the party won't even do the bare minimum to improve people's lives, or to tackle the crises that have led Britain to catastrophe; and that it will, in fact, wage war on anyone who wants to do either making anyone with politics to the left of Peter Mandelson feel like a pariah on borrowed time.' In a statement on the launch of We Deserve Better, he added: 'Until now, opposition to Labour has been fragmented. 'We Deserve Better marks the beginning of that opposition coming together to form a serious challenge to Labour in key seats, pressuring Labour from its left flank, mirroring Reform UK and the Conservatives. 'Labour will win the next general election by default thanks to the Tories' self-immolation. 'So those of us who cannot in good conscience support a party which plans to maintain ruinous austerity measures which, for example, keep 250,000 children in poverty, or back a Labour leader who defends Israel's war crimes, can be safe in the knowledge that there's no risk of the Tories getting back into government if we campaign for non-Labour candidates. 'Starmer has alienated Labour's base and taken seats for granted based on an arrogant assumption that those voters have nowhere else to go. But at the next election, they will be able to back an alternative based on the politics of hope.' The intervention by Mr Jones, who was once a staunch supporter of Jeremy Corbyn, came as Sir Keir revealed that he talks to Tony Blair (pictured) 'a lot' Meanwhile, Sir Keir risked fuelling Left-wing discontent this morning as he highlighted his connection with Sir Tony as he appeared on Channel 5's Jeremy Vine show. He said he speaks to both Sir Tony and Gordon Brown about their experiences of moving from Opposition into government. The Labour leader said: 'I talk to Tony a lot about the period just before '97, because obviously I'm very interested in talking to people who have won elections and taken a party from opposition into government. 'In the Labour Party we've only done that three times. We did it in 1945 with (Clement) Attlee, we did in 1964 with (Harold) Wilson and we did it in '97 with Tony Blair. So talking to Tony and Gordon about that has been really helpful. 'It's been not so much about specific policies, but about the pace, the preparedness of getting an opposition ready for government if we are privileged enough to be voted in to serve.' A cancer sufferer left a message for politicians in the wake of her death at Dignitas, pleading for a change to the UK's current 'cruel law' criminalising assisted dying. Paola Marra died aged 53 at the controversial Swiss clinic yesterday, after saying she felt she had no choice but to travel there having fought breast and bowel cancer. The former music industry and charity sector worker teamed up with renowned photographer Rankin beforehand to speak out about assisted dying. In a film released today, Ms Marra - who lived in East Finchley, North London - said: 'When you watch this, I will be dead. I'm choosing to seek assisted dying because I refuse to let a terminal illness dictate the terms of my existence. 'The pain and suffering can become unbearable. It's a slow erosion of dignity, the loss of independence, the stripping away of everything that makes life worth living. Paola Marra teamed up with renowned photographer Rankin to speak out about assisted dying Paola Marra posed for a variety of portrait shots with photographer Rankin before her death Photographer Rankin met Ms Marra on a project over Christmas and was 'floored' by her story Paola Marra said she felt she had no choice but to travel to the Dignitas site in Switzerland Paola Marra is pictured as a girl. She was Canadian but lived in London for more than 30 years 'Assisted dying is not about giving up. In fact, it's about reclaiming control. It's not about death. It's about dignity. What are the UK laws on assisted suicide? Assisted suicide is banned in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, with a maximum prison sentence of 14 years. In Scotland, it is not a specific criminal offence but assisting the death of someone can leave a person open to murder or other charges. A Bill put forward by Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur to make assisted dying legal in Scotland is expected to come before Holyrood in the coming weeks. Advertisement 'It's about giving people the right to end their suffering on their own terms, with compassion and respect. 'So as you watch this, I am dead. But you watching this could help change the laws around assisted dying.' In an accompanying open letter to party leaders at Westminster, Ms Marra said that, due to the current law, she had to travel to Dignitas alone because she did not want her loved ones 'to be questioned by the police or get into trouble'. The Canadian, who was originally from British Columbia but had lived in London for more than 35 years, wrote: 'I resent that I don't have a choice. I think it's unfair and cruel. 'And for so many dying people who can't afford to pay an average of 15,000 to travel to Dignitas, this cruel law will force them to endure a painful death, or drive them to take their own lives.' Ms Marra's mother and father live in British Columbia, while her brother Tony resides in Toronto. She was single and did not have any children. Ms Marra first found she had breast cancer in 2017, then bowel cancer was also discovered three years later - and she was told it was incurable by 2021. She described her treatment as 'brutal' and said she could no longer take many painkillers. One of the family photographs of Paola Marra in the video released today after her death Paola Marra says in the emotional video released today: 'When you watch this, I will be dead' In a film released today, Paola Marra used a series of family photographs to illustrate her life Paola Marra was a 53-year-old former music industry and charity sector worker Ms Marra held a party to celebrate her birthday and life before she left London for Switzerland on Monday. READ MORE Assisted dying 'could be legalised by the end of the decade' if Labour win the election as Sir Keir Starmer promises to schedule Commons vote Advertisement She also found a home for her elderly whippet Stanley near Gwithian in Cornwall. Speaking to the Guardian, she told how leaving home in London was 'manic', saying: 'It's like moving house and never coming back. Throwing away my toiletries. It was weird.' Following her death yesterday, she will be cremated in Switzerland then her ashes will be returned to Britain by an undertaker. She had to pay them to fly from London to Zurich because human remains cannot be sent by post. Ms Marra added: 'It's really bizarre. I think his name is Richard. He's going to go and pick me up A group of friends will scatter my ashes.' Photographer Rankin said he met Ms Marra on a project over Christmas and had been 'floored' by her story. He said: 'I felt like I wanted to show somebody who wasn't suicidal. She wasn't depressed, she wasn't unhappy, she wasn't somebody that didn't love her life. Paola Marra described her treatment as 'brutal' and she could no longer take many painkillers Paola Marra is seen in her younger years, in one of the images in the video released today Paola Marra died aged 53 at the controversial Swiss clinic Dignitas yesterday Paola Marra first found she had breast cancer in 2017, then bowel cancer was also discovered Following her death, Paola Marra will be cremated then her ashes will be returned to Britain 'She really loved her life and she really wanted her life to mean something. There is a wider purpose to (the film) The Last Request. 'In doing these photos and this film we wanted to highlight the need to change the legislation around end-of-life care.' Earlier this month Sir Keir Starmer said he is 'committed' to allowing a vote on legalising assisted dying should Labour win the general election. The party leader made the pledge to campaigner Dame Esther Rantzen, whose revelation that she had joined Dignitas as she lives with stage four cancer has put the subject under the spotlight in recent months. But Dame Esther's daughter Rebecca Wilcox said Sir Keir's commitment would be too late for 'thousands of people who are suffering today' and has urged Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to 'have a vote now'. Number 10 has previously said it would be up to Parliament whether or not to again debate legalising assisted dying. In February, a report by MPs warned that the Government must consider what to do if the law is changed in part of the UK or in the Isle of Man or Jersey. The Health and Social Care Committee said legalisation in at least one jurisdiction was looking 'increasingly likely' and suggested the Government must be 'actively involved' in discussions about how to approach differences in the law. Paola Marra died at the Swiss clinic yesterday, having fought breast and bowel cancer Paola Marra stands outside the London Underground station in East Finchley, where she lived Paola Marra spoke of her pain as the 'stripping away of everything that makes life worth living' The film, called The Last Request, concluded by listing the date of Paola Marra's death Assisted suicide is banned in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, with a maximum prison sentence of 14 years. In Scotland, it is not a specific criminal offence but assisting the death of someone can leave a person open to murder or other charges. A Bill put forward by Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur to make assisted dying legal in Scotland is expected to come before Holyrood in the coming weeks. The situation is different in Ms Marra's former home of Canada, which legalised assisted death in 2016 for people with a terminal illness under its 'Medical Assistance In Dying' (Maid) programme. This was expanded in 2021 to people with incurable, but not terminal, conditions. Sarah Wootton, chief executive of Dignity in Dying, told MailOnline today: 'Paola's final plea comes at a pivotal time for the campaign for assisted dying in the UK. 'Change is increasingly likely in parts of the British Isles, with soaring levels of public support for a better, safer, kinder law for dying people. Throughout the country, the vast majority of people are crying out for an end to a law that is unsafe, unfair and more than six decades out of date no matter who they are, where they live, or who they vote for. The Dignitas assisted dying clinic is located in Pfaffikon, near Zurich in Switzerland (file image) A file photograph of a bed in the Dignitas assisted dying clinic in Pfaffikon, Switzerland A waiting room in the Dignitas assisted dying clinic in Pfaffikon, Switzerland (file picture) 'Like so many before her who have devoted their final months to fighting for this change, Paola knew it would not come in time for her. 'But in shedding light on the devastating impact of the status quo, she helps bring us closer than ever to a law that gives choice, compassion and protection to terminally ill people; a law that means no one has to spend thousands of pounds travelling to another country, alone, to die. 'Assisted dying is a movement whose time has come for the UK. Please sign Paola's open letter and join us in urgently calling for a Parliamentary debate on assisted dying.' The organisation also cited its recent polling which it said showed there is now support for law change in every single constituency across Britain. And Conservative MP Kit Malthouse, co-chair of the all-party group on choice at the end of life, told MailOnline: 'It's hard to put into words the sadness at Paola's death, mixed with wonder that she was thinking of others as she travelled to Dignitas to take control of her own final chapter. 'So many politicians come to the cause of assisted dying after a personal experience of watching someone they love die in agony. 'But too many still don't understand what it's like, and Paola's deeply affecting film should help many realise how cruel the current law is. 'We need urgent change for the thousands who can't afford to go to Switzerland to gain the control they so desperately need and want at the end of their life.' She's more used to leather DM boots than the soft, smooth feel of fake ermine robes. But Carmen Smith swapped one for the other today as she becomes the youngest ever member of the House of lords at the age of 28. The former windfarm lobbyist took her position as a peer for Plaid Cymru as Baroness Smith of Llanfaes, having benefitted from an episode of positive discrimination by the Welsh nationalists. Nominations for the seat in the unelected chamber were put to a vote of Plaid members in December and she came a distant second behind Elfyn Llwyd, a former Plaid Cymru MP and Parliamentary leader. But she was given the seat in accordance with party rules 'to promote the representation of women'. Lady Smith was supported by former Plaid leader Lord Wigley of Caernarfon and former Green Party leader Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle during the short introduction ceremony. Wearing a a fake fur robe, rather than a traditional ermine one, she swore the oath of allegiance to the King in both English and Welsh. The Welsh nationalist, who was born in Salisbury, Wiltshire, succeeds as the youngest ever life peer Baroness Owen of Alderley Edge, who was ennobled as a Tory peer in July 2023 at the age of 30. The average age in the unelected chamber is 71. Like many peers before her, she is taking up the job - which is unsalaried but comes with a daily allowance of 342 for turning up - even though she disagrees with how the House runs. She told the BBC: 'I fundamentally disagree with an unelected chamber. However, while it exists, we must have voices there that are standing up for the people of Wales because decisions are made there that impact them.' Wearing a a fake fur robe, rather than a traditional ermine one, she swore the oath of allegiance to the King in both English and Welsh. The former windfarm lobbyist took her position as a peer for Plaid Cymru as Baroness Smith of Llanfaes, having benefitted from an episode of positive discrimination by the Welsh nationalists. Nominations for the seat in the unelected chamber were put to a vote of Plaid members in December and she came a distant second behind Elfyn Llwyd, a former Plaid Cymru MP and Parliamentary leader. But she was given the seat in accordance with party rules 'to promote the representation of women'. The Welsh nationalist, who was born in Salisbury, Wiltshire, succeeds as the youngest ever life peer Baroness Owen of Alderley Edge, who was ennobled as a Tory peer in July 2023 at the age of 30. Llanfaes is a small village in Ynys Mon where she grew up after arriving from England aged seven and she chose the title to 'shine a light on the experiences of people in areas like mine'. She is the youngest of seven children born to a Tata steelworker in Port Talbot. Her father Peter was diagnosed with dementia when she was 12 and she acted as his carer. Ms Smith, who does weightlifting three days a week, later studied law at Bangor University for one year before leaving her studies to campaign to become NUS Wales deputy president in 2016. At 25 she became chief of staff to the Plaid Senedd group and has campaigned on issues such as widening access into education, the right to self-determination, and tackling poverty. Lady Smith's selection was announced in an email sent to Plaid Cymru members by chief executive Owen Roberts on December 5, who said the decision was in accordance with party rules 'to promote the representation of women'. Defeated candidate Elfyn Llwyd stressed there were 'no sour grapes', but, at the time, one longstanding party member said the decision was 'disgraceful' as a woman had been imposed 'but not explained'. Lady Smith was supported by former Plaid leader Lord Wigley of Caernarfon and former Green Party leader Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle during the short introduction ceremony. Baroness Smith (centre right) will be introduced to the Lords by former Plaid leader Lord Wigley of Caernarfon and former Green Party leader Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle. She will take the oath in Welsh. Lady Smith's selection was announced in an email sent to Plaid Cymru members by chief executive Owen Roberts on December 5, who said the decision was in accordance with party rules 'to promote the representation of women'. Defeated candidate Elfyn Llwyd stressed there were 'no sour grapes', but, at the time, one longstanding party member said the decision was 'disgraceful' as a woman had been imposed 'but not explained'. Plaid Cymru defended Lady Smith's appointment and also said she would take up the role as a 'full-time position', ceasing any employment. She previously worked as a public affairs officer for Bute Energy, a Cardiff-based green energy firm with farms across Wales. Ahead of her introduction to the House of Lords, Ms Smith said: 'As I am introduced to the House of Lords as its youngest member today, I will be acutely aware of the unique responsibility I hold to be a voice for my generation. 'We came of age amidst the global recession and austerity, seeing the decimation of youth services and the growing mental health crisis. 'Against the backdrop of looming climate catastrophe, we face stark wealth disparities, soaring debts, unaffordable housing, and precarious employment. We are incensed by the injustices suffered by so many in our society. 'As a young carer to my late father, I experienced the kind of struggles that so many people face every day - the same barriers, the same prejudices. 'As someone who grew up in a rural, underprivileged area, I experienced the lack of connectedness, lack of infrastructure, that so many of our communities still face. 'I chose ''Llanfaes'' as my title as I wanted to send a message. I wanted to shine a light on the experiences of people in areas like mine. 'My experiences are far from unique, but are a world away from the reality lived by most in Westminster. 'Across Wales, young voices are drowned out by the failures of the UK's political and economic structures. They deserve to be heard. 'In a House of Lords where not many members will look like me, I know that I will have to shout loudly. I'm ready for that.' Lord Wigley, Plaid's honorary president, said he planned to retire from the House of Lords at the next general election as he turns 81 in April. 'It is true that I have indicated in the past that I did not foresee myself continuing in the Lords beyond the age of 80,' he said. 'However, with Carmen's very welcome appointment, I resolved to stay a little longer to help her settle into the work. 'I very much hope that during this period, Plaid Cymru's other nominee, Elfyn Llwyd, former parliamentary leader, will be appointed to the Lords - and that this will deliver on the earlier commitment that Plaid Cymru will have three seats in the second chamber, to work for Wales to the best of our endeavours. 'In the meantime, I look forward to working alongside Carmen Smith and wish her every success.' A former company director who is suing for 1.3million over work stress has been branded a domineering 'bully' who acted like a 'dictator' in the office. Darren Cavanaugh, 57, was sacked from his director role at steel engineering business Folsana after colleagues complained about his behaviour. He is now suing the company that he had built a successful career at since 1987, claiming he suffered a breakdown due to stress triggered by the handling of his case before his ousting. But his former bosses are fighting the case, claiming he was a 'dysfunctional' character who acted more as 'a dictator not a director' - and even kept a two-inch bust of 'Man of Steel' Josef Stalin on his desk. 'The fact that Mr Cavanaugh felt able to associate himself with a character as authoritarian and ruthless as Stalin says a lot about his true personality,' the company's barrister David Platt KC told the High Court in London. Darren Cavanaugh (right) and his wife leaving the High Court in London after he sued steel engineering business Folsana for sacking him Mr Cavanaugh joined Bolton-based Folsana in 1987, aged 21, and was considered a 'hard-working and capable' worker within the company, the court heard. But he said he was shocked and humiliated by his suspension in late 2018 and by a demeaning email sent to the company's suppliers warning that any of his requests would not be honoured. JOSEPH STALIN: SOVIET DICTATOR WHO KILLED MILLIONS Joseph Stalin was a Soviet revolutionary and politician, who is widely considered to be one of the 20th century's most significant figures. He was the longest-serving leader of the Soviet Union from 1924 until his death in 1953, gaining absolute control over the government in 1937. As a result of his Five-Year Plans, the country underwent agricultural collectivisation and rapid industrialisation, creating a centralised economy. It also saw severe disruptions to food production which contributed to the famine of 193033. To eradicate those deemed 'enemies of the working class', Stalin instituted the Great Purge, in which over a million were imprisoned, largely in the Gulag system of forced labour camps. In these camps, at least 700,000 people were executed between 1934 and 1939. Josepth Stalin was a Soviet revolutionary and politician Advertisement He told Judge Gavin Mansfield KC that the news was a bombshell, which came 'out-of-the-blue' and left him scrambling to clear his belongings from his office desk. The suspension followed the resignation of another boss in September 2018, who cited Mr Cavanaugh's 'bullying and demeaning management style,' the court was told. Mr Cavanaugh suggests his suspension was based on 'manufactured flimsy evidence' and that senior colleagues 'conspired' to oust him in order to avoid handing over a costly severance package, as he had been considering leaving to set up his own laser cutting business. He now blames his psychiatric problems on his employers' failure to take heed of a series of reports he made about his fragile mental health during the disciplinary process. He said he had complained of 'stress, anxiety and depression' and told a grievance officer: 'I am really not in a good place at the moment physically and emotionally'. Before his suspension he had been a resilient and high-achieving boss, but although still able to hold down challenging roles 'he is currently not capable of working in a high pressure highly skilled role similar to his old job', said his KC. However, Folsana insist that the claim is groundless and that the 'suspension and disciplinary process was bona fides and properly conducted' against a boss who 'thrived on conflict' and 'domination.' 'It's perhaps indicative of these personality traits that the witnesses describe that the claimant proudly kept a bust of one of the great monsters of the 20th century, Josef Stalin, on his desk and that it had been given to him by his sons,' Mr Platt, for the company, said. Quizzed about why he had a Stalin figurine on his desk, Mr Cavanaugh explained from the witness box that his son brought the two-inch high statue back for him following a trip to Russia, also giving him a Faberge-style ornamental egg. These two items ended up on his desk alongside a toy sheep, said Mr Cavanaugh, adding that he had 'absolutely no idea' why his son had given him the Stalin bust. 'You brought it into the office and put it on the desk so that everyone could see it,' said Mr Platt. 'I suggest that you were trying to project a message that you were a big tough guy?' 'That's incorrect,' replied Mr Cavanaugh, explaining that since he had never been a history buff he had little knowledge of who Stalin was. 'All I was aware of was that he was a Russian leader.' Cavanaugh's former bosses claim he was a 'dysfunctional' character who acted more as 'a dictator not a director' - and even kept a two-inch bust of 'Man of Steel' Josef Stalin on his desk (This is not the one he kept on his desk) And asked why a colleague had described him as 'a dictator not a director,' Mr Cavanaugh replied: 'I don't recognise why he said that'. Mr Platt said the company's former owner Robert Haslam claimed Mr Cavanaugh tried to take ownership of 'absolutely everything' and 'thrived on conflict, which provided him with an opportunity to show his domination'. He 'could only function as the dominant party in any relationship', insisted on 'getting his own way' and was 'absolutely convinced of his own opinions to the point of delusion'. The former colleague whose resignation sparked the disciplinary process had been left 'virtually in tears' by Mr Cavanaugh, he told the judge. His oppressive behaviour included barring him from his own office, ordering him to operate machinery on the shop floor rather than carry out his management role, and even instructing another worker to 'conveniently forget' to make him coffee. Other examples of his allegedly heavy-handed approach included summarily dismissing a man for incorrectly stacking pallets, although he was reinstated a few days later 'doubtless after Mr Cavanaugh had calmed down'. But Mr Cavanaugh insisted there were other ways the issues at the company could have been dealt with, short of suspending him. 'Mr Cavanaugh's psychiatric injury was caused by a combination of shock and distress at being the victim of a concerted attempt to remove him from the business and blackening his name in the industry on the basis of an initial allegation...that appears entirely manufactured,' said his barrister, Mr Hyam. The trial continues. The International Labour Organization (ILO) has dismissed a request by striking Korean trainee doctors for intervention in the government's back-to-work order, concluding that they are not recognized as a labor union eligible for the process, officials said Thursday. The labor ministry revealed the development after the Korean Intern and Resident Association said last week that it had sent a letter to the ILO, requesting intervention in the Korean government's back-to-work order which, it said, was in violation of the Forced Labor Convention. The government has issued an order for striking trainee doctors to return to work or face penalties, such as the revocation of their medical license, after thousands of trainee doctors walked off their duties at general hospitals nationwide last month in protest of the government's expansion of the medical school quota. The doctors' group had accused the order of running counter to the ILO convention against forced labor. Citing the ministry's inquiry with the ILO, labor ministry officials said on Thursday that the international organization has determined the trainee doctors' association is not recognized as a labor union eligible for an ILO procedure. "According to the ILO's secretariat, those eligible are the government, trade unions or management groups, and the Korean Intern and Resident Association failed to have its eligibility recognized," the ministry said. Cho Won-ik, a lawyer representing the medical group, said the ILO decision was conveyed to the group last Friday, and the group immediately submitted another request for intervention with an explanation that it is the sole organization representing trainee doctors. (Yonhap) The toddler who would have been left orphaned after his parents were killed alongside his older brother, 1, when the driver plowed into them as they waited at a bus stop in San Francisco to go on a family day out at the city zoo. The boy, named Caue, died Wednesday, the horror crash occurred on Saturday afternoon. His death was confirmed by area Supervisor Myrna Melgar who added that the child's injuries were so severe, he had been in hospice care. Melgar also said that the toddler's organs would be donated, reports The San Francisco Chronicle. Apple executive Diego Cardoso de Oliveira, 40, his wife, producer Matilde Ramos Pinto, 38, and their one-year-old son, Joaquin, were earlier pronounced dead following the incident. Mary Fong Lau, 78, was arrested Sunday on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter, driving the wrong way, driving at an unsafe speed and reckless driving. Lau was initially taken to the hospital for injuries and it remains unclear what caused her car to hop the curb, crash into a fire hydrant, pole and side of the local library. Baby Caue, shown left alongside his brother, Joaquin, was pronounced dead three days after his other family members Matilde Ramos Pinto, 38, and the couple's one-year-old son were tragically killed on Saturday as they waited for the for the bus in West Portal, in the Bay Area, on their way to the zoo Diego Cardoso de Oliveira, 40, was also killed. The crash also left their infant son, about three months old, in critical condition (not pictured) Matilde was taken to the hospital after the crash, while her husband and child died at the scene Matilde was taken to the hospital after the crash, while her husband and child died at the scene. She died on Sunday in the hospital. Other people waiting for the bus to arrive were also injured from the crash and received medical attention. The family lived in the Mission District, a neighborhood in the Bay Area, and planned to spend a day at the zoo together for Diego and Matilde's wedding anniversary, friends said. Diego, a creative director at Apple, was from Brazil and Matilde was a film and advertising producer from Portugal. Loved ones have been leaving tributes on the couple's social media accounts. 'So sorry this happened to you and your family. Rooting for your baby's health,' read one comment on Diego's Instagram. Another said: 'My dear dear Matilde. I am so heartbroken. I cannot believe this you were and are an angel in my life forever. I miss you.' The crash site has since been covered with stuffed animals, flowers, candles, and a stroller with a heart-shaped cutout that reads: : 'Remembering the precious lives lost on March 16, 2024.' Advocates from Walk San Francisco added three pairs of shoes in honor of the mother, father and child who were tragically lost. Witnesses said that the toddler went flying in the air from the impact of the crash. Diego, a creative director at Apple, was from Brazil and Matilde was a film and advertising producer from Portugal The family lived in the Mission District, a neighborhood in the Bay Area, and planned to spend a day at the zoo together for Diego and Matilde's wedding anniversary The crash site has since been covered with stuffed animals, flowers, candles and tributes Another witness, Nikki Mashburn, told The San Francisco Chronicle that she heard the crash and that is sounded like 'an explosion.' She said that the victims suffered head injuries. 'When the paramedics showed up, you could tell they didnt know what to do first,' Mashburn said. 'The stroller was clearly destroyed. Yeah, so he was still strapped in there,' Johanna Dimayuga, a resident in the area told CBS News. Gabriel Cinquepalm, another witness, said that he saw Lau after the crash as she got out of her vehicle with a look as if to say: 'What have I done?' and that she was screaming at the sky. San Francisco Mayor London Breed said on X, formerly Twitter, that she had visited the scene of the collision on Saturday. She called it 'heartbreaking.' Walk San Francisco has planned a memorial for the family at 5pm on Monday at the crash site. The aftermath of the horror crash is pictured above 'We are heartbroken and heartsick and horrified,' Jodie Medeiros, the executive director of the advocacy group said. 'This is one of the worst pedestrian tragedies to ever occur on San Francisco streets. It is almost beyond comprehension.' Following the tragedy, the group and locals have voiced their concerns about the intersection of Ulloa Street and West Portal Avenue where the bus stop is located. The group noted that around the intersection, there are multiple places where families and children frequent, like a library, schools and train stations. 'It's time to fundamentally rethink areas like where this crash occurred, where thousands of people walk and cross and wait every day,' Medeiros said. This was the second child killed in the city in less than a year, as deadly crashes like these have surged and left residents uneasy. A pop star's son and distant cousin of King Charles is 'no stranger to the court system' after years of violence, threats, criminal damage and racist behaviour. Rowan Nash Lascelles is currently being hunted by police after he was convicted of hurling racist abuse in a McDonald's restaurant. The 46-year-old is the son of The Hon. James Lascelles, who is the keyboardist for Cockney Rebel, of (Come Up And See Me) Make Me Smile fame, and is also King Charles' second cousin once removed and a great-great grandchild of George V. The wanted man is 68th in line to the throne and has multiple previous convictions for racially-aggravated criminal offences. He has 15 sets of previous convictions for 21 offences, including being found guilty of racist and homophobic hate in McDonalds and getting himself banned from Sainsbury's after he told a member of staff to 'go back to where you come from'. Rowan Nash Lascelles, 46, a distant cousin of King Charles, is being hunted by police after he was convicted of hurling racist abuse in a McDonald's restaurant Rowan, who is the son of The Hon. James Lascelles (pictured), is King Charles' second cousin once removed and a great-great grandchild of George V Lascelles's first offence took place in Leicester Square in 2018, when he was convicted of the racially aggravated assault of a casino doorman and racially abusing his supervisor. Lascelles' father: the aristo who became Cockney Rebel hippy James THE Hon. James Lascelles, 62, younger brother of the 8th Earl of Harewood is a great-grandson of George V. Thrice-married, he turned his back on his aristocratic lifestyle to live in a commune in Norfolk in the early Seventies. Idealistic in the extreme, the keen musician founded a band called the Global Village Trucking Company, known to fans as 'The Globs'. They wanted to see if they could survive without signing to a record label, and played numerous free concerts with moderate success. He had four children with his first two wives, and is pictured here with second wife Lori and children Tanit and Tewa. Today, James plays keyboards for Cockney Rebel, of (Come Up And See Me) Make Me Smile fame. Advertisement On that occasion, he spat blood in a bouncer's face after fighting outside with a homeless man and called the supervisor a 'P***'. Lascelles jumped bail and did not appear for the trial. A year later, he was jailed for sixteen weeks after he was found guilty of a second racially aggravated crime at Victoria Train Station on April 18. In 2020, he was banned from a Sainsbury's store in the Strand after he told staff to 'go back to where you come from' when his card was declined. The incident was Lascelles's third racially-aggravated conviction in which staff described him as 'very aggressive', shouting: 'I'm going to kick you out of the country. You're not English.' At Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court, he pleaded guilty to using racially aggravated threatening behaviour towards store manager Shujel Ahmed and Sainsbury's employee Mariluz Olmo. In 2021, he fled a hearing at City of London Magistrates' Court where police and Westminster council failed in a bid to ban him from the borough. A court was told how Lascelles was addicted to powerful synthetic marijuana 'Spice' and mixes with the users and dealers who congregate in Westminster, particularly around The Strand. The court was also told that Lascelles 'engaged with rough sleepers, resulting in fights and had caused a number of incidents at the drug and alcohol treatment centre in Wardour Street, Soho'. PC Zak Ali said that on August 10, 2021, police were called to a fight outside Italian restaurant Prezzo in the West End, adding: 'One of the individuals was Mr Lascelles and he threw a bar stool, causing significant injury and was arrested for grievous bodily harm. 'That is just one. There are others and he would commit a number of offences on the same day and be arrested numerous times in one week. 'He is a burden on the Metropolitan Police and many violent incidents are not reported to the police, particularly from outreach services and the council.' During that trial, Lascelles was also due to be sentenced for an offence of criminal damage after pleading guilty to vandalising a door on April 27 at Look Ahead Housing & Care in Vauxhall Bridge Road, Victoria. Police are now hunting for the great-great-grandson of George VI again after he was convicted of hurling racist abuse in a McDonald's restaurant in 2023. Aristrocrat Rowan Nash Lascelles, 43, (pictured outside Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court in 2020) pleaded guilty to racially aggravated threatening behaviour at a Sainsbury's store in the Strand Rowan was convicted of racially aggravated harassment and threatening behaviour to cause harassment alarm or distress to at a McDonald's in Kilburn High Road (pictured) last year Magistrate Patricia Thomson issued a warrant for his arrest after he did not attend his latest trial at Willesden Magistrates' Court yesterday and was found guilty of multiple offences in his absence. Earlier this month, Lascelles admitted racially or religiously aggravated harassment against Abdirashid Mohamed at WH Smith at Victoria station on February 16 last year. Lascelles has been living in a multiple occupation house through a housing association but he was not there yesterday. He also admitted threatening behaviour to Isabella Goto Abbiati and assaulting Chrysoula Nikidopoulou. Both incidents are also said to have taken place at Victoria in August 2023. He denied but was convicted of racially aggravated harassment and threatening behaviour to cause harassment alarm or distress to at McDonald's in Kilburn High Road last September. Lascelles approached men he believed to be gay in the restaurant referring to them as 'b***y boy' and said 'I bet you love it up the a**e.' He shouted the N-word as he approached the counter and continued to yell it repeatedly into the kitchen, the court heard. Lascelles also denied but was convicted of using threatening words with intent to cause fear of or provoke unlawful violence to St Mungo's worker Claire Hopkins on September 15, 2023. Lascelles also admitted racially or religiously aggravated harassment against Abdirashid Mohamed at WHSmith at Victoria station (pictured) on February 16 last year Mrs Hopkins, the manager of the Westminster outreach team at St Mungo's, said Lascelles pressed their intercom and immediately started kicking the door. He then told Mrs Hopkins: 'I'm going to get a knife and stab you in the face', the court heard. Lascelles admitted causing 460 criminal damage to a window at St Mungo's and breaking another window worth 410, both in September last year. He also admitted criminal damage to a Colindale police station cell on September 19, 2023. Applying for a warrant to be issued for his arrest prosecutor Martin Edwards said Lascelles was 'no stranger to the court system.' Lascelles, of Cambridge Gardens, Ladbroke Grove, will be sentenced on a date to be fixed if he is found by police. Plastic barriers and security staff in high-visibility jackets stand guard over the most coveted section of a Tesco superstore - its reduced-to-clear chiller cabinet. The farcical images show guards standing within a cordon of construction-style orange barriers protecting the yellow-sticker section of the Preston superstore as shoppers queue up to pick up cut-price goods. But locals say the protective measures on the cheap chilled food go beyond physical barriers - claiming shop bosses have imposed a cap of two items per customer to stop people from getting greedy. One visitor to the store suggested it was the culmination of the cost of living crisis - and that the measure had been imposed after shoppers got into fights. Two pictures were shared 10 days apart on social media, on March 10 and March 20, suggesting the measure has been in place at the supermarket in Deepdale Retail Park on Liverpool Road, which was a Morrisons until last year. This image of the Tesco Preston superstore was shared on social media on March 10, showing people queueing up for the Reduced to Clear section This image was then shared on March 20, 10 days later, showing in more detail how security staff were guarding the section with plastic barriers Those who shared the images online claimed the measures had been introduced because of fights among customers - and that a two-item limit was imposed Tesco now has 'Reduced to Clear' sections in its stores as permanent fixtures, with their own signs Its reduced-to-clear items are easily identifiable by their bright yellow stickers denoting the reduced charge They were shared on social media on March 10 and March 20 - suggesting the measure may have been imposed by the management of the supermarket more than one. There is no suggestion of the measure being used at other Tesco stores. One local captioned her image: 'Only in Preston Tesco. Security had fencing around the reduced items with a security guard making people queue up and enter the area one by one. 'To top it off I heard him say that people are only allowed 2 items each! It's ridiculous.' Another social media user, posting on X, formerly Twitter, said of his picture: 'Actual barriers up in @Tesco Preston around the "Reduced to Clear" section as apparently theres been scraps recently. Crazy world we live in. #CostOfLivingCrisis.' Store bosses are understood to have sign-off from higher-ups to use barriers when applying price reductions. However, in this case, the barriers appear to have been used to control customer access at all times. Tesco declined to comment when approached by MailOnline. However, it is not the first time plastic fixtures have been used to cover off the dedicated reduced sections in store, which were made a permanent fixture at the end of 2022. Images have been shared on social media of Tesco staff blocking off the reduced section with a luminous yellow barrier as they applied yellow stickers to items approaching their use-by dates. Staff at one branch in Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex, told their managers they did not feel safe as they applied the labels, The Sun reported - because shoppers would try to snatch items from their hands the moment the stickers were on. A decade ago, Tesco began introducing extra security staff to stores amid reports of fights breaking out over yellow-stickered items. Days before it permanently upgraded its Reduced to Clear areas with dedicated signage, fights had broken out in a store between shoppers as they scrambled to get their hands on the cheapest food. Customers had grabbed at the items and pushed each other in clear view of children - with one Tesco staffer having to dodge out of the way to avoid being caught in the scramble. A similar scrap unfolded at another Tesco shop in 2019 - prompting one witness to exclaim 'Goodness me!' as customers fought over cut-price produce. It is a growing problem for developed countries: how do you get people to have more babies? Shock research today warned that three in four countries could face the threat of 'underpopulation' by 2050 because of plummeting birth rates. There were 605,479 live births in England and Wales in 2022, a 3.1 per cent decrease on 2021 and the lowest number since 2002. It meant the overall birth rate in 2022 was just 1.49 children per woman. And according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), women born in 1975 had on average just 1.92 children. That figure starkly compares with the average 2.08 children that women born in 1949 (their mothers' generation) had. The best year for babies in Britain was in 1920, when there were 957,782 live births in England and Wales. Experts have put this down to economic recovery following the First World War. It came after a dramatic fall in the birth rate following the Spanish Flu pandemic in 1918. There was a similar baby boom in England in 1946-7, after the Second World War. Posters from the period show how parents were offered a 4 maternity grant for every child, with a 'double benefit' for twins. Other nations around the world have adopted radical campaigns to boost falling birth rates. In the post-war Soviet Union, Stalin's regime issued colourful posters of mothers with as many as ten children. There were baby booms in Britain in 1920, 1946-7 and 1964-5. 1920 remains England and Wales' best year for births on record Government posters issued in 1945 and 1946 encouraging parents to sign up for maternity benefits In Japan, which has had a population crisis for decades, one town has bucked the trend with family-friendly policies boosting the birth rate from from 1.4 to 2.8 children per woman in recent years. In Singapore in 2012, the government teamed up with the Mentos mint brand to encourage couples to try to 'give birth to a nation' on August 9, the country's National Day. And in Denmark, a nationwide 'Do it for Denmark' campaign helped to boost the birth rate. Today's figures for the UK are far below the 2.1 children that are needed for the population to be maintained without immigration. For decades, demographers had thought that the Spanish Flu pandemic caused a baby bust in 1918 and 1919 (when there were 662,661 and 692,438 births respectively. However, a study released by Oxford University last year found that the 1920 baby boom in six European countries was caused by economic recovery following WWI, instead of any psychological effects following the pandemic. In Denmark, a nationwide 'Do it for Denmark' campaign helped to boost the birth rate In Singapore in 2012, the government teamed up with the Mentos mint brand to encourage couples to try to 'give birth to a nation' on August 9, the country's National Day In America, there was an average of 4.24million new babies every year between 1946 and 1964. Posters issued by the government in the war advertised 'freedom from want' and showed happy families around the dinner table In the UK as a whole, there were probably more than 1.1million live babies. This figure is well above the post-WWII boom year of 1947, when there were just over 881,000 babies born. Much like in the UK, the USA saw a dramatic baby boom after the Second World War, but it went on for much longer than in Britain. Whilst the birth rate in England and Wales went from just under 680,000 in 1945 to 881,000 in 1947, it declined sharply after that until 1956, when it rose again up to a peak of nearly 876,000 in 1964 before another fall. In America, there was an average of 4.24million new babies every year between 1946 and 1964. The increase in births has been put down to a strong post-war economy, which gave Americans the confidence they needed to support a larger number of children. Posters issued by the government in the war advertised 'freedom from want' and showed happy families around the dinner table. They helped to boost the ideal of domesticity and family life into the post-war era. In 2020, South Korea's fertility rate sank to just 0.84 children per woman, meaning the nation has the lowest birth rate in the world. The country's government has offered free childcare, housing benefits, and support for IVF in an attempt to boost the birth rate. A nurse tends to babies in a nursery in Britain in the 1920s A woman pushing her baby in a specially adapted pram attached to her bicycle in Brixton, south London, 1926 Japan has had a similar crisis for decades. The number of babies born in the country fell last year for an eighth year in a row. There were 758,631 babies born in 2023, a 5.1 per cent decline from the previous year. It was the lowest number of births in Japan since the country started compiling statistics in 1899. One key reason for the declining births is a drop in the marriage rate. There were 489,281 marriages last year, a 5.9 per cent decline from the previous year. It marks the first time in 90 years that the Japanese marriage rate has fallen below half a million. Surveys show that younger Japanese are shying away from marriage or having families because of bleak job prospects, the high cost of living and corporate cultures that are incompatible with having both parents at work. Prime minister Fumio Kishida called the low births 'the biggest crisis that Japan faces.' The country's government has tried to encourage more births with measures including subsidies for children and more support for families. Babies are seen in hospital cribs in the United States in the 1950s Fifty years ago, Japan's birth rate peaked at around 2.1million and it has been falling ever since. As a result, Japan's population of around 125million is projected to fall by around 30 per cent to 87million by 2070. Four out of 10 people will be aged 65 or older. However, one Japanese town is bucking the trend. Over nine years it doubled its birth rate - from 1.4 to 2.8 children per woman over nine years - with a wide-ranging scheme of family friendly policies. Families get baby bonuses and children allowances and it costs half the national average to send a child to nursery. In Hungary, women receive tax cuts if they have more children. Poland's Family 500+ programme gives parents a tax-free benefit of around 100 for their second child and any further children they have after that. In Sweden, every pre-school child is entitled to childcare from the age of one, whilst in Norway, the maximum price for kindergarten is just 3,050 kroner (226) a month. France's influencers have come under increasing scrutiny in recent years, with a law brought in to stop impressionable young followers being 'scammed' by false advertising and sold cheap goods by their favourite social media stars. But criticism of their practices has in many cases spiralled into vile internet abuse, with Magali Berdah, known as France's 'queen of influencers', this week helping to put 28 internet trolls who targeted her behind bars. The mother-of-three told the trial how she had suffered such severe abuse, including anti-semitic and misogynistic insults, that she had come 'within a whisker of throwing (herself) out the window'. She accuses chart-topping rapper Booba of encouraging the trolling, and though he was not among those sentenced on Tuesday, he has been indicted for harrassing the TV personality and faces a separate trial. Both household names in France, the pair have been locked in a bitter feud since 2022, when Booba, real name Elie Yaffa, launched a campaign against 'influvoleurs' - or 'thieving influencers' - accusing Berdah of being their 'pseudo-manager'. Magali Berdah says she has received tens of thousands of messages of abuse online since 2022 The defendants' actions had 'real consequences' on the mother-of-three's mental health, the court was told Booba, real name Elie Yaffa, launched a campaign against 'influvoleurs' - or 'thieving influencers' - in 2022 The rapper first 'went to war' with influencers in late 2021 after blogger Marc Blata accused him of wearing a fake watch, with Booba alleging that he started spreading 'all sorts of lies' about him. 'From there, I went to war against him on social networks,' he told French newspaper Liberation. Booba claimed he knew nothing about social media and reality TV stars, whose work he said made him 'want to vomit', but began exploring their world online amid the row with Blata. 'It was the discovery of their massive scams that revolted me,' he said in the explosive interview. 'Beyond having no talent, promoting the culture of emptiness, stupidity, and not paying their taxes in France, they deceive citizens - especially teenagers - by selling them trash,' he alleged. His digging prompted him to look into other social media stars, and single out Berdah, who helps to market other influencers, as being a leader in the industry. He began to call out Berdah in a series of tweets, and used his own following of more than 6million followers on X to draw attention to those he accused of being 'influvoleurs'. 'This story is not a clash, it is a demand for justice,' he said at the time. 'Their totally fake world must fall,' he added. 'And when it's over, I'll bring oranges to Magali Berdah.' Berdah boasts 1.7 million Instagram followers and is a well-known TV personality in France Berdah was targeted by rapper Booba, who in 2022 launched a campaign against 'thieving influencers' (Pictured in file image, 2019) As she increasingly experienced online abuse from Booba and his followers, Berdah filed a complaint against the rapper, accusing him of 'false publications'. 'Since then, I have suffered mass online harassment,' she said, with an investigation into death threats and other online abuse she suffered opened in June 2022. She went on to post a statement on Instagram claiming that she had received '69,687 threats and insults' in the space of two and a half months. Her complaints later led to the trial, which culminated this week with more than two dozen people aged between 20 and 49 being handed jail terms. Each of the 28 people who were sentenced 'knew about the cyberbullying suffered by the victim and made a conscious choice to join in with it,' the Paris court found. Booba was not among those sentenced, and has denied that he put himself at the head of an online 'mob'. However, he has been indicted for cyberharrassment of Berdah in a separate case, which he denies. The rapper is accused of 'at least 487 messages on social networks' aimed 'directly' at Ms Berdah between May 2022 and May 2023. Despite the claims, Booba's campaign to highlight 'unethical' practices carried out by influencers was hailed by many as helping to crack down on false advertising and other malpractice. Styling himself as a whistleblower, lawmakers claimed that the rapper, known for his number one track Mona Lisa, has helped to bring the issue to light. 'He's right, Booba, he's right to point out that there are excesses (among certain influencers),' Minister of the Economy, Bruno Le Maire, said at the time a new law was passed in June 2023. It was aimed at stamping out online scams which saw influencers convince their followers to buy fake products, such as miracle health remedies, and required them to make clear when they are being paid for adverts. But the crackdown, alongside the heightened criticism from internet users, 'ruined' the careers of some influencers. Berdah, who has Russian and Ukrainian heritage, works as a talent agent and runs a number of companies Reality star Julia Paredes claimed to have experienced a significant drop in income, saying on a podcast: 'I'm going to tell the truth, months ago, I was earning 35,000 to 40,000, and after the controversies, now we are at 5,000.' The huge criticism of influencers, which in many cases is unsubstantiated, also appears to have damaged Berdah's business interests. The businesswoman announced in November that she is suing Booba for 30million, accusing him of launching a smear campaign against her and her company. She said that the rapper had launched a 'monstrous campaign of denigration and destabilization whose sole objective is that (her person and her associates) are both reduced to nothing'. Berdah boasts 1.7 million Instagram followers and is a well-known TV personality, as well as working as a talent agent and running a number of companies. The businesswoman herself faces trial in Nice in September for bankruptcy and money laundering in a separate case. Her company, a marketing agency called Shauna Events, is also being investigated for fraud. 'Nothing can justify cyberbullying, especially not the behaviour of the person targeted,' her lawyer has said. Berdah and her lawyers have vowed to continue her to seek justice for victims of internet abuse, declaring after this week's sentencing that 'the fight goes on'. A council has banned adverts of 'harmful' campaigns in a drive to meet its green targets, despite facing a 17.4million funding shortfall. Sheffield City Council agreed on Monday to introduce a new advertising policy that will ban campaigns for airlines and airports, junk food, vaping, gambling and cars, including hybrid models across the city. The move, which is expected to come into force next month, will apply to all council-owned billboards, its social media pages, website, publications and any sponsorship arrangements. Marieanne Elliot, a Sheffield Green Party councillor who supported the policy, said the ban 'tackles some of the impacts of consumerism, advertising and injustice'. She said: 'If we seriously want to move away from greenwashing and promoting products and foods that are making our health worse and negatively affecting our wellbeing we need policies like this.' Sheffield City Council agreed on Monday to introduce a new advertising ban that will crack down on campaigns for airlines and airports, junk food, vaping, gambling and cars, including hybrid models across the city. Pictured: Sheffield Town Hall An aerial panorama of Sheffield city centre cityscape. The local council is expected to experience a 17.4m shortfall this year The council said it expects the impact of the new policy to be between 14,000 and 21,000, which it described as 'low' compared to costs incurred through pressure on the NHS and other services. It comes months after it was revealed that the council is expected to experience an overspend of 17.4million for the year to date. Some are concerned that this measure will only make this shortfall worse, by decreasing the revenue available to cash-strapped councils. A spokesman for the Advertising Association said: 'Efforts to tackle climate change are vital, and the Advertising Standards Authority is already taking significant action to ensure all claims, including environmental claims, are legal, decent, honest and truthful. 'However, this kind of action by councils simply reduces the revenue available to fund public services and denies the right for many companies to legally advertise their products and services, which provides jobs and incomes to thousands of people up and down the country.' Pedestrians pass an advertisment for fast food as they make their way through Nottingham city centre Fast food billboard in Manchester Ms Elliot also said that she would like to see the policy go further by banning adverts for major banks that finance fossil fuel production, such as Barclays and HSBC. Restrictions on advertising for fossil fuels is currently a policy at Cambridgeshire County council, Coventry City Council and Somerset Council, but Sheffield's move is the most radical ban to date. Last year Sheffield City Council had to issue a four-page apology to residents after an inquiry found it had behaved dishonestly during a dispute over the felling of healthy trees in the city in a 2.2billion street improvement project. On March 6 2023, the Sheffield Street Trees Inquiry Report by Sir Mark Lowcock found the council also misled the high court twice during the row - during which elderly residents were arrested and held for eight hours for trying to protect the trees. In autumn 2016, council contractors dragged residents out of bed to move their cars at 4.45am to begin cutting down trees, before protesters arrived. The scenes were compared to 'something youd expect to see in Putins Russia' by former Sheffield Hallam MP Nick Clegg. French National Police this morning ground to a halt the departure of four migrant boats seeking to make a crossing to the UK. 'This morning between 7:00am and 8:00am in the Slack area at Wimereux, the Police nationale foiled the departure of 4 migrant boats seeking an illegal maritime crossing,' officials said in a statement on X. They also added that two individuals suspected of being smugglers were arrested. It comes just a day after British crews rescued an overloaded inflatable boat with around 50 people on board that had motored away from the French coastguard. On Wednesday, two RNLI lifeboats were urgently dispatched from Dover and Walmer to the English Channel when fears the vessel would capsize after veering into a shipping lane off Calais were raised. French National Police stopped the departure of four migrant vessels this morning in the Slack area at Wimereux Authorities claimed that two individuals suspected of being smugglers were arrested Yesterday, a small boat packed with migrants was launched from Sangette Beach in northern France Coastguard officials were seen approaching the overfull boat as it drifted in the open sea Disturbing footage showed small children and babies among those on board The small boat which was pictured packed with migrants, was launched from Sangette Beach in northern France yesterday morning, with passengers seemingly making the most of the millpond conditions. Footage of the rescue mission showed a French coastguard boat attempting to assist the black inflatable as it bobbed aimlessly into the dangerous shipping lanes in the Dover Strait. Although the rubber vessel appeared to be struggling under the weight of the many people on board, its small engine had managed to power the boat with enough juice to send it away from the coast of Calais and miles out into the open sea. Horror images showed many of the desperate migrants gripping onto the flimsy boat were not wearing life jackets, and some were also seen clinging onto babies and young children. The boat is believed to have drifted into UK waters, with British lifeboat and coastguard vessels being launched in an effort to rescue the asylum seekers. As the boat drifted further and further away from French rescuers, and towards the UK, the RNLI and coastguard teams intervened. The chaotic sequence of events unfolded after migrants reportedly overpowered police officers on Sangatte Beach, in northern France, early on Wednesday morning. The boat was launched from Sangatte Beach yesterday, near Calais in northern France. Pictured: Tracker shows French patrol vessel changing course to intercept the boat off the coast of Sangatte They managed to launch the vessel with dozens jumping on board, a witness said, before the boat drifted along the coastline. A Home Office spokesperson said: 'The unacceptable number of people who continue to cross the Channel demonstrates exactly why we must get flights to Rwanda off the ground as soon as possible. 'We continue to work closely with French police who are facing increasing violence and disruption on their beaches as they work tirelessly to prevent these dangerous, illegal and unnecessary journeys. 'We remain committed to building on the successes that saw arrivals drop by more than a third last year, including tougher legislation and agreements with international partners, in order to save lives and stop the boats.' Another group of migrants were also intercepted by a Border Force vessel and escorted into Dover, Kent, early yesterday. A RNLI lifeboat carrying a group of people believed to be migrants are seen being brought in to Dover, Kent, yesterday morning A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover onboard the RNLI Dover Lifeboat following a small boat incident in the Channel yesterday People thought to be migrants are seen being brought in by Border Force to Dover, Kent, yesterday morning The majority male group were spotted wearing orange life jackets and climbing off the catamaran shortly after 8am. It was today revealed one of the migrants was attacked by two men on a beach in France before he boarded the inflatable vessel. He was found with stab wounds after making the journey across the English Channel and was dashed to hospital in an ambulance for treatment for his injuries - which were described as non-threatening. He told Kent Police officers that he had been 'assaulted on a beach near Calais by two men who then stayed in France while he made the crossing to the UK'. The man had been on one of eight dinghies that made it to UK shores transporting more than 400 migrants on one of the busiest days of crossings so far this year. READ HERE: Dozens of migrants are brought to shore by Border Force in Dover after an overloaded boat was seen motoring away from the French coastguard off Calais Advertisement No arrests have yet been made over the stabbing, with detectives saying they are passing details of what happened to French authorities for further investigation. Around 60 other migrants on his boat were also checked over. A Kent Police spokesperson said: 'At 12.52pm on Wednesday 20 March, Kent Police received a report of a man with injuries consistent with stab wounds, following the arrival of a small boat at Dover Western Docks. 'The man was taken to a local hospital for treatment and has since been discharged. He has reported that he was assaulted on a beach near Calais by two men who then stayed in France while he made the crossing to the UK'. In the early hours of Tuesday, French police also stormed a beach near Calais to stop 60 asylum seekers from entering the UK via the English Channel. The French Police Nationale tweeted: 'On the night of Monday to Tuesday on the beach of Hemmes de Marck, the #policiers of Pas-de-Calais prevented the departure of about sixty people aboard several makeshift boats towards Great Britain.' It came on the same day that 61 migrants were intercepted in one dinghy, according to official figures, and brought into Dover on a Border Force vessel. A total of 2,255 migrants have crossed the English Channel in small boats so far this year, on a par with 2022 which saw a record number of people making the journey Official UK government figures show 3,468 migrants have crossed the Channel in 73 dinghies so far this year an average of 48 people per boat. This month's total stands at 1,213 migrants in 25 boats. Neither dataset includes yesterday's arrivals, which are yet to be confirmed. Last year saw 29,437 migrants make the crossing which was a significant fall on 2022 when 45,755 people reached the UK. At least 75 migrants have died in the Channel since the crisis began five years ago. Earlier this month, a seven-year-old girl drowned at the start of this month in a French inland waterway while heading for the Channel. It came just three days after three more migrants died when their boat got into difficulty. The parents of Lacey Fletcher have been sentenced to 20 years behind bars after leaving their daughter to die rotting on a couch. Sheila and Clay Fletcher were arrested and indicted on murder charges after the gruesome discovery in their home in Slaughter, Louisiana, in January 2022. The 36-year-old weighed just 96 pounds when she was found dead on the maggot-infested couch, with 'ulcers on her underside and fecal matter crushed into her face, chest and abdomen.' Her parents claimed that though Lacey suffered from severe Asperger's syndrome and social anxiety, she was of 'sound mind' and the sofa was where she felt comfortable and safe. But District Judge Kathryn Jones at the 20th District Courthouse in Clinton on Wednesday rejected their claims, saying that they had allowed Lacey to die through their neglect. In court on Wednesday, the couple, seen here in prison jumpsuits, were sentenced to 20 years for her death, with a judge saying they had allowed their daughter to die of neglect Sheila and Clay Fletcher were arrested and indicted on murder charges after the discovery in their home in Slaughter, Louisiana , in January 2022 The Fletchers had previously pleaded no contest to manslaughter earlier this year for their parts in her death The Fletchers had previously pleaded no contest to manslaughter earlier this year for their parts in her death. Judge Jones imposed a 40-year sentence, but suspended 20 years of their prison stints, and ordered them to serve five years of probation if they are released. The judge said: 'Clay and Sheila Fletcher continually chose the path of least resistance when it came to the care of their daughter. 'We can argue about whether or not this process took three months, six months or three years. I don't really care. 'This was a tragedy. The truth is that Lacey laid on a couch and slowly died because she got no medical or mental health care.' Images captured of the couch that Lacey had been fused to show the condition it was found in, with experts summarizing that she didn't move for 12 years. She was found dead sunken into a waste-filled hole in the couch in January of 2022, weighing just 96 pounds. On Wednesday, defense attorneys said that due to Lacey's age she was fully competent and was old enough to make her own decisions. Steven Moore, their attorney, said: 'They loved her to death, and that is the true statement of what the Fletchers are.' The Fletchers had spent nearly 18 months denying second-degree murder after being indicted twice by a grand jury in Clinton, Louisiana. Due to conflicting language, those charges were tossed out and reduced to manslaughter which they pleaded no contest to. Documents obtained by DailyMail.com previously revealed that Lacey had bone visible from severe wounds and sores when found. A high school photo of Lacey Ellen Fletcher, 36, taken when she was 16. The coroner believes she was left on the couch for 12 years Images captured of the couch that Lacey had been fused to show the condition it was found in She was found dead sunken into a waste-filled hole in the couch in January of 2022, weighing just 96 pounds The documents also said that she was infested with maggots while she was still alive. This infestation included the area around her genitals. Lacey had attended Brownsville Baptist Academy where she featured in the volleyball team, but was homeschooled after 9th grade. At the age of 14, her mother took her to clinical psychologist Donald Hoppe saying she suffered 'severe social anxiety'. Sheila shared information from another psychologist that 'Lacey had a below average IQ and suffered from autism,' said Dr Donald Hoppe. He saw her for 12 sessions between 2000 and 2002. In 2010 both Fletchers returned 'and told me Lacey was refusing to leave the house and in fact had begun to refuse to leave the living room of the house'. Neighbors of the Fletchers told DailyMail.com in 2022 that they had not seen Lacey for 15 years. Robert Blades, 61, said she was 'just a normal fun kid' before vanishing from view. Blades said he asked Clay about his daughter's whereabouts in 2017. An undated photo of Clay and Sheila Fletcher standing in front of their Christmas tree Lacey attended the former Brownsville Baptist Academy in Louisiana where she was featured (top left) on the school volleyball team Former classmates said Lacey began to retreat into isolation in her teens as her autism accelerated and she was home schooled after 9th grade Neighbors revealed Lacey (center) appeared as 'a fun, normal kid' before becoming more isolated from her neighborhood friends from the age of about 14 'I actually thought maybe she got married and moved on,' he said. 'I said, how is Lacey? How's she doing? Has she moved off? Went to college or what? 'He replied, oh no, she's still here. She's fine. And then changed the subject. And that's it. He didn't explain why we hadn't seen her at all.' Forensic pathologist Dana Troxclairs autopsy report described her body covered in pressure ulcers and suffering chronic bone infection with polarizable fibers (most likely fibers from the couch) and maggots embedded in the exposed surface of the bones. Dr Troxclair wrote: Maggots were present in the perineum and areas of the decubitus ulcers. 'If the maggots would have appeared after death, there would have been at least a minimal presence of eggs or larvae in the region of the eyes, ears, or nose. These areas, together with any wounds, are the preferred spots for colonization. Clay and Sheila Fletcher were pictured in May 2022 when they were released on bail 'There was no evidence of decomposition at the time of the autopsy; therefore, it was determined that the maggots were present prior to death. The forensic pathologist headed one of her findings severe chronic neglect and said Lacey suffered from chronic protein malnutrition and acute starvation. Dr Troxclair said there was fecal matter, both crusted and fresh, present on the body including face, chest, abdomen, perineum, and extremities. The medical expert described Lacey as extremely dirty, matted/knotted hair with feces and maggots. There were insect bites to her left ear, face and arms that happened before she died. He said her hair was 'extremely matted into a 24 x 18-inch knotted ball and cannot be straightened. 'The scalp is red and crusted, the expert wrote. The ears are extremely dirty with crusted feces and small abrasions/lesions on the left ear due to antemortem insect activity. The fingernails are natural, long and extremely dirty with underlying fecal material the toenails are natural, long, curled under and extremely dirty with underlying fecal material. Parents Sheila and Clay Fletcher were arrested and indicted on murder charges after the discovery in their home in Slaughter, Louisiana, in January 2022, A photo of the two-story home located on Tom Drive in Slaughter where Lacey lived with her parents Cause of death was sepsis due to a chain reaction of conditions the bone infection osteomyelitis which was due to the ulcers. These were as a result of poor hygiene, prolonged immobility and malnutrition as a result of severe chronic neglect of a special needs individual, wrote Dr Troxclair. Police were called to the Fletchers' home on January 3, 2022 by Sheila Fletcher who told the East Feliciana Parish 911 service that Lacey had stopped breathing. The mother said her daughter had been sick but it was a long story, according to the 911 report which was filed into court. When Slaughter Police officer Daulton Corban arrived, Clay was performing ineffective chest compressions, on Lacey, who was sideways with her back pressed against the couch, said an East Feliciana Sheriffs Department incident report obtained by DailyMail.com. Lacey was wearing just a t-shirt and it appeared that there was excessive urine and feces underneath the victim and on the floor, added the report written by Lt Kevin Garig. It continued: The wounds in the buttocks and head area were so severe that bone was visible. Based on a hole created in the couch cushion where she sat, it appeared that the victim had been.. in the position for quite some time. President Joe Biden announced even more student loan forgiveness on Thursday that will see 78,000 public service workers have their education debt wiped clean. The nearly $6 billion in student loan relief applies to teachers, nurses and firefighters who, due to previous failures with the system, did not receive the forgiveness they were promised for going into public service. The Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF) was created in 2007 and aimed to forgive student debt for Americans who entered jobs in public service but most never received their promised relief. Biden pledged last year to find alternative avenues for tackling debt relief after a June Supreme Court ruling blocked his sweeping plan to cancel $430 billion in student loan debt. President Joe Biden announced nearly $6 billion in student loan relief on Thursday for 78,000 public service workers Advocates for student debt relief demonstrate outside the U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C. on June 30, 2023 when the Justices shot down Biden's proposal for sweeping forgiveness With a tough reelection rematch with former President Donald Trump in November, Biden is hoping to appeal to younger voters amid concerns over his age and fitness for office. The Thursday announcement brings the student loan forgiveness total under President Biden to $150 billion. Prior to Biden taking office, only about 7,000 public service workers with outstanding student debt received relief under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. But since making loan forgiveness a cornerstone of his agenda, 870,000 public service workers have had their student debt canceled, according to the White House. 'These public service workers have dedicated their careers to serving their communities, but because of past administrative failures, never got the relief they were entitled to under the law,' President Biden said in a statement on the announcement. 'From day one of my Administration, I promised to fix broken student loan programs and make sure higher education is a ticket to the middle class, not a barrier to opportunity,' he continued. 'I won't back down from using every tool at my disposal to deliver student debt relief to more Americans, and build an economy from the middle out and bottom up.' Since 2008, higher education debt has tripled. And according to Federal Student Aid figures as of June 2023, approximately 4.34 million student loan recipients make up $1.63 trillion in outstanding debt. Steep interest coupled with high payment requirements on these particular federal loans have resulted in younger Americans struggling to purchase homes or make other significant investments to help fuel the economy. After student loan repayment was paused for three years during the pandemic, those with outstanding balances found it difficult to resume their monthly payments. Biden tried to pass widespread relief last year that would see most borrowers receiving forgiveness for between $10,000 and $20,000 for their student loans. But the 6-3 conservative majority panel of justices on the Supreme Court struck down the proposal. For years Democrats have pushed for government-level forgiveness for student loan borrowers. Republicans largely oppose the efforts, claiming that taxpayers who did not take out such loans or have already paid theirs off should not be responsible for contributing to the forgiveness. A grinning people smuggler has been jailed for 20 months after trying to take more than 50 migrants across the Channel in a 'perilously overcrowded dinghy'. Choul Phan Maker, 31, from South Sudan, was sentenced at Winchester Crown Court for offences of unlawful arrival and assisting unlawful immigration after making the crossing which 'endangered' the passengers. He was photographed by Border Force officials grinning with his hand on the tiller as he brazenly steered the boat towards the UK on August 15 last year. Maker had previously been ordered to leave France after being caught attempting to enter the UK in a lorry. Choul Phan Maker who has been jailed for 20 months for smuggling more than 50 migrants across the English Channel Maker pictured grinning at Border Force as he drives the 'perilously overcrowded dinghy' He spent more than three years in Europe before travelling from Malta for his latest attempt to cross the Channel. Maker admitted to piloting the boat when he was arrested, telling officers he had been offered the job by a criminal gang who facilitated the journey. He was sentenced to one year and eight months in prison for unlawful arrival and 10 months for assisting unlawful immigration, to be served concurrently. A Home Office spokeswoman said: 'Choul Phan Maker was caught piloting a vessel packed with 52 endangered passengers, many of whom were forced to stand on makeshift flooring. 'He was photographed by Border Force officials, grinning, with his hand on the tiller, as he brazenly steered the boat towards UK shores on 15 August last year. 'Maker, from South Sudan, had previously been ordered to leave France after being caught attempting to enter the UK in a lorry. 'He then spent more than three years in Europe, before travelling from Malta for his latest attempt to cross the Channel. 'Criminal and Financial Investigation officers identified Maker as the boat's pilot and started gathering evidence to support his conviction. 'He was subsequently arrested and admitted to piloting the boat, telling officers that he had been offered the job by the criminal gang who facilitated the journey.' Steve Blackwell, deputy director of Criminal and Financial Investigations at the Home Office, said: 'This pilot thought nothing of endangering dozens of lives in order to make his own illegal journey to the UK. Maker pictured on the boat. He admitted to piloting the boat when he was arrested, telling officers he had been offered the job by a criminal gang People can be seen with their feet in the ocean on the extremely overcrowded and dangerous crossing 'I'm thankful for the quick work of my investigating officers, which has led to us bringing this criminal to justice. His sentence shows that anyone caught piloting these dinghies can expect to be arrested and prosecuted.' The Home Office spokeswoman said small boat crossings to the UK have fallen by 36%, while arrivals into Europe from Africa have increased by more than 70%. According to analysis of Home Office figures, 3,529 people had made the Channel crossing in small boats up to March 19 this year compared with 3,683 by the same point last year. Illegal migration minister Michael Tomlinson said: 'The criminal gangs behind these crossings don't care if people live or die, as long as they pay, but they rely on migrants who are willing to steer their deadly crossings through the water. 'Putting lives at risk by taking charge of these dangerous, illegal and completely unnecessary crossing attempts will not be tolerated and it is right that this pilot has been brought to justice today.' Ambassador to Australia Lee Jong-sup returned home Thursday, 11 days after he left to assume the job, amid criticism of his appointment and departure when he is subject to an investigation into a Marine's death last year. Lee, a former defense minister, was under a travel ban at the time of his appointment over his alleged interference in a military probe into the death of a corporal, who died last year while on a search mission amid heavy rains. The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and other critics have charged that Lee's appointment amounts to helping a suspect flee overseas and demanded President Yoon Suk Yeol withdraw the appointment and bring Lee home to face the investigation. The issue has become one of the hottest topics in the run-up to the April 10 parliamentary elections. After arriving at Incheon International Airport, Lee told reporters that he came back to attend a meeting of diplomatic mission chiefs related to defense industry cooperation and that he wants the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) to question him while he is in Seoul. The CIO has been looking into Lee's alleged interference with a military probe into the Marine's death. "I hope that schedule coordination with the CIO will go well so that I can undergo questioning while staying here," Lee told reporters. His return came earlier than expected, as he had previously been expected to come back for an annual conference of Korea's overseas diplomatic mission chiefs scheduled for late next month. According to the foreign ministry, the gathering of ambassadors on defense industry cooperation will bring together the Korean envoys to Australia, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Qatar and Poland. Some raised speculation the meeting could have been organized to give Lee a pretext for return amid worsening voter sentiment ahead of the general elections because there has been no precedent of the country holding such a meeting separately. Ahead of Lee's arrival, a group of DPK members gathered in front of the airport terminal to denounce his return, repeating its call for Yoon to take back the appointment and apologize to the public. "It is an international disgrace and diplomatic discourtesy to Australia," DPK floor leader Hong Ihk-pyo said. Hong also accused the government and ruling party of hastening Lee's return because public sentiment is increasingly turning negative in the leadup to the elections. The DPK members held up small placards with phrases calling for the immediate dismissal of Lee and swift launch of the investigation. (Yonhap) The Archbishop of Canterbury has called conspiracy theories about the Princess of Wales nothing more than 'old-fashioned village gossip' - while Keir Starmer urged the public to 'butt out' and let her rest. Online speculation has spread in recent weeks about the whereabouts of Kate, 42, while she continues to recover from abdominal surgery, with palace aides saying they would not comment on her recovery. However, the princess was captured on camera by a member of the public walking cheerily with Prince William outside Windsor Farm Shop on Saturday, reportedly looking 'super relaxed'. Conspiracy theories about Kate have continued to spread like wildfire since her outing this weekend, with some claiming the footage was not of Kate but instead a lookalike of the royal. The Archbishop of Canterbury has slammed the 'gossip', saying that speculating about the health of the princess is 'wrong'. He told Times Radio: 'I think we are obsessed by conspiracy and we have little sense of the humanity of those who are caught in the glare of the news. The Princess of Wales, 42, continues to recover from abdominal surgery at home The Archbishop of Canterbury (pictured) has called conspiracy theories about the Princess of Wales nothing more than 'old-fashioned village gossip' 'People should be allowed to be ill, have an operation, whatever it is, and live their lives in peace without people demanding they prove something every other day.' He added: 'It's extremely unhealthy. It's just old-fashioned village gossip that can now go round the world in seconds and we have to turn away from that. 'Gossiping in that way is wrong.' Sir Keir also urged the public to stop speculating about Kate's health, telling them to 'leave her alone'. Asked if he feels sorry for Kate, he told Channel 5's Jeremy Vine: 'Yes. I think that we should leave her alone. 'She's had a difficult operation, and she deserves privacy.' He added: 'We should just butt out and leave her alone... That's not really a political response, it's a human response, as a dad and a human being.' There had been hopes the video would put to bed concerns about her health and discredit the bizarre, baseless and hurtful conspiracy theories being spread about her online. One royal source told the Telegraph: 'Finally everyone can calm down.' However, theories continue to proliferate now that the video has been published. Among the speculation being circulated by cruel trolls are that the Princess has died, or is using a body double or even her sister Pippa as a stand-in. Unkind provocateurs have even suggested that she is in a coma or being faked with AI. The theories became frenzied after the release of a photograph on her official social media channels for Mother's Day, when it became clear that the picture had been modified using Adobe Photoshop. Several picture agencies issued rare 'kill' notices for the photo because it had been substantially altered - with online wannabe detectives pointing out the flaws in the photograph, which Kate said she edited herself. Sir Keir Starmer (pictured) urged the public to 'butt out' of Kate's private life and let her rest Kensington Palace released the first picture of the Princess of Wales since surgery on Mother's Day - but it only fuelled more unwarranted conspiracy theories about her health Kate was seen on Christmas Day 2023 with her family attending church at Sandringham before undergoing surgery in January Matters were not helped when picture agency Getty Images said over the weekend that an image of Queen Elizabeth II sitting with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, also taken by Kate, had been 'digitally enhanced at source'. And despite video being obtained by The Sun showing William and Kate walking happily through the car park of the Windsor Farm Shop, social media remains unsatisfied that she is recovering well. X, formerly Twitter, is awash with 'verified' users posting scarcely believable theories about Kate. Kate has been working from home on an early years project hailed as her 'life's work' while recovering from abdominal surgery, it was reported today. The princess launched the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood's (RFCEC) Shaping Us project in January last year, aiming to highlight the importance of early years development in children. Kensington Palace has confirmed Kate is continuing to work on the project as she recovers at home; the Centre has funded a trial of a baby observation tool for health visitors to monitor social and emotional development in youngsters. It comes as three London Clinic workers who are under investigation by management over claims they tried to access Kate's private medical records are believed to have been suspended. Medical records are 'easily available' to doctors and nurses at the prestigious hospital where a member of staff allegedly tried to look up details about the princess, a Care Quality Commission report revealed. But CQC inspectors concluded that patient records were 'stored securely' at the London Clinic where Kate underwent her planned abdominal surgery and stayed for 13 days in January. Their report also praised staff for treating patients with 'compassion and dignity' and respecting their 'privacy and dignity'. It revealed that the unannounced inspection was carried out in June 2021 after the CQC 'received information that gave us concerns about the safety and quality of services.' The report added: 'Those concerns arose from several never events and serious incidents and numerous whistle-blowers around staffing and culture.' More than 500 migrants reached the UK after crossing the Channel on small boats yesterday - a record for the year. Home Office figures suggest 514 people made the journey in 10 boats, suggesting an average of 51 people per vessel. This takes the running total for Channel crossings in 2024 to 4,043 - 10 per cent higher than this time last year (3,683) - and a quarter higher than 2022. The new figures were published today hours after shocking reports emerged of a stabbing on a beach in northern France. The victim was among a group being escorted into Dover on a Border Force vessel yesterday, before he was transferred to a lifeboat which brought him to shore. Migrants being brought ashore at Dover yesterday on a record day for crossings Home Office figures suggest 514 people made the journey in 10 boats, suggesting an average of 51 people per vessel This takes the running total for Channel crossings in 2024 to 4,043 - 10 per cent higher than this time last year (3,683) - and a quarter higher than 2022 He told Kent Police officers that he had been 'assaulted on a beach near Calais by two men who then stayed in France while he made the crossing to the UK'. No arrests have yet been made over the stabbing, with detectives saying they are passing details of what happened to French authorities for further investigation. It comes as the Government was dealt another setback in its plan to send migrants to Rwanda with another series of defeats to draft laws in the Lords, piling fresh pressure on ministers in their bid to get flights off the ground. READ MORE Moment overloaded boat carrying dozens of UK-bound migrants including babies motors away from French coastguard and into shipping lane off Calais - as RNLI and British Border Forces join rescue bid Advertisement Meanwhile, a migrant was taken to hospital when he arrived in Dover, Kent, after crossing the Channel, having told police he was stabbed on a French beach before making the journey. In the wake of the Government's defeat in the Lords, the Archbishop of Canterbury said there was 'no evidence' to support claims the Church of England was 'subverting the asylum system' by allowing spurious conversions to Christianity. The Church has been accused in recent months of allowing 'industrial-scale' baptisms of migrants to assist with their asylum claims, allowing them to suggest they would be persecuted in their home country because they were now Christians. But speaking on Times Radio today, the Most Reverend Justin Welby said he had seen 'no evidence' of this occurring, only 'assertions'. He added: 'We wrote to the Home Office and they said they had no evidence to show us.' The accusations followed claims by former Anglican vicar Matthew Firth, who told The Daily Telegraph he had 'put a stop to the conveyor belt and veritable industry of asylum baptisms that was going on'. Noting that in the last 10 years there had been 15 baptisms in Mr Firth's parish of people who may have been asylum seekers, the Archbishop said: 'If that's industrial-scale, we have got a small idea of industrial production.' Mr Welby joined other Anglican bishops and fellow peers to vote again to amend the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill. One of the dangerously overloaded boats attempting the make the crossing yesterday It means the legislation will now return to the Commons on April 15 and will not pass before Easter. As a result, plans to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda have been delayed yet again. The decision not to schedule further votes on the proposed laws before the Commons rises for recess on Tuesday led Labour's shadow immigration minister Stephen Kinnock to claim the Conservatives were 'running scared' and 'blocking their own Rwanda Bill'. But Government ministers have sought to blame Labour for the delays, with Dame Andrea Leadsom telling LBC she was 'disgusted that Labour tried to stop it in the Lords last night yet again'. She added: 'We're absolutely determined to get that Bill through. It's coming back to the Commons on April 15 and we will be overturning the seven amendments in the Lords that we've already overturned once this week. We will do it again for the sake of what this country needs, which is to stop illegal migration.' Sir Keir Starmer said his party was committed to stopping small boats crossing the Channel. He told Channel 5's Jeremy Vine: 'There's no ifs or buts. It's a massive problem and ... it gives this sense of having lost control of our borders. 'What I wouldn't do ... is to grandstand or just try and find headlines in relation to gimmicks that won't work. I think the Rwanda gimmick is a gimmick that won't work.' He said it was 'not impossible' to take down the people-smuggling gangs, highlighting his plan to work with international law enforcement agencies on the issue. 'Those boats that are being used are being made more or less to order,' Sir Keir said. 'They're being stored in warehouses in Europe, they're being brought to the coast in France and people are getting in them. It is not impossible to take down a business model like that. I know it because I've done it before. 'But until we do that, we don't have a foot in the door to deal with this. We've got to stop these boats, stop people getting here in the first place, and that means taking down the gangs that are running this vile trade.' Rishi Sunak - seen in Parliament yesterday - has suffered another defeat to his Rwanda bill He also pointed to Labour commitments to process asylum claims more quickly to get people out of hotels and work on returns agreements to send migrants back. In 2023, some 29,437 migrants arrived in the UK after making the journey, down 36% on a record 45,774 arrivals in 2022. A Home Office spokesperson said: 'The unacceptable number of people who continue to cross the Channel demonstrates exactly why we must get flights to Rwanda off the ground as soon as possible. 'We continue to work closely with French police who are facing increasing violence and disruption on their beaches as they work tirelessly to prevent these dangerous, illegal and unnecessary journeys. 'We remain committed to building on the successes that saw arrivals drop by more than a third last year, including tougher legislation and agreements with international partners, in order to save lives and stop the boats.' Queen Camilla has told wellwishers that King Charles 'is doing very well', as the cancer-battling monarch met foreign representatives at Buckingham Palace. She told members of the public in Northern Ireland this morning that the King, who has been receiving treatment for cancer, was 'disappointed' not to be able to join her there. He was instead spotted being driven away from Clarence House in central London before holding private audiences with diplomats at Buckingham Palace. He was later seen being driven away from the palace. Charles has taken a step back from some royal duties, while the Princess of Wales is recovering after abdominal surgery at the London Clinic in January. But yesterday he received veterans of the Korean War at Buckingham Palace as well as having a meeting with Home Secretary James Cleverly. King Charles was spotted leaving Buckingham Palace, after earlier being seen exiting Clarence House Charles today met Mbelwa Kairuki, High Commissioner for Tanzania, at Buckingham Palace Ng Teck Hean, High Commissioner for Singapore, also presented his credentials to the King Today's Palace visitors included Mbelwa Kairuki, High Commissioner for Tanzania, and Ng Teck Hean, High Commissioner for Singapore. Both men officially presented their credentials to the King, signifying their first meetings with him since being appointed to their current roles. The 'business as usual' approach shown by Charles comes after tumultuous weeks for the royal family, with both him and his daughter-in-law the Princess of Wales suffering health problems. It emerged last night that three members of staff at the London Clinic have been suspended amid an investigation into allegations there were attempts to access Kate's private medical data. The alleged breach of Kate's data took place at the clinic after the future Queen was admitted for planned abdominal surgery on January 16, with Kate being discharged 14 days later. She has rarely been seen in public since then, leading to cruel conspiracy theories on social media about her wellbeing and health. Data watchdog the Information Commissioner's Officer confirmed it had 'received a breach report' and was in the process of 'assessing the information provided'. Meanwhile, insiders at the hospital, based in Marylebone, central London, said staff had been 'left utterly shocked and distraught' that a 'trusted colleague' could have carried out such a 'breach of trust and ethics'. The Princess is said to be aware of the allegations, while a spokesperson for Kensington Palace said: 'This is a matter for the London Clinic.' It is a criminal offence for staff in any NHS or private healthcare setting to access the medical records of a patient without the consent of the medical provider's data controller. The London Clinic could not confirm the exact date the alleged breach is said to have taken place but the revelation came a day after footage emerged of Kate out and about in Windsor over the weekend. King Charles was seen in the back of a car leaving Clarence House this morning King Charles remained in London rather than join his wife Camilla visiting Northern Ireland Charles has stepped back from royal duties as he receives treatment for cancer Queen Camilla, pictured during a visit to Northern Ireland, said Charles was 'doing very well' The Queen visited Knotts bakery (pictured) and other businesses in south Belfast Members of the public watched in central London as the King went past in his car Photographs were taken as the royal car turned out of Clarence House on to the Mall Prince William and Kate were seen leaving Windsor together in a car on March 11 Kate was previously seen with her family attending church at Sandringham last Christmas Day The London Clinic private hospital is pictured yesterday as an investigation into an alleged breach of Kate's medical data is carried out Footage today showed crowds of royal fans watching as the King was driven from Clarence House, having been unable to join his wife on a scheduled two-day trip to Northern Ireland. Camilla has begun a series of engagements in Belfast - where she was today photobombed by smartly-dressed 23-month-old Fitz Corrie-Salmon. The boy wearing a tuxedo and bow tie posed in front of the cameras as Camilla visited a shop and talked to staff at Knotts bakery in Belfast. She grinned as she watched him and said: 'We have a natural for the cameras. 'There's something so wonderful about this kind of place.' Camilla also told how Charles was 'doing very well' and was 'disappointed' to miss out on the trip to Northern Ireland. During a visit to The Arcadia deli, shop assistant Brenda Robb handed over a get well card for Charles and extended her best wishes. Asked several times about the King's wellbeing, she said: 'He's doing very well.' Responding to quips about men 'not being the best patients', she joked: 'I try to keep him in order.' She added: 'He's very disappointed he can't come.' She was today meeting business owners and staff at shops on the bustling Lisburn Road in south Belfast on the second day of her stay in Northern Ireland. Queen Camilla found herself photobombed by one-year-old Fitz Corrie-Salmon The youngster posed for the cameras as Camilla visited Knotts bakery in Belfast today She also met the owner of Coffey's Butchers during a visit to Lisburn Road in Belfast And she was given armfuls of local produce for him to enjoy by well-wishers who were keen Charles didnt entirely miss out. Her Majesty is in Northern Ireland for a two-day trip, that had been due to be undertaken by the both of them. After the King was compelled to stay at home, she decided to continue with elements of her own programme for the working trip. Today, that began with a visit to Lisburn Road to see three family businesses: a butcher, a baker and a delicatessen. Camilla, 76, was wearing a green wool crepe dress and coat with applique detail by one of her favourite designers, Bruce Oldfield, and also sported Queen Elizabeths turquoise and diamond three leaf clover brooch. Her Majesty came away with bags full of local produce, promising she would take them home for her husband - after enjoying a snack herself. At Coffey's Butcher, which has been operating on the Lisburn Road since 1929, she met some of the three generations of the family who run it, remarking: 'My gosh, there are a lot of you.' Inspecting the meat counter, she said, 'My goodness me, what a great selection', and asked: 'All of these are locally sourced? What do you sell the most of? The Queen met members of the public this morning after arriving in Northern Ireland last night Camilla was accompanied by Lord Lieutenant Dame Fionnuala Jay-O'Boyle, pictured right Royal fans such as this man turned out to wait for Queen Camilla's arrival in Belfast 'It's wonderful, it's all very tempting. It's lovely to see you thriving.' She was handed a large bunch of floweres and accepted a bag full of Northern Irish specialities including vegetable rolls, beef sausages and Belfast pickle. Camilla said: 'I shall take these back to my husband - he will really make the most of them.' At the next shop Arcadia, a delicatessen that has been part of the Lisburn Road since 1933, she was also given a selection of their charcuterie, cheese, and local meats including Irish black butter. Laura Graham-Brown, owner, said the Queen had been particularly interested in the social aspect of the shop, which is seen as a link to the local community.. Ms Graham-Brown said: 'We had a discussion about the impact of local independent retail in the context of loneliness and social interaction. 'We know our customers and their families and lives. She was very interested in that.' In the third and final shop Knotts Bakery, the Queen was told about its traditional Ulster baking methods with no machinery involved in the family business which employs 120 people. At delicatessen Arcadia, Camilla was given a selection of their charcuterie, cheese and local meats including Irish black butter The Queen also went to Coffey's Butchers, which has been on Lisburn Road since 1929 Camilla met wellwishers on her two-day trip to Northern Ireland which had been due to be undertaken by both her and King Charles but his illness means he could not join her She was given a fruit loaf and iced madeira, with co-owner William Corrie, 38, later saying: 'She said she'd eat some of them on the way home. Camilla arrived in Northern Ireland yesterday evening, with a bugler from the Hillsborough Ford Guard playing to mark her arrival at Hillsborough Castle in Co Down, the royal residence in the region. The Queen was last in Northern Ireland last May when she and the King undertook engagements on their first visit to the region following the coronation. She is travelling alone this week after Charles stepped back from his public duties while receiving treatment for cancer. Marvel and DC comic themed baby bibs have been contaminated with harmful carcinogenic 'forever chemicals', a lawsuit has claimed. Bumkins bibs, which are produced in China and sold on Amazon, have tested positive for the presence of Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA), according to a suit filed in California on Monday. PFOA is known to cause cancer and reproductive toxicity and, according to the suit's lead attorney Vineet Dubey, can remain in the body for decades and is 'detrimental' to children. The comic themed bibs are sold in a three pack and include a label alleging they are 100 per cent polyester. But Bumkins' website claims the polyester us mixed with thermoplastic urethane - a common source of PFOA. The product packaging also states the bibs were 'safety tested to meet or exceed all regulations. No BPA, BPS, Cadmium, Latex, Lead, Phthalates, PVC.' California law prohibits the presence of any PFOA in products sold in the state. It also requires that businesses provide clear warnings about significant exposures to chemicals that cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm. Bumkins bibs, which are produced in China and sold on Amazon, have tested positive for the presence of Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA), a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court on Monday claims The comic themed bibs are sold in a three pack and include a label alleging they are 100 per cent polyester. But Bumkins' website claims the polyester us mixed with thermoplastic urethane - a common source of PFOA The product packaging also states the bibs were 'safety tested to meet or exceed all regulations. No BPA, BPS, Cadmium, Latex, Lead, Phthalates, PVC' The lawsuit, which was reviewed by DailyMail.com, was filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court and names both Bumkins and Amazon as defendants. What ARE 'forever chemicals'? 'Forever chemicals' are a class of common industrial compounds that don't break down when they're released into the environment. Humans are exposed to these chemicals after they've come in contact with food, soil or water reservoirs. These chemicals - known more properly as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS -are added to cookware, carpets, textiles and other items to make them more water- and stain-repellant. PFAS contamination has been detected in water near manufacturing facilities, as well as at military bases and firefighting training facilities where flame-retardant foam is used. The chemicals have been linked to an increased risk of kidney and testicular cancer, and damage to the immune system, as well as birth defects, smaller birth weights, and decreased vaccine response in children. Advertisement The suit alleges that an independent lab tested the bibs and found a presence of PFOA. The bibs are inspired by popular comics and feature a giant pocket that is intended to catch falling food, which the child can then eat. Dubey, co-founder of Los Angeles based firm Custodio & Dubey, has accused the two firms of being 'responsible for selling these dangerous products for babies and toddlers'. He argued that babies and toddlers could be exposing themselves to dangerous chemical through foods that come in contact with the bibs. Youngsters could also ingest the chemical by licking or chewing on the product or by putting their hands in their mouths after rubbing on the bib, according to Dubey. 'If youre a customer who bought these bibs, you should return them immediately before exposing your child to this chemical,' he said in the suit, adding that Bumkins and Amazon 'must be held accountable so it does not happen again in the future'. The environmental attorney further argued that once PFOA enters the body, it can remain present for '40 to 50 years, causing negative health effects and building up over time to cause cancer'. 'These products are exposing infants to PFOA, depriving them of a chance at a healthy life from the outset of their most important developmental years,' he said. The suit accuses the companies of 'knowingly' and 'intentionally' exposing consumers to PFOA without providing the necessary warnings, which is in violation of California law. DailyMail.com has approached Bumkins and Amazon for comment. Scientists for years have warned about the dangers of perfluoroalkyl substances. They are dubbed 'forever chemicals' because they can linger in the environment for hundreds of years, they have been linked to everything from cancer to infertility. But the latest evidence by Dutch and German researchers suggests that the impact of these harmful chemicals on human health could be even greater than suspected. The bibs are inspired by popular comics and feature a giant pocket that is intended to catch falling food, which the child can then eat. Pictured are Batman and Superman bibs Bumkins also makes bibs that sport Mickey and Minnie Mouse characters, as well as Hello Kitty. It is unclear if these designs have been exposed to PFOA The findings, based on three of the most common types of PFAS (PFOA, PFOS and PFHxS) were published in the journal Exposure and Health last month. According to the researchers, tests showed 'clear' signs PFAS led to higher levels of 'harmful' blood lipids, such as cholesterol and other fatty substances. Excess lipids or fats in the blood can increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes, studies show. The findings do not prove the chemicals, added to cookware, carpets, textiles and other items to make them more water- and stain-repellant, cause any adverse heart issues because other factors could be at play. Scientists said the results, however, should serve as a warning that 'there may be no safe levels below which exposure is without health hazard'. He then deleted it and said he would never 'wish physical harm on anyone' A former NBC executive who called Barron Trump 'fair game' on his 18th birthday has deleted the tweet after being accused of inciting attacks against the former president's son. Mike Sington enraged followers yesterday with the post, with many reporting him to Elon Musk and X. He has since removed it but is yet to apologize, instead telling Newsweek: 'I posted he was 'fair game' now, meaning, as an adult, he's 'fair game' for criticism from the press. 'Someone pointed out to me 'fair game' could mean fair game to be harmed. 'I don't wish physical harm on anyone, so I took it down. I listen to the comments and criticism I receive.' NBC, where Sington says he worked for 30 years, is yet to comment. Former NBC executive Mike Sington shared the Tweet on Wednesday on Barron's 18th birthday Sington deleted the tweet after a harsh backlash online and said he never wished anyone 'physical harm' Barron has been kept almost completely out of the limelight for much of his childhood - as a large proportion of his adolescence took place during his father Donald Trump's White House tenure. He was the first boy to grow up in the White House since JFK Jr in 1963 - and Barron has lived through many of his family's scandals in his teen years. In January 2018, he was not yet 12 when the media was engulfed by porn star Stormy Daniels's bombshell claims that she had an affair with Donald just four months after Barron was born. During his presidency, Trump's most ardent critics even resorted to criticizing the young boy as a means of attacking his father. Trumps adult children from previous marriages have faced criticisms due to their public profiles, but Barron's young age has protected him from much of the attention. Sington's remarks today caused him to immediately received hundreds of critical responses. Garrett Ventry, former senior communications adviser to the Senate Judiciary Committee Republicans, wrote: 'This is super creepy'. Michael R. Caputo, former assistant secretary of public affairs for the Department of Health and Human Services said: 'This creepy NBC guy is completely broken. I wonder if he has kids? Nephews? Nieces? How old are they?' 'See the little delicate hands,' said the business tycoon who would one day be mocked over the small size of his own hands. (Pictured: At his grandmother's funeral in January) We saw baby Barron's grand nursery, a corner room with sweeping views of Manhattan and stuffed full of huge soft toys, where The Donald borrowed his son from the nanny so he could hold him for the cameras. (Pictured: in Trump Tower in 2016) For a young man who has spent so much of his life kept fiercely out of the spotlight, Barron Trump made his TV debut at a shockingly young age. (Pictured: 10-months old with his parents in 2007) Javon A. Price, former aide to GOP Representative Byron Donalds, wrote: 'You sound like a creep dude.' In his apology, Sington said: 'I posted he was fair game now, meaning, as an adult, hes fair game for criticism from the press. 'Someone pointed out to me fair game could mean fair game to be harmed. I dont wish physical harm on anyone, so I took it down. 'I listen to the comments and criticism I receive.' Although he has been given as much protection as possible, it's not the first time Barron has been lambasted online. During Trump's inauguration, SNL writer Katie Rich tweeted: 'Barron will be this country's first homeschool shooter'. The slurs hurled at Barron got so bad, that another former First Child from across the aisle spoke up on his behalf. He soon became bilingual, learning to speak his mother's native Slovenian so well that he could phone his grandmother - who died in January - and not have to resort to English. (Pictured: Barron held by his grandmother, next to his grandfather, in 2007) 'I cannot stress enough how kind and polite Barron is he's just a great kid,' Stephanie Grisham, former White House Press Secretary and Melania's one-time chief-of-staff told DailyMail.com. (Pictured: 2020) Chelsea Clinton tweeted: 'Barron Trump deserves the chance every child does-to be a kid.' 'I cannot stress enough how kind and polite Barron is he's just a great kid,' Stephanie Grisham, former White House Press Secretary and Melania's one-time chief-of-staff told DailyMail.com. Grisham added that she saw a 'definite difference' between Barron and his much older half-siblings who include Ivanka, Donald Jr, Eric and Tiffany. 'Just very, very kind and humble and empathetic and smart,' Grisham said. 'Not that I'm saying his half-siblings aren't smart at all.' He was still only 10 when his father became President and, as First Lady, Melania had to contemplate giving up the very private and independent existence she cherished in New York. She famously insisted on staying in the Big Apple for almost the first five months of the presidency with Trump alone in DC so Barron could finish his school year. Haiti's horrific descent into lawlessness following the resignation of embattled Prime Minister Ariel Henry amid mounting pressure from gangs has been captured in graphic new detail. Bodies were seen littering the streets in a series of shocking images this week, with journalists reporting they saw two suspected gang members, including a leader known as Makandal, killed and set on fire. Other footage showed corpses dragged and left to rot in the street by furious vigilante movements, with one man having had his hands cut off. The Caribbean island nation has long been wracked by gang violence, but this has spiralled out of control in recent days amid the absence of the state, while enraged citizens seek to hunt down gang members in an outburst of vigilante justice. Armed groups launched new attacks in the suburbs of Port-au-Prince early Wednesday, with heavy gunfire echoing across once-peaceful communities near the Haitian capital. But several suspected gang members were killed during an attack on the Petion-Ville neighbourhood on the southern outskirts of the city by desperate locals seeking to protect their families and livelihoods. Men run next to a pile of burning mattresses and the remains of the motorcycle of suspected gang leader Makandal who was killed and set on fire by local residents, amid an escalation in gang violence, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti March 20, 2024 People gather as they watch from afar after an alleged gang member was killed and set on fire, amid an escalation in gang violence, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti March 20, 2024 A man loads a corpse into a makeshift wooden coffin in Haiti A woman with a child lowers her head as they leave the area on a motorcycle after gunshots were heard in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on March 20, 2024 A woman carrying a child runs away from burning tyres and rubble after gunshots were heard in Port-au-Prince Almost a year ago, a group of Port-au-Prince residents lynched and set fire to around a dozen men believed to be gang members launching what became known as the Bwa Kale movement, a vigilante justice organisation. Rights groups say such movements have been bolstered by members of Haiti's woefully under-resourced and underpowered police force who lost faith in the government's ability to crack down on gangs. Earlier on Wednesday, Le Nouvelliste reported at least 15 people had been killed in attacks around Petion-Ville, home to several upscale hotels as well as around a dozen embassies. Residents there barricaded themselves inside their homes while armed men carried out fresh attacks east of the city with the violence forcing banks, schools and businesses to close. Petion-Ville is close to hotels that gang leader Jimmy 'Barbeque' Cherizier threatened last week, saying he would go after hotel owners hiding old-guard politicians. The latest outburst of violence comes as the political future of the crisis-racked Caribbean island nation hangs in limbo. Despite Prime Minister Ariel Henry saying he would step down last week upon the demand of the gangs that control most of Port-au-Prince, violence seems to have spread further. The acting prime minister earlier this week extended a nightly curfew launched earlier this month, but it seems to have had little effect. Hundreds of thousands have been displaced within Haiti and thousands killed in the past three years amid widespread reports of rape, arson and ransom kidnappings, while food prices soar and hospitals run short of key supplies such as blood and oxygen. Two people carry a coffin to collect the body of a person on the street in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, 20 March 2024 Two people walk near the body of a person on a street in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on 20 March 2024 Passersby walk by the body of a person covered in cloth on the street, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, 20 March 2024 A man walks past the covered body of a police officer killed amid ongoing gang violence in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on March 20, 2024 A policeman patrols the streets of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on 20 March 2024 In a bid to tame the lawlessness that has increasingly gripped the country since its former president was assassinated in 2021, a presidential transition council has been brokered by international leaders but its makeup remains unclear and gangs have threatened politicians who take part. US officials said last week they expected the council's makeup to be defined within a couple of days, but some factions tapped for representation rejected the plan or were unable to unite behind one leader. Those left out have criticized the council as empowering members of groups they considered to be corrupt. Meanwhile, security has been bolstered at embassies, while some nations have launched evacuations of foreign nationals. On Tuesday, the neighbouring Dominican Republic said it had evacuated close to 300 people, including personnel from the European Union, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. With the airport closed, the US said it was evacuating its citizens by helicopter. Across the city in Carrefour Feuilles, an alleged gang leader on Tuesday rallied supporters in a bid to retake control of the zone after heavy fighting forced thousands from their homes last August. A father's confession that he killed his three young sons can no longer be used in court because his Miranda Rights were violated, an Ohio judge has decided. Chad Doerman, 33, admitted to killing his sons - Clayton, seven, Hunter, four, and Chase, three - when he was arrested last summer in Monroe Township, around 20 miles east of Cincinnati, police claim. But detectives failed to properly inform him of his right against against self-incrimination and his right to an attorney as they took him into custody, according to a ruling by Clermont County Common Pleas Judge Richard Ferenc. Moreover, investigators did not stop interrogating Doerman after he explicitly invoked his right to counsel, the judge decided. As a result, none of the statements the alleged killer made in the interview will be allowed during his trial, scheduled for July. Chad Doerman, 33, admitted to killing his sons - Clayton, seven, Hunter, four, and Chase, three - when he was arrested last summer in Monroe Township, police say Detective Michael Ross said the father said during the interview that 'The Bible says you kill your first born, you kill your second born, you kill your third born' Doerman updated his Facebook page to include this picture just six days before the murders 'The Defendant's Miranda rights were violated when the custodial interrogation continued after the defendant had unequivocally and unambiguously invoked his right to counsel when he told [the detective], "I'll wait for a lawyer, I dont know, give me a couple of days, I can talk to a lawyer and get nice good answers,"' Ferenc wrote Detective Michael Ross said the father said during the interview that, 'The Bible says you kill your first born, you kill your second born, you kill your third born. Doermen then reportedly added: 'But first youre supposed to kill your wife. I didnt kill my wife.' Prosecutors have previously claimed Doerman planned the executions for months. Doerman, allegedly lined the boys up before fatally shooting them with a rifle, also injuring their mother when she tried to protect them. Chief prosecutor David Gast said during Doerman's arraignment that one of the boys tried to flee into a nearby field but Doerman 'hunted' him down and brought him back to their home before killing him. Deputies responded to the home in Monroe Township shortly before 4:30pm Thursday after receiving two 911 calls, one apparently from the mother who was screaming that 'her babies had been shot.' Another call came from a passing motorist who said a girl was running down the street saying her father was killing people, a news release from the Clermont County Sheriff's Office said. A child's bike, along with evidence markers, in the front yard of the home in Monroe Township where three brothers, ages, three, four and seven, were killed, execution style, according to the Clermont chief prosecutor Police body camera footage shows the arrest of Chad Doerman, who was sitting on his front steps when police arrived after he allegedly shot his three sons, ages 7, 4, and 3 A tearful Doerman appeared in court for his arraignment on Friday The deputies found three boys outside the home with gunshot wounds and tried to save their lives, but the children died at the scene. Haunting police bodycam footage shows the moment officers arrived to find Doerman calmly seated next to his rifle moments after allegedly executing his young sons. Doerman was detained without incident after he was found on the steps of his Ohio property. 'I ain't gonna hurt nobody,' Doerman told arresting officers as he told them that his dog wouldn't bite them. 'Shut up, dude. You have the right to remain silent. F***ing use it,' a deputy tells him. The sheriff's office said the 34-year-old mother, who was not identified, was outside the home and had suffered a gunshot to the hand while trying to shield her sons from their father. Doerman's father, Keith Doerman, has said he and his wife are 'still trying to comprehend' how their son could have allegedly killed his own boys, but added they have 'no answers.' 'He just snapped,' Keith said. 'There was something going on in his life that he couldn't handle no more. I can't talk to him, they aren't letting me talk to him so I don't have any answers. He probably hid a lot of stuff from me.' A former Dancing With the Stars contestant will soon learn whether he will be jailed after a court threw out his appeal over his conviction for sexually touching a woman during a drunken dance session and climbing into her bed naked. Trenton Shipley, 50, on Thursday afternoon sat quietly in Sydney's Downing Centre District Court as a judge dismissed his appeal against his conviction for three counts of sexually touching a woman inside an Annandale unit and dance studio in 2021. Judge Graham Turnbull said while there were inconsistencies in the account of the female victim - who cannot be named or identified - he found there was other supporting evidence. A judge dismissed an appeal in the case against former Dancing With the Stars contestant Trenton Shipley (pictured right) after he was convicted over sexually touching a woman without consent Shipley, best known for his appearance on season three of Dancing with the Stars, was last year sentenced to a maximum of a year in prison after he was convicted by Magistrate Julia Virgo. He was immediately freed on bail while he launched an appeal. But that bid to overturn his conviction was on Thursday dismissed by Judge Graham Turnbull. However, in yet another twist in the tale, Shipley was not immediately taken into custody inside the Downing Centre court complex, given his appeal against his sentence is yet to be heard. That appeal over the severity of his sentence will now be heard in May, though Judge Turnbull noted he had yet to see any expressions of contrition or remorse from Shipley. His convictions relate to a series of incidents while Shipley was dancing with and teaching the woman at an Annandale dance studio, which belonged to a mutual friend. After drinking and dancing, both were set to sleep in separate beds inside an apartment attached to the studio. Shipley (pictured right) was convicted over the offence last year and had been sentenced to a maximum of a year in prison The court heard that during the evening Shipley was drinking from an open bottle of vodka and told the woman 'you are absolutely gorgeous'. The most serious of the offences related to an incident during which early in the morning Shipley climbed into the woman's bed while naked. The woman gave evidence during the local court trial that he touched her vagina and breasts over her clothes. The woman told the court at the time that as Shipley climbed on top of her, he told her he loved her and should marry him, and said: 'This is how it works.' Judge Turnbull noted there were inconsistencies in her evidence including the 'troubling' finding that she sent two Snapchat messages to a friend as he climbed into her bed. The woman made no mention of the Snapchat message, or the photographs she took, however it was revealed when another witness gave evidence about it at trial, the court heard. The court heard she wrote on one of the messages: 'Oh my God he jumped into bed on me naked'. The woman told the court that Shipley (pictured) climbed on top of her naked and touched her vagina and breasts over her clothes Given that Snapchat messages automatically delete, there was no evidence of what was in the pictures or the attached captions. However Judge Turnbull accepted other aspects of her evidence, including contemporaneous notes and complaints she made. Mr Shipley's defence accepted that he entered the room naked, but they argued there was not sufficient time to commit the acts. Judge Turnbull also dismissed the appeal against his conviction for the other two charges; kissing and groping the woman during a dance, and touching her thigh in the kitchen. Shipley will now return to court May 3 when his legal team will attempt to have his sentence reduced to a non-custodial order. He will remain on bail. This is the terrifying moment a masked man launched a fiery Molotov cocktail into a fish and chip shop as hungry elderly customers waited for their takeaway dinners. The balaclava-clad man ran into the Zia takeaway in Dublin, Ireland with the petrol bomb already alight before throwing it - narrowly missing a cowering female staff member. Three elderly men, who were patiently waiting for their grub, quickly fled the restaurant as clouds of thick black smoke filled the premises. Brave staff quickly went into action, racing to the fire extinguisher so they could subdue the flames before the eatery could be set ablaze. The shocking moment was captured by CCTV at the takeaway on Tuesday at 8pm. A balaclava-clad man launched a fiery Molotov cocktail into a fish and chip shop as hungry elderly customers waited for their takeaway dinners (pictured) The shocking CCTV footage shows the petrol bomb narrowly missed a female staff member at who cowered behind the counter Zia's takeaway in Dublin Outside cameras also the thug trawling across the car park outside the Walkinstown fish and chip shop. He can be seen hiding the Molotov cocktail behind his back before setting it alight and storming into the takeaway filled with elderly customers. Within seconds the criminal ran away into the darkness of the night as the heroic chip shop staff battled the flames. Locals have been left stunned by the incident, with one fuming: 'What's with people molotoving takeaways?' A second said: 'That woman could have been seriously injured.' Others described the attack as 'horrific', with others branding the thug as a 'cowardly b*****d'. Another quipped: 'They forgot his garlic sauce I heard.' The Irish police force, also known as the Garda, is currently on the hunt for the assailant. The shocking incident took place at Zia's takeaway (pictured) in Walkinstown, Dublin at around 8pm on March 19 The three elderly men waiting for their food quickly fled the scene whilst heroic staff went straight to work in an effort to subdue the flames Racing to the fire extinguisher, staff doused the flames stopping the shop from being engulfed by an inferno A Garda spokesperson told MailOnline: 'Gardai are investigating an incident of criminal damage by fire that occurred at a shop in Walkinstown, Co. Dublin on the 19th of March 2024 at approximately 8pm. 'No injuries have been reported at this time and no arrests have been made. Investigations are ongoing.' MailOnline has reached out to Zia's Takeaway for comment. The shocking incident comes after a home was petrol bombed while a mother and her 11-year-old slept inside. Laura Coupland, 39, and her son Lincoln-Jay were left fearing for their lives following the terrifying attack at her three-bedroom house in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, in July last year. She claims two petrol bombs were thrown, one at her car and one at her front door, which were left blackened and smouldering in the aftermath and forced her and her son to move house. Laura, who has since moved to a new home, said: 'Me, my son and dogs were in that house asleep at the time. 'My son was too scared to go back - it's had quite a big effect on us both. 'I nearly had a nervous breakdown over it all and became very depressed. It's affected my son too, he's become quite angry about it. 'The fire damaged the house and wrecked everything.' The assailant could be seen trawling the car park with the petrol bomb hidden behind his back before setting it alight and launching it in the fish and chip shop This is the horrifying moment three hot air balloon passengers have a close brush with death as the aircraft collides with a powerline, leaving them plummeting from the sky near a highway. Terrifying flashes of electricity can be seen as a gust of wind pushes the hot air balloon into the line upon its descent down to earth. The horrifying explosion separated the aircraft passengers from the balloon keeping them airborne. Despite dramatically dropping 30 meters to the ground in Rochester, Minnesota - no one was seriously injured, with two of the passengers sustaining minor injuries, according to the Rochester Fire Department. The heart-racing incident, which sent the balloon flying into the sky, caused a small blaze in the area near the basket of passengers next to the US Highway 63 southbound. 'Everyone is miraculously ok. They hung up on the power lines. The was some sparking going with them hanging in the power lines in the basket,' Rochester Fire Captain, Chad Kuhlam told CBS. A hot air balloon with three passengers collided with a powerline, letting off terrifying sparks of electricity (pictured) The passengers were left plummeting 30 feet to the ground in Rochester, Minnesota after the aircraft reportedly was pushed in the electricity line's path by the wind Despite the heart-racing incident only two of the passengers suffered minor injuries (pictured: emergency services arriving to the scene) 'Eventually, the wire gave way and the basket and they took a drop from that wire to the ground.' Preliminary findings suggest that the aircraft had been trying to safely land when the wind blew it directly into the deadly electricity line's path, Rochester Police Department said. Following the collision the basket and balloon became disconnected, leaving the basket of three passengers spiraling to the ground at 6.50pm Central Daylight Time on Wednesday. An area nearby the basket went up in flames after the crash, but firefighters were quick to douse the blaze, according to CBS. The severed balloon was discovered a couple of miles away from the scene. The National Transportation Safety Board alongside the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating the incident. According to the National Transportation Safety Board, the hot air balloon has been recovered for examination. This comes shortly after shows haunting moments before a man fell to his death from a hot air balloon in Melbourne. A small blaze broke out near the basket which plummeted from the sky next to the US Highway 63 southbound (pictured) The man was one of ten people on the ride when it took off at about 7am on Monday. A video, obtained by 7News, shows the man, dressed in a brown jumper, standing alongside other guests as they enjoyed the dawn view over the city. Witnesses said the man seemed fine and was chatting with the ride operator about politics as the balloon launched into the air. But ten minutes later, as the ride reached around 450metres, he shockingly - and without warning - exited the basket in an act of self-harm and plunged to his death. The pilot made an immediate may day call as horrified motorists and families on the ground witnessed the man falling through the air. Firefighters were quick to arrive and douse out the flames caused by the crash which happened at 6.50pm Central Daylight Time on Wednesday (pictured) The National Transportation Safety Board alongside the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating the incident (pictured: the hot air balloon basket next to the smoking debris) . President Yoon Suk Yeol on Thursday pledged a series of measures to expand housing and improve care for senior citizens as the country undergoes rapid aging. Yoon outlined the measures during a government-public debate held at the headquarters of the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service in Wonju, 87 kilometers southeast of Seoul, noting the contributions of senior citizens to pulling the country out of the ashes of the 1950-53 Korean War. The government will increase the number of "silver towns," or retirement homes that offer meals, health care and other welfare services, while also tripling the number of public rental housing units for vulnerable senior citizens from 1,000 to 3,000 per year, Yoon said. In particular, Yoon said his administration will revive purchasable silver towns, an option that was scrapped in 2015 due to complaints of illegal sales and false advertising, leaving the facilities only available for rent. "In order to expand the supply of silver towns, we will reintroduce the purchasable silver town system that was abolished in 2015 and improve the systems that make it difficult for private companies to enter the market so as to vitalize the construction of silver towns," he said. To improve health care, Yoon said the government will promote home visits by doctors and nurses and sharply increase the number of long-term at-home medical centers from the current 95 to 250 across the country. He also promised to increase the number of senior citizen community centers that offer meals and support their teaching of senior citizens on the use of digital devices. The pledges came as the population aged 65 years and older has gradually increased, reaching 9.73 million last year, a gain of 460,000 people from the previous year, to account for 19 percent of the total population, according to the interior ministry. Meanwhile, Yoon noted that Wonju is the only place in the country with a homegrown medical equipment innovation cluster, and promised to extend active support to enable the cluster to play a key role in the development of the digital health care industry that uses artificial intelligence, big data and digital technologies. He further pledged to expand Wonju's transit network, including by extending the Great Train Express (GTX)-D line to the city. Later in the day, Yoon visited Myeongryun Elementary School in Wonju to meet with parents and teachers and check the progress on his pet project, "Neulbom School," an integrated program of before- and after-school child care and education that launched in earnest this month at more than 2,000 elementary schools across the nation. Yoon asked the school and local government officials in attendance to work together to develop good programs, saying the government will not spare any policy assistance and financial investment to support them. (Yonhap) A nine-year-old girl has died in a head-on car crash in Texas while returning from Spring Break with her family. Molly Mullens, a third grader at University Park Elementary School in Dallas, was killed alongside the driver of the other vehicle in the collision on U.S. Highway 70 in Vernon on Saturday. Texas Department of Public Safety officials said it was raining and roads were wet when the driver of a 2014 Honda Odyssey lost control on a curved section of the road a swerved through the median, reported The Dallas Morning News. The Mullens family's 2021 GMC Yukon was hit head on and Molly, her parents Michael and Marissa Mullens and brothers Connor, 15, and Sean, 13, were all taken to the hospital. Molly was pronounced dead at the hospital. 'Marissa has sustained spinal injuries and aortic dissection. Boys, Connor and Sean, each sustained abdominal injuries, multiple fractures, and are needing further surgery. Mike has several fractures,' said the Mullens family GoFundMe. Molly Mullens, 9, was killed in the collision on U.S. Highway 70 in Vernon on Saturday. Her parents, Marissa and Michael, and two brothers were hospitalized It was raining and roads were wet when a 2014 Honda Odyssey lost control and crashed into the Mullens family 2021 GMC Yukon According to an update on Marissa's CaringBridge page, the mother had lumbar fusion surgery on Wednesday and Michael is scheduled to have surgery on his right elbow and let ankle. The community has set up a memorial for Molly decorated with pink ribbons, bouquets of flowers, candles and Easter eggs, reported CBS News Texas. A note left at the memorial written by Molly's friend Stratton said: 'Thank you for being the best friend ever! You were kind and always fun and you would always have a smile on your face.' University Park Elementary School Principal Kim Banuelos said: 'Molly exemplified joy and kindness in our school. Her enthusiasm for life and learning was noticeable, and she had a remarkable way of making each day brighter for everyone around her. Molly's absence will be deeply felt by all who had the pleasure of knowing her.' The Mullens family dog, a goldendoodle named Allie, ran away from the crash but was found by a couple, according to Texas Department of Public Safety Sergeant Juan Guiterrez. Pink ribbons and a memorial has been set up for a Dallas family after they were involved in a serious crash in Vernon, TX over the weekend. @HPISDHR confirms 3rd grader, Molly Mullens, died in the crash. Other reports indicate the mother, father, and three other family members pic.twitter.com/c7mar7wjy4 Amelia Mugavero (@amugaverotv) March 18, 2024 The community has set up a memorial for Molly decorated with pink ribbons, bouquets of flowers, candles and Easter eggs The driver of the 2014 Honda Odyssey, 43-year-old Than Than Shwe (right), was pronounced dead at the scene 'It was a big deal, just because, with all the tragedy, to just to bring a little bit of light back to the family. I think that meant everything to them,' Gutierrez said. The driver of the 2014 Honda Odyssey, 43-year-old Than Than Shwe, was pronounced dead at the scene and a 14-year-old passenger was taken to the hospital. According to a GoFundMe set up for Shwe's family, her husband died during the pandemic, and her death leaves their four child orphaned. 'They don't have any family members close by to help them except for her cousin that live with her now. Than has left four children that are all underage.' A manhunt has been launched for an 'armed and dangerous' Idaho gunman who shot three corrections officers while helping his inmate friend escape a hospital. Nicholas Umphenour, a white supremacist and member of the 'Aryan Knights' gang, has been identified as the second suspect involved in the Wednesday morning incident at Saint Alphonsus in Boise. Umphenour is suspected to be involved in staging a brazen attack on an Idaho hospital to free a prison inmate, seriously wounding three corrections officers. The gunman opened fire on prison officers who had taken Skylar Meade, 31, to St Alphonse hospital in Boise, Idaho, for treatment early on Wednesday morning. An arrest warrant has been issued for Umphenour for two counts of aggravated battery against law enforcement and one count of aiding and abetting an escape. An arrest warrant has been issued for Nicholas Umphenour for two counts of aggravated battery against law enforcement and one count of aiding and abetting an escape. Umphenour is described as being 5'11", about 160lbs, with brown hair and hazel eyes The gunman opened fire on prisoner officers who had taken Skylar Meade, seen here, to St Alphonse hospital in Boise, Idaho, for treatment early on Wednesday morning Both suspects are deemed to be armed and dangerous, and the public is urged to contact the police or Ada County Dispatch at 208-377-6790 with any information on their whereabouts or the incident. Umphenour is described as approximately 5 feet 11 inches tall, weighing around 160 pounds, with brown hair and hazel eyes, as per Boise Police Department (BPD) reports. The vehicle linked to the escape is a grey 2020 Honda Civic with Idaho license plate number 2TDF43U. Police released photos of Umphenour with face tattoos with the number 1 and 11, reportedly for letter 'A' and 'K' to represent the 'Aryan Knights' white supremacist gang. As the two suspects were preparing to return to jail, Umphenour began shooting at officers, striking two of them. Boise police responded to the incident and one officer fired at an armed person near the entrance, who was later determined to be a corrections officer. One officer is in a critical but stable condition, another has serious but non-life-threatening injuries and the third was not seriously injured when mistakenly shot by an arriving Boise police officer, a spokesperson said. This undated photo provided by City of Boise, Id. shows Skylar Mead A Saint Alphonsus spokesperson said the shooting happened in the ambulance bay by its emergency department A preliminary investigation indicates that Meade made his escape in a grey four-door sedan, seen here, and fled the area just before officers arrived The search continues for Meade and his accomplice Umphenour, who are believed to have left the area in a grey sedan with Idaho plates. According to Boise police, a preliminary investigation indicates that Meade made his escape in a grey four-door sedan and fled the area just before officers arrived. Meade has been serving time in prison for aggravated battery on a Twin Falls officer and was convicted in 2016 and was set to be released in 2036, according to KMVT. He has has prior convictions including felony possession of a controlled substance, grand theft, and introduction of contraband into a correctional facility. He has been incarcerated since October 2016 and his most recent sentence was set to end October 2036. Chief Ron Winegar said in a statement: 'This brazen, violent, and apparently coordinated attack on Idaho Department of Corrections personnel, to facilitate an escape of a dangerous inmate, was carried out right in front of the Emergency Department, where people come for medical help, often in the direst circumstances. 'When BPD officers responded, they believed the shooter was inside the Emergency Department. 'They immediately entered to address any potential continued threat to Emergency Room staff. This photo provided by Idaho Department of Corrections shows Skylar Mead in a prison mugshot The search continues for Meade and the accomplice, who are believed to have left the area in a grey sedan with Idaho plates A police vehicle is parked outside Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise, Idaho, on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 'I am grateful this harrowing incident did not result in loss of life, and we are monitoring the wounded IDOC officers with great hope for a full and speedy recovery of all involved.' 'We caution anyone who may have contact with the suspects involved in this violent attack and escape to call 911 immediately and not confront them personally. 'They are armed, dangerous, and have shown they are willing to use extreme violence in furtherance of their criminal activity.' A Saint Alphonsus spokesperson said the shooting happened in the ambulance bay by its emergency department. 'All patients and staff are safe, the medical centre campus is safe and secure, and has resumed normal operations. 'The Emergency Department itself is currently under temporary lockdown while the Boise Police Department completes the investigation,' Leticia Ramirez said. She said as an added precaution 'we have increased security on campus, all entrances to the hospital will be closed' and monitored by hospital security until further notice. Kyle Rittenhouse was driven off stage by Black Lives Matter protesters last night during a planned speech. The 21-year-old, who was acquitted of murder for shooting dead two people at a BLM rally in Kenosha, Wisconsin, in 2020, was addressing students at the University of Memphis. The speech was a stop on his tour for conservative group Turning Point USA, focusing on the Second Amendment, and 'the lies of Black Lives Matter'. Before he could deliver his planned remarks, protesters heckled and screamed, and he was escorted off the stage with his service dog. The protesters then rushed to the parking garage, where the event organizers were parked, chanting 'Black Lives Matter!' as they tried to leave. Kyle Rittenhouse has been driven off stage by Black Lives Matter supporters as he tried to give a speech at a university Proud to have been associated with the group protesting Kyle rittenhouse at the university of Memphis. A huge success in getting him to walk out in the middle of our questioning. pic.twitter.com/gYdcyZiM4M laurel (@laurel_jnf) March 21, 2024 Students walk out on Kyle Rittenhouse the Murderer. What is talking about anyway? He is dumb as a post and groomed to murder by his parents. pic.twitter.com/hjbHRU7RRd James Tate (@JamesTate121) March 21, 2024 Hundreds of protesting students were already waiting when he arrived, holding signs supporting BLM and calling Rittenhouse a murderer Hundreds of protesting students were already waiting when he arrived, holding signs supporting BLM and calling Rittenhouse a murderer. Other signs included the faces of Anthony Huber, 26, and Joseph Rosenbaum, 36, whom Rittenhouse shot dead with his AR-15 rifle. Rittenhouse gunned down the pair at a protest in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on August 25, 2020, after they tried to grab his rifle. He successfully claimed he killed them in self-defense after they hit him with a skateboard and grabbed the barrel of his gun, at a highly publicized trial in 2021. Other signs included the faces of Anthony Huber, 26, and Joseph Rosenbaum, 36, whom Rittenhouse shot dead with his AR-15 rifle The University of Memphis student body chased Kyle Rittenhouse off the campus tonight pic.twitter.com/SbAXO54gSs TarZangief (@TarZangief) March 21, 2024 : Chaos breaks out at the University of Memphis after BLM protesters chased down @TPUSA people who were leaving the Kyle Rittenhouse event. Police had to prevent the hostile crowd from physically attacking them.@FrontlinesTPUSA pic.twitter.com/PFr8Ccqr0n Julio Rosas (@Julio_Rosas11) March 21, 2024 Some protesters even brought musical instruments like saxophones, and even an entire drum kit, to make the speech even harder to hear. 'I was violently attacked by a mob of rioters and...' Rittenhouse began, before he was drowned out by boos and jeers. 'Thank you very much, wonderful crowd you guys have here, very professional, very respectful... Ain't none of that walkouts, children.' With too much noise to give his speech, Rittenhouse instead moved straight to the question and answer section, but that didn't last long either. He stayed long enough to claim he was put on trial in 2021 because there was an election happening when he was charged in 2020, and walked out when asked about TPUSA founder Charlie Kirk. 'He says we shouldn't celebrate Juneteenth, we shouldn't celebrate Martin Luther King Day, and we should be working those days,' the student asked. The angry BLM crowd then tried to prevent @TPUSA from leaving the parking garage at the University of Memphis. Campus and state police had to push the crowd back to allow the cars to leave. Some protesters spat on the vehicles.@FrontlinesTPUSA pic.twitter.com/UiEPUznbk5 Julio Rosas (@Julio_Rosas11) March 21, 2024 BREAKING: Protestors at the event with Kyle Rittenhouse at the University of Memphis seen hitting and spitting on cars as they leave. They also attempted to block cars from leaving.@Julio_Rosas11 @FrontlinesTPUSA @TPUSA pic.twitter.com/Z3OeBQsQlX Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) March 21, 2024 Scenes of protest outside the Kyle Rittenhouse even on Wednesday 'He's told nonsense about George Floyd, and he's said he's scared [if] a black pilot was on the plane. Does that not seem racist?' Rittenhouse replied: 'I don't know anything about that.' A dog was visible sitting next to the lectern. His answer prompted uproar and another student responded: 'No, "does that seem racist?" is a yes or no question, Kyle.' The first student then asked if Rittenhouse would consider Kirk's statements 'hate speech', but he refused to comment. People in the crowd yelled 'deflection' and Rittenhouse left the stage escorted by a staff member, and holding the lead of the dog. Rittenhouse later denied he was 'booed off stage' and instead had a 'hard cutoff time and just happened to leave at that'. State troopers move protesters out of the way of a pickup truck carrying TPUSA founder Charlie Kirk and his staff as it tries to leave Kirk posted video from inside the pickup truck carrying himself and several other staff, one of whom cowered in her seat so protesters couldn't see her face Rittenhouse later denied he was 'booed off stage' and instead had a 'hard cutoff time and just happened to leave at that' Rittenhouse with security team leader Byron (second from left) and other TPUSA staff after the event Videos showed a furious crowd outside chase Rittenhouse away as he and TPUSA staff ran to their cars with state troopers and campus police escorting them. Protesters tried to stop the cars leaving, hitting and spitting on the vehicles as they tried to drive away. Witnesses said police had to push the protesters back to allow the cars to leave and stop them from attacking the staff. Kirk posted video from inside the pickup truck carrying himself and several other staff, one of whom cowered in her seat so protesters couldn't see her face. Rittenhouse's next stop is Western Kentucky University, where he was invited to speak by a campus organization. Rittenhouse (pictured on November 17, 2021, at his trial) was acquitted of murder for shooting dead two people at a BLM rally in 2020 Rittenhouse said he was at the protest with with a group of locals defending businesses from looting, and was carrying the assault rifle strapped to his shoulder The two men who were killed were Joseph Rosenbaum, 36, and Anthony Huber, 26, He was just 17 when he showed up to the chaotic protest the followed the shooting of Jacob Blake, an unarmed black man shot seven times by a white policeman at a traffic stop, rendering him paralyzed. Rittenhouse said he was there with a group of locals defending businesses from looting, and was carrying the assault rifle strapped to his shoulder. He shot Rosenbaum four times after the man threw a bag of clothing at him and grabbed the barrel of his rifle. Rittenhouse appeared to fire a shot at the man brandishing the skateboard while he was still lying on the ground Rittenhouse pictured with the AR-15 use brought to the protest and shot dead two people with, and in video footage of the shooting Rittenhouse then fled and was pursued by a crowd when Huber caught up to him, hit him with a skateboard, and tried to wrestle away the rifle. He was shot once. His lawyers argued he was 'attacked him in the street like an animal' and only fired because he was in fear of his life. Rittenhouse after his acquittal appeared on several right-wing talk shows, met Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago, and gave speeches for TPUSA. His image was used to sell everything from guns to clothing and video games and became a popular meme among right-wing social media users. Ohio state Representative Ismail Mohamed delivered his victory speech in Somali on Tuesday night following his win in the Democratic primary for the state's 3rd House District. Mohamed, an immigrant from Somalia, won the primary by a landslide, defeating both Abdirizak Diini - a fellow Somali immigrant - and Julia Trabold, an area political activist. Mohamed, 31, was the district's incumbent representative. He first won election in 2022, becoming the state's first Somali lawmaker - alongside Munira Abdullahi, who represents the state's 9th District. Now a Midwestern attorney, Mohamed first came to the United States in 2005 as a refugee. After fleeing his home country, he spent a period of time in Kenya before landing on America's shores, and graduating from high school in Ohio. His father became a citizen after working with the US armed forces as an Arabic translator during the US invasion of Iraq. Shortly after, he sponsored Mohamed and his family's visas, which allowed them to settle into life in Ohio. Ohio State Rep. Ismail Mohamed delivers his victory speech ENTIRELY in Somali. NOT ONE BIT OF ENGLISH. His whole campaign was Somali. We live in the UNITED STATES, not Somalia. pic.twitter.com/k31vScdu5X Chad Prather (@WatchChad) March 20, 2024 Ohio state Rep. Ismail Mohamed won his Democratic primary Tuesday night by a landslide Like other Somali representatives, Mohamed focused much of his campaign on representing the significant Somali population in his area. Columbus, Ohio is home to more than 45,000 Somalis - the largest population in the country aside from the district in Minnesota that is represented by Ilhan Omar. His primary election night victory speech was not the first time Mohamed appealed to his constituency directly in Somali. Ahead of the election, the representative released a campaign video on Somalia's state-owned TV channel. In the ad, he discusses his previous achievements, which include getting a street in Ohio named for Sayyid Mohamed Abdulla Hassan, the man who is considered the father of Somali nationalism. He also spoke about the growing number of Somali representatives in the US government. He called the group a 'tight knit organization' who even communicate via group chat. 'Our aim as a united front is to lobby for Somalia,' he said, also referring to Ilhan Omar as the Somalis' representative at the state level, pushing for policies that prioritize their home country's interests. Outside of his objectives pertaining to Somalia, Mohamed's platform falls into lockstep with key tenets of the modern progressive agenda. He said his main priorities are working on equity in housing and education. 'I want to use my voice to fight for equitable policies, all in the pursuit of a brighter future for every resident across the district and State,' he told the Columbus Dispatch. Ohio State Rep. Ismail Mohamed (D-Columbus) is campaigning on #Somalia's state owned TV for an American election. He said his objective is to lobby for #Somalia, and his first term achievement was naming a Columbus street in honor of a Somali terrorist. pic.twitter.com/Tcghf7iGEN Nabad iyo Caano (@VancitySam) March 11, 2024 The incumbent Rep. (second from right top row) represents a large Somali population, who live in the area surrounding Columbus, Ohio Mohamed appeals to his Somalian constituency by campaigning in Somali, including an ad that ran on state-owned Somali television Mohamed with Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff Ismail Mohamed (left) delivers his victory speech Tuesday night in Somali to a receptive crowd Following his win, Mohamed also posted a lengthy 'thank you' to his Facebook page, this time in English. 'I want to take a moment to reflect on the recent election, as it presented unique challenges, including a spirited challenge from within my own Somali community. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow from this experience. It has opened my eyes to a broader range of concerns and perspectives within our district. 'I understand the importance of acknowledging and addressing subject matter that may be sensitive to different communities within our district. As your representative, I must serve and represent every constituent, regardless of background or affiliation. 'Moving forward, I will continue to lead with integrity, transparency, and a genuine commitment to the values and principles of the Democratic Party,' he wrote in part Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, the most prominent Somali lawmaker in the country, found herself in hot water earlier this year after delivering a speech in Somali during which she seemed to say she would prioritize Somalian interests above all else. Several right-wing lawmakers, including fellow Minnesotan representative Tom Emmer and former presidential candidate Ron DeSantis, called for her resignation from Congress and removal from the country. In a leaked video of the speech Omar delivered on January 27, Omar says to a room of fellow Somalis: 'Sleep in comfort knowing I am here to protect the interest of Somalia from inside the U.S. system,' according to a translated version of the video. 'The US government will only do what Somalians in the U.S. tell them to do. They will do what we want and nothing else.' 'They must follow our orders and that is how we will safeguard the interest of Somalia. We Somalians must have the confidence in ourselves that we call the shots in the US' 'Together we will protect the interests of Somalia,' she said. Boeing has decided to send its Chairman Larry Kellner and other board members, but the CEO, David Calhoun, is not expected to attend A group of airline CEOs have demanded a sit-down meeting with Boeing amid mounting safety concerns over the string of 'incidents' that have recently occurred. The airline chiefs have requested a meeting with the aircraft company's board to discuss concerns following the alarming Alaska Airlines incident when a door plug blew off of a Boeing 737 MAX mid-flight on January 5. The executives have planned to discuss the growing fallout from the traumatic event and see what Boeing has planned to address future problems as soon as next week. In response, the company has decided to send its Chairman Larry Kellner and other board members to meet with the airline leaders, but David Calhoun, the Boeing CEO, is not expected to attend. A Boeing official told The Wall Street Journal that although Calhoun will not be in attendance, he still 'supports' and is 'encouraging' the meetings. The airline chiefs plan to discuss concerns following the alarming Alaska Airlines incident when a door plug blew off of a Boeing 737 MAX mid-flight on January 5 Boeing has decided to send its Chairman Larry Kellner and other board members, but the CEO, David Calhoun, is not expected to attend Federal officials spent days looking for the lost parts of the plane to help in their investigation. (pictured: the gaping hole in the Alaska Airlines flight after the door blew off) 'We've been actively focused on listening to our customers at all levels of our company, the statement said. It is unclear exactly which airline CEOs will be at the meeting, but Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, United and Southwest Airlines are among the largest users of Boeing 737 MAX. Boeing's share prices have plummeted within the past year following a number of incidents. On Thursday, the company's share priced reached $187.78. Shortly after takeoff on the January Alaska Airlines flight, part of the door 'plug' blew out at 16,000 feet and fell to the earth. The plane was forced to make a harrowing emergency landing as passengers believed they were saying their final goodbyes to loved ones. Federal officials spent days looking for the lost parts of the plane to help in their investigation. Authorities also ordered similar planes be grounded while they investigated. The missing door plug was found by a Portland school teacher on Sunday in his backyard, days after the incident. Federal investigators said that the in-flight voice recorder data was lost as it was not reset within a two-hour window after the emergency landing. Cockpit voice recorder's can be found on all aircrafts and is there to capture the flight crew's voices and all sounds in the cockpit. National Transportation Safety Board investigators have hailed the miracle that allowed the 171 passengers and crew members on board the Boeing 737-9 Max survived. The plane was also banned from flying after its cabin pressure warning lights signaled on three previous flights. Another bizarre incident took place with a plane built by Boeing on March 15, as the aircraft had to be grounded after it was found to be missing a panel .Pictured: The missing part on the 25-year-old Boeing 737-824 Boeing's share prices have plummeted within the past year following a number of incidents. On Thursday, the company's share priced reached $187.78 The terrifying incident has caused massive speculation for Boeing as the airline has since questioned the company's production quality controls. The situation also sparked a criminal probe by the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board. The NTSB recently claimed that past records of the door being fixed during rivet repairs in September 2023 could not be located. The board found that Boeing erased security footage that showed the 'repairs' being made on an Alaska Airlines flight just months before the door flew off. Another bizarre incident took place with a plane built by Boeing on March 15, as the aircraft had to be grounded after it was found to be missing a panel. The plane, a Boeing 737-824, successfully touched down in Medford Airport in Oregon despite the missing part.' No injuries were reported, Jackson County Airport Director Amber Judd said, adding the flight had originated from San Francisco. United Airlines, meanwhile, issued a statement, confirming that the 139 passengers and six crew members who had been on board were all safe. It read: 'This afternoon United flight 433 landed safely at its scheduled destination at Rogue Valley International/Medford Airport.' 'After the aircraft was parked at the gate, it was discovered to be missing an external panel.' 'Well conduct a thorough examination of the plane and perform all the needed repairs before it returns to service.' 'We'll also conduct an investigation to better understand how this damage occurred.' United went on to reveal that it was the wing-to-body fairing that ripped off - a part is located on the underside of the aircraft where the wing meets the aircraft body. The panel sits just adjacent to where the landing gear deploys, and serves as a protective shell between the wing and the fuselage. On March 7, a 256lb wheel fell from another United Airlines plane shortly after take-off in San Francisco and crushed cars parked below as it plummeted to the ground. The United Airlines flight 35 left San Francisco Airport on its way to Osaka in Japan and was barely off the runway with the Boeing 777-200's wheel came off. In the latest San Francisco incident, several vehicles in the employee car parking lot were badly damaged by the falling wheel that also mangled a fence. The plane landed safely at LAX around 1.20pm with no further incident and no injuries reported on the ground. On March 7, a 256lb wheel fell from another United Airlines plane shortly after take-off in San Francisco and crushed cars parked below as it plummeted to the ground Cars are seen smashed from the heavy wheel that fell from the United Airlines flight that left San Francisco Airport on its way to Osaka in Japan CFO Brian West, seen here with wife Sheri West, told a Bank of America Conference that the company will spend somewhere between $4 billion and $4.5 billion to fix growing concerns 'The 777-200 has six tires on each of its two main landing gear struts. The aircraft is designed to land safely with missing or damaged tires,' United said. A new plane was scrambled to take the passengers to Japan from LAX. Calhoun has gone on to apologize for his company's numerous mistakes and said that Boeing is working with regulators and customers to address the mounting concerns. He has been the CEO of the airline manufacturer since 2020 and served as a board member since 2009, according to the company's website. 'Calhoun has extensive expertise in a wide array of strategic, business, safety and regulatory matters across several industries as a result of his executive, management and operational experience,' his biography said. Recently, Boeing CFO, Brian West told a Bank of America Conference that the company will spend somewhere between $4 billion and $4.5 billion to fix growing concerns. West contested this was 'higher than we originally planned back in January' and said they would produce fewer than the maximum 38 737 aircraft allowed each month. That is due to a combination of lower deliveries, lower production volumes at its commercial division as well as some working capital pressure. West said: 'We're deliberately going to slow to get this right. We are the ones who made the decision to constrain rates on the 737 program. And we'll feel the impact of that over the next several months.' It will also take longer for Boeing to hit a goal outlined in 2022 of achieving annual cash flow of about $10 billion by 2025 or 2026. One person has been confirmed dead while another survived after a duplex exploded in American Fork, Utah, about 30 miles south of Salt Lake City, leveling the property. Once emergency crews were able to enter the interior of what was left of the duplex, they sifted through the debris and pulled out the victim from the ashes. Despite providing immediate medical attention, the American Fork Fire Department confirmed the victim did not survive. Another resident of the duplex, 82-year-old Shirley Hunt, who had lived there for 17 years, made it out alive. 'I woke up this morning and heard the address on the news and jumped in my clothes and drove here,' Hunt's daughter Tammy Beck told local CBS affiliate KUTV. One woman has been confirmed dead as a result of the duplex explosion Once emergency crews were able to enter the interior of what was left of the duplex, they sifted through the debris and pulled out the victim from the ashes. 82-year-old Shirley Hunt, who had lived there for 17 years, made it out alive 'Its a miracle. My mom's a feisty little thing, so I'm not surprised that she survived, but she has no clue how she made it out,' Beck told KUTV. Hunt lived on the side of the duplex that had both gas meters 'She started crawling out and turned around and realized her house was gone,' Beck told KUTV Pictured: The remains of the duplex completely leveled Beck immediately called her family to tell them what had happened, but one of her sisters had already retrieved Hunt. Beck told KUTV that her mother said she woke up around 5 am and felt warm, but decided to go back to sleep. 'She didn't hear the explosion at all - she was asleep ' Beck said. When she woke up a second time closer to 6 am, Hunt said she felt uncomfortably hot, so she crawled out and realized she was standing on the shingles of the roof. 'She started crawling out and turned around and realized her house was gone.' 'Its a miracle. My mom's a feisty little thing, so I'm not surprised that she survived, but she has no clue how she made it out.' Hunt ran to one of her neighbors and told them that her house has exploded. Beck said her mom walked away with a couple of bruises and burns, but given the circumstances, she escaped relatively unscathed. Hunt lived on the side of the duplex that had both gas meters. Dominion Energy Services confirmed they were doing routine maintenance to the area the day before the explosion took place. 'We were notified of an explosion and fire at an American Fork duplex early this morning,' a Dominion Energy spokesperson told KUTV in an email. 'Dominion Energy is on the scene to assist the American Fork Fire Department and other emergency crews with the investigation. 'We are deeply saddened at the tragic loss of life and send our condolences to the family impacted. 'At this time, we are focused on gathering all the pertinent information to assist with the ongoing investigation.' Beck told KUTV that gas inspectors said they had found a gas leak in her mother's duplex. 'They said that the gas line was eroding, but they said they cleared it and she was okay to go in. That's all I know,' said Beck. Tammy Beck, Hunt's daughter, told KUTV that her mother said she woke up around 5 am and felt warm, but decided to go back to sleep When she woke up a second time closer to 6 am, Hunt said she felt uncomfortably hot, so she crawled out and realized she was standing on the shingles of the roof Beck said her mom walked away with a couple of bruises and burns, but given the circumstances she escaped relatively unscathed Dominion Energy Services confirmed they were doing routine maintenance to the area the day before the explosion took place 'At this time, we are focused on gathering all the pertinent information to assist with the ongoing investigation,' Dominion Energy Services told KUTV in an email Beck said the gas inspectors said the house was clear after 2-3 hours. She also confirmed that her mother's duplex was all electric, so she said she believes the alleged unsolved gas leak was to blame. The victim, Helen, had a pet dog that survived the explosion. A workplace safety investigation is underway at the childcare centre where a father-of-three was tragically killed trying to remove a brown snake. Jerromy Brookes, 47, suffered multiple bites to his left arm at the Green Leaves Early Learning centre in Townsville about 3pm on Tuesday and went into cardiac arrest before paramedics arrived. He was taken to Townsville Hospital in a critical condition, where he later died. Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) is now investigating the incident, but is unable to provide comment as the investigation is ongoing. Mr Brookes has been honoured for his bravery, but some people are questioning why he tried to remove the snake and at whose request. He was not a qualified snake handler or remover. A workplace safety investigation is underway at a childcare centre where an Aussie dad was killed trying to remove a brown snake The community is now coming together to support the family of the hardworking dad. 'Hey all, let's honour Jerromy Brookes who tragically died on Tuesday from a snake bite at a child care centre in Deeragun, Townsville,' Mark Archer said to promote a GoFundMe appeal for Mr Brookes' family. 'Realistically the brave man possibly saved children's lives by removing this eastern brown. 'This man is our hero. Let's help the family who have just lost their hero. You can't put a price tag on life but let's bind together as one. 1000 from us, let's rally.' After being bitten, but before he suffered serious symptoms, Mr Brookes managed to drive home to tell his wife, with the snake still in a bag. Jerromy Brookes is pictured with his wife Narelle Queensland Ambulance Service acting director of the Townsville district, Paula Marten, said Mr Brookes' wife desperately tried save his life. She performed CPR until paramedics arrived when he fell unconscious after she had tried to stem the flow of the venom by bandaging his arm. 'She immediately immobilised the limb and applied compression bandages, and then the symptoms presented and that's when his wife has contacted triple-0,' she said. Ms Marten said Ms Brookes had 'absolutely' responded appropriately. 'If you're not aware of snakes, then treat them all as if they are venomous contact triple-0 and apply the basic first aid measures,' she said. Mr Brookes was a father-of-three, grandfather, and the owner of a local aquarium maintenance business, who neighbours described as a 'lovely' man. Mr Brookes was a father of three, grandfather, and local business owner Mr Brookes died on Tuesday after a suspect eastern brown snake (pictured) bite A study by the University of Melbourne found 23 of the 35 snakebite deaths in Australia between 2000 and 2016 were caused by brown snakes. Most people who die from snake bites in Australia are male and are bitten in the warmer months of the year, the study found. The eastern brown is a medium sized snake with a slender to moderate build and smallish head. They are known to prefer woodlands, scrublands, and savannah grasslands and are common throughout Australia's east and southeast. Eastern brown snakes are most active in spring and autumn. A new interactive map lays bare the brutal council tax rises awaiting rate-payers next month as cash-strapped or bankrupt local authorities are slashing the very services they fund. Every county council or unitary authority in England will increase its monthly charge from next month, with 114 councils raising their rates by 5 per cent or more. This means the average Band D household will see an increase of 106 per year on their council tax bill meaning they will be paying around 2,171 over the next 12 months. Taxpayers in Birmingham will be hardest hit by next month's rate rises. The 'bankrupt' local authority has imposed a 9.3 per cent hike on annual charges as it battles to balance the books. It means the average Birmingham household will be forced to pay 177.94 extra over the next financial year, despite severe cuts to the services many rely on. Your browser does not support iframes. Taxpayers in Birmingham will be hardest hit by next month's rate rises. Pictured: Birmingham City Council House People in Slough face a 7.9 per cent hike from April some three years after council leaders issued a 114 notice, effectively declaring themselves bankrupt with 430million of debts. Pictured: Slough Council People in Slough face a 7.9 per cent hike from April some three years after council leaders issued a 114 notice, effectively declaring themselves bankrupt with 430million of debts. Thurrock rate-payers face a similar rate rise of 7.5 per cent, two years after government-appointed commissioners took control of finances when the council went 1.5billion in the red. The government blamed 'significant failures in local leadership and financial management' as it agreed to additional funding for struggling councils. It permitted both Slough and Thurrock to double their rates by up to 10 per cent and allowed Croydon to increase its annual council tax bills as high as 15 per cent. Communities Secretary Michael Gove allowed Birmingham Council to impose a 21 per cent increase in rates over the next two years. There is regional variation in average council tax bills which include social care and parish precepts. In contrast, just three in four councils intended to levy the maximum this time last year, according to data compiled by the County Councils Network (CCN). In London the average annual bill for a Band D property will be 1,422, an increase of 5 per cent on 2023/24. Thurrock rate-payers face a similar rate rise of 7.5 per cent, two years after government-appointed commissioners took control of finances when the council went 1.5billion in the red. Pictured: Thurrock Council Additional government funding permitted both Slough and Thurrock to double their rates by up to 10 per cent and allowed Croydon to increase its annual council tax bills as high as 15 per cent. Pictured: Croydon Council Metropolitan districts outside London will see an average annual increase of 5.4 per cent to 1,837, while bills in unitary counties with no districts will rise 5 per cent to 1,886. READ MORE: Streetlights could be turned off and bin collections slashed as bankrupt Labour-run local authorities threaten to hike council tax to desperately balance their books Advertisement Meanwhile, the average bill in other county areas will increase by 5 per cent to 1,643, with districts in these areas adding an additional 266. In January, the government made 600million extra funding available to local authorities for the next tax year, with 500million ring-fenced for social care. But councils have warned they still face difficult trade-offs due to a prolonged funding squeeze across local government. Annual council tax increases remained below 1 per cent between 2010 and 2015, but rose to 5 per cent for the first time in 2018/19. Currently upper-tier councils cannot raise council tax above 4.99 per cent including the social care precept without gaining approval from a local referendum. Parish precepts in 2024-25 will total 783 million, which is 75 million higher than in 2023-24. The council imposing the lowest rate rise on households is Hartlepool at 3.2 per cent or 73.34 over the next financial year. Your browser does not support iframes. Council leaders warned that taxpayers will have to bear more financial pain during the cost of living crisis. Sam Corcoran, leader of Cheshire East Council and vice-chairman of the CCN, said: 'County authorities face a 1.1billion budget shortfall over the next two years. 'With council tax now accounting for two-thirds of the average county authority's funding, we have little choice but to take the difficult but necessary decision to raise council tax by 4.99 per cent to continue to protect services and ward off the threat of financial insolvency in the future.' And Roger Gough, Conservative leader of Kent County Council and CCN's spokesman for children's services, said: 'This month's Budget confirmed that the public finances remain extremely tight. 'Therefore we need to have an honest discussion with all main political parties as we head into the general election on what councils can reasonably be expected to deliver, in a climate where substantive extra funds are unlikely and both demand and costs are set to rise.' Shaun Davies, Labour chairman of the Local Government Association, added that councils are starting the financial year in a precarious position and scaling back or closing a wide range of services. 'This means many are again left facing the difficult choice about raising bills to bring in desperately needed funding,' he said. 'It is unsustainable to expect them to keep doing more for less in the face of unprecedented cost and demand pressures. Your browser does not support iframes. 'Keeping councils on a financial drip feed has led to the steady weakening of local services. Local government needs greater funding certainty through multi-year settlements to prevent this ongoing decline.' Four councils which have previously issued section 114 notices declaring effective bankruptcy Birmingham, Woking, Slough and Thurrock have been given special dispensation by the Government to raise council tax by 10 per cent. Some councils have agreed on the maximum increase but plan to introduce measures to mitigate the impact on residents, such as making support-funding available to low-income households. Councils are said to be making savings by boosting preventative measures in children's and adult social care, but this approach will take time to have an impact on finances. The CCN has called on the next government to implement a 'comprehensive' reform programme to drive down costs, including an overhaul of the legislative framework for school transport and action to reduce fees charged by private providers in the children's social care market. The interactive council tax map has been produced by AI household finance experts Nous. Greg Marsh, household finance expert and CEO of AI household money-saver Nous.co, said: 'These painful council tax rises are hitting households who have already suffered through two years of soaring prices. 'Plus they're kicking in on the same day that mobile, broadband and water wills are all going up too. 'For a typical household, these bill increases are going to completely cancel out the benefit of falling energy costs. 'With all this going on, I'd advise all households to take action and make sure they're not falling victim to loyalty scamming and overpaying on their bills. Some 90 per cent of us are and most have no idea how bad the problem is. 'At Nous, we typically save customers 400 to 500 a year on their household bills because they just didn't realise they were paying way over the odds.' Responding to the news in January, a Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities spokesperson said: 'We recognise councils are facing challenges and that is why we recently announced an additional 600 million support package for councils across England, increasing their overall funding for the upcoming financial year to 64.7billion a 7.5 per cent increase in cash terms. 'Councils are responsible for their own finances and set council tax levels, but we have been clear they should be mindful of cost-of-living pressures. We continue to protect taxpayers from excessive council tax increases through referendum principles.' Impact of prohibiting cannabis use to be reviewed Australia's biggest state will launch a probe into laws surrounding the prohibition of cannabis, with one MP claiming the legalisation of weed could save the state billions of dollars. An upper house inquiry would be the first of its kind to explore the social and economic impact of prohibiting cannabis, and the impact on young people, the Aboriginal, LGBTIQA+, regional, multicultural and lower socio-economic communities. The review will also consider alternative approaches to current laws, which only allows cannabis to be legally used with a medicinal prescription. Legalise Cannabis MP Jeremy Buckingham said the inquiry would look into the 'true socio-economic cost and the opportunities of cannabis legalisation'. Government officials in NSW are considering the impacts of legalising cannabis as the push to decriminalise the use of the drug continues to grow in Australia's biggest state (pictured stock image) Mr Buckingham, who will chair the inquiry, said NSW's illegal cannabis market was being used as 'rocket fuel' for burgeoning organised crime group, making the argument that legalising the drug would stop revenue. 'The inquiry will hear from experts in cannabis law reform, health, crime, economists and will look at jurisdictions like the ACT, USA, and Germany who have moved to a legalisation regime,' he said. 'Cannabis prohibition disproportionately impacts and criminalises regional, working class, LGBT and Aboriginal communities - it's time to see why.' On Wednesday night, the motion was passed in parliament with support from the government and the Greens. While the Opposition opposed the inquiry, Liberal MP Scott Farlow acknowledged they didn't have the numbers. While NSW Treasurer and upper house MP Daniel Mookhey said the government welcomed the 'opportunity to hear from experts,' he said further policy considerations on cannabis would be examined at the drug summit slated for later this year. He said the summit would engage with 'health and medical experts, police, drug user organisations, families and other stakeholders to build consensus on the way this state deals with drug use and misuse'. Greens spoleswoman for drug law reform and harm reduction Cate Faehrmann said it was 'about time' the government considered the regulatory framework of a 'legal cannabis market'. Experts will explore the use of cannabis at a drug summit scheduled later this year as authorities continue to grapple with the way the drug is consumed by users (pictured stock image) 'It is about time, frankly, that we had a very far-reaching, thorough and detailed inquiry into cannabis - not just medicinal cannabis and not just into the very unfair laws around driving for medicinal cannabis patients,' she said. Uniting NSW and ACT's general manager of advocacy and external relations Emma Maiden welcomed the inquiry. 'Any opportunity to examine and change our unfair drug laws in NSW is always welcome as is any positive change to the way we approach drug use and dependency,' she said. 'We know that the system is unevenly applied, unfair, perpetuates stigma and increases harm. Further changes must be explored and adopted. 'A Drug Summit at NSW parliament this year will be a critical part of this reform journey. This will be an important way of building multi-party support for reform in the NSW parliament and in the community.' New Yorkers say the city has become a more dangerous and worse place to live these past six years and point to failures in Mayor Eric Adams' administration, a massive survey shows. The share of residents who rate city life as good or excellent fell from 50 percent to 30 percent between 2017 and 2023, while one third of New Yorkers say quality of life is now poor, a survey by the Citizens Budget Commission (CBC) reveals. Among their top concerns are crime and public order. Residents feel much less safe in their neighborhoods than they did in 2017, especially on a subway system that has been hit with a spate of violent incidents. Gov Kathy Hochul this month deployed National Guard troops to the New York subway system in a bid to restore faith among worried commuters New Yorkers say their city is becoming a more dangerous, worse place to live, a survey by the Citizens Budget Commission (CBC) reveals The survey comes as Adams has struggled to live up to campaign promises of tackling crime, safety, and rat infestations, amid a surge in migrants that's draining city coffers of billions of dollars. Andrew Rein, the research group's president, said the survey revealed a 'stark reality that [residents] clearly rate the quality of life and quality of city services as not good.' Officials must start making 'tremendous progress' to offer better 'safety, housing, and clean streets, parks, and public spaces,' Rein added. Key findings from CBC's survey of 6,600 New Yorkers: Just 37 percent of respondents said public safety in their neighborhood was excellent or good down from half in 2017 New Yorkers feel only slightly safer riding the subway during the day now as they felt on it at night in 2017 More than three quarters say they don't feel safe riding the subway at night now More people now say they're worried about cleanliness, garbage collection and rat problems in their area They're also increasingly dissatisfied with traffic, bike, and pedestrian safety Only 11 percent said the city spent tax dollars wisely down from 21 percent in 2017 When asked if they planned to stay in New York until 2028, only half of respondents said 'yes' That's down from 58 percent in 2017 Households with annual incomes above $200,000 say they have the best quality of life Those living in the Upper East and West Sides, Soho, TriBeCa, waterfront areas of Brooklyn and Queens and southern Staten Island were generally more satisfied But even those posher areas recorded a drop in residents' satisfaction Residents of the southern and central Bronx were among the least satisfied Mayor Eric Adams has struggled to live up to campaign promises of tackling crime, safety, and rat infestations Commuters have their bags checked by NYPD officers in a crackdown that locals say isn't working Commuters scrambled for cover after an 'aggressive' rider was shot in the head on a rush hour subway train this month The survey underscores the challenges facing both Adams and Gov. Kathy Hochul as they seek to ease fears that crime is out of control and the subway system is falling apart. It was carried out before this winter's spate of sensational subway crimes. Commuters scrambled for cover after an 'aggressive' rider was shot in the head on a subway A train during rush hour this month. The shooting on the nation's busiest transit system occurred less than a week after New York Governor Kathy Hochul stationed 750 national guard members in a bid to clamp down on the rampant violence on the subway. Jonathan Bowles, director of the Center for an Urban Future nonprofit, called the survey a 'sobering' wake-up call for officials running a city of 8.5 million people. 'Policymakers should take notice and grasp that there's still a lot of work to do to make the city more livable and affordable,' said Bowles. By Trudy Rubin Now that the primaries have all but confirmed Donald Trump as the GOPs presidential candidate, he is already displaying the way he intends to conduct foreign policy if reelected. He plans to be a one-man show, in cahoots with authoritarian rulers whose unfettered power he admires. In the unlikely case youve forgotten Trumps long history of autocrat envy, you had only to observe Trumps hosting of far-right Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban at Mar-a-Lago on Friday. A longtime favorite of Trumps, Orban is the most antidemocratic and openly racist (and antisemitic) leader in Europe. He is also the most anti-Ukraine and pro-Moscow leader in the European Union and NATO. Unlike Trumps disdain for most of Americas democratic allies in Europe, however, the GOP candidate has praised Orban as a great leader and strong man, adding that some people dont like him because hes too strong. Obviously, Trump was comparing himself with Orban in that last statement. Yet, the strong leaders he so admires ran rings around him when he was in office. Convinced that, as he insisted, Only I can fix it, he was oblivious to how they played him. If reelected, Trumps resistance to facts and determination to fire any officials who challenge him will make him a perfect patsy for the new anti-Western axis of Moscow, Beijing, Tehran, and Pyongyang, who are teaming up to weaken America. A quick look at Trumps past foreign policy failures in sucking up to dictators makes clear how a continuation would lead America to more grief. Trump feted Xi Jinping with a black-tie gala at Mar-a-Lago in hopes Xi would slash the U.S. trade deficit with China and help do a nuclear deal with Pyongyang. Neither happened. Their relationship soured and turned into a trade war, even as Beijing built up its military strength unchecked. Trump wooed Kim Jong-un in the expectation that Kim would respond by ending North Koreas nuclear program. He wrote me beautiful letters and we fell in love, said the former president. That relationship collapsed, and Kim has vastly expanded his nuclear and missile arsenal since then. He is also sending missiles to Vladimir Putin for use in Ukraine. Trump abandoned President Barack Obamas nuclear deal with Iran, which had slashed Tehrans capacity to make a nuclear bomb. Trump said he could do a better deal with the ayatollahs, but that went nowhere. Released from all limits on enriching uranium, Iran now has enough to make six bombs in a month, according to respected experts. Meantime, Russia may give Iran further nuclear weapons technology in return for more drones to use against Ukraine. And then there is Trumps ongoing, bizarre bromance with Putin. The cynical Orban, who has cracked down on the free press and voting rights at home, is a stalking horse for Putin. He has endeared himself to Trump with constant, lavish praise of the ex-president, and with his white, Christian brand of nationalism that denounces mixing races. But then Orban goes on to parrot the Putin mantra that Kyiv cant win and that Trump should break with other NATO allies and do a deal with Putin to end the war in Ukraine. Trumps admiration for Orban is just one more check on the Russian leaders scorecard as he continues to bamboozle his pal Trump. The GOP candidates constant praise for and refusal to criticize Putin became legendary during his four years in office. What is shocking if Trump can still shock is that he still doesnt seem to realize that Putins current behavior directly threatens the United States. Trump still talks of going to Moscow and settling the Ukraine war with Putin in 24 hours. In fact, his approach is guaranteed to hand a dangerous victory to Moscow, along with China, North Korea, and Iran. The former president has swallowed Putins lie that Russia is protecting Russian speakers in Ukraine by seizing parts of that country. In fact, most Ukrainians speak Russian but consider themselves Ukrainian. Putin has murdered more Russian speakers in Ukraine than anyone since Adolf Hitler. Yet, Trump has already instructed GOP members of Congress to reject desperately needed aid for Ukraine, directly leading to recent Russian territorial gains as Ukrainians run out of ammunition. He appears ready to hand that nation over to brutal imperial domination by Russia. Putin will take Trumps acquiescence on Ukraine as a clear signal that Russia is free to expand its aspirational empire further, as it has already begun doing: nibbling or biting at other European countries, blowing up internet undersea cables that serve the United States, militarizing the Arctic waters, and threatening to send nuclear weapons into space both frontiers where the U.S. has critical interests. Trump appears equally blind or indifferent to the fact that China will take a Ukraine defeat as a signal it is free to move on Taiwan. Given these threats, our NATO alliance in Europe has never been more vital since the end of World War II, especially with new members Sweden and Finland. Yet, Trump nearly quit the alliance as president and is still threatening to destroy it. He falsely claimed that NATO is not meeting its financial obligations. NATO members are giving Ukraine twice as much aid as we are, and most members now meet the NATO goal of spending 2 percent of GDP on defense. Putin need only sit back and smile as he watches the GOPs leader strengthen the Kremlin at the expense of the United States. What scares me the most is that, in a second term, Trumps failures at playing strong man may become so obvious that he feels pressured to strike out to prove his machismo. Recall his war of words with Kim (before declaring his love). The former president called the North Korean leader little rocket man and boasted that his nuclear button was bigger while Kim threatened all-out war. Looking back, those verbal battles look like farce. Next time, however, an ego-driven Trump, unrestrained, might take reckless actions to prove his toughness and unintentionally trigger a real war. That is the risk GOP voters will need to consider before they cast their votes. Trudy Rubin is a columnist and editorial-board member for the The Philadelphia Inquirer. Readers may write to her at: Philadelphia Inquirer, P.O. Box 8263, Philadelphia, Pa. 19101, or by email at trubin@phillynews.com. On a sunny day in November 1933, Scottish man Hugh Gray took a picture that would spark a global obsession. He later described what he saw in Loch Ness, near Inverness, as an 'object of considerable dimensions'. His image showed what appeared to be some kind of creature amid churning water. From then on, sightings of the Loch Ness monster proliferated and, more than 90 years on, the interest has shown no sign of ebbing away. This week, photographer Chie Kelly revealed what one Nessie expert described as the 'most compelling' images yet of the rumoured monster. She took 71 images in 2018 but did not share them out of fear of public ridicule. The first 15 images were revealed last year and now all the frames have been turned into a video. On a sunny day in November 1933, Scottish man Hugh Gray took a picture that would spark a global obsession. He later described what he saw in Loch Ness, near Inverness, as an 'object of considerable dimensions' In 1934, a picture taken by London physician Robert Kenneth Wilson captured the world's attention. It showed what appeared to be a beast rearing its head out of the water. It was later exposed as a hoax The Nessie mystery could date as far back as 565AD, when Irish missionary Saint Columba was recorded to have encountered a strange water monster in the River Ness, which feeds the famous loch. According to his centuries-old biography, the water beast had slain one man and attacked another when it fled in terror after Saint Columba made the sign of the cross and ordered it back. Gray's image came after another man, Loch Ness water bailiff and part-time journalist Alex Campbell, reported on the sighting of an 'enormous creature with the body of a whale rolling in the water in the loch' earlier in 1933. The article, titled Strange Spectacle in Loch Ness, was reported in the local press in May 193 and quickly became a media phenomenon. London newspapers began to send correspondents to Scotland, with some offering a 20,000 reward for the capture of the beast. Interest continued to skyrocket in August the same year, after George Splicer's alleged sighting was published in the Inverness Courier. This week, photographer Chie Kelly revealed what one Nessie expert described as the 'most compelling' images yet of the rumoured monster The report spoke of Mr Spicer and his wife seeing 'a most extraordinary form of animal' cross the road in front of their car on July 22, describing it as a 'monster fish,' 'sea serpent,' and 'dragon'. They described the creature as having a large body - 4 feet (1.2 m) high and 25 feet (8 m) long - and a long, wavy, narrow neck, slightly thicker than an elephant's trunk and as long as the width of the road (34 m). Researchers at Columbia University found evidence in 2013 to prove that this story was fake and suggested the sighting was fictionalized and inspired by the popular King Kong film at the time. However, sightings of the monster continued to increase, bringing vast numbers of tourists to the area and solidifying the Loch Ness Monster name. And then came the famous photograph taken by Mr Grey. Skeptics have suggested the photograph depicts an otter or a swan, or even Mr Gray's dog fetching a stick. The following year, a picture taken by London physician Robert Kenneth Wilson captured the world's attention. It showed what appeared to be a beast rearing its head out of the water. It was later exposed as a hoax by one of the participants, Chris Spurling, who, on his deathbed, revealed that the pictures were staged. A model of a monster had been placed on a toy submarine. In 1936, a sketch of the rumoured beast after it had supposedly come ashore near the village of Drumnadrochit in September 1936 convinced a 'staggered' expert. It was seen both facing forwards and side-on, with its rolls of fat around its midriff standing out. The drawing featured in a cache of previously confidential documents dubbed the 'Monster Files' that were publicised last year by the National Museums of Scotland. The Nessie mystery could date as far back as 565AD, when Irish missionary Saint Columba was recorded to have encountered a strange water monster in the River Ness, which feeds the famous loch In 1936, a sketch of the rumoured beast after it had supposedly come ashore near the village of Drumnadrochit in September 1936 convinced a 'staggered' expert Lachlan Stuart's photograph in 1951 photo showed three humps poking out of the surface of the loch In 1969, government minister Lord Hughes of Hawkshill was mocked by his colleagues in the House of Lords for suggesting that the monster might be real. He was responding to a comment by a fellow peer, who had branded the creature's existence a 'myth' that pulled in 'gullible tourists'. Lord Hughes retorted: 'I do not know on what scientific ground my noble friend says that the monster is a myth.' Then, in 1975, a person sent expert Ian HJ Lyster, of the Royal Scottish Museum, the 1936 drawing. Expressing his shock, the natural historian said its appearance explained previous descriptions and photographs, including one famous image taken by Lachlan Stuart in 1951. The photo showed three humps poking out of the surface of the loch. The natural historian wrote of the sketch: 'I was quite staggered when I first saw the sketch. 'My first reaction was that such a creature would explain a lot of the apparently odd descriptions of the Loch Ness Monster and also such photographs as the three humps taken by Lachlan Stuart in 1951. An early sighting of what was claimed to be the Loch Ness Monster A 1998 'sighting' of the Loch Ness monster The image taken by Richard White in 1997. He won 500 in a bet with a bookmaker for this image, on a wager that he couldn't take a photo of an object in the Loch A 1998 sighting. The image was taken by Geoff Mitcheson from Newcastle while he was on a cruise on the loch 'The odd fleshy lobes hanging from the head have also been variously described by witnesses.' Lyster believed that the monster's appearance meant it could be an older creature, with younger ones likely being thinner. 'I suspect that younger specimens may not have the floppy fins or the dewlaps and that it is the younger, more agile ones which are occasionally seen ashore,' he wrote. Dewlaps refer to the flaps of loose skin seen in the sketch, which was reported to have been produced by local workman Alastair Dallas. Lyster told the sender of the sketch to send him a 'specimen' but otherwise said he had to retreat behind a 'smokescreen of scientific caution'. Another expert - botanist John Dennis - said the drawing looked like a 'Walt Disney caricature'. However, he said the depiction and others like it were the 'most reliable' he had seen, and claimed that hoaxers would not go to 'all the trouble'. In 1955, bank manager Peter MacNab photographed something large moving through the water of the loch near Urquhart Castle. Steve Feltham sits outside his home - a former mobile library - on the banks of Loch Ness. He has set a world record for the longest Nessie vigil But differences between the negative of the image and the print that was shown to the media cast doubt on its veracity. In 1977, a photo was claimed to be the clearest ever of the beast emerged. But the man who took it was a magician and psychic who claimed to have 'summoned' the monster from the depths of Loch Ness. With sceptics noting the lack of ripples in the water, it was soon dismissed as a hoax. In 2007, 55-year-old English lab technician Gordon Holmes claimed to have captured a video of Nessie. 'I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw this jet black thing, about 45-feet long, moving fairly fast in the water,' he claimed. But experts quickly said it was likely a seal or an otter. During her trip to Loch Ness with her husband in 2018, Mrs Kelly saw a 'strange creature' move right to left over a distance of around 100 metres. It then disappeared and never re-surfaced, they claim. In 2020, startling images of a large creature inhabiting the depths of Loch Ness were captured on sonar off Invermoriston by skipper Ronald Mackenzie aboard his Spirit of Loch Ness tourist boat Mrs Kelly was on holiday with her family from Ascot in Berkshire when she took her pictures in 2018 Mrs Kelly was so shocked by what she saw on August 13, 2018, that she feared public ridicule and did not share the images. But she was inspired by the biggest search for Nessie in over 50 years last August, in which hundreds of volunteers took part. It was then that she plucked up the courage to show her startling photographs to veteran Nessie hunter Steve Feltham, who has set a world record for the longest Nessie vigil. He has spent more than 30 years living beside the Loch, keeping a near-constant watch. Mr Feltham said this week: 'They are the most compelling surface images of the phenomenon. Putting all 71 frames out there will hopefully spark international debate and an analysis. That's the point of it. 'They still defy explanation. I don't think they are otters - those creatures are much smaller than what is in the images - or divers. It also appears there may be two objects. They certainly warrant further investigation.' Hollywood star Rhys Darby and his Cryptid Factor co-hosts director Leon Kirkbeck and Dan Schreiber - co-host of QI's No Such Thing As A Fish podcast - have put together video footage of the photos. The Cryptid Factor hosts said: 'This video allows us to see how the monster moves, which is a game-changer. As soon as we saw the finished footage we knew we had to take it to the world'. According to the Official Loch Ness Monster Sightings Register, a list compiled by monster hunter Gary Campbell, there have been 1,155 reported sightings of Nessie. An elderly woman has launched a $350,000 case against her Washington city and its YMCA for banning her from a swimming pool after she objected to a trans woman using its women's locker room. Julie Jaman, 82, says Port Townsend and its Olympic Peninsula YMCA defamed her and unlawfully banned her from the center and seeks compensation for 'emotional distress' from the incident in July 2022. Her lawyer, Harmeet Dhillon, a GOP official who heads the Center for American Liberty, this week sent the city and its YMCA a 259-page complaint, urging them to pay up and apologize or face a lawsuit. Jaman was kicked out of the swimming complex and banned after encountering Clementine Adams, a trans male-to-female YMCA employee, in the women's locker rooms and asking her to leave. Julie Jaman says she has no problem with trans women, but that they should not use women's changing rooms Jaman encountered male-to-female trans YMCA worker Clementine Adams in the women's locker rooms The case spotlights tensions between trans campaigners, who say society must accept their chosen sexual identity, and women who want biological males kept out of their changing rooms. 'The city's and YMCA's unconstitutional actions are the result of the left's blind loyalty to gender ideologues' political agenda,' said Dhillon, a Republican National Committee member. 'Instead of listening to a longtime patron and taxpayer's valid concerns about child safety, the City of Port Townsend and the YMCA silenced and banned her for life, without an iota of due process.' City officials and the YMCA did not answer DailyMail.com's requests for comment. In the letter, Jaman revealed new details about the incident, which led to an angry confrontation with Adams, other YMCA staff and the cops which led to her ban and a series of headline-grabbing protests. 'I was showering in the women's dressing room when I saw a man wearing a woman's swimsuit watching little girls undress. I was obligated to speak up and ask for help,' said Jaman. She has since 'suffered mob-like attacks, public humiliation and widespread mendacious reporting,' said the 40year community veteran. GOP bigwig Harmeet Dhillon has championed Jaman's case and seeks a $350,000 payout for Jaman The Olympic Peninsula YMCA, of which the pool is pictured above, said Jamal's banning was the culmination of a series of 'incidents' where she has been disrespectful towards staff After the ban, a protest was held outside the facility involving trans activists and Jaman's supporters, pictured above 'If this had been the 17th Century, I would have been burned at the stake,' she added She now wants her 'credibility restored,' she said. Jaman says she was changing in the women's locker room when she heard a 'man's voice.' It was coming from Adams, who identifies as a woman, wearing a female swimsuit and accompanying two young girls. 'Jaman was startled by Adams's presence in the women's locker room and believed that she might be witnessing a crime in progress,' says the letter. She asked Adams if she had a penis, and was told it was 'none of her business', so she asked them to leave. Jaman told a member of staff at the pool, and was told by YMCA aquatics manager Rowen DeLuna that trans woman were allowed in women's changing areas and that she was 'discriminating' against Adams. Jaman says she has since 'suffered mob-like attacks, public humiliation and widespread mendacious reporting' Adams in 2022 raised more than $20,000 online for two sex-reassignment procedures She was told that she was 'banned from the pool forever' before DeLuna called the cops. Jaman was described as having an 'emotional response' and 'screaming' in a police incident report. Jaman later that month protested outside the pool and raised her concerns at a city council meeting. A #LetJulieSwim rally supporting Jaman the following month was swarmed by transgender rights activists. The city and YMCA later alleged that Jaman had demonstrated a 'pattern of disrespectful behavior,' but have not identified the nature of this alleged misconduct, the letter says. The two organizations have led a 'high-profile smear campaign' against Jaman, issuing 'false and misleading statements' to 'make her appear to be bigoted and dangerous to transgender individuals,' the letter says. Patricia Silva was banned from Planet Fitness after she shared a photo of 'a man with a penis' who was using the female locker room to shave 'This couldn't be further from the truth,' says the letter. 'It is true that Jaman supports keeping women's spaces reserved for biological women. But she does not harbor hate towards anyone based on their gender identity.' Whether trans women can use women's locker rooms, bathrooms and other spaces has become a hot button issue in America's culture wars. Conservatives are currently mounting a boycott against the Planet Fitness gym chain over its policy allowing trans women to use women's changing rooms. Patricia Silva recently encountered a trans woman shaving in women's locker room at a Planet Fitness in Alaska. After posting a video online about the incident and complaining to management, her membership was canceled. President Joe Biden's campaign cash advantage over former President Donald Trump swelled to $113 million as the ex-president is bogged down by legal costs heading into the general election rematch. Biden's campaign had $71 million cash on hand at the end of February according to Federal Election Commission filings Wednesday night. It brought in more than $21 million and spent just over $6 million across the month. Over the weekend, the president's campaign announced including the committees supporting him, Biden raised a whopping $53 million in February and had an unprecedented $155 million cash on hand at the end of the month. Biden's massive cash advantage has given the president the ability to make an early digital advertising investment as well as book ads for the fall in what is expected to be the most expensive political race ever. Meanwhile, the Trump campaign told Fox News the former president and his joint fundraising committee raised a combined $20 million last month surpassing the $13.8 million raised in January but less than half of Biden's February fundraising total. At the end of last month, Trump had a combined $41.9 million cash on hand they said, less than a third of Biden's gigantic campaign war chest. Biden finished February with a $113 million cash advantage over Trump as the pair gear up for a rematch in November The Trump campaign's monthly filing late Wednesday showed the ex-president's campaign brought in $10.8 million in February and spent $7.8 million. It finished the month with $33.5 million cash on hand, an uptick from the $30 million the campaign had on hand at the end of January. The super PAC supporting Trump, Make America Great Again Inc., reported having $25.5 million cash on hand at the end of February. It raised nearly $12.8 million last month and spent nearly $7 million. But one of Trump's committees, a leadership PAC called Save America which has been used to help pay for his legal expenses as Trump fights multiple cases, spent more money than it took in last month. Save America finished February with $4 million cash on hand, down from more than $6.2 million at the end of January. It spent more than $6.6 million last month but brought in only $5 million. Trump in court for the New York fraud trial. In February, Save America PAC spent nearly $5.6 million on legal costs and still owed lawyer Alina Habba (right) more than half a million campaign finance records showed According to the filing, the committee spent nearly $5.6 million on legal consulting and still owed Alina Habba's law firm $534,361. That amounts to the committee spending more than $210,000 on legal costs a day in February. Habba is the lawyer working on the Trump New York fraud case as the former president struggles to secure the $454 million fine, raising questions over whether the New York attorney general would seize assets. The ex-president has been fundraising off the fraud case to help foot his ballooning legal costs. One fundraising email to supporters in February had the subject line 'Keep your filthy hands ff Trump Tower!' It linked to a memo that said AG Letitia James wants to seize Trump properties. It stated 'Democrats think they can intimidate me. They think they can force me to quit. BUT I WILL NEVER SURRENDER!' Last year, Trump's campaign and committees also spent nearly $50 million combined on legal fees as the former president fights 88 charges in four criminal cases and as well as two separate civil cases. A fundraising email sent out from Trump in February referencing his New York civil fraud case Tickets for the event cost $814,600 for a seat at the former president's table With the general election looming both Biden and Trump are focused on the fundraising push. Billionaire John Paulson will host a fundraiser for Trump early next month in Palm Beach with tickets cost as much as $814,600 for a seat at the former president's table. Biden will join former presidents Obama and Clinton for a fundraising event at Radio City Music Hall next week in New York City. The first-of-its-kind event is reportedly expected to bring in $10 million. The president this week was on a swing through three states where he also attended several fundraisers including one in Dallas Wednesday night where the host said they raised $2.5 million. The latest election filings for February do not include the Biden campaign's largest fundraising day to date. In the 24 hours following Biden's fiery State of the Union address on March 8, the campaign reported he brought in $10 million in donations, it's best fundraising day of the cycle so far. Biden has been on a three-state swing this week for White House and campaign events which have included several fundraising stops With Biden's $113 million cash advantage, he has been able to greatly outspend Trump on digital advertising targeting voters in battleground states ahead of the general election. According to an analysis by Newsweek, Biden's campaign spent $5.6 million on ads with Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram over 90 days. During that same period, Trump's campaign spent just under $850,000. The Biden advertising advantage grew even larger with Google, which owns YouTube. There, Biden spent $3.71 million on digital ads since last August. In the last 90 days, the campaign ran 818 ads with Google, the analysis found. Trump's campaign during that same period spent $1,400 on four Google ads. An asylum seeker fed up with Britain tried to sail to France aboard a child's toy dinghy. In an astonishing scene at the beach in Dover, Kent, the tall Iranian pumped up the tiny red and yellow rubber craft as he prepared to set to sea. He was only stopped from leaving when locals alerted police who arrested him at lunchtime on Wednesday and seized the dinghy. A passer-by and former fisherman said: 'The man said he was Iranian and had been put in a Home Office hotel 'in the countryside' for three years without being able to work.' Another witness said the 41-year-old spoke of being depressed and how he came to Dover around a week and a half ago to live on the streets as he plotted how to get back to France. In an astonishing scene at the beach in Dover, Kent, the tall Iranian pumped up the tiny red and yellow rubber craft as he prepared to set to sea. Pictured: The man is apprehended by police He was only stopped from leaving when locals alerted police who arrested him at lunchtime on Wednesday and seized the dinghy A witness said the 41-year-old (pictured) spoke of being depressed and how he came to Dover around a week and a half ago The man is the first to be spotted using a small boat to cross the Channel back to France The man was living on the streets as he plotted how to get back to France The man is the first to be spotted using a small boat to cross the Channel back to France. Others disenchanted migrants, as revealed by the Mail, are fleeing England and the 'broken asylum system' by sneaking onto lorries at Dover as they queue for French-bound ferries. One - a 25-year-old Syrian - reached Germany on a Channel lorry last week after weeks of trying to quit Britain. The reverse diaspora is a fresh chapter in the immigration crisis. Tens of thousands of asylum seekers and economic migrants have arrived across the Channel from Calais and Dunkirk on traffickers' small boat in the past five years provoking a public backlash. Officers were alerted to the Iranian after he was seen trying to splice five-gallon fuel cans and wooden pallets to the child's dinghy to create a makeshift raft. He was busy finishing the craft when police moved in. The Iranian argued with officers for nearly an hour as he begged them to let him attempt the Channel crossing. But he was eventually put in a police van with his dinghy and driven away for questioning. Leo Varadkar's announcement that he is stepping down as Ireland's prime minister has 'delighted' his partner Matthew Barrett, the politician said today. Speaking from Brussels at an EU summit today, the Taoiseach - who will remain the acting leader of the government until his replacement is chosen, told the media that Barrett did not want to get involved in politics. 'This life was never for him,' Varadkar said, adding that Barrett is 'delighted' with his decision to step down from the top job in Irish politics. 'You don't need to do (this job) forever, the Taoiseach told reporters, explaining how he left government offices at 10pm last night and only had time for a brief chat over a takeaway meal with his partner before leaving early this morning for the flight to Belgium. He said the reality of his resignation has not yet 'really sunk in', and that the myriad responsibilities of the role means he is yet to discuss the decision with his family - but insisted there was no one reason behind the move to step down. A visibly emotional Varadkar, who became Ireland's first openly gay prime minister in 2017, declared yesterday that a key part of leadership is knowing when to 'pass on the baton to someone else - and then having the courage to do it.' The 45-year-old leader said on Wednesday his decision was made for 'personal and political' reasons, and on Thursday went into more detail, pointing to an increased level of toxicity in public life - although insisted this was not a major deciding factor. His bombshell resignation announcement yesterday triggered the beginning of a hotly contested leadership contest in his Fine Gael party. Ireland's Taoiseach Leo Varadkar arrives to attend the European Council meeting in Brussels, Belgium, 21 March 2024 Speaking from Brussels at an EU summit today, the taoiseach, who will remain the acting leader of the government until his replacement is chosen, told the media that Barrett did not want to get involved in politics The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge meet with the Taoiseach of Ireland Leo Varadkar at Government buildings in Dublin, Ireland Leo Varadkar and parter Matthew Barrett In a resignation speech yesterday, Varadkar described his work in politics as 'the most fulfilling time in my life', but recognised the time had come to leave because 'a new taoiseach and a new leader will be better placed than me' to lead the country forward. 'After seven years in office, I don't feel I'm the best person for that job anymore,' he said. Varadkar also spoke of the 'honour' of leading Ireland through a series of challenges, including the Covid pandemic and Brexit. 'I am resigning as President and Leader of Fine Gael effective today, and will resign as taoiseach as soon as my successor is able to take up that office. 'I know this will come as a surprise to many and a disappointment to some. I hope you will at least understand my decision. I know that others will, how shall I put it, cope with the news just fine. That is the great thing about living in a democracy. 'There is never a ''right time'' to resign high office. However, this is as good a time as any - Budget 2024 is done, and negotiations have not yet commenced on the next one,' Varadkar said. The taoiseach confirmed he will remain in power as the acting leader until his successor is determined. Speaking today in Brussels, Varadkar insisted there was no singular reason behind his decision to step down. 'In terms of my own decision, my own reasons, there's no one event, there's no one thing.' 'I appreciate the need for journalism to have a thing or a moment but in real life, it's often not like that,' he said. 'Certainly, you know, for me, I'm here in Brussels today and I've been coming to Brussels for nearly 14 years now, without a break, representing the country as a minister and then as Taoiseach and Tanaiste and look, there comes a time when you need to move on and you need to make space for new people, new ideas and new energy,' he said. The outgoing Taoiseach also pointed to an increased level of toxicity in public life, but insisted this was not a major factor in his decision to step down. 'I've always understood in politics that when you stick a picture of yourself up on lamp poles, when you knock on people's doors unannounced, when you take stands on things, that you're going to be subject to a certain level of abuse,' he said. 'Toxicity is the term people like to use that has increased. 'It's certainly amplified over the past five to ten years not just because of social media, by the way, also because of a lot of cynicism in mainstream media as well, which I think needs to be talked about too,' he continued. 'But it wasn't a major factor for me. I have a thick skin.' The race to replace Varadkar as Fine Gael party leader, and by default as prime minister, began almost immediately. Speculation is already bubbling about likely contenders. The contest proper started on Thursday, with parliamentary party members allowed to submit nominations until Monday. Party members are due to vote between April 2 and 4 before a winner is declared on April 5. The Irish parliament - where the governing coalition's centre-right Fine Gael and Fianna Fail parties, and Green Party form a majority - is expected to vote in the new taoiseach after it returns from recess later in April. The frontrunner is education minister Simon Harris, who was expected to formally throw his hat in the ring later on Thursday. By midday on Thursday, the 37-year-old had secured endorsements from more than 20 party members including Fine Gael ministers, MPs and members of the European Parliament. His campaign said over 100 councillors also support his candidacy to 're-energise' Fine Gael. Several Fine Gael cabinet ministers and MPs insist a leadership contest would be good for the party. But with votes from Fine Gael MPs weighing more than the 20,000-strong party membership, the race could be decided quickly if Harris's dynamic early showing convinces potential challengers not to stand. Leo Varadkar and partner Matthew Barrett Ireland's Prime Minister Leo Varadkar arrives to attend a European Council summit at the EU headquarters in Brussels on March 21, 2024 A visibly emotional Varadkar, who became Ireland's first openly gay prime minister in 2017, declared that a key part of leadership is knowing when to 'pass on the baton to someone else - and then having the courage to do it' Taoiseach Leo Varadkar speaking to the media at Government Buildings in Dublin, he has announced he is to step down as Taoiseach and as leader of his party, Fine Gael. Picture date: Wednesday March 20, 2024 A file handout photo released by Ireland's Government Information Service (GIS) on December 17, 2022, shows Ireland's incoming prime minister, and Fine Gael party leader Leo Varadkar (R), receiving the Seals of Office of Taoiseach and Government, from Ireland's President Michael D. Higgins Public spending minister Paschal Donohoe, chair of the prestigious Eurogroup of European Union finance ministers, was seen as Harris's main rival. But Donohoe, 49 - recently touted as a potential IMF head - ruled himself out while in Brussels on Thursday on the sidelines of a Eurogroup meeting. 'I think it's over. There is the capacity for contenders to come forward until Monday but with Donohoe out of the race, it's hard to see how anyone is going to stand against Harris,' said Paul Cunningham, a political reporter with public broadcaster RTE. 'It's possible but highly unlikely.' Before Varadkar's departure, pundits expected a general election would be held later this year rather than in early 2025. But the leaders of the other parties in the governing coalition - Fianna Fail's Micheal Martin and the Green Party's Eamon Ryan - both say they prefer the government to serve a full five-year-term. Meanwhile opposition parties have queued up to demand an immediate general election. 'Rather than limping on, and rather than passing the office of taoiseach amongst yourselves again, the correct democratic route at this point is to go to the people,' said Mary Lou McDonald, leader of the largest opposition party, Sinn Fein. 'There needs to be a general election,' McDonald, whose left-wing nationalist party currently leads in polls, told RTE. An Apple accountant has been arrested over claims he snuck onto a Delta flight using a picture he took of a child's boarding pass and hid in the bathroom until the plane taxied. Wicliff Wves Fleurizard, 26, has been charged with one count of stowing away on a vessel or aircraft following the incident in Salt Lake City on March 17. He is accused of taking photos of the boarding passes of unsuspecting passengers and using his phone to board the flight to Austin, Texas, according to a criminal complaint filed in Utah federal court. Fleurizard allegedly spent a 'significant amount of time' in the bathroom and only came out once boarding was complete and the aircraft doors were secured. But, a flight attendant noticed there were no empty seats and found he did not have a valid ticket and the aircraft was forced to return to the gate where he was arrested. Apple accountant, Wicliff Wves Fleurizard, has been arrested over claims he snuck onto a Delta flight using a picture he took of a child's boarding pass and hid in the bathroom until the plane taxied The 26-year-old has been charged with one count of stowing away on a vessel or aircraft following the incident in Salt Lake City on March 17 Fleurizard is accused of taking photos of the boarding passes of unsuspecting passengers and using his phone to board the flight to Austin, Texas, according to a criminal complaint filed in Utah federal court. Pictured: Fleurizard's mugshot following a previous arrest in June 2023 Once Fleurizard realized boarding was complete, he made his way to the back of the aircraft, according to the complaint. He allegedly told a flight attendant his seat was 21F but the employee verified that the person who was already sitting there had a valid ticket. Staff then searched for Fleurizard's name on their system and did not find a valid ticket or booking reservation for him on Delta Flight 1683 or any other Delta Flight. The aircraft was then forced to return to the gate where he was met by law enforcement officers. He is currently being held at Salt Lake County Metro Jail. A Delta gate agent later revealed that a young girl had an issue when trying to scan her ticket to board. The system had showed she was already on board despite the fact she traveling on her own and no one else had any authorization to use it. Fleurizard allegedly told authorities he had been snowboarding in Park City and needed to get home to see his family who had flown in from Florida. He said he was given a Southwest ticket by a friend and attempted to leave on March 16, but there were no available seats and was rebooked onto March 17, according to the complaint. Fleurizard allegedly spent a 'significant amount of time' in the bathroom and only came out once boarding was complete and the aircraft doors were secured A flight attendant noticed there were no empty seats and found he did not have a valid ticket and the aircraft was forced to return to the gate where he was arrested However that flight was overbooked and he left the boarding area. Surveillance footage was reviewed and it allegedly shows him taking photos of multiple passengers boarding passes while they were not looking, including the young girl. Fleurizard is said to have admitted he made a mistake and was just trying to get home. He has an active warrant out for his arrest in Austin for violating a protective order, although the details are unclear. Fleurizard has been described by the Austin Police Department - who have an active warrant for his arrest for allegedly violating a protective order - as 'violent tendencies' and was previously arrested in June 2023 over claims he assaulted a family member. His case for the alleged assault is still pending in Williamson County, Texas. Fleurizard works as a global business solutions accountant at Apple, according to his LinkedIn page and has been at the company since January 2022. A Delta Airlines spokesman said: 'Delta is cooperating with law enforcement and relevant federal agencies regarding an investigation into a non-ticketed individual being escorted off an aircraft in Salt Lake City prior to a scheduled departure. 'We defer any additional questions to law enforcement.' DailyMail.com has contacted the Salt Lake City Police Department, Delta Airlines and Apple for comment. When scientists at Ciba Pharmaceuticals in the Swiss city of Basel developed nitazenes in the 1950s, they had high hopes for the commercial success of their radical new product. A synthetic opioid or super-strength painkiller, it was designed to be an alternative to morphine, the drug that then dominated the market in pain relief for cancer patients and people recovering from surgery. But the medical regulators had other ideas. Appalled at the incredible potency of nitazenes - and the obvious danger that any patients prescribed them would swiftly become addicted - they blocked the drugs release. And there the story of a compound reputed to be 300 times stronger than heroin might have ended. Fast forward 70 years or so, however, and nitazenes are back. Made in clandestine labs by chemists who have trawled historical research to mine the work of pioneering scientists, they are now increasingly available on the black market. Many of these labs are in China, and the drugs are so powerful that they have been nicknamed 'Frankenstein' opioids. This is a terrifying development, because nitazenes are 20 times stronger than fentanyl, another powerful synthetic opioid which in 2022 alone killed 75,000 people in America. Just this week, Luke D'Wit was convicted of murdering an Essex couple in their 60s by lacing their prescription medication with deadly amounts of fentanyl. Access to nitazenes poses even greater dangers. Nitazenes (pictured) are 20 times stronger than fentanyl, another powerful synthetic opioid which in 2022 alone killed 75,000 people in America This week Luke D'Wit was convicted of murdering an Essex couple in their 60s by lacing their prescription medication with deadly amounts of fentanyl. Access to nitazenes poses even greater dangers On Wednesday, the Government acted to combat the scourge of such drugs by introducing legislation to make 14 nitazenes Class A drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act. Placing these toxic drugs under the strictest controls sends a clear message that the consequences for peddling them will be severe, said Home Secretary James Cleverly. More than 100 deaths have been linked to nitazenes since last summer, according to the National Crime Agency (NCA), and some doctors believe the authorities have been slow to wake up to the scale of the potential threat. Unscrupulous illegal dealers mix the cheap opioid with other drugs such as heroin, alprazolam (Xanax) and even the anxiety medication diazepam (Valium). British authorities were alerted to the drugs arrival in July 2021 when an unnamed 18-year-old was found by his mother unconscious and breathing heavily at home in the West Midlands. She called an ambulance and began CPR, which kept her son alive long enough for an ambulance crew to administer the opioid antidote naloxone, which rapidly stops the potentially fatal effects of the drug. He was subsequently put on a ventilator and narrowly survived. The boy's case was investigated by Dr Mark Pucci, a clinical pharmacologist at University Hospitals Birmingham Trust, who established that the teenager had taken a substance that included N-pyrrolidino etonitazene, a form of nitazene. Researchers have relatively little information on how the human body reacts to nitazenes because the drugs have never gone through clinical trials. But as tests have shown they can be 1,000 times more powerful than morphine, they are clearly horrifyingly potent. It was only the quick thinking of his mother that saved him, Dr Pucci said of the 18-year-olds survival at the time. He went into respiratory and cardiac arrest, so is very lucky to be alive. Many others havent been as fortunate. Between June last year and February 22 this year, there were 76 deaths associated with nitazenes in England, 17 in Scotland and eight in Wales. These included 20 in the West Midlands, 13 in Yorkshire and Humberside, 17 in the east Midlands and east of England, and six in London. No single city has suffered more from the nitazenes crisis than Birmingham. Justin Varney, the city councils director of public health, recently said that drug deaths in Birmingham last summer were double the usual number. Among them were Clive Cooper, 38, a heroin user with schizophrenia; Maria Green, who suffered from bipolar disorder, anorexia and depression; Stephen Harrop, 36, who had taken heroin laced with nitazene, as had Michael Iddles, 53. Simeon McAnoy, 33, a window salesman found unresponsive by paramedics in October. His mother Jackie (right) says nitazenes were found in his system James Simmons, 38, a labourer, was found dead on June 6. In July, Wayne Purcell, a roofer, died in the same property after injecting nitazene. And Armstrong Tabrey, 27, was found in cardiac arrest in the corridor of shared housing in Erdington. There was also Simeon McAnoy, 33, a window salesman found unresponsive by paramedics in October. The official cause of his death has yet to be determined by an inquest, but his mother, Jackie, has said that the coroner told her nitazenes were found in his system. One of the earliest British victims was Cerys Clark, 19, from Middlesbrough. She suffered from chronic back pain caused by scoliosis, a curvature of the spine, and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, a rare condition that causes pain in joints which can be dislocated easily. Cerys was cautious and responsible, having taken prescription painkillers her entire life. So when she was visiting an acquaintance in Manchester in August 2021 and ran out of her normal medication, her mum believes she would not have taken unprescribed pills given to her by the friend - even though she was desperate. But somehow, two counterfeit drugs got into her system fake Xanax [a tranquiliser] and fake OxyContin [a US synthetic opioid and painkiller] and they led to her death, says her mum, Lyndsey, who is a nurse. The fake Xanax contained a powerful synthetic benzodiazepine called flualprazolam, while the fake OxyContin was laced with N-Pyrrolidino etonitazene - the same substance that nearly claimed the life of the 18-year-old in the West Midlands. There is no way Cerys would have taken something like that deliberately shed have had no tolerance to such powerful drugs, says Lyndsey. They would have been too much for her. She adds: I remember once, Cerys even went into a panic when she realised that she had taken a pain med that was slightly out of date. Thats how sensible she was. Lyndsey suspects Cerys was administered the drugs without her knowledge after later finding out that her male acquaintance had been buying opioids online from the Czech Republic. These medicines appear to have been adulterated. I had been terrified [about] Cerys before she died, and had called her over and over again before eventually he answered her phone, says Lyndsey. He sounded off his head and was laughing. He said Cerys was asleep and he couldnt wake her up. I told him to call an ambulance but it was 40 minutes before he did. One of the earliest British victims was Cerys Clark, 19, from Middlesbrough Her mother suspects Cerys was administered the drugs without her knowledge by a male acquaintance who had been buying opioids online from the Czech Republic I dont feel the police took the case seriously and I feel I never got justice for Ceryss death, either from the people who made the pills or the man who gave them to her. Buying drugs online is dangerous and administering them to someone with a low tolerance to opioids is irresponsible you can never know exactly whats in them or how strong they are. The man died of an overdose in the same flat four months later. He was under investigation, but Greater Manchester police did not chase toxicology results, re-interview him or challenge his multiple versions of events, says Lyndsey. They did nothing to further the investigation they didnt even find out why he had Cerys's passport locked in his safe. Greater Manchester police said: A man was arrested in connection with [Ceryss] death and was subsequently bailed while inquiries continued to determine if a criminal offence had been committed in relation to the death. The suspect died on December 23, 2021, and as a result, the investigation into the supply of drugs was stopped from a criminal perspective. How is it that nitazenes have begun to flood the market in Britain? Experts are divided on the issue but most point to a Taliban crackdown on poppy production in Afghanistan, which supplies 95 per cent of the heroin used in the UK. Farmers were banned from planting poppy seeds last year because of the regimes concerns about the harmful effects of opium - which is taken from the poppy seed capsules - and because it goes against their religious beliefs. There will be no 2024 harvest. That will completely dry up the heroin supply down to Africa and up through Europe over the next 12 months, which means the Chinese synthetic opioid market is going to explode, says Donna Jones, chair of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC). Its already happening in America, and heroin addicts there are dying in their thousands because synthetic opioids like fentanyl are 50 times stronger than street heroin. It is tragic. Indeed, the NCA believes nitazenes are being produced on mass in illicit labs in China and often enter the UK in the 'post'. Tony DAgostino, a veteran consultant who trains outreach drugs staff, adds: These opioids are cheap and strong, so if [heroin] shortages force up prices, people are going to be driven more and more into using them or into buying opioids online. But they are so powerful, potentially very dangerous and completely unregulated. We could be looking at a perfect storm. Another reason for the appearance of nitazenes is a 2019 bilateral agreement between Donald Trumps administration and China to crack down on the production of Chinese fentanyl, which has caused so many deaths in America. Underground Chinese laboratories, fearful of being caught producing the drug, turned to nitazenes instead. But production is increasingly moving here. In October last year, police raided addresses in Waltham Forest and Enfield, north London, in which opioids were believed to be being manufactured. Some 150,000 opioid pills containing nitazenes were recovered, and 11 men were arrested. So far, traces of nitazenes have been found in heroin, fake Xanax, diazepam and cannabis on British streets. Megan Jones, director of drug charity Cranstoun, says they could find their way into stimulants such as cocaine, too. Criminals cut a variety of drugs on the same surfaces, she says. If powdered cocaine were processed where nitazenes have been added to heroin, that could be particularly dangerous. Heroin users would have built up a tolerance to opioids, but users of cocaine, a stimulant, wouldnt. That could be fatal. Cranstoun wants the Government to make local testing facilities available so users can check what's in their drugs before they take them. An analysis of data conducted by retired GP Dr Judith Yates recently found 83 separate instances of nitazenes in drug samples from dozens of towns and cities across the UK since April 2021. The Home Office said: We are highly alert to the threat from synthetic drugs and have already established a cross-government taskforce to co-ordinate our response to the risk from synthetic opioids to the UK. The NCA has also promised to increase its focus on nitazenes. Deputy director Charles Yates told the Mail: Tackling Class A drugs, and synthetic opioids, is a priority for the NCA, policing, Border Force, the Home Office and the Department of Health and Social Care. The NCA, working closely with policing, Border Force and other international partners is ensuring that all lines of enquiry are prioritised and vigorously pursued. While 14 nitazenes have been criminalised under the new legisation, Dr Judith Yates says a big problem remains. Its a bit like playing whack-a-mole because each time a nitazene is classified like this, it can be tweaked and made into a legally different substance, she says. The fear now is that the high number of West Midlands fatalities ceases to be an exception, and becomes a precursor to a nationwide epidemic. Along with many other drug experts, Dr Judith Yates is deeply worried: I was around during health concerns when heroin hit the streets in the 1980s, with my patients getting hooked and me trying to keep them alive. Then Aids came along, and then crack, but the threat from nitazenes is far more serious than any of those. They have the potential to kill thousands of innocent people.' Former President Donald Trump is expanding his list of potential vice presidential picks rather than narrowing it down, with the rival he once ridiculed as 'Little Marco' joining the line. Trump and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio exchanged memorable digs on the campaign trial during the 2016 election with Rubio mocking the size of Trump's hands and Trump insulting the 5 foot 9 Rubio for his stature. Now, while leading President Joe Biden in the polls, Rubio has emerged as a potential Trump running mate or at least as a person being floated on the expanding list. It comes after a New York Times / Siena College poll had Trump leading President Joe Biden among Hispanic voters 46 to 40. Rubio, whose parents were born in Cuba, serves on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and occupies a spot in the Republican Party's establishment wing, popping up on network Sunday shows and traveling to trouble spots. Florida Sen. Marco Rubio is being mentioned as a potential Donald Trump running mate. The two men clashed during the 2016 campaign Trump sources has said the former president has indicated interest in a potential Hispanic running mate. 'It's pretty clear from Trump's orbit that Rubio is in play,' a veteran Florida operative told NBC News, which reported that Rubio is 'moving up the list.' Rubio is generally part of his party's internationalist wing and has supported U.S. aid to Ukraine. But he has also called for tying it to strengthening border protections, and spoke this month about prospects for a negotiated settlement with Russia. 'So then the question becomes if in fact, there's going to be a negotiated settlement, who's going to have the leverage here? Is it going to be Putin or is it going to be Ukraine, and I want Ukraine to have the most amount of leverage possible when the time comes for those conversations to happen,' he said. Rubio has also been floated in recent accounts of people who might fill key roles in a potential second term, in the case of Rubio national security posts. The three-term Rubio generally operated as a Trump loyalist during Trump's term. He voted to acquit Trump during his first and second impeachments. Former President Donald Trump is assembling a long list of potential running mates Rubio insulted the size of Trump's hands during the 2016 campaign. Trump called him 'Little Marco' 'I voted to acquit former President Trump because I will not allow my anger over the criminal attack of January 6th nor the political intimidation from the left to lead me into supporting a dangerous constitutional precedent,' Rubio said in statement over the second impeachment, which came after January 6. 'The election is over. A new President is in the White House and a new Congress has been sworn in. Let history, and if necessary the courts, judge the events of the past.' But the two traded memorable attacks during the campaign, with Trump repeatedly diminishing him as 'Little Marco' in a race where he attached insults to most of his rivals. At one point, Rubio surfaced decades old attacks on the size of Trump's hands, which had been reported to infuriate him. 'Hes always calling me Little Marco. And Ill admit hes taller than me. Hes like 62, which is why I dont understand why his hands are the size of someone who is 52, Rubio said while campaigning in Virginia. And you know what they say about men with small hands? You cant trust them.' That left Trump to defend his manhood during a debate. 'Look at those hands, are they small hands?' Trump asked while showing them. 'And, he referred to my hands "if theyre small, something else must be small." I guarantee you theres no problem. I guarantee,' Trump said. There is a legal impediment that would need to be sorted: the Constitution bars electors from casting votes for a president and vice president who hail from the same state. Trump changed his residency from New York to lower tax Florida while in office. Republicans found their way around a similar problem in 2000 when Dick Cheney changed his residency from Texas to Wyoming and ran with George W. Bush. 'The Electors shall meet in their respective States, and vote by Ballot for two Persons, of whom one at least shall not be an Inhabitant of the same State with themselves,' according to the Constitution. A man with a BB gun hijacked a downtown Los Angeles Metro bus and forced the driver to crash into several vehicles before smashing into a hotel. The suspect, believed to be a homeless man, stormed the Metro bus on Line 2 the intersection of W. Jefferson Boulevard and S. Grand Avenue around 11:40 p.m. on Wednesday night, reported FOX 11. There were no passengers on the bus at the time, and the suspect threatened the driver with a BB gun that looked like a replica pistol. Surveillance video show the bus speeding through a red light on West 11th Street and South Grand Avenue causing a Mercedes Benz to crash into the side of the bus, reported KTLA. Dashcam footage captured the bus hurtling down the street and crashing into the Ritz-Carlton Hotel at 900 W. Olympic Boulevard. A man with a BB gun carjacked a downtown Los Angeles Metro bus Wednesday night causing it to crash into the Ritz-Carlton hotel Police recovered the weapon on the bus, which turned out to be a BB gun. The suspect, believed to be a homeless man, threaten the bus driver to hijack the vehicle Surveillance video show the bus speeding through a red light on West 11th Street and South Grand Avenue The bus appeared to partially knock out a wall of the building and smashed the front of the vehicle. The Metro bus ran into several parked cars, smashing their exteriors. The bus driver and another person who was in one of the cars hit by the bus were taken to the hospital to be treated for their injuries. Footage shows a woman with a gash on her forehead being treated for her injuries at the scene. The bus driver told authorities he feared for his life and that is why he followed the suspects demands to keep driving. The suspect ran away from the scene but was arrested about an hour later. Police recovered the weapon on the bus, which turned out to be a BB gun. The bus appeared to partially knock out a wall of the hotel and smashed the front of the vehicle The speeding causing a Mercedes Benz to crash into the side of the bus. Both the bus driver and one person injured during the spree were taken to the hospital Footage shows a woman with a gash on her forehead being treated for her injuries at the scene The homeless crisis in Los Angeles has rocketed in the last few years - an issue Mayor Karen Bass committed herself to tackling as soon as she took office last year. The number of homeless people in LA has more than doubled in the past decade. There was a 9 percent rise in homelessness in Los Angeles County between 2022 and 2023, with the unhoused population now totaling 75,518 people, according to the latest data from the LAHSA. The city of Los Angeles saw an estimated 10 percent rise to a total of 46,260 people. Assaults with a deadly weapon, sexual assaults and incidents involving the homeless have all increased according to data analyzed by KTLA. Lawmakers awarded several 100-year-old WWII veterans that served in the secretive Ghost Army the Congressional Gold Medal Thursday, celebrating their intelligence operations against the Nazis nearly 80 years earlier. The Ghost Army is credited as being one of the first mobile tactical deceptive Army units. The group created a mirage army that often appeared to the Nazis as a massive force of up to 40,000 troops, tanks and aircraft. Unbeknownst to the Axis forces at the time, the battalion created by the Ghost Army was a farce that included simulated radio chatter and fake troop movements. The unit was comprised of artists, engineers and soldiers all tasked with creating large-scale deception missions. At Thursday's ceremony, three members of the Ghost Army were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal - the highest honor bestowed by the body - for their service decades ago. 'I'm truly honored to officiate this gold medal ceremony and to celebrate these incredibly brave American heroes who serve as a model for all the rest of us,' Speaker Johnson said at the ceremony. Speaker Mike Johnson presents Ghost Army members the Congressional Gold Medal Ghost Army members join military and congressional officials as to receive the Congressional Gold Medal during a ceremony on Capitol Hill Ghost Army soldiers created inflatable tanks in March 1945 to trick the Axis forces into believing the Allied armed forces were larger than they were Aerial images show the Ghost Army battalions appear real from reconnaissance flights Soldiers painstakingly detailed their faux equipment to appear real to enemy forces 'When our troops were near, this group made the enemy believe they were far away. When we were small, they made me believe we were much larger.' The three Ghost Army veterans awarded the medal Thursday were Seymour Nussenbaum, 100, Bernard Bluestein, 100, and John Christman, 99. All three men were in wheelchairs as the audience stood and applauded for the veterans. The United States Army Brass Quintet also played in their honor. Nussenbaum, was an art student from New Jersey before the Army recruited him to help design camouflage prints. He later went on to have a career in commercial art. Bluestein, originally from Illinois, helped designed counterfeit military patches. Christman, also from New Jersey, served as a demolition specialist. Just seven members are still alive out of the 1,100 artists, designers and technicians who would sometimes masquerade as a larger force. John Christman, 99, was a demolition specialist in the Ghost Army Seymour Nussenbaum, 100, told his family that his job had been to 'blow up tanks' 'I'm just sorry that there are not more of my fellow soldiers still alive that can be enjoying this as much as I do' said Bernie Bluestein, 100 ahead of the ceremony More than 1,100 men eventually served in the unit that would be dubbed the Ghost Army 'We salute the ingenuity of their spirit, creative brilliance and the bravery they displayed in risking their lives to confuse and deceive the Nazis on the battlefield,' Jeffries said of the veterans. 'We thank and honor the members of the Ghost Army for their unique service to our nation, as well as for their commitment to saving lives, defending democracy and standing up for freedom in the face of tyranny,' he continued. As D-Day approached in 1944, military planners scouted theaters, advertising agencies and art schools for men that could fool the Nazis. Once in Europe they duped Nazi surveillance by deploying fleets of inflatable rubber tanks, trucks and airplanes, sometimes even building entire bogus airfields to leave the Germans mystified as to the Allies' true positions. 'Our nation has been slow to recognize these men's incredible achievements,' McConnell said during the event. 'And of course, that was partly by design.' 'They weren't just helping to win a World War, whether they knew it or not, they were developing top secret ways to help preserve a hard won peace during the Cold War.' Speaker Mike Johnson officiated the Congressional Gold Medal ceremony House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., from left, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., all attended the event And dummy aircraft on bogus airfields became another of the group's specialties The Ghost Army was not only shrouded in mystery during WWII, but long after the conflict too. Until the mid 1990s, the entire 1,000 man army was classified. The men who fought in the unit were often deployed to the frontlines, operating deceptive missions near the enemies' line of sight or within earshot. They were infamous for playing faked recordings of troop exercises on huge speakers to trick the Axis forces that they were conducting drills. In a March 1945 mission, the Ghost Army inflated 200 bogus trucks and tanks to pose as the 40,000 men of two 9th Army divisions, diverting German efforts while the main Allied force crossed Germany's Rhine river. Johnson credited the Ghost Army for saving an estimated 15,000 - 30,000 lives during the war. 'From the bottom of our hearts all the applause today is well earned well deserved and we thank you for serving our country as you have,' he said. SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won on Thursday was reelected as head of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), a major Korean business lobby, for a second term. The KCCI held an extraordinary general meeting in Seoul and unanimously reelected Chey as the chamber's chairperson. The term of the KCCI chair is three years, with the option for one reappointment. Chey has served as the chamber's chief since 2021. Chey has introduced key initiatives, such as the KCCI communication platform and the Entrepreneurship Roundtable, emphasizing the need to strengthen the private sector's engagement with the government and the public. He was also actively involved in Korea's bid to host the 2030 World Expo, having traveled around the world extensively as a special envoy last year. (Yonhap) One of the last of the living survivors of the 1941 attacks on Pearl Harbor has died at the age of 102. Richard C. Higgins died on Tuesday at his home in Bend, Oregon, of natural causes, according to his granddaughter Angela Norton. Higgins was born on a farm near Mangum, Oklahoma, on July 24, 1921, and joined the Navy in 1939. He was a radioman stationed in Pearl Harbor and was assigned to a patrol squadron of seaplanes based at the Hawaii naval base on the morning of the December 7 Japanese attacks. The airstrike killed more than 2,400 Americans and prompted the United States to declare war on Japan. As of now, just 22 survivors of the attack are still alive. Richard C. Higgins died on Tuesday at his home in Bend, Oregon of natural causes, according to his granddaughter Angela Norton Higgins was a radioman stationed in Pearl Harbor and was assigned to a patrol squadron of seaplanes based at the Hawaii naval base on the morning of the December 7 Japanese attacks The airstrike killed more than 2,400 Americans and prompted the United States to declare war on Japan . As of now, just 22 survivors of the attack are still alive On an Instagram account called @quarantine_chats_with_gramps, Higgins recalled how he pushed planes away from each other as bombs fell around him during the attack Higgins was born on a farm near Mangum, Oklahoma, on July 24, 1921 and joined the Navy in 1939 Higgins frequently recounted his experience as a veteran during the Pearl Harbor attacks later in his life. In an Instagram video uploaded in May, 2020, Higgins described the day of December 7 from his point of view. On an account called @quarantine_chats_with_gramps, Higgins recalled how he pushed planes away from each other as bombs fell around him during the attack. 'I was moving planes away from ones that were on fire, because when the tanks exploded, they threw burning gas on the others,' he said. Higgins recalled the historic day in an oral history interview published in 2008. He remembered being awoken by explosions and then dashing to the porch of his quarters. Higgins frequently recounted his experience as a veteran during the Pearl Harbor attacks later in his life The veteran had celebrated his 102nd birthday on July 24, 2023, alongside community members who had shown up to visit Higgins, who was wearing a festive '102' birthday crown, bringing balloons and U.S. flags 'I jumped out of my bunk, and I ran over to the edge of the lanai and just as I got there, a plane went right over the barracks,' he recalled. The plane had 'big red meatballs on it,' he said, referencing Japan's rising sun flag, 'so there was no doubt what was happening in my mind.' Higgins became a superhero in his Oregon neighborhood, and was recently honored on the 82nd Pearl Harbor anniversary by Bend High School. At the December 7, 2023, service - Higgins was met with standing ovations, tears and gratitude as the community showed up to demonstrate their love and support. Higgins became a hero in his Oregon neighborhood, and was recently honored on the 82nd Pearl Harbor anniversary by Bend High School Higgins's wife, Winnie Ruth, died in 2004 at the age of 82 after the pair had been married for 60 years Higgins described himself as a '102-year-old Pearl Harbor survivor, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather' and said he was 'sharing my stories before I forget them' The veteran had celebrated his 102nd birthday on July 24, 2023, alongside community members who had shown up to visit Higgins, who was wearing a festive '102' birthday crown, bringing balloons and U.S. flags. A parade of vintage cars and motorbikes drove down Higgins' street to honor the birthday boy and he even got a visit from Oregon cops who turned up to pay their respect. Higgins described himself as a '102-year-old Pearl Harbor survivor, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather' and said he was 'sharing my stories before I forget them.' Higgins's wife, Winnie Ruth, died in 2004 at the age of 82 after the pair had been married for 60 years. After he went to hospice last Thursday, he told his granddaughter 'I'm ready to go see Winnie Ruth.' The director of the Bill and Hillary Clinton Airport in Arkansas is not expected to survive injuries he sustained in a shootout with federal agents, his brother has said. State Police said that 53-year-old Bryan Malinowski was shot by ATF agents at his home in west Little Rock on Tuesday. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said agents were trying to serve a warrant when someone inside the home opened fire on the agents. In the ensuing shootout, Malinowski reportedly sustained a gunshot wound to the head. Speaking to Fox News, his brother Matthew Malinowski said that doctors don't expect him to survive, and that he was unconscious. State Police said that 53-year-old Bryan Malinowski, seen here, was shot by ATF agents at his home in west Little Rock on Tuesday The Bureau of Alcohol , Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said agents were trying to serve a warrant when someone inside the home fired gunshots at the agents In the ensuing shootout, Malinowski is said to have sustained a gunshot wound to the head Neither the ATF, state police nor federal prosecutors would provide details of what agents were looking for, citing an ongoing investigation. Malinowski echoed this, saying he hadn't been told anything about the circumstances of the case, but noted his brother was an avid collector of firearms. He said: 'It's all speculation at this point. I got a feeling that he bought something he shouldn't have. That's the only thing I can think of.' The shootout with federal agents came as a shock to the elder brother, who said his sibling was in Washington a few days prior with Arkansas senators. He added: 'That's the circle he ran in. When you're in that position, life is great. 'Why would you screw it up with a small infraction? He always kept his nose clean. He had no enemies that I know of.' Malinowski also told NBC that agents 'broke down his door' leaving his brother no choice but to 'defend himself'. He added: 'There's something fishy here. The ATF went after him in the worst possible way. 'There's no reason why they couldn't have arrested him at work at the airport. Something stinks to high hell.' Malinowski also said it seemed odd that his brother could be entangled with the law, noting that he was well connected, earned more than $250,000 a year, lived in a nice suburb and had collections of guns and coins. The brothers' mother Barbara Haigh also told Fox: 'That's my baby. That's one of my babies.' A source close to the situation told Arkansas Times that Malinowski was shot in the head during the exchange and is now on life support. Neighbors also the outlet that Malinowski is a gun enthusiast who frequently buys and trades firearms. Neither the ATF, state police nor federal prosecutors would provide details of what agents were looking for, citing an ongoing investigation An ATF agent, whose identity was not released, also was shot in the exchange of gunfire but suffered a non-life-threatening wound, officials said. The agent, too, was taken to an area hospital for treatment. Around 2:35 p.m on Tuesday, Little Rock firefighters carrying a power saw and a Halligan tool - a large prybar - were seen walking toward the house. An ATF agent was overheard saying they were at the scene to help agents open a safe in Malinowskis house, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported. Shea De Bruyn, a neighbor, told KARK that she was woken up on Tuesday by loud bangs. De Bruyn told the outlet: 'My heart was racing, and the dogs were barking. I'm just really curious as to what was going on just a few houses down.' According to his biography on the airport's website, Malinowski has worked in the airline industry for more than 30 years. Malinowski joined Clinton National in 2008 as director of properties, planning and development before being promoted to deputy director in 2009 According to his biography on the airport's website , Malinowski has worked in the airline industry for more than 30 years Malinowski is seen here on the right alongside Pete Buttigieg, the Secretary of Transportation, during a visit to Clinton National Airport last March He previously worked in leadership roles at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, El Paso International Airport in Texas and Lehigh Valley International Airport in Pennsylvania. Malinowski joined Clinton National in 2008 as director of properties, planning and development before being promoted to deputy director in 2009. He took over as executive director in 2019. In a statement from Clinton National Airport, Airport Commission Chairman Bill Walker said: 'Today's incident saddens us, and we pray for everyone involved.' The airport was renamed after Arkansas native and former state governor Bill Clinton and his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in 2012. A trainee barrister was killed with a single punch after being attacked by two strangers on a night out. Jack Jermy-Doyle, 25, was walking to get a taxi home with a friend in Preston city centre when they came across Jake Parkinson, 22, and Jak Fairclough, 28, who were high on drink and drugs and 'spoiling for a fight.' For no apparent reason, Parkinson punched Mr Jermy-Doyle, a member of the Scouts Association, in the torso before Fairclough followed up with a powerful blow to his head. Mr Jermy-Doyle fell backwards and his skull hit the pavement with a crack so loud it was picked up on the city's CCTV camera microphones. The pair were caught on the footage shouting, 'who wants it?' and 'who's next?' as they casually walked away, leaving Mr Jermy-Doyle dying on the ground. Preston Crown Court heard the duo had been 'making a nuisance of themselves,' and had been involved in a number of aggressive and homophobic incidents before they encountered Mr Jermy-Doyle in Harris Street. Mr Jermy-Doyle's (left) heartbroken partner Kaitlyn Booth (right) with him before his life support was turned off Jak Fairclough, 29, pleaded guilty to manslaughter at an earlier hearing in August 2023 Jake Parkinson, 22, attacked the trainee barrister while high on drink and drugs The trainee barrister was tragically killed three years after his twin brother took his own life Jack Jermy-Doyle pictured with his partner Kaitlyn Booth He was taken to hospital but suffered unsurvivable brain injuries. Doctors kept him alive for several days on life support to allow his mother, Susan Haworth, to return from Malawi - where she was volunteering with the Scouts building orphanages - to say goodbye. His mother released a tear-jerking picture of her son on life support with his girlfriend Kaitlyn cuddling him as his life ebbed away in Preston hospital. Both Kaitlyn and Susan were able to lay with the trainee barrister in his final hours his life support machine was switched off. His family also made the decision to donate his organs including his heart and kidneys in what they called his 'last act of kindness' which saved the lives of four people. 'Jack's heart is still beating somewhere,' his distraught mother said. Mr Jermy-Doyle, from Chorley, died on August 14 last year, just two weeks short of his 26th birthday. He was planning on proposing to his girlfriend, Kaitlyn Booth, at the time of his death. On Wednesday Parkinson, 22, of Preston, who was found guilty of manslaughter after a trial, was handed eight years in jail, while Fairclough, 29, also of Preston, who previously admitted manslaughter, was jailed for six years and four months. They both admitted that there was no provocation for what they did. The court heard that Mr Jermy-Doyle's death was the second tragedy to strike his family, after his twin brother, Harry, took his own life three years earlier. In a moving victim impact statement, Mrs Haworth, told how when she reached her son's hospital bedside she begged him to recover because he had provided such comfort to her while grieving for his brother. She said his death had left her 'unable to find joy in anything' and 'drowning' in grief. Susan Haworth with her son Jack Jermy-Doyle in hospital prior to his death Jack Jermy-Doyle, 25, (pictured) was killed after the attack in Preston city centre 'The actions and consequences of that devastating Friday morning have totally destroyed me and my family,' Mrs Haworth said. 'We have lost the ability to find joy in anything, significant dates are torture and often I can't even face the day, so curl up in my bed sobbing. 'Jack was our glue, our light, and our future. Jack had immense potential that I will never be able to see. He was my saviour and he made me proud, every single day. 'My boys should be here, growing into the loving fathers I knew they would be, but I will never hear or see those grandchildren. The house is now so quiet, missing the laughter, the music and debates that I had with Jack. 'Those evenings when he would cook tea, knowing I would be exhausted. I drown in grief every day, the emptiness and pain that is left inside my heart, and that of my family, will never go away.' Fairclough, who handed himself into police the day after the attack, pleaded guilty to manslaughter, after telling police he was 'sickened' at seeing his actions captured on CCTV. Sentencing the pair, Judge Graham Knowles KC, said Mr Jermy-Doyle, of Chorley, Lancashire, had been brought up to be caring and considerate was a 'delight to his family'. Earlier that evening he had intervened calmly in a domestic row between a couple outside a pub. He was looking forward to his future with Kaitlyn and buying their first home together, the judge said. He told Fairclough: 'You said in your police statement that the situation didn't even need to have happened, it was done in twenty seconds, it was pointless.. in that you were right.' The court heard Parkinson, an apprentice joiner, had several previous convictions for violent offences. Fairclough has no previous convictions and the judge accepted he had acted 'out of character'. Detective Inspector Bryony Midgley, of Lancashire Police's Major Investigation Team, said Mr Jermy-Doyle's life had been 'needlessly snatched away' because of a 'senseless and violent' act. The senior officer implored people to think about the 'consequences of violence' and 'walk away' if they find themselves in 'heated situations' on a night out. 'Once again, this case shows the absolutely devastating consequences which can result from a single punch,' she said. 'Jack's death was entirely preventable and has ruined the lives of so many people, most of all his family, who have had their loved one taken away from them in the prime of his life. 'If you find yourself on a night out and in a heated situation, remember the consequences of violence, and ask yourself is it worth it? Think about Jack and ask yourself is this worth potentially taking someone's loved one away from them, and taking yourself away from your own family to serve a prison sentence? Is it worth having a criminal record? It never is so just walk away.' Ministers face having to find an eye-watering 35billion to compensate millions of women shortchanged by changes to the state pension age. A swathe of women born in the 1950s could be in line for a payout after the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman ruled they had not been properly told about changes designed to equalise payments for both sexes. Campaigners are adamant that millions had their retirement plans plunged into chaos and were left out of pocket. Hundreds of thousands are said to have already died without seeing a resolution. Here we look at the main issues in play today. Who are Waspi women? The Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) campaign is a group leading the fight on behalf of millions of women affected by a change to the state pension that means men and women can claim it at the same age. The 1995 Pensions Act and subsequent legislation raised the state pension age for women born on or after April 6 1950 from 60 to 65. The change was due to be phased in between 2010 and 2020, but was later sped up to be completed by 2018. This hit women particularly hard because their increases happen both sooner than expected and in quick succession. Some 2.6million women got just five years' notice of an extension to their pension age. The Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) campaign is a group leading the fight on behalf of millions of women affected by a change to the state pension that means men and women can claim it at the same age. This left them either forced to either work much longer than expected or to retire with no state pension for that period and with not enough time to build up savings that could bridge the gap. Waspi says that up to 3.6million women may have been affected. They agree with equalising women's and men's pension ages, but not the 'unfair' way the changes were implemented and the lack of communication to women about changes which would have a major - and in some cases devastating - impact on their future finances. What is today's ruling about? The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman investigated complaints that, since 1995, the Department of Work and Pensions has failed to provide accurate, adequate and timely information about areas of state pension reform. The ombudsman published stage one of its investigation in July 2021. It found failings in the way DWP communicated changes to women's state pension age. The DWP's handling of the pension age changes meant some women lost opportunities to make informed decisions about their finances. It diminished their sense of personal autonomy and financial control, the ombudsman said. The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman investigated complaints that, since 1995, the Department of Work and Pensions has failed to provide accurate, adequate and timely information about areas of state pension reform. In addition to paying compensation, the ombudsman made it clear the DWP should acknowledge its failings and apologise for the impact it has had on complainants and others similarly affected. It said it has received a series of complaints relating to how the DWP communicated a variety of state pension reforms, and concerns about communication of changes to the state pension age constitute only one area of complaint. How much money are women owed? The PSHO used a severity of injustice scale to determine a financial payment that it believes is appropriate and proportionate. It believes women experienced a significant and/or lasting impact which is level four on the scale, which is between 1,000 and 2,950. It has given this suggestion to Parliament and it will be up to Parliament to determine a remedy. But calls were made for levels of compensation to be higher. Waspi chairwoman Angela Madden called for a 'proper compensation package'. She said: 'The report at least finds that level four compensation is required, but politicians across party lines have previously supported level six - which would far more clearly and reasonably recognises the injustice and loss of opportunities suffered. 'We are now looking to those who have supported us over the years to put their money where their mouth is and back us on a proper compensation package. All the parties are now in the spotlight with Waspi women watching and waiting to see how they should best use their votes in the coming general election.' Level six compensation is 10,000 or more. With up to 3.6 million potential claimants the compensation could run to 35billion. Peter Aldous, vice-chairman of the state pension inequality for Women All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG), said 'Compensation in line with category six injustice must be agreed by Parliament.' What does the government say? Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride is likely to appear in the House of Commons before the Easter recess next Tuesday to address the ombudsman's recommendations. Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt said this morning her colleague 'will want to come to the despatch box'. A DWP spokesman said: 'We will consider the ombudsman's report and respond in due course, having co-operated fully throughout this investigation. 'The Government has always been committed to supporting all pensioners in a sustainable way that gives them a dignified retirement, whilst also being fair to them and taxpayers. Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride is likely to appear in the House of Commons before the Easter recess next Tuesday to address the ombudsman's recommendations. Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt said this morning her colleague 'will want to come to the despatch box'. 'The state pension is the foundation of income in retirement and will remain so as we deliver a further 8.5 per cent rise in April which will increase the state pension for 12 million pensioners by 900.' Downing Street declined to comment on the ombudsman's report. The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: 'The Government will now consider the ombudsman's report and respond to their recommendations formally in due course, and we will also co-operate with the parliamentary process as we have done throughout with the ombudsman.' Have they tried other ways to win compensation? In 2019 two women affected by the pension changes lost a landmark High Court fight against the Government. Two claimants - Julie Delve, 61, and Karen Glynn, 63 - had taken the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to court, arguing that raising their pension age 'unlawfully discriminated against them on the grounds of age, sex, and age and sex combined'. The pair, supported by campaign group Backto60, also claimed they were not given adequate notice in order to be able to adjust to the changes. But Lord Justice Irwin and Mrs Justice Whipple deemed that the changes were lawful The ruling blocked that route to compensation after the retirement age was raised from 60 to 66. It was met by protests outside the court, with campaigners chanting 'shame on you'. A former Boeing manager who raised safety questions about the aircraft maker worried that his bosses were spying on him, his attorneys allege. The body of John Barnett, 62, was found on March 9 in a car outside a Holiday Inn, suffering from what the Charleston County Coroner's Office said appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The Louisiana resident was pronounced dead at the scene. On Wednesday, his lawyers, Robin Turkewitz and Brian Knowles, referenced a full list of Barnett's complaint against his employer as outlined in a legal complaint for wrongful retaliation filed in 2021. Among those is that after raising a certain issue in June 2014, the company retaliated by having a manager spy on him. Boeing's production practices have been questioned both on the 787, a model called the Dreamliner, and the company's best-selling plane, the 737 Max. The company has come under increased scrutiny since a panel blew off a 737 Max during an Alaska Airlines flight in January. Barnett had alleged that second-rate parts were literally removed from scrap bins, before being fitted to planes that were being built to prevent delays In early January, an unused emergency exit door blew off a brand-new Boeing 737 Max shortly after take-off from Portland International, sparking a still-ongoing DOJ investigation A United Airlines Boeing 777 loses tire while taking off from San Francisco, crushing cars on the ground A United Airlines Boeing 737 Max suffers landing gear failure after arriving at Houston airport Barnett said in his complaint that he raised the issue of Boeing's 'deep-rooted and persistent culture of concealment' multiple times. He goes on to accuse the company of not documenting and fixing other problems. In retaliation for his complaints, Barnett says that he was given low scores on performance reports, isolated and forbidden from transferring out of South Carolina. He says he was 'treated with scorn and contempt by upper management.' Thanks to his treatment, Barnett said that he had to take medical leave in order to deal with stress. Low scores on performance reviews can affect an employees changes of earning a raise or gaining promotion. Prior to making complaints, Barnett alleges that he was a 'top performer' at the Boeing plant in North Charleston. The deceased man was with Boeing for 32 years before retiring. His primary role was as a quality manager. Other roles included working as an electrician for 747s, inspecting, auditing and quality insurance. Another complaint outlined in the legal filing saw Barnett raising the issue of mechanics doing self-inspections on their own work, something that is prohibited by the Federal Aviation Administration. In addition to now following FAA protocols, Barnett said that Boeing didn't even follow internal rules. The 62-year-old was found in his truck in a hotel parking lot in South Carolina, - seven years after he retired following a 32-year career with Boeing Boeing's assembly plant in North Charleston - where the deceased worked for decades - is seen here After emailing another quality control manager in 2012 about a complaint, he claims he was told the company didn't believe him and therefore no investigation took place. Company officials allegedly asked him to stop complaining about staff taking one piece from a plane and using it on another without authorization. For that complaint, Barnett said that he was publicly chastised in front of his staff and moved to a new shift. When he filed another complaint in June 2014 regarding procedures not being followed, Barnett alleges that the company had a manager 'spy' on him as he told 'to work in the grey areas.' Later that same year, Barnett was put on a 60 day 'corrective action plan' and was told by human resources that there was an investigation underway into his behavior. In July 2015, Barnett said that he saw his team reassigned without his knowledge and thus leaving other areas that he was responsible for understaffed. A year later, Barnett said he was challenged with performing a task involving recovering lost parts during an impossible timeframe. When he raised this, he was told to 'let it go.' A month after that, Barnett said that he was removed from an investigation into defective passenger oxygen masks finding that 75 out of 300 didn't work. After his removal, he alleges that the investigation never addressed the problem. Barnett then saw mechanical staff be asked to use scrap parts in planes without proper documentation. When he complained about this, Barnett said he was blocked from applying for a promotion. In October 2016, Barnett took his complaints to Boeing's national office. In the legal complaint he says that after being told that it would be handled, the investigation reverted back to staff in the Charleston office. According to this filing, the same year that he retired, 2017, Barnett filed a complaint with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration in which he raised his issues as well as the personal punishments he believed that he received. Early in the year, he says he learned that he was on a list of 'quality managers to get rid of.' Boeing issued a statement upon the release of the complaint. 'We are saddened by Mr. Barnetts passing, and our thoughts are with his family and friends. Boeing reviewed and addressed quality issues that Mr. Barnett raised before he retired in 2017, as well as other quality issues referred to in the complaint about its 2020 disposition of Mr. Barnetts claims,' the company said. Police in Charleston said earlier this month that detectives were waiting for a formal determination of the cause of death and 'any additional findings that might shed further light on the circumstances surrounding' the end of Barnett's life. Police noted 'the global attention this case has garnered.' Barnett was a longtime Boeing employee and worked as a quality-control manager before he retired in 2017. In the years after that, he shared his concerns with journalists. 'John was deeply concerned about the safety of the aircraft and flying public, and had identified some serious defects that he felt were not adequately addressed,' Barnett's brother, Rodney, said in a family statement to The Associated Press earlier this month. 'He said that Boeing had a culture of concealment and was putting profits over safety.' Rodney Barnett said working at Boeing created stress for John. 'He was suffering from PTSD and anxiety attacks as a result of being subjected to the hostile work environment at Boeing, which we believe led to his death,' the brother said. Boeing, in a one-sentence statement, said, 'We are saddened by Mr. Barnett's passing, and our thoughts are with his family and friends.' Experts say the reasons people take their own lives are complicated, and that recent increases in suicides could be driven by several factors, including higher rates of depression and limited access to mental-health services. In 2019, Barnett told The New York Times about quality issues at Boeing's factory in South Carolina, where the 787 jetliner is assembled. Barnett said he found discarded metal shavings near wiring for the flight controls. He said it could have been 'catastrophic' if the sharp pieces had pierced the wiring. He said after he complained to superiors, they moved him to another part of the plant. Barnett told the BBC that same year that up to a quarter of the oxygen systems on the 787 a two-aisle plane that airlines use mostly for international flights might not work because of faulty parts installed at the Boeing plant. Boeing denied the claim. Barnett filed a whistleblower complaint with the government, which is still pending. A hearing on the case was scheduled for June. A suspect in the disappearance of three-year-old Elijah Vue sent the young boy's mother chilling text messages vowing to 'make him respect me' while he had him at his house for a week of punishment 'boot camp', new court documents reveal. 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 Jesse Vang, 39, because she wanted him to teach the toddler 'to be a man'. According to court documents, just two days before the toddler disappeared, Vang sent a slew of text messages to his girlfriend Katrina Baur admitting Vue 'did fear me' and that 'some one had to be the bad person' when it came to rearing him. Vang reported Vue missing eight days after Baur, 31, left him is his care. He told police he had taken a nap and brought the toddler in the bedroom with him, but when he awoke three hours later he was gone. Wisconsin police on Monday revealed that a red and white plaid blanket belonging to Vue was found 'earlier in this investigation' about 3.7 miles from where the boy was reported missing. Vang briefly appeared in court on Thursday via Zoom before the case was adjourned until next month, the Independent reported. The judge cited Vang's lawyers being 'newly appointed' and needing 'time to prepare'. Elijah Vue, pictured in his car seat, 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 Jesse Vang, 39, because she wanted him to teach the toddler 'to be a man' Vang sent the young boy's mother Katrina Baur chilling text messages vowing to 'make him respect me' while he had him at his house for week of 'boot camp', new court documents reveal Vang texted his girlfriend at approximately 4.36am on February 18, seemingly providing her an update on toddler. According to a court filing dated Tuesday, and reviewed by DailyMail.com, he said: 'I told you to trust me.. I'm a make sure he hates me and being here.' 'Don't want him to *hate* YOU. Just fear you,' Baur replied. Vang answered: It's ok. Some one had to be the bad person.' 'I know but either way at he can fear you and respect you,' the boy's mother said. Vang added: 'He did fear me..but he didn't respect me..now I'm making him respect me.' Baur was formally charged Monday alongside Vang in connection with the disappearance. She had been initially charged last month with one felony count of party-to-a-crime child neglect and two misdemeanor counts of resisting or obstructing an officer. Jesse Vang, pictured, was formally charged in February with one felony count of party-to-a-crime child neglect in Elijah's disappearance. He is being held on a $20,000 cash bond Katrina Baur, pictured, was formally charged Monday alongside Vang in connection with the disappearance. She had been initially charged last month with one felony count of party-to-a-crime child neglect and two misdemeanor counts of resisting or obstructing an officer. Prosecutors later amended the felony count to a charge of party-to-a-crime chronic child neglect and also filed a misdemeanor charge of neglecting a child against her Prosecutors later amended the felony count to a charge of party-to-a-crime chronic child neglect and also filed a misdemeanor charge of neglecting a child against Baur, who is being held on a $15,000 cash bond. Vang was formally charged in February with one felony count of party-to-a-crime child neglect in Elijah's disappearance. He is being held on a $20,000 cash bond. Vue was last seen at Vang's residence in Two Rivers, located about 30 miles southeast of Green Bay, where prosecutors said he was forced to take cold showers, stand for hours on end and endure a dirty diaper. 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. Vang's alleged harsh discipline involved forcing the young boy to stand for up to three hours at a time, while he was forced to repeat the phrase 'I'm sorry, Mommy.' 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. 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' Searches by police and residents have so far not located the three-year-old, and police said the reward for information in the case has grown to $40,000. Pictured is a member of a volunteer search party looking for Vue two days after he disappeared Police have identified this Nissan Altima as a 'vehicle of interest' in their search for Elijah Vue Detectives said that Vang didn't identify specific incidents that led him to punish Vue, 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. 'He's fine. It's 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 Vue understand that 'going home is like a privilege for him.' After saying the boy was afraid of him, he reportedly changed that to say the thee-year-old '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 Vue with him for around a month, 'but not continuously.' Searches by police and residents have so far not located the three-year-old, and police said the reward for information in the case has grown to $40,000. Manitowoc Police Officer Nick Place and a K-9 dog search for the missing 3-year-old in Two Rivers, Wisconsin on February 20, 2024 A multi-agency manhunt has since been launched for the missing child, which has so far failed find the child. Officials pictured combing through a local landfill site When Vue 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. Police earlier this month 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'. The car is already in their possession, but investigators have asked 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. On Tuesday, police said they have confirmed that a blanket found during their ongoing search belongs to the missing youngster. For more than 30 years, Dr Jim Swire has tried to live up to his daughter's memory by pursuing a dogged campaign for the truth. It was shortly before Christmas in 1988 when his life changed forever, when Pan Am Flight 103 exploded and fell out of the sky over the small Scottish town of Lockerbie. Flora was one of the 259 passengers and crew who died either immediately or shortly after the bomb that was hidden in a suitcase went off. A further 11 people were killed when the plane's wreckage hit their homes. Jim, who was working as a GP when his 23-year-old daughter was killed, has long believed that the man held responsible for the bombing, Libyan former intelligence officer Abdelbaset al-Megrahi, was innocent. He visited him shortly before his death in 2012 and was told by the cancer sufferer: 'I am going to a place where I hope soon to see Flora. I will tell her that her father is my friend.' Jim is set to be portrayed by Colin Firth in a new Sky drama about the disaster. Firth was spotted on set amidst mock plane wreckage earlier this week. For more than 30 years, Dr Jim Swire (above in 2015) has tried to live up to his daughter's memory by pursuing a dogged campaign for the truth. It was shortly before Christmas in 1988 when his life changed forever, when Pan Am Flight 103 exploded and fell out of the sky over the small Scottish town of Lockerbie. Flora was one of the 259 passengers and crew who died either immediately or shortly after the bomb that was hidden in a suitcase went off New York-bound Pan Am Flight 103 had taken off from Heathrow in London. Above: The cockpit wreckage is examined by officers Jim became the spokesman for the UK Families Flight 103 group and has spent years meeting experts and officials and has had independent reviews of the evidence undertaken. The retired doctor, who is now in his late 80s and lives with his wife Jane in the Cotswolds, believes the Lockerbie bombmaker was a Jordanian who was a 'double agent, or even a triple agent', he previously said. He believes that this man was a valuable CIA asset and so the US and British governments collaborated to pin the blame for Lockerbie on Libya. A segment from his 2021 book, The Lockerbie Bombing: A Father's Search for Justice, was published in the Daily Mail. Writing of the moment that his daughter's death was confirmed, he said: 'Into my mind came images of Flora's walk, her hair, her face, her laughter. Jim, who was working as a GP when his 23-year-old daughter was killed, has long believed that the man held responsible for the bombing, Libyan former intelligence officer Abdelbaset al-Megrahi (above left, and right in 2009), was innocent Jim is set to be portrayed by Colin Firth in a new Sky drama about the disaster. Firth was spotted on set amidst mock plane wreckage earlier this week Dr Jim Swire and his wife Jane leaves the Department of Transport after meeting with then Transport Secretary Cecil Parkinson The Lockerbie disaster has been re-created for an upcoming Sky drama. Above: Mock plane wreckage strewn on a street in an image taken yesterday in the nearby town of Bathgate 'As the plane cracked open and a 500 mph wind impacted, what did she see and hear and feel? How long was she conscious? 'Was there time for a single thought before death came? Had she been disfigured, dismembered? 'My body shuddered as the questions encircled us like hungry demons. 'A grey dawn arrived. The first day of a new existence passed. Friends phoned, then visited. What could they say? 'Two hundred and seventy murders in a second parents, sons, daughters, children, babes, entire families on the plane and in the town itself. Death on such a scale terrifies; people cannot comprehend it.' Jim and his wife believe that their daughter, a neurology student who had just been accepted to do a PhD at Cambridge, would have gone on to great things. Her body, along with many others, were held at the local ice rink in Lockerbie because the mortuary was not big enough to accommodate them. In 1988, Pan Am flight 103 exploded over Lockerbie in south-western Scotland, killing all 259 on board. Another 11 people died when wreckage hit their homes Policemen searching through the wreckage after the crash of the Pam-Am Flight 103. Seen behind are bags of wreckage, which have been re-created for the new show King Charles, then the Prince of Wales, views the devastation at Lockerbie The Daily Mail's coverage after the disaster on December 21, 1988 Jim used his authority as a doctor to track down the doctor doing the post-mortems, who let him see Flora's body. It had landed on a hillside, distorting her face. Jim wrote: 'Our lovely Flora had been newly laid out away from the ice rink, away from the smell, in a tiny room with flowers all around. Beneath the white sheet, she seemed at peace.' He confirmed her identity by examining her right big toe, which he knew bore a mole. Shortly after seeing his daughter for the final time, Jim attended the memorial service in Lockerbie, at which then prime minister Margaret Thatcher was present with her husband Denis. As well as doggedly pursuing the truth about the bombing, Jim campaigned to improve lax airline security. Victims in the disaster were of 21 different nationalities. They included 190 Americans, 35 of whom were students from the University of Syracuse One of the engines from Pan Am Flight 103 is seen embedded in a road in Lockerbie as police and residents look on At one point, he even flew to America with a fake bomb made from marzipan in his luggage. He said no one challenged him. When al-Megrahi went on trial in 2001, the guilty verdict led Jim to faint. He said he was left in 'despair'. Al-Megrahi was released from prison in 2009 on compassionate grounds because he was suffering from prostate cancer. He returned to Libya and died there six months after Jim visited him. Another Libyan national, Abu Agila Mohammad Mas'ud Kheir Al-Marimi, has been accused of making the Lockerbie bomb. He is awaiting trial in the US and has pleaded not guilty. Jim told the Telegraph that he has 'no interest' in the prospect of Mas'ud's conviction. 'I know he didn't make the bomb. I know who made the bomb,' he said. Yesterday, dramatic pictures showed how the Lockerbie wreckage has been re-created for the upcoming Sky drama, which is based on Jim's book. Pictures taken by Lockerbie resident Peter Giesecke the day following the disaster The nose cone of the jet landed in a field. Above: Police near the remains of the nose A policeman guards the wreckage of the nose of Pan Am Flight 103 The aftermath of the Lockerbie bombing is seen from the air in the days afterwards The images showed the parts strewn across streets in the town of Bathgate, which is around 80 miles from Lockerbie. Firth was spotted on set wearing a dark suit and black tie as he walked among the mock wreckage. Victims in the disaster were of 21 different nationalities. They included 190 Americans, 35 of whom were students from the University of Syracuse. The crime scene covered 845 square miles, including rural Tundergarth, where wreaths were laid outside Tundergarth Church - which sits opposite the field where the nose cone of the plane fell to the ground. New York-bound Pan Am Flight 103 had taken off from Heathrow in London. A Dutch Euthanasia doctor has described ending the lives of a devoted elderly couple 'at exactly the same time', so neither of the women would see the other die. Bert Keizer, a 77-year-old Dutch doctor, has helped more than 125 people to die but said this case hit him hard because it was a couple. Monique Wessels, 74, suffered from dementia, while her partner Loes Wasmoeth, 88, from a muscular disease. They relied on each other for an independent life and, after 50 years together, could not imagine living without each other. The life partners, who Keizer described as 'two superb women' died together, holding hands, with their poignant last words being 'I love you.' Monique Wessels, 74, suffered from dementia, while her partner Loes Wasmoeth, 88, from a muscular disease Bert Keizer, a 77-year-old Dutch doctor, has helped more than 125 people to die but said this case hit him hard because it was a couple Keizer said of their final moments: 'The two women lay on a bed, holding hands. They both had a drip in their arm and a doctor at their side.' 'They kissed, said "thank you" and "I love you". We looked at each other and said: "Are you ready girls?". "Yes, let's go," they replied.' 'We injected the medication, a barbiturate, and they fell asleep immediately.' The doctor said he was nervous because 'they have to fall unconscious at exactly the same time and you don't want one to see the other die.' After several years of suffering, Monique and Loes opted in 2019 for a 'couple's euthanasia', which allows partners to die together. 'One of us has lost her mind, the other her legs, they used to say. Two superb women. So nice,' recalled Keizer. The geriatrician worked for the End of Life Clinic (Levenseindekliniek) in the Hague, now known as the Euthanasia Expertise Centre, which offers euthanasia or assisted suicide to people whose own doctor has denied their request. He has now retired but still helps people who choose euthanasia, and has been an outspoken proponent of the benefits of assisted dying for many years. The Netherlands and Belgium were the first European countries to legalise euthanasia - voluntary death assisted by a doctor - in 2002. The procedure is strictly regulated in the Netherlands. A doctor and an independent expert have to judge that a patient is enduring unbearable suffering with no hope of improvement. The geriatrician worked for the End of Life Clinic (Levenseindekliniek) in the Hague, now known as the Euthanasia Expertise Centre It also requires that a decision to die is carefully considered, of a patient's own free will, and that there is no other 'realistic option.' In the case of a couple choosing euthanasia, these conditions have to be met for both patients, assessed by two different doctors. It is therefore extremely rare. 'It's of course unusual that two lives meet all these conditions at exactly the same moment,' said Keizer, who has only assisted with the deaths of two couples. While it remains a rare occurrence, more people are turning to euthanasia in the Netherlands. According to the most recent official statistics, 8,720 people died this way in 2022, 5.1 percent of all deaths. Most suffered from terminal cancer. Of these, 29 were couples. In 2021, 16 couples died this way. In 2018, there were nine. Elke Swart, spokesperson for the Expertisecentrum Euthanasie, told the Guardian that any request for joint euthanasia from a couple is still tested against strict individual requirements, rather than together. The spotlight was shone on the practice in February when it emerged that former prime minister Dries Van Agt had died by euthanasia along with his wife of 70 years Eugenie. Both had been in fragile health for some time after van Agt suffered a brain haemorrhage in 2019, and felt it was better to pass together given their advanced age and declining physical state. 'The way the Van Agts died is a great example of dying with dignity while staying in control,' said the pro-euthanasia group NVVE at the time. Former Dutch Prime Minister, Dries van Agt (left), has died by euthanasia, 'hand in hand' with his beloved wife Eugenie (right). They were both 93 Former Dutch Prime Minister van Agt (right) is pictured with wife Eugenie in September 1982 Monique and Loes died together after receiving the green light from the medical teams treating them. 'I found it emotionally difficult because they were such adorable people,' but also very determined, recalled Keizer. Monique was perfectly aware of the extent of her dementia, which is also rare. 'Most people with dementia do not realise how serious their illness is,' said the doctor. The two women, both short-haired and bespectacled, took part in a TV documentary before their death. 'I can't live without Monique,' said Loes. 'And I depend on you,' replied Monique. 'So let's go together.' A retired couple have told how their 'once in a lifetime' cruise to celebrate their wedding anniversary turned into a holiday hell when they both fell ill. Roy Lanceley, 71, and wife Christine, 69, were struck down by vomiting and diarrhoea just days into their two-week Arctic cruise. They were so ill they were confined to their cabin for six days on board the Ambassador Ambition, operated by Ambassador Travel, and needed treatment from the ship's doctor, who provided medication, including anti-sickness injections. And when they returned home, Christine was diagnosed with gout because of severe pain in her right foot, caused by dehydration due to contracting suspected norovirus. The couple, from Greasby, Wirral, have now launched legal action. Christine Lanceley was still ill on their return home and consulted her GP when she returned After the 'nightmare' Roy Lanceley said: 'Our dream holiday was completely ruined.' Roy, a former quality control inspector, said: 'Our dream holiday was completely ruined. It was meant to be a celebration of 47 years together. 'Instead, it was a nightmare we'll never forget for all the wrong reasons.' The couple departed Liverpool on July 25 last year, but Roy started to feel unwell at dinner just two days in. READ MORE: Where you're most likely to fall ill abroad Advertisement He had to run to the cabin to be sick and lost consciousness for a time before continuing to suffer from sickness and diarrhoea for the next four days. The onboard medic gave Roy treatment to help with hydration and told him to avoid dairy products. As he began to improve on the fourth day, Christine became ill with the same symptoms and found herself drifting in and out of consciousness. Christine, a retired teaching assistant who has previous health conditions including diabetes, COPD, sleep apnoea and arthritis, was given medication and anti-sickness injections. She was still ill on their return home and consulted her GP who told her she had norovirus. The couple believe other passengers were quarantined at the same time and many of the facilities on board ship were closed from the start of the cruise, with no explanation given. Roy added: 'We had our doubts from the start. Everything was closed, from the pool and spa, to the bar and the gym, with no explanation. Food served to Roy and Christine on their 'nightmare' cruise 'We had received an email late on 24 July informing us of a delay in boarding due to 'operational problems.' 'It was only after we sailed that passengers who had boarded in Belfast told us these 'operational problems' were in fact a deep clean.' WHAT IS NOROVIRUS? The norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes gastrointestinal illnesses. It is most commonly associated with contaminated food but can also be transmitted from one person to another. The virus can even be spread through the air when an infected person vomits or flushes a toilet. Although it is not related to influenza, it is sometimes referred to as a 'stomach flu'. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year an estimated 20 million Americans become infected with the virus, leading to approximately 800 deaths. (Source: LiveScience.com) Advertisement Roy said the couple were told fellow passengers had been forced to disembark on the morning of July 25 and spend the day ashore in Liverpool, leading to a four hour delay. He added: 'The official response from Ambassador Travel came via a letter posted under our cabin door on 28 July, informing us of the bug onboard and rules of hygiene to be adopted by all passengers. 'The ship's public areas were constantly being disinfected with very strong bleach throughout the cruise and given they knew there was a bug going around, we feel this cruise should have been cancelled before it began. 'We've never felt so ill and feel lucky to have come out in one piece. 'It isn't the memory we were expecting to take away with us, after paying for a cruise to see the North Cape and the Land of Midnight Sun. 'Nothing can now change the nightmare we went through but lessons need to be learned from this mess.' The couple have instructed lawyers from Irwin Mitchell to investigate their illness and help them secure answers over how they fell so ill. Nadhia Akhtar, the specialist international serious injury lawyer representing the couple, said: 'The details Roy and Christine have provided about their cruise experience are concerning. 'Their cases highlight just how serious gastric illnesses can be, particularly on board a ship and they should never be downplayed. 'Such incidents can involve, as in this case, being confined to a cabin and missing out on what was intended to be the experience of a lifetime. The 'nightmare' cruise ship - Ambassador Ambition, operated by Ambassador Travel 'We're committed to providing Roy and Christine with the answers they deserve. 'If during our investigation, any issues are identified, it's vital that lessons are learned to reduce the risk to future travellers. 'We would be interested in speaking to any others who have experienced similar illness on this vessel which will assist us with our investigations.' A spokesman for Ambassador Travel said: 'We acknowledge that a formal complaint has been made by Mr and Mrs Lanceley. 'As this is now a subject to a formal legal process, it is not appropriate for Ambassador Cruise Line to comment at this stage.' Former minister Ben Wallace defended senior male politicians and civil servants who are members of a members club that excludes women today, saying they should be 'left alone'. The ex-defence secretary spoke out after the heads of the civil service and MI6 resigned their membership of London's Garrick Club amid a sexism row. Cabinet Secretary Simon Case and Sir Richard Moore both handed back their cards after the list of members was obtained by the Guardian and some names published, including them and the King. But asked about the situation in an LBC interview today Mr Wallace, who is quitting the Commons at the next election, suggested the furore was overblown. 'Im not, I dont think, a member of any club at the moment,' the former Scots Guards officer said. 'I just wish people would all be left alone. If a whole load of men want to get together and have a club, its up to them. We have this round every few years and its the Garrick Club, there are plenty of all male clubs. There are actually all-female clubs out there right? The ex-defence secretary spoke out after the heads of the civil service and MI6 resigned their membership of London's Garrick Club amid a sexism row. Cabinet Secretary Simon Case is understood to have renounced his membership of the Garrick Club, despite having claimed to MPs that he was working to reform it from within. At a parliamentary committee on Tuesday, Mr Case suggested it was 'easier' to change the all-male organisation 'from within rather than chuck rocks from the outside'. 'Why can't we just leave each other alone? I havent lost any sleep whether the Garrick has men or women. 'It's not my business, Im not a member of it but frankly I dont think anyone is lesser for it.' At a parliamentary committee on Tuesday, Mr Case suggested it was 'easier' to change the all-male organisation 'from within rather than chuck rocks from the outside'. While giving evidence to MPs, Mr Case was asked by Labour's Liam Byrne whether he could 'foster a genuine culture of inclusiveness' in the civil service 'while being a member of an all-male club'. Mr Case said: 'I have to say, my position on this one is clear - if you believe profoundly in reform of an institution, by and large it is easier to do if you join it and make the change from within, rather than chuck rocks from the outside. 'And by the way, maths is also part of this. The Guardian reported that spymaster Sir Richard Moore has also quit the club. The Guardian published some names on the Garrick Club's membership list, including the King and Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden 'Every one person who leaves who is in favour of fixing this antediluvian position, every one of us who leaves means these institutions don't change. 'I think when you want reform you have to participate.' He added: 'I'm very sure I speak on behalf of all the public servants who have recently joined the Garrick under the banner of trying to make reform happen.' But 24 hours later he resiened. Mr Case, who works closely with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, stepped back from his Cabinet Secretary duties in October because of a medical matter, before returning to work in January. Before being appointed Cabinet Secretary by former prime minister Boris Johnson in 2020, Mr Case served as private secretary to the then-Prince of Wales. The Guardian reported that spymaster Sir Richard has also quit the club. 599 killed, 1,099 injured in traffic accidents in Bangladesh in February Xinhua) 10:29, March 21, 2024 DHAKA, March 20 (Xinhua) -- A total of 599 people were killed and 1,099 others injured in 546 accidents on roads, railways and waterways in Bangladesh in February, according to a report published here Wednesday. According to Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samity, a passenger welfare association, 555 people were killed and 1,031 injured in 503 road accidents throughout the month. Mozammel Hoque Chowdhury, secretary general of the organization, revealed the information at a press release in the capital Dhaka. Besides road accidents, 37 people were killed and 64 were injured in railway-related accidents in February. Also, seven died, four suffered injuries and one went missing in waterway accidents in the month. The organization said it collected the data based on reports by national dailies, online news portals and electronic media in the South Asian country. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) By Baek Byung-yeul LG Innotek is planning to diversify its business portfolio, which is currently focused on camera modules for mobile devices, by growing its sales of automotive components to 5 trillion won ($3.8 billion) within five years, up from the current 2 trillion won, its CEO said Thursday. "The sales in the automotive business, including vehicle cameras from our optics solutions business, are in the 2 trillion won range, but we plan to increase the figure to the 5 trillion won range within five years," Moon Hyuk-soo, the company's CEO, told reporters after its annual shareholders' meeting. "Given the order backlog for vehicle cameras alone is currently at around 13 trillion won, it is a feasible goal." LG Innotek is the global market leader for mobile device camera modules. The CEO has played a key role in growing the company's optics solution business, supervising from 2009, and was appointed CEO in December in recognition of his expertise and leadership. In 2023, LG Innotek set an annual sales record of 20 trillion won for the first time, but with around 80 percent of sales concentrated in camera module business, the company is looking to diversify its business portfolio in other sectors such as automotive components and semiconductor packaging substrates. "Through technological convergence and synergy between the automotive parts business and the optics solutions business, we will establish ourselves as a leading player in the mobility sector beyond mobile," the CEO said. "We will strengthen our business competitiveness by expanding our facilities and equity investments." Mentioning that executives of LG Group affiliates recently visited the headquarters of Mercedes-Benz, the CEO added that cooperation with the German luxury carmaker could be strengthened in the future. "LG Innotek is preparing 18 types of automotive components, and the LG Group as a whole is discussing about 50 types since last year with Mercedes-Benz and other companies," he said. The CEO also said the company's semiconductor packaging substrate business, stating that its new factory in Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province, which produces flip chip ball grid arrays (FC-BGA), has started mass production this year and will show tangible results in the second half of the year. Chip package substrates protect and ensure the precise connection between integrated circuits and mainboards for reliable transmission of electrical signals. The industry view is that the demand for FC-BGAs will soar due to the increasing use of central processing units and graphic processing units, network servers and other IT devices. Comedian Dana Carvey has apologized to Sharon Stone for the 'offensive' airport security strip sketch from a 1992 episode of Saturday Night Live. Stone recently appeared on David Spade's 'Fly on the Wall' podcast With Dana Carvey, where she spoke about her hosting stint on the NBC sketch comedy show in April 1992. During their discussion, Carvey publicly apologized to Stone for his involvement in one controversial sketch, recognizing its offensive nature which entailed Stone stripping her clothes off. The particularly scene he mentioned was the 'Airport Security Sketch,' where male officers, including Carvey portraying an Indian security guard, persuaded Stone to remove her clothing during a 'security check' at an airport. 'I want to apologize publicly for the security check sketch where I played an Indian man and we're convincing Sharon, her character, or whateverto take her clothes off to go through the security thing,' Carvey said. But Stone insisted the sketch didn't bother her at the time and called it 'funny,' explaining that societal norms were different then, and people were less sensitive to such issues. The particularly scene he mentioned was the 'Airport Security Sketch,' where male officers, including Carvey portraying an Indian security guard, persuaded Stone to remove her clothing during a 'security check' at an airport Sharon Stone (pictured) appeared on David Spade's 'Fly on the Wall' podcast With Dana Carvey, where she spoke about her hosting a controversial sketch on SNL in April 1992 Carvey acknowledged Stone's good-natured participation and reflected on the fact that such comedic scenarios from 1992 would face 'legal consequences' today. Reflecting on the times, Carvey said, 'It's so 1992, you know, it's from another era.' 'I know the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony. And I think that we were all committing misdemeanors [back then] because we didn't think there was something wrong then. We didn't have this sense. That was funny to me, I didn't care. I was fine being the butt of the joke.' 'Now we're in such a weird and precious time,' Stone added. 'People have spent too much time alone. People don't know how to be funny and intimate and any of these things with each other.' 'Everyone is so afraid and are putting up such barriers around everything that people can't be normal with each other anymore. It's lost all sense of reason,' she said. In another segment of the podcast episode, Stone discussed her SNL monologue, describing it as 'super scary.' 'I came out to do the monologue live, which is super scary, and a bunch of people started storming the stage saying they were going to kill me during the opening monologue,' Stone said. She recounted an incident where protesters stormed the stage just moments before the live broadcast, with six individuals eventually being arrested. 'The security that was in there froze because they never had seen anything like that happen. Lorne started screaming at [security], 'What are you doing? Watching the fucking show?' During their discussion, Dana Carvey publicly apologized to Stone for his involvement in one controversial sketch, recognizing its offensiveness Reflecting on the times, Carvey said, 'It's so 1992, you know, it's from another era' Carvey acknowledged Stone's good-natured participation and reflected on the fact that such comedic scenarios from 1992 would face 'legal consequences' today 'And Lorne started beating them up and pulling them back from the stage,' she continued. 'The stage manager looked at me and said, 'Hold for five.' So all these people were getting beat up and handcuffed in front of me as we went live.' Stone praised SNL creator Lorne Michaels for intervening and ensuring her safety. The protesters were apparently upset about Stone's involvement as an AIDS activist. 'If you think the monologue is scary to begin with, try doing it as people are getting handcuffed in front of you,' Stone added. 'I was so not prepared,' Stone said. 'As you remember, the audience wasn't up like it is now. Every time we were making a change you're really physically changing your clothes while you're running through the audience. I was just terrified. I honestly blacked out for half of the show.' Last year, the actress revealed that she has worked with 'a lot of misogynists' in Hollywood who 'told her what do' in a candid chat. The actress, 64, also spoke about the megastars she had worked with who had treated her with respect in the interview with Variety, which took place following her surprise cameo on Saturday Night Live in January 2023, joining Sam Smith on stage. The Emmy winner who put in a silent, emotive performance said Sam 'trusted' her to come through for them, unlike some people she's worked with over her 40-plus year career. Last year, the actress revealed that she has worked with 'a lot of misogynists' in Hollywood who 'told her what do' in a candid chat The actress was quick to point out that her Casino co-stars Robert DeNiro and Joe Pesci were not misogynistic. 'That is not Robert De Niro. that is not Joe Pesci, that is not those guys,' she explained (pictured 1995) The Oscar nominee was quick to point out that her Casino co-stars Robert DeNiro and Joe Pesci were not in that category. 'That is not Robert De Niro. that is not Joe Pesci, that is not those guys,' she explained. The veteran actress also described an interaction she had with late George C Scott, with whom she worked on 1999's Gloria. 'He said to me, I want to give you the greatest compliment I could possibly give to someone, honey, and he put his hand on my face and said, Youre the best listener Ive ever worked with except for my wife.' The astonished star said she was so touched by the compliment, she cried. Sharon was candid about how her outspokenness may have affected her reputation in Hollywood. 'I am not the most popular actor in town, because people dont want to hear my, as they say, f***ing opinions maybe because of my devotion, maybe because Im just kind of a weirdo. But Im just in it to be present.' The messages came after perpetrators 'hacked a student email address' Students of at least 30 schools near Paris opened their emails to discover 'shocking footage' of beheadings alongside threatening messages, France's education ministry said today. The establishments - mainly secondary schools - have received 'serious threats' containing 'justification of and incitement to terrorism,' a representative said. The messages are believed to have entered through the ENT digital platform that serves as a link between teachers, pupils and parents, and came after perpetrators 'hacked a student's email address', the source said. Meanwhile, a secondary school in the department of Seine-et-Marne to the east of the French capital received a message saying that explosives had been hidden throughout the establishment 'in the name of Allah', a police source said. At least five other high schools in the department of Yvelines in the west of the Greater Paris region also received bomb threats between today and yesterday. FILE PHOTO: French police and French gendarmes patrol at the Trocadero square near the Eiffel Tower in Paris on March 4 France's Prime Minister Gabriel Attal is now set to chair a meeting on school security later today Investigators were working to 'identify the perpetrators', the education ministry said, adding that psychological support had been offered to children or adults who had watched the 'shocking videos'. France's Prime Minister Gabriel Attal is set to chair a meeting on school security later today. The latest threats follow a flurry of false bomb alerts that targeted schools, airport and tourist sites in autumn 2023, alongside several extremist attacks. In October, a radicalised Islamist stabbed a teacher to death in the northern town of Arras. Dominique Bernard, 57, was murdered by 20-year-old Chechen refugee Mohamed Mogouchkov at Gambetta high school. The father-of-three had tried to reason with Mogouchkov when he stormed into the school playground with two knives. But Mogouchkov went on the rampage, killing Bernard and then severely wounding two other adult members of staff. This handout photo released by an anonymous source on October 13, 2023, shows the perpetrator of a knife attack being escorted by a policeman outside of the Gambetta high school in the town of Arras, northern France Dominique Bernard, 57, was murdered by 20-year-old Chechen refugee Mohamed Mogouchkov at Gambetta high school History and geography teacher Samuel Paty, 47, was decapitated outside a school near Paris 'This school was struck by the barbarity of Islamist terrorism,' French President Emmanuel Macron said after visiting the school. 'The teacher who was killed had come forward to protect others and without doubt saved many lives.' Then in December, a French court convicted six teenagers for their role in the 2020 beheading of Samuel Paty outside his secondary school near Paris, after they helped to identify him to a radicalised Islamist. Paty, a 47-year-old history and geography teacher, was stabbed and beheaded in the Paris suburb of Conflans-Sainte-Honorine in October 2020, just 12 miles from Issou, after being tracked down by an Islamic extremist who saw his name online. Paty had shown his class cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed from the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo during a discussion about free speech. Hispanic residents of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's district in Queens complain more recent arrivals are bringing crime to the area. Jackson Heights is a diverse neighborhood in New York City with a strong Latin American community in the middle of her electorate. But in the past year it also became home to asylum-seekers, up to 10,000 of whom crossed the border every day, bussed in from Texas. These migrants set up unlicensed markets on the street with rock-bottom prices local shops can't compete with, while others cause trouble at night. Longstanding immigrants claimed it was no longer safe to walk the streets after dark, and accused Ocasio-Cortez of abandoning them. Locals in Jackson Heights said migrants set up unlicensed markets on the street with rock-bottom prices local shops can't compete with, while others cause trouble at night One local who was a volunteer for Ocasio-Cortez's campaign said the Democratic representative was 'never here' and only cared about her national profile The self-described socialist congresswoman is vocally in support of pro-immigration policies and said more work permits would solve the issue. One local who was a volunteer for Ocasio-Cortez's campaign said the Democratic representative was 'never here' and only cared about her national profile. 'She completely abandoned our community... we all helped her get elected... after 7pm, you cannot walk around here,' she told Fox News in Spanish. 'She said she only cares about Washington and her money. Nobody loves her here anymore.' A local man said Ocasio-Cortez should spend more time walking the streets of her district to see what it had become. 'See all the people, all the garbage, people getting robbed - during the daytime or nighttime,' he said. Another woman speaking in Spanish said she no longer felt safe in her own community due to the newer immigrants. 'I feel very unsafe, truly. I've had three times someone try to assault me, try to pull my gold chain,' she said. Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is vocally in support of pro-immigration policies and said more work permits would solve the issue A younger man who spoke English with a Latin American accent blamed President Joe Biden for the immigration surge and said crime was increasing 'I feel very unsafe, truly. I've had three times someone try to assault me, try to pull my gold chain,' this woman said A father said he couldn't let his young son out of his sight because he had no constantly protect him from crime. 'On the corner, every week, someone was killed, someone was bitten... a lot of people don't want to come because they come with their families and they see that,' another woman said. A younger man who spoke English with a Latin American accent blamed President Joe Biden for the immigration surge and said crime was increasing. 'There's so much immigration. There's so many Venezuelans, Ecuadorians, Mexicans that crossed over due to Biden,' he said. A Venezuelan couple who run a local eatery said they were hard hit by increased crime and competition from the unauthorized markets. 'Everyone goes home early, closes early, because of the crime situation... We would ask her (Ocasio-Cortez) to do her job of taking care of this neighborhood,' the man said in Spanish. His wife added: 'We take pride in our place. We work really hard. 'We are immigrants who came here for the right reasons to work, and we just wish that those who aren't complying with the law would be held accountable.' Ramses Frias, a former Democrat who is running for State Assembly, said the neighborhood had deteriorated and was now dull of crime and overflowing rubbish A Venezuelan couple who run a local eatery said they were hard hit by increased crime and competition from the unauthorized markets Longstanding immigrants claimed it was no longer safe to walk the streets after dark A migrant set up an unlicensed food staff on the sidewalk Ramses Frias, a former Democrat who is running for State Assembly, said the neighborhood had deteriorated and was now dull of crime and overflowing rubbish. 'Brick-and-mortar businesses are suffering a lot,' he said. 'We have a lot of closed doors, a lot of businesses that are just closing every single day because they can't compete with the prices of the street vendors outside are giving everyone.' Ocasio-Cortez said in a statement to Fox News that the unlicensed markets could be fixed by allowing more asylum-seekers to work legally. 'What we are seeing here is the result of anti-immigrant policies that deny immigrants proper work permits and vending licenses, and drive them into the shadows of undignified conditions,' she said. 'This is just one way of many that anti-immigrant policies hurt all of us. Paths to citizenship and work documentation can solve this problem - but Republicans would rather block those so they can film people in their worst moments for views.' A retired New York Police Department sergeant has alleged in a recently filed lawsuit that a senior adviser to Mayor Eric Adams repeatedly sexually harassed her and subsequently stopped her from receiving a promotion. While Roxanne Ludemann, 43, was working in a special mayoral unit of the department that examined the performance of city agencies, Timothy Pearson caressed her arms and shoulders on some 20 occasions, and asked her about her marital status. Pearson, formerly of the NYPD, now works for the Economic Development Corporation, but also oversees security in migrant shelters for City Hall and makes decisions about the NYPD, according to local reports. He is rarely seen in public, but reportedly has the ear of NYC Mayor Eric Adams - who is currently facing his own claims of sexual assault - on a variety of subject matters. According to her lawsuit, in 2022 and 2023, superiors of Ludemann's witnessed Pearson's inappropriate behavior and encouraged her to file a complaint. Top adviser to NYC Mayor Eric Adams, Timothy Pearson (pictured) has been accused of sexually harassing and retaliating against a female NYPD officer Roxanne Ludemann retired early last December after being shuffled around and placed under investigation following her decision to stand up to Pearson, who allegedly sexually harassed her on many occasions when he oversaw her department Pearson, however, then allegedly retaliated by getting Department Chief Jeffrey Maddrey involved, which resulted in Ludemann's assignment being shuffled around. She was also placed under investigation after being blocked from a promotion in 2023. Last December, Ludemann had had enough and opted to retire instead of allowing the department to continue knocking her around. She told the New York Daily News that she filed the suit because 'I want what happened to come to light - that it started with me saying no and doing the right thing, and the NYPD allowed this man to destroy my career and traumatize me.' The suit was filed in New York Supreme Court on Thursday and names Pearson, Maddrey, Internal Affairs Inspector Joseph Profeta, and the city of New York as defendants. John Scola, an attorney for Ludemann, said that Pearson has used his considerable power within City Hall to end the career of his client because she rejected his advances. 'Mayor Adams must act swiftly to remove Mr. Pearson from office,' Scola said. Pearson is currently receiving a salary of $244,000 for his position at the Economic Development Corporation. City Hall said in a statement: 'We will review any lawsuit if and when it is filed, but the allegations were referred to City Halls Office of Equal Employment Opportunity which conducted outreach on multiple occasions to the individual making these claims. 'The individual chose not to cooperate in any investigation and, thus, none of her claims could be substantiated,' the spokesperson concluded. The NYPD said it does not 'tolerate discrimination or sexual harassment in any form and is committed to respectful work environments for our diverse workforce.' Pearson (far right) is a top City Hall adviser to Adams (center). The specifics of his role are somewhat murky, but on paper he oversees security at migrant shelters for City Hall Ludemann (far right) said alleges in a suit filed Thursday in New York Supreme Court that Pearson retaliated against her, and her former supervisor, who stood up for his employee Pearson (second from left) reportedly wields significant power in City Hall, which allowed him to deny Ludemann a promised promotion seemingly because she had rejected his advances The now-retired sergeant is a mother of four who joined the department after serving in the National Guard, where she was positioned at Ground Zero in the aftermath of 9/11. Ludemann began working around Pearson in mid-2022. He would sit in on her unit's meetings. She described him as 'a very handsy person. He would touch me on the arm, the shoulder, my back.' 'He would ask me if Im single or married, am I happy in the relationship. I didnt feel comfortable asking him not to speak to me like that. Milt (her superior who encouraged her to file a complaint) would try to keep him focused on the work.' 'Whenever my chief [Milt Marmara] would go to the bathroom, Pearson would slide his chair close to me, talk very close. It was uncomfortable,' she said. Ludemann says she had been promised a promotion to sergeant special assignment, but when Pearson took over the department in October of 2022, he told her she would have to work as his driver if she wanted the job. The suit alleges that Ludemann felt the offer carried sexual overtones, and so she refused. At an officer party, Milt walked into a photocopying room where Pearson had allegedly been touching Ludemann inappropriately and told her he wanted to report Pearson's behavior. Ludemann asked him not to because it would be 'career suicide.' Ludemann's attorney said that Adams must act quickly to strip Pearson of his role, privileges, and power. Pearson is under investigation for a number of other incidents having to do with his conduct at migrant shelters late last year Ludemann is suing the city, Pearson, and several others, claiming she has lost out on some $2million in future earnings because of the retaliation that forced her into early retirement Soon after, Ludemann found out that her name had been removed from a promotion list by Pearson. Marmara, who's worked on the force for more than three-decades, fought for Ludemann's promotion with Pearson and was eventually reassigned to a different location after the confrontation. Following the retaliation against Marmara, Ludemann and three other cops in the unit requested transfers, she said. The lawsuit claims Pearson threatened to 'end their careers' if they left. Ludemann was demoted in April of 2023. That same month she wrote an email to Marjorie Landa, another adviser to Mayor Adams: 'Ive no clue how to fight someone so powerful - someone who has more power than any city commissioner including the NYPD police commissioner.' Several months later, Ludemann was allegedly locked out of NYPD computers, which was followed by Internal Affairs seizing her phone. In July of 2023, she was allegedly made to sit in a room alone for several days. Weeks later, the NYPD filed minor misconduct charges against her for failing to follow orders and unbecoming behavior. In a formal interview with Internal Affairs on August 16, Ludemann alleges that Profeta asked her sexually charged questions, which her attorney believes occurred on the orders of Pearson. Several months later, Ludemann filed for retirement, a request that was granted in good standing. She is now claiming in her suit that she lost out on more than $2million in future earnings because of the retaliation to her reports of harassment. The alleged squatter that has been at war with a retired couple over a $2 million Long Island home says he was asked to stay at the property to lower its value when they purchased it. Dennis O'Sullivan, Brett Flores's lawyer, told Fox News Digital that Susana and Joseph Landa 'were in bed' with Flores and asked him to stay at the property after the former owner Bernard Fernandez died. 'After getting an incredible discount, they turned on Brett and said, "We're not giving you any money," and they picked up where the estate was in the middle of evicting Brett,' O'Sullivan said. The lawyer added that the couple agreed to pay his client $140,000 if he remained in the home to help lower its price. The Landas' lawyer did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com's request for comment regarding Flores's attorney's claims. According to Redfin, the home's original asking price was $2.69 million but it closed for $2 million on October 13, 2023. Dennis O'Sullivan, Brett Flores's lawyer, told Fox News Digital that Susana and Joseph Landa (pictured) 'were in bed' with Flores and asked him to stay at the property after the former owner Bernard Fernandez died in order to receive a discount The lawyer added that the couple agreed to pay his client $140,000 if he remained in the home to help lower its price. (Pictured: Flores with his wife, Elena Crociani) According to Redfin, the home's original asking price was $2.69 million but it closed for $2 million on October 13, 2023 O'Sullivan said that he had an hour-long video of a conversation between Flores and the couple that captured them congratulating him on 'delivering the property for such a low amount.' 'The first conversation, he was at [Joseph Landa's] headquarters in Astoria, Queens, where the guy is decorator,' O'Sullivan said. 'Brett was in his company for an hour - after January, obviously, after Bernie passed away- he got a tour of the guy's business, and they discussed this concept of where Brett sits tight, and then the Landa's negotiate this incredible discount.' He said that the alleged video came to light last week during a harassment case hearing between the couple and Flores and was held back due to 'strategic decisions.' The alleged recording might be presented at future court appearances, with the next one slated for April. In response to the newest allegations, Daniel Landa, a family member of the couple, told Fox News Digital: 'Hopefully, all of this will be settled at our next court date.' O'Sullivan said that the newest allegation in the ongoing legal battle would 'turn the narrative on its head.' He confirmed that rumors of the couple offering to pay his client were true, but Flores refused the money. Since the Landas, both 68, bought the home, they have not been able to move in as Flores filed for bankruptcy to delay trial and claims that Fernandez left it to him after his death on January 12, 2023. A source told the New York Post that Fernandez, a former watch executive, had been suffering from brain bleeding and was in the early stages of dementia when Flores was hired as his caretaker. The source told the Post that he had known Fernandez for 20 years and was in a relationship with him when Flores, a male model, first arrived on the scene. He said: 'I started seeing in various social media posts of him wearing really high-end watches that I know belong in the house.' 'He gets a huge ad campaign with Park and Ronen. Hes all over social media, hanging out with gay celebrities at nightclubs. That's not what he was hired for.' Since the Landas, both 68, bought the home, they have not been able to move in as Flores filed for bankruptcy to delay trial and claims that Fernandez left it to him after his death on January 12, 2023 O'Sullivan said that he had an hour-long video of a conversation between Flores and the couple that captured them congratulating him on 'delivering the property for such a low amount' 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 Shortly after Flores arrived, the man's relationship with Fernandez started to fall apart, recalling, 'I lost the man that I loved, and I couldn't do anything to save him.' The man added that initially the relationship with Flores had worked well, saying that he first seemed like a good fit. Fernandez had gone through 'various nurses' before the pair came in contact with Flores through a relative, the source added. He said, '[Flores] reached out later in the spring that he was going to be in New York because he had a photoshoot. 'He was only in town for one day. And because of a connection with his relative, I met him for lunch. In the beginning, he was very charming. It was a great relationship. '[Fernandez] was reacting positively to allowing [Flores] to work him out and get him up and walking', the man added. In July of 2020, Flores was then hired full-time and started staying inside the home. The source claimed that once he had landed the full-time role which came with a salary of $3,000 a week, Flores started acting differently. The Landas 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. 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, almost every light was on in the home - the lights in the living room, basement, garage and upstairs area. 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' 'It's very crazy, our system is broken,' Susana said. 'I never would imagine we have no rights, no rights at all, nothing, zero.' Her husband Joseph said: 'It makes me feel completely forgotten in this legal system, unfair and not able to do anything.' A camera - not one of the cameras from the new owners - appeared to be placed in an upstairs bedroom. 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. 'It's very crazy, our system is broken,' Susana said. 'I never would imagine we have no rights, no rights at all, nothing, zero.' '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. Claims that a Jewish boy was mistreated at an NHS children's hospital by nurses wearing pro-Palestine badges and ordered to get off a bed and sit on the floor are being investigated 'rapidly', trust chiefs said today. According to his family, the nine-year-old - who was wearing his kippah skullcap - was 'kicked out of his bay' at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital where he was being treated and 'had to lie on the floor with a cannula in'. Yet when his parents took him to hospital without wearing anything to indicate that he is Jewish, he received 'quick care', the family allege, leaving them fearing he will receive inferior treatment if they do anything to indicate his faith. In an anguished social media post, the boy's uncle asks: 'Is it 1940 again?', before adding: 'It is terrifying to be a Jew in the world again.' Following a complaint from the family, the Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester and Region today demanded that the allegation be investigated with 'extreme urgency'. In response, the trust which runs the hospital said it was 'rapidly investigating'. According to his family, the nine-year-old who was wearing his kippah skullcap - was 'kicked out of his bay' at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital (pictured) where he was being treated for a blood disorder It comes amid record levels of reports of antisemitic incidents in the UK last year, with 4,103 recorded by the Community Security Trust charity - two-thirds of them since October 7. Israeli forces have faced fierce criticism for repeated raids on hospitals in Gaza, including this week. They insist the raids are 'precision' operations targeting terrorists using medical buildings as cover. The boy was mistreated by nurses wearing pro-Palestine badges, the family say Sharing pictures of his nephew on a hospital bed and then on the floor in an online post yesterday, the boy's uncle originally from Britain but now living in Israel wrote that the incident 'made my blood boil'. 'As a religious Jewish family, my nephew wears his black Kippa (yamulka, religious hat whatever you want to call it) and his tzitzit proudly. Not today. Why you ask? 'The nurses (NHS employees) are all walking around wearing 'Free Palestine' pins and he was scared. 'Beyond that, the last few times he went in he was denied correct medical care by the same couple of nurses every time.' The uncle wrote that on his last visit to Royal Manchester Children's Hospital (RMCH) his nephew was 'kicked out of his bay, by one of the nurses who was covered in Pro-Palestine badges and stickers, and due to that, had to lie on the floor with a cannula in'. He added: 'Now the damage is done and my proudly Jewish nephew (and his parents) is scared to not get treatment if he wears his Kippa and tzitzit. 'Coincidentally, today when not visibly Jewish, he received quick care. Also worth noting, prior to the conflict he received excellent care. 'What the actual f*** is going on? Is this the world we will live in? Is it 1940 again? It is terrifying to be a Jew in the world again.' The uncle added that 'public medical healthcare professionals shouldn't be wearing political pins that make people/children, scared/nervous/worry'. Asking people to share his post, he concluded: 'Maybe, just maybe, we can make a difference and another kid doesn't have to endure this.' The tzitzit is a knotted fringe or tassels worn by observant Jews. In response to the 'serious allegation', Marc Levy, chief executive of the Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester and Region, today wrote to RMCH chief executive Stephen Dickson asking for the family's claims to be investigated 'as a matter of extreme urgency'. 'They allege that this child, who is a religious Jew and clearly visible as such, was mistreated by several nurses who were wearing Free Palestine badges in the outpatients department of Ward [],' Mr Levy wrote. 'Part of this mistreatment includes a failure to administer proper treatment and being removed from his cubicle and having to sit on the floor. 'This child now feels terrified to return to hospital unless he hides his Jewish identity.' His letter continues: 'This is naturally hugely concerning that a Jewish family have been targeted due to the conflict in the Middle East. 'We are sure you will agree that it is imperative all patients are treated the same irrespective of their race or religion. 'This could have catastrophic repercussions for the Jewish community if they were to feel that they are not safe attending your hospital.' Mr Levy also asks what the trust's policy is on NHS staff wearing 'political statements' such as pro-Palestine badges on their uniforms, saying it risks making Jewish patients feel 'intimidated and unsure if they will receive equal and correct treatment. This is unacceptable.' The letter was shared publicly on X, formerly Twitter, amd has also copied in Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, MP Lucy Powell, and Manchester City Council leader Bev Craig. Mr Burnham told the Manchester Evening News: 'I have seen the troubling reports shared on social media and have asked the Royal Children's Hospital to launch an urgent investigation. No one should feel treated differently in our hospitals because of their race or religion. 'I've asked the hospital management to provide regular updates as they gather the facts.' A Community Security Trust spokesman said: 'These allegations are very serious. We urge the hospital to urgently investigate them and take appropriate action.' In a statement, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, which runs RMCH, said: 'We are aware of images and very serious claims which are circulating on social media. 'We are rapidly investigating these to establish the situation and are discussing them with the family involved. 'Royal Manchester Children's Hospital is committed to providing high quality care to all of their patients.' With Congress still deadlocked over providing more aid to desperate Ukrainian forces, the Biden administration is weighing ever more complicated and imaginative ways to funnel money and arms to the effort to repel the Russian invasion. The latest idea is to sell bonds to raise money for Ukraine, all backed with hundreds of millions of dollars in frozen Russian assets. The 'freedom bonds' could raise as much as $50 billionalmost as much as the stalled international security billto help Ukraine keep up its fight, while avoiding the thorny question of whether the $280 billion of frozen assets can be seized legally. The proposal emerged on Thursday, as Russia fired more than two dozen missiles at the Ukrainian capital Kyiv and European leaders met to decide how best to use the Russian assets. The European commission this week proposed taking profits from the frozen assets for a fund to arm Kyiv. A Czech-made DANA 152mm self-propelled gun-howitzer in eastern Ukraine. Ukrainian forces face shortages of artillery as Western allies struggle to finance more support The Biden administration is weighing ever more complicated and imaginative ways to funnel money and arms to Ukrainian forces and their effort to repel the Russian invasion At the same time, Bloomberg reported that American officials are floating an alternative plan. Their proposal would pool the $280 billion of Russian central bank assets frozen by by G-7 nations and the European Union in a 'special purpose vehicle'. Profits from the assets, which amount to more than $3 billion a year, would then back the bonds. Investors would be promised a specified rate of interest during the life of the bond. However, sources cautioned that the proposal was at an early stage, although it had been raised with other members of the G-7 most developed nations. Governments have long used similar bonds to fund wars. The idea comes at a time when Ukraine is facing an artillery shortfall and Russia has gained ground in the east. Meanwhile, U.S. aid is hamstrung by Republican opposition in the House of Representatives for a new bill to finance support. E.U. leaders gathered in Brussels Thursday for a two-day summit to try to bolster Ukrainian forces. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said he backed the European Commission's plan for using profits from the frozen assets. 'I am quite sure that we are sending a very clear signal to Putin here ...And the use of windfall profits is a small but important component,' he said, according to Reuters. European leaders, including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, are weighing a plan to use profits from frozen Russian assets to fund arms for Ukraine Ukrainian soldiers prepare to fire missiles from a Grad PC3B, with a homemade shuttle Russian troops load a Tornado-G multiple launch rocket system However, neutral or non-aligned nations have expressed reservations about using the money for weapons. 'For us neutrals it must be ensured that money, for which we give our approval, is not spent on weapons and ammunition,' Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer said. And European leaders are also worried about doing anything that could be interpreted as seizing the assets. That could trigger legal challenges and attract retaliation from Moscow. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to join the summit by videolink. A devastated mother has claimed her 16-year-old daughter died after being badly beaten by bullies at her California high school. Shaylee Mejia, 16, collapsed just days after she was attacked inside a bathroom at Manual Arts High School in Los Angeles. Video of the incident on March 5 shows the teenage girl having her hair dragged and hitting her head against a stall before she fell down. Numerous punches are exchanged by the girls involved in the fighting throughout the brawl. Mejia's mother, Maria Juarez, said her daughter complained about headaches for several days but continued to attend school before she went to a party the following Saturday night, according to KTLA. Mejia suffered a hemorrhage due to brain injuries and collapsed while at the party. She was rushed to hospital but never regained consciousness and was pronounced dead on March 15. 'Everybody knows about my daughter hitting her head, the teachers too,' Juarez said. 'Everybody knows.' Shaylee Mejia, 16, suffered a hemorrhage due to brain injuries. She was rushed to hospital but never regained consciousness and was pronounced dead on March 15. Her mom, Maria Juarez, claims the injuries were the results of being beaten inside her California high school Mejia did not tell her mother about the fight because she didn't want her to worry or take time off from work. The incident was captured on video by other students and it shows the young girl being viciously beaten while others stand and watch. Mejia said her daughter was suffering from headaches in the days following the horrific attack but still went to school. But, she later fainted at the party and a friend said that she fell down and stopped talking, Juarez said. The teen was taken to the hospital and heartbreaking photos show her lying in a hospital bed on a ventilator. She died six days later, on March 15, and her mother believes her daughter died from severe injuries she sustained in the bathroom fight. The official cause of Mejia's death has not been determined and an investigation is ongoing. Los Angeles police say they will also look at claims that Mejia fell down a flight of stairs on the night of the party. Mejia said her daughter was suffering from headaches in the days following the horrific attack but still went to school Juarez, a housekeeper and the family's sole provider, claimed her daughter was being bullied for months and school officials failed to stop it Juarez, a housekeeper and the family's sole provider, claimed her daughter was being bullied for months and school officials failed to stop it. The teenager girl joined Manual Arts High around eight months ago when she moved into a new apartment with her mother and younger brother. After several months at the school, the mom said her daughter began coming home with bruises all over her body, which she thought was due to other fights. Juarez took pictures of the injuries to show school officials and campus police but claims nothing was done about the issue. She added her daughter continued to be targeted by bullies and several attacks were captured on camera. The mother was only told about the fight on March 5 after Mejia had died. Juarez revealed that the teen's three-year-old brother was devastated by the news of his sister's passing. 'Hes sad,' Juarez said. 'He misses his sister. I just, I dont know. I want to die.' Mejia (right) was at a party days after the attack when she collapsed and she rushed to the hospital. She never regained consciousness Manual Arts High School principal Alejandro Macias said: 'While this tragic incident took place outside of school hours and off campus, our heartfelt thoughts remain with those affected by this loss' Manual Arts High School principal Alejandro Macias said: 'I am saddened to report the recent death of one of our students off campus. 'On behalf of our entire school community, I want to offer my deepest condolences to those who are impacted by this loss, including the students family, friends, and teachers.' Macias requested privacy for the people involved in the space and said the school was offering support. 'While this tragic incident took place outside of school hours and off campus, our heartfelt thoughts remain with those affected by this loss,' Macias stated. While this tragic incident took place outside of school hours and off campus, our heartfelt thoughts remain with those affected by this loss. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help Mejia's family with the funeral costs. 'We are trying to save money to help Shays mom with the funeral expenses anything helps please help us put Shaylee to rest her death was very tragic to many of us,' it read. The family of the first Smokehouse Creek Fire victim, 83-year old Joyce Blankenship, has filed a lawsuit against the utility provider, Xcel Energy. Joyce's son, Paul Blankenship, has spearheaded the wrongful death lawsuit in Hutchinson County, Texas, after his mother was killed. 'Based on currently available information, Xcel Energy acknowledges that its facilities appear to have been involved in an ignition of the Smokehouse Creek fire,' Xcel Energy said in a statement. Xcel Energy, which owns Southwestern Public Service as a subsidiary, and Osmose Utilities, a contractor located in Georgia that specializes in wood utility pole inspections, are named in the lawsuit. The lawsuit states that Joyce died on February 27 'as a result of a preventable, massive wildfire that ignited when a faulty wooden pole snapped and caused power lines to contact the ground,' adding that she 'was the matriarch of the Blankenship family ... loved by everyone that had the pleasure of knowing her.' Per the court documents, firms' 'failing to comply with safety regulations, industry standards and best practices with respect to the use of wooden poles' caused a pole to fall on February 27, which ignited the '687 Reamer Fire that merged with the Smokehouse Creek Fire. The family of the first Smokehouse Creek fire victim, 83-year old Joyce Blankenship, has filed a lawsuit against Xcel Energy Joyce's son, Paul Blankenship, is spearheaded the lawsuit on her behalf Xcel Energy, which owns Southwestern Public Service, and Osmose Utilities, are named in the lawsuit 'Tragically, the fires spread so rapidly that Ms. Blankenship was unable to escape and burned alive when the flames engulfed her home,' the lawsuit states. This is not the only lawsuit that has recently been filed against Xcel energy. A previous lawsuit Hemphill County claimed Xcel Energy, Southwestern Public Service and Osmose Utilities, 'failed to properly inspect, maintain, and replace' utility poles. According to that lawsuit, Osmose Utilities Services was irresponsible when examining the poles for Southwestern Public Service. 'We are closely following reports of the devastation brought by the Smokehouse Creek Fire, and our thoughts are with the victims of this tragedy,' CEO of Osmose Mike Adams, stated in an email to CBS News Texas. Adams told the local affiliate that the company takes these accusations seriously. 'Osmose takes these allegations extremely seriously,' said Adams. '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.' Joyce, whose body was found in the town Stinnett where the fire started, is one of the two deaths reported as a result of the Smokehouse Creek Fire. From Stinnett, the fire gained traction and quickly grew to 40,000 acres. After having consumed approximately 1.058 million acres in Texas, the fire spread across the Oklahoma border, scorching over 70,000 acres The Smokehouse Creek fire has finally been contained after a three-week effort in the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles After having consumed approximately 1.058 million acres in Texas, the fire spread across the Oklahoma border, scorching over 70,000 acres. The Smokehouse Creek fire has finally been contained after a three-week effort in the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles. This fire is the largest on record in Texas. Thirty-two Chinese warplanes were detected over Taiwan in just 24 hours, the country's defense ministry said. In the 24 hours between Wednesday 6am and Thursday 6am local time, the second highest number of Chinese planes this year buzzed over the island nation accompanied by five naval vessels around Taiwan. Twenty of the aircraft 'crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait', the Ministry of National Defense said in a statement on Thursday. The aircraft were detected after nightfall and included fighter jets, unmanned drones and medium-range transport aircraft, according to the ministry. Of those twenty, 'nine crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered the north, central and south parts of Taiwan's (air defense identification zone)', the ministry said in a post on X. It comes after Taiwan's defense minister appeared to admit that US troops have been stationed on islands off the coast of China earlier this week. Thirty-two Chinese warplanes were detected over Taiwan in just 24 hours, the country's defense ministry said. Pictured: File photo of a Chinese jet near a US fighter In the 24 hours between Wednesday 6am and Thursday 6am local time, the second highest number of Chinese planes this year buzzed over the island nation. Pictured: File photo of a Chinese jet near a US fighter Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen has refused to recognize China's claim over Taiwan, which led Beijing to cut of high-level communications with her government China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has stepped up its military pressures on the democratic nation since the election of its current president Tsai Ing-wen in 2016. Tsai has refused to recognize China's claim over Taiwan, which led Beijing to cut off high-level communications with her government. Lai Ching-te, formerly Tsai's deputy, was elected as president in January, despite Beijing branding him a 'dangerous separatist'. He is set to take office on May 20. Beijing frequently sends in warplanes and other military aircraft over the island and keeps a near-constant presence around its waters using its ships. Another 33 warplanes, the highest number this year were detected in two other 24-hour periods in late January and early February, according to AFP. Hostilities have escalated after Taiwan's defense minister appeared to admit that US troops have been stationed on islands off the coast of China earlier this week. It is believed that if the defense chief, Chiu Kuo-cheng, was correct, the US military would be training Taiwanese forces on small islands close to mainland China, including Kinmen Island. Taiwan 's defense minister appeared to accidentally admit that US troops have been stationed off the coast of China , in what would be a startling escalation of hostilities in the region The US has consistently said that it would support Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion, which Chinese President Xi reportedly warned President Biden that he intended to carry out when they held a landmark summit in San Francisco last year Coastal islands such as Kinmen are scarcely populated, and are primarily where most of Taiwan's amphibious forces are positioned - which may now be bolstered by US Special Forces Pictured: Taiwan Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng If US troops are stationed on Kinmen, it would mark a dramatic increase in America's presence in the region. Kinmen Island is over 100 miles from Taiwan's main island, but just three miles from China's coastal city of Xiamen. The apparent admission came after a report by Sofrep that claimed US Special Forces have already been deployed to the coastal islands - with it previously believed that limited troops were only deployed to Taiwan. 'This exchange is for mutual observation, to identify the problems we have, figure out how to improve and to recognize their strengths so we can learn from them,' Chiu said in response to a question on the report. The US has consistently said that it would support Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion, which Chinese President Xi reportedly warned President Biden that he intended to carry out when they held a landmark summit in San Francisco last year. By Jhoo Dong-chan D&S Technology showcased its distinctive road security products at the International Security Exhibition & Conference (SECON), held at the Korea International Exhibition Center (KINTEX) in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. According to a SECON official, nearly 10,000 industry officials attended the first day of the three-day event on Wednesday, featuring over 400 companies from 30 countries. Among them, D&S Technology stood out, garnering significant attention from visitors with its road security and gate control system products. D&S Technology President and CEO Lee Won-woo said the security firms DSH-3000S roadblock is a game changer in anti-terrorism and road control systems. The DSH-3000S is expected to replace existing anti-tank concrete blocks in Paju (Gyeonggi Province), Lee said. The city officials and the military are currently in talks over expenses and construction schedule. I am very proud the roadblock is going to contribute to the countrys national security. The three-meter-wide pop-up roadblock remains concealed within the road when not activated. Once activated, it swiftly emerges within one second. Similarly, it takes approximately two seconds for the structure to retract back into the road's surface. The company official said the DSH-3000S was introduced last April, and can withstand approximately 2,500 kilojoules of energy. This means the 100 percent-steel roadblock can endure ramming from a North Korean T-62 tank, which is known to weigh about 40 tons. Existing concrete roadblocks are said to slow the advance of North Korean tanks and artillery for about 15 minutes. The DSH-3000S can buy up to 40 minutes, said a D&S Technology official. Recognizing the excellence of the security firms roadblock system, the U.S. Department of Defense certified the DS-3000S roadblock, a previous version of the DSH-3000S, which passed the departments Anti-Ram Vehicle Barrier Test in June 2017. The roadblock is currently being procured by the U.S. Armed Forces in Korea. According to the companys press release, the D&S Technology roadblock systems have been installed in various key facilities across the country such as Sejong Government Complex, Kori nuclear power plant and Incheon International Airport. Major military bases, including ROKA I Corps command center, are also known to use the firms roadblock systems. The South Korean Embassy in Beijing also uses the D&S Technology roadblock system, the official added. National Defense Minister Shin Won-sik said during a National Assembly Defense Committee hearing in October that the military will strongly consider installing more pop-up roadblock barriers in key facilities. Along with the DSH-3000S roadblock system, D&S Technology also showcased the high-speed automatic folding gate DSG-series during the event. The gate automatically controls access to key facilities. Opening and closing within two seconds, via an enhanced sensor system, the gate also shuts automatically when unauthorized personnel or vehicles approach. According to the official, the gate can be installed at a height of up to eight meters, and withstand a maximum 300 kilograms of force. A number of key government agencies, including the Korea National Diplomatic Agency, use the gates. During the first day of SECON, numerous government, military, and police officials demonstrated a keen interest in the products offered by D&S Technology. Seoul Metropolitan Policy Agency officers expressed their interest in the companys products. The D&S Technologys automatic folding gate is way better than ours. Maybe we should change ours soon, the official said. D&S Technology started as a computer system service provider in 1989. It officially ventured into the security management business in 1992, supplying banks with a 365-day access control system. D&S Technology's foray into road security proved to be a success when it secured a 2 billion won ($1.52 million) investment in 2021 from the Korea Agency for Infrastructure Technology Advancement under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport, as well as from the state-run Korea Expressway Corporation. We aim to achieve 10 billion won in sales this year with D&S Technologys differentiated roadblock models. There are very few products that meet international standards as we did with the U.S. Department of Defense, said Lee. A hero British Airways pilot who saved hundreds of people from certain death after a jet was crippled by a cloud of volcanic dust has died aged 84. Captain Eric Moody died peacefully in his sleep at his home in the UK this week. He was responsible for famously saving the lives of 263 people when in June 1982 all four engines of a Boeing 747 he was piloting stopped mid-air when it flew through an ash plume over Jakata, Indonesia. Captain Moody's made an announcement to the passengers that has since been described as 'a masterpiece of understatement'. He said: 'Ladies and Gentlemen, this is your Captain speaking. We have a small problem. 'All four engines have stopped. We are doing our damnedest to get them under control. I trust you are not in too much distress.' Incredibly, after 12 minutes with no power the aircraft exited the ash cloud and all engines were restarted, allowing the plane to land safely. Captain Moody told The Times in 2010 that it was 'a bit like negotiating one's way up a badger's a**e.' Heartfelt tributes have flooded social media since the announcement of his death, describing Captain Moody as a legend. Captain Eric Moody died peacefully in his sleep, aged 84, at his home in the UK this week Captain Moody received the Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air (Pictured: Cpt Moody receiving the Hugh Gordon Burge Memorial Award during the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators awards in 1982) Captain Moody entered aviation folklore for his heroics and calm demeanour when disaster struck during Flight 009. A TV documentary investigated the so-called 'Jakarta Incident'. Incredibly, passengers and crew reacted to the captain's cataclysmic announcement not with screams and hysteria, but with an extraordinary calm as the realisation that they were almost certainly sinking to their deaths hit home. Looking out of the aircraft windows, they could see that their plane was coated in an eerie white light and that the engines were on fire, with great jets of flame trailing into the sky. The cabin was now filled with a thick, sulphuric smoke, and the mighty jet bucked up and down as if it were a piece of flotsam adrift on stormy seas. Mothers moved to comfort their children, husbands reached for their wives' hands, and air hostesses worked their way down the cabin, teaming solo passengers with a companion to accompany them into the darkest of nights. Hours before, the BA scheduled flight had taken off from Heathrow Airport. After the long check-in, the 263 passengers settled into their seats, ordered drinks from the cabin crew, and prepared for the flight which would take them to New Zealand via India, Malaysia and Australia. On the flight deck, the crew were fresh and alert. They had taken control at the last stopover in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Captain Moody had had his first taste of flying at the age of 16, when he took a gliding lesson. He was one of the first pilots ever trained on the Boeing 747. First officer Roger Greaves had been a co-pilot for more than six years, and Barry Townley-Freeman was flight engineer. Heartfelt tributes have poured onto social media after his death was announced with many describing him as a legend He was responsible for famously saving the lives of 263 people when in June 1982 all four engines of a Boeing 747 he was piloting stopped mid-air when it flew through an ash plume over Jakata Captain Moody entered aviation folklore for his heroics and calm demeanour when disaster struck during Flight 009. As the jet flew over the Indonesian city of Jakarta, it was cruising at more than 36,000ft and had been in the air for an hour-and-a-half. Expecting an easy flight, Captain Moody checked his weather radar, which showed smooth sailing for the next 300 miles. Assured that all was well, he asked Greaves to take charge while he took a break and stretched his legs. In the cabin, chief steward Graham Skinner had observed excessive smoke in the air. Back in 1982, it was still legal to smoke on jets, and he was concerned it may have been a smouldering cigarette. In the cockpit, the flight took an unsettling turn. First Officer Greaves said: 'Barry and I were just sitting there minding the shop, pitch dark night, of course, and then we started to get these pinpricks of light on the windscreen.' His engineer, Townley-Freeman, asked whether it could be St Elmo's Fire - a natural phenomenon sometimes seen when planes fly through highly charged electric thunderclouds. The only thing was, there were no thunderclouds that night. The radar showed a clear sky. Alarmed by this turn of events, the two men were further disturbed to see, with the help of their landing lights, a thin layer of cloud surrounding their plane. Back in the cabin, a shudder of turbulence shook passengers as they slept. Breaking off from her book, Betty Tootell glanced to her left, where she had a clear view of the port wing. 'To my surprise, it was covered in a brilliant, shimmering light,' she recalls. 'I carried on reading, but I found that I kept reading the same paragraph over and over. I then noticed that thick smoke was pouring into the cabin through the vents above the windows. I didn't know what was happening.' Neither did the crew. They decided it was time to call their captain back to the controls. 'The smoke filling the plane smelt like a sulphuric, electrical smell,' recalls Moody. 'I went on the flight deck expecting to hear that we had some electrical smoke from the aircraft.' Suddenly, Greaves said: 'Oh my Lord. Look at engine four! It's lit up somehow.' The captain was distracted, however: he had just noticed that the engine on his side was illuminated. Ahead of them, they appeared to be flying into a sheet of brilliant white light, and the temperature within the aircraft began to soar. Most of the passengers now realised that this was no regular flight. Charles Capewell told his young sons to close the blind on his porthole, and affected an air of calm as his blood ran cold. As the fire engulfed the engines, one of them revved loudly and failed. Recalling the drill he was taught as a young pilot, Captain Moody began to shut it down. Next, engine two failed. Then the unthinkable happened. The engineer delivered the death knell: all four engines had failed. In the cabin, the most ominous sound of all filled the air: a rumbling, grating noise almost like a cement mixer, followed by total silence. Flight 009 had entered that nameless void. It was falling from the sky. How the Daily Mail reported Captain Moody's heroics in 1982 Passenger Charles Capewell says: 'The quietness was unbelievable. It seemed eerie and surreal, as if we were suspended in space. All we could feel was this quietness and the whimpering from the few people who were really upset.' So what passes through the human mind as you stare death in the face? The passengers of Flight 009 offer a unique glimpse. Tootell, who has written a book, All Four Engines Have Failed, on passengers' response to their neardeath experiences, recalls: 'The atmosphere in the cabin was very tense and very quiet. At first, it was raw fear and disbelief, and then after a while it turned to acceptance. We knew we were going to die.' In the cockpit, the crew fought to control the giant glider that the 747 had become. Greaves radioed a Mayday warning to Jakarta control. Initially, they failed to understand the message - seemingly unable to comprehend such a catastrophe. He repeated the warning, in the international format drilled into every flight crew: 'Mayday, Mayday. Jakarta control. Speedbird nine. We have lost all four engines. Repeat, all four engines. Now descending through flight level 3-5-0.' Even without its engines, a 747 can travel forward ten miles for every 1,000ft it falls in altitude. With no power, flight 009 had begun a long, excruciatingly slow fall. The crew realised they had less than half an hour before they hit the sea. Moody says: 'When all engines stop, you go into automatic mode. Obviously, we had practised this on the simulator many, many times.' He began the standard engine restart drill, and decided to turn the crippled craft back towards the closest airport, just outside Jakarta - but a quick calculation told him that they would not make it without at least one functioning engine. As pressure within the cabin fell, oxygen masks dropped from the ceiling - an automatic emergency measure to make up for the lack of air. But some did not work. Moody took drastic action: to prevent his passengers dying of oxygen starvation, he went into a nosedive, dropping 6,000ft in one minute, to an altitude where there was enough oxygen in the outside atmosphere to fill the cabin once more. And quite unexpectedly, this action almost certainly saved the lives of every person on board. Suddenly, engine four roared back into life. As the plane fell past 13,000ft, another engine came back into action, followed by the other two. The crew were euphoric, though when one of the four engines failed again, their fears continued. With three engines operational, the plane closed in on the airport. But its problems were far from over. Moody could see nothing outside - the windshield glass had been damaged. Landing equipment on the ground which could help them was not working, and the crew had to land the plane manually. With consummate skill, the pilot guided the aircraft to a perfect landing. 'The airplane seemed to kiss the earth,' recalls Moody. 'It was beautiful.' Safely on the ground, passengers hugged each other and applauded the crew. Captain Moody received the Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air. Russian President Vladimir Putin has unleased 'dagger' hypersonic missiles on Kyiv, injuring more than a dozen people just hours before NATO chiefs arrived in the region. Russia carried out its largest attack on the Ukrainian capital in weeks, firing more than 30 missiles at Kyiv early Thursday, after Putin vowed retribution for escalating strikes on Russia's border regions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on the West to deliver air defense systems after the attacks, which wounded 17 in Kyiv and the surrounding region. Ukraine's air force said it shot down 31 Russian missiles fired towards Kyiv. NATO Military Committee Chief Rob Bauer, during his visit to the capital Thursdaym said Ukraine's allies should not be too pessimistic about its ability to repel Russian troops and called for important aid packages to be delivered quickly. Bauer led the first official visit to Kyiv by a NATO military delegation since February 2022 when Russia sent thousands of troops to Ukraine in a multi-pronged invasion. Ukrainian firefighters are at the scene of a missile strike in Kyiv on March 21, 2024. Russia carried out its largest attack on the Ukrainian capital in weeks, firing more than 30 missiles at the capital today Rescuers work at a site of a building damaged during a Russian missile strike in Kyiv, Ukraine on March 21, 2024 Rescuers work at a site of private houses destroyed during a Russian missile attack. Ukraine's air force said it shot down 31 Russian missiles fired towards Kyiv today Firefighters spray water on a burning building at the site of a Russian attack in Kyiv, Ukraine Kyiv's troops are facing shortages of ammunition shells and manpower, and are on the back foot in the east where Russian forces are inching forward. 'Ukraine needs even more support. And you need it now,' Bauer told the Kyiv Security Forum. 'Time in Ukraine is not measured in days, weeks or months. 'It is measured in human lives. In allied nations a week is a week. In Ukraine a week is a mother, a father, child, friend, lover, lost forever.' He hailed Ukraine's resilience and ability to adjust quickly while changing many aspects of modern warfare. Bauer also met Ukraine's Army Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi for talks on the current combat situation. Syrskyi said on Facebook that ammunition supplies and air defences were discussed. Bauer had a talk with Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on prospects for combat training for Ukrainian servicemen and defence industries cooperation, the ministry said. 'While the world may have been overly optimistic in 2023 we should not make the same mistake becoming overly pessimistic in 2024,' Bauer told the forum, expressing confidence in Ukraine's ability to succeed on the battlefield. Local officials said falling debris from the missiles injured 17 people - 13 in Kyiv and four in the surrounding region. The air force said Russia fired two Iskander ballistic missiles and 29 cruise missiles, launched from strategic bombers. 'Our defenders worked successfully and shot down all the missiles,' said Oleksiy Kuleba, the deputy head of Zelensky's office. Halyna, a local resident, throws stuff near her house which was destroyed during a Russian missile strike today Tetiana, 67-years-old, stands in her home. It is among those that were destroyed in the Russian missile attack today A local resident walks in front of his destroyed house after Russia carried out its first missile strike on the Ukrainian capital since early February Zelensky posted a video of windows blown out of a residential building and debris strewn across the street as firefighters used water hoses on the smoking building. It was the first missile strike on the Ukrainian capital since early February, said Sergiy Popko, head of the Kyiv city military administration. 'Such terror continues every day and night,' Zelensky said in a Telegram post Thursday. 'It is possible to put an end to it through global unity... Russian terrorists do not have missiles capable of bypassing Patriot and other leading world systems,' he said. 'This protection is required in Ukraine now. From Kyiv to Kharkiv, Sumy to Kherson, and Odesa to the Donetsk region. This is entirely possible if our partners demonstrate sufficient political will.' For weeks a vital $60billion US military aid package for Ukraine has been blocked in Congress amid domestic political arguments. Russia's defence ministry said Thursday that it had targeted Ukrainian military sites with 'long-range high-precision weapons, including Kinzhal hypersonic missiles.' 'The objectives of the strike have been achieved. All targets were hit,' it said in a daily briefing. The attack comes after a sharp escalation in Ukrainian strikes on Russian border regions and oil refineries over the last two weeks. A woman carries her dog in her arms after a Russian missile attack on March 21, 2024 in Kyiv A firefighter gestures while spraying water inside a building at the site of a Russian attack, in Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday on March 21, 2024 A Ukrainian serviceman pauses while retrieving items from an impact crater at the site of a Russian attack in Kyiv today Debris from a Russian missile lies on the ground on March 21, 2024 in Kyiv, Ukraine On Thursday, the Russian governor of the Belgorod region, on the border with Ukraine, said five people were wounded in the latest aerial bombardment. 'In the city of Belgorod, more than 30 apartments in six residential buildings were damaged as a result of an air attack by the Ukrainian armed forces,' governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said on Telegram. He published photos showing damaged facades and smashed windows in multi-storey apartment blocks. Speaking last week after a wave of Ukrainian drone, rocket and artillery attacks on Russia, Putin said: 'These strikes by the enemy do not and will not go unpunished.' On Wednesday he vowed to restore 'security' to the border areas and said that Russia had a 'plan' to delivery victory against Kyiv. Russia's FSB security service also said Thursday that it had arrested a Russian citizen in Belgorod who was preparing 'terrorist acts against the Russian military', Russian state media reported. It said the person was working with the 'Russian Volunteer Corps', one of the militia groups that claimed to be behind a string of attempted armed cross-border incursions last week. And Russia's defence ministry claimed to have captured the village of Tonenke in east Ukraine, around 10 kilometres (six miles) from the city of Avdiivka, which fell to Russian forces last month. People stand near a damaged building after a Russian missile attack on March 21, 2024 in Kyiv Rescuers work at a site of private houses destroyed during a Russian missile attack today Damaged cars stand in the street after a Russian missile attack on March 21, 2024 in Kyiv City utility workers clean up the aftermath of a Russian missile attack on March 21, 2024 in Kyiv Zelensky has repeatedly called for the West to deliver more air defence systems for Kyiv as Russian missile attacks continue to kill and injure dozens across the country. At least five were killed in a missile strike on the northeastern city of Kharkiv on Wednesday, and 21 were killed in a strike on the Black Sea port city of Odesa last week. In Kyiv for a meeting with Zelensky on Wednesday, the US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said he could not predict when the much-needed aid from Washington would be approved. 'I'm not going to make predictions about exactly when this will get done, but we are working to get it done as soon as possible... but I cannot make a specific prediction today,' he told reporters. They climbed onto the PM's roof while he was on holiday in California last year Four Greenpeace activists have pleaded not guilty to causing criminal damage to the roof of the Prime Minister's 2million mansion during an anti-oil protest last year. Amy Rugg-Easey, 33, Alexandra Wilson, 32, and Michael Grant, 64, appeared at York Magistrates' Court over the demonstration which saw black sheets and 'No new oil' banners draped over Rishi Sunak's house in Kirby Sigston, North Yorkshire, on August 3. A fourth protester, Mathieu Soete, 38, appeared via videolink for the hearing on Thursday. The four defendants denied the charge of damaging roof slates to a value of less than 5,000. At the time of the protest, Greenpeace said that no damage was caused to the property and they had chosen to carry it out when the Prime Minister and his family were on holiday in California. Protesters climbed onto the roof of Rishi Sunak's home in Kirby Sigston, near Northallerton and draped it with black sheets and banners saying 'No new oil' Amy Rugg-Easey, 33, Alexandra Wilson, 32, Mathieu Soete, 38, and Michael Grant, 64, appeared at York Magistrates' Court over the demonstration where they denied the charge of criminal damage The protest occurred when the Prime Minister and his family were on holiday in California The protesters carried out the stunt after the prime minister gave the green light to new oil and gas projects in the UK. District Judge Adrian Lower set a date of July 23 for the start of the two-day trial. After the charging decision was announced, Greenpeace UK political campaigner, Ami McCarthy, said: 'After being under investigation for six months, our activists have now been charged with criminal damage for holding a completely peaceful protest. 'We look forward to disputing the charges and the insufficient grounds on which they are based. 'The protest took place at one of Sunak's several houses, and great care was taken to make sure it was staged while the family were holidaying in California and, therefore, not even in the country. 'This was a fact that had been widely reported in the news in the run-up to the protest.' The incident prompted serious questions about how the group was able to carry out the stunt so easily, with former North Yorkshire Deputy Chief Constable Peter Walker saying it was a 'major breach of security'. The Grade II-listed property, which was built in 1826, was purchased by Mr Sunak after he became the Conservative MP for the Richmond constituency in 2015. Rescue teams hunting for Riley Strain have turned their attention to a dam as the search for the missing 22-year-old approaches two weeks The search for missing college student Riley Strain has moved to a dam 40 miles from where he was last seen. Strain, 22, was last seen on March 8 as he stumbled through the streets after being kicked out of Luke's 32 Bridge Food + Drink in Nashville. The Delta Chi fraternity member was in Tennessee on a trip for their annual spring formal when he was kicked out of the bar just after 9:30 p.m. Earlier this week, his bank card was found near the Cumberland River and rescue teams are now scouring a dam miles from where he was last spotted. The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department (MNPD) shared a video on Tuesday showing one of their helicopters flying over the Cheatham Dam. The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department (MNPD) shared a video on Tuesday showing one of their helicopters flying over the Cheatham Dam Strain, 22, was last seen on March 8 as he stumbled through the streets of Broadway, Nashville In their post, they said: 'Our helicopters continue to fly over the Cumberland River in the ongoing search for Riley Strain. 'MNPD and Nashville Emergency Operations boats were on the water again today. The Cheatham Co. Sheriff's Office is also assisting down river.' WTVF reported that officers had the dam shut down to inspect any debris that floated up to the surface, but did not find anything related to Strain. David Flagg, director of operations for the United Cajun Navy, told the outlet: 'Somehow, Riley may have fallen into the river and was swept away by the current. The current was very, very swift on the day that he disappeared.' His mom Michelle and stepfather Chris Whiteid have been in the city since the search began, with Chris telling reporters that the family had started preparing for the worst. Whiteid said: 'Put yourself in our shoes. Everybody knows it. Everybody's thinking it. Those conversations are starting to happen. It's not what we want. 'And I understand that people want to know what we're feeling. Were feeling frustrated, we're feeling hurt, were feeling depressed. Nobody knows what happened to Riley.' Michelle Strain Whiteid, left, and her husband, Chris Whiteid, speak to the media during a press conference to update the public about the disappearance of Strain His parents previously said cops butchered the investigation into his disappearance, as more clues seem to have come from the public than officers Riley was seen on surveillance video stumbling away from the bar and a homeless person reported Strain was at an encampment the night he went missing. His parents previously said cops butchered the investigation into his disappearance, as more clues seem to have come from the public than officers. The parents' criticism of the cops comes after TikTokers found a crucial piece of evidence that investigators failed to discover over a week after Strain went missing. Anna Clemdening and Brandy Baenen, had been rummaging through trash along the riverbank when they located Strain's bank card. 'My stomach dropped,' Clendening said, describing the moment she turned over the card to reveal Strain's name. 'My innate reaction was to be like, 'Let's keep looking.' Officers have since defended their search efforts. 'When we start a missing person investigation, we're looking for a person. We're not looking for small pieces of evidence,' Sgt. Robert Nielsen said during a press conference. 'Can we miss somethings? Sure. But our primary goal is to find Mr. Strain and bring him home safely. Police previous shared footage on X showing Strain walking along the sidewalk past an officer, who appeared to be inspecting a car with a smashed window. Officers have been scouring the Cumberland River and now a dam in the search for Strain The parents' criticism of the cops comes after TikTokers found a crucial piece of evidence that investigators failed to discover over a week after Strain went missing Nashville police released this haunting image of Strain walking along the sidewalk on the night he vanished, as he asked a cop how he was before telling him that he was 'doing good' Shown was Riley's brief exchange of greetings w/ Officer Reginald Young on Gay St., south of the Woodland St. Bridge, on the night of 3/8. Riley did not appear distressed. Officer Young was there on a vehicle burglary call & remained on that portion of Gay St. for 45 min. pic.twitter.com/z0xeEzeieK Metro Nashville PD (@MNPDNashville) March 18, 2024 Strain says, 'How are you?' to the officer, to which the cop responds, 'How you doing sir?' 'Good you?' Strain says. 'Good,' the officer said back. Metro Nashville PD said that it is evidence the student was away from Gay St, the last place he was seen alive. Strain had told his friends that he would meet them back at their hotel, but was nowhere to be seen when the group returned from their night out. His friends tried contacting him, but received no response and they reported Strain as missing as they failed to locate him via his Snapchat location. Surveillance footage collected by police from Downtown Smoke & Vape Shop on Church Street showed Strain near the intersection of 2nd Avenue and Church Street. Strain, 22, was last seen on March 8 at Luke's 32 Bridge Food + Drink on Broadway, which is owned by country superstar Luke Bryan , according to the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department The seemingly intoxicated student was wearing a two-toned black and brown shirt and blue jeans and took a tumble, then quickly got back up and continued down the street. Another camera caught near the intersection of Gay Street and 1st Avenue North just before 10pm taking large strides with his head down as he stumbled through the streets. The student had reportedly FaceTimed his mom earlier in the evening, and she said nothing seemed out of the ordinary, even though she knew he was bar hopping. His mother Michelle Whiteid said he's 'a great kid' and normally 'very communicative'. 'We miss him and we want him back so bad,' she told WKRN. 'He's always texting me, calling me, FaceTiming me,' she added. 'He's always in touch with me. He's very communicative.' A 27-year old drug dealer who gagged, tortured and strangled his 40-year-old girlfriend then dumped her body has been jailed for life. Shannon Grant was sentenced for 34 years in prison at Leicester Crown Court today after being found guilty by a jury of murdering the wealthy Natasha Morais. Grant was caught on CCTV buying cable ties in a shop hours before tying up, beating, torturing and strangling Miss Morais at her flat in Loughland Close, Whetstone, on the night of Thursday, June 22 last year. Miss Morais's mother, Jacqueline, worried about texts from her 40-year-old daughter's phone asking for money and rushed to the flat. Leicestershire Police officers later forced their way in and found Miss Morais' naked body in the storage area under a bed. Shannon Grant, 27, has been sentenced to 34 years for the murder of Natasha Morais Natasha Morais, 40, was found dead at her flat in Whetstone, Leicestershire, on June 22, 2023 During the trial, the jury heard from Grant that he had been sleeping with Miss Morais (pictured) since the death of her former boyfriend which occurred a few weeks before her death Grant, now 28, of Rotherham Road, Coventry, had leaped out of a rear window to escape the Whetstone flat after Miss Morais's mother arrived, was later arrested in Coventry, and police also found a sawn-off shotgun, a crowbar with Miss Morais' blood on it, her watch and her bank card. Police also found a tool that had been heated up and used to burn Miss Morais's arms. During the trial, Grant, who had previously pleaded guilty to possessing the shotgun, made up a story about how a gang of five armed men had burst into the flat and killed Miss Morais while he was held at gunpoint. That version of events was rejected by the jury, who had heard that Grant believed Miss Morais had inherited about 100,000 and that she had given money to him in the past, as well as clothes, a watch and other gifts. During the trial, the jury heard from Grant that he had been sleeping with Miss Morais since the death of her former boyfriend, Reuben Craven, which occurred a few weeks before Miss Morais's death. Grant admitted he was a drug dealer and said he, Mr Craven and Miss Morais had been planning to use the Loughland Close flat as a base of operations for selling cocaine around the Blaby area. A cable tie which was recovered from the victim's body was found to have Grant's DNA on it CCTV footage from the day before Natasha's death shows Shannon Grant buying cable ties at DIY store in Coventry After fleeing Natasha's home Shannon Grant was spotted on CCTV making phone calls After making phone calls he disposed of his clothing and bag During the sentencing hearing on Thursday, prosecutor Paul Cavin KC said the aggravating factors in the case included the fact that the violence was for gain, was pre-meditated and that the 'horrific' burns caused during the torture meant there was significant mental and physical suffering, as well as 'sadistic intent'. Mrs Justice Tipples told Grant the last moments of Miss Morais' life were 'terrifying and distressing'. She said: 'You restrained her by tying her up, hit her, burned her and killed her by strangulation using a ligature. 'Having put her naked dead body in the storage area under her bed, you escaped through the kitchen window. 'You took the weapons you had, including a sawn-off shotgun and all you could carry to remove any traces of you from Natasha's flat. 'It is you who were responsible for the sheer amount of mental and physical suffering you inflicted on Natasha Morais before she died.' In a victim impact statement, Ms Morais's family said they had felt an 'emotional hurricane of pain' following her death. They said she was a 'loving, kind and significant family member'. Grant, who has previous convictions for offences including violence and robbery, was give a mandatory life sentence. He will remain behind bars for the full minimum term of 34 years, minus the 270 days he has already spent in jail. After that, a parole board will decide whether or not to release him and if he is never deemed fit for release he will have to stay in prison for the rest of his life. A Tennessee caretaker has been arrested for allegedly throwing boiling water on a deaf man, giving him second and third-degree burns, after she grew impatient with him. Tina Vaughn, 42, was arrested on Monday and charged with aggravated assault of a vulnerable adult and simple assault. Police were called to the Regional One Burn Center in Memphis by staff who were treating the victim, 22-year-old Dontay Battle, for burns to the right side of his face, shoulder and right side of his back, according to an affidavit viewed by DailyMail.com. Battle, using a sign language interpreter, said his caretaker threw boiling water on him on January 21. The incident allegedly took place about 10:30p.m. at the victim's group home in the 600 block of Gookin Place when he boiled a pot of water to cook noodles. Tina Vaughn, 42, was arrested for allegedly throwing water on a deaf man, giving him second and third-degree burns, after she grew impatient with him Vaughn allegedly threw the boiling water on 22-year-old Dontay Battle when she got upset with him after he started boiling a pot of water to cook noodles 'Dontay Battle stated that Tina Vaughn was upset with him and told him to go to the living room,' the affidavit said. 'While Dontay Battle was on the couch, Tina Vaughn got upset and threw the boiling water on Dontay Battle, causing burns to his face, neck, and back.' The affidavit stated that Battle has 'intellectual and developmental disabilities,' which include schizophrenia and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and Vaughn is responsible for his well being. Police said Vaughn did not immediately call for medical help after the incident, but did call her supervisor. The victim said after the boiling water was thrown on him, he yelled and ran out of the apartment. The next morning when Vaughn came to work she called an ambulance which took the victim to the burn center. In a separate police report relating to the incident, the victim previously claimed he tripped on a rug while carrying the boiling water and burned himself by accident, reported Law and Crime. Vaughn also claimed the victim burned himself by accident and sought medical treatment 'when the extent of his injuries became evident.' The incident allegedly took place on January 21 around 10:30p.m. at the victim's group home in the 600 block of Gookin Place The victim was treated at the Regional One Burn Center in Memphis for burns to the right side of his face, shoulder and right side of his back The report stated: 'Staff advised that Mrs. Vaughn acted appropriately and stayed with the victim for several hours until he was situated at the hospital.' A representative from Vaughn's employer told WREG that she is no longer employed with them and declined to comment further on the matter. Her husband told the local station he was shocked by the allegations and his wife has worked in the caretaking industry for over 15 years and loves what she does. He said his wife has genuinely cares for the victim and has even raised concerns about the living conditions at the group home. Vaughn posted a $50,000 bond on Wednesday and has a hearing scheduled for April 3. A senior prison manager was fired after he told a junior female colleague 'you've got a cracking set of pins', an employment tribunal heard. Jonathan Fisher told the young woman she was 'beautiful' before making the 'sleazy' compliment about her legs, the tribunal heard. The married senior manager told another junior prison worker - who was around the same age as his children - that he would buy her a house in Italy. Mr Fisher, who had worked in the prison industry for 32 years, also called the woman 'little mouse' and asked to see tattoos in her private areas. The tribunal heard he also emailed her asking 'fancy me?' and sent roses to her house Mr Fisher was sacked from his senior post at HM Prison Wetherby in West Yorkshire for making creepy comments to a total of four colleagues. Jonathan Fisher made unwanted advances and sent creepy messages to four colleagues while working in a senior post at HM Prison Wetherby One accuser said she felt 'reluctant' to report his behaviour as she feared it would be 'career suicide' and referenced the behaviour of Wayne Couzens' colleagues after he murdered Sarah Everard. Following his sacking, Mr Fisher tried to sue his employers for unfair dismissal. But, the Leeds Employment Tribunal ruled the Secretary of State for Justice were right to sack Mr Fisher and dismissed his case. It was heard Mr Fisher was employed as the head of the residential team at HM Prison Wetherby. The prison operates as a young offender institution for children and young people aged 15 to 18 with a capacity of 336 detainees. Mr Fisher was head of young people services and looked after the majority of the residential units, and he was a member of the senior management team. During his tenure, a grievance alleging sexual harassment was raised against him by one female colleague which led to other individuals stepping forward and making complaints regarding his behaviour. As a result, his bosses launched an investigation. It was heard in October 2021, Mr Fisher gave feedback to a younger colleague and said she had a 'lack of experience'. It was heard he went on to tell her 'but on the plus side you look beautiful' and you've got 'a cracking set of pins'. This colleague said her feedback was 'soured' by a sexualised comment which was 'sleazy and unnecessary'. Employment Judge Neil Maidment said: 'She referred to having sat on the information, not wanting to report it for fear of committing 'career suicide'. 'She also made reference to the Sarah Everard murder and how police colleagues had laughed about the police officer who had killed her. 'She said that she felt uncomfortable being around [Mr Fisher] and considered that he was abusing his position which could impact on others as well. 'She described the [Mr Fisher] as 'creepy, especially if I am alone with him'.' Mr Fisher denied making the alleged comments after the job interview but said that he had complimented her on the dress she had been wearing. Another junior colleague - referred to in the judgement as Ms Y - said Mr Fisher had children not much younger than herself. On one occasion, Mr Fisher asked for her home address - telling her he could get it off the system anyway - and sent her roses on her birthday with a note saying 'Happy birthday little mouse'. Judge Maidment added: 'She said that [Mr Fisher] had asked her 'weird questions' which did not appear to be appropriate and were personal in nature. 'These included him asking her if she had missed him and she thought he had used the word 'fancy me'. 'She said that she used to laugh it off and say that he was a band 8 governor and a married man.' The senior prison manager would often call her 'little mouse', asked to see her tattoos 'in spite of knowing' they were in private places, and even said he would buy her a property in Italy 'which she thought was a bit strange'. In emails, Mr Fisher referred to Ms Y as an 'amazing, beautiful, young woman' and in another he said 'Fancy me? Just putting it out there!' to which she responded with 'excuse me?' During the investigation, Mr Fisher admitted to feeling 'quite ashamed' about his behaviours towards Ms Y and said he 'thought they were mutual friends and that this was a consensual friendship that appeared to be blossoming'. He said: 'It wasn't a big bad wolf trying to manipulate a vulnerable junior member of staff.' After a disciplinary hearing, which included evidence from two other women, Mr Fisher was sacked after 32 years with the Secretary of State for Justice. Despite much of the evidence being contested by Mr Fisher, it was concluded that the 'bulk' of it showed there was a 'pattern of alleged inappropriate behaviour' made by him. He was fired after the disciplinary hearing, in May 2022. Mr Fisher sued his former employers for unfair dismissal but this was not upheld. Judge Maidment said: 'Much of what [Mr Fisher] individually said and done might have been tolerated in many workplaces some years ago and [Mr Fisher] may in the early days of his service have failed to recognise where appropriate boundaries, in particular with more junior members of staff, ought to be drawn. 'The world of work, however, has clearly changed and behaviour which might have been tolerated in the past is certainly not always now and rightly so. 'No one should be made to feel powerless or vulnerable in their workplace and that risk is greatest in circumstances of an imbalance in power. '[Mr Fisher] cannot reasonably have failed to be aware of that. 'It is very sad that his lengthy prison service career has ended in this manner and in circumstances where he perhaps did have a lack of self awareness rather than necessarily any nefarious intent. 'Nevertheless, the nature of the respondent's conclusions, reasonably reached, when considered against his level of responsibility are such as to render dismissal in all the circumstances as falling within the band of reasonable responses.' Famous Olympic luger Joe Barile has listed his Lake Placid mansion for $28.5 million. Barile, 64, and his wife Pat Barile have put their 70-acre property in the mountains on the market. The finished Lake Placid home features hand-cut stone walls, elaborate ironwork, flying buttresses, and bronze windows and doorsall the result of over two decades of construction. The mansion will establish a record for the most expensive home ever sold in the Lake Placid region if it sells for close to its asking price. The current record was set in 2005 when an adjacent ranch sold for $13 million. The property, which is beneath the Southern Adirondack High Peaks, features a 5-acre private pond with a waterfall and a small brook. It also borders the west branch of the Ausable River. Basile, who is also the owner of The White Face Lodge and its parent company, the Lake Placid Group, told the Wall Street Journal he paid $5 million for the property in 2007 from the late car-carburetor manufacturer and inventor George Holley's estate. Famous Olympic luger Joe Barile, 64, has listed his Lake Placid mansion for $28.5 million The finished Lake Placid home features hand-cut stone walls, elaborate ironwork, flying buttresses, and bronze windows and doorsall the result of over two decades of construction The mansion will establish a record for the most expensive home ever sold in the Lake Placid region if it sells for close to its asking price The property, which is beneath the Southern Adirondack High Peaks, features a 5-acre private pond with a waterfall and a small brook Joe told the Wall Street Journal he paid $5 million for the property in 2007 from the late car-carburetor manufacturer and inventor George Holley's estate Covering approximately 15,000 square feet, the main home has five bedrooms, a gym, a wine cellar, ten native-stone fireplaces, and a bowling alley. The Bariles demolished the existing house and spent seven years on the initial construction, moving into the new house in 2015. Covering approximately 15,000 square feet, the main home has five bedrooms, a gym, a wine cellar, ten native-stone fireplaces, and a bowling alley. It also comes with a two-family farmhouse and several outbuildings. The property's electricity comes from a hydropower plant, which uses a dam on the river to provide most of the estate's electricity. Holley knew Thomas Edison personally, whose company designed the dam after he passed. The Holleys owned an oil picture of Edison that is hanging in the house, and Joe said he intends to pass it down to the buyer. Barile began working on his Lake Placid house in 2008. Instead of always working with an architect or following a predetermined plan, he added more flourishes as the building project moved along. The lead roof was specifically made by artisans from the United Kingdom, who lived on the property for almost four years while completing the work. Barile specifically hired Polish carpenters to complete the oak details and imitate the flying buttresses that Barile had observed in European chateaux and churches. The Olympian said on-site stone quarries provided all of the stone for the property as cutting certain stones took nearly a whole day. 'When you're trying to create art, you can't be rushed,' he told WSJ. Barile said his wife became frustrated with the project, and wanted the couple and their two children to move into the home before they went off to college. 'She mentioned many times, 'Let's be done with this. Let's get rid of the workers and start enjoying this,' Barile said. The Olympian said on-site stone quarries provided all of the stone for the property as cutting certain stones took nearly a whole day (Pictured: Joe Barile in the 1988 Winter Oly The property's electricity comes from a hydropower plant, which uses a dam on the river to provide most of the estate's electricity The mansion also borders the west branch of the Ausable River Barile specifically hired Polish carpenters to complete the oak details and imitate the flying buttresses that Barile had observed in European chateaux and churches The facade of the house is still being worked on, Barile insisting on adding minor details. Now that their two daughters have moved out, the house is too big for Joe and Pat. But Joe said he wouldn't mind if the house never sold. 'Walking the grounds, you feel as though you're in your own private national park,' he said. Nicholas S. Politi of Merrill L. Thomas is listing Barile's property with Noble Black of Douglas Elliman. A man is facing charges for stealing around $1.8million in Hermes Birkin bags from a shop at a Miami Beach hotel, according to police. Eduardo Travieso Garcia, 45, was arrested Tuesday on charges that included grand theft and masked burglary. Officers reportedly responded to a call about a burglary just after 3am on Tuesday at the Maison Wrist Aficionado store at Miami Beach's Setai Hotel. Police found the front door of the high-end shop propped open and its door lock punched out. Eduardo Travieso Garcia, 45, was arrested Tuesday on charges that included grand theft and masked burglary Garcia and another man allegedly stole some 60 Hermes Birkin bags worth an estimated $1.8million from a luxury hotel shop The burglary occurred on Tuesday morning around 3am at Miami Beach's upscale Setai hotel The bags can resell for $20,000-$35,000 each, though rarer models can go for much, much more Garcia reportedly provided a full confession to officers and was booked into jail The place had also apparently been ransacked. Security camera footage showed a man getting out of a large van and walking up to the entrance before he broke the lock and returned to the van. Another man then exited the van and approached the store with a large gray garbage bin. The first man then returned with another bin. The men were then seen on camera running away with the bins filled to the top with the purses - each worth tens of thousands of dollars. The men fled the scene in two separate vehicles, one of which was stolen, and the other was connected to a burglary earlier this month on the other side of the state. The security manager of the luxury hotel told officers that the two men stole some 60 Hermes Birkins, valued at more than $1.8million. The bags retail for around $10,000, and resell for $20,000-$35,000 each depending on the condition, leathers, and color combinations. Models crafted from exotic skins can sell for much, much more. Officers tracked down the second vehicle, which led them to Garcia later on Tuesday. The man reportedly provided a full confession and was booked into jail. It is not clear whether the second suspect has been apprehended. Britain has seen a spike in the number of children who are missing lessons, with 150,000 pupils skipping school, shocking figures have revealed. The number of unauthorised pupil absences from schools in England increased during the last academic year from 2.1 per cent in 2021/22 to 2.4 per cent in 2022/23. The absentee rate is nearly double the rate during 2018/19, which was the last school year before the Covid-19 pandemic. The figures come after a school leaders' union chief warned this month that the social contract between families and schools had been 'fracturing'. Last month, Education Secretary Gillian Keegan launched a new war on term-time holidays by introducing a 33 per cent rise in the penalty from 60. New figures a shocking rise in the numbers of children missing school with data showing that 150,000 pupils have skipped school in the last academic year (Stock image) Paul Whiteman, general secretary at school leaders' union NAHT, said: 'School leaders and teachers are doing all they can to reverse the spike in absent school pupils The Department for Education has announced a plan to tackle absent children and will increase fines for parents who take their children on holiday during term time (Stock image) More than 150,000 pupils in England were 'severely absent' during the 2022/23 year, which means they missed more than 50% of possible school lessons. To tackle the growing number of missing school pupils, the Department for Education announced it will increase fines for parents taking their children on holiday during term time. School absence fines for unauthorised absences currently start at 60, rising to 120 if they are not paid within 21 days. But the DfE has said fines will start at 80, rising to 160, from this autumn as part of a drive to return attendance to pre-pandemic levels. Those who continue to refuse to pay can be prosecuted through the magistrates' courts. In addition, for the first time since the Covid lockdowns, the Government has specified that a period of five days of unauthorised leave must be the trigger for considering a fine. The announcement signals a return to the tough stance of Mrs Keegan's predecessor, Michael Gove, who originally brought in the fines in 2013. Mrs Keegan said: 'Our fantastic schools and teachers unlock children's imagination, potential and social skills which is why improving attendance is my number one priority. Education Secretary Gillian Keegan launched a new war on term-time holidays by introducing a 33 per cent rise in the penalty from 60 A fine for parents removing their children from school was introduced under Michael Gove in 2013 but the law is being updated to boost school attendance The shocking data has shown that 2 per cent of all pupils in the last academic year were absent from school, which is more than double the pre-pandemic number. The data also suggests that more than a fifth of pupils in England - around 1.57 million young people - were 'persistently absent' during the 2022/23 school year, which means they missed 10 per cent or more school sessions. This is down slightly on 2021/22 when 22.5 per cent of pupils were persistently absent - but it is still nearly double the rate in 2018/19. Despite the absent rate decreasing since last year it is still above pre-pandemic numbers. The DfE said the illness absence rate - which is the top reason for missing school - actually decreased between 2021/22 and 2022/23. Absences classed for 'other reasons' were 1.7 per cent in 2022/23, an increase from 1.4 per cent, and the unauthorised holiday rate also rose in 2022/23. Paul Whiteman, general secretary at school leaders' union NAHT, said: 'School leaders and teachers are doing all they can to reverse the increase in pupils who are persistently absent post-pandemic, and we are pleased to see the number of children coming back into school is moving in the right direction. 'However, absence rates are still significantly higher than before Covid and much more needs to be done to bring them down. 'The causes can span everything from illness including mental health issues, to poverty and other challenges at home, and schools alone cannot bear the burden of solving these deep-rooted challenges. 'If the Government is serious about getting more pupils back into the classroom, there must be a significant bolstering of funding for the services that support schools including children's social care, and mental health.' Beth Prescott, education lead at the Centre for Social Justice think tank, said: 'Ministers need to get a much more urgent grip of this unfolding crisis, including the urgent rollout of 2,000 attendance mentors and a National Parental Participation Strategy. 'Failure to get these children back to school will have enduring consequences for them, for wider society and for the economy.' Protesters beating drums and clanging cow bells stood outside President Joe Bidens hotel in Dallas on Thursday morning, calling for a ceasefire in the Middle East. If we dont get justice, you dont get no sleep, the crowd of about 20 people shouted repeatedly. They gathered outside the Fairmont Hotel around 6 am. Biden, who is not a morning person, usually wakes up around 7 am. President Joe Biden got hit by a double whammy of protesters in Texas Another group of protesters was waiting for the president at his fundraiser in Houston, standing outside in the pouring rain to demand a ceasefire and free Palestine. Pro-Palestinian supporters have been trailing the president since the war in the Middle East began after Hamas October 6th attack on Israel. They have been referring to the president as 'Genocide Joe.' In some Democratic primaries, voters are casting ballots for no candidate or another alternative to register their protest with Bidens policies. In Texas, Biden got a double whammy on Thursday when he was in the Lone Star State to raise money for his re-election campaign. The latest round came as Israeli forces planned a ground invasion of Rafah and the U.S. introduced a resolution in the United Nations calling for an immediate ceasefire. As he left Dallas, the protesters positioned themselves so Bidens motorcade drove right past them on its way to the Dallas airport. They waved signs calling for a ceasefire and one that read in November we will remember. The president travelled to Houston for a fundraiser in the wealthy River Oaks suburb for a fundraiser with trial lawyers. As his motorcade pulled up to the private home, a block down the street protesters banged drums and shouted as the rain poured down on them. Protesters outside of President Biden's hotel in Dallas Protesters outside Biden's fundraiser in Houston Protesters stood along the route of Biden's motorcade in Dallas Biden has been a huge supporter of Israels in its fight against Hamas, but, lately, has come under massive pressure both home and abroad to get a ceasefire in place. The president has called for a temporary one in order to free hostages and get much-needed food and medical aid to the people of Gaza, who are facing famine like conditions. The talks are ongoing, White House spokesman John Kirby said Wednesday of the peace talks. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken is in Cairo to keep the conversations going. The two men are the last of six officers sentenced for their roles in the 'Goon Squad' who tortured two black men Former Rankin County Sheriff's deputy McAlpin apologized to victims Michael Corey Jenkins and Eddie Terrell Parker before he was sentenced to 27 years The final two Mississippi law enforcement officers part of the 'Goon Squad' who tortured two black men have been sentenced to 27 and 10 years in prison, respectively. Brett McAlpin, 53, and Joshua Hartfield, 32, pleaded guilty last year to breaking into a home without a warrant and torturing two black men with a stun gun, a sex toy and other objects back in January 2023. Former Rankin County Sheriff's deputy McAlpin offered an apology to victims Michael Corey Jenkins and Eddie Terrell Parker before US District Judge Tom Lee sentenced him to 27 years in prison on Thursday. Hartfield, who served as a Richland police officer and tried to destroy evidence of the torture, was ordered to serve almost 10 years behind bars. They are part of a group of six former law enforcement officers who admitted to subjecting Jenkins and Parker to numerous acts of racist torture. Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey called the crimes by his deputies the worst case of police brutality he had ever seen. The final two former law enforcement officers, Brett McAlpin (left) and Joshua Hartfield (right), part of the 'Goon Squad' which racially tortured two black men have been sentenced to 27 and 10 years in prison, respectively Michael Corey Jenkins (left) and Eddie Terrell Parker (right) stand with lead attorney Malik Shabazz, as they call on a federal judge Monday, March 18, to impose the harshest possible penalties to the officers The officers charged in relation to the assault of Michael Corey Jenkins and Eddie Terrell Parker were (Top L-R) Brett McAlpin, Jeffrey Middleton, Christian Dedmon. (Bottom L-R) Hunter Elward, Daniel Opdyke, Joshua Hartfield McAlpin wore a jumpsuit turned inside out to conceal the name of the jail where he is detained to the sentencing. 'This was all wrong, very wrong. It's not how people should treat each other and even more so, it's not how law enforcement should treat people,' he told the court. 'I'm really sorry for being a part of something that made law enforcement look so bad.' McAlpin was the fourth highest-ranking officer at the Rankin County Sheriff's Office, a probation officer said in court. Parker told investigators that McAlpin, who was off duty and not in uniform during the attack, functioned like a 'mafia don' as he instructed the officers throughout the evening. In a statement read by his attorney Thursday, Jenkins said he 'felt like a slave' and was 'left to die like a dog.' 'If those who are in charge of the Rankin County Sheriff's Office can participate in these kinds of torture, God help us all. And God help Rankin County,' Jenkins said. It comes after Christian Dedmon, 29, was sentenced to 40 years - the stiffest sentence - in prison on Wednesday for his role in the racist torture. Dedmon, the former Rankin County Sheriff's deputy, did not look at the victims during his sentencing as he apologized and said he'd never forgive himself for the pain he caused. Judge Lee said Dedmon carried out the most 'shocking, brutal and cruel attacks imaginable' against victims Jenkins and Parker as well as a white man Alan Schmidt during a traffic stop weeks earlier. Jenkins, who still has trouble speaking due to his injuries, said in a statement read by his lawyer that Dedmon's actions were the most depraved of any of those who attacked him. 'Deputy Dedmon is the worst example of a police officer in the United States,' he said. 'Deputy Dedmon was the most aggressive, sickest and the most wicked.' Hours before Dedmon's sentencing, former officer Daniel Opdyke, 28, cried profusely as he spoke in court before the judge announced his sentence of 17-and-a-half years. Turning to look at the two victims, Opdyke said his isolation behind bars has given him time to reflect on 'how I transformed into the monster I became that night.' 'The weight of my actions and the harm I've caused will haunt me every day,' Opdyke told them. 'I wish I could take away your suffering.' At a news conference Monday, Jenkins (pictured) and Parker said they continued to suffer as a result of what they endured Parker listens as his legal team calls on a federal judge at a news conference Monday Parker rested his head in his hands and closed his eyes, then stood up and left the courtroom before Opdyke finished speaking. Jenkins said he was 'broken' and 'ashamed' by the cruel acts inflicted upon him. Former Rankin deputy Hunter Elward, 31, was sentenced to 19-and-a-half years in prison on Tuesday while Jeffrey Middleton, 46, was ordered to serve 17 and a half years behind bars. The judge said Opdyke may not have been fully aware of what being a member of the Goon Squad entailed when Lieutenant Jeffrey Middleton asked him to join, but he did know it involved using excessive force. 'You were not a passive observer,' Lee said. 'You actively participated in that brutal attack.' The two black men who were subjected to torture that included one of them being shot in the mouth during a mock execution by a group of cops known as 'The Goon Squad' had previously said they wanted their tormentors to be punished to the full extent of the law. The former cops admitted in August to subjecting Jenkins and Parker to numerous acts of racially motivated, violent torture. Prompted by a neighbor's complaint in January 2023 that Jenkins and Parker were staying in a home with a white woman, the group of six burst in without a warrant and assaulted Jenkins and Parker with stun guns, a sex toy and other objects. After a mock execution went awry when Jenkins was shot in the mouth, they devised a coverup that included planting drugs and a gun. Elward was also accused in a separate incident of beating a mentally ill black man to death in 2021. They pleaded guilty to charges including conspiracy against rights, obstructions of justice, deprivation of rights under color of law, discharge of a firearm under a crime of violence, and conspiracy to obstruct justice. The Rankin County Sheriff's Department initially supported the deputies' false charges, which stood against Jenkins and Parker for months. Christian Dedmon, 29, was sentenced to 40 years in prison on Wednesday for his role in the racist torture Former Mississippi sheriffs deputy Hunter Elward was sentenced by US District Judge Tom Lee, who handed down a 241-month sentence on Tuesday Daniel Opdyke, 28, has been sentenced to nearly 18 years in prison for his part in the racist torture of two black men by a group of white officers who called themselves the 'Goon Squad' Jeffrey Middleton, 46, was ordered to serve 17-and-a-half years behind bars 'Michael Jenkins and Eddie Parker continue to suffer emotionally and physically since this horrific and bloody attack by Rankin County deputies,' Malik Shabazz said in a statement. 'A message must be sent to police in Mississippi and all over America,' he said, that such criminal conduct 'will be met with the harshest of consequences.' At a news conference Monday, Jenkins and Parker said they continued to suffer as a result of what they endured. 'It's been very hard for me, for us,' Jenkins said. 'We are hoping for the best and preparing for the worst.' Shabazz said the false charges against the victims weren't dropped until June. That's when federal and state investigators began to close in on the deputies, and one of them began talking. They were fired shortly thereafter, and prosecutors announced the federal charges in August. Prosecutors say some of the officers nicknamed themselves the 'Goon Squad' because of their willingness to use excessive force and cover up attacks. Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey called the crimes by his deputies the worst case of police brutality he had ever seen. For months, Bailey said little about the episode. After the officers pleaded guilty in August, Bailey said the officers had gone rogue and promised to change the department. Jenkins and Parker have called for his resignation, and they have filed a $400 million civil lawsuit against the department. 'I relive this every day,' Parker said. 'Every time I turn on the TV. Every time I get on the phone, every time I'm on social media, people are telling my story.' One of the passengers aboard the Alaska Airlines plane has described the horrific moment a door blew off just inches from him mid-flight. California resident Cuong Tran and six other passengers have filed a lawsuit against Boeing and the airline after the January 5 near-tragedy 16,000ft above Portland. Tran was seated in row 27, behind the row where the hole appeared, and told the BBC his seatbelt saved him from being ejected from the aircraft by the uncontrolled decompression, which lasted about 10 or 20 seconds. 'The captain said we had passed 10,000 feet. Then the hole blew out on us and I remember my body getting lifted up. Then my whole lower body got sucked down by the howling wind,' he said. While the seatbelt kept his body inside the aircraft, his shoes and socks did not suffer the same fate. California resident Cuong Tran and six other passengers have filed a lawsuit against Boeing and the airline after the near-tragedy 16,000ft above Portland The above image shows how close Tran was to the panel that blew off mid-flight On January 5, the door plug blew out on a flight above Oregon causing an emergency landing and a massive federal probe into airline safety 'That feeling of no control is pretty terrifying. The suction was so strong and I was hanging on for dear life,' he said. 'Both my shoes ended up getting sucked out - I had my shoe on pretty tight too.... My phone which was in my hand disappeared.' Tran, whose phone was found in Oregon and returned to him intact and still working, also appeared on Fox News on Thursday, recalling that it 'all happened so fast.' 'The door just suddenly took off and next thing I know my feet were getting pulled really hard through the airplane and I was just struggling the whole time to try and stay inside the airplane,' he said. 'It was so loud that I couldn't speak to my buddy who was sitting next to me.' 'Our clients and likely every passenger on that flight suffered unnecessary trauma due to the failure of Boeing, Spirit AeroSystems, and Alaska Airlines to ensure that the aircraft was in a safe and airworthy condition,' attorney Timothy A. Loranger said. The group are seeking punitive damages as well as compensation and damages due to negligence and failing to protect passengers. On Saturday, the Wall Street Journal reported that the Department of Justice had reopened its criminal investigation into the incident. 'In an event like this, it's normal for the DOJ to be conducting an investigation,' Alaska Airlines said in a prepared statement. 'We are fully cooperating and do not believe we are a target of the investigation.' The door plug was later found in the yard of an Oregon teacher On Saturday, the Wall Street Journal reported that the Department of Justice had reopened its criminal investigation into the incident The Journal reported that the investigation would assist the Department's review of whether Boeing complied with a previous settlement that resolved a federal investigation into the safety of its 737 Max aircraft following two deadly crashes in 2018 and 2019. In 2021, Boeing had agreed to pay $2.5 billion, including a $244 million fine, to settle an investigation into the crashes of flights operated by Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines. The company also blamed two employees for deceiving regulators about flaws in the flight-control system. Boeing has acknowledged in a letter to Congress that it cannot find records for work done on the door panel of the Alaska Airlines plane. 'We have looked extensively and have not found any such documentation,' Ziad Ojakli, Boeing executive vice president and chief government lobbyist, wrote to Sen. Maria Cantwell last week. The company said its 'working hypothesis' was that the records about the panel's removal and reinstallation on the 737 MAX final assembly line in Renton, Washington, were never created, even though Boeing's systems required it. Boeing whistleblower John Barnett claimed the aviation giant had fired its quality control inspectors and was relying on mechanics shortly before he was found dead Last week, roughly 50 people were treated by first responders after a Boeing 787 Dreamliner flying from Australia to New Zealand experienced a 'technical event' that caused 'a strong movement' jolting passengers in their seats. The company told airlines on Friday to start inspecting switches on pilots' seats after a report said an accidental cockpit seat movement caused the plunge. Shortly before the incident over the Indian Ocean, Boeing said it believed the technical failure involving the door stemmed from something that occurred during production, where required documents detailed the removal of a key part that failed were never created. Also on Friday, the company said it is 'committed to continuing to cooperate fully and transparently with the National Transportation Safety Board's investigation,' which, more than three months later, remains ongoing. All of this comes after Boeing whistleblower John Barnett was found dead from in his truck in a hotel parking lot in South Carolina, seven years after retiring. Barnett's death came during a whistleblower suit, where he alleged under-pressure workers were deliberately fitting sub-standard parts to aircraft on the assembly line. The head of Israel's national intelligence agency Mossad will travel to Qatar on Friday for talks with the CIA chief and other mediators as part of the latest push to release hostages from Hamas captivity. Details were announced on Thursday by the Israeli prime minister's office soon after the U.S. lodged a U.N. resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of all hostages. Israel's spy chief David Barnea will meet with the CIA's Bill BurnsPresident Joe Biden's top international troubleshooteras well as the Qatari prime minister and Egypt's intelligence minister. Some 130 hostages are thought to still be held by Hamas terrorists in the Palestinian enclave of Gaza. Hopes for a deal have risen and fallen on an almost weekly basis as Israel continues its offensive. Israelis blows a shofar, a Jewish musical horn typically made of a ram's horn, during mass prayer calling for the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza since the October 7 attacks Israel's spy chief David Barnea (left), the head of Mossad, will meet with the CIA's Bill BurnsPresident Joe Biden 's top international troubleshooterin Qatar Friday The impasse centers on Hamas demands that it will release hostages only as part of a deal that would end the war. Israel says it will only entertain a temporary pause. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told Arabic broadcaster Al Hadath in Cairo: 'I think the gaps are narrowing, and I think an agreement is very much possible.' Israel launched its offensive after Hamas gunmen killed about 12000 Israelis on Oct. 7. Since then, almost 32,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to Gaza health authorities. International humanitarian organizations now say that the blockade and war has put the enclave on the brink of famine. Blinken confirmed that the US had proposed a UN resolution. 'We actually have a resolution that we put forward right now thats before the United Nations Security Council that does call for an immediate ceasefire tied to the release of hostages, and we hope very much that countries will support that. I think that would send a strong message, a strong signal,' he said. The final text of the resolution, obtained by NBC News, expresses stronger language than earlier drafts. It outlines 'the imperative of an immediate and sustained ceasefire to protect civilians on all sides,' to allow for delivery of humanitarian aid 'and towards that end unequivocally supports ongoing international diplomatic efforts to secure such a ceasefire in connection with the release of all remaining hostages.' Smoke rises in the background following an Israeli air strike in Gaza City, northern Gaza Strip, 21 March 2024. More than 31,500 Palestinians and over 1,300 Israelis have been killed, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry and the Israel Defense Forces Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in Cairo, Egypt, for talks on Gaza to reach a ceasefire US deputy ambassador to the UN Robert Wood told reporters that officials wanted a vote on resolution before the end of the week. 'We think it is a good text,' he said, according to the Associated Press. 'Everyone should be able to get behind it.' Last week, Hamas presented a Gaza ceasefire proposal to mediators and the U.S. which would have allowed the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for freedom for Palestinian prisoners, 100 of whom are serving life sentences. The group said the initial release of Israelis would include women, children, elderly, and ill hostages in exchange for the release of 700-1000 Palestinian prisoners, according to the proposal. The release of Israeli 'female recruits' is included. But that was tied to a permanent ceasefire, which was rejected by Israel. Meat and poultry giant Tyson Foods have denied laying off American workers and hiring thousands of migrants amidst an ongoing boycott. Campaigners had been urging consumers to stop buying their products due to a closure of plants in Iowa, Virginia, Arkansas Indiana and Missouri. They had said Tyson had been making efforts to hire asylum seekers in New York, offering $16.50-an-hour wages and free immigration lawyers, accusing the company of ditching US-born workers for cheaper migrant labor. In a statement, the company said: 'In recent days, there has been a lot of misinformation in the media about our company, and we feel compelled to set the record straight. 'Any insinuation that we would cut American jobs to hire immigrant workers is completely false.' Tyson seeks to double its number of immigrant employees to 84,000 this year, including roles at this plant in Springdale, Arkansas Tyson Foods brands include Tyson, Jimmy Dean, Hillshire Farm, Ball Park, Wright, and Aidells In a statement, the company said that wanted to set the record straight and that the claims made had been completely false Their statement continued: 'Tyson Foods is strongly opposed to illegal immigration. Today, Tyson Foods employs 120,000 team members in the United States, all of whom are required to be legally authorized to work in this country. 'We have a history of strong hiring practices, and anybody who is legally able is welcome to apply to open job listings.' Conservatives on social media say the company is unpatriotic and have called for a boycott of Tyson and its various foods brands, which include Jimmy Dean, Hillshire Farm, Ball Park, Wright, and Aidells. Tom Carter, ACVF's president and co-founder, said Tyson had alienated American consumers, who are worried about the influx of migrants across the border with Mexico. The case spotlights fears about migration across the US-Mexico border, and that asylum seekers are replacing Americans, especially in meat-packing and other undesirable jobs amid record low unemployment. Due to the boycott, conservative fund manager Bill Flaig, CEO and co-founder of the $79 million American Conservative Values Fund (ACVF), told DailyMail.com that he has divested from Tyson and won't buy any more stock in the company. This decision 'exposes their shareholders to backlash from one of the most contentious political issues of the day,' said Flaig. 'I'm not sure other institutional managers will follow boycotting Tyson, but politically conservative investors are becoming aware that they can fight the woke liberal takeover of America with their investments,' he told DailyMail.com. The case spotlights fears about migration across the US-Mexico border, and that asylum seekers are replacing Americans, especially in meat-packing Conservatives on social media called for a boycott of Tyson and its various food brands Bill Flaig, CEO and co-founder of the $79 million American Conservative Values Fund (ACVF), says he's divested from Tyson and won't buy any more stock in the 'woke' company Tyson last week said it would shutter its pork plant in Perry, Iowa, this summer, putting 1,276 people out of work in a town of just 8,000. About half of the plant's workers are understood to be Latino, according to local news outlets. Last May, Tyson closed two facilities in Virginia and Arkansas that employed more than 1,600 people. In April, it announced plans to cut 10 percent of corporate jobs and 15 percent of executives. The meat-packer already employs about 42,000 immigrants among its 120,000-strong US workforce, and seeks to boost this by cooperating with the Tent Partnership for Refugees, a nonprofit, among other efforts. 'We would like to employ another 42,000 if we could find them,' Garrett Dolan, who leads Tyson's social efforts, told Bloomberg recently. In recent weeks, the company hired dozens of asylum seekers from Venezuela, Mexico, and Colombia at a job fair in New York City. They travelled to work at its poultry plant in Humboldt, Tennessee. According to Dolan, asylum seekers fill the gaps at plants with a high turnover of staff the company needs to fill 52,000 jobs this year. Executives offer pay starting at $16.50 an hour, with paid-for immigration lawyers and other perks. A large portion of new hires 'are going to come from refugees and immigrants, so we're now in the business of strategically thinking that through,' Dolan said. Asylum seekers cannot work upon entering the US, and typically don't get permits until 180 days after they apply for legal status. Tyson is America's biggest meat and poultry firm, by sales, which dropped by 0.8 percent to $52,881 million last year Executives offer pay starting at $16.50 an hour, with paid-for immigration lawyers and other perks. Migrants are seen here entering into the US Tyson's pork plant in Perry, Iowa, is the latest to be mothballed, with 1,300 jobs lost Tyson's $13 million-a-year CEO Donnie King has led the company since 2021 Workers, including many Latinos, have protested Tyson's plant closures, like this one in Van Buren, Arkansas, in April 2023 Many wait for years before their first immigration court hearing to judge their asylum claim, during which time they can work. In a bid to help its migrant employees, Tyson has spent millions of dollars on immigration lawyers and offers paid time off to attend court hearings. Many also benefit from temporary housing, onsite childcare, transportation and English classes. Tyson in 2022 agreed to hire 2,500 refugees under the Tent program. The firm increased that last year by 150 hires, including 50 Afghan refugees to work in Arkansas, including in Fayetteville, Springdale, and Bentonville. The boycott underscores fears that Americans are losing jobs to economic migrants from overseas, who drive down blue collar wages. Data from US Bureau of Labor Statistics show that between July and August 2023, there was a staggering decrease of 1.2 million native-born people in the workforce. In stark contrast, some 688,000 jobs were secured by foreign-born workers, underlining the difference in President Joe Biden's pro-migration policies versus Donald Trump's tough border stance. A Florida lawmaker has accused Tyson Foods of sacking American workers and hiring thousands of 'illegals' who are too scared to ask questions in a corrupt 'modern-day slavery' scheme MAGA Republican Anna Paulina Luna has accused the embattled meat and poultry firm of scrapping US workers in favor of cheap 'indentured' laborers from overseas who are 'afraid of deportation.' Tyson denies sacking Americans in favor of asylum seekers but that hasn't stopped conservatives from branding them unpatriotic and leading a damaging boycott of the company's various supermarket brands. The claims against Tyson play into fears that Democrats, globalists, and big corporations are encouraging migrants to flow into the US as part of a 'great replacement' of American workers and voters. Anna Paulina Luna says Tyson wants to hire 'illegals' who are too scared of deportation to ask questions Tyson is recruiting workers from the influx of migrants to New York City, which struggles to accommodate newcomers 'A massive farming operation just fired all of their American wage employees so that they could hire people that are migrant workers, a.k.a. illegals, that are cheap labor,' Luna said in her X/Twitter post on Thursday. 'They are absolutely firing Americans because they don't want to pay American wages.' Poll Are YOU boycotting Tyson Foods? Yes No Not sure Are YOU boycotting Tyson Foods? Yes 2866 votes No 208 votes Not sure 110 votes Now share your opinion Luna, a member of the House Freedom Caucus, said the Tyson's migrant hires would effectively be 'indentured servitude' because they are 'afraid of deportation' and 'won't say anything' to offend the $54 billion company. 'That is modern-day slavery,' added Luna, in the first comments on the Tyson debacle from a federal elected official. She also noted that 'Democrats are not saying anything' about the scandal and asked 'what the angle is' which is understood to suggest that a liberal business elite encourages unchecked migration across the southern border. Angry consumers are boycotting Tyson over claims that the company is shuttering plants and laying off workers while hiring tens of thousands of asylum seekers and even hiring immigration lawyers to help its new recruits. Tyson, which is based in Springdale, Arkansas, says it's not cutting American jobs to hire migrants, and that it only recruits newcomers with valid work permits. Tyson seeks to double its number of immigrant employees to 84,000 this year, including roles at this plant in Springdale, Arkansas 'Any insinuation that we would cut American jobs to hire immigrant workers is completely false,' Tyson said in a statement. The company declined DailyMail.com's requests for an interview. Tyson earlier this month said it was shuttering its pork plant in Perry, Iowa, putting 1,276 people out of work in a town of just 8,000. It was the latest in a string of closures across Virginia, Arkansas, Indiana and beyond in recent months. The company is meanwhile trying to hire 42,000 asylum seekers and other immigrants, including through job fairs in New York, where many migrants end up, a Tyson official recently told Bloomberg. The company has in recent weeks hired dozens of asylum seekers from Venezuela, Mexico, and Colombia at a job fair in New York City. They travelled to work at its poultry plant in Humboldt, Tennessee. Tyson seeks to double its number of immigrant employees to 84,000 this year, including roles at this plant in Springdale, Arkansas, its corporate responsibility boss Garrett Dolan said. The meat-packer already employs about 42,000 immigrants among its 120,000-strong US workforce. Tyson's pork plant in Perry, Iowa, is the latest to be mothballed, with 1,300 jobs lost Tyson is America's biggest meat and poultry firm, by sales, which dropped by 0.8 percent to $52,881 million last year Conservatives on social media called for a boycott of Tyson and its various food brands It offers recruits $16.50 an hour work, paid-for immigration lawyers to help them get work permits, and other perks. Meat-packing plants are undesirable places to work, and Tyson says it has lots of vacancies to fill amid a low unemployment rate of 3.9 percent. It is cooperating with the Tent Partnership for Refugees, a nonprofit, to hire thousands of them. Conservatives on social media say the company is unpatriotic. They have called for a boycott of Tyson and its various foods brands, which include Jimmy Dean, Hillshire Farm, Ball Park, Wright, and Aidells. Bill Flaig, CEO and co-founder of the $79 million American Conservative Values Fund, this week divested from Tyson and said he won't buy any more stock in the company. America First Legal, a conservative action group launched by former Trump administration officials, warned Tyson that it could be breaking the law by favoring foreign-born workers over Americans. 'It is ILLEGAL under federal law to discriminate against American citizens based on their citizenship in favor of non-citizens of any kind when it comes to employment,' the legal action group posted online. Tyson's $13 million-a-year CEO Donnie King has led the company since 2021 Tyson Foods brands include Tyson, Jimmy Dean, Hillshire Farm, Ball Park, Wright, and Aidells Workers, including many Latinos, have protested Tyson's plant closures, like this one in Van Buren, Arkansas, in April 2023 The boycott raises tough questions for Tyson's $13 million-a-year CEO Donnie King, who has led the firm since 2021, during which time it has funded the campaign chests of President Joe Biden, Nikki Haley and others, according to Open Secrets. It spotlights fears about migration across the US-Mexico border, and that asylum seekers are replacing Americans, especially in meat-packing and other undesirable jobs amid record low unemployment. Data from US Bureau of Labor Statistics show that between July and August 2023, there was a staggering decrease of 1.2 million native-born people in the workforce. In stark contrast, some 688,000 jobs were secured by foreign-born workers, underlining the difference in President Joe Biden's pro-migration policies versus Donald Trump's tough border stance. Asylum seekers cannot work upon entering the US, and typically don't get permits until 180 days after they apply for legal status. Many wait for years before their first immigration court hearing to judge their asylum claim, during which time they can work. The Labor Department investigated Tyson in 2022 as part of a bigger probe into child laborers working illegally at meat-packing plants in overnight shifts, during which one teenage migrant suffered chemical burns. This is the moment a drug-fuelled drunk wielding two axes in a holiday park is tasered to the ground after menacingly telling guests: 'No, it's not the police.' Mohammed Khan, 36, targeted the remote holiday home in seaside town Barmouth, north-west Wales, where two families were staying at the time. It's believed Khan picked up an axe from a log pile outside before he banged on the doors and smashed the front door window during the middle of the night, waking up tourist Richard Line. Mr Line was so terrified he armed himself with a knife as he went to find out what was happening and cut his feet on the glass which had fallen onto the floor. Zachary Thompson, who was staying in the home's annexe, had also woken up and saw Khan walking down the stairs and asked 'is that police?', to which Khan chillingly replied: 'No, it's not the police.' Mohammed Khan, 36, targeted the remote holiday home in seaside town Barmouth, north-west Wales, where two families were staying at the time By the time police arrived, the drug-fuelled drunk was wielding two axes. Officers ordered him to drop the weapons, but when he refused they tasered him to the ground Caernarfon Crown Court heard Khan had gone on a two-day drugs and drink binge before the incident, which lasted about an hour Khan is arrested and handcuffed by officers after being tasered. He admitted one count of affray and was jailed for 20 months A petrified Mr Thompson fled the room before two officers arrived and found Khan outside holding two axes. They ordered him to lower the weapons, but when he refused they tasered him to the ground with footage showing Khan dropping to his knees before the officers pounce and arrest him. Caernarfon Crown Court heard Khan had gone on a two-day drugs and drink binge before the incident, which lasted about an hour. The property's owner, Anthony Donahay, estimated that Khan had caused between 800 to 1,000 in damage. Khan's barrister Amy Edwards, told the judge he was 'not aware of what he was doing' having been heavily under the influence of drink and drugs after his mental health deteriorated, reported Wales Online. 'The defendant said that the incident would have been absolutely terrifying. He is extremely remorseful for what he did that night,' she said. Khan, of Lochaber Drive, Rutherglen, Glasgow, admitted one count of affray and was sentenced by Judge Timothy Petts to 20 months behind bars. Judge Petts told Khan drugs and alcohol hadmade his behaviour 'completely unpredictable'. 'It must have been an absolutely horrifying experience for those families,' he said. Kahn will serve half of his sentence before being released on licence A successful comedy hypnotist who boasts of messing with peoples minds is today unmasked as an internet predator who stole womens intimate photos and sold them for thousands of pounds. Robert Temple a growing theatre sensation for his outrageous stage show - hit the headlines last month when he successfully persuaded a town hall to overturn a four decade-long ban on stage hypnosis. But Mail Online can today reveal that Temples hit Red Raw tour named after his trademark dyed red hair - was brought to a juddering halt this week when he was jailed for eight months after admitting hacking and fraud. Unsuspecting audiences in Burton-on-Trent where the 36-year-old was due on-stage tonight plus Clacton and Weymouth were simply told the shows had been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances. However the scale of his betrayal will leave fans shocked, with detectives suspecting Temple may have preyed on more women than the two who have so far come forward. Robert Temple, 36, a growing theatre sensation known for his outrageous stage show, has been exposed as an internet predator who hacked into women's private photographs and sold them for cryptocurrency Among Temple's victims is 29-year-old Ellie Norman (pictured), from Lincolnshire. She inadvertently fell into Temples clutches as a result of having mutual Facebook friends from when she was at university. While he did not use his gift for hypnotism for crime he never even met one victim police believe he exploited other skills from his stage show. He didnt have particular computing skills, so we think it was his ability to focus in on peoples personal information that enabled him to work out passwords, a source said. He had a gift for social engineering which is undoubtedly part of his success as an entertainer, but unfortunately hes exploited it in a very cruel manner. Among his victims is 29-year-old Ellie Norman, from Lincolnshire. She inadvertently fell into Temples clutches as a result of having mutual Facebook friends from when she was at university. While looking for a part-time job, she was contacted by a woman with whom she shared several friends offering her modelling work. She turned down the offer but later discovered her private photos had been used to set up Snapchat, Instagram and Tinder accounts in her name. Friends told me about the fake profiles, they were really creepy, she told the Mail. There was lots of information about me, right down to the name of my dog. It was only after detectives from the East Midlands cyber-crime unit contacted her in 2022 that she realised the woman was actually Temple, using a fake identity suspected to have been created using stolen details. They asked if I was involved in crypto currency, she told the Mail. I wouldnt have a clue where to start. But even though Id done nothing wrong, for a moment I went into panic mode I thought Could I end up going to prison? It was really scary. Then they realised my social media and my email had been hacked by Temple. Its scary to think what else hes done with my identity and my photos, all without my knowledge. In 2021, detectives received a call via Action Fraud about a seedy online forum where anonymous users request intimate photographs of specific, named women in return for payment in untraceable cryptocurrency. They established that Temple had hacked into the Snapchat accounts of Miss Norman and a second woman and stolen their photographs in the case of the second, unnamed victim, showing her topless and nude. Ellie Norman and her fiance Liam Atkin. While looking for a part-time job, she was contacted by a woman, with whom she shared several friends, offering her modelling work Ellie (right) was victim of hypnotist Robert Temple , who has been jailed for 8 months after being exposed for hacking into women's social media and selling private photos He then used the details of one of his victims to set up a cryptocurrency account in order to receive payments running into thousands of pounds. The worst thing was getting the call from the police for something I knew nothing about, said Miss Norman, an IT support worker who is engaged to Liam Atkin. Im just glad that hes now locked up where he cant target anyone else. Ive learnt my lesson that you have to set really strong passwords, nothing that anyone could ever guess, and be much more careful about what I share online. I never even met Temple, Ive never even been to one of his shows, but what hes done to me is appalling. Ive got no idea what else hes done with my photos and private information, who else hes tried to con. I want people to know how manipulative he is so theyre on their guard when he is released. Last year Temple, of Bishop Auckland, County Durham, admitted two counts of hacking, three counts of fraud and one count of converting criminal property. On Monday he was jailed for eight months at Teesside Crown Court. Detectives believe he was expecting a suspended sentence, enabling him to continue with his stage tour. Temple began performing magic shows as a young child, later telling interviewers that despite his father being a computer programmer and his stepmother a teacher, both supported his ambitions to become an entertainer. He later decided to specialise in hypnotism, coming up with his trademark bright red dyed hair to make his outrageous stage persona more memorable. Temple hit the headlines last month when he challenged Bolton council over a ban on any show which includes hypnotism, mesmerism and any similar act which produces induced sleep or trance that would make someone susceptible to suggestion or direction which dated back to 1982. Days before 200 people were booked to see Temples show at the towns Albert Halls, a licensing panel voted unanimously to allow the show - described as improvised comedy under the influence of hypnosis - to go ahead. At the time, chairman Sean Fielding said the regulation seemed arcane and dated and apologised to Temple. After the case, Det Insp Jonathan Naylor said This man was operating on an online forum to targeting women. He would receive a specific request and hack social media accounts in order to obtain personal and explicit photos in exchange for crypto currency. According to police, 22,530 people reported that their online accounts had been hacked last year, with cyber criminals often using information from data breaches, leaked passwords and details obtained from phishing. They have urged people to protect themselves online by using strong and different password for email and social media accounts, and turning on two-step verification. Anyone who believes they were also targeted by Temple or other members of the forum have been urged to report it to Action Fraud online or by calling 0300 123 2040. Annette Thomas, Senior Crown Prosecutor at CPS East Midlands, said: The actions of Robert Temple were utterly reprehensible. Using insidious tactics, he exploited these unsuspecting women by hacking into their social media accounts and sharing intimate images of them online, without their knowledge, all for financial greed. Let this conviction be clear to those who hide behind a screen to commit their crimes, you cannot hide from the law and the Crown Prosecution Service will continue to work to achieve justice for victims of cybercrime. An obese, three-tonne circus hippo could finally be set free after a lengthy court battle. Jumbo, who has spent the last 30 years working as 'the largest hippo in Europe' for a family circus could now be released after being kept in a 'water filled skip'. The decision from France's top administrative court is expected in the coming weeks, and is the culmination of a lengthy legal battle between an animal rights group and the family-run Muller Circus. Animal activists The One Voice group has accused the circus of mistreating Jumbo, leaving the giant animal alone for hours on end in an enclosure, locked up in a lorry, or trapped in a water-filled skip. They have requested that Jumbo, who they say is obese, be transferred to a sanctuary as the 'physiological and biological needs of this animal are absolutely not respected'. Animal activists The One Voice group has accused the circus of mistreating Jumbo, leaving him alone for hours in an enclosure, locked up in a lorry, or trapped in a water-filled skip The campaigners want the hippo to be moved to a sanctuary but the family-run Muller circus deny they mistreat Jumbo and want the retired performer to stay with them On their website the activists say the giant hippo is unable to bathe and relieve the weight on his joints and is kept in a truck, travelling between shows On their website the activists say the giant hippo is unable to bathe and relieve the weight on his joints, and this only contact with the water is during his half-hour daily 'walk'. They added: 'He is then sprinkled with a hose under the intriguing gaze from the onlookers.' But the family-run circus has rejected these accusations and said the animal should stay with them. The Muller family were granted an official permit issued by the southern Drome region in 2008 to show Jumbo to the public. One Voice took legal action in 2017 to repeal the permit, but an administrative court in 2019 refused to do so, and a regional appeals court in 2022 upheld that decision. As Jumbo has retired, the contended 2008 permit to perform no longer applies, the circus has argued. The case has now made its way to the State Council, France's highest administrative court, where the fate of Jumbo was discussed Wednesday. The circus says the hippo, now in its late thirties, has retired but did not confirm when he stopped performing. Since the start of the case, the French government has introduced an animal rights law to gradually phase out the performance of wild animals from travelling shows by late 2028. A rapporteur at the State Council has advised the court to send the case back to the appeals court, recommending it re-examine it taking into account new developments. One Voice's lawyer Thomas Lyon-Caen said that recommendation seemed 'perfectly justified'. But the Muller family's lawyer, Helene Farge, argued Jumbo would be happier living out the rest of its days with the circus. Won't it 'be better off where it has always lived instead of in a retirement home?' she said. Hippopotamuses hail from sub-Saharan Africa, where they usually wallow in water all day before emerging onto land at night to graze on grass. The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists them as 'vulnerable', as they are threatened by human activity and drought. In 2007, a French court ordered the release of an 11-year-old hippopotamus called Tonga from another circus. It was flown to a sanctuary in South Africa. Amazon officials are rushing to improve delivery speed as the company loses millions of customers while Chinese competitors, Temu and Shein, gain popularity. The $1.85 trillion company is showing greater concern over the competition posed by China-based rivals Temu and Shein, compared to its longstanding rivalry with Walmart and Target. Temu and Shein, rapidly growing online retailers that specialize in cheap goods shipped directly from China, have made significant strides in the US market in under two years with evidence that they are already impacting Amazon's business. Temu saw its user base grow to 51.4 million in January since its US launch in September 2022, while Shein experienced an increase to 26 million users during the same period, up from 20.9 million, as reported by The Wall Street Journal. Conversely, Amazon's user numbers declined to 67 million from 69.6 million over the same timeframe, according to data from Sensor Tower cited in the report. Temu and Shein, rapidly growing online retailers that specialize in cheap goods shipped directly from China , have made significant strides in the US market in under two years with evidence that they are already impacting Amazon's business Temu saw its user base grow to 51.4m in January since its US launch in September 2022, while Shein experienced an increase to 26m users during the same period, up from 20.9m To tackle this competition, Amazon insiders say they are focusing on two aspects of the business: customer trust and fast delivery To tackle this competition, Amazon insiders say they are focusing on two aspects of the business: customer trust and fast delivery. Amazon is devising strategies to promote its reliability and fast delivery, as well as working to increase same-day delivery. An Amazon spokeswoman said the company watches competitors but staff 'obsess over customers,' as reported by the WSJ. The company emphasized its superior selection and faster delivery compared to other retailers, highlighting its achievement of delivering more than 4 billion items the same or next day to Prime members in the US alone in 2023. Employees are striving to expand the range of items available for same-day delivery, especially in categories like electronics. Josh Lowitz, co-founder of Consumer Intelligence Research Partners, pointed out the considerable volume required to justify its infrastructure. 'Amazon's logistics are unapproachable,' said Lowitz. 'You have to have a whole lot of volume to justify the infrastructure Amazon has, so it's going to take a long time for anyone to compete with Amazon on reliable convenience.' Amazon is devising strategies to promote its reliability and fast delivery, as well as working to increase same-day delivery The company emphasized its superior selection and faster delivery compared to other retailers In July 2023, TikTok launched an e-commerce business to sell goods made in China direct to consumers in the US from within its mobile app. The effort will see it operate warehouses in China, where it will store and ship domestically-manufactured merchandise directly to customers. In doing so, it will be taking on hugely successful but controversial Chinese online retailers Shein and Temu, which sell cheap clothes, toys, electronics and household items. But TikTok hopes to eclipse those companies by leveraging its existing userbase and marketing directly to its more than one billion global users while they browse the app. The new venture is separate from the company's existing and somewhat failing TikTok Shop Shopping Center, which allows users and third-parties to list their own items for sale on the platform, with TikTok acting as the middle-man. Shein is the biggest ultra-fast-fashion brand in the world, a multibillion-pound Chinese company that is feared and envied in equal measure. Shein is the biggest ultra-fast-fashion brand in the world, a multibillion-pound Chinese company that is feared and envied in equal measure. (Pictured: Anna Vakili attends the SHEIN VIP party at Creamfields festival) In July 2023, TikTok launched an e-commerce business to sell goods made in China direct to consumers in the US from within its mobile app In launching the new venture it will be taking on controversial Chinese online retailers Shein and Temu Using teams of designers and complex algorithms that seek out micro-trends on social media, it can have fresh styles on sale in less than a week. Shein posts more than 6,000 new products on its website every day. In 2018, Shein's annual revenue was reportedly over 2 billion; by last year, shipping to more than 150 countries, that had increased eightfold. The company is now valued at nearly 70 billion, according to financial analyst Bloomberg. The company is based in Singapore but its suppliers are located in Guangzhou, a city 100km north of Hong Kong. Shein is owned by Chinese entrepreneur Chris Xu, 39, a recluse who doesn't do interviews. Xu studied at Qingdao University of Science and Technology and set up Shein in 2008. According to a 2021 analysis of the business by The Economist, Shein's success can be put down to 'a turbocharged version of the fast-fashion formula of offering a constantly updated range of garments at bargain-basement prices. By Park Jae-hyuk AliExpresss endeavor to establish new partnerships with Korean logistics firms has caused concerns for CJ Logistics. This development may potentially affect CJ Logistics' substantial profits derived from delivering nearly 80 percent of products purchased by users of the Chinese e-commerce platform here, according to industry officials, Thursday. Such a skeptical outlook sharply dragged down the CJ Group affiliates stock price by nearly 10 percent on Thursday morning, although the share price inched up in the afternoon. It closed at 120,000 won ($91), down 6.76 percent from the previous session. The online retail service provider, part of Alibaba Group, confirmed that it recently invited tenders to look for a company, which will handle customs procedures and deliver its products in Korea until May of 2025, once its contract with CJ Logistics ends in May this year. We are open to creating new opportunities with other Korean logistics companies, an official at the e-commerce firms local PR agency said on behalf of AliExpress. AliExpress previously selected its Korean partners without inviting tenders. Alongside CJ Logistics, Hanjin and Korea Post have delivered products sold on the Chinese e-commerce platform. Therefore, the Chinese firms latest move is widely interpreted as an attempt to reduce its delivery costs in the Korean market by instigating a price-cutting war among local logistics companies. With multiple logistics firms here, AliExpress is expected to try to reduce its delivery costs, once its sales volume in Korea grows further in the long run, Hi Investment & Securities analyst Bae Se-ho said, although he added that the Chinese company would maintain its ties with CJ Logistics for a while. In light of Coupangs recent decision to deliver all of its products through its own subsidiary, industry officials pointed out that Korean logistics firms may offer lower prices to attract AliExpress. Hanjin, which terminated its contract with Coupang this month, has already been struggling to prevent a deterioration in its profitability through a new partnership with another Chinese e-commerce platform, Temu. However, some industry officials said there are few alternatives to CJ Logistics in Korea, citing the amount of parcels AliExpress sends throughout the country. The Chinese firm expects 12.3 million packages containing its products to be delivered in Korea from March this year to March next year. Although the actual volume is likely to be less than AliExpresss expectations, Hanjin and Lotte Global Logistics are mentioned as the only two potential competitors to CJ Logistics, as they are equipped with the facilities and workforce to handle such a huge delivery volume. Even if AliExpress invites tenders, it will renew its contract with CJ Logistics this time, a logistics industry official said. CJ Logistics declined to comment on this issue, as the bidding procedure is ongoing. President Joe Biden mocked Donald Trump's suggestion during the COVID pandemic to inject bleach, joking the former president must have done it himself. Remember when he told people to inject bleach. He must have done it, Biden told a crowd of trial lawyers at a fundraiser Thursday in Houston. He also noted that Trump 'told us to hit the body with UV light, which I'm confident he does.' The crowd roared with applause. President Joe Biden mocked Donald Trump at his fundraiser in Houston on Thursday Biden has made Trump his number one target when he speaks to crowds of his supporters in private homes to raise funds for his reelection campaign. Trump made his comments about using bleach and UV light in April 2020. 'So, supposing we hit the body with a tremendous whether its ultraviolet or just very powerful light and I think you said that that hasnt been checked, but youre going to test it. And then I said, supposing you brought the light inside the body, which you can do either through the skin or in some other way, and I think you said youre going to test that, too. It sounds interesting,' he said at the time. 'And then I see the disinfectant, where it knocks it out in a minute. One minute. And is there a way we can do something like that, by injection inside or almost a cleaning. Because you see it gets in the lungs, and it does a tremendous number on the lungs. So it would be interesting to check that,' the former president said at the time. Trump did not explicitly recommend ingesting a disinfectant like bleach. But that is what his comments seemed to suggest, leading many medical authorities to warn people not to do it. Meanwhile Biden, had three fundraisers in Texas over Wednesday and Thursday, raising millions for his 2024 campaign. The focus of the majority of his comments was Trump. At his two fundraisers in Dallas on Wednesday night, Biden mocked Trump's massive legal debt and branded Ted Cruz a loser as he asked Texans for their support. Just the other day this defeated looking man came up to me and said: Mr. President I need your help. Im in crushing debt. Im completely wiped out. Biden said he responded: Donald, Im sorry. I cant help you. The crowd of about 100 people burst into laughter and applause. Donald Trump, as president, famously advised Americans about injecting bleach to fight covid Trumps legal debts could come close to half a billion dollars. In New York, a judge ordered Trump to $355 million in fines, plus interest, after ruling that he had manipulated his net worth in financial statements. The state could seize his property if Trump cant pay. New York Attorney General Letitia James noted the interest payments totaled $99 million and would continue to increase every single day until it is paid. The former president also was ordered to pay $83.3 million to the writer E. Jean Carroll for damaging her reputation after she accused him of sexual assault. Biden spent most of the night ripping the opposition. He asked the crowd not only to elect him, but to send the Democratic senatorial candidate to Washington so Republican Senator Ted Cruz joins another loser, Donald Trump. Biden, 81, noted there was a lot of talk about his and Trumps ages. Im 41, Biden joked as the crowd laughed. But Biden added, its about the age of our ideals. Biden also called Republican Senator Ted Cruz of Texas (above) a 'loser' Lit by the tail lights of President Joe Biden's motorcade, Carlisle Oellerman, 8, holds a hand written sign she made that says "we love you," as Biden arrives for a campaign fundraise The president also blasted Trump for the trouble at the border, blaming the mess on his rival. Trump didnt just bring chaos to Americans. He also brought chaos to the American border, Biden said. He blamed the former president for killing a bipartisan border bill in Congress by coming out against it. It has passed the Senate but House Speaker Mike Johnson refused to bring it to the floor after Trump announced his opposition. Unlike Trump, I'm not gonna demonize immigrants, Biden said. Biden has been on a southwest campaign swing to keep the battleground states of Nevada and Arizona in his corner. The incumbent president won both states in the 2020 election but Trump currently leads in the polls there. Biden is capping off his trip with a fundraising swing in Texas. He has one more in Houston on Thursday. The Alabama woman who falsified a story about her kidnapping has been ordered to pay nearly $18,000 in restitution and sentenced to probation following a guilty verdict last year. Carlee Russell, 26, was charged with two misdemeanors for making false statements to police last July when she told authorities she'd been kidnapped after going missing for two days. She eventually admitted, via her attorney, that she had made up the kidnapping. Her initially mysterious disappearance sparked national interest in the search that involved local and federal law enforcement. Last October, Russell pleaded not guilty to false reporting to law enforcement authorities and falsely reporting an incident. A municipal judge ruled against her and recommended she pay $18,000 and spend a year in jail. Alabama kidnapping hoaxer Carlee Russell, 26, was sentenced to a year of supervised probation on Thursday, as well as an $18,000 restitution fee for the resources pumped into the investigation of her kidnapping Disturbing video taken the night that Carlee Russell faked her disappearance in Alabama appeared to show the moment she pulled over on a highway to help a child Her legal team appealed the conviction, hoping to avoid jail time for their client - a mission they ultimately succeeded in. On Thursday, ahead of a scheduled state trial, Russell pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to 12 years of supervised probation, community service, and evidence of ongoing mental health counseling. She also must pay the restitution to the city of Hoover. In court on Thursday, Russell spoke publicly for the first time. 'I want to genuinely apologize for my actions, and the resulting negative impact inflicted onto others. I made a grave mistake while trying to fight through various emotional issues and stress. 'Im extremely remorseful for the panic, fear and various range of negative emotions that were experienced across the nation. 'I want to to specifically acknowledge and take accountability for the pain and embarrassment that I inflicted upon my family, my church family, friends, neighbors, community, and all of those who were directly involved in search efforts for me,' she said. Russell's attorney, Emory Anthony said following sentencing: 'We want to thank Judge Carpenter for doing what we think all judges should do with a Class A misdemeanor first offense. 'Carlee apologized to the communities, to Hoover, to the volunteers for her actions. I hope that we will accept that and move on and allow her to live her life.' Alabama kidnapping hoaxer Carlee Russell was found guilty of faking her disappearance and wasting police time and resources Russell was reported missing on July 13, after making a bizarre phone call to 911 in which she claimed she found a toddler on the side of a highway In July of last year, Russell called the police to report a toddler on the side of Interstate 459 in Alabama. Several days later, the nursing student returned home and told police that she'd been taken by a man and a woman while she was on the side of the highway checking on the toddler. Investigators said they found no evidence of a child on the side of the road. Later in July, Russell, through her attorney admitted in a statement that 'there was no kidnapping.' During the investigation, officers discovered that the young woman had searched on her phone for information about Amber Alerts, the movie 'Taken,' and bus tickets hours before she went missing. 'My client did not see a baby on the side of the road. My client did not leave the Hoover area when she was identified as a missing person. My client did not have any help in this incident. This was a single act done by herself,' the statement from her attorney read. 'We ask for your prayers for Carlee as she addresses her issues and attempts to move forward. Understanding that she made a mistake in this matter, Carlee again asks for your forgiveness and prayers.' When charges were announced in July, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said Russell's crime was not 'victimless.' 'There are significant hours spent, resources expended as a result of this investigation and not only that, but the many men and women who are civilians who wore those yellow vests on a hot afternoon and evening looking for someone they thought was abducted, trying to be of assistance,' he said. Simmons (left), Carlee's ex-boyfriend, initially revealed that she was 'fighting for her life for 48 hours' after vanishing from the Alabama interstate 459 highway Hoover Police Chief Nicholas Derzis said her actions caused 'panic and disruption' and pain for 'families whose loved ones really were victims of kidnappings.' Following sentencing on Thursday, the AG's office said they are 'disappointed, but not surprised' that Russell didn't receive any jail time. Katherine Robertson, chief counsel for the AG's office, said: 'Current law provides a weak penalty for false reporting and fails to account for situations, like Ms. Russell's, that result in a significant law enforcement response.' 'Fortunately, the Governor will soon receive our legislation to increase penalties for false reporting when an imminent threat is alleged and will expand the amount of restitution that can be sought. The next time law enforcement resources are needlessly wasted in this manner, the offender will be forever labeled a felon.' Fox News host Rachel Campos-Duffy says her youngest daughter who has Down Syndrome teaches her eight other kids patience. The 52-year-old appeared on Fox & Friends with four-year-old Valentina StellaMaris Duffy to raise awareness on National Down Syndrome day. 'So many of children with Downs are being exterminated in the womb and I think that when people get to meet them and see how wonderful they are we are going to see less of that,' Campos-Duffy told the show. Valentina was seen playing with Ainsley Earhardt and showing off the pilates skills she learnt in physical therapy. Campos-Duffy shares eight other children with her husband former congressman Sean Duffy and she said her family is better off because of Valentina. Rachel Campos-Duffy appeared on Fox & Friends with four-year-old Valentina StellaMaris Duffy to raise awareness on National Down Syndrome day Valentina was seen playing with Ainsley Earhardt and showing off the pilates skills she learnt in physical therapy. Campos-Duffy shares eight other children with her husband former congressman Sean Duffy and she said her family is better off because of Valentina Fox & Friends Weekend co-host Campos-Duffy and her daughter were introduced to show where Valentina waved and said 'hi'. 'I think it's really important to raise awareness because actually, a lot of women get this diagnoses, a lot of them, and they will get fearful,' Campos-Duffy said. 'There's a lot of fear around it. Even the medical community can make people scared and say, well, you have options. 'I think when people realize that they are just like any other child, they have a few little challenges, sometimes medical. 'Some them are prone to heart conditions, maybe some thyroid stuff. But all of that is very treatable.' She praised Valentina and said she has helped her family become more tolerant and patient. 'She is as lovely, as precious, as joyful, as any other child,' Campos-Duffy said. 'In fact, I would say our family is better because of her. I think our kids have learned tolerance and patience. Theyve learned to be helpful. Valentina then showed off her pilates skills to Earhardt and began playing around the studio. Campos-Duffy added that the young girl was everyone's favorite in the family. Valentina was born in October 2019 with two holes in her heart and needed surgery to fix it Duffy and Campos met on The Real World in 1998, before he launched his political career Duffy was serving in Wisconsin's 7th District but he gave up his position in 2019 Valentina was born in October 2019 with two holes in her heart and needed surgery to fix it. She was premature and needed to spend time in the neonatal intensive care unit until she learnt to eat on her own. Her mother announced her birth in a heartwarming post on Facebook at the time. She wrote: 'Meet Valentina StellaMaris Duffy. She is the sweetest, most perfect thing we have ever seen. Its a wonderful life! 'When we visit with her at the hospital, the kids fight over who can hold her - I dont blame them! Shes the sweetest, most perfect angel we have ever seen.' Before her birth, her father announced he was resigning from his seat in Wisconsin in order to spend more time with his family. The couple both appeared on MTV's The Real World and married in 1999. Sean had a busy TV career before launching himself into politics. He was serving as the Wisconsin's 7th district representative until September, when the pair learned ahead of Valentina's birth that she would be born with a hole in her heart. It prompted his resignation. 'Recently, we've learned that our baby, due in late October, will need even more love, time, and attention due to complications, including a heart condition. 'With much prayer, I have decided that this is the right time for me to take a break from public service in order to be the support my wife, baby and family need right now. It is not an easy decision because I truly love being your Congressman but it is the right decision for my family, which is my first love and responsibility,' he said. He was supported by President Trump - whose 2016 presidential campaign he enthusiastically backed - and a handful of other Republicans. Duffy met his future wife on the set of MTV's 'Road Rules: All Stars' in 1999. The two had appeared separately on Real World programs for the music network. Duffy was on The Real World: Boston and Campos-Duffy was on The Real World: San Francisco. Cops found 2,245 photos and videos on his laptop, organized into 55 albums An FBI agent is accused of hoarding thousands of 'revenge porn' images of up to 80 women he secretly recorded in his home. Mark Allan Wells, 45, was arrested after three women, including his ex-wife, came forward and police searched his house in Tulsa, Oklahoma, last May. Investigators discovered 2,245 photos and videos on his laptop, organized into 55 albums, about 75 per cent of which were sexually explicit. Albums were labeled with up to 80 women's names, mostly first name only, with sub-folders with labels such as 'texts', according to court documents. Police alleged they were secretly recorded without the women's consent, but didn't find any hidden cameras in their search, though they did find a fake smoke detector. FBI agent Mark Allan Wells, 45, was arrested after three women, including his ex-wife, came forward and police searched his house in Tulsa, Oklahoma, last May Wells also allegedly sent explicit images to at least eight people, some of which showed women engaging in sexual acts. Morgan Ballou, who dated Well six six months in 2016-17 and then again for almost four years in 2018 to 2022, said he bragged about his collection. After he showed her the vast trove of his previous conquests, she contacted one of the women, his fiancee Savannah Smith, and told her about it. The two women later complained to police, kicking off the investigation, and more women contacted police after Wells was charged. Wells initially denied the collection existed in a police interview, before detectives found it on his hard drive. 'I can't imagine why I would brag to someone I was in an exclusive relationship with about having naked photos of other women,' he said, according to an affidavit. Wells' ex-wife also alleged he secretly recorded her and she 'found a hidden camera on a bookshelf in their guest bedroom'. Ballou, a car dealer and part-time model and actress, sued Wells on January 18 for $150,000 in damages. She alleged that in addition to the secret recordings, he sent explicit selfies she gave to him to at least two people. Morgan Ballou, who dated Well six six months in 2016-17 and then again for almost four years in 2018 to 2022, said he bragged about his collectio Ballou called Wells a 'master manipulator' and discovering what he did made her feel 'angry and very violated'. 'It puts myself and other victims in a very vulnerable position. I worked hard for the career that I have and the life that I have and that could have all changed in an instant,' she told Fox 23. 'One day, I hope to get to a point where I feel irrelevance toward him, but right now, it's disgust.' Smith said she initially didn't believe it when Ballou contacted her, as she was planning to start a new life with him. 'At the time I was totally oblivious and it was a whirlwind since then finding out who he was as a person,' she told 2 News. 'An alias Facebook reached out to me and kind of let me in on who he really was. Of course, I did not want to believe it. 'I planned on marrying him, he was going to be the father figure in my kid's life... For me, it's completely starting over.' Ballou, a car dealer and part-time model and actress, sued Wells on January 18 for $150,000 in damages Smith packed up and moved to Southern California 'mostly because I was terrified', but found love with another man. Wells originally faced only four charges, but more were added when he appeared in court on Wednesday, as dozens more women were identified. He now faces two felony Peeping Tom counts, and 11 misdemeanor charges for nonconsensual dissemination of sexual images, and will return to court on April 1. The FBI suspended him as soon as he was charged, pending the outcome of the case, saying such conduct 'would not be tolerated'. 'As soon as the allegation became known, the employee was removed from special agent duties and has been denied access to FBI facilities pending resolution of the matter,' it said at the time. 'We strongly condemn any behavior that falls short of the highest standards. We are cooperating with local law enforcement and all relevant entities who are investigating the matter.' The adult nephew of Michigan Democrat was today arraigned from his hospital bed for shooting dead his father during a rampage at their home. Timothy J. Kildee, 27, is charged with killing his father, Timothy E. Kildee, on Tuesday morning. After shooting his father during a furious argument, the younger Timothy fled the scene. He later crashed his car at an intersection and is now in the hospital. Today, he appeared in court virtually, lying in his hospital bed with a neck brace. Timothy J. Kildee, 27, is charged with killing his father, Timothy E. Kildee, on Tuesday morning. He is shown on Thursday appearing in court from his hospital bed via Zoom Michigan Democrat Rep. Dan Kildee's brother was killed by a suspect who is believed to be his son and the congressman's nephew after an altercation early Tuesday morning Rep. Kildee's brother, Timothy Kildee, 57, left was shot and killed in his home in Vienna Township, Michigan Timothy Kildee's crashed vehicle was found near an intersection When confronted with the charges, Kildee told the court: 'Most of these things I did not do.' His motive remains unclear, and attorneys have not yet spoken to his mental competence. He appeared 'confused' throughout Thursday's virtual arraignment, that the congressman also attended. Rep. Kildee, 65, has been in Congress since 2013. His uncle Dale Kildee was also in Congress and the younger Kildee was at one point one of the nation's youngest elected officials when at 18 he began serving on the Flint Board of Education in 1977. While police were responding to the shooting scene in Vienna Township, reports of a serious crash came in at the intersection of Bray and Stanley roads in Genesee Township In March 2023 he announced he was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma, saying that a 'very small tumor' had been found in one of his tonsils, but he underwent surgery and has said he is since 'cancer-free.' But he said the health challenged prompted him to 'reassess' his future. 'After spending time with my wife, children and grandchildren and contemplating our future, the time has come for me to step back from public office,' Kildee said. 'Running for office, ultimately, is a personal decision first. And this was not an easy decision to make. 'But I know it's the right one for me and for my family.' A senior MS-13 leader - tied to murders, kidnappings and other violent crime - is in federal custody after he was arrested in California earlier this month. Freddy Ivan Jandres-Parada was on the run since December 2020 after he and 14 other high-ranking MS-13 members were indicted in the Eastern District of New York federal court. Jandres-Parada, a native of El Salvador, was apprehended on terrorism charges by the FBI in San Diego on March 7. The 48-year-old had waived his right to bail, court records show. Federal prosecutors in New York identified Jandres-Parada and the other 13 defendants as members of the criminal organization's board of directors, known as the Ranfla Nacional. Freddy Ivan Jandres-Parada, one of the top MS-13 leaders, was captured by the FBI in San Diego on March 7. He was indicted on terrorism charges by a New York federal court in December 2020 Federal prosecutors accuse Jandres-Parada and 13 other high-ranking MS-13 leaders of plotting and executing acts of violence and murder in El Salvador, the United States and other countries Two other members, Cesar Humberto Lopez-Larios and Hugo Armando Quinteros-Mineros, are still on the run. Authorities allege around 2002, the Ranfla Nacional and two other MS-13 cells plotted and executed acts of violence and murder in El Salvador, the United States and other countries. Jandres-Parada and the 13 defendants allegedly orchestrated acts of violence against civilians, law enforcement and rival gang members. They are also accused of distributing drugs and implicated in multiple incidents of extortion. MS-13 gang members underwent training in camps that resembled the military and were provided military-style weapons, including improvised explosive devices and rocket launchers. In 2012, Ranfla Nacional members allegedly reached deals with the El Salvador government in exchange for 'benefits and concessions' that were obtained by unleashing a wave of violence that threatened and intimidated civilians while also targeting officials in the armed forces and police, and interfering with elections in El Salvador. The Ranfla Nacional expanded MS-13 operations outside El Salvador's borders and purchased weapons from Mexican criminal organizations, including the Jalisco New Generation Cartel and Sinaloa Cartel, and became involved in human trafficking and smuggling. Police officers in riot gear guarding the arrival of inmates belonging to the MS-13 and 18 gangs to the new prison 'Terrorist Confinement Centre' Handout picture released by the Press Secretary of the Presidency of El Salvador showing police officers keeping watch during the arrival of inmates belonging to the MS-13 and 18 gangs to the new prison 'Terrorist Confinement Centre' The United States District Court, Eastern District of New York charged him with he was charged with conspiring to provide and conceal material support and resource to terrorists, conspiring to commit acts of terrorism transcending national boundaries, conspiring to finance terrorism and narco-terrorism conspiracy. MS-13, also known as La Mara Salvatrucha, recruits young teenagers from El Salvador and Honduras, though many gang members were born in the U.S. The gang has been blamed for dozens of killings since January 2016 across a wide swath of Long Island. The gang's influence and violence on Long Island has waned in recent years amid a federal crackdown. Former President Donald Trump made rooting out MS-13 a focus of his administration and visited Long Island several times to meet with law enforcement officials and the families of the gang's victims. MS-13 is suspected of forging alliances with Mexican cartels and engaging in narcotics trafficking; immigrant smuggling and extortion; kidnappings; and weapons trafficking. Florida counties will designate temporary campsites for homeless people to use Critics say new law is meant to round up and hide the state's homeless people Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed a new law that bans homeless people from sleeping on sidewalks, in parks and other public spaces. The law, signed on Wednesday and set the take effect on October 1, allows counties to designate temporary campsites for homeless people to use instead. Those staying at the encampments are prohibited from drinking or doing drugs. The state Department of Children and Families will oversee local governments that set up the designated areas and requires sanitation and security to be provided. 'It will help maintain and ensure that Florida streets are clean and that Florida streets are safe for our residents,' DeSantis said at the bill signing. 'This legislation prohibits camping on city streets, sidewalks and parks. It creates state enforcement tools to ensure that local governments comply with this law, and it ensures that localities utilize the resources of homeless shelters.' Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a new law that bans homeless people from sleeping in public places The law will require local governments to set up homeless encampments once they have run out of shelter place. Pictured: a homeless man sleeping in a Miami park in 2022 In January 2025, people will be allowed to sue local governments that allow homeless people to sleep in public places. Pictured: a homeless person in Miami on June 26, 2023 From January 2025, residents, local business owners and the state attorney general will be able to file a lawsuit to stop any city or county from allowing homeless to camp or sleep on public property. 'This bill will not eliminate homelessness. But it is a start, and it states clearly that in Florida, our public spaces are worth fighting for,' said Republican state Rep. Sam Garrison. Republican state Senator Jonathan Martin said: 'This bill allows us to take a major step forward by providing a framework for these groups to more efficiently, safely, meaningfully, and effectively serve our neighbors. 'Further, it returns our parks, sidewalks, and public spaces to their intended uses for all to enjoy.' The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development said in the 2023 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report that on a single night in January 2023, 30,756 people were experiencing homelessness in Florida. More than half of all people experiencing homelessness in the country were in four states: California, New York, Florida and Washington. The Sunshine State saw an 18.5 percent increase in its homeless population from 2022 to 2023. Opponents of the law said it is meant to round up the homeless and hide them from public view. 'This bill does not and it will not address the more pressing and root cause of homelessness,' said Democratic state Sen. Shevrin Jones during a debate this year. 'We are literally reshuffling the visibility of unhoused individuals with no exit strategy for people who are experiencing homelessness.' On a single night in January 2023, 30,756 people were experiencing homelessness in Florida. Pictured: homeless people camp on a street in Miami on June 26, 2023 Critics say the law said it is meant to round up the homeless and hide them from public view. Pictured: a Miami homeless encampment in 2021 Vickie Eichelberger, a homeless person, told News4Jax: 'If youre going to ban it, then why dont you take some of these abandoned buildings sitting around here and make them homeless places?' Another homeless person, Ryan Scott, said: 'Now, Florida wants you off the streets, but they are not trying to get you off the streets if you dont have access to funds.' DeSantis, however, said the new law is a unique approach in pledging to provide the services that homeless people often need. The governor said on Twitter: 'The lawlessness seen in progressive citiessprawling encampments, open-air drug markets, and homeless people endangering themselves and othersis entirely preventable.' 'We wont stand for it in Florida, and our action today is one of many steps were taking to keep our cities clean and safe for everyone.' According to CBP, 45,000 migrants entered the U.S. with the app in January Republicans are worried that migrants using the CBP One app as a form of ID are not checked sufficiently enough Republicans on the House Homeland Security Committee are investigating the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for applying weaker identification standards to migrants than U.S. citizens. The committee's investigation comes as reports have indicated that migrants can use the CBP One app as a method of identification before boarding flights to or within the U.S. American citizens, meanwhile, usually must produce a standard form of ID like a passport, driver's license or permanent resident card. Now, House Homeland Security Chair Mark Green, R-Tenn., and other members, are requesting TSA boss David Pekoske turn over documents and communications related to the agency's migrant identification standards, according to a letter exclusively obtained by DailyMail.com. 'The Committee is concerned that TSAs screening procedures apply a weaker identity verification standard for alien migrants than for American citizens, creating an aviation security risk,' Green wrote. A migrant uses the CBP One app to apply for an appointment to claim asylum in the U.S. Migrants from Central and South America wait in Mexico awaiting admittance into the U.S. Migrants attempt to cross into El Paso, Texas, from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico in early March TSA 'is reportedly allowing aliens without verifying identity documents to pass through airport security checkpoints, relying on unverified biographical information gathered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) through the CBP One application.' 'The biographical information gathered about aliens arriving at a port of entry may be insufficient to screen and vet individuals for potential security concerns,' the letter said. According to CBP, over 45,000 migrants used the CBP One app in January to enter the U.S. Roughly 96 percent of migrants who scheduled an appointment through CBP One from January 12, 2023 to September 30, 2023 were released, the letter stated, comprising a total of 267,000 individuals released into the U.S. A previous DailyMail.com report revealed how the CBP One app has been central to a Biden administration program that has flown over 320,000 migrants from foreign countries to the U.S. The program was part of Biden's expansion of the CBP One app, which kicked off at the start of 2023. Migrants were able, under Biden's expansion, to apply for asylum using the app from their home countries. However, the transportation of these migrants directly to the U.S. is one of the lesser known uses of the app. Migrants, seeking asylum in the United States and who previously requested an appointment on the CBP One application, attend their appointment A migrant from Venezuela seeking asylum in the U.S. uses his phone to make an appointment 'There is no logical reason American citizens and other legitimate travelers should go through more thorough screening than inadmissible aliens,' Green exclusively told DailyMail.com in a statement. 'Yet the flying public has witnessed this in airports across the country thanks to Secretary Mayorkas unlawful use of the CBP One app to implement mass catch-and-release.' 'As threats from our adversaries grow more complex, this is not the time to make it easier for them to take advantage of us,' Green continued. 'This troubling TSA policy is just one more example of the Biden administration's utter refusal to take the homeland security mission seriously.' During the hearing, members examined the purpose of CBP One and how its is used by migrants. Inadmissible aliens from countries like Cuba, Haiti, Venezuela and Nicaragua, who participate in DHS parole programs, can use the CBP One app to request permission to fly into the U.S., Rep. Clay Higgins, R-La., said Thursday. 'CBP One was created to reduce wait times for perishable commercial goods passing through these ports of entry for legal trade. But the Mayorkas DHS has repurposed the CBP One app.' 'Most of these aliens are paroled and released into the United States. And in most cases we really don't know who they are.' 'This is an abuse of parole by design.' A killer mother who murdered her little boy after scalding and beating him with a bamboo cane 'because the Bible told her to' had also claimed she wanted 10 children. Christina Robinson, 30, was today found guilty of murder at Newcastle Crown Court after carrying out months of violence she claimed the Bible told her to inflict. Robinson lost her temper and violently shook her son Dwelaniyah at the home in Ushaw Moor, Durham, in November 2022. The defendant, originally from Tamworth in Staffordshire, has today been convicted of murder and four child cruelty charges. The jury found that Robinson did cause a fatal brain injury to her son on November 5 2022 while she was the only adult in the house. Christina Robinson (pictured) has been found guilty of murdering her son Dwelaniyah, three She previously scalded her son Dwelaniyah (pictured) and beat him with a bamboo cane The court heard that faced with the reality that three-year-old Dwelaniyah was dying, she calmly lied to the emergency services about what she had done to him. READ MORE: Mother accused of murdering her three-year-old son sacks her legal team a day after finishing giving evidence Advertisement For weeks the toddler had been in agony from burns Robinson deliberately inflicted, and, when he could not get to the toilet, he was punished again for soiling himself, jurors at Newcastle Crown Court heard. The former fitness instructor, who previously lived in Bulgaria for seven years, working as a hairdresser, shared her eye-opening views on parenting and discipline in a voice note to her lover - a man she was seeing while her husband was away serving in the RAF. Police retrieved the message Robinson sent to Chisom Innocent Onoja which said that typically one parent is stricter than the other, but that her husband was not there. 'I have been both father and mother this whole time,' she told him. 'I have to split myself, I have to be really, really hard, but then I am the loving, caring one at the same time.' She said that, when children get older, it becomes the role of the father 'to do the ass-kicking'. She then said Dwelaniyah was going to get 'his ass kicked' for spilling her medication on the floor. Robinson, a member of the extremist Black Hebrew Israelite religion, admitted hitting the little boy with a bamboo cane but insisted she was following a Bible scripture which advised the use of the rod for the 'correction' of children. She told the court her reason to use the cane was that the youngster was messing around with his food. Robinson, seen here being interviewed by police talked about the Bible encouraging the use of the rod for discipline when asked whether she beat her son Robinson told her trial she used the bamboo cane (pictured) to hit Dwelaniyah because he was messing around with his food In the weeks before Dwelaniyah's death, she had deliberately immersed him in scalding water, causing severe burns that would have caused excruciating pain. She treated his injuries herself and did not seek medical help as safeguarding concerns would have been obvious if a health worker saw him. It was more than 20 minutes before she dialled 999, first speaking to her husband on the phone despite him being away serving with the RAF 240 miles away, and then using Google to look at how to resuscitate a child. Her chilling 999 phone call was played during the trial, in which she could be heard telling an operator she did not think her son was breathing. She was recorded saying: 'He's only three. He's not breathing. He was eating and then his eyes just went all weird and then... I've been doing CPR for about five minutes.' When the emergency services arrived, Robinson appeared calm as she explained her version of events to a police officer while medics worked desperately on Dwelaniyah. Despite their efforts at the scene Dwelaniyah could not be saved and probably died at the house, although further attempts to resuscitate him were made in hospital. A post-mortem examination revealed he had been the victim of a series of assaults and had sustained a number of non-accidental injuries. When interviewed by police, in footage released today after the verdict, Robinson told officers her son often had problems chewing his food. She said of the day he died: He had a brown wholemeal cob with grated cheese. I didn't see it straight away but I did see out of the corner of my eye his head had dropped. 'I could hear the sound of when you're drowning and trying to gasp for air.' Richard Wright, prosecuting, told the trial in his closing speech: 'Somebody had been deliberately hurting this little boy and had been doing so over a period of time. That person was his mother, the defendant Christina Robinson.' 'He was subjected to a campaign of violence and cruelty by his mother for petty wrongs.' Her husband, Dwelaniyah's father Gabriel Adu-Appau was away from the family home when his son was repeatedly injured and did not play any role in the trial. Robinson, who was representing herself after sacking her legal team, was also found guilty at Newcastle Crown Court of four child cruelty charges Pictured: Detectives search Robinson's home in Ushaw Moor, County Durham His wife was using a sperm donor to try to conceive and, in October 2022, had also made contact with a man named Chisom Innocent Onoja using a dating app. When she became pregnant, Robinson was in regular contact with health professionals, although she was not willing to get treatment for her son's injuries. The former fitness instructor shared her eye-opening views on parenting and discipline in a voice note to her lover - a man she was seeing while her husband was away serving in the RAF. Police retrieved the message Robinson sent to Chisom Innocent Onoja which said that typically one parent is stricter than the other, but that her husband was not there. She told him: I have been both father and mother this whole time. I have to split myself, I have to be really, really hard, but then I am the loving, caring one at the same time. She said that, when children get older, it becomes the role of the father 'to do the ass-kicking and then that Dwelaniyah was going to get 'his ass kicked' for spilling her medication on the floor. Robinson, who told the court she wanted 'double figures' children and had looked into becoming a surrogate mother for a friend, said listening to a religious lesson online led her to beat Dwelaniyah with a cane as a 'correction' for messing about with his food. She said she had since realised she was 'misguided' about how to follow the teachings. She said: 'I have had the opportunity to get into the Bible more and understand and get to know God more - my relationship with Him is great. Looking back I can see how much of a babe I was then - like a beginner.' Robinson also claimed not to have realised she was wrong to leave Dwelaniyah at home alone with another boy while she went out shopping or to pick up Mr Onoja from the railway station, leaving the children at risk of fire, accident or a break-in. The judge Mr Justice Garnham said this afternoon he would sentence Robinson on May 24. He raised concerns that she no longer had legal representation, after she sacked her barristers and lawyers towards the end of the trial. He told her: 'As a result I'm not going to sentence you today. The question arises as to when I should sentence you. Are you willing to or intending to obtain legal assistance for that stage of the process?' After she replied, 'I can consider it', Mr Justice Garnham added: 'I advise you in the strongest possible terms to consider it very carefully.' The judge also thanked the jury, some of whom were visibly upset, for their 'obvious care and attention', and excused them from further service for 20 years. He told them: 'I know from looking at you, this has been a stressful process, you need to get away and do something else, and think about something more cheerful. 'I am extremely grateful for all you have done.' Detective Chief Insp Simon Turner, senior investigating officer at Durham Constabulary, said after the verdict that Robinson had come up with a 'web of lies' to cover up her unnecessary violence. He said: 'A child's life is precious. Dwelaniyah Robinson had his life sadly taken from him, at just three years of age, having been beaten and abused at the hands of his own mother. 'She tragically subjected him to repeated lashings with a cane, and submerged him in scalding hot water, resulting in nearly 20 per cent burns. Pictured: Forensics at the scene where Dwelaniyah was found 'covered in minor injuries' which Robinson claimed were caused by her son bumping into furniture in the family home Robinson, pictured being interviewed by police after her arrest, will be sentenced on May 24 Police revealed the bamboo cane used by Robinson to beat her son Dwelaniyah 'Even after this horrific abuse she failed to seek treatment, leaving him in significant pain. Just weeks later whilst still suffering, he was then subject to a fatal head injury. 'Christina Robinson lied from the outset, and I am pleased the jury has seen through her lies and convicted her today. 'This has been a truly horrific case, that has affected everyone involved. I would like to thank our investigation team for their dedication and commitment to get justice for Dwelaniyah. 'My thoughts are with those who truly cared about Dwelaniyah. Sadly, nothing can bring him back, but hopefully today's verdict will provide some closure and allow them to grieve.' For a piece of legislation intended to dissuade hatred, the Hate Crime Act sure has a lot of people at each other's throats. Douglas Ross was fit to be tied that Police Scotland's officers were only receiving two hours of online training ahead of the law coming into force on April Fool's Day. (Sometimes the jokes just write themselves.) Humza Yousaf, architect of the Act, complained that 'a lot of disinformation about the Hate Crime Act has been spread on social media, in inaccurate media reporting and by our political opponents'. It's not the Scottish Government that's wrong about the law's likely impact, it's everyone writing, researching and analysing it. Sneer: Mr Yousaf had venom in his tone The First Minister's voice hinted at his displeasure with these people. Not to worry, Humza. After April 1, you can probably have them locked up. Yousaf took the wind out of Ross's sails by quoting supportive comments about the law from Adam Tomkins, the former Tory MSP who teaches law at Glasgow University. Ross returned serve by quoting critical remarks from Alistair Bonnington, who used to teach law at Glasgow University. Things have changed since I was at Glasgow. Back then the fiercest argument was whether to get smashed at Jim's Bar (better music) or the Beer Bar (better ale). Mr Bonnington's regular interventions on misguided SNP policy are very welcome, though he did teach law to Nicola Sturgeon, so perhaps they should be taken as a form of penance. The First Minister's fury was rising. The Tories, he thundered, had 'actively created the conditions for hatred and division to thrive in our society'. It was the party of 'go-home vans', of 'the hostile environment', of Windrush, and of Boris Johnson, who had insulted Muslim women. It was a party that 'indulges in Islamophobic smears', citing Suella Braverman and Lee Anderson as examples. The more he denounced the hate-mongering Tories, over the Presiding Officer's attempts to rein him in, the more venomous the First Minister's tone grew, until he was spitting out every word like battery acid. Uh oh, someone let the Hate Monster in. That's something we're not supposed to do anymore. Unfortunately, Police Scotland didn't get the memo. Their awareness campaign pins the blame for hate crimes on 'young men aged 18-30' who have 'feelings of being socially and economically disadvantaged combined with ideas about white-male entitlement'. Police Scotland haven't just let the Hate Monster in, they've commissioned him to do some racial profiling. Ivan McKee, a sensible sort who perhaps joined the SNP after losing a bet, complained that Police Scotland's website 'explicitly stereotypes young working-class men from constituencies like mine'. He warned that 'publicly demonising that disadvantaged group' wasn't helpful. Yousaf agreed. It was 'exceptionally important that there is no stigmatisation of any communities whatsoever'. After all, the point of the Act was 'to ensure a more cohesive society, as opposed to one that pits one community against another'. Which only goes to prove you can pass an entire Bill without ever reading it. The First Minister was getting it in the neck from all sides. Labour lefty Pauline McNeill raised concerns the legislation would be 'used maliciously to silence legitimate opinion', thus 'criminalising innocent people and further stretching police resources'. Yousaf trotted out a familiar formulation: 'I know that Pauline McNeill takes the issue of tackling hatred very seriously.' He says this a lot in that patronising sneer. The implication is that, while your views are trash in the First Minister's eyes, he kindly recognises that you hold them in good faith. You could travel the length of this great little country and encounter not one person who gives two hoots what a dangerously over-promoted midwit like Humza Yousaf thinks about their views or their intentions. May that ever be the case. The chief executive of Korean automaker KG Mobility, formerly known as Ssangyong Motor, has offered to resign over embezzlement allegations, an industry source said Thursday. According to the source, CEO Jeong Yong-won tendered his resignation after police conducted a search and seizure on the company's headquarters in Pyeongtaek, south of Seoul, on Tuesday in connection with four company individuals, including Jeong, under suspicion. Jeong has expressed his intention to oversee ongoing internal projects, such as new vehicle model developments, to their end until leaving the company. A KG Mobility official said Jeong's position will be determined after the police investigation is concluded. (Yonhap) 'Even if the allegations in the affidavit are true, they dont begin to justify what happened,' his family said in the statement this evening The search warrant reveals that he was suspected of illegally trading firearms, six of which were later used in crimes The director of the Bill and Hillary Clinton Airport in Arkansas was being investigated for illegal gun dealing when he was fatally injured in a shootout with federal agents serving a search warrant at his home. Bryan Malinowski, 53, died in the hospital at noon on Thursday, two days after the confrontation with ATF agents at his home in west Little Rock. The search warrant revealed that he was suspected of trading more than 150 firearms between May 2021 and February of this year, six of which were later used in crimes, and one of which ended up with a 15-year-old gang member in California. 'Even if the allegations in the affidavit are true, they dont begin to justify what happened,' his family said in the statement this evening. 'At worst, Bryan Malinowski, a gun owner and gun enthusiast, stood accused of making private firearm sales to a person who may not have been legally entitled to purchase the guns.' Bryan Malinowski died on Thursday after was shot by ATF agents at his home in west Little Rock on Tuesday Malinowski was shot by ATF agents at his home in west Little Rock on Tuesday when agents were trying to serve a warrant and someone inside the home opened fire His brother, Matthew Malinowski, said he thinks agents were searching the home because he 'bought something he shouldn't have' The investigation began in November 2023 when authorities in Canada were tipped off by an informer about guns coming unlawfully into circulation. Malinowski would allegedly buy the guns legally online, declaring they were for personal use, and acknowledging that the 'repetitive purchase of firearms' for onward sale is illegal without a license. But he was seen selling them at gun shows without asking for any ID or paperwork, telling one undercover agent that none was needed for private sales. The ATF said that someone inside Malinowski's home opened fire when they arrived on Tuesday and that in the ensuing shootout, Malinowski reportedly sustained a gunshot wound to the head. Speaking to Fox News, his brother Matthew Malinowski said that doctors did not expect him to survive. 'It's all speculation at this point. I got a feeling that he bought something he shouldn't have. That's the only thing I can think of,' he added. Matthew also told NBC that agents 'broke down his door' leaving his brother no choice but to 'defend himself'. He added: 'There's something fishy here. The ATF went after him in the worst possible way. 'There's no reason why they couldn't have arrested him at work at the airport. Something stinks to high hell.' Matthew said it seemed odd that his brother could be entangled with the law, noting that he was well connected, earned more than $250,000 a year, lived in a nice suburb and had collections of guns and coins. Malinowski joined Clinton National in 2008 as director of properties, planning and development before being promoted to deputy director in 2009 Malinowski is seen here on the right alongside Pete Buttigieg, the Secretary of Transportation, during a visit to Clinton National Airport last March An ATF agent, whose identity was not released, also was shot in the exchange of gunfire but suffered a non-life-threatening wound, officials said. The agent, too, was taken to an area hospital for treatment. Around 2:35 pm on Tuesday, Little Rock firefighters carrying a power saw and a Halligan tool - a large prybar - were seen walking toward the house. Shea De Bruyn, a neighbor, told KARK that she was woken up on Tuesday by loud bangs. De Bruyn told the outlet: 'My heart was racing, and the dogs were barking. I'm just really curious as to what was going on just a few houses down.' An ATF agent was overheard saying they were at the scene to help agents open a safe in Malinowskis house, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported. Malinowski joined Clinton National in 2008 as director of properties, planning and development before being promoted to deputy director in 2009. He took over as executive director in 2019. Bill Walker, chair of the Little Rock Municipal Airport Commission, noted that under Malinowski's leadership the airport saw 'significant growth and success' and offered condolences to Malinowskis family. 'Bryan was a 16-year employee of the airport,' Walker said in the statement announcing his death. 'Under his leadership, our airport has experienced significant growth and success, expanding services and offerings to our community and state. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Bryans wife, Maer, loved ones and friends.' Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday a major military operation by Israel in Gaza's southernmost city of Rafah would be 'a mistake,' adding that a truce agreement was 'possible.' Blinken said 'gaps are narrowing' in ongoing ceasefire and hostage release talks in Qatar, where the head of Israel's spy agency was due to meet his American and Egyptian counterparts Friday. 'It's difficult to get there, but I believe it is still possible,' Blinken said in a joint press conference with his Egyptian counterpart in Cairo. Blinken also said there is 'a better way to deal with the ongoing threat posed by Hamas' than Israel's plans for a major military operation in Rafah. He said the ground offensive would be 'unnecessary' and that 'there is no place for the civilians amassed in Rafah to get out of harm's way.' Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday during a press conference in Cairo that a major military operation by Israel in Gaza's southernmost city of Rafah would be 'a mistake,' adding that a truce agreement was 'possible' Smoke billows after an Israeli bombardment on Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on Thursday. Blinken said Thursday that a ground offensive would be 'unnecessary' and that 'there is no place for the civilians amassed in Rafah to get out of harm's way' Palestinian woman Shaima Qarmout, who suffers from burns caused by an Israeli strike, receives treatment provided by Doctors Without Borders at a hospital in Rafah on Wednesday as ceasefire talks carry on 'There is a false choice involved here ... Hamas can be effectively dealt with without a major ground operation in Rafah,' Blinken continued. Global concern has surged over a looming Israeli ground offensive on Rafah, where 1.5 million mostly displaced Palestinians are sheltering, hemmed in by the Egyptian border. In the U.S., President Joe Biden has been hounded by protesters who believe he hasn't done enough for the civilian population in Gaza, with Democratic voters in a number of states picking 'uncommitted' over the sitting president as a way to send a message. During his trip to Texas Thursday, Biden's hotel in Dallas was surrounded by protesters beating drums and clanging cow bells chanting, 'If we dont get justice, you dont get no sleep.' When Biden traveled to Houston Thursday for a fundraiser he received a similar greeting, with protesters gathered in the rain holding signs that said 'ceasefire' and 'Free Palestine.' Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry echoed Blinken's call for a 'ceasefire and release of hostages and detainees' and an urgent 'intensifying of aid operations in light of an unprecedented situation'. The United Nations has repeatedly warned of imminent famine facing 2.4 million people in the besieged Palestinian territory, where over five months of war have largely destroyed civilian infrastructure and left most of the population displaced. Protesters outside of President Biden's hotel in Dallas Protesters outside Biden's fundraiser in Houston The bloodiest ever Gaza war broke out on October 7 after Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on Israel, resulting in about 1,160 deaths, according to an AFP tally of official figures. Militants also seized about 250 hostages, of whom Israel believes 130 remain in Gaza, including 33 who are presumed dead. Israel's retaliatory military campaign in Hamas-ruled Gaza has killed nearly 32,000 people, mostly women and children, according to the territory's health ministry. 'Israel must not carry out any military operation in Rafah, to avoid even more civilian victims and displacement,' Shoukry said, reiterating Cairo's previous warnings against the forced displacement of Palestinians. Blinken and Shoukry had earlier on Thursday held meetings with government ministers from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates, as well as a representative of the Palestinian Authority, which governs the occupied West Bank. In a joint statement, the Arab ministers called for 'a comprehensive and immediate ceasefire' and the 'opening of all crossings between Israel and the Gaza Strip.' Blinken also confirmed the United States had circulated a draft UN resolution calling for an 'immediate' ceasefire in Gaza, after months of Security Council vetoes objecting to the phrasing. A version of the resolution seen by AFP stressed 'the need for an immediate and durable ceasefire' to protect civilians and allow aid into the territory. Blinken stressed any immediate truce must be linked to the release of hostages taken by Palestinian militants during the October 7 attack. He would be the first Muslim American on a federal appeals court Republicans have gone after his associations with a prison rights group President Joe Biden's pick to be the first Muslim American to sit on the U.S. Court of Appeals was in jeopardy Thursday after Joe Manchin became the second Democrat to announce his opposition amid accusations about his associations. Manchin, a retiring Democrat who has bucked the White House on key policy issues, joins Sen. Catherine Cortez-Masto (D-Nev.), who raised concerns about Adeel Mangi, President Biden's nominee to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals in a statement this week. Without their support, Democrats are unable to muster a simple majority in the 51-49 Senate without finding Republican support for their nominee. Republicans hammered the nominee in committee for his role advising the Rutgers Universitys Center for Security, Race and Rights, amid charges the group brought anti Semitic speakers to campus amid a clash over Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza. Cortez Masto, in a statement, has raised questions about his involvement with the prison rights group Alliance for Families for Justice, calling it 'deeply concerning.' Adeel Abdullah Mangi has been nominated by President Biden to a seat on the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. He faces GOP opposition and now two Democrats have said they won't support him 'This organization has sponsored a fellowship in the name of Kathy Boudin, a member of the domestic terrorist organization Weather Underground, and advocated for the release of individuals convicted of killing police officers. I cannot support this nominee,' she said in a statement. The White House has accused opponents of resorting to Islamophobia to block what would be a historic appointment if confirmed by the Senate. White House spokesman Andrew Bates blasted Republican-backed resistance to Mangi, whose nomination was reported out by the Senate Judiciary Committee on a party line 11-10 vote. 'President Biden is proud to have nominated Adeel Mangi, whose extraordinary qualifications and integrity are gaining him new backing each day including from the 7th law enforcement organization to endorse his confirmation, as well as retired circuit Judge Timothy Lewis, who was appointed by President George H.W. Bush,' said Bates. 'Mr. Mangi, who has lived the American Dream and proven his integrity, is being targeted by a malicious and debunked smear campaign solely because he would make history as the first Muslim to serve as a federal appellate judge,' Bates continued in a statement. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, a key architect of the strategy that secured a 6-3 conservative majority on the Supreme Court and placed other conservatives in Article III courts, pushed back at the criticism. President Biden has bragged about confirming 175 judges to the federal bench, and now must decide whether to keep pushing for Mangi's confirmation. One idea that has been floated is to try to move the nomination after the election Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) announced he isn't backing the nominee Sen. Cahtering Cortez Masto (D-NV) has raised questions about his involvement with the group Alliance for Families for Justice, calling it 'deeply concerning.' Mangi, a litigator, would be the first Muslim American on the Court of Appeals 'How insulting. What self-respecting attorney wants to hear that a President cares more about their demographic tick-boxes than their lifes work?' he said in a Senate floor speech. 'Besides, in the case of Mr. Mangi, Senate Republicans opposition has nothing to do with his Muslim faith. Rather, it has everything to do with his longstanding sympathy for, and association with, some of the most radical elements in society,' he said. The pressure comes at a sensitive time for Biden. He faced an energetic campaign in the Michigan primary by Arab American and Muslim voters determined to back 'uncommitted' in protest of his policies on Israel's war in Gaza. Pulling the nomination in the face of opposition could pose political challenges at a time when Biden is being accused of failing to sufficiently stand up to Israel over its prosecution of the war. In February, his White House blasted out a statement proclaiming the confirmation of 175 federal judges to the bench. The current campaign is illustrating the importance of federal judges, with key decisions on immigration and abortion rippling across the country and the Supreme Court making crucial decisions impacting whether former President Donald Trump can face trial this year. Manchin told reporters he intends to back judges who get at least the support of one Republican in the Senate, something Mangi does not appear to have now. 'I dont think he has any bipartisan support, and Ive just come to the conclusion Im not going to continue to go down this path. I believe so strongly in bipartisanship, I believe so strongly in preserving the filibuster, and here we go down this path, lifetime appointments I just say, enoughs enough,' he said, NBC reported. Mangi is a litigator and a partner in a New York law firm who has tried cases involving religious freedom, LGBT rights, and the case of a mentally ill African American inmate. His nomination got a 'well qualified' rating from the American Bar Association. The Alliance of Families for Justice says it advocates for 'ending the abuses of human rights behind bars and halting the era of mass criminalization.' The Senate majority whip, Richard Durbin of Illinois, has called him 'extraordinary.' Some vulnerable Democrats are on the fence, while groups including the ACLU and the Anti-Defamation League are supporting him. A train service made famous by Harry Potter has been suspended amid a health and safety row over its use of 1950s doors on its carriages. The Jacobite train - popularly known as the Hogwarts Express - has stopped its services with immediate effect while it waits a verdict on whether it can continue to use hinged-door carriages. West Coast Railways (WCR), which operates the service in the Scottish Highlands, has previously run it with an exemption from the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), as these types of doors are not usually allowed. However, it lost a High Court challenge against the ORR over the safety of doors on its carriages in December after claiming it would cost too much to replace them. Now the firm, which says the suspension of the service could cost the British tourism sector 50million, is waiting to see if a last gasp plea for another exemptions from the ORR has been successful. The Jacobite train, which goes over the famous Glenfinnan Railway Viaduct (pictured), has had its services suspended in a health and safety row The train, which runs through the Scottish Highlands, has stopped which its operator asks for an exemption to keep slam doors which have been in use since the 1950s The train, which was immortalised on screen in JK Rowling's fantasy series, is supremely popular with tourists, who ride it from Fort William to Mallaig, including over the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct. WCR, which is the UK's largest main line heritage rail operator, has operated it for more than 30 years under an exemption that allows it to run with hinged-door carriages on the main lines, which is typically not allowed. WCR has submitted an application to renew the exemption, and made a request for a temporary exemption to operate while the ORR makes its decision. WCR lost a High Court challenge against the ORR over the safety of doors on its carriages in December. The company had complained that the multimillion-pound cost of having to retrofit central locking could 'destroy' its business and it argued its door systems were just as safe. As it owns 60 per cent of Britain's heritage trains, WCR feared that this rule could wipe them out and force them off the UK main line. But a judge dismissed the operator's case and concluded the ORR had taken a 'justifiable' approach. Speaking about the suspension, James Shuttleworth, commercial manager at WCR, said: 'We are disappointed to have to suspend this service and we are sorry for the inconvenience caused to our customers who have booked trips. 'We again appeal to the ORR to reconsider our request for a temporary exemption. 'The Jacobite service is enjoyed by thousands of customers every year. It boosts the local economies of Mallaig and Fort William and brings an estimated 20 million into the UK's tourism sector. 'If the ORR does not grant us a further exemption, we believe this could lead to up to 50 million in lost value to both local and national communities. 'We remain committed to working with the ORR to find a long-term solution which safeguards the future of heritage services on the main line.' The train was immortalised in the Harry Potter series as the Hogwarts Express (pictured) The train is very popular with tourists, who ride it from Mallaig to Fort William in the Scottish Highlands In a statement issued online, WCR added that it is 'completely beyond our control' when the service will restart. 'The vintage carriages that we use on the Jacobite Steam Train trip require a central door locking exemption certificate in order to run on the mainline railway network. 'In past years this has been automatically granted, however this year that has not been the case and a more detailed application has had to be submitted. READ MORE HERE: Train used as iconic 'Hogwarts Express' in Harry Potter movies has services cancelled after safety concerns Advertisement 'West Coast Railways the operators of the Jacobite applied to the governing body of the railways, the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), for a short-term exemption certificate whilst awaiting the full application consideration. 'The ORR have refused to issue this and will consider the full proposal but are unsure as to how long this will take. 'Due to this, we are unable to run our Jacobite service until the exemption certificate is granted. 'Please accept our sincere apologies for this possible disruption in our service, however the timing of when we will be able to resume our service is completely beyond our control.' Passengers with bookings for the Jacobite will be offered a full refund. An ORR spokesperson said heritage operators, including WCR were told 'several years ago' that in order to operate after March 31, 2023, they must either have central door locking, as opposed to hinged-door carriages, or would need an exemption. The spokesperson said: 'WCR's application for an exemption failed and they made a claim for judicial review. The Office of Rail and Road is considering whether to grant West Coast Railways an exemption to allow them to keep using the same types of carriages and doors It comes amid health and safety fears over passengers potentially being able to open doors while the train is still moving 'A temporary exemption was granted in order to maintain the status quo, enabling WCR to operate whilst the litigation reached a conclusion. 'Despite this, WCR chose to sell tickets when it was far from certain that a new application for an exemption would be granted, either in time for the commencement of services or at all. READ MORE HERE: All aboard the Hogwarts Express! Harry Potter fans campaign to save real-life station that doubled as Hogsmeade in the boy wizard movies Advertisement 'It submitted an exemption application on 8 March, which we are now assessing. 'ORR is disappointed that WCR appears not to have made sensible contingency plans for the benefit of their customers.' This comes after a clampdown on older carriages, amid fears that younger passengers are unfamiliar with them. There have also been cases where train doors have been unlocked when the locomotive was in motion. The Severn Valley Railway's health and safety manager, Richard Morris, said 'There have been some events where the Great Western carriage doors have been found to be open on arrival at stations or mid-section (while train is moving). 'Lack of awareness from a younger demographic of visitor and ever increasing pressure from the rail regulator means the railway has to be proactive.' Some heritage trains still use old-fashioned bolt systems above each door in the carriage. The Hogwarts Express service was temporarily suspended over summer after a safety examination raised concerns about secondary door locks. Passengers were 'at risk' of falling from their carriages or being hit whilst leaning out of their windows, according to the ORR. New York Democrat Rep. Ritchie Torres blamed 'homophobic' Republicans for a provision in the new must-pass spending legislation that bans flying LGBTQ pride flags above U.S. embassies. 'That's the latest manifestation of the homophobia Republican Party,' Torres, who is gay and chairs the Congressional Equality Caucus, told DailyMail.com. The provision only allows for flying U.S. flags above embassies, meaning flags for celebrations such as Pride month would not be allowed. 'Republican Party loves nothing more than to demagogue at the expense of LGBTQ Americans.' Still, he said he would vote for the $1.2 trillion deal that would fund six agencies of government. 'I support funding the federal government. So we are we're held hostage by the extremism of the Republican Party.' New York Democrat Rep. Ritchie Torres blamed 'homophobic' Republicans for a provision in the new must-pass spending legislation that bans flying LGBTQ pride flags above U.S. embassies The provision only allows for flying U.S. flags above embassies, meaning flags for celebrations such as Pride month would not be allowed. JUNE 25, 2020: The US national flag and an LGBT pride flag on the front facade of the US Embassy in Moscow The spending bill is expected to pass the House on Friday, before a government shutdown could kick in at 11:59 p.m. House Republican leadership has touted a number of conservative policy wins in the deal they brokered with Democratic leadership. But while right-wing Republicans have come out swinging against the bill, most Democrats have either said they'll vote for the bill or haven't yet decided. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., told DailyMail.com she'll vote against the deal, citing a ban on funding to UNRWA, a UN agency for Palestinian relief, for the year. The deal also slashes funding to a UN agency that investigates Israel's alleged war crimes. Israel accused 12 of UNRWA's 30,000 employees of taking part in the October 7 attack. They accused another 190 employees of being Hamas or Islamic Jihad operatives. Rep. Maxwell Frost, D-Fla., said he's undecided on how we'll vote, but listed off a slew of complaints about policy riders in the bill. 'The LBGTQ+ flag ban, I think that's a step backwards,' he told DailyMail.com. 'The UNRWA hold on funds for a year, I think is very devastating,' he added. 'People don't understand what the organization does.' 'They're just, you know, handing out bread, which is really important, but they're the infrastructure for every other organization. So you could have $50 billion in Gaza aid ready to go without UNRWA, it's not going to get in there.' Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , D-N.Y., told DailyMail.com she'll vote against the deal, citing a ban on funding to UNRWA, a UN agency for Palestinian relief, for the year Palestinians flee by walking following the Israeli army's attacks on Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, Gaza on March 21, 2024 'We've seen some, you know, good things on housing. NIH money for gun violence prevention to that something that lifted up my spirits a little bit,' he added. The bill includes $12.5 million into the Center for Disease Control and another $12.5 million into the National Institute of Health for firearm injury prevention research. Rep. Greg Casar, D-Texas, co-chair of the Progressive Caucus, said of the flag ban: 'It shows just how low the Republican Party has gotten that they've threatened to shut down government services over trying to figure out which flags can be floated in front of which buildings or not.' Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., a chair of the Democratic Caucus and an appropriator, said the flag ban was a small price to pay compared to many of the policy proposals conservatives had wanted in the bill. 'In the grand scheme of crazy policy riders that Republicans were advocating, attacking women's reproductive freedom, I think the [Appropriations] committee staff did an amazing job pushing back against all of that. The package ramps up investment at the border amid the historic migrant crisis and increases defense spending modestly by three percent. It also prevents the Consumer Product Safety Commission from banning gas stoves and maintains the Hyde Amendment, which bans federal funding to be used for abortions. Some $20 billion will be cut from the IRS and another $6 billion in funds for Covid relief will be clawed back. For the border, there is $19.6 billion for Customs and Border Protection, a $3.2 billion increase above fiscal year 2023. There is also $495 million for additional Border Patrol agents, which the Biden administration has called for, but no funds for the wall. The money will be used to pay 22,000 border agents. Immigrant detention beds would be boosted from 34,000 to 42,000 at migrant facilities across the country and funding for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) will be cut by 20 percent. Foreign aid generally will be cut by six percent. For the military, there is a 5.2 percent pay increase for service members. Funding for most defense agencies would remain at current spending levels. Some $20 billion will be cut from the IRS and another $6 billion in funds for Covid relief will be clawed back. In the defense appropriations portion of the bill there is $500 million for Israel's defense programs, funding the Iron Dome, David's Sling and Arrow. The defense bill also bans any funding for the Wuhan Institute of Virology and EcoHealth Alliance, believed to be Covid-19's place of origin. Another $3.3 billion will go to Israel under the State-Foreign Operations section of the bill, with new conditions on any assistance to Gaza and stipulations to prevent the money from being used to move the Israeli embassy out of Jerusalem or to implement an Iran nuclear deal. Democrats have celebrated a list of investments in the package including a $1 billion jump in childcare, boosts for cancer and Alzheimer's research and the addition of 12,000 Special Immigrant Visas for Afghan refugees who fled the Taliban during the U.S. withdrawal. They can also tout a one-year extension of international HIV /AIDS prevention efforts under a program known as PEPFAR. Ultra-conservatives are fighting mad that the 1,000 page bill was released at 3 a.m. on Thursday and they likely won't get three days to read it in following with the 72-hour rule. They called out the bill's $200 million for a new FBI headquarters and $300 million that goes toward the Ukrainian Assistance Initiative. The pair were recaptured at 2pm this afternoon in Twin Falls and police fear they may have committed two murders in their hours on the run Two white supremacists have been recaptured and are being investigated for two murders carried out within hours of them escaping custody on Wednesday morning. Three correction officers were shot when a gunman burst into St Alphonse hospital in Boise, Idaho, this morning and freed prisoner Skylar Meade, 31, who was being treated under guard. The pair fled but Meade was arrested alongside Nicholas Umphenour after a car chase at 2pm on Thursday afternoon in Twin Falls, Idaho. Boise Police Department said it is now investigating two separate homicides, one in Nez Perce County and another in Clearwater County potentially connected to the pair, who are both members of the Aryan Knights. Officers said pair had ditched their get away vehicle and were driving a vehicle that belonged to one of the homicide victims, and that handcuffs worn by Meade when he escaped were found at the scene of one of the killings. The gunman opened fire on prisoner officers who had taken Skylar Meade, seen here, to St Alphonse hospital in Boise, Idaho, for treatment early on Wednesday morning Nicholas Umphenour was arrested alongside Meade and charged with assisting his escape Meade 'engaged in self-injurious behavior' on Tuesday night, and prison medical staff determined he needed to be taken to hospital for treatment, Idaho State Police said 'What we know, with near certainty, this was not an accident,' said Josh Tewalt of the Corrections Department. 'This was a planned event. And were channeling every resource we have into trying to understand exactly how they went about planning it.' As prison staff were preparing to return Meade to jail early Wednesday morning, a suspect began shooting at officers, striking two of them. Boise police responded to the incident and one officer fired at an armed person near the entrance, who was later determined to be a corrections officer. One officer is in a critical but stable condition, another has serious but non-life-threatening injuries and the third was not seriously injured when mistakenly shot by an arriving Boise police officer, a spokesperson said. According to Boise police, a preliminary investigation indicates that Meade made his escape in a grey four-door sedan and fled the area just before officers arrived. Idaho State Police said that vehicle, a 2020 Honda Civic, was later found near Leland, Idaho, south of Kendrick. Meade has been serving time in prison for aggravated battery on a Twin Falls officer and was convicted in 2016 and was set to be released in 2036, according to KMVT. He 'engaged in self-injurious behavior' on Tuesday night, and prison medical staff determined he needed to be taken to hospital for treatment, Idaho State Police said. He has has prior convictions including felony possession of a controlled substance, grand theft, and introduction of contraband into a correctional facility. He has been incarcerated since October 2016 and his most recent sentence was set to end October 2036. Umphenour was imprisoned from December 2020 to January 2024 at the same Idaho Max Security institution in which Meade was serving his sentence, at times sharing the same housing unit, Tewalt said. Chief Ron Winegar said in a statement: 'This brazen, violent, and apparently coordinated attack on Idaho Department of Corrections personnel, to facilitate an escape of a dangerous inmate, was carried out right in front of the Emergency Department, where people come for medical help, often in the direst circumstances. 'When BPD officers responded, they believed the shooter was inside the Emergency Department. Officers from Boise Police Department told a press conference this afternoon they fear the white supremacists may have committed two murders in their hours on the run A Saint Alphonsus spokesperson said the shooting happened in the ambulance bay by its emergency department A police vehicle is parked outside Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise, Idaho, on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 This photo provided by Idaho Department of Corrections shows Skylar Mead in a prison mugshot The 2020 Honda Civic, in which the pair escaped was later found near Leland, Idaho, south of Kendrick 'They immediately entered to address any potential continued threat to Emergency Room staff. 'I am grateful this harrowing incident did not result in loss of life, and we are monitoring the wounded IDOC officers with great hope for a full and speedy recovery of all involved. 'They are armed, dangerous, and have shown they are willing to use extreme violence in furtherance of their criminal activity.' A Saint Alphonsus spokesperson said the shooting happened in the ambulance bay by its emergency department. 'All patients and staff are safe, the medical center campus is safe and secure, and has resumed normal operations. 'The Emergency Department itself is currently under temporary lockdown while the Boise Police Department completes the investigation,' Leticia Ramirez said. She said as an added precaution 'we have increased security on campus, all entrances to the hospital will be closed' and monitored by hospital security until further notice. Humza Yousaf was yesterday warned that new hate crime legislation is a disaster in the making and will be a shambles from day one. The Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act, passed by MSPs in 2021, creates a new offence of stirring up hatred based on protected characteristics matching a similar offence involving race that is already on the statute books. The law, which consolidates other hate crime regulations, will come into force on April 1 but it has sparked controversy, particularly around the potential impact on free speech. Humza Yousaf was warned that new hate crime legislation is a disaster in the making At First Ministers Questions yesterday, Mr Yousaf said a lot of disinformation had been spread about the Act. But Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross said his party opposed the legislation at the time and still oppose it now because of the impact it has on free speech for people across this country. Mr Ross added: Officers have had just a few hours training for a very complex and controversial law. Officers are being told not to investigate actual crimes, but instead they will have to look for the Hate Monster and police free speech. Criminals will be let off, while innocent people are prosecuted. Humza Yousaf is setting the police up for failure and undermining public trust in policing. He is putting frontline officers in an impossible position by forcing them to police free speech. Huge numbers of the public could be monitored by the police, or even criminalised, when they have done nothing wrong. Humza Yousaf introduced this unworkable and dangerous law when he was justice secretary. Now hes bringing it into force as First Minister. This is a disaster in the making. It criminalises free speech. It risks a fundamental right. It is overreach by the SNP into peoples homes. Its set to be a shambles from day one. Humza Yousaf has created another bad SNP law that will quickly descend into chaos. Under the law, offences are considered aggravated if they involve prejudice on the basis of age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, transgender identity or variation in sex characteristics. The stirring up hatred offence which previously applied only to race will extend to private homes, meaning dinner party conversations could be criminalised. Mr Yousaf claimed there was a triple lock in the Act to preserve freedom of expression including an explicit clause, a defence for the accuseds behaviour being reasonable and the Act being compatible with the European Convention on Human Rights. He told MSPs: There has been a lot of disinformation that has been spread on social media and some inaccurate media reporting, and indeed by our political opponents, so Im hoping in this exchange we can shed more light than heat on what is actually in the Act as oppo-sed to what is being said about it. Stirring up hatred offences were nothing new in Scotland said the SNP leader, adding: If I have the protection against somebody stirring up hatred because of my race and that has been the case since 1986 why on earth should these protections not exist for someone because of their sexuality, or disability, or their religion? He argued there was a very high threshold to be met for prosecution and addressed concerns that the short amount of training given to officers meant the force would not be able to comply with the intention of the law. The Scottish Police Federation, representing rank-and-file officers, has warned that the force can barely deal with existing crimes and branded the new legislation a recipe for disaster. Labour MSP Pauline Thompson raised concern that the law could be used by some maliciously to silence legitimate opinion. Nationalist MSP Ivan McKee suggested the mention of young working class men being more likely to fall foul of the Act risked demonising a disadvantaged group already heavily impacted by negative interactions with the justice system. Mr Yousaf said any messaging should not pit communities against each other. It came as Scotlands Chief Constable yesterday defended a vow to investigate every hate crime while at the same time instructing officers to write off thousands of minor offences every year. Jo Farrell told the Scottish Police Authority the force had provided training to officers allowing them to enforce the new law in a measured way using their discretion and common sense. Rishi Sunak and Jeremy Hunt were yesterday warned to find more money for defence or risk a Nazi-style invasion of Europe by Russia. The pair came under intense pressure from their own MPs to increase defence spending to at least 2.5 per cent of GDP during a stirring Commons debate. Failure to invest more could result in Britain or its allies being made to pay 'a very high price' by an emboldened Vladimir Putin, the Prime Minister and Chancellor were told. Former Armed Forces minister Mark Francois said Britain would be incapable of fighting a 'sustained war with Putin's Russia for more than a couple of months before we ran out of ammunition and fighting equipment' and this is 'wholly unworthy' of a Tory Government. 'If you happen to believe, as I do, that the role of our Armed Forces is to save lives by convincing any potential aggressor that were they to attack us we would defeat them, then we are failing,' he said. Rishi Sunak and Jeremy Hunt were yesterday warned to find more money for defence or risk a Nazi-style invasion of Europe by Russia Former Armed Forces minister Mark Francois said Britain would be incapable of fighting a 'sustained war' and would run out of ammunition and funds Britain is spending about 2.3 per cent of GDP on defence but the Government is now under mounting pressure to increase it to at least 3 per cent (File Image) 'This is ultimately about whether our grandchildren are going to grow up in someone else's re-education camp. The skies are darkening, brutal dictators with powerful weapons at their disposal are on the rise. 'The democracies are on the back foot rather than the front. History tells us again and again that the appeasement of dictators be they called Adolf Hitler or Vladimir Putin does not work. 'We should be increasing the defence budget to at least 3 per cent of GDP.' Britain is spending about 2.3 per cent of GDP on defence but the Government is now under mounting pressure after Mr Hunt failed to find extra money in this month's Spring Budget. Danny Kruger, co-chairman of the influential New Conservatives group, said 'we need to be spending at least 3 per cent'. Sir Alec Shelbrooke added: 'We are going to have to spend more money, but we also need to spend it more efficiently.' Yesterday's debate centred on two reports which criticised military funding, including one by the Commons defence committee. This concluded that the Armed Forces are not ready for a 'high-intensity' war without shortages in personnel and equipment being rapidly addressed after years of 'hollowing out'. The chair of the committee, Sir Jeremy Quin, told MPs that Britain had been investing 5 per cent of GDP in defence at the time the Berlin Wall fell in 1989. He added: 'To enable us to be fully prepared for peer-on-peer war-fighting, something must give. 'A failure to invest could result in a very high price indeed.' Closing the debate, defence minister James Cartlidge said that a rise to 3 per cent would cost an extra 20billion, or 6.5billion to get to 2.5 per cent. The Daily Mail is calling for an immediate boost to defence spending with its Don't Leave Britain Defenceless campaign. Meanwhile Defence Secretary Grant Shapps has signed an agreement with his Australian counterpart, Richard Marles. Mr Shapps said it was 'extraordinary' the countries did not already have a formal agreement in place. It is designed to make it easier for the two countries' armed forces to operate in each other's territories, as well as facilitating UK submarine crews visiting Australia. Bill aimed at ending big game hunting to get its second reading on Friday A farmer who twice cheated death after being attacked by a lion and a herd of elephants has called on MPs to reject a ban on trophy hunting imports. Father-of-four Frank Limbo said it would have a devastating impact on rural communities in his native Botswana in southern Africa if Westminster introduces a law making it illegal to bring keepsakes such as tusks back to the UK. The Bill gets its second reading in the House of Commons on Friday, aimed at protecting endangered wildlife and destroying the big game hunting business. But a delegation of 50 scientists, economists, politicians and farmers from Botswana met politicians in London this week, determined to explain why any ban will have negative repercussions 5,000 miles away. Mr Limbo, 69, told the Mail: 'Trophy hunting should not stop, it is crucial for my community and a livelihood for so many people. Botswanan father-of-four Frank Limbo has said a potential ban on trophy hunting imports in the UK would have devastating consequences for rural communities in his country A bill aimed aimed at protecting endangered wildlife and destroying the big game hunting business is getting its second reading in the House of Commons 'If people cannot bring their trophies back, they will not come to Botswana. Hunting should not be stopped indefinitely.' Mr Limbo, a cattle farmer in the Chobe district of northern Botswana, spent two months in hospital after being attacked by a lioness in 2004. Little over a decade later he was trampled by three elephants who were looking for food. He fears a lack of organised hunts will mean more animals straying on to his land in search of food. 'Both attacks were so scary,' he said. 'Lions are killing machines so I thought it was going to be my last breath. Other people may not have the same fortune, and I am worried what will happen if interest in hunting is reduced by this proposed ban.' Conservationist Tawana Moremi said trophy hunting is a way for locals to earn a livelihood. He hit out at celebrities such as Gary Lineker and Dame Joanna Lumley for previously supporting an identical Bill. Pictured: Mr Limbo spent two months in hospital in 2015 after being trampled on by a herd of elephants He also had a metal plate inserted into his left arm after being mauled by a lion in 2004 The Hunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) Bill passed through the Commons but ran out of time in the Lords last year. Neither Bill mentioned a ban on domestic big game hunting, yet the UK exports many such 'trophies', including antlers, horns and beaks. This week, Botswana's environment and tourism minister Dumezweni Mthimkhulu threatened to send 10,000 wild elephants to London's Hyde Park 'so Britons can try living with them'. He said: 'Elephant numbers, like those of Scottish stags, have to be controlled. Hunters in the Highlands pay to shoot deer and put their antlers on their walls. So why is Britain trying to stop Africa doing the same? We don't want colonial interference from Britain.' The Archbishop of Canterbury has hit out at the woke language used in a Church of England job advert for a 'deconstructing whiteness' officer. Justin Welby claimed the advert posted by the Diocese of Birmingham and seeking an employee to work across several areas in the West Midlands should have been written 'in English'. He asked the diocese 'what on earth does that mean?' when he found out about the advertisement. Archbishop Welby went on to suggest that the advert may appear 'a bit like W1A', a mockumentary sitcom that satirises the management of the BBC. He told Times Radio: 'Birmingham Diocese did put that in an advert. And when I saw it, I rang up, I rang up the person in charge of that area and said, 'What on earth does that mean? Why on earth have you put that in?' The Archbishop of Canterbury has hit out at the woke language used in a Church of England job advert for a 'deconstructing whiteness' officer Justin Welby compared the advert which was looking an 'anti-racism' officer to 'deconstruct whiteness' as something out of the BBC hit show W1A which starred Hugh Bonneville 'I said, 'Look, this ad's a bit like W1A, can we please do these things in English?' He added 'We have 15,000 parishes in the Church of England. What this person does is to make sure that those from ethnic minority backgrounds who apply for jobs in the Church of England, have a level playing field.' The Diocese of Birmingham, which is headed by Bishop of Birmingham Michael Volland, advertised a 36,000-a-year post for an 'anti-racism' officer to 'deconstruct whiteness' within its 11-person racial justice unit. Earlier this week, it also emerged the Diocese of York was looking for a part-time 'racial justice enabler', who would implement a programme of diversity training to address 'white fragility'. Reverend Dr Ian Paul, associate minister of St Nicholas's Church in Nottingham, said the Church had sought to 'make people feel guilty' about being white. Mr Paul, who sits on the Archbishops' Council, said: 'The racist nature of this 'antiracism' approach is evident in the actions being taken. 'In Birmingham, a post was advertised for a 'Deconstructing Whiteness officer', until it was pointed out that this was racist and the advert was removed. In York, a new Justice Education Adviser will need to run a course on Being White, in order to make people aware of their inherent racial privilege. How have we ended up with such a diverse group in our church? It was not by importing divisive critical race theory language from the US. 'It was not by making people feel guilty about their 'whiteness'. It was not by imposing quotas, or virtue signalling, or making a power play. 'It was by taking each person, with their language and culture, seriously, and ensuring that they were welcomed and had an honoured place in the community of faith. 'There is a better way to address these issues. At the moment, the Church of England strategy is not it.' Earlier this month, an independent oversight group set up by the Church Commissioners published a report that called its 100 million slavery reparations fund insufficient and called for the figure to be raised to 1billion. The Church of England said it would not increase its contribution but agreed that super-wealthy families and investors should help build an enormous pot of cash to address 'enduring harms from enslavement'. Geetha Tharmaratnam, vice-chairman of the oversight group, suggested the 900 million shortfall could be made up in part by wealthy families and companies ashamed of their historic links to slavery. The report prompted outrage after it appeared to apologise for the work of Christian missionaries in Africa. Archbishop Welby said he 'warmly welcomed' the recommendations of the report at the time, adding 'we must continue to work together remembering that all are created in the image of God'. But he appeared to row back on this approval yesterday, when he said 'we haven't accepted' the recommendations that the Church raise its reparations fund to 1billion. By Park Jae-hyuk Hyundai Motor will reduce production costs for its electric vehicles (EVs) to counteract an ongoing price war sparked by Tesla in the global EV market, the Korean carmakers chief executive said Thursday. The company also unveiled its plan to pursue the transition of all models into software-defined vehicles (SDVs). SDVs refer to cars that can manage their operations, add functionality and enable new features primarily or entirely through software. During an annual general meeting of shareholders, Hyundai Motor CEO and President Chang Jae-hoon said the company will be more flexible and agile, in order to cope with uncertain business environments and worsening consumer sentiment. Triggered by the rivals aggressive price reduction policy, competition has been intensified to secure cost competitiveness in the EV industry, he told shareholders. We will secure cost competitiveness through innovation in our manufacturing processes. His remarks came as the carmakers shareholders raised questions about a deceleration in global demand for EVs recently. In order to attract consumers, Tesla, Ford and Chinese carmakers such as BYD have made aggressive price cuts for their EVs. The Hyundai Motor CEO emphasized that the company will overcome the current difficulties by strengthening its value chain in emerging markets. We are pushing ahead with the release of our electric SUV this year, he added. For the transition to SDVs, Hyundai Motor said it plans to integrate its R&D organizations by establishing a team in charge of advanced vehicle platforms. We will accelerate mass production of SDVs through a chip-to-factory strategy, which embraces the production of small components and large vehicles, Chang said. For its shareholders to learn about the companys future mobility vision, Hyundai Motor displayed a miniature of an advanced air mobility, which is under development by the carmakers subsidiary, Supernal, at the meetings venue. An executive in charge of the air mobility business delivered a lecture on its strategies as well. Hyundai Motors shareholders were also escorted by Spot, a four-legged robot developed by Boston Dynamics, a U.S. robotics firm which the Korean carmaker acquired in 2021. Embattled New Jersey Democratic Sen. Bob 'Gold Bar' Menendez said in a video statement Thursday that he will not run in his state's Democratic primary but kept the door open to running for reelection as an independent this fall. Menendez and his wife Nadine are facing charges related to an alleged bribery scheme involving the Qatari and Egyptian governments. Already, Democrats Tammy Murphy, the wife of New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, and Rep. Andy Kim are vying for Menendez's Senate seat, with voters heading to the polls in November to decide the next occupant. 'Unfortunately the present accusations I am facing of which I am innocent and will prove so, will not allow me to have that type of dialog and debate with political opponents that have already made it the cornerstone of their campaign,' Menendez said in a video posted to his X account. 'Therefore I will not file for the Democratic primary this June,' he said. 'I am hopeful that my exoneration will take place this summer and allow me to pursue my candidacy as an independent Democrat in the general election.' Embattled New Jersey Democratic Sen. Bob 'Gold Bar' Menendez said in a video statement Thursday that he will not run in his state's Democratic primary but kept the door open to running for reelection as an independent this fall Democratic Senator Bob Menendez and his wife Nadine are seeking separate trials on bribery charges they each face in a New York court He previously refused to resign from Congress as the scandal mounted. Polling from late January showed that the incumbent had a tough road ahead of him if he decided to pursue the Democratic nomination for his seat, which he's held since 2006. The Democratic primary will be held on June 4. A Fairleigh Dickinson University survey showed Kim with 32 percent of the likely Democratic vote and Murphy with 20 percent. Menendez was only garnering 9 percent support at the time. In September, Menendez and his wife Nadine were charged separately in a scheme where they allegedly aided three New Jersey businessmen in return for cash, gold bars and a luxury car. Authorities who searched the Menendez home found more than $100,000 worth of gold bars in the residence, as well as more than $480,000 in cash, which was hidden away in closets, amongst clothing and in a safe, prosecutors said. Sen. Bob Menendez (left) and his wife Nadine Arslanian Menendez (right) leave federal court in New York earlier this month Prosecutors released images of the gold bars Menendez allegedly received from a New Jersey businessmen in return for pushing the interests of Qatar and Egypt Piles of cash are pictured from the raid on the Menendez's home in New Jersey Prosecutors also said that Menendez had Googled the value of a 'kilo of gold.' Menendez, his wife and the three business associates have all pleaded not guilty. He's been charged with conspiracy, including conspiring to commit bribery, honest services fraud, extortion and acting as an unregistered foreign agent. Amid the charges, Menendez was forced to give up his position as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The allegations say that Menendez used his foreign policy connections to assist the government of Egypt and help a businessman seek an investment from the Qatari government. 'I know many of you are hurt and disappointed in me with the accusations I'm facing,' he said in the nearly 10-minute long video message, which also outlined some of his achievements while serving in the upper chamber. 'Believe me, I am disappointed in the false accusations as well,' he continued. 'All I can ask of you is to withhold judgment until justice takes place.' It's unlikely due to New Jersey's heavily Democratic makeup that the Democrats would lose the seat in the fall, though it becomes more possible if Menendez launches an independent run, as he could play the role of spoiler. Lord Cameron was facing questions tonight over the Government's 'indefinite' pausing of sanctions against Chinese officials and firms implicated in human rights abuses. Former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith revealed internal Cabinet documents had advised ministers of the decision in November the same month Lord Cameron made his surprise return to Government as Foreign Secretary. The documents passed to ministers had recommended a softer approach to China despite increasing humanitarian concerns over the treatment of Uyghur Muslims and the crackdown on democracy in Hong Kong. Just four Chinese officials have been the subject of sanctions which imposes asset freezes and travel bans with none handed down in the past three years. The revelation has reignited debate over whether the Foreign Office and Lord Cameron who oversaw a 'golden era' of relations with Beijing during his time in No 10 are taking strong enough action on China. Foreign Secretary David Cameron was facing questions tonight over the Government's 'indefinite' pausing of sanctions against Chinese officials and firms China's President Xi Jinping and Mr Cameron drink a pint of beer during a visit to The Plough pub in London in October 2015 Former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith says during the month of Cameron's surprise appointment to the Foreign Office, documents were passed to ministers which recommended a softer approach to China despite increasing humanitarian concerns An Uighur woman protests for freedom in front of policemen in Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang Uighur autonomous region in China Sir Iain raised the issue in the Commons yesterday, condemning the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) for its 'terrible decision'. He said: 'We now know that internal documents show the Foreign Office paused targeted sanctions against Chinese officials in November 2023. And I quote from one of those: 'FCDO has paused consideration of this work indefinitely'. That is a terrible decision and flies in the face of the evidence.' Tory MP Alicia Kearns, chairman of the foreign affairs committee, said: 'To pause consideration of sanctions indefinitely is outrageous. It gives Chinese Communist Party-controlled businesses carte blanche to conduct repression and indeed be complicit in genocide without ever facing sanctions.' Luke de Pulford, of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, said: 'If David Cameron's first act as Foreign Secretary was to pause sanctions against China, he should be hauled before Parliament to explain himself.' Sir Iain became one of five Tory MPs sanctioned by Beijing after he raised its treatment of Uyghur Muslims in the Commons in 2021. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has repeatedly said the UK will not return to the close relationship pursued by Lord Cameron as PM as 'the China of today is not the China he dealt with a decade ago'. A Labour spokesman said: 'In the same month Sunak appointed the architect of the 'golden era' policy to run foreign policy, the Government secretly paused sanctions considerations against Chinese firms and officials for human rights abuses without offering any rationale. It is baffling the FCDO made the decision but failed to communicate it to the many MPs and campaigners calling for sanctions.' Foreign Office minister Andrew Mitchell declined to comment. Hospital staff allegedly tried to access the Princess of Wales's medical records after she was discharged, amid a frenzy of conspiracy theories on social media. Three employees at the London Clinic, where Kate stayed for 14 days after abdominal surgery, are said to be under investigation over the shocking data breach. They reportedly attempted to access the 42-year-old's notes after she left the prestigious hospital on January 29. The latest revelation comes as the Archbishop of Canterbury said that speculating about the royal's health was 'wrong' and as bad as 'village gossip'. The Most Rev Justin Welby said: 'I think we are obsessed by conspiracy and we have little sense of the humanity of those who are caught in the glare of the news.' Hospital staff allegedly tried to access the Princess of Wales 's medical records after she was discharged. Pictured on November 15, 2023 Three employees at the London Clinic (pictured), where Kate stayed for 14 days after abdominal surgery, are said to be under investigation over the shocking data breach The latest revelation comes as the Archbishop of Canterbury the Most Rev Justin Welby said that speculating about the royal's health was 'wrong' and as bad as 'village gossip' He added: 'People should be allowed to be ill, have an operation, whatever it is, and live their lives in peace without people demanding they prove something every other day.' Blaming the internet for exacerbating the problem, he said: 'It's extremely unhealthy. It's just old-fashioned village gossip that can now go round the world in seconds and we have to turn away from that. Gossiping in that way is wrong.' Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer also voiced concerns about the intense public scrutiny around the princess. During an appearance on Channel 5's Jeremy Vine show, Sir Keir was asked if he felt sorry for the royal and replied: 'Yes. I think we should leave her alone. She's had a difficult operation, and deserves privacy.' He added: 'We should just butt out... That's not really a political response, it's a human response, as a dad and a human being.' The King, who has cancer, was treated for an enlarged prostate at the same hospital, but there is no suggestion his medical records were affected. Details of Kate's condition have not been disclosed, but Kensington Palace previously said it was not cancer-related and that she wished her personal medical information to remain private. Pictured on December 8, 2023 Kate, 41, has not been at a public royal engagement since the Christmas Day morning service at Sandringham Church (pictured) on December 25, 2023 Chief executive of the London Clinic Al Russell said 'There is no place at our hospital for those who intentionally breach the trust of any of our patients or colleagues' Details of Kate's condition have not been disclosed, but Kensington Palace previously said it was not cancer-related and that she wished her personal medical information to remain private. READ MORE: Kate Middleton steps up recovery from surgery as she works from home on her early years project - amid hopes she will return to public life by Easter Advertisement The UK's privacy watchdog, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), is looking into the allegations. It is an offence, under the Data Protection Act 2018, for a person to obtain, disclose or retain personal data without the consent of the data controller which in this case is the London Clinic. If the ICO finds evidence that medical records were accessed illegally, it can bring a prosecution and fine any offenders in court. 'But if there were further claims of wrongdoing such as a conspiracy to distribute illegally accessed information, then that could be a matter for the police,' a source told the Mirror. Chief executive of the London Clinic Al Russell said: 'There is no place at our hospital for those who intentionally breach the trust of any of our patients or colleagues.' Alleged double murderer Beau Lamarre-Condon has officially been sacked from the NSW Police Force. Lamarre-Condon is accused of murdering Sydney couple Luke Davies and Jesse Baird with his service weapon while off-duty at a Paddington home on February 19. The couple's bodies were found inside surfboard bags on February 27 at a rural property in Bungonia near Goulburn, about 200km southwest of Sydney. Lamarre-Condon joined the police force in 2019 and was working with the service's Youth Command unit as a youth engagement officer at the time of his arrest. NSW Police confirmed Lamarre-Condon, a senior constable, had been removed from the force on Friday, after commissioner Karen Webb served a dismissal notice late last month. 'Under section 181D of the Police Act 1990, the Commissioner has the ability to remove officers if she has lost confidence in their suitability to continue as a police officer,' police said. Alleged double murderer Beau Lamarre-Condon (pictured) has officially been kicked out of the NSW Police Force Luke Davies (left) and his new partner Jesse Baird (right) were allegedly killed by NSW Police officer Beau Lamarre-Condon Detectives allege Lamarre-Condon's killing of Mr Baird with his police-issued gun was a premeditated attack after a months-long campaign of 'predatory behaviour' towards the man he had a brief 'friends with benefits' relationship with. According to police, Mr Davies, a Qantas flight attendant, was allegedly murdered because he happened to be in the Mr Baird's eastern suburbs home at the time of his partner's killing. About 12 hours later, Lamarre-Condon allegedly collected the bodies in a white rental van and later took them to a remote farm property in Bungonia, about 180km south of Sydney. He allegedly returned to the site to move the bodies to another location about 20-minutes drive away. The bodies were finally located on February 27, more than a week after the alleged murders, after Lamarre-Condon spoke with a lawyer and then was interviewed by detectives in jail. Lamarre-Condon has been charged with two counts of murder and is currently in Silverwater Correctional Complex, in Sydney's west. He will next face court in Sydney's Downing Centre on April 23. A person has been killed in a horror house fire in Melbourne's north-west as the arson squad launched an investigation. Dozens of firefighters and emergency services raced the scene in St Albans about 6.15am Friday and arrived to find Conrad Street home fully alight. Smoke and flames billowed from the roof as the blaze threatened neighbouring properties. Thirty firefighters battled the blaze for about 20 minutes before it was extinguished. An occupant was pulled from the gutted home by firefighters wearing breathing apparatus. They were treated at the scene by paramedics but was unable to be revived. One person was killed in horror house fire in St Albans on Friday morning (stock image) READ MORE: Twist in alleged deadly mushroom lunch Accused mushroom chef Erin Patterson is being kept in a protected unit alongside a convicted paedophile rapist amid growing fears for her safety behind bars Advertisement The victim is yet to be formally identified by police. A crime scene was declared as police blocked off off the entire street. Detectives from Victoria Police's arson and explosives squad have made their way to the scene to investigate the blaze and doorknock residents. An arson chemist will attend the gutted home later on Friday, police said. The cause of the fire remains unknown. The property was believed to contain asbetsos. 'In response to a fire there are always challenges such as falling debris from the structure that is impacted, that creates lots of hazards, smoke is also a hazard. It's always dangerous to enter a burning building,' FRV Incident Controller Nicholas Allen told reporters. 'This property was also deemed to have asbestos in it so that was another hazard they had to deal with.' Shocked neighbours in the quiet suburban street recalled seeing a body being removed from the home. 'I heard it this morning but firefighters arrived so fast and got it under control so I did not think it would be so bad,' one woman told the Herald Sun. 'It's just devastating, I did not know them as it's several houses up but this is just so sad.' Anyone with information is urged to contact police or Crime Stoppers. While their long fight is not over, millions of women who suffered financial hardship in an appalling government pension scandal are a giant step nearer justice. The Parliamentary Ombudsman report into the Department for Work and Pensions' treatment of the Waspi women was excoriating. The hapless ministry gave the women, all born in the 1950s, inadequate notice that their state pension age would rise from 60 to 65 after 2010, in line with men. Oblivious to these changes (made across Tory and Labour administrations) many left jobs and retired. Some cared for parents and grandchildren, saving the state millions. The sudden realisation that they were being forced to wait sometimes years to receive their pensions, leaving them hugely out of pocket, caused serious distress. The watchdog's report paints a depressingly familiar picture of Whitehall: Poor communication, truculent when challenged and intransigent as the women sought redress. Shamefully, despite being found guilty of maladministration, the DWP stubbornly refuses to apologise. Waspi women gather at the statue of political activist Mary Barbour in Govan, Glasgow, to mark International Women's Day on March 8 The ombudsman says the women should be compensated, which could total 10.5billion. But this poses a troubling question. When the economy is limping along, where will the money come from especially when payouts, such as for the Post Office scandal, are coming down the track? Ministers might kick this problem into the long grass, beyond the next election. But they must beware of angering pensioners, who make up the core Tory vote. The answer must be to find a creative compromise. One that gives justice to the victims without breaking the bank. Get Rwanda done When the Supreme Court threw out his original plan to send illegal migrants to Rwanda, Rishi Sunak pledged emergency legislation to get the scheme off the ground. So why is the Prime Minister giving MPs and peers time off to relax over Easter? He should make them sit until the Bill has cleared its final parliamentary hurdle. The urgent need for this law was illustrated by the arrival of another 500 Channel migrants on Wednesday. And as the weather improves, many more will take their chances. Labour denounces the Rwanda plan as an expensive gimmick, but what is its alternative? Answer: It hasn't got one. The truth is, if migrants fear they will end up in Africa, many would be incentivised to stay in France. If that happens, this evil trade might dry up helping Mr Sunak deliver his 'stop the boats' promise. Meanwhile, wreckers in the Lords are smugly satisfied at holding up the Rwanda Bill. But as their tactics put migrants in danger, it's clear they are more interested in looking good, than doing good. Bank on branches It's not hard to understand why banks and building societies have pursued an electronic, cashless model. Online banking allows them to maximise profits by getting rid of branches and cashpoints, and the staff who service them. Great news for chief executives, but not so good for customers. So three cheers for Nationwide. After agreeing to buy Virgin Money, the building society could have culled its high street presence. Instead, it has pledged to keep open all of nearly 700 branches its own plus those of its rival until at least 2028. At a time when many banks grow more remote from customers, it's reassuring that at least one is maintaining a human face. Hundreds of migrants broke through razor wire today at the wall in El Paso, Texas, overpowering border agents who had tried to push them away. 'Hundreds of migrants were pushed south of the concertina wire in the middle of the night by Texas National Guard,' the border snapper explained. 'Hours later they again breached the concertina and made a rush for the border wall in El Paso, Texas.' The migrants are already in the US as they had already crossed the international boundary, which is a few hundred yards south of the border wall. Texas State Troopers walk towards a fence after migrants broke through razor wire to enter the US on Thursday A migrant checks her bag after members of the Texas National Guard burnt clothing used by migrants to break through razor wire and a fence to enter the U.S. to surrender themselves Hundreds of migrants were pushed south of the concertina wire in the middle of the night by Texas National Guard. Hours later they again breached the concertina and made a rush for the border wall in El Paso, Texas. #Border #Texas pic.twitter.com/d4sZib29BI J. Omar Ornelas (@fotornelas) March 21, 2024 Migrants breach infrastructure set up by the Texas National Guard on the Rio Grande in El Paso, Texas on March 21, 2024 Migrants stand on infrastructure that was breached by migrants on the Rio Grande in El Paso, Texas on March 21, 2024 Male migrants are escorted south behind a barrier by the Texas National Guard on the Rio Grande in El Paso, Texas on March 21, 2024 A migrant sits on a fence after a group of migrants forced their way by breaking through razor wire and a fence Many of these asylum seeking migrants had chosen not to turn surrender themselves immediately as this is a well-known place to give up to US Border Patrol agents, because they were caught in limbo due a Texas law SB4. The controversial law gives state and local police in the Lone Star State permission to arrest illegal immigrants, a right that has only been reserved for federal officers like US Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The law, which has been banned several times in recent days by federal courts, was then allowed to take effect for a few hours Tuesday, before it blocked again Tuesday night. The legal whiplash left many migrants unsure would would happen to them if they turned themselves over to Border Patrol. Tension had been building up for the last two days as the camp grew. Known as 'Gate 36' this is popular give up spot for migrants seeking asylum in El Paso, Texas. Migrants regularly cross this area, look for Border Patrol and surrender to US authorities Hundreds were camping out in the no-mans land between north of the river that separates the US and Mexico, the Rio Grande. The river is the international boundary, not the border wall. Wednesday night, Texas National Guard rounded up hundreds of migrants and forced them south of the razor wire, which is still in US. By Thursday morning, the migrants climbed over the wire fence in coordination and made a run for the border wall to presumably turn themselves in. A New Jersey couple woke up to a 67-minute-long voicemail from an 'unknown caller' - and discovered it was left by their Amazon Alexa. Kate Creegan told DailyMail.com that the message included snippets of her telling their Echo to dim the lights and her husband talking to their dog, Penny. 'I was checking the message ... and was like, wait, this is me talking in the bedroom,' she said. Alexa can call your smartphone if you trigger the 'Find My Phone' feature, but a company spokesperson said the Amazon Echo doesn't record or store conversations unless it hears the 'wake word,' prompting a light on the device to turn on to let you know it's listening. Amazon has come under fire for its devices recording conversations and faced two separate privacy violation lawsuits last year, including a claim that it had violated children's privacy rights by refusing to remove the recording history of minors. A judge ruled that the company had to pay out a collective $30.8 million for both violations. Karen Creegan woke up to a 67-minute voice message of Amazon recording her conversations (photo provided by Karen Creegan) 'There wasn't a lot of talking in the message, mostly bleeping,' Creegan said, but added that she could hear snippets of her telling Alexa to 'turn the lights off' adding that there was 'two or three sentences of me talking to the dog. When her husband came about about 45 minutes later, 'he talked about dinner ... and the pasta sauce I cooked that night,' Creegan said. Creegan said she didn't know if she was asleep when the call came through because it was over an hour long and her grandson had changed the settings on her phone so unknown phone numbers don't come through. Creegan didn't worry about it at first, but when she reached out to Amazon a few days later she said she was connected to a chatbot that couldn't understand her request. When she was finally connected to a human being, Creegan said the representative told her she was hacked and asked if she knew someone named Melissa, 'because that's the person who hacked you,' Creegan said. 'I remember thinking, 'This is wrong,' and that's when I got mad about it,' she added. Hackers can access Amazon Echo devices by installing malware that can turn it into a remote listening device, creating malware that appears to be by a third-party developer like ordering food or adding events to a Google calendar. Artificial intelligence can also be used to clone your voice, giving hackers access to all accounts connected to the device. The majority of the message was bleeping, but Karen Creegan could be heard telling her Echo to turn the lights off while her husband complimented on her pasta sauce (photo provided by Karen Creegan) Creegan still needed to understand why the entire conversation was recorded and who made the call that shared the recordings in a voice message. It wasn't until Creegan contacted a news outlet asking for help that she received another call from Amazon telling her that she must have triggered something to turn on the 'Find My Phone' feature on her Echo. The representative told her to mute her Echo when she goes to bed so it can't pick up on any conversations that might trigger a recording. Amazon claimed that while Alexa does record conversations, it doesn't record all of them and not all the time. An Amazon spokesperson told Dailymail.com the device 'woke up' to a word that sounded like 'Alexa' - the trigger word to activate the device - and said: 'Subsequent conversation was interpreted as a request to `call my phone,' which initiated the Find My Phone feature.' The spokesperson continued: 'The Alexa request made to your Echo Dot initiated this feature, and resulted in your Echo Dot calling your cell phone.' 'When the call wasn't answered on your mobile phone, it was sent to voicemail and recorded the message you heard.' Amazon claimed Karen Creegan likely triggered the 'Find My Phone' feature which prompted the call The Find My Phone feature will call the person's cell phone if the user asks Alexa to help them find their phone. When asked how the device could have been activated if Creegan was asleep, the Amazon spokesperson said that based on the voicemail's content, 'the 'Find my Phone' feature was activated before they went to bed and the customer may not have noticed the voicemail notification until the next day.' Creegan said she didn't know if she was asleep when she received the call because it was over an hour long and her grandson had changed the settings on her phone so unknown phone numbers don't come through. An Amazon Echo is a smart speaker that uses artificial intelligence to control lights and appliances, play music and answer questions about the news and weather. It wasn't until Creegan spoke with Dailymail.com that she said she noticed that the voice message said the call might be from her initials: 'K C.' 'Amazon ended up explaining it very well,' said Creegan. Amazon was forced to pay $25 million last year for refusing to delete children's voice and geolocation data from it's Alexa devices READ MORE: The chilling Alexa voice commands that snared killer husband Daniel White, 35, gave commands to the Alexa minutes after he killed his wife Advertisement The incident comes after Amazon was forced to pay two separate privacy violation penalties last year for failing to delete children's data and failing to restrict employee and contractor access to people's Ring security videos. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) ruled that Amazon had to pay $25 million for preventing parents from deleting their children's voice and geolocation data gathered by Alexa devices. Amazon reportedly used the data to train Alexa's algorithms to understand minors' speech patterns and accents. It was also forced to pay $5.8 million for viewing people's Ring videos without their consent. Although Alexa data breaches aren't common, there are still steps people can take to improve their security including deleting the Alexa voice recordings every night, turning off the microphone and camera when the device isn't in use, and don't place Alexa near a window where someone could access it from outside. It is also possible to change the 'wake word' which activates the device from 'Alexa' to a word seldom used in your home - This way if a friend or family member with the name Alexis or Alexa comes over, it won't trigger the device. Deleting voice recordings can be done by simply saying: 'Alexa, delete today's recordings,' and you can change the wake word by saying: 'Alexa, change the wake word.' Both actions can also be done from the Alexa app, but users should also be aware that deleting voice recordings only applies to that day - so if you want the device to delete your history of voice recordings, you will need to do so from the app. Two 'incredibly playful' snow leopards have arrived at a zoo in Cheshire for the first time in 93 years - raising fresh hopes for one of the world's most threatened big cats. Chester Zoo is now home to male Yashin and female Nubra, who are just over 18 months old. The pair arrived from zoos in Europe after being carefully matched as part of an important breeding programme. Conservationists said the pair have 'really hit it off' as they begin to explore their new home at the zoo. 'In time, we're hopeful that they'll go on to have cubs together,' said Mike Jordan, director of animals and plants at the zoo. Two 'incredibly playful' snow leopards have arrived at a zoo in Cheshire for the first time 93 years - raising fresh hopes for one of the world's most threatened big cats Chester Zoo is now home to male Yashin and female Nubra, who are just over 18 months old The snow leopards arrived ahead of the opening of a new habitat at the zoo, containing more than 600 tonnes of scree and rocks to recreate the terrain of the Himalayan mountains where they live in the wild. The immersive habitat features two large outdoor areas with rocky outcrops, shallow cave retreats, ledges and steep rugged cliffs to recreate the experience of the wild. Mr Jordan said: 'The arrival of snow leopards is a huge milestone in our zoo's long history and signifies our commitment to protecting another of the world's most threatened big cat species. 'Yashin and Nubra are both just over 18 months old, so they're incredibly playful, inquisitive and full of energy. 'They're also both now at the age where they'd naturally start to leave their mother and become independent, which is why they've been paired up here at Chester Zoo as part of a European conservation breeding programme, which is working to safeguard the species from becoming extinct. The pair arrived from zoos in Europe after being carefully matched as part of an important breeding programme Conservationists said the pair have 'really hit it off' as they begin to explore their new home at the zoo The snow leopards arrived ahead of the opening of a new habitat at the zoo, containing more than 600 tonnes of scree and rocks to recreate the terrain of the Himalayan mountains where they live in the wild 'Now that they've had some time to settle in and explore their new home here in Chester, the pair appear to have really hit it off.' It is first time in the conservation charity's long history that its experts have cared for the highly threatened species which is vulnerable to extinction, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Snow leopards are elusive animals having adapted to high-altitude living in the Himalayas and Central Asia. Sightings have become so rare that they have been nicknamed the 'ghost of the mountains' by communities that live alongside them. In the wild, they face a number of threats including climate change, which is eroding the landscape they thrive in, habitat loss, poaching and retaliatory killings following cases of human-wildlife conflict. Mr Jordan said: 'The arrival of snow leopards is a huge milestone in our zoo's long history and signifies our commitment to protecting another of the world's most threatened big cat species' It is first time in the conservation charity's long history that its experts have cared for the highly threatened species which is vulnerable to extinction, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Snow leopards are elusive animals having adapted to high-altitude living in the Himalayas and Central Asia Sightings have become so rare that they have been nicknamed the 'ghost of the mountains' by communities that live alongside them Mr Jordan said: 'This incredible new habitat not only offers visitors spectacular viewing opportunities and a fascinating glimpse into the harsh, yet beautiful world that snow leopards inhabit. 'It'll also help conservationists here to learn more about the lives of these iconic cats, helping to further support global conservation efforts for the species.' The new snow leopard habitat at Chester Zoo will open to the public from March 25. Mr Jordan said: 'This incredible new habitat not only offers visitors spectacular viewing opportunities and a fascinating glimpse into the harsh, yet beautiful world that snow leopards inhabit' Elon Musk's technological predictions may sometimes seem ripped straight from the pages of science fiction. And now the billionaire has made one of his most stunning claims yet, as he says his Neuralink brain chips will one day let paralyzed people walk again. His claims come as Neuralink shared a video of one of the first human patients playing chess telepathically. The chip currently enables the brain to connect with computers, but Musk claims it could one day let the brain communicate with paralyzed parts of the body. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Musk wrote: 'Long term, it is possible to shunt the signals from the brain motor cortex past the damaged part of the spine to enable people to walk again and use their arms normally.' Elon Musk said on X, formerly Twitter, that his Neuralink brain chip could be used in the future to help paralyzed patients regain control of their limbs and even walk again The Neuralink chip works by inserting very fine wires into parts of the brain to measure its activity. The device then sends these signals to computers which allows the patient to control them remotely The Neuralink brain chip has been in development since at least 2016 when Musk founded Neuralink as a medical research company. However, it was only in January this year that the company revealed that the first human patients had received the implant. In a livestream on X, a paraplegic man, Noland Arbaugh, 29, was shown using the Neuralink chip to play chess on his computer. Mr Arbaugh has been paralyzed from the neck down since a 'freak driving accident' eight years ago. However, after having a Neuralink chip implanted as part of the first wave of human trials, Mr Arbaugh is now able to directly interface with a computer. 'See that cursor on the screen? That's all me... it's all brainpower', Mr Arbaugh said as he moved his computer cursor from his wheelchair. Likening the ability to using 'The Force' from Star Wars, Mr Arbaugh explains that he used to love playing chess before the accident robbed him of his mobility. He adds: 'This is one of the things that y'all have enabled me to do... I wasn't really able to do much the last few years.' The disabled man, who suffered a freak diving accident eight years ago that left him paralyzed from the shoulders down, successfully played chess online using only his mind Musk shared the livestream of paralyzed man Noland Arbaugh, 29, using the Neuralink chip to play chess using 'telepathy' The Neuralink chip (pictured) is quite small compared to previous brain-computer-interface devices but still must be implanted surgically Musk had previously announced that the first human trials had shown 'promising neuron spike detection.' However, this video offers the first real glimpse into how the brain chip might impact the lives of paralyzed patients. The chip itself works by embedding 64 thread-like electrodes into various sites on the brain. These threads are able to record spikes in brain activity and send that data wirelessly to a computer which uses machine learning to interpret the brain activity. On X, Musk announced that the first Neuralink patient was recovering well and that initial tests showed promise Musk has described the procedure as 'like replacing a piece of the skull with a smartwatch.' Pictured: A visual of what the electrodes will look like while implanted into the brain To receive the chip, patients must have a small chunk of their skull removed so that a 'sewing-machine-like' robot surgeon can implant each of the threads. Afterwards, the robot surgeon stitches up the hole, leaving only a small scar around the incision. Musk claims that during the 30-minute operation patients do not need to go under general anaesthetic and should be able to return home the same day. Mr Arbaugh said the surgery was 'super easy' and there was 'nothing to be afraid of.' In the operation, a 'sewing robot' removes a small chunk of the skull, connects the thread-like electrodes to certain areas of the brain, stitches up the hole and the only visible remains is a scar left behind from the incision Currently, the Neuralink chip functions as a 'brain-computer-interface', meaning it allows people to control a computer using their brain activity. In Mr Arbaugh's case, as Neuralink engineer Bliss Chapman explained during the livestream, he can move a cursor by imagining or attempting to move his arms. But, Musk now suggests that the chip might also be used to send signals from the brain to other parts of the body. This would be especially useful for people with damage to the spinal cord and, Musk claims, could even allow them to regain use of their limbs. Nolan Arbaugh (right, with a Neuralink engineer) has become the first person to ever use the Neuralink tech and says that the surgery to implant was 'nothing to be afraid of' In theory, a signal in the motor cortex of the brain could be recorded by the brain chip and sent to a second device embedded lower down in the spine, below the damaged portion. This device could then replicate or somehow reproduce the signal from the brain, triggering muscle activation in previously paralysed areas. While this may seem far-fetched, there is already a growing number of real examples where this technique has been successful. For instance, a team of Swiss neuroscientists used a 'digital bridge' to enable a paralyzed man to climb up stairs and walk more than 100m. In another case, researchers used a similar technique to regain partial control of the hand muscles, allowing a paralyzed man to play Guitar Hero and pick up a drink. However, Musk has not yet given more details of how Neuralink plans to implement this technology or when it might be coming. Despite its noble aspirations, Neuralink has not been without its controversies. In particular, Musk's company has faced staunch criticism for its allegedly cruel treatment of lab animals including monkeys. As MailOnline exclusively revealed last month, the company houses thousands of animals for testing of the tech. These experiments saw staffers drill holes into monkey's heads and fill them in with glue. Documents revealed that monkeys had operations on their skulls up to 10 times each before they were put down. At least 1,500 animals were killed during the development of the chip including monkeys, pigs and sheep. By Lee Min-hyung The new chairman of POSCO Group pledged, Thursday, to boost the competitiveness of the conglomerate's secondary battery materials business, identifying it as one of two major growth pillars along with steelmaking. Chang In-hwa took office as POSCO's 10th chairman under a three-year tenure, after receiving approval at the groups regular shareholders meeting. POSCO should rise to become the worlds top-notch player in not just steelmaking, but secondary battery materials, he told reporters during a press conference. Chang has placed particular emphasis on his vision to drive further growth in the battery materials business. We have engaged in the secondary battery materials business for almost a decade, he said. I will be in charge of the business, so that POSCO can become the global top-tier firm both for steel and secondary battery materials. Both industries are experiencing slowing growth in line with the global economic downturn. However, Chang displayed confidence in transforming the crisis into an opportunity. My view is that the ongoing steel industry slump will not last for a long period of time, but the secondary battery materials business is encountering an early phase of a chasm (due to weak consumer sentiment on electric vehicle (EV) adoption). But both businesses will generate much larger returns when the economy is revitalized and once POSCO continues to reinforce its competitiveness by lowering production costs during this period of crisis, according to Chang. The new POSCO Group head also voiced his confidence in the EV industry. In my opinion, the adoption of EVs is inevitable, even if its pace may accelerate and slow down from time to time, he said. But the framework, in itself, will never break down. We need to secure the opportunity and focus more on strengthening our supply chain for the business. He also hinted at the possibility of making huge investments in the battery materials sector, although he declined to provide detailed comments on potential mergers and acquisitions. I will make timely investments (in the business), and will never remain passive in the industry, he said. Chang replaced outgoing Chairman Choi Jeong-woo, who led the company since 2018. The new POSCO chief also promised to dedicate more time to exchanging ideas with employees at the firm's major production facilities nationwide during his first 100 days. I have my own vision for the company, but will listen to opinions from employees during that period, he said. My thought is that any organization should get slimmer and more level in terms of structure to build a corporate culture that encourages challenges. Chang also underscored the importance of building a trustworthy relationship with employees and the regional community. I will carry out what I have to do for the nation and the society, he said. When asked about how he will handle labor disputes and build unity, he pledged to enhance trust with employees. Steven Jones' porn business, which once netted him half a million in revenue per month, fell apart in 2013 amid stiff competition from free streamers like Pornhub. But the self-described science-fiction nerd now says he's getting back into the adult content game, thanks to artificial intelligence (AI) which he's leveraging to help customers make bespoke pornography depicting their AI-generated 'dream girls.' More chaste AI-generated models, created by a marketing team in Barcelona, Spain, are already minting between $11,000 and $3,200 a month in advertising deals. Welcome to the brave new world of post-human modelling, where 'posing' joins the ranks of big box store retail and rocket manufacturing among the industries where managers profit off a labor force of unpaid machines and virtual employees. Right now, these AI-crafted models are already realistic enough to fool people who see models up close much more than the rest of us. 'One day, a well-known Latin American actor texted to ask her out,' according to the Barcelona-based AI-model designer. Ruben Cruz said he and his business partners, Aitana's other designer Diana Nunez (center), and the AI model's Social Media Manager, Sofia Novales (right), decided to pivot to AI models for their Instagram 'influencer' marketing firm over the hassle of human diva personalities Their firm, The Clueless Agency, has struck gold with the AI-model Aitana Lopez (above). The team has also created a second virtual model called Maia, who is 'a little more shy.' Both names were picked to sneakily reference their 'AI' ancestry That designer, Ruben Cruz, who constructed the AI-model Aitana Lopez and founded the agency that 'manages her career,' The Clueless Agency, said he recognized the celebrity fan sliding into Aitana's DMs instantly. 'This actor has about 5 million followers and some of our team watched his TV series when they were kids,' Cruz told Euronews. 'He had no idea Aitana didn't exist,' he added. Cruz said he and his business partners Aitana's other designer Diana Nunez, and the AI model's Social Media Manager, Sofia Novales decided to pivot to AI models for their Instagram influencer marketing over the hassle of human diva personalities. 'We did it so that we could make a better living and not be dependent on other people who have egos, who have manias,' according to Cruz, 'or who just want to make a lot of money by posing.' Behind the scenes, every week, Cruz and The Clueless team have a meeting to plan out the next Instagram-worthy moments of Aitana's fictional life. They decide what destinations she might travel to, what she might wear, and what personal information she might share But, not unlike AI porn impresario Steven Jones, Cruz said that part of his own impetus was financial. As Euronews put it, Cruz was 'going through a rough patch because he didn't have many clients.' Behind the scenes, every week, Cruz and The Clueless team have a meeting to plan out the next Instagram-worthy moments of Aitana's fictional life. They decide what jet-setting destinations she might travel to, what she might wear, and what personal information she might share to her over 300,000 followers. 'In the first month, we realized that people follow lives, not images,' Cruz said. 'Since she is not alive, we had to give her a bit of reality so that people could relate to her in some way. We had to tell a story.' After a decade out of porn, self-described science-fiction nerd Steven Jones says he's getting back into the adult content game, thanks to AI - which he's leveraging to help customers make bespoke smut depicting their AI-generated 'dream girls' (above Jones' deepfake.com site) READ MORE: Exclusive! Sexy AI-generated influencers are silently swarming social media with fake names, backstories and just one goal to con desperate men DailyMail.com uncovered several AI influencers who are aspiring virtual models, online girlfriends and are asking for tips. Some of the digital designs offer plans to purchase their nudes. Advertisement Story matters for Steven Jones' more adult, AI-generated modelling business as well, but the day-to-day focus is less coming up with ideas than policing his customers' own worst impulses. Although his new company's in-house AI-image maker has guardrails to help prevent users from rendering child pornography, acts of violence or celebrity 'deepfakes,' Jones said that the perverse ingenuity of his customers keeps him up at night. 'I see certain things people type in, and I just hope to God they're trying to test the model, like we are,' Jones told the Washington Post. 'I hope they don't actually want to see the things they're typing in.' Customers of his new sites, like deepfake.com and porn.ai, he said, are constantly developing cunning workarounds, and sometimes they work. One example, as he told the Post, was the 'adult woman with no breasts,' which users appeared to use in an effort to create 'childlike' characters for their sick and illegal, pedophile fantasies. Jones said he and his staff pull images that other users of his sites' flag as abusive. Their current list of blocked AI-image generating prompts already contains 1,000 terms, including 'high school,' despite how new their sites are. Jones started his new AI porn businesses with an old business partner for about $550,000, but as he told the Post he also obtained funding from an angel investor that he declined to name. Elon Musk captured the imaginations of the world this week when he revealed one of the first volunteers to have his brain chip implanted in their skulls. But the historic moment is only possible thanks to decades of pioneering scientists and brave subjects that came before it - who had brain-computer interface chips into people's brains, with much more primitive tech. Musk has said he hopes that in the very near future his Neuralink device will enable people to control a computer cursor or keyboard with their brain to communicate, like 'replacing a piece of the skull with a smartwatch.' Ultimately, brain-computer interface devices offer the promise of giving disabled people the ability to see, touch, speak, and perform tasks again - and some proponents like Musk see an ultimate goal of all of humanity merging with tech in future. His device builds on the foundation built by tech that was pioneered in 2006 and allowed a paralyzed man to move a computer mouse with his brain a whole decade before Neuralink was founded. 2006: Controlling a computer mouse with his mind Matt Nagle was paralyzed for five years when he received a In 2001, Matt Nagle stepped in to help a friend who was in a fight, and he ended up being stabbed. The injury severed his spinal cord, leaving his arms and legs paralyzed. But in 2006, with the help of scientists across multiple universities and hospitals, Nagle received a brain implant that enabled him to control a mouse with his brain. Doctors surgically implanted the BrainGate device, a tiny array of 100 electrodes, onto his brain's primary motor cortex. This is the part of the brain involved in movement. The BrainGate sensor rests on a penny (a), with a cable attached to the pedestal that attached to the outside of Nagle's skull. A closeup of the sensor array (b), which included 100 electrodes. The sensor was implanted (c) into Nagle's primary motor cortex, which controls movement. Nagle could control a computer (d) just by thinking about moving the cursor. The electrode was connected to a terminal or pedestal, which was attached to his skull, and this terminal could be plugged into a computer. This meant that when he thought about moving, it would send a signal to a computer. The computer, in turn, decoded his brainwaves and translated them into cursor movement on the screen. Nagle's case was described in Nature in 2006. 'I can't put it into words. It's just - I use my brain. I just thought it,' he said back in 2006. 'I said, 'Cursor go up to the top right.' And it did, and now I can control it all over the screen. It will give me a sense of independence.' Nagle sadly died the next year from sepsis - a leading cause of death for people like Nagle with chronic spinal cord injuries. 2012: Drinking coffee by herself with a robot arm Cathy Hutchinson was paralyzed for 15 years when she took a sip of coffee with the help of a robotic arm that she controlled with her mind. In another breakthrough for the scientists behind BrainGate, stroke victim Cathy Hutchinson gained the ability to lift a bottle of coffee and drink from it. The 59-year-old Hutchinson had been paralyzed for 15 years after she had a stroke. She was surgically implanted with a similar device as Nagle received. Using just her brain, Hutchinson became able to move a robotic arm and drink from a bottle in four out of her six attempts. The four-millimeter electrode was implanted onto Hutchinson's primary motor cortex. When she thought about moving, her brain signals were captured by the electrode and sent to a computer. The 59-year-old Hutchinson smiled after she successfully lifted the bottle, took a sip of coffee, and set the bottle down - all with her mind. When she thought about moving her arm, those brain signals were picked up by the chip and sent to a computer plugged into the terminal mounted on her skull. The computer then decoded the brain signals and sent commands to a robotic arm. Hutchinson had not taken a sip of her morning coffee without another person's help in 15 years. Her case was published in Nature in 2012. 'The smile on her face was something that I and my research team will never forget,' said Dr Leigh Hochberg, an engineer and neurologist at Brown University and Harvard Medical School who was part of the team that gave Hutchinson the implant. 2017: Feeling another person's touch with a robot hand Nathan Copeland had been quadriplegic for about a decade when he volunteered for a clinical trial of a touch-sensing robotic arm controlled with his brain. Sensors in the robotic hand send electrical signals to Copeland's brain's sensory cortex, which translates them into touch sensations. READ MORE: How does Elon Musk's Neuralink brain chip work? Neuralink was registered in California as a 'medical research' company in July 2016 Advertisement In 2004, Nathan Copeland was in a car accident. He survived, but his neck was broken and his spinal cord was injured. As a result, he was paralyzed from the chest down. About a decade later, he volunteered to be part of a clinical trial aimed at not only giving him the ability to use a robotic arm but to also sense touch through it. Doctors surgically implanted four tiny electrode arrays into his brain, each of them about the size of a shirt button. As with the BrainGate tool, the electrodes on his motor cortex received signals when he thought about moving his arm, decoding them to control a robotic arm. But when someone touched the hand, the electrodes on his sensory cortex would send signals to indicate touch. The sensory cortex is neatly divided, with specific areas corresponding to specific body parts. Doctors surgically implanted four electrode arrays into his brain: two on the motor cortex and two on the sensory cortex. A terminal on his scalp can be attached to a computer to enable Copeland to control a robot hand that also senses touch. So by translating these touches into electrical signals and sending them to the right parts of his brain, scientists enabled Copeland to respond with 100-percent accuracy when quizzed on which finger was being touched. DARPA announced the success of Copeland's procedure in 2016. 'At one point, instead of pressing one finger, the team decided to press two without telling him,' said said Justin Sanchez, Director of DARPA's Biological Technologies Office. 'He responded in jest asking whether somebody was trying to play a trick on him. That is when we knew that the feelings he was perceiving through the robotic hand were near-natural.' 2019: Seeing the world again with bionic vision Jason Esterhuizen lost his vision at age 23 in a car crash. But at age 30, he was given some of his sight back, thanks to a brain-computer interface implanted on his brain's visual cortex. Jason Esterhuizen was in a horrific car crash at 23 years old. Launched out of his sunroof, he survived his injuries but lost his vision. Seven years later, he had regained some of his ability to see, thanks to a brain-computer interface called Orion. As a participant in a clinical trial, Esterhuizen received a surgically implanted electrode array on the visual cortex of his brain. This chip receives signals from a tiny camera mounted in a special pair of glasses that he wears. Connected to the glasses by a magnetic cord, the chip shows his brain a rough outline of what the camera is capturing. This is a simulation of what Esterhuizen 'sees' with his implant. A camera beams an image to his implant, which sends electrical signals to his brain indicating light. For the first time since his accident, he could begin to see the world around him. Much like the sensory cortex, the visual cortex can be mapped - specific parts of it correspond to specific parts of one's field of vision. So even though he can't see clearly, he can see the world in black and white, in blobs of dark and light. This means he can see when someone enters a room, he can see when there is a car coming before he crosses the street, and he can see when his phone is sitting on the bed. Mr Esterhuizen told CBS: 'The first time that I saw a little white dot, I was speechless, it was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.' 'If I look around, I can perceive movement, I can see some light and dark. I can tell you whether a line is vertical or horizontal or at a 45-degree angle.' 2023: Speaking to her husband through a computer Ann Johnson speaks to her husband for the first time with the brain-computer interface, a much simpler process than her previous assistive device. When Ann Johnson was 30 years old, she had been married for two years. Her daughter was 13 months old, and her stepson was eight years old. The one day in 2005, she suffered a sudden and unexpected stroke that affected her brainstem. The brainstem is an ancient and crucial part of the brain that not only controls basic functions like breathing, but also contains nerves that link many brain areas together. As a result of the stroke, Johnson was left with locked-in syndrome. Her brain and senses were alert, but her muscles would not respond to commands. 'Locked-in syndrome, or LIS, is just like it sounds,' she wrote through an assistive device in 2020, for a paper in a psychology class. 'You're fully cognizant, you have full sensation, all five senses work, but you are locked inside a body where no muscles work. I learned to breathe on my own again, I now have full neck movement, my laugh returned, I can cry and read and over the years my smile has returned, and I am able to wink and say a few words.' An array of 253 electrodes implanted onto Ann Johnson's brain intercept signals generated when she thinks about speaking. A computer decodes these signals meant for her jaw, lips, tongue, and larynx, and it speaks them through an avatar. This passage took her a very long time to write, typing one letter at a time with a device that tracked her eye movements. But then, in 2021, Johnson volunteered for a clinical trial to test out a brain-computer interface. Surgeons at the University of California San Francisco implanted a set of 253 electrodes onto the part of the motor cortex that communicates with the muscles necessary for speech: the mouth, tongue, lips, jaw, and larynx. In much the same way as the robot arms, this brain chip intercepts signals from her brain when Johnson thinks about speaking. A computer uses AI to decode these motor signals and turn them into words that are spoken by a computer avatar. In a test conversation, her husband told her he was going to the store. Through the avatar, Johnson asked how long he would be. 'About an hour,' he replied. 'Do not make me laugh,' said Johnson's avatar, followed by a big smile from the real woman's face. READ MORE: DMV systems are now back online State officials announced all US DMVS are experiencing network outages Every Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) facility in the US has been hit by a network outage that started around 9:50am ET. States are notifying Americans about the issues via social media and DMV websites, with Colorado revealing the outage stems from a third-party organization that provides software to DMV offices. No timeline for when sites will be operational has been given, which leaves millions of Americans unable to complete vehicle registrations and driving licensing tasks. Every Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) facility in the US has been hit by a network outage that started around 9:50am ET The secretary of state is advising PEOPLE to call ahead before you visit any DMV, at: 800-252-8980. The DMV is a state-level government agency due to driving privileges being granted by the state government. While no details given about the outage, some DMVs are taking to social media to inform the public about the issues. Alexi Giannoulias, Illinois Secretary of State, made the first announcement about the outage, triggering responses of other states who have issued notices to locals or posted on Elon Musk's X. New York State posted: 'We are aware of ongoing issues impacting transactions in our offices and online, and we apologize for the inconvenience. 'We are working diligently to get everything back up and running and will let you know when we do.' One Massachusetts resident shared his frustrations about the DMV outage on X Illinois Secretary of State made the announcement online: 'We are currently experiencing a nationwide outage at our DMV facilities' Colorado issued a notice on its official DMV site, noting the outage has to do with the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA). AAMVA provides tools and infrastructure to DMVs across the nation. 'Most driver license services, including online options, are affected, except driver license knowledge tests, endorsement tests and Commercial Drivers License instruction permit tests, as well as scheduling hearings and requesting motor vehicle records,' reads the Colorado DMV's statement. 'There currently is no timeline for when services will be restored.' The outage means Americans are unable to obtain identification cards. One man waiting at the DMV shared his experience on X. 'Its taking me everything to not strangle the clerk working the desk at the DMV,' he posted. While no details about the outage revealed, some DMVs are taking to social media to inform the public about the issues 'Im 0-4 for renewing my license to get the Real ID. Systems down multiple times in a row.' An Illinois mother posted an image of her and her son on Facebook, sharing the news that he was unable to take his driving lesson because of the outage. 'When the system at the DMV is down and all you can do is chill in the parking lot,' she shared. A similar post on Facebook was shared by an Alabama mother who's daughter just turned 16 years old and passed her driving test. However, the teen was unable to get the official card and paperwork due to the systems being down. Massachusetts is one of the many states unable to process licenses or identification transactions. A local resident commented on the state's post shared on X: 'Figures it would go down today when I pick up my new car. Artificial intelligence has stoked fears and security concerns for years but a new global resolution to safeguard the public may provide much-needed reassurance. The United Nations General Assembly approved a resolution to shield personal data, monitor AI for potential risks including scams, and protect human rights. The resolution - proposed by the US - is non-binding but was agreed upon by all 193 UN member nations and co-sponsored by non-members from 123 countries, including China and Russia. The resolution comes as high-profile tech moguls have expressed concerns about AI's reliability, including Geoffrey Hinton - the 'Godfather of AI' - who said last year that he regretted creating the technology and worries that machines could take over. All 193 UN members signed an AI resolution to protect people's data and human rights The White House called the resolution a 'historic step' and Vice President Kamala Harris said she and President Joe Biden are committed to establishing AI safeguards The White House praised the resolution, calling it a 'historic step' to ensuring 'trustworthy' advancements in AI. National security adviser Jake Sullivan wrote in a statement: 'The resolution adopted today lays out a comprehensive vision for how countries should respond to the opportunities and challenges of AI. 'It lays out a path for international cooperation on AI, including to promote equitable access, take steps to manage the risks of AI, protect privacy, guarding against misuse, prevent exacerbated bias and discrimination.' It took three months for the countries to finalize negotiations and agree on global privacy policies to ensure the AI technology benefits all nations and is 'safe, secure and trustworthy.' The resolution noted the nations needed to agree on AI's 'design, development, deployment and use of artificial intelligence systems' is accelerating. 'We're sailing in choppy waters with the fast-changing technology, which means that it's more important than ever to steer by the light of our values,' a senior UN administration official said, and added that this resolution is the 'first-ever truly global consensus document on AI.' This resolution aims to close the gaps in the technological divide between Western countries and poorer, third-world countries to make sure their technology is advanced enough to benefit from AI. 'The improper or malicious design, development, deployment and use of artificial intelligence systems ... pose risks that could ... undercut the protection, promotion and enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms,' the resolution stated. Scammers have used AI to steal people's data and money and have been used to impersonate family members on the phone - leading their relatives to believe they're in trouble and need money immediately before scamming them out of thousands of dollars. AI has been used to make deepfake videos and pictures of people without their knowledge or consent AI has also been used to create deepfake photos and videos of celebrities and average people, and because much of the violations are done through complex algorithms, it can be difficult to hold actors accountable for any harm caused. 'Now is the time to not only ensure that AI systems are rights respecting by design, but also to guarantee that those who are impacted by these technologies are not only meaningfully involved in decision-making on how AI technology should be regulated, but also that their experiences are continually surfaced and are centered within these discussions,' Amnesty International reported. READ MORE: AI-generated voice calls are made ILLEGAL in US - and FCC says ruling 'takes effect immediately' Following the new ruling, FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said, 'We're putting the fraudsters behind these robocalls on notice.' Advertisement The agreement between all UN members and the support from other countries was a major development. UN members said that there were 'lots of heated conversations. ... But we actively engaged with China, Russia, Cuba, other countries that often don't see eye to eye with us on issues.' According to the resolution, all participating countries will ensure it is adopted and developed in a secure way that prevents the systems from exposing people's data and will make sure all nations can enjoy the benefits. Vice President Kamala Harris, the US's AI Czar, said in a statement that the White House welcomes the UN's adoption of the resolution. She continued: 'President Biden and I are committed to establishing and strengthening international rules and norms on emerging technology because technology with global impact, such as AI, requires global action, and when it comes to the challenges of the 21st century, we believe all nations must be guided by a common set of understandings.' The resolution comes after AI faced scrutiny from top tech executives who have painted a 'world-on-fire' scenario, with many warning that AI machines could take over, leading to an 'extinction level' event. Tech titans penned a letter in March 2023 urging lawmakers to force companies to pause their AI software developments. 'Recent months have seen AI labs locked in an out-of-control race to develop and deploy ever more powerful digital minds that no one not even their creators can understand, predict, or reliably control,' said the letter which was signed by more than 1,000 tech developers and experts. Among those who signed the letter were X owner Elon Musk and OpenAI ChatGPT founder Sam Altman. Hinton also foretold what steps the technology could take to get out of control and cause human extinction. 'One of the ways these systems might escape control is by writing their own computer code to modify themselves. And that's something we need to seriously worry about,' Hinton told CNBC last year. The AI godfather has even gone so far as to say he regrets building the technology but told The New York Times: 'I console myself with the normal excuse: If I hadn't done it, somebody else would have.' READ MORE: DMV was down across the US The DMV was hit by an outage due to a third-party issue The Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) experienced technical issues for nearly three hours on Thursday due to an outage with a third-party provider. The American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA), which provides software to the DMV, experienced a 'loss in cloud connectivity,' a spokesperson told DailyMail.com. The glitch halted license-related transactions from 9:50am to 12:30pm ET. Many Americans shared their frustration, some of who were parents taking their children in for their driving lesson - only to be sent home empty handed. The Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) experienced technical issues on Thursday for nearly three hours due to an outage with a third-party provider 'During [the time of the outage], there was no ability to process messages that support transactions of driver licenses and motor vehicle titles,' the spokesperson said 'This prevented a number of motor vehicle agencies from issuing driver licenses and vehicle titles during the outage. 'AAMVA is working internally and with our cloud providers to determine the root cause of the outage.' The DMV is a state-level government agency due to driving privileges being granted by the state government. Alexi Giannoulias, Illinois Secretary of State, made the first announcement about the outage, triggering responses of other states who have issued notices to locals or posted on Elon Musk's X. New York State posted: 'We are aware of ongoing issues impacting transactions in our offices and online, and we apologize for the inconvenience. 'We are working diligently to get everything back up and running and will let you know when we do.' One Massachusetts resident shared his frustrations about the DMV outage on X Illinois Secretary of State made the announcement online: 'We are currently experiencing a nationwide outage at our DMV facilities' The outage means Americans are unable to obtain identification cards. One man waiting at the DMV shared his experience on X. 'Its taking me everything to not strangle the clerk working the desk at the DMV,' he posted. While no details had been shared about the outage, some DMVs took to social media to inform the public about the issues 'Im 0-4 for renewing my license to get the Real ID. Systems down multiple times in a row.' An Illinois mother posted an image of her and her son on Facebook, sharing the news that he was unable to take his driving lesson because of the outage. 'When the system at the DMV is down and all you can do is chill in the parking lot,' she shared. A similar post on Facebook was shared by an Alabama mother who's daughter just turned 16 years old and passed her driving test. However, the teen was unable to get the official card and paperwork due to the systems being down. Massachusetts is one of the many states unable to process licenses or identification transactions. A local resident commented on the state's post shared on X: 'Figures it would go down today when I pick up my new car. In the mood and market for a holiday romance? Then pay close attention to the insights revealed here by travel experts on how flirting differs around the world. They reveal the top ice-breaker in the U.S, the country where flirting is tactile and filled with winks and the spot where lingering eye contact and buttery compliments are the order of the day on the wooing front. Our love gurus also name the countries where women can expect men to be overtly persistent - and a place where men literally bark like dogs at the opposite sex. Read on for some handy worldwide lessons in love... Woo goes there: MailOnline reached out to travel and romance experts to discover how flirting differs around the world UK - sharp wit hides simmering passion Hannah Dorling, cruise travel expert and founder of Love Cruise Ships, is a Brit who has travelled the globe and witnessed many an on-board love affair. She claims wit leads the way for chatting up in the UK. She tells MailOnline Travel: 'British flirting succeeds more through teasing jokes and intellectual sparring than overt displays... sharing private laughs helps intimacy grow. 'For me, the intrigue is in the subtleties of British flirting. Mastering repartee, 'inside jokes', and sensing possibilities underneath... It may look restrained but passions can still simmer below the surface.' United States - direct and sincere Noel Wolf is a cultural expert and Babbel Live teacher for the language site Babbel. She says: 'Americans are noted for being more to-the-point and sincere in their flirting than their fellow anglophones in the UK.' She notes that asking about someone's career is the traditional American icebreaker, adding: 'Americans tend to be less sarcastic than Brits!' South China - chopstick codes in rice balls Clarissa Bloom is a relationship expert for 'stag do experts' www.thestagcompany.com. She notes a fun flirting tradition in Southern China: 'They celebrate the Sisters Meal Festival, their version of Valentine's. 'The women will cook some sticky rice in a range of different colours, then when a guy makes "the move", they will hand them some rice in a handkerchief. If they unwrap it to find two chopsticks then it means it worked. 'Just one chopstick means the girl isn't interested, but as only the guy can see how many chopsticks are in there, it is relatively subtle and less embarrassing if it's a no.' In the UK and Australia, friendly banter paves the way for romance, while in the U.S asking people about their work can be the opening salvo for love Spain - direct eye contact and plenty of touching Michele Massa is a Spanish travel expert and CEO at Ibiza Summer Villas. She speaks of how Spaniards like to keep things tactile: 'Spaniards are very expressive people and when flirting we tend to show this through direct eye contact and physical touch.' Sara Rodriguez, founder of Madrid Traveling, agrees: 'You don't have to be shy with the "me gustas" (I like you) - we aim to leave no uncertainty about romantic interest. 'Women especially are bold, leading with smiles and winks... we find clarity sexy - why dance around chemistry when you can feel the fire?' Canada - a subtle dance Michael Donovan is a travel expert and the co-founder of StayNewEngland.com. He says: 'Flirting in Canada tends to be more low-key compared to many parts of the world. Canadians have a reputation for being polite and respectful, and this carries over into romantic pursuits. 'Overtly sexual comments can be seen as crass. 'While Canadian flirting is low-impact, it runs deep. Canadians seek life partners, not conquests. It's a subtle dance, with communication and egalitarian values driving attraction.' France - lingering eye contact and buttery compliments Picking someone up in French is referred to as 'draguer' - literally, to dredge. Nevertheless, Fiona Spinks, travel expert and publisher of Following Fiona, believes the French have turned flirting into high art: 'All lingering eye contact, suggestive body language, and buttery compliments about your intelligence or irresistible je ne sais quoi. 'Leave it to the land of romance to elevate the humble chat-up line to poetic levels with romantic gestures like handwritten notes and intimate invitations.' In some countries, flirting tends to the overt - looking at you, Italy, France, and Spain - while in more conservative countries such as India and Egypt flirting is more codified and has to be done in wider social circles India - tradition runs deep Travel expert Anjali Chawla, founder of Travel Melodies, notes that Indian romantic signals are subtle, with wooers relying on gestures, 'gentle' compliments, and finding excuses to interact in social settings. She says: 'Getting too direct or overt with advances typically isn't appreciated.' Tradition is key. Anjali continues: 'With parental involvement commonly playing an important role in the matchmaking process, openly dating multiple potential partners usually isn't an initially accepted option. Flirting most often occurs within family gatherings and other supervised settings in the early phases. 'Long-held power dynamics also provide preference to those with fairer complexions over darker skin tones, though this is slowly evolving more in modern urban areas.' Italy - persistent In Mexico, it's commonplace to hear wolf whistling or comments shouted aloud Emily Mendez, psychotherapist and writer for Blog of Tom, notes: 'Italy has a reputation for amorous, persistent men relentlessly pursuing the objects of their desire. Serenading and poetic overtures are more common flirting tactics [there] than in many other countries.' Brazil, Mexico and Costa Rica - fast-paced and aggressive In Mexico and South America, flirting can get rather aggressive, according to Clarissa Bloom. She says that in Brazil 'they're much more fast-paced with their dating and flirting', adding: 'It's common to be close, to dance together and to kiss on a first date in Brazil.' In Mexico, meanwhile, 'it's commonplace to hear wolf whistling or comments shouted aloud', and in Costa Rica 'you may hear men make dog barks at you, which is an odd way to show your attraction'. Egypt - keep it modest '[In Egypt] Islamic values play a significant role in shaping social interactions, including flirting,' according to Mona Gomaa, from Flash Pack's True Egypt tour. She adds: 'Modesty and respect are highly valued, and overt displays of affection or provocative behaviour are generally frowned upon in public. 'Unmarried men and women typically do not socialise freely or openly display their interest in one another. Instead, they may seek the help of intermediaries, such as family members or friends.' Australia - friendly banter Like their Commonwealth cousins, Australians 'favour playful banter fueled by humour and confidence' over pick-up lines, says Rosalind Cuthbertson, a travel expert and co-owner of Frequent Traveller. She adds: 'They tease with witty quips, often about cultural touchpoints, showing an ability to charm while gently poking fun.' Germany and Denmark are both known for an upfront, no-nonsense approach to flirting. Pictured: A couple in Copenhagen Germany - upfront and punctual Noel Wolf at Babbel says: 'Germans are known for being direct, and this can apply in the dating world too. Showing-off or cheesy lines don't tend to be the preferred style. 'Honest communication is appreciated, even if the truth can be a little painful sometimes, so people tend not to beat about the bush. 'One thing that is important to bear in mind is the importance of punctuality - being fashionably late will not make a good first impression!' Denmark - talk straight According to Nicolai Lonne, travel expert and founder of DiveIn, the Danish flirting style is akin to their Teutonic cousins: 'We have a very direct approach to flirting and dating here in Denmark. For example, we Danes don't really go in for too much playing hard-to-get or cryptic hints. We value honesty and being upfront about our intentions.' At first, theres just a fleeting glimpse as one breaks cover. Moments later, its a whole family. And suddenly, with shrieks of delight from our children, we are in the midst of the great migration. Kenya is famous for the annual trek of wildebeest and zebra from the Serengeti to the lush grasses of the Masai Mara, dodging lions and crocodiles all the way. But were not watching that show. Were just off a Kenyan beach, viewing an equally spectacular migration of humpback whales which voyage from Antarctica to the Indian Ocean each summer. En route, they brush the Kenyan shoreline at Watamu and are just one of the attractions at this enchanting seaside town. Robert Hardman visits the Kenyan coast where he watches the spectacular migration of humpback whales, which voyage from Antarctica to the Indian Ocean each summer For many, Kenya is all about going on safari. Yet, the Kenyan coast is far more beautiful, accessible and affordable than I thought. It is also ideal for summer holidays, as it is the quiet season here, with lovely temperatures. So before paying peak prices in a European hotspot, look further south. The East African nation is more of a trek than Spain, but many of the eight-hour direct flights to the capital Nairobi are overnight, there is no jet lag and there are plenty of connections to the coast at either Malindi or Mombasa. We opted for a week in Watamu, where the days were balmy and the evenings delightfully cool. From dawn to dusk, we had the full tropical sandy beach experience, jumping off glass-bottomed boats over a coral reef and lying on the sand eating freshly cut coconut. While the coastal town of Watamu, just 13 miles from Malindi airport, was far from empty, it was also far from full. Behold Hemingways - a handsome, low-lying property with a huge pool above the beach in Watamu. Robert checks in and declares that it offers five-star luxury at a European four-star price Pictured: Robert in Watamu with his family My wife and I, plus our three children (aged 16, 14 and 11) stayed at Hemingways a handsome, low-lying spread with a huge pool above the beach. Its five-star luxury at a European four-star price. Our Ocean View apartment had two spacious bedrooms and an enormous living area, both facing the Indian Ocean and opening on to a balcony that ran the length of our suite. Two large bathrooms and a big kitchen faced inland. Not that we were doing any cooking. Hemingways restaurant had a full brunch-style breakfast each morning. Every evening, we had the choice of a buffet or an a la carte menu. Outside, the chefs were preparing curries or tossing steaks, snapper and stir-fry over fire pits. We often took a couple of tuk-tuks at lunchtime and headed for the bazaars and restaurants of central Watamu. Robert bases himself by the beach, from where he views the migration of humpback whales. Pictured: Terrace dining at his hotel The bathroom and master bedroom in one of the hotel apartments This place is steeped in Swahili history with its Gede ruins. There are Indian, Arab and Italian influences, too. Browse the stalls for a famous kikoy sarong. Just before dusk, head to Mida Creek which opens into a huge inland lagoon. There you can sit in a bar on stilts over the water with a cocktail and see the sun set over the dhows and mangroves. An unexpected highlight was Watamu Snake Farm, a sanctuary for some of the worlds deadliest specimens, including puff adders and spitting cobras. Robert finds that the tropical sandy beaches of the Kenyan coast are far more beautiful, accessible and affordable than he had thought. Pictured: Turtle Beach in Watamu Just before dusk, head to Mida Creek (pictured), which opens into a huge inland lagoon, writes Robert Be there at 11am when venom is milked for serum to treat bites which kill up to 1,000 Kenyans each year. Another popular spot is Watamu Turtle Watchs marine information centre. The area is a breeding ground for endangered sea turtles and if fishermen catch any in nets, they bring them here. As Watamu sits on a UNESCO-protected marine reserve, it is not teeming with pedalos, jet skis and disco boats. You need a day ticket to enter the reserve in a licensed glass-bottomed tourist boat. Its 12 for a day pass (10 for a child) plus the boat ticket. As Watamu sits on a UNESCO-protected marine reserve, it is not teeming with pedalos, jet skis and disco boats, says Robert The area is a breeding ground for endangered sea turtles like the one pictured here at the Watamu Marine National Park Hemingways restaurant (above) offered a full brunch-style breakfast each morning, says Robert A skipper will take you out to a coral reef. All boats have free snorkelling kits and life jackets. You can sunbathe aboard or jump in to view marine life. My lot tailed a stingray at a distance. The high point was the afternoon on a Hemingways sport boat following the great whale migration. Its 80 each for a four-hour trip (with drinks and food). We soon spotted a cloud of mist from a whales blowhole. Then the humpbacks appeared, thwacking their tails on the water. Suddenly, a mother surfaced with a calf, then a trio of relatives, so close we could hear them snorting. On the way back, our skipper Alfred set up game-fishing lines. I reeled in a whopping sailfish, as long as me with a 3ft spike on its bill. It took three of us to haul it in, hold it for a photo then remove the hook. Then we threw it back. What a day. What a week. Kris Marshall has appeared to rule out any crossover with Death In Paradise ahead of a new season of Beyond Paradise. The finale of the first season of Beyond Paradise featured some elements of a crossover between the two BBC dramas, as Detective Inspector Humphrey Goodman - played by Kris - returned to the island of Saint Marie and even reunited with his old friend Harry the lizard. However, there are no signs of any more interlinking between the two series occurring in the future, after Kris seemingly dismissed any possibility of this happening in season two. Death in Paradise bosses Tony Jordan and Tim Key said in February 2023 that the difference between the two shows is that Humphrey has to solve a mystery that is not a murder in the first episode of the spin-off. Furthermore, Beyond Paradise is set in the Devonshire town of Shipton Abbott, while the former takes place on the fictional Caribbean island of Saint Marie. Kris Marshall has appeared to rule out any crossover with Death in Paradise ahead of a new season of Beyond Paradise The finale of the first season featured some elements of a crossover between the two BBC dramas, as Detective Inspector Humphrey Goodman - played by Kris Speaking to Digital Spy, Kris said it was 'not [something that would happen] in the immediate future, I don't think, but it's definitely something to be considered in the future, and I would absolutely love for certain characters to come and see us at Shipton Abbott. Specifically, someone like Don's character'. Praising fellow actor Don Warrington, who plays Commissioner Selwyn Patterson on Death In Paradise, he said: 'Don Warrington I mean, he is the Don. I'm in thrall to him. I absolutely love him. He's the most charming man on Earth. 'To have Don and Don's character, Selwyn Patterson, come and pay us a visit, would be the dream, really. 'And Danny John-Jules as well. I love Danny. I'm great friends with Danny. Many, many characters. But not in the immediate future, I don't think.' Kris's comments on a potential crossover come after he reprimanded critics of Beyond Paradise, insisting that the show serves an important purpose. He told Radio Times: 'I have a theory not a theory, actually, it's a fact that to make a show like Death In Paradise or Beyond Paradise, that has a broad demographic, that you can sit down and watch with your kids, that bonds all family members in the room, is incredibly hard to do. 'And to have people scorn it I'm fine with it now but it bothered me a bit in the past. These shows are hard to make and they bring people together that's got to be lauded a little bit, right?' 'It's a show that harks back to a world that we still wish Britain was, a place where the world doesn't take itself quite so seriously. The world has got too binary. It's less nuanced. The world today takes itself so f***ing seriously,' he added. Season two of Beyond Paradise promises 'to keep DI Humphrey Goodman and his team busy, with a baffling new crime each episode', per the programme's synopsis. 'From a death on a steam train to a missing teacher, the team have their work cut out. Even more so with Police HQ's threat of the local station house closure hanging over them the pressure is on to get results. It continues: 'Meanwhile, Humphrey and Martha's journey to find their own version of a family continues as they explore the possibility of fostering. Martha's mother Anne throws herself into the world of online dating, and a well-meant gesture from Esther's daughter Zoe threatens to uncover a long-held secret' Beyond Paradise returns on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Friday March 22. I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Here! Australia host Julia Morris allegedly locked horns with producers on the show before Chris Brown left the reality series for a Channel Seven gig last year. The comedian, 55, was said to have thrown tantrums on set if she didn't get her way, leading to tensions between the two stars, a source tells Daily Mail Australia. The insider claims there were times when Chris, 45, was asked to host segments of the show on his own when Julia refused to come out of the trailer. 'Julia would often throw tantrums on set if she didn't get her way,' the source said. 'One day in particular she refused to return to set if she didn't get a rather obscure "feather joke" away. I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Here! Australia host Julia Morris allegedly locked horns with producers on the show before Chris Brown left the reality series for a Channel Seven gig last year. The comedian, 55, was said to have thrown tantrums on set if she didn't get her way, leading to tensions between the two stars, a source tells Daily Mail Australia 'Leaving Dr Chris to be asked to go on solo if the debate wasn't resolved.' They went on to say Julia's tantrums may not 'be as easy to hide' with Chris' replacement host Robert Irwin. 'If Julia acts like a child again and leaves a 20-year-old to pick up the pieces it probably won't be as easy to hide,' the insider said. Chris was allegedly very tolerant of Julia and her quirks, and was considered the key ingredient to making their dynamic work on the Channel Ten show. However, Julia is said to have been 'disappointed' when Chris decided to leave their award-winning series to host new rival Seven show Dream House. 'Julia would often throw tantrums on set if she didn't get her way,' the source said. 'One day in particular she refused to return to set if she didn't get a rather obscure "feather joke" away' '[Chris] was quite disappointed to hear that Julia had addressed his departure publicly,' the source added. 'That wasn't how he saw their relationship and it certainly has impacted their friendship moving forward. 'In fact it has highlighted some old wounds from their time together over the 9 years.' Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Julia, Chris and Channel Ten for comment. It comes after reports suggested Chris is 'feeling the pressure' with his upcoming roles at Seven. The insider claims there were times when Chris, 45, was asked to host segments of the show on his own when Julia refused to come out of the trailer His first few duties include hosting Dancing With The Stars, a new renovation show Dream Home, and new animal adventure series Once In A Lifetime. 'I do think he's finding it tough,' a source told New Idea magazine. 'He's turned his whole life upside down moving to Seven, and he could be feeling the pressure.' The insider added the network is 'ruthless' for ratings and relying on Chris when the 'cameras start rolling'. 'He can't afford to stuff up,' they added. Chris signed a two-year contract with Seven worth more than $1million a year, following his contractual obligations for I'm A Celebrity at his former network. Actress Kaley Cuoco took to Instagram to share the news of the passing of her boyfriend Tommy Pelphrey's beloved German Shepherd, Blue, on Wednesday. She posted heartwarming pictures of the 'gentle' dog as she penned a long homage to him expressing her grief as she mourns having to put him down. 'I have cried harder over the loss of this gorgeous creature than I have in long time,' she said in a snippet of the caption. The post went viral with her celebrity pals as they took to the comment section to support her and Pelphrey during this difficult time. Stars like Taylor Lautner, Justin Theroux, and Amy Bolandhauser hit the like button to express their condolences as they wrote their sympathies under the post. Actress Kaley Cuoco took to Instagram to share the news of the passing of her boyfriend Tommy Pelphrey 's beloved German Shepherd, Blue, on Wednesday She posted heartwarming pictures of the 'gentle' dog She penned a long homage to him expressing her grief as she mourns him 'I'm crying for @tommypelphrey, the relationship he had with Blue was so special. They were quite the duo. Traveling the country as a team job to job then driving home to California,' she added. The actress noted that Blue was more of a family member than a pet as she reminisced over the time spent with him in life. And although all dogs loved her, she struggled to connect with Blue at first. But, he ended up being one of her greatest companions. 'After some time Blue finally realized we were a family and we were all sticking together. Something changed . He was amazing . Protective of me and the rest of our pup crew, always on guard. I felt so safe home alone with him,' the actress penned. The Camarillo, California native, who rescue dogs of her own, feels that having pets are an important responsibility that teaches love and care. 'We are so lucky to be loved by animals. They are gifts from above and we have been given the honor to cherish them on this earth. To be their voices. To teach our children how to treat them and how to love them. Blue, it was an honor to be your second favorite human down here on earth,' she finished. She was not alone however, actor Taylor Lautner chimed in adding his own message of support saying, 'Sending you both all the love in the world.' Mulholland Drive star Justin Theroux wrote, 'Oh no... I am so sorry. What a tough year,' adding a heart emoji. Tommy Pelphrey wrote his own tribute to Blue who he adopted late 2018, 'I had to say goodbye to my guy. I got Blue on Xmas eve, 2018. Blue had been at a rescue for over a year, and in that time had been adopted and returned at least 3x, fostered and returned at least as many. He was living in a kennel and 'too aggressive' to have a home. 'He was by my side the entire time (literally) protecting me and guiding me into a new, fuller life. I guess that's what Shepherds do. I held him at the end,' he added. He finished the lengthy caption with, 'I'm heartbroken. I'm full of gratitude to God for every second with one of His angels.' Stars like Taylor Lautner, Justin Theroux , and Amy Bolandhauser hit the like button and commented to express their condolences Th actress noted that her furry friend was more of a family member than a pet 'I'm heartbroken...I'm full of gratitude to God for every second with one of His angels,' Pelphrey penned Tom seen with Blue, who he adopted from a rescue in 2018 Cuoco revealed that she had to put down three dogs in the last year as she reflected on the heartbreaking experience Cuoco revealed that she had to put down three dogs in the last year as she reflected on the heartbreaking experience. The 38-year-old founded the pet care brand Oh, Norman! because of her devotion and love for animals of all shapes and sizes. Now, the couple shares three dogs Ruby, Opal, King after losing their beloved Blue. The commander of U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) emphasized the need Wednesday to continue to invest in 28,500 American service members in South Korea through various training programs to defend South Korea against evolving Korean threats. Gen. Paul LaCamera made the remarks amid lingering concerns that should former President Donald Trump return to the White House, he could consider reducing the USFK troop level, though the current level is stated in the U.S. National Defense Authorization Act. Those concerns rose this week, as Christopher Miller, who served as the acting Pentagon chief under Trump, said in a recent media interview that the time has come to talk about whether USFK still needs its current troop strength or if a change is needed. "We must continue to build physical, mental and spiritual readiness through operations and activities designed to compete in the gray zone with the DPRK," LaCamera told a hearing of the House Armed Services Committee. DPRK stands for the 's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. "To defend the ROK, we must continue to invest in the 28,500 service members, including by trilateral and multilateral exercises on and off the peninsula, multi-domain training integrating live, virtual and constructive entities and continue to experiment with next-generation capabilities," he added. ROK stands for South Korea's official name, the Republic of Korea. In his written statement to the committee, LaCamera described USFK as a "premier joint force capable of operating in all domains with allies and partners" and a "critical" part of the U.S. approach to providing extended deterrence in Northeast Asia. Extended deterrence refers to America's commitment to using the full range of its military capabilities, including nuclear, to defend its regional allies. The general also noted that China and Russia are "mindful" of USFK's presence in an apparent allusion to the strategic value of USFK in dealing with potential security challenges from the two countries. "These geographic realities, combined with powerful economic interests, make the ROK the linchpin of security in Northeast Asia and a treaty ally we must defend," he wrote in the statement. Asked to give his assessment of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's intentions behind his weapons programs, LaCamera said that his "top" priority is "regime survivability." "And he's developing weapons of mass destruction. For that, he is looking for sanctions relief," he said, "And he's preparing to defend his nation and (that) is his top priorities." Responding to a question about whether he anticipates any North Korean aggression against the South, he outlined ongoing North Korean military activities. "Actions right now ... (are) gray zone activities. He's coming out of COVID just like everybody else. He's in his winter training cycle right now," he said. "And he's testing equipment and he's also having Russia test some of his equipment by providing that for the fight in Ukraine." LaCamera, in addition, underscored that his command has been watching developments in Ukraine and the Middle East as well as recent military drills between Russia, China and Iran near the Gulf of Oman in an effort to learn lessons from them if any. "We are watching the training that goes on and around the peninsula with China, Russia and DPRK, and incorporating it into our exercises, making sure that we understand the capabilities that our adversaries are developing," he said. LaCamera leads three commands, including the South Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command and U.N. Command. (Yonhap) America's Got Talent just kicked off the taping of its 19th season in Pasadena. And co-judge Heidi Klum made the sidewalk outside the historic Pasadena Civic Auditorium her catwalk as she arrived to set on Wednesday. The Project Runway alum, 50, departed her vehicle and made her way past a group of AGT fans before heading into the studio. She looked chic in a monochromatic gray look that included an oversized button down shirt with wide-legged pants. The former Victoria's Secret Angel wore mirrored sunglasses, carried a grey leather handbag and wore silver chrome pumps on her feet. Heidi Klum made the sidewalk outside the historic Pasadena Civic Auditorium her catwalk as she arrived to set of America's Got Talent on Wednesday During her walk to the entrance, the German-born star greeted fans who had gathered on the streets and couldn't resist saying hello. Flashing a big smile nearly the entire time, the former catwalk queen also offered up a few waves as she was ushered inside the studio ahead of another day's work on AGT. The talent competition show was officially renewed for its 19th season during last season's finale in late September 2023. The upcoming season is scheduled to premiere on May 28 and promises viewers 'some of the wildest acts to ever grace the AGT stage' per the latest ad. Terry Crews will be back to continue his run as America's Got Talent host for his sixth season in a row, while Klum returns to the judges panel with Sofia Vergara, Howie Mandel and Simon Cowell. Cowell, the show's creator, said that the results are not always obvious or predictable. 'You can't please everyone there were people who were disappointed, people who were surprised, but it's a public vote,' he said. He revealed that he's gotten 'used to' being thrown off by the shows winners after judging for so long. The 64-year-old mentioned how one of his favorite things about the last season's winner is that they didn't have any expectation of winning. The Project Runway alum, 50, departed her vehicle and made her way past a group of AGT fans before heading into the studio She looked chic in a monochromatic gray look that included an oversized button down shirt with wide-legged pants The talent competition show just kicked off the taping of its 19th season in Pasadena this month Heidi and her husband Tokio Hotel guitarist Tom Kaulitz, 34, made the rounds of the red carpets during the recently finished awards season in Hollywood. The supermodel is on the cover of the latest issue of Glamour Germany and she dished on her marriage to a man 16-years her junior. 'I think it's often just spitefulness,' she told the outlet, referring to the origin of people's disapproval. 'Perhaps many people also think I've had too much luck in life. I have a great job, I get to travel the world, I can buy expensive things,' she told the outlet. 'And now I've also got myself such a great man. Margot Robbie recently took time out from her busy schedule to pay a special visit to people with disabilities cared for by Young Care Oz. The charitable Barbie star, 33, spent significant time with residents at Brisbane Care Home. Today Extra host Sylvia Jeffreys, who is an ambassador for the Australian charity, posted a picture of Margot beaming while hugging a man in a wheelchair. She also shared a group photo of Margot pulling a funny face with residents and carers at the home. 'Margot Robbie may be one of the most recognisable women in the world right now, but on a recent visit to Australia the Barbie star pulled off a secret mission for Young Care,' Sylvia wrote. Margot Robbie recently took time out from her busy schedule to pay a special visit to people with disabilities cared for by Young Care Oz 'Surprising the residents and carers at one of their Brisbane homes. We can't thank Margot enough for her very genuine commitment and for using her star power to support young Australians living with high care disabilities.' The Queensland-born star has a reputation for being generous. In July, she recalled the heartwarming moment she repaid her supportive mother Sari Kessler after finding success in Hollywood. The charitable Barbie star, 33, spent significant time with residents at Brisbane Care Home Speaking to CBS Sunday Morning, the Hollywood star revealed she spent her first movie earnings to pay off the mortgage on Sari's $490,000 home in Southport, Australia. Margot explained she'd always intended to give money to her mother once she made it in Hollywood, as Sari had financially supported her at the beginning of her career. 'Everything I owed my mum I had it written down. She'd take money out of the house mortgage [to] lend me money,' Margot began. Today Extra host Sylvia Jeffreys posted a photo of Margot beaming while hugging a man in a wheelchair 'So I always knew, I was like, "I gotta pay that back". And then one day, when I made enough money, I just paid that whole mortgage off completely,' she added. She paid off the mortgage on Sari's 60th birthday, a year Margot she shot to superstardom in The Wolf of Wall Street. 'I was like, "Mum, don't even worry about that mortgage anymore. It doesn't even exist anymore". Honestly, anyone in my position, you'd do that for your mum,' she said. Robbie has been married to English film producer Tom Ackerley since 2016. She also shared a group photo of Margot pulling a funny face with residents and carers at the home Another day, another little black dress for Sydney Sweeney, who taped Wednesday's episode of The View at ABC Studios in Manhattan's Upper West Side neighborhood. The 26-year-old Madame Web action star flaunted her tiny waist in a $5,400 Khaite 'The Uni Dress' with a matching clutch and high-heeled boots selected by stylist Molly Dickson. Sydney's expensive corseted creation was not made from cow leather but rather 'supple, sculpted lambskin.' Hairstylist Glen Oropeza coiffed Sweeney's newly-cut blonde bob and make-up artist Melissa Hernandez fully contoured her complexion for the morning show appearance. The Anyone But You producer-star was safely escorted into the building, flanked by two sets of barricades, by her burly bodyguard. Another day, another little black dress for Sydney Sweeney, who taped Wednesday's episode of The View at ABC Studios in Manhattan's Upper West Side neighborhood But Sydney made sure to snaps a few selfies with waiting fans before heading inside. Sweeney has been hard at work promoting Michael Mohan's psychological horror Immaculate - hitting US/UK theaters this Friday - which she produced and starred in as the miraculously pregnant Catholic nun Cecilia. 'I actually auditioned for this movie 10 years ago. And they never ended up making it and I could not stop thinking about it. I would dream how I would want to make it one day. So I'm just going to figure out how to do it myself,' the Spokane-born, LA-raised bombshell explained. 'Cecilia goes through such a crazy transformation where in the beginning she's very pure, pious, innocent, quiet and then there's almost this animalistic quality, this feminine rage that comes out. And as an actor, it's so fulfilling to go to such crazy places.' Not only did Sydney invite both of her grandmothers to the Los Angeles premiere of Immaculate last Friday, they both play nun extras in the film. 'I actually surprised them for Christmas. I told them I'm going to fly them to Italy and have them be extras in the movie. They'd never been to Italy. They'd never been outside of the country,' Sweeney recalled. 'I felt a little bad [at the premiere] because I didn't tell them what the movie was...Then she watched it. We're sitting in the row, and she leans over. She goes, "Oh my God, Sydney!" I'm like, "Oh no, Grandy, I'm sorry!"' The Armani Beauty brand ambassador didn't have much of an update on when she'll be reprising her role as Cassie Howard in the long-delayed third season of Euphoria. The 26-year-old Madame Web action star flaunted her tiny waist in a $5,400 Khaite 'The Uni Dress' with a matching clutch and high-heeled boots selected by stylist Molly Dickson Sydney's expensive corseted creation was not made from cow leather but rather 'supple, sculpted lambskin' Hairstylist Glen Oropeza coiffed Sweeney's newly-cut blonde bob and make-up artist Melissa Hernandez fully contoured her complexion for the morning show appearance The Anyone But You producer-star was safely escorted into the building, flanked by two sets of barricades, by her burly bodyguard But Sydney made sure to snaps a few selfies with waiting fans before heading inside Sweeney has been hard at work promoting Michael Mohan's psychological horror Immaculate - hitting US/UK theaters this Friday - which she produced and starred in as the miraculously pregnant Catholic nun Cecilia The Spokane-born, LA-raised bombshell explained: 'I actually auditioned for this movie 10 years ago. And they never ended up making it and I could not stop thinking about it. I would dream how I would want to make it one day. So I'm just going to figure out how to do it myself' Sydney continued: 'Cecilia goes through such a crazy transformation where in the beginning she's very pure, pious, innocent, quiet and then there's almost this animalistic quality, this feminine rage that comes out. And as an actor, it's so fulfilling to go to such crazy places' Not only did Sweeney invite both of her grandmothers to the Los Angeles premiere of Immaculate last Friday, they both play nun extras in the film (pictured) The Armani Beauty brand ambassador recalled: 'I actually surprised them for Christmas. I told them I'm going to fly them to Italy and have them be extras in the movie. They'd never been to Italy. They'd never been outside of the country' Sydney added: 'I felt a little bad [at the premiere] because I didn't tell them what the movie was...Then she watched it. We're sitting in the row, and she leans over. She goes, "Oh my God, Sydney!" I'm like, "Oh no, Grandy, I'm sorry!"' Sweeney didn't have much of an update on when she'll be reprising her role as Cassie Howard in the long-delayed third season of Euphoria When co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin (R) asked for details, the SAG Award nominee apologized: 'I can't share anything! I just feel so bad, but no' Colman Domingo - who plays Ali Muhammed - previously revealed that Euphoria creator Sam Levinson has been rewriting season three so it better reflects 'what the ills of the world are' Sydney was later seen wearing a tummy-flashing ruffled LBD while emerging from her hotel in front of her Fifty-Fifty Films producing partner and fiance, Jonathan Davino (L) When co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin asked for details, Sydney apologized: 'I can't share anything! I just feel so bad, but no.' Colman Domingo - who plays Ali Muhammed - previously revealed that Euphoria creator Sam Levinson has been rewriting season three so it better reflects 'what the ills of the world are.' 'I think he's wrestling with what's important,' the 54-year-old Oscar nominee told GQ on February 26. 'He's responding immediately to what the ills of the world are. I know that the one thing I can tell you is that he's very much interested in the existential question of who we are right now. Our souls. That's what he wants to figure out with season three.' Moderator Whoopi Goldberg ended the interview by giving Sweeney The View's highest invitation to return: 'You are welcome at this table any time. Come back anytime you're doing something scary or fun or silly. You have a place here.' The SAG Award nominee was later seen wearing a tummy-flashing ruffled LBD while emerging from her hotel in front of her Fifty-Fifty Films producing partner and fiance, Jonathan Davino. Sydney has three more upcoming films - Lionsgate's modern-day western Americana, Apple TV+ Pennsylvania horse farm thriller Echo Valley, and Ron Howard's Galapagos-set survival thriller Eden. Married At First Sight groom Jack Dunkley has made a major confession about his relationship with bride Tori Adams. Jack, 34, appeared on Thursday's episode of Today Extra to discuss the bombshell dinner party drama which saw his relationship with Tori, 27, come under fire. Tori was left enraged and turned against the other couples as they once again slammed her and Jack's romance and accused them of lying about sleeping together. Addressing the drama, Jack appeared on the Channel Nine breakfast show alongside Tori as they both spoke live from the Gold Coast, where Jack lives. In their joint TV appearance, the couple hinted at their relationship status as they looked very cosy during the segment and joked about their 'telepathic' connection. Married At First Sight groom Jack Dunkley has made a major confession about his relationship with bride Tori Adams, dropping a huge hint about their relationship status Jack also made a major confession as he spoke about finding 'the love of your life' on MAFS, sending hosts David Campbell and Sylvia Jeffreys into shock. Though refusing to official confirm if they are still together, he dropped a heavy hint as he gushed of going on MAFS: 'If you can find the love of your life, that's amazing,' before sharing a cheeky grin with Tori. The couple were also quizzed by David and Sylvia about whether their joint appearance from the Gold Coast meant Tori had moved in with Jack. Recent scenes on MAFS showed Tori - who is from Melbourne - sharing her doubts over relocating to Jack's home, having never moved away from the city. She has remained tight-lipped on whether she has made the big move, insisting: 'I'm just visiting guys, just visiting. Just a short-term visit.' The couple came under fire on Wednesday's episode of MAFS as the other couples accused them of lying about sleeping together, but the pair have now batted away the criticism While Jack joked: 'We might catch up for a coffee after the show,' before nudging Tori, who laughed as they once again heavily hinted they are still going strong. However, hosts David and Sylvia remained unconvinced by their denials as they insisted that Tori was definitely moving in with Jack as the pair smiled and laughed. Elsewhere in the interview, Tori also addressed Wednesday's dramatic dinner party where she came under fire from the group over her controversial relationship with Jack. She told how she reached breaking point after feeling like she was having the same conversation every week and said the other couples' doubts were a 'waste of time'. She said: 'Week on week was the same thing. I felt like we were having the exact same conversation we had in day one that we did. You know, right up until the dinner party, it was just repetitive and a waste of time.' Addressing the drama, Jack appeared on Today Extra alongside Tori as they both spoke live from the Gold Coast, where Jack lives, prompting speculation they are moving in together Tori also denied her co-stars' claims that she never questioned Jack on his controversial behaviour and 'sexist' remarks, including telling Jono McCullough to 'muzzle' his wife Lauren Dunn. She insisted: 'Jack and I always spoke about the little indiscretions that he had, and it was never where I was screaming at him or yelling at him at a dinner table, or you know, calling him every name under the sun. That's not my style. 'I'm quite composed. And I think that composure was unsettling for the group, who just couldn't match me on that level. 'I don't need to yell and scream - well I did yell and scream [to others] - but when speaking with Jack, you know, our communication style was was quite, I guess, human. You know, it wasn't aggressive or anything like that.' Wednesday's dramatic scenes saw Tori angrily turn against all of her co-stars as they once again questioned her relationship with Jack and accused them of lying about sleeping together. Jack spoke about meeting the 'love of your life' on MAFS before sharing a cheeky grin with Tori as he dropped a heavy hint they are still going strong Timothy Smith boldly asked: 'Have you made up the sleeping thing to take the heat off?' To which an enraged Tori hit back with: 'Did you kiss you're f**king wife to take the heat off?' Timothy then said: 'You're fiery but we've never seen you fiery at [Jack],' referring to Tori seemingly supporting her on-screen husband amid his controversial behaviour. Lauren asked Tori: 'Do you get the group thing of when Jack does thing after thing, week after week, you seem to not have any issue with it? Are you just blindly loyal to your man?' However, Tori angrily replied: 'It's not my wrap sheet, it's his wrap sheet! I don't accept the wrap sheet.' Wednesday's dramatic scenes saw Tori angrily turn against all of her co-stars as they once again questioned her relationship with Jack As Lauren argued with her, Tori fumed: 'You want to see me pop off the way you pop off,' with her formerly best pal adding: 'Pop off to your man who has done you wrong.' Sara then claimed Tori 'didn't feel anything' towards Jack's recent controversial behaviour, prompting an explosive outburst from the irritated bride. She said: 'You can't tell me how I feel! Just trust what I'm doing is right, and if it's not then you can all laugh! So then stop questioning it and let it go!' To camera, Jack played down the drama as he said: 'They're just the mean girls, they like a little bit of drama. I think she's rattled now.' Lauren told Jack: 'I think you're full of f**king s**t man, Tori open your eyes!' The couples quizzed Tori and Jack on their relationship, accusing them of lying about sleeping together, prompting the bride to say she didn't want to be friends with any of them Tori then turned against the group as she insisted none of them - not even her ex-best pal Lauren - were her friends and said she had no plans to see them after the experiment. She raged: 'After this, no one at this table - maybe you [Lauren] at the beginning - I would want to spend time with after this experiment. None of you, none!' A visibly hurt Lauren said to camera: 'I can't believe she would say something that cruel. My friendship with Tori is fractured.' Taylor Swift's lead guitarist has welcomed a new Swiftie into his family. Paul Sidoti took to social media to announce that he and wife Ashley welcomed a son, Samuel Paul, on March 12. Paul has been the lead guitarist and background vocalist for the Grammy winning artist since December 2007. He recently posted an adorable photo of the newborn to his Instagram, writing: 'This morning, we welcomed our little miracle Sammy Sidoti into the world. Our prayers were answered and mommy and baby are doing great. Big sister Scarlett is over the moon having a baby brother. All my love to @ashsidoti.' Fans were quick to share their congratulations and even praised Swift for 'planning' the Eras tour around the expectant baby. Taylor Swift's lead guitarist has revealed that he has welcomed a new Swiftie into his family 'I love that she planned the tour around the due date preemptively,' one fan wrote. '[The baby] waited until the Eras tour took a 2 month break!!!!' 'Oh my gosh, Paul - Im so happy for you!! Good thing your new buddy waited til you got home from Asia! Congrats all around way to go, Mrs. Sidoti/Mama Queen! another user commented. Paul Sidoti took to social media to announce that he and wife Ashley welcomed a son, Samuel Paul, last Tuesday Fans were quick to share their congratulations and even praised Swift for 'planning' the Eras tour around the expectant baby Swift and her team are currently enjoying a break for two months ahead of a lengthy run of European dates. They will return to the stage May 9 in Paris. It comes after the Grammy Award winner, 34, premiered her documentary Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour in October. The documentary has quickly become the No. 1 music film on Disney+. Paul has been the lead guitarist and vocalist for the Grammy winning artist since December 2007 According to Deadline, the 3.5-hour concert film has amassed 4.6 million views since it began streaming last Thursday. Swift kicked off The Eras Tour on March 17, 2023 in Glendale, California, with 152 shows planned across five continents through the end of 2024. Serving as a retrospective of her career, the 10-act show features 44 songs from her vast discography. The Disney+ version of the concert film features performances of some of Swift's newer songs. She turned 43 late last year. But Snezana Wood looked many years younger as she attended Glamour On The Grid at Albert Park race track in Melbourne on Wednesday evening with her teenage daughter Eve, 18. The pair could have been mistaken for sisters as she posed in near-identical long sleeve gowns. The mother-of-four was radiant in a white dress which featured dramatic waterfall sleeves and a flirty split at the side. She accessorised with perspex stilettos and a bold gold choker. Snezana Wood looked incredibly youthful as she attended Glamour On The Grid at Albert Park race track in Melbourne on Wednesday evening with her teenage daughter Eve Snezana coiffed her sharp brown bob in a sleek style and opted for a sultry nude lip and smokey eye for makeup. Meanwhile, budding model Eve was resplendent in a red satin gown with metallic stilettos and a slick of matching ruby lipstick. Eve soft launched her modelling career in 2023 before he graduated from high school. At the time she tagged a popular bikini brand in one of her Instagram posts. The talented teen looked every inch the professional model as she posed in the Vinca-Savoca bikini by the Aussie label Triangl. The pair could have been mistaken for sisters as she posed in near-identical long sleeve gowns In March 2022, Snezana revealed her daughter was working towards a career in fashion when the two attended Melbourne Fashion Festival. Sharing a photo of the pair, Snez wrote: 'Mother-daughter date night with @eve.vict who is working towards a career in fashion is absolutely killing it.' The teenager's Instagram bio listed her as a 'model' at the time, but this has since been updated to 'digital creator'. Eve is seen back when audiences first met her during The Bachelor days In March 2022, Snezana (right) revealed her daughter was working towards a career in fashion when the two attended Melbourne Fashion Festival Snezana also shares three daughters - Willow, Charlie and Harper - with her husband Sam Wood. Eve is Snezana's daughter from her first marriage. The Woods met on The Bachelor in 2015 and remain one of the franchise's success stories, alongside Tim Robards and Anna Heinrich. Sam is responsible for the highly successful fitness program 28 by Sam Wood. The creator of Narcos is getting started on his next series, and he's focusing on a whole new crime syndicate in a whole new city. While appearing at Series Mania in Lille, France, Chris Brancato announced he is in early development on a series for MGM+ under the working title The Westies. He's currently writing the Peaky Blinders-style series about 'fearsome Irish gangs' of New York, beginning in the late 1970s. As the series is still in early development, no other plot details, casting news or premiere date have been announced. Brancato's current MGM+ series Hotel Cocaine is currently in competition at Series Mania, where he revealed he's also outlining a second season of that show. The creator of Narcos is in early development on a new series about a different crime syndicate While appearing at Series Mania in Lille, France, Chris Brancato announced he is working on a series for MGM+ under the working title The Westies In the style of Casablanca, the series follows Cuban exile Roman Compte (Danny Pino). He serves as general manager of the Mutiny Hotel, the glamorous hub of Miami's thriving cocaine scene of the '70s and '80s. Brancato described the series as the kind of 'muscular crime drama' he's become known for with modern themes, according to Deadline. 'I look for themes such as hedonism that was part of the American and worldwide culture at that time,' he explained. 'Did it amount to anything?' 'To examine this, you want to make a period piece to comment about and I think this offers commentary about today as well,' added Brancato. In an unexpected bit of career news, Brancato said he's also considering a few series in the style of Beverly Hills, 90210, for which he wrote earlier in his career. He's currently writing the Peaky Blinders-style series about 'fearsome Irish gangs' of New York, beginning in the late 1970s Brancato's current MGM+ series Hotel Cocaine is currently in competition at Series Mania, where he revealed he's also outlining a second season of that show In an unexpected bit of career news, Brancato said he's also considering a few series in the style of Beverly Hills, 90210 , for which he wrote earlier in his career Brancato is also known for creating the spin-off Narcos: Mexico and Godfather of Harlem. Narcos, which was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Television Series Drama, told the story of Pablo Escobar (Wagner Moura). Hotel Cocaine is set to premiere this summer on MGM+. Joshua Jackson is slated to return to primetime television for the first time in more than a decade. The 45-year-old longtime actor who is romancing Lupita Nyong'o has been cast in a new drama series from Ryan Murphy called Dr. Odyssey, per Variety. Many details have yet to be unveiled, but the show will be a medical procedural and will debut in the 2024-2025 season. Ryan will co-write the Dr. Odyssey alongside Jon Robin Baitz and Joe Baken, with whom he has collaborated with in the past. The trio will also serve as executive producers, and so will Joshua. Joshua Jackson is slated to return to primetime television for the first time in more than a decade; pictured in December 2023 The 45-year-old longtime actor has been cast in a new drama series from Ryan Murphy called Dr. Odyssey, per Variety Joshua has appeared in streaming shows Little Fires Everywhere, Fatal Attraction, and Dr. Death in recent years. He has also starred The Affair from Showtime, but his latest project will mark the actors first time on a major network since his role on Fox's Fringe, which ended in 2013. Earlier this month it was announced that the former Dawson's Creek sensation has been cast in Sony's newest Karate Kid. It follows his 2015 role in the movie Sky, which also starred Lena Dunham, Norman Reedus, and Diane Kruger. Jackson's professional news comes amid his hot new romance with Lupita, 41. At the beginning of the month the two performers were spotted packing on the PDA as they vacationed in Mexico. The father-of-one shockingly split from ex-wife Jodie Turner-Smith last fall. The exes share daughter Juno, four in April. 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. Jackson is romancing Lupita Nyong'o following his split from ex-wife Jodie Turner-Smith The father-of-one shockingly split from ex-wife Jodie Turner-Smith last fall. The exes share daughter Juno, four in April; pictured in March 2023 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. Simon Cowell is reportedly set to sign a huge deal with Netflix to launch a brand new talent show to find the next One Direction. The music mogul, 64, helped form the famous boyband, made up of Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne and Niall Horan on The X Factor in 2010, where they came third. He then signed the group to his record label, Syco Records, and the band soon skyrocketed to global success, becoming one of the best-selling boybands of all time. Now Simon is said to be looking to find another group that can equal One Direction's success, with a new talent contest. According to The Sun, filming for the show is believed to have already begun in the UK in partnership with production company Box To Box films. Simon Cowell is reportedly set to sign a huge deal with Netflix to launch a brand new talent show to find the next One Direction (pictured last month) The music mogul, 64, helped form the famous boyband, made up of Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne and Niall Horan on The X Factor in 2010, where they came third (pictured on show L-R Louis, Zayn, Simon, Niall, Harry and Liam) He then signed the group to his record label, Syco Records, and the band soon skyrocketed to global success, becoming one of the best-selling boybands of all time (pictured in 2014) Sources have claimed that Simon was in a bidding war after first pitching the show, with Apple and Prime Video also keen to come on board. However, they say he is now in talks with Netflix and ready to sign a huge deal, and has already joined forced with a PR firm to prepare to announce the show in the coming weeks. The source told the publication: 'Simon is preparing to sign a huge deal with Netflix to find the worlds next biggest boy band. 'He is working with the team behind Drive To Survive on the show and wanted to get it on a streamer because it fits the audience better. Simon knew The X Factor had grown tired so he wanted to do something that looked completely fresh and new. 'He is renowned for spotting talent and One Directions success came off the back of him putting them together. Simon wants to replicate this and find a group who can reach the heights One Direction did. 'Filming for the show has already started in the UK and he is so excited about whats to come.' Simon's new project comes six years after the final series of The X Factor, which he admitted took a toll on him. The TV personality previously said becoming a father changed his life and helped him overcome an all-encompassing obsession with work that left him 'depressed, miserable' and unable to sleep. Now Simon is said to be looking to find another group that can equal One Direction's success, with a new talent contest (pictured in 2013) Sources have claimed that Simon was in a bidding war after first pitching the show, with Apple and Prime Video also keen to come on board (pictured last month) His straight-talking appraisals as head judge helped earn him a reputation as TV's Mr. Nasty, but behind the scenes he admits to working round the clock in a frantic bid to help the show stay one step ahead of the competition. And Simon says becoming a father late in life helped steer him away from his dark, desperate and ultimately doomed attempt to salvage the former ITV flagship from a rapid decline in popularity by toying with its once successful format. He told The Sun: 'Before Eric, my life was 99 percent work I was obsessed with it. I got to that point where everything was about, "If youre not rating against this then youre a failure" and I stopped enjoying what I was doing and I was miserable the whole time. 'I was obsessed with beating the competition. I took it to a ridiculous level and I would get really down about that stuff, to the point I was depressed.' Simon and his fiancee Lauren Silverman welcomed son Eric, 10, on Valentine's Day 2014. Superstar DJ Fred Again took to social media on Thursday to share some exciting news for his New Zealand fans. The English-born star, 30, shared a post to Instagram Stories revealing he had added two New Zealand dates to his current world tour. The hitmaker told his legions of fans he would be performing next week at Spark Arena in Auckland on the 26th and 27th of March. 'Auckland, I seeeeees you! Gimme like,' Fred wrote next to his post. He recently finished performing to packed crowds across Australia and will next play at Waitangi Park in Wellington, NZ on Friday night. Superstar DJ Fred Again (pictured) took to social media on Thursday to share some exciting news for his New Zealand fans It comes after the DJ treated a few hundred fans to a surprise gig in Sydney earlier this month. The UK-based DJ, whose real name is Frederick John Philip Gibson, performed at Club 77 in Darlinghurst in front of eager music lovers in what was a secret show. A handful of fans were selected and notified of the show via a WhatsApp message directly from the musician. The English-born star, 30, shared a post to Instagram Stories revealing he had added two New Zealand dates to his current world tour 'Hi! Doing a random party tonight and we've randomly selected a few numbers to send ticket link to, so if you're getting this message that's u! If u wanna come!' the message read. Only 200 diehard fans scored tickets to the secret gig, while several missed out yet again on seeing the popular record producer live. Fred kicked off his Australian tour in Melbourne, playing three back-to-back shows from March 4 to March 6 at Rod Laver Arena, before heading to a pop up location on the Gold Coast on March 9. He then returned to Sydney for three shows at Qudos Bank Arena from March 12 to March 14. The United States has circulated a draft of U.N. Security Council resolution calling for an "immediate cease-fire linked to the release of hostages" in the Gaza Strip, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said. "Well, in fact, we actually have a resolution that we put forward right now that's before the United Nations Security Council that does call for an immediate cease-fire tied to the release of hostages, and we hope very much that countries will support that," Blinken said. "I think that would send a strong message, a strong signal," he told Saudi media outlet Al Hadath on Wednesday evening during a visit to Saudi Arabia to discuss the war between Israel and Hamas. The United States, Israel's main backer, had previously used its U.N. Security Council veto to block the world body from calling for an immediate cease-fire in the Palestinian territory. "Of course, we stand with Israel and its right to defend itself... but at the same time, it's imperative that the civilians who are in harm's way and who are suffering so terribly that we focus on them, that we make them a priority, protecting the civilians, getting them humanitarian assistance," he said. Blinken met Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and then held talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman soon after landing in the kingdom on Wednesday on the first leg of a regional tour that will include Egypt on Thursday and then Israel. The trip is his sixth to the Middle East since the Israel-Hamas war began on Oct. 7, 2023. Blinken's tour runs parallel with talks in Qatar, where mediators met for a third day on Wednesday in a renewed effort to secure a cease-fire but with little indication of an imminent agreement. The plan being discussed in Qatar would temporarily halt the fighting as hostages are exchanged for Palestinian prisoners and the delivery of relief supplies is stepped up. The bloodiest-ever Gaza war broke out after Hamas's Oct. 7, 2023 attack resulted in about 1,160 deaths in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures. Militants also seized about 250 hostages, of whom Israel believes 130 remain in Gaza, including 33 who are presumed dead. Israel's military has waged a retaliatory offensive against Hamas that has killed almost 32,000 people, most of them women and children, according to Gaza's health ministry. (AFP) Sydney Sweeney showcased her sexy style in a little black dress by SHUSHU/TONG as she attended an event for her new movie Immaculate. The 26-year-old actress who wore a different LBD earlier in the day flashed her taut midriff in the look, which had a sheer lace panel at the middle. The sleeveless look also featured a tiered, ruffled mini skirt that allowed the star to show off her toned legs. Sweeney complemented the look with sheer black pantyhose before rounding out the ensemble with pointy-toe, black, patent leather heels. The public appearance, held at 92NY in New York City, was called Sydney Sweeney In Conversation With Josh Horowitz. Sydney Sweeney showcased her sexy style in a little black dress as she attended an event for her new movie Immaculate The 26-year-old actress flashed her taut midriff in the look, which had a sheer lace panel at the middle Sydney's recently cut blonde hair was styled in a deep side part and blown out into a wispy bob. She dazzled in a face of radiant makeup including dark mascara to draw out her big, blue eyes. The Handmaid's Tale star dusted her cheeks with a pale pink hue and finished the cosmetics look with a matte, mauve lip stain. She posed alongside MTV's Horowitz on the red carpet. The host was dressed in a red cardigan layered over a crew neck white shirt, black slacks, and white sneakers. The event was a live taping of his podcast Happy Sad Confused and attendees were treated to an advance screening of the horror movie. Sweeney recently told Variety about acting, 'I love finding places that I didn't know I could unlock pushing the boundaries and the limits of what people expect to see from me. 'I wish that I had a formulaic answer for how I [do] it. But whenever a director calls "action," it's just like a switch.' The public appearance, held at 92NY in New York City, was called Sydney Sweeney In Conversation With Josh Horowitz The Spokane, Washington native flashed her megawatt smile as she posed for photos She continued, 'I allow all of Sydney's thoughts and feelings and emotions to disappear. And I am now whatever character I'm playing I'm Cecilia at the moment.' Talking up her new feature, she added, 'I don't like to rehearse; I don't plan what is going to happen. What you saw (in the film's final moments) was the first take.' The Madame Web actress always wanted to star in a horror film and embraced the 'emotional trauma' that her character goes through. Sydney said: 'I always want to do something new. I don't want to do the same thing over and over again. It's a lot of the draw, character discovery. I love Cecilia's journey, and I loved the emotional trauma that she goes through. 'And being in the horror genre is fun, because in that genre, there's no limitations or boundaries. I always find it so funny when people pick apart a horror film's rules, or its storytelling. I'm like, it's a horror film. You're just having fun. It's not a movie for the Oscars; you know that going into it.' Kris Jenner looked somber as she was seen for the first time since the death of her sister Karen Houghton on Monday. The Kardashian/Jenner matriarch, 68, was pictured leaving a family meeting in Los Angeles on Wednesday, in her new silver SVA Range Rover. The mom-of-six did not have her eyes shielded by sunglasses for the outing, despite the sunny day. She appeared to have on dark eyeshadow and wore her short black tresses in her usual pixie style. On Tuesday, it was announced that her younger sister Karen - who famously had a rollercoaster relationship with Jenner - died 'unexpectedly' aged 65 with Kris paying emotional tribute to her 'sensitive' sibling. Kris Jenner looked somber as she was seen for the first time since the death of her sister Karen Houghton on Monday The Kardashian/Jenner matriarch, 68, was pictured leaving a family meeting in Los Angeles on Wednesday, in her new silver SVA Range Rover The exact circumstances of Karen's passing are unclear, with county officials attributing her death to natural causes for now; Kris pictured in a throwback snap with Karen Karen was reported deceased to San Diego County officials on Monday in San Marcos, California, TMZ reports. The exact circumstances of her passing are unclear, with county officials attributing her death to natural causes for now. Karen was Kris' only sister, with the pair growing up in San Diego together raised predominately by mom MJ after her divorce from the pair's father Robert Houghton. Jenner shared snaps with her beloved sister on Tuesday and wrote: 'It is with the heaviest heart and deepest sadness that I share that my sister Karen passed away yesterday unexpectedly. 'My heart aches for my mom MJ and my niece Natalie and I pray that God guides us all through this difficult time. Karen was beautiful inside and out. She was the sweetest, kindest, the most sensitive and vulnerable and so so funny. 'She always felt grateful and thankful for her life and treasured her family and friends and especially her beautiful daughter. She holds such a huge part of my heart and I cherish every single memory we have together. 'Karens passing is a reminder that life is so short and precious and tomorrow is never promised. We must tell those we cherish how much we love them. I love you my beautiful sister.' Karen is survived by her daughter Natalie, 26, who she welcomed with ex-husband Mark Zettel, mother MJ , Kris and nieces Kourtney, Kim and Khloe Kardashian, Kendall and Kylie Jenner, and nephew Rob Kardashian. On Wednesday Natalie shared an emotional tribute to her mother via Instagram. In it, the 26-year-old, who is first cousins with the Kardashian and Jenner kids, including Kim Kardashian, Kylie Jenner, and Kendall Jenner, admitted that she 'doesn't know how to go on' without her mom. The mom-of-six did not have her eyes shielded by sunglasses for the outing, despite the sunny day She appeared to have on dark eyeshadow and wore her short black tresses in her usual pixie style On Tuesday, it was announced that her younger sister Karen - who famously had a rollercoaster relationship with Jenner - died 'unexpectedly' aged 65 Karen was reported deceased to San Diego County officials on Monday in San Marcos, California, as per TMZ Kris paid an emotional tribute to her 'sensitive' sibling in a touching Instagram post on Tuesday 'Dear Mommy, I cant believe [you're] gone,' she began in the harrowing post. 'This doesnt even feel real. 'It all happened so quick and I wasnt ready for you to go. An angel was sent to heaven on March 18th, 2024. I love you mommy and you will forever be missed.' Natalie, who works as a caregiver and is also a budding model, described her mother as her 'best friend' and 'the most kind, sweet, loving, giving, and caring soul' she knew. 'I keep hoping that I will get to hug you or kiss you or hear your voice one last time,' she continued. 'You were my best friend, my everything, the best mother a daughter could ever ask for. 'Im so grateful to have had a mother like you. You were the most kind, sweet, loving, giving, and caring soul. You had the biggest heart.' Kris and Karen had long endured a rollercoaster relationship, oscillating between taking public barbs at one another, to Kris lavishing her little sister with pricey gifts. In 2019 the pair were revealed to have reunited in an Instagram Story posted by Karen's daughter Natalie. Jenner shared snaps with her beloved sister and wrote: 'It is with the heaviest heart and deepest sadness that I share that my sister Karen passed away yesterday unexpectedly' Kris and Karen had long endured a rollercoaster relationship, oscillating between taking public barbs at one another, to Kris lavishing her little sister with pricey gifts Kris reunited with Karen after a period of estrangement in 2019 - with their meet documented in an Instagram Story posted by Karen's daughter Natalie Zettel - [L-R] Natalie, Karen, Mary Jo Campbell, Kris and Kylie Jenner Jenner's niece Natalie Ezettel shared an emotional tribute to her mother on Wednesday; Natalie is seen with Karen before her death The feuding sisters posed smiling with Natalie, her famous cousin Kylie Jenner, and their mother Mary Jo Campbell. Part-time nurse Karen had become known as the black sheep of the family after she candidly opened up outside Kim Kardashian's baby shower in 2013 and even did a jig for waiting reporters. Despite signing an NDA for the event, Karen waxed lyrical about eating 'marshmallow on a stick', the rose cake at the event and the goody bag, saying Kim and Kanye West 'gave out Rolexes'. Karen had frequently been outspoken when her sister Kris has riled her. In 2013 Karen claimed that Kris had spent an eye-watering $1million on plastic surgery, which stemmed from being self-conscious about her weight when she was younger. She was heavy as a kid and became worried about her looks at age 15, Karen told In Touch magazine. She added: The whole world knows it Kris is vain. The reality star has been famously open about the two breast augmentations and the facelift she has had. Kris said: 'My heart aches for my mom MJ and my niece Natalie and I pray that God guides us all through this difficult time. Karen was beautiful inside and out. She was the sweetest, kindest, the most sensitive and vulnerable and so so funny' Kris shared photos of Karen with her late ex-husband Robert Kardashian and mom MJ She also posted a snap of Karen with mom and a young Kourtney Kardashian In 2014, Karen told Radar that despite Kris and her estranged husband Bruce looking friendly there would be no reunion. Karen said: 'Bruce left. He walked out on her, and I think hes not coming back. He couldnt take the yelling anymore and stuff.' And she said Kris was not taking the split well, adding: 'I think shes got issues right now because Bruce left her. 'Kris is alone, shes not dating. Shes not the type to run around.' She made the comments after writing on her Facebook page in April 2014: 'Pray for Kris Jenner she needs itcrazy. Shes as nutcase [sic]. 'She doesnt need prayers she needs sky vodka hahaha hahaha hahaha.' And explaining her somewhat harsh views, Karen said 'I get p***ed off at her because she doesnt respond to me. If you think your sister would call you back, she doesnt. And it hurts me.' However the part-time nurse did poke fun at herself too, in a May 2014 Facebook post, writing, 'Be someone s crazy aunt...its fabulous! !! K [sic]' Karen - blamed her sibling's celebrity status and hunger for fame and fortune. She said: 'I dont care how much money you have or who you are, youre my sister. Im not afraid of her. I cant get to her anymore. But I guess its the money. In May 2023 Karen's daughter Natalie posted a loving tribute for Mother's Day posing with Karen and grandma MJ Part-time nurse Karen had become known as the black sheep of the family after she candidly opened up outside Kim Kardashian's baby shower in 2013 and even did a jig for waiting reporters' In 2016, Karen paid the ultimate compliment to the momager, getting an intensive face lift in order to 'look like my beautiful sister Kris' 'Shes a huge celebrity and now she has changed. Im not saying good or bad. But Ive seen what it can do to Kris ever since she moved to L.A.' Admitting she has had run-ins with Kris - mainly to do with caring for their aging mother, Karen told MailOnline: 'I called up Kris yelling at her, because I was like, "You need to help your mom more and you know it." And I think that she kind of got the message.I was screaming - I don't even care. The attack followed a 2013 interview during which Kris told Radar: 'Unfortunately, my sister has been dealing with demons for years.' In 2014, the former air stewardess told Radar, 'when you express a loving family and family values and a close family and my mom wants to live in La Jolla, buy her a condo, Kris! I dont understand her. I never will. Its just her personality.' In the star's 2011 autobiography she said of her sister, 'We loved each other, and we were there for each other through thick and thin, and to this day we are a part of each other's lives.' In 2016, Karen paid the ultimate compliment to the momager, getting an intensive face lift in order to 'look like my beautiful sister Kris'. Mikaela Testa has been accused of Photoshopping one of her Instagram posts. The 25-year-old shared a photo with her followers that highlighted her famous curves as she looked out a window during a holiday in Japan. But an eagle-eyed follower was quick to accuse the social media star of seemingly editing the image. 'I didn't think trees could curve like that,' the comment read, referring to a bent tree branch next to her distinctive derriere. Mikaela shared to comment to her Instagram story alongside a photo of the bent tree in the background from her window. Mikaela Testa (pictured) has been accused of Photoshopping one of her Instagram posts 'The tree is bent,' she responded. Some of her fans also defended her, with one writing: 'She doesn't edit. Have you ever seen her videos? Her body always looks like this.' 'She's got NO reason to edit an actual 0.05%, like cmon now,' another added. Mikaela previously confessed to getting a butt lift and in 2023 she opened up about why she got the work done. Using the 'ask me a question' function, she shared her answer to a fan's query to her stories. 'Why did you get a BBL? You did not need it at all, you were already fit,' the question read. Her written response was overlaid on a picture of herself from behind in a skimpy white dress on a city street. The 25-year-old shared a photo to with her followers that highlighted her famous curves as she looked out a window during a holiday in Japan. But an eagle-eyed follower was quick to accuse the social media star of seemingly editing the image 'I've explained all of this on TikTok but I think I have a different platform on Instagram,' Mikaela began. 'I was in a long term relationship and became insecure when my twig roach boyfriend would like share and repost all of these Instagram models with these giant fake butts,' she wrote. 'Suggestive comments would get thrown around to me and I decided to get surgery because I didn't see any other way out of my depression...and insecurities with not feeling like I was enough for him.' 'I didn't think trees could curve like that,' the comment read, referring to a bent tree branch next to her pert derriere. Mikaela hit back by sharing a photo of the bent tree in the background from her window The OnlyFans porn creator elaborated on the surgery, saying that initially her body fat percentage was too low to undergo the procedure. 'I got declined TWICE because I didn't make the percentage and weigh-ins,' she said. Next to a crude sketch of a stick figure man, Mikaela concluded her answer. 'Anyway ended up doing a life threatening surgery for a mid man that wasn't even jacked himself and looked like this,' she said, referring to influencer Atis Paul, her ex and fellow OnlyFans content creator. Jackie 'O' Henderson shocked her co-star Kyle Sandilands on Thursday by revealing the jaw-dropping amount she once splashed out on a chair for her Sydney mansion. The radio queen, 49, told Kyle, 52, she spent a shocking $45,000 on a designer chair for her old home, which she later sold after moving into her $13million Clovelly residence. 'I had to sell the $45,000 chair with the old house. It was a package deal,' Jackie said. 'The Queen's throne doesn't cost that much,' a shocked Kyle responded. Kyle then asked her if she had made her money back when she sold the chair - but Jackie revealed she had sold it at a loss. Jackie 'O' Henderson (pictured) shocked her co-star Kyle Sandilands on Thursday by revealing the jaw-dropping amount she once splashed out on a chair for her Sydney mansion Jackie can certainly afford the finest luxury furniture after she and Kyle signed a record $200million ten year radio deal which will see them each getting paid a reported $10million a year. The Sydney-based radio duo late last year signed a record-breaking $200million, 10-year deal live on-air - keeping them on the airwaves until 2034. In 2023, it was revealed Jackie splashed-out $13.25million on a three-storey oceanfront house in Clovelly at an open auction. The radio queen, 49, told Kyle, 52, she spent a shocking $45,000 for a designer chair for her old home, which she later sold after moving into her $13million Clovelly residence. Pictured The fixer-upper is set back from the road, offering privacy she didn't have on the narrow streets of her former address. Jackie had previously complained about intrusive paparazzi as the reason for her sale of her past home. Earlier this month, Kyle and Jackie made a bold prediction about how their show will be received in Melbourne when it debuts next month. 'I had to sell the $45,000 chair with the old house. It was a package deal,' Jackie said The pair claimed their breakfast program will develop a huge audience throughout the year to become the top rated show in the city. 'A lot of freaks down there will grow to love us. I dont think it'll be straight away, it'll take a few surveys to crack them realistically,' Kyle told the Herald Sun. 'I don't think it will be immediate, but by the end of the year, yes [we will be number one].' Jackie added she had confidence their show would eventually beat Melbourne's other top rating radio programs. Real Housewives of Potomac star Karen Huger has been charged with a DUI after crashing her car in Potomac, Maryland on Tuesday night. The reality star, 60, was charged with driving under the influence as well as several other traffic violations in connection with the car crash, as per TMZ. She is now facing one count of DUI according to online court, after crashing her 2017 Maserati and driving in 'an aggressive manner.' The star, who said the accident happened due to her being in a 'super emotional state', has to make a mandatory court appearance to answer the charges, according to the publication. She is also facing a total of six traffic violations including negligent and reckless driving, driving way over the speed limit, and driving with a suspended registration though those infractions don't require court appearances. Real Housewives of Potomac star Karen Huger, 60, has been charged with a DUI after crashing her car in Potomac, Maryland on Tuesday night The traffic violations have fines ranging from $50 to $510. Huger was allegedly driving at a speed too high for the conditions before ultimately striking a median and two signs in Potomac on Tuesday night, a representative for the Montgomery County Police shared with TMZ. The car was unable to be driven due to the massive damage it sustained during the incident and required a tow truck to be moved, the outlet reports. It appears she was not arrested at the time of the incident, as there's no record of her having been booked. According to the Montgomery County Police representative, Huger was driving in a manner they characterized as aggressive and too fast for the conditions before she reached an intersection, where she hit a median and crosswalk sign. She continued driving ahead, and struck a parking sign located off the roadway before coming to a stop. The airbag was reportedly deployed during the incident. There were no other passengers were in the vehicle with Huger. Karen is said to be doing 'fine' after the accident, and said it happened due to her being in a 'super emotional state' as per the publication. The reality star was charged with driving under the influence as well as several other traffic violations in connection with the car crash, as per TMZ She is now facing one count of DUI according to online court, after crashing her 2017 Maserati and driving in 'an aggressive manner' She is also facing a total of six traffic violations, including negligent and reckless driving, driving way over the speed limit, and driving with a suspended registration Karen is said to be doing 'fine' after the accident, and said it happened due to her being in a 'super emotional state' as per TMZ She had been at a dinner with a friend where they discussed emotional issues, including Karen's late mother, and she was 'bawling' while trying to get home She had been at a dinner with a friend where they discussed emotional issues, including Karen's late mother. Karen said the dinner had made her emotional and she was 'bawling' while trying to get home, causing her to swerve in order to avoid a car driving at her. She made no mention of being intoxicated or arrested. Huger has been a star on Bravo's The Real Housewives of Potomac since 2016. She last posted to Instagram on Tuesday, sharing a snap of her glam reunion look. 'ART was the assignment. Present and accounted for!' she wrote in the caption. She recently opened up about embracing her second phase in life during an appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show. 'My children clearly... they were my priority, so I went home for 17 years. They're now 26 and 36. So I think women should look forward to rebirthing and picking up their life where they left it off when they decided to be at home moms.' Huger has been a star on Bravo's The Real Housewives of Potomac since 2016 'Now that I'm an empty nester I have LaDame Fragrance, the brand is doing well, I'm at Bloomingdale's. So many opportunities have come my way. 'And again, I feel very blessed that God has allowed me to turn 60 and do it healthy and have the mind to do things and I'm so excited. 'And it gets better as we mature.' 'Don't say we're growing old, we're growing wise,' she said. 'There's wisdom with living long.' Maria Thattil and Moana Hope have finally opened up about their very private relationship. Putting on a passionate display at the Formula One Glamour on the Grid event in Melbourne on Wednesday, the lovebirds admitted they feel very 'fulfilled' in their union. The former Miss Universe Australia, 31, went so far as to tell Daily Mail Australia the AFLW star, 36, made her 'a better businesswoman'. '[Moana] makes me want to have balance. She makes me want to have balance in my life,' Maria said. 'And I think it makes me a better businesswoman now that I'm feeling fulfilled when it comes to family and love. I feel very lucky, and rich, and blessed for that.' Maria Thattil (right) and Moana Hope (left) have finally opened up about their very private relationship Moana cut into the love fest, joking, 'And you're a great step-mum', referring to her children Svea, three, and Ahi, one, from her previous relationship with model Isabella Calstrom 'I am! I am! I'll take that, I am,' Maria responded with a laugh. Moana also gushed: 'Maria is going to take over the world, because she's a real businesswoman who sees the world the way it should be. 'That's why she's going to create change and take over the world and buy us a farm so our kids can grow up on a farm.' Putting on a passionate display at the Formula One Glamour on the Grid event in Melbourne on Wednesday, the lovebirds admitted they feel very 'fulfilled' in their union Maria's confession comes just days after she revealed she wants to keep some things private to protect her relationship with Moana. While the couple have been spotted at many red carpet events together and often cuddle up on social media, Maria said there is a limit to what she'll share. 'Something I've learnt is the importance of protecting certain parts of your life and keeping something sacred' she told Stellar Magazine this week. 'In this digital world that we live in, strangers do feel entitled to you; sometimes they can have parasocial relationships where they feel entitled to ask me things.' The former Miss Universe Australia went so far as to tell Daily Mail Australia the AFLW star made her 'a better businesswoman' 'I always think to myself, these people would never walk up to you in the street and... ask you this stuff. I feel like I don't want that undue pressure,' she added. The couple have been dating for several months following Moana's split from her ex-wife Isabella Carlstrom. In September, Moana slammed criticism herself and Maria got together too soon following her split from Isabella, with whom she shares two children. An emotionally-charged Moana took to Instagram saying there were no hard and fast rules for when to move on when you separate. Christine Quinn said 'I do' to millionaire businessman Christian Richard in a gothic winter wonderland ceremony in 2019. The Selling Sunset star, 35, and the retired software engineer, 45, exchanged vows in a fairytale wedding and were poised to have their happy ever after. But five years later the reality beauty is now facing the biggest crisis in her marriage. On Tuesday, her husband was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon in Los Angeles, after he threw a bag of glass at his wife but struck their toddler son. Richard was seen being led away in handcuffs while barefoot and clad in only a bathrobe after the incident involving the couple's only child, Christian Georges Dumontet, two. As Quinn navigates her marital woes, DailyMail.com takes a look back at the pair's unforgettable wedding with a 'wicked twist', where the bride wore black. Christine Quinn, 35, said 'I do' to millionaire businessman Christian Richard, 45, in a gothic winter wonderland ceremony with a 'wicked twist' in December of 2019 Christian was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon in LA on Tuesday after he threw a bag of glass at his wife but struck their toddler son. He was handcuffed and removed him from the home while barefoot and in a bathrobe Christine married the retired software engineer in December of 2019, in Los Angeles. She looked like a glowing bride, even though she was sick with coronavirus at the time. Her off-the-shoulder black gown was a princess style and full of lace and sheer panels as her groom was dapper in a black tuxedo. The opulent wedding gown had a very long train and a sheer black veil that commanded attention and stood out in stark contrast against the all-white room. The star also took to Instagram to share a beautifully filmed clip from her wedding day where she sat on the stairs of the cathedral with her husband. Christine's wedding ceremony had a Gothic winter wonderland theme, in all white with a reception that had a red theme. They tied the knot at a downtown Los Angeles cathedral in front of 75 friends and family, and even had black swans in attendance. Christine later wore another stunning custom made black gown to the reception, also made by designer Galia Lahav. The winter wonderland wedding was put together in just two months by Beverly Hills event planner Lisa Lafferty with 'love' as the budget and included black stallions, a bleeding cake topped with gargoyles, and real snow in Los Angeles. Christine told People magazine: 'We wanted to get married in December to start off the New Year [as husband and wife]. And a winter wonderland theme with a wicked twist is memorable forever.' They were poised to have their happy ever after, but now the reality beauty faces the biggest crisis in her marriage, after her husband was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon in Los Angeles on Tuesday, after he threw a bag of glass at her but struck their toddler son As Quinn navigates her husband's arrest, DailyMail.com takes a look back at the pair's distinctive wedding, where the bride wore a black tulle gown Christine later wore another stunning custom made black gown to the reception, also made by designer Galia Lahav Christine's wedding ceremony had a Gothic winter wonderland theme and even featured black swans in all white with a reception that had a red theme They tied the knot at a downtown Los Angeles cathedral in front of 75 friends and family The winter wonderland wedding was put together in just two months by Beverly Hills event planner Lisa Lafferty with 'love' as the budget and included black stallions, a bleeding cake topped with gargoyles, and real snow in Los Angeles Christine told People magazine: 'We wanted to get married in December to start off the New Year [as husband and wife]. And a winter wonderland theme with a wicked twist is memorable forever' 'I never conformed to the status quo or societal expectations. Ive always enjoyed being bold, different and trendsetting.' 'Ive always wanted to get married in a black wedding dress, and Im so happy that my dream came true.' But the real estate agent did not feel her best. Talking to Goss Chats, she said: 'I was really, really sick on my wedding day. I actually had, which I now know, was corona.' 'I got really sick in late December and we were travelling. I was sick for about a month when we were filming. 'I couldnt even have a bachelorette party, I was so bummed about that. That time was such a high but a low at the same time.' Christine also told People she did not like how her wedding was shown on Selling Sunset. The TV standout said she was disappointed and 'just didnt really showcase the way that it was.' 'I never conformed to the status quo or societal expectations. Ive always enjoyed being bold, different and trendsetting,' she shared, explaining her unusual wedding theme She arrived at the cathedral in a Victorian carriage pulled by black stallions, and she walked down the aisle to Sweet but Psycho by Ava Max, according to People But the real estate agent did not feel her best and revealed she she was sick with coronavirus at the time 'The wedding was the best day of my life and it was hard for me to watch it on the television show because that's not really the way that I remember it,' she said. Her co-stars Chrishell Stause and Davina Potratz were there and the show focused on the drama. 'I understand they wanted to get certain storylines in there, but this was actually my day,' she said. 'This was my day, and I was just disappointed in the way it was perceived on camera and translated, unfortunately. I'm not going to lie, I was crying when I watched it. I was like, "This is not my wedding, this is not my wedding."' She arrived at the cathedral in a Victorian carriage pulled by black stallions, and she walked down the aisle to Sweet but Psycho by Ava Max, according to People. But five years later, and their happy ever after has taken a detour. On Tuesday, TMZ confirmed Christian and Christine's son was transported to the hospital via ambulance with Christine by his side, following the domestic violence incident. The publication reports Quinn was offered an emergency protective order against Richard which she accepted and which will be in effect for seven days. Richard's bail is set at $30,000, per LA County Sheriffs records. Christine and Christian met through a mutual friend before he proposed on Valentine's Day in 2019. The reality star told Bustle in 2020 about their first date: 'Him and I had an amazing steak dinner and got to know each other, and we just hit it off right away. Christine and Christian are seen with their only child Christian Georges Dumontet in July 2021 'He's everything that I ever wanted,' she said. 'And then [my friend's] like, "Also, he's looking for a house," and I was like: double bonus.' After the pair's wedding, they welcomed their son on May 15, in 2021. Richard had a successful career in software engineering and attending prestigious university MIT. He created American online food ordering service Foodler which he later sold to competitor GrubHub in 2017 for a $51 million - allowing him to retire aged just 38. He is worth $20million while Christine is worth $2million. Christine left Selling Sunset at the end of season five. Throughout the first five seasons, viewers watched as Quinn sold luxurious and exclusive homes and properties as well as getting involved in drama with her costars. Katie Holmes looked radiant as she stepped out in New York City on Wednesday night. The Dawson's Creek star, 45, was spotted exiting a restaurant in NYC's high-end SoHo neighborhood. The style icon wowed in a chic olive green jacket styled with a black crop top and Lafayette 148 slacks. The mother-of-one pounded the pavement in black sling back heels. Her youthful complexion had a rosy, sun-kissed glow as she embraced her natural beauty with minimal makeup. Katie Holmes looked radiant as she stepped out in New York City on Wednesday night Holmes' long brunette hair flowed down her back in loose waves. The Batman Begins star made the move to the Big Apple from Los Angeles after divorcing Tom Cruise, 61, over a decade ago. She currently lives in a luxury penthouse in Manhattan with their 17-year-old daughter Suri Cruise, who will turn 18 next month. Holmes was last spotted out in New York City earlier this month when she attended the 2024 Roundabout Theatre Company gala. The annual soiree was held at the Ziegfeld Ballroom in Midtown Manhattan. According to Playbill, Tony-winning director and the Rudin Family were honored and West Side Story star Ariana DeBose performed. Katie hasn't had a professional acting gig since she starred in an off-Broadway Roundabout Theatre Company play a year ago. Holmes portrayed movie star Julia Cheever in director Barry Edelstein's Jewish drama Wanderers, penned by Anna Ziegler, which ran from January 26, 2023April 2, 2023 at the Laura Pels Theatre in Manhattan. The Ohio-born beauty also previously starred in two prior Broadway productions for The Shubert Organization - Arthur Miller's All My Sons at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre in 2008-2009 and Theresa Rebeck's comedy Dead Accounts at the Music Box Theatre in 2012-2013. The Dawson's Creek star, 45, was spotted exiting a restaurant in NYC's high-end SoHo neighborhood. Holmes wowed in a chic olive green jacket styled with a black crop top and Lafayette 148 slacks Along with her acting pursuits, Katie has immersed herself in the fashion world. Katie recently attended a number of runway shows during New York Fashion Week in February. She was seated front row for Michael Kors and Alice + Olivia after attending a starry Chanel dinner. Last April, Holmes discussed her evolving sense of style as someone who is in the spotlight. 'I think we all want our sweats. It's a funny world because the culture of celebrity and the access that exists now could be quite a distraction from who the person is,' she told Glamour. 'I'm an actor, so people say, 'Oh, do you think about what you wear before you go to the grocery store?' No, because it's not my job.' 'You know what I mean? But yesterday, going and doing a talk show is part of my job. So yes, that's put together.' Katie gushed about how much fashion inspires her. 'I enjoy [fashion]. I mean, I enjoy the craftsmanship. I enjoy putting things together,' she said. Holmes was last spotted out in New York City earlier this month when she attended the 2024 Roundabout Theatre Company gala The annual soiree was held at the Ziegfeld Ballroom in Midtown Manhattan Holmes currently lives in a luxury penthouse in Manhattan with their 17-year-old daughter Suri Cruise , who will turn 18 next month 'And I work with [stylist] Brie Welch, and she's very detail oriented, and that inspires me. I think it is very creative. I love vintage shopping. I love the art of design.' Katie puts her main focus into raising her lookalike teen daughter Suri. After splitting from Tom in 2012, Katie has received $33k-a-month in child support from the Top Gun actor. But those payments will come to an end next month when Suri turns 18. However, Tom will also pay his daughter's college tuition, DailyMail.com previously learned, despite being absent from Suri's life since 2013. Anna Paul has shared a series of photos from her family holiday, quelling the swirling rumours about her father's wellbeing and her alleged lack of support. Despite the storm of controversy and accusations that have shadowed her, the snaps shared to Instagram reveal a very different story. The images, shared with her 2.4million Instagram followers, capture the influencer in high spirits, sporting a striking green and gold bikini, as she revels in the sun-soaked setting. Another photo provides a glimpse of familial bonding, with Anna's father, Hanns, and brother Atis unwinding by the pool. Fans have been swift in their response, flooding Anna's comment section with supportive messages. Anna Paul (pictured) has shared a series of photos from her family holiday Despite the storm of controversy and accusations that have shadowed her, the snaps shared to Instagram reveal a different story One fan enthused, "Yay papa is in the trip too!! Im glad hes been invited," while another chimed in, "I love seeing photos of you happy, I think sometimes people forget youre a human and not just a social media star, I love you anna you are a life changer to everyone you inspire." It comes after her father Hanns slammed claims he is homeless and his daughter does not financially support him despite making millions as a social media star. Hanns is a nomad and lives and travels around Australia in a modest van. Another photo provides a glimpse of familial bonding, with Anna's father, Hanns, left, and brother Atis, right, unwinding by the pool, an epitome of relaxation Rumours ran rife on Monday that Hanns struggles to live out of his van while his daughter lives a lavish life filled with overseas trips, fast cars and expensive jewels. Hanns released a statement to Instagram on Tuesday, slamming the 'gossip' and praising his daughter for being so supportive of his 'dream' lifestyle. 'It has come to my attention that there has been some toxic misinformation going on about my private life and my relationship with my family,' he wrote. It comes after her father Hanns slammed claims he is homeless and his daughter does not financially support him despite making millions as a social media star 'This is just to set the record straight. I have been living MY dream and my daughter has been nothing but supportive.' He continued: 'If you have a look at my Instagram feed you will easily discover that I have been travelling the world in the last few years and that I am lacking nothing. 'I am very proud of what my daughter Anna has achieved and of the person she has become! 'If there is anything that can be taken from this is that idle gossip causes nothing but hurt. Don't participate! Now back to my family holiday.' Followers of Anna and her father, who recently went on a holiday in Germany together, were divided as they flocked to the comments of the Hann's recent Instagram post on Monday. Hanns, who is currently in Miami with his daughter Anna, shared innocent pictures and video of a pelican hunting for food as he strolled along a stunning beach. Rumours ran rife on Monday that Hanns struggles to live out of his van while his daughter lives a lavish life filled with overseas trips, fast cars and expensive jewels (Pictured: Anna with her father, brother Atis, and her mother) One follower kicked off the comments by directly asking if Hanns was broke, homeless and not being financially supported by his own daughter. He immediately denied the accusations, writing: 'That's crazy. I'm in Miami now. My daughter is the best.' Others continued to slam Anna, with one person writing: 'Anna is such a grub. From lying about growing up poor to now treating her dad like this, yet buys her ex a 100k car. I'm sure she could surprise her dad and upgrade his van if he wanted to live his life this way.' Another said: 'You would think his daughter would at least buy him a nicer van.' 'So you're homeless, couldn't afford a bottle of water, while your OWN BLOOD bathes in money and leaves u to live in a van. Terrible family u got, can't even lie. They should support you no matter what you've done in the past. No father or anybody should be left in a van,' a third added. Hanns released a statement to Instagram on Tuesday, slamming the 'gossip' and praising his daughter for being so supportive of his 'dream' lifestyle Yet another commented: 'Hope ur okay. It's not fair for them to use you for your image whilst they're filming and then just let you go back to struggling after.' Many followers rushed to Anna's defence, saying it was ridiculous people would ever believe such a rumour when Hanns has been open about his desire to live the 'van life' as he travels around the world. One person wrote: 'This is legitimately so funny because if I had Anna's money I KNOW my dad wouldn't want to live in fancy houses and he'd love to live out bush on his own terms. Why are people acting like Hanns isn't a grown man with his own wants/needs in life?' Another said: '[Her father] is out here living the dream and you're all feeling sorry for him. If he was an influencer in his 20's promoting van life you'd be lapping it up.' A third added: 'Guys he posted years ago saying he felt liberated by selling his house and changing to travel in a van, leave them alone.' 'People are actually weird to assume stuff about you and your family. I will defend Anna till the end no shame,' yet another commented. Anna has declined to make an official statement on the speculation. Hanns immediately denied the accusations, writing: 'That's crazy. I'm in Miami now. My daughter is the best' Others continued to slam Anna, with one person writing: 'Anna is such a grub. From lying about growing up poor to now treating her dad like this' Many followers rushed to Anna's defence, saying it was ridiculous people would ever believe such a rumour when Hanns has been open about his desire to live the 'van life' as he travels around Australia The accusations come just a few weeks after Anna dropped a whopping $200,000 on buying a car for her ex-boyfriend Glen Thompson. They split in August last year after eight years together, and last month she shocked her fans by surprising Glen, 24, with a very pricey Nissan GT-R. The social media star shared a three-minute long video to show her ex's reaction and how the surprise unfolded. After having dinner with both her family and Glen's, the social media personality led her ex to his new set of wheels. Glen looked to be in shock and close to tears as Anna unlocked the car and handed him a set of keys. Anna revealed the GT-R, which can cost up to $400,000, was his dream car, saying: 'He's wanted this car our whole lives.' Robert De Niro and his girlfriend Tiffany Chen caught up with some of his old colleagues for dinner on Wednesday in Santa Monica, California. The 80-year-old Oscar winner and his 45-year-old girlfriend were spotted leaving the upscale Italian restaurant after dining with the director David O. Russell and his partner and the producer Art Linson and his wife. Russell has directed De Niro multiple times, including in Silver Linings Playbook, which scored him an Oscar nod, while Linson is a producer, screenwriter and director who has produced several of De Niro's films going back decades, including the action-crime classic Heat. De Niro was seen heading out to the couple's car while carrying a large brown to-go bag with their leftovers. The lovebirds appeared to have left their 11-month-old daughter Gia with a sitter for their evening out. Robert De Niro, 80, and his girlfriend Tiffany Chen, 45, caught up with some of his old colleagues for dinner on Wednesday in Santa Monica. They dined with director David O. Russell and producer Art Linson, as well as their partners The night on the town comes just a week and a half after the 2024 Academy Awards, where De Niro competed in the Best Supporting Actor category for his role in Martin Scorsese's acclaimed Killers Of The Flower Moon. However, he went home empty handed after Robert Downey Jr. earned the prize for his well-reviewed role in Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer. De Niro was dressed in a casual dark ensemble. He wore a simple gray polo shirt under a thin black fleece jacket. The Raging Bull star paired them with black trousers and matching loafers, and he covered up in the chilly evening air with a navy blue pea coat. Tiffany looked elegant yet relaxed in a black turtleneck sweater with a wide collar, along with a black midi skirt that highlighted her legs. She carried an eye-catching quilted yellow Chanel handbag, and she wore stylish chunky glasses with amber-tinted lenses. She completed the look with the casual touch of a long ponytail draped down her back. De Niro and Chen were sen saying their goodbyes and hugging their pals after the dinner, before climbing into their SUV. De Niro was seen heading out to the couple's car while carrying a large brown to-go bag with their leftovers Russell has directed De Niro multiple times, including in Silver Linings Playbook, which scored him an Oscar nod, while Linson has produced several of De Niro's films going back decades, including Heat De Niro wore a gray polo with a black fleece, a navy pea coat and black trousers He covered up with a weather gray cap as he stepped out of the restaurant for goodbyes It's unclear if the filmmakers were chatting about a potential project, as De Niro is a regular collaborator with both Russell and Linson It's unclear if the filmmakers were chatting about a potential project, as De Niro is a regular collaborator with both Russell and Linson. In addition to Heat, the acclaimed actor has starred in the Linson-produced films The Untouchables (1987), This Boy's Life (1993) which also featured his future Killers Of The Flower Moon costar Leonardo DiCaprio What Just Happened (2008) and The Comedian (2016). In addition to the Oscar winning Silver Linings Playbook, Russell has directed De Niro in a small uncredited role in American Hustle (2013), Joy (2015) and most recently Amsterdam (2022). Considering that De Niro has developed a habit of taking even uncredited parts in his films as a way of expressing his gratitude for Silver Lining Playbook's career revival, it wouldn't be a surprise if he planned to work with Russell again. De Niro moved on with his current love Tiffany in the wake of his 2018 split from his second wife, Grace Hightower. The two had met years before in 2015, when Chen, who is a martial arts instructor, had filmed a small part for his comedy The Intern, which costarred Anne Hathaway. However, it wasn't until 2021 that Robert and Tiffany were spotted together in public. The couple have been remarkably muted and have said almost nothing about their relationship, possibly in hopes of avoiding the publicity that followed with his latest divorce. Tiffany looked elegant yet relaxed in a black turtleneck sweater with a wide collar, along with a black midi skirt that highlighted her legs She carried an eye-catching quilted yellow Chanel handbag, and she wore stylish chunky glasses with amber-tinted lenses She completed the look with the casual touch of a long ponytail draped down her back De Niro revealed in May of last year that he had welcomed a new daughter, 11-month-old Gia, with Chen, though he didn't initially mention his partner's name Gia is the seventh child for De Niro, whose oldest, daughter Drena, is old enough to be Gia's grandmother In fact, when he revealed in May of last year that he had welcomed his new daughter, he didn't even share who her mother was. De Niro wasn't even the first person to reveal Gia's mother; instead, it was his About My Father costar Kim Cattrall who spilled the beans in an interview. Despite their secretive ways, things seem to be going well between the Casino star and his latest love, who is regularly by his side at film festivals and high-profile public events. Gia is the seventh child for De Niro, whose oldest, daughter Drena, is old enough to be Gia's grandmother. Vietnam's parliament approved on Thursday the resignation of President Vo Van Thuong, the latest high-profile leader to fall as the communist country is roiled by a sweeping graft purge and political feuding. The ruling Communist Party announced Wednesday that Thuong had quit after barely a year in the job, saying he was guilty of unspecified "violations and shortcomings." The 53-year-old's departure, following days of rumors he was on his way out, comes as Vietnam undergoes major and uncharacteristic political upheaval. The National Assembly a rubber-stamp body voted to dismiss Thuong in a closed session at an extraordinary meeting, the state-run Tuoi Tre news website reported. Vietnam has long prized stability and careful management of political change, but this has been upended by a wide-ranging crackdown on corruption, believed to be orchestrated by party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong seen as the most powerful figure in the country. The purge saw Thuong's predecessor, Nguyen Xuan Phuc, forced to resign suddenly last January. A handful of the country's top business leaders have been put on trial in huge fraud and corruption cases, with one facing a possible death sentence in a $12.5-billion bond scam case. The party's politburo, its key decision-making body, has now lost four of its 18 members since 2021 two presidents, a deputy prime minister and a former trade minister. Before Phuc's resignation last year, only one other Communist Party president had ever stepped down, and that was for health reasons. Party jockeying Linh Nguyen, a Vietnam analyst at global risk consultancy Control Risks, said the upheaval was a "PR disaster" that threatened the country's reputation for stability. Last week, as speculation about Thuong's future built, the Dutch royal family said Vietnam had cancelled a planned state visit this week by King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima "due to internal circumstances." The turmoil comes as Vietnam seeks foreign investment, particularly from the United States, to develop its economy away from low-value manufacturing and towards high-tech products such as semiconductors. U.S. President Joe Biden's administration wants to massively expand business investment in Vietnam to help it develop a high-tech sector to wean the American economy off its dependence on China. Linh said it appeared that factions within the Communist Party are already jockeying for position ahead of the crucial party congress in 2026. "The politicized anti-corruption campaign is getting more intense towards the next party congress leaving even more uncertainty about who's next," she told AFP. "Losing the youngest politburo member and youngest top leader also raises concerns over the ageing leadership in Vietnam as most of them will be overaged by the next party congress in 2026." No detailed explanation has been given of Thuong's "violations." But earlier this month, the Ministry of Public Security expanded a probe into an infrastructure development company in three provinces, including central Quang Ngai, where Thuong was formerly the party chief. The ministry said the Phuc Son company was suspected of falsifying financial statements in order to dodge taxes, and its investigators arrested nine people including five officials from Quang Ngai. But Linh said the scale of Thuong's alleged wrongdoing was "likely very small" in the context of the nationwide anti-corruption purge. Analyst Benoit de Treglode of the Institute of Strategic Research in Paris said internal party machinations over who will replace General Secretary Trong were the more likely cause. (AFP) Nova breakfast radio host Kate Ritchie took to the stage in an impromptu performance that delighted fans at the Wharf4Ward fundraiser on Thursday. Known for her long-running role as Sally Fletcher on Home and Away, the former actress took a nostalgic trip down memory lane, performing the beloved theme song of the famed Australian drama. Kate was challenged to sing the song to raise money for the incredible Sony Foundation and took to the microphone. Crowds at the charity event were visibly moved as Ritchie's rendition echoed through the wharf. Nova 96.9's Fitzy and Wippa Instagram page was immediately flooded with fan reactions. Kate Ritchie took to the stage in an impromptu performance that delighted fans at the Wharf4Ward fundraiser on Thursday. Pictured Known for her long-running role as Sally Fletcher on Home and Away , the Nova radio breakfast host took a nostalgic trip down memory lane, performing the beloved theme song of the famed Australian drama 'Nailed it!! Let's organise to do the Kate Ritchie REMIX!!' one fan commented, another labelled the radio host as a 'good sport'. The admiration from the fans was evident, with another calling the performance 'gold' while one more simply labeled the moment as 'Iconic'. Kate previously revealed the only reason she would return to the series. Kate previously revealed the only reason she would return to the series 'Without a doubt. I think now, right now, if Home and Away was going to wrap up and they asked you to do a final show without a doubt you would do it,' Fitzy, 46, said. 'Absolutely,' Ritchie immediately replied. 'But see Home and Away is going to keep going for a long time. What age do you get to before you go, "No, I'm not doing this. I'm not coming back at 80 years of age as Sally Fletcher, to do this one last time," Fitzy pushed 'I think it would always come down to the fact, regardless of how old I was, if Ray Meagher asked me to come back, to change the sheets in the caravan park, I'd be there hands down,' Ritchie confessed. Emma Louise Connolly showed off her incredible figure as she posed in new holiday snaps on Thursday. The influencer, 32, - who is married to Made In Chelsea star Oliver Proudlock - looked stunning in a patterned two piece. She had jetted to Spain with a group of girlfriends for the weekend where they soaked up the sunshine. The busty triangle top was teamed with skimpy briefs as she worked her best angles for the camera. In the snaps from her holiday Instagram dump she also showed off her sense of style in a black swimsuit which she wore with a white crochet dress. Emma Louise Connolly showed off her incredible figure as she posed in new holiday snaps on Thursday The influencer, 32, - who is married to Made In Chelsea star Oliver Proudlock - looked stunning in a patterned two piece Showing off a series of other looks he penned in the caption: 'holiday fits, pick your poisonnn...' Emma and Proudlock announced their engagement in August 2018 after Oliver got down on one knee during a romantic trip to Gothenburg, Sweden. They then confirmed they secretly tied the knot during in a small church ceremony in Fulham, London, on December 15 2020, by sharing a series of stunning images from their big day on Instagram. The model looked stunning in a bespoke Pronovias Atelier gown lace gown with a plunging white slip dress underneath, teamed with a flowing veil, as she said 'I do' to her reality star beau before celebrating with an intimate reception at The Ned. The pair married at St Albans Church, after previously cancelling three wedding dates due to the global crisis in accordance with government restrictions. Oliver and Emma originally planned to host 200 guests at Cowdray Park, West Sussex, for a wedding in April 2020, however their grand plans were reduced to just 15 people. Their fourth attempt to tie the knot was almost thwarted when Boris Johnson announced plans to plunge London into Tier 4, meaning that all wedding receptions were banned, but Proudlock managed to pull together a last-minute wedding. After revealing they were expecting their first child together in December 2021, Emma and Oliver welcomed their daughter, Bonnie Lou, in May 2022. She had jetted to Spain with a group of girlfriends for the weekend where they soaked up the sunshine In the snaps from her holiday Instagram dump she also showed off her sense of style in a black swimsuit which she wore with a white crochet dress Emma and Proudlock announced their engagement in August 2018 after Oliver got down on one knee during a romantic trip to Gothenburg, Sweden They have since spoken about their journey to getting pregnant, leaving Emma in tears. The Made In Chelsea star and Emma appeared on Giovanna Fletcher's podcast Happy Mum, Happy Baby to talk about their first child. When Giovanna asked them about their road to getting pregnant, Ollie candidly admitted that it had been 'tough'. He said: 'It is so tough, and it is a miracle when it happens. But it is nice so many people talk about it now.' He explained that he spoke to his mum about it and she had told him that in her day people didn't speak about it. Ollie added: 'To have some support and be able to talk about it, I think is so important. The sense of community in talking about it and hearing people's stories and realising what a miracle it is.' 'Everyone has some kind of story. It's very rare to get pregnant first time. Women are so incredible, what you guys go through, unbelievable'. Emma got emotional and became very teary listening to her husband talk about their journey. Ollie comforted her and added: 'We're very emotional in this household, because there's so much love up in here!' After revealing they were expecting their first child together in December 2021, Emma and Oliver welcomed their daughter, Bonnie Lou, in May 2022 James Martin left fans in shock this week when MailOnline exclusively revealed that he is dating Arun Nayar's personal trainer ex-wife, Kim Johnson. The unveiling of his new romance signalled the end of his 12-year relationship with Louise Davies, having quietly parted ways in December with the aim of remaining 'firm friends'. Within three months of their split, James, 51, had moved on with Kim, 38, and the pair were recently spotted shopping together on Old Bond Street where the famous Tiffany & Co. is located. Kim is the ex-wife of businessman Arun Nayar, 59, who was previously married to actress Elizabeth Hurley for four years, splitting in 2011. While James has kept tight-lipped on his budding new romance, he looked smitten and in high spirits on their recent outing, no doubt pleased to have some good fortune in his life after a turbulent few months. MailOnline exclusively revealed that James Martin is dating Arun Nayar's personal trainer ex-wife, Kim Johnson (pictured) so does this mark the beginning of a new chapter in his life? The unveiling of his new romance signalled the end of his 12-year relationship with Louise Davies, having quietly parted ways in December with the aim of remaining 'firm friends' (pictured 2015) It's been a turbulent few months for James after he was accused of bullying crewmembers and then opened up about unfortunate events in his life, including a shock cancer diagnosis Last summer, James found himself at the centre of a very public scandal when he was accused of bullying and intimidating behaviour by crew working on his ITV food show. Reports then emerged of a second incident with ITV, as it was claimed the broadcaster had previously been made aware of James' conduct following a separate incident in 2018. Subsequently, James apologised for his behaviour and admitted the turmoil that was going on his personal life. He opened up about unfortunate events in his life, which began with the death of his grandfather, then was followed by a home invasion by masked burglars, and then a shock cancer diagnosis. Last July, ITV were forced to confirm they had spoken to the star after concerns were raised over the treatment of crew members during the filming of James Martin's Spanish Adventure in May. Reports then emerged of a second incident with ITV in 2018, when he launched a foul-mouthed tirade against staff after a drain was blocked at his home during the production of his show, James Martin's Saturday Morning. After investigating the matter, ITV chiefs told the programme's production company Blue Marlin that changes would be made immediately, online news website Deadline reports. James responded by saying 'lessons have been learned' and apologised for 'acting emotionally'. Sources at ITV told the Mail that bosses would be taking a 'close interest in any future filming' featuring the chef, whose affable demeanour has earned him a huge fan base. Kim is the ex-wife of Arun Nayar, tying the knot in July 2016, before divorcing the following year (pictured in 2015) Businessman Arun was previously married to actress Elizabeth Hurley from 2007 to 2011 (pictured together in 2010) Kim's passion for fitness is clear in bikini snaps she has shared on social media and James will no doubt be hoping their new romance signals a brighter chapter in his life Regarding the reports of this being the second outburst James had been accused of, a Blue Marlin spokesperson addressed the first incident. They said: 'An unfortunate incident occurred after filming James Martin's Saturday Morning in 2018 where James' home was badly damaged. 'Blue Marlin Television accepted responsibility. James was shocked by what had happened and on reflection acknowledges he responded emotionally, which he wholly regrets. 'James apologises for any offence or upset caused, as he did at the time to the crew involved.' They added: 'Following this and some issues filming James Martin's Spanish Adventures, James and Blue Marlin Television agree that lessons have been learned which have been discussed with members of the team and with ITV. 'Blue Marlin Television and James Martin have taken on board ITV's recommendations and their sharing of best practice, and are in the process of fully implementing. 'Since the 2018 incident, Blue Marlin Television has continued to film over 500 shows at James' home. 'Blue Marlin Television remains committed to ensuring the welfare of all those with whom they work is of the utmost priority.' Last summer Martin was the centre of a bullying storm following allegations he intimidated staff on his food show (pictured with Tom Kitchin on James Martin's Great British Adventure) An ITV spokesman said: 'At ITV people and their welfare are our highest priority. The production companies who make shows for us have primary responsibility for the duty of care of everyone they work with, both on and off screen. 'We make clear our expectations in this regard as part of our pre-greenlight duty of care processes. This includes having appropriate independent controls in place to enable everyone who works on their shows to confidently and confidentially raise concerns. 'Following a complaint we received in May from members of the Blue Marlin production team about the filming of James Martin's Spanish Adventure, we contacted Blue Marlin to discuss these concerns and to understand how the issues raised were being addressed and what actions were being taken. 'As a result, we made a number of recommendations for Blue Marlin to implement as soon as possible, sharing best practice of some of our own relevant procedures around staff welfare and reiterating our Supplier Code of Conduct.' Audio footage of his shocked rant was then leaked to The Sun, and in response to the shock outburst, James said that the end of 2017 was 'one of the most fraught and difficult periods of my life'. In the recording, he swore 42 times and says his staff should be 'f***ing fried' and orders them to take their lunch break standing in the 'f***ing rain'. He demanded that his team showed him and his house 'more f***ing respect', adding: 'If not, you're gone.' Reflecting on the outburst, he admitted that he was dealing with the death of his last living grandparent, his grandfather, and that he could not attend his funeral due to work commitments. James added that he was burgled by masked men later that month who entered his home while his partner Louise was at home alone and he was away working. Hen then shockingly revealed his cancer diagnosis, adding that he was in a 'very emotional state' from all the stress. James told The Sun: 'I was then diagnosed with cancer on my face and I had to have surgery, which I couldn't do until two days before Christmas when we had finished filming. Since then it has returned on several occasions and I have to have regular treatments.' He said that he became 'extremely upset' when his home flooded while filming in 2018. The chef claims the drain blockage caused 30,000 worth of damage. 'I can only say I am human and following a build-up of personal life pressure, I admit that I overreacted regarding the damage to my home,' he told The Sun. In November, James gave fans an update on his health woes as he revealed he would be taking from his TV career amid his ongoing cancer treatment. He said at a public appearance: 'On a personal note, I just wanted to say thank you for 30 years of television. 'For me personally, I've been through a lot of s**t with cancer but I'm getting sorted at the end of next month. 'I will be back fighting at the end of February but I'm going on a little bit of a break to get that sorted.' Reflecting on the outburst, James admitted that he was dealing with the death of his last living grandparent, his grandfather, a robbery and a cancer diagnosis The following month saw him quietly split from his partner of 12 years, Louise. The chef and the TV producer, 47, first began dating in 2011 after they met on the set of Celebrity Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? The couple lived together in a mansion in Hampshire during their relationship with James previously revealing they had no plans to ever marry. Speaking to the Sunday People in 2019, he said: 'No, it doesn't interest me in the slightest, mainly because I've catered for so many weddings, really. 'I admire people who do it, that's fine, but I'm quite happy. I don't need to spend 60 grand on a day, no, I'm more than happy thanks.' A spokesperson for James confirmed they parted ways in December 2023 and remain firm friends. Now, with a new romance on the cards for James in Kim, the TV chef will no doubt be hoping this signals a brighter chapter in his life. James Martin, 51, in his own words on the 'love of his life' Barbara Broccoli, 63, and the dark side of their age-gap romance that 'dented his male pride' - as he moves on from long-term girlfriend Louise Davies with Kim Johnson Famously private about his love life, James Martin, 51, quietly parted ways with longterm partner Louise Davies in December, yet the pair have remained 'firm friends'. Despite being together for more than a decade, James rarely spoke about Louise only to admit marriage was off the table for the pair because he was 'quite happy' as he was and didn't 'feel the need to spend 60 grand on a day.' His reluctance to speak about his love life has come only in later years, however, with James openly declaring that James Bond producer Barbara Broccoli, 63, whom he dated prior to meeting Louise was the 'love of his life'. The chef and the film boss first met at a charity auction in 2001 when Barbara, then 41, paid 18,000 to have him cook a meal for her when he was 29-years-old and a star on the rise. James Martin, 51, wrote about the 'love of his life' Barbara Broccoli, 63, and the dark side of their age-gap romance that 'dented his male pride' for the Daily Mail in 2008 The pair clicked right away and James cooked for her again at her birthday party leading to a blossoming romance. Yet things came to an end in 2008. And James, who is 12 years younger than Barbara, wasn't shy of speaking out about the problems they faced in their relationship. He admitted he was 'a bit of a late starter when it came to women' and noted that when accompanying Barbara to glitzy film premieres and hobnobbing with the stars of Bond films he felt 'out of my depth, a spare part'. Writing for the Daily Mail in October 2008, James - who had by then moved on with Miss England 2001, Sally Kettle - explained how their age gap and wealth got in the way of their relationship. Barbara had lavished the chef with gifts including a Picasso painting and once offered to buy him a 180,000 Aston Martin, but James confessed his 'male pride' stopped him from accepting such extravagant purchases. James noted that while their age gap wasn't a bother to him as he had 'always liked independent women', it 'didn't help matters in public'. He confessed: 'When we went to functions I felt uncomfortable when people looked at me, this nobody, and probably thought, "He's with her for the money".' Despite the hurdles they faced, James insisted: 'Barbara was the first real love of my life. I still think the world of her and always will.' He described their breakup poignantly, writing: 'To walk away from someone you love and who loves you that much is hard. 'Maybe it was the daftest thing I have done in my life but it was probably the most sensible, too. In the end I think it was for the best, not just for Barbara and me but also for her children.' Read on for James' full analysis of their relationship in his own words. A spokesperson for the TV chef, 51, confirmed James and Louise parted ways in December 2023 and remain firm friends (pictured 2019) Why did I split with Barbara Broccoli? She tried to buy me a 180,000 Aston Martin, by TV chef James Martin My girlfriend once bought me a Picasso. Not a Picasso print or a Picasso poster but a genuine Picasso. Actually, it wasn't just one, it was three. Perhaps it makes more sense if I tell you that the woman in question was the Bond producer Barbara Broccoli, one of the most powerful people in Hollywood and more than ten years my senior. And if this generosity wasn't tricky enough - for instance, what exactly does a man do with such a valuable work of art? - Barbara then insisted on buying me a state-of-the-art Aston Martin DBS, chassis number 007, costing an eye-watering 180,000. Just because I said I liked it. I was a bit of a late starter when it came to women. Cars and cooking were my passions but by the time I was old enough to fully appreciate girls, I was able to flambe chicken livers and was obsessed with Ferraris. Women were a distraction I didn't have time for. I was born in Yorkshire in 1972 and grew up around food. At eight, I was washing pots in the kitchens of Castle Howard, where my father was manager, and after catering college I headed off to London with 50 in my pocket. Those early days were tough. I worked for Antony Worrall Thompson for a tiny wage but at least that was better than the big fat zero I got from my next boss, Marco Pierre White. When I was seven, I had boasted to my grandfather that I wanted to be a head chef by the age of 30, have my own restaurant at 35 and own a Ferrari when I was 40. I never imagined I would achieve those ambitions by the time I was 24. I opened the Hotel du Vin in Winchester just before my 22nd birthday and bought my first Ferrari, a stunning black 360 costing 82,000, two years later. For reasons I've never understood, my life has been full of headstrong women who, no doubt bored with waiting for me to notice them, have made the first move. Which is probably just as well: most of them were so obviously out of my league I wouldn't have given myself a chance. James revealed: 'Barbara insisted on buying me a state-of-the-art Aston Martin DBS, chassis number 007, costing an eye-watering 180,000. Just because I said I liked it' Meeting Barbara, daughter of the first Bond producer, 'Cubby' Broccoli, was unusual to say the least. She 'won' me in a charity auction in 2001 when I was 29, paying 18,000 to have me cook a meal at her Chelsea house. Perhaps it was my trademark dessert dish of spun sugar that swung it. Six weeks later I turned up at Barbara's to make the meal for her and five friends. The evening was hilarious - and we just clicked. I didn't know she was co-producer of the current James Bond films with her half-brother Michael G. Wilson. I just thought she was an amazing woman. The following day I told my then personal assistant Erica about the evening. She decided to play Cupid, calling Barbara's PA. It transpired that Barbara's PA was trying to organise a surprise for her birthday, so I offered to cook. Thus began my longest relationship, the most surreal, exciting and unforgettable four-and-a-half years of my life. Barbara was incredibly easy to be around. My phrase for her was 'Being with you is as easy as breathing' and it was true. She's generous to a fault. She'd never ask for anything but would give everything to make you happy. Unlike many in her business, Barbara is not pretentious or ostentatious - she drives a Volvo, for crying out loud - and when it was just the two of us she was the best company you could ask for. The age difference never appeared to be a problem. I've always liked independent women: we both had strong opinions and plenty to say for ourselves, so life was never boring. I've always been mature. I grew up quickly, cooking in Michelin-starred restaurants in France during my teenage years. Now, I thought I had done well for myself - I was appearing on the BBC cookery show Ready Steady Cook, I had published books and even had an account with Coutts - until I met Barbara. She wasn't just in the megaleague, she was at the very top of it. We had been together for three months or so when she invited me to join her in Los Angeles. Her house was massive - the lounge alone was twice the size of my home. 'What am I doing here?' I kept thinking. 'How did this happen?' One day, while Barbara was out, I answered the door to a man dressed in a black suit holding a silver plate with an envelope. Inside was a set of car keys with a prancing horse on the fob and a note from Barbara which read: 'Enjoy Beverly Hills, I'll see you later, love B.' On the drive was a silver Ferrari 360 Spyder, exactly the same as the black 360 I once owned but with a soft top which, let's face it, you've got to have in Beverly Hills. He confessed: 'Now, I thought I had done well for myself - I was on the BBC's Ready Steady Cook - until I met Barbara. She wasn't just in the megaleague, she was at the very top of it' (L-R Antony Worrall-Thompson, Dominic Cork, Ainsley Harriott, Anne Robinson and James) With that the phone rang. It was Barbara, checking I had got it. 'Yeah, I've got it,' I replied, 'but what am I supposed to do with it?' 'Well,' she said, 'you're on the insurance, just go for a drive and enjoy LA.' A few days earlier I had been in my little house in England - now I was driving along Rodeo Drive in a silver Ferrari 360 with cream leather interior - the odour of Ferrari leather is unique, it's like they genetically engineer it to smell of money. So what did I do? I headed for a KFC drive-thru and bought myself a Bargain Bucket. There were always surprises with Barbara. One year I went to the Baftas in London with her. As we waited for the show to start, Halle Berry, who was then the new Bond girl, sat next to me. She turned to Barbara, seated in the row behind me, and said: 'Hi, B, how ya doin'?' Then she said to me: 'Hey, James, how's it goin'?' Sorry? What? Me? While I was trying to get my head around that, Nicole Kidman sat in front of me. She too turned around. 'Hi, Barb, hi, James.' As the lights went down and the show started I tried subtly to send text messages to my mum: Halle Berry and Nicole Kidman just asked how I was doing. Barbara leaned forward. 'What are you doing?' she asked. 'Nothing, just checking to see if I've got any messages.' I was used to meeting famous people, yet still I was star-struck. I felt like a small fish in a very big pond. I was out of my depth, a spare part. Cars, however, are a great leveller. That's why I got on with Daniel Craig. We sat opposite each other at dinner in a private room at Nobu in Park Lane one night, chatting about motors. We later went to the Aston Martin headquarters in Warwickshire to see the new DBS for the first time. This was the Aston Martin Daniel would drive in Casino Royale, but at this stage the car had not even been built - it was just a clay model. It was a pitch by the company, looking for Barbara's approval. Barbara wasn't much interested in cars so she wanted me to look over it. A cover was pulled off to reveal a full-size clay model spray-painted to look exactly as the finished car would. It was all top secret. James confessed: 'I got on with Daniel Craig. We sat opposite each other at dinner in a private room at Nobu in Park Lane one night, chatting about motors' (Daniel and Barbara pictured in 2019) 'It's all right that, isn't it?' Daniel said to me. 'What do you think?' 'That's f****** ace,' I said. 'It looks the b*******.' The detail was incredible. They had mock-ups of the interior and the Bond gadgets that were going to go on it - the defibrillator, the champagne holder in the back. Then they started arguing over the colour. One of the guys from Aston Martin said it should be graphite, a gunmetal grey. Barbara asked: 'What colour do you think it should be, James?' Everyone knows that Bond's Aston Martin has got to be silver. The graphite was too grey; it needed to be lighter. On the other hand you don't want a silver that's too light otherwise it will just look rubbish. We went through the colour chart and found the perfect silver. So there you go, if you didn't like the colour of the DBS in Casino Royale, blame me. As if that wasn't enough for one day, Aston Martin boss Ulrich Betz asked Daniel and me if we were ready for a test drive. Which car did we want to go out in first - the new DB9 Sport or an immaculate 1964 platinum DB5 formerly owned by George Harrison? Barbara was laughing. Daniel and I looked like a couple of eight-year-olds who had just been told they could have any toy in the shop. Daniel took the DB5 and I drove the DB9 Sport, blatting it around the test track accompanied by drivers telling us to go 'faster' and really 'push it', which we happily did. At the time, newspapers were opposed to Daniel being the new Bond and ran ridiculous stories about him, including one that he couldn't drive. As well as being a brilliant actor, I can tell you he's pretty handy behind the wheel. In the four-and-a-half years Barbara and I were together there were many strange Bond- related moments. I watched the ice hotel in Die Another Day melt in front of me. I accidentally knocked the first script for Casino Royale off the counter in Barbara's kitchen and only noticed when Fudge, my clumber spaniel, had reshuffled the pages like a pack of cards. I even babysat Casino Royale Bond girl Eva Green's yappy little dog in Venice while she and Daniel were sailing up the Grand Canal in a fabulous yacht. Ask any of my friends and they'll tell you that I'm the hardest-working person they know. Ask me and I'll tell you that the hardest-working person I know, and the most generous, is Barbara. If there's anyone who thinks Barbara got where she is because her dad was a legendary film producer, they are mistaken. She took over the Bond films with her half-brother in 1990 and has shown herself willing to take risks - and they usually pay off. Bringing Pierce Brosnan in turned things around for the Bond franchise; hiring Daniel was also an inspired choice. I remember the sleepless nights spent over the script for Casino Royale - the idea of taking it all back to the beginning was a huge gamble. But Barbara had the guts to do it and to hire Daniel when everyone was against it. She showed me old letters from some film executives who wanted Eddie Murphy to be Bond. Can you imagine? Barbara loves what she does and she adores her children - her daughter Angelica and Michael, who she's guardian to. She's a very giving person, and when you've got almost limitless resources that can mean you're giving a hell of a lot. The first year we were together, Barbara gave me a Picasso for my birthday. We had gone to an exhibition of the artist's work at a London gallery on our first date and there was one drawing I couldn't stop looking at. About six months later, Barbara organised a party for my birthday in Chelsea. She had secretly invited 40 of my friends along and they all showed up with little presents. James shared: 'In the four-and-a-half years Barbara and I were together there were many strange Bond- related moments' (pictured in 2006) Then Barbara said: 'I didn't really want to do this here in front of everyone, but, well, here you are. Happy birthday.' And with that she handed me this bulky rectangular present. It was the Picasso. An absolutely beautiful thing from his last exhibition. Barbara always said smart money buys art and that Madonna, who had just recorded the theme song for Die Another Day, had lots of Picassos in her house. Fair enough - only I wasn't Madonna. I was a TV chef. I was recording three episodes of Ready Steady Cook the next day. I arrived at the studio in South London with this painting in a brown paper bag in the boot of my Audi because I wouldn't let it out of my sight. I locked it in my dressing room for six hours while I recorded the shows. I rang Richard, my man at Coutts, and asked if he could help me out with a valuable work of art. He told me to meet him at their branch on the Strand because it had a massive vault. After finishing Ready Steady Cook, I drove into Central London and walked down the Strand with a Picasso under my arm in the brown paper bag, praying nobody mugged me. READ MORE: James Martin reveals the big secret behind his three stone weight loss after eating the same meal TWICE a day Advertisement Richard met me at the door, along with a security guard, and led me to the vault. As Richard was filling in all the paperwork he asked me for the value of the piece, to which I replied: 'I don't know.' I still don't. He gave me a funny look, so I explained that it was a present. Then he asked what the painting was. I told him it was a Picasso. 'No, it's not,' he laughed. 'Yes, it is,' I said. 'No, it's not,' he insisted. 'People don't just carry Picassos around under their arms in brown paper bags.' I assured him that this person did and that it was most definitely the genuine article. I had to tell Barbara to stop buying me Picassos after the third one because I couldn't afford the insurance on them. Instead, she bought me a magnificent pencil drawing of Whitstable by L. S. Lowry instead (I'd mentioned that I liked his work). I still have all four in a vault and I go to see them every now and then. Barbara also bought me a watch - not just any old watch but a Paul Newman Daytona Rolex, one of the rarest. God knows how she found it. Barbara had an astonishing ability to remember detail. If you said you liked a painting, six months or a year later she would have found it and bought it for you. We once saw Ronan Keating on Top Of The Pops and he had this great Tiffany ring on his little finger. I made an admiring remark about it. Barbara got me an identical ring that Christmas, inscribing inside with our saying: Being with you is as easy as breathing. During the filming of Casino Royale, I took my mother shopping in Venice to try to find a present for Barbara. Mum took me to a jewellers where she recalled Barbara had liked a ring - a handmade piece of incredibly fine silver and gold that looked almost like lace. I didn't ask the price. I gave the guy my card and at first, when he punched in the total, I thought, 'F****** hell, it's 260,000'. Then I realised that if it was that much, the card would be declined anyway so it didn't really matter. The price tag was actually 26,000 - 17,000. It completely wiped me out. My account stood at zero. I knew I had a big tax bill coming at the end of the next quarter, so I got my head down and worked extremely hard. James said: 'Barbara was the first real love of my life. I still think the world of her and always will. I would be there for her tomorrow if anything happened' (pictured 2022) Barbara was the first real love of my life. I still think the world of her and always will. I would be there for her tomorrow if anything happened. We've both moved on but it was one of those special relationships where you never forget the times you had together. Looking back, the days that really stand out for me are those when it was just the two of us. We would switch off our mobile phones and it would be our time. But that would only happen four or five times a year. If you took away all the money, success, houses and cars we would still have been good together because we clicked. In fact, we would probably still be together. In our own world, she and I were a great partnership. In her world, though, I felt like an onlooker. I had worked hard all my life and succeeded in my career, yet I felt like I had suddenly gone down a long snake right back to the beginning. If I owned 50 restaurants then maybe I would have been able to move more comfortably in her circles but as it was I could not compete. The age gap didn't help matters in public. When we went to functions I felt uncomfortable when people looked at me, this nobody, and probably thought, 'He's with her for the money'. They would actually come up to me and say: 'Oh yeah, you're the cook.' But I never wanted anything from Barbara. Maybe it's male pride but there were certain places I refused to go unless I paid. When I said I hated us being apart, she said: 'Why don't you give it all up, then? I'll look after you.' That was the last thing I wanted. To be given a cheque every week? No thanks. I wanted to work. It was that day we went with Daniel Craig to Aston Martin's headquarters to see the clay model that it hit home how far apart our worlds were. After I had picked the colour, I added: 'Of course, if it was for me personally, I'd go for black on black - black paint, black interior.' Barbara said: 'Well, have one if you want one.' I laughed. 'No, it's all right.' She was insistent. 'Have one.' She was genuinely going to buy one for me. This was the Aston Martin DBS, price 180,000. I told her not to be so ridiculous but she was already saying: 'Yes, we'll have it black, with black interior, and we'll have the chassis number 007.' I continued to say: 'No, we won't.' Barbara replied: 'Why not? If you want it we'll get it.' I tried to explain to her that you can't just give someone a 180,000 car as a gift. A watch is a gift. A ring is a gift. A 180,000 car is too much. It wasn't as if it was my birthday or Christmas - it was just a spur of the moment thought. In the end I said: 'If I want something, I'll work for it. Just drop it or we're going to fall out over this.' After his split from Barbara, James moved on in the same year with Miss England 2001, Sally Kettle, before then settling down with Louise Davies (pictured 2021) for 12 years But she and Ulrich Betz continued to organise it so I left them to it. I don't know what happened in the end. Barbara probably bought it. She's probably got a black on black Aston Martin DBS, chassis number 007, in a garage somewhere. It was a defining moment in our relationship. Deep down, I knew there was always going to be an imbalance. I told my mum I didn't think I could handle it any more. 'You're mad,' she said. 'You've got a woman there who adores you, who you absolutely adore. Forget about all the other stuff - that's irrelevant. It's just the two of you.' To walk away from someone you love and who loves you that much is hard. Maybe it was the daftest thing I have done in my life but it was probably the most sensible, too. In the end I think it was for the best, not just for Barbara and me but also for her children. Penelope Cruz has commanded attention in a striking photoshoot ahead of her 50th birthday next month. The actress showcased her age-defying figure in a busty strapless Mugler corset and a lime green Versace lace dress for the April Issue of ELLE Spain - her ninth cover for the publication. 'If you ask me what my relationship with myself was like now and the one I had when I was 20 or 30, I honestly prefer the one I have now,' Penelope said in the accompanying interview. While the Hollywood star isn't sure what she will do to mark her 50th, she said she will spend it with her loved ones, some of whom she has known since she was a teenager. Of turning 50, she said: 'I take advantage of each decade, each moment, and I never think I was better before".' Penelope Cruz has commanded attention in a striking photoshoot ahead of her 50th birthday next month The actress showcased her age-defying figure in a busty strapless Mugler corset and a lime green Versace lace dress for the April Issue of ELLE Spain - her ninth cover for the publication Penelope proved she is in her best era yet as she oozed confidence in the accompanying photoshoot. The actress showed off her ample cleavage in the PVC Mugler corset which she teamed with skintight jeans, Aquazzurra sandals and Chanel earrings. Penelope also displayed her legs in a crepe jacket, chiffon blouse and lace lingerie from Dolce & Gabbana. The actress said she does miss the 'antics' of her younger years as she has become more aware of the world around her with age. 'Sometimes I would like to do more antics and return more to that kind of unconsciousness,' she said. Penelope added: 'Everything I have learned so far or all the mountains I have had to climb some of which have not been easy, and I am not talking about anything that has to do with success or that part of the job are part of my learning. diary.' Also in the interview, Penelope gave a rare insight into her family life with husband Javier Bardem and their two children Leo, 13, and Luna, 10. The actress revealed she always wanted to be a mother and tried at 20 on a trip to India to adopt a child by herself, but was unable to. Of turning 50, she said: 'I take advantage of each decade, each moment, and I never think I was better before".' 'I worked a lot before, and at a very crazy pace because it was what I played in that time, when I made four films a year.' 'But today I feel that I am very lucky that what I have been sowing over time now gives me the possibility of choosing what to do and where and when. 'I mean, sometimes they can offer me something, although if it's during the course or if it's not in our city or it's not in the summer, that's just why I've said no to many things. 'And I will never regret it. Because since they were born we do everything possible to be fully present in their upbringing. It is the most important thing for us.' Read the full interview in ELLE Spain - out now. Harry Styles stepped out for a stroll with his close pal James Corden in London on Thursday. The Watermelon Sugar hitmaker, 30, - who recently jetted back to the UK from New York - showed off his muscular legs in navy shorts on the low-key outing. Harry - who is currently dating actress Taylor Russell, 29, - clutched a singular white rose on the walk. It comes as actor and comedian James, 45, is set to star in the West End over the summer after relocating to the UK after quitting Hollywood last year. The star, who quit the Late Late Show in 2023, moved back to England with his wife Julia and their three children last year. Harry Styles stepped out for a stroll with his close pal James Corden in London on Thursday morning The Watermelon Sugar hitmaker, 30, - who recently jetted back to the UK from New York - showed off his muscular legs in navy shorts on the low-key outing Despite making the decision to slow down on work to spend more time with his family, James has now embarked on an exciting new project. While out and about James cut a casual figure in a dark coat and jeans and wore comfortable white trainers. James will star in the world premiere of Joe Penhall's The Constituent at the Old Vic theatre from June 13 to August 10. The new play also stars BAFTA winner Anna Maxwell Martin who is renowned for staring in the Motherland, Line of Duty and Poppy Shakespeare. Anna stars as a hard-working opposition backbencher whose ideals of public office are tested by the demands of a man in crisis, played by James. Directed by Old Vic Artistic Director and Olivier Award winner Matthew Warchus, The Constituent deconstructs politics, panic alarms and the conflict between public service and personal safety. Joe Penhall said: 'I began writing this play four years ago, as I became fascinated and appalled by the growing antipathy towards elected politicians. 'But during lockdown it looked like theatre was done for, so when I showed a rough first draft to Matthew and he had such a confident vision for it, I was simultaneously thrilled and doubtful of our chances. Harry - who is currently dating actress Taylor Russell, 29, - clutched a singular white rose on the walk It comes as actor and comedian James, 45, is set to star in West End over the summer after relocating to the UK after quitting Hollywood last year James, who quit the Late Late Show in 2023, moved back to England with his wife Julia and their three children last year While out and about James cut a casual figure in a dark coat and jeans and wore comfortable white trainers James and Harry have been close friends for years and regularly holiday together as well as spending time together in London 'It's beyond exciting to be finally doing it and I feel utterly indebted to The Old Vic and everyone involved for getting us here.' The news comes after James' Gavin and Stacey co-creator Ruth Jones denied the sitcom will return for a Christmas special. Last month, reports circulated online claiming the cast was set to film a new episode over the summer with the plan to air it at Christmas, five years on from a dramatic cliffhanger. But Welsh actress Ruth, who starred in and co-created the show with James, confirmed it was 'sadly a rumour' on RTE Radio 1. Asked about the reports, she said: 'Apparently there's a bidding war going on between the BBC and Netflix and I love it because it says 'a source says', who is this source?' They both donned dark sunglasses as they stepped out in Mayfair together to enjoy a catch up Ruth added: 'It's sadly a rumour... All I can say is, if there was something to say on that front, James and I would happily announce it, we would.' The actress, who played Nessa in the beloved show, revealed that she thinks the rumours were sparked after she was photographed having lunch with James a few months back after he returned to the UK from living in America. 'Then the next thing is 'Oh my god they must be writing more Gavin And Stacey', which is lovely,' she said. 'It's lovely that people are so desperate for it because imagine if it was the opposite and were like 'Oh, god, you're not bringing that back again'.' In a world full of fractured relationships and bitter divorces, Bruce Willis' blended familial bliss is somewhat of an enigma. Since the Die Hard star's devastating dementia diagnosis, his adoring family have rallied around him. Bruce, 69, married actress Demi Moore, 61, in 1987 but the pair separated in 2000. As Demi found love with younger actor Ashton Kutcher, 46, (who she split from 2011), Bruce later fell for English model and actress Emma Heming, who is almost 25 years his junior. But Bruce, Demi and Emma were determined to remain friends for the sake of their children - Bruce and Demi have three daughters together and he and Emma have two. and the couples became close. 'We've become like a tribe,' Bruce said of their blended family while speaking with W Magazine in 2009, after Ashton and Demi attended his Turks and Caicos wedding to Emma. In a world full of fractured relationships and bitter divorces, Bruce Willis' blended familial bliss is somewhat of an enigma (Pictured are the blended family in March 2023) Since the Die Hard star's devastating dementia diagnosis, his adoring family have rallied around him - he has five daughters (Pictured in April 2020) Emma said that she met Demi and Ashton early on in her relationship to Bruce, saying she was 'really blessed because from day one it's been comfortable and fun.' Bruce has previously noted that people are often baffled by his friendship with Demi - with whom he shares children Rumer, 35, Scout, 32 and Tallulah, 30. 'It's generated a lot of interest because everyone can understand resentment and envy in the breakup of a marriage, but they don't understand how I can get along with my ex like that,' he said. 'Demi and I made a choice to put the kids first, and we're really lucky that it turns out we all have fun together.' Demi and Ashton ended up splitting in 2011, and they finalised their divorce two years later. Meanwhile, Bruce and Emma went on to welcome their daughter Mabel in 2012. Two years later, they had Evelyn. Now, 15 years after Bruce and Emma tied the knot, Demi said she considered Bruce's wife and their two kids part of her own 'family,' as she gave an inside look into their unique - but strong - bond. 'We are FAMILY,' she wrote in an Instagram caption under a picture which showed them all enjoying a meal together, posing as a group, and playing with Demi's dog Pilaf. 'Getting into the holiday spirit.' In 2009, Bruce married Emma (left), an English model and actress, on the Turks and Caicos islands, but he continued to remain close with Demi (right) Pictured; the blended family in December 2022 In April, when Bruce announced that he had been diagnosed with aphasia, Demi, Emma, and his five kids shared a joint statement to Bruce's 'amazing supporters' (Pictured are Rumer, Demi, Bruce, Scout, Emma Heming and Tallulah on September 23, 2019) Emma and Demi have also forged a close bond and the Ghost actress regularly spends quality time with Bruce's two youngest children during their family get-togethers In 2020, Bruce and Demi made headlines after they spent four weeks in quarantine with their daughters, two of their daughters' boyfriends, and her assistant amid the COVID-19 pandemic 'They made such an effort to still have our family be as one unit, as opposed to two separate things, which I think really made an impact,' Rumer said of her parents in 2015 (Pictured in May 2020) The family had a great time wearing matching pajamas and posing with the same books while stuck inside during the pandemic (Pictured are the blended family in April 2020) Bruce has previously noted that people are often baffled by his friendship with Demi Emma said at the time that she met Demi and Ashton early on in her relationship to Bruce, saying she was 'really blessed because from day one it's been comfortable and fun (Pictured are Bruce, Ashton, Demi, Rumer, Scout and Tallulah in 2003) During an interview with Larry King in March 2015, Rumer praised her parents for getting along and making it a point to remain a family after they divorced and married other people. 'They always made an effort to do all of the family events still together and made such an effort to still have our family be as one unit, as opposed to two separate things, which I think really made an impact,' she said. In 2020, Bruce and Demi made headlines after they spent four weeks in quarantine with their daughters, two of their daughters' boyfriends, and her assistant amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The actor's wife and two youngest daughters were not with them, but Scout later explained that there was a simple explanation for their absence. 'My stepmom was going to come up here with my little sisters,' she said on the Dopey podcast in 2020. 'But my younger sister, who is now actually seven years old, at a park, had never gotten a talk about not f**king with hypodermic needles that she found, so she actually tried to poke her shoe with it and poked her foot. 'So my stepmom had to be in LA waiting to get the results from taking her to the doctor so my dad came up here early and then travel got crazy so my stepmom stayed in LA with my little sisters.' In February 2023, Bruce's family revealed the actor had been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) - less than one year after he retired from acting due to his battle with brain disorder, aphasia. Bruce withdrew from acting in 2022 as he began his fight with the illness that caused his language abilities to deteriorate - and his condition later 'progressed' according to a joint statement from his family. Bruce celebrated his 69th birthday on Tuesday, surrounded by his family, including ex-wife Demi (Picture shared on Tuesday) She also shared in the caption, 'Happy Birthday, BW! We love you and are so grateful for you.' (Picture shared on Tuesday) Bruce's wife Emma celebrated her husband's 69th birthday with a sweet birthday tribute amid his health battle with frontotemporal dementia and aphasia (Picture shared on Tuesday) Emma has been married to Willis since 2009 Rumer, who gave birth to her first child Louetta last year, sang her father's praises as she described him as the 'funniest' and most 'out of this world silly talented' dad (Picture shared on Tuesday) She also included this more recent snap of them together (Pictured on Tuesday) FTD affects the lobes of the brain behind the forehead, which deal with behaviour, problem-solving, planning and emotions - with symptoms including personality changes, obsessive behaviour and speaking difficulties. The statement, from his wife Emma, ex-wife Demi and five daughters, which was posted on The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration's website, read: 'Our family wanted to start by expressing our deepest gratitude for the incredible outpouring of love, support and wonderful stories we have all received since sharing Bruce's original diagnosis. 'In the spirit of that, we wanted to give you an update about our beloved husband, father and friend since we now have a deeper understanding of what he is experiencing. 'Since we announced Bruce's diagnosis of aphasia in spring 2022, Bruce's condition has progressed and we now have a more specific diagnosis: frontotemporal dementia (known as FTD). 'Unfortunately, challenges with communication are just one symptom of the disease Bruce faces. While this is painful, it is a relief to finally have a clear diagnosis. 'FTD is a cruel disease that many of us have never heard of and can strike anyone. For people under 60, FTD is the most common form of dementia, and because getting the diagnosis can take years, FTD is likely much more prevalent than we know. 'Today there are no treatments for the disease, a reality that we hope can change in the years ahead. As Bruce's condition advances, we hope that any media attention can be focused on shining a light on this disease that needs far more awareness and research. 'Bruce always believed in using his voice in the world to help others, and to raise awareness about important issues both publicly and privately. 'We've become like a tribe,' Bruce said of their blended family while speaking with W Magazine that year. He is seen with wife Emma in April 2022 Bruce and his wife Emma have two daughters, Mabel, nine, and Evelyn, seven, together (Pictured are Bruce, Emma and their two children in October 2019) Rumer with her father and sister Tallulah (Picture shared on Tuesday) 'We know in our hearts that if he could today -- he would want to respond by bringing global attention and a connectedness with those who are also dealing with this debilitating disease and how it impacts so many individuals and their families. 'Ours is just one family with a loved one who suffers from FTD, and we encourage others facing it to seek out the wealth of information and support available through AFTD (@theaftd, theaftd.org). 'And for those of you who have been fortunate enough to not have any personal experience with FTD, we hope that you will take the time to learn about it, and support AFTD's mission in whatever way you can. 'Bruce has always found joy in life and has helped everyone he knows to do the same. It has meant the world to see that sense of care echoed back to him and to all of us. 'We have been so moved by the love you have all shared for our dear husband, father, and friend during this difficult time. Your continued compassion, understanding, and respect will enable us to help Bruce live as full a life as possible.' The statement was signed by Emma, Demi, and his daughters Rumer, Scout, Tallulah, Mabel, and Evelyn. Nigora Bannatyne posed up a storm as she turned heads in a tiny purple bikini on Wednesday. The wife of Dragon's Den star Duncan Bannatyne has been enjoying her 44th birthday celebrations over in Tulum with her husband and friends. And the former dental surgery receptionist looked to be making the most of the trip as she flaunted her jaw-dropping figure in the skimpy swimwear. Posing in a doorway of skulls, Nigora showcased her washboard abs and accessorised the look with a long white beach cover up and a large blue pendant necklace. Looking glamorous, her hair was styled in voluminous waves while she donned a full face of makeup while striking an array of poses. Duncan Bannatyne's wife Nigora flaunted her jaw-dropping figure in tiny purple bikini as she celebrated her 44th birthday in Tulum on Wednesday The former dental surgery receptionist looked to be making the most of the trip as she flaunted her washboard abs in the skimpy swimwear The couple have been enjoying the lavish trip after they shared some snaps of her 'pre-birthday celebrations' on Tuesday. Photos show Nigora looking gorgeous in a nude dress with a plunging neckline. Nigora cosied up with her equally glam girlfriends as well as Duncan in a picturesque beach bar. Over the weekend Nigora ladled praise upon her husband as well as her 'beautiful family and friends' for their 'kindness and energy' as she shared more photos from the trip. 'I am thankful for my wonderful husband @duncan.bannatyne my beautiful family, friends .the kindness, the energy and the endless love and support from you through good and bad. Im thankful Im blessed...' she wrote. 'To connect, lean, grow, be inspired to do well and able to share our lives togethertheres not enough words to express my appreciation and gratitude to you all!' Nigora is Duncan's third wife after previously tying the knot with Gail Brodie and Joanne McCue, in 1987 and 2006 respectively. Thrice-wed Duncan has four children with Gail and two with Joanna. Uzbekistan-born Nigora is also a parent to daughter Gabrielle from a former relationship. Nigora and Duncan, 75, have been enjoying the lavish trip after they shared some snaps of her 'pre-birthday celebrations' on Tuesday Nigora is Duncan's third wife after previously tying the knot with Gail Brodie and Joanne McCue, in 1987 and 2006 respectively Photos show the former dental surgery receptionist looking gorgeous in a nude dress with a plunging neckline Nigora cosied up with her equally glam girlfriends as well as Duncan in a picturesque beach bar Over the weekend Nigora ladled praise upon her husband as well as her 'beautiful family and friends' for their 'kindness and energy' Duncan proposed to Nigora in 2016 with a 40k ring in Monte Carlo after they first started dating in 2015 when Duncan met her after visiting the dental surgery on London's Harley Street where she was working in 2014 Duncan proposed to Nigora in 2016 with a 40k ring in Monte Carlo after they first started dating in 2015 when Duncan met her after visiting the dental surgery on London's Harley Street where she was working in 2014. The couple married in Portugal in 2017 before jetting off to Croatia to enjoy their honeymoon. Duncan and Nigora previously spoke to OK! Magazine about the moment they first met. The business mogul insisted she was on his mind from the minute he saw her at the dental surgery. He said: 'I spotted her in there one day while getting some crowns done. Just as I was building up the courage to speak to her, the buzzer went for my appointment. 'When I went home I couldn't stop thinking about her, I felt obsessed! I felt in love with her.' Nigora added: 'On day one. He was like "I'm madly in love with you." I thought he was joking and was speechless!' Rebecca Judd has slammed the Victorian Government after her repeated warnings about violent crime in her ritzy Bayside suburb were ignored. State opposition Liberal MP James Newbury on Thursday posted crime statistics outlining that there are 16 home invasions each day in Victoria, and a 43 per cent increase in aggravated burglaries in Bayside. Rebecca, 41, who lives in a $7.3million Brighton mansion with her AFL star husband Chris and four kids, was incensed by the update and promptly took to Instagram to vent her frustration. 'Pretty sure someone warned the government about this in 2022 and was rubbished,' she said. 'They didn't care then and they don't care now. This is a Vic wide issue and not just Bayside.' Rebecca Judd (pictured at Glamour On The Grid at Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit on March 20, 2024) has taken a brutal swipe after her warnings about violent crime in her ritzy Bayside suburb were ignored State opposition Liberal MP James Newbury on Thursday posted crime statistics online outlining that there are 16 home invasions each day in Victoria, and a 43 per cent increase in aggravated burglaries in Bayside Poll Is Bec Judd right about Victoria's soaring rate of violent crime? Yes - the government need to do more No - she's over-reacting Is Bec Judd right about Victoria's soaring rate of violent crime? Yes - the government need to do more 259 votes No - she's over-reacting 26 votes Now share your opinion This is not the first time the footy WAG has slammed the Victorian Government for for its management of a spate of youth crimes plaguing Melbourne's most affluent suburbs. She has previously made headlines for voicing her concerns about gangs of 'machete wielding youths'. In June 2022, Rebecca said she felt 'unsafe' in her mansion and that she was 'so sick of 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. Rebecca also reposted CCTV footage of a gang 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 allegedly crashing a stolen BMW into a tree. Last year she doubled down on her claim that Melbourne's elite suburbs are under siege by criminals, calling for changes to youth offending laws. Rebecca, 41, who lives in a $7.3 million Brighton mansion with her AFL star husband, Chris and four kids, was incensed by update and promptly took to Instagram Stories to vent her frustration Bec has previously made headlines for voicing her concerns about gangs of 'machete wielding youths' She has continually called on Premier Jacinta Allan to 'fix the system'. Following the alleged murder of Dr Ashley Gordon by two teenagers, Rebecca said the justice system needs to be overhauled. 'This story is so sad. The justice system is broken. Fix this Jacinta Allan. Let this be your legacy,' she said. 'Until the prevention first strategy starts to work among teens, you need to keep the community safe and lock up violent offenders.' Holly Valance and her husband Nick Candy packed on the PDA after enjoying a date night at Harry's Bar in Mayfair on Wednesday. The Australian star, 40, who took a brutal swipe at climate activist Greta Thunberg just days ago, was seen sharing a steamy kiss with her billionaire husband. Holly looked in full spirits as she was spotted for the first time since her explosive interview where she called Greta, 21, a 'demonic little gremlin'. As Holly stepped inside her car to head home, Nick, 51, gave her a passionate kiss following their romantic dinner date at the luxury eatery. The former popstar and Neighbours actress slipped into a figure-hugging brown knee-high midi dress, teamed with strappy gold sandals. Holly Valance, 40, and her husband Nick Candy, 51, packed on the PDA after enjoying a date night at Harry's Bar in Mayfair on Wednesday The Australian model, 40, who took a brutal swipe at climate activist Greta Thunberg, 21, just days ago, was seen sharing a steamy kiss with her billionaire husband Nick looked dapper in a crisp white shirt and black suit, opting out of wearing a tie for the chilled dinner. In the interview on GB News' Chopper's Political Podcast, Holly, who has recently rebranded herself as a conservative commentator, didn't mince words as she revealed her thoughts on Swedish-born activist. The Aussie star told host Christopher Hope: 'I don't understand why you have this, like, demonic little gremlin high priestess of climatism as the goddess in classrooms, Greta [Thunberg].' 'All the kids are all coming home with depression and anxiety,' she said. 'Why would you go to your music lesson or bother doing your homework or get out of your bed if you think we're all going to be dead in five years anyway?' The mother-of-two also declared she has no intention of moving back to her Australian homeland, lamenting that the country is going 'woke'. 'The Australia I grew up in was unreal. It was so fun and we didn't seem to have all these problems... the woke stuff's really gone big in Australia,' she said. Holly elaborated on the 'woke culture', pointing towards 'the stuff they're teaching in school': 'I don't think sexuality and children should be in the same sentence. Holly looked in full spirits as she was spotted for the first time since her explosive interview where she called Greta a 'demonic little gremlin' As Holly stepped inside her car to head home, Nick gave her a steamy smooch following their romantic dinner date at the luxury eatery The former popstar and Neighbours actress slipped into a figure-hugging brown knee-high midi dress, teamed with strappy gold sandals Nick looked dapper in a crisp white shirt and black suit, opting out of wearing a tie for the chilled dinner Holly, who married the billionaire property developer in 2012, was born in Australia and now lives in London and the Cotswolds The happily married couple tied the knot in Beverly Hills and welcomed two daughters together in 2013 and 2017 named Luka Violet Toni and Nova Skye Coco respectively In the interview on GB News ' Chopper's Political Podcast, Holly, who has recently rebranded herself as a conservative commentator, didn't mince words as she revealed her thoughts on Swedish-born activist (pictured) 'I don't think anyone's sexuality is anyone's business. You don't know about mine. I don't know about yours. Why would we?' Holly, who married the billionaire property developer in 2012, was born in Australia and now lives in London and the Cotswolds. The happily married couple tied the knot in Beverly Hills and welcomed two daughters together in 2013 and 2017 named Luka Violet Toni and Nova Skye Coco respectively. The couple enjoy a lavish lifestyle and previously lived in a two-storey Hyde Park penthouse worth $340million (175million), making it Britain's most expensive flat. Nick and Holly have since downsized to a $19.5million (10million) countryside mansion in the Cotswolds, which they are currently renovating. In 2020, Nick gifted Holly with a $50.5million (26million) superyacht, despite the mother-of-two famously suffering from sea sickness. Petula Clark's husband Claude Wolff has died aged 93 following a short illness. The British singer, 91, announced the news on her social media page on Wednesday as she admitted she was 'lost for words' to describe how she was feeling. Petula wrote: 'Our hearts are heavy. This afternoon - Claude, my husband of so many amazing years - passed away - leaving us lost for words to describe this awful emotion - grief. 'Thank you my lovely children, and friends, for giving me strength to get through this overwhelming sadness. Peace be with you cheri. R.I.P. Claude Wolff (1931-2024).' Petula's Facebook post was flooded with messages of sympathy in the comments section, as friends and fans sent their condolences to the star. Petula Clark's husband Claude Wolff has died aged 93 following a short illness The British singer, 91, announced the news on her social media page on Wednesday as she admitted she was 'lost for words' to describe how she was feeling (pictured together) Petula shares three children with Claude, two daughters named Barbara and Katherine and a son named Patrick, 52 The actor and producer was known for his work in the movie industry and collaborated on several projects with his estranged wife. Petula and Claude met in the fifties and stayed together for three decades before parting romantically but remaining married until his death. The former couple met at the Vogue label during a meeting to discuss Petula's contact in Paris in 1957, where Claude was 'immediately attracted' to Petula. Following the meeting, Petula was told that Claude would work with her if she recorded in French and she agreed. They collaborated on 1968 film Petula where Claude worked as a producer and Here's Lucy, which was filmed in the same year, where he was an actor. Petula, who shares three children with Claude, spoke to the Loose Women about their unusual arrangement during an appearance in 2016. She said: 'We're still married. Claude is the father of our wonderful children. 'We still live together but he has his own life and I have mine and it somehow works.' Petula wrote: 'Our hearts are heavy. This afternoon - Claude, my husband of so many amazing years - passed away - leaving us lost for words to describe this awful emotion - grief' The couple pictured on their wedding day in June 1961 'These things are difficult to talk about in public, but it works.' As of 2012, Petula and Claude lived together in Switzerland. They are parents to their son Patrick, 52, and their two daughters Barbara and Katherine. Despite her arrangement with Claude, Petula went on to find love again, although she admitted it wasn't a 'lightbulb' moment like it was with Claude. She told the Loose Women panel: 'There is someone and it's very nice and Claude knows about it. There's no secret.' 'We became friends first and the romantic side happened later. I think that's pretty good too, because it's not a frantic passion thing. It's good to be friends with your man!' Speaking to The Daily Mail in 2016, Petula said of her husband: 'He's in Geneva and I'll see him when I go back. It's funny. Life does these things to us. 'Of course, it's painful to think something that was so wonderful had changed but he has his life and I have mine. We had three wonderful children together and we love each other very much. 'It's just different now. It's perhaps not perfect but we make the most of it.' They went their separate ways in the 1980s and remained close ever since and never divorced. Claude also found a new partner but they remained tight lipped about the identities of their new loves. As of 2012, Petula and Claude lived together in Switzerland. They are parents to their son Patrick, 52, and their two daughters Barbara and Katherine (pictured in 2001) They went their separate ways in the 1980s and remained close ever since and never divorced Petula Clark in the mountains with her husband Claude and their children Barbara and Patrick in December 1976 During an interview with the Daily Mail in 2013, Petula said she believed her busy career 'stopped her from being a good mother. She said: 'I wasn't a good mother because I was away so much. I tried hard to be the perfect mother, the perfect wife and a great performer. 'I thought I could do it all but it can't be done. Sorry, but it just can't. I had a good stab at it, but being a parent and married is a full-time job.' Talking about leaving her children to perform, she said: 'Emotionally, it was a real wrench every time I had to leave, and I think the whole sad business of saying goodbye to each other so often stayed with the children for many years. 'I always rushed back home whenever I could and turned down a lot of offers of work so I could be with them, but I still had to make a living. 'Whatever I may have got wrong then, I hope I've managed to put right since.'Petula first stepped on stage at the age of six and grew up to become one of the most successful British female recording artists in history, with more than 68million records sold worldwide and a string of number one hits including I Know A Place.' Hunan province strives to build inland hub for opening-up 10:43, March 21, 2024 By Sun Chao, Zou Xiang ( People's Daily On the streets of Changsha, central China's Hunan province, it's easy to buy an authentic cup of African coffee. Leveraging the two major platforms hosted by Hunan province, namely the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo and the China (Hunan) Pilot Free Trade Zone, Changsha has established a distribution, processing and trading center for non-resource products from Africa, where coffee is one of the most prominent product categories. A fully loaded train departs from Huaihua, central China's Hunan province, heading towards Vientiane, Laos along the China-Laos Railway, Oct. 30, 2023. (People's Daily Online/Tian Min) By integrating the entire chain from direct sourcing from Africa, domestic processing, brand incubation to sales, the overall cost of coffee products made at the center is around 30 percent lower compared to similar products on the market. As a result, the African coffee produced at the center can then be distributed and sold across the entire nation. As a pioneer in China's sub-national economic and trade cooperation with Africa, Hunan province has established trade relations with many countries and regions in Africa. It enjoys a solid foundation for economic and trade cooperation with Africa, with high compatibility in industries and strong market complementarity. One of the three major tasks of the China (Hunan) Pilot Free Trade Zone is to establish a pilot zone for in-depth China-Africa economic and trade cooperation. In recent years, Hunan has accelerated its integration into Belt and Road cooperation, building the pilot zone for in-depth China-Africa economic and trade cooperation with high standards. Photo shows the China-Africa E-Commerce Livestreaming Incubator. (Photo provided by the Hunan Gaoqiao Grand Market) It has actively implemented strategies to enhance the development of the China (Hunan) Pilot Free Trade Zone, striving to build itself into an inland hub for opening-up. In 2022, the province's foreign trade for the first time exceeded $100 billion, achieving a new milestone in its opening-up efforts. So far, Hunan has established five international trade routes, including the China-Europe freight train service, the Chenglingji Port in Yueyang, the Hunan-Guangdong-Africa rail-sea intermodal transport corridor, the Huaihua International Land Port, and the air cargo hub centered around the Changsha Huanghua International Airport. Additionally, Hunan has made coordinated plans for logistics channels throughout the province and concentrated efforts to develop five international freight centers. Photo shows the third China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo held in Changsha, central China's Hunan province. (Photo from Hunan Daily) At the 12,000-squaremeter China-Africa E-commerce Livestreaming Incubator in the China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation Promotion Innovation Demonstration Park in Changsha, African products are often promoted through livestreaming, including fresh flowers from Kenya, Ethiopian coffee, and chili peppers from Rwanda, among others. In recent years, the China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation Promotion Innovation Demonstration Park has established an "African product brand warehouse," attracting over 100 African products to settle in. Benefiting from an integrated cross-border e-commerce system that combines online channels, offline operations, and supporting services, the infrastructure for e-commerce logistics, financial settlement, and overseas warehouses keeps improving. An increasing number of African primary agricultural products have established their own brands and are moving towards more advanced processing and higher value-added production. So far, Hunan has established 18 national-level industrial parks, seven special customs supervision zones, and four comprehensive cross-border e-commerce pilot zones, which make a more comprehensive "testing ground" and resource base for Belt and Road cooperation. (Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun) The U.N. weather agency is sounding a "red alert" about global warming, citing record-smashing increases last year in greenhouse gases, land and water temperatures and melting of glaciers and sea ice, and is warning that the world's efforts to reverse the trend have been inadequate. The World Meteorological Organization said there is a "high probability" that 2024 will be another record-hot year. The Geneva-based agency, in a "State of the Global Climate" report released Tuesday, ratcheted up concerns that a much-vaunted climate goal is increasingly in jeopardy: That the world can unite to limit planetary warming to no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) from pre-industrial levels. "Never have we been so close albeit on a temporary basis at the moment to the 1.5 degrees Celsius lower limit of the Paris agreement on climate change," said Celeste Saulo, the agency's secretary-general. "The WMO community is sounding the red alert to the world." The 12-month period from March 2023 to February 2024 pushed beyond that 1.5-degree limit, averaging 1.56 degrees Celsius (2.81 degrees Fahrenheit) higher, according to the European Union's Copernicus Climate Service. It said the calendar year 2023 was just below 1.5 degrees Celsius at 1.48 degrees Celsius (2.66 degrees Fahrenheit), but a record hot start to this year pushed beyond that level for the 12-month average. "Earths issuing a distress call," U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said. "The latest State of the Global Climate report shows a planet on the brink. Fossil fuel pollution is sending climate chaos off the charts." Omar Baddour, WMO's chief of climate monitoring, said the year after an El Nino event the cyclical warming of the Pacific Ocean that affects global weather patterns normally tends to be warmer. "So we cannot say definitively about 2024 is going to be the warmest year. But what I would say: There is a high probability that 2024 will again break the record of 2023, but lets wait and see," he said. "January was the warmest January on record. So the records are still being broken." The latest WMO findings are especially stark when compiled in a single report. In 2023, over 90 percent of ocean waters experienced heat wave conditions at least once. Glaciers monitored since 1950 lost the most ice on record. Antarctic sea ice retreated to its lowest level ever. "Topping all the bad news, what worries me the most is that the planet is now in a meltdown phase literally and figuratively given the warming and mass loss from our polar ice sheets," said Jonathan Overpeck, dean of the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability, who wasnt involved in the report. Saulo called the climate crisis "the defining challenge that humanity faces" and said it combines with a crisis of inequality, as seen in growing food insecurity and migration. WMO said the impact of heatwaves, floods, droughts, wildfires and tropical cyclones, exacerbated by climate change, was felt in lives and livelihoods on every continent in 2023. "This list of record-smashing events is truly distressing, though not a surprise given the steady drumbeat of extreme events over the past year," said University of Arizona climate scientist Kathy Jacobs, who also wasn't involved in the WMO report. "The full cost of climate-change-accelerated events across sectors and regions has never been calculated in a meaningful way, but the cost to biodiversity and to the quality of life of future generations is incalculable." But the U.N. agency also acknowledged "a glimmer of hope" in trying to keep the Earth from running too high a fever. It said renewable energy generation capacity from wind, solar and waterpower rose nearly 50 percent from 2022 to a total of 510 gigawatts. "The target of 1.5 Celcius degree warming still holds, just like a speed limit on the highway still holds even if we temporarily exceed it," said Malte Meinshausen, a professor of climate science at the University of Melbourne in Australia. "What is more urgent than ever is to grasp the economic opportunities that arise due to the low-cost renewables at our disposal, to decarbonize the electricity sector, and electrify other sectors." "We need to step on the brakes of ever-increasing GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions," said Meinshausen, who also was not involved in the report. "And hopeful signs are there, that GHG emissions are about to peak." The report comes as climate experts and government ministers are to gather in the Danish capital, Copenhagen, on Thursday and Friday to press for greater climate action, including increased national commitments to fight global warming. "Each year the climate story gets worse; each year WMO officials and others proclaim that the latest report is a wake-up call to decision makers," said University of Victoria climate scientist Andrew Weaver, a former British Columbia lawmaker. "Yet each year, once the 24-hour news cycle is over, far too many of our elected leaders return to political grandstanding, partisan bickering and advancing policies with demonstrable short-term outcomes," he said. "More often than not everything else ends up taking precedence over the advancement of climate policy. And so, nothing gets done." (AP) Elle Macpherson and her boyfriend Doyle Bramhall are making the most of their trip to London, enjoying a shopping spree together on Tuesday. The Australian supermodel, 59, coordinated with her American guitarist boyfriend, 55, as they headed out in Mayfair. Elle, who was busy hailing a cab, looked chic in a grey jacket teamed with white tailored trousers and loafers. Guitarist Doyle matched in his own neutral tones, accessorising his camel coat with a statement print bag. Elle Macpherson and her boyfriend Doyle Bramhall are making the most of their trip to London, enjoying a shopping spree together on Tuesday It was recently claimed that the couple, who have been dating for over a year, have their eye on Australia for a potential 'destination wedding'. An insider told New Idea: 'Elle can't wait to be a bride again and she's found the perfect man in Doyle. 'They are crazy about each other. They're incredibly laidback and he's come along at the most perfect time in her life.' While neither Elle or Doyle have confirmed an engagement, the supermodel is often seen with a thick gold ring around her left ring finger. Elle went Instagram official with Doyle in October 2022, having previously dated with disgraced former doctor Andrew Wakefield until 2019. Before that the model and wellness entrepreneur was wed to US billionaire Jeff Soffer for four years. She was also linked to a number of mega-famous men during the 1990s and 2000s including Kevin Costner, Axl Rose, Sean Penn, Billy Joel and the late comic Norm McDonald. The Australian supermodel, 59, coordinated with her American guitarist boyfriend, 55, as they headed out in Mayfair It was recently claimed that the couple, who have been dating for over a year, have their eye on Australia for a potential 'destination wedding' Elle was also married to French fashion photographer Gilles Bensimon from 1986 to 1989. While she shares two sons, Flynn and Cy, with another ex-partner, French financier Arpad Busson. Doyle is known best for having performed with Eric Clapton and Roger Waters, and is the son of songwriter and drummer Doyle Bramhall Sr. He is also famed for dating Hollywood actress Renee Zellweger for seven years before they split in 2019. Christine Quinn's husband Christian Richard was arrested again Wednesday night for arriving at their LA home in defiance of her restraining order. Richard was first brought into custody on Tuesday for assault with a deadly weapon after he threw a bag of glass at his wife but hit their two-year-old son, who was then taken to the hospital in an ambulance. The tech millionaire's bond was set at $30,000 and Quinn took out a weeklong emergency protective order against him. He was released shortly after and on Wednesday night made his way back to his and Quinn's Hollywood Hills estate, where police arrested him for the second time. An LAPD spokesperson told DailyMail.com the cops arrived at the house 'at 10:48 pm and the suspect was arrested for violating the restraining order that was obtained the day prior. He posted bond of $30,000 and has a court date set for 4/11.' Christine Quinn 's husband Christian Richard was arrested again on Wednesday night for arriving at their LA home in defiance of her restraining order; cops pictured there that night Richard was brought into custody Tuesday for assault with a deadly weapon after he threw a bag of glass at his wife but hit their two-year-old son; the arrest is pictured TMZ has confirmed Christian and Christine's son was transported to the hospital on Tuesday via ambulance with Christine by his side By Wednesday night, Richard had been released and the police were seen arriving again at his and Quinn's house in the Hollywood Hills An LAPD spokesperson told DailyMail.com the cops arrived at the house 'at 10:48 pm and the suspect was arrested for violating the restraining order that was obtained the day prior' Richard posted his second $30,000 bond just hours after the arrest, at around 4:45am on Thursday, according to LA County Sheriff's records. During the day on Wednesday, police swept the couple's estate with their guns drawn, performing what an LAPD spokesperson described as a 'building search' to make certain the home was safe. They ultimately determined there 'was no issue.' Quinn and her son were purportedly not on the property but are currently staying in a separate 'safe location,' according to a Page Six insider. In usual cases, building searches take place because someone has called the police to check on the potential presence of active threats in a particular location. A source has claimed that in this instance, Quinn was not the person who summoned the authorities to her house. Meanwhile, an eyewitness to the building search alleged that the cops could be heard saying: 'Come out with your hands up.' By Wednesday night, Richard had been released and the police were seen arriving again at his and Quinn's house in the Hollywood Hills. Pictures obtained by DailyMail.com show an officer emerging from a police SUV that was parked outside the property. Richard, 45, who wed the ex Selling Sunset star, 35, in 2019, was seen Tuesday afternoon being led away from his house in handcuffs by officers while barefoot and clad in only a bathrobe after the incident involving the couple's only child Christian Georges Dumontet, two. During the day on Wednesday, police swept the couple's estate with their guns drawn, performing what an LAPD spokesperson described as a 'building search' The police were on hand to make sure the property was safe and ultimately determined that there 'was no issue,' according to the spokesman On Wednesday, police were seen sweeping the couple's estate with their weapons out, performing what an LAPD spokesperson described as a 'building search' Quinn and her son were purportedly not on the property but are currently staying in a separate 'safe location,' according to a Page Six insider In usual cases, building searches take place because someone has called the police to check on the potential presence of active threats in a particular location Meanwhile, an eyewitness to the building search alleged that the cops could be heard saying: 'Come out with your hands up' A source has claimed that in this instance, Quinn was not the person who summoned the authorities to her house The retired tech entrepreneur looked somber as he was spoken to by officers on the curb outside his Hollywood Hills home - before he was placed in a police car. Multiple police cars were also seen parked outside the couple's home. Quinn was not seen at the time of the arrest. LAPD spokesman Jeff Lee told DailyMail.com: 'A victim and a suspect were involved in a domestic dispute when the suspect threw a bag at the victim with a glass bottle inside of it. It missed the victim, but that object struck a child. 'The suspect was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon.' TMZ has confirmed Christian and Christine's son was transported to the hospital on Tuesday via ambulance with Christine by his side. The publication reports Quinn was offered an emergency protective order against Richard which she accepted and which will be in effect for seven days. DailyMail.com has contacted representatives for Quinn for comment. Christine and Christian met through a mutual friend before he proposed on Valentine's Day in 2019. The reality star told Bustle in 2020 about their first date: 'Him and I had an amazing steak dinner and got to know each other, and we just hit it off right away. 'He's everything that I ever wanted,' she said. 'And then [my friend's] like, "Also, he's looking for a house," and I was like: double bonus.' The couple tied the knot in December 2019 in an unconventional gothic winter wonderland-themed wedding at a downtown Los Angeles cathedral. 'I've never conformed to the status quo or societal expectations,' she said. On the topic of the theme, Quinn told People about foregoing a typical white wedding dress, 'I've always enjoyed being bold, different, and trendsetting. I've always wanted to get married in a black wedding dress, and Im so happy that my dream came true.' The star previously revealed that she was 'really, really sick on her wedding day' and has since discovered she had coronavirus. Talking to Goss Chats, she said: 'I was really, really sick on my wedding day. I actually had, which I now know, was corona.' Christine and Christian are seen with their son in July 2021 Christian was booked on Tuesday with a felony charge and bail was set at $30,000 Officers chatted on the home's driveway after the arrest 'I got really sick in late December and we were travelling. I was sick for about a month when we were filming. 'I couldnt even have a bachelorette party, I was so bummed about that. That time was such a high but a low at the same time.' Richard had a successful career in software engineering and attending prestigious university MIT. He created American online food ordering service Foodler which he later sold to competitor GrubHub in 2017 for a $51 million - allowing him to retire aged just 38. He is worth $20million while Christine is worth $2million. Christine left Selling Sunset at the end of season five, a move her former boss Jason Oppenheim, 45, agreed with. The couple tied the knot in December 2019 in an unconventional gothic winter wonderland-themed wedding at a downtown Los Angeles cathedral (pictured at their engagement bash) Throughout the first five seasons, viewers watched as Quinn sold luxurious and exclusive homes and properties as well as getting involved in drama with her costars. 'I think people were tired of watching that dynamic continue season after season,' Oppenheim told Page Six. 'So I think, if anything, it's provided a breath of fresh air for the office and for the show.' In her last season Christine was accused of trying to bribe a client. And although she denied allegations, Oppenheim just wants to leave the drama and controversy behind. 'It's not the type of drama that I enjoyed being a professional real estate broker,' he said. He added: 'I wasn't happy with the types of issues being brought to my attention. I think it ran its course.' Netflix viewers were going wild on Thursday as they binged an 'excellent' new sci-fi series. 3 Body Problem was released on the streaming platform much to fans' delight after being one of 2024's most eagerly anticipated launches. The crime-science flick - which is based on the Chinese bestselling novels and reportedly had a budget of 125million - begins in Communist China during the height of mad despot Chairman Mao's genocide in the 1960s. It then leaps forward to Britain in the present day where scientists are being driven out of their senses, and killed, by unexplained phenomena. Those who were quick off the mark to watch it on Thursday were full of praise as they said it was the 'peak of TV this year so far' - after it was mostly panned by critics. Netflix viewers were going wild on Thursday afternoon as they binged an 'excellent' new sci-fi series 3 Body Problem was released on the streaming platform much to fans' delight after being one of 2024's most eagerly anticipated launches (pictured are Jess Hong as Jin Cheng and John Bradley as Jack Rooney) The crime-science flick - which is based on the Chinese bestselling novels and reportedly had a budget of 125million - begins in Communist China during the height of mad despot Chairman Mao's genocide in the 1960s (Pictured is John Bradley as Jack Rooney) Controversy has also arisen amid the release after one of the actresses in the show Eiza Gonzalez was roasted over her claims she was 'too pretty' to secure acting roles. Fans said on Twitter: '3 body problem is kinda excellent....', 'If ever there was a moment for Netflix to break with its 'release all episodes at once' model it's the 3 BODY PROBLEM this show was absolutely tailor-made for week-to-week discussion/analysis/obsession.', 'I felt wow this show feels refreshing compared to so many another generic shows.', 'I dare to say Netflix's 3 Body Problem undoubtedly has the best depiction of the craziness of China's cultural revolution in the entire history of film making.', 'I'm really invested in #3BodyProblem.', 'The Cultural Revolution scene deserves a round of applause. #3BodyProblem.', 'one thing is certain: this is the peak of television this year so far. #3BodyProblem.', 'I'm finishing 3 Body Problem by tonight this show is fire.', 'Got chills watching the first episode of 3 Body Problem. Haven't felt like this watching something new in a while.', Fans were going wild for the series as one said: 'one thing is certain: this is the peak of television this year so far. #3BodyProblem' But while fans have loved it, it has been criticised by reviewers for managing to both be dull and too confusing (Pictured is Jess Hong as Jin Cheng) Pictured L-R are Eiza Gonzalez as Auggie Salazar, Jess Hong as Jin Cheng, Saamer Usmani as Raj Varma, Jovan Adepo as Saul Durand and Alex Sharp as Will Downing in the show 'Just finished episodes 1 & 2 No spoilers. It's even better than I hoped it would be. The end of Epi 2 was really frightening but understandable given the hopelessness of the Cultural Revolution #3BodyProblem.', 'I really liked the pilot of #3BodyProblem. I just glad that Ye Wenjie storyline is adapted very well. There some changes in the characters on the present, but the show respect the mythology of the book and focus on the key elements. The end was awesome. Great pilot!!!.', 'Just finished binge watching #3bodyproblem on Netflix, what a show!! They really did justice to the book. Lot of great sci fi shows have come out recently, and this one is probably one among the best if not the best.' Computer engineer and science fiction writer Liu Ciux's The Three-Body Problem - the first in a trilogy of novels called Remembrance of Earth's Past - was firmly placed in the 'unadaptable' category due to being filled to the brim with scientific jargon. But it is a challenge Game of Thrones duo David Benioff and DB Weiss were determined to conquer. However critics have certainly not been as impressed as the fans with reviewers saying it has managed to be both be dull and too confusing. Writing for the Daily Mail, Christopher Stevens said: 'Like a rocket disintegrating on lift-off, the show promptly hurtles off in several directions at once with some parts ploughing straight into the ground. Benioff and Weiss have no idea whether they're making a philosophical thriller, a historical epic about the cultural revolution, a bog-standard crime drama (complete with shambling, chain-smoking maverick copper who has one last chance to save his career), a rom-com, a horror movie or a trailer for a video game. 'The result is that everything looks derivative and unconvincing. Worst of all, as the British researchers tell each other repeatedly that 'science is broken', there are long stretches of teeth-grinding boredom.' The Independent's Louis Chilton echoed his sentiments with a damning review, writing: 'No book is really unadaptable; the problem is that rendering it on screen will simply be too dull, or confusing and 3 Body Problem is somehow both. Benioff, Weiss and Woo made radical and transformative changes to the source material, but lost something integral in the process. 'We're left with a series that's full of bluster but no vibrancy a body devoid of life.' Writing for The Guardian, Lucy Mangan slammed the writers' attempt at emulating their Games Of Thrones success. She wrote: 'There are puzzles to solve, if you are capable, but nothing and no one to root for. 'Even its design as a metaphor for the climate crisis and human inertia in the face of potential doom doesn't give it enough heft in fact, such is the way of these things, it may even serve to alienate us further from emotional engagement. It won't be Netflix's answer to Game of Thrones.' And Dan Einav of the Financial Times said: 'While the series initially manages to offset early confusion with gripping suspense, slick pacing and well-timed reveals, it becomes unwieldy as it progresses. 'Characters saddled with explaining abstruse mechanical theories, meanwhile, never really seem to have more than one dimension themselves.' Not all critics were underwhelmed, however, with several commending the much-anticipated series. The i's Emily Baker applauded the series, writing: 'It's fast-paced, zooming through storylines and ideas at breakneck speed. Thankfully, the whole season is available to binge I don't think I could've stood to wait a week for each chapter. It's not just mind-bending, it's mind-melting in the most enjoyable way.' Although its plot complexity was heavily criticised, Empire's John Nugent felt the weaving of storylines was successful. He wrote: 'It is part police-procedural potboiler, part historical-fiction epic, part puzzle-box mystery, part scientific-discovery adventure, part alien-invasion sci-fi. That it feels coherent at all is an achievement. At its heart lies the question of what it means to be human.' And writing for The Irish Independent, Pat Stacey firmly placed himself as a roaring fan, saying: 'Brilliantly produced, pacy and featuring excellent performances, it provides food for the brain as well as a feast for the eyes. It also has something you don't always find in the sci-fi genre real heart and characters it's easy to become invested in. '3 Body Problem doesn't lend itself to binge-watching; it's so packed with ideas and intrigue, it deserves to be savoured.' As it was released Eiza insisted her natural good looks have held back her acting career because she has been told she is 'too pretty' for certain roles. Eiza indicated that her good looks have harmed her career, though many fans seemed to think the lackluster opportunities had more to do with her talent. In a new interview with InStyle Eiza said: 'I remember being [told for] so many projects, "She's too pretty for the role. She's too hot for the role." 'Then I'd just be like, What is Margot Robbie? She's the hottest, most beautiful woman I've ever seen in my life!' She said Latinas are held to a different standard, and claimed she had an 'identity crisis' and even considered shaving her head in a bid to boost her prospects. But after the interview, many skeptical fans took to social media to express their surprise, writing: 'She can't act her way out of a paper sack!' 'Naw she just stinks at acting.' and 'Damn, just like act better.' 'I have another idea why she didn't get roles,' another person chimed in. A number of comments brought up the fact that Margot Robbie and Scarlett Johansson's careers seemed to be thriving, despite their good looks. 'Yeah I'm sure that's the reason' and 'Glad she thinks so much about herself.' Many had trouble believing that was the reason for her missing out on roles: 'That probably never happened.' Liam Cunningham, Zine Tseng, Eiza Gonzalez, Jess Hong, Jonathan Pryce, John Bradley, Alex Sharp, and Benedict Wong attend the special screening in London on Wednesday Controversy has also arisen amid the release after one of the actresses in the show Eiza Gonzalez (seen) was roasted over her claims she was 'too pretty' to secure acting roles Yet another commentator called the actress 'vain' while someone else pointed out that she also probably 'got a bunch of roles because she's pretty', not in spite of it. In the interview Eiza spoke about how she considered shaving her head. 'I was like, "Do I shave my head? Do I make myself less attractive? Do I make myself more attractive? Do I not dress super-hot or do I cover myself all the time?"' Despite her claims, Eiza secured a role in 3 Body Problem where she portrays Augustina 'Auggie' Salazar. Jenna Coleman has reunited with her ex Richard Madden during a culture-filled trip to Barcelona. The Victoria actress, 37, shared a selfie with her former love, 37, who she split from in 2015, as they explored the Spanish city over the weekend. The ex couple smiled happily for the camera as they cosied up in a Spanish street, with no sign of Jenna's current boyfriend Jamie Childs. Jenna and Richard dated on and off for four years after getting together in 2012. Jenna Coleman has reunited with her ex Richard Madden during a culture-filled trip to Barcelona Their relationship coincided with their soaring careers, with Richard starring in Game Of Thrones at the time while Jenna had landed her Doctor Who role. In the early days of their relationship, a proud Richard gushed about visiting his girlfriend on the set of Doctor Who. 'I've watched Doctor Who since I was a kid. I loved it, and I still love it,' he declared. 'I was selfie-ing the s**t out of it, and sending it to my dad! "Look, it's me in the TARDIS!" I thought it was the coolest thing ever. I can geek out about it, like when I go to set and see the TARDIS.' While they often showed their support for one another at red carpet premieres of their various projects, the couple ended up splitting for good in 2015. Jenna soon struck up a romance with her Prince Albert in drama series Victoria, Tom Hughes, who she ended up dating for seven years. Richard meanwhile moved on with actress Ellie Bamber, who he split from in 2019. Just last month fans were speculating that Jenna had secretly married her current boyfriend Jamie Childs after she was spotted wearing a chunky gold band on her wedding finger several times. Jenna and director Jamie met on the set of Netflix series The Sandman in 2020 and have been working together again on Jamie's first film Jackdaw, which was released last month. The Victoria actress, 37, shared a selfie with her former love, 37, who she split from in 2015, as they explored the Spanish city over the weekend (pictured together in 2015) There was no sign of Jenna's current boyfriend, director Jamie Childs on the Barcelona trip (pictured together in September) Jenna and Richard dated on and off for four years after getting together in 2012.Their relationship coincided with their soaring careers, with Richard starring in Game Of Thrones at the time while Jenna had landed her Doctor Who role (pictured together in 2013) Jenna is currently filming new BBC detective drama The Jetty which is expected to hit screens next year. In the four-part series, a fire wrecks a holiday home in a Lancashire lake town and Jenna's character Detective Ember is tasked with seeing how the blaze connects to a podcast journalist, who is investigating a crime. The journalist is looking into a missing persons cold case and an illicit 'love' triangle between a man in his twenties and two underage girls. While she starts to close in on answers, Ember's life begins to fall apart, as she is driven to face up to her past, present and the town she's always called home. The Jetty is designed to delve into the moral legacy of the Me Too movement and ask questions about sexual morality, identity and memory. Richard is also working on a detective thriller, teaming up with Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Shailene Woodley for Prime's Killer Heat, which wrapped filming in Crete last summer. Advertisement Kathy Hilton was thrown a fun birthday party by her daughters Paris and Nicky Hilton this week and the girls did not hold back on spending with the cost of the bash looking to be about $1million (after all, jewelry was in the goody bags). The Lily of the Valley & Pink Bow inspired themed event took place earlier this week at the RHOBH star's Bel-Air, California mansion. Kathy wore a white dress and pink heels as she kissed her husband, real estate mogul Rick Hilton of Hilton & Hilton. Paris, 43, looked elegant in a flattering and long green-and-red dress and Nicky, 40, showed off her post-baby body in a shimmering pale blue minidress that highlighted her toned legs. Also at the event were Kelly Day, Stacey Bendet, Lauren King, Crystal Minkoff, Christine Chiu, Alexandra Von Furstenberg, Bijou Phillips, Nancy Davis, Dylan Mulvane and Bette Smith. Also seen were Bernie Leonard, Rachel Zoe, Tina Craig, Tracey Cunningham, Vanna White. Other pals included Carol Bell, Andy Gelb, Alex Baskin, Nikki Haskell, Anna Zuckerman, Irena Medavoy, Zoe de Givenchy, Sarah Howard, and Omar Shariff, Jr. and Charlotte Croonsberg. Kathy Hilton was thrown a fun birthday party by her daughters Paris and Nicky Hilton this week Nicky and Paris hosted the celebratory birthday dinner party. The gorgeous florals were seen all throughout the home and designed by Kathys longtime florist JAdore Les Fleurs. Kathys friends enjoyed Double baked potatoes by The Caviar & Co., and beef tenderloin prepared by Kathys chef, Chef David as well as a very special Lily of the Valley and Pink Bow birthday Cake commissioned by Crumbles Patiserie. There were also macaroons in Kathys favorite flavors by Lolli and Pops. Casa del Sol tequila strawberry margarita and rose champagne flowed through out the night. Paris and Nicky planned the event with long time family friend, Carol Bell. Gift bags were shared. An Anna Zukerman Jewelry Claw Machine was on hand for guests to play with and all guests received teddy bears with Anna Zuckerman Jewelry. Additionally, the fragrance of tomorrow land flowed throughout the home from the abundance of Baobob Collection Candles that was at each place setting. Last week Kathy got warm wishes from friends and family. Paris and Nicky, sister Kyle Richards, 55, and pal Kris Jenner, 68, all shared birthday messages for the socialite. Kathy wore a white gown with pink shoes as she posed with her husband Rick Hilton of Hilton & Hilton They shared a sweet smooch too. They have been married since 1979 Paris who blasted her uncle Mauricio Umansky for sharing the toxic reason behind their family feud shared a sweet post for her mom. 'Happy Birthday to the OG Queen, my mom @kathyhilton! ' began the reality TV star. 'Mom, your resilience and compassion have taught me everything I know about navigating life with a smile, a heart full of love and a touch of sparkle, 'she wrote. 'Youve always been my rock, my inspiration, and the coolest mom anyone could ever wish for. On your special day, I just want to say thank you for being yougenuine, loving, and simply irreplaceable,' she gushed. 'Celebrating you today feels like an homage to the incredible impact youve made, not just on me, but on everyone lucky enough to be in your orbit. 'Heres to more laughter, more unforgettable moments, and yes, more late night prank call parties in the living room. May this year bring you as much joy and happiness as you bring to everyone around you. Love you to the moon and back,' Paris finished. Kathy looked like a proud fur parent as she held up two small dogs Nicky was seen far left with Stacey Bendet (in the headband), a fashion designer, founder, CEO, and creative director of Alice + Olivia, a contemporary clothing company based in New York City. Also seen were Sarah Howard and U Beauty founder Tina Craig Kathy smiled with pal Irena Medavoy who was in black and white Nicky shared several photos of herself with her mother looking very fashionable as well as photos with her sister and wrote a much shorter caption than her sister. 'Celebrating the queen of grace, laughter, and endless love on her birthday. Happy Birthday to my incredible mom @KathyHilton!We adore you!' The Kardashians star shared three images of herself with Kathy to her Instagram Story. 'Happy birthday @kathyhilton! Thank you for so many years of friendship,' she captioned the post. The reality TV icon looked at her birthday cake which had a picture of her in pink ad an image with her girls Stacey gave a speech for Kathy as Paris looked on Hilton seemed thrilled with her cakes J'Adore Les Fleurs left and Baobab Collection candle right Banquet tables and chairs were set up in the party room There was a spring theme and goody bags for all who attended Rachel Zoe, stylist to the stars and designer, held up a bear that came out of the claw machine. She was with Tracey Cunningham, who is a celebrity hair colorist Zoe wore all black as she flashed her pretty gold rings Kyle also shared her tribute to her Instagram Story, sharing a video of her sister being, in her own words, 'iconic' with a long message written over it. 'Happy birthday to the queen of fabulous parties, talking in shorthand and keeping all things Hunky Dory,' she began. '"The Lady" herself @kathyhilton I LOVED seeing Kathy on RHOBH. I love how Kathy is with her family (especially her sisters @kylerichards18 and @kimrichards11. And I have been a fan of both @parishilton and @nickyhilton since I was a teen,' she began. 'They are both beautiful, kind, successful, strong women just like their mother. I admire Kathy for her philanthropic work, her warm, kind and nurturing spirit and the inspiring example she leads by,' she gushed. 'Marilyn Monroe famously said "Diamonds are a girl's best friend." @kathyhilton is a diamond in every sense of the word. Beautiful inside, and out, priceless with an extraordinary amount of live for her family and unbreakable as she is filled with strength and grace from God. 'The way Kathy handles everything life throws her way, makes her an incredible diamond among us all! Happy Birthday Kathy!,' she finished. Miriam Margolyes left an Australian talk show host speechless today after pointedly asking him 'what are you by the way?' as the pair discussed the war between Israel and Palestine. Waleed Aly, host of Australian Channel 10's current affairs show The Project, found himself momentarily at a loss for words during today's episode when the British-Australian actress derailed a discussion on Gaza with the out-of-the-blue question. Margolyes, who is Jewish, emphatically called for an immediate ceasefire - a statement that appeared to resonate with the studio audience. 'Ceasefire now,' she demanded. 'Whether you're black or white, it doesn't matter.' She then turned to Aly and asked bluntly: 'What are you by the way? You're sort of brown!' Aly appeared visibly taken aback, but moments later lowered his head and chuckled. The Project host Waleed Aly found himself momentarily at a loss for words during Thursday's episode, thanks to a brazen line of questioning from Miriam Margolyes (pictured) Waleed Aly, host of Australian Channel 10's current affairs show 'The Project', found himself momentarily at a loss for words Aly appeared visibly taken aback, but moments later lowered his head in a chuckle 'This is a really interesting question actually,' he replied. 'I've thought about this a lot. I'm not joking about that I'm Egyptian.' 'Oh really,' replied Margolyes, prompting laughter from the audience. 'I like the Egyptian people. I'm on the side of the Palestinians,' she said. 'I have to tell you that now. Being Jewish, we always have to say what we are. Are we for Israel or are we against Israel. I'm only for humanity,' she added, before repeating: 'Ceasefire'. Aly is a seasoned journalist known for steering deep and often complex conversations, and earned a PhD for research on global terrorism. Both of his parents are Egyptian but he was born and raised in Australia. The veteran presenter light-heartedly acknowledged the unexpected turn after being caught off-guard. 'Well I think it's safe to say that conversation did not go as predicted!' he said to a chuckling audience. Margolyes, never one to mince her words, simply retorted with characteristic bluntness: 'Who the hell cares. It's important!' Margolyes swore on This Morning while apologising for calling Leonardo DiCaprio 'smelly' Her appearance on the Channel 10 show was well received, with viewers taking to social media to laud her humour, calling for her to return to the show. Margolyes, 82, has been a familiar face on film and television for decades, includin in the Harry Potter movies and Blackadder, voicing Cadburys Caramel bunny, winning a Bafta for her role in Martin Scorseses The Age of Innocence and the series The Real Marigold Hotel. She has a reputation for swearing, sometimes on air, such as when she famously dropped an f-bomb on Radio 4's Today programme in reference to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt. In another outburst, the actress branded Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio 'smelly', and then swore while apologising for the slip-up on ITV's This Morning. Advertisement Wicked fans got an exciting first look of Ariana Grande and her costars, including Cynthia Erivo, who portrays Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, on set of Universal's film adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical. In brand-new images of the pop star, 30, in character as Glinda, released by Vanity Fair on Thursday, the two-time Grammy winner looked absolutely angelic in a strapless, bubblegum-pink ballgown and sparkly tiara on her head. She was surrounded by tulips and could be seen holding a wand, which is the source of Glinda's powers, as she stood just steps away from the yellow brick road in the magical Land of Oz. Another picture showed her perched on top of a wardrobe chest in a striped blazer and long pleated skirt, next to a rack of pink clothing, as Erivo, 37, sat on a bed surrounded by books. Additionally, the duo posed for a full cast picture with Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Grande's boyfriend Ethan Slater, Jonathan Bailey, Marissa Bode, Bowen Yang and Bronwyn James. While reflecting on her decade-long quest to portray Glinda, her dream role, Grande reflected on the process and looking for her own opportunities, including 'stalking' producer Marc Platt to get the part. 'It was literally 10 years of being like, 'Knock, knock, any developments? Is there an audition coming this year, or next year? I would like to start preparing today,'' the Everyday hitmaker told Vanity Fair. While Jon M. Chu, who directed Grande in Wicked, was considering casting unknown performers in the leading roles, which launched Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel into stardom, Grande won him over. 'Every time she came in to audition, she'd be there at least 30 minutes early,' he recalled. 'I'd see her car circling. I'd be like, 'Who is that?' 'That's Ariana Grande.' 'Why is she here so early?'' Despite being just one award short on Hollywood's ultimate achievement, an EGOT award, Erivo confessed that she did not think she had a shot at securing her role as Elphaba. '[I] honestly didn't believe I'd be seen [for the role],' she said. Once, she got the call, the Tony winner said she began 'training like' she 'was a boxer.' While speaking about Grande, Erivo raved about her performance and character. 'I just need to say that I don't think people realize that she's got the chops,' she said. 'I don't think people realize how brilliant this person's brain and voice and talent is.' The comment made the former Nickelodeon star's eyes well up, before prompting her to return the compliment with one of her own. 'She's my favorite female voice. When I was watching you sing at the Oscars, I said, 'I hope someday I get to sing with her,'' Grande told her. Wicked fans got an exciting first look of Ariana Grande and her costars, including Cynthia Erivo, who portrays Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, on set of Universal's film adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical In brand-new images of the pop star, 30, in character as Glinda, released by Vanity Fair on Thursday, the two-time Grammy winner looked absolutely angelic in a strapless, bubblegum-pink ballgown and sparkly tiara on her head She was surrounded by tulips and could be seen holding a wand, which is the source of Glinda's powers, as she stood just steps away from the yellow brick road in the magical Land of Oz Erivo went on to recall some of their best memories on set, including watching Grande 'jumping on a chandelier' over her 'head whilst singing.' 'She was just so excited to perform for her new friend,' Grande said of her character, Glinda. 'She wanted to do a trick.' Chu also pointed out that all the locals are 'live' upon the women's insistence. 'When we were shooting it, those girls were like, F**k the pre-records. Were going live, he told readers. Although he warned them there would be 'a lot of wind in' their air pipes, he said they didn't miss a beat. The movie is the upcoming two-part film adaptation of Broadway's hit 2004 musical Wicked The movie is the upcoming two-part film adaptation of Broadway's hit 2004 musical Wicked. The movie is about an unlikely friendship emerges between Elphaba and Glinda, two clashing witches in the magical land of Oz. Elphaba is wrongfully cast as a wicked witch as she seeks to expose the fraudulent, corrupt Wizard who rules the land. Part One is set to be released on November 27, 2024. Part Two will be released November 26, 2025. Wicked is the origin story of 'a green-skinned woman who becomes the Wicked Witch of the West.' It serves as a prequel to The Wizard of Oz, exploring the narrative before Dorothy's arrival and delving into the former friendship between the characters Elphaba and Glinda. In January, Grande shared an emotional post about wrapping filming on Wicked 'I will never forget even a minute of my year(s) with [Glinda],' she wrote on her Instagram Story. 'Or you. or my Cyn [Cynthia Erivo]. Permanently and preferably intertwined' The set is where she met her boyfriend, who plays Boq, a resident of Munchkinland In January, Grande shared an emotional post about wrapping filming on Wicked, where she met her boyfriend, who plays Boq, a resident of Munchkinland. 'I will never forget even a minute of my year(s) with [Glinda],' she wrote on her Instagram Story. 'Or you. or my Cyn [Cynthia Erivo]. Permanently and preferably intertwined.' She continued: 'I am so inexplicably thankful that we got to add so many soggy eyelashes to the collection.' The actress went on to thank the film's director as she admitted that 'there aren't words quite yet' to describe her emotions. 'Thank you, Jon, for leading the way with such compassion, openness, brilliance and kindness,' she concluded. 'I have never seen someone conduct a space the way you do. I love you so much.' Billie Piper has confessed she has stolen mementoes from all the sets she has worked on. The actress, who is currently promoting her lead role in Netflix movie Scoop, confessed on The Jonathan Ross Show that she has no problem nabbing props and costumes. 'I take things from set, I see things, I take them.' she admitted. 'Loads of things, rings, costume jewellery.' Among her haul are some racy items from her time on the hit ITV2 drama The Secret Diary Of A Call Girl as she said: 'I have a whip and some underwear.' Billie Piper has confessed she has stolen mementoes from all the sets she has worked on, confessingon The Jonathan Ross Show that she has no problem nabbing props It is her souvenirs from Doctor Who that really shocked chat show host Jonathan as Billie admitted: 'I took loads of stuff from the TARDIS, the main central console' But it is her souvenirs from Doctor Who that really shocked chat show host Jonathan as Billie admitted: 'I took loads of stuff from the TARDIS, the main central console.' Billie's latest project is playing Newsnight producer Sam McAlister in anticipated Netflix film Scoop. The movie dramatises the notorious 2019 interview between Prince Andrew (played by Rufus Sewell and Emily Maitlis, played by Gillian Anderson. The full trailer for Netflix drama Scoop was unveiled on Monday with a standout moment in the trailer coming from Billie who attempts to woo the prince into speaking with the BBC about his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Sam probes: 'With respect, you know how people see you.' As the late queen's third child looks on blankly, he muses: 'Spell it out', prompting Sam to blurt out 'Randy Andy' In the infamous 2019 interview, Emily discussed Virginia Giuffre's claims that she was forced to have sex with Andrew three times when she was 17 under the orders of Epstein. The prince strongly denied the claims throughout the interview. The discussion, in which Andrew made a series of claims - including insisting he couldn't have been with Virginia at the time of the alleged encounter because he was dining at a Pizza Express in Woking and that a medical condition left him unable to sweat - has since gained notoriety and is widely acknowledged to have embarrassed the royals. 'I take things from set, I see things, I take them.' she admitted. 'Loads of things, rings, costume jewellery' Among her haul are some racy items from her time on the hit ITV2 drama The Secret Diary Of A Call Girl as she said: 'I have a whip and some underwear' Billie looked gorgeous in a strapless black dress for her TV appearance, showing off her incredible figure in the stunning gown The interview was described as a 'car crash' and on November 20, 2019, a statement from Buckingham Palace said Prince Andrew was suspended from public duties 'for the foreseeable future'. In May 2020, it was announced that the prince was permanently stepping down from his public roles. In January 2022, Virginia was given the go-ahead to sue Andrew for unspecified damages in a New York civil court. Despite vowing to fight the claims and repeatedly protesting his innocence, the prince agreed to pay a huge sum to settle the case before it ever reached a jury. interview, then the film. Billie's latest project is playing Newsnight producer Sam McAlister in anticipated Netflix film Scoop The movie dramatises the notorious 2019 interview between Prince Andrew (played by Rufus Sewell and Emily Maitlis, played by Gillian Anderson Netflix describes the production as portraying: 'The inside track of the women that broke through the Buckingham Palace establishment to secure the scoop of the decade that led to the catastrophic fall from grace of The Queen's 'Favourite son'. 'From navigating Palace vetoes, to breaking through to Prince Andrew's inner circle, the high stakes negotiations and intensity of rehearsal - to the jaw dropping interview itself. 'SCOOP is the insider account of the inner workings of the Palace and the BBC, twin bastions of the British Establishment, spotlighting the journalists whose tenacity and guts broke through the highest of ceilings - and into the inner sanctum and calculations of a man with everything to lose.' Cillian Murphy has been confirmed to return for the Peaky Blinders movie. The Irish actor, 47, - who played gangster Tommy Shelby in the BBC series which ended in 2022 - will begin shooting later this year with the rest of the cast. Creator Steven Knight shared the exciting news while speaking to BirminghamWorld at the premiere of his new BBC show This Town on Thursday. He said: 'He is definitely returning for it. We're shooting it in September just down the road in Digbeth.' The movie is set to begin filming at Digbeth Loc Studios in Birmingham in September, and will be set during the Second World War. Cillian Murphy has been confirmed to return for the Peaky Blinders movie (seen in the show in 2016) The Irish actor, 47, - who played gangster Tommy Shelby in the BBC series which ended in 2022 - will begin shooting later this year with the rest of the cast Cillian had previously said of the project earlier this year: 'I have always said that if Knight delivers a script that I know he can deliver, because he is such a phenomenal writer, I'll be there. 'If we want to watch 50-year-old Tommy Shelby, I will be there. Let's do it.' Fans were thrilled with the news as they wrote in reaction: 'We are back.. the goat is backkkkkkkk.', 'Glad to see him back in the role for the film. Should be good.', 'I AM SO EXCITEDDDDD. This news made my day.', 'Oh my It's back.', 'This is a must tbh. Wouldn't be the same without him.', 'this gonna be massive.' After his historic Oscars win for Best Actor for Oppenheimer last month, Cillian said of his character Tommy: 'I loved playing him. He was exhausting and so wildly different for me that each time going back was kind of a journey. Fans were thrilled with the news as they wrote in reaction: 'We are back.. the goat is backkkkkkkk' The movie is set to begin filming at Digbeth Loc Studios in Birmingham in September, and will be set during the Second World War 'I'm really not sentimental about work. I feel like the next thing is the most exciting thing. And I mean, it was a ten-year period in my life, so it is significant, but I always feel, like, let's keep moving.' He previously said he would be happy to reprise his role. Speaking on Desert Island Discs, he admitted he was 'relieved' when the BBC drama ended in 2022 but is now 'totally' on board with a movie adaptation. Murphy also hinted that the programme's writer, Steven Knight, had more stories to tell about the Birmingham-based Shelby clan and their criminal activities between the 1880s and 1910s. Peaky Blinders launched in 2013 and garnered huge audiences both in Britain and overseas, attracting roles for silver-screen stars such as Tom Hardy and Anya Taylor-Joy. Cillian was awarded the Oscar for Best Actor for his performance in Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer at the 96th Academy Awards in March. In his speech Cillian told the star-studded room that he was 'a very proud Irishman standing here tonight' before dedicating his win to 'peacemakers everywhere'. Fans watching hailed him a 'true gentleman' for his 'heartfelt' words as he signed off with a nod to his Irish heritage. 'Go raibh mile maith agaibh,' he added, which translates to 'a thousand thank yous'. Speaking in the press room after picking up his statuette, Murphy told journalists: 'I'm in a little bit of a daze, I'm very overwhelmed. I'm very humbled. I'm very grateful and you know, very proud to be Irish standing here today. 'It's really really meaningful to me. I don't know if I said this in my speech, because I can't remember what I said.' 'I did want to say that I think in Ireland we are really great at supporting artists and I think we need to continue to support artists and the next generation of actors and directors. I think that's vitally important. That's all I have to say.' When asked if he is 'content' about being remembered for his role as atomic bomb scientist J Robert Oppenheimer in the movie, the actor replied: 'Very content. I mean, you got to move forward, but this has been a huge, huge moment for me. 'The movie is so special to me, and myself and [director] Chris [Nolan] have such a special relationship.' 'And I just feel very privileged to be able to continue to work with him and I'm very proud that this is a film that is provocative, and that asks questions, and is challenging, but yet so many people went to see it, so I'm really really proud of it.' Cillian added of his relationship with director Christopher Nolan: 'It's very very special. We have been working together for 20 years. I think he's the perfect director, he's an extraordinary writer, he's an extraordinary director of actors. 'He presents this film like no one else does in the world, and I just can't believe my luck. I did a screentest for him when I was a kid, and I thought that would be it and it would just be enough to be in a room with Chris for a couple of hours, and here we are. So, I'm just so humble and thankful.' When asked if he is 'content' about being remembered for his role as atomic bomb scientist J Robert Oppenheimer in the movie, the actor replied: 'Very content. I mean, you got to move forward, but this has been a huge, huge moment for me. The actor was previously best known for his role as the northern gangster in the BBC drama, but has since received acclaim for his performance in Oppenheimer (pictured at the Oscars) 'The movie is so special to me, and myself and [director] Chris [Nolan] have such a special relationship.' 'And I just feel very privileged to be able to continue to work with him and I'm very proud that this is a film that is provocative, and that asks questions, and is challenging, but yet so many people went to see it, so I'm really really proud of it.' Cillian added of his relationship with director Christopher Nolan: 'It's very very special. We have been working together for 20 years. I think he's the perfect director, he's an extraordinary writer, he's an extraordinary director of actors. 'He presents this film like no one else does in the world, and I just can't believe my luck. I did a screentest for him when I was a kid, and I thought that would be it and it would just be enough to be in a room with Chris for a couple of hours, and here we are. So, I'm just so humble and thankful.' Bethenny Frankel spoke out against trolls who criticized how her daughter, Bryn, dresses in a heated video uploaded to her main Instagram page on Wednesday. The TV personality, 53 - who recently sparked outrage for buying 'disgusting' phallic dessert with the teen - filmed the clip while visiting Australia for her speaking tour. The Real Housewives Of New York alum was joined by the 13-year-old on the trip, and has been active on social media to share special moments from the getaway. Frankel kicked off the reel by saying, 'So some people think it's their business how I parent and how my daughter dresses.' 'I have the most beautiful, thoughtful, caring, loving, spiritual, sensitive, darling, loving, smart human being for a child, and that takes work.' Bethenny Frankel, 53, spoke out against trolls who criticized how her daughter, Bryn, 13, dresses in a heated video uploaded to her main Instagram page on Wednesday Frankel kicked off the reel by saying, 'So some people think it's their business how I parent and how my daughter dresses' Bethenny added, 'And I was at one of my appearances and one of the moms stood up and she said she is the one who came in and slapped somebody for saying something about my child.' 'I have a group of women warrior cubs who will come to f**k you up if you talk about my child.' The businesswoman then continued, 'She is nearly perfect, which is mostly, I'm sure, genetic, but I work very hard at it.' 'And you can criticize my looks, my career, my choices, my words, but the one thing you cannot criticize is my parenting. It is the most important thing to me. I cherish it, and I am on the case.' Towards the end of the clip, Frankel told trolls, 'You better keep f***ing walking and take a seat. I will come to your house, and I will f**k you up myself.' Throughout the video, the words 'Take a seat' were also written in text as she filmed and addressed the criticism aimed at her teenage daughter - whom she shares with ex-husband Jason Hoppy. In the caption, she penned, 'This may feel aggressive and I do not believe in physical altercation but when it comes to protecting my daughter do not cross me. #momlife #motherhood #parenting #daughterlove #mommabear.' Frankel appears to be responding to negative comments made in a recent post where she shared a photo of a rainbow-colored, phallic ice cream she bought with her daughter in Melbourne. 'I have the most beautiful, thoughtful, caring, loving, spiritual, sensitive, darling, loving, smart human being for a child, and that takes work,' she added The businesswoman then continued, 'She is nearly perfect, which is mostly, I'm sure, genetic, but I work very hard at it' 'And you can criticize my looks, my career, my choices, my words, but the one thing you cannot criticize is my parenting. It is the most important thing to me. I cherish it, and I am on the case' Towards the end of the clip, Frankel told trolls, 'You better keep f***ing walking and take a seat. I will come to your house, and I will f**k you up myself' The post caused an avalanche of outrage from Frankel's followers, who blasted everything from the racy nature of the treat to how Bryn was dressed. 'I think it's a bit much as a mom to buy a rainbow d*** ice cream with or for my 8th grade daughter. Not appropriate sorry and I'm far from a karen,' wrote one. One follower accused Frankel of having 'no boundaries' with her daughter, while another snapped, 'The cleavage/cropped top on a 12 year old?' One added, 'Disappointed. The busty top and the last pic. C'mon you're smarter than that.' Sharing a photo of the cheeky dessert to Instagram, Frankel had written, 'The food scene here is incredible and let's just say we got more than we bargained for.' The star also gushed about turning her work trip into a 'mother-daughter bonding trip.' Last year in May, Bethenny further showed her close bond to Bryn by sharing a birthday tribute in celebration of her 13th birthday. At the time, the Real Housewives star wrote, 'I may work hard in business but there is nothing I take more seriously than being a mother to this sweet, beautiful baby girl of mine.' 'I can't believe how loving, sweet, silly, natural, grounded and just all around good she is. She was born a nice girl and she has never strayed.' Frankel appears to be responding to negative comments made in a recent post where she shared a photo of a rainbow-colored, phallic ice cream she bought with her daughter One follower accused Frankel of having 'no boundaries' with her daughter, while another snapped, 'The cleavage/cropped top on a 12 year old?' One added, 'Disappointed. The busty top and the last pic. C'mon you're smarter than that' However, the mother-of-one has also been candid about the difficulties of parenting as well. Last year in June while speaking to Us Weekly, she explained that Bryn as at an age where 'she thinks she knows everything' Frankel continued, 'She was blessed with as many gifts as I have flaws, and I am so grateful to go through this beautiful life with her.' However, the mother-of-one has also been candid about the difficulties of parenting as well. Last year in June while speaking to Us Weekly, she explained that Bryn is at an age where 'she thinks she knows everything.' 'We're right "be-tween" childhood and adulthood, where they think they know everything, but your job is to protect them from the world and themselves,' she said, while adding, 'I love parenting!' She also opened up about spending quality time with the teen and said, 'We love rituals and creating memories with every holiday and season. From vegetable picking to surfing to wakeboarding and snowboarding, we do a lot together.' 'Bryn is creative and free. I don't want her to be like me. I like her not [worrying] about a goal set.' The Skinny Girl founder whisked both herself and Bryn to Australia for her speaking tour called In Conversation With Bethenny Frankel. The tour allows fans to join the TV personality as she gets candid and discusses her 'unparalleled success, from brand building prowess to memorable moments on Real Housewives of New York and The Apprentice,' per an official description. Those who attend one of her conversations also have a chance to engage with Frankel during a Q+A panel. The Skinny Girl founder whisked both herself and Bryn to Australia for her speaking tour called In Conversation With Bethenny Frankel; seen in January in NYC Despite being busy, the star has been able to fit in some downtime in order to spend quality time with her daughter and explore the Australian cities Bethenny has already made a stop in Melbourne, and another tour stop is set for Friday, March 22 in Sydney at the Darling Harbour Theatre. Despite being busy, the star has been able to fit in some downtime in order to spend time with her daughter and explore the Australian cities. She recently uploaded snaps as the pair were able to see both koalas and kangaroos up close. The media personality additionally shared photos and videos as they enjoyed tasty meals and also had a blast on a shopping spree. President Joe Biden on Thursday announced his administration will forgive student loans for thousands of public service workers. Biden said the latest round of forgiveness will cancel $6 billion in student debt for 78,000 teachers, nurses, firefighters and other public service employees. "These public service workers have dedicated their careers to serving their communities, but because of past administrative failures, never got the relief they were entitled to under the law," Biden said. Biden said his administration has now canceled the student debt of more than 870,000 public service workers as part of the White House's effort to cancel or reduce student debt since the Supreme Court outlawed its larger student debt reduction program last year. "Through all of our various student debt relief actions, nearly four million Americans have had their student debt canceled under my administration," Biden said. (UPI) Elisabeth Moss is a force to be reckoned with in FXs upcoming spy thriller, The Veil, in which she embarks on a 'deadly game of truth and lies' to save lives. While portraying an international spy, with a history of 'erratic' behavior, the 41-year-old actress must embark on a dangerous mission to avert potential disaster for half a million people. In order to stop the possible deaths of over 500,000 people, she must uncover the secret of one woman, portrayed by Yumna Marwan. The series' official trailer opens with Moss walking in a blue dress explaining that she 'can change into anything' and 'become 100' strangers. Elisabeth Moss is a force to be reckoned with in FXs upcoming spy thriller, The Veil, in which she embarks on a 'deadly game of truth and lies' to save lives While portraying an international spy, with a history of 'erratic' behavior, the 41-year-old actress is sent on a mission to avert potential disaster A moment later, she goes from strutting out of her home in a dark blue dress and high heels to slipping on a leather jacket and holding a gun. A male voice narrating the preview explains her character, Imogen Salter, is an MI6 Agent that is 'used in very high-level situations.' 'But she's known to be erratic and unpredictable,' the man notes as a montage of her field work is shown, including the moment she tosses her phone on the street into a cup of water to stop tracking her. Imogen is informed that she is needed to meet her 'target' (Marwan) in 'a camp near the Turkish border.' 'She's extremely intelligent and untrustworthy,' she's informed. Footage then pans to Imogen telling a man: 'It's my job to get her to tell me what she knows.' 'I've played so many people in my life,' Imogen admits to Marwan. 'I don't know where I belong anymore.' Marwan replies: 'We're the same, you and I.' In order to stop the possible deaths of over 500,000 people, she must uncover the secret of one woman, portrayed by Yumna Marwan In series' trailer opens with Moss walking in a blue dress explaining that she 'can change into anything' and 'become 100' strangers A moment later, she goes from strutting out of her home in a dark blue dress and high heels to slipping on a leather jacket and holding a gun A male voice narrating the preview explains her character, Imogen Salter, is an MI6 Agent that is 'used in very high-level situations' During a heated argument with Marwan, Imogen reminds her that if she's lying, she'll 'never' get her 'daughter back.' 'You chose the life that you lead now. I did not,' Marwan later explains. She then asks: 'Who said you get to decide what is good and what is evil?' 'It's a game of truth we're playing,' Imogen says. 'The lie gets closer and closer to the truth until it's no longer a lie.' Imogen is informed that she is needed to meet her 'target' (Marwan) in 'a camp near the Turkish border' 'I've played so many people in my life,' Imogen admits to Marwan. 'I don't know where I belong anymore' 'It's a game of truth we're playing,' Imogen says. 'The lie gets closer and closer to the truth until it's no longer a lie' Marwan, then says she can 'always tell the truth from lies.' The trailer ends with Imogen challenging her as she questioned: 'So, am I telling the truth? Or am I lying?' Alongside Moss and Marwan, the cast includes Josh Charles and Dali Benssalah. The miniseries was written Steven Knight who is known for other work such as Peaky Blinders and Great Expectations. The Veil will begin airing two episodes on the premiere date, next month, on April 30, and will continue to air weekly on Tuesdays for a grand total of six episodes. On Wednesday, Moss, 41, shared a poster for the series to her main Instagram page Last month, Moss opened up about her role in the international spy thriller at the Television Critics Association panel, per People. 'It was much more challenging...' 'Given just the amount of skills and different things I had to do with the dialect and the stunts, the fight training, speaking a couple of different languages here and there, and the traveling all around the world.' She added, 'It definitely felt like it was, if possible, I had found something even more challenging than Handmaid's which is impossible to say.' Despite the challenges she faced when tackling a leading role in The Veil, Moss said, 'But yeah, to me to me, this was a great time.' Earlier this year in January, she made an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live and confirmed that she is expecting her first child (seen above during the interview cradling her baby bump) Earlier this year in January, the two-time Emmy winner made an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live and confirmed that she is expecting her first child. The talk show host brought up the topic as she showcased her growing baby bump on the episode. 'Are you pregnant or just an incredibly committed method actor?' he questioned. The actress responded with, 'A little bit of both,' which prompted Kimmel to say, 'Congratulations.' He also asked how she was doing and Moss revealed, 'Not bad, actually. I've been really lucky. It's been going really well.' The Mad Men alum was previously married to SNL star and comedian Fred Armisen. The pair tied the knot in 2009 but Moss filed for divorce the following year shortly before their one-year wedding anniversary. Christine Quinn is reportedly 'planning' to end her marriage of nearly five years with husband Christian Richard. 'Christine Quinn is planning on leaving Christian,' a source told Us Weekly. 'Shes planning on filing for divorce.' DailyMail.com has contacted representatives for Quinn for comment. Later on Thursday, sources told TMZ that the reality star is meeting with lawyers to pursue a temporary restraining order against Richard, 45. Although she reportedly wants a permanent order keeping them apart, she will have to start with a temporary order once her emergency seven-day protective order has ended. Christine Quinn is reportedly planning on ending her marriage of nearly five years with husband Christian Richard It comes after Richard, 45, was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon on Tuesday after he threw a bag of glass at his wife, 35, but struck their toddler son, who was then taken to the hospital in an ambulance; the arrest pictured The insiders confirmed that Quinn plans to file for divorce from Richard, but they said getting legal protections for herself and her son Christian Georges Richard, two, is her first goal. Sources added that her marriage to Richard appears to be irreversibly damaged. It comes after Richard, 45, was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon on Tuesday after he threw a bag of glass at his wife, 35, but struck their toddler son. The tech millionaire's bond was set at $30,000 and Quinn took out a weeklong emergency protective order against him. He was released shortly after and on Wednesday night made his way back to his and Quinn's Hollywood Hills estate, where police arrested him for the second time. An LAPD spokesperson told DailyMail.com the cops arrived at the house 'at 10:48 pm and the suspect was arrested for violating the restraining order that was obtained the day prior. He posted bond of $30,000 and has a court date set for 4/11.' Richard posted his second $30,000 bond just hours after the arrest, at around 4:45am on Thursday, according to LA County Sheriff's records. During the day on Wednesday, police swept the couple's estate with their guns drawn, performing what an LAPD spokesperson described as a 'building search' to make certain the home was safe. They ultimately determined there 'was no issue.' Quinn and her son were purportedly not on the property but are currently staying in a separate 'safe location,' according to a Page Six insider. Quinn's husband Christian Richard was arrested again on Wednesday night for arriving at their LA home in defiance of her restraining order; cops pictured there that night During the day on Wednesday, police swept the couple's estate with their guns drawn, performing what an LAPD spokesperson described as a 'building search' The couple tied the knot in December 2019 in an unconventional gothic winter wonderland-themed wedding at a downtown Los Angeles cathedral (pictured at their engagement bash) In usual cases, building searches take place because someone has called the police to check on the potential presence of active threats in a particular location. A source has claimed that in this instance, Quinn was not the person who summoned the authorities to her house. Meanwhile, an eyewitness to the building search alleged that the cops could be heard saying: 'Come out with your hands up.' By Wednesday night, Richard had been released and the police were seen arriving again at his and Quinn's house in the Hollywood Hills. Pictures obtained by DailyMail.com show an officer emerging from a police SUV that was parked outside the property. Richard, who wed the ex Selling Sunset star in 2019, was seen Tuesday afternoon being led away from his house in handcuffs by officers while barefoot and clad in only a bathrobe after the incident involving the couple's only child Christian Georges Dumontet, two. The retired tech entrepreneur looked somber as he was spoken to by officers on the curb outside his Hollywood Hills home - before he was placed in a police car. Multiple police cars were also seen parked outside the couple's home. Quinn was not seen at the time of the arrest. Christine and Christian met through a mutual friend before he proposed on Valentine's Day in 2019; pictured 2023 LAPD spokesman Jeff Lee told DailyMail.com: 'A victim and a suspect were involved in a domestic dispute when the suspect threw a bag at the victim with a glass bottle inside of it. It missed the victim, but that object struck a child. 'The suspect was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon.' TMZ has confirmed Christian and Christine's son was transported to the hospital on Tuesday via ambulance with Christine by his side. The publication reports Quinn was offered an emergency protective order against Richard which she accepted and which will be in effect for seven days. DailyMail.com has contacted representatives for Quinn for comment. Christine and Christian met through a mutual friend before he proposed on Valentine's Day in 2019. The reality star told Bustle in 2020 about their first date: 'Him and I had an amazing steak dinner and got to know each other, and we just hit it off right away. 'He's everything that I ever wanted,' she said. 'And then [my friend's] like, "Also, he's looking for a house," and I was like: double bonus.' The couple pictured at the MTV Movie & TV Awards in 2021 The couple tied the knot in December 2019 in an unconventional gothic winter wonderland-themed wedding at a downtown Los Angeles cathedral. 'I've never conformed to the status quo or societal expectations,' she said. On the topic of the theme, Quinn told People about foregoing a typical white wedding dress, 'I've always enjoyed being bold, different, and trendsetting. I've always wanted to get married in a black wedding dress, and Im so happy that my dream came true.' The star previously revealed that she was 'really, really sick on her wedding day' and has since discovered she had coronavirus. Talking to Goss Chats, she said: 'I was really, really sick on my wedding day. I actually had, which I now know, was corona.' 'I got really sick in late December and we were travelling. I was sick for about a month when we were filming. 'I couldnt even have a bachelorette party, I was so bummed about that. That time was such a high but a low at the same time.' Richard had a successful career in software engineering and attending prestigious university MIT. He created American online food ordering service Foodler which he later sold to competitor GrubHub in 2017 for a $51 million - allowing him to retire aged just 38. He is worth $20million while Christine is worth $2million. Christine left Selling Sunset at the end of season five, a move her former boss Jason Oppenheim, 45, agreed with. Throughout the first five seasons, viewers watched as Quinn sold luxurious and exclusive homes and properties as well as getting involved in drama with her costars. 'I think people were tired of watching that dynamic continue season after season,' Oppenheim told Page Six. 'So I think, if anything, it's provided a breath of fresh air for the office and for the show.' The star previously revealed that she was 'really, really sick on her wedding day' and has since discovered she had coronavirus; pictured 2021 In her last season Christine was accused of trying to bribe a client. And although she denied allegations, Oppenheim just wants to leave the drama and controversy behind. 'It's not the type of drama that I enjoyed being a professional real estate broker,' he said. He added: 'I wasn't happy with the types of issues being brought to my attention. I think it ran its course.' Beyonce's longtime publicist shut down Erykah Badu's claims that the superstar 'copied her look' with a video montage, uploaded to Instagram on Thursday. Following Badu's accusation that the R&B diva, 42, ripped off her signature beaded bangs, Yvette Noel-Schure, who has worked with Queen Bey since 1997, shared photographic evidence that her client had been rocking similar looks since childhood. Her video montage featured footage, images and, even, Polaroids of the Halo Hitmaker's braided and unique hairstyles over the years on her way to becoming one of the best-selling music artists of all time. 'She slays. She slays. Now. Then. Always,' Schure, 63, captioned her post, which received 28,607 likes in less than 17 hours. Beyonce's longtime publicist shut down Erykah Badu's claims that the superstar 'copied her look' with a video montage, uploaded to Instagram on Thursday; seen in 2019 Following Badu's accusation that the R&B diva, 42, ripped off her signature beaded bangs, Yvette Noel-Schure, who has worked with Queen Bey since 1997, shared photographic evidence that her client had been rocking the look since childhood She also added the hashtag '#criticswithoutcredentials' seemingly calling out those, who sided with Badu, who frequently rocked the beaded bang braids between December 2023 and February of this year. Badu has been wearing the distinctive plaited hairstyle - made famous by Rick James and the Williams Sisters - as far back as 2010. On Wednesday, the 53-year-old neo-soul songstress reposted Beyonce's limited-edition vinyl cover for her eighth studio album Act II: Cowboy Carter, with the pointed caption: 'Hmmm.' It only took two hours for the four-time Grammy winner to be so inundated by messages from Beyonce's 425M-strong Beyhive that she desperately reached out to her husband Jay-Z. 'To Jay Z. Say somethin Jay,' Erykah - who has 13.5M social media followers - tweeted. 'You gone let this woman and these bees do this to me?' Neither Beyonce or the 53-year-old rap mogul have publicly response to the claim, eight months after previously accusing her of copying her style. Back on July 31, Badu Instastoried a snap of the 32-time Grammy winner wearing a custom Ruslan Baginskiy silver boater hat during her 56-date Renaissance World Tour with the same pointed caption: 'Hmm.' For the second time in a year, Erykah Badu has accused Beyonce of copying her look Her video montage featured footage, images and, even, Polaroids of the Halo Hitmaker's braided and unique hairstyles over the years on her way to becoming one of the best-selling music artists of all time 'She slays. She slays. Now. Then. Always,' Schure, 63, captioned her post, which received 28,607 likes in less than 17 hours She also added the hashtag '#criticswithoutcredentials' seemingly calling out those, who sided with Badu, who frequently rocked the beaded bang braids between December 2023 and February of this year The Marni collaborator immediately followed that up with a snap of herself performing in her 'favorite chrome mirror hat' with the shady caption: 'I guess I'm everybody's stylist.' Erykah had debuted the towering topper on May 1 while DJing the official Met Gala after-party celebrating 'Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty' at the Costume Institute in Manhattan. Beyonce - who has five stylists Marni Senofonte, KJ Moody, Shiona Turini, Karen Langley, and Julia Sarr-Jamois - did damage control by shouting Badu's name four times during Break My Soul (Queens Remix) onstage Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA on August 1. Ironically, both ladies hail from Texas with the Badu World Market founder based in Dallas and Knowles-Carter born and raised in Houston. Badu has been wearing the distinctive plaited hairstyle - made famous by Rick James and the Williams Sisters - as far back as 2010 On Wednesday, the 53-year-old neo-soul songstress reposted Beyonce's limited-edition vinyl cover for her eighth studio album Act II: Cowboy Carter, with the pointed caption: 'Hmmm.' It only took two hours for the four-time Grammy winner to be so inundated by messages from Beyonce's 425M-strong Beyhive that she desperately reached out to her husband Jay-Z (R, pictured Wednesday) Queen Bey just made history as the first black woman to top the Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart with her new single Texas Hold 'Em, which also topped the Billboard Hot 100. Meanwhile, Erykah - whose last single Yun was in 2022 - hasn't released a full-blown studio album since New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh) in 2010. Over the last decade, Badu has made headlines for leaking footage from former President Barack Obama's 60th birthday party as well as her public support of controversial figures like Louis Farrakhan, R. Kelly, Bill Cosby, and Eswatini King Mswati III. The Cookies Cannabis paid partner has a cameo in Malcolm Washington's big-screen adaptation of August Wilson's 1987 play The Piano Lesson, which premieres later this year on Netflix. John David Washington, Samuel L. Jackson, Ray Fisher, and Danielle Deadwyler will also star in the 1936-set Pittsburgh drama, which had a successful Broadway revival in 2022 at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre. The future of Law & Order: Organized Crime is in doubt amid low ratings and showrunner changes for the spin-off. The show centers on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit character Elliot Stabler (Christopher Meloni), a veteran detective who returns to the NYPD in New York following his wife's murder. Stabler joins the Organized Crime Task Force, led by Sergeant Ayanna Bell (Danielle Mone Truitt) - with the show concluding its fourth season on Thursday, However the decision whether to renew the spin-off for season five is still in discussion at NBC - while Law & Order and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit have already been renewed for seasons 24 and 26 respectively, per Deadline. Organized Crime has scored the lowest ratings of producer Dick Wolf's NBC shows and has changed showrunners numerous times. The future of Law & Order: Organized Crime is in doubt amid low ratings and showrunner changes for the spin-off The show centers on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit character Elliot Stabler (Christopher Meloni), a veteran detective who returns to the NYPD in New York following his wife's murder Matt Olmstead helmed the first season before he was replaced by The L Word's Ilene Chaiken, who was then replaced by Barry O'Brien. Bryan Goluboff was the initial season three showrunner but left after three months, with replacement Sean Jablonski leaving due to 'creative differences.' David Graziano then replaced him with John Shiban showrunner for season four. Organized Crime began airing in 2021. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, which serves as a spinoff of the original Law & Order series, originally premiered in September of 1999. The Dick Wolf-created show starring Mariska Hargitay as Olivia Benson and Ice-T as Sergeant Odafin 'Fin' Tutuola, has since surpassed the episode count of its predecessor, and it has become one of the longest-running programs in television history. The program's newest season premiered in January, and NBC celebrated the show's 25th anniversary by temporarily changing Rockefeller Plaza's name to Olivia Benson Plaza. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit has already been renewed for season 26 (pictured Mariska Hargitay and Ice-T in the show) Law & Order has been renewed for season 24 (pictured Camryn Manheim as Lt. Kate Dixon, Sam Waterston as DA Jack McCoy, Bruce Altman as Mayor Payne) Law & Order: Special Victims Unit's new season will also be the shortest in the show's history, as it will only last for 13 episodes. Law & Order ran for 20 seasons until its original cancellation, which took place in 2010. It was revived for a 21st season in 2021. Josh Lucas spilled the tea on the final chapter of Yellowstone, hinting that fans can expect a supersized send-off. The 52-year-old actor who is busy promoting his new show Palm Royale starring Kristen Wiig revealed that he spoke with the show's creator about the second half of Season 5, which begins production this summer after a substantial delay. 'I texted [creator] Taylor Sheridan a couple months ago, and his response was, "Absolutely, we're going to finish this with 10 episodes or so,"' Josh told ET on Thursday. The initial segment of Season 5 comprised eight episodes and concluded in January, with the anticipation of the second part's premiere in November. After speaking with Taylor, Josh, who plays the younger John Dutton (Kevin Costner's character) in flashback scenes, said he expects to saddle up once again for Season 5, Part 2. Josh Lucas spilled the tea on the final chapter of Yellowstone, hinting that fans can expect a supersized send-off; pictured in March Lucas revealed that he spoke with the show's creator about the second half of Season 5, which begins production this summer after a substantial delay; Kevin Costner in Yellowstone 'I said, hey man, Ive loved working on the show so much' and hes like, "well well be back,"' Josh explained. 'I can't wait to go do it.' Regarding the potential for a spin-off showcasing Lucas in the role of the Montana rancher, Josh said, 'Man, from your lips to God's ears. I would love it.' He added: 'I mean, obviously I love the world Taylor has created. I love seeing the generational aspect, the time aspect, obviously the 1800s on. So yeah, I would be there in a second.' Josh's interview comes after Yellowstone star Ian Bohen dished on the final chapter schedule. 'We will go back, rumor has it in May,' Bohen, 47, who started out as a recurring cast member at the start of the series before joining the main cast in season four, said at the Elton John AIDS Foundation Oscar Party. He added that Yellowstone would likely be shooting 'This summer and then we should be on in November, roughly.' Bohen also mentioned that the start dates weren't definite, stating, 'It could be June.' He outlined the plan for the series, indicating that they would 'shoot six episodes' before airing them, potentially starting in 'November maybe December.' 'I texted [creator] Taylor Sheridan a couple months ago, and his response was, '"Absolutely, we're going to finish this with 10 episodes or so,"' Josh told ET on Thursday. 'I can't wait to go do it.' After speaking with Taylor, Josh, who plays the younger John Dutton ( Kevin Costner 's character) in flashback scenes, said he expects to saddle up once again for Season 5, Part 2 Regarding the potential for a spin-off showcasing Lucas in the role of the Montana rancher, Josh said, 'Man, from your lips to God's ears. I would love it' He added: 'I mean, obviously I love the world Taylor has created. I love seeing the generational aspect, the time aspect, obviously the 1800s on. So yeah, I would be there in a second' The end of the beloved series is reportedly due to the controversial departure of star Costner over scheduling conflicts and Costner's deteriorating relations with Sheridan Furthermore, he hinted that the series might even schedule its last episode ever for the most significant night of television of the year. 'Then we go through the holidays and maybe season finale series finale maybe on Super Bowl,' the actor remarked. Yellowstone was initially set to conclude its run with Season 5 Part 2 premiering in November 2023. However, due to production delays caused by the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, it was postponed to later this year. The end of the beloved series is reportedly due to the controversial departure of star Costner over scheduling conflicts and Costner's deteriorating relations with Sheridan. Michael Keaton revives his unforgettable Beetlejuice role in the first sneak peek for the sequel to 1988's blockbuster, called Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. Warner Bros. released the first teaser for Tim Burton's hotly-anticipated follow-up on Thursday, starring Keaton, 72, Winona Ryder, 52, and Catherine O'Hara, 70. The three longtime actors all original cast members are joined by Justin Theroux, Willem Dafoe and Jenna Ortega in the forthcoming film. Burton's real-life girlfriend Monica Bellucci, 59, also has a role in the movie. A Beetlejuice Beetlejuice synopsis reads: 'After an unexpected family tragedy, three generations of the Deetz family return home to Winter River. Still haunted by Beetlejuice, Lydia's life is turned upside down when her rebellious teenage daughter, Astrid, discovers the mysterious model of the town in the attic and the portal to the Afterlife is accidentally opened.' Michael Keaton revives his unforgettable Beetlejuice role in the first full trailer for the sequel to 1988's blockbuster, called Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Warner Bros. released the first teaser for Tim Burton's hotly-anticipated follow-up on Thursday Director Tim Burton pictured in Spain on March 7 The summary continues, 'With trouble brewing in both realms, it's only a matter of time until someone says Beetlejuice's name three times and the mischievous demon returns to unleash his very own brand of mayhem.' The minute-long trailer opens with an angelic, chilling, slowed-down rendition of Harry Belafonte's 1956 tune Day-O (The Banana Boat Song) sung by a children's choir. A sunny scene begins with Ortega, who worked with Burton on Netflix's Wednesday, riding a bike along a winding, rural road. The screen then falls upon a funeral, where Winona appears cloaked in black with choppy jet black bangs and a spiky ponytail. Ortega is also at the morbid event, as well as O'Hara, as the camera pans them one by one. Next comes as foreboding view of Jenna's character walking up the steps to an attic, where she uncovers the town model. Winona's character later wanders upon the attic to find that the white sheet that covered the miniature replicas has been lifted. That's when Beetlejuice emerges and announces, 'The juice is loose,' as thunder rumbles and the music hits its climax. Catherine O'Hara, 70, revives her 1989 role in the long-awaited sequel The original cast members are joined by Justin Theroux, Willem Dafoe and Jenna Ortega in the forthcoming film A Beetlejuice Beetlejuice synopsis reads: 'After an unexpected family tragedy, three generations of the Deetz family return home to Winter River...' The synopsis continues, 'Still haunted by Beetlejuice, Lydia's life is turned upside down when her rebellious teenage daughter, Astrid, discovers the mysterious model of the town in the attic and the portal to the Afterlife is accidentally opened' In character, Keaton donned his signature black and white striped suit and decaying makeup, slipping seamlessly back into the role. Burton told Entertainment Weekly that seeing the actor in character again after all this time was 'a weird out-of-body experience.' 'He just got back into it,' explained the director. 'It was kind of scary for somebody who was maybe not that overly interested in doing it.' He continued, 'It was such a beautiful thing for me to see all the cast, but he, sort of like demon possession, just went right back into it.' Despite rising to stardom as a child on Nickelodeon, Drake Bell has worked hard to keep his personal life out of the spotlight, including his relationship with Janet Von Schmeling. Last year, after his estranged wife filed for divorce following four years of marriage, the 37-year-old former child star shocked the internet after announcing he learned she had learned the news from TMZ while promoting his song, Going Away. At the time, the All That alum, who came forward about being sexually abused as a teenager in Investigation Discovery's new docuseries Quiet on Set, tweeted: 'I found out my wife filed for divorce from TMZ.' While he has since deleted the post, the track offered a rare insight into his hopes and desires for his family, including seemingly wanting to reconcile with Janet, 29, and 'start a new life where the weather is nice.' DailyMail.com has rounded up everything you need to know about the mother of Bell's only child, a two-year-old boy, named Wyatt. Despite rising to stardom as a child on Nickelodeon, Drake Bell has worked hard to keep his personal life out of the spotlight, including his relationship with Janet Von Schmeling (seen in 2017) She has found love again Although she and Bell have not finalized their divorce, Janet recently went Instagram official with her new man, Jim Perez, in October 2023. He made his first cameo on her page as she shared a mirror selfie of them on 'national boyfriend day.' After embarking on a romantic getaway to O'ahu, Hawaii together, the mother-of-one shared a video montage of her trip, featuring videos of her and Perez. At one point, she can be seen planting a sweet kiss on his cheek while on the beach. 'Hawaii recap #yourgirlisinlove,' she captioned the recording, which received plenty of well-wishes from friends, family and fans. One commenter wrote: 'You deserve it ' Although she and Bell have not finalized their divorce, Janet recently went Instagram official with her new man, Jim Perez He made his first cameo on her page as she shared a mirror selfie of them on 'national boyfriend day' There's an eight-year age gap Bell is nearly a decade older than Janet, who he began dating in 2013, when she was 19 and he was 27. After keeping their relationship quiet for five years, the former couple wed in 2018. In 2021, he finally confirmed his marriage on Twitter after he was charged with two criminal counts of attempted endangering children and disseminating matter harmful to juveniles. 'In response to various rumors that are incorrect, I have been married for almost 3 years and we are blessed to be the parents of a wonderful son,' he wrote, at the time. 'Thank you very much to all my fans around the world for your good wishes.' A year later, in a since-deleted Instagram post, Janet alluded to their marital issues. 'I'm HEALING and trying to find peace. This will be a process. My son is with me and will stay with me, we are in Florida with family and we are safe. We are finding our forever home here,' she wrote.' Bell is nearly a decade older than Janet, who he began dating in 2013, when she was 19 and he was 27 They have a two-year son named Wyatt The Florida native, who is from Orlando, and Bell share a two-year son named Wyatt. In April 2023, Janet seemingly hosted her own Baby Shark-themed party for the tot. It is unclear if her ex was in attendance, but he was not pictured in any of the party pictures on her Instagram. Following her split from Bell, she has documented her and Wyatt's life in Florida on Instagram. The Florida native, who is from Orlando, and Bell share a two-year son named Wyatt She called his former costar Josh Peck a 'f**king Liar Janet called out Bell's former Drake & Josh costar Josh Peck for comments he made on the BFFs podcast about Bell. In response to Peck claiming he made Bell apologize to his wife at the 2017 MTV Video Music Awards, Janet told her side. 'Josh Peck is a total piece of sh*t. I stay quiet until lies happen. Andthe fact that I was there at the VMAs, I was next to Drake. I was the one who told him Josh was coming [up to us with the camera.] I was there, heard it all. Drake was never threatened by Josh.thats actual hilarious. Bro youre not tough,' she wrote on Instagram. Janet continued: 'Also, yea, Drake apologized to your wife because you asked him nicely to. We actually hung out after that. Multiple times. We talked multiple times since then. Youre a f**king liar. A f**king liar, Josh.' Their little one will be turning be turning three next month She is an actress The performer has had small roles in series like SWAT and Criminal Minds. She has appeared in Painting Autumn, Just Jenna, and How to Survive High School. While it is unclear if she is still pursuing a career in acting, her role as a mom seems to keep her very busy. Her little one will be turning be turning three next month. Devon Windsor showed off her toned frame in a stylish swimsuit as she posed up a storm in sexy throwbacks that were uploaded to Instagram on Thursday. The supermodel, 30 - who enjoyed a tropical getaway to St. Barts with close pals such as Olivia Culpo earlier this month - could be seen standing on the sandy shore of a spacious beach. The sun shone high in the sky as blue sky stretched out above her with scattered, white puffy clouds. Windsor - who welcomed her second child nearly one year earlier - flaunted her sculpted midriff in a colorful, patterned bikini top that was held up with straps that tied at the base of her neck. She slipped into a pair of matching, drawstring bottoms to complete her overall look for the relaxing excursion. Devon Windsor. 30, showed off her toned frame in a stylish swimsuit as she posed up a storm in sexy throwbacks that were uploaded to Instagram on Thursday The beauty - who welcomed her second child nearly one year earlier - flaunted her sculpted midriff in a colorful, patterned bikini top that was held up with straps that tied at the base of her neck The bikini is from her Devon Windsor clothing brand, with both the top and bottom pieces priced at $95 each. Her blonde locks were parted in the middle, and naturally flowed down past her shoulders. However, she later slicked back her damp hair after taking a dip in the cool water. Devon accessorized the bathing suit with a beaded necklace as well as a pair of dainty earrings. A sparkling, silver bracelet was placed on her left wrist and the beauty also opted to wear a pair of brown shades for a finishing touch. In the images, the mother-of-two paused for a quick photo session as she stepped into the shallow water. Windsor also donned a long-sleeved, $195 Callie coverup that contained a plunging neckline on the front. The piece - also from her brand - was made of the same pattern and color scheme as the bikini. She captioned the throwback post to her 4.8 million fans and followers as, 'Vitamin Sea,' followed by a wave emoji. The star additionally uploaded another post on Thursday that included a short reel as she had a blast on the beach. She slipped into a pair of matching, drawstring bottoms to complete her overall look for the relaxing excursion Her blonde locks were parted in the middle, and naturally flowed down past her shoulders. However, she later slicked back her damp hair after taking a dip in the cool water Devon accessorized the bathing suit with a necklace as well as a pair of dainty earrings The star additionally uploaded another post on Thursday that included a short reel as she had a blast on the beach Devon was filmed posing for a camera as a gentle breeze blew her locks away from her face and the waves crashed down around her Devon was filmed posing for a camera as a gentle breeze blew her locks away from her face and the waves crashed down around her. At one point, she chose to remove the coverup as she ran into the ocean to jump into the blue water. She captioned the video as 'life,' along with a mermaid emoji. Earlier this month, Devon was spotted spending time with close pals during a memorable getaway to St. Barts. She was joined by Olivia Culpo as well as Nadine Leopold as they soaked up the sun at the beach. Windsor seemingly celebrated her 30th birthday during the vacation - which took place on March 7th. The Victoria's Secret model welcomed her daughter Enzo, two, in September 2021 and her second baby girl, Celine, last year in May. She shares her two children with husband and businessman Jonathan Barbara - whom she tied the knot with in 2019. The beauty has been candid when it comes to postpartum recovery and opened up about getting into shape after having a second baby during a Q+A session on Instagram. At one point, she chose to remove the coverup as she ran into the ocean to jump into the blue water. She captioned the video as 'life,' along with a mermaid emoji Earlier this month, Devon was spotted spending time with close pals during a memorable getaway to St. Barts She was joined by Olivia Culpo as well as Nadine Leopold as they soaked up the sun at the beach Windsor seemingly celebrated her 30th birthday during the vacation - which took place on March 7th One fan had questioned the model: 'Does it more difficult to get in shape after the 2nd baby compare to 1st pregnancy?' In response, Devon uploaded a selfie that was taken not long after having her first child and she answered, '100% yes!!!' 'This was me like 2 weeks after Enzo. Literally hardly nothing. Now I feel like I look like this now and I'm almost 15 weeks pp.' When it comes to the pressures of looking 'perfect' on social media, Windsor told PopSugar in a past interview, 'I don't think that beauty is about perfection in any way, shape, or form.' The Victoria's Secret model welcomed her daughter Enzo, two, in September 2021 and her second baby girl last year in May - whom she shares with husband Jonathan Barbara The beauty has been candid when it comes to postpartum recovery and opened up about getting into shape after having a second baby during a Q+A session on Instagram When it comes to the pressures of looking 'perfect' on social media, Windsor told PopSugar in a past interview, 'I don't think that beauty is about perfection in any way, shape, or form' 'It's about being comfortable in your skin and playing up the things that make you feel unique, rather than trying to live up to the world's beauty standards.' 'I don't ever feel the pressure to look perfect, just because confidence is about accepting who you are. Whatever is perfect to you, not to the world, is what matters,' she expressed to the outlet. In regards to how she feels confident, the beauty said, 'Confidence means being comfortable in your skin and your body.' 'Don't try to mimic what everyone else thinks is beautiful. Be proud of who you are and what you represent, and don't be afraid to show the world and people around you the real you.' Holly Willoughby has hired Maya Jama and Sam Smith's PR in a bid to 'expand her global brand'. The presenter, 43, who quit ITV's This Morning last October, is now being represented by Cherry PR - who have an impressive portfolio of stars under their belts. It comes after MailOnline revealed Holly has signed to Netflix to host a celebrity jungle-based reality show named Bear Hunt, alongside star survival expert, Bear Grylls. A source has now told the Mirror: 'After everything she went through last year, Holly's circle felt she might step away from the spotlight. Her ordeal knocked her confidence. But with this new move she is actually planning to expand her brand further than ever before. 'She feels the team are the best people to help mastermind this and is thrilled to be working with them.' Holly Willoughby has hired Maya Jama and Sam Smith 's PR in a bid to 'expand her global brand' The presenter, 43, who quit ITV 's This Morning last October, is now being represented by Cherry PR - who have an impressive portfolio of stars under their belts, including Maya The PR company, Cherry Create, also looks after rapper Aitch, Zayn Malik and Lola Young. MailOnline has contacted Holly's representatives for comment. The presenter left the YMU group back in 2020 to set up her own management company. A row escalated over a 'sunset clause' in which the agency could command a cut of a departing client's future salaries on contracts arranged before their exit. However, it was later reported Holly has settled out of court following a bitter 18-month fight. Holly's singing to Cherry Create marks a new era for the star who has signed to Netflix to host a celebrity jungle-based reality show named Bear Hunt, MailOnline can exclusively reveal. The presenter, who quit ITV 's This Morning last October, will appear on the show alongside star survival expert, Bear Grylls. Described by television insiders a more challenging version of the BBC 's Survivor, celebrity contestants will be pitted against Grylls. It will be filmed in the South American jungle. It is Holly's first show away from terrestrial television. The PR company, Cherry Create, also looks after Zayn Malik (left) and Sam Smith (right) The star quit This Morning last October after 14 years. Holly's singing to Cherry Create marks a new era for the star who has signed to Netflix to host a celebrity jungle-based reality show The presenter, who quit ITV's This Morning last October, will appear on the show alongside star survival expert, Bear Grylls A show insider told MailOnline: 'It's a great and such an exciting fresh series and of course a great challenge for Holly. 'It's a great opportunity for her.' The show, which is produced by Grylls' company, will see him pursue celebrity contestants and when he catches them, they will be eliminated. Holly's new job comes just days after Cat Deeley replaced her on This Morning, five months after she announced her departure. She will begin filming the programme later in the year and it is expected to air in 2025. Netflix bosses are said to be 'ecstatic' that they have been able to hire her. One said: 'Holly was their woman for this project from the word go. 'They are absolutely delighted to have got her to sign on the line, hopefully there will be many more opportunities to work with her down the line too.' Holly, 43, will be familiar with the jungle surroundings. In 2018 she hosted I'm A Celeb alongside Declan Donnelly - the highest rated series ever. Standing in for Ant McPartlin who was in rehab for alcohol and painkiller addictions, she was hailed a huge success. She also hosted Freeze the Fear with Dutch extreme athlete Wim Hof in 2022 which was screened on BBC One. Holly's new role comes just days after The Mail on Sunday revealed that ITV have offered her a lucrative new contract to host next year's series of their skate show, Dancing On Ice. She is expected to accept the deal after she enjoyed hosting the programme alongside her old friend and colleague Stephen Mulhern. A show source said: 'Holly really loved it this year, she found it really fun and enjoyable.' The star quit This Morning last October after 14 years after an alleged plot to kidnap and murder her emerged, leaving her terrified. Former security guard Gavin Plumb will appear in court in June after pleading not guilty to the charge last November. Ms Willoughby, 43, will be familiar with the jungle surroundings. In 2018 she hosted I'm A Celeb alongside Declan Donnelly - the highest rated series ever Holly's new role comes just days after The Mail on Sunday revealed that ITV have offered her a lucrative new contract to host next year's series of their skate show, Dancing On Ice (seen on this year's series with co-host Stephen Mulhern) Holly's departure came five months after Phillip Schofield left ITV after his admission to the Mail that he had had a relationship with a much younger colleague and lied about it Holly's departure came five months after Phillip Schofield left ITV after his admission to the Mail that he had had a relationship with a much younger colleague and lied about it. In a statement to the Mail, he said he was 'deeply sorry' for lying about the relationship to ITV, his colleagues, friends and agents. He said: 'I did have a consensual on-off relationship with a younger male colleague at This Morning. 'Contrary to speculation, whilst I met the man when he was a teenager and was asked to help him to get into television, it was only after he started to work on the show that it became more than just a friendship. 'That relationship was unwise, but not illegal. It is now over.' A study found found that some people use washcloths in place of brushes Dental health is not created equal across America. Two recent studies into the oral health of Americans across the country have laid bare the shocking state of the nations' teeth - with one suggesting that the average adult often goes five days without brushing their teeth. The new poll of 2,000 Americans found that more than a third of adults across the country hadn't visited the dentist in a year. Shockingly, it also suggested and that many forget to brush their teeth five times a week. The poll revealed astonishing oral care behaviors among some citizens; respondents reported seeing others clean their teeth with washcloths, and floss with fishing line. Despite those shoddy results, 92 of those polled believe that oral health is important. 'While its promising to see that people are keeping dental health top of mind, as a dentist, I encourage more commitment to maintaining each of the critical steps of the oral hygiene routine,' Dr Marie Jackson, a dentist and spokesperson for Listerine, who commissioned the survey, told told StudyFinds. However, a separate 2024 state-by-state analysis has found huge discrepancies between areas of the country. For instance, Illinois scored 72 on an independent measure of state-wide oral health- based on a wide range of influential factors - while Arkansas scored 33. Research conducted by a team of researchers from George Washington University among other institutions looked at 25 characteristics to determine a score. This included measures like the number of adolescents who visited a dentist in the past year, dental treatment costs, number of smokers and elderly people with no natural teeth. There were also factors from the environment to consider, like the amount of dentists per capita, and whether or not the state added fluoride to the water supply. A poll conducted by Listerine found that some Americans are using washcloths to brush their teeth - and flossing using fishing line They arrived at their conclusions by using data from the 2024 census, the CDC, the American Dental Association, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services and more. It found that the states where residents are likely to have good oral health were Illinois, Wisconsin, Idaho Minnesota and Michigan. The states with the worst were Montana, Louisiana, West Virginia, Mississippi and Arkansas. Tennessee ranked near the bottom overall because there were the fewest number of dentists per capita, which makes it harder for citizens to get oral care. States with the best dental health had the highest number of people reporting satisfaction with their mouth, and the least amount of people taking time off work to deal with teeth problems. Connecticut had the lowest number of adults experiencing tooth pain, and California had the highest. The Golden state proportion of adults experiencing tooth pain outweighed the Constitution state by five times. A recent analysis found that dental care in the US is the most expensive across all G7 nations In Wisconsin, which ranked at number two, 71 percent of adults visit the dentist in the past year. The study authors wrote that part of that high retention could because Wisconsinites dental care is covered by Medicaid, which is not commonplace across the country. In Idaho, which came in third place, there is not a high number of dentists per capita. This, the researchers wrote, is emblematic of how personal responsibility is the frontline defense in caring for teeth. For example, only 10 percent of adolescents in the state drink soda. Lower ranking states, like West Virginia, had roughly four times more adolescents consuming sugary beverages daily. 'Ben Franklin was right an ounce of prevention IS worth a pound of cure. The very best way to maintain dental health without breaking the bank is to rely first and foremost on how you care for your mouth on a day-to-day basis,' Dr Burton Edelstein, a professor of dentistry at Columbia University commented. WORST US STATES FOR ORAL HYGIENE 1. Arkansas 2. Mississippi 3. West Virginia 4. Louisiana 5. Montana Advertisement Apple CEO Tim Cook opened Apple's new store in Shanghai drawing a large crowd on Thursday, with some people queuing overnight, according to posts on Chinese social media. Cook arrived in Shanghai on Wednesday, he said on his personal Weibo account. Local media also reported him meeting with Apple's Chinese suppliers including Wang Chuanfu, founder and president of BYD, whose electronics arm supplies components to the U.S. firm. Apple is battling falling iPhone sales in China and rising competition from domestic rivals such as Huawei. Apple's iPhone sales in China fell 24 percent year-on-year in the first six weeks of this year, according to consultancy estimates. Cook is expected to travel next to Beijing to attend the China Development Forum, a gathering of foreign CEOs with top Chinese policymakers. (Reuters) Doctors are seeing the frightening results in their offices across the US TikTokers say The Pill is 'toxic' and 'poisonous' despite decades of safety data A deluge of 'toxic, blatant false information' about the contraceptive pill on social media is causing thousands of young women to reject the medication and risk unwanted pregnancy, doctors have warned. The method of contraception is 99 percent effective for preventing pregnancy when taken at the same time daily, and is safe, according to decade's worth of studies. However in recent years scare stories have begun to surface on social media about the medicine - claiming it is 'unnatural' and therefore, 'unsafe'. 'Birth control is unnatural and I don't believe in using it,' said one TikTok user. Others claim that ceasing taking The Pill will lead to health benefits. 'Mental health has improved, lost weight and overall feel like completely new person,' another TikToker said. Elsewhere, social media users liken the medication - which contains synthetic versions of reproductive hormones - to 'poison'. Doctors across the US are seeing women enter their office and tell them they wish to stop taking The Pill, for unknown reasons. Doctors across the US have seen young women come into their offices with questions after watching influencers spout unfounded medical advice, Dr. Michael Belmonte, an OB/GYN, told the Washington Post. 'I am seeing those direct failures of this misinformation,' he said. Meanwhile other experts have voiced concern about a suspected rise in birth rate related to the trend. 'If we all of a sudden have hundreds and thousands of women coming off the pill, then we are going to see an increase in the birth rate,' Douglas Black, the former president of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada, said in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. Experts say this is especially prudent because of the rising restrictions on abortion care in the United States after Roe V. Wade fell in 2022. Many women now live in states such as Texas, Georgia or Idaho, where abortion is outlawed. If they have an unwanted pregnancy, they're left without options. Yet there were a million abortions in the United States in 2024- the highest number since 2014, suggesting an uptick in unplanned pregnancies, according to the Guttmacher Institute. The warnings come in the same week that one type of contraceptive pill was made available over the counter. The version currently approved in the US, called Opill, contains progestin alone- foregoing estrogen, which is in the combined pill and associated with a small increased risk of blood clot. But increased availability may have limited benefits in guarding against unwanted pregnancies if women don't want to use it. Experts say doctors are partly to blame for this mass ditching of The Pill - as they fail to explain side effects properly, leaving women to turn to social media for answers. However, Dr. Danielle Jones an OB/GYN and vlogger, said in a video: 'The existence of those things- bad doctors, side effects on birth control- does not justify sharing blatant false information.' One side effect includes an increased risk for blood clots, affecting roughly one in 3,000 a year. People also frequently complain of irregular bleeding, according to Planned Parenthood. Even with the side effects, birth control is still incredibly effective and can help manage a host of other hormonal related complications, like acne, PCOS and unwanted pregnancy, according to Dr Jones. What's more, the risk of blood clots with pregnancy is higher than that of The Pill - it happens in around two in every 1,000 women every year. Another reason for the problem is due to the distrust of gynecologists among women of color, due to the long history of exploiting black communities, says The foundations of gynecology in America are rooted in exploiting women of color, according to Kimberly Baker, a professor at UTHealth. So called 'pioneers' of gynecology like Marion Sims regularly operated on black women without anesthesia, the UCSF researchers explained. It was also commonplace to sterilize black women without their consent until the late 1970's. 'Thats another huge reason why these negative videos around birth control get a lot of fanfare, because theres already the stigma attached to it, and thats steeped in our history,' said Ms Baker. Another famous critic of The Pill Elon Musk, father of 11, who claimed last month that hormonal birth control makes you fat, doubles risk of depression & triples risk of suicide. In response to the increasing distrust of providers, organizations like the American College of Gynecologists have pushed providers to change how they counsel patients on birth control. ''There is a long, painful historical record of the devaluing of the reproductive needs of many patient populations,' said Dr Jen Villavicencio, an OB/GYN working with the American College of Gynecologists. 'As lifelong learners, it is the privilege and responsibility of obstetriciangynecologists to learn from the past in order to better support patients regarding their contraceptive choices with respect and dignity,' Villavicencio said. Yet another reason anti-pill narratives are taking hold is because popular conservatives have picked up those talking points. Influencers like Brett Cooper - a political commentator who has 4million YouTube subscribers - said that birth control has been pushed on society by big pharma, and claims it raises suicide rates, cancer risk and infertility. Peter Theil funds one of the most hip new menstrual cycle apps called 28. It was founded by Brittany Martinez, who also founded the conservative women's magazine 'Evie'. Elon Musk, whose obsessions' with declining birth rates have led him to fathering 11 children, has spoken about how the pill causes depression. These claims are taken out of context in order to drive particular conservative talking points, Jones said. Since Roe fell, legislators in Missouri have attempted to pass laws restricting insurance coverage of IUD's. Extensive data has shown that birth control is safe and effective, Jones told NBC. 'If birth control is safe enough to advocate that it should be over the counter, theres absolutely no reason it should start to become a topic of legislation about who can access it and why.' Chick Fil-A's totally new restaurant concept opened Thursday in New York City -almost entierly cutting out human contact when getting a burger and fries. There are no cashiers - customers can only order sandwiches, fries and drinks using their mobile phone. The only staff are those cooking food and those handing it over as customers arrive. And there are no seats and tables as there has always been in Chick-fil-A restaurants until now - instead it is aimed as a takeaway outlet and for delivery driver pick-up. The concept is set to roll out to other across America if its a hit. An artists creation of the walk-up store with no cashiers designed for locations with lots of foot traffic will open in New York City on Thursday Chick-fil-A says the idea is customers 'gets their freshly prepared order into their hands quickly' Chick-fil-A's new concept for busy inner-city areas only allows customers to order sandwiches, fries and drinks using their mobile phone. There is no seating The idea is the customer 'gets their freshly prepared order into their hands quickly'. With no parking, it will be a walk-up store for locations with lots of foot traffic. Chick-fil-A says the restaurant on 79th & 2nd will cater to busy New Yorkers by focusing solely on delivery and mobile app ordering that can be easily and quickly collected. It is expected the concept will be rolled out to other locations in the Big Apple. It will also land in other cities around America too. How does Chick-fil-A's new mobile ordering only restaurant work? Guests order ahead for delivery or carryout via the Chick-fil-A App or online. The restaurant is alerted by geofencing when guests are on their way to speeed up the process and ensure each meal is timed with the guest's arrival. Inside the restaurant, there will be active status board screens designated for delivery or mobile pickup. So customers and delivery drivers can see when their orders are ready in real time. Once it is ready, guests and delivery drivers will receive their freshly prepared order so they can quickly be on their way. While the restaurant will not offer a seating area or dine-in services, Chick-fil-A's says its 'signature hospitality will be prominent in every step of this digital-focused experience'. Advertisement This new restaurant is one of two digital-focused test concepts the fast food chain is opening. The second of which is the elevated drive-thru concept set to open later this year. See images below. Chick-fil-A first unveiled the new drive-thru concept - featuring a four-lane drive-thru, an overhead kitchen and chutes to deliver food to customers - last year. The totally new design, that has lanes running through the middle of the bulding, will debut in the company's home base of Atlanta, Georgia. A 'sophisticated food transport system' made up of an overhead conveyor belt with chutes down the sides will then deliver the chain's famous chicken sandwiches to employees stationed at the ground level, Chick-fil-A announced. 'Digital orders make up more than half of total sales in some markets and growing so we know our customers have an appetite for convenience,' said Khalilah Cooper, executive director for restaurant design. It is no surprise Chick-fil-A is looking to boost its drive-thru offering. The popularity of drive-thrus has soared 30 percent in the three years to 2022 as customers choose to eat in the comfort of their cars rather than risk coming face-to-face with cranky staff. Experts say the boom is thanks to the pandemic which saw people socialize less and increasingly avoid in-person interactions with strangers. It also no surprise that Chick-fil-A is looking to speed up how quickly it serves customers. It was ranked as the SLOWEST drive-thru restaurant with customers forced to wait up to SEVEN minutes. Taco Bell was the speediest. Customers of the chicken sandwich restaurant wait 436.09 seconds - around seven minutes - on average to receive their orders, according to a new study by QRS magazine. But it was ranked highest for good customer service. Designed to cater to the fast food giant's growing digital business, the new drive-thru design will debut this year at a restaurant in the company's home base of Atlanta, Georgia The elevated building means the kitchen will have twice as much capacity as traditional locations Other Chick-fil-A concepts have hit problem. An attempt to build a 'mega' restaurant with a playground and two drive-through lanes in a small Tennessee town was blocked by the local council. The fast food chain wanted to construct a 6,110-square foot restaurant in the town of Collierville, roughly 30 minutes outside Memphis. The new restaurant would have included a large outdoor seating space, playground, employee meeting room and dual drive-thru lanes with the capacity to handle 43 cars. Sam's Club - the Walmart-owned rival to Costco - is using new camera technology that dramatically changes checkouts. It will allow customers to scan and pay for groceries with an app on their phone and just walk straight out. Meanwhile, Whole Foods is launching stores for shoppers in a rush - the new concept is a fraction of the size of its normal shops and you can pay with your palm using Amazon technology And Costco announced plans to open a 'showroom' style store for big ticket items. Multifaceted transformation ushered in by the abolition of Article 370 is reshaping the contours of Kashmirs destiny and offering a glimmer of peace Although the recent Bollywood release Article 370 has received rave reviews from movie-goers and critics alike, the discourse around the film in the power circles of Delhi has not been equally charitable. The reason behind the discomfiture is the films scanty representation of the role played by Indias political leadership in making the audacious legislation and its implementation a reality. Bureaucrats privy to the machinations that went on behind the scenes to abrogate Article 370 complain of a raw deal accorded to the Modi-Shah duo by the film while depicting their parts. The film allegedly curtains much of the insights, contemplations, arguments and painstaking efforts of the Union Home Minister Amit Shah that went into making the law that ended an era in the valley. To be fair to the Yami Gautam starrer movie and the team behind it, the film facilitates a surgical view of the politics coupled with Islamism that wreaked havoc in the valley for decades. It is also precise in manifesting the post-apocalyptic gloom and hopelessness that ruled the social psyche in the region. However, the portrayal of the entire gamut of firefighting efforts that went on in Delhis power corridors is a bit too much to expect from a Bollywood flick. The abrogation of Article 370 is only a part of the systemic shift in Delhis view of the Kashmir issue. The effect of the new shift in the Kashmir paradigm led by the Modi-Shah duo in dealing with the issue is much more widespread and layered than it appears. They invariably touch every life in the valley. Paradigm shifts occur in societies when the existing ones fail to resolve anomalies. This was true also about the new paradigm in Kashmir that surfaced during the Modi regime. While assuming office in 2014, the Modi government had to deal with the existing perspective on Kashmir which in itself was afflicted with the proverbial Stockholm syndrome. The fear that any change in Kashmirs status would lead to wanton bloodshed in the valley had by then taken policy and lawmakers hostage. However, instead of dealing with the burning issue a policy to nurture it was adopted. The earlier successive governments justified Article 370 on grounds of protecting the states distinct demographic character as the only Muslim-majority state in India. Despite its highly discriminatory nature, they were against the principle of One Nation, One Law and One Head of the Nation. Rather the governments repeatedly pampered the state with more funds while in its restive condition, giving the bruise the reason to burgeon every time. Government data shows that during the second five-year plan between 1957-58 and 1961-62, the state received the highest per capita grant-in-aid of Rs 41.7, which was almost seven times the average of all the states which was only Rs 6. Similarly, the per capita central assistance for J&K was the highest and double the average of the rest of the states. J&K also got Rs 117 per head for its population against an average of Rs 57 for the remaining states. To put the figures in perspective, between 2000 and 2016, J&K with 1 % of the total Indian population received 10 per cent (Rs 1.14 lakh crore) of the total central funds, the highest among the 10 special states in India. However, despite such largess from the government for the past 70 years, its economy continued to remain in the doldrums with large deficits showing up on its annual budget. A significant part of the problem was the inability of the state government to properly utilise the funds, which were diverted to different non-developmental projects. Moreover, regular organised insurgent violence perpetrated by resurgent military groups both within the country and those across the border, mass strikes, shutdowns, etc meant that J&K failed to keep pace with the growth trajectory of other states. A detailed analysis shows that the main reason for its poor growth and recurring violence in the Himalayan state was the imposition of Article 370, which resulted in corruption, nepotism, and misappropriation of funds by those in power. Moreover, there is enough evidence to suggest that the appeasement and pampering of separatists by the ruling party to stay in power. It has also meant giving a free hand to separatists and extremists to propagate an anti-India narrative, diverting youths energy into destructive activities instead of building the state. The absence of local self-government over the yearsthe last municipal elections were held in 2005-- meant that locals were not a participant in the development process. Socially weaker sections such as SC, and STs never got the benefits of central government policies. The abolishing of Article 370 put an end to the entire ecosystem that perpetuated violence, injustice and gloom in Kashmir and extended the rule of the Indian constitution to the valley. Now every institution in the valley is bound to uphold the sanctity of the constitutional values of equality, justice and fraternity. Now, no Kashmiri is dependent for their rights on the local political lords who splashed on the pool of development funds with complete impunity granted by Article 370. Five years after the abrogation of Article 370, J&K is being described as a Valley of peace, prosperity, and all-round development, thanks to a well-crafted strategy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and ably implemented by the Home Minister Amit Shah. With bandhs, street violence and acts of terrorism brought under control by security forces, courtesy of the zero-tolerance policy, the local economy has got the much-needed boost with new incentives, development of state-of-the-art educational infrastructure, and empowering the poor with welfare benefits. Moreover, the Narendra Modi government announced several far-reaching measures, including the implementation of a reconstruction scheme of around Rs 80,000 crore known as the Prime Ministers Development Package, on November 7, 2015, to strengthen the socio-economic infrastructure and for the development of Jammu & Kashmir. It also announced a new transparent and target-oriented Jammu and Kashmir Industrial Policy 2021-30, whose aim is to attract fresh investments, create employment opportunities, develop backward regions and nurture existing businesses. To help entrepreneurs, a single window portal has been launched. It is a single point of contact for end-to-end facilitation for setting up businesses. Till November 2023, Investments worth Rs. 2326.65 crore have flowed into the Union Territory. Handloom and handicraft exports have doubled, and tourism has reached unprecedented levels, further boosting the economy. The year 2023, saw a record 4.45 lakh Amarnath visitors in J&K without a single incidence of violence. Social welfare schemes too have seen transformational changes. It has seen the launch of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY-SEHAT) on December 26, 2020, which provides universal health insurance cover of up to Rs 5.00 lakh per family to all families of Jammu and Kashmir. Reservation for non-gazetted police ranks has been implemented, promoting gender equality. Now the canonical dialogue, Kashmir is a lost case, delivered by Zooni Haksar, the protagonist of the film Article 370 played by Yami Gautam is no longer the case. (The writer is an economist & retired HoD, Economics Department, St. Xaviers College, Ranchi. Views are personal) The National Food Security Act 2013 intends to ensure food security for weaker sections and faces formidable challenges in rural areas Under the National Food Security Act, (NFSA) 2013, the Central Government is providing free rations to approximately 80 crore people in the country. It is believed that this scheme has addressed the issue of food security among the economically marginalised sections of our society. The Act legally entitles up to 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population to receive subsidised food grains under the Targeted Public Distribution System. However, even before this, the country has been providing ration to the economically weaker and marginalised sections through the Public Distribution System (PDS). Presented as a remedy to the food security concerns in a vast nation like India, such schemes frequently encounter hurdles in their execution at the grassroots level, particularly when communities lack familiarity with the digital aspects involved. One such region is the Manoharpura village in the Udaipur district of Rajasthan. The village, located just 4 kilometres from the district headquarters, has an approximate population of around 1000. Mostly inhabited by scheduled castes and tribes, many families in this village have migrated to settle here, hoping to find employment opportunities in nearby cities. Most men work as daily wage labourers in the city, while women engage in household chores in urban homes. The major problem faced by this village is the lack of complete access to ration through the PDS. Due to migration, most families do not possess valid identity documents. Some families used to benefit from the system until two years ago. However, despite continuous efforts, the ration has not been resumed. Mohan Harijan, a 45-year-old resident, shares his daily struggle of going to Udaipur City for labour. Being the sole earner in the family, they often face food scarcity when work is unavailable. Ration from the public distribution system was a blessing for his family. Still, with its discontinuation, managing meals for the family has become challenging. Despite multiple attempts, going through various offices, from e-Mitra to the Panchayat, Block, and the Collectors office, he has not received any benefit, and his ration has not been reinstated. Every time, he is returned with new technical issues cited as reasons. Mithun Kalbeliya, another resident of the village, mentions that his family has been residing in Manoharpura for the past 40 years. Earlier, they used to receive rations through the PDS, which helped avoid food scarcity issues. However, for the last two years, they have been deprived of this ration. Upon inquiry from the village Panchayat, he found out that their entire familys Aadhar card was not linked to the PDS, leading to the discontinuation of the ration. Since then, I have been making rounds of the office to get the Aadhaar cards for the children. However, because the children were born at home, their birth certificates could not be obtained, making it very difficult for their Aadhaar cards to be made. Until their Aadhar cards are ready, the ration cannot be resumed, shares Mithun. On the other hand, Sona Devi and her family, despite having all the necessary documents and ration cards, are deprived of the benefits of the PDS. Sona Devi explains that her family migrated from Bihar to Manoharpura in search of employment ten years ago. Even with all the correct documents, they have not been receiving ration. She mentions that she has approached the Sarpanch, Labour Department, and even the Collectors office, but despite her efforts, her family has not received ration to date. The village of Manoharpura falls under the jurisdiction of Badgaon Panchayat. According to the village head, Sanjay Sharma, all necessary documents must be uploaded to the central governments Food Security website for the distribution of rations. However, for the past three years, the uploading process on the website has been non-functional, causing significant challenges. Consequently, new ration cards are not being issued, and existing cardholders are unable to update their information. Even those whose Aadhaar cards have been updated are not receiving their ration entitlements due to the lack of uploads. He has made numerous attempts by submitting applications to the District Collectors office to address this issue. However, without a functional uploading process on the website, little progress can be made. He emphasized that beneficiaries whose documents are successfully uploaded are receiving their full ration entitlements. Sona Devi emphasizes that, despite having all the required documents, many families in Manoharpura are deprived of the benefits of the public distribution system due to bureaucratic hurdles. These families, despite being eligible, are left out of the facilities. The question arises as to whether the digital aspects of such initiatives aimed at enhancing peoples lives are inadvertently excluding the needy from government benefits or if they are genuinely established to connect the underprivileged with these services. Who bears responsibility for this situation? (The author is a grassroots worker working with migrant and brick kiln labourers in Gujarat. Charkha Features) The BJP on Thursday dismissed the Congress attack on the Government over freezing of its bank accounts as the Opposition partys desperate attempt to create an alibi for its imminent defeat in the Lok Sabha polls. BJP chief JP Nadda on Thursday dismissed the Congress talk of financial helplessness as comical, and said the party can use the money accumulated from all the scams that took place during its rule for electioneering. The BJPs reaction came after former Congress president Sonia Gandhi demanded that the party be given access to its bank accounts to ensure a level playing field for the Lok Sabha polls and accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of making a systematic effort to cripple the party financially. In a post on X, Nadda said the Congress is conveniently blaming its irrelevance on financial troubles while in reality, their bankruptcy is moral and intellectual, not financial. The Congress is going to be totally rejected by the people and fearing a historic defeat, their top leadership addressed a Press conference and ranted against Indian democracy and institutions, he said. Instead of correcting their own errors, the Congress is blaming authorities for their troubles. Be it the ITAT or the Delhi High Court, they have asked the Congress to comply with the rules, pay the taxes due but the party never did so, Nadda said. For a party which has looted from every sector, in every State and at every moment of history, to talk of financial helplessness is comical. The Congress can use the money accumulated from all their scams starting from jeep to chopper scam via Bofors for their electioneering, the BJP chief said. The Congress part time leaders say India being a democracy is a lie may I remind them that India was not a democracy only for a few months between 1975 and 1977 and that time the PM of India was none other than Indira Gandhi, he said. BJP leader and former Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad accused former Congress president Rahul Gandhi of lying on the issue and also targeted Sonia, saying both of them shamed Indian democracy globally with their irresponsible comments. Prasad said the Congress did not file income tax returns in time, leading to the freezing of its accounts. The Opposition party did not get any judicial relief and has now gone to the Supreme Court, he said, accusing Congress leaders of lying over the issue. He said the Congress was even pulled up by the High Court over the issue. We wish the Congress well and our gentle advice to the party is the more you allow Rahul to speak the more ground you lose, Prasad said. If people dont want to vote for the Congress, the BJP cannot help it, he said. After evading Central probing agencies for several months, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was finally arrested in the multi-crore liquor scam by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday amid high drama involving multi-layered security forces and Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party supporters. Kejriwal is also implicated in another scam related to the Delhi Jal Board (DJB), which the ED is probing. The AAP chief had skipped a total of nine ED summons related to the investigation, which has led to several arrests, including that of K Kavitha, daughter of Bharat Rashtra Samitis chief K Chandrasekhar Rao. She was arrested by the ED last week. After former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, Kejriwal is the second sitting Chief Minister in the country to be arrested this year by the ED in a corruption case. Kejriwals arrest came after the Delhi High Court denied him protection relief earlier in the day. Later in the evening, after the ED reached the CMs residence, Kejriwals legal team rushed to the Supreme Court for relief. Sources said the matter will be taken up on Friday. After two hours of interrogation and searches by a team of top ED sleuths, Kejriwal was arrested from his residence on Flag Staff Road in Civil Lines and later taken to the ED headquarters at Lok Nayak Bhawan in the Capital. Officials said upon reaching the AAP leaders residence, the ED team informed the staff that it had a search warrant to raid Kejriwals premises. They also mentioned that the team would serve summons and request Kejriwal to join the probe. Sources said Kejriwals mobile phone has been seized by the agency, and there has been no communication between him and his family. As ED officials carried out their operation inside the CMs residence, additional Delhi Police personnel, Rapid Action Force (RAF), and CRPF teams were deployed at the Chief Ministers residence. The additional deployment was made as the ED sought extra security measures in anticipation of protests by AAP supporters. The Delhi Police stepped up security and deployed personnel in large numbers along with paramilitary force in anti-riot gear around the Chief Ministers residence in the Civil Lines area as an ED team reached there. The deployment has been made in anticipation of a gathering and protest of AAP workers near his residence, a police officer said. He said section 144 has also been imposed near Kejriwals residence. Barricades were put up on the lane leading to his official residence in Civil Lines in north Delhi and additional police personnel were deployed there, officials said. Two companies of RAF (Rapid Action Force) with anti-riot gears have been deployed. The local police and force from the nearby police stations have also called in, the officer said. Officers of the rank of deputy commissioner of police and assistant commissioner of police were also deployed. The area was being checked with the help of drones, the officials said. A senior police officer said security has also been increased near the ED office and Union Home Minister Amit Shahs residence in central Delhi. Sources said restrictions under section 144 of the CrPC have been imposed near the ED office and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) headquarters in central Delhi. Police said security has also been increased outside the residence of Delhi Lt Governor VK Saxena. The arrest of the 55-year-old leader, amid the Lok Sabha election campaign, elicited angry reactions from the AAP. The party said Kejriwal will continue as the Chief Minister of Delhi. If necessary, he will run the Government from jail. He shall join his former Cabinet colleagues Manish Sisodia, Satyender Jain, and the partys MP in Rajya Sabha, Sanjay Singh, in jail. Several Opposition parties, including those in the newly formed alliance INDIA Bloc, as well as the Trinamool Congress, rallied behind the Delhi CM, condemning his arrest. Congress leaders described it as a pure form of tyranny, while TMC spokesman Kunal Ghosh stated that this kind of vindictive politics is unacceptable. A scared dictator wants to create a dead democracy. While capturing all the institutions including the media, breaking up the parties, extorting money from companies, and freezing the account of the main Opposition party was not enough for the devilish power, now the arrest of the elected Chief Ministers has also become a common thing. INDIA Bloc will give a befitting reply to this, Rahul Gandhi posted on social media. The BJP demanded that Kejriwal step down as Chief Minister on moral grounds. Cabinet Minister Atishi, considered to be a close confidant of the AAP convener, is now likely to play a crucial role. Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj and Delhi Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel also gathered with their supporters in the Civil Lines area and raised slogans against the Modi Government. AAP leader and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said, The political team of BJP (ED) cannot confine Kejriwals ideology because the AAP alone can stop BJP. Ideology can never be suppressed, he wrote on social media. Reacting to the ED action, AAP MP Raghav Chadha termed the arrest of Kejriwal just before the Lok Sabha elections a big conspiracy. Protests erupted outside Kejriwals residence on Thursday night after his arrest. The Delhi Police has detained around two dozen Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) workers, including MLAs, who were trying to block the road near the chief ministers residence. Party leaders and workers started gathering in the area while the Enforcement Directorate (ED) was questioning Kejriwal at his residence. AAP leaders and workers raised slogans against the ED and the BJP-led Central Government. AAP MLAs Jarnail Singh, Ritu Raj, Jai Bhagwan and Abdul Rehman were detained by the police, the party alleged. Soon after ED reached Kejriwals residence in the evening, AAP leaders and Cabinet Ministers gathered outside. They were stopped at the barricades. Speaker Goel said there was such heavy deployment of security personnel outside Kejriwals residence that it seemed as if they had come to wage a war against Pakistan. Our stand is clear. The whole party wants that he will run the government from jail, he told reporters. Media persons who were present outside the residence were also asked to step out of the lane. AAP workers protested and raised slogans against the ED. BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra slammed protests by AAP leaders and supporters following their leaders arrest, and said the drama amounts to a celebration of corruption. Neither people nor courts will accept this, Patra said, adding, Kejriwal, you are corrupt. People of Delhi and people of India know you are corrupt. Noting that Kejriwal was served many summonses by the Enforcement Directorate, the BJP leader said the arrest has followed a protracted course of action. Reiterating the BJPs charges against the Delhi chief minister, Patra asked why the Kejriwal government gave the excise policy its nod without the approval of its Cabinet and then scrapped it overnight. Cartelisation was allowed, liquor manufacturers were allowed in wholesale and black-listed firms were allowed in the business at a huge cost to the exchequer, the BJP spokesperson alleged. He is reaping what he showed, Patra said. It is but natural that if you have evaded the law of the land, ultimately the law will catch up with you, he said. Despite all the drama and protests by their supporters, various other AAP leaders arrested in the case, including Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh, have not got any relief from the courts they approached, Patra added. The Election Commission (EC) on Thursday uploaded the complete electoral bond data given to it by the State Bank of India on orders of the Supreme Court. The data includes bond numbers that can link donors with the political parties they contributed to. As per latest data, Trinamool Congress got at least Rs 540 crore worth electoral bonds from Future Gaming, making it the biggest beneficiary of donations made by lottery king Santiago Martin, who also donated to the DMK, the YSR Congress, the BJP and the Congress. Sikkim Krantikari Morcha and Sikkim Democratic Front also got some funds from the biggest purchaser of the electoral bonds, which was started by the Centre Government in March 2018 and scrapped last month. While a plethora of well-known corporates bought the bonds when the scheme was alive, the biggest donor to political parties was Future Gaming, which purchased bonds worth Rs 1,368 crore. Besides Trinamool Congress, Future Gaming gave Rs 509 crore to Tamil Nadus ruling party DMK, nearly Rs 160 crore to Andhra Pradeshs YSR Congress Party, Rs 100 crore to BJP and Rs 50 crore to Congress. The two parties of Sikkim, one of the few States where lottery is legal, together got less than Rs 10 crore from Future Gaming. The second-biggest donor is known to be Hyderabad-based Megha Engineering, which has given Rs 966 crore to various parties including BJP, Bharat Rashtra Samiti and DMK. Qwik Supply, the third largest donor to political parties using electoral bonds, bought Rs 410 crore bonds between 2021-22 and 2023-24, and gave Rs 395 crore to the BJP and Rs 25 crore to the Shiv Sena. Qwik Supply Chain Private Ltd, a little-known company with a registered address at Navi Mumbais Dhirubhai Ambani Knowledge City (DAKC) and having links to Reliance Industries, is described as a manufacturer of warehouses and storage units, and gave no money to any other political party. The BJP was the major receiver of funds from big corporate groups like Vedanta, Bharti Airtel, Muthoot, Bajaj Auto, Jindal group and TVS Motor. Electoral bond purchases and donations by Qwik Supply accounted for Rs 1,368 crore of Future Gaming and Hotel Services-another little-known lottery company-and Rs 966 crore of Hyderabad-based Megha Engineering & Infra. Qwik Supply bought electoral bonds worth Rs 360 crore in 2021-22 to donate to political parties. Despite this, its net profit for the same year was only Rs 21.72 crore. It purchased an additional Rs 50 crore worth of bonds in 2023-24. Honeywell Properties Private Ltd purchased bonds worth Rs 30 crore on April 8, 2021, and allocated all of them to the BJP. Two separate lists of donors and recipients were published by the poll panel on its website after receiving the details from the State Bank of India earlier in the day, following a Supreme Court order. The Election Commission said it uploaded the electoral bond data on its website as received from SBI, on an as is where is basis. The new details show the name of the purchaser of the bond, its denomination and specific number, the name of the party that encashed it, the last four digits of the bank account number of political parties that redeemed the bond and the denomination and unique number of the bond encashed. What was missing were the hidden alphanumeric codes on bonds that can help match donors with parties -- a section that has caused huge concern about the end to the anonymity promised by the Government. The codes can be seen only under ultraviolet light. Details from earlier lists have revealed Future Gaming and Hotel Services PR, Megha Engineering & Infrastructures Ltd, Qwik Supply Chain Pvt Ltd, Vedanta and Bharti Group among the top donors. The top recipient was the BJP, followed by Trinamool Congress, Congress and the BRS. It also appeared that some South parties, including DMK, AIADMK and JD(S) have sent information about the donors to the Election Commission. The bank had earlier given two lists to the Commission, which were released on the poll panels website on March 14. They contained information on donors, the bonds purchased and their dates, political parties and the bonds they encashed. Earlier, the State Bank of India told the Supreme Court that it has provided the Election Commission all details of electoral bonds, including the unique bond number that would reveal the link between the purchaser and the recipient political party. In a compliance affidavit filed ahead of the 5 pm. Deadline set by the apex court, the SBI chairman said the complete bank account numbers and KYC details of the political parties which redeemed the bonds have not been made public as it may compromise the security of these accounts. The SBI also said KYC details of purchasers have also not being made public for security reasons. It said complete bank account numbers and KYC details were not necessary for identifying the political parties. The affidavit said the SBI has revealed information which will show the name of the purchaser of the bond, its denomination and specific number, the name of the party that encashed it, the last four digits of the bank account number of political parties that redeemed the bond and the denomination and unique number of the bond encashed. Israeli forces killed two Palestinians in separate incidents in the occupied West Bank on Thursday, increasing to nine the number of Palestinians killed in the territory over 24 hours, the Palestinian news agency WAFA reported. Since the Gaza war began, Israel has stepped up military raids in the West Bank, where violence had already been surging for over a year. U.N. records show Israeli forces or settlers have killed hundreds of Palestinians in the West bank since Hamas's Oct. 7 attack on Israel that triggered the Gaza war. A 19-year-old Palestinian died after being shot by Israeli forces in El Bireh near Ramallah on Thursday morning, the Palestinian health ministry said. WAFA said he was wounded during confrontations with Israeli forces. (Reuters) / Ambala reserved Lok Sabha constituency, which has traditionally witnessed a direct fight between the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) or Jana Sangh since 1967, is expected to once again witness the same contest on May 25. Ambala constituency, which is located on the north-eastern edge of Haryana bordering Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, covers the entire Panchkula and Ambala districts and parts of the Yamunanagar district. Scheduled Caste and Backward Communities have dominated the political narrative in Ambala which has around 45 per cent of total electorates. The rest includes Punjabi, Sikhs, upper caste Rajput, Jats, Brahmins and other communities. Dalits, which are a sizable 25 per cent of the voter base in the constituency, play the kingmaker in Ambala parliamentary election. Interestingly, unlike most of the regions, Dalit community in Ambala is divided among Ravidasias (Chamars) and Balmikis. All the political parties here are leaving no stone unturned to influence them. BJP has secured victory in the previous two elections in 2014 and 2019. This time, the BJP is aiming for a hat-trick. Ambala Lok Sabha constituency got vacant after the demise of senior BJP leader and three-time MP Rattan Lal Kataria on May 18, 2023, at PGIMER, Chandigarh, after a brief illness. While the BJP has kept its faith in the Kataria family for its loyalty and introduced his wife and state executive member Banto Kataria as the partys candidate, all the opposition parties including Congress, Indian National Lok Dal, Jannayak Janata Party are yet to disclose their cards. Political analysts opine that when it comes to giving tickets to kin, the BJP is not the party with a difference. While giving ticket to Katarias wife, the party has allegedly overlooked many local ticket aspirants. In public rallies, senior BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narender Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, former Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, incumbent CM Nayab Singh Saini and others used to target Congress, INLD and other parties for dynastic politics. On this, the Congress also argued that the BJP is guilty of the same. BJP should not criticize others for a practice it also engages in, they opine. Additionally, political analysts further opined that in view of BJPs clean sweep in Haryana in the previous parliamentary election, the Opposition will have to redraw their strategy for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The status as of now, however, is that major opposition parties like Congress are still taking time to field their candidates on all the seats except Kurukshetra where Sushil Gupta has been announced as the joint candidate of AAP and Congress under INDI Alliance. They further opined that winning the Ambala Lok Sabha constituency seat will not be a cakewalk for BJP this time as the party has fielded a new candidate here. Additionally, the BJP leadership has not yet managed to placate former state Home Minister Anil Vij, who has been upset over the recent change of guard in the government. The situation is sending out a wrong message to the electorate, especially as the election dates have been announced. The rift in the ruling party has become the talk of the town. Resentment among the BJP workers in Ambala Cantonment is not good for the party, they added. Furthermore, the fate of Ambala constituency will be decided on whether Congress manages to unite the Dalit voter base and rake up lack of development in the region as their poll agenda. However, BJPs candidate will try to win the voters on the issues of nationalism, national security, works done by her husband Ratan Lal Kataria and Modi factor. Moreover, in 2019 Lok Sabha polls, BJPs Kataria won with 7,46,508 votes by defeating Congresss Kumari Selja, who received 4,04,163 votes. BSPs Dr Kapoor Singh received 96,296 votes. The JJP did not contest the Ambala seat in 2019 as it was handed over to its then ally, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). As per the information accessed through Election Commission of India (ECI), the total voters as per 2019 Lok Sabha are 18,87,136 in Ambala. SC voters here are about 4,45,364 (23.6 per cent). Rural voters are about 10,11,505 (53.6 per cent) while urban voters about 8,75,631 (46.4 per cent). The highest vote share percentage ever recorded at Ambala seat is 68.37 per cent bagged by Ram Prakash Chaudhary of Indian National Congress in 1971, followed by Suraj Bhan at 68.34 per cent in 1977. As far as political history of this constituency is concerned, the Congress party has dominated the seat and has won nine times since elections were first held in 1952 in Ambala. The BJP has been successful four times and Aman Kumar Nagra of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) was the only non-Congress, non-BJP candidate to have won the seat in 1998. BJP candidate Rattan Lal Kataria had contested from Ambala four times and won thrice in 1999, 2014 and 2019. Four-time former Lok Sabha member Kumari Selja has defeated Rattan Lal Kataria twice in 2004 and 2009. Kumari Selja had successfully made her electoral debut in 1991 from Sirsa. In the 2014 Assembly election, BJP had its MLAs in all the 9 nine assembly segments including Kalka, Panchkula, Ambala Cantt, Ambala City and Yamunanagar. In the 2019 Assembly elections, the opposition party congress improved its performance. Out of Nine, four Assembly constituencies including Kalka, Naraingarh, Mulana and Sadhaura won by Congress party, while remaining five constituencies including Panchkula, Ambala Cantt, Ambala City, Jagadhri and Yamunanagar won by BJP. It is interesting to see how voters cast their votes in this parliamentary election. Fearing encounter by the police, Javed, an accused in the Budaun double murder case, finally surrendered in Bareilly on Wednesday night. To further ensure that the cops later did not hatch an encounter theory, Javed made the video of his surrender viral on social media. The police later confirmed the arrest of Javed. Claiming arrest of Javed, police officials claimed that he was attempting to escape towards Nepal via Bareilly when he was nabbed. The Bareilly police handed him over to the Pilibhit police. In the video, Javed is heard saying, I ran straight to Delhi and from there I have come to Bareilly to surrender. I have received phone calls from people about what my brother did. The police had announced a cash reward of Rs 25,000 on Javed. Another accused, Sajid, was killed in a police encounter. Two young brothers, aged 11 and 6, were killed by Javed and Sajid in Budaun on Tuesday night. Another brother of the slain siblings was also injured in the attack but he somehow pushed the killers and rushed towards the room. The assailants, identified as Sajid and his brother Javed, allegedly carried out the heinous act at the victims residence. However, the motive behind the murder still remains a mystery. Madhya Pradesh Police is taking restrictive action against those involved in illegal arms trade. In the same sequence, ATS Madhya Pradesh has exposed the inter-state network by raiding the illegal arms factory running in Signur of Gogaon police station area of Khargone district. On March 19, on on a tip off, regarding illegal arms trade, ATS Madhya Pradesh arrested Rahul Yadav, resident of village Sarwal Devla of Kasrawad police station area of Khargone district, and Gurubakht Singh Patwa of Khargone. On the behest of both the accused, this factory running in Signur of Khargone was raided. Police recovered tools for making illegal weapons, semi-finished pistols, complete pistols and hundreds of barrels from this factory. The accused told the police during initial interrogation that the said barrel was being supplied from Surat. This is the first time that such a large number of good quality barrels, spare parts and raw materials used in pistols have been seized at the interstate level. ATS is investigating all aspects related to this case. According to preliminary information, more than 500 barrels were reaching Gurubakht from Surat (Gujarat) every month. Apart from Gurubakht Singh, information about other illegal arms manufacturers is also being sought, who are importing barrels, other spare parts and raw materials used in pistols made with good lathe machines from Surat or other areas. Information is also being obtained about the contact persons of previously arrested illegal arms manufacturers, who are importing barrels and parts of pistols made from good lathe machines from other states and other pistol tools through good lathe machines in Madhya Pradesh and being prepared and assembled. By raiding this illegal arms factory ATS has seized a large quantity of arms making tools, machines, barrels, other spare parts and raw materials. ATS recovered from the factory five pistols, two semi-finished pistols, eight live rounds, one semi-finished barrel, one semi-finished upper slide, four fiber butt grips, 192 chamber barrels, 96 shutter groove squares, one saw, one grinder, one pliers, one crowbar, A chisel, a round chisel and an iron hammer have been seized. It is noteworthy that in 17 active camps of Sikligars in Dhar, Barwani, Khargone and Burhanpur districts of Madhya Pradesh, Sikligars are manufacturing and selling illegal weapons. ATS, Madhya Pradesh is continuously monitoring the people from Madhya Pradesh and outside states who are manufacturing and selling illegal weapons. Apart from this, continuous and effective action is being taken by ATS, Madhya Pradesh against such interstate terrorist/militant organizations and gangs, which can carry out any terrorist and anti-national activities using these illegal weapons. Strict action is continuously being taken to curb illegal drug trade in the state capital and nearby areas and from time to time the police take action to crack down on drug dealers. The seized goods are disposed of from time to time after the case is closed. Under this process, Bhopal police would dispose of 127 kg of narcotics. Which includes intoxicants like MDMA, charas, ganja and courex. The value of the narcotics to be disposed of, in the international market is said to be more than Rs 15 crore. Policemen have weighed drugs in the crime branch office. After which these intoxicants filled in sacks will be disposed of. Additional DCP Shailendra Singh Chauhan said that 127 kg of drugs seized by various police stations and crime branches of the city are to be disposed of. All these narcotics were recovered in 29 cases. All these cases have been resolved by the court. After which permission to dispose of it is taken from the High Court. It is being told that as soon as the NDPS Act case is resolved, the court orders to dispose of the drug. Thus, the drugs seized in 29 cases have been collected in large numbers in the crime branch and other police stations. After the court order, permission has to be taken from the Central Government for its destruction. Bhopal Police will send an application to the Central Government for this permission, the process of its destruction will be completed within 15 days of sending the application. Additional DCP Shailendra Singh Chauhan said that these drugs are properly disposed of in cement factories. During this period, special care is taken about security. Video recording of the entire process is also done. In a sensational broad daylight killing, a furniture businessman was shot dead by unknown motorcycle-borne assailants in Pratapgarh district on Thursday. Police said that the incident took place in Patti Kotwali area, 30 kilometres from the district headquarters. In-charge of Patti Kotwali police station, Alok Kumar, said that when Mohammad Naeem (50) of Patti town was going to drop his child to school on a motorcycle on Thursday noon, three people on a motorcycle stopped him. Before Naeem could sense danger, the two riding pillion whipped out pistols and opened indiscriminate fire following which Naeem collapsed in a pool of blood. Luckily, Naeems son remained unhurt as the assailants opened fire from a close range. Alok Kumar said that after committing the murder, the motorcycle riders fled the scene of crime. After receiving information, the police reached the spot and took the businessman to a local hospital where doctors pronounced him dead. Kumar said that the assailants had not been identified yet. He said the motive behind the murder was also not clear as the family members had no information about any enmity or threat to life of Naeem from anyone. The body was sent for post-mortem and the case is being investigated. Meanwhile, a gate, installed at the boundary wall of a farm house in Firozabad suddenly fell while children were playing on it. While one child died, two others were seriously injured. The incident took place in Nagau village in Tundla Kotwali area on Thursday morning. According to reports, Vinod Kumar, a resident of the village, has built a boundary wall on the farm house and installed a gate. While playing on Thursday morning, some children of the village were swinging on the gate when its pillar suddenly fell and the children were trapped under the gate. By the time the villagers reached the spot to rescue the children, 8-year-old Golu had died on the spot. Three other children were injured and they were admitted to the local community health centre. Reports said Golu was the son of Virendra Singh, originally a resident of Shikohabad. Virendra lives in Gandhinagar, Gujarat and works there. A few days ago, Golu and his elder sister Himanshi (13) were brought to their home by their aunt Sunita Devi. Golu was the youngest of three siblings. His younger sister Divya is living with her parents. The chief electoral officer (CEO) Uttarakhand BVRC Purushottam held a meeting with the State icons of the Election commission at the secretariat on Wednesday. In the meeting he requested the State icons to ensure that the voter awareness programme reaches to the voters in a more comprehensive manner. The CEO said that the voting for the Lok Sabha elections in all the five seats in Uttarakhand will be held on April 19 and more and more people should be encouraged to cast their votes. The voters should be encouraged to come to the polling booths in large numbers. The meeting was attended by Padma recipients Pritam Baratwan, Kalyan Singh Rawat, Bansanti Bisht and Madhuri Barthwal. The additional chief electoral officer (ACEO) V K Jogdande, Joint chief electoral officer (JCEO) Pratap Shah, assistant CEO Mastu Das and others also attended the meeting. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami attended a Holi Milan programme at Goralchaud ground of Champawat on Thursday. In the programme he interacted with the party workers. He also offered prayers at Goljyu devta temple and participated in the traditional Khadi Holi programme on the occasion. Exhorting the party workers to visit all the booths to ensure that the BJP candidate Ajay Tamta secures a thumping victory from Almora constituency, Dhami said that every worker should work for the party. He said that a positive vote will carry forward the development activities undertaken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The CM also asked people to take a pledge to finish corruption from the society. He said that PM Modi is consistently working to remove the politics of appeasement, bring equality and has taken many historic decisions in the last 10 years. Dhami said that he got a chance to visit many countries during the Global investors summit last year where he found that people were consistently praising India. He said that PM Modi abrogated the Article 370 from Kashmir and under his rule construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya got completed. Cracks have appeared in the opposition INDIA bloc over seat sharing with Akhilesh Yadav declaring that the Samajwadi Party does not have a tie-up with Apna Dal (Kamerawadi) for Lok Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh. The situation aggravated when Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav refused to give three Lok Sabha seats to Pallavi Patels Apna Dal (Kameravadi), which she had asked for. In a terse statement in Lucknow on Thursday, Akhilesh Yadav asserted that their alliance with Apna Dal (Kameravadi) was confined to the 2022 UP assembly elections, drawing a clear line under any future collaboration for the upcoming 2024 polls. The rift within the alliance became apparent when Pallavi Patel, acting president of Apna Dal (Kameravadi), announced the intent to contest three Lok Sabha seats of her preference Phulpur, Mirzapur and Kaushambi. However, the SP fielded Rajendra S Bind as its candidate from Mirzapur constituency, merely a few hours after Patels declaration, giving a loud and clear signal that Apna Dal (K) has no place in the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA). Krishna Patel, the national president of Apna Dal (Kameravadi), however, defended her partys demand for three seats citing their longstanding alliance with the INDIA bloc. Speaking to this reporter, Pallavi Patel reiterated that the party had already asked for the Phulpur, Mirzapur and Kaushambi Lok Sabha constituencies and said the same was sounded to the Samajwadi Party months back. She said as all these three contested seats fell within the purview of the Samajwadi Party under the existing INDIA bloc and her party had approached SP leadership. On the other hand, SP state president Naresh Uttam Patel, in response to Patels assertions, clarified that no formal communication regarding the matter had been received from Pallavi Patels camp. The friction between the Samajwadi Party and the Apna Dal (Kameravadi) is not without precedent, with tensions surfacing during the recent Rajya Sabha elections. Pallavi Patel had voiced grievances over what she perceived as the neglect of PDA (Picchda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak) interests in candidate selection, culminating in a tense exchange with Akhilesh Yadav. Subsequently, Pallavi Patel had pledged her support solely to PDA-endorsed candidates. Analysts suggest that the rupture in the alliance stems from unresolved tensions dating back to the 2022 UP assembly elections. Pallavi Patels desire to contest on the Apna Dal (Kameravadi) symbol clashed with Akhilesh Yadavs insistence on utilising the SP symbol, resulting in a bitter contest against Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, which Patel won. This recent disagreement marks a departure from previous electoral alliances, notably the partnership between Pallavi Patels faction of Apna Dal and the Congress during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, which ended in defeat for Pallavi Patels husband, Pankaj Patel, in the Phulpur constituency. As Uttar Pradesh braces for another electoral showdown, the fracture within the INDIA bloc underscores the complexities of coalition politics and the intricate dynamics at play in one of Indias most politically significant states. The expenditure observers appointed by the Election Commission will monitor the expenditure incurred by the candidates in filing their nomination papers in all the five Lok Sabha constituencies in Uttarakhand. Interacting with the media persons the Joint Chief Electoral Officer (JCEO) Namami Bansal said on Thursday that the expenditure observers have arrived in the State and they will start monitoring things from Friday. She said that action is being taken to prevent misuse of liquor in the elections. She said that 450 litres of liquor was seized in Mukteshwar and 600 litres was confiscated in Champawat on March 20. Bansal said that liquor worth Rs three crore was seized in the Lok Sabha elections of 2019 while Rs 4.70 crore liquor was confiscated in the assembly elections of 2022. The commission has constituted 497 flying squads to prevent misuse of liquor in the elections. Monitoring by CCTV is being done at 628 distribution centres of liquor, eight bottling plants and distilleries in the State. Bansal added that GPS tracking systems have been placed on all the vehicles engaged in distribution of liquor. On the election boycott of the JCEO said that in the Lok Sabha elections of 2019, people in 10 booths of the State had boycotted the elections. Most of these booths were in Uttarkashi while voters in one booth each in Sahaspur, Ghansali and Haridwar rural had boycotted elections. She said that no complaint regarding boycott of elections has been received so far this time. All the 5625 complaints posted on the C-Vizil App have been disposed of. Bansal further informed that there were 30 booths in P-3 category ( where the polling parties depart three days before the voting) in the LS elections of 2019 but this time the number of P-3 booths is 12. Eleven out of 12 P-3 booths are located in Uttarkashi district while one such booth is in Dharchula in Pithoragarh. Preeti Kumar, wife of IAS officer Avinash Kumar, was today questioned at the ED office in land matters related to Berlin Hospital. ED had already interrogated Preeti Kumar in the same case. Preeti Kumar was called to the zonal office of the agency located on Ranchi Airport Road at 11 am on Wednesday. Kumar reached the ED office on time with the file in her hand. After completing the necessary paperwork, ED officials started interrogating her. On April 13, 2023, ED had raided the house of Bhanu Pratap Prasad, the then Revenue Sub-Inspector of Badgai zone. Then many land documents were recovered from his place. An FIR was also lodged against Bhanu in Sadar police station on charges of keeping government documents in the house. During the investigation, ED came to know that Bhanu Pratap had given land to many influential people by falsifying documents. Documents related to Preeti Kumar's land were also found from Bhanu's place. After this, ED had sought information from Badgai Zone about the land of their Berlin Hospital. Eliazar Aaron Sanchez. Courtesy/Laredo Police Department Eliazar Aaron Sanchez. Courtesy/Laredo Police Department A teen is wanted in relation to a rash of burglaries reported in central Laredo, authorities said. Laredo police identified the suspect as Eliazar Aaron Sanchez, 17. He has 10 pending arrest warrants for burglary of vehicle, a Class A misdemeanor. The case was reported on Feb. 26, when officers responded to the 2900 block of Convent Avenue for a burglary of a vehicle report. A woman stated that her vehicle had been broken into and noticed that her door handle and ignition starter had been damaged. Advertisement Article continues below this ad During the investigation, officers learned of nine other auto burglaries in the nearby area. LPD Auto-Theft Task Force investigators obtained video surveillance footage of the burglaries. Authorities were able to identify two burglary suspects, authorities said. A suspect was identified as a juvenile. He was detained on March 8 and charged with multiple counts of burglary of a vehicle. He was taken to the Webb County Youth Village. A second suspect was identified as Sanchez. To report Sanchezs whereabouts, call Laredo Crime Stoppers at 727-TIPS (8477) or download the Crime Stoppers P3 app to submit a tip and become eligible for a cash reward. Are you running to an orthodontist regularly to adjust or retighten your dental braces? A team of researchers has developed a novel artificial intelligence (AI) tool that can help you find the right fit to help straighten your teeth. The team from the University of Copenhagen and 3Shape used scanned imagery of teeth and bone structures from human jaws to develop the tool. The AI used the information gathered to predict the design of the braces with accurate 3D simulations that best fit an individuals jaw, they noted in the paper, published in the journal IEEE Access. Our simulation is able to let an orthodontist know where braces should and shouldnt exert pressure to straighten teeth, said Prof. Kenny Erleben, from the varsitys Department of Computer Science. Currently, these interventions are based entirely upon the discretion of orthodontists and involve a great deal of trial and error. This can lead to many adjustments and visits to the orthodontists office, which our simulation can help reduce in the long run, Erleben said. The type of precise digital imitation with 3D simulations is referred to as a digital twin. Using this, the team built up a database of digital dental patients, which can one day be used for hip implants, among other things. In the long run, this could make life easier for patients and save resources for society, Erleben said. More data will allow us to simulate treatments and adapt medical devices so as to target patients across entire populations more precisely, Erleben noted. Six rebels of the Himachal Pradesh Congress and three independents on Thursday expressed vindication following the state party president Pratibha Singh's assertion that she would refrain from contesting the Lok Sabha elections due to an unfavorable ground situation for the party. The six Congress MLAs, who had previously crossed the aisle in the Rajya Sabha elections, found themselves disqualified by the assembly Speaker on February 29 for defying a party whip during crucial assembly proceedings. Their decision to vote in favour of the government during cut motions and budget discussions had stark repercussions. The Congress party's internal structure resembles a house of cards, primarily due to the autocratic style of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. Notably, even senior leaders are avoiding contesting elections, further underscoring the prevailing ground reality, said the six Congress dissidents and three Independent MLAs in a joint statement. Among the six Congress rebels were Rajinder Rana (Sujanpur), Inder Dutt Lakhanpal (Barsar), Chetanya Sharma (Gagret), Devinder Kumar Bhutto (Kutlehar), Sudhir Sharma (Dharamshala), and Ravi Thakur (Lahaul and Spiti). They, along with Independents Ashish Sharma (Hamirpur), Hoshiyar Singh (Dehra), and KL Thakur (Nalagarh), threw their weight behind BJP nominee Harsh Mahajan during the recent Rajya Sabha polls. The dissident leaders attributed the current state of disarray within the Congress to the authoritative demeanor of Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, citing instances of favoritism and the marginalization of elected representatives. Expressing her stance, Pratibha Singh, spouse of former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and mother of Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh, on Wednesday conveyed her decision to withdraw from electoral contention to the party high command. She vowed to extend wholehearted support to any candidate deemed suitable by central party leaders, citing a disillusionment among party workers and leaders. Pratibha Singh had recommended the name of Kaul Singh Thakur for Mandi parliamentary seat. Her announcement arrived amid an already tumultuous period for the Congress government in Himachal Pradesh, grappling with internal dissension sparked by the rebellion of the aforementioned party rebels and Independents. Pratibha Singhs critique of Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu's leadership style had been conspicuous, emphasizing the need for recognition of hardworking party members. She reiterated previous grievances regarding the neglect of dedicated leaders and MLAs within the organization. Echoing similar sentiments, former Chief Minister and the Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur pointed out the reluctance of Congress leaders to contest in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, signifying a broader disillusionment within the party ranks. / Himachal Pradesh Congress two disqualified MLAs Rajinder Rana and Sudhir Sharma have reported receiving a handwritten one-page threat letter, warning them to refrain from provoking other legislators. Rana's son, Abhishek, disclosed this development on Wednesday, raising concerns about the safety of their family. The ominous letter, penned in Hindi, explicitly warned Rana and Sharma to cease their alleged incitement of fellow legislators. It ominously declared, Stop provoking other legislators. If you do not mend your ways, your family will not be safe. Consider this letter as the last warning. Rana and Sharma are among the six Congress rebels who faced disqualification for defying a party whip during a crucial Vidhan Sabha session. They were found to have been present in the House and voted in favour of the Government on cut motions and the finance bill (Budget), contrary to the party's directives. Their vote favoured the BJP candidate in Rajya Sabha polls, exacerbating the political rift within the Congress party. The threatening letter, originating from an unknown source, was delivered to Ranas residence in Patlander near Sujanpur, located in Himachals Hamirpur district, on Tuesday evening via postal mail. The contents of the letter were read by Ranas personal assistant. Confirming the receipt of the threatening letter, Abhishek informed that the family had also received a menacing phone call, warning them of dire consequences if they failed to adhere to the demands outlined in the letter. Alarmed by the threats, Abhishek promptly lodged a formal complaint with the Sujanpur police, prompting a visit from the Station House Officer (SHO), who collected the letter as evidence. In response to the security concerns raised by the threatening communication, security measures have been escalated outside Rana's residence in Patlander. CRPF jawans have been stationed outside the house for the past week to ensure the safety and protection of the family amidst the escalating tensions. / In a pivotal development reshaping the political landscape of Himachal Pradesh, the state Congress president and incumbent MP from Mandi Pratibha Singh on Wednesday announced her decision to opt out from contesting the Lok Sabha elections sending shockwaves in the state party unit. The decision, coming amidst mounting anticipation ahead of the polls scheduled for June 1, which will witness voting for the states four Lok Sabha seats Mandi, Kangra, Hamirpur, and Shimla alongside by-elections for six assembly seats, marks a significant pivot in the states electoral dynamics. Pratibha conveyed her stance to the partys high command through state in-charge Rajeev Shukla underscoring paramount importance of impending by-elections for the six vacant Vidhan Sabha seats. Without mincing words, she said that she would have to give importance to the by-elections to six assembly seats to save the government. We will work to save the government, she said. Stressing her unwavering commitment to ensure Congress triumph in these by-polls along with Lok Sabha, she emphasized that contesting the Lok Sabha elections would divert her attention from her responsibilities as the state party president and dilute party's focus on crucial regional contests. Addressing the media in Shimla after her return from Delhi, Pratibha articulated her deep-seated concerns regarding prevailing political milieu within the party, expressing profound dismay over what she perceived as marginalization of grassroots workers. She passionately advocated for greater empowerment and inclusion of party workers in decision-making processes, emphasizing that electoral triumph cannot be achieved solely through the dispensation of Member of Parliament Local Area Development (MPLAD) scheme funds. We have a new challenge in the form of six MLAs, who have been suspended from the party. By-elections are going to be held. Elections are to be held on these six seats and we have to win all of them and it is my responsibility to win them. This is why I withdrew my candidature from Mandi. Earlier the situation was very different, she said. For the party, I have visited Mandi many times and I am well aware of all the corners of my constituencyI have suggested the name of Kaul Singh Thakur for Mandi because he is well known in this area and has a good understanding of the ground reality, she said. Her recommendation of Thakur, a seasoned Congress veteran with deep-rooted ties to the region, underscored the imperative of identifying candidates with strong grassroots appeal and strategic acumen to navigate the complex electoral terrain. At the same time, she added, I have extensively toured every area of the State and have found that no worker is active and it is difficult to achieve success in such a situationI have refused to contest the elections because I am not in a position to contest it. She said: If the party workers, who worked hard for the partys victory in the assembly elections, are given responsibilities and importance, they would have been active at the grassroots level. Against the backdrop of Pratibhas withdrawal from the electoral fray, the Congress faces a formidable task of rallying its cadres, energizing grassroots workers, and forging strategic alliances to navigate complex electoral landscape and emerge as a formidable contender in the upcoming polls. The by-elections for six Assembly seats, stemming from disqualification of rebel Congress MLAs, present a crucial test for the state Congress leadership and its ability. Congress suffered a twin setback during the Rajya Sabha elections in the state one is the victory of BJP candidate and rebellion of six Congress MLAs causing huge losses to the Congress. Regarding Delhi tour, Congress state president Pratibha Singh said that Central Election Committee meeting was held in Delhi wherein the names of the candidates were discussed. After the state leadership shortlisted the possible candidates, it has been given to the party high command which will decide the final names, she added. Pratibha Singh, wife of six-time chief minister late Virbhadra Singh and mother of state Cabinet minister Vikramaditya Singh, reached Shimla from Delhi after attending the screening committee meeting in Delhi on Tuesday. Having lost Mandi seat in 2014 Lok Sabha elections, she defeated BJPs Brigadier Khushal Thakur (retired), a decorated officer who played a crucial role in the 1999 Kargil war, in bypoll in 2021 by a slender margin of 8,766 votes. The seat fell vacant with the death of two-time BJP MP Ram Swaroop Sharma. Former Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president and Congress candidate from Garhwal Lok Sabha Ganesh Godiyal has said BJP is trying to demoralise him by using every tactic in its book. Interacting with the media persons at the headquarters of the State Congress here on Wednesday he said on March 19 when he was campaigning for the elections in Gopeshwar in Chamoli, the Income Tax department sent summons to him in Mumbai. He said that one notice each is given to him and his wife while one notice is in the name of a firm owned by him. The IT department has asked me to personally appear in the office of Thane near Mumbai at 11.30 am on March 22. This shows that frightened by the tremendous response I am receiving in the Garhwal Lok Sabha seat, the BJP has now stooped down to such tactics. I have nothing to hide as I have done nothing wrong and I have asked my lawyer and CA to appear in the IT office on my behalf, he said. Godiyal said that he has faced such a situation in the past as well when he refused to side with BJP in 2016 and when he protested the LASER show in Kedarnath temple during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In a blistering attack on BJP the Congress leader said that just like in one of our neighbouring countries where the army is used against opposition, the BJP is using central agencies to suppress the voice of opposition. Godiyal added that the BJP is engaging in pressure politics and the defection of the then MLA from Badrinath Rajendra Bhandari is part of the politics of coercion. He admitted that absence of Bhandari discouraged and shocked him but the manner in which the party workers of Chamoli have rallied behind him and the party shows that defection of Bhandari will have no effect. Godiyal claimed that large numbers of local leaders of BJP are in touch with him and they will join Congress. The spokesperson of Chamoli Congress Vikas Jugran claimed that defection of Bhandari will have no effect on the prospect of Godiyal who is receiving support of all sections of the society. In recent times, chain snatching incidents were being carried out continuously from women in Ranchi. Considering the seriousness of this matter, Ranchi SSP was monitoring the action against the snatchers. On Tuesday, an intensive anti-crime checking campaign was conducted across Ranchi. Meanwhile, at Harihar Singh Road of Bariatu police station area, two people riding on a bike started changing the route after seeing the police. When the police moved towards them, the person sitting behind got off the bike and ran away. But one was caught by Bariatu police. Then it was revealed that the arrested person was Sunny, the leader of the Kodha gang in Jharkhand. Ranchi SSP Chandan Kumar Sinha said that Sunny is the leader of the gang of Katihar, Bihar. Members of the gang lived in a rented house in Bharkunda in Ramgarh district. They used to come to Ranchi every day, do recce of women, snatch the gold chains from their necks and run away back to Ramgarh. The SSP said that to carry out snatching incidents, the Kodha gang first used to steal the bike, and then they used to carry out the crimes using the stolen bike. Tools for breaking the bike have also been recovered from the arrested criminal. Itching powder has also been found. These people also used itching powder during snatching. Ranchi SSP said that this gang is very vicious. He got a SIM card issued from Bengal on a fake Aadhaar card and used it in his mobile so that the police could not get his exact location. Many fake Aadhaar cards have also been recovered from the arrested criminal. Amid chants of 'Jai Bhim,' 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai,' and 'Lal Salam', candidates vying for president's post in the upcoming JNU students' union elections, delivered passionate speeches on national and international issues, including the violence in Manipur and the electoral bonds. A large crowd of students gathered at the Jhelum Lawn on Wednesday night to witness the highly anticipated presidential debate, setting the tone for the JNUSU polls scheduled for March 22. Retired Supreme Court Justice V Ramasubramanian presided over the debate to ensure fairness and transparency. He was appointed by the Delhi High Court as an observer for this year's JNUSU elections last week. The student unions polls will be held on March 22 and results will be declared on March 24. A large crowd of students gathered at the Jhelum Lawn, amid the sound of dhols' and trumpets, in the campus to witness the highly anticipated presidential debate, setting the tone for the JNUSU polls scheduled for March 22, which has not been held since four years, delayed due to Covid-19 and not held thereafter. Women safety on campus, opening new hostels, turning the health centre to a hospital, increasing the stipend amounts and improving opportunities for Bahujan community student these were some of the promises made by the candidates at the presidential debate for Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union (JNSU) polls, ahead of the March 22 students union polls. They also raised university-related issues in their appeal to voters. The United Left Alliances presidential candidate Dhananjay initiated his speech with 'Lal Salam' and raised concerns about the increased fees due to Higher Education Funding Agency (HEFA) loans taken by universities. He also raised the issue of unemployment, commercialisation of education through the entry of foreign universities in India, among other issues while pledging to tackle water, health, and infrastructure related issues on campus and demanded the release of student leaders detained under sedition charges. Meanwhile, the main contender of the left parties, whose candidate Aishe Ghosh won in 2019, RSS-affiliated ABVP's presidential candidate, Umesh Chandra Ajmira, expressed confidence of a victory in the polls. He highlighted the developments under the student outfit's governance and its efforts in advocating for student rights. Congress student outfit NSUI's candidate Junaid Raza and an Ambedkarite student union BAPSA's Biswajit Minji also delivered impassioned speeches, criticising both the left and right-wing groups and appealed to the students community to vote for them. Aradhana Yadav, from the Samajwadi Party's student wing Samajwadi Chhatra Sabha and the only female presidential candidate, began the debate speaking on the issues of campus safety, discrimination against women, among others. If elected, she promised to advocate for minority reservation and deprivation points a means to help students from backward regions, especially women, take admission. Several leaders' speeches were marred by disruptions by some students during the debate. The university's Election Committee later confiscated the drums and other instruments used to create disruption. University has already implemented the model code of conduct (MCC) for the election barring students from using inflammatory remarks, wooing voters based on community, caste or religion, or spreading misinformation during campaigning. The last election, in 2019, was won by SFI candidate Aishe Ghosh in 2019. While the left students outfits had formed an alliance to contest under the banner The United-Left alliance last elections, including a coalition of parties such as AISA, SFI, DSF, and AISF, this year will again witness such an alliance to defeat ABVP. With the big win of the RSSs student outfit in Delhi Universitys student union, the student party looks hopeful to claim the posts in an university, popularly known as the bastion of the left. The preparations for the famous Jhanda fair of Dehradun have started. As per the tradition, a team of devotees under the mentorship of the head of the Shri Darbar Sahib, Mahant Devendra Das headed for Arrayanwala, Haryana on Wednesday morning. On reaching Arrayanwala the old flag mast was brought down with religious fervour. The holy pole was bathed with milk, curd, ghee, butter and Gangajal. Large numbers of the devotees were present on the occasion. It is pertinent to mention here that as per the tradition, the priest of Shri Darbar Sahib had left for Bara Gaon, Haryana on Monday (March 18) along with the Hukmnama (order) of Sajjadanashin (spiritual superior of the shrine) of Shri Darbar Sahib, Dehradun. On arrival of this order the Sangats (devotees) start their march towards Dehradun. The Manager of Jhanda fair organizing Committee, KC Juyal informed that the preparations of the fair are going on at full swing. He said that from March 26 the process of arrival of Sangat devotees from India and abroad will gain momentum. On March 30, the Shri Jhande Ji (the holy flag pole) will be raised marking the beginning of the month-long fair. Anticipation mounts in Punjab as talks between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) draw close to a resolution, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday indicating that a decision is imminent within the next two-three days. Shah, in an interview in New Delhi, said: We are currently in negotiations with both parties, and all aspects are under consideration. Shah highlighted the significance of the forthcoming alliance in Punjab, stating, We aim for the consolidation of all NDA partners, ensuring a strong representation. The Home Minister dismissed any notion of discord between BJP and SAD, attributing delays to the necessity of ensuring equitable representation for BJP and due respect for party workers. Meanwhile, sources within both parties suggest that negotiations have reached their final stages with seat-sharing agreements proving to be a sticking point. Agreement has yet to be reached on the allocation of seats between the two parties, with discussions revolving around six-eight constituencies, including that of Chandigarh. Among the seats BJP seeking in Punjab include Amritsar, Patiala, Ludhiana, Hoshiarpur, Anandpur Sahib, Gurdaspur out of total 13 in Punjab, along with Chandigarh. While BJP has been contesting on three seats Amritsar, Hoshiarpur, and Gurdaspur under coalition with SAD, it is seeking two more seats of Ludhiana and Anandpur Sahib this time. Apart from seat-sharing, SAD has also been cautious in light of ongoing farmer protests and the issue of release of Sikh detainees the two factors influencing Akali Dals approach to negotiations. The political landscape in Punjab has seen a significant shift since 2019 Lok Sabha elections, where the BJP and SAD jointly contested and secured victory in four constituencies. However, differences emerged over agricultural laws, leading both parties to contest separately in 2022 elections. The alliance between the two lasted for 25 years in Punjab. On June 13, 2021, SAD and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) announced their alliance for the assembly elections, with SAD contesting on 97 seats and BSP on 20 seats. Meanwhile, on December 28, 2021, Punjab BJP formed an alliance with Punjab Lok Congress (PLC) and SAD (United) for the assembly elections. However, both SAD and BJP suffered losses. Nevertheless, BJP has now strengthened its organization in Punjab, with several individualsincluding former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, Sunil Jakhar, Preneet Kaur, Manpreet Singh Badal, Rana Gurmeet Singh Sodhi, among several others joining the party under the leadership of Jakhar, the head of Punjab BJP. This realignment has further underscored the importance of the upcoming alliance. Even though Capt Amarinder has already declined to contest the Lok Sabha elections, his MP wife Preneet Kaur who has recently gave up hand to hold lotus is expected to seek re-election from Patiala as BJP candidate. Additionally, retired IFS officer Taranjit Singh Sidhu, who joined BJP a day before, could be partys candidate from Amritsar. A three-day training program on Emergency Care is being organized by the Department of Medicine, AIIMS Bhopal for 26 medical officers from 5 districts of Madhya Pradesh. < While inaugurating the training program, Executive Director of AIIMS Bhopal, Professor (Dr) Ajai Singh said that through this training, medical officers have got a good opportunity to enhance their knowledge. All of you must satisfy your curiosity and do not keep any curiosity in your mind. This training will help all of you to provide better health facilities to the patients and provide better care and treatment to them. Dean (Academic) Professor (Dr) Rajneesh Joshi said that earlier also we have organized sessions on Basic Life Support, Trauma and Critical Care. Today's session on Acute Care will definitely be very beneficial for all the participants. This three-day training program will conclude on March 22, 2024. HOUSTON, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 8: Republican Harris County Judge candidate Alexandra del Moral Mealer has secured a spot on Metro's board. (Elizabeth Conley/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images) Houston Chronicle/Hearst Newspap/Houston Chronicle via Getty Imag Former Republican Harris County Judge candidate Alexandra del Moral Mealer was appointed this week to serve on the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County after officials from smaller cities around the Houston metropolitan area voted her into a spot on the public transit agency. Mealer's new position comes after she lost her election bid for county judge against incumbent Democrat Lina Hidalgo in 2022. She shortly thereafter attempted to contest the election results, claiming voter suppression, but later dropped the claims. County Commissioner Tom Ramsey, the lone Republican on the county high body, congratulated Mealer in a celebratory post on X Wednesday afternoon. "Id like to offer my congratulations to Alexandra del Moral Mealer @AlexMealerTX on her overwhelming victory as the newest METRO Board member. Out of the nine METRO board positions, two positions represent the 14 'Multi-cities' who participate in METRO (two positions are appointed by Harris County and five are appointed by the City of Houston)," Ramsey wrote. Advertisement Article continues below this ad According to Ramsey, Mealer's Metro nomination occurred after a 12-1 vote from "Multi-cities" mayors, which include leaders from West University, Piney Point, and Bellaire, among others. Since her 2022 defeat, Mealer's presence has been largely quiet in the county political sphere. Mealer posted that her new seat was an "honor" and said she looked "forward to following the example of good governance" of Commissioner Ramsey. On Thursday, Mealer announced on the X platform she'd been sworn in to the new role and announced her priorities entering the position. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "First, I would like to thank the 'Multi-cities' mayors, who showed great confidence and trust in my ability to serve on the METRO board by their 12-1 vote yesterday," Mealer wrote. "I am honored to be able to represent their communities and believe that the health and success of METRO is critical to ensuring our region's vibrant future. The Uttar Pradesh government is completing seven years under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Shedding its previous BIMARU label, the state has transformed into a symbol of swift progress nationwide. Playing a crucial role, Uttar Pradesh is at the forefront of realising Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision of a developed India. Over the past seven years, Uttar Pradesh has witnessed transformative changes not just in law enforcement, but also across various sectors including infrastructure, transportation, womens empowerment, job creation, investment, and welfare schemes. With its steadfast momentum, Uttar Pradesh inches closer to claiming the top spot in the nations economy, while also making significant strides towards self-reliance. With investment projects worth over Rs 10 lakh crore launched during the fourth groundbreaking ceremony (GBC@IV) recently, Uttar Pradesh has emerged as a favourite destination for industrialists and entrepreneurs from across the country. When considering the collective investments from all four groundbreaking ceremonies held in the state, this sum totals approximately Rs 16 lakh crore. This substantial influx of investment has not only fueled Uttar Pradeshs economic growth but has also generated extensive employment opportunities. The GBC@IV alone is expected to create over 34 lakh job opportunities. It is noteworthy that Uttar Pradesh has transitioned from being a BIMARU state to coming close to becoming an industrial state. Uttar Pradesh, with seven cities with a population of more than 10 lakh and five cities with a population of more than five lakh, has 56 per cent of its population working. The state not only has a population of 250 million, but also has a huge consumer base, with around 425 million people residing in neighboring states. The massive consumer market offered by UP is a major attraction for investors. The state, which was once known for roads full of potholes before 2017, has now become a state with the most operational expressways in the country. Currently, there are six operational expressways in the state, with seven more in various stages of construction. Among them, the Ganga Expressway, which is approximately 600 kilometres long, is set to be completed by the end of this year. Uttar Pradesh will soon become the first state in the country to have five operational international airports. Presently, the state boasts 15 fully functional domestic airports, including Agra, Trishul (Bareilly), Gorakhpur, Hindon (Ghaziabad), Prayagraj, Kanpur, Aligarh, Azamgarh, Moradabad, Shravasti and Chitrakoot. Additionally, the international airports in Lucknow, Varanasi, Kushinagar, and Ayodhya are operational. Moreover, Asias largest international airport in Jewar, Noida, is ready and preparations are underway to make it operational soon. Besides, the domestic airports in Saharanpur, Sonbhadra, Lalitpur, Meerut, and Palia are in different phases of construction. Uttar Pradesh is rapidly advancing towards its goal of achieving a one-trillion-dollar economy by 2027. This progress is attributable to governance policies centered around faith, welfare and economic growth, reflected in the consistent expansion of the states budget in tandem with developmental strides. Illustratively, the states budget, which stood at Rs 3.46 lakh crore in 2016-17, has now more than doubled to Rs 7.36 lakh crore for the fiscal year 2024-25. In the words of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the Budget 2024-25 represents the prime ministers vision of making Uttar Pradesh the growth engine of the country and a one-trillion-dollar economy. When it comes to Uttar Pradeshs Gross Domestic State Product (GSDP), it was Rs 12.75 lakh crore in 2016-17 and rose to Rs 25 lakh crore in 2024-25. With this, Uttar Pradesh has become the second-largest economy in the country. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019-20, the state has continued to progress at a steady economic growth rate of 14 per cent. The government' emphasis on development through capital expenditure in both social and economic sectors has played a significant role in this progress. Over the past seven years, the Yogi government, following a zero-tolerance policy against mafias and criminals, has strengthened the law and order situation in the state. More than 194 criminals have died in encounters with the police in the last seven years. Moreover, through effective prosecution in courts, over 24,743 criminals have been convicted. Over 71,600 criminals have been sent to jail under the Gangster Act, and movable and immovable properties worth more than Rs 1,24,04,18,52, 000 has been confiscated. Action has been taken against 68 mafia and their gang members and associates at the state level while property worth over Rs 3,758 crore has been confiscated. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report, Uttar Pradesh is the leading state in the country in punishing criminals involved in crimes against women. The biggest emphasis of the state government is on shaping the future of the youth. In the last seven years, the state government has set a record by giving government jobs to more than seven lakh youth. Apart from this, more than one crore employment opportunities have also been created by connecting the youth with the private sector and self-employment. The state government has also started the Mukhyamantri Yuva Udyami Vikas Abhiyan in this years budget, under which a loan of up to Rs 5 lakh without interest will be provided to 10 lakh youth in the next 10 years to help them establish startups. Integrated Command and Control Centre and Intelligent Traffic Management System are operational in 10 smart cities in the state at a cost of about Rs 2,000 crore. In the ranking of smart cities, Agra and Varanasi have continuously featured among the top 10 cities of the country. On the lines of the Smart City Mission Plan of the Central government, Uttar Pradesh has taken an innovative initiative to develop other seven municipal corporations of the state (Ayodhya, Firozabad, Gorakhpur, Ghaziabad, Mathura-Vrindavan, Meerut and Shahjahanpur) as State Smart Cities. A private company engineer's habit of stealing blankets, bed sheets and towels from trains was exposed by his wife. She not only made a video of her husband's stolen goods and made it viral on social media, but also complained to the Railway Police. The woman said that she did not like that her husband stole. Police have found 40 towels, 30 bed sheets and 6 blankets from his house. The police have not yet taken any action against the engineer. In this matter, RPF Commandant Anil Yadav says that they are investigating the matter. At present no goods have been seized. The woman is a resident of Kota, Rajasthan. On January 12 this year, she was married to a young man named Arshad living in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. Arshad is an engineer in a private company in Bhopal. He lives with his wife in a rented house in Data Colony on Airport Road, Bhopal. Railway blankets, sheets and towels were found from his house itself. Afsana, who complained about her husband, lives in Data Colony of Bhopal. A video of a woman exposing her husband has also surfaced on social media. In this the woman is telling her name as Afsana. He said- There was a box kept in the room. It is always locked. When I opened the box during Eid cleaning, there were a lot of clothes kept on top. When I looked down, I found many railway bedsheets, blankets and towels. I talked to my husband Arshad about this. Explained that stealing is wrong. Return all these things. On this my husband told me that it is a male dominated country. You don't need to speak in this matter. You have to do as I say and act accordingly. I did not like what my husband said, so I called the Railways and asked to take back all the stuff. Said that there are 40 railway bedsheets in a box in my house. There are about 30 towels and 6 blankets, which my husband has stolen. The BJP on Thursday dismissed the Congress' attack on the government over freezing of its bank accounts as the opposition party's "desperate" attempt to create an alibi for its imminent defeat in the Lok Sabha polls. BJP leader and former Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad accused former Congress president Rahul Gandhi of lying on the issue and also targeted Sonia Gandhi, saying both of them shamed Indian democracy globally with their "irresponsible" comments. Prasad said the Congress did not file income tax returns in time, leading to the freezing of its accounts. The opposition party did not get any judicial relief and has now gone to the Supreme Court, he said, accusing Congress leaders of lying over the issue. He said the Congress was even pulled up by high court over the issue. "We wish the Congress well and our gentle advice to the party is the more you allow Rahul Gandhi to speak the more ground you lose," Prasad said. If people don't want to vote for the Congress, the BJP cannot help it, he said. Senior Congress leader Anand Sharma has written to party president Mallikarjun Kharge saying a caste census cannot be a panacea nor a solution for unemployment and inequalities in society. Sharma's letter comes at a time the Congress has intensified its demand for a nationwide caste census and promised to carry out the exercise if elected to power in the Lok Sabha elections. In his letter to Kharge, Sharma said the Congress has never engaged in nor endorsed identity politics and the departure from the historic position of the party is a matter of concern for many. He also said that the articulation of party position should be balanced and should eschew the radical posturing of regional and caste-based organisations. It needs mention that the last census to enumerate caste differentiation was in 1931 during the British colonial regime, he wrote. After independence, a conscious policy decision was made by the government not to canvass caste-related questions in the census, except for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, which is collected by the states. "All Census Commissioners, after independence, have recorded their reasons and disapproval of a National Caste Census citing overlap, duplication, data lacking in accuracy and doubtful authenticity. "In my considered view, a caste census cannot be a panacea nor a solution for unemployment and prevailing inequalities. A fundamental departure from time honoured policy on this critical and sensitive subject has major long-term national implications," Sharma said. As a party with inclusive approach, Sharma said, "The Congress should strive to reclaim its role as builder of national consensus and build a harmonious society. The articulation of party position should be balanced and eschew the radical posturing of regional and caste based organisations." The Congress has firmly believed in transparency, democratic discussion and respected freedom of expression, he said, adding that he is writing this in that spirit. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday night in an excise policy-linked money laundering case, officials said. The arrest, the first of a sitting chief minister, came hours after the Delhi High Court refused to grant protection to the AAP national convenor from any coercive action by the agency. The 55-year-old leader's arrest, amid campaign for the Lok Sabha elections, drew angry reactions from his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). The party said Kejriwal "will continue as the chief minister of Delhi. If need be, he will run the government from jail." The BJP though demanded that Kejriwal step down as chief minister on moral grounds. In a day of fast-paced developments, a 10-member ED team led by an additional director reached his official residence on Flagstaff Road in Civil Lines in the national capital soon after the high court order and carried out searches. He was arrested more than two hours after the ED team arrived at his residence, officials said. Officials said the ED would produce the chief minister before a court here on Friday and seek his custody for interrogation in the case. Kejriwal had skipped nine summonses issued by the agency for questioning in the case, the latest being for Thursday, March 21. He has called these summonses "illegal". As the ED officials carried out their action inside, additional Delhi Police personnel and Rapid Action Force (RAF) and CRPF teams were deployed around the chief minister's residence. The additional deployment was made as the ED sought extra security measures in anticipation of protests by AAP supporters, sources said. A large number of AAP workers and leaders gathered near the chief minister's residence and shouted slogans hailing Kejriwal and denouncing the ED action. The Delhi Police also stepped up security around the agency office on A P J Abdul Kalam Road in central Delhi. During the day, Kejriwal moved the Supreme Court against the high court's order denying him any relief in the matter. Later, AAP leader Atishi said they have moved the Supreme Court for quashing the arrest of Kejriwal and "asked for an urgent hearing...Tonight itself." The ED's action is virtually a replay of what transpired during the arrest last week of Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader K Kavitha, who is now in ED custody in the same case. The case pertains to alleged corruption and money laundering in formulating and executing the Delhi government's excise policy for 2021-22, which was later scrapped. AAP leaders Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh are in judicial custody in the case. Kejriwal's name has been mentioned multiple times in the charge sheets filed by the ED. The agency has alleged that the accused were in touch with Kejriwal for formulating the excise policy that resulted in undue benefits to them in return for which they paid kickbacks to the AAP. The ED had recently alleged in a statement that BRS leader Kavitha and some others "conspired" with top AAP leaders like Kejriwal and Sisodia to get favours in the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy by paying Rs 100 crore to the political party that rules Delhi. Forty-six-year-old Kavitha, the MLC daughter of former Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao, was arrested by the federal agency last week from her Hyderabad home and she is in custody till March 23. AAP leader and Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj, who reached Kejriwal's residence soon after the ED team's arrival, told reporters, "It seems that the ED is carrying out raids. I have not been allowed to go inside. Its looks like ED is planning to arrest him." Atishi who were among those gathered outside the chief minister's residence, told reporters, "This entire episode shows how scared Prime Minister Narendra Modi is of Kejriwal. He has hatched a conspiracy to send him to jail before the Lok Sabha election." Reacting to the ED action, AAP MP Raghav Chadha alleged a "big conspiracy" to arrest Kejriwal just before the Lok Sabha elections. In a series of posts on X, the party said, "ED reached the house of Delhi's son @ArvindKejriwal! BJP should know that it is trying to move the mountain in whose support the entire country stands today. The people of Delhi are watching everything. No one will sit silent today." Using the hashtag #IstandWithKejriwal, it said, "The BJP can stoop down to any level to make Arvind Kejriwal bow down. The people of the country including entire Delhi are standing with their hero Arvind Kejriwal today. This dictatorship of yours will not last. And a Kejriwal will emerge from every house." Reacting to the agency action, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva said, "If Kejriwal has any morality left he should step down and cooperate with the ED." Earlier in the day, a Delhi High Court bench of Justices Suresh Kumar Kait and Manoj Jain refused to grant Kejriwal any protection from coercive action in the case. The bench listed the AAP leader's application for further consideration on April 22 when his main petition challenging the summons is fixed for hearing, and asked the Enforcement Directorate to file its response. Kejriwal is also facing an ED case in connection with alleged irregularities in the Delhi Jal Board (DJB). The State Bank of India told the Supreme Court on Thursday it has provided all details of the electoral bonds in its possession to the Election Commission. In a compliance affidavit filed in the apex court, the SBI chairman said the complete bank account numbers and KYC details of the political parties have not being made public "as it may compromise the security of the account (cyber security)". "Similarly, KYC details of purchasers are also not being made public for security reasons, apart from the fact that such information is not fed/collated in the system. However, they are not necessary for identifying the political parties," the affidavit filed by bank chairperson Dinesh Kumar Khara said. The affidavit said the SBI has revealed information which will show the name of the purchaser of the bond, its denomination and specific number, the name of the party that encashed it, the last four digits of the bank account number of political parties that redeemed the bond and the denomination and unique number of the bond encashed. "On March 21, 2024, the State Bank of India has provided/ disclosed all details of the electoral bonds which are in its possession and custody to the Election Commission of India," it said. "It is respectfully submitted that SBI has now disclosed all details and that no details (other than complete account numbers & KYC details) have been withheld from disclosure in terms of the directions contained in the judgment dated February 15, 2024 read with order dated March 18, 2024 passed by this court," the affidavit said. On March 18, the apex court had told the SBI to stop being "selective" and make "complete disclosure" of all details related to the electoral bonds scheme by March 21. The top court had said the details to be disclosed must include the unique bond numbers that would match the buyers with the recipient political parties. In a landmark verdict delivered on February 15, a five-judge constitution bench had scrapped the Centre's controversial electoral bonds scheme that allowed anonymous political funding, calling it "unconstitutional", and ordered disclosure by the EC of the donors, amount donated by them and the recipients by March 13. Ordering the closure of the scheme, the top court directed the SBI, the authorised financial institution under the scheme, to submit by March 6 the details of the electoral bonds purchased since April 12, 2019 till date to the Election Commission. Hall Laurie J Trustee bought a new stake in shares of EOG Resources, Inc. (NYSE:EOG Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund bought 300 shares of the energy exploration companys stock, valued at approximately $36,000. A number of other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in EOG. TrueMark Investments LLC purchased a new stake in EOG Resources in the 4th quarter worth approximately $2,771,000. BKM Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in EOG Resources in the 4th quarter worth about $79,000. Raymond James Trust N.A. raised its stake in shares of EOG Resources by 2.0% during the 4th quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. now owns 15,985 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $1,933,000 after purchasing an additional 308 shares in the last quarter. Dynamic Advisor Solutions LLC grew its stake in shares of EOG Resources by 181.9% in the 4th quarter. Dynamic Advisor Solutions LLC now owns 36,574 shares of the energy exploration companys stock valued at $4,403,000 after buying an additional 23,601 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Marion Wealth Management grew its stake in shares of EOG Resources by 7.5% in the 4th quarter. Marion Wealth Management now owns 11,243 shares of the energy exploration companys stock valued at $1,360,000 after buying an additional 783 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 89.21% of the companys stock. Get EOG Resources alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes Several brokerages have recently commented on EOG. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered shares of EOG Resources from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and dropped their price target for the stock from $156.00 to $150.00 in a research note on Wednesday, December 6th. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed a sector perform rating and issued a $145.00 price target on shares of EOG Resources in a research report on Monday, March 4th. KeyCorp lowered their price objective on EOG Resources from $157.00 to $147.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, January 11th. Truist Financial decreased their target price on EOG Resources from $172.00 to $165.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Monday, February 26th. Finally, Susquehanna reduced their price objective on shares of EOG Resources from $164.00 to $147.00 and set a positive rating for the company in a research note on Friday, January 26th. Eleven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, EOG Resources has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $141.25. EOG Resources Trading Up 0.9 % Shares of EOG stock opened at $125.72 on Thursday. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $114.89 and a 200-day moving average of $121.63. The stock has a market cap of $72.92 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.66, a P/E/G ratio of 0.38 and a beta of 1.39. EOG Resources, Inc. has a 52-week low of $101.56 and a 52-week high of $136.79. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13, a quick ratio of 2.13 and a current ratio of 2.44. 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 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 analyst estimates of $6.18 billion. EOG Resources had a net margin of 31.40% and a return on equity of 25.38%. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 5.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $3.30 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts forecast that EOG Resources, Inc. will post 11.4 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. EOG Resources Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 30th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, April 16th will be issued a $0.91 dividend. This represents a $3.64 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.90%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, April 15th. EOG Resourcess payout ratio is 27.98%. EOG Resources Company Profile (Free Report) EOG Resources, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, explores for, develops, produces, and markets crude oil, natural gas liquids, and natural gas primarily in producing basins in the United States, the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and internationally. The company was formerly known as Enron Oil & Gas Company. Recommended Stories 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. Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO Get Free Report)s share price rose 0.2% on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $44.93 and last traded at $44.87. Approximately 2,696,487 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 76% from the average daily volume of 11,219,819 shares. The stock had previously closed at $44.79. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth MO has been the subject of several research analyst reports. StockNews.com lowered Altria Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, February 23rd. UBS Group restated a sell rating and issued a $36.10 price objective on shares of Altria Group in a report on Tuesday, January 23rd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Altria Group presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $47.22. Get Altria Group alerts: View Our Latest Report on MO Altria Group Stock Up 0.4 % The business has a 50-day moving average price of $41.09 and a 200-day moving average price of $41.53. The company has a market capitalization of $79.27 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.82, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.69 and a beta of 0.65. Altria Group (NYSE:MO Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, February 1st. The company reported $1.18 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.17 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $5.02 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.06 billion. Altria Group had a negative return on equity of 244.55% and a net margin of 33.21%. Altria Groups revenue for the quarter was down 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.18 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.08 EPS for the current year. Altria Group Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 25th will be given a $0.98 dividend. This represents a $3.92 annualized dividend and a yield of 8.72%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 22nd. Altria Groups payout ratio is currently 85.78%. Altria Group declared that its Board of Directors has authorized a stock repurchase program on Thursday, February 1st that permits the company to repurchase $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization permits the company to repurchase up to 1.4% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are often an indication that the companys board of directors believes its stock is undervalued. Institutional Trading of Altria Group Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in MO. Empirical Finance LLC raised its stake in shares of Altria Group by 1.1% in the 4th quarter. Empirical Finance LLC now owns 21,586 shares of the companys stock valued at $987,000 after purchasing an additional 225 shares during the period. Corrigan Financial Inc. raised its stake in shares of Altria Group by 4.7% in the 2nd quarter. Corrigan Financial Inc. now owns 5,294 shares of the companys stock valued at $240,000 after purchasing an additional 236 shares during the period. Perennial Investment Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Altria Group by 5.0% in the 2nd quarter. Perennial Investment Advisors LLC now owns 5,055 shares of the companys stock valued at $229,000 after purchasing an additional 239 shares during the period. Clear Creek Financial Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Altria Group by 4.3% in the 3rd quarter. Clear Creek Financial Management LLC now owns 5,825 shares of the companys stock valued at $246,000 after purchasing an additional 240 shares during the period. Finally, Taylor & Morgan Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Altria Group by 2.1% in the 4th quarter. Taylor & Morgan Wealth Management LLC now owns 11,981 shares of the companys stock valued at $483,000 after purchasing an additional 246 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 58.94% of the companys stock. Altria Group Company Profile (Get 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. See Also 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. Shares of Bread Financial Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:BFH Get Free Report) have been assigned a consensus recommendation of Reduce from the twelve analysts that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the company. The average twelve-month price objective among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $35.00. Several analysts have weighed in on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on Bread Financial from $36.00 to $40.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, January 26th. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their target price on shares of Bread Financial from $27.00 to $31.00 and gave the company a sell rating in a report on Monday, December 18th. Morgan Stanley lowered shares of Bread Financial from an equal weight rating to an underweight rating and lowered their target price for the company from $31.00 to $25.00 in a report on Wednesday, December 13th. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated a sector perform rating and set a $36.00 target price on shares of Bread Financial in a report on Friday, January 26th. Finally, Oppenheimer upgraded shares of Bread Financial from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $52.00 target price for the company in a report on Friday, January 26th. Get Bread Financial alerts: View Our Latest Analysis on Bread Financial Bread Financial Stock Up 2.6 % NYSE BFH opened at $40.16 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48, a current ratio of 1.18 and a quick ratio of 1.18. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.98 billion, a PE ratio of 2.80, a PEG ratio of 0.19 and a beta of 1.94. Bread Financial has a 1 year low of $23.19 and a 1 year high of $41.89. The businesss 50-day moving average is $35.68 and its 200 day moving average is $32.82. Bread Financial (NYSE:BFH Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 25th. The company reported $0.90 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.67) by $1.57. The business had revenue of $1,000.00 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $984.36 million. Bread Financial had a return on equity of 26.24% and a net margin of 13.87%. The businesss revenue was down 3.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted ($2.68) EPS. Sell-side analysts forecast that Bread Financial will post 7.23 earnings per share for the current year. Bread Financial Announces Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 9th were given a $0.21 dividend. This represents a $0.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.09%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 8th. Bread Financials dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 5.87%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other Bread Financial news, major shareholder Turtle Creek Asset Management sold 45,000 shares of Bread Financial stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, January 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $35.67, for a total value of $1,605,150.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 293,092 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $10,454,591.64. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In the last quarter, insiders sold 360,000 shares of company stock valued at $11,743,900. Company insiders own 0.34% of the companys stock. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Bread Financial A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of BFH. Quantbot Technologies LP lifted its stake in Bread Financial by 477.6% in the 3rd quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP now owns 39,614 shares of the companys stock worth $1,355,000 after purchasing an additional 32,756 shares in the last quarter. Campbell & CO Investment Adviser LLC purchased a new position in shares of Bread Financial during the third quarter worth approximately $913,000. Jupiter Asset Management Ltd. increased its position in shares of Bread Financial by 188.1% during the third quarter. Jupiter Asset Management Ltd. now owns 414,720 shares of the companys stock worth $14,183,000 after acquiring an additional 270,750 shares during the period. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund purchased a new position in shares of Bread Financial during the third quarter worth approximately $990,000. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its holdings in Bread Financial by 3.7% during the third quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 635,136 shares of the companys stock valued at $21,722,000 after buying an additional 22,464 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 99.52% of the companys stock. Bread Financial Company Profile (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. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Bread Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bread Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Apeiron RIA LLC cut its stake in shares of Molina Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:MOH Free Report) by 1.7% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 2,200 shares of the companys stock after selling 37 shares during the quarter. Apeiron RIA LLCs holdings in Molina Healthcare were worth $795,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Molina Healthcare during the third quarter valued at approximately $30,000. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Molina Healthcare in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $33,000. Coppell Advisory Solutions Corp. bought a new stake in shares of Molina Healthcare in the 4th quarter worth approximately $34,000. VisionPoint Advisory Group LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Molina Healthcare by 105.6% in the 3rd quarter. VisionPoint Advisory Group LLC now owns 111 shares of the companys stock worth $36,000 after acquiring an additional 57 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. bought a new stake in shares of Molina Healthcare in the 1st quarter worth approximately $40,000. 98.11% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Molina Healthcare alerts: Molina Healthcare Stock Up 0.4 % Molina Healthcare stock traded up $1.65 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $417.75. The stock had a trading volume of 232,536 shares, compared to its average volume of 399,197. The company has a market capitalization of $24.40 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.04, a PEG ratio of 1.18 and a beta of 0.47. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $385.65 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $361.93. Molina Healthcare, Inc. has a one year low of $260.83 and a one year high of $419.97. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.57, a current ratio of 1.54 and a quick ratio of 1.54. Insider Activity Molina Healthcare ( NYSE:MOH Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, February 7th. The company reported $4.38 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.31 by $0.07. Molina Healthcare had a net margin of 3.20% and a return on equity of 32.34%. The business had revenue of $9.05 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $8.35 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $4.10 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 10.0% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts expect that Molina Healthcare, Inc. will post 23.62 EPS for the current fiscal year. In related news, Director Richard M. Schapiro sold 711 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $384.06, for a total value of $273,066.66. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 12,207 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,688,220.42. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In other Molina Healthcare news, CFO Mark Lowell Keim sold 15,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $386.56, for a total transaction of $5,798,400.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 36,531 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $14,121,423.36. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, Director Richard M. Schapiro sold 711 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $384.06, for a total transaction of $273,066.66. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 12,207 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,688,220.42. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 16,711 shares of company stock valued at $6,472,517 in the last quarter. 1.10% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Barclays began coverage on shares of Molina Healthcare in a report on Wednesday, March 6th. They issued an equal weight rating and a $437.00 price objective for the company. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Molina Healthcare from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, February 8th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on shares of Molina Healthcare from $420.00 to $440.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Wednesday. UBS Group boosted their price objective on shares of Molina Healthcare from $350.00 to $380.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, December 21st. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald boosted their price objective on shares of Molina Healthcare from $374.00 to $406.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, February 9th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Molina Healthcare has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $387.73. Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Molina Healthcare Molina Healthcare Profile (Free Report) Molina Healthcare, Inc provides managed healthcare services to low-income families and individuals under the Medicaid and Medicare programs and through the state insurance marketplaces. It operates in four segments: Medicaid, Medicare, Marketplace, and Other. The company served in across 19 states. The company was founded in 1980 and is headquartered in Long Beach, California. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MOH? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Molina Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:MOH Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Molina Healthcare Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Molina Healthcare and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Smartsheet (NYSE:SMAR Free Report) had its target price lowered by BMO Capital Markets from $48.00 to $42.00 in a report issued on Monday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has an outperform rating on the stock. A number of other brokerages have also recently weighed in on SMAR. Bank of America assumed coverage on Smartsheet in a research report on Monday, February 26th. They set an underperform rating and a $45.00 price target on the stock. DA Davidson restated a buy rating on shares of Smartsheet in a research report on Wednesday, December 6th. Canaccord Genuity Group raised their target price on Smartsheet from $53.00 to $55.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, December 8th. KeyCorp raised their target price on Smartsheet from $52.00 to $53.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, December 8th. Finally, Citigroup upgraded Smartsheet from a neutral rating to a buy rating and raised their target price for the company from $56.00 to $63.00 in a research report on Thursday, January 11th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and fourteen have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $50.18. Get Smartsheet alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Smartsheet Smartsheet Stock Up 0.7 % Shares of NYSE SMAR opened at $38.85 on Monday. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $44.00 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $43.12. Smartsheet has a 52-week low of $35.52 and a 52-week high of $52.81. The stock has a market capitalization of $5.29 billion, a P/E ratio of -49.17 and a beta of 0.75. Smartsheet (NYSE:SMAR Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, March 14th. The company reported ($0.05) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.22) by $0.17. Smartsheet had a negative return on equity of 17.12% and a negative net margin of 10.92%. The firm had revenue of $256.95 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $254.99 million. On average, analysts anticipate that Smartsheet will post -0.44 EPS for the current year. Insider Buying and Selling at Smartsheet In related news, insider Jolene Lau Marshall sold 2,247 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $47.10, for a total transaction of $105,833.70. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 14,376 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $677,109.60. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, insider Jolene Lau Marshall sold 2,247 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $47.10, for a total transaction of $105,833.70. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 14,376 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $677,109.60. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CRO Michael Arntz sold 7,572 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $44.81, for a total value of $339,301.32. Following the transaction, the executive now owns 7,148 shares in the company, valued at $320,301.88. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 19,698 shares of company stock worth $902,656 over the last three months. Corporate insiders own 4.71% of the companys stock. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Smartsheet Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in SMAR. Raymond James & Associates increased its stake in Smartsheet by 4.5% during the first quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 19,514 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,069,000 after acquiring an additional 845 shares during the period. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. grew its stake in shares of Smartsheet by 10.2% in the 1st quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 16,949 shares of the companys stock valued at $928,000 after purchasing an additional 1,567 shares during the period. Citigroup Inc. grew its stake in shares of Smartsheet by 7.0% in the 1st quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 25,608 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,403,000 after purchasing an additional 1,677 shares during the period. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of Smartsheet by 8.1% in the 1st quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 10,683 shares of the companys stock valued at $585,000 after purchasing an additional 803 shares during the period. Finally, MetLife Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Smartsheet in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $431,000. 88.99% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Smartsheet Company Profile (Get Free Report) Smartsheet, Inc engages in managing and automating collaborative work. Its platform provides solutions that eliminate the obstacles to capturing information, including a familiar and intuitive spreadsheet interface as well as easily customizable forms. The company was founded by W. Eric Browne, Maria Colacurcio, John D. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Smartsheet Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Smartsheet and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Chesley Taft & Associates LLC lowered its position in shares of CMS Energy Co. (NYSE:CMS Free Report) by 1.4% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 17,486 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 250 shares during the period. Chesley Taft & Associates LLCs holdings in CMS Energy were worth $1,015,000 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. Cohen & Steers Inc. increased its holdings in shares of CMS Energy by 82.6% in the second quarter. Cohen & Steers Inc. now owns 1,033,080 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $60,693,000 after purchasing an additional 467,340 shares during the period. State Street Corp increased its stake in CMS Energy by 1.5% in the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 17,583,510 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,033,031,000 after acquiring an additional 259,974 shares during the last quarter. Epoch Investment Partners Inc. raised its holdings in shares of CMS Energy by 49.9% in the 3rd quarter. Epoch Investment Partners Inc. now owns 302,221 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $16,051,000 after acquiring an additional 100,618 shares in the last quarter. New England Asset Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of CMS Energy by 38.8% during the 3rd quarter. New England Asset Management Inc. now owns 132,950 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $7,061,000 after acquiring an additional 37,147 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. purchased a new position in shares of CMS Energy during the third quarter worth about $4,209,000. Institutional investors own 95.98% of the companys stock. Get CMS Energy alerts: Insider Transactions at CMS Energy In related news, SVP Brandon J. Hofmeister sold 3,500 shares of CMS Energy stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $57.78, for a total transaction of $202,230.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 68,971 shares in the company, valued at $3,985,144.38. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.40% of the companys stock. Analyst Ratings Changes CMS has been the subject of several research reports. Guggenheim upgraded shares of CMS Energy from a neutral rating to a buy rating and upped their target price for the stock from $60.00 to $64.00 in a research report on Friday, February 2nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on shares of CMS Energy from $65.00 to $66.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 13th. Wolfe Research upgraded shares of CMS Energy from a peer perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $62.00 target price on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, January 16th. Seaport Res Ptn lowered shares of CMS Energy from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, January 8th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada decreased their price objective on CMS Energy from $65.00 to $63.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Monday, March 4th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, CMS Energy presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $62.09. Read Our Latest Report on CMS Energy CMS Energy Stock Performance Shares of CMS stock opened at $58.53 on Thursday. The firm has a market capitalization of $17.23 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.45, a PEG ratio of 2.26 and a beta of 0.37. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $57.60 and a 200 day moving average of $56.64. CMS Energy Co. has a 52 week low of $49.87 and a 52 week high of $63.76. The company has a quick ratio of 0.66, a current ratio of 0.98 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.84. CMS Energy (NYSE:CMS Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, February 1st. The utilities provider reported $1.05 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.04 by $0.01. CMS Energy had a net margin of 11.89% and a return on equity of 12.09%. The firm had revenue of $1.95 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.62 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.60 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was down 14.4% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts expect that CMS Energy Co. will post 3.34 earnings per share for the current year. CMS Energy Increases Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 29th. Shareholders of record on Monday, February 12th were issued a dividend of $0.515 per share. This is an increase from CMS Energys previous quarterly dividend of $0.49. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 9th. This represents a $2.06 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.52%. CMS Energys dividend payout ratio is 68.44%. CMS Energy Company Profile (Free Report) CMS Energy Corporation operates as an energy company primarily in Michigan. The company operates through three segments: Electric Utility; Gas Utility; and Enterprises. The Electric Utility segment is involved in the generation, purchase, transmission, distribution, and sale of electricity. This segment generates electricity through coal, wind, gas, renewable energy, oil, and nuclear sources. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CMS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for CMS Energy Co. (NYSE:CMS Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for CMS Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for CMS Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Dell Technologies Inc. (NYSE:DELL Get Free Report) CEO Michael S. Dell sold 41,550 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $107.03, for a total transaction of $4,447,096.50. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 36,389,719 shares in the company, valued at $3,894,791,624.57. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Dell Technologies Stock Performance Shares of NYSE DELL opened at $111.06 on Thursday. Dell Technologies Inc. has a one year low of $36.81 and a one year high of $131.06. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $92.74 and a 200 day moving average of $78.64. The firm has a market cap of $79.03 billion, a PE ratio of 25.41, a PEG ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.91. Get Dell Technologies alerts: Dell Technologies (NYSE:DELL Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, February 29th. The technology company reported $2.20 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.73 by $0.47. Dell Technologies had a net margin of 3.63% and a negative return on equity of 165.52%. The company had revenue of $22.32 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $22.17 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.55 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was down 10.9% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts predict that Dell Technologies Inc. will post 6.27 EPS for the current fiscal year. Dell Technologies Increases Dividend Wall Street Analyst Weigh In The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 3rd. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, April 23rd will be paid a dividend of $0.445 per share. This represents a $1.78 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.60%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, April 22nd. This is a boost from Dell Technologiess previous quarterly dividend of $0.37. Dell Technologiess payout ratio is 33.87%. Several brokerages have issued reports on DELL. Loop Capital assumed coverage on shares of Dell Technologies in a report on Wednesday, February 28th. They set a buy rating and a $125.00 target price on the stock. Barclays lifted their target price on shares of Dell Technologies from $53.00 to $94.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research note on Friday, March 1st. Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on shares of Dell Technologies from $100.00 to $128.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, March 1st. UBS Group raised their price target on shares of Dell Technologies from $99.00 to $113.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, March 1st. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on shares of Dell Technologies from $85.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, March 1st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating and twelve have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Dell Technologies currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $102.88. View Our Latest Report on Dell Technologies Institutional Investors Weigh In On Dell Technologies Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in DELL. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of Dell Technologies by 3.8% during the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 17,595,478 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $1,346,054,000 after acquiring an additional 647,192 shares during the last quarter. Boston Partners boosted its position in shares of Dell Technologies by 2.1% during the 4th quarter. Boston Partners now owns 9,575,882 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $733,564,000 after acquiring an additional 197,435 shares during the last quarter. FMR LLC boosted its position in shares of Dell Technologies by 59.6% during the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 9,376,674 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $646,053,000 after acquiring an additional 3,499,760 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp boosted its position in shares of Dell Technologies by 2.0% during the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 7,107,031 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $356,702,000 after acquiring an additional 138,821 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Morgan Stanley boosted its position in shares of Dell Technologies by 96.9% during the 3rd quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 5,023,755 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $346,137,000 after acquiring an additional 2,472,866 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 38.10% of the companys stock. 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). Further Reading 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. JPMorgan Japanese (LON:JFJ Get Free Report) shares reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as GBX 548 ($6.98) and last traded at GBX 546.40 ($6.96), with a volume of 195177 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at GBX 538 ($6.85). JPMorgan Japanese Trading Up 2.2 % The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 9.41, a current ratio of 0.32 and a quick ratio of 0.35. The business has a 50-day moving average of GBX 515.23 and a 200-day moving average of GBX 486.71. The firm has a market cap of 809.71 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 1,571.43 and a beta of 0.70. About JPMorgan Japanese (Get Free Report) JPMorgan Japanese Investment Trust plc is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by JPMorgan Funds Limited. The fund is co-managed by JPMorgan Asset Management (UK) Limited and JPMorgan Asset Management (Japan) Limited. It invests in the public equity markets of Japan. The fund seeks to invests in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors. Read More Receive News & Ratings for JPMorgan Japanese Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for JPMorgan Japanese and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Kenmare Resources plc (LON:KMR Get Free Report) declared a dividend on Wednesday, March 20th, Upcoming.Co.Uk reports. Shareholders of record on Thursday, April 11th will be paid a dividend of $0.39 per share on Friday, May 17th. This represents a yield of 10.13%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 11th. This is an increase from Kenmare Resourcess previous dividend of $0.18. The official announcement can be viewed at this link. Kenmare Resources Stock Performance Shares of KMR opened at GBX 300 ($3.82) on Thursday. The stock has a market cap of 267.69 million, a P/E ratio of 177.35, a PEG ratio of 0.03 and a beta of 0.39. Kenmare Resources has a 12-month low of GBX 291 ($3.70) and a 12-month high of GBX 500 ($6.37). The company has a current ratio of 4.84, a quick ratio of 1.22 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.78. The company has a 50-day moving average of GBX 311.82 and a two-hundred day moving average of GBX 369.82. Get Kenmare Resources alerts: About Kenmare Resources (Get Free Report) Recommended Stories Kenmare Resources plc, together with its subsidiaries, produces and sells mineral sand products in China, the rest of Asia, Europe, the United States, and internationally. It operates the Moma Titanium Minerals Mine located on the northeast coast of Mozambique. The company's products include ilmenite, rutile, and zircon; and concentrates, including secondary zircon and mineral sand concentrates. Receive News & Ratings for Kenmare Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Kenmare Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Horrell Capital Management Inc. lifted its position in Lockheed Martin Co. (NYSE:LMT Free Report) by 0.3% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 16,354 shares of the aerospace companys stock after buying an additional 53 shares during the quarter. Lockheed Martin comprises 2.2% of Horrell Capital Management Inc.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 10th largest holding. Horrell Capital Management Inc.s holdings in Lockheed Martin were worth $7,412,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the business. Herold Advisors Inc. raised its position in shares of Lockheed Martin by 8.6% in the third quarter. Herold Advisors Inc. now owns 3,448 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $1,410,000 after purchasing an additional 274 shares during the period. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd lifted its position in Lockheed Martin by 3.8% during the 3rd quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd now owns 21,088 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $8,624,000 after acquiring an additional 770 shares during the last quarter. Alethea Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in Lockheed Martin during the third quarter valued at about $415,000. Meridian Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Lockheed Martin by 149.0% in the third quarter. Meridian Wealth Management LLC now owns 11,960 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $4,892,000 after purchasing an additional 7,156 shares during the period. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Lockheed Martin by 2.5% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 4,451,163 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $2,045,055,000 after purchasing an additional 106,461 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 74.26% of the companys stock. Get Lockheed Martin alerts: Lockheed Martin Stock Performance Shares of NYSE:LMT opened at $440.41 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.53, a current ratio of 1.21 and a quick ratio of 1.03. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $434.88 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $437.97. Lockheed Martin Co. has a fifty-two week low of $393.77 and a fifty-two week high of $508.10. The stock has a market capitalization of $105.91 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.99, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.00 and a beta of 0.48. Lockheed Martin Dividend Announcement Lockheed Martin ( NYSE:LMT Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, January 23rd. The aerospace company reported $7.90 earnings per share 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 business had revenue of $18.87 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $17.96 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $7.79 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was down .6% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts predict that Lockheed Martin Co. will post 26.13 EPS for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 29th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 1st will be issued a $3.15 dividend. This represents a $12.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.86%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 29th. Lockheed Martins payout ratio is currently 45.74%. Insider Buying and Selling In other Lockheed Martin news, SVP Maryanne Lavan sold 4,022 shares of Lockheed Martin stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $434.39, for a total value of $1,747,116.58. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In other Lockheed Martin news, SVP Maryanne Lavan sold 4,022 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $434.39, for a total value of $1,747,116.58. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, insider Gregory M. Ulmer sold 6,204 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $431.19, for a total transaction of $2,675,102.76. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 12,604 shares in the company, valued at $5,434,718.76. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 16,874 shares of company stock worth $7,249,946 in the last three months. Insiders own 0.17% of the companys stock. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of research analysts have recently commented on LMT shares. Royal Bank of Canada cut their price target on Lockheed Martin from $475.00 to $470.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 24th. Citigroup cut their target price on shares of Lockheed Martin from $540.00 to $508.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 24th. Morgan Stanley decreased their price target on shares of Lockheed Martin from $513.00 to $503.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, January 24th. UBS Group cut their price objective on shares of Lockheed Martin from $488.00 to $475.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, January 24th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their target price on Lockheed Martin from $438.00 to $472.00 in a research report on Monday, January 22nd. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Lockheed Martin presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $491.92. Read Our Latest Analysis on Lockheed Martin Lockheed Martin 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 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. Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW Get Free Report) CFO Michael M. Larsen sold 37,167 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $265.06, for a total value of $9,851,485.02. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 46,404 shares of the companys stock, valued at $12,299,844.24. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Illinois Tool Works Price Performance ITW stock opened at $268.75 on Thursday. 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 Inc. has a 52-week low of $217.06 and a 52-week high of $269.23. The stocks 50 day moving average is $258.43 and its two-hundred day moving average is $246.99. The company has a market capitalization of $80.30 billion, a PE ratio of 27.59, a P/E/G ratio of 4.55 and a beta of 1.13. Get Illinois Tool Works alerts: Illinois Tool Works (NYSE:ITW Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, February 1st. The industrial products company reported $2.42 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.41 by $0.01. Illinois Tool Works had a return on equity of 96.60% and a net margin of 18.36%. The company had revenue of $3.98 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.01 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $2.34 EPS. The businesss revenue was up .3% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts predict that Illinois Tool Works Inc. will post 10.12 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Illinois Tool Works Announces Dividend Institutional Inflows and Outflows The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 11th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 29th will be issued a dividend of $1.40 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 27th. This represents a $5.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.08%. Illinois Tool Workss dividend payout ratio is 57.49%. A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Briaud Financial Planning Inc bought a new stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works during the 3rd quarter worth about $25,000. Turtle Creek Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works in the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Frazier Financial Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Illinois Tool Works during the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Aspect Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of Illinois Tool Works during the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Finally, Financial Connections Group Inc. acquired a new stake in Illinois Tool Works during the 4th quarter valued at $28,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 79.56% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth ITW has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Truist Financial began coverage on Illinois Tool Works in a report on Thursday, March 14th. They issued a buy rating and a $301.00 price target for the company. Wells Fargo & Company cut Illinois Tool Works from an equal weight rating to an underweight rating and dropped their price target for the company from $277.00 to $240.00 in a research report on Tuesday, February 6th. Bank of America lowered Illinois Tool Works from a neutral rating to an underperform rating and decreased their price objective for the company from $260.00 to $235.00 in a research note on Wednesday, January 10th. Barclays increased their price objective on Illinois Tool Works from $215.00 to $224.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research note on Monday, February 5th. Finally, Citigroup raised their price target on Illinois Tool Works from $244.00 to $256.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, December 11th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $245.50. View Our Latest Research Report on Illinois Tool Works About Illinois Tool Works (Get 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 Stories 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. Shares of Occidental Petroleum Co. (NYSE:OXY Get Free Report) have been given an average rating of Moderate Buy by the fourteen ratings firms that are covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Seven 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 company. The average 1-year price target among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $69.56. Several analysts recently commented on the stock. Mizuho cut shares of Occidental Petroleum from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $63.00 price target for the company. in a report on Wednesday, January 3rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on shares of Occidental Petroleum from $78.00 to $73.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Friday, December 8th. 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 report on Friday, February 16th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on Occidental Petroleum from $59.00 to $62.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Friday, February 16th. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised shares of Occidental Petroleum from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and set a $68.00 price target for the company in a research report on Monday, December 11th. Get Occidental Petroleum alerts: Read Our Latest Report on OXY Institutional Investors Weigh In On Occidental Petroleum Occidental Petroleum Trading Down 0.4 % Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of OXY. Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Occidental Petroleum by 8.6% in the third quarter. Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. now owns 156,279 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $10,139,000 after purchasing an additional 12,349 shares in the last quarter. J.P. Morgan Private Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Occidental Petroleum in the third quarter worth $29,665,000. Calamos Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Occidental Petroleum in the third quarter valued at $5,758,000. Kentucky Retirement Systems acquired a new stake in Occidental Petroleum in the 3rd quarter valued at $3,391,000. Finally, Mitchell Capital Management Co. lifted its position in Occidental Petroleum by 100.2% during the 3rd quarter. Mitchell Capital Management Co. now owns 123,287 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $7,999,000 after buying an additional 61,705 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 77.54% of the companys stock. Occidental Petroleum stock opened at $63.78 on Thursday. Occidental Petroleum has a 12-month low of $55.12 and a 12-month high of $67.67. The stock has a market capitalization of $56.09 billion, a PE ratio of 16.31, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.07 and a beta of 1.63. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $59.18 and a 200-day simple moving average of $60.84. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.84, a current ratio of 0.92 and a quick ratio of 0.69. 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 the consensus estimate of $0.74. Occidental Petroleum had a net margin of 16.24% and a return on equity of 20.63%. The firm had revenue of $7.53 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.93 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $1.61 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was down 9.6% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Occidental Petroleum will post 3.57 EPS for the current fiscal year. Occidental Petroleum Increases Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 8th will be paid a $0.22 dividend. This is a positive change from Occidental Petroleums previous quarterly dividend of $0.18. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 7th. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.38%. Occidental Petroleums dividend payout ratio is presently 22.51%. About Occidental Petroleum (Get 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, and North Africa. It operates through three segments: Oil and Gas, Chemical, and Midstream and Marketing. The company's Oil and Gas segment explores for, develops, and produces oil and condensate, natural gas liquids (NGLs), and natural gas. See Also 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. LVM Capital Management Ltd. MI lifted its stake in shares of Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM Free Report) by 1.9% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 32,498 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 611 shares during the period. LVM Capital Management Ltd. MIs holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $3,057,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in PM. PCA Investment Advisory Services Inc. acquired a new position in Philip Morris International during the second quarter worth $27,000. Headlands Technologies LLC purchased a new position in Philip Morris International in the third quarter valued at $27,000. DHJJ Financial Advisors Ltd. purchased a new position in Philip Morris International in the third quarter valued at $36,000. Legacy Financial Group LLC purchased a new position in Philip Morris International in the third quarter valued at $37,000. Finally, VitalStone Financial LLC grew its holdings in shares of Philip Morris International by 950.0% during the second quarter. VitalStone Financial LLC now owns 420 shares of the companys stock worth $41,000 after purchasing an additional 380 shares during the last quarter. 79.70% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Philip Morris International alerts: Philip Morris International Stock Performance Shares of NYSE:PM traded down $1.44 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $92.20. The stock had a trading volume of 8,396,149 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,258,542. The company has a market cap of $143.14 billion, a PE ratio of 18.37, a P/E/G ratio of 2.14 and a beta of 0.61. Philip Morris International Inc. has a 12-month low of $87.23 and a 12-month high of $101.92. The companys 50 day moving average is $91.87 and its 200-day moving average is $92.57. Philip Morris International Dividend Announcement Philip Morris International ( NYSE:PM Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Thursday, February 8th. The company reported $1.36 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.44 by ($0.08). Philip Morris International had a negative return on equity of 116.29% and a net margin of 8.53%. The company had revenue of $9.05 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $8.99 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $1.39 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 11.0% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts predict that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 6.39 EPS for the current fiscal year. The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 9th. Investors of record on Thursday, March 21st will be paid a $1.30 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 20th. This represents a $5.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.64%. Philip Morris Internationals payout ratio is presently 103.59%. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. Societe Generale raised Philip Morris International from a sell rating to a hold rating and set a $87.50 price objective on the stock in a report on Tuesday, February 13th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on Philip Morris International from $110.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 29th. UBS Group downgraded Philip Morris International from a buy rating to a sell rating and cut their price target for the company from $105.00 to $86.50 in a report on Tuesday, January 23rd. Finally, Argus reiterated a hold rating on shares of Philip Morris International in a report on Tuesday, March 5th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $105.40. View Our Latest Stock Analysis on PM Insiders Place Their Bets In related news, insider Werner Barth sold 5,000 shares of Philip Morris International stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $91.46, for a total transaction of $457,300.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 102,918 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $9,412,880.28. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other Philip Morris International news, insider Werner Barth sold 5,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $91.46, for a total value of $457,300.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 102,918 shares of the companys stock, valued at $9,412,880.28. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, VP Reginaldo Dobrowolski sold 2,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $90.69, for a total transaction of $181,380.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 9,726 shares of the companys stock, valued at $882,050.94. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 15,250 shares of company stock worth $1,411,128 in the last ninety days. Insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock. Philip Morris International Company Profile (Free Report) Philip Morris International Inc operates as a tobacco company working to delivers a smoke-free future and evolving portfolio for the long-term to include products outside of the tobacco and nicotine sector. The company's product portfolio primarily consists of cigarettes and smoke-free products, including heat-not-burn, vapor, and oral nicotine products primarily under the IQOS and ZYN brands; and consumer accessories, such as lighters and matches. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Philip Morris International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Philip Morris International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. International Consolidated Airlines Group (LON:IAG Get Free Report) had its target price hoisted by analysts at Royal Bank of Canada from GBX 200 ($2.55) to GBX 220 ($2.80) in a research report issued to clients and investors on Thursday, LSE.Co.UK reports. The brokerage presently has an outperform rating on the stock. Royal Bank of Canadas price target would suggest a potential upside of 31.85% from the stocks previous close. Separately, Bank of America reissued a buy rating and issued a GBX 230 ($2.93) price objective on shares of International Consolidated Airlines Group in a report on Friday, March 1st. Get International Consolidated Airlines Group alerts: Get Our Latest Report on IAG International Consolidated Airlines Group Trading Up 3.0 % International Consolidated Airlines Group Company Profile LON IAG traded up GBX 4.85 ($0.06) during trading on Thursday, hitting GBX 166.85 ($2.12). The company had a trading volume of 17,419,379 shares, compared to its average volume of 13,754,600. The company has a current ratio of 0.63, a quick ratio of 0.63 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 490.60. The companys fifty day moving average is GBX 149.21 and its 200-day moving average is GBX 151.39. The company has a market cap of 8.21 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 387.67, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.21 and a beta of 2.31. International Consolidated Airlines Group has a one year low of GBX 132.63 ($1.69) and a one year high of GBX 182 ($2.32). (Get Free Report) International Consolidated Airlines Group SA, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the provision of passenger and cargo transportation services in the United Kingdom, Spain, the United States, and rest of the world. It also provides aircraft leasing, aircraft maintenance, tour operation, air freight operations, call centre, ground handling, trustee, retail, IT, finance, procurement, storage and custody, aircraft technical assistance, human resources support, and airport infrastructure development services; and manages airline loyalty programmes. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for International Consolidated Airlines Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for International Consolidated Airlines Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Schroder European Real Estate Inv Trust (LON:SERE Get Free Report) declared a dividend on Wednesday, March 20th, Upcoming.Co.Uk reports. Shareholders of record on Thursday, April 11th will be paid a dividend of 0.01 ($0.02) per share on Friday, May 10th. This represents a dividend yield of 2.04%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 11th. The official announcement can be accessed at this link. Schroder European Real Estate Inv Trust Trading Up 2.1 % Shares of SERE opened at GBX 63.29 ($0.81) on Thursday. The stocks 50-day moving average is GBX 66.65 and its two-hundred day moving average is GBX 68.04. The stock has a market cap of 84.65 million, a PE ratio of -1,054.87 and a beta of 0.63. Schroder European Real Estate Inv Trust has a 12 month low of GBX 61.32 ($0.78) and a 12 month high of GBX 89.75 ($1.14). The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 42.94, a current ratio of 2.91 and a quick ratio of 9.26. Get Schroder European Real Estate Inv Trust alerts: Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, insider Mark Beddy acquired 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 6th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of GBX 69 ($0.88) per share, with a total value of 6,900 ($8,784.21). 6.99% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. About Schroder European Real Estate Inv Trust Schroder European Real Estate Investment Trust plc is a UK closed-ended real estate investment company incorporated on 9 January 2015. Its investment manager is Schroder Real Estate Investment Management Limited. It invests in European growth cities, specifically institutional quality, income-producing commercial real estate in major Continental European cities and regions. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Schroder European Real Estate Inv Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Schroder European Real Estate Inv Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Tsakos Energy Navigation (NYSE:TNP Free Report) had its price objective lifted by Jefferies Financial Group from $28.00 to $30.00 in a report released on Thursday morning, Benzinga reports. They currently have a buy rating on the shipping companys stock. Separately, StockNews.com cut Tsakos Energy Navigation from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, January 13th. Get Tsakos Energy Navigation alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on TNP Tsakos Energy Navigation Stock Performance Hedge Funds Weigh In On Tsakos Energy Navigation TNP opened at $24.65 on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of $727.42 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 2.17 and a beta of -0.15. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.84, a current ratio of 1.54 and a quick ratio of 1.49. Tsakos Energy Navigation has a 1-year low of $15.50 and a 1-year high of $25.37. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $24.18 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $22.21. A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of TNP. Renaissance Technologies LLC boosted its holdings in Tsakos Energy Navigation by 7.8% during the first quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 189,278 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $1,664,000 after acquiring an additional 13,698 shares during the period. UBS Group AG boosted its stake in Tsakos Energy Navigation by 157.2% in the first quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 18,109 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $158,000 after acquiring an additional 11,067 shares during the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. grew its holdings in shares of Tsakos Energy Navigation by 110.5% in the 1st quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 74,887 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $658,000 after buying an additional 39,309 shares during the period. Engineers Gate Manager LP acquired a new position in shares of Tsakos Energy Navigation in the 1st quarter valued at $108,000. Finally, Bank of America Corp DE lifted its position in Tsakos Energy Navigation by 167.2% in the 1st quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 20,460 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $180,000 after acquiring an additional 12,804 shares in the last quarter. 21.18% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About Tsakos Energy Navigation (Get Free Report) Tsakos Energy Navigation Limited provides seaborne crude oil and petroleum product transportation services worldwide. The company offers marine transportation services for national, major, and other independent oil companies and refiners under long, medium, and short-term charters. It also operates a fleet of double-hull vessels, comprising of conventional tankers, LNG carriers, and suezmax DP2 shuttle tankers. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Tsakos Energy Navigation Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Tsakos Energy Navigation and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. KB Home (NYSE:KBH Get Free Report) had its target price boosted by stock analysts at UBS Group from $82.00 to $87.00 in a research note issued to investors on Thursday, Benzinga reports. The firm presently has a buy rating on the construction companys stock. UBS Groups target price would suggest a potential upside of 25.05% from the stocks current price. A number of other equities research analysts also recently weighed in on KBH. Evercore ISI lifted their target price on KB Home from $67.00 to $76.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, January 11th. Wedbush lifted their target price on KB Home from $60.00 to $64.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their target price on KB Home from $63.00 to $69.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research report on Thursday. Barclays lifted their target price on KB Home from $57.00 to $68.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 13th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on KB Home from $65.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Thursday. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $60.68. Get KB Home alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Report on KB Home KB Home Stock Performance Shares of NYSE:KBH traded down $0.32 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $69.57. 789,922 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,187,501. KB Home has a 52-week low of $36.55 and a 52-week high of $72.00. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $63.33 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $55.82. The company has a market capitalization of $5.26 billion, a PE ratio of 9.90, a P/E/G ratio of 0.83 and a beta of 1.73. KB Home (NYSE:KBH Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, March 20th. The construction company reported $1.76 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.57 by $0.19. The firm had revenue of $1.47 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.46 billion. KB Home had a net margin of 9.21% and a return on equity of 15.63%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 6.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.45 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that KB Home will post 7.59 EPS for the current year. Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, CAO William R. Hollinger sold 45,471 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $60.47, for a total value of $2,749,631.37. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 109,981 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,650,551.07. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In related news, CAO William R. Hollinger sold 45,471 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $60.47, for a total value of $2,749,631.37. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 109,981 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,650,551.07. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Brian J. Woram sold 83,272 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $60.53, for a total transaction of $5,040,454.16. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 156,119 shares in the company, valued at $9,449,883.07. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 373,635 shares of company stock valued at $22,400,005. Company insiders own 4.44% of the companys stock. Institutional Trading of KB Home A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. American Century Companies Inc. increased its position in KB Home by 32.3% during the third quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 1,251,656 shares of the construction companys stock worth $57,927,000 after buying an additional 305,820 shares during the last quarter. Trexquant Investment LP increased its position in KB Home by 7.1% during the third quarter. Trexquant Investment LP now owns 181,169 shares of the construction companys stock worth $8,385,000 after buying an additional 12,048 shares during the last quarter. Advisors Preferred LLC increased its position in KB Home by 188.4% during the third quarter. Advisors Preferred LLC now owns 50,820 shares of the construction companys stock worth $2,331,000 after buying an additional 33,197 shares during the last quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC increased its position in KB Home by 36.6% during the third quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC now owns 15,619 shares of the construction companys stock worth $723,000 after buying an additional 4,188 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Qube Research & Technologies Ltd increased its position in KB Home by 935.4% during the third quarter. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd now owns 92,896 shares of the construction companys stock worth $4,299,000 after buying an additional 83,924 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 91.27% of the companys stock. KB Home Company Profile (Get Free Report) KB Home operates as a homebuilding company in the United States. It operates through four segments: West Coast, Southwest, Central, and Southeast. It builds and sells various homes, including attached and detached single-family residential homes, townhomes, and condominiums primarily for first-time, first move-up, second move-up, and active adult homebuyers. See Also Receive News & Ratings for KB Home Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for KB Home and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Monterey Private Wealth Inc. lessened its position in Vanguard Real Estate ETF (NYSEARCA:VNQ Free Report) by 13.4% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 27,488 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 4,237 shares during the quarter. Vanguard Real Estate ETF comprises 1.1% of Monterey Private Wealth Inc.s holdings, making the stock its 19th largest position. Monterey Private Wealth Inc.s holdings in Vanguard Real Estate ETF were worth $2,429,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in VNQ. Buck Wealth Strategies LLC purchased a new position in Vanguard Real Estate ETF during the third quarter worth approximately $27,000. Providence Capital Advisors LLC lifted its position in Vanguard Real Estate ETF by 8,203.6% during the first quarter. Providence Capital Advisors LLC now owns 2,325 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 2,297 shares in the last quarter. Capital Investment Counsel Inc purchased a new position in Vanguard Real Estate ETF during the third quarter worth approximately $30,000. Eagle Bay Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Vanguard Real Estate ETF during the second quarter worth approximately $30,000. Finally, Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Vanguard Real Estate ETF in the third quarter valued at $31,000. Get Vanguard Real Estate ETF alerts: Vanguard Real Estate ETF Stock Performance Shares of NYSEARCA VNQ traded up $0.63 during trading on Thursday, reaching $86.39. The stock had a trading volume of 2,950,374 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,786,994. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $85.20 and its 200-day moving average price is $81.92. The company has a market cap of $33.30 billion, a P/E ratio of 28.40 and a beta of 0.91. Vanguard Real Estate ETF has a fifty-two week low of $70.61 and a fifty-two week high of $90.09. Vanguard Real Estate ETF Company Profile Vanguard REIT ETF (the Fund) is an open-end investment company. The Fund invests in stocks issued by real estate investment trusts (REITs), companies that purchase office buildings, hotels, and other real property. It tracks the return of the MSCI US RIT Index, a gauge of real estate stocks. The Vanguard Group, Inc provides investment advisory services to the Fund. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding VNQ? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Vanguard Real Estate ETF (NYSEARCA:VNQ Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Vanguard Real Estate ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Vanguard Real Estate ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. boosted its position in Invitation Homes Inc. (NYSE:INVH Free Report) by 2.2% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 121,615 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 2,562 shares during the period. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc.s holdings in Invitation Homes were worth $4,148,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of INVH. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. boosted its holdings in Invitation Homes by 16.1% in the first quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 29,600 shares of the companys stock worth $1,189,000 after acquiring an additional 4,111 shares in the last quarter. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC bought a new position in shares of Invitation Homes in the 1st quarter worth $373,000. MetLife Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in Invitation Homes in the 1st quarter valued at $480,000. Yousif Capital Management LLC increased its stake in Invitation Homes by 5.2% during the 1st quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC now owns 36,134 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,452,000 after purchasing an additional 1,783 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Raymond James Trust N.A. bought a new position in shares of Invitation Homes in the first quarter valued at $225,000. Institutional investors own 96.79% of the companys stock. Get Invitation Homes alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth INVH has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded Invitation Homes from a hold rating to a buy rating and raised their price objective for the company from $33.00 to $41.00 in a research note on Tuesday, January 2nd. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $36.00 price objective on shares of Invitation Homes in a research note on Thursday, February 15th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft began coverage on Invitation Homes in a report on Tuesday, January 30th. They issued a hold rating and a $35.00 target price for the company. Evercore ISI reiterated an in-line rating and issued a $36.00 price objective on shares of Invitation Homes in a research note on Monday. Finally, Morgan Stanley cut their price target on Invitation Homes from $38.00 to $37.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, December 26th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven 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 $37.72. Insider Activity In other Invitation Homes news, CFO Jonathan S. Olsen sold 10,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, March 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $34.75, for a total value of $347,500.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 37,037 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,287,035.75. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Company insiders own 0.21% of the companys stock. Invitation Homes Trading Up 0.6 % Shares of Invitation Homes stock traded up $0.22 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $35.06. 274,106 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,271,706. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.53, a quick ratio of 0.20 and a current ratio of 0.20. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $33.66 and a 200-day moving average of $33.18. The company has a market cap of $21.46 billion, a PE ratio of 41.48, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.05 and a beta of 0.94. Invitation Homes Inc. has a 12 month low of $28.49 and a 12 month high of $36.53. Invitation Homes (NYSE:INVH Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 13th. The company reported $0.21 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.44 by ($0.23). The firm had revenue of $624.32 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $623.51 million. Invitation Homes had a net margin of 21.34% and a return on equity of 5.06%. As a group, equities analysts expect that Invitation Homes Inc. will post 1.82 EPS for the current fiscal year. Invitation Homes Announces Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 19th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, March 28th will be paid a dividend of $0.28 per share. This represents a $1.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.19%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 27th. Invitation Homess dividend payout ratio is 133.33%. Invitation Homes Company Profile (Free Report) Invitation Homes, an S&P 500 company, is the nation's premier single-family home leasing company, meeting changing lifestyle demands by providing access to high-quality, updated homes with valued features such as close proximity to jobs and access to good schools. The company's mission, "Together with you, we make a house a home," reflects its commitment to providing homes where individuals and families can thrive and high-touch service that continuously enhances residents' living experiences. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Invitation Homes Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Invitation Homes and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. One Step Forward, Two Steps Back (The Crisis in Our Party) sees Lenin analysing the fallout of the Second Congress of the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party (RSDLP). The 1903 Congress saw the famous split emerge in the Russian workers movement between Bolshevism and Menshevism. However, the split didnt initially concern differences in politics and perspectives, erupting over seemingly secondary organisational questions. Only in subsequent years, particularly around the 1905 Revolution, would those differences become sharply apparent, culminating in a formal and final split between the Bolsheviks and Mensheviks in 1912. During and immediately after the Congress, Lenin was castigated for dictatorial conduct by his adversaries, allegations reinforced by the slanders of bourgeois historians. But his account paints a very different picture. In this pamphlet, he draws out the real political content of disagreements over seemingly trivial, organisational matters, which were to later acquire decisive importance. [To read more about this important period in Lenin's life and in the history of Russian Marxism, we highly recommend chapters 7 and 8 of Rob Sewell and Alan Woods' new biography, In Defence of Lenin, available from Wellred Books.] In Defence of Lenin is now available to pre-order! Over two volumes, Rob Sewell and Alan Woods trace Lenins life and explain his ideas, drawing on the tremendous heritage of what he actually wrote and did. Pre-order now: https://t.co/POcbzWgf1R pic.twitter.com/EoBeod5HaK Wellred Books (@WellredBooks) November 23, 2023 From small circles to a professional party Lenin had long been struggling against the amateurism of the embryonic forces of Russian Marxism / Image: The Communist Lenin had long been struggling against the amateurism of the embryonic forces of Russian Marxism, particularly as new strike waves signalled a revival of the class struggle in the country. The RSDLP had been subject to severe repression, with leaders arrested and exiled following its 1898 founding congress in Minsk. In these conditions, discipline and cohesion were essential. From exile in Western Europe, Lenin struggled against the prevailing methods of informality and what he called a small-circle mentality. In their place, he advocated for a party of professional revolutionaries ideologically trained in Marxist theory, which Lenin always emphasised under a common centre and discipline. This struggle was conducted using the newspaper Iskra (the Spark), which was produced abroad and smuggled into Russia. Despite having just nine agents in Russia at the end of 1901, Iskra struck a chord with an advanced layer of Russian workers and rapidly gained support. The six-member emigre editorial board (Lenin, Plekhanov, Axelrod, Zasulich, Martov and Potresov) moved to London in 1902. Its authority grew with Iskras readership and expanding network of agents. But while the Iskra tendency was developing into the dominant trend in Russian Marxism, tensions were building within its leadership. Despite his exemplary role as the grandfather of Russian Marxism, Plekhanov began to feel events overtaking him, and the wounding of his prestige made him especially difficult to work with. Meanwhile, the other veterans of his Emancipation of Labour Group had made no real contributions for years yet still occupied key positions. Some of these veterans also expressed their discomfort at Lenins scathing criticism of the liberals, foreshadowing future political disagreements. Nevertheless, the Iskra editorial board was united in its opposition to the likes of the Jewish Bund, which opposed the formation of a centralised party in favour of loose federalism; and against the so-called Economists (organised around the Rabocheye Dyelo newspaper), which attempted to blunt the political edge of Russian Marxism by focussing exclusively on economic bread and butter questions. The calling of an official second congress of the RSDLP by Iskra for 1903 was expected to confirm the fact that the Iskraists had won the battle against revisionist trends. In fact, to the surprise of all its participants, the Congress brought to the fore deep disagreements among the supporters of Iskra themselves. A house divided The Congress finally convened on 17 July 1903 in Brussels, though police scrutiny forced its relocation to an anglers lodge in London. 43 delegates were in attendance, including a 23-year-old Leon Trotsky. Lenin recognised the young eagle as a talented polemicist and writer, and hoped he would be his cudgel in the debates. A few delegates were deported before the close of business, partly because a member of the organising committee was an Okhrana agent. The Iskra group started with a firm majority of 33 votes. However, as proceedings wore on, divisions opened within the faction, first during the 22nd session, over the Party rules. Lenins draft on membership criteria read: A member of the RSDLP accepts its programme and supports the Party both financially and by personal participation in one of the party organisations. Meanwhile, Martov simply called for regular personal cooperation under the direction of one of the party organisations. This subtle distinction reflected Martovs conciliatory attitude towards petty-bourgeois and intellectual fellow travellers in the Partys orbit. Axlerod expressed this clearly when he stated: [L]et us take for example a professor who regards himself as a Social Democrat and declares himself as such. If we adopt Lenins formula we shall be throwing overboard a section of those who, even if they cannot be directly admitted to an organisation are nevertheless members These were exactly the types who needed throwing overboard! In muddying the water between members and academic sympathisers, Martovs proposal showed the lingering influence of a small-circle mentality, characterised by loose organisation and a predominance of personal relations over politics. Lenin replied: Martovs formulation serves the interests of the bourgeois intellectuals, who get shy of proletarian discipline and organisation To people accustomed to the loose dressing-gown and slippers of the Oblomov circle domesticity, formal Rules seem narrow, restrictive, irksome, mean, and bureaucratic, a bond of serfdom and a fetter on the free process of the ideological struggle. Aristocratic anarchism cannot understand that formal Rules are needed precisely in order to replace the narrow circle ties by the broad Party tie. Nevertheless, Lenin offered to concede ground over this matter, saying it need not lead to a split in the Party. A bloc between the right (delegates from Rabocheye Dyelo and the Jewish Bund) and a wavering Iskraist marsh saw a vote of 28 to 23 for Martov. But this result was reversed after the 27th session, in which delegates from the Jewish Bund demanded a monopoly on all matters pertaining to Jewish workers in Russia. This unacceptable federalist conception, based on nationalist prejudices, was overwhelmingly defeated (41-5) with Lenin, Plekhanov, Martov, and Trotsky voting against, and the latter passionately speaking in opposition. This provoked a walkout by the Bundists. Only 100 days to go until the World School of Communism A week of the highest quality political discussions on a wide array of topics, including the founding of a Revolutionary Communist International! Communists of the world, head to the link in our bio and sign up! pic.twitter.com/u6iXpjOEmv In Defence of Marxism (@marxistcom) March 1, 2024 They were soon followed by supporters of Rabocheye Dyelo, after the Congress recognised Lenin and Plekhanovs rival League of Revolutionary Social Democrats as the sole representatives of the party abroad. The changed composition meant Lenin was left with a majority (the Russian word for which, bolshinstvo, inspired the name of his Bolshevik faction), with Martov in a minority (menshinstvo, or Menshevik). But divisions within the Iskraists came out sharply once more over the composition of the papers editorial board and the Partys central committee. Lenin called for a leaner editorial board of three, and the removal of those veterans who no longer contributed seriously to the political work from both bodies. All he wanted was a functioning leadership for the Party and its organ, which a three-person editorial board would facilitate by ensuring a clear majority on all decisions. Still, the proposal provoked an almighty row, with Trotsky (who later admitted that he was still infected by a certain youthful sentimentality for the old veterans) denouncing Lenin as a dictator. Lenin was taken aback at the reaction, especially as he had presented this proposal to the old editorial board without controversy. He correctly identified the real crux of the matter as, once again, stemming from old habits, where considerations about individuals wounded pride were given precedent over the interests of the Party: Such arguments simply put the whole question on the plane of pity and injured feelings, and were a direct admission of bankruptcy as regards real arguments of principle, real political arguments. Thanks to the absence of the Bundists and Economists, Lenin was able to win a majority, but despite being invited onto the editorial board as a representative of the minority faction, Martov petulantly refused to take up the position. Drawing the lessons While formally victorious, Lenin was distressed at the results of the Congress / Image: public domain While formally victorious, Lenin was distressed at the results of the Congress, which saw the delegates depart amidst acrimony and rumblings of a split. The Martov faction wasted no time in denouncing Lenins dictatorial tendencies and ruthless centralism, despite the latters multiple attempts at collaboration. Trotsky wrote scathing appraisals of Lenins Jacobinism in the aftermath, which Lenin accepted with some pride, replying, A Jacobin who wholly identifies himself with the organisation of the proletariat is a revolutionary Social-Democrat. Trotsky would soon after break with the Mensheviks, and later repudiate his youthful errors, writing in his autobiography, years after Lenins death: The break with the older ones who remained in the preparatory stages, was inevitable in any case. Lenin understood this before anyone else did. Contrary to the allegations against Lenin, it was the Menshevik faction who acted in a disgracefully anti-democratic manner. They launched a wrecking campaign, founding a shadow Central Committee in anticipation of a potential split, and slandered Lenin in the foreign press, which they controlled. Martov scandalously accused Lenin of fomenting a state of siege in the Party, simply for attempting to carry out the democratic mandate of its sovereign Congress, which Martov himself refused to respect. In the end, Plekhanov, who had initially sided with the Bolsheviks, wavered and switched sides, allowing the Mensheviks to recapture control of Iskra in September 1903, despite having only minority support at the Congress. All of this exacted a toll on Lenin. After recovering from the ordeal, he set about writing One Step Forward, Two Steps Back, and set the record straight. He drew the necessary conclusions about the fundamental source of the disagreements at the Second Congress. A rupture had opened up between the hard revolutionary wing of the party, and opportunists who had a soft attitude to the liberals and petty-bourgeois fellow travellers, and were unwilling to build the fighting proletarian party necessary to secure victory: The minority was formed of those elements in the Party who are least stable in theory, least steadfast in matters of principle. It was from the Right wing of the Party that the minority was formed. The division into majority and minority is a direct and inevitable continuation of that division of the Social-Democrats into a revolutionary and an opportunist wing, into a Mountain and a Gironde, which did not appear only yesterday, nor in the Russian workers party alone, and which no doubt will not disappear tomorrow. This blunt assessment provoked further outrage from the Minority when the pamphlet was published in May 1904, but the stormy years ahead, and the eventual split between the Bolsheviks and Mensheviks, would prove the truth of Lenins prognosis. While the 1903 Congress produced sharp divisions between the revolutionary and opportunist wings of the party, these primarily revolved around the attitude towards organisational principles. It took the test of events above all of the mighty revolutionary events of 1905 to bring out clear differences over the political perspectives and tasks for revolutionaries in Russia. The differences which emerged in that pivotal year were brought out and sharply analysed by Lenin in another key work, Two Tactics of Social-Democracy, which we will delve into next week. Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC acquired a new position in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm acquired 955 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $39,000. Get Altria Group alerts: Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Capital World Investors raised its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 8.5% during 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 in the last quarter. State Street Corp raised its holdings in Altria Group by 1.8% during the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 70,564,529 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,262,710,000 after buying an additional 1,240,150 shares in the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its holdings 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 valued at $1,857,271,000 after buying an additional 840,559 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in Altria Group by 3.3% during the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 37,025,033 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,672,836,000 after buying an additional 1,168,982 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp raised its holdings 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 valued at $990,002,000 after buying an additional 1,192,266 shares in the last quarter. 58.94% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities analysts have weighed in on MO shares. UBS Group restated a sell rating and set a $36.10 target price on shares of Altria Group in a report on Tuesday, January 23rd. StockNews.com lowered Altria Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, February 23rd. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Altria Group has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $47.22. Altria Group Stock Performance Altria Group stock opened at $44.77 on Thursday. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $41.09 and its 200-day simple moving average is $41.53. The firm has a market capitalization of $78.95 billion, a PE ratio of 9.80, a PEG ratio of 2.69 and a beta of 0.65. Altria Group, Inc. has a 52 week low of $39.06 and a 52 week high of $48.04. Altria Group (NYSE:MO Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 1st. The company reported $1.18 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.17 by $0.01. Altria Group had a negative return on equity of 244.55% and a net margin of 33.21%. The business had revenue of $5.02 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.06 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.18 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 1.2% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts forecast that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.08 earnings per share for the current year. Altria Group announced that its board has authorized a share repurchase program on Thursday, February 1st that permits the company to buyback $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization permits the company to repurchase up to 1.4% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are typically an indication that the companys leadership believes its shares are undervalued. Altria Group Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 30th. Investors of record on Monday, March 25th will be given a dividend of $0.98 per share. This represents a $3.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 8.76%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 22nd. Altria Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 85.78%. Altria Group Company 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. Further Reading 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. Wedmont Private Capital bought a new stake in iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:IWP Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund bought 2,019 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $207,000. Get iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF alerts: Several other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in IWP. Authentikos Wealth Advisory LLC acquired a new position in iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF during the third quarter worth $29,000. DHJJ Financial Advisors Ltd. acquired a new stake in shares of iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF in the third quarter valued at about $30,000. BluePath Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF in the third quarter valued at about $32,000. Indiana Trust & Investment Management CO acquired a new stake in shares of iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF in the third quarter valued at about $35,000. Finally, Ambassador Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF by 198.0% in the first quarter. Ambassador Advisors LLC now owns 441 shares of the companys stock valued at $39,000 after buying an additional 293 shares during the last quarter. iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF Stock Up 1.1 % Shares of NYSEARCA IWP opened at $113.28 on Thursday. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $108.33 and a 200-day simple moving average of $99.84. The stock has a market capitalization of $15.38 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.03 and a beta of 1.10. iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF has a 52 week low of $85.24 and a 52 week high of $114.09. iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF Company Profile iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF, formerly iShares Russell Midcap Growth Index Fund (the Growth Fund), is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the Russell Midcap Growth Index (the Growth Index). Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IWP? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:IWP Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wedmont Private Capital bought a new stake in shares of iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF (NYSEARCA:IJJ Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm bought 1,822 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $206,000. Get iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF alerts: A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in IJJ. Ironwood Wealth Management LLC. grew its stake in shares of iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF by 1.7% in the 1st quarter. Ironwood Wealth Management LLC. now owns 46,158 shares of the companys stock worth $5,122,000 after buying an additional 776 shares in the last quarter. Citigroup Inc. grew its stake in shares of iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF by 3.7% in the 1st quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 9,100 shares of the companys stock worth $998,000 after buying an additional 328 shares in the last quarter. Rhumbline Advisers purchased a new position in shares of iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF in the 1st quarter worth $428,000. Cibc World Market Inc. grew its stake in shares of iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF by 4.1% in the 1st quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 41,893 shares of the companys stock worth $4,593,000 after buying an additional 1,641 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Blair William & Co. IL grew its stake in shares of iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF by 6.1% in the 1st quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 14,981 shares of the companys stock worth $1,643,000 after buying an additional 867 shares in the last quarter. iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF Stock Up 1.5 % Shares of NYSEARCA:IJJ opened at $115.68 on Thursday. iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF has a 52 week low of $92.79 and a 52 week high of $116.15. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $112.16 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $106.80. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.70 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.54 and a beta of 1.17. About iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF, formerly iShares S&P MidCap 400 Value Index Fund (the Fund), is an exchange traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the S&P MidCap 400 Value Index (the Index). The Value Index measures the performance of the mid-capitalization value sector of the United States equity market and consists of those stocks in the S&P MidCap 400 Index exhibiting the strongest value characteristics. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IJJ? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF (NYSEARCA:IJJ Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wedmont Private Capital reduced its position in Ford Motor (NYSE:F Free Report) by 62.9% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 12,869 shares of the auto manufacturers stock after selling 21,803 shares during the period. Wedmont Private Capitals holdings in Ford Motor were worth $154,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Get Ford Motor alerts: Several other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of F. AJ Wealth Strategies LLC grew its holdings in Ford Motor by 2.7% during the 1st quarter. AJ Wealth Strategies LLC now owns 31,374 shares of the auto manufacturers stock worth $531,000 after acquiring an additional 820 shares during the period. First Manhattan Co. grew its holdings in Ford Motor by 6.7% during the 4th quarter. First Manhattan Co. now owns 13,649 shares of the auto manufacturers stock worth $159,000 after acquiring an additional 853 shares during the period. Zuckerman Investment Group LLC grew its holdings in Ford Motor by 3.6% during the 2nd quarter. Zuckerman Investment Group LLC now owns 24,355 shares of the auto manufacturers stock worth $368,000 after acquiring an additional 855 shares during the period. Atlas Brown Inc. grew its holdings in Ford Motor by 1.0% during the 3rd quarter. Atlas Brown Inc. now owns 85,588 shares of the auto manufacturers stock worth $1,063,000 after acquiring an additional 862 shares during the period. Finally, Waverly Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Ford Motor by 8.1% during the 4th quarter. Waverly Advisors LLC now owns 11,812 shares of the auto manufacturers stock worth $137,000 after acquiring an additional 886 shares during the period. 52.73% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Insider Buying and Selling at Ford Motor In other news, CAO Mark Kosman sold 26,898 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $12.53, for a total transaction of $337,031.94. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 7,102 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $88,988.06. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 0.80% of the companys stock. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of analysts have weighed in on the company. Piper Sandler assumed coverage on Ford Motor in a report on Friday, March 15th. They set a neutral rating and a $13.00 price target for the company. HSBC assumed coverage on Ford Motor in a research note on Monday, December 4th. They issued a hold rating and a $11.30 target price for the company. Citigroup raised their target price on Ford Motor from $15.00 to $16.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 7th. UBS Group downgraded Ford Motor from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $12.00 target price for the company. in a research note on Wednesday, January 17th. Finally, Redburn Atlantic assumed coverage on Ford Motor in a research note on Wednesday, January 24th. They issued a sell rating and a $10.00 target price for the company. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have issued a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $13.75. View Our Latest Report on Ford Motor Ford Motor Trading Up 4.9 % NYSE:F opened at $12.90 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.33, a quick ratio of 1.04 and a current ratio of 1.20. The firm has a market cap of $51.26 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.94, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.97 and a beta of 1.63. Ford Motor has a 52 week low of $9.63 and a 52 week high of $15.42. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $12.03 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $11.66. Ford Motor (NYSE:F Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 6th. The auto manufacturer reported $0.29 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.12 by $0.17. The firm had revenue of $43.21 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $43.06 billion. Ford Motor had a net margin of 2.47% and a return on equity of 18.95%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 3.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.51 EPS. On average, equities analysts expect that Ford Motor will post 1.88 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Ford Motor Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a Variable dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 16th were paid a $0.33 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 15th. This represents a yield of 4.7%. Ford Motors dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 55.56%. Ford Motor Profile (Free Report) Ford Motor Company develops, delivers, and services a range of Ford trucks, commercial cars and vans, sport utility vehicles, and Lincoln luxury vehicles worldwide. It operates through Ford Blue, Ford Model e, and Ford Pro; Ford Next; and Ford Credit segments. The company sells Ford and Lincoln vehicles, service parts, and accessories through distributors and dealers, as well as through dealerships to commercial fleet customers, daily rental car companies, and governments. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Ford Motor Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ford Motor and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wedmont Private Capital purchased a new position in Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc. (NYSE:HE Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm purchased 12,026 shares of the utilities providers stock, valued at approximately $183,000. Get Hawaiian Electric Industries alerts: Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. UMB Bank n.a. acquired a new stake in Hawaiian Electric Industries during the third quarter worth about $27,000. Lazard Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in Hawaiian Electric Industries during the second quarter worth about $34,000. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. acquired a new stake in Hawaiian Electric Industries during the third quarter worth about $35,000. Perkins Coie Trust Co acquired a new stake in Hawaiian Electric Industries during the third quarter worth about $36,000. Finally, MUFG Americas Holdings Corp acquired a new stake in Hawaiian Electric Industries during the third quarter worth about $39,000. 53.64% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Hawaiian Electric Industries Stock Up 3.8 % Shares of Hawaiian Electric Industries stock opened at $11.40 on Thursday. Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc. has a 52-week low of $9.06 and a 52-week high of $40.16. The company has a 50 day moving average of $12.63 and a 200 day moving average of $12.96. The company has a quick ratio of 0.13, a current ratio of 0.13 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.21. The company has a market capitalization of $1.26 billion, a P/E ratio of 6.30 and a beta of 0.54. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Hawaiian Electric Industries ( NYSE:HE Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 13th. The utilities provider reported $0.48 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $0.48. Hawaiian Electric Industries had a net margin of 5.45% and a return on equity of 9.99%. The company had revenue of $961.40 million during the quarter. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.52 EPS. The firms revenue was down 5.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Separately, Evercore ISI raised their price objective on shares of Hawaiian Electric Industries from $7.00 to $11.00 and gave the stock an in-line rating in a research report on Thursday, February 15th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and one has given a hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Hawaiian Electric Industries has an average rating of Reduce and an average price target of $11.50. Get Our Latest Stock Report on Hawaiian Electric Industries Hawaiian Electric Industries Profile (Free Report) Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the electric utility businesses in the United States. It operates in three segments: Electric Utility, Bank, and Other. The Electric Utility segment engages in the production, purchase, transmission, distribution, and sale of electricity in the islands of Oahu, Hawaii, Maui, Lanai, and Molokai. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding HE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc. (NYSE:HE Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Hawaiian Electric Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hawaiian Electric Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. China condemns slander against Hong Kong's Safeguarding National Security Bill Xinhua) 10:58, March 21, 2024 BEIJING, March 20 (Xinhua) -- China strongly deplores and firmly opposes individual countries and organizations' slandering and smear against the Safeguarding National Security Bill of Hong Kong, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday. The Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Tuesday unanimously passed the safeguarding national security bill, which has become the ordinance. It is a milestone for the HKSAR in fulfilling its constitutional duty as stipulated under Article 23 of the HKSAR Basic Law. The Safeguarding National Security Bill of Hong Kong draws on the experience of similar legislation in other countries and will help the HKSAR to better balance its development and security, spokesperson Lin Jian told a regular news briefing. "With high-level security guarantee, we are fully confident in Hong Kong achieving high-quality development and high-standard opening up, and we are fully confident in the sound implementation of 'one country, two systems' in the long run and Hong Kong's stability and thriving development," Lin said. He stressed the Chinese government's unwavering resolve in safeguarding its national sovereignty, security and development interests, in implementing "one country, two systems," and in opposing any external interference in Hong Kong's affairs. "Any attacks and smears against the Safeguarding National Security Bill will not have their way and are doomed to failure," Lin said. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Those enrolled the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program are the latest to get student loan forgiveness from the Biden Administration. designer491/Getty Images/iStockphoto Another round of student loan forgiveness is being rolled out by the Biden Administration and this time around its those in public service who will benefit. The White House released a statement from President Joe Biden and in it he notes that those who qualify are teachers, nurses, firefighters, and more. The estimated number of those benefiting from the Presidents action is 78,000, and is applied to those enrolled in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. These public service workers have dedicated their careers to serving their communities, but because of past administrative failures, never got the relief they were entitled to under the law, Biden said in his statement. Because of the fixes my administration has made, we have now canceled student debt for over 870,000 public service workers compared to only about 7,000 public service borrowers ever receiving forgiveness prior to my administration. Advertisement Article continues below this ad An estimated $6 billion is expected to be the total forgiven amount which brings the overall amount of student loans forgiven to $143.6 billion for 3.96 million Americans, according to an announcement from the U.S. Department of Education. Heres how the loan forgiveness thus far breaks down: $45.6 billion for 930,500 borrowers through improvements to income-driven repayment plans. $22.5 billion for more than 1.3 million borrowers who were cheated by their schools, saw their institutions precipitously close, or are covered by related court settlements. $11.7 billion for almost 513,000 borrowers with a total and permanent disability. $1.7 billion for 29,700 borrowers through administrative adjustments to IDR payment counts Advertisement Article continues below this ad Wedmont Private Capital acquired a new position in shares of iShares Core MSCI Pacific ETF (NYSEARCA:IPAC Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm acquired 3,431 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $204,000. Get iShares Core MSCI Pacific ETF alerts: Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of IPAC. Flow Traders U.S. LLC boosted its stake in shares of iShares Core MSCI Pacific ETF by 102.1% during the 1st quarter. Flow Traders U.S. LLC now owns 48,234 shares of the companys stock worth $2,937,000 after acquiring an additional 24,370 shares in the last quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC purchased a new stake in shares of iShares Core MSCI Pacific ETF in the first quarter valued at $603,000. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of iShares Core MSCI Pacific ETF in the first quarter valued at $678,000. Vident Investment Advisory LLC lifted its holdings in shares of iShares Core MSCI Pacific ETF by 207.3% in the first quarter. Vident Investment Advisory LLC now owns 14,045 shares of the companys stock valued at $856,000 after purchasing an additional 9,474 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lifted its holdings in shares of iShares Core MSCI Pacific ETF by 111.5% in the first quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 67,887 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,133,000 after purchasing an additional 35,788 shares in the last quarter. iShares Core MSCI Pacific ETF Stock Up 0.7 % IPAC opened at $63.40 on Thursday. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $60.87 and a 200-day moving average of $58.21. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.86 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.67 and a beta of 0.74. iShares Core MSCI Pacific ETF has a 12-month low of $52.93 and a 12-month high of $63.85. About iShares Core MSCI Pacific ETF The iShares Core MSCI Pacific ETF (IPAC) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI Pacific IMI index, a market-cap-weighted index of developed Pacific securities. IPAC was launched on Jun 10, 2014 and is managed by BlackRock. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IPAC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Core MSCI Pacific ETF (NYSEARCA:IPAC Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares Core MSCI Pacific ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Core MSCI Pacific ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wedmont Private Capital bought a new stake in Loews Co. (NYSE:L Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor bought 2,816 shares of the insurance providers stock, valued at approximately $201,000. Get Loews alerts: Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Raymond James & Associates grew its position in Loews by 9.5% during the first quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 59,878 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $3,881,000 after buying an additional 5,176 shares in the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. grew its position in Loews by 15.6% during the first quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 19,679 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $1,275,000 after buying an additional 2,655 shares in the last quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC grew its position in Loews by 21.1% during the first quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 53,610 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $3,475,000 after buying an additional 9,333 shares in the last quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS grew its position in Loews by 4.3% during the first quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 26,236 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $1,701,000 after buying an additional 1,081 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Vontobel Holding Ltd. grew its position in Loews by 6.5% during the first quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. now owns 4,934 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $323,000 after buying an additional 300 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 54.03% of the companys stock. Loews Trading Up 0.5 % Shares of L stock opened at $77.76 on Thursday. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $73.91 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $68.94. The company has a market cap of $17.28 billion, a PE ratio of 12.34 and a beta of 0.82. Loews Co. has a fifty-two week low of $52.85 and a fifty-two week high of $77.84. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48, a quick ratio of 0.32 and a current ratio of 0.32. Loews Dividend Announcement Loews ( NYSE:L Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Monday, February 5th. The insurance provider reported $1.99 earnings per share for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $4.26 billion for the quarter. Loews had a return on equity of 9.18% and a net margin of 9.02%. The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, March 5th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, February 21st were paid a $0.0625 dividend. This represents a $0.25 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.32%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, February 20th. Loewss payout ratio is 3.97%. Insider Activity In other news, insider Jonathan M. Tisch sold 4,287 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $71.91, for a total value of $308,278.17. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 106,870 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,685,021.70. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other news, insider Jonathan M. Tisch sold 4,287 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $71.91, for a total value of $308,278.17. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 106,870 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,685,021.70. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director Paul J. Fribourg sold 951 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, March 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $75.02, for a total value of $71,344.02. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 21,200 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,590,424. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 137,563 shares of company stock worth $10,052,551. Insiders own 18.30% of the companys stock. Loews Company Profile (Free Report) Loews Corporation provides commercial property and casualty insurance in the United States and internationally. The company offers specialty insurance products, such as management and professional liability, and other coverage products; surety and fidelity bonds; property insurance products that include standard and excess property, marine and boiler, and machinery coverages; and casualty insurance products, such as workers' compensation, general and product liability, and commercial auto, surplus, and umbrella coverages. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Loews Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Loews and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. There was music there in the Dublin air when Derrys St Marys College choir triumphed at the prestigious Feis Ceoil 2024. The choir won the Folens Publishers School Choir of the Year award and trophy, and celebrated by singing the exuberant Undertones anthem Teenage Kicks on stage. St Mary's College choir members with accompanist Trevor Burnside and musical director Emma-Jayne Kelly. In addition it scooped the Youth Choir - Two Part competition and was awarded the Patricia McCarry Trophy. It also placed second in the Alice Yoakley Cup and has been invited to perform at the Feis Ceoil Gala concert in the National Concert Hall in Dublin on April 17. The choral competitions, which took place last week in the magnificent RDS Concert Hall, were adjudicated by Peter Broadbent. Speaking to Derry News in advance of a special celebratory school assembly on Friday morning, Ms Emma-Jayne Kelly, who directs and conducts the choir, said everyone was ecstatic when the result was announced. I dont think we have come down to earth yet, she smiled. When our name was called we were euphoric and excited. The whole audience was behind us. Taking part in Feis Ceoil was a fantastic experience. It was great for our girls to see the dedication of all the choirs taking part. The experience in the rehearsal room itself was something they will never forget. There were even people rehearsing on the grass outside. In every single corner of the rehearsal room, everyone was giving it lilty. It was like something out of Pitch Perfect. It was great for the girls to see that everyone was so enthusiastic and determined. What I liked about the competition was that all the choirs were very complimentary and encouraging of us. They were lovely. They approached the girls and cheered, even after rehearsals and things. It was a lovely experience. Emma-Jayne revealed that the choir had been rehearsing non-stop since the turn of the year in preparation for Feis Ceoil. She explained: The first competition was a set piece. We started the set material in January and then we pulled out an old favourite Cabaret, which the junior members of the choir had to learn from scratch. There were a lot of intensive rehearsals. The Year Eights were wee troupers. They were rehearsing nearly seven days a week. Really, when you think of it, they were only out of Primary Seven and they were at choir rehearsals five lunchtimes a week and two days after school. Coming back to Derry after Feis Ceoil, Emma-Jayne the girls sang all the way home on the bus. They also face-timed St Marys Principal, Brendan McGinn, to tell him the brilliant news. A clearly delighted Brendan said: As Principal, I stand on the side line and cheer the choir on. The one advantage I would have is I taught music before I came to St Marys, so I would have a fair idea of the amount of work that Emma-Jayne puts into it and the commitment of the girls. To get to the level they have got to is amazing. I am not sure if the girls have really realised what they have achieved because we have never taken part in Feis Ceoil before and we were really dipping our toes in the water, he said. Emma-Jayne paid particular tribute to the choirs accompanist, Trevor Burnside. Trevor was with us for the long haul. He was brilliant. His words to me were, I have never been as pampered in my life. Those girls are a crowd of mothering hens. I would also like to thank the mammys and daddys and the people who travelled with us, not to mention all the teachers who let the girls out of class to rehearse. The whole school was really behind us and we appreciated that. Carntogher Community Association has proudly reflected on its significant journey over the past 30 years and eagerly anticipates the bright future ahead for the small rural area in County Derry. Since its establishment in 1992, Carntogher Community Association has been a beacon of strength and resilience, dedicated to preserving and promoting the rich language, cultural and environmental heritage of the area. Throughout its history, Carntogher has experienced numerous milestones and achievements. Notable highlights include the esteemed visit of President Mary McAleese in 2011, the purchase of Drumnaph Nature Reserve in 2013, and the prestigious recognition of being awarded Lionra Status in 2021. Lionra status, recognises the dedication and hard work invested over the years in the promotion of Irish within the community, our emphasis in supporting our youth through activities such as drama, singing and ranganna Gaeilge. From its humble beginnings with a vision to address the effects of economic, social, and geographical marginalization, as well as rural decline, the community has witnessed tremendous growth and development. Through tireless efforts, Carntogher Community has developed into the community site into a vibrant hub, now encompassing a Gift Shop, Cafe, theater, self-catering accommodation, and the community-owned nature reserve. Representing the Carntogher Community Association board, Liam O Flannagain referred to his pride of the achievements of the community. I am immensely proud of the incredible journey we've embarked on over the past thirty years. The dedication this the community has shown to our language, cultural, and environmental heritage has been the driving force behind the achievements. As we reflect on our past accomplishments and look ahead with excitement and hope, we remain committed to serving our community and fostering a bright future for generations, he said. To celebrate its journey and accomplishments, Carntogher will host "Carnlann" tomorrow, Friday, 22u Marta, an exhibition showcasing the area's achievements in Irish Medium Education, Nature and Heritage, and highlighting the diverse community annual events, including festivals, arts and youth programme. Carntogher Community Organisation extends a warm invitation to all to join in the celebration of its achievements and to look forward with excitement and hope for the continued growth and prosperity of the area. To book your place visit ancarn.org/whats-on or phone 028 79549978 For the first time in what Anne Marie Gallagher poetically described as its new life a truly local play is being staged in Derrys iconic St Columbs Hall. The Halls Project Director was referring to The Derry Yank, Derry author, Eamonn Lynchs first play - curtains up on Friday, May 31 and Saturday, June 1. The cast and crew of 'The Derry Yank' at the play's first read through in St Columb's Hall. The play stars talented Derry thespians, Maeve Connolly, Gerry Doherty and Pat Lynch. It is directed by Michael Poynor, former Chief Executive of the citys Millennium Forum and Head of Culture and Arts at Queens University, Belfast. Speaking to Derry News, Anne Marie tantalisingly revealed The Derry Yank centred on Martin Duffys return from New York after an absence of 45 years. Martin wants to see his old friend Kieran and to deal with some issues from the past, and thats where it all kicks off, said Anne Marie. Since St Columbs Hall Trust was established in 2019 to regenerate the Hall, we have been trying to bring a wide range of events to the venue. Whilst the Hall has always been somewhere dramas would have been staged and playwrights welcomed, the thing that is really appealing to me about The Derry Yank is that this is a local, first-time playwright. He scripted this himself, scripted all of the dialogue, everything to do with it and was really being ambitious. This is the first time in the Halls new life that we have been able to stage a locally created play here so it is really, really exciting for us. It is a big undertaking for Eamonn and for us here in the Hall but we are thrilled about it. I think The Derry Yank is definitely going to bring some much-needed humour to its audiences. Sometimes things can be very depressing, so I think, in the midst of all of that, some good news and a bit of humour will be just the tonic we need. I cant wait to see it. Anne Marie was confident The Derry Yank audiences would love the actors and characters Eamonn had brought to the play. Even from what I have seen so far, I think the play, although it does have serious moments, is definitely going to be a good nights craic, much needed amongst all the current bad news, she said. Rehearsals started in the Hall last week. The Director, Michael Poynor, was here with the cast and stage crew for the read through. There was a brilliant chemistry between all of the actors. Michael is a very, very experienced director. He has done an enormous amount of work with his own company. I think the whole project, The Derry Yank being staged here in St Columbs Hall is really exciting for us and for Eamonn as well. Hopefully audiences will love it. People here will get The Derry Yank. The characters and the references will really resonate with people from the city. Its going to be brilliant. We have obviously done a couple of concert events in the Hall and we have done comedy, but this type of dramatic theatre production is totally new for us. The Derry Yank will be the first time the first time we have gone down that road and, when you see all the plans, it is a completely new way of looking at the Hall. I know the lighting strategy they have is really dynamic and people will see the space in a different way. Thats what we want all the time. As well as The Derry Yank, events in St Columbs Hall are continuing apace. Anne Marie said: The Open Democracy project is ongoing and we are planning different concerts. We are currently working with Long Tower and Christ Church on a fundraising concert they are putting on here on March 24, with Margaret Keys and The Priests. We also have the big return of the Derry Feis, which we are extremely excited about and then we have Celtronic back here for the first time since before covid. They have Annie Mac, formerly of BBC Radio One coming over, so that is going to be great. In addition, we are looking forward to the Luke Combs Tribute Band and the Seeger Sessions Revival, the Jazz Festival and the Yes Festival in June, which is going to be absolutely magnificent. It is a massive European festival which is coming to the city that is going to anchor itself in St Columbs Hall. The Tickets for The Derry Yank can be bought online at: www.stcolumbshall.com or in person from Christopher in Ferry Clever in Bishop Street or Jenni in Little Acorns Bookstore in Great James Street. Tickets cost 18 or concession 16. The Northern HSC Trust has today unveiled its vision for Causeway Hospital, restating its commitment to the hospitals 'bright future'. Speaking at a launch event which was attended by Northern Trust staff, Chief Executive Jennifer Welsh said she hoped the publication of the Trusts strategic vision for the Coleraine hospital would allay any fears among staff and the wider community about its future. We have an amazing community here in Causeway, and the high esteem with which our staff are held by local people is testament to their commitment and dedication to providing the highest standards of health and social care to the local population, said Ms Welsh. I, along with our entire senior management team, am enormously proud of the people who are part of Team North here in Causeway, and today signals our reassurance to them that we remain committed to investing in the hospital and we are confident it will continue to serve the community for many years to come. Senior management took the opportunity today to restate the Trusts commitment to the hospital, saying Causeway would retain a 24/7 Emergency Department and acute inpatient services. Ms Welsh added: Since the reconfiguration of our maternity services model came into operation last summer, along with our current review of general surgery, we know that there have been many false rumours and speculation about what that might mean for Causeway Hospital. We feel it is important that we provide reassurance, both to our people, and to the wider community, that there are no plans to downgrade Causeway Hospital; in fact, its quite the opposite. We passionately believe that by focusing on the right services, attracting investment and building our workforce, Causeway has a very bright future and can be a shining example of how to do joined-up, integrated care. The Vision outlines the Trusts ambition to develop and enhance the Causeway site, focusing on same day emergency care, elective care and cancer services, and reshaping mental health provision to meet the needs of the local population. It also highlights how Causeway Hospital is perfectly positioned to become an elective and diagnostic hub for the entire North West area. The Trust has already started to develop an action plan to support the ambitions of the Vision and will focus on six key areas: workforce strategy, developing ambulatory care, enhancing elective care and diagnostics, mental health services, integrated care and consolidation and strengthening of ED and medical specialities. Neil Martin, Director of Strategic Planning, Performance and ICT with the Northern Trust, said: The need for transformation in health and social care is nothing new and indeed it is something that has been talked about for many years. In line with the Department of Healths work on a regional blueprint for our hospital network, there is now a real opportunity for us to take stock and consider how we can best shape our services for the years to come. The stark reality is that all hospitals cannot provide all services. Nor should they. Transformation is needed in order to tackle waiting lists and meet the needs of an ageing population against the backdrop of a very difficult financial situation. Delivering the best care and achieving the best outcomes for patients and service users must be at the heart of our service provision. As a Trust providing health and social care services in our community, it is vital that we continue to adapt to meet the changing needs of the areas population as well as ensuring our services are safe and sustainable as we move forward, Mr Martin added. Our population is changing, particularly when you look at the current demographic and projections for the Causeway Coast and Glens area. Its imperative that we respond to those changes if we are to continue providing the right care, at the right time, to the right people. The Trust is encouraging members of the public to get behind the vision and is welcoming any feedback. A copy of the Causeway Vision document is available to view and can be downloaded from here Questions or comments should be emailed to involvingyou@northerntrust.hscni.net Meanwhile, SOS Causeway Campaign Group have welcomed the delivery of 'A Strategic Vision' for Causeway Hospital as promised at their meeting with the Permanent Secretary of Health in August. "We note the emphasis on how the Northern Trust 'passionately believe that by focusing on the right services, attracting investment and building our workforce, Causeway has a very bright future'. The question is what the 'right' services are and will there be true and genuine consultation on such services and whether they will facilitate the needs of rural communities this time," stated SOS Causeway Hospital chairperson Gemma Brolly, a rural resident of Causeway Coast and Glens. "SOS Causeway Hospital advocate in conjunction with SOS Daisy Hill and with the SWAH community, learning from the experiences of each hospital community and strengthening the voice for both rural and urban communities." "With that in mind, one cannot help but notice the lack of reference to other services. Particularly noticeable with the strong likelihood of a public consultation splitting emergency and general surgery, having one based in Antrim and one based in Causeway is the continuing emphasis on 'Elective Care.' SOS Causeway Hospital did however receive confirmation of an 24/7 Surgical Presence in Causeway Hospital at their recent meeting with Northern Trust Representatives on 12th February and will continue to liaise and ascertain the capacity in which this will operate," affirmed Vice-Chair Adele Tomb, herself a Coleraine resident. Mrs Tomb continued: "The need for focus on elderly care cannot be denied, it is essential we work proactively, however, it is essential the same projected statistics extend to include the large amount of tourists visiting our beautiful Causeway coast and Glens. "The emphasis on Mental Health within our community is very much welcomed. As an advocacy group, we have received many concerns regarding the removal of the Ross Thompson Unit and the transfer of the service to the new Birch Hill Unit in Antrim. While we welcome the recognition of the need to address mental health issues and dementia, there is great concern within our local communities for all mental health, in fact young people in N. Ireland experience ill mental health at 25% higher prevalence than the rest of the UK, with one in 8 children and young people (up to 18 years) having a mental health need and one in 5 adults. The suicide rate in Causeway Coast and Glens in fact increased by 33% from 2019 to 2020(NISRA.) It is vital the Northern Trust fully and genuinely accept and drive forward the "opportunity to reshape how we provide mental health services in Causeway in line with the Regional Mental Health Strategy" and also in consultation with professional organisations and the whole community." Mrs Brolly concluded: "We are committed in our mission to continue to advocate for the health needs and services of everyone in our community, ensuring no section, no person is left behind. We will continue to liaise and lobby our political representatives, our government representatives and public servants to work genuinely in the best interests of the health of the people of Causeway Coast and Glens." A man has had his bail revoked and been remanded in custody at Derry Magistrate's Court today for being in the company of the alleged victim in his case. Damian O'Hara (44) of Kular Court in Derry appeared charged with breaching his bail just a week after being granted High Court bail. The defendant is charged with domestic offences and the court heard that he was granted bail on March 6. The court heard that the alleged victim in the case was reported as a missing person on March 17 and police spoke to O'Hara as part of their inquiries and he denied having seen her. When police went to the woman's address a neighbour told them the missing person had left on March 14 carrying bags of clothing and accompanied by the defendant. Police went to O'Hara's address and there was no answer so they forced entry and found the missing woman and the defendant in the property. A police officer said they had 'concerns' that the woman was vulnerable and also that O'Hara had breached bail so soon after being granted High Court bail. Defence solicitor Seamus Quigley said that his client would maintain the woman turned up at his door and accepted he should have sent her away. He said O'Hara 'did not seek her out'. District Judge Barney McElholm said that he had initially refused bail as the addresses were too close. He said he did not believe a word the defendant had said and he knew the woman had been reported missing. He revoked bail and remanded O'Hara in custody to appear again on March 28. Derry City and Strabane District Council and the PEACEPLUS Partnership Board are celebrating being the first Council in Northern Ireland to secure funding under PEACEPLUS. The Local Co-Designed Action Plan has successfully secured 8,047,327 which will fund 58 council area projects. Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Cllr Patricia Logue welcoming the news today said: Reaching this point has been the culmination of a long process working with, listening to, and empowering local communities across the entire geography of our city and district. "It has involved designing, costing and detailing 58 projects under three themes Community Regeneration and Transformation, Thriving and Peaceful Communities, and Celebrating Cultural Diversity. Congratulations to everyone involved and for the dedication and team effort throughout this process. Catherine Cooke (Foyle Womens Information Network / Chair of the PEACEPLUS Board.) said: Were thrilled at the announcement. Getting to this stage has taken huge commitment and partnership working between the local community and voluntary sector, the Local Growth Partnerships, council and statutory agencies. "The Board are thankful for the momentous energy and patience invested by everyone engaged in that process. The 58 projects will be tendered and will pour much needed funding into local communities. Martin Duffy (Derg Local Growth Partnership / Co-Chair of the PEACEPLUS Board) added: This welcome announcement marks a key milestone for our council area, said The funding will make a significant difference to cross-community engagement, peace and reconciliation and meeting key needs articulated by the community sector in the co-design phase of the bid. Sue Divin is Derry City and Strabane District Councils PEACE Manager. She explained the significance of the announcement. The funding is under a specific part of the PEACEPLUS Programme for local councils to bid for. We will be encouraging local community groups to look at the opportunities and tender to win the contracts. "We will also be highlighting how there are 21 other parts of the PEACEPLUS programme, including Theme 1.2 Small Grants opportunities up to 100,000. "Further information is expected to be issued by SEUPB on those in the next few months, so interested groups should watch for those opportunities on the SEUPB website. We would strongly encourage groups from our Council area to apply to maximize the benefit from PEACEPLUS funding together. Anyone wishing to receive information about future Tendering opportunities under DCSDC Local Co-Designed Action Plan should visit the website and sign up for direct email updates on: https://www.derrystrabane.com/community/peace-plus The Peace Team in Council can be reached via peace@derrystrabane.com The PEACEPLUS Programme is a funding partnership between the European Union, the Governments of the United Kingdom and Ireland, and the Northern Ireland Executive and will be administered by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). Match-funding for this element of the PEACEPLUS Programme has been provided by the Executive Office in Northern Ireland and the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government in Ireland. The King is doing very well, Camilla has said, during a visit in Belfast. The Queen was handed a get well card for her husband, who is undergoing treatment for cancer. She is undertaking a number of engagements in Northern Ireland on Thursday after arriving at the regions royal residence Hillsborough Castle on Wednesday night. Camilla met First Minister Michelle ONeill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly during an event at Hillsborough Castle. The ministers took up office earlier this year following the resurrection of devolved government in Northern Ireland after a two-year political impasse. During the event at the castle, Camilla marked World Poetry Day by watching spoken-word performances and met authors, actors and performers. Hosted by poet Paul Muldoon, the Queen watched performances by Derry Girls actor Ian McElhinney, actress Frances Tomelty, and contemporary poet Michael Longley celebrating the poetry and literature of Northern Ireland. Earlier, the Queen arrived to crowds of well-wishers on the bustling Lisburn Road in south Belfast. She met owners and staff at Coffeys Butchers, The Arcadia deli and Knotts Bakery before doing an impromptu meet and greet with well-wishers. Camilla was presented with a gift of some local favourites at Coffeys, including vegetable rolls and beer sausages, and responded saying: I shall take these back for my husband, he will make the most of them. During her visit to The Arcadia, shop assistant Brenda Robb asked after Charles, and handed her a get well card for him, extending her best wishes. Camilla accepted the card and thanked her, adding: Hes doing very well . he was very disappointed he couldnt come. Responding to quips about men not being the best patients, Camilla said: I try to keep him in order. Ms Robb told the PA news agency: She was beautiful, a real lady. She accepted a get well card that I got for her husband and she said she was sorry her husband wasnt here. It was a very appropriate card. It had a wee saying from Belfast, basically rest up, take care, and on the back of it, it said from Ireland. It was picked with love. People say maybe hell not get the card, but I think he will. Meanwhile, at Knotts, Camilla met owner William Corrie, as well as his wife, former Miss Northern Ireland and Blue Peter presenter Zoe Salmon, and their one-year-old son Fitz. The Queen chuckled as a joke was made that the young boy, dressed in a tux, had stolen her thunder, and smiled down at him. She left Knotts with a gift of their fruit loaf and iced madeira cake, adding she hoped to snack on it later. Camilla also visited Ballykinler army base in Co Down on Thursday in her role as Colonel-in-Chief of The Rifles, and took the salute at a pass-off parade for junior non-commissioned officers. The Queen arrived in Northern Ireland on Wednesday evening, with a bugler from the Hillsborough Ford Guard playing to mark her arrival at Hillsborough Castle in Co Down. She was last in Northern Ireland in May 2023 when she and the King undertook engagements on their first visit to the region following the coronation. She is travelling alone this week after Charles stepped back from his public duties while receiving treatment for cancer. Members of Michigans Bipartisan Congressional Delegation gathered on the House-side steps of the U.S. Capitol to take a photo in support of Congressman Dan Kildee and his family. Congressman Dan Kildees office Members of Michigans Bipartisan Congressional Delegation gathered on the House-side steps of the U.S. Capitol to take a photo in support of Congressman Dan Kildee and his family. Tim Kildee, the brother of U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee, was killed in a shooting early Tuesday morning in Genesee County's Vienna Township. Timothy John Kildee was arraigned Thursday, March 21on multiple felony charges including the death of his father. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson told the Associated Press that Kildee's son showed up at his father's house after being involved in a domestic incident at about 3 a.m. in Burton. Another family member told police there was a loud confrontation. The son demanded his father's wallet and car key. Then the shooting occurred. After the shooting, Timothy J. Kildee was involved in a traffic crash which resulted in him being hospitalized for his injuries. "There was some type of breakdown and or other entanglements that caused him to be so violent, Swanson told the Associated Press. The Strule Shared Education Campus will be world-leading, the First Minister has said. The Stormont Executive agreed to pledge 150 million towards the project during a meeting of ministers on Thursday morning. The funding will be over the next three years to deliver the campus in Omagh. It is designed to bring together six schools from a number of sectors and will see more than 4,000 young people educated on the one site. Earlier this week, Education Minister Paul Givan warned the project was at a critical juncture, with delays increasing the cost to more than 340 million. He said his department does not have the funds to cover a 170 million shortfall. The main works contract for the project is set to be awarded by early summer with construction expected to start on site later this year. On Thursday, First Minister Michelle ONeill said she is proud the Executive has reached agreement on it. She described the project as being all about inclusion, reconciliation, learning together. Speaking to the media during a visit to Hillsborough Castle, she added: This is going to be a world-leading project, and Im very proud our Executive has signed off today in terms of the ongoing commitment to make sure that it is built. Weve just returned from the United States. Theyre looking towards us in terms of hope and opportunity, and for me this flagship project in Strule is all about hope, all about opportunity, and Im delighted we were able to get to that point today. Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly described Strule as a really exciting project. She added: We were up at Limavady in terms of the shared education project there to see that sense of schools being able to keep a sense of their own identity and ethos but sharing, so it is bringing young people together. That will be an inclusive environment where children can learn together and really get to know each other. Were really passionate about shared education and we believe it is the way forward very much in bringing those schools together. After meeting a prime minister, a taoiseach and a president, a royal encounter seemed to be the next logical step for Stormonts new leaders. As the Queen entered the Red Room at Hillsborough Castle dressed in green, she addressed the First and deputy First Minister, Michelle ONeill and Emma Little-Pengelly, by their first names and quickly told them that Charles sent his very, very best wishes. Ms ONeill and Ms Little-Pengelly responded with equal warmth, sending their regards to the King, who is undergoing treatment for cancer. Camilla said the King was very disappointed not to be joining them in Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris posed with the three women for official photographs, before being gently asked to step aside so the Queen could be photographed alone with the two Stormont leaders. Camilla said: Its just the three ladies now. There was a time when Sinn Fein ministers meeting members of the royal family made headlines around the world. Now, it just seemed like another day at the office. Ms ONeill, Northern Irelands first nationalist First Minister, attended the funeral of the late Queen and the coronation of Charles. Later she said it had been lovely to meet Camilla again and welcome her to the Co Down castle where they listened to a number of poetry recitals. She said: A very pleasant event, listening to locally renowned poets, recitals on the stage, a very moving event, it was great to welcome her here. I sent my regards to the King in terms of his health, and wished him well, and also to the Princess of Wales. Ms ONeill and Ms Little-Pengelly have recently returned from the US where they met President Joe Biden and were hailed in Washington for their efforts in leading the powersharing executive. They have also hosted Rishi Sunak and Leo Varadkar at Stormont. While they have insisted they are not interested in gesture politics, Thursdays event at Hillsborough Castle was another step in reinforcing the sense of partnership which the Sinn Fein and DUP leaders are determined to forge. The group next moved to the grand surroundings of the castles Throne Room for the literary event hosted by Camillas Reading Room charity. The Queens love of literature is well known and she marked World Poetry Day by watching a series of spoken word performances from Derry Girls actor Ian McElhinney and actress Frances Tomelty. Poems were read in English, Irish and the Ulster Scots dialect. A small crowd of around 100 sat in silence as the words of some of Northern Irelands most renowned poets Louis MacNiece, John Hewitt and Seamus Heaney were read aloud. Contemporary Northern Ireland poetry was also represented with Sinead Morrissey reading The Millihelen, her poem about the Titanic. Raquel McKee, originally from Jamaica, delivered an energetic reading. However, perhaps the symbolism of the occasion was best captured by Michael Longley, Northern Irelands most famous living poet, who read Ceasefire, a work which tells of the search for peace and reconciliation. Ms Little-Pengelly said the event touched on many of the themes that she and Ms ONeill have been trying to promote. She said: Her Majesty the Queen has done huge amounts of work in terms of promoting reading and this is very much part of her Queens Reading Room series of events. It was fantastic, and the poems were absolutely amazing and very much touched on the complexity of our history, heritage and identities here which is very much part of what we have been trying to promote as well. Verbal jabs at China EV 100 Forum reflect complex atmosphere among carmakers Chinese automotive executives hurled jabs at each other during the recent EV Forum. Held in Beijing, Huawei's Richard Yu, Xpeng's founder He Xiaopeng, Nio's founder William Li, and other automotive executives attended the China EV 100 Forum. Their remarks reflected the intricate relationships among Chinese carmakers, who compete and collaborate simultaneously. In his speech at the forum, He said elimination in China's EV sector has begun. Xpeng will focus on smart driving technology in the next 10 years. He also said the company would be the first among competitors to put a large technology model into its vehicles in the second quarter of this year. For 2024, Xpeng plans to invest CNY3.5 billion (US$486.17 million) in smart technology. Huawei has become a significant smart driving technology developer with its Zhixuan model, which secures partnerships with carmakers. After He's speech, Richard Yu, chairman of Huawei's Intelligent Automotive Solutions (IAS), "provoked" the Xpeng founder by saying that while Xpeng has been viewed as a leader in smart car technology, Huawei is poised to change the perception shortly. Yu said Huawei offers the best experience in cockpit and smart driving technology recognized by the industry. Huawei and Xpeng have taken opposite approaches. Xpeng has expanded its product portfolio to EVs priced between CNY100,000 and CNY150,000. The M7, an EV Huawei developed with Seres, targets the CNY300,000 market. The vehicle Huawei built with Chery Automobile, the S7, is also a mid-to-high-end model. The verbal jabs between Huawei and Xpeng reflected the different business strategies they take and the industry's intense competition under the table. Chinese automakers must choose between lowering vehicle costs and prices and focusing on high-end models to secure profits. Comprehensive supply chain control will be critical William Li, Nio's founder, chairman and CEO, said at the forum that in the next eight years, about 19.4 million EVs will face the issue of battery maintenance costs. If each EV needs CNY60,000 to replace its battery, the after-sale market will be valued at over CNY1 trillion. The situation will affect the business model of EV batteries. According to Li, BYD and Nio are the only automotive OEMs in China that operate battery labs. Nio aims to develop long-life batteries that can last for 15 years. Li Yunfei, general manager of branding and public relations at BYD, said before 2022, EVs were more expensive than gasoline cars. BYD rolled out EVs with the same price level as gasoline cars in 2023 and those with lower prices in 2024. Li said BYD was able to reduce prices because the company has covered from the upstream, including batteries and electric motors, to the downstream, such as insurance and direct selling of some EVs. Gu Huinan, general manager of GAC Aion, said opportunities remain as market competition continues to heat up. Chinese carmakers will be able to scale inside and outside China due to the fierce rivalry. Gu also said no high-end EV brand has secured its position except for Tesla. Premium automakers still need more time to solidify their market. 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. Smart City Summit 2024: embrace urgency of climate action and transformation Langdon Morris, leader and senior partner of Innovationlabs, urging city leaders to act swiftly in the face of climate change. With his book "Net Zero City" as a backdrop, Morris delivered a compelling keynote address at the 2024 Smart City Summit & Expo. Morris emphasized the imperative for cities to transition rapidly to net-zero emissions. In his address, Morris highlighted the optimism inherent in envisioning a successful net-zero transition, contrasting it with the dire consequences of inaction. He commended city leaders for their role in attracting populations and fostering economic growth and underscored the challenges posed by urbanization, including excessive reliance on oil, water scarcity, and climate-related disasters. "Net zero is not just an engineering or architectural problem; it's a governance problem," Morris emphasized, urging leaders to adopt a systematic approach to tackle the multifaceted challenges. He outlined five critical elements: governance, urban design, infrastructure engineering, economics, and cultural and social aspects. Central to Morris's message was the importance of data-driven decision-making. He advocated collecting and analyzing vast amounts of data across various sectors to inform effective strategies. Morris introduced the concept of an "urban twin," akin to a digital twin for entire cities, to model energy performance and guide decision-making. Morris stressed the need for a comprehensive roadmap tailored to each city's unique circumstances, aiming for net-zero emissions well before the widely accepted target of 2050. He urged city leaders to adopt a phased approachassess, plan, act, and accelerateemphasizing the critical role of leadership in driving transformative change. "The urgency of the net-zero transition cannot be overstated," Morris concluded, urging city leaders to embrace their role as catalysts for change. "Humanity has never faced a challenge of this magnitude. Your leadership is essential in charting a path toward a sustainable future." Taiwan's context In Taiwan, the primary source of greenhouse gas emissions is the energy sector (>90%), particularly emissions from power generation (48.6%). With the ongoing trend towards electrification in the future, electricity demand is expected to rise steadily. Hence, the development of zero-carbon electricity is prioritized in clean technology research and development efforts. Dr. James C. Liao, President of Academia Sinica, presented insights from a comprehensive study focusing on science and technology solutions to achieve natural emissions in Taiwan. He emphasized the predominant role of energy usage in contributing to CO2 emissions. Electricity generation emerged as the largest source, accounting for approximately 50% of emissions, with natural gas playing a significant role. Proposing a paradigm shift in energy generation, Liao introduced five pioneering technologies aimed at leading Taiwan toward a net-zero emission economy. Among these, methane pyrolysis to power stood out as a promising solution. By extracting hydrogen and solid carbon from methane, this innovative approach offers a clean energy alternative devoid of CO2 emissions. Furthermore, Liao underscored the untapped potential of geothermal energy in Taiwan. Despite possessing vast geothermal resources, Taiwan has only scratched the surface of harnessing this renewable energy source. Liao's team has embarked on exploring deep-well geothermal energy, aiming to unlock its vast potential for sustainable power generation. Credit: DIGITIMES He also highlighted the prospects of ocean current energy, particularly in the Pacific Ring of Fire region. With advanced turbine technology, harnessing the formidable force of ocean currents presents a promising avenue for clean energy production, albeit with engineering challenges to overcome. Taiwan's advancements in solar panel technology, focusing on enhancing efficiency to maximize energy output while minimizing land requirements, are relatively mature. Liao envisions a significant leap in solar energy conversion efficiency by developing multi-junction solar cells, paving the way for the widespread adoption of solar power. Lastly, Liao elucidated the role of biomass as a carbon sink, emphasizing the importance of leveraging photosynthesis to capture and sequester carbon from the atmosphere. By harnessing native plants with rapid growth rates, Taiwan aims to cultivate a sustainable source of biocarbon for carbon offsetting purposes. Nvidia's data center market opportunities can be as much as US$250 billion, says CEO Jensen Huang CEO Jensen Huang stated that Nvidia does more than just design chips, it's a "data-center-scale" corporation. At the recent GPU Technology Conference (GTC) event, Nvidia announced its latest Blackwell architecture AI GPU series. Huang pointed out that the overall data center market scale Nvidia faces is expected to have an annual growth rate of up to 25%, with the potential to surpass the US$250 billion mark. In an exclusive interview with CNBC, Huang stated that 30 years ago, everyone believed that CPUs could handle many tasks well and were only bad at some tasks like parallel computing. Thus, GPUs were used to offload these tasks from CPUs. However, it was later discovered that the tasks CPUs were bad at took up 95% of the entire computing process. It seemed that general-purpose products were not very efficient in almost all sectors. He noted that the Blackwell computing system is so powerful that it could replace thousands of general-purpose computing systems. The costs of general-purpose computing systems not only come from itself; the cables used to connect the systems are also quite expensive. With the Blackwell system, this one unit can replace thousands of general-purpose systems, resulting in significant savings in energy and other costs. It is precisely because of such high computational efficiency that the development of AI technology has become a possibility. If computing systems can write their own programs with AI, what do humans need to do? Huang responded that humans need to guide the software and develop algorithms to help computing systems design programs on their own. This type of algorithm is called deep learning. Besides chips, Nvidia also develops systems, network products, and software, covering almost the entire composition of data centers. So, do any other semiconductor companies need to exist? Facing this sharp question, Huang stated that the semiconductor world is "gigantic", and Nvidia is merely investing in "this one niche called accelerated computing and AI." However, this is an important niche market because it is the foundation of future computing. Huang also revealed that the Blackwell architecture GPU has a staggering 208 billion transistors. The R&D budget Nvidia invested in it exceeds US$10 billion. Its sales price will be between US$30,000 to US$40,000. According to a report from Reuters, Huang later clarified that these chips are bundled in much larger computing systems, and the price will vary depending on the value these products can provide to customers. When asked by investors at the GTC event, he estimated that the data center market size facing Nvidia is growing by as much as 25% annually, potentially surpassing US$250 billion. An analyst from Morningstar stated that Nvidia's products may continue to hold the top spot in the overall AI hardware market. The report also said that Nvidia's ability to expand its business to other software and hardware, network-related products, and platforms is commendable. Quoting several analysts, Reuters pointed out that as competitors introduce new products and several important customers begin to invest in in-house chip R&D, Nvidia's market share in 2024 may drop by a few percentage points, but its market-leading position will not be affected. Hackers can turn your EV into a deadly weapon Just when you thought it was safe to get back in the EV. In terms of quality, global automotive cybersecurity programs represent a mixed bag. There are major differences across the automotive industry value chain. Malicious software attacks can begin in a supplier's internal systems. They then extend to a service providers' networks and loop back to the car manufacturer's corporate network. US network experts at Cisco Systems said that while hackers primarily target high-value car manufacturers, the threat extends to all participants in the value chain. Suppliers, dealers, and other stakeholders are also at risk because of network attacks. Dystopian EV Engineering said that by intercepting and manipulating genuine signals, hackers can achieve full control over an EV's controller area network (CAN), focusing on regenerative braking, ADAS, and crucial powertrain elements. These assaults have the potential to induce abrupt acceleration or halts, thermal runaway incidents, and misinterpretations in pedestrian detection, it added. The key issue lies in the complexity of the entire automotive supply chain and the incomplete nature of cybersecurity defense systems. For hackers, finding vulnerabilities and exploiting them is relatively easy and can lead to significant disruption. Automotive industry attacks have been on the rise in recent years. When hackers attacked electronic component suppliers in February 2022, Toyota was forced to halt production of 13,000 vehicles. In April 2022, General Motors (GM) was attacked. Hackers leaked customer data and reward points from gift cards. Despite security measures, Continental was attacked by hackers who stole some data from its information systems. In the first half of 2023, Tesla was targeted. The assailants seized partial control over several of the vehicle's functions. Internet-connected vehicles carry around 12 key attack vectors, and each vector has multiple entry points, including various control devices, safety in driver-assistance areas, transmission, and communication systems. Charging infrastructure is an EV's Achilles heel for potential attacks. As Germany's Center of Automotive Management (CAM) explained, the risk will continue to rise. As software-defined cars, electric vehicles, self-driving cars, and networked supply chains become more prevalent, the risk of cyber threats continues to increase, it said. The letter of the law Recent European cybersecurity regulations have forced many popular older European models out of the market. Upcoming Chinese models will likely be affected by the new regulations. Supply chain operators say those wanting to expand into Europe must do their homework. This includes obtaining the necessary qualifications such as ISO 26262 and 21434. Chinese car manufacturers wanting to take their wares to Europe need to make sure they are up to standard. India reportedly expresses reservation about HCL-Foxconn OSAT project Although India approved three chip projects under its flagship incentive policy, the Indian government reportedly has some reservations about the packaging and testing facility project proposed by HCL and Foxconn. The Economic Times quoted unnamed Indian government officials saying that HCL and Foxconn, which formed a joint venture in January, proposed to invest US$100-150 million to set up an OSAT facility in India under India's INR760 billion semiconductor and display fab incentive scheme, with Foxconn holding 40% of the joint venture. However, sources told the Economic Times that the Indian government asked the duo to include more information in their proposal, such as the technology on which the facility will function, the technology partner, and the type of technology transfer agreement between the partners. The report quoted a government official saying that the three projects approved by the government had these details. The Indian government previously approved three projects, including a wafer fab proposed by Tata and built by PSMC, and two ATMP/OSAT facilities to be operated by Tata and CG Power, respectively. India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the three projects in mid-March. Foxconn earlier set up a joint venture with Vedanta, proposing to establish a wafer fab producing chips on 28nm process node. Before the joint venture fell apart, the Indian government also required them to find a technology partner and asked them to submit more information regarding the feasibility of their project. Besides the project proposed by HCL and Foxconn, Israel-based Tower Semiconductor's proposal has yet to obtain clearance due to legal issues between Tower Semiconductor and its former joint venture partner. India is ambitious about being in the ranks of global chipmaking hubs. Ashwini Vaishnaw, minister of Electronics and IT of India, expected the first made-in-India chip to be produced by the end of 2024 and foresaw five more fabs to come in the next five years. In an interview, Vaishnaw told the Economic Times that India would be among the top five chipmaking hubs, along with Taiwan, South Korea, the US, and China. Subscriber content preview Photo via Aegis Living [enlarge] Aegis Living Newcastle, which opened in 2018, was one of 28 senior living communities in the state to be recognized. Senior living community search engine Seniorly on Monday announced the winners of its 2024 Best of Senior Living Awards . The program recognized 334 senior living facilities which Seniorly says represent the best in the nation. . . . Subscriber content preview OLYMPIA Admiralty Head Lighthouse at Fort Casey State Park will open later than usual, in mid-April, with an update to its exhibits, according to a news release from Washington State Parks. The lighthouse on Whidbey Island attracts over 50,000 visitors a year. It will reopen with museum-quality interpretive panels that promise improved readability and new ways to interact with the two Fresnel lenses on display, the release said. . . . Bridges Church of Manistee, the former Manistee United Methodist Church, is located at 387 First St. in Manistee. Scott Fraley/News Advocate MANISTEE COUNTY The word United was removed from outside the former Manistee United Methodist Church recently. Now called Bridges Church of Manistee, its congregation has joined thousands of others in leaving the United Methodist Church denomination. A sign installed this month at Bridges Church of Manistee reflects its new name, though Pastor Dan Barkholz says that nothing has changed in his approach to ministry. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I always say to people the name on the front of the building does not produce who you are, Barkholz said. Just because you change the name doesnt mean it is reflected in what you do and what we have always done is love people where theyre at and try to introduce them to a relationship with Jesus Christ. A quarter of United Methodist Church congregations in the U.S. have received permission to leave the denomination over disputes about the churchs changing stance on LGBTQ-related policies. An unofficial tally by United Methodist News suggests that over 5,600 congregations received permission to leave the denomination in 2023. The majority are conservative-leaning churches, responding to what they see as a failure to enforce bans on same-sex marriage and the ordination of LGBTQ clergy. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In 2016, dozens of United Methodist clergy members came out publicly as LGBTQ, fueling the debate by defying the churchs ban on self-avowed practicing homosexuals. In a public letter, 111 pastors, clergy members and ministry candidates said church rules demand that we not bring our full selves to ministry, that we hide from view our sexual orientations and gender identities. "We come out ... to provide hope for LGBTQI young people in hostile UMC churches. ... We come out to remind them that Gods love for them is immeasurable, and offers them a love that will never let them go, even when it feels like the church is willing to let them go," part of the letter states. In February 2019, a special legislative General Conference approved the traditionalist plan to strengthen these longstanding bans. The Associated Press reported that votes came from a coalition of conservatives in the U.S. and overseas, particularly from fast-growing African churches. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Progressives who remain in the UMC advocate for removing the bans, and are expected to make their case at the denominations next general conference scheduled for April 23-May 3 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Each of the UMCs five U.S. jurisdictions approved measures in November 2022 to ensure LGBTQIA+ people will be protected, affirmed and empowered, within the church. Efforts to lift these bans are expected to have a strong chance, given the departure of many conservative votes. In total, 7,658 congregations have left since 2019, with many choosing to join the newly formed Global Methodist Church. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Bridges Church of Manistee disaffiliated from the United Methodist denomination through a vote on May 21. Nearly 77% of the congregation voted to leave the United Methodist denomination, according to Barkholz. In a separate vote, a majority decided to pursue membership in the Global Methodist Church. We decided that it was best to hear from the people and let the people decide, Barkholz said. We felt that it needed to come to a vote. The majority of those who voted to remain in the denomination have since left the church. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Some people, I think, have left the church with a really hard decision about that because they believe we are in some way maybe excluding gays, homosexuals or lesbians , Barkholz said. We are not excluding them but we're not changing the message either.' Bridges Church is not the only church in northern Michigan to join the Global Methodist denomination. A church in nearby Bear Lake was rechristened as Bear Lake Community Church after leaving the UMC. The remaining churches in Manistee County that still holds onto the United Methodist Church name are located in Arcadia and Brethren, according to UMC.org. This schism marks a major shift in a denomination that was until recently the third largest in the U.S., the Associated Press reports. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The United Methodists reported having 30,543 U.S. churches as of 2019 and 6 million U.S. members as of 2021. It had at least one church in 95% of U.S. counties, more than any other religious group, according to the 2020 Religion Census, produced by the Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies. The Manistee United Methodist congregation dates back over 160 years. Barkholz said its message has been consistent, and will not change as a member of the Global Methodist denomination. Its not just about the social issues of the day, because, 20 years from now theres going to be new social issues, Barkholz said. But spreading the message of who Jesus is and what he did for us and to help us understand that we can have salvation is our mission, and Im not going to stray from that. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The process that would lead to exiting the denomination was already well underway when Barkholz took over as pastor of then-Manistee UMC in July 2022. I asked them to delay the vote when I first came for a little while so that I could get to know my leaders and what the congregation was thinking, Barkholz said. The congregation held meetings with representatives from Global Methodist, United Methodist and independent churches. It was a long process, carefully orchestrated and it had to be run within the context of the current denomination and the rules that we had to play by, according to the United Methodist (church), Barkholz said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Barkholz said that the new Bridges name is a nod to finding connections between people and the good news of Gods grace. We do that by connecting with other people and growing as disciples, he said. Had the vote gone the other way, Barkholz said he would respect the congregations wishes and remain on as pastor. I felt called to this community and I told our leadership and I told people no matter which way the vote goes, I will be here as pastor of this church. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Bridges Church of Manistee is located at 387 First St. For more information visit bridgeschurchofmanistee.org. Subscriber content preview TULALIP (AP) Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has signed a multimillion-dollar measure to send state money to tribes and Indigenous people in the state who die from opioid overdoses at disproportionately high rates in Washington. Inslee signed the bill, along with a half-dozen other fentanyl-related bills, Tuesday on the Tulalip Indian Reservation. The bill for tribes is expected to provide nearly $8 million total each year for the 29 federally recognized tribes in Washington. The money will come partly from a roughly half-billion-dollar settlement between the state and major opioid distributors. . . . One man is due to appear in court this morning in relation to an arson attack at a premises on New Years Eve. The incident took place at a pub in Ringsend, Dublin 4 on December 31, 2023. Initially, three individuals were arrested, two males in their 30s and 50s and a female in her 20s. Gardai have now confirmed a man has been charged and will appear in court this Thursday morning, March 21. Following a garda warrant search of four properties in February 2024, a number of items including electronic devices were seized. The fire broke out in a disused pub on Thorncastle Street on New Year's Eve, which had been earmarked to be used to house homeless families. Anti-immigrant protests were held around the building at the time in response to false claims that it was to accommodate asylum seekers. One man in his 40s has been arrested and charged as part of this investigation, gardai have confirmed, and he is expected to appear before the Criminal Courts of Justice Court No. 4, this morning at approximately 10.30am. A Dublin man has appealed for help for his wife, as cancer is eating her alive. Every day, Ronnie OToole feels powerless as he sees his wife Gwen suffers. Gwen was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer to the sternum. While she was taking cannabis oil for one type of cancer, she learned that it can aggravate hormonal cancers. Doctors found a second tumour in 2021. Now, Gwen says she has two pot holes in her chest which are causing her excruciating pain. Nothing that they have given me has worked. Chemo, targeted treatment, TDM1, oral chemo, OxyContin, oxynorm, gabapentin, Morphine, Sevredol, palladone. All at different time of course. Nothing is stopping my cancer from growing nor taking my pain away apart from this new alternative treatment which is expensive, Gwen explained. Gwens husband, Ronnie, set up a fundraiser in a bid to help his wife as alternative treatment is expensive. "I look at my wife lying on the sofa day in and day out, with what I can only describe as broken-hearted, he says. I must look over at her a thousand times a day when Im not doing my chores, As Gwen calls them, seeing her squeezing her eyes closed along with a constant frown on her face even when shes asleep. Hearing the moans an groans while shes holding her chest. It kills me that I cannot do anything, I feel so powerless. Ronnie added: Cancer is eating her alive. Having gone through this, living in limbo for the last seven years. The not knowing, living her life from scan to scan every three months. Hoping and praying that it hasnt spread. Gwen has tried every treatment available to her to date. The last treatment she was on was working for the type of cancer she was diagnosed with initially but now having developed another type of breast cancer nothing is working for that. You can actually see this cancer eating away at her. She has two huge holes where her breast used to be and every time I walk into the kitchen where she dresses her wound, the tears running down her face from the pain of trying to clean it. I walk back out hoping she hasnt seen nor heard me, I stand in the hallway holding my hands on my head, looking up to heaven and cursing at God saying, Why Gwen, why not me. If I could take it out of her body and put it into mine, I would. You can donate to the fundraiser here. Every little bit helps, is the message from Dundalk man and cancer survivor Joseph Woods who will be among the many people supporting the Irish Cancer Societys annual Daffodil Day appeal this Friday. Josephs journey with cancer began in 2019 when he received the daunting diagnosis of Hodgkins Lymphoma. I was only 30 at the time, Joseph recalls, and to hear the words that you've got cancer, it is a scary time. However, with the steadfast support of his family and friends, along with plenty of positivity, Joseph tackled his treatment head-on, and is now in remission. I would love for people to support Daffodil Day as everybody is affected by cancer in some way, either on a personal level or a family member or friend may be going through it. Daffodil Day helps the Irish Cancer Society to support everyone affected, as I know from my time with cancer, he said. Joseph recalled how he was first diagnosed in February 2020 after his symptoms had started around October, November 2019. I went through about three and a half months of biopsies and tests and scans and eventually surgery, which they got my final diagnosis with. And then in February, the doctor told me that this is what I had, Hodgkins Lymphoma. And then the same week, I started chemotherapy for six months after that. Joseph says he was naturally scared at first but found that keeping a positive attitude really helped him to process his diagnosis and cope with the disease. I was only 30 at the time, and to hear the words that youve got cancer, it is a scary time. And they had told me that I mightnt have twelve months to live, which made it even scarier, but I suppose I got on with it at the time and I knew what was ahead of me. So just [keeping] a positive outlook I had through the whole experience and the positive mindset helped me the whole way through it. And with the support of family and friends, it was brilliant as well. Everybody got behind me and it just made the whole experience that much easier. Throughout his battle, Joseph found solace in the compassionate care provided by the Irish Cancer Society. During my treatment, I spoke to the nurses, and they guided me with little tips and things on what to do when youre feeling sick and things like that. The driving service for people who cant get to the hospital, keeps another worry off people. Now, lucky enough, I didnt need that service because my wife was off work at the time and she was able to take me. But to know the services there is brilliant. Even if one week you dont have anyone to give you a lift to hospital, you can contact them and they will sort that for you. With figures showing that one in two of us will get cancer at some point in our lives. There isnt a family in Ireland that hasnt been touched by the disease, and for Joseph, the key advice is to remain positive if at all possible. The only advice is to stay positive. And I know its hard for people to hear that after a diagnosis, but Im speaking from experience. A positive mindset makes everything so much easier. I know its easy to go into a corner and feel sorry for yourself, and it is difficult, period. And Id also encourage anybody, especially men if you think theres something wrong, go and get it checked, because we as fellas put everything on the long finger and think that itll go away. Lucky enough for me, I went and got it checked, and if I didnt go and get it checked, I mightnt be here speaking to you today. I would encourage people if you think somethings wrong. Go and get it checked out. As Daffodil Day approaches, Joseph is urging the local community to support Daffodil Day The Irish Cancer Society provides great services around the country because around 42,000 people a year get diagnosed with cancer in Ireland. And the services they provide for all those people is brilliant. And I know not everybody needs themselves, but just to know that theyre there to help people is amazing. They depend on things like Daffodil Day,on the 22 March for the fundraising, because I think its only around 5% of the income is government funded. Everything else is fundraising by themselves. So every little bit helps for them. Thanks to the generosity of the public, the Irish Cancer Society insured that in 2023 there were: Over 350 free lifts to bring Louth based cancer patients to their cancer treatment Over 330 free counselling sessions to people living in Louth; and Over 230 nights of free Night Nursing care to allow cancer patients in Louth to die at home surrounded by loved ones. A spokesperson for the society said: The Irish Cancer Societys Daffodil Day takes place Friday 22nd March 2024 and were asking Ireland to come together as a community and go all in against cancer. There are lots of ways to get involved- You can support Daffodil Day with your school, college or workplace, or maybe youd like to host your own event with friends and family in your community. You can sell Daffodil Pins in your business, or volunteer to join us with bucket collections in your area. Visit cancer.ie to get involved or learn more. A murder investigation is underway following the death of Ian Baitson, who was killed in a sword attack in Cobh, Co Cork. Ian Baitson, aged 33, died after being critically injured in a sword attack in Cobh, Co Cork, on March 15. The father of one died on Tuesday afternoon at Cork University Hospital (CUH), following the assault, which occurred on Friday night at approximately 8.55pm in a car park on Newtown road. A post-mortem examination has now been carried out, and preliminary results have been provided to investigating Gardai. Although results are not being released for operational reasons, Gardai have now commenced a murder investigation. A Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) is leading the investigation, and a designated Garda Family Liaison Officer is providing continuous support to the family of the deceased, ensuring they are kept informed of developments. Gardai are appealing for any witnesses to the incident to come forward. Additionally, individuals who were traveling along the Newtown Road between 8:45 pm and 9:15 pm on Friday the 15th of March and possess camera footage, including dash-cam footage, are asked to provide it to investigating Gardai. Anyone with information pertinent to the investigation is urged to contact Cobh Garda Station at 021 490 8530, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station. Irish government ministers have rejected calls for an early election following Taoiseach Leo Varadkars shock resignation as focus shifts to the race to succeed him. In an emotional address outside Government Buildings in Dublin on Wednesday, Mr Varadkar announced he would step down as premier when a successor is confirmed. He also quit as leader of the Fine Gael party with immediate effect but made clear he does not intend to stand down as a TD for Dublin West in the Dail parliament. Mr Varadkar said his tenure as Irelands leader had been the most fulfilling time of his life but said he no longer felt he was the best person for the job. The announcement came after a turbulent number of weeks for the Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and Green Party three party coalition. Earlier this month, it was resoundingly beaten in two referendums on changes ministers had proposed to the Irish constitution. Mr Varadkars resignation has prompted calls from Sinn Fein and other opposition parties in the Dail for a general election. Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan dismissed those demands on Wednesday, signalling a determination that the government should run its full term which would see an election held in the first few months of next year. Attention is now on the potential race within Fine Gael to succeed Mr Varadkar as party leader and Taoiseach. Higher education minister Simon Harris, Justice minister Helen McEntee and Public Expenditure minister Paschal Donohoe are among the names touted as possible successors. Deputy party leader Simon Coveney, who lost the last leadership contest in 2017, has ruled himself out of contention this time round. Fine Gael members held a parliamentary party meeting and an executive council meeting on Wednesday night. At the first meeting it is understood Mr Varadkar pledged his unequivocal support for his successor. Following the meeting of the executive council, it was agreed that nominations for the next party leader will open on Thursday morning at 10am and close next Monday March 25 at 1pm. Candidates must be nominated by at least 10% (six members) of the parliamentary party, comprised of TDs, Senators and MEPs. Should there be a leadership contest, voting for almost 20,000 eligible party members will take place across the country on Tuesday April 2 to Thursday April 4. The new party leader will be announced on Friday April 5 in time for the partys annual conference (Ard Fheis) on April 6, paving the way for the new taoiseach to be formally elected when the Dail returns after Easter recess. Mr Varadkar said his decision to quit was both personal and political. I believe this government can be re-elected and I believe my party, Fine Gael, can gain seats in the next poll, he said. Most of all I believe the re-election of this three-party government would be the right thing for the future of our country. Continuing to take us forward, protecting all that has been achieved and building on it. But, after careful consideration and some soul searching, I believe that a new taoiseach and a new leader will be better placed than me to achieve that, to renew and strengthen the team, to focus our message and policies, to drive implementation. And, after seven years in office, I dont feel Im the best person for that job anymore. Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald told Mr Varadkars government colleagues it was time for an election. Rather than limping on, and rather than passing the office of taoiseach amongst yourselves again, the correct democratic route at this point is to go to the people, she said in the Dail. Mr Martin said the coalition was based on parties, not personalities, as he insisted the coalition could continue without Mr Varadkar. I remain committed to the continuation of government, to the fulfilment of our mandate and to the implementation of the programme for government, he said. Mr Ryan said the resignation should not disrupt the work of the coalition. Why would it stop us doing anything? We have work to do. At Cabinet today there was a full agenda, there will be a full agenda next week, he said. Mr Varadkars surprise departure comes ahead of local government and European Parliament elections in Ireland in June. Over the last year, 10 Fine Gael TDs have announced their intention to step away from politics at the general election, fuelling speculation of internal discontent within the party. The comprehensive rejection of the Governments proposed constitutional amendments was a significant blow to Mr Varadkar and other coalition leaders who had campaigned for Yes Yes votes in the plebiscites. Cabinet ministers met in Dublin for the first time on Wednesday since the referenda defeats. Mr Varadkar, 45, has also just returned from the US where he was involved in several high-profile engagements with President Joe Biden as part of traditional St Patricks Day celebrations. He is currently serving his second term as Taoiseach. Mr Varadkar, who first became premier in 2017, once insisted he would not remain in politics beyond the age of 50, albeit he later said he regretted making that pledge. During his time as Taoiseach, Ireland passed a landmark referendum to liberalise its strict abortion laws in 2018. Mr Varadkar also played a key role in the Brexit negotiations, with a crunch meeting with then prime minister Boris Johnson at a manor house on The Wirral in England seen as a significant moment in paving a way for the deal on the UKs exit from the EU. The agreement staved off the prospect of a hard trade border being introduced on the island of Ireland, but it did prompt years of further political turmoil, particularly within unionism in Northern Ireland, over the creation of a so-called Irish Sea border on the movement of goods between the region and Great Britain. Mr Varadkar was taoiseach at the onset of the Covid pandemic in 2020 and announced a lockdown, in arguably his most famous address, while on an annual St Patricks Day trip to Washington DC. In his first term as premier, Mr Varadkar led a minority government that was sustained in power by way of a confidence and supply deal with the then main opposition party Fianna Fail. Following the 2020 general election, Fine Gael and Fianna Fail agreed to enter coalition for the first time a seismic move for two arch rivals founded from opposing sides of Irelands civil war of the 1920s. The Green Party led by Mr Ryan joined as the administrations junior partner. The coalition deal saw Mr Martin serve as taoiseach for the first half of the mandate, with Mr Varadkar retaking the position at the mid point of the government term. Mr Varadkars detractors will point to Irelands ongoing housing shortages and chronic problems within the health service as major government failings during his time as premier. The political establishment in Ireland has also been under increasing pressure on migration issues in recent times, with an influx of tens of thousands of Ukrainian refugees and asylum seekers from elsewhere in the world heaping further strain on state services and accommodation stock. In his resignation speech, the outgoing Taoiseach said politicians were human beings who had their limitations. We give it everything until we cant anymore and then we have to move, he said. He said Fine Gael candidates in forthcoming elections had a better chance under a new leader. I know inevitably therell be speculation as to the quote unquote real reason for my decision. These are the real reasons. Thats it. I have nothing else lined up, I have nothing in mind, I have no definite personal or political plans, but Im really looking forward to having the time to think about them, he said. Mr Varadkar said there was never a right time to resign high office but he said it was as good a time as any to step down. Budget 2024 is done, he added. Negotiations have not yet commenced on the next one. Institutions of the Good Friday Agreement are working again (with the return of powersharing in Northern Ireland) and our trading relationship with the UK in the post-Brexit era is settled and stable. The new taoiseach will have a full two months to prepare for the local and European elections and up to a year before the next general election. Mr Varadkar thanked his fellow coalition leaders and his party colleagues for their support. Most of all, I want to finish by thanking the people of Ireland for giving me the opportunity to serve them, he said. And Ill promise Ill keep working for Ireland and my community in any way I can in future. Mr Varadkar was applauded by Fine Gael ministerial colleagues as he finished his speech and walked back into Government Buildings. Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton, left, speaks alongside Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson during a press conference at Genesee County Prosecutor's office in Flint on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, announcing Congressman Dan Kildee's brother had been murdered in Vienna Township on Tuesday morning. Julian Leshay Guadalupe/AP Timothy J. Kildee is accused of killing his father, Tim Kildee, the brother of U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee. Genesee County Sheriff Departmen/TNS Timothy John Kildee was arraigned Thursday, March 21, from his hospital bed in Hurley Medical Center on multiple felony charges including the death of his father, Tim Kildee, the brother of U.S. Rep Dan Kildee. Timothy Kildee, 27, appeared remotely via Zoom before Genesee County District Judge Christopher Odette. He was read the 16 charges filed against him and did not have a lawyer present. Media reports described him as confused. The Detroit News reported that during the hearing, the Mount Morris resident confirmed he could hear the judge but said, "I'm not really sure what's going on, though." His charges include: Murder, multiple felony firearm counts, armed robbery, carjacking, operating while impaired causing serious injury, first degree home invasion, two counts of carrying a concealed weapon, misdemeanor assault and battery, and interfering with electronic communications. Advertisement Article continues below this ad He is accused of shooting his father, Timothy E. Kildee, 57, at his home Tuesday in Genesee County's Vienna Township. Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson told the Associated Press that Kildee's son showed up at his father's house after being involved in a domestic incident at about 3 a.m. in Burton. Another family member told police there was a loud confrontation. The son demanded his father's wallet and car key. Then the shooting occurred. After the shooting, Timothy J. Kildee was involved in a traffic crash which resulted in him being hospitalized for his injuries. "There was some type of breakdown and or other entanglements that caused him to be so violent, Swanson told the Associated Press. Advertisement Article continues below this ad He was ordered held without bond on the homicide charge and was given lesser bonds for his other charges. He was under police watch and will be taken to jail without bond if released from the hospital. A felony murder conviction carries a penalty of life in prison without the possibility of parole, according to Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton. Congressman Dan Kildee said in a statement released Tuesday that his extended family is grieving and heartbroken." "There are no words to describe the loss of a beloved brother and family member, especially in such a terrible tragedy," he added. Advertisement Article continues below this ad According to the Associated Press, dozens of lawmakers gathered Wednesday on the steps of the U.S. Capitol for a photo to show support for the congressman. Some held signs that said, We love you, Dan. After Leo Varadkars whirlwind resignation, Simon Harris is set to become the new leader of Fine Gael and Irelands next premier. In a matter of hours, the Wicklow TD garnered a plethora of parliamentarians, MEPs and councillors to back him as the partys next leader following Mr Varadkars shock decision. The 37-year-old father of two has been described by his party colleagues as energetic, a great communicator and as having a vision for Ireland that is about equality of opportunity. A media-savvy and personable politician who is well-versed on social media sites Instagram and TikTok, he has been at the helm of three departments over an eight-year period. His visibility during his tenure as justice minister covering for minister Helen McEntee while she was on maternity leave fuelled speculation on his interest in a leadership bid for the so-called law and order party. A student of journalism at DIT at one point, he has quickly gone from writing about headlines to making them. As a young boy growing up in the seaside town of Greystones in Co Wicklow, Mr Harris is said to have repeatedly stated he wanted to be taoiseach. After cutting his political teeth as an assistant to former justice minister Frances Fitzgerald when she was a senator, and then working as a councillor, he was elected to the Irish parliament as its youngest TD in 2011. His maiden speech in the Dail was to nominate Enda Kenny as taoiseach. He served as a junior minister in the Department of Finance from 2014 before being propelled to the role of minister for health in the Fine Gael-led minority government that was formed in 2016. Known as one of the most difficult Irish ministries, Mr Harris faced issues such as the ownership of the National Maternity Hospital, the spiralling cost of the National Childrens Hospital and a controversy around Irelands cervical cancer screening programme. After the Irish public voted to liberalise its abortion laws in a 2018 referendum, Mr Harris received praise and even adoration by campaigners who viewed him a strong voice for the Yes campaign. In the February 2020 general election, Mr Harris was returned on the 15th count and remained as a caretaker health minister. In the first few months of the Covid-19 pandemic, he urged people to wear face coverings and adhere to new rules, but was also criticised for an absence of planning for nursing homes. After incorrectly stating during a radio interview that Covid-19 meant there were 18 other coronaviruses, he did an Instagram live video where he showed humility by apologising and stating he was an awful old idiot at times. In the three-party coalition government, he became minister at the newly-formed Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. As higher education minister, he toured the country opening and speaking at educational institutions, and during his brief stint as justice minister he traversed bogs with families of The Disappeared. In one of a series of public events, Mr Harris took part in in his last week as justice minister, he told a room of gardai: I want to let you know we have your back. We need to live in a country where we dont as politicians just wring our hands and condemn, though condemning is important, we actually need to update the laws to support the gardai, and thats what Ill endeavour to do. Its very easy for people to sit behind desks, or people like me to go in front of microphones and second-guess the Gardai. Ill never do that, because I trust your operational judgment. Once taking up the role as taoiseach, he will take Leo Varadkars old title as the youngest-ever Irish premier. Beth Drazak plans to open her new business, Marcie's Angels Cat Cafe, on 3039 Main Street in Glastonbury around mid-to-late summer. Beth Drazak / Contributed photo It has always been a life-long dream for Beth Drazak to run a cat sanctuary or rescue. This year, she is launching a new business to provide a safe space for rescued furry felines but not in the way she originally anticipated. The Glastonbury resident plans to open a cat cafe on 3039 Main St. around mid-to-late summer, she said. Marcies Angels Cat Cafe, named after the first cat Drazak owned as an adult, will allow customers to play with rescue cats from a local shelter and apply to bring them home. The cats will come from Protectors of Animals in East Hartford, where Drazak has served as a volunteer for over a year, she said. She expects to have 8-10 cats in the cafe. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "The goal is to make (the business) successful and to adopt out as many cats as possible," she said. The task of operating a space full of roaming cats is not new to Drazak. During her childhood in Massachusetts, she and her family took in "every stray, every hurt animal" in their yard, she said. "We grew up with a house full of animals and my parents bred German shepherds, but I'm more of a cat person," she said. "We always had cats." But Drazak didn't start channeling her love for cats into business until March 2023. She and her kids visited New Havens Mew Haven Cat Cafe and she ended up chatting with business owner Angela Pullo. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "I said, 'If I ever won the lottery, this is what I've always wanted to do: a cat rescue,'" Drazak said. "And she said, 'You don't need to win the lottery to do this.'" Marcie's Angels Cat Cafe is named after owner Beth Drazak's former cat of 11 years. Beth Drazak / Contributed photo With Pullo's mentorship and lots of research under her belt, she signed the lease for space in February. Drazak, who works full-time for a financial advisor in Glastonbury, considers the cafe her pre-retirement passion project," and plans to start renovations "soon," she said. The space will consist of a cafe area and cat lounge. Customers will need to buy tickets and reserve a 50-minute time slot to play with cats, all of which will be fully vetted and spayed or neutered, she said. The animals will also receive all the appropriate shots and undergo socialization and behavioral assessments. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The lounge and the cafe will be separated by viewing windows, so that non-ticketholders and people wilth allergies can still access the cafe, Drazak said. The current lineup of vendors for the cafe includes Sweets by Jenna from Rocky Hill and New England Coffee Guy in Newington. She's also considering hosting special events and offering discounts to students during finals season, she said. Once Marcies Angels Cat Cafe opens, it will be one of few cat cafes in Connecticut, along with Pullo's business in New Haven and All the Single Kitties in Old Saybrook, which has its own cat lounge, Drazak said. Torrington is also expected to get its own cat cafe, but the opening date is unknown. Drazak hopes to see more cat cafes pop up around New England and she believes the businesses can help encourage more adoptions amid the overcrowding of animal shelters across the U.S., she said. "The cats are more accessible to people," she said. "Because I know with Protectors of Animals, it's all volunteer base. So, they can only do adoptions by appointment only. This way, people can come in and check out the cats." Advertisement Article continues below this ad She said the community's reaction to the news of her business has been "overwhelmingly positive" so far. "This can't open soon enough," she said. "I've had so many inquiries for volunteering and jobs. I've had different vendors reach out to me about selling products." "(The feedback) been incredible," she added. "I didn't see it having this much of an impact, but everyone is super excited." President Joe Biden arrives on Air Force One Wednesday March 20, 2024, at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, in Dallas. Jacquelyn Martin/AP WASHINGTON (AP) Another 78,000 Americans are getting their federal student loans canceled through a program that helps teachers, nurses, firefighters and other public servants, the Biden administration announced Thursday. The Education Department is canceling the borrowers loans because they reached 10 years of payments while working in public service, making them eligible for relief under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. These public service workers have dedicated their careers to serving their communities, but because of past administrative failures, never got the relief they were entitled to under the law, President Joe Biden said in a statement. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Congress created the program in 2007, but rigid rules and missteps by student loan servicers left many borrowers unable to get the cancellation they were promised. The Biden administration loosened some of the rules and retroactively gave many borrowers credit toward their 10 years of payments. Through those actions, the Biden administration has canceled loans for more than 871,000 public service workers. Previously, about 7,000 borrowers had successfully gotten their loans canceled. The latest round of forgiveness will cancel about $5.8 billion in federal student loans. Starting next week, those receiving the forgiveness will get an email from Biden congratulating them on their relief. A message from the Democratic president, who's running for reelection, will also be sent to 380,000 borrowers who are within two years of forgiveness under the program. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I hope you continue the important work of serving your community, the message says, and if you do, in less than two years you could get your remaining student loans forgiven through Public Service Loan Forgiveness. The program was created to encourage Americans to work in public service, including teachers, firefighters, nurses, government employees and those who work for nonprofit groups. After 10 years of monthly payments on their loans, the program promised to erase the remainder. But when the first wave of workers hit their 10-year mark, the vast majority were rejected. Many didnt realize their loans werent eligible under the program's rules, and many had been improperly steered into forbearance by their loan servicers, putting a temporary pause on payments and halting their progress toward cancellation. In 2021, the Biden administration offered a one-time fix that retroactively gave borrowers credit for past payments even if they had been in forbearance or had an ineligible loan. It later loosened some of the rules permanently. Payments made more than 15 days after their due date previously werent counted toward the 10 years, for example, but the new rules count payments that are late or made in installments. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Today, more than 100 times more borrowers are eligible for PSLF than there were at the beginning of the Administration, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said Thursday. The Biden administration says it has now canceled nearly $144 billion in federal student loans through the public service program and others, including a program for borrowers who have been misled by their colleges. Biden is separately pushing for wider cancellation for borrowers who have been making payments for decades and those who went to colleges that are deemed to have low value for graduates, among others. The Education Department is pursuing that plan through a federal rulemaking process after the U.S. Supreme Court blocked Bidens previous attempt at widespread cancellation. Advertisement Article continues below this ad ___ Embark on a serene wellness journey this Holy Week as you discover a new sanctuary tucked in the mountains of Calatagan. Visit Nawa Wellness and experience a holistic wellness retreat just a 3-hour drive from Metro Manila. Allow the pressures of everyday life to melt away as you indulge in Nawa Wellness unique blend of Filipino wellness traditions and modern techniques. Rest and unwind with Filipino massage treatments, Kawa Bath, Cold Plunge, and a Himalayan Salt Room. From Good Friday to Easter Sunday, start a reflective path with Nawa Wellness special Holy Week activities. On March 29, Good Friday, meditate on the Passion of the Lord with a Stations of the Cross morning trail that leads to the Capilla de Madre Dolorosa, a scenic chapel with a view. Continue your path of inner restoration on March 30, Black Saturday, with a Shamanic Breathwork and Meditation session at 7:00AM at the Yoga Deck. Finally, express your inner reflections and transformative journey with Panibagong Pinta: A Glass Painting workshop set on March 31, Easter Sunday. You can book their wellness suites at PHP 7,000 for an overnight stay, this comes with a sumptuous healthy breakfast at Dalisay Epicurean Wellness Dining. Guests get to enjoy amenities like their lagoon-shaped pool and their well-equipped fitness center. For those searching for a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city, Nawa Wellness welcomes you to its hidden abode. Begin your wellness journey now by booking at https://nawawellness.com/. To stay updated on the latest news and offers, follow Nawa Wellness on Facebook at facebook.com/nawawellness and on Instagram at instagram.com/nawawellness. Nawa Wellness is the wellness venture of Araw Hospitality Groupthe bold new player in the hospitality industry committed to creating extraordinary experiences that captivate and inspire guests. With a rich portfolio of successful hospitality ventures such as Lihim Resorts in El Nido and UNWND Boutique Hotels, the group continues to redefine the boundaries of exceptional hospitality. Nawa Wellness is only three hours away from Metro Manila, located at Brgy. Bagong Silang, Calatagan, Batangas. For inquiries, please contact 0998 995 6508 (Viber) or email reservations@nawawellness.com. Children and volunteers try their hand at beekeeping at the community garden at Roosevelt Park in Middletown last summer. Alison Williams / Contributed photo MIDDLETOWN A social justice organization wants to turn a rarely used park in the North End into a farm run by youth and people of color. Diana Martinez, program manager for Cultivating Justice and principal of Dee's Crafty Bees, wants to rent the property for five years. The plot would be used for beekeeping and honey production, crop growing, poultry farming, arts and crafts and other purposes. City-owned Roosevelt Park is a 2-acre plot at 18 Miller St. Cultivating Justice and its partners were looking for communities such as Miller and Bridge streets, "which are isolated from the rest of town, a distance away from any local food source or bodega, and where people are experiencing high need," Martinez said during the March 12 Economic Development Commission meeting. "We found that here." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Martinez is partnering with Lorenzo Jones, co-founder and co-executive director of the Hartford-based Katal Center for Equity, Health, and Justice on the project. Children decorate brick tiles at the Roosevelt Park garden on Miller Street in Middletown. Alison Williams / Contributed photo Dee's Crafty Bees is a queer, BIPOC woman-owned apiary invested in the future of our communities and our environment," Martinez said in her proposal. Her goal is to cross-pollinate apiculture and fiber arts. "Our passion is connecting upcoming generations to the natural world around them, teaching them about the importance of bees, supporting their interest in arts for creative and therapeutic purposes," she said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Diana Martinez, program manager for Cultivating Justice and principal of Dee's Crafty Bees, wants to rent Roosevelt Park for five years and use it for beekeeping and honey production, crop growing, poultry farming, arts and crafts and other purposes. Cassandra Day / Hearst Connecticut Media Cultivating Justice is a local, youth-led organization that identifies community needs, such as food security, land access, environmental justice, and civic engagement, on behalf of those underrepresented in Connecticut's farming community, according to its website. The partnership includes Chicks Ahoy Farm in Bloomfield, which works to create a space where Black and brown people living in Connecticut who are seeking a relationship with the environment, renewable energy, animal husbandry, or other forms of farming can find the support and assistance they need to become farmers. Anything grown or cultivated will be offered to neighborhood residents at no charge, Martinez told commission members. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Raised garden beds being built at the community garden at Roosevelt Park in Middletown last summer. Alison Williams / Contributed photo She foresees allowing businesses owned by people of color to access the land. "This space would serve as an incubation space for them to try out some of their ideas, to practice growing food," Martinez added. The land would be exempt from taxes, and the lease has a renewal option for another five years. Cultivating Justice hosted a conference at Wesleyan University on Feb. 24 called Growing Power 24. Over 300 people attended the event, resident Krishna Winston said during the meeting's public session. Advertisement Article continues below this ad She praised the organization's efforts in promoting farmers of color, social justice, producing food for the community, and involving high school students. Winston hosted a session on composting with worms during the conference to the delight of children, she told commissioners. "The spirit and level of expertise of the people who attended was truly impressive," she said. "I felt as though the eagerness to expand knowledge of nature and become expert in various aspects of farming was really remarkable." In 2019, the North End Action Team proposed the project, which was approved but never implemented, EDC office Administrator Brian Gartner said at the meeting. Advertisement Article continues below this ad For information, visit cultivatingjusticect.com. 2022 Journal of Financial Stability Do banks fuel climate change? Altunbas, Y., Spaggiari, M., Marques-Ibanez, D., Reghezza, A., Rodriguez DAcri, C. 2022 Journal of Banking and Finance Market power and bank systemic risk: Role of securitization and bank capital Altunbas, Y., & Marques-Ibanez, D. van Leuvensteijn, M. and Zhao, T. 2019 European Financial Management Securitization and credit quality in the European market Kara, A., D. MarquesIbanez and S. Ongena 2017 European Central Bank, Research Bulletin Securitisation, credit risk and lending standards revisited Marques-Ibanez, D. 2017 Journal of Financial Intermediation Realized bank risk during the great recession Altunbas, Y., S. Manganelli and D. Marques-Ibanez 2016 Journal of Finance 71(5), 1933-1974 Who borrows from the lender of last resort? Drechsler, I., T. Drechsel, D. Marques-Ibanez and P. Schnabl 2016 Journal of Financial Stability 26, 107-127 Securitization and lending standards: evidence from the wholesale loan market Kara, A., D. Marques-Ibanez and S. Ongena 2014 Journal of Money, Credit and Banking 46, 327-331 Comment on Foreign banks: Trends and impact by Claessens, S. and N. van Horen Marques-Ibanez, D. 2014 International Journal of Central Banking 10, 95-136 Does monetary policy affect bank risk-taking? Altunbas Y., L. Gambacorta and D. Marques-Ibanez 2014 Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money 32, 473-490 Determinants of syndicated lending in European banks and the impact of the financial crisis Howcroft, B., A. Kara, and D. Marques-Ibanez 2013 Journal of Banking and Finance 37(6), 2000-2010 Is bank default risk systematic? Fiordelisi, F, D. Marques-Ibanez 2013 Economic Policy 28 (74), 289-333 Bank ratings: What determines their quality? Hau H., S. Langfield and D. Marques-Ibanez 2012 Economic Letters 117, 220-222. Do bank characteristics influence the effect of monetary policy on bank risk? Altunbas Y., L. Gambacorta and D. Marques-Ibanez 2012 Journal of International Money and Finance 31, 80-101 Securitization, credit growth and financial instability: the case of Spain Carbo-Valverde, S., D. Marques-Ibanez, F. Rodriguez-Fernandez 2011 Economic Policy 26(66),137-182 The new bank lending channel: Evidence from the crisis Gambacorta, L. and D. Marques-Ibanez 2011 Journal of Banking and Finance 35(5),1315-1326 Efficiency and risk in European banking Fiordelisi, F, D. Marques-Ibanez and P. Molyneux 2010 Journal of Financial Stability 6, 121129 Bank risk and monetary policy Altunbas Y., L. Gambacorta and D. Marques-Ibanez 2010 European Journal of Finance 16 (5), 437-458 Large debt financing: syndicated loans versus corporate bonds Altunbas, Y., A. Kara and D. Marques-Ibanez 2010 Handbook of Banking, Oxford University Press Securitisation: Causes and consequences Marques-Ibanez D. and M. Scheicher 2009 European Economic Review 53, 8, 996-1009 Securitisation and the bank lending channel Altunbas Y., L. Gambacorta and D. Marques-Ibanez 2008 Journal of Business and Economics 60, 3, 179-290 Mergers and acquisitions and bank performance in Europe: the role of strategic similarities Altunbas, Y. and D. Marques-Ibanez 2008 Journal of Financial Services Research 27, 2, 163-181 High-yield bond diffusion in the United States, the United Kingdom and the euro area De Bondt G. and D. Marques-Ibanez 2005 A BESSBOROUGH mother and baby home campaigner has condemned that survivors of Bessborough will not be compensated for the work they carried out during their time at the institution. It comes as the compensation scheme for survivors of mother and baby homes opened for applications yesterday. Bessborough is not included on the list of institutions relevant for work-related payment, while Cork County Home, Cork (Midleton) County Home, Cork (Clonakilty) County Home, and Cork (Fermoy) County Home have been included. Won't be paid Activist Maureen Considine, a member of the Cork Survivors and Supporters Alliance, said: From 1922 to 1998, the women who worked in Bessborough the public patients wont be paid for the work they did. Other major institutions like St Patricks on the Navan Rd in Dublin are also excluded from the work payment. To us, thats really big because the public patients did a lot of work. They did cooking and cleaning. I know a woman who cleaned the rooms of the private patients, and she did all the laundry for the private patients as well. That wasnt her choice, she had to do that and now shes not going to be paid for the work she did. I know another woman whose job it was day-in, day-out to clean the dirty nappies. This was back in the time of the cloth nappies in the 70s. We also know Bessborough had a farm so there would have been girls working on the farm. It wasnt ordinary domestic work, it was industrial-scale work so we were really surprised when the lists came out. The Department of Children said the payment scheme will provide financial payments and health supports to eligible people who spent time in mother and baby institutions. The 42 institutions covered by the payment scheme have been broken up into two listicle tables. The first lists all institutions relevant for general payment, work-related payment, and health supports and the second lists institutions relevant for general payment and health supports only. Misery Catherine Coffey, a Bessborough survivor and member of the Cork Survivors and Supporters Alliance, said that while she broadly welcomes the scheme, she would question how the birth mothers misery can possibly be measured. The legacy of this history is more than a monetary value. It is about the attitudes towards women and girls and the attitudes towards womens rights in general and we have to learn from this history so that it never repeats itself. We speak of feminism and equality but if we dont implement the actual meaning of those words, then we have learned nothing, she said. If we want to talk about healing and acknowledging, I believe it starts with the birth mother and it ends with the birth mother. Me and many birth mothers want closure but we want control of the narrative. We were there. Our autonomy was taken. Another element of the payment scheme that has been widely criticised is the requirement that the survivor must have been a resident of an institution for at least six months. An Rabharta Glas councillor Lorna Bogue, who in 2020 resigned from the Green Party citing the Governments handling of issues around the Mother and Baby Homes Commission, said the imposition of a time limit doesnt account for that lifelong harm that was done to those women and children. Recompensed Labour Party local election candidate for Cork City South East Peter Horgan said all survivors of these institutions should be recompensed, no matter their length of time in such homes. Those who are eligible for the scheme can apply via the Governments website, by downloading a form, or phoning the Payment Scheme Office helpline. The Department of Children has been contacted by The Echo for comment. Leo Varadkar has been described by party colleagues in Cork as a man of great intellect who worked hard to steer the country through difficult times following his decision to step down as Taoiseach and leader of the Fine Gael party. Mr Varadkar made the shock announcement yesterday, saying that his reasons for stepping down were personal and political, but mainly political. The Dublin West TD will remain as Taoiseach until a successor is appointed. Speaking to The Echo following the announcement, Fine Gael TD for Cork East David Stanton described Mr Varadkar as a man of great intellect who has worked very, very hard. He was always there anytime I contacted him with any issue, he was back straight away, virtually, with advice or a comment. He was very good for that, for being reactive and responsive. Covid pandemic Mr Stanton said the outgoing Taoiseach has steered the country through very tough times among them the outbreak of the covid pandemic. I remember when he spoke at the start of covid in America and he said he was closing the country down. That was a major, major decision, but it was the right decision at the time, as the vast majority of people now agree, he said. Mr Stanton said he would like to see the current coalition see out its term a sentiment that was echoed by his party colleague, Cork North Central TD Colm Burke. We still have work to do. We still have targets to reach were going to have a change of leader in Fine Gael. There is probably five potential contenders there, so people have a choice. Its a case of who decides to put their name forward and who decides to contest it. New leader Speculating as to who the next leader of the party might be, Mr Burke said that he believes current Fine Gael ministers, Simon Coveney, Simon Harris, Paschal Donohoe, Heather Humphreys, and Helen McEntee could all be potential contenders. However, that was prior to Mr Coveney declaring he would not be seeking the party leadership last night. Every one of them has the expertise, having served as ministers, and has the potential to give the leadership thats required, he added. Mr Varadkar became Taoiseach for the second time on December 17, 2022, taking over from the current Tanaiste, Micheal Martin. Mr Varadkar previously served as Taoiseach from June 2017 to February 2020. Born and raised in Dublin, he is a qualified medical doctor and a graduate of Trinity College Dublin. He was a member of Fingal County Council from 2003 to 2007 and elected to Dail Eireann for the Dublin West constituency on his first attempt in 2007 and was re-elected to a fourth term in 2020. Privilege Speaking outside Government Buildings yesterday, Mr Varadkar said it had been a privilege to serve as head of government. My reasons for stepping down now are personal and political, but mainly political, he said. I believe this Government can be re-elected. I believe my party, Fine Gael, can gain seats in the next Dail. Most of all, I believe that would be the right thing for the future of our country, continuing to take us forward. Protecting what we achieved and building on it. After careful consideration and some soul-searching, I believe a new taoiseach will be better-placed than me to achieve that to renew and strengthen the top team, to refocus our message and policies, and to drive implementation. After seven years in office, I am no longer the best person for that job. Thanked He said he could stand aside in the absolute confidence that the country and the economy are in a good place and thanked his party, coalition partners, constituents, and colleagues for their support. I know, inevitably, there will be speculation as to the real reason for my decision, he said. These are the real reasons. Thats it. I have nothing else lined up or in mind. No definite personal or political plans, but I am looking forward to having the time to think about them. Tanaiste Commenting yesterday, Mr Martin said he respected the Taoiseachs decision and wished Mr Varadkar well. He reiterated his view that he would like to see the Coalition see out its term. From my perspective, and from Fianna Fails perspective, we are going to fulfil our mandate, he said. There is a lot of work to be done, and that is our focus at this time. Cathaoirleach of Seanad Eireann, Fine Gael senator Jerry Buttimer, said Mr Varadkar has been an extraordinary Taoiseach and a great leader of the party. I wish him well and thank him for what he has done for the people of Ireland, but in particular for the people of Cork, and his support of so many key projects around Cork, he said. A BOOK of evidence was served on a man accused of carrying out an aggravated burglary at a house in his area last September. Judge Mary Dorgan sent the case forward from Cork District Court for trial at the sessions of Cork Circuit Criminal Court commencing on April 8 in the case against Keith Coleman, aged 34, of 7 St Finbarrs Road, Cork, who faces three charges. Sergeant Gearoid Davis confirmed at Cork District Court that a book of evidence had been served on the defendant. Mr Coleman is accused of taking 270 cash and a packet of razors on September 19, 2023, during the alleged aggravated burglary at another property on St Finbarrs Road. The first charge under the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act states that while committing an alleged burglary he produced a knife to intimidate another person. He faces a related charge of threatening to kill a person at that address on September 19, 2023. Finally, he faces the aggravated burglary charge of committing a burglary while armed with a knife. MINISTER for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris, heads the early betting with BoyleSports as the 1/3 favourite to be the next Fine Gael leader after Leo Varadkars surprise resignation. Mr Varadkar caused a political shockwave yesterday afternoon when he said he was stepping down for reasons both personal and political, claiming a new Taoiseach would be better placed to achieve gains for Fine Gael at the next general election. Mr Harris has been swapping positions as frontrunner to be next leader with Corks Enterprise, Trade and Employment Minister Simon Coveney over the past few years. However, after Mr Coveney ruled himself out of the running yesterday evening, the bets in the immediate aftermath of Mr Varadkars announcement clearly favour Mr Harris. If he was to take over from Mr Varadkar, Mr Harris would become the countrys youngest ever Taoiseach at 37, taking that title from his predecessor. Time to elect a new leader This morning, Fine Gael parliamentary party chairman Alan Dillon said it is time to move on from yesterdays earthquake and elect a new leader. Six members of the parliamentary party TDs, senators and MEPS are needed to nominate a candidate, and the PPs vote counts for 65% of the share when the party elects a new leader. He said a contest between candidates is expected. I think everyone would welcome a contest, Mr Dillon said, but added it would be unfair for him as chairman to express a public preference for a candidate. Asked whether Fine Gael had been in government long enough, he said: Certainly not. Im confident that this government can certainly be re-elected whenever the next general election is called. Fine Gael under a new leadership can gain seats in the next Dail election and lead the government with a historic fourth term. I think thats achievable; with a new leader in charge certainly, I think that will bring a lot of energy. 'Simon is something different' Minister of State Neale Richmond has said if Simon Harris runs as a candidate for the Fine Gael leadership he will back him. Speaking on RTE Radio, Mr Richmond said Mr Harris had told him he was considering running. He said among Mr Harriss achievements are his time as health minister during the Covid-19 pandemic and the work he currently does as Minister for Further and Higher Education. Asked if Mr Harris represented more of the same, Mr Richmond said: Simon is something different. He said he would welcome a contest between Fine Gael candidates, but added I do think Simon Harris is the best person for the job. Fine Gael MEP Frances Fitzgerald has also said she will back Simon Harris as the next leader of the party and the next Taoiseach. I look forward to nominating Simon Harris as the next leader of Fine Gael later today, the former justice minister said on Twitter. He has an absolute commitment to the country and the Fine Gael party. I believe Simon has all of the necessary qualities to lead the country as Taoiseach at this critical time. Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Paschal Donohoe (7/2), Justice Minister Helen McEntee (7/2), and Minister of State for Financial Services, Credit Unions and Insurance Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (12/1) are also prominent on the list of likely successors. Despite insisting that he has no definite personal or political plans in his address to the nation yesterday, some Irish punters have already turned their attention to what is next for Mr Varadkar. He has quickly been backed down to 16/1 from 50/1 to replace Michael D Higgins when the Presidential role changes hands next year. Meanwhile, odds of 7/4 suggest Mr Varadkar may tie the knot before the end of the year, while the chances of a memoir hitting bookshelves by Christmas are rated at 20/1. Odds stand at 5000/1 that the FAI will turn to the outgoing Taoiseach as next Republic of Ireland manager while odds are at 25/1 that he will appear in the next series of Dancing with the Stars. A CORK GP and psychiatrist have expressed differing views on the recommendations of the joint committee on assisted dying. The committee published its final report yesterday, recommending that the Government introduces legislation allowing for assisted dying in certain, restricted circumstances. 'People should have the choice' Cork GP Dr Andy Lyne welcomed the decision of the committee, saying: Theyve listened to experts, particularly international experts. The topic has been reviewed in a careful and comprehensive manner, and we would now hope that these recommendations would be acted on if not by this Government, then the next. He added: Over the years, Ive had patients who have asked me for assisted dying, people who were suffering with illness despite the best palliative care. People should have the choice. Its about respecting and supporting reasonable choices. I dont believe people should have to suffer due to the moral beliefs of others. If it is the choice of an individual that they want to avoid unnecessary suffering, then we should respect that. Recommendations could be 'dangerous' Consultant liaison psychiatrist Dr Eric Kelleher explained that he works with people who are terminally ill, and who often express the wish to die, but worries that following the recommendations of this report could be very dangerous. Dr Kelleher explained that many factors could be at play, such as untreated mental illness, explaining as a country, we have made suicide reduction a priority. At present, our policies see people with physical illness as a priority group, we recognise that this group has high rates of mental illness and distress. Changing the legislation will reframe how we view people. Theres a real risk that people with untreated mental illnesses will express the wish to die and be given an assisted death, when what they needed is a response from health or social services, so there are real risks with the change of the law, he said. 38 recommendations made The report makes 38 recommendations in total, including that palliative care and the operation of assisted dying should operate completely separately, and any potential legislation on assisted dying should use clear and unambiguous terms. Several of the recommendations centre around legality, with the report stating that any person including medical personnel who is proven guilty of coercion or fails to adhere to relevant statutory requirements will have committed a criminal offence. The right to conscientious objection of all doctors should be protected by law, and doctors should be trained to the highest level possible to identify coercion when assessing or treating a patient. The report also recommends that research be carried out on the relationship between economic disadvantage and health inequalities, and the question of people feeling a burden. FORMER Cork camogie star Anna Geary will be in Dubray Bookstore in Cork this Saturday, March 23, from 12pm, to sign her new book, Annas Game Plan. As an All-Ireland-winning Cork camogie captain, Anna Geary learned that the right mindset unlocks everything. It builds confidence, and brings success, and provides perspective when things dont go to plan. In Annas Game Plan, she shares powerful tactics to reduce overwhelm, overcome setbacks, and focus on whats really important. Its a practical guide, packed with honest, relatable stories from Annas own life and playing career, as well as fascinating insights from the behavioural sciences. Those wishing to meet Anna and get a personalised book can do so in Dubray Cork this Saturday. Gardai in Cork are appealing for witnesses following a single vehicle fatal road traffic incident near Kinsale, Co. Cork yesterday evening. Shortly after 7pm, Gardai and emergency services were alerted to the incident on the on the R607 at Farranamoy, near Kinsale. The sole occupant and driver of the car, a man in his 50s, was pronounced deceased at the scene. His body was removed from the scene to Cork University Hospital, where a post mortem examination is due to take place at a later stage. Investigating Gardai are appealing for witnesses to come forward. They also appeal to anyone with video footage (including dash-cam) from the area between 6:30pm and 7:15pm on the 20th March 2024 to make this available to them. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Bandon Garda station on 023 885 2200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station. Lynda Bluestein speaks during an interview in her home in Bridgeport, Conn, about a month before she travelled to Vermont in January to take advantage of the state's aid-in-dying law. Connecticut lawmakers said this week they would not mount an effort this year to adopt a similar law. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media HARTFORD Advocates who have fought for nearly two decades to legalize medical aid in dying in Connecticut will have to wait at least another year, as lawmakers said this week they will not make a serious push to pass a bill this legislative session. That decision was confirmed Tuesday by progressive state Rep. Josh Elliott, D-Hamden, who backed several previous, and unsuccessful efforts to allow doctors to prescribe life-ending medications to patients diagnosed with terminal illnesses. Elliott said he made several attempts to raise the issue again this year, only to be hampered by legislative rules limiting what kinds of bills individual members can file during the short budget-adjustment session. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Recognizing the difficulty of the challenge as well as the painstaking and emotional process of having patients and their family members testify for a change in the law Elliott said he spoke with advocates and agreed to pause their efforts until next year. There is a recognition that there is a wide berth of issues that we can be working on, and we like to see wins, Elliott said. The movement to legalize aid in dying also referred to as death with dignity by proponents began in Connecticut in the early 1990s. For years, advocates made little headway until 2021, when they succeeded in passing a bill through the legislatures Public Health Committee. That victory proved fleeting, however, as the bill and all subsequent efforts were routed to the Judiciary Committee, where opposition to the bill has blocked its path forward. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Critics argue that the delivery of life-ending drugs amounts to a form of euthanasia, and would open the door to abusers who cajole patients into taking the drugs, sometimes with ulterior motives. Both the Catholic Church and disability rights groups have been among the most vocal opponents of the idea. In recent years, the Connecticut State Medical Society has adopted a position of "engaged neutrality" on the bill. Some opponents, including House Minority Leader Vincent Candelora, R-North Branford, have argued that more input is needed from the medical fields in order to craft successful legislation. "The aid in dying bill is anything but dignified," Candelora said. "There's a lot of ugly logistics that have to be worked out." Opposition to the bill within the Judiciary Committee remains the biggest obstacle for aid in dying legislation, Elliott said, adding that the subject matter and legislative procedures mean any bill is all-but assured to have to go through that committee before reaching the House or Senate floor. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Were just waiting to see who is on the Judiciary Committee next year because, at this point, peoples minds are made up, Elliott said. The delay comes just a few months after the death of one of the states most prominent aid in dying advocates, Lynda Bluestein, who traveled to Vermont in January in order to take advantage of that states laws allowing terminally-ill patients access to life-ending drugs. Bluesteins family publicly announced her death on Jan. 4, several years after she was diagnosed with multiple forms of cancer. Another longtime advocate, the Weston-based actor James Naughton, said he was frustrated by the inability to rally support for legislation in the wake of Bluesteins death, and that he and others planned to spend the next year trying to sway opponents in the legislature toward their cause. Naughton's wife, Pam, died of pancreatic cancer in 2013, an event that he says triggered his activism. Advertisement Article continues below this ad There are a bunch of them who are pro-choice Democrats, so the idea of personal autonomy is something they are familiar with and OK with, with regards to the issue of a womans right to choose, Naughton said. But they are not with us on this issue, and theres an inconsistency there. The ESB has been granted conditional planning permission to build a hydrogen-production facility on 0.56 hectares in Aghada. The utility plans to use the demonstration facility to illustrate how renewable energy can be produced through hydrogen. Hydrogen power is produced by the electrolysis of water. While its supporters claim it could revolutionise clean energy as it eliminates emissions by using renewable energy, its critics say its an inefficient way to produce power. It wouldnt be a permanent facility as it is only intended to operate for a maximum of five years. It would include a 1-megawatt electrolyser, including a water-purification unit, a transformer, and control-unit container, and other ancillary facilities and equipment. After the five years, it will be decommissioned, all the equipment and facilities removed, and the contractors compound area reinstated to its current condition. The granting of planning permission by Cork County Council was welcomed by a spokesman for the ESB, in response to a query from The Echo. This facility will be used for hydrogen production via electrolysis, storage, usage on-site via fuel-cell, and transport offsite to other sector hydrogen users. This will be for an operational period of up to five years, said the ESB representative. Hydrogen produced from renewable electricity will play a critical role in the decarbonisation of many sectors. ESB plans to use our existing capabilities and future renewable growth to become a leading player in large-scale renewable hydrogen production, thereby enabling dispatchable, zero-carbon electricity generation to support our renewables-based energy system, in line with our Net Zero by 2040 strategy and to meet the energy requirements of Irelands future zero-carbon economy. A RECORD number of venues in Cork will be holding Darkness into Light (DIL) events this year when the worldwide event in aid of Pieta returns. Cork citys biggest walk will take place from the grounds of UCC at 4.15am on May 11, while an event in Ballyvolane has been resurrected for this year along with other city locations in Blarney and Glanmire. In addition, 5km DIL walks and runs will take place right across Cork county including Adrigole, Ballincollig, Ballineen/Enniskeane, Ballyvourney, Bandon, Bantry, Castletownbere, Clonakilty, Cobh, Drinagh, Dunmanway, Farran, Fermoy, Inchigeelagh, Kanturk, Kinsale, Macroom, Mallow, Midleton, Millstreet, Mitchelstown, Schull, Sherkin Island, Skibbereen, Watergrasshill and Youghal. According to UCC DIL committee member, Mick Finn, 30 venues in Cork will be hosting 5km walks this year. It is great to see new venues coming on stream, especially after the missing years of covid and hopefully the 2024 events will lead to a revitalised experience of strength and camaraderie for those impacted by suicide, he said. With all the new venues, it will mean volunteers are needed more than ever and I know that we in the UCC event are looking for new supporters to get involved. Details of a pre-event familiarisation night on campus after Easter will be posted on the Facebook page soon, he added. Darkness into Light commenced in 2009 to raise funds for Pieta, a charity that provides free services across Ireland for people at risk of suicide and self-harm, and those bereaved by suicide. To register for a DIL event, see darknessintolight.ie. Four Spanish nationals were arrested and charged with conspiring to import drugs into Ireland and they were brought before Cork District Court today. Each man is accused of conspiring with nine others to import drugs. Sergeant Gearoid Davis said in respect of each case: We are awaiting directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions. It is not an applicable matter for bail in this court. He applied to have each of the four men remanded in custody until March 27 to appear again at Cork District Court by video link from prison. Judge Mary Dorgan acceded to the application in each case. It will be a matter for the accused to apply for bail at the High Court in Dublin at a later stage if they want to be released pending trial. The charge in each case states: That you (defendants name) on dates between February 27 and March 14, both dates inclusive, within the state, did conspire with one or more persons, namely (nine other names) to do an act in the state that constitutes a serious offence, namely the importation of controlled drugs in excess of 13,000, an offence contrary of Section 15B (1) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 as amended and contrary to Section 71 (1) (a) (4) of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 as amended by Section 4 (b) of the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions ) Act 2023. Two of the defendants who appeared at Cork District Court were formally arrested and charged at Togher garda station and two more were brought from the Bridewell garda station. All were charged at around noon today. Sgt Davis said to Judge Mary Dorgan that the arrests in Cork city gave jurisdiction to Cork District Court to deal with the matters. Detective Garda Kate Gilligan of the Garda National Drugs Unit arrested Angel Serran Padilla, 39, of Malaga, Spain, whose only reply after caution was, OK. Defence solicitor, Eddie Burke, said: This man has a number of medical difficulties and was hospitalised during the course of his detention. I would ask for that to be brought to the attention of the prison governor. Judge Dorgan requested that he would get any necessary medical attention adding that it would be a matter for the prison authorities. Free legal aid was granted and extended for the purpose of having the Spanish interpreter who translated court proceedings available for a consultation with the accused. Det Garda Mark Donovan of the Garda National Drugs Unit arrested and charged Pedro Padio Ojeda Ortega, of Cadiz, Spain, and he made no reply after caution. Garda Donovan asked for the defendant to submit a written statement of means for his free legal aid application. Mr Burke said that would be done and said the accused was on Spanish social welfare of just over 300 per week. Det Garda Robert Kennedy arrested 48-year-old Raul Garcia Tabares of Cadiz, Spain, on the same charge and he made no comment to the charge after caution. He was represented by Frank Buttimer solicitor. Anuar Rahui, one of 10 men being charged with conspiracy to assist or enhance capabilities of organised crime gang pictured being escorted from Bridewell Garda Station. Picture by Chani Anderson Det Garda Dermot Crowley charged 41-year-old Anuar Rahui of Malaga, Spain, with the same count of conspiring with others to import drugs. Again he made no reply to the charge after caution and was remanded in custody until March 27 for DPP directions. Mr Buttimer asked in respect of Mr Rahui and Mr Garcia Tabares for them to be facilitated with necessary communications for family and consular contact while in custody. Free legal was granted Mr Rahui subject to statements of means. There was one Spanish interpreter present in court who translated proceedings for both of these accused. For the first two accused who appeared at Cork District Court, a different Spanish interpreter was sworn for each of them. The court appearance of the four Spanish nationals followed the arrest of ten men and the seizure of a jeep, a camper van, articulated truck, and rigid inflatable boat as part of a major investigation in the past number of days. A man in his fifties who appeared before Midleton District Court in Co Cork today charged with conspiring with nine other men to import drugs in to Ireland has denied having any involvement in the alleged offence. The two men who appeared before the court charged with the same offence were Juan Antonio Gallardo (55) of Cadiz, Spain and Aleksander Milic (26) of Belgrade in Serbia. Garda Brendan McGarry gave evidence of the arrest, charge and caution of Mr Gallardo. He said that Mr Gallardo replied after charge : I dont belong to any criminal organisation and I have never taken part in drug-smuggling. Meanwhile, Garda Anthony Finn gave evidence of the arrest, charge and caution of Mr Milic. He said that Mr Milic made no reply after caution. Aleksander Milic arriving at Midleton Courthouse, Co Cork. Picture Larry Cummins Both men were remanded in custody to appear before Mallow Court on March 26 next. Free legal aid was granted to both men by Judge Colm Roberts. Both accused had access to interpreters for the duration of their hearings. Each charge sheet states: That you (name of defendant ) on dates between February 27th and March 14th, both dates inclusive, within the State, did conspire with one or more persons, namely (nine other names), to do an act in the State that constitutes a serious offence, namely the importation of controlled drugs in excess of 13,000, an offence contrary of Section 15 B (1) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 as amended and contrary to Section 71 (1) a(4) of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 as amended by Section 4 (b) of the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2023." ALL the talent of CADA can be seen this week at the Cork Arts Theatre, but tonights show is extra special, with a celebration of World Down Syndrome Day. The big production of Unmasked 24 will include students with Down Syndrome, saluting all those who face challenges in performance. We have set up an ambitious and inclusive theatre company locally for people with a learning disability, explains director Catherine Mahon-Buckley, where every member is equally valued. Our production has fantastic performers with great talent, ability, and personality. Go along and cheer the talents of CADAs young performers! 021 450 5624 or www.corkartstheatre.com Sandy Kelly is at the Everyman tomorrow night on her Leaving It All Behind tour, with special guests Ashley Campbell, Thor Jensen and Niall McCabe. Neil Delamere. Neil Delameres show on Saturday night, Neil By Mouth, is already sold out, but they have arranged an additional date on May 31. Sunday night is a big one for country music fans, as multi award-winning show The Legends of American Country returns for another night of toe-tapping nostalgia. Wednesday next week brings The Greatest Magician, featuring James Phelan in the sell-out show originally directed by the late Paul Daniels. An amazing display that will have you struggling to believe what you see! All shows start 8pm. Call 021 450 1673 or see www.everymancork.com Tomorrow night at the Opera House, Paul McCarthys Hello My Friend offers an exploration of life-changing motivational tools that, he claims, will ignite your passion, redefine your purpose, and propel you towards unprecedented heights of personal growth. Its not just a show, he says, its a catalyst for transformation. Unsurprisingly, tickets are selling fast! Next Thursday, one for fans of the most mysterious Beatle, George Harrison, with Theres Something About George, written by Jon Fellowes and featuring Daniel Taylor. Call 021 427 0022 or see www.corkoperahouse.ie A rather special exhibition is coming up at Sirius Arts Centre from Easter weekend, March 30, to May 25. Artist Sarah Browne will present her latest body of work, the film Buttercup, with an installation and associated events. Buttercup is a multi-layered film in the form of a poem that focuses on a particular photograph of a child, pictured on a farm with her father and her pet cow, and explores the relationships between human and bovine behaviour, naming, domestication and wildness. It is made in close collaboration with audio describer Elaine Lillian Joseph and composer David Donohoe, and in consultation with a forum of blind and visually-impaired people. This exhibition, says director Miguel Amado, highlights the role of a gallery in fostering productive relationships with artists. Buttercup runs Mar 30-May 25, Wed-Sat, 12 noon to 5pm. Free entry. See www.siriusartscentre.ie for more info. Exciting news from the Opera House concerning the return of The Cork Proms, the popular orchestra festival that brings together some of Cork and Irelands finest musicians and performers to celebrate both contemporary and classical music. Taking place in conjunction with the Midsummer Festival in June, it will include Heyday, A Mixtape Of Irish Rock on June 12/13, New World Symphony & Rhapsody in Blue - Dvorak, Gershwin and music inspired by America: June 15/16, and Theres No Place Like Home - A Musical Theatre Revue: June 19 & 20. Brandon McPhee performs at the Glen Theatre in Banteer this Sunday. And finally, at the lively little Glen Theatre in Banteer this Sunday night, March 24, that great Scottish entertainer and composer, Brandon McPhee will be in full swing with his band. 8pm sharp. Booking 029 56239 or 087 755 8752. By Rebecca Black, PA Britain's King Charles is doing very well, his wife Camilla has said during a visit to Belfast. Camilla was handed a get well card for her husband, who is undergoing treatment for cancer. She is undertaking a number of engagements in Belfast on Thursday after arriving at the regions royal residence Hillsborough Castle on Wednesday night. On Thursday morning Camilla arrived to crowds of well-wishers on the bustling Lisburn Road in south Belfast. The Queen with Lord-Lieutenant Dame Fionnuala Jay-OBoyle during a visit to Lisburn Road in Belfast (Liam McBurney/PA) She met owners and staff at Coffeys Butchers, The Arcadia deli and Knotts Bakery before doing an impromptu meet and greet with well-wishers. Camilla was presented with a gift of some local favourites at Coffeys, including vegetable rolls and beer sausages, and responded saying: I shall take these back for my husband, he will make the most of them. During her visit to The Arcadia, shop assistant Brenda Robb asked after Charles, and handed her a get well card for him, extending her best wishes. Camilla accepted the card and thanked her, adding: Hes doing very well . he was very disappointed he couldnt come. Responding to quips about men not being the best patients, Camilla said: I try to keep him in order. Ms Robb told the PA news agency: She was beautiful, a real lady. She accepted a get well card that I got for her husband and she said she was sorry her husband wasnt here. Camilla meets the owner of Knotts Bakery, William Corrie, his wife Zoe Salmon and their son Fitz during the visit to Belfast (Liam McBurney/PA) It was a very appropriate card. It had a wee saying from Belfast, basically rest up, take care, and on the back of it, it said from Ireland. It was picked with love. People say maybe hell not get the card, but I think he will. Meanwhile, at Knotts, Camilla met owner William Corrie, as well as his wife, former Miss Northern Ireland and Blue Peter presenter Zoe Salmon, and their one-year-old son Fitz. Camilla chuckled as a joke was made that the young boy, dressed in a tux, had stolen her thunder, and smiled down at him. She left Knotts with a gift of their fruit loaf and iced madeira cake, adding she hoped to snack on it later. Camilla arrived in the region on Wednesday evening, with a bugler from the Hillsborough Ford Guard playing to mark her arrival at Hillsborough Castle in Co Down. She was last in Northern Ireland in May 2023 when she and Charles undertook engagements on their first visit to the region following the coronation. She is travelling alone this week after Charles stepped back from his public duties while receiving treatment for cancer. Eoin Reynolds Almost 16 years after innocent rugby player Shane Geoghegan was shot dead in a case of mistaken identity, the Limerick gangster who ordered the hit, John Dundon, has been accused of a "cynical ploy" after he sacked his lawyers and asked for an adjournment of an appeal against his murder conviction. After the Court of Appeal granted an application for Dundon's lawyers to withdraw from the case, Dundon told the three-judge court that he discharged his lawyers after discovering last Tuesday that they were unable to advance a ground of appeal that had been identified in recent months. Dundon said he did not want to go into detail about the additional ground of appeal but said it related to things that were not disclosed to him ahead of his trial and that he was told did not exist but he is now in a position to prove did exist. He said he had instructed his legal team to raise the ground of appeal but decided to discharge them when he claimed he was told they "hadn't done it properly". Sean Guerin SC, for the Director of Public Prosecutions, said Dundon was engaging in a "cynical ploy" and that he had used a similar tactic at his trial in 2013. Counsel said disclosure was carried out in full and the director is "adamant" it can meet any complaint regarding disclosure. Mr Guerin said the director is anxious to get on with the case and the deceased's mother, who has attended every court date, "wants to see an end" to the matter. Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy said Dundon had "gone through several sets of competent lawyers" and that the latest dismissal "must raise an issue of good faith". Mr Justice John Edwards, presiding, granted the application for an adjournment but warned that Dundon must instruct his new lawyers at the earliest opportunity and they must complete all necessary paperwork by April 8th. The appeal hearing will take place on April 22nd and Mr Justice Edwards said the court would "not entertain any further applications for adjournment barring exceptional and unforeseen circumstances." Dundon (41), formerly of Hyde Road in Limerick, was convicted at the Special Criminal Court in 2013 of ordering the hit that killed the 28-year-old Mr Geoghegan near the victim's home at Clonmore, Kilteragh, Dooradoyle on November 9th, 2008. He is serving a life sentence. Mr Geoghegan played rugby for Garryowen in Limerick and had been watching an Ireland international game at a friend's house before heading home shortly before 1am. He had just texted his girlfriend Jenna Barry to say he was on his way when Ms Barry heard shots being fired outside. Mr Geoghegan was shot five times with a Glock semi-automatic pistol. The fatal shot was to the back of the head. It was the States case that Mr Geoghegan was the unintended victim of a shooting that was meant for another man and was ordered by John Dundon. Key prosecution witness April Collins gave evidence that John Dundon ordered gunman Barry Doyle to kill the other man. Doyle (38) admitted during garda interviews that he shot Mr Geoghegan in a case of mistaken identity. However Doyle, of Portland Row in Dublin 1, later pleaded not guilty at trial to the murder of Mr Geoghegan. He was found guilty by a jury at the Central Criminal Court and was given the mandatory life sentence by Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan on February 16th, 2012. 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. Before the Easter Bunny stocks up to fill baskets on March 31, he may want to note the uptick in prices for chocolate egg candies. While grocery costs have been increasing for many items, the increase in cost of chocolate is linked to climate change, experts say. Extreme heat in West Africa has impacted cocoa crops, creating a decline in yields. Researchers with World Weather Attribution said the extreme heat, which led to temperatures being 4 degrees Celsius higher in February, was made 10 times more likely because of human-caused climate change. The heat led to drought, which local farmers said weakened the cacao trees. The crops were already vulnerable because of heavy rainfall from late 2023, The Guardian reported. As a result, some popular Easter egg-shaped chocolates have increased in price by 50%, the BBC reported. Further, cocoa prices have risen to $8,500 per metric ton this week, with just over one week until the holiday. In mid-March 2024, cocoa prices had already risen by more than double compared to last year, Reuters reported. Farmers in West Africa who grow the main ingredient of the Easter eggs many of us are looking forward to are struggling in the face of both extreme heat and rainfall, said Amber Sawyer, energy and climate analyst at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) in the UK, as reported by The Guardian. Wealthy nations like the UK can provide support to developing countries [but] ultimately we have to reach net zero emissions. There are limits to the conditions in which crops can grow. The study by World Weather Attribution also revealed similar heat waves could happen in West Africa about every two years without greater action to curb fossil fuel-related emissions. Without climate change, the researchers noted this type of extreme heat would be a once-in-100-years event in West Africa. The drought and extreme heat doesnt just threaten crops, however. The study highlighted that a heat wave can be a silent killer that harms local populations, particularly because of a lack of investment to help countries become more resilient to extreme heat. Major investment is needed in Africa to build resilience to dangerous heat. The UN has estimated that the cost of adaptation for developing countries is between US$215-$387 billion per year this decade, World Weather Attribution said in the study. However, rich countries havent yet met the promises they have made to help developing countries become more resilient to the growing risks of climate change. In addition, these commitments fall drastically short of the finance required in 2021, the global community spent just US$21 billion to help developing countries adapt to climate change. 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. New research by environmental scientists with Switzerlands Food Packaging Forum Foundation has uncovered 68 per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) forever chemicals in food packaging including plastic, paper and coated metal. Used by manufacturers for decades in products like nonstick cookware, water-repellent clothing, stain-resistant fabrics, cosmetics, firefighting foam and food packaging, more than 12,000 of the human-synthesized chemical compounds are known to exist, according to the study. There are thousands of these chemicals, said Birgit Geueke, co-author of the study and a senior scientific officer with Food Packaging Forum, as New Scientist reported. We wanted to get a picture of what is known about the presence of PFAS in food packaging. Scientists have discovered that PFAS have adverse health impacts, leading to many being banned, reported Phys.org. Recent research has demonstrated that the toxic substances can migrate into food. Due to their unique chemistry, PFASs have enabled convenience in many parts of modern life. However, their molecular properties have also granted them hazardous properties, including persistence, raising alarms due to their ubiquitous presence as contaminants in food, drinking water, and the environment, the researchers wrote in the study. Today, various PFASs have been identified in sera from humans and wildlife globally. Exposure to some PFASs has been linked to a wide range of adverse health outcomes such as cancer, thyroid disease, decreased response to vaccination, and high cholesterol. The study, Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Food Packaging: Migration, Toxicity, and Management Strategies, was published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology. After compiling records on known PFAS in food packaging from the FCCmigex database, the research team found a total of 68 PFAS compounds 61 had been previously banned from use in food packaging. While examining the compounds found in food packaging, the team noted the lack of evidence as to why and how they ended up there. We utilized ToxPi to illustrate that hazard data are available for only 57% of the PFASs that have been detected in food packaging. For those PFASs for which toxicity testing has been performed, many adverse outcomes have been reported, the researchers wrote. The data and knowledge gaps presented here support international proposals to restrict PFASs as a group, including their use in food contact materials, to protect human and environmental health. The researchers recommended that a thorough review of food packaging be conducted, as well as the establishment of new rules and a method of enforcement for these pervasive and harmful chemicals. Ideally, a restriction would ban PFASs on a global scale to prevent the continued production and use in countries that lack legislation or the capacity for compliance monitoring, the researchers wrote in the study. A class-based phase-out of PFASs in food contact materials, including food packaging, would effectively protect public health while enabling the creation of a safe, circular economy. (Photo: REUTERS / Soe Zeya Tun)Catholics listen to a speech as they mark the 500th Jubilee Year of the Presence of Catholic Church in Myanmar in St. Mary church in Yangon, November 21, 2014. Myanmar's military rulers have continually targeted churches and civilians in predominantly Christian regions where thousands of people have been displaced since their coup on Feb. 1 last year. Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Doukhu Parish of Loikaw township in Kayah state was hit by military airstrikes on Jan. 12, according to church sources, UCA News reported. One of the two bell towers of the church was destroyed but there were no reported casualties of civilians. A local priest denounced the attack as abominable and sacrilegious. Most tragically, the ones who are suffering because of the brutal persecution are the people of God," he wrote on Facebook. The latest attack came as the junta continued aerial bombardments and artillery shelling in Loikaw, capital of Kayah state, during intense fighting with local militias and armed groups. In Buddhist-majority Myanmar, nearly 4.4 million of the 54.8 million population are Christian says Open Doors, a group that supports persecuted Christians worldwide. The group says Buddhist nationalism is especially strong in Myanmar and drives much of the persecution of Christians. Muslims also face strong perecution in Maynamar particularly the ethnic Rohingya's of whom hundreds of thousands have been forced to take refuge in Bangladesh and other countries. FEB 1, 2021 COUP The army, which ruled Myanmar for nearly half a century before granting civilian leaders some power a decade ago, seized full control again in a Feb. 1 coup, The New York Times reported Dec. 26. The military has since mounted a vicious crackdown against its opponents, some of whom have taken up arms. The army, known as the Tatmadaw, has a long history of committing atrocities against civilians, said the Times. Father Francis Soe Naing, chancellor of Loikaw Diocese, said the clergy, nuns and parishioners had to leave as some parishes near Loikaw became a war zone. "We will stay until the situation worsens despite almost all the people from the town having already left," he said. The Irrawaddy, an independent newspaper covering Myanmar, on Jan. 1 carried a news story headlined, "Junta leader celebrates Christmas while bombing churches." It carried a photograph of Catholic Archbishop Cardinal Charles Bo and coup leader Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing in Yangon on December 23. Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing sent military officers to make donations to Christian churches on Christmas Day. He also presented gifts to Christian soldiers in the Myanmar military and said prayers along with them, according to the military's mouthpiece, the Myawaddy Daily newspaper. The coup leader has also used Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, the Catholic Archbishop of Yangon, for regime propaganda the Irrawaddy commented. On December 23, Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing attended a ceremony to mark Christmas at the archbishop's church in the capital Yangon. "That led to Cardinal Charles Maung Bo being widely criticized on social media and by Christian communities, after pictures of him cutting a cake along with the coup leader were circulated," said the newspaper. While junta-controlled newspapers have exaggerated their leader's support for Christianity in Myanmar, dozens of churches in ethnic areas have been damaged by junta artillery strikes since the coup. Thousands of ethnic people, many of whom are Christians, were forced to flee junta assaults and air raids, and so could not celebrate Christmas at home, said the Irrawaddy. About 1,750 anti-abortion demonstrators rallied at the State Capitol and marched in nearby Bushnell Park on Wednesday in the third annual March for Life. Ken Dixon/Hearst Connecticut Media Peter Wolfgang, executive director of the Family Institute of Connecticut, led a group of 1,750 mostly faith-based, anti-abortion demonstrators on Wednesday in the third annual March for Life at the State Capitol. Ken Dixon/Hearst Connecticut Media State Rep. Nicole Klarides-Ditria of Seymour, a ranking Republican on the Public Health Committee. File Photo / HARTFORD Doctors in Catholic hospitals would be exempt from disciplinary action after providing emergency treatment for miscarriages and ectopic pregnancies under legislation that won bipartisan support Wednesday in the legislative Public Health Committee. The bill, which committee chairmen said is subject to further negotiations and revisions before the May 8 adjournment deadline, next moves to the state Senate. As the committee was debating the bill in the Legislative Office Building, outside the adjacent Capitol and nearby Bushnell Park, Catholic-affiliated organizations staged the third annual March for Life, which attracted 1,750 people, according to State Capitol Police. "This is an important bill," said Sen. Saud Anwar, D-South Windsor, a physician who is co-chairman of the committee. "Failing to provide the services would violate the standard of care." Health care professionals in private hospitals would also be protected from repercussions from hospital management for providing patients with information on reproductive and gender-affirming care. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "If in emergency situations they need to be provided that information, they can inform the individuals, including complications of pregnancy, including miscarriage, management and treatment for ectopic pregnancies,"Anwar said. "It is not changing any scope, it is just informing and protecting the providers." State Sen. Jeff Gordon, R-Woodstock, a physician who voted against the legislation, said he was concerned about the rights and freedoms of medical professionals. "I don't have concerns about providing care," he said. "This also gets into some private contracts that people knowingly sign. I'm not talking about public hospitals, but private hospitals." He said there seem to be two tracks for the bill: emergency and non-emergency. "Health care is provided in emergency situations. This bill is talking about emergency care, but quite frankly any concern about that, that care is having to be provided anyway." Rep. Jillian Gilchrest, D-West Hartford, noted that during a recent public hearing, medical staff from Catholic hospitals indicated there is "confusion" over what they are allowed and not allowed to say to patients. "As we're seeing across this country, unfortunately, women are dying as a result of bans that have been put in place," Gilchrest said. "We want to ensure, in the state of Connecticut, if a woman presents at a hospital and is having medical complications connected to pregnancy that she is treated or directed to care where she can be treated." Advertisement Article continues below this ad State Rep. Nicole Klarides-Ditria of Seymour, a top Republican on the committee, voted for the bill. "This bill clarifies what we want done all the time: that people get the right information. That you're just guided to know your options," she said. Meanwhile, the anti-abortion rally and march started on the south lawn of the Capitol, with buses unloading protesters from throughout the state, many carrying signs. A speaker program was followed by a parade of participants to Bushnell Park. Advertisement Article continues below this ad (Photo: Reuters / Parivartan Sharma)A young refugee from Myanmar's ethnic Chin minority holds a placard during a protest rally to mark World Refugee Day in New Delhi June 20, 2011. Hundreds of refugees on Monday held a protest to highlight what they said were ongoing problems and the political crisis in Myanmar. The enduring conflict between Myanmar's military junta and opposing forces has heavily impacted Christians and their places of worship in Chin state, the country's only Christian-majority state, a report by the UK-based Centre for Information Resilience shows. The CIR is an independent advocacy that exposes human rights abuses and war crimes. Airstrikes in the Asian nation have been repeated since the military coup that toppled Aung San Suu Kyi on Feb. 2, 2021, with schools, villages, worship buildings, and hospitals hit, according to Vatican News. The Myanmar Witness project of the UK-based Centre for Information Resilience (CIR) identified and analyzed 10 incidents where churches were damagedmostly in airstrikesbetween March and August 2023. It found the conflict that followed the military coup is having a "sustained and long-term impact on the Christian population of Chin State," who make up 85 percent of the local population. The Myanmar military has destroyed at least 107 religious buildings, including 67 churches, in Chin State since the military coup began nearly three years ago, according to the Chin Human Rights Organization, Christianity Today reported back in February. Elsewhere in the country, the destruction of houses of worship, including Buddhist temples and churches, is also growing. In mid-January, junta soldiers burned down a 129-year-old Catholic church in Sagaing Region. Ethnic minorities in Myanmar, including the Chin, have long fought with the military junta, desiring increased autonomy for their communities. At the same time, Buddhist nationalism is deeply ingrained in the country; former Burmese prime minister U Nu famously touted the idea that "to be a Burmese is to be a Buddhist" in 1961, according to Christianity Today. This ideology resulted in the ethnic cleansing of the Muslim Rohingya people, killing thousands and forcing 700,000 to flee to Bangladesh. MYANMAR'S POPULATION Buddhists make up 89 percent of Myanmar's population, while 6 percent is Christian and 4 percent is Muslim. According to Vatican News, Chin state witnessed strong resistance against the military regime and is said to have close links with ultra-nationalist Buddhist monks. Rebel strongholds and townships placed under martial law have experienced more attacks, the report said, blaming the Myanmar Air Force, which has "overwhelming superiority" compared to rebel groups, for the attacks. Matt Lawrence, project director of Myanmar Witness, described the destruction of churches in Chin State as "symbolic as well as physical." "These places of worship are not only protected under international law during times of conflict, but they're of sacred importance to those who use them," he said. According to the Chin Human Rights Organization cited by Uca News agency, since the February 2021 coup, at least 100 religious sites, including 55 Christian institutions, have been destroyed. "The destruction of Christian churches is deliberate to inflict psychological trauma on a specific religious and cultural community. They are not collateral damage," said Salai Za Uk Ling, deputy executive director of the Chin Human Rights Organization. Christian leaders have repeatedly appealed for the protection of places of worship, citing the Hague Convention on Warfare, which also calls for the protection of hospitals and educational institutions. (Photo: REUTERS / Soe Zeya Tun)Catholics listen to a speech as they mark the 500th Jubilee Year of the Presence of Catholic Church in Myanmar in St. Mary church in Yangon, November 21, 2014. Christians in Myanmar are enduring frequent violence with around 75 churches being severely or partially destroyed in attacks by the junta since the military coup on Feb. 1, 2021. Soldiers regularly raid church institutions including places of worship under the pretext of looking for suspected rebels and often resort to violent destruction, UCA Catholic news reported on April 20. Western Myanmar's Chin state has a Christian majority and 62 religious structures have been destroyed - the biggest number of any single state or region. The attacks included 22 buildings burned down and 20 more demolished by artillery blasts, the Institute of Chin Affairs, a human rights organization reports. Christians make up almost 90 percent of impoverished Chin state's 478,801 people, according to the 2014 census in Myanmar, which is also called Burma.. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says that at least 8,262 houses and other civilian properties, including churches, monasteries, schools, and markets, have reportedly been either burned down or destroyed in Chin and Kayah states and in the Sagaing and Magway regions. WOMEN AND CHILDREN Around 912,700 men, women and children were displaced across the conflict-torn nation as of April 11. This includes 566,100 people displaced due to the ongoing conflict, with the northwest region accounting for over 300,000 people for the first time, according to OCHA. Christian-majority Chin and Kayah states have stood at the forefront of resistance to the junta forces and have experienced violent military attacks including airstrikes, heavy artillery bombardements, and indiscriminate attacks on civilians "Ongoing fighting in the country's east and northwest has exacerbated the humanitarian and displacement situation," the UN organization said in a report on April 19. It said the use of heavy weapons including airstrikes and artillery fire, as well as landmines and the pressure of explosive remnants of war, continues to claim lives and pose risks to the safety and security of the civilian population, especially internally displaced people. UN Human Rights chief Michelle Bachelet had told the 49th session of Human Rights Council on March 21 that Myanmar's humanitarian crisis continues to expand as systematic brutality by security forces known as the Tatmadaw, has inflamed pre-existing armed conflicts in multiple ethnic states. "The economy is on the brink of collapse. Over 14.4 million individuals are now assessed as being in humanitarian need", said Bachelet, predicting that "food scarcity will sharply increase over the coming months." The UN rights chief said, "Over 400 Tatmadaw attacks on populated areas involved property destruction, destroying thousands of houses and other buildings including churches and food stores and laying of landmines." The worst attack in Kayah state was reported from Sacred Heart Church in Kanyantharyear, a village near Loikaw, on May 23, 2021 with four members of the congregation killed and eight others wounded in artillery shelling, reported UCA. Kayah state is remote and mountainous, and is regarded as a stronghold of Catholicism in the Buddhist-majority country. About 90,000 Catholics live in the state with a population of 355,000. Christian-majority Chin and Kayah states have also been at the forefront of resistance to the junta and have experienced fierce military attacks, including airstrikes, heavy artillery shelling and indiscriminate attacks on civilians. At least 1,700 people in Myanmar have lost their lives in the military crackdown and over 13,000 people have been detained since February 2021. Of Myanmar's population of some 57 million, almost 88 percent are Buddhist, 6.2 percent Christian and 4.3 percent Muslims. Auenansicht des Werks von ebm-papst in Lauf an der Pegnitz Siemens is to acquire the Industrial Drive Technology (IDT) division from ebm-papst. The two companies have now signed an agreement to this effect. The IDT business of ebm-papst comprises mechatronic drive systems, drive control and regulation electronics as well as drive-steering systems for driverless transport vehicles. The planned acquisition complements the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio and is intended to strengthen Siemens' position as a provider of solutions for flexible manufacturing automation. All of the approximately 650 employees of the IDT Group will be taken over by Siemens once the transaction has been completed. The transaction is expected to be completed by mid-2025 and is subject to foreign trade and merger control approvals. The parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price. ebm-papst's IDT business is located at the German sites in St. Georgen and Lauf an der Pegnitz as well as in Oradea, Romania. The production of drives, which is currently still located at the St. Georgen plant in Hagenmoos, will be relocated to Oradea, so that the plant in St. Georgen will only produce fan components in future. ebm-papst already spun off its IDT business unit as an independent division in mid-2022 so that it could "focus on the specific market needs, detached from the requirements in ventilation and heating technology", as stated. "The sale of IDT is part of the consistent implementation of the corporate strategy 'Building the future together', which has been in place since 2022," explains Dr Klaus Geidorfer, CEO of the ebm-papst Group. "With this strategy, ebm-papst wants to focus on its core business of ventilation and heating technology and accelerate the transformation of the company in terms of sustainability and digitalisation as well as international expansion. We will use the proceeds from the sale of the IDT business to further expand the Air Technology and Heating Technology divisions, to further strengthen our three regions of Europe, Asia and America and to invest in future areas such as digitalisation and the sustainability of our product portfolio." The acquisition by Siemens is a strategically significant step for ebm-papst: "What our IDT business lacked until now was a global sales organisation for maximum growth," explains Geidorfer. "Siemens is a long-standing customer and a company with strong international market penetration and an extensive customer base." The integration that has now been agreed will give the IDT business global market access. "ebm-papst's innovative portfolio of mechatronic drive systems and its highly qualified employees are an excellent fit for Siemens," says Cedrik Neike, member of the Managing Board of Siemens AG and CEO of Digital Industries. "With this acquisition, we are tapping into new business and customer potential in the fast-growing market for intelligent, battery-powered drive solutions in intralogistics and mobile robot solutions." Siemens sees ebm-papst's IDT products as an "important lever for greater flexibility and productivity" because they are suitable for mobile robots and driverless transport vehicles as well as for the automation of auxiliary processes, such as the retooling of modern production machines. Siemens therefore expects high growth in this market segment. Lesen Sie mehr zum Thema The recent developments in Turkey's stance on solar module imports are part of a broader global trend concerning the balance between free trade and the protection of domestic industries. As one of the fastest-growing renewable energy sectors, solar power has seen an intense competition among manufacturing giants, with China at the forefront due to its scale and efficiency advantages.However, the aggressive expansion of Chinese solar manufacturers has led to concerns in other countries about the potential harm to local industries. The dumping of solar modules, where exporters sell their products in foreign markets at prices below the cost of production or below the domestic market price, can undercut local producers and disrupt the market balance. In response to this perceived threat, Turkey has announced its intention to levy an anti-dumping fee of $25 per square meter on solar module imports from Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, Croatia, and Jordan. This measure aims to level the playing field and provide breathing room for Turkish solar manufacturers to compete without being overwhelmed by cheaper imports.The justification for these measures lies in the principles of fair trade. While globalization has enabled countries to take advantage of comparative advantages and increased efficiency through international trade, it is also essential to prevent unfair trade practices that could harm domestic economies. The World Trade Organization (WTO) allows for anti-dumping duties to be imposed under specific conditions to counteract the effects of dumping. Despite these protectionist measures against them, Chinese companies have shown remarkable adaptability. Strategic partnerships such as the one between Turkey's Progresiva Energy Investments and China's Harbin Electric International demonstrate Chinese companies' willingness to engage in collaborative projects abroad. These partnerships not only circumvent trade barriers but also facilitate technology transfer and foster economic cooperation.The deal to build a $600 million electricity storage facility is emblematic of China's strategy to secure a foothold in emerging energy markets. By providing substantial funding and expertise, China is able to create lucrative opportunities while establishing itself as a key player in the transition towards renewable energy. Furthermore, Turkey's initiative to establish a green venture capital fund aligns with global efforts to address climate change and achieve net-zero emissions by 2053. The Industrial Development Bank of Turkey's collaboration with the World Bank to secure a $155 million loan for the Turkey Green Fund is a testament to the growing importance of green financing. This fund will not only support businesses in their transition to greener practices but also promote investment in green technologies, which can drive innovation and create new economic opportunities.As Turkey navigates its way through the complex web of international trade and environmental policy, it must carefully consider the implications of its actions. While protectionist measures can offer short-term benefits to domestic industries, they can also lead to retaliation and trade disputes. Additionally, the rapid pace of technological advancement in the solar industry means that today's competitive advantages may not remain static. In conclusion, Turkey's decision to impose anti-dumping measures on solar module imports is a reflection of the ongoing struggle to balance trade interests with domestic industrial growth. The country's strategic investments in renewable energy infrastructure and green financing showcase a commitment to sustainable development and a future where environmental considerations are integral to economic policies. As the global landscape continues to evolve, Turkey, like many other nations, will need to tread a fine line between fostering innovation, promoting domestic industries, and engaging in international cooperation to ensure a prosperous and sustainable future. Connecicut's state capitol Hearst Connecticut Media HARTFORD Former Hartford mayor Pedro E. Segarra is among a group of 22 nominees to the Connecticut Superior Court who were given a joint favorable report by the legislative Judiciary Committee last week after a public hearing. Diversity on the bench has been an ongoing issue in the state and the demographic makeup of the nominees represents a gradual shift to a more representative bench particularly for Connecticuts growing Latino population. The nominations are meant to help fill 38 vacancies in the Connecticut Superior Court. The governor announced the nominees earlier this month from a list of candidates compiled by a bipartisan commission. This group of nominees I am forwarding to the legislature today continues this administrations effort to ensure that the people who are serving as judges in our state reflect the diversity, experience, and understanding of the people who live here, Gov. Ned Lamont said in a press release. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Latino judges are particularly underrepresented in Connecticut as Latinos make up 17% of Connecticuts population, but 9% of Superior Court judges. In this context, appointing Segarra and the two other Latina nominees would bring judges slightly more in line with the general population, about two percentage points. A little over a third of appointed judges in Superior Courts are white men and a third are people of color, according to data provided by the Judicial Branch to CT Insider. Even though the nominees are slightly more diverse than the judges currently serving on the Connecticut Superior Court, their demographic makeup follows the overall trends among appointed judges, according to data from the governors office. About two-thirds of the nominees are white, even if the group does include two Black women, a Black man, an Asian American woman and a Middle Eastern woman White, male judges are also over represented in comparison to the states population. Even though the 2020 Census found that white men make up 31% of Connecticuts population, they are 39% of Superior Court judges. Black judges are also over represented as they make up 15% of Superior Court judges, but 10% of Connecticuts population. Advertisement Article continues below this ad There are not any Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, or Native American judges, which is comparable to the wider population as these groups make up less than 1% of the states population. Diversity on the bench has been an ongoing issue in Connecticut, said Sen. John Kissel, R-Enfield. He has been serving on the Judiciary Committee for 30 years and noted the progress of the state in nominating diverse judges, especially among members of the LGBTQ+ community. During the public hearing, he noted that Segarra and other candidates mentioned their same-sex spouses and the committee did not blink an eye." We, as a state, and as a judiciary committee and as a legislature; were still grappling with balance and representation on the bench. And I think its worthy and advisable for us to have a bench that is reflective of the diversity of our state, he said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad During the meeting of the legislative committee, Segarra received thanks from Sen. Patricia Billie Miller, D-Stamford, and an enthusiastic endorsement from Sen. Bob Godfrey, D-Danbury. After receiving joint favorable reviews from the legislative committee, the 22 candidates must be approved by both chambers of the legislature. Rep. Julio Concepcion, D-Hartford, is a member of the Puerto Rican and Latino Caucus and highlighted the importance of diversity, particularly in Segarras nomination. Diversity on the bench is crucial if we are to have a court system that reflects all the communities that rely on fair and open access to the justice system," he said."I thank Gov. Lamont for actively seeking to recruit a diverse pool of candidates and, in particular, Pedro Segarra. I have full confidence he will serve with pride, dignity and respect while being sensitive and responsive to the Latino(a) community. The House of Representatives approved a measure targeting data brokers ability to sell Americans personal data to adversary countries, like Russia, China, Iran and North Korea. The Protecting Americans Data from Foreign Adversaries Act passed with a unanimous 414 - 0 vote. The bill, which was introduced alongside a measure that could force a ban or sale of TikTok, would prohibit data brokers from selling Americans sensitive data to people or entities in adversary countries. Much like a recent executive order from President Joe Biden targeting data brokers, the bill specifically covers geolocation, financial, health, and biometric data, as well as other private information like text logs and phone call history. If passed the bill will need Senate approval before landing on Biden's desk it would represent a significant check on the relatively unregulated data broker industry. US officials have previously warned that China and other geopolitical rivals of the United States have already acquired vast troves of Americans information from brokers and privacy advocates have long urged lawmakers to regulate the multibillion-dollar industry. The bill is the second major piece of bipartisan legislation to come out of the House Energy and Commerce this month. The committee previously introduced the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, which would require TikTok to divest itself from parent company ByteDance or face a ban in the US. In a statement, Representatives Frank Pallone and Cathy McMorris Rodgers, said that the latest bill builds on their work to pass the measure targeting TikTok. Todays overwhelming vote sends a clear message that we will not allow our adversaries to undermine American national security and individual privacy by purchasing peoples personally identifiable sensitive information from data brokers, they said. 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. When Samsung announced its unique Music Frame speaker at CES, the company left out two key pieces of information: price and availability. It's following up now that the device is nearly ready to ship. The Music Frame is up for preorder starting today for $400. Samsung says it's planning to start shipping the speaker next week for an April 1 arrival, so you shouldn't have to wait too long to use it. While the Music Frame will complement Samsung's Frame TVs, the speaker holds printed artwork rather than housing a display. But, you can swap the bezels for a different color as needed. Still, the idea if for otherwise obtrusive home theater gear to blend in rather than stick out. Music Frame is equipped with two woofers, two tweeters and two mid-range drivers and offers Dolby Atmos sound. The company says that having the woofers fire out the back and the other drivers face the front leads to a clear, natural sound profile. Samsung's SpaceFit tech is used to calibrate the audio to the room you place the speakers in so that their "wide radial sound range" stays in prime operating condition. Plus, Music Frame is compatible with the company's Q-Symphony tech that utilizes TV speakers as part of a home theater setup. You can also install two of them beside your TV for a stereo pair, with the ideal companion being the Frame. Samsung says Music Frame can also be used as rear speakers in the living room or as a standalone subwoofer. The Music Frame is a smart speaker too, offering access to Bixby and Alexa with a spoken cue. Plus, it's ready to be wall mounted or can sit on a table using the built-in stand. What's more, Music Frame can be used as a standalone Bluetooth or Wi-Fi speaker. That connectivity enables wireless Dolby Atmos, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Chromecast and AirPlay. Samsung's Tap Sound feature allows you to play whatever is on a compatible phone on the Music Frame by gently tapping the device on the speaker. During my brief demo at CES, I was pleasantly surprised by the sound quality of this speaker. It's more powerful than I expected, with crisp, clear highs and mids. The bass was more subdued, but that could've been due to the clamor of the crowded demo area, so I'll reserve judgement there. I was also only able to hear selected music tracks, not the speaker being used with a TV. As part of the preorder process, Samsung is offering a $50 credit on its website if you preorder there before April 11. The United States is acting fast after Haiti declared a state of emergency earlier this month. The U.S government issued a statement last week informing citizens that the Department of State the U.S Southern Command "has deployed a Marine Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team (FAST) to maintain strong capabilities at the U.S. Embassy in Port Au Prince." "The Department of Defense is postured to provide enabling support for the MSS, including planning assistance, information sharing, airlift, and medical support," the website explained. A shocking turn of events occurred on the island earlier this month when a massive prison break took place at the hands of armed gang members, resulting in the release of thousands of "dangerous prisoners." RELATED: Haiti Declares State Of Emergency After Armed Gang Release Thousands Of Prisoners Following the deployment of U.S Marines, U.S. Aid Chief Samantha Power will make an announcement Friday regarding $25 million in humanitarian aid, according to information obtained by Reuters. Per the media outlet, the funding will be used to provide immediate food assistance, emergency healthcare, relief supplies, and relocation support. Power also added that the aid will include psycho-social support, safe drinking water, and protections for the vulnerable including women and children. RELATED: Haiti's Former President's Widow Indicted In Connection To His Assassination "We urge all actors in Haiti to stop the violence and make the necessary concessions to allow for transparent, inclusive, and credible elections, unimpeded delivery of aid, and the restoration of democracy," Power said in a statement obtained by the media outlet. Heavily armed gangs including G9, have reportedly attempted to seize control over Haitian international airports and government sites. Officials say the recent spike in violence has rendered this crisis one of the most severe in humanitarian crises. On March 10, the U.S. Military airlifted all nonessential embassy staff out of Haiti overnight. The first chartered flight to remove dozens of U.S. citizens off the island arrived in Miami, Florida, on March 17. On Monday, April 15, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear a case which could potentially make it legal for public officials to accept monetary gain following corrupt activity. James Snyder Vs. The United States is set for argument in just a few weeks, involving the former mayor of Portage, Indiana, who was convicted of federal funds bribery for soliciting and accepting $13,000 in connection to the city's garbage trucks and other federal crimes, per Oyez. The former mayor claimed there was no evidence showing that there was an agreement to exchange money for the trucks. RELATED: Alabama Supreme Court Rules Frozen Embryos Are 'Children' Fertility Treatments May Be Affected With convictions among government officials so low, conservative groups are reportedly applying pressure to court justices to come to a decision which would deter law enforcement from receiving monetary gains for official actions. After Snyder was convicted of bribery in 2019, citizens were left baffled when the court proceeded to hear an appeal, despite the evidence. According to the Chicago Tribune, Snyder turned up at a local truck dealership called Great Lakes Peterbilt, which he helped to obtain city contracts. "I need money. That's what I'm here for," the mayor reportedly told the owners, per the media outlet. RELATED: Social Media Influencer Charged For Alleged Involvement In Jan. 6th Capitol Insurrection Following the visit, Snyder received a check from the company for $13,000, saying it was for "consulting," which never took place. Vice president and senior director Kedric Payne weighed in saying Snyder "could chip away even more of what can be considered corruption." The case is significant because 18 U.S. Code 666 outlaws fraud or bribery within entities that receive significant federal funding, like state governments or universities, per Lever News. Campbell Soup faced legal action on Wednesday as both the Department of Justice and environmental organizations filed lawsuits against the company. The allegations revolve around claims that its northwestern Ohio plant is responsible for polluting Lake Erie. RELATED: U.S. Deploys Anti-Terrorism Marines To Haiti Amid Uprising, Sends Additional $25 Million In Aid According to Reuters, the Department of Justice (DOJ) alleges that Campbell's has been breaching pollution regulations outlined in permits for its Napoleon factory along the Maumee River, a tributary to Lake Erie, since 2018. The violations reportedly involve excessive discharge of contaminants such as phosphorus and bacteria. Hours after non-profit organizations Environment America and Lake Erie Waterkeeper filed a lawsuit against Campbell Soup in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, another lawsuit was filed in Toledo on behalf of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the federal Clean Water Act. According to statements from the groups via email, the complaints allege that Campbell Soup has committed numerous Clean Water Act violations by releasing wastewater containing unlawfully high concentrations of phosphorus, a key chemical contributing to the formation of algal blooms in Lake Erie, along with E. coli bacteria, oil and grease, suspended solids, and other detrimental pollutants. Following receipt of the law center's notice of intent to sue in July 2023, Campbell Soup has reportedly engaged in ongoing communication with the National Environmental Law Center and the DOJ to delineate initiatives aimed at rectifying permit compliance issues. A representative from Campbell Soup emphasized the seriousness with which the company regards this matter. RELATED: Video Shows Woman Stretching, Doing Yoga Before Burglarizing A Bakery - WATCH! "We will continue to take immediate action to address this and have capital investments planned to resolve this issue permanently," the spokesperson claimed. "We will continue to work with regulators and other stakeholders to improve our operations and comply with all environmental regulations." In Washington, President Joe Biden revealed on Thursday that the White House has greenlit the erasure of close to $6 billion in federal student loan debt for numerous public service employees. According to the White House, the 78,000 eligible public service workers encompass teachers, nurses, and firefighters. RELATED: Bill Maher Wants Biden To Replace Kamala Harris With Nikki Haley: 'That's My Dream' "These public service workers have dedicated their careers to serving their communities, but because of past administrative failures, never got the relief they were entitled to under the law," Biden expressed in a statement praising the action. Biden, 81, emphasized that since taking office, he has pledged to address the shortcomings in student loan programs and to ensure that higher education serves as a pathway to the middle class, rather than a barrier to opportunity. "I won't back down from using every tool at my disposal to deliver student debt relief to more Americans and build an economy from the middle out and bottom up," he said. This marks the most recent action in student debt cancellation through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness programs. These programs enable eligible borrowers to qualify for forgiveness of their remaining debt after fulfilling a specific number of payments and working for approved employers. Back in January, the administration annulled approximately $5 billion in debt for 74,000 borrowers in the public sector. As per the administration, the White House has authorized almost $144 billion in federal loan forgiveness for around 4 million borrowers in entirety. RELATED: 68% Of LGBTQ Voters Will Vote For Biden, Only 15% For Trump: GLAAD Poll Commencing from the upcoming week, the White House will initiate communication via email with approximately 380,000 borrowers, notifying them of their progress towards having their student debt eliminated within a span of two years. The Supreme Court nullified Biden's broader plan for student loan debt relief last year, contending that it was unlawful since Congress had not explicitly endorsed the measure. Behind the scenes of police dog training in SW China's Yunnan People's Daily Online) 11:26, March 21, 2024 Police dogs play an indispensable role in detecting and locating drugs, but their effectiveness hinges on rigorous training. Yingkong, a sniffer dog, started off small and timid. However, with training from his instructor, Jiang Dingzhong, he grew stronger and more agile. Jiang utilized various scented items to enhance the dog's sense of smell. In less than six months, Yingkong aided in inspecting numerous vehicles and luggage and took part in multiple patrol and checkpoint missions. During a police dog training assessment, Yingkong accomplished a remarkable feat by detecting suspicious items in less than 15 seconds within an area of nearly 200 square meters. This outstanding performance earned Yingkong the prestigious honor of being recognized as a national meritorious dog in China. Yingkong is trained by his instructor. (Photo courtesy of Yunnan General Station of Exit-Entry Frontier Inspection) Yunna is a gifted sniffer dog with an exceptional sense of smell. With heightened sensitivity, Yunna can detect drugs concealed in vehicles and bushes. During a patrol mission, Yunna aided the police in locating a significant quantity of methamphetamine, marking her first successful operation. Police dog Yunna assists the police in conducting a border patrol. (Photo courtesy of Yunnan General Station of Exit-Entry Frontier Inspection) Police dog Yunsheng is trained by his instructor. (Photo courtesy of Yunnan General Station of Exit-Entry Frontier Inspection) Yunsheng, on the other hand, initially proved to be a challenging police dog during training, exhibiting mischievous and rebellious behavior such as chasing and biting chickens, and ignoring commands by police officers. Instructor Hu Lili faced a significant challenge in handling Yunsheng. However, through training, Hu established a good rapport with Yunsheng and transformed him into an exceptional police dog. The instructor checks Yunsheng's wound. (Photo courtesy of Yunnan General Station of Exit-Entry Frontier Inspection) Over 300 police dogs, including Malinois, Kunming dogs, German Shepherds, Springer Spaniels, and Labradors, are stationed along the Yunnan border. They assist in various law enforcement duties such as drug and explosive searches, patrol and guard duties, apprehending and tracking suspects, and emergency response operations. In 2023, the police dogs assisted in over 30 drug-related cases, leading to the confiscation of more than 300 kilograms of drugs. They also assisted in six firearms and explosives cases, resulting in the seizure of over 500 related items. Additionally, they played a crucial role in locating and rescuing 11 missing persons. (Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun) The trees are invasive and have been banned in three states, with others considering a ban. Martina Birnbaum/Getty Images/iStockphoto Its hard to miss the beauty of a Bradford pear tree each spring. Its blooming white flowers are quite picturesque for the arrival of a new season of life and pleasant weather. Whats also hard to miss is the stench of the Bradford pear tree. If you find yourself asking: Whats that smell, every year spring makes its official presence, chances are youre in the vicinity of this very tree thats considered invasive in many states, as well as banned. Also known as the Callery pear, the Bradford has been the topic of many economic conversations, leading to its demise. According to The Nashville Tennessean, the state is considering banning the Bradford because of its invasive status; the tree is non-native to the ecosystems and can cause environmental or human health problems. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Bradford pear trees can also be harmful to animals as their fruit is inedible. The trees are also very brittle and prevent grass from growing underneath them. According to a report from The Oklahoman, South Carolina, Ohio and Pennsylvania have banned the Bradford and those considerations are in the hands of state congressmen in Kansas and Missouri. Missouri recently announced via the states conservation department that private property owners with Bradford pear trees can have them replaced with a native tree once the Bradford is removed. Property owners have until April 15 to register. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Its unknown which native tree the Show-Me State will offer up to those who participate in the Bradford pear tree buyback, but a few trees native to Missouri are the flowering Dogwood, Shortleaf Pine and Hackberry. Christian Dumontet, spouse of former 'Selling Sunset' personality Christine Quinn, has been arrested twice within two days after being charged with a felony. USA TODAY reviewed Los Angeles Police Department records on Wednesday, revealing that Dumontet, 45, was apprehended around 2pm Tuesday and processed before 6pm. Photos of his arrest went viral, as he was pictured in handcuffs barefoot in a bathrobe. He was charged with felony assault before posting a $30,000 bail. He was released shortly after. RELATED: Megan Fox, Machine Gun Kelly Are Reportedly Living Separately After Confirmation They Called Off Engagement Dumontet purportedly "threw a bag which contained a glass bottle inside of it. He threw it at the victim, but missed the victim and struck a child that was in the proximity," claimed a spokesperson for the LAPD. "Child was treated at the scene, not transported, and suspect was arrested on the scene for assault with a deadly weapon." After his initial arrest, he was apprehended again on Wednesday for violating an emergency protective order that was obtained the day before. After posting bail, he returned to his Hollywood Hills home. He was released on Thursday morning after being charged with a misdemeanor for the Wednesday infraction. Quinn, 35, and Dumontet tied the knot in 2019, showcasing their wedding in Season 3 of 'Selling Sunset.' They are parents to a 2-year-old son named Christian Georges Dumontet. After departing the Netflix reality series and the Oppenheimer Group at the conclusion of Season 5, Quinn has remained out of the public eye. She has been focusing on her new venture, RealOpen, a brokerage that specializes in real estate transactions using cryptocurrency. "That was not a healthy environment," Quinn shared with USA TODAY about her previous workplace in May 2022. "It's toxic. It's a cult. I have no desire. Bon voyage." RELATED: Bianca Censori Wears Fully Transparent Outfit After Sighting With Kim Kardashian At Kanye West's Listening Party Quinn mentioned that while her departure from the O Group may have surprised some, the producers of 'Selling Sunset' were aware of her intentions to start her own company for about a year and a half. However, Quinn noted that her decision to leave and establish her brokerage didn't fit neatly into the show's storyline. Consequently, the producers opted to craft a more dramatic exit narrative, culminating in a contentious accusation from agent Emma Hernan at the end of Season 5. J.K. Rowling is threatening to take legal action against a 'Harry Potter' fan on social media. The author of the billion dollar book series budded heads with Wizarding News, a fan page which operates via X, formerly known as Twitter. Rowling, 58, is fighting disturbing claims that she has an estranged daughter and grandchild. The fantasy writer isn't taking the rumor lightly, quickly rejecting the claim and firing back. RELATED: JK Rowling Targeted With Harassment? Author Says She Was Doxxed On Trans Rights Protest "Reminder that JK Rowling's eldest daughter (the one with whom she was famously pregnant while writing Harry Potter) changed her last name to literally get away from Rowling, and moved to Portugal," the post alleged on X. "Could somebody who isn't blocked by this account tell them this is untrue in all respects, as I suspect they already know," the writer responded Wednesday. "Lying about my kids is a new low, even by this website's subterranean standards," Rowling fired back. Could somebody who isnt blocked by this account tell them this is untrue in all respects, as I suspect they already know. Lying about my kids is a new low, even by this websites subterranean standards. pic.twitter.com/q2Gmd9SGux J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) March 20, 2024 RELATED: Jason Momoa, J.K. Rowling Dragged Into Johnny Depp, Amber Heard Court Battle The mother of three didn't stop there. She also addressed the inconsistencies of the user's claims, fiercely explaining that should the user refuse to "retract" the statement or "apologize," they'll be hearing from her lawyer. "You've published easily disproven and damaging falsehoods. Should we go to legal proceedings, you will need to show why, in spite of being told the truth, you neither retracted nor apologized," she started. .@wizardingnews I've done everything I can to keep my children out of the public eye. My eldest daughter doesn't owe you or anyone else details of her private life. However, for the avoidance of doubt: 1. Contrary to your claims, we are very close and last talked an hour ago. We J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) March 20, 2024 "In the absence of any such retraction and apology, the next communication you receive will be from my lawyer." Aside from being known for her magical book series, that has since been turned into blockbuster movies, she is often reported for offensive rhetoric. She recently criticized Sky News on X following their recent report of a trans person who was jailed for murder known as the "cat killer," for referring to them as a "woman" without clarifying that the person was transgender. I'm so sick of this shit. This is not a woman. These are #NotOurCrimes https://t.co/ycjWefLCiw February 26, 2024 She tweeted: "I'm so sick of this s****. This is not a woman. These are #NotOurCrimes." Researchers from the University Grenoble Alpes (UGA), together with the ESRF, have unveiled how cacao trees protect themselves from toxic metal cadmium. This knowledge is relevant as new EU regulations restrict cadmium concentration in chocolate. Their results are published in Environmental and Experimental Botany. Cadmium often accumulates in food, but it is a highly toxic metal, which can be harmful in humans if chronically exposed to it, according to the Food and Agricultural Organization. The EU has imposed limits to the cadmium maximal concentration in foodstuffs such as rice, wheat, potatoes and more recently chocolate. Whilst there have been studies on how cadmium is transferred from soil to the edible part of stable crops, there is hardly any research on cadmium in cacao cultivars. Understanding how cadmium builds up in cacao trees is paramount to subsequently find strategies to mitigate the accumulation of this metal in the final product, explains Geraldine Sarret, researcher at the University Grenoble Alpes (UGA) and co-corresponding author of the publication. The UGA scientists travelled to the International Cocoa Genebank in Trinidad and Tobago, which hosts a field cacao collection with approximately 2400 cacao genotypes, to collect their samples in collaboration with the Cocoa Research Centre. Then they came to the ESRF to investigate a particular cacao cultivar/variety that absorbs more cadmium than others do. Using nano X-ray fluorescence on beamline ID16B and X-ray absorption on ID21, they delved into the micro and nanoscale composition of the different parts of the plant. Thanks to the ESRF, we could map of the presence of cadmium and other elements in an unprecedented resolution, so we could see the big picture but also going to the smallest detail, says Hester Blommaert, PhD student at UGA and co-corresponding author of the publication. The concentration of cadmium in the different parts of the plant is very low, so much so that we couldnt have done this research before EBS, says Hiram Castillo-Michel, researcher at the ID21 beamline at the ESRF. In the near future, we will see an increasing number of studies on similar food safety topics at ID21, where our recently installed new microscope will offer enhanced resolution and detection limits, he adds. Cadmium trapped in Calcium oxalate crystals (visible on the Sr strontium- map) in cacao roots. Data from ID21. Credits: Blommaert, H., et al, Environmental and Experimental Botany, Available online 24 February 2024, 105713. The results yield a surprise: We found that part of the cadmium is stored in calcium oxalate crystals in roots and branches of the cacao plant, which was unexpected, explains Blommaert. In particular, the crystals were most abundant in the branches. Interestingly, whilst crystals were present in the leaves, they did not seem to help in detoxifying cadmium in this part of the plant. We believe that the calcium oxalate crystals are a mechanism of detoxification of the plant against the metal, she adds. In addition, they also discovered that cadmium combines with sulphur in certain cells in the roots. This mechanism is well known in roots of cereals, where cadmium is retained in the vacuoles and bound to thiol-containing molecules. In the case of cacao, this mechanism is less pronounced, and more cadmium is transferred to aerial parts. Cadmium trapped in Calcium oxalate crystals in the branch. Data from ID16B. Credits: Blommaert, H., et al, Environmental and Experimental Botany, Available online 24 February 2024, 105713. Overall, the strategy developed by cacao plants to manage cadmium is different from cereals, in terms of root to shoot transfer, storage compartments and storage forms. This new knowledge is a prerequisite for the selection or breeding of cacao cultivars accumulating less cadmium, and support a safe cacao production in South America, says Sarret. However, we need to continue our studies, using other types of cacao plants and in different environmental conditions, to be able to design more precise strategies, she concludes. Reference: Blommaert, H., et al, Environmental and Experimental Botany, Available online 24 February 2024, 105713. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envexpbot.2024.105713 Text by Montserrat Capellas Espuny With the help of the ESRF, researchers from Karolinska Institutet (Sweden) have discovered the reproductive mechanism that permanently blocks polyspermy a pathologic condition that arises when more than one sperm fuses with the egg, and which is lethal for embryo development. They also revealed the atomic architecture of the egg coat, which explains a set of genetic mutations causing infertility and it could make an impact in the development of non-hormonal contraception. The results are out today in the journal Cell. Infertility affects around 15% of couples worldwide, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Some cases of infertility are associated with mutations in the genes that are responsible for egg coat formation. The egg coat, also known as zona pellucida (ZP), is an extracellular matrix essential for egg growth, fertilization and protection of the embryo until it implants into the uterus. The ZP consists of several proteins, which polymerize into long filaments that form a 'mesh' around the egg. Mutations in ZP proteins may cause defects or lack of this mesh. It is currently unclear how many of them carry pathogenic mutations in ZP genes, because not all infertile women have their genome sequenced. However, several different types of such mutations have been reported to date. We need to understand the processes that take place during fertilization at the molecular level, says Luca Jovine, professor at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden and leader of the study. Together with researchers from Osaka University, Sophia University in Tokyo and University of Pittsburgh, as well the ESRF, they have found how ZP filament rearrangement prevents the fertilization of an egg by more than one sperm. Until today, scientists knew that, after a sperm fuses with the egg, the egg releases an enzyme that specifically cleaves a major ZP protein called ZP2. Also, it was long known that the egg coat becomes harder after fertilization, and sperm cant penetrate it anymore. However, the connection between these processes and the basis of the block to polyspermy remained unclear. We knew that these events were associated, but a molecular mechanism linking the different pieces of the puzzle was missing, explains Jovine. The team aimed to investigate the structure of ZP2 before and after the cleavage triggered by egg-sperm fusion, and how ZP2 cleavage may change the overall structure of the ZP mesh. To do so, they determined different ZP2 and egg coat filament structures using X-ray crystallography at the ESRF, Diamond Light Source and BESSY II, as well as cryo-electron microscopy at SciLifeLab in Stockholm. The team has been a regular user of the X-ray crystallography beamlines at the ESRF for more than 15 years. Daniele de Sanctis, scientist in charge of beamline ID29 at the ESRF and co-author of the study explains: "Seeing the atomic details of such a fundamental process of life is simply amazing. Throughout the years, we have been applying the state of the art of what the ESRF beamlines could offer to solve the structure of the molecular bricks that compose ZP. Jovine and colleagues discovered that cleavage of the part of ZP2 that protrudes from the egg coat filament allows it to form new interactions with other ZP2 molecules. These interactions create an extensive network of cross-links that bring filaments closer to each other. By stiffening the egg coat and tightening its mesh, this prevents additional spermatozoa from penetrating the ZP. It is like a zip that is being done up, says Jovine. Mechanical system The system does not block polyspermy by abolishing sperm binding to the ZP (as it was previously believed), but rather by hindering sperm penetration of the egg coat. The mechanical system that we discovered is very logical from an evolutionary point of view, because it permanently blocks sperm in a way that does not depend on how this attaches to the egg coat, which may vary in different species, explains Jovine. Daniele de Sanctis, scientist at the ESRF and co-author of the publication, setting up an experiment on the beamline. Credits: S. Cande. Whilst these findings are at a fundamental level, they have important implications for future reproductive medicine: For the first time we have a molecular view of how the egg coat changes its architecture after fertilization and how this affects its function. This knowledge allows us to interpret the growing number of human ZP gene mutations linked with female infertility, explains Jovine. At the same time, since the egg coat is required for fertility in vivo, detailed information on its structure could have diagnostic applications and may, in principle, be exploited for developing non-hormonal contraceptives, he concludes. The ESRF structural biology beamlines have played a very important role in this pursuit. Back in 2017, they provided the first example of how egg coat and sperm recognize each other at the beginning of fertilization and in 2010 they solved the 3D structure of ZP3, another major egg coat subunit that is also thought to act as a receptor for sperm. We are now already planning for new experiments that the new Extremely Brilliant Source at the ESRF has made possible, concludes De Sanctis. Reference: Nishio S. et. , Cell 187:1440-1459 (2024) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2024.02.013 DOI 10.1016/j.cell.2024.02.013 Text by Montserrat Capellas Espuny 11 March 2024 - The European Synchrotron, the ESRF, played host to the most famous violin in the world: 'Il Cannone' violin, crafted in 1743 and played by the great virtuoso Niccolo Paganini. The Municipality of Genoa and the Premio Paganini teamed up with ESRF scientists to use the worlds brightest synchrotron to carry out X-ray analysis of the iconic violin. The conservation of ancient violins of historical and cultural high interest, such as Il Cannone, Niccolo Paganinis favourite violin, which ranks among the most important musical instruments in the history of Western music, requires constant monitoring of their state of health. The Municipality of Genoa in Italy and the Premio Paganini have developed a programme with the ESRF for an in-depth monitoring and analysis of the behaviour of the violin in different situations, in order to better preserve and understand this precious historical artefact. In this context, the Municipality of Genoa and its conservators have teamed up with ESRF scientists to define a measurement protocol and perform a unique experimental X-ray study using non-destructive X-ray techniques of the structural status of the wood and the bonding parts of the violin. Working day and night, they used a technique called multi-resolution propagation phase-contrast X-ray microtomography at the ESRFs new BM18 beamline to scan the violin. ll Cannone was built in 1743 by the great Cremonese luthier Bartolomeo Giuseppe Guarneri, also known as del Gesu. Paganini enjoyed an almost symbiotic relationship with what he called my cannon violin for its acoustic prowess. The Cannone became an exceptional partner for the virtuosities of the musician, who developed new violin techniques by exploiting the instruments potential to the full. Niccolo Paganini left the Cannone to his hometown, Genoa, so that it may be perpetually preserved. The violin has been kept in Palazzo Tursi, the seat of the Municipality of Genoa since 1851. The Cannone is rarely played. Some famous violinists have performed with the Cannone in concerts in Italy and abroad; however, playing the precious instrument remains a privilege reserved for the winner of Genoas biennial Premio Paganini International Violin Competition. The technique applied at the ESRF has been widely used for palaeontology over the last two decades. This technique has reached a new level of sensitivity and resolution thanks to the ESRFs new Extremely Brilliant Source, which, since its commissioning in August 2020, provides experimental performances at least 100 times better than before. Combined with the unique capabilities of the new BM18 beamline, it offers the unprecedented capability to reconstruct a 3D X-ray image of the complete violin at the wood cellular structure level, with the possibility to zoom in locally anywhere in the violin, down to the micrometric scale. As a result, the experiments carried out at the ESRF provide a full 3D vision of the conservation status of the violin, but also a super-precise representation of the details of the bold structure of Il Cannone, which possesses a uniquely powerful voice, and also full mapping of the previous interventions and reparations done in the past by lute makers. This fantastic experience, undertaken with my colleagues at the ESRF and with the conservators of the Cannone violin, opens new possibilities to investigate the conservation of ancient musical instruments of cultural interest, as a crossing point between music, history and science, says Luigi Paolasini, ESRF scientist and the project leader. Close-up view of Paganini's "Il Cannone" on the experimental station BM18 at the ESRF. Credit: ESRF/P. Jayet "It was a kind of dream to work on this violin. BM18 can be considered as currently the best place in the world to conduct such an experiment. We had to deal with some logistical and technical challenges, but the ESRF team did an incredible job to make this dream a reality. I hope that this experiment will be the first in a long series. In few months, we will even be able to work on much larger instruments, up to the size of a double-bass, says Paul Tafforeau, ESRF scientist in charge of BM18. The microtomographic investigations undertaken at the ESRF represent one of the most important events in the second life of the Cannone; for us, conservators, working with such a team of scientists and with such fantastic equipment is an unforgettable experience. Its a starting point for a better understanding of this irreaplaceable and still mysterious violin, say Bruce Carlson, Alberto Giordano and Pio Montari, conservators of the Cannone violin. On the ESRF's BM18 experimental station, teams from the ESRF, the Genoa Municipality, the Premio Paganini and the violin conservationists stand on either side of the "Il Cannone". The precious violin is placed inside protective casing ready for non-invasive analysis using the ESRF's high performance X-rays. Credit: ESRF/P. Jayet. Left to right: Nicola Sodini (Elettra, Trieste), Alessandro Mirone (ESRF), Paul Tafforeau (ESRF), Alberto Giordano (lute conservationist), Bruce Carlson (assistant lute conservationist), Luigi Paolasini (ESRF), Chiara de Marco (Genoa Municipality). Quote from Francesco Sette, ESRF, Director General ESRFs mission is to serve the users of our Member Countries and the international community by enabling state-of-the-art investigations of the structure of materials, from the atomic all the way up to the macroscopic scales. The present study on Il Cannone is a wonderful example of ESRF non-destructive 3D X-ray imaging techniques enabling qualitative progress in the understanding of how this precious artifact is made, a key-step for its conservation for the next generations. Quote from Marco Bucci, Mayor of Genoa This extraordinary event interweaves culture, science, history and music around the most famous violin in the world which Paganini himself chose to entrust our city with, for it to be conserved forever. May we continue to safeguard the Cannone and honour its worth. Quote from Giovanni Panebianco, President of the Premio Paganini Prize The diagnostic test was carried out as part of an unprecedented international cooperation centred around excellence and distinction. The Paganini Committee has facilitated the conditions for achieving a result that has been awaited for years. I would like to thank Francesco Sette, Luigi Paolasini and the entire team who worked alongside the Cultural Policy Department and the luthiers of the Municipality of Genoa. A heartfelt thank you to all those who have supported the initiative in their various capacities, in particular to Emanuela DAlessandro, the Italian Ambassador in France, and to Chiara Petracca, Consul General in Lyon. Quote from Barbara Grosso, Managing Director of the Municipality of Genoa Now that it has had this important check on the state of its health, I hope that Paganinis Cannone can more often excite enthusiasts from all over the world and be an ambassador for our city. Thanks to the Municipality offices responsible for the procedures that enabled the violin to be transported to Grenoble, to the luthiers Bruce Carlson and Alberto Giordano who followed the process from the preparatory stages, and the Sponsors AXA XL and Associazione A Compagna, Technical Sponsors of the Paganini Violins journey. Quote from Enrico De Barbieri, Paganini Ambassador and member of the Paganini Committee It is a pleasure and an honour to be here. So many personal and family memories come to mind. Today I am witness to a truly special moment which makes me proud as a Genoese. My father Renato and my grandfather Paolo would be equally proud of this, as their lives have been linked to Paganini, the Premio and the Cannon comments Enrico De Barbieri, Paganini Ambassador and member of the Paganini Committee. Quote from Chiara Petracca, Consul General of Italy in Lyon Due to the workmanship and the prestige of its owner, the Cannone can be considered one of the most important musical instruments in the world and it is essential to ensure its conservation. I am therefore very excited to be part of the international collaboration started by the Municipality of Genoa and the Premio Paganini with a research centre with outstanding excellence such as the ESRF and I am particularly grateful to all those who have worked on this project for having combined science and the most advanced technologies in the name of art. In an interview with @Reuters at his home in Los Angeles, independent US presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. offered staunch support for Israel, calling it a moral nation that was justified in its response to the Hamas militant group in Gaza. On March 21st, we conducted impartial research to compare which of three key foreign currency providers, Post Office, TUI or Tesco, currently offers the best Euro and US Dollar exchange rates for purchase. This comparison is uniquely unbiased, as we are NOT affiliated with these travel money companies! As we officially enter spring in 2024, especially with the recent wet weather, many UK travellers are looking forward to their summer holidays abroad. For British travellers looking to save money on their overseas trips, getting the best foreign currency rates can be an important saving. As currency exchange rates change all the time, it's crucial to know when to buy your holiday cash to get the most bang for your buck! To give you an example, when we examine the historical exchange rates for the British Pound (GBP) against the US Dollar (USD) for just this year, eg 2024, the interbank rate has varied from lows of 1.2534 to highs of 1.2858! The difference when buying 1000 worth of Dollars at these rates would have been over $30, $1253.40 at the lowest point and $1285.80 at the highest. So let's explore the current best currency deals available from leading holiday money providers - the Post Office, TUI and Tesco. Our latest research found that TUI offers the best deal for Euros, while the Post Office offers the best deal for US Dollars. ADVERTISEMENT Tesco Travel Money Euro - 1.1461 US Dollar - 1.2534 Delivery costs: FREE over 500 3.95 over 150 4.99 Under 150 Click here for more Tesco travel money information. TUI's Travel Money Euro - 1.1484 (best buy) US Dollar - 1.2541 Delivery costs: FREE over 500 4.99 Under 500 Click here for more Tesco travel money information. Post Office Travel Money Euro - 1.1483 US Dollar - 1.2558 (best buy) Delivery costs: FREE over 500 4.99 Under 500 Click here for more Tesco travel money information. Researchers in Denmark are harnessing artificial intelligence and data from millions of people to help anticipate the stages of an individual's life all the way to the end, hoping to raise awareness of the technology's power, and its perils. Far from any morbid fascinations, the creators of life2vec want to explore patterns and relationships that so-called deep-learning programmes can uncover to predict a wide range of health or social "life-events". "It's a very general framework for making predictions about human lives. It can predict anything where you have training data," Sune Lehmann, a professor at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) and one of the authors of a study recently published in the journal Nature Computational Science, told AFP. For Lehmann, the possibilities are endless. "It could predict health outcomes. So it could predict fertility or obesity, or you could maybe predict who will get cancer or who doesn't get cancer. But it could also predict if you're going to make a lot of money," he said. The algorithm uses a similar process as that of ChatGPT, but instead it analyses variables impacting life such as birth, education, social benefits or even work schedules. The team is trying to adapt the innovations that enabled language-processing algorithms to "examine the evolution and predictability of human lives based on detailed event sequences". "From one perspective, lives are simply sequences of events: People are born, visit the paediatrician, start school, move to a new location, get married, and so on," Lehmann said. Yet the disclosure of the programme quickly spawned claims of a new "death calculator", with some fraudulent sites duping people with offers to use the AI programme for a life expectancy prediction -- often in exchange for submitting personal data. The researchers insist the software is private and unavailable on the internet or to the wider research community for now. - Data from six million - The basis for the life2vec model is the anonymised data of around six million Danes, collected by the official Statistics Denmark agency. By analysing sequences of events it is possible predict life outcomes right up until the last breath. When it comes to predicting death, the algorithm is right in 78 percent of cases; when it comes to predicting if a person will move to another city or country, it is correct in 73 percent of cases. "We look at early mortality. So we take a very young cohort between 35 and 65. Then we try to predict, based on an eight-year period from 2008 to 2016, if a person dies in the subsequent four years," Lehmann said. "The model can do that really well, better than any other algorithm that we could find," he said. According to the researchers, focusing on this age bracket -- where deaths are usually few and far between -- allows them to verify the algorithm's reliability. However, the tool is not yet ready for use outside a research setting. "For now, it's a research project where we're exploring what's possible and what's not possible," Lehmann said. He and his colleagues also want to explore long-term outcomes, as well as the impact of social connections have on life and health. - 'Public counterpoint' - For the researchers, the project presents a scientific counterweight to the heavy investments into AI algorithms by large technology companies. "They can also build models like this, but they're not making them public. They're not talking about them," Lehmann said. "They're just building them to, hopefully for now, sell you more advertisements, or sell more advertisements and sell you more products." He said it was "important to have an open and public counterpoint to begin to understand what can even happen with data like this". Pernille Tranberg, a Danish data ethics expert, told AFP that this was especially true because similar algorithms were already being used by businesses such as insurance companies. "They probably put you into groups and say: 'Okay, you have a chronic disease, the risk is this and this'," Tranberg said. "It can be used against us to discriminate us so that you will have to pay a higher insurance premium, or you can't get a loan from the bank, or you can't get public health care because you're going to die anyway," she said. When it comes to predicting our own demise, some developers have already tried to make such algorithms commercial. "On the web, we're already seeing prediction clocks, which show how old we're going to get," Tranberg said. "Some of them aren't at all reliable." cbw/ef/jll/js Agence France-Presse DNA evidence has linked two prison inmates to unrelated Wichita killings. Prosecutors credited a nationwide DNA database with allowing them to file first-degree murder charges Friday against Ray F. Garcia and Paul D. Drayton, who is serving time in Texas. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Garcia, who is serving time for kidnapping and rape at the El Dorado Correctional Facility, is accused in the November 1995 death of Phylis Eldridge, 73. Prosecutors say Garcia, 34, killed the woman after blindfolding and raping her in her home. Drayton is accused in the May 2002, stabbing death of James Mayberry, 57, in his home. Drayton, 34, is in a Dallas jail for robbery. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "This is a very exciting time in law enforcement," District Attorney Nola Foulston said. "Years ago, we didn't have these kinds of tools." Foulston said DNA profiles were prepared based on evidence found at the scenes of the crimes. The profiles were sent to the FBI where they were entered into a database that contains offender profiles, most of which were taken from inmates entering prison, and profiles of evidence gathered at other crime scenes. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Police Lt. Ken Landwehr said investigators were notified of the computer matches last summer. The DNA of both suspects was retested, he said, and detectives began re-interviewing witnesses as they put their cases together. The FBI database has helped Wichita authorities solve one other homicide. In the first case, the system led detectives to Douglas Belt, who is charged with capital murder in the death of Lucille Gallegos, whose decapitated body was found in a west Wichita apartment in June 2002. Belt also is charged with several rapes in Kansas and Illinois. Advertisement Article continues below this ad When the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) was signed into law on Dec. 23, 2021, it promised to be groundbreaking in moving U.S. supply chains away from the Peoples Republic of China. The legislation built upon existing U.S. law to strengthen import bans on products derived from forced labor and authorized the imposition of sanctions on entities involved in forced labor. Yet now, more than three years into its passage, the UFLPA is more a story of a missed opportunity. Its been known for decades that the Chinese government, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), has rounded up as many as three million Uyghur people into industrial-scale concentration camps in China. This represents the largest incarceration of ethnoreligious groups since the Holocaust era. Those individuals men, women, and children are subject to systematic abuse, torture, malnutrition, and other inhumane conditions, including rape and constant political indoctrination. These abuses are well-documented through personal accounts, satellite images, and leaked Chinese documents. This issue is personal to me. I, myself, was born in a similar internment camp, and it is a miracle that I survived after months of malnutrition and abuse that my mother and I endured. I was lucky enough to leave and restart my life in the United States nearly 29 years ago. But millions of others remain enslaved in the internment camps. This is why the passage of this landmark legislation, UFLPA, was so significant. It was a powerful way to educate America and the rest of the world about the genocide taking place in China, and the United States stance against it. Most Americans know nothing about the genocide in China, nor do they realize that the products they rely on every day from clothing and food to mobile phones and batteries are derived from the horrific conditions in those internment camps. I had hoped that the U.S. government would leverage the UFLPA to shift American consumers away from slave labor. But that never happened. Our inaction to enforce UFLPA has emboldened the CCP to expand its genocide and forced labor practices within China and abroad. A powerful example of how the CCPs forced labor practices are penetrating the American market is the case of the Chinese company named The Fufeng Group Limited. Fufeng is a major producer and exporter of food additives, biochemical products, and starch-based products in China, and its food products have likely touched the dining table of every household and restaurant in America. Fufeng is controlled by the CCP, and it obtains slave labor from the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC), the Chinese paramilitary organization that organizes and controls the internment camps. Fufeng employs internment camps to produce millions of pounds of agricultural amino acids and xanthan gum for exports worldwide, including the United States. Yet despite the U.S. government sanctioning XPCC and two Chinese officials for human rights abuses against the Uyghur people in China, they are opening the door for Fufeng to find a physical presence in the U.S. Wherever the plant is ultimately located, it will serve as a critical operating hub for the CCP and an outlet for forced labor in the United States. And until Fufeng settles on a U.S. location, it will continue to export products into the United States in violation of the UFLPA. To be clear, the U.S. government is aware of Fufengs involvement in forced labor, its links with the CCP, its ties to the XPCC, and Fufengs circumvention of the UFLPA by transshipping products from third countries, including Canada, into the United States. Although the U.S. Customs and Border Protection has legal authority to detain Fufengs products, trace them to forced labor, and audit its records to map its circumvention activities, the agency has declined to take any such action. Furthermore, although the U.S. Department of Commerce has been investigating Fufeng in connection with Fufengs dumping of products into the United States and the resulting injury to American industries since 2012, the agency has, to date, refused to send its officials to audit Fufeng and document its forced labor practices. Even though Fufengs products obtain regular authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to sell products in the United States, none of the FDAs food safety inspection audits have examined Fufengs forced labor practices in China. In October 2023, Reps. Banks, Johnson, Moolenaar, and Finstad wrote to Secretary Blinken and Secretary Mayorkas regarding Fufengs links to the CCP, its involvement in forced labor, and the need for the U.S. government to act. It is now four months later, and there has been no appreciable improvement to the U.S. governments enforcement of the UFLPA or any action concerning Fufeng. The U.S. governments repeated efforts to ignore Fufengs (and other Chinese companies) forced labor practices perpetuate the forced labor atrocities across China. It is unacceptable and merely the tip of the iceberg. Each month, millions of Chinese products enter U.S. ports, with the majority of them tainted by forced labor at some point within the supply chain. To date, however, the U.S. government has only denied entry to about 3,000 shipments for forced labor. And while there are tens of thousands of Chinese manufacturers complicit in forced labor abuses, only two dozen Chinese companies are designated to the U.S. governments blacklist, the UFLPA Entity List. America must do better. The U.S. needs to take a serious stance against forced labor and demonstrate that it will not aid, abet, or encourage the CCPs forced labor by permitting transactions with the entities involved. Fully and adequately enforcing the UFLPA serves both the economic and strategic interests of the United States. It promotes fair competition, supply chain integrity, and investment opportunities while diversifying critical supply chains, strengthening geopolitical leverage, and ensuring long-term sustainability all while divesting from horrible human rights abuses that have no place in our world. Nearly 5,000 Northern Irish farmers have responded to a consultation proposing to cut the compensation rate for cattle removed under the bTB programme. This is the largest number of responses to date on a bovine TB consultation proposal in Northern Ireland. The controversial proposal, unveiled by the Department of Agriculture (DAERA), seeks to slash compensation by up to 25 percent over a period of 2 years. Presently, farmers in the region receive 100% of the market value of their stock. Figures show that in Northern Ireland, 1,500 cattle are culled every month due to bovine TB. The Ulster Farmers Union (UFU), which called the proposals 'barbaric', said the levels of response from farmers 'is to be commended'. The union added that it sends a strong message to the DAERA Minister on farmers' feelings on this subject. UFU president David Brown said: The UFU would like to thank all farmers who took the time to make their voice heard and respond to DAERAs TB consultation. "Whilst we will have to await the official publication of the summary of responses, our members can take some comfort that in a previous consultation in 2021, 94.77% of respondents were opposed to the proposed amendments. "The huge increase in the number of consultees who responded sends a strong message. DAERA can sustainability reduce the cost of the TB programme by tackling the disease, rather than devaluing cattles worth after the animals have fallen victim to a disease. The UFU remain determined to ensure none of the barbaric proposals come to pass and will continue to exhaust every avenue to safeguard the future of NIs agri industry. DAERA's consultation closed for responses on 8 March. NFU Cymru has requested an 'urgent meeting' with Wales' new First Minister Vaughan Gething to discuss the 'very considerable challenges' facing farmers. Mr Gething, who replaced Mark Drakeford as leader of Welsh Labour, faces the wrath of the industry as concerns rise over the controversial Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS). This has led to mass protests across Wales, as well as the creation of a symbolic display of 5,500 pairs of wellies on the steps of the Senedd, representing the 5,500 jobs forecast to be lost if the SFS goes ahead. NFU Cymru called on Mr Gething, who is a trained vet and whose mother is a chicken farmer from Zambia, to "offer solutions that benefit farmers, Welsh government and the people of Wales". The union's president Aled Jones said: The sector of the economy which I represent is facing some very considerable challenges at the moment. "There is frustration and despair around the proposals contained in the Sustainable Farming Scheme consultation, which is in need of a major overhaul." Welsh farm leaders have long warned of the impacts of aspects of the proposals contained within the SFS outline not least the 10% tree planting and habitat requirements on the sectors viability. The findings of the Welsh governments own impact assessment modelling for the SFS continues to send shockwaves throughout the industry. It forecasts that 5,500 jobs would be lost, as well as a 200m hit to farm business income and 11% less livestock in Wales. The industry is also concerned about the administrative and cost requirements of complying with regulations around water quality, as well as the impact caused by bovine TB. The cumulation of these factors and the stresses which accompanies them has contributed to a sense of anxiety, NFU Cymru warned in its letter to Mr Gething. "It is against this backdrop of an industry which is in a state of considerable upheaval, that I have requested an urgent meeting with the First Minister in order to discuss the issues," Mr Jones said. I am very much of the view that it is only through dialogue and genuine partnership working that we can try and work our way through some of the difficulties farming and government face." The Scottish government has been urged to release more details on its reform of the suckler beef support scheme, as farmers raise frustration with the lack of detail. The Scottish government recently confirmed that the scheme (SSBSS), currently worth 40 million, will be a feature of future support arrangements in Scotland. Payments to eligible calves under the current scheme year are imminent, but proposed changes to the scheme rules for 2025 and beyond, including the introduction of calving interval rules, have yet to be shared. The SSBSS is seen as invaluable to Scotlands red meat sector as it ensures farmers are encouraged to keep producing beef calves to underpin the production of Scotch Beef. However, NFU Scotland has criticised the Scottish government for not sharing enough detail with the beef sector on its proposed reform. The union seeks a reformed SSBSS to retain the budget and continue to be delivered in the same cyclical manner. Split payments between meeting existing eligibility criteria and new conditionality is needed, the union said, as well as a mechanism for recognition of pre-registration of stillborn calves. And a force majeure option should also be available for any producers affected by unforeseen or exceptional circumstances. Any eligible beef calf born after 2 December 2023 will fall under the scheme reform. NFU Scotland said it understands that the existing 30-day retention period will remain as part of the reform. As the height of spring calving nears, the industry remains unclear on the new rules and is at risk of not meeting potential calving interval criteria. NFU Scotland warned there will already be a very small number of cows who lost their calves at birth and are therefore not registered to trigger next years calving interval period. It has asked for a mechanism for registration of stillborn calves integrated into the reform to ensure that a cow is not penalised in future years for not having a full-term pregnancy recognised. It is also currently common industry practice that when a calf dies before the 27-day legal time limit for tagging and registration, it is often not registered, therefore no record of the dams calving date will exist. According to NFU Scotland's understanding of the proposals, any future calves that cow has may be viewed as ineligible. The union's livestock chair, Hugh Fraser said there needed to be more clarity on this scheme for those producing beef calves in Scotland. "It is not feasible, fair nor realistic for the industry to operate on speculation," Mr Fraser said. With payments under the 2023 scheme expected in bank accounts soon, the importance of a clear and timely announcement on arrangements for the new scheme year are essential." He added: "Scottish government must give explicit clarity on their expectations for suckler beef producers so that we can have some certainty. It is recognised that this reform is necessary to protect the future of Voluntary Coupled Support (VCS) schemes such as SSBSS. However, we cannot continue to operate on uncertainty." The scheme budget of 40 million is split with 34 million for calves born on the mainland and 6 million for calves born on the islands. The payment rates are determined by the number of eligible calves claimed. Details on this years rates are expected shortly. Researchers at Scotlands Rural College (SRUC) have been awarded nearly 300,000 to support goals in meeting net zero targets for land use and farming. The three-year project will be delivered by the land-based college, building on its previous studies to identify the most promising tech for adoption on farm. This previous research assessed their feasibility and acceptance within the farming industry, and their suitability for application within Englands diverse farm context. The work underpins Defras decarbonisation plans for agriculture and agroforestry, which seeks to go net zero by 2050. SRUC's new project will build on this evidence base and provide a basis for informing agricultures role within the Seventh Carbon Budget from 2034 and beyond. Project lead Andrew Barnes said: Im delighted that our work and expertise with Defra has been recognised in this way, allowing us to help inform future policy development for the farming sector. It represents the standing that our research team - Michael Macleod, Vera Eory and Dan Fletcher, along with UKCEH and NIAB - have with key players shaping the future of agricultural support and net zero strategy. SRUC's project will run for three years with an option to extend as policy needs develop. It comes after a new consortium received over 6 million from the government to help tackle greenhouse gas emissions from land use and agriculture. The Land Use for Net Zero (LUNZ) Hub will provide the government with evidence around land use, from renewable energy to soil carbon and green finance, to help net zero by 2050. The consortium, which has received 6.25m is funding, is co-led led by the James Hutton Institute, Aberystwyth University and the University of Leicester. Julio Guarneri Provided by WBU PLAINVIEW Dr. Julio Guarneri will be the featured speaker Wednesday, March 27, when Wayland Baptist University students, faculty and staff gather the universitys weekly chapel service. Dr. Guarneri, executive director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas since Sept. 19, 2023, is scheduled to speak at 11 a.m. in Harral Memorial Auditorium on the Plainview campus. Chapel services are livestreamed to provide viewing for students at Waylands extension campuses. Immediately following the chapel service, Dr. Guarneri will participate in a question-and-answer luncheon in UC-211 in McClung University Center. Participant may purchase food in the cafeteria and bring it to the follow-up session. UC-211 is located on the second floor. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Dr. Guarneri was lead pastor at Calvary Baptist Church in McAllen from July 2010 to December 2023. He served two years as first vice-president of the Baptist General Convention of Texas before being elected president of the convention November of 2022. He was re-elected to that position in November 2023 but stepped away after being named executive director. He is making his first visit to Wayland in his new role. Prior to serving at Calvary Baptist Church, Dr. Guarneri was lead pastor of Iglesias Bautista Getsemani in Fort Worth from 1993 to 2010. After growing up in Monterrey, Mexico, where his parents were involved in campus ministry, Dr. Guarneri earned a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education from Texas A&M University-Kingsville in 1990. He earned a Master of Arts in Religious Education from Southwestern Theological Seminary in 1998 and a Doctor of Philosophy with a Ministry Concentration from Dallas Baptist University in 2014. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Ravers in India are getting high on snake venom. Indian partiers are getting high on cobra venom Youths in the country are turning to reptile saliva as it can get them high for several days, unlike other substances. Police raided a party in the state of Uttar Pradesh and discovered cobras and a plastic bottle containing 20ml of snake venom. Elvish Yadav - a social media influencer who won the nation's equivalent of 'Big Brother' last year - was arrested and charged for providing snake venom. Snake highs are becoming an increasingly common occurrence and Meet Ashar, a legal adviser with PETA India, explained that the reptiles are treated badly in efforts to extract the toxic venom. He told The Times newspaper: "They are often starved and have their teeth yanked out to make it safer for the handler to deal with them. "If the police found 20ml of venom that's huge, and it means many snakes were tortured or even died in the process." 'Blade Runner' star M. Emmet Walsh has died aged 88. Blade Runner star M Emmet Walsh has died aged 88 The US actor - who portrayed Captain Bryant in the 1982 sci-fi movie - died from a cardiac arrest on Tuesday (19.03.24) at Kerbs Memorial Hospital in St Albans, Vermont, his manager has confirmed. Emmet portrayed numerous roles over a six-decade career, including underhanded police veteran Bryant in 'Blade Runner', alongside Harrison Ford, and he starred as an elderly security guard in Rian Johnson's 2019 murder-mystery movie 'Knives Out'. Rian took to X to pay tribute to the late star, describing him as an "absolute legend". He wrote: "Emmet came to set with 2 things: a copy of his credits, which was a small-type single spaced double column list of modern classics that filled a whole page, two-dollar bills which he passed out to the entire crew. Dont spend it and youll never be broke. Absolute legend. (sic)" Emmet also starred in the Coen Brothers' first film, 1984 movie 'Blood Simple'. He portrayed private detective Loren Visser in the motion picture and went on to win the Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead. The actor starred opposite Steve Martin in 1979 movie 'The Jerk', and he appeared alongside Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis in 2004 festive film 'Christmas with the Kranks'. Rob Schneider, who directed and starred alongside Emmet in 2007 film 'Big Stan', recalled the actor being "generous" with his "wisdom". He wrote on X: "One of the finest actors and human beings I have ever known, M Emmet Walsh has passed. I remember all his wonderful stories and how generous he was with the wisdom and acting knowledge he had accumulated in his 119 movies he made in his career. God bless you, my friend." Christine Quinn's husband has been arrested after allegedly hitting their two-year-old son with a glass bottle. Christine Quinn's husband Christian has been arrested Police were called to the former 'Selling Sunset' star's Los Angeles home on Tuesday (19.03.24) afternoon and took Christian Dumontet into custody on charges of assault with a deadly weapon following a domestic incident. According to reports, there was a verbal argument between Christian and Christine, and the 35-year-old reality star told police her spouse - who is also known as Christian Richard - had thrown a bag with glass in it at her. However, it missed the blonde beauty and his their two-year-old son Christian Jr., who received medical treatment on the scene. A Los Angeles Police Department public information officer told the New York Post newspaper's Page Six column: The suspect threw a bag containing a glass bottle at the victim, missed the victim but hit the victims child, causing injury. The child was seen by paramedics but not transported to hospital. But another insider told the outlet the tot was later taken to hospital by ambulance. The source added: Christine left the house and rode in the ambulance with her son." According to TMZ, the real estate agent was offered an emergency protective order against her husband, which will be in effect for seven days, and she has accepted. Christine previously revealed her husband had to prioritise whether to save her life or their baby son following a tough labour. Reflecting on her birth experience, she told Britain's OK! magazine: "There was a point where we both nearly died. At the hospital, they kept going out to my husband and saying, 'OK, Christines stable but the babys not', and then, 'The babys stable but Christines not.' "Then after the continual back and forth, they said to him, 'You need to pick one right now, you have to make the priority.' I feel horrible that he had to go through that." But the entrepreneur refused to make a choice between his loved ones and tried to stay positive. Asked what Christian had decided, Christine said: "Oh, he just said, Youd better get them both. Megan Fox wanted "the biggest boobs" that would "fit in [her] body" as a "reward" for having surgery. Megan Fox The 37-year-old actress had a "conservative" breast enlargement operation in her early 20s before having them "redone" after she'd finished nursing her three children, and then she recently went under the knife for a third procedure due to "rippling", but because she knows the process isn't risk-free, she wanted her assets as big as possible so it would feel like a worthwhile thing to have done. Speaking on the 'Call Her Daddy' podcast, Megan - who has Noah, 11, Bodhi, 10, and seven-year-old Journey with ex-husband Brian Austin Green - explained: "I, always, that little girl that was in the mirror like Where are my boobies? I always wanted big boobies. So I wasnt happy with the first set... I had them redone after I was done breastfeeding my kids because I dont know where they went, but they went. Then I had to have them redone very recently because the first set I didnt have enough body fat to disguise you could see the rippling thing of the implants. I dont like surgery my body doesnt react well to general anesthesia and so when I go to have a surgery its a very big deal. Going under anesthesia is a risk to your life. So when I had to go in for this set I was like Look, if youre going to put me to sleep, if Im going to be sick for two months from the general anesthesia I better wake up with the biggest boobs you can fit in my body. And that is what he said he did. And theyre not even that big. Theyre a 32D which is not that big, they just look big on my body because my bodys tiny. But if he could have gone bigger I would have had them go bigger because I dont like surgery, and the fact that I had to do it, I was like I want a reward for the suffering I have to go through I dont want to wake up with a full B cup. Theres no point in that, Im not doing it. The 'Transformers' actress - who insisted she had never had a facelift but had her "nose done" in her early 20s - would like to have a Brazilian butt lift. She admitted: If I could I would. I dont have the extra body fat. I would get it done if I could. But Megan also confessed she'd have had a lot more work done if she wasn't terrified of the thought of dying on the operating table. She said: Im very afraid of dying under general anesthesia. So I dont take surgery lightly and therefore Ive not had many of them because of that. So its probably a saving grace that I have this paranoia, or this fear, otherwise God knows what I would have been up to. Blanket Jackson is trying to block his grandmother Katherine from using money from Michael Jackson's estate to appeal a previous ruling from executors. Blanket Jackson is trying to block his grandmother from using money from his father's estate to appeal a legal ruling The family of the late King of Pop - who left behind an estate worth an estimated $111.5 million when he died in 2009 at the age of 50 - have become involved in a complex legal battle which has seen his son, 22, and his grandmother working together to stop executors going through with a hefty transaction. But according to legal documents obtained by TMZ, Blanlet - whose real name is Bigi Jackson - has asked the court not to allow his grandmother to use Michael's estate money to fund an appeal of a ruling. Bigi claims in the documents that the "appeal has little chance of winning" and that it doesn't "truly benefit the beneficiaries of the trust to continue the fight", so he does not believe the estate should pay for it. It is not clear exactly what the business transaction was about, but recent reports would suggest that it involves the deal that the estate made with Sony to sell about half of Michael's music catalogue for $600m. In February, Sony Music - Michael's label for the entirety of his solo career - was said to be nearing completion of the landmark purchase, multiple sources have told Variety.# As well as owning publishing and recorded music revenues, the deal also includes the 'MJ: The Musical' Broadway show and the upcoming biopic 'Michael' and more. Sony might have a financial partner involved to seal the deal on the biggest sale in music history. For instance, the sale of Bruce Springsteen's catalogue for an estimated $600 million saw Sony partner with Eldridge Industries. A source also told the outlet that Primary Wave Music already has a stake in the 'Billie Jean' hitmaker's publishing catalogue. Queen Camilla has revealed King Charles is "doing very well" amid his cancer treatment. Queen Camilla has updated people on King Charles' treatment The 75-year-old monarch has postponed public facing appearances on doctors orders after being diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer earlier this year, and now his wife has given an update on his condition. As reported by HELLO! magazine, she told well wishers during a solo visit to Northern Ireland: "He's doing very well. He was very disappointed he couldn't come." Someone joked about men "not being the best patients, and the queen quipped: "I try to keep him in order." As her two day visit continued on Thursday (21.03.24) morning, Camilla visited The Arcadia deli in Belfast, before visiting other family run shops including Coffey's Butcher and Knotts Bakery, where she was given bags of local produce to take away with her. In the butchers - which is run by three generations of the family - she was impressed by the "great selection" on offer. She said: "It's wonderful, it's all very tempting. It's lovely to see you thriving." After being given some of the shop's specialities - including beef sausages, Belfast pickle and vegetable rolls, she teased: "I shall take these back to my husband, he will really make the most of them." However, she was less keen on sharing after her visit to the bakery, joking that she might not take the fruit loaf and iced madeira back with her. Co-owner William Corrie revealed: "She said she'd eat some of them on the way home." Meanwhile, a recent report suggests the king wants to return to the spotlight to attend his official birthday celebrations in London in June. A source told the Daily Mail newspaper: "There are a number of key events His Majesty would love to attend coming up in the diary and this [the Trooping of the Colour] is at the top of the list." The Trooping of the Colour is a ceremonial event held annually to celebrate the monarch's birthday. It's also known as the Sovereign's Birthday Parade and takes place in London with the monarch joining a procession of around 1,200 soldiers and musicians and more than 200 horses. Other aspects of the celebration include a fly-past, and an appearance by the monarch on the Buckingham Palace balcony. As the golden rays of dawn signal the start of another year in Rani Mukerji's life, the Bollywood community takes a moment to honour the dazzling diva who has dazzled screens with her incomparable talent and contagious charisma. From her mesmerising debut to her inspirational roles and accomplishments beyond the screen, Rani's story exemplifies resilience, grace and the power of authenticity.Rani made her Bollywood debut in 1997 with the film "Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat," in which she played a rape survivor with amazing sensitivity and depth, laying the groundwork for a versatile and deep career. Her subsequent roles in films such as "Ghulam," "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai," and "Saathiya" cemented her reputation as one of Bollywood's leading ladies, gaining her critical praise and a dedicated following.However, Rani's depiction of Michelle McNally, a visually and hearing-impaired girl, in the 2005 film "Black" demonstrated her tremendous range as an actress. Her subtle portrayal earned her multiple prizes and accolades, including the coveted Filmfare Award for Best Actress.Aside from her on-screen triumphs, Rani's personal life is equally inspiring. She married filmmaker Aditya Chopra in a private ceremony in Italy in 2014, and the pair welcomed their daughter Adira the next year. Despite the pressures of parenting, she returned to the cinema with the critically praised film "Hichki" in 2018, impressing audiences once again with her performance as a teacher with Tourette syndrome.Off-screen, Rani is a strong supporter of women's rights and has been actively involved in charity endeavours. Her efforts with child welfare and her outspoken support for gender equality have gained her admiration and respect both within and outside of the film industry.As Rani marks another milestone in her career, let us take a moment to appreciate her enduring brilliance, unrelenting dedication to excellence, and an amazing path of resilience and grace. Happy birthday, Rani! Your light continues to ignite our hearts and inspire future generations! As India readies itself to be drowned in colours, laughter, and joy with the onset of the colourful festival of Holi, nothing beats the opportunity for travellers to have an undeniably authentic and forever memorable time when it comes to exploring India during the festival of colours. Whether its playing gulal with strangers, eating festive delicacies, or dancing to ethnic tunes, the festival of Holi is a sensory-provoking experience which stimulates the wanderlust in everyone. And the best part? Every destination has its unique allure from Jaipurs grand Pink City to Udaipurs tranquil lakes, all bound by a tapestry of culture, history and festivity.As the Head of Traveasy India at Brightsun Travel, Gaurav Sehgal lists down the Holi hotspots you cant afford to miss:Against this backdrop, the beautiful state of Rajasthan is an amazing place for the Holi festival with its heritage. Jaipur, also known as Pink City, and Udaipur, famous as White City are very popular for their grandeur on this day. In Jaipur, the people come alive in colour as locals and tourists get together to splash each other with vibrant colours. On the flip side, Udaipur adds a royal touch to it all and its celebration has an extra touch of majesty given that its former Rajput rulers lead the revelry.The capital city of India- Delhi gets transformed into a vivid melange of traditionalism with subtle or bold hues during the Holi festival which remains full of energy. From cramped streets in Chandni Chowk through vibrant areas such as Hauz Khas and Connaught Place, Delhi becomes a kaleidoscope of hues; resonating with laughter, music and wafting aromas from delicious foods served at festivals.Mumbais population enjoys celebrating this festivity because it reflects their vivacious spirit coupled with cultural diversity. Mumbai is a city that loves celebrations. From colourful street parties at Bandra to traditional merry-making at Dadar or Girgaum where Mumbaikars come out in full force to celebrate Holi; Mumbai is a potpourri of colours and cultures.Uttar Pradesh offers an authentic traditional Holi experience in these ancient sacred towns. As the birthplace of Lord Krishna, these cities are filled with religious significance and devotion. Here, Holi unfolds joyously with singing, dancing, and celebration. The Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan is the centre of festivities and celebration.Rishikesh is nestled in the Himalayan foothills. It provides a tranquil yet lively setting for Holi. Against the beautiful Ganges River and forests, people can join vibrant processions, performances, and rituals. They can soak in the serene beauty of this sacred land.So, pack your bags, wear your brightest hues, and get set to colour the town red - or possibly pink, azure, green, or gold. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has increased the forecast for world cotton production by 130,000 bales of 480 pounds to 112.96 million bales in its latest report released last week. World cotton production was estimated at 112.82 million bales in the February 2024 report. According to the World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report, world cotton imports increased from 42.88 million bales to 43.23 million bales. USDA has revised its global cotton production forecast upwards to 112.96 million bales, citing increased imports and consumption, particularly in China and India. Despite a decrease in US production, global output remains strong due to significant increases in India. World trade is also up, driven by China's increased imports. US cotton exports remain stable. The report indicated that the forecast for domestic consumption also increased to 112.94 million bales this month from 112.46 million bales in February 2024. Cotton exports are projected at 43.26 million bales, up from 42.87 million bales in the previous month. However, the world's ending stocks are projected to decrease to 83.34 million bales in March 2024 from 83.70 million bales. The US' cotton production estimates were lowered to 12.10 million bales from 12.43 million bales in the previous month. However, cotton exports from the US remained steady at 12.30 million bales. The outbound shipments from the US provide guidance to the global cotton market. World production is higher as lower crops in the US and Argentina are offset by a 500,000-bale increase in India. Global consumption is almost 500,000 bales higher as gains for China and India more than offset lower estimates for Turkiye and a number of smaller countries. World trade is approximately 400,000 bales higher as China's 2023-24 imports are raised by 900,000 bales, more than offsetting lower estimates for Turkiye and several smaller countries. Exports are projected to be higher for India, Australia, and Turkiye. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL) Ireland, County Kerry, Ring of Kerry, Kenmare, Henry Street. The Connecticut General Assembly is considering a bill that would create a trade commission to support future transatlantic business between the state and Ireland. Walter Bibikow/Getty Images A file visual of a plane for Aer Lingus, which has a route between Bradley International Airport and Dublin Airport. On March 21, 2024, the General Assembly's Commerce Committee approved a bill that would establish a Connecticut-Ireland trade commission. Contributed photo/Connecticut Airport Authority A proposal to strengthen business connections between Connecticut and Ireland made progress on Thursday, as the General Assemblys Commerce Committee passed through a bill that would establish a commission for trade between the state and the country. Committee members moved quickly during their meeting on Thursday to approve the bill by placing it on a consent calendar, a procedure that allowed them to pass the bill, as well as several others with strong support, in a single vote, which was unanimous by those attending. The proposed legislation still needs approval from the full House and Senate, which could make amendments or refer it to another committee for review. The last day of this years short legislative session is May 8. Advertisement Article continues below this ad As it stands now, the approved version of the bill includes an amendment by state Rep. Cindy Harrison, R-Southbury, to add the two ranking members of the Commerce Committee or their designees to the commission membership, and reduce by two the number of the governors appointees. In total, the commission would have 23 members. The bill gained momentum in a public hearing on March 5 when a number of business and political leaders from Connecticut and Ireland spoke in support of the bill. Among their arguments, they noted the growing amount of transatlantic trade, which was highlighted by the resumption in March 2023 of Aer Lingus flights between Bradley International Airport and Dublin Airport. Its kind of propitious right now, state Sen. Joan Hartley, D-Waterbury and committee co-chairwoman, said during the meeting on Thursday. This will strengthen relationships. The UK is now on the verge of joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), as the new Trade (CPTPP) Act has received Royal Assent. This development paves the way for the UK to become part of the expansive trade group by the end of this year, following its initial agreement in July to join the CPTPP, which boasts a combined GDP of 12 trillion (approximately $15.3 trillion) in 2022, representing a substantial 15 per cent of the global economy. This strategic move will make the UK the first European nation to join the CPTPP, and the first new member since the partnership was established. A pivotal advantage noted is the eligibility of over 99 per cent of current UK goods exports to CPTPP countries for zero tariffs, a benefit that will encompass key exports. The UK edges closer to joining the CPTPP, with the Trade Act receiving Royal Assent, aiming for membership by year's end. This move will eliminate tariffs for over 99 per cent of UK exports to CPTPP countries, boosting access to the Indo-Pacific market and supporting job creation. Ratification steps are underway, with Japan and Singapore already on board. This agreement opens doors to the Indo-Pacific region, which is forecast to be at the forefront of global growth and home to nearly half of the world's middle-class consumers in the upcoming decades. It is seen as a critical opportunity for British businesses to tap into new markets, streamline export processes, and support job creation. Following the Royal Assent, the next steps involve passing technical secondary legislation to ensure the UK's readiness for ratifying its accession to the CPTPP as swiftly as possible. The UK government aims to formally accept the terms signed last year with New Zealand, serving as the CPTPP depository, by mid-July 2024. For the agreement to take effect, other CPTPP member countries must also complete their domestic ratification processes, with six approvals needed for the agreement to be binding. To date, Japan and Singapore have completed their ratification processes. Business and trade secretary Kemi Badenoch said: I am delighted that the CPTPP Bill has become lawa major step towards the UK becoming a full-fledged member of the Indo-Pacific bloc and the many benefits that will come with that membership. We are leveraging our freedoms as an independent trading nation to open-up a new era of partnership with the fast-growing economies of tomorrow. Becoming a member of CPTPP offers brilliant new opportunities for British businesses and consumers through greater access to a market of over 500 million peoplehelping to grow the UK economy. This is exciting news for British businesses up and down the country. My message to the British business community is clear start looking now at what this deal can do for you, so you are ready to take full advantage of the brilliant opportunities it presents when the deal comes into force, said Minister of State for Trade Policy Greg Hands. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DP) Today marks the 10th anniversary of the beloved film "Ankhon Dekhi," a creation that captivates audiences with its relatable characters and engaging humor. Released in 2014, this film has not only found a special place in viewers' hearts but also earned critical acclaim, securing awards like the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Film and Best Story in 2015, and the Screen Award for Best Ensemble Cast in 2015. Helmed by the talented Rajat Kapoor, a three-time National Award-winning filmmaker, "Ankhon Dekhi" stars Sanjay Mishra as Raje Bauji, a man in his late fifties. The story unfolds in Old Delhi, where Raje Bauji's life takes a dramatic turn, leading him on a humorous journey of self-discovery and acceptance. Rajat Kapoor, who also contributed as a writer and actor for the film, expressed his emotional connection with "Ankhon Dekhi," highlighting the collective effort and magic that brought the film to life. The cast includes notable names like Taranjit Kaur, Namit Das, Maya Sarao, and others, with Seema Pahwa delivering a compelling performance as the family's matriarch. Seema Pahwa and Sanjay Mishra shared their gratification for the project, emphasizing the enriching experience and the unique opportunity it presented for in-depth character portrayal. Manish Mundra, founder of Drishyam Films, reflected on the film's lasting impact, expressing pride in it being the first film produced under the Drishyam banner. He highlighted the studio's dedication to presenting authentic, entertaining stories. To celebrate this milestone, Drishyam Films has introduced a new limited edition illustrated poster of "Ankhon Dekhi," designed by Shiraz of the Khwab Tanha artists' collective. Drishyam Films, established by Manish Mundra, has been recognized globally for its contribution to cinema, with Mundra being listed among Variety Magazine's Top 10 Producers to Watch Out For in 2017. The studio is committed to supporting Indian independent cinema and producing content that resonates on a global scale. Their portfolio includes acclaimed titles like "Masaan," "Newton," and "Kaamyaab," showcasing the rich diversity of Indian storytelling. The journey of "Ankhon Dekhi" from its release to becoming a cherished story ten years later highlights the film's universal appeal and the timeless nature of its narrative. It remains a testament to the power of storytelling and the impact of cinema in reflecting the complexities of life through a lens of humor and warmth. Rating: 4.0 /5 Star Cast: Pratik Gandhi, Avinash Tiwary, Nora Fatehi, Divyendu Director: Kunal Kemmu Madgaon Express Review: Kunal Kemmu has left a mark as an actor especially in comedy roles. So, when he decided to make his directorial debut with a comedy movie titled Madgaon Express, everyone was quite excited about it. The trailer of Madgaon Express was decent, and the songs created a good buzz. Now, finally, the film has hit the big screens today. So, is the film worth your time and money? Well, the answer is a BIG YES! Madgaon Express revolves around three friends, Aayush (Avinash Tiwary), Pinku (Pratik Gandhi), and Dodo (Divyenndu). Since their school days, their only dream was to go to Goa for a holiday. But, their Goa plan was never successful. After college, Aayush and Pinku, shift to different foreign countries, and Dodo continues to live in India. After many years, Aayush and Pinku plan to return to Mumbai, and Dodo plans a trip to Goa with them. They take the Madgaon Express, and how this Goa vacation turns into a nightmare for them, forms the rest of the story... The movie is written and directed by Kunal Kemmu, and it is simply fantastic. From the first scene itself, Madgaon Express is hilarious. The movie is filled with so many funny scenes that not even for a second you will feel bored. There are scenes that will make you laugh out loud, and even make you go rolling on the floor laughing. This movie will also get tears in your eyes; no, it won't make you emotonal, but you will laugh so much that you will get tears in your eyes. Generally, in slapstick comedies, we only get to see over the top and loud acting of actors. However, in Madgain Express, the writing is also very sharp. The dialogues are hilarious, and there are some scenes and one liners that will stay with you even after the movie is over. Well, clearly, as a first time director Kunal has done a briliiant job, and now, we will surely have high expectations from him further. Madgaon Express Actors' Performances While the writing and direction are perfect in Madgaon Express, it required actors who can pull it off well, and Kunal has done a great job with the casting as well. Pratik Gandhi, known for his act in Scam 1992, is the exceptional in the film. He is the show-stealer, and next year, he should get all the awards for Best Actor in a Comedy Role. Just watch out for his expressions in the movie. Divyenndu has been a part of comedy films earlier, but with this film he takes a step ahead as he has done a fantastic job. He has been given some of the best scenes in the movie, and he has carried it very well. Avinash Tiwary has also performed really well. In fact, this is something very different from what he has done earlier, so it's a treat to watch him in a comedy movie. Nora Fatehi looks gorgeous in the film, and though she has less screen time compared to the boys, the actress leaves a mark, and shows her potential to do comedy as well. Upendra Limaye and Chhaya Kadam are just outstanding. Whenever they come in the movie, they make us lagh out loud with their respective performances. Remo D'Souza in his extended cameo is impressive, and Kunal Kemmu's cameo is hilarious. By the way, Soha Ali Khan has proved that even her voice can do wonders in a movie. Talking about the music, the songs in Madgaon Express are entertaining. Baby Bring It On is already a chartbuster. Overall, Madgaon Express Is A Must Watch. After a very long time, we have watched a slapstick comedy that has made us laugh out loud throughout. So, do watch this one in a theatre near you. Nayagan's Hollywood Roots Revealed: Muktha Srinivasan's son, Muktha Ravi, shared some surprising details about the film Nayagan in a recent interview with a YouTube channel. He revealed that the movie, which portrays the life of Mumbai-based Don Varadarajan Mudaliar, was released only after receiving a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from him. Ravi also mentioned that Kamal Haasan won a National Award for his role as Varadarajan Mudaliar, but only after actor Nadigar Thilagam Sivaji Ganesan was removed from the film. Ravi added that Nayagan was pieced together by copying scenes from various Hollywood movies. Interestingly, not just Mani Ratnam, but six directors were involved in making Nayagan. One of the shocking moments for Varadarajan Mudaliar's family was seeing Kamal Haasan's character marry Saranya Ponvannan's character, who was depicted as coming from a brothel. This particular scene was inspired by a novel by Bengali writer Saratchandra Chatterjee. There were challenges in getting the film censored in Chennai, leading to an order to take it to Mumbai for approval. The censor board in Mumbai demanded a letter from Varadarajan Mudaliar himself, clarifying that the film was not about him. After showing the film to Mudaliar in Chennai and obtaining his NOC, the movie was finally released. Muktha Films initially wanted to remake The Godfather with Sivaji Ganesan and Kamal Haasan. However, Kamal Haasan later decided to do it alone and brought in the story of Varadarajan Mudaliar and Mani Ratnam as director. Despite this change, Nayagan closely mirrored The Godfather in its style. Additionally, a scene involving drugs hidden in salt bags thrown into the sea was directly taken from the Hollywood movie Once Upon a Time in America. Ravi pointed out that Nayagan is essentially a perfect copy of various elements from Hollywood films. He also noted that many of Kamal Haasan's other movies, such as Avvai Shanmugi, Panchatanthiram, and Guna, were inspired by Hollywood. Fans have humorously commented on how many more Hollywood films might be found within Thug Life, an upcoming movie where Kamal Haasan is directed by Mani Ratnam. Photo Credit: Ram Charan & Sukumar To Collaborate For RC 17? Global star Ram Charan is now on a roll. The suave actor, who was shooting for his upcoming bilingual drama Game Changer, under the direction of Shankar Shanmugam, was back in the city to take part in the official launch puja of his next film referred to as RC 16 with Buchi Babu Sana. The launch event was quite eventful as the main leads, cast, and crew along with Tollywood biggies took part in it. RC 16 is a sports-based drama and will start its regular shooting shortly. From the movie's actress Janhvi Kapoor to Boney Kapoor, Chiranjeevi, and Allu Aravind, the launch was a major celebration for the fans. Photo Credit: What caught the attention of the fans and the onlookers was the presence of Sukumar Bandreddi aka Sukumar, the visionary filmmaker. While it is already a known fact that Sukumar was probably the only director who made Ram Charan the star that he is today, with the epic film 'Rangasthalam,' the possible collaboration was already headlining. Now, a day after the official launch of RC 16, the actor and Sukumar, along with the crew of RC 16 partied at Ram Charan's house. Candid pictures from the meet-up are now on the internet and are going viral. Photo Credit: Sukumar & Ram Charan To Collaborate Again! Ram Charan is now busy with Game Changer and he will eventually start working on the yet-to-be-titled RC 16 with Janhvi Kapoor and Buchi Babu Sana shortly. Meanwhile, Sukumar, who is helming the much-awaited sequel to Pushpa, titled Pushpa: The Rule with Allu Arjun will take some time off after Pushpa 2 hits screens. He will then reportedly start working on a project with Ram Charan if the buzz is to be believed. Needless to say, Sukumar and Ram Charan's film will again mark the collaboration with the rockstar composer Devi Sri Prasad. Check out the tweet below. RC 16 is a joint venture of Mythri Movie Makers, Sukumar Writings, and Vriddhi Cinemas. Rathnavelu will crank the camera and the legendary musician AR Rahman is onboard as the film's music composer. While Janhvi Kapoor, who is already shooting with Jr NTR for Devara is joining forces with Ram Charan as the female lead, Kannada superstar Shiva Rajkumar is reportedly playing the antagonist in RC 16. However, the full list of the cast and crew is yet to be out. Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - March 20, 2024) - Copper Fox Metals Inc. (TSXV: CUU) (OTCQX: CPFXF) ("Copper Fox" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that its unaudited interim consolidated January 31, 2024, financial statements have been filed on SEDAR+. For the three months ended January 31, 2024, Copper Fox had a net loss of $230,877 (January 31, 2023 - $279,590) which equated to $0.00 loss per share (January 31, 2023 - $0.00 loss per share). During the three months ended January 31, 2024, the Company incurred $503,344 in exploration expenditures primarily furthering the development of the Van Dyke (Miami, AZ), Mineral Mountain (Mineral Mountain Mining District, AZ), Sombrero Butte (Bunker Hill Mining District, AZ and Eaglehead (Liard Mining District, BC) copper projects. Copies of the financial statements, notes, and related management discussion and analysis may be obtained on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca, the Company's web site at www.copperfoxmetals.com or by contacting the Company directly. All references to planned activities and technical information contained in this news release have been previously announced by way of news releases. All amounts are expressed in Canadian dollars unless otherwise stated. Elmer B. Stewart, President and CEO of Copper Fox, stated, "During the Quarter, activities consisted of further derisking of the Van Dyke project by Copper Fox and the Schaft Creek project by the Schaft Creek Joint Venture ("SCJV"). The SCJV completed the most comprehensive field program completed to date and subsequent to the Quarter-end announced a C$18.7 million program and budget for 2024 to complete the studies required to transition the project from the Scoping to the Prefeasibility Study ("PFS") stage by the end of 2024 or early 2025. Completion of the drillhole rehabilitation program at Van Dyke allows the Company to initiate the collection of hydrogeological and water quality data; key data that is required to advance the project to the permitting stage. Exploration activities on our 100% owned Eaglehead, Mineral Mountain and Sombrero Butte projects all yielded positive results. The Company extended the term of the exploration permit by two years on the Eaglehead project by filing a Notification of Deemed Authorization in February with the BC Ministry of Mines. An exploration plan to conduct a "maiden" drilling program at Mineral Mountain has been submitted to the Arizona Bureau of Land Management ("BLM") and is currently under review. The open-ended, strong chargeability body at depths ranging from 300 and 500 meters ('m') below surface underlying the copper footprint at Mineral Mountain represents a compelling target, like the buried giant Resolution porphyry copper deposit located twenty-five miles northeast of the project. The hyperspectral survey at Sombrero Butte identified a significant number of previously unknown magmatic breccia bodies suggesting the possibility of multiple porphyry centers." 2024 Q1 Highlights At Schaft Creek (Liard Mining District, BC), the Schaft Creek Joint Venture ("SCJV") received the results from the geotechnical drilling portion of the C$17.2 million 2023 program. The drilling intersected significant intervals of porphyry mineralization in five of the geotechnical drillholes including DDH SCK-23-468, located in the Paramount zone, which intersected higher grade mineralization: a 166.40 m core interval (295.10 to 461.50 m) that averaged 0.308% copper, 0.019% molybdenum, 0.117g/t gold and 0.82g/t silver that contained a 33.68 m interval (427.82 to 461.50 m) that averaged 0.602% copper, 0.033% molybdenum, 0.228g/t gold and 1.28 g/t silver, and a 206.14 m core interval (481.80 to 687.94 m) that averaged 0.494% copper, 0.029% molybdenum, 0.282g/t gold and 1.79g/t silver that contained a 90.70 m core interval (481.80 to 572.50 m) that averaged 0.710 % copper, 0.042% molybdenum, 0.305 g/t gold and 2.09 g/t silver. At Van Dyke, the mineral solubility/mineralogical testwork indicated a high degree of oxidization, rapid leaching rates for the copper minerals and low acid consuming gangue and host rock mineralogy. This work investigated two key project parameters and indicated low potential to generate carbon dioxide gas and the precipitation of gypsum during leaching operations; two operational issues that significantly impact copper production. At Mineral Mountain, the 2023 geophysical program outlined a large, open-ended positive chargeability/ resistivity anomaly at depth ranging between 300-500 m underlying the porphyry "footprint" a setting similar to the buried Resolution porphyry copper deposit to the northeast and the Florence porphyry copper deposit to the southwest. Subsequent to the Quarter-end On February 6, 2024, the Company announced that the hyperspectral survey on the Sombrero Butte project identified a significant number of previously unknown interpreted magmatic breccia pipes suggesting the potential of more than one porphyry center. Magmatic breccias are a key indicator of the presence of a buried porphyry copper system. On February 14, 2024, the Company announced completion of the drillhole rehabilitation program and upgrading of the VWP's and data recorders in three drillholes at the Van Dyke project. On February 29, 2024, the Company announced the 2024 Schaft Creek program. The objective of the program is to advance key project parameters to transition the project from Scoping to Prefeasibility Study ("PFS") stage by the end of 2024 or early in 2025. Planned expenditures in 2024 are C$18.7 million to be fully funded by Teck. Technical Activities: Completion of the metallurgical testwork program currently underway 4,500 m of drilling focused on key technical areas including the Highwall, Tailing Storage Facility ("TSF"), and Rock Storage Facility ("RSF") Engineering Studies: Site wide geotechnical and facilities assessment of the TSF, RSF and proposed infrastructure Update access road alignment Update construction timeline Updates to the Resource, Geologic, Structural and Slope Stability Models Continue the monthly Environmental Baseline data collection program initiated in 2023 and strengthen collaboration and engagement with the Tahltan Nation Elmer B. Stewart, MSc. P. Geol., President of Copper Fox, is the Company's non-independent, nominated Qualified Person pursuant to National Instrument 43-101, Standards for Disclosure for Mineral Projects, and has reviewed and approves the scientific and technical information disclosed in this news release. Selected Financial Results 3 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 3 Months Ended January 31, 2024 October 31, 2023 July 31, 2023 April 30, 2023 Loss before taxes $ 230,877 $ 232,117 $ 348,787 $ 254,018 Net loss 230,877 232,117 348,787 254,018 Comprehensive (gain) / loss 905,445 (602,417 ) 870,509 (43,966 ) Comprehensive loss per share, basic and diluted 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 3 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 3 Months Ended January 31, 2023 October 31, 2022 July 31, 2022 April 30, 2022 Loss before taxes $ 279,590 $ 461,137 $ 277,827 $ 363,283 Net loss 279,590 401,137 277,827 363,283 Comprehensive (gain) / loss 563,026 (668,062 ) 832,007 (116,314 ) Comprehensive loss per share, basic and diluted 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Liquidity As at January 31, 2024, the Company's cash position was $934,007 (October 31, 2023 - $1,368,852). About Copper Fox Copper Fox is a Tier 1 Canadian resource company focused on copper exploration and development in Canada and the United States. The principal assets of Copper Fox and its wholly owned Canadian and United States subsidiaries, being Northern Fox Copper Inc. and Desert Fox Copper Inc., are the 25% interest in the Schaft Creek Joint Venture with Teck Resources Limited on the Schaft Creek copper-gold-molybdenum-silver project located in northwestern British Columbia and the 100% ownership of the Van Dyke oxide copper project located in Miami, Arizona. For more information on Copper Fox's other mineral properties and investments visit the Company's website at www.copperfoxmetals.com. For additional information please contact Lynn Ball at 1-844-464-2820 or investor@copperfoxmetals.com. On behalf of the Board of Directors, Elmer B. Stewart President and Chief Executive Officer 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 Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and forward-looking information within the meaning of the Canadian securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking information"). Forward-looking information in this news release include statements about; derisking the Van Dyke and Schaft Creek projects; advancing the Van Dyke project to the permitting stage; conducting a "maiden" drilling program at Mineral Mountain; the strong chargeability body at Mineral Mountain representing a compelling target like Resolution; and a significant number of previously unknown magmatic breccia bodies suggesting the possibility of multiple porphyry centers at Sombrero Butte. In connection with the forward-looking information contained in this news release, Copper Fox and its subsidiaries have made numerous assumptions regarding, among other things: the geological, financial, and economic advice that Copper Fox has received is reliable and is based upon practices and methodologies which are consistent with industry standards; that the mineral reserve and resources estimates and the key assumptions and parameters on which such estimates are based are reasonable; the costs and results of planned exploration activities are as anticipated; and the stability of economic and market conditions. While Copper Fox considers these assumptions to be reasonable, these assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies. Additionally, there are known and unknown risk factors which could cause Copper Fox's actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information contained herein. Known risk factors include, the 2024 work programs may not be completed as planned or at all; the budgets may be underestimated; exploration permits may not be received; key data collection may not provide the information required to enter the permitting stage; the overall economy may deteriorate; uncertainty as to the availability and terms of future financing; copper prices and demand may fluctuate; currency exchange rates may fluctuate; conditions in the financial markets may deteriorate; trading prices of the Company's common shares may decrease below the exercise price of any outstanding warrants of the Company; and uncertainty as to timely availability of permits and other governmental approvals. A more complete discussion of the risks and uncertainties facing Copper Fox is disclosed in Copper Fox's continuous disclosure filings with Canadian securities regulatory authorities at www.sedarplus.ca. All forward-looking information herein is qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement, and Copper Fox disclaims any obligation to revise or update any such forward-looking information or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking information contained herein to reflect future results, events, or developments, except as required by law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/202493 SOURCE: Copper Fox Metals Inc. Celonis, the global leader in Process Mining, today announced the appointment of Chun Hyunjae as Korea Country Manager, expanding the company's presence in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240320084893/en/ Chun Hyunjae, Country Manager Korea, for Celonis (Photo: Business Wire) Chun Hyunjae is an IT industry veteran with over 23 years of experience in leadership positions at Oracle, Red Hat and most recently Palantir. As Country Manager, Chun Hyunjae will focus on expanding Celonis' operations in Korea, working with Celonis partners to help new and existing customers optimize their business operations and unlock the value in their processes. Celonis, which entered the Korean market this year, has a strong presence in the Asia-Pacific region, and according to the Everest Group Process Mining PEAK Matrix Assessment 2023, holds the highest share of the process mining market across most geographies, including APAC. In 2023, Gartner also named Celonis as a Leader in the first-ever Magic Quadrant for Process Mining Tools. "I am excited to welcome Chun Hyunjae to Celonis as our Country Manager for Korea, a crucial area for our APAC operations," said Philippe Mathieu, SVP EMEA and APAC at Celonis. "With a wealth of IT industry knowledge, leadership experience and regional expertise, Hyunjae is the ideal person to drive our growth in Korea and help our customers drive significant business value across their top, bottom and green lines." "I am thrilled to join Celonis as Country Manager for Korea," said Chun. "Drawing on my enterprise software background and deep understanding of the region, I will focus on delivering tailored solutions based on Celonis' marketing-leading process intelligence to help our customers increase productivity, deliver value, improve customer satisfaction and operate more sustainably. I look forward to growing Celonis' operations in Korea and working with our partners to expand the process mining community." About Celonis Since 2011, Celonis has helped thousands of the world's largest and most esteemed companies yield immediate cash impact, radically improve customer experience, and reduce carbon emissions. Its Process Intelligence platform uses industry-leading process mining technology and AI to present companies with a living digital twin of their end-to-end processes. For the first time, everyone in an organization has a common language for how the business runs, visibility into where value is hiding, and the ability to capture it. Celonis is headquartered in Munich, Germany and New York City, USA with more than 20 offices worldwide. 2024 Celonis SE. All rights reserved. Celonis and the Celonis "droplet" logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Celonis SE in Germany and other jurisdictions. All other product and company names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240320084893/en/ Contacts: Media contact press@celonis.com AI Technology to Support Self-Care for CLBP TOKYO, Mar 21, 2024 - (JCN Newswire) - NEC Corporation (NEC; TSE: 6701) and Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU) have developed a technology to support self-care for chronic non-specific lower back pain (CLBP) by using artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze image and interview data taken with smart devices. This will enable individuals with chronic back pain to easily check their lower back condition and to see possible causes and recommendations for customized exercises, regardless of the time or location.BackgroundAccording to a study conducted by Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in 2022, lower back pain is the leading subjective symptom of illness or injury in Japan for both men and women. Lower back pain often becomes chronic and is a major health problem that significantly impairs life functions, and at the same time, it may also cause problems such as increased social security costs for medical and nursing care benefits. However, in order to improve the symptoms of CLBP, it is necessary to visit the clinic several times a month continuously, and many people are unable to receive adequate services due to distance and time constraints.As the population continues to age, there are high expectations for technology to encourage appropriate exercises for improving symptoms and preventing the worsening or recurrence of CLBP.Features of the technologyThis technology was developed based on NEC's state-of-the-art AI, including 2D/3D human pose estimation technology and abductive reasoning technology, as well as TMDU's medical knowledge. Based on images of a user taken with a smart device, the technology automatically estimates the human skeletal pose structure, evaluates the condition of each body part, estimates the cause of CLBP, and suggests an exercise program tailored to the symptoms.Features of the technology are as follows:1. Highly accurate human pose estimation even for images taken from various anglesWhen an individual uses a smartphone or tablet device to take images of themself, the images are normally taken from various angles. As a result, conventional technologies using images may estimate distorted skeletalstructure depending on the shooting angles, resulting in a loss of accuracy.To overcome this issue, NEC developed a 2D/3D human pose estimation technology that estimates skeletal structure while considering the shooting angles. This enables highly accurate human pose estimation, even for images taken from various angles.2. Evaluate the condition of each body part with high precision from imagesIn order to find the cause of CLBP, physical therapists and other specialists observe each movement, such as forward bending, backward bending, and rotation, and evaluate the condition of each body part, such as insufficient, moderate, or excessive joint flexion, based on the relationship between body parts, such as the angle between the pelvis and thighs, and the relationship between body parts and back shape. Conventional technology evaluates the condition of each body part by calculating the relationship between body parts based on the human skeletal information estimated from images. However, the accuracy of the condition evaluation is limited because it does not take into account the relationship between the body parts and the shape of the back.NEC has developed a technology to precisely estimate the shape of the back from images, and by taking into account the relationship between body parts and back shape, it is now possible to evaluate the condition of each body part with the same high accuracy as an expert.3. Rapidly estimate the cause of CLBPIn order to find the cause of CLBP, it is necessary to exhaustively search for physical issues from a kinematic perspective that could be the cause, such as "excessive lumbar flexion," based on information on each individual's attributes, such as age, gender and lifestyle, and observable information such as symptoms. However, this generates a huge number of combinations, and conventional inference techniques require several hours to search for the cause.NEC has developed a proprietary abductive reasoning technology using a Satisfiability Assessment Problem (SAT) solver. This enables rapid estimation of the major causes of chronic low back pain within an average of 10 seconds, based on image and interview data. In addition, based on TMDU's medical knowledge, a knowledge base has been created that includes the condition of each body part, interview data, and the causes of chronic back pain, enabling highly accurate and comprehensive estimation of the causes of an individual's chronic back pain.After the above 1-3, an exercise program suitable for improving CLBP is presented on a user's device according to the presumed cause of the pain. Since exercise programs are provided by video, individuals with CLBP can perform the exercise program at home by themselves.Future developmentsNEC and TMDU aim to verify the effectiveness of this technology through testing at an NEC care center in Tokyo and other facilities during fiscal 2024. In the future, NEC and TMDU plan to expand the scope of the application of this technology from CLBP to neck and shoulder disorders.About NEC CorporationNEC Corporation has established itself as a leader in the integration of IT and network technologies while promoting the brand statement of "Orchestrating a brighter world." NEC enables businesses and communities to adapt to rapid changes taking place in both society and the market as it provides for the social values of safety, security, fairness and efficiency to promote a more sustainable world where everyone has the chance to reach their full potential. For more information, visit NEC at https://www.nec.com.About Tokyo Medical and Dental UniversityTokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU) is Japan's only comprehensive medical university and graduate school, and has provided advanced medical treatment through a fusion of the medical and dental fields and worked to cultivate "professionals with knowledge and humanity." TMDU contributes to human health and the well-being of society by fostering outstanding healthcare professionals with a humane and global outlook.Source: NEC CorporationCopyright 2024 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved. Elmo demonstrates a new motion controller, an AC Platinum servo drive, and two dual-axis servo drives for low and high voltages in Hall A at Booth A536. PETAH TIKVA, Israel, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Elmo Motion Control, a global technology leader in motion control solutions, is pleased to announce its participation at the AIMEX (Smart Factory & Automation World) exhibition at COEX in Seoul, Korea. The 34th International Factory Automation Expo will be held from March 27 to March 29. Elmo will have on display the Platinum line of servo drives, including the new Platinum Bassoon AC drive and the newly introduced Titanium Maestro controller, and two new dual-axis servo drives: Titanium Castanet and Titanium Harmonica 2 Axes. "We are excited to display the latest leading motion control technology at AIMEX. This year will be a showstopper with several Elmo displays of the next generation of advanced motion performance, including advanced functional safety," stated Louis Lee, Elmo APAC Sales Director. Elmo will display its Platinum Line and the following new solutions at AIMEX Korea 2024: Titanium Maestro is a third-generation motion controller that meets the emerging challenges of machine builders that require top-notch performance, speed, accuracy, and increased robustness. This motion controller offers advanced real-time management capabilities for multi-axis machines. Embedded with cutting-edge computational Quad-Core CPU and extensive memory, it enables a breakthrough cycle time of 100uSec for each axis. With the coupling of Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities, image processing, and advanced Python programming, the Titanium Maestro is in a league of its own. is a third-generation motion controller that meets the emerging challenges of machine builders that require top-notch performance, speed, accuracy, and increased robustness. This motion controller offers advanced real-time management capabilities for multi-axis machines. Embedded with cutting-edge computational Quad-Core CPU and extensive memory, it enables a breakthrough cycle time of 100uSec for each axis. With the coupling of Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities, image processing, and advanced Python programming, the Titanium Maestro is in a league of its own. Platinum Bassoon is the first AC servo drive in the Platinum Line with full functional safety. This solution supports up to 10 Amps at 230 Volts and up to 3.25 kW of continuous power. The drive is compatible with brushless, DC brush, and linear motors, or voice coil. is the first AC servo drive in the Platinum Line with full functional safety. This solution supports up to 10 Amps at 230 Volts and up to 3.25 kW of continuous power. The drive is compatible with brushless, DC brush, and linear motors, or voice coil. Titanium Solo Castanet is part of the next-generation dual-axis Functional Safety servo drive, based on GaN Power Switching Technology, for low DC voltage applications. This solution has up to 15 Amps at 100 Volts and 2.4 kW of continuous power, which is set to be released in 2024. is part of the next-generation dual-axis Functional Safety servo drive, based on GaN Power Switching Technology, for low DC voltage applications. This solution has up to 15 Amps at 100 Volts and 2.4 kW of continuous power, which is set to be released in 2024. Titanium Harmonica 2 Axes is part of the next-generation dual-axes Functional Safety servo drive with a fully featured motion controller and local intelligence. This solution has up to 10 Amps at 200 Volts and 5.6 kW of continuous power per axis, which is set to be released in 2024. To schedule a one-on-one meeting at AIMEX Korea, please register here: https://www.lp.elmomc.com/events/automation-world-2024/ About Elmo Motion Control Elmo has been a motion control technology leader for over 35 years, with millions of servo drives working 24/7 worldwide. Elmo offers complete motion control solutions from design to delivery of cutting-edge servo drives, network-based multi-axis motion controllers, and integrated servo motors. All solutions can be customized and configured using Elmo's proprietary advanced and easy-to-use software tools for any machine in any industry, such as semiconductors, lasers, robots, drones, life sciences, industrial automation, extreme environments, and more. The company employs more than 350 personnel with headquarters in Israel and offices in the United States, China, Germany, Italy, Korea, Singapore, and an additional manufacturing facility in Poland. Elmo has a worldwide distribution network. By advancing motion control with state-of-the-art technology, Elmo makes smart machines even smarter. As of 2022, Elmo is a Bosch Rexroth company. For more information, visit www.elmomc.com or email marketing@elmomc.com. Copyright 2024. All brand names are the property of their respective owners and may or may not be trademarked. Elmo Motion Control: Robert Dugan, Marketing Manager at Elmo Motion Control T: +972-(3)-929-2300 (ext. 368) E: robertd@elmom.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2271145/Elmo_Platinum_Bassoon_Servo_Drive.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2271147/Elmo_Titanium_Maestro_Motion_Controller.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2271146/Elmo_Titanium_Solo_Castanet_Servo_Drive.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2271148/Elmo_Titanium_Harmonica_2_Axes_Servo_Drive.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2209952/Elmo_Motion_Control_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/elmo-motion-control-showcasing-at-smart-factory-and-automation-world-korea-302094757.html Coppell, Texas--(Newsfile Corp. - March 21, 2024) - KD College Prep released a fully revamped version of the On-Demand Core Program. The product relaunch features a new collection of self-paced test prep activities that will prepare students for the digital SAT test and the ACT test. KD College Prep Launches Revamped On-Demand Core Program for Admissions Prep To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8814/202541_255a881fd46dab29_002full.jpg "As part of our mission to bring high-quality test prep to students who also need flexibility, we decided to update the On-Demand Core Program to integrate the digital test content and strategies that we developed for our Complete Program students into the fully on-demand service," said Justin Vaughan, chief of business development and general counsel at KD College Prep. The On-Demand Core Program serves as an affordable and self-paced test prep option for students preparing for the SAT and ACT tests. The six-month program provides 7th-12th grade students with access to pre-recorded Lessons and Bonus Lessons, Targeted Practice, and Practice Tests with Reviews. In 2020, KD College Prep adapted to the nation's growing need for online test prep options by developing the On-Demand Core Program. Since then, the product has undergone five significant updates. The recent update is the most substantial, involving new curriculum adapted to reflect changes in the testing environment, reconstruction of test prep activities, and a complete rebuild of the program's online portal. One notable new feature is access to digital practice tests for the SAT test, in addition to paper-based practice tests for the ACT test. After each test, students watch pre-recorded test reviews guided by an experienced instructor. "Students who join the On-Demand Core Program have always gotten the benefit of superior KD instruction and the unmatched flexibility of the on-demand learning platform. Now, students will learn how to succeed on digital tests and have an opportunity to mimic the digital testing environment, so they are fully prepared for success on their actual test day," Vaughan said. Since 1992, KD College Prep has helped students prepare for admissions tests and college applications through test prep and college counseling programs. The organization has four campuses in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and serves students in 40 states across the U.S. SAT is a registered trademark of the College Board. ACT is the registered trademark of ACT, Inc. Neither were involved in the production of, and do not endorse, KD College Prep. CONTACT: Name: David Dillard. Organization: KD College Prep. Address: 621 TX 121 Suite 450 Coppell, TX 75019, United States. Phone: (972) 906-8825 Contact Info: Name: Jenny Moore Email: j.moore@kdcollegeprep.com Organization: KD College Prep Address: 621 Texas 121 Suite 450, Coppell, TX 75019, United States Website: https://kdcollegeprep.com/ To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/202541 SOURCE: Plentisoft A hiring sign outside the newly built Mercedes-Benz of Danbury dealership in March 2024, in Danbury, Conn. Alexander Soule/Hearst Connecticut Media After Connecticut saw slower jobs growth last year, employers tapped the brakes again in February, with the state's unemployment rate rising slightly to 4.5 percent. Connecticut employers added 900 jobs last month, according to initial jobs estimates for February released on Thursday by the Connecticut Department of Labor. That pushes the total count statewide to 2,500 jobs above the 1.7 million threshold, a post-pandemic high and approaching the state's peak employment in past economic cycles. "The addition of 900 jobs shows that the growth is steady and continues that positive trend here in the beginning of the year obviously it's just the first two months," said Chris Davis, vice president of public policy for the Connecticut Business & Industry Association, and a onetime Connecticut General Assembly legislator representing Ellington and East Windsor. "It's also encouraging to see that the labor force itself the number of people working and those actively looking for work that that number continues to increase. We had 4,000 more people in the labor force in February and 20,000 more year-over-year. That is another sign that we have that strong labor market here in Connecticut." Advertisement Article continues below this ad DOL often revises its estimates as additional responses arrive from households and businesses. DOL officials were not available as of Thursday afternoon to comment on the newest jobs data. "Job gains have averaged 3,350 so far this year, a good start for 2024 with most industries adding jobs during the first two months of the year," said Patrick Flaherty, DOL director of research in written comments accompanying the Thursday report. "Job growth averaged 1,500 per month in 2023 with the first half of the year showing more growth than the second half. We may see a repeat of that pattern in 2024." Of major industries tracked by DOL, the health care sector continues to drive hiring numbers, with 7,400 more jobs as of February compared to a year earlier for a 2.6 percent increase. As of Thursday, Hartford HealthCare had the most job postings on Indeed.com with just over 1,500 in all, with Yale New Haven Health having more than 1,300 openings. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Transportation, warehousing and logistics has seen the biggest percentage gain in Connecticut in the past year, with 3,700 more workers than in January 2023 for a 5.4 percent bump. The logistics sector has not been immune to job disruptions, however, as in the case of retail which lost 3,700 jobs to offset the gains in transportation and warehousing. Earlier this month, Walgreens notified DOL of plans to close a Killingly warehouse at a cost of about 320 jobs there. The company had sold the property last year to a developer while signing a new lease there, but now plans to exit the facility as it looks to cut costs. But job losses are being offset by hiring, including at new commercial establishments such as a Target that is aiming for a mid-April opening at the Danbury Fair mall. As of February, Connecticut continued to trail U.S. job growth on a year-over-year basis, with 14,900 jobs gained equating to a 0.9 percent increase in employment. That compared to a 1.8 percent increase nationally. Connecticut had slightly outpaced the rest of the nation for new hiring in January. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The U.S. unemployment rate was 3.9 percent in February, with Connecticut narrowing the gap to a 0.6 percentage difference. Still, Connecticut and Rhode Island were among the states to see an increase in unemployment in January that the U.S. Department of Labor labeled as "significant" statistically, with a 0.2 percent increase for both states even as Massachusetts saw unemployment drop by the same percentage. Massachusetts unemployment was at 3 percent in January. In a separate report on Tuesday, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated Connecticut had about 90,000 job openings in January, five thousand fewer than a year ago. Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Jersey have seen sharper contractions in job openings; by contrast, New York's job market has been booming, with nearly 100,000 more openings as of January compared to a year ago. Connecticut's minimum wage rose in January to $15.69 an hour, from $15 as the result of an index pegged to changes in employer compensation costs. As of February, average hourly earnings were up $1.81 to $23.73 on average in the leisure and hospitality sector, the lowest-paying among major industries tracked by DOL. Restaurants, hotels and other hospitality businesses have seen only negligible growth in Connecticut in the past year. Advertisement Article continues below this ad BRUSSELS, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Rockwell Automation, the world's largest company dedicated to industrial automation and digital transformation, today announced that Stephen Ford is joining the company as vice president and Chief Information Security Officer, effective immediately. He will report to Chris Nardecchia, senior vice president and Chief Information Officer at Rockwell Automation. In this role, Stephen will develop and execute a holistic cybersecurity strategy to ensure that Rockwell and our Connected Enterprise ecosystem - the company's infrastructure, products, and customers - are safe, secure, and resilient. "I'm excited about the energy and expertise Stephen brings to this role," said Nardecchia. "With more than 30 years of experience in technology leadership, particularly identifying and managing risks, Stephen's expertise will help us to ensure cyber resilience for our employees, enterprise, customers, and partners. He will be a valuable asset to our team." Stephen joins Rockwell from McKesson Corporation, a leader in pharmaceutical and medical supplies distribution, where he was Vice President, Global Security. In this role, he led teams overseeing cybersecurity operations, offensive security, incident response, security engineering architecture, and access management. Prior to McKesson, he held IT infrastructure, information security and compliance, and systems engineering leadership roles at HP, Baylor College of Medicine, and The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. Stephen also served as the chair for the national board of McKesson's African American/Black Employee Resource Group, providing support, professional development, and growth opportunities for Black professionals. He holds a bachelor's degree in computer science and an MBA from Prairieview A&M University in Prairie View, Texas, and a master's degree from Harvard University. About Rockwell Automation Rockwell Automation Inc. (NYSE: ROK), is a global leader in industrial automation and digital transformation. We connect the imaginations of people with the potential of technology to expand what is humanly possible, making the world more productive and more sustainable. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Rockwell Automation employs approximately 29,000 problem solvers dedicated to our customers in more than 100 countries. To learn more about how we are bringing the Connected Enterprise to life across industrial enterprises, visit www.rockwellautomation.com. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2361495/stephen_ford.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1981317/Rockwell_Automation_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/rockwell-automation-names-stephen-ford-chief-information-security-officer-302094458.html NMD Pharma Publishes Comprehensive Data Package for NMD670 in Science Translational Medicine ClC-1 is a chloride ion channel specifically expressed in skeletal muscle cells that normally dampens muscle fiber excitability and is involved in regulating muscle fiber excitability during exercise Clinical and preclinical data supports the notion that ClC-1 inhibition is a novel and highly translational therapeutic approach to improve symptoms in myasthenia gravis and, potentially, other diseases with compromised neuromuscular transmission NMD670, a skeletal muscle targeted ClC-1 inhibitor, is in clinical development for the treatment of patients with generalized myasthenia gravis, spinal muscular atrophy, and Charcot-Marie- Tooth disease Aarhus, Denmark, 21 March 2024 - NMD Pharma A/S, a clinical-stage biotech dedicated to developing novel and improved treatments for patients living with neuromuscular diseases, today announces the peer-reviewed publication of comprehensive data sets demonstrating, for the first time, the ability of CIC-1 inhibition to restore muscle function in patients suffering from myasthenia gravis (MG) and in animal models of MG. These data are published in the journal Science Translational Medicine in a paper titled 'First in class CIC-1 inhibitor improves skeletal muscle function in animal models and patients with myasthenia gravis.' ClC-1 is a skeletal muscle specific chloride ion channel that plays important roles for regulating neuromuscular transmission and muscle fiber excitability during exercise. NMD Pharma's lead development candidate, NMD670, a novel, selective, and orally bioavailable ClC-1 inhibiting small molecule, is used in the preclinical and clinical studies. NMD670 is a muscle-targeted therapy which aims to enhance the activation of skeletal muscle fibers and to improve muscle strength and endurance. Thomas Holm Pedersen, Chief Executive Officer of NMD Pharma and senior author of the paper, commented, "This paper summarizes years of work here at NMD Pharma and Aarhus University, firstly establishing neuromuscular transmission deficits in patients impacted by myasthenia gravis and then demonstrating that ClC-1 inhibition can reverse these deficits and improve the muscle function both in animal models and humans. These data provide important proof-of-mechanism as we progress our Phase 2 trial in spinal muscular atrophy and plan for the initiation of two other Phase 2 trials in AChR and MuSK antibody positive myasthenia gravis and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease this year." Dr Jorge A. Quiroz, Chief Medical Officer at NMD Pharma, added, "Myasthenia gravis is a rare neuromuscular disease that compromises the signal transmission between motor neurons and skeletal muscle fibers. As a result, patients have impaired skeletal muscle function and often experience severe muscle weakness and fatigue. Our aim at NMD Pharma is that our development candidates will reduce the burden and improve the lives of patients suffering from these debilitating neuromuscular diseases." Today's publication in Science Translational Medicine highlights the successful translation of preclinical work with NMD670, which restored skeletal muscle function in a rat model of MG, to meaningful improvements in MG patients. It includes the randomized, placebo-controlled, single-dose, 3-way cross-over Phase 2a clinical study, investigating the efficacy, pharmacodynamics, and safety of a single dose of orally administered NMD670 in 12 patents with MG, showing clinically relevant and statistically significant improvements in the Quantitative Myasthenia Gravis (QMG) total score alongside a favorable safety profile. Access the full paper in Science Translational Medicine online here: www.science.org/doi/10.1126/scitranslmed.adk9109 In October 2022, NMD Pharma announced positive topline datawhich established the first clinical proof-of-mechanism of NMD Pharma's novel CIC-1 chloride channel inhibitor approach in patients impacted by MG. In November 2023, NMD Pharma announced that it had raised 75 million(~$80 million) in a Series B financing to complete three Phase 2 studies with NMD670, the Company's lead ClC-1 inhibitor in AChR and MuSK antibody positive MG, spinal muscular atrophy, and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. -END- Contacts NMD Pharma A/S Thomas Holm Pedersen, CEO E-mail: contact@nmdpharma.com ICR Consilium Mary-Jane Elliott / Ashley Tapp / Lindsey Neville E-mail: NMDPharma@consilium-comms.com Tel: +44 (0)20 3709 5700 About NMD Pharma NMD Pharma A/S is a clinical-stage biotech company developing a first-in-class platform of small molecule therapies selectively targeting the skeletal muscle chloride ion channel. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, JAPAN, SOUTH AFRICA OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD BE PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW PRESS RELEASE REGULATED INFORMATION - INSIDE INFORMATION 21 March 2024, 07:00 am CET Ghent, Belgium, 21March 2024 -Sequana Medical NV (Euronext Brussels: SEQUA) (the "Company" or "Sequana Medical"), a pioneer in the treatment of fluid overload in liver disease, heart failure and cancer, announces today that it successfully raised an amount of EUR 11.5 million in gross proceeds by means of a private placement of new shares via an accelerated bookbuild offering of 7,666,667 new shares (being approximately 27.15% of the Company's current outstanding shares) at an issue price of EUR 1.50 per new share (the "Offering"). Ian Crosbie, Chief Executive Officer of Sequana Medical, commented: "We are grateful for the continued support of our existing investors, as well as that of new investors in the successful completion of this offering. This is an exciting time for Sequana Medical as the US FDA's review of our alfapump PMA filing progresses and we continue our preparations for US commercial launch. Based upon our work with market experts and feedback from the US hepatology community, we estimate the US recurrent and refractory liver ascites market at USD 2 billion, and growing at 9% annually driven by NASH / MASH. The tremendous potential of our DSR program as a breakthrough in the treatment of cardiorenal syndrome was highlighted by Dr. Testani in his presentation at the leading international heart failure conference, THT, and the results from the first three patients in our US MOJAVE study further support this. We look forward to continuing our track record of meeting our corporate milestones and driving Sequana Medical forward." Sequana Medical currently envisages using the net proceeds from the Offering for the following: 1)alfapump: (i) Targeting US FDA approval by the end of Q3 2024 - handling questions from the US FDA during the PMA (Pre-Market Approval) review process, preparation for potential US FDA advisory panel meeting and design transfer to enable manufacturing of the alfapump for the US. Total internal and external costs up to Q3 2024 are estimated at ca. EUR 7.1 million. (ii) Finalizing the North American pivotal study in recurrent and refractory liver ascites (POSEIDON) towards secondary endpoint readout planned for Q2 2024. Total internal and external costs up to Q3 2024 are estimated at ca. EUR 1.1 million. (iii) Preparing for commercial launch of the alfapump in the US in 2025, including inventory build-up. Total internal and external costs up to Q3 2024 are estimated at ca. EUR 2.1 million. 2)DSR: (i) CMC activities for DSR 2.0 including a Quality Management System and preparations to start the randomized phase of the US MOJAVE study post- alfapump PMA approval. Total internal and external costs up to Q3 2024 are estimated at ca. EUR 1.0 million. 3)Other: (i) General corporate and working capital purposes. The net proceeds from the Offering are expected to extend the current cash runway of the Company to the end of Q3 2024. The payment and delivery of the new shares are expected to take place on 25 March 2024. KBC Securities NV (the "Underwriter") is acting as Sole Global Coordinator in the Offering. As announced earlier, Partners in Equity V B.V. ("Partners in Equity"), Rosetta Capital VII, LP ("Rosetta Capital"), LSP HEF Sequana Holding B.V. ("EQT"), Marc Nolet's family through its investment company ("Nolet"), as well as certain other investors (together, the "Pre-Committing Investors"), pre-committed to submit subscription orders for new shares in the Offering for an aggregate amount of approximately EUR 8.5 million. 2,000,789 of the new shares (representing ca. 7.08% of the currently outstanding shares of the Company already admitted to listing and trading on the regulated market of Euronext Brussels) will upon their issuance be immediately admitted to listing and trading on the regulated market of Euronext Brussels. The Pre-Committing Investors will receive new shares that shall not be immediately admitted to listing and trading upon their issuance. The Company has undertaken to apply to the regulated market of Euronext Brussels for the admission to trading and listing of those unlisted new shares, as soon as practicable after their issuance, which will be subject to the preparation of a listing prospectus. As announced earlier, EQT was willing to enter into a share swap agreement in order to allow the Underwriter to deliver a sufficient number of listed shares to investors in the Offering in excess of the number of new shares that otherwise could be admitted to trading on Euronext Brussels without listing prospectus. Based on the final results of the Offering, there is no need to enter into the aforementioned share swap agreement. The new shares to be issued will have the same rights and benefits as, and rank pari passu in all respects, including as to entitlement to dividends and other distributions, with, the existing and outstanding shares of Sequana Medical at the moment of their issuance, and will be entitled to dividends and other distributions in respect of which the relevant record date or due date falls on or after the date of issue of the new shares. As a result of the issuance of new shares, the Company's share capital will increase from EUR 2,926,295.90 to EUR 3,720,562.60 and its issued and outstanding shares will increase from 28,242,753 to 35,909,420 shares. In relation to the Offering, the Company has agreed with the Underwriter to a 180-days standstill period on future share issuances waivable by the Underwriter and subject to (i) an exception for the issuance of a number of shares, subscription rights or other securities exercisable, convertible or exchangeable for shares pursuant to alternative or additional funding obtained by the Company provided that the gross proceeds from the issuance of such alternative funding securities do not exceed an amount equal to the higher of (x) the final gross proceeds of the Offering, and (y) EUR 14 million, and (ii) other customary exceptions. The members of the executive management have agreed with the Underwriter to a market customary 180-days lock-up period waivable by the Underwriter and subject to customary exceptions. Furthermore, subject to completion of the Offering, Partners in Equity, Rosetta Capital and EQT have indicated their willingness to enter into a market customary 90-days lock-up period, waivable by the Underwriter and subject to customary exceptions. Mandatory Convertible Loan Conversion As announced in February 2024, the Company entered into an unsecured and subordinated convertible loan agreement with Partners in Equity and Rosetta Capital for an aggregate principal amount of EUR 3.0 million. The terms of said loan agreement provide that the aggregate principal amounts and interests under such loan agreement shall be mandatorily converted into new shares (through a contribution in kind of payables) in the event of an equity financing transaction by the Company for at least EUR 7.0 million (in gross proceeds) at a conversion price per share equal to the issue price in said equity financing transaction, minus a discount of 45%. As the Company raised an amount of more than EUR 7.0 million (in gross proceeds) via the Offering, the relevant loans will have to be mandatorily converted into new shares at the aforementioned conversion price. Such conversion will be completed after the completion of the Offering. For more information, please contact: Sequana Medical Lies Vanneste Director Investor Relations E: IR@sequanamedical.com T: +32 (0)498 05 35 79 About Sequana Medical Sequana Medical NV is a pioneer in treating fluid overload, a serious and frequent clinical complication in patients with liver disease, heart failure and cancer. This causes major medical issues including increased mortality, repeated hospitalizations, severe pain, difficulty breathing and restricted mobility. Although diuretics are standard of care, they become ineffective, untolerable or exacerbate the problem in many patients. There are limited effective treatment options, resulting in poor clinical outcomes, high costs and a major impact on their quality of life. Sequana Medical is seeking to provide innovative treatment options for this large and growing "diuretic-resistant" patient population.alfapump and DSR are Sequana Medical's proprietary platforms that work with the body to treat diuretic-resistant fluid overload, delivering major clinical and quality of life benefits for patients and reducing costs for healthcare systems. The Company's Premarket Approval (PMA) application for the alfapump was submitted to the US FDA in December 2023 and accepted for substantive review in January 2024, having reported positive primary and secondary endpoint data from the North American pivotal POSEIDON study in recurrent or refractory ascites due to liver cirrhosis. US market approval of the alfapump is anticipated by the end of Q3 2024. Results of the Company's RED DESERT and SAHARA proof-of-concept studies in heart failure support DSR's mechanism of action as breaking the vicious cycle of cardiorenal syndrome. All three patients from the non-randomized cohort of MOJAVE, a US randomized controlled multi-center Phase 1/2a clinical study, have been successfully treated with DSR, confirming the strong clinical outcomes seen in the RED DESERT and SAHARA studies. The independent Data Safety Monitoring Board approved the start of the randomized MOJAVE cohort of up to a further 30 patients, which is planned after alfapump US PMA approval. Sequana Medical is listed on the regulated market of Euronext Brussels. Important Regulatory Disclaimers The alfapump system is currently not approved in the United States or Canada. In the United States and Canada, the alfapump system is currently under clinical investigation (POSEIDON Trial) and is being studied in adult patients with refractory or recurrent ascites due to liver cirrhosis. DSR therapy is still in development and it should be noted that any statements regarding safety and efficacy arise from ongoing pre-clinical and clinical investigations which have yet to be completed. There is no link between DSR therapy and ongoing investigations with the alfapump system in Europe, the United States or Canada. Note: alfapump and DSR are registered trademarks. Important information: The information contained in this announcement is for general information only and does not purport to be full or complete. This announcement does not constitute, or form part of, an offer to sell or issue, or any solicitation of an offer to purchase or subscribe for securities, and any purchase of, subscription for or application for, securities. This announcement and the information contained herein are not for publication, distribution or release in, or into, directly or indirectly, the United States of America, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Africa or any other jurisdiction where to do so would be prohibited by applicable law or require registration thereof in, such jurisdiction. Any persons reading this announcement should inform themselves of and observe any such restrictions. This announcement is not for distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States. It does not constitute or form a part of any offer or solicitation to purchase or subscribe for securities in the United States. The securities referred to herein have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time (the "U.S. Securities Act"), and the securities may not be offered or sold in the United States (as defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) unless these securities are registered under the U.S. Securities Act, or an exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act is available. The Company and its affiliates have not registered, and do not intend to register, any portion of the offering or placement of the securities concerned in the United States, and do not intend to conduct a public offering of securities in the United States. Any offer or placement of securities to which this announcement relates is only addressed to and directed at persons in the United Kingdom and member states of the European Economic Area (the "EEA") (each a "Member State") who are "qualified investors" within the meaning of Article 2(e) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 June 2017 on the prospectus to be published when securities are offered to the public or admitted to trading on a regulated market, and repealing Directive 2003/71/EC, as amended from time to time (to the extent implemented in the relevant Member State of the EEA) and any implementing measure in each relevant Member State of the EEA or, for the United Kingdom, as it forms part of retained EU law as defined in the EU (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (the "ProspectusRegulation") ("Qualified Investors"), or such other investors as shall not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of Article 3.1 of the Prospectus Regulation. Each person in the United Kingdom or a Member State who initially acquires any of the Company's securities or to whom any offer or placement of the Company's securities may be made and, to the extent applicable, any funds on behalf of which such person is acquiring the Company's securities that are located in the United Kingdom or a Member State will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed that it is a Qualified Investor. In addition, any offer or placement of securities to which this announcement relates is in the United Kingdom, being distributed only to, and is directed only at, (i) persons who have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended from time to time (the "Order"), (ii) high net worth entities etc. falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order, and (iii) any other person to whom it may otherwise lawfully be communicated (all such persons together being referred to as "relevant persons"). The offering or placement of securities to which this announcement relates will only be available to, and any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe for, purchase, or otherwise acquire securities will be engaged in only with relevant persons. Any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this announcement or any of its contents. The Company has not made and will not to make an offer of its securities to the public in Switzerland except that it may make an offer of securities to professional investors in Switzerland in accordance with and under the exemption of article 36(1)(a) of the Swiss Financial Services Act ("FinSA"). No application has been or will be made to admit the securities of the Company to trading on any trading venue (exchange or multilateral trading facility) in Switzerland. Neither this media release nor any of the other offering or marketing materials relating to the securities of the Company constitute a prospectus or a similar communication as such terms are understood pursuant to articles 35 et seqq. and article 69 of the FinSA. This communication is not a prospectus for the purposes of the EU Prospectus Regulation, the UK Prospectus Regulation or the FinSa. This communication cannot be used as basis for any investment agreement or decision. Acquiring investments to which this announcement relates may expose an investor to a significant risk of losing the entire amount invested. Persons considering making such investments should consult an authorised person specialising in advising on such investments. This announcement does not constitute a recommendation concerning the securities referred to herein. No announcement or information regarding the offering, listing or securities of the Company referred to above may be disseminated to the public in jurisdictions where a prior registration or approval is required for such purpose. No steps have been taken, or will be taken, for the offering or listing of securities of the Company in any jurisdiction where such steps would be required, except for the admission of the relevant shares on the regulated market of Euronext Brussels. The issue, exercise, or sale of, and the subscription for or purchase of, securities of the Company are subject to special legal or statutory restrictions in certain jurisdictions. The Company is not liable if the aforementioned restrictions are not complied with by any person. Any investment decision in connection with the Offering must be made on the basis of all publicly available information relating to the Company and its shares, which information is not the responsibility of the Underwriter nor has it been independently verified by the Underwriter. Neither the Underwriter, nor any of its directors, officers, employees and agents accepts any responsibility or liability whatsoever for, nor makes any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the truthfulness, accuracy or completeness of, the information in this announcement (or whether any information has been omitted from the document) or any other information relating to the Company or its associated companies, or for any loss howsoever arising from any use of this announcement or its contents or otherwise arising in connection therewith. Certain statements, beliefs and opinions in this announcement are forward-looking, which reflect the Company's or, as appropriate, the Company directors' or management's current expectations and projections concerning future events such as the Company's results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, performance, prospects, growth, strategies and the industry in which the Company operates. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties, assumptions and factors could adversely affect the outcome and financial effects of the plans and events described herein. A multitude of factors including, but not limited to, changes in demand, competition and technology, can cause actual events, performance or results to differ significantly from any anticipated development. Forward-looking statements contained in this announcement regarding past trends or activities are not guarantees of future performance and should not be taken as a representation that such trends or activities will continue in the future. In addition, even if actual results or developments are consistent with the forward-looking statements contained in this announcement, those results or developments may not be indicative of results or developments in future periods. No representations and warranties are made as to the accuracy or fairness of such forward-looking statements. As a result, the Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release any update or revisions to any forward-looking statements in this announcement as a result of any change in expectations or any change in events, conditions, assumptions or circumstances on which these forward-looking statements are based. Neither the Company nor its advisers or representatives nor any of its subsidiary undertakings or any such person's officers or employees guarantees that the assumptions underlying such forward-looking statements are free from errors nor does either accept any responsibility for the future accuracy of the forward-looking statements contained in this announcement or the actual occurrence of the forecasted developments. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this announcement. Information to Distributors: Solely for the purposes of the product governance requirements contained within: (a) EU Directive 2014/65/EU on markets in financial instruments, as amended from time to time ("MiFID II"); (b) Articles 9 and 10 of Commission Delegated Directive (EU) 2017/593 supplementing MiFID II; and (c) local implementing measures (together, the "MiFID II Product Governance Requirements"), and disclaiming all and any liability, whether arising in tort, contract or otherwise, which any 'manufacturer' (for the purposes of the MiFID II Product Governance Requirements) may otherwise have with respect thereto, the offered securities have been subject to a product approval process, which has determined that the offered securities are: (i) 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 (ii) eligible for distribution through all distribution channels as are permitted by MiFID II (the "Target Market Assessment"). Notwithstanding the Target Market Assessment, distributors should note that: the price of the offered securities may decline and investors could lose all or part of their investment; the offered securities offer no guaranteed income and no capital protection; and an investment in the offered securities 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. Furthermore, it is noted that, notwithstanding the Target Market Assessment, the Underwriter will only procure investors (i) who meet the criteria of professional clients and eligible counterparties; and (ii) to a maximum of 149 retail investors. For the avoidance of doubt, the Target Market Assessment does not constitute: (a) an assessment of suitability or appropriateness for the purposes of MiFID II; or (b) 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 securities. Each distributor is responsible for undertaking its own target market assessment in respect of the offered securities and determining appropriate distribution channels. The Underwriter is acting exclusively for the Company and no one else in connection with the Offering. In connection with such matters, it, its affiliates and its respective directors, officers, employees and agents will not regard any other person as its client, nor will it be responsible to any other person for providing the protections afforded to its clients or for providing advice in relation to the Offering or any other matters referred to in this announcement. Attachments AFYREN NEOXY receives third tranche of EU funding to the AFTER-BIOCHEM consortium Consortium led by AFYREN NEOXY and gathering 12 leading industrial partners from 5 European countries AFTER-BIOCHEM project will continue with the support of CBE JU Regulatory News: AFYREN (Paris:ALAFY), a greentech company that offers manufacturers natural, low-carbon products created with technology based on natural micro-organisms, announced today that AFYREN NEOXY received a 3.4 million payment in recognition of milestones the plant reached. The payment, recognised in the 2023 accounts of AFYREN NEOXY, is the third instalment of a 20 million grant from the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU1), a public-private partnership of the European Union of the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation. This project known as AFTER-BIOCHEM, was granted in 2020 to a consortium of 12 partners led by AFYREN NEOXY. This consortium is working toward a common goal: creating sustainable value chains from renewable and non-food raw material and making bio-based chemical building blocks available at scale for industry. In addition to the production of acids, the project's scope includes work on the downstream market, where the acids are used as building blocks for other products in markets including food and feed; flavors and fragrances; lubricants and technical fluids. The third grant instalment was approved after an independent panel of experts determined that the AFTER-BIOCHEM project had met a set of achievements. The 12 European project partners 4 SMEs : AFYREN NEOXY, PNO, SPHERA, TERRIAL : AFYREN NEOXY, PNO, SPHERA, TERRIAL 7 large industries : CELANESE, SUDZUCKER, FIRMENICH, SUEZ, KEMIN,TECHNIP ENERGIES, FIABILA : CELANESE, SUDZUCKER, FIRMENICH, SUEZ, KEMIN,TECHNIP ENERGIES, FIABILA 1 Cluster: BIOECONOMY FOR CHANGE The AFTER-BIOCHEM project will continue, with the support of CBE JU. A particular focus will be put on plant performance during production phase, including life cycle analysis and product performance analysis with end-user partners. Further developments such as plant replication and new products projects will also be assessed. With the latest payment, total support from CBE JU to AFTER-BIOCHEM reaches 16 million over the past four years, of which 90% was directly invested in AFYREN-NEOXY. These funds have contributed to all development phases of the plant: construction, commissioning and ramp-up. The factory represents an initial total CAPEX of around 62 million. The French state investment bank BPI has a 49% stake in AFYREN NEOXY. AFYREN NEOXY is expected to start continuous production of its biobased acids in 2024 and reach financial breakeven2 in 2025. Nicolas Sordet, CEO of AFYREN, commented: "This latest instalment of funds and the continuation of the project, underscore the progress made by our partners and us toward our differentiated sustainable solutions. We are grateful for the CBE JU's excellent work turning European vision into reality, advancing the bio-based sector by helping rallying stakeholders around a common goal. As we prepare for a very active 2024, I'll take this opportunity to thank all our investors and supporters, public and private. About AFTER-BIOCHEM AFTER-BIOCHEM is a unique opportunity to turn agricultural processing co-products into new product streams. The project core technology is based on 10 years of R&D at AFYREN. The technology can turn biomass into high added-value and natural products using its all-in-one cutting edge fermentation process based on natural micro-organisms (100% GMO-free process and products). The project will also implement a "zero waste" strategy based on an optimised production process; all the fermentation outputs are valorised into valuable products: seven organic acids and one mineral co-product that can be used respectively as ingredients and fertiliser. The bio-based and natural compounds will have applications in various markets such as food and feed, fragrances and flavors, personal care, pharmaceuticals, and industrial chemicals. About AFYREN AFYREN is a French greentech company launched in 2012 to meet the challenge of decarbonizing industrial ingredients. Its innovative, unique and proprietary fermentation technology valorizes local biomass from non-food agricultural co-products, replacing petro-sourced compounds used in many industrial product formulations. AFYREN's 100% biobased, low-carbon and sustainable solutions can meet decarbonization challenges in a wide variety of strategic sectors: human and animal nutrition, flavors and fragrances, life sciences and materials, and lubricants and technical fluids. AFYREN's plug-and-play, circular technology combines sustainability and competitiveness, with no need for manufacturers to change their processes. The Group's first French plant, AFYREN NEOXY, a joint venture with Bpifrance's SPI fund, is located in the Grand-Est region of France, in Saint Avold, serving mainly the European market. AFYREN is also pursuing a project in Thailand with a world leader in the sugar industry, and is developing its presence in the Americas, following up on distribution agreements it has already signed. At the end of 2023, AFYREN employed about 120 people in Lyon, Clermont-Ferrand and Carling Saint-Avold. The company invests 20% of its annual budget in R&D to further develop its sustainable solutions. AFYREN has been listed on the Euronext Growth exchange in Paris since 2021 (ISIN code: FR0014005AC9, mnemonic: ALAFY). Find out more: afyren.com _____________________________ 1 Previously known as BBI JU (Bio-based Industries Joint Undertaking) 2 Positive production EBITDA View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240320493044/en/ Contacts: AFYREN Director for ESG, Communications and Public Affairs Caroline Petigny caroline.petigny@afyren.com Investor Relations Mark Reinhard investisseurs@afyren.com NewCap Investor Relations Theo Martin Mathilde Bohin Tel: 01 44 71 94 94 afyren@newcap.eu NewCap Media Relations Nicolas Merigeau Gaelle Fromaigeat Tel: 01 44 71 94 98 afyren@newcap.eu International Media relations Bogert-Magnier Communications James Connell +33 6 2152 1755 jim@bogert-magnier.com LONDON (dpa-AFX) - FirstGroup plc (FGROY.PK, FGROF.PK, FGP.L), on Thursday, said it has been awarded the contract by Transport for London or TfL to operate the IFS Cloud London Cable Car that links the Greenwich Peninsula with the Royal Docks area on the north bank of the River Thames. The contract is scheduled to commence on the 28th of June, 2024, and will have an initial core span of five years, with a provision for an additional three-year extension. The Group anticipates a total revenue of about 60 million spanning the eight-year duration of the contract, with patronage risk shouldered by the authority. Furthermore, there is a limited amount of capital expenditure and contingent capital required. Over the life of the contract, the Group stated that it would support TfL in its vision to promote the cable car as a leader in London's leisure market. The Group is already working on plans to improve the service during the period of the contract, as well as creating educational outreach and work placements for school students in the local boroughs of Greenwich and Newham. Graham Sutherland, FirstGroup Chief Executive Officer, said, 'We are delighted to have been awarded the contract to operate the London cable car, the only urban cable car in the UK. We are looking forward to working with Transport for London in order to develop the customer proposition for this iconic London experience and landmark and place the service at the heart of its local community.' Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Groer Dividenden-Report 2024 von Dr. Dennis Riedl Der kostenlose Dividenden-Report zeigt ganz genau, wo Sie in diesem Jahr zuschlagen konnen. Das sind die Favoriten von Borsenprofi Dr. Dennis Riedl Jetzt hier klicken MAINTAL (dpa-AFX) - 1&1 AG (1U1.DE), a German telecom company, on Thursday reported a decline in earnings for the full year, mainly due to depreciation and amortization on investments. However, the company's revenue increased with the help of high-value service revenue. In addition, the company has confirmed its annual EBITDA guidance. For the 12-month period, 1&1 posted earnings per share of 1.79 euros, lesser than last year's 2.08 euros per share. This includes a 0.19 euro for the depreciation and amortization on investments in the 1&1 mobile network. EBIT was at 455.8 million euros, compared with previous year's 534.9 million euros. Earnings were hurt by a noteworthy depreciation on investments for the 1&1 mobile network of 47.3 million euros as against last year's 0.09 million euros as a result of the network start at the end of 2022. The company noted that this amortization will continue to increase in the coming years. However the firm added that it will be offset by successively increasing cost savings for advance mobile services. EBITDA stood at 653.8 million euros, lesser than 693.3 million euros in 2022. This includes scheduled start-up costs of132.4 million euros for the construction in the 1&1 mobile network segment that increased from 52.4 million euros a year ago. The number of customer contracts increased by 480,000 to 16.26 million, for the year. This growth was based on 570,000 new mobile internet contracts won, whose base stood at 12.25 million at the end of 2023, while the number of broadband lines decreased as expected by 90,000 to 4.01 million in the same period. Revenue moved up to 4.096 billion euros from 3.963 billion euros in 2022. Revenue was supported by high-value service revenue that improved to 3.243 billion euros from 3.175 billion euros a year ago. For the full year, the Board will pay a dividend of 0.05 euro per share, unchanged from previous year's 0.05 euro per share. For the full year, the company reiterated its EBITDA guidance of around 720 million euros. 1&1 expects service revenue of around 3.37 billion euros, for the year. Further, the company projects its annual capital expenditure to increase by around 28 percent to 380 million euros. Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Groer Dividenden-Report 2024 von Dr. Dennis Riedl Der kostenlose Dividenden-Report zeigt ganz genau, wo Sie in diesem Jahr zuschlagen konnen. Das sind die Favoriten von Borsenprofi Dr. Dennis Riedl Jetzt hier klicken Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 21, 2024) - Neotech Metals Corp. (CSE: NTMC) (OTC Pink: NTMFF) (FSE: V690) ("Neotech" or the "Company"), is pleased to announce that it intends to complete a non-brokered private placement financing, in one or more tranches, of up to 2,142,857 flow through units of the Company (the "FT Units"), at a price of $0.70 per FT Unit, for gross proceeds of up to $1,500,000 (the "Offering"). Each FT Unit will be comprised of one common share that qualifies as a "flow-through share" as defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada) and one-half of one flow through common share purchase warrant (each such whole warrant, a "Warrant"), with each Warrant entitling the holder to purchase one common share (a "Warrant Share") at a price of $0.80 for a period of three years. The FT Units, including all underlying securities thereof, will have a hold period of four months and one day from the date of issue. Finder's fees may be payable to arm's length parties who introduce subscribers to the Company, in accordance with the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE"). The Warrants will be subject to an acceleration provision whereby, if for any 15 consecutive trading days the closing price of the Company's common shares (the "Shares") exceeds $1.00 per Share on the Exchange, the Company may announce by way of news release that the expiry date of the warrants will be accelerated to 30 days thereafter. The net proceeds from the sale of the FT Units will be used for qualified expenditures in respect of the Company's Canadian mineral properties. Neotech is also pleased to announce that it has extended its agreement with Financial Star News Inc. ("FSN") of 701 West Georgia Street, #1500, Vancouver, BC V7Y 1C6, e-mail info@thefinancialstar.com to provide marketing services for up to six months commencing on March 18, 2024. The new service term may be extended or shortened at the discretion of management depending on, amongst other things, the efficacy of the marketing services. The services provided by FSN will include the creation of campaigns, ad groups, text ads, display ads, performance of detailed keyword research, setup and management of remarketing campaigns, optimizing keyword options, coordinating online advertisers and marketers, corresponding to online marketing targets, creating landing pages for ad campaigns and generally bringing attention to the business of the Company. The promotional activity undertaken by FSN will occur on a http:///www.theFinancialStar.com landing page, and via Google ads and native advertising. The Company will pay a fee of USD $250,000 (plus GST) for the continuation of the marketing services. The Company will not issue any securities to FSN as compensation for its marketing services. As of the date hereof, to the Company's knowledge, FSN (including its directors and officers) does not own any securities of the Company and has an arm's length relationship with the Company. Lastly, the Company announces that it has decided to terminate its option agreement with regard to the Thor project in Nevada, USA. The Company will be refunded its initial cash payment from December 2023 and the common shares issued to the optionor will also be returned to treasury (please see news release dated December 15, 2023). For more Information please contact: Reagan Glazier, Chief Executive Officer E-mail: info@neotechmetals.com Telephone:+1 403-815-6663 About Neotech Metals Corp. Neotech Metals Corp. is a mineral exploration company dedicated to discovering and developing valuable mineral resources in promising regions around the world. With a strong commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable practices, Neotech is positioned to make a positive impact while maximizing the potential of its exploration properties. The Company is a mineral exploration company based in Vancouver, B.C., and owns 100% of its TREO Rare Earth Element Property, located 90km northeast of Prince George, British Columbia, and 100% of its Foothills Rare Earth Element Property located in Central British Columbia. The Company also holds options on the EBB nickel-cobalt property in British Columbia, Canada. Forward-Looking Statements Certain information contained herein constitutes "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "will", "will be" 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. 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. The CSE has not reviewed, approved, or disapproved the contents of this press release. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/202526 SOURCE: Neotech Metals Corp. The first of its kind for Hospitality, Fourth's new platform harnesses real-time predictions to optimise scheduling and inventory management. Fourth, the leader in workforce and inventory solutions for the restaurant, hotel, retail, and leisure industries, today announced the launch of Fourth AI Platform built and trained on the largest data set in the industry. "The complexity of operating a restaurant or hotel has exploded," said Clinton Anderson, CEO of Fourth, "which has kept managers chained to their laptops instead of out on the floor with their guests and staff. The Fourth AI Platform lets managers focus on people, service, and creativity, rather than on constant firefighting. With our AI models trained on the industry's largest dataset, we believe Fourth is uniquely positioned to embed AI across our customers entire restaurant operations." Companies like PizzaExpress, Wagamama, Stonegate and Cote are among the many businesses enjoying the competitive advantage this technology delivers. The Fourth AI Platform is the first of its kind with a set of AI-based workforce and inventory solutions purpose-built for hospitality operators. Fourth's Scheduling solution now benefits from AI to predict highly accurate demand forecasts, Auto-Scheduling to recommend optimal shift patterns and Shift Pooling to optimise the deployment of available workers. It is the first of its kind in the industry and radically improving the speed and effectiveness of your operations. By harnessing the AI-driven insights and actions, operators can make much faster, far more informed decisions to optimise labour spend while continually meeting customer demand. "Since implementing Fourth's new AI Platform, we have seen a 25% accuracy improvement on the previous system forecast," said Graham Fenwick, Productivity Change Director, PizzaExpress. "The model, which uses machine learning, gives managers a more accurate baseline from which they can build and tweak using their own knowledge and experience to deliver a highly accurate forecast for scheduling their team. We're looking forward to continuing to work with Fourth on developing the system." Fourth's inventory products will also begin to utilise AI Forecasting from Spring 2024, to optimise purchasing, prep, and stock control. It enables businesses to reduce the manual effort to identify the optimal ordering and inventory, while also controlling costs and avoiding food waste. The Fourth AI Platform sets the stage for a high-value, high-impact AI-based future for the industry. "Investing in our AI platform for Hospitality has proven to be a game-changer for our customers, enabling them to rapidly deploy AI in their businesses without the need for technical expertise or infrastructure," explains Christian Berthelsen, Chief Technology Officer of Fourth. "Harnessing AI through the Fourth platform gives them a substantial competitive advantage in the industry." Christian continues, "Gone are the days of tedious spreadsheet calculations for predicting schedules, managing inventory and coordinating job postings. Our cutting-edge platform continuously learns from each customers data and recommends the next best actions. Senior leaders, managers and frontline workers can simply review and approve the platform's AI-driven suggestions, freeing up valuable time to focus on business growth and delivering exceptional service to customers. AI has the power to genuinely transform our industry for the better." The Fourth AI Platform is generally available today, offering AI forecasting for scheduling. A strong pipeline of new capabilities is planned in 2024, advancements in real-time insights and actions, events and forecasting algorithms, back-office automation and above-store insights in Scheduling and Inventory. Find out more by visiting uk.fourth.com/solution/ai About Fourth When every hour of every shift matters, Fourth helps restaurants, retailers, and hotels conquer the day with data-driven workforce and inventory technology. The Fourth AI Platform leverages more than 20 years of rich data and advanced analytics to deliver actionable insights and demand forecasting for optimising operations, maximising margins, and empowering employees. With a streamlined business powered by the Fourth AI Platform, industry operators can act with certainty and conquer with confidence whatever comes their way every day. Fourth serves more than 15,000 customers across 100,000 locations globally. For more information, please visit uk.fourth.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240321300346/en/ Contacts: Nipul Chokshi nipul.chokshi@fourth.com New and recent series of works will be exhibited in The Night, an exhibition at Pearl Lam Galleries, coinciding with Art Basel Hong Kong LONDON and HONG KONG, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Maggi Hambling occupies a unique position as an artist who has consistently embraced a spirit of rebelliousness throughout her career, making her one of the most celebrated women artists in the British art scene. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2366365/The_Pearl_Lam_Podcast_1.jpg This spirit is evident in her tributes to seminal intellectual figures such as Mary Wollstonecraft, an important advocate for women's rights, and memorial sculptures honouring figures like the 19th-century author Oscar Wilde and the 20th-century composer Benjamin Britten. Speaking in The Pearl Lam Podcast ahead of the opening of her new solo exhibition in Hong Kong, Maggi Hambling talks openly about her career and about life and death, saying: "I've always worked very hard and have been in my studio every day. But obviously as one gets a tiny bit older, it seems like less and less time. And so, one has to really go for it. I think about death every day." Click here to watch the exclusive new video with Maggi Hambling: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rE0Ap2ijciA Maggi Hambling's new solo exhibition 'Maggi Hambling: The Night' will open at Pearl Lam Galleries at Printing House, 6 Duddell Street, Central, Hong Kong from 26 March to 16 May. The exhibition marks the first solo exhibition by Maggi Hambling in Asia since the artist's museum retrospectives in Beijing and Guangzhou in 2019. Pearl Lam Galleries will also showcase an important new Wall of Water painting by the artist at Art Basel Hong Kong. The Night will include two new series of paintings that have never been seen before. This includes Maggi Hambling's 2023 series with works titled Sexy, Sexy Dream, and About to Kiss, which explores the seduction and intimacy to which the silent night and shifting clouds can bear witness. It also includes Hambling's Night Sky and Night Clouds paintings from 2021 that present a universal subject connecting the East and West along with the North and South. Influenced by Chinese and Japanese paintings, the works featured throughout The Night showcase a technique reminiscent of Chinese calligraphy, a connection rooted in Hambling's art student days when she would regularly study Chinese ink drawings on display at The British Museum. Maggi Hambling says: "I'm excited to return to Hong Kong and to be working with Pearl Lam. The subject of my exhibition, The Night, is one I have returned to throughout my career. Night inhabits a mysterious territory where beauty, fear, desire and dream combine and invite us in." Pearl Lam, Founder of Pearl Lam Galleries, says: "I'm delighted to present new and recent works by Maggi Hambling at Pearl Lam Galleries at Printing House in Hong Kong and also in our group presentation at Art Basel Hong Kong. Her contributions to the British art scene are truly exceptional, and she is someone whom I believe has carved a path for a new generation of artists with a brutally honest and direct approach. Her artworks continue to resonate with me on a deeply personal level." NOTES TO EDITORS: Exhibition Dates: 26 March-16 May 2024 Location: Pearl Lam Galleries, Printing House, 6 Duddell Street, Central, Hong Kong Gallery Hours: Monday-Saturday, 10am-7pm View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/acclaimed-british-artist-maggi-hambling-talks-about-life-and-death-as-she-prepares-for-first-solo-exhibition-in-asia-since-2019-302095169.html CHICAGO, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The report "Building Thermal Insulation Market by Material (Glass Wool, Stone Wool, Plastic Foam), Application (Roof Insulation, Floor Insulation, Wall Insulation), Building Type (Residential, Non-Residential) & Region - Global Forecast to 2028", is estimated at USD 29.2 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 37.0 billion by 2028, at a CAGR of 4.8%. The increasing need for green buildings to combat global warming drives the demand for insulation materials in residential and non-residential buildings. Stringent regulations on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing investments in net-zero energy or low carbon buildings are expected to drive the building thermal insulation market. Browse in-depth TOC on "Building Thermal Insulation Market" 311 - Tables 64 - Figures 262 - Pages Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=510 The plastic foam segment to account for largest share in the building thermal insulation market, in terms of value, during the forecast period. Plastic Foam segment accounted for the largest share in the global building thermal insulation market in 2022, in terms of value. There are several varieties of plastic foam, such as extruded polystyrene (XPS) and expanded polystyrene (EPS), each with advantages and disadvantages. Plastic foam is finding new uses in building insulation outside of its usual applications. Examples of these include continuous insulation technologies and exterior insulation finishing systems (EIFS). This results in significant energy savings and support the segment's overall growth in plastic foam. Wall insulation to lead building thermal insulation market in application, during the forecast period, in terms of value. The wall insulation accounted for the largest share of the building thermal insulation market in 2022, in terms of value. Maintaining constant interior temperatures through proper wall insulation not only increases energy efficiency but also makes living spaces more comfortable. More economical and effective wall insulation strategies are being produced by improvements in building procedures and materials. The market is also driven by the increasing adoption of continuous insulation solutions that minimize thermal bridging. Request Sample Pages: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=510 Residential segment to lead building thermal insulation market in building type segment, during the forecast period, in terms of value. The residential segment accounted for the largest share of the building thermal insulation market in 2022, in terms of value. The dominance of the residential segment in the building thermal insulation market is driven by a combination of increased consumer demand, environmental sustainability, and other factors. Building thermal insulation is frequently utilized in residential buildings to help minimize heat loss and maintain appropriate indoor temperatures. Furthermore, the expanding global population and rapid urbanization trends are vital factors propelling the growth of the building thermal insulation market. Europe is expected to be the fastest-growing region, in the overall building thermal insulation market, during the forecast period. Europe is the leading consumer of building thermal insulation. The European region's prominence as the largest market for building thermal insulation can be attributed to a convergence of economic, industrial, and cultural factors. The market dominance of Europe in the building thermal insulation market can be attributed to the existence of key players who have made a solid regional footprint. These players, with their vast R&D departments, strong distribution networks, and strategic collaborations, have been essential in propelling the adoption of building thermal insulation. This combination of economic growth, industrial competence, and consumer preferences has firmly established Europe as the largest market for building thermal insulation. Key Players The key players profiled in the building thermal insulation market include Kingspan Group PLC (UK), Knauf Gips KG (Germany), Owens Corning (US), Rockwool A/S (Denmark), Saint-Gobain SA (France), BASF SE (Germany), Dow Inc. (US), Johns Manville Corporation (US), GAF Materials Corporation (US), CNBM Group Co., Ltd. (China), and Aspen Aerogels, Inc. (US). Browse Adjacent Market: Foam and Insulation Market Research Reports & Consulting Related Reports: Industrial Coatings Market - Global Forecast to 2028 Industrial Products Market - Global Forecast to 2026 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/building-insulation-materials-market.asp Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ Content Source: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/building-insulation.asp Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2297424/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/building-thermal-insulation-market-worth-37-0-billion-by-2028--exclusive-report-by-marketsandmarkets-302095712.html Discussion is underway in town for a "Inclusionary Zoning" policy that would require at least 15 percent of units in new residential developments to be set-aside as affordable. Steven Goode Hearst Connecticut Media SIMSBURY In a town that has been struggling to keep up with the statewide need for attainable housing, local officials are considering new ways to prioritize bringing more affordable options to Simsbury through a policy that would shape the composition of new developments. Discussion is underway among members of the Zoning Commission for what's referred to as a "Inclusionary Zoning" policy that would require a percentage of units in new residential developments to be set aside as affordable. Such an ordinance is allowed under state statutes, to help Connecticut towns meet affordable housing goals. With an affordable housing stock of 5.9 percent still well under the mandated 10 percent the town is considering this ordinance not only to meet 8-30g requirements, but to be in line with Simsbury's own goals for future growth per the recently adopted Plan of Conservation and Development, town officials have discussed over recent weeks. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The POCD seeks to increase the number of affordable housing units in town through tactics like amending zoning regulations what is currently being deliberated. And with the new draft ordinance presented to commission members March 18, the town can begin to take action toward that goal. "What were trying to do is identify some of the scenarios, some of the strategies that are associated with what we need to do to get more affordable housing," Commission Chairman Bruce Elliot said at the latest meeting. But Simsbury isn't the first community to craft a policy like this, as nearby Canton adopted a similar ordinance in the fall, and other municipalities have them in place. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The conversation on this mandate is happening just after the Zoning Commission voted to reject a 432-unit project at The Hartford's former campus. If adopted, the regulation would apply to all zoning districts, including where that project was proposed. Any development proposing nine or more residential units must provide 15 percent of units as affordable, consistent with state statute 8-30g, according to the draft ordinance. Town officials have also discussed an alternative ordinance that would include a sliding scale for bigger projects. So, developments with nine to 20 units would still be subject to the 15 percent affordability requirement, but projects with more than 21 units would have 20 percent set aside for affordable units. "The purpose of a sliding scale would be to require larger proposed developments to provide more affordable units as these larger developments have more of a financial capacity to do so," according to the March 18 town staff report. This approach is similar to what the Town of Greenwich requires. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Under the draft policy, such set-aside affordable units would be deed restricted for 40 years, with one half of said affordable housing units sold or rented to households with incomes at or below 80 percent median household income, and one half to households with incomes at or below 60 percent median household income, as defined by state law. But town staff have identified some challenging areas of this requirement, such as the market viability for developers, Director of Planning and Community Development George McGregor said. "The Assistant Town Planner for Canton stated that multiple developers have indicated that requiring affordable units at or below 60 percent AMI (area median income) is a challenge to project feasibility. Ensuring that the regulations can actually be implemented by the marketplace without additional subsidy is an important issue to resolve," according to the recent town staff report. Because of this, before moving forward with any policy decisions, the commission and town staff agreed at the latest meeting to allow stakeholders, such as local builders, developers, and housing advocates, an opportunity to brainstorm with them on the text amendment process at an upcoming meeting. Advertisement Article continues below this ad While Simsbury residents will eventually get their chance to weigh in at a public hearing, that likely will be at a later date that has yet to be determined. NEWS RELEASE Global LNG market could split if an EU carbon tax is imposed on imports Wood Mackenzie report says EU levies could create European price premium and transform LNG trade 21 March 2024 - The global liquefied natural gas (LNG) market could be transformed and potentially bifurcate if the European Union (EU) extends its carbon taxes to include LNG imports, according to the Wood Mackenzie's latest Horizons report. The EU has extended its Emission Trading Scheme (ETS) to shipping, meaning that LNG cargoes into Europe will be subject to a carbon tax from 2024. The report, titled Call of duties: How emission taxes on imports could transform the global LNG market' concludes that if the trading bloc goes further and tightens it methane regulation or includes LNG in its Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) - effectively placing an import duty on LNG at prevailing ETS carbon prices - then Wood Mackenzie predicts that the global LNG market would split. "If the EU decides to apply these levies, then this will push European gas prices up but also bifurcate the global LNG market, creating a two-tier LNG market," says Massimo Di Odoardo, Vice President of Gas & LNG Research at Wood Mackenzie. "If taxes were limited to the EU, or even extended to Japan and South Korea, trade flows would likely be optimised elsewhere to mitigate the impact." LNG emissions under the microscope The report states that the environmental credentials of LNG are under increasing scrutiny. Despite emitting about half the carbon dioxide (CO2) of coal when combusted, the LNG value chain remains highly carbon intensive and plagued by methane losses. However, it adds that while LNG players are actively working to reduce the greenhouse gas (GHG) footprint of their projects, the reluctance from buyers to pay a premium for lower-emission LNG has so far curbed sellers' appetite to commit to major investment to reduce carbon intensity. US LNG one of worst performers The report adds that not all LNG projects are equal. Measured in kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent (kg CO2e), methane accounts for 5% to 15% of overall carbon intensity in LNG projects outside the US. But for LNG projects in the US, methane can account for as much as 25% to 40%. This largely due to higher levels of methane losses caused by extensive use of pneumatic devices and compressors associated with shale gas production. "With a range of 800 to 1400 kilograms CO2 equivalent per tonne (CO2e/t) of LNG, the US has some of the world's highest-emitting projects, with upstream reservoir type and pipeline distance to LNG plants adding to their high methane intensity," Di Odoardo says. He adds that's projects with the lowest carbon emissions will gain from an import tax on emissions and targeting premium markets will boost trading profitability. However, proximity to premium markets will be key, with Qatar and Mozambique requiring high carbon prices to be lured away from proximate markets in emerging Asia, which are unlikely to introduce an import tax on emissions. GHG emissions intensity (kg/CO2 equivalent) by region (wellhead to LNG loading point) Source: Wood Mackenzie LNG Carbon Emissions Tool High carbon taxes needed to decarbonise LNG The report's analysis concludes that a tax on methane emissions of US$2800 per tonne (t/CH4), equivalent to US$100/t CO2e, will be effective in achieving its goal. Methane reduction remains the low-hanging fruit in emissions, with progress being made in different countries, supported by tightening domestic methane regulations. Di Odoardo adds, "A methane import tax will help provide additional economic incentives while limiting LNG price upside. In this scenario, exporting countries will also be encouraged to introduce domestic levies and retain taxed revenues." However, Wood Mackenzie concludes that when it comes to overall carbon emissions, taxes imposed only in Europe will not achieve the required goal of large-scale decarbonisation of LNG projects globally and a bifurcate LNG market would be instead the most likely outcome. "If there is to be any material impact, a carbon price closer to US$200/t CO2e will be required for LNG imports," says Di Odoardo. "Additionally, this would have to be introduced on a global level for it to be truly effective in reducing carbon intensity and that is unlikely to happen. For now, all eyes will be on Europe to see what it does next." ENDS Editor's notes About Horizons: The global LNG sector is complex and the market has had few regulations in terms of its greenhouse gas emissions. Wood Mackenzie's Horizonsreport takes a deep dive into some of the potential scenarios if the EU decides to introduce carbon taxes on LNG imports and what these taxes mean for the world's leading suppliers. LNG Carbon Emissions Tool For more information about Wood Mackenzie's LNG Carbon Emissions Tool please click here. For further information please contact Wood Mackenzie's media relations team: Kevin Baxter +44 330 124 9400 Kevin.Baxter@woodmac.com Mark Thomton +1 630 881 6885 Mark.thomton@woodmac.com Hla Myat Mon +65 8533 8860 Hla.MyatMon@woodmac.com The Big Partnership About Wood Mackenzie Wood Mackenzie is the global insight business for renewables, energy and natural resources. Driven by data. Powered by people. In the middle of an energy revolution, businesses and governments need reliable and actionable insight to lead the transition to a sustainable future. That's why we cover the entire supply chain with unparalleled breadth and depth, backed by over 50 years' experience in natural resources. Today, our team of over 2,000 experts operate across 30 global locations, inspiring customers' decisions through real-time analytics, consultancy, events and thought leadership. Together, we deliver the insight they need to separate risk from opportunity and make bold decisions when it matters most. For more information, visit woodmac.com. CHICAGO, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Organic Fertilizers Market is estimated at USD 7.9 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 13.6 billion by 2029, at a CAGR of 11.5% from 2024 to 2029 according to a report published by MarketsandMarkets. Conventional farming's reliance on synthetic fertilizers poses significant risks to soil health, water quality, and biodiversity. In contrast, organic fertilizers sourced from natural origins offer a more sustainable alternative, reducing chemical runoff and environmental damage. As consumers increasingly prioritize sustainably produced goods without synthetic additives, the surge in demand for organic food directly impacts the need for organically cultivated crops, thus driving the market for organic fertilizers. This trend is underscored by the significant increase in organic food sales, with the Organic Trade Association reporting that organic food sales in the United States surpassed USD 60 billion in 2022, marking another milestone for the resilient organic sector. Total organic sales, inclusive of non-food organic products, reached a record-breaking USD 67.6 billion, highlighting the growing momentum toward environmentally friendly and health-conscious consumption habits. Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=171744317 Browse in-depth TOC on "Organic Fertilizers Market" 150 - Tables 90 - Figures 350 - Pages By crop type, fruits & vegetables are estimated to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The burgeoning consumer preference for organic fruits and vegetables stems from heightened health awareness and apprehensions regarding chemical residues found in conventionally cultivated produce. As consumers increasingly recognize the advantages of organic farming methods, they exhibit a growing willingness to pay premium prices for organic fruits and vegetables. This escalating demand is fueling the necessity for organic fertilizers to bolster the cultivation of these crops. Moreover, the abbreviated growth cycles inherent to fruits and vegetables, in contrast to grains or oilseeds, facilitate swifter turnover and accelerated returns on investment for farmers embracing organic practices. Additionally, the typically elevated market prices commanded by fruits and vegetables compared to other crop varieties furnish farmers with heightened incentives to embrace organic production techniques. This confluence of factors underscores the anticipated surge in demand for organic fertilizers in the fruits and vegetables segment of the market during the forecast period. By form, the dry segment is estimated to dominate the organic fertilizers market. The dominance of the dry segment in the organic fertilizers market can be attributed to several factors. Dry organic fertilizers offer several advantages, including ease of handling, storage, and transportation, making them convenient for both manufacturers and farmers. Additionally, dry organic fertilizers have a longer shelf life compared to their liquid counterparts, reducing the risk of spoilage and waste. Furthermore, dry organic fertilizers can be easily blended with other soil amendments and applied using conventional equipment, providing flexibility and efficiency in application. Moreover, the dry segment encompasses various products such as granules, powders, and pellets, catering to diverse crop types, soil conditions, and agricultural practices. Overall, these factors contribute to the dominance of the dry segment in the organic fertilizers market, driving its widespread adoption among farmers seeking effective and convenient nutrient management solutions. By source, the plant segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period in terms of value. Plant-based organic fertilizers, sourced from materials such as compost, crop residues, seaweed, and green manure crops, are anticipated to experience the highest CAGR during the forecast period in the organic fertilizers market. These resources are usually abundant and can be readily expanded to meet rising demands. They generally offer a well-rounded blend of essential nutrients crucial for plant development, encompassing nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK), as well as micronutrients. Derived from plant matter, these nutrients undergo natural decomposition, culminating in a fertilizer rich in essential elements necessary for plant growth. Request Sample Pages:https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=171744317 The North American region is projected to have the fastest growth in terms of value. The growth in North America can be attributed to several factors, including increasing consumer awareness and demand for organic products, stringent regulations promoting sustainable agricultural practices, and a shift towards environmentally friendly farming techniques. Additionally, the region's advanced agricultural infrastructure and technological innovations further propel the adoption of organic fertilizers among farmers. Furthermore, collaborations between key market players and research institutions to develop advanced organic fertilizers tailored to North American soil and climate conditions contribute to market expansion. As consumers prioritize environmentally sustainable and chemical-free agricultural products, the demand for organic fertilizers continues to surge, driving market growth in North America. This trend is expected to persist, positioning North America as a significant contributor to the global organic fertilizers market's expansion. Key players in this market include Yara (Norway), ICL (Israel), K+S Aktiengesellschaft (Germany), The Scotts Company LLC (US), Coromandel International Limited (India), Darling Ingredients (US), SPIC (India), T.Stanes and Company Limited (India), Fertoz (Australia), Multiplex Group Of Companies (India), TerraLink Horticulture Inc. (Canada), Midwestern Bio Ag Holdings, LLC (US), Sustane Natural Fertilizer, Inc. (US), Queensland Organics (Australia), and California Organic Fertilizers, Inc. (US). Get 10% Free Customization on this Report: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestCustomizationNew.asp?id=171744317 Browse Adjacent Reports @ Agriculture Industry Market Research Reports & Consulting Related Reports: Global Agricultural Biologicals Market Size, Share, Industry Growth, Trends by Function, Product Type (Microbials, Macrobials, Semiochemicals, Natural products), Mode of Application (Foliar Spray, Soil & Seed treatment), Crop Type (Cereals & Grains, Fruits) & Region - Global Forecast to 2028 Biofertilizers Market by Type (Nitrogen-Fixing, Phosphate Solubilizing & Mobilizing, Potassium Solubilizing & Mobilizing), Mode of Application (Soil Treatment, Seed Treatment), Form, Crop Type and Region - Global Forecast to 2028 Biostimulants Market by Crop Type (Cereals & Grains, Oilseeds & Pulses, Fruits & Vegetables, Flowers & Ornamentals), Active Ingredients (Humic Substances, Seaweed Extracts), Form (Dry, Liquid), Mode of Application and Region - Global Forecast to 2028 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/organic-fertilizer-market.asp Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ Content Source: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/organic-fertilizer.asp Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2297424/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/organic-fertilizers-market-worth-13-6-billion-by-2029--exclusive-report-by-marketsandmarkets-302095721.html BRUSSELS, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The EU has recognised the need to future-proof its power infrastructure to connect masses of new renewables and accommodate the increased electrification, of industry, transports and heating. It is time for national authorities to follow suit and allow system operators to make anticipatory investments to get our grid up to speed. The electricity industry's new report shows how to effectively enable such investments across Europe. Today around 3,000 GW of renewable projects are queued up for grid connection worldwide. In Europe, current regulatory frameworks allow distribution system operators (DSOs) to invest in building out the power grid only after a connection request is made. With faster decarbonisation and long lead times for grid build-out, addressing future electricity needs at the required speed and scale will be extremely challenging. Grid investments cannot lag at a time when the EU is calling for electrification to reach 50% of final energy consumption by 2040. Changing course is however possible. Anticipatory investments can address the expected future infrastructure needs by looking beyond immediate requirements of generation and demand. This was recognised in the EU electricity market reform and Action Plan for Grids, but must be urgently translated into national implementation. Eurelectric's Secretary General Kristian Ruby said: "National regulators must transition to a forward-looking mindset and allow DSOs to proactively invest in the infrastructure needed for net-zero. The cost of inaction for society will be much higher than temporarily investing at a higher level to ensure our grid can deliver all necessary services to society in a decarbonised economy." For this to happen, national regulators must remove barriers and incentivise DSOs to invest ahead with fair remuneration and a stable investment environment. Given they are the ones managing delivery of electricity, DSOs should be entrusted to plan grid expansion and digitalisation. This means stronger cooperation with transmission operators and local authorities in infrastructure planning in line with decarbonisation objectives. To avoid complexity, anticipatory investments should be included within the existing tariff framework and incorporated into EU countries network development plans to ensure coordination and clarity. It's time to ensure society can benefit from decarbonisation in the long term, rather than solely focusing on short-term cost reductions. Eurelectric calls on policymakers and national regulators to swiftly enable anticipatory investments. Top of Form View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/eurelectric-invest-ahead-to-get-europes-power-infrastructure-ready-for-net-zero-302093165.html Travel App, Visited has published travel stats based on their international travellers, including Austrians who made it to the top 10 of most travelled citizens in the world TORONTO, March 21, 2024by Arriving In High Heels Corporation has published a list of the top 10 most visited countries for Austrian travellers . The app is available in over 30 languages and is free on iOS and Android. Data is based on self-reported data of over 2,000,000 international travellers. Austrian travellers are ranked 8th, with an average traveller visiting 20 countries, according to the travel app. The top 5 most visited countries for Austrian travellersinclude: Germany Italy Spain France United Kingdom To see more travel trends on global users download the travel report: https://visitedapp.com/travel-report-results/ Meanwhile Vienna, is the 8th most visited capital in the world, making it a popular tourist destination. Top 8 most visited capitals in the worldinclude: Paris London Rome Amsterdam Vatican City Berline Prague Vienna Visited app, allows to check off famous places based on interest. The travel list feature, has over 150+ lists to choose from where users can select if they have been or want to visit. The app then provides them with their personalized travel stats. Example of travel lists includes: Art Museums, Famous Beaches, World Wonders, Beer Destinations, National Parks and more. The travel list feature also allows users to plan their future destination, by showing a summary of countries they wish to still visit by ranking the countries based on the number of places left on their bucket lists. To see more rankings of the most popular travel destinations , users can download Visited on iOS or Android . About The Visited App: Visited App, is a travel app which allows users to visualize their travels on a map, discover new destinations and plan their future travels. Providing users with data on their top wished for destinations, their personal travel stats and popular places, users can make informed decision on where to next. To learn more about the Visited app, visit https://visitedapp.com . About Arriving In High Heels Corporation Arriving In High Heels Corporation is a mobile app company with apps including Pay Off Debt, XWalk and Visited , their most popular app. Contact Information Anna Kayfitz HELSINKI (dpa-AFX) - For the seventh consecutive year, Finland has been rated as the world's happiest country, according to the 2024 World Happiness Report. On a 10-point scale, Finland's average life evaluation of 7.741 ranks it as the happiest country in the world. Afghanistan ranks as the least happy country with a life evaluation of 1.721. For the first time in the report's 12-year history, the United States doesn't appear on the top 20 happiest countries' list. It fell down by 8 ranks to No. 23 from 15th rank in 2023. This year's report features separate rankings by age group. When compared to the older generation, happiness has dropped sharply among the youth in North America. The report shows that Americans under 30 feeling worse about their lives, and this piece of data has contributed to the the United States' relegation in the World Happiness Report. However, the U.S. ranks in the top 10 countries for people aged 60 and above. Interestingly, Finland is closely followed by its Nordic neighbors - Denmark (No. 2), Iceland (No. 3) and Sweden (No. 4) - in the top four. Israel, Netherlands, Norway, Luxembourg, Switzerland and Australia round out the top 10. The World Happiness Report, published every year on the UN International Day of Happiness, explores the factors contributing to human well-being, the happiness ratings of countries and the importance of measuring happiness. The six key variables considered to help explain life evaluations were GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom, generosity and perceptions of corruption. The report is compiled by a partnership of analytics and advisory company Gallup, the Oxford Wellbeing Research Center, the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network and the World Happiness Report's Editorial Board. Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Groer Dividenden-Report 2024 von Dr. Dennis Riedl Der kostenlose Dividenden-Report zeigt ganz genau, wo Sie in diesem Jahr zuschlagen konnen. Das sind die Favoriten von Borsenprofi Dr. Dennis Riedl Jetzt hier klicken Chris Caldwell CEO of United Renewables and Host of the Conversations on Climate Podcast Chris Caldwell CEO of United Renewables and Host of the Conversations on Climate Podcast DOUGLAS, Isle of Man, March 21, 2024delivered a captivating keynote address at the recent Climate and Biodiversity Summit, Trinity College Dublin highlighting the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in safeguarding our planet. Caldwell emphasised the urgent need to address the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss, arguing that AI can play a pivotal role in monitoring environmental conditions, predicting future impacts, and developing innovative solutions that align with United Renewables' goals of promoting clean energy and sustainability. "AI is neither saviour nor destroyer of humanity," Caldwell stressed. "It's simply a mirror we hold up to ourselves, reflecting the environmental reality that we choose to take." Caldwell presented three compelling reflections: Reflection 1: The Mirror of Technology Drawing inspiration from the story of Montezuma and the Spanish conquistadors, Caldwell emphasised the profound impact that technology has had on biodiversity throughout history. He highlighted the role of AI in providing new ways to observe and understand the natural world, such as detecting deforestation and tracking nutrient flows in agriculture. Reflection 2: AI as Biomimicry Caldwell argued that AI is inherently connected to the natural world, drawing inspiration from biological systems. He cited examples of AI algorithms being designed to mimic the behaviour of ants and the efficiency of brain function. This biomimicry enables AI to tackle complex environmental challenges. Reflection 3: The Narcissus Trap Caldwell cautioned against the risk of becoming overly reliant on AI, leading to a disconnect from the natural world. He emphasised the importance of considering the trade-offs between AI development and the preservation of biodiversity. "We must ask ourselves," Caldwell said, "how much artificial intelligence do we need at the expense of the living intelligence of the Earth?" Caldwell concluded by urging attendees to embrace a holistic approach to environmental conservation, one that recognises the interconnectedness of technology, biodiversity, and human society. He stressed the need to incorporate indigenous knowledge and non-human perspectives into AI models to ensure a sustainable future. "The AI Revolution is not as new as we think," Caldwell said. "Technology and biodiversity have always been entangled. Let us use this opportunity to harness the power of AI to preserve our planet and create a more sustainable future for all." The keynote address generated widespread interest and sparked discussions among attendees about the potential of AI to revolutionise environmental conservation. Experts from various fields, including climate scientists, ecologists, policymakers, and representatives from the renewable energy industry, engaged in lively debates about the ethical implications and best practices for using AI in these critical domains. AI has the potential to transform the way we approach climate and biodiversity preservation, and it's essential that we harness its power responsibly. The video recording of Caldwell's keynote address is now available on YouTube, providing a valuable resource for anyone interested in the intersection of AI, environmental sustainability, and the work of United Renewables. About United Renewables: United Renewablesis at the forefront of the renewable energy sector, dedicated to providing diverse green energy solutions, including solar, wind, hydro, and bioenergy. The company is committed to fostering sustainable futures, reducing global carbon footprints, and empowering businesses and communities through innovation and environmental stewardship. About the Conversations on Climate Podcast: United Renewables' Conversations on Climate podcast , now in its third season, offers enlightening insights on climate change. The podcast combines academic knowledge with practical industry experience, covering topics from leadership to green innovations. Season 3, developed in collaboration with the London Business School Alumni Energy Club, provides a roadmap for professionals navigating the climate conundrum. For the latest episodes and updates, subscribe to the Conversations on Climate Channel on YouTube , Apple Podcasts , Podbean , and Spotify . For all related articles. Conversations on Climateis a joint production of United Renewables and the London Business School Alumni Energy Club. Conversations on Climatebrings world-leading thinkers from business and academia together to share their expertise on the subject of climate change. Guests include: Sir Andrew Likierman, Julio Dal Poz, Professor Jean-Pierre Benoit, and Professor Ioannou. Tara SchmidtProfessor Dan CableProfessor Zoe ChanceProfessor Lynda GrattonTom GoslingEduardo Famini SilvaDr. Linda YuehYariv CohenFrancois Ortalo-MagneProfessor Randall PetersonMatt WinningAbel Martins AlexandreDr. Marcel OlbertProfessor Rupert MersonCostas MarkidesProfessor Brian CaulfieldCT GreenbankNico JohnsonKelly PriceSean Kidney Contact Information: Isabella Hawke - Sales and Marketing Consultant United Renewables Phone: +447624457139 Email: IIhawke@unitedrenewables.co.uk Web: unitedrenewables.co.uk A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/aa92df77-d79a-4beb-951f-b4ae75474da8 Aptean ERP Equips HGT With Paperless Order Picking and Automated Warehouse Management ETTEN-LEUR, The Netherlands, March 21, 2024, a global provider of mission-critical enterprise software solutions, announced its recent collaboration with Horeca Groothandel Tilburg (HGT), a leading wholesaler in Tilburg providing a comprehensive range of food and non-food products to the hospitality industry. With a focus on quality and reliability, HGT offers a diverse selection of goods tailored to meet the needs of restaurants, cafes, corporate and sport canteens and other establishments. HGT's commitment to excellence makes them a trusted partner for businesses seeking top-tier supplies. The company has selected the cloud-based Aptean Food & Beverage ERP solution to enhance operational efficiency and elevate customer service standards. As a wholesaler catering to 450 customers weekly and managing a portfolio of 10,000 products with just 35 employees, HGT faces numerous challenges with its current systems. The company made the strategic decision to invest in a cloud deployment of Aptean Food & Beverage ERP to address critical business challenges and streamline operations. The solution emerged as the ideal choice due to its robust functionality tailored specifically for the food industry, seamless integration capabilities and user-friendly interface. Moreover, Aptean's extensive experience and proven track record in implementing ERP solutions for similar businesses, including suppliers of HGT, instilled confidence in the business's decision. "HGT was impressed by Aptean's industry expertise, commitment to best practices and the ability to provide a tailored solution that aligns with our process and growth objectives," said Daphne Brabers, Director at Horeca Groothandel Tilburg. "With Aptean Food & Beverage ERP, we anticipate significant improvements in warehouse operations, order accuracy and customer satisfaction. We look forward to optimizing additional business processes in the future to support our expansion plans." Aptean's partnership approach, coupled with its local presence and dedicated support, further solidified the family-owned company's choice. By implementing Aptean Food & Beverage ERP, HGT aims to enhance order picking processes, automate warehouse management and improve overall service quality. "We are delighted to partner with Horeca Groothandel Tilburg on their journey towards operational excellence and growth," said Duane George, President EMEA and APAC at Aptean. "By leveraging our industry-leading ERP solution, HGT will not only streamline the business's current processes but also lay a solid foundation for future expansion and innovation." About Horeca Groothandel Tilburg Horeca Groothandel Tilburg is a family-owned leading wholesaler catering to diverse needs in the food and non-food industry. With a comprehensive range of high-quality products, including fresh produce, beverages and kitchen essentials, they serve catering, cafeterias, company restaurants and sport canteens as well as bakeries and vegetable and meat processors. Their commitment to quality and efficiency makes them a trusted partner for businesses seeking reliable wholesale solutions. About Aptean Aptean is one of the world's leading providers of purpose-built, industry-specific software that helps manufacturers and distributors effectively run and grow their businesses. With both cloud and on-premise deployment options, Aptean's products, services and unmatched expertise help businesses of all sizes to be Ready for What's Next, Now. Aptean is headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia and has offices in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific. To learn more about Aptean and the markets we serve, visit www.aptean.com. Aptean and Ready for What's Next, Now are Registered Trademarks of Aptean, Inc. All other company and product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated. For Media Inquiries Please Contact MediaRelations@Aptean.com Shenzhen, China--(Newsfile Corp. - March 21, 2024) - Hornbill proudly presents its latest innovation, the M1 Keyless Entry Door Lock, a stylish enhancement to any home security system. As a pioneer in smart home technology, Hornbill has rigorously evaluated its cutting-edge product, providing a detailed review of its extensive capabilities for a complete understanding of its performance and features. Hornbill - M1 Keyless Entry Door Lock To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8846/202088_7b21f07de425086a_001full.jpg The M1 transcends traditional keyless entry systems, boasting a versatile array of features tailored to enhance security and convenience. Offering multiple unlocking options, from Bluetooth app control to IC card unlock, and a discrete anti-peep passcode feature, the M1 ensures secure access without compromising convenience. With intuitive auto-lock functionality and one-touch locking, securing homes has never been easier. Hornbill - Versatile Door Lock To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8846/202088_7b21f07de425086a_002full.jpg Central to the M1's appeal is its passage mode, which allows for free access during social gatherings or periods of high traffic. Additionally, the emergency charge feature via USB-C ensures accessibility, even in the event of a drained battery. This is further enhanced by alerts for low battery and incorrect entries, providing extra peace of mind. Hornbill - Smart Handlesets To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8846/202088_7b21f07de425086a_003full.jpg The accompanying app unlocks a world of possibilities, enabling the generation of permanent or one-time codes, management of guest passcodes and IC cards, and effortless control of auto-lock timers and passage mode. With remote capabilities enhanced by the optional Wi-Fi G2 gateway, users can lock and unlock doors from anywhere, integrate with smart home assistants, and share or modify access in real time. Hornbill - Always Back You UP To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8846/202088_7b21f07de425086a_004full.jpg Built to withstand the elements, the M1 operates flawlessly in extreme temperatures and boasts IP65 waterproofing, ensuring durability and longevity. Its user-friendly design facilitates easy installation on US standard doors, backed by comprehensive instructions and installation videos for hassle-free setup. Hornbill stands behind its product with a commitment to reliability and customer satisfaction, offering 30 days of free returns, a 1-year free replacement guarantee, and lifetime troubleshooting and customer service support. Hornbill M1 Keyless Entry Door Lock To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8846/202088_7b21f07de425086a_005full.jpg In summary, the Hornbill M1 Keyless Entry Door Lock epitomizes innovation, reliability, and user-centric design, setting a new standard in smart home security. Experience the freedom of keyless living and fortify homes' defenses with Hornbill's cutting-edge solution. About Hornbill: Hornbill is a leading integrated designer and manufacturer specializing in Bluetooth & WiFi smart deadbolts for home security, serving millions of families and smart lock contractors worldwide. Media Contact: Contact Person: Gloria Company: Hornbill Email: service01@hornbilllock.com Website: https://www.hornbilllock.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/202088 SOURCE: Media Feature - CNOOC Limited Announced Its 2023 Annual Results HONG KONG, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- CNOOC Limited (the "Company", SEHK: 00883 (HKD Counter) and 80883 (RMB Counter), SSE: 600938) announced today its 2023 annual results for the year ended December 31, 2023. Accelerating reserves and production growth, new records are set Improving quality and efficiency, effective cost control and strong profit continues In 2023, despite the slowdown in global economic growth and the decline in international crude oil prices, CNOOC Limited pressed ahead with high-quality development, set new records in both reserves and production and generated bountiful profit. Meanwhile, CNOOC Limited adhered to high standards of corporate governance and actively rewarded its shareholders, earning high recognition in the capital market. CNOOC Limited accelerated production ramp-up in 2023. Oil and gas net production reached 678 million barrels of oil equivalent ("BOE"), representing a year-on-year ("YoY") growth of 8.7%, setting a new record for five consecutive years. The compound annual growth rate of net production from 2019 to 2023 was 7.6%, positioning CNOOC Limited as an industry leader in terms of production growth rate. The Company achieved steady reduction of natural decline rate in producing oilfields, and maintained a high production efficiency. The Bohai oilfields remained the largest crude oil production base in China, while Guyana and Brazil continued to serve as the main drivers of overseas production growth. CNOOC Limited insisted on value-driven exploration. 9 new discoveries were made during the year, and 22 oil and gas structures were successfully appraised. Net proved reserves reached 6.78 billion BOE and the reserve replacement ratio stood at 180%. The reserve life remained above 10 for 7 consecutive years. The Company discovered and appraised multiple large oil and gas fields, and achieved strategic breakthroughs in the exploration of new plays and new types. In China, it successfully appraised large oilfields such as Bozhong 26-6 and Kaiping South, each adding over 100 million tons of proved in-place volume. The first onshore deep-play coalbed methane field with proved in-place volume of over 100 billion cubic meters was also discovered during the year. Overseas, one more discovery with proved in-place volume over 100 million tons was made in Guyana. CNOOC Limited adhered to the integration of exploration and development, to accelerate the pace of reserves-to-production conversion. The annual capital expenditure was RMB129.6 billion. Several key projects were brought on stream during the year, while over 40 projects were under construction. The Company refined the management of drilling and completion operations, to shorten the development cycle, bringing production ahead of schedule. Engineering standardization was widely applied, to accelerate the construction of new projects, while costs were reduced through bulk procurement. CNOOC Limited pressed ahead with the green development strategy. Energy consumption and carbon emission intensity were controlled at sources. The proportion of clean energy products was increased in the production mix. In 2023, China's offshore oil and gas fields achieved complete recovery and utilization of flare gas exceeding 50 thousand cubic meters per day. Through energy-saving technological improvements, carbon dioxide emissions were reduced by approximately 750 thousand tons. Natural gas business was strengthened. Offshore, Bozhong 19-6 Condensate Gas Field Phase I Development Project, the first gas field in the Bohai Sea with a proved in-place volume of above 100 billion cubic meters, has been successfully put into production. Onshore, three unconventional natural gas production bases have been established, with production almost quadrupled in the past five years. The construction of the three trillion-cubic-meter gas regions in the South China Sea, Bohai Sea, and onshore China is accelerating. Besides, offshore wind power and offshore carbon dioxide sequestration projects have been gradually put into operation, showing effective progress of green development. CNOOC Limited further sharpened its edge of cost competitiveness. The all-in cost was US$28.83 per BOE, a decrease of 5.1% YoY. Benefiting from a significant increase in net production and effective cost control, the Company generated a total annual revenue of RMB416.6 billion and net profit attributable to equity shareholders of RMB123.8 billion. Profit-making capabilities remain strong. The Company maintained a sound cash position and ample free cash flow of RMB88.87 billion. To share the achievements of development with shareholders, the Board of Directors has recommended a final dividend of HK$0.66 per share (tax inclusive). The annual ordinary dividend is HK$1.25 per share (tax inclusive), with a dividend payout ratio of 43.6%. CNOOC Limited remains committed to scientific and technological innovation. Breakthroughs were made on key technologies, and significant progress in digital transformation was achieved. China's first domestically-made subsea production system, which can operate in a water depth of 500 meters, has produced over 100 million cubic meters of commercial gas. "Shenhai-1" has become the world's first super-large deepwater platform with capabilities of remote control operation. Liuhua oilfield has produced under typhoon mode through remote control for the first time. Qinhuangdao 32-6 intelligent oilfield realized 90% digital coverage of the core business. While maintaining sound business performance, CNOOC Limited pursues the coordinated development of economy, environment and society, and actively fulfills its social responsibilities. In 2023, CNOOC Limited implemented over 100 charitable and public welfare projects in infrastructure, community medical assistance, community education, employment promotion, poverty alleviation, and cultural exchanges. A total of RMB158 million was invested in these projects. Mr. Wang Dongjin, Chairman of the Company, said, "In 2023, we worked diligently to meet our targets. We have successfully completed all the tasks for the year and achieved new highs on reserves and production. Looking ahead, CNOOC Limited will continue to enhance our energy supply capacity, technological innovation and value creation capabilities, and strive for high-quality development. With our best efforts, we will set new milestones on our way to build a world-class energy company." - End - Notes to Editors: More information about the Company is available at http://www.cnoocltd.com. *** *** *** *** This press release includes forward looking information, including statements regarding the likely future developments in the business of the Company and its subsidiaries, such as expected future events, business prospects or financial results. The words "expect", "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "objective", "ongoing", "may", "will", "project", "should", "believe", "plans", "intends" and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are based on assumptions and analyses made by the Company as of this date in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that the Company currently believes are appropriate under the circumstances. However, whether actual results and developments will meet the current expectations and predictions of the Company is uncertain. Actual results, performance and financial condition may differ materially from the Company's expectations, including but not limited to those associated with macro-political and economic factors, fluctuations in crude oil and natural gas prices, the highly competitive nature of the oil and natural gas industry, climate change and environmental policies, the Company's price forecast, mergers, acquisitions and divestments activities, HSSE and insurance policies and changes in anti-corruption, anti- fraud, anti-money laundering and corporate governance laws and regulations. Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements. The Company cannot assure that the results or developments anticipated will be realised or, even if substantially realised, that they will have the expected effect on the Company, its business or operations. *** *** *** *** For further enquiries, please contact: Ms. Cui Liu Media & Public Relations CNOOC Limited Tel: +86-10-8452-6641 Fax: +86-10-8452-1441 E-mail: [email protected] Mr. Bunny Lee Porda Havas International Finance Communications Group Tel: +852 3150 6707 Fax: +852 3150 6728 E-mail: [email protected] SOURCE CNOOC Limited EQS-News: Multitude SE / Schlagwort(e): Hauptversammlung Multitude SE: The Extraordinary General Meeting Of Multitude SE Approved The Transfer Of The Company's Registered Office From Finland To Malta 21.03.2024 / 10:30 CET/CEST Fur den Inhalt der Mitteilung ist der Emittent / Herausgeber verantwortlich. Multitude SE: The Extraordinary General Meeting of Multitude SE Approved The Transfer Of The Company's Registered Office From Finland To Malta Helsinki, 21 March 2024 - Multitude SE, a listed European FinTech company, offering digital lending and online banking services to consumers, small and medium-sized businesses, and other FinTechs (ISIN: FI4000106299, WKN: A1W9NS) ("Multitude", "Group" or "Company") announces that its Extraordinary General Meeting, that was held today, approved the transfer of the Company's registered office from Finland to Malta as proposed by the Company's Board of Directors. Additionally, the Extraordinary General Meeting approved certain other related proposals. Transfer of Registered Office from Finland to Malta Multitude announced on 17 January 2024 that the Board of Directors of Multitude proposed a transfer of the registered office of Multitude from Finland to Malta in accordance with Article 8 of the Council Regulation (EC) No 2157/2001 of 8 October 2001 on the Statute for a European company (SE) ("SE Regulation") ("Transfer"). For the purposes of the Transfer, the Board of Directors had approved a Transfer Proposal ("Transfer Proposal") in accordance with Article 8 (2) of the SE Regulation. The Transfer Proposal also contained the Company's new Memorandum and Articles of Association, to which a minor clarification concerning the subscriber of the issued shares of the Company had been made due to Maltese requirements after its original approval by the Board of Directors ("New M&A"). The Transfer Proposal had been registered in the Finnish Trade Register on 19 January 2024. Multitude's Extraordinary General Meeting approved the Transfer Proposal (including, without limitation the New M&A), and resolved on the Transfer in accordance with the Transfer Proposal. Shareholders, whose shares were registered on their personal Finnish book-entry accounts on the record date of the Extraordinary General Meeting had the right to demand the redemption of shares provided that they voted against the Transfer. No demands for redemption were made. The completion of the Transfer remains subject to certain other preconditions as set out in the Transfer Proposal, including without limitation obtaining the necessary approvals, consents, non-objections, confirmations, rulings and other declarations by relevant authorities, contracting parties and any other parties. The Transfer and the New M&A will become effective upon the registration of the Company in the Malta Business Registry. The registration is expected to take place on or around 30 June 2024. The Transfer constitutes the first phase of the Company's plan to relocate to Switzerland. As announced by the Company on 5 January 2024, the Company's intention is that the Transfer would be followed by a conversion of the Company into a public limited liability company governed by the laws of Malta and then an application to have the Company registered in Switzerland pursuant to applicable Maltese and Swiss laws by the end of the year 2024. In addition to approving the Transfer Proposal and resolving on the Transfer in accordance with the Transfer Proposal, the Extraordinary General Meeting made the following decisions: Change of Issuer CSD The Extraordinary General Meeting resolved to change the Company's issuer central securities depository (CSD) from Euroclear Finland Oy (EFi) to the CSD operated by the Malta Stock Exchange (MSE CSD) and, consequently, remove the Company shares from the book-entry securities depository system maintained by EFi. As a result of this change, the MSE CSD will hold the Company's share register. The change of the issuer CSD (and removal from EFi's book-entry system) will enter into force either on or around the date when the Company will be registered in the Malta Business Registry, or on another date as resolved by the Board of Directors. The Company will provide its shareholders with further information and instructions regarding the change of the issuer CSD in due course after the Extraordinary General Meeting. Introduction of Nominal Value and Increase of Share Capital The Extraordinary General Meeting resolved to amend the Company's current Articles of Association to introduce for the Company shares a nominal value of EUR 1.85 per share and to increase the Company's share capital by EUR 55,766 to EUR 40,189,326 by transferring the relevant amount from the invested unrestricted equity fund to share capital. The purpose of the introduction of the nominal value and the related increase of the share capital is to facilitate the implementation of the Transfer. Appointment of a Maltese Company Secretary The Extraordinary General Meeting resolved to appoint Ganado Services Limited (Registration Number: C10785) as the company secretary of the Company with effect from the date of registration of the Company with the Malta Business Registry. Appointment of a Maltese Auditor The Extraordinary General Meeting resolved to appoint PricewaterhouseCoopers Malta as the auditor of the Company upon the registration of the Company with the Malta Business Registry. Contact: Lasse Makela Chief Strategy and IR Officer Phone: +41 79 371 34 17 E-mail: lasse.makela@multitude.com About Multitude SE: Multitude is a listed European FinTech company, offering digital lending and online banking services to consumers, small and medium-sized businesses, and other FinTechs overlooked by traditional banks. The services are provided through three independent business units, which are served by our internal Banking-as-a-Service Growth Platform. Multitude's business units are consumer banking (Ferratum), SME banking (CapitalBox) and wholesale banking (Multitude Bank). Multitude Group employs over 700 people in 25 countries and offers services in 16 countries, achieving a combined turnover of 230 million euros in 2023. Multitude was founded in Finland in 2005 and is listed on the Prime Standard segment of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol 'FRU'. www.multitude.com 21.03.2024 CET/CEST Veroffentlichung einer Corporate News/Finanznachricht, ubermittelt durch EQS News - ein Service der EQS Group AG. Fur den Inhalt der Mitteilung ist der Emittent / Herausgeber verantwortlich. Die EQS Distributionsservices umfassen gesetzliche Meldepflichten, Corporate News/Finanznachrichten und Pressemitteilungen. Medienarchiv unter https://eqs-news.com Grove Court and Grove Court Extension in Vernon. Eric Bedner/Connecticut Hearst Media Grove Court and Grove Court Extension in Vernon. Eric Bedner/Connecticut Hearst Media VERNON Grove Court is receiving a $6.8 million state grant for various improvements, the second round of financing in the past few months to finance a series of substantial upgrades to the affordable housing complex. The state-funded complex received $2 million in August for other extensive repairs. That was in addition to $3 million in federal dollars for the same projects. The latest round of funding for the 54-unit, seven-building senior housing complex owned by the Vernon Housing Authority will help cover extensive repairs or replacements of roofs and siding, and upgrades to interior and exterior lighting, flooring, kitchens, and bathrooms, according to the state Department of Housing. Advertisement Article continues below this ad An emergency generator for the community room will be installed and six units will be converted to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The funding, through DOH, is part of a total of $13.8 million in financing for the creation of 139 housing units, including 116 total affordable units for low- and moderate-income renters. Along with $7.8 million in financing from the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, the expanded affordable housing is expected to generate more than $18.5 million in private investments, according to state officials. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "A critical part of what we do is rehabilitating structures while adding new construction," DOH Commissioner Selia Mosquera-Bruno said. "The diversity of these projects and the varying income levels that they serve are examples of our ongoing work throughout the state. From our traditional affordable housing activities, to rehab, to building middle-income housing, this multi-tiered approach is an efficient way to utilize our finite resources." Nandini Natarajan, CEO and executive director of CHFA, said that supporting affordable housing developments contributes to the well-being of residents and ensures that individuals and families have access to quality, affordable homes. "Our collaboration with the Department of Housing represents a shared dedication to meeting the pressing need for diverse and affordable housing options across the state," she said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Bridgeport is receiving the remaining portion of the $13.8 million with $7 million from DOH going toward the redevelopment of the former Father Panik Village Public Housing site and replacement of Marina Village, which was demolished following damage from Hurricane Sandy. LONDON, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- JK Tech, a global provider of next-generation Digital and Business Consulting Services has announced a partnership with Google Cloud across the UK, and the US. With a large pool of GCP-certified associates onboard, JK Tech will elevate offerings in the Application Development, Cloud Migration, Data Management, and Machine Learning space. This collaboration aims to lead the transformative advancements of cloud capabilities in leveraging Gen AI, enabling organisations to harness the full potential of Google Cloud technologies. Furthering this aim, JK Tech's Gen AI Accelerator- JIVA stands at the forefront of innovation to bring life to enterprise data. This indicates the organisation's endeavour to empower all its solutions with the capability of Google Cloud. JK Tech's distinctiveness comes from extensive expertise in three key areas. The Gen AI and Analytics expertise harnesses the power of advanced Data Analytics and AI applications. The deep expertise in industries such as Retail & CPG, and insurance enables an understanding of industry-specific challenges. With the strategic partnership with Google Cloud, JK Tech has expanded its offerings to ensure efficient and scalable deployment of solutions in the cloud environment. This would provide the organisation with the unique ability to respond precisely and innovatively to a wide range of customer needs. In a statement, Tanuj Singh, Senior Vice President & Head- UK & Europe Business at JK Tech, says, "We are excited to partner with Google Cloud, furthering our commitment to deliver exceptional value to our customers. This alliance combines JK Tech's Gen AI and Data capabilities with Google Cloud's powerful infrastructure to enable organizations to thrive in the competitive market. We understand the challenges that businesses face today in managing data processing and management. Our advanced Gen AI-based solution, JIVA tailored for enterprise data, leverages Google Cloud technology for optimal performance and efficiency. The Gen AI- accelerator opens the doors to endless opportunities for success in the digital world. We will work closely with Google Cloud and integrate cloud functions into our entire range of solutions." Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1513832/3012700/JK_Tech_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/jk-tech-partners-with-google-cloud-to-accelerate-digital-innovation-and-advance-its-gen-ai-capabilities-302095786.html The Board of Directors has proposed a dividend distribution of 0.55 euros per share The total payout will be around 105 million euros, in two payments of 0.30 and 0.25 euros per share in July and December 2024 The Board of Directors also proposes the appointment of Olatz Urroz as independent director Fluidra, the global leader in equipment and connected solutions in the pool and wellness sector, agreed at its Board of Directors meeting to propose to the General Shareholders' Meeting a dividend of 0.55 euros per share. In line with Fluidra's dividend policy, the proposal implies a 50% payout of 2023 Cash Net Profit. The total payout, subject to approval by the General Shareholders' Meeting on 8 May, 2024, will amount to around 105 million euros. If approved, Fluidra will make a first payment of 0.30 euros per share on 3 July and another payment of 0.25 euros per share on 3 December 2024. "We delivered a good performance in 2023, in line with expectations and in a normalizing trading environment. We are ready for 2024 and remain confident in the attractiveness of the industry and our ability to create value for our stakeholders as the global leader in the pool and wellness sector," highlighted Eloi Planes, Fluidra's Executive President. Appointment of Olatz Urroz Fluidra's Board of Directors has also proposed Olatz Urroz as independent director. The appointment will be put to vote at the General Shareholders' Meeting. With this appointment, Fluidra would increase the number of directors to 14, compared to the current 13. The increase in the number of members aims to achieve a greater plurality of perspectives and interests represented, while simultaneously allowing for the representation of other significant shareholders on the Board. The Board of Directors has valued Olatz Urroz's knowledge and outstanding international experience in finance and risk management of well-known companies. Her appointment contributes for the Board to maintain the balance of skills, experience and diversity reflected in the Board's competency structure, enriching it with her expertise, particularly in the financial field. Urroz started her career at General Electric (GE) and has spent time at leading global companies, such as Vodafone PLC and Amazon, among others. At the end of 2022 she joined PagoNxt as CFO, leading a team across multiple geographies. Finally, the re-election of Esther Berrozpe and Brian McDonald as independent directors of the Company is also proposed to the General Shareholders' Meeting. About Fluidra Fluidra S.A. (FDR:SM) is the global leader in pool and wellness equipment and connected solutions. It is included in the Ibex 35, the benchmark index of the Spanish stock market, and in the FTSE4Good Index Series, the benchmark sustainability index. Fluidra provides an extensive offer of innovative and connected products and services, operating in more than 47 countries. The company has a portfolio of some of the most recognized brands in the industry, including Jandy, AstralPool, Polaris, Cepex, Zodiac, CTX Professional and Gre. To learn more about Fluidra, visit www.fluidra.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240321951360/en/ Contacts: Press: Sarah Estebanez, sestebanez@tinkle.es, +34 636 62 80 41 Xana Pena, xpena@tinkle.es, +34 674 73 47 82 Carlos Jaramillo, cjaramillo@tinkle.es, +34 664 111 801 P8 Plus sees Midea make their own piece of history at Athens event ATHENS, Greece, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Midea, one of the world's largest home appliance manufacturing companies, today welcomes the latest additions to their family of household appliances at the Midea European Trade Conference 2024. Among the many big announcements, the Midea P8 Plus is a key talking point as it represents the brand's first cordless vacuum cleaner with a docking station. A vacuum cleaner that takes care of itself Distinguishing itself from conventional cordless vacuum cleaners, the P8 Plus is equipped with an automatic dust collection station. Whereas traditional vacuum cleaners will release some dust back into the room when emptying the dust cup, with the P8 Plus the dust is automatically emptied into the dust collection station when the vacuum cleaner is docked. Thanks to a dust bag with a 3L capacity that rarely needs changing and a charging base that automatically charges the vacuum cleaner, the docking station allows consumers to spend less time maintaining their vacuum cleaners and more time enjoying those precious tiny moments at home with family. Say goodbye to pet fur problems The P8 Plus also represents a major upgrade with an increased suction power of 350W and anti-tangle brush, making it easier than ever to keep surfaces fur-free and for pet owners and pets alike to make themselves at home. The P8 Plus is not only good news for pet owners, however, as the three operation modes can meet almost any situation while the 90-minute runtime* means that the cordless vacuum cleaner can clean the largest of homes without running out of power. Vacuum and mop at the same time with Midea X10 The P8 Plus is not the only floor cleaning appliance grabbing attention at the Midea European Trade Conference 2024. The time-friendly Midea X10 floor washer combines vacuuming and moping so that consumers can transform dirty floors in one pass. Available in European homes this summer The Midea X10 is already available across Europe while the Midea P8 Plus will first launch in Cyprus, Turkey, the United Kingdom and Poland in June with a wider European launch in July. * Based on laboratory tests under specific conditions. Actual running time may vary About Midea & Midea Group Midea is one of over 10 brands within the Smart Home Business of Midea Group. Midea Group, established in 1968, is a leading global high-technology company ranked #278 on the 2023 Fortune Global 500 list, and one of the world's largest home appliance manufacturing companies which businesses go beyond smart home appliances. In early 2021 the company streamlined its core units into five high-growth business pillars to pave the new future growth path: Smart Home, Electro-Mechanical, Building Technologies, Robotics & Automation and Digital Innovation. www.midea.com www.midea-group.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2364684/Midea_P8_Plus.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2364685/Midea_X10.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/midea-launches-first-cordless-vacuum-cleaner-with-docking-station-302091784.html THE HAGUE, Netherlands, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Tuya Smart (NYSE: TUYA, HKEX: 2391), a global IoT developer service provider, shared front-line insights at a cyber norms forum co-hosted by the Research Center for Global Cyberspace Governance (RCGCG) and the Cyber Security Governance of Leiden University to further advance discussions on cybersecurity regulation in Europe. The forum gathered experts in cybersecurity and international relations from institutions, organizations and enterprises to deepen the discussion of cybersecurity regulation in Europe from a global perspective. Experts and professional figures from European Institute for Security Studies, Leiden University-Institute of Security and Global Affairs, DigiChina, Bonn University, TUV SUD and Tuya Smart, together with guests representing EU programs such as EU Cyber Direct-EU Cyber Diplomacy Initiative project and The Hague Programme on International Cyber Security, discussed the recent progress on the cyber norm building in Europe, and the regulation landscape of EU cybersecurity legislation. The symposium dissected the cyber norms between EU and China, focusing on the implementation of the 11 norms established by the OEWG into global cyberspace governance practices, exploring next steps to further implementation and shaping the future trajectory. Professor Lu Chuangying, Secretary General of RCGCG stated, "It is necessary to bring together diverse perspectives of both academic and professional figures for a thorough understanding of existing regulation and proposals. This forum is essential for the advancement of EU-China relations in the realm of cybersecurity and the global development of standard cyber norms, enabling the realization of a fair and secure digital ecosystem." The rapid expansion of IoT technologies with diverse IoT products and varying security standards poses obstacles to establishing a robust security foundation. Enterprises face challenges stemming from strict policies, technological complexities and geopolitical tensions. "Overcoming these challenges demands a comprehensive strategy, incorporating national governance, innovative enterprise-level solutions, and global cooperation," said Holmes Chen, Senior PR Director of Tuya Smart. At the forum, Tuya Smart outlined its holistic approach to cybersecurity leadership. The company was recognized as an exemplar for its cybersecurity best practices in the 2022 Global IoT Security White Paper, jointly prepared by RCGCG and ioXt, the global standard for IoT security. Tuya's efforts were on full display, with actions ranging from obtaining international third-party security certifications to the creation of the Tuya Security Team. The company has also established six data centers worldwide to ensure swift and reliable service for its global customer base. In an era where demands for data privacy and transparency are escalating, Tuya's focus on compliance and security becomes ever more critical. On the global stage, Tuya has demonstrated its cybersecurity and data protection prowess through the Ernst & Young SOC 2 Audit program. It has met regional standards by receiving TrustArc's validations for GDPR and CCPA compliance. In terms of product safety, Tuya has secured certifications from TUV SUD's EN 303645 and NIST IR 8259A, showcasing its commitment to secure products. The forum also highlighted Tuya's global partnership with TUV SUD, excelling in training, auditing, testing, and certification, as well as its collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to initiate a "Collaborative Security Lab," focusing on providing industry-wide solutions, reinforcing security, compliance capabilities, and technological innovation in the IoT sector. Discussions at the forum also touched on the latest advancements in European legislation, discussing the EU Cybersecurity Act and the European Cyber Resilience Act. These conversations were pivotal in deepening the comprehension of the evolving security and compliance environment, aimed at bolstering international collaboration and incentivizing IoT manufacturers to develop best practices within the global IoT ecosystem. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/tuya-smart-shares-front-line-insights-to-advance-discussions-on-cyber-norms-in-europe-302095812.html MOSCOW (dpa-AFX) - National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan has expressed confidence that the US House of Representatives will pass the National Security Bill that has long been pending approval by the Republican-dominated lower chamber. The Senate last month approved the Emergency National Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, but Speaker Mike Johnson has not yet brought the Bill to the floor of the House for a vote. The $120 billion bipartisan funding Bill has set aside $60 billion to support Ukraine in the war against Russia. With funds to arm Ukraine exhausted, U.S. Defense officials had warned that without action from Congress, further U.S. assistance for Ukraine could be in jeopardy at a critical time in Ukraine's fight against Russia in the two-year-old war. Sullivan on Wednesday met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Head of the Office of the President Andriy Yermak, and senior Ukrainian officials in Kyiv to reaffirm the United States' unwavering commitment to Ukraine in its self-defense against Russia's invasion. Addressing a news conference after the meetings, the top U.S. security official said, 'I'm confident that we will achieve plan A. We will get a strong bipartisan vote in the House for an assistance package for Ukraine. And we will get that money out the door as we should. I'm not going to make predictions about exactly when this will get done, but we are working to get it done as soon as possible. And President Biden is working this on a daily basis to try to deliver this package to the House,' he told reporters. Sullivan underscored the multiple lines of U.S. support to Ukraine following a successful Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting earlier this week. In a separate statement, NSC Spokesperson Adrienne Watson said Sullivan discussed ongoing efforts with allies and partners to hold Russia accountable for its aggression and mitigate the economic impacts of the war, and progress on anti-corruption and other key reforms needed to further Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic integration. Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Groer Dividenden-Report 2024 von Dr. Dennis Riedl Der kostenlose Dividenden-Report zeigt ganz genau, wo Sie in diesem Jahr zuschlagen konnen. Das sind die Favoriten von Borsenprofi Dr. Dennis Riedl Jetzt hier klicken New Executive Chair brings decades of operational and board experience from Pharma, Biotech and Venture Capital to Theolytics OXFORD, England, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Theolytics, a biotechnology company developing category changing cancer therapies in the form of oncolytic viruses, today announced the appointment of Michael (Mike) Grey succeeding Dr. Ken Powell, who is retiring from the Board having served as Chair since 2019. This appointment comes at a pivotal time for Theolytics as the Company advances its lead asset - THEO-260 - into clinical trials in ovarian cancer this year. THEO-260 is an oncolytic adenovirus that has demonstrated compelling efficacy in preclinical studies, selected to be effective in stromal-rich solid tumors, combined with systemic, intravenous delivery potential. "Mike brings a wealth of experience to Theolytics" said Charlotte Casebourne Stock, Chief Executive Officer of Theolytics. "His track record across all stages of drug development will be invaluable as we progress our lead program into the clinic; I look forward to working closely with him to support the company's success." "I am delighted to be joining Theolytics at this important time, as our lead programme is scheduled to start clinical studies mid-2024" said Mike Grey, Executive Chair of the Board of Directors at Theolytics. "Theolytics' lead program in Ovarian Cancer has the potential to bring a much-needed therapy to patients and their families that are impacted by this devastating disease. The team has considerable experience in the oncolytic adenovirus field, and recent clinical advances have demonstrated significant potential for this treatment approach." Mike has founded several biotechnology companies and is currently Chair/Executive Chair of Mirum Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Sorriso Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Reneo Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Spruce Biosciences, Inc. and Plexium Inc. He also serves as Venture Partner with Pappas Capital. Mike has over 45 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, and has held senior positions including: President and Chief Executive Officer of Amplyx Pharmaceuticals, which was acquired by Pfizer; Lumena Pharmaceuticals, which was acquired by Shire; President and Chief Executive Officer of SGX Pharmaceuticals, Inc., which was acquired by Eli Lilly in 2008; President and Chief Executive Officer of Trega Biosciences, Inc., which was acquired by Lion Bioscience in 2001; and President of BioChem Therapeutic Inc. Mike began his career with Glaxo, Inc. and Glaxo Holdings plc, where he served in various roles culminating in his position as Vice President, Corporate Development and Head of International Licensing. Charlotte Casebourne Stock added "I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank retiring Chair Dr Ken Powell for his guidance through the Theolytics journey so far. His insight and contribution have been invaluable." About Theolytics Theolytics is focused on developing category changing cancer therapies in the form of oncolytic viruses. The company is pioneering a phenotypic screening approach to the discovery and development of efficacious, targeted candidates suitable for systemic intravenous delivery and optimised for a chosen patient population. Theolytics, which was founded in 2017 and is headquartered in Oxford, UK, is backed by Oxford Science Enterprises and international life sciences investors Epidarex Capital, M Ventures and Taiho Ventures. Contact: enquiries@theolytics.com View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/mike-grey-appointed-executive-chair-of-theolytics-board-of-directors-302094922.html A comprehensive report by Future Market Insights explores the Biodegradable Film Market's projected growth over the next decade. Key drivers, restraints, and opportunities are analyzed to provide a clear market landscape. The report equips readers for strategic decision-making with investment feasibility analysis and in-depth market assessments. NEWARK, Del., March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The biodegradable film market is slated to have a valuation of US$ 1,258.4 million in 2024. The packaging industry is thriving as a result of the industrial boom, especially in Asian nations. However, the packaging industry also has to face up to the reality of a significant amount of products being used in packaging being harmful to the environment. Thus, there is a clamor for green packaging solutions and biodegradable films are one such solution that is being embraced. Download the Sample PDF report to explore key market insights and trends: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-11372 The biodegradable film industry is slated to progress at a CAGR of 4.1% through 2034. The food and beverage sector is set to play a key role in the progress of the market. Not only are consumers attracted by biodegradable nature but also to its ability to limit wastage. Cosmetics is another industry where eco-friendly packaging is rising in value and is thus another avenue for growth when it comes to biodegradable films. By the time 2034 rolls around, the biodegradable film market's value is forecasted to hit US$ 1,880.7 million. Increasing use of biodegradable mulch films in the agriculture sector is set to add significant value to the market. Hospital use of the product is also set to contribute to the market's progress. However, the biodegradability of a film varying from material to material is set to limit the progress of the market. The inability of certain films to biodegrade in landfills as well as films that take a prolonged amount of time to degrade are also restraining the progress of the market. "Biodegradable films are expected to progress along with the growth of the industries like food and beverage and agriculture. Though there is apprehension over the biodegradable nature of certain products in the market, the availability of new materials in the manufacture of biodegradable films is set to give a new dimension to the industry. Thus, the market offers ample opportunities for investors," says Ismail Sutaria (Lead Consultant, Packaging and Materials at FMI). Key Takeaways from the Biodegradable Film Market The biodegradable film market is expected to be US$ 1,258.4 million in size in 2024. Polylactic acid (PLA) is the top material type in the market. PLA is expected to account for 37.6% of the market share in 2024. Bags and sacks are the predominant application for biodegradable films. For 2024, bags and sacks are anticipated to account for 31.1% of the market share. India is expected to be a promising country in terms of progress for the market. The country is forecasted to have a CAGR of 5.7% from 2024 to 2034 in the market. China and Thailand are poised to be lucrative countries for the market. For the forecast period, the CAGR for China and Thailand is predicted to be 5.1% and 4.7% respectively. The market is expected to progress at a CAGR of 3.8% in the United Kingdom. Competition Analysis of the Biodegradable Film Market Market players are seeking investments to increase their Research and Development capabilities. Partnerships with end-use industries are being established. Some of the prominent companies in the market include Futamura Chemical Co. Ltd., Taghleef Industries, Walki Group Oy, and BioBag Americas, Inc. Purchase now and gain full access to the Biodegradable Film Industry report, featuring comprehensive Market Forecast, Company Share Analysis, Competition Intelligence, DROT Analysis, Market Dynamics and Challenges, and Strategic Growth Initiatives. Recent Developments in the Biodegradable Film market In February 2022, SRF announced the opening of a new film manufacturing facility in Indore, India. In December 2021, a biodegradable film made from corn protein was produced by scientists from Harvard University and Nanyang Technological University. About the Author: Ismail Sutaria (Lead Consultant, Packaging and Materials) has over 8 years of experience in market research and consulting in the packaging & materials industry. Ismail's strength lies in identifying key challenges faced by the client and offering logical and actionable insights to equip the clients with strategic decision-making power. Ismail has been an instrumental part of several transformational consulting assignments. His key skills include competitive benchmarking, opportunity assessment, macroeconomic analysis, and business transformation advisory. Ismail is an MBA holder in Marketing and has a Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics. Ismail is a regular at industry conferences and expos and has been widely covered in electronic and print media. He is a Speaker at our upcoming Talk show - Rise of the Intelligent Packaging. Ismail has been quoted in leading publications, including the European Pharmaceutical Review and the European Adhesive Tape Association. Explore FMI's Extensive Coverage in the Packaging Domain: FMCG Packaging Market Covering Sales Outlook, Up-to-date Key Trends, Market Size and Forecast, 2023-2033. - Review and Request to Access The Sample Report. Covering Sales Outlook, Up-to-date Key Trends, Market Size and Forecast, 2023-2033. - Rigid Industrial Packaging Market by Product Type, Material Type, End Use & Region | Forecast 2023 to 2033. - Review and Request to Access The Sample Report. by Product Type, Material Type, End Use & Region | Forecast 2023 to 2033. - Biodegradable Packaging Market by Material, Packaging Format, End-User & Region 2022 - 2032. - Review and Request to Access The Sample Report. by Material, Packaging Format, End-User & Region 2022 - 2032. - Biodegradable Lidding Films Market: Global Industry Analysis 2012 - 2016 and Opportunity Assessment; 2022 to 2032. - Review and Request to Access The Sample Report. Global Industry Analysis 2012 - 2016 and Opportunity Assessment; 2022 to 2032. - Biodegradable Cutlery Market: Global Industry Analysis 2016 - 2020 and Opportunity Assessment 2021 - 2031. - Review and Request to Access The Sample Report. Global Industry Analysis 2016 - 2020 and Opportunity Assessment 2021 - 2031. - Biodegradable Food Packaging Market by Material, Application, Technique & Region | Forecast 2023 to 2033. - Review and Request to Access The Sample Report. About Future Market Insights (FMI) Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting service provider, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in Dubai and has delivery centers in the UK, the U.S., and India. FMI's latest market research reports and industry analysis help businesses navigate challenges and make critical decisions with confidence and clarity amidst breakneck competition. Our customized and syndicated market research reports deliver actionable insights that drive sustainable growth. A team of expert-led analysts at FMI continuously tracks emerging trends and events in a broad range of industries to ensure that our clients prepare for the evolving needs of their consumers. Contact Us Nandini Singh Sawlani Future Market Insights Inc. Christiana Corporate, 200 Continental Drive, Suite 401, Newark, Delaware - 19713, USA T: +1-845-579-5705 For Sales Enquiries: sales@futuremarketinsights.com Website: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com LinkedIn | Twitter | Blogs | YouTube Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1197648/3531122/FMI_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/biodegradable-film-market-to-boom-at-4-1-cagr-eco-conscious-consumers-and-industries-drive-growth-302095696.html Der kostenlose Dividenden-Report zeigt ganz genau, wo Sie in diesem Jahr zuschlagen konnen. Das sind die Favoriten von Borsenprofi Dr. Dennis Riedl BILBAO (dpa-AFX) - Iberdrola said electrification of energy is unstoppable and will expand exponentially in the years ahead, supporting decarbonisation. To accelerate electrification, the company expects gross investments of 41 billion euros by 2026, including the purchase of 18.4% of Avangrid. The company's partners in renewables will contribute 5 billion euros, bringing net investment to 36 billion euros. The company plans 60% of investments to expand and strengthen networks in the US, UK, Brazil and Spain. Also, the company targets 10,000 new hires in the period. Iberdrola targets EBITDA of between 16.5 billion euros and 17 billion euros in 2026. Also, the company expects 11 billion euros in dividends between 2024 and 2026. 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. Driving Sustainable Urban Development Through Tailored Solutions and Customer-Centric Innovation DENVER, CO / ACCESSWIRE / March 21, 2024 / Western Systems, a leading provider of customized and innovative traffic management solutions, is proud to announce a strategic collaboration with the City and County of Denver to advance urban mobility as part of the Denver Smart City Program. P-Plus Traffic Signal Cabinet Enhancing Denver's Smart City Initiatives Denver Smart City Program Inspired by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Smart City Challenge, Denver's Smart City Program embodies a commitment to sustainability, connected mobility, and innovative partnerships. Western Systems' cutting-edge P PLUS cabinet with Integrated Battery Backup System (BBS) perfectly aligns with the program's objectives, contributing to enhanced safety, sustainability, and connectivity in the city. Denver, known for its progressive approach to innovation rooted in its pioneering spirit, faces increasing demands for efficient traffic management solutions to address congestion, enhance safety, and reduce environmental impact. Western Systems' P PLUS cabinet with Integrated Battery Backup System (BBS) optimizes space and accessibility within traffic cabinets, addressing immediate challenges while supporting Denver Smart City's long-term goals of sustainability and safety. Denver's Traffic Challenges The city aimed to find ways to keep intersections functional during power disruptions like rolling blackouts, Utility Public Safety Planned Shutdowns (PSPS), and severe weather, all while prioritizing road-user safety and the accessibility of BBS equipment. The city sought a fresh perspective on cabinet design to support the community's growth and evolving needs. Furthermore, Denver encounters growing pressures for effective traffic management solutions to tackle congestion, bolster safety measures, and mitigate environmental effects. Western System's Unique and Innovative Solution In response to Denver's requirements, Western Systems introduced the innovative P Plus cabinet with an Integrated Battery Backup System (BBS) solution, designed to optimize space and accessibility within traffic cabinets. This solution effectively addresses Denver's current challenges by improving efficiency during power outages and BBS maintenance while also aligning with the long-term sustainability and safety objectives of Denver Smart City initiatives. The specialized solution's impact on Denver's operational efficacy: The P Plus cabinet seamlessly integrates Traffic Signal Control and Battery Backup System, maximizing efficiency and space utilization. Its ergonomic design facilitates straightforward maintenance and accessibility for traffic engineers, ensuring the effective utilization of BBS equipment and enhancing mobility across the city's road network. This solution is scalable and adaptable to future mobility needs. During power outages, the solution ensures sustainability and safety for drivers and vulnerable road users, bolstering the city's overall resilience in traffic management. By providing resources and space for upgrades, it enables advanced connectivity and data management, further supporting Denver Smart City's data-driven initiatives and fostering innovation in traffic management technologies. Innovative P PLUS Cabinet Solution Effectively Addresses Both Long-Term and Short-Term Urban Challenges The unique approach of Western Systems' innovative solution includes the integration of Traffic Signal Control and Battery Backup System, accommodating up to 16 load-bays and 64 detection channels for scalability and adaptability to future needs. Additionally, the Remote Network Unit enables advanced connectivity and data management, supporting Denver Smart City's data-driven initiatives. Installation of 11 P PLUS cabinets is underway, with Western Systems' Senior Vice President Zach Hoiting coordinating closely with Denver officials to ensure timely deployment in alignment with The City and County of Denver objectives. This collaboration not only promotes sustainability, safety, and connectivity but also offers cost-effective solutions through efficient space utilization and reduced maintenance costs. Strategic Partnership to Enhance Urban Mobility Denver's Smart City Program encompasses various initiatives aimed at transforming urban mobility, enhancing public services, and fostering sustainability, including Connected Mobility, Healthy Places & People, Living Labs, and Data Management. Western Systems collaborates closely with the City and County of Denver to align its solutions with Denver Smart City's goals and drive impactful outcomes for the community. "The City and County of Denver is dedicated to harnessing the power of technology to create a more sustainable and efficient urban environment," says Brent L. Thomas, DOTI CA2750 Manager. "Our partnership with Western Systems exemplifies our commitment to innovation and collaboration. Together, we're implementing solutions that address rising urban challenges while improving the quality of life for our residents." "Customized, innovative, and sustainability and safety-oriented solutions are at the heart of everything we do at Western Systems," says Zach Hoiting, Senior Vice President at Western Systems. "Our partnership with the City and County of Denver represents a significant milestone in our commitment to revolutionizing urban mobility. By leveraging cutting-edge technology and tailored solutions, we're driving positive change that directly benefits the community." Contact Information Svitlana Lebedieva Markting Manager slebedieva@mcsmgmt.com 2068498147 SOURCE: Western Systems Inc. View the original press release on newswire.com. TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / March 21, 2024 / Signal Gold Inc. ("Signal Gold" or the "Company") (TSX:SGNL)(OTCQX:SGNLF) is pleased to announce that the Company has initiated a process with BMO Capital Markets as its financial advisor to evaluate potential strategic alternatives to advance the Goldboro Project ("Goldboro" or the "Project"). Signal Gold has successfully progressed Goldboro through several technical studies and permitting milestones while significantly growing the mineral resource and demonstrating the growth upside of the Project. The Company received the environmental assessment approval for Goldboro in August 2022. The Company has now submitted all key remaining permit applications, including the Industrial Approval, Fisheries Act Authorization and Schedule 2 Amendment, and the Mining and Crown Land Leases, and remains committed to working to obtain all remaining key Project permits within the next 12 months. As outlined in the Feasibility Study dated January 11, 2022, Goldboro is a robust, high-grade project with significant leverage in an increasing gold price environment. However, in this challenging market environment in which management believes Goldboro's intrinsic value is being substantially discounted, the Company is focused on being capital efficient, with an emphasis on minimizing shareholder dilution and maximizing value. Signal Gold recognizes that a larger, better capitalized, or cash flow generating company could be better positioned to advance or assist in the advancement of Goldboro over the development timeline. Strategic Alternatives Review The strategic alternatives review could include, among other things, a joint venture transaction, a sale of the Company, the Project, or all the assets of the Company, a merger or other business combination, or another form of strategic transaction. The Company has not made any decisions related to any strategic alternatives at this time and there can be no assurance that the exploration of strategic alternatives will lead to any transaction or any other change or outcome. The Company does not intend to provide announcements or updates unless or until it determines that further disclosure is appropriate or necessary. During this time the Company will continue to focus on value creation through exploration initiatives on the expanded land package and ongoing work to obtain all remaining key Project permits. The Company has engaged BMO Capital Markets to assist in its review of strategic alternatives. 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, which is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca). 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 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. This news release has been reviewed and approved by Kevin Bullock, P. Eng., President and CEO with Signal Gold Inc., a "Qualified Person", under National Instrument 43-101 Standard for Disclosure for Mineral Projects. FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, information with respect to the strategic process, results thereof, future prospects of the Project and information with respect to the Feasibility Study, including LOM and potential production rates. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "does not anticipate", or "believes" 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". Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the information is made, and is based on a number of assumptions and is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Signal Gold to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including risks associated with the completion of the strategic process and the advancement of the Project, the exploration, development and mining such as economic factors as they effect exploration, future commodity prices, changes in foreign regulation, political or economic developments, environmental risks, permitting timelines, capital expenditures, operating or technical difficulties in connection with development activities, employee relations, the speculative nature of gold exploration and development, including the risks of diminishing quantities of grades of resources, contests over title to properties, and changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined as well as those risk factors discussed in Signal Gold's annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2023, available on www.sedarplus.ca. Although Signal Gold has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in 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 information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Signal Gold does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT: Signal Gold Inc. Kevin Bullock President and CEO (647) 388-1842 kbullock@signalgold.com Robert Dufour Chief Financial Officer (647) 478-8104 rdufour@signalgold.com SOURCE: Signal Gold Inc. View the original press release on accesswire.com Zentek Farms co-owner Ben Zentek is surrounded by hydrangeas in one of the farms greenhouses in Cheshire on March 7, 2024. Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media Crates of white and purple hyacinth bulbs at Zentek Farms in Cheshire. Ben Zentek / Contributed Photo Petunias are transplanted into hanging baskets at Zentek Farms in Cheshire on March 7, 2024. Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media Jim Cavanaugh transplants geraniums in one of the greenhouses at Zentek Farms in Cheshire on March 7, 2024. Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media Crates of tulip bulbs at Zentek Farms in Cheshire. Ben Zentek, the farm's co-owner, said they planted roughly 300,000 tulips for the start of spring this year. Ben Zentek / Contributed Photo Zentek Farms co-owner Joe Zentek, left, and Charlie Masse move trays of daffodils in one of the farms greenhouses in Cheshire on March 7, 2024. Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media Pairs of tulip bulbs are planted in soil at Zentek Farms in Cheshire. Ben Zentek / Contributed Photo Zentek Farms co-owner Ben Zentek transplants Garden Sage Salvia in one of the greenhouses where herbs are being grown at Zentek Farms in Cheshire on March 7, 2024. Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media A close-up view of a purple hyacinth bulb at Zentek Farms in Cheshire. Ben Zentek / Contributed Photo A conveyor belt moves trays of petunias through a greenhouse at the CK Greenhouses in Cheshire on March 8, 2024. Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media A conveyor belt moves transplanted marigolds through a watering station at the CK Greenhouses in Cheshire on March 8, 2024. Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media Petunia seedlings are transplanted through automation at the CK Greenhouses in Cheshire on March 8, 2024. Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media A conveyor belt, background, moves trays of petunias through a greenhouse at the CK Greenhouses in Cheshire on March 8, 2024. Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media Grower John McKenna waters pansies at the CK Greenhouses in Cheshire on March 8, 2024. Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media Hanging baskets of pansies fill a greenhouse at the CK Greenhouses in Cheshire on March 8, 2024. Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media CHESHIRE Local nurseries say they have been potting their daffodils, petunias and other seasonal plants, ready to meet the spike in demand with the start of spring this week. Preparations, though, started well before winter throughout the "Bedding Plant Capital of Connecticut," Cheshire's nickname for its many bedding plant growers, which stand as symbols of the town's agricultural roots. Cheshire has roughly 2 million square feet of greenhouses. There are seven commercial growers or wholesale nurseries five retail nurseries and one hybrid facility that does both, according to Andrew Martelli, Cheshire's director of economic development and grants. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Zentek Farms, one of Cheshire's many wholesale nurseries, imported about 500,000 bulbs alone for the spring, including 300,000 tulips and the remaining 200,000 split between daffodils and hyacinths, said co-owner Ben Zentek, 31. At Zentek Farms on Higgins Road pieces of stems and roots, called cuttings, were mixed with soil in November, Zentek said. "The reason we begin so early is because it takes so long for the cuttings to get rooted," Zentek said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The cuttings, once rooted in soil, are transplanted into large plastic seed trays. Farmers cultivate these liners, or young plants, in the farm's greenhouses using heat and water, and by February or March, the propagation is complete. The plants are then transferred into pots or hanging baskets and packaged for shipment to retail businesses. Similar operations have been unfolding at large-scale nurseries across Cheshire, CK Greenhouses will begin shipping orders of their pansies and other bedding plants at the end of this week, sales manager Jason Bell said. The grower on Schoolhouse Road started sowing seeds for their pansies in November before transplanting them into bigger containers in January or February. An abundance of rain this winter slowed the growing process, said Bell, who is in his mid-40s. But a recent resurgence of sunshine, combined with longer days, has helped the greenhouse get back on schedule. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Kurtz Farms has been taking and shipping orders of its bedding plants, including its pansies, which were planted in December, said co-owner E.J. Kurtz, 50. One of the town's larger wholesale nurseries, the Peck Lane farm operates greenhouses on more than 22 acres, selling nearly 10,000 plant varieties to stores throughout New England. Growers said they also are busy arranging their Easter flowers with the holiday falling early on the calendar this year. Popular Easter flowers, such as tulips, daffodils and hyacinths, are grown slightly different than other bedding plants, Zentek said. In October, bulbs imported from Holland are planted into containers and stored in giant coolers at near-freezing temperatures, the farm owner said. This is done to control the speed of the growing process, he noted. The bulbs are removed from the coolers around late February or early March and subjected to heat in the greenhouses, allowing them to bloom, Zentek said. More heat is applied if the flowers are running behind schedule; they also could be placed back in the coolers if workers think they are growing too quickly. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "A lot of this process will often involve transporting bulbs from the greenhouse back into the cooler if we think theyre at the right stage that we want them to be for Easter time, which is pretty unique because for the spring flowers, thats not really an issue," Zentek said. "But with the bulbs, they can really sustain cold temperatures so were able to stop and freeze the growing process to make sure they all get timed out leading up to Easter weekend." For clients that prefer flowers with more color, Zentek said, farmers will bring them into the greenhouses for a day or two and "let those buds pop open" before they are shipped. "It's all about timing," he added. The late former state Rep. Mary Fritz is credited with having Cheshire recognized as the "Bedding Plant Capital of Connecticut," although who actually coined the phrase is unclear. Fritz, who died in 2016, was a "good friend" to many of the farmers in town, Kurtz said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad For its first 170 years, Cheshire was predominantly a rural farming community, officials said. Despite transforming into more of a residential suburb, Cheshire still retains its rural characteristics, with thousands of acres of open space and an active agricultural scene. Smaller greenhouses in Cheshire began to emerge around the 1950s as farm owners turned their focus to raising and selling plants out of the structures, said Jeanne Chesanow, a former town historian. It was lucrative to have a small greenhouse and sell plants from it, Chesanow said. You didnt have to worry about large equipment. Cost and convenience were two major factors influencing the switch, Chesanow said. In temperature-controlled greenhouses, farmers could grow products year-round. Greenhouses also yielded better profits than other types of farming, such as livestock. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "Other farmers started changing over to greenhouses and they helped my dad transition his farm to a greenhouse business as well," said Zentek, whose father, Paul Zentek, began raising plants and vegetables in 1972, nearly 60 years after the farm opened. "From what he says, there was a lot more opportunity to make a good living with the flowers versus the animals, which can be very slim margins and high costs of upkeep." Kurtz Farms began as a small vegetable farm in 1941, but were among the first cultivators in Cheshire to utilize greenhouses to grow vegetable plants earlier than could be done outdoors. "He didnt want to wait for the veggies to be finished," E.J. Kurtz said of his grandfather and the farm's founder, Earl Kurtz. "Instead of planting in the field and waiting, he expanded into greenhouses and starting selling vegetable plants and flowering plants." Chesanow also attributed the rise in greenhouse operations to the makeup of the town's soil, which she described as sparse and not overly-rich, making it a drawing card for local farmers. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "Some plants don't want overly-rich," Chesanow said. "They might want something that doesn't have as much of one thing or another. You can tailor the soil as you're working along. Some Cheshire residents grew bedding plants in small backyard greenhouses and sold them to larger manufacturers in town, according to Chesanow. This practice led to more women becoming involved in agriculture, she said, and helped the town earn its designation as the bedding plant capital. Chesanow, whose book, "Glaciers to Greenhouses, Cheshire Then and Now," examines the progress of agriculture in town, recalled fond memories shopping for bedding plants directly from local producers after moving to the area in the 1960s. "I remember there were countless places when I moved here where you could go buy beautiful plants right from the grower, not in a special plant store," she said. "You could go to all the growers and you could even wander in the fields and find a plant or a tree that you wanted and buy it." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Cheshire's greenhouse farmers maintain a special bond that has been strengthened through the generations. "The cool thing about Cheshire and all the greenhouse farmers is theyre all very close even though theyre competitors," Zentek said. "We help each other out." E.J. Kurtz remembered when several farm owners in town had coalesced over a local zoning issue related to permits. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 21, 2024) - ATEX Resources Inc. (TSXV: ATX) ("ATEX" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the completion of ATXD25, the fourth hole from its Phase IV drill campaign at the Valeriano Copper-Gold Project ("Valeriano" or the "Project") located in Atacama Region, Chile. Highlights include: ATXD25 intersected mineralized Early Porphyry ("EP") from 1,550 metres downhole and remained in mineralized EP until the hole was terminated at 2,208.2 metres. ATXD25 confirmed the presence of EP 200 metres west of the EP intersected in ATXD11B (1,342.5m of 0.73% Copper Equivalent "CuEq" (0.46% Cu, 0.31 g/t Au, 43 g/t Mo), see Company news dated March 30, 2023 "ATEX Intersects 0.73% CuEq over 1,342.5m in Longest Intersection to Date at Valeriano"). And confirmed continuity of mineralized EP in the gap between the Western and Central Trend (Figure 1 & Figure 2). Additionally, ATXD17B was completed early at a depth of 1,671 metres after deviating further south than anticipated and intersecting bad ground. This resulted in the hole exiting the target corridor. ATEX currently has three rigs actively drilling on the project with holes ATXD25A, ATXD26 and ATXD27 currently underway with the aim of testing for continuity of mineralized porphyry between the currently modelled EP trends and extending mineralization further along strike to the north (Figure 2). Results for ATXD25 are expected in mid to late April. "Hole ATXD25 is an incredibly exciting hole for us," stated Raymond Jannas, President and CEO of ATEX. "It achieved three notable objectives: firstly confirming the continuity of mineralized EP to the west of existing drilling, secondly, closing in the gap between the Western and Central trend porphyry units, and thirdly, delivering 660 metres of continuous mineralized EP. We are excited to continue to expand on what we have learned from ATXD25 in ATXD25A and seek to expand this trend even further north and west in upcoming drilling." Figure 1. Cross-section through trends with 2023 MRE interpretation To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6303/202532_f912cfd924616a7d_001full.jpg Figure 2. March, 2024: Evolving interpretation of NNW trending Early Porphyry corridor To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6303/202532_f912cfd924616a7d_002full.jpg QAQC Drill holes are collared with a PQ drill bit, reduced to HQ and, sequentially, to NQ as the drill holes progressed deeper. Drill core produced by the drill rigs was extracted from the core tubes by the drill contractor under the supervision of ATEX employees, marked for consistent orientation and placed in core boxes with appropriate depth markers added. Full core boxes were then sealed before being transported by ATEX personnel to the Valeriano field camp. Core at the field camp is processed, quick logged, checked for recovery, photographed, and marked for specific gravity, geotechnical studies and for assays. From camp, the core is transferred to a secure core-cutting facility in Vallenar, operated by IMG, a third-party consultant. Here, the core trays are weighed before being cut using a diamond saw under ATEX personnel oversight. ATEX geologists working at this facility double-check the selected two-metre sample intervals, placing the samples in seal bags and ensuring that the same side of the core is consistently sampled. Reference numbers are assigned to each sample and each sample is weighed. The core trays with the remaining half-core are weighed and photographed. Additionally, core logs are updated, and specific gravity and geotechnical samples are collected. The remaining core is stored in racks at the Company's secure facility in Vallenar. From Vallenar samples are sent to an ALS preparation facility in La Serena. ALS is an accredited laboratory which is independent of the Company. The prepared samples were sent to the ALS assay laboratories in either Santiago, Chile and Lima, Peru for gold (Au-AA24), copper (Cu-AA62), molybdenum (Mo-AA62) and silver (Ag-AA62) assays as well as and multi-element ICP (ME-MS61) analysis. No data quality problems were indicated by the QA/QC program. Qualified Person Mr. Ben Pullinger, P.Geo., registered with the Professional Geoscientists Ontario, is the Qualified Person, as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards for Disclosure for Mineral Projects, for the Valeriano Copper Gold Porphyry Project. Mr. Pullinger is not considered independent under NI 43-101 as he is Senior Vice President Exploration and Business Development of ATEX. He has reviewed and approved the disclosure of the scientific and technical information contained in this press release. About ATEX ATEX is exploring the Valeriano Copper Gold Project which is located within the emerging copper gold porphyry mineral belt linking the prolific El Indio High-Sulphidation Belt to the south with the Maricunga Gold Porphyry Belt to the north. This emerging belt, informally referred to as the Link Belt, hosts several copper gold porphyry deposits at various stages of development including, Filo del Sol (Filo Mining), Josemaria (Lundin Mining), Los Helados (NGEX Minerals/JX Nippon), La Fortuna (Teck Resources/Newmont) and El Encierro (Antofagasta/Barrick Gold). Valeriano hosts a large copper gold porphyry resource: 1.41 billion tonnes at 0.67% CuEq (0.50% Cu, 0.20 g/t Au, 0.96 g/t Ag and 63.80 g/t Mo), which includes a higher-grade core totaling 200 million tonnes at 0.84% CuEq (0.62% Cu, 0.29 g/t Au 1.25 g/t Ag and 55.7 g/t Mo), reported in September 20231. For further information, please contact: Raymond Jannas, President and CEO Email: rjannas@atexresources.com Ben Pullinger, Senior Vice President of Exploration and Business Development Email: bpullinger@atexresources.com 1-647-287-3778 or visit ATEX's website at www.atexresources.com CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: This news release contains forward-looking statements, including predictions, projections, and forecasts. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "planning", "expects" or "does not expect", "continues", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "potential", "anticipates", "does not anticipate", or describes a "goal", or variation 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. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, future events, conditions, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, prediction, projection, forecast, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include, among others: plans for the evaluation of exploration properties including the Valeriano Copper Gold Project; the success of evaluation plans; the success of exploration activities especially to the significant expansion of the high-grade corridor; mine development prospects; potential for future metals production; changes in economic parameters and assumptions; all aspects related to the timing and extent of exploration activities including the Phase IV drill program contemplated in this press release; timing of receipt of exploration results; the interpretation and actual results of current exploration activities and mineralization; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; the results of regulatory and permitting processes; future metals price; possible variations in grade or recovery rates; failure of equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; the results of economic and technical studies; delays in obtaining governmental and local approvals or financing or in the completion of exploration; timing of assay results; as well as those factors disclosed in ATEX's publicly filed documents. Although ATEX has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. 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, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its regulation services provider has reviewed or accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this news release. 1 Please see NI 43-101 technical report titled "Independent Technical Report for the Valeriano Copper-Gold Project, Atacama Region, Chile" by Joled Nur, CCCRRM-Chile, and David Hopper, CGeol, with an effective date of September 1, 2023, available at www.sedarplus.com and www.atexresources.com for additional details on the 2023 Mineral Resource Estimate for the Valeriano project. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/202532 SOURCE: ATEX Resources Inc. Thunder Bay, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 21, 2024) - Benton Resources Inc. (TSXV: BEX) ("Benton" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has successfully completed its Phase 2 drill program, encompassing 15 holes for a total of 3,260 m, at its Great Burnt Project in Newfoundland. Results for the initial drill holes are expected shortly and will be released once received and compiled. Highlights from Phase 2 to date include: Successfully expanded the Great Burnt deposit 50 m down plunge and along strike to the south. Successfully demonstrated that the deposit is wide open for expansion. Defined partial up dip and down dip limits of the main zone. Majority of drill holes intersected stringer, semi-massive and/or massive sulphide from 0.5 m to 17.75 m. In addition, the Company has engaged Eastern Geophysics to complete a Crone downhole pulse electro- magnetics survey on 7 drill holes for targeting of massive sulphides near the main zone over a 300-400 m area. This includes surveying the two deepest holes completed by Benton to date to test for further expansion of the massive sulphide zone. Benton's team continues to be excited about the excellent potential of Great Burnt project and the mobilization of the geophysical crew will commence this week. Upon completion of the survey, the Company will prepare for its Phase 3 exploration program to begin in May-June, which will include drilling, trenching, surface sampling, prospecting, structural mapping, as well as soil and rock geochemistry sampling. Benton's President and CEO Stephen Stares stated: "This will be an exciting summer for Benton and its shareholders as we embark on our third drill program at Great Burnt in the coming weeks. We have a tremendous amount of work to do on this highly prospective and underexplored 25 km volcanic belt at Great Burnt. We remain confident that our upcoming aggressive ground exploration program will lead to additional discoveries at the project. We look forward to receiving assays results from this program and continuing to expand on this large copper-gold system in 2024." Great Burnt Phase 3 Drilling Longitudinal Section To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3657/202537_e5b290fd74bd0a3c_002full.jpg Great Burnt Hole 24-33 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3657/202537_hole%2033%20benton.png Great Burnt Hole 24-37 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3657/202537_e5b290fd74bd0a3c_003full.jpg Great Burnt Cut Hole 24-34 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3657/202537_e5b290fd74bd0a3c_004full.jpg QP Stephen House (P.Geo.), Vice President of Exploration for Benton Resources Inc., the 'Qualified Person' under National Instrument 43-101, has approved the scientific and technical disclosure in this news release and prepared or supervised its preparation. About Benton Resources Inc. Benton Resources is a well-financed mineral exploration company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol BEX. Following a project generation business model, Benton has a diversified, highly prospective property portfolio of gold, silver, nickel, copper, platinum group elements and, most recently, lithium and cesium assets. In addition, it currently holds large equity positions in other mining companies that are advancing high-quality assets. Whenever possible, BEX retains net smelter return (NSR) royalties with potential long-term cash flow. Benton is currently focused on advancing its high-grade Copper-Gold Great Burnt Project in central Newfoundland, which has a Mineral Resource estimate of 667,000 tonnes @ 3.21% Cu Indicated and 482,000 @ 2.35% Cu Inferred. The Project has an excellent geological setting covering 25 km of strike and boasts six known Cu-Au-Ag zones over 15 km that are all open for expansion. Further potential for discovery is excellent given the extensive number of untested geophysical targets and Cu-Au soil anomalies. The Phase 1 drill program consisting of over 5,650 m, completed in November, returned impressive results including 25.42 m of 5.51% Cu, including 9.78 m of 8.31% Cu, and 1.00 m of 12.70% Cu from hole GB-23-12. On behalf of the Board of Directors of Benton Resources Inc., "Stephen Stares" Stephen Stares, President Parties interested in seeking more information about properties available for option can contact Mr. Stares at the number below. For further information, please contact: Stephen Stares, President & CEO Phone: 807-474-9020 Email: sstares@bentonresources.ca Iryna Zheliasko, Investor Relations Phone: 647-249-9298 ext. 322 Email: iryna@grovecorp.ca Website: www.bentonresources.ca Twitter: @BentonResources Facebook: @BentonResourcesBEX THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE HAS NOT REVIEWED AND DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. The information contained herein 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 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 gold price and other 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. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/202537 SOURCE: Benton Resources Inc. Seyfarth Shaw LLP announced today the arrival of partner Matthew Banham to the firm's litigation department, further expanding the firm's globally recognized white-collar and investigations practice. Banham joins Seyfarth from Dechert, where his practice focused on multi-agency and complex cross-border investigations and prosecutions with an emphasis on financial crime and contentious regulatory matters. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240321864093/en/ Seyfarth Shaw partner Matthew Banham (Photo: Business Wire) "There is a tremendous need right now among our clients for expertise in handling high-stakes and high-profile investigations and white-collar matters," said Pete Talibart, Seyfarth's London office managing partner. "Matt's background as one of the leading investigations and white-collar lawyers in the region enhances our ability to continue to provide sophisticated counsel in this area, not just in London but globally. It fits in perfectly with our global employment law offering as we are seeing a real upturn in demand for the skillset that Matt has." Banham counsels and represents corporations as well as individuals and firms operating in the financial services sectors. He has extensive experience in external and internal investigations involving regulators in both the United States and the United Kingdom. He also provides regular analysis of cutting-edge and developing fields such as ESG supply chain due diligence, crypto assets, and complex AML. "Matt has a rare combination of government enforcement and in-house experience that aligns with our strategic plan of further bolstering our already strong and extensive regulatory and investigatory practice," said James C. McGrath, Seyfarth's litigation department chair. "With our incumbent talent and the recent additions of Scott Morvillo, Rich Morvillo, and Ellen Murphy from Stroock, and Gary D. Friedman from Weil, we are truly building a powerhouse international practice in this area." Seyfarth's multidisciplinary white-collar and investigations practice represents public and private companies, investment banking firms, banks, investment advisors, broker-dealers, hedge funds, private equity funds, accounting firms, law firms, and individuals who work for them. The group is known for its extensive experience conducting investigations and appearing before various regulatory agencies both in the United States and the United Kingdom. Before joining Dechert, Banham served as the senior vice president of Barclays Bank's litigation investigations and enforcement division where he advised and managed external investigations and regulatory risks for the investment bank. He also served as Case Controller at the Serious Fraud Office, where he worked and led the UK's most complex and landmark cases including Rolls Royce, LIBOR, and Foreign Exchange benchmarks. His previous experience also includes working as counsel at the Financial Conduct Authority, where he routinely advised and managed investigations and prosecutions into allegations of insider trading, and other financial crime offenses. "There are just a handful of firms that can operate across a broad range of enforcement agencies in the UK, US, and UAE, and Seyfarth is one of them," said Banham. "Seyfarth has truly committed itself to investing in this rapidly growing area and I'm excited to be a part of this stellar team." About Seyfarth With more than 900 lawyers across 18 offices, Seyfarth Shaw LLP provides top tier advisory, litigation, and transactional legal services to clients worldwide. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240321864093/en/ Contacts: Xenia Kobylarz 510.410.2846 xkobylarz@baretzbrunelle.com Der kostenlose Dividenden-Report zeigt ganz genau, wo Sie in diesem Jahr zuschlagen konnen. Das sind die Favoriten von Borsenprofi Dr. Dennis Riedl 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. HONG KONG, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Harbour City, Hong Kong's premier shopping mall is delighted to present the striking Colourful Public Art Show "Planet Walala @Harbour City" from 21 March to 21 April, during Hong Kong Arts Month. Created by the renowned French artist Camille Walala, the project features two expansive public installations and a solo art exhibition, all crafted in her iconic Tribal-pop style, imbuing Hong Kong with vibrant colours and boundless energy! Camille Walala is widely recognized for her whimsical public artworks, which encompass a range of mediums including full-facade murals, immersive 3D installations, street art, and more. Through bold colours and exuberant geometric patterns, her creations inspire pure joy. Camille Walala designs the first-ever Hong Kong City Sign, titled "Now You See It Now You Don't" at Ocean Terminal Deck, one of the best sea view locations in Hong Kong. This installation, standing tall at 3 meters high and stretching 6.5 meters wide, serves as a brand-new permanent artistic landmark. Drenched in the hues of Victoria Harbour's ocean blue, it seamlessly blends Camille's vibrant geometric patterns. Thus, the City Sign echoes to the towering skyscrapers that define Hong Kong's skyline in a complex interplay of overlapping geometric shapes of varying heights. Taking the stairs near the City Sign, visitors are transported away from the city and into a striking wonderland-the first outdoor artistic maze by Camille named "A-MAZE". Spanning over 3,500 square feet, this vivid installation creates a visually captivating impact and elevates one's mood. Camille hopes that visitors can embrace the joy brought by colours and tap into the state of playfulness, joy, and discovery that we experienced as children. Meanwhile, Camille ventures into new artistic territory as she hosts her first solo art exhibition, "Metropolis" in this art show. Renowned for her large-scale public art installations, Camille draws 12 captivating new artworks inspired from the architectural aesthetics found in cities, incorporating their textures, details, and building shapes into her creations. In addition, Harbour City will organize thrilling art activations, including Family Art Jamming and Insta360 Photography Classroom, targeting a wide range of audiences throughout the campaign. harbourcity hcart CamilleWalala Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2368296/1__Hong_Kong_City_Sign.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2368297/2__A_MAZE_Drone.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2368302/3__A_MAZE_Close_up.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1993823/4607092/Harbour_City_Logo_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/french-artist-camille-walala-hosts-planet-walala-colourful-public-art-show-at-harbour-city-the-no1-shopping-mall-in-hong-kong-with-the-first-ever-hong-kong-city-sign-outdoor-artistic-maze-and-solo-art-exhibition-302095882.html GENEVE, SWITZERLAND / ACCESSWIRE / March 21, 2024 / The Next 150, has signed a six-year purchase agreement with Microsoft to supply 95,000 tons of high-quality Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) credits produced by its General Biochar Systems (GBS) business unit's first biochar plant in Guanajuato, Mexico. This agreement with Microsoft contributes to The Next 150 becoming a top supplier in the emerging carbon removal industry. The Next 150 - Biochar for Landscape Regeneration View of workers in front a biochar batch on a quarry. Image credit: Valeria Araico. The Next 150, 2024 "Securing multi-year commitments like the one with Microsoft allows The Next 150 to mobilize large-scale biochar projects across Latin America, by attracting institutional finance for project-level lending, backed by creditworthy offtakes," stated Patrick Atanasije Pineda, Managing Partner at The Next 150. "Our six-year purchase agreement and ongoing collaboration with The Next 150 is a step forward towards our ambition to realize our carbon negative by 2030 goal via a diversified portfolio of carbon removal," commented Brian Marrs, Senior Director for Energy and Carbon Removal at Microsoft. The Next 150 is a Swiss climate-forward venture developer and operator founded in late 2022. In less than a year, its first biochar production facility, General Biochar Systems in Mexico, was up and running. By October 2023 the project began integrating its biochar into state-run quarry rehabilitation efforts to restore degraded landscapes and enhance biodiversity. Ongoing work with local governments and civil society organizations aims to supply up to 23,000 local farmers with biochar as a sustainable and regenerative soil amendment, bringing additional co-benefits such as improved crop yields, reduced reliance on chemical fertilizers, and decreased plant stress during prolonged drought. The company is on track to deliver high-quality CDR credits by mid-2024 on the Puro.Earth registry. Two more plants are expected to be operational in Latin America by 2025. Contact Information: Rafael Gamboa Director of Communications rafael@thenext150.com Christian Shehadi Marketing Director christian@thenext150.com Related Images The Next 150 - Biochar for Landscape Regeneration View of workers in front a biochar batch on a quarry. Image credit: Valeria Araico. The Next 150, 2024 Biochar Application - View of workers unloading biochar supersack Image credit: Maria del Carmen Mejia. The Next 150, 2024 On Field Experiment - Biochar Corn Fields Results Image credit: Rafael Gamboa. The Next 150, 2024 SOURCE: The Next 150 View the original press release on newswire.com. PHILADELPHIA, PA / ACCESSWIRE / March 21, 2024 / abrdn Healthcare Investors (NYSE:HQH), abrdn Life Sciences Investors (NYSE:HQL), abrdn Healthcare Opportunities Fund (NYSE:THQ), and abrdn World Healthcare Fund (NYSE:THW) (collectively, the "Funds") each, a closed-end management investment company, announced today the appointment of Dr. Jason Akus as co-lead portfolio manager to the Funds alongside Dr. Daniel Omstead. Dr. Akus has served on the investment team with Dr. Omstead for over 20 years. The Funds will continue to be managed in accordance with their existing investment objectives and strategies, pursuing the same investment philosophy and employing the same investment process that has served the Funds well through the years. Dr. Omstead was the founder of Tekla Capital Management (TCM) that served as the investment advisor to the Funds from 2001 until October 27, 2023, when a strategic transaction with abrdn was completed and the Funds' advisory agreements transferred to abrdn. Dr. Akus' appointment is part of the orderly transition of Dr. Omstead's responsibilities as the lead portfolio manager to the Funds. It is currently envisaged that Dr. Omstead will continue to serve as the co-lead portfolio manager alongside Dr. Akus through May 31, 2024. Subsequently, Dr. Akus will take over as lead portfolio manager and Dr. Omstead will remain at abrdn and serve in an advisory role to Dr. Akus and the investment team until September 30, 2024. Dr. Jason Akus, M.D., MBA brings 23 years of experience as a member of the senior portfolio management team at TCM before he transitioned to abrdn in October 2023. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, a Medical Doctorate, and a Master of Business Administration from Tufts University. Dr. Akus combines his medical and business training in the pursuit of new opportunities to improve the portfolios and is dedicated to a team-based approach to driving investment performance. About abrdn abrdn is a global investment company that helps clients and customers plan, save, and invest for the future. abrdn's purpose is to enable its clients to be better investors. abrdn manages and administers 495bn of assets for clients (as of June 30, 2023). abrdn is structured around three businesses - Investments, Adviser and Personal - focused on their changing needs. The capabilities in abrdn's Investments business are built on the strength of its insight - generated from wide-ranging research, worldwide investment expertise and local market knowledge. abrdn's teams collaborate across regions, asset classes and specialisms, connecting diverse perspectives and working with clients to identify investment opportunities that suit their needs. As of June 30, 2023, abrdn's Investments business manages 367bn on behalf of clients - including insurance companies, sovereign wealth funds, independent wealth managers, pension funds, platforms, banks, and family offices. For more information on the abrdn range of closed-end funds please visit https://www.abrdn.com/en-us/cefinvestorcenter. Important Information In the United States, abrdn is the marketing name for the following affiliated, registered investment advisers: abrdn Inc., abrdn Investments Limited, abrdn Asia Limited, abrdn Private Equity (Europe) Limited, and abrdn ETFs Advisors LLC. Closed-end funds are traded on the secondary market through one of the stock exchanges. A Fund's investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor's shares may be worth more or less than the original cost. Shares of closed-end funds may trade above (a premium) or below (a discount) the net asset value (NAV) of the fund's portfolio. There is no assurance that a Fund will achieve its investment objective. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The information in this press release is for informational purposes only and shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction pursuant to or in connection with the proposed transaction or otherwise, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. https://www.abrdn.com/en-us/cefinvestorcenter ### For More Information Contact: abrdn U.S. Closed-End Funds Investor Relations 1-800-522-5465 Investor.Relations@abrdn.com SOURCE: abrdn U.S. Closed-End Funds View the original press release on accesswire.com The program funds proof of concepts for new ideas leveraging advanced cloud computing, including generative AI and high-performance computing, to solve some of the biggest challenges in the fight against climate change LJUBLJANA, Slovenia, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Research Centre on Artificial Intelligence (IRCAI), an organization under the auspices of UNESCO, and Amazon Web Services, Inc. (AWS) today announced the first cohort of startups selected to join the Compute for Climate Fellowship , a global program supporting entrepreneurs applying advanced cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI) to create new solutions that address the climate crisis. The four startups selected to receive a fully-funded proof-of-concept (POC) are: Coastal Carbon an AI-driven measurement platform that builds models using satellite imagery to track and measure underwater vegetation growth and carbon sequestration. The Compute for Climate-funded POC will train satellite-agnostic foundation models of earth and sea that can identify and quantify ocean blue carbon. This will help increase transparency and trust in ocean carbon removal, facilitating up to 1,000 times increase in ocean monitoring and data collection capacity, which was previously done manually by divers. Phytoform Labs uses biotechnology, AI, and agriculture to develop novel crop genetics that create more climate resilient plants. Phytoform's Compute for Climate-funded POC will enhance accuracy of its plant genetics insights platform to evolve new crop characteristics that will make plants more climate resilient. uses biotechnology, AI, and agriculture to develop novel crop genetics that create more climate resilient plants. Phytoform's Compute for Climate-funded POC will enhance accuracy of its plant genetics insights platform to evolve new crop characteristics that will make plants more climate resilient. Realta Fusion is developing compact magnetic mirror fusion energy systems to decarbonize industrial heat and power. Realta's Compute for Climate-funded POC will develop a first-of-a-kind plasma stability simulation in the cloud, helping to democratize access for the whole fusion industry. Xatoms , is a water treatment startup using AI and quantum computing to discover molecules that can purify polluted water. Xatom's Compute for Climate-funded POC to develop a new AI algorithm capable of analyzing a large amount of chemical data, followed by simulations of novel molecules that can purify water. "The competition was intense, and we diligently worked to select the very best. The Compute for Climate Fellowship is a testament to the power of collaboration and innovation between research, industry, and startups in addressing climate change. We are inspired by the ingenuity and dedication of the winners and look forward to seeing their projects come to fruition," said Davor Orlic, Chief Operating Officer of IRCAI. "Through this collaboration with IRCAI and AWS, each of these innovative startups will build their POCs state-of-the-art AI solutions based on ethical AI principles to address some of the key challenges created by the climate crisis. IRCAI is also proud to give the startups access to its R&D expertise via its scientific programme committee on AI & Climate Change, and experts in the RAIDO and NAIXUS networks of AI excellence Centers in AI and sustainable development." The Compute for Climate Fellowship was announced in July 2023 and the first call for applications received ideas from startups in 24 countries around the world, including solutions that span the gamut of climate action, including sustainable agriculture, renewable energy optimization, biodiversity protection, and climate risk management. These projects not only represent innovative approaches to combating climate change, but also underscore the critical role of technology in shaping a sustainable future. The winners were selected for their potential to deliver tangible impact, scalability, and potential contribution to reducing carbon emissions globally. "Speed is critical to addressing the climate crisis and this program focuses on accelerating the creation of new solutions which have the potential to ignite significant change," said Howard Wright, Vice President and Global Head of Startups at AWS. "Each of the selected fellows are leveraging the full extent of AWS's tech stack to tackle some of the most complex climate issues today-from fusion power to clean water and drought-resilient crops, and more. By helping them with access to the latest technologies, like generative AI, and expertise they need to get these solutions out in the world, we hope to spur a movement to support more ideas that can help us build a sustainable future." Next Round of Applications Applications for the 2024 POC builds are now open. Climate tech startups, entrepreneurs, and researchers from around the world are welcome to submit ideas that use advanced computing technologies to address climate change mitigation or adaptation. This year, the program is expanding the scope of proposals to cover the following key areas: Clean Energy Low-Carbon Transportation Sustainable Agriculture and Food Circular Economy / Manufacturing / Industry Sustainable Buildings Greenhouse Gas accounting and sustainability management Carbon removal Environment (water, pollution, biodiversity) and climate risk The program will offer funding, technical resources, mentorship, and access to AWS technologies and IRCAI research capacity to help turn innovative ideas into reality. This year we are looking for projects of various sizes and sophistication. AWS will fund up to $1.5M in total AWS credits for the Compute for Climate Fellowship. Submissions received by June 7, 2024, will be considered for building this year. The selection process will prioritize projects that can be completed in 2-3 months, that think big, offer potential for significant environmental benefits, scalability, and alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals . Startups that apply but are not selected to join the program will have access to up to $5,000 in AWS credits through the AWS Activate program, as well as free workshops and training on how to use AWS Advanced Compute services to build their solutions. They will also be invited to join the IRCAI Industrial Club. For more information on the fellowship, application guidelines, and success stories from the inaugural winners, visit https://ircai.org/compute-for-climate-fellowship . About IRCAI The International Research Centre on Artificial Intelligence (IRCAI) is an organization operating under the auspices of UNESCO, dedicated to advancing AI research and applications in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. About UNESCO The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is the agency of the United Nations contributing to building peace through international cooperation in education, the sciences, and culture. Media Contact: For press inquiries, please contact: Davor Orlic, COO, davor.orlic@gmail.com; 00447894044980 Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2367541/IRCAI_AWS_compute_for_climate_fellowship_banner.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/compute-for-climate-fellowship-announces-inaugural-winners-and-opens-applications-for-2024-302094832.html Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 21, 2024) - Big Ridge Gold Corp. (TSXV: BRAU) ("Big Ridge" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement (the "Amending Agreement") to amend the terms of its second earn-in right at the Hope Brook Gold Project (the "Hope Brook Gold Project") under the Company's earn-in agreement with, among others, First Mining Gold Corp. ("First Mining"). The Amending Agreement dispenses with the requirement for the Company to incur an additional $10,000,000 in expenditures on the Hope Brook Gold Project in exchange for the early exercise of the second earn-in right. Since the stage one earn-in right was exercised, the Company has incurred approximately $5.8 million in eligible expenditures on the Hope Brook Gold Project. The Company has concurrently notified First Mining of its intention to exercise the amended second earn-in right by April 2, 2024 which, upon closing, would increase the Company's interest in the Hope Brook Gold Project from 51% to 80% immediately. First Mining will retain a free carry on its 20% ownership interest in the Hope Brook Gold Project until such time as Big Ridge completes a feasibility study on the project. Closing shall be subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange and the satisfaction of certain conditions as set out in the Amending Agreement, including the issuance of 10,000,000 common shares of the Company to First Mining (the "Earn-in Shares") as consideration for the additional 29% interest in the Hope Brook Gold Project. Michael Bandrowski, President & CEO of the Company, stated: "This transaction accelerates the exercise of the Company's second earn-in right and in the process, adds approximately 420,000 attributable gold ounces to Big Ridge's resource base. It also eliminates the remainder of the $10 million in project spend that would otherwise have been required for Big Ridge to achieve an 80% interest in the Hope Brook Gold Project. Overall, this is a fantastic outcome for the Company under current market conditions." Pursuant to Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"), the issuance of the Earn-in Shares to First Mining constitutes a "related party transaction" but the Company is exempt from the requirements to obtain a formal valuation or minority shareholder approval in connection with the issuance in reliance on sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(a), respectively, of MI 61-101. Award of Share-Based Compensation Big Ridge also announced that it has granted a total of 208,333 equity settled deferred share units ("DSUs") to Mr. Bill Williams in connection with his appointment as Chair of the Board. These DSUs were awarded on January 2, 2024 and vest on January 2, 2025. Big Ridge Gold Overview Hope Brook Gold Project, Newfoundland The Hope Brook Gold Project is an advanced stage, high-grade gold project that produced 752,162 ounces of gold from 1987 - 1995. Initial production consisted of an open pit before moving to underground mining. Hope Brook operated using both heap leach (1987 - 1990) and conventional cyanidation milling methods (1989 - 1997) with a later inclusion of flotation concentration to recover copper (1991). Gold recoveries for full years of operation between 1988 and 1995 averaged 84%. Copper flotation during the second period of operation beginning in 1992 produced 7,000 to 10,000 tons of concentrate annually at approximately 22% Cu and 1 oz/t Au. The preceding information is obtained from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Industry, Energy and Technology via the Mineral Occurrence Database System. The Company considers this information to be historic in nature. Hope Brook hosts an indicated gold resource totalling 16,190,000 tonnes grading 2.32 grams per tonne gold for 1.2 million ounces and inferred resources totalling 2,215,000 tonnes grading 3.25 grams per tonne gold for 231,000 ounces based on 0.4 and 2.0 gram per tonne cut-off grade for open pit and underground resources respectively, and a long-term gold price of US$1,750. The deposit also hosts a total of 47 M lbs of copper mineralization in the inferred category, defined within the gold resource model. These mineral resources are detailed in the "Technical Report on the Mineral Resource Estimate Update for the Hope Brook Gold Project, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada" dated April 6, 2023 as filed on SEDAR and the Company's webpage. The Hope Brook gold deposit is a high-sulfidation epithermal gold deposit hosted in the Proterozoic aged Whittle Hill Sandstone and is intruded by a Late Proterozoic quartz-feldspar porphyry sill-dike complex of the Roti Intrusive Suite. The deposit is located adjacent to and within an extensive advanced argillic alteration envelope which includes pyrophyllite, kaolinite, andalusite, and alunite. The principal gold mineralization occurs in a buff-colored massive, vuggy silicic alteration with an associated, less developed grey silicic alteration both having observable amounts of pyrite, chalcopyrite and lesser bornite and other accessory minerals. Gold mineralization is also found with pyrite in units of advanced argillic alteration adjacent to or near silicic alteration horizons. The altered and mineralized zone is cut by mafic dykes whose contacts are often mineralized. All the altered and mineralized sequences and the intruded dykes have been folded. Hope Brook is located 85 kilometers east of Port aux Basques, Newfoundland. The project has well maintained infrastructure on site, including an operational 28-person camp, an 1,100-meter airstrip, ice-free docking facility and importantly, connection to the provincial electrical power grid via an on-site substation. Significant exploration potential remains on the 24,000-hectare concession providing a great opportunity to expand the mine area as well as surface showings throughout the concessions. Destiny Gold Project, Quebec The 100% owned Destiny Project is in Despinassy Township, Quebec within the Abitibi greenstone belt. The Destiny project hosts the DAC and Darla Zones where drilling has intersected gold mineralization. At the DAC Zone a Mineral Resource Estimate has reported 10.8 million tonnes of mineralization with average grade of 1.05 g/t Au in the indicated category calculated at the 0.5 g/t gold cut-off grade. The mineral resource was prepared for Alto Ventures (now Big Ridge) and reported in the Technical Report and Resource Estimate of the DAC Deposit, Destiny Property, Quebec (Effective Date: March 1, 2011), available on the Company's SEDAR profile. Drilling by Big Ridge after completion of the Resource Estimate in the in the 1 km long Gap Zone between the Darla and the DAC zones in 2012 confirmed the presence of gold within wide envelopes of anomalous mineralization. Drilling in 2021 provided additional positive gold results; Drill hole DES-21-173 (8.90 g/t Au over 0.4 m), DES-21-177 (5.17 g/t Au over 5.8 m including 43.1 g/t Au over 0.6 m), Drill hole DES-21-179 (3.78 g/t Au over 16.3 m including 8.85 g/t Au over 6.7 m and 42.6 g/t Au over 1.0 m). Oxford Gold Project, Manitoba The 100% owned Oxford Lake Property is in central Manitoba, approximately 150 km southeast of the city of Thompson in the Oxford-Knee Lake greenstone belt. In October 13, 2020, Big Ridge and the Bunibonibee Cree Nation signed a Long-Term Exploration Agreement related to future exploration in the First Nation's traditional lands at Oxford Lake. The Oxford Lake property hosts the Rusty Gold Deposit, with Historical Resource of 800,000 tonnes averaging 6 g/t gold and containing approximately 154,000 ounces of gold hosted in banded iron formation ("BIF"). A Qualified Person (QP), as defined by NI43-101, has not done sufficient work to classify this historical estimate as current mineral resource. Several other gold occurrences are found on the property. BIF deposits such as the Musselwhite Mine in Ontario have the potential to host significant gold resources. The Rusty Gold Deposit and other potential BIF and orogenic type gold targets including the Blue Jay Zone lie along the Carrot River-Rusty-Blue Jay Trend, that can be traced for 30 km as identified by Big Ridge's 2011 VTEM and aeromagnetic surveys. Qualified Person The scientific and technical content of this press release has been reviewed and approved by William McGuinty, P.Geo., the Company's Vice President Exploration, and a Qualified Person for the purposes of NI 43-101. About Big Ridge Gold Corp. Big Ridge Gold Corp. is an exploration and development company managed by a disciplined and experienced team of officers and directors. The Company is committed to the development of advanced stage mining projects using industry best practices combined with strong social license from our local communities. Big Ridge owns a 100% interest in the highly prospective Oxford Gold Project located in Manitoba and the Destiny Gold Project in Quebec. Big Ridge is the operator of the Hope Brook Gold Project located in Newfoundland and Labrador. The company currently owns 51% of the Hope Brook Gold Project and has an option to earn up to 80% by June 2026. For more details regarding the Company's projects, please visit Big Ridge's website at www.bigridgegold.com ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD, Mike Bandrowski, President & CEO For Further Information Contact: Mike Bandrowski, President & CEO BIG RIDGE GOLD CORP. 18 King Street, Suite 1400 Toronto, ON, M5C 1C4 Tel: 416-540-5480 Email: Mike@bigridgegold.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. Figure 1: Map of Newfoundland To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4910/202557_bigridge_figure1.png Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "plans", "projects", "intends", "estimates", "envisages", "potential", "possible", "strategy", "goals", "objectives", 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. Forward-looking statements in this news release relate to future events or future performance and reflect current estimates, predictions, expectations or beliefs regarding future events. All forward-looking statements are based on Big Ridge's and its employees' current beliefs as well as various assumptions made by them and information currently available to them. 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. Forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the respective parties, 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 and the parties have made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. When relying on our forward-looking statements to make decisions with respect to Big Ridge, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. Big Ridge does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by the Company or on our behalf, except as required by law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/202557 SOURCE: Big Ridge Gold Corp. Der kostenlose Dividenden-Report zeigt ganz genau, wo Sie in diesem Jahr zuschlagen konnen. Das sind die Favoriten von Borsenprofi Dr. Dennis Riedl WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Pratt & Whitney and the Federal Aviation Administration will work together with Missouri University of Science and Technology, Aerodyne Research, Inc., and the Environmental Protection Agency to study non- CO2 aviation emissions, to help understand and reduce the environmental impact of these emissions. The project will measure emissions from a Pratt & Whitney GTF engine combustor rig test stand using conventional Jet A and 100% sustainable aviation fuel. The rig tests will take place at Pratt & Whitney's facility in Middletown, Conn. Pratt & Whitney, an RTX (RTX) business, designs, manufactures and services aircraft engines and auxiliary power units. 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. The Panera Bread cafe at Hamden Plaza, at 2100 Dixwell Ave., in Hamden, Conn. File photo A rendering of the new drive-thru Panera Bread at the Marketplace at Hamden on Dixwell Avenue. Town of Hamden HAMDEN Panera Bread is moving from one Dixwell Avenue shopping plaza across the street to another, officials said. The bakery-cafe will open a drive-thru restaurant at a standalone building in the Marketplace at Hamden, according to an application approved by the town's Zoning Board of Appeals in January. Pier 1 Imports, a home goods retailer, formerly occupied the space, which is 9,280 square feet. Panera will relocate from its current home in Hamden Plaza, which does not have a drive-thru and is attached to other retail businesses, meeting minutes state. The fast-casual dining chains new location is scheduled to open in the summer of 2025, a Panera spokesperson said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad John Knuff, of the Milford-based Hurwitz Sagarin Slossberg & Knuff, the applicant's attorney, told the zoning board that his client has been searching for a tenant to fill that parcel since Pier 1 departed in 2020. "That's one of the reasons we're excited that the client has found this very highly sought-after tenant," Knuff said. "It's really going to help energize the center which is obviously very popular as it is." The Marketplace in Hamden also features Stop & Shop, Old Navy Petco, Pep Boys and Aspen Dental. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Panera has been expanding in the Nutmeg State. It opened a cafe in Stamford this week, its 33rd location in Connecticut, and plans to open another drive-thru cafe in Danbury in late 2024. NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / March 21, 2024 / Las Vegas Sands Las Vegas Sands As part of Women's History Month 2024, Sands is featuring women who help drive the company's success and exemplify its culture of professional growth and advancement. After holding a variety of corporate, civic and nonprofit leadership positions, Tracey Edwards joined Sands New York this past year and is the region's newly appointed senior vice president/corporate social responsibility officer. Prior to joining Sands New York, Edwards served as Commissioner of the New York State Public Service Commission, which ensures secure and reliable access to electric, gas, steam, telecommunications and water services for New York State's residential and business consumers while protecting the natural environment. Edwards spent a significant portion of her career in at Verizon where she held a variety of leadership positions. As region president, Edwards led a team of 4,000 employees responsible for field operations of voice, broadband and video services across the state of New York. Prior to her region president role, she led staffing and diversity for Verizon, responsible for ethics, hiring, recruitment, diversity councils and human resource policies. Edwards also served as president of the Empire City Subway Company, a subsidiary of Verizon that specializes in subsurface engineering and construction services. After many years as a corporate executive, Edwards started her own consulting company focused on branding; diversity, equity and inclusion; and organizational, workforce and economic development. She currently serves on the boards of directors for the NAACP, New Hour for Women and Children, and the Scott J. Beigel Memorial Fund, and is the Long Island regional director of the NAACP New York State Conference. Edwards is a former board member of the United Way of Long Island, former executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Suffolk and past president of the Melville Lions Club. Outline your career path and current role with Sands New York. "After over a 30-year career in the public and private sector, I was honored to join Sands in October 2023 as senior vice president, corporate social responsibility officer. My role is to integrate our strategic plan and initiatives for our planned integrated resort operation in New York." What skills, trainings, mentors or experiences have helped you build a successful career? "I was blessed to have a circle of women who worked in multiple departments that I could call on for advice, counsel and assistance. I, in turn, did the same for them. You need to realize that it is easier if you depend on and help each other along the way. I also had male and female champions who helped me with my journey. "My drive was to make sure that no one (male or female) could out-work me, but I also recognized that as women we try to be all things to everyone, which is not possible all the time. We need to pace ourselves and stay healthy while we work hard. "After surviving breast cancer, I cherished naps! After work, I would lay down for 20 minutes, and then power back up to handle the rest of my family stuff or complete work I took home." What are your ideas for evolving workplace to better support and empower women? "Joining the EmpowHER Team Member resource group for women is a good start. Also, have executives lead a program of mentoring moments where you layout situational exercises and have those in power provide advice." What advice do you have for women or anyone who wants to advance in their careers? "Volunteer for tough assignments and move around the business laterally so that you can learn about the many functions within the corporation. "Once you learn more and more about the business, promotional opportunities will come. The focus should be about growing the business and exceeding the objectives through innovation. "I also wanted to perform the jobs that no one else wanted to do, which made my position and brand more valuable." View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Las Vegas Sands on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Las Vegas Sands Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/las-vegas-sands Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Las Vegas Sands View the original press release on accesswire.com Road Town, British Virgin Islands--(Newsfile Corp. - March 21, 2024) - In a significant move for cryptocurrency and mobile technology enthusiasts, LBank Exchange, a premier global digital asset trading platform, has announced the listing of Decubate Token (DCB) on March 20, 2024. Users of LBank Exchange can brace themselves for the DCB/USDT trading pair, which will go live at 12:00 UTC on the slated date. Decubate Token (DCB) Listing Banner To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8831/202403_39450b41c497dba1_001full.jpg Decubate Token (DCB) is a premier EU-regulated platform based in the Netherlands, renowned for seamlessly connecting innovators and investors across all EVM chains. As the driving force behind more than 100 successful Web3 businesses, Decubate stands out as a top-tier launchpad and incubator in the world of Web3. Introducing Decubate: Unleashing Web3 Potential LBank Exchange is thrilled to announce the listing of Decubate Token (DCB), standing out as a leading Web3 platform designed to empower entrepreneurs and investors. Their meticulous project selection process ensures only high-quality ventures enter their ecosystem, fostering trust for all participants. Beyond secure launches, Decubate offers a suite of tools and resources for Web3 businesses, from funding and market-making services to advisory support. The platform prioritizes ethical compliance and fosters a collaborative environment that values long-term sustainability and integrity. With the introduction of the DCB token, Decubate's vision is clear: to ignite the next wave of Web3 innovation, providing a fertile ground for entrepreneurs and investors to collaborate, grow, and shape the future of the decentralized economy together. Decubate operates a Tier System designed to support a range of investor engagement levels. This system enables users to access the platform, delve into projects, and engage with Initial DEX Offerings (IDOs). Advancement through the tiers - from Bronze to Diamond+ - is structured to align with user participation, with each tier offering scaled benefits. The platform also offers Learn to Earn (L2E) initiatives that aim to provide educational content about the Web3 space. These initiatives include collaborative events with upcoming projects that offer learning opportunities and reward community engagement. The DCB token is integral to the functionality of the Decubate platform, granting users access to staking and governance activities. It also allows users to participate in select Web3 project offerings. The token serves as a tool for community members to engage with platform services and influence decisions. Decubate's approach is focused on supporting collaborative opportunities within the Web3 industry. About DCB Token The DCB token plays a central role within Decubate. DCB holders also gain a voice in shaping Decubate's future through participation in platform governance votes. Based on BEP20, DCB has a total supply of 1 billion (i.e. 1,000,000,000). The DCB token distribution includes Seed (5%), Strategic (4.67%), Private (2%), Public (2.33%), Community Rewards (25%), Treasury (24%), Team (12%), Partnerships + Marketing (10%), Advisors (5%), and Liquidity (10%). DCB token is poised to debut on LBank Exchange at 12:00 UTC on March 20, 2024. Investors who are interested in DCB can easily buy and sell on LBank Exchange ow. Learn More about DCB Token: Official Website: https://www.decubate.com/ Platform: platform.decubate.com Contract: https://bscscan.com/token/0xeac9873291ddaca754ea5642114151f3035c67a2 Twitter: https://twitter.com/decubate Telegram: https://t.me/decubate Discord: https://discord.com/invite/Decubate LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/decubate About LBank LBank is one of the top crypto exchanges, established in 2015. It offers specialized financial derivatives, expert asset management services, and safe crypto trading to its users. The platform holds over 9 million users from more than 210 regions across the world. LBank is a cutting-edge growing platform that ensures the integrity of users' funds and aims to contribute to the global adoption of cryptocurrencies. Start Trading Now: lbank.com Community & Social Media: l Telegram l Twitter l Facebook l LinkedIn l Instagram l YouTube Press contact: press@lbank.com Business Contact: LBK Blockchain Co. Limited LBank Exchange marketing@lbank.com business@lbank.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/202403 SOURCE: LBank Bedford, Nova Scotia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 21, 2024) - Sylla Gold Corp. (TSXV: SYG) (OTCQB: SYGCF) ("Sylla" or the "Company") announces its intention to consolidate its issued and outstanding common shares (the "Common Shares") on the basis of three (3) pre-consolidation Common Shares for every one (1) post-consolidation Common Share (the "Consolidation"). No fractional Common Shares will be issued and any fractional Common Shares will be rounded down to the nearest lower whole Common Share. The Consolidation is subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange, applicable securities regulatory authorities, and the approval of the shareholders of the Company. The Company anticipates that it will hold its annual and special shareholder meeting in May, 2024. For more information, please contact: Regan Isenor President and Chief Executive Officer Tel: (902) 233-4381 Email: risenor@syllagold.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. Certain statements contained in this news release constitute forward-looking information under applicable Canadian, United States and other applicable securities laws, rules and regulations, including, without limitation, statements with respect to the completion of the Acquisition, the conditions to the completion of the Acquisition that must be fulfilled and the anticipated benefits and advantages of the Acquisition. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on The Company's current beliefs or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as the Company's actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include the risks, uncertainties and other factors and assumptions made with regard to the Companie's ability to complete the proposed Acquisition; the Companie's ability to secure the necessary legal and regulatory approvals required to complete the Acquisition and the estimated costs associated with the advancement of the Property. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Companie's expectations include risks associated with the business of the Company; risks related to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions to the closing of the Acquisition; non-completion of the Acquisition; risks related to exploration and potential development of the Property; business and economic conditions in the mining industry generally; the impact of COVID-19 on the Companies' business; fluctuations in commodity prices and currency exchange rates; uncertainties relating to interpretation of drill results and the geology, continuity and grade of mineral deposits; the need for cooperation of government agencies and indigenous groups in the exploration and development of properties and the issuance of required permits; the need to obtain additional financing to develop properties and uncertainty as to the availability and terms of future financing; the possibility of delay in exploration or development programs and uncertainty of meeting anticipated program milestones; uncertainty as to timely availability of permits and other governmental approvals; and other risk factors as detailed from time to time and additional risks identified in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators on SEDAR+ in Canada (available at www.sedarplus.ca). Various assumptions or factors are typically applied in drawing conclusions or making the forecasts or projections set out in forward-looking information. Those assumptions and factors are based on information currently available to the Company. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no 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 laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/202562 SOURCE: Sylla Gold Corp. Madrid, Spain--(Newsfile Corp. - March 21, 2024) - GBSB Global Business School (GBSB Global), a leading European and internationally accredited higher education institution, appoints Dr. Wiktor Patena to be the new Head of Institution and President. As an accomplished academic and managerial expert, he will lead GBSB Global through a period of scale and expansion and manage its three physical campuses located in Barcelona and Madrid in Spain, Birkirkara in Malta, and the virtual online campus. GBSB global appoints Dr. Wiktor Patena as the new Head of Institution and President To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8552/202406_6696183344ebda63_002full.jpg "GBSB Global is recognized as one of the best business schools in Spain, Europe, and the world. We are committed to providing our students with the best educational experience through advanced methodology, continuous innovation, and improvement, enabling their future career success in an ever-changing world. We are proud to have Wiktor Patena on board as a professional of the highest competence and expertise. He will play a central role for the entire institution globally, leading our team in further strategic, academic, and operational improvements defined by the Strategic Plan 2024-2028," commented Antonio Rodriguez Engelmann, the Managing Director of GBSB Global. Diverse, vibrant, and inquisitive student community From 2015 to 2023, Wiktor Patena served as the Associate and then Executive Dean of the Faculty of Business at Higher Colleges of Technology in Dubai, the largest higher education institution in the UAE, successfully managing a faculty of over 200 professors and more than 7,000 students. Patena is also an expert in corporate valuation, behavioral finance and accreditation processes. In addition to his more than 30 peer-reviewed scientific papers and five books, he has been a visiting professor at many academic institutions, including Ecole de Management Leonard de Vinci (Paris, France), Hof University of Applied Sciences (Hof, Germany) and Instituto Politecnico de Porto (Portugal) among the other. "I have recently joined GBSB Global, and I am amazed at how quickly things are moving here. Since I arrived, we have already submitted an accreditation report, expanded programs offer at our Madrid campus and received permission to launch our first Foundation Program in Business with Academic English, among other important accomplishments. I am impressed by the overall dynamism of the school, its innovative thinking, and its entrepreneurial spirit," said Wiktor Patena. "Of course, the biggest highlight is our diverse, vibrant, and inquisitive student community. It was a pleasure to attend the networking event in Malta, meet students face-to-face, learn about new Erasmus+ opportunities, compete in Kahoot quizzes, and last but not least, enjoy local cakes and Kinnie soft drinks! As Mark Twain said, 'Travel is fatal to prejudice'," he added. Continuous expansion of academic offerings to international students The prestigious 2024 QS Global MBA and Master's Rankings has highly rated several GBSB Global Business School programs, placing them among the top 10 in Spain and the top 250 worldwide. The school's students and alumni represent more than 150 nationalities from over 90 countries, demonstrating one of the highest levels of internationalization among higher education institutions. According to the GBSB Global Student Satisfaction Survey, 84% of students are satisfied with the program and their educational experience, and 92% report a significant career impact from earning the GBSB Global Diploma. Under the leadership of Wiktor Patena, GBSB Global Business School will continue to expand its academic offerings to international students through continuous programs innovation, entrepreneurship and Erasmus+ opportunities, and collaborations with universities worldwide. Media Contact: Kristina Langford, kristina.langford@staff.gbsb.global About GBSB Global Business School is an internationally recognized and accredited higher education institution with three physical campuses - Barcelona and Madrid in Spain, Birkirkara in Malta - and an online virtual campus. GBSB Global Business School offers internationally recognized undergraduate and graduate business degrees in three formats: On-Campus, Online, and Blended. Accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP, USA), the Malta Further & Higher Education Authority (MFHEA), the Accreditation Service for International Schools, Colleges and Universities (ASIC, UK), and the European Council for Business Education (ECBE), GBSB Global continues to attract students from around the world and boasts both a prestigious faculty and a student body famously representing over 150 nationalities. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/202406 SOURCE: B2Press BV Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 21, 2024) - Aftermath Silver Ltd. (TSXV: AAG) (OTCQX: AAGFF) (the "Company" or "Aftermath") is pleased to announce that it intends to complete a non-brokered private placement (the "Private Placement") of up to 13,636,363 units (the "Units") to be sold at a price of $0.22 per Unit for total gross proceeds of up to $3,000,000. Each Unit will be comprised of one common share in the capital of the Company (each, a "Common Share") and one-half of one non-transferable Common Share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant is exercisable by the holder thereof to acquire one additional Common Share (a "Warrant Share") for a period of 24 months from the date of issuance at a price of $0.32 per Warrant Share. The Company intends to use the net proceeds to complete geological, metallurgical and engineering studies at the Company's Berenguela Silver-Copper-Manganese project in southern Peru ("Berenguela"), and for general working capital purposes. Finder's fees may be paid to certain finders in connection with the Offering, such fees being: a cash fee of 6% of the gross proceeds raised from subscribers introduced to the Company by the finders; and to eligible parties, such number of finder's warrants (the "Finder's Warrants") equal to 6% of the number of Units acquired by subscribers introduced to the Company by the finders. Each Finder's Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one Share at a price of $0.32 per share for 24 months from the date of issuance. All securities issued with respect to the Private Placement will be subject to a hold period of four months and one day from the date of issuance in accordance with applicable securities laws. Closing of the Private Placement is subject to receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, including the TSX Venture Exchange. None of the securities sold under the Private Placement have been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and no such securities may be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in the United States or any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. Berenguela Project: Background The Company has an option to acquire a 100% interest in Berenguela through a binding agreement with SSR Mining. Berenguela hosts a potentially open- pittable silver-copper-manganese resource close to Santa Lucia in Puno province, southern Peru. Silver, copper and manganese have crucial industrial applications in the clean energy and battery spaces. Copper and manganese have been designated critical metals by the US government and the European Union. The project is less than 6km from road, rail and power lines and 4 hours from Arequipa by sealed road. Aftermath published a resource estimate in March 2023 based on over 300 core and RC holes, which is linked here. Recent bench-scale metallurgical test work successfully produced commercial battery-grade 99.98% pure manganese sulphate crystals (see news release dated February 29, 2024 linked here.) Qualified person Michael Parker, a fellow of the AusIMM and a non-independent director of Aftermath, is a non-independent qualified person, as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Parker has reviewed the technical content of this news release and consents to the information provided in the form and context in which it appears. About Aftermath Silver Ltd. Aftermath Silver Ltd. is a leading Canadian junior exploration company focused on silver, and aims to deliver shareholder value through the discovery, acquisition and development of quality silver projects in stable jurisdictions. Aftermath has developed a pipeline of projects at various stages of advancement. The Company's projects have been selected based on growth and development potential. Challacollo Silver-Gold project. The Company owns a 100% interest in the Challacollo silver-gold project. A NI 43-101 mineral resource was released on December 15, 2020 (available on SEDAR and the Company's web page). The Company is currently completing environmental permitting in anticipation of an upcoming drill program. Cachinal Silver-Gold project. The Company owns a 100% interest in the Cachinal Ag-Au project, located 2.5 hours south of Antofagasta. On September 16, 2020, the Company released a CIM compliant Mineral Resource and accompanying NI 43-101 Technical Report (available on SEDAR and on the Company's web page). ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS "Ralph Rushton" Ralph Rushton CEO and Director 604-484-7855 The TSX Venture Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release contains "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 the completion and anticipated results of planned exploration activities, the ability of the Company to complete the Private Placement on the proposed terms or at all, the anticipated use of proceeds from the Private Placement and receipt of regulatory approvals with respect to the Private Placement. 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 connation thereof. Such forward-looking information and statements are based on numerous assumptions, including among others, that the Company will be able to complete the Private Placement on the terms as anticipated by management, that the Company will use the proceeds of the Private Placement as anticipated, and that the Company will receive regulatory approval with respect to the Private Placement. 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. 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 plans or expectations include the risk that the Company will not be able to complete the Private Placement on the terms as anticipated by management or at all, that the Company will not use the proceeds of the Private Placement as anticipated, that the Company will not receive regulatory approval with respect to the Private Placement, risks relating to the actual results of current exploration activities, availability of capital and financing, general economic, market or business conditions, and regulatory changes. 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 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. THIS NEWS RELEASE IS INTENDED FOR DISTRIBUTION ONLY IN CANADA AND IS NOT INTENDED FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES, OR FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION, OR DISTRIBUTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN OR IN THE UNITED STATES OR IN THE UNITED STATES. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/202531 SOURCE: Aftermath Silver Ltd. Der kostenlose Dividenden-Report zeigt ganz genau, wo Sie in diesem Jahr zuschlagen konnen. Das sind die Favoriten von Borsenprofi Dr. Dennis Riedl WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - A report released by the Labor Department on Thursday unexpectedly showed a slight drop by first-time claims for U.S. unemployment benefits in the week ended March 16th. The Labor Department said initial jobless claims edged down to 210,000, a decrease of 2,000 from the previous week's revised level of 212,000. The dip surprised economists, who had expected jobless claims to rise to 215,000 from the 209,000 originally reported for the previous week. Meanwhile, the report said the less volatile four-week moving average crept up to 211,250, an increase of 2,500 from the previous week's revised average of 208,750. 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. According to the international World Happiness Report, Finland is the happiest country in the world in 2024. Finland is a unique travel destination, and you can fly there with five direct connections from the United States. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240321975944/en/ According to the international World Happiness Report, Finland is the happiest country in the world in 2024. Finland is a unique travel destination. Photo: Suvi Mansikkasalo Visit Finland. The international World Happiness Report has released its annual listing of the happiest countries in the world. Finland has been named the happiest country in the world in 2024 for the seventh year in a row. What makes Finland the happiest place in the world? You must experience the secret to Finnish happiness first hand. Year after year, Finland has been selected as the happiest country in the world, and it is great that there are excellent flight connections to Europe's northernmost destination. The sights of Helsinki, a city filled with experiences, and the archipelago of the Gulf of Finland, as well as the peace and quiet of mythical Lapland, are only a few hours away," says Petri Vuori, Vice President, Sales and Route Development for the airport company Finavia. You can fly to Helsinki with five direct connections from the United States. The Finnish airline Finnair flies to Helsinki Airport from New York, Chicago, Seattle, Los Angeles and Dallas. Over 400,000 people flew between the United States and Finland last year. Studies show that passengers appreciate Helsinki Airport, as it has received high ratings for its customer experience. "In a recent survey, air passengers rated Helsinki Airport as the best airport in Europe in the size category of 15-25 million passengers. In addition, Helsinki Airport ranked as the world's fifth best airport among business travellers. We are proud and grateful for the feedback," Vuori says. Lapland's airports are a gateway to the north If you are already familiar with Helsinki as a tourist destination, head next to magical Lapland to experience its nature. In the last few years, Lapland's popularity as a tourist destination has increased. "The past winter season 2023-2024 was record-breaking and European airlines opened almost 20 new direct flight connections to airports in Lapland. We believe that demand will continue to be strong in the coming years," Vuori says. Finnish Lapland also offers experiences during the summer season, especially for travellers who enjoy nature and outdoor activities. You can fly to the fells of Lapland from Helsinki Airport with a connecting flight that will take approximately one hour. "We offer excellent connections from Helsinki Airport to four different destinations in Lapland. Kittila, Ivalo, Kuusamo and Rovaniemi airports are gates to the Nordic region and are all located close to favourite destinations," Petri Vuori says. For example, Finnair offers daily connections from Helsinki Airport to the four destinations in Lapland. Media image library: https://finavia.contenthub.fi/ui/shares/w20216966/80113/fi/workspaces/20216966d View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240321975944/en/ Contacts: FINAVIA CORPORATION Communications Finavia Media Desk, tel. (+358) 020 708 2002, comms@finavia.fi Rogue Baron Plc - Institutional Investment into Shinju Spirits PR Newswire LONDON, United Kingdom, March 21 For Immediate Release 21 March 2024 ROGUE BARON PLC ("Rogue Baron" or the "Company") Institutional Investment into Shinju Spirits Rogue Baron PLC (AQSE: SHNJ), a premier company in the premium spirit sector, is pleased to announce that it has received investment from a US based Institutional Investor ("Investor"), which has agreed to invest USD $1,000,000 directly into Rogue Baron's wholly owned US subsidiary, Shinju Spirits Inc. ("Shinju Spirits"; the "Investment"). The USD $1,000,000 is comprised of USD $750,000 in cash and USD $250,000 worth of business enhancement services, which will be provided by the Investor to support the sales growth of Shinju Japanese Whisky, the Company's signature brand. In return for the Investment, the Investor will receive $750,000 of Seed Series Preferred Shares in Shinju Spirits that will have customary rights of a venture capital financing, commensurate with the rights set out in the American National Venture Capital Association Model Legal Documents. The Investor will also receive $250,000 in warrants to purchase up to a further $250,000 in common stock of Shinju Spirits. Following the Investment, the Investor will hold 22.23% of Shinju Spirits, on a fully diluted basis, after exercise of the warrants, and Rogue Baron will own 60.50%. The remaining shares in Shinju Spirits Inc. are held by certain employees who have been issued stock in lieu of cash for services rendered. The Directors of the Company accept responsibility for the contents of this announcement. For further information, please contact: Ryan Dolder rdolder@roguebaron.com Aquis Growth Market Corporate Adviser: Peterhouse Capital Limited Guy Miller and Narisha Ragoonanthun +44 (0) 20 7220 9795 Aquis Growth Market Corporate Broker: Peterhouse Capital Limited Lucy Williams +44 (0) 20 7469 0936 Joint Broker: Clear Capital Limited Bob Robers +44 (0) 20 3869 6080 CANTON, MI / ACCESSWIRE / March 21, 2024 / Superior Medical Waste Disposal, one of the Midwest's leading medical waste management companies, is proud to announce the recent expansion of its service area. The larger footprint will enable the company to serve additional facilities throughout its home state of Michigan and the surrounding states of Ohio and Indiana, and it will help ensure that more Midwest facilities have access to safe and reliable medical waste removal. Superior Waste Disposal Medical Waste Disposal Companies Commercial medical waste management is about more than just convenience. Through its dedicated medical waste services, Superior Medical Waste Disposal helps healthcare facilities maintain compliance and protect the health of their staff members and communities. Superior Medical Waste Disposal is also available for one-on-one consulting on the proper storage, transportation, and treatment of medical waste, as well as medical waste management training and compliance support. The newly expanded service area will provide significantly more facilities with a trusted partner in the handling of regulated medical waste. This includes biomedical waste disposal and treatment - a specialized process that includes high-heat autoclaving to remove potential biological threats. Superior Medical Waste Disposal can autoclave and shred biomedical waste to reduce waste volume by 70% before items end up in the landfill, in turn helping healthcare practices further do their part to protect public health. Healthcare and healthcare-adjacent facilities in Superior Medical Waste Disposal's service area can take advantage of reliable and timely handling of all the hazardous and non-hazardous waste that goes into running their practice, including: Biomedical waste Blood waste Sharps (needles, syringes, lancets, etc.) Pharmaceutical waste Hazardous universal waste (chemicals, oils, bulbs, etc.) Gauze and dressings Sterilants Secured document shredding Also available is Superior Medical Waste Disposal's online OSHA training portal, which provides customers with user-friendly courses on HIPAA, BBP, RMA, and other compliance-related topics. Types of companies served by Superior Medical Waste Disposal include healthcare facilities, dental offices, tattoo parlors, veterinary clinics, assisted living facilities, pharmacies, diagnostic labs, aesthetician clinics, funeral homes, and more. The company also offers school-based medical waste management services for items related to the on-site medical care of students and staff at educational institutions. With nearly 15 years of experience under their belt, Superior Medical Waste Disposal looks forward to expanding its reach and helping more organizations excel with medical waste management, exposure control plans, and state licensing requirements. The new service area is part of the company's ongoing efforts to simplify the process of medical waste disposal and compliance and should go a long way toward relieving the waste management burden for facilities across Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio. Superior Medical Waste Disposal is fully insured and licensed, and meets all OSHA, HIPAA, EPA, DOT, and EGLE requirements. Interested readers are encouraged to visit Superior Medical Waste Disposal's homepage for more information, or to contact the company directly for a quote on its medical waste management services. About Superior Medical Waste Disposal LLC. Superior Medical Waste Disposal LLC. is a family-owned medical waste management company servicing Michigan and surrounding states. Locally owned and operated since 2010, Superior Waste Disposal has helped set the standard for safe, reliable, and effective medical waste disposal, and is committed to continued innovation and forward-thinking sustainability initiatives within the medical waste industry. To learn more, please visit www.superiorwastedisposal.com. Contact Information Gerald Belanger Owner service@superiorwastedisposal.com 734-656-8843 SOURCE: Superior Waste Disposal View the original press release on newswire.com. Der kostenlose Dividenden-Report zeigt ganz genau, wo Sie in diesem Jahr zuschlagen konnen. Das sind die Favoriten von Borsenprofi Dr. Dennis Riedl CAMBRIDGE (MASSACHUSETTS) (dpa-AFX) - Thursday, Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. (VRTX) announced that the FDA has cleared the Investigational New Drug Application or IND for VX-407 for the treatment of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease or ADPKD. VX-407 is a small molecule corrector that targets the root cause of ADPKD, a genetic kidney disease that shortens life expectancy. ADPKD affects patients with specific PKD1 genetic variations and is characterized by the development of multiple kidney-enlarging cysts. These cysts impair kidney function and can eventually result in kidney failure, necessitating dialysis or a kidney transplant, and causing premature death. The company is also planning to initiate a Phase 1 clinical trial in healthy volunteers this month. 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. Mariyann Soulemane, left, Mubarak Soulemanes sister, speaks during a news conference in Bridgeport, Conn. March 21, 2024. Mubarak Soulemane, 19, was shot and killed by Connecticut State Trooper Brian North in West Haven following a chase from Norwalk on Interstate 95 in January 2020. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media Mariyann Soulemane, left, Mubarak Soulemanes sister, speaks during a news conference in Bridgeport, Conn. March 21, 2024. Mubarak Soulemane, 19, was shot and killed by Connecticut State Trooper Brian North in West Haven following a chase from Norwalk on Interstate 95 in January 2020. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media Mariyann Soulemane, center, Mubarak Soulemanes sister, speaks during a news conference in Bridgeport, Conn. March 21, 2024. Mubarak Soulemane, 19, was shot and killed by Connecticut State Trooper Brian North in West Haven following a chase from Norwalk on Interstate 95 in January 2020. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media Attorney Mark Arons stands with Mubarak Soulemanes family as he speaks during a news conference in Bridgeport, Conn. March 21, 2024. Mubarak Soulemane, 19, was shot and killed by Connecticut State Trooper Brian North in West Haven following a chase from Norwalk on Interstate 95 in January 2020. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media Omo Mohammed, right, Mubarak Soulemanes mother, speaks during a news conference in Bridgeport, Conn. March 21, 2024. Mubarak Soulemane, 19, was shot and killed by Connecticut State Trooper Brian North in West Haven following a chase from Norwalk on Interstate 95 in January 2020. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media Family, friends and supporters of Mubarak Soulemane, shot and killed by state police Jan. 15, rallied for justice Friday in West Haven. Ben Lambert / Hearst Connecticut Media The family of Mubarak Soulemane walk out of Connecticut Superior Court in Milford, Conn., March 15, 2024. A jury found Connecticut State Police Trooper Brian North not guilty Friday in the January 2020 death of Mubarak Soulemane. Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media BRIDGEPORT Nearly a week after a state trooper was acquitted of recklessly killing 19-year-old Mubarak Soulemane, his family said Thursday they were still trying to deal with the outcome. Speaking publicly for the first time since last Friday's verdict, Souleman's mother, Omo Mohammed, said it has been a long four years since her son's death in January 2020. "It's been hard, stressful and while I'm not happy with the verdict, I respect it," Mohammed said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A jury in Superior Court in Milford found State Trooper Brian North not guilty of first-degree manslaughter for shooting Soulemane following a pursuit from Norwalk to West Haven. Both Mohammed and her daughter, Maryann Soulemane, said they both appreciated the work of Inspector General Robert Devlin in prosecuting North. "These four years has been exhausting," said Soulemane. "The real justice would be having my brother here today. This was an excessive use of force by a police officer and this is only the beginning for the state of Connecticut to make things right." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Attorney Frank Riccio II, who represented North at trial, declined comment. Mark Arons, the lawyer for the Soulemane family, has filed a lawsuit against North, the city of West Haven and the state in connection with the shooting. He said now that the criminal trial is over he expects to proceed "at full speed" with the civil case. "We are going to proceed with the civil case vigorously and I will be reaching out to the attorney general's office," Arons said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad North fired his handgun seven times at close range into the cars drivers window after Soulemane led police on a high-speed chase through several towns on Interstate 95. The shooting happened less than a minute after the car crashed into another vehicle in West Haven, ending the chase, and police surrounded the car. North testified that he fired when Soulemane pulled out a 9-inch knife and made a threatening movement. He said he believed Soulemane posed a danger to police officers who were on the other side of the car and had just broken the passenger-side window. "This was the first time ever that a state trooper has been prosecuted in a shooting case," Arons said. "It's going to take time for people who serve on juries to get comfortable with convicting police officers." Travelers should procrastinate on spring cleaning and instead book an affordable escape to Europe. PLAY, a low-cost Icelandic airline operating flights between North America and Europe, announced a spring deal of 25% off flights to Iceland, Berlin, Dublin, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Stockholm, Paris, and London. As Iceland and other European destinations welcome nicer weather, PLAY is giving travelers an opportunity to ditch their spring cleaning and book getaways for next month through next year, now through March 26, 2024. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240321767763/en/ Travelers can start planning their summer and fall getaways to Europe with PLAY's deal of 25% off flights. (Photo: Business Wire) With the beautiful weather in spring comes mundane tasks like clearing out clutter and freshening up the house. PLAY invites travel aspirations, shifting spring to the perfect time for travelers and dreamers to make their vision for a summer, fall, or 2025 getaway a reality. With the airline's already-low prices at 25% off, travelers can splurge on activities, experiences, and excursions that make their trip one to remember. Whether exploring Europe during peak season or booking a quiet, "shoulder season" getaway, PLAY's deal enables travelers to book an affordable vacation whenever fits their needs. Plus, PLAY invites travelers to maximize the 25% off by extending their trip with a few days in Iceland whether to experience spring in the "Land of Fire and Ice" or fall, when the Northern Lights begin. The airline's new stayover option makes any trip even more exciting with the ability to stay up to 10 days in Iceland as an extended layover on the way to or from other European destinations. In addition to Iceland, the deal includes fares to Berlin, Dublin, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Stockholm, Paris, and London. Travelers can experience Berlin's rich history, spend a summer afternoon indulging at the Guiness Storehouse in Dublin, or enjoy a ride on the London Eye to take in breathtaking views in the fall. And, with a stayover in Iceland at no extra cost, travelers can visit the country to relax after a busy trip exploring Europe with spa days, nature exploration, and incredible dining experiences, visiting two destinations for the price of one. "Spring is finally here and travelers should begin planning their summer and fall getaways to Europe," said PLAY CEO Einar Orn Olafsson. "Travelers who are looking for incredible, memorable experiences can book dream getaways even on a tight budget with PLAY's streamlined service, already-low fares, and this discount. We welcome spring by giving travelers trips to look forward to this year, with more flexibility to splurge on excursions and activities to enjoy in Europe." PLAY's spring deal includes the airline's Basic Bundle, a streamlined travel option with a small personal item included in their discounted fare. The deal runs today through March 26, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. It's valid for one-way flights on roundtrip bookings to Iceland, Berlin, Dublin, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Stockholm, Paris, and London between April and May 2024, August and November 2024, and January and February 2025. Price is inclusive of all mandatory taxes, fees, and carrier charges. Restrictions and baggage fees apply, additional details of this promotion are available at www.flyplay.com/terms-for-advertised-fares. Learn more about PLAY or book a flight here. About PLAY PLAY is a low-cost airline operating flights between Iceland and Europe, and North America as of 2022. Founded in Reykjavik in 2019 by a management team with significant experience in the aviation industry, the company operates flights on new Airbus A321NEO and A320NEO aircraft, offering streamlined, no-frills service that allows travelers to pay less and "play more." Safety comes first for PLAY. On-time performance, simplicity, happiness and low prices are the airline's core principles. The airline seeks to enable passengers to see the world, but not without considering its environmental impact. PLAY is being developed with sustainability initiatives and benchmarks in place to track and reduce fuel consumption, offset carbon emissions, and limit waste. Learn more or book a flight at www.flyplay.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240321767763/en/ Contacts: U.S. Press Payton St. Lawrence BIG FISH PR for PLAY 617-713-3800 play@bigfishpr.com ST. JOHN'S, NEWFOUNDLAND and LABRADOR / ACCESSWIRE / March 21, 2024 / Vulcan Minerals Inc. ("the Company" - "Vulcan" TSX-V:VUL) is pleased to provide the following exploration update on its Springdale Copper-Gold project in north central Newfoundland. Highlights: Newly discovered Teapot Prospect - Quartz veins assay up to 6.65 g/t Au and up to 1.4% copper in separate samples Gold and copper soil geochemical anomalies at Pine Pond and West Brook highlight new exploration targets Teapot Prospect In 2023 the Company discovered a new zone of shear-zone hosted gold bearing quartz veins at the "Teapot" prospect while conducting ground follow up on soil geochemical sampling completed in 2022. Mineralization at Teapot consists of gold in chalcopyrite, galena and sphalerite bearing quartz veins hosted in sheared mafic volcanic rocks. Sheared mafic rocks are traceable for up to 500 metres in discontinuously exposed outcrop. Thirty-three (33) rock samples were collected in the Teapot area. Eight (8) samples assayed greater than 100 parts per billion (ppb) gold with highlights of 6.65 grams per tonne (g/t) Au and 1.3 g/t Au. The showing requires prospecting along the full extent of the shear trend to evaluate its significance. Soil Geochemical Surveys GroundTruth Exploration Inc. (GroundTruth) conducted soil geochemical surveys over two grids in the Springdale project namely at Pine Pond and West Brook. A total of 923 soil samples were collected over the two grids. Sampling was carried out on 100m spaced grid lines with 50m sample intervals. Maps with grid locations and sampling results are available at https://vulcanminerals.ca/springdale-gold-copper-2023/ Pine Pond Grid The Pine Pond soil grid covers the Maple Leaf North, Maple Leaf South and Oak Leaf Prospects. Historical sampling at Maple Leaf North and Maple Leaf South include 55.4 g/t Au and 33.5 g/t Au in grab samples. Historical sampling at Oak Leaf includes 31.5 g/t Au and 19.3 g/t Au in grab samples and 840 g/t Au in heavy mineral stream concentrates. Results for 409 soil geochemical samples taken over the Pine Pond Grid indicate a linear, northeast-southwest oriented, gold in soil anomaly in the immediate vicinity of the Maple Leaf North prospect extending over 300m. The highest gold value in this anomaly is 125 ppb Au. A second northeast-southwest trending gold in soil anomaly extends over 200m approximately 100m south of the Oak Leaf prospect with a high value of 73 ppb Au. A 100m gold in soil anomaly with a high value of 73 ppb also occurs on the south end of the grid near Pine Pond Brook. Copper in soil anomalies are widespread at Pine Pond with the values concentrated near the Maple Leaf North (259 parts per million (ppm)) and to the southwest of Oak Leaf. The copper in soil anomaly at Oak Leaf is continuous over 300m with a high value of 514 ppm Cu. An historic trail was rehabilitated in 2023 providing access to the Pine Pond area which will facilitate further exploration work including ground follow up of all soil anomalies. West Brook Grid The West Brook soil grid is located at the northern extent of the Springdale project. Results from 473 samples identify several gold in soil anomalies with 4 samples assaying between 50 - 100 ppb most notably along the West Brook valley fault. Copper in soil anomalies along this valley are more pronounced on the northwest side of the grid with 15 samples above the 98th percentile of 150 ppm. President Patrick Laracy commented, "The Springdale project continues to provide very encouraging exploration results. These results focus on new prospect areas outside of the advanced Colchester copper-gold deposits and demonstrate the potential for more copper-gold accumulations on the property. Our objective is to identify new targets while enlarging the historic deposits which will contribute to the regional critical mass of tonnage needed to re-establish the production potential of this historic copper mining camp. We are currently formulating our 2024 exploration work program as we continue to add value to the project." Quality Control Vulcan used Eastern Analytical Ltd. (Eastern) and SGS Canada Inc. for analysis of rock samples in 2023. Eastern is located in Springdale, NL and is an ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratory. Vulcan employed Eastern's ICP-34 multi-element analysis package grouped with their gold by fire assay package and, for base metals assaying greater than detection limits, an "ore-grade" multi-acid digestion package by atomic absorption was used to finish the analysis. SGS Canada Inc. (SGS) analytical laboratories operate under a Quality Management System that complies with ISO/IEC 17025. Vulcan employed SGS' four-acid digestion / ICP-OES multi-element analysis package grouped with 30 g, fire assay, AAS finish for gold. A four-acid digestion / ICP-OES "ore-grade" analysis package is utilized for base metals assaying greater than detection limits. Rock samples were delivered by Vulcan to SGS in Grand Falls-Windsor for preparation prior to analysis at the SGS Burnaby laboratory. Vulcan contracted GroundTruth Exploration Inc. to complete the soil geochemical survey at the Springdale Gold Project. Soil traverses were carried out on 100m spaced grid lines with 50m stations. Samples were collected using hand augers to target C horizon soil. GroundTruth collected 4 field duplicate samples per 100 samples. Samples were delivered by GroundTruth to SGS in Grand Falls-Windsor for preparation prior to analysis at the SGS Burnaby laboratory. Vulcan employed SGS' two-acid leach / ICP-MS multi-element analysis. SGS's analytical laboratories operate under a Quality Management System that complies with ISO/IEC 17025 and undertake their own internal coarse and pulp duplicate analysis to ensure proper sample preparation and equipment calibration. Preliminary inspection of these control samples shows them to be within the expected limits. About Vulcan Vulcan Minerals is a precious and base metals exploration company based in St. John's Newfoundland. The company has strategic land positions in multiple active Newfoundland gold and base metal exploration and development belts. It also holds approximately 30.5% of the shares in Atlas Salt Inc. (TSXV: SALT). Atlas Salt is an industrial minerals company currently developing the Great Atlantic Salt deposit in western Newfoundland. It recently filed an environmental registration document with the provincial government, a critical step towards permitting mine construction and development. Patrick J. Laracy, P. Geo. President, is the qualified person responsible for the technical contents of this news release as defined in National Instrument 43-101. We seek safe harbour. For information please contact: Patrick J. Laracy, P.Geo. President (709) 754-3186 info@vulcanminerals.ca www.vulcanminerals.ca Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider, (as the term is defined in the Policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This press release includes certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, without limitation, statements relating to the future operating or financial performance of the Company, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "potential", "possible", and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions, or results "will", "may", "could", or "should" occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements in this press release relate to, among other things: completion, delivery and timing of the referenced exploration program and assumptions related thereto. Actual future results may differ materially. 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. Forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the respective parties, are inherently subject to significant business, technical, economic, and competitive 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 and the parties have made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: the timing, completion and delivery of the referenced assessments and analysis. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release concerning these times. Except as required by law, the Company does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law. SOURCE: Vulcan Minerals Inc. View the original press release on accesswire.com Edmonton, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - March 21, 2024) - TrustBIX Inc. (TSXV: TBIX) ("TrustBIX" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the signing of an exclusive international territory reseller agreement (the "Agreement"), effective March 19, 2024, between Alberta Food Security Inc. ("AFS"), a wholly owned subsidiary of TrustBIX, and AgriPlay Ventures Inc. ("AgriPlay"). The Agreement allows AFS to resell exclusive territorial licenses for AgriPlay's indoor farming technology to territory managers globally. The Agreement has a duration of 10 years and is subject to certain performance conditions. "This agreement serves to strengthen our partnership between our Company and AgriPlay as we grow globally together," stated Hubert Lau, CEO of TrustBIX. "Together, we are leveraging AgriPlay's indoor farming technology and TrustBIX's deep global relationships to strengthen the aligned direction of both organizations," stated Adam Morand, CEO of AgriPlay. "We are confident with TrustBIX's strong global relationships in the food and sustainability industry, it will strengthen our ability to provide customers with exceptional service, support, and continue to grow our client base globally." About AgriPlay Ventures Inc. Agriplay Ventures Inc. of Calgary, Alberta is an elevated, urban farming company that works with community stakeholders in commercial real estate markets to dramatically improve asset value through the conversion and operation of elevated urban farming facilities. Using proprietary technology, Agriplay uses advanced automation, machine learning, and artificial intelligence to leverage, augment, and transition local labour to service local demands for food. www.AgriPlay.com About TrustBIX (TSXV: TBIX) TrustBIX is an agricultural technology company providing Gate to Plate solutions to create a world where we trust more, waste less, and reward sustainable practices. Our award-winning technologies offer practical tools trusted by local and international agri-food organizations. www.TrustBIX.com Forward-Looking Information This press release contains certain forward-looking information and reflects the Company's present assumptions regarding future events. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results, levels of activity, performance, and/or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Certain statements contained in this document constitute forward-looking statements and information within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. When used in this document, the words "may", "would", "could", "should", "will", "intend", "plan", "propose", "anticipate", "believe", "forecast", "estimate", "expect" and similar expressions used by any of the Company's management, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the Company's internal projections, expectations, future growth, performance and business prospects and opportunities and are based on information currently available to the Company. Since they relate to the Company's current views with respect to future events, they are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors could cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements that may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Given these risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update any such factors or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect future results, events or developments except as required by applicable securities legislation, regulations or policies. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Hubert Lau President and CEO Telephone: (780) 456-2207 Email: info@trustbix.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 of accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/202423 SOURCE: TrustBIX Inc. SAN DIEGO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / March 21, 2024 / CECORS, INC. (OTC PINK:CEOS) ("CeCors") and its wholly-owned subsidiary, VETCOMM (https://www.vetcomm.us/), a leading provider of innovative solutions for veterans, proudly welcomes Rafer Weigel to its ranks as Chief Content Officer. This appointment marks a significant stride in VETCOMM's mission to advocate for the rights and well-being of United States veterans through innovative communication and strategic content creation-a new era for veteran support and content innovation. Rafer Weigel, an acclaimed journalist with a 17-year tenure in the realm of media, carries with him a legacy of integrity, innovation, and an Emmy Award-winning approach. Renowned for his dynamic engagement strategies and a remarkable ability to raise over $220 million for businesses and non-profits, Mr. Weigel's strategic vision is set to elevate the narrative of VETCOMM, fostering deeper connections within the community and enhancing the visibility of veterans' service and dedication. At the heart of Mr. Weigel's philosophy is a profound commitment to public service and community engagement, virtues that align seamlessly with the core values of VETCOMM and its parent company, CeCors. His seasoned experience as a news anchor and reporter, coupled with his leadership in content strategy, positions him uniquely to lead VETCOMM's creative direction, driving forward the organization's advocacy for veterans through compelling and impactful communication. Kate Monroe, VETCOMM's founder and a decorated veteran of the United States Marine Corps, expressed her enthusiasm for Mr. Weigel's appointment, stating, "Rafer's unparalleled expertise in media and his passionate dedication to community service are perfectly attuned to the vision and mission of VETCOMM. His leadership as Chief Content Officer is a beacon of innovation, promising to amplify our voice and ensure our veterans receive the honor and support they deserve." In stepping into his new position, Rafer Weigel expressed his enthusiasm: "It's a real privilege to be part of the VETCOMM team and to support the mission of CeCors. I'm ready to use my media experience in a meaningful way-aiming to enhance the lives of our veterans. My goal is to create captivating content that inspires action and brings a new level of attention to our veterans' achievements and needs." As Chief Content Officer, Rafer Weigel's visionary approach to content creation is poised to catalyze a revolution within VETCOMM and across CeCors, supporting a new chapter of engagement, recognition, and support for our nation's heroes. About VETCOMM VETCOMM's mission is to empower United States veterans by providing them with the education and resources they need to access the benefits they are entitled to, but not presently receiving. Founded by United States Marine Corps veteran Kate Monroe, VETCOMM is dedicated to advocating for veterans and ensuring they receive the support they need to thrive after serving our country. VETCOMM believes that every veteran deserves to receive the benefits they are entitled to, and is committed to providing a comprehensive education and support platform to help them do just that. With the tools provided by VETCOMM, veterans can get rated and claim the benefits they deserve, preventing the reallocation of funds by the U.S. government to other budget line items and making sure that those who have served their country receive the support they need in order to lead fulfilling lives. For more information visit https://www.VetComm.us/. For further information: VETCOMM Website www.vetcomm.us Referral Program: www.vetcomm.us/referral-membership/ Publicly traded company (OTC PINK: CEOS) Website: www.psykeyworld.com E-mail: info@psykeyworld.com Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/PsyKeyworld Forward-Looking Statements: Safe Harbour Statement - In addition to historical information, this press release may contain statements that constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release include the intent, belief, or expectations of the Company and members of its management team with respect to the Company's future business operations and the assumptions upon which such statements are based. Prospective investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and performance and involve risks and uncertainties and that actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause these differences include, but are not limited to, failure to complete anticipated sales under negotiations, lack of revenue growth, client discontinuances, failure to realize improvements in performance, efficiency, and profitability, and adverse developments with respect to litigation or increased litigation costs, the operation or performance of the Company's business units or the market price of its common stock. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated within this press release can also be found on the Company's website. The Company disclaims any responsibility to update any forward- looking statements. SOURCE: CeCors, Inc. View the original press release on accesswire.com NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / March 21, 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, 2024 by Mastercard: It's not a secret that women make less money than men - in the U.S. in 2022, women earned only 82% as much as their male counterparts. When it comes to Latina women vs. non-Hispanic men, that gap widens to 54%. Aside from being exploitative, this discrepancy is bad for business. When women are undervalued, it means less talent, greater turnover and higher levels of poverty. By contrast, an economy that appreciates women's and men's contributions equally gains a wider range of ideas, expertise and experience. In this discussion, comedian, writer, producer and political commentator Trevor Noah and Melinda French Gates, philanthropist and co-founder of the Gates Foundation envision a society where everyone can both contribute and benefit. With Maria Teresa Kumar, Emmy-nominated MSNBC contributor. To learn more, visit: globalinclusivegrowthsummit.com 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 Originally published by The Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth Follow along the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth's journey to advance equitable and sustainable economic growth and financial inclusion around the world 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 Greater Than is marking the 20th anniversary of its world-leading AI data analytics technology Uniquely, Greater Than's AI harmonizes driving data from any source to measure the driver influence on crash probability and climate impact The global mobility sector uses the insights for insurance pricing, crash prevention and ESG reporting, business driven and enhanced by new regulation such as CSRD STOCKHOLM, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Greater Than (GREAT.ST), the global provider of driver crash probability and climate impact data insights, is proud to announce the 20th anniversary of its artificial intelligence (AI) technology. Since its inception in 2004, the AI has been trained with real claims data, fuel, and energy consumption from over 106 countries and 1,600 cities, building a database of over 7 billion unique DriverDNAs (ways to drive a vehicle). This extensive level of training enables the AI to rapidly predict crash probability and climate impact independent of vehicle type and location, making it the global benchmark for measuring driver influence on safety and sustainability. Companies globally use Greater Than's AI insights to quantify, compare, and mitigate risk and climate impact across an entire fleet or driving population. Over the last year, the company's growth has been further enhanced by the increased focus on Environmental, Social & Governance reporting, particularly the mobility requirements of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). "This is such an exciting milestone for the Greater Than team! Twenty years of hard work, passion, and extensive training has resulted in an AI unlike anything else on the market," said Liselott Johansson, CEO of Greater Than. "While many other AI companies are still in the early stages, our AI is so mature that it now requires minimal data points to generate quality outputs, ensuring a reliable, cost-effective solution for companies globally wishing to measure, mitigate or report on driver risk or climate impact." The AI was born in 2004 after a chance meeting late the previous year between co-founders Sten Forseke and Anders Lindelof. Sten, the founder of a company that designed and manufactured electronic systems and telematics for automotive OEMs, recognized that "traditional" telematics parameters - while good for some aspects of fleet management - had no direct correlation with crash risk, or fuel consumption. He approached Anders, an inventor and problem solver, who used an early form of AI called FASILL (fuzzy logic) to gradually train an algorithm with more and more criteria. Over the years, Greater Than's AI has developed into a patented, award-winning solution used by organizations the world over. The AI has received extensive validation including: Endorsement by the Swedish Energy Agency Support from the European Commission's European Union funding for research and innovation An award from the WWF Climate Solver for its potential to influence global CO2 savings using the GHG protocol In addition, the AI is used by the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) in its FIA Smart Driving Challenge, a worldwide challenge rewarding smart, safe, and eco-friendly driving, that was showcased during the United Nations' Climate Change Conference, COP28. Greater Than makes its AI insights easily accessible to companies, requiring only 1km of GPS driving data to get started. This can be shared via an API connection, such as dashcam, connected vehicle, telematics device etc., or via a smartphone app. Its SaaS products can be used in any country, meaning customers with global operations can seamlessly measure driver impact in different countries, with harmonized data across vehicle types and geographical region. Press contact, Greater Than PR@greaterthan.eu +46 855 593 200 www.greaterthan.eu This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/greater-than/r/greater-than-celebrates-20-years-of-training-its-ai-driving-data-analytics,c3949823 The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Main/11629/3949823/2686305.pdf Greater Than celebrates 20 years https://news.cision.com/greater-than/i/greater-than-celebrates-20-years-of-training-its-ai,c3281414 Greater Than celebrates 20 years of training its AI View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/greater-than-celebrates-20-years-of-training-its-ai-driving-data-analytics-302096032.html BESS del Desierto will be among the largest storage contracts in Chile and the first large-scale independent, standalone Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) and will have a storage capacity of 200 MW and hours. The agreement between Atlas Renewable Energy and COPEC, through its energy commercializer, EMOAC, considers storing energy to reinject approximately 3.6 TWh of sustainable energy into the grid at peak demand times for 15 years. SANTIAGO, Chile, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Atlas Renewable Energy, an international leader in clean energy generation, marks a new milestone in Chile after signing a power purchase agreement (PPA) for the use of a battery energy storage system with the Chilean company COPEC, through its energy commercializer EMOAC for 15 years. BESS del Desierto will be one of the largest energy storage projects in Chile and Latin America, with an installed capacity of 200 MW and four hours and a storage capacity of 800 MWh. The project will allow for the storage of energy during daylight hours and re-injection into the grid during high demand. The battery system will be installed next to Atlas' Sol del Desierto solar plant, located in the commune of Maria Elena in the Antofagasta region. Under this agreement, BESS del Desierto will re-inject around 280 GWh per year to the grid, reducing curtailment of renewable energy generated during the day from solar sources and allowing greater stability and reliability of electricity supply in the region and the country. The project will have a storage capacity similar to 2,500 electric buses used in urban public transportation, equivalent to 500,000 km for these buses. BESS del Desierto will be implemented as a standalone battery. This means it is an independent and autonomous solution designed to store electrical energy, allowing the accumulation of energy generated during periods of greater energy supply, contributing to an efficient, continuous and reliable supply. "This deal marks our expansion into battery energy storage technology, establishing Atlas as an early adopter in Latin America. It demonstrates our commitment to innovative energy solutions and strengthens our position as a leader in sustainable technology for the region's energy transition. The BESS del Desierto project is a key part of our strategy to enhance energy reliability in the region through advanced solar resource utilization and offer customized energy solutions to our clients," said Carlos Barrera, CEO of Atlas Renewable Energy. "This agreement aims to address a fundamental issue at the national level, specifically the inappropriate disposal of NCRE. Our approach revolves around innovation, adaptation, and the integration of technology. We firmly believe that this represents a significant solution to the existing challenges within the system and marks another crucial stride towards our dedicated commitment to energy transition," said Vannia Toro, general manager of EMOAC. In just a few years, Atlas Renewable Energy has developed projects in the region with a clear focus on the long-term, both with its commercial partners and at the level of supply to regulated customers. The company has contracted 5,243 MW of renewable energy installed capacity, which contributes to the region's energy transformation toward cleaner energy sources, and it has now pioneered the implementation and use of battery energy storage systems in Chile after having signed two of the largest deals in the country and Latin America using this technology. The company expects to continue consolidating and expanding to other regions with innovative and sustainable energy projects. About Atlas Renewable Energy Atlas Renewable Energy is an international renewable energy generation company with about 5.6 GW of renewable energy assets, of which 2.7 GW are operational. Atlas has specialized in developing, financing, constructing, and operating renewable energy projects since early 2017. The company has an experienced team with a deep global power market and renewable energy expertise, with the longest track record in the renewable energy industry in Ibero-America. The company's strategy is focused on helping large corporates make the energy transition to clean energy. Atlas Renewable Energy is widely recognized for its high standards in developing, constructing, and operating large-scale projects, as well as its deep and long-standing track record in ESG and sustainable development. About EMOAC Since 2012, EMOAC has been a national leader in Integral Energy Intelligence, providing its clients with energy marketing services and advice on energy projects, as well as monitoring and supply management technologies that enable the digitization of the value chain for its clients. In 2020 EMOAC became COPEC's 100% renewable energy trader, reaffirming its commitment to sustainability. In 2023 EMOAC became the marketer with the most energy withdrawals registered in the system and with the largest number of free clients certified by the National Electric Coordinator for the use of 100% clean energy, thus reaffirming its commitment to efficiency and sustainability. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2368575/Atlas_Renewable_Energy_BESS.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/atlas-renewable-energy-and-copecs-energy-storage-deal-ushers-new-era-for-latin-americas-grid-transformation-302096049.html With 26+ years in finance and accounting, CFO Ben Nelsen is posed to expand Centra's prowess as a national leader in real estate investing and development MINNEAPOLIS, MN / ACCESSWIRE / March 21, 2024 / Centra Companies proudly welcomes Ben Nelsen as the newest addition to its leadership, assuming the position of Chief Financial Officer. A Minnesota native, Ben is a dynamic leader with an entrepreneurial spirit who is experienced in both public and private accounting. His impressive track record and rigid adherence to structure and processes will be instrumental in bringing Centra into a new age of growth and development. Ben Nelsen, Centra Companies Centra Companies proudly welcomes Ben Nelsen as the newest addition to its leadership, assuming the position of Chief Financial Officer. A University of Notre Dame alumni, Nelsen entered public accounting after college. His career journey spans various roles including business ownership and executive leadership, working with Fortune 500 companies such as General Mills and Best Buy. Nelsen's experience in strategic business growth is prolific, having spent a majority of his career helping grow Buffalo Wild Wings from 200 to more than 1,200 locations across the nation. During his 14-year tenure at the company, he was involved in every aspect of the business from marketing and operations to purchasing, allowing him to gain valuable insights. "I'm thrilled to join Centra at such a pivotal moment," remarked Nelsen. "I see a lot of similarities between Centra and Buffalo Wild Wings in terms of vision and potential. Centra's hired a great team, they have the infrastructure in place, and I look forward to leveraging my expertise to propel us to new heights." Nelsen's main role at Centra Capital Partners will be to carefully calculate investment opportunities, such as the Meadows at Hugo, to optimize returns. Additionally, he will play a key role in guiding the Centra Land Team in planning and development to determine the best financial outcomes for the company, its stakeholders and investors. As part of the leadership team, Nelsen will analyze market trends to establish short- and long-term targets to ensure alignment with the company's financial objectives. Founder and owner of Centra Companies, Dale Wills, expressed enthusiasm about Nelsen's appointment, stating, "Ben's arrival signifies our commitment to excellence and innovation. His keen insights and strategic mindset will undoubtedly strengthen our operations and drive sustainable growth." ### About Centra Companies: Founded in 2011, Centra Companies has established itself as a leader in construction and real estate development. With its headquarters in Minneapolis and additional offices in Salt Lake City and Los Angeles, the company has expanded its services to include diverse real estate projects and financial markets. Centra Companies is known for its commitment to quality, sustainability, and community development. Contact Information Bryn Lambert Director of Public Relations bryn.lambert@centracompanies.com (763) 307-2138 SOURCE: Centra Companies View the original press release on newswire.com. Continued Growth in International Health and Travel Insurance Enhanced by New Products and an Award-Winning Team BOSTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / March 21, 2024 / International Citizens Insurance (ICI) is excited to announce another year of record sales, highlighted by 200% growth in its global life insurance business and more than 500% growth in its group business. The company's industry-leading presence in the international insurance space continues to expand, as recognized by the following awards. Cigna Global Award as Top Producer, Global Health Plans 2024 Award from Cigna Global for being the top Producer, Global Health Plans, Americas Global Insurance Awards Affirming the company as a leader in the international insurance space, Cigna Global recently recognized International Citizens Insurance as the Top Producing Broker, Americas, Global Individual Health for the second year running. In addition, GeoBlue recognized ICI with the 2023 Sales Excellence Award. "International Citizens Insurance was delighted to be recognized by Cigna Healthcare at their recent Global Broker Advisory Council in Sydney," said Joe Cronin, President of International Citizens Insurance. "We were honored to be recognized for this award and to be seen as a vital partner in helping to shape the future of healthcare for global individuals. We look forward to our partnership growing from strength to strength in 2024 and beyond." New Hires to Support Expanding Business To support the continued growth of its global business, ICI has hired two new employees. Chris Geremia has joined the team as a Business Analyst to help refine the company's business processes to allow its team to serve ICI clients better. In addition, Christopher Delgado joined the company as an Insurance Consultant and will work with individuals to guide them through the process of researching and purchasing coverage. Growth and Diversification in 2024 "2023 was a year of continued growth and diversification," said Cronin. "Our growth and recognition as an industry leader is a testament to the team we have in place and our focus on each client's needs. Heading into 2024, we are well positioned to better serve the needs of business and individuals globally." About International Citizens Insurance International Citizens Insurance (www.InternationalInsurance.com) is owned and operated by International Citizens Group, Inc. The company's mission is to educate consumers on the value of global medical, life, and travel insurance while providing a resource to research, compare, and purchase plans for their relocation abroad or international trips. The company offers expatriate plans, international health insurance, international group benefits, travel insurance, and insurance for international employees. ICI provides and markets high-quality resources, tools, and advice for expatriates, global citizens, and international employers. The team at ICI has deep experience in international life, travel, health, and the global insurance industry. This experience allows them to simplify the challenging process of selecting international insurance for their clients and ensure they get the best plan for their needs. Contact Information Joe Cronin President media@internationalinsurance.com 617-500-6738 Andrew Blomberg Vice President, Global Group Benefits andrew@internationalinsurance.com (339) 221-5190 SOURCE: International Citizens Insurance View the original press release on newswire.com. Industry executive brings strategic expertise to drive early-stage company growth HOUSTON, TX / ACCESSWIRE / March 21, 2024 / InnoVent Renewables announces the addition of Victoria Lazar to its Advisory Board in support of InnoVent's corporate mission to drive renewable energy forward by mitigating the global environmental challenge of waste tires. InnoVent Renewables launched as a U.S.-based technology and operations company with a proprietary continuous pyrolysis technology that converts waste tires, plastics, and biomass into valuable fuels and chemicals. As an Advisory Board Member, Ms. Lazar will provide strategic input to InnoVent Renewables' early-stage growth. Victoria Lazar "We are thrilled to have Victoria join InnoVent Renewables' Advisory Board at this strategic point in our development," noted InnoVent Renewables CEO Vibhu Sharma. "Victoria brings us proven success in executive leadership roles such as Chief Legal Officer across the industrial and technology sectors and her expertise guiding companies through strategic growth will be essential to helping InnoVent Renewables achieve both our near-term and long-term company objectives." "I am excited to support InnoVent Renewables and the visionary leadership team led by CEO Vibhu Sharma in its mission to solve the global environmental challenge of waste tires," said Ms. Lazar. "This is a unique opportunity to have a substantial positive impact on our environment, and I am excited to support the early-stage growth of InnoVent Renewables." Ms. Lazar is a highly accomplished business executive with a proven record of success leading companies through impactful changes. She has served as Chief Legal Officer for multiple global organizations, working with board and management teams at companies in all stages of the business lifecycle. Ms. Lazar most recently served as Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary for TechnipFMC, a leading technology provider to traditional and new energy companies, where she guided FTI through its spin-off of Technip Energies and initiation of a shareholder distribution program. Prior to TechnipFMC, she was Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for Bristow Group, where she led the company through its emergence from Chapter 11 restructuring and merger, to form the world's leading industrial aviation company. With a solution to the global environmental challenge of waste tires, InnoVent Renewables has assembled a team of world-class executives each with more than 25 years of energy and chemical industry experience to drive early-stage growth. With current operations in Houston (USA), Pune (India), and Monterrey (Mexico), the company has aggressive growth plans across North America and Latin America, with future expansion opportunities in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific. ### About InnoVent Renewables InnoVent Renewables is a U.S.-based technology and operations company with a proprietary continuous pyrolysis technology that converts waste tires, plastics, and biomass into valuable fuels and chemicals. InnoVent's corporate mission is to drive renewable energy forward by addressing the global environmental challenge of waste tires. With operations currently in Houston (USA), Pune (India), and Monterrey (Mexico), InnoVent has aggressive international expansion plans. InnoVent Renewables can be found at innoventrenewables.com. Contact Information Matt Flanagan Media Contact matt.flanagan@innoventrenewables.com 713-927-6136 SOURCE: InnoVent Renewables View the original press release on newswire.com. U.S. Appeals Court puts on hold Texas controversial law policing immigration Xinhua) 11:26, March 21, 2024 HOUSTON, March 20 (Xinhua) -- A U.S. federal appeals court on Tuesday night put on hold a highly controversial Texas law allowing police to arrest migrants believed to have entered the United States illegally hours after the conservative majority Supreme Court allowed it to take effect. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued the order ahead of oral arguments before the court Wednesday. Earlier on Tuesday, the Supreme Court rejected an emergency request by the Biden administration, allowing Texas to temporally enforce its controversial immigration law while litigation continues in lower courts. "The court gives a green light to a law that will upend the longstanding federal-state balance of power and sow chaos," liberal Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote in a dissenting opinion. However, the Supreme Court didn't address whether the state law that allows Texas police to arrest migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border illegally is constitutional. Mexico, which is not responsible for accepting deportations of anyone besides Mexican citizens, said it would not "under any circumstances" accept the return of migrants from Texas, The Associated Press reported. On Tuesday, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said that the Texas law "will not only make communities in Texas less safe, it will also burden law enforcement and sow chaos and confusion at our southern border." The Biden administration had argued that immigration enforcement is solely within the federal government's jurisdiction. Immigrant rights groups filed a lawsuit against the Texas law one day after Abbott signed the bill in December. According to the plaintiffs, the bill violates the federal constitution since Congress has given the federal government sole authority over immigration enforcement. It will also prevent immigrants from requesting asylum in the country, a civil right they have regardless of how they enter the United States. The American Civil Liberties Union and the Texas Civil Rights Project filed the lawsuit in an Austin federal court on behalf of El Paso County, the largest border county in Texas, as well as two other immigrant rights organizations, the El Paso-based Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center and Austin-based American Gateways. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) This is state Superior Court in Waterbury at 400 Grand St., where a 26-year-old was fatally shot Thursday, police say. Google Streets This is the State Street side of the courthouse parking garage at Superior Court in Waterbury. A man was fatally shot while leaving the courthouse Thursday, police say. Google Streets A Waterbury police vehicle in a file photo. A man was found fatally shot outside the courthouse at 400 Grand St. in Waterbury Thursday, police said. Waterbury Police Department/contributed WATERBURY Waterbury police said a 26-year-old city man has died after being shot outside state Superior Court in Waterbury late Thursday morning. The man was rushed to a nearby hospital with life-threatening injuries after being found by responding officers about 11:40 a.m., according to Lt. Ryan Bessette. The victim was in critical condition at the time, he said. Bessette said officers believe the victim was leaving the courthouse at 400 Grand St. after attending proceedings earlier in the day. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The shooter fled the scene but officers believe it was an isolated incident and there was no threat to the public, Bessette said. Connecticut State Police confirmed they were assisting the Waterbury Police Department with the investigation of the shooting. Witnesses said the shooting happened on State Street, on the side of the court building and next to the court parking garage. Waterbury Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo said detectives continue to investigate. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "Not many details yet," he said early Thursday afternoon. "We do know it was an isolated incident," he said. Patricia Hickey, a paralegal at Mellon Hickey Capuano on State Street, said she and fellow staff members heard two loud bangs late Thursday morning. She assumed it was construction noise. It sounded like a dump truck, she said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Kathryn Leaf, a 15-year veteran of Pantheon and member of its Executive Committee and Partnership Board, will become Chief Executive Officer She will succeed current Managing Partner Paul Ward, who will become Executive Chairman following a highly successful, decade-plus tenure leading Pantheon through a period of substantial growth and expansion Ms. Leaf currently serves as Co-Head of Investment and Global Head of Real Assets, and has been instrumental in developing Pantheon's specialist secondaries approach Jeff Miller, Co-Head of Investment and Global Head of Private Equity, will become Chief Investment Officer Pantheon, a leading specialist global private markets investor, is pleased to announce that Kathryn Leaf will become Chief Executive Officer, reflecting the ongoing evolution of the firm's leadership structure and the increasing scale and breadth of its global business. She will succeed Paul Ward, who will become Executive Chairman following a highly successful decade-plus tenure leading Pantheon through a period of substantial growth and expansion. The transition will be effective from January 1, 2025, and is subject to standard regulatory approval. Mr. Ward commented: "Kathryn has played a leading role developing our business during a critical period in our 40-year history, both in terms of the increasing scale and success of our diverse private market investment strategies, as well as our enhanced operating structure and growth trajectory. She is a trusted and seasoned private markets investor with a strong track record of innovation. I am very pleased that Kathryn will lead Pantheon through this next exciting phase of growth as we look to continue to deliver market-leading strategies to our investors." Ms. Leaf is a 25-year private markets investor and a 15-year veteran at Pantheon. She is currently Co-Head of Investment and Global Head of Real Assets, as well as a member of the firm's Executive Committee and Partnership Board. Since becoming Partner in 2012, Ms. Leaf has led the development of the firm's infrastructure platform, and has been an integral member of the senior team that has overseen its growth to more than $20bn in discretionary assets under management (AUM)1, including Pantheon's recently-completed, largest-ever fundraise. She was also instrumental in launching the firm's dedicated Real Estate platform in 2021 and has spearheaded the firm's broader strategic planning and initiatives. "Pantheon's business is exceptionally well-positioned, with differentiated investment strategies underpinned by a talented, entrepreneurial team. I look forward to the ongoing partnership with our clients as we continue to pioneer new approaches to investing in private markets," said Ms. Leaf. "Paul's vision has made Pantheon a leader in private markets investing and in offering our innovative strategies to a wider range of global investors. I am excited to work alongside Jeff Miller and all of my colleagues at Pantheon to capitalize on our leadership as a secondaries specialist across asset classes, and continue to drive access to private markets for institutional and private wealth investors around the world." Mr. Ward will step down following a successful 20-year career at Pantheon, having joined as a Vice President in the private equity secondaries team in 2003. In his 11 years as Managing Partner, Mr. Ward has overseen a period of significant expansion for Pantheon, including growth in discretionary AUM from approximately $24bn to more than $62bn2, driven by the diversification of its business to include private equity, private credit, infrastructure and real estate, with an established, leading presence in global secondaries across its strategies. Pantheon will continue to benefit from Mr. Ward's expertise and experience as he transitions to a senior advisory role as Executive Chairman. Additionally, Jeff Miller, who has served as Co-Head of Investment alongside Ms. Leaf since 2022, will become Chief Investment Officer. Mr. Miller is also a 15-year veteran of the firm and currently serves as Global Head of Private Equity, as well as a member of the firm's Executive Committee and Partnership Board. He was instrumental in the launch, development and growth of Pantheon's private equity co-investment business, as well as its fast-growing private credit business. About Pantheon Pantheon* has been at the forefront of private markets investing for more than 40 years, earning a reputation for providing innovative solutions covering the full lifecycle of investments, from primary fund commitments to co-investments and secondary purchases, across private equity, real assets and private credit. We have partnered with more than 1,000 clients, including institutional investors of all sizes as well as a growing number of private wealth advisers and investors, with approximately $62bn in discretionary assets under management (as of September 30, 2023). Leveraging our specialized experience and global team of professionals across Europe, the Americas and Asia, we invest with purpose and lead with expertise to build secure financial futures. Pantheon refers to the subsidiaries and subsidiary undertakings of Pantheon Ventures Inc. and AMG Plymouth UK Holdings Limited and includes operating entities principally based in the US (San Francisco and New York), UK (London), Hong Kong, Guernsey, Tokyo, Dublin and Singapore. Pantheon Ventures Inc. and Pantheon Ventures (US) LP are registered as investment advisors with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"); Pantheon Securities, LLC is a broker dealer registered with the SEC and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority ("FINRA"). Pantheon Ventures (UK) LLP is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority ("FCA") in the United Kingdom. Pantheon Ventures (Guernsey) Ltd and a number of other Pantheon entities incorporated in Guernsey are regulated by the Guernsey Financial Services Commission. Pantheon Ventures (Asia) Limited is registered as a Type II Financial Instruments Business and Investment Advisory and Agency Business Operator with the Kanto Local Finance Bureau in Japan (KLFB). Pantheon Ventures (Ireland) DAC is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland ("CBI") and is an appointed representative of Pantheon Ventures (UK) LLP in respect of activities carried out in the United Kingdom. Pantheon Ventures (Singapore) Pte. Ltd holds a capital markets service licence from the Monetary Authority of Singapore ("MAS") to conduct fund management with accredited and institutional investors. The AMG Pantheon Funds are distributed by AMG Distributors, Inc., a member of FINRA/SIPC. This press release is not an offer of securities for sale. Securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration. 2023 1 As of Q3 2023. 2 Period from Q3 2012 to Q3 2023. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240320113617/en/ Contacts: Pantheon Ashley Wassall, Head of Client Communications Tel: +44 20 3356 1763 C: +44 7776 778 620 Email: Ashley.Wassall@Pantheon.com Emotional Link LLC, a business information dissemination company based in Minato Ward, Tokyo, has released an interview article with Professor Morten Christiansen, Cornell University, on "Transformative Solutions for Language Learning Struggles". The article, which is available on the Emotional Link LLC website, specifically targeting business professionals and students aspiring entrepreneurs who struggle with mastering a foreign language, sheds light on the underlying mechanisms of language learning and offers novel strategies for overcoming its hurdles. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240321778910/en/ Dr. Morten Christiansen (Left) Mr. Naoto Sato (Right) (Photo: Business Wire) Dr. Christiansen asserts that language fundamentally thrives on collaboration, emphasizing that engaging in interactive communication, akin to the improvisational nature of language games like charades, is highly effective in language learning. Furthermore, Dr. Christiansen emphasizes the significance of learning word combinations as cohesive units, rather than fixating on individual words. Indeed, his research proves the efficacy of multi-word chunks in facilitating fluency and comprehension. In this manner, he offers a pragmatic approach tailored to the time constraints of adult learners, advocating for a paradigm shift that empowers learners to communicate effectively without fear of error. This interview article is a must-read for young entrepreneurs and students striving to excel in foreign language learning as they aim to thrive globally. Dr. Morten H. Christiansen is the William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of Psychology at Cornell University, Professor in Cognitive Science at the School of Communication and Culture as well as the Interacting Minds Centre at Aarhus University, Denmark, and a Senior Scientist at the Haskins Labs Yale. His newest book aimed at a general audience "The Language Game: How Improvisation Created Language and Changed the World"- outlines a radical new perspective on how language works and has been translated into several languages, including Japanese. Naoto Sato is the CEO of Emotional Link LLC. After graduating from Keio University's Faculty of Business and Commerce, he served as the head of sales offices at various locations nationwide in Dai-ichi Life Insurance Company. He achieved first place in Eastern Japan for quarterly sales in 2018 and first place nationwide in 2019. In 2021, he co-founded Emotional Link LLC. For more information on Emotional Link LLC, please visit https://emotional-link.co.jp/ View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240321778910/en/ Contacts: PR Division Emotional Link LLC info@emotional-link.jp Future Market Insights highlights a growing trend in the Adaptogen Drink Market: surging demand for organic and healthy beverages among millennials. Their latest report delves into the market's background, supply and demand dynamics, and future technological advancements. It goes beyond just trends, offering a deep dive into the factors driving this market's success, potential roadblocks, and exciting opportunities. To empower strategic decision-making, the report includes an investment feasibility analysis and insightful PESTLE and Porter's Five Forces analyses. NEWARK, Del., March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global adaptogen drink market size is expected to reach US$ 1,228.2 million by 2024. It will likely expand at a 6.4% CAGR from 2024 to 2034. The market is anticipated to attain a valuation of about US$ 2,416.8 million by 2034. Download the Sample PDF report to explore key market insights and trends: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-19291 In today's world, stress reduction and overall well-being maintenance are crucial. One such type of beverage that includes ancient medical systems like Ayurveda, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and indigenous healing methods is adaptogen-based drinks. Adaptogens are well recognized for their capacity to improve resilience, support homeostasis, and regulate the body's stress response. These have grown in popularity as people are persuaded to incorporate them into their everyday routines. Beverage manufacturers are investing in innovative formulations that combine adaptogens with other natural ingredients to create unique flavor profiles and functional benefits. Some of the popular adaptogens include Ashwagandha, Rhodiola rosea, ginseng, and Reishi mushroom. Consumers are becoming more proactive about their health and looking for natural ways to stay fit and avoid diseases. This is a sign of growing interest in preventative health. Brands are continuously innovating and expanding their product offerings, going beyond traditional formats like teas and tinctures. They are launching sparkling waters, functional shots, and even alcohol alternatives infused with adaptogens to gain traction. Companies are introducing custom formulations to target the specific needs of customers apart from stress management. Their products target conditions such as sleep support, cognitive enhancement, and immune system fortification. Consumers are demanding transparency about ingredients and sourcing practices. Brands are hence focusing on the use of organic, non-GMO, and ethically sourced adaptogens. Scope of the Report Attribute Details Estimated Adaptogen Drink Market Value (2024) US$ 1,228.2 million Projected Adaptogen Drink Market Size (2034) US$ 2,262.4 million Expected CAGR (2024 to 2034) 5.4 % Forecast Period 2024 to 2034 Historical Data Available for 2019 to 2023 Market Analysis US$ million for Value Key Countries Covered United States Brazil Mexico Germany United Kingdom France Italy Spain Nordic Poland China India Thailand Indonesia Russia Canada Australia and New Zealand Japan GCC countries North Africa, South Africa, and others . Key Segments Covered Global Adaptogen Drink Market Outlook by Category By Product Type: Single-herb Adaptogen Blended Adaptogen Functional Adaptogen Ready-to-drink (RTD) Adaptogen Concentrate/Powdered Adaptogen By Ingredients: Holy Basil Ashwagandha Lavender Mushrooms Maca By Sale Channels: Store-based Modern Trade Hospital Pharmacies Retail Pharmacies Drug Stores Online Pharmacies By Region: North America Latin America Europe East Asia South Asia Oceania Middle East & Africa Key Companies Profiled REBBL RASA Four Sigmatic Kin Euphorics Wylde One Sunwink Peak and Valley Goodmylk Co. Moon Juice OM Mushrooms Adaptogen Drink Market Report Coverage Market Forecast, Company Share Analysis, Competition Intelligence, Drivers Restraints Opportunity Trends Analysis, Market Dynamics and Challenges, and Strategic Growth Initiatives Key Takeaways from the Adaptogens Drink Market Report: The global adaptogen drink sales grew at a CAGR of 5.4% from 2019 to 2023. from 2019 to 2023. The United States adaptogen drink industry is poised to exhibit a CAGR of 4.3% during the assessment period. during the assessment period. Germany's adaptogen drink industry size is estimated to reach US$ 126.3 million in 2034. in 2034. Japan is poised to exhibit a CAGR of 5.8% during the evaluation period. during the evaluation period. The ready-to-drink (RTD) adaptogen segment is expected to register a CAGR of 6.8% from 2024 to 2034. from 2024 to 2034. The online pharmacies segment is anticipated to thrive at 7.3% CAGR during the projection period. "The adaptogen drink market is witnessing a paradigm shift with cutting-edge product innovations. By adopting a proactive approach toward product development, geographic expansion, and strategic mergers, firms can tap into the vast growth opportunities and thrive in this dynamic industry," says Nandini Roy Choudhury (Client Partner for Food & Beverages at Future Market Insights, Inc.). Who is Winning? Four Sigmatic, Kin Euphorics, Wylde One, Sunwink, Peak and Valley, Goodmylk Co., OM Mushrooms, and Moon Juice are the leading adaptogen drink companies. These companies are expanding their product portfolios and employing strategies like advertising to drive growth in the market. For instance, In February 2024, Collider Brew Co., a leading beverage brand based in the United Kingdom, introduced its first non-alcoholic, adaptogen-infused beers. The beers include ingredients like mushrooms and plants that would allow consumers to tackle fatigue, anxiety, and stress. Purchase now and gain full access to the Adaptogens Drinks Industry report, featuring comprehensive Market Forecast, Company Share Analysis, Competition Intelligence, DROT Analysis, Market Dynamics and Challenges, and Strategic Growth Initiatives. Get More Valuable Insights into Adaptogen Drink Market Report Future Market Insights (FMI), in its new offering, provides an unbiased analysis of the global adaptogen drink industry, presenting historical demand data (2019 to 2023) and forecast statistics for the period from 2024 to 2034. The study incorporates compelling insights on the adaptogen drink market based on product type (single-herb adaptogen, blended adaptogen, functional adaptogen, ready-to-drink (RTD) adaptogen, and concentrate/powdered adaptogen), ingredients (holy basil, Ashwagandha, lavender, mushrooms, and maca), and sales channels (store-based retails and online pharmacies) across various regions. About the Food & Beverage Division at Future Market Insights (FMI) Future Market Insights (FMI) food & beverage team offers comprehensive business intelligence services, with a vast array of reports and data points analyzed across 50+ countries over a decade. The team provides consulting services and end-to-end research, offering expert analysis, actionable insights, and strategic recommendations to clients worldwide. Contact them to explore how they can assist with your unique business intelligence needs. About the Author: Nandini Roy Choudhury (Client Partner for Food & Beverages at Future Market Insights, Inc.) has 7+ years of management consulting experience. She advises industry leaders and explores off-the-eye opportunities and challenges. She puts processes and operating models in place to support their business objectives. She has exceptional analytical skills and often brings thought leadership to the table. Nandini has vast functional expertise in key niches, including but not limited to food ingredients, nutrition & health solutions, animal nutrition, and marine nutrients. She is also well-versed in the pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, retail, and chemical sectors, where she advises market participants to develop methodologies and strategies that deliver results. Another feather to her cap manifests in the form of process automation. She is vocal about bringing automation to the fore to bring a 360-degrees-round revolution in manufacturing sector Her core expertise lies in corporate growth strategy, sales and marketing effectiveness, acquisitions and post-merger integration and cost reduction. Nandini has an MBA in Finance from MIT School of Business. She also holds a Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering from Nagpur University, India. Nandini has authored several publications, and quoted in journals including Beverage Industry, Bloomberg, and Wine Industry Advisor. Explore FMI's Extensive Coverage in the Food and Beverage Domain: Drinkable Yogurt Market by Category, Type, Sales Channel & Region | Forecast 2022 to 2032. - Review and Request to Access the Sample Report . by Category, Type, Sales Channel & Region | Forecast 2022 to 2032. - Detailed Analysis of Ready to Drink (RTD) Tea Market By Herbal, Black Tea, Green Tea, and Others. - Review and Request to Access the Sample Report . By Herbal, Black Tea, Green Tea, and Others. - Soft Drinks Concentrates Market By Product Type, By Packaging, By Sales Channel & Region | Forecast 2022 to 2032. - Review and Request to Access the Sample Report . By Product Type, By Packaging, By Sales Channel & Region | Forecast 2022 to 2032. - Beverage Flavoring Agent Market by Ingredient, Beverage, Type, Origin & Region - Forecast 2022 - 2032. - Review and Request to Access the Sample Report . by Ingredient, Beverage, Type, Origin & Region - Forecast 2022 - 2032. - Bakery Product Market by Biscuits, Bread and Rolls and Cakes and Biscuits from 2024 to 2034. - Review and Request to Access the Sample Report. About Future Market Insights (FMI) Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting service provider, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in Dubai and has delivery centers in the UK, the U.S., and India. FMI's latest market research reports and industry analysis help businesses navigate challenges and make critical decisions with confidence and clarity amidst breakneck competition. Our customized and syndicated market research reports deliver actionable insights that drive sustainable growth. A team of expert-led analysts at FMI continuously tracks emerging trends and events in a broad range of industries to ensure that our clients prepare for the evolving needs of their consumers. Contact Us Nandini Singh Sawlani Future Market Insights Inc. Christiana Corporate, 200 Continental Drive, Suite 401, Newark, Delaware - 19713, USA T: +1-845-579-5705 For Sales Enquiries: sales@futuremarketinsights.com Website: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com LinkedIn | Twitter | Blogs | YouTube Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1197648/3531122/FMI_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/adaptogen-drink-market-to-total-us-2-416-8-million-by-2034-amid-increasing-demand-for-organic-and-healthy-beverages-among-millennials-302095837.html Der kostenlose Dividenden-Report zeigt ganz genau, wo Sie in diesem Jahr zuschlagen konnen. Das sind die Favoriten von Borsenprofi Dr. Dennis Riedl WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Thursday, The Clorox Co. (CLX) announced the sale of its wholly owned subsidiaries, known as Clorox Argentina, operating in Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay, to Apex Capital, a private equity fund linked to Grupo Mariposa, and an investment group led by Diego Barral, former senior vice president and general manager of International at Clorox. The financial aspects of the deal were not revealed. The sale included Clorox Argentina's two production plants, rights to specific Clorox brands in the aforementioned countries, and shared intellectual property related to these brands. Notably, the deal does not encompass Clorox's Latin America research and development and corporate hubs, which will remain in Argentina to support Clorox's operations in other Latin American markets and offer transitional services to Clorox Argentina under its new ownership. The employees, including production staff, will continue under Clorox Argentina, and the entity will be renamed as 'Grupo Ayudin.' 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. NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / March 21, 2024 / In a groundbreaking partnership set to redefine the integration of artificial intelligence within the U.S. Federal Government, Accern, the leading natural language processing (NLP) company for developing industry solutions, has teamed up with Eagle Point Funding, announcing a strategic initiative aimed at enhancing national defense, security, and public service efficiency. This collaboration is highlighted by Accern's secured commitments worth up to $1 million for U.S. Federal Government contracts, with the potential to expand by an additional $3 million over the next 18 months. Transforming Government Operations with AI and NLP Leveraging Accern's advanced NLP capabilities, this partnership focuses on several key use cases, directly addressing critical areas such as security surveillance, public service improvement, financial analysis and fraud detection, legal document analysis, crisis response, policy analysis, environmental monitoring, international relations monitoring, and sentiment analysis for comprehensive government applications. Enhanced Security and Efficient Public Services Accern's solutions facilitate a new level of operational efficiency and security, enabling entity and event extraction across diverse data sources. This innovative approach allows for the identification and tracking of individuals, organizations, locations, and events critical for national security purposes, such as monitoring potential threats and automating the analysis of legal documents and financial transactions to detect fraud and financial mismanagement. Proactive Crisis Management and Policy Development Additionally, Accern's technology plays a pivotal role in crisis response, environmental monitoring, and policy analysis. By extracting relevant events and sentiments from real-time data, the government can respond more swiftly to natural disasters, public health emergencies, and security incidents. This capability also supports the analysis of policy outcomes, informing future policy development and enabling effective environmental regulation enforcement. Harnessing Public Opinion for Service Improvement The partnership further extends into sentiment analysis, empowering the government to gauge public opinion on policies, legislation, and public services. This feedback mechanism is crucial for tailoring communication strategies, improving public service delivery, and ensuring national security by monitoring sentiments that may indicate potential threats. A Milestone in Government AI Integration "This partnership is a game-changer in our pursuit to innovate government operations with AI. Eagle Point Funding's expertise in navigating the federal landscape will open significant doors for Accern, enabling us to secure pivotal contracts with key departments like the Department of Defense and the Air Force. Together, we're poised to enhance operational efficiency and advance our commitment to national security, marking a new era of government capability powered by Accern's AI technology," stated Ariel Shatz, Executive Vice President of Eagle Point Funding. Kumesh Aroomoogan, Co-Founder and CEO of Accern, emphasized the importance of this initiative, "We are proud to contribute our AI expertise to the U.S. Federal Government's efforts, driven by Eagle Point's partnership. Our technology's ability to process and analyze vast datasets will unlock unprecedented opportunities for efficiency, security, and service to the American people." For further information, please visit www.accern.com and https://www.eaglepointfunding.com/. Contact: Ruben Alba VP of Partnerships, Accern ruben.alba@accern.com About Accern: Accern is the leading NLP company empowering enterprises to develop industry-specific solutions. Offering a comprehensive NLP platform, models, data, and chat tailored for multiple industries, the company accelerates time-to-value for leading organizations across Financial Services, Government, and beyond. With a streamlined no-code workflow complemented by pre-built taxonomies, over 50,000 classification models, and access to billions of rows of public data, Accern is revolutionizing operational efficiency across the global workforce. Accern's remarkable achievements have earned it a notable position in Gartner's 2023 Hype Cycle for Data Science, Machine Learning, and Emerging Technologies in Banking, as well as recognition by Fast Company as one of the Next Big Things in Tech. Trusted by elite data teams from global leaders like Capgemini, UniCredit, Interactive Brokers, Mizuho Bank, and Standard Bank, Accern facilitates the building and deployment of NLP solutions at scale. Headquartered in New York, NY, Accern is honored to be recognized as a Forbes 30 Under 30 company. The company has raised $40M from esteemed institutional investors including Fusion Fund, Mighty Capital, Tribe Capital, Allianz Strategic Ventures, and many others. For more information about Accern, please visit www.accern.com. About Eagle Point Funding: Eagle Point Funding is a leading consultancy specializing in securing U.S. Government contracts for advanced technology ventures. With a proven track record of securing valuable contracts for its clients, Eagle Point Funding makes pivotal connections with government agencies such as the Department of Defense (DoD), National Science Foundation (NSF), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), among others. Focused on federal grants and contracts, Eagle Point Funding expertly navigates the complex landscape of government funding, providing strategic guidance and support to innovative companies seeking to advance their technologies without sacrificing equity. From identifying opportunities to crafting compelling proposals, Eagle Point Funding empowers technology leaders to fuel their growth and achieve groundbreaking success. For more information about Eagle Point Funding and how they can support your vision, visit https://www.eaglepointfunding.com/. Contact: Ariel Shatz Executive Vice President, Eagle Point Funding ariel@eaglepointfunding.com SOURCE: Accern View the original press release on accesswire.com Der kostenlose Dividenden-Report zeigt ganz genau, wo Sie in diesem Jahr zuschlagen konnen. Das sind die Favoriten von Borsenprofi Dr. Dennis Riedl BRUSSELS/FRANKFURT/PARIS (dpa-AFX) - The European Commission has presented an action plan to tackle labour and skills shortages in the European Union member states. The Commission said it proposes to work together with Member States and social partners to address these issues over the coming months and years. The action plan is part of the EU's strategy to boost its competitiveness and enhance its economic and social resilience. For almost a decade, labour and skills shortages have been increasing in all Member States. These shortages are driven by demographic shifts, the demand for new skills linked to technological developments and the twin transitions, the drive to develop further EU industrial sectors, defence and security needs, and challenges related to working conditions in some sectors and locations. The Commission has identified 42 occupations that it considers as EU-wide shortage occupations. The action plan sets out actions in five areas to be implemented swiftly at the EU, national, and social-partners' level. They are, supporting the activation of underrepresented people in the labour market; providing support for skills development, training and education; improving working conditions in certain sectors; improving fair intra-EU mobility for workers and learners; and attracting talent from outside the European Union. Labour and skills shortages are expected to continue rising over the coming decades in the European Union. Nearly two thirds of small and medium-sized businesses said in a recent Eurobarometer survey that they cannot find the talent they need. By 2030, 3.5 million new jobs are expected to be created in renewable energy sectors alone, the Commission estimates. 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. Nordea Bank Abp / Key word(s): AGMEGM Nordea's Annual General Meeting 2024 and decisions of the statutory Board meeting 21.03.2024 / 15:50 CET/CEST Nordea Bank Abp Stock exchange release - Decisions of general meeting 21 March 2024 at 15.30 EET The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Nordea Bank Abp was held today at Scandic Marina Congress Center in Helsinki. Shareholders were also able to exercise their voting rights by voting in advance and it was possible to follow the AGM through a live webcast. All proposals to the AGM by the Board of Directors and the Shareholders' Nomination Board were approved. The Board of Directors decided in its statutory meeting held after the AGM to distribute an ordinary dividend of EUR 0.92 per share to shareholders in accordance with the mandate received from the AGM. The Board also elected the Vice Chair of the Board of Directors and the members of the Board committees. A total of 3,581 shareholders representing 1,757,951,577 shares and votes, corresponding to approximately 50.1% of the total number of shares and votes in Nordea, were represented at the AGM including shareholders who had voted in advance or were represented by proxy. A summary of the advance votes and voting instructions submitted ahead of the AGM will be available at www.nordea.com/agm later today. Ordinary dividend The AGM authorised the Board of Directors to decide on a dividend payment of a maximum of EUR 0.92 per share based on the annual accounts adopted for the financial year ended on 31 December 2023. The Board decided in its statutory meeting on the payment of an ordinary dividend in a single instalment of EUR 0.92 per share to shareholders in accordance with the mandate received from the AGM. The dividend will be paid to shareholders who on the record date for the dividend on 25 March 2024 are recorded in the Company's shareholders' register maintained by Euroclear Finland Oy in Finland, Euroclear Sweden AB in Sweden and VP Securities A/S in Denmark. The dividend will not be paid to shares held by the Company on the dividend record date. The dividend payment date is 3 April 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter. Election of Board members and the composition of the Board The AGM elected ten members of the Board of Directors. Sir Stephen Hester, Petra van Hoeken, John Maltby, Risto Murto, Lene Skole, Per Stromberg, Jonas Synnergren, Arja Talma and Kjersti Wiklund were re-elected as Board members and Lars Rohde was elected as a new Board member for the period until the end of the next AGM. Sir Stephen Hester was re-elected as Chair of the Board of Directors until the end of the next AGM. Lars Rohde (69), a Danish citizen, is recognised as a leading banking professional with a profound understanding of the Danish financial sector and society. During his 40-year career in the banking industry, Lars Rohde has held positions both as a commercial finance executive and financial services official. For the last 10 years, he was the Governor of the National Bank of Denmark until stepping down from the role in 2023. Prior to this, he was the CEO of ATP, the largest pension company in Denmark. Lars Rohde is a board member of the Aarhus University and the Nadija Children's Hospital & Research Institute. The Board of Directors also has three ordinary members and one deputy member elected by the employees of the Nordea Group. For the period until the end of the next AGM, the employees have elected Joanna Koskinen, Gerhard Olsson and Kasper Skovgaard Pedersen as ordinary members of the Board of Directors and Jrgen Suo Lnnquist as a deputy member of the Board of Directors. Jrgen Suo Lnnquist (43), a Norwegian citizen, has worked in various roles at Nordea for over 15 years and is currently serving as Chief Union Representative and Head of the Union Board of the Norwegian union Finansforbundet in Nordea Norway, and also as an elected Board member of Finansforbundet. He holds a master's degree in management from BI Norwegian Business School in Oslo. Relevant authority approvals for Lars Rohde and Jrgen Suo Lnnquist are pending. In its statutory meeting following the AGM, the Board of Directors elected Lene Skole as the Vice Chair of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors appointed the members of the four Board committees as follows: Board Audit Committee: John Maltby (Chair), Petra van Hoeken, Lene Skole and Arja Talma. Board Risk Committee: Petra van Hoeken (Chair), John Maltby, Kjersti Wiklund and Lars Rohde. Board Remuneration and People Committee: Sir Stephen Hester (Chair), Arja Talma, Per Stromberg and Gerhard Olsson. Board Operations and Sustainability Committee: Kjersti Wiklund (Chair), Jonas Synnergren, Per Stromberg and Risto Murto. Annual accounts and discharge of liability The AGM adopted the annual accounts and discharged the members of the Board of Directors, President and Group CEO and Deputy Managing Director from liability for the financial period ending 31December 2023. Remuneration Report and Remuneration Policy for Governing Bodies The AGM adopted, through an advisory resolution, the Remuneration Report for Governing Bodies for 2023. The AGM also adopted, through an advisory resolution, the Remuneration Policy for Governing Bodies, which is intended to be applied until the Annual General Meeting in 2028. Remuneration of the Board members The AGM decided on annual remuneration to the Board members as follows: Role 2024 (EUR) Chair 365,000 Vice Chair 171,000 Other members of the Board of Directors 109,000 Board Audit Committee, Board Risk Committee, and Board Operations and Sustainability Committee chairs 69,500 Board Audit Committee, Board Risk Committee, and Board Operations and Sustainability Committee members 34,500 Board Remuneration and People Committee Chair 53,000 Board Remuneration and People Committee members 30,000 No remuneration is paid to the Board members employed by the Nordea Group. In addition, the Company covers or reimburses the members of the Board of Directors all costs and expenses related to or arising from the Board membership, including travel, logistics and accommodation as well as consultative, legal and administrative costs. The legal costs can e.g. include required costs of legal defence and claims made (during and after their period of office) against Board members in cases where Board members are not found liable or guilty of any intentional wrongdoing or grossly negligent behaviour. Election and remuneration of the auditor and of the sustainability reporting assurer PricewaterhouseCoopers Oy was re-elected as the auditor for the period until the end of the next AGM. Authorised public accountant Jukka Paunonen will act as the responsible auditor. The AGM decided that the remuneration of the auditor is to be paid according to the invoice approved by the Company. PricewaterhouseCoopers Oy was also elected as the assurer of the Company's sustainability reporting for the period until the end of the next AGM. Authorised sustainability auditor Jukka Paunonen will act as the responsible sustainability reporting auditor. The AGM decided that the remuneration of the sustainability reporting assurer is to be paid according to the invoice approved by the Company. Authorisation for the Board of Directors to decide on the issuance of special rights entitling to shares (convertibles) in the Company To facilitate a flexible and efficient adjustment of the Company's capital structure to the capital requirements, the Board of Directors was authorised to decide on the issuance of special rights entitling to shares in the Company (convertibles), on one or several occasions. The maximum number of shares that may be issued based on the authorisation is 340,000,000 shares, which corresponds to approximately 9.7% of all the shares in the Company on the date of the notice to the AGM. The authorisation remains in force and effect until the earlier of (i) the end of the next annual general meeting of the Company or (ii) 18 months from the resolution of the AGM 2024. Repurchase and transfer of own shares in the securities trading business The AGM decided that the Company may, before the end of the next AGM, repurchase and transfer its own shares in order to facilitate its securities trading business. The shares are repurchased otherwise than in proportion to the shareholdings of the Company's shareholders (directed repurchase) and may be transferred in deviation from the shareholders' pre-emptive subscription rights (directed share issuance). The AGM approved all subscriptions that will be made in accordance with the terms and conditions of the directed issuance. The maximum number of own shares to be repurchased shall not exceed 175,000,000 shares, and the maximum number of own shares to be transferred shall not exceed 175,000,000 shares, corresponding to approximately 5.0% of all the shares in the Company on the date of the notice to the AGM. Authorisation for the Board of Directors to decide on the repurchase of own shares The Board of Directors was authorised to decide on one or several occasions on the repurchase of an aggregate of not more than 340,000,000 shares in the Company, which corresponds to approximately 9.7% of all the shares in the Company on the date of the notice to the AGM, subject to the condition that the number of own shares held by the Company together with its subsidiaries at any given time may not exceed 10% of all the shares in the Company. Not more than 340,000,000 shares may be repurchased to distribute excess capital in order to optimise the capital structure of the Company and not more than 8,000,000 shares may be repurchased to be used in the Company's variable pay plans. Own shares may only be repurchased using the unrestricted equity of the Company. The shares may be repurchased either through an offer to all shareholders on equal terms or through other means and otherwise than in proportion to the existing shareholdings of the Company's shareholders (directed repurchases). The authorisation remains in force and effect until 18 months from the AGM. The authorisation does not revoke the authorisation to decide on the repurchase of own shares granted to the Board of Directors by the AGM held on 23 March 2023 which, in accordance with that authorisation, remains in effect until 23 September 2024. Any decision by the Board of Directors to repurchase shares based on the authorisation is subject to the condition that the Company has obtained the necessary regulatory permissions from the European Central Bank. Authorisation for the Board of Directors to decide on share issuances or transfers of own shares The Board of Directors was authorised to decide, on one or several occasions, on the issuance of new shares or transfer of the Company's own shares of not more than 30,000,000 shares in the Company, which corresponds to approximately 0.9% of all the shares in the Company on the date of the notice to the AGM. The shares may be issued or transferred in proportion to existing shareholdings in the Company or in deviation from the shareholders' pre-emptive subscription right by way of a directed issuance and used to implement the Company's variable pay plans or as payment in connection with corporate acquisitions. The authorisation remains in force and effect until the earlier of (i) the end of the next annual general meeting of the Company or (ii) 18 months from the AGM 2024. The authorisation revoked the authorisation to decide on share issuances or transfers of the Company's own shares granted to the Board of Directors by the AGM held on 23 March 2023. Shareholder proposal for amendment of the Company's Articles of Association The AGM resolved not to adopt the proposal of shareholders Greenpeace Nordic, Swedish Society for Nature Conservation (Naturskyddsforeningen) and Mellemfolkeligt Samvirke / Action Aid Denmark to amend the Company's Articles of Association. AGM materials available on Nordea.com The proposals of the Shareholders' Nomination Board to the AGM were published in their complete form in a stock exchange release on 31 January 2024 and those of the Board of Directors and of the shareholders on 21 February 2024. The annual report, containing the annual accounts, the Board of Directors' report and the Auditor's report, as well as the Remuneration Report and the Remuneration Policy for Governing Bodies, were published on 26 February 2024. The documents are available at www.nordea.com/agm . The minutes of the AGM will be available at www.nordea.com/agm as of 4 April 2024 at the latest. For further information: Ilkka Ottoila, Head of Investor Relations, +358 9 5300 7058 Media inquiries, +358 10 416 8023 or press@nordea.com The information provided in this stock exchange release was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contacts set out above, at 15.30 EET on 21 March 2024. This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com . End of Media Release Independent research scientist publishes his findings on Israel's history LODA, IL / ACCESSWIRE / March 21, 2024 / An independent research scientist, Dr. Gerald Aardsma of Aardsma Research and Publishing, in central Illinois, has recently published a variety of research results demonstrating the historicity of Israel's wilderness wanderings recorded in the biblical books of Exodus and Numbers. The Manna Set New book about what manna actually was, along with a sample packet of manna, produced by Aardsma Research and Publishing in central Illinois. Manna-the white flaky substance recorded in the Bible as appearing on the ground in the desert every morning and sustaining millions of lives through the wilderness-can now be thoroughly explained and understood. Bread from Heaven: The Manna Mystery Solved, a new book published by independent research scientist Dr. Gerald Aardsma, claims that the biblical account of manna can be nothing other than simply historical. As readers of the book will quickly learn, manna is a phenomenon that occurs naturally when there are millions of people, along with multiple millions of livestock, in an orderly encampment, on top of desert soil. This new book explains not only what manna was, but also how it was produced, why it was absent on the Sabbath, how it sustained millions of lives in the wilderness, and much more. In a related research vein, Dr. Aardsma has published articles explaining the science behind the Pillar of Cloud and Pillar of Fire, which accompanied the Israelites in the wilderness. These phenomena occurred because of the unique circumstances of the Exodus encampments. Although these ancient biblical narratives are commonly held to be mythological today, these discoveries strongly point to an Exodus narrative that is simply historical. "When we read these Bible stories, they can sound like fairy tales," says Steve Hall, who works in communications for Dr. Aardsma. "However, when we take the accounts at face value and delve into understanding the related science, we find out that these accounts are more real than we ever imagined." The Manna Set (book and sample packet of manna) can be obtained here, or by calling 217-803-0212. Contact Information Jennifer Hall Marketing and Communications jjh@aardsmaresearchandpublishing.com +12178030212 SOURCE: Aardsma Research and Publishing View the original press release on newswire.com. HIGH WYCOMBE, England, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Cater For You and their Business Development Manager, Tom Payne, visited London last Friday to meet with Chef Tom Phillips and his team. The team is preparing for the prestigious Bocuse d'Or competition, the biggest cooking competition in the world, which will be held in Trondheim, Norway. Chef Phillips will be judged on his cooking skills and kitchen etiquette during the competition. Cater For You has donated its Rectangular and Square Tamper Evident containers and 1,000ml Juice Bottles to the competition to support Chef Phillips on this exciting journey. Tom shared his enthusiasm, saying, "I was already familiar with their products from a recent visit to the Ritz Hotel. They are perfect for the competition, so I was hoping for sponsorship for the team with these four products." Tom met with Chef Phillips at his kitchen in Westminster and caught up with him during a practice run for the competition. He said, "I am feeling really good about the competition, and after many practices with run-through time, we are hoping for a top-five finish. Working alongside Cater For You has made the experience much easier, and we hope to continue our relationship with them." Although Chef Philips's dishes are currently top secret, you can keep updated on the competition through the Cater For You Blog. Notes to the Editor: Cater For You Limited was established in 2003 as an e-commerce plastic glasses and food packaging wholesaler. Their primary business principle is, where possible, to hold stock of all of our product lines and ship all orders placed by 3 p.m. for next working day delivery (Monday to Friday standard delivery option). All this is undertaken from a 17,000sq ft warehouse in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. Cater For You Limited trading as Cater4You. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/cater-for-you-provides-food-packaging-for-michelin-star-chefs-representing-bocuse-dor-302096168.html FILE - Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump speaks at an annual leadership meeting of the Republican Jewish Coalition, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, in Las Vegas. Trump on Monday, March 18, 2024, charged that Jews who vote for Democrats hate Israel and hate their religion, igniting a firestorm of criticism from the White House and Jewish leaders. John Locher/AP Since the start of his political career, Donald Trump has played on stereotypes about Jews and politics. He told the Republican Jewish Coalition in 2015 that you want to control your politicians and suggested the audience used money to exert control. In the White House, he said Jews who vote for Democrats are very disloyal to Israel. Two years ago, the former president hosted two dinner guests at his Florida residence who were known to make virulent antisemitic comments. Advertisement Article continues below this ad And this week, Trump charged that Jewish Democrats were being disloyal to their faith and to Israel. That had many American Jews taking up positions behind now-familiar political lines. Trump opponents accused him of promoting antisemitic tropes while his defenders suggested he was making a fair political point in his own way. Jonathan Sarna, American Jewish history professor at Brandeis University, said Trump is capitalizing on tensions within the Jewish community. For people who hate Donald Trump in the Jewish community, certainly this statement will reinforce their sense that they dont want to have anything to do with him, he said. For people who like Donald Trump in the Jewish community, they probably nod in agreement. Advertisement Article continues below this ad To many Jewish leaders in a demographic that has overwhelmingly identified as Democratic and supported President Joe Biden in 2020, Trump's latest comments promoted harmful antisemitic stereotypes, painting Jews as having divided loyalties and that there's only one right way to be Jewish religiously. That escalation of rhetoric is so dangerous, so divisive and so wrong, said Rabbi Rick Jacobs, president of the Union for Reform Judaism, the largest U.S. Jewish religious denomination. This is a moment when Israel needs there to be more bipartisan support. But Matt Brooks, CEO of the Republican Jewish Coalition, said the former presidents comments must be heard in context of the Israel-Hamas war and Democratic criticisms of the state of Israel. What the president was saying in his own unique style was giving voice to things I get asked about multiple times a day, Brooks said. How can Jews remain Democrats in light of what is going on? He contended the Democratic Party is no longer the pro-Israel bastion it used to be. Advertisement Article continues below this ad More than 31,800 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli offensive that followed Hamas Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel, in which militants killed some 1,200 people and took hostages. Much of northern Gaza has been leveled, and officials warned famine is imminent. Trump's comments followed a speech by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, the countrys highest-ranking Jewish official. Schumer, a Democrat, last week sharply criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu s handling of the war in Gaza. Schumer called for new elections in Israel and warned the civilian toll was damaging Israels global standing. Any Jewish person that votes for Democrats hates their religion, Trump retorted Monday on a talk show. They hate everything about Israel. A cascade of Jewish voices, from Schumer to the Anti-Defamation League to religious leaders, denounced Trump's statement. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In a statement to The Associated Press on Wednesday, the Trump campaign doubled down, criticizing Schumer, congressional Democrats support of Palestinians and the Biden administrations policies on Iran and on aid to Gaza. President Trump is right, said Karoline Leavitt, national press secretary for the Trump campaign. Jeffrey Herf, an antisemitism expert at the University of Maryland, disagrees with Schumers call for a cease-fire in Gaza, but believes most Democrats support Israel and he said a second Biden term would be better for it than a second Trump one. If (Trump) loses the 2024 election, his comments prepare the way for blaming the Jews for his defeat, Herf said. The clear result would be to fan the flames of antisemitism and assert that, yet again, the Jews are guilty. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Sarna saw Trump as trying to appeal to politically conservative Jews, particularly the small but fast-growing Orthodox segment, who see Trump as a defender of Israel. Also, about 10% of U.S. Jews are immigrants, according to a 2020 Pew Research Center report. Sarna said significant numbers are conservative. At the same time, Democrats face the tension between their Jewish constituency, which is predominantly pro-Israel, and its progressive wing, which is more pro-Palestinian. Sarna said that while it may seem odd to focus so much attention on subsections of a minority population, elections in America are very close, and every vote counts. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Conservative commentator Ben Shapiro said Tuesday on his podcast that Trump was making a point that, frankly, I have made myself, which is that Jews who are voting Democrat do not understand the Democratic Party. Shapiro, who practices Orthodox Judaism, contended the party overlooks antisemitism within its ranks. Rabbi Jill Jacobs, the CEO of Truah, a rabbinic human rights organization, said Trump has no business dictating whos a good Jew. By insinuating that good Jews will vote for the party that is best for Israel, Trump is evoking the age-old antisemitic trope of dual loyalty an accusation that Jews are more loyal to their religion than to their country, and therefore cant be trusted, she said. Historically, this accusation has fueled some of the worst antisemitic violence. In his own time in office, Trumps policy of supporting Prime Minister Netanyahu and the settler agenda only endangered Palestinians and Israelis and made peace more difficult to achieve, Jacobs said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Pittsburgh-based journalist Beth Kissileff whose husband, a rabbi in the Conservative denomination of Judaism, in 2018 survived the nations deadliest antisemitic attack said it was highly offensive for Trump to be a self-appointed arbiter of what it means to be Jewish. Chuck Schumer had every right to say what he said, Kissileff added. Just because were Jews, it doesnt mean we agree with everything the (Israeli) government is doing. We have compassion for innocent Palestinian lives. Brooks, of the Republican Jewish Coalition, defended the former president against antisemitism charges, pointing to his presidential record as an example of proof. Trump pursued policies that were popular among American Christian Zionists and Israeli religious-nationalists, including moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem and supporting Jewish settlements in occupied territories. His daughter Ivanka is a convert to Orthodox Judaism, and her husband and their children are Jewish. The couple worked as high-profile surrogates to the Jewish community during Trump's administration. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Trumps core supporters include white evangelicals, many of whom believe the modern state of Israel fulfills biblical prophecy. Prominent evangelicals who support Zionism have also been criticized for inflammatory statements about Jewish people. Sixty-nine percent of Jewish voters in 2020 supported Biden, while 30% supported Trump, according to AP VoteCast, a survey of the electorate conducted in partnership with NORC at the University of Chicago. That made Jewish voters one of the religious groups where support for Biden was strongest. Also, 73% of Jewish voters in 2020 said that Trump was too tolerant of extremist groups. Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson said Trumps comments are in a complex middle zone not explicitly antisemitic, but reliant on such tropes. American Jews base their votes on a complex mix of issues and values, among them inclusion, diversity, climate change, civil rights, said Artson, a leader within Conservative Judaism. While they love Israel diversely, many of us also care about the wellbeing and self-determination of Palestinians. Advertisement Article continues below this ad ___ This story was first published on March 21, 2024. It was updated on March 25, 2024 to correct the spelling of Jeffrey Herf's last name. It also was updated on March 22, 2024, to correct Donald Trumps title in one instance. He is the former president, not the president ___ Associated Press reporters Mariam Fam and Amelia Thomson DeVeaux contributed to this report. Advertisement Article continues below this ad ___ Der kostenlose Dividenden-Report zeigt ganz genau, wo Sie in diesem Jahr zuschlagen konnen. Das sind die Favoriten von Borsenprofi Dr. Dennis Riedl Morocco has allocated 1 million hectares for green hydrogen projects as part of its national energy strategy. The country initially plans to provide 300,000 hectare to private investors, divided into lots of 10,000 to 30,000 hectares. The Moroccan government said it will allocate 1 million hectares of land for the production of renewable energies, green hydrogen and its derivatives, including green ammonia. The authorities will initially allocate 300,000 hectares to be divided into lots of 10,000 to 30,000 hectares, depending on the size of the planned projects. The government said it will assign ... 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. Punk poet John Cooper Clarke releases new poetry series, inspired by insurance claims John Cooper Clarke tackles his most challenging role yet as '(Under)Writer in Residence' for insurance company Hiscox From thieving baboons and a pilfering poltergeist to a claim over a prize bull's semen, Cooper Clarke shares five new poems 1 inspired by extraordinary insurance claims New data commissioned by Hiscox reveals that almost one in four (23%) small business owners have made an insurance claim for something they could never have predicted To hear and see John Cooper Clarke (aka the bard of Salford) with his poetic take on the world of insurance, please visit: http://www.hiscox.co.uk/JCC LONDON, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- To celebrate World Poetry Day today, the original punk poet John Cooper Clarke has released his most unexpected body of work yet; a series of poems inspired by unusual insurance claims. In a move that sees two very different writing worlds collide, the 'bard of Salford' has been appointed by Hiscox as its first '(Under)Writer in Residence'. In his new role, Cooper Clarke has composed five original poems, inspired by some of the most colourful claims handled by the insurer - from a wildlife photographer who had his equipment stolen by baboons to a thieving poltergeist and a farmer who claimed for the loss of his prize bull's semen. The appointment of the wordsmith follows new data2 revealing that almost one in four (23%) small business owners have made claims for events or mishaps that they would never have expected. Commenting on his new role as Hiscox's (Under)Writer in Residence, John Cooper Clarke said: "Just as nobody would have predicted that I'd end up in the insurance bracket, it turns out there's not much that you can safely predict in running a small business. Insurance may seem like a mundane realm, but as the poems show, it's a rich tapestry of human chaos, from tragedy to comedy and beyond." Fiona Mayo, Chief Marketing Officer at Hiscox UK, added: "We're delighted to welcome John Cooper Clarke to the Hiscox family as our (Under)Writer in Residence. His passion for understanding people and their stories really resonates with us, and it's been fascinating to observe his creative take on our customer claims. His new poems are there to be enjoyed but are also a great reminder of how important it is to be ready for life's unexpected challenges." Are business owners ready for the unexpected? New data released by the insurer highlights that a quarter (26%) of small businesses don't have business insurance to help when things go wrong and amongst those that do, 23% have made a claim for something they could never have predicted would happen. Further statistics showed that in the continued tough economic climate, 40% of small business owners who do have insurance are thinking about making cuts to it and over a third (36%) felt a business should be generating more than 25,000 a year before getting cover. Despite being a legal requirement3 for most businesses that employ staff, 34% don't think insurance is a necessary outlay until a business takes on a second employee. Link to John reading the poems is here: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/xeb148nyxzqo6jhszoen8/h?rlkey=bhnka65c4e15ty7vnanbi4h09&dl=0 To hear and see John Cooper Clarke's claims-inspired poems please visit http://www.hiscox.co.uk/JCC Notes to editors 1.The (Under)Writer in Residence anthology The bull and the farmer A farmer whose prize bull suddenly dies Must say his goodbye to next year's prize The best in the biz They were selling his fizz Then everything went in the red It's spermatazoa Isn't a goer Now the poor animal's dead But the farmer's earnings May yet be returning The insurance paid up instead. The baboon and the photographer A wildlife snapper in the Kenyan greenery Figured baboons were just part of the scenery Until they swiped all the fella's machinery Cheeky monkeys or what? Still Hiscox paid on the spot. Cat and cat They fought like cat and cat - who's that? This client's two kittens in a spat A cup of coffee got spilt - evidence of their destructive guilt There disabled on the kitchen table His laptop sabotaged it can't be rebuilt Hiscox responded with admirable haste And instantly the machine replaced So put this on your blog It wouldn't have happened with a dog. Electric fence For a citizen in the countryside It could have been worse he might have died Most people would rather suspend their suspense Than put to the test an electric fence This one guy however had no common sense He sued the landowner who claimed recompense and was fortunately covered for just such events A nasty shock then a pleasant surprise for no one is, at all times, wise. Poltergeist and the jewellery A few years ago a jewellery heist was carried out by a poltergeist gone was the gelt and away went the ice Then the items returned Lessons were learned And the compo refunded all legal and nice. 2. The research was conducted by Censuswide with UK SME Owners between 28.02.24 to 06.03.24 3. Employers' Liability (EL) insurance is a legal requirement for most businesses as soon as they become an employer About John Cooper Clarke John Cooper Clarke, is an English performance poet, author and musician from Salford, Manchester. Often hailed as the "bard of Salford", John rose to fame in the 1970s amidst the burgeoning punk rock scene. His distinctive poetry style combines rapid-fire delivery, razor-sharp wit, and a keen observation of urban life. His poetry often explores themes of urban decay, working-class life, and the absurdities of modern society, delivered with a blend of cynicism and dark humour. Over the years the Punk Poet has collaborated with various musicians and bands including the Arctic Monkeys, Joy Division and the Sex Pistols, and his influence extends far beyond the punk movement, inspiring generations of poets and performers with his approach to art and expression. John continues to be a prominent figure in British culture and regularly appears on television and radio. Just last month he released his third book, WHAT, a collection of new, enchanting poems. About The Hiscox Group Hiscox is a global specialist insurer, headquartered in Bermuda and listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE:HSX). Our ambition is to be a respected specialist insurer with a diverse portfolio by product and geography. We believe that building balance between catastrophe-exposed business and less volatile local specialty business gives us opportunities for profitable growth throughout the insurance cycle. The Hiscox Group employs over 3,000 people in 14 countries, and has customers worldwide. Through the retail businesses in the UK, Europe, Asia and the USA, we offer a range of specialist insurance products in commercial and personal lines. Internationally traded, bigger ticket business and reinsurance is underwritten through Hiscox London Market and Hiscox Re & ILS. Our values define our business, with a focus on people, courage, ownership and integrity. We pride ourselves on being true to our word and our award-winning claims service is testament to that. For more information, visit www.hiscoxgroup.com . For more information, visit www.hiscoxgroup.com . Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2368713/Hiscox_Group_John_Cooper_Clarke.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/the-bard-of-salford-appointed-by-hiscox-as-its-first-underwriter-in-residence-302096193.html KANSAS CITY, MO / ACCESSWIRE / March 21, 2024 / Heartland National Life Insurance Company, a trusted leader in insurance solutions, proudly announces the launch of its latest groundbreaking product, Heartland's Secure Rate MYGA. The Company's new product is designed to tackle retirement challenges head-on by providing unparalleled stability and growth while shielding customers from market risk. HNL logo To lead the charge in providing innovative solutions like Heartland's Secure Rate MYGA, Heartland is pleased to announce the appointment of Todd Wyss as Executive Vice President of Life and Annuities. Heartland's Secure Rate MYGA represents a significant advancement in addressing the challenges of modern retirement planning, offering a unique blend of security and growth potential. Designed to navigate the complexities of market volatility, Heartland's Secure Rate MYGA empowers its clients to achieve their long-term financial goals with confidence. The demand for innovative retirement solutions continues to grow, with fixed-rate products like Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuities (MYGAs) gaining traction among those seeking stability and predictability. LIMRA forecasts annuity products offering investment protection will continue to drive sales growth and demand will exceed $100 billion in fixed-rate deferred annuities in 2024 and 2025. Overall U.S. Individual Annuity sales are expected to exceed $311 billion in 2024 and $342 billion in 2025. As the industry anticipates continued growth in the MYGA category, Heartland emerges as a frontrunner, poised to meet the evolving needs of agents and consumers alike. We are excited to introduce Heartland's Secure Rate MYGA as a game-changer in the realm of retirement planning," says Nick Micheletti, Chief Marketing Officer. "At Heartland National Life Insurance Company (HNL), we are committed to empowering individuals to take control of their financial futures. With Heartland's Secure Rate MYGA, clients can navigate retirement planning with confidence, knowing that their goals are well within reach." Heartland's Secure Rate MYGA offers guaranteed, compounded interest growth over 3, 5, 7, or 10 years, with built-in liquidity and full account value payout upon death. Optional riders provide additional flexibility, allowing penalty-free withdrawals and access to funds in case of a terminal illness or nursing home confinement. Clients can customize their investment strategies to align with their unique financial objectives and risk tolerance, ensuring peace of mind and financial security. Backed by a legacy of excellence and commitment to customer satisfaction, Heartland National Life Insurance Company is proud to introduce Heartland's Secure Rate MYGA as the latest addition to its comprehensive product portfolio. Built on a foundation of trust and reliability, Heartland's Secure Rate MYGA embodies our dedication to empowering individuals to secure their financial futures. For more information about Heartland's Secure Rate MYGA and how it can benefit your retirement planning, visit https://heartlandnationallife.com, or call us at 816.816.MYGA. Contact Information Kim Steketee Director of Agency Services ksteketee@hnlic.com 8339644555 Todd Wyss Executive VP of Life and Annuities todd@hnlic.com 816.816.MYGA SOURCE: Heartland National Life Insurance Company View the original press release on newswire.com. NINGBO, China, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Since its official launch in July 2023, Risen Energy's 700Wp+ heterojunction (HJT) Hyper-ion modules have been demonstrating strength in overseas markets. With continuous improvements in module power and efficiency, as well as outstanding performance in high power generation and low carbon footprint, they are highly favored by customers worldwide. As of now, Hyper-ion modules have been exported to nearly 40 countries and regions globally, with a cumulative shipment volume exceeding 3GW. Meanwhile, Risen Energy has been actively involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, with its Hyper-ion modules not only catching on mature photovoltaic (PV) markets in Europe and Latin America but also expanding to countries along the Belt and Road, including the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, Israel, Iraq, Indonesia, Yemen, and etc. Risen Energy has been contributing its share to the global green economy while further boosting its brand influence. Innovation is the core drive behind the steady development of Risen Energy. Throughout the R&D of HJT products, Risen Energy innovatively established an integrated R&D model for the HJT technology from silicon materials to modules, becoming the first enterprise in the industry to mass-produce HJT products with zero Busbar, ultra-thin silicon wafers, silver consumption of less than 7mg/W, and stress-free Hyper-Link interconnection technology, which effectively facilitates the mass production of its HJT Hyper-ion products. Currently, the average efficiency of Risen Energy's HJT Hyper-ion solar cells in mass production exceeds 25.8%, with the module power surpassing 715Wp. With the continuous optimization of the HJT Hyper-ion solar cell production process and breakthroughs in technology, both the conversion efficiency and module power continue to steadily increase. As the global consensus on carbon reduction continues to expand, there is a significant increase in demand for renewable energy technologies and products. Against this backdrop, products that reduce LCOE and have a lower carbon footprint are driving the future advancement of the solar industry. HJT, as the technology and product with the highest conversion efficiency and electricity generation in single-junction technologies, also possesses unique low carbon footprint attributes, making it more suitable for the market's technological path of low LCOE and low carbon demand. Moreover, the HJT cell structure is more easily to form tandem cells with perovskite, with excellent potential for technological iteration and broad development prospects. Going forward, Risen Energy will continue to carry out technological upgrades and iterations in the field of HJT, reducing costs and increasing efficiency to solidify its core competitiveness, leading the industry in leapfrog upgrades, and empowering global customers to accelerate green sustainable development. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2368230/Hyper_ion_modules_exported_40_countries_regions_globally.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/whats-the-secret-behind-the-global-popularity-of-risen-energys-hjt-hyper-ion-modules-302095728.html NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION OR RELEASE, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES, CANADA, AUSTRALIA OR JAPAN OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH THE DISTRIBUTION OR RELEASE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL. OTHER RESTRICTIONS ARE APPLICABLE. PLEASE SEE THE IMPORTANT NOTICE AT THE END OF THE PRESS RELEASE. THIS PRESS RELEASE CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION WITHIN THE MEANING OF ARTICLE (7)(1) OF THE EUROPEAN MARKET ABUSE REGULATION (596/2014) EINDHOVEN, the Netherlands, March 21, 2024. This press release does not constitute, contain, or form part of an offering of securities in any jurisdiction. About ONWARD Medical ONWARD Medical is a medical technology company creating therapies to restore movement, function, and independence in people with spinal cord injury (SCI) and movement disabilities. Building on more than a decade of science and preclinical research conducted at leading neuroscience laboratories, the Company has received ten Breakthrough Device Designations from the US Food and Drug Administration for its ARC Therapy platform. ONWARD ARC Therapy, which can be delivered by external ARC-EX or implantable ARC-IM platforms, is designed to deliver targeted, programmed spinal cord stimulation. Positive results were presented in 2023 from the Company's pivotal study, called Up-LIFT, evaluating the ability for transcutaneous ARC Therapy to improve upper extremity strength and function. The Company is now preparing regulatory approval submissions for ARC-EX for the US and Europe. In parallel, the Company is conducting studies with its implantable ARC-IM platform, which demonstrated positive interim clinical outcomes for improved blood pressure regulation, a component of hemodynamic instability, following SCI. Other ongoing studies include combination use of ARC-IM with a brain-computer interface (BCI) to address multiple symptoms of SCI. Headquartered in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, ONWARD Medical has a Science and Engineering Center in Lausanne, Switzerland and a US office in Boston, Massachusetts. The Company also has an academic partnership with .NeuroRestore, a collaboration between the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), and Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV). ONWARD Medical is listed on Euronext Brussels and Amsterdam (ticker: ONWD). For more information, visit ONWD.com and connect with us on LinkedIn and YouTube. For Company Enquiries: info@onwd.com For Media Enquiries: Aditi Roy, VP Communications media@onwd.com For Investor Enquiries: Khaled Bahi, Interim CFO investors@onwd.com Additional important information These materials may not be published, distributed or transmitted in the United States, Canada, Australia or Japan. These materials do not contain, constitute or form part of an offer of securities for sale or a solicitation of an offer to purchase securities (the "Securities") of ONWARD Medical N.V. (the "Company"), in the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan or any other jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful. The Securities of the Company may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). There will be no public offering of the Securities in the United States. The Securities of the Company have not been, and will not be, registered under the Securities Act. The Securities referred to herein may not be offered or sold in Australia, Canada or Japan or to, or for the account or benefit of, any national, resident or citizen of Australia, Canada or Japan subject to certain exceptions. No public offering of the securities will be made in the United States. This document (and the information contained within) is an advertisement and not a prospectus within the meaning of the Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 in each member state ("Member State") of the European Economic Area (the "Prospectus Regulation"). The Company has not authorised any offer to the public of Securities in any Member State of the European Economic Area other than within the Republic of France. With respect to each Member State (each a "Relevant State"), no action has been undertaken or will be undertaken to make an offer to the public of securities requiring publication of a prospectus in any Relevant State. As a result, the Private Placement Shares may and will only be offered in Relevant States (i) to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined in the Prospectus Regulation; or (ii) in any other circumstances falling within Article 1(4) of the Prospectus Regulation. The Public Offered Shares may and will only be offered in the Republic of France pursuant to Article 3(2) lit. b of the Prospectus Regulation. For the purpose of this paragraph, the expression "offer of securities to the public" means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the Securities to be offered so as to enable the investor to decide to exercise, purchase or subscribe for the Securities. Further for the purpose of this paragraph, "Private Placement Shares" means the Securities that form part of the Private Placement in the European Economic Area (other than France) and "Public Offered Shares" means the Securities that form part of the Public Offer. This document (and the information contained within) is an advertisement and not a prospectus within the meaning of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129, as it forms part of U.K. domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (the "U.K. Prospectus Regulation"). No action has been undertaken or will be undertaken that constitutes an offer of the securities referred to herein to the public in the United Kingdom or requires the publication of a prospectus in the United Kingdom. The securities referred to herein may not and will not be offered in the United Kingdom, except to relevant persons in accordance with the exemptions set forth in the U.K. Prospectus Regulation. In the United Kingdom, this document is only being distributed to and is only directed at persons who are "qualified investors" within the meaning the U.K. Prospectus Regulation, and who are also (i) investment professionals within the meaning of Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the "Order"), or (ii) high net worth companies, unincorporated associations and other bodies to whom it may otherwise lawfully be communicated in accordance with Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order, or (iii) persons to whom an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000) in connection with the issue or sale of any securities may otherwise lawfully be communicated or caused to be communicated (all such persons together being referred to as "Relevant Persons"). This document is directed only at Relevant Persons and must not be acted on or relied on by persons who are not Relevant Persons. Any investment or investment activity to which this document relates is available only to Relevant Persons and will be engaged in only with Relevant Persons. This communication is not a prospectus for the purposes of the Prospectus Regulation. This communication cannot be used as basis for any investment agreement or decision. Acquiring investments to which this announcement relates may expose an investor to a significant risk of losing the entire amount invested. Persons considering making such investments should consult an authorised person specialising in advising on such investments. This announcement does not constitute a recommendation concerning the securities referred to herein. No announcement or information regarding the offering, listing or securities of the Company referred to above may be disseminated to the public in jurisdictions where a prior registration or approval is required for such purpose. No steps have been taken, or will be taken, for the offering or listing of securities of the Company in any jurisdiction where such steps would be required, except for the admission of the offered shares on the regulated market of Euronext Brussels and Euronext Amsterdam. The issue, exercise, or sale of, and the subscription for or purchase of, securities of the Company are subject to special legal or statutory restrictions in certain jurisdictions. The Company is not liable if the aforementioned restrictions are not complied with by any person. Information to Distributors Solely for the purposes of the product governance requirements contained within: (a) EU Directive 2014/65/EU on markets in financial instruments, as amended from time to time ("MiFID II"); (b) Articles 9 and 10 of Commission Delegated Directive (EU) 2017/593 supplementing MiFID II; and (c) local implementing measures (together, the "MiFID II Product Governance Requirements"), and disclaiming all and any liability, whether arising in tort, contract or otherwise, which any '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 the offered shares are: (i) 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 (ii) eligible for distribution through all distribution channels as are permitted by MiFID II (the "Target Market Assessment"). Notwithstanding the Target Market Assessment, distributors 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 Private Placement. Furthermore, it is noted that, notwithstanding the Target Market Assessment, the placement agents in the Private Placement 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: (a) an assessment of suitability or appropriateness for the purposes of MiFID II; or (b) 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. Bryan, Garnier & Co, KBC Securities and Degroof Petercam are acting exclusively for the Company and no one else in connection with the Private Placement. In connection with such matters, they, their affiliates and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents will not regard any other person as their client, nor will they be responsible to any other person for providing the protections afforded to their clients or for providing advice in relation to the Private Placement or any other matters referred to in this announcement. Finsbury Growth & Income Trust Plc - Transaction in Own Shares PR Newswire LONDON, United Kingdom, March 21 For immediate release 21 March 2024 FINSBURY GROWTH & INCOME TRUST PLC (the "Company") MARKET PURCHASE OF COMPANY'S OWN SHARES The Company announces that it has today purchased 121,624 of its own shares ("Ordinary Shares") at a price of 855.78 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 36,419,434; 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 188,571,869. The figure of 188,571,869 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 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 21, 2024) - Pacific Empire Minerals Corp. (TSXV: PEMC) ("Pacific Empire", "PEMC" or the "Company"), a British Columbia copper-gold explorer, announces Expert Geophysics Ltd. ("Expert") will be conducting an airborne MobileMT survey at its 100% owned Trident and Pinnacle copper-gold projects in the South Hogem Copper-Gold Belt prior to the end of March. Highlights MagnetoTelluric (MT) survey is scheduled to begin March 27, 2024. MagnetoTelluric (MT) survey method capable of detecting basement electromagnetic (EM) conductors and anomalous resistivity zones which are indicative of potential copper-gold porphyry systems. Planned surveying totals 164 line-kilometres to provide coverage of primary target area (historical assays at Trident which include DDH-1971-13: 70.07m @ 0.69% Cu, DDH 2007-2: 100.00m @ 0.59% Cu and 0.18 g/t Au including 2.00m @ 2.73% Cu and 0.36 g/t Au). The MT survey will also cover an additional target located on PEMC's 100% owned Pinnacle Property situated directly west and adjacent to the Trident. Utilization of this modern geophysical dataset will facilitate the identification and prioritization of target areas for drilling currently anticipated during the Summer/Fall 2024 exploration season. Brad Peters, President, CEO & Director, commented: "We are excited to begin the survey and are looking forward to being able to see to depths of over one kilometre beneath the surface at our 100% owned Trident and Pinnacle projects, west of Centerra Gold's operating Mount Milligan copper-gold mine. The objective is to identify potential "plumbing systems "because if you are looking for large copper deposits you need a large plumbing system to deliver the necessary fluids and metals. Our goal is simple, discover the next gold-enriched copper porphyry deposit within this district. Once results are received and analyzed for this MT survey, we currently anticipate drilling these targets during the Summer/Fall 2024 field season. Trident for the very first time is 100% owned by a public company with an updated porphyry geological model established by our skilled technical team." Planned Survey The purpose of the survey is to identify conductivity/resistivity anomalies that may represent conduits for hydrothermal fluids critical in the formation of porphyry copper-gold deposits. These conduits have the potential to represent critical plumbing systems responsible for the formation of copper porphyry deposits. The gathering of both resistivity and conductivity imaging of the surface to a depth of 1 km through deploying an airborne MobileMT (Mobile MagnetoTellurics) system will provide key information pertaining to source fluid conduits and structures. This important step will provide valuable insights and aid to further both known and unknown exploration targets destined for follow up diamond drilling programs. In addition, complimentary VLF (Very Low Frequency) data will be collected and interpreted to provide valuable near surface EM (Electromagnetic) information. The survey design plan is to conduct approximately 164 line-km's using a 200 m line spacing grid. The survey will be performed with an Astar 350 B2 helicopter provided by Heli Source Ltd. Expert Geophysics Ltd. ("EGL") will provide all necessary instrumentation for installation on the helicopter, as well as base stations and field workstations (data processing system) to be used for quality control and processing management during the collection of the airborne data in the field. The final data processing, colour imaging and mapping will be performed at EGL's offices in Toronto, Canada. The final results and resulting products are expected to be available to the PEMC exploration team within 3 weeks after the completion of the survey. Surveying is planned to commence on or around March 27, 2024 and expected to take 3 to 5 days to complete. About Mobile MagnetoTelluric Surveys The latest development in the airborne MobileMT system, provides a depth of investigation from the near-surface to over 1 km and detects resistivity variations across a wide range, encompassing conductive targets and structures as well as highly resistive ones. Porphyry and epithermal mineralization systems develop in conditions of active subduction and they are characterized by a wide variety of structural, lithological, and alteration patterns, which, at least partially, can be depicted in geoelectrical images. The following two examples demonstrate the effectiveness of resistivity mapping and sounding using the MobileMT system. Both examples from MobileMT surveys are presented over areas with known porphyry and epithermal mineralization systems and mineralization-controlling structures. The recovered resistivity-depth images are compared with actual geology or conceptual geological models of the mineralization systems, which illustrate the system's capabilities in imaging the mineralization systems and their diverse geometries and wide resistivity range. Poplar Cu-Mo porphyry Deposit (BC, Canada) Figure 1 - Example of calc-alkaline porphyry deposit from British Columbia characterized by elevated conductivity flanked by elevated resistivity. (Mineral Deposit Research Unit, UBC, 2023) To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5412/202348_e44ba46bd413ebcc_002full.jpg Jaisan & Ungurli Cu-Mo-Ag porphyry Deposit (Kazakhstan) Figure 2 - Example of porphyry-epithermal environment with Jaisan & Ungurli Deposits Kazakhstan characterized by elevated resistivity flanked by elevated conductivity. (Mineral Deposit Research Unit, UBC, 2023) To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5412/202348_e44ba46bd413ebcc_003full.jpg About Trident The Trident property is an exploration stage property hosting an alkalic porphyry copper-gold-silver prospect with district-scale potential that is accessible by vehicle. The property is located approximately 50 km to the southeast of NorthWest Copper Corp.'s Kwanika Deposit and 50 km to the northwest of Centerra Gold's Mt. Milligan Mine. The property covers 6,618 hectares endowed with well-established logging roads providing important efficient access for exploration programs. Copper mineralization on the property was first discovered in 1969, while exploration crews were following up on anomalous stream sediment samples. The following year, Falconbridge optioned the property and over the next two years completed IP and magnetic surveys, geological mapping, soil sampling and diamond drilling. This work led to the discovery of the A Zone. Additional exploration programs were completed by Kookaburra Gold Corp. from 1988 through 1991, Solomon Resources Ltd., from 2006 through 2008. In 2013, PEMC optioned the property and in 2014, in turn, PEMC optioned the property to Oz Minerals which completed that same year an IP survey and completed a two drillhole, diamond drill program at Trident. In 2022, Pacific Empire acquired a 100% interest in the property in exchange for granting the vendors a 2% net smelter return royalty ("NSR"). One-half (1%) of the 2% NSR may be purchased for $500,000 by Pacific Empire. Prior to 2014, known mineralization on the property was believed to be associated with fracture and/or shear zones structures striking 120 degrees and dipping 75 degrees towards the northeast. A review of historical drill core by the Pacific Empire exploration team has led to a much different interpretation with respect to the nature of known mineralization on the property. The most important observation was the determination of the presence of hornblende-feldspar monzonite porphyry intrusions detected within drill core obtained from the A Zone. These types of porphyry intrusions are typically characterized by sheeted quartz sulphide veins and disseminated chalcopyrite and bornite residing immediately adjacent to and within the porphyry dikes. Other observations include; The highest grades noted in historical drilling can be seen to be directly associated with intervals where such porphyry intrusions occur. Figure 3 - Regional Land Position and Significant Companies To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5412/202348_e44ba46bd413ebcc_004full.jpg Figure 4 - Location of planned MagnetoTelluric Survey To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5412/202348_e44ba46bd413ebcc_005full.jpg Figure 5 - Soth Hogem Copper-Gold Belt To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5412/202348_e44ba46bd413ebcc_006full.jpg "Between our 100% owned Trident and Pinnacle projects runs the Klawli river. The gold flakes and nuggets in the vial displayed on the map were collected from that location on the Klawli river. It is this and other geochemical evidence gathered by the PEMC exploration team which leads us to postulate the potential for a gold-enriched copper system nearby on either Trident, Pinnacle, or possibly both projects. To date, visible gold has been observed in outcrop at Trident, placer gold discovered in the nearby Klawli river gravels, and as well gold detected in drill core from Pinnacle. All three of these known occurrences of gold and their respective locations suggests there may be a shallow buried, large scale, gold-enriched, copper porphyry deposit within our district scale land package," commented Brad Peters, President, CEO and Director of Pacific Empire. Table 1 - Highlights from Historical Drilling at Trident To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5412/202348_e44ba46bd413ebcc_007full.jpg About Pinnacle The Pinnacle project is located 60 km to the west of Centerra Gold's Mt. Milligan Copper-Gold Mine and 30 km to the southeast of NorthWest Copper's Kwanika Copper-Gold Deposit in a proven copper-gold porphyry district. Access to the Pinnacle is by road including a new and expanding network of logging roads and trails throughout the main target areas. This improved access is a major development and is anticipated to contribute to cost effective drill support and bedrock exposure. "Over the past 2 years significant logging operations have developed an extensive road network that now covers the entirety of the southern half of the property providing new outcrop exposure and efficient access. The 2023 forest fires dramatically affected the property resulting in significantly improved access to the property," commented Brad Peters, President, CEO and Director of Pacific Empire. Qualified Person Kristian Whitehead, P.Geo., serves as a qualified person as defined by NI 43-101 and has reviewed the scientific and technical information in this news release, approving the disclosure herein. About Pacific Empire Pacific Empire is a copper exploration company based in Vancouver, British Columbia and trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol PEMC. The Company has a district scale land position in north-central British Columbia totaling 22,541 hectares. British Columbia is a "Green" copper jurisdiction with abundant hydroelectric power, access and infrastructure in close proximity to the end market. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD, "Brad Peters" President, Chief Executive Officer and Director Pacific Empire Minerals Corp. Tel: +1-604-356-6246 brad@pemcorp.ca www.pemcorp.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 Statements Information set forth in this news release may involve forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are statements that relate to future, not past, events. In this context, forward-looking statements often address expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", and "intend", statements that an action or event "may", "might", "could", "should", or "will" be taken or occur, or other similar expressions. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the following risks: the need for additional financing; operational risks associated with mineral exploration; fluctuations in commodity prices; title matters; environmental liability claims and insurance; reliance on key personnel; the potential for conflicts of interest among certain officers, directors or promoters with certain other projects; the absence of dividends; competition; dilution; the volatility of our common share price and volume and the additional risks identified the management discussion and analysis section of our interim and most recent annual financial statement or other reports and filings with the TSX Venture Exchange and applicable Canadian securities regulations. Forward-looking statements are made based on management's beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date that statements are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as required by applicable securities laws. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/202348 SOURCE: Pacific Empire Minerals Corp. Der kostenlose Dividenden-Report zeigt ganz genau, wo Sie in diesem Jahr zuschlagen konnen. Das sind die Favoriten von Borsenprofi Dr. Dennis Riedl WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Healthcare professionals and researchers have observed a rise in false information regarding birth control spreading online, specifically targeting young individuals in their teens and early 20s. This age group is more prone to trusting smartphone content due to algorithms that consistently showcase videos promoting messages lacking scientific backing. Platforms such as TikTok and Instagram contain numerous misleading videos vilifying hormonal contraception, with people linking weight gain to birth control, making claims of infertility risks, and reporting experiencing depression and anxiety from its use. Social media platforms are magnifying these inaccurate narratives, distorting the perception of the risks linked to birth control methods. This misinformation has tangible repercussions, evident in efforts by Republican legislators in Missouri to restrict access to IUDs and emergency contraceptives through the state's Medicaid program. Influencers from various political backgrounds leverage the promotion of negative content to garner attention and broaden their audience for commercial gains. Medical experts have refuted these assertions, stating that there is no proof that birth control impacts fertility in the long run. Michael Belmonte, an OB/GYN in D.C. and a family planning expert with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists points out that misinformation regarding birth control is leading women to make ill-informed decisions, as they are seeking abortions due to misconceptions about hormonal birth control and the efficacy of tracking periods for pregnancy prevention. Belmonte notes that to combat misinformation, doctors should address patients' concerns and prioritize listening. Belmonte suggests openly discussing common side effects of birth control, such as nausea, headaches, breast tenderness, and irregular bleeding, which can often be managed or alleviated by switching to alternative methods. Social media companies are facing challenges in addressing misinformation while upholding free-speech rights. Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, reiterates its commitment to safeguarding online communities. According to Meta spokesperson Ryan Daniels, their policies aim to empower individuals to express themselves while ensuring a safe environment on their platforms. TikTok recently took down several videos associating birth control with mental health issues and other health risks following inquiries about their misinformation prevention efforts. 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. One out of four children are out of school as a result of Syrian crisis spillover, forced displacement, economic collapse and other intersecting challenges. First Emergency Response grant delivered by UNICEF provides life-saving access to protective learning environments. NEW YORK, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hostilities in Southern Lebanon displaced tens of thousands of people late last year, compounding the challenges facing the nation as it works to respond to political turmoil, economic collapse and spillover from the crisis in Syria. In response to these challenges, Education Cannot Wait (ECW) announced today a new additional US$2.2 Million grant that will provide girls and boys impacted by these ongoing crises with access to safe, inclusive learning environments. The fast-acting 12-month grant will be delivered by UNICEF in collaboration with local strategic partners and the Education Sector. ECW funding in Lebanon has already reached over a half a million girls and boys. Total ECW funding now tops US$24 million. Hostilities in the region resulted in the closure of 50 public schools and eight technical education schools. Approximately 20,000 students have had their education impacted, and recent estimates indicate that as many as 91,000 people are displaced in Lebanon, including more than 33,000 children. Even before this recent uptick in violence, around 27% of children were out of school in Lebanon. "The education system in Lebanon has suffered enough pressure. This is the time to support the Ministry of Education and their firm commitment to a quality education for both Lebanese and refugee children and adolescents. Our investment in their education is an investment in peace and security across the region, and an investment in delivering on the promises outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals and Convention on the Rights of the Child. Lebanon and all school-aged children in the country deserve no less," said Yasmine Sherif, Executive Director of Education Cannot Wait, global fund for education in emergencies and protracted crises hosted within the United Nations. "The conflict in the southern borders of Lebanon has exacerbated the multiple crises that have been disrupting the education of the most marginalized children and youth in the country. UNICEF is supporting the strategies and approaches of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MEHE), as well as the Center for Educational Research and Development (CERD), to ensure the continuity of teaching and learning for children and youth affected by the conflict in the South, including at primary and secondary levels, as well as in technical and vocational education. Lebanon's children and youth cannot afford further disruption to their education. Through support from the ECW fund, MEHE and UNICEF will partner to deliver services that enable children and youth to leapfrog to a brighter future," said Edouard Beigbeder, UNICEF Representative in Lebanon. The new investment aligns with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education's emergency response plan and the Education sector strategy. There is a strong focus on improving access to inclusive and safe learning opportunities for displaced children. This includes the establishment of school hubs, as well as increasing the availability of online learning resources for children who are unable to access traditional schools. The investment also provides a focus on training teachers to respond to the unique needs of displaced children, with a focus on mental health and psychosocial support, gender-responsive training and more. To improve the resilience and recovery of the education system, the investment will strengthen capacity to respond to emergencies through comprehensive training programmes that include emergency preparedness, response strategies and other supports designed to ensure sustainability well into the future. About Education Cannot Wait (ECW): Education Cannot Wait ( ECW ) is the global fund for education in emergencies and protracted crises. We support quality education outcomes for refugee, internally displaced and other crisis-affected girls and boys, so no one is left behind. ECW works through the multilateral system to both increase the speed of responses in crises and connect immediate relief and longer-term interventions through multi-year programming. ECW works in close partnership with governments, public and private donors, UN agencies, civil society organizations, and other humanitarian and development aid actors to increase efficiencies and end siloed responses. ECW urgently appeals to public and private sector donors for expanded support to reach even more vulnerable children and youth. On X/Twitter), please follow: @EduCannotWait @YasmineSherif1 @KentPage Additional information available at: www.educationcannotwait.org Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2368708/ECW_Lebanon.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/southern-lebanon-crisis-response-education-cannot-wait-announces-new-us2-2-million-grant-to-improve-access-to-inclusive-quality-education-bringing-total-ecw-funding-in-lebanon-to-us24-million-302096365.html Launching in 2020, Wizerpeople connects private investors with startups through a vetted funding model, enhancing investment security and fostering innovation AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND / ACCESSWIRE / March 21, 2024 / In the dynamic sphere of business, Wizerpeople Startup Solutions Limited, a platform that allows users to invest in private online and offline startups, has bridged the gap between innovative ideas and investment to cultivate a fertile ecosystem for businesses poised to redefine their industries. Wizerpeople Startup Solutions Limited has provided crucial support to startups and seasoned enterprises alike as a vanguard of business innovation. Wizerpeople has provided a platform for strategic investments in diverse sectors, including technology, education, and services, showcasing a commitment to driving progress and diversity in the business landscape. Wizerpeople's ecosystem thrives on its ability to identify and nurture potential, providing not just financial backing but comprehensive growth strategies. This encompasses market insights, strategic guidance, and access to a broad network of resources, helping businesses excel. The platform's varied portfolio highlights its adeptness at meeting current market demands and anticipating future trends, fostering innovation and strategic business development. Wizerpeople Startup Solutions Limited simplifies investment in promising projects, offering transparent and attractive returns. For instance, investing in Flytickets could yield a 1.6% daily return over 50 days, with the original investment returned at the end of the term. This model emphasizes operational transparency and efficiency, ensuring investors can confidently support business growth. Sustainability and visionary planning are central to Wizerpeople's ethos, focusing on projects with long-term value and impact. This approach underpins the platform's commitment to not just immediate gains but enduring success and industry leadership. Wizerpeople Startup Solutions Limited underpins its investment model with a substantial reserve fund, bolstering consistent dividend payments even during lean periods. This commitment to financial stability and investor confidence is a testament to the platform's robustness and strategic foresight. Wizerpeople Startup Solutions Limited is a strategic partner for businesses aiming to reach their full potential. With its comprehensive support and innovative model, Wizerpeople Startup Solutions Limited is setting a new standard for business growth and investment in the startup ecosystem. For more information about Wizerpeople Startup Solutions Limited and its services, please visit their website. About Wizerpeople Startup Solutions Limited: Wizerpeople Startup Solutions Limited is a platform, which allows users to invest in private online and offline startups. Wizerpeople Startup Solutions Limited provides an opportunity for small and intermediate investors to invest in private startups. Each user of the platform has an opportunity to register and invest in any provided type of business without huge investing experience, signing documents, or any special requirements. The platform has made investment and funding of private companies simple. Media Contact Organization: WIZERPEOPLE STARTUP SOLUTIONS LIMITED Contact Person: Cornelius Website: https://wizerpeople.com Email: support@wizerpeople.com Address: Level 17, 19 Customs Street West, Auckland Central, Auckland, 1010, NZ City: Auckland Country: New Zealand SOURCE: WIZERPEOPLE STARTUP SOLUTIONS LIMITED View the original press release on accesswire.com An exterior view of the Connecticut State Capitol, in Hartford, Conn. Sept. 28, 2023. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media Speaker of the House Matt Ritter, left, and House Majority Leader Jason Rojas Ken Dixon/Hearst Connecticut Media An apparent meltdown between the Democratic co-chairmen of the General Assembly's Insurance and Real Estate Committee resulted in the expiration Thursday of about 40 pending bills on the panel's deadline day. It's the first time in memory that a legislative committee failed to approve any legislation. Capitol observers called it an embarrassing, unprecedented example of the committee's dysfunction and the possible tension between third-term state Rep. Kerry Wood of Rocky Hill and Sen. Jorge Cabrera, a second-term lawmaker whose district includes Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Derby, Naugatuck, Woodbridge and his hometown of Hamden. Advertisement Article continues below this ad And while seemingly dead legislation can often be revived until the last minute in the annual General Assembly sessions, for practical purposes resurrecting insurance bills from that committee could jeopardize other pending legislation approved in other committee. Cabrera, said he will work for similar bills to win approval during the upcoming weeks of the legislature. "Unfortunately we were unable to come to an agreement on bills to take action upon but I will continue to fight for the important policies heard by the Insurance Committee, especially issues involving mental health," he said in a mid-afternoon statement. Wood down-played the failure of the committee to vote on any legislation. "We heard a lot of bills in public hearings," Wood said in a phone interview Thursday morning. "There was just a disagreement in agendas. There are a lot insurance bills going through other committees. I will continue to fight to get things done. We just couldn't meet the deadline. We want to help businesses and farmers." She would also like to approve a bill for downloadable driving-monitor apps to rein in reckless driving. Advertisement Article continues below this ad State Sen. Saud Anwar, D-South Windsor, vice chairman of the committee, said he was disappointed by the cancellation of Thursday's meeting. "This is a missed opportunity and will leave important issues unaddressed for the rest of this session," said Anwar, a physician who serves on four other committees and is co-chairman of the Public Health Committee. "I can't speak directly to why the meeting was canceled but I will remain focused on delivering results in all of my committees." Sources said that Wood's opposition to a Senate bill on mental health resulted in her canceling two meetings that had been scheduled this week to act on bills before the 5 p.m. Thursday deadline for committee action. But Wood denied it was the cause. The current legislative sessions deadlines vary among the 26 legislative committees between March 14 and April 5, as the General Assembly heads to its midnight May 8 deadline. State Sen. Tony Hwang of Fairfield, a ranking Republican on the committee, said Thursday that while he was disappointed to not have the chance to debate the pending bills, he feels even worse that the committee let down residents who looked for the General Assembly's help in lowering insurance premiums. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "It is important for the chairs to sign off on an agenda, but ultimately the only people who lose are the people who are impacted by health care costs, insurance costs," Hwang said in an interview. "Even the governor's bill never got a vote." One now-dead bill was aimed at helping retired police afford insurance. Another would have helped farmers in the Farmington Valley who suffered massive crop damage in flooding last year, he said. "The losers are the advocates for those bills, the experts who testified, the constituents who tried to voice their opinion," Hwang said. "Weve punted on this. Another bill, prompted by a Hearst Connecticut Media report on a scam involving a house in Fairfield, was aimed at stopping fraud. Fifth-term state Rep. Cara Pavalock-DAmato of Bristol, another ranking Republican on the committee, said she believes that Democratic senators on the committee would not agree to agenda items for final action, including agency prerogatives and Gov. Ned Lamonts budget proposal, aimed at lowering prescription drug prices. I think thats pretty insulting to the governor, said Pavalock-DAmato, a lawyer. To not have anything coming out is disappointing. I wasnt in the room to hear the discussion among Democrats, so I dont really know. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Julia Bergman, Lamont's spokeswoman, said the governor was also disappointed by the committee's failure. "The governor believes that Connecticut is home to some of the highest quality health care systems in the world, but too many people cannot afford to access that care," Bergman said in a Thursday afternoon statement. "That's why he put forward a proposal this legislative session to address some of the largest drivers of health care costs including prescription drugs and hospital inpatient and outpatient expenses." "A lot of this comes down to ideological and philosophical disagreements over insurance," said House Majority Leader Jason Rojas, D-East Hartford. "This doesn't mean that no insurance bills will be done." He pointed out that existing bills can be amended and added to include Insurance and Real Estate Committee legislation. Since dozens of bills had public hearings, it may be technically easy to add them. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "It's a very complex place with people who have a lot of opinions," he said. "Sometimes they get to point where there is no agreement. There's a first time for everything. I think cooler heads will prevail and we'll find a way to work." Speaker of the House Matt Ritter, D-Hartford, said that for practical purposes, amending other legislation to fit Insurance Committee bills that expired, could result in prolonged debates and questioning from Republicans, who are a 97-54 minority in the House and are down 24-12 in the Senate. "Clearly the committee was not able to put the pieces together," Ritter said in a Thursday morning phone interview. "I have respect for the committees and co-chairs. I don't like to see any of the committees do this. We'll try to figure out a way to right the ship. In the General Assembly there are a lot of strong personalities, a lot of opinions. That's not unusual. This is not the first time there has been problems. Most insurance issues are federally regulated." The May 8 legislative adjournment deadline means that Democratic leaders want to avoid long debate, Ritter noted. Advertisement Article continues below this ad House Minority Leader Vincent Candelora, R-North Branford, like other leaders, could not remember such a committee meltdown. He joked that he wished other Democratic-dominated committees would fail to move bills to the House or Senate. He said that House Republicans did not have any caucus priorities in the Insurance Committee. "There isn't always friction between Democrats and Republicans. Sometimes there is friction between Democrats." Der kostenlose Dividenden-Report zeigt ganz genau, wo Sie in diesem Jahr zuschlagen konnen. Das sind die Favoriten von Borsenprofi Dr. Dennis Riedl WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Crude oil futures settled lower on Thursday, weighed down by weak gasoline demand in the U.S., and reports confirming U.S. has drafted a U.N. resolution calling for a ceasefire and hostage deal in Gaza. The U.S. secretary of state, Antony Blinken, presented the resolution as calling for 'an immediate ceasefire tied to the release of hostages'. Oil prices declined due to profit taking as well. A stronger dollar too weighed on prices. West Texas Intermediate Crude oil futures for May ended lower by $0.20 at $81.07 a barrel. Brent crude futures were down $0.12 at $85.12 a barrel a little while ago. Recent data showing a drop in crude inventories and gasoline stockpiles last week supported oil prices and limited the commodity's downside. The U.N. resolution calls for an 'immediate ceasefire' and hostage deal in Gaza, amid mounting pressure on Israel to halt its military campaign and allow the delivery of substantial amounts of humanitarian aid into the Palestinian territory. 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. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 21, 2024) - Crestview Exploration Inc. (CSE: CRS) (FSE: CE7) ("Crestview" or "the Company") today announces a non-brokered private placement financing of up to 5,000,000 units at a price of $0.05 per unit for aggregate proceeds of up to $250,000 (the "Offering"). Each unit will consist of one common share of the Company and one share purchase warrant of the Company, each warrant being exercisable into one common share of the Company at a price of $0.10 per common share for a term of two-years from the date of issuance. The Company intends to use the proceeds of this Offering for general and administrative purposes, option payments, and pre-drilling and exploration activities at its Nevada properties. The Company may pay a finder's fee in cash and/or securities as compensation to qualified finders as part of this Offering. The securities issued under the Offering will have a hold period expiring four months and one day from the date of issuance pursuant to applicable Canadian securities laws. Closing of the Offering remains subject to regulatory approvals, including approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange. The securities offered in the Offering 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 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 does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of any offer to buy securities in the United States, nor in any other jurisdiction. On Behalf of the Board of Directors, "Chris Wensley" Chief Executive Officer and Director On Behalf of the Board of Directors, Chris Wensley, CEO About Crestview Exploration Inc: Crestview Exploration: is an experienced exploration company focused on the exploration and development of its portfolio of gold and silver properties located in prolific mining districts of geopolitically stable Nevada, which is currently ranked as the number one mining and exploration jurisdiction globally, by the Fraser Institute. Rock Creek gold project is Crestview's flagship asset, with 74 unpatented lode mining claims wholly owned and controlled by CRS. The Rock Creek property was acquired in 2017, and the company went public in 2019. Emboldened by the results coming out of Rock Creek, Crestview strategically expanded on the land position with the acquisition of the nearby Divide Mine prospect in April 2020, and the acquisition of the Falcon silver-gold prospect in September 2022. Between the three properties, all targeting similar mineralization and likely the same hydrothermal system, Crestview now holds 260 total claims in close proximity of one another. These three gold prospects, along with the nearby Castile prospect, are situated in a region with proven "world class" gold deposits (including Midas, Jerritt Canyon, Betze-Post, Meikle, and Gold Quarry), where the potential of finding large, high-grade gold-silver deposits is favourable. The Cimarron project is located in the San Antonio Mountains of Nye County, Nevada, and is comprised of 31 unpatented lode mining claims, including control of 6 historically producing claims associated with the historic San Antonio mine. The property is located in the prolific Walker-Lane trend, approximately 44 kms south of the "world class" Round Mountain deposit. For further information please contact: Chris Wensley, Chief Executive Officer Tel: 1-778-887-3900 Email: Chris@crestviewexploration.com Forward-Looking Information This news release includes certain information that may be deemed "forward-looking information" under applicable securities laws. All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address the Offering, exploration activities and events or developments that the Company expects is forward-looking information. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the statements. There are certain factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking information. These include the results of the Company's due diligence investigations, market prices, exploration successes, continued availability of capital financing, and general economic, market or business conditions, and those additionally described in the Company's filings with the Canadian securities authorities. 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 information. For more information on the Company, investors are encouraged to review the Company's public filings at www.sedar.com. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward- looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law. 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. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/202691 SOURCE: Crestview Exploration Inc. JACKSONVILLE, FL / ACCESSWIRE / March 21, 2024 / ParkerVision, Inc. (OTCQB:PRKR) ("ParkerVision"), a developer and marketer of technologies and products for wireless applications, today announced results for the year ended December 31, 2023. Year End 2023 Summary and Recent Developments Since 2021, the Company has resolved patent infringement actions filed in the Western District of Texas against four defendants through patent license and settlement agreements, including one agreement reached in 2023 for which the Company received $25 million in gross proceeds. The Company currently has active patent infringement cases in the Western District of Texas against MediaTek, Realtek, Texas Instruments, and NXP Semiconductors, as well as additional cases in the Western District of Texas against TCL and LGE that are currently stayed pending the outcome of the active cases. A jury trial is scheduled to begin in December 2024 in one of three active MediaTek cases with a jury trial in the first of two active Realtek cases scheduled to follow in January 2025. In November 2023, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ("CAFC") heard oral arguments in the Company's appeal from certain March 2022 Florida district court rulings dismissing the Company's long standing patent infringement case against Qualcomm. The CAFC's ruling is currently pending. Lewis H. Titterton joined the ParkerVision board of directors in June 2023. Jeffrey Parker, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "The patent licensing and settlement proceeds received in 2023 generated $9.5 million in net income with no tax impact due to our ability to use prior net operating loss carryforwards. These proceeds also enabled the repayment of a significant portion of the principal on our secured contingent debt, $5 million in new borrowings at a lower rate of return to continue to support our business, and a restructuring of the prior secured contingent debt agreements. We continue to pursue licensing arrangements with third parties, both with and without enforcement actions." Mr. Parker continued, "We are preparing for two scheduled patent enforcement jury trials, one in a little over eight months from now against MediaTek and a second one a month later against Realtek. We also expect a ruling from the CAFC in the near future regarding our appeal in one of our cases against Qualcomm where the district court dismissed the case without a jury trial. We remain confident in our ability to demonstrate to a jury of our peers that our patented wireless technologies are being used without our permission and look forward to having our day in court with each of the defendants." Financial Results Net income for 2023 was $9.5 million compared to a net loss of $9.8 million for 2022. Basic and diluted earnings per common share were $0.11 and $0.08 respectively for 2023, compared to basic and diluted loss per common share of $(0.13) in 2022. The $19.3 million increase in earnings from 2022 to 2023 is primarily the result of a $24.1 million increase in revenue resulting from our patent enforcement and licensing efforts, a $2.6 million decrease in the loss related to the change in fair value of our contingent payment obligations, offset by a $7.0 million increase in operating expenses. The increase in operating expenses from 2022 to 2023 is the result of a $9.6 million increase in contingent legal fees, offset by a $2.6 million decrease in share-based compensation expense. Our long-term liabilities decreased by $8.9 million in 2023 as a result of a $13.9 million repayment on our secured contingent payment obligation, offset by $5.0 million in new borrowings under that secured obligation. We also successfully extended the maturity dates of $1.2 million in convertible debt by at least two years. At December 31, 2023, we had $2.6 million in cash and cash equivalents and were able to reduce our accounts payable by 36%. About ParkerVision ParkerVision, Inc. invents, develops and licenses cutting-edge, proprietary radio-frequency (RF) technologies that enable wireless solution providers to make and sell advanced wireless communication products. ParkerVision is engaged in a number of patent enforcement actions in the U.S. to protect patented rights that it believes are broadly infringed by others. For more information, please visit www.parkervision.com. (PRKR-I) Safe Harbor Statement This press release contains forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, each of which speaks only as of the date made. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that are disclosed in the Company's SEC reports, including the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. These risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated or projected. ?Cindy French Chief Financial Officer ParkerVision, Inc cfrench@parkervision.com (TABLES FOLLOW) ParkerVision, Inc. Balance Sheet Highlights December 31, (in thousands) 2023 2022 Cash and cash equivalents $ 2,560 $ 109 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 95 274 Intangible assets, net 1,055 1,359 Other noncurrent assets, net 313 9 Total assets 4,023 1,751 Current liabilities 2,289 2,257 Contingent payment obligations 37,020 45,797 Convertible notes 3,893 3,913 Other long-term liabilities 340 473 Shareholders??? deficit (39,519 ) (50,689 ) Total liabilities and shareholders??? deficit $ 4,023 $ 1,751 ParkerVision, Inc. Summary Results of Operations Year Ended (in thousands, except per share amounts) December 31, 2023 2022 Licensing revenue $ 25,000 $ 925 Cost of sales (227 ) (10 ) Gross margin 24,773 915 Selling, general and administrative expenses 14,744 7,773 Total operating expenses 14,744 7,773 Interest and other income 58 103 Interest expense (424 ) (324 ) Change in fair value of contingent payment obligations (148 ) (2,734 ) Total interest and other (514 ) (2,955 ) Net income (loss) $ 9,515 $ (9,813 ) Basic earnings (loss) per common share $ 0.11 $ (0.13 ) Diluted earnings (loss) per common share $ 0.08 $ (0.13 ) Weighted average shares outstanding - basic 85,732 78,395 Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted 119,888 78,395 ParkerVision, Inc. Summary of Cash Flows Year Ended (in thousands) December 31, 2023 2022 Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities $ 10,791 $ (2,959 ) Net cash used in investing activities (2 ) (4 ) Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (8,338 ) 2,042 Net increase (decrease) in cash & cash equivalents 2,451 (921 ) Cash & cash equivalents - beginning of year 109 1,030 Cash & cash equivalents - end of year $ 2,560 $ 109 SOURCE: ParkerVision, Inc. View the original press release on accesswire.com Collaboration Will Fast-Track Technologies, Materials for Nuclear Reactor Systems SAN DIEGO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / March 21, 2024 / General Atomics (GA) announced today that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) to investigate collaborative project opportunities to support United Arab Emirates (UAE) nuclear energy programs. Representatives from both companies signed the MOU while attending the CERAWeek Conference in Houston, TX. General Atomics Signs Memorandum of Understanding with Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation Scott Forney (left), President of General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems, and His Excellency Mohamed Al Hammadi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation Under the MOU, General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS), a group operating within GA, and ENEC will conduct detailed discussions covering several projects, including opportunities to utilize GA-EMS' SiGA cladding for nuclear reactor applications and Fast Modular Nuclear Reactor designs. Silicon carbide cladding will improve the safety and affordability of existing light water reactors, as well as minimize outage time. Additionally, this innovative material is critical for the Department of Energy-funded Fast Modular Reactor (FMR) design and other advanced or Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) that use high temperature to achieve high efficiency in production of electricity. "We look forward to working with ENEC to develop potential opportunities to fast-track the development of advanced fuels, silicon carbide cladding and new modular reactor designs to support the UAE's innovation-driven nuclear energy initiatives," stated Scott Forney, president of GA-EMS. "ENEC has extensive experience in developing nuclear programs and building and operating reactor systems to the highest standards of safety, quality, and security. We are committed to working with companies like ENEC, whose reputation for excellence is synergistic with ours, to deliver these revolutionary technologies to greatly enhance the safety, durability, performance, and economics of nuclear energy systems." His Excellency Mohamed Al Hammadi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of ENEC, said: "Having successfully developed the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, the largest single source of clean electricity in the UAE, we are now focused on building international partnerships to drive innovation and R&D in new clean energy solutions. The Barakah Plant is a catalyst for a new era of technological advancement and cooperation on a global level to collectively take us closer to our Net Zero targets. We look forward to working with General Atomics to identify areas of potential collaboration to drive progress within the international nuclear energy industry." Contact Information General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems Media Relations ems-mediarelations@ga.com 8589646989 SOURCE: General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems View the original press release on newswire.com. VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / March 21, 2024 / Rockland Resources Ltd. (the "Company" or "Rockland") (CSE:RKL) announces that further to the news releases dated March 14, 2024 and March 15, 2024, the Company has closed its non-brokered private placement of 4,500,000 ("Units") at a price of $0.025 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of $112,500 (the "Offering"). Each Unit will be comprised of one common share ("Share") and one-half of one transferable Share purchase warrant of the Company ("Warrant"). Each whole Warrant will entitle the Subscriber to purchase one Warrant Share for a 24-month period after the Closing Date at an exercise price of $0.05 per share. Proceeds raised from the Offering will be used for general and administrative purposes. About Rockland Resources Ltd. Rockland Resources is engaged in the business of mineral exploration and the acquisition of mineral property assets for the benefit of its shareholders. Rockland is focused on its district scale (41,520 acres) land position prospective for lithium in mining friendly Utah, USA. Other assets include an option on the 41,818-hectare Elektra claystone project concessions that are located in Sonora, Mexico as well as an option to earn a 100-per-cent interest in the Cole Gold Mines property, located in Ball township, Red Lake mining division, Ontario. The Cole Property hosts high-grade gold mineralization in a classic Red Lake-type structurally controlled gold deposit environment. On Behalf of the Board of Directors Mike England CEO and Director For further information, please contact: Mike England Email: mike@engcom.ca Neither the Canadian Stock Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE: Rockland Resources Ltd. View the original press release on accesswire.com Halifax, Nova Scotia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 21, 2024) - Torrent Capital Ltd. (TSXV: TORR) ("Torrent Capital") congratulates Port of Argentia and Hamburg Port Authority on the signing of a Letter of Intent ("LOI") to collaborate on the export and import of green hydrogen from Canada to Germany. The agreement was signed in Hamburg during the Canada-Germany Hydrogen and Ammonia Producer-Offtaker Conference. The conference was being held in support of the Canada-Germany Energy Partnership and Hydrogen Alliance. That Alliance commits the two countries to collaborate on reducing emissions and transitioning to cleaner fuels and a greener economy through the export of clean Canadian hydrogen to Germany. During the conference, Canada and Germany announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding ("MOU") that commits both countries to backing transactions between Canadian hydrogen producers and Germany's industrial manufacturing and energy distribution sectors. The intent of the MOU is to identify pathways which will enable Canadian hydrogen producers to develop commercial scale projects based on reasonable prices contained in long-term commercially binding offtake agreements with German buyers. The Port of Argentia is looking to host the production of a robust supply chain of green hydrogen derivatives for export to Germany. Pattern Renewable Holdings Canada 2 ULC ("Pattern Energy") is undertaking the feasibility, environmental and permitting work necessary to establish Argentia Renewables, a 300-MW wind energy to green hydrogen production project at the Port of Argentia. Coinciding with the Canada-Germany Hydrogen and Ammonia Producer-Offtaker Conference, Pattern Energy signed a LOI with Mabanaft, an integrated energy company headquartered in Germany. The LOI outlines both company's mutual interest of exploring the possibility of a partnership between Pattern Energy and Mabanaft for equity investment and green ammonia supply from Pattern Energy's Argentia Renewables project. Argentia Capital Inc. ("ACI") is a 50/50 joint venture between Port of Argentia Inc. ("POA") and Torrent Capital Ltd. Through the joint venture, Torrent Capital is investing in developmental projects at the Port which will generate opportunities to earn royalty revenues and invest in equity positions. ACI has negotiated an opportunity to invest in Pattern Energy's renewable energy green-fuels project. Negotiated commercial terms will see ACI receiving a royalty calculated as a percentage of gross revenue on sales from the ammonia production facilities, at rates ranging from 1.0% - 3.5% depending on price. In addition, ACI has the right to acquire up to a 12.5% limited partner equity interest in the wind, hydrogen and ammonia project, or any other entities established for maintaining and operating renewable energy green fuels production, storage and exports at the Port. ACI's involvement in this venture highlights its efforts to work with POA in fostering innovative projects with substantial long-term benefits. Pattern Energy's Renewable Green Fuels Project at the Port of Argentia Pattern Renewable Holdings Canada 2 ULC ("Pattern Energy") is planning to develop a renewable energy-to-green fuels project at the Port of Argentia, Newfoundland and Labrador. Feasibility and permitting work for a renewable energy-to-green fuels project at the Port is ongoing. The Project involves the installation of 300 MW of wind power on lands privately owned by Port of Argentia Inc. In addition, a hydrogen / ammonia plant will be located at the Port in close proximity to Port of Argentia's marine terminal. These facilities will produce hydrogen through an electrolysis of water using renewable wind energy. It will also produce nitrogen by air separation using renewable energy. Ammonia will be created when the hydrogen and nitrogen gases react, and its energy content is a product of the energy used to produce these gases. The Project is expected to produce 400 metric tonnes per day (MTPD) of green ammonia (146,000 tonnes of ammonia per year). Project commissioning is targeted for 2027. Once the Project is operational, the product will be exported by marine vessels to international markets. Based on the viability of the Project and market conditions, the Project could be scaled up in a second phase to more than 1 gigawatt of renewable energy producing approximately 1,400 MTPD of ammonia. About Torrent Capital Ltd. Torrent is a publicly traded investment issuer that invests in the securities of private and publicly traded companies. The Company invests in companies that are due to experience accelerated growth or are trading at a discount to their intrinsic value. Torrent offers investors the potential to earn above market returns while providing transparency, daily liquidity and a modest fee profile compared to competing investment products. For further information, please contact: Torrent Capital Wade Dawe, President & CEO Bus: 902-536-1976 Fax: 902-491-4281 info@torrentcapital.ca CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This press release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. 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. Torrent 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 required by law. The reader is referred the Company's annual financial reporting for a discussion of risks and uncertainties. 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. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/202702 SOURCE: Torrent Capital Ltd. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / March 21, 2024 / Lincoln Gold Mining Inc. (TSXV:LMG) (the "Company" or "Lincoln") is pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement financing for gross proceeds of up to $750,000 through the issuance of 3,000,000 units of the Company (each, a "Unit") at a price of $0.25 per Unit (the "Private Placement"). Each Unit will consist of one common share in the capital of the Company (a "Common Share") and one-half of one Common Share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one additional Common Share (a "Warrant Share") at a price of $0.50 per Warrant Share for a period of 12 months from the closing of the Private Placement. The proceeds from the Private Placement will be allocated towards costs related to the acquisition of the Bell Mountain gold project located in Nevada. The Bell Mountain project is fully permitted with a thorough mining plan for a cost-effective open-pit, heap leach operation. Lincoln plans to commence an updated Preliminary Economic Assessment that is required by the TSX Venture (the "TSXV") and begin the detail design of the plant upon closing this private placement. The Private Placement represents an important step for Lincoln in advancing the Company's goal towards near-term gold production. The funds raised are expected to accelerate the Company's acquisition of Bell Mountain. For additional details regarding the acquisition, please refer to the Company's news releases dated August 10, 2023, October 27, 2023, November 6, 2023, January 5, 2024, and March 15, 2024. The proposed addition of Bell Mountain to Lincoln's portfolio demonstrates the Company's commitment to its strategic expansion and value creation for the Company's stakeholders. The Company believes that the acquisition of Bell Mountain will contribute to the further advancement and development of Lincoln's larger Pine Grove gold property given the proximity of the projects. Commenting on the Private Placement, CEO and President of Lincoln Gold Mining Inc., Mr. Paul Saxton stated, "We are excited to announce this Private Placement offering as it marks a crucial step forward in our journey towards becoming a mid-tier gold producer. The proceeds will enable us to expedite the commencement of work on Lincoln's projects, driving us closer to our strategic objectives." Interested investors are encouraged to contact Lincoln Gold Mining Inc. for further details regarding participation. All securities issued with respect to the Private Placement will be subject to a hold period of four months and one day from the date of issuance in accordance with applicable securities laws. Closing of the Private Placement is subject to all necessary regulatory approvals, including the TSXV. None of the securities sold under the Private Placement have been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act, as amended, and no such securities may be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in the United States or any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. About Lincoln Gold Mining Inc.: Lincoln is a Canadian precious metals exploration and development company headquartered in Vancouver, BC. Lincoln holds 100% interest in Pine Grove gold project located in Nevada, US, renowned for its mining-friendly regulations. Lincoln received conditional approval from the TSXV on its acquisition of the Bell Mountain from Eros Resources Corp. The anticipated completion of this transaction will mark a pivotal moment for Lincoln, enabling a potent operational synergy between these two properties. Lincoln is committed to maintaining steady and robust progress towards its goal of becoming a mid-tier gold producer. For further information, please contact: Lincoln Gold Mining Inc. Paul Saxton President and Chief Executive Officer Phone: 604-688-7377 Email: saxton@lincolnmining.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. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains "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 the completion of the Bell Mountain Project acquisition; the impact the acquisition of the Bell Mountain Project will have on the Company and the value of its common shares, the Company's anticipated plans and expectations regarding the future operation of the Bell Mountain Project and the Pine Grove gold project, the ability of the Company to complete the Private Placement on the proposed terms or at all, the anticipated use of proceeds from the Private Placement and receipt of regulatory approvals with respect to the Private Placement. 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 connation thereof. Such forward-looking information and statements are based on numerous assumptions, including among others, that the Company's development and expansion activities will be completed in a timely manner, that the Company will be able to complete the acquisition of the Bell Mountain Project; that the Company will fulfil the TSXV's conditions and receive the necessary approvals to complete the acquisition of the Bell Mountain Project; the Company's assumption of the impact the acquisition of the Bell Mountain Project will have on the Company's growth and value; that the Company will become a mid-tier gold producer; that the Company will be able to complete the Private Placement on the terms as anticipated by management, that the Company will use the proceeds of the Private Placement as anticipated, and that the Company will receive regulatory approval with respect to the Private Placement. 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. 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 plans or expectations include the risk that the Company will not be able to complete the Private Placement on the terms as anticipated by management or at all, that the Company will not use the proceeds of the Private Placement as anticipated, that the Company will not receive regulatory approval with respect to the Private Placement, risks relating to the acquisition of the Bell Mountain Project, including the risk that the Company will not receive regulatory or TSXV approval to close the transaction, that the Company will not complete the acquisition of the Bell Mountain Project at all, and that if the Company does acquire the Bell Mountain Project, the impact will be different than as currently anticipated, risks relating to the actual results of current exploration activities, fluctuating gold prices, possibility of equipment breakdowns and delays, exploration cost overruns, availability of capital and financing, general economic, market or business conditions, regulatory changes, timeliness of government or regulatory approvals and other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. 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 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. SOURCE: Lincoln Gold Mining Inc. View the original press release on accesswire.com CALGARY, AB / ACCESSWIRE / March 21, 2024 / Tocvan Ventures Corp. (the "Company") (CSE:TOC)(OTCQB:TCVNF)(FSE:TV3), has elected to enter into a joint venture arrangement with Colibri Resources ("Colibri") for the 51% owned Original Pilar Concessions. The two-concession owned jointly by Tocvan and Colibri account for just 4.6% of the total land area controlled by Tocvan where it has an ongoing 100% interest in the surrounding expansion area (over 2,100 hectares). Why the JV Arrangement is Beneficial to Tocvan Shareholders: Tocvan has Controlling Ownership (51%) in the Original Pilar Area. Tocvan has 100% Interest in a huge land package surrounding Pilar. In 2023, Tocvan was able to successfully expand the Pilar area by acquiring a land package 20 times the size of the Original Pilar Concessions. This expansion allows Tocvan optionality with discoveries to date pointing to greater Pilar-like systems. The two concessions held jointly with Colibri account for a total of 105 hectares, just 4.6% of the total area Tocvan has controlling interest in (2,277.7 hectares). The Company believes 105 hectares is insufficient space to build a significant mine, therefore payment of $2 million CAD for the remaining interest of the small portion of the property is not in the best interest of shareholders. Control on Share Dilution. Future capital can be raised for project development. Expenditures on the Original Pilar Concessions will be shared with Colibri through the joint venture, greatly reducing the need for excessive capital. Details of the joint venture agreement will be disclosed once finalized. Go Forward Plan for Pilar This year, the Company has planned a minimum of 7,000 to 10,000 meters of drilling on the Original Pilar Concessions and will look to continue that initiative. Across the broader Pilar Property exploration work will be ongoing identifying source areas for the expansive placer gold workings and the large hydrothermal alteration cells that coincide with gold and silver mineralization. Preparation work for mine development permitting is ongoing. Updates on the LiDAR Survey, Exploration and Drilling initiatives will be provided shortly. About Tocvan Ventures Corp. Tocvan is a well-structured exploration development company. Tocvan was created in order to take advantage of the prolonged downturn in the junior mining exploration sector, by identifying and negotiating interest in opportunities where management feels they can build upon previous success. Tocvan has approximately 43 million shares outstanding and is earning into two exciting opportunities in Sonora, Mexico. The Company has consolidated an attractive land position at its Pilar Gold-Silver Project where it holds 100% interests in over 21 square kilometers of prospective area and a majority ownership (51%) in a one square kilometer area shared with Colibri Resources. The Company also holds 100% interest in the Picacho Gold-Silver project in the Caborca Trend of northern Sonora, a trend host to some of the major gold deposits of the region. Management feels both projects represent tremendous opportunity to create shareholder value. Cautionary Statement Regarding 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. This news release contains "forward-looking information" which may include, 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. Forward-looking information in this news release includes statements regarding the use of proceeds from the Offering. Such forward-looking information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words and phrases such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or variations (including negative 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. These forward-looking statements, and any assumptions upon which they are based, are made in good faith and reflect our current judgment regarding the direction of our business. Management believes that these assumptions are reasonable. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which 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. Such factors include, among others, risks related to the speculative nature of the Company's business, the Company's formative stage of development and the Company's financial position. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release and the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information 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 information. For more information, please contact: TOCVAN VENTURES CORP. Brodie A. Sutherland, CEO 820-1130 West Pender St. Vancouver, BC V6E 4A4 403-829-9877 bsutherland@tocvan.ca The Howard Group Jeff Walker VP Howard Group Inc. 403-221-0915 jeff@howardgroupinc.com SOURCE: Tocvan Ventures Corp View the original press release on accesswire.com Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - March 21, 2024) - Blacksteel Energy Inc. ("Blacksteel" or the "Corporation") announces that Mr. Duncan Nightingale has resigned as President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director of the Corporation for personal reasons. Blacksteel is pleased to announce that Arthur Madden, the Corporation's Chief Financial Officer, has agreed to assume the position of President and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation and join the board of directors. In addition, the Corporation has appointed Mr. John McLeod as Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Arthur Madden, CMA, CPA, MBA, ICD.D., brings over 40 years of experience as a Director, Advisor and Chief Financial Officer with international capital markets experience for private and public entities in Canada, Argentina, Russia, USA, and the Middle East. Mr. Madden has proven abilities in strategic planning, capital markets, value creation, and environmental, social, and corporate governance for public and private companies, including start-ups and initial public offerings. He is a previous director of Painted Pony Energy, a rapidly growing producer in Canada's Montney hydrocarbon play. Mr. John McLeod, P.Eng., has over 40 years of technical, operational and management experience in the upstream oil and gas industry, both domestic and international. He spent 15 years with Amoco Canada in Canada and the USA, including four years as Chief Engineer. In addition to his North American experience, he has been involved in international exploration, development, and EOR projects. He has been a director of several international oil companies, including Heritage Oil Plc. He has held the positions of President and CEO of several international public companies, including Arakis Energy Corp in Sudan, Rally Energy Corp. in Egypt, and United Hydrocarbon International Corp in Chad. He has served as an officer and director of several Canadian public and private energy companies. John is a member and a Past President of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA) and a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE). Arthur Madden stated, "I am thrilled to take on this additional responsibility as president and CEO of the company. Adding Mr. McLeod provides Blacksteel with the expertise needed to optimize growth opportunities. I strongly believe that our team can propel Blacksteel's growth and prosperity." Blacksteel Energy would like to thank Mr. Nightingale for his tireless contributions and guidance over the past few years, which enabled the Corporation to move forward and consolidate its current asset base. The Corporation wishes him all the best in his future endeavours and is appreciative that he has agreed to stay on as a consultant and advisor. Blacksteel Energy Inc. Blacksteel is a junior oil and gas company that explores, develops, and produces petroleum and natural gas resources. Arthur Madden President and CEO (403) 473-8547 arthur@blacksteelenergy.ca www.blacksteelenergy.ca Forward-Looking Information Cautionary Statement: This document contains forward-looking statements regarding the business and operations of Blacksteel. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained herein are forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. In particular, statements about the Corporation's anticipated transactions are forward-looking. These forward-looking statements are based upon various assumptions. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "seek", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "suggest", "indicate" and other similar words or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. The Corporation's actual results, performance or achievements 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 plans, intentions or expectations anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefit the Corporation will derive therefrom. 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 oil and gas exploration; risks related to the listing and 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 drilling results; risks associated with the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; the possibility that future exploration and development results will not be consistent with the Corporation's expectations; risks related to commodity price fluctuations; and other risks and uncertainties related to the Corporation's prospects, properties and business detailed elsewhere in the Corporation's disclosure record. All subsequent forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, attributable to the Corporation or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified by these cautionary statements. Furthermore, the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as at the date of this news release, and the Corporation does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. Not for distribution to U.S. Newswire Services or for dissemination in the United States of America. Any failure to comply with this restriction may constitute a violation of U.S. Securities Laws. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/202716 SOURCE: Blacksteel Energy Inc. Funds and accounts managed by KKR agreed to acquire a majority stake in Avantus, a U.S. developer of large utility-scale solar and solar-plus-storage projects. Following the close of the transaction, KKR and existing investor EIG will be the sole equity investors in Avantus. Both equity sponsors are dedicated to supporting the next phase of Avantus growth, including having secured commitments for a substantial development financing facility alongside their equity commitments to the company, totaling upwards of $1 billion in the aggregate. Founded in 2009, Avantus supports solar and energy storage development throughout the project lifecycle from selecting a project site through operations and owns a large project pipeline of 30 GW p of solar and 94 GWh of battery storage, enough to provide 20 million people with clean, reliable power. The company has a substantial presence and track-record of development in the southwestern U.S. and California power markets. Since its founding, Avantus has developed and sold 6.5 GW p and 6.3 GWh of solar and storage projects, respectively. Following the closing of the transaction, KKR will support Avantus in creating an equity ownership program to provide all employees the opportunity to participate in the benefits of ownership of the company. FinSMEs 21/03/2024 Michigan Rep. Kara Hope (D-Holt) Michigan House of Representatives LANSING The number of farmhands in Michigan working on H-2A visas which allow farms that are struggling to hire U.S. workers to bring in temporary laborers from other countriesincreased from 277 in 2010 to over 15,000 in 2023, according to the Michigan Farm Bureau. The [H-2A] program is critical to the survival of many of our family farms, said John Kran, the Farm Bureaus national legislative counsel. But the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center, an advocacy group that represents immigrants, says a lack of state and federal oversight of employers and the farm labor contractors that connect H-2A workers to short-staffed farms leaves them vulnerable to poor working conditions and exploitation. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Christine Sauve, the centers policy, engagement and communications director, said one key aspect of H-2A visas is that workers must stay with one specific employer even if theyre unhappy there. Transferability has long been an issue, she said. The center has offices in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Detroit and Ypsilanti. The debate continues at a time when farms are planning their workforce needs for the impending start of the 2024 growing season. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Another issue is employers control over H-2A worker housing and transportation, she said. It has a lot of limitations for the worker that puts them in a vulnerable position and open to these kinds of abuses, she said. On top of that, she said, state agencies that regulate workplaces like the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity and the Michigan Occupational Health and Safety Administration are underfunded and cant proactively investigate workplace conditions all across the state. And even when they do inspect worker housing, Sauve said, language barriers make it difficult for some farmworkers to communicate complaints to regulators. Advertisement Article continues below this ad They dont have staff that speak the language of the worker or an interpreter, so the worker might be trying to tell them about how theres a deficiency, and they would miss that, she said. While the Farm Bureau cant enforce compliance with H-2A regulations, Kran said the organization is very proactive in providing information and educational resources to our members, including agricultural employer labor seminars offering an employer compliance guide, among other resources. A 2020 NBC News investigation into the H-2A program which surged amid the Trump administrations crackdown on undocumented workers said the U.S. Labor Department closed 431 cases with confirmed H-2A violations in 2019, a 150% increase from 2014. But the issue of H-2A workers vulnerability to abuse is ongoing, Sauve said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The center represents two H-2A workers in a legal battle against First Pick Farms, an Ottawa County-based blueberry grower that allegedly trafficked a group of workers from North Carolina to its farm in West Olive in 2017. The suit accuses First Pick Farms of human trafficking and violating the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act. The lawsuit, filed in June 2023, alleges that a First Pick Farms employee woke up a group of about 30 farmworkers in the middle of the night including the two visa holders the center represents and threatened to report them to immigration authorities if they didnt travel with him to Michigan. First Pick Farms Management and HB Hive and Co. have denied any violations and filed a motion last month to have the case dismissed, the federal court file shows. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Sauve said both H-2A and non-H-2A undocumented workers commonly face threats related to their immigration status from employers and labor contractors. A goal of the center is to educate migrant workers and farmworkers about their rights, she said. She said one way to address the problem of threats relating to immigration status at least for H-2A workers would be to include a path to citizenship in the program. Such a proposal had been included in a congressional bill that didnt pass. The Agricultural Labor Working Group, a bipartisan group of federal lawmakers, recently released recommendations to improve the program, which included creating an H-2A pilot program for a three-year visa. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Gonzalo Peralta, a staff lawyer at the center and lead attorney on the First Pick Farms case, said the lawsuit is unique because the employer is clearly at fault and blame cant be placed on a labor contractor. He said its common for employers and labor contractors to shift the potential liability over workers rights violations to each other, because they can hide behind it and say, were not the direct employers. That legal division is whats causing so many issues, he said. Because then the owners of the farms are able to say, Well, we were not the employers. The direct employers are those recruiters that brought the workforce to us. Sauve said the center is keeping its eye on a pending bill in the state legislature that would establish rights for temporary laborers and potentially affect farmworkers and migrant workers. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The sponsor, Rep. Kara Hope, D-Holt, said the bill is designed to regulate labor contractors. The bill is cosponsored by Democratic Reps. Emily Dievendorf of Lansing, Stephanie Young of Detroit and Rachael Hood of Grand Rapids, among others. It would require labor contractors to provide temporary workers with relevant information relating to their job, including duties, hours and work site locations. The contractors would be required to keep records about their interactions with workers and to remain in good standing with the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. The beneficiaries are people that are currently being exploited by employers, she said. Its a basic fairness issue. Hope said the bill would help workers across industries in the state by increasing oversight of labor contractors. Advertisement Article continues below this ad It would be great if we had a more robust oversight in Michigan for workers, she said. Dryad Networks, a Berlin, Germany-based ultra-early wildfire detection technology company, announced the initial closing of 5.6M in convertible financing, with a total round size of up to 10M. The round saw participation from both existing and new investors. The company intends to use the funds to accelerate the development and deployment of its wildfire detection technology. Led by CEO Carsten Brinkschulte, Dryad Networks provides a proprietary solution that combines solar-powered infrastructure with AI-enabled gas sensors strategically placed in forested areas. This system is designed to detect wildfires at their earliest stages, enabling rapid response and mitigation efforts. Its core product, Silvanet, is currently deployed in more than twenty countries around the world across North America, Europe and Asia, with 30,000 sensors shipped to date. Commenting on the news, Carsten Brinkschulte said: We are thrilled to announce the initial closing of 5.6M in convertible financing, with the support of both existing and new investors. This substantial investment serves as a strong endorsement of Dryads technological solution and the companys market position and potential. FinSMEs 21/03/2024 Fullerton Fund Management, a Singapore-based active investment firm, raised US$100M in the anchor close of its Fullerton Carbon Action Fund (the Fund). The fund will invest in market leading businesses in the manufacturing, industrials, energy, and electric vehicles/mobility sectors. It will seek established, profitable and robust cash flow businesses, and avoid earlier stage venture capital investments as well as infrastructure related deals. These target companies have lower inherent downside risks and are well-positioned to deliver attractive financial returns over the long-term. Focusing on leaders in the mid-market space in Southeast Asia, India and China, it provides strategic support alongside capital to drive the growth of its portfolio companies in areas such as new market entry, M&A and sustainability improvements. Backed by a strong pipeline of proprietary deals, the fund is currently evaluating several investment opportunities across Asia, with the target to close at least three transactions by the first half of 2024. Led by CEO Jenny Sofian, Fullerton Fund Management Company is an active investment specialist, focused on optimising investment outcomes and enhancing investor experience. It helps clients, including government entities, sovereign wealth funds, pension plans, insurance companies, private wealth and retail, from the region and beyond, to achieve their investment objectives through a suite of solutions. and its expertise, which encompasses equities, fixed income, multi-asset, alternatives and treasury management, across public and private markets. Incorporated in 2003, Fullerton is headquartered in Singapore, and has associated offices in Shanghai and Brunei. Fullerton is part of a multi-asset management group, Seviora, a holding company established by Temasek. Income Insurance, one of Singapores leading insurers, is a minority shareholder of Fullerton. Commenting on the news, Jenny Sofian, said: With the acceleration of the decarbonisation roadmap in Asia, we are at an inflexion point where the fight against climate change coincides with the emergence of very compelling growth areas in private equity. This strategy provides an avenue to ride the decarbonisation wave and advance the net zero agenda in the region, while capturing long-term opportunities. FinSMEs 21/03/2024 Holistic AI, a Palo Alto, CA-based provider of an AI governance platform, received an investment from Mozilla Ventures. The amount of the deal was not disclosed. The company intends to use the funds to expand operations and its development efforts. Holistic AI provides Fortune 500 corporations, SMEs, governments, and regulators with end-to-end solutions for AI Governance, including AI trust, risk, security, and compliance, to safely embrace AIs potential in their businesses, with a key focus on transparency, accountability, and safety. FinSMEs 21/03/2024 Ultrahuman, a Bangalore, India-based health monitoring company, based $35M in Series B funding. Backers included Blume Ventures, Steadview Capital, Nexus Venture Partners, Alpha Wave and Zomato founder Deepinder Goya. The company intends to use the funds to build further manufacturing capacity and research in the health tracking space. Started by Mohit Kumar and Vatsal Singhal, Ultrahuman provies the Ring AIR, a sleep-tracking wearable, M1, a continuous glucose monitoring platform, Blood Vision, a preventive blood testing platform with the UltraTrace technology and Ultrahuman Home, a health device for home. By collating a large set of biomarkers on an integrated platform, the company is able to create a grand unified view of the human body. The platform integrates glucose, sleep, movement, blood markers, and HRV, offering a comprehensive approach to health monitoring. Looking ahead, Ultrahuman is on track to surpass $100 million in annualized revenue run rate (ARR) by the end of 2024, a milestone that will be achieved profitably. FinSMEs 21/03/2024 Janhvi Kapoor, daughter of the legendary actress Sridevi, plays the female lead in the film, evoking nostalgia for the successful collaborations between Ram Charans father, Mega Star Chiranjeevi, and Sridevi in their blockbuster hits Global star Ram Charans fan base and stardom have soared worldwide after his remarkable performance in Rajamoulis epic RRR. He is currently engrossed in the filming of the political thriller Game Changer, directed by the renowned filmmaker Shankar. Ram Charans next with star director Buchi Babu Sana referred to RC16 for a long has been exciting everyone. The project is bankrolled in a prestigious manner by Venkata Satish Kilaru on Vriddhi Cinemas and is presented by Mythri Movie Makers and Sukumar Writings. Venkata Satish Kilaru, the owner of Vriddhi Infra, is well-known for his deep passion for films. After closely associating with Mythri Movie Makers, he made the exciting decision to step into film production with a high-profile project. Advertisement Today marks the much-anticipated launch of Ram Charan s next project, RC16, featuring an internationally acclaimed team, amidst the presence of top celebrities from the Telugu film industry. The film is directed by Buchi Babu Sana, a protege of Sukumar, who won National Award for his debut film Uppena, adding significant value to this collaboration. RC16 promises to take audiences on a rural, emotional, and rustic journey. Janhvi Kapoor , daughter of the legendary actress Sridevi, plays the female lead in the film, evoking nostalgia for the successful collaborations between Ram Charans father, Mega Star Chiranjeevi, and Sridevi in their blockbuster hits. The launch ceremony of RC16 is graced by distinguished guests Mega Star Chiranjeevi, Star director Shankar, Ace filmmaker Sukumar, renowned producers Allu Aravind, Dil Raju,Sireesh, Boney Kapoor, Sahoo Garapati,Ram Achanta, MLA Ravi Gottipati, Sitharas Vamsi,UV Creations Vamsi Krishna Reddy and others. Advertisement The project commenced with a traditional puja ceremony at 10:10 AM in an extravagant manner. Ace producer Allu Aravind handed the bound script to director Buchi Babu Sana. Star director Shankar who is directing Ram Charans Game Changer directed the first shot of Ram Charan and Janhvi Kapoor after Boney Kapoorand Anmol Sharma turned on the camera and Mega Star Chiranjeevi sounded the clap board. Advertisement Director Buchi Babu Sana expressed his overwhelming gratitude at the films launch, especially towards Mega Star Chiranjeevi, saying, Honored to welcome everyone present, especially Mega Star Chiranjeevi. I must admit, Im overwhelmed by the esteemed guests and my esteemed mentor, Sukumar. I extend my gratitude to Ram Charan for this incredible opportunity that emerged from my days as Rangasthalams assistant director. Im determined to make the most of it. Advertisement Renowned talents such as Rubens and others have joined the team. Buchi Babu was amazed to have the legendary Oscar winner A.R. Rahman compose the music for his second film, calling it a dream come true, thanks to Ram Charan, Sukumar, Naveen, and Satish. He envisioned Janhvi as a part of the project and expressed his gratitude to his Guru Sukumar for making it happen. Advertisement Sukumar, in turn, praised Buchi Babus ambition and determination, highlighting his bold decisions in casting Vijay Sethupathi and collaborating with Ram Charan and A.R. Rahman. Sukumar jokingly said, I often jest that I became a guru because I taught mathematics. But frankly, Buchi didnt learn anything from me. Hes always been apprehensive. He praised Buchis unwavering belief in his script and his diligence. Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman praised Buchi Babus passion for cinema, mentioning his detailed plot points for songs and his contagious enthusiasm. He wished the entire team and Ram Charan the best. Ram Charan, acknowledging Buchi Babus immense love for cinema, expressed his delight at working with him and collaborating with A.R. Rahman. He also expressed excitement about working with Janhvi Kapoor, saying, Many have longed to see me paired with Janhvi Kapoor, reminiscing about the nostalgia of Jagadeka Veerudu Atiloka Sundari. Janhvi Kapoor, thrilled to be a part of the project, thanked Buchi Sir for approaching her and expressed her gratitude to the team for their love and support. Producer Boney Kapoor expressed his eagerness to make more Telugu films, especially with the opportunity given by Ram Charan. He praised Buchi Babus passion and expressed interest in remaking Uppena in Hindi. Producer Naveen expressed gratitude to the cast and crew, highlighting Buchi Babus storytelling skills and predicting the films massive success. RC 16 boasts an internationally acclaimed technical crew. Double Oscar winner AR Rahman makes a comeback to Tollywood after two decades as the music composer for RC16. Award-winning cinematographer Rathnavelu reunites with Ram Charan after their successful collaboration in Rangasthalam. Renowned lyricist Chandrabose, a recipient of multiple prestigious awards, including the Academy Awards, Critics Choice Movie Awards, Golden Globe Awards, National Film Awards, and Nandi Awards, will be crafting soulful and heart-touching lyrics for the film. Editing maestro Antony Ruben and action choreographer Supreme Sunder, known for his intense and realistic stunts, add their expertise to the project. The films international technical team is further bolstered by art director Avinash Kolla and Indias top fashion designer, Deepali Noor. Deepali Noors designs promise to add a lavish and fashionable flair to the actors attire, while Avinash Kollas art direction will enhance the films visual grandeur. The projects publicity is handled by renowned publicity designer Kabilan. Star director Sukumar, renowned for his work in Rangasthalam and Pushpa, presents RC16 under Sukumar Writings banner, in association with Mythri Movie Makers. The film is produced by Venkata Satish Kilaru under Vriddhi Cinemas, ensuring a prestigious and extravagant production. The alleged incident happened on the sets of their film Blow that came out in 2001, where Johnny began abusing the actress after their shot was over If the tumultuous courtroom battle with Amber Heard wasnt enough, Hollywood star Johnny Depp has found himself in the middle of a controversy again. This time, he has been accused of verbal abuse by his co-star Lola Glaudini. The alleged incident happened on the sets of their film Blow that came out in 2001, where Johnny began abusing the actress after their shot was over. In the Powerful Truth Angels podcast, the actress revealed how she had to burst out laughing in a scene with Depp. She said, I hear the cue, and I go haha, I do a big laugh or whatever. Johnny Depp, when they say cut, walks over to me, comes up to me, sticks his finger in my face and he goes, Who the f*** do you think you are? Who the f*** do you think you are? Shut the f*** up. Im out here, and Im trying to f***ing say my lines and youre f****** pulling focus. You f****** idiot. Oh, now, oh now its not so funny? Now you can shut up? Now you can f****** shut the fuck up? The quiet that you are right now, thats how you f****** stay. Advertisement Johnny Depp reacts In a statement to Deadline, Johnnys representative said, Johnny always prioritises good working relationships with cast and crew and this recounting differs greatly from the recollection of other members on set at the time. I can just be me: Johnny Depp on making a fresh start in England post court battle against ex-wife Amber Heard Months after going through a long-drawn controversial court battle against ex-wife Amber Heard, actor Johnny Depp has been keeping a low profile and taking out time for some solitude. The actors personal life has clearly forced him to take a step back from movies. Depp is presently enjoying a quiet life in the English countryside, experiencing the simple joys of life with the local culture and people. Speaking about his new life, Depp, in a recent interview with a local magazine Somerset Life, spoke about how things are working out for him in Somerset. According to the Independent report, up to three staff at the private hospital where the Princess of Wales had surgery are being investigated for allegedly accessing her medical records, its been claimed. Sources have stated that three workers at the London Clinic could have tried to read her notes, according to The Mirror. They will be facing disciplinary action for breach of data. Advertisement However, it is understood that the Kings personal data was not was not compromised by the London clinic where Kate s surgery was conducted. But what abdominal surgery did she undergo that nobody is aware of. Although the palace initially said that it would only provide significant updates and that she would not return to royal duties before Easter March 31 this year it followed up with a statement last month amid the rumors and conspiracy theories by saying she was doing well and reiterating its previous statement. As per the report published in the Independent, London Clinic Al Russell said: There is no place at our hospital for those who intentionally breach the trust of any of our patients or colleagues. The speculation around the fact that all is not well or rather clear at with the British Royal family started with the badly edited Mothers Day picture of Kate Middleton and her children. So, are we supposed to believe the British Royal family ? An apology message was sent by Kate mentioning that she edited the image. We really dont know how much the royal family says or publishes is modified before coming to the public eye. Advertisement We clearly remember, what Prince Harry said in one of the interviews of Netflixs Harry & Meghan docuseries, that the royal British press is like the PR arm of the monarchy. So, are we been fed on lies about the British Royal family through their various social media posts? Are we supposed to be believing what is being posted on social media by them? I understand that they have an image to maintain. But how much of it is fake on the social media handle of the British Royal family? Advertisement A wise man once said, lie all you want on social media, lie to your family and friends, but that mirror in the bathroom is cold blooded! In an interview, the actress added, The spirit of standing up against what is wrong is within me. So, if I see it happening to not just me, but anybody around me, I will stand up. Sara Ali Khan is gearing up for the release of her next film Ae Watan Mere Watan, and in an interview with Galatta India, the actress opened up on being questioned for her surname. She said, I was born to a secular family, in a sovereign, secular, democratic republic. The spirit of standing up against what is wrong is within me. So, if I see it happening to not just me, but anybody around me, I will stand up. Advertisement The actress added, My religious beliefs, my food choices, how I decide to go to the airport, thats my decision, and Ill never apologise for that. Sara Ali Khan s Ae Watan Mere Watan is all set to release on Amazon Prime Video IN on March 21. She plays a character inspired by freedom fighter Usha Mehta who retaliated against the British Rule during the 1942 Quit India Movement by opening an underground radio station. She used her voice as a tool that later became a threat to the British Raj. Sara in Ae Watan Mere Watan will be seen playing a strong character who stood for the freedom of India with a new approach. The trailer is proof that, its going to be a film that will give this actress a shade of her education to relish in her profession. That is the reason she is able to develop a personal connection with the character. She was very keen on playing this part in the film as the story of the film is based on the Indian history that Sara has always been a student of. Advertisement In an exclusive interview with Firstpost, Khan opened up on seeing the era of 1942 being recreated right in front of her that left her in awe, dabbling with different roles and worlds like Netflixs Murder Mubarak , Gaslight, and Zara Hatke Zara Bachke, and how the voice of the people can make history and not just impact if used correctly. Speaking of Tiger Shroff, the actor made his acting debut in 2014 with Heropanti in which he starred alongside Kriti Sanon. Tiger had been extensively reported to be dating Disha Patani Tiger Shroff has once again caused a stir on social media and it is not for his upcoming film, Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, which releases on April 10. Amid the promotions of his upcoming action film with Akshay Kumar, the actor recently attended the Amazon Prime Video event in Mumbai where he indulged in a fun banter with Varun Dhawan. During this conversation, Tiger made a shocking revelation that took everyone by surprise. Advertisement Tiger Shroff , known to be a shy and reserved person, discussed his love life with Varun Dhawan who joined him on the stage for the announcement that Baaghi 4 will stream on Amazon Prime Video after the theatrical release. Calling himself shy and multitalented, the Baaghi actor revealed that he did not have a girlfriend till he was 25 years old. He said, Yes, I got my first girlfriend at the age of 25 and it was during the audition of my first film. As he went on to say that it was during the auditioning of Sajid Nadiadwalas film that he met his first girlfriend, Varun interrupted him to ask, Kriti Sanon? This had the entire audience in splits. However, Tiger was quick to highlight that it was not her saying, No, no, this film was after my debut. Tiger talks about Disha and that she is his first gf and how he met her Varun: Kriti Sanon #KritiSanon pic.twitter.com/JSVtwZ3Dg1 kariti_arab (@aaryan_koki) March 19, 2024 Advertisement Tiger Shroff marked his presence at the event by unveiling of one of Sajid Nadiadwalas four projects that will stream on the OTT platform post their release. These four films include Kartik Aryans Chandu Champion, Ahan Shetty-Pooja Hegdes Sanki, star-studded Housefull 5, and action film Baaghi 4. Speaking of Tiger Shroff, the actor made his acting debut in 2014 with Heropanti in which he starred alongside Kriti Sanon. Tiger had been extensively reported to be dating Disha Patani. The couple made several appearances together and even went on vacations while they were in a relationship. However, they did not end up together and parted ways a few years after their relationship began. Advertisement Apart from Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, Tiger Shroff is also gearing up for Singham Again, scheduled to release on August 15 this year. When Prince William and Kate Middleton arrived in Mumbai, they were graced by stars like , Shah Rukh Khan, Madhuri Dixit, Parineeti Chopra, Sonam Kapoor, Jacqueline Fernandez, Manish Malhotra, and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan Prince William and Kate Middleton came to India and visited the city of Mumbai back in 2016. And to welcome the royal couple, some of the biggest celebrities from the Hindi film industry came together. The names read Shah Rukh Khan, Madhuri Dixit, Parineeti Chopra, Sonam Kapoor, Jacqueline Fernandez, Manish Malhotra, and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. Advertisement In an interview with PTI, SRK spoke really fondly of them and said, It was very nice. They are so elegant and beautiful. It was really nice to see them. During the visit, William had said, It has been a wonderful and colourful evening. It has been a real treat to be welcomed to India in this way When Catherine and I got married, India was the first place in her list which she told me she wanted to visit. Two children and five years later we finally made it and we are quite honoured to be here." Its no news that Kate Middleton , the Princess of Wales, went through an abdominal surgery and her edited family photograph stormed social media. And now, Prince William recently made an appearance in Sheffield for his project about ending homelessness where he spoke about the return of Princess of Wales. William also touched upon issues like child care and was quoted saying, Were venturing into my wifes territory She needs to be sat here to hear this." Advertisement Kate Middleton , Princess of Wales, 42, underwent surgery on Jan 16 and her condition and the reason for the surgery have not been revealed, though Kensington Palace, Prince William and Kates office said it was not cancer-related. Although the palace initially said that it would only provide significant updates and that she would not return to royal duties before Easter March 31 this year it followed up with a statement last month amid the rumors and conspiracy theories by saying she was doing well and reiterating its previous statement. However, its no news she recently underwent an abdominal surgery and the concerns began pouring on social media. Indian authorities have submitted their findings in the Gurpatwant Singh Pannun murder plot to the US. As per a Bloomberg report, New Delhi has stated that a rogue operative, who previously worked in the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), was involved in the assassination attempt on the Khalistani on American soil Khalistan leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in New York. Earlier, US authorities had said an Indian government official had directed a plot to assassinate Pannun in New York City. File image/AP The investigation into the alleged murder plot of Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on American soil has reached a crucial stage. According to a Bloomberg report, Indian officials have submitted their findings to US authorities about their findings into the failed assassination attempt. What has the Indian probe revealed? Who was involved in the murder attempt on Khalistani leader Pannun? What does the US have to say about it? Advertisement We get you all the answers. Involvement of rogue operatives The Indian authorities, as per a Bloomberg report, have submitted its findings of the government-appointed investigation panel to US authorities in which they have stated that rogue officials, not authorised by the government, had been involved in the now foiled plot to kill Sikh separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in the US. As per the report, a person involved in the matter said that at least one person directly involved in the murder plot no longer worked for Indias spy agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW). The report further added that the man was still in the employment of the Indian government, but asserted that he no longer worked for RAW. Advertisement The Bloomberg report further stated that India had not begun any criminal action against him as of now. According to Indian authorities, rogue officials, not authorised by the government, had been involved in the now foiled plot to kill Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. File image/AFP Earlier, last November, federal prosecutors in the US had accused Indian citizen, Nikhil Gupta , of plotting to kill Pannun at the behest of an Indian government official. As per their indictment, Nikhil Gupta, also known as Nick, had conspired to hire a hit man to assassinate a member of the Sikh separatist movement in New York City. The indictment had further stated that an Indian government employee, referred to as CC-1, had directed the plot to assassinate Pannun. Advertisement In the indictment papers, CC-1 has been described as a senior field officer whose responsibilities include intelligence. He has also been referenced as someone previously serving in Indias Central Reserve Police Force and receiving officer training in battle craft and weapons. The US had then added that it was CC-1 who had directed and masterminded the assassination plot from India. Advertisement Indias reaction The External Affairs Ministry did not respond to Bloombergs request for a statement on the matter. India had set up an inquiry committee to look into the matter last December after the US had shared inputs with New Delhi. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had then told Rajya Sabha that the panel had been set up, as it had a bearing on the countrys national security. Advertisement Insofar as the US is concerned, certain inputs were given to us as part of our security cooperation with the United States. Those inputs were of concern to us because they (were) related to the nexus of organised crime, trafficking and other matters. Because they have a bearing on our own national security, it was decided to institute an inquiry into the matter and an inquiry committee has been constituted, he said. India and the US are working together on the matter of the alleged murder attempt on Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on American soil. File image/AP US speaks When asked about the Pannun plot, the US said that it was working with their Indian counterparts to hold the people involved accountable. During a Congressional hearing on Wednesday, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Donald Lu told members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, This is a serious issue. A serious issue between the United States and India. The Department of Justice has alleged that an Indian citizen at the behest of someone working in the Indian government has attempted to kill an American citizen on American soil. We take this in the administration incredibly seriously and have raised it at the highest levels with India. We are at the moment working with India to encourage India to hold accountable, those responsible for this terrible crime. What we can see is that India itself has announced that they have created a committee of inquiry to look into this matter and we ask them to work quickly and transparently to make sure justice is done, Lu said. Lus comments came after Congressman Dean Phillips from Minnesota had asked if sanctions similar to those placed on people related to the killing of Alexei Navalny of Russia were being considered for those believed to be involved in the plot to murder Pannun. A photograph of late Hardeep Singh Nijjar is seen on a banner outside the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara Sahib in Surrey, British Columbia. File image/AP Pannun and Nijjar murder plots The alleged murder attempt on Pannun purportedly also has links to the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. According to US prosecutors, Nikhil Gupta, the Indian who is currently in a Czech prison awaiting US extradition, had reached out to the person he understood to be a hired killer and told him that Nijjar was also the target and that we have so many targets. For the unaware, on 18 September last year, Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau had in parliament said that security agencies were actively pursuing credible allegations of a potential link between agents of the Government of India and the killing of a Canadian citizen, Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Nijjar, who is a Khalistani leader and declared terrorist by India, had been gunned down in Canadas Surrey BC earlier in June. India had refuted the allegations, describing them as absurd and motivated. Diplomatic ties between the two countries nose-dived with both sides expelling diplomats. India had also suspended visa services to Canadians, which they later resumed. However, Canadas allegations against India took a hit recently when New Zealand deputy prime minister Winston Peters questioned the lack of evidence pointing to Indias involvement in the matter. This was a significant development as New Zealand is Canadas partner in the Five Eyes alliance. It had been reported that shared intelligence among Five Eyes partners had led Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau to make allegations against India. With inputs from agencies Research using popular genealogical tests has revealed that the prevalence of incest in America is significantly higher than previously believed, with a rate of one in 7,000. The numbers are shocking since the 1975 estimate was one in a million DNA testing, typically, helps humans determine their family lineage. However, in recent years, it has revealed some shocking trends in the United States. Contrary to popular belief, incest is significantly more common in the nation. Numerous cases of children born to close biological relatives have been discovered by widespread DNA testing, offering an unprecedented account of incest in society. Advertisement Lets take a closer look. What is incest? According to the site WorldPopulationReview.com, incest is a sexual relationship between close relatives, which includes, but is not limited to, adopted parents, half-siblings, aunts, uncles, and in-laws, among other family members. The two cant legally be married because of how close they are to one another. Birth abnormalities, developmental delays, and genetic illnesses including blindness, hearing loss, neonatal diabetes, and limb anomalies are among the more common conditions that affect babies born of incest, as per Dailymail. Having a child with a parent or two siblings carries several dangers. This is due to the fact that each parent gives a child one copy of their genes, and dominant genes override the undesirable genetic alterations known as recessive genes. Advertisement Relatives reduce genetic variation when they become pregnant, and the recessive gene they carry may combine to become dominant in the resulting child, leading to a variety of congenital abnormalities, the report explained. Genetic differences between two parents become less common in incestual relationships, and recessive genes may combine to become dominant in the offspring. This increases the childs risk of developing a variety of illnesses, such as low IQ, a cleft palate, heart problems, cystic fibrosis, and infant mortality. Advertisement The alarming rise of incest in the US Research using popular genealogical tests has revealed that the prevalence of incest in America is significantly higher than previously believed, with a rate of one in 7,000. The studys researcher, Dr Jim Wilson of the University of Edinburgh, stated, Thats why, way more than I think many people would ever imagine. Advertisement The numbers are shocking since the 1975 estimate of roughly one in a million given in a psychiatric textbook, as per NDTV. Ancestry and 23andme are two popular mail-order DNA tests that can be useful in identifying a persons genetic predispositions for specific ailments. But, using these, individuals do sometimes discover the unsettling reality about their lineage. Advertisement The tests, which cost roughly $100, are unable to determine with certainty whether a person is the offspring of an incestuous relationship, but the results can be sent to a different genetic testing company that can determine it. According to CNN, documents and interviews with lawmakers, fertility experts, and several people fathered by sperm donors reveal that victims of this type of deception have long odds of obtaining any kind of recourse, and doctors who are accused of it have a huge upper hand in court, meaning they rarely face consequences and, in some cases, have continued practicing. Instances Victoria Hill, 39, was among those who discovered the unsettling truth about her family history after she struck up a conversation about family trees with an ex-boyfriend she had been intimate with during a high school reunion. Hill claimed to have been traumatised in Connecticut after learning she had unintentionally engaged in incest with her high school partner. She told CNN that it wasnt until she took the home DNA test that she realised the man she had always considered her father wasnt actually her biological father. Hill said, Ill just put it out there, I was intimate with my half-brother. I was traumatized by this. Now Im looking at pictures of people thinking, well, if he could be my sibling, anybody could be my sibling. Likewise, Steve Edsel, a native of Virginia, discovered through AncestryDNA that his parents were first-degree relatives, either father and daughter or siblings. The idea of his conception, which was probably the consequence of his grandfathers sexual abuse of his mother, made him erupt in rage. Teresa Weiler, 64, discovered in a case that her father was her mothers brother in 1985, as per Dailymail. She said, It was only when I was walking the streets afterward, in a daze, that it hit me: I could never be a mum. There was no way I could risk having a damaged baby. I would have to give up the one thig I wanted most in the world. In another case, Steve who grew up in a foster home, was born with a heart murmur that required two surgeries when he was a teenager, a possible offspring of two sets of the same genes. He took his Ancestry test as part of a quest to track down his birth mom, who had given him up shortly after giving birth when she was 14, according to Dailymail which cited Atlantic. He sought help of CeCe Moore, who specialises in tracking people using distant DNA matches. Working on his case, Moore came across over 1,000 more cases of people born from incest. Most of them were between first-degree relatives, while the rest were the product of second-degree relatives, like half-siblings, uncle-niece, and grandparent-grandchild, the report said. Laws and accountability Typically, incest is not considered socially unacceptable. It is even legally forbidden in many countries across the world. But, some nations do not have laws against it at all. A few of them forbid it between minors, but not adults. While others allow incest but dont allow participants to get married. In America, laws pertaining to incest differ from state to state. While all states make incest illegal, there are quite a few exceptions or punishments for the act. According to the World Population Review (WPR) report, incest between adults is legal in New Jersey and Rhode Island. But neither of them permits marriage. In New Jersey, the age of consent is at least 18 years old, while in Rhode Island is 16 years. Delaware carries the lowest possible maximum penalty of one year for an incest offence. The maximum punishments in most US states range from five to fifteen years. Four states have the harshest penalties: Idaho, Kentucky, Montana, and Nevada. In these states, a person may possibly receive a life term in prison. The report states that incest is classified as a felony under state law, making it a statutory crime. Despite being distinct crimes, rape and incest differ in that incest involves consent from both parties, whereas rape does not. Nevertheless, if one of the participants is younger than the legal consenting age, the act is typically regarded as statutory rape rather than incest since the younger participant is not allowed by law to give consent, explained by WPR. Matters in courts The number of fertility fraud cases continued to rise last year. According to The Guardian, in December, a Boston-based woman named Sarah Depoian filed a federal lawsuit in the US district court alleging Dr Merle Berger, a former professor at Harvard Medical School, secretly used his own sperm to impregnate her in 1980 after promising her the sperm would come from an anonymous donor. Dr Christopher Herndon, a former University of Washington doctor, voluntarily gave up his medical license in November after a former patient accused him of secretly fathering one of her children, according to a Washington Medical Commission report, which Forbes reported. In October, an Idaho woman said in a lawsuit that she visited Dr David Claypool in Spokane, Washington for help getting pregnant in 1989 and was assured a sperm donor would be chosen based on traits she selected, but 33 years later, her daughter learned of her biological fathers identity through 23&me DNA test, as per The Associated Press. Forbes reports that a woman in Vermont filed a second lawsuit against Dr John Boyd Coates III, claiming he was attempting to evade paying the $2.2 million judgment she had obtained against him for damages stemming from the conception of her daughter over 40 years prior. Cheryl Rousseau used two DNA testing firms and discovered decades after her birth that Coates was her childs father. A second party paid $100,000 to resolve a comparable 2021 issue with Coates, according to the report which cited VTDigger. A lawsuit alleging that Dr Morris Wortman used his sperm to impregnate several women in the 1980s was still pending when he passed away in May. The daughter of one of his former patients discovered, through ancestry DNA testing, that she had at least nine half-siblings. With inputs from agencies Indonesias electoral commission has announced that Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto has been elected as president. However, the results immediately drew allegations of fraud from Subiantos political rivals Indonesia's defense minister Prabowo Subianto waves at supporters as he delivers a speech after winning the 14 February election in Jakarta, Indonesia. AP He has been linked to human rights abuses, including kidnappings, forced disappearances, and war crimes. His campaign was marred by accusations of unethical conduct and collusion. He has been rejected three times in previous bids for the presidency or vice presidency. On Wednesday, Indonesias defence minister Prabowo Subianto was officially announced as the new president. Advertisement Prabowo had received the most votes in last months presidential election. He won with 59 per cent of votes, a resounding win over rivals Anies Baswedan and Ganjar Pranowo, who respectively received about 25 per cent and 16 per cent, according to the official tally of the election body, which confirmed unofficial results released by independent pollsters last month, as reported by Business Standard. He is expected to take over from outgoing President Joko Widodo in October. But the results immediately drew allegations of fraud from Subiantos political rivals. Former Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan and former Central Java governor Ganjar Pranowo have said they plan to challenge the official results at the countrys highest court. The 14 February election was Indonesias fifth since shaking off a dictatorship in 1998. The archipelago of more than 270 million people is Southeast Asias most populous country and its biggest economy. Advertisement Heres what you need to know about the results and why they are being challenged. What are the results? Subianto, a 72-year-old former special forces general with ties to former dictators and popular current President Joko Widodo, emerged as the apparent winner on election day, as unofficial tallies by polling agencies showed he had an overwhelming lead. Advertisement That victory was confirmed by the General Election Commissions official tally, a laborious process that took more than 30 days. Subianto won 58.6 per cent of votes while Baswedan received 24.9 per cent and Pranowo received 16.5 per cent. Why are candidates challenging the results? Both of the losing candidates said irregularities occurred before, during and after the vote. Advertisement Widodo faces criticism for throwing his support behind Subianto. The outgoing president distanced himself from his own party and made a series of actions seen as efforts to boost Subiantos campaign. Indonesian presidents are expected to remain neutral in elections to replace them. Chairman of the General Election Commission, Hasyim Asyari (centre), is flanked by members Mochammad Afifuddin (left), and Idham Holik as he reads a document certifying the results of 14 February presidential and legislative elections during a plenary meeting at the commissions office in Jakarta, Indonesia. AP Hefty social aid from the government was disbursed in the middle of the campaign far more than the amounts spent during the COVID-19 pandemic. Widodo distributed funds in person in a number of provinces, which has drawn scrutiny. Advertisement The challengers also allege that the Constitutional Court acted improperly in allowing Subianto to choose Widodos son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, as his running mate, even though he does not meet the constitutional age requirement. Anwar Usman, the courts then-chief justice, is Widodos brother-in-law. An ethics panel forced Usman to resign as chief for failing to recuse himself and for making last-minute changes to the election candidacy requirements, but allowed him to remain on the court as long as he does not participate in election-related cases. How likely are the challenges to succeed? Any election challenges face long odds, said Todung Mulya Lubis, a lawyer who represents Pranowo. Subiantos commanding lead reflects pre-election polls that showed him as the front runner. We will argue that when we talk about election disputes, we are not only talking about the outcome of the election, but we are also talking about the process of the election, prior to the election, Lubis told journalists on 14 March. When is the court expected to rule? In Indonesia, election disputes can be registered with the Constitutional Court during the three days that follow the announcement of official results. The court is expected to rule by 7 May. Any cases would be decided by eight justices instead of the full nine-member court because Usman is required to recuse himself. Indonesias defense minister Prabowo Subianto, centre, delivers his speech after winning elections in Jakarta, Indonesia. AP The new president will be inaugurated on 20 October and will have to appoint a Cabinet within two weeks. Who is Subianto, the winner? Subianto was a longtime rival of Widodo who ran against him for the presidency twice and refused to accept his defeat on both occasions, in 2014 and 2019. But Widodo appointed Subianto defence chief after his re-election, paving the way for an alliance despite their rival political parties. During the campaign, Subianto ran as the popular outgoing presidents heir, vowing to continue signature policies like the construction of a multibillion-dollar new capital city and limits on exporting raw materials intended to boost domestic industry. Subianto, who comes from one of the countrys wealthiest families, is a sharp contrast to Widodo, who came from a humble background and as president often mingled with working-class crowds. Subianto was a special forces commander until he was expelled by the army in 1998 over accusations that he played a role in the kidnappings and torture of activists and other abuses. He never faced trial and vehemently denies any involvement, although several of his men were tried and convicted. With inputs from AP Israel is determined to launch a ground offensive in Rafah, the southernmost town in Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel cant achieve its goal of total victory against Hamas without going into the area Palestinians look at a residential building destroyed in an Israeli strike in Rafah, Gaza Strip. AP The situation in Rafah remains highly sensitive. Israel is determined to launch a ground offensive against Hamas in Rafah, Gazas southernmost city. This plan has raised global alarm because of the potential for harm to the hundreds of thousands of civilians sheltering there. If Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is to be believed, Israel cannot achieve its goal of total victory over Hamas without entering Rafah. Advertisement He has also approved military plans for the offensive. However, with 1.4 million Palestinians crammed into the city, Israels allies, including the United States, have demanded greater consideration for civilians in its impending incursion. The majority of those Palestinians have been displaced by fighting in other parts of Gaza and are now living in overcrowded tent camps, UN-run shelters, or cramped apartments. Netanyahu is sending a delegation to Washington to present the administration with its plans. Heres why Rafah is so significant. What do we know about the opposition to Israels plan? Why Rafah is so critical Since Israel declared war in response to Hamas deadly cross-border attack on 7 October, Netanyahu has said a central goal is to destroy the Islamic groups military capabilities. Advertisement With 1.4 million Palestinians crammed into the city, Israels allies, including the United States, have demanded greater consideration for civilians in its impending incursion. AP Israel says Rafah is Hamas last major stronghold in the Gaza Strip, after operations elsewhere dismantled 18 out of the militant groups 24 battalions, according to the military. But even in northern Gaza, the first target of the offensive, Hamas has regrouped in some areas and continued to launch attacks. Israel says Hamas has four battalions in Rafah and that it must send ground forces to topple them. Some senior militants could also be hiding in the city. Advertisement Why there is so much opposition to Israels plan The US has urged Israel not to carry out the operation without a credible plan to evacuate civilians. Egypt, a strategic partner of Israels, has said that any move to push Palestinians into Egypt would threaten its four-decade-old peace agreement with Israel. In a phone call with Netanyahu this week, President Joe Biden told the Israeli leader not to carry out a Rafah operation, said the White Houses national security adviser, Jake Sullivan. He said the US was seeking an alternative approach that did not involve a ground invasion. Advertisement Israel has approved military plans for the offensive in Rafah. AP Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is on his sixth visit to the region since the war began, reiterated those concerns in an interview with Al-Hadath TV in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday. President Biden has been very clear that we cannot support a major ground operation, military operation in Rafah, Blinken said. He said there is no effective way of moving 1.4 million people to safety and that those who stay behind would be in terrible jeopardy. Advertisement Israel doesnt appear close to sending in troops Netanyahu said he was sending a delegation to Washington out of respect for Biden. But in a statement Wednesday, he said he had told Biden that Israel cannot complete the victory without entering Rafah. Despite the tough talk, Israel doesnt appear close to sending troops into Rafah. This may be connected to ongoing attempts to broker a temporary cease-fire. Qatari mediators say those talks would be set back by a Rafah invasion. There are also logistical concerns. Israels military says it plans to direct the civilians to humanitarian islands in central Gaza ahead of the planned offensive. Netanyahu said Wednesday evacuation plans had not yet been approved. With inputs from AP Irelands Leo Varadkar surprised one and all when he announced that he was stepping down as prime minister, saying he didnt feel he was the best person for the job anymore. Now, his party, the Fine Gael, will seek a successor with names of four leaders Simon Harris, Simon Coveney, Paschal Donohoe and Helen McEntee doing the round as top contenders Ireland's Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Leo Varadkar speaks to the media as he announces his resignation, in Dublin. Reuters After seven years in office, I dont feel Im the best person for the job anymore. With these words, Leo Varadkar made the surprise announcement that he was stepping down as Irelands prime minister and leader of the Fine Gael party in the governing coalition. Varadkar will be replaced as prime minister in April after a party leadership contest. Advertisement An AFP report said the announcement, just 10 weeks before Ireland holds European Parliament and local elections, is a political earthquake. As Varadkar makes way for a new leader, we take a better look at who he is, his rise to the top, his reasons for quitting and who may replace him as Irelands new leader. Varadkar steps down On Wednesday (20 March), a 45-year-old Leo Varadkar , standing on the steps of Government Buildings in Dublin, said he felt he was no longer the best person to lead the country. Politicians are human beings. We have our limitations. We give it everything until we cant anymore and then we have to move on. Advertisement He added: I believe a new Taoiseach (prime minister) will be better placed than me to achieve that to renew and strengthen the top team, to refocus our message and policies, and to drive implementation. After seven years in office, I am no longer the best person for that job, he said. My reasons for stepping down now are personal and political, but mainly political, he said, without elaborating. Advertisement When asked about his future, he stated that he had nothing else lined up. I have no definite personal or political plans. While he didnt provide any specific reasons to him stepping down, some political pundits have speculated that his partys (Fine Gaels) poor performance they lost five recent by-elections could have been one reason for Varadkar stepping away. His legacy will be that of an electoral loser. He promised to be a good communicator, but it turned out he was bad at it. He had no clear agenda, and delivered little, Eoin OMalley, a political scientist at Dublin City University, told AFP. Advertisement Moreover, theres news of discontent within the party, and 10 of its lawmakers almost a third of the total have announced that they wont be running for re-election. Theres also the fact that voters recently rejected the governments position in referendums on two constitutional amendments. Changes backed by Varadkar that would have broadened the definition of family and removed language about a womans role in the home were resoundingly defeated. Advertisement Irelands Leo Varadkar being consoled after announcing his resignation in Dublin, Ireland. AP Leaving behind a legacy But who exactly is Leo Varadkar? Now aged 45, Varadkar made history in Ireland for being the first ethnic minority person to hold the position of prime minister. He also holds the honour of being Irelands first gay leader. In fact, in 2015 he had spoken about being gay. Its not something that defines me, he had told RTE. Im not a half-Indian politician, or a doctor politician or a gay politician for that matter. Its just part of who I am. Canadas Justin Trudeau walks with Irelands Leo Varadkar and his partner Dr Matthew Barrett. Varadkar became Irelands first gay leader in 2017. When asked about it, he had said, Its just part of who I am. File image/Reuters A son of an Irish-born nurse and an Indian-born doctor, Varadkar first became prime minister in 2017. A year into his first term he served first from June 2017 to June 2020 and then again from December 2022 Varadkar led Ireland in the successful referendum on abortion. The traditional Catholic nation voted an overwhelming 66.4 per cent to 33.6 per cent to overturn the ban on abortion. He embodied the zeitgeist a confident gay man with an Indian dad. He seemed to look the part of a leader of a new and improved Ireland, Breda OBrien wrote in The Irish Times in 2018. He also bolstered Irelands relationship with the European Union during Brexit negotiations and helped to make sure no hard border was imposed between his country and Northern Ireland. He also led his country amid the COVID-19 pandemic; at the time, he had a job rotation deal that made Fianna Fails Micheal Martin Taoiseach for two years. Following the Israel-Hamas war, Varadkar has been outspoken in his criticism of Israel, which he also raised with US president Joe Biden at the White House last Sunday during the Irish leaders St. Patricks Day visit to the United States. In fact, critics have stated that Varadkars blunt-spoken manner came across as being arrogant and harsh. The media often used terms such as sharp-shooter and straight-talker for him, referencing to his style of speaking. It was during Leo Varadkars first term as PM that Ireland voted overwhelmingly in favour of overturning a ban on abortions. File image/Reuters Filling in for Varadkar Varadkars out-of-the-blue resignation, however, does not mean that an election must immediately take place. However, the centrist Fine Gael party will have to pick a new chief, just months before the elections. And, shortly after Varadkars exit, four contenders have emerged for the top position. Of them, Simon Harris, the higher education minister, is the frontrunner as per bookies. The 37-year-old university dropout is renowned for his political ambition and has never shied away when asked if hed like to be Taoiseach. Incidentally, Harris, who also served as a junior minister in the finance department from 2014 and 2016, would become the countrys youngest prime minister if he is elected. Irish Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris is the bookies choice to replace Varadkar as PM. If elected, the 37-year-old will be the youngest leader of Ireland. File image/Reuters Besides Harris, theres also Simon Coveney, the former foreign minister from Irelands second city of Cork. Coveney had contested the polls against Varadkar in 2017 but had been called out for lacking the killer instinct. In the running are also Paschal Donohoe and Helen McEntee. Donohoe, 49, has held one or other of Irelands two budgetary roles for the last eight years, starting as public spending minister in 2016 before becoming finance minister a year later and returning to the expenditure brief alone in 2022. He has a reputation of being prudent towards public finances. On the other hand, 37-year-old McEntee, as the Politico writes, would be Varadkars choice if he had one. She became the first ever Irish Cabinet minister to take maternity leave in 2021. She gained rapid entry to the Cabinet table, first as junior Europe minister at the height of the Brexit battles, then as justice minister. With inputs from agencies The BJPs delay in announcing the nominee for its Pilibhit Lok Sabha seat in Uttar Pradesh has fuelled buzz that it might not field sitting MP Varun Gandhi again. Speculations are rife that the Gandhi scion, who has been critical of the Centre and Yogi Adityanath government in recent years, may feel the heat this time As the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is yet to announce its candidate for the Pilibhit Lok Sabha seat in Uttar Pradesh, the buzz has grown about whether the party would renominate its sitting MP from the constituency, Varun Gandhi. Amid speculations, his spokesperson claimed on Wednesday (20 March) that the Gandhi scion will be BJPs face from Pilibhit for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Advertisement Pilibhit is one of the high-profile seats in Uttar Pradesh going to polling in the first phase on 19 April. All eyes are on the BJP and Varun Gandhi now. Lets take a closer look. Brief history of Pilibhit LS seat Pilibhit, a key constituency in Uttar Pradesh, has been a stronghold of the other Gandhi family for decades. Maneka Gandhi, the current BJP MP from Sultanpur, first won the Pilibhit Lok Sabha seat in 1989 on a Janata Dal ticket. Since then, she and her son, Varun, have maintained a grip over the primarily rural seat. Maneka lost the Pilibhit seat in 1991, however, she won it back in 1996 as a Janata Dal candidate, noted Indian Express. The former Union minister became Pilibhit MP twice as an Independent in 1998 and 1999. She bagged the seat in the 2004 Lok Sabha polls on a BJP ticket. Advertisement In 2009, Varun was fielded by the BJP from the Pilibhit constituency, marking his electoral debut. He clinched the seat by a margin of over two lakh votes. Maneka Gandhi and her son, Varun, have maintained a grip on the Pilibhit Lok Sabha seat for years. PTI File Photo Maneka returned to fight from Pilibhit in 2014, defeating the Samajwadi Party (SP) candidate, Budhsen Verma, by over three lakh votes. The BJP fielded Varun again in 2019 from Pilibhit, who bagged the seat with a margin of nearly 2.5 lakh votes. Advertisement Will BJP dump Varun Gandhi? The BJP has announced the candidates for 51 out of 80 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh. The delay in declaring the nominees for 24 seats, including Pilibhit and Sultanpur, has added to rumours. The BJPs allies in Uttar Pradesh Jayant Singh-led Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), Anupriya Patel-led Apna Dal (S) and OP Rajbhars Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) will be contesting on the remaining five Lok Sabha seats. Advertisement There is a strong buzz that the BJP might not field Varun Gandhi from Pilibhit this time. As per an India Today report, all state unit BJP leaders were against giving a ticket to the Gandhi scion at the partys core committee meeting. Varun has been vocal against the Centre and the Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government over some of their policies in the past few years. This can go against him as the saffron party picks its candidate for the Pilibhit seat. Advertisement Notably, the 43-year-old Pilibhit MP has refrained from making remarks against either government since last December, noted Livemint. In February, he commended the Narendra Modi-led Central government for conferring the Bharat Ratna on former prime ministers Chaudhary Charan Singh and PV Narasimha Rao, as well as agricultural scientist MS Swaminathan. BJP MP Varun Gandhi recently praised PM Narendra Modi. PTI File Photo Recently, he shared the dias with local BJP leaders and even praised PM Modi for the development work in Pilibhit. These past few years, he (Varun) has been highly critical of the Yogi and Modi governments but suddenly this year he has toned down (the criticism) and reposted PM Modis tweet about winning the 2024 elections and also thanking him for carrying out developmental work in his constituency. All this has not gone unnoticed, a senior central BJP leader told ThePrint earlier this month. Sources have told The New Indian Express (TNIE) that the BJP top brass is likely to retain Maneka Gandhi from Sultanpur. But her son, Varun, could feel the heat, given the BJPs one family, one ticket rule. As per reports, the BJP could field PWD minister Jitin Prasad or Minister of State, Sugarcane Development and Sugar Mills Sanjay Singh Gangwar from the Pilibhit Lok Sabha seat. However, the BJP would not want to risk this, considering the popularity of Varun in the seat and the fact that he won the last election by over two lakh votes," a saffron party leader told Livemint on the condition of anonymity. Is Varun Gandhi going solo? Now, there are rumours that Varun could fight the Lok Sabha polls from Pilibhit as an Independent candidate if the BJP denies him a ticket. His representatives on Wednesday purchased four sets of nomination papers two in Hindi and the others in English to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, reported the news agency PTI. The Pilibhit MP has previously denied fighting from Amethi, another high-profile seat in Uttar Pradesh which was a Nehru-Gandhi family bastion for decades until 2019 when Union minister Smriti Irani defeated Varuns cousin, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, from the seat. (Varun) Gandhi will be the BJP candidate from this seat (Pilibhit in Uttar Pradesh), the MPs spokesperson MR Malik was quoted as saying by PTI. Speculations grew further after Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav recently hinted that his party would not be averse to giving a ticket to Varun Gandhi if the BJP dropped him. Our organisation would decide what decision is to be taken about it, the former Uttar Pradesh CM reportedly said. However, the SP named former minister Bhagwat Saran Gangwar as its candidate for the Pilibhit seat in its sixth list released late last night. What will be Varun Gandhis fate? The suspense will be over once the BJP declares its remaining candidates list. With inputs from agencies On 21 March 1924, Edward Leffler, a former salesman of aluminium pots and pans invented the mutual fund, allowing retail customers to buy into a diversified portfolio of stocks. Today, mutual funds continue to be a popular choice of investment in the US with 116 million residents holding shares in at least one such investment instrument Mutual funds were invented in 1924 in the US. Today, 116 million of the countrys residents hold shares in at least one mutual fund. Image used for representational purposes Mutual funds are subject to market risk is a popular tagline we all know. For many, it may be the only thing we understand about mutual funds. But the investment instrument has come a long way. Today (21 March) marks the 100th year since the first open-ended mutual fund was invented and sold to the public. Advertisement As mutual funds turn 100, lets take a deep dive into these investment funds and their history. Mutual funds, explained A mutual fund is a professionally-managed investment scheme, made up of a pool of money collected from many investors to invest in securities like stocks, bonds, money market instruments, and other assets. To simplify it further, a mutual fund is like buying a small slice of a big pizza. The owner of a mutual fund unit gets a proportional share of the funds gains, losses, income and expenses. According to finance pundits, mutual funds offer an investor instant diversification as they invest in a collection of companies, thus lowering their risk too. This investment instrument also gives small or individual investors access to professionally managed portfolios of equities, bonds and other securities. Mutual funds differ from country to country. A mutual fund based in Europe falls under different regulatory rules than a fund in India. Each country has its own rules for how a mutual fund is constructed, and its important to understand how these regulations shape the funds from each country. For instance, in India, all mutual funds are registered with SEBI, whereas in the US, they are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and subject to SEC regulation. Advertisement History of mutual funds While mutual funds are seeing a rapid growth, its interesting to note their humble history. It is reported that the earliest concept of a mutual fund dates back to the late 1700s in Europe when a Dutch merchant and broker invited subscriptions from investors to form a trust to allow small investors with limited means to participate in larger investments. Advertisement However, it was in 1924 that the world saw its first open-end fund in Boston, in the US. Edward Leffler, a former salesman of aluminium pots and pans, is credited with creating an open-ended mutual fund, allowing retail customers to buy into a diversified portfolio of stocks. Leffler also wanted shareholders to be able to sell their shares back to the fund for a fair price, which was not the case for closed-end funds. Advertisement And it was through his efforts that on 21 March 1924, started the first mutual fund, Massachusetts Investors Trust. Soon others such as State Street, Wellington and Capital Group began their own mutual funds. In 1929, the US saw the launch of the Wellington Fund, which was the first balanced fund, including both stocks and bonds. The Vanguard Wellington Fund (VWELX) is still in existence today and claims to be Americas oldest balanced fund. Advertisement A Financial Times report states that mutual funds manage nearly $20 trillion in US assets. Image used for representational purposes/AP In 1940, mutual funds received a stamp of approval from the US Congress through the Investment Company Act. This legislation helped define and regulate mutual funds and closed-end funds, as well as hedge funds, private equity funds, and holding companies. In the 50s, mutual funds became mainstream in the US and in the 80s, as per a Financial Times report, big companies started offering to match their workers contributions to a slate of mutual funds inside a tax-advantaged retirement plan, usually known as a 401(k) after the relevant section of the tax code. Today, mutual funds in the US continue to be popular. A Financial Times report states that mutual funds manage nearly $20 trillion in US assets. More than half of all American households and 116 million of the countrys 333 million residents hold shares in at least one mutual fund. Carol Geremia, president of MFS, Lefflers old company, told the British daily, Theres a huge, huge population in America that loves the mutual fund for its simplicity. We dont need all of this over-engineered stuff when you think of 30 years and somebodys retirement. Its an amazing vehicle that still does that job. Mutual funds in India While mutual funds began in the US in 1924, it started in India years later in 1963 with the formation of Unit Trust of India (UTI) at the initiative of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Government of India. The objective then was to attract small investors and introduce them to market investments. The mutual fund industry has expanded considerably over the past few years. In early days, UTI dominated the market in the nation, but in recent years, the industry has experienced substantial growth. At the end of 2023, the industrys total assets under management (AUM) breached the Rs 50-lakh crore mark for the first time. And according to Axis Capital, the industry is expected to become Rs 100 lakh crore in valuation by 2030. An investor fills out a form at the office of Indias largest Competition to mutual funds But today, mutual funds are also facing a challenge from newer investment instruments, such as exchange-traded funds (ETF). ETFs are like mutual funds on speed, report the Financial Times, explaining that instead pricing the pooled assets once a day, as mutual funds do, ETFs trade continuously on exchanges as stocks do. John Rekenthaler, who has been tracking mutual funds for Morningstar since the 1980s told Financial Times, I dont see what a mutual fund can do better than [an] ETF Its a better mousetrap Eventually the mutual fund is dead. But the end is not here as of now and the mutual fund can enjoy the fact that its turned 100 and also democratised investing along the way. With inputs from agencies On DAY 5 of the Lok Sabha 2024 election campaigning, Rahul Gandhi attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at a press conference at the Congress headquarters in New Delhi. Here are the top takeaways from his address. On the Shakti row, he said that the Congress is fighting a hate-filled asura shakti. Humari asuri shakti se ladaai ho rahi hai, nafrat bhari asuri shakti [We are fighting a demonic power, a hate-filled demonic power], he told reporters. Gandhi spoke about the Income Tax Department freezing several of his partys bank accounts in February, allegedly because they were late in filed tax returns. The I-T action, Gandhi stressed, came just two months before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. This is being done literally two months before the election campaign. One [tax] notice comes from the 90s, another notice comes from 6-7 years ago. Quantum amount- Rs 14 lakh. And the punishment? Our entire financial identity, he said at the press conference. Our ability to fight the election has been damaged. We have already lost a month. We are unable to get slots for advertising, and we are unable to put ads in the newspapers[]20 per cent of India votes for us, and we are not able to pay two rupees for anything. It is being orchestrated to cripple us in the election, he added. Gandhi attacked PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for being complicit in a criminal action against the Congress, but also against the democracy of India. This is a criminal action against the Congress party. It is a criminal action done by the Prime Minister and the Home Minister, he said. Held at the Constitution Club of India, New Delhi, on 16th and 17th March, the event, organised by OakBridge Publishing, celebrated the profound contributions of esteemed legal figures Indias First Festival of Law, Literature, and Culture was inaugurated on Saturday, 16th March at the Constitution Club of India, New Delhi, an event that over two days 16th -17th March, 2024, brought together a vibrant community of legal professionals, scholars, and students. Chief Guest, Justice Rajiv Shakdher, Judge Delhi High Court inaugurated Vidhi Utsav Indias First Festival of Law and Legal Literature and delivered an inspirational and insightful keynote address expressing his fascination with an event that amalgamates law and literature, an intriguing intersection with thought-provoking examples from western and Indian literature. Reflecting on Nani Palkhivalas advice to aspiring lawyers to read everything but law, he highlighted the significance of broader knowledge, including history. Palkhivalas mastery, despite stammering, exemplifies the transformative power of interdisciplinary learning, a legacy few can emulate. His courtroom prowess, notably during the Kesavananda Bharati case, remains unparalleled. Advertisement Held at the Constitution Club of India, New Delhi, this event, organised by OakBridge Publishing, celebrated the profound contributions of esteemed legal figures, including the Late Mr. Fali S Nariman (Sarvoch Vidhi Samman), Vishisht Vidhi Samman to Former Chief Justice M.N. Venkatachaliah, and to Sr Advocates Mr. K.K. Venugopal and Mr. K. Parasaran, and Vidhi Samman to eminent jurists Mr Lalit Bhasin, Mr V. Lakshmikumaran, and Mr Amarjit Singh Chandhiok. While the late Mr. Fali S Nariman was posthumously honored with the Sarvoch Vidhi Samman. Retired Judge of the Supreme Court of India, Justice A.K. Patnaik, presented this esteemed recognition. Accepting the award on Mr. Narimans behalf was Mr Lalit Bhasin, President Society of Indian Law Firms (SILF) symbolizing his enduring legacy in the legal community and his fifty-year-old friendship with Mr Fali Nariman. The awards were part of Vidhi Utsav 2024, an unprecedented and uniquely curated event that over two days brought together a vibrant community of eminent jurists, legal professionals, scholars, artists and students. Through discussions, workshops, and keynote addresses, poetry, musical performances, Dastangoi and Stand up comedy the festival aimed to spur innovation, celebration, camaraderie and collaboration within the legal sector. The inclusion of the VIDHI SAMMAN Awards in this years festival underscored OakBridge Publishings commitment to honoring individuals who have made a lasting impact on the practice and understanding of law in India thereby advancing the rule of law and enabling access to justice. Advertisement The first day covered a session on Career in Law, Personal Branding for Lawyers, and Author interviews was an endearing conversation between Anant Merathia, Corporate Litigator & Author of Defaulters Paradise Lost, and Lipika Bhushan, Founder of Market My Book. Next was the conversation in Hall 3 with Dr. Lalit Bhasin, President, Society of Indian Law Firms, Ameya Kunte, Founder, Globeview Advisors LLP, Amit Kapur, Managing Partner, Jyoti Sagar Associates and Manish Lamba, General Counsel, DLF Limited on Foreign Law Firms in India: Opportunities & Challenges. The next sessions were on Transforming Role of GCs: From Custodians of Compliance to Business Leaders, Making the Ax Regime Les taxing: The Way Ahead, Bhasha Aur Vidhi, and many more. Advertisement A Gala Night was organized in the evening on 16th March 2024. The VIDHI SAMMAN Awards, marking a new chapter in the Indian legal communitys recognition of excellence, made a memorable debut after Vidhi Utsav 2024 on March 17. The awards were part of Vidhi Utsav 2024, The inclusion of the VIDHI SAMMAN Awards in this years festival underscored OakBridge Publishings commitment to honoring individuals who have made a lasting impact on the practice and understanding of law in India. Advertisement An interesting conversation between Sridhar Potaraju and Sudhir Mishra, Founder & Managing Partner of Trust Legal was a key highlight of the day, where Sridhar Potaraju shared how what we had to face as a faith, no other faith had, and that was to prove the existence of our faith after 500 years of desecration of the place of worship. Advertisement The event featured a host of notable sessions, such as Opportunities in Disruption by Rameesh Kailasam, CEO of Indiatech.org, and an examination of the Indian Constitutions complexities with Jaipat Jain. On the second day, the sessions started with a conversation with Justice Najmi Waziri, Former Judge, at Delhi High Court with Satvik Verma, Senior Advocate. An interesting conversation on Law in Cinema. Before the lunch, a remarkable conversation on How To Become An Effective Author between Abha Thapalyal Gandhi, Ramakrishnan Virrarghavan, Priya Talwar, Petal Chandhok, and Lipika Bhushan. In Hall 1, the session was followed by a conversation on Advocates Who Are Judges Delight with Justice A. K. Sikri, Justice A. K. Patnaik, Justice Najmi Wajiri, and Tarun Nangia. The next session talked about Stand-up Comedy with Pratik Jain, a Consultant & Stand-up Comedian. In Hall 3, the second day was started with the session Management & Operational Excellence in Law Firms A Balancing Act. The next session was followed by a session with V. Lakshmikumaran and Malathi Lakshmikumaran on Power Couple. The evening ended on 17th March with an instrumental Performance by Vidhisha Sharma, Musician and Pianist. From a dominant system of no transparency when donations were made and received entirely in the form of hard cash, the electoral bond system introduced in 2018 by the Narendra Modi government brought a modicum of transparency Speaking at News18s Rising Bharat Summit in New Delhi, Amit Shah on Wednesday expressed apprehension that the Supreme Courts ruling on electoral bonds may reintroduce black money into election funding. It is hard to disagree with the Union home minister. Judicial activism on electoral bonds has made perfect the enemy of good. Nobody defends electoral bonds as a system that was perfect. There were legitimate concerns over quid pro quo not just at the Centre but also at the level of the state governments and fears over whether the bonds affected public interest by fostering an anti-competitive regulatory environment, extortion, corruption, or favouritism. Advertisement That said, the question that emerges with the cancellation of the scheme is whether the system couldnt have been improved upon without it being totally scrapped, and whether its ending will result in more transparency, better accountability, and oversight. The Supreme Court verdict in its wake left these questions unanswered. The Opposition, that has now taken an anti-electoral bond stand under the assumption that its striking down will harm the BJP more, seems unbothered with what lies ahead. A combative Shah pushed back at accusations of crony capitalism involving the BJP at the Centre or in states. On charges of corruption, he said: We have been accused that we got a lot of money via bonds but so did the INDI Alliance. We have 303 seats, 17 governments, party units in every state. In 2019, we got a sizeable proportion of funds in bonds when the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) was in place and no new schemes or policies could be announced. We got more than 90% of funds in bonds after the MCC was imposed. So, the argument that it was affecting governments policies is false. Advertisement It cannot be denied that the much-reviled electoral bonds did provide a semblance of balance between the need for cleaning up the murky world of political finance and donor privacy. What the judiciary, in its zeal for activism and ostensibly to bring greater transparency, has done is ensured that the donor, donee, and the amount will now go undisclosed. In terms of transparency, the progress will be from the frying pan to fire. Advertisement From a dominant system of no transparency when donations were made and received entirely in the form of hard cash, the electoral bond system introduced in 2018 by the Narendra Modi government brought a modicum of transparency. While it wasnt comparable to, say, online transfer of money to political parties or donation through cheques, the fact that the bonds could only be purchased through a banking instrument and would necessarily be part of the donor companies or individuals books or accounts, made the money trail traceable while not compromising on privacy. Advertisement Concern over privacy isnt trivial. The discourse around it during the debate over electoral bonds has been hypocritical. Privacy warriors who had accused the Modi government of running a totalitarian state while Aadhaar was being implemented and linked to various welfare schemes for the poor, took a remarkably laissez-faire view on the privacy of donors when it came to electoral bonds. Advertisement It is unfortunate. This is one area where right to information enshrined in Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution, cited by the apex court while striking down the electoral bond scheme in a unanimous verdict, could be a double-edged sword. Lets consider the recent predicament of industrialist Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, the founder and executive chairperson of Biocon. In a post on X on Monday, responding to reports that her company had donated money to Janata Dal (S) through electoral bonds in Karnataka, Shaw wrote : Would like to clarify that Biocon did not make any political donation to JDS or any other party for elections. At a personal level I purchased electoral bonds which I donated to JDS & several parties (sic). My donations were nominal on the principle of funding election campaigns with white money. According to media reports citing data on electoral bonds shared by the Election Commission following an order from the apex court, the Biocon founder had donated Rs 6 crore in April to JDS last year a month before Assembly polls in Karnataka. On 15 March this year, following the data disclosure, Shaw was seen arguing with a user on X on whether she was coerced to donate the funds. She replied , all parties want funding. Shaw, a known critic of the Modi government, had presumably made the contribution under the guarantee of non-disclosure. The release of the data put her in a position where she was the receiving end of a litany of accusations on social media and was forced to publicly clarify her position. This is unlikely to be a stray incident. As then Union finance minister, the late Arun Jaitley had written in an article while introducing the bonds in 2018, in order to cleanse the political funding mechanism. A major step was taken during the first NDA Government led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The Income Tax Act was amended to include a provision that donations made to political parties would be treated as expenditure and would thus give a tax advantage to the donor It was hoped that donors would increasingly start donating money by cheque. Some donors did start following this practise but most of them were reluctant to disclose the details of the quantum of donation given to a political party. This was because they feared consequences visiting them from political opponents. Jaitley further wrote that in electoral bonds, how much each donor has distributed to a political party would be known only to the donor. This is necessary because once this disclosure is made, past experience has shown, donors would not find the scheme attractive and would go back to the less-desirable option of donating by cash. The witch-hunt that one industrialist has been subjected to following the release of the data exemplify that Jaitleys assumption wasnt incorrect. Money will now be funneled to political parties entirely through cash, and political finance ecosystem will now be pushed underground in a major blow to transparency. It may boost corruption manifold. Perhaps some political parties are desirous of exactly such a paradigm. As Shah pointed out, around 21% of funding to BJP was through cash from anonymous sources, in 2018 it reduced to 18% and then reduced to 3% in 2023 Congress was against electoral bonds as they want to cut money back through cash donations. Doing away with donor anonymity may earn the judiciary some applause but it hardly addresses the core issue: reform of political financing. That demands more than band-aid solutions. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Midland County Circuit Court Judge Stephen Carras presides over a hearing Thursday regarding a motion asking for his recusal. Tereasa Nims/Daily News Heron Cove Association attorney Laura Genovich, right, argues Thursday at the Midland County Courthouse that Circuit Court Judge Stephen Carras should recuse himself from a case in which Four Lakes Task Force has requested that a hearing be expedited in response to Heron Cove Association's appeal of the Special Assessment District. Four Lakes Task Force attorney Joe Colaianne, left, explained reasons why Carras should hear the case. Tereasa Nims/Daily News In his first time being asked to do so, Midland County Circuit Court Judge Stephen Carras recused himself Thursday from hearing the Four Lakes Task Forces motion for an expedited appeal hearing. The Heron Cove Association filed an appeal challenging the Four Lakes Special Assessment District. The task force shot back, asking the court to expedite the appeal hearing that could take several months to resolve. This is obviously a highly emotional issue, Carras said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I think the appropriate thing to do is to recuse myself, he continued. The judge said if he were to rule for one side, it could create a perception of the court not serving the other sides interest fairly. I dont want to create the perception of the court not serving their interests fairly, Carras said. Carras has served as judge since being appointed by Gov. Rick Snyder in May 2013, and this was the first time he has ever been asked to recuse himself. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The request stemmed from his sitting as a trustee on the Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation, which has given $1,000,000 to the Four Lakes Task Force. The money was for a feasibility study and not for dam construction, as established in Thursdays hearing. This is not grounds for recusal, Carras said. Heron Cove Association attorney Laura J. Genovich, of Foster Swift in Grand Rapids, argued that if Carras were to hear this appeal case, it would give the impression of impropriety. Advertisement Article continues below this ad When the judge recused himself, Genovich said it was important for the integrity of the process to avoid an appearance of impropriety. During the hearing, Four Lakes Task Force attorney Joe Colaianne said there was no appearance of impropriety. Colaianne took issue with Heron Cove's filing to have Carras recused two days after the task force filed a motion to expedite the appeal hearing. Colaianne deemed Heron Cove was trying to delay and extend the case out. In addition, he cited that Carras should be the judge on the case because he is the one who ordered the legal lake level in 2019, the year before the dam breaches. Genovich said this wasnt a delay tactic. She said it was about due process. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Following the hearing, Four Lakes Task Force President and Chair Dave Kepler said, I respect the judges decision. Its just going to delay the work. Shortly after the Heron Cove Association filed the appeal on March 4, the task force halted work on the four dams and work on Wixom, Sanford, Secord and Smallwood lakes. We appreciate the judge taking into account the high level of trust that was put into the court system on this appeal, said Heron Cove Association co-organizer Jan Colton. The importance of Bhutan for India can be immediately gauged from the manner in which China is seeking to woo its southern neighbour and away from the ambit of Indian influence (File) Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Prime Minister of Bhutan Dasho Tshering Tobgay during a meeting, in New Delhi, on 14 March, 2024. PTI Bhutan is perhaps one of the most important allies that India has in its neighbourhood. Time has proven its relationship with India. However, recent times have witnessed changing dynamics in the Himalayan kingdoms polity. The dissonance in Bhutan can also be attributed to a considerable extent to Indias big brotherly attitude. However, corrective and course-correction measures that are being undertaken by India to implement its Neighbourhood First policy are laudable. Advertisement Bangladesh has been creditably reclaimed after Sheikh Hasinas victory and efforts are on to win advantageous space in Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Maldives. The planned visit to Bhutan on 21-22 March by the Indian prime minister however had to be postponed due to inclement weather conditions over Paro airport. Notwithstanding the sudden intervention by nature, the visit which was otherwise planned amid an electioneering time, showcases the importance that New Delhi is imparting to an important friend and neighbour. Due to ongoing inclement weather conditions over Paro airport, it has been mutually decided to postpone the State visit of Prime Minister to Bhutan on 21-22 March 2024. New dates are being worked out by the two sides through diplomatic channels," a statement from the MEA read. The importance of Bhutan for India can be immediately gauged from the manner in which China is seeking to woo its southern neighbour away from the ambit of Indian influence. Advertisement A part agreement had been signed between China and Bhutan by which a four-step understanding was undertaken. However robust analyses state that Thimphu has consulted New Delhi before doing business with Beijing. The possibility of a border arrangement between Bhutan and China would have worked to Indian advantage. New Delhi needs to comprehend the northern imperative of Bhutan. It can act as an important buffer between the two Asian giants. Advertisement How the Chinese had sought to reach the Jampheri Ridge by constructing a road in the Dokala region was sinister. It would have given them a clear view of the strategic Siliguri corridor. But the Indian Army and diplomacy prevailed and the menacing moves of the dragon were stymied. Bhutan is strategic for India. Not only it is important to reinforce the socio-cultural ties that bind it to India, but the military conjugations have also to be re-casted. Advertisement New vistas, too, have to be charted. Pathways for trade and land connectivity to the North East and even via Bangladesh onto the Bay of Bengal have to be worked out. This has to be forged by working with both Bhutan and Bangladesh. Indeed, it is the only sustainable way forward for India. Advertisement The importance that Prime Minister Modi is ascribing to Bhutan is yet another sign of his continued statesmanship. The writer is a conflict theorist and best-selling author. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Despite KP Olis claim that China had nothing to do with regime changeforging the Left alliancethe Chinese Communist Party is delighted about the reincarnation of the Nepal Communist Party 2.0 Following the majority trust vote secured by the new Left alliance of five parties: CPN (Maoists) with 32 seats, CPN (UML) with 78 seats, Rashtrya Swatantra Party with 21 seats, Janata Samajwadi Party with 14 seats, and CPN (Unified Socialists) with 10 seats, aggregating 157 seats in a 275-member house, The Kathmandu Post, in its editorial on March 14, queried, Whose trust did PM Prachanda win anyway? Advertisement This is the third consecutive vote for Pushpa Kamal Dahal (Prachanda) since he became PM a third time in December 2022, though the confidence vote has shrunk from 268 to 172 to 157, reflecting a diminishing trust in Prachanda and eroding his credibility. A reputed Nepali journalist I met in Kathmandu told me before the trust vote that Prachanda had not done the right thing by betraying the trust PM Narendra Modi had placed in him. A slanging match between Maoists and the Nepali Congress on who betrayed whom revealed deep fissures that led to the collapse of the Left-Right alliance. A separate column is required to analyse the policy positions of each side in the blame game. The new Left alliance, a diluted Nepal Communist Party 2.0 of 2018 vintage, according to former UML PM KP Oli, is not the handiwork of China. It is us who changed the government, he informed a group of UML parliamentarians. Despite Olis claim, the Chinese are mighty pleased about the change in government given the spate of visiting delegations from Beijing and their Belt and Road Initiative entrapment. Advertisement According to former Finance Minister Prakash Mahat of NC, it was Prachanda who had deadlocked BRI, which was supposed to be signed last September during Prachandas visit to China. The sticking point was the modality of funding: Nepal wanted aid and grants, not loan repayment, which famously leads to debt entrapment. Mahat told journalists in Kathmandu last week that it was he, as Foreign Minister, who signed BRI in 2017. Advertisement The real fireworks were in the trust-vote debate in parliament on March 13. Gloves came off in the exchange of barbs and taunts, with Prachanda obtaining 157 votes, which is a slim margin over the half-way mark of 138. Many lawmakers abstained while more opposed the Left alliance. Oli sarcastically urged former PM Sher Bahadur Deuba, leader of the NC, to vote for the Left alliance, while he also offered to talk to him. Advertisement This provoked Prachanda to challenge Deuba and Oli to establish an alliance, even as he admitted he had betrayed Deuba. In an earlier observation, he had noted that switching alliances will go on for as long as he lives. This confirms there are no permanent friends, only eternal interests dominated by the leaders personal interests, which Pakistans General Musharraf neatly used to call national interests. Advertisement Oli had sworn never to befriend Madhav Nepal, the leader of the CPN (United Socialists), but that is precisely what he did to cobble together the Left alliance. Lawmaker Metmanu Chaudhry from the United Socialists revealed there was a power-sharing agreement of 15 months each as PM for Prachanda, Nepal, and Oli. At this point, Oli intervened and confessed he was not interested in being PM, and there was no power-sharing agreement. He admitted there was deep mistrust and a crisis of confidence within the ruling coalition. He repeated his offer of talks with Deuba, while Prachanda accepted to sit in the opposition. What is to make of an alliance in which partners are openly critical of the PM and alliance partners? Clearly, it will not be smooth sailing for the Left alliance, judging from the polarised debate in parliament. Already, NC blocked passage of the Political Parties Act in the House for appointing Ravi Lamicchane as the Home Minister, who is being investigated for misappropriating cooperative funds, and demanded his resignation. The ruling alliance has secured a majority of 38 out of 59 seats in the upper house, and Prachandas elder brother Narayan Dahal was appointed Chairman of the National Assembly (upper house), a sticking point with the NC, which wanted its senior leader KP Sitaula placed there. NC will be a big loser after regime change, shedding several chief ministers and ministers in seven provinces and ten central ministers. It is nothing short of political hara-kiri, said a Nepali journalist. A very troubling issue has emerged from the fallout of Nepal not permitting its youth to join the Agniveer scheme, but for valid reasons. It has driven many young people to join the Russian and Ukrainian armies, fighting each other. A salary of NPR 3.50 lakh on a tourist visa and 15 days of rifle training are good for Russians using them as cannon fodder. This racket has been operational for more than a year, and as many as 300 lads are believed to be unaccounted for, and nearly 700 families are making inquiries about their wards. As many as 20 young ones are confirmed dead. Every day, 2,000 Nepalese leave Nepal for greener pastures, many ending up horribly. Nepal will soon discover that its coffers, in which India annually puts in about Rs 6,000 crore, which is about 1.7 per cent of its GDP, will begin diminishing due to the non-payment of salaries for 40,000 soldiers and 1.25 lakh pensioners. Despite Olis claim that China had nothing to do with regime change forging the Left alliance the Chinese Communist Party is delighted about the reincarnation of the Nepal Communist Party 2.0. The Chinese foreign ministry was the first to congratulate the new coalition government. Indian Ambassador Naveen Shrivastav met Maoist Deputy PM Narayan Kaji Shreshta and informed him that India will work with any government the people elect. Prachanda, the Maoist leader who strategised the 10-year-long Peoples War that removed monarchy and transformed Nepal into a federal, democratic, secular republic, will face headwinds in managing the Left alliance, whose longevity is suspected. The author is former GOC IPKF South Sri Lanka and founder member Defence Planning Staff, now Integrated Defence Staff, Ministry of Defence. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. As Biden seeks a second term to remedy this crisis, his path to re-election grows increasingly arduous In the ever-evolving landscape of global politics and policymaking, few issues resonate as deeply and persistently as immigration. Its a complex tapestry woven from legal frameworks, socio-economic dynamics and geopolitical considerations. Recently, the United States found itself at the epicentre of this intricate web, grappling with an immigration crisis that even the most sophisticated AI systems couldnt untangle. Advertisement The focus of this turmoil? The Lone Star State: Texas. The legal showdown The saga began with Texas, a border state in perennial conflict with the federal governments immigration policies. Texas, weary of the perennial influx of undocumented migrants, decided to take matters into its own hands. It enacted its own immigration law, granting itself sweeping powers to detain, prosecute and even order migrants to return to their home countries. However, the Biden administration swiftly moved to challenge this law, obtaining an injunction from lower courts. But Texas didnt yield easily. It pushed the case to the Supreme Court, which, in a recent ruling, sided with Texas, allowing it to implement its immigration law temporarily. Yet, this victory was short-lived. Lower courts intervened again, fast-tracking proceedings and putting the laws implementation on hold once more. The legal battle is far from over with the possibility of the case returning to the Supreme Court, leaving the legality of Texas law still hanging in the balance. Advertisement The United States Supreme Court, using all of its powers, or minimizing its own powers, is allowing SB-4 to be, enacted in Texas. Thereby allowing, other rogue states like Texas to pass patchwork immigration enforcement bills in their own states, said Texas State Representative Armando Walle of the Democratic Party. Bidens Achilles Heel Advertisement For President Biden, immigration has emerged as his Achilles heel. Illegal crossings from Mexico skyrocketed during his tenure, reaching an all-time high of nearly 250,000 in December alone. Shockingly, over six million migrants have been detained at the American border during his presidency, surpassing figures from previous administrations. Public sentiment mirrors this dissatisfaction, with polls indicating widespread disapproval of Bidens handling of immigration. The Texan tussle only serves to highlight Bidens vulnerabilities as Americas top court undermines his authority. Advertisement Battle of jurisdiction Fundamentally, the case revolves around the question of jurisdiction: who holds the power to determine immigration policies and enforcement. Traditionally, its the federal governments prerogative akin to Indias centralised approach. However, Texas defiance challenges this authority, sparking concerns among American allies like Mexico, which refuses to accept migrants deported by Texas. Advertisement The repercussions extend beyond Americas borders straining relations with allies. Mexicos Foreign Affairs Minister denounced the Supreme Courts approval of Texas law as anti-immigrant and discriminatory underscoring the international ramifications of Americas immigration quagmire. Today we are also at a critical moment where the Supreme Court of the United States approved today, yesterday it had put an impasse, but today it approved the SB 4 law, which is an anti-immigrant, xenophobic, discriminatory law, said Mexico Foreign Affairs Minister Alicia Barcena. Bidens re-election gambit As Biden seeks a second term to remedy this crisis, his path to re-election grows increasingly arduous. He faces waning support from his core voter base, particularly Latinos and Hispanics disillusioned by his immigration policies. The ongoing dispute only serves to weaken his electoral prospects further, posing a formidable challenge to his bid for another term in office. Americas immigration turmoil transcends mere policy debates; its a multifaceted issue with far-reaching consequences, challenging not only domestic governance but also international relations. As the legal battles rage on and public discontent simmers, the quest for a sustainable solution remains elusive, reminding us that some problems defy even the most advanced technological solutions. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Google has unveiled that for months now, they have been using AI to draw inferences over natural disasters for weeks now. At times, they have made successful predictions at least seven days in advance Google has unveiled that is has been successfully using artificial intelligence (AI) in predicting riverline floods for quite some time now. In some cases, Google was able to predict an area getting flooded by as much as seven days in advance. These findings, far from being mere tech industry claims, have been validated and published in the reputable scientific journal Nature. Considering floods as the most prevalent natural disasters globally, the introduction of an early warning system marks a pivotal advancement. Advertisement Historically, predicting floods has posed considerable challenges due to the absence of streamflow gauges in most river systems. Google overcame this hurdle by harnessing machine learning models trained on diverse datasets encompassing historical events, river level measurements, elevation data, and terrain readings, among other variables. Leveraging this rich pool of information, the company generated localized maps and conducted numerous simulations, numbering in the hundreds of thousands per location. This multifaceted approach empowered the models to accurately anticipate impending floods. While Google has effectively developed highly precise models tailored to specific locations, its aspirations extend to addressing the global flood prediction challenge. Although the company achieved successful predictions up to seven days in advance in select instances, the average forecast horizon stands at approximately five days. Nonetheless, Google remains optimistic, asserting that it has expanded the reliability of currently-available global nowcasts from zero to five days. Advertisement Furthermore, the technology has notably enhanced forecasting accuracy in underrepresented regions such as certain areas of Africa and Asia. The impact of this technology is extensive, with Google providing accurate flood forecasts for 80 countries, encompassing a collective population of 460 million individuals. These forecasts are readily accessible through Google Search, Google Maps, and Android notifications. Additionally, users can access this information via the companys dedicated Flood Hub web application, which was inaugurated in 2022. Advertisement Looking ahead, Google is committed to further exploring the potential of machine learning in refining flood forecasting models. Collaborating with academic researchers, the company aims to optimize its AI-driven approach, envisioning the development of a comprehensive global end-to-end flood forecasting platform. Googles pioneering efforts in leveraging AI for flood prediction not only signify a significant technological advancement but also hold promise in mitigating the impact of one of the worlds most devastating natural disasters. Advertisement As the company continues its pursuit of innovation in this realm, the potential for enhanced resilience and preparedness against floods worldwide becomes increasingly tangible. (With inputs from agencies) The import curbs meant that foreign companies like Apple, Dell, and HP were legally required to get licences for shipments of laptops, tablets, and some other electronics US reportedly lobbied for India to roll back the import curbs on laptops. Source: Reuters Indias curbs and imposition of a licensing regime on the import of laptops and tablets back in August 2023 had sent alarm bells ringing in the United States. The anticipated impact of this move pushed Washington to carry out extensive behind-the-scenes lobbying. US government emails pertaining to these communications, accessed by Reuters under a US open records request, showed how the US managed to persuade Prime Minister Narendra Modis government to reverse the policy. Advertisement Curbs on laptop, tablet import In August last year, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) imposed curbs on import of laptops, tablets, all-in-one personal computers and ultra-small form factor computers and servers. This meant that foreign companies like Apple, Dell, and HP were legally required to get licences for shipments of all such electronics. The move, aimed at addressing potential security issues and safeguarding sensitive data, spurred fears of a slowdown in sales for manufacturers based abroad. By September-end, New Delhi had called off the policy. The government said that it would monitor the imports and come to a decision a year later. This, as per documents and emails seen by Reuters, suggest, was the result of heavy lobbying by the US. What spurred the US lobbying? The lobbying push seems to have come with trade concerns that US-based tech companies had. Advertisement State Department official Timothy Wiley, in an email to colleagues in the United States Trade Representative (USTR), wrote that US firms saw the move as highly protectionist and out of sync with the progress India has made in improving the investment environment." Representatives of US tech companies working in India told us that they have been pushing their headquarters to increase their manufacturing in India, but were taken aback by this unexpected measure. Advertisement The documents and emails showed that the US officials were upset over the curbs coming out of the blue, without notice or consultation. They called it incredibly problematic for the business climate between the US and India, and for the $500 million-worth of annual US exports. Taking up the concerns with India Advertisement On August 26, just weeks after the curbs were rolled out, US Trade Representative Katherine Tai rushed to New Delhi to meet the Commerce Minister, Piyush Goyal, soon after the policy was announced. The USTRs public statement at the time said Tai raised concerns about the policy. But, behind closed doors, she was more direct. Tai told Goyal that the US wanted India to rescind the requirement, according to a USTR briefing paper. Another talking point in her briefing stated that Indias unexpected announcement will prompt firms in the US and other countries to think twice about doing business in India. Indias stand Advertisement The Commerce Ministry told Reuters that, during Goyal and Tais meeting in August, she did raise some concerns. The Ministry said that they had conveyed Indias security concerns at the time. However, no statement was made on the reason for reversing the decision or on the US emails. Three Indian officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said New Delhi did not reverse its policy under US pressure. They maintained that the decision to rescind the restrictions was taken because local manufacturing of laptops and tablets wasnt significant at this stage. US concerns continue Brendan Lynch, acting Assistant US Trade Representative for South and Central Asia, said the USTR was still closely tracking Indias scrutiny of imported devices to make sure it did not have a negative impact on the trade relationship. Meta Platforms Inc, Microsoft Corp, X Corp, and Match Group Inc have jointly urged a federal judge to dismiss Apples proposed plan to open its App Store to external payment options While Apple maintains it is complying with the court order while safeguarding the privacy and security of its app store users, it continues to seek a revenue share from developers who opt out of the system, ranging from 12 per cent to 27 per cent. Image: Reuters Meta Platforms Inc, Microsoft Corp, X Corp, and Match Group Inc have jointly urged a federal judge to dismiss Apples proposed plan to open its App Store to external payment options. In an unusual collective filing, the companies argued that Apples proposal fails to align with the 2021 ruling, which found the iPhone manufacturer in violation of California unfair competition laws. The ruling mandated Apple to permit app developers to direct users to their own payment systems. Advertisement Citing similarities with arguments put forth by Epic Games Inc in its ongoing antitrust battle against Apple, the companies asserted that Apples plan imposes new constraints on app developers, hindering the competition that the injunction aimed to foster. The joint filing represents the latest development in the ongoing dispute over Apples stringent control of its app marketplace, which stands as one of the worlds predominant platforms alongside Alphabet Inc.s Google Play. Last year, an appeals court upheld the 2021 decision by an Oakland trial judge, affirming Apples business model violated California law by restricting developers from communicating about alternative payment systems, potentially resulting in higher costs for users. Apple levies a commission on every purchase made through its app store. Despite both Epic and Apple seeking a Supreme Court review of the lower-court rulings, the high court declined in January. Apple subsequently announced its intention to allow all third-party apps sold in the US to include an external link to a developer website for processing in-app purchases. However, Epic recently accused Apple of contempt of court, alleging the company rendered outside links commercially unusable by imposing new fees. Advertisement Apples proposed plan, spanning nine pages and 2,900 words, outlines numerous requirements and restrictions for developers seeking to incorporate an external purchase link within their apps, according to the filing from Meta, Microsoft, X, and Match. While Apple maintains it is complying with the court order while safeguarding the privacy and security of its app store users, it continues to seek a revenue share from developers who opt out of the system, ranging from 12 per cent to 27 per cent. Advertisement The ongoing legal tussle between Apple and various tech giants underscores the complexities surrounding app marketplace regulation and the broader implications for competition and consumer choice within the digital ecosystem. (With inputs from agencies) Samsung is planning to introduce two new kinds of foldable smartphones, if its latest patents are anything to by. Samsung was recently awarded the patent for a new kind of trifold display, as well as a small rollable smartphone display. Samsung, the renowned South Korean tech giant, has achieved a significant milestone as it secures patents for its cutting-edge tri-fold and rollable display technologies from the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). This achievement underscores Samsungs continued innovation in the realm of flexible display technology. The tri-fold display technology, showcased by Samsung at CES 2022, has been granted a patent by the USPTO. Unlike conventional foldable phones with a book-style fold, such as the Galaxy Z Fold 5 or the OnePlus Open, Samsungs tri-fold display envisions a novel approach. The patented design features a display module with at least one folding area, allowing for the expansion of the screen across three panels simultaneously. This innovative configuration offers users a seamless and expansive viewing experience, reminiscent of Samsungs Flex S technology demonstrated by the company previously. Advertisement Image Credit: USPTO In addition to the tri-fold display, Samsung has also been awarded a patent for its rollable display technology. The patent describes a device housing a rollable display that can be retracted within the enclosure when the device is closed and extended for use when opened. The housing itself is described as deformable in two states closed and open facilitating the smooth deployment of the display panels through the use of hinges. While these patents showcase Samsungs commitment to pushing the boundaries of display technology, the company has not disclosed any immediate plans to integrate these innovations into consumer electronics. It is plausible that Samsung is focusing on further refining these technologies to address performance and durability concerns commonly associated with foldable devices before commercial deployment. Advertisement Samsungs relentless pursuit of innovation in flexible display technology underscores its position as a leader in the industry. As the company continues to advance these groundbreaking technologies, consumers can anticipate the possibility of future devices offering enhanced versatility and functionality, redefining the landscape of consumer electronics. Alphadroid, an India robotics company is trying to integrate robotics in Indias hospitality sector, like hotels and fine dining. So what challenges does a RaaS or a Robotics as a Service company face in India? Sanjeev Kumar, founder of Alphadroid explains Diners in India are extremely hard to appease. More than just dishes that taste phenomenal and look Instagramable, they want something unique. More than anything else, the experience of going out for a meal has to deliver on some really high expectations. Enter robots in the dining and hospitality industry. The next time you are out for a meal at a new, high-end restaurant in India, dont be surprised if a robot comes up to take your order, and perhaps even act as your waiter. Chances are, that they were set up by an Indian company, Alphadroid. Advertisement If 2023 was the year of AI, 2024 is set to be the year of robotics. From Figures Figure 01 humanoid robot, Teslas Optimus and practically everything that Boston Dynamics does, robots certainly are becoming very exciting, and dare we say, mainstream. Even NVIDIA plans on getting in on the action and has announced a platform for developing robots using its software and tools. In India, several startups are also working tirelessly to develop an indigenously, completely made-in-India robot, while others, like Alphadroid are coming up with ingenious ways to integrate already existing robotics into the world as we know it.is Alphadroid, a RaaS or a Robotics as a Service company, hoping to be a major disruptor in the hospitality and healthcare industry using their fleet of mobility-focused robots. Advertisement Image Credit: Alphadroid We sat down with Sanjeev Kumar, founder of Alphadroid for a quick chat to see what is it like to run a robotics company in India, what kind of regulations robotics startups need to face, and if in a decade or so, our meals will be completely prepared and served by a robot cook. Edited excerpts: Advertisement What are the challenges in setting up a robotics business in India, especially one that integrates a service like food and dining? The larger category that we are working on is hospitality and managing things for your front office, be it your restaurants, hotels or hospitals. All of these spaces are just minimally digital-enabled and therefore have a lot of opportunities, where we can bring technology and drive better efficiency and customer experience. Advertisement Thats how we started Alphadroid, and our autonomous mobility initiative in these categories. Right now, the larger challenge would be to drive better awareness, and make restaurants and other such businesses in these sectors understand the possibilities that robotics and AI bring for them. If we specifically speak of dealing with food and dining, there arent a lot of legal or regulational constraints. We have to abide by some standard regulations, which most technology companies have to. I think the biggest challenge would be to help the government and the hospitality sector understand what robotics can do in this sector as a whole, and what all is possible. Another challenge would be educating the staff and allaying all fears that robotics will be replacing humans. These are the critical ones. Advertisement In India, what kind of regulations does a RaaS service provider need to keep in mind? Are there any challenges? There are a lot of initiatives by the government. Just recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Miniter of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath announced several initiatives at an event in Lucknow. The Prime Minister is very much on point when it comes to robotics and AI. If you look at Indian policies and regulations, they are not prepared for these new kinds of cutting-edge technologies. There are a lot of grey zones that need to be covered and a lot of aspects that they need to work on. However, several MSMes and other organisations are working closely with the government, especially around data, human and machine interaction, safety and insurance, etc. Coming to us, the role that we as startups play is to bring those basic enablements as part of our first go. The idea is that before the government has to work on regulations, we take care of certain aspects and make them standard. Human safety, health and hygiene, and aspects like data privacy etc would be great examples. Currently, Alphadroid is servicing only the front end of the service industries. Are there any plans to go beyond that? Any other models or industries that you may be looking at? This is just a starting line. Moreover, we categorically want to stay in a service industry service industry, mainly hospitality or healthcare and other categories similar to them. So there are two key components of robotics apart from AI. The first is mobility, which allows your machine to move and the other is the arm capability which allows you to pick stuff up, pull or lift things, and do everything else. We started with the mobility component first and established our autonomous mobile robot we mobile robot. On top of that, we have the upper structure, which is fit for restaurants hotels and other similar settings. We are building other structures for models that will make our robots suitable for retail stores and hospitals. We hope to keep on moving in this direction in our robotics journey. But eventually, we want to reach a point where mobility and arms, together, can deliver end-to-end automation. We have seen robots replace servers and busers in restaurants, and to a certain extent, even bartenders in some places. Will we see robots replace chefs or line cooks as well in the future? A lot of the things that we see online are well-executed concept units and not production models. The market is going through a through a change. These changes will validate what role robotics can play in such a setting and how much can we hand off to them. But are robots going to replace chefs immediately? Or will they empower people in some of the critical activities? I think in certain categories, it will. If we take cloud kitchens as an example, or any place that has a very standard, set menu, with clear-cut recipes, machines are going to play the same role as line chefs and cooks. In such a scenario, there it is a fairly good chance of a cloud kitchen being mostly run by robots. When it comes to active kitchens though, it will take at least a few more years. I dont see that really happening for another seven to 10 years. Having said that, robots will not replace humans completely. They will play a complementary role to humans. How do Alphadroids robots contribute to the customer experience in restaurants? Have you seen any behavioural change in customers? There were two parts to it. We did a complete life cycle, study starting from a customer, making a reservation or them walking in, how they place their orders for the food and how they receive the dishes. We have found certain elements where diners need to interact with humans, where human interaction is necessary, especially in a country like India. Most people dont like to scan QR codes to place an order unless it is for very very standard, basic items, or drinks. Image Credit: Alphadroid Moreover, diners in India have their preferences and often get things like the spiciness of the food, customised. For this, they prefer speaking to a human. However, once the order has been taken, they need the food to be delivered to their tables quickly, they start believing that the robot will be better in hygiene, and they need the bill quickly. For these, they believe a robot server is better Another aspect would be feedback. We have seen that customers who are a little hesitant to give honest feedback to the staff, find it easier to give the feedback to a robot, as it doesnt make the situation awkward. How has the response been among restaurant staff where Alphadroid has been deployed? We started our trials last year when brought out the robot in October. During the trial, we wanted to see how the restaurant staff, management and customers or diners behaved. Interestingly, the first response from all staff was that of nervousness. They were concerned, and repulsed by the idea of bringing such a technology into the businesses. However, that lasted for just a few hours. When we actually started doing the trial, engaged them and got them to operate the robots, it took them about 30 minutes to learn what was what and start using it. What we saw was a very prominent shift from hesitancy in the adoption of the technology to the realisation that these technologies are not going to replace them. The trial run made them realise that the robots would help them focus on what they need to focus on. So although initially, things were a little bumpy right, the response was positive overall. And how did the consumers respond? More often than not, robotics is a category where things are usually oversold, and the result underdelivers. When people think of robots, they usually think of robots they have seen in movies. They usually feel that the robots will completely change the restaurant experience. Thats not what we are doing, we are not changing how the restaurant does its business. We are simply bringing technology which fits in the businesss existing ecosystem and starts delivering value in a better manner. And of course, when they see the robot for the first time, they are a little mesmerized. When they see a robot delivering food to their table, they start recording it on their phones. They also get curious about interacting with the robot. But soon, things become normal, as if they are just what they are supposed to be. After the first rush of seeing a robot bring them their food, they get comfortable and more confident in dealing with the robot. Once the robot brings them the food, the customers serve themselves, because people are usually aware of how self-service works and how automation functions, what role is it playing. Overall, the response has been positive, despite the brief learning curve. India is a market where we have abundant labour. In such a market how has Alphadroid been received? When I talk to QSRs or Tier-II or Tier-III restaurants, their first thought is usually about money, as in how much will this cost them, how much do they have to pay initially, and will these robots be cheaper than their current workers. This is so that they understand the value of robotics, and efficiency are a part of digitisation, in a framework they understand best. When I start talking to some five-star or four-star properties, they quickly realise that they will get better efficiency and user experience along with support for a few health factors for the employees. Most people working in hotels and restaurants are not exactly happy and are struggling, because of which the businesses All of these hotels are also struggling. Moreover, workers in restaurants and hotels also face some tough medical challenges because of the nature of the work, which often involves lifting heavy pots, running around, etc. They are the ones who are trying to ensure that there is a balance. They are trying to bring through automation So there is going to be a shift of sorts taking place between different categories. Pakistan, on Monday, carried out intelligence-based operations targeting Tehreek-e-Talibans Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group which is responsible for the March 16 attack in Mir Ali Pakistans Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said Islamabad does not want an armed conflict with Afghanistan, days after Pakistani air force jets carried out air strikes against terrorists in the border regions of Khost and Paktika inside the neighbouring country. Force is the last resort. We do not want to have an armed conflict with Afghanistan, he said, warning that Pakistan could block the corridor it provided to Afghanistan for trade with India. Advertisement A message needed to be sent that this [cross-border terrorism] has grown too much, Asif said in an interview with Voice of America published on Wednesday, according to the Dawn newspaper. Pakistan wanted to convey to the Afghan interim government in Kabul that we cannot continue like this, he said while commenting on the Pakistani airstrikes. On Monday, Pakistan carried out intelligence-based operations targeting Tehreek-e-Talibans Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group which is responsible for the March 16 attack in Mir Ali, North Waziristan and multiple other terrorist attacks in the country. Islamabads action came following a deadly attack on Pakistani forces which resulted in the killing of seven soldiers including a Lieutenant Colonel and a Captain. Advertisement Asif warned that Islamabad could block the corridor it provided to Afghanistan for trade with India. The defence minister asserted that Pakistan had the right to stop facilitating Kabul if it failed to curb anti-Pakistan terrorists operating on Afghan soil. If Afghanistan treats us like an enemy, then why should we give them a trade corridor? he asked. Advertisement Pakistan has repeatedly called on the Afghan interim government to prevent its soil from being used against Pakistan by TTP and other militant organisations a claim denied by Kabul. Recalling the February 2023 visit to Kabul by a high-level delegation led by him, Asif said he had told the Taliban ministers to not let banned militant Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistans (TTP) past favours tie Kabuls hands. Advertisement If they [TTP] have done you a favour and youre grateful to them, then control them. Dont let them start a war with us while living in your country, and you become their ally, Voice of America quoted him as saying. If they can harm us, then well be forced to [retaliate], he said, expressing hope that Afghanistan would rein in the TTP. Advertisement Asif alleged that Kabul was letting the TTP operate against Pakistan in a bid to prevent its members from joining the militant Islamic State groups local chapter, known as the IS-Khorasan chapter. On Wednesday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif asserted that his government will not tolerate any acts of cross-border terrorism and that his country would like to exist in peace with all its neighbours. Addressing the first meeting of the apex committee a top official civil-military body tasked to tackle militancy since the new government came to power earlier in the month, Shehbaz said that Pakistan would like to have peace with all neighbours. We want to exist in a very peaceful environment with our neighbouring brothers do trade, commerce and expand our relations but unfortunately, if a neighbours land is used for terrorism, this is intolerable he stated. The premier also hoped that our neighbouring country will carefully consider my invitation. There has been an uptick in the incidents of terrorism in Pakistan since the Taliban took over the government in Kabul in 2021, dashing hopes in Islamabad that a friendly government in Afghanistan would help to tackle militancy. According to an annual security report issued by the Centre for Research and Security Studies, a think tank, Pakistan witnessed 1,524 violence-related fatalities and 1,463 injuries from 789 terror attacks and counter-terror operations in 2023 marking a six-year high record. All indications point to the PLA meeting President Xi Jinpings directive to be ready to invade Taiwan by 2027, a top US admiral told the US House Armed Services Committee on Wednesday Chinese and Taiwanese printed flags are seen in this illustration. Reuters A top US admiral on Wednesday told the US House Armed Services Committee that China is building its military and nuclear arsenal on a scale not seen since World War II and all signs suggest its sticking to ambitions to be ready to invade Taiwan by 2027. According to a Bloomberg report, Admiral John Aquilino, the leader of the Indo-Pacific Command, in a prepared testimony said that Chinas defence budget has increased by 16 per cent over recent years to more than $223 billion. Advertisement The report comes as Taiwan on Thursday detected 32 Chinese military aircraft around the island in a 24-hour window the second-highest number this year. Taiwans defence ministry said in the 24 hours leading up to 6.00 am today, it also detected five naval ships operating around Taiwan. Twenty of the aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, it added in a statement. Taiwans armed forces have monitored the situation and employed (patrol) aircraft, Navy vessels, and coastal missile systems in response to the detected activities, statement added. Aquilino said since he took command three years ago, Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) has added more than 400 fighter aircraft, along with more than 20 major warships and also doubled its inventory of ballistic and cruise missiles since 2020. Advertisement All indications point to the PLA meeting President Xi Jinpings directive to be ready to invade Taiwan by 2027, Bloomberg quoted Aquilino as saying. The PLAs actions indicate their ability to meet Xis preferred time-line to unify Taiwan with mainland China by force if directed, he added. Aquilino said the Chinese military has been practicing a range of maneuvers associated with potential actions against Taiwan, including rehearsals of encirclement tactics involving maritime and air blockades. Advertisement Debates among US lawmakers, officials, and military figures have intensified regarding Xi Jinpings intentions regarding Taiwan, particularly in light of his goal for Chinas military to achieve world-class status by 2027. Almost a year ago, Aquilino testified that speculation abounds regarding the Chinese militarys strategies. Meanwhile, the US intelligence community assesses that China doesnt want a military conflict over Taiwan, even as its determined to bring the self-governed island under its control. Advertisement Chinas unprecedented level of defence spending is paying off, Bloomberg quoted Representative Mike Rogers, the Alabama Republican who chairs the House Armed Services Committee, as saying. The PLA is fielding modern systems like hypersonic weapons and fifth-generation fighters. They can project power well into the Pacific with a 340 ship navy that includes a new aircraft carrier and nuclear powered ballistic missile submarines, he added. Advertisement Chinas partnership with Russia is also troubling as China has provided Russian president Vladimir Putin with economic and security assistance for the invasion of Ukraine, Rogers said. Chinas partnership with Russia is a response to US alliances in the Pacific region and elsewhere. It should be concerning to the whole globe, Aquilino said. With inputs from agencies Midland County Sheriff Photo provided by the Midland County Sheriff's Office The following list includes recent reports from the Midland County Sheriffs Office and the Midland Police Department, compiled by reporter Tereasa Nims. Wednesday, March 20 10:49 p.m. - A deputy was dispatched to Lee Township regarding an unknown issue, and discovered that a 29-year-old woman had assaulted her live-in 28-year-old boyfriend. The woman was arrested for domestic violence and lodged in the Midland County Jail. Advertisement Article continues below this ad 8:30 p.m. - Midland police were called to a verbal domestic dispute in the 3100 block of Shreeve Street. 7:09 p.m. - Deputies were dispatched to a two-vehicle accident in Midland Township. Both vehicles had minor damage, and no injuries were reported. 1:55 p.m. - A Midland Animal Control deputy was dispatched to a residence in Lee Township regarding a stray dog chasing horses, which resulted in the horses breaking out of their enclosure. Horses were recovered nearby. The horse owner did not recognize the dog and had no idea where it came from. 12:00 p.m. - A 17-year-old girl reported having suicidal thoughts at her Lincoln Township residence. Deputies responded and met with the juvenile and her 46-year-old father. The girl was later transported by her parents to the ER for evaluation. Advertisement Article continues below this ad 10:58 a.m. - Midland police responded to E. Wackerly and Whiffletree Lane for a personal injury crash. 10:08 a.m. - Deputies were dispatched to a Geneva Township location for a property damage crash. There was minor damage and no need for a property damage report. Tereasa Nims can be reached at Tereasa.Nims@hearstnp.com According to the Pakistan military, highly armed Baloch terrorists attempted to storm the Gwadar Port Authority facility in the unrest-plagued province of Balochistan, killing eight militants and two soldiers of the Pakistan Army The attack on Wednesday occurs following a pause in terror and bloodshed in the Balochistan province following the general elections on February 8 Image Courtesy AP China said on Thursday that it unconditionally supports Islamabads efforts to combat terrorism and protect national security, denouncing the Baloch terrorists attack on Pakistans Gwadar Port, which is a component of the multibillion dollar CPEC. According to the Pakistan military, highly armed Baloch terrorists attempted to storm the Gwadar Port Authority facility in the unrest-plagued province of Balochistan, killing eight militants and two soldiers of the Pakistan Army. Advertisement We noted the reports (and) we strongly condemned the terrorist attack and mourn for the Pakistani personnel killed in the attack, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian told a media briefing here. China is against all forms of terrorism and firmly supports national development and social stability in Pakistan, he said answering a question on the Gwadar port attack. We firmly support Pakistans efforts to fight terrorism and defend national security and stability, he added. The Gwadar Port, which is strategically positioned, is one of the primary hubs of the billion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Project, and the port complex is home to numerous government and paramilitary offices. There has been a violent insurgency in Balochistan, which borders Afghanistan and Iran, for a long time. The USD 60 billion CPEC projects have been the subject of multiple attacks in the past by Baloch rebel organizations. Advertisement The authorities have refuted the BLAs accusations that Beijing and Islamabad are exploiting the resource-rich province of Balochistan and are against Chinas investments there. Numerous projects under the auspices of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) are employing thousands of Chinese workers in Pakistan. The attack on Wednesday occurs following a pause in terror and bloodshed in the Balochistan province following the general elections on February 8. Advertisement In 2023, Pakistan had a record six-year high of 1,524 violence-related deaths and 1,463 injuries from 789 terror incidents and counter-terror operations, according to an annual security assessment published by the Centre for Research and Security Studies. Hours after US said that Washington recognises Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territory and strongly oppose unilateral territorial claims across LAC, China on Thursday said it strongly deplores and firmly opposes this and affirmed that Washington has nothing to do with the India-China border dispute. Hours after US said that Washington recognises Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territory and strongly oppose unilateral territorial claims across Line of Actual Control (LAC), China on Thursday said it strongly deplores and firmly opposes this and affirmed that Washington has nothing to do with the India-China border dispute. Replying to a question posed by the official Chinese media at a press briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said, China strongly deplores and firmly opposes this. Advertisement Chinas strong reaction came after US State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel while addressing a daily press briefing on Wednesday said that the US recognises Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territory. #WATCH | On China's reaction to the visit of PM Modi to Arunachal Pradesh, Vedant Patel, Principal Deputy Spokesperson, US Department of State says, "The United States recognizes Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territory and we strongly oppose any unilateral attempts to advance pic.twitter.com/hoXXmMX34e ANI (@ANI) March 21, 2024 The United States recognises Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territory and we strongly oppose any unilateral attempts to advance territorial claims by incursions or encroachments, military or civilian, across the Line of Actual Control, Patel had said. Advertisement The delimitation of the China-India boundary has not been completed, PTI quoted Lin as saying, adding, Zangnan (the official Chinese name for Arunachal Pradesh) has always been Chinas territory. This is an undeniable basic fact. The question of the China-India border issue is between China and India and it has nothing to do with the US, he said. Advertisement Lin said that it is widely acknowledged that the US has consistently fueled and exploited disputes in other nations to advance its self-serving geopolitical agenda. The comments by the US official came days after the Chinese military reaffirmed its territorial claim over Arunachal Pradesh subsequent to Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to the region. Advertisement Chinese Defence Ministry spokesman Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang on March 15 declared that the southern portion of Xizang (Tibet) is an integral part of Chinas territory, vehemently rejecting and opposing Indias establishment of the so-called Arunachal Pradesh. China, which claims Arunachal Pradesh as South Tibet, routinely objects to Indian leaders visits to the state to highlight its claims. Advertisement On 9 March, PM Modi inaugurated the Sela Tunnel which is constructed at an elevation of 13,000 feet in Arunachal Pradesh. This tunnel aims to facilitate all-weather connectivity to strategically significant Tawang, enhancing troop movement along the frontier region. India has repeatedly rejected Chinas territorial claims over Arunachal Pradesh, asserting that the state is an integral part of the country. New Delhi has also dismissed Beijings move to assign invented names to the area, saying it did not alter the reality. The Ministry of External Affairs on March 19 said it has noted the latest comments made by the spokesperson of the Chinese Defence Ministry advancing absurd claims over the territory of Arunachal Pradesh and asserted that the state was, is and will always be an integral and inalienable part of India. With inputs from agencies The summit of the EUs 27 national leaders will additionally address strategies for enhancing Europes defense capabilities and bolstering its arms industry. These discussions reflect concerns that Russias aggression may extend beyond Ukraine European Union leaders are set to convene Thursday to deliberate on a proposal to utilise billions of euros from frozen Russian financial assets for the procurement of arms to support Ukraine amid Moscows ongoing invasion. This initiative aims to bolster Kyivs defense capabilities in the face of aggression from Russia. The summit of the EUs 27 national leaders will additionally address strategies for enhancing Europes defense capabilities and bolstering its arms industry. Advertisement These discussions reflect concerns that Russias aggression may extend beyond Ukraine, coupled with uncertainties about the future commitment of the United States to Europes defense. Charles Michel, President of the European Council, emphasized the urgency of strengthening Europes security and defense posture, noting historical underinvestment in this area. He highlighted the need for radical and practical measures to ensure readiness and to reorient the EUs economy towards a state of preparedness akin to wartime efforts. The two-day summit, scheduled to commence at 1200 GMT in Brussels, will cover a range of topics, including the conflict in Gaza, the potential commencement of membership negotiations with Bosnia, and ongoing farmers protests. These discussions underscore the multifaceted challenges facing the EU and its member states amidst evolving geopolitical dynamics and security threats. Advertisement But Ukraine will top the agenda, with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy joining the leaders via video link. EU leaders have voiced increasing alarm about the state of the war in recent weeks, with ammunition-starved Ukrainian forces struggling to hold back Russian troops and a $60 billion military aid package for Kyiv stuck in the U.S. Congress. Advertisement The European Commission, the EUs executive body, this week proposed taking profits from Russian assets frozen in Europe after Moscows invasion and transferring some 90% to an EU-run fund used to finance arms for Kyiv. The Commission estimated the profits on the assets - various Russian central bank securities and cash - could be between 2.5 billion euros ($2.73 billion) and 3 billion euros per year. Advertisement Russia on Wednesday described the EU plan as banditism and theft. Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo welcomed the proposal. I think its a sensible way of doing it. I think the idea to allocate it predominantly to the purchase of weapons makes total sense, he told Reuters. The assets are frozen by EU central securities depositories, mainly Belgiums Euroclear. Ukraine would also receive the 25% tax that the Belgian government puts on the profits. Advertisement The idea of using the proceeds to benefit Ukraine enjoys broad support among EU governments, diplomats say. But using the money to buy weapons is more problematic for some countries. How will Hungry react? Much attention will focus on the reaction of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who maintains closer ties to Moscow than other EU leaders and opposes sending arms to Ukraine. The proposal also raises questions for neutral or militarily non-aligned countries such as Malta, Austria and Ireland. No final decision is expected at the summit. But leaders will indicate how the EU should proceed with the proposal. A draft summit declaration said leaders reviewed progress on using the revenues for the benefit of Ukraine, including possibly for funding military support and asks EU bodies to take work forward. It also says the EU is committed to increasing its overall defence readiness and capabilities to match its needs and ambition amid rising threats and security challenges. It invites officials to scrutinise a European Commission plan to boost Europes arms industry by incentivising EU countries to buy European, and club together on joint projects. The leaders are expected to discuss the vexed question of how greater defence spending should be financed. French President Emmanuel Macron and others have embraced a proposal by Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas for European defence bonds. But other countries, including fiscally cautious Germany, Austria, the Netherlands and Sweden, are sceptical. On the war in Gaza, diplomats have been struggling to find a balance in the text that satisfies close allies of Israel such as Hungary, the Czech Republic and Austria as well as strong advocates of the Palestinians such as Spain, Ireland and Belgium. The text we have now is a fragile vase. I hope this fragile construct will stay, said a senior EU diplomat. With inputs from Reuters Days have passed while fighting has raged inside and outside the large hospital complex, which is home to many displaced people and patients. An earlier attack on the compound in November caused outcry on a global scale Israel used tank fire and airstrikes to target what it claimed to be top Hamas members during an attack on the Al-Shifa medical center on Monday Image Courtesy Reuters The Israeli armys operation at Gazas largest hospital, where more than 140 militants have been killed in four days of fighting, the military announced on Thursday. Israel used tank fire and airstrikes to target what it claimed to be top Hamas members during an attack on the Al-Shifa medical center on Monday. Advertisement Days have passed while fighting has raged inside and outside the large hospital complex, which is home to many displaced people and patients. An earlier attack on the compound in November caused outcry on a global scale. Since the start of the operation, over 140 terrorists have been eliminated in the area of the hospital, the army said, referring to fighting since Monday. The military added that it was continuing to conduct precise operational activity in the Shifa hospital area, and that over the past day, more than 50 terrorists were eliminated during exchanges of fire. (With agency inputs) The comprehensive analysis utilised extensive data on birth rates, mortality, and fertility trends to predict future demographic changes. Findings suggest that by 2050, the populations of three-quarters of all countries will experience a decrease A significant study released Wednesday by the US-based Institute For Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) and published in The Lancet journal forecasts a global shift towards declining populations by the end of this century. According to the research, the fertility rate in half of all countries is already below the level needed to maintain their current population sizes. Advertisement The comprehensive analysis utilised extensive data on birth rates, mortality, and fertility trends to predict future demographic changes. Findings suggest that by 2050, the populations of three-quarters of all countries will experience a decrease. This trend is expected to expand significantly, with projections indicating that by the year 2100, 97 percent of 204 countries and territories analysed will see their populations shrink. The study highlights a major demographic shift, with developing nations currently experiencing baby booms, while more affluent countries face declining birth rates. Only six countries Samoa, Somalia, Tonga, Niger, Chad, and Tajikistan are anticipated to have fertility rates above the replacement level of 2.1 births per female by the end of the century. Advertisement This anticipated global population decline poses numerous challenges and opportunities for societies worldwide, driving massive social change and necessitating new policies to adapt to these demographic transformations. During this century, fertility rates will continue to increase in developing countries, particularly those in sub-Saharan Africa, even as they tumble in wealthier, ageing nations. Advertisement The world will be simultaneously tackling a baby boom in some countries and a baby bust in others, senior study author Stein Emil Vollset of the IHME said in a statement. - Implications are immense - We are facing staggering social change through the 21st century, he said in a statement. IHME researcher Natalia Bhattacharjee said the implications are immense. Advertisement These future trends in fertility rates and live births will completely reconfigure the global economy and the international balance of power and will necessitate reorganising societies, she said. Once nearly every countrys population is shrinking, reliance on open immigration will become necessary to sustain economic growth. However World Health Organization experts urged caution for the projections. Advertisement They pointed out several limitations of the models, particularly a lack of data from many developing nations. Communication about the figures should not be sensationalised, but nuanced, balancing between gloom and optimism, the WHO experts wrote in The Lancet. They also pointed out that there can be benefits of having a smaller population, such as for the environment and food security. But there are disadvantages for labour supply, social security and nationalistic geopolitics. Teresa Castro Martin, a researcher at the Spanish National Research Council not involved in the study, also emphasised that these are just projections. She pointed out that the Lancet study predicts the global fertility rate will fall below replacement levels around 2030, whereas the UN predicts this to occur around 2050. The study was an update of the IHMEs Global Burden of Disease study. The organisation, set up at the University of Washington by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, has become a global reference for health statistics. With inputs from AFP This marks the first instance of criminal prosecution following Russias ban on the so-called international LGBT movement in November, highlighting the countrys intensified clampdown on LGBTQ rights In a landmark case, a Russian court Wednesday ordered the detention of a bars administrator and art director, charging them with running an extremist organisation under recent laws that target the LGBTQ community. This marks the first instance of criminal prosecution following Russias ban on the so-called international LGBT movement in November, highlighting the countrys intensified clampdown on LGBTQ rights. Advertisement The courts decision affects the personnel of the Pose bar, located in Orenburg, southwestern Russia. The individuals in question will be held in custody until May 18, facing potential prison sentences of up to 10 years, as per the tribunals statement. Authorities had previously accused the duo of promoting non-traditional sexual relations among the bars patrons. This action follows a police raid on the establishment in March, an event that gained notoriety as videos depicting the humiliating arrests of several visitors emerged online. This case underscores the increasing challenges faced by the LGBTQ community in Russia amidst growing legislative restrictions. The accused, people of non-traditional sexual orientation, acted in premeditation with a group of people who also support the views and activities of the international public association LGBT, the court said on Telegram. Advertisement Russia has publicly only put out a vague description of what it calls the international LGBT movement, paving the way for the prosecution of anyone protecting LGBTQ rights or simply identifying with the community. The director of the League of the Safe Internet and figurehead of the ultra-traditional faction pushing for repressive laws, Ekaterina Mizulina, hailed the criminal proceedings on Monday. Advertisement This is the first criminal case in Russia after the decision of the Supreme Court to recognise LGBT as an extremist movement, Mizulina said. - What they feared - Mizulina said that local activists told the police about the club, amid a climate of denunciations of dissident voices. The arrests come amid an ultra-conservative turn that has accelerated since the Kremlin launched its Ukraine offensive. Advertisement What LGBTQ persons and human rights activists have feared since the end of last year has finally come to pass, Amnesty International had said, on Tuesday. Lawmakers in 2013 banned people from promoting non-traditional relationships to children and have piled pressure on liberal corners of society since. The Kremlin has further ramped up conservative rhetoric since launching its military assault on Ukraine, casting the conflict as a battle against the West and its liberal values. Advertisement In December 2022, Putin widened the 2013 law to criminalise any positive public mention of LGBTQ people or relationships. In July last year lawmakers then banned medical intervention and administrative procedures that allowed people to change gender. And in November the Supreme Court passed the LGBT movement ban, under which there have been several administrative proceedings, resulting in fines and short detentions. The international community must call on Russian authorities to review the homophobic Supreme Court ruling and immediately stop persecution of LGBTI persons, Amnesty said. With inputs from AFP Varadkar, serving his second term as prime minister at the age of 45, making him one of Europes youngest leaders, shared his decision in an emotional statement. He reflected on his realisation that he was not the best person to lead the country forward Ireland's Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Leo Varadkar arrives to speak to the media as he announces his resignation, in Dublin, Ireland March 20, 2024. REUTERS Leo Varadkar, the Prime Minister of Ireland, announced his resignation on Wednesday, citing personal and political reasons. This unexpected decision, described by analysts as a political earthquake, comes just 10 weeks ahead of critical European Parliament and local elections in Ireland. Moreover, a general election is required to be held within the coming year. Advertisement Micheal Martin, the Deputy Prime Minister and leader of Fianna Fail, the main party in the coalition government alongside Varadkars Fine Gael party, expressed surprise at the announcement. Despite the unforeseen resignation, Martin anticipates the government will serve out its full term. Varadkar, serving his second term as prime minister at the age of 45, making him one of Europes youngest leaders, shared his decision in an emotional statement. Speaking from the steps of the Government Buildings in Dublin, flanked by his Fine Gael cabinet colleagues, he reflected on his realization that he was not the best person to lead the country forward. Highlighting the human aspect of political leadership, Varadkar remarked, Politicians are human beings. We have our limitations. We give it everything until we cant anymore, and then we have to move on. His resignation marks a significant moment in Irish politics, setting the stage for new leadership ahead of impending electoral challenges. Advertisement Despite recent poor showings at the ballot box, Varadkar insisted that he believed the government could be re-elected. But he added: I believe a new taoiseach (prime minister) will be better placed than me to achieve that to renew and strengthen the top team, to refocus our message and policies, and to drive implementation. Advertisement After seven years in office, I am no longer the best person for that job, he said. My reasons for stepping down now are personal and political, but mainly political, he said, without elaborating. Earlier this month, Varadkar was widely blamed for a twin defeat, including the biggest-ever referendum loss by a government, on proposals to reform references to women, the family and care in the Irish constitution. Advertisement - Electoral loser - Varadkar said his centre-right Fine Gael party would have a leadership contest, and that he would remain as premier until the new leader is elected, after parliament returns from recess next month. Varadkar first became prime minister in June 2017. He was the youngest person to ever hold the office, Irelands first openly gay prime minister, and the first from an ethnic minority background. Advertisement He stepped down as part of a deal with opposition parties after his partys poor performance in the 2020 general election, but took over for a second time in 2022 as part of the same agreement. Varadkar, a pugnacious and sometimes controversial speaker in parliament, was in charge of Irelands response to the Covid pandemic and during Brexit negotiations, where he helped prevent a hard border with UK-run Northern Ireland. Fine Gael has lost five recent by-elections, leading some insiders to see Varadkar as an electoral liability. Ten of the partys lawmakers have announced that they do not plan to stand at the next election. His legacy will be that of an electoral loser. He promised to be a good communicator, but it turned out he was bad at it. He had no clear agenda, and delivered little, Eoin OMalley, a political scientist at Dublin City University, told AFP. In London, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunaks spokesman said of Varadkar: We wish him well on his next steps and well continue to work closely with him as a successor is sought. In the city of Monaghan, few people told AFP that they regretted his departure. I dont think its a big loss, 37-year-old accountant Caron McKenna told AFP. Francis Meehan, a 66-year-old council worker, hailed Varadkars handling of the Covid crisis. Of course his experience as a medical doctor shone out, he said. Varadkars potential successors include cabinet ministers Simon Harris (education), Simon Coveney (trade), and Helen McEntee (justice). Political analysts said an election was not expected in the wake of the announcement, though opposition parties queued up to demand a vote. Sinn Feins leader Mary Lou McDonald, leader of the opposition, urged Varadkar to call an early election, saying it was unthinkable that a conclave of Fine Gael politicians decide the next prime minister. With inputs from AFP The assurances, required by the U.S. and due by a specified Sunday deadline, are currently under review. The State Department is set to evaluate the credibility of these assurances by early May and will subsequently report its findings to the U.S. Congress Israel has officially submitted written assurances to the U.S. State Department, affirming that weapons supplied by the United States are not being utilised in violation of humanitarian laws in the Gaza Strip, a U.S. official disclosed on Wednesday. The assurances, required by the U.S. and due by a specified Sunday deadline, are currently under review. The State Department is set to evaluate the credibility of these assurances by early May and will subsequently report its findings to the U.S. Congress. Advertisement This development comes amid ongoing conflict between the Israeli military and Hamas militants in Gaza, triggered by a deadly attack by Hamas on southern Israel on October 7, resulting in 1,200 deaths. Palestinian officials report that the conflict has led to over 30,000 Palestinian casualties. The context of these assurances is heightened by President Joe Bidens recent issuance of a U.S. national security memorandum last month. This document served as a reminder to nations receiving U.S. military aid to adhere to international law. The formal delivery of the assurance letter, signed by Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, coincides with a tense discussion between Israel and the Biden administration concerning Israels proposed large-scale military operation in Rafah, a city in southern Gaza. President Biden has publicly criticised the plan, highlighting the potential for a humanitarian disaster and labeling the operation a mistake, as conveyed by national security adviser Jake Sullivan. This development was first brought to light by Axios. Advertisement The disclosure of the letters receipt was made by officials under the condition of anonymity, pointing to the sensitive nature of these diplomatic communications. Amid these discussions, a delegation of senior Israeli officials is scheduled to visit Washington at the start of next week, following President Bidens invitation, to deliberate on the ongoing military offensive. Advertisement However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a recent national address, stated his firm belief in the necessity of entering Rafah for Israel to secure victory against Hamas, a stance he communicated to President Biden. Israel, historically the largest beneficiary of U.S. military assistance, has seen an expedited delivery of munitions from the Biden administration since the onset of the Gaza conflict. The conflict has led to significant casualties and a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with the United Nations and other aid organizations warning of severe conditions including famine and disease. Advertisement This situation continues to unfold as international scrutiny and diplomatic efforts aim to address the escalating humanitarian concerns in the region. With inputs from Reuters Almost two dozen Palestinian patients who received treatment in Israeli hospitals were about to board a bus back to war-torn Gaza when the Supreme Court ordered a halt over Netanyahu-led governments decision to repatriate them The Israeli Supreme Court has ordered to temporarily halt the Netanyahu-led governments plan to repatriate over two dozen Palestinian patients in Israeli hospitals to war-struck Gaza. The Supreme Court heard a petition filed by the non-profit organisation Physicians for Human Rights Israel and ruled that sending back the Palestinians, many of whom are infants and their mothers should be put on hold. The governments decision was deliberately risking innocent lives, the organisations spokesperson Ran Yaron was quoted as saying in a CNN report. Advertisement As some patients were to begin boarding the bus on Thursday morning, the Supreme Court, issued a temporary order to prevent the Israeli government from sending around 22 Palestinian patients and their families back to Gaza. The decision by Supreme Court prompted the Israeli government to delay the decision to send back patients until at least Monday. Returning residents to Gaza during a military conflict and a humanitarian crisis is against international law and poses a deliberate risk to innocent lives, Yaron said. All the more so when it concerns patients who may face a death sentence due to insanitary conditions and hunger, along with the unlikely availability of medical care, he added. Advertisement What was Israeli government planning to do? Around two dozen Palestinians arrived at hospitals in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv for medical treatment, most of whom came before Hamas attack began in Israel. The hospitals were recently being compelled by COGAT, the defense ministry body for Palestinian matters, to give names of treated patients who were to be sent back to Gaza. Advertisement Though the Israeli government had said it would have coordinated the return with international aid organisations, current conditions in Gaza are nothing short of apocalyptic. The Gaza Strip has been facing a dire humanitarian crisis with severe shortages of basic necessities. Around 1.1 million Gazans are facing catastrophic levels of food shortages, with fear of famine-related deaths looming over the war-struck region, a UN-backed report said. Chaudhary faces accusations of illegally acquiring approximately 54758.621 square feet (10 ropani) of land from the government-operated Bansbari Leather Shoe Factory, which has since ceased operations Binod Chaudhary, Nepals only billionaire and a member of the Nepali Congress in the lower house of the Federal Parliament, is currently being investigated by the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) for his involvement in a government land-grab case. The investigation focuses on allegations of Chaudhary privatising land that belonged to the Bansbari Shoe Factory, a state-owned entity. Advertisement The CIB, as part of its ongoing investigation, has formally notified the House Speaker of Nepals Parliament, Dev Raj Ghimire, about the case against Chaudhary. This was done through a letter submitted by Hobindra Bogati, a senior officer at CIB, which detailed the investigation against Chaudhary for embezzlement related to the land. Chaudhary faces accusations of illegally acquiring approximately 54758.621 square feet (10 ropani) of land from the government-operated Bansbari Leather Shoe Factory, which has since ceased operations. The land, according to allegations, was transferred to Champion Footwear through an unlawful agreement. Chaudhary is said to have later renamed the company to CG Chandbagh Residency Pvt, asserting ownership. Advertisement The CIB has issued a deadline for Chaudhary to present his case to the investigative authorities by Thursday morning, warning that failure to comply may lead to his arrest. It is alleged that he later gave the land to his brother, Arun Chaudhary, who now operates CG Chandbagh School on the seized property. An investigation had found that the Nepali billionaire, like his brother Arun Chaudhary, holds shares in Champion Footwear Company, a venture implicated in acquiring government land from the Bansbari Leather Shoe Factory. Advertisement Documents also revealed that Arun, the younger brother, has 200 shares in Champion Footwear Limited. Despite his brothers arrest in connection with this case, Binod Chaudhary was not arrested. The documents indicate that the 200 shares, valued at 2 lakh, are part of an agreement specifying that the company should hold 2,500 shares of Bansbari Leather Shoe Factory. Advertisement It is also noted in the document that Binod Chaudharys s father, Lunkarandas Chaudhary, owns more than 2100 shares in the Bansbari Leather Shoe Factory. With inputs from PTI Brussels, Belgium (PANA) - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres doubled down on his call for a ceasefire in Gaza and peace in Ukraine on Thursday, taking aim at the chaotic global outlook and any country or armed group that thinks it can do whatever it wants because there is no accountability The spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, in a weekly press briefing on March 15, said India was ready to evacuate its citizens from Haiti if need be According to UN estimates, the armed factions still hold 80 percent of Haiti's capital while fighting for the remaining territory Image Courtesy Agencies Operation Indravati has been initiated by India to remove its citizens from Haiti and relocate them to the Dominican Republic, as indicated by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in a social media post on X. On Thursday, twelve Indians were evacuated as part of the ongoing operation. Taking to his official X handle, Jaishankar posted, 12 Indians evacuated today. Fully committed to the security and well-being of our nationals abroad. Advertisement Thank the Government of the Dominican Republic for their support, he added. The spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, in a weekly press briefing on March 15, said India was ready to evacuate its citizens from Haiti if need be. As you know, there is a crisis in Haiti. And if required, we will evacuate. We are ready to evacuate. And if required, we will do that, Jaiswal stated. In the midst of the bloodshed and looting in the poor Caribbean country, an emergency hotline and control room were set up to aid frightened Indian citizens escape Haiti. We have established a control room here in the Ministry of External Affairs. We have emergency helpline numbers, Jaiswal said during the press briefing. Advertisement Our embassy in Santo Domingo is monitoring the situation and the ministry also is fully monitoring the situation, Jaiswal added. Following an attack earlier this month by armed groups on the nations largest prison in Port-au-Prince, which resulted in the deaths and injuries of police and prison staff as well as the escape of about 3,500 prisoners, Haiti has been placed under state of emergency. Advertisement Jimmy Barbecue Cherizier, the commander of one of these armed organizations, claimed credit for the jail break and said it was a part of a plot to topple the administration of acting prime minister Ariel Henry. According to UN estimates, the armed factions still hold 80 percent of Haitis capital while fighting for the remaining territory. Gangs besieged the nations main airport while Henry was abroad to stop him from coming back. Advertisement Tens of thousands more have been forced to leave their homes due to the continued mayhem, bringing the total number of people displaced by gang violence to above 300,000. Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, the spokeswoman for Pakistans Foreign Ministry, said the warning from US Diplomat Donald Lu, reflects a misunderstanding of Pakistans political situation and electoral laws Polling staff empty a ballot box after polls closed at a polling station during the general election, in Lahore, Pakistan, February 8, 2024. Reuters After the US warned that its relationship with Islamabad could be put under review if the cash-strapped nation does not probe its election irregularities, Pakistan dismissed Washingtons accusations saying that it reflects a misunderstanding of Pakistans political situation and electoral laws. Pakistan, earlier this month, was finally able to form a government after days of negotiations among the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). Meanwhile, former prime minister Imran Khans Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) who continues to be in jail, alleged that the Feb elections were rigged. Advertisement Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, the spokeswoman for Pakistans Foreign Ministry, said the warning from US Diplomat Donald Lu, reflects a misunderstanding of Pakistans political situation and electoral laws. We hope to engage in political discussion with the United States to address misunderstandings so that our two countries continue to move forward for regional cooperation, she told reporters in the capital, Islamabad. Seventy-six years of ties will be impended Lu on Wednesday said that the United States had serious concerns about the conduct of the February 8 election. The diplomat also highlighted the prolonged suspension of X and the ongoing disruptions in media and social media in the country and called for a probe. The Election Commission of Pakistan, should it find that these irregularities are substantiated, should rerun elections where theres been interference, Lu told a hearing of a House Foreign Affairs subcommittee. Advertisement We have enjoyed 76 years of partnership with this country. It will be an impediment to our relationship if Pakistan does not have a democratic process that upholds its own constitution, Lu added. With inputs from AFP The AD emerged narrowly ahead in the recent parliamentary elections, capturing 80 of the 230 seats, marginally surpassing the Socialist Party (PS), which secured 78 seats, and the far-right Chega party, achieving 50 seats Portugal President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa receives Social Democratic Party (PSD) and Democratic Alliance (AD) leader Luis Montenegro in Belem Palace, following the general elections in Lisbon, Portugal, March 20, 2024. REUTERS In a decisive turn of events in Portugal, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has appointed Luis Montenegro, leader of the Democratic Alliance (AD), to try forming a minority government. This decision emerged after an extensive evaluation and discussion phase with political figures, solidifying Montenegros position. The AD won the election [so] the president decided to nominate Luis Montenegro as prime minister, the presidents office said in a statement. Advertisement The AD emerged narrowly ahead in the recent parliamentary elections, capturing 80 of the 230 seats, marginally surpassing the Socialist Party (PS), which secured 78 seats, and the far-right Chega party, achieving 50 seats. Montenegro has vowed to avoid forming a coalition or any informal agreements with Chega. He aims to reach an understanding with the Socialist Party to back a legislative agenda. The Socialist Party, under the fresh leadership of Pedro Nuno Santos, has committed to acting as a responsible opposition, signaling openness to negotiate on common grounds, particularly concerning public sector salary hikes. Andre Ventura, the leader of Chega, has expressed an eagerness for participation in the government in return for support, warning of potential political instability if his advances are rebuffed. Advertisement Despite these challenges, some political analysts remain optimistic that a minority government could still find a way to function effectively, highlighting the potential for agreement on key policies between the AD and PS and a general disinterest in causing a political upheaval. Yet, Montenegro confronts internal challenges within his own party, the Social Democratic Party (PSD), from members pushing for a solid majority government possibly through a pact with Chega. Advertisement A critical test for Montenegros impending minority government will be the approval of the 2025 budget. Failure to pass this budget might trigger a new election, posing a significant obstacle for the governments sustainability. The United States recognises Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territory and we strongly oppose any unilateral attempts to advance territorial claims by incursions or encroachments, military or civilian, across the Line of Actual Control, said Vedant Patel, State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Days after the Chinese military reiterated its claim over Arunachal Pradesh after Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to the state, the US on Wednesday said that Washington recognises Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territory and it strongly opposes any unilateral attempts to advance territorial claims across the Line of Actual Control. Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said, The United States recognises Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territory and we strongly oppose any unilateral attempts to advance territorial claims by incursions or encroachments, military or civilian, across the Line of Actual Control. Advertisement #WATCH | On China's reaction to the visit of PM Modi to Arunachal Pradesh, Vedant Patel, Principal Deputy Spokesperson, US Department of State says, "The United States recognizes Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territory and we strongly oppose any unilateral attempts to advance pic.twitter.com/hoXXmMX34e ANI (@ANI) March 21, 2024 On 9 March, PM Modi inaugurated the Sela Tunnel which is constructed at an elevation of 13,000 feet in Arunachal Pradesh. This tunnel aims to facilitate all-weather connectivity to strategically significant Tawang, enhancing troop movement along the frontier region. Advertisement Recently, Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Defence, asserted that the southern part of Xizang (Tibet) is an integral part of Chinas territory. He further stated that Beijing does not recognise and strongly opposes the so-called Arunachal Pradesh established by India. China, which claims Arunachal Pradesh as South Tibet, routinely objects to Indian leaders visits to the state to highlight its claims. Beijing has also named the area Zangnan. Advertisement India has repeatedly rejected Chinas territorial claims over Arunachal Pradesh, asserting that the state is an integral part of the country. New Delhi has also dismissed Beijings move to assign invented names to the area, saying it did not alter the reality. The Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday said it has noted the latest comments made by the spokesperson of the Chinese Defence Ministry advancing absurd claims over the territory of Arunachal Pradesh and asserted that the state was, is and will always be an integral and inalienable part of India. Advertisement With inputs from agencies Anta Babacar Ngom is not expected to be among the leading candidates in the Senegalese elections. Still, her candidacy means a lot for a large chunk of the nations electorate Anta Babacar Ngom is the first woman Presidential candidate in Senegal in over a decade. Source: AP Senegals only female presidential candidate may have little to no chance of winning in Sundays election, but activists say her presence is helping to advance a decades-long campaign to achieve gender equality in the West African nation. Anta Babacar Ngom, a 40-year-old business executive, is a voice for both women and young people groups hit hard by the countrys economic troubles, widespread unemployment, and rising prices. She has promised to create millions of jobs and a bank for women to support their economic independence. Advertisement Our country has enormous potential. The natural resources are there, and they can be developed, she told The Associated Press. The young girls I meet ask for my support. They do so because they know that when a woman comes to power, she will put an end to their suffering. Im not going to forget them." Few expect Ngom to be among the leading candidates for the presidency, but activists say the fact that a woman has made it to the presidential race for the first time in years reflects how women are moving ahead in the struggle for equality. We have to be there, even if we dont stand a chance," said Selly Ba, an activist and sociologist. We dont stand a chance in these elections. But its important that we have women candidates, women who are in the race. Advertisement Ngom is the first female candidate to run for president in over a decade, reflecting how progress has been frustratingly slow for activists, who say there has been a shift among young people toward more traditional views of womens roles in society. Popular social media accounts, often by Senegalese posting from abroad where there is more freedom to speak out, debate taboo topics like sex before marriage and whether polygamy is fair. Advertisement One TikTok user, who goes by the name Ngo Keita, plays the role of a popular agony aunt, posting clips in Wolof, the language spoken most widely in Senegal. One clip with over 2 million views describes a bitter feud between a woman and her husband in a polygamous marriage, and invites followers to comment. Advertisement Ngo Keita did not respond to a written request for comment. Some young women in Senegal are returning to the traditional notion of marriage, said Marieme Wone Ly, the first woman to lead a political party in Senegal over two decades ago. We have to be very careful. There is a certain regression, she said, referring to how erroneous interpretations of Islam can act against the forces of progress toward equality. Weve gone backwards a bit despite parity. Advertisement Through the 1990s, Senegalese women mobilised through grassroots organisations. The country appointed its first female Prime Minister in 2001, and in 2010 a law that required all political parties to introduce gender parity in electoral lists helped to drive up female participation in politics. Womens rights have evolved at the political level over the last 10 years and particularly since the gender parity law came into force, said Bousso Sambe, a former parliamentarian, adding that women have yet to systemically take advantage of the law. In 2012, two women ran for president, and while they earned less than 1 per cent of the vote each, analysts say their participation was important. Women in Senegal now make up more than 40 per cent of parliament, one of the highest levels of representation in Africa. Its crucial to strike a balance between modern evolution and respect for our customs. Women must be able to express themselves without hindrance, while preserving our cultural identity and valuing the traditional values that have shaped our society, Ngom told the AP. Ngom, who runs her familys food company, has made the economy a focus of her campaign, which most analysts agree is a key concern for the population. Economic hardship has driven thousands of Senegalese to attempt dangerous journeys in search of a better life in the West. Ngoms supporters say they are proud to back a female candidate and hopeful for a change with the next government. Our children are dying at sea because of unemployment and job insecurity. Unemployment is endemic. Women are tired, activist Aicha Ba said at a recent rally. The authorities were alerted to Kongs Facebook comment by an anonymous report, leading to his arrest on the same day. Further investigations revealed additional derogatory comments made by Kong against Prime Minister Lee on social media Kong Chee Kian, a 46-year-old Singaporean, has been sentenced to four months in prison for a charge of electronically inciting violence against countrys prime minister. This decision came after Kong commented on Facebook asking someone to replicate the assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe with Singapores Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong. Advertisement Kong, who has faced challenges securing permanent employment due to health issues, expressed his discontent with the Singapore government and Prime Minister Lee, attributing his personal grievances to them. His incendiary comment was made in response to a news article about Abes assassination, posted on the Channel NewsAsia (CNA) Facebook page, where he wrote: Pls someone do the same to our PM. The authorities were alerted to Kongs comment by an anonymous report, leading to his arrest on the same day. Further investigations revealed additional derogatory comments made by Kong against Prime Minister Lee on social media. In court, Deputy Public Prosecutor Delicia Tan argued for a sentence of four-and-a-half to six months, citing the necessity for a deterrent sentence due to the prevalence of internet and social media use. Advertisement She emphasised that senior government officials, especially the head of the government, should be protected from such threats. The defense, however, requested a lesser sentence of two months, noting Kongs status as a first-time offender, his cooperation with the police, his expression of remorse, and efforts to seek counseling. District Judge Kamala Ponnampalam emphasised the gravity of the offense, highlighting the targeted and sustained nature of the threats against the head of state. She stated that using social media to incite violence requires a firm response to deter similar actions in the future. Kong faced a potential maximum sentence of up to five years in prison, a fine, or both. He had difficulty finding permanent employment due to health issues and was looking for someone to blame, so he chose to blame the government, the prosecution said, according to a report A 46-year-old Singaporean man was sentenced to four months in jail after he made a comment on a Facebook post saying that someone should shoot Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in a similar fashion as former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe was shot. According to a South China Morning Post report, citing Singapore-based CNA, the man, identified as Kong Chee Kian, was sentenced to jail on Wednesday for one count of inciting violence electronically. Advertisement Kong did not like the Singapore government and Prime Minister Loong. He had difficulty finding permanent employment due to health issues and was looking for someone to blame, so he chose to blame the government, the report the prosecution as saying. The chain of events unfolded as Kong lounged at home on 8 July, 2022, casually scrolling through the internet on his smartphone. He stumbled upon an article detailing the arrest of a man following the shooting of Abe. The post, shared by CNA on its Facebook page, included a caption insinuating the mans alleged involvement in Abes shooting. Kong left a comment on the Facebook post, saying, Pls someone do the same to our PM. Advertisement Another Facebook user replied to him and asked if this was a threat to Lee. The police received a report soon after from an anonymous person who stated that someone had made threats to our PM and that they hoped action could be taken. The person said they were not sure if this is a troll, added the report. Advertisement Kong was arrested that same day. Investigations revealed that he had made similar comments related to Lee on various other social media platforms. After making the comment on CNAs Facebook page, Kong saw a post by the prime minister. Lee had uploaded a photo of himself with Abe on his page, stating his shock over the shooting and condemning the senseless act of violence. Advertisement Kong left a comment in Mandarin, which was translated in court documents to: If you are going the right way, afraid that people would plot against you but you are not. Kong later said he was trying to express his view in this comment that PM Lee was not a good person, therefore other people will plot against him. Advertisement Kong posted another comment on a Facebook post by Yahoo Singapore about Abes death after the shooting. He wrote that your good friend LHL will join you. During the sentencing, District Judge Kamala Ponnampalam told Kong that he must know by now that his offence was a very serious one. This is a serious offence warranting a custodial sentence. No fine. A fine would be unsuitable, the report quoted her as saying. She noted that Kongs comments were sustained and not just isolated. They were targeted at the head of state, with a specific threat to assassinate and not just to beat up. Weaponising social media platforms to incite violence today must be dealt with more firmly, said the judge. The aim of such a sentence is to deter like-minded offenders. For incitement to violence, Kong could have been jailed for up to five years, fined, or both. On 8 July 2022, Japans Abe died in a hospital after he was shot at a political campaign event. Abe was shot at twice while he was giving a speech on a street in the city of Nara. With inputs from agencies Taiwans armed forces have monitored the situation and employed (patrol) aircraft, Navy vessels, and coastal missile systems in response to the detected activities Taiwan on Thursday detected 32 Chinese warplanes in less than 24 hours, the second-highest number this year. The island nations defence ministry said that in the 24 hours leading up to 6:00 am Thursday, it also detected five naval ships operating around Taiwan. Thirteen of these 32 aircraft were found flouting the median line of the Taiwan Strait, the defence ministry said in a statement. Advertisement Taiwans armed forces have monitored the situation and employed (patrol) aircraft, Navy vessels, and coastal missile systems in response to the detected activities. Earlier, between late January and early February, Taiwan detected 33 Chinese military jets in its airspace within a 24-hour window. Those detections followed the January 13 presidential election won by current Vice President Lai Ching-te, whom Beijing dislikes. Last month, Taiwan said 11 Chinese naval vessels were detected around Taiwan, the most this year, as a row between Taipei and Beijing over a fatal fishing boat incident dragged on. Meanwhile, last year in September the island nation detected a whopping number of 103 Chinese jets. Taiwan detected a record eight Chinese balloons on two consecutive days during the Lunar New Year holiday last month, with some flying directly over the island. Advertisement Beijing has ramped up military pressure in recent years, and deploys warplanes and naval vessels around the island on a near-daily basis, with balloons also increasingly flying over the island. With inputs from AFP The gaps are narrowing, and I think an agreement is very much possible We worked very hard with Qatar, Egypt and Israel to put a strong proposal on the table Hamas wouldnt accept it. They came back with other demands. The negotiators are working on that right now, but I believe its very much doable, and its very much necessary, said Blinken US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, center, steps out of a car as he departs Jeddah for Cairo, Egypt, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Thursday. AP A he made the first of three stops in Jeddah as part of his sixth Mideast tour since October 7, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday said the gaps are narrowing between Israel and Hamas on an extended truce and hostage deal. According to a Times of Israel report, citing Saudi al-Hadath channel, Blinken said, The gaps are narrowing, and I think an agreement is very much possible. Advertisement The US had aimed to achieve a six-week ceasefire and negotiate a hostage deal before the onset of Ramzan on 10 March. However, ongoing rounds of talks have failed to yield results, with Washington primarily attributing the impasse to Hamas. We worked very hard with Qatar, Egypt and Israel to put a strong proposal on the table Hamas wouldnt accept it. They came back with other demands. The negotiators are working on that right now, but I believe its very much doable, and its very much necessary, Times of Israel quoted Blinken as saying to Saudi al-Hadath channel. If Hamas cares at all about the people it purports to represent, then it would reach an agreement because that would have the immediate effect of a ceasefire, alleviating the tremendous suffering of people, bringing more humanitarian assistance in and then giving us the possibility of having something more lasting, he added. Advertisement On Monday, Majed al-Ansari, the spokesperson for the Qatari foreign ministry, cautioned against premature optimism about nearing a deal as negotiators delved into detailed discussions aimed at achieving a challenging agreement. Their objective was to secure a ceasefire lasting at least six weeks and to facilitate the release of approximately 40 hostages held in Gaza. Advertisement David Barnea, the head of Mossad, engaged in talks in Doha on Monday before swiftly returning to Israel to brief the cabinet on the status of negotiations. Despite their efforts, little tangible progress appeared to have been made. Accompanied by an Israeli delegation, Barnea arrived in Doha for talks with Qatari and Egyptian officials, marking the beginning of what was anticipated to be a two-week series of indirect negotiations in the Qatari capital. Advertisement This renewed effort for a ceasefire comes in response to Hamass latest proposal for a six-week cessation of hostilities, alongside increased humanitarian aid entering Gaza and the initial release of approximately 40 hostages, including women, elderly and the wounded, in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. Osama Hamdan, a senior Lebanon-based Hamas official, said Wednesday that Israels response to Hamass response was generally negative. Advertisement According to Times of Israel, Hamdan told a news conference in Beirut that mediators had conveyed the Israeli position a day earlier, but it was generally negative and does not respond to the aspirations of our people. He said the Israeli response constitutes a step backwards compared to previously communicated positions and is likely to hamper negotiations, and could lead to an impasse. The talks have grown increasingly urgent as UN officials warn that the Strip is on the brink of famine, leading to intensifying calls for more aid to enter the enclave. While in Jeddah, Blinken also discussed with his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan the urgent need to protect civilians and deliver humanitarian aid in war-battered Gaza, the State Department said. He later met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. In Jeddah and Cairo, Blinken would discuss a post-war political path for the Palestinian people with security assurances for Israel and an architecture for lasting peace and security in the region, the State Department added. With inputs from agencies Initiated by the United States, this resolution aims for approval this week. It encourages the promotion of digital transformation and equitable AI access to support the UNs Sustainable Development Goals, aiming for a more prosperous future by 2030 The United Nations General Assembly is set to discuss artificial intelligence (AI) Thursday, focusing on a resolution that outlines the technologys benefits and drawbacks while advocating for the creation of global standards. The resolution, endorsed by numerous countries, underscores the importance of establishing guidelines to ensure AI systems are safe, secure, and reliable, explicitly excluding military applications from its scope. Advertisement Primarily, the resolution highlights AIs positive potential and stresses the importance of addressing the digital divide between and within nations. Initiated by the United States, this pioneering resolution aims for approval this week. It encourages the promotion of digital transformation and equitable AI access to support the UNs Sustainable Development Goals, aiming for a more prosperous future by 2030. U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, shared a joint statement emphasising the critical need for collective action by member states in response to the rapid advancement of AI technologies. According to Richard Gowan, an analyst at the International Crisis Group, the emphasis on development is a deliberate effort by the US to win goodwill among poorer nations. Advertisement It is easier to talk about how AI can help developing countries progress rather than tackle security and safety topics head-on as a first initiative, he said. - Male-dominated algorithms - The draft text does highlight the technologys threats when misused with the intent to cause harm, and also recognizes that without guarantees, AI risks eroding human rights, reinforcing prejudices and endangering personal data protection. Advertisement It therefore asks member states and stakeholders to refrain from or cease the use of artificial intelligence systems that are impossible to operate in compliance with international human rights law or that pose undue risks to the enjoyment of human rights. Warnings against the technology have become increasingly prevalent, particularly when it comes to generative AI tools and the risks they pose for democracy and society, particularly via fake images and speech shared in a bid to interfere in elections. Advertisement UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has made AI regulation a priority, calling for the creation of a UN entity modelled on other UN organizations such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). He has regularly highlighted the potential for disinformation and last week warned of bias in technologies designed mainly by men, which can result in algorithms that ignore the rights and needs of women. Advertisement Male-dominated algorithms could literally program inequalities into activities from urban planning to credit ratings to medical imaging for years to come, he said. Gowan of the International Crisis Group said he didnt think the US wants Guterres leading this conversation, because it is so sensitive and was therefore stepping in to shape the debate. A race is underway between various UN member states, the United States, China and South Korea, to be at the forefront of the issue. In October, the White House unveiled rules intended to ensure that the United States leads the way in AI regulation, with President Joe Biden insisting on the need to govern the technology. New York, US (PANA) - The UN General Assembly on Thursday adopted a landmark resolution on the promotion of safe, secure and trustworthy artificial intelligence (AI) systems that will also benefit sustainable development for all After seizing control of a majority of areas in the town, Haitian gangs have unleashed new violence in the upscale regions in Port-au-Prince prompting US administration to rescue endangered Americans The United States has begun evacuating its citizens via chartered helicopter flights amid flaring gang violence in the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince, the US State Department said, while launching a program to help Americans evacuate from the city. The State Department informed that the first flight transported more than 15 citizens to the neighbouring Dominican Republics Santo Domingo, and will make multiple such trips flying 30 passengers a day. Advertisement Biden administrations rescue plan The US citizens demand for rescue and assistance will be monitored by the authorities on a real-time basis, US State Department Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said. The US Embassy said its assisting the departure of US citizens from Haiti through non-commercial means and only US citizens with proper identification are permitted to board the flights, barring those with Haitian passports. American citizens are asked to fill out a form to assist in evacuations, so far the registrations have reached 1,600. The overall security situation, availability and reliability of commercial transportation, and US citizen demand will all influence the duration of this departure assistance, Patel added. Passengers had to travel through gang-controlled territory to a landing zone near the US Embassy, which is in the crosshairs of three violent gangs, sources told the Miami Herald. Advertisement After seizing control of a majority of areas in the city, Haitian gangs started unleashing new violence in the upscale regions in Port-au-Prince this week, with communities in Laboule and Thomassin witnessing at least a dozen deaths and exodus of residents. Meeting gangs demands, Haitis exiled Prime Minster Ariel Henry resigned last week, but the attacks on the Caribbean island do not seem to cease. The gangs, have long opposed Henry for deepening poverty and calling his election rigged, adding that the violence would come to a halt if he steps down. On March 21, 2024 local time, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with former Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating in Sydney. Wang Yi appreciated Keating's long-term care and support for the development of China-Australia relations. Wang Yi said that China and Australia are both located in the Asia-Pacific region, and with complementary economies and converged interests, the two countries should understand and trust each other and seek win-win cooperation. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Australia, which is an important year for summarizing experiences and carrying forward past achievements. With the efforts of both sides, China-Australia relations are returning to the right track. Australia is an ally of the United States, a partner of China, and above all, a sovereign country. The Australian side is welcome to formulate policies independently based on its fundamental interests. China is ready to work with Australia to promote a more mature, stable and fruitful China-Australia comprehensive strategic partnership to better benefit the two peoples and the entire region. Wang Yi said that China's development has a strong internal logic and is in line with the general trend of historical development. Chinese modernization is a significant contribution to the progress of human civilization. China is willing to share development opportunities with all countries, including Australia. Keating said that China's huge economic volume and vast space for development do not pose a threat to other countries and are conducive to regional peace and stability. China's development and revitalization are unstoppable. He expressed full confidence in the prospect of Australia-China relations. motorola already confirmed the edge 50 Pro smartphone name and some specifications of the phone, but it didnt confirm the SoC of the phone. Now the phone has showed up on Geekbench listing confirming the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 SoC for the phone. It also reveals 12GB of RAM and Android 14 for the phone. motorola edge 50 Pro with Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 (4nm) Mobile Platform with Adreno 720 GPU which was introduced last year has Kryo CPUs that includes 1 x 2.63 GHz ARM Cortex-A715 prime core, 3 x A715 performance cores at up to 2.4 GHz, and 4 x Cortex-A510 efficiency cores at up to 1.8 GHz. This show Geekbench 6 single-core scores of 1097 and multi-core score of 3114. This is better than the MediaTek Dimensity 7200, but the Dimensity 8200 and Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 offer better performance. The OnePlus Nord CE 4 that will launch on April 1st, a few days before the motorola edge 50 Pro, will use the same Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chip. In contrast, the moto X50 Ultra for China that will be introduced in April will be powered by the latest Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 SoC. It looks like motorola will launch only one phone, which is the edge 50 Pro, at the event since there is no sign of edge 50 fusion. The cheaper fusion model is rumoured to be powered by Snapdragon 6 Gen 1. The move to opt for Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 instead of a flagship chip should cut the cost of the phone. The motorola edge 30 ultra, which was launched in India back in 2022 powered by Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC was priced at Rs. 54,999 as an introductory price and the original price was Rs. 59,999 for the single 8GB + 128GB model. The edge 50 Pro should be a lot cheaper than that, but it is not clear if we can expect an edge 50 ultra model for the global market, like the moto X50 Ultra with 8s Gen 3. motorola has already confirmed 6.7 1.5K 144Hz curved pOLED display with up to 2000 nits peak brightness, support for HDR 10+ and Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection. It will pack 50MP rear camera, 13MP ultra-wide camera with macro option, 10MP telephoto camera with 50x hybrid zoom and pack camera features such as AI adaptive stabilization, autofocus tracking, AI photo enhancement engine and tilt mode. This is also the worlds first pantone validated camera that captures true colors as they are meant to be, says the company. We should get official confirmation regarding the chip and the battery in the coming days. Source | Via Samsung is gearing up to introduce its latest Galaxy foldable smartphones later this year. According to reports, the upcoming Galaxy Z Flip 6 might feature an Exynos processor instead of a Snapdragon. Revegnus, a tipster, shared this possibility, expressing uncertainty but stating he wouldnt be surprised if the Exynos is used for Z Flip 6. Another source, OreXDA, also supports this claim. However, Samsung typically sticks to Snapdragon processors for its Fold and Flip models, as both the Galaxy Z Flip5 and Fold5 use Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chips. This aligns with Samsungs strategy, as seen with the Galaxy S24 models, where India and Europe receive the Exynos 2400 while the US, Canada, China, and Japan get the Snapdragon version. If Samsung chooses the Exynos chip for the Galaxy Z Flip 6, it would deviate from its usual Qualcomm processor tradition, and may also represent a cost-cutting measure. Though the upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6 are expected to come with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, if the Exynos rumor holds true, European models might feature the Exynos 2400. While the tipster specifically mentioned the Galaxy Z Flip 6, not the Galaxy Z Fold 6, theres hope that the latter will not follow the same path. However, the fate of the Galaxy Z Fold 6 remains uncertain. While the Exynos 2400 offers improved performance over its predecessor, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 could still be the superior choice for consumers. Both devices are anticipated to launch in July, with July 10 speculated as the launch date, although Samsung has not officially confirmed this yet. More details about the devices are expected to emerge as the launch draws closer. Source 1, 2 Nothing today announced the opening of its second Exclusive Customer Service Center in Delhi, marking its dedication to the Indian market. With this expansion, Nothing aims to increase its service center coverage from 300 to over 350 by July 2024, reaching 18,000+ pin codes nationwide. Following the inauguration of its first Exclusive Customer Service Center in Bengaluru in October 2023, Nothing has shown its commitment to delivering excellence to Indian consumers. Nothing Exclusive Service Center in Delhi The new Exclusive Service Center in Delhi aims to provide top-notch service to Nothing and CMF customers. It will offer regular service camps, accessories, care packs, and provisions for Accidental/Liquid Damage and warranty upgrades. Looking forward, Nothing plans to establish three more service centers in Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Chennai by the end of 2024, with further expansion to 20 locations in 2025. This expansion underscores Nothings dedication to enhancing the overall customer experience through best-in-class services and support, as the company recently celebrated the remarkable success of Nothing Phone (2a), selling 60,000 units within just 60 minutes of its launch. Location and availability The second Exclusive Customer Service Center is located at M-16, 1st floor, Lajpat Nagar 2, New Delhi 110024, India, and will be operational from today. Speaking about the inauguration, Pranay Rao, Marketing Director, Nothing India, stated: Geneva, Switzerland (PANA) - Cases of Mpox are falling everywhere except in Africa, a UN health agency expert panel has said, warning that the virus is causing high mortality in children under-15 years old Senior CPC official calls on China, UK to deepen mutual trust Xinhua) 11:27, March 21, 2024 BEIJING, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Liu Jianchao, head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, attended the 12th China-UK Leadership Forum and delivered a keynote speech in Beijing on Wednesday. The two sides agreed that a sound and stable China-UK relationship serves the common interests of both countries and the world as a whole. The two sides should strengthen communication and dialogue, enhance mutual trust, strengthen cooperation in trade, energy, environmental protection, health and education, promote cultural and local exchanges, correctly view and manage differences, and jointly safeguard world peace and stability, they said, adding that China-UK Leadership Forum should make more positive contribution to the development of bilateral relations. More than 30 Chinese and foreign representatives, including Chinese ministries, local governments, David Lidington, President of the Great Britain-China Centre (GBCC) and former Minister for the Cabinet Office, and members of the British Parliament from the Conservative Party and the Labour Party, attended the forum. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Tunis, Tunisia (PANA) - Two bodies of sub-Saharan migrants were fished out of the sea and 180 other migrants intercepted by units of the Tunisian Navy during four attempts at clandestine migration to Italy, according to a press release from the Tunisian national gendarmerie Geneva, Switzerland (PANA) - Tackling emissions of methane now, is essential to meet the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global warming to 1 This year, 2024, marks the 30th anniversary of the Rwandan Genocide. Ann Garrison reviews How Paul Kagame Deliberately Sacrificed the Tutsi, one of many important books that challenge the prevailing narrative about the events of 1994. On October 1, 1990, Ugandan troops invaded Rwanda from Uganda. They wore Ugandan uniforms, drove Ugandan vehicles, and carried weapons from the Ugandan arsenal. They were led by top ranking officers in the Ugandan military who had family roots in Rwanda and called themselves the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF). Led by then General, now President Paul Kagame, they were determined to seize power in Rwanda and re-establish the ethno-supremacist Tutsi rule that had ended with the Hutu Power Revolution of 1959. They succeeded after waging a four-year war, with the help of the US, and though Rwanda pretends to have ended ethnic division and exclusion, a Wikileaks diplomatic cable reveals that all top government positions are in fact held by Tutsi and Rwanda reconciliation is a lie. Only Tutsi are allowed to publicly mourn their family members who died in the 90-day massacres of 1994, and the description genocide against the Tutsi is legally codified and enforced. Anyone using any other description faces prison time in Rwanda. The invasion violated international law and Rwandas sovereignty, but the world barely noticed. The UN Security Council declined to even discuss it, despite the request of Rwandas Ambassador to the UN. Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni had just become President of the Organization of African Unity (OAU)which later became the African Unionand as such he assumed the role of mediator even though he was the principal aggressor and of course had no interest in upholding international law. In How Paul Kagame Deliberately Sacrificed the Tutsi, former Rwandan Ambassador to Paris Jean-Marie Ndagijimana writes, Two months earlier, on 2 August, 1990, Iraq under Saddam Hussein invaded its little neighbor Kuwait, and the international community went to work to put out the oil pipeline fires in what is the worlds premier oil reserve. So we poor Negroes could kill one another in silence without bothering the masters of the world who were busy elsewhere. The ensuing four-year war included the RPFs horrific massacres, including targeted massacres of Hutus, but it was still barely noticed by the international community until it finally concluded in the 90-day bloodbath that included both Tutsi and Hutu genocides. Only the Tutsi genocide was broadcast around the world and later depicted in the Hollywood movie Hotel Rwanda. Millions of people saw Hotel Rwanda, and the Rwandan Genocide thus came to be understood ahistorically, as a sudden 90-day episode of mass psychosis and bloodlust in which the Hutu majority attempted to exterminate the Tutsi minority. Hutu people have been demonized not only in Rwanda but around the world ever since. For thirty years, Rwandan President Paul Kagame has been allowed to wage a devastating war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on the grounds that he is hunting Hutus who were guilty of the genocide against the Tutsi and who still threaten Rwanda. Stopping the next Rwanda became the battle cry of the humanitarian warriors led by Samantha Power, who built her career on Bystanders to Genocide, her crusading critique of the Clinton administration for failing to stop the genocide. She insisted that we must all from hereon be upstanders, not bystanders to genocide, most notably in Libya and Syria, but she hasnt called for any upstanding to stop genocide in Gaza. How Paul Kagame Deliberately Sacrificed the Tutsi is one of many important books that tell the far more complex story of both Hutu and Tutsi genocides that took place over four years in Rwanda and years after that in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It was a Ugandan invasion he writes, but it was gradually transformed into a civil war by the desire for appeasement between the parties. In other words, the Rwandan government led by President Juvenal Habyarimana accepted that the Ugandan troops with Rwandan roots were Rwandans and entered into negotiations with them, which produced the Arusha Accords signed in Arusha, Tanzania, on August 4, 1993, by the Rwandan government and the RPF. The Arusha Accords laid out a timetable that would lead to the multi-party elections that the international community had insisted on. However, Paul Kagame and the RPF, as a minority Tutsi party, could not have won those elections, so he had to find an excuse to seize power by force of arms with the support of the US. That excuse was, Ndagijimana argues, the genocide of the Tutsi who remained in Rwanda after the Hutu Revolution of 1959. Ndagijimana cites the abundant evidence that Kagame ordered the assassination of President Habyarimana, which triggered panic and the horrifying Tutsi massacres broadcast internationally. It must be noted, however, he writes, that the involvement of Paul Kagame does nothing to excuse the perpetrators of the Tutsi genocide, even if it does explain the Machiavellian cynicism of this former chief of military intelligence for the Ugandan army. As soon as the president was assassinated, the RPF broke the ceasefire, launching a push to seize power while claiming that they were fighting to save the Tutsi. The government and its army made repeated pleas to stop the war so that they could stop the Tutsi genocide, but Kagame and the RPF absolutely refused and even blocked a plan for UN intervention because they were determined to see the RPF and Kagame seize power. The RPF and the American government did everything they could to make sure our parents would not be saved from these massacres, Ndagijimana writes. They stacked one obstacle on another to keep the UN from sending international troops to stop the genocide, with their sole purpose being to allow Kagame to ascend to power. Ndagijimana is of both Hutu and Tutsi parentage. Why, he asks, shouldnt he be allowed to mourn both, and why shouldnt both receive justice? He says, as many others have, that the unequal, victors justice meted out by the International Criminal Tribunal on Rwanda and the repression of memory and mourning create dangerous ethnic tension simmering below Rwandas facade of ethnic reconciliation. I already know, he writes, what to expect from writing this book: to be held up to public obloquy as a negationist and revisionist. It is a sort of existential challenge when you consider the fate that generally awaits confirmed negationists and revisionists. I accept this challenge because there is no price on the Truth. I crossed the Rubicon without trepidation. I have been a political exile far from my home since 1994. I felt welcome in France because it represented an alternative to the atmosphere of terror that pervaded my country. If I had to continue living in fear of expressing myself in this country I consider my second home, I dont know what I would be doing in France. Jean-Marie Ndagijimana is far from the only one to publish the same, similar, and related conclusions with various areas of emphasis and investigation. This is an incomplete list: Rwanda and the New Scramble for Africa, from Tragedy to Useful Imperial Fiction , by Robin Philpot Enduring Lies: The Rwandan Genocide in the Propaganda System, 20 Years Later , by Edward S. Herman and David Peterson In Praise of Blood: Crimes of the Rwandan Patriotic Front , by Judi Rever The Accidental Genocide , by Peter Erlinder Surviving the Slaughter: The Ordeal of a Rwandan Refugee in Zaire , by Marie Beatrice Umutesi Dying to Live: A Rwandan Familys Five Year Flight Across the Congo , by Pierre-Claver Ndacyayisenga Americas Wars on Democracy in Rwanda and the DRC , by Justin Podhur Post-Genocide Rwandan Refugees: Why They Refuse to Return Home: Myths and Realities , by Masako Yonekawa Rwanda 1994: The Myth of the Akazu Genocide Conspiracy and Its Consequences , by Barrie Collins The 1994 [UN] Gersony Report The 1998 [UN] Garreton Report The UN Group of Experts Reports on the Democratic Republic of the Congo , 2001-2020 The UN Mapping Report on Human Rights Abuse in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 1993 to 2003 Ann Garrison is a Black Agenda Report Contributing Editor based in the San Francisco Bay Area. In 2014, she received the Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza Democracy and Peace Prize for her reporting on conflict in the African Great Lakes region. She can be reached at ann@anngarrison.com . You can help support her work on Patreon . New York, US (PANA) - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has received the interim findings of an independent panel conducting an assessment of UNRWA, the UN agency that assists Palestinians, his office said on Wednesday in a note to correspondents Sat Saturday 53 /34 Showers of rain and snow early. Highs in the low 50s and lows in the mid 30s. Fri Friday 68 /36 Windy with times of sun and clouds. Highs in the upper 60s and lows in the mid 30s. A medevac version of a U.S. Army UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter on display during a ceremony at Sikorsky Aircraft, in Stratford, Conn. Sept. 24, 2021. PCX Aerosystems-Manchester makes parts for many aircraft, including Sikorsky's UH-60. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media MANCHESTER A Manchester-based aerospace manufacturer won a $22 million contract to make aircraft parts for the U.S. Army, the Defense Department announced earlier this month. PCX Aerosystems-Manchester, a division of Newingtons PCX Aerosystems, was the sole bidder on the five-year deal, set to start this year and wrap up by 2029. PCX employs 386 people at three main sites, two in Connecticut and one in Santa Ana, California. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The company maintains 485,000 square feet of manufacturing space and has invested $14 million in advanced machining equipment since 2014, according to its website. The Manchester division is located at the former Timken Aerospace Drive Systems at 586 Hilliard St. PCX bought Timken in 2022, the last in a string of acquisitions that included companies in Enfield, Boylston, Mass., and Long Beach and Anaheim, California. Founded in 1946 as the Purdy Corporation, the Manchester firm expanded PCXs product line, according to a company statement. Timken Aerospace Drive Systems revenue was expected to be around $50 million in 2022. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Manchester brings a deep history and expertise in supplying complex gears, gearboxes, and transmissions to the aerospace and defense industry, expanding our capability set in our core target market of mission critical components and assemblies, PCX CEO Tom Holzthum said. A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by a Chicago police officer that alleged sexual assault by former police Superintendent Eddie Johnson, who was out drinking with her the night he was found asleep behind the wheel of his SUV THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Crosses erected in honor of the victims of the Aurora theater shooting are shown on July 27, 2012. State Sen. Tom Sullivan, a Centennial Democrat, had a son who was murdered in the Aurora theater shooting. EU financial support for increased ammunition production in Sweden Government Offices of Sweden 19 March 2024 The European Commission has decided to provide financial support to industrial projects aimed at increasing ammunition production capacity. The Swedish Government has decided to co-finance one of the projects, provided that the Commission granted support. This project, run by the Nammo Sweden AB company, could eventually triple the capacity for filling artillery shells in the coming years. The European Commission has granted Nammo Sweden AB approximately EUR 12.2 million in support under the Act in Support for Ammunition Production (ASAP). The aim with the project is to increase filling capacity, which could triple artillery shell production at the Karlskoga company in the coming years. The Commission's grant decision means that the Swedish state will co-finance the Nammo Sweden AB project, providing approximately EUR 14 million. The remaining part is financed by Nammo Sweden AB. In addition, the Defence Materiel Administration has placed an order for 155 mm artillery ammunition valued at approximately EUR 12,4 million. "Expanding ammunition production in Europe and Sweden is of crucial importance for the defence capabilities of Sweden, Europe and Ukraine. Within a few years, the European production support and Swedish co-financing of Nammo Sweden's project could triple the production of 155 mm grenades, which are in demand by Ukraine," says Minister for Defence Pal Jonson. This initiative is the third track in a comprehensive effort to increase the production of artillery ammunition and enable continued support to Ukraine. The work is being carried out within the framework of the Nordic Defence Cooperation (NORDEFCO) and led by the Defence Materiel Administration. The Nordic countries have already signed a cooperation agreement and placed orders to enable donations of ammunition to Ukraine. The following projects have been granted support by the Commission: Nammo Sweden: around EUR 12.2 million in contributions, totalling some EUR 27 million. Eurenco Bofors: around EUR 6.9 million in contributions, totalling some EUR 34.3 million. Nammo Raufoss: EUR 10 million, totalling EUR 32.2 million. Nammo Lapua Oy: EUR 22.5 million, totalling EUR 51.4 million. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hamas: Israel desperately after covering up Gaza failure by striking hospitals Iran Press TV Tuesday, 19 March 2024 4:50 PM The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas says Israel is desperately seeking to cover up its military failure in the Gaza Strip by attacking hospitals. During the early hours of Monday, the regime's forces launched an attack on al-Shifa Hospital, Gaza's largest, which has sheltered thousands of Palestinians who fled hostilities in the north. Hamas said the steadfastness and resilience the Palestinians have displayed over the past months of conflict have made victory a distant dream for Israel. More than half of medical facilities in the besieged Palestinian territory are now either totally out of order or partially destroyed. In the Monday attack on al-Shifa Hospital, Brigadier General Fayeq al-Mabhouh, the commander of the Police Service in the Gaza Strip, was also assassinated. Israel's hospital savagery drew condemnations. On Tuesday, China said the facility "is an epitome of the ongoing humanitarian crisis" in the Gaza Strip. Beijing called for an immediate ceasefire and swift delivery of humanitarian aid "to ease the situation on the ground." More than 31,000 people. That is the astonishing number of Palestinians the Israeli regime has killed since October 7, 2023. Israel keeps the campaign of death and destruction going, global condemnations and calls for ceasefire notwithstanding. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Qatar says any Israeli attack on Rafah will derail Gaza truce talks Iran Press TV Tuesday, 19 March 2024 4:12 PM Qatar has warned that any attack by the Israeli regime on the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip could derail the negotiation process, as talks for a ceasefire and captive deal in the besieged territory go on in Doha. Qatar's Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari made the remarks in a statement on Tuesday, saying any Israeli attack on Rafah would result in atrocities much worse than the crimes already carried out by the occupying regime in the blockaded territory over the past few months. The official said Doha is cautiously optimistic about the ceasefire talks that have now resumed, and that it was too early to talk about any outcome. There had been extensive mediation efforts in recent weeks to hammer out a truce before the holy fasting month of Ramadan began. But some 2.3 million people in Gaza started Ramadan as Israel continued with its merciless campaign of death and destruction with no prospect of an imminent truce. Last week, the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas proposed a six-week truce which Israel rejected. Sources close to the negotiations said Israel's refusal to accept key conditions set by Hamas is the main obstacle in the way to reach a ceasefire agreement for Gaza. Qatar said a counter-proposal from Israel could soon be presented to Hamas. Hamas authorities have already said they would not agree to anything short of a permanent ceasefire while calling for a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and the unconditional return of displaced people to their homes. Qatar played a key role in mediation efforts and helped secure a week-long ceasefire in Gaza that ended on December 1 and allowed Palestinian resistance groups and the Israeli regime to exchange captives and prisoners while enabling international organizations to deliver badly-needed humanitarian aid to the coastal sliver. The Israeli regime ignited its savage war machine in Gaza on October 7, 2023, after Hamas carried out the surprise Operation Al-Aqsa Storm against the occupying entity in response to the regime's atrocities. Israel has killed more than 31,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, in Gaza since that October day. The regime has imposed a "complete siege" on the territory, cutting off fuel, electricity, food and water to the more than two million Palestinians living there. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Michelle Troconis, convicted of conspiracy to commit murder, appears for her contempt of court case at Connecticut Superior Court in Stamford Thursday. Troconis was charged in early March with contempt of court related to images of a sealed report she is suspected of having on her computer screen at one point during her two-month trial. Tyler Sizemore/Hearst Connecticut Media Michelle Troconis, convicted of conspiracy to commit murder, smiles at her supporters as she appears for her contempt of court case at Connecticut Superior Court in Stamford Thursday. Troconis was charged in early March with contempt of court related to images of a sealed report she is suspected of having on her computer screen at one point during her two-month trial. Tyler Sizemore/Hearst Connecticut Media Michelle Troconis, convicted of conspiracy to commit murder, appears for her contempt of court case at Connecticut Superior Court in Stamford Thursday. Troconis was charged in early March with contempt of court related to images of a sealed report she is suspected of having on her computer screen at one point during her two-month trial. Tyler Sizemore/Hearst Connecticut Media Michelle Troconis, convicted of conspiracy to commit murder, appears for her contempt of court case at Connecticut Superior Court in Stamford Thursday. Troconis was charged in early March with contempt of court related to images of a sealed report she is suspected of having on her computer screen at one point during her two-month trial. Tyler Sizemore/Hearst Connecticut Media Michelle Troconis' attorney Robert Frost speaks as Troconis appears for her contempt of court case at Connecticut Superior Court in Stamford Thursday. Troconis was charged in early March with contempt of court related to images of a sealed report she is suspected of having on her computer screen at one point during her two-month trial. Tyler Sizemore/Hearst Connecticut Media Michelle Troconis, convicted of conspiracy to commit murder, smiles at her supporters as she appears for her contempt of court case at Connecticut Superior Court in Stamford Thursday. Troconis was charged in early March with contempt of court related to images of a sealed report she is suspected of having on her computer screen at one point during her two-month trial. Tyler Sizemore/Hearst Connecticut Media STAMFORD The contempt of court case filed against Michelle Troconis, convicted in the death of Jennifer Dulos, was continued to May 15 during a brief court proceeding Thursday. Outside the courthouse, her mother said Troconis' family and friends still believe in her innocence. "She's a devoted mother, a sensible individual, and she would never harm any other human being, much less a mother like her," Marisela Arreaza said after her daughter's brief court appearance Thursday. "We, more than ever, are united as a family and we will continue to support Michelle until we pursue her freedom." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Troconis was charged in early March with contempt of court related to images of a sealed report she is suspected of having on her computer screen at one point during her two-month trial. While the case was scheduled to be continued to May 15, the attorneys involved in the contempt charge may meet earlier with a judge to discuss a possible deal, court officials said. Attorneys in the case declined comment after the proceedings. Troconis, who was handcuffed behind her back, smiled at supporters including her mother, as well as Clara Duperron, known as "Petu," who testified on Troconis' behalf during her two-month trial on charges she participated in covering up the disappearance and death of Jennifer Dulos. In court Thursday, Assistant State's Attorney Elizabeth Moran and Robert Frost told Judge Alex Hernandez they would meet prior to the next court date to see whether they could negotiate a resolution to the matter prior to Troconis' sentencing following her March 1 conviction of conspiracy to commit murder and several other counts in the death and disappearance of the New Canaan mother who was last seen on May 24, 2019. The prosecutor said she had shared the sealed report with Frost, under the instructions he show it to nobody else without a judge's permission. During Troconis' brief appearance Thursday, the judge noted that if Troconis were convicted of contempt, she no longer would get credit toward her eventual sentence for the charges she was convicted of at trial. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "Maybe a short date would be appropriate," Hernandez said prior to raising her bail a nominal $100 at Frost's request. Troconis remains held at York Correctional Institution in lieu of $6 million bail following her conviction and is scheduled to be sentenced May 31. She is also scheduled to appear in state Superior Court in Stamford April 10 in connection with the conviction. Prosecutors on Wednesday declined to answer any questions about the contempt of court case. A judge will hear arguments on April 10 on the motions filed by her trial attorney Jon Schoenhorn requesting an acquittal and a new trial. During the two-month trial, a friend of Jennifer Dulos pointed out to prosecutors that it appeared Troconis had prominently displayed on her computer in the courtroom pages from a sealed psychological report conducted on the Dulos family. The psychological evaluation and report was done as Jennifer and Fotis Dulos were involved in a contentious divorce and custody battle over their five children. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Jennifer Dulos disappeared just days after the report was discussed in a family court hearing that was never completed. Stamford Family Court Judge Donna Heller sealed the report and the hearing in 2019. Troconis was living with Fotis Dulos when his estranged wife disappeared. He died by suicide in January 2020, three weeks after he was charged with his wife's murder. Schoenhorn was given the report as part of the discovery process in the trial, but he was not allowed to show it to his client, he said. Schoenhorn contended that he didn't give Troconis the report. But an investigator for the prosecution conducting an investigation into whether Troconis had violated the sealing order concluded that she had pulled up pages of the report that could be seen in the courtroom. Based on the investigation, she was charged by warrant with contempt of court. Advertisement Article continues below this ad According to the warrant, Carrie Luft, a close friend of Jennifer Dulos who has acted as the family's spokesperson, noticed that Troconis had a document on her computer screen during the trial on Feb. 15 that appeared to contain excerpts from the sealed report. Luft said she had never been shown the document, but Jennifer Dulos had told her some of the details in the report before she went missing, the warrant stated. "I have never seen the actual report," Luft said in a statement provided to inspectors within the Office of the State's Attorney for Stamford that was detailed in the warrant. "However, what I know of it, and what I was able to read on Michelle Troconis' monitor, leads me to believe she was displaying some part of that report." Luft passed a note about her concerns to Inspector Dave Edwards, who handed it to Supervisory Assistant States Attorney Michelle Manning and Assistant State's Attorney Sean McGuinness, who were prosecuting the case. At the point when Manning and McGuinness looked over to see what was on Troconis' screen, her mother, Arrezza, "rose up from her seat in the front row, behind the defense, and either tapped Michelle T. or otherwise got her attention, and Troconis immediately pulled down the document and returned the screen to her normal background," Luft said in the statement, according to the warrant. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Inspector Christopher Gioielli, who investigated the allegations, reviewed video footage of the trial and confirmed Troconis had displayed portions of the sealed Dulos report on her computer screen. The partial sentences seen on Troconis' computer that were captured on a screenshot by prosecutors "mirrored the language on page 50 of the sealed custodial report," the warrant said. It wasn't the first time Troconis showed "provocative" materials on her computer during the trial, Luft said in the statement. The warrant also referenced a Hearst Connecticut Media Group article that was published in the Stamford Advocate earlier in the trial. The article reported that Troconis, while she sat in the courtroom, was viewing a story on her computer about state criminologist Henry Lee, who was involved in the wrongful conviction of two men in 1985. Advertisement Article continues below this ad During testimony of a forensic analyst, Troconis had an Associated Press news article with the headline, Judge Finds Forensic Scientist Henry Lee Liable for Fabricating Evidence in a Murder Case, pulled up on her laptop. The article detailed how in July a judge found Lee liable for fabricating evidence in the murder case. She had also displayed an article on "9 Traits of Borderline Personality Disorder" on the computer as the trial was proceeding. Troconis had been accused of trying to create an alibi for Fotis Dulos the morning his estranged wife disappeared and helping to clean a pickup truck police believe was used in the crime. Advertisement Article continues below this ad UN: Israel could be using starvation as weapon in Gaza Iran Press TV Tuesday, 19 March 2024 2:23 PM The United Nations has warned that Israel could be using starvation as a weapon in its genocidal war against Gaza by blocking the desperately needed aid into the war-battered strip. The UN said Tuesday that Israel's severe restrictions on aid into war-ravaged Gaza coupled with its military offensive could amount to using starvation as a "weapon of war," which would be a "war crime." United Nations human rights chief Volker Turk condemned the rampant hunger and looming famine in Gaza. He lamented the world's inaction in the face of what he described as a man-made catastrophe despite the UN's repeated alerts in the past months. Turk said that "the situation of hunger, starvation and famine is a result of Israel's extensive restrictions on the entry and distribution of humanitarian aid and commercial goods." It was also linked to the "displacement of most of the population, as well as the destruction of crucial civilian infrastructure," he said in a statement "The extent of Israel's continued restrictions on the entry of aid into Gaza, together with the manner in which it continues to conduct hostilities, may amount to the use of starvation as a method of war, which is a war crime," he said. Turk's spokesman, Jeremy Laurence, told reporters in Geneva that the final determination of whether "starvation is being used as a weapon of war" would be determined by a court. The warning comes a day after a UN-backed report said malnutrition and food insecurity have probably exceeded famine levels in Gaza's north, and hunger-linked death rates were likely to do so soon. A global anti-poverty charity on Monday denounced Israel for intentionally preventing the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip in violation of international humanitarian law. Oxfam said in a report on Monday that Israel continues to "systematically and deliberately block and undermine any meaningful international humanitarian response" in the Palestinian territory. The independent non-governmental organization further noted that the Tel Aviv regime is openly flouting an emergency ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on January 26 to ensure the delivery of basic services and essential humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza, and is failing its legal responsibility to protect people in the land it occupies. "The ICJ order should have shocked Israeli leaders to change course; but since then, conditions in Gaza have actually worsened," Oxfam Middle East and North Africa Director Sally Abi Khalil said. Israel launched the war against Gaza on October 7. Since the beginning of the war, the regime has killed more than 31,600 Gazans, most of them women, children, and adolescents. In response, resistance movements from Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen have been carrying out military operations against the Tel Aviv regime and its interests in the region. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Niger broke military pact with US after being 'warned' about Iran, Russia ties Iran Press TV Tuesday, 19 March 2024 11:27 AM Niger's junta decided to suspend a military agreement with the United States after a delegation of senior US military officials visited the Western African country and "expressed concerns" about its growing relations with Russia and Iran. The Pentagon said on Monday that the officials traveled to the Nigerien capital Niamey last week to discuss the matter with the country's military leadership, seeking clarification about the way ahead. Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh asserted that the US government had "direct and frank" conversations in Niger, and was continuing to communicate with the country's ruling military council - known as the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP). "The US delegation was there to raise a number of concerns. ... We were troubled (about) the path that Niger is on. And so these were direct and frank conversations, to have those in person, to talk about our concerns and to also hear theirs. "US officials expressed concern over Niger's potential relationships with Russia and Iran," Singh said. Niger's junta announced on Saturday that it had canceled a 2012 defense cooperation agreement with the US. "The government of Niger, considering the aspirations and interests of its people, responsibly decides to denounce with immediate effect the agreement that permitted US military personnel and civilian employees from the American Department of Defense on Niger's territory," Nigerien government spokesman Amadou Abdramane said in a statement on national television. The move followed a visit to Niamey by a delegation of senior US military officials led by Under Secretary of State for African Affairs Molly Phee. Abdramane accused US officials of not following diplomatic protocol and not informing Niger about the composition of the delegation. He added that Niger regretted the "intention of the American delegation to deny the sovereign Nigerien people the right of choosing their partners and partnerships capable of truly helping them fight against terrorism." High-level Russian military officials, including Deputy Defense Minister Yunus-bek Yevkurov, have visited Niger and met with the country's military leadership. The prime minister of the ruling junta, Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine, visited Iran in January. Foreign Minister of Niger, Bakary Yaou Sangare, visited Tehran in October 2023 to explore opportunities for strengthening political and economic ties, as well as boosting cooperation in scientific and technological sectors between the two countries. Commending Iran's skills in various economic, scientific, and technological sectors, the Nigerien diplomat underscored that Iran's capabilities are well-matched to cater to Niger's requirements in the energy and industrial domains. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UNICEF says more Gaza children 'dying slowly' as report warns of imminent famine Iran Press TV Tuesday, 19 March 2024 11:21 AM UNICEF regional director for West Asia and North Africa has warned that more children in Gaza will die due to an "impending famine" as Israel continues to impede aid operations. Adele Khodr urged Israel to open all border crossings to allow aid into the Gaza Strip citing the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) recent report warning of an "imminent famine" in Gaza. "The IPC findings on Gaza confirm what we have been warning about of impending famine for months now. The world's inaction is shocking as more children succumb to a slow death. All border crossings must open now to allow unfettered access of humanitarian aid," she wrote in a social media post. The IPC, a group that includes the World Food Programme and the World Health Organization, warned that famine is imminent in northern Gaza with people suffering "catastrophic levels of hunger." It said 1.1 million people, half of Gaza, experience catastrophic food insecurity. According to the IPC "virtually all households are skipping meals every day and adults are reducing their meals so that children can eat." In two-thirds of households in northern Gaza, the report said, people went entire days and nights without eating at least 10 times in the last 30 days. In the southern governorates, this applies to one-third of the households. In a statement published on Monday, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) administrator Samantha Power said the IPC report is a "reality" for Gazans. Power added that there have been only two Famine declarations in the twenty-first century, which marks a truly tragic milestone. "The catastrophic levels of hunger and malnutrition described in the IPC report should be unimaginable in the current era, but for hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza, this is the reality," Power said. Martin Griffiths, the UN's top relief coordinator, said on X that "the international community should hang its head in shame for failing to stop [the famine]." "We know that once a famine is declared, it is way too late." UNRWA's head, Philippe Lazzarini, also expressed his disappointment as he was refused entry into Gaza, where he was scheduled to enhance the humanitarian response. "This man-made starvation under our watch is a stain on our collective humanity," Lazzarini wrote in a post on X. "Too much time was wasted, all land crossings must open now. Famine can be averted with political will." Jeremy Konyndyk, head of Refugees International and a former Biden administration official said: "In my 25 years as a humanitarian, this may be, pound for pound, the grimmest analysis I have ever seen." "The famine is now starting. The only question at this point is how much more momentum it will be allowed to develop," Konyndyk said. The Israeli government has been "intentionally" denying entry of both food and humanitarian supplies into the Gaza Strip, using starvation as a weapon of war. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Rafah massacre: At least 14 Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks on residential buildings Iran Press TV Tuesday, 19 March 2024 11:04 AM The Israeli military has carried out new round of deadly attacks across the war-torn Gaza Strip, including in Rafah, where over a dozen Palestinians lost their lives. Citing local sources, the Palestinian Wafa news agency reported on Tuesday that at least 14 civilians, including women and children, were killed and many others injured in overnight Israeli strikes on residential buildings in the Musabeh, Khirbat al-Adas, and al-Janena neighborhoods of the southern Gaza city of Rafah. The report also said that the Israeli bombing of a house, west of the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, left casualties. The victims of the aerial assault were taken to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah, it added. The report added that Israeli artillery attacks targeted east of the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza. Israel waged its genocidal US-backed war on the Gaza Strip on October 7 after the Hamas resistance movement carried out its historic operation against the usurping entity in retaliation for the regime's intensified atrocities against the Palestinian people. So far, the Tel Aviv regime has killed at least 31,819 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured 73,934 others. In a war crime, the occupying regime is intentionally starving the people in Gaza by destroying food supplies and severely restricting the flow of food, medicines and other humanitarian supplies. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address EU chief urges Europe to shift to 'war economy' mode, avoid reliance on US Iran Press TV Tuesday, 19 March 2024 8:32 AM European Council President Charles Michel has urged the European Union (EU) to ramp up its military production and shift to a "war economy" mode, amid an alleged Russian threat. "Russia is a serious military threat to our European continent and global security. If we do not get the EU's response right and do not give Ukraine enough support to stop Russia, we are next," Michel wrote in an op-ed run by Euractiv on Monday. His remarks come as Ukrainian and international politicians and experts are warning that ammunition shortages are resulting in the losses of territory to Russia. According to a report by The Washington Post, Ukraine's air defense may fail by the end of this month as it is grappling with rapidly dwindling supplies of missiles. A political stalemate in Washington has also hindered military aid to Kiev. The Senate has passed an emergency aid bill, including a $60.1 billion aid package for Ukraine, but it is currently held up in the House of Representatives by Republican opposition. "We must, therefore, be defense-ready and shift to a 'war economy' mode. It's time to take responsibility for our security. We can no longer count on others or be at the mercy of election cycles in the US or elsewhere," Michel said. Threats by US presidential hopeful Donald Trump against NATO member states that do not meet the US-led alliance's defense spending have sent shivers down Europe's spine in recent months. In February, Trump said the US support for NATO relies on other members spending at least two percent of the GDP on their military sectors. Trump also warned he would leave unprotected NATO member states that did not meet its minimum defense spending threshold and that he would even give Russia the green light to attack them. Michel argued that "for decades, Europe has failed to invest sufficiently in our security and defense," calling for "a radical and irreversible shift in our thinking towards a strategic security mindset." The EU chief noted that the bloc has already stepped up its military production capacity by 50% since the start of the war in Ukraine in 2022, and will "double ammunition production to over 2 million shells yearly, by the end of next year." Russia launched the military operation in Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Western countries have responded to the Russian military operation by backing Ukraine with cash and heavy weaponry while imposing unprecedented sanctions on Russian officials and entities. Moscow has repeatedly warned that such a flow of weapons to Kiev will only prolong the conflict. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Yemen slams UN Security Council for serving US interests, supporting Gaza genocide Iran Press TV Tuesday, 19 March 2024 7:58 AM Yemen has denounced the United Nations Security Council's condemnation of its pro-Palestine maritime operations in the Red Sea, saying that the world body is "dangerously" serving US interests and supporting the genocide in Gaza. In a statement on Tuesday, the Yemeni Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates said the UN Security Council condemns Yemen's Red Sea operation while it "shamefully" fell short of condemning Israel's "daily massacres" against women and children in Gaza since the war began on October 7. "The UN Security Council's statement concerning Yemeni operations in the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea reflects dangerous subservience to criminal US interests, and at the same time confirms support for the ongoing Israeli genocide in Gaza," the statement read. It came after the UN Security Council on Monday condemned "in the strongest terms" Yemeni strikes against Israeli-linked ships as well as US and British assets in the Red Sea and demanded that all such attacks "cease immediately." Council members reiterated the importance of the "full implementation of Resolution 2216" and subsequent resolutions that call for an end to the violence in Yemen and to all unilateral actions that threaten the political process in the country. "It would have been better for the UN Security Council to stop America from supplying weapons to the usurping Zionist entity, because of which thousands of massacres have been committed against people of Gaza," the Yemeni statement said. It reiterated that Yemen's maritime operations in the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea are closely connected to unfolding developments in Gaza, conducted for humanitarian reasons, and enjoy solid support of the Yemeni nation and all freedom-loving people worldwide. "The operations of the Yemeni Armed Forces will continue, and will not stop unless the criminal Zionist aggression against Gaza stops and the siege on the territory is lifted," the statement concluded. Yemen has been conducting missile and drone operations against Israeli vessels, those heading for the occupied territories' ports, and the British and American warships that have been dispatched to the Red Sea to confront the Yemeni strikes. The Red Sea operations began when Israel launched its devastating war on Gaza after the territory's Palestinian resistance movements carried out the surprise Operation Al-Aqsa Storm into the occupied territories. The strikes have been seeking to pressure the Israeli regime into stopping its war against Gaza which has so far killed more than 31,600 Palestinians. The maritime attacks have forced some of the world's biggest shipping and oil companies to suspend transit through one of the world's most important maritime trade routes. Tankers are instead adding thousands of miles to international shipping routes by sailing around the continent of Africa rather than going through the Suez Canal. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran rejects 'unfounded' US, UK claims of arms supply to Yemen Iran Press TV Tuesday, 19 March 2024 6:48 AM Iran's permanent ambassador to the UN has dismissed "unfounded" accusations by the United States and Britain about sending arms to Yemen, saying such claims are meant to justify the pair's bombing campaign against the Arab country. In a letter sent to the president of the UN Security Council (UNSC) on Monday, Amir Saeid Iravani rejected the anti-Iran allegations made by the US and UK envoys at a UNSC briefing on Yemen last week. The British and American diplomats "have once again abused the Security Council platform to level unfounded allegations against the Islamic Republic of Iran regarding the situation in the Red Sea and Yemen," he said. "The Islamic Republic of Iran categorically rejects these baseless allegations, considering them as a pretext utilized by the United States and the United Kingdom to advance their short-sighted political agenda as well as to justify and validate their ongoing unlawful actions and military aggression against Yemen." During the UNSC meeting, the US and UK representatives accused the Islamic Republic of arming Yemen. The French delegate also made similar claims. Iravani dismissed France's "unjustified and unsubstantiated" allegations against Iran, urging Paris to "act more responsibly and refrain from labeling political accusations against other sovereign nations without substantiation." Also in his letter, the Iranian envoy denounced the US-led strikes on Yemen that came in response to the country's pro-Palestine naval operations. "Once again, Iran unequivocally condemns the ongoing military aggression and unlawful use of force against Yemen by the so-called US-led coalition, which flagrantly violates Yemen's sovereignty and territorial integrity, international law, the UN Charter, and relevant Security Council resolutions, posing a serious threat to regional peace and stability," Iravani said. He also noted that Iran is not engaged in any activity that contravenes UN resolutions on the Yemen arms embargo. "Iran consistently advocates for the peaceful resolution of the Yemen crisis through diplomatic channels and underscores its dedication to maritime security and freedom of navigation," he added. In solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza who are subjected to a US-backed Israeli genocide, Yemeni forces have targeted ships going to and from ports in the occupied territories, or whose owners are linked to Israel, in the southern Red Sea, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the Gulf of Aden, and even in the Arabian Sea. In response to the pro-Palestine operations, the US and its allies have bombed Yemen in violation of the country's sovereignty and international law. The illegal attacks prompted Yemen to declare American and British vessels as legitimate targets for its armed forces. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UNRWA Situation Report #92 on the situation in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem - All information from 17 - 18 March 2024, is valid as of 18 March 2024 at 22:30 UNRWA 19 Mar 2024 Key Points The Gaza Strip Intense Israeli Security Forces (ISF) bombardment from the air, land and sea continued across much of the Gaza Strip, resulting in further civilian casualties, displacement and destruction of civilian infrastructure. ISF airstrikes continue also in heavily populated Rafah in southern Gaza. Famine[1] is imminent in Gaza, especially to isolated populations in northern Gaza, deprived of humanitarian assistance. On 18 March Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) released its latest food security outlook and concluded that up to 1.1 million people in Gaza are facing catastrophic levels of food insecurity. The report highlights the fast-deteriorating food security conditions, including a nearly 80 per cent increase in the number of people facing the highest classification of food insecurity since December, when the initial assessment was conducted. The increase has been triggered by the intensity of hostilities, extremely limited humanitarian access and severe limitations on the supply of goods and basic services. Nutrition screenings conducted in February by UNICEF and UNRWA show that rates of acute malnutrition among children in northern Gaza and Rafah have nearly doubled since January. The IPC report also predicts a worsening of malnutrition rates unless aid increases and reaches the most vulnerable and hard to reach populations. The first 17 days of March saw an average of 159 aid trucks per day crossing into the Gaza Strip. This remains well below the operational capacity of both border crossings and the target of 500 per day, with challenges at both Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) and Rafah. Security to manage the crossings has been severely impacted due to the killing of several Palestinian policemen in Israeli airstrikes near the crossings in early February. As of 16 March, the total number of UNRWA colleagues killed since the beginning of hostilities is 168. As of 18 March, up to 1.7 million* people (over 75 per cent of the population) ** have been displaced across the Gaza Strip, the majority 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 1 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 Northern Gaza and Gaza City governorates. UNRWA currently estimates that the population of Northern Gaza and Gaza City governorates is up to 250,000 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 ISF, and the constant need for safer locations have resulted in people being displaced multiple times. **UNRWA reported on 15 January 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 fighting 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 fluid 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. [1] Famine imminent in northern Gaza, new report warns | World Food Programme (wfp.org) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 95th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion hosts Pony Express By Capt. Misael Saldivar March 20, 2024 BAUMHOLDER, Germany -- The 95th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion conducted a week-long "Pony Express" at Smith Barracks, Baumholder, Germany March 11-14, 2024. The convoy support center training exercise was in preparation for upcoming operations during DEFENDER 2024. The 95th CSSB began its preparations for future operations at full steam by integrating Allied nation Soldiers in their week-long field training exercise focused on convoy support center operations which, included a proof of principle in fuel distribution. This integrated training is designed to prepare the battalion to work with and alongside Allied and partner nations during the Defender 24 exercise and in future real-world missions. Training for the first two days focused on the deployment and operation of a 1600-gallon capacity fueling station. This specific training is where the multinational soldiers worked in conjunction with U.S. Soldiers to create an integrated task force that was able to establish and operate up to six stations simultaneously. Lt. Col. Robin Eskelson, the 95th CSSB's commander, explained the need for the fuel system proof of principle. "With the central European pipeline ending in Germany, it's really how do we combat large scale operations and get fuel to the force, and large amounts to the force quickly," said Eskelson. "And that's what our convoy support center hub really instigates." The field exercise concluded with a Distinguished Visitors Day, in which senior leaders from the participating militaries were shown not only the training their soldiers received but were also presented with other capabilities the 95th CSSB is capable of bringing to the fight. Eskelson showcased the 95th CSSB's theater maintenance capabilities, where the battalion can deploy a team anywhere in Europe to provide critical maintenance in austere environments. The DVs were not only shown the battalion's field feeding capabilities but were treated to several types of field rations for tasting and were even included in the end of mission steak lunch provided to the Soldiers. Col. Matthew Alexander, commander of 16th Sustainment Brigade and the 95th CSSB's higher headquarters, amplified the importance of multinational interoperability. "When you look at how we're going to be asked to operate in NATO under the JSEC [Joint Supporting and Enabling Command] construct, you're going to have to have several of these sites to sustain and support the movement of combat forces," said Alexander. "These kits are an integral part of that, and we don't have enough U.S. forces to do that on our own, so this interoperability training is crucial to providing that combat power if we ever go into a large-scale combat operation." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address March 20 USCENTCOM Conducts Humanitarian Airdrops into Gaza U.S. Central Command Press Release | March 20, 2024 USCENTCOM March 20, 2024 Release Number 20240320 - 01 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TAMPA, Fla. -- U.S. Central Command and the Royal Jordanian Air Force conducted a combined humanitarian assistance airdrop into Northern Gaza on March 20, 2024, at 12:15 p.m. (Gaza time) to provide essential relief to civilians in Gaza affected by the ongoing conflict. The combined joint operation included Jordanian provided food and a U.S. Air Force C-130 aircraft. A U.S. C-130 dropped 6,000 pounds of food including rice, flour, milk, pasta and canned foods, providing life-saving humanitarian assistance in Northern Gaza. The DoD humanitarian airdrops contribute to ongoing U.S. and partner-nation government efforts to alleviate human suffering. These airdrops are part of a sustained effort, and we continue to plan follow-on aerial deliveries. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Desks are placed at a safe social distance in a classroom at Naramake School, in Norwalk, Conn. Aug. 26, 2020. Ned Gerard / Hearst Connecticut Media A bill that would set a $60,000 minimum salary for Connecticut teachers and award $1,000 bonuses to those who taught in public schools during the COVID-19 pandemic advanced out of the legislature's Education Committee on Wednesday. Under the proposal, known as Senate Bill 381, the state would subsidize the cost of the higher minimum salaries and fund the "recognition payments" using federal pandemic-relief money. The bill would also establish new standards for teacher termination and grant educators greater discretion in their role as mandatory reporters of abuse and neglect. The measure drew support Wednesday from Democrats and some Republicans, while other Republicans objected, questioning the need for minimum salaries and arguing the provision was unlikely to become law given the tight state budget. Three lawmakers who taught during the pandemic abstained from voting on the bill because it would financially benefit them. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Having cleared the Education Committee, the proposal now advances to the Appropriations Committee, which must approve any measure affecting the state budget. With little room under the state's fiscal guardrails for new spending this session, minimum teacher salaries appear unlikely to become law this year, though other provisions in the bill could be more likely. It is not yet clear what minimum teacher salaries or recognition payments would cost the state. Before the Education Committee's vote Wednesday, Rep. Mitch Bolinsky, R-Newtown, questioned why teachers should be singled out for bonuses not available to other lawmakers. Rep. Greg Howard, R-Stonington, said he supported the one-time payment to teachers but objected to the idea of setting a minimum starting salary. "I think it's outside of the realm of this legislature to mandate minimum salaries in union contracts," Howard said, before questioning the purpose of bills "we know really aren't going to make it." Advertisement Article continues below this ad At a public hearing last week, dozens of teachers testified in favor of minimum salaries and COVID bonuses. Some told stories of their experiences during the pandemic, while others warned that inadequate pay was fueling a teacher shortage in many districts statewide. "This bill ensures that our students receive the best possible education and that educators and the teaching profession are valued and respected," wrote one veteran teacher from Milford. A proposal to establish a minimum salary for teachers also drew support last year but was not ultimately included in the state budget negotiated between lawmakers and the governor. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In addition to the bill concerning teacher salary, the Education Committee also advanced measures simplifying the teacher certification process, creating new restrictions around school discipline and moving the State Board of Education under the authority of the education department, among several other proposals. Poland Joins Combined Maritime Forces in Middle East as 42nd Member U.S. Central Command News | March 20, 2024 By Combined Maritime Forces Public Affairs MANAMA, Bahrain -- Combined Maritime Forces welcomed the Republic of Poland as the 42nd member of the world's largest maritime security partnership, March 17. "We're thrilled to welcome Poland as a member of CMF," said Vice Adm. George Wikoff, CMF commander. "We greatly benefit from Poland's participation in this coalition of nations committed to regional maritime security. I look forward to being 'Ready Together' with our new partners as CMF continues to set the global standard for maritime cooperation." CMF is comprised of a headquarters staff and five combined task forces focusing on defeating terrorism, preventing piracy, encouraging regional cooperation, and promoting a safe maritime environment. The naval partnership upholds the international rules-based order by supporting security and stability across 3.2 million square miles of water encompassing some of the world's most important shipping lanes. With 42 nations, CMF is the largest naval partnership in the world. Other task forces include CTF 150, focused on maritime security in the Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea and eastern Gulf of Aden; CTF 151, which leads regional anti-piracy efforts; CTF 152, dedicated to maritime security in the Arabian Gulf; CTF 153, responsible for maritime security in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandeb, and western Gulf of Aden; and CTF 154, established in May to enhance maritime security training throughout the region. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address March 20, 2024 By Joseph Clark , DOD News U.S. Special Operations Officials Underscore Continued Role in Deterring Conflict U.S. special operations forces continue to deliver critical advantages as the Defense Department confronts a changing national security landscape, top officials said today. Army Gen. Bryan P. Fenton, commander of U.S. Special Operations Command said that in addition to honing key counterterrorism capabilities throughout the Global War on Terror, the special operations community has maintained its roots in deterring and defeating strategic threats. He said the joint special operations communities' experience in strategic competition and integrated deterrence will pay dividends as the U.S. faces increasing competition with China, Russia's increasing aggression and Iran's malign activities throughout the Middle East. "To be clear, DOD's main effort, integrated deterrence, is Socom's main effort," Fenton said in testimony to the House Armed Services Intelligence and Special Operations Subcommittee. "Since 1942, your SOF has accumulated six decades of strategic competition experience, now combined with over two decades of hard-earned combat experience in the Global War on Terror," he said. "These eight decades make your special operations tailormade for this era." Special operations forces provide the U.S. with strategic options to prevent great power conflict and ensure the joint force prevails should conflict occur, he said, adding that "integrated deterrence and strategic competition are in our DNA." Fenton testified alongside Christopher P. Maier, assistant secretary of defense for special operations and low-intensity conflict, who outlined before lawmakers the impacts special operations forces were having in the changing national security environment. In the Pacific, special operations forces' presence and engagement have produced tangible impacts aligned with U.S. efforts to prevent competition with China veering into conflict, Maier said. He added that special operations forces remained aligned with partners from U.S. Space Command, U.S. Cyber Command and U.S. Strategic Command and are well positioned to "operationalize" integrated deterrence against China. In Europe, Maier noted U.S. special operations forces' ability to draw on "generational relationships with Ukraine in aiding its fight against Russian aggression." He added special operations forces are deepening integration with NATO's newest member, Sweden, as well as with Norway, a founding member of the alliance. "With these partners and others, SOF is ready for operations in the Arctic," Maier said. Fenton said to combat the range of threats the U.S. faces, Socom delivers "asymmetric and asynchronous advantage for DOD." Those advantages are enabled by the special operations community's focus on its people. "Your special operations attract the most talented men and women driven to solve the most complex problems and politically sensitive and contested environments," he said. "And with them, we win by asymmetrically deterring our adversaries, tearing apart violent extremist organizations and rapidly responding to crisis." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address March 20, 2024 By David Vergun , DOD News DOD Strengthens Indo-Pacific Regional Ties China continues to present the most comprehensive and serious challenge to U.S. national security, said Ely S. Ratner, assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific security affairs. That's because China remains the only country with the will and, increasingly, the capability to dominate the Indo-Pacific region and displace the United States, Ratner said today in testimony before the House Subcommittee on Indo-Pacific. "Today, the PRC [China] is pursuing its revisionist goals with increasingly coercive activities in the Taiwan Strait [and] the South and East China seas along the Line of Actual Control with India and beyond," he said. But conflict in the Indo-Pacific region is neither imminent nor inevitable, and the Defense Department is doing more than ever to keep it that way with the help of U.S. allies and partners, Ratner said. Over the past year, that work has included: DOD announcing bilateral agreements with Australia, India and Japan to co-produce or acquire advanced capabilities to strengthen deterrence across the region; DOD continuing to implement major defense initiatives with Japan, South Korea, the Philippines and Australia; DOD concluding a bilateral Defense Cooperation Agreement with Papua New Guinea; The United States extending economic assistance that will last for the next 20 years for the Compacts of Free Association with three, key Pacific Island partners: Micronesia, Palau and the Marshall Islands; The U.S., Japan and South Korea agreeing to a multiyear, trilateral exercise plan, as well as a real-time data-sharing mechanism for warning of North Korean missiles; DOD working to integrate Australia and Japan into its force posture initiatives; DOD expanding bilateral training with Thailand and Indonesia to feature exercises across the region; DOD investing in the next generation of regional defense leaders with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Navy Adm. John Aquilino, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, who also testified, said that that conflict with China is not imminent or inevitable. "But our potential adversaries have become increasingly aggressive and emboldened. The PRC's [China's] unprecedented military buildup and a campaign of coercive actions continue to destabilize the region, and they challenge the values and institutions that support a free and open Indo-Pacific," he said. Aquilino said the department must build on the Indo-Pacific progress it has achieved over the last few years, including bolstering Guam's defense system and working to improve bilateral and multilateral partnerships. Army Gen. Paul J. LaCamera, commander of United Nations Command/Combined Forces Command/U.S. Forces Korea, testified that within the last year, North Korea has continued developing its military capabilities including solid-fuel ballistic missile technology which violate sanctions. He said North Korean missile systems pose a threat to countries worldwide. In addition, North Korea has provided military support to Russia, assisting in Vladimir Putin's illegal and indefensible invasion of Ukraine, LaCamera said. The U.S.-South Korea alliance has continued to adapt to meet the evolving challenges, he said. In April, the two countries signed the Washington Declaration, which reaffirms their commitment to mutual defense. In July, South Korea and the U.S. also had their first meeting of the Nuclear Consultative Group with the aim of strengthening deterrence and strategic planning to manage the North Korean threat, he said. LaCamera also said there have been multiple, strategic-asset deployments to South Korea, including a nuclear ballistic-missile submarine and the first B-52 bomber landing in the last 40 years. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Press statement by President von der Leyen with UN Secretary-General Guterres European Commission Statement 20 March 2024 Brussels Dear Antonio, I am very glad to see you here in Brussels. At a time when we face several crises that are intricate, interlinked, and international by nature whether it is Ukraine or Gaza, Sudan or Haiti. This makes the cooperation between the European Union and the United Nations more important than ever before. We work together to help restore peace and stability in regions in turmoil. Today, we will of course discuss Gaza. Allow me, first of all, to express my deepest condolences for the recent loss of UN staff on the ground. We are extremely concerned about the war in Gaza and the unfolding catastrophic humanitarian situation. Gaza is facing famine. This is unacceptable. It is critical to achieve an agreement on a ceasefire rapidly now that frees the hostages and allows more humanitarian aid to reach Gaza. So let us hope for a positive outcome of the discussions led by the United States, Qatar and Egypt. I discussed this with Emir Bin Hamad Al Thani recently, and President El-Sisi in Cairo on Sunday. We are also very concerned about the risks a full-scale offensive in Rafah would have on the vulnerable civilian population. This needs to be avoided at all costs. In the meantime, we do everything we can to channel more aid to Gaza. We allocated an additional EUR 125 million for humanitarian aid for Palestinians in 2024. Out of this total, EUR 81 million has already been contracted to key UN partners such as the World Food Programme, WHO and UNICEF. Now, the flow of aid by land is too slow. So we call for the opening of more land crossings, while we further develop alternatives, for example, airdrops and of course through the maritime corridor we opened from Cyprus. I am very glad that the Open Arms' operation was completed successfully, but now of course we need to see many more such ships and deliveries via the maritime corridor to Gaza. But of course, we must also continue to focus on the actual delivery of aid to Palestinians on the ground. We have seen the images of food distribution, among stampede and chaos. So we must work on safe delivery of aid with agencies that are present on the ground, and this includes of course, first and foremost, UNRWA. I appreciate, Antonio, your determination and transparency in addressing the allegations against UNRWA staff. We have a constructive dialogue with UNRWA. It allowed us to disburse a first payment of EUR 50 million as part of the EUR 82 million to be implemented through UNRWA in 2024, in the interest, first and foremost, of the people of Gaza. While we address the emergency of the crisis, we must also prepare for the day after. Europe will support recovery and reconstruction, as soon as conditions allow. And we need to build a clear political path towards a two-state solution. Dear Antonio, We will also of course discuss Ukraine. The European Union is steadfast in its support to Ukraine in its brave fight for freedom. Our EUR 50 billion Facility for Ukraine is now up and running. We have just disbursed the first EUR 4.5 billion today. I would like to take the opportunity to thank you, Antonio, for your efforts. I remember very well how you promoted the Black Sea Grain Deal last year. It helped Ukraine continue to export grain to the world at the beginning of the conflict - that was crucial. Today it is good to see how much grain is being exported again via the Black Sea, also thanks to the Ukrainian armed forces. To conclude, dear Antonio, Europe will continue to play an active role in the UN initiatives for peace and stability. We are your number one financial supporter, and proudly so. And we are also looking forward to making your Summit for the Future in September a real success. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Press statement by President von der Leyen with former Finnish President Niinisto European Commission Statement 20 March 2024 Brussels Dear Sauli Niinisto, It is a pleasure to welcome you again in Brussels. Today, we will be speaking about security and defence, a topic that will also be at the heart of our discussions in the upcoming European Council. Together with the HR/VP, I asked you, dear Sauli, to write a report on how to enhance Europe's civilian and defence preparedness and readiness. In many ways, Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine has shuttered many illusions: the illusion that peace is permanent. The illusion that Europe on its own was doing enough on security - be it economic or military, conventional or cyber. As we look around us, it is clear there is no room for any more illusions. The world is as dangerous as it has been for generations. A few months ago, you said, Sauli: 'Europe has to wake up.' And I wholeheartedly agree with you. We know that Putin's ambition does not end in Ukraine, to the contrary: Putin speaks about his 'historical mission'. And this is all too familiar to the Finnish people, dear Sauli. They have learnt to live in close proximity to such an unpredictable and aggressive neighbour. And this has deeply shaped your society. Of course, Finland has always maintained strong defence. But in Finland, defence preparedness is not just the military's concern, it is everyone's concern. It is in fact a matter for the whole society. Your country has a comprehensive civil defence strategy so that Finnish people can be prepared for all emergencies, including military, hybrid threats and natural disasters. Every part of the Finnish society is able to help safeguard vital functions in times of crisis, ensure basic supply for the population and support defence forces in their duties. This is what true preparedness looks like. And this is what makes Finland so resilient as a nation. So we have a lot to learn from Finland. It is a specific mind-set, and I believe we should adopt it more widely in Europe. This is why I am very glad, dear Sauli, that you agreed to write the report on how to enhance Europe's civilian and defence preparedness and readiness. It will be developed in close cooperation with the HR/VP and the Member States. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China to do utmost to restore peace in Gaza: FM spokesperson Global Times By Global Times Published: Mar 20, 2024 06:16 PM Since the outbreak of the latest Palestinian-Israeli conflict, China has striven for a cease-fire, effective protection of civilians and de-escalation of the humanitarian crisis, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Wednesday while elaborating on Chinese Ambassador Wang Kejian's recent visit to Egypt, Palestine, Israel, Qatar and other countries to cool down the situation in the Middle East. China has maintained close communication and coordination with the Arab countries, built broad-based consensus with relevant parties in the international community, and promoted the comprehensive cease-fire with the greatest sense of urgency, Lin said. Relevant parties widely appreciated China's just position and active efforts to achieve a cease-fire, ease the humanitarian situation, and avoid the further spillover of the conflict, said Lin, noting that "They look to China playing a greater role in deescalating the conflict and cooling down the situation." "We have closely followed the humanitarian situation in Gaza and have already provided multiple batches of emergency humanitarian assistance to Gaza through bilateral and multilateral channels," said the spokesperson. According to Chinese Embassy in Egypt, China has continued to provide assistance to Palestine to the best of its ability, and provided cash assistance and two batches of foodstuffs, medicines, medical supplies and other emergency humanitarian materials to the Gaza Strip through Egypt. Chinese rice for Palestine will arrive in Port Said, Egypt, on March 28 and will be shipped to Gaza through the Rafah crossing. Lin said that China has actively encouraged all factions in Palestine to achieve internal reconciliation through dialogue and firmly supported "the Palestinians governing Palestine". China has contributed to the UN Security Council's adoption of the first resolution in this regard since the outbreak of the conflict, released the Position Paper of the People's Republic of China on Resolving the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict, and fully promoted more responsible and meaningful actions by the UNSC. "We call for Palestine's full membership in the UN and a more broad-based, more authoritative, and more effective international peace conference to work out a timetable and road map for the two-State solution," said Lin. China will continue to work with the international community to restore peace, save lives, and uphold justice, the spokesperson noted. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China urges US not to instigate trouble in South China Sea Global Times By Global Times Published: Mar 20, 2024 11:44 AM China urges the US not to instigate trouble in the South China Sea or take sides on the South China Sea issue, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines said in a statement released on Wednesday in regard to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's remarks on the South China Sea during his visit to Manila. China is not the one that provoked the recent tense situation in the South China Sea, and thus the responsibility for the recent situation at sea does not lie with China, the spokesperson said, noting that China was made to take necessary steps to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in face of infringement of its rights and interests and provocation. We firmly oppose the groundless accusations made by Blinken regarding China's legitimate and lawful actions in the South China Sea and his thinly veiled threat to invoke the so-called Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) obligations between the Philippines and the US, the spokesperson said. During his visit to the Philippines for a trilateral cooperation mechanism involving the US, Japan and the Philippines, which Chinese experts believe to be a move by Washington to create an AUKUS-style clique in Asia aimed at China in the South China Sea, Blinken said that the US stands by the Philippines and stands by its ironclad defense commitments including the Mutual Defense Treaty. He added that Article IV of the treaty extends to armed attacks on the Filipino armed forces, public vessels and aircraft, including those of its coast guard anywhere in the South China Sea. The US is not a party to the South China Sea issue and has no right to interfere in maritime issues between China and the Philippines, the spokesperson stressed, noting that the recent tension in the South China Sea would not have occurred without the US pushing the Philippines. Indeed, the US admits to banding together a small number of countries to offer verbal support to the Philippines. The US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty is a vestige of the Cold War. The military cooperation between the US and the Philippines should not undermine China's sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea, the spokesperson said. China urges the US not to instigate trouble in the South China Sea or take sides on the South China Sea issue. China remains committed to all necessary measures in firmly safeguarding our territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and upholding peace and stability in the South China Sea, the spokesperson added. The Chinese Foreign Ministry also reiterate China's stance on Wednesday. "China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea are solidly grounded in international law and pose no threat to any country. What has recently escalated the situation concerning the South China Sea issue between China and the Philippines is that the latter has frequently made infringements and provocations, stirred up troubles at sea, and spread disinformation to mislead the perception of the international community," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said at a Wednesday briefing. "China has firmly safeguarded its own territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and has at the same time striven to properly handle maritime disputes through dialogue and consultation with parties concerned and advance practical maritime cooperation based on sovereign equality to keep the South China Sea peaceful and stable," Lin said. Liu Jinsong, Director-General of the Asian Affairs Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, met with Ambassador of the Philippines to China Jaime A. FlorCruz on Tuesday, to exchange views on the fundamental principles and strategic direction of China-Philippines relations. Liu expressed serious concerns and strong dissatisfaction with the Philippine side's recent negative statements regarding China, as well as issues related to Taiwan and the South China Sea, and conveyed China's firm stance. The Philippine envoy expressed a willingness to manage differences and promote the stabilization and improvement of bilateral relations, according to a statement on the website of China's Foreign Ministry. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Statement of Government Policy Following Sweden's Accession to NATO Government Offices of Sweden 20 March 2024 On 20 March, Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billstrom presented the Statement of Government Policy Following Sweden's Accession to NATO in the Riksdag. Check against delivery. Mr/Madam Speaker, Since 7 March, Sweden has been a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, NATO. The defence community of Western democracies. This is an epoch-making event for our country and entails a profound and immediate change in Sweden's foreign and security policy. It is therefore important that the Government today presents a supplementary Statement of Foreign Policy to the Riksdag. On 4 April, it will be 75 years since NATO was founded in Washington DC. Ever since, the Alliance has been an indispensable foundation for peace in our part of the world, and in addressing the authoritarian forces that have threatened it. Sweden has now proudly acceded, as the thirty-second Ally, to this community whose significance for international security has never been greater. Mr/Madam Speaker, Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine was an irreversible turning point, for Swedish, European and global security. Sweden's membership of NATO is a direct result of this illegal, unprovoked and indefensible war of aggression. Russia's objective with this war is to recreate an empire and violently overturn the European security order. Ukraine is thus also defending our security and our freedom. In December 2021, Russia issued demands amounting to ultimatums for new agreements on Europe's security. These would also have restricted Sweden's self-determination and security in crucial ways. Russia has used military force to achieve its political objectives. In Georgia in 2008, in Ukraine since 2014, in Syria since 2015 and using the Wagner Group as proxy in a number of countries on several continents. Russia has further lowered its threshold for the use of massive military force. It is ready to take huge risks - greater than we've seen before - and to accept major losses, not least in terms of human lives - both its own citizens and those of other countries. Step by step, Russia has evaded the restrictions of arms control. In recent times, it has suspended its participation in the New START Treaty, withdrawn its ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty and withdrawn from the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe. Russia's threats to use nuclear weapons are deeply irresponsible. Russia's international aggression goes hand in hand with intensifying domestic repression. The limited space that previously existed for opposition forces, independent media and civil society has practically been eradicated. The Russian leadership bears responsibility for the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. Russia's actions have severely worsened the security situation in Europe and Sweden's neighbourhood for a long time to come. Russia has chosen a confrontational approach towards the EU and NATO. This confrontation needs to be addressed. Along with its partners and Allies, Sweden must pursue a concerted, long-term and strategic policy to counteract Russia's expansion of power and possibilities to cause harm. Strong, predictable and sustained support to Ukraine is not only morally right, it is also our primary means to influence Russia's actions. It is clear that Russia will not cease its aggression of its own accord. How far Russia may go in its actions is not only a question for Moscow. The answer depends to a large extent on whether those of us who share fundamental democratic values stand firm, strong and united. In these dangerous times, Sweden's and Finland's membership of NATO makes the situation in our part of Europe more predictable. It raises the threshold for an armed conflict in our neighbourhood. It increases security and stability both for us and for our Allies. That is why Sweden has become a NATO member. Our application was submitted by one Government, and now the process is being completed under another. With broad support in the Riksdag, we are thereby exercising the invaluable right that is the core of the European security order: every state's right to independently make its own security policy choices. Here in the Riksdag, the Government would also like to thank all the countries that have now welcomed Sweden as a full member of NATO and supported us along the way. We look forward to enhanced cooperation with all the members of the Alliance. Mr/Madam Speaker, Few political decisions have fundamentally characterised Sweden's modern history and identity as much as the policy of neutrality and non-alignment for which King Karl XIV Johan laid the foundations in 1812. Since then, this choice of direction has formed the roots of our foreign and security policy. The history of our policy of neutrality is not linear. Sweden's stance has often, but not always, been tested in times of upheaval and changing conditions. There has been reason to question the policy pursued at a number of points in history. After the First World War, Sweden chose to seek collective security in the League of Nations. As the clouds of war gathered again, a joint defence of Aland and Finland was considered. And during the Finnish Winter War, extensive military support was provided to Finland. In the initial stages of the Second World War, the coalition government made concessions to Germany. In its final stages, Danish and Norwegian units were trained in Sweden. In the former case, Sweden considered itself forced to deviate from obligations under the law of neutrality; in the latter case, we wanted to do so. When the Cold War took hold of Europe, the idea of a Scandinavian defence union was mooted, but Norway and Denmark chose - based on their geographical positions and their past experiences - to join NATO. Sweden chose - based on our geographical position and our past experiences - non-alignment in peacetime with a view to neutrality in war. Consideration of Finland's situation weighed heavily, both then and later on. At the same time, preparations were quietly made to enable Sweden to receive military support from Western powers if this policy of neutrality failed. This was based in experiences gained during the Second World War. The fall of the Soviet Union fundamentally changed Sweden's situation, and the development of Swedish security policy for a new era began. We were engaged in strengthening the security and sovereignty of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania from an early stage. Sweden joined NATO's Partnership for Peace in 1994 and became a member of the European Union in 1995. That same year, Swedish troops served under NATO command for the first time. Since then, we have continued to progressively deepen our security cooperation with NATO, in the EU and with our Nordic and Baltic neighbours. When Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania joined the EU and NATO 20 years ago, both their security and ours were strengthened, just like when Finland became a NATO member in April last year. Step by step, this cooperation and this solidarity have been consolidated as pillars of our security policy. Sweden's NATO accession is thus the culmination of a long farewell to the policy of neutrality and non-alignment. Sweden has now joined the Western defence community that has been fundamental to our security and freedom for the last 75 years. We have come home. Mr/Madam Speaker, There is strong and broad political consensus on the foundations of Sweden's security policy as a NATO member. This is a great strength for our country. Sweden's vital national security interest is asserting our independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. We are prepared - ultimately by force of arms - to defend our country, our people, our democracy, our freedom and our community of values. Sweden will continue to build security together with others as a loyal member of NATO and the EU. Sweden will pursue an alliance policy based on solidarity, aiming to enhance security and stability in our neighbourhood and throughout the Euro-Atlantic area. Sweden has entered into binding collective defence obligations in accordance with Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty. The collective defence commitment as a NATO member is a key component of Swedish security and defence policy. As an Ally, Sweden will maintain a strong national defence capability to contribute to both national and collective defence, in accordance with Article 3 of the North Atlantic Treaty. Sweden has a responsibility to the EU Member States and is covered by the solidarity that EU membership entails. Under the Treaty of Lisbon, including Article 42(7) of the Treaty on European Union and the solidarity clause in Article 222 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, the Member States are obligated to take their share of responsibility for Europe's security. Sweden's security policy requires proactive, broad and responsible international action. Challenges and threats to our security must, as far as possible, be tackled in cooperation with other countries and organisations. Sweden's foreign and security policy builds on cohesion in the EU and NATO, and on cooperation in the Nordic and Baltic Sea regions, and in the UN and the OSCE. Cooperation with strategic Allies, such as our Nordic and Baltic neighbours, the United States and the United Kingdom, is especially important for Sweden's security. A strong transatlantic link is indispensable for Europe's security. Sweden will continue to promote the fundamental values of our foreign and security policy. In NATO, the EU, the UN, the OSCE and the Council of Europe, Sweden will safeguard the rules-based world order, the European security order, democracy, freedom, human rights and gender equality. Mr/Madam Speaker, Sweden and Finland joining NATO is one of the biggest geopolitical changes in Europe since the fall of the Berlin Wall. Our choice to move in this direction strengthens the European security architecture. With Sweden as a member, NATO will be stronger, developments in our neighbourhood will be more predictable and our neighbours will be more secure. NATO is an intergovernmental organisation in which decisions are taken unanimously. NATO is the main forum for transatlantic security policy consultations. Sweden's security benefits from us now having a seat and a vote when NATO takes decisions concerning Europe's security. This is a new opportunity for Swedish diplomacy. Sweden will work to ensure that the Helsinki Final Act and the Charter of Paris are upheld. The basic premise of the Government's security policy is the assessment that Russia will constitute a serious threat to the security of Sweden and Europe for the foreseeable future. Sweden will therefore work consistently for a clear-sighted, realistic and long-term Russia policy that constrains Russia's possibilities for aggression, destabilisation and power expansion. In relation to Russia, our security must be safeguarded from a position of strength - political, economic and military. Our contribution to NATO's deterrence and defence is an important part of constraining Russia's scope for action and is of considerable benefit to the Alliance as a whole. Sweden's geographical location and our capability to support other Allies is essential to NATO's ability to operate in our part of Europe. Sweden will take on this responsibility. We fully embrace the possibilities to considerably facilitate collective defence of our neighbouring countries. Mr/Madam Speaker, NATO is a defensive alliance, and Sweden's solidarity-based alliance policy has a stabilising effect. We will engage in all of NATO's core tasks: deterrence and collective defence, crisis management and security cooperation. Safeguarding cohesion in NATO means safeguarding the Alliance's strength. This is a core Swedish interest as an Ally. Sweden will contribute to the security of NATO as a whole in accordance with the Alliance's 360-degree approach and act resolutely and in a spirit of solidarity in the fight against terrorism. Sweden will stand for fair burden-sharing within NATO. Sweden's defence spending will exceed two per cent of GDP this year, and this should be considered a minimum level. We Europeans should take greater responsibility in transatlantic relations, thus creating a stronger Europe in NATO. We will actively contribute to NATO's air policing and to its enhanced forward presence, not least in our neighbourhood. The feasibility of allowing conscripts to serve in the NATO framework is being analysed in the Government Offices and will also be considered by the Defence Commission. The Government will seek broad political consensus on this matter. Cutting-edge technological expertise is a cornerstone of our security. Swedish innovation and technological know-how will strengthen NATO. Our defence industry is an important asset. Sweden supports NATO's strategic deterrence and will remain a strong voice for arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation. Sweden's efforts to reduce the risk of nuclear weapons being deployed must be intensified in a time of high tensions. With broad support in the Riksdag, Sweden applied to join NATO without reservations. This stance remains firm, but as in the other Nordic countries, there is no reason to have nuclear weapons or permanent bases on Swedish territory in peacetime. With Sweden as a NATO member, it is important that Riksdag oversight and influence are ensured. The Government has initiated dialogue on this matter with the Speaker and parties of the Riksdag. The Government will provide information to the Riksdag ahead of formal NATO ministerial meetings and summits and present an annual communication on NATO. Mr/Madam Speaker, As a NATO member, Sweden will continue to work for close cooperation between the EU and NATO. The support to Ukraine demonstrates how well the two organisations can complement and reinforce one another. Sweden is determined to contribute to a strong and united EU with the capacity for resolute action that is required in a time of security policy upheaval. EU enlargement is a geostrategic investment in peace, democracy, security, stability and prosperity. It goes hand in hand with NATO's support to partner countries such as Moldova, Georgia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Our military, political and economic support to Ukraine is Sweden's foremost foreign policy task in the coming years. Ukraine's cause is our cause. NATO's role in long-term support to Ukraine should be strengthened. Sweden supports the Vilnius Summit communique, which declares that Ukraine's future is in NATO. China's authoritarian rule combined with its growing claims to power and deepened cooperation with Russia challenges both regional security and the international rules-based order. The Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions are more closely linked than ever before in security terms. Sweden therefore welcomes the deepening of NATO cooperation with partners such as Japan, Australia, South Korea and New Zealand. Mr/Madam Speaker, Sweden and Finland applied for NATO membership at the same time. With Sweden's accession now also complete, all of the Baltic Sea countries - apart from Russia - are members of both the EU and NATO. And seven out of the eight Arctic states are now NATO members. This is a historic moment for the Nordic-Baltic region as a whole. As free and democratic Allies, we will defend each other and strengthen our resilience together. Our Nordic neighbours have experience of war. For our Baltic neighbours, memories of occupation and oppression are still fresh. They know that there is no compromising with authoritarian darkness. Now we are all united in an Alliance whose express purpose is to preserve peace and freedom. We welcome this new chapter in Nordic-Baltic relations. As the security landscape in our part of the world changes, new opportunities are emerging for enhanced cooperation between like-minded neighbours in the Nordic and Baltic Sea regions. Sweden will be involved in developing this over the next year. We are doing so in our role coordinating Nordic and Nordic-Baltic foreign policy cooperation. Sweden and Finland have also proposed a security policy dialogue in connection with the next Ministerial Session of the Council of the Baltic Sea States, of which our close partners Germany and Poland are also members. A strong Baltic Sea region, firmly anchored in NATO and the EU, is in Sweden's security policy interests. Mr/Madam Speaker, This summer will mark 80 years since Allied forces landed in Normandy. The NATO of today is the heir to that coalition, and is the primary manifestation of the transatlantic link. It is indispensable for Sweden's and Europe's security, but must never be taken for granted. It is fundamental that Sweden maintains and intensifies relations with the United States. Canada is an important partner. The Defense Cooperation Agreement is a lynchpin of our relations with the United States. It enhances the security of both Sweden and the United States. It contributes heavily to stability in our neighbourhood. It is a strength that our Nordic and Baltic neighbours have similar bilateral cooperation agreements with the United States. This signals our security policy consensus, enhances security in northern Europe and aids NATO's joint planning. The Joint Expeditionary Force helps strengthen security in our neighbourhood and demonstrates the United Kingdom's importance as a partner. France's clear engagement in northern Europe is also significant for our security. Mr/Madam Speaker, Sweden has made a historic choice. Our accession to NATO gives Sweden's foreign and security policy a new identity. Sweden's solidarity-based alliance policy enjoys broad political and popular support, and we stand ready to fulfil all of our obligations under the North Atlantic Treaty. That which belongs together - in security policy terms - can now come together: in the Nordic region, around the Baltic Sea, in Europe and across the Atlantic. This offers a historic opportunity to develop these various dimensions of Sweden's security in unison. We stand firm together with our Allies - for peace and freedom. One for all, all for one. Thank you. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US, UK conduct fresh airstrike on Yemen IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Mar 20, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- The US and the UK have conducted a fresh airstrike on Yemen in a new act of aggression against the country over its support for the Palestinians in Gaza hit by more than five months of the Israeli regime's brutal war. According to Beirut-based Al Mayadeen news network, the latest US-led airstrike hit Al Mina district in the western province of al-Hudaydah on Wednesday night. No further details were provided. Washington and London launched airstrikes on Yemen on January 11 in response to what they called threats to international shipping in the wake of Yemen's military operations in the Red and Arabian seas. Yemen has time and again said that its operations, which began on November 19, only target Israel-linked ships, rejecting claims by the US and the UK that the operations pose a threat to other vessels. Yemen also says, despite the ongoing US-UK airstrikes, it will continue its anti-Israel operations until the regime stops its genocide in Gaza, lifts its blockade of the territory and allows humanitarian aid to enter the Palestinian territory. 4194 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 3 Palestinians killed in Israeli drone attack in Jenin IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Mar 20, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- At least three Palestinians have been killed in a drone attack by the Israeli regime in the city of Jenin in the northern occupied West Bank. According to Palestinian media, the three men lost their lives after a car was hit by a drone on Wednesday night. Following the killings, people took to the streets of the flashpoint city to protest the Israeli regime's assassination of the three Palestinians. Jenin and its nearby refugee camp have been among the main targets of an Israeli crackdown that has intensified since the regime began its war on Gaza on October 7. Since then, more than 400 Palestinians have lost their lives across the occupied West Bank. 4194 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address An exterior view of the Connecticut State Capitol, in Hartford, Conn. Sept. 28, 2023. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media Speaker of the House Matt Ritter, left, and House Majority Leader Jason Rojas Ken Dixon/Hearst Connecticut Media An apparent meltdown between the Democratic co-chairmen of the General Assembly's Insurance and Real Estate Committee resulted in the expiration Thursday of about 40 pending bills on the panel's deadline day. It's the first time in memory that a legislative committee failed to approve any legislation. Capitol observers called it an embarrassing, unprecedented example of the committee's dysfunction and the possible tension between third-term state Rep. Kerry Wood of Rocky Hill and Sen. Jorge Cabrera, a second-term lawmaker whose district includes Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Derby, Naugatuck, Woodbridge and his hometown of Hamden. Advertisement Article continues below this ad And while seemingly dead legislation can often be revived until the last minute in the annual General Assembly sessions, for practical purposes resurrecting insurance bills from that committee could jeopardize other pending legislation approved in other committee. Cabrera, said he will work for similar bills to win approval during the upcoming weeks of the legislature. "Unfortunately we were unable to come to an agreement on bills to take action upon but I will continue to fight for the important policies heard by the Insurance Committee, especially issues involving mental health," he said in a mid-afternoon statement. Wood down-played the failure of the committee to vote on any legislation. "We heard a lot of bills in public hearings," Wood said in a phone interview Thursday morning. "There was just a disagreement in agendas. There are a lot insurance bills going through other committees. I will continue to fight to get things done. We just couldn't meet the deadline. We want to help businesses and farmers." She would also like to approve a bill for downloadable driving-monitor apps to rein in reckless driving. State Sen. Saud Anwar, D-South Windsor, vice chairman of the committee, said he was disappointed by the cancellation of Thursday's meeting. "This is a missed opportunity and will leave important issues unaddressed for the rest of this session," said Anwar, a physician who serves on four other committees and is co-chairman of the Public Health Committee. "I can't speak directly to why the meeting was canceled but I will remain focused on delivering results in all of my committees." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Sources said that Wood's opposition to a Senate bill on mental health resulted in her canceling two meetings that had been scheduled this week to act on bills before the 5 p.m. Thursday deadline for committee action. But Wood denied it was the cause. The current legislative sessions deadlines vary among the 26 legislative committees between March 14 and April 5, as the General Assembly heads to its midnight May 8 deadline. State Sen. Tony Hwang of Fairfield, a ranking Republican on the committee, said Thursday that while he was disappointed to not have the chance to debate the pending bills, he feels even worse that the committee let down residents who looked for the General Assembly's help in lowering insurance premiums. "It is important for the chairs to sign off on an agenda, but ultimately the only people who lose are the people who are impacted by health care costs, insurance costs," Hwang said in an interview. "Even the governor's bill never got a vote." One now-dead bill was aimed at helping retired police afford insurance. Another would have helped farmers in the Farmington Valley who suffered massive crop damage in flooding last year, he said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "The losers are the advocates for those bills, the experts who testified, the constituents who tried to voice their opinion," Hwang said. "Weve punted on this. Another bill, prompted by a Hearst Connecticut Media report on a scam involving a house in Fairfield, was aimed at stopping fraud. Fifth-term state Rep. Cara Pavalock-DAmato of Bristol, another ranking Republican on the committee, said she believes that Democratic senators on the committee would not agree to agenda items for final action, including agency prerogatives and Gov. Ned Lamonts budget proposal, aimed at lowering prescription drug prices. I think thats pretty insulting to the governor, said Pavalock-DAmato, a lawyer. To not have anything coming out is disappointing. I wasnt in the room to hear the discussion among Democrats, so I dont really know. Julia Bergman, Lamont's spokeswoman, said the governor was also disappointed by the committee's failure. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "The governor believes that Connecticut is home to some of the highest quality health care systems in the world, but too many people cannot afford to access that care," Bergman said in a Thursday afternoon statement. "That's why he put forward a proposal this legislative session to address some of the largest drivers of health care costs including prescription drugs and hospital inpatient and outpatient expenses." "A lot of this comes down to ideological and philosophical disagreements over insurance," said House Majority Leader Jason Rojas, D-East Hartford. "This doesn't mean that no insurance bills will be done." He pointed out that existing bills can be amended and added to include Insurance and Real Estate Committee legislation. Since dozens of bills had public hearings, it may be technically easy to add them. "It's a very complex place with people who have a lot of opinions," he said. "Sometimes they get to point where there is no agreement. There's a first time for everything. I think cooler heads will prevail and we'll find a way to work." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Speaker of the House Matt Ritter, D-Hartford, said that for practical purposes, amending other legislation to fit Insurance Committee bills that expired, could result in prolonged debates and questioning from Republicans, who are a 97-54 minority in the House and are down 24-12 in the Senate. "Clearly the committee was not able to put the pieces together," Ritter said in a Thursday morning phone interview. "I have respect for the committees and co-chairs. I don't like to see any of the committees do this. We'll try to figure out a way to right the ship. In the General Assembly there are a lot of strong personalities, a lot of opinions. That's not unusual. This is not the first time there has been problems. Most insurance issues are federally regulated." The May 8 legislative adjournment deadline means that Democratic leaders want to avoid long debate, Ritter noted. Advertisement Article continues below this ad House Minority Leader Vincent Candelora, R-North Branford, like other leaders, could not remember such a committee meltdown. He joked that he wished other Democratic-dominated committees would fail to move bills to the House or Senate. He said that House Republicans did not have any caucus priorities in the Insurance Committee. "There isn't always friction between Democrats and Republicans. Sometimes there is friction between Democrats." Israel keeps attacking Shifa Hospital in Gaza IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Mar 20, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- The Israeli regime has attacked and besieged Al-Shifa Hospital, which is the largest medical complex in the Gaza Strip, for a third consecutive day. The regime forces bombed the Al-Shifa Hospital and its adjacent areas on Wednesday, where tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians have taken shelter from Israeli attacks. There are reports of fierce clashes between Palestinian resistance fighters and the Israeli regime forces around the hospital. Palestinians say dozens of people have been killed in the Israeli carnage in Al-Shifa. The regime began its war on Gaza, killing 31,923 people so far, mostly women and children. More than 74,000 others have also been injured. 4208**4194 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel admits Yemeni missile attack on Eilat IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Mar 20, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- The Israeli military in a statement on Tuesday night confirmed that a missile was fired from Yemen targeted an area in the occupied Palestinian territories. According to the Palestinian "Sama" news agency, the regime's army also admitted that it was a cruise missile that hit the north of Eilat city. The Zionist media earlier announced that the army failed alert people with sirens in Eilat following the firing of this missile. Brigadier General Yahya Saree, the spokesman of the Yemeni armed forces, earlier informed that the army's missile unit fired several cruise missiles at Israeli military targets in Eilat in occupied Palestine. Saree said the launch was successful and that the Yemeni armed forces will continue to fulfill their religious, moral and humanitarian duties towards the oppressed people of Palestine. The Yemeni army launched their operations against Israel over the regime's genocide in the Gaza Strip. The have repeatedly attacked Israeli or Israeli-bound ships in the Red Sea as part of anti-regime operations. However, over the past month, Yemenis have also launched attack on US and British ships in retaliation for the two countries' aggression against the Arab country. 4399 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel keeps defying ICJ ruling on Gaza: South Africa IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Mar 20, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- South Africa's Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Naledi Pandor once again accused the Israeli regime of keep disobeying a verdict issued by the International Court of Justice on her country's petition against the Gaza war. Pandor said on Tuesday that Israel has defied the International Court of Justice's January verdict that the regime must stop the genocide in Gaza. In a speech at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington, South Africa's minister said that Israel "completely ignored" the ruling as "we are witnessing widespread hunger and famine in Gaza." Pandor stressed that Israel's actions may give other nations the impression that "there is a license (for atrocities) and they can do whatever they want." South African officials have repeatedly accused the Zionist regime of not complying with the ICJ verdict on the case Pretoria filed on January 8, against Israel over the mass killing of the Palestinian people with the aim of ethnic cleansing in Gaza. According to an interim ruling issued by the ICJ after three days of hearing last month, the Israeli regime was ordered to take necessary measures to prevent crimes of genocide and improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza. The court acknowledged that the Israeli military operation in the Gaza Strip led to the death of a large number of people and the forced migration of a number of others. But it stopped short of ordering a ceasefire that was a key demand in South Africa's lawsuit, Earlier this month, South Africa has asked the ICJ once again to take more emergency measures against the Israeli regime, which it said was breaching the court ruling issued before. Vincent Magwenya, the official spokesman of the South African president, emphasized the need for urgent actions to ensure that further genocide is prevented in the Gaza Strip. In its application, South Africa warned that Palestinians in Gaza are facing starvation and asked the court to review and prevent Israel's decision to expand its military operations. It also requested the court to order that all parties cease hostilities and release all hostages and detainees. 4399 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel trying to disrupt Doha talks on ceasefire: Hamas chief IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Mar 20, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- Head of the political bureau of the Palestinian Hamas resistance movement, Ismail Haniyeh has said the Zionist regime is trying to disrupt the Doha negotiations on ceasefire with its continued crimes in the Gaza Strip. Haniyeh on Tuesday night pointed to the actions of the Zionist military at the Al-Shifa medical complex in Central Gaza and said these prove Israel is against peace and return of life to Gaza Strip. According to the Gaza media office, the Zionist regime committed a bloody crime by executing 50 Palestinians and arresting nearly 200 others at the Shifa Medical Complex in Gaza City on Sunday. We also received field information about the execution of a number of children, civilians, patients and refugees by the Zionist army, it said. This was the second time that Israeli forces stormed Al-Shifa Hospital since the beginning of the war under different pretexts. They stormed it for the first time on November 16, after besieging it for at least a week. Hamas described the attack on the hospital as a clear war crime and a flagrant violation of international law, saying the attack was an attempt to cover up the failure of this regime in achieving its military goals. The Palestinian resistance movement has called on the Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the United Nations to act immediately to stop the Israeli crimes. 4399 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address European Commission will invest in additional artillery ammunition production capacities Republic of Latvia - Ministry of Defence 03/20/2024 International cooperation Information prepared by Media Relations Sections On 15 March, European Commission allocated the 500 million foreseen under the European Union defence industry development regulation on supporting ammunition production (Act in Support of Ammunition Production, ASAP). This will allow the European defence industry to ramp up its ammunition production capacity to 2 million shells per year by the end of 2025. Latvian company SIA "Valsts aizsardzibas korporacija" (National Defence Corporation, LLC) is one of the undertakings that will receive funding for additional artillery ammunition production capacities according to the decision of the European Commission. National Defence Corporation, LLC applied for project funding together with other partners of an international consortium - KNDS group companies in France and Italy, and NAMMO group companies in Norway and Finland. Application of the international consortium submitted towards the end of 2023 foresees implementation of a number of project activities across several countries, including Latvia where beneficiaries intend to set up production of modular artillery charge systems. The total consortium project costs approved by the European Commission amount to 41.38 million. Grant agreement will be signed this May. The aim of the Act in Support of Ammunition Production is to ramp and scale up ammunition production across Europe. Work programme adopted in October of 2023 was followed by publication of call for proposals on explosives, powder, shells, missiles production and testing capacities with deadline on 13 December 2023. The total budget approved by the European Commission of 513 million will be distributed among 31 selected project. Together with industry co-financing, the estimated total budget of the initiative will exceed 1.5 billion. The whole Europe will benefit from major increase in artillery ammunition production capacities. As announced earlier, Cabinet of Ministers approved the establishment of state-owned enterprise SIA "Valsts aizsardzibas korporacija" (National Defence Corporation) in November of 2023. Enterprise will be solely owned by the Ministry of Defence as its only shareholder. Mission of the state-owned enterprise will be to provide consolidated management of national defence industry investments. It will also coordinate military manufacturing and its different processes. Moreover, it will indirectly oversee the manufacturing and integration of military goods, technologies and components critical for the national defence sector. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Defence Minister Spruds: US military support for Latvia is stronger than ever Republic of Latvia - Ministry of Defence 03/20/2024 International cooperation NATO Information prepared by Media Relations Sections On Thursday, 14 March, Defence Minister Andris Spruds travelled to Washington to meet with his US counterpart, US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin. Meeting focused on US-Latvia bilateral cooperation, global security environment and support for Ukraine. "US is an important strategic partner for Latvia. Political leadership, investments into development of our capabilities and military presence of the United States in Latvia sends a strong signal of deterrence. Defence Secretary Austin and I discussed the next steps that we need to take to make collective defence even stronger. US is ready to continue to provide long-term military presence in Latvia and support further enhancement of our military capabilities through number of programmes," Defence Minister Andris Spruds said after the meeting. Officials discussed strategic partnership between Latvia and US, as well as joint procurement of Naval Strike Missile Coastal Defence Systems and HIMARS high-mobility artillery rocket systems. Mr Austin and Mr Spruds also discussed Latvia's progress towards more enhanced defence capabilities, Selonia Military Training Area and introduction of state defence service. Defence ministers of the United States and Latvia also exchanged views on forthcoming NATO Washington Summit, which will primarily focus on further development of Alliance's collective defence framework and support for Ukraine. According to Minister Spruds, US support will be critical in helping Ukraine overcome Russian aggression as it continues to fight for the safety and values of the whole democratic world. Defence Minister of Latvia believes that US will be able to reach internal political consensus required to approve major assistance package for Ukraine. Defence Minister's visit included meeting with Michigan National Guard - Latvia's cooperation partner for more than three decades. In recent years, this cooperation has resulted in development of Lielvarde Air Base and training of Black Hawk pilots. Sides plan to expand cooperation on rocket artillery, command and control, and drone capabilities in the coming years. Michigan National Guard will also help develop the Selonia Military Training Area. US visit of Andris Spruds also included a number of meeting with top US Congress representatives. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Defence Minister Andris Spruds: Michigan National Guard will help Latvia develop rocket artillery, command and control, and drone capabilities Republic of Latvia - Ministry of Defence 03/20/2024 International cooperation NATO Information prepared by Media Relations Sections On Monday, 11 March, Defence Minister of Latvia Andris Spruds visited the United States of America where he met with Michigan National Guard. Meeting with Michigan National Guard leadership focused on cooperation between both sides so far, and future plans. Minister Spruds was given insight into the infrastructure of the Michigan National Guard base and on-going training process. "Michigan National Guard has been indispensable to our National Armed Forces for more than 30 years. In recent years, this partnership has resulted in development of Lielvarde Air Base and training of Black Hawk pilots. Sides also plan to expand cooperation on rocket artillery, command and control, and drone capabilities in the coming years. Michigan National Guard will also help develop the Selonia Military Training Area," Defence Minister said. 27 April 2023 marked the 30th anniversary of the signing of State Partnership Programme agreement, which paved the way for cooperation between Latvia and Michigan National Guard. After restoration of Latvia's national independence, programme primarily focused on development of Latvia's National Armed Forces, especially the National Guard. In early stages of cooperation Michigan National Guard helped Latvia create the organisational structure of National Guard, It also helped develop training modules, brought National Guard troops to US for military training and took part in joint military training in Latvia. Over the years, National Armed Forces and Michigan National Guard have jointly participated in international peace keeping operations, command, unit and instructor training, as well as international military exercise in Latvia and the US, such as Summer Shield, Saber Strike, Silver Arrow and Northern Strike. Partnership and joint training with Michigan National Guard helped Latvia prepare for NATO membership in 2004. US has been Latvia's strategic partner and ally for many years, playing a vital role in strengthening Latvia's national security. Latvia and the United States are bound by shared values and understanding of democracy. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Lithuania is ready to for the arrival of the first German Brigade troops Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of National Defence 2024-03-20 International cooperation | Security and defense policy The first troops of the German Brigade stationing in Lithuania will arrive in the beginning of next month, April. The initial element of the German Brigade will comprise over 20 German military personnel, the number will then grow to 150 by the end of the year. The first arriving will be accommodated in Vilnius from where they will plan the further progress of the stationing and agreement of requirements set for Host Nation infrastructure. The initial command element will increase in size by the end of the year and become responsible for the assistance in moving the rest of the Brigade to Lithuania. When the training area at Rudninkai is fully developed, the military area in Salcininkai region will become the main service site for the German Brigade providing space for 80% of it. The rest of the Brigade will be based in Rukla. The Rudninikai Training Area is undergoing intense preparation for the constructions - internal road communication is built, tree stumps are milled and mine clearance carried out. The area will soon have new administrative, training, firing and other infrastructure needed for readiness activities of the German Brigade. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Vice Minister Z. Tomkus stressed the importance of U.S troop presence in Lithuania meeting former U.S. Secretary of the Army Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of National Defence 2024-03-20 International cooperation | Security and defense policy Meeting former U.S. Secretary of the Army Ryan D. McCarthy today Vice Minister of National Defence Zilvinas Tomkus thanked for his personal contribution to the agreement to deploy an uninterrupted rotation U.S. force in Lithuania. "The uninterrupted U.S. force presence in Lithuania and the region is a critical factor of deterrence, therefore we are working seriously on improving military infrastructure and ensuring every kind of necessary Host Nation Support for the Allied troops," said Vice Minister of National Defence Z. Tomkus at the meeting. Z. Tomkus and Ryan D. McCarthy also discussed the importance of assistance to Ukraine: Vice Minister stressed that Lithuania will continue supporting Ukraine like it did and how necessary it was to help Ukraine achieve the decisive success on the battlefield soon. Lithuania's military assistance to Ukraine since the war was started now amounts to over 525 million euros, and the support generally, including humanitarian, makes up over 1.4 GDP of Lithuania. The U.S. is Lithuania's strategic partner and one of the key Allies for the Baltic security. The Americans are actively engaged in ensuring the assurance measures in the Baltic states to strengthen regional security and stability. The United States contributes to our defence with troops, equipment and finance. The United States is also 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. U.S. Army battalions have been rotated in Lithuania since 2019. The latest rotation of American troops is the Hounds Battalion (3rd Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment (3-67) and the Battle Kings Battalion (1st Battalion, 9th Field Artillery (1-9). Former U.S. Secretary of the Army Ryan D. McCarthy is in Lithuania for the Baltic Military Conference taking place on March 21-22 to discuss the most relevant security and defence issues with the European and U.S. tops defence experts, senior officers, representatives of Lithuanian and foreign defence institutions, NATO and academia. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Marines drive innovation, collaboration aboard Camp Pendleton for Army's PC-C4 US Marine Corps News 19 Mar 2024 | Johannes Schmidt Marine Corps Systems Command CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Introduction In response to the 2018 National Defense Strategy's warning that peer adversaries are actively challenging the established global order, the Marine Corps initiated a monumental transition from its conventional land-based operations toward a concentrated emphasis on naval expeditionary capabilitiesparticularly within contested littoral regions. This pivot-- encapsulated in Force Design-- has led to a comprehensive strategic overhaul of the world's premier fighting force. So far, this has resulted in the creation of a more agile and technologically sophisticated Corps, capable of operating effectively in contested, littoral environments-- with an emphasis on fostering unmatched interoperability with allied and joint force partners. This 21st-century force in readiness-- which emphasizes rigorous testing, wargaming, and experimentation of developed concepts has been on full display throughout the US Army's Project Convergence Capstone 4 (PC-C4), which is being held across various locations -- including Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, CA -- between February 23 and March 20, 2024. "PC-C4 is a waypoint along the service's campaign of experimentation. What was different with this experiment was an increase in scale and complexity, all while propelling rapid advancements in technology alongside combined and joint forces," said Col Mike Carroll, Director of the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab's Experiment Division. "We are committed to capturing the lessons observed and excited for future opportunities to experiment by, with, and through the Fleet Marine Force. Our focus remains squarely on addressing the pacing threat, increasing interoperability, and ensuring the warfighter's needs are at the forefront of our efforts." Project Convergence PC-C4, a landmark joint and multinational military experiment hosted by the US Army's Future's Command, is dedicated to advancing and integrating cutting-edge defense capabilities to bolster the effectiveness of joint and allied forces-- specifically focusing on experimenting with advanced air and missile defense systems and leveraging sensor capabilities from drones and manned aircraft for more effective force protection and targeting. Throughout the course of PC-C4, the Corps demonstrated its strategic foresight and technological prowess by showcasing groundbreaking advancements in the development of littoral maneuver capabilities to sustain Stand-In Forces. These experiments, conducted during the alongside Joint Force and international partners, are integral to achieving the targets outlined in Force Design and enhance the U.S. and its allies' and partners' readiness, especially when considering the challenges posed by contested logistics. Furthermore, the Corps has helped advance the Department of Defense's combined joint all-domain command-and-control initiative, or CJADC2, efforts by actively contributing to the creation of temporal dominance in contested environments. Through initiatives like Project DYNAMIS and the deployment of Family of Integrated Targeting Cells, or FITC, the Marine Corps has enhanced communication and sensor capabilities, facilitating the integration of fires and the closing of kill webs within the combined/joint force structure. The Experiment The Marine Corps' efforts related to the campaign of learning were evident between February 23 and March 1 at the Del Mar Boat Basin aboard Camp Pendleton. There, the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab, or MCWL, worked through two use cases as part of PC-C4, one covering integrated fires and one covering contested logistics. Both supported experimentation in creating a Multi-Domain Corridor, wherein combined and joint kinetic and non-kinetic effects create a temporal superiority in all domains to enable littoral maneuver and sustainment. The Multi-Domain Corridor increases the survivability of the Stand-In Force by allowing for movement of forces and supplies for a period of time through specific littoral regions. MCWL continued testing with the experimental 254- SLVa capability poised to significantly enhance warfighter lethality and survivability along the global littorals through its capabilities as a maneuver, mobility and sustainment platform and as one interim solution until the forthcoming Navy Medium Landing Ship, or LSM, makes its way through the acquisition process. This initial week-long testing event was designed to inform operational concepts and future requirements for the LSM. Aligned with Force Design's strategic emphasis on distributed operations, this cutting-edge landing craft is set to extend the Corps' strategic reach and reinforce its presence in maritime environments critical to safeguarding American and allied interests worldwide. The testing will ultimately allow the acquisition community to assess the vessel's actual capabilities, an important step in determining future fielding requirements. The LSM, as currently envisioned, signifies a crucial advancement in the Corps' strategic return to global littoral operations, enabling the transportation of Marines, vehicles, and various other forms of sustainment from ship to shore within contested environments. During PC-C4, pairing the SLV, and the Autonomous Low-Profile Vessel, or ALPV, a semi-submersible craft designed to support cargo, proved a viable alternative for moving supplies through coastal regions. And, incorporating the TRV-150 logistics drone for ship to shore and shore to delivery opened the aperture of possibilities for sustainment. In addition, MCWL included experiments at the boat basin with the Multi-Mission Reconnaissance Craft, or MMRC, a watercraft designed to insert and extract dismounted teams and conduct reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition on the water to fill gaps in sensor coverage created by the littoral operating area and extend the reach of the sensor web. "The experimentation we're doing is based on contested logistics and maritime sustainment in a contested environment," said Maj. Dan Greenlee, PC-C4 Contested Logistics Use Case Lead for MCWL. "The limited technical assessment will inform how we utilize the learning points accumulated throughout the week, helping us understand both capabilities and limitations." Interoperability at play While key capabilities were rigorously evaluated during PC-C4, the collaboration between joint forces and international partners emerged as a key success. As Russia and China continue to challenge Western interests across the globe, the National Defense Strategy emphasizes integrated deterrence, highlighting the need for strengthened partnerships with American allies and partners. For this reason, foreign participation throughout PC-C4-- including service members from the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, France, Japan, and Sweden-- is essential to ensure future readiness. Yet, while it is true that our partners can learn a great deal from the Corps, the benefits of joint operations are ultimately mutual. To make this point, there is, perhaps, no better example than Swedenan ancient seafaring nation that finally joined NATO after two years of battling legislative red tape. Col. Adam Camel, commander of Sweden's 1st Marine Regiment, excited at his nation's ascension into the ranks of NATO, was quick to express enthusiasm for the opportunity to collaborate with American and other international partners at PCC4-- while also recognizing his nation's extensive history as a littoral force along the Baltic Sea. "We are pleased to participate in PC-C4 alongside our American and (future) NATO allies," said Camel. "We acknowledge that we have much to learn from our international partners, but it is also true that we have a great deal of knowledge to share, too. Collaboration is what will continue to make us strong as we face collective threats together." Founded under King Gustav I in 1522, the Swedish navy is one of the oldest continuously serving navies in the world and has maintained control over littoral regions in the Baltic Sea for over 500 years. Ultimately, the Marine Corps' participation in PC-C4 exemplifies its commitment to technological advancement, strategic foresight, and international collaboration. Through groundbreaking experiments and partnerships, the Corps has showcased its ability to innovate in the face of evolving threats, particularly in the contested global littorals. As demonstrated by the involvement of international partners, the exchange of knowledge and expertise is reciprocal, reinforcing the importance of collaborative efforts in ensuring collective security and readiness for future challenges. As we prepare to face our adversaries on the future battlefield, the Marine Corps stands resolute in its mission to confront emerging threats with agility, innovation, and unified strength-- no matter the clime or place. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Blog Archive: Mar 2024 (155) Feb 2024 (145) Jan 2024 (156) Dec 2023 (155) Nov 2023 (150) Oct 2023 (155) Sep 2023 (150) Aug 2023 (155) Jul 2023 (155) Jun 2023 (150) May 2023 (155) Apr 2023 (150) Mar 2023 (155) Feb 2023 (140) Jan 2023 (155) Dec 2022 (156) Nov 2022 (150) Oct 2022 (155) Sep 2022 (150) Aug 2022 (155) Jul 2022 (154) Jun 2022 (150) May 2022 (155) Apr 2022 (150) Mar 2022 (155) Feb 2022 (140) Jan 2022 (156) Dec 2021 (156) Nov 2021 (150) Oct 2021 (155) Sep 2021 (150) Aug 2021 (155) Jul 2021 (155) Jun 2021 (150) May 2021 (155) Apr 2021 (150) Mar 2021 (155) Feb 2021 (140) Jan 2021 (155) Dec 2020 (155) Nov 2020 (150) Oct 2020 (158) Sep 2020 (150) Aug 2020 (130) Jul 2020 (124) Jun 2020 (120) May 2020 (124) Apr 2020 (120) Mar 2020 (124) Feb 2020 (116) Jan 2020 (125) Dec 2019 (126) Nov 2019 (120) Oct 2019 (124) Sep 2019 (120) Aug 2019 (125) Jul 2019 (124) Jun 2019 (120) May 2019 (123) Apr 2019 (121) Mar 2019 (124) Feb 2019 (112) Jan 2019 (125) Dec 2018 (126) Nov 2018 (120) Oct 2018 (124) Sep 2018 (121) Aug 2018 (124) Jul 2018 (125) Jun 2018 (120) May 2018 (124) Apr 2018 (121) Mar 2018 (124) Feb 2018 (112) Jan 2018 (123) Dec 2017 (124) Nov 2017 (124) Oct 2017 (141) Sep 2017 (135) Aug 2017 (138) Jul 2017 (137) Jun 2017 (134) May 2017 (138) Apr 2017 (135) Mar 2017 (139) Feb 2017 (129) Jan 2017 (143) Dec 2016 (135) Nov 2016 (138) Oct 2016 (142) Sep 2016 (128) Aug 2016 (133) Jul 2016 (136) Jun 2016 (138) May 2016 (164) Apr 2016 (311) Mar 2016 (348) Feb 2016 (320) Jan 2016 (348) Dec 2015 (314) Nov 2015 (338) Oct 2015 (363) Sep 2015 (358) Aug 2015 (399) Jul 2015 (374) Jun 2015 (331) May 2015 (337) Apr 2015 (319) Mar 2015 (320) Feb 2015 (271) Jan 2015 (286) Dec 2014 (254) Nov 2014 (238) Oct 2014 (287) Sep 2014 (267) Aug 2014 (259) Jul 2014 (260) Jun 2014 (238) May 2014 (241) Apr 2014 (228) Mar 2014 (240) Feb 2014 (217) Jan 2014 (263) Dec 2013 (226) Nov 2013 (254) Oct 2013 (256) Sep 2013 (252) Aug 2013 (263) Jul 2013 (261) Jun 2013 (251) May 2013 (250) Apr 2013 (221) Mar 2013 (193) Feb 2013 (164) Jan 2013 (157) Dec 2012 (155) Nov 2012 (240) Oct 2012 (526) Sep 2012 (411) Aug 2012 (394) Jul 2012 (284) Jun 2012 (229) May 2012 (213) Apr 2012 (213) Mar 2012 (253) Feb 2012 (269) Jan 2012 (298) Dec 2011 (273) Nov 2011 (219) Oct 2011 (204) Sep 2011 (201) Aug 2011 (236) Jul 2011 (217) Jun 2011 (211) May 2011 (206) Apr 2011 (215) Mar 2011 (215) Feb 2011 (186) Jan 2011 (215) Dec 2010 (107) Nov 2010 (98) Oct 2010 (55) NATO and Moldova continue to strengthen their partnership NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation 20 Mar. 2024 NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoana met today (20 March 2024) with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Moldova, Mihai Popsoi, at NATO Headquarters. They took stock of the long-standing partnership between NATO and Moldova and the areas of enhanced cooperation, including cyber-defence, disaster-management, and the strengthening of Moldovan armed forces. The Deputy Secretary General praised Moldova's contributions to the NATO-led KFOR mission in Kosovo and underscored Allied support to Moldova's path towards EU membership. "It's always a pleasure to receive our long-standing partners from the Republic of Moldova, and I know that your visit today will be strengthening and deepening our partnership, for already thirty years," the Deputy Secretary General said. "We know that our partnership will help to have your armed forces become more solid and reach a level of professionalism where NATO is the gold standard around the world," he added. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address A look at the Defence news 11 - 17 March Netherlands Ministry of Defence News item | 20-03-2024 Military personnel train for possible responses to attack against NATO member state, as Russia watches on During the international military exercise Nordic Response, which took place last week, the main focus was on conducting training regarding the possible NATO responses to an attack against one of its member states. The commander of the Netherlands Maritime Force, Commodore Arjen Warnaar, said that it is important to conduct training on the northern flank of NATO territory and that the fact that Russia is following the training activities closely made him realise how important NATO's presence is in that area. Russia is monitoring the large-scale exercise from the air and from spy ships at sea. Nordic Response is part of Exercise Steadfast Defender, the largest NATO exercise since the Cold War. Dutch F-35s shine during 'true to life' Exercise Red Flag The air force exercise known as Exercise Red Flag is considered to be the premier league of air defence exercises. On this occasion, Royal Netherlands Air Force F-35 fighter aircraft took part in the exercise for the first time. The Dutch F-35s are stationed at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, together with American aircraft. The 2-week training exercise, known to be realistic and true to life, will last until 22 March. Contract for new submarines provisionally awarded to Naval See news item 15-3-2024. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Netanyahu after using US pier to push Palestinians out of Gaza: Report Iran Press TV Wednesday, 20 March 2024 6:42 PM Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu considers using a floating pier on the Gaza coast being constructed by the United States to push the Palestinians out of their homeland, a report says. US President Joe Biden said earlier this month that the US military will construct a port off Gaza to get more humanitarian aid into the besieged territory by sea. The Pentagon is sill developing the temporary port off Gaza's coast. According to officials, the port will increase the amount of humanitarian assistance to the Palestinians by "hundreds of additional truckloads" per day. But Netanyahu told a private meeting of the parliament, known as the Knesset, that the port could facilitate the removal of Palestinians from Gaza, Israel's Kan News reported. He said there was "no obstacle" to the Palestinians leaving Gaza apart from the unwillingness of other countries to accept them, the report said. US Army ships have sailed from Virginia with equipment to build the pier, the Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Major General Pat Ryder said on March 12. Netanyahu's flagrant remarks have sparked serious reactions from the Palestinians. Mustafa Barghouti, leader of the Palestinian National Initiative, said in a message on X that Netanyahu "never gave up his dream of a complete ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in Gaza." A week after Israel launched its bloodiest ever campaign in Gaza in early October, the regime issued a secret ten-page document leaked to the internet outlining the expulsion of the Palestinian population of Gaza to northern Sinai, Egypt. The revelation was followed by remarks made by Israel's far-right minister Bezalel Smotrich, who called for the people of Gaza to voluntarily leave their homeland and migrate to Western countries. Smotrich's plan for "ethnic cleansing" of Gaza's 2.3 million population raised fears of yet another "Nakba" or "catastrophe," which refers to the occupying regime's violent expulsion of about 750,000 Palestinians from their homeland when it proclaimed its illegal advent on May 15, 1948. The Gaza Strip, one of the most densely populated places in the world, has been under relentless air and ground strikes by Israel since early October. A staggering 85 percent of the total population 1.9 million civilians have been forcibly displaced. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Al-Shifa massacre: Israel has killed 90 Palestinians in 2 days Iran Press TV Wednesday, 20 March 2024 2:05 PM The Israeli military has admitted that it has killed 90 Palestinians and kidnapped 160 others in two days of a raid into Gaza's Al-Shifa Hospital. The regime's military claimed in a statement on Wednesday its forces had "located weapons in the hospital area." The regime also claimed its troops "prevented harm to civilians, patients, medical teams, and medical equipment." More than half of medical facilities in the besieged Palestinian territory are now either totally out of order or partially destroyed. The Government Media Office in Gaza says more than 100 aid workers have been killed and dozens wounded over the past week in eight attacks carried out by Israeli forces. The regime's military is "interrogating" about 300 people at the site of al-Shifa medical complex. The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas, however, has slammed the regime's claims. Hamas says those who were killed by Israel in the raid on the hospital were patients, medical workers and displaced civilians. The Israeli military "practices lying and deception in spreading its narrative as part of justifying its continuous and law-breaking crimes," said the director of Gaza's media office Ismail al-Thawabta. "Israeli forces heavily opened fire as they stormed the hospital, killing and injuring more than 250 civilians," said the media office. Senior Hamas official Basem Naim also said "what happens in al-Shifa Hospital is a war crime and is part of the war of genocide conducted by the Israeli occupation." Israel has imposed a siege on the hospital in Gaza City since its forces started a raid on the medical complex on March 18. Al-Shifa, Gaza's largest hospital, has sheltered thousands of Palestinians who fled Israel's hostilities in northern parts of the territory. In a separate report, the Media Office said Israeli forces have killed at least 14,000 children in the Gaza Strip since they launched the bloodshed in early October. The children were among more than 31,900 Palestinians who have been killed ever since. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 'On brink of death': WHO raises alarm on Gaza children's dire hunger crisis Iran Press TV Wednesday, 20 March 2024 9:19 AM The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a dire warning, saying that a growing number of children in Gaza are teetering on the edge of death due to severe hunger. Margaret Harris, a representative from the WHO, shared distressing observations from the ground, saying that, ""What doctors and medical staff are telling us is more and more they are seeing the effects of starvation; they're seeing newborn babies simply dying because they [are] too low birth weight." Speaking to journalists in Geneva, Harris emphasized the urgent need for nutritional intervention to save these young lives. The war-wracked region is seeing a surge in dangerously underweight pregnant women seeking medical attention, she said. Harris highlighted the perilous complications arising from malnutrition during pregnancy, a situation she attributes solely to the ravages of war. "Prior to the conflict, Gaza's health system was robust, and malnutrition was virtually unheard of. The current medical crises are entirely a consequence of human actions," she asserted. In response to this humanitarian emergency, the WHO is actively setting up emergency malnutrition stabilization centers to aid the most vulnerable in Gaza. However, the initiative is facing significant challenges due to security concerns and persistent impediments to aid access. "We've managed to establish a center in the southern part of Gaza and are planning for another in the north. Yet, without safe passage and access to bring in supplies, our efforts are constrained. A ceasefire is imperative to facilitate aid delivery," Harris explained. The sense of desperation is palpable, according to Harris, who stressed the necessity of allowing substantial aid into Gaza. When that happens, the relief supplies "will be absorbed like sand", she said. World Bank sounds famine alert The World Bank issued a stark warning as over half of Gaza's population is facing "the imminent threat of famine." The institution urgently called for concerted efforts to prevent loss of life. "With more than half the population of Gaza on the brink of famineincluding children and the elderlythe World Bank Group calls for urgent action to save lives," it said. "We join the international community in calling for immediate, free, and unimpeded access of medical supplies, food and life-essential services through all available means at speed and scale to the people of Gaza." Since the onset of war on October 7, the Israeli regime has enforced a stringent siege on Gaza. The devastating genocidal campaign has resulted in over 31,800 Palestinian deaths. With much of northern Gaza reduced to rubble, aid organizations are cautioning that the majority of residents are now grappling with extreme hunger. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday reiterated his appeal to the Israeli authorities "to ensure complete and unfettered access for humanitarian goods throughout Gaza". Speaking outside the Security Council in New York, Guterres also urged the international community "to fully support" the UN's humanitarian efforts. "Palestinians in Gaza are enduring horrifying levels of hunger and suffering", the UN chief said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Mar. 19: 'Axis of Resistance' operations against Israeli occupation Iran Press TV Wednesday, 20 March 2024 7:36 AM By Press TV Website Staff Amid Israel's genocidal war on Gaza, which has killed at least 31,819 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 major operations carried out by the Palestinian and regional resistance groups on Sunday, March 19, are as follows: Al-Qassam Brigades' operations on Mar. 19: Targeted seven Israeli military vehicles with Yassin-105 rockets in the vicinity of the Al-Shifa Medical Complex, west of Gaza City. Targeted a group of Israeli soldiers with TBGs, resulting in several casualties, in the vicinity of the Al-Shifa Medical Complex, west of Gaza City. Al-Quds Brigades' operations on Mar. 19: Shelled gatherings of Israeli troops west of Netzarim in the northern Gaza Strip with a barrage of 107mm rockets. Targeted two Israeli military vehicles with Tandem and RBG shells in the vicinity of the Al-Shifa Medical Complex, west of Gaza City. Engaged in fierce clashes with an Israeli military contingent using machine guns in the vicinity of the Al-Shifa Medical Complex, west of Gaza City, confirming several casualties. Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades' operations on Mar. 19: Engaged in intense clashes with Israeli forces and their military vehicles using machine guns and RPGs in the axis near the Al-Shifa Medical Complex, west of Gaza City. Shelled gatherings of Israeli soldiers and their vehicles with mortar shells in the Netzarim axis in the northern Gaza Strip. Shelled convoys of Israeli army vehicles with mortar shells in the west of Gaza City. Engaged in fierce clashes with Israeli forces and their military vehicles with machine guns and RPGs in Al-Nasr neighborhood, west of Gaza City. Mujahideen Brigades' operations on Mar. 19: Engaged in fierce clashes with Israeli forces and their military vehicles with appropriate weapons in the vicinity of the Al-Shifa Medical Complex, west of Gaza City. Targeted two Merkava tanks, causing direct hits, in the vicinity of the Al-Shifa Medical Complex, west of Gaza City. Al-Asifah Forces' operations on Mar. 19: Engaged in fierce clashes with Israeli troops on the axis in Khan Younis city, southern Gaza. Hezbollah's operations on Mar. 19: Eastern sector: At around 15:30 local time, Israeli soldiers were targeted in the vicinity of Tallet Al-Tayhat with rockets and artillery shells. At around 15:35 local time, an Israeli military logistical vehicle and soldiers around it in Tallet Al-Tihat were targeted with a guided missile. At around 18:00 local time, the Ruwaisat Al-Alam site in Kafr Shuba was targeted with missiles. At around 18:15 local time, Israeli soldiers were targeted in the vicinity of the Ruwaisat al-Alam site in Kfar Shuba with missiles. At around 21:40 local time, the Al-Marj site was targeted with artillery shells while an Israel logistical team was attempting to reconstruct it after it was destroyed in an earlier strike by the resistance. Western sector: At around 14:40 local time, Israeli soldiers were targeted at the Birkat Risha site with missiles. At around 14:40 local time, Israeli soldiers inside the Al-Malikiyah site were targeted with missiles. At around 16:30 local time, Israeli soldiers were targeted south of the Pranit site with missiles. At around 17:45 local time, the Zarit settlement was targeted with a Falaq-1 missile. Yemeni military's operations on Mar. 19: Targeted the American "Mado" ship in the Red Sea with several anti-ship missiles. Launched a number of cruise missiles at Israeli targets in the Umm al-Rashrash area (Eilat) in southern occupied Palestine. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Mar. 18: 'Axis of Resistance' operations against Israeli occupation Iran Press TV Wednesday, 20 March 2024 3:27 AM By Press TV Website Staff Amid Israel's genocidal war on Gaza, which has killed about 31,600 Palestinians, 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. Al-Qassam Brigades' operations on Mar. 18: Engaged in fierce clashes with Israeli forces near the Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, and targeted a number of their military vehicles, resulting in several casualties. Al-Quds Brigades' operations on Mar. 18: Shelled gatherings of Israeli soldiers east of the central Gaza Strip with 107mm rockets. Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades' operations on Mar. 18: Engaged in fierce clashes with Israeli troops using machine guns and other appropriate weapons in the vicinity of the Al-Shifa Hospital, west of Gaza City. Targeted a contingent of Israeli troops and their military vehicles with 60mm caliber mortar shells, east of the central Gaza Strip. Targeted a number of Israeli military vehicles near the Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. Engaged in clashes with Israeli forces invading the western areas of Gaza City. Al-Nasser Salah Al-Din Brigades' operations on Mar. 18: Shelled a gathering of Israeli soldiers and their military vehicles east of the central Gaza Strip with a 107mm rocket barrage. Martyr Omar Al-Qasim Forces' operations on Mar. 18: Engaged in fierce clashes with Israeli forces in the vicinity of the Al-Shifa Hospital, Gaza City. Targeted an Israeli military vehicle and a troop carrier with a guided explosive device near the Ministry of Transport and Communications building in Gaza City. Shelled a gathering of Israeli troops with several standard 60-caliber mortar shells, southeast of Gaza City. In a joint operation with the Martyr Omar Al-Qasim Forces and Al-Aqsa Brigades, targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers in the south of Gaza City with short-range rockets. Mujahideen Brigades' operations on Mar. 18: Engaged in fierce clashes with Israeli forces, using appropriate weapons, west of Gaza City. Iraqi resistance's operations on Mar. 18: Targeted an Israeli military airbase in the occupied Golan with kamikaze drones. Hezbollah's operations on Mar. 18: Eastern sector: At around 17:00 local time, the Ruwaisat al-Qarn site in Shebaa was targeted with a volley of missiles. At around 17:02 local time, Israeli soldiers in Al-Tayhat Hill were targeted with a barrage of missiles. At around 17:05 local time, the Zibdin site in Shebaa was targeted with several missiles. At around 17:30 local time, the Bayad Blida site was targeted by artillery shells. Western sector: At around 19:15 local time, the Birkat Risha site was targeted with a barrage of missiles. At around 19:15 local time, the Hadab Yarin site was targeted with a barrage of missiles. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iraqi Resistance targets Israel's Ben Gurion Airport twice in one week Iran Press TV Wednesday, 20 March 2024 2:12 AM The Islamic Resistance in Iraq has said its fighters attacked Ben Gurion Airport twice in one week using drones. In a statement on Wednesday, the Iraqi Resistance confirmed the attack against Israel which waged a genocidal war against the people of Gaza. "The fighters of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, at dawn today, Tuesday, 20-3-2024, targeted Ben-Gurion airport in the Zionist depth using drones," the resistance statement said. The resistance also affirmed its commitment to strike the enemies' strongholds, as part of the second phase of operations in support of the Palestinian people in Gaza. In response to the Israeli massacres against innocent Palestinian civilians, the second phase of the Resistance's operations has started which include the enforcement of a blockade on Israeli maritime navigation in the Mediterranean and putting Israeli ports out of service. The Resistance also attacked the same airport on March 12 using drones. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq says it will continue its attacks on Israeli targets until the regime stops its genocide in Gaza. It has also struck major American military bases in Syria and Iraq amid anger over the US support for Israel's onslaught on Gaza. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq also claimed responsibility for the attack in late January on Jordan's border with Syria that left three US soldiers dead. In the past weeks, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq intensified its operations against Israeli targets inside occupied Palestinian territory. The Iraqi Resistance targeted Israeli unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) airbase in the occupied Syrian Golan Heights using drones. Akram al-Kaabi, the Secretary-General of the al-Nujaba Movement, said on February 25 that will not stop attacking Israeli targets in occupied Palestine. "We will not abandon" the goal of "liberating Iraq" from US presence and supporting Palestine by striking the Israeli occupation, al-Kaabi underlined. Israel launched the war against Gaza on October 7. Since the beginning of the war, the regime has killed more than 31,600 Gazans, most of them women, children, and adolescents. In response, resistance movements from Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen have been carrying out military operations against the Tel Aviv regime and its interests in the region. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address South Africa: Israel sets precedent for countries to defy top UN court Iran Press TV Wednesday, 20 March 2024 1:12 AM South Africa's foreign minister has said that Israel is setting a precedent for leaders to defy the top UN court. Speaking on Tuesday, Naledi Pandor also said that Israel is carrying out a campaign of starvation in Gaza. South Africa has hauled Israel before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over its genocide in Gaza, infuriating Israel and drawing US censure. Pandor said that Israel had defied a January interim ruling by the ICJ that it should take action to prevent acts of genocide in the Gaza Strip. "The provisional measures have been entirely ignored by Israel," Pandor said at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace during a visit to Washington. "We're seeing mass starvation now and famine before our very eyes," she said. "I think we, as humanity, need to look at ourselves in horror and dismay and to be really worried that we have set an example," she added. Pandor said that Israel's actions may mean other nations believe that "there's license -- I can do what I want and I will not be stopped." She said that South Africa's post-apartheid democracy was "merely practicing what is preached to us every day" by the West. "The ICJ has not been respected. And the day an African disrespects (it) I hope we don't go to that leader and say 'Listen, you're out of bounds -- because you're an African, we expect you to obey,'" she said. South Africa has called on the UN court in The Hague to order measures for Israel to stop "widespread starvation" triggered by its war in Gaza. The United Nations has warned that Israel could be using starvation as a weapon in its genocidal war against Gaza by blocking the desperately needed aid into the war-battered strip. The UN said Tuesday that Israel's severe restrictions on aid into war-ravaged Gaza coupled with its military offensive could amount to using starvation as a "weapon of war," which would be a "war crime." United Nations human rights chief Volker Turk condemned the rampant hunger and looming famine in Gaza. He lamented the world's inaction in the face of what he described as a man-made catastrophe despite the UN's repeated alerts in the past months. The warning comes a day after a UN-backed report said malnutrition and food insecurity have probably exceeded famine levels in Gaza's north, and hunger-linked death rates were likely to do so soon. A global anti-poverty charity on Monday denounced Israel for intentionally preventing the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip in violation of international humanitarian law. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Fiji resets police cooperation with China, scraps short-term deployments Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka put the cooperation agreement under review last year. By Stephen Wright for BenarNews 2024.03.20 -- Fiji will continue police cooperation with China but won't have Chinese officers stationed inside its force, a government minister said, following a review of security relations that highlighted the Pacific island country's balancing act between economic reliance on China and security ties to the U.S. and its allies. A police cooperation agreement between Fiji and China, signed in 2011 when Fiji was under military rule, was put on review last year after Fiji's first change of government in nearly two decades. New Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, who has favored closer ties with Australia, New Zealand and the U.S., had said he wanted to terminate the agreement because it wasn't consistent with Fiji's democracy. "We are a democratic nation. We aspire to democratic principles. At the same time there are things to learn with everyone else," Fiji's Home Affairs Minister Pio Tikoduadua said Wednesday in a radio interview with Australian state broadcaster ABC. Under the policing pact, Fijian police officers undertook training in China, Chinese officers had regular short-term deployments in Fiji and China donated equipment and surveillance technology such as drones. It was China's most extensive security cooperation with a Pacific island country until it signed a secretive security pact with the Solomon Islands in 2022. China's relations with Fiji burgeoned after Australia, New Zealand, the U.S. and other countries sought to punish it for military chief Frank Bainimarama's 2006 coup that overthrew the elected government. Tikoduadua said the memorandum of understanding with China's Ministry of Public Security was unchanged following the review, but Fiji decides what it implements. The Fijian government, he said, would reassess the agreement every six months. Fijian police officers would continue to train in China but there would not be deployments of Chinese officers inside the Fijian force, according to Tikoduadua. Intelligence sharing could also be curtailed. "I can assure that we have asked the Chinese to take the [embedded police] out," he said "One area that we were concerned with at the beginning and which is the subject of our review is in the area of intelligence sharing," Tikoduadua said. "We would like to review that in terms of what we necessarily have to share. I cannot go into detail but that is an important area." Tikoduadua said Rabuka supported the decision to keep the police agreement in place. Rabuka himself has not issued a statement on the decision. Human rights groups protested in 2017 when Chinese police arrested dozens of Chinese nationals in Fiji suspected of online fraud and flew them back to China. Photos published by China's state media showed the suspects wearing black hoods and guarded by dozens of Chinese police officers. China, over several decades, has become a substantial source of trade, infrastructure and aid for developing Pacific island countries as it seeks to isolate Taiwan diplomatically and gain allies or leverage in global institutions. Its inroads with Pacific island nations have caused concern for countries such as Australia and the United States who see the region as vital to their security and defense. Through police cooperation agreements China's government may also be aiming to protect its economic interests in Pacific island nations and the Chinese diaspora, analysts have said. Beijing's security pact with the Solomon Islands followed anti-government and anti-China riots in November 2021 that destroyed the Chinatown in the Solomon Islands capital. Tikoduadua said Fiji was facing an increase in illegal drug use and needed help to manage the situation. "We need every assistance that we can get to help Fiji and our community. And if we need to go to China to clean Fiji of this problem then we will do it," he said. "But we do it with people and nations who respect us as an equal partner." Bainimarama, who after his coup became Fiji's prime minister until 2022 and led the fostering of ties with China, will be sentenced later this month after a court ruled he had interfered in a police investigation into financial problems at the Pacific's regional university. 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 Election commission makes it official: Prabowo is Indonesia's president-elect The defense minister received 96.2 million votes in his third run for the nation's top office. By Dandy Koswaraputra and Pizaro Gozali Idrus for BenarNews 2024.03.20 -- Prabowo Subianto, the former Indonesian general whose human rights record has faced scrutiny, will take over as leader of his country after clinching victory in the presidential election and securing 96.2 million votes, according to official results unveiled Wednesday. The Feb. 14 polls saw Prabowo receive 58.61% of the vote, far outpacing former Jakarta Gov. Anies Baswedan who received 24.9%, and former Central Java Gov. Ganjar Pranowo who received 16.5%, according to the General Elections Commission. Prabowo, 72, emerged victorious in his third run at the presidency of Southeast Asia's largest country after putting the eldest son of the outgoing but popular president on the ticket as his running mate, and despite allegations that the vote and the courts were tampered with. "The election we have just conducted has been recognized by the global community and has been conveyed to me through statements and letters by many heads of state, governments and ambassadors," Prabowo told reporters at his Jakarta home. "Those who monitored our election said they were very impressed with its smoothness, its orderliness, and the calm, coolness, and joyful atmosphere that was felt on Election Day." A former army special forces commander who had been married to a daughter of the late dictator Suharto, Prabowo, who serves as defense minister, thanked the Indonesian people. He called for unity, saying that he had respect for those who voted for his opponents. An election official, meanwhile, said the vote was fair. "We apologize for any shortcomings in the conduct of the 2024 elections," Hasyim Asy'ari, chairman of the General Elections Commission, said during a meeting certifying the results. "We have strived to be as honest and transparent as possible in organizing the elections." The U.S. State Department congratulated Prabowo on his victory and praised the Indonesian people "for their robust turnout and commitment to democracy and the rule of law." "We look forward to partnering closely with President-elect Subianto and his administration when they take office in October," U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement. Prabowohas pledged to bolster Indonesia's economy and military prowess. His campaign promises included free lunches and milk for school students across the country. Prabowo is to be inaugurated on Oct. 20, succeeding rival-turned-ally Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, who remains popular after nearly decade in power. Prabowo lost to Jokowi in the 2014 and 2019 presidential elections. This year's election has faced criticism for what some perceive as a decline in democratic standards. Allegations of nepotism surfaced following a contentious Constitutional Court ruling that allowed Jokowi's eldest son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, 36, to run as Prabowo's vice president. Two watchdog groups have labeled this election as the worst since Indonesia's transition to democracy 25 years ago, citing issues with campaign finance and electoral fraud. Both Anies and Ganjar have declared their intent to challenge the results, alleging widespread fraud and vote-buying. Reacting to the official results, Anies emphasized the importance of the electoral process over the final outcome. "The integrity of the electoral process is fundamental to the continuity of democracy and the fulfillment of the people's aspirations as a whole," Anies said in a statement. "A leader born from a tainted process would lead to a regime full of injustice, which is not the desired outcome," he said. Hundreds of Indonesians took to the streets of Jakarta this week to call for Jokowi's ouster over alleged electoral fraud. Authorities deployed thousands of police to secure key locations in anticipation of further unrest after the coalition threatened over the weekend to hold larger protests against the election results. Previously, Indonesia was praised for its successful transition from Suharto's authoritarian rule to a vibrant democracy. However, from the Constitutional Court's October decision to Prabowo's ascension to power, questions have been raised about the state of democracy in the country. Jokowi was also accused of using populist measures, such as handing out social aid early and raising salaries for civil servants, police and the military during the election campaign, which critics said were aimed at boosting Prabowo's chances. The president denied any manipulation of the judiciary or favoring a particular set of candidates. Jokowi did not publicly endorse any candidate for president, but critics alleged that his administration had tampered with government materials and influenced the judiciary to ensure a victory for Prabowo and Gibran. Prabowo's victory followed a massive rebranding effort to soften his image from that of a fiery ex-general to a cuddly or cute grandfather figure. The president-elect has been dogged by his links to alleged human rights abuses throughout his political career. After graduating from the Indonesia Military Academy in 1974, he rose through the ranks to command the army's elite special forces unit, known as Kopassus. In 1983, he married Siti Hediati Hariyadi, the daughter of President Suharto, and in 1998 became head of the Army Strategic Reserve Command. That same year, he was discharged from the military after a council of honor officers found him guilty of several violations, including involvement in the abduction and disappearance of pro-democracy activists during student protests that led to Suharto's downfall in May 1998. Prabowo has denied any wrongdoing and said he was only following orders from his superiors. He has never been tried in a civilian court for the alleged crimes. Last year, Jokowi acknowledged 12 severe human rights violations committed by the Indonesian state dating back to the 1960s, including the 1998 abduction of the pro-democracy activists. 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 Vietnam's president forced to step down due to corruption scandal Vo Van Thuong served for a year, replacing another president forced out during a graft investigation. By Mike Firn for RFA 2024.03.20 -- Vietnam's president has resigned after just a year in the job, taking responsibility for a corruption scandal involving regional government officials, state-controlled media reported Wednesday. Vo Van Thuong, 54, was relieved of his position "per his personal request," which was approved by the Communist Party Central Committee. The move comes as no surprise, as it had been widely rumored on social media after the government called an emergency meeting for Thursday to discuss "personnel issues." Thuong will also leave the Politburo, Party Central Committee and quit his position as president of the defense and security council. A statement from the Central Committee said Thuong had violated Party regulations. "Vo Van Thuong's violations and flaws have negatively affected public perception, as well as the reputation of the Party and the state," the statement read. "Being aware of his responsibilities before the Party, the state and the people, Thuong has sent in his resignation from his positions." Carl Thayer, emeritus professor at the Australian Defence Force Academy, said Thuong was forced to resign for his failure to exercise proper supervision over officials in Quang Ngai province during his tenure as provincial party secretary from 2011-2014. "Thuong signed off on a decision to award the Phuc Son Group responsibility to develop the Tra Phuc South Bank River Road Project," he explained. "On 8 March this year, the Ministry of Public Security, after an investigation, arrested and detained provincial officials from Quang Ngai province for receiving bribes during Thuong's tenure as provincial party secretary." Thuong became president on March 2, 2023, following the resignation of Nguyen Xuan Phuc, who quit to take responsibility for COVID scandals on his watch. Thuong had previously been identified as a potential general secretary, according to Zachary Abuza, a professor at the National War College in Washington. "He's a young face, the youngest member of the Politburo, just 53 years old," he said. "For a party that is increasingly seen as out of touch with the public, he's a guy that had a younger, fresher face. Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan will assume the position of acting president until a permanent replacement for Thuong is appointed. There are two likely contenders for the job, according to Thayer: Minister of Public Security To Lam and Permanent Member of the Secretariat Truong Thi Mai. The president's role is one of the top four political positions in Vietnam. Edited by Elaine Chan and Taejun Kang. 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 Pakistan's Campaign To Expel Millions Of Afghan Refugees Enters Second Phase By RFE/RL's Radio Azadi March 20, 2024 Pakistan is set to force some 850,000 documented Afghan refugees back to their country next month if they don't leave voluntarily. According to reports in Pakistani media, the expulsions, the latest in an ongoing campaign of forced deportations, are scheduled to begin on April 15. The News, an English-language daily, reported that Afghans holding an Afghan Citizen Card (ACC), an ID card issued by the Pakistani government, will be first asked to voluntarily leave the country. "Later, they will be arrested and deported," the report said. Islamabad is calling this the second phase of its move to force more than 3 million documented and undocumented Afghans out of the country. Since October, it has expelled more than 500,000 Afghans who lacked proper documentation to stay in Pakistan. "This new step will force Afghans to face danger and fear," lawyer Muniza Kakar told RFE/RL's Radio Azadi. Kakar, a lawyer who has voluntarily represented Afghan refugees arrested in the Pakistani city of Karachi, says the campaign aims to expel more than 850,000 ACC-holding Afghans from the South Asian nation. "When the expulsions begin, they will not discriminate between Afghans holding ACC cards and those holding valid visas," she said. Widespread abuses marred Pakistan's earlier expulsions. Afghans complained of police and other authorities pressuring them for bribes. Many said they were robbed or were expelled despite holding documents that proved that their stay in Pakistan was legal. "Urgent action is needed to protect the lives and rights of refugees," Muniza said. She shared a government document on X, formerly Twitter, that asks the provincial authorities in the southern province of Sindh, where Karachi is the capital, to complete their respective "mapping and repatriation plans" by March 25. "Unfortunately, the Pakistani government's campaign against Afghan refugees has upended our lives," said Suraya Sadat. "When outside, we always fear being arrested." Samira Hamidi, a campaigner for global human rights watchdog Amnesty International, questioned why Islamabad is going after Afghan refugees given the situation in Afghanistan. "Most of these refugees fled Afghanistan fearing persecution of the Taliban," she wrote on X. "Such mapping and any further decision will expose them to great risk." The new plan for exclusions comes after Afghanistan's Taliban government shelled a Pakistani military installation on March 20. The Taliban said that the attacks were a retaliation for Pakistani air strikes that killed women and children in two southeastern Afghan provinces. Pakistan said the attacks targeted members of the Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan, which Islamabad says is sheltering in Afghanistan. Islamabad blames the group for violent attacks on its security forces. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/pakistan-afghan- refugees-expulsions-campaign-second-phase/32870404.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 Kazakh Officials Confirm Conviction Of Nazarbaev's Nephew By RFE/RL's Kazakh Service March 20, 2024 ASTANA -- Kazakh officials have confirmed the conviction of a nephew of former President Nursultan Nazarbaev, who lost his influence on the country's political scene after deadly, unprecedented anti-government protests in January 2022. The Astana City Court told RFE/RL on March 20 that Samat Abish was convicted of abuse of power and handed a suspended sentence of eight years in late February. It added that the former president's nephew was also barred from serving in public offices for 10 years. The court's press service refused to give any further details, saying the trial materials were classified. Kazakhstan's DAT newspaper was the first to report the conviction, quoting sources as saying Abish was found guilty and sentenced, while also being stripped of his rank of general and various state awards. Interior Minister Erzhan Sadenov told journalists in Astana on March 20 that the 45-year-old Abish was currently under parole-like probation. "He is barred from leaving the country and must stay at his registered residence only," Sadenov said, refusing to provide any other details. Abish was dismissed as first deputy chief of the National Security Committee (KNB) following the January 2022 protests, which initially began in the southwestern town of Zhanaozen over a sudden fuel price hike. The protests quickly spread across the country as Kazakhs vented their anger over corruption, political stagnation, and widespread injustice. Much of the protesters' focus was directed at Nazarbaev, who ruled Kazakhstan from 1989 until March 2019, when he handed over power to his then-ally, Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev. However, Nazarbaev was widely believed to remain in control behind the scenes. The protests were violently dispersed by police and military personnel, including troops from the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization that Toqaev invited into the country, claiming that "20,000 extremists who were trained in terrorist camps abroad" attacked Almaty, the Central Asian country's largest city. The authorities have provided no evidence to back Toqaev's claim about foreign terrorists. Following the unrest that claimed at least 238 lives, including those of 19 law enforcement officers, Abish's direct boss, then the KNB chief and one of Nazarbaev's closest allies, Karim Masimov, and his three other deputies were arrested over their roles in the deadly events. Masimov was later sentenced to 18 years in prison, while his deputies, Anuar Sadyqulov and Daulet Erghozhin, were sentenced to 16 years and 15 years. A court in Astana found all three men guilty of high treason, attempting to seize power by force, and abuse of office and power. Another former deputy of Masimov, Marat Osipov, was sentenced to three years in prison on a charge of abuse of office at the same trial. Abish is Nazarbaev's second nephew to be convicted following the deadly unrest. Abish's older brother, Qairat Satybaldy, was arrested in March 2022 and later sentenced to six years in prison on corruption charges. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/kazakhstan-nazarbaev-abish-knb- convicted/32870068.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 Netanyahu Confirms Plan for Israeli Operation in Rafah Already Approved Sputnik News 20240320 TEL AVIV (Sputnik) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday he had already approved the plan for the ground operation by the Israeli military in the city of Rafah in the Gaza Strip, adding that the plan to evacuate civilians from the combat zones would also be adopted soon. "I want you to know that I have already approved the IDF's operational plan, and soon we will also approve the plan to evacuate the civilian population from the battle zones," Netanyahu said in a video address. Israel always acts in accordance with its security interests, even if its allies, including the United States, do not agree with certain actions, the prime minister added. "At the outset, I told the [US] President [Joe Biden]: It is impossible to defeat [Palestinian movement] Hamas without the IDF entering the Gaza Strip. In our latest conversation, I told him: It is impossible to complete the victory without the IDF entering Rafah in order to eliminate the remnants of Hamas's battalions," Netanyahu said. Washington will provide its recommendations in humanitarian and other areas in relation to the Rafah operation, the prime minister also stated. "As we are preparing to enter Rafah, and this will take a little time, we are continuing to operate with full force. We are continuing to operate in Khan Yunis, in the camps in the center, in eliminating and capturing senior Hamas officials," Netanyahu added. Israel has been preparing to conduct a large-scale operation in Rafah, where, according to Israeli military data, several Hamas battalions remain. The United Nations and many countries, however, have warned Israel against the move, as more than 1 million displaced Palestinians are now in the area. Last October, Palestinian movement Hamas launched a large-scale rocket attack against Israel from the Gaza Strip 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. Over 31,900 people have been killed so far in the Gaza Strip, local authorities said. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NATO's Corps Practices on 'Fictitious Territory' Near Russia - Polish Defense Ministry Sputnik News 20240320 WARSAW (Sputnik) - NATO's Multinational Corps Northeast practiced operations on a "fictitious territory" near Russia's Baltic exclave region of Kaliningrad as part of military drills, the Polish Defense Ministry said on Wednesday. "Conducting a defense operation on a fictitious territory that corresponds in position to northeastern Poland this was the task assigned to soldiers of Multinational Corps Northeast during Exercise Loyal Leda 24. They were tantamount to certification of the corps' command for further action," the ministry said in a statement on X. There was no information provided regarding the training scenario. The Loyal Leda 2024 complex drills were based on a realistic combat scenario and held from March 5-14. Thousands of soldiers participated in the exercise, including Rapid Reaction Corps France, Multinational Corps Northeast and 1st German-Netherlands Corps which engaged in activities in all domains: land, space, air, maritime and cyber. NATO's Multinational Corps Northeast headquarters are located in the Polish northeastern city of Elblag. Its task is to coordinate the activities of NATO's four multinational battalion combat teams deployed under Enhanced Forward Presence in Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secretary Antony J. Blinken With Christiane Baissary of Al Hadath US Department of State Interview Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State Ritz-Carlton Hotel Jeddah, Saudi Arabia March 20, 2024 QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, thank you for joining us. SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you for having me. QUESTION: This is your sixth tour in the region since the war started in October. Are you carrying any more initiatives to end the bloodshed in Gaza? SECRETARY BLINKEN: We are. We're pressing for an immediate ceasefire tied to the release of hostages. That would bring immediate relief to so many people who are suffering in Gaza - the children, the women, the men. It would allow a much greater expansion of humanitarian assistance getting to them, and it could create the conditions to have a lasting, enduring ceasefire, which is also what we want to see. So that's the urgency in this moment. That's what we're pressing, with Qatar and Egypt working closely with us to try to get an agreement. QUESTION: Some may wonder how are you pressuring Israel to do so while you are still continuing supporting them financially and militarily, and even in the United Nations by vetoing any resolution that commits for an immediate ceasefire. SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, in fact, we actually have a resolution that we put forward right now that's before the United Nations Security Council that does call for an immediate ceasefire tied to the release of hostages, and we hope very much that countries will support that. I think that would send a strong message, a strong signal. But, of course, we stand with Israel and its right to defend itself, to make sure that October 7th never happens again, but at the same time, it's imperative that the civilians who are in harm's way and who are suffering so terribly - that we focus on them, that we make them a priority, protecting the civilians, getting them humanitarian assistance. And we've been leading the effort to do that, to get more in, to get more to the people who need it. We are pressing on that as hard as we can. QUESTION: Talking about the humanitarian aid, as we know, the Biden administration is working on a maritime corridor or pier. Can you tell us more about it - when it will operate, how it will operate, who will distribute the aid? How about the security that must be there? SECRETARY BLINKEN: What's so important is to get as much assistance into Gaza by as many means as possible. So yes, the maritime corridor, and actually, we've already seen ships start to bring assistance to Gaza on the sea. But we want to make sure that there's a pier, a port that can accommodate as much assistance as possible, and we're in the process of building that. And I think in a matter of weeks, hopefully, that will be done. But that's not a substitute for what's even more important, which is getting assistance through over land, and that means that Israel needs to open up more access points to Gaza. We've seen some progress there, including a new access point that was opened just about a week ago. The ones that are already - that already exist, we have to get more assistance through on a regular basis, and all of this is necessary to do it, to make sure that as much assistance as possible is coming in through as many points as possible, reaching as many people as possible. Another part of the challenge is it's not enough to simply get trucks, ships, air drops into Gaza. Once the assistance is there, it has to get to the people who need it, and this is something that we're focusing on very much as well with the United Nations, with other providers. QUESTION: A UN expert said that you're not doing enough, and even this new maritime corridor is - it will alleviate the hunger of like a small number of people in a very short period of time, and the Biden administration is doing it out of performance for political purposes related to the elections to meet a domestic audience. How do you respond to that? SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, I - simply by saying that, as I mentioned a minute ago, we're pressing very hard on maximizing assistance coming in by every possible means. And while the maritime corridor would be a very important addition, it's not a substitute for making sure that we're getting as much assistance through over land as possible. That's the best way to get aid into Gaza and to make sure that it gets to the people who need it. That's why we pressed initially to have Rafah open many months ago, then we pressed to get Kerem Shalom operating and open, then we pressed for a route from Jordan directly to Kerem Shalom and now we're expanding that route. We pressed for another opening that was opened just a week ago. And we're continuing - and we also pressed to get flour from Ashdod. QUESTION: But the Israelis are not letting the aid in. SECRETARY BLINKEN: More aid is getting in, but it's not enough. And it's imperative that Israel make this a priority. It has to be the main focus, making sure that more aid gets in and gets to more people. That's what we're - that's what we're telling Israel. That's a big part of our focus, and it's a focus of my trip as well. QUESTION: Let's go back to the negotiations. As we know, several rounds of negotiations were held in Cairo, in Paris, and in Doha. And till now, both parties didn't reach an agreement - not a ceasefire, not even a truce. What's hindering the talks? SECRETARY BLINKEN: It's getting closer. I think the gaps are narrowing, and I think an agreement is very much possible. We worked very hard with Qatar, with Egypt, and with Israel to put a strong proposal on the table. We did that; Hamas wouldn't accept it. They came back with other requests, other demands. The negotiators are working on that right now. But I believe it's very much doable, and it's very much necessary. And of course, if Hamas cares at all about the people it purports to represent, then it would reach an agreement, because that would have the immediate effect of a ceasefire, alleviating the tremendous suffering of people, bringing more humanitarian assistance in, and then giving us the possibility of having something more lasting. QUESTION: But Hamas - lately, they are being more pragmatic, because they wanted initially a ceasefire, and now they are accepting a truce of six weeks, whereas Israel is not accepting any of this, because they want to launch an incursion into Rafah. SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, first, of course, if Hamas was genuinely being pragmatic, then months ago - well, they never would have done what they did on October 7th. And then having done that, this could have ended immediately if they had stopped hiding behind civilians, put down their weapons, released the hostages. Then we wouldn't have seen this - this terrible suffering. But even with that, it's been incumbent upon Israel to put the protection of civilians and getting assistance to them as a top priority. So I'm still hopeful that - more than hopeful that an agreement is possible, and that we can reach it. But it's urgent, because of course with every day that goes by, more people are suffering. The quickest path - the quickest path to ending that is getting this immediate ceasefire with the release of hostages. Then a lot more becomes possible. QUESTION: How do you think an agreement is possible? And negotiators and mediators in Qatar were saying that Netanyahu didn't give any mandate to his negotiation team in Doha to make really a deal. SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, I can't get into - you'll understand I can't get into the details of the negotiation, but I can tell you that no, absolutely, the Israeli team is present, has authority to reach an agreement. A very strong proposal was put on the table, and we have to see if Hamas can say yes to the proposal. If it does - if it does - that's the most immediate way to alleviate the misery of people in Gaza, which is very much what we want. QUESTION: But don't you think that Netanyahu doesn't want this to happen, because he wants to continue his operation in Rafah? SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, we've been very clear - President Biden has been very clear - that we cannot support a major ground operation, military operation in Rafah. There are, as you know, 1.4 million or so civilians in Rafah, many of them displaced from other parts in Gaza. There's no effective way of getting them out of the way and to safety, and even the people that would remain in Rafah would be in terrible jeopardy. So this is one of the things that President Biden talked to Prime Minister Netanyahu about. We have a team from Israel coming to the United States to look at a different way of dealing with the remaining problem of Hamas in Rafah. So that'll happen next week. And QUESTION: Indeed, Axios reported that Biden administration is weighing different alternatives to the invasion in Rafah. Can you tell us more about these alternatives? SECRETARY BLINKEN: Look, I can't speak to the details. We have to have a chance to talk to the Israelis about this, but as I said, what we don't want to see is a major ground operation because we don't see how that can be done without doing terrible harm to civilians. But at the same time, it is imperative to do something about Hamas, because Hamas has brought nothing but death and destruction to Palestinians. And if you go back, Israel withdrew from Gaza unilaterally in 2006; Hamas engaged in major attacks on Israel in 2008, 2009, 2011, 2014, 2021, and of course October of 2023. That's not a sustainable situation. And it's also the greatest impediment to trying to find a lasting peace, lasting security, including a Palestinian state, which is the only way in our judgment to have something that's genuinely enduring and that can bring lasting security for Palestinians, for Israelis, and for the region. QUESTION: We talk about this need (inaudible), to get back to the alternatives. So if Netanyahu didn't accept or approve any of these alternatives, what will your position will be? SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, the President's been clear that - as I said - we don't and will not support a major ground operation in Rafah. And right now our focus is on showing that there're alternatives to that that can deal with the ongoing challenge of Hamas but in a way that doesn't further jeopardize the safety, the security of the lives of innocent people who are caught in this crossfire of Hamas's making. QUESTION: How does - you've always alerted Netanyahu and warned him, and he continue his operations without taking into consideration any of the United States warning. So why now you think that the situation will be different and he will take this into consideration? SECRETARY BLINKEN: We've had many, many clear, direct conversations over these months with Israel. We have a long relationship and friendship with Israel, just as we do with many partners in the Arab world. One of the hallmarks of friendship is the ability - indeed the necessity - to speak directly, to speak clearly, just as we did on Rafah but also as we've done on humanitarian assistance, and as we've continued to do on the need to have an enduring solution, including a resolution with the Palestinians. QUESTION: You said you will discuss - and now you're saying get the right architecture for a lasting regional peace. What's your vision on this architecture? SECRETARY BLINKEN: I think as dark as this moment is, there's also a tremendous opportunity - maybe even a unique opportunity. Because while there have been many efforts to make peace in the past - I was involved in some of them - what's different now is that virtually every country in the region would like to actually integrate Israel, normalize relations for those that haven't, and in effect help Israel provide for its own security. But that requires a resolution to the Palestinian question and particularly a Palestinian state, and, of course, it requires an end to the military operations in Gaza. If that happens, I think there is actually an opening to have something that's enduring, something that's lasting. And it's very hard in the moment for people to focus on that. QUESTION: Yeah, exactly. Do you think it's possible with the actual government in Israel, the extremist one? SECRETARY BLINKEN: We have an Israeli society that is totally traumatized by what happened on October 7th, just as we have a Palestinian population that's traumatized by the suffering in Gaza. So it is hard because there's very little trust on either side. It's something that we'll have to rebuild. But I think as people have a chance to focus on the alternatives - one alternative is this path to finally resolve the Palestinian question, to integrating Israel into the region, to giving it genuine security - that's one path. The other path is an endless cycle of violence, of death, destruction for everyone. And I think as people concentrate on what the choice is, what the alternatives are, then there is an opportunity to move people down that first path. QUESTION: Tomorrow in Cairo is where you will discuss the governance, security, and the aid in post-war Gaza. What's your vision of this? SECRETARY BLINKEN: So this is an - this is a very important question to resolve, because we want to see the conflict come to an end as soon as possible, consistent with Israel's ability to defend itself. When it does, we have to be ready - all of us have to be ready - for what happens with the governance of Gaza, and we would like to see, ultimately, unified governance between Gaza and the West Bank with a revitalized Palestinian Authority in the lead. We have to look at security. You don't want to have a vacuum. We don't want - we've been very clear there can't be an Israeli reoccupation. We can't have Hamas in charge of Gaza. So we have to make sure that there's a plan for security. And there has to be a massive further infusion of humanitarian assistance and development for Gaza so that people can begin to rebuild their lives and rebuild their communities. This is what we've been talking about with our Arab partners starting, really, in January. And one of the focuses of this trip is to look at the work that we've been doing together and to try to carry it forward. QUESTION: How do you see President Abbas, Mahmoud Abbas's decision to appoint a new prime minister? Is it enough for the reforms the U.S. is pressuring the Palestinian Authority to perform? SECRETARY BLINKEN: These are - these decisions on individuals, on people, these are decisions for the Palestinians to make, not for us or for anyone else to make. I think it's very important that the cabinet of the new government that emerges have new faces, younger people - people who are genuinely representative of Gazans, the West Bank, and who are prepared to do the necessary things to really revitalize the Palestinian Authority so that it's better able to deliver for the Palestinian people - more transparency in government, combatting corruption, and then winning the confidence of people. Now, it's also going to be imperative that Israel work with, cooperate with, a new Palestinian Authority because it's going to be very difficult for it to actually deliver results without that. But it does start with, I think, a new - seeing what this new government looks like, the cabinet looks like. That's what we're focused on. QUESTION: On the other hand, there is also calls for Netanyahu to step down for early elections in Israel - this is what Chuck Schumer said, and what President Biden endorsed. Netanyahu, before we entered this room, in an interview said that he's ready and open to do early elections. Do you think he's serious, or he just maneuvering? SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, just as it is for the Palestinians to choose their own leadership, it's for Israelis to do the same thing. It's not our position to do that. And Israelis will have to decide when to have elections. That's up to them. Meanwhile, we're working, as we always have, with the government in Israel right now, and from administration to administration in our country, Democrat or Republican, that's exactly what we've done and what we'll continue to do. QUESTION: The Biden administration was pressuring Israel as well to not to launch its spring offensive against Hizballah and Lebanon. And yesterday a source told Al Arabiya that the administration is not doing this role anymore. What does this mean? SECRETARY BLINKEN: In fact, we're very much engaged in a diplomatic effort to ensure that there is no conflict, there is no deepening of the conflict, spreading of the conflict, including to Lebanon and with Hizballah. And at least it's my judgment that no one involved actually wants that. I don't believe the Israelis actually want that. I don't believe Hizballah wants that. I don't believe - Lebanon certainly doesn't want that. And even Iran, Hizballah's patron, I don't believe wants that. But it's also unfortunately easy sometimes to fall into an unintentional conflict when there's back and forth. But this has to be resolved because in Israel, there are well over 100,000 people who have been displaced from their homes in northern Israel, and they should be able to go back. There are Lebanese in southern Lebanon who've also been displaced from their homes. They should be able to go back. So we need to have a resolution where people can feel confident, feel safe, feel secure, and we have a sustained effort underway to try to reach a diplomatic solution. QUESTION: From Palestine, Israel, to the Red Sea, the United States and the UK were striking the Houthis in Yemen and were having talks in Amman in order to pressure Iran to use its influence over the Houthis to stop attacks in the Red Sea, and this wasn't working. Is the United States also doing any other editorial methods to deter the Houthi? SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, I think you have countries around the world - much of the international community - that condemns what the Houthis are doing: attacking international shipping, jeopardizing commerce that's so vital to people around the world. Thousands of ships have had to reroute. Prices have gone up for everything they're carrying because they have to take longer voyages to get where they're going. Insurance has gone up. And just recently, what did we see? We saw the Houthis actually kill three sailors from - who were on a boat, Filipinos. We saw them sink a ship that created an environmental disaster because oil was spilled, fertilizer was spilled into the sea. We saw them attack ships that were carrying food to Yemen, to the very people that the Houthis purport to represent. So no matter what your views are on Gaza, there's no justification for this ongoing attack on international shipping that's having terrible consequences for people in Yemen and for people around the world. And dozens of countries, including at the United Nations, have spoken up and spoken out about this. So we would like to see Iran exert the influence that it has, because it's the primary supplier to the Houthis of weapons, of information, of technology. We would like to see them tell the Houthis to stop. Meanwhile, we and other countries have no choice but to try to defend the shipping and, as necessary, degrade the assets - the military assets - that the Houthis are using to continue to attack shipping. QUESTION: How are you pressuring Iran to do so? SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, we, as you know, have many differences with Iran in many different areas, and we have a lot of pressure that's imposed on them by us and by many other countries, including through sanctions. But I also don't think it's in Iran's interest to continue to support these Houthi attacks, attacks that, again, are being condemned by countries around the world. The extent to which Iran is seen as being responsible for that - I don't think that's good for Iran, so we hope that it will use the influence it has to put an end to this. QUESTION: Thank you very much, Mr. Secretary, for your time. SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you. Thank you so much. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secretary Blinken's Call with United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan US Department of State Readout Office of the Spokesperson March 20, 2024 The following is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller: Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke today with Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The Secretary emphasized the importance of continued close coordination to address the urgent humanitarian needs in Gaza and promote the protection of civilians. The Secretary thanked the Foreign Minister for the UAE's humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in need and commitment to supporting the maritime corridor to deliver additional aid to Gaza by sea. The Secretary and Foreign Minister also discussed efforts to secure a ceasefire of at least six weeks in Gaza as part of an agreement for the release of all hostages. The Secretary underscored the U.S. commitment to achieving sustained peace through the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with security guarantees for Israel. The Secretary and Foreign Minister affirmed our shared commitment to building a more secure and prosperous region and deepening the strategic partnership between the United States and the United Arab Emirates. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address United States to Provide Additional Humanitarian Assistance to Sudanese People and Host Communities US Department of State Press Statement Matthew Miller, Department Spokesperson March 20, 2024 Today, the United States, represented by Assistant Secretary for Population, Refugees, and Migration Julieta Valls Noyes, met with Chadian Prime Minister Succes Masra and announced more than $47 million in humanitarian assistance for the emergency response in Sudan and neighboring countries, including Chad and South Sudan. Sudan is the largest humanitarian crisis in the world, with more than eight million people newly displaced since the conflict began last April, and nearly 25 million people - half of Sudan's population - needing aid, according to the United Nations. This includes more than one million Sudanese refugees who have fled to neighboring countries, including Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and the Central African Republic. Through the generosity of the American people, this U.S. humanitarian assistance provides critical life-saving assistance including food, water and sanitation facilities, shelter, medical services including mental health support, and protection to Sudanese fleeing the conflict. This announcement brings total U.S. humanitarian assistance for people in Sudan and neighboring countries to more than $968 million since FY 2023. The United States will continue to work with international and local partners to provide life-saving support to the millions of people affected by the devastating conflict in Sudan. The United States is the leading humanitarian donor to the Sudan emergency response and calls on the international community to help alleviate the suffering of over one million refugees forced to flee their homes due to violence. The United States urges the parties to the Sudan conflict to allow unhindered humanitarian access including both cross-line and cross-border, engage in direct talks, agree to a ceasefire, and end hostilities immediately. Preventing a famine and long-term catastrophe will require both a ceasefire and unhindered humanitarian access. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Congratulations to Indonesian President-Elect Subianto US Department of State Press Statement Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State March 20, 2024 We extend our sincere congratulations to Indonesian President-elect Prabowo Subianto on his victory and once again applaud the Indonesian people for their robust turnout and commitment to democracy and the rule of law. The United States and Indonesia are celebrating 75 years of our diplomatic relationship grounded in democracy and pluralism. As close partners and friends under our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, we are working hand-in-hand to deliver a better future for our citizens. We look forward to partnering closely with President-elect Subianto and his Administration when they take office in October. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Officials, scholars hail BRI's role in promoting development in Ethiopia Xinhua) 13:09, March 21, 2024 People pose for a group photo at a BRI-themed symposium in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on March 20, 2024. Officials and scholars from Ethiopia and China on Wednesday praised the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) for its significant role in promoting socioeconomic development in Ethiopia and beyond. (Xinhua/Liu Fangqiang) ADDIS ABABA, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Officials and scholars from Ethiopia and China on Wednesday praised the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) for its significant role in promoting socioeconomic development in Ethiopia and beyond. They made the remarks at a BRI-themed symposium held in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa, attended by about 50 senior Ethiopian and Chinese officials, former Ethiopian students who had studied in China, as well as academia and other stakeholders. Gebeyehu Ganga, director-general of the Middle East, Asia and Pacific Affairs at the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, highlighted the evolution of the BRI since its inception in 2013 into a global platform for open, inclusive, and mutually beneficial international cooperation. "As we enter its second decade, the BRI continues to drive socioeconomic development in participating countries, including Ethiopia. Ethiopia, as a gateway to Africa, stands as a pioneer in China-Africa cooperation, serving as a vital connecting hub on the continent and a steadfast partner of China in promoting collaboration through common platforms," he said. Ganga pointed out the tangible benefits of BRI infrastructure and connectivity projects in Ethiopia, particularly citing the Ethiopia-Djibouti standard gauge railway line, which has significantly improved Ethiopia's import-export channels. He said the BRI played an important role in catalyzing Ethiopia's development aspirations by supporting the establishment of industrial parks and laying the groundwork for the growth of manufacturing industries in the East African country. "In the realm of people-to-people exchanges, a cornerstone of the BRI, China has been instrumental in supporting Ethiopia's educational and cultural development. Scholarships offered by the Chinese government underscore the depth of cooperation between our two nations," Ganga added. The symposium reflected on the achievements of the BRI over the past decade and discussed strategies for advancing a high-quality and more innovative BRI agenda in the future, aiming to foster practical and beneficial development towards a community of shared future between the two countries. Xu Jianping, director-general of the Department of Regional Opening-up at the National Development and Reform Commission of China, emphasized the results of cooperation with China under the BRI in Ethiopia. He reiterated China's commitment to implementing high-quality BRI cooperation as the initiative enters its second decade. The symposium was held at the headquarters of China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) Ethiopia, a company that has undertaken various BRI projects in Ethiopia, including the Ethiopia-Djibouti railway, Hawassa Industrial Park, and the headquarters of the Africa CDC. Wu Jiuyi, a representative from CCECC, expressed gratitude for the support received from the Ethiopian government and expressed a desire to make even greater contributions to the country by building more infrastructure and employing more locals. Experts and policymakers attending the symposium emphasized the paramount importance of the BRI in advancing Sino-Ethiopian cooperation and development. They called for further enhancing high-quality BRI cooperation between China and Ethiopia as part of the BRI's second-decade implementation. The participants highlighted that the symposium presented an opportune moment to capitalize on the enduring ties between China and Ethiopia, especially following the elevation of their bilateral relations to an all-weather strategic partnership in October last year. Gebeyehu Ganga, director-general of the Middle East, Asia and Pacific Affairs at the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, speaks at a BRI-themed symposium in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on March 20, 2024. Officials and scholars from Ethiopia and China on Wednesday praised the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) for its significant role in promoting socioeconomic development in Ethiopia and beyond. (Photo by Zheng Lihao/Xinhua) Officials and scholars from Ethiopia and China attend a BRI-themed symposium in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on March 20, 2024. Officials and scholars from Ethiopia and China on Wednesday praised the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) for its significant role in promoting socioeconomic development in Ethiopia and beyond. (Xinhua/Liu Fangqiang) Photo taken on March 20, 2024 shows Vaughan Gething (C, Front) in the Senedd, the Welsh parliament, in Cardiff, Wales, Britain. Vaughan Gething was confirmed as Wales' new first minister by the Welsh parliament on Wednesday. (Welsh Parliament/Handout via Xinhua) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Troika statement on South Sudan Elections 2024 The Troika (Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States) have reaffirmed their call for peaceful elections in South Sudan. 20 March 2024 Following recent senior-level visits from our capitals to Juba, the Governments of Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States reaffirm our call for South Sudan's leaders to urgently take steps necessary to ensure genuine and peaceful elections in December. This process should address the ten questions posed by the trilateral mechanism (United Nations, African Union and The Intergovernmental Authority on Development). Not taking these critical steps and so not allowing elections would be a collective failure on the part of South Sudan's leaders. We further urge the transitional government to use public revenue in a transparent manner to address public needs, including funding and operationalisation of electoral institutions. Our relationship with South Sudan remains based on our conviction that the South Sudanese people deserve peace, human rights, democracy, and a government that is responsive to the needs of its citizens. We look to South Sudan's leaders to demonstrate that they share these values by honouring their own commitments to their people. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Largest UK aid delivery enters Gaza to feed 275,000 people UK funding to World Food Programme supports major aid delivery in Gaza via Jordanian land corridor. 20 March 2024 Thank you, Mr. Vice-President. The UK's largest delivery of aid to Gaza has crossed the border and is being distributed by the United Nations to families in need, the Foreign Secretary has confirmed. More than 2,000 tonnes of food aid, funded by the government, is being distributed by the World Food Programme (WFP) on the ground. This adds to the 150 tonnes of UK funded relief items including blankets and tents, which arrived last Wednesday 13 March, and will be distributed by UNICEF. A full UK field hospital run by UK-Med has also arrived in Gaza and is now operational and providing life-saving care. The delivery includes fortified wheat flour for use in bakeries, hot meals and well as ready-to-eat (RTE) food parcels. The food parcels will be used to feed more than 275,000 people in Gaza. Each food parcel is designed for family of 5 and consists of canned vegetables, meat and fish, and date bars. The parcel can meet half of the daily calorie needs of the family for 15 days. This comes in the week that a report from Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) warned that famine is imminent in the northern Gaza Strip and the south faces a risk of famine if conditions continue to worsen. Foreign Secretary David Cameron said: It's crucial that we keep the flow of aid moving into Gaza to end the suffering, and that's why this latest delivery of aid by WFP is so vitally important. The IPC's report warns of imminent famine. We need sustained humanitarian access by road to get more aid in. We continue to push Israel to allow more crossings to open and for longer, and for healthcare, water and sanitation to be restored. The latest delivery was again facilitated by Jordan, who have been instrumental in supporting the UK's humanitarian response. Since the opening of the corridor in December 2023, the Government of Jordan, with the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization, has worked to ensure the passage of almost 600 trucks of humanitarian assistance into Gaza carrying 8,000 tonnes of relief and food items. Humanitarian assistance from 10 different international aid agencies - including from UK partners WFP and UNICEF - has reached Gaza. The UK is committed to ensuring aid reaches those who need it most, as Palestinians continue to face a devastating and growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The Foreign Secretary has been clear that Israel must increase capacity to safely distribute aid within Gaza. This includes opening a land crossing in the north and issuing more visas to UN staff who are capable of delivering aid when it arrives in Gaza. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Gaza: Less than 1 in 2 UN aid missions allowed into northern zones this month 20 March 2024 - Less than half of the UN aid convoys planned for Gaza's hunger-ravaged north have made it so far this month, despite repeated appeals from the international community to ramp up relief to more than one million people on the brink of starvation, UN humanitarians said on Wednesday. In its latest update, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), said that the first two weeks of March saw just 11 out of 24 missions "facilitated" by Israeli authorities. "The rest were either denied or postponed," OCHA continued, noting that five convoys were refused entry and eight were postponed. "Facilitated missions primarily involved food distributions, nutrition and health assessments, and the delivery of supplies to hospitals," OCHA said, repeating warnings that "humanitarian access constraints" continue to "severely affect the timely delivery of life-saving assistance, particularly to hundreds of thousands of people in northern Gaza". Echoing those calls on Wednesday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged the Israeli authorities "to ensure complete and unfettered access for humanitarian goods throughout Gaza and for the international community to fully support our humanitarian efforts". Speaking from Brussels where he is holding meetings with European Union representatives, the UN chief also repeated his call to "keep doing everything to stop the killing, reach an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and secure the unconditional release of the hostages". Wadi Gaza gateway Dispatching aid to the north of Gaza requires "day-to-day approvals" from the Israeli authorities, OCHA explained, but despite all efforts to coordinate the process, "truck convoys are frequently turned back, even after long waits at the Wadi Gaza checkpoint", which is the gateway to the north of the enclave. Aid convoys have also become the focus of "desperate people", OCHA continued, "either at the checkpoint or along the difficult route north when they do get through. The only way to prevent this is to ensure that enough aid can be delivered on a reliable basis." During the same two-week period in March, Israeli authorities granted access to three in four relief missions to areas south of Wadi Gaza (78 out of 103), with 15 denied and 10 "postponed or withdrawn", according to OCHA. Famine closing in All the while "famine is imminent" in parts of the enclave, warned the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNWRA, amid reports overnight that 24 people died in an aid convoy attack in the north of Gaza City. "(On) average, 159 aid trucks per day crossed into the Gaza Strip so far in March. This is well below the needs," UNRWA said in a post on X, formerly Twitter. A ceasefire and the release of all remaining hostages remains the only way to ensure that sufficient aid reaches Gaza by land - and far more effective than airdrops or shipments by sea - aid officials have long insisted. To that end, talks entered a third day in Qatar on Wednesday between delegations including Israel, the U.S. and Egypt, media reports indicated. Latest information from the enclave's health authority indicates that the death toll since 7 October has risen to 31,923 with 74,096 people wounded. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Afghan Schools Reopen, Girls Banned For 3rd Consecutive Year By Ayaz Gul March 20, 2024 Schools in Afghanistan reopened Wednesday for the new academic year, but the fundamentalist Taliban government prohibited teenage girls from joining secondary-level classes for a third year in a row. In a statement marking the new school year, the Taliban Ministry of Education asked teachers and students to follow "Islamic principles in their appearance" and avoid clothing that is against "Islam and Afghan customs." However, it did not address the closure of secondary schools for girls. The Taliban have suspended girls' education beyond the sixth grade and barred many Afghan women from public and private workplaces. Afghan female aid workers have also been prohibited from working for the United Nations and other aid organizations. The hardline former Afghan insurgents stormed back to power in mid-2021 when U.S.-led foreign forces withdrew from the country after 20 years of involvement in the war with the Taliban. The Taliban government has since reimposed its strict interpretation of Islamic law to govern the war-torn, impoverished South Asian nation. It has rejected international calls for lifting restrictions on women as interference in internal Afghan affairs. The de facto Afghan rulers defend the ban, insisting they are working on establishing a female education system that aligns with "Islamic principles" and local culture. U.N. human rights experts have decried restrictions on Afghan women as "gender apartheid" and called for reversing them immediately. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, or UNAMA, renewed its call Wednesday for the Taliban to end what it called an "unjustifiable" ban on girls' education. "As #Afghanistan's new school year begins, it is now more than 900 days since girls aged 12+ have been barred from attending school & university," the mission said on social media platform X. "UNAMA urges the de facto authorities to end this unjustifiable and damaging ban. Education for all is essential for peace & prosperity," it wrote. The U.N. has turned down Taliban requests to let them represent Afghanistan at the world body, citing restrictions on women. No foreign country has formally recognized the rulers in Kabul primarily over human rights concerns. Vedant Patel, the U.S. State Department principal deputy spokesman, reiterated Tuesday that "the so-called Taliban government" should prioritize and address the issue of women's rights before stating their desire for international recognition. "The fair treatment of Afghan women and girls continues to be one of our highest priorities when it comes to our engagements on policy as it relates to Afghanistan," Patel told reporters in Washington. "The fact that this is another year in which Afghan women and girls don't have access to these kinds of schools, it's heartbreaking, and it's troubling," he added. Meanwhile, Taliban authorities say there are no restrictions on girls' education in their religious schools known as madrasas. "Principally, there is no difference between a school and a madrasa," an official at the Taliban Ministry of Education told VOA last week. He asked for anonymity because the Taliban have banned their members from speaking to VOA. "If the purpose is education, it can be attained as much in madrasas as in schools, so there should be no insistence only on schools," the official asserted. However, the U.N. and human rights activists worry that religious seminaries, largely focused on Islamic studies, cannot fully replace traditional schools that deal with diverse subjects. "I am concerned that the quality of education in these institutions does not adequately prepare girls or boys for higher-level education and professional training to join an effective workforce in the future," U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a report to the Security Council this month. The U.N. report documented more than 7,000 registered madrasas in Afghanistan, with nearly 400 designated for girls, where Taliban officials say there are no age restrictions for female students. "Recruitment of madrasa teachers continued following the promulgation in July 2023 of the Taliban leader's decree mandating the recruitment of 100,000 new madrasa teachers by the end of 2023," Guterres said in his report. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Evacuates Americans From Haiti to Dominican Republic By VOA News March 20, 2024 The United States said Wednesday it is evacuating more Americans from Haiti as the impoverished Caribbean country is consumed with violence. The U.S. chartered helicopters to take its citizens from the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince, which has been largely overtaken by armed gangs, to the neighboring Dominican Republic, State Department spokesman Vedant Patel said. Haiti and the Dominican Republic each occupy half of the island of Hispaniola. "We do expect these helicopter movements to make multiple trips in order to try and get as many American citizens as we can today," Patel told reporters. He did not disclose the timing of the evacuation flights or the number of Americans expected to leave Haiti, citing concerns about operational security. The State Department will evaluate later whether to send more helicopters in the coming days, he said. Patel said U.S. government personnel will offer consular services to the Americans arriving in the Dominican Republic's capital, Santo Domingo, but they then will need to arrange their own travel back to the United States, Patel said. The U.S. carried out another evacuation operation on Sunday when it flew 30 citizens to Florida on a chartered plane from the northern Haitian city of Cap-Haitien, which has been comparatively unscathed by gang violence. Much of Haiti in recent weeks has descended into virtual anarchy after years of intersecting political, security and health crises. The United States joined Caribbean leaders last week in pushing through a plan that will see the prime minister replaced by a transitional council ahead of the expected arrival of a Kenya-led security force. Some material in this report came from Agence France-Presse. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Cameroon's Opposition Says It Won't Stop Efforts to Oust Biya Despite Threats By Moki Edwin Kindzeka March 20, 2024 The Cameroon government has threatened to arrest members of two opposition parties, accusing them of seeking to create coalitions and alliances for a transitional government to oust 90-year-old President Paul Biya, who has been in power for more than four decades. Territorial Administration Minister Paul Atanga Nji last week ordered an end to activities of the Political Alliance for Change and the Alliance for Political Transition in Cameroon. Nji said that only legally recognized political parties have the right to exercise political activities in Cameroon and that people who join the two illegal alliances would be arrested. Cameroon opposition and civil society groups say the recent ban on activities of the two alliances is another indication that Cameroon disrespects democracy and fundamental rights to freedoms. Roger Justin Noah, a spokesperson for the opposition Cameroon Renaissance Movement, said the opposition will not be intimidated by government officials and Biya supporters. Rather, he said, it is the Cameroon government that has become nervous about the growing popularity of opposition leader Maurice Kamto after more than 30 civil society and opposition groups joined the Political Alliance for Change that Kamto leads. Kamto claims that he won the October 2018 presidential election and that Biya stole his victory. Noah said the Political Alliance for Change is encouraging Cameroonians unhappy with Biya's rule of 40-plus years to register to vote in the 2025 presidential polls, be ready to defend their votes and report any incidents of fraud or irregularities. Opposition parties say the Cameroon government is exhibiting bad faith by banning opposition coalitions but allowing other parties to gather support for Biya's ruling Cameroon People's Democratic Movement. Rene Emmanuel Sadi, Cameroon's communication minister and government spokesperson, said there is no reason for some opposition parties to create alliances for a political transition when state institutions are fully functioning and Biya is indisputably exercising his functions as president. Sadi, who spoke in an interview broadcast by Cameroon state radio CRTV this week and the international media organ RFI several times within the past seven days, said the opposition is trying to pressure Biya to declare whether he will be a candidate in 2025. Sadi said Biya will announce his decision in 2025, shortly before the election. The government also threatened to arrest members of the alliances who the government says visited jailed rebel leaders to negotiate an end to a separatist crisis that has killed over 6,000 people in Cameroon's English-speaking Northwest and Southwest regions. The separatists say they want to create an independent English-speaking state separate from the French-speaking majority. Cameroon's opposition accuses the Biya government of using excessive military force instead of negotiations and dialogue to solve what the opposition says is a political crisis in English-speaking regions. Biya is Africa's second-longest serving leader, after the president of Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, who has been in power since 1979. Biya was Cameroon's prime minister and became president in 1982 after his predecessor, Cameroon's first president following the country's independence from France, stepped down due to health. Cameroon's opposition and civil society say Biya rules with an iron fist and is not ready to relinquish power until he dies, a claim Biya's supporters deny. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong Resigns After Just Over a Year By VOA News March 20, 2024 President Vo Van Thuong of Vietnam has resigned after one year in the post. The ruling Communist Party issued a statement Wednesday announcing Thuong's resignation, citing "shortcomings" it says led to violations of rules that hurt the reputation of himself and the party. Thuong succeeded Nguyen Xuan Phuc, who resigned last March amid a massive anti-corruption drive launched by the party's General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, known as Blazing Furnace. The drive has led to the arrests of thousands of government officials and business leaders in recent years. Real estate tycoon Truong My Lan went on trial in Ho Chi Minh City on charges she embezzled $12.5 billion from a Saigon-based bank between 2012 and 2022. Lan, who controlled a majority stake in SCB, allegedly embezzled the money by arranging fake loans to numerous shell companies. Another 85 people are being prosecuted in connection with the case, including Lan's husband, a wealthy Hong Kong businessman, and several former bank executives and government officials. One ex-government official on trial is accused of receiving $5.2 million in bribes. Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Reuters, Agence France-Presse. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Remarks as delivered by Carl Skau, WFP Deputy Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer at the Security Council session: Protection of civilians in armed conflict World Food Programme 20 March 2024 Thank you, Mr. President, thank you for this opportunity to brief the Council on the rapidly worsening food security situation in Sudan and the profound regional implications of this crisis. Since the conflict broke out last year, hunger and acute malnutrition have soared. As the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) just pointed out, there is a real, and growing risk, that the violence in Sudan will soon create the world's largest hunger crisis. Across the region, nearly 28 million people face acute food insecurity with 18 million in Sudan, 7 million in South Sudan, and nearly 3 million in Chad. Within Sudan, WFP has been working day and night to meet the massive humanitarian needs, with our team risking their own lives and safety to help others. Last year, we assisted nearly 8 million people. But our emergency relief operation is being severely hampered: by a lack of access and a lack of resources. Currently, 90 percent of the people in IPC Phase 4, who urgently need lifesaving food assistance, are trapped in areas that are largely inaccessible to humanitarian agencies. These include conflict hotspots such as Khartoum; Gezira State; the Kordofans; and the Darfur States. Our efforts to reach these civilians are challenged by the relentless violence, and by interference from the warring parties. And bureaucratic obstacles are further shrinking the space for humanitarians to operate. We welcome the recent announcement by the authorities in Port Sudan that will allow WFP to resume cross-border aid deliveries from Chad and open a new corridor from South Sudan. WFP's inability to move aid in since permissions were revoked has impeded our plan to reach about one million people each month across Darfur. But more border crossings must also reopen to get aid into the greater Darfur region, which has recorded some of the highest rates of hunger and malnutrition. And cross-border operations are not the only solution, as they are considerably more expensive and time-consuming. Within Sudan, we also need access across conflict lines, as a more cost-effective and efficient way to scale up our operations. We are also deeply concerned that hunger will spike even higher in the weeks ahead, when Sudan's lean season arrives in May. Without sustained access and resources needed to scale up our responses, there is a high risk we will see IPC level 5 or catastrophic food insecurity. If we are going to prevent Sudan from becoming the world's largest hunger crisis, coordinated efforts and joined up diplomacy are urgent and critical. We need all parties to provide unrestricted access: across borders, and across conflict lines. Mr. President: this conflict has turned Sudan into the world's worst displacement crisis, scattering over 8 million people internally and across Sudan's borders, sparking wider regional destabilization. Nearly 2 million people have fled into neighboring countries to escape the bloodshed - and thousands more are expected to follow this year. This is putting mounting pressure on Chad and South Sudan, which are already grappling with dangerous levels of food insecurity. And humanitarian agencies are being forced to make harsh choices for an already underfunded, and overstretched, humanitarian operation. In South Sudan, due to lack of funds, 3 million acutely hungry people are receiving no assistance from WFP, and those we are able to help, are receiving reduced rations. Similarly, in Chad, WFP will have to end all its support to the 1.2 million refugees in the country and nearly 3 million acutely hungry Chadians. All this is happening as we enter the peak of the lean season. WFP's ability to pre-position supplies in the east of Chad, before the rains arrive in June, is also being threatened by resource constraints. Mr. President, rising hunger will only stoke instability across this region of Africa. The international community needs to rapidly increase support for our emergency relief operations - financially and politically. Diplomatic efforts are needed to secure humanitarian access to the cut-off populations in Sudan now threatened by starvation. And, fundamentally, this forgotten crisis requires political solutions to halt the fighting that is tearing the country apart. We are running out of time. And we look now to this Council to step up its commitments under Resolution 2417, taking urgent actions to avert a hunger catastrophe in Sudan and in the border region, alleviating suffering and saving the lives of the desperate civilians that are stuck in this inferno of fighting and hunger. I thank you Mr. President. END NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Blinken Holding Egypt Talks Seeking Gaza Cease-Fire, Humanitarian Aid By VOA News March 21, 2024 U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken holds talks Thursday in Egypt focused on efforts to secure a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war, gain release of hostages held in Gaza and move more humanitarian aid into Gaza to help Palestinian civilians who are badly in need of assistance. Blinken's schedule includes separate meetings with Egyptian officials, and with representatives from Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Multiple countries have been involved in weeks of talks trying to come up with a proposal acceptable to both Israel and the Hamas militant group. Blinken will update Israeli leaders about the latest developments when he travels to Israel for talks on Friday. In Israel, Blinken will "discuss the need to ensure the defeat of Hamas, including in Rafah, in a way that protects the civilian population, does not hinder the delivery of humanitarian assistance, and advances Israel's overall security," according to a statement from the U.S. State Department. The U.S. has raised opposition to Israel's plan to carry out a ground offensive in Rafah, located along the Gaza-Egypt border, which Israel says is necessary to achieve its goal of defeating Hamas and ensuring the group cannot carry out another attack like the October 7 assault on Israel. More than a million Palestinians are sheltering in Rafah, many of them after fleeing other parts of Gaza to try to find safety amid the war. The Pentagon said U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin discussed the need to "consider alternatives to a major ground operation in Rafah," as he spoke Wednesday with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Austin told Gallant the United States shares the goal of defeating Hamas, the Pentagon said in a statement. The defense ministers also spoke about the need to protect civilians and "urgently increase the flow of aid into Gaza through land crossings." Aside from the number of people killed in the war 1,200 in the shock October 7 Hamas attack on Israel and nearly 32,000 in Israel's subsequent counteroffensive in Gaza the delivery of humanitarian aid into the war zone to help famished Palestinians has become one of the most contentious points of conflict between Israel and its Western allies. The United States has conducted several rounds of air drops of aid into Gaza, and efforts are in progress to make deliveries by sea. International aid organizations have highlighted the difficulty of getting aid into Gaza through limited ground crossings and a lack of access to many areas of Gaza due to the ongoing violence and the devastation left behind by the war. Blinken began his visit to the region in Saudi Arabia, where he met Wednesday with Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman and Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan. Blinken and his Saudi counterpart "discussed the urgent need to protect all civilians in Gaza and immediately increase humanitarian assistance to those in need," the State Department said. The Saudis announced a $40 million donation to the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees to support its "humanitarian relief efforts in the Gaza Strip." Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russo-Ukraine War - 20 March 2024 - Day 755 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 Russian military doctrine places high emphasis on the use of camouflage and deception techniques (often known as maskirovka) to enhance the survivability of Russian forces, as well as conceal their operational intent. The lack of effective employment of maskirovka was one of Russia's key operational failures in the early phases of the invasion of Ukraine. Russian forces have highly likely been making efforts to increase and improve their employment of maskirovka techniques to mitigate the heavy losses sustained over the past two years in both the Black Sea Fleet and Aerospace Forces. At Russian air bases, maskirovka applications include decoy dummy models of aircraft and tyres on wings of planes. According to reports there are also painted silhouettes of airframes at nine Russian air bases. In the maritime domain, vessels of the Black Sea Fleet have black paint on the bow and stern, likely to make their warships appear smaller and a less appealing target. Silhouettes of vessels have also been painted on the side of quays, probably to confuse Ukrainian uncrewed aerial vehicle operators. Despite these attempts at concealment, Russian aircraft are still vulnerable to conventional shootdowns while in the air and Russian vessels are still vulnerable whilst on operations in the Black Sea. It is unlikely that the use of maskirovka techniques will lead to any significant reduction in losses. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that on March 20, there were 67x tactical engagements. Russian forces launched a total of 2x missile and 54x air strikes, 41x MLRS attacks on positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. Unfortunately, the Russian attacks have killed and wounded civilians. Residential apartment blocks and private houses got destroyed and damaged. Volyn and Polissya axes: no significant changes. No signs of formation of an offensive group. Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna axes: Russia maintains its military presence in the russian areas bordering Ukraine. Russian troops conduct subversion in order to prevent the deployment of Ukrainian troops to threatened axes. Russian forces continues shelling of Ukrainian settlements from the territory of Russia and increases the concentration of mining operations along the state border of Ukraine. The Russian adversary launched air strikes in the vicinities of Hrytsenkove, Popivka, Velyka Pysarivka (Sumy oblast), Oleksandrivka, Kozacha Lopan', Veterynarne (Kharkiv oblast). More than 20x settlements came under Russian artillery and mortar fire, including Sen'kivka, Klyusy, Prohres, Hrem'yach (Chernihiv oblast), Volfyne, Myropillya, Ponomarenky (Sumy oblast), Hatyshche, Vovchans'k, Budarky, Ambarne (Kharkiv oblast). Kup'yans'k axis: Russian forces did not conduct any offensive operations. The adversary launched air strikes in the vicinity of Ivanivka (Donetsk oblast). The Russian invaders fired artillery and mortars at more than 10x settlements, including Dvorichna, Syn'kivka, Petropavlivka, Berestove (Kharkiv oblast). Lyman axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 10x assaults in the vicinities of Bilohorivka, Zolotarivka (Luhansk oblast), Yampolivka, Terny, Rozdolivka, Vesele (Donetsk oblast), where the Russian enemy, using air attacks, made attempts to breach Ukrainian defense. Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Sviato-Pokrovs'ke, Sivers'k, Kolodyazi, Vesele, Lyman (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 15x settlements, including Serebryans'ke forestry, Nevs'ke, Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Tors'ke, Verkhn'okam'yans'ke, Spirne (Donetsk oblast). Bakhmut axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 5x attacks in the vicinities of Bohdanivka, Ivanivske, Klishchiivka (Donetsk oblast). Around 10x settlements came under artillery and mortar fire, including Mykolaivka, Vasyukivka, New York (Donetsk oblast). Avdiivka axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 11x attacks in the vicinities of Berdychi, Semenivka, Tonen'ke, Pervomais'ke, Netailove, Nevel's'ke (Donetsk oblast). The Russian occupiers launched air strikes in the vicinity of Ocheretyne (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 20x settlements, including Prohres, Zhelanne, Novohrodivka, Umans'ke (Donetsk oblast). Novopavlivka axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to block Russian forces near Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka, Novomykhailivka, Vodyane, Urozhaine (Donetsk oblast). In that area, Russian forces, using air attacks, made 18x attempts to breach Ukrainian defense. The Russian adversary launched air strikes in the vicinities of Urozhaine, Maksymivka, Dokuchajevs'k, Novomykhailivka, Vodyane (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 20x settlements, including Krasnohorivka, Berestky, Katerynivka, Blahodatne (Donetsk oblast). Orikhiv axis: Russian forces, with air support, conducted 5x attacks on positions of Ukrainian defenders in the vicinities of Staromaiors'ke (Donetsk oblast) and Robotyne (Zaporizhzhia oblast). Russian forces launched an air strike in the vicinity of Novodarivka (Zaporizhzhia oblast). Around 15x settlements, including Hulyaipole, Mala Tokmachka, Robotyne, Huliaipilske (Zaporizhzhia oblast), were under Russian artillery and mortar fire. Kherson axis: Russian forces executed 3x assaults on positions of Ukrainian defenders on the left bank of the Dnipro. More than 10x settlements, including L'vove, Tyahynka, Ivanivka, Novotyahynka, Tokarivka (Kherson oblast), were under Russian artillery and mortar fire. On March 20, the Ukrainian Air Force launched air strikes on 10x concentrations of Russian troops, weapons and military equipment. The Ukrainian Missile Forces hit 1x ammunition depot of the Russian invaders. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that in Kupyansk direction, units of the Zapad Group of Forces improved the situation along the front line and defeated the enemy near Sinkovka, Kislovka, Yagodnoye, and Timkovka (Kharkov region). Two counter-attacks launched by assault groups of the 18th Ukrainian National Guard Brigade were repelled near Terny (Donetsk People's Republic). The AFU losses amounted to up to 85 Ukrainian servicemen, three motor vehicles, and one U.S.-made M777 artillery system. In Belgorod direction, Russian units fully mopped up Kozinka of the rest of Ukrainian militants and continued to carry out activities to prevent sabotage and reconnaissance groups of the Armed Forces of Ukraine from entering the border area. As a result of air strikes and artillery fire, the enemy lost up to 650 militants, two armoured fighting vehicles, and two Czech-made Vampire MLRS combat vehicles. In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces took more advantageous lines and positions as well as defeated units of the 79th Air Assault and 46th Airmobile Brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine near Krasnoye, Andreyevka, Kleshcheyevka, Novomikhailovka, and Georgiyevka (Donetsk People's Republic). One counter-attack launched by units of the AFU 81st Airmobile Brigade was repelled near Belogorovka (Lugansk People's Republic). The AFU losses amounted to up to 420 Ukrainian troops, one tank, two armoured fighting vehicles, and eight motor vehicles. In course of counter-battery warfare, one D-20 howitzer, one U.S.-made M119 and one UK-made L119 howitzers, one Grad MLRS, one S-300 air defence system, one U.S.-made AN/TPQ-50 counter-battery warfare radar station, two Anklav-N electronic warfare stations, one Strela-10 anti-aircraft missile system, as well as four field ammunition depots. In Avdeyevka direction, the Tsentr Group of Forces' units inflicted fire damage on the enemy and improved the situation along the front line. Seven counter-attacks of the AFU 47th, 53rd mechanised, 59th motorised rifle, and 3rd assault brigades were repelled close to Novogorodskoye, Pervomayskoye, Tonenkoye, Vodyanoye, and Berdychi (Donetsk People's Republic). The AFU losses amounted to up to 395 Ukrainian servicemen, four armoured fighting vehicles, 16 motor vehicles, one Akatsiya self-propelled artillery system, and one MT-12 Rapira anti-tank gun. In South Donetsk direction, the Vostok Group of Forces' units improved their tactical position and inflicted fire damage on the AFU units near Vodyanoye, Pavlovka, Urozhaynoye, and Staromayorskoye (Donetsk People's Republic). The AFU losses amounted to up to 110 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, three pickup trucks, two Polish-made Krab self-propelled artillery systems, as well as one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system. ?? In Kherson direction, the units of the Dnepr Group of Forces inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware of the AFU 28th Mechanised, 128th Mountain Assault brigades, and 126th Territorial Defence Brigade near Kopani, Mirnoye (Zaporozhye region) and Ivanovka (Kherson region). The AFU losses amounted to up to 65 Ukrainian servicemen, seven motor vehicles, one U.S.-made Paladin self-propelled artillery system, and one D-20 howitzer. Operational-Tactical Aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, and Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces have been eliminated: a fuel depot for military equipment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Grad MLRS combat and transport-loading vehicles, as well as AFU manpower and military hardware in 121 areas have been eliminated. Air defence systems have shot down 145 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles, 22 projectiles the U.S.-manufactured HIMARS and Czech-made Vampire MLRS systems, the Tochka-U tactical missile, one missile of the S-200 converted to surface-to-ground system, as well as one U.S.-made Patriot anti-aircraft missile. ?? In total, 577 airplanes and 270 helicopters, 16,280 unmanned aerial vehicles, 487 air defence missile systems, 15,545 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,248 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 8,467 field artillery guns and mortars, as well as 19,998 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The Supreme Court The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed pleas seeking to stay fresh appointments to the Election Commission of India (ECI), made under the legislation which excludes the Chief Justice of India (CJI) from the process of appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and the other Election Commissioners. Applications are dismissed. Reasons to follow, said a Bench presided over by Justice Sanjiv Khanna. The Bench, also comprising Justice Dipankar Datta, was hearing the interlocutory applications seeking to restrain the Centre from filling the vacancies in the poll panel in accordance with the Chief Election Commissioner and the other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023. Last week, the Union government issued the notification for the appointment of former bureaucrats Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu as Election Commissioners. The decision comes days after the resignation of Election Commissioner Arun Goel ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. The other Election Commissioner, Anup Chandra Pandey retired in February this year. Several PILs were filed challenging the constitutional validity of the legislation introduced by the Parliament providing that the CEC and the ECs will be appointed by the President on the recommendation of a Selection Committee consisting of the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition (or the largest Opposition party) in the Lok Sabha, and a Union Cabinet Minister to be nominated by the PM. Earlier in March 2023, the Constitution Bench judgment required the appointment to be done by the President on the advice of a panel comprising the Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition and the CJI. UN Human Rights Council 55: UK Statement on situation of human rights in Belarus Statement for the Interactive Dialogue on the High Commissioner's report on situation of human rights in Belarus. Delivered by the UK's Human Rights Ambassador, Rita French. 20 March 2024 Thank you, Mr President. High Commissioner, thank you for your report highlighting the ever-worsening human rights situation in Belarus. Since the fraudulent 2020 presidential elections, the international community has witnessed Lukashenko's regime commit gross human rights violations, including arbitrary detentions, violence, and intimidation against its own people. This repression continues to intensify, as seen through the recent raids targeting the families of political prisoners. The UK condemns this widespread systemic oppression and the appalling treatment of over 1400 political prisoners, many of whom are held in inhumane conditions. We were horrified by the recent tragic deaths in detention of Ihar Lednik and Vadzim Khrasko. We continue to call upon Belarus to immediately release all political prisoners. The UK continues to work to hold the regime accountable, including through the International Accountability Platform for Belarus. In December 2023, we sanctioned 17 members of the Belarusian judiciary for their involvement in the repression of civil society or democratic opposition in Belarus. High Commissioner, how can we support civil society actors working on human rights in Belarus? NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 'Currently unsafe to return' to Belarus, Human Rights Council hears 20 March 2024 - With the number of political prisoners growing and a shutdown of civic space, people in Belarus are being deprived of their rights to freedom of expression, assembly and more, a new UN human rights report presented on Wednesday has revealed. Focusing on developments in 2023, the report builds on previous findings in the aftermath of large public protests which erupted in 2020 following a disputed presidential poll. Despite a lack of cooperation from Belarusian authorities, the UN human rights office (OHCHR) said evidence gathered shows that the scale and pattern of violations has continued. "The Office has found that the cumulative effect of violations of freedom of expression, association and assembly since 1 May 2020 has closed independent civic space and effectively deprived people in Belarus of their ability to exercise these rights", said Christian Salazar Volkmann, Director of Field Operations and Technical Cooperation at OHCHR, briefing the Human Rights Council. Opposition blocked He noted that no opposition party could even register for the parliamentary election held last month, raising concerns as Belarus approaches new presidential elections next year. Laws adopted or amended since 2021 have led to the oppression and punishment of opposition voices while several prominent human rights defenders, journalists, and trade unionists have received long prison terms. Thousands have been arbitrarily arrested and detained for exercising freedom of expression and assembly, some for actions dating back to 2020. Arrests have continued into 2024. Degrading treatment in detention Since 2020, thousands of Belarusians have suffered cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment in detention facilities across the country, the report said. Some cases of torture have resulted in severe injuries and sexual and gender-based violence. The UN rights office also found violations of the right to life due to medical negligence and two recorded deaths in custody in 2024. Expressing alarm over possible enforced disappearances of well-known opposition members who were facing politically-motivated charges, UN officials urged authorities to provide information on their fate and whereabouts. Children arrested With many young people driving the 2020 protests, OHCHR found widespread arbitrary arrests of children in the aftermath, with over 50 politically motivated criminal trials of individuals under 18 lacking protections guaranteed by international law. Authorities have used a pretext of "socially dangerous situations" procedure to remove children from their parents, leaving some without care or in the custody of relatives or friends. Not safe to return Up to 300,000 Belarusians have been forced to leave since May 2020, the report estimates, with the Government restricting rights of those in exile, including preventing passport issuance abroad and a policy of arresting returnees. "Reportedly, at least 207 persons were arrested in 2023 when returning to Belarus and arrests have continued in 2024. It is currently not safe for those in exile to return to Belarus," Mr. Volkmann said, calling on Member States to facilitate international refugee protection for those in exile. The report said there are reasonable grounds to believe "the crime against humanity of persecution may have been committed". OHCHR is urging Belarus to release all arbitrarily detained individuals and end the ongoing rights violations, while calling on Member States to do all they can to bring Belarus into compliance with international law. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 'No backward steps' as China-Australia ties are on right track Global Times By Zhao Yusha Published: Mar 20, 2024 10:54 PM Since China-Australia relations are on the right track, both sides should have no hesitation, no yawing and no backward steps, and China is willing to work with Australia to further prepare for high-level exchanges between the two countries, restart consultation and dialogue mechanisms, and manage differences based on mutual respect, top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi told Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Canberra on Wednesday. After bilateral relations enduring a tumultuous rollercoaster of ups and downs over the past decade, Wang embarked on a visit to Australia at a crucial stage of development of ties. Experts believe that his visit will not only help mend ties and foster mutual trust, but also push forward future development of bilateral relations. Chinese experts urged Canberra to value the hard-won progress in restoring China-Australia relations and to avoid backtracking, saying the ball is in Australia's court to adopt a balanced perspective on its relationship with China, particularly in light of potential flashpoints such as human rights, the South China Sea, and Australia's alignment with the US in containing China. Under the strategic guidance of the leaders of both countries, the obstacles encountered in the China-Australia relationship are being overcome, and pending issues are being properly resolved, Wang, Chinese Foreign Minister and also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, told Albanese. After the current Labor Party government came to power in Australia, the China-Australia relationship has undergone a second important transformation, which is in line with the interests of the Australian nation and people, as well as the current trend of development, said Wang. Albanese said that in the past two years, Australia-China relations have returned to the right track, with trade, investment, and people-to-people exchanges becoming active again, continuously sending positive signals and achieving important breakthroughs. Wang also held the seventh China-Australia Foreign and Strategic Dialogue with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Wednesday. Wang said the ups and downs of China-Australia relations in the past decade have not only left both sides with lessons to learn from, but also accumulated experience worth cherishing, namely mutual respect, seeking common ground, pursuing mutual benefit, and upholding independence and autonomy, according to a handout of the dialogue published by China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The development of China-Australia relations doesn't target any third party, nor should it be influenced or interfered with by any third party, said the Chinese Foreign Minister. "Australia seeks a mature, stable and productive relationship with China," Wong wrote on X on Wednesday. "Engagement and dialogue are important and enable us to pursue Australia's interests." China's relationship with Australia has experienced significant ups and downs in the past decade, from a period of heightened cooperation in 2014 marked by high-level visits and the finalization of a free trade agreement, to a more contentious phase characterized by Australia's increasingly confrontational stance towards China on various issues, Ning Tuanhui, an assistant research fellow at the China Institute of International Studies, told the Global Times. Ning noted Wang's visit came at a crucial juncture for the two countries to engage in dialogue on mutual concerns and work toward rebuilding trust. He described the Chinese foreign minister's reflections on past experiences in developing bilateral relationship as a guide for shaping the future direction of the relationship and help to steer it back to a positive trajectory. Wang also said China is ready to work with Australia to prepare for high-level exchanges between the two countries. High-level mutual visits are expected to play an important guiding role in enhancing the relationship between the two countries, said experts. No backward steps In her opening remarks, Wong said she looks forward to speaking frankly with Wang about issues such as human rights, maritime security and other regional as well as international issues. Wang elaborated with Wong on China's principled position on the Taiwan question and issues related to Hong Kong, Xinjiang, Xizang and the South China Sea, stressing that there is no entanglement of historical problems or conflict of fundamental interests between China and Australia, and their common interests far outweigh the differences. Although bilateral ties are expected to further stabilize after Wang's visit, Chinese experts still pointed out that human rights issue, Australia's interference in South China Sea issue and Canberra's willingness to follow Washington's Asia-Pacific strategy of containing China remain potential flashpoints. In November last year, the Philippines and Australia began their first joint sea and air patrols in the South China Sea, a move which is targeted at China. The patrol came days after Manila took similar steps with the US. "Whether those potential flashpoints will trigger new conflicts depends largely on whether Australia will take new or excessive moves to provoke China," said Ning. He believes that making biased accusations or unfair judgment against China is unacceptable. Chen Hong, director of the Australian Studies Center of East China Normal University, said the administration of former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison was eager to serve as vanguard of the US to contain China. Yet such move has greatly harmed not only bilateral ties, but also Australia's interests. In March last year, the US, the UK and Australia unveiled a roadmap for their AUKUS military cooperation. However, recently US President Joe Biden administration's new defense budget has halved its submarine production to the construction of just one Virginia-class submarine in 2025, down from an anticipated two. This has raised questions over Washington's ability to fulfill its commitment to sell Canberra up to five of the nuclear-powered vessels starting in the 2030s. Chen noted that it is not realistic for Australia to shake off influence from the US completely, but Canberra should stick to its strategic autonomy when dealing with China-related issues, and cherish the "hard-won" result achieved to restore China-Australia ties. "Just don't backtrack." Broad exchanges In Canberra, Wang also met with people from Australia's business, think tank representatives and other industries. He said now that China-Australia relations have embarked on a path of improvement, the two should take big steps forward to build a more stable and mature comprehensive strategic partnership, which will benefit the people of both countries and regional countries. "For a whole host of reasons, whether it's the pandemic or just the way domestically politically we have approached China, the fact is our understanding of China and its role in the region and world is not as strong as it used to be," David Olsson, national president of Australia China Business Council, the organization who hosted the meeting between Wang, told reporters. Chinese experts believed that once the Australia's business industry see the prospects of repaired bilateral ties, their interaction with China will further push for development of relations between the two countries. Chen said economic and trade relations play a crucial role in China-Australia relations. Without the foundation of such a relationship, the recovery and improvement of bilateral ties would not have been as quick and easy. Former Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating, who has criticized Australia's AUKUS nuclear submarine deal with the US, was quoted by Reuters as saying that he would meet Wang Yi this week in a bid to improve bilateral ties. Australian opposition foreign affairs spokesman Simon Birmingham, along with a small number of Australian politicians, criticized the meeting, media reported. Ning observed that the attitudes of Australian politicians reflect a lingering conservative perspective among some Australians regarding China's relationship with their country. This perspective is characterized by deep-rooted distrust and suspicion towards China. Wang also met with Peter Dutton, leader of the Opposition. During the meeting, Wang said the development of China-Australia relations is the result of the joint efforts of all political parties in Australia. China is willing to maintain communication and cooperation with friends from all walks of life in Australia, and work together to build a more mature, stable and fruitful comprehensive strategic partnership, Wang said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China criticizes UK and EU statements on Article 23 legislation, urges UK to abandon colonial illusions Global Times By Global Times Published: Mar 20, 2024 10:21 AM China on refuted the remarks made by some European politicians regarding the passage of the Article 23 legislation in Hong Kong on Tuesday, urging Western powers to stop interfering in Hong Kong's affairs and China's internal affairs. The UK Foreign Secretary, David Cameron, issued a statement following the passage of the law, claiming that the Article 23 legislation of the Basic Law was "rushed through the legislative process and will damage the rule of law, autonomy, and the rights and freedoms enjoyed in Hong Kong." The Chinese Embassy in the UK said the remarks from the British side are a serious distortion of the facts and constitute grave interference in China's internal affairs. "We are firmly against this," the embassy stated, noting that the legislative process was rigorous and procedure-based. The content of the law is sound and reasonable. The definition of criminal elements is clear, and the severity of penalties is appropriate. It is in line with international law and international common practices, it noted. Hong Kong lawmakers unanimously passed the highly anticipated bill mandated by Article 23 of the Basic Law of Hong Kong on Tuesday. The draft bill of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance will be gazetted on Saturday and will take effect from then. "Hong Kong-related affairs are China's internal affairs, in which the UK side has no position to make unwarranted remarks," the embassy said. It urged the UK to cease its baseless accusations regarding the Article 23 legislation and to refrain from interfering in China's internal affairs under any pretext. The Commissioner's Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong also slammed Cameron's remarks on Wednesday. The UK has at least 14 laws for maintaining national security, with its new National Security Act introduced in 2023 having many vaguely defined clauses and broad authorizations for law enforcement agencies, the commissioner's office said. The UK's own human rights record is not commendable, with numerous human rights violations domestically and a notorious record internationally. "It should take a good look at itself in the mirror and put away its hypocritical and double-standard tricks," it noted. The UK continuously stirs up trouble and makes reckless comments about the situation in Hong Kong, blatantly trampling on the principles of international law and the basic norms of international relations, ultimately due to a deeply ingrained colonial mindset and a patronizing attitude, the commissioner's office noted. China urges the UK to correct its position, face reality, give up the illusion of extending its colonial influence in Hong Kong, and stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs and China's internal matters in any way, it said. Besides Cameron, the High Representative on behalf of the European Union also expressed their "concerns" over the legislation. The law could "exacerbate the erosion of fundamental freedoms and political pluralism in Hong Kong, which could impact EU citizens, organizations, and companies in Hong Kong," the EU said in a statement on Tuesday. The Commissioner's Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong expressed strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition toward the EU's statement on Wednesday, urging the EU to abandon hypocrisy and double standards and to immediately stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs and China's internal matters. Improving the legal system, including those laws that safeguard national security, will not diminish Hong Kong's economic freedom, the commissioner's office said. On the contrary, it will provide a robust legal guarantee for high-quality development and high-level openness in Hong Kong, better protect the property safety of Hong Kong residents, boost the confidence of both local and overseas investors, and create a safer, more convenient, and efficient business environment in Hong Kong. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Blinken claiming that China is spreading disinformation is in itself disinformation: Chinese FM Global Times By Global Times Published: Mar 20, 2024 09:49 PM The US' Secretary of State Antony Blinken's accusing China of spreading false information is in itself false information, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian on Wednesday. China has made solemn representations over Blinken's remarks, he said. During Wednesday's routine press conference, when asked to comment on Blinken's remarks during the Summit for Democracy on Monday accusing China of spreading false information, Lin said that China strongly opposes and is firmly against the remarks, and has made solemn representations to the US side. "Democracy versus authoritarianism" hyped up at the so-called "summit for democracy" is a false narrative, while accusing China is spreading disinformation itself is disinformation, Lin noted. He said that the US is the world's biggest source and spreader of disinformation, and the world sees this clearly. China's economy maintains a good momentum toward stable growth, but the US keeps hyping up "China collapse" and "peak China". The Belt and Road Initiative brings benefits to people of many countries, but the US keeps hyping up the so-called "debt trap." The true stories on China told by foreigners were described by the US as "China manipulation of public opinion." Policy steps to promote stability and development in Xinjiang were labeled by the US as "forced labor" and "genocide," Lin noted. "US politicians, including the CIA director, on multiple occasions revealed their covert tactics of spreading remarks to smear China, such as bribing the media," Lin said. "All these show that the US has spread China-related disinformation in an organized and well-planned way for a long time and it's America's important approach to wage a battle of perception against China." Lies and conspiracies will eventually backfire, the spokesperson warned. "The harder the US tries to fabricate rumors and mislead the world, the more obvious its credibility deficit is to the world, and the more notorious its name will be," he said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China-Australia relation not targeted at third party, nor should be influenced by any third party: Chinese FM Wang Yi Global Times By Global Times Published: Mar 20, 2024 10:33 AM Updated: Mar 20, 2024 06:20 PM Since the relationship between China and Australia is on the right track, we should not hesitate, deviate, or backtrack, and the development of the bilateral ties is not targeted at any third party, nor should it be influenced or interfered with by any third party, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong in Canberra on Wednesday. Wang held the seventh China-Australia Foreign and Strategic Dialogue with Wong during the former's visit to Australia. This is our sixth meeting, and each time we meet, mutual trust increases by one point, and the China-Australia relationship advances one step further, Wang told Wong. The Chinese Foreign Minister said this is an important year that carries on the past and opens up the future. Building on the good momentum of bilateral relations so far, and both China and Australia should "work together to create the future" and, with a more proactive attitude, jointly build a more mature, stable, and fruitful comprehensive strategic partnership. Over the past 10 years, the ups and downs of China-Australia relations have left us with lessons to learn and experiences to cherish, namely mutual respect, seeking common ground, pursuing mutual benefit, and to uphold independence and autonomy, Wang said. Wang said China has always pursued an independent foreign policy of peace, and our policy toward Australia has been consistent. The development of China-Australia relations is not directed against any third party, nor should it be influenced or interfered with by any third party. He noted that since China-Australia relations are on the right track, we should not hesitate, deviate, or backtrack. With a clear direction toward progress, we should strive to move forward steadily, well, and far. This is in the common interest of the two peoples and the general expectation of regional countries. Wang also said that China is ready to work with Australia to prepare for high-level exchange between two countries and deepen cooperation on traditional field such as mineral, energy and agricultural products; also explore cooperation on new energy, digital economy, green development and coping with climate change. He urged Australia to take concrete measures to uphold the principles of market economy and fair competition rules, and provide a fair, just, transparent, and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises investing and operating in the country. Wang elaborated with Wong on China's stance on issues related to island of Taiwan, Hong Kong, Xinjiang, Xizang, and the South China Sea, emphasizing that there is no historical entanglement or fundamental conflict of interests between China and Australia, and that their common interests far outweigh their differences. According to a handout related to the dialogue issued by China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Wong stated that Australia and China have close historical, trade, and cultural ties, and are comprehensive strategic partners. As countries in the same region, differences should not define the relationship between Australia and China. She said that Australia is pleased to see significant progress in bilateral relations in recent years and is willing to further strengthen dialogue and communication with China on the basis of mutual respect, to manage differences, to leverage complementary advantages, and to deepen cooperation in economic, trade, and cultural fields. Both sides agreed to resume and establish dialogues in various fields , promote more cooperation across foreign affairs, economic, trade, science and technology, education, and law enforcement departments of the two countries, and actively consider initiating a dialogue on maritime affairs. Both sides agreed to take further measures to facilitate the exchange of people between the two countries. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian's Regular Press Conference on March 20, 2024 Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China 2024-03-20 20:11 At the invitation of Premier Li Qiang of the State Council, Prime Minister of Dominica Roosevelt Skerrit will pay an official visit to China from March 23 to 29. CCTV: On March 19, the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong SAR unanimously voted in favour of the passage of the Safeguarding National Security Bill. The US, the UK, Japan, the EU and other parties pointed fingers at this. What's the Foreign Ministry's comment?a Lin Jian: We strongly deplore and firmly oppose individual countries and organizations' slandering and smear against the Safeguarding National Security Bill of Hong Kong. The Legislative Council of the Hong Kong SAR unanimously voted in favour of the passage of the Safeguarding National Security Bill, which further implements the SAR's constitutional responsibility of safeguarding national security, further cements the security foundation for Hong Kong's development and serves as a landmark in advancing the cause of One Country, Two Systems on our new journey in the new era. Security is the prerequisite for development, and the rule of law is the cornerstone of prosperity. The Safeguarding National Security Bill of Hong Kong strikes a balance between safeguarding national security and upholding rights, freedom and economic development, and fully draws on other countries' legislation experience in the same field. The bill helps the SAR to further coordinate between development and security, better harness Hong Kong's unique status and advantage, and deepen closer and more open exchanges and cooperation between Hong Kong and countries and regions in the world. With high-level security guarantee, we are fully confident in Hong Kong achieving high-quality development and high-standard opening up and we are fully confident in the sound implementation of One Country, Two Systems in the long run and Hong Kong's stability and thriving development! I want to stress that the Chinese government has unwavering resolve in safeguarding its national sovereignty, security and development interests, in implementing One Country, Two Systems and in opposing any external interference in Hong Kong's affairs. Any attacks and smears against the Safeguarding National Security Bill will not have their way and are doomed to failure. RIA Novosti: Media reports, citing some officials, said that the Chinese leader will meet with French President in Paris. Can you confirm it? Lin Jian: In recent years, the China-France relations have enjoyed a good momentum of growth. The two sides maintain close high-level strategic communication. This year marks the 60th anniversary of China-France diplomatic ties. The two sides have held a series of celebration events to mark the anniversary and are in communication on bilateral exchanges at various levels and in various fields in the next phase. As of the specific visit you mentioned, I have nothing to offer. CCTV: You just announced that Dominica's Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit will pay an official visit to China. Can you brief us on the arrangements of the visit? What's China's expectation of the visit? Lin Jian: This year marks the 20th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Dominica. China welcomes Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit to pay an official visit to China at this special time. During the visit, President Xi Jinping will meet with Prime Minister Skerrit. Premier Li Qiang will hold a welcome ceremony for and hold talks with Prime Minister Skerrit and they will jointly attend a signing ceremony of cooperation documents. Chairman Zhao Leji will meet with Prime Minister Skerrit. The two sides will have in-depth exchange of views on bilateral ties and issues of common interest, and jointly chart the blueprint of future development of China-Dominica relationship. Dominica is an important nation in the Caribbean region and is also China's good friend and good partner in this region. Over the past two decades since our two countries established diplomatic ties, the relationship between China and Dominica has enjoyed steady growth and become a fine example of mutual respect, equality, mutual benefits, common development and win-win cooperation between countries of different sizes. We believe that Prime Minister Skerrit's upcoming visit to China will further enhance our political mutual trust, deepen practical cooperation in various fields, cement traditional friendship and bring the China-Dominica relationship to a new level. Shenzhen TV: At the third summit for democracy held in Seoul on March 18, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reportedly said that the US State Department released a report last year detailing how the Chinese Government has invested billions of dollars to spread propaganda and twist the global information environment. He also mentioned that China has purchased media companies in Africa and Southeast Asia which then run heavily pro-PRC news. What's your comment? Lin Jian: China strongly deplores and firmly opposes Secretary Blinken's remarks. We have made solemn representations to the US side. "Democracy versus authoritarianism" hyped up at the so-called "summit for democracy" is a false narrative. The claim that China is spreading disinformation itself is disinformation. The US is the world's biggest source and spreader of disinformation. The world sees this clearly. China's economy maintains a good momentum toward stable growth, but the US keeps hyping up "China collapse" and "peak China". The Belt and Road Initiative brings benefits to people of many countries, but the US keeps hyping up the so-called "debt trap." The true stories on China told by foreigners were described by the US as "China manipulation of public opinion." Policy steps to promote stability and development in Xinjiang were labeled by the US as "forced labor" and "genocide." US politicians, including the CIA director, on multiple occasions revealed their covert tactics of spreading remarks to smear China, such as bribing the media. All these show that the US has spread China-related disinformation in an organized and well-planned way for a long time and it's America's important approach to wage a battle of perception against China. Eventually, lies and conspiracy will only backfire. The harder the US tries to fabricate rumors and mislead the world, the more obvious its credibility deficit is to the world, and the more notorious its name will be. AFP: According to Kyodo News, Chinese authorities have notified Japan that they have begun a process to decide whether to indict a Japanese national, a senior employee at the pharmaceutical company Astellas, who was arrested in October. Is the Foreign Ministry able to confirm that this process has begun and provide any further details? Lin Jian: China is a country that upholds the rule of law. We probe and handle illegal and criminal activities in accordance with the law and protect the lawful rights of the person concerned. We hope the Japanese side will educate and guide its citizens to abide by China's laws and regulations and do not conduct illegal and criminal activities in our territory. CGTN: Since the outbreak of the latest Palestinian-Israeli conflict on October 7, the Chinese side has actively mediated among different parties. Ambassador Wang Kejian of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs visited Egypt, Palestine, Israel and Qatar in the Middle East recently. Can you share with us China's recent efforts for mediation? Lin Jian: Since the outbreak of the latest Palestinian-Israeli conflict, China has striven for a ceasefire, effective protection of civilians and deescalation of the humanitarian crisis. Recently, Ambassador Wang Kejian visited Egypt, Palestine, Israel and Qatar in the Middle East for the early deescalation of the situation in Gaza. Relevant parties widely appreciated China's just position and active efforts to achieve a ceasefire, ease the humanitarian situation, and avoid the further spillover of the conflict. They look to China playing a greater role in deescalating the conflict and cooling down the situation.a Since the outbreak of the conflict in Gaza, we have maintained close communication and coordination with the Arab countries, built broad-based consensus with relevant parties in the international community, and promoted the comprehensive ceasefire with the greatest sense of urgency. We have closely followed the humanitarian situation in Gaza and have already provided multiple batches of emergency humanitarian assistance to Gaza through bilateral and multilateral channels. China has actively encouraged all factions in Palestine to achieve internal reconciliation through dialogue and firmly supported "the Palestinians governing Palestine". We have contributed to the UN Security Council's adoption of the first resolution in this regard since the outbreak of the conflict, released the Position Paper of the People's Republic of China on Resolving the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict, and fully promoted more responsible and meaningful actions by the UNSC. We call for Palestine's full membership in the UN and a more broad-based, more authoritative, and more effective international peace conference to work out a timetable and road map for the two-State solution. China will continue to work with the international community to restore peace, save lives, and uphold justice.i Bloomberg: China launched a satellite this morning using a Chinese rocket. Later, the Philippine Space Agency said that debris was projected to have fallen near the Panay Island in the country's southern area and said that this represented a potential risk to ships, aircrafts, fishing boats and other vessels. So my question is, does the Chinese Foreign Ministry have a comment on the Philippine Space Agency referencing a space debris in Philippine area? Lin Jian: China's maritime authorities have issued relevant announcement. I would refer you to the competent authorities. TASS: Director of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service Sergey Naryshkin said yesterday that there are French troops in Ukraine and that France is preparing 2,000 troops to be sent to Ukraine. However, the French Armed Forces Ministry denied that. Has Special Representative of the Chinese Government Li Hui talked about that with the French side during his visit to Paris? And What's China's comment? Lin Jian: On Special Representative of the Chinese Government on Eurasian Affairs Li Hui's visit to France, we've released information which you may refer to. China's position on the Ukraine issue is consistent and clear. Facilitating dialogue and negotiation and seeking a political settlement of the crisis is the top priority. China sincerely hopes that relevant sides will show political will, deescalate the situation and work together for an early ceasefire and a balanced, effective and sustainable security architecture in Europe.a Hubei Media Group: The first China-Europe Railway Express line connecting Heilongjiang Province of China with Tilburg of the Netherlands was launched last week. It can save two thirds of delivery time compared with sea shipping and is welcomed by businesses. What is your comment? Lin Jian: We noted this good news. The China-Europe Railway Express (CRE) has made remarkable achievements and shown a sound momentum of development this year. Data shows that for the first two months, the CRE made 2,928 trips and shipped 317 thousand TEUs of freight, up by 9 percent and 10 percent year-on-year respectively. Existing lines were improved both in quality and efficiency, new lines were launched, and more types of goods were added to the shipping list. New models such as "CRE+industrial parks" and "CRE+ports" were created, bringing more development opportunities for countries along the lines. Over the past ten plus years since its launch, the CRE, with its strengths in green, low-carbon, safe, efficient and convenient transportation, has reshaped trans-border transportation on the Eurasian continent, provided a new platform for trade and economic cooperation, and become an important means of trans-border land transportation of logistics and a flagship project of Belt and Road cooperation between China and Europe. The CRE has also effectively improved rail connectivity as well as sea-rail, road-rail and air-rail combined transport on the Eurasian continent, safeguarded the stability of industrial and supply chains, boosted regional economic growth, and become a stabilizer for trade and accelerator for development to China, Europe and other countries along the lines. It is a vivid demonstration of China's determination and action in expanding high-standard opening up, and represents China's positive contribution to global economic growth. We will work with countries along the lines to promote the continued and high-quality development of the CRE, and turn these lines of steel on the Eurasian continent into roads to common prosperity. Reuters: Angolan media reports that China and Angola have reached a debt restructuring deal over the weekend that will free up certain amount of capital a month. Please could the Foreign Ministry confirm whether this is the case and provide more information on the terms of the agreement reached? Lin Jian: Over the years, China has carried out fruitful practical cooperation with Angola on the basis of equality, mutual benefit and win-win cooperation. China's financial institutions have financed and supported its post-conflict reconstruction and implemented a large number of major livelihood projects and infrastructure projects, making significant contribution to its socioeconomic development and improvement of people's livelihood. China attaches great importance to Angola's debt sustainability. The issue that you just raised and the description of the communication between the two sides are not accurate. Relevant Chinese financial institutions have had friendly and in-depth communications with the Angolan side on issues including adjusting the mechanism to ensure repayment concerning financing cooperation. Positive progress has been made and we believe that we will reach a plan agreeable to both sides. These adjustments are not debt restructuring. Besides, the Angolan side had already said that it has the full capability to continue to repay to financial institutions on time. China News Service: The Washington Post recently published a special report on the interview with six Chinese students and two visiting scholars who were harassed, interrogated, and deported without just cause when entering the US border. The report gave details on what happened to some of them and received much attention in the US. What's China's comment? Lin Jian: China has repeatedly stated its solemn position on the US, without any just cause, harassing, interrogating, and deporting Chinese citizens, especially students and scholars. The US frequently adopts discriminatory, politically motivated and selective law enforcement against Chinese students, which severely violates the legitimate and lawful rights and interests of the persons concerned, disrupts normal cross-border travel between China and the US, runs counter to the US's commitment to facilitating and supporting cultural and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries and contravenes the common aspiration of the two peoples in carrying out friendly exchanges. We urge the US to earnestly listen to the voice from various sectors in the two countries, stop poisoning the public support for the bilateral ties, correct its wrongdoing of harassing, interrogating, and deporting Chinese citizens without just cause, and thoroughly look into the cases to offer an explanation to the victims. China will continue to adopt resolute measures to safeguard the legitimate and lawful rights and interests of Chinese citizens.a AFP: Just now an Australian official has told AFP the Australian Foreign Minister told the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi that the reforms in Hong Kong, including the new National Security Law passed yesterday, erode human rights in Hong Kong. Does the Chinese Foreign Ministry have any immediate reaction to this? Lin Jian: I just clearly stated China's position. I want to stress again that Hong Kong's Safeguarding National Security Bill upholds the fundamental principle of respecting and protecting human rights and protects in accordance with the law the rights and freedoms which the residents of Hong Kong enjoy under the Basic Law, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as applied to Hong Kong. Bloomberg: The Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said that the threat to his nation from China is growing, but he also added that he's not trying to start a conflict by poking a bear. This was in an exclusive interview with Bloomberg Television. Does the Foreign Ministry have any comment on President Marcos' remarks regarding China's threat to his country but that he is not trying to start a conflict? Lin Jian: China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea are solidly grounded in international law and pose no threat to any country. What has recently escalated the situation concerning the South China Sea issue between China and the Philippines is that the latter has frequently made infringements and provocations, stirred up troubles at sea, and spread disinformation to mislead the perception of the international community. China has firmly safeguarded its own territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and has at the same time striven to properly handle maritime disputes through dialogue and consultation with parties concerned and advance practical maritime cooperation based on sovereign equality to keep the South China Sea peaceful and stable.a China Review News: On Foreign Minister Wang Yi's plan to meet former Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong reportedly said that Mr Keating is entitled to his views, but he does not speak for the government. Australian Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Birmingham said that Mr Keating should reconsider this meeting, given just how publicly critical Paul Keating has been of the Albanese government and their foreign policy. What's China's response? Lin Jian: Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi and Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong held the seventh China-Australia Foreign and Strategic Dialogue in Canberra this morning. China has released a readout which you may refer to. I want to highlight that Foreign Minister Wang Yi stressed in the dialogue that the ups and downs of China-Australia relations over the past decade have left us with lessons that we need to draw on and experience that we need to hold dear. The most fundamental one is the commitment to mutual respect, the most critical one is the commitment to seeking common ground while shelving differences, and the most important one is the commitment to mutual benefits. The two sides need to build on the good momentum that the bilateral relations have so far maintained, and act more actively to build a more mature, steady, and fruitful comprehensive strategic partnership. This serves the common interests of the two peoples and meets the expectations shared by regional countries. China stands ready to continue our friendly communication and exchange with people of various sectors in Australia. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Overseas activists vow to keep fighting despite new Hong Kong security law The law sparks a wave of concern over its impact on already dwindling rights and freedoms. By Cheryl Tung for RFA Cantonese, Stacy Hsu, Huang Chun-mei and Hsia Hsiao-hwa for RFA Mandarin 2024.03.20 -- Overseas activists have vowed to keep up their campaign for Hong Kong's promised rights and freedoms amid international condemnation of the city's second national security law, which critics say will likely widen an ongoing crackdown on dissent when it takes effect on Saturday. The Taiwan-based advocacy group Hong Kong Outlanders said the Safeguarding National Security Law, passed unanimously in a Legislative Council with no opposition members on Tuesday, had been rushed through in just 11 days. "We will continue to speak out without fear of this evil law," the group said, announcing a protest on the streets against the legislation on Saturday, to "defend the rights of Hong Kongers." U.S. Senator Ben Cardin, who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the law will have "a chilling effect on the remaining vestiges of Hong Kong's autonomy and freedoms." He said he was "alarmed" about the impact of the law on American citizens, businesses and independent media in the city. "I urge the Beijing and the Hong Kong governments to rescind Article 23, as well as the 2020 National Security Law, and restore to the people of Hong Kong their basic rights and freedoms," Cardin said, adding that Congress will continue to reevaluate the treatment of Hong Kong as a separate entity from the rest of China under U.S. law. Making life harder British Foreign Secretary David Cameron warned that the law will make it harder to live, work and do business in Hong Kong. "It fails to provide certainty for international organizations, including diplomatic missions, who are operating there," Cameron said in a statement on the government website. "It will entrench the culture of self-censorship which now dominates Hong Kong's social and political landscape, and enable the continuing erosion of freedoms of speech, of assembly, and of the media," he said. In Beijing, foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said such comments were "slander." "China expresses strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to certain countries and institutions that denigrate and smear Hong Kong's Safeguarding National Security Ordinance," Lin told a regular news briefing in Beijing. "The Chinese government is unswervingly determined to safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests, and ... to oppose any external interference in Hong Kong affairs," he said. 'Puppet government' U.S.-based Hong Kong rights campaigner Frances Hui said she had "struggled to get out of bed" due to depression after the government bypassed democratic institutions that took decades to build. "I know #JoshuaWong, Wong Ji-yuet, and others will probably spend more days in jail under this law," Hui said via her X account, in a reference to democracy activists already imprisoned for taking part in protests in the city. "The only remaining bits of freedom in the city will soon be crumbled. Hong Kong will become just another Chinese city with a puppet govt that obeys China," she wrote. But she added: "I know our determination for freedom & democracy will never change. One day, we will meet again." Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party condemned the passing of the law as the "darkest day" for Hong Kong. "Hong Kong is now completely shrouded in the shadow of the Chinese Communist Party's totalitarian rule," the party said in a statement on Wednesday, adding that the Legislative Council was now just a "rubber stamp" for Beijing. It said the new law's more expansive interpretations of national security crimes would "completely destroy what Hong Kong has left in the way of human rights or a legal system." The party vowed to support the international effort to help Hong Kong, safeguard democracy and counter totalitarianism. Investors will leave In Japan, Foreign Ministry Press Secretary Kobayashi Maki said the government has "grave concern" about the law, and called on the authorities to ensure that the rights of Japanese nationals and companies in Hong Kong were respected, citing close economic ties with the city. U.S. State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel said the law has the potential "to accelerate the closing of Hong Kong's once open society." "We're alarmed by the sweeping and what we interpret as vaguely defined provisions laid out in their Article 23 legislation," he told a regular news briefing in Washington on Tuesday. "We think that this was fast-tracked through the non democratically elected Legislative Council after a truncated public comment period," he said, adding that U.S. officials are in the process of analyzing potential risks to American interests under the law. Wu Jui-ren, an associate researcher at Taiwan's Academia Sinica, predicted that the law will spell the end of Hong Kong's status as a global financial center. Foreign investors will leave one after another, he predicted. Patrick Poon, human rights campaigner and visiting researcher at the University of Tokyo, said the law gives officials too much power, especially when it comes to defining what is meant by "collusion with foreign forces" or "state secrets," or what constitutes subversion. He said anyone working for foreign organizations in the city could be at risk under the law, even if they post something online that the government doesn't like. "It's all entirely up to those who enforce the law to decide, in line with the practice of totalitarian governments," Poon said. "Hong Kong has gone a step further towards being just like mainland China." 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 Chinese state TV reports passage of Hong Kong security law before vote CCTV beats global news organizations by reporting the news before it happened. By Chen Zifei for RFA Mandarin 2024.03.20 -- When Hong Kong's Legislative Council passed a strict national security law under Article 23 of its mini-constitution, the long-expected move hit global headlines within minutes. Yet China's state broadcaster CCTV was faster than any of them -- it beat out its competitors by posting the results of the vote to its news client on social media platforms nearly 20 minutes before Council members had even started voting. The Council's 89 lawmakers, all of whom won their seats under new electoral rules that allow only "patriots" loyal to Beijing to stand, voted unanimously to pass the Safeguarding National Security Law, that makes treason, insurrection and sabotage punishable by up to life in prison. In scenes reminiscent of China's rubber-stamp parliament, the National People's Congress, lawmaker after lawmaker stood up to extol the benefits of the law, which will likely widen an ongoing crackdown on peaceful dissent, according to its critics. Many had dressed for the occasion. "Many government officials and members wore purple clothing and accessories, the theme color for Article 23, to show their support at the LegCo [Legislative Council] on Tuesday," the nationalist Global Times reported. Schoolchildren turned up to see what Chief Executive John Lee described as a "historic" vote in their city's legislature, the paper said. Lawmakers name-checked all the key ruling Chinese Communist Party talking points around the law, saying it was a necessary move to "ensure the safety of life and property" in the wake of the 2019 protest movement. That movement called for fully democratic elections, the results of which can be surprising, and are never known in advance. Digs and accusations Councilor Dominic Lee added a dig at "hypocritical" former colonial governor Lord Patten of Barnes, while repeating the government's line that the law is no different from national security laws in democratic nations, despite the prosecution of dozens of activists and politicians for "subversion," for organizing a democratic primary in the summer of 2020. Lawmaker Elizabeth Quat accused the United States of "demonizing the law." There was so much praise and defense of the law that deliberations didn't conclude until 6:48 p.m. local time. But for those who couldn't wait for the results of the historic vote, CCTV was there at 6:33 p.m., informing its readers: "Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Legislative Council passes 'Safeguarding National Security Law' on third reading." It wasn't until after 6:48 p.m. that voting began in the Legislative Council chamber, nearly 20 minutes later. Exiled former pro-democracy lawmaker Ted Hui said the Council, once the scene of vigorous political debate, regular protests, thrown objects and uncertain outcomes, is clearly now just another rubber-stamp body with voting results that are a foregone conclusion. "The Legislative Council is just a rubber stamp ... and is just there to serve Beijing's political goals," Hui said. "There is no longer any difference between the National People's Congress and LegCo." Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Roseanne Gerin. 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 Hong Kongers need EU immigration 'lifeboat' policies in the wake of Article 23 Deteriorating freedoms in the once-thriving international financial hub will drive more people into exile. A commentary by Megan Khoo 2024.03.20 -- After Beijing imposed the draconian National Security Law for Hong Kong in 2020, the UK, Canada and Australia responded by opening "lifeboat schemes," or special immigration pathways, for Hong Kongers. Article 23, the latest tightening of the screws on Hong Kong freedoms, requires a similar response from the European Union. The UK provided an escape valve by allowing Hong Kongers with British National (Overseas) (BNO) status to apply for a visa with a permanent residence pathway in Britain. More than 160,000 Hong Kongers have resettled in the UK alone since the imposition of the law, and London has taken further steps to welcome them in anticipation of the passage of Article 23.. Canada launched programs to provide permanent residency to Hong Kong residents who have graduated from a selected post-secondary institutions in Canada, and to Hong Kongers who have completed post-secondary education and have worked in Canada for a minimum of one year. Australia enabled Hong Kongers completing eligible tertiary studies to apply for a temporary graduate visa after their studies, with a pathway to permanent residency. This week, the Hong Kong government enacted the Safeguarding National Security Bill, colloquially known as "Article 23 legislation," in the territory. Article 23 is a domestic, albeit more severe, version of the National Security Law, and was first proposed in 2003. Under the Basic Law of Hong Kong, the city's constitution, the Hong Kong government is required to introduce legislation to safeguard national security. In recent days Hong Kong officials have said that it is their constitutional "duty" to introduce Article 23 legislation, but I am not sure that broad and unclear language is what the writers of the Basic Law had in mind. When the Hong Kong authorities attempted to introduce Article 23 in 2003, more than 500,000 Hong Kongers protested, and the plans were abandoned. But today, the Hong Kong people do not have a choice nor the right to protest without facing serious repercussions. Vague terms Under directives from Beijing to pass Article 23 "as soon as possible," the Hong Kong government left a few days to consider a public consultation process which received over 13,000 submissions and for the Hong Kong Legislative Council to review and make amendments to the 212-page bill. Article 23 prohibits seven types of activities: treason, secession, sedition, subversion, theft of state secrets, foreign political organizations or bodies conducting political activities in Hong Kong, and political organizations or bodies in Hong Kong establishing ties with foreign political organizations or bodies. The language surrounding what constitutes these activities is vague to intentionally allow the government to criminalize whatsoever and whosoever it wishes. For example, starting with the definition of 'national security', the bill reads "specific measures to be taken to safeguard national security will depend on the actual situation in the HKSAR." Under which circumstances, and in what situations, will certain individuals and organizations be criminalized? This language not only mirrors the definition of national security on mainland China, but potentially contravenes the "principle of legal certainty" protected under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Article 23 also poses a major risk to Hong Kongers in exile abroad, particularly the 13 in the UK, U.S. and Australia who continue to be targeted by the Hong Kong authorities with arrest warrants with HK$1 million (US$127,800) bounties. The legislation refers to such individuals and others who have fled from Hong Kong to seek refuge from repression as "absconders," and includes provisions which allow the Hong Kong government to cancel their Hong Kong passports. Hong Kongers in the EU are not immune. In December 2017, the Hong Kong government issued an arrest warrant for Ray Wong, the first Hong Konger to secure asylum in Germany. The prosecution in the show trial of British citizen Jimmy Lai has also cited Wong's name. Under Article 23, the likelihood and severity of arrest warrants with bounties and transnational repression, as well as the targeting of exiled Hong Kongers' family members and friends who remain in the city, will only increase. Deterioration of rights and freedoms After the imposition of the National Security Law, Hong Kongers hopped on planes to welcoming countries, used speedboats to flee to Taiwan, or accepted jail terms. In response to the enactment of Article 23, EU member states should link arms with allied nations to introduce lifeboat schemes for Hong Kongers. This would not only provide thousands of Hong Kongers with needed safe haven, but send a strong message to Hong Kong and Chinese officials that crackdowns on basic civil and political liberties will not be tolerated. The first step is for EU member states to introduce pilot lifeboat schemes, which, for example, would allow up to 100 Hong Kongers each year to apply for five-year work visas in areas where there are shortages of skilled labor. Opening lifeboat schemes for Hong Kongers would be consistent with previous recommendations from the European Council and European Parliament calling for a review of immigration schemes for Hong Kongers in the EU. The National Security Law of 2020 was Beijing warning Hong Kong officials to remember who runs the show. Now, the passage of Article 23 is confirmation of the tightening relationship between Beijing and Hong Kong officials, as well as the utter deterioration of rights and freedoms in the once-thriving international financial hub. Hong Kongers have a track record of participating in civil society and peacefully defending democratic values, and in every country they relocate to, they contribute to local communities, the economy, the workplace and education, including in high-skilled jobs. They would contribute to the greater EU and national economies as they have in the UK and elsewhere With Russia's war on Ukraine, the crisis in Israel, and threats to Taiwan looming on the horizon, the EU must not let this further assault on Hong Kong's already diminished freedoms, rights and the rule of law go unchallenged and it should not miss this important opportunity to provide a lifeline to Hong Kongers in their darkest hour. Megan Khoo is a research and policy advisor at the international NGO Hong Kong Watch. Khoo, based in London, has served in communications roles at foreign policy non-profit organizations in London and Washington, D.C.. The views expressed here do not reflect the position of Radio Free Asia. 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 Budaun murders: Second accused arrested from Bareilly Uttar Pradesh Police arrested Javed, the second accused in the Budaun double murder case, from Bareilly on Thursday. Javed was on the run after the murder of two children on Tuesday evening. His brother and the main accused Sajid was gunned down in a police encounter within two hours of the incident. Javed was arrested on Thursday, said IG Bareilly range R K Singh. In a video after his arrest, he is heard saying, "I ran straight to Delhi after the incident and from there I have to come to Bareilly to surrender. I have received phone calls from people about what my brother did." He claimed that he had no idea why his brother committed the crime. He said he fled because he feared for his own life. Javed is now being brought to Budaun for further interrogation. Sajid, who had recently opened a barber shop in the locality, allegedly attacked three brothers Ayush (12), Honey (8), and Piyush (10), with a knife. Ayush and Ahaan died in the attack, while Piyush was rushed to a hospital with grievous wounds. BJP MP from Budaun, Sanghamitra Maurya, visited the victims houses and assured them of her full support. "I condemn the murder of the two minor boys, she said. Experts: China is sequencing Uyghur DNA for organ harvesting US Congress is told that medical tourists from Gulf states seek organs from Muslims who abstain from pork and alcohol. By Alex Willemyns for RFA 2024.03.20 -- Chinese authorities are collecting genetic data from the country's Muslim Uyghur minority as part of a forced organ-transplant program marketed to Muslim medical tourists from Gulf states, experts told a U.S. congressional committee hearing on Wednesday. The medical tourists are willing to pay premiums for organs from fellow Muslims who abstain from pork and alcohol, the experts said, with DNA-matched Uyghur "donors" being rendered brain-dead and flown from Xinjiang in the country's west to hospitals in the east. Chinese authorities insist that forced organ harvesting of executed prisoners has been banned in the country since January 2015. Testifying to the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, Ethan Gutmann, a research fellow at the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation and the author of "The Slaughter", a book about forced organ harvesting, said Uyghurs aged in their mid-20s to early 30s are being taken from mass internment camps and killed for their organs. While China's organ harvesting industry began a decade ago using adherents of the banned Falun Gong spiritual movement, he said, it switched focus to Uyghurs and other Muslims interned in Xinjiang around 2017 due to demand from Middle Eastern medical tourists. "On the assumption that Gulf state organ tourists prefer Muslim donors who don't eat pork, [China] has tried to capitalize on the switch from Falun Gong to Uyghur sources," Gutmann said, noting that "transplant hospitals" advertised Muslim prayer rooms and halal menus. But the researcher said there was a "logistical challenge" in keeping the organs viable when switching from Falun Gong adherents in heavily populated coastal areas of China to instead target Uyghurs some 4,000 kilometers (about 2,500 miles) to the west in Xinjiang. To solve that problem, Gutmann said, medical personnel started to use portable "ECMO machines," which can oxygenate an incapacitated person and their organs for hours. That allowed them to keep Uyghurs in a state of brain-dead "suspended animation" for long enough to be transported east for transplants to paying foreign customers. The machines, he said, also allowed surgeons to "harvest as many as four healthy organs from a single person" instead of only one, he said, "turning a person from $100,000 into half a million or more." DNA collection Medical authorities also established databases of Uyghurs whose organs could one day be forcibly harvested, the experts said. Texas state Rep. Tom Oliverson, a doctor who now chairs his state's House Committee on Insurance, said his own work with Uyghur and Falun Gong survivors of "Chinese detention camps" stemmed from his efforts to prevent Texans accessing forcibly harvested organs. "They spoke of undergoing a series of medical tests not for their benefit, but to assess their overall health and tissue type," Oliverson said, explaining that both groups believed they were targeted "because of their healthy lifestyles and abstinence from alcohol." The medical tests were often promoted as free "health check-ups," he said, but those who were tested never received any results. Meanwhile, the tests doubled as genetic-sequencing opportunities, said Matthew Robertson, a doctoral candidate at the Australian National University in Canberra and the co-author of "Execution by Organ Procurement: Breaching the Dead Donor Rule in China." That allows doctors to determine which forced "donors" have organs least likely to be rejected by their recipients' bodies, he explained. "Beijing has conducted mass blood-typing and DNA testing on vast parts of its Uyghur population under the banner of 'health checkups,'" Robertson told the hearing. "There is no institutional constraint on this data being put to predatory uses, such as organ matching." He said an analysis of thousands of hacked files from the Xinjiang police revealed that more than 200,000 of about 500,000 Uyghurs registered in two regions of Xinjiang had blood samples taken for DNA collection up until 2018, when the leaked files were dated. "On their own, these findings obviously cannot prove that Uyghurs are being harvested for their organs," Robertson acknowledged. "But blood type is a necessary precondition to organ matching, and DNA data allows for better organ matches," he said, calling the practice of sequencing genetic data of Uyghurs "highly concerning" given China's "history of killing prisoners for their organs." Big business Organ transplants can be lucrative, the commission was told. Maya Mitalipova, the director of the Human Stem Cell Laboratory at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, testified that China's DNA database was "the world's largest" and had cost "billions of dollars" to build. She said she believed there was a clear reason for investing so much money: The country's organ-transplant industry carries out at least 60,000 operations a year, with the "least expensive" kidneys costing about $70,000, and other organs fetching up to $500,000. "In free countries like the USA and in Europe, organ-donor recipients are on wait lists for years ... for matching donor organs," Mitalipova said. "In China, matching donors can be found in a few weeks." Crucial to that was DNA testing "at just a few specific locations in the genome of the transplant recipients and their organ donors," she said, with the fewest amount of genetic differences meaning there is a "better chance of long-term acceptance of the new organ." The Chinese Embassy in Washington did not respond to a request for comment from Radio Free Asia. However, China formally banned the harvesting of organs from prisoners in January 2015, and authorities say that all transplants since have involved volunteer donors. Rep. Chris Smith, a Republican from New Jersey who chairs the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, said Wednesday he did not believe the reports of continued organ harvesting are "all lies" and reiterated a plea to be allowed to visit Xinjiang to investigate. "We have repeated that offer over and over and again today at this hearing," Smith said. "I'm asking the Chinese Embassy to allow me to lead a [congressional] delegation to Xinjiang immediately." 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 High Level Meeting Further Mends Fractured Australia-China Ties By Phil Mercer March 20, 2024 Human rights and trade sanctions dominated talks Wednesday between the Chinese and Australian foreign ministers in Canberra. Analysts say that bilateral relations are stabilizing after years of friction over various geopolitical and trade disputes, but disagreements remain. Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong said there would be a "frank exchange of views" with her Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, ahead of Wednesday's talks in Canberra. Wang Yi is the most powerful Chinese politician to visit Australia since 2017. During the talks, Wong said she raised the death sentence imposed on Yang Hengjun, a Chinese-born Australian democracy activist, insisting that "Australians were shocked at the sentence." Wong told reporters in Canberra that there were also discussions on human rights in China's Xinjiang province, Tibet, and Hong Kong. She said there would also be expanded dialogue in the future "in key areas such as the Pacific, climate and energy cooperation." Wong said the bilateral relationship needs to be carefully cultivated to prosper. "A stable relationship between Australia and China does not just happen, it needs ongoing work, and this was the latest meeting in that process. As Minister Wang reflected in our meeting, it's in both our interests that we have a mature and productive relationship," she said. Wang Yi told the news conference in Canberra that Wednesday's talks had helped to dispel "doubts and boosting trust" and he hoped "that this sound interaction can continue further." China has previously voiced objections to Australia's plan to build nuclear-powered submarines with the United States and Britain. Australia and China have slowly rebuilt their diplomatic relationship. It hit its lowest point in 2020 when Canberra called for an inquiry into the origins of coronavirus pandemic. Beijing was infuriated and saw it as a criticism of its handling of the pandemic. Retaliatory trade restrictions followed, but earlier this month, Chinese authorities released an interim statement that high tariffs on Australian wine are no longer necessary. The tariffs could be lifted by the end of this month. The duties were imposed in 2020 as tensions simmered between China and Australia over various geopolitical flashpoints. Analysts have said the two countries are economically interdependent. China's demand for raw materials has underpinned Australia's recent prosperity. Australian iron ore and liquefied natural gas have been key drivers of China's economic expansion. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Talks Held between DPRK and Russian Officials Korean Central News Agency of DPRK Pyongyang, March 20 (KCNA) -- Talks between Yun Jong Ho, minister of External Economic Relations of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and Oleg Kozhemyako, governor of the Maritime Territory Administration of the Russian Federation, took place at the Mansudae Assembly Hall here on March 19. Present there from the DPRK side were officials concerned and from the Russian side were the members of the delegation of the Maritime Territory of the Russian Federation and the Russian ambassador to the DPRK. The talks discussed the issues for putting the inter-regional economic cooperation between the two countries on a higher stage. -0- NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Telephone conversation with Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi March 20, 2024 11:50 During the extensive telephone call, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi congratulated Vladimir Putin on his landslide victory in the Russian presidential election and offered his sincere wishes of prosperity and well-being to the Russian people. Both parties expressed satisfaction with the consistent and dynamic development of mutually beneficial ties in trade, the economy, investment, energy and transport, reflecting the spirit of their special and privileged strategic partnership. The President and the Prime Minister also exchanged views on various issues on the international agenda, particularly regarding the situation around Ukraine. They affirmed their commitment to coordinating their countries' actions within multilateral formats, including the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and BRICS. The conversation was warm and friendly. Vladimir Putin wished Narendra Modi successful parliamentary elections in India. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Jailed Nobel Laureate Mohammadi Urges Extension Of UN Rights Probe In Iran By RFE/RL's Radio Farda March 20, 2024 Iranian political prisoner and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi has called for the extension of a United Nations investigation into human rights violations in Iran, including gender apartheid and crimes against humanity perpetrated by the government. In a statement delivered by Mahmoud Amiri-Moghaddam, the director of the Iran Human Rights organization, at a UN Human Rights Council meeting, Mohammadi stressed the urgent need for continued international scrutiny. Mohammadi has been convicted fives times since March 2021 -- three times for activism carried out while she was imprisoned -- and has been sentenced to over 12 years in prison during that period. She was already serving a sentence of 10 years and nine months on charges of acting against national security and propaganda against the state before the more recent convictions. Amid unrest within the country, Mohammadi stressed that the Iranian regime's violent suppression tactics were not only intensifying but also broadening in scope, affecting not just political dissidents but women, religious minorities, and ethnic groups indiscriminately. The call for action coincided with a meeting of the UN Human Rights Council, where Javaid Rehman, the special rapporteur on human rights in Iran, criticized the Islamic republic for its discrimination against minorities and the enactment of repressive laws targeting women and girls. Rehman advocated for the creation of an international mechanism to hold the Iranian government accountable, highlighting the long-standing impunity enjoyed by the regime. Mohammadi, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2023, has been campaigning for human rights in Iran for decades and has been in and out of prison for the last 20 years. Concerns were also raised about the well-being of Mohammadi herself, who is currently imprisoned and facing serious health issues, including heart and lung conditions that pose a significant risk to her life. In November 2022, the Geneva-based UNHRC formed a fact-finding committee to investigate human rights violations amid a violent crackdown on anti-government protests that erupted over the death of Mahsa Amini. The resolution provides for an independent investigative mission to document human rights violations in Iran in the context of the crackdown on the protests, which erupted in mid-September after Amini died after being arrested for allegedly wearing a head scarf improperly. In a report presented earlier this month by Sara Hossain, head of the UN's Independent Fact-Finding Committee, the Iranian government was directly implicated in the physical violence leading to Amini's death, with the committee describing such government actions against women as "crimes against humanity." However, Kazem Gharibabadi, the secretary of the Human Rights Council of Iran, accused the UN's Fact-Finding Committee of bias and a lack of independence. Despite these accusations, 43 human rights organizations specializing in Iranian and international affairs have issued a joint statement urging the UN Human Rights Council to renew the mandates of both Javaid Rehman and the Fact-Finding Committee, emphasizing the critical nature of their missions in safeguarding human rights within Iran. Written by Ardeshir Tayebi based on an original story in Persian by RFE/RL's Radio Farda Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-mohammedi- un-rights-probe/32869856.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 Imposing Sanctions on Networks Supporting Iran's Ballistic Missile, Defense, and Nuclear Programs US Department of State Press Statement Matthew Miller, Department Spokesperson March 20, 2024 The United States is today imposing sanctions on procurement networks based in Iran, TArkiye, Oman, and Germany that have acquired goods for Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force Self Sufficiency Jihad Organization, Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL), the Iran Centrifuge Technology Company, and other U.S.-sanctioned entities that are part of Iran's military-industrial base. Today's designations follow previous U.S. designations of individuals and entities linked to the IRGC, MODAFL, and their subsidiaries' ballistic missile production and other activities on behalf of Iran's defense industrial base. The United States is committed to using all available tools to expose and disrupt the networks supporting Iran's reckless proliferation of weapons that destabilizes the Middle East and enables Russia's continued aggression against Ukraine. The Department of the Treasury's actions were taken pursuant to Executive Order 13382, which targets proliferators of weapons of mass destruction, and their means of delivery, and their supporters. For more information on today's action, please see the Department of the Treasury's press release https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-rleases/jy2194 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Treasury Targets Multiple Procurement Networks Supporting Iran's Proliferation-Sensitive Programs U.S. Department of the Treasury March 20, 2024 WASHINGTON a Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) targeted three procurement networks -- based in Iran, TArkiye, Oman, and Germany -- that have supported Iran's ballistic missile, nuclear, and defense programs. These networks have procured carbon fiber, epoxy resins, and other missile-applicable goods for Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force Self Sufficiency Jihad Organization (IRGC ASF SSJO), Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL), other U.S.-designated entities in Iran's defense industrial base, and Iran Centrifuge Technology Company (TESA), which is linked to the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI). "Through complex covert procurement networks, Iran seeks to supply rogue actors around the world with weapons systems that fuel conflict and risk countless civilian lives," said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson. "The United States will continue to use our tools to disrupt these networks and hold accountable those countries that would help proliferate Iran's drones and missiles." Today's action was taken pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13382, which targets proliferators of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and their means of delivery. This action builds on OFAC's June 6, 2023 and October 18, 2023 designations targeting third-country procurement networks supporting the IRGC, MODAFL, and their subsidiaries' ballistic missile production. The U.S. Department of State designated the IRGC and MODAFL pursuant to E.O. 13382 on October 25, 2007 in connection with Iran's ballistic missile program. MODAFL oversees a range of subsidiaries involved in ballistic missile production. The U.S. Department of State designated the IRGC ASF SSJO, which is involved in ballistic missile research and flight test launches, pursuant to E.O. 13382 on July 18, 2017. MAZIAR KARIMI AND PROCUREMENT NETWORK Germany-based dual Iranian-German national Maziar Karimi (Karimi) has procured epoxy resin and other items for Iran's IRGC ASF SSJO using a complex web of intermediaries and front companies. Karimi is a long-time procurement agent who has supported Iran's defense industry since at least 2013. Germany-based Mazixon GmbH and Co KG (Mazixon GmbH) is majority-owned and directed by Karimi. Karimi has used Mazixon GmbH to facilitate procurements for the IRGC ASF SSJO and its ballistic missile program. Karimi is also the managing director and majority owner of Germany-based firm Mazixon Verwaltungs GmbH (Mazixon Verwaltungs). Karimi has used Oman-based Mazaya Alardh Aldhabia LLC (MAA) as a front company to facilitate procurements for Iranian defense end-users, including the IRGC ASF SSJO and Iran's MODAFL. MAA, in collaboration with Mazixon GmbH, has facilitated shipments of epoxy resin and other items to Iran in support of Karimi's procurements for Iran's defense sector. Karimi has also facilitated the procurement of antennas using Mazixon GmbH and MAA as intermediaries. Karimi has also used TArkiye-based Tit Uluslararasi Nakliyat Deri Tekstil Gida Sanayi Ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi (Uluslararasi) as another front company to facilitate procurements for Iranian defense end-users, including the IRGC ASF SSJO. Uluslararasi has been involved in the shipment of epoxy resin and other items to Iran in support of Karimi's procurements for the IRGC ASF SSJO. Karimi is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13382 for having provided, or attempted to provide, financial, material, technological or other support for, or goods or services in support of, the IRGC ASF SSJO, a person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to E.O. 13382. Mazixon GmbH and Mazixon Verwaltungs are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13382 for being owned or controlled by Karimi, a person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to E.O. 13382. MAA and Uluslararasi are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13382 for having provided, or attempted to provide, financial, material, technological or other support for, or goods or services in support of, the IRGC ASF SSJO. TARKIYE-BASED CARBON FIBER PROCUREMENT NETWORK FOR MODAFL TArkiye-based company Gokler Dis Ticaret Limited Sirketi (Gokler) has facilitated procurements of carbon fiber and solvents used in the production of carbon fiber for Iran's MODAFL and its subsidiaries. TArkiye-based Mahmut Gok (Gok) is the managing director of Gokler andhas personally conducted procurements of artificial graphite destined for Iran on behalf of the company. Gok has used his other TArkiye-based company, Mahmut Gok Skies Petroleum Dis Ticaret (Skies Petroleum), to conduct shipments destined for Iran. Gok is the President of the Executive Board for TArkiye-based DM Gold Kiymetli Madenler Anonim Sirketi (DM Gold) and has used DM Gold as a front company for illicit Iranian procurement efforts. Gok also recently established TArkiye-based Klas Kimyasal Urunler Ticaret Limited Sirketi (Klas Kimyasal) as an additional front company for procurements likely for Iranian end-users. Gokler is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13382 for having provided, or attempted to provide, financial, material, technological or other support for, or goods or services in support of, MODAFL, a person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to E.O. 13382. Gok is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13382 for acting or purporting to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Gokler, a person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to E.O. 13382. Skies Petroleum, DM Gold, and Klas Kimyasal are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13382 for being owned or controlled by, or acting or purporting to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Gok, a person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to E.O. 13382. IRAN-BASED AND TARKIYE-BASED PROLIFERATION-SENSITIVE COMPOSITE PRODUCTION AND PROCUREMENT Rostam Shahmari Ghojeh Biklo (Shahmari), Pishro Mobtaker Peyvand (PMP), and Mitra Inanlu were involved in the procurement of proliferation-sensitive material for proscribed elements of Iran's nuclear and other military weapons programs. Shahmari is the managing director of PMP, who managed procurement activities on behalf of the company, including procurements in the interest of TESA. PMP procured resin, hardener, and accelerator on behalf of TESA and resin on behalf of Kalaye Electric Company (KEC). The U.S. Department of the Treasury designated TESA on November 21, 2011, and KEC on February 16, 2007, pursuant to E.O. 13382. TESA and KEC are subordinate to AEOI and routinely collaborate on projects in support of AEOI, which itself is designated pursuant to E.O. 13382. AEOI is the main Iranian organization responsible for research and development activities in the field of nuclear technology, including Iran's centrifuge enrichment program and experimental laser enrichment of uranium program. Shahmari and PMP are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13382 for having provided, or attempted to provide, financial, material, technological or other support for, or goods or services in support of, AEOI, a person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to E.O. 13382. Mitra Inanlu is the chairwoman of the board, managing director, and beneficial owner of Mandegar Baspar Fajr Asia Company (Mandegar Baspar). On August 29, 2014, the U.S. Department of State designated Mandegar Baspar pursuant to E.O. 13382 for engaging in or attempting to engage in activities that have materially contributed to, or posed a risk of materially contributing to, the proliferation of WMD or their means of delivery. Mitra Inanlu is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13382 for acting or purporting to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Mandegar Baspar, a person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to E.O. 13382. Alborz Organic Materials Engineering Company is owned by Mitra Inanlu and was established to manufacture epoxy resins and other materials of the composite industry. Alborz Organic Materials Engineering Company is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13382 for being owned or controlled by, or acting or purporting to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Mitra Inanlu, a person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to E.O. 13382. Hidayet Kanoglu (Kanoglu) procured resin and hardener for Sazeh Morakab Co. Ltd (Sazeh Morakab) for the ultimate benefit of TESA. On August 29, 2014, the U.S. Department of the Treasury designated Sazeh Morakab pursuant to E.O. 13382 for providing services to Shahid Hemat Industrial Group (SHIG) and Iran's Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company (HESA). Kanoglu is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13382 for having provided, or attempted to provide, financial, material, technological or other support for, or goods or services in support of, Sazeh Morakab, a person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to E.O. 13382. SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS As a result of today's action, all property and interests in property of the persons named above, and of any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, 50 percent or more by them, individually or with other blocked persons, that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons must be blocked and reported to OFAC. All transactions by U.S. persons or within the United States (including transactions transiting the United States) that involve any property or interests in property of blocked or designated persons are prohibited. In addition, persons that engage in certain transactions with the entities designated today may themselves be exposed to sanctions. Furthermore, any foreign financial institution that knowingly facilitates a significant transaction or provides significant financial services for any of the or entities designated today could be subject to U.S. sanctions. The power and integrity of OFAC sanctions derive not only from OFAC's ability to designate and add persons to the SDN List but also from its willingness to remove persons from the SDN List consistent with the law. The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about a positive change in behavior. For information concerning the process for seeking removal from an OFAC list, including the SDN List, please refer to OFAC's Frequently Asked Question 897 here. Click here for more information on the individuals and entities designated today. ### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Imposes New Sanctions on Iran's Military Procurement Networks By VOA News March 20, 2024 The U.S. Treasury Department imposed new sanctions Wednesday on procurement networks supporting Iran's ballistic missile, nuclear and defense programs. The networks are based in Iran, Turkey, Oman and Germany, according to the Treasury Department's statement, and acquired carbon fiber, epoxy resins and other materials used in missiles. According to Brian Nelson, the Treasury Department's under secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, the "complex covert procurement networks" enable Iran to perpetuate conflict and risk lives. Iran is rife with sanctions regarding its nuclear program and missile production capabilities. Last month, the Treasury announced measures aimed at Iran's ballistic missile and drone procurement programs. The International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations' nuclear watchdog, has accused Iran of stonewalling its oversight attempts. For years, Iran has refuted allegations that it is developing nuclear weapons, maintaining that its nuclear activities are solely geared toward peaceful endeavors such as energy generation and medicine. However, the IAEA's director-general warned last year that Iran has enough enriched uranium and materials for several nuclear bombs. The U.S. is particularly focused on Iran because of its connection and military support of its proxies in Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and the Gaza Strip who have attacked U.S. and Israeli targets. In a statement about the new sanctions, the U.S. Department of State said, "the United States is committed to using all available tools to expose and disrupt the networks supporting Iran's reckless proliferation of weapons that destabilizes the Middle East and enables Russia's continued aggression against Ukraine." Some information for this report came from Reuters. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Statement by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Israel - Prime Minister's Office The 37th Government 20.03.2024 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today [translated from Hebrew]: "Citizens of Israel, here is a brief update on my most recent conversation with US President Joe Biden At the beginning, we agreed that Hamas needs to be eliminated. But during the war, it is no secret, there have been disagreements between us on the best way to achieve this goal. At the outset, I told the President: It is impossible to defeat Hamas without the IDF entering the Gaza Strip. In our latest conversation, I told him: It is impossible to complete the victory without the IDF entering Rafah in order to eliminate the remnants of Hamas's battalions. I want you to know that I have already approved the IDF's operational plan, and soon we will also approve the plan to evacuate the civilian population from the battle zones. President Biden, whose support I appreciate, asked to present us with the proposals from his side in the humanitarian sphere, and also on other topics. And as I have said - there have been times when we have agreed with our friends, and there have been times when we have not agreed with them. In the end, we have always done what is vital for our security, and this is what we will do this time as well. As we are preparing to enter Rafah, and this will take a little time, we are continuing to operate with full force. We are continuing to operate in Khan Yunis, in the camps in the center, in eliminating and capturing senior Hamas officials as we have just done in Shifa, and in eliminating hundreds of terrorists. As I have promised you time and again, we are determined to achieve total victory, and we will achieve it." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Canada halts arms exports to Israel after criticisms grow Iran Press TV Wednesday, 20 March 2024 10:59 AM The Canadian government has halted all arms shipments to Israel, a move that has drawn the ire of the Tel Aviv regime as it faces growing international isolation over its genocidal war on Gaza. "The situation on the ground makes it so that we can't" export any kind of military equipment, a Canadian official told AFP on condition of anonymity. Canada's foreign minister Melanie Joly told the Toronto Star newspaper on Tuesday that Ottawa would stop arms exports to Israel. Israel slammed the decision, with foreign minister Israel Katz claiming it "undermines Israel's right to self-defense." Canada had earlier announced that it reduced its weapons shipments to Israel to non-lethal equipment such as radios following the regime's onslaught on Gaza on October 7. The latest decision came after the Canadian Parliament on Monday passed a nonbinding resolution calling for the international community to work toward a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians. Canada is a key ally of the US, which provides Israel with billions of dollars a year in military aid. Israel has been a top receiver of Canadian arms exports, with CAN$21 million worth of military materiel exported to Israel in 2022, according to Radio Canada, following CAN$26 million in shipments in 2021. There have been growing calls for countries to cut arms exports to Israel and to impose sanctions over the regime's repeated massacres against Palestinians. Governments including Belgium, Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands have suspended arms transfers to Israel. 'Important step' Canada has faced mounting domestic and international criticism for its support for the regime's onslaught and its continued export of arms to the regime. Campaign groups in Canada welcomed the decision to cease further arms exports to Israel, but they said the government must make clear if the decision also applies to existing arms export permits. Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East called the ban "an important step", but said, "We need to make sure that Canada stops the transfer of all military exports, period, without any loopholes". Labour Against the Arms Trade promised to campaign for a ban on existing arms permits. "Let us be clear: We will continue mobilizing with allies until all such permits are canceled," it said in a post on X. US Senator Bernie Sanders welcomed the move, saying in a post on X: "Given the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, including widespread and growing starvation, the US should not provide another nickel for Netanyahu's war machine." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Silvia Olivar places flowers with Sullivan Clerico, whom she nannies, during a vigil on Monday for those killed on West Portal Avenue when a woman crashed into a Muni bus stop Saturday in San Francisco. The two people who died at the scene and two who died later at the hospital were members of the same family. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle A baby whose parents and brother were killed when a sport utility vehicle plowed into a bus stop in San Franciscos West Portal neighborhood over the weekend has died, police and officials said Wednesday. Supervisor Myrna Melgar, who represents the area, confirmed the infants death Wednesday afternoon, and San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott informed the Police Commission on Wednesday evening, saying, This was a horrific incident and heartbreaking. Melgar said the infant had been transferred to palliative care due to the gravity of the injuries after the crash that killed the family members. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I have no words, Melgar said through tears. Officials identified the infant as Caue Ramos Pinto de Oliveira on Thursday afternoon. The babys father and 1-year-old brother were killed on impact Saturday when an SUV crashed into the West Portal bus stop where the Brazilian-Portuguese family was waiting, the San Francisco Police Department said. The babys mother died the next day. They were identified by the San Francisco Medical Examiners Office as Diego Cardoso de Oliveira, 40; Matilde Moncada Ramos Pinto, 38; and Joaquin Ramos Pinto de Oliveira, 1. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The baby was being treated for life-threatening injuries in an Oakland hospital, a representative of the Brazilian Consulate of San Francisco told the Chronicle on Monday, noting that the infant was in intensive care. The whole family is gone, the representative said. Melgar said family members elected to have the babys organs donated. The driver of the SUV, Mary Fong Lau, 78, was booked into jail on Sunday and remained in custody until Wednesday, when she was released, according to her attorney, Samuel Geller. Records show she was booked on vehicular manslaughter, driving the wrong way and speeding. District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said Monday that her office was in the process of receiving case information and evidence from the Police Department but had not yet charged Lau after the arrest. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Jenkins said her office was awaiting additional materials, including toxicology results and a review of the vehicles operating systems, before making decisions about charges. Melgar said the crash had added urgency to San Franciscos stalled efforts to improve street safety. Last year, 25 people were killed in traffic, according to city tallies. Some of us are going to fight like hell to make our cities safer, the supervisor said. The city has been so slow to implement things that make people on the sidewalk, people waiting for the bus safer. We need to move faster. We need to save lives, she added. This was not OK. More than 100 people gathered at a vigil for the family in West Portal on Monday, where police blocked off streets near the crash site to accommodate a makeshift memorial and the crowd. Scott and Mayor London Breed attended the vigil and placed flowers on the memorial. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Breed called the crash heartbreaking after visiting the scene Saturday. Oliveira was a Brazilian citizen working for Apple in the Bay Area, according to the Brazilian Consulate of San Francisco and Clube de Criacao, a business association in Brazil. He was an associate creative director at Apple, where he had worked for four years. The business association said Oliveira had an incredible career outside of Brazil that included time spent at advertising agencies in London. Pinto had a long career in the advertising and film industry and had been an executive producer at Ridley Scotts production company since 2022, according to a company news release from that year. The company declined to comment. The Portuguese consulate of San Francisco declined to comment on her death, saying the Pinto family is devastated and wants to safeguard its privacy. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Japan-PIC defense meeting 'exposes Tokyo's ambition to expand military presence' Global Times By Fan Anqi and Zhang Wanshi Published: Mar 20, 2024 10:03 PM As Japan hosts a defense ministerial meeting with Pacific Island countries (PICs), Chinese experts warn that Tokyo's true intention is to support the US' Indo-Pacific strategy in containing China, while also seeking to advance its own military expansion. However, PICs will not be easily swayed by short-term benefits offered by the West, experts said. They are well aware of the tangible benefits in cooperating with China, in contrast to the West's high-profile "aid," which is actually a means of instilling their ideological influence. Japan on Tuesday began a ministerial-level defense meeting with Pacific Island nations in Tokyo, aiming to "counter China's expanding military clout and maritime assertiveness in the region," Japanese media The Mainichi reported on Tuesday. It is the second such meeting following the first in September 2021. Fiji and Papua New Guinea have sent their defense ministers to the talks, and officials from the US and Australia also participated in the two-day talks through Wednesday. The meeting stems from several pressing factors the Japanese government is facing. For one thing, the Kishida government is mired in a domestic trust crisis in recent months, particularly from elements within his party. Therefore, he is eager to change the status quo by making diplomatic achievements to salvage his image, Chen Hong, director of the Australian Studies Center at East China Normal University, told the Global Times on Wednesday. Japan is facing mounting pressures from the US to coordinate with its Indo-Pacific strategy, in which the South Pacific is regarded a crucial strategic area to counter China, the expert said. According to a report by the South China Morning Post last week, the talks could also involve Japan's Self-Defense Forces (SDF) and police taking part in local and regional responses as well as training, signifying "a dramatic departure from previous post-war policies." It reveals Japan's true intention of breaking through the restrictions from the Japanese Constitution on the SDF, and expanding its military presence, observers noted. "The move will be in direct violation of the Japanese Constitution, which limits the activities of the SDF to participation in mostly UN peacekeeping missions, and with primary focus on support services such as logistical and medical tasks," Chen said. Da Zhigang, director of the Institute of Northeast Asian Studies at Heilongjiang Provincial Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times that while initially focused on coastal defense, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force has now become one of the world's most powerful navies, straying far from its original purpose. He noted that from the participation of the SDF, it is clear Japan's assistance to Pacific island countries comes with selfish motives. Despite Japan's vigorous incitement of the "China threat theory," PICs are not buying it. "They do not agree with nor care about the so-called China threat theory, but instead, China helps them address their biggest problem - poverty," Chen noted. China's investments in local projects, including road, bridge and airport construction, have significantly improved local infrastructure and boosted employment. Additionally, given the lower education levels among island nations' populations, China has provided computers, internet access and other resources to enhance local education standards. In contrast, Western investments and aid in these regions often come with political conditions that require compliance with their agendas. Furthermore, the touted assistance from Western nations is primarily aimed at promoting institutional development, essentially replicating Western political systems. However, this approach only leads to disconnects with the local realities, Chen explained. A few days before the defense meeting with Japan, Fiji maintained a police cooperation deal with China despite mounting pressure from former colonial powers such as the US and Australia. The move reflects that such cooperation, fundamentally different from that with Western countries, stems from the strong demand of the PICs. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN says 'alarmed' by deadly Myanmar air strikes against Rohingya Muslims Iran Press TV Tuesday, 19 March 2024 7:38 AM UN Secretary-General AntAnio Guterres is "alarmed" by reports of ongoing airstrikes in Myanmar that have killed more than 20 civilians in Rakhine State's Minbya township on Monday, a UN spokesperson said. "The expansion of conflict in (predominantly Muslim) Rakhine State is driving displacement and exacerbating pre-existing vulnerabilities and discrimination," the spokesperson said. "[The UN Secretary-General] is alarmed by reports of ongoing airstrikes by the military, including today in Minbya township that reportedly killed and injured many civilians. There have been violent confrontations in Myanmar's western Rakhine state following an "attack" on security forces in November, which marked the end of a ceasefire that had been mostly observed since the military coup in 2021. "The Secretary-General calls on all parties to prevent further incitement of communal tensions," the spokesperson added. Minbya township in Rakhine is one of the locations where the air strikes are taking place and experienced heavy clashes between the military junta's armed wing, Tatmadaw, and the Arakan Army (AA) during the war in Myanmar, and came under full control of the Arakans last month. The Monday airstrike hit the Muslim-majority village of Thar Dar around 1:45 am after a fighter jet dropped bombs, killing 10 men, four women, and 10 children, one resident told AFP, while another resident, asking for anonymity, said 23 people had been killed in the blast and 18 wounded. "The jet fighter fired continuously and dropped bombs which killed 20 villagers on the spot. Three of 15 injured villagers later died in the hospital," said a resident. "There was no fighting in our village and they bombed us," said the resident, asking for anonymity for security reasons. According to reports, Mawlawi U Hasa Nali (60), a Muslim religious scholar along with his wife and three children died in the incident. The AA has gained control over Pauktaw, Minbya, Mrauk-U, and Ponnagyun townships, where the junta has been carrying out daily airstrikes using jet fighters. These airstrikes have been intentionally aimed at residential areas and villages. The AA represents one of the numerous armed ethnic minority factions situated in Myanmar's border regions. These groups have been engaged in conflicts with the military since gaining independence from Britain in 1948. The primary reasons for these clashes are centered around the pursuit of autonomy and control over valuable resources. The Muslim-minority Rohingya community has been subjected to persecution in Buddhist-majority Myanmar for decades. Nearly a million of them have fled their homes following a military-led genocide in 2017. Close to a million Rohingya refugees are currently residing in overcrowded camps located in the Cox's Bazar district of Bangladesh, which shares a border with Myanmar, while many seeking asylum have scattered throughout neighboring countries like India. The military leaders in Myanmar consider the Rohingya people as outsiders and have refused to grant them citizenship. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address No bids at auction for Myanmar democracy icon Suu Kyi's home At a starting price of US$90 million, observers had predicted no one would bite. By RFA Burmese 2024.03.20 -- A junta court-ordered auction of jailed democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi's historic home in Myanmar's Yangon region concluded with no buyers, sources said Wednesday, after the bidding price was set at more than 300 billion kyats, or about US$90 million. Critics have called the auction part of an attempt by the military regime to "obliterate the history" of Myanmar's democratic movement, while the country's shadow government of former civilian leaders vowed to take legal action against anyone who tries to purchase the home. They say it should be protected as a place of cultural heritage. The auction was held on Wednesday morning at No. 54 University Avenue in Yangon's Bahan township, the two-acre site of the lakeside home where the deposed state counsellor spent nearly 15 years under house arrest under Myanmar's previous military junta. But sources close to the Kamaryut District Court, which laid out the terms for the auction, told RFA Burmese that it ended after repeated calls for bids by the auction officer were unsuccessful. Observers had predicted that no one would pay the 300 billion kyat starting price set by the court in January. Suu Kyi's lawyers had lodged a petition with the Yangon District Court over the January ruling and an attorney based in the city told RFA that the outcome would determine whether another auction of the home could take place, "possibly with a revised floor price." If the home does not return to auction, the Kamaryut District Court will proceed with its sale on the open market in accordance with the law. Suu Kyi, 78, is the head of the deposed National League for Democracy and the country's former de facto leader whose government the military overthrew in a February 2021 coup, sending the country into civil war. She is now in prison, initially sentenced by the junta to 33 years on 19 charges, a sentence that was later reduced to 27 years. The Nobel Peace Prize laureate was initially put in solitary confinement in Yangon's Insein Prison and is now being held incommunicado at a facility in the capital Naypyidaw. In January, her son Kim Aris, who lives in the United Kingdom, received a letter from her - the first public communication from her since late 2022. Aris didn't have much to say about her health based on the letter, but she is believed to be suffering from medical and dental problems. Family dispute The lakeside home was awarded to Suu Kyi's mother, Khin Kyi, after her father, independence activist Gen. Aung San was assassinated in 1947. Granted freedom in 2010 after years of house arrest, Suu Kyi received U.S. President Barack Obama, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon at the compound. But ownership of the historic property has long been disputed by Suu Kyi and her elder brother Aung San Oo. On Aug. 22, 2022, the junta-controlled Union Supreme Court declared the home would be auctioned under Aung San Oo's appeal. Myanmar's shadow National Unity Government, or NUG, on Wednesday reaffirmed its vow to take legal action if the home is auctioned or sold. "No one wants to be prosecuted for [the junta's] actions that are not in accordance with the law," said Nay Phone Latt, the spokesperson of the NUG Prime Minister's Office. "Because of this, there will be no one who will bid." Political commentator Hla Kyaw Zaw told RFA that the junta's attempt to auction the house is motivated by "a personal vendetta" and desire to "whitewash" the country's history. "No. 54 University Avenue is a symbol of Burma's democracy movement," she said. "This is a petty attempt to erase its legacy ... [and] tarnishes the reputation of General Aung San's family." Translated by Kalyar Lwin. 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 Resistance groups kill and threaten Myanmar junta's conscription supporters Nationwide, administrators find themselves caught in the middle of resistance group's violent threats and junta pressure following orders to recruit. By RFA Burmese 2024.03.20 -- Rebel defense groups killed two administrators in vigilante slayings and are threatening the lives of more, according to resistance organizations. Since the country's 2021 military coup d'etat, significant defeats for the junta have driven coup leader Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing to enact the People's Military Service Law. Subsequent widespread panic from Myanmar's youth has pushed them into hiding, across the Thai border in droves, with one even taking his own life. The law would require men and women between 18 and 35 to serve in the country's military for two years and skilled professionals for longer terms. In two regions in central Myanmar, Wundwin Township Revolution Force and Salin People's Defense Force have taken action into their own hands. The groups admitted to gunning down two local administrators in Magway's Salin township and Mandalay's Wundwin township, according to the defense forces. Salin People's Defense Force told Radio Free Asia they murdered 50-year-old Myint Htoo on Monday at 10:30 p.m. after he took a loudspeaker to the village's streets to encourage young people in Pu Khat Taing to serve in the junta's military. Radio Free Asia could not independently confirm details about Maung Pu's death, but a Salin People's Defense Force official reported that both village administrators were armed with hand-made guns. An official of the Salin People's Defense Force who spoke on the condition of anonymity for security reasons told RFA they plan to continue targeting administrators who support conscription. "We have made a list of local administrators, officials from the general administrative department and immigration officials who are taking advantage of political instability to threaten people and seek their own interests," he told RFA on Wednesday. "We still have to continue to take action individually." A representative from Wundwin Township Revolution Force said they are monitoring the behavior of local officials backing the junta. "Anyone who continues to work for the military service law according to the junta council must go the same way as Maung Pu," he said. He agreed to speak about the group's actions under the condition of anonymity. RFA contacted Magway and Mandalay junta spokesmen Myo Myint and Thein Htay for comments on the deaths, but they did not respond. Nationwide threats As military recruitment begins in Yangon, five guerilla groups issued a statement on Tuesday night with warnings that they would take "severe action" against administrators supporting the law. The joint statement was issued by the Yangon Region People's Defense Force, Yangon Urban Guerrillas, Yangon UG Association, Yangon Army and Yangon Guerrilla Army, who called the conscription system "a flagrant violation of human security." Junta officials began their registration and recruitment operations to bolster army numbers on March 12. Still a deeply junta-controlled region, the vast majority of township and neighborhood-level officials are carrying out the orders, a Yangon resident said. "The current enumeration and enlistment are being led by the chairs of administration and administrators," he said, asking to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals. "They have to send the lists to the township-level administration and carry it on, step by step. It looks like many of the lists have already reached their hands." Yangon region's junta spokesperson Htay Aung told RFA Wednesday that these procedures were not necessarily in connection with the conscription law, but merely business as usual. "Security is normal for us. Yangon is calm and peaceful as usual," he said. "Normal procedures are being carried out in accordance with the law." Twenty-one local administrators of Rakhine state's Thandwe township submitted their resignations on March 18 after junta officials asked them to recruit a militia and compile lists of potential recruits. Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Kiana Duncan and 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 'Tide Is Turning' Against Myanmar's Junta, UN Special Rapporteur Says By Lisa Schlein March 20, 2024 Myanmar's ruling junta "is losing" its war against a coalition of domestic forces but still remains highly dangerous, according to a U.N. special rapporteur on the human rights situation in that country. "The tide is turning in Myanmar because of widespread citizen opposition to the junta and mounting battlefield victories by resistance forces," said Tom Andrews, who presented his latest report to the U.N. Human Rights Council on Tuesday. At a briefing for reporters Wednesday, Andrews said the junta is losing territory, bases, and troops, and losing its capacity "to promote the fiction that it is in any way legitimate" or that it can unify the country by force. "The junta now controls less than half of Myanmar and has lost tens of thousands of troops to casualties, surrender, or defections since it launched its military coup over three years ago," he said. Andrews added that Myanmar's military, "while desperate," remains extremely dangerous and has escalated its punishing assault on the civilian population. "The past five months have seen a fivefold increase in airstrikes against civilian targets," he said, noting that the number killed or injured by landmines "more than doubled last year." Since the junta toppled the country's democratically elected government on February 1, 2021, thousands of people have been killed, tens of thousands arbitrarily arrested and detained, and millions displaced. In response, supporters of the ousted democratically elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi have joined forces with a collection of ethnically based militias to fight against the brutalizing, repressive leadership, with increasing success. A terrible toll The special rapporteur is calling on states to stop exporting the sophisticated, powerful weapons Myanmar is using to kill civilians, warning that the violence and chaos in Myanmar could spill over into the region and the wider world. "Thousands of desperate people continue to flee into neighboring countries. Junta fighter jets have violated the airspace of Myanmar's neighbors, bombs have landed across borders," he said. Underscoring the dangers of appeasing and supporting the junta, Andrews noted that criminal networks "have found a safe haven in Myanmar." "Myanmar is now the top opium producer in the world and a global center for cyber-scam operations that enslave tens of thousands and victimize untold numbers of people around the world," he said. The junta's military crackdown and its abusive treatment of the civilian population have exacted a terrible toll. The Burmese human rights organization The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners estimates more than 4,500 people have been killed and over 26,000 arrested, most of whom remain detained. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, OCHA, reports 2.7 million people have been displaced and 18.6 million people in Myanmar, including 6 million children, need humanitarian assistance. "When I began my service as special rapporteur, before the coup, that number was 1 million," Andrews said. 'The unfathomable' To make matters worse, he said the junta has begun a program of forced military recruitment, "at times abducting young men on the street." Others are going into hiding or fleeing the country. "Particularly hard hit are the besieged members of the Rohingya community who are now being subjected to ongoing bombardment by junta forces. But, unlike most in Myanmar, the Rohingya are prohibited from moving to safety," he said. "Now, the junta is trying to force young Rohingya to do the unfathomable a join the very military that is committing these relentless attacks and that committed genocide against their community, forcing hundreds of thousands over the border into Bangladesh." In August 2017, nearly 1 million Rohingya Muslims fled to Cox's Bazaar, Bangladesh to escape persecution, violence, and serious human rights violations in Myanmar's Rakhine state. They live in what is known as "the world's largest refugee camp" in overcrowded conditions, with little access to education and no ability to earn an income, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation and serious protection risks. The United Nations describes the Rohingya as "the most persecuted minority in the world." Myanmar's military junta has denied the Rohingya citizenship and sees them as foreign interlopers. Andrews has called on the international community not to turn a blind eye to the horrors that are ongoing in Myanmar. He said strong, concerted international action is required to stop the killing of innocent civilians and bring down the illegitimate leaders. He said impunity for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Myanmar must end. For that to happen, he said, "Those who are responsible for atrocity crimes in Myanmar must know that they will be held accountable." Myanmar was unable to respond to the special rapporteur's report at the U.N. Human Rights Council because the United Nation does not recognize the de facto military rulers as a legitimate government. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Former Home of Aung San Suu Kyi Fails to Sell at Auction By VOA News March 20, 2024 The house where deposed Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi spent more than a decade under house arrest was put up for auction Wednesday - but attracted no bidders. The lakeside house in the former capital, Yangon, has been the center of an estate battle between Suu Kyi and her estranged brother Aung San Oo. The property was handed down by their late mother, Khin Kyi, who lived in the house for several decades following the assassination in 1947 of her husband, independence hero General Aung San. A court ruled in January that the house be sold at auction and the proceeds split between the siblings. The home, which sits on less than a hectare of land, was listed for $90 million. Suu Kyi moved into the house in 1988 after returning from Britain to look after her ailing mother and launching her political career as a founder of the pro-democracy National League for Democracy. She was put under house arrest by the ruling military junta at the time and spent the next 15 years there in detention, during which time she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991. She welcomed several dignitaries to the home after her release in 2010, including former U.S. President Barack Obama and former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Suu Kyi left Yangon and moved to the military-built capital Naypyidaw in 2012 to serve in parliament and eventually lead the newly elected civilian government in 2016. The military again took control of Myanmar in February 2021 and jailed Suu Kyi and other leaders of the civilian government. She is currently serving 27 years in prison after her conviction on various charges brought against her by the current junta. Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Reuters, Agence France-Presse. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Diplomat Denies Pushing Pakistani PM Khan Out of Office By Sarah Zaman March 20, 2024 A top U.S. diplomat for South and Central Asia has for the first time publicly addressed allegations of conspiring to oust Pakistan's then-Prime Minister Imran Khan in 2022. Testifying before the House Foreign Relations Committee on Thursday, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Donald Lu rejected the charge that he or his government played a role in fomenting Khan's ouster. "These allegations, this conspiracy theory, is a lie, it is a complete falsehood," Lu said responding to a question by committee Chairman Representative Joe Wilson, a Republican from the U.S. state of South Carolina. Cypher conspiracy In April 2022, Khan was expelled from power in a parliamentary vote of no-confidence. Khan has since alleged that a secret diplomatic cable, or cypher, sent by then-Pakistani ambassador to the U.S. Asad Majeed Khan, proves the United States conspired with Pakistan's military and opposition leaders to remove him from office. The cable described a March 7, 2022, meeting with Lu in Washington. Last August, an American news outlet, The Intercept, published what it said was the text of the cipher. According to Ambassador Khan's purported cable, the State Department officials at the meeting encouraged Khan to tell Pakistan's powerful military that Islamabad could expect warmer relations if Khan were removed from office because of his neutrality on the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The Pakistani prime minister was in Moscow for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the day the invasion began and failed to condemn it. "I think if the no-confidence vote against the Prime Minister succeeds, all will be forgiven in Washington because the Russia visit is being looked at as a decision by the Prime Minister. ... Otherwise, I think it will be tough going ahead," the document quoted Lu as telling the Pakistani ambassador. While the State Department has consistently rejected the allegation of conspiring in Khan's ouster, the department's spokesperson Mathew Miller conceded last year that the Biden administration was unhappy with Khan's overtures to Russia. "We expressed concern privately to the government of Pakistan as we expressed concerns publicly about the visit of then-Prime Minister Khan to Moscow on the very day of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. We made that concern quite clear," Miller said at a regular press conference while responding to a question about The Intercept's reporting. The Pakistani military and Khan's opponents also have rejected his allegations. The former Pakistani prime minister is currently serving a 10-year prison term for revealing the contents of the secret cable, a charge he rejects as politically motivated. Lu called the reporting of the diplomatic cable in Pakistani media inaccurate. "At no point does it [the cypher] accuse the United States' government or me personally of taking steps against Imran Khan," he told the committee. Lu pointed out that Pakistan's now-former ambassador Khan had also testified to his government that there was no U.S. conspiracy to remove the prime minister from office. In March 2022, Pakistan's National Security Committee headed by Khan issued a demarche to the U.S ambassador over his country's "interference" in Pakistan's politics. After Khan's ouster, however, another NSC committee headed by then-Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif concluded that the diplomatic cable did not indicate any U.S. conspiracy. "We respect the sovereignty of Pakistan. We respect the principle that Pakistani people should be the only ones choosing their own leaders through a democratic process," Lu told Wednesday's hearing. The assistant secretary was disrupted several times as some in the audience called him a liar. The proceedings stopped on a few occasions, and Capital Police removed some in attendance for being disruptive. Lu told the committee that he has received several death threats, and his family also has been threatened over "unfounded allegations" since Khan's removal. Election irregularities Addressing reports of irregularities in Pakistan's February 8 general elections, Lu said the Biden administration was persistently urging Pakistani authorities to investigate. "We as a partner of Pakistan have called for that to be done transparently and fully and for those found responsible for irregularities to be held accountable." Pakistan's much-delayed elections faced several controversies. A state-backed crackdown on Khan's party, pre-election violence including terror attacks, suspension of mobile internet services on Election Day, and a massive delay in announcing results led local and international observers to question the fairness of the vote. The United States, U.K. and the EU have called on Pakistan to probe the discrepancies. In a February 28 letter to President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, a bipartisan group of 31 members of the U.S. Congress urged the administration not to recognize Pakistan's new government until "a thorough, transparent, and credible investigation of election interference" was conducted. In a statement on April 13, though, Blinken congratulated Sharif on being elected as prime minister of Pakistan. U.S. ambassador to Islamabad Donald Blome has since met Pakistan's new president, prime minister, as well as foreign and finance ministers. Representative Greg Casar, a Democrat from Texas who was among the authors of the letter, questioned Lu on the administration recognizing Sharif's government. "We do not go around recognizing or withholding recognition. We decide whether we are going to engage with the government," said Lu. Pakistan's polls delivered a hung parliament. Khan's party had to field candidates as independents after it was deprived of a unified elections symbol. Although candidates backed by Khan's PTI won the largest number of seats in the lower house of the parliament, Sharif's party, which came in second, formed a coalition government with Khan's opponents. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Insurgents Launch Deadly Attack on Pakistani City Housing China-Run Port By Ayaz Gul March 20, 2024 Authorities in Pakistan said Wednesday six people, mostly security personnel, were killed when a group of heavily armed "terrorists" stormed a government building in the southwestern city of Gwadar, home to a China-run port. A senior security official confirmed the casualties, telling VOA that Pakistani forces "swiftly engaged" and killed "all eight assailants" in a fierce gunfight. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to interact with the media. Pakistan's military later said in a formal statement that two soldiers were among those killed in the militant raid. It added that "a large quantity of arms, ammunition, and explosives was also recovered from the killed terrorists." The outlawed Baloch Liberation Army, or BLA, claimed responsibility for staging the afternoon assault on the Gwadar Port Authority complex, which houses civilian and security-related offices. In a statement sent to reporters, the group, designated as a global terrorist organization by the United States, claimed that members of its so-called suicide squad, the Majeed Brigade, carried out the attack. It shared no further details. "The attack began with a vehicle-born bomb, but thank God it could not explode," the security official told VOA. The insurgents carrying "hand grenades, rocket launchers, and automatic assault rifles later raided the building, but they were killed in the retaliatory fire," he said. Residents and witnesses reported several explosions followed by continuous firing. The deep-water Gwadar port in Pakistan's southwestern Baluchistan province port is located near the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil shipping route in the Arabian Sea. China built and directly operates the port. It is central to the multibillion-dollar bilateral collaboration known as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, or CPEC, an extension of Beijing's global Belt and Road Initiative, an infrastructure project. The bilateral undertaking has brought more than $25 billion in Chinese investment over the past decade, building road networks, power plants, and other infrastructure projects, including Gwadar. Baluchistan has experienced a decades-long insurgency spearheaded by BLA and other outlawed groups. Insurgents also have attacked Chinese nationals working on CPEC and other projects in Pakistan, killing several of them in recent years. Last August, Baloch insurgents ambushed a convoy of 23 Chinese engineers in Gwadar with a roadside bomb blast before opening fire on them, but no foreigners were harmed. BLA also claimed responsibility for that attack. Additionally, China is building an international airport in the coastal city. Pakistani officials say it is expected to be inaugurated later this year. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulates President Putin on his re-election India - Ministry of External Affairs March 20, 2024 Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had a telephone conversation today with the President of the Russian Federation, H.E. Mr. Vladimir Putin. PM congratulated him on his re-election as the President of the Russian Federation and conveyed his best wishes for peace, progress and prosperity of the friendly people of Russia. The two leaders agreed to make concerted efforts towards further strengthening the Special & Privileged Strategic Partnership between the two countries in the years to come. They also reviewed progress in various issues of bilateral cooperation, and exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest. While discussing the Russia-Ukraine conflict, PM reiterated India's consistent position in favour of dialogue and diplomacy as the way forward. The two leaders agreed to remain in touch. New Delhi March 20, 2024 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The Russian Polling Places Where Putin Lost, Even By The Official Count By RFE/RL's Siberia.Realities and Robert Coalson March 20, 2024 The day after voting concluded in Russia's election, the state news website in Kamchatka's capital published the official preliminary results for the Far Eastern region, noting every district reported at least 80 percent support for President Vladimir Putin. Two districts reported over 90 percent for the incumbent. The last paragraph of the story, though, held a surprise: Voters at polling station No. 271, aboard the refrigerated cargo ship Amber Baltik, gave a plurality of their votes to Leonid Slutsky, one of three token candidates who barely campaigned and whose positions echoed Putin's. Slutsky polled 37.5 percent to Putin's 31.3 percent. "This polling station...was the only one in the Kamchatka region where Vladimir Putin lost to anyone," the report concluded. In fact, polling station No. 271 was one of only a handful of the more than 90,000 inside Russia where Putin suffered defeat, according to official results. Although it is difficult to access complete precinct-by-precinct results, RFE/RL has studied local state-media reports of official results and identified just three such polling stations in the entire country. Putin did poll badly in many polling stations outside the country, where many of the voters were opposition-minded people who left Russia in recent years. The Central Election Commission has reported that Putin won 87.3 percent of the vote and that turnout was 77.4 percent, both record-high figures for Putin's nearly 25 years in power as president or prime minister. Ahead of the vote, analysts said the Kremlin wanted to use it as a convincing demonstration of nearly monolithic public support for Putin and his policies of war against Ukraine, repression at home, and confrontation with the West. Analysts, however, have begun poring over the official results and uncovering statistical evidence that, by conservative estimates, 22 million votes of Putin's official total of some 76 million may have been fraudulent. "The scale of the falsification has yet to be assessed and clarified," David Kankiya, a political analyst and member of the board of the Golos election-monitoring organization, told Current Time. "Much analytical work remains to be done....But we can say with confidence that the scale of the misrepresentations in these elections is truly record-breaking [for post-Soviet Russia]." 'Protest Sentiment' At polling station No. 1953 in a dormitory at Novosibirsk State University (NGU), Vladislav Davankov, a parliament deputy who positioned himself as a relative liberal while being careful not to criticize Putin, was the winner. Davankov received 42.5 percent of the vote, beating Putin's 40.7 percent, according to official results. Overall in Siberia's Novosibirsk region, both support for Putin -- 83.88 percent -- and turnout -- 63.19 percent -- were low by national standards. Sources at NGU, whose identities are being withheld for their protection, told RFE/RL that the level of "protest sentiment" among students is relatively high, as is a general spirit of nonconformism. The city of about 1.5 million has been a hub of science and technology since the Soviet era. One university employee noted that more than 1,800 students had been assigned to the polling station in the weeks ahead of the election, in an apparent effort by the authorities to boost turnout by making sure students were not registered at the place where they previously resided. Such actions, the employee said, "attracted a lot of students who were previously indifferent to politics to the polling stations." "They forced students to register and come to the polls," he added. "The university administration tried to boost turnout at all costs -- and they succeeded. It turned out the electorate was in a protest mood." Another university employee added that staff there are also relatively independent-minded, meaning it might have been more difficult to recruit a polling station commission that was willing to alter the results of the voting. "Quite a few of us are interested in politics, and many are not happy with the state of affairs in the country," the employee told RFE/RL's Siberia.Realities, although he noted that none of the other polling stations at the university posted similar results. The employee said he walked to several of the polling sites at 12 p.m. on March 17, as the opposition was conducting its Noon Against Putin protest in which it urged all anti-Putin voters to show up simultaneously to vote, and noticed that "the longest line was at the main NGU administrative building." "But, as we know, Davankov only got 30 percent there, and Putin supposedly came in first," he said. "Why would that be? Because there was a different commission? Or did people show up at noon and just spoil their ballots? I don't know." Election monitors on the staff of would-be presidential candidate Boris Nadezhdin, an anti-war liberal whose attempt to register aroused considerable public support before being quashed by the Central Election Commission in February, noted similar results in the polling stations on the campus of the Far Eastern Federal University in the port city of Vladivostok. According to their exit polling at polling stations Nos. 4280, 4281, and 4282, Davankov was supported by at least 41 percent of voters, while only 19 percent said they voted for Putin. However, the official results from the three precincts gave Putin 86-90 percent, while Davankov received only about 14 percent. A source at the Vladivostok university described a situation similar to the one depicted by RFE/RL's sources in Novosibirsk. "The public here is intellectual, teachers," the source said. "Ballot-box stuffing is only possible where all members of the polling station commission will go along with it. If even one member is opposed, it won't work. Apparently [in Novosibirsk] that one person showed up. I hope they don't get fired." The Wrong Line One election analyst who spoke with RFE/RL disagreed with the opinion that a polling station commission could decide the official result for their bailiwick. Under conditions of such widespread, centrally directed election fraud, the analyst said, the most likely explanation for Putin's official losses is more banal: The falsifiers simply wrote the wrong number on the wrong line. This conclusion seemed to be supported by the tale of polling station No. 95 in the south Siberian city of Barnaul. In that case, regional election officials announced on March 17 that Communist Party candidate Nikolai Kharitonov soundly trounced Putin, getting 763 votes to Putin's 73. According to local media, during the 2021 State Duma elections, the Communist Party defeated the ruling United Russia party at that polling station by a considerable margin. The next day, however, officials said a "recount" had changed the results, saying the polling station commission had made a "mistake and confused two lines on the protocol." The new results for polling station No. 95 have not been announced. "They confused the lines. Usually that happens at polling stations where they are falsifying results," another election expert told RFE/RL, adding he did not believe this explained the situation in Novosibirsk and other academic polling stations. Similar anomalies, he said, have been noted at such stations in past elections. With reporting by RFE/RL's Russian Service and Current Time Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-polling- places-where-putin-lost-election-/32870428.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 BART's inspector general found three employees for the transit agency committed time theft. Paul Chinn/The Chronicle 2020 BARTs inspector general found three of the transit agencys employees recently committed time theft by clocking in for work and collecting pay while spending most of their time at home not working. According to the Office of the Inspector Generals investigation, the employees, who were not approved for remote work, claimed to work 10-hour in-person shifts. The employees reported for their in-person assignments, for brief periods, before returning home for most of their shifts. The employees, who werent identified by the inspector general, collected overtime, double-time pay, paid pension benefits and vacation accruals on top of their base salary during the scheme. The investigation said one of the employees stolen wages cost BART at least $9,004, but time-data patterns and other evidence support the likelihood of a higher loss. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The inspector generals investigation was published on Monday, the same day Bay Area lawmakers announced an effort to place a long-term tax subsidy for transit operations for BART and the regions transit agencies. The San Mateo County District Attorneys Office filed criminal charges in November against one employee, Alan Robert Boie, who retired after BART police confronted him with evidence of his time theft. A warrant for Boie, first identified by the San Francisco Standard, remains outstanding. The other two individuals admitted to the time theft before BART police got involved, according to the inspector generals investigation, and remain employed at the transit agency. "Time theft is a very serious matter. It is a violation of our rules and the law and it undermines our credibility with the public," said BART spokesperson Alicia Trost. "We cant comment on personnel matters, but we are grateful for the Office of the Inspector General for bringing these investigations to our attention. We are working in partnership with the Office of the Inspector General to reaffirm our commitment to respond to, and prevent, waste, fraud and abuse." BART Inspector General Claudette Biemeret said she is concerned that time theft could be happening across the transit agency, which employs about 4,000 people, but added, I dont have any evidence to suggest that its widespread. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The investigations were initiated by complaints from whistleblowers at BART, and were the independent watchdogs latest discovery of employee time theft at the transit agency. Last year, the inspector general found an employee claimed to have worked 27 days over the period of one month, reporting for work in-person for about an hour before leaving for the rest of the shift. The inspector general found evidence last year that another employee spent time inside their personal vehicle instead of working during company time. Mondays OIG investigation recommended that managers at BART implement procedures to better ensure that employees are performing the work they claim to be doing. The agencys maintenance department will require employees to clock in and out of shifts in person and managers will conduct unannounced crew sight visits during shifts, according to the OIG report. The report recommends that BART seek civil restitution from the employees who remain at the agency and seek $9,004 in restitution from Boie, the retired employee. Biemeret said the time thefts impact BART beyond the agencys finances. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's upcoming meeting with First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Serbia Ivica Dacic 20 March 2024 14:53 518-20-03-2024 On March 21, Moscow will host a meeting between Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Ivica Dacic. The ministers will discuss a wide range of issues concerning Russian-Serbian political and economic interaction, and exchange views on developments related to the Kosovo settlement and the Balkan region as a whole. They will also focus on current international issues. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Defence Ministry Board session takes place in Moscow 20.03.2024 Today, the National Centre for State Defence Control has hosted the Defence Ministry Extended Board session chaired by Defence Minister General of the Army Sergei Shoigu. Before the board session, Russian Defence Minister General of the Army Sergei Shoigu introduced the new Deputy Minister of Defence of the Russian Federation, who is in charge of organising logistics support for the Russian Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Andrey Bulyga, appointed by Presidential Decree. Then, the Minister congratulated submariners on professional holiday. 'Yesterday Russia celebrated the Day of the Submariner - it is a great and significant professional holiday for our country, for our navy men, and not just for them. The merit our submariners have in front of the country, the tasks they have in protecting our Fatherland are difficult to exaggerate. They are definitely important, they are foundational, and I hope that the service of our submariners will continue to guarantee the security of our country, as before. We congratulate submariners on this day since 1906, two years left until the 120th anniversary, it will be a regular anniversary for submariners,' said the Russian Defence Minister. Then, Sergei Shoigu noted that in accordance with the instructions of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, the Armed Forces ensure safe voting during the presidential election of the Russian Federation, including in new regions of the country. In order to disrupt election activities, the Kiev regime has used terrorist methods of pressure on Russian citizens. There was targeted shelling of polling places and State institutions where only civilians were present. This was known both to the AFU commanding officers and to their Western advisors. To prevent terrorist attacks, Russian troops intensified the protection of government and social facilities and reinforced the air defence system. During the election events, 419 unmanned aerial vehicles and 67 projectiles hav been shot down. In addition, Ukrainian militants attempted to seize border settlements in Belgorod and Kursk regions. The most intensive actions were carried out near Kozinka. All the enemy's attacks have been successfully repelled, the enemy was driven back from the Russian territory. The AFU losses in the area of State border covering groups amounted to more than 3,500, more precisely 3,501 people, including 790 non-recoverable casualties over the past eight days. Twenty-three tanks, 34 armoured vehicles including 11 Bradley, five Vampire MLRS launchers, and one Mi-8 helicopter have been neutralised. 'Thanks to the measures taken, it has been possible to save the lives of hundreds of people and to ensure that the vote is conducted,' said Sergei Shoigu. The Minister also spoke about the participation of the Armed Forces in the presidential election. The Armed Forces of Russian Federation showed an unprecedented turnout of 99.8%. In total, more than 1.5 million troops and civilian personnel of the Russian Armed Forces cast a vote. Particular attention was paid to organising the election in the special military operation zone. The Minister spoke briefly about the situation in the special military operation zone. The Russian groups of forces continue to push the enemy out of the occupied positions and prevent it from gaining a foothold on new lines. As a result of the heavy losses, desertions in the AFU troops have become more frequent. Civilians are being pillaged in Ukrainian-controlled territory. The Kiev regime has been hiding the real situation on the battlefield from the citizens, presenting terrorist attacks against Russian citizens for its successes and increasing forced mobilisation. The United States and its satellites are extremely concerned about Russian military success. It is becoming increasingly difficult for them to convince the Western community in the need to continue funding and supplying the AFU with arms and ammunition. Faced with this, the Ukrainian command is forced to use the remaining reserves and employ the most expensive foreign hardware. However, this did not change the situation in the special military operation zone in favour of the enemy. Since the beginning of the year, four Abrams and five Leopard tanks, 27 Bradley vehicles, six HIMARS launchers, 11 anti-aircraft missile launchers, including five Patriots have been neutralised. In total, the AFU losses during this period, i.e., since early 2024, have amounted to more than 71,000 people and 11,000 units of various weapons. This is almost three times higher than in the same period last year. The Joint Group of Forces will build on this success and increase fire damage on enemy targets. According to the decision of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, the Russian Armed Forces continue to advance and increase combat capabilities. The Russian Armed Forces have formed an army corps, a motorised rifle division, the Dnepr River Flotilla, and a riverboat brigade. By the end of the year, The Russian Armed Forces plan to form two combined arms armies and thirty formations, including fourteen divisions and sixteen brigades. The Minister promised to continue to improve combat training and increase number of military personnel to address emerging threats to the country's military security. 'On my instructions, the Russian Defence Ministry is issuing and introducing electronic certificates for veterans of combat operations. This is done to more effectively ensure social security for the participants of the special military operation, localised wars, and armed conflicts. On 16 March 2024, the Government of the Russian Federation signed an order to that effect,' said the Russian Defence Minister. The electronic card includes the entire range of social support measures for veterans of combat operations, allows them to receive payments from the Ministry of Defence without the application, federal and regional payments, special privileges of banks, and allowances of their partners in the sphere of trade and services. More than 70,000 applications for electronic authentication have already been received. 'The electronic certificate of a veteran of combat operations' is one of our priorities. The Minister asked to work towards its implementation in the most active way possible. Then, the Minister supposed to discuss preparations for the parade on the Red Square to mark the next anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War. More than 9,000 people, 75 units of weapons and military hardware, as well as the aircraft of the Aerospace Forces will be involved in this event. The dismounted column includes regiments, battalions, companies by arms and services of the Armed Forces, sections of participants of the special military operation, sections of Suvorov and Nakhimov schools, Yunarmya, female servicemen, Cossacks, and a combined military orchestra. This year, military parades will be held in 28 cities. More than 50,000 people and about 1,000 samples of weapons and military hardware will take part in them. Then, Sergei Shoigu supposed to discuss the implementation of the Southern Military District's Activity Plan. 'The situation regarding the special military operation in Ukraine remains difficult in the South-West strategic direction. Under these conditions, the Southern Military District continues to build up combat capabilities. In accordance with the Activity Plan, there are 17 staffing measures being carried out, more than 16,000 pieces of modern weapons and military equipment are being supplied, and more than 360 military infrastructure facilities are being put into service. Great attention is paid to issues of health care and social security, and those concerning provision of military-provided and permanent housing for military personnel,' said the Russian Defence Minister. The Minister noted that to date, 744 servicemen of the Southern Military District and their families have already moved into their military-provided apartments. More than 700 people are provided with permanent accommodation, including 582 under the Military Mortgage Programme. 'The implementation of the District's Activity Plan allows it to successfully fulfil its tasks and ensure the country's military security in this strategic area,' said Sergei Shoigu. Department for Media Affairs and Information NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia Delivers 25,000 Tonnes of Grain to Zimbabwe Free of Charge Sputnik News 20240320 HARARE (Sputnik) - Russia has delivered 25,000 tonnes of grain to Zimbabwe free of charge, Russian Ambassador to Zimbabwe Nikolai Krasilnikov said on Wednesday. During the ceremony of handing over Russian wheat and fertilizers to Zimbabwean authorities, the ambassador recalled that Russian President Vladimir Putin said during the second Russia-Africa summit that Moscow will supply grain free of charge to a number of African countries, including Zimbabwe. "And here we are, 25,000 tonnes of grain were delivered to the Aspindale depot through the joint efforts of the Russian Ministry of Agriculture, the United Grain Company, the authorities of Mozambique, the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water Resources and Rural Development of Zimbabwe, and the Grain Marketing Council. This was done in order to contribute to the further sustainable social and economic development of Zimbabwe within the framework of the Vision 2030 program," Krasilnikov said. Russia has pledged to support countries and regions in need and help prevent global food crisis by participating in the creation of a more equitable system of resource distribution, the ambassador said. Additionally, Russian fertilizer producer Uralchem Group has delivered 23,000 tonnes of mineral fertilizers to Zimbabwe, the diplomat said. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud US Department of State Readout Office of the Spokesperson March 20, 2024 The following is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller: Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met today with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud. The Secretary and the Foreign Minister discussed the urgent need to protect all civilians in Gaza and immediately increase humanitarian assistance to those in need. Secretary Blinken stressed the importance of continued close coordination with regional and international partners on resolving the conflict in Gaza and preparing for the post-conflict phase. The Secretary emphasized the United States' commitment to achieving sustained peace through the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with security guarantees for Israel. The Secretary and Foreign Minister also discussed the importance of ending the conflicts in Sudan and Yemen. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel attacks Syrian military positions near Damascus Iran Press TV Tuesday, 19 March 2024 2:18 AM The Israeli regime has attacked a number of military positions belonging to Syria near the Arab country's capital of Damascus. The Syrian defense ministry announced the development in a statement, specifying the exact timing of the attack as "around 02:10 a.m." Tuesday (23:10 GMT on Monday). "The Israeli enemy launched an air aggression from the direction of the [Tel Aviv-] occupied Syrian Golan, targeting a number of military points in the Damascus countryside," the statement said. "Our air defense forces responded to the aggression's missiles and shot down some of them, and the losses were limited to material," it added. The attack came only two days after the Israeli regime carried out a missile attack against Syria, targeting the country's southern areas and injuring one soldier. Prior to that, the regime had staged an airstrike against a suburb of Damascus late last month, causing some material damage. Also last month, at least three people were killed when an Israeli unnamed aerial vehicle conducted a strike against the western Syrian province of Homs, close to the border with Lebanon. Syria and the Israeli regime are technically at war due to the latter's 1967-present occupation of the Golan. The regime has carried out hundreds of attacks against the country after 2011, when the Arab nation found itself in the grip of rampant foreign-backed militancy and terrorism. Tel Aviv has significantly ramped up the strikes since last October, when it began a genocidal war against the Gaza Strip, in what has been described by observers, as a reckless bid threatening to fan tensions throughout the region. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Taiwan to receive U.S. SkyGuardian drones from 2026: Official ROC Central News Agency 03/20/2024 02:59 PM Washington, March 19 (CNA) Taiwan is scheduled to receive the first two MQ-9B "SkyGuardian" drones it purchased from the United States in 2026, and the other two in 2027, a U.S. Department of the Air Force spokesman said Tuesday. The department spokesman confirmed the delivery schedule for the drones -- as part of a US$467 million deal that also includes two ground control systems, spare parts, and support equipment -- in an email to CNA. The U. S. government originally approved the sale proposal in November 2020, and contracts for it were awarded to General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. in May of last year and earlier this month. In a 2020 statement on the sale, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said MQ-9B drones would provide Taiwan with "intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, target acquisition, and counter-land, counter-sea, and anti-submarine strike capabilities for its security and defense." Eric Gomez, a senior fellow at the Cato Institute, said that based on the DSCA arms sale notice, he believed Taiwan will actually be getting a model known as the SeaGuardian, which is a MQ-9B SkyGuardian equipped with different sensors to specialize in maritime surveillance and reconnaissance. Regardless of which model it is, the MQ-9B can remain airborne for long periods and operate at a high altitude, making it well-suited for conducting wide-area, persistent reconnaissance," he said. Gomez speculated that the MQ-9Bs will likely be used for peacetime air and sea surveillance and will help to take the burden off Taiwan's manned fighter aircraft when it comes to monitoring PLA activity around the island or responding to ADIZ incursions. Although MQ-9Bs can be equipped with various weapon systems, the fact that it is not a stealth aircraft means that it can be more easily detected and shot down, especially if it is operating at a high altitude, Gomez said. As such, the drones may "struggle to survive in a high-intensity conflict against a country like China with very strong air defense systems," he said, adding that in that scenario, Taiwan would be better off with smaller, less capable drones. (By Shih Hsiu-chuan and Matthew Mazzetta) Enditem/kb NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Experts challenge official's assertion of Taiwan's 'absolute' air superiority ROC Central News Agency 03/20/2024 08:01 PM By Sean Lin, CNA staff reporter With tensions in the Taiwan Strait showing no signs of easing, a recent remark by Taiwan's deputy defense minister Po Horng-huei () asserting that Taiwan's forces would have "absolute air superiority" over the Chinese Air Force in a conflict has sparked heated discussions and raised some eyebrows. While not rejecting Po's remarks outright, military experts who weighed in on the issue were less optimistic when it comes to Taiwan's ability to defend its airspace and highlighted potential threats in Taiwan's overall defense picture. At a legislative hearing on March 11, Po said in response to a lawmaker's question that Taiwan had "absolute air superiority" over Chinese warplanes "within striking range of our (Taiwan's) firepower." The deputy defense minister also agreed with the lawmaker's statement that Taiwan's better trained pilots could counter the numerical advantage the Chinese Air Force has. Po's surprising assessment sparked animated discussions soon after it was reported by the media, with some netizens calling his comment "interesting" while others questioned his views. Among those skeptical about Po's assessment was Derek Grossman, a senior defense analyst at RAND Corporation, who shared the news story on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) with the words, "You sure?" Dynamic command of the air Lin Ying-yu (), an assistant professor at Tamkang University Graduate Institute of International Affairs and Strategic Studies, noted that while People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft are within striking range of Taiwan's air defense systems, Taiwan's fighter jets are also in range of China's air defense systems. The range of surface-to-air defense missiles on both sides covers the entire Taiwan Strait, he explained. As such, he argued, Taiwan's command of the air, just like China's, is not "absolute," but "partial," and only exists within the airspace above its territorial waters which extend 12 nautical miles from its shores. According to Lin, command of the air is dynamic. Although both sides have partial command of their respective airspace during peacetime, both sides would seek to establish air supremacy over the other during a war. With China's unending saber-rattling around Taiwan, most people in the island nation have a lingering, yet very real fear that tensions could lead to a skirmish erupting between Taiwan and China, or that China could launch an incursion into Taiwanese territory. Since 2016, the same year President Tsai Ing-wen () of the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) took office, China has continued ramping up military pressure on Taiwan, culminating in two Chinese J-11 fighter jets crossing the Taiwan Strait median line on March 31, 2019. The incursion across what was then considered a tacit boundary between the two sides prompted Taipei to scramble fighter jets to shadow and warn off the intruders. Beijing's move drew stern condemnation from Taiwan. However, Chinese naval operations in waters around Taiwan and Chinese military aircraft crossing the median line now occur on an almost daily basis. Defender's advantage Tony Hu (), a former Pentagon official, agreed that Taiwan had air superiority over the Chinese Air Force in its airspace due in large part to Taiwan's defensive posture. "Regarding defending the airspace, it doesn't always have to be airplane against airplane. It could be surface-launched missiles against the airplane and in that scenario, the intruder has to face both but the defender has both," Hu said. "So the defender always has an advantage." Taiwan has a robust and layered air defense system that includes the MIM-104 Patriot missiles, the Tien-Kung missiles, the Skyguard and Phalanx air defense systems, and laser-guided anti-aircraft guns, Hu said. These capabilities mean Chinese aircraft "will be having a hard time trying to establish air superiority" in Taiwan's airspace, he added. However, Hu said he would not be comfortable describing Taiwan's advantage over intruding PLA aircraft as "absolute air superiority," as there might be times when China gains temporary control of the air. Chieh Chung (), an associate research fellow with the National Policy Foundation in Taipei, agreed that Taiwan's powerful integrated air defense systems coupled with its C4ISR -- Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance -- capabilities give it an advantage over PLA aircraft in air defense operations. This, Chieh said, would motivate the PLA to target Taiwan's key infrastructure such as runways, radar stations, and communication systems, in addition to paralyzing the armed forces' Joint Operations Command Center. By doing so it could prevent Taiwan from conducting joint operations and stop Taiwan's fighter jets from taking off or landing, thereby weakening Taiwan's air defense capabilities. This is why he would refrain from using the term "absolute air superiority" because any advantage Taiwan has in air defense warfare relies on such infrastructure functioning well, he said. Taiwan pilots' strength Regarding Po's remark that Taiwan would be able to counter the Chinese Air Force's numerical advantage with better trained pilots, Hu -- a former U.S. Air Force officer -- said that the remark made sense because air combat is a situation where the ability of a pilot to take out multiple enemy pilots is put to the test. During his trip to Morris Air National Guard Base in the U.S. in July 2023, the 21st Fighter Squadron consisting of Taiwanese pilots training to fly the F-16V jets had just won the annual "Turkey Shoot" -- a training competition in which pilots from all squadrons aim to hit simulated airborne and land-based targets -- beating all other American and foreign F-16 pilots on the base. This speaks to the quality of Taiwanese pilots, Hu said, adding that it was not the first time Taiwanese pilots had defeated their foreign counterparts in training competitions. Lin said that while he has faith in Taiwan's fighter jet pilots, Taiwan should develop a joint air defense strategy around its flagship F-16V fighter jets by engaging different services in its armed forces if it is to effectively counter the Chinese Air Force's numerical advantage. Narrowing gap between Taiwan and China pilots Chieh said that Po's remark about pilot quality over quantity was plausible, but cautioned that the ability gap between Taiwanese and Chinese pilots has been narrowing in recent years. An indication of this, he said, is that Chinese fighter jets have recently been undertaking long-distance sorties typically reserved for more experienced pilots. With the frequent incursions by PLA planes and unmanned aerial vehicles into the airspace around Taiwan proper, Chieh said he worried that Taiwan's seasoned pilots would be too preoccupied or exhausted from monitoring the frequent fly-bys of PLA aircraft and might not have the time or energy to train the next generation of fighter jet pilots. Taiwan should work to keep the turnover and retirement rate of seasoned pilots in check and ensure that new pilots are adequately trained, he said. "We must find ways to maintain the quality of the [Air Force] troops and then address our weaknesses -- for example, the runaway problem -- and boost the survivability of our joint air defense system when it's under Chinese attack, which in turn will ease the pressure on pilots," Chieh said. Enditem/kb NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China, Australia FMs discuss Taiwan issue, regional stability ROC Central News Agency 03/20/2024 03:33 PM Sydney, March 20 (CNA) Foreign ministers of China and Australia expressed their respective stances on the Taiwan issue Wednesday, reaffirming their commitment to bolster communication for peaceful development in the region. During the seventh Australia-China Foreign and Strategic Dialogue in Canberra, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (cZ) and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong agreed on the necessity for collaboration in pursuit of mutual benefits. However, Wong also mentioned Australia's concerns about China's handling of human rights in Xinjiang, Tibet and Hong Kong, as well as its "unsafe conduct at sea." In addition, Wong told reporters after the meeting that she reiterated to Wang Australia's desire for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and in the region. Regarding China's sovereignty, dignity and legitimate concerns, including Taiwan, Wang said that Beijing hopes Canberra will continue to honor the commitments it has made since the establishment of diplomatic relations and respect and properly handle them. There is neither a historical grudge nor a fundamental conflict of interests between China and Australia, and their common interests far outweigh the differences, according to Wang. As a result, "both sides should adhere to the fundamental principles of international law, such as respecting national sovereignty and territorial integrity," he was quoted as saying by China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement. Wang is paying an official visit to New Zealand and Australia at the invitation of the two countries' governments from March 17 to 21. (By Yang Chun-huei and Lee Hsin-Yin) Enditem/ASG NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan Mar. 20, 2024 ROC Ministry of National Defense 2024/03/20 PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan 1.Dateis 6 to 6 a.m. (UTC+8) Tuesday to Wednesday, Mar. 19-20 2.PLA activitiesis 15 PLA aircraft and 10 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 6 of the aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's southwestern 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 Recent 'Found' Aid For Ukraine Was Unique Case, Pentagon Spokesman Says By Zoriana Stepanenko and Marek Hajduk March 19, 2024 A $300 million U.S. aid package for Ukraine that the Pentagon announced last week is not something that officials expect to happen again, the Pentagon's spokesman said on March 19 in an interview with RFE/RL at a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) in Germany. U.S. Air Force Brigadier General Patrick Ryder, speaking at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, said the main focus remained working with Congress to get a stalled $60 billion aid package approved. Ryder said the $300 million in aid was something U.S. defense officials were "able to find" through cost savings from contracts already negotiated. "Unfortunately, it's not one of those things that we can really count on to happen again," Ryder said. "It was kind of a onetime good deal." The United States said it would use the money to pull weapons and equipment from Pentagon stocks. It will be the first tranche of weapons from the United States since December and will arrive as battlefield conditions have worsened for Ukrainian troops, who have reported shortages of ammunition. Ryder stressed that the Defense Department was focused on receiving the much larger package of aid from Congress that has been held up over opposition from Republicans in the House of Representatives, who are demanding action on U.S. security matters, particularly along the U.S.-Mexico border. "There is strong bipartisan support in the Congress for [the Ukrainian aid] package," Ryder said. "So we do remain optimistic that our Congress will come to a resolution and support that package." Ryder also expressed frustration over the delay, saying this continues to put Ukraine at increased risk, and every day that passes the risks get higher. "We are completely aware of the dire situation, the important and urgent need for ammunition and other capabilities. And so, again, this is why we're going to continue to work very closely with our Congress." In the meantime, the Pentagon will continue to work closely with Ukraine's other allies and partners, many of whom are contributing significant amounts of aid to Ukraine "across the board," he said. Forums such as the UDCG enable Ukraine's partners to continue to identify its most urgent needs in the near and long term. Asked about French President Emmanuel Macron's comments last week that he was not ruling out sending Western ground troops to Ukraine to avert a Russian victory, Ryder said President Joe Biden had been "very clear" that U.S. forces will not be sent into Ukraine. Furthermore, the Ukrainians have also been clear that they don't want anyone to fight for them, he said. Ryder concluded by saying that his message to Russian President Vladimir Putin would be that the United States doesn't seek war with Russia. At the same time, Russia illegally invaded Ukraine, an independent, sovereign, and democratic country. Ukraine has a right to defense itself, and it's important for the international community to stand up against such aggression, he said. It's also important "that we work together to prevent these types of actions from happening in other parts of the world and deterring Russia from further aggressive behavior," he said. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-us- aid-pentagon/32869108.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 Professional safecracker Ken Dunckel leans into his tool truck in Pacifica in July 2009. A legend in his trade, he died Feb. 29 of cardiac issues at the age of 70. Liz Hafalia/The Chronicle When Ken Safecracker Dunckel arrived at a job he always left his power drill in the van. In his mind, drilling would be cheating as a means of gaining entry to a locked box in a home or business. Dunckel prided himself on leaving a safe exactly as he had found it, though the door would now be opened. The safecracker did his work by manipulating combination locks for clients who had either forgotten or lost the combo. By turning the dial, which contains the tiny numbers, he could feel or hear the place where the dial hesitates ever so slightly, the first hint toward deciphering the combination. It usually took 45 minutes to an hour before the combination would be solved, the lever would drop and the lock would open, without Dunckel having to resort to a power tool and deface the safe. Anybody can learn to drill a hole, said Ken Doyle, a professional colleague. Ken could make the lock talk and then listen to what it said. That is the whole key to safecracking. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The other key is client-relations. People were often stressed and panicked by the time Dunckel was called and he could calm them down. It helped that he had a sense of humor about his occupation. Ken Dunckel shows a vault time lock in 2009. Anybody can learn to drill a hole, said Ken Doyle, a professional colleague. Ken could make the lock talk and then listen to what it said. That is the whole key to safecracking. Liz Hafalia/The Chronicle When Im on a job, it seems like everybodys frustrated inner comedian comes out, he told the Chronicles Edward Guthmann during an on-the-job report in 2009. Theyll start with Did you learn this in prison? Then they say, When are you going to get the nitro or the dynamite? If it goes on like that, sometimes Ill just tell them, Listen, its $50 more for each joke you tell that Ive already heard. Kunckel heard them all in nearly 40 years as a solo practitioner operating out of a Ford Econoline tool truck parked at his home in Pacifica. His business was called simply Safecracker, and the license plate on his van read yegg, evoking Cockney slang for one who breaks into safes, legally or illegally. On Aug. 5, Dunckel serviced a safe at the House of Prime Rib on Van Ness, then went out to a residence in Seacliff to open a steel vault door with a malfunctioning lock. Those were his last jobs, though the phone kept ringing. Dunckel died Feb. 29 at home with his safes and all the equipment needed to crack them. Cause of death was cardiac issues aggravated by severe kidney disease, said his wife of 46 years, Suzanne Buckley Dunckel. He was 70. Advertisement Article continues below this ad His work was everything, it defined him, said his wife, noting that Dunckel wrote more than 200 articles for industry periodicals, mostly Safe and Vault. He also taught safe manipulation at industry conferences across the United States, where he was widely recognized as a master. He once whipped a software designer who developed a computerized safe dialer, in a safecracking duel filmed for the Discovery Channel. The episode is available on YouTube. The art of safecracking doesnt involve picking locks normally opened by a key. Thats what a locksmith does. A safecracker decodes the 100 numbers on a dial, which requires a highly technical skill and touch and patience. Constant practice is necessary to stay sharp. Its not like you see in the movies, where a safecracker just cocks his ear, listens closely and turns the dial a few times. Theres no pop pop, boom boom when the numbers come up, he explained to the Chronicle. You have to pretty much decipher them. Its a lot of concentration and focus. Kenneth Donald Dunckel was born Sept. 23, 1953, in Albany, N.Y. By age 9, he was selling flower seeds door to door and also delivering the Albany Times Union on his bicycle. By the time he was 13, he was handicapping the horses at Saratoga Springs, in partnership with an uncle who placed the bets. Advertisement Article continues below this ad He graduated from Albany Senior High School in 1971. Faced with the draft he joined the Marines, and ended up serving in Hawaii. After his release from the service, he attended a locksmith school in Connecticut, and started his career picking car locks and other devices involving keys. He switched to the more complicated work of combination locks and safes after returning to Honolulu. In 1977, he was browsing the mystery section at a bookstore in Ala Moana Center when he met Suzanne Buckley, there to buy a copy of The Little Foxes for an audition of the play. Id never met a locksmith, but what the hell, said Buckley, who had grown up in Los Altos, and graduated from Holy Cross High School. He carried a pager 24/7. In 1978, they moved to Redwood City and got married. Dunckel got a job working for A-A Lock & Alarm on El Camino Real in Menlo Park. He opened Safecracker in 1986 after working for years as a locksmith and corporate security agent at Crocker National Bank, in downtown San Francisco. That same year they bought a house in the Linda Mar Valley neighborhood of Pacifica, where they lived for 39 years, raising a son, Patrick. When a Chronicle reporter asked him about the name of his business, Dunckel allowed that some people in my industry think safecracker has a negative connotation. And I tell them, at least I didnt name my business Burglar. But legal safecrackers are not former safe burglars. California law requires a clean record for licensing. Advertisement Article continues below this ad There is downtime built into a career as a licensed safecracker and Dunckel put his to good use by shooting pool. He liked to play 8-ball at Shannon Arms, an Irish pub in the Sunset and Wild Side West, a lesbian bar in Bernal Heights. He had an overfocus on what he was doing, said his wife. Ken Dunckel shoots pool at the Wild West Side Bar on Cortland Avenue in San Francisco in March 2013. He also liked to play at the Shannon Arms, an Irish pub in the Sunset. Michael Macor/The Chronicle Ken Doyle learned this the day he met Dunckel. Doyle was in his shop at Advanced Safe & Vault. Dunckel came in, introduced himself, and told Doyle to give him a call if he ran into a safe he couldnt crack. Doyle knew Dunckel by reputation and invited him to have a go at a safe hed been working on in his spare time. He went out to get his manipulation kit and started a-twiddling and had it open in 15 or 20 minutes, and told me the number you got for wheel-2 was right on the money! Thatll be $160.00, please, Doyle recalled in a eulogy. That was a bargain because it began a 40-year relationship. Advertisement Article continues below this ad He also had a relationship with Jim Nuss, former President of Herman Safe, in San Francisco. Hed call on Dunckel to handle a job too tough for in-house service. Kenny was a yegg, said Nuss, offering the highest compliment in the trade. Manipulation of a combination lock could take five minutes or five days, and there were never any callbacks with Kenny. He was that good. New York defense attorney Dennis Wade once flew Dunckel to London to testify as an expert witness in the trial of Cindy Royce, a New York jeweler who claimed that she had lost $5 million in insured product when her safe was burglarized in 1989. The insurer, Lloyds of London, relied on Dunckels testimony in the High Court to unmask the fraud. Ken stood in the witness box and gave evidence proving that the safe was in fact open when burglarized, and thus the premise of the entire claim was a fabrication, recalled Wade, who became friends with his expert witness, as was often the case among clients of the Safecracker. Ken was admired as a witness because of his professionalism and calm demeanor, Wade said. He was held in high esteem for being an open and funny and caring friend. Dunckel was a boxman of the highest professional standards, said his wife. If he arrived at a clients home and sensed illegal activity was involved, he would walk off the job. If he deduced that the safe needed to be cracked as a result of a divorce or marital dispute, he would not open it. Hed never succumb to curiosity. Ukraine Losing Ground on Battlefield Due to US Inaction - White House Sputnik News 20240319 WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - Ukraine is losing ground on the battlefield due to the inaction of the US Congress, White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said on Tuesday. "Because of the inaction of Congress over the last couple of months, Ukraine is actually losing ground on the battlefield," Jean-Pierre said during a press briefing. "It is due to our inaction." Congress has been deadlocked for months over a foreign aid supplemental bill that would provide funding for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. While the Senate approved a $95 billion version of the bill last month, Speaker Mike Johnson has refused to bring it to the House floor for a vote. Russia has consistently warned against the continued arms deliveries to Ukraine, saying that they only prolong the conflict. Moscow also sees the Ukraine conflict as a hybrid war led by the United States. President Putin earlier said that throughout the special op zone the initiative on the battlefield belongs entirely to the Russian armed forces. He also added that each day Russian troops are moving further through the area, demonstrating more than just active defense along the lines of contact. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Military Preemptively Strikes Ukrainian Saboteurs on Border - MoD Sputnik News 20240319 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Russian armed forces launched a preemptive strike against Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance groups in the forest in the border area with the Belgorod region, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Tuesday. "The reconnaissance... [Russian] troops discovered the concentration of forces and sabotage and reconnaissance groups of Ukrainian neo-Nazis in the forest area of the border area with the Belgorod region. With a high-precision pre-emptive strike, the enemy manpower and equipment were destroyed in a timely manner," the statement said. Ukraine lost up to 40 military personnel in the border area of the Ukrainian territory near the Russian village of Kozinka in the Belgorod Region, them ministry said. "As a result of air strikes and artillery fire on clusters of manpower and equipment of the armed forces of Ukraine in the border regions of Ukraine near the village of Kozinka, the Belgorod Region, the enemy lost up to 40 military personnel, two infantry fighting vehicles and three vehicles," the ministry said in a statement. The Russian armed forces continue to take measures to prevent the penetration of sabotage and reconnaissance groups of the Ukrainian armed forces into the border territory, the ministry said. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Putin: All Attempts by Ukrainian Sabotage Groups to Break Through Russian Border Have Failed Sputnik News 20240319 Ilya Tsukanov The Ukrainian military launched large-scale offensive operations to try to break into the Russian border regions of Belgorod and Kursk last week. The Russian military responded with a large-scale campaign of ground and air-based operations to destroy these forces. The Kiev regime has resorted to the use of "terrorist methods" of warfare, but all of its recent attempts to break through the border into Russia have failed, President Vladimir Putin has said. "All attempts by sabotage and terrorist gangs consisting of regular enemy units and foreign mercenaries...to break into our territory have failed," Putin said, speaking at a meeting with FSB officials on Tuesday. Characterizing those enemy forces involved in these operations as "scum," Putin called on the Russian domestic intelligence service not to forget about those Russian "traitors" who joined Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance groups attempting to penetrate the border. The sabotage groups' goal was to carry out a successful "terrorist raid," but instead they suffered heavy losses, Putin said. "The most important and intense part of your work today of course is associated with the special military operation. The range of tasks here is the broadest," Putin said, elaborating that these range from the neutralization of enemy agents, terrorists, and sabotage groups to "successful operations on the front lines and in the enemy's rear," as well as "counterintelligence support for military units and formations." The president added that the trace of Western intelligence services is clearly visible behind manifestations of terrorism and extremism in Russia today. "Much depends on our counter-intelligence organs. This applies both to the sphere of anti-terrorism and the fight against extremism, manifestations of which are often accompanied by the 'protruding ears' of Western intelligence services, and other important areas. We're talking here about the neutralization of the reconnaissance and subversive activities of foreign intelligence services, the protection of confidential information of a strategic nature, including state and military control systems, advanced technologies, and promising groundwork in the defense and other spheres," Putin said. "From the FSB and employees of all Russian special services, the people of Russia are expecting tremendous concentration and great dedication, effective and offensive operations," Putin said, calling on the intelligence services to "seriously strengthen" their anti-terrorist operations across "all areas," in the "understanding that we are dealing with a strong and dangerous enemy whose arsenal includes broad informational, technical, and financial capabilities." The Russian military, FSB border troops, and other security forces have waged a week-long campaign to secure the border along the special operation zone after Ukrainian forces launched a brazen attempt to break into Russia's Belgorod and Kursk regions. Russia's Defense Ministry said the campaign resulted in heavy losses for the attacking forces, and that the assault had been "decisively repelled." On Saturday, the MoD reported a new effort to penetrate the border. The past 24 hours have witnessed a series of preemptive strikes in Ukrainian territory, including in the Chernigov region, against concentrations of potential sabotage units. The attacks in Belgorod and Kursk come amid dwindling NATO arms aid for Kiev, and successful Russian efforts to gradually push through heavily fortified Ukrainian defenses in Donbass, in recent months. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Today, another "Ramstein" took place; there will be new defense packages, including scarce artillery - address by the President President of Ukraine 19 March 2024 - 21:57 I wish you health, fellow Ukrainians! Today, another "Ramstein" took place - a meeting of countries that support our defense, our protection against Russian terror. This was a productive meeting, and there are results. Ukraine's Defense Minister Umerov took part in it. I am waiting for his detailed report. I can say a few things now. There will be new defense packages, including scarce artillery. New states are joining the Czech initiative to purchase ammunition - thank you all. Of course, the priority for air defense, electronic warfare and drones remains unchanged. I am grateful to all the countries that are genuinely working to give appropriate substance to this priority of ours. Ukrainian drones are already yielding solid results, and we need to significantly boost the international component of cooperation. The frontline must feel our strengthening in terms of drones. I am grateful to all the "Ramstein" participants and to the United States, to Secretary Austin for leadership. I would also like to recognize Germany today for the announced defense package of half a billion euros. It includes artillery and armored vehicles. We greatly appreciate the German contribution to the protection of Ukrainian lives and our independence. I held a meeting on our international activities in March and April. New security agreements with partners are being prepared for signing, and new legal steps will be taken to bring Russian war criminals to justice. It is important that this movement - the movement for justice - has constant momentum, constant strengthening. I am grateful to everyone in the team of our state and in all international institutions who are working for this - for justice. The Russian state, its leadership, and every war criminal must be held accountable for everything they do, and in particular, they must be held accountable in the legal sphere. The world needs to see how international justice works in response to aggression and terror. I'll give you just one example right now: Sumy region that borders Russian territory. There are constant Russian attempts to bring in a subversive group, constant terrorist attacks and shelling. The Russian army is trying to burn our border villages to the ground. From the beginning of March to the present day, Russian aviation has dropped almost 200 guided bombs on the communities of Sumy region alone. Targeting villages, cities, and civilian infrastructure. The obvious need for Ukraine is to bolster our air defense in such a way as to make this terror impossible. In Sumy, Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Donetsk, Luhansk and southern regions. Wherever it is needed. Our partners have the appropriate systems. We need to expedite the F-16 program as much as possible too. I thank everyone who helps. It is important for the great countries that have the necessary weapons to be truly great in protecting lives - not to keep these weapons in depots somewhere, but to make sure that Patriots and everything else actually works to save lives. Today I would like to recognize the warriors of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine. All those who destroy Russian saboteurs, destroy their drones, and help people in the border communities of Ukraine. In particular, I would like to recognize the warriors of the Sumy detachment. Chief Sergeant Anton Sheremet, who, together with his brothers-in-arms, recently repelled an attack by a Russian subversive group. Thank you for your bravery! Senior Sergeant Yurii Vasyliev and Captain Ruslan Kravchenko - thank you guys for helping the locals during the shelling from the territory of Russia. Also, the Chernihiv border guard detachment - Sergeant Volodymyr Ihnatenko and Senior Sergeant Yurii Pavlenko. The guys are countering Russian drones and protecting our people from the occupiers' attacks. Also, the Kharkiv border guard detachment - Senior Soldier Vladyslav Baidukov and Chief Sergeant Vladyslav Hurenko. Thank you guys for your efficiency! I would also like to mention the border guards of the Steel Frontier Offensive Guard Brigade, who, together with other units of the Defense Forces, are fighting at the front and protecting our state border. Senior Soldier Roman Dubovskyi and Sergeants Oleh Kyslyi and Vladyslav Yakymenko, as well as Staff Sergeant Yevhen Doroshenko, especially deserve our gratitude this week. Thank you, warriors, and all your brothers-in-arms! And one more thing. Today I spoke with President of the European Council Charles Michel. We talked about defense support for our country and about relations with the European Union and its member states. We are preparing for a meeting of the European Council. And for important European decisions this year. In particular, economic ones, including the continuation of trade liberalization between Ukraine and the European Union, which is one of the vital elements of our resilience in the time of defense against Russian aggression. We are also preparing political decisions. In particular, it is crucial for us in Ukraine and for the whole of Europe that real negotiations on Ukraine's membership begin in June, without delay. This will send the right political signal that Europe is strong enough to resist Russian pressure. Thank you to everyone in the world who helps us! Glory to all our people who fight and work for Ukraine! Glory to Ukraine! NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Joint press release following the 9th Association Council meeting between the EU and Ukraine European Council / Council of the European Union Council of the EU Press release 20 March 2024 On 20 March 2024, the European Union and Ukraine held the 9th meeting of the EU-Ukraine Association Council in Brussels under the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement The Association Council reiterated its condemnation in the strongest possible terms of Russia's unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine, which constitutes a manifest violation of the UN Charter. The EU commended the courage and determination of the Ukrainian people and its leadership in their fight to defend the sovereignty, territorial integrity and freedom of Ukraine. The EU underlined its unwavering commitment to help Ukraine exercise its inherent right of self-defence against the Russian aggression and to build a peaceful, democratic and prosperous future. The Association Council strongly condemned Russia's holding of presidential elections in the territories of Ukraine that Russia has temporarily occupied and stressed that it will not recognise their holding nor their results in the temporarily occupied by Russia parts of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia regions and Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the City of Sevastopol. Crimea, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk and Luhansk are Ukraine. The EU also reiterated its support for Ukraine's Peace Formula, with a view to a future Global Peace Summit. The Association Council welcomed the overall support provided by the EU and its Member States of almost EUR 98 billion since the start of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, including EUR 33,1 billion of military assistance. It welcomed also the training provided for the Ukrainian Armed Forces by the EU Military Assistance Mission. Both sides welcomed the setting up of the Ukraine Facility with EUR 50 billion for the period of 2024-27 as a visible sign of the EU's steadfast support. The Facility will contribute to the recovery, reconstruction and modernisation of the country, foster social cohesion and progressive integration into the Union. Ukraine notably welcomed the first payment of EUR 4,5 billion in the form of bridge financing under the Ukraine Facility. The European Union welcomed the submission of the Ukraine Plan, which will guide the implementation of the Ukraine Facility. The Association Council welcomed the creation of the Ukraine Assistance Fund, a EUR 5 billion envelope under the European Peace Facility, which will ensure the provision of both lethal and non-lethal military equipment and training to Ukraine. Further comparable annual increases could be envisaged until 2027. The EU reiterated its determination to address Ukraine's pressing military and defence needs (including delivery of ammunition and missiles, notably in view of the commitment to provide Ukraine with one million rounds of artillery ammunition) and its commitment to bolster Ukraine's ability to defend its independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty. Ukraine expressed its appreciation to initiatives of EU member states and partner countries for supporting the very timely procurement and immediately delivery to Ukraine of artillery ammunition. The Association Council highlighted the strategic importance of reinforcing the European defence industrial base and cooperation with Ukrainian Defence industry, a cooperation which has to be in line with modalities to be agreed and take into account the security and defence interests of all Member States. Ukraine welcomed the successful EU Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM) including the new goal to train 20,000 more Ukrainian soldiers. The Association Council emphasized the historic decision of the European Council of December 2023 to open EU accession negotiations with Ukraine. It stressed that the future of Ukraine and its citizens lies within the European Union. The EU recalled that the progress of Ukraine towards the EU will depend on its own merit, taking into consideration the EU's capacity to absorb new members. The Council acknowledged Ukraine's commitment and commended the substantial progress made towards meeting the objectives underpinning Ukraine's candidate status, despite the fact that Ukraine is fighting against Russia's war of aggression. Ukraine called upon the political will of the EU Member States to adopt the negotiation framework as soon as possible and to organize the First Intergovernmental Conference. Ukraine expressed its appreciation for the thirteen packages of EU restrictive measures and the Council reiterated that work will continue on sanctions, including strengthening implementation and preventing circumvention. The Association Council welcomed the establishment of the Council of Europe's Register of Damage caused by the aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine and highlighted EU financial support to this initiative which constitutes a first tangible step towards a future compensation mechanism and encouraged further efforts towards its establishment. The EU underlined that it continues working on further progress on the possible use of revenues generated from immobilised Russian Central Bank assets to support Ukraine, in accordance with EU and international law. The Association Council stressed the firm commitment that Russia and its leadership must be held fully accountable for waging a war of aggression against Ukraine, other most serious crimes under international law. The EU also underlined its solidarity and commitment to further enable Ukraine to counter hybrid and cyber threats strengthening Ukraine's cybersecurity and resilience of 5G networks, in line with the NIS2 Directive and the EU 5G Cybersecurity Toolbox, as well as the continued engagement on countering foreign information manipulation and interference. Both sides underlined the importance of conducting the third round of the Cyber Dialogue in 2024 reaffirming their determination to further enhance cooperation in the cyber field. The EU underlined that it remained committed to contributing, for the long term and together with partners, to security commitments to Ukraine, which will help Ukraine to defend itself, deter acts of aggression and resists destabilisation efforts in the future. Ukraine welcomed the proposal of the first European Defence Industrial Strategy, which could offer a platform for Ukraine's participation in the European Union initiatives. Ukraine welcomed the initiative to establish the EU Office for defence innovation in Kyiv to further support the Ukrainian Defence Technological and Industrial Base and expressed readiness to work closely with the EU to ensure its swift implementation. Ukraine voiced its interest in deepening practical mutually beneficial cooperation with the European Space Agency (ESA) as well intensifying the process of integration into the sphere of EU space activities by joining the EU Space Programme. The EU highlighted the contribution of the EU Advisory Mission in Ukraine to support Ukraine's civilian security sector reform in line with the EU accession agenda, accountability efforts, as well as law enforcement in liberated and adjacent territories. The Association Council reiterated the EU's strong commitment to Ukraine's repair, recovery compatible with climate-neutral goals, reconstruction and modernisation. It welcomed the progress made in matching donor support with budgetary and priority recovery needs identified and the EU underlined its readiness to continue playing a leading role in supporting Ukraine together with partners, including the regional cooperation dimension. The Association Council took note of the state of play of implementation of the Association Agreement and agreed to maximise the opportunities it offers to ensure gradual integration into selected EU policies, already before accession. The Association Council welcomed progress achieved in comprehensive and consistent implementation of rule of law and judicial and public administration reforms, and encourages Ukraine to continue decisively on this path, which remains vital for strengthening Ukraine's resilience and its EU accession path. Ukraine signalled its willingness for Ukraine's joining the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) as an observer. Both sides agreed to advance further the discussion in view of its swift finalisation. The Association Council also welcomed progress in the implementation of the Priority Action Plan for Enhanced Implementation of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area between Ukraine and the EU for 2023-2024, including in the areas of roaming and free circulation for certain industrial goods, and noted the more than doubling bilateral trade flow since the provisional entry into force in 2016 of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area. In this regard, the Association Council reiterated the importance of the implementation of Ukraine's commitments in electronic communications, including the roaming related acquis and progress towards mutual recognition of electronic trust services with the EU. The Association Council welcomed the signature of a joint statement by telecom operators based in the EU and in Ukraine on their coordinated efforts to secure and stabilise affordable or free roaming and international calls between the EU and Ukraine. Ukraine voiced its interest of re-launching the consultations on accelerating and broadening the scope of the elimination of customs duties on bilateral trade in line with the Article 29(4) of the Association Agreement. Ukraine welcomed the EU's support to trade and economy, particular the European Commission's proposal to prolong the EU temporary suspension of all customs duties on imports from Ukraine into the EU for another year until June 2025, which together with the EU Solidarity Lanes are essential to keep the bilateral trade afloat. The EU commended Ukraine's efforts to keep grain flowing to the global markets and the establishment of the Black Sea Corridor. Ukraine reiterated the importance of ensuring correct implementation of the mutually beneficial Agreement on the Carriage of Freight by Road and its prolongation for 2024-2025 period. The Association Council stressed the importance of further strengthening the EU-Ukraine Solidarity Lanes that are essential for Ukraine's imports and exports of a wide range of goods, and for long-term improved connectivity between Ukraine and the EU. Ukraine welcomed the cooperation between Ukraine, the EC and the EU Member States within the framework of the Joint Coordination Platform on the Export and Transit of Ukrainian Agricultural Products. The Association Council noted fulfilment by Ukraine of all technical requirements for the completion of the process of synchronization of the Ukrainian and European energy systems and acquisition of full membership in ENTSO-E. The EU underlined its determination to continue to support Ukraine's energy sector, including by delivering the needed energy related supplies, equipment and emergency assistance as well as facilitating cross-border electricity trade, enhancing energy efficiency and speeding up deployment of renewable energy. The EU will continue its humanitarian and civil protection assistance in Ukraine. The Association Council welcomed the interest of Ukraine for involvement in the EU policy and welcomed the signature of the Arrangement for cooperation on health between the European Commission and the Ministry of Health of Ukraine. The meeting was co-chaired by Denys Shmyhal, Prime Minister of Ukraine and Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Estonia and Ukraine launch formal negotiations over a bilateral security agreement Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs 20.03.2024 Yesterday 19 March, Estonia and Ukraine held the first stage of formal negotiations over a bilateral security agreement. The security agreement is aimed at reinforcing security cooperation between Estonia and Ukraine, and reaffirm Estonia's continued and comprehensive long-term support to Ukraine. "The agreement of Estonia and Ukraine is centred on defence and security cooperation but also addresses broader issues, such as Ukraine's integration into the European Union and NATO, continued sanctions on Russia, compensating the damage caused to Ukraine with the aggression, development cooperation with Ukraine, and reconstruction and cooperation on civilian protection," Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said. "It is important to negotiate an agreement as soon as possible because during this critical time, Ukraine needs certainty about the long-term support of its partners, as this would allow Ukraine to plan its actions better in countering the aggression of the Russian Federation." The process of bilateral security agreements is the result of a joint statement of G7, signed on 12 July last year and aimed at ensuring sustained political, military, financial and economic assistance to Ukraine, and contributing to the compensation of damage caused by Russia's aggression. In addition to G7 states, Ukraine also takes on responsibilities in the joint statement. Estonia joined the joint statement on 17 August last year with Latvia and Lithuania. 32 countries and the European Union have joined the statement by now, and Ukraine has signed bilateral agreements with as many as seven countries. The Estonian delegation at the negotiations is headed by Undersecretary for Political Affairs Kyllike Sillaste-Elling and Ukraine is represented by Ihor Zhovka, Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Commission disburses first a4.5 billion of bridge financing to Ukraine under the Ukraine Facility European Commission Press release 20 March 2024 Brussels The Commission has disbursed the first a4.5 billion of support under the EU's new Ukraine Facility. Through this exceptional bridge financing, the EU is providing much needed liquidity to Ukraine, to help finance the functioning of the state, such as public wages, pensions, and the provision of basic public services, so that the country can continue focusing efforts on winning the war. Today, Ukraine has also submitted its official Ukraine Plan, that paves the way for regular payments under the Facility conditioned to the reform and investment agenda of Ukraine for the next four years. As a next step, the Commission will now swiftly assess the Ukraine Plan and submit a proposal for a Council implementing decision to approve it as conditions to access regular payments. Following her meeting with Ukrainian Primer minister Denys Shmyhal, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said: "Today is a good day for Ukraine, as more EU funds are flowing to meet urgent needs. The Commission has just paid to Ukraine a first tranche of 4.5 billion Euro from the Facility. This payment, in the form of bridge financing, is crucial to help Ukraine maintain the functioning of the State in this difficult moment. Ukraine has also delivered the Ukraine Plan. This success is all the more impressive, since it is only 19 days ago that the Ukraine Facility entered into force. The plan maps out how Ukraine can get back to rapid growth and start to recover the losses that the war has caused. With it, Ukraine has laid a solid foundation for the EU's support, right up until the end of 2027". The Ukraine Facility of up to a50 billion will provide stable and sustainable financing to support Ukraine's recovery, reconstruction, and modernisation, including key reforms necessary on its EU accession track for the period of 2024-2027. This amount is composed of up to a17 billion in grants and up to a33 billion in loans. On the 'exceptional bridge financing' As provided for in the regulation establishing the Ukraine Facility, exceptional support to Ukraine to support the macro-financial stability of the country for a limited period of time can be provided by the Commission in case the Ukraine Plan is not yet adopted or the Framework Agreement between the Commission and Ukraine is not yet signed. This is subject to the fulfilment of policy conditions as well as reporting requirements to ensure the transparent and efficient use of the funds. Policy conditions are linked to important reforms in the fight against corruption, money laundering and sound financial management, among others. If the Commission assesses in April the positive fulfilment of these policy conditions and reporting requirements, the Commission will be able to disburse an additional a1.5 billion to Ukraine in bridge financing. On the Ukraine Plan As the next step, the Commission will assess the Ukraine Plan, which focuses on structural reforms, investments and measures to promote convergence with the EU, and shall submit a proposal for a Council implementing decision to assess it. The Commission will review whether the Plan responds to the objectives of the Ukraine Facility to support the recovery, restoration, reconstruction, and modernisation needs caused by Russia's war of aggression and if it is consistent to address relevant challenges in the context of Ukraine's accession path. Finally, the Commission will also assess if Ukraine's proposed measures can ensure an adequate level of protection of the financial interests of the Union. The Council will have one month to assess the Plan. A Council Implementing Decision will detail the indicators of reforms and investments that Ukraine must fulfil for the disbursement of the financial support for each quarter of the year for the next four-year period. Once the Ukraine plan, the Framework Agreement between the European Commission and Ukraine, as well as the financing and loan agreements are in place, Ukraine could benefit from the disbursement of a pre-financing of a1.9 billion. This would then be followed by regular quarterly payments if the agreed indicators for reforms and investments have been met. Background The European Union has demonstrated unprecedented unity in condemning Russia's actions and in providing support to Ukraine. So far, the EU, its Member States and European financial institutions have together provided wide-ranging support to Ukraine and its people, amounting to almost a98 billion since the start of Russia's war of aggression. This includes support made available to cater of the needs of around 4 million Ukrainian refugees in EU Member States. This also includes the first payment of a4.5 billion under the Ukraine Facility, which entered into force on 1 March 2024, one month after the political agreement on the MFF revision reached in the special European Council meeting of 1 February 2024. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks with President of Ukraine India - Ministry of External Affairs March 20, 2024 Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had a telephone conversation today with the President of Ukraine, H.E. Mr. Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The two leaders discussed ways to further strengthen India-Ukraine partnership in various spheres. While discussing the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, PM reiterated India's people-centric approach and called for dialogue and diplomacy as the way forward. He highlighted that India supports all efforts for an early and peaceful resolution of all issues between the Parties. He added that India would continue to do everything within its means to support a peaceful solution. President Zelenskyy appreciated India's continued humanitarian assistance for the people of Ukraine. The two leaders agreed to remain in touch. New Delhi March 20, 2024 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia warns French forces in Ukraine 'priority, legitimate' target Iran Press TV Wednesday, 20 March 2024 10:30 AM Russia's foreign intelligence (SVR) top brass said any French military unit sent to Ukraine to help it fight Russia would be a "priority" target for the Russian army. Sergey Naryshkin's warned France on Tuesday after Kremlin received information that Paris is preparing to dispatch a contingent of 2,000 troops to Ukraine to fight against Russia. "It (a French contingent) will become a priority and legitimate target for attacks by the Russian Armed Forces. This means that the fate of all Frenchmen who have ever come to the territory of the Russian world with a sword would await it," sexagenarian Naryshkin was quoted as saying. "The current leadership of the country (France) does not care about the deaths of ordinary French people or about the concerns of the generals." "According to information coming to the Russian SVR, a contingent to be sent to Ukraine is already being prepared. Initially, it will include around 2,000 troops," he added. According to the Naryshkin, the French military "fears that such a large military unit cannot be transferred and stationed in Ukraine unnoticed." His comments come after French president Emmanuel Macron said last month he would not rule out dispatching ground troops to help Ukraine fight Russia. He claimed that Macron is concealing the actual number of French soldiers who have lost their lives in Ukraine due to concerns over potential widespread demonstrations in France. "The number of French dead 'has already exceeded a psychologically significant threshold.' The release of such sensitive data can provoke citizens to protest, especially against the background of mass anti-government protests by farmers across the country," he said. "Sooner or later, Macron will have to reveal the ugly truth, but he will strive to delay the confessions as much as possible." Naryshkin argued that French military leadership "fears discontent" among active mid-level officers. "Among the dead, there are 'disproportionately many' of them, and already at the current stage there are problems with finding 'volunteers' for rotation and 'replacing those who have dropped out' in the Ukrainian theater of military operations," he said. Ties between France and Russia have further deteriorated in recent weeks after Paris signed a bilateral security accord with Ukraine and vowed to send more long-range cruise missiles. President Emmanuel Macron has not ruled out that European troops may one day have to go to Ukraine, saying Moscow must be defeated. Earlier this year, Russian lawmakers adopted a resolution condemning French mercenaries in Ukraine. 'Paris ready for everything' The French army chief of staff, Pierre Schill said France "is ready" to face whatever developments unfold internationally and is prepared for the "toughest engagements" to protect itself. The French army "is ready", Schill wrote in an article published on Tuesday on French daily Le Monde. "However the international situation may evolve, French people can be certain that their soldiers stand ready to respond," he said. He said a display of French military capabilities would help to "deter any attack on France." "To protect itself from any attack and to defend its interests, the French army is preparing for even the toughest engagements," he said. "The sources of crisis are multiplying and carry with them risks of spiraling or extending," he added. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Shelling Of Kharkiv Kills 5 As Kyiv's Forces Continue Hitting Russia's Belgorod Region By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service March 20, 2024 Five people were killed on March 20 as a result of Russian shelling of the northeastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv during the afternoon as Kyiv's military said more than 60 combat clashes took place along the front line. Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov announced the fifth death late on March 20, saying on Telegram that rescuers had pulled the body from the rubble.. Seven of the eight people who were injured had to be hospitalized, said regional Governor Oleh Synyehubov. An eight-story building and a factory were damaged, and a fire broke out in a print shop, said Serhiy Bolvinov, the head of the investigative department of the Kharkiv region's police force. Bolvinov also described damage caused to other commercial buildings. Russian shelling of civilian targets earlier on March 20 killed at least two people in the Kherson region when the car they were in was hit, the head of the region's military administration, Oleksandr Prokudin said on Telegram. The attacks came as Kyiv's forces launched a barrage of drone and missile strikes on the Russian border regions of Belgorod and Kursk. Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said three civilians were killed on March 20. On the battlefield, the Ukrainian military said Russian forces carried out most of the 67 attacks launched on March 20 in the areas of Novopavlovsk, Avdiyivka, and Lyman. They also attacked in the Bakhmut, Orikhiv, and Kherson areas, the General Staff said. For the first time in a long time, combat clashes were not reported in the Kupyansk area, the report added. In addition to the clashes, Russian forces launched two missiles and conducted dozens of air strikes using various weapons. The General Staff also reported that Ukrainian aviation struck 10 areas of Russian troop concentrations, weapons, and military equipment. Ukrainian missile forces also hit a Russian ammunition warehouse, the General Staff said. The General Staff report could not be independently verified. Earlier on March 20 Ukrainian intelligence sources told RFE/RL that Ukrainian drones attacked a Russian air base that houses strategic bombers located near the city of Engels in the Saratov region in an attack planned and executed by the Main Directorate of Ukraine's Military Intelligence (HUR). The air base, known as Engels 2 and located some 700 kilometers away from the Ukrainian border, has been used by Russian strategic bombers in attacks against Ukraine. The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that early on March 20 "targets had been hit" by Ukrainian-made drones and the results of the attack were being assessed, without disclosing what targets and how many of them had allegedly been hit. Earlier on March 20, Roman Busargin, the governor of the Russian region of Saratov, said a drone attack on Engels was "repelled." Busargin said on Telegram that there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage. Engels residents reported on social media up to four explosions in the city. Russia's Defense Ministry said four Ukrainian drones were shot down over the Saratov region and one over the Belgorod region. Engels, which is some 700 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, was targeted in previous attacks in 2022. The claims could not be independently verified. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy welcomed Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren to the city of Dnipro where she "witnessed firsthand the devastation caused by Russian air terror," the president said on X, formerly Twitter. "We focused on strengthening Ukraine's air defense, providing our defenders with artillery, armored vehicles, and UAVs," Zelenskiy said after meeting Ollongren. "I am grateful to the Netherlands for all of its support and important decisions for Ukraine." White House national-security adviser Jake Sullivan also visited Ukraine on March 20, telling a joint press conference in Kyiv with Ukrainian presidential chief of staff Andriy Yermak that a major U.S. aid package, which has been blocked by Republicans in Congress for months, would pass. "From our perspective we are confident we will get this done. We will get this aid to Ukraine," Sullivan said. Sullivan gave no timeline for the arrival of the aid but said there was no need to talk about a "plan B," an apparent reference to an idea that has been floated by Republicans to provide the aid in the form of a loan. "I am confident that we will achieve plan A. We will get a strong bipartisan vote in the House [of Representatives] for an assistance package for Ukraine, and we will get that money out the door as we should," he said. The process has "already taken too long." With reporting by Reuters Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine- russia-drones-shelling/32869707.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 Jordan Parker is a breaking news reporter for The San Francisco Chronicle. He graduated from Sacramento State University in May 2022 with a degree in journalism. During his time there, he spent three years as a reporter and editor for the university's award-winning student newspaper, The State Hornet. He spent his senior year of college serving as The Hornet's first Black editor in chief, leading the organization to two Pacemaker awards and several other national honors from the Associated Collegiate Press. When he's not chasing down a story, he likes watching movies, traveling and trying new restaurants. He can be reached at Jordan.Parker@sfchronicle.com. Ukraine Hails EU Move To Extend Suspension Of Import Duties By RFE/RL March 20, 2024 Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has welcomed a provisional decision by the EU to extend by one year the suspension on import duties on Ukrainian agricultural products announced early on March 20. "Good news from Brussels. The European Council and Parliament have provisionally agreed to renew the suspension of import duties and quotas on Ukrainian exports to the EU until June 2025. Grateful to [European Commission Executive Vice President Valdis] Dombrovskis, the EU Council, the Belgian Presidency of the EU, and the European Parliament for their unwavering support to Ukraine," Shmyhal wrote on X, formerly Twitter. The European Parliament and Council said in a statement on March 20 that their negotiators reached a provisional deal to extend the trade-liberalization measures for Ukraine, whose economy has been gravely affected by Russia's unprovoked invasion. The decision came after a proposal advanced in January by the European Commission, the EU's executive body, to grant Ukraine the one-year extension. "The temporary suspension of import duties and quotas on Ukrainian agricultural exports to the EU will be renewed for another year, until June 5, 2025, to support Ukraine amidst Russia's continuing war of aggression," the European Parliament and the Council said in the joint statement. The deal also includes an "emergency brake" in case of excessive imports for poultry, eggs, sugar, oats, maize, groats, and honey. "The reference period for triggering the emergency brake will be 2022 and 2023, meaning that if imports of these products surpass the average volumes of these two years, tariffs would be reimposed," the statement said, adding that the commission had "firmly committed" to act if there is a surge of Ukrainian imports of wheat. Following extended protests from farmers from EU countries over cheap Ukrainian imports, the commission pledged to also take "swift action and impose any measures it deems necessary should there be significant disruption to the EU market or the markets of one or more EU countries due to Ukrainian imports." Later on March 20, Polish farmers blocked roads with tractors and flares on in escalating protests against EU environmental regulations and cheap food imports from Ukraine. Placards depicted a farmer swinging from a gallows next to wind farms and an EU-emblazoned executioner with the words: "Green Deal equals death of Polish agriculture." Farmers in Poland and elsewhere in the bloc have been protesting in recent months to demand the reimposition of customs duties on agricultural imports from Ukraine that were waived after Russia's invasion in 2022 The deal announced on March 20 has to be approved by the European Parliament and the governments of the 27-member bloc. With reporting by Reuters and AFP Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-eu- import-duties/32869828.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 Shelling Intensifies Along Border In Both Ukraine, Russia By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service and RFE/RL's Russian Service March 20, 2024 Russian troops on March 19 shelled border territories and settlements in the northeastern Sumy region, targeting more than a half dozen communities in at least 30 incidents on a single day. At least one person was killed in the community of Velyka Pysarivka, the regional military prosecutor's office said. More than 250 people were evacuated last week from Velyka Pysarivka. Another community was hit by a high-explosive aerial bomb and shelling from mortars. Russia used MLRS (multiple-launch rocket systems), mortars, artillery, and defense-system strikes in the shelling. While its troops have been shelling communities in the Sumy region nearly every day with various types of weapons, the attacks have recently intensified. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in his nightly video address that there had been "constant terrorist attacks and strikes" in the Sumy region. "Since the beginning of the month, Russian aviation has already dropped almost 200 guided bombs on the communities of the Sumy region," he said. "Villages, cities, civilian infrastructure." Zelenskiy said earlier on Telegram that since the beginning of March, Russian troops had fired 130 missiles of various types over Ukraine and called on international partners to strengthen the country's air defenses. Patriots and other systems should do what they were created for, namely protect life, and not gather dust in storage, Zelenskiy said. Moscow, meanwhile, said antiaircraft units had downed missiles in two border areas. The Defense Ministry said on Telegram that air defenses had intercepted 10 projectiles fired by Ukrainian multiple rocket launchers and one Tochka-U missile over the Belgorod region at about 10 p.m. local time. The ministry said later that it had intercepted two more missiles, including a U.S.-made Patriot, over the neighboring Kursk region. No casualties were reported in either incident. Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said heavy shelling in the border community of Kozinka had damaged several dwellings. Russian pro-war Telegram channels and the Russian Volunteer Corps also published reports about fighting in Kozinka. The Russian Defense Ministry said last week that the Ukrainian military tried to take the village, but the attack was repulsed. Gladkov said earlier that 16 people had died and 98 were injured in Belgorod over the last week. He announced plans on March 19 to evacuate about 9,000 children from the region because of the shelling. With reporting by Reuters and AP Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia- border-attacks/32869618.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 China Voices Hope for Deescalation Efforts Amid Macron's Plans to Send Troops to Ukraine Sputnik News 20240320 BEIJING (Sputnik) - Beijing sincerely hopes that all parties concerned will contribute to the deescalation of the conflict in Ukraine and the establishment of an effective security architecture in Europe, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said on Wednesday, when commenting on France's plans to deploy its troops in Ukraine. "China sincerely hopes that relevant sides will show political will, deescalate the situation and work together for an early ceasefire and a balanced, effective and sustainable security architecture in Europe," Lin told a daily briefing. On Tuesday, Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) chief Sergei Naryshkin said that France was preparing to send a military unit to Ukraine, with approximately 2,000 servicepeople to be deployed at the first stage. The SVR director added that French troops in Ukraine would become a "priority legitimate target for attacks by the Russian armed forces." The French Defense Ministry denied the information about the presence of French servicepeople in Ukraine, as well as Paris' plans to send a military unit there. Following a Paris-hosted conference on Ukraine held on February 26, 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. Some EU countries hastened to dismiss such plans. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russia had taken notice of Macron's remarks and that some of the countries that participated in the Paris meeting on Ukraine had quite a "wise assessment" of the potential dangers of being involved in a conflict with Russia. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine Will Start Production of 155 mm Caliber Shells Only in Second Half of 2024 - Report Sputnik News 20240320 Western countries have been providing military and financial aid to Kiev since the start of Russia's military operation in Ukraine in February 2022. The Kremlin has consistently warned against continued arms deliveries to Kiev, saying it would lead to further escalation of the conflict. Ukraine will be able to start its own production of 155 mm caliber shells, which are in short supply on the battlefield, only in the second half of 2024. The Washington Post quoted sources who said Ukrainian defense companies are trying to meet the urgent needs of the armed forces by producing their own NATO-standard 155-millimeter shells, which are needed for artillery systems supplied by Ukraine's Western sponsors. There is a catastrophic shortage of these shells at the front, but production will not begin until the second half of this year at the earliest, according to the publication. Ukrainian officials have complained that a long list of constraints, from a lack of adequate funding to finding enough gunpowder, is preventing the Ukrainian industry from ramping up production. "Our state budget is not enough," the newspaper quoted Oleksandr Zavitnevych, head of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine's committee on national security, defense and intelligence, as saying. Corruption in Ukraine is a major concern for both the country's citizens and its international partners. When funds intended for public services or infrastructure disappear without proper accountability, it can lead to a lack of trust in government and hinder the country's development. 155 mm is the NATO-standard heavy artillery calibre. The United States has supplied Ukraine with 155 mm caliber M777 long-range howitzers, which Ukrainian troops are actively using to shell cities in the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics. German PzH 2000 self-propelled artillery units, Polish Krab self-propelled tracked gun-howitzer and French CAESAR self-propelled howitzer, which fire shells of this caliber, have also been delivered to Ukrainian troops. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine's Military Losses Amount to Over 71,000 People Since Start of 2024 - Shoigu Sputnik News 20240320 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Ukraine has lost more than 71,000 soldiers and over 11,000 units of various weapons since the start of the year, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Wednesday. "In general, the losses of the Ukrainian armed forces during this period, that is, since the beginning of this year, exceeded 71,000 people and 11,000 units of various weapons. This is almost three times higher than the same period last year," Shoigu said at a meeting with senior military. Ukraine has also lost four Abrams tanks, five Leopard tanks, six HIMARS multiple rocket launcher systems and five Patriot complexes, the minister added. Ukraine Loses 3,501 Soldiers During Attacks on Russian Border Settlements The Ukrainian forces have lost 3,501 soldiers killed and injured during the attacks on Russian border settlements in Belgorod and Kursk regions, Shoigu added. "The most active fighting was conducted in the area of the settlement of Kozinka. All enemy attacks were successfully repelled, it was thrown back outside the Russian territory. At the same time, the losses of the Ukrainian armed forces in the direction of the actions of the groups covering the state border for eight days of hostilities amounted to more than 3,500, or rather 3,501 people, of which 790 were killed," Shoigu said at the board ministerial meeting. US Extremely Concerned About Russian Military's Success in Special Operation Zone The United States is extremely concerned about the achievements of the Russian armed forces in the special operation zone, the minister said. The United States and its satellites are extremely concerned about the success of the Russian armed forces. It is becoming increasingly difficult for them to justify to the Western community the need for further funding and supplies of weapons and ammunition to the armed forces of Ukraine," Shoigu said. Russia Downed 419 Ukrainian Drones, 67 Missiles During Polls Russian air defenses struck down 419 drones and 67 missiles that were launched by Ukrainian troops against Russian targets during the three days of presidential voting, Shoigu said. "The Russian forces strengthened security around government and social infrastructure assets, ramping up air defense capabilities to prevent acts of terrorism. During the election, 419 UAVs and 67 missiles were downed," Shoigu told a ministerial meeting. The Ukrainian armed forces targeted polling places across Russia during last week's presidential election with tacit approval of their Western military advisers, Sergei Shoigu said. "They intentionally targeted polling places and government institutions while civilians were present there. Both the command of the Ukrainian armed forces and their Western advisers knew it," Shoigu told a ministerial meeting in Moscow. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Air Defenses Shot Down 5 Ukrainian Drones Over Belgorod, Saratov Regions - MoD Sputnik News 20240320 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russian air defense systems shot down four Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) over the Saratov Region and another one over the Belgorod Region overnight, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Wednesday. "This night, attempts by the Kiev regime to carry out terrorist attacks against facilities on the territory of the Russian Federation with the use of aircraft-type UAVs were foiled. Active air defense systems destroyed five Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles over the territories of the Belgorod (1 UAV) and Saratov (4 UAVs) regions," the ministry said in a statement. Earlier, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov, commenting on attacks by Ukrainian drones on Russian territory, emphasized that Kiev continues terrorist activities, but that the Russian military is on alert and doing everything necessary. Ukraine has been sending drones and missiles into Russia almost daily since it launched its counteroffensive in early June 2023. The United Nations said in August last year, following a botched drone strike on Moscow, that it did not want to see any targeting of civilian infrastructure. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia Warns Japan of Consequences if Patriot Missiles Sent to Ukraine Sputnik News 20240320 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia has warned Japan via diplomatic channels of consequences in the event of transferring missiles for the Patriot missile defense systems to the United States, which could end up in Ukraine, the acting director of the Russian Foreign Ministry's Third Asia Department, Sergey Zhestkii, has told Sputnik. In late December 2023, the White House confirmed the Japanese authorities' decision to transfer Patriot missiles to the US, saying it would contribute to enhancing Japan's security and peace in the Indo-Pacific region. The Japanese Embassy in Moscow, following a meeting between Japanese Ambassador to Russia Akira Muto and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko, then said that the Patriot missiles transferred from Japan to the US will not be used in Ukraine. "When in December 2023 the administration of [Japanese Prime Minister] Fumio Kishida achieved a legislative relaxation of national rules for the export of military products - for the sake of supplying Patriot missiles assembled in the country under license to Washington - we directly warned the Japanese side through Ambassador to Moscow Muto that we have no doubt about the ultimate beneficiary of such a decision - the Kiev regime," Zhestkii said. He added that "such an assistance in further pumping up the Ukrainian armed forces with weapons will be unequivocally regarded as Tokyo's complicity in Kiev's criminal actions, which only lead to an increase in the number of victims." Moreover, the Russian Foreign Ministry had intentionally invited to the ministry "the head of the Russian branch of the Japanese Foreign Ministry, who was in Moscow for consultations with his embassy, for a detailed briefing on the situation around Ukraine," the Russian official said. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address In Kyiv, Andriy Yermak and Jake Sullivan discussed further U.S. support for Ukraine and preparations for the Global Peace Summit President of Ukraine 20 March 2024 - 22:06 Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak and National Security Advisor to the President of the United States Jake Sullivan discussed further U.S. support for Ukraine in the fight against full-scale Russian aggression and preparations for the first Global Peace Summit. According to Andriy Yermak, the talks focused on the situation at the front and Ukraine's current needs. "Today I heard once again from Mr. Sullivan about unequivocal support from the United States, about bipartisan support. We know for sure that President Biden's administration, the entire team, and Jake himself are doing everything possible to pass the much-needed aid package," he said at a briefing after the meeting with Jake Sullivan. At the same time, the Head of the President's Office noted that the United States, which is a strategic partner of Ukraine, even in the face of the delay in the approval of the military aid package in the Congress, found an opportunity to provide a new $300 million defense support package to our country. During the negotiations, Andriy Yermak and Jake Sullivan also discussed preparations for the NATO Summit in Washington and the inaugural Global Peace Summit. "Jake personally has been supporting our idea from the very beginning. He has been advocating for the idea with other countries, including the Global South," said the Head of the Presidential Office. In his opinion, it is necessary to further actively bring the Global Peace Summit closer, as the number of countries supporting it is growing. This means that today Ukraine is uniting the world, and Russia should not be allowed to divide it. "I am grateful to our American partners for helping us with this and hearing us," said Andriy Yermak. Answering journalists' questions, the Head of the President's Office also emphasized that today the Ukrainian and American sides have the same plan - to win this war and do everything for this. "We always say very specific things on behalf of our presidents. And a lot of things in our conversations and consultations help to make appropriate decisions. We will continue to do this, and today it was very important to make such a synchronization of watches," he said. For his part, Jake Sullivan emphasized that two years after the beginning of Russia's attack on Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, our country still stands, primarily due to the bravery and dedication of the Ukrainian people. "And today I want to tell you that we believe in you. We believe that you will win. That you will build a brighter future for Ukraine, a stronger democracy, a resilient country that will be able to repel future aggressions. We will be your partner in all these dimensions. You should also believe in the United States. We have stood by your side since the beginning of this war. We have provided tremendous support. And we continue to do it every day in the ways we can," he said. In his opinion, Ukraine should emerge from the war sovereign, united and able to withstand future aggression, with strong democratic institutions and a growing economy. "Not only traditional industries, but also high-tech. Because you innovate even during an invasion," the U.S. Presidential Advisor added. Jake Sullivan emphasized that the leader of the United States is fighting every day for the adoption of a $60 billion aid package by the House of Representatives, which has already been passed by the Senate. "And we are confident that we will be able to get it and provide it to Ukraine," he emphasized. The U.S. Presidential Advisor emphasized the need to provide military support and weapons so that brave Ukrainian soldiers can effectively defend their country on the battlefield. There is also intelligence, economic cooperation, diplomacy, and work on democratic and economic reforms. "This is a holistic approach that our President is leading and that is a key priority for the United States to ensure that Ukraine not only prevails, but succeeds in the long run, and is able to withstand. And it's not just something that Ukraine deserves, it's also in the national security interest of the United States," Jake Sullivan said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address President of Ukraine and Minister of Defense of the Netherlands discussed ways to enhance defense capabilities of Ukraine President of Ukraine 20 March 2024 - 17:59 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Minister of Defense of the Netherlands Kajsa Ollongren, who is on a visit to Ukraine. The Head of State emphasized the importance of Kajsa Ollongren's visit to the city of Dnipro, where the Dutch delegation had an opportunity to see the devastating consequences of Russian aerial terror with their own eyes. "We are grateful to the Dutch government led by the Prime Minister, the parliament and society for all the support and important decisions for Ukraine. We have signed a very powerful document in the field of security between the countries," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. The President emphasized the importance of fixing in the bilateral security agreement the provision of a2 billion in military assistance to Ukraine in 2024, as well as a powerful military component. The Head of State emphasized the leading role of the Netherlands in the functioning of the international aviation coalition and expressed gratitude to the Dutch government for the important decision to transfer F-16 jets to Ukraine. Volodymyr Zelenskyy informed in detail about the situation on the battlefield and the current needs of Ukrainian defenders. The interlocutors paid special attention to bolstering Ukraine's air defense, providing artillery, armored vehicles and UAVs, in particular in the framework of joint projects. The parties also discussed further realization of Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic aspirations. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Justice must become the new global rule supported by the global unity - speech by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the 3rd Summit for Democracy President of Ukraine 20 March 2024 - 17:32 Dear colleagues, Dear democratic community, Greetings to all of you! There is no point to describe how fragile the global situation is. Everyone understands the real situation. The key pillars of the modern rules-based world are weakened if not destroyed... The world now bets more on force rather than the rules. But force and rules are not mutually exclusive. It's not 'either this or that'. Without the force punishing the violation of the rules, the rules aren't effective. And without the rules limiting the force, it goes mad and it is what happened with Russia. The world needs a balance between force and rules. This is what Ukraine proposes. This is the essential core of our Peace Formula. Dear colleagues! Ukraine doesn't divide the world into large and small or into those who deserve more or less attention. We reject the colonialist view on the world that divides the nations between so-called 'great powers' or geopolitical poles. Every nation matters. And now, aiming for the just end of the evil Russian war against our nation, we want to give certainty to every nation that its security will be unbreakable. It will become possible once we end this Russia's war against Ukraine not on the terms of the aggressor or on the terms imposed on us but on the terms of the nation that was attacked. It will be fair. Justice must become the new global rule supported by the global unity with sufficient force. Is it possible without the Global South? Definitely not. Now we are preparing the inaugural Global Peace Summit in Switzerland and I invite all of you to join in, all nations of the world who respect the international rules-based order. Your voice matters. Together we have to make the force that has gone mad come back to the rules and make the rules work again to shield the world order of fragility. It is vital for Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Indo-Pacific region and all other regions of the world. Once it works for Ukraine and against the present aggressor, it will work for all and against any other aggressor. Since the beginning of this war, Russia has tried to make hell for us - it has destroyed all aspects of security. Step by step we are restoring the security for our people and for all our partners. The best example is food security. It has fundamental meaning for every part of the world. When Russia had blocked our ports and began to destroy our agricultural infrastructure, our determination and global cooperation gave enormous results... We have restored the stability of the global food market, lifted the Russian blockade of some of our ports and renewed supplies of agricultural production. Dozens of millions of tons of Ukrainian food have already been delivered to Africa, Asia, and Europe. Our humanitarian food programme 'Grain from Ukraine' is also working and has delivered dozen thousands of tons of grain and wheat to Yemen, Somalia, Nigeria, Sudan, Ethiopia... And I am grateful to all contributing donor countries. Now together with the UN World Food Programme we are planning new routes for the 'Grain from Ukraine' to tackle famine in Gaza and Malawi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo and other nations. In a few days a new cargo from Ukraine will arrive in Sudan. We have proven that we can restore food security, and I invite all of you to join this and other points of our Peace Formula. I believe that peace can be solid. But for it to happen, countries in the world have to be the co-authors of solid reliability. Thank you for your attention! NNN! NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Megan Fan Munce is a reporter who joined the San Francisco Chronicle as part of the two-year Hearst Journalism Fellowship, spending her first year of the program at the Houston Chronicle. Munce grew up in San Jose before attending Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, graduating with a B.S. and M.S. in journalism and a second major in political science. She previously worked as an audience engagement fellow and a reporting fellow at the Texas Tribune, as well as an audience intelligence intern for KQED. She can be reached at Megan.Munce@sfchronicle.com. President of Ukraine and Prime Minister of India discussed support for the Peace Formula and development of bilateral relations President of Ukraine 20 March 2024 - 16:09 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a phone call with Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi. The Head of State thanked the interlocutor for supporting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, as well as for the humanitarian assistance provided by India to our country. The President noted the continuous dialogue between the two countries at various levels, in particular, on the support of the Ukrainian Peace Formula. Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked for the active participation of Indian representatives in meetings at the level of national security and foreign policy advisors and emphasized the importance of India's participation in the inaugural peace summit, which is being prepared in Switzerland. The President of Ukraine and the Prime Minister of India discussed the development of bilateral relations, one of the elements of which should be a meeting of the teams and a session of the Intergovernmental Ukraine-India Cooperation Commission in New Delhi in the near future. Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized Ukraine's interest in strengthening trade and economic relations with India. According to him, the most promising areas are agricultural exports, in particular sunflower oil, cooperation in the aviation industry, and trade in pharmaceuticals and industrial products. Ukraine will also welcome the return of Indian students to Ukrainian educational institutions, the Head of State noted. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN report details 'climate of fear' in Russian occupied areas of Ukraine 20 March 2024 - Russia has instilled a pervasive atmosphere of fear in the occupied regions of Ukraine, perpetrating egregious violations of international humanitarian and human rights laws in an attempt to cement its control, according to a new report from the UN human rights office, OHCHR, released on Wednesday. Based on over 2,300 testimonies from victims and witnesses, the report details measures taken by Russia to impose Russian language, citizenship, laws, court system and education curricula in the occupied areas, while at the same time suppressing expressions of Ukrainian culture and identity, and dismantling its governance and administrative systems. "The actions of the Russian Federation have ruptured the social fabric of communities and left individuals isolated, with profound and long-lasting consequences for Ukrainian society as a whole," said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker TArk. Although the Russian Federation initiated its annexation of Ukrainian territory in Crimea in 2014, the report concentrates on the aftermath of the full-scale invasion in February 2022. Widespread violations Russian armed forces, operating with "generalized impunity", committed widespread violations, including arbitrary detentions often accompanied by torture and ill-treatment, sometimes culminating in enforced disappearances. "While Russian armed forces initially targeted individuals perceived as posing a security threat, over time a wider net was cast broadly to include any person perceived to oppose the occupation," OHCHR said in a news release accompanying the report. Peaceful protests were suppressed, free expression curtailed and residents' movements severely restricted, it added, noting also that homes and businesses were pillaged and Ukrainian internet and communication networks were shut down, severing ties with independent news sources and isolating the population. "People were encouraged to inform on one another, leaving them afraid even of their own friends and neighbours." Children worst affected According to the report, children bore the brunt of the impact, with Ukrainian curricula replaced by Russian curriculum in many schools and introduced textbooks with narratives seeking to justify the armed attack on Ukraine. Russia also enlisted children into youth groups to inculcate Russian expression of patriotism. The report added that residents of occupied areas were coerced into taking Russian passports. Those who refused were singled out, facing harsher restrictions on their movement, and were progressively denied employment in the public sector, access to healthcare and social security benefits. Collapsed local economy The report also detailed the situation in areas recaptured by Ukrainian forces in late 2022, including Mykolaiv and parts of Kharkiv and Kherson regions. "The invasion, occupation and subsequent recapture by Ukraine of these areas left behind damaged homes and infrastructure, land contaminated by mines and explosive remnants of war, pillaged resources, a collapsed local economy and a traumatized, mistrustful community," the report said. It added that the Ukrainian Government faced the challenge of rebuilding and restoring services in these areas, while having to contend with legacies of violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law during the occupation. 'Overly broad' Ukrainian legal provision The report also expressed concern that an "overly broad and imprecise provision" of the Ukrainian Criminal Code led to people being prosecuted under charges of collaboration with the occupying authorities for actions that can be lawfully compelled by the occupying authorities under international humanitarian law, such as work to ensure essential services. "Such prosecutions have tragically led to some people being victimized twice - first under the Russian occupation and then again when they are prosecuted for collaboration," High Commissioner TArk cautioned, urging Ukraine to revise its approach to such prosecutions. He further reiterated his call on Russia to immediately cease its armed attack against Ukraine and withdraw to internationally recognized borders, in line with the relevant UN General Assembly resolutions and international law. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address White House Official Tells Ukraine US Aid Will Come By VOA News March 20, 2024 Jake Sullivan, White House national security adviser, made an unannounced visit to Kyiv on Wednesday to reassure Ukrainians that the United States continued to support Ukraine and that despite a delay in Congress, billions in aid would get to the country. "We will get a strong bipartisan vote in Congress," Sullivan said during a press conference, calling it Plan A. "We will get that money to you as we should, so I don't think we need to speak about Plan B today." He also acknowledged that the process had "taken too long." Sullivan met with Andriy Yermak, Ukraine's presidential chief of staff. They talked about what Ukraine needs on the battlefield and two upcoming summits: the NATO summit in July in Washington and a peace summit in Switzerland that is not yet scheduled but may happen this spring. Yermak said that China, an ally of Russia, could attend, but Ukraine will not invite Russia. Missile strike Meanwhile, a Russian missile attack Wednesday killed at least five people and wounded eight more in an industrial area in Ukraine's northern city of Kharkiv, local authorities reported. Five others were missing, the city's mayor said. The blast also set off a major fire at a printing facility in Ukraine's second-largest city. The Kharkiv region, which borders Russia to the north and lies close to the front line, has sustained numerous attacks during Russia's two-year invasion. "According to preliminary data, it was a cruise missile. A serious fire continues at the site," regional governor Oleh Synehubov said on national TV. A furniture and paint products factory also was hit in the attack, said Serhiy Bolvinov, head of the investigative department of the regional police. Rescuers rushed to the site to fight flames covering an area of more than 2,000 square meters (21,500 square feet) and worked through the rubble in a search for survivors, the emergency service said. As many as 10 people possibly were trapped. In a later post on the messaging app Telegram, Mayor Ihor Terekhov reported new shelling in the city. "Kharkiv needs an adequate number of air defense systems, Sumy region needs it, Chernihiv region and all our regions suffering from Russian terror need it," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address. "Our partners have these defense systems. And our partners need to understand that air defenses must protect lives." Russia's defense ministry reported that overnight its air defenses destroyed 13 Ukrainian missiles and one drone targeting the Belgorod region, which borders Ukraine. The defense ministry said it destroyed another four Ukrainian drones over the Saratov region of western Russia. Roman Busargin, the regional governor of Saratov, said on Telegram there were no casualties or damage on the ground from falling debris. Russian assets proposal In Brussels, European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell proposed using revenue from frozen Russian assets in Europe to add to a fund used to send military support to Ukraine. Borrell suggested taking proceeds, such as interest payments earned on the Russian assets, and direct 90% of that money into the European Peace Facility. He said the proceeds would total about $3 billion per year. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal was in Brussels to take part in talks with EU officials that Borrell said would include discussing support for Ukraine's defense against Russia as well as its path to joining the EU. Climate of fear In a new report, the United Nations' human rights office said Russia has created a climate of fear in areas of Ukraine it is occupying. Based on more than 2,300 interviews with victims and witnesses, the report said Moscow's forces had imposed use of the Russian language and basic Russian governance, while suppressing expressions of Ukrainian culture and identity. "The actions of the Russian Federation have ruptured the social fabric of communities and left individuals isolated, with profound and long-lasting consequences for Ukrainian society as a whole," said Volker Turk, the U.N. high commissioner for human rights. The report said, "The occupying authorities shut down Ukrainian internet and mobile networks, TV and radio channels, with traffic rerouted through Russian networks, which allowed control over information accessible online and prevented the population from freely receiving information from independent news sources, families or friends. People were encouraged to inform on one another, leaving them afraid even of their own friends and neighbors." Some information for this report came from Reuters. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Remarks by APNSA Jake Sullivan and Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak in Press Conference | Kyiv, Ukraine March 20, 2024 National Security Council Kyiv, Ukraine MR. YERMAK: (Speaks Ukrainian.) (No translation provided.) MR. SULLIVAN: Well, thank you, Andriy. Thank you for your hospitality. Thank you for your partnership as we've worked through both the challenges and opportunities that have come before us over the course of these difficult past two years while Ukraine has been fighting so bravely against the imperial onslaught of the Russians. I was here a year ago last month with President Biden on his historic visit to Kyiv one year after Russia's full-blown invasion of Ukraine. President Biden came here with a message of support for the Ukrainian people and also a message to the world in which he said that despite all of the predictions and despite all of the challenges posed by the brutal aggressor, Russia, Kyiv still stood, Ukraine still stood proud and free. And now, one year later, two years after the beginning of this vicious assault on your sovereignty and territorial integrity, Kyiv still stands and Ukraine still stands. And it stands because of the bravery and the courage, the ingenuity and the tenacity of the Ukrainian people. And we are in awe of that in the United States. And I'm here today to say: We believe in you. We believe you will prevail. We believe that you will build a brighter future for the Ukrainian people, a stronger democracy, a resilient, secure country that can repel future aggression. And we're going to be your partner in that every step of the way. I'm also here to say that you should believe in the United States. We have stood by your side since this war began. We have provided enormous support, and we will continue to do so every day in every way we know how. Now, I know there are questions here because of the back and forth in our Congress and the months that have gone by without the supplemental bill coming through, the package of aid that you rightly deserve and that President Biden is fighting for every day a the $60 billion that the Senate has passed on a bipartisan basis and now we're working with the House to pass. But from our perspective, we are confident we will get this done. We will get this aid to Ukraine. And in the meantime, we're not just waiting. As Andriy mentioned, just last week we announced from the White House podium a package of $300 million of ammunition, air defense, and other critical supplies that are needed right now on the front lines, and we are rushing those supplies to you as we speak. So we are going to do everything in our power to continue to support you and your efforts as you go forward. And we will work with the rest of the world as well, a coalition of more than 50 nations standing strong in support of Ukraine, as you deal with this foe that continues to relentlessly assault you day in, day out. And together we will work until Ukraine has prevailed. And again, thank you for your hospitality, and I look forward to hearing your questions. Q (Speaks Ukrainian.) (No translation provided.) MR. YERMAK: (Speaks Ukrainian.) (No translation provided.) Q (Speaks Ukrainian.) (No translation provided.) MR. SULLIVAN: Well, I've stood at the White House podium and I've stood at other podiums and said Ukraine should win. I said here, today, Ukraine should prevail. And what does that mean? That means that Ukraine emerges from this war sovereign, independent, and free, able to deter future aggression with a strong, vibrant democracy; with deep democratic institutions; with an economy that's growing, not just in traditional industries but in high technology and the areas where you are innovating. Even in the face of Russian attacks, you are innovating. That's what winning means. And from our perspective, we are going to work every day to make that happen. Now, there's a critical military dimension to that, meaning providing the necessary support, supplies, and weapons for Ukraine's brave soldiers to be able to effectively do what they need to do on the battlefield. There is the intelligence cooperation we have. There is the economic cooperation we have. There is the diplomacy that we do together to work on democratic reforms and economic reforms. So this is a comprehensive, across-the-board, all-hands-on-deck effort for the U.S. government, directed by our President as a key priority of the United States to see Ukraine not just win, but succeed a succeed over the long term and thrive. And that is something every Ukrainian deserves, but it's also profoundly in the national security interest of the United States. Q Thank you so much. My name is Monica. Thank you, Mr. Sullivan. I have a question for you. First of all, is it true that the administration has authorized the long-range ATACMS missiles to Ukraine? And if so, when are they going to arrive? And the second one: What does Russia's loss look like for the U.S. administration? MR. SULLIVAN: Well, I'll take your second question first. We believe that Russia has already failed in this war. What did Russia set out to do? Wipe Ukraine off the map. Wipe the very idea of being Ukrainian from history. It has already failed at that. It failed in its assault on your capital because Ukrainians stood up and defended the capital. It failed to crush the democratically elected government of Ukraine. It failed to crush the spirit of the Ukrainian people. And so, the designs set out by Putin and Russia at the start of this war have not been fulfilled and will never be fulfilled. But that's not enough. In the end, we need to see a circumstance in which Ukraine no longer suffers from the threat and the onslaught of the Russian military and where it can stand not just free and independent, but safe and secure as well. That's what we're going to work towards. With respect to ATACMS, I'm going to disappoint you by saying I have nothing to announce here publicly today on that issue. When we do have something to share, we will be sure to share it. But I will say that we have had very constructive discussions about our military support and the capabilities that are necessary to ensure that support is as effective as it could possibly be. Q Thank you. Q (Speaks Ukrainian.) (No translation provided.) MR. YERMAK: (Speaks Ukrainian.) (No translation provided.) MR. SULLIVAN: As I said in my opening comments, I'm confident that we will achieve plan A. We will get a strong bipartisan vote in the House for an assistance package for Ukraine. And we will get that money out the door as we should. So I don't think we need to speak today about plan B. The timing has already taken too long. And I know that, and you know that. I'm not going to make predictions about exactly when this will get done, but we are working to get it done as soon as possible. And President Biden is working this on a daily basis to try to deliver this package to the House. But I cannot make specific prediction today. Q Thank you. I'm SiobhAn O'Grady from the Washington Post. Mr. Sullivan and Mr. Yermak, can you both respond to more specifically about the nature of your relationship and communication, and how often you speak each day? And, Mr. Yermak, can you respond to various claims that you play an outsized role in the presidential office (inaudible) U.S. and foreign officials across all departments, sometimes even making ambassadors irrelevant? MR. SULLIVAN: Well, as Andriy said, we speak quite frequently. I couldn't quantify precisely the number of times we speak in a given week. But we are checking in on a very regular basis by phone. We see each other in person at summits, at other events or visits to Washington, my visits to Kyiv. And, really, it's about getting down to brass tacks, because as Andriy said, there are a lot of very specific things that we need to work through in this partnership: the delivery of security assistance; where we are working together on economic cooperation and economic reforms; how we are approaching strategic issues and diplomatic issues, including what he was discussing earlier with respect to the diplomacy with the Global South. This is a very high priority for President Biden and the United States that we do our part to be a good partner to Ukraine and to rally the world in support of Ukraine. And that requires a lot of hands-on, day-to-day management across our government and, frankly, across multiple different axes between the U.S. and Ukrainian governments. Ambassador Brink is here in the front row. She plays a critical role in managing the U.S.-Ukraine relationship. Our foreign ministers, our defense ministers, our presidents are all engaged on a regular basis as well. But Andriy and I do have responsibility across the whole suite of these issues a military, diplomatic, economic, strategic, tactical. So it's only natural that we would be in very regular communication, which we are and have been since even before the war began. MR. YERMAK: (Speaks Ukrainian.) (No translation provided.) Q (Speaks Ukrainian.) (No translation provided.) MR. SULLIVAN: Well, first, I believe that a strong majority of both Democratic and Republican members of Congress believe that already, actually. And you saw that in the vote in the Senate a 70 senators voting in favor of that package. And when you do the vote count in the House, a strong bipartisan majority support it. So there is a wide understanding in the United States that Ukraine matters, that the security and future of Ukraine matters to the security and future of the United States of America, and that we want to help a friend and a partner, but we also want to help ourselves in helping you. Now, of course, there are politics and procedures and obstacles to getting this done, and I can understand how frustrating that is as you fight this war and seek further assistance. But I want you to know that among members of Congress and among the American people, there continues to be a deep and strong reservoir of support for what you are doing, why it matters for your security and why it matters for our security. We're going to continue making that case. And you have no better advocates than the ordinary Ukrainian people who are out there every day showing the world why it matters, and your president and your government who advocate and fight on your behalf, who come to us and work in partnership to make sure we're delivering on our part. And so, I can't ask you to do anything more than you've already been doing. Now it's our job to deliver for you, and that's what we intend to do. MR. YERMAK: (Speaks Ukrainian.) (No translation provided.) END NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Statement by NSC Spokesperson Adrienne Watson on National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's Visit to Kyiv, Ukraine March 20, 2024 National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan traveled to Kyiv, Ukraine today to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Head of the Office of the President Andriy Yermak, and senior Ukrainian officials to reaffirm the United States' unwavering commitment to Ukraine in its self-defense against Russia's brutal invasion. Sullivan underscored the multiple lines of U.S. support to Ukraine following yesterday's successful Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting, and he stressed the urgent need for the U.S. House of Representatives to pass the national security supplemental to meet Ukraine's critical battlefield needs. Sullivan discussed ongoing efforts with allies and partners to hold Russia accountable for its aggression and mitigate the economic impacts of Russia's war on Ukraine and around the world, and progress on anti-corruption and other key reforms needed to further Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic integration. ### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia Targets Kyiv in Aerial Attack By VOA News March 21, 2024 Russian aerial attacks targeted Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, Thursday, with the Ukrainian air force issuing multiple warnings about missiles heading to the region. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said on Telegram that rocket fragments fell in multiple districts of the city, hitting residential buildings and causing several fires. Klitschko said at least four people were injured. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his nightly address Wednesday that his country needs military aid to help defend itself from Russian missile attacks. "Kharkiv needs an adequate number of air defense systems, Sumy region needs it, Chernihiv region and all our regions suffering from Russian terror need it," Zelenskyy said. "Our partners have these defense systems. And our partners need to understand that air defenses must protect lives." Earlier Wednesday, Zelenskyy hosted White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan for talks in Kyiv. Sullivan sought to reassure Ukrainians that the United States continues to support Ukraine and that despite a delay in Congress, billions in aid will get to the country. "We will get a strong bipartisan vote in Congress," Sullivan said during a press conference, calling it Plan A. "We will get that money to you as we should, so I don't think we need to speak about Plan B today." He also acknowledged that the process had "taken too long." Sullivan met with Andriy Yermak, Ukraine's presidential chief of staff. They talked about what Ukraine needs on the battlefield and two upcoming summits: the NATO summit in July in Washington and a peace summit in Switzerland that is not yet scheduled but may happen this spring. Yermak said that China, an ally of Russia, could attend, but Ukraine will not invite Russia. Climate of fear In a new report, the United Nations' human rights office said Russia has created a climate of fear in areas of Ukraine it is occupying. Based on more than 2,300 interviews with victims and witnesses, the report said Moscow's forces had imposed use of the Russian language and basic Russian governance, while suppressing expressions of Ukrainian culture and identity. "The actions of the Russian Federation have ruptured the social fabric of communities and left individuals isolated, with profound and long-lasting consequences for Ukrainian society as a whole," said Volker TArk, the U.N. high commissioner for human rights. The report said, "The occupying authorities shut down Ukrainian internet and mobile networks, TV and radio channels, with traffic re-routed through Russian networks, which allowed control over information accessible online and prevented the population from freely receiving information from independent news sources, families or friends. People were encouraged to inform on one another, leaving them afraid even of their own friends and neighbors." Some information for this report came from Reuters. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Investors can contact the law firm at no cost to learn more about recovering their losses LOS ANGELES, March 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Portnoy Law Firm advises PSQ Holdings, Inc. ("PSQ" or the "Company") (NYSE: PSQH ) investors that the law firm has initiated an investigation on behalf of investors that lost money on their PSQ stock. PSQ investors are encouraged to contact the firm to discuss their legal rights. Investors are encouraged to contact attorney Lesley F. Portnoy , by phone 310-692-8883 or email : lesley@portnoylaw.com, to discuss their legal rights, or click here to join the case via www.portnoylaw.com . The Portnoy Law Firm can provide a complimentary case evaluation and discuss investors options for pursuing claims to recover their losses. On March 14, 2024, PSQ reported to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that it had discovered a classification error in its financial reporting. Specifically, the error was found in the Company's Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, and 2022, as reported in the Third Quarter Form 10-Q filed on November 14, 2023. PSQ had incorrectly classified certain cash outflows related to transaction costs from a Business Combination as financing activities when they should have been recorded as operating activities, in line with the predominance principle of ASC 240, Statement of Cash Flows. Consequently, PSQ advised that the financial statements in question, along with any related earnings releases, investor presentations, or similar communications, should no longer be relied upon. Following the disclosure of this financial reporting error, PSQ's stock price decreased by $0.18 per share, or 3.72%, ending the day at $4.66 per share. Please visit our website to review more information and submit your transaction information. The Portnoy Law Firm represents investors in pursuing claims caused by corporate wrongdoing. The Firms founding partner has recovered over $5.5 billion for aggrieved investors. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. Lesley F. Portnoy, Esq. Admitted CA and NY Bar lesley@portnoylaw.com 310-692-8883 www.portnoylaw.com Attorney Advertising NEWARK, Del, March 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The estimated market size for the global specialty film market in 2024 is US$ 22.9 billion. It is expected to jump from this to US$ 28.8 billion by 2034. The forecasted market progress is sluggish, at a CAGR of 2.30%. However, due to various assertive market forces, the subject market estimates a better growth rate than the historical period. The food industry's substantial growth is the subject market's primary driver. It is identified that the growing industry demands wrapping and packaging films. This describes the necessity of good wrapping films that can fulfill the industrys demand. Hence, this drives the market under consideration. Consumers prefer packaged food, which surges the demand for foils and packing material. This makes food storage and transportation easier, creating lucrative market expansion opportunities for the subject market. Also, the availability of packaging films helps the market to come in demand. Therefore, this is another crucial market driver for the subject market. Compounding and processing are two critical challenges faced by the specialty film market. Lack of expertise and skills in this particular area weakens the production, which affects the market growth. Due to the increasing market space of E-commerce platforms as distribution channels, the demand for safety films as a protective layer for goods has been increasing. Thus, the demand for such packaging films surges, effectively driving the market. Request a Sample Report! https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-5938 The use of polyethylene material has been rising, which upsurges the market. It is identified that the easy usability, strength, and durability of polyethylene have helped it to become closer to consumers. Therefore, this market segment has been one of the key drivers for the subject market. Key Takeaways from the Market Study Based on the product category, the specialty film market is governed by shrink films. The segment secures 29.7% of the market. The Indian market forecasts moderate growth and leads the Asia-Pacific region. The estimated CAGR for the market is 5.1%. Spain leads the European market. It focuses on delivering energy-efficient solutions. This approach estimates a CAGR of 2.4% for the market. Based on the material used, polyethylene is the most widely used material due to its differentiated properties. The market segment holds 27.8% of the market space. The growth of developing economies fuels the growth opportunities for several businesses in the specialty film market, which causes the market and various key market segments to grow, says a Senior Consultant Ismail Sutaria in Packaging at Future Market Insights (FMI). Competitive Landscape Many competitors govern the competitive space in the global specialty film market. They expand in the market using numerous strategies, like product differentiation, diversification, and innovation. The following are some of the key market developments made by organizations:- In February 2018, Berry Global Group, Inc. acquired Clopay Plastic Products Company, Inc. This helped innovate and differentiate the organization's product line and secure a strong market position. In March 2023, Koninklijke DSM N.V. launched Digital SalmoFan, a newly introduced technology by the business. This process innovation expands the market expansion opportunities for the business. In March 2024, The Mondi Group invested in slitting instruments. A niche was created due to these initiatives in the market. Get in Touch with Our Sales Team to Secure Your Copy of the Report Now! https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/checkout/5938 Key Companies Profiled: Bemis Company Koninklijke DSM N.V. The Mondi Group Borealis AG Amcor Ltd. Sealed Air Inc. Selenis Portugal S.A. Saudi Arabia Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) Bischof + Klein SE & Co. 3M Company More Valuable Insights Available Future Market Insights offers an unbiased global specialty film market analysis, providing historical data from 2019 to 2023 and forecast statistics from 2024 to 2034. The valve positioner market is segmented based on material (polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyamide (PA), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), ethyl vinyl alcohol (EVOH) and polycarbonate (PC)), product (shrink films, conductive films, safety & security films and anti-fog films), and end use (food & beverages, cosmetics & personal care, agriculture, building & construction, pharmaceuticals, electrical & electronics and automotive parts) across seven major regions (North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, South Asia & Pacific, East Asia, and the Middle East and Africa). Obtain the Complete Report Methodology! https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/request-report-methodology/rep-gb-5938 Specialty Film Market - Key Segments By Material: Polyethylene (PE) Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) Polyamide (PA) Polypropylene (PP) Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Polyvinylidene Chloride (PVDC) Ethyl Vinyl Alcohol (EVOH) Polycarbonate (PC) By Product: Stretch Film Shrink Film Conductive Film Safety & Security Film Anti-fog Film By End Use: Food & Beverages Cosmetics & Personal Care Agriculture Building & Construction Pharmaceuticals Electrical & Electronics Automotive Parts By Region: North America Latin America Europe East Asia South Asia & Pacific The Middle East & Africa About the Packaging Division at Future Market Insights. The packaging team at Future Market Insights offers expert analysis, time efficient research, and strategic recommendations with the objective to provide authentic insights and accurate results to help clients worldwide. With a repertoire of over 100+ reports and 1 Million+ data points, the team has been analyzing the market lucidly in 50+ countries for over a decade. The team provides a brief analysis on key trends including competitive landscape, profit margin, and research development efforts. Authored by: Ismail Sutaria (Lead Consultant, Packaging and Materials) has over 8 years of experience in market research and consulting in the packaging & materials industry. Ismails strength lies in identifying key challenges faced by the client and offering logical and actionable insights to equip the clients with strategic decision-making power. Ismail has been an instrumental part of several transformational consulting assignments. His key skills include competitive benchmarking, opportunity assessment, macroeconomic analysis, and business transformation advisory. Ismail is an MBA holder in Marketing and has a Bachelors Degree in Mathematics. Have a Look at Related Research Reports on Packaging Domain: The global silicone release films market is on track to record an anticipated CAGR of 6.1% from 2022 to 2032. The global direct thermal printing films market is expected to be valued at US$ 219.76 million in 2023. The product demand is anticipated to be driven by the expanding use of POS terminals in warehouses and retail stores. The global VCI films market size reached US$ 247.6 Million in 2021 and is likely to touch a valuation of US$ 255 Million 2022. Furthermore, with rising applications in aerospace & military, heavy plant machinery, electronics, automotive parts, etc. The global high barrier packaging films market is expected to surpass US$ 18.5 billion in 2023, and is likely to witness a moderate CAGR of 3.9% in the estimated time frame (2023 to 2033). The market is projected to be valued at US$ 33.6 billion by 2033. According to Future Market Insights research, during the research period, the global PVC films market is set to enjoy a valuation of US$ 14.7 Billion in 2022, and further expand at a CAGR of 2.9% to reach US$ 19.6 Billion by the year 2032. According to Future Market Insights, the lidding films market is anticipated to flourish at a 6% value CAGR from 2022 to 2032. By 2022-end, the market is poised to reach a valuation of US$ 19 Billion, and further to US$ 34.02 Billion in 2032. As per the research conducted by Future Market Insights, during the forecasted period, the global twist wrap film market is expected to account for US$ 1.5 billion in 2023 and is going to further expand at a CAGR of 4.3% to get a valuation of US$ 2.2 Billion by the year 2033. The global foamed polypropylene films market is anticipated to witness a market value of US$ 8.9 billion in 2023 and is expected to harness a market value of US$ 16.2 billion by reflecting a CAGR of 6.1 % in the forecast period 2023 to 2033. The easy peel film packaging market is likely to record a CAGR of 7.5% through 2032. The market is currently valued at US$ 74.06 Bn in 2022, and is likely to grow to a valuation of US$ 152.64 Bn by 2032. The metalized polyester films market is expected to reach US$ 4.55 billion in 2032, from US$ 2.72 billion in 2022. According to FMI, the market is predicted to expand at a CAGR of 5.3 through 2032. About Future Market Insights (FMI) Future Market Insights, Inc. (ESOMAR certified, recipient of the Stevie Award, and a member of the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce) offers profound insights into the driving factors that are boosting demand in the market. FMI stands as the leading global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, consulting, and events for the Packaging, Food and Beverage, Consumer, Technology, Healthcare, Industrial, and Chemicals markets. With a vast team of over 400 analysts worldwide, FMI provides global, regional, and local expertise on diverse domains and industry trends across more than 110 countries. Contact Us: Nandini Singh Sawlani Future Market Insights Inc. Christiana Corporate, 200 Continental Drive, Suite 401, Newark, Delaware - 19713, USA T: +1-845-579-5705 For Sales Enquiries: sales@futuremarketinsights.com Website: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com LinkedIn| Twitter| Blogs | YouTube NEW YORK, March 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of common stock of Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (NYSE: ADM) between April 30, 2020 and January 22, 2024, both dates inclusive (the Class Period), of the important March 25, 2024 lead plaintiff deadline. SO WHAT: If you purchased Archer-Daniels-Midland 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 Archer-Daniels-Midland class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=22028 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than March 25, 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 firms attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) the Nutrition segments financial reporting and accounting practices did not provide investors with an accurate impression of Archer-Daniels-Midlands performance and future prospects, including reported operating profits; (2) the Nutrition segments accounting practices created a heightened risk of regulatory scrutiny and adverse impacts to Archer-Daniels-Midlands business; and (3) based on the foregoing, defendants lacked a reasonable basis for their positive statements about Archer-Daniels-Midlands Nutrition segment and related financial results, growth, and prospects. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. To join the Archer-Daniels-Midland class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=22028 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investors ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. ------------------------------- Contact Information: 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 case@rosenlegal.com www.rosenlegal.com Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States TORONTO, March 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Americas Gold and Silver Corporation (TSX: USA, NYSE American: USAS) (the Company) is pleased to announce that it has entered into an amending agreement with Eight Capital, as agent, to upsize the previously announced private placement. In connection with the upsized offering, the Company will issue up to 25,000,000 units of the Company (the Units) at a price of C$0.30 per Unit (the Offering) for aggregate gross proceeds of up to C$7,500,000. In addition, the Company and Eight Capital have agreed that Eight Capital shall be granted an option to sell an additional 1,000,000 Units for additional gross proceeds of up to C$300,000. Each Unit will be comprised of one common share of the Company (each, a Common Share) and one common share purchase warrant of the Company (a Warrant). Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one common share of the Company (each, a Warrant Share) at an exercise price of C$0.40 per Warrant Share for a period of 36 months following the closing of the Offering. The net proceeds of the Offering will be used for working capital requirements at the Companys Cosala Operations and Galena Complex, in order to transition to additional silver-copper ore production at the Companys operations in the U.S. and Mexico, and for general and administrative purposes. The Offering is expected to close on or about March 27, 2024, or such other date as the Company and Eight Capital may agree and is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory and other approvals including the conditional listing approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange and the NYSE American Market. Subject to compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and in accordance with National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions (NI 45-106): (i) up to 21,667,000 Units under the Offering (the LIFE Units) will be offered for sale to purchasers resident in Canada and/or other qualifying jurisdictions pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption under Part 5A of NI 45-106 (the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption) for gross proceeds of up to C$6,500,100; and (ii) any additional Units under the Offering (the Non-LIFE Units) will be offered for sale to purchasers resident in Canada and/or other qualifying jurisdictions pursuant to other exemptions under NI 45-106 and in accordance with other applicable securities laws. The LIFE Units (including the Common Shares, Warrants, and any Warrant Shares underlying such LIFE Units) issued to Canadian resident subscribers in the Offering will not be subject to a hold period pursuant to applicable Canadian securities laws. The Non-LIFE Units (including the Common Shares, Warrants, and any Warrant Shares underlying such Non-LIFE Units) will be subject to a hold period pursuant to applicable Canadian securities laws expiring four months and one day from the date of issuance of such Non-LIFE Units. There is an offering document related to the LIFE Units issuable under the Offering that can be accessed under the Companys profile at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Companys website at www.americas-gold.com. Prospective investors should read this offering document before making an investment decision in any LIFE Units. About Americas Gold and Silver Corporation Americas Gold and Silver Corporation is a high-growth precious metals mining company with multiple assets in North America. The Company owns and operates the Cosala Operations in Sinaloa, Mexico, manages the 60%-owned Galena Complex in Idaho, USA, and is re-evaluating the Relief Canyon mine in Nevada, USA. The Company also owns the San Felipe development project in Sonora, Mexico. For further information, please see SEDAR+ or www.americas-gold.com. For more information Stefan Axell VP, Corporate Development & Communication Americas Gold and Silver Corporations 416-874-1708 Darren Blasutti President and CEO Americas Gold and Silver Corporation 4168489503 Cautionary and Forward-Looking Statements This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of any of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful, including any of the securities in the United States of America. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 1933 Act) or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for account or benefit of, U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S under the 1933 Act) unless registered under the 1933 Act and applicable state securities laws, or an exemption from such registration requirements is available. This news release includes certain forward-looking statements concerning the potential additional increase in the size of the Offering, use of proceeds of the Offering, the closing date of the Offering, the reliance on the Lister Issuer Financing Exemption, acceptance of the TSX or NYSE American Market, the future performance of our business, its operations and its financial performance and condition, as well as managements objectives, strategies, beliefs and intentions. Forward-looking statements are frequently identified by such words as may, will, plan, expect, anticipate, estimate, intend and similar words referring to future events and results. Forward-looking statements are based on the current opinions and expectations of management. All forward-looking information is inherently uncertain and subject to a variety of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, including the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development, fluctuating commodity prices, competitive risks and the availability of financing, as described in more detail in our recent securities filings available at www.sedarplus.ca. Actual events or results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements and we caution against placing undue reliance thereon. We assume no obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements except as required by applicable law. OTTAWA, Ill., March 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ottawa Bancorp, Inc. (the Company) (OTCQX: OTTW), the holding company for OSB Community Bank (the Bank), announced today that the Company has appointed Mark D. Alcott to the Companys and the Banks Boards of Directors pursuant to the terms of a standstill agreement (the Agreement) entered into with Stilwell Activist Fund, L.P., Stilwell Activist Investments, L.P., Stilwell Partners, L.P., Stilwell Value LLC, and Joseph Stilwell (collectively, the Stilwell Group). Under the terms of the Agreement, which will remain in effect until the completion of the Companys 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders unless terminated earlier in accordance with its terms, the Company has agreed to, among other things, appoint Mr. Alcott to the Boards of Directors of the Company and the Bank, in the class of directors expiring at the Companys 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and similar class of the Bank board. In the event Mr. Alcott is unable to serve as a director of the Company and Bank, the Company and Bank will appoint a replacement director chosen by the Stilwell Group. Under the Agreement, provided that the Board of Directors determines that such action is consistent with its fiduciary duties, the Company will use commercially reasonable best efforts to repurchase, subject to the receipt of any required regulatory approvals and/or non-objections, at least five percent of the Companys common stock annually for each of fiscal year 2024 and 2025. If the Company is unable to repurchase, for any reason, at least five percent of the then outstanding shares of Company common stock annually for either fiscal year 2024 or 2025, the Company will, promptly after the conclusion of that fiscal year, engage an investment banker to assist the Companys Board of Directors in evaluating all reasonable alternatives for maximizing the value of the Companys common stock. The Stilwell Group is the beneficial owner of 353,529 shares, or 13.9%, of the Companys common stock. Prior to entering into the Agreement, the Stilwell Group had received regulatory approval to purchase up to 19.99% of the Companys outstanding shares of common stock. During the term of the Agreement, the Stilwell Group will not, among other things: acquire additional shares of the Companys common stock, sell or transfer Company common stock to a five percent holder or a party that upon such transfer would become a five percent holder; propose or seek to effect a sale, merger, recapitalization of reorganization or any other transaction that would constitute a change in control of the Company (a Company Transaction); publicly suggest that the Company should engage in a Company Transaction; seek to exercise any control or influence over the management of the Company or the Boards of Directors of the Company or the Bank; present to the Company, its stockholders or any third party any Company Transaction or give encouragement to propose a Company Transaction; solicit proxies in opposition to any recommendations or proposals of the Companys Board of Directors or become a participant in any such proxy solicitation; submit or encourage the submission of any nomination for election as a director of the Company or any stockholder proposal for business at a meeting of the Companys stockholders; join or participate in any agreement to act in concert with any other person holding Company common stock; join with or assist or make any statement in opposition with respect to any nominee to the Companys Board of Directors nominated by the Companys Board of Directors or join with or assist in supporting or endorsing any other nominee or any stockholder proposal that is opposed by the Board of Directors; vote for any nominee that has not been nominated by the Companys Board of Directors; except in connection with the enforcement of the Agreement, initiate or participate in any litigation against the Company, Bank or its officers and directors, including any derivative action; advise, encourage or finance any activities which would circumvent the limitations of the Agreement; or request to be excused from the terms of the Agreement or publicly disclose any such intention. Mr. Alcott has agreed to similar restrictions under the Agreement, but may acquire shares of Company common stock. We have been looking to add experienced members to serve on our Boards, particularly following several retirements from the Board. The Stilwell Group had previously submitted a notice of intent to nominate Mr. Alcott to the Companys Board. After meeting with Mr. Alcott and discussing, among many things, his perspective on board service and prior bank board service, we are pleased to welcome him as a representative of our largest investor, said Craig Hepner, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Mr. Hepner continued, As we have indicated previously, the Board remains committed to implementing capital management strategies to maximize stockholder value when possible. The Agreement we have entered into with the Stilwell Group is consistent with this strategy, and we intend to pursue the necessary approvals to execute share repurchase programs contemplated by the terms of the Agreement. However, as we have also explained, the ability to implement capital management strategies is dependent on a variety of factors, including the Banks ability to dividend sufficient funds to the Company to fund them, and the requisite receipt of required regulatory approval or non-objection to do so. The lower earnings and tighter liquidity that we have experienced in recent periods have limited the Banks ability to upstream funds to the Company. We continue to act on our strategies to improve earnings, liquidity and funding costs and with the goal of being in position to execute additional capital management strategies as soon as possible. Mark Alcott stated, I look forward to working with my new colleagues at the Company for the benefit of all stockholders. About Ottawa Bancorp, Inc. Ottawa Bancorp, Inc. is the holding company for OSB Community Bank which provides various financial services to individual and corporate customers in the United States. The Bank offers various deposit accounts, including checking, money market, regular savings, club savings, certificates of deposit and various retirement accounts. Its loan portfolio includes one-to-four family residential mortgage, multi-family and non-residential real estate, commercial and construction loans as well as auto loans and home equity lines of credit. OSB Community Bank was founded in 1871 and is headquartered in Ottawa, Illinois. For more information about the Company and the Bank, please visit www.myosb.bank . Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Statements in this release that are not strictly historical are forward-looking and are based upon current expectations that may differ materially from actual results. These forward-looking statements, identified by words such as will, expected, believe, and prospects, involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by the statements made herein. These risks and uncertainties involve general economic trends and changes in interest rates, increased competition, changes in consumer demand for financial services, the possibility of unforeseen events affecting the industry generally, the uncertainties associated with newly developed or acquired operations, market disruptions, our ability to pay future dividends and if so at what level, our ability to receive any required regulatory approval or non-objection for the payment of dividends from the Bank to the Company or from the Company to stockholders, and our efforts to maximize stockholder value, including our ability to execute any capital management strategies, such as the repurchase of shares of the Companys common stock, and our ability to execute any controlled growth and balance sheet strategies designed to lower the cost of funds and enhance earnings and liquidity. Ottawa Bancorp, Inc. undertakes no obligation to release revisions to these forward-looking statements publicly to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unforeseen events, except as required to be reported under applicable law. Newly acquired 1,500 km 2 land package gives AM Resources control over a large area of the Austrian Pegmatite Belt. land package gives AM Resources control over a large area of the Austrian Pegmatite Belt. New land package includes the Frederick Property, where 112 pegmatites were identified over an area of 52.25 km 2 . . AM Resources properties are located within a 620 km radius of 14 battery plants. MONTREAL, March 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AM Resources Corporation (AM Resources or the Company) (TSXV: AMR) (Frankfurt: 76A), a dynamic junior mining company focused on the exploration and development of high-potential pegmatite deposits, is pleased to announce the acquisition of a significant land package totaling 1,500 km2 through map staking in Austria. The newly acquired land is located in the Austrian Pegmatite Belt within the Austroalpine Nappes, known for its geological diversity and rich mineral endowment. AM Resources extended 1,500 km2 land package Lithium Exploration Country Play AM Resources has positioned itself to become the only lithium exploration country play in a proven jurisdiction with an existing Tier 1 lithium mine project1 and located within 620 km of end users. The AM Resources team has been actively assembling a massive prospective land package with four key elements at the core of its strategy: proven geology, proximity to key markets, historical expertise, and a clear, proven mining code. Of the few jurisdictions that qualified, Austria was the obvious choice. AM Resources properties are located within 620 km of 14 planned battery plants and have direct access to an extensive rail system. Mining in Austria predates the founding of the country with the worlds oldest salt mine in operation2. In addition, mining has a tradition of skilled labor and an extensive academic and geological service network. In its report on the mining industry, Minlex (commissioned by the European Union) concluded: In Austria, operators have investment security and legal certainty3. When we combine all these elements and add in the massive land package available, the Company believes it has a unique investment proposition for its shareholders. David Grondin, CEO of AM Resources, commented: "Seizing this unique opportunity in a proven mining friendly jurisdiction was a no-brainer for us. We are very excited to have assembled such a large, high value prospective property. We were diligent in testing and proving our theory last summer when we acquired two properties based on geological probabilistic structures and went to the ground and found spodumene4 on each one of them. Following this confirmation, we have staked all currently available claims that we believe to be of geological interest in the proven Austrian Pegmatite Belt5. Within the new property acquisition, the Company is excited to add the Frederick property to its portfolio with 112 identified pegmatites6 in an area of 52.25 km2. The longest identified pegmatite measures over 750 metres in length. This property demonstrates the exceptional potential of the Austrian Pegmatite Belt. The combination of the number and size of the identified pegmatites makes this property one of the team's top priorities for the Company's next exploration campaign. AM Resources New Frederick Property "This strategic acquisition represents a pivotal moment in AM Resources' growth plan and strengthens its position in one of the most prospective mineral regions in Europe. This acquisition fits perfectly with our growth strategy and underscores our confidence in the mineral potential of Austria. The geological diversity for other minerals and the presence of extensive pegmatite systems provide exciting discovery opportunities. To do so in such an overlooked, regulatory stable mining jurisdiction makes it even more exhilarating, added Mr. Grondin. The Company has spent the last few months building long-lasting local relationships with the government, service providers and professionals and is looking forward to carrying out exploration activities, continuing to investigate new lithium discoveries made during the last summer campaign, as well as exploring new prospective ground. In addition, AM Resources is considering expanding its land position to further enhance its strategic position. New Land-Package Geology Geological surveys indicate the presence of several thousand pegmatites variably distributed throughout the area. These pegmatite-bearing units consist primarily of mica schist and paragneiss, often containing staurolite and/or aluminosilicate-rich layers, with protoliths expected to range in age from Neoproterozoic to Carboniferous. The spodumene pegmatites typically occur as dykes ranging in length from a few tens of metres to over 1 km, with thicknesses varying from a few decimetres to several metres. These pegmatites, together with leucogranites, which occur as inhomogeneous bodies with pegmatitic and aplitic zones, cover extensive areas of up to 1,500 km2. Their sharp contact with host rocks, sometimes with narrow reaction zones, underscores their geological importance. This geological area has led to the discovery of the Wolfsberg deposit with over 10 million tonnes grading in excess of 1% spodumene. AM Resources' business model is to explore for a deposit of this magnitude on its newly acquired properties. Warrants Extension The Company also announces that it has applied for the TSX Venture Exchanges approval to extend the term of an aggregate of 13,155,000 common share purchase warrants (the Warrants). The Warrants were originally issued as part of a private placement that closed in two tranches dated April 6 and April 29, 2022, respectively. The expiry dates will be extended as follows: Number of warrants Exercise Price Original Expiry Date New Expiry Date 8,695,000 $0.075 April 6, 2024 April 6, 2025 4,460,000 $0.075 April 29, 2024 April 29, 2025 All other terms of the Warrants will remain unchanged. Qualified Person Technical information related in this news release has been reviewed and verified by Jean Lafleur, P. Geo., of PJLEXPL Inc., a registered geologist with the Ordre des Geologues du Quebec (OGQ #833) and is a qualified person (QP) as defined by NI 43-101. Mr. Lafleur is independent from the Company and has reviewed and approved the disclosure of the AM Resources geological information. About AM Resources AM Resources Corporation (TSXV: AMR) is a dynamic junior mining company focused on the exploration and development of high-potential pegmatite deposits. With a strategic portfolio of assets and a commitment to responsible resource development, the Company is dedicated to creating long-term value for its stakeholders while adhering to the highest standards of corporate governance and sustainability. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains 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 AM Resources to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as plans, expects, estimates, intends, anticipates or believes, 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. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this press release. Since forward-looking statements and information address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this release and, accordingly, are subject to change after such date. AM Resources does not assume any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by us or on our behalf, except as required by applicable law. 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. For further information: David Grondin AM Resources Corporation President and Chief Executive Officer 1-514-360-0576 www.am-resources.ca Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/bfe0b06d-160f-4739-92f6-abc82ae0ccff https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8deebd69-2854-4d62-9666-35d1dda58b2d https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e9f9bb50-066f-464b-868a-ad0f5bf4559d 1 https://www.criticalmetalscorp.com/#projects/ 2 https://www.salzwelten.at/en/hallstatt/discover-experience#:~:text=It%20simply%20can't%20be,salt%20mine%20in%20the%20world. 3 https://rmis.jrc.ec.europa.eu/uploads/legislation/MINLEX_CountryReport_AT.pdf 4 https://am-resources.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/AMR_Preliminary-exploration-release_EN_Final.pdf 5 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oregeorev.2023.105298 6 https://gis.stmk.gv.at/wgportal/atlasmobile/map/Basiskarten/Basiskarte Chris Caldwell CEO of United Renewables and Host of the Conversations on Climate Podcast DOUGLAS, Isle of Man, March 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Renowned renewable energy expert Chris Caldwell delivered a captivating keynote address at the recent Climate and Biodiversity Summit, Trinity College Dublin highlighting the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in safeguarding our planet. Caldwell emphasised the urgent need to address the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss, arguing that AI can play a pivotal role in monitoring environmental conditions, predicting future impacts, and developing innovative solutions that align with United Renewables' goals of promoting clean energy and sustainability. "AI is neither saviour nor destroyer of humanity," Caldwell stressed. "It's simply a mirror we hold up to ourselves, reflecting the environmental reality that we choose to take. Caldwell presented three compelling reflections: Reflection 1: The Mirror of Technology Drawing inspiration from the story of Montezuma and the Spanish conquistadors, Caldwell emphasised the profound impact that technology has had on biodiversity throughout history. He highlighted the role of AI in providing new ways to observe and understand the natural world, such as detecting deforestation and tracking nutrient flows in agriculture. Reflection 2: AI as Biomimicry Caldwell argued that AI is inherently connected to the natural world, drawing inspiration from biological systems. He cited examples of AI algorithms being designed to mimic the behaviour of ants and the efficiency of brain function. This biomimicry enables AI to tackle complex environmental challenges. Reflection 3: The Narcissus Trap Caldwell cautioned against the risk of becoming overly reliant on AI, leading to a disconnect from the natural world. He emphasised the importance of considering the trade-offs between AI development and the preservation of biodiversity. "We must ask ourselves," Caldwell said, "how much artificial intelligence do we need at the expense of the living intelligence of the Earth? Caldwell concluded by urging attendees to embrace a holistic approach to environmental conservation, one that recognises the interconnectedness of technology, biodiversity, and human society. He stressed the need to incorporate indigenous knowledge and non-human perspectives into AI models to ensure a sustainable future. "The AI Revolution is not as new as we think," Caldwell said. "Technology and biodiversity have always been entangled. Let us use this opportunity to harness the power of AI to preserve our planet and create a more sustainable future for all. The keynote address generated widespread interest and sparked discussions among attendees about the potential of AI to revolutionise environmental conservation. Experts from various fields, including climate scientists, ecologists, policymakers, and representatives from the renewable energy industry, engaged in lively debates about the ethical implications and best practices for using AI in these critical domains. AI has the potential to transform the way we approach climate and biodiversity preservation, and it's essential that we harness its power responsibly. The video recording of Caldwell's keynote address is now available on YouTube, providing a valuable resource for anyone interested in the intersection of AI, environmental sustainability, and the work of United Renewables. About United Renewables: United Renewables is at the forefront of the renewable energy sector, dedicated to providing diverse green energy solutions, including solar, wind, hydro, and bioenergy. The company is committed to fostering sustainable futures, reducing global carbon footprints, and empowering businesses and communities through innovation and environmental stewardship. About the Conversations on Climate Podcast: United Renewables' Conversations on Climate podcast , now in its third season, offers enlightening insights on climate change. The podcast combines academic knowledge with practical industry experience, covering topics from leadership to green innovations. Season 3, developed in collaboration with the London Business School Alumni Energy Club, provides a roadmap for professionals navigating the climate conundrum. For the latest episodes and updates, subscribe to the Conversations on Climate Channel on YouTube , Apple Podcasts , Podbean , and Spotify . For all related articles. Conversations on Climate is a joint production of United Renewables and the London Business School Alumni Energy Club. Conversations on Climate brings world-leading thinkers from business and academia together to share their expertise on the subject of climate change. Guests include: Sir Andrew Likierman, Julio Dal Poz, Professor Jean-Pierre Benoit, and Professor Ioannou. Tara Schmidt Professor Dan Cable Professor Zoe Chance Professor Lynda Gratton Tom Gosling Eduardo Famini Silva Dr. Linda Yueh Yariv Cohen Francois Ortalo-Magne Professor Randall Peterson Matt Winning Abel Martins Alexandre Dr. Marcel Olbert Professor Rupert Merson Costas Markides Professor Brian Caulfield CT Greenbank Nico Johnson Kelly Price Sean Kidney Contact Information: Isabella Hawke Sales and Marketing Consultant United Renewables Phone: +447624457139 Email: IIhawke@unitedrenewables.co.uk Web: unitedrenewables.co.uk A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/aa92df77-d79a-4beb-951f-b4ae75474da8 Dublin, March 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global IoT in Agriculture Market: Focus on Application, Product, and Country-Wise Analysis - Analysis and Forecast, 2023-2033" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Global IoT in Agriculture Market, valued at USD 20.14 billion in 2023 is projected to reach USD 71.92 billion by 2033, showcasing a CAGR of 13.6%. The relevance of IoT in the agriculture business cannot be emphasized, as it offers a tremendous leap forward in the potential to control and optimize agricultural processes. Farmers and agribusinesses who use IoT get access to a variety of real-time data from sensors that monitor soil moisture, crop health, weather conditions, and other variables. This data is used in advanced analytics to enable precision farming, which allows for the precise application of water, fertilizers, and pesticides, lowering costs and environmental impact while increasing yield and quality. Furthermore, IoT technology allows for the automation of agricultural activities ranging from planting to harvesting, which can help to alleviate manpower shortages and increase production. The use of IoT in agriculture not only improves efficiency and sustainability but also contributes to food security by allowing smarter, more responsive agricultural systems that can adjust to changing climatic circumstances and rising global demand. Industrial Impact The Internet of Things (IoT) has had a disruptive industrial influence on the agriculture business, prompting a fundamental rethinking of agricultural techniques and supply chain management. The introduction of the Internet of Things (IoT) into agriculture, often known as 'smart farming,' has resulted in a data-driven business. Sensors placed across fields assess a range of characteristics, including temperature, humidity, soil moisture, and crop health, allowing farmers to make better-informed decisions. The real-time data acquired aids in the correct application of water, fertilizers, and pesticides, lowering costs and minimizing environmental effects. Furthermore, with IoT, agricultural machinery such as tractors and harvesters are becoming more self-sufficient, enhancing operating efficiency. On a larger scale, the use of IoT technology in agriculture is causing alterations in labor dynamics, investment patterns, and even regional development strategies. As farms become more technologically advanced, there is a greater demand for a workforce that is proficient in both agriculture and technology, resulting in the development of new educational and training programs. Furthermore, the data-centric approach of IoT is drawing substantial investment from technology firms, venture capitalists, and even governments, all looking to capitalize on the efficiency and opportunities it offers. The industrial environment is being transformed, with technology providers and agribusinesses forming strategic partnerships and alliances to harness IoT to gain a competitive advantage in the ever-changing agriculture industry. Market Segmentation Segmentation 1: by Application Precision Crop Farming Livestock Monitoring and Management Indoor Farming Aquaculture Others Precision Crop Farming Segment to Dominate the Global IoT in Agriculture Market (by Application) The IoT in agriculture market is led by the precision crop farming segment, with a $7,829.3 million in 2022 in terms of revenue. Increasing demand for precision farming techniques is driving the growth of the IoT in agriculture industry. Precision farming can rigorously monitor and control the micro-variables of farming by integrating IoT sensors, devices, and platforms, ranging from soil moisture levels and nutrient content to microclimate conditions and plant health. This detailed level of data collecting allows for the precise distribution of water, fertilizers, and pesticides where they are required, dramatically decreasing waste and environmental effects. IoT-enabled devices may automate irrigation and application systems, resulting in accurate and timely interventions that maximize plant growth and production. Segmentation 2: by Component Hardware (Processors and Sensors, Communication Modules, Others) Software Software Segment to Witness the Highest Growth between 2023 and 2033 The software segment dominated the global IoT in agriculture market (by component) in 2023, with a $9,748.8 million in terms of revenue due to the need to be integrated into various platforms to carry out the tasks. Segmentation 3: by Region North America - U.S., Canada, and Mexico Europe - U.K., Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Denmark, and Rest-of-Europe Asia-Pacific - Japan, India, China, Australia and New Zealand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Rest-of-Asia-Pacific Rest-of-the-World Asia-Pacific was the highest-growing market among all the regions, registering a CAGR of 14.93%. Rest-of-the-World is anticipated to gain traction in terms of IoT in agriculture adoption owing to the growing demand for modern agricultural methods among countries. Moreover, favorable government policies are also expected to support the growth of the IoT in agriculture market in North America and Europe during the forecast period. In North America, the U.S. is anticipated to show the highest growth in the IoT in agriculture market among other countries in North America. The U.S. is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 12.67%. The growth of the U.S. in the IoT in agriculture market is mainly due to the factor that the U.S. has a robust start-up ecosystem that drives innovation in the agricultural IoT sector. Start-ups such as Farmers Edge and Arable Labs are pushing this innovation by offering cutting-edge solutions. Recent Developments in the IoT in Agriculture Market In April 2023, Bosch announced that it would collaborate with AGCO Corporation to integrate and commercialize Smart Spraying technology on Fendt Rogator sprayers, as well as create further innovative features. In January 2024, Deere & Company established a partnership with SpaceX to deliver cutting-edge satellite communications (SATCOM) services to farmers. Using the industry-leading Starlink network, this solution would enable farmers experiencing rural connectivity issues to utilize precision agricultural tools fully. In March 2023, Bayer and Microsoft formalized their cooperation, which they announced a little over a year ago, to develop a cloud-based collection of data tools and data science solutions for the food and agriculture industries. Increase in Demand for Agricultural Efficiency and Productivity Driving the Market As labor shortages and agricultural input costs grow, there is an urgent need to enhance operational efficiency. IoT technology allows for automation in a variety of farming processes, lowering labor costs and enhancing efficiency. AGCO Corporation, for example, provides modern farming gear with IoT capabilities that automate processes such as planting, harvesting, and data gathering. Integration of IoT in Robotics Presenting Opportunities Integrating IoT in agricultural robots offers considerable cost reductions and efficiency improvements. For example, robotic systems outfitted with IoT sensors can outperform human labor in operations such as harvesting, weeding, and planting. The cost of establishing such systems varies, but a mid-sized IoT-enabled agricultural robot may range from $30,000 to $100,000, depending on its capability and sophistication. Over time, the return on investment is frequently recovered through labor cost reductions and greater agricultural yields. Key Market Players and Competition Synopsis The companies that are profiled have been selected based on thorough secondary research, which includes analyzing company coverage, product portfolio, market penetration, and insights gathered from primary experts. The IoT in agriculture market comprises key players who have established themselves thoroughly and have the proper understanding of the market, accompanied by start-ups who are looking forward to establishing themselves in this highly competitive market. In 2022, the IoT in agriculture market was dominated by established players, accounting for 73% of the market share, whereas the start-ups managed to capture 27% of the market. With the growth in advancements in agricultural technologies among the nations, more players will enter the global IoT in agriculture market with each passing year. Some prominent names established in this market are: Deere & Company Microsoft CNH Industrial N.V Robert Bosch GmbH Kalera Inc. Heliospectra AB Signify Holding AKVA Group ASA Eruvaka Technologies AGRIVI Climate LLC AeroFarms Other companies mentioned: AmHydro Connecterra B.V. OSRAM GmbH Key Attributes Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 188 Forecast Period 2023-2033 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $20.14 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2033 $71.92 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 13.5% Regions Covered Global For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/k5gczj 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 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global Orthokeratology Lens Market Analysis & Forecast to 2024-2034" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global orthokeratology lens market size was estimated to be USD 2.54 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach at USD 5.87 billion by 2034 with a CAGR of 7.92% during the forecast period 2024-2034. The surge in introduction of advanced overnight ortho-K-lens, rising FDA approval, growing elderly population, increasing use of digital screening leading to eye disorders, surge in R&D to develop innovative products, rising focus on the development of novel orthokeratology lenses, growing technological advancements, increasing availability of online platforms for conducting eye tests to diagnose refractive errors, surge in number of awareness programs for eye disease diagnosis, rising advancements in diagnostic technology & lens materials, and growing introduction of new products are some of the key factors boosting the market growth. The growing introduction of new products is predicted to boost the market growth during the forecast period. Orthokeratology, often referred to as Ortho-K or Corneal Refractive Therapy (CRT), is a non-surgical method for correcting refractive errors. It achieves this by altering the curvature of the cornea through the use of custom-designed rigid lenses. While orthokeratology is most commonly employed for myopia reduction, the increasing focus on myopia management initiatives is driving the growth of the orthokeratology field. For instance, in October 2022, Johnson & Johnson has introduced a new daily disposable contact lens called Acuvue Oasys Max 1-Day. This lens is specifically designed to offer all-day comfort and visual clarity for individuals who frequently use digital devices. It is anticipated to be available in the market by the fall of 2022, offering options in both spherical and multifocal parameters. By product, overnight ortho-K-lenses was the highest revenue-grossing segment in the global orthokeratology lens market in 2023 owing to the increasing adoption rates & effectiveness of overnight ortho-K-lens, rising lens design advancements, and growing FDA approvals of orthokeratology lenses for the treatment of refractive disorders. For instance, in September 2022, Johnson & Johnson Vision, a prominent figure in the field of eye health and a division of Johnson & Johnson MedTech, has disclosed that the FDA has approved an expanded range of ACUVUE Abiliti Overnight Therapeutic Lenses for Myopia Management. This range is now extended to cover up to 6.00 diopters, offering a more comprehensive solution for myopia management. Additionally, daytime ortho-K-lens is predicted to grow at fastest CAGR during the forecast period owing to the rising efforts for the development of novel lens products and surge in R&D activities. By indication, myopia was the highest revenue-grossing segment in the global orthokeratology lens market in 2023 owing to the rising prevalence of myopia leading cause of permanent blindness, surge in number of children suffering from myopia, and growing initiatives by key market players. For instance, in January 2022, Euclid Systems Corporation has partnered with the Global Specialty Lens Symposium to promote myopia awareness and to educate eye care providers (ECPs) about advanced orthokeratology lenses and proactive myopia management. Additionally, astigmatism is predicted to grow at fastest CAGR during the forecast period owing to the growing prevalence of astigmatism and increasing focus on the development of innovative orthokeratology lenses. By distribution channel, hospitals was the highest revenue-grossing segment in the global orthokeratology lens market in 2023 owing to the rising investments in orthokeratology lenses in hospitals, surge in incidence of eye-related disorders such as cataracts & glaucoma, growing adoption of orthokeratology lenses in hospitals owing to advanced treatment facilities, and increasing mergers & acquisitions within market players. For instance, in June 2022, Cooper Vision has revealed its acquisition of EnsEyes, a company that supplies orthokeratology and scleral contact lenses in the Nordic region of Europe. As part of this acquisition, EnsEyes will become integrated into the Cooper Vision eyecare organization. Additionally, ophthalmic clinics is predicted to grow at fastest CAGR during the forecast period owing to the surge in number of patients developing vision loss, growing number of ophthalmologists is estimated to result in an increased demand for ophthalmic clinics, improved access to advanced ophthalmology-related technologies in ophthalmic clinics is expanding, numerous hospitals are establishing integrated ophthalmic centers to address a variety of refractive disorders. North America region is anticipated for the highest revenue share during the forecast period owing to the increasing advancements in orthokeratology lenses, growing introduction of overnight ortho-K lenses along with enhanced flexibility & a wider range of options, growing prevalence of ocular disorders such as presbyopia & myopia, surge in launch of innovative products. For instance, in June 2023, Bausch + Lomb has introduced their disposable Bausch + Lomb INFUSE Multifocal Silicone Hydrogel Contact Lenses in the United States. These lenses are designed to provide reduced dryness, all-day comfort, and clear vision for contact lens wearers. Additionally, Asia Pacific region is predicted to grow at fastest CAGR during the forecast period owing to the growing healthcare expenditure, rising awareness related to eye disorders, surge in geriatric population, increasing adoption of orthokeratology lenses, growing number of ophthalmic clinics & hospitals, and rising introduction of advanced products. For instance, in May 2023, Menicon Co. Ltd. has announced the launch of the orthokeratology lens Menicon Z Night in China. Analysis and Projections of the Orthokeratology Lens Market by Product (2023-2034, Revenue in USD Billion) Overnight Ortho-K Lenses Day-time Ortho-K Lenses Analysis and Projections of the Orthokeratology Lens Market by Indication (2023-2034, Revenue in USD Billion) Hypermetropia Myopia Astigmatism Presbyopia Analysis and Projections of the Orthokeratology Lens Market by Distribution Channel (2023-2034, Revenue in USD Billion) Ophthalmology Clinics Hospitals Optometry Clinics Others Analysis and Projections of the Orthokeratology Lens Market by Region (2023-2034, Revenue in USD Billion) North America U.S. Canada Europe Germany France UK Spain Italy Rest of Europe Asia Pacific China Japan India Australia South Korea Rest of APAC Latin America Brazil Mexico Argentina Rest of LATAM Middle East & Africa South Africa GCC Rest of MEA Companies Mentioned Johnson & Johnson Vision Care Inc. Euclid Systems Corp. CooperVision Brighten Optix Co. GP Specialists MiracLens L.L.C. Alpha Corporation (Menicon Group) Bausch & Lomb Inc. Art Optical Contact Lens Inc. TruForm Optics Inc. Key Attributes Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 200 Forecast Period 2023-2034 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $2.54 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2034 $5.87 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 7.9% Regions Covered Global For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/36ujfv 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 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Pet Insurance Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Coverage Type (Accident-only, Accident & Illness), By Animal Type (Dogs, Cats), By Sales Channel (Agency, Broker, Direct), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2024-2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global pet insurance market size is expected to reach USD 33.57 billion by 2030, registering a CAGR of 16.73% from 2024 to 2030. The key factor driving the industry growth includes increasing veterinary care costs as a result of advancements in medical technology and treatments. Thus, pet owners are seeking insurance to help cover these expenses. According to the American Pet Products Association (APPA), the total pet spending in the U.S. alone was estimated to reach a record high of over $100 billion in 2023. This includes expenses, such as pet food, supplies, over-the-counter medications, veterinary care, and other services. The increasing trend in pet spending reflects the growing importance of pets in people's lives and the willingness of pet owners to invest in the well-being of their animals. Furthermore, pet insurance providers are offering a wider range of coverage options, including customizable plans that cater to different needs and budgets, making insurance more accessible and attractive to pet owners. For instance, in August 2023, Nationwide launched its most cutting-edge pet protection product, empowering pet owners to tailor coverage in each category to suit their pet's requirements and financial constraints. The introduction of highly customizable pet insurance plans signifies a significant trend in the market. This innovative approach recognizes the diverse needs of pet owners and their animals, providing a flexible and personalized solution. As pet insurance becomes more tailored and adaptable, it is likely to attract a broader audience, fostering increased adoption rates. This trend emphasizes the industry's commitment to meeting individualized customer needs and contributes to the overall growth and evolution of the market. In addition, increased regulatory support and legislation advocating for pet welfare are expected to drive the demand for pet insurance, as owners seek to comply with legal requirements and provide the best possible care for their pets. For example, in some European countries, pet insurance is not mandatory, while in others, it may be required by law. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) has developed a Pet Insurance Model Act to create regulatory guidance for states regarding pet health insurance. Moreover, some regulations, such as mandatory microchipping or pet travel requirements, have made certain forms of insurance a necessity. For example, the EU Pet Travel Scheme necessitates compliance with specific health and identification measures when traveling with pets. This has directly increased the demand for pet insurance to meet these regulatory obligations. Pet Insurance Market Report Highlights The accident & illness coverage type segment dominated the market with a share of about 84.94% in 2023 and is anticipated to grow at the fastest CAGR of 16.95% from 2024 to 2030. Since pet accidents and illnesses are more common, posing a significant financial strain on pet owners, which results in a higher need for pet insurance The dogs segment attributed to the largest market share in 2023 in terms of animal type. The other animal type segment includes small mammals, horses, reptiles, & birds, and is projected to grow at the fastest CAGR from 2024 to 2030 By sales channel, the direct sales segment held the highest share in 2023 and is estimated to grow at the fastest CAGR from 2024 to 2030 Europe held the largest share of about 44.19% of the overall market in 2023. Asia Pacific is anticipated to grow at the fastest CAGR of about 6.63% from 2024 to 2030 The rising number of pet adoptions globally is a major factor driving market growth. In addition, there is a growing awareness and concern among pet owners about their pets' health, leading to an increased demand for pet insurance Key Attributes Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 125 Forecast Period 2023-2030 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $11.58 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2030 $33.57 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 16.7% Regions Covered Global Key Topics Covered Chapter 1. Pet Insurance Market: Methodology and Scope Chapter 2. Pet Insurance Market: Executive Summary 2.1. Market Outlook 2.2. Segment Outlook 2.3. Competitive Insights Chapter 3. Pet Insurance Market: Variables, Trends, and Scope 3.1. Market Lineage Outlook 3.1.1. Parent Market Outlook 3.1.2. Related/Ancillary Market Outlook 3.2. Market Dynamics 3.2.1. Market Drivers Analysis 3.2.1.1. Increasing Pet Population & Expenditure 3.2.1.2. Increasing Pet Humanization 3.2.1.3. Rising Pet Care Costs 3.2.1.4. Supportive Initiatives by Government, Public & Private Stakeholders 3.2.2. Market Restraints Analysis 3.2.2.1. Lack of Awareness 3.2.2.2. High Cost of Insurance 3.2.3. Market Opportunity Analysis 3.2.4. Market Challenges Analysis 3.3. Pet Insurance Market Analysis Tools 3.3.1. Porter's Analysis 3.3.2. PESTEL Analysis 3.4. COVID-19 Analysis 3.5. Estimated Pet Population, by Key Countries Chapter 4. Pet Insurance Market: Coverage Type Estimates & Trend Analysis 4.1. Segment Dashboard 4.2. Pet Insurance Market: Coverage Type Movement Analysis, 2023 & 2030 (USD Million) 4.3. Accident & Illness 4.4. Accident Only 4.5. Others Chapter 5. Pet Insurance Market: Animal Type Estimates & Trend Analysis 5.1. Segment Dashboard 5.2. Pet Insurance Market: Animal Type Movement Analysis, 2023 & 2030 (USD Million) 5.3. Dogs 5.4. Cats 5.5. Other Animals Chapter 6. Pet Insurance Market: Sales Channel Estimates & Trend Analysis 6.1. Segment Dashboard 6.2. Pet Insurance Market: Sales Channel Movement Analysis, 2023 & 2030 (USD Million) 6.3. Agency 6.4. Broker 6.5. Direct 6.6. Bancassurance 6.7. Others Chapter 7. Pet Insurance Market: Regional Estimates & Trend Analysis 7.1. Pet Insurance Market Share, by Region, 2023 & 2030, USD Million 7.2. North America 7.3. Europe 7.4. Asia Pacific 7.5. Latin America 7.6. Middle East and Africa Chapter 8. Competitive Landscape 8.1. Market Participant Categorization 8.2. Company Market Position Analysis/Heat Map Analysis 8.3. Estimated Company Market Share Analysis, 2023 8.4. Strategy Mapping 8.4.1. Mergers & Acquisitions 8.4.2. Partnerships & Collaborations 8.4.3. Others 8.5. Company Profiles 8.5.1. Trupanion, Inc. 8.5.2. Deutsche Familienversicherung AG (DFV) 8.5.3. Petplan (Allianz) 8.5.4. Animal Friends Insurance Services Limited. 8.5.5. Figo Pet Insurance, LLC 8.5.6. Direct Line 8.5.7. Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company 8.5.8. Embrace Pet Insurance Agency, LLC 8.5.9. Anicom Insurance 8.5.10. ipet Insurance Co. Ltd. 8.5.11. Pumpkin Insurance Services Inc. 8.5.12. MetLife Services and Solutions, LLC For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/tpiocp 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 Austin, Texas, March 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Shop LC is thrilled to announce the launch of its Season III Fashion Collective Program, aimed at nurturing the next generation of fashion talent. As part of its commitment to empowering young designers, Shop LC will award $5000 in scholarships to outstanding high school students participating in the program. The Fashion Collective Program, now in its third season, offers a unique platform for high school students interested in pursuing careers in fashion. Through workshops, mentorship opportunities, and hands-on experiences, participants gain valuable insights into the fashion industry and develop essential skills for success. "We are excited to continue our support for budding fashion designers through the Fashion Collective Program," says Vineet Ganeriwala, Shop LC President. "By offering scholarships to exceptional students, we hope to encourage and inspire the next generation of fashion innovators." To be eligible for the scholarships, students must demonstrate outstanding performance and dedication throughout Season III of the Fashion Collective Program and participate in the competition. Scholarships will be awarded based on criteria such as creativity, skill development, presentation and understanding of the Shop LC customer. "We believe in the power of education and are proud to invest in the future of these talented young individuals," added Michelle Long, Shop LC Director of Communication and Corporate Social Responsibility and Program Founder. "We hope these scholarships will provide them with the support they need to further their education and pursue their dreams in the fashion industry." Winners and Runners-up to be announced in the classrooms of the following high schools: Cedar Ridge, Round Rock, Westwood, Vista Ridge, and Vandegrift. To find out the top three winners and cover our story, please contact Michelle.Long@shoplc.com. About Shop LC Based in Austin, Texas, home shopping channel Shop LC operates as a full subsidiary of Vaibhav Global Ltd. (VGL), a company with extensive global sourcing and manufacturing resources. Serving as a budget-aware, interactive retailer, Shop LC offers a variety of products spanning fine jewelry, beauty, fashion, home decor and lifestyle categories. Since its establishment in 2007, Shop LC has extended its reach to over 70 million American households, providing live high-definition programming 24 hours a day, seven days a week, throughout the year. Additionally, the Your Purchase Feeds Program ensures that with every purchase made, a meal is provided to a child in need. For further details, visit www.shoplc.com or download the interactive app available on iTunes, Google Play, and other streaming devices or televisions. Testing of 18650-type batteries continues to indicate impressive performance improvement of about 14% versus graphite benchmark batteries at 100 cycles [ 1] . Consistent performance: battery with Novacium advanced Silicon anode material matches graphite benchmark battery degradation rates at 100 cycles. MONTREAL, March 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HPQ Silicon Inc. (HPQ or the Company) (TSX-V: HPQ ) (OTCQB: HPQFF) (FRA: O08), a technology company specializing in green engineering of silica and silicon-based materials is pleased to announce a major milestone achieved by its France-based affiliate, NOVACIUM SAS (Novacium). This announcement covers more promising results produced during the continuous charge-discharge cycle testing of industry standard 18650 industrial batteries, reaching another significant milestone at the 100-cycle mark. We are learning a lot from these results at 100 cycles [1], results that continue to surpass our initial theoretical expectations of a 10% improvement in battery performance, stated Dr. Jed Kraiem Ph.D., COO of Novacium. These results are incredibly encouraging indicators of the material's commercial viability in the battery manufacturing sector and underscore our ability to produce a blend of graphite and advanced engineered silicon anode material that significantly enhances battery performance. MAINTAINING BATTERY CAPACITY IMPROVEMENT WITH MINIMAL DEGRADATION AT 100 CYCLES Analysis of the data in Figure 1, Left below demonstrates that the three industrial-type batteries, which utilize Novacium's custom-engineered silicon material blend, (blue lines), continue to achieve impressive performance at the 100-cycle mark. These batteries exhibit a high discharge capacity of approximately 3.11 Ampere-hours (Ah), surpassing the benchmark set by three comparison batteries (red lines) which have a capacity of about 2.66 Ah. These results mark another significant milestone after 100 cycles of testing. These results, confirm and extend the approximate 14% enhancement in full-battery capacity compared to 100% graphite benchmark batteries, that was observed in the previous 5, 25 and 50 cycles testing. Figure 1) left shows battery capacity while Figure 1) right shows the capacity change during 100 cycles tests of HPQ and Novacium Gen 1 18650 industrial battery [1]. Furthermore, the data in Figure 1, Right reveals that, at the 100 cycles test mark, the measurable cycle degradation between the batteries made entirely of graphite (the red lines) and those incorporating Novacium's custom-engineered silicon base material blend (the blue lines) are in the same 1% to 2% ranges. Considering Silicon's historic tendency to degrade due to expansion and contraction during cycles, these results at 100 cycles are very promising for the Novacium engineered silicon anodes material. The data generated during testing has provided the crucial information needed to develop an enhanced second generation of advanced silicon-based material, that we hope will allow us to deliver even better results, added Dr. Kraiem. This material is presently being utilized in the production of additional batches of 18650 batteries to be tested. OUR 18650 BATTERY VS OTHER COMMERCIAL 18650 BATTERIES One way to gauge the impact of Novacium's advanced engineered silicon anode material is by comparing its energy density with that of top-performing 18650 commercial batteries. In Figure 2 below, we present a side-by-side comparison, shedding light on the potential of our silicon anode technology to enhance battery performance. Figure 2) Energy density of top-performing 18650 commercial batteries versus our advanced engineered silicon anode material blend. The data indicates that our benchmark graphite battery performs well, while our blend of 90/10 graphite and advanced engineered silicon anode material ranks among the top six batteries on the list. HPQ and Novacium note that these are initial tests in a product that has not been optimized, suggesting there remains room to improve upon this already impressive battery performance. I am profoundly encouraged by the results to date, expressed Mr. Bernard Tourillon, President and CEO of HPQ Silicon Inc. and NOVACIUM SAS. This achievement reflects our ability to deliver a material that can improve the performances of most batteries available in the market. However, I am even more excited about the potential of our next generations of materials. REFERENCE SOURCES [1] Novacium technical team analysis of the data from the ongoing charging and discharging cycle tests conducted at a world-leading university, the name of which is kept confidential for competitive reasons. About NOVACIUM SAS Novacium is an HPQ - affiliated company started in Q3 2022. This green technology startup is based in Lyon, France and is a partnership with HPQ and three of Frances leading research engineers, Dr. Jed KRAIEM PhD, Novacium's Chief Operating Officer (COO), Dr. Oleksiy NICHIPORUK PhD, Novacium's Chief Technical Officer (CTO), and Dr. Julien DEGOULANGE PhD, Novaciums Chief Innovation Officer (CIO). Novacium is a new Research and Development company which allows the researchers to develop their own technology in high added value fields connected to renewable energy, and allows HPQ Silicon Inc, a Canadian company, to expand the depth and reach of its technical team to help develop its silicon and new renewable energy projects. About HPQ Silicon HPQ Silicon Inc. (TSX-V: HPQ ) is a Quebec-based TSX Venture Exchange Tier 1 Industrial Issuer. HPQ is developing, with the support of world-class technology partners PyroGenesis Canada Inc. and NOVACIUM SAS, new green processes crucial to make the critical materials needed to reach net zero emissions. HPQ activities are centred around the following four (4) pillars: Becoming a green low-cost (Capex and Opex) manufacturer of Fumed Silica using the FUMED SILICA REACTOR, a proprietary technology owned by HPQ being developed for HPQ by PyroGenesis. Becoming a producer of silicon-based anode materials for battery applications with the assistance of NOVACIUM SAS. HPQ SILICON affiliate NOVACIUM SAS is developing a low carbon, chemical base on demand and high-pressure autonomous hydrogen production system. Becoming a zero CO 2 low-cost (Capex and Opex) producer of High Purity Silicon (2N+ to 4N) using our PUREVAP Quartz Reduction Reactors (QRR), a proprietary technology owned by HPQ being developed for HPQ by PyroGenesis. For more information, please visit HPQ Silicon web site. Disclaimers: This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements containing the words "may", "plan", "will", "estimate", "continue", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "in the process" and other similar expressions which constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements reflect the Company's current expectation and assumptions and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, our expectations regarding the acceptance of our products by the market, our strategy to develop new products and enhance the capabilities of existing products, our strategy with respect to research and development, the impact of competitive products and pricing, new product development, and uncertainties related to the regulatory approval process. Such statements reflect the current views of the Company with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and other risks detailed from time-to-time in the Company's ongoing filings with the securitys regulatory authorities, which filings can be found at www.sedar.com. Actual results, events, and performance may differ materially. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements either as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. 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 is available on the company's CEO Verified Discussion Forum, a moderated social media platform that enables civilized discussion and Q&A between Management and Shareholders. Source: HPQ Silicon Inc. For further information contact: Bernard J. Tourillon, Chairman, President, and CEO Tel +1 (514) 846-3271 Patrick Levasseur, Director Tel: +1 (514) 262-9239 Email: Info@hpqsilicon.com Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4e45d1d1-c821-41a7-96d0-736aed72eeb0 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/dbf84914-3f59-487e-8c45-633cdda12b79 CALGARY, Alberta, March 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pan American Energy Corp. (CSE: PNRG | OTCQB: PAANF | FRA: SS60) ("Pan American or the "Company") is pleased to announce additional assay results on 15 holes from the 2023/2024 diamond drill program on the Big Mack Lithium Project (Property), located approximately 80 kilometers north of the town of Kenora, ON. The drilling campaign was carried out by Full force Diamond Drilling Ltd. (Full Force) under the geological guidance of Axiom Exploration Group Ltd. (Axiom). This phase of drilling focused on areas of the Property with indications for mineralization but no historic drilling testing. Targets were identified using 2023 geochemical surface sampling results and, UAV detailed magnetic survey results, and also were designed to test prospective areas extending along strike and down dip of previously identified mineralization. Exploration drilling has encountered high grade lithium mineralization in drill holes targeting below the 6059 Pegmatite and exploration drill holes to the southeast of the Sprinkler Zone. HIGHLIGHTS 1.29% Li 2 O over 16.6 meters (BM24-039) including 3.61% Li 2 O over 0.57 meters below the western flank of the 6059 Pegmatite. (BM24-039) including 3.61% Li O over 0.57 meters below the western flank of the 6059 Pegmatite. 2.28% Li 2 O over 3.0 meters within a 22.26-meter interval of 0 .68 % Li 2 O (BM24-045) intersected approximately 110 m east of the main 6059/Sprinkler zone. (BM24-045) intersected approximately 110 m east of the main 6059/Sprinkler zone. 1.03% Li 2 O over 0.98 meters (BM24-046) was encountered at depth below drill hole BM24-045. (BM24-046) was encountered at depth below drill hole BM24-045. Mineralization remains open at depth and along strike to the southeast of the Sprinkler Zone. Anomalous tin values up to 5520 ppm were intersected in exploration drill holes along strike of the Eleven Zone and Big Mack Pegmatite indicating the potential for mineralization to the west of the known showings. Jason Latkowcer, Chief Executive Officer, commented, We are pleased to report on the latest assays received on the Property. Our team has identified new mineralized zones in areas where high grade lithium had not previously been identified. This confirms to us that the Property has the potential for more discoveries, and as we refine our understanding of the geology, we will look to follow-up these intercepts as they remain open at depth and along strike. Figure 1: Exploration drill holes in the vicinity of 6059/Sprinkler zone (Reported drill holes in Red) Figure 2: Exploration drill holes southwest of the Eleven and Big Mack Pegmatites Table 1: Drill Hole Assay Highlights Table * (not true widths) Hole ID From (m) To (m) Core Length (m) Li 2 O (wt%) Ta (ppm) Sn (ppm) BM23-032 35.20 36 0.8 0.06 184.5 5520 And 40.95 41.35 0.4 0.07 74.8 1985 And 47 48 1.0 0.13 37.1 1290 BM23-033 28.30 28.6 0.35 0.08 86.5 2990 And 33.00 33.45 0.45 0.06 114.5 4910 And 36.9 37.2 0.30 0.07 101 2210 BM23-034 40 41 1 0.02 48.9 2710 And 47 48.5 1.5 0.03 73.1 5260 And 141 143 2.0 0.13 36.7 667.7 And 187 187.9 0.90 0.11 22.4 1110 BM24-035 No significant values No significant values No significant values BM24-036 No significant values No significant values No significant values BM24-037 118.51 118.89 0.38 0.01 126 1470 And 121.75 122.5 0.75 0.01 60.4 1260 BM24-038 33.4 33.7 0.30 0.06 31.6 1040 BM24-039 57.9 74.5 16.6 1.29 44.3 211.9 Inc. 60 60.57 0.57 3.61 31.8 24 66.29 67.05 0.76 3.11 16.6 191 BM24-040 83.6 87.48 3.88 1.08 64.7 280.4 BM24-041 No significant values No significant values No significant values BM24-042 No significant values No significant values No significant values BM24-043 No significant values No significant values No significant values BM24-044 No significant values No significant values No significant values BM24-045 62.08 84.34 22.26 0.68 30.6 91.8 Inc. 62.08 62.9 0.82 1.35 73.7 372 Inc. 64.67 65.4 0.73 1.19 48.6 154 Inc. 73 76 3.0 2.28 46.9 105.3 Inc. 82.58 84.34 1.76 1.44 48.3 268.3 BM24-046 92.7 94.7 2.0 0.06 70.4 2270 And 129 135.6 6.6 0.36 40.8 128.4 Inc. 131.35 132.33 0.98 1.03 47.8 361 Drill hole BM23-032 to BM23-034 were drilled to the south and west of the Big Mack Pegmatite and Eleven zone, testing high priority exploration targets that coincided with magnetic lows and elevated geochemical samples from the summer 2023 prospecting program. BM24-035 to BM24-046 were testing the 6059/Sprinkler zone. BM24-039, BM23-040, BM23-045, and BM23-046 returned encouraging lithium results, as holes BM24-039 and BM24-040 indicate that surface exposed lithium mineralization does continue at depth. Additionally, follow-up drilling in the vicinity of surface samples elevated in Sn-Ta have proved encouraging. Table 1 highlights the lithium, tantalum, and tin values within holes BM23-032 to BM24-046, and Table 2 describes the attributes associated with these drill holes. Figure 3: Core photos of hole BM24-039 (54.32m to 77m) highlighting Li 2 O% values in high grade intercepts from 57.90 m to 74.5 m (Blue). Figure 4: Close up core photo of hole BM24-039 (60.0m to 60.57m) focused on observed petalite mineralization. ALS assay on this sample returned 3.60% Li 2 O. Figure 5: Completed and 2023-2024 drillholes (Assays reported on holes in red, assays pending in black). Phase One of the 2023/2024 drilling program was completed in late-2023, when the Company drilled 35 holes (including one abandoned hole), for a total meterage of 4,599 meters. Targeting was based upon historical drilling analyses, the UAV magnetic survey conducted on the Property and the Companys 2023 field prospecting program. In this second phase of the program, the Company drilled 3720.24 meters to delineate the Big Mack and Eleven Zone pegmatites, test their down-dip extensions, explore the Sprinkler Zone and test other exploration targets. 8319.24 meters were drilled across 59 collar locations as part of the 2023/2024 drill program, with 4,693 samples having been submitted for analysis. Table 2: Attributes for Drill Hole BM23-032 to BM23-046 Hole ID Easting NAD 83/UTM Zone 15N Northing NAD 83/UTM Zone 15N Elevation (m) Dip () Azimuth () Total Depth (m) Core Size Target BM23-032 386266.40 5569792.54 357.25 -60 195 195 NQ Exploration BM23-033 386267.58 5569791.22 357.64 -45 250 129 NQ Exploration BM23-034 386206.66 5569914.76 345.55 -45 20 231 NQ Exploration BM24-035 387290.15 5569724.52 345.5 -45 180 150 NQ 6059/Sprinkler BM24-036 387290.12 5569724.99 345.5 -60 180 189 NQ 6059/Sprinkler BM24-037 387290.53 5569726.80 345.54 -49 0 171 NQ 6059/Sprinkler BM24-038 387248.76 5569705.22 317.22 -45 180 99 NQ 6059/Sprinkler BM24-039 387196.88 5569710.45 314.99 -45 180 102 NQ 6059/Sprinkler BM24-040 387196.66 5569721.25 313.60 -45 160 129 NQ 6059/Sprinkler BM24-041 387195.87 5569721.06 314.13 -47.5 15 183 NQ 6059/Sprinkler BM24-042 387195.93 5569722.32 313.05 -55 180 150 NQ 6059/Sprinkler BM24-043 387141.46 5569706.34 318.60 -45 180 55 NQ 6059/Sprinkler BM24-044 387131.35 5569769.22 324.99 -45 190 156 NQ 6059/Sprinkler BM24-045 387414.16 5569637.23 312.72 -50 185 99 NQ 6059/Sprinkler BM24-046 387413.91 5569637.90 313.67 -65 185 141 NQ 6059/Sprinkler Figure 6: Cross section of BM24-039 and BM24-042. Figure 7: Cross section of BM24-045 and BM24-046. General Statements Visual core logging indicates that the predominant host mineral for the Big Mack pegmatites is petalite. The true width of these pegmatites reported in this release has not yet been determined. Sample Quality Assurance / Quality Control A thorough chain-of-custody and QA/QC program is being carried out on the ongoing drill program. Samples are taken across all pegmatite intervals with shoulder samples into the host rock on either side of the dykes. Sample lengths are ranging from 0.3 m 1.5 m, dependant on internal zoning of the dykes, mineralization, and lithology contacts. Core to be sampled is cut in half onsite, with half being sent for analysis and the other half remaining in the box for future reference and re-sampling, if needed. A malfunction of downhole location survey equipment could cause inaccurate dip and azimuth tracking due to drillhole deviation, which would affect the planned drillhole spacing and required density for the resource estimation. To ensure accuracy, downhole surveys are performed every 30 meters of drilling, with survey tests repeated in the event of results that are outside planned drillhole drift. Additional downhole survey tools are kept on-site in the event of malfunction during drilling. The Companys implemented QA/QC procedures include the insertion of certified standard control samples, cut duplicates, and blanks. This is being used to test for natural variability / sampling bias / testing the lab for homogeneity during sample preparation processes within the lab, as well as testing the precision and any possible contamination from the lab and ensure proper calibration of lab equipment. Sample analyses are being conducted by ALS Canada LTD (ALS), an independent lab. Samples are shipped to the Winnipeg, Manitoba prep lab, and then shipped by ALS to the geochemistry analysis lab in North Vancouver, British Columbia. Drill core samples are subject to sodium peroxide fusion analyses using ICP-MS for Trace element values on total digestion and ICP-AES on samples with values greater than 25,000 ppm Li. ALS follows the quality management and operational guidelines set out in the international standards ISO/IEC 17025 General Requirement for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories and ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems. Qualified Person The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Jared Suchan, Ph.D., P.Geo., who is an independent consultant of the Company, and a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101. Dr. Suchan verified the data disclosed (or underlying the information disclosed) in this news release by reviewing imported and sorted assay data; checking the performance of blank samples and certified reference materials; reviewing the variance in field duplicate results; and reviewing grade calculation formulas. About the Property The Property is located 2 km east of the all-weather Snook Lake Road, about 80 km north of Kenora, ON. The property is proximal (~1.3 km) to Avalons Separation Rapids, Big Whopper deposit which hosts a measured and indicated resource. The Property is within an Ontario registered mining lease, with over 30 years of exploration history. The Property lies within the traditional land use area of the Wabaseemoong Independent Nations of Whitedog, Ontario: an Aboriginal community located approximately 35 km southwest of the property. The Property hosts four known Li-bearing pegmatites including the Big Mack pegmatite, Eleven Zone, Sprinkler Zone, and 6095 pegmatite which are thought to be related to the Separation Rapids Pluton. They are interpreted as zoned Complex Type, Petalite Subtype LCT Pegmatites. The Big Mack pegmatite represents the largest petalite-bearing mass on the Property and is exposed over an 80 by 225 m area. The mineralization at the Property remains open at depth and along strike. About Pan American Energy Corp. Pan American Energy Corp. (CSE: PNRG) (OTCQB: PAANF) (FSE: SS60) is an exploration stage company engaged principally in the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties containing battery metals in North America. The Company executed an option agreement in Canada with Magabra Resources, providing for the right to acquire up to a 90% interest in the drill-ready Big Mack Lithium Project, 80 km north of Kenora, Ontario. The Company has also entered a property option agreement with Horizon Lithium LLC providing for the right to acquire a 100% interest in the Horizon Lithium Project, located within Esmeralda County Tonopah Lithium Belt, Nevada, USA. To register for investor updates, please visit https://panam-energy.com. On Behalf of the Board of Directors Jason Latkowcer CEO & Director Contact Phone : (587) 885-5970 Email: info@panam-energy.com Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words could, intend, expect, believe, will, projected, estimated and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Companys current beliefs or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. In particular, this press release contains forward-looking information relating to, among other things, the prospectivity of the mineralization at the Property, including that such mineralization remains open at depth and along strike; the exploration potential of the Property, including that additional discoveries may be made at the Property; and the Companys exploration plans at the Property. Various assumptions or factors are typically applied in drawing conclusions or making the forecasts or projections set out in forward-looking information, including, in respect of the forward-looking information included in this press release, assumptions regarding the Companys ability to execute on its exploration plans at the Property and that the drill results received to date are indicative of the actual geology and mineralization at the Property.;. Although forward-looking information is based on the reasonable assumptions of the Companys management, there can be no assurance that any forward-looking information will prove to be accurate. Forward-looking information involves 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 forward-looking information. Such factors include, among other things, the risk that exploration at the Property does not proceed in the manner and on the timeline currently contemplated, or at all; risks inherent in the exploration and development of mineral properties, including risks relating to receiving requisite permits and approvals, changes in project parameters or delays as plans continue to be redefined, that mineral exploration is inherently uncertain and that the results of mineral exploration may not be indicative of the actual geology or mineralization of a project; that mineral exploration may be unsuccessful or fail to achieve the results anticipated by the Company; and that mineral exploration activities are often unsuccessful. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof, and the Company not obligated 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 laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein. The Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) has not reviewed, approved, or disapproved the contents of this press release. Images accompanying this announcement are available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e32d9f03-026f-4726-945b-0a98fa292be4 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8c76629a-a3c8-4caa-af34-7c43f36fc93c https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/369de66b-f8df-4b41-a40d-5d9109155460 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a3ef0442-0750-4e9f-a221-fa366b236ec4 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9c98f90e-af84-43c7-a336-8538f7ff9c24 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f13088a8-20ba-4127-b778-6da46a829435 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/148f3343-3568-4439-b1c9-6bf880ffa588 Dublin, March 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Chile Data Center Market - Investment Analysis & Growth Opportunities 2024-2029" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Chile data center market is expected to reach a value of $1.373 billion by 2029 from $741 million in 2023, growing at a CAGR of 10.83% from 2023-2029 This report analyses the Chile data center market share. It elaboratively analyses the existing and upcoming facilities and investments in IT, electrical, mechanical infrastructure, general construction, and tier standards. It discusses market sizing and investment estimation for different segments. The Chile data center market is witnessing immense growth through several investments from global and local data center operators. Some major colocation operators in the market include Ascenty (Digital Realty), Equinix, ODATA (Aligned Data Centers, Scala Data Centers, EdgeConneX, SONDA, and others. Aligned Data Centers has acquired ODATA and is expanding its footprint in Chile and other Latin American markets, including Brazil, Chile, and more. The widespread use of cloud services is powering the growth of the Chile data center market, the implementation of artificial intelligence (AI), handling large-scale data (Big Data), the Internet of Things (IoT), the rollout of 5G networks, improved connectivity, and the ongoing process of digital transformation. The country supports free cooling and abundant renewable energy, which will attract investors. The trend of procuring renewable energy to power the facilities will continue during the forecast period. Cloud giants like Google, Oracle Cloud, and Huawei Cloud have established their presence in Chile, each with dedicated cloud regions. VENDOR INSIGHTS The Chile data center market is witnessing investment from primary colocation and hyperscale operators investing significantly. Some key colocation investors in the Chile data center market are Equinix, Ascenty (Digital Realty), ODATA (Aligned Data Centers), Actis, EdgeConneX, and others. Amazon Web Services (AWS) has announced its plan to develop two data center buildings in Puente Alto. It will be its first self-built data center facility in the country. WHY SHOULD YOU BUY THIS RESEARCH? Market size regarding investment, area, power capacity, and Chile colocation market revenue is available. An assessment of the data center investment in Chile by colocation, hyperscale, and enterprise operators. Investments in the area (square feet) and power capacity (MW) across cities in the country. A detailed study of the existing Chile data center market landscape, an in-depth market analysis, and insightful predictions about market size during the forecast period. Key Attributes: Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 108 Forecast Period 2023 - 2029 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $741 Million Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2029 $1373 Million Compound Annual Growth Rate 10.8% Regions Covered Chile VENDOR LANDSCAPE IT Infrastructure Providers Cisco Systems Dell Technologies Hewlett Packard Enterprise Huawei Technologies IBM Juniper Networks Lenovo Data Center Construction Contractors & Sub-Contractors Aceco TI AECOM Constructora Sudamericana Fluor Corporation Hyphen PQC Turner & Townsend Support Infrastructure Providers ABB ASSA ABLOY Axis Communications Bruno Caterpillar Cummins Honeywell International Johnson Controls Legrand Mitsubishi Electric Munters Piller Power Systems Panduit Rittal Schneider Electric Siemens STULZ Vertiv Data Center Investors Actis Ascenty (Digital Realty) Cirion Technologies ClaroVTR EdgeConneX Equinix GTD InterNexa IPXON Networks ODATA (Aligned Data Centers) Scala Data Centers SONDA New Entrants Amazon Web Services Microsoft EXISTING VS. UPCOMING DATA CENTERS Snapshot of existing and upcoming third-party data center facilities in Chile I. Facilities Covered (Existing): 36 II. Facilities Identified (Upcoming): 12 III. Coverage: 6 Cities IV. Existing vs. Upcoming (Area) V. Existing vs. Upcoming (IT Load Capacity) Data Center Colocation Market in the Chile I. Colocation Market Revenue & Forecast (2023-2029) II. Wholesale vs. Retail Colocation Revenue (2023-2029) III. Retail Colocation Pricing IV. Wholesale Colocation Pricing Existing Facilities in the Region (Area and Power Capacity) Santiago Paine Colina Valparaiso Other Cities List of Upcoming Facilities in the Region (Area and Power Capacity) Santiago Colina Valparaiso Other Cities REPORT COVERAGE IT Infrastructure Servers Storage Systems Network Infrastructure Electrical Infrastructure UPS Systems Generators Switches & Switchgears PDUs Other Electrical Infrastructure Mechanical Infrastructure Cooling Systems Rack Cabinets Other Mechanical Infrastructure Cooling Systems CRAC & CRAH Units Chiller Units Cooling Tower, Condensers & Dry Coolers Economizers & Evaporative Coolers Other Cooling Units General Construction Core & Shell Development Installation & commissioning Services Building & Engineering Design Fire Detection & Suppression Systems Physical Security Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) Tier Standard Tier I & Tier II Tier III Tier IV For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/9neyzv 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 Joseph Adam Moore sets up solar panels at Argonne Playground in San Francisco. Moore, a registered sex offender, has been an antagonistic presence in the Richmond District, posting signs offering free drugs, and was previously convicted of a nuisance violation. Nora Mishanec/The Chronicle An unhoused sex offender who antagonized San Franciscos Inner Richmond for months with signs advertising free fentanyl is back in the neighborhood, raising fresh concerns about his presence in a local playground. On Wednesday morning, Joseph Adam Moore sat on a bench in Argonne Playground spreading out solar panels about 25 yards away from a swing set where a group of toddlers played with their caretakers. His presence at the playground for several weeks has prompted at least one complaint to Supervisor Connie Chan, who represents the district, according to emails reviewed by the Chronicle. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Moore was convicted of a public nuisance charge late last year after posting handmade signs advertising meth and fentanyl at his encampment near a Richmond District elementary school. He was already a registered sex offender, with Santa Cruz County court records showing he was convicted of lewd acts with a minor under 14 in 1997. In an interview Wednesday, Moore said he comes to the playground to charge his devices and hang out in the sunshine reading papers on string theory and the geometry of outer space. He said he is homeless and does not want to abandon his daily routine in the Richmond District. I am here because I was pushed here, Moore said, citing his status as a sex offender as the reason he cannot reside in Santa Cruz. Under California law, registered sex offenders are subject to restrictions on their place of residence on a case-by-case basis, but are generally not allowed to live near parks, schools or other locations where children gather, according to the Legal Information Institute at Cornell Law School. The exact restrictions placed on Moore werent clear Wednesday, but previous reports indicated he may not be deemed a high-risk offender barred from school areas. After his December conviction for creating a public nuisance, Moore said he spent time in jail and was released in early March. Spokespersons at the district attorneys office could not immediately confirm the length of his sentence. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Robyn Burke, one of Chans legislative aides, said the supervisors office was working with the Richmond District police station to address concerns about Moore. We are in close contact with Capt. (Chris) Canning who is monitoring the situation, Burke told the Chronicle. Shortly before noon, two city park rangers drove up to the playground. One, officer Robert Ramey, went over to Moore to offer him medical services at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, where the nonprofit Project Homeless Connect was running a free clinic. The rangers said Moore did not appear to be bothering anyone or violating any park rules. After the rangers drove away, Moore continued charging his devices in the sun. PETERBOROUGH, Ontario, Canada, March 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NewMediaWire -- Rainmaker Worldwide Inc (OTC: RAKR), a global leader in innovative water technology solutions, is pleased to announce the formation of its new Advisory Board, comprising industry experts and seasoned executives. This advisory board will provide invaluable guidance as Rainmaker continues its mission to revolutionize the water industry and expand its global footprint. Chairing the Advisory Board is Scott Heffner, Founder of Catalina Water Services, LLC, a distinguished operating and management executive with over three decades of experience in the water industry. Joining him are three distinguished professionals, each bringing unique perspectives and expertise to the table. Scott Heffner - Chair, Advisory Board With over 30 years of experience in global business management, manufacturing, sales, marketing, and business development, Scott Heffner has a proven track record in conceiving and commercializing water-related technologies. He has held various corporate-level management roles, played pivotal roles in strategic alliances and acquisitions, and has been instrumental in driving revenue growth and market share expansion. Mr. Heffner commented on his appointment, saying, "I am excited to chair Rainmaker's Advisory Board and contribute my expertise to guide the company's strategic direction. Rainmaker's commitment to innovative water and wastewater solutions aligns perfectly with my vision for the industry." Michael Skinner - Miranda Water Technologies CEO Michael Skinner is a serial entrepreneur with 25 years of experience across various industries, including water technology, alternative energy, and enterprise software. As CEO of Miranda Water Technologies, a Rainmaker subsidiary, Mr. Skinner brings invaluable insights into the water industry landscape. "I am proud to be part of Rainmaker's Advisory Board," said Mr. Skinner. "My passion for innovation and sustainable solutions aligns perfectly with our parent company Rainmakers vision, and I am excited to contribute to the company's success." Ben Kaczmarek - Advisor Ben Kaczmarek brings over 25 years of executive leadership in the water industry, specializing in manufacturing processes, acquisitions, and organizational integrations. His expertise includes corporate strategy development, operations management, and global sales team leadership. "I am honored to join Rainmaker's Advisory Board," said Mr. Kaczmarek. "I look forward to leveraging my experience to support Rainmaker's growth and expansion initiatives." Peter Roebuck - Advisor Peter Roebuck holds a research-based Master's degree in Environmental Engineering and brings extensive experience in Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), with a focus on crisis management and disaster response. His expertise in designing and implementing WASH projects in low-resource settings will be invaluable to Rainmaker's mission. "I am thrilled to join Rainmaker's Advisory Board," said Mr. Roebuck. "I am eager to contribute to the company's efforts in providing sustainable water and wastewater solutions worldwide." Michael O'Connor, Chairman and CEO of Rainmaker Worldwide Inc, commented on the formation of the Advisory Board, stating, "We are delighted to welcome Scott Heffner, Ben Kaczmarek, Peter Roebuck, and Michael Skinner to Rainmaker's Advisory Board. Their wealth of experience and diverse backgrounds will be instrumental in guiding Rainmaker's strategic initiatives, particularly in future mergers and acquisitions and the integration of new water companies and technologies into the Rainmaker family." Rainmaker Worldwide looks forward to the valuable contributions of its Advisory Board as it continues to lead the way in providing sustainable water solutions to communities worldwide. Investor Contact: Michael OConnor Rainmaker Worldwide Inc. info@rainmakerww.com About Rainmaker Worldwide Inc. Rainmaker Worldwide Inc. (OTC: RAKR) (Rainmaker) is a leader in affordable water solutions. Rainmaker is headquartered in Peterborough, Canada. The Company provides economical drinking water at scale wherever it is needed. Miranda Water Treatment Systems is a subsidiary of Rainmaker focusing on the deployment of water solutions including water production from air, wastewater treatment and complex water purification systems in the Americas and globally. RAKR was recognized as the Best Community Impact Water Solutions Global 2020 by Capital Finance International. For the latest product information and FAQs, please visit www.rainmakerww.com. Forward-looking Statements Certain matters discussed in this announcement contain statements, estimates and projections about the growth of Rainmakers business, potential distribution partnerships and/or clients, and related business strategy. Such statements estimates and projections may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time. Rainmaker undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The recipient of this information is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. With RADDOG LE Gen2, RAD Further Leans into Law Enforcement Robotics Detroit, Michigan, March 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Robotic Assistance Devices Inc. (RAD), a subsidiary of Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions, Inc. (the Company) ( OTCPK:AITX ), today announced that it began the early production stages for 100 units of its next generation RADDOG LE in January 2024. The LE version of RADDOG has been specifically designed and produced for law enforcement applications. Anticipating the positive response it has received to RADDOG LE Gen1s initial deployment at the Taylor Police Department , RAD initiated plans in January of this year to produce 100 RADDOG LE Gen2 quadruped robot dogs, confirming the Companys commitment to this emerging space and desire to be the leader. With strong interest from law enforcement agencies nationwide and the anticipated positive results from the Taylor Police Department deployment, RAD is poised to bring continuously improving robotic solutions to law enforcement. RADDOG LE Gen2 models are expected to roll (walk) off the production line in the September/October timeframe to meet potential growing demand. Drawing from insights expected to be gathered during RADDOG's initial deployment, RAD will focus on continuous improvements, incorporating new features and functionalities to ensure ongoing innovation. Ultimately, RAD aims to lead the way in the development and adoption of intelligent autonomous devices, contributing to the advancement of security and public safety globally. The City of Taylor's 12-month, $35,000 subscription agreement for RADDOG LE Gen1 represents just the beginning of the revenue potential we anticipate from this next RADDOG LE production, said Steve Reinharz, CEO and CTO of AITX and RAD. The street value of the 100 RADDOG LE Gen2 units could deliver the Company possible revenue of $3.5 million in annual recurring revenue, but even more importantly give the Company the leadership position as the foremost solution in this space, a space that we believe will be large and essential. We believe that one day every law enforcement officer will have a robotic canine companion of increasing intelligence and capability, said Troy McCanna, Sr. VP of Revenue Operations and former FBI Special Agent. Coincidentally, McCanna was an FBI canine handler for 8 of his 23 years with the bureau. With the increasing challenges of being a law enforcement officer we are certain that autonomous mobile devices will be an absolutely essential part of modern law enforcement in the very near future. We want RAD to lead the way. Annual recurring revenue (ARR) is money earned from customers who pay for a subscription to a service or product. RADs solutions are generally offered as a recurring monthly subscription, typically with a minimum 12-month subscription contract. AITX, through its subsidiary, Robotic Assistance Devices , Inc. (RAD), is redefining the $25 billion (US) security and guarding services industry through its broad lineup of innovative, AI-driven Solutions-as-a-Service business model. RAD solutions are specifically designed to provide cost savings to businesses of between 35%-80% when compared to the industrys existing and costly manned security guarding and monitoring model. RAD delivers these tremendous cost savings via a suite of stationary and mobile robotic solutions that complement, and at times, directly replace the need for human personnel in environments better suited for machines. All RAD technologies, AI-based analytics and software platforms are developed in-house. RAD has a prospective sales pipeline of over 35 Fortune 500 companies and numerous other client opportunities. RAD expects to continue to attract new business as it converts its existing sales opportunities into deployed clients generating a recurring revenue stream. Each Fortune 500 client has the potential of making numerous reorders over time. About Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions (AITX) AITX is an innovator in the delivery of artificial intelligence-based solutions that empower organizations to gain new insight, solve complex challenges and fuel new business ideas. Through its next-generation robotic product offerings, AITXs RAD, RAD-M and RAD-G companies help organizations streamline operations, increase ROI, and strengthen business. AITX technology improves the simplicity and economics of patrolling and guard services and allows experienced personnel to focus on more strategic tasks. Customers augment the capabilities of existing staff and gain higher levels of situational awareness, all at drastically reduced cost. AITX solutions are well suited for use in multiple industries such as enterprises, government, transportation, critical infrastructure, education, and healthcare. To learn more, visit www.aitx.ai , www.radsecurity.com , www.stevereinharz.com , www.radgroup.ai , www.raddog.ai , and www.radlightmyway.com , or follow Steve Reinharz on Twitter @SteveReinharz . CAUTIONARY DISCLOSURE ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS The information contained in this publication does not constitute an offer to sell or solicit an offer to buy securities of Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions, Inc. (the Company). This publication contains forward-looking statements, which are not guarantees of future performance and may involve subjective judgment and analysis. As such, there are no assurances that the Company will meet its expectations with respect to its future sales volume, becoming cash flow positive, and ARR or RMR. The information provided herein is believed to be accurate and reliable, however the Company makes no representations or warranties, expressed or implied, as to its accuracy or completeness. The Company has no obligation to provide the recipient with additional updated information. No information in this publication should be interpreted as any indication whatsoever of the Companys future revenues, results of operations, or stock price. ### MISSOULA, Mont., March 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In today's demanding operational landscape, where efficiency and client satisfaction are pivotal, Taqt advances the cleaning and facility management sectors by integrating smart devices and solutions, such as TaqtOne, into the everyday management of facilities. The company is setting new benchmarks in trust, transparency, and efficiency. Taqt's approach, focusing on cleanliness, service quality, incident management, staff traceability, and feedback, positions it as a leader in the digital transformation of facility management. This initiative aims to elevate satisfaction and cost-effective operational excellence. The introduction of TaqtOne represents a significant step forward in facilities management, combining Internet of Things (IoT) technology with practical applications to increase the efficiency and responsiveness of cleaning services. At its core, TaqtOne is a real-time, interactive system that enhances facilities management through several innovative features. TaqtOne's adoption signifies a move towards paperless operations, eliminating traditional paper-based communication and enabling direct, real-time interaction between service users and cleaning contractors. This facilitates quicker cleaning responses, ensuring that facilities not only maintain exemplary standards of cleanliness but also adhere to stringent hygiene compliance regulations. TaqtOne Pictured: User feedback options to report restroom service needs, along with staff traceability Reporting is another area where Taqt shines, with TaqtOne providing comprehensive, real-time reports on service requests, tasks completed, and satisfaction feedback. This transparency is crucial for continuous improvement in service quality and satisfaction management. Distinctively, TaqtOne is celebrated for its simplicity and ability to be customized. It operates over a cellular network, negating the need for additional infrastructure or IT administrative approval. Its user interface is intentionally straightforward, allowing for real-time monitoring and management of attendance, tasks, service requests, and staff traceability, making it highly adaptable to the unique needs of each facility. In addition, TaqtOne prioritizes health and safety by incorporating touchless technologies and anti-microbial covers, thus contributing to breaking the chain of infection and enhancing hygiene standards. TaqtOne's versatility makes it suitable for a wide range of facilities, from small buildings to large campuses, providing facility managers with a robust tool for making data-driven decisions to improve overall operational efficiency. The launch of TaqtOne is a testament to Taqt's commitment to redefining the cleaning industry. This smart device has been implemented across various sectors, including healthcare, commercial buildings, the public sector, manufacturing, education, and transportation. TaqtOne is a demonstration of the critical role smart devices play in hygiene compliance, increasing transparency, and empowering users by digitizing facility management operations. It effectively merges smart technology with practical application, leading to unparalleled operational efficiency and setting new standards in service that meet the current and future needs of facility management. About Taqt: Founded in 2016 and headquartered in France, Taqt is behind the innovative TaqtOne smart device. With over 20,000 TaqtOne devices deployed globallyincluding in France, North America, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, Germany, and SpainTaqt's technology is trusted by leading brands such as Johns Hopkins APL, Charles de Gaulle Airport, Euro Tunnel, Pepsico, Nestle, IKEA, Amazon, Netflix, and GE. Taqt's success illustrates the global market's confidence in its ability to enhance facility management, cleaning contractors' operations, incident reporting, proof of service, satisfaction management, and staff traceability. Media Contact: Media contact company: Taqt Americas Media contact email: americas@taqt.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/03b0e603-0aa2-4ca3-ba8c-20a48e61999d San Francisco, California, USA, March 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- US Capital Global proudly announces a landmark achievement, surpassing an average of $2.2 billion in debt and equity financings and advisory transactions per year over the past three years. Headquartered in San Francisco, with key offices strategically located in Dallas, Philadelphia, Miami, New York, London, and Dubai, US Capital Global stands as a premier full-service global private financial group, renowned for its expertise in corporate finance, M&A, asset management, and capital formation services. Reflecting on the exceptional growth of 2023, Jeffrey Sweeney, Chairman and CEO of US Capital Global, remarked, Last year in particular marked a momentous period of expansion for us. The breadth and scale of transactions we facilitated underscore the strength of our global footprint. Our establishment of an M&A division in April 2023, coupled with the inauguration of new offices in key global cities, and the resounding success of our major events across multiple continents, have all contributed to our record-breaking performance. Charles Towle, COO and Managing Partner of US Capital Global, outlined ambitious plans for continued growth in 2024, stating, Building upon our momentum, we are poised for significant expansion this year. Our focus includes bolstering our presence in the Middle East and Asia, with plans to increase our dealmaking professionals by at least 50%. Additionally, we are strategically enhancing our structured products group to provide institutional and large-cap products to middle-market companies and investors, both domestically and internationally. US Capital Global remains at the forefront of financial innovation and expansion, dedicated to empowering clients with best-in-class expertise and resources. Example 2023 Transactions Click here further details about these selected transactions. https://uscapital.com/news/us-capital-global-achieves-record-breaking-average-of-usd-2point2bn-in-financing-and-advisory-transactions-per-year-over-the-past-three-years.html To learn more about how your business can secure the funding it needs, email Jeffrey Sweeney, Chairman and CEO, at jsweeney@uscapital.com. Closed transactions include all transactions advised, arranged, syndicated, and funded by affiliated entities within the US Capital Group, both in the United States and abroad. Securities offered through US Capital Global Securities LLC (USCGS) the FINRA-member, SEC-registered broker-dealer division of US Capital Global. USCGS or its affiliates may provide advice to, be compensated by, may have other business relationships with, or may from time to time acquire, hold, or sell a position in the securities of, the companies mentioned herein. Private debt and equity investments are not suitable for all investors, are generally illiquid, offer no guarantee of returns, and subject investors to possible loss of principal. Any offer or solicitation shall be made only pursuant to the confidential private placement memorandum. View USCGS Form CRS at https://www.uscapglobalsecurities.com/crs.html. Attachments London, England, March 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- London March 21, 2024 -- Twenty Bowie State students and faculty members are in London and had the opportunity to see Tony Award winner and Bowie State University alum Myles Frost star in MJ: The Musical UK at the Prince Edward Theater in the city's West End on Monday evening as part of a university sponsored week-long alternative spring break excursion. His stellar performance in New York earned him Broadway's highest honor and accolades from theater goers and pundits alike. Frost, the youngest solo male to win a Tony for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical for his role as Michael Jackson, also appears in Ava DuVernay's motion picture "Origin portraying Trayvon Martin. "It was absolutely exhilarating for the students to see Myles on stage in London performing and demonstrating the reason his acting, singing and dancing skills are held in such high esteem," said Bowie State President Aminta Breaux. "He personifies excellence, a notion that is promoted each day on our campus. We're Maryland's oldest HBCU and always strive to support our students while they pursue their degrees and after they graduate which is why we're here. Frost earned his bachelors degree in fine arts with a concentration in music technology in December from Bowie State. In addition to seeing Myles Frost perform, students will also dedicate a day to community service with London non-profit Journey to Justice, visit Buckingham Palace and see the Crown Jewels. They will also spend a day at Bath Spa University, an Adobe Creative Campus as is Bowie State, engaging with students and faculty members, visit the University of Oxford and Balliol College, travel to Stonehenge and take a Black History tour of London. "This trip epitomizes what experiential learning is all about and I'm grateful our students are able to participate," said Breaux. Learning occurs not only in classrooms but also in global communities." About Bowie State University: Bowie State University (BSU) is an important higher education access portal for qualified persons from diverse academic and socioeconomic backgrounds, seeking a high-quality and affordable public comprehensive university. The university places special emphasis on the science, technology, cybersecurity, teacher education, business and nursing disciplines within the context of a liberal arts education. For more information about BSU, visit bowiestate.edu. Attachments TORONTO, March 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- (TSX: DGS, ESP.PR.A, GDV, GDV.PR.A, LBS, LBS.PR.A, LCS, PWI, PWI.PR.A, SBC, SBC.PR.A) Brompton Funds announces distributions payable on April 12, 2024 to class A shareholders of record at the close of business on March 28, 2024 for each of the following funds: Fund Name Ticker Amount Per Share Dividend Growth Split Corp. DGS $ 0.10 Global Dividend Growth Split Corp. GDV $ 0.10 Life & Banc Split Corp. LBS $ 0.10 Brompton Lifeco Split Corp. LCS $ 0.075 Sustainable Power & Infrastructure Split Corp. PWI $ 0.06667 Brompton Split Banc Corp. SBC $ 0.10 Brompton Funds also announces distributions payable on April 12, 2024 to preferred shareholders of record at the close of business on March 28, 2024 for the following funds: Fund Name Ticker Amount Per Share Brompton Energy Split Corp. ESP.PR.A $ 0.20021 Global Divided Growth Split Corp. GDV.PR.A $ 0.1250 Life & Banc Split Corp. LBS.PR.A $ 0.18125 Sustainable Power & Infrastructure Split Corp. PWI.PR.A $ 0.1250 Brompton Split Banc Corp. SBC.PR.A $ 0.15625 The distribution amount for ESP.PR.A reflects the new distribution rate of $0.825 per annum commencing March 29, 2024. The funds noted above offer distribution reinvestment plans (DRIP) for class A shareholders which provide class A shareholders with the ability to automatically reinvest distributions, commission free, and realize the benefits of compound growth. Class A shareholders can enroll in a DRIP program by contacting their investment advisor or dealer. About Brompton Funds Founded in 2000, Brompton is an experienced investment fund manager with income focused investment solutions including exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and other TSX traded investment funds. For further information, please contact your investment advisor, call Bromptons investor relations line at 416-642-6000 (toll-free at 1-866-642-6001), email info@bromptongroup.com or visit our website at www.bromptongroup.com. You will usually pay brokerage fees to your dealer if you purchase or sell shares of the investment funds on the Toronto Stock Exchange or other alternative Canadian trading system (an exchange). If the shares are purchased or sold on an exchange, investors may pay more than the current net asset value when buying shares of the investment fund and may receive less than the current net asset value when selling them. There are ongoing fees and expenses associated with owning shares of an investment fund. An investment fund must prepare disclosure documents that contain key information about the funds. You can find more detailed information about the funds in the public filings available at www.sedarplus.ca. Investment funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. Certain statements contained in this document constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking information may relate to matters disclosed in this document and to other matters identified in public filings relating to the funds, to the future outlook of the funds and anticipated events or results and may include statements regarding the future financial performance of the funds. In some cases, forward-looking information can be identified by terms such as may, will, should, expect, plan, anticipate, believe, intend, estimate, predict, potential, continue or other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. Actual results may vary from such forward-looking information. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and we assume no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. PHILADELPHIA, March 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bucks County residents Paul and Aarati Martino today announced that they will become the lead sponsors of the Delaware Valley Science Fairs (DVSF), a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, with a $300,000 gift distributed over the next 3 years. Currently in its 76th year, the Delaware Valley Science Fairs aims to bring parents, teachers, and industry professionals together to stimulate and nurture science-based learning experiences for young people so that they can grow and develop into contributing members of the community. The Martinos donation will enable the Delaware Valley Science Fairs to grow participation levels, support participants who advance to the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair in Los Angeles in May, and fund programs to help teachers support experiential learning. Paul Martino has historically been one of the Delaware Valley Science Fairs biggest supporters, and were thrilled to welcome him and Aarati as our lead sponsors for the next 3 years, said DVSF Executive Director Bob Solomon. The Delaware Valley Science Fairs makes a real difference in the lives of our participants, and together we are committed to preparing tomorrow's innovators and providing young people with a brighter future. The Delaware Valley Science Fairs oversees thirteen local fairs across all of Delaware, southern New Jersey, and southeast Pennsylvania, including fairs in Bucks County, Chester County, Delaware County, Montgomery County, Philadelphia County, and the Lehigh Valley. In 2023, almost 900 participants from 6th through 12th grade participated in the overarching Delaware Valley Science Fairs, to more than 350 judges from the community, composed of both STEM educators and science-industry professionals. The 2024 Delaware Valley Science Fair is a three-day event that will feature an extensive preparation day and an awards ceremony to honor top participants. But the main event is the middle day, during which students - who have spent months developing and testing their own hypotheses - present their research to a panel of judges during live interviews. Students compete in 13 categories over six divisions, ranging from botany to zoology, including chemistry, physics, engineering, and microbiology. In 2023, participants competed for more than 40 special awards, sponsored by corporations, organizations, and individuals, and the top 12 medalists advanced to participate in the 2023 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair in Dallas. Martino, who has served as the Chairman of Delaware Valley Science Fairs since 2018, participated in the event as a student at North Penn High School in Lansdale, PA. He later earned degrees from Lehigh University and Princeton before entering the world of Venture Capital. The Martinos will host DVSFs contingent of students for a special event in Los Angeles during this years International Science Fair (ISEF) which will be held in Los Angeles in May. This is an event that was important to me in my middle and high school years and I want it to continue to be a staple event of the community, said Paul Martino. STEM continues to play an integral role as a pillar of the modern economy, both nationally and at home here in the Delaware Valley, and I am excited to help further the Delaware Valley Science Fairs vision Reward the best, inspire the rest. The Delaware Valley Science Fair takes place on April 3rd at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center and there is no entry fee; the costs are covered entirely through the generosity of the DVSFs donors. To learn more, please visit https://www.dvsf.org/ . About Delaware Valley Science Fairs Delaware Valley Science Fairs, Inc. (DVSF) is a forum for middle and high school students to display scientific research and engineering projects that they have completed. The purpose of the Delaware Valley Science Fairs is to connect these hard working and inventive young minds with professionals in their fields. Competitors will be interviewed and have their research evaluated. The primary goals are that the students will gain some insight into new directions for their research, learn new ways of thinking, and, in some cases, be connected with people who could help bring a potential product to market. All of this takes the form of a competition with winners receiving recognition, scholarships, and monetary prizes, as well as a chance to compete in the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair. About Paul and Aarati Martino Paul and Aarati Martino are Bucks County residents based in Doylestown. Paul is the founder of Bullpen Capital, a post-seed stage venture capital firm that invests in a broad spectrum of technology companies. Some of Bullpen Capitals prominent investments include FanDuel, Grove Collaborative, WAG and PAPER. Aarati Martino has spent her entire career in the technology industry and holds engineering degrees from Stanford and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She has spent more than two decades in a prominent position with Google and taught the Google Magic enrichment program in the Central Bucks School District. Together, the Martinos are passionate about growing STEAM education in Bucks County and throughout Pennsylvania. Windsor, CO, March 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dax Hayden, with Hayden Outdoors Real Estate in Windsor, CO, has been recognized as the APEX 2023 National Broker of the Year in Ag Land Ranch Sales by the REALTORS Land Institute as a part of the RLI APEX Production Awards Program, sponsored by The Land Report. This is the 2nd year in a row the Kansas native has outsold the country in Ranch land sales. Its an honor to represent the landowners of rural properties across the country, says Hayden. Our team of land specialists and staff continues to deliver an immense amount of value to the sellers and buyers of rural land. From land research, marketing and advertising of the properties we sell, to buyer representation and due diligence during a transaction, we strive to offer exceptional services that outperform the competition. Austin Callison was awarded the Regional Ranch Land and Residential Land Broker of the Year Awards for Region 4 (ID, MT, OR, WA) and both Callison and John Herrity were recognized as 2023 Apex Producers Club award winners. Hayden was recognized by RLI CEO Aubrie Kobernus, MBA, RCE, as well as The Land Reports Co-founders Eddie Lee Rider Jr. and Eric OKeefe at a special awards ceremony on Tuesday, March 12, during RLIs 2024 National Land Conference (NLC24) in Louisville, KY. We are incredibly proud of Dax for his accomplishments in 2023. It takes a significant amount of transaction volume to achieve a National Broker of the Year award. It speaks to his dedication to both the industry and his clients. He is truly among the most accomplished professionals in land real estate, said Kobernus. Dax is joined by many other agents within Hayden Outdoors Real Estate that have sold a tremendous amount of land in 2023. Forty two agents and brokers had sold over $5 Million in land sales within the brokerage in 2023, helping the brokerage to over $1 Billion in land sales in 2023 and over $5 Billion since 2019. About Hayden Outdoors: Hayden Outdoors, LLC is a family-owned and operated real estate brokerage started in Goodland, Kansas in 1976 that is based in Windsor, Colorado. Hayden Outdoors has grown to over 225 licensed brokers, agents and staff in over 33 states. Learn more by visiting www.HaydenOutdoors.com. Attachments Fort Collins, CO, March 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Innosphere Ventures, a technology incubator leading the collaborative initiative called the Colorado-Wyoming Climate Resilience Engine (CO-WY Engine), has been selected as a Phase 2 grant recipient of Opportunity Now Colorado , a regional workforce initiative. Innosphere will be awarded $1.4 million to work with Colorado State University and regional employers to address regional workforce gaps in systems engineering. The funding is part of a total $2.4 million investment in the systems engineering workforce program, which aims to address critical workforce gaps and enhance economic mobility for participants working in the internship and apprenticeship program. The goals of the CO-WY Engine, led by Innosphere Ventures, aligns with the mission of Opportunity Now Colorado, which seeks to foster innovative solutions for Colorado's workforce needs through strategic partnerships between education systems and employers. "The CO-WY Engine had identified systems engineering as a workforce gap area, and this funding will advance workforce development though internships and apprenticeships," said Mike Freeman, CEO of the CO-WY Engine. "This funding will make it possible to address the critical shortage of systems engineers in our region. The National Science Board's 2024 report underscores the importance of expanding the STEM workforce to sustain innovation and competitiveness. This program directly responds to challenges highlighted in this report by focusing on the development of systems engineers, a critical component in the interdisciplinary field of climate technology and sustainability, said Freeman. This program focuses on the cleantech and aerospace industries who report a significant lack of available workforce and expertise in systems engineering, and has two focus areas. The first focuses on employing students with high school degrees, and those entering the community college system, with work-based learning opportunities who have an interest in systems engineering through both summer and year-round internships. The second is to launch an apprenticeship program for individuals already working in industry, who with additional support, can move toward a career path in systems engineering. Colorado State University will play a key leadership role in this workforce project. Thomas Bradley, Woodward professor and head of the Department of Systems Engineering in the Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering, has launched courses and programs with industry partners to address these workforce development challenges. . CSU is very excited to be able to work with Innosphere Ventures to help connect Colorado's workforce to training, new skills, and new jobs among our aerospace, energy and climate industry partners, said Bradley. Were ready to cultivate a new generation of systems engineers equipped to meet the demands of our rapidly evolving climate technology sector and broader STEM fields. For more information on the CO-WY Engine and its initiatives, visit www.co-wyengine.org Media Contact: Betty Cozzolino, Chief Marketing Officer, Betty@co-wyengine.org About Innosphere Ventures Innosphere Ventures accelerates the success of founders and university researchers who are launching and scaling science and technology-based startup companies with regional, industry-specific incubation programs, office and specialized wet laboratory facilities, and venture capital funds. Innosphere is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a mission to grow the region's innovation ecosystem and to support the commercialization efforts of startup companies in advanced industries. As the lead applicant of the NSF Engines proposal, Innosphere will spearhead the initiatives of the Colorado-Wyoming Climate Resilience Engine. www.innosphereventures.org About CO-WY Engine: The Colorado-Wyoming Climate Innovation Engine (CO-WY Engine) is a collaborative initiative aimed at addressing critical workforce gaps in the climate technology sector and broader STEM fields. Through strategic partnerships and innovative programs, the CO-WY Engine seeks to cultivate a skilled, diverse, and innovative engineering talent pool ready to meet the challenges of tomorrow's workforce. About Colorado State University: Colorado State University, one of the nations top-performing public research institutions, has more than 33,000 students. Founded in 1870 as Colorados land-grant institution, CSU is renowned for its world-class faculty and research and academic programs in infectious disease, atmospheric science, clean energy technologies, human and animal health, environmental science, global business and more. CSU graduates on average carry less student debt and are employed at higher rates than their peers nationwide. About Opportunity Now: Opportunity Now is an $85 million grant program catalyzing transformative change for Colorado's workforce. Opportunity Now Colorado recently concluded its second phase of funding, awarding approximately $55.5 million in grants to 43 total grant recipients across various sectors. Enacted by HB22-1350, the program seeks innovative solutions to meet Colorados workforce needs through industry and education collaboration. www.opportunitynow.co Attachments Dublin, March 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Europe Personalized Gifting Market - Focused Insights 2024-2029" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The European personalized gifting market was valued at USD 9.67 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.01% from 2023-2029, to reach USD 14.51 billion in 2029. Spain is showing the highest growth rate in Europe for personalized gifting, growing at a CAGR of 7.97% during the forecast period. Spain is known for its vibrant fiestas and celebrations, driving demand for personalized gifts that mark special occasions and milestones. Personalized party favors, custom event signage, and bespoke celebration decorations appeal to Spanish consumers' love for festivity and spectacle, enhancing the ambiance and atmosphere of festive gatherings and events. Spanish culture strongly emphasizes family ties and relationships, influencing preferences for personalized gifts that celebrate familial connections and traditions. EUROPE PERSONALIZED GIFTING MARKET INSIGHTS Europe's personalized gifting market is experiencing a noteworthy surge in demand, indicating a fundamental shift in consumer preferences toward unique and personalized experiences. This transformation reflects a societal inclination for meaningful connections and a desire to move beyond generic gifts to express sentiment more tailored and thoughtfully. The clothing & accessories segment is witnessing significant growth, with the fastest-growing CAGR of 7.76% during the forecast period. In Europe, there's a rising trend towards personalized clothing and accessories, driven by consumers seeking unique and meaningful gifts. This demand is fuelled by the desire for individuality and the ability to express one's personality through customized items, contributing significantly to the growth of the personalized gifting market segment. The online channel dominates the distribution segment of the European personalized gifting market. The segment growth can be attributed to the convenience of online channels. They offer better reach and accessibility to consumers across Europe. It includes e-commerce websites, marketplaces, and social media channels that provide a convenient shopping experience. Based on gender, the female market shows significant growth, with the highest CAGR of 7.28% during the forecast period. The growth can be attributed to women's discerning taste for personalized gifts that transcend functionality. This discernment is often expressed through an inclination toward items boasting aesthetic appeal, such as intricately designed jewelry, personalized home decor that complements individual styles, and bespoke fashion accessories tailored to their unique tastes. MARKET DRIVERS Focus On Continuous Product Innovation: The Europe personalized gifting market benefits from a constant stream of new and innovative personalized products driven by creative design, materials, and manufacturing processes like 3D engraved crystals, which Etsy offers. Introducing novel products keeps the market dynamic, attracting consumers looking for fresh, unique, personalized gifting options. Market players should invest in research and development to stay ahead in product innovation. Regularly introducing new and distinctive personalized items can help companies maintain a competitive edge and capture evolving consumer preferences. Rising Disposable Income: The rising disposable income significantly influences the market, especially among millennials. Consumers have more discretionary income and are increasingly inclined to spend on personalized gifts. They seek unique and thoughtful options that reflect individual tastes and preferences, fueling the demand and presenting an opportunity for market players to cater to this growing segment. It leads to a growing demand for the personalized gifting sector and increased consumer willingness to invest in unique and meaningful gifts. Market players should focus on innovative and personalized offerings that resonate with diverse consumer preferences and implement effective marketing strategies targeting the millennial demographic. VENDOR LANDSCAPE The Europe personalized gifting market report contains exclusive data on 36 vendors. The European personalized gifting market's competitive scenario is intensifying, with global and domestic players offering diverse products. Major players focus on strategic agreements, acquisitions, and collaboration with emerging players to enter the Europe personalized gifting market to gain access to commercially launched products. VENDORS LIST Key Vendors American Greetings cardfactory Etsy Hallmark Shutterfly Other Prominent Vendors Notonthehighstreet Zazzle Not Another Bill Gelato Disney Gifts for Europe YourSurprise Habeco Gifts Walwater Gifts Belcraft HiGift Firebox Say It With A GIFT &Open Gift Baskets for Europe Printster Ferns N Petals TBTB Promotional Gifts Merchery Printful Moonpig Create Gift Love Forever Bespoke Contrado Imaging Papier Getting Personal Name It Labels Scribbler The Present Finder HelloPrint Henry Factory KEY QUESTIONS ANSWERED How big is the Europe personalized gifting market? What is the growth rate of the Europe personalized gifting market? What are the trends in the Europe personalized gifting market? Who are the major players in the Europe personalized gifting market? Key Attributes: Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 77 Forecast Period 2023 - 2029 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $9.67 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2029 $14.51 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 7.0% Regions Covered Europe Segmentation & Forecast Type (Revenue) Clothing & Accessories Home Decor Kitchen & Tableware Stationery & Cards Food & Beverages Others Distribution Channel (Revenue) Online Channel Specialty Stores Supermarkets & Hypermarkets Direct Distribution Others Gender (Revenue) Female Male Country (Revenue) UK Germany France Spain Italy Rest of Europe For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/tvwgb5 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 U.S. generals implementing chaotic Afghan exit testify at House hearing aimed at holding Biden accountable Xinhua) 10:38, March 20, 2024 WASHINGTON, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Two top U.S. generals who implemented President Joe Biden's plan to withdraw troops from Afghanistan testified at a House hearing Tuesday, as Republicans renewed their effort in an election year to hold the incumbent president accountable for the deadly evacuation. At the hearing held by the House Foreign Affairs Committee, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley and former Commander of the U.S. Central Command Kenneth McKenzie were both dressed in suits and ties instead of military uniforms, because they had retired from their respective posts. Lawmakers hoped the retired generals could give more candid testimonies now that they are ordinary citizens. Milley and McKenzie said their remarks were consistent with those given in previous testimonies that they provided while still on duty -- that the chaos, including the loss of 13 U.S. soldiers in a terrorist attack at Kabul International Airport on Aug. 26, was the result of multiple contributing factors. For the deadly attack at Abbey Gate near the Kabul airport, McKenzie said, "I and I alone bear full military responsibility," while Milley said "we owe them answers," referring to family members of those slain soldiers. Some of the relatives were present at the hearing. The retired generals placed blame on the State Department, which they believed authorized the evacuation order too late -- more than one month after the Defense Department began to move U.S. forces in the region. "As you are aware, the decision to begin a NEO rests with the Department of State, not the Department of Defense," McKenzie said, using an acronym for noncombatant evacuation operation. "But we could do nothing, nothing to commence the operation -- the evacuation -- until a NEO was declared." According to McKenzie's explanation, the positioning of U.S. forces was initiated as early as July 9, 2021 by the Pentagon, yet it was not until Aug. 14 that the State Department finally authorized the NEO. "I believe the call to execute the NEO came too late," Milley said, echoing McKenzie's opinion. The committee's chairman, Michael McCaul, expected more evidence to come out of the hearing and aid his ongoing investigation into the matter, which has so far yielded an interim report. "Our investigation has uncovered repeated instances of the White House refusing to listen to warnings about the situation on the ground in the country," the Texas Republican said in prepared opening remarks. McCaul lambasted the State Department for delaying the execution of the evacuation, leaving the Kabul airport unsecured and U.S. forces in harm's way. "As the saying goes, 'If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.' And fail they did." The Biden administration has fiercely rejected the characterizations by McCaul and his fellow Republicans alike. Administration officials have blamed former President Donald Trump's administration for a lack of coordination with them over how to carry out the withdrawal mapped out in the Doha Agreement signed between the United States and the Taliban in 2020. Even as Biden's hands were tied, the officials have said, his administration worked in an extremely hostile environment on the ground and eventually managed to airlift over 124,000 people out of harm's way. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Chinese firms back to Spain's international food show Xinhua) 13:17, March 21, 2024 BARCELONA, Spain, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Some 150 Chinese companies are in Spain this week for Alimentaria, one of Europe's largest trade shows for the food and beverage industry. Alimentaria is taking place in Barcelona from March 18 to 21. China's pavilion at the show, which hosts dozens of food and drink demonstrating their products, is organized by the China Chamber of Commerce of Import &Export of Foodstuffs, Native Produce &Animal By-Products (CFNA). "This time we've come back to Barcelona because we wish to bring our excellent products to the world and to Spain," Emma Zhang, project manager of CFNA's exhibitions department told Xinhua. The last time Chinese firms attended the exhibition was in 2018, before the COVID-19 pandemic. A focus on the European market is priority for the Chinese companies attending the show, such as the Qingdao Yi Long Packaging Machinery company, which was displaying its automated food packing system. "We have more and more customers in Europe and I believe that in the future we can have a better understanding with each other," said the company's international sales manager Michael Li. "This year we have returned to pre-pandemic participation levels, everything has reactivated," Anna Canal, project manager at Alimentaria, told Xinhua. At this year's Alimentaria, 900 of the 3,200 exhibitors are from outside Spain. The host country has the largest pavilion at the fair, followed by Italy, China and Turkey. According to the trade show's organizers, more than 100,000 professionals are expected to visit the event. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Jessica Flores is a reporter for The San Francisco Chronicle. Before joining The Chronicle in 2021, she worked for USA Today, NPR affiliate KPCC and Curbed LA. Originally from L.A., she received her masters degree in journalism from the University of Southern California and a bachelors degree from Mount Saint Marys University in Los Angeles. She can be reached at Jessica.Flores@sfchronicle.com. Dublin, March 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global Automation Testing Market by Offering (Testing Types (Static Testing and Dynamic Testing) and Services), Endpoint Interface (Mobile, Web, Desktop, and Embedded Software), Vertical (BFSI, Automotive, IT & ITeS) and Region - Forecast to 2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global automation testing market is undergoing a significant transformation, experiencing a robust Compound Annual Growth Rate of 14.5% with expectations to soar from USD 28.1 billion in 2023 to USD 55.1 billion by 2028. As industries across the board increasingly integrate automation testing into their operations, the market is witnessing an accelerated pace of innovation and strategic collaborations. This evolution is particularly pronounced within dynamic sectors such as BFSI, IT & ITeS, and automotive verticals, where the implementation of advanced testing types - both static and dynamic - plays a crucial role in business agility and quality assurance. Amidst the rising tide of cyber threats and the critical need for data protection, the automation testing market is being driven by the decisive role of automated security testing tools. These tools are essential in preemptively identifying vulnerabilities, thereby safeguarding sensitive data and upholding the integrity of software applications. The criticality of security testing in the IT & ITeS segment cannot be overstated; with the market expected to dominate this space, automation testing's comprehensive capabilities are in high demand for ensuring seamless performance and robust serverless architecture validation. In the dynamic landscape of regulations and protocols, non-functional testing is poised to witness the fastest growth rate. Industries such as finance, healthcare, and government require stringent compliance standards to be met, a task well-suited to the precision of automation testing. With the stakes of regulatory compliance ever-mounting, the meticulous verification of non-functional aspects such as security, reliability, and performance becomes paramount. Automation testing's exhaustive protocols demonstrate an unwavering commitment to exceed industry standards, earning it a cornerstone status in the software testing regime. Asia-Pacific emerges as a region manifesting the highest growth rate during the forecasted period, with e-learning platforms and cutting-edge EdTech initiatives spurring the need for comprehensive automation testing. The nuanced necessities of educational software across this expansive region make the role of automation testing indispensable. Through systematic functionality, scalability, and performance validations, automation testing ensures that e-learning platforms can meet the demands of diverse user bases and deliver a superlative educational experience. In a meticulous examination of market dynamics, the study dissects the automation testing market by offering detailed insights into testing types, services, endpoint interface, and verticals. The analysis provides an extensive competitive landscape with key players adopting strategies such as partnerships, product enhancements, and acquisitions to strengthen their market position. This granular understanding of the market reveals critical drivers influencing growth, including the acceleration of software development lifecycles and the rising tide of web and mobile applications. The report highlights the challenges and opportunities within the market, paving the way for stakeholders to craft informed strategies and capitalize on the burgeoning prospects in the realm of automation testing. The insights gleaned from this comprehensive research offer stakeholders the advantage of understanding the nuances of the automation testing market. With key information on market drivers, restraints, challenges, and opportunities, the report stands as a beacon for those seeking to navigate the complex currents of the automation testing landscape and emerge victorious in this highly competitive domain. Key Benefits of the Research: Detailed analysis of market drivers, providing an understanding of factors propelling the industry's growth. In-depth review of product innovation and technology advancements that shape market trends. Examination of market development opportunities within lucrative segments and regions. Strategic assessment of market diversification efforts, encompassing new product launches and geographical expansions. Competitive analysis offering insights into market share and service offering strategies of leading industry players. The strategic insights and market forecasts presented in this research are pivotal for industry stakeholders to not only gauge the market pulse but also to configure their positioning and market approaches effectively for the coming years. Key Attributes Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 296 Forecast Period 2023 - 2028 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $28.1 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2028 $55.1 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 14.5% Regions Covered Global Companies Mentioned IBM Accenture Opentext Corporation Capgemini Microsoft Broadcom Tricentis Cigniti Technologies Keysight Technologies Apexon Cygnet Digital Qualitykiosk Technologies Pvt. Ltd. Invensis Technologies Pvt. Ltd. Qasource Inc. Idera, Inc. Smartbear Software Parasoft Sauce Labs Inc., Accelq Inc. Applitools The Qt Company Astegic Inc. Mobisoft Infotech Thinksys Inc. Qa Mentor Afour Technologies Codoid Worksoft, Inc. Testgrid For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/lg6zix 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 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global Automotive V2X Market by Connectivity (DSRC, and C-V2X), Communication (V2V, V2I, V2P, V2G, V2C), Vehicle Type (Passenger Cars & Commercial Vehicles), Propulsion, Offering (Hardware and Software), Unit, Technology and Region - Forecast to 2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. An exhaustive market research publication unveils the dynamic growth anticipated in the global automotive Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) market. Poised to expand from a valuation of USD 0.5 billion in 2023 to an impressive USD 9.5 billion by 2030, the market is set to surge at an unparalleled compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 51.9%. This growth trajectory is underpinned by the burgeoning demand for connected and autonomous vehicles, alongside significant technological strides in 5G connectivity. The detailed report elaborates on several facets of the market, spanning various segments including Connectivity, Communication, Vehicle Type, Propulsion, Units, Offering, and Technology. The passenger car segment is slated to dominate the market up to 2030, in light of increasing investments in emerging economies and intensifying focus on vehicular safety. From a regional perspective, North America presents a substantial opportunity for market participants, thanks to the presence of large automakers, high customer purchasing power, and evolving safety regulations. Advancements in the sector demonstrate the region's commitment to fostering a technology-driven transportation future, as evidenced by recent tests and agreements in connected vehicle technology. Cellular Vehicle to Everything (C-V2X) Technology to Outpace Other Segments Among the connectivity technologies, Cellular Vehicle to Everything (C-V2X) is forecasted to be the fastest growing segment. Achieving rapid adoption, C-V2X facilitates seamless and secure communications across diverse touchpoints from vehicle-to-vehicle interactions to connections with infrastructure and pedestrians. With the transmission quality advancements anticipated through evolving 5G technology, C-V2X is expected to revolutionize automotive communication, leading to a safer and more interconnected driving experience. The report also offers a comprehensive competitive analysis of key players in the automotive V2X market, charting recent developments and strategies that signify robust growth perspectives for industry stakeholders. Contributing to global market dynamics are features and enhancements from leading OEMs, indicative of the critical role of C-V2X in automotive innovation. In-depth analysis of market drivers, restraints, challenges, and opportunities shaping the automotive V2X landscape Strategic insights on product development, innovation, and market diversification Competitive assessment and growth strategies of leading players in the automotive V2X market The publication offers invaluable insights for market leaders and new entrants, helping them to understand the competitive landscape and identify the most lucrative market segments for strategic planning. It serves as a key resource in apprehending the market pulse and recognizing key trends influencing the automotive V2X industry's future. With detailed market data, analyses, and strategic recommendations, the report is poised to be an essential tool for stakeholders looking to navigate the evolving automotive V2X market, understand the current pricing trends of different V2X systems, and make informed business decisions. Key Attributes Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 321 Forecast Period 2023 - 2030 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $0.5 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2030 $9.5 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 51.9% Regions Covered Global Companies Profiled Qualcomm Incorporated Autotalks Harman International Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. Nxp Semiconductors Continental AG Robert Bosch GmbH Cohda Wireless Infineon Technologies AG Denso Corporation Stmicroelectronics Hyundai Mobis Kapsch Group Marben Products Capgemini Engineering Nokia Dspace GmbH Ficosa Internacional SA Escrypt Vector Informatik GmbH Volkswagen AG BMW AG Mercedes-Benz Group AG Audi AG Renault Group Mclaren Group Unex Technology Corp. Mitsubishi Electric Corporation Flex Ltd. Tata Motors Hitachi Solutions, Ltd. Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. Lear Corporation Intel Corporation Danlaw, Inc. Commsignia Ltd. General Motors Ford Motor Company Soar Robotics For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/wllosa 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 OTTAWA, March 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Skills/Competences Canada (SCC), a not-for-profit organization that actively promotes careers in the skilled trades and technologies to youth and their communities in Canada, is proud to announce that Home Hardware Stores Limited, Canadas largest Dealer-owned home improvement retailer, has signed on as a Presenting Sponsor of the Skills Canada National Competition (SCNC) 2024, in Quebec City. Home Hardware Stores Limited is proud to join forces with Skills/Competences Canada in fostering a passion for trades and technology in students, said Kevin Macnab, President and CEO, Home Hardware Stores Limited. For 60 years, Home Hardware has served communities across Canada, and this partnership builds on that commitment by supporting the next generation of skilled tradespeople in our country. At the Centre de foires dExpoCite, on May 30 and 31, 2024, labour groups, industry partners, government officials, educators, and youth will gather in Quebec City where over 500 students and apprentices will compete in more than 40 skilled trade and technology Skill Areas. SCC is pleased to work with Home Hardware Stores Limited for this years upcoming Skills Canada National Competition. Home Hardware Stores Limited will be hosting a Try-A-Trade and Technology activity to introduce thousands of Canadian youths to the intriguing and lucrative world of skilled trades. This partnership with Home Hardware Stores Limited and Skills/Competences Canada has highlighted the meaningful impact of skilled trades and technologies on our society. Our united voice will advocate the importance of skilled trades and technologies, fostering an environment conductive to growth, innovation, and job creation, said Shaun Thorson, Chief Executive Officer, Skills/Competences Canada. According to a report published by the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum (CAF) in 2019, the results indicate that over the next five years, an estimated 66,982 new journeypersons will be required as well as 167,793 new apprentices. About Home Hardware Stores Limited Founded 60 years ago in St. Jacobs, Ontario, Home Hardware Stores Limited is proudly Canadian and the countrys largest Dealer-owned and operated home improvement retailer with more than 1,000 stores operating under the Home Hardware, Home Building Centre, Home Hardware Building Centre and Home Furniture banners. The Home Hardware Dealer network improves life at home by providing superior home improvement retail experiences characterized by helpful advice and a deep understanding of the communities they serve. Home Hardware Stores Limited is designated as one of Canada's Best Managed Companies and recognized as one of Canada's Best Employers. More information about the company is available at homehardware.ca. About Skills/Competences Canada Skills/Competences Canada (SCC) was founded in 1989 as a national, not-for-profit organization with Member Organizations in each of the provinces/territories that work with employers, educators, labour groups and governments to promote skilled trade and technology careers among Canadian youth. Its unique position among private and public-sector partners enables it to work toward securing Canadas future skilled labour needs while helping young people discover rewarding careers. SCC offers experiential learning opportunities including skilled trade and technology competitions for hundreds of thousands of young Canadians through regional, provincial/territorial, national and international events, as well as skilled trade awareness programs. Headquartered in Ottawa, Ontario, Skills/Competences Canada is the Canadian Member organization of WorldSkills. Follow Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Flickr, LinkedIn, and Instagram. MEDIA CONTACT: Michele Rogerson, micheler@skillscanada.com, T. 613-266-4771. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3389f6d9-1389-445d-8a59-4ffc4422b22c Dallas, TX, March 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SitePro Rentals has earned the 2024 Top Workplaces USA award presented by USA Today. Based entirely on the employee feedback captured with the Workplace Survey, SitePro has achieved top quartile results in the areas of Values, Direction, and Supportive Management amongst its peers in the equipment and heavy machinery rental industry. The survey showed that SitePro employees believe the company is, going in the right direction, has good inter-departmental cooperation, and has managers that care about their concerns and help them learn, grow, and succeed. When asked about the Top Workplaces recognition, SitePro Rentals President Tim Rule said, As an employee-owned company, part of our vision is to have the industrys most engaged employees. There are two reasons for this: First, because we care about people and want our employees to love coming to work, feel a sense of ownership, and have great careers here. Second, because engaged employees provide great service to our customers which ultimately drives customer loyalty. Were very proud that our employees recognize SitePro as a Top Workplace and great place to work. SitePro Rentals mission is to provide equipment and technology solutions that drive jobsite productivity, bringing together great people, processes, and cutting-edge technology to deliver an amazing customer experience. Its vision is to be the worlds most admired, most efficient equipment rental company, with the strongest customer relationships, most loyal customers, and most engaged employees. SitePros Director of Human Resources Margerie Franklin elaborated, SitePro is creating a culture of excellence and engagement through fostering and investing in learning and development opportunities for our workforce designed to upskill, reskill, shape, and develop our leaders of today, tomorrow, and the future. Because as we know, a proficient and skilled workforce is a happy workforce! Those interested in learning more about SitePros locations, rental fleet, and best-in-class rental experience can do so by visiting SiteProRentals.com or by calling (972) RENT-NOW. About SitePro Rentals SitePro Rentalsa wholly-owned subsidiary of Sammons Industrial and part of the Sammons Enterprises family of employee-owned companiesspecializes in rental of construction and industrial equipment. SitePro serves a broad variety of customers, including commercial contractors, facility managers, and other construction and industrial professionals in Texas, Louisiana, Georgia, Tennessee, and surrounding areas. Founded in 2021, SitePro is No. 64 on the RER 100. For more information, please visit www.SiteProRentals.com. Attachments PITTSBURGH, March 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Coherent Corp. (NYSE: COHR), a leader in materials, networking, and lasers, announced today that it will be demonstrating its 800 Gbps coherent transceiver module in QSFP-DD form factor at OFC 2024 in San Diego, March 26-28. The module will be demonstrated in 800G ZR mode transmitting over 9000 ps/nm of dispersion, equivalent to approximately 450 km of fiber. Following the success of 400G ZR/ZR+ digital coherent optics (DCO), customers are looking for an 800G version of DCO to upgrade their transmission speed to the next level. Hyperscale data centers are driving the demand of 400G/800G DCO for data center interconnect (DCI) applications, while service providers are starting to adapt the concept of IP-over-DWDM using DCO modules for metro and regional networks. QSFP-DD and OSFP are the most popular and compact form factors used in DCI applications. This new 800G transceiver uses Coherents 140 Gbaud IC-TROSA optical subassembly, which features a high-efficiency indium phosphide modulator and receiver combined with a proprietary embedded wavelength-tunable laser. The Coherent 800G QSFP-DD transceiver has several operating modes that enable it to deliver up to 1000 km of reach at 800 Gbps and up to 2000 km at 400 Gbps in well-designed networks. Building on the success of our 140 Gbaud IC-TROSA, demonstrated at ECOC 2023 in Glasgow, Scotland, Coherent is developing compact 800G coherent modules in both QSFP-DD and OSFP form factors, said Dr. Beck Mason, Executive Vice President, Telecommunications. These next-generation solutions not only enable higher capacity per port and lower network cost but can also significantly extend the transmission distance for 400G applications when compared to current-generation solutions. Coherent stands as a leader in the industry in bringing advanced coherent solutions to market in compact form factors. Alpha samples of the module are currently shipping to customers. Beta versions are planned for Q3 of 2024. About Coherent Coherent empowers market innovators to define the future through breakthrough technologies, from materials to systems. We deliver innovations that resonate with our customers in diversified applications for the industrial, communications, electronics, and instrumentation markets. Headquartered in Saxonburg, Pennsylvania, Coherent has research and development, manufacturing, sales, service, and distribution facilities worldwide. For more information, please visit us at coherent.com . Contact Amy Wilson Manager, Corporate Communications corporate.communications@coherent.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b52e6be3-a582-441f-9a19-ff905241d102 GENEVA, March 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Etrion Corporation (Etrion or the Company, and, together with its subsidiaries, the Group) released today its annual consolidated financial statements and related managements discussion and analysis (MD&A) for the year ended December 31, 2023. 2023 HIGHLIGHTS Etrion closed 2023 with an unrestricted cash balance of US$9.9 million and a positive working capital of US$7.6 million. Management Comments Marco A. Northland, the Companys Chief Executive Officer, commented, The Company going forward will maintain very limited resources and proceed with a windup of the Company as previously disclosed. FINANCIAL SUMMARY Three months ended Twelve months ended US$ thousands (unless otherwise stated) Q4-23 Q4-22 Q4-23 Q4-22 Financial performance from continuing operations EBITDA (3,323) (974) (2,665) (2,847) Net income/(loss) 7,064 430 (5,267) (8,522) Financial position Dec 2023 Dec 2022 Unrestricted cash 9,924 14,198 Working capital 7,576 13,540 Total assets 10,217 14,536 About Etrion Etrions largest shareholder is the Lundin family, which owns approximately 36% of the Companys shares directly and through various trusts. For additional information, please visit the Companys website at www.etrion.com or contact: Marco Northland Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer ceo-cfo@etrion.com The information was submitted for publication at 11:05 p.m. CET on March 21, 2024. Non-IFRS Measures: This press release includes non-IFRS measures not defined under IFRS, specifically earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) and Adjusted operating cash flow. Non-IFRS measures have no standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS and therefore such measures may not be comparable with those used by other companies. EBITDA is a useful metric to quantify the Companys ability to generate cash before extraordinary and non-cash accounting transactions recognized in the financial statements. In addition, EBITDA is useful to analyze and compare profitability between companies and industries because it eliminates the effects of financing and accounting policy decisions. The most comparable IFRS measure to EBITDA is net income (loss). Refer to Etrions MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2023, for a reconciliation of EBITDA and adjusted operating cash flow reported during the period. Forward-Looking Information: This press release contains certain forward-looking information. 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 relating to amount of funds that will be required to satisfy potential warranty claims under the sale agreements, other corporate level liabilities and anticipated expenses to cover continuing operations and windup costs, the possibility of acquiring or commencing an alternative business and the possibility that the Company may proceed to wind up its activities and dissolve following the completion of the sale of its solar assets) constitute forward-looking information. This forward-looking information reflects the current expectations or beliefs of the Company based on information currently available to the Company as well as certain assumptions including, without limitation, assumptions as to the amount of funds that will be required to satisfy future obligations and costs associated with the dissolution of the Company. Forward-looking information is subject to a number of significant risks and uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking information, 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, but are not limited to, the risk that the Company may have insufficient funds to satisfy its future obligations, including without limitation warranty claims under the agreements pursuant to which its projects were sold; the risk that the Company may not be successful in identifying and pursuing an alternative business; and uncertainties with respect to the timing of the any alternative business venture or the windup and the dissolution of the Company. Any forward-looking information 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 information, 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 information are reasonable, forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such information due to the inherent uncertainty therein. Vancouver, March 20, 2024 - Onyx Gold Corp. (TSXV: ONYX) (OTCQX: ONXGF) ("Onyx" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that, further to the Company's news release dated February 26, 2024, the Company has closed the first tranche (the "First Tranche") of its non-brokered private placement of securities for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $1,500,000 (the "Offering"). The First Tranche was comprised of all of the premium flow-through shares (the "Premium FT Shares") to be sold in the Offering. The second tranche of traditional flow through shares (the "FT Shares") will close shortly. Under the First Tranche, the Company issued 3,777,829 Premium FT Shares at a price of $0.27 per Premium FT Share for aggregate gross proceeds of $1,020,014. No finder's fees were paid by the Company in connection with the First Tranche. The securities offered in the First Tranche are subject to a four month and a day transfer restriction from the date of issuance expiring on July 21, 2024, in addition to such other restrictions as may apply under applicable securities laws of jurisdictions outside Canada. The Offering is comprised of a combination of FT Shares sold at a price of $0.215 per FT Share and Premium FT Shares sold at a price of $0.27 per Premium FT Share. Each FT Share and Premium FT Share will qualify as a "flow-through share" within the meaning of subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the "Tax Act"). The gross proceeds raised from the Offering will be used for exploration activities in Ontario that will qualify as "Canadian Exploration Expenses" and "flow through mining expenditures" (as such terms are defined in the Tax Act), which will be incurred on or before December 31, 2025 and renounced with an effective date no later than December 31, 2024 to the initial purchasers of FT Shares and Premium FT Shares. The Company may pay finders' fees comprised of cash and securities in connection with the Offering, subject to compliance with the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV"). The Offering remains subject to receipt of TSXV approval and all other necessary regulatory approvals. Multilateral Instrument 61-101 A director of the Company (the "Interested Party") purchased or acquired direction and control over a total of 50,000 Premium FT Shares in the First Tranche, accounting for 1.32% of the proceeds raised in the First Tranche. The placement to the Interested Party constitutes a "related party transaction" within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the directors of the Company have determined that the Interested Party's participation in the First Tranche will be exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 in reliance on the exemptions set forth in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101. The Company did not file a material change report 21 days prior to the closing of the First Tranche as the details of the participation of Interested Party had not been confirmed at that time. About Onyx Gold Onyx Gold is an exploration company focused on well-established Canadian mining jurisdictions, with assets in Timmins, Ontario, and Yukon Territory. The Company's extensive portfolio of quality gold projects in the greater Timmins gold camp includes the Munro-Croesus Gold property, renowned for its high-grade mineralization, plus two additional earlier-stage large exploration properties, Golden Mile and Timmins South. Onyx Gold also controls four properties in the Selwyn Basin area of Yukon Territory, which is currently gaining significance due to recent discoveries in the area. Onyx Gold's experienced board and senior management team are committed to creating shareholder value through the discovery process, careful allocation of capital, and environmentally/socially responsible mineral exploration. About the Timmins Area Gold Properties Onyx owns 100% of its three Timmins properties, totaling 420 km2 in size. The Munro-Croesus Gold Project is located approximately 75 kilometers (47 miles) east of Timmins, proximal to the Porcupine-Destor and Pipestone Faults, and approximately two kilometers (1.2 miles) northwest and along trend of Mayfair Gold Corp.'s multi-million ounce Fenn-Gib gold deposit. Mining occurred intermittently at Munro-Croesus between 1915 and 1936. The Golden Mile 140 square kilometer (54 square miles) property is located nine kilometers (5.6 miles) northeast of Newmont's multi-million-ounce Hoyle Pond deposit in Timmins. The Timmins South (Golden Perimeter) 187 square kilometers (72 square miles) property is located to the south and southeast of Timmins and surrounds the Shaw dome structure. On Behalf of Onyx Gold Corp. "Brock Colterjohn" President & CEO For further information, please visit the Onyx Gold Corp. website at www.onyxgold.com or contact: Brock Colterjohn, President & CEO or Nicole Hoeller, VP of Corporate Communications Phone: 1-604-629-1165 or North American toll-free 1-855-629-1165 Email: nicole@onyxgold.com or information@onyxgold.com. Website: www.onyxgold.com Twitter : @OnyxGoldCorp 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 and 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" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would" or "occur". This information and these statements, referred to herein as "forwardlooking statements", are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release and include without limitation, statements regarding discussions of future plans, estimates and forecasts and statements as to management's expectations and intentions with respect to, among other things, completion of the Offering, the use of proceeds from the Offering and the payment of finders' fees under the Offering. These forwardlooking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the Company not receiving the necessary regulatory approvals in respect of the Offering; recent market volatility; and the state of the financial markets for the Company's securities. In making the forward looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, that the Company will receive the necessary regulatory approvals in respect of the Offering. 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/202529 TORONTO, March 20, 2024 - Americas Gold and Silver Corp. (TSX: USA, NYSE American: USAS) (the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into an amending agreement with Eight Capital, as agent, to upsize the previously announced private placement. In connection with the upsized offering, the Company will issue up to 25,000,000 units of the Company (the "Units") at a price of C$0.30 per Unit (the "Offering") for aggregate gross proceeds of up to C$7,500,000. In addition, the Company and Eight Capital have agreed that Eight Capital shall be granted an option to sell an additional 1,000,000 Units for additional gross proceeds of up to C$300,000. Each Unit will be comprised of one common share of the Company (each, a "Common Share") and one common share purchase warrant of the Company (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one common share of the Company (each, a "Warrant Share") at an exercise price of C$0.40 per Warrant Share for a period of 36 months following the closing of the Offering. The net proceeds of the Offering will be used for working capital requirements at the Company's Cosala Operations and Galena Complex, in order to transition to additional silver-copper ore production at the Company's operations in the U.S. and Mexico, and for general and administrative purposes. The Offering is expected to close on or about March 27, 2024, or such other date as the Company and Eight Capital may agree and is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory and other approvals including the conditional listing approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange and the NYSE American Market. Subject to compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and in accordance with National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions ("NI 45-106"): (i) up to 21,667,000 Units under the Offering (the "LIFE Units") will be offered for sale to purchasers resident in Canada and/or other qualifying jurisdictions pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption under Part 5A of NI 45-106 (the "Listed Issuer Financing Exemption") for gross proceeds of up to C$6,500,100; and (ii) any additional Units under the Offering (the "Non-LIFE Units") will be offered for sale to purchasers resident in Canada and/or other qualifying jurisdictions pursuant to other exemptions under NI 45-106 and in accordance with other applicable securities laws. The LIFE Units (including the Common Shares, Warrants, and any Warrant Shares underlying such LIFE Units) issued to Canadian resident subscribers in the Offering will not be subject to a hold period pursuant to applicable Canadian securities laws. The Non-LIFE Units (including the Common Shares, Warrants, and any Warrant Shares underlying such Non-LIFE Units) will be subject to a hold period pursuant to applicable Canadian securities laws expiring four months and one day from the date of issuance of such Non-LIFE Units. There is an offering document related to the LIFE Units issuable under the Offering that can be accessed under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at www.americas-gold.com. Prospective investors should read this offering document before making an investment decision in any LIFE Units. About Americas Gold and Silver Corporation Americas Gold and Silver Corp. is a high-growth precious metals mining company with multiple assets in North America. The Company owns and operates the Cosala Operations in Sinaloa, Mexico, manages the 60%-owned Galena Complex in Idaho, USA, and is re-evaluating the Relief Canyon mine in Nevada, USA. The Company also owns the San Felipe development project in Sonora, Mexico. For further information, please see SEDAR+ or www.americas-gold.com. For more information Stefan Axell VP, Corporate Development & Communication Americas Gold and Silver Corporations 416-874-1708 Darren Blasutti President and CEO Americas Gold and Silver Corp. 416?848?9503 Cautionary and Forward-Looking Statements This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of any of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful, including any of the securities in the United States of America. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for account or benefit of, U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S under the 1933 Act) unless registered under the 1933 Act and applicable state securities laws, or an exemption from such registration requirements is available. This news release includes certain forward-looking statements concerning the potential additional increase in the size of the Offering, use of proceeds of the Offering, the closing date of the Offering, the reliance on the Lister Issuer Financing Exemption, acceptance of the TSX or NYSE American Market, the future performance of our business, its operations and its financial performance and condition, as well as management's objectives, strategies, beliefs and intentions. Forward-looking statements are frequently identified by such words as "may", "will", "plan", "expect", "anticipate", "estimate", "intend" and similar words referring to future events and results. Forward-looking statements are based on the current opinions and expectations of management. All forward-looking information is inherently uncertain and subject to a variety of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, including the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development, fluctuating commodity prices, competitive risks and the availability of financing, as described in more detail in our recent securities filings available at www.sedarplus.ca. Actual events or results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements and we caution against placing undue reliance thereon. We assume no obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements except as required by applicable law. Prosecutors allege that as the assistant director of finance and technology for the workers compensation division of the San Francisco's Human Resources Department, Stanley Ellicott stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from a fund he oversaw. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle A former San Francisco city employee on Thursday was charged for the second time this year with embezzling public money after prosecutors said he stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from a workers compensation fund he oversaw. Stanley Ellicott, 38, was the assistant director of finance and technology for the workers compensation division of the citys Human Resources Department when the district attorneys office alleges that he stole $627,000 from the fund over a period of four years, until January 2024. Ellicott was charged with 62 felony charges including grand theft, misappropriation of public money, insurance fraud and 50 counts of money laundering, according to the criminal complaint. The charges come with an aggravated white-collar crime enhancement, prosecutors said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In January, Ellicott was charged with eight felonies in a separate case for his alleged role in a scheme to misappropriate grant funds awarded through the citys Community Challenge Grant Program. Those charges included one count of misappropriation of public money, six counts of aiding and abetting a financial conflict of interest in a government contract, and one count of receiving stolen property. The charges announced today reflect my Offices continuing commitment to uncover official misconduct in San Franciscos City government, District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said in a statement Thursday. My Office would like to thank the Department of Human Resources for its swift and thorough cooperation in uncovering the depths of their trusted managers great betrayal. Ellicott is accused of registering a fake business in Illinois that he listed as a vendor in the workers compensation system. Over time, prosecutors allege that he used the fake business to bill the city for auditing services on more than 600 city workers compensation claims, work that was never carried out. According to the criminal complaint, city payments to the fake business were deposited into a bank account and then transferred to Ellicotts personal checking accounts in a pattern prosecutors allege was designed to look like payroll payments. The complaint also alleges that Ellicott directed city employees under his direction to process payments to the fake business that he had approved, thus enlisting their unknowing and unwitting assistance in his fraud. The charges against Ellicott are the latest in a four-year probe by federal and local authorities into corruption in San Francisco city government. The corruption investigation has led to convictions against former Public Works chief Mohammed Nuru, former Public Utilities Commission General Manager Harlan Kelly, and a slew of other local businessmen, developers and city bureaucrats. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Kelly was sentenced to four years in prison last week. Ellicott was not immediately available for comment. Records show he was booked into the San Francisco County Jail on Thursday morning. I am disgusted and angered by the actions taken by Mr. Ellicott, San Francisco Human Resources Director Carol Isen said in a statement Thursday, announcing that the department had put in place new protocols to prevent fraud and abuse in its workers compensation claims system. New PEA Demonstrates the Potential for a 16-Year Mine Producing Both a Conventional 26% Copper Concentrate and a 13% Nickel Concentrate, March 21, 2024 - Sama Resources Inc. ("Sama" or the "Company") (TSX-V: SME, OTC: SAMMF) is pleased to announce the results of the new Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") for the Samapleu-Grata Nickel-Copper project located in Cote d'Ivoire, West Africa. The PEA is a preliminary technical study that examines the potential for a conventional open-pit mining operation producing both a conventional copper and nickel concentrate, together with cobalt, platinum, palladium and gold as by-products. As well the Sipilou Sud laterite deposit would produce direct shipping material. Dr. Marc-Antoine Audet, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sama Resources commented: "Today's preliminary economic assessment reflects our new approach to the Project. It showcases the value of the Samapleu-Grata Nickel-Copper project and improves upon our 2020 PEA. While we present a lower NPV and IRR than we did in 2020, that is principally a function of the lower nickel price used in this PEA. In today's PEA we have effectively doubled the mill feed and changed the flow sheet to produce conventional nickel and copper concentrates, and in doing so have increased overall nickel concentrate production by 19% and importantly increased life-of-mine copper concentrate production by more than 100% over its projected sixteen-year mine life. The project now has the potential to produce approximately 38,000 tonnes per year of copper concentrate on average over the life of mine resulting in 10,000 tonnes per year of payable copper on average." Mr. Taylor Melvin, President and CEO of Ivanhoe Electric continued: "We are pleased to have completed our earn-in to 60% of the Samapleu-Grata Nickel-Copper Project in the Ivory Coast. We are particularly encouraged to see the polymetallic nature of the project and the inclusion of all key payable metals - nickel, copper, gold, cobalt, platinum, and palladium - and the significant improvement in both the quality and quantity of potential future copper concentrate production. The quality results of the preliminary economic assessment are the product of the hard work put into the project by our team and our partners at Sama. We look forward to the next steps for this project." Dr. Audet concluded: "What is exciting about the PEA is that we believe it to just be the beginning. The Samapleu-Grata Nickel-Copper project presents the rare opportunity for significant expansion over its 835 km2 area. We have already identified surface nickel-copper mineralization at prospects such as Yepleu, located 25 kilometers south-west of Samapleu-Grata, and we have more than ten other targets of interest. Yepleu and these other prospects highlight the significant untapped mineral potential of the entire project area." Highlights of the 2024 Preliminary Economic Assessment The 2024 PEA outlines the potential for a conventional open pit mining operation supporting 86.5 million tonnes of modelled mill feed together with 1.62 million tonnes of direct shipped laterite material entirely from the Grata, Main and Extension deposits and the Sipilou Sud Laterite deposit. Average annual production of approximately 38,627 tonnes (") of 26% copper concentrate and 55,119 t of 13% nickel concentrate Average annual nickel metal in concentrate of approximately 7,165 tonnes per year and copper metal in concentrate of approximately 10,043 tonnes per year 16 year-life of mine Pre-tax Net Present Value (NPV") at 8% discount rate of US$463M and internal rate of return ("IRR") of 28.2% Post-tax NPV of US$257M and post-tax IRR of 22.3% Initial capital costs of US$338M including a contingency of US$61M All-in sustaining cash costs1 per pound Ni and Cu of US$4.05 / lb before by-product credits and US$3.00 / lb after by-product credits of US$1.05 / lb Post-tax payback period of 3.8 years The 2024 PEA is preliminary in nature and includes inferred mineral resources, considered too speculative in nature to be categorized as mineral reserves. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves have not demonstrated economic viability. Additional trenching and/or drilling will be required to convert inferred mineral resources to indicated or measured mineral resources. There is no certainty that the results of the 2024 PEA will be realized. The 2024 PEA Demonstrates the Potential for a Long-Life Nickel-Copper Mine in Cote d'Ivoire The Samapleu-Grata Nickel Copper Project is located in western Cote d'Ivoire approximately 600 km from the capital Abidjan via paved four-lane highway to Yamoussoukro, followed by paved roads to Daloa and Duekoue to the west and north to Man and Biankouma. The remaining 35 km is accessed by a dirt road towards the west-northwest. The total area of the Project is approximately 835 km2. Figure 1: Samapleu-Grata Nickel-Copper Project Location in Cote d'Ivoire Click Image To View Full Size The Project consists of five exploration permits - PR838 (Samapleu-Est), PR839 (Samapleu-Ouest), PR300 (Zeregouine), PR604 (Grata) and PR837 (Zoupleu). Figure 2 below shows the combined exploration permit areas. Figure 2: Samapleu-Grata Nickel-Copper Project Highlighting Areas Included in the 2024 PEA and Known Prospective Sectors for Further Exploration Click Image To View Full Size The 2024 PEA envisages a conventional open pit mining operation with off-highway haul trucks, hydraulic excavators, and wheel loaders. The mineral resources, contained in three pits, are intended to be mined by surface operations. The mineral processing plant is designed to process 5.475 Mtpa of run-of-mine mineralized material to annually produce 38,627 tonnes of a 26% copper concentrate and 55,119 tonnes of a 13% nickel concentrate. Both concentrates will be saleable products. No longer is it envisioned that the Project would produce either a carbonyl nickel powder or carbonyl iron powder as set out in the 2020 PEA. This eliminates the need for a refining plant with the impact most noticeable in the reduction in sustaining capital in the 2024 PEA to US$112M (including contingency) from US$194M in 2020. The surface infrastructure and processing plant would be located near the Grata Deposit open-pit mining operation. Figure 3: Proposed Layout of Project Infrastructure Click Image To View Full Size The mineral processing plant would consist of a crushing, grinding, rougher flotation, and cleaner flotation circuit. The back end of the concentrator includes tailings and concentrate thickening, concentrate filtration, and material handling. The nickel and copper concentrates would be recovered as separate cleaned concentrates through a conventional flotation process. The tailings from the concentrator would be thickened and pumped to the Tailings Storage Facility ("TSF"). Reclaiming water from the TSF has been considered in the process design to minimize freshwater make-up to the concentrator. Figure 4 shows the simplified version of the flow-sheet proposed for the Samapleu-Grata Nickel-Copper Project. Figure 4: Simplified Flowsheet Click Image To View Full Size The TSF is designed to provide storage for the total estimated volume of tailings over the 16 year life-of-mine. The TSF would be located approximately 500 meters southwest of the plant site, adjacent to a local village and cemetery, shown on Figure 3 and constructed from saprolite and inert waste rock from open pit development. One embankment will be constructed to establish a valley type impoundment. The freshwater diversion dam will also be constructed to divert freshwater from the upstream TSF catchment area directly to the environment. The TSF location was selected based on the results of a scoping level options comparison for the Project. Table 1 sets out the anticipated operating results for the potential future mining operations at the Samapleu-Grata Nickel-Copper Project. Table 1: 2024 PEA Estimated Operating Results 2024 PEA Operating Results Life of Mine (LOM) 16.1 years Processing Rate (annual) 5,475,000 tpa Processing Rate (daily) 15,000 tpd Ni Concentrate 887,414t Cu Concentrate 621,888t Direct Ship Laterite 1,620,000 wmt LOM Ni Recovery 53.0% LOM Cu Recovery 85.5% LOM Co Recovery 44.8% LOM Pt Recovery 54.0% LOM Pd Recovery 50.3% LOM Au Recovery 51.0% Pre-production Mined Tonnage 5.7 Mt Total Mined Tonnage (including pre-production) from Open Pit Mining 244.3 Mt Total Milled Tonnage from Open Pit Mining 86.5 Mt Overall Mined Strip Ratio 1.8 t:t Average Annual Ni Concentrate Production 55,119 tpa Ni Concentrate Grade 13% Average Annual Ni Metal Production 7,165 tpa Average Annual Cu Concentrate Production 36,627 tpa Cu Concentrate Grade 26% Average Annual Cu Metal Production 10,043 tpa Average LOM Mill Feed Grade 0.25% Ni 0.24% Cu 0.02% Co 0.10 g/t Pt 0.31 g/t Pd 0.04 g/t Au Conventional Nickel and Copper Flotation underpin the Metallurgical Processes in the 2024 PEA Over the life of mine, the Samapleu-Grata project will produce an annual average of 36,627 tonnes of a 26% copper concentrate and 55,119 tonnes of a 13% nickel concentrate through a process plant with a capacity of 5.475 Mtpa. No longer is it envisioned that the Project would produce either a carbonyl nickel powder or carbonyl iron powder as set out in the 2020 PEA. The metallurgical testwork set out in the 2020 PEA demonstrated poor copper and nickel separation and uncertainties over the copper recovery. The 2020 PEA also assumed no revenue for precious metals nor cobalt for all of these elements would have been lost to the carbonylation residue. As a result, the 2020 PEA set out the potential for production of carbonyl nickel powder and carbonyl iron powder. The carbonyl process is relatively complex and novel, and so it was considered that constructing and operating the required refinery in a remote mine site would raise additional technical risks. Accordingly, when work commenced for the 2024 PEA the focus turned to examining the potential to use more conventional processes that would preserve or enhance copper and nickel recoveries and allow revenue to be earned from the cobalt and precious metals. This conventional process is reasonably straightforward, carries a lower technical risk and focuses entirely on flotation, for the production of separate copper and nickel concentrates which can be sold directly to third parties without further on-site processing. A 46-test flotation development program was undertaken on the Main and Grata Deposits which included multiple locked cycle tests. Those tests confirmed a robust flowsheet that yielded a 26% copper concentrate at up to 91% copper recovery for the Grata Deposit and 83% copper recovery for the Main Deposit along with a 13% nickel concentrate at 67% nickel recovery for the Main Deposit and 72% for the Grata Deposit. Additionally, approximately 50% to 60% of the cobalt floated in the nickel concentrate, while combined recoveries of platinum and palladium in both concentrates typically ranged from 60% to 70% with lower gold recoveries. The locked cycle nickel concentrates typically assayed between 2% and 5% magnesium oxide and fell within specification for sale to nickel smelters. Both concentrates are expected to be clean with very low levels of penalty elements such as antimony or arsenic. Attractive Economics are Demonstrated in the 2024 PEA The 2024 PEA outlines a potential mining operation producing 887 kt of nickel concentrate and 621 kt of copper concentrate over a 16-year mine life. The LOM all-in sustaining cash costs per pound Ni and Cu are US$4.05 / lb Ni before by-product credits, and US$3.00 / lb Cu after by-product credits of US$1.05 / lb Cu. This produces a pre-tax NPV8 of US$463M and IRR of 28.2% with a post-tax NPV8 of US$257M and post-tax IRR of 22.3%. This is based on the long term metal prices in Table 2 below. Table 2: 2024 PEA Long-Term Metal Prices Metal US$/lb or /oz Ni US$8.83 / lb Cu US$3.99 / lb Co US$22.62 / lb Pt US$1,146 / oz Pd US$1,218 / oz Au US$1,700 / oz Figure 5 shows the LOM project cumulative cash flow over its 16-year mine life. The post-tax payback period is 3.8 years based on initial capital costs of US$338M including a contingency of US$61M. Figure 5: LOM Cash Flows Click Image To View Full Size The components of the initial capital cost of US$338M are shown in Table 3 below. While this initial capital cost is US$50M higher than the US$288M presented in the 2020 PEA, that 17% increase in initial capital is accompanied by a 19% increase in life-of-mine Ni concentrate production to 887 kt of 13% Ni concentrate from 745 kt of 10.3% Ni concentrate in 2020. Also, Cu concentrate production increases 127% from 273kt of 23% Cu concentrate in 2020 to 621kt of 26% Cu concentrate in the 2024 PEA. Table 3. 2024 PEA Initial Capital Cost Summary 2024 PEA Capital Cost Summary US$ (millions) Initial Capital, Direct Cost Estimate US$216.4M Owner's Costs US$10.8M Indirects US$19.1M EPCM US$30.9M Contingency US$60.7M Total Initial Capital Cost US$337.9M Sustaining capital is anticipated to be US$112M made up largely mining costs (US$55.6M), tailings management (US$14.4M), reclamation and closure costs (US$22.7M), and a US$19.2M contingency. The Project also demonstrates the potential for compelling operating costs with an all-in sustaining cash cost2 per pound Ni and Cu of US$4.05 / lb before by-product credits and US$3.00 / lb after by-product credits of US$1.05 / lb. The main components of operating cost are set out in Table 4. Table 4. 2024 PEA Operating Costs Summary LOM Operating Costs US$ / lb Ni & Cu Open Pit Mining US$1.18 Processing US$1.68 Tailings US$0.11 General & Administrative US$0.21 Royalties US$0.17 Refining, Treatment, and Freight Costs US$0.48 Sustaining and Closure US$0.21 AISC per lb Ni & Cu payable US$4.05 AISC per lb Ni & Cu payable (net of by-product credits) US$3.00 The 2024 PEA is preliminary in nature and includes inferred mineral resources, considered too speculative in nature to be categorized as mineral reserves. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves have not demonstrated economic viability. Additional trenching and/or drilling will be required to convert inferred mineral resources to indicated or measured mineral resources. There is no certainty that the results of the 2024 PEA will be realized. The Samapleu-Grata Nickel Project is Expected to be Most Sensitive to metal pricing and operating costs. Figure 6 shows the project sensitivity to metal prices, operating cost and sustaining capital. A variation of +-10 % in metals prices modifies the NPV by +-17% while a +-10% variation in operating costs varies the NPV by +- 7%. It is also shown that a variation of +-10% in sustaining capital costs will have an impact of +- 19% on the NPV. Figure 6: Project sensitivity to metal pricing, operating costs and sustaining capitals. Click Image To View Full Size Ample Expansion Opportunities Remain to Identify Additional Mineralization within the Project's 835 km2 Footprint The Samapleu-Grata Nickel-Copper Project is hosted within the Yacouba complex, which is an ancient igneous complex that has intruded older gneisses of the West African Craton. Mineralization in the Yacouba complex consists predominantly of magmatic sulfide mineralization hosted in pipe-like mafic-ultramafic intrusive conduits and is comprised of pyrrhotite, pentlandite and chalcopyrite, with subordinate amounts of pyrite, platinum group minerals (PGMs) and chromite. The style of mineralization observed within the Yacouba Complex is analogous to some of the world's largest Ni-Cu deposits, such as Jinchuan, Voisey's Bay, Kabanga, Eagle, Eagle's Nest, and Nkomati. It is from this setting that the Yacouba complex has yielded the Grata, Main and Extension Deposits that form the 2024 PEA. Exploration outside of these deposits by Sama has yielded numerous targets and areas of interest, including the Yepleu, Bounta and Draba targets. Figure 7 shows a conceptual diagram illustrating the interpreted geometry of the Yacouba complex along with the structural controls of mineralization seen in the different deposits and exploration areas of interest. Figure 7. Conceptual Diagram illustrating the Yacouba mafic-ultramafic intrusive complex and associated magmatic Nickel-Copper-Cobalt-Platinum-Palladium mineralization. Click Image To View Full Size Sama geologists recognized the prospectivity of the area in the early 2010s and commenced surface mapping and sampling in areas of limited exposure along more than 30 kilometers of strike length. These efforts resulted in the identification of the Yacouba Complex and the magmatic sulfide mineralization at the Yepleu target as well as the Main and Extension Deposits. Magmatic sulfide mineralization at the Samapleu Project can be highly conductive where 'semi-massive' to 'massive' accumulations and continuous veins are formed. Recognizing this, Sama flew an airborne electromagnetic survey in 2013 over portions of the Project area, which was further extended in 2018. Both airborne EM surveys confirmed the presence of highly conductive features coincident with the known nickel-copper-cobalt-platinum-palladium-bearing magmatic sulfide mineralization at the Yepleu target, and at the Main and Extension Deposits. The EM surveys also identified multiple high conductivity anomalies in areas with limited to no surface outcrop that represented high priority exploration targets. In December 2021, Sama announced positive results from the maiden drill program testing of the Grata blind geophysical anomaly, reporting 6.40m grading 1.05% nickel, 1.24% copper and 0.48 g/t palladium within a wider mineralized zone of 141m grading 0.38% nickel, 0.37% copper and 0.25 g/t palladium. The Grata Deposit has since grown to a key deposit underpinning the 2024 PEA. Similarly, the Yepleu Target was also drill tested starting in 2018 and has demonstrated similar encouraging results in both shallow and deep drilling. In October 2023, Sama commenced a 3,800m drill program at the Yepleu Target which confirmed an area of near surface mineralization that is open in all directions, and which covers approximately 500m x 500m. The drilling program returned promising intercepts including: Drill hole S-341 intersecting a 21m thick mineralized magmatic pyroxenite including 2.75 m of massive sulphide at 1.02% Ni and 0.56% Cu from 13m below surface; Drill hole S-342 intersecting a 38m thick mineralised magmatic pyroxenite with 4.35m of massive sulphide grading 1.58% Ni and 0.65% Cu from 17 m below surface; and Drill hole S-349 intersecting 53m of combined mineralization layers grading 0.29% Ni including 2.60m at 1.31% Ni and 0.95% Cu. Recently, Sama has started drill testing a geophysical target in the north-east corner of the property, an area called Draba. Exploration to date has demonstrated a strong correlation between the conductive anomalies identified in airborne and ground-based electromagnetic surveys, which are highlighted in Figure 2, and the demonstrated mineralization defined within the 2024 PEA. The presence of multiple similarly conductive untested anomalies reflects the considerable exploration potential that remains within the 835 km2 project area. Less than half of the conductive targets in Figure 2 have been accessed for mapping, let alone sampling or drill testing. The Samapleu-Grata Nickel-Copper Project Compares Favourably to other Pre-Production Nickel Projects The Samapleu-Grata Nickel-Copper Project is a potentially commercially profitable operating open-pit operation consisting of magmatic polymetallic sulfide mineralization with appreciable by-product metals, including copper, gold, cobalt, platinum, and palladium. The Project has a comparatively small capital cost and favorable internal rate of return while producing competitive nickel and copper concentrates. There is a scarcity of advance-staged, true, magmatic-sulfide nickel assets in the market, especially open-pit project. Figure 8 compares the Project's total capital and pre-tax IRR against pre-production nickel assets, including primary magmatic sulfide deposits like Samapleu and Tamarack, as well as the bulk-tonnage low-sulfur, ultramafic-hosted deposits like Dumont and Crawford. The Samapleu-Grata Nickel-Copper Project has one of the lowest total capital costs while producing a pre-tax IRR that is second only to the Tamarack deposit in the United States providing the opportunity to construct a relatively small, but comparably profitable polymetallic mining operation. Figure 8. Total Capital and Pre-Tax IRR for Selected Pre-Production Nickel Deposits Click Image To View Full Size Source: S&P Capital IQ database; company reports and presentations. Figure 9 compares total capital against pre-tax NPV. The Project has a near 1:1 NPV/Initial Capital ratio resulting from its lower initial capital cost. Figure 9. Initial Capital and Pre-Tax NPV for Selected Pre-Production Nickel Deposits Click Image To View Full Size Source: S&P Capital IQ database; company reports and presentations. Finally, the polymetallic nature of the Samapleu-Grata Nickel Copper Project means that it has the potential to produce not only a nickel concentrate, but a high quality 26% copper concentrate that is on par with the copper concentrate produced from primary copper mines. Figure 10 compares the copper concentrate grade of a number of pre-production primary copper assets with copper head grades < 0.3% and which would produce copper concentrate which shows that, even though production would initially be small, the Project's copper concentrate quality compares favourably to that which would be produced from primary copper mines. Figure 10. Copper Concentrate Production and Grade of Certain Pre-Production Copper Deposits Producing Copper Concentrate Click Image To View Full Size Source: S&P Capital IQ database; company reports and presentations. 2024 PEA Based on Updated February 2024 Mineral Resource Estimate including a Maiden Resource Estimate for the Sipilou Sud Laterite Deposit The 2024 PEA is based on an updated Mineral Resource Estimate (Table 6 and Table 7), which has an effective date of March 21, 2024 and incorporates drilling carried out at the Main, Extension and Grata deposits from 2010 until mid-2022. Table 6. Mineral Resource Estimate for the Main, Extension and Grata Deposits at the Samapleu-Grata Nickel-Copper Project (March 21, 2024). Classification NSR Cut-off Deposit Tonnes Ni (%) Cu (%) Pt (g/t) Pd (g/t) Au (g/t) Co (%) Indicated $16.34/t of mineralized material Main 15,248,000 0.26 0.22 0.10 0.31 0.04 0.02 Extension 514,000 0.25 0.16 0.10 0.45 0.02 0.02 Grata 3,645,000 0.28 0.29 0.11 0.32 0.04 0.02 Total 19,407,000 0.26 0.23 0.10 0.32 0.04 0.02 Inferred Main 21,342,000 0.25 0.21 0.07 0.28 0.04 0.02 Extension 10,885,000 0.28 0.22 0.10 0.48 0.02 0.02 Grata 67,272,000 0.24 0.25 0.10 0.26 0.04 0.01 Total 99,499,000 0.25 0.23 0.09 0.29 0.04 0.01 Mineral Resource Statement Notes: 1. CIM definition standards were followed for the resource estimate. 2. The 2024 resource models used ordinary kriging (OK) grade estimation within a three-dimensional block model with mineralized domains defined by wireframed solids. 3. Mineral resources are constrained within pit shells. 4. Open pit NSR cut-off of $16.34/t milled is based on the cost/tonne milled for incremental mining, processing, G&A and sustaining capital of a WMF. 5. The NSR used for reporting is based on the following: a.Long term metal prices of US$8.83/lb Ni, US$3.99/lb Cu, US$1,146/oz Pt, US$1,218/oz Pd, US$1,700/oz Au, US$22.62/lb Co b.Metallurgical recoveries are based on grade recovery curves for the various elements in a copper concentrate and nickel concentrate. c.Bulk density was determined by a regression formula based on iron (Fe) for each lithology with each deposit. d.Mining cost of US$4.08/t mined includes saprolite removal, incremental mining by bench and sustaining capital. 6.Saprolite material were assigned zero grade due to the lack of metallurgical test work. 7. Mineral Resources that are not mineral reserves do not have economic viability. Numbers may not add due to rounding. 8. The resource estimate was prepared by Todd McCracken, P.Geo, of BBA International Inc. in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. 9.Modeling was performed using Datamine Studio RM software, with grades estimated using ordinary kriging (OK) interpolation methodology. Samples were composited at 3.0 m down hole. Assessment of the raw samples indicated a variety of capping levels for each element by domain and deposit. Block grades were estimated on a multi pass basis with a minimum and maximum number of composites and maximum number of composites per drillhole required for each estimation pass. Block size is 10 m (x) by 10 m (y) by 10 m (z) with up to three sub-blocking divisions comprising a minimum block size of 1.25 m (x, y, and z). The change in the updated mineral resource model for the Main, Extension and Grata Deposits compared to the 2023 mineral resource model is due to locating missing downhole surveys which have now been included. This resulted in a 127%, 51% and 11% increase in the number of surveyed holes at the Grata, Extension and Main Deposits respectively which has allowed for a reclassification of the resource. That reclassification has resulted in an increase in indicated mineral resources to 19.4 Mt, a 29% increase over the 2023 Mineral Resource Statement. A maiden mineral resource estimate was also completed for the Sipilou Sud Laterite Deposit which is physically separate from the sulphide deposits. Table 7. Maiden Mineral Resource Estimate for the Sipilou Sud Laterite Deposit at the Samapleu-Grata Nickel-Copper Project (March 21, 2024). Classification Ni % Grade Cut-off Deposit Tonnes Ni (%) Co (%) Inferred 1.10 Sipilou South 2,095,000 1.75 0.05 Mineral Resource Statement Notes: 1. CIM definition standards were followed for the resource estimate. 2. The 2024 resource models used ordinary kriging (OK) grade estimation within a three-dimensional block model with mineralized domains defined by wireframed solids. 3. Mineral resources are constrained within pit shells. 4. Open pit Ni cut-off of 1.10% is based on the cost/tonne for direct shipping of the laterite. 5. The cut-off grade considered used for reporting is based on the following: Long term metal prices of US$8.83/lb Ni and US$22.62/lb Co. Bulk density was determined by evaluating 1,002 samples collected from diamond drillholes. Complete direct ship cost of US$38.40/wmt mined. Mining cost of US$4.08/t mined includes saprolite removal, incremental mining by bench and sustaining capital. 6. Saprolite material were assigned zero grade due to the lack of metallurgical test work. 7. Mineral Resources that are not mineral reserves do not have economic viability. Numbers may not add due to rounding. 8. The resource estimate was prepared by Todd McCracken, P.Geo, of BBA International Inc. in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. 9. Modeling was performed using Datamine Studio RM software, with grades estimated using ordinary kriging (OK) interpolation methodology. Samples were composited at 1.0 m down hole. Assessment of the raw samples indicated a variety of capping levels for each element by domain and deposit. Block grades were estimated on a multi pass basis with a minimum and maximum number of composites and maximum number of composites per drillhole required for each estimation pass. Block size is 40 m (x) by 40 m (y) by 2 m (z) with up to three sub-blocking divisions comprising a minimum block size of 10 x 10 x 0.5 meters (x, y, and z). NATIONAL INSTRUMENT 43-101 DISCLOSURES A technical report (the "Technical Report") with respect to the Samapleu-Grata Nickel-Copper Project prepared under National Instrument 43-101, including the 2024 PEA and updated Mineral Resource Statement, will be filed and available on SEDAR within 45 days from the date of this news release. For readers to fully understand the information in this news release, they should read the Technical Report in its entirety when it is filed on SEDAR, including all qualifications, assumptions, and exclusions that relate to the information to be set out in the Technical Report. The Technical Report is intended to be read as a whole, and sections should not be read or relied upon out of context. The following companies have undertaken work in preparing the 2024 PEA: BBA International Inc. Knight Piesold Ltd. The independent Qualified Persons responsible for preparing the 2024 PEA are: Todd McCracken, P. Geo. - BBA International Inc. Bahareh Asi, P. Eng. - BBA International Inc. Kevan Ford, M. Eng. - BBA International Inc. Jason Van Schie, P. Eng. - BBA International Inc. Chris Martin, C. Eng. - Independent Consultant Wilson Muir, P. Eng. - Knight Piesold Ltd. Each Qualified Person has reviewed and approved the information in this news release relevant to the portion of the 2024 PEA for which they are responsible. By virtue of education and relevant experience, the aforementioned are independent Qualified Persons for the purpose of NI 43-101. Any other scientific and technical information contained in this news release not related to the 2024 PEA has been reviewed, verified, and approved by Dr. Marc-Antoine Audet, P.Geo, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Sama, and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Audet is not independent of Sama. About Sama Resources Inc. Sama is a Canadian-based, growth-oriented resource company focused on exploring the Samapleu nickel-copper project in Cote d'Ivoire, West Africa. The Company is managed by experienced industry professionals with a strong track record of discovery. Sama is committed to advancing the Samapleu-Grata Nickel-Copper Project. Sama's projects are located approximately 600 km northwest of Abidjan in Cote d'Ivoire and are flanked to the west by the Ivorian and Guinean borders. Sama's projects are located adjacent to the large world-class nickel-cobalt laterite deposits of Sipilou and Foungouesso, forming a 125 km-long new Base Metal Camp in West Africa. Sama owns 40% interest in the Samapleu nickel-copper project in Cote d'Ivoire with its joint venture partner Ivanhoe Electric owning 60%. For more information, please visit www.samaresources.com. About Ivanhoe Electric Inc. Ivanhoe Electric is a U.S. company that combines advanced mineral exploration technologies with electric metals exploration projects predominantly located in the United States. Ivanhoe Electric uses its accurate and powerful TyphoonTM geophysical surveying system, together with advanced data analytics provided by its subsidiary, Computational Geosciences Inc., to accelerate and de-risk the mineral exploration process as we seek to discover new deposits of critical metals that may otherwise be undetectable by traditional exploration technologies. Ivanhoe Electric believes the United States is significantly underexplored and has the potential to yield major new discoveries of critical metals. Ivanhoe Electric's mineral exploration efforts focus on copper as well as other metals including nickel, vanadium, cobalt, platinum group elements, gold and silver. Through the advancement of its portfolio of electric metals exploration projects, headlined by the Santa Cruz Copper Project in Arizona and the Tintic Copper-Gold Project in Utah, as well as other exploration projects in the United States, it intends to support United States supply chain independence by finding and delivering the critical metals necessary for the electrification of the economy. Ivanhoe Electric also operate a 50/50 joint venture with Saudi Arabian Mining Company Ma'aden to explore for minerals on ~48,500 km2 of underexplored Arabian Shield in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Website: www.ivanhoeelectric.com. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Dr. Marc-Antoine Audet, P. Geo, President and CEO Tel: (514) 726-4158 Mr. Matt Johnston, Vice President Corporate Development Tel: (604) 443-3835 or (877) 792-6688, Ext. 5 Renmark Financial Communications Inc. Bettina Filippone: bfilippone@renmarkfinancial.com Tel: (416)-644-2020 or (212)-812-7680 www.renmarkfinancial.com Neither the 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 release. Forward-Looking Statements Certain of the statements made and information contained herein are "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information such as "will", could", "expect", "estimate", "evidence", "potential", "appears", "seems", "suggest", 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 or forward-looking information, including, without limitation, the ability of the company to convert resources in reserves, its ability to see through the next phase of development on the project, its ability to produce a pre-feasibility study or a feasibility study regarding the project, its ability to execute on its development plans in terms of metallurgy or exploration, the availability of financing for activities, risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of drill results and the estimation of mineral resources and reserves, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits, the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations, metal price fluctuations, environmental and regulatory requirements, availability of permits, escalating costs of remediation and mitigation, risk of title loss, the effects of accidents, equipment breakdowns, labour disputes or other unanticipated difficulties with or interruptions in exploration or development, the potential for delays in exploration or development activities, the inherent uncertainty of cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses, commodity price fluctuations, currency fluctuations, expectations and beliefs of management and other risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information are based on various assumptions. 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 information or forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. In addition, all of the results of the 2024 PEA constitute forward-looking statements or information and include future estimates of internal rates of return, net present value, future production, estimates of cash cost, proposed mining plans and methods, mine life estimates, cash flow forecasts, metal recoveries, and estimates of capital and operating costs. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The PEA completed for the Company is preliminary in nature and includes inferred mineral resources, considered too speculative in nature to be categorized as mineral reserves. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves have not demonstrated economic viability. Additional trenching and/or drilling will be required to convert inferred mineral resources to indicated or measured mineral resources. There is no certainty that the resources development, production, and economic forecasts on which this PEA is based will be realized. 1 AISC includes all operating costs, treatment and refining charges, sustaining capital and closure costs. 2 AISC includes all operating costs, treatment and refining charges, sustaining capital and closure costs. Copyright (c) 2024 TheNewswire - All rights reserved. /NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES OR FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES./ CSE: TEX | OTCQB: TRGEF | FRA: V6Y VANCOUVER, March 21, 2024 - Targa Exploration Corp. (CSE: TEX) (FRA: V6Y) (OTCQB: TRGEF) ("Targa" or the "Company") today announced a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to $1,375,000 (the "Offering"). The Offering will consist of the sale of hard dollar units of the Company (each, an "HD Unit") at a price of $0.10 per HD Unit and charity flow-through units of the Company (each, a "CFT Unit" and together with the HD Units, the "Units") at a price of $0.175 per CFT Unit. Each Unit will consist of one common share of the Company (each, a "Share") and one-half of a common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to acquire one additional Share (each, a "Warrant Share") at a price of $0.25 per Warrant Share until the date which is 24 months following the Closing Date (as defined below), subject to an acceleration clause. If the 10-day volume-weighted average trading price of the Shares as quoted on the Canadian Securities Exchange is equal to or greater than $0.35 at the close of any trading day, then the Company may, at its option, accelerate the expiry date of the Warrants by issuing a press release (a "Warrant Acceleration Press Release") announcing that the expiry date of the Warrants shall be deemed to be on the 30th day following the issuance of the Warrant Acceleration Press Release (the "Accelerated Expiry Date"). All Warrants that remain unexercised following the Accelerated Expiry Date shall immediately expire and all the rights of holders of such Warrants shall be terminated without any compensation to such holder. Each CFT Unit will be issued as a "flow-through share" as defined in subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act (Canada) and in section 359.1 of the Quebec Tax Act with respect to purchasers in Quebec. The net proceeds of the Offering will be used for exploration of the Company's Opinaca gold-lithium project and for working capital purposes. The gross proceeds from the issuance of the CFT Units will be used to incur eligible "Canadian exploration expenses" in Quebec that qualify as "flow-through mining expenditures" as such terms are defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada). The Company has agreed to renounce such qualifying expenditures with an effective date of no later than December 31, 2024, in an amount of not less than the total amount of the gross proceeds raised from the issuance of CFT Units, and incur such expenses by December 31, 2025. Closing of the Offering is anticipated to occur on or about March 28, 2024 (the "Closing Date") and is subject to customary closing conditions. 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 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 the Opinaca Project The Opinaca Project is located in the James Bay region of Quebec, approximately 40km south of Patriot Battery Metals' Corvette lithium discovery, 45km south of the all-season Trans-Taiga Road and 120km northwest of the Renard Diamond Mine. The Opinaca Project covers 85,267 contiguous hectares of the Opinaca geological sub-province, dominantly a metasedimentary region with neoarchean-aged igneous intrusions including of the Vieux Comptoir suite of granites. Till sampling in 2023 uncovered a 5km x 4 km gold/arsenic/tungsten anomaly in the center of the project as well as a higher-grade gold and lithium anomaly to the east. Qualified Person The disclosure of scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Adrian Lupascu M. Sc. P.Geo., Exploration Manager of Targa Exploration Corp., who is a "qualified person" within the meaning of National Instrument 43 -101- Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. About Targa Targa Exploration Corp. (CSE: TEX | FRA: V6Y | OTCQB: TRGEF) is a Canadian exploration company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, and development of lithium and gold mineral properties with headquarters in Vancouver, British Columbia. Targa's project portfolio consists of fifteen projects in the provinces of Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan and covers over 400,000 hectares of prospective ground, most of which has never been explored previously for lithium or gold. SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release includes certain "Forward?Looking Statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward?looking information" under applicable Canadian securities laws. When used in this news release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target", "plan", "forecast", "may", "would", "could", "schedule" and similar words or expressions, identify forward?looking statements or information. These forward?looking statements or information relate to, among other things: obtaining the required regulatory approvals; completion of the Offering; the anticipated Closing Date; the proposed use of proceeds of the Offering; the tax treatment of the CFT Units; the renouncement of applicable expenditures; and the exploration and development of the Company's properties. Forward?looking statements and forward?looking information relating to any future mineral production, liquidity, enhanced value and capital markets profile of Targa, future growth potential for Targa 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 lithium and other metals; costs of exploration and development; the estimated costs of development of exploration projects; Targa's ability to operate in a safe and effective manner and its ability to obtain financing on reasonable terms. These statements reflect Targa'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 Targa has made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: price volatility of lithium and other metals; risks associated with the conduct of the Company's mineral exploration activities in Canada; 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, including the inaccuracy of reserves and resources, metallurgical recoveries and capital and operating costs of such 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 public health crises; the economic and financial implications of public health crises to the Company; 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 Company's ability to successfully integrate acquired assets; the speculative nature of exploration and development, including the risks of diminishing quantities or grades of reserves; 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 under the caption "Risk Factors" in Targa's management discussion and analysis and other public disclosure documents. Readers are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward?looking statements or forward-looking information. Although Targa 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. Targa 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. 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. SOURCE Targa Exploration Corp. Dynacor Group Inc. (TSX-DNG) (Dynacor or the "Corporation"), an international gold ore industrial corporation servicing ASMs (artisanal and small-scale miners), today announced its 2024 earnings guidance, with total sales projected to increase between 6% and 14% compared to 2023 sales, reaching between US$265 million and US$285 million (C$359 million and C$387 million) (*). Net income is estimated to reach between US$12 million and $15 million (between US$0.33 and $0.41 per share) (C$0.45 and $0.56 per share), and cash flow from operating activities (before changes in working capital items) is expected to be between US$15 million and US$18 million (between US$0.41 and $0.49 per share) (C$0.56 and $0.67 per share). Sales and earnings forecasts are based on gold price estimates ranging between US$2,000 and $US2,050 per ounce and various other production assumptions, including ore grades. Our team is fully committed to creating value for our shareholders by executing well-planned, low-risk expansions, increasing monthly dividends, and implementing share buybacks that drive cash returns when capital management criteria are met. President and CEO Jean Martineau states, "Dynacor Group is committed to creating long-term value for our shareholders. Our team of talented professionals is dedicated to driving growth and implementing cost-efficient measures to support the continued expansion of our ASM gold ore-processing business. With this unwavering commitment to excellence, we remain optimistic about the future of our company and confident in the opportunities that lie ahead." Dynacor Group plans to invest up to US$13 million in capital expenditures in 2024. This investment will be used at our Veta Dorada plant for new equipment to improve efficiency, increase tailing pond capacity, and develop new projects in other jurisdictions. Dynacor will provide regular updates throughout the year to keep shareholders informed and engaged. The next guidance update will be provided during our quarterly earnings report in May 2024. (*) Numbers in US$ have been converted in C$ using the exchange rate at the beginning of March 2024 ABOUT DYNACOR Dynacor is a dividend-paying industrial gold ore processor headquartered in Montreal, Canada. The corporation is engaged in gold production through the processing of ore purchased from the ASM (artisanal and small-scale mining) industry. At present, Dynacor operates in Peru, where its management and processing teams have decades of experience working with ASM miners. It also owns a gold exploration property (Tumipampa) in the Apurimac department. The corporation intends to expand its processing operations in other jurisdictions as well. Dynacor produces environmental and socially responsible gold through its PX IMPACT gold program. A growing number of supportive firms from the fine luxury jewelry, watchmakers and investment sectors pay a small premium to our customer and strategic partner for this PX IMPACT gold. The premium provides direct investment to develop health and education projects for our artisanal and small-scale miner's communities. Dynacor is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (DNG). FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION Certain statements in the preceding may constitute forward-looking statements, which involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of Dynacor, or industry results, to be materially different from any future result, performance or achievement expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These statements reflect management's current expectations regarding future events and operating performance as of the date of this news release. Shares Outstanding: 36 523 356 Website: http://www.dynacor.com Twitter: http://twitter.com/DynacorGold View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240321984373/en/ Contact For more information, please contact: Dale Nejmeldeen Director, Shareholder Relations (514) 393 9000 Ext.: 230 investors@dynacor.com Vancouver, March 21, 2024 - Pacific Empire Minerals Corp. (TSXV: PEMC) ("Pacific Empire", "PEMC" or the "Company"), a British Columbia copper-gold explorer, announces Expert Geophysics Ltd. ("Expert") will be conducting an airborne MobileMT survey at its 100% owned Trident and Pinnacle copper-gold projects in the South Hogem Copper-Gold Belt prior to the end of March. Highlights MagnetoTelluric (MT) survey is scheduled to begin March 27, 2024. MagnetoTelluric (MT) survey method capable of detecting basement electromagnetic (EM) conductors and anomalous resistivity zones which are indicative of potential copper-gold porphyry systems. Planned surveying totals 164 line-kilometres to provide coverage of primary target area (historical assays at Trident which include DDH-1971-13: 70.07m @ 0.69% Cu, DDH 2007-2: 100.00m @ 0.59% Cu and 0.18 g/t Au including 2.00m @ 2.73% Cu and 0.36 g/t Au). The MT survey will also cover an additional target located on PEMC's 100% owned Pinnacle Property situated directly west and adjacent to the Trident. Utilization of this modern geophysical dataset will facilitate the identification and prioritization of target areas for drilling currently anticipated during the Summer/Fall 2024 exploration season. Brad Peters, President, CEO & Director, commented: "We are excited to begin the survey and are looking forward to being able to see to depths of over one kilometre beneath the surface at our 100% owned Trident and Pinnacle projects, west of Centerra Gold's operating Mount Milligan copper-gold mine. The objective is to identify potential "plumbing systems "because if you are looking for large copper deposits you need a large plumbing system to deliver the necessary fluids and metals. Our goal is simple, discover the next gold-enriched copper porphyry deposit within this district. Once results are received and analyzed for this MT survey, we currently anticipate drilling these targets during the Summer/Fall 2024 field season. Trident for the very first time is 100% owned by a public company with an updated porphyry geological model established by our skilled technical team." Planned Survey The purpose of the survey is to identify conductivity/resistivity anomalies that may represent conduits for hydrothermal fluids critical in the formation of porphyry copper-gold deposits. These conduits have the potential to represent critical plumbing systems responsible for the formation of copper porphyry deposits. The gathering of both resistivity and conductivity imaging of the surface to a depth of 1 km through deploying an airborne MobileMT (Mobile MagnetoTellurics) system will provide key information pertaining to source fluid conduits and structures. This important step will provide valuable insights and aid to further both known and unknown exploration targets destined for follow up diamond drilling programs. In addition, complimentary VLF (Very Low Frequency) data will be collected and interpreted to provide valuable near surface EM (Electromagnetic) information. The survey design plan is to conduct approximately 164 line-km's using a 200 m line spacing grid. The survey will be performed with an Astar 350 B2 helicopter provided by Heli Source Ltd. Expert Geophysics Ltd. ("EGL") will provide all necessary instrumentation for installation on the helicopter, as well as base stations and field workstations (data processing system) to be used for quality control and processing management during the collection of the airborne data in the field. The final data processing, colour imaging and mapping will be performed at EGL's offices in Toronto, Canada. The final results and resulting products are expected to be available to the PEMC exploration team within 3 weeks after the completion of the survey. Surveying is planned to commence on or around March 27, 2024 and expected to take 3 to 5 days to complete. About Mobile MagnetoTelluric Surveys The latest development in the airborne MobileMT system, provides a depth of investigation from the near-surface to over 1 km and detects resistivity variations across a wide range, encompassing conductive targets and structures as well as highly resistive ones. Porphyry and epithermal mineralization systems develop in conditions of active subduction and they are characterized by a wide variety of structural, lithological, and alteration patterns, which, at least partially, can be depicted in geoelectrical images. The following two examples demonstrate the effectiveness of resistivity mapping and sounding using the MobileMT system. Both examples from MobileMT surveys are presented over areas with known porphyry and epithermal mineralization systems and mineralization-controlling structures. The recovered resistivity-depth images are compared with actual geology or conceptual geological models of the mineralization systems, which illustrate the system's capabilities in imaging the mineralization systems and their diverse geometries and wide resistivity range. Poplar Cu-Mo porphyry Deposit (BC, Canada) Figure 1 - Example of calc-alkaline porphyry deposit from British Columbia characterized by elevated conductivity flanked by elevated resistivity. (Mineral Deposit Research Unit, UBC, 2023) To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5412/202348_e44ba46bd413ebcc_002full.jpg Jaisan & Ungurli Cu-Mo-Ag porphyry Deposit (Kazakhstan) Figure 2 - Example of porphyry-epithermal environment with Jaisan & Ungurli Deposits Kazakhstan characterized by elevated resistivity flanked by elevated conductivity. (Mineral Deposit Research Unit, UBC, 2023) To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5412/202348_e44ba46bd413ebcc_003full.jpg About Trident The Trident property is an exploration stage property hosting an alkalic porphyry copper-gold-silver prospect with district-scale potential that is accessible by vehicle. The property is located approximately 50 km to the southeast of NorthWest Copper Corp.'s Kwanika Deposit and 50 km to the northwest of Centerra Gold's Mt. Milligan Mine. The property covers 6,618 hectares endowed with well-established logging roads providing important efficient access for exploration programs. Copper mineralization on the property was first discovered in 1969, while exploration crews were following up on anomalous stream sediment samples. The following year, Falconbridge optioned the property and over the next two years completed IP and magnetic surveys, geological mapping, soil sampling and diamond drilling. This work led to the discovery of the A Zone. Additional exploration programs were completed by Kookaburra Gold Corp. from 1988 through 1991, Solomon Resources Ltd., from 2006 through 2008. In 2013, PEMC optioned the property and in 2014, in turn, PEMC optioned the property to Oz Minerals which completed that same year an IP survey and completed a two drillhole, diamond drill program at Trident. In 2022, Pacific Empire acquired a 100% interest in the property in exchange for granting the vendors a 2% net smelter return royalty ("NSR"). One-half (1%) of the 2% NSR may be purchased for $500,000 by Pacific Empire. Prior to 2014, known mineralization on the property was believed to be associated with fracture and/or shear zones structures striking 120 degrees and dipping 75 degrees towards the northeast. A review of historical drill core by the Pacific Empire exploration team has led to a much different interpretation with respect to the nature of known mineralization on the property. The most important observation was the determination of the presence of hornblende-feldspar monzonite porphyry intrusions detected within drill core obtained from the A Zone. These types of porphyry intrusions are typically characterized by sheeted quartz sulphide veins and disseminated chalcopyrite and bornite residing immediately adjacent to and within the porphyry dikes. Other observations include; The highest grades noted in historical drilling can be seen to be directly associated with intervals where such porphyry intrusions occur. Figure 3 - Regional Land Position and Significant Companies To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5412/202348_e44ba46bd413ebcc_004full.jpg Figure 4 - Location of planned MagnetoTelluric Survey To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5412/202348_e44ba46bd413ebcc_005full.jpg Figure 5 - Soth Hogem Copper-Gold Belt To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5412/202348_e44ba46bd413ebcc_006full.jpg "Between our 100% owned Trident and Pinnacle projects runs the Klawli river. The gold flakes and nuggets in the vial displayed on the map were collected from that location on the Klawli river. It is this and other geochemical evidence gathered by the PEMC exploration team which leads us to postulate the potential for a gold-enriched copper system nearby on either Trident, Pinnacle, or possibly both projects. To date, visible gold has been observed in outcrop at Trident, placer gold discovered in the nearby Klawli river gravels, and as well gold detected in drill core from Pinnacle. All three of these known occurrences of gold and their respective locations suggests there may be a shallow buried, large scale, gold-enriched, copper porphyry deposit within our district scale land package," commented Brad Peters, President, CEO and Director of Pacific Empire. Table 1 - Highlights from Historical Drilling at Trident To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5412/202348_e44ba46bd413ebcc_007full.jpg About Pinnacle The Pinnacle project is located 60 km to the west of Centerra Gold's Mt. Milligan Copper-Gold Mine and 30 km to the southeast of NorthWest Copper's Kwanika Copper-Gold Deposit in a proven copper-gold porphyry district. Access to the Pinnacle is by road including a new and expanding network of logging roads and trails throughout the main target areas. This improved access is a major development and is anticipated to contribute to cost effective drill support and bedrock exposure. "Over the past 2 years significant logging operations have developed an extensive road network that now covers the entirety of the southern half of the property providing new outcrop exposure and efficient access. The 2023 forest fires dramatically affected the property resulting in significantly improved access to the property," commented Brad Peters, President, CEO and Director of Pacific Empire. Qualified Person Kristian Whitehead, P.Geo., serves as a qualified person as defined by NI 43-101 and has reviewed the scientific and technical information in this news release, approving the disclosure herein. About Pacific Empire Pacific Empire is a copper exploration company based in Vancouver, British Columbia and trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol PEMC. The Company has a district scale land position in north-central British Columbia totaling 22,541 hectares. British Columbia is a "Green" copper jurisdiction with abundant hydroelectric power, access and infrastructure in close proximity to the end market. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD, "Brad Peters" President, Chief Executive Officer and Director Pacific Empire Minerals Corp. Tel: +1-604-356-6246 brad@pemcorp.ca www.pemcorp.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 Statements Information set forth in this news release may involve forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are statements that relate to future, not past, events. In this context, forward-looking statements often address expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", and "intend", statements that an action or event "may", "might", "could", "should", or "will" be taken or occur, or other similar expressions. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the following risks: the need for additional financing; operational risks associated with mineral exploration; fluctuations in commodity prices; title matters; environmental liability claims and insurance; reliance on key personnel; the potential for conflicts of interest among certain officers, directors or promoters with certain other projects; the absence of dividends; competition; dilution; the volatility of our common share price and volume and the additional risks identified the management discussion and analysis section of our interim and most recent annual financial statement or other reports and filings with the TSX Venture Exchange and applicable Canadian securities regulations. Forward-looking statements are made based on management's beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date that statements are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as required by applicable securities laws. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/202348 All the rumours and speculation surrounding Red Bull Racing seemed to make even Max Verstappen doubt his future with the team. Yet, in the paddock in Melbourne, Australia, the Dutchman talks quite differently about the Austrian racing team. This weekend, the Formula 1 circus touches down in Australia. Max Verstappen initially seemed dissatisfied with the current situation at Red Bull Racing; in Melbourne, he stressed that the team feels like a family to him. Red Bull Racing is like a family for Verstappen "I'm happy within the team. It's very important that we try to keep the key players in the team for a longer period of time. Because that's, of course, where the performance is as well. And at the end of the day it's a performance business. It's the same if I wouldn't perform, I wouldn't be sitting here. So I know how that works. It's my intention to be here till the end [of the deal at least]. Because, of course, it would be a great story for me personally also to just see it out till the end because it basically means that I've been part of one family and one team." Article continues under ad Verstappen is keeping the names of those key figures a secret. However, he and Helmut Marko stress that the team must stay together. "Always with successful teams, when you have a good core group of people, it's important to keep them all together, happy and in the same roles." The Dutchman still feels as comfortable in the team as he did before the Horner saga. "For me it's like a second family." He hopes the focus goes back to racing soon. F1 scandals continues apace Formula 1 continues to be buried under an off-track "meteorite shower of accusations" and "one problem after another", according to observers of the latest developments. Kevin Magnussen, Saudi Arabian GP 2024 Haas F1 Team / LAT In January, Toto Wolff warned that his wife Susie - who now works for the new female series F1 Academy - would go all the way in court following accusations by FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem that they were exchanging confidential information. Susie now confirms in a statement that she has personally filed a criminal complaint against the F1's governing body in the French courts. F1 (is) under a meteorite shower of accusations right now, 1996 world champion Damon Hill observed on X, with Italy's La Repubblica newspaper adding that the sport is dealing with one problem after another . Indeed, on top of the ongoing Christian Horner scandal and power struggle at Red Bull, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem was also facing charges that he improperly intervened in a stewards decision in 2023 and tried to block homologation of the new Las Vegas GP layout. The FIA's ethics committee has now cleared its president of wrongdoing, confirming that there was no evidence to substantiate (the) allegations . Insiders believe the clashes between F1's Liberty Media-controlled commercial rights holder and the Ben Sulayem-led FIA set the stage for complex financial negotiations over the next Concorde Agreement. At the end of the day, we're in the same boat, Ben Sulayem said after publication of the ethics committee's findings. We may have different missions, but we cannot let the sport sink. (GMM) Ruie S., center, enters Department 25 during the preliminary hearing for Thea Hopkins at the Hall of Justice in San Francisco on Thursday. Hopkins is charged with attacking Ruie S., 71, earlier this month . Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle San Francisco Supervisor Aaron Peskin has called for more transparency from police in an assault case that has inflamed city politics. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle A woman accused of assaulting a 71-year-old Cantonese-speaking woman in San Franciscos Bayview neighborhood appeared in court Thursday in a case that has inflamed City Hall, provoking a fierce fight between the district attorney and Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin. Thea Hopkins, 43, pleaded not guilty to one count of elder abuse and one count of assault with force likely to cause great bodily injury in connection with a March 4 attack near an elementary school on Gilman Avenue. According to prosecutors, Hopkins approached the woman from behind, pulled her hair, punched her and threw her to the ground. The victim, identified in court as Ruie S., testified that she was on a morning walk from her home to Gilman Park when she suddenly felt a blow land on the back of her neck. When she turned around, she said, the assailant grabbed her by the collar, shoved her against a tree and hit her face three times before she passed out. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The victim later received medical treatment for a neck injury, swollen face and other wounds. Assistant DA Negad Zaky holds the door open at the Hall of Justice in San Francisco during the preliminary hearing for a woman accused of attacking a 71-year-old woman earlier this month. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle Do you see the person that attacked you that day in the courtroom? asked Negad Zaky, the prosecutor in the case. I do, the woman responded in Cantonese. Shes sitting in the middle wearing orange, referring to Hopkins, who sat in an orange jumpsuit between her attorneys. At one point during Thursdays hearing, Hopkins broke down in tears and her attorney handed her a tissue. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Erin Morgan, the deputy public defender who represents Hopkins, said the office was assessing her state of mind at the time of the March incident. She argued Thursday that the incident was a result of misperception and difficulties with communication because Hopkins speaks English and the victim Cantonese. Public defenders described Hopkins as vulnerable, saying that she survived a life of poverty, violence and trauma before landing in a high-profile assault case. News reports and social media posts have linked Hopkins to another incident last July, in which a person pushed a 63-year-old Chinese immigrant onto a Bayview sidewalk. The victim in that instance, Yanfang Wu, died two days later in a hospital. Police ruled the death an accident and never publicly released the name of a person of interest. Wus husband moved back to China after his wife died. Erin Morgan and Justin Heffelfinger of the Public Defenders Office walk in the corridor at the Hall of Justice in San Francisco during the preliminary hearing for Thea Hopkins on Thursday. Hopkins is charged with attacking a 71-year-old woman earlier this month . Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle This month, police reopened the investigation they had closed in August, citing new evidence. Amid mounting outcry from the Asian American community, Mayor London Breed and Police Chief Bill Scott pledged to release surveillance video of the episode once they have completed their review and ensured that public reactions to the footage will not interfere with any potential prosecution. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Such assurances were not sufficient for Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin, who introduced a resolution Tuesday urging the Police Department and District Attorney Brooke Jenkins to release not only the video, but also details about the investigation into Wus death. This resolution is consistent with efforts to build trust in the criminal justice system, as well as improve services to victims and survivors, Peskin said when he put forward the nonbinding legislation at Tuesdays meeting with co-sponsors Supervisor Connie Chan and Supervisor Shamann Walton. People attending the preliminary hearing for Thea Hopkins enter a courtroom at the Hall of Justice in San Francisco on Thursday. Hopkins is charged with attacking a 71-year-old woman earlier this month. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle Jenkins fired back Wednesday, in a series of posts on the social media site X, where she criticized Peskin for showing his ignorance and complete lack of understanding of how the criminal justice system works. Noting that no case was submitted to my office for charging (or) discharging, Jenkins said she should not be the focus of Peskins resolution or his demands for transparency. Jenkins also accused Peskin of looking for fodder (and) attention prior to his expected mayor campaign, intimating that he crafted the resolution to create political theater. Advertisement Article continues below this ad That was unhinged, Peskin said, responding to Jenkins diatribe in an interview Thursday. He denied that the resolution was politically motivated, and said it harks to a similar resolution he made last year, calling for the release of video after a Walgreens security guard fatally shot a Black trans man, Banko Brown, on Market Street. I may be retiring from politics, I may be running for office Im not decided, Peskin said, referring to Jenkins allusions to his expected bid for mayor. That doesnt color what I do. Prosecutors argued that Hopkins posed a safety risk to the public, pointing to Hopkins 2014 assault conviction and other incidents that did not result in a conviction. Judge Josh Fredericks cut the prosecutor off and said he would not consider any incidents where charges werent brought. Fredericks ordered Hopkins detained without bail on Thursday, denying the defenses motion for her to be released. He also found there was sufficient evidence for the case to proceed to trial. I think this is an extremely heinous situation, the judge said, adding that the victim had been attacked for seemingly no reason. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The victim is recovering under the care of her daughter, who is a home-care worker, according to Community Youth Center, a nonprofit that serves Asian victims of crime. Michelle Wu, a spokesperson for the nonprofit, said the victim is receiving financial help covering traditional Chinese medicine bills to aid her recovery. FIA gives Sainz ok to race in Melbourne Carlos Sainz has passed initial FIA medical checks in Melbourne, on the same day he rode a bicycle around the Albert Park layout. Carlos Sainz, Bahrain GP 2024 Ferrari It's all a sure sign that the 29-year-old Spaniard, who underwent emergency appendix surgery in Saudi Arabia recently, will be fit to race this weekend. Carlos Sainz is expected to be back in the car, Ferrari confirmed, although impressive Jeddah stand-in Oliver Bearman, also in Melbourne for the Formula 2 support race, will remain on standby. Observers in Melbourne noticed that Sainz was on a more comfortable mountain bike rather than the more customary road bike, and sitting in a notably upright position. He reportedly admitted that he would ease the pressure on his appendectomy scars this weekend by using a cushioned pad under the seatbelts. Sky Italia reported: "The Ferrari driver is a little weakened, but he underwent medical checks with the FIA's doctors who found him in good shape. He has also has a little weight, but is fine. On Thursday, Sainz told the media that he feels better every day , having spent a lot of time in bed last week. I'm not at 100 percent yet, he admitted, but I'm confident that I'm fit enough to drive a race. We'll see tomorrow. (GMM) Marko rules out RB seat for Ferrari's Bearman Dr Helmut Marko has ruled out offering impressive rookie Oliver Bearman a seat at Red Bull's junior Formula 1 team RB. Helmut Marko, Saudi Arabian GP 2024 Red Bull Bearman impressed at the wheel of the ill Carlos Sainz's Ferrari in Saudi Arabia recently, prompting Marko - the 80-year-old top F1 consultant at Red Bull - to urge Ferrari to promote him to a full-time spot on the grid. If I were Fred Vasseur, I would immediately find Bearman a cockpit in another team - I don't know, at Haas for example, Marko told Speed Week. When asked by Osterreich newspaper to expand on his comments, the Austrian answered: "They bought (Lewis) Hamilton at great expense and signed (Charles) Leclerc to a long-term contract. I'd put the boy in a smaller team like Haas next year, he repeated. A year of learning never hurt anyone and will also take the pressure off him. That year of learning, however, won't be at the wheel of a junior Red Bull. We actually had an informative conversation with him, Marko reveals, "but he was already in the Ferrari academy. It is inconceivable that we would train him up for Ferrari. (GMM) After encouraging state departments to use AI, California Gov. Gavin Newsoms administration is rolling out a road map for how to bring the technology on board in departments from taxes to traffic. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images Gov. Gavin Newsom has encouraged the dozens of departments that make up Californias state government to use artificial intelligence. Some have jumped at the chance to use the emerging technology in everything from traffic prediction to tax filing. Now Newsoms administration has released a road map to guide state agencies that want to buy or use the technology. The plan devolves much of the onus onto departments and agencies to evaluate whether and how to use generative AI which can create text, video or images with the help of the states Department of Technology and other sections including operations and human resources. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Theyll also have to make the business case for using AI. The states technology and human resources departments would provide training and support to other agencies on how they acquire and use the technology. But the ultimate ownership and accountability and decision making ability is on the individual agency, Amy Tong, state secretary of government operations, told the Chronicle. The guidelines should be officially in place by the end of the month, said Jonathan Porat, the states chief technology officer. To start with, every department is required to prepare for so-called incidental generative AI purchases. That is, AI tech brought on board as part of something else it buys. That means among other things, assigning a senior person to monitor how an agency buys and uses the technology at all levels. In most cases, this responsibility should fall to the state entitys chief information officer, the guidelines said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad For instances where department heads are looking to buy AI technology, they first have to: Identify a need for the technology and make a case. Communicate with employees who would use the technology about it. Write up an assessment of the potential risks and benefits. Test whatever AI model theyve selected for bias and the potential to return inaccurate information. Establish a team to continuously monitor how AI is being used, and report back to the Department of Technology. The goal is to avoid throwing a bunch of money at a contract and then it maybe doesnt deliver, or finding out another product might be better, Porat said. Newsoms executive order from last year explicitly encourages using AI technology. So the plan is to make sure the right technology is used instead of creating a mechanism to say no, Porat and Tong said. Testing in particular is no easy task. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A top White House tech official told the Chronicle earlier this year that testing models for safety was still an emerging field. A bill from state Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, aims to create more resources for safety testing of AI programs before they are released to the public. Porat said the plan is not to saddle every agency with that kind of technical work. Instead, he said, the purchasing process will include getting testing and safety data from companies. He said with the technology evolving rapidly, stiff safety rules could become quickly obsolete. The technology department is also working with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, among others, on AI policy, he said. Without safeguards in place, AI programs can produce inaccurate information, called hallucinations, or convey bias and hate speech depending on the data used to train them. Advertisement Article continues below this ad California, and San Francisco in particular, may be the epicenter of the AI boom. But having marquee AI companies such as OpenAI, Anthropic, Google and others headquartered hours from the capital has not yet translated into the technology being bolted on to state agencies. That is something Newsom began trying to change last year, when he signed the order. It directed the technology department to begin sketching out how state agencies might use AI in everything from chatbots to content generation and data analysis. That was followed by a report from the Government Operations Department outlining the upside of using the technology, including increased accessibility to information for people from different backgrounds and better customer service. But that report warned of the potential dangers of using outputs from Generative AI verbatim. It also cautioned against the potential privacy disaster of plugging private information into publicly accessible programs such as ChatGPT or Googles Gemini. Porat and Tong said the guidelines are just part of the states AI plan outlined in the executive order. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Future reports will look at the technologys potential to affect critical infrastructure security, vulnerable communities, and the states workforce. The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public input to inform development of an environmental impact statement for the proposed Jackalope Wind Energy Project in Sweetwater County. A BLM press release explained the project would include approximately 213 wind turbine generators and associated infrastructure, which would generate up to 600 megawatts of clean electricity - enough to power roughly 250,000 homes, according to the EPA Calculator. Jackalope Wind, LLC, a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, proposes to construct the commercial wind energy project on 293,100 acres of public and private lands, including approximately 166,100 acres of public lands managed by the BLM, and state lands managed by the Wyoming Office of State Lands and Investment, according to the press release. A 30-day scoping period began on March 16. Comments may be submitted by April 17 online via the "Participate Now" option at the BLM National NEPA Register or delivered to the BLM Rock Springs Field Office. The BLM has schedule public scoping meetings to share information and gather public input at the beginning of April. One meeting will be in Rawlins on Tuesday, April 2. The second meeting will be in from 4-6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 3 at the Holiday Inn in Rock Springs. More information can be found at the BLM National NEPA Register. Those with questions can contact BLM Rock Springs Field Manager Kimberlee Foster at (307) 352-0201 or kfoster@blm.gov. The future of industry in Sweetwater County continues to progress, with local governments and entities preparing for the potential impact, and working to request funding to help alleviate that impact. This week, both the Green River City Council and Sweetwater County Board of County Commissioners approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) during their regular meetings that will allow them to work together with other entities in order to apply for impact assistance funds from the Industrial Siting Council in the process of establishing Project West. Project West has been working to bring a new solution trona mine and soda ash processing facility to the Green River region. The project has been going through the stages of acquiring an Industrial Siting permit as required by the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality's Industrial Siting Division and the Industrial Siting Council. The Council also has the power to award impact assistance funding to communities to alleviate unmitigated impacts of projects that will affect the community, such as increased demands on housing and infrastructure. In order to receive those funds, however, the communities must apply for them, which is why multiple meetings have been hosted over the last few weeks to meet with entities and finalize applications. Sweetwater County Commissioner Island Richards led this effort for the county, assisted by Commissioner Robb Slaughter. They met with groups and entities, from city governments to businesses like the Sweetwater County Regional Airport, Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County, and Castle Rock Hospital District, to determine expected impacts and work through funding requests. On March 14, the county hosted a meeting to adopt the MOU between the various counties and municipalities that will be requesting impact funding. "We felt it was critical to get unanimous support from the entities, and were able to do so," Commissioner Slaughter explained. The MOU is between the counties of Sweetwater, Lincoln and Uinta, as well as the cities and towns of Green River, Rock Springs, Granger, Superior, Cokeville, Diamondville, Kemmerer, Labarge, Opal, Bear River, Evanston, Lyman and Mountain View. Commissioner Richards explained that currently Sweetwater County's request, which includes requests for Green River and Rock Springs, is for about $8.6 million. This is about 41% of the available funding, which is capped at $25 million. This request is especially conservative considering the fact that Sweetwater County was estimated to have about 76% of the project's impact. "We were very precise in our requests, though, and we vetted the requests that were presented under our umbrella very thoroughly to make sure that they all complied with the statutes, that they were actual impact requests," Commissioner Richards explained. "We believe they are all valid and very defendable." Sweetwater County, and the other entities in the MOU, will have to defend their funding requests to the Industrial Siting Council during the Project West Industrial Siting hearing, which is scheduled for May. Both the commissioners and the Green River City Council approved the MOU, explaining this part of the process creates the framework to allow all of the entities to continue to work together as they finalize their applications for funding. San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott and his command staff pay their respects during a vigil for those killed on West Portal Avenue when a woman crashed into a Muni bus stop last week in San Francisco, on Monday, March 18, 2024, Two people died at the scene and one died at the hospital the following day. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle Police secure an area around West Portal Station after a fatal car crash involving an SUV in San Francisco on Saturday, March 16, 2024. According to the San Francisco Fire Department, two individuals were killed and three are injured. Benjamin Fanjoy/The Chronicle Just after noon last Saturday, a white Mercedes sport utility vehicle drove east down busy Ulloa Street in West Portal. Behind the wheel was a 78-year-old woman who lived a mile and a half away. She apparently wasnt intoxicated, and the only mark on her driving record was a ticket last November. Then, catastrophe struck. Opinion: What Paris can teach San Francisco about safe streets in aftermath of West Portal crash Advertisement Article continues below this ad The question now is why the 2014 GLK-Series SUV veered into an oncoming lane of traffic and then plowed onto the sidewalk, allegedly at high speed, nicking the West Portal Library before barreling through a bus stop where two adults and two small children were waiting. By the time the car came to a stop at a fire hydrant, four people lay on the pavement. Diego Cardoso de Oliveira, 40, and his 1-year-old son, Joaquin Ramos Pinto de Oliveira, were pronounced dead at the scene. Matilde Moncada Ramos Pinto, 38, died later at a hospital. The familys infant child died Wednesday after spending days in critical condition. Police arrested and booked Mary Fong Lau on suspicion of three counts of felony vehicular manslaughter as well as misdemeanor counts of reckless and wrong-way driving. Yet District Attorney Brooke Jenkins did not immediately file charges as the investigation continues. Now, members of law enforcement are confronting many possible scenarios. Was Lau swerving to avoid something? Was she distracted? Did she suffer a medical episode? Did the vehicle malfunction? Did she confuse the gas with the brake? So far, police have not discussed much of their evidence or theories, other than a statement saying investigators didnt believe the configuration of the street was to blame. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Its a tragedy, but that doesnt automatically mean a crime was committed, Laus attorney, Samuel Geller, said in an interview on Wednesday. He spoke as Lau remained in a hospital but was no longer in police custody. Generally, authorities can hold people who are arrested for up to two days before they must be charged or released. Geller said she was cooperating with law enforcement. Officers are looking closely at Laus speed and whether or not she was accelerating leading up to the moment of impact, San Francisco Police Department spokesperson Evan Sernoffsky said. Collecting evidence can be a painstaking process, requiring police to inspect the vehicle, test the brakes, download data collected by the vehicles computers, analyze surveillance video, conduct toxicology tests, canvas the area for witnesses, draw a map and work with the medical examiner, said Oakland police Capt. Jeff Thomason, who served for years on a team that probed fatal collisions. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Despite the challenges, police try to always deliver a case to prosecutors if a driver killed someone, Thomason said. Prosecutors have full discretion over what charges to file, if any. In cases such as this one, prosecutors may foresee difficulty persuading a jury to convict someone if the person is found to have caused harm through inadvertent behavior, said Bryant Walker Smith, an associate law professor at the University of South Carolina. It often comes down to trying to show that it wasnt just an ordinary mistake, it was especially bad, Smith said. Because youre pushing against the idea of, well, mistakes happen. To build a strong case, You want to know every detail about what happened, and what provoked it, San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said. He said he has weighed these decisions in the past, sometimes pursuing charges against drivers for being negligent, even if they seemed to harbor no malevolent intent. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Wagstaffe cited the 2014 second-degree murder conviction of a man who suffered a seizure while driving, causing him to smash into several cars at a stoplight in San Bruno, killing two people. The mans license had been permanently suspended in 2011 because of other crashes linked to his medical condition, but he persisted driving anyway. People can also be held criminally accountable for pedal error, in which they confuse the gas and brake, causing a fatal accident, Wagstaffe said. Even a mix-up can be a crime when someone dies, he explained, because we count on people who get drivers licenses to make the distinction between pedals. The situation changes completely if a crash results in injury rather than death, Wagstaffe said, no matter how horrific the damage. In such instances, prosecutors have limited ability to punish a driver under California law. In one example that occurred more than a decade ago, a grandfather tried to brake while pulling up to a school in Belmont to retrieve his granddaughter. Instead, he hit the accelerator, went over a curb and rammed into a crowd of children waiting for a bus, some of whom were seriously hurt. After reviewing all the evidence, Wagstaffe said he chose not to prosecute the man. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A more recent instance of pedal confusion happened in Castro Valley two years ago,when a 90-year-old man smashed his Toyota into the checkout line of a Castro Valley Trader Joes, apparently while trying to park. Although he injured eight people including a 5-year-old-child the man did not face criminal charges. As shocked members of the public demand answers in West Portal, Jenkins has asked the public for patience. Her office is in the process of receiving case information and evidence from the police department, she said in a statement. Some street safety advocates have tried directing attention away from Lau and toward the design of San Franciscos roadways, which they say create the conditions for devastating wrecks. While police have ruled out traffic engineering, Smith, the University of South Carolina associate professor, said that infrastructure, vehicle construction, and societal attitudes nearly always come into play. Ulloa Street is not listed among San Franciscos high-injury corridors for traffic collisions. Officials have not logged any injury crashes on Ulloa between Claremont St. and Madrone Ave. in the past five years, and there is nothing to suggest this type of crash was part of a pattern, said SFMTA spokesperson Erica Kato. Still, Jodie Medeiros, executive director of the pedestrian safety group Walk San Francisco, expressed pain and frustration in public statements about the crash. The specter of three people killed at a bus stop should embolden the public to call for serious, large-scale changes to city streets, she said. Walk San Francisco spokesperson Marta Lindsey added, in an emotional interview, that people should be able to walk down the sidewalk and wait for the bus without feeling like any moment our lives are going to end. For instance, Smith said, city planners could make lanes narrower, or add curves to prevent high speeds and erratic driving. Vehicle manufacturers could add devices to cars that help control speed. Cities could create infrastructure so that older adults or people with medical conditions do not have to drive in order to live an independent life. We have this tendency to always fixate on and blame the human driver, rather than considering other factors, Smith said. Patricia "Pat" Rogers passed away March 15, 2024 at Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County. She was born on March 12,1941 in Terre Haute, Indiana to Charles and Burdetta Slavens. Pat traveled and lived in Germany, England, and throughout the Continental United States as a young mom. In 2000 Pat was diagnosed with a life threatening illness with a five year life expectancy. Her physician recommended that she not live alone, at this time she moved to Green River, Wyoming with her daughter and her son in law; Brendalee and Alfonso Linares. Pat cherished the time with her family and how considerate they were as caregivers. In July 2023 health limitation required her to move to the Mission at Castle Rock. This change in residency was difficult until she basked in the thoughtful and compassionate care the staff provided to not only tend to her physically but emotionally as well. Pat was a member of the Catholic Church. She enjoyed reading, crocheting blankets for every new family member, spending time with her family, and cuddling her dogs. Pat's favorite time of the year was Christmas and watching Hallmark movies. Other favorite pastimes were playing card games and bingo, solving puzzles, and going shopping. When QVC was introduced to her she really had a fun time buying treasures. Pat passed away peacefully surronded by her family at Sweetwater Memorial Hospital in Rock Springs, Wyoming on March 15, 2024. Survivors include her children: Maryalyce (John), Brendalee (Alfonso), Paul "Butchie"(Bonnie), Patricia"Patty", and Romona "Mona"(Steve). Pat boasted that she had "24 Grandchildren, several Great Grandchildren, and even Great-Great Grandchildren.". Other survivors include siblings: Barbara, Sue, Larry, and Sharion not to mention several nieces and cousins. She is preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Burdetta Slavens, her siblings: Wilma, Charles, Evelyn, and "Jacky," daughter Sherry, grandchildren: Patty Annie, Tasha, and Emiliano "Chico" and her beloved dogs Benji and Sophie. Pat will be greatly missed. A Celebration of Life will be conducted at a later date. Condolences for the family can be left at http://www.foxfh.com. Yauncy Wayne White Sr., 49, passed away peacefully at his home with the love of his life, best friend and soul mate Amanda Strate by his side Monday, March 4, 2024. After being diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer October 13, 2023, Yauncy had a strong will to live and heroically and bravely tried everything to win the battle, he fought until the very end. Yauncy was born September 17, 1974 in Vancouver, Washington; the son of Gary White and Carol Gard White. He was a proud father of three children that he loved so very much. He obtained his high school diploma and attended Baker Community College in Baker City, Oregon. There he opened and owned Shifty Skateboards and Tattoos; he was an outstanding entrepreneur for kids of all ages to get into skateboarding. Something Yauncy had a life-long passion for. Almost 11 years ago he moved to Rock Springs, Wyoming where he worked at Skin City Ink & Steel as a tattoo artist and piercer for a few years prior o opening Euphoric Tattoo Parlour & Skate with Amanda in 2016. As an owner, tattoo artist and piercer, he also carried through his love for skateboarding, stocking the shop for kids to be inspired to skate. Yauncy was such a happy, kind, loving, caring, giving, inspiring and wonderful human. There truly aren't enough words to describe his beautiful, sparkling and colorful soul; gone too soon. He loved skateboarding, road trips, going to the ocean, working on his saltwater aquariums, tattooing, riding his motorcycle, being with friends... but most of all he loved spending time with his family. Yauncy's family was everything to him. He was so loved and will be deeply missed by so many. Survivors include, his companion, Amanda Strate of Rock Springs, Wyoming; father, Gary White of Baker City, Oregon; two sons, Yauncy White Jr. of Vancouver, Washington; Brody White of St. Peter's, Missouri; one daughter, Alexandria White and companion Jeremy Sterkenburg of Boise, Idaho; one sister, Kim Hughes and husband Tom of Baker City; one aunt, many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother, Carol White and one brother, Billy Rawlins. Following Cremation, services are pending. Condolences may be left at http://www.vasefuneralhomes.com. The family respectfully requests donations in Yauncy's memory be made to Euphoric Tattoo Parlour, 2241 Foothill Boulevard, Suit B, Rock Springs, Wyoming 82901. On March 15, Governor Mark Gordon vetoed two bills: Senate File 103 (Wyoming PRIME Act) and Senate File 13 (Federal land use plans- legal action authorized). Representative Scott Heiner, who represents portions of Sweetwater County, criticized the Governors veto of both bills, which he supported as each provided a way for Wyoming to regulate itself and choose its own destiny. Rep. Heiner continued: Senate File 103 would have allowed for the sale of meat from producers directly to consumers without the government getting in the way and further strengthened Wyomings Food Freedom Act. Senate File 13 was more personal to me, though. This bill was inspired by the Federal Bureau of Land Managements Proposed Alternative B revealed last summer in the agencys Resource Management Plan for the southwest corner of Wyoming. The BLMs plan runs afoul of settled principles of land management and if implemented, would violate a plethora of federal land management laws and cause irreparable harm to Wyoming. Senate File 13 would have allowed the Wyoming Legislature to initiate legal action against the Biden Administration for federal land use plans that threaten our ability to produce energy and food, upon which our states economy depends. Governor Gordons veto sends a message to Bidens BLM that they can feel comfortable destroying Wyomings way of life through illegal and unethical land use plans. It also sends a message to the people of southwest Wyoming your elected representatives and senators will remain powerless to take the Biden Administration to court after this veto. Governor Gordon said that Senate File 13 would have duplicated funding for legal actions by the State and have been unconstitutional, and added that it wasnt fiscally conservative. In his veto letter he lambasted the bill as a clear attempt to cross, blur and trample the line of separation between our equal, but separate, branches of government. Regarding Senate File 103, the Governor said he is supportive of food freedom legislation, but the Wyoming PRIME Act could create confusion among consumers, meat processors and livestock producers. Dear Editor, A recent news article in the Green River Star discusses the continuing use of a gas chamber for euthanasia by Green River Animal Control. The article quoted the Animal Control Supervisor as stating there are strong opinions on both sides of the issue for the use of the gas chamber in euthanasia for animals. There are not strong opinions on both sides of this issue. The American Veterinary Medical Association has stated the most humane method of euthanasia for animals is by injection and while they do allow for the use of inhaled as acceptable it is only when certain stringent conditions are met. The Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association, the Association of Shelter Veterinarians, and the National Animal Control Association as well as all national animal welfare organizations, agree that direct injection of approved euthanasia drugs is THE most humane method of euthanasia currently available. With the exception of one unit in Missouri and two in the state of Wyoming there are no known other functioning gas chambers in use for domestic animals in the U.S. Twenty-four states have outlawed their use completely with an additional five states having a partial ban. It is clear and has been for years that there are no differing opinions on the use of the gas chamber it has been abandoned in most states because it is an archaic inhumane method for animal euthanasia. Animals may struggle and become anxious during induction of gas with some animals exhibiting escape behavior prior to the onset of unconsciousness. Carbon monoxide specifically mayproduce agitation, vocalization, and convulsions. The use of gas chambers can also cause painand extreme stress in animals. The Supervisor of Green River Animal control stated that the injection method is used the majority of the time but statistics from the city show this is not the case. It was also stated that animal control needed to do remodeling to turn a storage room into a medical room. It is surprising that an animal control facility does not currently have a medical room; additionally, The Humane Society of the United States has offered funds to the city for this type of renovation for a number of years. The City Council has been advised of this on several occasions. It is long past the time that this outdated, inhumane method be retired - it is unfortunate that Green River is one of the last places in the nation to continue this practice. We hope that the Green River shelter will join the approximately 4,0000 animal shelters in the country that do not use the gas chamber. Linda Burt Cheyenne Foster Grandparents program partners seniors and students On Monday morning, Grandma Becky helped kids go down the slide, cheered them on as they made their way across the monkey bars, and assisted with putting on a boot that had fallen off. On Monday afternoon, Grandma Karen helped students add up three plus seven, write out the equations they were putting together, and draw a specific numbers of apples on a tree. Becky Figgins and Karen Hale are Green River's foster grandmas, as they are both part of the Foster Grandparents of the Wyoming Rockies program, which pairs seniors with students in local schools. The Foster Grandparents program "We have grandparents that go into the schools and help kids that just might need a little extra help," Angie Fessler explained of the Foster Grandparents program. Fessler works as a project coordinator for the program based out of Laramie. Foster grandparents work directly with local schools and teachers in order to help out with students for a few hours a day. "It's good for the kids and it's also good for the grandparents to get out of the house and have purpose and give them something to do and socialize a little bit," Fessler said. "It's just a really good program for everybody involved." In order to be a foster grandparent, seniors need to be at least 55, have a limited income, be able to pass a background check, and be willing to work a certain amount of hours each week. Those who are involved in the program also participate in monthly training. Currently, the program has several foster grandparents working all around the state, including in Uinta County, Carbon County, Albany County, and in Sheridan and Buffalo, as well as having Figgins and Hale in Sweetwater County. "They both have been doing it for a while," Fessler explained of Figgins and Hale. "They're really good and their schools really like them and really appreciate that they go in and do that." Continuing to work with children Both Figgins and Hale spent many years of their lives working with children, and both expressed how much they missed it after retiring. So when they learned about the Foster Grandparents program, they were excited for the chance to get involved. Figgins heard about the program first when she saw a flyer at the library about a year and a half ago. Since she'd already been considering volunteering at a school, the program seemed like the perfect opportunity. Shortly after getting involved, Figgins, who is 73, was getting coffee with her friend Karen Hill, who is 77. The two had originally worked together and gotten to know each other at the Child Developmental Center, and have maintained a friendship since retiring. Figgins explained the program to Hill, who decided she was interested in participating as well. "I thought, even though I'm getting up there in years, I'm still able to help out a little bit and be with kids," Hill said. Both of them ended up applying, being accepted, and getting partnered with local schools. Figgins ended up back at the same place where she worked as a teacher for almost two decades, returning to the Child Developmental Center to help out as a foster grandma. "I love the early childhood years, just watching the way they build their knowledge of the world around them," she said. "So I feel very fortunate to be able to go back into that environment. And I feel like I was able to right away step into how to be useful in the classroom because I know the environment so well." Figgins helps students in the classroom with personal self-help skills, like getting coats on and off and washing hands, and she helps and interacts with them during playtime. She also works more closely with a few students who need extra help and support in learning skills like counting, and she finds fun ways to build those skills. "It's all in the nature of play, but we're slowly working on those goals," she explained. For Hill, joining the program gave her the opportunity to keep working with children but in new ways. She ended up being placed in Harrison Elementary School, and was specifically asked to help students with their math skills. She spends about four hours a day, for four days a week, helping in several different kindergarten and first grade classrooms. At first Hill wasn't sure about helping with math, and she admits that she isn't able to help much with students in older grades. "They learn math totally differently than we did in the 50s," she said, explaining that she's learning from it, too. But she enjoys helping out with the younger students, especially those who need a little extra support. "I just basically work with the kids that are having a hard time getting the concepts," Hill explained. She recalled working with one student who was especially struggling and had almost given up on being able to understand the math concepts he was learning. "So I just sat with him one-on-one, and that little guy finished all his papers," Hill remembered. "He lit up like a light bulb. And when you see things like that, any teacher, anybody that's worked with children, can tell you, that's that reward you need. It's just to be there and see their eyes light up when they say, 'Aha, I got it. I could do this.' It's amazing." Star photo by Hannah Romero The rewards of the program Both Hill and Figgins agree that being a part of the Foster Grandparents program is enjoyable and rewarding, for both the kids and themselves. "It's a good thing on both ends," Hill said. "It's a give-give thing." "It's wonderful and necessary, I think, for me, to have a sense of purpose," Figgins said. "And it makes me so happy to be making those connections with kids." For both Figgins and Hill, building relationships with students is one of the most rewarding aspects of the program. After having spent so many years as a teacher, Figgins explained it's especially nice to not have to worry about the more mundane parts of the job and to instead be able to just focus on and interact with the kids. "It's so important, because all learning takes place in the context of a relationship," she said. "And if students don't have a strong relationship with someone, they are at a disadvantage. And so I'm there to be that person when somebody needs a little bit extra." Hill feels a similar connection with the students she works with, and is happy to be able to give them the support they need. "The kids that really are struggling and just need that extra TLC, I love to be there for them," she said. "It just warms my heart." Thanks to the program, the students have also formed a special bond with the foster grandparents who have been there to help and show them that support. "They call me Grandma Karen," Hill explained. "Whenever a child says, 'Grandma Becky, can you come play with me?' Oh my goodness, that's my happiest day," Figgins said. I had always thought of chile con queso as a Texas dish until the first time I went to Chihuahua, the Mexican-food expert Diana Kennedy once wrote. Many of the staples of American Mexican food not to mention Tex-Mex have their origins just over the border. Quesadillas, burritos: They come from the north, which makes sense, as northern Mexico is the land of wheat and the flour tortilla. But as Fidel Caballero, the El Pasoborn, Chihuahua-raised chef and owner of the recently opened Corima, told Eater, Its not just about burritos, my friend. The restaurant, which began life as a series of pop-ups, is taking norteno cooking out of the quesadilla shops and planting its flag in fine dining. The space long, deep, dark, a block west of Dimes Squares hubbub is split in two with a front-bar area for a la carte dining and a more secluded back room, in direct view of Caballero, his team, and an impressively flaming grill, for a two-hour, $98 tasting. There is significant overlap among the two menus, and even opening cocktails have a tweak of the unexpected. Amid the citys profusion of mezcal bars, Corima offers sotol, a Chihuahua spirit distilled from the desert shrub of the same name. In the Desert Rain, mixed with Cocchi Americano for a kind of alt-white Negroni, it had a milder profile and an intriguing freshness. Ive spent a lot of time in the desert, our waitress opined, and the Desert Rain has the taste of desert rain. Besides a cheese quesadilla with huitlacoche and, for extra mushroom funk, black truffle, theres not much youre likely to have encountered elsewhere. Its no longer all that unusual to find insect garnishes, though you may need translation assistance to understand that the chicatanas dusting a tlayuda (an Oaxacan snack thats like a distant cousin of the nacho) with beef cecina (salted and air-dried like a tender Mexican bresaola) are a smoky shower of ants. Caballero cooked at Contra and at a three-star Michelin restaurant in Spain before opening Corima with his wife, Sofia Ostos. Chefiness pervades. Aycote beans come with a sour whey broth and a lacy kerchief of housemade headcheese. Straighter down the middle is a full raw-bar platter with spicy surf clam with leche de tigre, razor clams, oysters, and albacore until you come to the roe-dotted jalapeno mince served on cobwebby sheets of Japanese gamtae. For my tastes, Caballeros interpretations of his home cuisine would have been more than enough, but Corima dabbles in japonaiserie so often, from the Tokyo-style decor of bare wooden tables and angular, uncomfortable benches and stools to regular-enough cameos of Japanese ingredients and techniques, that the restaurant could fairly be characterized as what we used to call fusion. Did I need uni three-quarters of an ounce, the bartender confided stirred into my $22 gin sour? Besides mild shock value and a faint, back-end hit of ocean salt, Im not sure what it added. Edamame guacamole on the tlayuda. Potato udon (wet fries, Id have to say) in the corn-husk dashi. Nixtamalized daikon. Chicharron furikake. Okay! Mexicos northernmost states have historically seen plenty of outside influence the carne asada that originated there came from Spanish settlers bringing cattle; Chihuahua cheese was originally made by local Mennonites but the international interventions at Corima tend to distract as often as they add. The real reason to go to Corima is its sourdough tortillas: warm, char-pocked, and cuddled into a bowl. My colleague Tammie Teclemariam rated them among the best flour tortillas in New York City and had the luck of watching one being made, stretched onto an inverted wok while its raw side was tanned with a blowtorch. Elastic and yeasty with a satisfying chew, it comes with a slick of recado-negro butter with the tannic, slightly coffeeish tang of red-eye gravy. You could wrap hanks of it around any of the mains: a nearly black-skinned red snapper blinking up from its plate, tender carne asada in a chile jus, or my favorite, braised duck enmoladas, ready to be rescued from beneath an opaque bog of cotija foam. (Theyre experimenting with levels of wet, one of my guests noted doubtfully.) You could just as soon take it straight. At $9, its a luxury tortilla. Even still, we finished ours and called for another. In the Tarahumara culture, indigenous to Chihuahua, corima means circle of sharing, but it was one circle I didnt care to share. Scratchpad Corima 3 Allen St., nr. Canal St.; corimanyc.com Spaces, Rated Given a choice between the two rooms, Id opt to sit in the back for the theater of the kitchen and the cozier atmosphere. More Drinks If uni cocktails arent your thing, Corima has a nice wine list, including several selections from Mexicos burgeoning natural-wine scene. Vegans Think Twice A vegetarian at my table quickly discovered that there isnt much to order for someone who wants an entirely plant-based meal. Bar Jabroni will serve a beef tartare with English peas, cured egg yolk and charred spring onion. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle Bar Jabroni in the Lower Haight neighborhood of S.F. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle The bathroom decor at Bar Jabroni in San Francisco. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle Bar Jabroni, located in the Lower Haight in San Francisco, was designed with the help of Hayley Johnson of Rakis Design. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle The owners of San Franciscos Palm City Wines never meant to open a hit sandwich shop. But when the pandemic derailed their plans for a neighborhood wine bar with great food, they rejiggered to survive. Now, four years and many hoagies later, their original dream has come to fruition. Dennis Cantwell and Monica Wong opened Bar Jabroni at 698 Haight St. in San Francisco on March 21. Its a restaurant disguised as a bar, Cantwell said. They teamed up with Robert Hernandez, former chef de cuisine of San Franciscos Octavia and a Top Chef contestant, to create a playful menu that defies the typical bounds of wine bar food. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I want a menu that is as funky as their wine, Hernandez said. I want things that are very flavorful, that will stand out, that are not one-dimensional. I dont want to put olives on a plate. Bar Jabroni's riff on scallion pancakes with date puree, green garlic and sesame oil. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle Customers can drop in for a glass of chilled red wine and oysters with pickled kohlrabi or cornmeal-battered artichokes with a pepperoncini remoulade. Hernandez is particularly excited about his riff on a scallion pancake, layered with date puree, green garlic and sesame oil, and served with whipped feta for dipping. In homage to a baked potato, gnocchi is topped with creme fraiche, chives and caviar. Punchy sauces like salsa macha and black garlic ranch punctuate the menu. Or diners can linger over a full meal, from braised beef cheeks to pasta rotolo. The latter, which Hernandez likened in the same breath to lasagna and cinnamon rolls, starts with a ragu of mushrooms whipped with cream cheese. He layers the ragu onto a sheet of pasta, rolls it up and poaches it whole. Slices are crisped up in butter and served with salsa verde, Pecorino Romano and parsley oil. Advertisement Article continues below this ad From left: Co-owners Monica Wong and Dennis Cantwell with chef Robert Hernandez at Bar Jabroni in San Francisco. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle For dessert, theres tres leches topped with whipped sour cream and an Okinawan brown sugar crumble, plus simple Parmesan cheese with hazelnut biscotti and orange marmalade. The menu may change on a seasonal or creative whim, which Cantwell and Wong are excited about after keeping things mostly consistent at Palm City. (There wont be hoagies at Bar Jabroni menu for now, but never say never, Cantwell said.) San Franciscos Bar Jabroni offers an extensive wine list. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle Palm City, named one of Esquires best new restaurants in the country in 2020, also became known for its natural-leaning wine selection. Cantwell, previously the wine director at San Francisco institution Nopa, said hes drawn to bottles that punch above their price point and esoteric varietals from less classically famous wine-growing regions like the Dolomites in Italy or the Sierra Foothills. The bar serves several by-the-glass options, from light reds to the owners own wines under the label Vini Jabroni: a pinot gris from a vineyard on the Sacramento River and a carbonic Carignan from Mendocino County. It boasts an unusually extensive bottle list for a casual bar, featuring revered European natural wines and cheeky tasting notes such as so smooth, just like your boy Carlos Santana. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Tres leches with whipped sour cream, strawberries and Okinawan brown sugar crumble at Bar Jabroni in San Francisco. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle Theyve transformed former Lower Haight Ethiopian restaurant Axum Cafe into a retro, cozy bar with the help of Hayley Johnson of Rakis Design and La Playa Builders. They kept an exposed wood bar and concrete floor, but covered one wall with textured, hand-painted pale green and pink plaster. Yellow-tile tabletops bring another pop of color. The bathroom, moody with maroon and gold accent walls, is decorated with framed prints of quintessential cinematic toilet scenes, including the Dude from The Big Lebowski. We didnt want it to feel too precious or perfect, Wong said. Its something that still feels like it belongs to the neighborhood. Bar Jabroni. 5-11 p.m. (last call for food at 10 p.m.) Tuesday-Saturday. 698 Haight St., San Francisco. barjabroni.com With the launch of the Galaxy S24 series, Samsung extended the software support for certain phones to 7 years (both OS updates and security patches). Now the company has decided to give some of its Enterprise Edition devices even longer support. Tablets launched in 2024 or later will receive 8 years of support. Currently, this boils down to just the Galaxy Tab Active5, which launched in January, but there will be new models going forward, of course. For Enterprise phones like the Galaxy Xcover7, Samsung will provide 7 years of support, just like the S24 series for consumers. Note that at launch the Tab Active and the Xcover were only promised 4 OS updates and 5 years of support. Enterprise devices: 8 years of support for new tablets 7 years for new phones (2024 and newer) This news was shared on LinkedIn by a Samsung exec from the Netherlands. Its not clear whether this will trickle down to consumer tablets, but Galaxy S phones going forward already match the 7 years of the Xcover. Its tablets that are the issue even premium slates like the Galaxy Tab S9 series only get 4 OS updates and 5 years of patches. That was the case for the 2023 Galaxy S phones too, maybe the Tab S10 series (coming later this year) will also be bumped up to 7 (or maybe 8?) years. Source (login required) | Via 1 | Via 2 Lawmakers wont move yet on bills to extend drivers license terms up to eight years, or tighten up on vape and tobacco advertisements. Both bills were sent back to committee during Thursdays legislative session, along with a bill to change how candidates for public office report their campaign fundraising. Sen. Roy Quinatas Bill 174-37 would reduce the amount of time spent in line at the Division of Motor Vehicles by extending the license period up to eight years, the same validity period under the federal REAL ID Act. It would simplify the renewal process for residents, and improve functionality at the Department of Revenue and Taxation, Quinata said Thursday. But despite broad support from 10 senators, Quinata ultimately moved to send the bill back to committee to make amendments to it. During discussion, Sen. Sabina Perez tried to amend the bill to increase the fees for drivers licenses to $60, and to change technical aspects in the bill dealing with how fees would be laid out. Renewal fees laid out in law are $25 for a three-year renewal, and $45 for a five-year renewal. There are also various associated processing and late fees. Sen. Joe San Agustin said he supported the amendment. "What you're paying today for a three-year driver's license is cheap. Because the cost to Revenue and Tax, if I'm correct, it's like getting $40, $43, he said. But Perez ultimately withdrew her amendment, and Quinata opted to send the bill back to committee for corrections. Rev and Tax made $3.4 million in drivers license fees over the past five years, according to a fiscal note attached to Bill 174-37. The only measure to advance Thursday was Vice Speaker Tina Muna Barnes Resolution 311-37, supporting Taiwans participation as an observer of the World Health Organizations 77th World Health Assembly. Vape advertisements Likewise failing to move forward Thursday was Perez Bill 195-37, limiting tobacco and vape product advertisements. The bill would prohibit the advertising or marketing of tobacco products or e-cigarettes on TV, radio and print and within 6 feet of any place within a retail establishment where a purchase is made. Perez said the legislation was aimed at preventing youth exposure to advertisements that encouraged smoking and vaping. She pointed to a recent survey of over 30,000 students in Guam which found just over a third of both high school and middle school students smoked or vaped. Her bill mirrors the Federal Smoking Prevention Control Act, signed into law in 2009. But Perez tried to make several amendments to the bill, including one which would limit any outdoor tobacco and vape advertisements to black text on a white background. Sen. Tom Fisher said there was a technical error in one amendment that might actually prevent people selling tobacco and vapes from limiting outdoor advertisements. San Agustin motioned for the bill to be sent back to committee to be amended, and his motion passed, despite an objection. Campaign filings Also stalling out Thursday was Quinatas Bill 233-37, which would require candidates in Guam elections to file campaign finance reports on a quarterly basis. Currently, reports are due only in the second half of the year, around election time. Minority Republican Leader Sen. Frank Blas Jr. said he thought it was a good bill, but did not like the timing of it, just a few months ahead of this years August primary. "While it may not drastically change things, it has that perception that we're meddling with the election process right before one, Blas said. Sen. Chris Barnett also noted that the bill could change what happens to funds a candidates campaign may have lying around from the last election. Currently, Guam law requires candidates who have leftover money from a race for one office, senator for example, to donate that money to their party if they decide to run for another office, like the congressional seat, Barnett said. The change would allow the candidate to carry that leftover money over to their new campaign, he said. I'm not sure if that's the kind of election reform that we need to be making during the 11th hour of this election, Barnett added. Sen. Telo Taitague motioned for the bill to be sent back to committee. Her motion failed to overcome an objection. Barnett motioned for a reconsideration, and it passed. Lawmakers recessed until 3:30 p.m. Friday, and are expected to vote then. Guam Department of Education officials, including high school principals, are weighing alternatives to the current double sessions at John F. Kennedy High School in order to provide a better setting for Simon Sanchez High School students, Superintendent Erik Swanson said on Tuesday. Overall rightsizing of the GDOE and internal K-12 team has developed a process to identify school communities that can possibly be combined to fully utilize school campuses, Swanson told Guam Education Board members. GDOEs next steps are to involve community stakeholders from schools, nearest offices, and the education board in making decisions regarding realignment and attendance areas to serve the smaller population in the best way possible, he said. And the intent here is there may be some consolidations we can do at the end of this year for next school year, and then, phase farther out two or three more years, he added. JFK High in Tamuning has been hosting Simon Sanchez High students mostly living in the north since the beginning of the school year after Typhoon Mawar compounded the long-existing structural issues at the Yigo campus, forcing it to close completely. The double-session arrangement has posed various challenges among the students, affecting their extracurricular activities, academics and bus operations, among others. GDOE has begun evaluating site options for a temporary campus, Swanson said during last weeks board meeting. These locations, he said, include the Chief Brodie Elementary School if it were to close, an area adjacent to George Washington High School, a place close to Okkodo High School, and a spot just across the Simon Sanchez campus. Swanson noted that if an additional facility could not be secured, an alternative solution is to look for hosting options locally. Education Superintendent Erik Swanson received a subpar performance evaluation score of 1.38 out of 4 from the Guam Education Board during his first six months with the Guam Department of Education. GEB Chair Mary Okada said the board during evaluation identified three areas that Swanson should work on: accountability, leadership, and communication. So, these are the three areas weve discussed with the superintendent to work on for the next evaluation period, Okada said during a board meeting on Tuesday. Sen. Chris Barnett, education oversight chairman, agreed that these major areas, which are crucial for GDOEs success, are where Swanson has struggled with in his first months. Superintendent Swanson assumed leadership of the Guam Department of Education during a challenging time, and it may be difficult to see the effect his leadership and management style has had in just six months, Barnett said in a statement on Wednesday. Barnett said he talked to Swanson to offer encouragement but also discussed the instances under his watch that validate the boards evaluation. He told me he remains committed to moving forward and improving on his performance and that of his management team as well, Barnett said. Meanwhile, board member Maria Gutierrez said the superintendent should hold his staff accountable for his poor evaluation. Superintendent, because your own people make you receive that rating. They dont care. Thats why we said, hold them accountable, said Gutierrez. The evaluation was based on Swansons performance in his first six months, and the board will reassess him by June 30, Okada said, which marks his one-year tenure as education superintendent. 14 points of Adequate Education During his report, Swanson laid out updates regarding all 14 points outlined in the Every Child is Entitled to an Adequate Public Education Act. By pointing out the 14 points in the superintendents report, board members could assess their compliance with Guam law, according to Board Vice Chair Angel Sablan. Last month, a Superior Court judge summoned Swanson and nine education board members to court on April 22 following a lawsuit by 10 parents, alleging non-compliance with public law, causing irreparable harm to students with disabilities. According to Swanson, GDOE still needs to fill 60 vacant positions to ensure certified teachers are in every classroom. So, were still recruiting and working with the University of Guam. We also have our program for certifying our temporary teachers, folks who have degrees and getting them certified, Swanson said. That programs moving forward too, but we will still need to recruit heavily. Swanson said all schools have certified professional administrators, principals, and assistant principals. They also have access to the services of certified guidance counselors, school health counselors, allied health professionals for their students, he continued. Swanson mentioned that GDOEs classrooms are air-conditioned and properly ventilated to no greater than 78 degrees, with over 725 classroom units already installed and more ongoing. The installation of air con units at Astumbo Middle School, which is targeted to be reopened after spring break, is underway. Also, the procurement of large air con units for Okkodo High School and Astumbo Middle School is moving, but slowly. Installation of the contract should be complete across the whole system by the beginning of next school year. Then we go into a two-year warranty period after that for servicing what was installed, Swanson said. Swanson reported adequate potable water supply, with water fountains, filling stations, and hand-washing stations available on all campuses. Schools also have reliable electricity from the Guam Power Authority, he said, adding that GDOE is coordinating with engineers to install solar panels to cut utility costs. In terms of proper sanitation requirements, Swanson said all schools have flushable toilets with appropriate ratio for enrolled students. However, one campus, Agueda I. Johnston Middle School, has closed its one restroom, which was replaced with portable toilets while repairs are being worked on, he said. School renovations He also reported that nine campuses will undergo renovation and replacement of all restroom fixtures and address cosmetic and structural issues. The F.B. Leon Guerrero Middle School contract is complete, and the groundbreaking for the project is scheduled for next week. Final revisions for the refurbishment contract of the eight other school campuses is nearly complete, Swanson said. With regards to the adequate supply of adoptive required textbooks, he said money from the Education Stabilization Fund and American Rescue Plan were allocated for purchasing instructional materials and resources to support three school years at all grade levels. The consolidated grant funds further supplement consumable materials for STEM and robotics courses, added Swanson. He stated that all GDOE schools have libraries meeting American Association of School Librarians standards, run by certified librarians. Theres a need, however, to recruit one more certified librarian, he said. All schools are also in compliance with the health, safety, and sanitation standards through Guam Department of Public Health inspections and certifications, according to Swansons report. He said 17 schools, along with active Sodexo and GDOE-operated kitchens, hold current health certificates. Moreover, the school calendar was adjusted to make up for the three days lost during Typhoon Mawar, ensuring all schools meet the requirement of 180 instructional days, Swanson said. Schools with alternating schedules, meanwhile, certified the requirement through hardcopy or digital resources and face-to-face instruction. Swanson noted that all typhoon-affected schools have also returned to full-time onsite instruction, except Astumbo Middle School. Finally, all students, including those with Individualized Education Plan, have access to timely school bus transportation by the Department of Public Works, despite challenges with double sessions. Current double sessions on campuses put extra load on DPW drivers and limit some transportation options based on overtime work hours. However, their normal academic program is supported, the superintendent said. Inaccurate report Gutierrez asserted that Swansons report was inaccurate, saying that the staff responsible for writing it should be held accountable. Superintendent, I appreciate that you followed Mr. Sablans request of the 14 points, but whoever gave you all this information are not accurate, Gutierrez said. And you need to put them accountable. Meanwhile, Sablan told Swanson to verify the information in his report as it will be used in the ongoing lawsuit. As far as whoevers preparing this information for you, I know you mentioned earlier in our meeting that you want to trust people, but you also want to verify that, said Sablan. These minutes, as you know, are going to be used in the lawsuit to verify what DOE is actually doing in our court, getting the most accurate, up-to-date information that will help us. Gutierrez countered Swanson, saying that not all schools have access to certified special education teachers, guidance counselors, health counselors, allied health professionals, and even libraries. I did my homework. I called some of the schools but some of them still are waiting for teacher vacancy to be filled, she said. How many special ed teachers ... that are certified as you go out there to the schools? Remember that were being sued. Your staff are not the ones being sued. Its us. The board member also mentioned the absence of an air conditioning repair contract, a concern she has raised in previous meetings. She emphasized the importance of fixing broken units along with ongoing installations and hiring the right people that knows the job. Issues in proper sanitations in schools, particularly the dirty restrooms, were also brought up by Gutierrez. Ive been to schools where the restrooms are dirty, Gutierrez said. This is what our kids have to go through. Gutierrez and board member Peter Alexcis Ada highlighted the delayed response in replacing portable toilets at Agueda I. Johnston school. A sixth grader recently made a petition advocating for improved restroom facilities at the campus, which received strong support from students, teachers, and other stakeholders. Why wasnt it done right away? Why does the student have to take the lead? And I hope after your meeting with them ... something is happening there. Lets not forget, Gutierrez said. Swanson explained that the campus buildings restroom ceilings have concrete spalling issues, causing the school to refrain from using them and requiring the use of portable toilets to maintain the appropriate ratio. This school is one of the ones thats going to be refurbished, all of that will be replaced, and we are also in the midst of moving, excavating two drain lines to the problem on that campus, Swanson said. Gutierrez mentioned receiving a report indicating delays in bus operations, adding that the overall rightsizing at the department is not happening. Im able to get one on the email of one of the schools, because my grandson goes there. And we always get this: The bus is delayed, the board member said. The overall right-sizing of DOE, I dont think is happening. Meanwhile, Sablan asked Swanson about the timelines of the activities that are underway and requested him to provide them in the next meeting. The vice chair also raised the issue of school security. GDOE already met with the chief of police and staff, according to Swanson, and that they are willing to volunteer and deploy additional patrols on campuses. Temporary, emergency power supplier Aggreko needs to agree with a number of revisions to a proposed contract with the Guam Power Authority before the deal can move forward, according to GPA General Manager John Benavente. Benavente said Thursday that hes talking to Aggreko about the revisions, meant to bring the contract in line with Guam law, which were made at the suggestion of the Office of the Attorney General. Were not over the hump with the temporary power, he told the Consolidated Commission on Utilities. GPA was shooting to stave off a return to frequent load shedding this summer by getting the 20 megawatts of temporary power from Aggreko online by May. Its been estimated that the installation and activation would take around 100 days. But as of this week, it will take until at least late June for the temporary power to come online, if the 100-day timeline is followed. A version of the $25 million Aggreko contract hit the desk of Attorney General Douglas Moylan for review over a week ago, but was returned to GPA for a number of revisions. Several clauses had to be added in, according to a review by the AGs office, including prohibitions against gratuities, kickbacks, and favors, a statement concerning ethical standards and prohibition against contingent fees. Several clauses from the Guam Administrative Rules and Regulations also needed to be dropped verbatim into the contract. GPA submitted a revised contract this week. But the AGs office is awaiting word from GPA about Aggrekos agreement to the revisions before taking action, Civil Division Assistant Attorney General David Rivera told GPA in an email Wednesday. GPAs Benavente told CCU Thursday he is cautious about the current situation with the contract. If the other party doesnt agree to the changesthats where we are, he said. CCU Commissioner Simon Sanchez said he believed all of the needed revisions are boilerplate language that has nothing to do with pricing or anything like that. The deal with Aggreko got CCUs approval in January, but the Public Utilities Commission said they would not approve the contract until the Legislature changed the law so that GPA could enter into the two-year, $25 million deal on an emergency basis. Senators passed such legislation earlier this month, and Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero signed it shortly after. It is now Public Law 37-81. Nearly every single day, theres a report about an individual who was arrested while on pre-trial release. The number of defendants who were arrested again while on pre-trial release for just two months of 2024 is three times the rate for all of 2023, according to a recent release from the Judiciary of Guam and documents from the Office of the Attorney General of Guam. The Judiciary snapshot gives background information on its Pretrial Services Office, a section of the Probation Services Division that oversees defendants who have been charged with crimes but have not been convicted. That includes supervision and ensuring they attend hearings, as well as enforce release conditions such as electronic monitoring and drug testing. The release says judicial officers by law must favor release and provide the least restrictive conditions, avoiding incarceration whenever possible. But the attorney general said the numbers dont lie, and Guam needs to change who gets to be released back into the community. Its overwhelming our resources and requiring more police officers, prosecutors, investigators and staff to keep us all safe, when we simply need to keep those repeat offenders and meth addicts in jail until their trials, Moylan said. Heck, its already costing us. When you become a crime victim you will finally get what I am saying. Governor, build a bigger prison to protect us. Chief Justice Robert J. Torres tasked the Pretrial Services Office to track the performance and effectiveness of the pretrial justice system for all of 2023. The report showed: Of the 1,008 defendants awaiting case disposition, 317 were detained and 691 released on supervision Of the 691 released, 40 were re-arrested, or 5.8% that re-offend. Of those 40 re-arrested, 10 were arrested for a new violent offense punishable by imprisonment and 30 arrested for a new offense. Of the 691 defendants released, 191 or 27.% were issued warrants for failure to appear. For the last several months, Moylan has sent monthly Catch, Release and Re-offend reports. His numbers include those defendants who not only are re-arrested but also those who violate release terms. The latter part of 2023 already showed an upward trend, he said, and its not getting any better. We need to work together and not be offended by our trying to keep our home safe. Its counterproductive to criticize the People of Guams prosecutors and police officers who are breaking their backs every day with these ever-increasing numbers of arrestees, Moylan said. Moylans numbers for December 2023 show 113 suspects released and 16.8% re-offending or violating. His January numbers show 17 re-offenders or 12.6% of 134 defendants released. February numbers show 32 re-offenders of 165 released, or 19%. Moylan said Guams crowded Department of Corrections cannot be an excuse, and the government needs to build bigger prisons. Our safety is infinitely more important than we dont have space, the AG said. If any leader cannot do their job, step aside to let someone who can do it. Another proposal to pay Guam residents up to $100,000 for illnesses caused by nuclear weapons testing in the Pacific is before the U.S. House of Representatives for a decision. The Democrat-led U.S. Senate this month passed a bill to expand the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, or RECA, to include Guam and survivors from other states. The Biden Administration has likewise issued a memo in support of the expansion. But the expanded payouts for Guam now have to make it past the Republican-controlled House, which blocked a similar expansion last year. Speaker Therese Terlaje, author of a resolution supporting the passage of expanded payouts for survivors, spoke during legislative session Wednesday about the lengthy battle to get the federal government to recognize the impact nuclear fallout has had on the health of Guam residents. Advocating against injustice and against suffering of your people, and for the love of your people. It has united us, it has united us for two decades, at least, not just because each and every one of our families has suffered cancer. But because they continue to deny that the potential responsibility, they continue to deny that it might even be true, Terlaje said. Her resolution details the extensive nuclear testing at the Bikini and Enewetak Atolls in the Marshal Islands between 1946 and 1962, and the long classified reports of heightened levels of radiation reaching Guam around that period. Republican Minority Leader Sen. Frank Blas Jr. joined Terlaje in supporting the resolution. As hopeful as I am that we can finally get some resolution. Its marred with the skepticism and the unfortunately, reality that this may not be the last time were going to have to bring this up, Blas said. All 15 local lawmakers have signed on in support of Terlajes resolution, which will be transmitted to Congress once it passes a vote. Meanwhile, in Washington, D.C., Republican Del. Jim Moylan and a bipartisan group of 14 representatives are petitioning House leadership to support the expansion of radiation payouts. It has become abundantly clear that the actual harms of radiation exposure in the early days of the U.S. atomic weapons program well exceed RECAs current scope. This program must not only be reauthorized, but reformed to ensure that all affected Americans receive the restitution they deserve, a letter to Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson states. If the expansion doesnt pass, the over 30-year-old RECA program is set to expire this June, and payouts to radiation survivors across the U.S. will end. The Senate bill seeks to extend payouts until 2030, and increase the maximum payout for survivors with certain illnesses up to $100,000. It was introduced by Sens. Josh Hawley and Ben Ray Lujan, respectively from Montana and New Mexico, two states with a history of radiation exposure incurred by the federal government. PBS reports that the estimated $50 billion price tag of the expanded compensation program may still be a concern. That amount of funding is about 1.4% of the estimated $10.4 trillion worth of money that the U.S. will spend on nuclear weapons by 2033, according to a report shared with the PDN by local Pacific Association of Radiation Survivors President Robert Celestial, who has been advocating for Guam radiation survivors for over two decades now. Truth was covered up Guams Sen. Chris Barnett Wednesday said it was only because of advocates like Celestial and PARS that the federal governments exposure of Guam residents to nuclear fallout, and increased illness came to light. Barnett shared the story of two of his mothers sisters dying of cancer. This truth was covered up for decades. And it wasnt until the documents were declassified in 1994. And not even then because it took the good work of Mr. Robert Celestial poring through mountains and mountains of documents, he said. While in the Army, Celestial helped clean up the fallout from 67 nuclear bombs in the Marshall Islands back in 1977, the PDN reported previously. He was only recognized by the government with an Atomic Veteran Service Certificate last year. It took United Airlines all of 17 hours to pounce on an opportunity it had been denied for more than five years, Uniteds Sam Shinohara, managing director for Asia Pacific airport operations, told the Guam Hotel and Restaurant Association on Thursday. Shinohara, the guest speaker at GHRAs general membership meeting held at Capitol Kitchen, said the key to reaping the benefits of Uniteds new route will be the hard work of everybody in the room. United will launch daily nonstop flights between Guam and Tokyo Haneda International Airport on May 1. Uniteds application to occupy a slot was already on file, since they had already applied for a slot at Haneda Airport but did not win their bid. So when Hawaiian Airlines gave up their slot, United was quick. Two weeks after the application, United got the green light to offer daily flights to Guam from the Tokyo airport. Japanese visitors had traditionally arrived via Narita International Airport, which is at best an hour away from downtown Tokyo. An average office worker in Tokyo flying to Guam would need to take off work during lunchtime just to manage the commute to Narita, about 40 miles away. Using the new Haneda-Guam route, the traveler could finish work for the day and then take a leisurely ride to Haneda that could be less than 30 minutes away. Doing so not only saves time but also the money a traveler would use to get to Narita. It will be slow going at first, said Shinohara, but things are moving in the right direction and people will catch on. I know on the United side is certainly a super big deal for us. But I think its a really big deal for the visitor industry here on Guam as well, he said. I think Haneda is a great opportunity for us. I will say when we got it, we werent, you know, super ecstatic about the timing that we got. But with a slot at Haneda, you can get your toe in the door and then you knock the door down...I think were going to be super successful. The daily flights from Haneda are scheduled to arrive at 4 a.m. The profile of the Japanese visitor has changed over the years, Shinohara said, and the industry must be flexible and ready. Theres also the unknown factor of the domestic customers from more than two dozen cities that United could not serve via its Narita route that it now connects with the Haneda route starting May 1. Shinohara said United plans on making a big splash with the first Haneda arrivals, and he invited the GHRA membership to join United in welcoming them. An earlier press release said the Guam Visitors Bureau expects an additional 25,000 seats between May 1 and Sept. 30 with the 166 seats per flight on Uniteds 737-800. Have an idea? Want to praise or comment on something? Submit your letter to the editor. U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer is shown in his chambers at the Phillip Burton Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in San Francisco on Wednesday. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle After a federal judge sentenced a San Francisco man to 30 days in jail for holding a gun to a postal workers head and stealing his mail, U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy called the sentence unacceptable and a threat to other postal carriers. A union leader said the judges decision was absurd. The sentence generated outrage, and was held up by DeJoy and others as a prime example of the need for more severe punishment for crimes against mail carriers. What they didnt mention was that federal prosecutors had acknowledged the defendant, Leroy Wise, would pose little or no danger to the public if released. Though they had asked for a longer sentence than the judge imposed, prosecutors were seeking far less prison time than the maximum allowed by law. Nearly a year after the crime, the judge commended Wise for his remorse and rehabilitation and said he might avoid further confinement altogether if he continues his good behavior. Stanford University criminal law professor Robert Weisberg said the sentence, though short, was far from unprecedented in U.S. courts. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Wise, then 33, entered the postal truck in San Franciscos Ingleside neighborhood in August 2022, threatened to shoot the driver and stole letters, packages and the drivers cellphone. He was accompanied by another man who has not been caught. Wise was arrested at his home the next day and charged with armed robbery, punishable by up to 10 years in federal prison. He had one previous criminal conviction, for misdemeanor battery of a law enforcement officer in 2011. A more complex picture emerges from court records in his case. They show, among other things, that Wise had survived a traumatic upbringing by a father who was a gang member and encouraged him to use drugs. While free on bond after his arrest, Wise has been recovering from a serious illness, supporting two children by working at a nonprofit shelter and has expressed deep remorse for the robbery. Mr. Wise is a different person now, his lawyer, Assistant Federal Public Defender Elizabeth Falk, said last month in a filing with U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer. Breyer evidently agreed. At a hearing last July, he praised Wises post-arrest conduct and told him, Its really important that you stay on this path. Its basically the difference of whether you go to jail or not. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The judge ultimately imposed a 30-day jail term, telling Wise at his Feb. 14 hearing that some period of confinement was needed to send a message to other would-be postal thieves. He also ordered Wise to pay $1,300 in restitution. Four weeks later, DeJoy issued a statement calling Breyers decision simply unacceptable, and said it sends a concerning message of encouragement to our nations criminals and a message of disregard to our loyal public servants. This is absurd, Brian Renfroe, president of the National Association of Letter Carriers, said in a post on X. Its time for federal sentencing to be strengthened for any and all crimes against letter carriers, especially when a life is threatened. But Falk, Wises defense lawyer, said the case must also be viewed through the broader lens of the events that have impacted Wises life. He was born in the Bayview-Hunters Point neighborhood to young, unmarried parents. His father was arrested and jailed when Wise was a child, but after the fathers release, his mother sent the 14-year-old to live with his father, with devastating consequences, Falk said in a court filing. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Drug-users visited their home every day, Falk said, and Wises father encouraged the youth to take marijuana to ease his pain. When Wise was 17, gang members broke in and shot his father in the face, and Wise made the 911 call that helped save the mans life. Wises mother refused to take him back, Falk said, so he couch-surfed between aunts for years while in high school, holding jobs at a hospital, in construction and landscaping, teaching classes, working most recently at a shelter and fathering and raising two children. The decline of the COVID pandemic cost Wise his job at the shelter in 2022, Falk said, and he fell into anxiety and deep depression that he tried to treat with Xanax. Then in August 2022, Wise allowed himself to revert to the 17-year-old kid who came to understand violent street crime as routine and made the terrible, awful decision to target a postal worker in an armed robbery, a decision that Falk said Wise would do anything to take back. Wise pleaded guilty to two felonies and, with a federal magistrates approval, was sent to a halfway house, then to live with his fiancee and their two children while awaiting sentencing. He was hospitalized for a month last summer with a severe stomach infection that required surgery, but has regained his full-time job as a night-shift supervisor at the shelter and has not used drugs for 18 months, Falk said. His life has taken a significant upturn as a result of this federal prosecution, and he is grateful for that, Falk said in her sentencing memo to Breyer, who described it as the most convincing memo Ive seen in his judicial career. Meanwhile, she said, Wises father has recovered from his life of gangs and drugs and is teaching at a private school. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Considering Wises entire life story, Falk said, the Court should conclude that Mr. Wises core is that of a rule-following person who has the wherewithal and the determination to live the rest of his life in a law-abiding manner. Federal prosecutors, somewhat surprisingly, offered a similar assessment. The government acknowledges that Wise has performed well on pretrial release and has thoughtfully expressed an understanding of the harm his actions caused, as well as his remorse, Assistant U.S. Attorney Wendy Garbers said in a court filing. Wise himself does not appear to pose a significant risk of reoffending. But she said a prison sentence was needed to deter attacks on postal workers, who have faced an unprecedented increase in robberies and assaults in recent years, with San Francisco among the hardest-hit areas. Garbers asked for a 28-month sentence, less than half the 57-month minimum recommended by the U.S. Sentencing Commission for the crimes. Falk countered that federal judges are not bound by the commissions guidelines. She cited recent cases in which Breyer and another judge had examined defendants records and their behavior and decided not to send them to prison despite guidelines that recommended even longer terms than those covering Wises crimes. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Weisberg, a legal scholar and co-director of Stanfords Criminal Justice center, said that Wises sentence was neither extraordinary nor shocking in a system that gives judges considerable latitude. On Wednesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a law banning Floridas homeless from sleeping or camping in public and municipalities that dont strictly enforce the new mandate, could be sued. While the consequences for refusing a request from law enforcement to vacate public property remain ambiguous forcing municipalities to actively prevent people from sleeping in public has led some to contend the new law implicitly criminalizes homelessness. According to the legal framework, cities found not enforcing the new mandate could leave themselves open to civil suits from residents, business owners and even the attorney general. Florida will not allow homeless encampments to intrude on its citizens or undermine their quality of life like we see in states like New York and California, DeSantis said in a news release. The legislation I signed today upholds our commitment to law and order while also ensuring homeless individuals have the resources they need to get back on their feet. Floridas homeless population In 2023, Florida ranked third in the United States for its homeless population, with a total of 30,809 individuals identified as homeless. Of these, 15,706 were living without shelter, while 15,103 had access to some form of shelter. Among them, 6,423 were identified as chronically homeless and 2,504 were veterans. Further, according to data from the Florida Department of Education there were 78,277 homeless children enrolled in public schools across the state. As of March 15, 2024, there are 83 homeless shelters across Florida. Under the new law, if there are not sufficient open beds in homeless shelters, municipalities may sanction a specific area of public property for public camping or sleeping subject to approval by the Florida Department of Children and Families. The area must be drug free, equipped with security measures, provide access to bathrooms with running water and offer behavioral health services and facilities with substance abuse and mental health treatments. The Florida counties with the highest homeless populations include Miami-Dade, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Broward and Palm Beach. Some, cities, like Miami, already have local ordinances that ban public outdoor sleeping but the new law creates a statewide mandate. State Rep. Sam Garrison, who sponsored HB 1365, said with a challenge as complex as chronic homelessness, it is all too easy to fall into the trap of comfortable inaction. In Florida, we will learn from the mistakes of cities like San Francisco, Denver, Los Angeles and more which are paying the price for their unwillingness to act, Garrison said. This bill will not eliminate homelessness. But it is a start. And it states clearly that in Florida, our public spaces are worth fighting for. The status quo is not an option. In Florida we choose to act. It is simply the right thing to do. The law is scheduled to take effect on Oct. 1, however, a portion of it will be implemented on Jan. 1, 2025. Following a tip from an anonymous caller on Saturday afternoon, deputies from the Volusia County Sheriffs Office descended on the beach in front of the Nautilus Inn in Daytona Beach, Florida, to investigate reports of a couple unconscious in the sand. Upon their arrival, they found Alyssa Langley and her fiance, Timothy Stephens, both age 27, passed out on the sandy shore with empty beer bottles strewn about and an empty, unsealed, glass bottle of Crown Royal Canadian whisky nearby. According to the arrest affidavit, deputies attempted to wake Stephens by talking to him but were unsuccessful. However, after shaking him and yelling, Sheriffs Office, he came around and confirmed two children, ages 5 and 7, had been with them on the beach but neither Stephens nor Langley knew where they were now. In their report, deputies noted, There were no lifeguards around Stephens spot on the beach; thus, there was no one watching the children had they ran into the ocean and could not swim. Eventually, the children were located safe and unharmed, swimming in the pool at the Nautilus Inn, where the family was staying. Both Langley and Stephens, who were in Florida on vacation from their home in Georgia, were handcuffed and placed under arrest Langley for child neglect and Stephens for two counts of child neglect and possession of alcohol on the beach. But as deputies were attempting to gather additional information from Stephens, he unexpectedly ran away, causing officers to give chase in an attempt to overtake him, the affidavit said. However, Stephens tripped and landed (unconscious) on the ground. The Daytona Beach Fire Department arrived on scene and Stephens was transported to Halifax Hospital in Daytona Beach. He was released several hours later and transported to the Volusia County Branch Jail, where Stephens also was charged with attempted escape. Langleys grandfather agreed to take custody of the children. Detectives from the Polk County Sheriffs Office in Florida have arrested eight suspects for online sex crimes against children as part of a multi-agency undercover investigation they call, Operation Predator V. The investigation took place Feb. 22-29, and included support from the Auburndale Police Department, the Davenport Police Department, the Lakeland Police Department, the Lake Wales Police Department and the Hardee County Sheriffs Office. According to investigators, the suspects communicated with, and solicited, individuals they thought were children or adults who had access to children online. Five of those arrested were charged with human trafficking after allegedly showing up to an undercover location in Polk County at separate times to sexually batter children offering to pay hundreds of dollars to have sex with someone they thought was a child. Im so thankful for our detectives and partnering agencies for their hard work to keep our children safe from predators who sexually abuse, groom and corrupt our children, Polk County Sheriff, Grady Judd, said. Parents need to be all up in their childs business when it comes to electronic devices that give them access to online gaming, mobile applications, texting or the internet. Check their devices regularly, and ensure parental controls are enabled to keep predators like these away from your kids. In all, detectives filed 27 felony charges against eight suspects. Larry William Hayes, 41, of Plant City, Florida. Charged with human trafficking, use of computer to solicit guardian, traveling to meet a minor and use of two-way communication device to commit a felony. Edmundo Dasilva, 37, of Holly Springs, North Carolina. Charged with human trafficking, use of a computer to solicit guardian, traveling to meet a minor and use of two-way communication device to commit a felony. Nelson Louis, 29, of Tampa, Florida. Charged with human trafficking, use of computer to solicit guardian, traveling to meet a minor and use of two-way communication device to commit a felony. Hasan Abu Halemeh, 27, of Brandon, Florida. Charged with human trafficking, use of a computer to solicit guardian, traveling to meet a minor and use of two-way communication device to commit a felony. Willie Merrill, 45, of Plant City, Florida. Charged with human trafficking, use of a computer to solicit guardian, traveling to meet a minor, use of two-way communication device to commit a felony, attempted traveling to meet a minor and attempted use of computer to solicit guardian. Brandon Ray, 34, of Mulberry, Florida. Charged with use of computer to solicit guardian and use of two-way communication device to commit a felony. Manuel Canasi, 45, of Land O Lakes, Florida. Charged with use of computer to solicit guardian and use of two-way communication device to commit a felony. John Adams, 61, of Dunedin, Florida. Charged with use of computer to solicit guardian and use of two-way communication device to commit a felony. Also, as part of the crackdown, a special victims response team conducted a review of registered sexual offenders and predators in the area, leading detectives to charge an additional 16 suspects with failure to comply with registration laws and/or violation of probation. Our detectives work hard year round to keep track of convicted sexual offenders and predators who reside in Polk County to ensure they remain compliant with the law, Judd said. It is our mission to keep our community especially the children within our community safe. That is why we conduct initiatives like this one. These 16 suspects learned the hard way that we take every one of the requirements seriously, and failure to comply will result in an arrest. 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. Haiti - FLASH : Spectacular about-face by Jean Charles Moise Spectacular about-face by Jean Charles Moise, fierce opponent of the Presidential Transitional Council (CPT) who had refused to appoint a representative of the radical opposition party "Pitit Dessin" announced (under international pressure) the name of the representative of his Party : Me Emmanuel Vertilaire, former investigating judge at the Court of First Instance of Cap-Haitien, name which was transmitted to CARICOM. According to the words of Moise, reported Wednesday evening in an interview with Le Nouvelliste, "a large country" whose name he refused to give "asked" him to unblock the situation by appointing a member to the CPT... Furthermore, the historic EDE-RED-Compromis political group which had designated the former Minister for the Status of Women, Marie Ghislaine Mompremier as representative changed its choice and replaced its representative with Dominique Dupuy, the current Ambassador of Haiti to the UNESCO without knowing exactly the reasons for this change... CARICOM now has the names of the full members of the CPT, i.e. 7 voting representatives and 2 observers which must now be transmitted to Prime Minister a.i. Ariel Hery so that in the Council of Ministers an order is published in the Official Journal Le Moniteur. Complete composition of the CPT (March 20, 2024 ): 1 - Collective of January 30 : Representative : former senator and coordinator of the OPL political party, Edgard Leblanc Fils The Collective brings together the signatories of the declaration of January 30, 2023 to try to emerge from the crisis: the Haitian Tet Kale Party (PHTK, in power since 2011), the National Union for Integrity and Reconciliation (UNIR-Haiti) , the Dessalinian Popular Party. Patriotic Movement (Mopod), the Alternative League for Progress and Haitian Emancipation (Lapeh), the party of former president Rene Preval, the Organization of the People in Struggle (OPL) and the Grand Rally for Haiti party Evolution of Haiti (GREH). 2 - Montana Agreement : Representative : Fritz Alphonse Jean Signed on August 30, 2021 by 431 civil society actors, 106 grassroots organizations, 326 individuals and 86 political parties or poles. 3 - Agreement of December 21, 2022 : Representative: Louis Gerald Gilles Signed between Prime Minister a.i. Ariel Henry and representatives of political parties, civil society organizations and members of the private sector. published in the official bulletin Le Moniteur on January 3, 2023. 4 - EDE/RED and political commitment and allies : Representative : Ambassador Dominique Dupuy to UNESCO replaces the former Minister for the Status of Women, Marie Ghislaine Mompremier Alliance between the political party of former Prime Minister Claude Joseph (Les Engages pour le Developpement, EDE) and the platform of the Democratic Resistance (RED) and the members of the historic coalition and their allies, which include around forty political parties and movements like Ayiti An Aksyon (AAA), led by former senator Youry Latortue, and the Rally of Progressive Democrats (RDNP), of which Mirlande Manigat, member of the High Council of the Transition, is a member. 5 - Fanmi Lavalas : Representative : Leslie Voltaire Party led by former President Jean Bertrand Aristide. Since at least the end of the 1990s, this force has actively participated in the political life of the country, which has produced two presidents and dozens of senators and deputies. It is one of the most powerful parties in Haiti. 6 - "Pitit Desalin" Party : Representative : Emmanuel Vertilaire Radical opposition formation, founded in February 2017 and led by former Senator Jean Charles Moise. Politically left-wing, this party declares itself open to all those who "share the ideal of Dessalines to the end". 7 - Private business sector : Representative : Laurent St Cyr Made up of personalities, organizations and associations from the business sector, such as the Haiti Tourism Association (ATH), the Association of Haitian Industries (ADIH) and the Chambers of Commerce and Industry, including the Western Chamber of Commerce (CCIO) and the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham Haiti). Observers (non-voting): - Rene Jean-Jumeau Former Minister Delegate to the Prime Minister, responsible for energy security under the Martelly-Lamothe administration - Pierre Jean Raymond Andre General Coordinator of the Coordination of Haitian Diaspora Organizations (COODAH). The resigning Prime Minister Ariel Henry who is still in Puerto Rico is awaiting the list of names (by CARICOM) in order to publish them immediately in the official newspaper Le Moniteur which could be done this week. See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41932-haiti-news-zapping.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41930-haiti-flash-complete-presidential-transitional-council-awaiting-publication-in-le-moniteur-list.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41897-haiti-politic-blinken-affirms-that-the-presidential-transitional-council-will-soon-take-control-of-haiti.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41888-haiti-flash-6-out-of-7-entities-have-submitted-the-names-of-their-representatives-to-the-presidential-transitional-council.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41852-haiti-caricom-extraordinary-session-on-the-transition-in-haiti.html SL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Department of State : Helicopters began to evacuate American citizens Wednesday, March 20, 2024, helicopter flights chartered by the American Government began to evacuate American citizens from the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince in a context of increasing violence, the State Department announced, with a first flight carrying more than 15 people in Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. A Department spokesperson estimated that more than 30 American citizens could leave Haiti each day aboard several helicopter flights. Let's recall that Washington organized a charter flight on Sunday between the city of Cap-Haitien and Miami, Florida https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41909-haiti-flash-the-first-flight-of-americans-fleeing-the-chaos-in-haiti-landed-in-miami.html . "We also continue to explore the possibility of operating from Cap-Haitien so that people can leave from there," the spokesperson said. See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41919-haiti-flash-nearly-1-000-americans-in-haiti-request-help-from-the-state-department.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41902-haiti-flash-the-state-department-will-evacuate-americans-in-haiti.html IH/ iciHaiti Haiti - UN : Humanitarian aid has started to be delivered to Haiti Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, confirmed the start of sending humanitarian aid to Haiti, using the "airlift" from the Dominican Republic. The information was confirmed by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, during a press conference on Monday. Haq explained that it was a return flight and that the organization hopes that "there will be more regular helicopter travel" between the two countries so that they can "have better access to Port-au-Prince". "We continue on this path and we hope that all authorities and all parties on the ground will cooperate in our efforts," he added. "The United Nations continues flights between the Dominican Republic and Haiti and continues to transport humanitarian equipment." "The airlift, in addition to the movement of humanitarian personnel, was able to transport to Haiti more than 800 kilos of medicine, including blood bags, and other medical supplies, essential supplies for the health response of the United Nations agencies and NGOs. Air transport also allowed humanitarian organizations to have enough staff to continue delivering aid," informed the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). HL/ S/ HaitiLibre Haiti - USA : Ron DeSantis wants to send illegal Haitians to the chic strongholds of the Democrats Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis says he will send illegal Haitian migrants arriving in South Florida to upscale Democratic strongholds like Martha's Vineyard, an island best known as the summer home of the American jet set. and Presidents of the United States "We do have our transport program thats going to be operational," DeSantis said about the mass transportation of migrants away from border states. "Haitians land in the Florida Keys, their next stop very well may be Marthas Vineyard." DeSantis has deployed dozens of officers and soldiers, as well as helicopters, drones and boats to patrol the South Florida coast for any illegal migrant boats... "[...] Ive got to defend my State," he said. "Ive got enough issues just dealing with people fleeing from blue states moving to Florida." S/ HaitiLibre Haiti - News : Zapping... Barbecue threatens CPT members Wednesday March 20, 2024, Jimmy Cherisier aka "Barbecue" made threats against the personalities to be part of the Presidential Council supported by the international community. He criticizes them for having agreed to join this Council without a broad consensus between all the active forces in society having been found. Petion-ville : 7 new bodies in the streets Wednesday March 20, 2024, at least 7 new bodies shot dead were found at Delmas 101, rue Louverture (Desermites entrance), rue Rebecca (in front of the Guatemala National School) and rue Panamericana (not far from the oasis hotel). Let's remember that on Monday around fifteen bodies shot dead were discovered in the streets of Petion-ville https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41917-haiti-flash-corpses-litter-the-streets-of-petion-ville.html 3,000 Canadians stranded in Haiti At least 3,000 Canadians are still stuck in Haiti waiting for a means of evacuation, including several Canadian-Haitians, who left for Haiti for the winter, unable to return to Canada... Sunrise Airways Special flights fares Sunrise Airways will operate special Cap-Haitien/Miami/Cap flights starting Monday, March 25. The price of the ticket for the Cap-Haitien/Miami route is 919 US dollars ($970 Miami/Cap-Haitien). Customers are invited to visit the Sunrise Airways website https://sunriseairways.net to book or reschedule their flights. A police officer shot dead Wednesday March 20, 2024, Anel Noel police officer from the 17th promotion, assigned to the Prime Minister's Security Unit, was killed by armed individuals in Delmas 72. High tension in Petion-ville Tension situation in Petion-Ville. Bursts of automatic weapons were heard in Peguy-Ville, Delmas 95 and Route des Freres. All businesses have kept their doors closed... Extension of the curfew Extension of the curfew throughout the West Department from Wednesday March 20 to Saturday March 23, 2024, between 7:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. This measure does not apply to law enforcement officers on duty, firefighters, ambulance drivers, health personnel and duly identified journalists. HL/ HaitiLibre Ryman Healthcare (Ryman) has announced the appointment of David Pitman as an independent director of Ryman and Dr Bernadette Eather as Clinical Advisor to Rymans Clinical Governance Committee. Ryman Chairman Dean Hamilton said he was pleased to have such capable people appointed to governance roles at the company. David Pitman, originally an aeronautical engineer, has spent much of his career at Boston Consulting Group (BCG). Based in Australia, David consulted primarily to the financial services sector and rose to be the Partner leading the firms Asia Pacific Corporate Finance & Strategy practice. In 2007 David moved to Stockland Corporation as EGM Strategy and Corporate Development and was subsequently appointed as the CEO of Stocklands Retirement Living division. In his four years in that role, David led a substantial turnaround in the performance and culture of the business, successfully building it to a nationwide portfolio of over 60 villages through organic developments and acquisitions, including the acquisition and integration of Aevum. David then returned to BCG, this time in Boston, where he was Global Finance Director, responsible for the firms finance operations, accounting and control across 50 countries. David returned to BCG in Sydney in mid-2018 where he held a senior advisor role, before moving into private consulting. David brings strong strategic and transformation experience across a range of sectors to the Board. In addition, his hands-on experience in leading a large scale, multi-state, Australia based retirement living business will be invaluable, said Mr. Hamilton. David will join the Board on 1 May 2024, eventually replacing Geoff Cummings who is retiring at this years Annual Shareholder Meeting. Davids appointment continues the process of refreshing Board leadership, with four new directors appointed over the last 12 months, he added. Dr Bernadette Eather is a highly regarded clinical governance professional in Australia. Bernadette originally graduated with a Diploma in Applied Science (Nursing), then went on to achieve a Master of Health Management, a Doctor in Nursing and a Master of Health and Medical Law. Bernadette is the Chief Nurse and Clinical Service Director for Ramsay Health Care, prior to which she was the NSW Director of Patient Safety at the Clinical Excellence Commission. Ryman director Kate Munnings, who chairs the Boards Clinical Governance Committee said she was very pleased to appoint Bernadette as an advisor to that committee. Bernadette will bring a strong balance of commercial and clinical understanding to the role. Bernadette, along with existing New Zealand-based advisor Dr Tim Wilkinson (who brings extensive geriatrician experience) will provide valuable external oversight and input to our clinical governance processes. Providing great care to our residents is a critical part of the Ryman purpose and having strong governance in this area is important. Bernadette will join the committee on 2 April 2024 and will replace Dr David Kerr who is retiring at 31 March 2024. About Ryman Healthcare: Ryman Healthcare was founded in Christchurch in 1984 and owns and operates 48 retirement villages in New Zealand and Australia. Ryman villages are home to 14,200 residents, and the company employs 7,600 staff. 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Around 7,000 workers have taken part in the carefully targeted strikes since 11 March. THE CENTRAL ORGANISATION of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK) is intent on extending the political strikes launched in protest of the labour market reforms and social security cuts pursued by the government of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo (NCP). Halting the handling of cargo at ports, disrupting rail freight traffic and complicating industrial processes, the strikes were scheduled to end at the start of next week. The Finnish Industrial Union and Transport Workers Union (AKT) on Wednesday announced they will extend the strikes by a week, until the end of the month. SAK itself, however, did not specify the duration of the extension. We have the readiness to suspend the strikes at any moment if the government shows that it understands the concerns of employees, said Jarkko Eloranta, the chairperson at SAK. The government made no concessions, but it is still intent on realising numerous labour market objectives that are negative for employees. Several of them will not have an impact on employment or the balance of public finances. They are not based on factual but rather on ideological reasons, he alleged in a press release. SAK on Wednesday also called attention to a recent survey it commissioned, which shows that 54 per cent of the public approves the strikes staged by trade unions. Support for the actions, it added, is strong particularly among young people, women and blue-collar workers. We continue to have strong public support. Even though employees from only some sectors are on strike, this is a joint effort by SAK, said Eloranta. The survey was carried out on 1317 March by Verian. Riku Aalto, the chairperson of the Industrial Union, accused the government and employer organisations of trying to force workers into submission and creating permanent unrest in the labour market. We are continuing to call for genuine negotiations about the labour market reforms. That is the only way to dispel the tension and restore industrial peace, he said in a press release. You also have to keep in mind what else it at stake. Poverty in Finland will increase by 10,000 people because earnings-based benefits are cut by a billion euros, 17,000 children will fall into poverty when the total impact of the cuts hits. Aalto also told that the scope of the strike has been adjusted slightly to guarantee the jet fuel deliveries required to avoid disruptions in air travel. With the National Emergency Supply Agency (HVK), weve already agreed on some kerosene deliveries that secure certain flights, he was quoted saying by YLE. HVK on Wednesday, however, estimated that fuel distribution in general has not been sufficiently ruled outside the scope of the strikes. Janne Kankanen, the managing director at HVK, stated to Helsingin Sanomat that if the scope of the strikes is unchanged, the strikes could cause problems for the security of fuel supply. The agency estimated earlier that if the strikes widened or continued beyond their two-week duration, they would likely undermine security of supply and efforts to guarantee it. The Confederation of Finnish Industries (EK) on Wednesday estimated that the extension could hurt the economy to the tune of 260 million euros, raising the total cost of the strikes to 1.5 billion euros. Jyri Hakamies, the director general at EK, argued in a press release that the third week of the strikes will be more costly than the previous weeks because many companies will lose clients and more will have to suspend production. Hakamies said he is particularly disappointed with the extension because the government has declared that it has no intention to back down on the proposals. One would hope that moderation and reason prevailed in the labour movement, he was quoted saying by YLE. Prime Minister Petteri Orpo (NCP) confirmed that the government is adamant in its position in an interview with STT on Wednesday. The government still wont give in to pressure on these issues. Negotiating, discussing and talking, those are the ways to find solutions. My hope is that we could continue on that path and forgo these strikes, he said to the news agency. Minister of Employment Arto Satonen (NCP) sat down with representatives from both sides of the labour dispute earlier yesterday, telling reporters that the discussions can continue if no further industrial actions are announced by SAK. The discussions, he said, left him with the impression that both sides were willing to seek answers to the impasse. Trade unions left the meeting with a starkly different impression, as evidenced by the extension announcement from SAK. A cup of tea, a glass of water and a bit of talk, Eloranta was quoted summarising to reporters as he was leaving the meeting by Ilta-Sanomat. Neither side made any offers, he elaborated later yesterday at a news conference, accusing the government of being cold-hearted and unwilling to listen when it comes to the concerns of ordinary people. I have to say that the reception wasnt terribly warm. This does not bode well for future. Today, many are concerned what the governments framework session in April will bring, he added in the press release. Helsingin Sanomat had reported before the meeting that the government is considering making some concessions to trade unions. Aleksi Teivainen HT In a bold move that marks a significant escalation in labor disputes, Finland's trade union JHL has announced the extension of the ongoing export sector strike by an additional week, bringing the total duration to three weeks. The strike, which originally commenced on March 11, is a protest against what the unions describe as the Finnish government's anti-employee policies and drastic social security cuts. This industrial action, now set to continue until March 31, effectively halts the nation's exports, showcasing the depth of the workers' discontent. The extension follows unsuccessful discussions between SAK President Jarkko Eloranta and Finland's Minister of Employment, Arto Satonen, from the National Coalition Party. The government's refusal to compromise on labor market issues has propelled the unions to prolong their protest in defense of both employed and unemployed citizens. JHL President Hakan Ekstrom criticized the government's stance, accusing it of aligning too closely with business interests at the expense of workers' rights and social security, potentially exacerbating poverty levels in Finland. This strike sees about a thousand members from the Trade Union for the Public and Welfare Sectors (JHL) alongside members from other unions affiliated with the Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK) actively participating. Key sectors affected include rail freight transport and several major ports across Finland, though certain essential services are exempt to avoid endangering lives or the country's supply security. JHL's action, supported financially by the union for its striking members, targets specific policies proposed by the Finnish government. These include cuts to housing allowances and unemployment security that disproportionately impact low-income individuals and youths, as well as proposed limitations on the right to strike and the undermining of collective agreements' general applicability. Moreover, a controversial export model for pay, seen as detrimental to low-paid, female-dominated sectors, has also been cited as a point of contention. Ekstrom expresses concern over the stagnation of negotiations on the pay model, attributing it to the government's apparent priority of employer interests over workers' rights. He warns of the long-term consequences these government measures might have on future collective bargaining and labor market stability. The union's demand is clear: they call for the government to engage in genuine negotiations and make meaningful compromises, rather than imposing decisions unilaterally. As the strike enters its extended phase, the impact on Finland's export capabilities and broader labor market relations looms large, signaling a critical juncture for both the government and the unions involved. HT In Estonia, any citizen can track the progress of initiatives through a single digital service , a convenience not available in Finland, A recent study by the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra has highlighted Estonia's more efficient and user-friendly system for handling citizen initiatives, suggesting that Finland could learn from its neighbor to enhance its own process. While Finland sees a growing interest in citizen initiatives, the system in place is deemed complex and in need of development. where understanding the parliamentary process is a prerequisite for following an initiative's journey. Estonian citizen initiatives, which can cover a wide range of proposals beyond legislation, must be addressed by the parliament within six months. In contrast, Finnish initiatives require detailed legal drafting and can take up to 15 months to process, with no set deadline for parliamentary action. As a result, many initiatives in Finland fall through, especially towards the end of electoral terms. Sitra's report, which compares the citizen initiative systems of Finland and Estonia, aims to strengthen democracy and increase citizen participation. It suggests Finland could benefit from adopting aspects of Estonia's system to make the process more accessible and efficient. Citizen initiatives have become a popular means of political participation in both countries over the past decade. In Finland, a significant portion of the population has engaged with this form of activism, with a record number of signatures collected in 2021. However, the Finnish system's stringent requirements and the lengthy process pose challenges to its effectiveness. Onni Pekonen, a Sitra expert, points out that the Finnish system, with its formal demands and reliance on precise legal drafting, could be streamlined. "The process in Finland can lead to impactful changes, but it is cumbersome. Estonia's more citizen-centered approach offers valuable lessons," Pekonen comments. Sitra's recommendations for Finland include enabling easier tracking of initiatives through a digital platform, preventing initiatives from expiring at the end of electoral terms, and integrating public hearings and reports as automatic parts of committee work. The introduction of other democratic innovations, such as citizen panels, could further support the design and decision-making process of citizen initiatives. Moreover, Sitra suggests the creation of a new, simpler form of initiative that could allow citizens to bring issues to political discourse without the need for extensive legal drafting. This would offer a more accessible avenue for civic engagement, potentially enriching the Finnish democratic process. As Estonia sets a benchmark for handling citizen initiatives with agility and transparency, Finland's pursuit of system improvements reflects a broader effort to foster a more inclusive and responsive democratic environment. HT Sweden and Finland have joined NATOs Exercise Steadfast Defender, the alliances largest since the Cold War, was covered in an article by BBC on March 11. Here is a selection of what the international press has published about Finland in the last week: The article provides details of the exercise, aiming to deter Russia and test NATO's new military plans for rapid troop deployment. Steadfast Defender is also the inaugural trial for NATOs new military strategies, aimed at swiftly deploying troops and resources to support any ally facing aggression. Additionally, the exercise reaffirms NATOs fundamental principle that an attack on any member nation will trigger a collective response from all members. The article highlights that Nordic nations, like the Baltic States, are now more alert to the threat from Russia due to their proximity and historical experiences. Theres a perception among military leaders that Russia could target a NATO country in the next decade, necessitating strengthening of NATO forces. Im sure Russia is a threat, yes, and we need to be stronger in the coming five to 10 years, Lieutenant General Carl-Johan Edstrom said. Furthermore, the Nordic states tradition of conscription and high defense preparedness is noted, distinguishing them from other European countries. Original story was published by BBC on 11.03.2024 and can be found here. A cool reception at Finland-Russia border Finlands new temporary law restricting asylum applications from individuals entering the country via its border with Russia, was covered in an article by Euro Weekly News on March 16. The article looks into the new legislation introduced in the aftermath of, what Finland calls, a Russian hybrid attack. The legislation, once enacted, can be in force for a maximum of one month at a time, allowing Finland to maintain the border open for other traffic. Prime Minister Petteri Orpo emphasized the need to control the national border and its immediate vicinity to safeguard Finlands sovereignty and national security. We must be prepared for the situation to worsen as spring arrives, Orpo told the media. According to official figures, approximately 1,300 asylum seekers from countries such as Kenya, Morocco, Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia, and Syria arrived in Finland via its eastern border during the months of November and December 2023, as well as January this year. Helsinki accused Russia for this notable increase. The article also highlights Finlands previous steps to address security concerns along its border with Russia. It mentions the closure of border crossings in November last year and the subsequent influx of asylum seekers, which Finland attributes to orchestrated efforts by Russia. Original story was published by Euro Weekly News on 16.03.2024 and can be found here. Backlash from Finland transport strike brings supply chain chaos This article about a widespread two-week transport strike in Finland, causing supply chain chaos, was published by The Loadstar on March 15. The article gives the gravity of the strikes that led to the suspension of wages for workers in impacted industries. The strike, which has shut down ports and halted manufacturing, had prompted business associations to take action, with implications for various sectors including logistics. Its economic impact is estimated to cost the Finnish economy 320 million if sustained for the full duration. The article highlights the disruption in rail freight operations and delays in cargo shipments, affecting both domestic and international trade. The strike emerged due to the disputes over austerity measures and labour market reforms proposed by the government. Consumer goods that do not spoil, such as bicycles and clothing, could be delayed by the strike by a few weeks to a few months, Vesa Marttinen, the port of Helsinkis director of freight said. Original story was published by The Load Star on 15.03.2024 and can be found here. Finland pitches Preparedness Union to prop-up Europe against future crises This article about Finland urging the European Union and its member states to enhance crisis management capabilities was published by Euractiv on March 15. The article explains the idea of Preparedness Union pitched by Finland to prevent being caught off guard by future crises, emergency discussions, and potential divisions within the bloc. Despite enduring challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the conflict in Ukraine, and the energy crisis, the European Commission has remained resilient. We ask the Commission to develop and publish the first EU Strategy for a Preparedness Union, [which] should be based on a whole-of-society approach, where the needs and contributions of all policy sectors are taken into account, Prime Minister Petteri Orpo told the European Parliament. Preparedness for crises is one of the cornerstones of security, Orpo said. The document obtained by Euractiv outlines 50 areas where the EU could coordinate crisis management and prevention efforts, covering traditional security concerns as well as newer challenges like cyber threats and disinformation. Key elements of the proposed strategy include intelligence gathering, risk analysis, readiness assessments, and joint capacity development. It also suggests appointing a vice-president of the European Commission to oversee the implementation of the strategy. The document highlights Ukraines experience in dealing with crises and suggests leveraging this knowledge for EU preparedness efforts. However, the article also mentions that the idea of a Preparedness Union could lead to tensions among member states, particularly those with well-established national strategies and concerns about Brussels encroaching on their competences. Original story was published by Euractiv on 15.03.2024 and can be found here. Only Iceland, Finland, and 5 other countries had clean enough air to meet a global safety standard: data This article about Finland meeting the global safety benchmark for air quality was published in Business Insider on March 19. The article gives details of the 2023 World Air Quality Report, which shows that only seven countries and two territories met that benchmark with Estonia, Grenada, Iceland, Mauritius, Australia, and New Zealand along with Finland. Data from Swiss company IQAir revealed that 92.5% of nations worldwide exceeded the World Health Organizations recommended levels of PM2.5 pollution, with Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India having the highest exposure levels. The report also highlighted Canada as the most polluted country in North America in 2023 due to wildfires, while only 9% of cities surveyed met WHOs guidelines for PM2.5 concentrations. IQAir compiled an annual ranking using data from 7,812 locations across 134 territories. This data was collected from ground-level air monitoring stations operated by governments, educational institutions, and nonprofits. Original story was published by Business Insider on 19.03.2024 and can be found here. Finns prohibited from doing business at home may be allowed to do so in Estonia This article about 46 Finnish entrepreneurs who are prohibited from conducting business in Finland, still operating in Estonia was published by ERR News on March 17. The article highlights how despite receiving bans in Finland, these entrepreneurs continue their activities in Estonia, where such bans are recognized. The Estonian Ministry of Justice noted that since prohibitions on business may not cover all aspects of entrepreneurial activity, operating in Estonia may not be considered illegal. This means that if a person banned from doing business in Finland comes to Estonia and wants to become a member of a companys board, the court will check for both Finnish and Estonian business bans. If they see that the person has a valid business ban in Finland, then the court will not confirm this person as a board member, Heddi Lutterus, deputy secretary general for legal policy at the Ministry of Justice, said. While a business ban in Finland restricts an individual from being a board member, it doesnt prohibit them from being a shareholder or employee of a company. According to the Estonian Ministry of Justice, engaging in business activities in Estonia may not necessarily violate the Finnish ban, as it primarily pertains to board membership. However, theres a possibility that these individuals could still influence significant decisions within the company, making it challenging to determine their actual level of involvement. Original story was published by ERR News on 17.03.2024 and can be found here. Child care is affordable and guaranteed in Finland, but a ridiculous struggle in Australia Finlands affordable childcare, and its comparison with the expensive childcare in Australia, was covered in an article by ABC News on March 13. The article contrasts Australias market-based child care system, characterized by availability and affordability issues, with Finlands publicly-managed approach, where child care is integrated into the public education system and guaranteed from a young age. Accessing child care in Australia, particularly in regional areas like Broome, proves to be a significant challenge for many families, often leading to financial strain and sacrifices in employment opportunities. It highlights the struggles of families, where limited availability forces parents to resort to desperate measures like informal babysitting arrangements. This scarcity not only impacts parents ability to work but also exposes them to potential scams and exploitation by unscrupulous individuals promising child care solutions. There are just too many families that have to engage in ridiculous struggles to try and find a place for their children. And some of them just give up because its too expensive or too hard, South Australian premier Jay Weatherill said. Contrasting Australias market-based system, the article discusses Finlands approach, where child care is predominantly managed by local governments. In Finland, access to child care is guaranteed, with affordable monthly fees based on income levels. Additionally, proximity to child care facilities is often convenient for families, ensuring easier access to essential services. So in Finland, we have a subjective right for children to get early childhood education, which means that the parents are guaranteed a placement for the child in early childhood education whenever there is a need, Heidi Harji-Luukkainen, professor of education at the University of Jyvaskyla said. Original story was published by ABC News on 13.03.2024 and can be found here. HT EHHS grad is first Public Defender in Piedmont county Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Thomas H. Lock of North Carolinas Judicial District 13 appointed A. Traynham Dorn as the first Public Defender in Johnston County effective July 1. The daughter of Argyll Dorn and the late Haynes Dorn of Flat Rock, Traynham graduated with honors from East Henderson High School and went on to attend Queens College on a Presidential Scholarship, earning a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature in 2000. She earned her law degree from New England School of Law in Boston. Admitted to practice in North Carolina in 2003, Dorn has defended people charged with traffic offenses, DWI, drug offenses, misdemeanors and felonies in Wake and Johnston counties. She has used a community-focused approach through working with indigent clients and serving as a Guardian ad Litem. I am excited to appoint Traynham Dorn as Public Defender for Johnston County, Judge Lock said. She has tried cases in both the Superior and District courts of our county for a number of years, and she has proven herself to be a zealous advocate for her clients. She is highly respect by the Bar and court personnel, and I am confident she will excel in her new position. WHAT a brave decision by the Henley Players to stage Pygmalion. George Bernard Shaws play looks at English Edwardian society around 1912 so you could be forgiven for expecting it to be dated. Not a bit of it for the questions raised in the work could just as easily be raised in the class-ridden England of today: does accent matter, do women truly have equal opportunities, does the way you speak determine how far you can climb in todays society and more. The answers do not say much for progress in the 21st century. Shaw knew his England. The plot of Pygmalion is well known: eccentric, self-centred professor of phonetics Professor Higgins (Peter OSullivan) takes a flower girl from the gutter and plans to pass her off as a duchess or as a shop girl, he says (is there a difference?) with the help of his kindly friend Colonel Pickering (Michael Mungarvan). The pair succeed but at what cost to their flower girl, Eliza Doolittle? She cant go back, she cant go forward. Prof Higgins sees her merely as one of his projects but thats not at all how Eliza sees her future. All she truly wants is love and kindness, neither of which is on offer from Prof Higgins whom she realises is nothing more than a bully and insecure at that. Eliza settles for Freddy (Joe OLeary), who is a wimp but he does love her and she is certain that her loving kindness will help him to grow. As for the cast, they were all superb. Amateur theatre this may be but there is nothing remotely amateur about this production. There is so much humour in Pygmalion, a point which director John Goodman has his cast bring out at every opportunity, not least in their body language. Watch especially the reactions of Mrs Higgins (Eileen Pinkarchevski) to the impassioned speech by Elizas father Alfred (Paul Gittus). A superb piece of acting by both of them. They were a delight to watch every time they were on stage. The mother and daughter of the Eynsford-Hill family (beautifully played by Nancy Gittus and Caroline Hopkins) serve to point up the idiocy and snobbery of the times as they fuss with their feathered hats and look askance at some of the ripe language that Eliza uses in polite company. But the main accolades must surely go to OSullivan for his Prof Higgins, to Mungarvan as the gentlemanly Col Pickering and to Christie Southwick as Eliza. Christie, from New Zealand, had to learn to speak as the Cockney flower girl then use a cut-glass English-speaking voice later. In her childhood dream of being on the stage did she ever imagine the hard work that a production such as Pygmalion would demand of her? She carried her role extremely well and very convincingly at every moment. The lesser roles of Mrs Pearce (Liz McEwen) and the parlourmaid (later the ambassadress, Pam Pitts-Simmons) at another dreadful reception were well cast and well played. The wardrobe, arranged by Jenny Haywood, was another delight. All those gorgeous evening gowns The soundtrack (sound by Dave Pengilly, able as always), which plays songs of the period at the start and during the interval, may well reduce bar profits for the evening for who can resist singing along to golden oldies such as Any Old Iron?, Boiled Beef and Carrots and Hello! Hello! Whos Your Lady Friend, even if we do only know the chorus. We know that the covid lockdowns have made people fearful and all of us lazy stay-at-homes but this play and cast deserve an audience. Pygmalion runs until Saturday. Bridget Fraser Fish farms turn murky waters clear in Liaoning 13:22, March 21, 2024 By Li Lei and Wu Yong ( China Daily Editor's Note: As protection of the planet's flora, fauna and resources becomes increasingly important, China Daily is publishing a series of stories to illustrate the country's commitment to safeguarding the natural world. The once murky waters found in lakes and reservoirs across Northeast China's Liaoning province are being made clear again thanks to the help of a partner found in Mother Nature fish. The state-owned Liaoning Water Resource Management Group in 2016 began implementing a plan introduced by the then-ministry of agriculture to establish fish farms in algae-plagued water bodies to improve water quality and provide a secondary source of revenue. Algal blooms emerge as nitrogen and phosphorus build up in lakes, reservoirs and other slow-moving waters due to agricultural runoff and contamination from untreated urban sewage. The blooms endanger the ecosystem of freshwater lakes and can cause taste and odor problems in waters used for drinking. The water management group, which operates 16 reservoirs across Liaoning and supplies nearly 70 percent of the province's water, has long wrestled with algae. By introducing fish into water bodies, the water resource group is able to control algal blooms, clean up the water and then re-catch the fish to sell on the market once they've reached maturity, bringing in revenue and bolstering the nation's food security. In recent years, provinces such as Yunnan, Anhui and Shandong, where freshwater lakes are abundant, have also rolled out similar programs. However, these programs' custodians have warned the process is not as simple as it seems. "Not all fish can thrive in reservoirs," said Guan Wankai, who oversees the group's operations at Guanyinge Reservoir in Benxi, southeast Liaoning. Guan said to make the program work, the group has looked to filter-feeding fish including carp and types of catfish, that guzzle particles suspended in the water. He said the fish in Guanyinge Reservoir are mostly silver and bighead carp. Citing research data, the official said harvesting a kilogram of carp is equivalent to removing about 20 grams of nitrogen, 1.5 grams of phosphorus and 118 grams of carbon from the water. When calculated by the biomass of algae, 40 kg are eliminated from the water with every kilogram of fish caught. In a written response to China Daily's request for comment, the group said it had released 7,945 metric tons of carp and other species across Liaoning by last year, and the harvest amounted to 28,100 tons. In 2023, 4,600 tons of fish were caught, with the group raking in an additional 71 million yuan ($9.86 million), it said. Double harvest Local media have hailed the approach as a win-win solution, which realizes the "double harvest" for the ecology and economy. The group refers to the practice as "green ecological fish farming", meaning no feed or fertilizers are used throughout the fish life cycle. "The biggest feature of this approach is people release fish and allow them to grow naturally," said Yan Weian, another official working at Guanyinge Reservoir. Official figures show that 52 percent of the country's freshwater aquaculture areas are lakes and reservoirs, which produce about one-fifth of China's freshwater catch. These fish, especially those from reservoirs, are commonly referred to as "ecological fish" due to their health benefits. China is the world's fourth largest organic food producer by growing area, and sales of such food reached 87.7 billion yuan in 2022, according to a report by the State Administration of Market Regulation. The group said many of its fish products had been certified organic and have proved to be a hit in markets including Beijing, Tianjin and Guangzhou of Guangdong province. The organic status is reviewed every year. Fish raised in reservoirs, according to the group, are richer in protein and have a lower fat content due to the province's lengthy winter. When caught in spring, the fat stores of the fish have almost depleted, meaning the flesh is firm and chewy. Carp, the group's signature product, are nutritious containing potassium, sodium and calcium, it said. Urbanization March 22 marks the 32nd World Water Day, and the week starting March 22 is China's 37th China Water Week. Established by the United Nations, World Water Day aims to raise awareness about the global water crisis and the need for access to clean water for all. Each year, the day focuses on a specific aspect of fresh water, such as water scarcity, water pollution or water conservation, in order to promote action and international cooperation to address water-related challenges. Liaoning's approach is a departure from conventional methods used to handle algal outbreaks such as through costly mechanical removals, or using chemicals including algicides or herbicides. Algal blooms surged in China as it rapidly industrialized, according to the Ministry of Ecology and Environment. The expansion of populous urban areas around lakes and reservoirs has in some cases led to sewage discharged untreated, causing eutrophication. Nitrogen, phosphorus and other pollutants from fish farming have also contributed to the process. A major instance was an algal outbreak in 2007 in Jiangsu province's Taihu Lake, the third largest freshwater lake in China that supplies drinking water to hundreds of thousands of households in the city of Wuxi. The water quality deteriorated so much that it began to smell and could not be used. Bottled water was quickly snapped up in the city despite price gouging. Liaoning's practice has come on the back of China stepping up its national food security efforts by diversifying its food sources. In 2017, the central authorities urged at the annual rural work conference that officials establish a "macro food perspective" and seek food supplies from outside conventional areas of agriculture. Grassland, forests, the ocean and even microorganisms, are listed as potential food sources to meet the country's growing need for nutritious sustainment. The push to develop a "macro food perspective" and diversify the country's food sources was reiterated at the most recent central rural work conference held in December. The group said raising fish in its reservoirs is in line with the central government's directive, and is a newly gained duty in the new era. However, it stressed that environmental protection is the absolute priority, and it will attempt to foster a fish farming business that will not strain the environment or interfere with its main tasks. The group noted it had selected species that live in zones of different depths so that waterborne pollutants are fully utilized and not a single area could become overcrowded. As the financial outlook of reservoir fish farming brightens, the group has run into new problems such as a rise in illegal fishing due to insufficient monitoring. Some vendors have even passed off inferior quality products as reservoir catches, hurting the reputation of the genuine article. To make the fish business sustainable, the group has worked with police to combat the illegal fishing. It has also worked with research bodies to introduce new species with higher added value, which makes counterfeits easier to spot while boosting revenue. The group said it is aiming to go beyond 4,000 tons of fish caught a year and increase the annual revenue to no less than 60 million yuan. "With living standards increasing, consumers now prefer organic fish raised in open waters," the group said. "Our fish business has a bright future ahead." (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) by Muhammad Wasama Khalid The Pakistan Army serves as a cornerstone of Pakistans national security apparatus, playing a pivotal role in safeguarding the countrys territorial integrity and defending its sovereignty. Operating tirelessly, its personnel safeguard Pakistans territorial integrity along both eastern and western borders. Their around-the-clock vigilance has established a reputation for formidable strength, even instilling fear in potential adversaries. File Photo of Pakistan Army The Pakistan Armys strategic importance in regional security cannot be overstated. Its role in maintaining national security along the eastern and western borders, coupled with its impact on broader regional dynamics, underscores its significance as a key player in South Asian geopolitics. Moving forward, continued investments in defense capabilities, proactive engagement with regional partners, and adherence to international norms and obligations will be essential for the Pakistan Army to effectively address evolving security challenges and uphold regional stability. Along the eastern border with India, the Pakistan Army maintains a robust defensive posture to deter potential aggression and respond effectively to any provocation. The presence of a well-trained and well-equipped army along the Line of Control (LoC) and the Working Boundary underscores Pakistans commitment to defending its territorial integrity and maintaining peace and stability in the region. In a recent address at the India Today Conclave 2024, General Anil Chauhan, Indias Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), emphasized the persistent threat posed by the Pakistani military despite Pakistans current economic struggles. He acknowledged the countrys financial hardship but asserted that the Pakistan Armys operational strength remains largely intact. Furthermore, General Chauhan identified the rise of China and its deepening strategic partnership with Pakistan as the most significant challenges confronting the Indian armed forces. This burgeoning Sino-Pakistani alliance necessitates a comprehensive reassessment of Indias national security posture. A senior Indian Army general recently remarked upon the seemingly paradoxical relationship between India and Pakistan. He characterized their friendship, as described by their neighbors, as possessing both immense height (as high as the Himalayas) and profound depth (as deep as the oceans). Notably, both nations possess nuclear capabilities. These comments come just days after Indias large-scale military exercise, Bharat Shakti, conducted in Pokhran, a town bordering Pakistan. The generals statement can be interpreted as an acknowledgement of the Pakistan Armys historical effectiveness in defending its territory. He suggests that past Pakistani military actions are etched in the memories of their adversaries, deterring them from future aggression. The generals acknowledgement of Pakistans military capabilities highlights a specific context. These traits, demonstrably effective defense and a deterrent effect, distinguish the Pakistani army from other regional forces. In the aftermath of Operation Swift Retort conducted by Pakistan in February 2019, a demonstrably forceful response, India has exhibited a marked reluctance to engage in further airspace violations. These developments serve as a cautionary tale (or: a salient reminder) for the current Indian administration led by Prime Minister Modi. Any future act of aggression undertaken by India against Pakistan will likely be met with a robust and decisive counter-offensive. Similarly, along the western border with Afghanistan, the Pakistan Army plays a critical role in countering cross-border terrorism, insurgent activities, and smuggling networks. Through comprehensive border security measures, intelligence operations, and counterterrorism efforts, the Pakistan Army strives to prevent militant infiltration and maintain control over volatile border regions. Additionally, the armys engagement in border management initiatives, such as the construction of border fences and checkpoints, aims to enhance security cooperation with neighboring Afghanistan and mitigate security threats emanating from the porous border. On a separate note, a tragic incident unfolded on Saturday in the town of Mir Ali, located within the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province bordering Afghanistan. A suicide bomber detonated an explosives-laden truck near a military post, resulting in the deaths of seven soldiers. The Pakistani military swiftly responded, engaging the attackers in a shootout that culminated in the neutralization of all six assailants. In response to this attack, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari expressed his condolences by attending the funerals of the fallen soldiers. He further issued a resolute statement, vowing to seek retribution for the killings, emphasizing that the blood of our martyred soldiers will not be spilled in vain. Pakistani airstrikes targeted multiple suspected hideouts of the Pakistani Taliban inside neighboring Afghanistan early on Monday, killing at least eight people, two days after insurgents killed seven soldiers in a suicide bombing and coordinated attacks in a northwestern region, officials said. According to a Pakistani security official and an intelligence official, the airstrikes were carried out in Khost and Paktika provinces bordering Pakistan. The officials provided no further details. They spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media. In response to a recent surge in insurgent activity, Pakistan launched a series of targeted airstrikes against suspected hideouts of the Pakistani Taliban within neighboring Afghanistan on the morning of Monday, April 1st [insert year]. This military action, a direct response to a suicide bombing and coordinated attacks that claimed the lives of seven Pakistani soldiers two days prior, resulted in the reported deaths of at least eight individuals. According to anonymous sources within the Pakistani security and intelligence apparatus, the airstrikes were concentrated within the Afghan provinces of Khost and Paktika, both of which share a border with Pakistan. However, citing limitations placed upon them by official communication protocols, these sources declined to provide any further details regarding the specific nature or scope of the operation. The Pakistan Armys strategic importance extends beyond national borders, significantly influencing regional dynamics and geopolitics. Its role as a key security provider in South Asia contributes to regional stability and balances power dynamics in the broader Indo-Pacific region. The armys professional capabilities, operational readiness, and nuclear deterrence posture shape perceptions of security and influence strategic calculations among neighboring countries. Furthermore, the Pakistan Armys involvement in regional peacekeeping missions under the auspices of the United Nations reflects its commitment to promoting peace and stability beyond its borders. Contributions to peacekeeping efforts in conflict-ridden regions, such as Africa and the Middle East, enhance Pakistans reputation as a responsible global actor and foster diplomatic goodwill with international partners. Muhammad Wasama Khalid is a Correspondent and Researcher at Global Affairs. He is pursuing his Bachelors in International Relations at National Defense University (NDU). He has a profound interest in history, politics, current affairs, and international relations. He is an author of Global village space, Global defense insight, Global Affairs, and modern diplomacy. He tweets at @Wasama Khalid and can be reached at Wasamakhalid@gmail.com by Zhao Yang The third Belt and Road International Cooperation Summit Forum achieved a series of important results. Integrity is the highlight of the Belt and Road Initiative. In the 10 years since the Belt and Road Initiative was proposed, China has always adhered to true multilateralism and actively participated in global anti-corruption governance. Discuss international anti-corruption cooperation with all parties at the United Nations, APEC, G20, BRICS and other platforms, give full play to the main channel role of the United Nations Convention against Corruption, assist capacity building in developing countries, and jointly promote a more just world A reasonable global anti-corruption governance order will create a good clean business environment for the Belt and Road Initiative. The belt and road initiative for seamless connectivity and sustainable development The achievements in building integrity benefit people of all countries Over the past 10 years, guided by the Silk Road spirit of peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning, and mutual benefit, China and all parties have adhered to the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits, and guided by the Beijing Initiative for a Clean Silk Road, we have We must work together and work together to achieve significant results in the clean construction of the Belt and Road Initiative, so that the Belt and Road Initiative can truly benefit the people of all countries. About 15 kilometers east of the center of Vientiane, Laos, is the largest freight station on the Mowan Section of the China-Laos Railway Vientiane South Station. It is only about 7 kilometers away from the border between Laos and Thailand. It is an important dry terminal for cargo transfer. Many goods from ASEAN countries are transported to China on the China-Laos Railway freight trains from here. In December 2021, the China-Laos Railway will be officially opened for operation. From January to June this year, this New Steel Silk Road shipped 9.62 million tons of goods across the board, a year-on-year increase of 94.7%; the cross-border cargo volume was 2.3 million tons, a year-on-year increase of 210.8%. The China-Laos Railway is a vivid example of joint discussion, cooperation, joint construction of projects, and shared dividends under the Belt and Road Initiative. It is also a landmark demonstration project in the construction of the Road to Integrity. In order to ensure integrity, the governments of China and Laos have carried out joint supervision and inspection of the China-Laos railway construction project. At this forum, Hengbuhi, deputy director of the Lao National Inspectorate General, said: Through clean construction, the China-Laos Railway has built a convenient new land development channel between China and ASEAN. Laos will continue to attach great importance to and cooperate with China Supervision and inspection of the operation of the China-Laos railway project will ensure that the project will always be clean. Belarus is one of the first countries to support the Belt and Road initiative. The two heads of state jointly advocated and personally promoted the establishment of the China-Belarus Industrial Park. Under the guarantee of clean construction, the industrial park has achieved high-quality construction. As of April 2023, the total number of companies entering the park is 109, with a total agreed investment of US$1.33 billion. Gerasimov, chairman of the Belarusian State Supervisory Commission, said: Belarus hopes to continue to deepen cooperation and promote high-quality and clean Silk Road construction. The Belt and Road Initiatives Integrity Construction Achievements and Prospects released at the Corrupt Silk Road Special Forum systematically summarized the achievements of the Belt and Road Initiatives integrity construction in the past ten years, and further elaborated on the anti-corruption international cooperation in jointly building the Belt and Road Initiative countries. The concept and consensus of cooperation. The document points out that China is willing to work with the majority of countries co-building the Belt and Road to implement every economic policy in place by continuously strengthening anti-corruption and integrity compliance work, so that every construction project can be completed cleanly, and every public fund can be fully utilized. We must make the best use of all resources, bring every corrupt element to justice, and ensure that the results of the joint construction of the Belt and Road are implemented and effective. Form consensus and reach high-level principles for building integrity The One Belt and One Road involves many countries, projects, and funds. Integrity is an important guarantee for the Belt and Road construction to be deepened and practical and benefit the people of all countries. In May 2017, at the first Belt and Road International Cooperation Summit Forum, China issued an initiative to the world to make the Belt and Road a road of integrity. Once this initiative was put forward, it quickly received a positive response from the co-building countries. In April 2019, the second Belt and Road International Cooperation Summit Forum was held as scheduled. At the forums first Clean Silk Road sub-forum, more than 150 representatives from 30 countries and international organizations conducted heated discussions around the theme of extensive discussion, joint construction and shared use of the Clean Silk Road. China and representatives from relevant countries, international organizations, and business and academia jointly launched the Beijing Initiative on the Clean Silk Road, calling on all parties to promote dialogue and consultation in the fields of rules, rule of law, and anti-corruption, enhance the openness and transparency of government information, and actively prevent and prevent corruption. Properly resolve trade and investment disputes and ensure that the rules and governance framework of the Belt and Road Initiative are stable, fair, and transparent. The launch of the Beijing Initiative has established a cooperation platform and proposed a cooperation framework for jointly building a clean Silk Road, and has become a banner leading the construction of a clean Silk Road. At this forums special forum on the Clean Silk Road, the Belt and Road High-Level Principles for Integrity Construction reached in accordance with the domestic laws and international obligations of various countries, allowed parties with different national backgrounds to work on the Belt and Road cleanliness Further consensus was reached on construction. To maintain the positive impact of the Belt and Road Initiative, we must ensure its integrity, and anti-corruption must be involved in every stage of the work. Gada, Director General of the United Nations Office at Vienna and Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Valli said that in the past two years, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has carried out the Silk Road Economic Belt anti-corruption project to promote the implementation of the United Nations Convention against Corruption. I am very happy that China has contributed to this project. This will help provide useful guidance in the field of anti-corruption to practitioners involved in the construction of the Belt and Road initiative. Verma, Director of South Africas Department of Public Service and Administrative Affairs, said that a very important aspect of promoting Belt and Road cooperation is to promote anti-corruption cooperation. Building a clean Silk Road can elevate anti-corruption cooperation to the international level, further promote policy connectivity, and promote connectivity in various fields such as people-to-people exchanges, economy and trade, Verma said. Ashour, Deputy Director of the Egyptian Administrative Inspectorate, believes that the Higher Principles for the Construction of Integrity along the Belt and Road is a useful supplement and improvement to the consensus reached in the United Nations Convention against Corruption. Build a closer, clean and honest partnership Over the past 10 years, China has always adhered to the rule of law in building a clean Silk Road. It continues to promote the conclusion of bilateral judicial cooperation treaties with foreign countries. As of the end of September 2023, China has concluded a total of 171 judicial cooperation treaties with 83 countries, initially building a treaty network covering five continents, providing a platform for jointly building the Belt and Road Strong international legal protection. Looking to the future, China is willing to work with all parties to unswervingly promote high-quality joint construction of the Belt and Road and create a closer partnership for joint construction of integrity. Ma Xinmin, Director of the Department of Treaty and Law of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at the Clean Silk Road Special Forum said in the speech. In his speech, Ma Xinmin put forward three suggestions on building a closer partnership on integrity: First, enhance political mutual trust and consolidate the foundation of the rule of law. Implement the anti-corruption cooperation consensus reached by leaders of various countries, increase trust and dispel doubts, jointly organize the Belt and Road law enforcement and judicial cooperation treaty network, and effectively fulfill the obligations of the United Nations Convention against Corruption and bilateral judicial assistance treaties; second, focus on key areas and promote cooperation upgrades. Regarding issues such as the recovery of corrupt assets that are widely concerned by the international community, especially developing countries, we will continue to strengthen communication and make coordinated efforts. Further improve the cooperation mechanism, expand the platform for fugitives and recovered illicit assets, deepen international cooperation on extradition and judicial assistance, and take practical actions to make transnational corruption crimes have nowhere to hide; third, strengthen exchanges and mutual learning to improve the quality and effectiveness of cooperation. Strengthen the exchange of experience in the rule of law through information exchange, experience sharing, personnel training, technical assistance and other means, improve the ability to punish corruption, and promote the quality and efficiency of international anti-corruption cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative. As Valli, Director-General of the United Nations Office in Vienna, said, jointly building a clean Silk Road is an important way to promote global common prosperity. Pragmatically advancing international anti-corruption cooperation will help promote better implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative and safeguard the integrity of global sustainable development efforts. Source: Legal Daily China By Giulia Paravicini, Jonathan Saul and Abdiqani Hassan Thursday March 21, 2024 General Cargo PEGASUS 01 vessel offloads cargo at the Port of Bosaso, in the semi-autonomous region of Puntland, Somalia January 28, 2024. REUTERS/Abdirahman Hussein/FILE PHOTO Purchase Licensing Rights As a speed boat carrying more than a dozen Somali pirates bore down on their position in the western Indian Ocean, the crew of a Bangladeshi-owned bulk carrier sent out a distress signal and called an emergency hotline. No one reached them in time. The pirates clambered aboard the Abdullah, firing warning shots and taking the captain and second officer hostage, Chief Officer Atiq Ullah Khan said in an audio message to the ship's owners. advertisements A week later, the Abdullah is anchored off the coast of Somalia, the latest victim of a resurgence of piracy that international navies thought they had brought under control. The raids are piling risks and costs onto shipping companies also contending with repeated drone and missile strikes by Yemen's Houthi militia in the Red Sea and other nearby waters. More than 20 attempted hijackings since November have driven up prices for armed security guards and insurance coverage and raised the spectre of possible ransom payments, according to five industry representatives. Two Somali gang members told Reuters they were taking advantage of the distraction provided by Houthi strikes several hundred nautical miles to the north to get back into piracy after lying dormant for nearly a decade. "They took this chance because the international naval forces that operate off the coast of Somalia reduced their operations," said a pirate financier who goes by the alias Ismail Isse and said he helped fund the hijacking of another bulk carrier in December. He spoke to Reuters by phone from Hul Anod, a coastal area in Somalia's semi-autonomous northeastern region of Puntland where the ship, the Ruen, was held for weeks. While the threat is not as serious as it was in 2008-2014, regional officials and industry sources are concerned the problem could escalate. "If we do not stop it while it's still in its infancy, it can become the same as it was," Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud told Reuters last month at his highly-fortified art deco palace, Villa Somalia. Over the weekend, the Indian Navy intercepted and freed the Ruen, which was sailing under Malta's flag, after it ventured back out to sea. The European Union's anti-piracy mission, EUNAVFOR Atalanta, said the pirates may have used the ship as a launchpad to attack the Abdullah. The Indian Navy said all 35 pirates aboard surrendered, and the 17 hostages were rescued without injuries. Cyrus Mody, deputy director of the International Chamber of Commerce's anti-crime arm, said the intervention of the Indian Navy, which has deployed at least a dozen warships east of the Red Sea, could have an important deterrent effect. "This intervention does show that the risk/reward is very much against the pirates, and hopefully that will make them think a few times over," he said. A Bangladeshi foreign ministry official, however, told Reuters the government was "not in favour of any kind of military action" to free the Abdullah. The official, who asked not to be named to discuss a sensitive matter, cited the pirates' advantages when operating close to the Somali coast. RISING COSTS The waterways off Somalia include some of the world's busiest shipping lanes. Each year, an estimated 20,000 vessels, carrying everything from furniture and apparel to grains and fuel, pass through the Gulf of Aden on their way to and from the Red Sea and Suez Canal, the shortest maritime route between Europe and Asia. At their peak in 2011, Somali pirates launched 237 attacks and held hundreds of hostages, the International Maritime Bureau reported. That year, the Oceans Beyond Piracy monitoring group estimated their activities cost the global economy about $7 billion, including hundreds of millions of dollars in ransoms. The current rate of attacks is significantly less, with the pirates primarily targeting smaller vessels in less patrolled waters, maritime risk managers and insurers said. Since November, they have successfully seized at least two cargo ships and 12 fishing vessels, according to EUNAVFOR data. But the mission - which as of February had identified up to five so-called pirate action groups active in the eastern Gulf of Aden and Somali Basin - has warned that the end of the monsoon season this month could see them push further south and east. Their raids have extended the area in which insurers impose additional war risk premiums on ships. Those premiums are getting more expensive for voyages through the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea, adding hundreds of thousands of dollars to the price tag for a typical seven-day voyage, insurance industry officials said. Growing demand for private armed guards is also driving up prices. The cost to hire a team for three days jumped around 50% in February month-on-month, to between $4,000 and $15,000, maritime security sources said. While of limited use against Houthi missiles and armed drones, the guards have proven an effective deterrent against pirate hijackings. No ransom payments have been reported, but the pirate financier, Isse, and another source familiar with the matter said negotiations had taken place about a payoff in the millions of dollars to release the Ruen. A spokesperson for NAVIBULGAR, the Bulgarian company that manages the ship, said it could not comment on ransom negotiations but was grateful to the Indian Navy for freeing its seamen. A spokesperson for the Abdullah's owner, SR Shipping, said the pirates had made contact through a third party, but the company had not received a ransom request. FLAGGING RESOURCES Security experts say there is no evidence of direct ties between the Houthis and Somali pirates, though Isse said the pirates had been inspired by the militia's attacks. In response to the raids over a decade ago, shipping companies beefed up security measures on board, and international navies joined operations led by NATO, the European Union and the United States. As many as 20 warships from 14 different countries would patrol the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean shipping lanes - an expanse the size of the Mediterranean and Red Seas combined - at any given time. The measures practically eliminated pirate attacks. But as the threat receded, participating countries cut back the number of warships, said John Steed, former head of the counter-piracy unit at the U.N. Political Office for Somalia. "Countries' ships dip in and out of the various missions and back to national command," he said. EUNAVFOR, the U.S. State Department and the British navy said they were committed to helping Somalia tackle piracy. They did not respond to questions about whether patrols were stretched too thin or whether they would commit additional resources. Steed said another issue was the lapse in 2022 of a U.N. resolution that authorised foreign vessels to patrol in Somali waters. President Mohamud said the key to containing the threat was bolstering Somalia's law enforcement capacity at sea and on land, "not sending a lot of international ships". In an NDTV interview, Manju Kapur showcased her giant library, exuding an aura of both an academic and a passionate reader. She then reveals the books that made her. She expresses her gratitude to Annie Proulx, whom she has oddly begun to resemble; she says she is amused by Margaret Atwoods humour, that she envies Vladimir Nabokov, and derives pleasure from the works of Amitav Ghosh and James Herriot. You see that though she has devoted her life to portraying women as independent prisoners, her interest goes beyond women writers. Visitors at an art show in New Delhi. (Sanchit Khanna/Hindustan Times) Her latest novel, The Gallery, set against the backdrop of Delhi and Nepal, follows the intertwined lives of two families over three decades. The story is about Minal and Ellora Sahni, the wife and daughter of a successful New Delhi lawyer, and Maitrye and Tashi, the wife and daughter of the peon at the Sahni law practice. The story unfolds through an exploration of the rich and poor binary, and the relentless struggle to bridge differences. Through the metaphorical lens of the titular gallery, the characters venture becomes a powerful symbol, which brings out the broader questions of art as property, value, and self expression. Art plays a big role in the story as does the city of Delhi. Most of the novel features Minal trying to, at first, get her gallery to take off and then putting in years of work to keep it going. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. 388pp, 499; Penguin Women often develop unhealthy relationship patterns due to constant parental nagging, which historically denied them agency and cautioned against perceived dangers, particularly men outside their homes. However, a shift occurs as they reach marriageable age and are encouraged to attract male attention through their attire. The same mothers who once criticised their daughters for wearing makeup now expect them to present themselves attractively, even offering their own cosmetics. This shift significantly influences how women perceive themselves in the public sphere, and make sense of what is given to them and the extent to which they can demand things. The treatment of women by their families undergoes numerous changes from childhood to puberty. In the case of Minal, after she begins college, she falls under the constant surveillance of her brothers wives. They inquire about her life, speculating about her interactions with men: Why so quiet Mina? Met someone? they would ask, vicariously savouring the life of an independent young woman. Minal is unable to form her own opinions. She adapts her beliefs and appearance to align with her partners ideologies. Initially, Antony DSouza, with his intellect and charm, influences her to protest against the Mandal Commission. She becomes consumed by him in a way that is reminiscent of Annie Ernauxs memoirs, where she describes how her lovers shaped her thoughts, emotions, and identity. Ernauxs memoirs also illustrate how social pressures affected power dynamics in her relationships, impacting her autonomy and agency. In A Frozen Woman, the protagonists sense of self, like Minals, diminishes as she conforms to her husbands and societys expectations. When Alok suggests that Minal could have an art gallery as a form of cultural capital, she immediately realises, I must learn to look at things in a more sophisticated way. Ultimately, she feels trapped and consumed by her roles as a wife and mother. READ MORE: Manju Kapur Artists cannot create meaningful works if they are not free Throughout the narrative, both the central characters behave in ways that are not admirable -- like stealing from their wealthy employers home or judging the domestic help for seeking better lives. There is a direct correlation too between patriarchal authority and the oppression of women workers, as seen in Maitryes case. Its clear that the process of class formation is inherently gendered. The novel also makes you wonder if women from different social groups and economic classes can ever meet on common ground. Can wealthy women be trusted to represent the interests of working-class women? Upper-class and working-class women experience different forms of exploitation by men. The economic privileges of upper-class women, however, may lead them to prioritise their own interests over those of working-class women. Career women often hire working-class women to perform domestic tasks, such as house cleaning and childcare (as in Maitryes case), to avoid these responsibilities themselves. They also have a vested interest in keeping wages low to maximise their own surplus. The class struggle is further highlighted through the characters relationships and interactions. Love, friendship, and rivalry serve as powerful vehicles for exploring the impact of societal disparities. Krisna, the office peon, brings his wife, Maitrye, from Nepal so he can secure a quarter in his employers house. She is merely a means for him to climb the social ladder. He does not mind her working relentlessly as The more indispensable his wife, the more secure the quarters. Maitryes circumstances of separation from her daughter, Tashi, when pitted against Minals reluctant but necessary decision to part from Ellora, bring out the nuances of class difference. For Minal it meant leaving behind an idealism ...that dictated she do everything for the child herself. Her husbands insistence on keeping a maid is less about these ideals and more about maintaining appearances: At last they were going to be like other couples. He was tired of answering questions about his wifes whereabouts whenever he went out. Author Manju Kapur (Courtesy the publisher) Minal is not all helpless or an inactive agent of her life. Her meeting with Alok, a rich man who name-dropped, provides her with a window into a larger sphere. This situation brings to mind American writer Ottessa Moshfeghs recounting of her experience, at 17, with an older, respected male writer who might have expected sexual favours. However, Moshfegh did not see herself as a victim in this situation and expresses that it was a well thought out encounter. I knew that what I was asking for was building an expectation for payback in some way. And then I just said, no. Sorry. Ive used you. But Im sure it was the right thing for both of us. The Gallery is about women who have moved from their middle-class bearings to assert their identity. They want their emotional, economic, and romantic desires to be satisfied. In that sense, the novel resembles an Indian soap opera. It also has the pace of a screenplay -- its no wonder that many of Kapurs novels have been adapted for the screen. As the book suggests, in the urban setting, womens struggles intersect with gentrification. As the skyscrapers rise, the narratives of working-class women are often overshadowed. Their stories, however, define the very fabric of the city, silently resisting erasure. Like dancers in a clandestine ballet, they twirl through the delicate balance of nurturing and self-discovery. Yet, identity is a chameleon, shifting colours in the kaleidoscope of experiences. Pranavi Sharma writes on books and culture. She lives in New Delhi. Follow Bloomberg India on WhatsApp for exclusive content and analysis on what billionaires, businesses and markets are doing. Sign up here. HT Image Block trades in India are close to capping their best quarter in 14 years as the countrys booming stock market encourages shareholders to monetize stakes. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Shareholders have raised $7.1 billion selling their holdings in India so far this year, with the quarter on track to have raised the most from block trades since the January to March period in 2010, data compiled by Bloomberg show. Indias equity capital markets have been running hot for the past year as its stocks climb to record highs and foreign investors pile in amid a rotation away from China, which has been mired in an economic slowdown. More foreign inflows are likely to come after the nations general elections starting next month, with the countrys growth prospects providing a catalyst. With elections over, there could be another round of block trades or sell-downs. Domestic liquidity and foreign appetite remain very strong for Indian assets, said Rahul Saraf, Citigroups India head of investment banking. The election results will be tallied on June 4. With one of the worlds fastest rates of economic growth and relative political stability, Indian equities have soared, with the benchmark Sensex Index notching eight years of annual gains. The euphoria has prompted companies in India to go public at the fastest pace on record, as well as encouraging a continuous flow of additional share sales by listed firms since the start of the year. The flurry of activity contrasts with a slowdown in other parts of Asia, including Hong Kong and China, where a mix of economic growth woes and lower valuations have kept sellers on the sidelines. There hasnt been a block larger than $500 million in mainland China or Hong Kong since July, Bloomberg-compiled data show. We are only in March, but ECM activity in India has been very active with volumes already equaling more than 50 percent of last year, largely dominated by blocks, said Kailash Soni, executive director responsible for Indian equity capital markets at Goldman Sachs Group Inc. Despite elections looming on the horizon, markets are not expecting uncertainty during that time, he added. This week, Tata Sons Ltd. raised the equivalent of $1.1 billion through the sale of shares in the groups software services unit Tata Consultancy Services Ltd. Its the largest block involving shares of the software services unit since 2018, data compiled by Bloomberg show. British American Tobacco Plc last week raised almost 175 billion rupees from the sale of a 3.5% stake in its Indian partner ITC Ltd. for Asias largest block trade of 2024. That followed an upsized $820 million stake sale in Indias biggest airline IndiGo by its co-founder, who cashed in as the stock neared a record high. US home appliance giant Whirlpool Corp. sold part of its stake in its Indian unit in February, raising $469 million. It joined a number of foreign firms monetizing their Indian businesses to take advantage of the high valuations. Investors have mostly welcomed the stake sales. ITCs shares surged the most in almost four years after BATs disposal and were trading above the offer price last week. IndiGos shares have climbed almost 8% above the price at which Rakesh Gangwal sold them in the block trade. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. District election officer in Bengaluru has acted upon the complaint against the Union minister and sitting MP from Udupi-Chikkamagulur, Shobha Karandlaje, and filed an FIR at Cottonpet police station on Thursday. The ruling party in Tamil Nadu, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) filed a complaint with the Election Commission after Karandlaje linked the suspect in the Rameshwaram cafe blast with Tamil Nadu during a protest in Bengaluru. Election Commission files an FIR against Union minister Shobha Karandlaje(HT Photo ) Also Read - DMK manifesto promising to stop Mekedatu: Karnataka BJP chief targets Cong govt Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Acting on the DMKs complaint, the ECI directed the DEO of Bengaluru to file an FIR against the MP. She has been booked under 23 (3A), 125 and 123 (3) of the Representation of People Act. During a protest against an attack on a Shopkeeper in Bengaluru, the BJP MP on Tuesday said, "Law and order in Karnataka has deteriorated. People who come from Tamil Nadu plant bombs here, people from Delhi chant 'Pakistan Zindabad' slogans and people who come from Kerala were involved in acid attacks." However, Karandlaje took back her words after a severe backlash and issued an unconditional apology. "To my Tamil brothers & sisters, I wish to clarify that my words were meant to shine light, not cast shadows. Yet I see that my remarks brought pain to some - and for that, I apologize. My remarks were solely directed towards those trained in the Krishnagiri forest, linked to the Rameshwaram Cafe blast. To anyone from Tamil Nadu affected, from the depths of my heart, I ask your forgiveness. Furthermore, I retract my previous comments," she wrote in an X post. In a complaint to EC, DMK said that Karandlaje's statement attempts to promote feelings of enmity and hatred between the people of Karnataka and the people of Tamil Nadu, and has been made for the furtherance of her election prospects. Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin had also condemned the words of the union minister and urged the EC to take action. House Allotment Committee chairman-cum-deputy commissioner Sakshi Sawhney has taken a firm stance against IAS/PCS officers who have prolonged their stay in government residences despite being transferred to other districts several months ago. Ludhiana DC has also called for an assessment of penal rent for those officials who have overstayed. (Gurpreet Singh/HT) The action has been taken after officials, who have been posted in the district for the smooth conduct of the elections, were unable to get government houses to stay with their families. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Expressing concern over the unauthorised occupation of government properties, the DC has initiated measures to ensure compliance with regulations. Notably, the DC has called for an assessment of penal rent for those officials who have overstayed. The move comes in the wake of similar actions taken by the municipal corporation (MC), which issued notices to police officers and civic body officials residing in MC properties without proper authorisation and allotment. Many of these individuals have been living without official allotment letters and have neglected to pay their electricity bills. Speaking on the matter, the deputy commissioner emphasised the importance of facilitating smooth electoral processes in districts by ensuring proper housing arrangements for officials. However, exemptions have been granted to those officers who have provided clarifications and adhered to transfer timelines as per regulations. According to the rules, penal rent will not be applied for the initial two months of residence for officers required to conduct electoral duties. MC commissioner Sandeep Rishi said, We have sent notices to the officers staying at the civic body houses and now we are also going to issue the notice taking care of the penal rent assessment. Kuldeep Singh Khaira, a member of the public action committee, called for intervention from the Punjab chief secretary and the election commission to prevent the misuse of government accommodations by politicians for personal gain during the electoral period. IAS Sandeep Kumar, now posted as the Tarn Taran DC, said, My kids are studying at a Ludhiana school. Now that their session has completed, and after getting all certificates from the school, I will be shifting to the present posting place. PCS Poonam Preet Kaur said, We will comply with the government guidelines. IAS Harjinder Singh, currently serving as the Patiala ADC (D), stated, I have not even completed two months in this position, and I am yet to secure an accommodation in Patiala. The process of obtaining a residence in my designated posting area is underway, and I will vacate this house as soon I receive the new accommodation. PCS Swati Tiwana was unavailable for comments despite repeated attempts to reach her. Gangster Movish Bains fractured both his legs in a bid to escape arrest on Wednesday night after the police conducted a raid. Bains jumped off from the second floor of a building in a stadium near Jandiali and suffered injuries. Gangster Movish Bains in the police custody on Thursday. (HT Photo) The CIA staff-2 arrested the accused and recovered an illegal pistol and four live bullets from his possession. Bains was wanted by the police in a case of opening fire on his rival Mukul on March 6 near Vijay Nagar. A case was lodged against him at Daresi police station. The police were after him for the past 15 days. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. CIA staff-2 in-charge inspector Beant Juneja said they received tip-off that Movish has been hiding in a stadium near Jandiali. The police conducted a raid and on seeing the police party, Bains jumped off from the second floor of the building and fractured his legs. The inspector said Movish Bains and his aides had opened fire targeting his rival Mukul in Vijay Nagar on March 6. However, no one was hurt in the clash, but the Daresi police had lodged an FIR against the accused. The police were searching for the accused and on Wednesday, they found his whereabouts. Bains and Mukul were friends, but they turned foes over some issues. Movish had challenged Mukul to come to Vijay Nagar to settle the scores on March 6. When Mukul turned up there along with his aides in a car, Movish and his aide opened fire targeting them. While Mukul and his aide managed to escape, the accused rained bullets on the car and vandalised it before escaping, he added. The accused is already facing trial in nine cases, including murder bid, possessing illegal weapons and assault. The accused was arrested by the CIA staff-1 in another case in 2023. He came out on bail in over a month ago and again indulged in crime, he added. The inspector added that a hunt is on for the arrest of the rest of the accused. Indias investigation into US claims of an attempted murder of a Sikh leader in New York found that rogue operatives not authorised by the government had been involved in the plot, according to senior officials familiar with the matter. Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a Sikh separatist and vocal critic of Prime Minister Narendra Modis government, said he was the intended victim. India has labelled Pannun a terrorist. (AP) At least one person directly involved in the alleged attempted assassination is no longer working for Indias main spy agency, the Research and Analysis Wing, the officials said, asking not to be identified because the details of the investigation havent been made public. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The individual is still employed by the government and India hasnt started any criminal action against him, the people said. Read more: India needs more big firms for jobs: IMF executive director KV Subramanian New Delhi has informed US authorities about the findings from the government-appointed panel set up to probe the allegations, the people said. The US is demanding a criminal prosecution of the individuals involved, a request reiterated by Donald Lu, assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asia, during his visit to India in January, the people said. US prosecutors in November accused an Indian government official of directing a plot to kill a Sikh activist, who holds US citizenship, in New York in June. Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a Sikh separatist and vocal critic of Prime Minister Narendra Modis government, later said he was the intended victim. India has labelled Pannun a terrorist. Read more: Analysing BJPs focus seats in Kerala for 2024 general elections US prosecutors alleged the Indian government agent described as a senior field officer with responsibilities in security management and intelligence had instructed Nikhil Gupta, an Indian national who had ties to criminal networks, to organise the assassination of Pannun. Gupta was arrested in the Czech Republic and is awaiting extradition to the US to face charges there. The US expects accountability from Indias government based on the outcome of the investigation, a state department spokesperson said on background. The department continues to raise its concerns directly with the Indian government at senior levels, the person said. Read more: India, Bhutan decide to put off PM Modis Thimpu visit over bad weather Indias Ministry of External Affairs didnt immediately respond to an email seeking further information. India hasnt made public any details of the high-level committee set up to investigate the US allegations, including who is on it and the status of the probe. Both India and the US have sought to downplay the significance of the allegations, and have continued to hold bilateral meetings on a number of issues since then. The court of judicial magistrate Taranjit Singh Simra convicted six men a parking contractor and his five aides for assaulting a trader for 17. The convicts had thrashed the trader, Depesh Jain of Tagore Nagar, at a multi-level parking at Mini Secretariat on June 18, 2014, when he refused to pay more than the approved parking fee. The victim, Deepesh Jain, lodged a complaint with the police on June 18, 2014. (Getty Images/iStockphoto) The court convicted the convicts, including Charanjit Singh, alias Chann, Ankush, Sukhwinder Singh, Mickey Sahni, Manu Sood and Inderjit Singh, six months rigorous imprisonment (RI) under Section 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), two-year RI under Section 325 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt) and one month imprisonment under Section 341 (wrongful restraint) read with Section 149 of the Indian Penal Code. The sentence awarded to the convicts ordered to be run concurrently. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The victim, Deepesh Jain, lodged a complaint with the police on June 18, 2014, stating that he had parked his car in multi-level parking at Mini Secretariat on June 18, 2014. The employees of the parking contractor demanded 40 as a parking fee, while the actual parking fee was 23. When he raised objection, the accused dragged him out of the car and thrashed him. Two advocates had come for his rescue and rushed him to the civil hospital for medical examination. Later, he was taken to the then deputy commissioner Rajat Aggarwal. Following his intervention, the police lodged an FIR against the accused. The local health authorities here sealed ultrasound machines at three diagnostic centres and issued show-cause notices to two others. The local health authorities issued show-cause notices to two other diagnostic centres in Ludhiana. (HT File Photo/For reference) Ludhiana civil surgeon Dr Jasbir Singh Aulakh had last week inspected these under scanner centres and found irregularities under the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PC-PNDT) Act 1994. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The licence of a hospital in Jagraon was suspended and the ultrasound sonography machine was sealed until further notice under Section 20(3) of the PC-PNDT Act. The facility was inspected on March 18 and it was found that with a licence for echocardiography only, the scanner was used for pelvic scans. There was no OPD record found for the said patient. Another similar facility in Raikot, inspected on March 19, was found to be running without maintaining a proper record of patients under the Act and also not have the form F filled, which contains patient details, the indication of the test, the patients declaration that she doesnt want to know the sex of the fetus, doctors declaration that she has not determined/conveyed the sex of the foetus. The ultrasound machine here was also sealed under Section 20(3) of the Act. While the machines remain at the respective facilities, the authorities there have warned against fiddling with them. During an inspection at the ultrasound facility at a hospital in Machhiwara, it was found that the in-charge doctor was out of the country without informing the medical authority concerned about the ultrasound room keys with the staff. The machines were sealed and the licence was cancelled under Section 17(4) of the Act. Another hospital in Machhiwara was found indulging in shady practices. Some forms were found cancelled during the inspection. The hospital was issued a show-cause notice and asked to furnish a response within two days. A centre in Jagraon, which had a licence for echocardiography and was doing abdominal scans, was also served a show-cause notice and asked to respond in three days. Confirming the actions, Dr Aulakh said these were taken to ensure strict enforcement of the PC-PNDT Act. A family of five including three minors were burnt to death after a cylinder exploded inside their house in Rajasthans Jaipur city on Thursday morning, said police. The incident took place when the woman was working in the kitchen and the gas cylinder exploded. (Representative file photo) According to police, the family, hailing from Bihar, came to Jaipur to work in a factory and were staying in a slum in Jasla village. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The incident took place when the woman was working in the kitchen and the gas cylinder exploded. All the family members including their three minor children were burnt alive after the house caught fire, said the station house officer (SHO) Rajendra Sharma. Also Read: Six injured in LPG cylinder blast in Pratapgarh The bodies were sent for autopsy. An FSL team was also called at the spot. Further investigation is underway, said Sharma. Meanwhile, chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma also extended his condolences to the family of the deceased. Its a heart-wrenching news of the untimely demise of 5 civilians due to the massive fire at Vishwakarma in Jaipur. I pray to the god to grant peace to the departed souls and strength to the family members to bear this thunderbolt and speedy recovery of the injured. Instructions have also been given to provide proper treatment facilities to the injured, CM wrote. by Pradip Kumar Dutta The Bangladesh National Assembly has declared March 25th as National Genocide Remembrance Day. Rightly so, albeit late, we could, as a nation, start officially paying tribute to the victims of the 1971 Genocide. It is for their supreme sacrifice and the valiant fighting spirit of our indomitable freedom fighters, assisted by India and the Socialist bloc countries, that we proudly stand as an independent nation on the world map. By now, we are faring much better than our former partners in most socioeconomic and political indicators of a modern state. Pakistani Soldier checking genitals of a Bengali civilian Since the passage of the bill by our lawmakers, we have been observing the day. But let us ask ourselves, are we doing enough? Some programs are formally chalked out in some of our government offices. Some foreign missions also devote some time to the issue in their Independence Day programs. Besides, a clarion call is made to citizens to observe a complete blackout for one minute throughout the country at 9 pm on March 25th to symbolize the dark events of the Genocide, starting with Operation Searchlight at approximately that hour. Symbolic lighting of candles on that evening is also observed to show respect and remembrance for the victims of the Genocide. I dont want to hurt the sentiments of anyone, but I would like to mention that whatever we have done so far is utterly insufficient. We owe our independence to these Genocide victims, freedom fighters, and supporters around the globe. The Genocide victims gave their today for our better tomorrow. Lets first discuss who the Genocide victims were. It is often mentioned that our three million martyrs are the genocide victims. In Bangla, there is a tendency to mix up mass killing (gono hatya) with Genocide. Our three million martyrs are, of course, the prime victims of the 1971 Genocide. But there are more. Lest we forget, let me mention them. There were between two to four hundred thousand of our mothers and sisters who were mercilessly physically violated during the nine months of Genocide. Some enemy generals were on record boasting about changing our race by producing true Pakistanis in our ladies wombs. Ten million Bangalees were forced to leave all their properties and belongings behind, to be looted, burnt, and destroyed, seeking asylum in nearby India. There, they had to survive in inhuman and unhygienic conditions in shanties under utter duress. Of course, the Indian government, led by the great leader Ms. Indira Gandhi, supported our Muktibahini (freedom fighters) and refugees to the best of her capacity. Still, the suffering was huge. International NGOs and the Bangladeshi diaspora abroad also rose to the occasion, and the Socialist world accorded moral support. On the other hand, the leaders of the Western world and the newly emerging communist power China supported the Pak military goons. The UN too could not act to stop the Genocide. Cholera, other infectious diseases, exhaustion, malnutrition, hunger, death during improper childbirth without medical support have caused hundreds of thousands of deaths in the camps and among the refugees in transit. All the miseries described above and the resultant deaths come under Genocide. In fact, the 1948 UN Genocide Convention has defined Genocide and fixed it as a criminal offense. Genocide is defined in the convention as an intent or steps taken to destroy in part or whole a group of people. The group may be national, racial, religious, or ethnic. The Convention was passed unanimously in the UN General Assembly, and it came into effect in 1951 after 20 plus countries ratified it in their own parliaments. By now, close to 150 countries have done so. Incidentally, both Bangladesh and Pakistan are signatories to the Convention. So, Pakistan is bound to abide by the provisions of the Convention. To underscore our self-esteem, to achieve our national right, and to honor our Genocide victims, we must achieve international recognition of the 1971 Bangladesh Genocide. After the criminal killing of Bangabandhu, the efforts to this end slackened. Fortunately, in recent years, civil society organizations, pro-liberation war forces, Bangladeshi Diaspora organizations, and the Government have again brought the demand to light. I would not say that the efforts put in are extreme; still, whatever has been done so far has started bringing results. Extraordinary efforts by some young and enthusiastic genocide scholars and activists have worked miracles. Seniors too supported them, and so far, we have succeeded in getting recognition of the 1971 Bangladesh Genocide perpetrated by Pakistan from four renowned international organizations working worldwide on the subject. They are the Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention, Genocide Watch, the International Coalition for Sites of Conscience, and, most importantly, the International Association of Genocide Scholars. We also raised the issue with UNHRC through our Diaspora-friendly organization BASUG of The Netherlands. Conferences and seminars are being held regularly at home and abroad under the auspices of our Diaspora organizations, civil society organizations, the government, and even some foreign NGOs working on human rights. During the current ICJ proceedings of the Palestinian genocide case brought forward by South Africa, the Bangladesh Genocide has been cited as an example. Now, in our opinion, all efforts by different organizations should be compiled and coordinated by the Bangladesh Government, and it should work out a definite and resolute line of action as to how to proceed to get the required recognition from the UN, different other international bodies, and, most importantly, different governments. I have encountered the question of what the Recognition will give after such a long time. Well, recognition of Genocides does not come easily. Armenians had to fight for more than a hundred years to achieve the recognition of the Ottoman genocide against them. That too partially yet. Many genocides have gone into oblivion without ever being recognized or talked about. Expeditions of Chengiz Khan were genocides. Holodomor in Ukraine was a genocide. There were genocides in Indonesia, Timor, Biafra, and Katanga. Nobody talks about them anymore. They are forgotten genocides. But there are success stories as well. Rwandan, Cambodian, Bosnian genocides could draw international attention pretty quickly, and actions were taken by the world bodies. The case on Rohingya genocide and Palestine genocide is being heard by ICJ. We cannot afford to let the 1971 Bangladesh Genocide be forgotten. We have a lot of unsettled business with Pakistan. Let me give a brief on what we will gain by achieving international recognition of the 1971 genocide. 1) Pakistans leadership will be under pressure to offer an unconditional apology for the Genocide. This will be the first victory. It will bring some solace to the Genocide victims and their families. They will feel that their sacrifice had not gone in vain. It will bring back dignity to them as Genocide victims. 2) As a signatory to the 1948 UN Genocide Convention, Pakistan will be bound to bring the perpetrators to justice. It may very well start with the surviving members of the accused list of 195 that Bangladesh was prepared to try, but Pakistan took the responsibility under the tripartite Delhi agreement. That will again satisfy the Bangladesh government, Genocide victims, and their families of justice received. 3) Reparations to genocide victims will be on the agenda. 4) Pakistan will have to take back its citizens who are still living in Bangladesh and willing to go back to Pakistan. 5) Bangladesh will be in a position to negotiate its due share of the national exchequer as of 1971. Both the people of Bangladesh and Pakistan require closure to this long-standing issue. Once it is resolved, we can move forward together for development. Unless the issue is taken up in all seriousness and resolved once and for all, we cannot be at rest. Our martyrs will never forgive us. Bangladeshi civil society organizations imbued with the spirit of the 1971 War of Liberation, all freedom-loving progressive citizens, Bangladeshi diaspora organizations, and the Government of Bangladesh should act in unison and be firm on the issue of international recognition of the 1971 Genocide. Our Honorable Minister of Foreign Affairs has very recently announced that a special cell will be opened in his Ministry to coordinate the issue. In fact, firm resolve from the side of the government is a must to pursue the issue, and it is the government that will have to raise the issue in the international forum. We all should remain rock-solid behind the Government. Together, we shall have to reach the goal to make the Genocide Remembrance Day meaningful and thus show proper respect to our Genocide victims. The writer is a Masters in Engineering. He writes regularly in Bangladesh newspapers on history, heritage, travelling, human rights and environmental issues. LUCKNOW The Budaun police on Thursday claimed that Mohd Sajid, 27, who allegedly killed two minor siblings on Tuesday, committed the gruesome crime in a state of depression. Sajids younger brother and co-accused in the double murder case, Mohd Javed, 24, gave this information during interrogation after he surrendered before cops on Thursday, said SP (Budaun) Alok Priyadarshi. The encounter of the key accused created suspense over the motive behind the siblings murders. Investigators had no clarity on what drove Sajid, who ran a barber shop across the victims house and was, in fact, on good terms with the family, to brutally attack the two brothers with a knife. (Pic for representation) Javed also informed that Sajid was depressed after his wife suffered miscarriages and tried to kill himself in the past. A police team had gone to question his wife, said cops. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Mohd Javed, who was wanted for the murders of two minor siblings in their house in Budauns Baba Colony on Tuesday night, was arrested in Bareilly on Thursday. He appeared at the Satellite police outpost in Bareilly late on Wednesday night, after which he was arrested and brought to Budaun for interrogation, said the SP. We are crosschecking facts and will recreate the sequence of crime with the help of Javed. The police could also opt for narco test, if required, to extract the truth behind the incident, he added. Javed informed that Sajid was feeling unwell on the day of the incident and that he too had visited the victims house at the time of incident. Javed fled after spotting his brother holding a knife in hand and blood stains on his clothes, he said, adding, Even the victims mother Sangeeta Singh informed that Sajid had told her that he was feeling unwell and went up on the terrace where he murdered her two sons, said the SP. Mohd Sajid had allegedly killed two minor brothers - Aayush, 14, and Aahan, 6 - sons of a contractor, Vinod Kumar Singh, after entering their house to demand 5000 from their mother on the pretext of treatment of his pregnant wife Sana. Sajid was gunned down in an encounter with the police three hours after the incident on Tuesday night. The post-mortem report confirmed that Sajid, after slitting the throats of the two children, had stabbed them multiple times. The encounter of the key accused created suspense over the motive behind the siblings murders. Investigators had no clarity on what drove Sajid, who ran a barber shop across the victims house and was on good terms with the family, to brutally attack the two brothers with a knife. Javeds arrest was crucial to establish the motive behind the crime, said cops. The SP said Javed had been taken into custody after the Budaun police approached Bareilly cops. Javed appeared before cops under pressure as a reward of 25,000 was declared for his arrest. He apparently made a viral video stating that his brother committed the crime, he added. In the viral video, the accused was purportedly talking to some people, saying that he fled to Delhi fearing being lynched by a mob at the victims house when he reached there after coming to know about the incident. He later went to Bareilly to surrender after finding out that he was also accused in the case. The victims father, Vinod Kumar Singh, urged the police to question Javed thoroughly to clear the motive behind his sons killings. . LUCKNOW ISIS India head, Haris Ajmal Farooqi, who was arrested along with an associate near the International Border in Assams Dhubri district after crossing over from Bangladesh on Wednesday, had links with Aligarh, having direct contact with the module of the terror organization in this city, said UP ATS officials here on Thursday. Officials said Farooqi was also a member of the SAMUs instant messaging group and used to give directions to other members. (Pic for representation) They said the name of Farooqi, a resident of Uttarakhands Dehradun, surfaced in the ATS investigation after the arrest of eight members of the Aligarh module of ISIS since November 2023. His name also came to fore after the arrest of Shahnawaz and Rizwan, who were associated with a student organization - Students of Aligarh Muslim University (SAMU). Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Officials said Farooqi was also a member of the SAMUs instant messaging group and used to give directions to other members. The ATS team will soon visit Assam to serve B warrant against him in the case registered against him at Lucknow ATS police station. The ATS will try to procure his custody remand to further interrogate him about the Aligarh module and other members active in UP and other parts of the country, they added. Earlier, the Assam police had informed media persons that Farooqi was arrested along with another top rung leader of ISIS in India, Anurag Singh alias Rehan. They said Singh was a resident of Haryanas Panipat and had embraced Islam while his wife was a Bangladeshi national. They described both individuals as highly motivated leaders/members of ISIS in India, involved in various activities including recruitment, terror funding, and planning terror acts using improvised explosive devices (IEDs). They had furthered the cause of ISIS in India through conspiracies to carry out recruitment, terror funding and terror acts using IEDs at several places across India, the official said. . The number of students enrolled in 1,33,035 government-run primary (up to class 5), upper primary (classes 5 to 8) and composite schools (classes 1 to 8) of Uttar Pradesh has gone down by around 24 lakh in 2023-24 as compared to 2022-23 session, show government records. A teacher busy teaching kids in a government-run primary school in Prayagraj. (HT file) Senior officials of the state basic education department are also surprised at the marked fall in the number of students during 2023-24 session as compared to the 2022-23, say officials aware of the matter. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. On December 30, 2023, the basic education department shared on social media site X information regarding registration of 1.92 crore students from classes 1 to 8 in these schools in 2022-23 session. The department had even patted its back on the fact that the student population had increased by 40 lakh in the last six years in these schools. However, in the data sent by the director general, school education, on March 7, 2024, the number of students is 1,67,84,645 for 2023-24 session. It is clear that the number of students has decreased by more than 24 lakh in just one years time. Taking a strong cognisance of this matter, director general, school education, U.P. Kanchan Verma has also questioned senior basic education department officials over the decrease. Now, school-wise numbers are being compared and answers are being sought from the respective headmasters, the officials say. As per the data, there has been a decrease of about 69,000 students in the basic education council schools of Prayagraj district alone in 2023-24 session as compared to the 2022-23. Basic shiksha adhikari, Prayagraj, Praveen Kumar Tiwari said he has sought answers from all the block education officers in this regard. The officials have been asked to probe the issue and provide the real reason behind the fall in the students enrolment in these schools. After obtaining personal explanation from the schools, action would also be taken against the teachers of the schools concerned, he added. The records show that in composite school, Sikandra in Sahson area of Prayagraj, 615 students were enrolled in the 2022-23 session, which came down to 329 in 2023-24. Similarly, last year, 550 students were registered in composite school, Chhata Baharia, but there are just 356 students in 2023-24. In the government primary school Tikari Uphar of Bhagwatpur area of Prayagraj, only 197 children are registered in 2023-24 against 368 who were enrolled in 2022-23. Similarly, there has been a fall of 190 students in government-run primary school, Karma of Kaundhiara, 179 students in composite school, Bargohanakalan and 171 students in composite school, Amba. Similarly, there has been a decrease in student numbers in hundreds of schools across the state. The Bombay high court on Wednesday upheld an order passed by the Central Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal, ordering the release of some consignments of body massagers confiscated by the Commissioner of Customs. The commissioner had held that the imported goods could also be used as adult erotic toys and were, therefore, prohibited. The Commissioner had also imposed penalties on three traders for importing the prohibited goods. (File photo) Merely because the goods can be subjected to an alternative use, of the nature the Commissioner contemplated, this can never be the test to hold that the goods were prohibited when they otherwise satisfied the test of goods which could be imported and sold, said the division bench of Justice GS Kulkarni and Justice Kishore C Sant. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. On April 6, 2022, the Commissioner held that the goodsCaresmith Wave Body Massagerswere prohibited goods under a 1964 Customs Notification and were required to be confiscated under the Customs Act, 1962. Also Read: Bombay HC protects womans right to Juhu matrimonial home The Commissioner had sought opinions from a physiotherapist and a gynaecologist to ascertain if the imported product was a body massager or an adult erotic toy. The experts opined that though the item was a body massager, it could also be used for pleasure. The Commissioner, an adjudicating authority under the Customs Act, had also imposed penalties on three traders for importing the prohibited goods. The traders appealed the matter before the tribunal, which struck down the Commissioners order, prompting the department to move the high court, challenging the tribunal order. The high court, on Wednesday, dismissed the appeals, observing that the findings recorded by the Commissioner were peculiar and clearly appear to be quite astonishing and too far-fetched when he reduces in writing his vivid imagination on what an equipment for a body massage would be and more particularly on his perception on the perceived uses. The bench held that the Customs department was not justified in relying on the Customs Notification, which prohibits the import of obscene articles, to declare the body massagers as prohibited goods merely because they could also be used as adult erotic toys. The clause, the bench said, prohibits the import of obscene goods. These machines like massagers certainly cannot be compared with the companion items in the entries (banned under the Notification) like obscene books, pamphlets, papers, drawings, paintings, representations, figures or articles, etc. After Rangbhari Ekadashi, the celebration of Masan Holi took place amidst burning pyres at Manikarnika Ghat here on Thursday. Participants engaged in Masan Holi by playing with the ashes of the pyres amidst the roaring flames of the crematorium at Manikarnika Ghat. Hindu devotees gather at the Manikarnika Ghat as they take part in the 'Masan or Bhasma' Holi, celebrated with ashes of funeral pyres, in Varanasi on March 21, 2024. (Photo by Niharika KULKARNI / AFP) (AFP) In the afternoon, after the Aghoris worshipped two burning pyres, ashes were offered to Baba Shamshaneshwar Mahadev. Subsequently, the Masan Holi commenced as the ashes showered from the verandah of the temple. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. According to belief, a day after Rang Bhari Ekadashi celebration, Lord Shiva, Baba Kashi Vishwanath, plays Holi with his companions (Gana) at Manikarnika Ghat. Thousands of people played Holi with ashes from the pyres, with many smearing their bodies with ashes and dancing to the tunes of Holi songs such as Holi khele masane mein and Digambar holi among others in Varanasi. Chants of Har Har Mahadev resonated during the festivities, accompanied by the sound of Damru. This year saw not only a crowd four times larger than previous years but also the highest number of youths from other cities. From glittering ashes to multicolored Abeer, the atmosphere was filled with vibrant hues. The celebration also attracted several foreign tourists who captured glimpses on their mobiles and cameras. Earlier in the morning, Baba Mashannath was worshipped as per rituals. Chainu Gupta, president of Baba Mahashmashan Nath Seva Samiti, performed the midday aarti of Baba Mahashmashan Nath and Mata Mashan Kali (Shiv Shakti), offering Jaya, Vijaya, sweets, and Somras to Baba. The Holi celebrations commenced with the offering of ashes and gulal to Baba and Mata, filling the entire temple courtyard and cremation ground with ashes. Additionally, an unusual sight was witnessed this time as some individuals near Lalita Ghat started throwing their old shoes and slippers at people on the opposite side of the crowd. In response, shoes and slippers were hurled back from the other side. Organisers clarified that this was not part of Masanes Holi and attributed it to the conspiracy of a few individuals opposing the festivities. Authorities of a technological university in Sambalpur district of Odisha in Burla have asked students not to wear western clothes and short dresses during an upcoming university festival and threatened to send back home those who flout the decree. Representational image. The Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology (VSSUT) in Burla said western/vulgar/short dresses are strictly forbidden inside the University campus during the Techno-Cultural Fest 2024 festival. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Entry will be prohibited if students are found wearing short clothes, half pants and miniskirts during the event. Students who do not wear ethnic outfits during the event will be sent back from the main gate and will not be allowed to attend the function, the order signed by the registrar stated. Students have been instructed to wear Indian traditional/ authentic dresses for the event. VSSUT vice-chancellor professor Bansidhar Majhi said the main objective is to promote Indian dresses during the events to showcase our culture. We have asked all boys and girls students to wear traditional clothes by which we can add value to the cultural fest. Earlier, during our convocation, we had also asked the students to wear traditional attire. The National Education Policy also states to include and promote culture and the annual event is a big event where we can promote it, he said. In 2018, the Rajasthan government had come up with a dress code for students, asking them to wear salwar kameez or sarees on college premises instead of western outfits. It, however, was revoked after receiving a lot of flak from students. Mar 22, 2024 1:13 PM IST Students who are not happy with their marks can follow these steps given below. If you think you have scored less than what you expected, wait until you get the hard copy of the marks sheet. While the board would take utmost care, it is possible that there is some technical/human error, such as a mismatch of marks or misprint. Once you get the hard copy, contact your school and raise a request for re-evaluation of marks. The detailed process will be announced on the result day. If you are still not happy, you can take the compartment examination, which will be held later this year. Thus, you will get another chance to improve your scores without missing a year. BSEB Inter Result 2024: The Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) has announced Intermediate (Class 12th) results on biharboardonline.bihar.gov.in. Bihar board 12th result 2024 live updates. Bihar board 12th result 2024 on HT Portal soon In addition to the official website mentioned above, Bihar Board 12th results is hosted on hindustantimes.com. If any candidate faces difficulty while accessing the board website, of if it crashes due to heavy traffic, students can use the HT Portal as an alternative arrangement for checking their board exam results. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Bihar board 12th results on HT Portal: Direct link Students can also pre-register on the HT portal and get updates when the board declares results. How to check Bihar board 12th results 2024 on the HT portal? Go to the HT page for Bihar board results. Open the Science, Arts, Commerce or Vocational result tab, as required. Provide the required details and submit to register/check results. The Class 12 board examination, or the Intermediate examination, was held from February 1 to February 12, 2024, across the state. Ahead of the theory examinations, practical examination was held from January 10 to 20. Bihar board 12th result 2024: Important points about BSEB Inter results Statistics are staggering. It is projected that by 2025, nearly 2 million Indian students will study abroad. But not all can afford the exorbitant tuition fees. According to a recent MSM Unifys survey report, nearly 67% of female respondents said that finances could come in the way of their study abroad planning. This includes a lack of information about scholarships, grants and access to various monetary benefits, etc. Though not often talked of, there are several affordable universities in the world with great academic reputation. A few universities do not charge a singly penny as tuition fee, the entire education is free - students have to only pay for their accommodation, food etc. Study Abroad: 10 most affordable universities every Indian student must know(Shutterstock) Here is a list of 10 most affordable universities in the world. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. University of Wuerzburg (Germany): One of the oldest institutions of higher learning in Germany. Offers Bachelor, Master, State Examination, Doctorate programs as well as exchange programs for international students. Scholarships are available for international students. Founded in: 1402 Tuition fee: US$ 145 per semester Popular majors: Cultural studies, Musical studies, Politics, Astronomy, and Molecular and computational biology. Brigham University (Utah, USA): A private research university, it was ranked #16 by US News & World Report in the Best Value Schools category. Degrees offered: Bachelor's, Post-bachelor's certificate, Master's, Doctorate - professional practice, Doctorate - research/scholarship Founded in: 1875 Annual tuition fee: US$ 6,496 Popular majors: Business, Management, Marketing, Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Engineering Florida State University (Florida, USA): Ranking in the US News & Report 2024 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, #53. Founded in: 1851 Annual tuition fee: US$ 9,561 Popular majors: Arts programs - dance, film, music and theatre - rank among the finest in the world. No. 1 among all criminology and criminal justice program faculties for faculty research, according to the Journal of Criminal Justice Education Osaka University (Japan): Has three campuses, 16 Graduate schools, 49 graduate departments (8 graduate & 2 under-graduate programs in English), 6 research institutes. Founded in: 1838 Annual tuition fee: US$ 3,625 Popular majors: Dentistry. Chemical engineering. Physics and Astronomy. University of Burgundy (France): The majority of study programmes at the University of Burgundy are taught in French, however they do offer some English-taught programmes, of which the majority are at Master's level. Founded in: 1722 Tuition fee: Two year course fee ranges from US$ 550 for medicine & healthcare to US$ 4,377 for Management and US$ 12,500 for engineering Popular majors: Art & Design, Computer Science, Law & Legal and Business and Management Buckinghamshire New University (The United Kingdom): Originally established as a School of Science and Art in 1891, it now has campuses in High Wycombe, Aylesbury, Uxbridge and Great Missenden. Founded in: 1891 Tuition fee: US$ 17,000 for full-time international students Popular majors: Engineering, Management, Law, Social Sciences, Sociology Free University of Berlin (Germany): Nearly 40,000 people from over 150 countries study, teach, and work at Freie Universitat Berlin. Founded in: 1948 Tuition fee: None. Tuition is free. However, students have to pay for food/accommodation that usually comes to US$ 770 a month. Popular majors: North American Studies Scuola Normale Superiore (Pisa, Italy): This public university was founded by Napoleon Bonaparte. Founded in: 1810 Tuition fee: None. The courses at the Normale are free, as are accommodation and board. Popular majors: There are three faculties: the Faculty of Letters and Philosophy and the Faculty of Sciences, both sited in Pisa, and the Faculty of Political and Social Sciences (sited in Florence). University of Athens (Greece): Is the first University not only of Greece but both the Balkan peninsula and the Eastern Mediterranean region. Spanning 9 Schools with 44 departments, the National & Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) covers a wide range of academic fields at under-grad and 199 postgraduate programs. Courses are taught in Modern Greek, while seminars may be organised in English or other international languages. Founded in: 1837 Tuition fee: US$ 800 per semester Popular majors: Dentistry, Music studies, Nursing, Social theology, and Theatre studies. The University College, Leonard de Vinci (Brussels, Belgium): Has three campus. Known for 40 profession-oriented Bachelors, academic-oriented (long) Masters and Advanced Degree Programmes. Founded in: 1996 Annual tuition fee: Undergraduate tuition: US$ 750; Graduate tuition: US$ 807 Popular majors: Health, Human and Social Sciences, and Science and Technology. Director School Education, Kashmir Tasaduq Hussain Mir on Thursday vowed action against any intentional mistake, a day after the department ordered an inquiry into how some class 12 students received question paper of class 11 during the ongoing board examinations. Authorities vow action after 12th board students receive class 11 question paper Mir told reporters that the issue came into the knowledge of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha who immediately gave the orders to the school education department for an inquiry by a committee. Director School Education Jammu and Director Kashmir are its members. We will start our inquiry tomorrow and within time, we will submit our report. And whoever has made any intentional mistake will not be forgiven. Whosoever will be responsible will face legal action, he said. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Mir said that no shortcomings will be tolerated. This definitely has caused stress to students. Their paper will be held again. And no mistake will be tolerated, he said. On Wednesday, the class 12th physical education students were given the question paper of class 11th in the examination halls, causing grief and anger among the students and parents. The J&K board of school education cancelled the exam of the said subject, and the government ordered an inquiry to be conducted by a two-member committee comprising directors of school education from Kashmir and Jammu divisions. The Committee has been asked to inquire into the incident of the wrong distribution of 11th-class question papers to 12th-class students who appeared in the board examination. The terms of reference shall be to look into circumstances of the cancellation of the examination and fixing of the responsibility for negligence at supervisory and administrative level, the order said. The committee was also directed to co-opt any chief education officer (as required) or any other officer and submit its findings or report to the administration within seven days. Surat [India], : In a significant move towards modernizing education, Gujarat's Minister of State for Education, Praful Pansheriya, launched the online learning platform, Shiksha Reform, in Surat on Monday. Noted educationist Deepak Rajguru, as well as trustees and principals of prominent schools, graced the launching ceremony at The Amore Hotel. Also present were Kimmo Nikkanen of Finlands Kajaani University of Applied Sciences and educationist Antti Isovita. Speaking on the occasion, Minister Praful Pansheriya emphasized the importance of embracing technology in education. The world is fast moving towards technology and it is critical to enhance digital skills, he said. Shiksha Reform is a collaborative effort with Microsoft and a leading Finnish university and is poised to deliver high-quality courses. With experienced and highly qualified teachers, the platform aims to revolutionize education, particularly in technology. Shikha Reforms Co-founders Rajiv Soni and Paresh Chalodiya, said that the platform is offering short-term courses in cutting-edge fields like artificial intelligence and cyber security in association with Microsoft and the Finnish university. Students can study various courses on the online learning platform by paying a nominal fee. Shiksha Reforms partners Ankur Patel and Umesh Bardoliwala said a unique differentiator of their platform is the course European Credits for students, which will be useful for students eyeing educational opportunities in Finland and Europe. Shiksha Reform equips students with vital technological skills, giving a boost to their careers. The platforms Skills for Jobs program offers learning paths to students, technology professionals, and others interested in enhancing their tech skills. Shiksha Reforms courses are prepared by leading corporations and universities and have state-of-the-art study material. Moreover, students can access their courses forever, without any time or other constraints. Students are trained by highly qualified and industry-experienced mentors informed Hatim Fathulla - Chief Strategy Officer . . HT Image Actor Gauahar Khan and her husband Zaid Darbar finally revealed the face of their first child, Zehaan. The couple chose the occasion of Umrah for the special reveal. Zehaan beamed with joy as his parents captured him on the camera. (Also Read Gauahar Khan: 'I would have been the next superstar had Rocket Singh released today') Zaid Darbar and Gauahar Khan reveal the face of their son Zehaan Zehaan's face reveal On Thursday, Gauahar took to her Instagram handle and shared a picture of her and Zaid holding Zehaan up. They smiled at him as he looked into the camera. He wore a pristine white outfit, like his father, whereas Gauahar was seen in a black burqa. She also shared a video of the camera zooming into Zehaan's face, who seemed excited and elated. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Gauahar wrote in the caption, Just wanted to give our little prince first Salaam to the world from the house of the Almighty! May he be pleased with our SonShine! Ameen. Our Zehaan (black heart and earth emojis). Request for continued positivity, love and blessings for him. Lots of love. She also added the hashtags of Makkah (Mecca), 10 months (since his birth), blessings, love, My Zehaan, and First Umrah among others, with a yellow heart and dua (prayer) emojis. Actor Kishwer Merchant commented on Gauahar's post, Such Cuteness (black heart emojis). Mahi Vij also wrote in the comments, Alley my prince Mashallah (black heart emoji). She also shared the video on her Instagram Stories. MashaAllah Zehu cutie, commented Awez Darbar. Gautam Rode also left red heart emojis in the comments. About Gauahar and family Gauahar and her husband Zaid Darbar were blessed with their first child on May 10, 2023. Announcing the arrival of the baby, Gauahar had posted, "It's a Boy As salaam u alaikum beautiful world, says our bundle of joy. Arrived 10th of May 2023 to make us realise what happiness truly means. Our blessed boy thanks everyone for their love and prayers. Grateful and giggling new parents Zaid and Gauahar." Gauahar and Zaid got married on December 25, 2020. Reportedly, the two met while shopping for groceries during the lockdown. The two began chatting and friendship soon turned to love. In December 2022, the duo announced the pregnancy news with an adorable animated video. The fun video read, "One became two when Z met G. And now the adventure continues as we soon become three. In Sha Allah seeking all your prayers and blessings in this beautiful journey." Actor Randeep Hooda opened up in a recent interview about his equations with his co-stars. Talking to Humans of Bombay, he revealed why Alia Bhatt was terrified of him on the sets of Highway and how working in Sarbjit deepened the bond between him and Dalbir Kaur. (Also Read: Randeep Hooda posts pics of his epic transformation for Swatantrya Veer Savarkar; fans compare him to Christian Bale) Randeep Hooda and Alia Bhatt in a still from Highway She wouldnt sit next to me When Randeep was asked if its true he didnt speak to Alia on the sets of Imtiaz Alis 2014 film Highway, he replied in affirmative, adding that the actor was so scared of him, that she wouldnt even sit next to him. He said, I didnt speak to Alia for 20-25 days when we shot for Highway. She was this girl from Juhu who had not seen much of the world; she didnt have much exposure, he said, adding, So, to keep her fear of my character in placeshe used to be terrified of me. I made sure of that. I never spoke to her. She wouldnt come to sit next to me also. Thats the effect we wanted in the movie. I stayed in touch with Dalbir, Charles Randeep also revealed that the 2015 film Main Aur Charles and the 2016 film Sarbjit have had real-life changes for him. He said, I grew close to Sarabjits sister (Dalbir) through filming. We stayed in touch till she passed away. She wanted me to light her funeral pyre, and I did. She was a great woman, she looked after her brothers children, whom I talk to. Then he jokingly added, Similarly, I was in touch with Charles Sobhraj also. He used to call, video call and message me from jail in Nepal and I was like, Charles, you are a wanted criminal, stop calling me. Randeeps next Randeep will soon be seen in Swatantrya Veer Savarkar, in which he plays the titular role of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. The biographical film directed by him also stars Ankita Lokhande, Amit Sial, Rajesh Khera, Lokesh Mittal and Brajesh Jha. Mahesh Manjrekar was initially supposed to direct the film, but walked out due to creative differences. Entertainment! Entertainment! Entertainment! Click to follow our Whatsapp Channel Your daily dose of gossip, films, shows, celebrities updates all in one place Blood Simple and Blade Runner star M. Emmet Walsh died on Tuesday, March 19, aged 88. Walshs manager told Fox News Digital that he died of cardiac arrest at Kerbs Memorial Hospital in St. Albans, Vermont. The character actor worked for six decades, on stage, film and television. Some of his most popular roles were in The Jerk, Critters, and My Best Friend's Wedding. Blood Simple and Blade Runner star M. Emmet Walsh, 88, has died of cardiac arrest in Vermont (Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP, File)(John Shearer/Invision/AP) "Walshs tremendous body of work includes 119 feature films and more than 250 television productions," his manager shared in a statement. "Among his most recent credits are his scene-stealing performance as the elderly security guard in Rian Johnsons murder-mystery comedy Knives Out' and roles in Brothers with Brendan Fraser for Legendary Films, the independent feature God Loves the Green Bay Packers' and The Righteous Gemstones for HBO." Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Walsh was born in Ogdensburg, New York, on March 22. He was raised in rural Swanton, Vermont, by his parents Agnes Katharine (Sullivan) and Harry Maurice Walsh. While he was named Michael Emmet Walsh, he eventually came to be known as M. Emmet Walsh because a union stipulation prevented him from using his first name. He is survived by his niece Meagan Walsh, nephew Kevin Walsh (Renee), and grandnephews, Emmet and Elliot. M. Emmet Walshs notable works IMDb says, As Walsh moved into his fifties and beyond, Hollywood continued to offer him plenty of work, and he has appeared in over 50 movies since passing the half-century mark. His consistent ability to turn out highly entertaining portrayals led film critic Roger Ebert to coin the "Stanton-Walsh Rule," which states that any film starring Walsh or Harry Dean Stanton has to have some merit. The page names some of his popular roles in his well remembered films, including a courtroom police officer in What's Up, Doc? (1972), as the weird Dickie Dunn in Slap Shot (1977), and as a loony sniper hunting Steve Martin in The Jerk (1979). Oppenheimer OTT release: Christopher Nolan's period biopic of 20th century American nuclear physicist J Robert Oppenheimer released in cinemas back in July last year. It's now finally streaming rent-free in India. (Also Read Exclusive: Oppenheimer book author Kai Bird opens up on hits and misses of Christopher Nolan's movie) Oppenheimer OTT release: Cillian Murphy's movie is streaming in India now(HT_PRINT) When and where to watch Oppenheimer began streaming on Thursday on JioCinema. It's part of the platform's deal with the American OTT portal, Peacock, where Oppenheimer is streaming in the US. JioCinema is gearing up for a great run, with the upcoming Indian Premier League and premiere of HBO's much-anticipated Game of Thrones spin-off House of the Dragon Season 2. Oppenheimer is streaming on JioCinema in both English and Hindi. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. About Oppenheimer Oppenheimers global total was nearly $913 million, making it Nolans third highest grossing film, trailing only the Dark Knight sequels. Its also the third biggest film of the year behind Barbie and The Super Mario Bros. Movie, and the most successful biopic ever, surpassing Bohemian Rhapsody. IMAX has seen some of its biggest profits ever from Oppenheimer, with over $179 million globally. Oppenheimer dominated the Oscars 2024 earlier this month with seven wins, including Best Picture, Best Director, Actor in a Leading Role, Actor in a Supporting Role, Cinematography, Film Editing and Original Score. Christopher Nolan won best director, Cillian Murphy won best actor and Robert Downey Jr. won best supporting actor. Oppenheimer also led the 2024 Oscar nominations, with the film nabbing a total of 13 nominations. The Hindustan Times review of Oppenheimer stated, Oppenheimer is Nolans least accessible, and perhaps bravest, movie to date. Key to his glorious filmmaking style is that even if you dont follow every beat of his movies, there are always concepts, ideas and worlds to relish and be taken by. They work on multiple levels. The broad strokes of his films work for wider audiences, whilst also offering further layers and artistry to engage with for those wanting to go deeper. Entertainment! Entertainment! Entertainment! Click to follow our Whatsapp Channel Your daily dose of gossip, films, shows, celebrities updates all in one place. Carnatic musician Thodur Madabusi Krishna, or TM Krishna as he is popularly known, was awarded the Sangita Kalanidhi 2024 by the Music Academy, Chennai, on March 18. At the time, N Murali, President of the Madras Music Academy, stated that Krishna was being bestowed the recognition for his powerful voice, adherence to tradition when it comes to the art, focusing on its exploratory as opposed to tightly defined structures, and for using music as a tool for social reform. Now, a controversy has erupted over bestowing this award on TM Krishna, especially in the Carnatic circle, with well-known musicians condemning the Music Academys decision and pulling out from the December music season. (Also Read: Carnatic musicians Ranjani-Gayatri boycott conference after TM Krishna gets award) TM Krishna is being awarded the Sangita Kalanidhi 2024 award Heres an explainer on what this whole issue is about. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Who is TM Krishna? Thodur Madabusi Krishna is a Carnatic musician, activist, writer, and Ramon Magsaysay awardee. Krishna underwent musical training first under Bhagavathula Seetharama Sharma, then underwent special Ragam Thanam Pallavi grooming under Chingleput Ranganathan and Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer. He has been performing since the age of 12. Krishna is known today not just for his music but particularly his activism against caste discrimination and caste favouritism in the Carnatic music system. What is his activism about? TM Krishna boycotted the popular Chennai Music Season (in December), which is the pillar of Carnatic music in Chennai and considered the most coveted by mainstream Carnatic musicians in India and around the globe. The Carnatic music season is nearly a century old but he felt the Carnatic music system in its present form was non-inclusive and shunned non-Brahmin musicians and certain art forms. To counter the December music season, TM Krishna started a festival which was focused on using art to heal. This festival debuted in February 2016 at the Uroor-Olcott Kuppam in Chennai. He wanted to heal social divisions with the Uroor-Olcott Kuppam Marghazi Vizha, a Carnatic music festival held on the Besant Nagar beach in a fishing village. Through another festival called Svanubhava, he tried to create access to numerous art forms not recognised by mainstream Carnatic musicians. TM Krishna is also a staunch EV Ramaswamy Periyar follower and seen to have Dravidian values. He is against untouchability and injustice and in 2023, he turned Periyars work into a song, Sindikka Chonnavar Periyar: Song on Periyar, to honour the Vaikom Satyagraha (social reform movement). In fact, the lyrics of the song include words which can be translated to: Question caste discriminations/Question scriptural regulations/Question oppressive actions and/Question injustice and untouchability. Periyar was clearly against Brahmins and spoke of annihilating god, religion, the Congress, Gandhi and the Brahmin. While he wanted the oppressed classes to break out from caste oppression, Periyar held contempt for Brahmins and called Brahmin women prostitutes. What are some of the controversial statements TM Krishna has made? In 2017, TM Krishna made some remarks at a talk in Hyderabad about renowned Canatic musician MS Subbulakshmi, which did not go down well with other musicians and music lovers. He stated that MS Subbulakshmi distanced herself from her Devadasi origins and identity to become an ideal Brahmin woman to gain wider acceptance. He asked, If MSs voice came from a dark, non-upper-caste beauty-ish lady, would all of us celebrate her like we do today? Her music was what it was because of the sorrow in her. In 2018, there was an article in The Print about how classical vocalist OS Arun was intimidated ahead of a concert titled Yesuvin Sangama Sangeetham, conceptualised by T Samuel Joseph (Shyaam), who was a disciple of violinist Lalgudi Jayaraman. Arun cancelled his concert subsequently and a controversy erupted on social media about writing Carantic songs for non-Hindu gods. At the time, TM Krishna, who believes that Carnatic music is for everyone, wrote on social media, Considering the vile comments and threats issued by many on social media regarding Karnatik compositions on Jesus, I announce here that I will be releasing one Karnatik song every month on Jesus or Allah. Krishna also spoke against Saint Thyagaraja , proponent of Carnatic music. According to him, some of Thyagarajas compositions have caste and gender discrimination, and placing him as a saint and semi-god was not correct. He said that since the context has changed now, his compositions are not totally relevant to todays times. What is the latest controversy about? The entire controversy now is around TM Krishna being awarded the Sangita Kalanidhi by the Music Academy and relates to his social activism and the fact that he is a Periyar follower. Numerous Carnatic musicians have called out the Music Academy for this decision and threatened to boycott the prestigious December music season in Chennai. Carnatic vocalist Vidushi sisters Ranjani and Gayatri have stated they will not sing in the Music Academy this December as TM Krishna was honoured despite the fact that he has inflicted immense damage on the Carnatic music world. They said, He happily stomped over the sentiments of this community and insulted most respected icons like Tyagaraja and MS Subbulakshmi. His actions have tried to spread a sense of shame in being a Carnatic musician and have been exhibited through his consistent denigration of spirituality in music. He has vilified the Carnatic music fraternity that has collectively contributed millions of hours of artistry, hard work, and literature. It is dangerous to overlook Mr TM Krishnas glorification of a figure like EVR. Harikatha exponent Dushyanth Sridhar too has refused to perform at the Music Academy. He wrote on social media, I have had a sea of ideological differences with the Sangita Kalanidhi designate of 2024 Sri TM Krishna. I am pained by many of his public statements on Dharma, Ayodhya, Sri Rama, and more. I am guided by the life and teachings of Bhagavad Ramanuja, Vedanta Desika and Kanchi Paramacharya. I will prove very disrespectful to their values if I perform immediately after the sadas (where he will be awarded). Harikatha exponent Visakha Hari has also put out a statement on social media condemning the decision: This years Sangeetha Kalanidhi designate awardee has engaged in a lot of slandering previously, hurting the sentiments of many tremendously and wilfully. He has not been a regular performer in the institution for years, either. I (as many others) believe that values and virtues are as important as the music as what Sri Thyagaraja, Sri Muthuswamy Dikshithar, Syama Sastri our beloved Music Trinity also believed and lived by. This whole journey of Nadopasana is intended towards divinity. I wonder if the late Sangeetha Kalanidhis like Ariyakkudi or Semmangudi or Palghat Mani Iyer would accept this decision if alive today. What would their stance be? Also, would even the present Sangeetha Kalanidhis accept this decision? Awards may come and go. But setting the right role models for posterity is what is important. How has the Music Academy responded? On Thursday, the Music Academy President N Murali said that Ranjani and Gayatris statements on social media raised doubts about the intentions behind the withdrawal. He said the duos statement was replete with unwarranted and slanderous assertions, and insinuations verging on defamation. Murali added that choosing the Sangita Kalanidhi awardee was a prerogative of The Music Academy. He stated, This year, the Executive Committee of the Academy chose TM Krishna for this accolade based on his excellence in music over a long career, with no extraneous factors influencing our choice. We regard your decision to withdraw from the upcoming annual conference because the Academy has chosen for the award a musician you dislike and malign as unbecoming of artistes and in poor taste. I note that you have shared your letter addressed to me and the Academy on social media, which apart from being discourteous, raises doubts about the intentions behind and the purpose of your letter. Normally, a missive of the kind you have addressed to me and the Academy posted on social media before you have received a reply would not warrant a response. But I would not like to deny you the courtesy of a response in consideration of your contributions to the field of Carnatic music. Christian Richard, Christine Quinns husband, has been arrested in connection with an alleged domestic violence incident. He was arrested on Tuesday, March 19, and the incident involved their son, according to PEOPLE. Christine Quinns husband Christian Richard has been charged with assault with a deadly weapon (thechristinequinn/Instagram) The Los Angeles Police Department said that Hollywood officers responded to a residence around 2 pm on Tuesday for a local issue. Victim and suspect were involved in a domestic dispute, the LAPD public information officer said. The suspect threw a bag containing a glass bottle at the victim, missed the victim, but the object hit the victims child causing injury. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The couple's son was treated for his injuries by paramedics. Richard was reportedly charged with assault with a "deadly weapon." Christine Quinn and Christian Richards relationship Quinn and Richard tied the knot in December 2019. In May 2021, they welcomed their first child, son Christian Georges Dumontet. Snippets of the pairs relationship was documented on Selling Sunset, a real estate drama on Netflix. However, the public does not have a lot of information on Quinns husband. Until season 5 of the show, Quinn was seen as a series regular. When Richard appeared alongside his wife, he refused to use his last name, Dumontet. Citing privacy reasons, he went by Richard. Quinn told PEOPLE in May 2022 that she and Richard were teaming up to launch a crypto real estate venture called RealOpen. She had met him after filming the docusoaps season 1. They were reportedly set up by one of her friends. Richard and Quinns engagement party was featured on the reality shows season 2. At the time, Richard spoke out about the first time they met. "I absolutely fell head over heels in love," he said. "We hit it off in the car. We were literally in the car and we had an instant banter, which is really special. You don't get that too often." Remember Richard Linklater's Boyhood- the coming-of-age story of a little boy filmed over 12 years? British director Victoria Mapplebeck takes the same concept into dizzying new heights in her new documentary Motherboard, which premiered at Copenhagen Documentary Film Festival. The comparison ends here, as Motherboard is very much its own beast: a single parent's decades-long portrait of growing up with her own son Jim, that accumulates footage of home video, photographs, phone calls, hospital visits into something deeply compassionate and moving. (Also read: The Labour of Pain and Joy review: A revelatory and insightful look at childbirth practices) Victoria Mapplebeck's Motherboard premiered at Cph:Docx. The premise Victoria, who won a TV Bafta in 2019 for her smartphone-shot short film Missed Call, quits her job in television when she comes to know about her pregnancy. She chooses to film and document her life as a single mum, and from here on, over the course of the films 90-minute running time, Motherboard develops as an uncompromising portrait of a job that never has a flexible day off. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. We first see Jim as a tiny baby, clutching on to his mother with his little finger, and by the end, he will be stepping into adulthood. With a fiercely unsentimental gaze, this documentary charts the mundane moments in-between, between mother and son, as they share a life together in one apartment. Jim goes to school, makes friends and grow up in front of our eyes; just as the camera takes us through Victoria's family through photographs. The difficult questions that Jim asks about this absent dad are presented with clinical precision, as the camera guides the need for space and interrogation of a child trying to know more. Whatever happens, it will make me sad, he says. You can't help it. Final thoughts This line captures the essence of Motherboard, a film that flows in unprecedented directions without the rational mood board of direction. A sudden breast cancer diagnosis threatens to disrupt the familiarity of this journey. Yet the more you think this film will bend towards a specific direction, the more it surprises and uses the terrific wealth of footage in its favour. The standout here is the intelligent co-editing work by Mapplebeck and Oli Bauer. An unforgettable scene appears when the camera floats over Victoria's head as she undergoes radiotherapy and the sounds travel elsewhere to locate Jim somewhere with her in that apartment. There's another segment that carefully charts the tumultuous time between the two, where a phone call between Victoria and her mother reveals so much more than an elaborate confrontation could. Motherboard understands the plurality of the experience of parenting; where one is never at one place or at one frame of perspective. There's always something at the back of the mind. There are dreamscapes and quick exchanges; tears and full-circle moments; the years etched in the walls of the apartment that tell this expansive story of mother and son. With overlapping sounds, stylistic integration of certain images and references; shooting back to old recordings and circling back to certain habits that do not age, Motherboard develops into an extremely rich and sensory experience that covers an entire life in one full sweep. Its effect refuses to let go long after you've seen it. I came out of the movie feeling shaken and moved. It is something of a miracle. Santanu Das is covering CPH: DOCX as part of the accredited press. Entertainment! Entertainment! Entertainment! Click to follow our Whatsapp Channel Your daily dose of gossip, films, shows, celebrities updates all in one place. Director SS Rajamouli, his son Karthikeya and producer Shobu Yarlagadda were in Japan for a special screening of the 2022 film RRR. While their trip has been all about meeting fans and sharing tidbits about their upcoming film with Mahesh Babu, the trio had a scary experience while there. (Also Read: SS Rajamouli gives an update on SSMB 29, talks about Mahesh Babu in Japan: 'I will bring him here, introduce to you') SS Karthikeya and Rajamouli are in Japan for a special screening of RRR Experiencing an earthquake Karthikeya took to his X account to share a picture of his watch, showing an emergency alert for the earthquake. He wrote, Felt a freaking earthquake in Japan just now!!! Was on the 28th floor and slowly the ground started to move and took us a while to realise it was an earthquake. I was just about to panic but all the Japanese around did not budge as if it just started to rain!! Experience an earthquake box ticked. (sic) He tagged Rajamouli and Shobu in the post. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Numerous fans commented under his post, relieved that the trio was safe. I'm glad you're safe! You must have been surprised by the strong shaking. Earthquakes may continue, so please be careful. Enjoy your stay! (sic) wrote a fan, while another commented, It was a bit of a big earthquake! I was worried if you all were scared(The upper floors of buildings are designed to escape shaking, and they sway more than the ground level.) Fortunately, it did not seem to be a dangerous earthquake. Rest assured and enjoy your day. (sic) Rajamouli meets fan On Monday, after the special screening of RRR, Rajamouli shared pictures of him and his wife Rama hugging an 83-year-old fan. In Japan, they make origami cranes &gift them to their loved ones for good luck& health. This 83 yr old woman made 1000 of them to bless us because RRR made her happy. She just sent the gift and was waiting outside in the cold. Some gestures can never be repaid. Just grateful, he wrote, overwhelmed by the love. He showed off the cranes, apart from the sweet note penned by the fan. Upcoming work Rajamouli will soon begin filming an adventure drama with Mahesh Babu. The film is in pre-production, with the rest of the casting yet to be finalised. Karthikeya recently ventured into production after working as a line producer with his father. He signed two films with Fahadh Faasil, titled Dont Trouble The Trouble and Oxygen. On Tuesday, Rajamouli shared posters of both the projects on X, wishing him and Shobu good luck for the films. Entertainment! Entertainment! Entertainment! Click to follow our Whatsapp Channel Your daily dose of gossip, films, shows, celebrities updates all in one place After months of building anticipation, Love Is Blind: UK is finally ready to hit the OTT sphere. A new official announcement clip dropped on March 21, confirming the dating reality show's release window and offering viewers a good look at the hosts. Merely over a week ago, Love Is Blind Season 6, with Nick and Vanessa Lachey helming the American love scene, wrapped up its course. Now, it's time for British singletons to jump on board and experience the experimental share of the series that will probably lead them down the altar with happy endings. Matt and Emma Willis will host the British edition of Netflix's dating reality show Love Is Blind, this August. (Netflix) The hit reality social experiment will follow the same concept as its original precedent: taking hopeful singles to the pods to find love. From thereon, they will get to know each other from behind the veil, determining if love truly is blind or not. Over ten days, love-seeking individuals will go on blind dates and develop genuine bonds before possibly getting engaged. And it's only after their engagement that they'll meet their fiance for the first time. The following steps will have them move in together and meet each other's dear ones. Cut to four weeks later, they get to either make or break their relationship when they decide to utter the love-binding words, I Do. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The LIB experimental pods have traversed Brazillian, Japanese and Swedish international territories. Exactly a year after the new host duo's takeover was announced, the show will finally hit Netflix screens. And there's more to it! With Season 1 not having premiered yet, the love story is already moving on to the next phase, with Season 2 casting open for UK residents over 18. Auditions close on July 14, whereas Love Is Blind: UK Season 2's filming will commence later this year. Also read | Angelina Jolie wants frivolous Brad Pitt winery case to end; he has other plans Love Is Blind UK Release Date Netflix is circling around an August 2024 release window. The streaming giant revealed the first look at the show's new hosts back in 2023. They've caught the baton from their American counterparts - Nick and Vanessa Lachey - following the recent Love Is Blind Season 6 conclusion this month. The OTT platform hasn't quite settled on a fixed premiere date, but it's safe to say that reality TV fans can save their entire August beforehand. Love Is Blind UK Hosts Much like the Lachey couple, another married pair will also host the British edition of the dating show. Emma and Matt Willis are ready to assume the mantle on the experimental front, pushing the single lot to the pods for their fated love stories to take flight. Emma Willis was previously spotted on other reality TV gigs like Big Brother, Celebrity Big Brother's Bit on the Side and The Circle. On the other hand, her husband, Matt, is a boy band member icon who traces his musical roots to the group Busted, mirroring his American counterpart, Nick Lachey's 98 Degrees origins. They previously banded on the hosting train in 2018, sharing the BRITs and BAFTAs stages. Emma and Matt tied the knot in 2008 but have been together since 2004. The lovely duo has been married for 15 years and shares three children. A colorized photo of James Perry Wanzer, and his wife, Martha. John Cilio/Contributed Photo The Old Store on CT-37 in Sherman on Monday, March 11, 2024. James Perry Wanzer used to travel three miles from his store to this former general store in order to stock up on items. Andrew DaRosa/Hearst Connecticut Media Ann Price in her backyard on Monday, March 11, 2024. In front of her is the spot where James Perry Wanzer's house once stood. Andrew DaRosa/Hearst Connecticut Media The Center Cemetery in Sherman, Connecticut on Monday, March 11, 2024. James Perry Wanzer's headstone can be found here. Andrew DaRosa/Hearst Connecticut Media "Area youngsters claimed that he could see things no one else could, and that he talked to the 'fairies' who supposedly lived in the mist above Greenwood Brook," a 1972 pamphlet from The Connecticut Light and Power Company reads. The stories about Boney have cemented themselves as local legends, but some Sherman residents are hoping to shed light on the true story about Boney, which does not include "fairies" or talking animals. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Ann Price looks through vintage photos of James Perry Wanzer on Monday, March 11, 2024. Andrew DaRosa/Hearst Connecticut Media For starters, his name is not Perry Boney it's James Perry Wanzer, according to Ann Price, who lives on the land where his house and store were located. According to property records, the house that currently stands was finshed in 1928 seven years after the death of Wanzer and two years after the death of his wife, Martha. Price, 93, has lived in the house for the better part of her life; residing there with her husband and raising her kids. Today, she lives there by herself surrounded by vintage books and knick-knacks lining the wooden interior of her home. Price has become a Perry Wanzer historian, collecting anything written on the figure as well as the writings of her mother and uncle who knew him back in the early 20th century. Though Price appreciates that Wanzer has lived on as folkloric legend in Connecticut, she believes that many unverified and untrue stories have spread about him. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Vintage photos of James Perry Wanzer are shown by Ann Price on Monday, March 11, 2024. The top photo shows Ann Price's mother sitting in the doorway of James Perry Wanzer's house. Andrew DaRosa/Hearst Connecticut Media According to folklore, Wanzer lived in the Great Basin of Connecticut, a part of the greater Danbury area that was flooded to create Candlewood Lake in the 1920s, and made his living working in a small store. Small children were said to have heard him play his flute in the moonlight and would talk with fairies folklore says that some believed that Wanzer may have been a fairy, according to New England Folklore. It was also said that he tamed a raccoon, who he had a "friendly relationship" with. "It's charming as long as you keep is separate," Price said about the legends as she flipped through a stack of photocopied pages and newspaper clippings. Price's mother, Margaret Wilson Lund, attempted to write a book on the story of the town of Sherman and its people, but was unable to finish the book before her death in 1942. Ann Price looks through vintage photos of James Perry Wanzer on Monday, March 11, 2024. Andrew DaRosa/Hearst Connecticut Media One such discrepancy is that Wanzer did not live in a part of town that has been submerged by Candlewood Lake when it was made in the late 1920s, which has been widely speculated, according to Price. She believes the confusion may come from the fact that the Wanzers were prominent in the Sherman/New Fairfield area surrounding Squantz Pond Wanzer's early relative, Abraham Wanshaer (anglicized as Wanzer), was among the first settlers in the area, according to a newspaper clipping from the Newtown Bee from the early 1900s. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The most detailed physical description of Wanzer comes from Price's uncle, Julius Wilson, who said that he resembled "a caricature of those hillbilly types seen in Esquire cartoons." "He was dressed in faded and patched overalls and blue shirt. His high-pitched, squeaky voice and appearance made any casual remark seem highly comic to us children," Wilson's description continues. Vintage photos of James Perry Wanzer are shown by Ann Price on Monday, March 11, 2024. Andrew DaRosa/Hearst Connecticut Media John Cilio, a member of the Organization of American Historians and Association for the Study of Connecticut History, said that a lot of the myths about Wanzer are typically tied to an early 20th century guide to Connecticut, which has been cited by other outlets that share the legend. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Cilio, who has worked with the Sherman Historical Society, moved to the town 25 years ago and has dedicated himself to the preservation of Connecticut history, which includes documenting figures like Wanzer. As for why stories were circulated around Wanzer, Cilio believes that "somebody probably heard him talking and made that into something." "He was quite a character. He really enjoyed entertaining people and trying to get money from that," Cilio added. "He had a particular interest in trying to make money without having to work much." The current house of Ann Price in Sherman on Monday, March 11, 2024. The stucco and beam section was built on the foundation of James Perry Wanzer's house. Andrew DaRosa/Hearst Connecticut Media Wanzer made money by showing movies or playing music from his phonograph, which was a first for the area, according to Cilio. However, Wanzer's most famous money-making achievement was his store. Advertisement Article continues below this ad According to Wilson's records, it was "a shed with shelves inside and a minute porch in front no counters." Records recount how Wanzer would sit outside all day outside of his store, which was approximately 40 feet from the house, waiting for customers. Being that his operation was small, Wanzer would obtain goods from the "Center store," which is now The Old Store Gift Shop and Museum in Sherman. It is said he would purchase items like yeast for five cents and sell it for four. When asked how he would make his money back, Wanzer was quick with a retort. "Oh you see, I sell plenty of it," Wanzer was quoted as saying in Wilson's records. The fireplace inside of the Sherman home of Ann Price on Monday, March 11, 2024. The fireplace is the only original part of the house that stood in James Perry Wanzer's house. Andrew DaRosa/Hearst Connecticut Media The house belonging to Wanzer was a 18-by-20-foot house that was a life estate given to him by his father, George Wanzer. After Wanzer died in 1921 at the age of 66, Price's grandfather, Warren H. Wilson, purchased the Wanzers' home for "tax purposes," according to Price. The Wanzer store and house was demolished minus the house's chimney, which was kept and included in the new build. The fireplace still stands today in the middle of Price's house. Advertisement Article continues below this ad When Route 37 was commissioned in the 1930s, the main road was moved to sit in front of the house rather than up through the hilly terrain behind the house. Prior to the inception of Route 37, the portion of State Highway 136 above Coburn Road, where the house is located, was shifted in 1922. Where there was once a store manned by a local legend is now just grass, stones and plants. All that remains of Wanzer's past is the enlongated chimney. Actor Aishwarya Sharma was the most recent victim of harsh online trolling as a troll wished for her death, replying to her Instagram story, where she requested her fans not to send gifts. However, giving a befitting reply, Sharma wrote in another Story, 'You may curse me, God bless you'. Talking about the incident, she tells us, "I face this almost everyday. I did not say or do anything wrong, so I wasn't expecting such a comment. I just told my fans that 'don't send us so many gifts'. They keep sending chocolates, flowers and many other things. I don't want them to spend so much money on us for no reason. I am not exaggerating, but we get gifts everyday. It was just a request to them. They are fans so you cannot stop them, but I just wanted to say it once again." Aishwarya Sharma "Someone took it wrong and I honestly have no idea who posted the same story, I don't know who the troll is talking about that I am copying. I felt something and I put up a story, it was that simple," the 31-year-old further explains. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The Bigg Boss 17 fame doesn't understand the root cause of such harsh comments. "I am a normal human being, if I do something wrong, you can say whatever you want, but when I did nothing wrong, I don't know why such things come across. I am happy in my life wherever I am, I don't need gifts from anyone, I don't need to copy anyone. Meri jagah koi bhi actor ho toh vo yehi bolega, 'why do we receive gifts everyday?'" she laments. Ask Sharma if such social media negativity takes a toll on her mental peace and she answers, "It used to affect my mental health, but not anymore. But sometimes, you just feel ki 'Maine aisa kya kardia ki yeh chaahta hai main marrjaaun, mere marne se khushi milne wali hai isko?' I feel that pehle ye bolte hain, gaali dete hain, and then koi bhi actor suicide krleta hai toh they are the ones only who go ahead and say that no one talks about mental health. Aapko ab bolne ka right nahi hai!" adding, "It's a silly thing. Log ajeeb hain, I don't get their mentality. They are sadist I think, unko khushi milti hai kisi ko hurt karke and ganda bolke. I sometimes feel like it is their job, they are not happy in their lives so they channelise their anger on actors on social media. Kuch nahi hai toh social media par jaake bhaddaass nikaal do." The Ghum Hain Kisikey Pyaar Mein actor feels that calling the trolls out on social media cannot be a permanent fix but it is important to speak for yourself at times. "Calling them out is not a solution to end this but sometimes you just have to take a stand for yourself. People should know that aise bhi log exist karte hain. People think that actors ki life kitni glamourous, kya life hai inki, but no one sees the struggle behind it," shares, Sharma. "I am an artist, I have to face so many things. Ek negative role karlo, toh they think I am like that in real life. Every public figure is a soft target. Drug ke case mai unknown person ka naam itna nahi aata, celebrity ka aate hi they make a ruckus about it," she ends. Actor Aly Goni recently embarked on a deeply meaningful journey to perform Umrah during the holy month of Ramadan. Expressing gratitude derived from the pilgrimage, he shares, Last year also I went during Ramadan only, that was my first time there. Maine neeyat maangi thi ki every year I try to come, so iss saal bulaava tha so I went again. Also read: Aly Goni, Asim Riaz share pics as they head to Mecca together for Umrah Aly Goni in Mecca He added, "Obviously it's more special to perform Umraah during Ramadan. The prophet said that if you do Umraah during Ramzaan, it's like doing hajj with me. It's very important. So many people come from different countries, like on the first day there were one million people doing Umraah and I was one of them." Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. 'It's a totally different experience' For Goni, the pilgrimage was not just a religious duty but a transformative experience that transcended physical boundaries. "It's a totally different experience, harr insaan nahi jaapaata hai vahan par (not every person is able to go there). Since childhood, everyone dreams of going there. But you slowly realise the importance of it once you start growing older. When a person goes there, they get a reality check and there is a power that makes you feel good. If there's any stress or you are starting to lose faith in God, it comes back. Ekdum aise feel hota hai, 'Yes, he is there'," the 33-year-old elaborates. Reflecting on his emotional encounter with the Kaaba, the actor expresses, "When I first laid my eyes on the Kaaba, mera rona hi nahi ruk raha tha and iss saal bhi similar si hi feeling thi. Aisa lag hi nahi raha tha ki mai second time araha hu (It did not feel like my second time there). It was the same excitement and feeling. Life mai jo bhi aaj tak kia hai, sab yaad aajaane lagta hai (You recall everything from your life). You are finally standing at a place where it's the end, standing in front of God is a totally different experience." "I am planning to go again next year with my mom and dad. They have been there before as I sent them first before me, farz hota hai maa baap ko pehle bhejna (It is my duty to send my parents first). Aiming to go there every year now, Inshaallah!" he concludes, underlining his commitment to try and visit every year during Ramadan. The last four years, actor Sudhanshu Pandey had been caring for the dog named Jai, whose death became a topic of discussion recently. The culprit behind Jais death was let out on a bail of 50, leading to many actors speaking against the injustice. Pandey was the one who had urged the dogs caretaker to file an FIR against the culprit. His wife and son had even accompanied the caretaker to the police station. Sudhanshu Pandey and his society's dog Jai Talking about the whole ordeal, Pandey recalls getting a call from his wife early morning about Jais death. He shares, She was just saying, somebody killed him repeatedly. I rushed to the scene, and I saw him lying in a pool of blood. My soul is scarred forever from seeing that visual of seeing the lifeless body of Jai. Its funny to say for a man of my age, but I have really cried my heart out in the last three days. I just really cant come to term with what has happened. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Right after the incident, the 49-year-old went to shoot for his show Anupamaa. Yet, his mind was still stuck with what happened to Jai. I was extremely disturbed and terrified. The whole day I was on the phone, furious when they told me who it could have been. I lost my temper and was saying all sort of things. The actor even took to social media to appeal to the government to have a stringent process in place for such culprits after Jais killer was let out at 50 bail. He says, I appealed to the government including our Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, Devendra Fadnavis, Eknath Shinde and even the Mumbai police. I hate doing such stuff, but this was personal. Whether or not he killed the dog or because of him the dog died, the man is still a culprit. As per rules, if he can just pay 50 for bail and walk out, it sends a wrong message. Pandey acknowledges and appreciates the efforts the government has taken to improve the country, but also mentions that the area of animal safety needs more work. Some sort of a movement is greatly required now. In the last few years, I have been hearing so many horrifying stories of atrocities including dogs getting raped and its devastating. In a country like ours where we have always kept animals next to God and worshipped them, if our law equates their lives to 50, then whats the use of putting them on such a pedestal? he questions. Pandey is overwhelmed with the support he has received from his fellow actors from the industry too. He shares, They kept calling and messaging me to extend their support. It has been very reassuring and heartwarming. But his biggest support has been his kids. My kids have been stronger than me during this time. They have been coming and hugging me, giving me support as they have never seen their father cry like this. But this whole incident broke me down too much, he ends. New Delhi: Leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) slammed the BJP and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) after a team of the federal agency arrived at the residence of Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday evening in connection with the 2021 Delhi excise case. AAP leader and Delhi minister Atishi said large scale protests were likely if chief minister Arvind Kejriwal is arrested. (HT photo.) Former deputy CM Manish Sisodia and AAP MP Sanjay Singh are already in jail for their alleged involvement in the case. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. AAP leader and Delhi minister Atishi, speaking to the press outside the CMs residence, said: I believe that people from all over Delhi will pour out into the streets if attempts to arrest Arvind Kejriwal is made. The people of Delhi love Kejriwal and consider him as their family member. PM Narendra Modi is afraid of Arvind Kejriwal. It is clear that ED and BJP do not respect the courts. When the court has sent a notice, why they cannot wait for the next date. It is a political conspiracy. Several AAP leaders including ministers and MLAs also arrived outside CMs residence and voiced their protest against EDs action. Elaborate security arrangements were in place outside Kejriwals residence with AAP ministers not being allowed to go inside the residential complex. By late evening, roads leading to the CMs residence were cordoned off and security personnel from Delhi Police as well as paramilitary personnel were deployed in and around to maintain law and order. Senior AAP leaders criticised PM Narendra Modi over EDs action. It is the desperation of Modi. They cannot defeat Kejriwal that is why they want to keep Arvind Kejriwal out of the Lok Sabha elections. Modi does not have a counter to Arvind Kejriwal. He is misusing the ED to harass Kejriwal and is trying to keep him out of election. After two years investigation not a single rupee has been recovered from the excise case, said AAP chief spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar. Also Read: Delhi HC refuses to grant Arvind Kejriwal protection in liquor policy case All efforts are underway to arrest the chief minister Arvind Kejriwal who is providing world class education-health-electricity-water facilities in Delhi. Arresting him just before the elections in a case that has been going on for 2 years shows political conspiracy. The whole of Delhi and the whole country is with Kejriwal, AAP Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal said. It appears that ED has raided the residence of chief minister (Arvind Kejriwal). No one is being allowed to go inside the CM residence. It appears that they are fully prepared to arrest the CM. The people of Delhi are watching, we will not remain silent, AAP leader and Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said. The search operation is going on inside CM residence. The phones of CM Arvind Kejriwal have been taken away. It is an attempt of the Centre to crush the AAP. They can arrest Arvind Kejriwal, but they cannot arrest his thoughts, said Bharadwaj. Earlier in the day Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva said the court has clearly said Kejriwal should appear before the ED. The fear of arrest in CM Arvind Kejriwal makes his involvement in the liquor scam evident. The way Arvind Kejriwal is behaving regarding the ED summons, if every accused in the country behaves similarly, then there will be no meaning of legal processes in the country. Despite continuous court hearings, he is not getting any relief, but Kejriwal is avoiding appearing before the ED. Until a few days ago, those who were calling the ED summons illegal are now pleading with the ED not to arrest them, Sachdeva said. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has been arrested on Thursday by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the liquor probe making him the first sitting chief minister to be arrested ever. The arrest came within two months after Jharkhand's Hemant Soren was arrested another prominent leader of the opposition; Soren had resigned as the CM just before his arrest making way for Champai Soren to take the mantle of the government. The AAP leadership, however, said Kejriwal will remain the chief minister and the national capital will be ruled from jail. Kejriwal's arrest comes a week after another big-ticket arrest in connection with the liquor probe. BRS leader K Kavitha was arrested from Hyderabad last week and was brought to New Delhi. Arvind Kejriwal was arrested on Thursday by the ED from his Civil Lines residence in New Delhi.(HT_PRINT) Why was Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal arrested by ED? What's liquor policy case? Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. While Kavitha's arrest dropped hints that Kejriwal would be ED's next target, a high court order on Thursday made it easier as the court denied granting any protection to Kejriwal from any coercive action of the agency. Hours after the high court verdict, ED officials swooped in at Kejriwal's Civil Lines residence with a search warrant. After a few hours, Kejriwal was taken into custody. Arvind Kejriwal arrested: Follow LIVE updates Why Arvind Kejriwal has been arrested Kejriwal was summoned by the ED to join the probe sine last year but citing various engagements Kejriwal skipped all the summons so far. Kejriwal moved the court and challenged the ED summons calling them unconstitutional. A major blow came to Kejriwal after the court on Thursday said it has no intention to get into the case at this stage. Will Arvind Kejriwal continue as Delhi CM after arrest by ED? Minister Atishi replies The case pertains to the liquor policy which was scrapped after allegations of corruption. Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh were arrested earlier in connection with the same case. Kejriwal has no access to phone: What is happening at CM's residence? 10 points What's next for Kejriwal? Delhi minister and AAP leader Atishi said the party has already moved the Supreme Court for quashing the arrest of Kejriwal. "We have asked for an urgent hearing by the Supreme Cpurt tonight itself," Atishi posted on X. Meanwhile, the AAP leadership said Kejriwal will remain the chief minister as it was decided after a survey of 'Main Bhi Kejriwal' at 23.8 lakh households in Delhi. 55-year-old Arvind Kejriwal became Delhi chief minister first in 2013 riding on the wave of the anti-corruption movement that he spearheaded with Anna Hazare. Kejriwal became the second youngest chief minister of Delhi but a year after he resigned after failing to table the Jan Lokpal Bill in the Delhi Assembly. In 2015, he again became the chief minister after his Aam Aadmi Party won the election with a majority. In 2020, AAP again returned to power with a majority. Kejriwal studied mechanical engineering at IIT-Kharagpur and then joined the Indian Revenue Services as an assistant commissioner of income tax in 1995 after cracking the civil services examination. He resigned from his position as joint commissioner of income tax in 2006. New Delhi: Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday evening in connection with the Delhi Excise liquor probe. Kejriwals arrest comes in the backdrop of the agency establishing that a certain group of businessmen and politicians from the South benefitted from the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy 2021-22 instead of Rs.100 crore bribes paid to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday evening (File Photo) Kejriwal is the fourth high-profile politician to be arrested in the case after former deputy CM Manish Sisodia, member of parliament Sanjay Singh and BRS leader K Kavitha. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The conspiracy The ED has claimed that a conspiracy was hatched by political leaders, including Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and K Kavitha (arrested last week) among others, in the Delhi excise policy. A South Group comprising businessman Sarath Reddy, Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy and K Kavitha got nine zones out of 32 in Delhi under the new excise policy 2021-22. The policy was brought out with an extraordinarily high 12 per cent profit margin for wholesalers and almost 185 per cent profit margin for retailers. As per the conspiracy, six per cent out of the 12 per cent margin was to be collected back from the wholesalers as kickback to the leaders of AAP, ED has alleged. Kavitha orchestrated a deal with CM, Delhi Arvind Kejriwal and then deputy CM and the excise minister - Manish Sisodia, wherein she, along with other members of the South Group, paid them kickbacks through a string of intermediaries and middlemen. In exchange for kickbacks paid to the leaders of AAP, Kavitha had access to the policy formulation and was offered provisions to ensure a favorable position to her, ED said in its remand note last week after arresting Kavitha. Key person ED has alleged that the Rs.100 crore kickback was paid in advance to Vijay Nair (AAPs then communications in-charge), who was managing this scheme and conspiracy on behalf of the leaders of the AAP. The agency said in one of the court documents last year that - Vijay Nair is not an ordinary worker of the AAP but a close associate of Arvind Kejriwal, the CM of Delhi. Citing businessman Sameer Mahendrus statement, ED has said the excise policy was the brainchild of Kejriwal. It has been said that when to verify Nairs clout in the Delhi government, Mahendru asked him to meet Kejriwal, a FaceTime call with the CM was arranged by Nair. Kejriwal told Mahendru during this video call that Vijay is his boy and that he should trust him, ED has claimed. Sisodias former secretary spilled beans ED, citing a December 7, 2022 statement recorded by former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodias then secretary C Arvind, has claimed he was informed of the decision to carve a 12 per cent profit margin for wholesale private entities in the excise policy at Kejriwals residence in March 2021. There were no discussions about handing the wholesale liquor business to private players in meetings held by the group of ministers (GoM) which comprised Sisodia, Satyendar Jain and Kailash Gahlot before mid-March 2021, C Arvind told ED. However, in mid-March, 2021, C Arvind was called by Sisodia to Kejriwals residence (where former health minister of Delhi Satyendar Jain was also present) and Sisodia handed over a document to C Arvind, which was a draft GoM report proposing that the wholesale (business) should go to private entities and asked him to prepare the draft GoM report based on the said document. He said that it was the first time he saw this proposal as the same was never discussed in any GoM meetings, the agency stated. Rs.45 crore bribe for Goa assembly elections In its sixth charge sheet filed in December 2023 against AAP leader Sanjay Singh, ED claimed that kickbacks worth Rs.45 crore generated in Delhi excise policy were used by AAP in the Goa assembly elections campaign in 2022, making it a beneficiary of the proceeds of crime. The AAP has benefited directly by using part of PoC (proceeds of crime) to the tune of 45 crore approximately in its election campaign in Goa, it said. Besides the party, the charge sheet also stated that some of the AAP leaders also personally benefitted from the proceeds of crime. ED has established that Sisodia got Rs.2.2 crore bribe, while Sanjay Singh got Rs.2 crore, and Nair got Rs.1.5 crore. However, the ED or the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) have not yet directly linked any proceeds of crime to Kejriwal. Probe so far: The financial crimes probe agency has so far filed six charge sheets in the excise policy probe against 31 individuals and entities, including former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia and AAP parliamentarian Sanjay Singh. Both Sisodia and Singh are currently lodged in Tihar jail. Kejriwal is the 32nd accused to be arrested in the case. To date, the ED has conducted searches on 245 locations across the country, including Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, Mumbai and other places. It has also attached assets worth 128.79 crore under PMLA in the case. The agency has also pegged the loss in the excise policy irregularities at 2,873 crore. Nine summons: Before arresting Kejriwal on Thursday, the ED had issued nine summons to the Delhi CM on November 2, December 22, January 3, January 18, February 2, February 19, February 27, March 4 and March 21, which he termed as illegal and politically motivated. He tried to get relief from the courts but was not granted any. ED has never officially said if he was being summoned as a witness or a suspect, but its court documents have suggested that he was being probed for conspiracy as an accused. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday after carrying out searches at his official residence and questioning the AAP leader for nearly two hours in connection with the money laundering probe linked to the excise policy case. The arrest comes hours after the Delhi high court refused to grant him interim protection from coercive action against Arvind Kejriwal in the money laundering probe. (Also Read: Delhi Speaker's big claim on Kejriwal's future as CM amid ED questioning) Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal comes out of the Rouse Avenue Court after appearing in the Enforcement Directorate summons case, in New Delhi, Saturday, March 16, 2024.(PTI) Rapid action force (RAF) personnel arrived outside Kejriwal's house forming the front layer security cordon. Multiple iron barricades were placed to form the second layer of the security cordon. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Meanwhile, top AAP leaders including Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj also arrived at Kejriwal's residence while party workers raised slogans in support of the chief minister. It appears that ED has raided the residence of chief minister (Arvind Kejriwal). No one is being allowed to go inside the CM residence. It appears that they are fully prepared to arrest the CM. The people of Delhi are watching, we will not remain silent, AAP leader and Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said. Soon after Kejriwal's arrest, Atishi said, It is a political conspiracy and not linked to any case or investigation. If they wanted to investigate, ED could have waited for the court's judgement. We have filed an application and are requesting the Supreme Court to grant us an urgent hearing during this night. Arvind Kejriwal will not resign. He is and will remain the Delhi chief minister. Follow LIVE updates on ED questioning of Arvind Kejriwal What is the case in which Kejriwal is being questioned? The case pertains to alleged corruption and money laundering in formulating and executing the Delhi government's excise policy for 2021-22, which was later scrapped. The Enforcement Directorate claims that AAP leaders received kickbacks worth 100 crore in the excise policy. Kejriwal's name has also been mentioned multiple times in the charge sheets filed by the ED. The agency has alleged that the accused were in touch with Kejriwal for formulating the excise policy. AAP leaders Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh are already in judicial custody in the case. Kejriwal skipped eight summons issued by the federal agency since November 2 last year, calling it "illegal and politically motivated". ED has claimed that a conspiracy was hatched by political leaders including Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and K Kavitha (arrested last week) among others in the Delhi excise policy. A South Group comprising businessman Sarath Reddy, Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy and K Kavitha got nine zones out of 32 in Delhi under the new excise policy 2021-22. The policy was brought out with an extraordinarily high 12% profit margin for wholesalers and almost 185% profit margin for retailers. As per the conspiracy, 6% out of the 12% margin was to be collected back from the wholesalers as a kickback to the leaders of AAP, ED has alleged. (With inputs from Neeraj Chauhan) Arvind Kejriwal has been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the Delhi excise policy case. His arrest days before the Lok Sabha elections has been condemned by the opposition parties including those from INDIA alliance of which AAP is a member. Kejriwal is the first sitting chief minister to be arrested by a law enforcement agency. There have been instances of chief ministers facing corruption charges. Here's a look at few of them:- Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the ED on Thursday evening.(Raj K Raj/ HT Photo) Hemant Soren (Jharkhand) Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Hemant Soren was arrested by the ED on January 31 in connection with a money laundering probe into an alleged land scam in his state. Ahead of his arrest, Soren had resigned from his post and the party chose senior minister Champai Soren as the next CM. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. J Jayalalithaa (Tamil Nadu) In 2014, then Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa was convicted in a disproportionate assets case by a Bengaluru court. She was forced to step down and O Paneerselvam was sworn in as chief minister. Later in 2015, the Karnataka high court had acquitted her. Lalu Prasad (Bihar) Rashtriya Janata Dal supremo Lalu Prasad was named in the CBI chargesheet in the fodder scam for the first time in 1997. After pressure from the opposition, he was forced to resign and installed his wife Rabri Devi as the CM. Madhu Koda (Jharkhand) Madhu Koda, the youngest chief minister of Jharkhand who ran the state from 2006 to 2008, was arrested in 2009 after the ED found discrepancies in his finances. The ED and CBI alleged that Koda received bribes for allocating coal and mining blocks during his tenure as CM. Chandrababu Naidu (Andhra Pradesh) Former Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu was arrested last year in a skill development case. The arrest took place in the case pertaining to an alleged multi-crore skill development corporation scam during his stint as CM. Om Prakash Chautala (Haryana) Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) chief Om Prakash Chautala, the son of former deputy prime minister Chaudhary Devi Lal, was convicted in 2022 for amassing assets disproportionate to his known lawful sources of income, in his name and in the names of his family members during his tenure as chief minister from July 24, 1999, to March 5, 2005. However, the Delhi high court suspended a four-year sentence handed to him in the case in 2022. The Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday lashed out at Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal after the Enforcement Directorate reached his residence for questioning in the Delhi excise policy case probe. The scam in the liqour policy took place with consent of chief minister Kejriwal. AAP is a group of anarchists who does not believe in the constitution and law. If he has not done any wrong, why is Kejriwal running away from probe, Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva said in a video shared by the party on X. ALSO READ: Kejriwal has no access to phone: What is happening at CM's residence? 10 points Arvind Kejriwal will have to answer questions of the probe agency in the liquor scam, Sachdeva added. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has moved the Supreme Court after being denied protection from coercive action by ED from the Delhi high court.(Sanchit Khanna/HT file Photo) Later, Sachdeva told ANI,""Arvind Kejriwal has committed a scam in the liquor policy, looted the people of Delhi, done the work of looting Delhi. So if you have cheated the public, committed theft, or committed corruption, then its consequences are also yours. You have committed theft and corruption in changing the liquor policy under the pretext that you will have to answer." The ED has sent him summons nine times but he (Arvind Kejriwal) made excuses each time. We hope that today he answers the questions raised after K Kavithas revelations in the Delhi liquor scam," BJP spokesperson RP Singh told PTI. ALSO READ: Delhi Speaker's big claim on Kejriwal's future as CM amid ED questioning The BJP's attack comes amid the ED's presence at Kejriwal's residence with a search warrant in the Delhi excise policy case. Heavy security has been deployed around the Aam Aadmi Party convenor's house with the party alleging a conspiracy to arrest him. Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj alleged that the party is unable to communicate with Kejriwal or his secretary. This time everyone knows that just a few hours ago, the matter was in the Delhi High Court. The High Court has given time to ED till 22 April, told to file a reply on why the arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal is crucial? In a way, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is now inside Arvind Kejriwal's residence; there is a heavy deployment of police outside his house. Now, communication is not possible with him (Arvind Kejriwal), nor with his secretary, which seems that the agency has taken his phones...They (ED) might arrest him (Arvind Kejriwal)....BJP's atrocities are now exposed in front of this country, he added, as AAP workers protested against ED action. (With PTI inputs) The second accused in the Budaun double murder case has been arrested by the Uttar Pradesh police. Javed, the second accused in the Budaun double murder case.(ANI) The accused, identified as Mohd Javed, surrendered before the police in Bareilly. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. In a video shared by news agency ANI, he says: "...I ran straight to Delhi and from there I have to come to Bareilly to surrender. I have received phone calls from people about what my brother did..." Two children Ayush (13) and Aahan (6) were hacked to death on Tuesday evening in Badaun's Baba Colony by Sajid (27), who ran a barber shop across from the victims house. Sajid was killed in a police encounter three hours later when he was reportedly trying to flee. The FIR registered in the case said Sajid entered the house on the false pretext of seeking 5,000 to treat his pregnant wife. The accused Sajid entered the house at around 7:30pm and went to the terrace where the children were playing. He attacked the two children and murdered them," Badaun SSP Alok Priyadarshi had said. "He then came down where the crowd tried to hold him back but he escaped...Police teams swung into action when they got to know that the accused had escaped...The accused fired at the police and was killed in retaliatory fire. Also Read | Police fan out in tense Badaun, but motive for killings unclear Investigators, so far, have no clarity on what drove Sajid to brutally attack Ayush and Aahan. Priyadarshi said that while police had not found any reason to believe that there was an old enmity or dispute between the accused and the victims family, the way in which the crime was committed hinted that it could be a hate crime. Some people are also talking about occult practices, but we have, so far, not found that to be the case, he said. The police also took Sajid's father, Babu, and uncle, Kayamuddin, into custody for questioning. Heavy police deployment was seen across Badaun to avoid a flare-up of communal tensions. Vinod Kumar, the father of the Badaun double murder victims, has urged the Uttar Pradesh Police to not kill the second accused in an encounter. He wants that the accused, Javed, who was arrested on Thursday, should be questioned to ascertain if his children were killed as part of a conspiracy. Father of the Budaun Double Murder victims being consoled by police official, in Budaun on Wednesday. (ANI) Javed must be questioned so that we know why they did this. If he is killed in an encounter, the secret will never come out. Others may be involved too. We need to know if my children were killed as part of a conspiracy. They would have killed others in the family too, said Vinod, the father of the boys, was quoted as saying by NDTV. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. I want a full investigation into this. What was the reason behind the murder of my children? I appeal to (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi ji and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath so that we know what happened, he added. On Tuesday, three children of Vinod- Ayush (12), Ahaan alias Honey (8) and Yuvraj (10) were allegedly attacked with a knife. In the gruesome attack, Ayush and Ahaan died, while Yuvraj was admitted to the hospital, according to the police. One of the accused, Sajid, was killed in an encounter with the police. The second accused, Javed had been absconding since the incident. ALSO READ| Police fan out in tense Badaun, but motive for killings unclear The Uttar Pradesh Police arrested Javed on Thursday after he surrendered at the Satellite Police outpost of Baradari Police Station of Bareilly. Javed, the brother of main accused Sajid, was arrested by a police team in nearby Bareilly district. He is being brought to the district for further questioning, said Badaun senior Superintendent of police Alok Priyadarshi. ALSO READ| On Badaun double murder, Samajwadi Party MP says, 'BJP manufactures violence...' What the victims' family has alleged in FIR As per the FIR in the Badaun double murder case, the deceased's father Vinod Kumar, has alleged that Sajid and his brother Javed reached their house around 7pm. Sajid allegedly told Vinod's wife that he needed 5,000 to pay the hospital for the delivery of his child, reported news agency PTI. When Vinod's wife went inside the house to get the money, Sajid allegedly went to the rooftop of the house. Moments later, Javed also reached the rooftop and they called Ayush and Ahaan, according to the complaint. The accused then attacked the minors with a sharp knife. The accused also attacked Vinod's third son, Yuvraj who had gone upstairs to fetch some water. However, he managed to escape with minor injuries. Several political parties condemned Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's arrest by the ED on Thursday, claiming that it shows how "jittery" the ruling BJP at the Centre is with less than a month to go for the Lok Sabha polls. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal being arrested by ED following a raid, in New Delhi, India, on Thursday, March 21, 2024. (Photo by HT/ Hindustan Times)(Hindustan Times) The opposition parties also accused the BJP of indulging in vendetta politics. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in an excise policy-linked money laundering case on Thursday evening, officials said. Reacting to the development, Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Sitaram Yechury claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are in "panic" over their impending rejection by people in the Lok Sabha polls. "Strongly condemn the arrest of Delhi CM, Shri Arvind Kejriwal by the ED. It's the second sitting CM of the INDIA bloc to be arrested," Yechury said in a post on X. "Clearly, Modi and the BJP are in panic over people's rejection in the ongoing elections," he added. The Left leader said Kejriwal's arrest will only "cement" people's desire to defeat the BJP in the parliamentary polls. "All opposition leaders who defected and joined the BJP are protected and patronised. They are the 'Satya Harishchandras'! These arrests will only cement people's desire to defeat BJP, defend democracy and Indian Constitution," he said. CPI general secretary D Raja claimed that the BJP's "desperation" before the general election is on full display. "They know the hollowness of their claims of 400 seats and that's why opposition is being targeted by abusing central agencies. The arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and the arrest of then Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren show how jittery the BJP is. This harassment is only intended to intimidate the opposition. "People will give a befitting answer to this in elections by throwing BJP out of power," Raja said in a post on X. The Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) questioned the arrest at a time when the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) is in place. "The election process has begun. And now this! Chiefs of political parties, CMs, political leaders, election agents, workers, every opponent being harassed and arrested like this. What will be the fate of our precious democracy," the TMC's Parliamentary Party leader in the Rajya Sabha Derek O'Brien said in a post on X. "Let us all save democracy from impending disaster," he added. O'Brien condemned Kejriwal's arrest and said the Election Commission (EC) and the Supreme Court should take action in the matter. "We vehemently condemn the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal, an elected CM, especially when EC is in charge and MCC is in place. Earlier his administrative powers were snatched through an illegal ordinance," he said. "How can we expect fair elections in India if sitting CMs and prominent opposition leaders are arrested weeks before polls? If SC and ECI fail to act now, who will stand with people against BJP's oppressive politics in future?" the TMC leader asked. Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav said Kejriwal's arrest "will give birth to a new people's revolution". "Those who are themselves imprisoned in the fear of defeat, what will they achieve by imprisoning someone else? BJP knows that it will not come to power again and because of this fear, it wants to remove the opposition leaders from the public by any means at the time of elections, arrest is just an excuse," the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said in a post on X. People's Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti said Kejriwal's arrest reeks of political vendetta and growing authoritarianism. "The arbitrary arrest of yet another CM by ED reeks of political vendetta and growing authoritarianism," the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said in a post on X. She claimed that the arrest has exposed the BJP's fears and accused the saffron party of trying to manipulate the Lok Sabha polls even before the voting. "This cowardly act has exposed fears of the ruling party now resorting to desperate measures by manipulating elections even before they are held. History has shown that tyranny never prevails in the face of unified resistance. We will not be intimidated," the former Union minister added. NEW DELHI: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) signed a working arrangement on Thursday on cooperation to prevent and combat serious crime and terrorism. The working arrangement was signed by CBI director Praveen Sood and Europol executive director Catherine De Bolle at a virtual event held in New Delhi and the Hague. (X/CBIHeadquarters) Besides bringing together CBI and Europol, this arrangement will link law enforcement authorities in India with counterparts in the 27 member states of the European Union (EU), and third countries and organisations associated with Europol. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The arrangement also establishes mechanisms for communication, cooperation and collaboration, ensuring that law enforcement agencies from both sides can seamlessly collaborate, share best practices, and support each other, statements from both sides said. The cooperation will cover the exchange of information, general situation reports, strategic analysis results and training activities. The arrangement also allows for the provision of advice and support in individual criminal investigations. The working arrangement was signed by CBI director Praveen Sood and Europol executive director Catherine De Bolle at a virtual event held in New Delhi and the Hague. Sood said: This working arrangement is an outcome of years of negotiation between CBI and Europol to reach this common ground. This moment marks a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to combat crime and enhance cooperation between our agencies. He emphasised the need for expeditious international cooperation to cope with the global dispersal of crimes, criminals and proceeds of crimes. Criminal networks operate across borders, exploiting differences in jurisdictions and taking advantage of modern technologies to evade detection. The arrangement... reflects our shared commitment to address these challenges through enhanced cooperation and mutual assistance, he said. De Bolle noted that the EUs security starts abroad in an increasingly globalised world. Nowadays there is a strong link between what happens outside of the EUs borders and security within Europe. The working arrangement...with the CBI underscores the interconnected nature of security threats and the necessity of international cooperation to effectively address them, she said. Europol, which is headquartered in The Hague, supports EU member states combating serious international and organised crime, cybercrime and terrorism. However, the agency doesnt have the power to make arrests or initiate investigations on its own. CBI is the national central bureau for Interpol in India and coordinates assistance for all law enforcement agencies in India via Interpol channels. It is also a member of the GloBE international network of anti-corruption agencies. The working arrangement includes 26 articles with modalities for cooperation in more than 30 different crime categories. It will bolster cooperation for jointly tackling organised and financial crimes, fraud, corruption, terrorism, cybercrime, human trafficking, drug trafficking, money laundering, environmental crimes, and illicit trafficking in cultural goods, including antiquities and works of art. New Delhi The Congress on Thursday fielded its top three leaders, party president Mallikarjun Kharge and former presidents Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, to launch a frontal attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his administration, accusing the government of virtually freezing the main opposition partys bank accounts weeks before the general elections. Congress party president Mallikarjun Kharge and former presidents Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi during a special press conference at the Congress party headquarters in New Delhi, India, on Thursday. (Raj K Raj/ Hindustan Times) In the first joint press conference addressed by the three, the leaders alleged there was no level playing field before the polls because the Congress was unable to operate its accounts. They also disclosed that in addition to the ongoing tax dispute between the Income Tax (I-T) department over the assessment year (AY) 2018-19, the party received a fresh notice on March 14 over alleged discrepancies in AY 1994-95, when the late Sitaram Kesri was the party treasurer. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. A systematic effort is underway by the PM to cripple Congress financially, said Sonia Gandhi. Rahul Gandhi echoed her. This is a criminal action on the Congress by the PM and the home minister. This type of activity doesnt happen without them in todays India, he said. Read more: Congress releases third list of Lok Sabha candidates, 56 names included The Congress leadership said that they were unable to book flights for its leaders or advertisement spaces due to the shortage of funds. Kharge contrasted the Congresss inability to operate its account to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) amassing huge resources through electoral bonds and other means. This cant be called a free and fair election.... In the 75 years of Indias democratic system, no other party has amassed so much money (as the BJP). For the first time, the government is making money from various ways. ...if you want an impartial election, our partys account should be freed. BJP has never paid any income tax. We are waiting for the final decision of the law, he said. In her statement, Sonia Gandhi said the issues taken up were extremely serious. This issue affects not just the Congress, but impacts our democracy most fundamentally. A systematic effort is underway by the PM to cripple the INC financially. Funds from the public are frozen and money from our accounts is being taken away forcibly. However, even under these most challenging circumstances, we are doing our very best to maintain the effectiveness of our poll campaigning, she added. Read more: In letter to Kharge, Anand Sharma takes a stand against Congresss caste census push Registered political parties are exempted from paying tax on specified income such as voluntary contributions, house property, income from other sources and capital gains, under section 13A of the Income Tax Act. But this exemption is subject to a set of stipulations, including maintenance of books of account, records of each contribution of more than 20,000 and audit reports by a chartered accountant Additionally, political parties must not receive donation of more than 2,000 otherwise than by way of cheque, demand draft or through bank account. Parties must also furnish their verified return of income for the previous year The Congress's claim of full exemption was rejected on two grounds. One, the party did not submit its return of income within the time limit and two, the Congress received cash donations to the tune of 14.49 lakh in excess of 2,000. The Congress has rejected the allegation, saying it submitted returns within the stipulated time and the money received was from party legislators and office-bearers, and therefore could not be construed as donations under the IT Act. I-T authorities have already attached 65 crore from five bank accounts of the Congress and its youth and students wings against the lien of 115 crore placed by the tax department on the partys accounts in a case related to a delay in filing I-T returns for AY 2018-19. A lien is a sort of a hold on an amount that is owed. In this case, the lien was put through two letters sent by the department to the managers of Bank of Baroda and State Bank of India last month. Read more: Hurts everyone: Congress leader Salman Khurshid complains to ECI against BJP ads The Congress has appealed the order in the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal and the Delhi high court unsuccessfully. The party now plans to go to the Supreme Court. Tax officials say the case pertains to the Congresss tax dues of assessment year (AY) 2018-19. The initial due to the tax department was 103 crore, and 32 crore was added to this on account of interest. The tax due was reassessed at 105 crore on July 6, 2021. After this, the tax officials said, the Congress appealed before the Commissioner, Appeals but did not pay the mandatory 20% of the tax due to initiate the appeal. It paid only 78 lakh, prompting the commissioner to dismiss the plea. The Congress, the officials added, then appealed Commissioner, Appeals again in May 2023, and in October, paid 1.72 crore. They pointed out that the Congress has not applied for any stay on the tax demand in its appeal. On Thursday, the Congress said it got a fresh notice over I-T discrepancies in 1994-95. Last week, we got a notice for Sitaram Kesaris term. Now, they will freeze more funds. Every political party is exempted from I-T. Why is the Congress targeted? treasurer Ajay Maken asked. Maken alleged that the party had received a donation of 199 crore in 2017-18, but after seven years, on 13th February 2024, 210.25 crore was marked as lien, the partys bank accounts were virtually sealed, and later, 115.32 crore was forcibly confiscated. The lien was marked in such a way, that it not only sealed 210 crore, but also prevented Congress from using its deposited amounts of 285 crores. This virtually crippled the finances of the party, its leaders alleged. Rahul Gandhi appealed to the Election Commission to intervene. The idea that India is a democracy is a lie. This is being orchestrated to cripple us in this election. Even if our bank accounts are unfrozen, huge damage has been done. It is ridiculous. It is the duty of all institutions to protect democracy. You are being robbed of a democratic asset, democratic architecture. This is criminal action by PM on Congress. The is a punishment on our entire financial identity. There are institutions to protect our democratic framework. But the EC has not said, wait a minute, you have frozen the bank account of the largest opposition party. We have already lost a month. We are unable to prepare for our election, said Rahul Gandhi In a statement issued later, the Congress blamed the government. The BJP has looted the donations given to the Congress party by the common public by freezing our accounts ...No political party, including the BJP, pays income tax, yet the Congress partys 11 bank accounts were frozen. Why? The BJP rejected the criticism. BJP president JP Nadda said the Congresss top leadership ranted against democracy and institutions because the party was going to be rejected by the people in the upcoming elections. They are conveniently blaming their irrelevance on financial troubles. In reality, their bankruptcy is moral and intellectual, not financial. Instead of correcting their own errors, Congress is blaming authorities for their troubles, Nadda said in a post on X, formerly Twitter. Senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said the Congress partys calling the freezing of its accounts to an assault on democracy was misplaced and it had shamed Indian democracy globally. In utter desperation of imminent defeat the Congress party at the highest level sought to create an alibi today, he said. Prasad said there is a provision in the IT Act, 13 (a) that says party is exempted from paying income tax, but they have to file their returns and cite details of the donors. If this is not filed every year with a certified auditors report; you lose the exemption...Sections 220 and 221 also give details of the collection and recovery (of dues, he said. Singling out Rahul Gandhi, the former union minister also said, Our gentle advice to the Congress, we wish you well, the more you allow Rahul Gandhi to speak: the more you are losing ground in the country he said. Congress leader Salman Khurshid on Thursday filed a complaint to the Election Commission of India (ECI) regarding the Bharatiya Janata Party's campaigns ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections and said that the saffron party's advertisements hurt everyone who was connected to the Indian democracy. Congress leaders Salman Khurshid, Mukul Wasnik, Supriya Shrinate and others come out after meeting the Election Commissioners at Nirvachan Sadan, in New Delhi. (PTI) He said, We have conveyed our complaints to the Election Commission of India about the way the BJP is campaigning, the things that are being advertised by them and the things that are being said through this hurts everyone who is connected to Indian democracy. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Congress leaders Khurshid, Mukul Wasnik, Supriya Shrinate and others met with the Election Commissioners at Nirvachan Sadan in New Delhi on Thursday. Khurshid added that the Congress party raised objections over BJP advertisements involving Prime Minister Narendra Modi's picture as a part of the Lok Sabha campaigning. We have raised objections over advertisements on trains, petrol pumps, bus stands, etc. with PM Modi's picture as part of their (BJP's) election campaigning. They (Election Commission) have already started taking action against many other such issues. The Congress party said that it requested the ECI to suggest steps for situations when objectionable advertising is disseminated and removed from platforms before it can be complained against, Khurshid said. I hope the ECI will work as per the constitutional rights that it has, the Congress leader added. In an unscheduled press briefing on Thursday morning, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge along with former chiefs Sonia and Rahul Gandhi criticised the Narendra Modi administration for allegedly undermining fair competition for opposition parties, including the Congress, in the lead-up to the Lok Sabha polls. The leaders highlighted two key grievances the issue of electoral bonds and the freezing of the Congress party's accounts by the Income Tax department. During a press conference on Thursday, Kharge highlighted the disproportionate benefit the BJP received from the discontinued electoral bonds scheme, receiving 56% of total donations compared to the Congress's 11%. Following him, Sonia Gandhi accused Prime Minister Modi of orchestrating deliberate financial setbacks for the Congress. Rahul Gandhi, taking up the mantle, accused PM Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah of engaging in "criminal activity" against the Congress, despite the party garnering significant voter support in the 2019 polls. He emphasised that despite securing around 11 crore votes, party leaders now struggle to afford even platform tickets. Congress on Wednesday announced its third list of Lok Sabha candidates which includes 56 names while one seat has been marked for alliance partner. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge with Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi on Tuesday. (ANI Photo) The third list of names of Congress candidates on 57 Lok Sabha seats for the Lok Sabha elections, 2024 was released in the meeting of the 'Central Election Committee' held under the chairmanship of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, the grand old party said in a social media post. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. ALSO READ- BJP releases third list of Lok Sabha candidates, ex-Telangana governor to contest from Chennai South Check full list of Congress Lok Sabha election candidates In the second list of 17 candidates announced by the Congress for the Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka, notable names include the children of ministers and family members of prominent leaders. Priyanka Jarkiholi, daughter of Satish Jarkiholi, will contest from Chikkodi, while Sowmya Reddy, daughter of Ramalinga Reddy, is the candidate for Bangalore South. Other candidates include Samyukta S Patil, daughter of Shivanand Patil (Bagalkot), Mrinal Ravindra Hebbalkar, son of Laxmi Hebbalkar (Belgaum), and Sagar Khandre, son of Eshwar Khandre (Bidar). Mansoor Ali Khan, son of former deputy chairman of Rajya Sabha K Rahman Khan, will contest from Bangalore Central, and Prabha Mallikarjun, wife of minister S S Mallikarjun, will contest from Davangere. ALSO READ- TMC alleges BJP accessed government database to send 'Viksit Bharat' messages on WhatsApp Radhakrishna Doddamani, son-in-law of AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, will be the party's candidate from Gulbarga (Kalaburagi). The Congress announced five more candidates from Rajasthan, including AICC secretary Kuldeep Indora from Ganganagar and former minister Pramod Jain Bhaya's wife Urmila Jain from Jhalwar-Baran seat, for the Lok Sabha elections. The party has left the Sikar parliamentary seat for the Communist Party of India (Marxist). ALSO READ- 10 things to know about Singham Anna K Annamalai, BJP's Coimbatore candidate in Lok Sabha election The list includes names for seats from Arunachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Telangana, West Bengal and Karnataka. New Delhi: The hosts of the United Nations (UN) climate conferences the United Arab Emirates (COP28), Azerbaijan (COP29) and Brazil (COP30) on Wednesday announced to cut emissions in line with limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius-aligned nationally-determined contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement by early 2025. Copenhagen Climate Ministerial, COP28 (Twitter/@COP28_UAE) The three countries which together formed the COP Presidentcies Troika unveiled a plan to ensure the next round of NDCs to be submitted by the countries are 1.5C aligned. The plan was shared at Copenhagen at the first climate ministerial since COP28 on Wednesday. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The Troika in this regard issued a letter to all 198 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) members, advocating strongly for early submissions of high ambition NDCs, that decisively take forward the UAE Consensus. HT reported on December 14 that history was made in Dubai when 196 countries agreed to transition away from fossil fuels, in a just, orderly and equitable manner, accelerating action in this critical decade, so as to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, although experts said it doesnt do enough on almost all fronts climate targets, funding, phasing out fossil fuels, and holding historical polluters accountable. NDCs should be economy-wide, cover all greenhouse gases, including methane and include policies which deliver emission reductions of 60 per cent compared to 2019 levels, before 2035, said Al Jaber, COP28 President and group chief executive officer of state oil giant Abu Dhabi National Oil Corporation (ADNOC). Jaber urged members to follow the science and ensure energy transition pathways are just, orderly and responsible at a panel with COP29 President-Designate Mukhtar Babayev and Andre Correado Lago, Secretary for Climate, Energy and Environment for COP30 host Brazil. He said that all the members should follow this unprecedented agreement with unprecedented action across the climate agenda, from mitigation to adaptation to finance. This should be underscored with urgency, determination and full inclusivity. The UAE Consensus was a victory for multilateralism and proof of the power of inclusivity, which showed that positivity and solidarity can overcome pessimism and polarization. An agreement is only as good as its implementation, Jaber highlighted. How parties from the Global South respond to this call depends on the outcome of finance talks at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan where climate finance is the key agenda. In February, Simon Stiell, executive secretary of the UNFCCC called on countries to deliver trillions in climate finance. Stiell, who delivered a lecture at ADA University in Azerbaijans Baku on Friday, said at least $2.4 trillion is needed every year for energy transition in developing countries (excluding China). The COP28 President issued an open invitation to all parties to attend the UAE Climate Finance Forum in Abu Dhabi in June last year, which will work towards realising a climate finance architecture that unlocks the trillions needed for transformational green growth, Stiell said. COP 28 set an expectation that the world would transition away from fossil fuels. The ministers meeting in Copenhagen has to pave the way for COP29 and work out how to turn those words into action. The future will be one free of fossil fuels and we need to develop a roadmap to get there as fast as possible and to kick those who want to drag us into the past out of the way, added Stiell. The sobering revelation from the State of Global Climate report confirming 2023 as the hottest year on record by a clear margin, serves as a stark reminder that the cost of the existing fossil fuel system is far higher in lost lives than the costs of transition. This year, we need bold leadership to accelerate away from these deadly fuels. Ministers must commit to clear national targets on fossil fuel exit and how they are supporting the transition globally. Many of the Ministers attending have already endorsed the call for a Fossil Fuel Treaty to complement the Paris Agreement. The impacts of the climate crisis show we need all hands on deck and all possible approaches to confront the climate emergency, said Alex Rafalowicz, director of the Fossil Fuel Treaty initiative. A Fossil Fuel Treaty offers the needed framework for international cooperation that can actually go beyond words by addressing the root cause of climate change and transitioning away from fossil fuels in a just and equitable way for every region and community across the world, Rafalowicz added. New Delhi: The Delhi high court on Thursday refused to grant interim protection from arrest to Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal over summons issued to him by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a money laundering probe linked to the now scrapped Delhi excise policy. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal. (File photo.) The court passed the order after perusing the material, which it had sought from the probe agency based on it was summoning Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. After hearing both the parties, we are not inclined to grant the relief at this stage, a bench of justice Suresh Kumar Kait and justice Manoj Jain said in the order. Though the court refused to pass an order from protection of arrest, it during the hearing, asked the chief minister as to why he had not approached the lower court seeking anticipatory bail, if he was apprehending arrest. Until and unless you attend any of the call, how would you know what information do they want? The summons started from the month of October. If you had apprehension that if you attend their call .. then why did you not challenge? What prevented you to not go to the court below from filing an anticipatory bail? the bench asked. Further, the court also asked the probe agency as to what prevented the probe agency from arresting the minister. What prevented you not to arrest? You are sending him summons after summons, the bench asked ASG SV Raju. Also Read: Delhi HC asks ED to show material backing summons to Arvind Kejriwal in excise case The court was considering Kejriwals plea seeking to direct the agency from not taking coercive action against him on his appearance in lieu of the summons. The CM has moved the application in his petition, challenging the summons issued to him by the probe agency on March 16 and February 26 and quashing the proceedings against him in his capacity of AAP leader and CM emanating out of the ECIR (enforcement case information report) registered by ED in the money laundering case. Besides from quashing, the CM has also challenged various provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) including section 2(s) of PMLA to the extent it construed to include a political party within its ambit and sweep. Kejriwal approached the high court three days after he was granted bail by the additional chief metropolitan magistrate (ACMM) Divya Malhotra on March 16, after he appeared physically before the court, in the case based on the two complaints filed by ED against him for allegedly disobeying the summons. On Thursday, chief minister appearing through senior advocate AM Singhvi submitted that the summons have been issued to him with an oblique motive to arrest and on the same day when schedule for the general elections was declared. He argued that the summons does not specify the capacity in which his physical appearance has been sought and are devoid of material and questionnaire. Also Read: ED a political tool: AAP hits out at BJP in Delhi I apprehend that I will be arrested without any cause or reason to unleash greater prejudice presently.. Summons have been issued on the same day when the schedule for general elections were declared. MCC is in place and it will disturb the level playing field, Singhvi said. While, the ED appearing through ASG Raju submitted that it had material to summon him and was insisting on his physical presence in his individual capacity. Were summoning him as an individual and not in an official capacity. There is material to call him, the law officer said. Raju added that a person who flouted the law (by skipping summons) should not be heard entirely. Person who flouts the law is not entirely to be heard, ASG said. He said that though the probe agency had the right to arrest, but it never said that it would arrest the CM. He is not being called for the first time. Our right to arrest is there but where did we say that we will arrest? The law officer said. On Wednesday, the high court had asked as to why he was not appearing before the probe agency, after the AAP convenor had skipped multiple summons. Why dont you appear on receiving the summons? What is preventing you to not attend the call? a bench led by justice Suresh Kumar Kait said to senior advocate Singhvi. The federal investigating agency has till date issued nine summons to Kejriwal, asking him to join the investigation being conducted in the alleged money laundering case related to the Delhi liquor excise policy scam - on March 4, February 26, February 19, February 2, January 18, January 3, and December 22 and November 2 last year. On Sunday, the probe agency had issued fresh summons to Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal asking him to appear before it on March 21 for questioning, which he skipped. The Delhi high court on Thursday dismissed chief minister Arvind Kejriwal's plea seeking to restrain the Enforcement Directorate (ED) from taking coercive action against him in connection with the money laundering probe related to the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy. A bench headed by justices Suresh Kumar Kait and Manoj Jain said the court is not inclined to grant relief to Kejriwal at this stage. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal. Kejriwal moved the court in the wake of the ninth summons issued by the ED, asking him to appear before it on Thursday. The Delhi chief minister has repeatedly refused to appear before the agency, calling the summonses illegal. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The petition is not maintainable that was our main ground. And according to us, it's not maintainable, it's a desperate attempt for him to file the petition. Delhi HC stated that we are not inclined to grant an interim relief, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) SV Raju told reporters. The case pertains to alleged corruption and money laundering in formulating and executing the Delhi government's excise policy for 2021-22, which was later scrapped. AAP leaders Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh are in judicial custody in the case. Read: Arvind Kejriwal wants to join ED probe, moved HC seeking no coercive action: Atishi BJP and AAP have been involved in a verbal duel over the probe agency's summonses to Arvind Kejriwal. Earlier today, the Bharatiya Janata Party alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo who began his political career on the principle of fighting corruption is now running away from an investigation into a scam. Speaking to news agency ANI, BJP leader Nalin Kohli said that Kejriwal has chosen to ignore or run away from eight summonses issued by the Enforcement Directorate. "What an irony that Arvind Kejriwal, who began his entire political career on the principle that he will fight corruption, is now running away from an investigation into a corruption scam. He is the CM of Delhi, and under his leadership, his ministers function. Two of his ministers are in jail without bail for an investigation into the liquor scam. CM Arvind Kejriwal has chosen to ignore or run away from 8 summons so far... But the question is, what is it he is so scared of that he is running away from joining the investigation?" Kohli said. (With inputs from agencies) Delhi Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goyal on Thursday raised alarm over the heavy deployment of forces outside chief minister Arvind Kejriwal's official residence, suggesting that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) might be preparing to arrest the AAP supremo. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal speaks in the Assembly.(PTI / File) "The scale of force being deployed at the CM's residence shows that ED has come to arrest the Chief Minister," Goyal told reporters. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. "It may be a small setback, but the party will emerge stronger out of this episode," Goyal affirmed. The Speaker also informed that all MLAs have unanimously decided that Kejriwal will not resign as chief minister in the event of an arrest. The party and all MLAs have decided that CM Kejriwal will not resign after the arrest. The government will be run from the jail. Goyal added. An ED team reached Kejriwal's residence on Thursday evening shortly after the high court refused to grant him protection from coercive action in a money laundering case linked with the now-scrapped excise policy. The crowd slowly started building up outside Kejriwal's house with AAP MLAs Atishi, Sanjeev Jha, Prahlad Singh Sawhney, Rohit Mehraulia, Durgesh Pathak, and Kuldeep Kumar present there. AAP MLA Sanjeev Jha echoed Goyal's remarks saying 'sarkar jail se chalegi' (The government will be run from the jail) in the event of Kejriwal's arrest. We are waiting for the next step of the BJP govt and what ED does today. People have given the mandate to Arvind Kejriwal to run the govt and he will continue to do so, Jha said. Arvind Kejriwal meanwhile rushed to the Supreme Court seeking protection from any coercive action by the central probe agency in the money laundering case. The high court has listed Kejriwal's application seeking protection from coercive action for further consideration on April 22, when his main petition challenging the Enforcement Directorate's summons has been fixed for hearing. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief had earlier skipped multiple summonses of the agency in the case. A pair of young men wrapped in blankets exit a Westport EMS ambulance at the scene of a maritime rescue at Compo Beach in Westport, Conn. on Wednesday, March 20, 2024. Brian A. Pounds/Hearst Connecticut Media Firetrucks and ambulances from lower Faiirfield County are on the scene of a maritime rescue at Compo Beach in Westport, Conn. on Wednesday, March 20, 2024. Brian A. Pounds/Hearst Connecticut Media A young man wrapped in a blanket with a bandaged leg stands outside a Westport EMS ambulance at the scene of a maritime rescue at Compo Beach in Westport, Conn. on Wednesday, March 20, 2024. Brian A. Pounds/Hearst Connecticut Media First responders are on the scene of a maritime rescue resulting from a rowing accident at Compo Beach in Westport, Conn. on Wednesday, March 20, 2024. Brian A. Pounds/Hearst Connecticut Media First responders are on the scene of a maritime rescue resulting from a rowing accident at Compo Beach in Westport, Conn. on Wednesday, March 20, 2024. Brian A. Pounds/Hearst Connecticut Media WESTPORT Eighteen juveniles were thrown into the water after their boat capsized in Long Island Sound on Wednesday, officials say. In a release, Westport police Lt. Eric Woods said the call for aid off Compo Beach came in at 5:05 p.m., adding the large scope of the incident necessitated the assistance of several other agencies. Woods said responding units found a chaotic scene of juveniles swimming to shore, arriving by boat and some still in the water near Cockenoe Island. He said first responders immediately began providing care to individuals on the shore, as well as helping coordinate the recovery of people in the water. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "While accounting for and locating all the people involved, medical care was provided, and two individuals were transported to a local hospital for treatment," he said. Woods said the investigation indicates three rowing sculls and one chase boat launched from the Saugatuck Rowing Club. He said each scull is 60 feet long and held nine rowers ranging in age from 14 to 16, while the chase boat was operated by their coach. "When the boats reached the area of Cockenoe Island, the weather began to change, and the rowers attempted to return to the rowing club," he said. "The rowing sculls began to take on water causing two of them to capsize, throwing 18 people into the water." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Woods said those individuals swam to the chase boat and began to hang on to the side of it, which caused that boat to sink as well. While that was happening, he said, another chase boat arrived from the rowing club and began to shuttle people to Compo Beach Marina. At the time, Woods said, the air temperature was approximately 40 degrees, while the water temperature was 44 degrees. A total of 29 people from the rowing club were involved in the incident. Woods said police and fire agencies from Fairfield, Stamford, Norwalk and Noroton, as well as the U.S. Coast Guard, responded to assist. He said Norwalk Hospital, American Medical Response and Darien EMS sent a combined eight ambulances and 20 personnel, while the Westport Board of Education sent a bus to shuttle people back to the rowing club. Advertisement Article continues below this ad New Delhi: For decades, state governments have often faced governors as stubborn hurdles in administrative matters. In many states, governors recommended dismissal of governments, in some other states, the governor would sit on files for months, ponder over bills passed by the assembly indefinitely. In recent years, tussles between elected governments and the Raj Bhavan seemed to have increased. DMKs promise to clip guv powers; Congress boosted in Bihar; in HP, leaders dither A number of non-BJP governments had no other option but to knock the doors of the Supreme Court to complain against the long delays in clearing legislations passed in assembly. Some governments have, such as Arvind Kejriwals government in Delhi, approached the SC against the overreach of the Lt. governor of the national capital. Judicial remedies have been prescribed come from time to time, but the conflict between the governora representative of the President of India to a stateand elected governments have continued. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. DMK promises to curb governors power Tamil Nadus ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) upped its ante against Governor RN Ravi in its Lok Sabha manifesto, which said, chief ministers would have a say in the appointment of governors and restricting the latters powersa move that points to the countrys fraying federal fabric. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/dmk-manifesto-says-party-will-clip-governor-s-powers-101710961254010.html The promises related to gubernatorial office come against the backdrop of the DMK governments frequent run-ins with governor Ravi. The Tamil Nadu governments battle with Ravi, which has reached the Supreme Court, mirrors the experience of some other states governed by parties opposed to the BJP, such as Kerala, Telangana, West Bengal and Delhi. In the latest episode of its ongoing fight with Ravi, the Tamil Nadu government approached the Supreme Court on Monday against Ravis stubborn refusal to swear in K Ponmudi as minister after the court suspended the DMK leaders conviction in a disproportionate assets case. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/tamil-nadu-guv-refuses-to-swear-in-ponmudi-as-minister-101710703228595.html Meanwhile, DMK has also released its first list of 21 names. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/tamil-nadu-dmk-releases-first-list-of-21-names-for-lok-sabha-polls-101710961006825.html Pappu Yadav, a 5 times MP, joins Congress Weeks before the first round of polling, the Congress party got a boost on Wednesday as three senior Opposition leaders including former Lok Sabha MP Pappu Yadav joined the party. A five-term MP from Bihar, Yadav, also known as Rajesh Ranjan, ran Jan Adhikar Party before he merged his outfit with the Congress on Wednesday. Yadav, had won the 10th, 11th, 13th, 14th and 16th Lok Sabha from Madhepura in a rare feat for a lawmaker of a small party. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/pappu-yadav-danish-ali-among-3-to-join-congress-ahead-of-polls-101710989702105.html Yadav was active in Parliament : Lok Sabha records show Yadav participating in 263 debates in the 16th Lok Sabha. He also had 78 special mentions, 26 private members bill and regularly attended the session. Yadav is expected to fight on a Congress ticket in the coming polls. Along with Yadav, Danish Ali, a suspended Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MP, also joined the Congress and is expected to fight from his current seat Amroha. https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/lucknow-news/danish-ali-joins-congress-likely-to-be-its-pick-in-amroha-101710958968614.html Praniti Shinde to fight on Congress ticket The Congress Central Election Committee (CEC) approved ten candidates in Maharashtra including former Union minister Sushil Kumar Shindes daughter Praniti Shinde and seven contestants each in Gujarat and Rajasthan. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/congress-body-clears-10-names-for-maharashtra-7-each-for-raj-guj-101710990002279.html In its fourth meeting here on Wednesday, the CEC discussed its electoral strategy in the three statesGujarat, Rajasthan and Maharashtra. So far, the party has only declared 82 candidates across 13 states and two UTs. But the Congress is yet to declare the names approved in its third and fourth CEC meetings. Apart from Shinde, whose father has been a Gandhi family loyalist, the Congress apex poll panel has also cleared Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj, a descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, from Kolhapur. The Congress Daryapur MLA Balwant Wankhede is set to be fielded from Amaravati. In Rajasthan, the poll panel has approved the candidature of Sunil Sharma from Jaipur city. Sharma, who lost from Kisan Pole seat in the 2023 assembly poll, is a Congress leader Sachin Pilot loyalist. Similarly, the party has approved its Anupgarh MLA Kuldeep Indora as the candidate for Ganganagar seat. But in Himachal Pradesh, a few Congress leaders seemed to be apprehensive about fighting polls. Late chief minister Birbhadra Singhs wife Pratibha Singh has announced she wont fight the polls. https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/ground-not-favourable-pratibha-declines-to-contest-lok-sabhapolls-101710956563914.html I have toured the state extensively and found that no worker is active and in such a situation, it is difficult to achieve success, she told reporters in Shimla. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday hit back at the Congress top brass over their allegations, saying that it is the opposition party's "desperate" attempt to create an alibi for its imminent defeat in the Lok Sabha polls. BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad(ANI) While addressing a press conference, party leader Ravi Shankar Prasad dismissed the Congress' attack and said that the opposition party did not get any judicial relief and has now gone to the Supreme Court, accusing Congress leaders of lying over the issue. He said the Congress was even pulled up by high court over the issue. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Read here: Sonia, Rahul Gandhi lead charge against Modi govt over I-T action | 5 points "We wish the Congress well and our gentle advice to the party is the more you allow Rahul Gandhi to speak the more ground you lose," Prasad said. "Don't insult Indian democracy, country bigger than your party," Prasad said reacting to Rahul Gandhi's comment that there is no democracy in India today. BJP chief JP Nadda also launched a veiled attack on the Congress saying that the party is going to be totally "rejected" by the people and "fearing a historic defeat," they are blaming their irrelevance on financial troubles' as they are morally and intellectually bankrupt. "Congress is going to be totally rejected by the people and fearing a historic defeat, their top leadership addressed a press conference and ranted against Indian democracy and institutions. They are conveniently blaming their irrelevance on financial troubles. In reality, their bankruptcy is moral and intellectual, not financial," Nadda said in a long post on X. "Instead of correcting their own errors, Congress is blaming authorities for their troubles. Be it the ITAT or the Delhi HC, they have asked the Congress to comply with the rules, pay the taxes due but the Party never did so," he added. The BJP chief further took a dig at the Congress over the issue of the government freezing of the party's accounts due to an Income Tax returns issue and said that the party which looted every sector talking of financial helplessness is utter comical. "For a party which has looted from every sector, in every state and at every moment of history, to talk of financial helplessness is comical. Congress can use the money accumulated from all their scams starting from jeep to chopper scam via Bofors for their electioneering," he added. Hitting back at Rahul Gandhi over his 'democracy is lie' remark, Nadda said, "Congress' part time leaders say India being a democracy is a lie- may I humbly remind them that India was not a democracy only for a few months between 1975 and 1977 and that time the Prime Minister of India was none other than Mrs. Indira Gandhi".is going to be totally "rejected" by the people and "fearing a historic defeat," they are blaming their irrelevance on financial troubles' as they are morally and intellectually bankrupt. Read here: Cong reacts to BJP's criticism over Amethi seat: Why so worried about Rahul Gandhi' The BJP leaders' remarks came after the Congress leaders including party president Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi and ex-president Rahul Gandhi addressed a press conference alleging PM Modi of systematically crippling the Congress financially, while Rahul Gandhi said that the Congress' ability to contest the elections has been damaged. Sonia Gandhi further stepped up the demand for access to the party's bank accounts to ensure a level playing field in the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls. (With inputs from agencies) Delhi minister Atishi on Thursday alleged political conspiracy to arrest chief minister Arvind Kejriwal after the Enforcement Directorate arrived at his residence with a search warrant in the Delhi excise policy case. It is clear that the ED and their masters, the BJP, do not respect the courts. Had this been the case, they would not have come to raid the residence of Arvind Kejriwal today itself... This is a political conspiracy and they are here to arrest Arvind Kejriwal, the minister told ANI. Within an hour of the court issuing notice, they (ED) arrived at the residence of Arvind Kejriwal. This shows that today, the ED is not an independent investigative agency. It is a political weapon of the BJP, the minister was quoted by PTI as saying. An ED team is at Kejriwal's residence after the Delhi high court refused to grant him protection from coercive action by the ED in the Delhi excise policy case. Heavy police deployment has been enforced outside Arvind Kejriwal's residence. Multiple iron barricades brought in and are being placed outside to form a security cordon. The police are asking for identification documents and checking the IDs of people who want to go inside through the main gate. Delhi minister Atishi lashed out at the BJP, saying the party does not respect the courts. The way police are inside the house of the CM and no one is allowed to enter it seems, the CM house has been raided. It seems, there is preparation to arrest the CM, Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj told ANI. In another development, Kejriwal has moved the Supreme Court following the HC's order. His legal team is seeking urgent listing and hearing in the case. The bench listed the AAP leader's application for further consideration on April 22 when his main petition challenging the summons is fixed for hearing, and asked the Enforcement Directorate to file its response. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The case pertains to alleged corruption and money laundering in formulating and executing the Delhi government's excise policy for 2021-22, which was later scrapped. (With PTI, ANI inputs) NEW DELHI: Hours after the Delhi high court refused to grant any relief to Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal from questioning in the Delhi excise policy probe, a team of Enforcement Directorate officials on Thursday reached his official residence to carry out searches and question him, people familiar with the development said. Delhi Police personnel were deployed outside Arvind Kejriwals house at the request of the Enforcement Directorate (HT Photo) The people cited above said Kejriwals residence was being searched under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act by the ED team. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) hit back at the government over the ED action. Delhi finance minister Atishi questioned the Enforcement Directorates hurry to turn up at the chief ministers house when the high court was still to decide his petition. It is clear that this is just a political issue and PM Narendra Modi wants to put Arvind Kejriwal in jail, Atishi told reporters. The ED action came after the high court refused to grant interim protection from arrest to Kejriwal over summons issued to him in connection with its money laundering probe linked to the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy 2021-22. After hearing both the parties, we are not inclined to grant the relief at this stage, a bench of justices Suresh Kumar Kait and Manoj Jain said in the order. The court also asked Kejriwal why he had not approached the lower court seeking anticipatory bail if he apprehended arrest. ED claims that AAP leaders received kickbacks worth 100 crore in the Delhi excise policy 2021-22. Kejriwal has skipped nine summons issued by the federal agency since November 2 last year. Kejriwal has skipped nine summons issued by ED on November 2, December 22, January 3, January 18, February 2, February 19, February 27, and on March 4 and 21 calling them illegal and politically motivated. He has also repeatedly and consistently objected to the summons, stating that it was not clear whether he was asked to appear before ED as a witness or suspect; as chief minister or as AAP chief; and without any details on the line of questioning. An ED officer said Kejriwals questioning was important to know more about the conspiracy in the excise policy, in which 100 crore was allegedly paid by a lobby of businessmen and politicians referred to as the South Group to AAP leaders in lieu of liquor licences. The federal agency last Friday arrested Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader K Kavitha, and a court subsequently remanded her in ED custody till March 23. AAP leader and Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said no one was being allowed to go inside the chief ministers residence. It appears that they are fully prepared to arrest the CM. The people of Delhi are watching, we will not remain silent, Bharadwaj said. Atishi said people from all over Delhi would come on streets if attempts to arrest Arvind Kejriwal were made. The people of Delhi love Kejriwal and consider him as their family member, Atishi said, reiterating that the ED case was a political conspiracy. AAP Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal echoed her. Arresting him just before the elections in a case that has been going on for two years shows political conspiracy... The whole of Delhi and the whole country is with Kejriwal. (With inputs from Jignasa Sinha, Alok KN Mishra and Paras Singh) The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday issued transfer orders for non-cadre officers who are posted as District Magistrates (DMs) and Superintendents of Police (SPs) in Gujarat, Punjab, Odisha and West Bengal, citing its commitment to a level playing field in the Lok Sabha polls to be held from April to June. EC is continuing its strict crackdown by transferring bureaucrats with close ties to the ruling party in their respective states. (Representative file photo) It also directed the transfers of the Senior Superintendent of Police Bathinda in Punjab and the SP Sonitpur in Assam in view of their kinship or familial association with elected political representatives. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The officials in these two districts have been transferred as pre-emptive measures to dispel any apprehensions of administration being biased or perceived to be compromised, the Commission said. According to an official, the ECI is continuing its strict crackdown by transferring bureaucrats with close ties to the ruling party in their respective states. Also Read:ECI removes second Bengal DGP, picks 3rd On March 18, the Commission ordered the transfer of the Director General Police of West Bengal and the Home Secretaries of Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Besides the two mentioned above, the officers to be transferred are the SPs of Chhota Udaipur and Ahmedabad Rural districts in Gujarat, the SSPs of Pathankot, Fazilka, Jalandhar Rural and Malerkotla districts in Punjab, the DM of Dhenkanal and SPs of Deogarh and Cuttack Rural districts in Odisha, and the DMs of Purba Medinipur, Jhargram, Purba Bardhaman and Birbhum districts in West Bengal. According to an EC press release, these decisions were taken after the Commission convened a meeting chaired by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu. The Commission has ordered all the respective state governments to promptly transfer the non-encadred officers from their current roles as DM and SP/SSP with immediate effect and submit a compliance report to the Commission. The Election Commission of India on Thursday said it has directed the ministry of electronics and information technology (MeitY) to immediately halt the delivery of Viksit Bharat messages over WhatsApp. It has also sought a compliance report on the matter from the IT ministry. 'Viksit Bharat: Modi Ki Guarantee' vehicles during their flagging off by BJP National President J P Nadda in New Delhi on February 26.(Arvind Yadav/ Hindustan Times) The poll body said it received several complaints of messages highlighting the governments initiatives being delivered on the phones of citizens despite the announcement of the general elections and Model Code of Conduct (MCC) coming into action. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. In response, MeitY had informed the commission that although the letters were sent out before MCC came into force, some of them could have possibly been delivered to recipients with a delay because of systemic and network limitations, the poll body said. The move is a part of a series of decisions taken by the Commission to ensure a level-playing field, it added. The WhatsApp message from Viksit Bharat Sampark has been making rounds seeking feedback and suggestions from the citizens, along with a letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In the letter, issued on the eve of the announcement of the general elections, the PM said: I need and indeed, look forward to your ideas, suggestions and support as we work to fulfil the resolve of building a Viksit Bharat. The letter, which has been addressed to my dear family members, in line with the BJPs Modi Ka Parivaar (Modis family) narrative, the PM said: Our partnership is at the threshold of completing a decade. The trust and support of 140 crore Indians inspires and motivates me. He has credited the government schemes and programmes for the transformation that has taken place in the lives of the people and called it the biggest achievement of our government over the last 10 years. Opposition leaders had called out the Election Commission to act against what they alleged was a "blatant violation" of the model code of conduct. After the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the schedule for the much-awaited Lok Sabha elections and polls of state legislative assemblies of Arunachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Sikkim, the political parties started announcing their candidates for 543 Lok Sabha constituencies and gearing up for the 18th general elections. A man walks past a large model of a woman's finger pressing a button of an electronic voting machine displayed outside the office of the Election Commission of India(AP) With the seven-phase polls just a month away, the citizens are looking forward to voting and electing their representatives. To exercise this crucial right, citizens are required to have a valid Voter ID with a unique 10-digit alphanumeric Electoral Photo Identity Card Number (EPIC) issued by the ECI. It serves as the primary identification document for citizens exercising their voting rights during the elections. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. However, if an individual lost his/her voter ID card or doesn't hold a physical copy of their voter card, he/she can still participate in the democratic exercise. As per the guidelines of the poll body, one can still vote without possessing a physical copy of a voter ID, but it is to be ensured that their name is enlisted in the Election Commissions voter list. Heres how to add ones name to the voter list and cast a vote without a voter ID card. A. Know if you are an eligible voter: An individual who is a citizen of India and is 18 years of age or older as of January 1 of the year of the revision of the electoral roll is eligible to cast a vote. B. How to add name in ECI's voter list: An eligible individual could enroll for the new voter id online and offline. 1. Online mode Indian citizens are required to fill out "Form 6", available on the ECI website, to apply for the inclusion of their name in the electoral roll. After providing accurate personal details such as name, date of birth, and address, and uploading supporting documents as required, the form should be submitted to complete the process. One can also track the application status on the website using the 'reference number and state name. 2. Offline mode Form 6, which is available in the offices of Electoral Registration Officers, Assistant Electoral Registration Officers, and Booth Level Officers 3, can be availed by the citizens. The application, accompanied by copies of the relevant documents, can be filed in person before the concerned Electoral Registration Officer or Assistant Electoral Registration Officer, sent by post addressed to him, or handed over to the Booth Level Officer of the respective polling area. C. Documents required: Documents required for the registration are- a passport-sized photograph, identity proof, address proof, date of birth proof like birth certificate, aadhaar card, passport, driving licence, PAN card, ration card, a phone/ electricity bill or high school certificate. D. How to vote without a voter ID card: According to the guidelines, it is possible to vote in an election even without a voter ID card. However, to participate in the electoral process, one must ensure that their name is added to the ECI voter list, which registers them as a voter. If their name is registered in the Voter's list, they can vote. Otherwise, they need to undertake the above process to get registered as a voter. Once their name is added to the electoral roll, they are eligible to vote even if they do not possess a physical voter ID card. Elections 2024: The elections for the 543 parliamentary constituencies will be held in seven phases, starting on April 19 and culminating on June 1. The phase 1 polling will be held on April 19, the second phase on April 26, third phase on May 7, fourth phase on May 13, 5th phase on May 20, 6th phase on May 25 and the last and the 7th phase on June 1. The assembly elections in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim will be held on April 19, the day when phase 1 elections of Lok Sabha will take place, while Andhra Pradesh will vote on May 13. The Assembly polls in Odisha will be held in four phases-- May 13, May 20, May 25 and June 1. The results of Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim assemblies will be announced on June 2, while the results of the Lok Sabha polls and Odisha and Andhra Pradesh assemblies will be announced on June 4. The Election Commission of India complied with a Supreme Court order on Thursday by releasing detailed electoral bond data submitted by the State Bank of India. This new data, featuring alpha-numeric codes, allows for tracing purchasers of the bonds to the political parties that encashed them. Most of the electoral bonds have been donated to the BJP and the Congress.(Sonu Mehta/HT PHOTO) ALSO READ- SBI submits all details of electoral bonds with unique numbers to Election Commission Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Electoral bonds new data | 10 key takeaways from 1. Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Limited donated electoral bonds worth 670 crores to the BJP since April 2019. 2. Qwik Supply Chain, an affiliate of Mukesh Ambani's Reliance group, contributed 375 to the BJP through electoral bonds. Reliance Industries spokesperson had earlier said, "Qwik Supply Chain Pvt Ltd is not a subsidiary of any Reliance entity." ALSO READ- Congress releases third list of Lok Sabha candidates, 56 names included 3. Madanlal Group, including MKJ Enterprises and Keventer, donated 393 crore to the BJP during the same period. 4. Vedanta gave 254 crore and Airtel made 210 crore to the BJP through electoral bonds. 5. For Congress, Madanlal Group companies donated 172 crore, followed by 137 crore from Megha Engineering and its affiliate, and 125 crore from Vedanta. 6. 'Lottery king' Santiago Martin Future Gaming and Hotel Services donated at least 500 crore each to regional parties Trinamool Congress and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). Martin's company also donated 100 crore to the BJP and 50 crore to Congress. ALSO READ- BJP releases third list of Lok Sabha candidates, ex-Telangana governor to contest from Chennai South 7. Monica, listed with only one name, donated 5 lakh through electoral bonds to the Congress, according to Election Commission data. 8. Pharmaceutical companies Piramal Capital and Sun Pharma donated to the BJP, while Torrent Pharmaceutical Limited donated to BJP, AAP, and Congress, and Natco Pharma gave to BJP, TDP, TMC, and BRS. 9. Industrialist Lakshmi Niwas Mittal and Biocon chief Kiran Mazumdar Shaw donated to the BJP, TMC, and Congress. 10. Rungta Sons Private Limited donated to Congress, BJP, TMC, and Sikkim Krantikari Morcha. Compiled from Bloomberg, PTI and Reuters Arvind Kejriwal has moved a fresh plea in Delhi high court seeking protection from any coercive action by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the excise policy case, ANI reported on Thursday. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal. (File) A division bench headed by Justice Suresh Kumar Kait will hear the Delhi CM in the morning session itself. The development comes on a day when the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor is scheduled to appear before ED; he has skipped each of the eight previous summons sent by the federal agency, and is likely to give the ninth one, a miss as well. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Kejriwal's earlier appeal in the high court was heard on Wednesday. Arguing for the chief minister, who challenged all the summons, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi contended that the AAP chief won't appear before the ED as the agency has a clear intent to arrest the politician with the Lok Sabha elections around the corner. On its part, the ED opposed the plea on maintainability grounds. Though the HC posted the matter to next be heard on April 22, it did not grant any relief to the petitioner. On March 16, the national capital's Rouse Avenue court granted bail to Kejriwal in the case filed by the agency for skipping its summons. Those arrested by the ED in connection with the case include several of Kejriwal's AAP colleagues, including senior party members Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh, and others, from and not from the AAP. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday released its third list of candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, fielding ex-Telangana governor and BJP leader Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan from the Chennai South parliamentary constituency. Ex Telangana governor Tamilisai Soundararajan (PTI) Soundararajan, who resigned as the Governor of Telangana and the Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry, re-joined the saffron camp in presence of Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai ahead of the crucial polls. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Who is Tamilisai Soundararajan? 1. Hailing from the influential Nagar community, Dr Soundararajan is the daughter of veteran Congress leader Kumari Ananthan and niece of H Vasanthakumar, a businessman and politician. 2. A physician by profession, she began her career as a gynaecologist and has special training in sonology and fetal therapy. 3. She also served in the BJPs state unit as the South Chennai District medical wing secretary in 1999, state general secretary of the medical wing in 2001, All India co-convenor (medical wing for southern states) in 2005, state general secretary in 2007, and state vice-president in 2010. She was elevated to the post of national secretary in 2013. 4. She also served as former Tamil Nadu BJP chief, and contested 2019 Lok Sabha elections against DMKs Kanimozhi, but lost by a huge margin in Thoothukudi. She also contested assembly elections in 2011 and 2016 but lost. 5. Soundararajan was appointed as Telangana Governor in September 2019. She was given an additional charge as L-G of Puducherry after Kiran Bedi was removed. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam-led alliance achieved a sweeping victory, capturing 38 out of 39 seats. The Congress, a key partner in the coalition, secured eight seats out of the nine it contested. DMK got 33.2 per cent vote share and Congress got 12.9 per cent. While, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), could only secure one seat. Elections 2024: The elections for the 543 parliamentary constituencies will be held in seven phases, starting on April 19 and culminating on June 1. The phase 1 polling will be held on April 19, the second phase on April 26, third phase on May 7, fourth phase on May 13, 5th phase on May 20, 6th phase on May 25 and the last and the 7th phase on June 1. Tamil Nadu will vote in a single phase on April 19. In Tamil Nadu, BJP stitched an alliance with the Tamil Maanila Congress after the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) snapped its ties with the saffron party. The ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has sealed a seat-sharing deal with the Congress and filmmaker Kamal Haassan's Makkal Needhi Maiam for Lok Sabha polls in the state. New York State Police arrested two Connecticut residents recently on weapons charges, finding kits to make ghost guns, ammunition, high-capacity magazines and a knife, police say. New York State Police/Contributed Photo New York State Police arrested two Connecticut residents who were found in possession of weapons and ammunition during a traffic stop, the agency said. According to a new release, New York troopers on March 17 arrested Tocloveson Pierre, 19, of Norwalk and Alijah Matias Williams, 18, of Stamford, after stopping them on Interstate 87 in Suffern. The men were found with two kits to create "ghost guns" guns without serial numbers as well as several gun parts, six high-capacity magazines, four boxes of ammunition and a knife, New York State Police said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The United States on Wednesday said it was working with the Indian government to hold accountable those behind a plot to kill Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, news agency PTI reported. Sikh separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.(AP) During a Congressional hearing on Wednesday, assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asia Donald Lu told members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee that the issue is serious. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. This is a serious issue. A serious issue between the United States and India. The department of justice has alleged that an Indian citizen at the behest of someone working in the Indian government has attempted to kill an American citizen on American soil, Donald Lu said. We take this in the administration incredibly seriously and have raised it at the highest levels with India. In November last year, US prosecutors in New York unsealed an indictment charging Nikhil Gupta, 52, with collaborating with an Indian government employee in a thwarted scheme to assassinate Pannun, who possesses both US and Canadian citizenship. Also Read | US remains engaged with India on Pannun case: US official Richard Verma The prosecutors alleged that Nikhil Gupta, acting on the instructions of an unnamed Indian official, contacted a person whom he believed to be a criminal associate for help in killing Pannun on American soil. India has already constituted a probe committee to investigate the allegations. Pannun, a leader of the banned Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), has already been declared a terrorist by India. Donald Lu said the Joe Biden administration was working with India to hold those behind the foiled plot. Also Read | Shots fired at Pannun associates home in Canada "What we can see is that India itself has announced that they have created a committee of inquiry to look into this matter and we ask them to work quickly and transparently to make sure justice is done," he said. Donald Lu was responding to a question from Congressman Dean Phillips from Minnesota, who asked if sanctions similar to those placed on more than 500 individuals relating to the killing of Russia's Alexei Navalny are being considered for those believed to be behind the plot to kill Pannun. The United States is keeping quiet as Pannun, the Sikh For Justice (SFJ) founder who was declared a 'designated individual terrorist' by the Centre in 2020, has been issuing threats against India, targeting Indian politicians diplomats and intelligence officers. The proscribed terrorist is not only instigating Khalistanis in the US and Canada but also radicalizing the Sikh community in Punjab before the 2024 elections. Indias probe finds involvement of rogue R&AW agents Meanwhile, Bloomberg reported, citing senior officials familiar with the matter, that Indias investigation into US claims found that rogue operatives not authorised by the government had been involved in the plot. According to the officials, at least one person directly involved in the alleged attempted assassination is no longer working for the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), Indias main spy agency, the report claimed. India has informed US authorities about the findings from the government-appointed panel set up to probe the allegations, they added. The Assam Police on Thursday said that they have arrested two top-rung leaders of ISIS in India who were planning sabotage activities. The arrested ISIS cadres have been identified as Haris Farooqi alias Harish Ajmal Farukhi and Anurag Singh alias Rehan. Haris Farooqi and his associate Anurag Singh alias Rehan.(ANI) The two were arrested from near the international border after they crossed over from Bangladesh. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. "Information was received from sister agencies that two top rung leaders of ISIS in India who were camping in a neighbouring country would cross over to India at the Dhubri Sector to carry out sabotage activities," the Assam Police said in a statement. "Based on the input, an STF team under Sri Parthasarathi Mahanta, IPS, IGP (STF), Sri Kalyan Kumar Pathak, APS, Addl SP, STF and other ranks were deputed to locate and apprehend the said accused persons who are also wanted accused of NIA." The STF Assam has announced its intention to hand over the accused to NIA for further legal proceedings. Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma lauded the state police over the development. We shall continue our fight against the fundamentalist and eradicate terrorism from the soil of our nation under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sarma wrote on X. Who are the two ISIS leaders arrested by Assam police? Lucknow: Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently exuded the confidence of breaking the Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) 2014 record of 71 Lok Sabha seats ( 73 with allies) in Uttar Pradesh. Union home minister Amit Shah. (HT file photo.) Winning all the seats in the first phase of the seven-phase elections is critical for the BJP, like it did in 2014, if it wants to better that years overall UP tally. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The party, riding on Ram Dhun, is banking heavily on gains in Uttar Pradesh to offset some possible electoral losses elsewhere in the country, hoping to achieve a hundred percent strike rate - 80/80. The first phase nominations began on Wednesday without the declaration of candidates in some critical seats like Pilibhit. Voting will be held on April 19 in Muzaffarnagar, Pilibhit, Rampur, Bijnor, Nagina, Moradabad, Saharanpur and Kairana. Normally, candidates get exasperated by late declaration of their names as they roughly get only about a fortnight to reach out to lakhs of voters in geographically large constituencies in UP. Now, why winning the seats in the first phase is critical. The BJP had won all the eight seats in 2014 polls, but lost five of these seats to the Samajwadi Party-Bahujan Samaj Party-Rashtriya Lok Dal alliance in 2019, bringing down its overall tally by nine seats in 2019, when the BJP and allies had won 64 seats in the state. The SP-BSP-RLD alliance, touted as a game changer then, had, however, failed to stop the BJP: It only brought down the partys tally compared to 2014. The Lok Sabha seats that the party lost in 2019 were Rampur, Moradabad, Saharanpur, Bijnor and Nagina; The party later won Rampur in the by-polls held in June 2022. This explains the BJP high commands desperation to bring the Rashtriya Lok Dal into the NDA fold, even though the partys utility is limited to couple of seats in western Uttar Pradesh. RLD chief Jayant Chaudhurys father and the partys founder president Chaudhary Ajit Singh had once lost in the stronghold of Muzaffarnagar to the BJP. Then, the Jats did not vote for the SP-BSP-RLD alliance despite their anger against the BJP government at the Centre. The 2013 Muzaffarnagar communal riots is said to have played a key role in influencing the Jat community to vote in favour of BJPs candidate, Sanjeev Baliyan, during the election. Today, the confidence of the party regaining the five seats stems from course correction including by stitching social alliances. The farmers agitation is on and though some have not approved the RLDs shift of allegiance to the BJP, Jagat Singh, a farmer from Muzaffarnagar, is of the view that the ongoing kisan aandolan will not impact the voting pattern much. Jats are happy that their leader Charan Singh was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna, Singh said, adding that the RLDs return to the NDA would help the BJP. This is countered by prominent Jat leader Anil Chaudhary, whos had a long association with Lok Dal and is now with the Congress. According to him, the Congress guarantees for farmers, youth and women will be a game-changer in the region, where communal temperatures have cooled. BSP and Mayawati The other factor that may help the BJP is Mayawatis decision to go solo as she will cut into the votes of the opposition alliance INDIA. All the eight constituencies have a sizeable Muslim population. Many experts thus see the BJPs hand in the Mayawatis decision to go solo despite an open offer from the Congress. The SP-BSP alliance had consolidated Dalit-Muslim votes of the region in 2019. For a few high-profile candidates, the electoral stakes are high. For instance, the Pilibhit Lok Sabha constituency has been loyal to Maneka Gandhi-Varun Gandhi since 1989. Maneka, as the Janata Dal nominee won the seat in 1989 and 1996, as an Independent in 1998, 1999 and 2004 and as a BJP candidate in 2014. Her son Varun Gandhi won the seat in 2009 and 2019. His candidature has not been announced as yet but the decision to field him or not will impact the partys prospects. SOME TALKING POINTS Muzaffarnagar: Union minister Baliyan defeated RLDs Singh in 2019. The Samajwadi Party has fielded prominent Jat kisan leader Harendra Malik. Will the Jats unite in favour of Baliyan amid the farmers agitation? Rampur: Given that Azam khan and his family are in jail, the SP leadership would be in a fix on whom to field. The constituency with over 60% Muslims had elected the BJP nominee in the 2022 by-poll. Will sympathy factor work in the partys favour? Saharanpur: Thisis the only constituency the Congress will contest in the first phase. Will the party open its account with the support of the poll partner SP? RLD: Jayant Chaudhary, who agreed to contest two of the 80 seats after snapping alliance with the Samajwadi Party, faces the challenge of retaining the social alliance of Muslim, Dalit, Jats that he has been trying to build over the years. People recall his quite popular statement Main koi chavanni nahin hoon jo palat jaaonga (I am not 25 paisa coin which will flip). Bijnor: Mayawati had won her maiden Lok Sabha election from Bijnor in 1989. Thereafter, the party won it in 2019. Will she retain the seat after the breakdown of her 2019 alliance in a constituency, which has a sizeable number of Muslims, Dalits and Jats? The problem with creating cocktails in India is that we have too many ingredients available to us. I mean, think about it. For an imaginative mixologist, this throws up a dizzying array of choices and not all of them good. The best cocktails are like a great piece of sculpture: they are all about structure and spirit. They play within boundaries, within a limited palette and allow the spirit to soar with just a shade of storytelling. This is difficult in India because we have too many spices, too many aromatics and too many fruits and flowers, all of which, in theory, would enhance a cocktail. They might but only in the right hands. The best cocktails are like a great piece of sculpture: they are all about structure and spirit. (Amal KS/HT PHOTO) Classic cocktails have three, maybe four ingredients. They dont infuse and confuse. They dont extract and subtract. They dont show off and put you off. But here then is the paradox. Cocktails are also pretty and fun. They are not serious drinks to be imbibed in silence. They are social drinks that you clink on a night out with friends. How then to stay true to the spirit of well, spirits and yet, spritz it up appropriately? The answer is restraint. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. A great cocktail is like a flamenco dance. It looks fantastic and fun but it is in actuality about appropriateness: about striking a pose where you half-face the audience; about giving them just enough. If you ask the amateur about flamenco, they will think of drama. But great flamenco dancers know that the signature of this flamboyant dance form is actually restraint. The well-placed gesture at the end of all that tapping. Which when you think about it should define a great cocktail. Lots of drama, lots of tapping, tossing, stirring and shaking. Lots of flamboyance. But in the end, just the perfect balance that operates within understood boundaries. For a long time, my pet peeve was that cocktails in India were largely copycat: the names, the ingredients, the flavours, everything. In this, I wasnt alone. If you get together with any bartender or mixologist, the talk eventually ends up at reinventing cocktails so that Indian cocktails take over the worldjust like Indian food, textiles, music, movies, you name it. We want to be the best. The problem is that reinvention is such a large canvas. There are so many ways to do this; so many permutations and combinations, again, not all of them good. Names, for example, are a good place to start. You can mess with them to a certain extent. Raahi Neo Kitchen and Bar, for instance, deserves points for using the nava-rasas (nine emotions) of Indian dance as a jump-off point, but really, I had no idea what it meant till I read the subhead. The Sakkath martini in SOKA does it better because it doffs a hat to that ubiquitous Kannada slang-word while telling you what you are drinking. Jammin Goat probably has the worst names for its good cocktails: Future Water, Perspective, Sudden Orgasm, all sound like inside jokes but dont answer the basic question in any cocktail: whats the spirit? Beyond names, it comes to ingredients, which is where things get crazy. Using Indian ingredients in cocktails is tempting. All the top bars do it. Copitas uses betel leaves in its Leaf cocktailagain, you have no idea what the base spirit is unless you read the sub-heading. The Flower rum has Kerala tamarind or kudam-puli. I like its Fruit cocktail the best because it uses restraint in the play of ingredients with just black-lemon spiking the gin. Plus, the view from the bar is sweeping and lovely at sunset. In terms of sheer beauty, the ZLB23 at the Leela Palace in Bengaluru perhaps holds the candle. The space is reminiscent of the sets in that classic Wong Kar-Wai movie In the Mood for Love. ZLB23 bills itself as a Kyoto Speakeasy and does technical cocktails with lots of extractions. Like everywhere in India, here too, gin and tequila are the spirits of the moment. There were many interesting cocktailsI wished someone in Bangalore would start the idea of a cocktail flight with small portions of multiple drinks. It makes a lot of sense if you go in with a group. You can try out several cocktails before choosing what you like. Beer and wine have flights, why not cocktails? The staff at ZLB23 is 80 percent female, which is something that its general manager, Madhav Sehgal has been spearheading through his many efforts including Shefs at The Leela. If Sehgal manages to increase female participation in his workforce, then hats off to him. Two of the bartenders of the moment happen to be women. When I visited ZLB23, Priyanka Mondal had just won the Prowein Bartender of the Year award and was away in London and later, Bangkok. Another Pune-based bartender, Aashi Bhatnagar (her Instagram handle spells it as Aashie) is the winner of the 2023 Diageo World Class, which Vikram Achanta, co-founder of Tulleeho and 30 Best Bars India, calls the Oscars of bartending. Do women have a more sensitive palate than men? Some studies say so and if this is the case, will these two women who are at the top of their game manage the balancing act between innovation and tradition? The best advice that I follow when I make cocktails is what German architect, Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe said about buildings and beauty: less is more. (Shoba Narayan is Bengaluru-based award-winning author. She is also a freelance contributor who writes about art, food, fashion and travel for a number of publications.) NEW DELHI: Senior Congress leader Anand Sharma has written to party chief Mallikarjun Kharge to express concern over the partys push for a nationwide caste census, saying it might be misinterpreted as disrespecting the legacy of former prime ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi. Congress leader Anand Sharma said the Congresss push for the caste census was a departure from the historic position and a matter of concern. (HT FILE PHOTO) In a letter to Kharge on Tuesday, Sharma, a prominent member of the G-23 grouping that called for organisational overhaul in the Congress after the 2019 poll debacle, said the Congress has never engaged in or endorsed identity politics, and a departure from this historic position on this critical and sensitive subject is a matter of concern. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. To be sure, Anand Sharma was among the Union ministers in the Manmohan Singh government who vehemently opposed the caste census at cabinet meetings in 2010. The 2011 caste headcount was eventually conducted by the UPA 2 government under pressure from the Rashtriya Janata Dal, Samajwadi Party and Janata Dal (United). The data was, however, never released, initially in view of difficulties in processing the caste data. Later, the government said the data was inaccurate. In his letter, Sharma stressed that the Congress had never engaged in nor endorsed identity politics. That is detrimental to democracy in a society with a rich diversity of region, religion, caste and ethnicity. As a representative national party, Congress has believed in an inclusive approach, which is non-discriminatory in formulating policies for equity and social justice for the poor and the underprivileged, he said. To stress his point, Sharma cited Indira Gandhis Na jaat par na paat par, mohar lagegi haath par remark in 1980, and Rajiv Gandhis remark on casteism We have problems if casteism is going to be made a factor for parliamentary and assembly constituencies. The senior Congress leader further said that a departure from the historic position is a matter of concern. In my humble opinion, this will be misconstrued as disrespecting the legacy of Indira ji and Rajiv ji. Also by default, that will be an indictment of successive Congress Governments and their work for empowerment of the disadvantaged sections. It also provides a handle to detractors and political opponents of the Congress, he added. The development comes amid Congress leader Rahul Gandhis continuous push for a nationwide caste census ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. In October 2023, shortly after the Bihar government released the results of a caste survey conducted in the state, the Congress passed a resolution promising to conduct a National Caste Census and remove the 50% cap on reservation, if it is elected to power. Sharma, who is also a member of the Congress Working Committee and a former union minister, noted that the Congress-led INDIA bloc, which has also endorsed this promise, includes parties that have pursued caste-based politics for long, but that the Congresss policy on social justice was based on a matured and informed understanding of the complexities of Indian society. In my considered view, a caste census cannot be a panacea nor a solution for unemployment and prevailing inequalities... As a party with an inclusive approach, the Congress should strive to reclaim its role as builder of national consensus and build a harmonious society. The articulation of Party position should be balanced and eschew the radical posturing of regional and caste-based organisations, he added. Sharma didnt respond to HTs calls for comment As the 2024 general elections inch closer, murmurs of consternation grow louder in the Kerala unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the choice of candidates in some of the 16 seats announced so far (the state has 20 Lok Sabha constituencies). With four more seats still in play, all eyes are on the partys central election committee meeting. Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Union minister V Muraleedharan and other Kerala BJP leaders in Pathanamthitta on March 15. (PTI Photo) Kerala BJP is banking on Prime Minister Narendra Modis popularity and outreach towards the Christian minority and is hoping to win a couple of seats in the state where electoral success has so far remained elusive for the party. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. But a section of state leaders is peeved that the central leadership has overlooked party workers who have been diligently toiling in the Communist bastion, opting to pick turncoats. They have also pointed out that by picking only one Christian candidate Anil Antony the selection process is not congruous with the partys plan of wooing the community that makes up for 18.38% of the states population, as per Census 2011. According to senior state leaders, the party is confident of bagging Thrissur, Thiruvananthapuram and Pathanamthitta and had identified these seats for senior leaders who have been in the organisation for years, or for candidates with a substantial support base. A state leader said by picking Antony, who joined the party in April 2023, the central leadership overlooked PC George, who merged his Kerala Janapaksham (Secular) with the BJP last month. Known to have strong ties with the church, George was expected to bring in the much-needed support from the minority community. There was speculation that either the state president K Surendran or Sreedharan Pillai (Goa Governor) would be the face from Pathanamthitta, the leader said. Now, there is buzz about where Padmaja Venugopal (daughter of former chief minister K Karunakaran) will contest from. Shes the latest to join the party... While it is good to get few faces, the workers are demoralised when new entrants and turncoats get tickets, the leader said. The leader said that in Kannur too, the decision to pick former Congressman C Raghunath has upset the cadre, which was expecting senior leader and former president CK Padmanabhan as the candidate. A member of the partys national council, he lashed out at the party recently over its anti-Muslim stance. The only Muslim candidate in the list so far, Abdul Salam is contesting from the Muslim-dominated Malappuram too has been in the news for all wrong reasons. His glaring absence from the PMs roadshow in the state earlier this week gave the opposition a an excuse to criticise the BJP. The CPM claimed it was deliberate even as Salam offered an explanation that his constituency was not part of the seats that were to be covered by the roadshow. Lok Sabha Election 2024 highlights: Political parties have geared up to campaign for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections 2024, the schedule for which was announced by the Election Commission (EC) on March 16. The worlds largest democratic exercise will be staggered across seven phases stretching over six weeks between April 19 and June 1. The results will be announced on June 4. See full Lok Sabha election 2024 schedule...Read More Besides voting for the 543 Lok Sabha seats, the EC has also announced Assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, and Odisha, as will assembly bypolls for 26 vacant seats. The elections will see Prime Minister Narendra Modi seek a third consecutive term, which will make him only the second person in independent India after Jawaharlal Nehru to achieve the feat. Meanwhile, the Oppositions Indian National Democratic Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) hopes to cut into the BJPs electoral track record and broad social coalition. 2024 Lok Sabha polls: Check statewise full schedule In the last general elections in 2019, the BJP rode on a wave of Modis pan-Indian popularity and nationalistic fervour to a once-in-a-generation majority. The party won 303 seats, and along with its allies comprising the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) captured 336 seats. The Congress was reduced to 52 seats. Lok Sabha Election 2024: Phase-wise schedule Phase 1- April 19 Phase 2- April 26 Phase 3- May 7 Phase 4 - May 13 Phase 5 - May 20 Phase 6 - May 25 Phase 7 - June 1 Ahmedabad: In a move to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles (EV) in India, Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) on Wednesday announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Adani Total Energies E-Mobility Limited (ATEL). EV charging station (Representative Photo) The MoU sets a roadmap for the creation of an expansive EV charging infrastructure across the country, a media release stated. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Mahindra & Mahindra is Indias leading SUV manufacturer, and ATEL is the wholly-owned subsidiary of Adani Total Gas Limited. Moreover, the partnership will also entail rolling out e-mobility solutions to provide seamless access to the charging network for the customers, covering discovery, availability, navigation, and transactions. With this association, the XUV400 customers will now have access to more than 1100 chargers on the Bluesense+ App, significantly enhancing the convenience and reach of electric vehicle charging for Mahindra EV owners, the release stated. M&M automotive division president Veejay Nakra said, This alliance is a cornerstone in enhancing the EV charging infrastructure, ensuring our customers enjoy seamless access to charging network and digital integration for an unparalleled EV experience. In line with our commitment to enhance customer experience with partner network, we are actively on-boarding multiple partners to broaden the EV ecosystem, driving the adoption of electric vehicles. ATEL executive director & CEO Suresh P Manglani said the collaboration with Mahindra & Mahindra for the charging infrastructure will bolster the confidence of customers to embrace EV technology as part of the energy transition. Together, such steps will help reduce carbon emissions and help India meet its climate action goals, he said. In line with COP26 commitments, this partnership between Mahindra and ATEL is a testament to the collaborative efforts required to decarbonize transportation and move towards an electric and sustainable future, the release mentioned. Amid firm indications that Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge is unlikely to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, the party on Thursday fielded his son-in-law, Radhakrishna Doddamani, from his home turf of Gulbarga. Mallikarjun Kharge (HT File) The octogenarian won the Lok Sabha polls from the Gulbarga (Kalaburagi) segment in 2009 and 2014, but lost the electoral contest in 2019. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. "Kharge's hands are full. In addition to managing party affairs at the national level, he has to coordinate with the INDIA bloc partners. Also, his term in the Rajya Sabha is not yet over," a senior Congress leader said. The Congress president's son, Priyank Kharge, who represents the Chittapur Assembly constituency in Gulbarga and is a minister in the Karnataka government, was not interested to throw his hat in the ring either and hence, Doddamani emerged as the natural choice, according to party sources. The sources said the Congress president took the final call in the matter. Doddamani is a businessman who also manages educational institutions. He was said to be initially reluctant to enter the poll fray, but finally gave in. Born in Kalaburagi, Doddamani has maintained a low profile. He has always worked actively behind the scenes in managing and strategising Kharge's successive electoral campaigns. He is said to be popular among the Congress workers and supporters, especially in the Gurmitkal Assembly segment, which Kharge represented consecutively between 1972 and 2004. Kharge was defeated by the BJP's Umesh Jadhav by a margin of 95,452 votes in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Popularly known as "Solillada Saradara (a leader who hasn't faced a defeat)", that was the first electoral loss in Kharge's political life spanning several decades. Ahead of the 2019 polls, Jadhav had quit as a Congress MLA and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to contest the Lok Sabha election from Gulbarga. The 2019 election was considered a tough one for Kharge, a nine-time former MLA and two-term former Lok Sabha member, as several senior Congress leaders like Baburao Chinchansur, A B Malaka Reddy and Malikayya Guttedar from the region had quit the party and joined the BJP. These leaders, along with Jadhav, who had quit the Congress as they were upset over the "dominance" of Kharge and his son (who was then a minister in the Congress-JD-S coalition government in Karnataka) in the region, found a common ground and aggressively campaigned against the father-son duo. Kharge, who was earlier the leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha, had served as the Union minister for labour and employment as also for railways and social justice and empowerment in the Manmohan Singh-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government. He had also held various portfolios in successive Congress governments that governed the southern state and was the president of the Karnataka Congress and leader of opposition in the state Assembly. Gulbarga for long had been a bastion of the Congress. Before 2019, the party had lost its hold over the constituency only in the 1996 and 1998 Lok Sabha polls, when the Janata Dal and the BJP won the seat respectively. Gulbarga has eight Assembly seats of which the Congress currently holds six. The BJP and the JD(S) hold one seat each. The BJP has again fielded Jadhav from the constituency in the upcoming general election. Imphal: A total of 94 special polling booths will be set up under the scheme for internally displaced persons (IDP) of Manipur to vote at the relief camps in the upcoming 18th Lok Sabha election 2024, officials said on Thursday. (Representative Photo) It may be mentioned that more than 50,000 people were displaced in view of the ethnic conflict that has engulfed Manipur since May 3 last year. As a result, the IDPs were presently taking shelter at different relief camps set up in different parts of the state. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The maximum number of special polling stations will be arranged in the Kangpokpi district 24, followed by Bishnupur 22, and Churachandpur 15, said officials. Imphal East district will have nine special polling stations, Imphal West district will have eight, Kakching- five, Tengnoupal- four, Ukhrul- four, Thoubal- two and Jiribam- one. The IDPs are requested to submit ID to the designated election officials, joint chief electoral officer N Ramananda said. He said that three expenditure observers, three general observers and three police observers will oversee the election process in the state. The expenditure observers have arrived and started election activities, Ramananda added. Out of nine special polling booths in Imphal East district, five will be for the Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency and the remaining four for the Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituency in Imphal East district, according to a notification issued by the district election officer, Imphal East, on Thursday. Similarly, out of 22 special polling booths in Bishnupur district, 11 each are located under Inner Manipur and Outer Manipur Parliamentary constituencies in Bishnupur district, the notification said. Also Read: Manipur govt takes down CM website to follow Lok Sabha model code of conduct Meanwhile, no nomination papers were filed as of Thursday even after the issuance of the notice of election for the 18th Lok Sabha 2024 in respect of the Inner Manipur and Outer Manipur Parliamentary constituencies to be held on April 19 and 26, respectively. Both the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition Congress in Manipur are yet to announce their candidates from Manipur for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The Naga Peoples Front (NPF), a ruling ally in the state, in its working committee meeting held at Kohima on Wednesday issued a ticket to Kachui Timothy Zimik, a retired Indian Revenue Service officer for the Outer Manipur Parliamentary constituency. Presently, Lorho S Pfoze of NPF is the sitting Lok Sabha MP from the Outer Manipur Parliamentary constituency while Union minister of state for external affairs Dr RK Ranjan Singh is the sitting Lok Sabha MP from the Inner Manipur Parliamentary constituency. Earlier, the Communist Party of India had named Laishram Sotinkumar as the partys candidate for the Inner Manipur Parliamentary constituency. The 18th Lok Sabha election 2024 will be held in two phases in Manipur on April 19 and April 26, respectively. The counting of votes will take place on June 4. Students welcome back Concord Magnet School Principal Medard Thomas after a 113-day administrative leave for an undisclosed personnel matter on March 21, 2024. Contributed Photo/Valerie Ingenito Students welcome back Concord Magnet School Principal Medard Thomas after a 113-day administrative leave for an undisclosed personnel matter on March 21, 2024. Contributed Photo/Emilie Forcellina Students welcome back Concord Magnet School Principal Medard Thomas after a 113-day administrative leave for an undisclosed personnel matter on March 21, 2024. Contributed Photo/Emilie Forcellina NORWALK After 113 days on paid administrative leave for an undisclosed personnel matter, Concord Magnet Schools principal returned to a warm homecoming, bombarded by what parents dropping off their kids described as a swarm of children. It was chaos, said Cindy Belopavlovic, whose son, Stefan, is a fifth grader at CMS. Kids were hugging and hugging him. Belopavlovic said Thomas heartwarming welcome was a tearjerker. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Some kids erupted in tears of joy, she said, her voice strained. Just thinking about it brings tears to my eyes. She likened the joyful scene to a rainbow. You could see all these kids with welcome signs and T-shirts, Belopavlovic said. Medard Thomas, the principal, did not provide a comment before publication. Emily Morgan, media relations specialist for Norwalk Public Schools, declined to comment. District officials have declined to say why Thomas was placed on leave. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Thomas' leave, which began on Nov. 29, prohibited him from contacting NPS parents, staff and students for nearly four months, according to the notice of his leave, acquired by Hearst Connecticut Media Group in a Freedom of Information Act request. Community members widely supported Thomas reinstatement while he was on leave, making public comments at a school board meeting, starting a petition, and hosting a rally calling for an end to his absence. Valerie Ingenito said she and her sons, Joey, 11, and AJ, 9, who attend CMS, were overcome with happiness on Thursday. When we first got there, we didnt see anything, Ingenito said. We turned the corner and saw a mob of kids hugging (Thomas). Advertisement Article continues below this ad She said her sons couldnt wait for their beloved principal to return after learning that Thomas leave would end Thursday. On Tuesday morning, AJ woke up and said, I wish it was Thursday (because) I want Mr. T back, Ingenito recalled. Thomas return elated Ingenitos sons, but it was monumental for the CMS community, she said. Its just a blessing to all of us, Ingenito said. It was like our old CMS was back. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Belopavlovic agreed. The heart came back to the school, she said. Emilie Forcellina, a CMS alumna herself and mother to current third and fifth graders Cash and Jett, said Thomas return was long-awaited. Mr. T is more than a principal, she said. He is a good friend. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Forcellina said students couldnt wait to see their principal. As soon as it was time for the doors to open, all the kids bum-rushed him taking their turns getting hugs, she said. At drop-off, Forcellina described a conversation she overheard where a student caught Thomas ear. Mr T., I missed you, Forcellina recalled the student saying. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Forcellina said Thomas emotional homecoming was deserved. New Delhi: The information and broadcasting ministry (MIB) on Thursday advised social media endorsers and influencers to refrain from promoting or advertising, including surrogate advertisements, offshore online betting and gambling platforms. The ministry further advised online advertisement intermediaries not to focus such promotional content towards Indian audience (Representative image.) The ministry said that such endorsements have a significant financial and socio-economic implications on consumers, particularly the youth. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. India banned 138 offshore betting platforms last year. Later in the year, to curb illegal online gambling platforms, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) also attached 5.87 crore from several individuals and entities under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002. Also Read: Government blocks 18 streaming platforms for obscene, pornographic content The ministry further advised online advertisement intermediaries not to focus such promotional content towards Indian audience. Social media intermediaries have also been advised to conduct sensitisation efforts among their users to refrain from publishing such content. The advisory cautions that failure to comply with it may lead to proceedings under the provisions of Consumer Protection Act, 2019 including removal or disabling of social media posts or accounts and penal action under applicable statutes. The advisory underlines that while Section 79 of the IT Act, 2000 provides for exemption from liability of intermediaries for third party information, data, or communication link made available or hosted by them. Also Read: Mahadev app row: Inside the dark mirror world of gambling apps The ministry reiterated the advisory by the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) dated March 6, which had expressed concerns regarding endorsements of betting/gambling platforms by celebrities and influencers to endorse and promote their betting activities, and had cautioned that any such direct or indirect advertisement or endorsement shall be subject to rigorous scrutiny. The opposition leaders on Thursday slammed the BJP-led union government after Delhi chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) official from his residence in a liquor excise policy-linked money laundering case. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal (PTI) Read here: Arvind Kejriwal arrested by ED in liquor probe, to be produced in court tomorrow Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The officials said that Kejriwal would be produced before special PMLA court on Friday where the probe agency would seek his custody for interrogation. The opposition leaders beyond the party lines expressed their support to Kejriwal and slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the saffron camp saying that the probe agency action is a desperate action of the ruling party to stop the AAP leader from campaigning for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Follow Kejriwal ED action LIVE Updates Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra took a dig at the BJP saying that targeting the AAP leader due to elections is completely wrong and unconstitutional and lowering the level of politics in this manner suits neither the PM nor his government. Targeting Delhi Chief Minister Shri Arvind Kejriwal in this manner due to elections is completely wrong and unconstitutional. Lowering the level of politics in this manner suits neither the Prime Minister nor his government. Fight your critics in the electoral battle, confront them boldly, and of course attack their policies and working style - this is democracy. But in this way, using the power of all the institutions of the country to fulfill one's political objective and weakening them by exerting pressure is against every principle of democracy.The bank accounts of the country's largest opposition party Congress have been frozen, all the political parties and their leaders are under pressure day and night from ED, CBI, IT, one Chief Minister has been put in jail, now the other Chief Minister is also in jail. Preparations are being made to take it. Such a shameful scene is being seen for the first time in the independent history of India, she said in a post on X. NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) leader Sharad Pawar also condemned the arrest of Kejriwal saying indictive misuse of central agencies to target the opposition. Strongly condemn the vindictive misuse of central agencies to target the opposition, especially as general elections loom. This arrest showcases the depth to which BJP will stoop for power. INDIA stands united against this unconstitutional action against #ArvindKejriwal, he said in a post on X. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also hit out at PM Modi over Kejriwal's arrest saying that a scared dictator wants to create a dead democracy. "A scared dictator wants to create a dead democracy. While capturing all the institutions including the media, breaking up the parties, extorting money from companies, freezing the account of the main opposition party was not enough for the 'devilish power', now the arrest of the elected Chief Ministers has also become a common thing. INDIA will give a befitting reply to this," he siad in a post on X. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav also condemned the arrest saying that this arrest will give birth to a new people's revolution. Those who are themselves imprisoned in the fear of defeat. What will 'they' do by imprisoning someone else? BJP knows that it will not come to power again, due to this fear, it wants to remove the opposition leaders from the public by any means at the time of elections, arrest is just an excuse. This arrest will give birth to a new people's revolution, he said in a post on X. Rajya Sabha MP and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Mahua Maji said that the such developments indicate that the ruling party is preparing to implement autocracy in the country. Wherever there is non-BJP govt, these things are happening in those states only. Elections are going to be held, model code of conduct is in place but the way things are going on, firstly in Jharkhand and then in Delhi, this isn't democracy but a preparation for autocracy, she said to ANI. Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Kunal Ghosh also slammed the BJP saying this is vindictive politics ahead of Lok Sabha elections. "This is vindictive politics ahead of Lok Sabha elections. BJP knows it is losing from every state that is why it is targeting non-BJP parties and leaders and pressuring them by using Central Agencies..." he said to ANI. Congress leader Udit Raj also slammed the BJP government saying such behaviour in India is the murder of democracy. Read here: Why was Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal arrested by ED? What's liquor policy case? "At present, heavy police security have surrounded the house of the Chief Minister of Delhi and converted it into a camp as if he is a dacoit... This is the situation today with a Chief Minister elected by the people. Such behaviour in India is the murder of democracy..." he said to ANI. AIADMK leader Kovai Sathyan also slammed the saffron camp saying that Kejriwal's arrest has proved that there is a three-point agenda for the BJP. "This arrest proves that there is a three-point agenda for the BJP. First, whoever opposes the BJP, should contest from behind bars. Second, whoever is opposing BJP, will run out of funds and will be unable to use party funds. Third, whoever is out on bail, BJP will not have any hesitation to have an alliance with them..." he said to ANI. Meanwhile, West Bengal BJP chief Sukanata Majumadar said that the arrest was natural that the last string of this case had to reach Arvind Kejriwal "In the Liquor Policy Case, a few days ago, BRS leader K Kavitha was also arrested. This was an indication that a big arrest will be made in this case in the coming days. This was natural that the last string of this case had to reach Arvind Kejriwal. Former Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia is also arrested in this case. His arrest was just a matter of time..." he said. The arrest, the first of a sitting chief minister, came weeks after Jharkhand's ex CM Hemant Soren was arrested. Read here: Kejriwal has no access to phone: What is happening at CM's residence? 10 points The AAP leader was summoned by the probe agency to join the investigation sine last year but he skipped all the summons. Kejriwal further moved the court and challenged the ED summons calling them unconstitutional. Kejriwal's arrest came hours after the Delhi High Court refused to grant protection to Kejriwal from any coercive action by the agency. Soon after the high court order, an ED team reached his residence and carried out searches. Subsequently, he was arrested. Kejriwal's arrest comes a week after BRS leader K Kavitha was arrested from Hyderabad last week and was brought to New Delhi. (With inputs from agencies) India on Thursday launched 'Operation Indravati' to evacuate its citizens stranded in war-torn Haiti amid the intense fighting between the armed groups and the government, external affairs minister S Jaishankar said. 12 Indians evacuated today from Haiti under Operation Indravati(X/ @DrSJaishankar) While sharing a photo of the 12 evacuated Indian nationals from Haiti, the union minister said in a post on X, India begins Operation Indravati to evacuate its nationals from Haiti to the Dominican Republic. 12 Indians evacuated today. Fully committed to the security and well-being of our nationals abroad. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Jaishankar informed that 12 citizens have been successfully rescued to the Caribbean nation Dominican Republic and further thanked its government for their support. "Thank the Government of the Dominican Republic for their support," he said. What's happening in Haiti? The Caribbean nation of Haiti has been plagued by widespread gang violence for over two years since the July 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise. In the power vacuum that followed the assassination, the countrys de facto leader, Prime Minister Ariel Henry, assumed power, with the support of several nations. Meanwhile, attempts to chart a political transition for Haiti have failed, and various armed groups launched coordinated attacks on key installations in Haiti in an attempt to force the resignation of the country's embattled PM Henry as Haiti has not held functional elections since 2019. The violence between the armed groups and the government has impeded access to healthcare facilities, forced the closure of schools and worsened an already dire hunger crisis. The situation deteriorated further last week when gunmen overwhelmed the main penitentiary in Port-au-Prince and another nearby prison, freeing thousands of inmates in a raid that left several people dead. India in Haiti India doesn't have an embassy in Haiti and the situation in the country is being monitored by the Indian mission at Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic. There are between 75 and 90 Indians in Haiti and about 60 of them have registered with Indian authorities to return to India "if need be", External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at his weekly media briefing on March 15. "We are ready to evacuate everybody," he said. Minister of state for external affairs V Muraleedharan on Thursday met with the families of Kerala residents deceived by a recruitment scam into joining the war in Ukraine, in Thiruvananthapuram. He assured that the government has begun efforts to repatriate Indians stranded in the conflict zone of Russia. Minister of State for External Affairs V. Muraleedharan.(ANI) "We are putting all pressure on the concerned authorities. So that all those Indians who are trapped there are brought back. As of now the Indians in Russia are safe," the minister said. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The minister in the Narendra Modi government said over 20 Indians are in the Russia-Ukraine conflict zone there. Indians dupped with job offers in Russia In recent months, numerous Indians have reported being coerced into joining the Russian army after being promised positions as helpers, primarily advertised through YouTube channels. Earlier this month, the CBI dismantled a major human trafficking network that duped Indians with false job promises, following the deaths of two Indians on the war front. Cases have been filed against multiple visa consultancy firms and agents for luring young Indians to Russia with enticing job offers. At least two Indian nationals have lost their lives while serving in the Russian army. ALSO READ- Dialogue and diplomacy is way forward, PM Modi tells Putin and Zelenskyy The Indian embassy in Moscow officially confirmed the passing of Indian national Mohammed Asfan on March 6. Asfan, a 30-year-old hailing from Hyderabad, had travelled to Russia late last year. He reportedly sustained severe injuries, along with two other Indians, during hostilities in the conflict zone. Before Asfan's death, 23-year-old Hemal Ashwinbhai Mangukiya, a resident of Surat in Gujarat, lost his life in a Ukrainian air strike while serving as a "security helper" with the Russian Army in Donetsk, a region of Ukraine under Russian occupation. Mangukiya had travelled to Russia in December last year. Modi speaks with Putin and Zelenskyy On Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held separate discussions with Russian president Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, stressing that dialogue and diplomacy are crucial for resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Modi congratulated Putin on his reelection to a fifth term during their conversation. He then reached out to Zelenskyy to express India's unwavering support for peace efforts and the swift resolution of the ongoing conflict. (Inputs from ANI) New Delhi/Patna: The Congress got a fillip on Wednesday as three senior Opposition leaders, including former Lok Sabha MP Pappu Yadav, joined the party, weeks before the much anticipated Lok Sabha elections. Representational image. (PTI) Besides Yadav, suspended Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MP Danish Ali and former Jammu & Kashmir MP Lal Singh joined the Opposition party. Congress MP Abdul Khaleque, who resigned on Friday, withdrew his resignation after a meeting with party chief Mallikarjun Kharge and returned to the party fold. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Welcoming Yadav, Congresss publicity department chairman Pawan Khera, said: With great pleasure, with great joy, I introduce a person who is sitting with me, who does not need any introduction, Pappu Yadav ji, his is the Jan Adhikar Party, everyone knows about his party, about him. He is a strong leader, today, impressed by the policies, leadership and direction of the Congress Party, he has decided that he will merge his party with the Congress. Yadav, a five-time MP from Bihar, merged his Jan Adhikar Party with the Congress. He is known for having influence in Seemanchal area of Bihar. His wife, Ranjeet Ranjan, is a Congress Rajya Sabha MP. The honour that the entire Congress family has given is enough for us. Both Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra have given us a lot of love, Yadav, accompanied by his son Sarthak Ranjan and other party leaders at the AICC headquarters, said. If anyone has won the hearts of people in India, it is Rahul Gandhi and people love him. He has also raised the concerns of OBCs (Other Backward Classes) by raising the issue of holding a caste census. To save this country and its democracy and protect the Constitution, there was no other way except joining Rahul Gandhis fight against a dictator, he added. Yadav, who is also known as Rajesh Ranjan, had won the 10th, 11th, 13th, 14th and 16th Lok Sabha in a rare feat for a lawmaker of a small party. He entered the political arena in the 1990s and was also imprisoned for several years in connection with the killing of CPI(M) leader Ajit Sarkar in 1998. He was acquitted by the Patna high court in 2013. However, a senior leader from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), an ally of the Congress in Bihar, said Yadavs induction into the Congress will not be as smooth as the party thinks. He is an opportunist and he can go to any extent to get his political ambition fulfilled, the leader said, seeking anonymity. Ali, who was suspended by the BSP in December for anti-party activities, also joined the Congress on Wednesday, days after he met Congresss parliamentary party chief Sonia Gandhi on March 14. A sitting MP from Amroha, he is likely to get a Congress ticket from his constituency for the upcoming elections, people aware of the details said. On one side are divisive forces and on the other, are those forces fighting to get nyay (justice) for the poor and oppressed sections of society, and the choice is very clear If we have to fight the divisive forces, then one has to strengthen the Congress under the leadership of Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, Ali told a news briefing after joining the Congress in the national capital. The ideology with which we started our politics...we have to now strengthen the forces fighting those divisive forces. That is why I took this important decision while charting my future political journey by becoming a member of the Indian National Congress, he added. Once a right-hand man of former prime minister and Janata Dal (Secular) leader HD Devegowda, Ali joined the BSP in the run up to the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The Congress also received a boost in Jammu & Kashmir when former MP Lal Singh joined the party at the AICC headquarters. He also announced the merger of his outfit, Dogra Swabhiman Sangathan Party (DSSP), with the Congress. Singh, according to the people cited above, is likely to be fielded against Union minister Jitendra Singh from Udhampur. We all have to work hard. I am grateful to the Congress party for taking me, Singh, who was a two-time MP and three-time MLA, said. In 2004, everyone spoke about Shining India. Where is Shining India now? I am a pure Dogra. I am not going to buckle down. I will work hard to bring back the old glory of the country. I know what J&K is, the big people dont know what the state is all about. We will give a befitting reply to my opponent. The time has come for the Congress to return to power, he added. India Shining was a key slogan of the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government in the run up to the 2004 general elections, but it failed to capture the discontent on the ground and Vajpayee lost the polls. Meanwhile, Khaleque, sitting MP from Barpeta in Assam, who resigned from the Congress on March 15, returned to the fold on Wednesday. In a letter to Kharge, Khaleque said: Strengthening the Congress is the need of the hour, hence, I withdraw my resignation and wish to work under your and Rahul Gandhis able leadership. He added: The central leadership of the party reached out to me because of which I could have a fruitful discussion with K C Venugopal.. as a sitting Lok Sabha member and two-time MLA, I understand the situation in the country. It is the duty and responsibility of every democratic and progressive person to strengthen the democratic forces. Khaleque had resigned on March 15 alleging non-redressal of his grievances by state party president Bhupen Borah and AICC state in-charge Jitendra Singh. The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday released State Bank of India (SBI) data listing the unique serial number linked with each electoral bond (EB) and other details about beneficiaries and donors, allowing the matching purchasers of bonds with the political parties that received the funds. Supreme Court had called for a categorical affidavit of the SBI chairman by 5pm on March 21 that the bank has disclosed all the information in its custody and that no details have been withheld. (PTI) The latest tranche of data the third such trove to be released over the past two weeks on the orders of the Supreme Court appeared to be the final key to the political funding puzzle locked away behind a veil of anonymity that was finally dispelled by the Supreme Court when it held the scheme unconstitutional last month. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. In compliance with the Supreme Courts directions, SBI has provided data pertaining to electoral bonds to ECI today i.e. March 21, 2024. The ECI has uploaded it on its website as received from SBI on an as is where is basis, the poll body said in a statement. The two sets of data 552 pages of details of redemption by political parties and 386 pages of details of donors cover electoral bonds purchased and redeemed from April 12, 2019 until January 11, 2024. In the end, SBI took three days to disclose the data that it had asked the Supreme Court three months time for. The data revealed that Tamil Nadu-based Future Gaming and Hotel Services, the top donor that accounted for 1,365 crore worth bonds, donated across party lines. Out of this, 39.7% ( 542 crore) went to the All India Trinamool Congress, 36.8% ( 503 crore) to the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), 11.3% ( 154 crore) to the YSR Congress, 7.3% ( 100 crore) to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and 3.7% ( 50 crore) to the Congress. The second highest donor Hyderabad-based Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Limited (MEIL) donated 60.5% of its 966 crore to the BJP and 20.2% ( 195 crore) to the Telangana-based Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS). The third highest donor, Thane-based Qwik Supply Chain donated 91.5% of its 410 crore to the BJP followed by 6% ( 25 crore) to the Shiv Sena. It donated 10 crore (2.4%) to Nationalist Congress Party. According to Zaubacorp, a website that scrapes data from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, and LinkedIn profiles, two of the directors of the firm are employees of the Reliance group and are directors of multiple Reliance Group companies. Mining behemoth Vedanta Limited donated 230.15 crore, or 57.5% of its total bonds worth 400.35 crore, to the BJP, followed by 125 crore (31.2%) to the Congress. The Kolkata-based RP-Sanjiv Goenka Groups Haldia Energy donated 74.5% of its 377 crore to the TMC followed by 81 crore (21.5%) to the BJP. For the BJP, which received 5,594.2 crore, MEIL was the largest donor at 584 crore, followed by Qwik Supply Chain at 375 crore and Vedanta at 230.15 crore. Others contributed 4,032.15 crore. In all, the BJP netted 6,061 crore of the 8,252 crore between April 12, 2019 and January 11, 2024. Read more: Electoral bonds: Lottery king top donor for Opposition, BJP got most from this firm The TMC received its biggest chunk of funds from Future Gaming at 542 crore, followed by Haldia Energy at 281 crore and Dhariwal Infrastructure at 90 crore. Others contributed 588.12 crore. In all, the TMC netted 1,610 crore of the 1,708 crore between April 12, 2019 and January 11, 2024. For the Congress, the biggest donor was Vedanta at 125 crore, followed by Western UP Power Transmission Company Limited at 110 crore and MJK Enterprise at 91.6 crore. In all, the Congress netted 1,422 crore of the 1,952 crore between April 12, 2019 and January 11, 2024. The data disclosure has gained additional importance given that it was revealed just weeks ahead of general elections, where political funding is expected to be among the issues raised during the campaign. The data solves the mystery of who anonymously donated 10 crore to the Samajwadi Party by post. Keventer Food Park Infra, a part of the Kolkata-based FMCG group Keventer, donated 10 1 crore bonds to the SP. These bonds were bought on May 7, 2019 and redeemed by the party on May 10, 2019. Read more: SBI submits all details of electoral bonds with unique numbers to Election Commission But another mystery of who handed over a sealed envelope with 10 1 crore bonds to the Janata Dal (United) in its office on April 3, 2019 still persists because the bonds were credited into JD(U)s account on April 10, two days before the cut-off of April 12 . Under the 2018 EB scheme which was quashed by a Constitution bench of the Supreme Court on February 15 because it completely anonymised contributions made to political parties -- each electoral bond is imprinted with a unique number that can assist in tracking the issuance and redemption of bonds, and in tracing the bond back to the purchaser. On March 18, the bench led by Chief Justice of India Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud ordered SBI to disclose the unique serial number associated with each EB and all other information the bank possesses while supplying the ECI with data for public release. On the day, the bench, also comprising justices Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai, JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, noted that the February 15 judgment required SBI to disclose all information in its possession, which will include alphanumeric numbers and serial numbers, besides the date of purchase or redemption, the recipients or buyers name, and the denomination of EBs. Read more: Fresh details offer peek at donor details of 11 parties It called for a categorical affidavit of the SBI chairman by 5pm on March 21 that the bank has disclosed all the information in its custody and that no details have been withheld. The court further directed that as soon as ECI receives the information from SBI, it will post it on its website forthwith. Complying with this direction, the SBI chairman Dinesh Kumar Khara filed his affidavit on Thursday afternoon, stating that SBI has now disclosed all details and that no details (other than complete bank account numbers and KYC Details) have been withheld from disclosure. Details of purchaser furnished to ECI on Thursday include EBs serial number and URN number, bond number, journal date, date of purchase, date of expiry, prefix, name of the purchaser, denomination, issue branch code, issue teller and status. The information about redemption by political parties, the affidavit said, includes EB serial number, date of encashment, name of the political party, last four digits of the account number, prefix, bond number, denomination, pay branch code and pay teller. The bank clarified that prefix and bond number are the alphanumeric number, adding that the complete bank account numbers and KYC details of political parties are not being made public as it may compromise the security of the account. Similarly, KYC details of the purchasers are also not made public. However, they are not necessary for identifying the political parties, the affidavit stated. SBI maintained that it was now revealing information which will show the name of the EB purchaser, denomination and specific number of the bond, name of the party that has encashed the bond, last four digits of the bank account number of political parties and denomination and number of the bond redeemed. EBs, which were bearer banking instruments that did not carry the name of the buyer or payee, used to 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 the Lok Sabha election years. Introduced in 2018, EBs were available for purchase at any SBI branch in multiples of 1,000, 10,000, 1 lakh, 10 lakh and 1 crore and could be bought through a KYC-compliant account. There was no limit on the number of electoral bonds that a person or company could purchase. Donations made under this scheme by corporate and even foreign entities through Indian subsidiaries enjoyed 100% tax exemption while identities of the donors were kept confidential both by the bank as well as the recipient political parties. But on February 15, a five-judge Constitution bench struck down the scheme, 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 directed SBI the only designated EB-issuing bank to stop the issuance of EBs, adding that the bank should 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 the court issued an interim direction to parties to submit such information with ECI to be made public on ECIs website. On March 4, SBI told the top court it needed till June to break down the details of 22,217 EBs. But the apex court rejected the plea on March 11 and gave the bank one day. In a scathing response to the arrest of Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of resorting to dictatorial tactics to suppress dissent and destroy democracy in India. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi greets Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal during a joint press conference in Bengaluru.(PTI / File) "A scared dictator wants to create a dead democracy," Gandhi said in a post in Hindi on X, without naming anyone. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Rahul Gandhi pointed to a pattern of alleged targeting of opposition leaders and institutions, including the media, in what he described as an assault on democratic principles. While capturing all the institutions including the media, breaking up the parties, extorting money from companies, freezing the account of the main opposition party was not enough for the 'devilish power', now the arrest of the elected Chief Ministers has also become a common thing, the Congress leader said. Gandhi asserted that the opposition INDIA bloc will give a befitting reply to this. Also Read: Why was Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal arrested by ED? What's liquor scam? Several opposition leaders have condemned Kejriwal's arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in the money laundering probe linked to the 2021-22 excise policy case, which was scrapped later. Opposition stalwart Sharad Pawar said that Kejriwal's arrest showcased the depth to which the Bharatiya Janata Party will stoop for power. "'INDIA' stands united against this unconstitutional action against Arvind Kejriwal," Nationalist Congress Party (SP) chief Sharad Pawar said in a post on X. The Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) is an opposition bloc led by the Congress and includes the AAP and NCP (SP). Former Uttar Pradesh chief minister and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav claimed that the BJP wants to keep the opposition leader away from the public by any means as the party knows it will not come to power again. This arrest will give birth to a new people's revolution, Akhilesh Yadav said in Hindi on X. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge slammed the ruling BJP for what he characterised as a concerted effort to undermine the opposition and manipulate democratic processes ahead of the elections. "The arrogant BJP, which makes false claims of victory every day, is trying to weaken the opposition by all means and illegal means before the elections," Kharge asserted, echoing concerns raised by other opposition leaders. If there was real confidence of victory then the accounts of the main opposition party - Congress Party would not have been frozen by misusing the constitutional institutions, he added. CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury condemned the arrest saying Modi and the BJP are in panic over peoples rejection in the ongoing elections. All opposition leaders who defected and joined the BJP are protected and patronised. They are the Satya Harishchandras! These arrests will only cement peoples desire to defeat BJP, defend democracy and Indian Constitution. An intelligence operative has been removed from his position and several others were reshuffled following an investigation into US claims of an alleged plot to kill Khalistani leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, people familiar with the matter have said. An indictment filed by US prosecutors in a Manhattan court last November alleging that Indian national Nikhil Gupta, acting on the instructions of an unnamed Indian official, was involved in a plot to kill Khalistani leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on American soil. (AP/FILE) The investigation concluded rogue operatives not authorised by the government had been involved in the plot, Bloomberg reported, citing unnamed senior officials. The developments in the probe by a high-level committee set up by India last year to examine inputs provided by the US were first reported by Bloomberg. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The operative removed from his position in the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) is a mid-level official seconded to the agency from a paramilitary force, the people cited above said on condition of anonymity. Several other operatives were part of a reshuffle carried out in recent weeks by the agency amid the probe by the committee, they said. Read more: Gurpatwant Pannun 'murder' plot: US says 'serious issue', working with India to hold those responsible The Indian side has revealed nothing officially about the work done by the high-level committee, or its composition or findings since an indictment filed by US prosecutors in a Manhattan court last November alleged that Indian national Nikhil Gupta, acting on the instructions of an unnamed Indian official, was involved in a plot to kill Pannun on American soil. It is understood the operative removed from his position is the Indian government official referred to only as CC-1 in the US indictment against Gupta. The indictment described CC-1 as a senior field officer responsible for security management and intelligence who directed the plot from India. Bloomberg reported that one person directly involved in the alleged attempted assassination is no longer working for RAW. This person is still employed by the government and India hasnt started any criminal action against him, the report said. India has also informed US authorities about the findings of the high-level committee, the report added. Read more: US remains engaged with India on Pannun case: US official Richard Verma The murder for hire plot, as US officials have referred to the incident, has emerged as an irritant in an otherwise robust India-US relationship that now encompasses collaboration on critical emerging technologies, joint development of military hardware and close cooperation on defence and security issues. The US has pressed India to prosecute those involved in the plot, and this was a message conveyed to Indian officials by Donald Lu, the assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asian affairs, when he visited New Delhi in January. Participating in a US House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing in Washington on Wednesday, Lu described the plot as a serious issue between the US and India. He added: We take this in the administration incredibly seriously and have raised it at the highest levels with India. We are, at the moment, working with India to encourage India to hold accountable those responsible for this terrible crime. Read more: Shots fired at Pannun associates home in Canada Lu noted that India has created a committee of inquiry to look into the matter and said, We ask them to work quickly and transparently to make sure justice is done. According to the indictment by US prosecutors, Gupta contacted a person whom he believed to be a criminal associate for help in killing Pannun. However, the person contacted by Gupta was a confidential source working with US law enforcement. The indictment said this source introduced Gupta to a purported hitman, who was an undercover US law enforcement officer. Gupta is currently in jail in the Czech Republic, where the justice minister is examining his challenge to a court ruling that he can be extradited to the US. Pannun, who holds US citizenship and is a senior leader of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), has already been declared a terrorist by India. About two months before the US indictment was made public, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau triggered a diplomatic row by alleging there was a potential link between Indian government agents and the killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in the town of Surrey in June 2023. India dismissed Trudeaus accusation as absurd and said the Canadian side hasnt provided any evidence to back up the allegations. Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev health updates: Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, a renowned spiritual leader, underwent an emergency brain surgery at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals in New Delhi after suffering life-threatening bleeding in the skull and is now recovering well, a senior doctor said in a statement on Wednesday. The hospital said Sadhguru had been suffering from severe headaches for the last four weeks. Despite the severity of the pain, he continued with his normal daily schedule and social activities and even conducted a Maha Shivaratri function on March 8. Spiritual leader Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev after an emergency brain surgery at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals in New Delhi. (PTI) On Wednesday, Sadhguru also posted a video on his Instagram account from his hospital bed. The Apollo hospital neurosurgeons cut through my skull to try and find something but found nothing totally empty. So they gave up and patched it up. Here I am in Delhi with the patched-up skull but no damaged brain, Sadhguru said in a lighter vein. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he spoke to the spiritual leader and wished him a speedy recovery. "Spoke to @SadhguruJV Ji and wished him good health and a speedy recovery," Modi said in a post on X (formally Twitter). Responding to Modi's message, Sadhguru said he was overwhelmed by the prime minister's concern. "Beloved Pradhan Mantri ji, I should not be a concern to you. You have a nation to conduct. Overwhelmed by your concern, on my way to recovery. Dhanyavad," Sadhguru wrote. What did hospital say about Sadhguru? The State Bank of India on Thursday submitted complete details of the electoral bonds including the unique numbers to the Election Commission complying with the order of the Supreme Court. The top court on March 18 asked the SBI to make a complete disclosure of all details of the electoral bonds which are in its possession. With this, five things now will be known about electoral bonds -- the name of the purchaser of a bond, the denomination and the specific number of the bond, the name of the party that has encashed the bond, the last four digits of the bank account number of the political parties, the denomination and the number of bonds encashed. SBI filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court stating that it has submitted all details of electoral bonds to the Election Commission. Earlier, the State Bank of India submitted the details of the purchasers and the amount and the fund the parties received, separately. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Fresh details offer peek at donor details of 11 parties "The complete bank account numbers and KYC details of the political parties are not being made public as it may compromise the security of the account (cyber security). Similarly, KYC details of purchasers are also not being made public for security reasons, apart from the fact that such information of not fed/collated in the system. However, they are not necessary for identifying the political parties," the SBI said in its affidavit to the Supreme Court. The bank chairman told the Supreme Court that now it has no more undisclosed details regarding electoral bonds apart from the KYC details and the complete account numbers. The unique alphanumeric numbers help identify the bond and which party it went to. The Supreme Court noted that by withholding this number, SBI did not fully comply with the top court's order of March 11 in which SBI was asked to disclose all details of electoral bonds. According to the details disclosed earlier, the top purchaser of electoral bonds included Future Gaming and Hotel Services, owned by lottery king Santiago Martin. While the majority of political parties have solely provided a chronological breakdown of the value of bonds they encashed, 10 recognised parties - AAP, DMK, AIADMK, Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF), Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S), Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC), Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), Samajwadi Party, National Congress Party (NCP), and Janata Dal (United) - have included the names of donors along with the amounts they contributed. In its filing, Samajwadi Party disclosed total donations worth 10.84 crore, of which it said 10 bonds totalling 10 crore it received "by post (no name)". For the remaining amount, it listed S K traders, San Beverages, A K Traders, K S Traders, B G Traders and A S Traders as donors. Marc Frankel talks at a Palantir conference in Sydney, Australia in 2016. Marc Frankel/Contribured photo Marc Frankel, co-founder and CEO of Manifest. Marc Frankel/Contribured photo WESTPORT Marc Frankel called himself a "defense contractor next door" a fitting title for a Westport resident whose business will soon be helping safeguard the Air Force's software. Frankel is the CEO and co-founder of Manifest, a company with a program also called Manifest, that reduces software supply chain risk by identifying the vulnerabilities in software that organizations build and buy. His company has received a $1.8 million contract by the Air Force Research Laboratory to make its technology more secure. "Software is the only thing you buy that you dont know whats in it," Frankel said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad About 10 years ago, Frankel and Manifest co-founder Daniel Bardenstein met while working at Palantir Technologies and spent five years as colleagues before they moved on to different cybersecurity roles. According to Frankel, when someone buys programs for a computer, it downloads without identifying what's actually in it, unlike buying a food product where someone can see the ingredient list. He and Bardenstein noticed there was a need for software supply chain security after a 2021 malicious code attack on a commonly used Java program caused massive problems for companies and individuals that used it, he said. "It was a nightmare for cybersecurity professionals, he said. Frankel and Bardenstein came together to form Manifest in 2022, creating a tool to generate and use Software Bills of Material, the inventory of components used to build, among other things, a software application. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Manifest manages a company or person's Software Bill of Material lifecycle an ingredient list of what is in each program, according to Manifest's website. Those who use it can respond to vulnerabilities smarter and faster when it appears, and buy more secure technology, the site says. There are 200,000 vulnerabilities the ways software can be compromised, abused and exploited listed in a national database, Frankel said. Frankel said hackers, who can be nation-state actors such as China, Russia or Iran, or non-state such as organized crime groups or individuals, attempt to use vulnerabilities for espionage, ransomware or to get money. Frankel compared the Manifest program to a website that lists what recalls have come out for a car. For each piece of software, Manifest can identify if there are any known problems with it, he said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad According to a news release from U.S. Rep Jim Himes, D-Conn., announcing Manifest's new contract, President Joe Biden signed an executive order in 2021 to improve national cybersecurity infrastructure, establishing baseline security standards for software sold to the government. Since that executive order, the Department of Defense and federal civilian Executive Branch agencies have required SBOMs from software vendors, so they are able to evaluate vulnerabilities and risks of cyberattacks within their software. Frankel said the executive order allows small businesses a chance to compete with large ones for government contracts. It is a two-phase process, with the first award for three months to explore what user should receive the program, and the second to deploy it. Manifest received its award for the Air Force in February. Of the total, $1.2 million will go directly to Manifest to deploy the program over 18 months, and $530,000 will go to research at the Fletcher School at Tufts University, where Frankel is an alumnus. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "Our hope (is) that well be able to deploy our application within the Air Force and, ultimately, throughout the U.S. government" to prevent another 2021 cybersecurity disaster, he said. Frankel said it's a "humbling experience" for his business to be given the contract, particularly since it's a small business primarily run out of Frankel's basement. He also said he is pleasantly surprised with the startup community and support it has in Westport. Manifest is a sponsor of StartUp Westport, The Supreme Court on Thursday expressed concerns over the conduct of Tamil Nadu governor RN Ravi for defying the apex court order to reinduct K Ponmudi as a minster in the state cabinet after his conviction in a corruption case was stayed by the top court on March 11. The governor has refused to reinstate the former higher education minister into the state cabinet. (Representative file photo) SC gave a days time to the governor to set right his constitutionally illegal conduct or face an order from Court asking him to follow the Constitution. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. A bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud said, We are seriously concerned about the conduct of the Governor. He is defying the Supreme Court of India. Are we governed by rule of law. When the Supreme Court stays conviction, the Governor has no business to say that the conviction is not wiped out. We are deeply concerned on who has advised him and the manner in which this matter has proceeded. Also Read: Supreme Court stays Centres notification of Fact Check Unit after Kunal Kamra files plea Attorney General R Venkataramani appearing for the governor sought time to take instructions. He objected to how the state government raised the issue about the swearing-in of a minister in a pending matter where the state challenged the Governors action to delay clearance of pending legislative bills. The Court told AG, Can the Governor say I will defend my constitutionally illegal conduct by pointing fingers at the state for moving an application. Do we close our eyes to the constitutional breach by the Governor on this technical issue... What do the states do if the Governor does not follow the Constitution. They have to approach this Court. Posting the matter for Friday, the bench observed, We will keep it tomorrow otherwise... if we dont hear in a positive manner from you, we will have to pass an order asking the Governor to follow the Constitution. We dont want to do that as we want the Governor to set it right. The state had moved an application in its pending petition on Monday attaching the response of the Governor of March 17 refusing to accept the recommendation of chief minister MK Stalin to re-induct Ponmudi as higher education minister. Despite a two-judge bench of the top court on March 11 staying the conviction to prevent irreversible consequences, the Governor said that his conviction has only been set aside and re-inducting him who is tainted with corruption will be against constitutional morality. The bench, also comprising justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra said, How can the Governor say that after the SC stayed the conviction, his re-induction will be against constitutional morality. Referring to a past judgment by the top court on what stay of conviction means, the bench said, Once substantive order of conviction is suspended by this Court, there is no conviction that exists. You cant say then that he is tainted. Ponmudi stood disqualified on December 21, 2023, when the Madras high court convicted and sentenced him to three years imprisonment in a disproportionate assets case, setting aside his acquittal given earlier by a trial court. Acting on his petition against HC order, the top court on March 11 suspended the conviction order, thus removing the bar existing on him under the Representation of Peoples Act to continue in office. The FIR against Ponmudi and his wife was registered in 2011 on the allegation that during his tenure as minister of mines and higher education in the state between 2006 to 2010, he acquired assets that were nearly 66% more than his known sources of income. The Supreme Court on Thursday pulled up Tamil Nadu Governor R. N. Ravi questioning his action not to swear in senior DMK leader K Ponmudy, whose conviction was stayed by the apex court earlier this month, as the Higher Education Minister. Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi refused to appoint K Ponmudy as minister. (ANI) The bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud said, We are seriously concerned over the conduct of the Governor. He is defying the Supreme Court. How can he say that re-induction of the minister is against constitutional morality after the Supreme Court has stayed the conviction. (Also Read: Tamil Nadu governor skips customary address of DMK govt over factual grounds) Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. DMK leader K Ponmudy was reinstated as MLA days after the top court stayed his conviction and three-year jail sentence in a disproportionate asset case on March 13, 2024. However, RN Ravi has refused to accept the recommendation of chief minister MK Stalin to appoint K Ponmudy as a minister. Ravi, in a letter to the state government on Sunday, said he cannot administer the oath of office to Ponmudy as his conviction has not been struck down by the Supreme Court, citing the pendency of the case. (Also Read: Tamil Nadu guv withdraws notification over appointment of V-Cs) "Are we governed by the rule of law?" the court questioned. "When the Supreme Court stays conviction, the governor has no business to say that the conviction is not wiped out. Once the substantive order of conviction is set aside, there is no conviction. You cannot say that the minister is tainted." The court granted the Attorney General time to take instructions on his behalf and posted the matter for Friday. The ruling DMK alleged that the governor's refusal to administer oath to Ponmudy was violative of the Constitution and that he was unfit to hold the post. DMK Rajya Sabha MP and senior advocate P Wilson said Governor Ravi has given his own interpretation of the Supreme Court's order stating that the conviction has only been suspended, not set aside. "When he has stooped to the levels of wilfully violating orders of the Supreme Court, desecrating the Constitutional provisions, and ignoring the rule of law, he is not fit to hold the post any longer," the senior advocate said in a post on X. New Delhi The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to stay the appointment of two new election commissioners (ECs) under a recently enacted statute, noting that the law cannot be blamed exclusively for lacking a judge on the selection panel, and added that the court cannot order Parliament to draft legislation in a specific way. SC noted that the law cannot be blamed exclusively for lacking a judge on the selection panel. (ANI) Even as the bench of justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta did not find the situation exceptional or extraordinary justifying its interference, it berated the Union government for expediting the appointment process while the matter was still before the highest court. It also questioned the delay in sending the shortlisted names to the selection panel that it said considered 200 names in two hours, observing that the government ought to have been more careful in avoiding the controversies around the constitutional posts. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The proceedings before the top court on Thursday centered around a pair of applications demanding a stay on the operation of the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023. Read more: Arvind Kejriwal arrested by ED in liquor probe, AAP demands immediate SC hearing Questioning the alleged haste shown by the government in appointing two new ECs on March 14, the pleas argued that until the legality of the 2023 law was decided, the government should be ordered to fill the vacancies in the Election Commission of India (ECI) through a consultative procedure that included the Chief Justice of India (CJI) in the selection panel. Senior counsel Vikas Singh, Sanjay Parikh, Gopal Sankaranarayanan and advocates Prashant Bhushan and Kaleeswaram Raj appeared on behalf of applicants seeking a stay on the Act and pressing that a fresh appointment of two new ECs should take place by a selection panel envisaged by a Constitution bench judgment of the Supreme Court in March last year. The judgment in Anoop Baranwal Vs Union of India said that the selection of CEC and ECs should be done by a panel headed by the Prime Minister and comprising two other members leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and the CJI, to ensure transparency in the selection mechanism. Turning down their plea, the bench said that the March 2023 judgment was a nudge to Parliament for enacting a law since all appointments were being made by the President on an advise from the council of ministers. Read more: Rahul Gandhi's first reaction after Kejriwal's arrest: Scared dictator wants Its not that elections were not being held before this judgment. And we had some excellent election commissioners. We agree there was a push from this court on the procedure. But this court did not say what sort of a law must be passed. Until a law was framed, a via media was prescribed (in the form of a selection panel including the CJI). This court stepped in to ensure there is a law. Once a legislation is framed, it will have to be challenged on different grounds, it added. Agreeing with the petitioners that independent ECs are a must in the interest of democracy, the bench said that it cannot be postulated that all panels must have a member of judiciary. The judgment (in Baranwal case) does not say that a member of the judiciary has to be there. The Constitution bench took exception to the council of ministers advising the President. It then left it for Parliament to frame a law and lay down a mechanism for the time being. Now, the old mechanism has been replaced by a parliamentary law. Nowhere in this judgement did the court say who should be the members. How can a court direct Parliament to frame a law in a particular manner...we cannot say all other methods where there is not a judicial member is wrong, it remarked. The court said it is willing to examine the new laws validity, but the legislation cannot be stayed in the meantime. Those are exceptional cases where the law was stayed. This is not a case where we can say you are bound to succeed. We may accept your submission once we hear the case, but we cannot say today that its the only possible outcome, it added. Read more: Electoral bonds: Lottery king top donor for Oppn, BJP got most from this firm Further, the bench said that the balance of convenience lies in favour of the government when the general elections are round the corner. One member commission or three- member commission? And there are no allegations against the members, it said. Turning to solicitor general Tushar Mehta, the bench asked the law officer representing the government to explain the procedure of how the two ECs were picked up. The President on March 14 appointed retired bureaucrats Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu as ECs after the high-level selection committee met in the morning. It was the first time that ECs were chosen under the new law. Two days later, ECI announced the 2024 general elections, due to begin on April 19. One of the ways to ensure fairness is to give sufficient time to the members of the selection panel for examining the names. You gave all names to them only on the morning of March 14.... What was the time given to LoP to consider the names? 200 names had to be considered within two hours...You could have been transparent. Your search panel should have been activated earlier. This could have been easily avoided by giving names in advance of 2-3 days, it told the SG. While Mehta pointed out that the expediency followed due to the election schedule, the bench said that adequate time must be given to all members of the selection committee when appointments of ECs are to take place. Their views are important...One has to be careful. These are constitutional appointments. Every member of the selection committee must have sufficient time to apply his or her mind. Justice must not only be done, it must also be seen to be done. it said. The court also did not find favour with the Centre fast-tracking the appointment of ECs while the applications for stalling these appointments remained pending before it. What is a matter of concern that it should have been avoided. Not only what happened in the committee but also that the appointments could have been deferred since there were applications in this court...Once it was mentioned, it should have been delayed by a day or two, it said. The court further told Mehta: You should have gone a little slowly. For selecting one EC, you earlier fixed the meeting on March 15. For appointing two, you advanced it to March 14? The SG said that he would be able to satisfy the bench on all counts once the matter is heard in detail. In an affidavit on Wednesday, the Centre opposed the pleas filed by Congress leader Jaya Thakur and non-profit Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) for suspending the 2023 law, emphasising that the new law envisions a democratic, collaborative and inclusive regime that cannot be faulted solely for not having a judge on the selection panel. The case of the petitioners is premised on one fundamental fallacy that independence can only be maintained in any authority when the selection committee is of a particular formulation. It must be noted that the independence of the Election Commission, or any other organisation or authority, does not arise from and is not attributable to the presence of a judicial member in the selection committee, said the Centres affidavit. Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Thursday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government of trying to cripple the party financially by freezing its bank accounts ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. Making a rare appearance at a press conference in New Delhi, Sonia Gandhi said the issue affects not just the Indian National Congress but "impacts our democracy itself most fundamentally". (Also Read: No level playing field for Lok Sabha polls': Congress points to electoral bonds, freezing of accounts) Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and party leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi brief the media, at AICC headquarters, in New Delhi (HT Photo/Raj K Raj) Last month, the income tax (IT) department blocked 65 crore from Congress current accounts against the lien of 210 crore imposed on the grand old party by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, virtually freezing the partys accounts as the Congress couldnt give the entire lien amount. While the party is still grappling with the IT department blocking 65 crore of a case related to FY 2017-18, it got a fresh notice over IT discrepancies in 1994-95. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Congress's charge against the Modi govt in 5 points: Rahul Gandhi, appearing alongside his mother Sonia at the briefing, highlighted that the party was unable to conduct normal campaign activities like paying its workers, publishing pamphlets, and booking advertisement slots. He launched a blistering attack on the Modi government over the issue saying it was not just the freezing of the Congress' accounts but a freezing of Indian democracy. The idea that India is a democracy is a lie, Rahul Gandhi said. The governments actions are being orchestrated to cripple us before the elections. Rahul Gandhi termed the action of freezing the accounts a criminal action against the Congress by Prime Minister Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah. Gandhi also accused the Election Commission and judiciary of quietly watching the entire drama. "There are institutions that are supposed to protect the democratic framework but nothing is happening," Gandhi said. The Congress went to Delhi high court but didnt get any favourable order. The party now plans to go to the Supreme Court. Congress parliamentary party chairperson Sonia Gandhi said the party was under a determined assault from the government. "A systematic effort is underway by the prime minister to cripple the Indian National Congress financially. Funds collected from the public are being frozen, and money from our accounts is being taken away forcibly," she said. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge appealed to constitutional bodies to allow the party to access bank accounts if they want free and fair polls. Kharge alleged that on one hand, the ruling BJP filled its coffers using the electoral bonds scheme, held unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, while on the other the bank account of the main opposition party was frozen. This is a dangerous game by the ruling party, which will have a far-reaching impact. If democracy in this country has to be saved, there has to be a level-playing ground. The three senior leaders were flanked by Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh and AICC treasurer Ajay Maken at the press conference. "The BJP has looted donations given to the Congress party by the common public by freezing our accounts and forcibly withdrawing 115.32 crore from them," Maken alleged. The Supreme Court on Thursday said it cannot stay the law on the appointment of the election commissioners at this stage as it could create chaos before the elections. The Supreme Court of India The decision comes days after the Supreme Court refused to stay the appointments of new election commissioners (ECs) under a 2023 law that excluded the chief justice of India from the selection panel. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. A bench of justices Sanjiv Khanna, Dipankar Datta and Augustine George Masih had told the petitioners, who pointed out that a meeting for the selection of ECs was preponed, to file a separate application pointing out the fact. Observing that the election commission is not under the thumb of executive, the apex court on Thursday also refused to grant any interim stay on the operation of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Terms of Office) Act, 2023. The top court said it would examine the main petitions challenging the validity of the 2023 Act and asked the Centre to file its response within six weeks and posted the matter for hearing on August 5. "At the stage, we cannot stay the legislation or suspend it operation. It would lead to chaos and uncertainty and we cannot do it (stay) by way of an interim order. There are no allegations against the new election commissioners," the bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta told the petitioners who have challenged the new law. The petitioners were also seeking a stay on the appointment of new election commissioners. "We are dismissing the applications for stay on the appointment," the bench said. Observing that it cannot be denied that election commissioners should be independent and fair, the bench said polls have been held since Independence and the country has had very good election commissioners in the past. It noted that earlier election commissioners were appointed by the executive and now, they are being appointed under a law. The top court said the 2023 verdict of its constitution bench nowhere said there has to be a member from the judiciary in the selection panel for appointment of election commissioners in the new law. It said the intent of the 2023 verdict, which proposed a selection panel comprising the prime minister, the Leader of Opposition and the Chief Justice of India, was for a period till Parliament enacts a law. The verdict was intended to nudge Parliament to enact law as there was a "vacuum" and it didn't say what kind of law should be made, the bench said. During the hearing, the bench questioned the Centre over the procedure adopted for appointment of two new election commissioners. It said the selection committee should have been given more time to apply its mind on the appointment of election commissioners. "The search committee for appointment of election commissioners should have been given a fair share of time to understand the background of candidates," the bench observed. Retired IAS officers Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu were recently appointed as election commissioners. The appointments came ahead of the Lok Sabha polls starting on April 19. (With inputs from agencies) Sonia Gandhi on Thursday launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the Congress trained its guns on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party over the "freezing" of the party's bank accounts. Addressing a rare joint press conference with party president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi said there has been a systematic effort by PM Modi to cripple the Congress financially. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge with party leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi briefs the media, at AICC headquarters, in New Delhi.(PTI) "The issue we are taking up today is extremely serious. The issue affects not just the Indian National Congress but the democracy itself. A systematic effort is underway by the Prime Minister to cripple the Indian National Congress financially," Sonia Gandhi said. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Sonia Gandhi alleged that on one hand, there is an electoral bonds issue and on the other, the finances of the principal opposition party are under assault. Also Read: Sonia, Rahul Gandhi lead charge against Modi govt over I-T action | 5 points Funds collected from the public are being frozen and money from our accounts is being taken away forcibly. However, even under these most challenging circumstances, we are doing our very best to maintain the effectiveness of our election campaign, she said. This, we all believe, is unprecedented and undemocratic, Sonia Gandhi added. No level playing field for polls: Mallikarjun Kharge Kharge said it was a dangerous game and demanded a level playing field. "The Supreme Court called electoral bonds illegal and unconstitutional. Under that scheme, the present ruling party filled its accounts with thousands and crores of rupees. On the other hand, under a conspiracy, the bank account of the main opposition party has been frozen. So that, in the absence of funds, there is no level-playing field in contesting the elections," Kharge said on Thursday. Also Read: Rahul Gandhi slams Centre, says 'Congress bank accounts frozen, can't campaign' The Congress president added, If democracy in this country has to be saved, there has to be a level playing ground. Kharge stressed that it is essential for a democracy that elections are conducted impartially. "The Lok Sabha elections have been announced. It is essential for a democracy that elections are conducted in an impartial manner and a level playing ground is provided to all political parties. It should not be that ED, I-T and other autonomous bodies are controlled. In the last few days, after intervention by SC, the facts about electoral bonds which have emerged have hurt the image of the country," he added. The Congress chief further added that the BJP-led government is collecting money through various loopholes and claimed that they have 5-star offices and use flights for each meeting. He further said that he does not want to mention how the BJP took money from some companies adding that the truth will be before us soon. Kharge appealed to constitutional bodies that they should allow their party to access bank accounts if they want free, fair polls. "I appeal to the constitutional institutions that if they want free and fair elections, then they should allow us to freely access our bank accounts. No political party comes under the purview of income tax," he said. TMC leader Sagarika Ghose has reacted to the Election Commission of India's direction asking the central government to stop sending 'Viksit Bharat' messages on WhatsApp. Terming it "too little, too late", she alleged that the BJP was given access to a government database of telephone numbers. TMC leader Sagarika Ghose has reacted to the Election Commission of India's direction asking the central government to stop sending 'Viksit Bharat' messages on WhatsApp. (File photo) "Too little, too late. The fact is that the Trinamool Congress has been repeatedly raising that how is it that the BJP's campaign message on 'Viksit Bharat' is reaching millions of Indians, not only in India but in the UAE by getting access to a government database of telephone numbers. How did the BJP get access to a government database? We have been raising this for two days," said Ghose as quoted by news agency PTI. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. ALSO READ| Central government reaches out to masses on WhatsApp, seeks feedback Model Code of Conduct (MCC) is in place after ECI announced the schedule of the upcoming Lok Sabha Election 2024. Meanwhile, ministry of electronics and information technology (MeitY) has informed the poll commission that the WhatsApp messages were sent before MCC came into force. In response, MeitY had informed the commission that although the letters were sent out before MCC came into force, some of them could have possibly been delivered to recipients with a delay because of systemic and network limitations, the poll body said. ECI also shared the importance of its latest move directing the government on the issue of the 'Viksit Bharat' messages on WhatsApp. The move is a part of a series of decisions taken by the Commission to ensure a level-playing field, said ECI. ALSO READ| WhatsApp, social media influencers emerge as go to campaign mediums as parties sound poll bugle What the 'Viksit Bharat' messages on WhatsApp was about ? In the letter, issued on the eve of the announcement of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024, the PM said: I need and indeed, look forward to your ideas, suggestions and support as we work to fulfil the resolve of building a Viksit Bharat. The letter addressed recipients as my dear family members , in line with the BJPs Modi Ka Parivaar (Modis family) initiative. Our partnership is at the threshold of completing a decade. The trust and support of 140 crore Indians inspires and motivates me, said the Prime Minister in the letter. NEW DELHI: The Congress party on Thursday rallied its top three leaders, party president Mallikarjun Kharge and former presidents Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, to launch a frontal attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing the government of virtually freezing the partys bank accounts. : Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and party leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi brief the media, at AICC headquarters, in New Delhi (HT Photo/Raj K Raj) A systematic effort is underway by the PM to cripple Indian National Congress financially, former president Sonia Gandhi said at a rare joint Press conference on Thursday. Rahul Gandhi added: This is a criminal action on the Congress by the PM and the home minister. This type of activity doesnt happen without them in todays India. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. This is the first time that the three top leaders held a joint Press conference. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge contrasted the Congresss inability to operate its account to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) amassing huge resources through electoral bonds and other means. This cant be called a free and fair election, Kharge said. In the 75 years of Indias democratic system, no other party has amassed so much money (as the BJP). For the first time, the government is making money in various ways. Every meeting (of the BJP) is so expensive, Opposition parties cant spend even 10% of it. I dont want to say, how BJP has taken money from different parties. I hope that the truth will be divulged. I want to appeal, if you want an impartial election, our partys account should be freed. BJP has never paid any income tax. We are waiting for the final decision of the law. Rahul appealed to the Election Commission to intervene. The idea that India is a democracy is a lie. This is being orchestrated to cripple us in this election. Even if our bank accounts are unfrozen, huge damage has been done. It is ridiculous. It is the duty of all institutions to protect democracy. You are being robbed of a democratic asset, democratic architecture. This is criminal action by PM on Congress. Last month, the income tax department blocked 65 crore from Congress current accounts against the lien of 210 crore imposed on the Congress by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, virtually freezing the partys accounts as the Congress couldnt give the entire lien amount. The Congress went to Delhi high court but didnt get any favourable order. The party now plans to go to the Supreme Court. While the Congress is still grappling with the IT department blocking 65 crore of a case related to FY 2017-18, the party got a fresh notice over IT discrepancies in 1994-95, which was the era of Sitaram Kesri. It is important to have a level playing ground for all parties and for all of them to have the same level of resources. It cant be that the ruling party should have a monopoly over resources and control over media and IT, ED (Enforcement Directorate) and other autonomous bodies, said Kharge. On one hand, the ruling party has received thousands of crores. On the other hand, the biggest opposition partys bank accounts are frozen. This is being done to not allow other parties to contest. The Congress leadership said that they were unable to book flights for its leaders or advertisement spaces due to the shortage of funds arising out of the tax departments move. After party treasurer Ajay Maken underlined that the quantum of the disputed amount is just 14 lakh but the penalty is 210 crore, Rahul Gandhi said, The is a punishment on our entire financial identity. There are institutions to protect our democratic framework. But the EC has not said, wait a minute, you have frozen the bank account of the largest opposition party. We have already lost a month. We are unable to prepare for our election. Maken asked what sort of a democracy India has if the opposition could not print pamphlets or book advertisements. Last week, we got a notice for Sitaram Kesaris term. Now, they will freeze more funds. Every political party is exempted from I-T. Why is the Congress targeted? In a statement, the Congress said, The BJP has looted the donations given to the Congress party by the common public by freezing our accounts and forcibly withdrawing 115.32 crores from them. No political party, including the BJP, pays income tax, yet the Congress partys 11 bank accounts were frozen. Why? It also said, For a notice for FY 2017-18, a lien on 210 crore was made in our 11 accounts in 4 Banks. The reason given is, that 14.49 lakh was received in cash (as donations made by our MPs to the Congress party), out of total receipt of 199 crore. This cash component is just 0.07% of the total donations. And the punishment was 106%! In her statement, Sonia Gandhi said, The issue we are taking up today is extremely serious. This issue affects not just the Congress, but impacts our democracy most fundamentally. A systematic effort is underway by the PM to cripple the INC financially. Funds from the public are frozen and money from our accounts is being taken away forcibly. However, even under these most challenging circumstances, we are doing our very best to maintain the effectiveness of our poll campaigning. The BJP rejected the criticism. BJP president JP Nadda said the Congresss top leadership ranted against Indian democracy and institutions because the party was going to be totally rejected by the people. They are conveniently blaming their irrelevance on financial troubles. In reality, their bankruptcy is moral and intellectual, not financial. Instead of correcting their own errors, Congress is blaming authorities for their troubles. Be it the ITAT or the Delhi HC, they have asked the Congress to comply with the rules, pay the taxes due but the Party never did so, Nadda said in a post on X, formerly Twitter. The United States said it recognises Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territory and strongly opposes any unilateral attempts by China to advance its territorial claims across the Line of Actual Control. Prime Minister Narendra Modi with US President Joe Biden, in New Delhi on Friday. (PTI) Days after the Chinese military reiterated its claim over Arunachal Pradesh following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit there, state department principal deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel, at his daily press conference on Wednesday, said, The United States recognises Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territory and we strongly oppose any unilateral attempts to advance territorial claims by incursions or encroachments, military or civilian, across the Line of Actual Control. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The statement from the Joe Biden administration came after Chinese defence ministry spokesman senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang earlier this week claimed that the southern part of Xizang (the Chinese name for Tibet) is an inherent part of China's territory, and Beijing never acknowledges and firmly opposes the so-called Arunachal Pradesh illegally established by India. China, which claims Arunachal Pradesh as South Tibet, routinely objects to Indian leaders' visits to the state to highlight its claims. Beijing has also named the area Zangnan. India has repeatedly rejected China's territorial claims over Arunachal Pradesh, stating that the northeastern state is an integral part of the country. New Delhi has dismissed Beijing's move to assign invented names to the area, saying it did not alter the reality. The ministry of external affairs on Tuesday said it has noted the latest comments made by the spokesperson of the Chinese defence ministry advancing absurd claims over the territory of Arunachal Pradesh and asserted that the state was, is and will always be an integral and inalienable part of India. On March 9, Modi dedicated to the nation the Sela Tunnel built at an altitude of 13,000 feet in Arunachal Pradesh that will provide all-weather connectivity to strategically located Tawang and is expected to ensure better movement of troops along the frontier region. Dreaded history-sheeter Ashok Mahto is hitting headlines for having tied the nuptial knot in his late 50s during what Hindus believe an inauspicious season for weddings. This after a reported assurance from the Rashtriya Janata Dal that the party will give a ticket to a family member from the Munger Lok Sabha seat, currently held by former Janata Dal (United) president Rajiv Ranjan Singh aka Lalan Singh. Netflix web series Khakee: The Bihar Chapter is said to be inspired by Ashok Mahto gang war. ALSO READ- In Bihar, Chirag Paswan has the last laugh Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Who is Ashok Mahto? 1. Ashok Mahto, a notorious criminal in the Nawada-Shekhpura area, has a long history of criminal activities, including involvement in gang wars and murders. He came out of jail after serving 17 years in jail. 2. Ashok Mahto got married to Anita Kumari of Bariyarpur village in Lakshisarai district. There is speculation that the RJD may field his wife as a candidate for the Munger Lok Sabha seat, according to HT's sister publication Live Hindustan. 3. Ashok Mahto's gang has been involved in numerous violent conflicts, including a decade-long bloody feud with another notorious criminal, Akhilesh Singh, over control of the sand and stone business. This rivalry resulted in the deaths of over 200 people. 4. Ashok Mahto has a history of legal troubles, including being accused of the murder of former Begusarai MP Rajo Singh and the attempted assassination of Shekhpura MLA Randhir Soni. ALSO READ- Rohini Acharya, Lalu Yadav's daughter who donated kidney to ex-Bihar CM, may contest Lok Sabha polls: Report 5. Ashok Mahto's criminal activities have had a significant impact on local politics, with his gang reportedly receiving support from the political class. His conflicts have taken on a caste dimension, with Bhumihars aligning with Akhilesh Singh and backward communities supporting Ashok Mahto. ALSO READ- Patna HC refuses to quash FIR against IPS officer Amit Lodha in DA case Ashok Mahto's link with Netflix web series Khakee The Bihar Chapter In November 2022, Netflix released the web series Khakee: The Bihar Chapter, which was inspired by the non-fiction crime book 'Bihar Diaries: The True Story of How Bihar's Most Dangerous Criminal Was Caught,' written by Indian Police officer Amit Lodha in 2018. The series portrays the clash between IPS Lodha and Ashok Mahto. China welcomes Australia to make policies independently: Chinese FM Xinhua) 13:34, March 21, 2024 SYDNEY, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said here on Thursday that China welcomes Australia, an ally of the United States, also a partner of China, and more importantly a sovereign nation, to make policies independently based on its own fundamental interests. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks while meeting with former Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating. Wang appreciated Keating's lasting attention and support for the development of China-Australia ties, saying that as the two countries are situated in the Asia-Pacific region with their economies complementary to each other and interests intertwined, China and Australia should foster mutual understanding and trust to attain win-win cooperation. Wang noted that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Australia comprehensive strategic partnership, which provides a pivotal occasion to summarize past experiences and forge ahead into the future. With joint efforts by both sides, China-Australia relations are returning to the right track. Wang expressed the willingness of the Chinese side to work with their Australian counterparts to promote a more mature, stable, and fruitful China-Australia comprehensive strategic partnership in a bid to better benefit the people of the two countries and the whole region. China's growth follows a robust internal logic and is in accordance with historical development trends. "The Chinese path to modernization is a major contribution to the progress of human civilization, and we are willing to share development opportunities with other countries including Australia," said Wang. For his part, Keating said that China enjoys a huge economy with extensive potential for development, which poses no threat to other countries and is conducive to regional peace and stability. Believing in the unstoppable progress of China's development, Keating voiced confidence in the promising outlook of Australia-China relations. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Amid suspense over who the Congress will field from Uttar Pradesh's prestigious Amethi, Rae Bareli, and Varanasi seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, the grand old party has, according to ABP News, deliberated upon some names to give ticket to from these parliamentary segments. Hyderabad: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi with party's general secretary Priyanka Gandhi and other leaders during a roadshow ahead of the Telangana Assembly elections, at Malkajgiri in Hyderabad, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023. (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi won Varanasi in the previous 2019 elections and 2014, while Amethi is held by Union minister Smriti Irani, who, in 2019, denied Congress leader Rahul Gandhi a fourth successive term from here. In fact, the party's only winning candidate from the state was its former chief, Sonia Gandhi, from Rae Bareli. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. For the upcoming polls, Rahul Gandhi's candidature has already been announced from Kerala's Wayanad, which he contested simultaneously with Amethi five years ago, and won. His sister, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, meanwhile was projected to make her electoral debut from their mother's Rae Bareli constituency, which is now vacant following Sonia Gandhi's election to the Rajya Sabha. The siblings, however, are extremely unlikely to contest from the country's most populous state, which has the highest representation (80) in the 543-seat Lok Sabha. Under an agreement with the Samajwadi Party (SP), the Congress will fight on 17 constituencies, while the rest will be with the Akhilesh Yadav-led SP. Amethi While national spokesperson Supriya Shrinate was reportedly discussed as a potential candidate, it is believed that she informed the party that she will not contest the polls. Other names that were discussed include Rampur Khas MLA Aradhana Mishra Mona, ex-MLC Deepak Singh, Vijay Pasi, among others. Rae Bareli The name of Swami Parsad Maurya, who resigned from the SP and floated his own political outfit, was discussed as potential nominee. Varanasi National spokesperson Pawan Khera, who was arrested last year for alleged derogatory comments on PM Modi, could face the prime minister from here. Alternatively, the party could field Ajay Rai, who heads its UP unit, and came third in both 2014 and 2019. Who has the BJP fielded? PM Modi and minister Smriti Irani will fight from their respective seats again. The ruling party, however, is yet to declare its Rae Bareli candidate. Like the US, Germany has fallen behind in the annual World Happiness ranking. Especially young people don't appear to be doing as well as they did before. In Germany, young people are less happy than the elderly (Khosrow Rajab Kordi/Zoonar/picture alliance ) While Finland again tops the ranking in the annual "World Happiness Report, "Germany has fallen behind. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. In Germany, people are not unhappier than in previous years, but people elsewhere have surpassed them. That puts Germany at 24th and only 47th among people under the age of 30. A similar trend is seen in the United States, which overall ranks 23rd. That's the first time the US has fallen out of the top 20 due to significant unhappiness among younger people. ALSO READ: Finland ranked world's happiest country for seventh year Costa Rica and Kuwait have moved into the top 10, which no longer include any of the largest countries. Only the Netherlands and Australia are the only countries in the top 10 that have populations over 15 million. The report was compiled on behalf of the United Nations and based on data from Gallup, the leading American polling organization. It asked people in 143 countries and territories to evaluate their lives on a scale from zero to 10, taking into account factors such as GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom, generosity and corruption. Why are Germans unhappy? This year's report is based on data from 2021 to 2023, which covers some of the pandemic years and Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. "Perhaps the German public reacts much more sensitively to the outbreak of war than other populations due to our history," said Hilke Brockmann, a social scientist at Constructor University Bremen, in northern Germany. "Perhaps this also results in this German angst," she added. Researchers in Germany who track public mood had already noted a deviation between socioeconomic situation and personal sense of well-being. Brockmann attributes the country's relatively lackluster ranking to macro policies. "You have to take into account that the German state is not particularly generous. The austerity policy pursued in Germany is certainly not particularly conducive to happiness," she told DW. "The malfunctioning of public infrastructure doesn't necessarily contribute to happiness either." Compare that to Scandinavian and Nordic countries, she said, where the social safety net is wider and thicker and so "creates a kind of basic solidarity that may be somewhat lacking in conservative welfare states like Germany." The young and the old: Who's happier? This year, the report also took age into consideration. In Germany, Norway, Sweden, France, the United Kingdom and Spain, the old are now significantly happier than the young, while Portugal and Greece show the reverse pattern. The results upend the long-held belief that younger people are happier and that their happiness wears off later in life as they realize that expectations go unfulfilled later on. Sociologist Brockmann notes that strong partnerships add to one's happiness and are more often established as one gets older. The World Happiness Report has come out every year since 2012, when the UN adopted Bhutan's emphasis on public happiness and created the International Day of Happiness on March 20. Holika Dahan 2024: Holi, the Festival Of Colours, is one of the most auspicious festivals of the Hindu religion after Diwali. It celebrates the eternal love and devotion between Radha and Lord Krishna. A day before Rangowali Holi, Hindus mark the festival of Choti Holi or Holika Dahan. It is a significant day as it commemorates the victory of good over evil. The celebrations begin on the night before Holi, with people gathering outside their homes with relatives, friends and community members to light the Holika bonfire. It is a reminder of the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and happiness over sorrow. To celebrate the festival, you must know its correct date, history, significance, city-wise muhurat, puja vidhi, samagri, and more. Choti Holi 2024: Know Holika Dahan date, history, significance, shubh muhurat, puja vidhi, samagri and more. (HT Photo) Choti Holi 2024 Date: When is Holika Dahan; Shubh Muhurat This year, Choti Holi or Holika Dahan falls on March 24. Meanwhile, Holi falls a day after on March 25. The Holika Dahan muhurat will begin at 11:13 pm on March 24 and end at 12:27 am on March 25. The muhurat will last for 1 hour and 14 minutes. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Bhadra Punch is from 6:33 pm to 7:53 pm Bhadra Mukh is from 7:53 pm to 10:06 pm Purnima Tithi begins at 9:54 am on March 24 Purnima Tithi Ends at 12:29 pm on March 25 Choti Holi 2024 Puja Vidhi and Samagri: Holika Dahan celebrations begin in the night. Hindus perform Holika Puja by lighting up a bonfire outside their home. They gather with their friends relatives, and community members to burn Holika effigies in the evening or late at night. It marks the victory of good over evil, light over darkness, and happiness over sorrow. They worship the place where wood is collected to burn Holika, wrap the wood with white thread three or seven times, and sprinkle holy water, kumkum and flowers on it. They also roast green cereals in the Holika fire. One needs a list of samagri to perform Holika Dahan, which includes a glass of holy water (Gangajal), a garland made of cow dung, akshat, flowers, garlands, roli, moli, jaggery, turmeric, moong, batashe, gulal, coconut, and wheat baaliyan. Choti Holi 2024 History and Significance: The legends say the demon king, Hiranyakashipu, was blessed with the boon that no man or animal could kill him. Mad with power, Hiranyakashipu ruled over his subjects and forced them to worship him as their only God. However, Hiranyakashipu's son was devoted to Lord Vishnu and refused to follow his father's commands. Hiranyakashipu became angry with his son and asked his sister, Holika, to kill him. Holika, blessed with a boon of a flame-shielding cloth from Lord Brahma, wore it and sat on a pyre with Prahlad to kill him. However, Prahlad prayed to Lord Vishnu to protect him - summoning a wind that transferred the shawl to Prahlad. Holika burned in the flamed, and her end signifies the victory of good over evil. Holika Dahan is as significant as Holi to Hindus in many parts of the country. On this day, Hindus burn effigies of Holika to signify the victory of good over evil and celebrate Prahalad's devotion to Lord Vishnu. Additionally, Holika puja brings power, prosperity, and wealth to the family. It is also believed that people can burn all their fears in the Holika fire to make a new, fearless start. Happy World Poetry Day: "Practiced throughout history in every culture and every continent poetry speaks to our common humanity and our shared values, transforming the simplest of poems into a powerful catalyst for dialogue and peace," says the official page of UNESCO. Indeed, Poetry is a creative form that gives writers the ability to express deeply felt feelings, experiences, and hope. It shows that despite the divisions and disparities, much of what we feel and experience is similar, and so is our relationship with nature. Poetry Day honours poets and aims to revive the art of poetry, the practice of reading poetry, and writing poetry. To celebrate, you must know the date, history, significance and why we celebrate it. You can also find wishes, quotes and Facebook and WhatsApp status suggestions inside. World Poetry Day 2024 date, history, significance, theme, wishes, quotes, Facebook and WhatsApp status, and why is it celebrated. (Freepik) World Poetry Day 2024 Date: World Poetry Day falls on March 21. The day aims to honour poets and bring back the practice of poetry readings. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. World Poetry Day 2024 History and Significance: The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) decided to celebrate World Poetry Day annually during its 30th General Conference in Paris in 1999. Earlier, many countries marked the day in October. Even after the UNESCO declaration in 1999, some countries still celebrate Poetry Day on October 15, on the birthday of the Roman poet Virgil - famous for his epic poem Aeneid. World Poetry Day is devoted to supporting "linguistic diversity using poetic expression", according to the UN. Most UN member nations now observe this day to converge the art of poetry with other creative art forms like theatre, painting and dancing. The day aims to give voices to poems of endangered languages. World Poetry Day 2024 Theme: Standing on the Shoulders of Giants is the theme for World Poetry Day in 2024. The theme aims to highlight the iconic writers of the past whose trailblazing work enlarged the footprint of poetry across cultures. World Poetry Day 2024 Wishes, Messages and Facebook and WhatsApp Status: A poet combines the past, present, and future to create poetry that will last forever. Happy World Poetry Day. "Poetry, like jazz, is one of those dazzling diamonds of creative industry that help human beings make sense out of the comedies and tragedies that contextualize our lives." - Aberjhani. There is something so exceptionally beautiful about poetry that makes it special. Wishing a Happy Poetry Day to you. "Genuine poetry can communicate before it is understood."- TS Eliot. You can never get bored of life if you have poetry to inspire you to live a better life every day. Warm wishes on the occasion of World Poetry Day to you. "Only the very weak-minded refuse to be influenced by literature and poetry." - Cassandra Clare. On this World Poetry Day, let's resolve to keep the glory and beauty of poetry alive. Happy World Poetry Day. "Poetry and beauty are always making peace. When you read something beautiful you find coexistence; it breaks walls down." - Mahmoud Darwish. Poetry is the only language that the heart understands. Write a poem and express yourself on this special day. Happy World Poetry Day 2024! "Painting is poetry that is seen rather than felt, and poetry is painting that is felt rather than seen." - Leonardo da Vinci. World Water Day 2024: Water is extremely important for our lives. From drinking to cooking to bathing, water is a natural resource that is irreplaceable in our daily lives. Most of the water that we use for day-to-day activities comes from groundwater. Natural resources play a very important role in ensuring that we have a stable and healthy lifestyle. The importance of freshwater is optimal for good health. Freshwater ensures that we stay healthy, fit and fine. With the rising population, the usage of groundwater is increasing while the availability of water is going down. We need to buckle up and work together in preserving groundwater to ensure that we do not run out of one of the most important natural resources. Every year, World Water Day is observed on March 22.(HT Archive) ALSO READ: Groundwater: India is on the right preservation path Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. As we gear up to celebrate World Water Day for this year, here are a few things that we must remember: Date: Every year, World Water Day is observed on March 22. This year, the special day falls on a Friday. History: In 1993, the United Nations General Assembly decided that a day should be dedicated to creating awareness about the conservation and significance of fresh water in our lives. Since 1993, March 22 has been observed as World Water Day. Significance: "World Water Day celebrates water and inspires action to tackle the global water crisis. A core focus of World Water Day is to support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6: water and sanitation for all by 2030. World Water Day is an annual United Nations Observance held on 22 March focusing on the importance of freshwater, coordinated by UN-Water and led by one or more UN-Water Members and Partners with a related mandate," wrote the United Nations on their official website. The day aims to create conversations and raise awareness about the importance of saving water. If you are planning to be in Goa between March 26 and April 8, shun the cliched touristy things, Partake in unusual Goan festivals that celebrate and showcase traditional culture and rituals - from a joyful horse dance to walking on embers, a festival of thieves and even (you aint heard of this!) Shisha Ranni, a festival in which rice is cooked by keeping the cooking utensil upon the heads of three men who lay on the ground to form a traditional cooking place. Planning to be in Goa for Good Friday/Easter holidays? Do not miss these unusual(Unsplash) 1. Shigmo Festival (various Goan cities): Shigmo, or Shishirotsava is a spring festival that celebrates Hindu mythology, traditional dances, and folklore. A float parade winds its way down the streets once the sun sets and the lights come on. The music is typically dhol, taasha and kasale. It has two variations: Dhakto Shigmo (small Shigmo) and Vhadlo Shigmo (big Shigmo). Dhakto Shigmo is primarily celebrated by farmers, labourers, and rural communities, while Vhadlo Shigmo is a larger-scale celebration involving everyone. This year it will be celebrated from March 26 to April 8 and will be held in 14 different places on different dates Ponda, Calangute, Sanquelim, Valpoi, Panaji, Porvorim, Bicholim, Pernem, Canacona, Vasco, Shiroda/Curchorem, Quepem/Dharbandora, Margao, Mapusa/Sanguem, and Cuncolim. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. 2. Xenni Uzzo (Molcornem Sanguem): Annually, on the first full moon night following Shigmo, the village of Molcornem in Quepem becomes the stage for an age-old ceremony known as Xenni Uzzo. This ritual serves dual purpose: it honours the village's founding figures and beliefs while also commemorating the spring harvest festival. Utilising natural resources, such as dry cow dung cakes, locally termed as Xenni, and leaves, they generate sparks, referred to as uzzo, by striking these elements together. Encircling the resultant fire, villagers partake in spirited dances, while men transport areca nut tree trunks from carefully selected plantations near the Mallikarjun temple. 3. Ghode Modni (Thane, Sattari): Ghode (literally, horse) Modni (literally, joyful) is a centuries-old tradition that showcases a spectacular display of horsemanship and martial arts, with performers dressed as warriors riding decorated horses. The rhythmic sound of hooves and the colourful attire of the performers create a captivating spectacle. The Ghode Modni folk dance is a significant highlight of the Shigmo festival, celebrated during the harvest season in Goa. 4. Chorotsav (Zarme): Chorotsav, also known as the 'festival of thieves,' is a quirky celebration held in the village of Zarme in Sattari Taluka. Locals dress up as mischievous thieves and engage in playful antics - from mock robberies to comedic performances. At the festival, four participants are buried with only their heads protruding, while another four have their heads submerged in pits. This symbolic act represents a tragic incident from ancient past when thieves were mistakenly executed. 5. Homkund Utsav (Charao): In the quaint village of Charao, locals gather to perform age-old rituals that pay homage to their ancestors and seek blessings for prosperity and well-being. The festival entails igniting a pyramidal stack of wood, typically measuring around five to six feet in height. Once the wood is reduced to smouldering ashes, local men and boys participate in a remarkable ritual, traversing barefoot across the scorching embers to the rhythmic accompaniment of traditional percussion instruments like the dhol, tasha, and cymbals. 6. Shisha Ranni (Canacona): Held at Shri Mallikarjun Temple, Avem-Khotigao in Canacona, Shisharanni is a ritual in which rice is cooked by keeping the cooking utensil upon the heads of three men who lay on the ground to form a traditional cooking place. Three villagers from Canacona taluka's Gaondongorim voluntarily offer their heads as makeshift stoves for cooking rice over a wood fire. The heads of these chosen three are covered with a wet cloth and layers of plantain trunk. The branches of the Shisha tree are burnt under the pot, creating a replica of a traditional cooking stove. Shri Mallikarjun Temples are located at three different places in Canacona at Shristhal , Canacona, main temple and Gaodongrim village and the rituals of Shisharanni happen once in three years at each of these temples. Good to know: It can get crowded and parking can be a challenge, check with the hotel concierge about travel and traffic advisory. Cabs are expensive, renting a car/two wheeler is a better option. Two-wheelers are not allowed on a few bridges, you can be heavily penalised for breaking the rule. Wear helmet, carry the vehicle documents. It can get very hot during the day, carry hat, umbrella, slather sunscreen. World Water Day (WWD) is observed on March 22 every year, to spur action on protecting water for future use. WWD 2024 revolves around the theme Leveraging water for peace, which deals with waters role in global harmony. In many countries, communities and families below the poverty level are also without safe and easily accessible water. Clean water access, thus, is a stepping stone to economic growth. Globally, the water picture is far from rosy. One in three people already live without access to safe drinking water, and by 2050, about 5.7 billion people will be living in areas where there is no access to water for at least one month a year. By 2040, global water demand is expected to increase by more than 50%. Given how extreme weather events impact water availability, if global warming is restricted to 1.5 degree Celsius above the pre-industrial level, related water stress could be halved. Out of a total of 192.7 million households in India, 144.5 million (March 5, 2024) rural households have received tap water connections. The states/Union Territories (UTs) that achieved 100% connections in rural areas are Haryana, Telangana, Gujarat, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Goa, Puducherry, and Arunachal Pradesh. Rajasthan (47%) and West Bengal (45%), on the other hand, havent achieved even 50% tap water coverage. Once access to water is ensured, rural households can use the time spent earlier for water collection on productive engagement. Analysis of Jal Jeevan Mission data shows that the employment generation potential during the construction stage of tap water connections is on average 5.99 million person-years in direct employment, and 22.2 million person-years in indirect employment. The operation and maintenance stage adds another 1.11 million person-years in direct employment annually. Water can help fight poverty too as it plays a critical role in ensuring food security. Agriculture accounts for more than 70% of water consumed in the country, and the employment of the poor in this sector helps in alleviating poverty. Irrigation helps raise crop intensity and per-hectare yield, which consequently expands the need for labour and contributes to employment generation while raising rural real wages. Resolving water disputes and conflicts among states over sharing of water from inter-state rivers can ensure peace. Since Independence, conflicts among states in this regard have been on the rise. These have often acquired political overtones, as seen in the case of Cauvery water sharing between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, and in the case of the Sutlej link canal dispute between Punjab and Haryana. High water demand spurs conflicts between states, and there is little realisation that water resources are finite. Amicable water sharing will bring peace among the countries too. For instance, the 1960 Indus Water Treaty between India and Pakistan has settled some of the issues, as has the Ganga Water Treaty 1996 between India and Bangladesh. There is a need to accelerate tap water coverage in states/UT where the progress is not satisfactory. Empowering Nari Shakti for interactive decision-making through paani samitis and water and sanitation committees should be the guiding principle for water access. Agricultural water use has been on the rise over the years, with a low use efficiency of about 40%. Crop diversification, changing the crop calendar, enhancing water use efficiency through the use of drip and sprinkler irrigation, and better agro-economic practices should be adopted extensively to conserve water. The water saved can then be reallocated to other high-demand sectors for spurring employment and poverty reduction. A basin authority should be set up for every river in India, with its jurisdiction extending across states. Statutory powers should be given to such authorities for sustainable water management. In the absence of such authority, the Inter-State River Water Disputes (ISRWD) Act, 1956 should be reviewed. A Bill to amend this Act is under the consideration of Parliament, which proposes to empower the Union government to constitute a dispute settlement committee for amicable settlement of disputes among states. The Bill calls for the setting up of an Inter-State Water Dispute Tribunal for adjudication of water disputes with multiple benches and mandates that the tribunals order will have the same force as that of a Supreme Court order, which is binding on the parties. The progressive amendment of the ISRWD Act should be given priority in the coming years for peaceful resolution of water disputes. SK Sarkar is distinguished fellow, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), and former secretary, ministry of water resources, Government of India. The views expressed are personal Unlike last week (when Id pointed it out, in a sense of despair), I start our conversation on a cheerful note. Nvidia just extended its superiority in the AI chip space, by quite some margin. Again. Succeeding the H100 AI chip, which played its part in helping the tech giant touch $2 trillion in valuation earlier this year (if you hadnt noticed, there is a gentle pivot from gaming and graphics focus, to AI processing), is the Nvidia GB200 Grace Blackwell superchip thats two Blackwell B200 Tensor Core GPUs and the Grace CPU (complete technicalities here, in case youd like to read), with a 900GB/s ultra-low-power NVLink chip-to-chip interconnect. The winners? NVIDIA - the big winner Nvidia of course. And organisations, which will now use less hardware and less power, to train AI models. According to data, to training a 1.8 trillion parameter model, it would have required as many as 8,000 previous generation Hopper GPUs, totalling power consumption to about 15 megawatts fast forward to now, the same task can be done with 2,000 Blackwell GPUs, whilst consuming 4 megawatts. A significant step forward, syncing processing power and reduced power consumption, as AI models become more and more complex. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. REGULATE This cannot happen quickly enough, and the good news is, theres little lethargy to hold it back. Artificial intelligence (AI) regulations saw progress towards the end of last year. The Bletchley Declaration at the UK AI Safety Summit, US President Joe Biden signing an executive order and the G7 agreement on a code of conduct for AI companies (you can ready my piece from the time) made crucial first moves in regulating generative AI, coinciding with its much broader availability. Now, the European Commission has sent in what they call requests for information, to big tech platforms, on how they are reducing generative AI risks. Thats a subtle way of saying, a grilling on the facts and policies, is overdue. The requests have been sent with the Digital Services Act (DSA) acting as the foundation. Who all have the requests been sent to? The DSA notices categorise these platforms in two distinct segments the Very Large Online Search Engines, or VLOSEs including Google Search and Microsoft Bing, as well as Very Large Online Platforms, or VLOPs including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, and X. This is what the EU is looking to understand, and if not already, ensure tech platforms have fail-safes in place Mitigation measures for risks linked to generative AI, such as so-called hallucinations' where AI provides false information. There is also the not-so-small matter of deepfakes and how easily they go viral on social media platforms with little checks to stall that. With 2024 the year of elections in many, many countries, there is obviously concern about how digital platforms may be ripe for manipulation with communication sent to users (who are voters, in the grand scheme of things). The notices focus is broad based the European Commission wants information on dissemination of illegal content, protection of fundamental rights, gender-based violence, protection of minors, mental well-being, protection of personal data, consumer protection and intellectual property. Whether willingly or to be dragged kicking and scheming, must respond to the European Commission by April 5 with details related to the protection of elections, and by April 26 for remaining queries. Analysis by consultancy firm Deloitte expects that with the first half of this year, Europes regulation on generative AI will become far clearer. Their estimation is that when the final version of the EU AI Act (AIA) is confirmed, there may be specific requirements included including foundation models being registered in an EU database, clarity on a models lifecycle and testing data on predictability, interpretability, corrigibility, safety, and cybersecurity, as well as data governance standards which will dictate access of quality data alongside assessment of bias. Days earlier, India has moved to quickly simplify some AI requirements that were announced very recently there is now no need to get a permit for untested generative AI models, but the focus has now shifted to a need for labelling AI generated content which everyone hopes would make it easier to identify this AI content from actual photos, videos or music, when shared on different platforms. Thats a question I had pondered over recently. Meta, OpenAI and the Adobe led Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity (C2PA) seem bullish on the idea. Yet, these pursuits seem more like island, living in their own isolation. Take for example, the fake images of Taylor Swift that did rounds on many platforms recently X (formerly Twitter) could only control the spread of Taylor Swifts fake images by completely blocking any search for the phrase Taylor Swift, indicates how powerless their own systems were in checking the eventual virality. And we could point the same finger at Telegram or 4chan, either of which are believed to be the source of these fake(d) generations. NOTICE Representational Image Quite a contrast to how Apple usually makes announcements these days. Some researchers at Apple have (rather) quietlypublished a paper that details the work done on whats thus far called MM1. Think of this as a family of multimodal models. For starters, by sharing MM1s methodologies even though it is in very early stage, Apple could be contributing significantly to more open AI research. Secondly, by simplify letting the world know it is very much aboard the AI bandwagon, Apple hopes rivals will take notice (and they should, considering the Cupertino giants tech, talent and financial might). Interesting things to note at this stage. The size (MM1s 30 billion parameters), for instance, may pale in comparison to Claude 3 Opus 2 trillion parameters and OpenAIs GPT-4s trillion. If you think thats a disadvantage, its not the complete picture. Take video for training, alongside audio, text and images. MM1 can train and generate video, whereas most of its rival models train on text, images and audio, but not always video. It may still be early days, but I do expect Apple to go beyond a deeper and automated embed of AI in iOS (photos, messages, notes and so on) to a more consumer facing approach because thats in vogue. It needs to be seen in competition with Google, Microsoft, OpenAI and others. Siris era may be at an end, and with the summers annual WWDC conference over the horizon, expect to hear more on AI models. Weve just heard of MM1, but my belief is, it surely isnt the only one. Yet, if Apple still decides to use Google Gemini or OpenAIs models in iOS at some stage, itll effectively be dropping them out of the AI battles. PAY? Will you pay for an AI assistant? At this point, I must ask you this question for which I do not at all expect an answer immediately. Take your time, and ponder over it. Experiment if you wish to. But here it is Do you see yourself paying for a generative AI assistant yet? I ask this, because generative AI subscription choices are now quite literally calling out to us, begging, pleading, that we part with some money every month, to get faster responses to whatevers on our mind. And so on. A few days ago, Microsoft unlocked the Copilot Pro subscription for more regions, in case youd like access to GPT-4 Turbo, build your own Copilots, image generator boosts for Designer or use the assistant with Microsofts apps including Word and Outlook (but only with a Microsoft email address). How much does this arsenal of tools you may or may not need cost you every month? Thatd be 2000, per month. In line with Googles Gemini Advanced (thatd be 1,950 per month for Google One with Gemini Advanced), or OpenAIs ChatGPT Plus and Perplexity Pro. All these subscriptions try to make a case for themselves. For Microsoft, the biggest advantage for anyone also using the Microsoft 365 subscription is its deeper integration within the productivity apps. For Google, their pitch to you is Geminis integration within Gmail, Docs and Meet, as well as 2TB cloud storage (which we all we know we need; but Google Drive, really?). Perplexity perhaps has the most interesting pitch, if you are considering an AI assistant subscription purely for the conversation and returning information aspect of it. The Perplexity Pro plan unlocks an option for you to choose between different models OpenAIs GPT4 Turbo, Anthropics Claude 3 and Mistrals Le Large too. Unless you want your AI assistants subscription to unlock plug-ins in more apps you use, there is a genuinely interesting proposition of having different AI models available at your fingertips. Depends on what you want. Irrespective, dont just get a subscription because of FOMO (or whatever the cool kids call it these days). For most questions youll chuck its way, a free version of Copilot or Gemini or ChatGPT will likely be more than adequately knowledgeable and powerful. MARKET PLACES A 30-year-old software engineer from Bengaluru alleged that she was sexually harassed by a food delivery agent inside her home on March 17. The incident reportedly transpired after she had placed an order through a food aggregator app from a nearby restaurant. Bengaluru: The incident happened on March 17 after the woman placed an order for dosa through an app. (Getty Images/iStockphoto) According to the Times of India (TOI), when her order arrived at 6:45 pm, the software engineer asked the delivery boy if he would like some water. After he said yes, she offered him a glass of water. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The delivery agent drank it and left. However, a few seconds later, the techie heard a knock on her door. When she opened the door, she was in for a shock. The same delivery boy was standing at the door. He asked her if he could use the washroom, stating that its very urgent. The woman then directed him to the washroom and asked him to leave after he came out, reported TOI. Before leaving the womans house in AECS Layout near Brookefield, the delivery boy expressed his desire for a glass of water. The woman asked him to wait at the door. Shockingly, he followed me into the kitchen. He muttered something which I didnt understand and just grabbed my hand. I started shouting at him, asking what he was up to and why hed come to the kitchen. As he was still holding my hand, I took a frying pan and hit him on his back. He ran out of the house. I ran behind him up to the lift, but he took the stairs and escaped, the woman told TOI. She added, The delivery boy spoke to me in broken Hindi and English, but I am not sure which language he spoke when he came to the kitchen and approached me. The outlet further reported that the woman claimed that the delivery boy had a beard and was wearing a face mask which he had pulled down to the chin. After the delivery boy ran away, the woman dialled 112, and a team from Whitefield police station arrived at her home. They suggested that she file a First Information Report (FIR) with HAL Police. The woman also raised the issue with the food aggregator app and claimed they didnt respond quickly to her complaint. They didnt share his mobile number and other details even after I reached the police station. When I was on a call with the firms customer care, they overheard a police officer suggesting that I write the company name, after which they received his phone number. The outlet also reported that the residents restricted the entry of delivery boys inside the building following this incident. They now collect their deliveries from the gates. The CCTV cameras in the building have captured footage of the delivery boy who allegedly sexually harassed the woman, and police are currently investigating the matter. The man who recorded the video of Kate Middleton and Prince William at Windsor Farm shop has addressed the conspiracy theories surrounding the footage on social media. Many netizens argued that the woman in the video is not the Princess of Wales but her doppelganger. As per reports, the man slammed those conspiracy theorists and called them delusional This file photo shows Prince William and Kate Middleton attending an event in 2023. (AP) 40-year-old Nelson Silva told the Sun that he saw the Princess of Wales with his "own eyes". "What more do you need to lay off her?" he added while talking about the conspiracy theories on social media. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Just a day earlier, Kate Middleton's doppelganger Heidi Agan also addressed the rumours that the woman in the video is actually her. She stressed that she "100 per cent" believes it is Kate Middleton. In a conversation with the Sun, Silva shared that his video should end all the wild rumours. He added that when he spotted the Princess of Wales at Windsor, she "looked relaxed". "I'm not so much shocked that these comments have continued, I'm just confused how exactly they can continue," he told the Sun. "This is a video clearly showing her and Prince William. I saw them with my own eyes. It was a completely relaxed situation," he added. He further added, "What more do you need to lay off her? I thought after this was released, they'd go quiet. But these people are so invested in the drama now. They've put so much time and energy into these rumours and lies that they can't pull the plug". What are these conspiracy theories about Kate Middleton on social media? The royal's absence from public appearances since January has sparked several rumours on social media. While some expressed concern about her health, others speculated that her absence was due to the state of her marriage. A few also rumoured that Prince William is having an affair with Rose Hanbury. The Marchioness of Cholmondeley later announced through her lawyers that "the rumours are completely false". The rumours only compounded after news agencies recalled a picture of the Princess of Wales and her kids, reportedly captured by Prince William, citing that it had been manipulated. In February, Kingston Palace stated that the royal was absent from her duties and public appearances due to "planned abdominal surgery." Two teenagers, one male one female, were arrested for spray painting Watershed trail. Submitted Edwardsville Police Department blotter from March 12-18, 2024 On March 18, a 19-year-old male and a 19-year-old female were both arrested for charges stemming from a warrant for criminal defacement of property. The arrest occurred on the 300 block of South Main Street and both teenagers have a notice to appear in court. According to Edwardsville Police Chief Michael Fillback, the incident occurred in the early morning hours on February 15. Advertisement Article continues below this ad An Edwardsville officer was on routine patrol and checking Hoppe Park, which was closed. The officer observed a Nissan Altima sitting unoccupied with trash thrown around it on the ground. The officer located the occupants of the car as they were leaving a nearby bike trail. During the investigation of the scene, the officer learned the two were on the Watershed Nature Center MCT trail spray painting the trail and bridge. After the arrest, the two teens were processed and released pending charges. A Madison County Transit representative was contacted to determine the extent of damage and cleanup necessary to restore the property. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The case was then reviewed and both teens were charged with criminal defacement of property over $500. Both subjects turned themselves in on the warrants and was released pending a court date. Ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Union Home Minister Amit Shah attended the News18 Rising Bharat Summit - a leadership event held from March 19 to March 20 in New Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the event and delivered the keynote address. The leadership summit was also graced by several eminent personalities from various fields who delivered speeches. Union Home Minister Amit Shah was speaking at a leadership event when he shared how he maintains a balance between work and life. (HT Photo ) During the summit, the Union Minister sat down for a chat with Network18 MD & Group Editor-in-Chief Rahul Joshi. The minister shared thoughts on various topics such as CAA, NRC and the upcoming elections. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. When Joshi asked the Home Minister about how he makes time for his family and maintains work-life balance, the Union Minister said, Mai parivar ke lie samay nahi nikal sakta, parviaar mere lie samay chun ke nikal leta hai [I am not able to find time for my family, but my family takes time for me]. He added, To hamara balance bana rehta hai aur isme parivaar ka bada role rehta hai [So, the balance is maintained and my family plays an important role in this]. Amit Shah made this statement while his wife, Sonal Shah, was present in the audience. The Home Minister also clarified that the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) would not rip off an Indians citizenship, and the Indian Muslims need not worry about it. He further accused the opposition of spreading misconceptions about CAA for political gain ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in 2024. The CAA wont take anyones citizenship away. I am again clarifying that Muslims of this country have nothing to worry about. This was a promise made by all the stalwarts at the time of Independence. We are implementing the LiaquatNehru Pact, he emphasised. In a disturbing event, a few students from a US school created a 'mock slave auction' on a group chat. As per reports, the students who created the group pretended to auction their Black classmates. This racial online bullying incident that took place in USA's Southwick Regional School has left people shocked. The incident of US school bullies creating a 'mock slave auction' Snapchat group has angered netizens (Representational image). (Unsplash/@kaitlynbaker) A few eighth-grade students created the chat group on Snapchat , reported WWLP. It was created overnight from February 8 through February 9, where the students engaged in "a hateful, racist online chat that included heinous language, threats, and a mock slave auction." Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. What did the district attorney say about this incident? Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni took to Facebook to address the issue. He wrote that "six juveniles were criminally charged in the Southwick racial bullying incident". He authorised members of his office's Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit and the Chief of the Juvenile Court Unit to pursue criminal charges against six juveniles for their alleged roles in facilitating and participating in a hateful, racist online chat that included heinous language, threats, and a mock slave auction. Gulluni shared that hatred and racism have no place in the community. "I will ensure that we act, and act with swift resolve, as we did here, to uncover it and bring it to the light of justice," he stated. In the following lines, he pointed out that the alleged behaviour of the six students is "vile, cruel, and contemptible". He further emphasised that seeing such "ugliness" among middle school students "is discouraging, unsettling, and deeply frustrating". "The juveniles have been charged with the following: one juvenile has been charged with: interference with civil rights, threat to commit a crime, and witness interference, one juvenile has been charged with: interference with civil rights and threat to commit a crime, and four other juveniles have each been charged with: threat to commit a crime," he explained. CNN also shared a video that shows an interview with Allyson Lopez, mother of one of the victims. In the interview, the reporter says that she cannot believe Lopez's daughter had to go through this horrifying and shocking incident. In reply, Lopez shares that her kid has experienced "a different level of trauma". The mom also explains that it's hard for her daughter as she is still struggling. Take a look at the entire interview here: How did netizens react to this incident? This incident sent a shockwave among netizens. Many were in disbelief at this bullying incident, and a few also suggested how parents should be held responsible for their children's behaviour. "Parents of these kids should be charged with mandatory social work and racial courses. They are the main ones responsible for the education of these kids," posted an Instagram user. "They should have been expelled and face criminal charges," added another. "It starts with the parents and support system. Kids don't just randomly pick up racism on their own," joined a third. "Calling it the incident doesn't even cut close. This is criminal behaviour," wrote a fourth. A major photo agency has flagged yet another royal photo as being digitally enhanced. On Tuesday, March 19, a warning was issued by photo agency Getty images over a family portrait from Prince Archies July 2019 christening. It shows the little boy, then two months old, with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, and their royal relatives. Another royal photo from Prince Archies July 2019 christening has been flagged as digitally enhanced (AFP) The photo features Harry and Meghan, with Archies on the Duchess of Sussexs lap. Also present in the photo are Kate Middleton, Queen Camilla, King Charles, Prince William, Meghans mother Doria Ragland, and Princess Dianas sisters. White Getty did allege that the photo, snapped at Windsor Castle, was digitally enhanced, it did not explain how. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Fashion and portrait photographer Chris Allerton clicked the photo. He has dismissed the allegations. Load of cobblers. Bye, he told the Daily Mail. Other photos that were flagged This is the third photo from the royal family that has been flagged, ever since Kate landed in controversy for her manipulated Mothers Day Photo. Another 2023 photo meant to celebrate Queen Elizabeth IIs 97th birthday was also reportedly altered. The photo, which Kensington Palace said was taken by Kate the year before during the familys trip to Balmoral, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, and grandchildren Mia, Lena, Lucas, Savannah, Isla, James and Lady Louise. The Guardians Sunday paper, The Observer, noted that it looked like Prince Louis, the Prince and Princess of Wales youngest child, had been moved back in the frame. It also appeared as though Zara Tindalls daughters hair had been copied and pasted. The first photo to have been flagged was Kates recent Mothers Day photo, which many important news agencies withdrew for allegedly being manipulated. According to the Associated Press, at closer inspection it appears that the source has manipulated the image. Agence France-Presse said they withdrew it due to an editorial issue. Canberra HT Image Canberra, Australia attempted a national management plan for its long-suffering Murray-Darling River. Over a decade later, what are the lessons for others? Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. For more than a decade, the Australian government poured billions into the country's biggest river system, trying to protect it from irreversible damage. But instead of saving the river, the Murray-Darling Basin Plan serves as a cautionary tale for other regions. The Murray-Darling Basin, a river system spanning over a million square kilometres, stretches over four states and one territory on Australia's eastern side. It is often referred to as Australias food bowl and the farming centre of the country. In 2007, amid widespread and devastating decade-long drought, the Australian Government set aside AUD 10 billion in funding and enacted the Water Act, a policy to protect the basin. The Water Act gave rise to the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, a 2012 strategy that among other things was supposed to ensure sustainable water use from the basin and to protect, restore and provide for its natural environment. The plan has not met its potential. It has been described as destroying rural communities by lobbyists and failing to deliver for the environment by researchers and some communities. Former prime minister John Howard, initiator of the Water Act, said in 2021 that the basin has suffered from very, very bad administration over the years by governments of both persuasions". On paper, it doesn't make sense: Australia is a stable democracy with a robust public service. It could be a model case study of sustainable river management. Instead, it has been derailed by political dispute and cross-border in-fighting. A set of reforms brought in at the end of 2023 offers a chance to improve the basin's fortunes, but it has to undo a saga that has stretched over a decade. A billion reasons to fight for a better future The Basin Plan was an agreement between two levels of government Australia's federal government, and individual state and territory governments. The federal government had, earlier, created a statutory body, called the Murray-Darling Basin Authority, to implement the agreed upon plan. From the outset, there was controversy. The Authority's 2012 Basin Plan featured a notable departure from the 2010 "guide to the proposed Basin Plan", a document from the same body which provided much of the modelling and science for the final product. In 2010, the guide estimated that 3,856 billion litres per year needed to remain flowing in the river system to meet the Water Act's environmental goals. Even then, the plan noted, it was highly uncertain whether this cut to water extractions would deliver healthy rivers. When the Basin Plan arrived two years later, it told a different story: it said river water extractions should only be reduced by 2,750 billion litres per year 40 per cent less than the minimum suggested in 2010. There were more points of difference. The 2012 Basin Plan almost doubled allowable bore-water extractions without properly considering effects it may have on water quality and surface water. The plan also failed to account for climate change and increasing droughts when considering the sustainable diversion limits for water extractions. In a 2018 Royal Commission, a former official at the Murray-Darling Basin Authority shed light on the difference between the 2010 and 2012 documents. Speaking under oath, water planner David Bell said there was a very clear understanding from the Authority's board, conveyed by senior management, that the sustainable diversion limit of it had to be beginning with a number two". The Royal Commission determined the changed figures from 2010 to 2012 may have been "unlawful", a potential violation of the Water Act which demands "environmental considerations to be paramount" . Instead, the Authority came to a compromise between the best available science and needs of irrigators. The dispute that followed showed two issues with the Water Act: its lack of clarity around the triple bottom line and its inflexibility. Regulators, red tape and millions of dead fish The shifting goalposts between the basin guide and plan is a case of regulatory capture, where government decisions are shaped by outsiders to benefit their interests over the public. In the Murray-Darling Basin, irrigators who use about 80 percent of the extracted water were the big winners of the changes made between 2010 and 2012. This has been a pattern in the basin. According to two independent researchers, irrigators came out of each subsequent stage of the [water] reform process better placed than the environment. When change came in 2018, on advice from the Authority, it opted not to reduce the amount of river water available for irrigators. Instead, legislators dictated that 600 billion litres were to be available for water extractions and water for the environment would be found by other means. Within months of the 2018 adjustment, two separate evaluations showed that river health had not stopped declining and the amount of water flowing in the rivers was equal or less than what it was before the Basin Plan. Then, in the summer of 2018-19, tens of thousands of fish began to die. An investigation into the phenomena acknowledged the "severe drought", but lay blame at the feet of the "excess upstream diversion of water for irrigation". In 2023, the amount of dead fish was in the millions. In a report to state parliament, New South Wales' Chief Scientist and Engineer Hugh Durrant-Whyte observed that "mass fish deaths are symptomatic of degradation of the broader river ecosystem over many years". Moving forward Effective planning involves understanding how the world is, and how to respond to the world that might be, so as to achieve well-defined goals. While planning is necessary, it alone is not sufficient. The contested numbers, for instance, were always undermined by contested information about what was really happening in the rivers. Independent water audits would have settled the debate sooner and helped to expose the facts. So would have much better-quality analyses and reports to decision-makers that were commissioned by the Authority, among others. This has been especially problematic for economics studies with many consultant reports overestimating the costs of water recovery for the environment and underestimating the benefits. Initially, few compliance actions were taken in the first years of the Basin Plan, despite well-documented ongoing problems such as water theft. Rules can be set up to govern the multi-billion-dollar water market, but they are toothless if not properly enforced. But following an ABC report in 2017, monitoring and enforcement has been ramped up. A separate New South Wales regulatory agency has been formed. Water market reforms are planned in 2024 to limit possible market manipulation. The 2019 Royal Commission on the Basin delivered 44 recommendations in 2019 aimed at improving the Basin Plan and helping satisfy the Water Act, but many have not yet been implemented. The Plan has scope for regular reviews. To date, it has not sufficiently adapted to changed circumstances and new risks, such as climate change, floodplain harvesting, and reductions in stream flows from increases in irrigation efficiency. Without appropriate checks and balances, administrative agencies can fail to deliver. The Royal Commission described decision-making by the Authority as incomprehensible and indefensible. The Basin Plans deficiencies have compromised its ability to ensure healthy rivers in Australias most important river basin. Nevertheless, the Basin Plan has made some progress towards achieving the aims of the Water Act, but it's far from satisfactory. A December 2023 amendment, passed by the federal Labor government with help from independents, will make a positive difference. The 2023 water reform will allow governments until December 2027 to recover more water for the environment and to allocate more funds to deliver another 450 gigalitres that was committed to in 2012 but never delivered. It also repeals a statutory cap on Commonwealth water purchases for the environment set by the previous government in 2014, while adding an independent review of existing Basin Plan infrastructure projects and more funding for Aboriginal Water Entitlement Holdings. The 2023 reforms are a solid step forward in water reform but much more is required to secure the future of the Murray-Darling Basin, including a new plan that fully considers climate change in its setting of sustainable diversion limits. Australias 2012 Murray-Darling Basin Plan is a cautionary tale of what and who can get in the way of good practice and how reform can, sometimes, go backwards, as well as forwards. PY PY This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday a major Israeli ground assault on the southern Gaza town of Rafah would be a mistake and unnecessary to defeating Hamas, underscoring the further souring of relations between the United States and Israel. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (AP) Blinken, on his sixth urgent Mideast mission since the war began, spoke after huddling with top Arab diplomats in Cairo for discussions over efforts for a cease-fire and over ideas for Gaza's post-conflict future. He said an immediate, sustained ceasefire with the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas was urgently needed and that gaps were narrowing in indirect negotiations that U.S., Egypt and Qatar have spent weeks mediating. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Blinken heads to Israel on Friday to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his war cabinet. The growing disagreements between Netanyahu and President Joe Biden over the prosecution of the war will likely overshadow the talks particularly over Netanyahu's determination to launch a ground assault on Rafah, where more than a million Palestinians have sought refuge from devastating Israeli ground and air strikes further north. Netanyahu has said that without an invasion of Rafah, Israel can't achieve its goal of destroying Hamas after its deadly Oct. 7 attack and taking of hostages that triggered Israel's bombardment and offensive in Gaza. A major military operation in Rafah would be a mistake, something we dont support. And, its also not necessary to deal with Hamas, which is necessary, Blinken told a news conference in Cairo. A major offensive would mean more civilian deaths and worsen Gaza's humanitarian crisis, he said, adding that his talks on Rafah in Israel on Friday and next week in Washington will be to share alternative action. Netanyahu, on a roughly 45-minute call with GOP senators on Wednesday, pledged to ignore warnings about a Rafah operation. He also took aim at Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumers condemnation last week of the civilian death toll in Gaza and his call for new elections in Israel in a speech that Biden later said was good. Netanyahu stressed that Israel would move ahead in Rafah, according to senators who participated in the meeting. Sen. John Kennedy, a Louisiana Republican, said Netanyahu made it very clear that he and the people of Israel intend to prosecute the war to the full extent of their power and that he would not be dictated to by Senator Schumer or President Biden. Netanyahus vow to go into Rafah has alarmed the U.S. and others, who say it will result in an even larger humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza without a credible plan in place to get civilians out. U.S. officials have said they have yet to see such a plan and are prepared to offer alternatives to an all-out assault on the city. As Blinken and the Arab ministers met, Gazas Health Ministry raised the territorys death toll to nearly 32,000 Palestinians since the war began on its soil. Also, U.N. officials stepped up warnings that famine is imminent in northern Gaza. The Cairo talks gathered Blinken with the foreign ministers of Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, as well as a top official from the Palestine Liberation Organization, the internationally recognized body representing the Palestinian people. They also discussed ways to increase urgent humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza by land, air and sea. In an earlier meeting with Blinken, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi stressed the need for an immediate cease-fire and warned against the dangerous repercussions of any Israeli offensive in Rafah, according to a statement issued by el-Sissis spokesperson. Both parties had renewed their rejection of the forced displacement of Gazans and agreed on the importance of taking all necessary measures to ensure the arrival of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, the statement said. Blinken said gaps are narrowing in talks over a cease-fire. A day earlier at his tour's first stop in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Blinken told the Saudi Al-Hadath network that the mediators had worked with Israel to put a strong proposal on the table. He said Hamas rejected it, but came back with other demands that the mediators are working on. Netanyahus office said Thursday that the head of the Mossad spy agency will return to Qatar on Friday to meet with the head of the CIA and other key mediators in the talks. The office said Thursday that Qatars prime minister and Egypts intelligence chief would also join the talks. The United States is seeking a swift vote on a newly revised and tougher U.N. resolution demanding an immediate and sustained cease-fire to protect civilians and enable humanitarian aid to be delivered. The U.S. deputy ambassador to the U.N., Robert Wood, said he hoped a vote could take place by the end of the week. Netanyahu has also rejected the Biden administration's repeated remonstrations that Israel's long-term security cannot be assured without the creation of an independent Palestinian state. A clear path and deadline for the formation of a Palestinian state are key requirements for Saudi Arabia and other Arab nations to normalize relations with Israel, something Netanyahu is keen to achieve. Blinken spent much of his time in Jeddah with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussing the normalization process, which would also include U.S.-Saudi agreements. With tensions running high after not speaking for a month, Biden and Netanyahu held a phone call on Monday during which Netanyahu agreed to send a team of experts to Washington to discuss the Rafah plans. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant will also visit Washington separately next week. The war began after Palestinian militants killed some 1,200 people in the surprise Oct. 7 attack out of Gaza that triggered the war, and abducted another 250 people. Hamas is still believed to be holding some 100 people hostage, as well as the remains of 30 others. Toronto: The Hindu community in Canada has expressed outrage over pro-Khalistan elements engaging in Hinduphobic behaviour during recent protests targeting Indias High Commissioner to Ottawas events in western provinces of the country. Pro-Khalistani groups protesting outside the Indian consulate in Toronto, Canada last year. (Supplied photo) They were particularly concerned over posters related to the 1984 anti-Sikhs riots in India, which followed the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. A poster in this context, displayed in public during a pro-Khalistan demonstration in Calgary on Saturday stated that Sikh infants were burnt alive by Hindu mobs during the pogroms, while those riots were never considered communal in nature. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Khalistani protest posters shockingly depicting Hindus as hateful and extremist mob committing the heinous act of killing a baby are deeply disturbing. Such disinformation, allowed to proliferate under the guise of protest in Canada, paves the way for more Hinduphobia, Rishabh Sarswat, president of the Canadian chapter of the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA), said. This followed a series of posts on X from CoHNA Canada in which it said, If Khalistani supporters can resort of violence against police, diplomats and press with impunity, imagine the risk they pose to ordinary citizens. It argued it was time for Hinduphobia to receive the attention it deserves. Protests by pro-Khalistan groups in Canda have become rampant especially after the secessionist group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) called for High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Vermas events in the country to be targeted. However, Hindu community groups are worried over the trend of pro-Khalistan elements attacking it. In September last year, SFJ released a video, with its legal counsel Gurpatwant Pannun stating, Indo-Hindus leave Canada, go to India. That threat led to a petition before the House of Commons gathering 25,794 signatures as against the 500 needed to elicit a formal government response. However, that response, tabled in December by the government left the community disappointed as it did not meet the requests made in the petition to recognise Hinduphobia as a term in the glossary of terms in the Human Rights Code to describe anti-Hindu prejudice and discrimination, to define Hinduphobia as denial, negation, prejudice or vilification against Hindus, Hinduism, or Hinduness and to raise awareness and address systemic and institutional Hinduphobia. The community remains upset over the lack of any statement from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau over the spurt in Hinduphobia in the country though he has otherwise been prompt in condemning hate speech targeting other minorities. The number of vandalisation of temples in the previous two years has already shaken the community and has been largely ignored by mainstream Canadian media. As CoHNA posted, The continued lack of media attention to these events suggests a disregard for the rise of extremism on Canadian soi since the targets are primarily Hindus. European Union leaders on Thursday debated fresh ways to help boost arms and ammunition production for Ukraine amid a new sense of urgency about the future of the war-torn country. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola speaks during a media conference at an EU Summit in Brussels (AP Photo/Omar Havana)(AP) Ukraines munition stocks are desperately low, while Russia has more and better-armed troops. There is also a growing awareness that the EU must provide for its own security, with election campaigning in the U.S. raising questions about Washingtons commitment to its allies. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. At the same time, political rhetoric is at fever pitch as the campaign for Europe-wide elections on June 6-9 gathers pace, with security a major issue. As they talk up the need to fund the defense industry, both at home and in Ukraine, many leaders are also trying to convince citizens that budgets could be tightened elsewhere. Ahead of the summit in Brussels, EU Council President Charles Michel said the Europeans face a pivotal moment." He said that with Europe "facing the biggest security threat since the Second World War, it is high time we take radical and concrete steps to be defense-ready and put the EUs economy on a war footing. Across town at NATO, the alliance's secretary-general, Jens Stoltenberg, warned Thursday that the situation on the battlefield remains very difficult. Ukraine is running out of ammunition. So, Ukraine needs even more support, and they need it now. New plans are on the EU's table, notably to use the profits from frozen Russian assets to buy arms and ammunition for Ukraine. The 27-nation EU is holding around 210 billion euros ($228 billion) in Russian central bank assets, most of it frozen in Belgium, in retaliation for Moscows war against Ukraine. The bloc estimates that the money could generate profits of up to 3 billion euros ($3.3 billion) each year. A small group of member countries, notably Hungary, refuse to supply weapons to Ukraine, so these windfall profits would be split up. Around 90% of the money would be put into a special fund that many EU countries already use to get reimbursed for arms and ammunition they send. The other 10% would be put into the EU budget to help bolster Ukraines defense industry. Members that object to sending weapons could then claim that they are not arming the country. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that these profits should be used first and foremost to buy weapons and ammunition for Ukraine. What is important to me is that we give this use a clear direction now, the direction of acquiring ammunition, for example, he said. Asked what signal would be sent to Russian President Vladimir Putin if there is no agreement on using windfall profits, Scholz said: I am very sure that we are sending a very clear signal to Putin here. He has miscalculated if he thinks we are not in a position to support Ukraine for as long as is necessary, and the use of the windfall profits is a small but important element. Speaking to the leaders via video-link, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged them to provide his armed forces with more artillery shells and air defense systems following an overnight missile attack on the capital Kyiv. Unfortunately, the use of artillery at the front line by our soldiers is humiliating for Europe in the sense that Europe can provide more. And it is crucial to prove it now, he said, adding that Ukraines current air defense systems are not enough to protect our entire territory from Russian terror. Some countries want to use the windfall profits to help Ukraine rebuild, but Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, whose country currently holds the EUs rotating presidency, said that the first necessity is ammunition. Of course I would love to invest in reconstruction but its a bit pointless to invest in reconstruction if you risk losing the country. The leaders of Estonia and Lithuania, two of Ukraine's staunchest supporters within the EU, said it would be best to use the frozen assets themselves and not just the interest earned on those billions. The damage that Russia is causing to Ukraine is much bigger than the value of those assets that we have in Europe. We have to think how we can really achieve this (so) that our taxpayers dont have to pay the damage that Russia is causing in Ukraine, Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said. De Croo also urged his EU partners to be receptive to new ideas. "Well need different types of financing, or at least be open to the discussion. It will need to be national contributions, it might be defense bonds, it might be financing by the EIB (European Investment Bank), he said. The idea of issuing defense bonds to finance military spending through common debt issuance is gaining some traction, but is far from having the unanimous agreement that such a move would require. It would mirror way the EU raised money to kickstart economies with its pandemic recovery fund. European Union leaders will on Thursday discuss a plan to use billions of euros in profits from frozen Russian financial assets to buy arms for Ukraine as they try to bolster Kyiv in its fight against Moscow's invasion. In a two-day summit in Brussels due to start at 1200 GMT on Thursday, the EU leaders will also tackle topics as diverse as the war in Gaza, the prospect of opening membership talks with Bosnia and farmers' protests. (File) The bloc's 27 national leaders will also debate how Europe can do more to defend itself and boost its arms industry, reflecting fears that Russia may not stop at Ukraine and the U.S. may not be such a staunch protector of Europe in future. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. "For decades, Europe has not invested enough in its security and defence," Charles Michel, president of the European Council of EU leaders, wrote in his invitation letter for the summit. "Now that we are facing the biggest security threat since the Second World War, it is high time we take radical and concrete steps to be defence-ready and put the EU's economy on a 'war footing'." In a two-day summit in Brussels due to start at 1200 GMT on Thursday, the EU leaders will also tackle topics as diverse as the war in Gaza, the prospect of opening membership talks with Bosnia and farmers' protests. But Ukraine will top the agenda, with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy joining the leaders via video link. EU leaders have voiced increasing alarm about the state of the war in recent weeks, with ammunition-starved Ukrainian forces struggling to hold back Russian troops and a $60 billion military aid package for Kyiv stuck in the U.S. Congress. The European Commission, the EUs executive body, this week proposed taking profits from Russian assets frozen in Europe after Moscows invasion and transferring some 90% to an EU-run fund used to finance arms for Kyiv. The Commission estimated the profits on the assets - various Russian central bank securities and cash - could be between 2.5 billion euros ($2.73 billion) and 3 billion euros per year. Russia on Wednesday described the EU plan as banditism and theft. Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo welcomed the proposal. "I think it's a sensible way of doing it. I think the idea to allocate it predominantly to the purchase of weapons makes total sense," he told Reuters. The assets are frozen by EU central securities depositories, mainly Belgium's Euroclear. Ukraine would also receive the 25% tax that the Belgian government puts on the profits. The idea of using the proceeds to benefit Ukraine enjoys broad support among EU governments, diplomats say. But using the money to buy weapons is more problematic for some countries. HOW WILL ORBAN REACT? Much attention will focus on the reaction of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who maintains closer ties to Moscow than other EU leaders and opposes sending arms to Ukraine. The proposal also raises questions for neutral or militarily non-aligned countries such as Malta, Austria and Ireland. No final decision is expected at the summit. But leaders will indicate how the EU should proceed with the proposal. A draft summit declaration said leaders "reviewed progress" on using the revenues "for the benefit of Ukraine, including possibly for funding military support" and asks EU bodies to "take work forward". It also says the EU "is committed to increasing its overall defence readiness and capabilities to match its needs and ambition" amid "rising threats and security challenges". It invites officials to scrutinise a European Commission plan to boost Europe's arms industry by incentivising EU countries to buy European, and club together on joint projects. The leaders are expected to discuss the vexed question of how greater defence spending should be financed. French President Emmanuel Macron and others have embraced a proposal by Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas for European defence bonds. But other countries, including fiscally cautious Germany, Austria, the Netherlands and Sweden, are sceptical. On the war in Gaza, diplomats have been struggling to find a balance in the text that satisfies close allies of Israel such as Hungary, the Czech Republic and Austria as well as strong advocates of the Palestinians such as Spain, Ireland and Belgium. "The text we have now is a fragile vase. I hope this fragile construct will stay," said a senior EU diplomat. Toronto: Leading banks in the two countries have launched a partnership to offer financial services to students from India coming to higher education institutions in Canada. Students from India at an event at the University of Toronto in Canada. (Supplied photo) The partnership was announced on Wednesday by Toronto Dominion (TD) Bank and Indias HDFC Bank. Under the partnership, HDFC will refer students contemplating entering a Canadian institution to TD, so they can comply with the requirements for the study permit pathway announced earlier this year by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The referral will pertain to TDs International Student GIC Programme. A release from TD explained, As part of the Canadian governments requirements to apply for an expedited study permit, students are required to provide proof of financial support, which is accomplished via a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) from a participating Canadian financial institution. The TD International Student GIC Program is designed to enable students to open accounts digitally and help them meet their study visa and living expense requirements. GICs are similar to fixed deposits or FDs offered in India. India is the largest source country for international students in Canada, accounting for over 425,000 study permit holders last year. With this expanded relationship, HDFC Bank and TD can provide the financial offerings that will make for a smoother transition to the Canadian banking environment, TDs Executive Vice-President of Canadian Personal Banking Sona Mehta said. The association is designed to support the study permit requirements of Indian students planning to study in Canada. The curated programme also offers a wide range of financial benefits to amplify their living experience while studying there, HDFCs Group Head Retail Branch Banking Smita Bhagat added. The GICs can be opened through an online process, without application fees and will start earning interest even before the student arrives in Canada, the release said. In December 2023, IRCC announced that for new study permit applications received on or after January 1 this year, a single applicant will need to show they have CA$ 20,635 (approximately 12.7 lakh), as against CA$ 10,000 (about 6.14 lakh) earlier. Explaining the increase, it stated, The cost-of-living requirement for study permit applicants has not changed since the early 2000s, when it was set at $10,000 for a single applicant. As such, the financial requirement hasnt kept up with the cost of living over time, resulting in students arriving in Canada only to learn that their funds arent adequate. The cost-of-living fund is deposited through wire transfer at a designated Canadian bank, in the GIC account. Prince Harry faces a world of trouble over his US visa application, with questions arising about his past drug use. Prince Harrys honesty on drugs could lead to deportation. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File)(AP) The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, filed the lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), claiming that Duke of Sussexx's current application failed to fully scrutinize his pasts drug use. This is crucial because in American visa applications, applicants are supposed to declare these kinds of information, besides Harry himself gave a public confession of his drug use in his memoir Spare which came out in 2023. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Hes potentially in a world of trouble actually Former US President Donald Trump, currently running for re-election, weighed in on the issue, warning Harry of "appropriate action" if he lied on his application. Trump suggested potential deportation if Harry is found to have misled authorities. ALSO READ| Another royal photo from Prince Archies 2019 christening flagged as digitally enhanced Well have to see if they know something about the drugs, and if he lied theyll have to take appropriate action, Trump told GB News. GB News host Patrick Christys echoed concerns about preferential treatment for the prince. Hes potentially in a world of trouble actually, isnt he really, because if he has lied about his drug use on his visa form then frankly he will have to be treated like everybody else, Christys remarked. Christys even expressed scepticism about the application process, stating, I would quite like to see these visa forms. I wouldn't be surprised if it turns out he filled it out in crayon and Meghan stuck it on the fridge for a couple of weeks before they submitted it. These developments come after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped down from their senior royal roles in 2020, relocating to Meghan's home state of California. The couple currently resides in a luxurious Montecito estate with their children, Archie and Lilibet. ALSO READ| Reason behind Palace's silence over Kate Middletons conspiracy theories, William is worried.. Despite enjoying every single day in the US, Harry recently revealed on Good Morning America that obtaining US citizenship isn't a current priority. The American citizenship is a thought that has crossed my mind, but certainly is not something that is a high priority for me right now, he said. MBABANE EIPA Manager External Trade Promotion Sibusiso Mnisi says they identified potential opportunities to take advantage of the proximity of Eswatini to Mozambique to supply products such as beef, poultry, pork and sugar. Therefore, we need to revive structures such as the Eswatini Mozambique Joint Bilateral Commission to escalate issues that are affecting trade and investment between the two countries, Mnisi said. Mnisi was speaking during the first interchange visit that was undertaken in Mozambique. It consisted of visits to the Agency for Promotion Investments and Exports (APIEX), Eurocam Association of European Entrepreneurs in Mozambique, Mozambique Chamber Association, Mozambique Handicraft market, poultry/piggery/beef association and major chain stores including Premier Super Spar and Limak Cimentos SA. The European Union (EU) and the International Trade Centre (ITC), in collaboration with the Eswatini Investment Promotion Authority (EIPA), are facilitating interchange visits with other regional investment promotion bodies and Chambers of Commerce to learn and exchange knowledge on how best to take advantage of the SADC-EUEPA. discussed On the issue of the language barrier, since Mozambique uses Portuguese as its official language, Mnisi disclosed that this issue was discussed during the meeting at the Eswatini High Commission in Mozambique. It was agreed that to address challenges such as the language barrier between local entrepreneurs and their Mozambican counterparts, there is a need for local merchants to learn Portuguese or use available interpreters, like the High Commission of Eswatini in Mozambique interpreters. The Association for Small and Medium Enterprises (Associacao de Pequenas e Medias Empresas de Mocambique -APME) lamented the issue of not working with Eswatini despite its proximity to Mozambique. The association is the mother body for all MSMEs in Mozambique. It boasts over 1 000 members from 10 provinces who are in over 25 sectors including mining, agriculture, tourism, transport and informal traders. They disclosed that they are open to the idea of signing Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) with local associations. The Agency for Promotion of Investment and Exports (APIEX) also revealed that they are open to signing an MoU with EIPA to exchange information on trade and investment promotion and they are open to importing products such as beef from Eswatini. committed They further invited Eswatini to participate at the 2024 Trade Fair and Agricultural Exhibition in Mozambique (FACIM) and further committed to participate in the Eswatini International Trade Fair (EITF) 2024. APIEX also assured EIPA that they will assist them in establishing contacts for major importers or distributors in Mozambique. The Association of European Entrepreneurs in Mozambique (Eurocam) which is the major organizer of the Mozambique EU Global Gateway Forum extended an invitation to Eswatini to attend their 2024 event. The EU is the second largest trading partner for Mozambique. There are over 300 companies in various sectors from 11 EU countries that are affiliated to the Eurocam. The Dubai Chamber of Commerce expressed their willingness to introduce Eswatini to the halal market in Mozambique. They also extended an invitation for Eswatini to join their inward and outward trade mission to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Mnisi said they also identified potential opportunities to export products such as dairy, beef, eggs, fruits, and vegetables to Premier Super Spar which operates four outlets combined with a DIY hardware in Maputo; scrap metals to DP World Maputo which is part of DP Worlds global network that spans 69 countries; animal feed and packaging products to informal traders in Mozambique through the Informal Traders Association; and pork through Nala Continental Foods. distribution Tropigalia, a distribution company in Maputo that sources products from Europe and South Africa disclosed that they are looking for distributors they can work with in Eswatini. Infrapesca, a fisheries company based in the Maputo harbor said they are open for Eswatini companies looking to enter the ocean fishing sector by being fishers. They also revealed that they have cold storage facilities they own, which can be leased to local companies. Limak Cimentos SA, a company with a Turkish background based in Matola which is involved in the production of cement, construction, food and beverage, energy and aviation divulged that they are looking to improve their supply of cement in Eswatini, he said. As People have been talking about the latest surgery that Kate Middleton had, this speculation has all around the Counsel being focussed on how the Princess of Wales recuperation and recovery. Royal Commentator, K. Schofield has been addressing the critics, explaining that when the hidden details become public, many regrettably will not embrace their present viewpoint. An admission from Kate that she altered an official family photo triggered a backlash. (AP Photo/Gero Breloer, File)(AP) Speaking to Sky News, Schofield highlighted the local communitys support for Middleton, stating, I know somebody that goes to school with her children. I also have another contact in the area, and they have both said that they have seen her and that the neighborhood is fiercely protective of her. She emphasized that the conjecture is considered ridiculous and unfair by those close to the situation and predicted a collective sense of guilt once more information is shared. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Royal commentator condemns how everyone making fun of Kate Middleton The conversation took a turn when Schofield criticized celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Blake Lively for their remarks about Middletons absence and a recent controversy involving photo editing. ALSO READ| Prince Harry in world of trouble over drug use revelation, claims GB News host Kim Kardashian is making fun of the Princess of Wales, Blake Lively is making light of this subject, everyone is going to feel horrifically ashamed and theyre going to feel real guilt about the way weve behaved throughout this process, Schofield remarked, without delving into the specifics of the truth she alluded to. Rina Panahi, a news anchor, responded by acknowledging the publics genuine concern for Middletons well-being. Panahi pointed out the Princesss high-profile role and diligent work ethic, suggesting that the royal familys handling of the situation has only fueled further speculation. She proposed a simple solution: If she is fine and can be seen around the village, why cant she do a 10-second zoom video and say, I understand people are curious, I understand people are concerned, but Im fine, Ill be back to full-time duties as soon as I can, Panahi argued, would quell the rumours. Kate is set to take her royal duty after Easter Since she had been lying a low public profile, Middletons latest gracing the doors of a farm shop hasnt done any good to the existing innuendos about her ailment. Since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle departed from Chelsea and Westminster Hospital on 5th July for the London Clinic, where she remained for two weeks under the care of Dr. Carol Bornstein, she has been recovering quietly at Adelaide Cottage, her home in Windsor. This lack of face-to-face access has bred conspiracy theories with the UK Mothers Day image edit, which was after that excluded by press agencies being cited as the prime example thereof. ALSO READ| Another royal photo from Prince Archies 2019 christening flagged as digitally enhanced This only made the matter even more puzzling because it was revealed that the senior staff of Middleton did not reach out to her nor did they provide updates or take this information during surgery. The Princess, who last fulfilled her royal duties on Christmas Day, is anticipated to resume her public engagements after Easter, set for March 31, 2024. In a heated discussion with Hunter Biden's ex-associate Tony Bobulinski, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., claimed that Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) is not a crime but a category. AOC said RICO is "not a crime" in heated exchange with Tony Bobulinski during Biden's impeachment hearing on Wednesday.(C-Span) On Wednesday, AOC targeted Bobulinski during President Joe Biden's impeachment probe hearing, claiming that his testimony did not support the GOP's accusation of high crimes by the POTUS. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. "Is it your testimony today that you personally witnessed President Joe Biden commit a crime?" she asked. When Bobulinski tried to speak, AOC interrupted him by posing another question. She asked him to cite specific offenses Biden had committed. Bobulinski said, RICO, youre obviously not familiar with, corruption [inaudible]. Excuse me, Sir. RICO isn't a crime, AOC snapped back at him, adding that it is a category. She further asserted that House Republicans have failed in their attempt to accuse Biden of a "high crime," which meets the criteria for impeachment. Also Read: Joe Biden did nothing wrong: White House on impeachment probe What an imbecile: AOC faces ire after Bobulinski clash AOC-Bobulinski clash sparked many questions online over Republican leader and former President Donald Trump's RICO charges in Georgia. Trump was accused of breaking Georgia's RICO statutes last year. He has denied the charges made against him in Georgia, which are related to his attempt to tamper the presidential election in 2020. In an interview with Fox News, Gregg Jarrett slammed AOC for claiming RICO isn't a crime and said she tends to embarrass herself with fundamental lack of knowledge. Sara Gonzales, a political commentator, wrote on X: "Well damn. Hope @AOC can tell Fani Willis to drop those RICO charges against Trump." "What an imbecile @AOC is. Corruption is a crime. They are charging Donald Trump with RICO or racketeering. That is a crime," Podcast host Matt Locke reacted. "I thought RICO was what they are charging Trump? So now RICO isnt a crime?" another X user wrote. AOC walked into that one. I guess she will go to law school after the November election, one more chimed in. Also Read: Georgia judge permits Donald Trump to appeal Fani Willis disqualification decision What is RICO? RICO, which stands for Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organisations Act, was passed in 1970. It is federal law that fights against organised crime in The US. The statute allowed prosecutors to pursue the powerful people inside a criminal organisation, rather than merely targeting the lower-level individuals indulged in dirty work. In a 1989 judgment, the US Supreme Court stated that the legislation was framed "broadly enough to encompass a wide range of criminal activity, taking many different forms and likely to attract a broad array of perpetrators". RICO rules empower prosecutors to accuse many people who commit any of the 35 offenses that include bribery, murder, extortion, kidnapping and drug dealing. Deportation cases against about 200,000 migrants under President Joe Biden were recently dismissed by immigration judges. The move was made after the Department of Homeland Security could not manage to file the required paperwork before their court dates, a report has stated. Without a proper filing, the Court lacks jurisdiction to hear the case and the immigrants, often asylum seekers, lack a way to move their case forward, a report released by the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse at Syracuse University said. Deportation cases against 200K migrants were dismissed after Biden administration failed to file required paperwork (Photographer: Cassidy Araiza/Bloomberg)(Bloomberg) The research organisation also called it troubling that there was an almost total lack of transparency on where and why these DHS failures occurred. Equally troubling is the lack of solid information on what happened to these many immigrants when DHS never rectified its failure by reissuing and filing new NTAs to restart their Court cases, the report stated. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. NTAs (notices to appear) are issued when migrants are caught crossing the border and coming into the US illegally. A hearing date is assigned to migrants who are looking for asylum. Here, they are given a chance to explain to an immigration judge why they should not be deported. NTAs, however, must be filed before the migrant is asked to appear for the hearing. Almost all Immigration Court cases are removal cases for which DHS must file an NTA for the case to go forward, the TRAC report said. When Biden took office, cases dismissed for failing to file NTAs sprung from from 6,482 in 2020 to 33,802 in 2021. The amount of no NTAs was 79,592 in 2022, and then fell to 68,869 in 2023. As many as 10,598 deportation cases had to be dismissed so far this year, because of no NTAs. The report found that dismissals for 1-in-4 migrants are rectified by the DHS where NTAs were not filed. In fact, the second NTA on almost 2,000 occasions was filed late. Examining dismissals by Immigration Court hearing locations show that the problem of no NTA dismissals varied greatly by geography. Apart from IAD designated hearing locations apparently dealing with problematic filings, the Houston, Texas, Immigration Court and the Courts Dedicated Docket in Miami, Florida, are clear standouts, with fifty (50) percent or more of their new cases dismissed for this reason since FY 2021, the report said. A new administrative problem TRAC believes that giving authority to Border Patrol agents and other DHS personnel to schedule immigration hearings may be leading to the problem. Ten years ago, DHSs failure to file an NTA before the scheduled first hearing was rare, the report said. However, the frequency increased once Border Patrol and other DHS personnel were given access to the Immigration Courts Interactive Scheduling System (ISS). DHSs relatively recent access to the Courts scheduling system created a new administrative problem: DHS employees could schedule Immigration Court hearings sooner than the agency could file the NTA, and this could have negative consequences for both the Immigration Court and the immigrant respondents themselves, TRAC found. Indeed, this is what happened. With Immigration Judges staring down 3.5 million pending immigration cases, every wasted hearing is a hearing that could have moved another case forward or resolved it, it added. The report added that these mishaps lead to migrants with legitimate asylum claims to struggle. Until a formal asylum petition is filed, asylum seekers cannot generally obtain work permits, the report stated. These dismissals therefore potentially extend the time and difficulties that individuals, and their families, face in securing food, shelter and other essentials while waiting for a work permit. Indeed, the lack of clarity about their case may only add to their sense of legal limbo rather than alleviate it, it added. Former US President Donald Trumps campaign and joint fundraising committee collectively raised $20.3 million in February, entering March with a combined $41.9 million cash on hand, Trump campaign official report. Donald Trumps February fundraising flare-up by $20.3 million. REUTERS/Alyssa Pointer/File Photo(REUTERS) Fox News first noticed Trumps February fundraising haul. However, these figures fall short of the $53 million announced by President Joe Biden and Democrats for February, along with a whopping $155 million in available cash amassed by Bidens team and affiliated committees. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. February's numbers (released by Trump) indicate an increase from previous months. In January, the campaign alone garnered $8.8 million, according to federal records, with the joint fundraising committee contributing to a total haul of just under $14 million. Fox News first noticed Trumps February fundraising haul. ALSO READ| World faces drastic fall in fertility rate: Lancet study Trump's Campaign pockets a huge wallet number On Wednesday, a filing with the Federal Election Commission revealed that nearly $11 million of the combined fundraising went to Trumps campaign committee, leaving the committee with $33.5 million in available cash at the end of February. Details of the joint fundraising committees contributions and spending are expected to be reported next month. The Donald Trump presidential bid pushed the Republican committee to aim higher and let more money roll. The latter president has been thrillingly talking donors up to strengthen his campaign fund recently, which is kind of small compared with being in a rather disadvantaged situation when differing from Biden's financial capability. An Oct 30 Trump fundraiser scheduled for Palm Beach, Florida, will be attended by some of the GOPs richest donors, suggesting that the former presidents fundraising efforts might yet turn around to his favour. Trump's team eyes Biden's fundraising Trump's aides feel the same way about fundraising for Biden as Januarys, focusing more on the fact that Trump will continue to be the apparent nominee until Bidens efforts are shown. The Republican National Committee stated that it still had about $15.3 million in available cash in the bank by the end of February. After he got the spot for the upcoming general election, Trump used the partys means to campaign against Biden. ALSO READ| New York attorney general is ready each and every day to seize Donald Trump's property In the last month, Trump became the RNC Chairman by electing his supporters Michael Whatley (the chair) and Lara Trump (the co-chair). These positions are successfully held by the first lady and the presidential daughter-in-law. While this inherent interest grows exponentially at a rate of 112,000 every single day, the amount of Trumps overall debt to the state at the end of Wednesday would be more than $457 million. Three minors, dubbed as Little Rascals, have been arrested in the United States for robbing a bank, informed FBI Houston. The 'Little Rascals", aged between 11 and 16, have been taken into custody and charged with robbery by threat, which is a second-degree felony. (FBI Houston) The trio, aged between 11 and 16, has been taken into custody and charged with robbery by threat, which is a second-degree felony. The case is currently being investigated by the Harris County Sheriff's Office (HCSO). The boys were wanted for robbing Wells Fargo Bank in Greenspoint last week. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. They are 11, 12, and 16-year-old boys charged locally with robbery by threat, said the FBI's Houston office on Tuesday, AP reported. The Sheriff has refused to provide additional information because they are juveniles. However, the FBI released the surveillance photos on its X account, but has not revealed the amount stolen during the crime. In the photo, they all can be seen donning hoodies inside the bank lobby. Also Read: Indian student from Hyderabad brutally attacked by four robbers in Chicago Who are Little Rascals and how were they caught? Last week, FBI Houston sought public's help to know about the whereabouts of the little rascals. Recognize these little rascals? Believe it or not they just robbed the Wells Fargo at 10261 North Freeway. Then walked right out. If you know who and where they are contact police immediately or @crimestophou at 713-222-TIPS. #HouNews, the authorities wrote on X. Initially, a witness informed the officials the trio seemed to be between 14 and 18 years old. The FBI later discovered that they are 11, 12 and 16 years old. According to HCSO, the minors delivered a threatening message to a banker. During the robbery, they claimed that they were carrying arms, but did not exhibit a weapon. They eventually escaped with an undisclosed sum of money. After the FBI published their images on March 15, the HCSO began receiving tips from the public and even parents of two juveniles came forward to identify them, according to the sheriff's office. The law enforcement agency identified the third boy after a scuffle and the officials recovered a weapon and distinguishing items from their possession. Also Read: US school bullies create 'mock slave auction' group chat, ask students to bid on their Black classmates What punishments can they face? Speaking to ABC13, Mike Schneider, a former juvenile district court judge, said, I was thinking either this was very low in sophistication or maybe an adult had something to do with this. That is not uncommon. "Because kids have a punishment that is less severe, it is not uncommon for adult offenders to get them to commit crimes," he added. If the charges levelled against them proven reliable, they may face probation until the age of 18 or juvenile detention until they turn 19, according to one criminal defence attorney. The sixteen-year-old may be recognised as an adult, but that is unlikely, he said. Ashwin Ramaswami on Wednesday officially launched his campaign as the Democratic party nominee for State Senate in Georgia's 48th district ahead of the upcoming election. Ashwin Ramaswamy said he is ready to work towards Georgia that passes common-sense gun safety measures and protects every family's freedom to control their reproductive healthcare(X@ashwinforga) Ramaswamy, a 24-year-old software engineer, is the first Indian-American from Generation Z who is eyeing a state or federal legislative position in the United States. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he said: "Today, I officially launched my General Election campaign as the Democratic nominee for GA State Senate District 48." Also Read: Indian student from Hyderabad goes missing in US, family reaches out to MEA after ransom call What is Ashwin Ramaswami's vision? Appealing to voters to move away from partisan extremists and election deniers, Ramaswami emphasised the need to work towards Georgia where every family lives in a community with safe streets and strong schools, and where every Georgian has the healthcare they need. I am ready to work for Georgia that provides healthcare for all working families by expanding Medicaid. I am ready to work for Georgia that passes common-sense gun safety measures and protects every family's freedom to control their reproductive healthcare., he asserted. He further outlined how he is different and better from the current Georgia State Senator Shawn Still, noting that while the current state senator checks all the boxes for a typical Georgia politician, it's time for a new set. Ramaswami targeted the Republican Senator Still, who is one of the nineteen defendants accused in the Georgia election tampering case, saying the only thing that is "standing in our way are the politicians of yesterday". In the video, he charged Shawn Still of "scheming" with former US President Donald Trump to steal the people's votes. "I'm an election security expert running in my hometown against a fake elector who was indicted with Trump for trying to overturn the 2020 election results," he said. The State Senator is currently under investigation in the case. Also Read: Georgia judge permits Donald Trump to appeal Fani Willis disqualification decision All you need to about Ashwin Ramaswami Ramaswami, the child of immigrants, was born and raised in Johns Creek. His parents moved to the United States from Tamil Nadu in 1990. He holds graduation in computer science from Stanford in 2021. He has worked with several organisations, startups, and small businesses. As a public servant, he has worked with cybersecurity and election security teams and also cooperated with state and municipal election offices to safeguard the 2020 and 2022 polls. If Ramaswami win the elections, he will become Georgia's first Generation Z state senator, with degrees in both law and computer science. The Consulate General of India in New York is working with local law enforcement authorities to find a 25-year-old Indian student in Cleveland who has been missing since the beginning of this month. Mohammad Abdul Arfath, hailing from Nacharam, Hyderabad, arrived in the US in May last year to pursue a Masters in IT from Cleveland University.(X@amjedmbt) Mohammad Abdul Arfath, hailing from Nacharam, Hyderabad, arrived in the US in May last year to pursue a Masters in IT from Cleveland University. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. His father Mohammed Saleem said that Arfath last spoke to him on March 7. Since then, he has not been in touch with his family and his mobile phone is switched off. The Indian Consulate said in a post on X that it is in touch with Arfath's family and authorities in the US. We are working with local law enforcement agencies to find him at the earliest. Also Read: Who was Paruchuri Abhijit? Indian student from Andhra Pradesh found dead in US; 9th such tragedy in 2024 Arfath's parents receive ransom call, seeks Jaishankar's help Arfath's roommates in the US informed his father that they have lodged a missing persons complaint with Cleveland Police. On March 19, Arfath's family received a call from an unidentified person who claimed that Arfath had been kidnapped allegedly by a gang selling drugs and demanded USD 1,200 to release him. The caller also threatened to sell Arfath's kidneys if the ransom wasn't paid, his father said. "Yesterday, I got a call from an unknown number, and the caller informed me that my son has been kidnapped and demanded money. The caller did not mention the mode of payment but just asked to pay the amount. When I asked the caller to allow us to talk to my son but he refused," Saleem told PTI in Hyderabad. Arfath's parents have requested the central government to take necessary measures to bring back their son safely. Saleem has also written to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in this regard. Also Read: List of Indian students found dead in US under mysterious circumstances recently US sees surge in deaths of Indian students The incident is the latest in a string of troubling cases pertaining to the safety and security of Indian students in the US. Since the beginning of this year, several cases of deaths of Indian and Indian-origin students have caused alarm and concern among the community. Earlier this week, the Consulate had posted on X about the death of Abhijeeth Paruchuru, a 20-year-old Indian student, in Boston. Paruchuru's parents, based in Connecticut, had been in direct touch with detectives and initial investigations into his death had ruled out any foul play. Indian-American Sameer Kamath, 23, a student at Purdue University was found dead in a nature preserve in Indiana in February. He died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, according to authorities. In January, 18-year-old Akul Dhawan, a student of the University of Illinois was found unresponsive outside a campus building. Investigations revealed that he died due to hypothermia. Authorities said acute alcohol intoxication and prolonged exposure to extremely cold temperatures contributed to his death. In another incident in January, 25-year-old Indian student Vivek Saini was hammered to death by a homeless drug addict in Georgia. Kyle Rittenhouse, who was found not guilty of shooting that killed two men during the 2020 civil unrest in Wisconsin, faced huge backlash from students during an event in the University of Memphis on March 20, Wednesday. Kyle Rittenhouse's appearance at an event of University of Memphis was derailed by large group of protestors.(AP) Rittenhouse arrived on the campus on the request of the Universitys Turning Point USA Chapter. He was invited to talk about the second amendment and to share his views on gun violence and the 2020 incident. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Majority of students protested his arrival on the campus, forcing Rittenhouse to leave the event early. As per local media, he appeared on the stage only for 30 minutes. In the social media videos that went viral on X (formerly Twitter), a group can be seen holding placards and raising slogans of, No Justice, no peace. While one demonstrator held a poster that read, "Murderers don't belong here", another had the message, "Put Rittenhouse behind bars, not a podium." Speaking about their protest, one student told ABC24, The goal is to take up spacebut mostly to take up space from people who have harmful ideologies." Also Read: Rapper Yo Gottis brother Big Jook killed during shooting outside Memphis restaurant Justifying the Rittenhouse's appearance, the University of Memphis asserted that he has the right under the First Amendment to do so. It further said it is "the expression of different ideas and opinions plays an important role in maintaining a diverse campus environment that is open and inclusive." Before the event, the university urged the students to be peaceful and respectful, regardless of how they felt about the invitation given to Rittenhouse. Meanwhile, photographs of flyers surfaced on social media stating that a "9MM beats 911 every time," that some people said were handed out inside the event. A video on X shows some protesters at the event booing, yelling, and questioning Rittenhouse. A great event: Rittenhouse says otherwise Following the incident, Rittenhouse posted a video on X, claiming that the event was "great". He rejected the reports of him being "booed off stage" as false and funny. In 2020, Rittenhouse, at the age of 17, entered a Black Lives Matter event in Kenosha, Wisconsin, with a semi-automatic rifle and commenced firing. He was acquitted of killing two individuals and injured another after pleading self-defence. Also Read: FBI Houston finally arrests 'Little Rascals for robbing bank, who are they? Just four days being acquitted of double murder, Rittenhouse appeared in an interview with NewsNation, where he stated that he regretted going to the rally but did not regret acting in self-defence. Meanwhile, Rep. Tom Massie, R-Ky., also backed Rittenhouse, stressing that he had a greater sense of civic duty than most people exhibit in a lifetime. While the St. Louis teen Kaylee Gain continues to battle for her life after a viral high school fight, the accused claims that she is the real victim, adding that she was "harassed and bullied" before the incident. Kaylee Gain remains unconscious in the hospital after she received severe head injuries during a terrible school fight.(X@@libsoftiktok) In its exclusive report, Daily Mail reported that the family of the teenage girl charged with brutally attacking 16-year-old Gain has started seeking $150k in donations for her legal defence. They have launched a Change.org petition, urging the St Louis Juvenile Court to display compassion to the teen girl. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Calling her niece an honor student at Hazelwood East High School, the accused's aunt said that she was defending herself during the viral brawl that broke out on March 8 in Spanish Lakes, Missouri. She urged people to donate for the legal fees, claiming that the situation was not as it appeared. The horrible video that went viral on the social media platforms shows Gain being repeatedly smashed on the floor, resulting in a potentially fatal skull fracture. According to doctors, Gain is still unconscious nearly two weeks after the beating. Also Read: Missouri girl brutally assaulted by black teen near Hazelwood East School, sparks calls to end anti-white agenda GoFundMe removes the fundraiser, donations to be returned to donors The fundraiser, which was pulled by GoFundMe, claimed that the 15-year-old accused was 'unfairly' portrayed as a bully and that she is a victim. The family, which claims to have received 'racist death threats', launched the petition on March 16 and raised around $3,000 before the page was taken down. However, the GoFundMe authorities have confirmed that donations will now be refunded to the donors. Speaking to Daily Mail, a GoFundMe spokesman said: "I can confirm the fundraiser was removed and all donors have been refunded." "GoFundMe's Terms of Service explicitly prohibit fundraising for the legal defense of an alleged violent crime". The accused, who has been charged with felony assault, is currently under the custody of St Louis Family Court. Her hearing is scheduled for early April. Also Read: Missouri man arrested for killing his mother after mistaking her for intruder: He hasnt stopped crying What's Kaylee's parents take? The devastated parents of Kaylee have demanded justice but have appealed to other students not to retaliate against the suspected attacker. In a statement through their lawyer, the family said that they won't learn about the extent of Kaylee's injuries until she wakes up. In order to meet her hospital expenses, the family has raised over $300,000 so far. They informed that she has suffered a fractured skull that resulted in brain injury and she is yet to regain consciousness. Attorneys representing the New York attorney general's office have issued a firm response to former US President Donald Trump's assertions regarding his inability to furnish a bond to cover a substantial fine for business fraud, and signalling a potential escalation of legal actions against him. Donald Trump faces Monday's deadline for fraud bond as NYC Attorney General Letitia James threatens to seize every bit of his property.(Reuters/AP) The office of Attorney General Letitia James has already warned that action will kick off on Monday, which is Trump's deadline to secure a bond of $454 million required in defending a civil fraud judgment during the legal battle. Immediately, the homily election campaign went into action towards this with an appeal to the supporters to provide their financial correlates because of the threats by the opponents on his New York enterprises. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Letitia James poised to take action against Trump Tower "Keep your filthy hands off of Trump Tower!" reads a rallying cry from a joint fundraising committee, rallying Trump's loyal base to stand against any encroachment on his iconic properties. ALSO READ| How Texas' plan to arrest and deport migrants for illegal entry would work According to Saturdays New York Post, Trump may let Monday pass without comment to fall back on his attorney general, who is determined to take the heat against Trump Tower, a symbol of his real estate business and political aspirations and may even bring legal actions against the building. Only a few days ago, Trump's legal team claimed that the implicitly high postage of a $454 million bond covering a civil fraud forfeiture had been declined by all 30 surety companies due to impracticability. Bearing the doubts of Jamess office dated back to the previously reported accounts of Trump by CNN, Fan, the senior assistant solicitor general, was actually skeptical about the timing and accuracy of Trumps assertions in his allegation. However, Donald Trump's fortunes couldn't lag behind his financial management abilities. The numerous court battles the billionaire keeps losing negatively affected his finances. As illustrated by the Court Judge Engoron's decision earlier this year (Judge Arthur Engoron), Donald Trump, his company, and top executives were all party to that scheme that saw the financial institutions receiving the hefty fine amount of $355 million together with interests. As interest compounded daily, the penalty received a new sum that incremented over time, and then Trump was in serious financial trouble. ALSO READ| Georgia judge permits Donald Trump to appeal Fani Willis disqualification decision James sais she is each and every day to seize Trump's properties, including the towering Trump Tower in Midtown Manhattan, should the need arise. "Before the day is over, Im calling on one million pro-Trump patriots to chip in," Trump's campaign plea piped in. I wrote this article in profound sadness and much anger at the appalling incident that took the life of the lovely Shirley Motsa - a cyclist, runner and hugely adored role-model in our society. RIP Shirley and deep condolences to your family. Local political, economic and social issues are always on ones mind but are generally well covered by other writers. Increasingly, big issues around the world that affect us directly are also prompting the need for coverage. Im not going down the Israel/Gaza road and the appalling loss of life of innocent Palestinians. Its too distressing and currently insoluble; brutal slaughter prompting brutal revenge, with politics driving the whole thing into a cul-de-sac. And the western world, duly sympathetic, but papering over the cracks, partly because of some powerful lobbies. Its reminiscent of Libya in 2011, except in that case NATO stepped in to halt the killing and air-bombed Gaddafis 75-vehicle motorcade racing across the desert. But a similar NATO intervention in Gaza would not be warranted under present circumstances. The western world is essentially marking time, while Russia presses on with Putin emboldened by the phoney election continuing his life presidency. The peace deal to stop the unceasing slaughter of innocent people now looks further into the distance. Lets stay with the USA. They are the Big Brother, the heavyweight fixer of the good and free democratic world; always there when the chips are down. But its current politics are weird. Admittedly the leadership of that country is not solely in the hands of the president. It relies heavily on the ability of advisers, many of whom should themselves perhaps have been in the top spot; only didnt have the money. And the forthcoming November 2024 USA national election has become fascinating to some, but depressing to many. It defies all the principles that should dominate democracy. Even as figurehead, the political leader of the most powerful nation in the world one that successfully united 50 completely separate states should have a high level of integrity, oral clarity that demonstrates intellectual and inter-personal skills and work experience out in the big wide world. And be able to walk up a flight of steps without falling down. Neither has all of those virtues. Subversive That leader should be someone the masses can look up to and admire rather than vote blindly for their political party. In one case they idolise a person who is possibly going to be found as subversive, mendacious and an abuser of women. In the other is a guy needing multilateral support - trying not to stumble and fall, or forget which way the podium is located. What were now seeing is the likes of Bill Clinton and Barack Obama showing more visible support for Joe Biden, the Democrat contender for the Presidency. Are the Democrats getting desperate? I had long expected them to retire their man to the comics and pool cleaning (serious geriatric Reaganomics) and the word on the street not sure which street was that Michele Obama was in line for selection as a Biden-substitute. Even Hilary Clinton, who in 2016 was the closest a woman has even been to the presidency, would not be a crazy choice. With Bill and Barack becoming more visible, some might think theyre jostling for the nomination themselves. But in 1951 the 22nd Amendment was ratified, limiting to two the number of terms served by the president. Both Bill and Barack have already served twice. That constitutional change 73 years ago ended a controversy over Franklin Roosevelts four elected terms to the White House. Its interesting to reflect on the abilities of Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. Both were bright guys for the driving seat; no question about that. Clintons astute mind was never in doubt. His level of integrity and discretion, however, were questionable; and indeed, closely questioned, with additional allegations extending beyond Ms Lewinsky. I trust Im allowed to give the reader a moment of innocent amusement when I mention the sign engraved into the concrete front wall slab on the Solihull family residence of an ex-girlfriend of mine who went out with Clinton in the late 1960s. It says (or perhaps now said), Bill Clinton slept here. Clinton is gracious enough to mention that Bidens achievements have been under-stated and that the USA presidency, a unique position in the world, is far more difficult than people imagine. But the fundamental issue is now that Biden is too old and spends too much time trotting to and fro before the camera to suggest a youth that left him many years ago. Both Clinton and Obama are now serving as faithful Democrats and providing valuable support, possibly to the extent of being surrogate presidents during Bidens next tour of duty. It may be too late. Even the now unlikely emergence of Michele Obama as the Democrat choice would find it hard to challenge Trump effectively. If Gaza and Ukraine are still in the sights itll be like wartime. Thats when the people want a leader who can shout convincingly. If he can send an offensive digital signal to the authorities of his own country, hell have no problem with outsiders. And it must be remembered that, to most Americans, whats outside will never be a match for their own country. Prince Harry has escalated his legal battle against media mogul Rupert Murdoch's empire, alleging that The Sun tabloid unlawfully intercepted phone calls involving his late mother, Princess Diana, and his father, King Charles III, as he expands his privacy invasion lawsuit against News Group Newspapers (NGN). FILE - Britain's Prince Harry leaves the Royal Courts Of Justice in London, on March 30, 2023. (AP) Prince Harry claims, Diana's conversations were being monitored In a dramatic courtroom showdown, Harry's attorney, David Sherborne, revealed that evidence obtained from NGN's materials corroborates suspicions that Diana's conversations were being monitored, exposing intimate details about Harry's life from as young as 9 years old. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The amended complaint paints a picture of Diana's distress over potential surveillance, with articles in The Sun and News of the World referencing her private discussions and movements, including therapy sessions. Sherborne condemned the newspapers for dismissing Diana's concerns as "paranoid delusions" when, in fact, she was subjected to unlawful interception known by NGN's editors and executives. The defendant's newspapers described his late mother's concerns as paranoid delusions,' when the true position was that she was under close surveillance and her calls were being unlawfully intercepted by (NGN), which was known about by its editors and senior executives, Sherborne said in court papers. This revelation comes on the heels of accusations implicating Murdoch himself in the cover-up of unlawful information gathering, prompting Harry to join 44 other claimants, including celebrities like Hugh Grant and Guy Ritchie, in alleging widespread privacy violations spanning from 1994 to 2016. They have accused the group of unlawful activity that included intercepting voicemails, tapping phones, bugging cars and using deception to access confidential information. Defense lawyer Anthony Hudson criticized Harry's timing and accused him of creating distractions from the impending trial in January. NGN issued a vehement rebuttal, denouncing the claims as baseless attacks on former employees. Despite legal hurdles, Judge Timothy Fancourt is expected to rule on Harry's application to amend the lawsuit, which could further intensify the already contentious legal battle. With a precedent-setting victory against Mirror Group Newspapers and ongoing litigation against other tabloids, Prince Harry remains undeterred in his quest to hold the media accountable for their actions, even if it means confronting the formidable forces of the British press. King Charles' medical records were not compromised during the alleged data breach involving Kate Middleton's personal information at the London Clinic. The breach was reported weeks after the King was diagnosed with cancer and the Princess of Wales underwent abdominal surgery. During her visit to Northern Ireland, Queen Camilla told well-wishers that King Charles III is "doing very well" following his six weeks of cancer treatment.(AFP/Representative) Daily Mail first reported that Charles' files were not breached when a London Clinic staff member attempted to access Kate's medical data. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Later, PA news agency also confirmed that Charles' data was not compromised when he was at the London hospital, which is located in the uber-posh Marylebone region. Doctors detected an unidentified type of cancer while examining the 75-year-old monarch for an enlarged prostate. However, it was later clarified that the King has been diagnosed with cancer elsewhere in his body, not of the prostate. Also Read: Queen Camilla quips her grandson Louis is 'quite a handful', but palace clarifies she didn't mean Kate's son Meanwhile, the CEO of the London Clinic stated that the hospital will take all regulatory steps as three of its suspended staff members were being investigated for the alleged infringement in Kate's case. In a statement to NY POST, Al Russell said the London Clinic has "systems in place to track the handling of patient data and vowed to take all disciplinary steps if there was any breach. This comes a day after the UK's data protection authority, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), stated it was "assessing" accusations that a hospital employees attempted to gain access to the Princess of Wales' medical records. She was released from the hospital on January 29 after an unidentified abdominal surgery. Also Read: Shocking revelation behind Kate and William's weekend outing, royal expert makes a sensational remark Queen Camilla gives major update on King Charles's health During her visit to Northern Ireland, Queen Camilla told well-wishers that King Charles III is "doing very well" following his six weeks of cancer treatment. The King has been under routine medical care in London since February 5. While he even canceled several royal events, the monarch still performs certain responsibilities. After receiving a "get well soon card" from Brenda Robb, a store clerk at The Arcadia deli in Northern Island, the Queen said: King is doing very well, Newsweek reported. When it was pointed that men are not usually "the best patients," Camilla responded, "I try to keep him in order." Britain's Queen Camilla, during her latest visit to the Isle of Man on Wednesday, joked that her grandson Louis was "quite a handful" as she addressed the crowd on the behalf of King Charles. "I have a Louis grandson... quite a handful," said the Queen, who was seen all laughing and smiling while meeting her well-wishers during her visit to the Isle of Man, reported Sky News.(X@poneill17) On her way out of Douglas Borough Council, the 76-year-old Queen stopped to meet with well-wishers, including Rachael Hughes and her 15-week-old twins, Louie and Oliver. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. She arrived at the Isle of Man to confer city status on the Borough of Douglas and handed the letters patent to make it legal. "I have a Louis grandson... quite a handful," said the Queen, who was seen all laughing and smiling while meeting her well-wishers, reported Sky News. Several media outlets reported that she made the remarks about the 5-year-old son Prince Louis, who is the youngest child of Prince William and Kate. Prince Louis garnered all media attention in 2022 after being caught making goofy faces and dramatically shielding his ears near Queen Elizabeth during her Platinum Jubilee celebrations. However, Buckingham Palace soon clarified that the Queen was referring to grandson Louis Lopes, Hello Magazine reported. Notably, Camilla has two grandsons named Louis. The other Louis is Louis Lopes, the son of her daughter from the first marriage to Andrew Parker Bowles. He was born in 2009. Also Read: Was Queen Camilla the real reason behind Prince Harrys early departure from UK after visiting ailing King? Know about Camilla's grandchildren from first marriage Queen Camilla and Andrew Parker Bowles shared two children from her first marriage -- Laura Lopes and Tom Parker Bowles. They both have five grandchildren. Her daughter Laura Lopes has twin sons Louis and Gus, 14, and daughter Eliza, who is16-year-old, with husband Harry Lopes. The Queen'sson and ex-wife Sarah Parker Bowlesare parents to two children --son Freddy and daughter Lola. Also Read: Why Prince Harry and Queen Camilla's bad blood has resulted in the Duke's no-show in royal affairs Queen says sorry on behalf of King Charles As the Queen landed the isle on behalf of the King Charles, who is still recovering from cancer treatment, she said that the monarch was "so sorry" he couldn't be present in person to enjoy the "extremely special occasion". After delivering the speech that the King had written, the Queen met youngsters, asking young kids about their plans for the impending Easter holidays, and whether they are looking forward to participating in Easter egg hunts. A manhunt is underway to locate 22-year-old Riley Strain, who went missing on March 8 after allegedly being kicked out of Lukes 32 Bridge in Nashville. The University of Missouri senior was in Music City for a fraternity conference with his Delta Chi fraternity brothers over the weekend. Riley Strain's mom has recalled the final conversation they had before he went missing in Nashville (Chris Whiteid via AP) Strains mother has now recalled the last conversion she had with her son. Were searching everywhere, mom Michelle Whiteid, 52, told PEOPLE. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Hes such a great kid Ive never gone this long without talking to him, she added. He just always wants to make sure that his mama is okay, no matter what. Hes such a great kid. Whiteid and Strain generally talk several times a day. If he was having a bad day at school, he would call me and we would talk, she said. Id be like, You just got to get through it, Bub. Not every day is going to be perfect, but you got to find the good in everything. The two texted back and forth even the night Strain went missing. He texted his mom a photo, saying a friend had allowed him to borrow one of his shirts. Doesnt this look so Nashville? he texted. Im like, Have so much fun, she said. Strain also shared a picture of him at Miranda Lamberts Bar. She said she believes he was at Garth Brooks' bar when he FaceTimed her. His friends were with him at the time. I was laying down, and I didnt want him to know I didnt feel good, but I was just telling him that I was watching a show, Whiteid said, adding that he and his buddies joked with her, asking her why she was going to sleep so early. They were giving me a hard time, saying, 'Its 7:30, what are you doing in bed already? Come on, Mom, get up!' she said. We FaceTimed for a while, he wanted me to see around, and he was so excited, she said. Then we hung up and he texted me and he was like, It was kind of hard to hear you, but I wanted you to see what was happening." "I said, Well, you boys be safe. Make good choices. I love you guys. And he said, I love you, too, " Whiteid added. "And thats it, thats the last I have heard from him. Police have said that they are doing everything to find Strain. Hardly any physical evidence has been found yet, except his bank card, which was discovered near a river. I think he got turned around and just went the wrong way, Whiteid said. I dont know. Everythings speculation right now. I want to thank everyone for searching for him and keeping him and us in their prayers and their thoughts, she added. It means so much. Its whats keeping us going. Strain remains missing over a week later. His stepfather Chris Whiteid said that the bartender at Luke Bryans bar, 32 Bridge Food + Drink, cut off the University of Missouri student after he was overserved. However, the bar claimed he was served just one alcoholic drink. Strain disappeared after being led out by the security team. A recently-released body camera footage also revealed that Strain spoke with a police officer minutes before he disappeared. The footage, released by the Metro Nashville Police Department, showed him speaking with a police officer on Gay Street, responding to a burglary call. The mysterious absence of Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, has sparked a flurry of conspiracy theories, with speculations resurfacing about her husband Prince William's alleged affair with British noblewoman Rose Hanbury, the Marchioness of Cholmondeley. Despite denials from Hanbury's lawyers regarding the affair rumors, heightened public interest in the royal family has led to intensified scrutiny of her background. Social Media posts in China suggest Rose Hanbury's royal decor may have been pillaged from China during the late Qing Dynasty, toward the end of the 19th century. Recent attention has focused also on Hanbury's association with Houghton Hall, the historic estate where she resides with her husband, David Rocksavage, the Marquess of Cholmondeley, and their children. Social media users, particularly on Chinese platforms like Xiaohongshu and Weibo, have drawn attention to the origins of Hanbury's opulent furniture, suggesting possible links to looting during China's late Qing Dynasty. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The Sassoons started to accumulate their wealth by looting late Qing China, a social media post claims A post on Xiaohongshu alleges that Hanbury's husband inherited the furniture from the Sassoon family, known as "the Rothschilds of the East," who amassed wealth through a 19th-century trading empire, including dealings in commodities like opium. While the Sassoons were prominent figures in British society, their legacy is tainted by allegations of profiting from China's tumultuous history, including the looting of artifacts during the country's "century of humiliation." The scrutiny surrounding Hanbury's decor has reignited calls for the repatriation of potentially misappropriated foreign artifacts in the UK. Museums, including the British Museum, which received donations from the Sassoon family, have faced criticism for housing plundered Chinese artifacts. The ongoing debate reflects broader tensions over cultural heritage and restitution in a globalized world. Ellie Hall, a former royals reporter, remarked on the unexpected twist in the royal saga, highlighting the public's fascination with uncovering every detail related to Princess Kate's absence. As the speculation continues, the mystery surrounding Middleton's whereabouts adds another layer of intrigue to the ever-evolving narrative of the British royal family. All about the Sassoon family Originating from a Jewish Baghdadi background, the Sassoons established a vast trading empire that spanned continents, dealing in commodities ranging from textiles to tea. However, their most notorious trade was in opium, a lucrative enterprise that contributed significantly to their immense wealth. As the Sassoon dynasty flourished, they transitioned from successful merchants to influential members of the British aristocracy. Knighted in 1872, Sir Albert Sassoon paved the way for the family's entry into British high society, solidifying their position among the elite. The legacy of the Sassoon family is not without controversy. Their involvement in the opium trade, particularly during a period of colonial expansion and exploitation, has drawn criticism and condemnation. Questions have also arisen regarding the acquisition of certain artifacts, prompting debates about restitution and historical accountability. The US Justice Department and 16 state attorneys general have initiated an antitrust lawsuit against Apple on Thursday, marking the government's most significant challenge to the tech giant's dominance. The lawsuit alleges, Apple violated antitrust laws by stifling competition through restrictive policies that limit other companies from offering applications that rival its own products, such as digital wallets, potentially diminishing the value of iPhones. FILE PHOTO: The Apple Inc. logo is seen in the lobby of New York City's flagship Apple store January 18, 2011. REUTERS/Mike Segar/File Photo(REUTERS) According to excerpts from the lawsuit released by the government, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, Apple's actions harm consumers and smaller companies competing with its services. The government asserts that Apple's conduct has bolstered its smartphone monopoly over the years, creating an unfair advantage. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Each step in Apples course of conduct built and reinforced the moat around its smartphone monopoly, the government said in the lawsuit. The lawsuit represents the culmination of years of regulatory scrutiny aimed at Apple's suite of devices and services, which have propelled the company into a nearly $2.75 trillion entity. Central to the lawsuit is Apple's flagship product, the iPhone, which has become the linchpin of its empire. Critics argue that Apple maintains an uneven playing field by tightly controlling the user experience on its devices, granting preferential treatment to its own products and services over competitors. This control extends to limiting access to core features for finance companies and Bluetooth trackers, making it easier for users to connect Apple products to the iPhone compared to devices from other manufacturers. Apple contends that its stringent control measures enhance security, but app developers and rival device makers argue that the company exploits its power to suppress competition. In response to the lawsuit, an Apple spokeswoman expressed concern, stating that it threatens the company's ability to innovate and could set a dangerous precedent for government intervention in technology design. Despite previous legal challenges, Apple has successfully defended its business practices, emphasizing its commitment to fostering innovation and creating opportunities for various stakeholders. However, the outcome of this latest antitrust battle remains uncertain as it delves into the heart of Apple's dominance in the tech industry. The United States has taken a significant diplomatic step by presenting a draft resolution at the United Nations Security Council, urging for an "immediate ceasefire tied to the release of hostages" in the Gaza Strip. This move comes amidst a challenging period of conflict in the region, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken making the announcement during his ongoing tour of the Middle East, which includes a crucial stop in Israel. TOPSHOT - US President Joe Biden speaks at the Intel Ocotillo Campus in Chandler, Arizona, on March 20, 2024. (AFP) "Well, in fact, we actually have a resolution that we put forward right now that's before the United Nations Security Council that does call for an immediate ceasefire tied to the release of hostages, and we hope very much that countries will support that," Blinken said in Saudi Arabia. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. From veto against ceasefire US circulates ceasefire resolution Historically, the United States has been a staunch ally of Israel, often using its veto power to block resolutions deemed unfavorable to Israeli interests. However, recent developments indicate a shift in approach, with Washington increasingly pressing for actions that prioritize civilian protection and humanitarian aid in the conflict-stricken region. The decision to propose a draft resolution underscores the growing urgency to address the escalating violence and humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Blinken's emphasis on the need to safeguard civilians and provide essential aid reflects a broader international concern for the well-being of the population caught in the crossfire. Negotiations for an alternative resolution have been underway since the US vetoed a similar proposal put forward by Algeria in February. The new version of the resolution stresses the immediate need for a ceasefire to protect civilians, facilitate humanitarian aid delivery, and secure the release of hostages held by Hamas militants. Blinken's diplomatic tour aims to engage key stakeholders in the region to advance peace efforts and alleviate the suffering of affected populations. Stops in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Israel highlight the United States' commitment to finding a diplomatic solution to the crisis. Simultaneously, discussions in Qatar seek to broker a ceasefire agreement, with proposals involving hostage exchanges and increased humanitarian assistance to Gaza. However, challenges persist as tensions remain high, and the situation on the ground continues to deteriorate. Recent Israeli assaults on hospitals in Gaza have exacerbated civilian casualties, drawing condemnation from the international community. The United Nations' warning of an impending famine underscores the urgent need for coordinated efforts to address the humanitarian crisis and prevent further loss of life. Moreover, concerns over a potential large-scale invasion of Rafah heighten anxieties about the escalation of violence and its devastating impact on civilian populations. The situation in the occupied West Bank also remains volatile, with clashes resulting in numerous Palestinian casualties. A significant number of seniors in United States are having their Social Security benefits reduced because they defaulted on student loan payments. This primarily affects those who rely on Social Security as their main source of income. The population of Americans aged 60 years and older with student debt has skyrocketed in recent years. The total debt burden amounts to over $125 billion. This has led to more Social Security beneficiaries experiencing benefit reductions due to student loan defaults. FILE PHOTO: Supporters of U.S. President Joe Biden's s plans for student debt relief march near the White House after a U.S. Supreme Court decision blocking the president's plan to cancel $430 billion in student loan debt, in Washington, U.S. June 30, 2023. REUTERS/Leah Millis/File Photo(REUTERS) Withholding social security payments can push beneficiaries closer to or into poverty. Much of the money collected goes toward fees and interests rather than reducing the principal amount owed. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, among other democratic lawmakers, is urging federal agencies to halt the practice of offsetting Social Security benefits for student loan payments. They argue it undermines the programmes purpose of providing economic security to every American. Warren and 30 others sent out a letter at 7 p.m. on Thursday. On Wednesday morning, the Social Security Administration and Department of Education acknowledged they had received the letter. The letter calls for a briefing with the leaders of three federal agencies involved in gathering funds: the Social Security Administration, Treasury Department, and Education Department, by April 2. Offsetting Social Security benefits can push beneficiaries closer toor even intopoverty, the letter says. The letter writers propose that the exemption of Social Security retirement, survivor, and disability payments from offsets relating to student loans is the solution. We should eliminate as much student debt as we can for everyone, but especially for those who have spent decades of their lives working to pay it off,said Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif. This bill would ensure that instead of triaging their benefits, seniors and disabled individuals can focus more on their health, their families, and thriving in their best years. Senators who have signed onto the letter include Ron Wyden (D-Wyo.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.). Representatives include Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.), John Larson (D-Conn.), Alma Adams (D-N.C.), Becca Balint (D-Vt.), Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.), Cori Bush (D-Mo.), Danny Davis (D-Ill.), Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Tex.), Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Doris Matsui (D-Calif.), James McGovern (D-Mass.), Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.), Janice Schakowsky (D-Ill.), Grace Napolitano (D-Calif) and Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.). A now viral TikTok video addressing illegal immigrants explained how they could invoke squatting laws and invade American houses without being a public burden. A fellow migrant, Venezuelan TikToker Leonal Moreno, shouts out about his plans of invading a house in the United States. Venezuelan TikToker Leonal Moreno, 'migrant influencer,' tells illegal immigrants about how to twist squatting laws to their advantage and 'invade' US homes. Tapping squatter rights, he claims that he's found a law that says that if a house is not inhabited, we can seize it. Disseminating his message in Spanish, he announces his next line of business as invading abandoned houses." Also highlighting that some of his African friends have already found such seven US homes, Moreno believes this to be the apt way for migrants not to be a public burden or live as homeless beings on the street. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Viral TikTok video for illegal immigrants and squatting rights The migrant TikToker previously shot to internet fame upon uniting his followers to pay the fines ascribed to a 15-year-old migrant, Jesus Alejandro Rivas-Figueroa, who reportedly shot a person at Times Square and fired on cops. He was charged as an adult with attempted murder. In his new video as well, he maintains the same instigating theme of conversation. He guides migrants about how they can seize abandoned, deteriorated houses, repair them and live in them or choose to sell them. Also read | US government sues Apple for violating antitrust laws Though prevalent in all 50 states, Squatter's rights (AKA adverse possession) aren't uniform across the nation. Squatters are not to be clubbed with trespassers because the latter only enter someone's property briefly. Some states protect non-paying individuals occupying a property for long periods. In New York City, people staying at a property for only 30 days can invoke Squatter's rights. The Venezuelan TikToker has a firm following of 500,000, and his latest viral video has amassed over 3.9 million views. Yet again, the issue of migrants in the US has significantly divided the internet, with one TikTok user even writing, This guy needs to be charged with whatever crime." Many others chimed in, claiming he was engaging others to engage in illegal activities. Flooss, a pioneering fintech platform, has announced its status as a fully Sharia-compliant platform, setting new standards in the industry. Flooss said it is committed to innovation, customer-centricity, and upholding the principles of Sharia finance to foster financial inclusion and contribute to the economy of Bahrain. With an unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction, Flooss has consistently evolved to meet the ever-changing needs of its customers. By placing customers at the core of its operations, the company has embraced a forward-thinking approach, driving continuous improvement and innovation, it said. With the completion of Flooss's efforts to obtain Sharia compliance certification, the platform aims to establish a deeper connection with the community it serves, while upholding the values it represents. "We are thrilled to announce that Flooss is now a fully Sharia-compliant platform. Our vision extends beyond financial freedom; it is about fostering real connections and creating a lasting impact in the lives of our community," said Fawaz Ghazal, CEO at Flooss. Recognising the diverse needs of its users, Flooss understands the importance of providing financial services that align with their ideologies. Through its cutting-edge technological advancements and the implementation of Sharia-compliant practices, Flooss ensures that users can access a wide range of financial services while adhering to Sharia principles. Flooss will continue to revolutionise the way people engage with financial services in Bahrain and he platform remains committed to setting new industry benchmarks, promoting financial inclusion, and driving economic growth in the country, it said. Flooss Bahrain is the first digital instant financing company in Bahrain, licensed by the Central Bank of Bahrain as a financing company. It provides digital loans without the hassle of paperwork and long processes, the company said. TradeArabia News Service Actress Lola Glaudini told an incident from the set of the movie 'Blow,' in which Johnny Depp allegedly chastised her for giggling during a take. This story appeared in an earlier this year release of the 'Powerful Truth Angels' podcast that has been doing the rounds lately. Glaudini, who had a small role in a scene alongside Johnny Depp, revealed that she received specific instructions from director Ted Demme to spontaneously burst into laughter when Depp delivered a particular line during filming. Lola Glaudini Reveals Verbal Abuse by Johnny Depp on Set In a recent interview, actress Lisa Glaudini discussed her experience of having been subjected to verbal abuse while working on a film set with Johnny Depp. Glaudini, who is known for her work in smaller films, spoke about her uncomfortable experience on a podcast. She said that she had a distressing meeting with Depp on the first day of production. Providing a thorough account of what happened, Glaudini described how Depp, popular for his immersive acting style, reportedly became aggressive towards her following a scene. "I hear the cue, and I go haha, I do a big laugh or whatever," she recounted, explaining Depp's alleged aggression towards her. Glaudini said that Depp verbally attacked her, accusing her of diverting attention and interfering with his performance. She conveyed her sense of separation after the happening, expressing frustration at the lack of support from the production team. Glaudini recalls that she was taken aback and unclear by Depp's unexpected outburst, especially considering it was true that she had quite a bit of respect for him as a professional actor. She recognized the difficulty of controlling her tears, but she made the decision to keep calm, following the advice that her father had given her to be resilient in trying circumstances, according to Variety. Read Also: Libya-Tunisia Ras Jedir Border Crossing Closed Amid Renewed Armed Conflict Johnny Depp's Attempted Apology Furthermore, Glaudini said that Depp tried to cover up the argument with what she described as a hesitant apology. As per her statement, Depp approached her later in the day and explained that his behavior was due to the difficulties of staying in character with a Boston accent. In spite of his attempts to make corrections, Glaudini maintained her composure, following the advice of her father. The actress also explained her disappointment in the lack of intervention from the late director Jonathan Demme, indicating her feeling of being left behind after the incident. She expressed her feelings of being excluded from the cast and crew, describing herself as part of Depp's a temper. The new assertions caused another look of Depp's behavior during filming and have caused worries about the treatment of other performers in the set. Meanwhile, Johnny Depp's representative addressed Lola Glaudini's claims of verbal assault on 2001's Blow set. Depp's representative told Deadline, "Johnny always prioritizes good working relationships with cast and crew and this recounting differs greatly from the recollection of other members on set at the time." Related Article: Biden Accuses Trump of Latino Animosity in Swing State Interview @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. On February 16, it was widely reported that Alexander Smirnov, a former FBI informant, previously used by House Republicans to support their impeachment proceedings against President Joe Biden, was revealed to be a Russian agent. Smirnov had falsely claimed that Hunter Biden leveraged his position on a Ukrainian firm's board to benefit himself and his father. He was subsequently arrested and charged with making a false statement. Following that revelation that, President Joe Biden has insisted that the inquiry be dropped. "It's been an outrageous effort from the beginning," Biden said. House Republicans allege Hunter Biden engaged in "influence peddling" while Biden was vice president and allege the president himself was also involved. To date, there has been no evidence that Biden enjoyed any financial benefit from his son's business deals with foreign companies. Prosecutors say Smirnov falsely told FBI agents in 2020 that executives associated with the Ukrainian energy company Burisma paid Hunter and Joe Biden $5 million each in bribes in 2015 or 2016 to protect the company from investigators. Smirnov faces a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison if he's convicted, the Justice Department says. Since then, Rep. Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat of the House Oversight Committee, called for an end to the inquiry. Accoridng to Politico Playbook, Rep, Raskin disclosed that, "With any luck, this is the end of the most spectacular failure in the history of congressional investigations," Raskin said. "The whole thing is just an embarrassment and a disgrace, and it has a very strong whiff of Russian propaganda now." Republican Rep. James Comer of Kentucky, responding via tweet, claimed the committee's efforts do not rely on the informant. According to US News and World Report, the House impeachment inquiry is at an impasse, lacking the political push from Republicans to go forward, but facing internal pressure from that same group to deliver something after months of work. Republican chairman of the House Oversight Committee James Comer has stated that he is interested in pursuing criminal referrals of alleged wrongdoing by the Biden family to the Justice Department. Hunter Biden is not expected to appear for Wednesday's public hearing after testifying in private last month. Rep. Comer is already winding up for the pitch when he doesn't. "If he does not show up, then it's not going to end well for the Bidens," Comer said over the weekend on Fox News. He said, "There's going to be multiple criminal referrals." The lengthy GOP-led probe that was launched after Republicans seized control of the House in January. Comer's dilemma is whether to pursue the impeachment inquiry and comb through Biden's business dealings and life or move on to something else. The White House has called the inquiry a "charade" and told Republicans to "move on." Wednesday's hearing will continue looking at Hunter Biden's business dealings. Republicans will seek testimony from Jason Galanis, a man serving a federal prison sentence in Alabama for fraud, and Tony Bobulinski, a former Hunter Biden associate who has his own claims against the Bidens which first came to light in the 2020 Trump-Biden presidential debate. Democrats will call on Lev Parnas, a convicted felon who was part of Trump's first impeachment as a Rudy Guiliani associate. Parnas has since played a key role in dispelling the House GOP's main claim of bribery against the Bidens as simply not true. "Who better than Lev Parnas himself - Rudy Giuliani's right-hand man on the original mission to smear Joe Biden - to tell the story of how this campaign of lies and slander works?" said Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland, the top Democrat on the Oversight Committee, in a statement. @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Glenn White, 59, was arrested and charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon after allegedly shooting his roommate multiple times following a dispute over cats. White reportedly fired ten shots at his female roommate during the altercation, leaving her with several gunshot wounds, according to Opera News. The victim sustained seven gunshot wounds to her lower limbs, along with two impacts to her ribs and one to her finger. The incident occurred on March 8 at a residence in south Florida, prompting law enforcement to respond to the scene following reports of gunfire. According to the affidavit, White and his roommate became embroiled in a heated argument concerning the living situation of their cats. The report detailed tensions heightened when the victim expressed her intention to relocate the cats to an outdoor space enclosed for their safety. The decision sparked a violent reaction from White. Moments later, he allegedly threatened to kill the victim before opening fire, striking her multiple times. "I am going to kill you bi---," White yelled at her. "I am going to kill you." The victim pleaded with White to stop the attack, before she eventually managed to call 911. Upon the authorities' arrival, evidence of the shooting was uncovered within the residence. Deputies noted a trail of blood leading from the bedroom to the dining room, where they found the victims's cell phone. Four 40mm casings and a Smith & Wesson SD40 firearm were also recovered from the scene. The victim was promptly transported to Gulf Coast Medical Center to receive treatment for her injuries. White was apprehended and is currently held in the Lee County Jail on a $25,000 bond, charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. (Photo : Win McNamee/Getty Images) With a government shutdown looming, experts say Speaker Mike Johnson is trying to appease his right flank during a weekly, closed-door meeting with his GOP counterparts. With a government shutdown looming, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) was "trying to appease his right flank" during a weekly, closed-door meeting with his GOP counterparts, according to a new report. At the center of discussions is future funding for the Pentagon, the Department of Homeland Security, the State Department and various health agencies, which are at stake if an agreement between both parties can't be reached before the weekend. Speaker Johnson touted an increase in military funding, expanding the number of beds in southern border detention centers, and cutting billions of dollars to pandemic-era programs and to the central United Nations agency that provides Palestinian aid, as among the provisions in the proposed $1.2 trillion spending package, Politico reported Wednesday. "The final product is something that we were able to achieve a lot of key provisions and wins and a move in the direction that we want, even with our tiny, historically small majority," Johnson told the New York Times Wednesday. On the other hand, Democrats said they secured additional funding for federal child care and education programs, and won more money directed toward cancer and Alzheimer research, according to the outlet. Congressional aides are racing to put together the final text. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said, "even with bipartisanship, it's going to be a tight squeeze to get this funding package passed before the weekend deadline," according to Politico. "I ask my colleagues to be flexible - to be prepared to act quickly and to prioritize working together in good faith so we can finish the appropriations process," said Schumer. The spending deal would fund the government through the end of the fiscal year. @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Prabowo Subianto, Indonesia's Defense Minister who has been accused of abusing human rights, will be the southeast Asian country's next President. The 72-year-old politician and former army general was announced the official winner of the February presidential election Wednesday, alongside his running mate Gibran Rakabuming Raka, according to the Associated Press. Subianto will be inaugurated in October, after securing 58.6% of the votes in a race against former Jakarta Gov. Anies Baswedan and former Central Java Gov. Ganjar Pranow, who received 24.9% and 16.5% of the votes, respectively, the AP reported, citing the General Election Commission. Subianto's rivals have not yet conceded and vowed to challenge the results. Baswedan and Pranowo have both accused Subianto of fraud over his decision to run alongside Raka, who is the eldest son of outgoing, two-term President Joko Widodo. "Layered supervision like this would eliminate possible fraud," Widodo said, addressing the accusations, according to the AP. "Don't scream fraud. We have mechanisms to solve the fraud. If you have evidence, take it to the Election Supervisory Agency. If you have evidence, challenge it to the Constitutional Court." During his time in the military, Subianto was accused of kidnapping and torturing activists, however, he continued to deny the serious allegations throughout his campaign, despite the convictions of some of his soldiers. "The elections are over," the president-elect said during his victory speech, the AP reported. "We call on all Indonesian people to look to the future together. We must unite and join hands because our challenges as a nation are very big. This was Subianto's third time running for president. He previously lost to Widodo, twice. @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A judge recently dismissed gun charges against an undocumented immigrant in Illinois, reigniting the ongoing discussion surrounding the rights tied to the Second Amendment. Northern District Illinois Judge Sharon Coleman cited previous court decisions when dismissing firearm possession charges against Heriberto Carbajal-Flores. Carbajal-Flores, who was unlawfully in the United States, was found to have possessed a handgun in the Little Village neighborhood of Chicago on June 1, 2020. Judge Rules: Illegal Immigrant Can Carry Guns Judge Coleman ruled in her eight-page ruling on March 8 that Carbajal-Flores' non-violent arrest and criminal record do not indicate a threat to public safety. Therefore, she ruled that he should have his Second Amendment right to bear arms for self-defense. Title 18 of the US Criminal Code prohibits undocumented people from owning firearms and weapons or receiving them over state or national borders. Carbajal-Flores faces prosecution. The defendant said they had the gun for self-defense and property protection in 2020 civil conflict. Note that the defendant has no felonies, violent offenses, or weapon-related convictions. After Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin killed George Floyd on May 25 and was sentenced to 21 years, protests erupted nationally that spring.Carbajal-Flores has met all release requirements, including work and no additional arrests or warrants, according to the ruling. The ruling states that Carbajal-Flores has consistently met all the conditions of his release, highlighting his employment and clean record with no new arrests or outstanding warrants. The liberal-leaning judge stated in her decision, "As applied to Carbajal-Flores, the noncitizen possession statute, 18 USC 922(g)(5), violates the Second Amendment. Thus, the court grants the petition to dismiss filed by Carbajal-Flores." The defense team of Carbajal-Flores argued that the government failed to demonstrate that 18 USC 922(g)(5) was a part of the historical tradition that defines the limits of the right to keep and bear arms. In 2022, the Supreme Court made a significant ruling regarding the requirement for government prosecutors to demonstrate the alignment of regulations with the nation's historical tradition of firearm regulation. The defense's argument was compelling enough to convince Coleman that the charges should be dropped. In her ruling, Coleman acknowledges that Carbajal-Flores is a noncitizen, although she refrained from using stronger language. The ruling has sparked a wide range of reactions within the legal community, with some individuals who strongly support the Second Amendment arguing that the term "the people" mentioned by the Framers in the amendment encompasses individuals who are in the country without legal status. Read Also: Biden Apologizes for Using 'Illegal' to Describe Laken Riley's Alleged Murderer Judge Sharon Coleman's Ruling Sparked Criticism Senator Marco Rubio, a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee from Florida, criticized what he sees as a recent trend on the political left that blurs the distinction between citizens and noncitizens. During his appearance on 'Hannity,' Rubio expressed his disapproval of the ruling, highlighting the ongoing efforts by certain groups to undermine the distinction between citizenship and illegal existence. Jennifer Coffindaffer, a special agent for the FBI, expressed her disappointment over the ruling on X, formerly Twitter. You have to be kidding me. I literally thought this was a bad joke. ILLEGALS can carry firearms legally? You have to be kidding me. And people are worried about our gun laws. They should be. If you aren't a US Citizen, you should not be able to carry a firearm and pic.twitter.com/zQerWgdO0e March 20, 2024 Here are more of the other celebs and citizens' reactions on X: (HEART)BREAKING NEWS: U.S. District Court Judge Sharon Coleman says illegals can own guns. Of course she did, Obama appointed her. Who knew the Democrats gun reform initiative meant letting illegals have the guns they DAILY try to take away from US? So let's recap: Ann Vandersteel (@annvandersteel) March 20, 2024 ICYMI Illinois judge rules illegal migrants can carry guns. U.S. District Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman, appointed by Barack Obama, ruled that an illegal immigrant has the right to bear arms under the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. pic.twitter.com/d8qMm3fDtZ Bruce Snyder (@realBruceSnyder) March 20, 2024 It just keeps goingFederal Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman rules illegals have the right to bear arms. Judge Coleman declared federal law barring illegal immigrants from possessing guns violated the Second Amendment. We must vote OUT every Democrat at the federal, state and local pic.twitter.com/GH9qgmIdBF March 19, 2024 A US Citizen who is found guilty of a felony cannot carry a gun. But an illegal immigrant who committed the same offense can carry a gun garnie (@garnie) March 20, 2024 Then they should also be allowed to apply to work for politicians' protection details. Inclusivity. Blue Buho (@thebluebuho) March 20, 2024 It could also be referenced in other states as they attempt to make a similar argument, potentially granting more undocumented immigrants the ability to possess firearms. Coleman has been involved in several prominent cases in Illinois, including a significant ruling in February 2014 that granted marriage rights to same-sex couples in the state. The ruling took effect in June of that year, two years prior to the Supreme Court's decision to legalize same-sex unions nationwide. Amid Biden administration's challenges with illegal migration and mounting pressure from the public and political class following the tragic murder of Georgia college student Laken Riley by an undocumented immigrant, her ruling has emerged. In a recent development, the administration has acknowledged the transportation of a significant number of individuals into the US. The purpose behind this action is to address the issue of border crossings and its impact on the communities along the southern border. The Customs and Border Protection agency has declined to provide important details regarding a program that took place last year, which involved organizing flights for numerous undocumented immigrants from foreign airports directly to cities within the United States. Related Article: Texas Wins in Court: Judge Blocks Biden's Attempt to Redirect Border Wall Construction Funds @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. House Speaker Mike Johnson is reportedly thinking about extending an invitation to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to speak before Congress. This comes in the wake of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer delivering a firmly stated speech last week, in which he criticized Netanyahu. Netanyahu is scheduled to give a virtual address at the Senate Republican lunch on Wednesday. According to Axios, multiple sources in the room revealed that the idea was discussed at a closed-door Republican Conference meeting on Wednesday morning. Mike Johnson to Invite Netanyahu to Speak in US Congress "It's one of the things that we have in mind and we may try to arrange for that. I think it's very important for us to show solidarity and support with Israel right now in their time of great struggle and we certainly stand for that position and we'll try to advance that in any way we can," Johnson told the reporters. The possibility of including Netanyahu in the discussion arises amidst a current impasse in providing further military assistance to Israel in Congress. In November, the House approved a separate bill providing military aid to Israel. There has been a longstanding tradition in Congress of bipartisan support for Israel. However, lawmakers on the left are expressing growing concerns about Netanyahu's approach to the war in Gaza, which has resulted in a significant loss of life in the territory. Read Also: Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu Says Israel 'Determined' To Carry Out Rafah Assault Despite Biden's Warning Chuck Schumer vs. Benjamin Netanyahu Schumer has expressed firm support for Israel's right to defend itself following the devastating attack by Hamas, which resulted in a significant loss of lives. Notably, in his Senate address, he did not advocate for a permanent cease-fire, a stance that some liberals have been advocating for. However, the Democratic leader did not hold back in his criticism of Netanyahu. Schumer expressed his concerns about Netanyahu's recent actions, pointing to the ongoing political and legal challenges he is facing. Schumer claimed that Netanyahu's management of the war had resulted in a loss of international support for Israel and posed a potential for additional damage. However, the Senate did not move forward with the bill due to the House's decision to offset the cost by making cuts to the IRS. In February, the Senate approved a bill providing aid to Ukraine and Israel. There has been no progress in bringing this legislation to a vote in the chamber. Meanwhile, House Republicans have been considering various alternatives for providing aid to other countries. In a recent statement, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell expressed his disagreement with Schumer's remarks regarding Netanyahu. McConnell emphasized the importance of the US maintaining a respectful distance from Israeli politics. "Israel's government and unity war cabinet report to the Israeli people, not the US Senate. America rightly rejects foreign interference in our own democratic politics. And we owe it to our friends and allies to stay out of theirs," said McConnell. Usually, foreign leaders are invited by both House and Senate leadership to address joint sessions of Congress. However, Schumer's criticism of Netanyahu suggests that the top Senate Democrat is not interested in extending an invitation. Johnson may consider extending an invitation to the Israeli Prime Minister to speak exclusively at the House. However, the speaker mentioned that they have not yet discussed the logistical details, USA Today reported. Related Article: Schumer on His Call for Netanyahu Ouster Over Gaza: 'Israel Cannot Survive If It Becomes a Pariah' @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. There is a growing concern in Minnesota and across the country regarding the affordability of EMS services. The financial challenges faced by Fergus Falls in Minnesota serve as a clear example of how this issue has a direct impact on local communities. Ringdahl EMS, a longstanding provider of ambulance services in Minnesota, has issued a plea for support to Fergus Falls and cities as they navigate the path to financial sustainability. The company is seeking assistance from local communities to maintain crucial ambulance responses until a self-sufficient system can be established. Minnesota Grapples With Paying EMS EMS agencies receive funding from two main sources: fees for the services they provide and public funding, which comes from tax subsidies. If the expenses of running the system outweigh the income generated from service delivery, it is likely that a tax subsidy will be necessary. EMS reimbursement is sourced from various channels, including Medicare, Medicaid, commercial insurance, or directly from the patient. The payer mix refers to the percentage of patients in your community who have insurance coverage and the specific type of insurance they have. The reimbursement rates for Medicare often fall below the actual cost of providing the service, while Medicaid's rates are even lower than those of Medicare. Commercial insurers are typically obligated to cover a portion of the usual and customary rate (UCR), however, the insurer has the authority to determine the UCR, creating a situation where the insurer has control over the outcome. Expressing concern over the ability to meet community expectations, Tollef Ringdahl, a representative of Ringdahl EMS, emphasized the proud history of providing exceptional ambulance services since 1967. However, the current financial landscape has forced tough decisions, potentially leading to service reductions to ensure the company's survival. Ringdahl EMS has reached out to cities and townships in the county, seeking assistance from taxpayers to ensure the continued operation of their vital 911 and hospital transfer services. Read Also: San Francisco Passes Measure Forcing Drug Tests for Welfare Recipients Gov. Walz Urges Supplementa Budget to Pay EMS In response to the dilemma, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz suggested a supplemental budget of $226 million to pay emergency medical services in rural areas, improve water quality, and provide assistance to children. Walz said that the supplementary addresses "pressing" needs across the state. "Our supplemental budget delivers on the basic things that good government should provide, including funding for emergency medical services, water quality, and critical infrastructure," Walz said. The budget allocates $16 million to provide support for ambulance services across the state, addressing the significant challenges they have encountered in terms of funding and personnel shortages. The budget focuses on allocating funds to organizations that support individuals affected by crime, while also providing resources to help prevent relapses and overdoses among those who have been released from correctional facilities. Related Article: Minnesota Moves Forward With Bill To Address Issues With Ticketing Fees, Resellers @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken began a tour of the Middle East by holding talks in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, hoping to secure a ceasefire in Israel's war on Gaza. According to a statement from the Egyptian foreign ministry, Blinken will meet with Arab foreign ministers and a senior Palestinian official in Cairo on Thursday. Blinken to Visit Israel In the Gaza Strip, where hunger is spreading amid growing warnings of a looming famine, Blinken advocates for an end to hostilities between Israel and Hamas. According to Egyptian security officials cited by the Reuters news agency, Arab states would offer plans for a political resolution to the Israel-Palestine conflict. Such plans had been delayed while US, Qatari, and Egyptian mediators worked to secure an agreement for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of Palestinian prisoners and Israeli hostages. Following his arrival in Saudi Arabia, Blinken met with the country's foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, and was scheduled to discuss with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The US State Department said in a statement that the two top diplomats discussed the urgent need to protect all civilians in Gaza and immediately increase humanitarian assistance to those in need. Blinken is on his sixth trip to the Middle East since Israel's war on Gaza began on October 7. He has declared that during his journey, he will seek discussions on plans for the governance, security, and redevelopment of post-conflict Gaza and for lasting regional peace. This week, talks for a ceasefire agreement resumed in Qatar after failed attempts to reach an agreement before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Qatari officials said they were "cautiously optimistic" after talks with Israel's intelligence chief in Doha. However, Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari said on Tuesday that an Israeli ground operation in Rafah in southern Gaza would delay any talks. The US Department of State reported that Blinken will cap his tour by visiting Israel. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said that Blinken will discuss with the leadership of the government of Israel the ongoing negotiations to secure the release of all hostages in Israel. He added that he will discuss the need to ensure the defeat of Hamas, including in Rafah, in a way that protects the civilian population, does not hinder the delivery of humanitarian assistance, and advances Israel's overall security. Read Also: Subway to Replace Coca-Cola, Pens New Deal With Pepsi-Co Netanyahu To Continue Rafah Assault Despite Biden's Warning Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly declared that he will disregard US President Joe Biden's warnings about initiating a large-scale ground operation in Rafah without credible plans to protect innocent Palestinians. He said that although plans are in place, the operation will take some time. Biden, facing a challenging reelection campaign before November's presidential election, is under mounting domestic pressure to rein in Israel's military response to the October 7 Hamas attacks in Israel. Opposition to the war in the US, Arab nations, and most of the rest of the world has shaped the evolution of Blinken's repeated trips to the region since October. In a phone call with Biden on Monday, their first in more than a month, Netanyahu sent a high-level delegation to Washington to discuss the details of the planned Rafah operation. The Pentagon also announced on Tuesday that Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant will travel to the US capital next week. Related Article: Anthony Blinken Returns To Washington Following Rough Negotiations With Israel And Hamas @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A leading Indian manufacturer of power cable joining kits, Al Yamuna Densons is expanding its facility in Ras Al Khaimah investing AED35 million ($9.53 million) to boost its regional operations. The construction in the Al Hamra Industrial Zone is set to be completed by May, taking the total area to 15,000 sq m and annual production capacity to half a million kits. Founded over 50 years ago, Al Yamuna Densons established its assembling unit in Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (Rakez) in 2013. Since then, the company has provided innovative solutions for the power distribution industry, catering to markets in the UAE, Oman, KSA, Kuwait, Bahrain, Algeria, Egypt and Malaysia. UAE clients Some of the UAE clients the company caters to include Abu Dhabi Distribution Co, Al Ain Distribution Company, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, Etihad Water & Electricity, and Sharjah Electricity & Water Authority. Other major clients in the region are Saudi Electricity Company, Sonelgaz in Algeria, Electricity and Water Authority Bahrain, Ministry of Electricity and Water in Kuwait, Electricity Distribution Company in Jordan, and Muscat Electricity and Distribution Company in Oman, among others. This major expansion marks a significant milestone in the companys operational capabilities as the Ras Al Khaimah unit was earlier assembling the imported goods from its facilities in Indian. It is now manufacturing all cable parts and assembling kits on-site. The company is set to create an additional 120 jobs, enhancing its existing workforce. Al Yamuna Densons CEO Ravi Sardana said: We chose Ras Al Khaimah for our expansion due to its business-friendly environment and superior infrastructure. Rakez has provided us with unmatched support and offered us the perfect platform to scale our operations effectively. The teams proactive and swift assistance in meeting our needs over the years has played a crucial role in our growth. New markets With nearly AED20 million invested in construction and an additional AED15 million in machinery, the company is set to target new markets in the Mena region while maintaining the highest standards of quality and innovation. Rakez Group CEO Ramy Jallad said: We are proud to witness the remarkable journey of Al Yamuna Densons in Rakez. Their expansion is a testament to the conducive business ecosystem we strive to provide for our clients in all the industrial zones. It also highlights the success that companies can achieve in Ras Al Khaimah through the right support and infrastructure. We are thrilled to support their journey towards increasing production capabilities, reinforcing our commitment to fostering industrial excellence and economic diversity in the region."--TradeArabia News Service On Wednesday, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey signed a sweeping bill into law banning diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in public schools, universities, and state agencies. This is the latest move in a wave of Republican-led legislation that aims to restrict diversity efforts nationwide. The governor signed the bill after the Republican-led state legislature gave final approval. Ivey Approves DEI Programs Ban The law, known as SB129, imposes restrictions around what it calls eight "divisive concepts," including discussions of whether "slavery and racism are aligned with the founding principles of the United States" and the assignment of "fault, blame or bias" to any race, religion, gender, or color. State agencies are authorized to discipline or terminate employees or contractors who violate this act. It also mandates that universities set aside facilities "for use based on biological sex," effectively prohibiting transgender people from accessing public restrooms that correspond with their gender identity. The anti-DEI bill will be effective starting October 1. Although Ivey pledged to halt bad actors on college campuses to push their liberal political movement counter to what most Alabamians believe, she stated that her administration would continue to value Alabama's rich diversity. Democrats, civil rights activists, and student organizations fiercely opposed the law, claiming it was a blatant attempt to undermine efforts to promote diversity and free speech. According to the free-speech advocacy group Pen America, the bill is similar to Florida's Stop Woke Act, which restricted the teaching of race and related topics in schools until it was overturned in court earlier this month. SB129 said it was "even more restrictive." It further said that the end effect would be an intellectually hostile college climate and a state law so draconian that it would give Florida a run for its money. Birmingham mayor Randall Woodfin said he would advise Black athletes to consider enlisting in schools outside of the state. "Why would you make it illegal for institutions of higher learning to promote diversity and inclusion among its faculty and staff? Why would you block fair representation and opportunities for all people?" he wrote in a Facebook post last month. The ACLU of Alabama claimed on its website that SB129 is an anti-truth bill that shrinks an education on systemic injustices, racial violence, and the historic efforts to achieve civil rights and civil liberties for marginalized communities throughout the nation's history. The group said that SB129 planned to have a "chilling effect" on discussions about class, sexual orientation, national origin, and race. Read Also: US Antony Blinken To Visit Israel on Latest Middle East Tour as Tensions Rise Over Gaza War Alabama Students Rally Against Anti-DEI Bill On Wednesday, dozens of college students protested outside the Alabama State House, urging lawmakers to stop a measure prohibiting diversity and inclusion initiatives on university campuses. "They want to bring back Jim Crow," organizer Sean Atchison, a University of Alabama senior, said at a rally outside the building on Wednesday afternoon. He said they were determined to return them in the 60s and would not stand for it. Over 5,400 people had signed a petition created by University of Alabama at Birmingham students opposing SB129 as of Wednesday night. At UA, the student government approved a resolution rejecting the bill following a demonstration by over 200 students in favor of the school's DEI initiatives. Furthermore, over a hundred students from various colleges around the state came to the state capitol on Wednesday to inform lawmakers about how diversity programs have enhanced their time on campus, made them more equipped for the workplace, and, at some point, even saved their lives. Related Article: Utah Anti-DEI Bill Update: Gov. Spencer Cox Signs Legislation Restricting Programs @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Negotiations to form a transitional council to govern Haiti advanced on Wednesday (Mar. 20), as the United States airlifted more of its citizens to safety as the gang violence has plunged Haiti into chaos. The talks were sparked by the gang violence and the sudden resignation of Haitian Prime Minister Arel Henry, a move the gangs have demanded since the start of the civil unrest. Henry agreed to step down and allow the formation of an interim government, but negotiations have been slow despite pressure from neighboring Caribbean countries and the US. "Discussions continue. I'm sure it will take a little bit of time, But from all indications, it's moving along," Guyanese Ambassador to the UN Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett said. A Haitian government source told Agence France Presse that Henry had yet to receive the names for the council as talks among political parties and others continue to drag on. President Jovenel Moise, who appointed Henry, was assassinated in 2021 and never replaced. The council would name an interim prime minister to oversee the country's first elections since 2016. Read Also: UNICEF Boss Likens Haitian Chaos and Turmoil Sparked By Gang Leader Barbecue to Movie 'Mad Max' Haitian Bishops Decline Taking Part of Transitional Council Meanwhile, the Haitian Bishops' Conference (CEH) issued a statement released on Monday (Mar. 18), appealing for the end of the gang violence and the chaos it created and insisting that they would not join the country's transitional council but would pray and support for its creation. The bishops' statement said, "We hope that the ongoing talks will lead to a truly inclusive and lasting patriotic agreement in the interest of all the Haitian people who aspire to peace." Vatican News further reported that the Episcopal Council (CELAM), the Confederation of Religious of Latin America and the Caribbean (CLAR), and Caritas of Latin America have jointly announced a "Continental Day of Prayer" for Friday (Mar. 22). "We know that the solution is not directly in our hands and that it needs the courage and determination of men and women with national and international decision-making power," they said in a statement. "However, we are convinced of the strength and power of prayer, which also brings us closer and expresses our solidarity with the Haitian people." Friday's call to prayer will coincide with the late Lenten veneration of Our Lady of Sorrows, a memorial in honor of the Virgin Mary on the Friday before Good Friday, the general observance and memorial of the death of Jesus during the Christian Holy Week. Related Article: Haiti: At Least 12 Dead as Gang Violence Erupts in Upscale Neighborhoods @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Users are unable to browse, post, or get in touch with friends on Meta's Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger due to their global outages. An outage occurred around 10:45am ET, affecting various regions including the US, the UK, parts of Europe, and Asia. Other countries have also experienced the impact. DownDetector, a site that tracks online disruptions, has identified problems with the apps, websites, and users trying to access their accounts. Meta Platforms Experiencing Major Outages Multiple reports are pouring in from users through DownDetector, indicating that Facebook is experiencing the most alarming impact, with Messenger and Instagram following closely behind. Over 60 percent of the reports on all three platforms indicate that the apps are experiencing issues. Facebook has the highest percentage of reports at 67 percent, followed by Messenger at 61 percent, and Instagram at 66 percent. Users encountering the issue on Facebook are receiving notifications stating that their accounts have been suspended or their sessions have expired, prompting them to log in again. Similarly, Messenger users are experiencing disruptions that show them as 'unavailable to friends,' causing communication barriers. Meanwhile, Instagram users have encountered issues with comments, messaging, and accessing their News Feeds. Users have turned to platforms like Elon Musk's X to express their frustration, seeking solace in the company of others who are also experiencing similar issues. The hashtags #Facebookdown and #Instagramdown are currently trending on X, although scammers have also taken advantage of the situation by offering false promises of account recovery assistance, according to Daily Mail. Read Also: US Antony Blinken To Visit Israel on Latest Middle East Tour as Tensions Rise Over Gaza War Recent Social Media Outage Sparks Concerns The same thing that took place on March 5 and resulted in considerable commotion and rage among people all across the world has been brought to mind as a result of this most latest downtime. Although the outage was only for two hours, it had a significant and long-lasting effect on users who rely substantially on these platforms for communication and networking. The cause and duration of the current disruption remain unsure, similar to past instances of technical outages that have occurred without clear explanations. It is worth mentioning that this incident occurred shortly after experiencing the same interruptions on two different days in the past few weeks. These problems have raised concerns about the platforms' reliability and stability. Going back to the past, the business Facebook lost an estimated $100 million in income due to a seven-hour outage that occurred three years ago. A blackout occurred, impacting Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger. The cause was identified as a faulty update that resulted in servers being disconnected from the internet. As a result, on-site repairs were required at the company's data center in Santa Clara. Insider reports suggest that the repair process was delayed by the result of reduced staffing levels caused by pandemic measures. The delay got worse the impact of the outage, causing interruptions not just to social media services but also to important communication channels for remote-working staff, Metro reported. Related Article: Meta Reveals Cause of Facebook, Instagram Outage; Elon Musk-Mark Zuckerberg Feud Continue @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. TRIGGER WARNING: The following story may be distressing to some readers as it tackles topics such as suicide The lawyers for the deceased Boeing quality control engineer John Barnett revealed claims that the company spied upon him after he came out and became a whistleblower regarding multiple technical issues it was facing. Barnett's attorneys, Robert Turkewitz and Brian Knowles released the complaint on Wednesday (Mar. 20) out of transparency after Barnett was found dead in his pickup truck at a hotel in Charleston, South Carolina, on March 9, a cause of death that has since been speculated. The lawsuit makes a number of bombshell claims about Boeingcurrently under scrutiny after a series of quality control problems, including a door plug falling off mid-flightcharging they retaliated against Barnett when he tried to raise the alarm about defaults in their manufacturing process. Barnett added that he suffered numerous instances of retaliation after internally reporting Boeing's failure to comply with the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) safety standards. The lawsuit also indicated that Barnett was subjected to a "gaslighting campaign in which he was continually harassed, denigrated, humiliated, and treated with scorn and contempt by upper management." "In June 2014, Barnett submitted a complaint to Corporate Ethics against [redacted] for violating procedures, ignoring process violations, pushing Barnett to 'work in the grey areas,' and having another manager spy on Barnett," the lawsuit added. "Although Barnett's complaint was substantiated by Corporate Ethics, no action was taken to address the complaints." Barnett retired in 2017 after more than 30 years of service with Boeing, which he said was 10 years earlier than he had planned due to the actions he claimed were taken against him. "That's the way it's done there," a Boeing mid-level manager told the New York Post on the condition of anonymity because he feared getting fired. There were always moles who would throw you under the bus to look good to the big bosses. They weren't about team unity; you never knew who you could trust." Read Also: Boeing Plane Makes Emergency Landing in Aruba as Engine Catches Fire, 168 On Board The complaintwhich redacted the names of specific managersalso claimed that during meetings, Barnett's senior manager had, on numerous occasions, announced to the team that Barnett was responsible for the rest of the team having to "be away from their families" and work overtime due to his insistence on documenting procedure violations or equipment defects. On the other hand, managers complained that Barnett used email to maintain a record of defects rather than "face-to-face" communicationeven though, according to the complaint, FAA Standards and Regulations require defects to be documented in writing. "Leadership wants nothing in email so they maintain plausible deniability," Barnett wrote in a September 2014 email. Boeing's response to Barnett's filing is sealed, and the company did not immediately respond to the Post's request for comment. Barnett was seeking damages, including back pay, pay for the 10 years of early retirement, lost bonuses, lost health and life insurance benefits, medical expenses, loss of 401-K retirement and matching benefits, money for emotional distress and mental anguish, compensatory damages, and attorney's fees. A preliminary investigation by the Charleston coroner's office found that Barnett died of a "self-inflicted gunshot wound," which his lawyers have expressed skepticism of. Related Article: Friend of Boeing Whistleblower Said He Made Ominous Prediction Before His Death: 'If Anything Happens, It's Not Suicide' @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The person responsible for a mass shooting incident in Philadelphia last summer, who was previously determined to be mentally incompetent, is now scheduled for trial. According to the defendant's legal team, they informed the judge that the Kimbardy Carriker has been receiving treatment and is ready to proceed with the case. Carriker, 41, is facing multiple charges including murder, attempted murder, aggravated assault, and illegal gun possession. The shootings occurred in early July in the Kingsessing neighborhood, seemingly without a specific target. Footage Reveals Carriker's Actions in Shooting In a preliminary hearing held on Tuesday, investigators showcased video footage retrieved from an officer's body-worn camera, depicting Kimbrady Carriker traversing a considerable distance, covering about a mile during the series of shootings that unfolded on July 3. The footage shed light on the chaotic events that transpired during the tragic incident. Assistant District Attorney Robert Wainwright said that authorities are actively seeking out the complex factors that drove Carriker to select particular people while leaving others unharmed. This revelation, as highlighted in The Philadelphia Inquirer, states the continuous efforts made by law enforcement to comprehend the reasons behind the tragic raise of violence. Wainwright honored the courage and selflessness shown by law enforcement officers who courageously encountered imminent danger to stop Carriker's rampage. Their steadfast dedication to protecting the public and averting additional casualties is a testament to their unwavering commitment and bravery in difficult situations. The legal representatives of Carriker have informed the court that their client is currently receiving treatment for mental health issues and is ready to move forward with the legal proceedings. After careful consideration, the judge from the municipal court decided to transfer the charges to the county court, indicating that the trial process is currently underway, according to Fox News. Read Also: Shohei Ohtani's Interpreter Ippei Mizuhara Reportedly Stole $4.5 Million From MLB Star Details Emerge in Carriker Case Prosecutors revealed troubling details regarding Carriker's behavior leading up to the fateful incident. Allegations surfaced that Carriker had drafted a will on June 23, prior to the shootings, indicating a premeditated intent. Additionally, accounts from his roommate suggested a state of agitation, coupled with the conspicuous presence of a tactical vest in the days preceding the violent outburst that claimed multiple lives in the Kingsessing neighborhood. Among the victims of the senseless violence were individuals spanning a wide range of ages, including 20-year-old Lashyd Merritt, 29-year-old Dymire Stanton, 59-year-old Ralph Moralis, and 15-year-old DaJuan Brown. Tragically, Joseph Wamah, 31, was discovered fatally wounded a day prior in the same area, further exacerbating the community's anguish and sorrow. A number of innocent bystanders, including a 2-year-old child and a 13-year-old youth, were sadly harmed in the shootings due to their indiscriminate surroundings. A woman and another 2-year-old child were injured by shattered glass. Philadelphia law enforcement officials revealed disturbing details regarding Carriker's clothing and arsenal during the incident. Wearing a ski mask and wielding an AR-15-style rifle, Carriker unleashed a wave of violence upon unsuspecting victims and vehicles. After being captured in an alley, Carriker turned up with two firearms, additional ammunition magazines, and a bulletproof vest, indicating how serious the situation was, The Washington Post reporter. Related Article: See Video: Penguins Gift Soulmates With Special Pebbles @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. On Wednesday evening, the state of Georgia executed death row inmate Willie James Pye, who was convicted and sentenced to die for the 1993 murder of Alicia Lynn Yarbrough. According to the Georgia Department of Corrections, the execution, Georgia's first in more than four years, was carried out by lethal injection at 11:03 pm at a prison in Jackson, about 50 miles south of Atlanta. Georgia Executes Pye In 1993, Pye was found guilty of killing his ex-girlfriend. The department said that Pye accepted a final prayer and did not record a final statement. His execution at the Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison in Jackson took place hours after its scheduled time of 7 pm after an appeals court and the US Supreme Court rejected efforts to delay it. On Tuesday, the State Board of Pardons and Paroles denied his bid for clemency. It stated that the board in Georgia has the sole constitutional authority to grant clemency in a death penalty case. Anti-death penalty groups had attempted to block Pye's execution because he was represented by a court-appointed lawyer who had been accused of using a racial slur in the case of another Black man, and Pye's medical records indicated he had signs of an intellectual disability that might have been brought on by fetal alcohol syndrome. Pye's lawyers claimed in a request for clemency that had the defense counsel not abdicated his role, the jurors would have learned that Pye is intellectually disabled and has an IQ of 68. Furthermore, Pye had already lost an appeal because, at the time his death warrant was signed, Georgia had not complied with key regulations meant to resume executions following the COVID pandemic. Among these demands was the restoration of regular visiting hours in state jails. Following the state's decision to carry out Pye's execution, his lawyers claimed that they were unable to contact their client. The lawyers said that this is not normal or consistent with access to and availability of counsel that was previously possible, and it is unacceptable. According to the Georgia Department of Corrections, Pye's last meal request included two cheeseburgers, two chicken sandwiches, french fries, two bags of plain potato chips, and two lemon-lime sodas. Georgia had its last execution in January 2020. Pye was one of thirty-six men and one woman in Georgia serving death sentences. Read Also: IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi to Formally Step Down by Year's End US States Resume Executions Other states have resumed executions in recent years. However, it is becoming more difficult to administer a lethal injection as the drug manufacturers have restricted access to the supplies needed for the procedure. Last month, Idaho tried to carry out its first execution in 12 years but had to abandon after prison service members were unable to create an IV line on the prisoner's arms or legs. No new date was announced right after, but his lawyers described it as a "badly botched execution attempt." Alabama, which has had difficulties getting drugs for lethal injection, performed the state's first nitrogen gas execution in January. Several states, such as Louisiana, consider incorporating the controversial method into their protocols. However, Georgia claims to have been able to obtain pentobarbital, a sedative, to administer lethal injections for executions. Related Article: Georgia's First Execution in Years Involves 'Intellectually Disabled' Killer: Critics @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. An Indonesian search and rescue ship located a capsized wooden boat that had been carrying Rohingya Muslim refugees and began pulling survivors standing on its hull to safety. A photographer for the Associated Press was aboard the rescue ship, saying that 59 men, women, and children were taken aboard, while another 10 had been taken aboard local fishing boats. The refugees were soaked from the night's rain and wept as the rescue ship was in their sights. It was unclear how many refugees were aboard the boat when it capsized off of Indonesia's northernmost coast on the island of Sumatra on Wednesday (Mar. 20). It was also unclear whether all managed to cling to the capsized craft overnight or whether some had drowned. Locating the boat with the refugees was initially hampered by choppy waters off the coast of the city of Banda Aceh. Read Also: Underage Rohingya Girls Experience Abuse in Arranged Marriages in Malaysia About 740,000 Rohingya were resettled in Bangladesh to escape the brutal counterinsurgency campaign by security forces in their homeland of Myanmar. Thousands have also been trying to flee overcrowded camps in Bangladesh to neighboring countries, with Indonesia seeing a spike in refugee numbers since November, which prompted it to call on the international community for help. However, Rohingya arriving in Aceh face some hostility from some fellow Muslims. Like Thailand and Malaysia, Indonesia is not a signatory to the United Nations (UN) 1951 Refugee Convention, which outlines its legal protections. This means that the country is not obligated to accept refugees. Nevertheless, Indonesia has so far provided temporary shelter to refugees in distress. Related Article: UN Seeks Over $850 Million Donation To Support Rohingya Refugees, Bangladeshi Hosts @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. (Photo : MICHELE SPATARI/AFP via Getty Images) People were able to withdraw money that was not in their accounts. A glitch let customers of an Ethiopian bank withdraw more money they had in their accounts. By the time the bank discovered the issue, it had lost as much as $40 million. It is vowing to go after customers to get their money back. Thousands of people withdrew cash from Commerical Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) ATMs as news spread across college campuses on Saturday. Long lines formed at campus ATMs with students withdrew large amounts of cash. The malfunction reportedly credited transfers but failed to debt accounts. Close to 66,000 customers carried out at least 25,000 transactions during the glitch, industry sources told local news site Fortune News. The bank eventually shut down all transactions, crippling banking services during the outage. The bank claims "many" of the people to took money have returned the money. In a Facebook post, the bank says "We appreciate the positive response" but warned that the rest of their customers have until Saturday to return any money that wasn't theirs. CBE president Abe Sano threatened to prosecute anyone who did not return the money. "There is no way that they can escape because they are digital [transactions] and they are our customers," Sano told the BBC. "We know them. They are traceable and they are legally accountable for what they did." He disputed reports that customers had withdrawn $40M claiming the amount taken was far smaller. The Commercial Bank of Ethiopia was formed in 1942. CBE says it has more than 40 million account holders in its more than 1940 branches. It has more than 8.3 million active ATM card holders. @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. (Photo : Annabelle Chih/Getty Images) A member of Taiwan's Marine Corps takes part in military drills in January. Admiral John Aquilino, the head of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, told a House committee on Wednesday that China is prepared to invade Taiwan by 2027. The admiral leading the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command warned that China is building up its military on a "scale not seen since" War World II with the intent to replace America as the main security force in the region, take control of the South China Sea and to realize President Xi Jinping's goal of invading Taiwan by 2027. China has increased its defense budget by 16% to $223.5 billion over the last couple of years, adding 400 fighter aircraft and more than 20 warships, and has doubled its arsenal of ballistic and cruise missiles, Admiral John Aquilino told the House Armed Services Committee on Wednesday. "Most concerning," he said, is the "rapid pace" in which China has expanded its nuclear arsenal, "increasing its warhead inventory by well over 200% since 2020." "All indications point to the PLA meeting President Xi Jinping's directive to be ready to invade Taiwan by 2027," Aquilino told the lawmakers, referring to the People's Liberation Army. "Furthermore, the PLA's actions indicate their ability to meet Xi's preferred timeline to unify Taiwan with mainland China by force if directed." Not only is China bolstering its land, sea and air forces, but it also is working to weaponize space. China "is steadily delivering capabilities that seek to deny the use of our space architecture. Despite statements opposing the weaponization of space, the PRC is developing a range of counter-space capabilities and related technologies, including kinetic-kill missiles, ground-based lasers, and orbiting space robots," Aquilino said. He said the Chinese leader sees unification with Taiwan as a "historical inevitability" and has been marshaling the country's military, economic and diplomatic powers to convince the international community that "unification is, in fact, inevitable." Aquilino said Xi stepped up his pressure campaign against Taiwan, which had been going on since 2016, when then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited the country in 2022 and China launched expansive military exercises around the island. Meanwhile, Chinese military forces continued to try to intimidate Taiwan by penetrating its air defense identification zone (ADIZ). Taiwan's defense ministry said Thursday that it had detected 32 Chinese military aircraft flying near the island in a 24-hour period, 20 of which entered the ADIZ. It also said five Chinese naval ships were operating around Taiwan. China views Taiwan, which considers itself a sovereign state, as a "renegade" territory and has vowed to reunify Taiwan with mainland China. @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. New Delhi, Mar 21 (UNI) Former Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Thursday attacked the government for freezing the party's accounts and said that freezing the Congress' bank accounts is freezing of Indian democracy. Addressing a press conference at the AICC headquarters here, the Congress leader said, "This is not the freezing of the Indian National Congress' bank accounts. This is the freezing of Indian democracy". Rahul Gandhi said, "With all the bank accounts of our party have been frozen, in such a situation, we can do no campaign work. We cannot support our workers. We cannot send our leaders anywhere. Leave aside flights, we can't even take a train. We cannot book advertisements; we cannot do anything. And this is being done two months before the election campaign". He further said, "There is no democracy in India today and this is a criminal action done by the Prime Minister and the Home Minister. It is very clear. Being the main Opposition, 20 percent of the country vote for us and we are not able to pay even Rs 2. Even if the agency defreeze out accounts , it will be difficult as huge damage has already been done to the democracy of India". He alleged that such actions by the Prime Minister and the Home Minister was an "assault on democracy". Moreover, the Congress leader also hit out at the institutions for failing to protect the democratic framework. "There are in the country that are supposed to protect the democratic framework. However, no court is saying anything. The Election Commission is silent, no other institution is speaking out, and the media is not addressing the issue," the Wayanad MP said. UNI RBE AKS (Photo : Clinton Airport) Bryan Malinowski was shot when the ATF served a search warrant at his Arkansas home. The executive director of the Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport was shot in a gun battle with ATF agents serving a search warrant at his Little Rock, Arkansas home. The Arkansas State Police say the agents were at the home of Bryan Malinowski, 53, when he allegedly shot at agents. They returned fire. "I heard about five or six, like, loud bangs," neighbor Shea De Bruyn told KARK-TV. Paramedics treated Malinowski for gunshot wounds at the scene before taking him to a hospital. His condition is unknown. Matthew Malinowski told NBC News that his brother was shot in the head. "We don't know if he's going to make it," he said. "He was shot in the head." Malinowski said his younger brother collected weapons and coins. Police say an ATF agent suffered a non-life-threatening gunshot wound and was also hospitalized. Details on why they were searching his home were not released. Neighbors say authorities carried guns and ammunition from the residence later in the day. According to his biography, Malinowski joined the airport in 2008 and was appointed to lead the airport in 2019. He previously held leadership positions with Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, El Paso International Airport and Lehigh Valley International Airport. Malinowski is a certified flight instructor with instrument and multi-engine ratings. @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The Executive Director of the Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport died in the hospital Thursday after a gun battle with ATF agents serving a search warrant at his Little Rock, Arkansas home. Airport official confirmed the death of Bryan Malinowski, 53, in an email to HNGN. "With a heavy heart, we announce the passing of our executive director Bryan Malinowski. Bryan was a 16-year employee of the airport," Bill Walker, the chair of the Little Rock Municipal Airport Commission said in a statement to HNGN. "We extend our heartfelt condolences to Bryan's wife, Maer, loved ones and friends." The Arkansas State Police say the agents were at the Malinowski's home on Tuesday when he allegedly shot at agents. They returned fire. "I heard about five or six, like, loud bangs," neighbor Shea De Bruyn told KARK-TV. Paramedics treated Malinowski for gunshot wounds at the scene before taking him to a hospital. Matthew Malinowski told NBC News that his brother was shot in the head. Malinowski said his younger brother collected weapons and coins. Police say an ATF agent suffered a non-life-threatening gunshot wound and was also hospitalized. Details on why they were searching his home were not released. Neighbors say authorities carried guns and ammunition from the residence later in the day. According to his biography, Malinowski joined the airport in 2008 and was appointed to lead the airport in 2019. He previously held leadership positions with Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, El Paso International Airport and Lehigh Valley International Airport. @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. As Antony Blinken continued his Mideast visit in Cairo, Egypt on Thursday, the U.S.secretary of state repeatedly called on Israel not to pursue a planned ground invasion of Rafah, the Gazan city that is packed with Palestinians fleeing violence. "We all share concerns," Blinken said during a joint press conference with his Egyptian counterpart Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, on Thursday evening local time. "There are more than a million people in Rafah, many of whom were displaced from other parts of Gaza. A major ground operation there would mean more civilian deaths. It would worsen the humanitarian crisis. There is a better way to deal with the threat, the ongoing threat, posed by Hamas," President Biden's top diplomat said. Blinken's denouncement of the ground invasion puts him and the Biden administration at odds with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who insists that his country cannot achieve "total victory" against Hamas without invading the city. Israel has engaged in a large-scale bombardment and ground invasion of Gaza since the October 7 attacks. Members of Hamas killed more than 1,000 Israelis and kidnapped an estimated 130 people. More than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed during Israeli retaliation, while international human rights observers caution that the entire region is at risk of famine. Now, Israeli authorities have approved plans for a Rafah invasion that will be presented in Washington next week though Netanyahu has emphasized he is only doing so "out of respect" for Biden. When questioned by reporters as to how the United States would respond to Israel defying the American position on Rafah, Blinken demurred but reiterated the US' opposition. "President Biden has been very clear that a major ground operation in Rafah would be a mistake and something we can't support. There is no place for the many civilians who are massed in [Rafah] to get out of harm's way," he said. "Hamas can be effectively dealt with without a major ground operation. One of the reasons that we have counterparts from the Israeli government coming to Washington in the next week is precisely to focus on that - to share with them our views on what alternative actions could be." @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Young Enterprise Business Fair at St. Annes Upper Primary Year 6s at St. Annes Upper Primary School have, for the second year running, fully embraced the Fiver Challenge programme by Young Enterprise. The young entrepreneurs Business Fair took place on Tuesday 12th March in their school hall. The Fiver Challenge consists of children starting their own businesses with a 5 start-up capital. Children worked in groups of between 3 and 6 children and some teams chose to pool their 5 so they had a larger amount of starting capital. As part of the challenge children had to think of a potential business idea that they could develop. Children had to then do market research on the viability of the business, including designing questionnaires and surveying members of the general public which they did in Main Street. Children also got to design their own business logos and names, write a business plan, deliver a sales pitch and finally create their own Business Stall for St. Annes very own business fair where they would sell their products/ services. The project saw the children have master-classes with business experts as well as a Young Enterprise team from Gibraltar College called Multisportz who are participating in the current Company Programme. The Year 6s have really grown as professionals and the standards have risen with children and teachers taking valuable lessons from last years pioneering programme. The pop-up shops were incredibly professional with some teams choosing to wear a specially designed uniform matching their business ideas. Businesses ranged from penalty shoot-outs, to uniquely created perfumes, key-chains, book-marks, jewellery and photo booths. One team went over and above and called local fruit company Gib-Maroc so that they would supply the fruit for their smoothie pop-up shop. They even managed to convince the company to donate fruit to them in order to increase their profit margins. Another team realised that they could make money between them and offered to be a second teams supplier, making money even before they went on to the selling event at the St. Annes Business fair. The project has also helped educate children about finances, helping them learn all about investments, profits, losses, taxes etc: Financial education they would otherwise not have received, with the opportunity to use real money funded by the local Young Enterprise branch. After Tuesdays selling event, children will be evaluating their journey on the Fiver Challenge where they get the opportunity to reflect on their learning and think about how they will apply lessons learnt to their everyday lives. The programme ended with an award ceremony where the following winners were recognised: Most sustainable business Best Logo Best Business stall Most innovative business Most inspiring Individual Best Sales Pitch Best Team The program introduces children to the fundamental concepts of enterprise, including the role of money in their lives and the importance of becoming critical consumers. Through engaging activities, participants gained insight into concepts such as interest, loans, debt, and taxes, laying the foundation for a sound financial understanding. One of the highlights of the Fiver Challenge is the opportunity it provides for children to experience the process of starting and developing a business. From researching products to purchasing materials and making sales, participants actively engage in real-world entrepreneurial activities. Collaborating with parents and other classes, the challenge transforms into a practical lesson on achieving goals and generating profits. Feedback from participants underscores the program's effectiveness in nurturing key skills for future success. The challenge encourages students to generate ideas, persevere in the face of challenges, and learn essential money management skills. Furthermore, the Fiver Challenge fosters teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving abilities in a tangible and real-life experiential learning context. Head Teacher of the school, Lizanne Andrews, added: St. Annes Upper Primary firmly believes that every child should have the opportunity to cultivate an enterprising mindset and acquire essential money management skills from a young age. The Fiver Challenge serves as a catalyst for this mission by providing children with firsthand experience in entrepreneurship, thereby bringing subject learning to life and fostering the development of enterprise and financial capabilities. The Fiver Challenge has been a great initiative for our students, providing them with invaluable skills that they can carry forward into their future lives." If you have an event you'd like to list on the site, submit it now! Submit Delano will once again redefine the luxury resort experience. Delano Dubai to open at luxury lifestyle destination Bluewaters Dubai, following the partnership signed last year between Ennismore & Dubai Holding Ennismore, the fastest-growing lifestyle and leisure hospitality company, announced that its iconic Delano brand will be coming to the UAE for the first time. Opening later this year at the waterfront destination Bluewaters Dubai, Delano Dubai will be a luxurious destination in its own right, appealing to discerning individuals who define luxury by attention to detail, craftsmanship and personalised experiences. The launch of Delano Dubai forms part of a landmark deal signed between Ennismore and Dubai Holding in 2023 to introduce a unique luxury lifestyle experience in Dubai, and follows the opening of Banyan Tree Dubai at Bluewaters Dubai late last year. Delano Dubai will feature 251 guestrooms, including 84 suites, some with private pools, exceptional culinary and mixology experiences, an ocean-front swimming pool, and ultimate discretion on a secluded corner of this island retreat. Guests will be able to discover four distinctive food and beverage concepts, including a collaboration with Paris Society for a unique restaurant and pool club, a patisserie, a Levantine-inspired destination restaurant, a modern Italian and a contemporary reimagining of Delano's renowned and famous Rose Bar. Sharan Pasricha, Founder & Co-CEO and Gaurav Bhushan, Co-CEO, Ennismore, said, "When Delano launched in Miami in 1995, it traded traditional, gilded luxury for something far more modern and understated, but equally grand. Delano pioneered the concept of lifestyle hospitality as we know it today, and we are thrilled to be bringing the iconic Delano to the forefront of global hospitality again, with a new home in Dubai - marking a major milestone in the brand's journey. From its origins in Miami, a bustling social hub, to the new global hub of extraordinary experiences, Dubai, Delano is set to introduce a new level of luxury, discernment and vibrant energy to the city as our debut property in the region. We look forward to sharing more exciting details about Delano Dubai over the coming months." Amit Kaushal, Group Chief Executive Officer, Dubai Holding, said: "The launch of Delano Dubai underscores our commitment to set new standards of excellence in luxury hospitality and strengthen Dubai's position as a leading international tourism hub. Together with the recent opening of Banyan Tree Dubai, we are proud to mark another milestone in the evolution of Bluewaters Dubai as a luxury lifestyle destination. Our collaboration with market leaders like Ennismore and Banyan Group will continue to focus on welcoming new brands to Dubai and further enrich the city's vibrant hospitality landscape." Guided by the same principles that propelled the original Delano Miami Beach to icon status, Delano Dubai will usher in a new era characterised by refined luxury, sophisticated style and elevated service to the UAE. Design signatures - such as the use of "Delano white" offset with rich woods, natural materials and sumptuous fabrics - hark back to the original property and have evolved for today. Innately connected to nature, the design blurs lines between outdoors and indoors to create flow and a guest choreography that inspires discovery and invigorates the senses. In collaboration with Ennismore's in-house team, leading interior design firms Elastic Architects, LaBottega and SA Consultants will collectively transform the existing hotel into a marquee Delano location. In 2024, Ennismore entered into a long-term partnership with Cain International to drive forward the global expansion of the iconic Delano brand and reopen Delano Miami Beach. Hotel website 25hours Hotels will open their second property in Copenhagen on 27 July. 25hours Hotel Paper Island has found its home just a few steps away from Nyhavn. The eye-catching new build with its 128 rooms, Asian restaurant, day bar and rooftop bar is situated in the city centre on the island of Christiansholm, also known as Paper Island. For a long time, the headed-up island in Copenhagen harbour was used as a paper warehouse and was most recently the location of a well-known street food market. The Royal Opera House is located on the neighbouring island. Contrasting deliberately with the hustle and bustle of the city centre, the latest 25hours Hotel adopts the ambience of a quintessentially Danish summer home - with an unwavering focus on rest and recuperation. The ensemble of buildings was planned by the local COBE architects, while the Swedish interior designers from Stylt Trampoli in Gothenburg lend the hotel its character. Despite its location at the heart of the city, the creative minds were clearly inspired by the special aura of the island location. People tend to associate islands with a sense of longing and a yearning for holidays. The unique blend of unspoilt nature and urban lifestyle served the team as inspiration for the hotel design, which reminds visitors of a stay in a Scandinavian holiday home. Natural colours and materials are juxtaposed beautifully with the comings and goings of city life. But there is also a definite focus on nostalgic elements and collected objects that seem like a legacy of bygone ages with their very own tales to tell. The result is a hotel with 128 rooms, six with their own private outdoor areas. Room prices in the categories from Medium to Gigantic start at DKK 1,800 per night (including VAT, without breakfast). The ground floor of the 25hours Hotel Paper Island is home to function rooms for groups of up to 150. "With its location directly in the harbour, the hotel perfectly embodies the unique character of Copenhagen. Our guests can enjoy that special hygge feeling, far from the madding crowd of the city centre, but with direct access via a bridge for pedestrians and cyclists. The Royal Opera sits perched on a neighbouring island," explains General Manager Grit Rister. "You can rest assured that both of our properties are keen to welcome neighbours and locals, offering lots of pop-up stores, live music and events, in addition to the restaurant, cafe and bar," she adds. As General Manager, Rister has been at the helm of the 25hours Hotel Indre By since April 2023 and will now run both properties in Copenhagen. A native of Berlin, she had previously spent four years in charge of the 25hours Hotel The Circle in Cologne. The qualified hotel manager began her career with positions as Guest Service Manager and Front Office Manager at two prestigious hotel groups before taking charge of the KUTCHiiN daytime restaurant owned by top chef Holger Stromberg in Munich. Both of the Copenhagen hotels benefit greatly from her wealth of experience in food & beverages. Going forward, Rister will be supported by Claus Basan, who will work as Hotel Manager at the 25hours Hotel Paper Island. David Schad, former Operations Manager at the 25hours Hotel The Royal Bavarian in Munich, completes the management team and will run the 25hours Hotel Indre By as Hotel Manager from mid-May. Tiger Lily: New Asian restaurant concept The Paper Island hotel naturally needs its own culinary experience, so the 25hours crew has got together with the team Jan Tran, who run two successful restaurants in Hamburg. "We are over the moon to be given the opportunity to broaden our concept with 25hours at an innovative and diverse location with a rich culinary tradition," says Jan Tran. "We spirit our guests away on a trip through Asian cuisine. Our menu features Asian dishes such as 'pulled noodles - lamb - chili-oil' and 'pork belly burnt ends - BBQ caramel - hot&sour salad'." All the cooking is done in an open kitchen. Guests usually eat at communal tables or along the kitchen counter, although the outside terrace overlooking the water is also open in summer. The Hamburg Studio Oeding created the corporate design for the new Tiger Lily gastro brand - inspired by the colours and cuisine of the Far East and its tradition of wood carvings and origami. Urban hotspot for hotel guests and locals Situated in the extended lobby on the ground floor of the new hotel, the Nomad Day Bar with a terrace on the quay is a gathering point for guests. Most of the ingredients for the food and beverages are sourced from local suppliers. Aside from a breakfast menu, coffee specialities and all-day snacks, the Nomad Day Bar also serves a selection of aperitifs and wines in the evening and is therefore the ideal starting point for a trip into the city or visits to the opera. A Rooftop Bar on the eighth floor of the hotel rounds off the public amenities. Hotel website Marriott Executive Apartments, part of Marriott Bonvoy's global portfolio of over 30 extraordinary hotel brands, today announced it's debut in the Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Region with the opening of Marriott Executive Apartments Port Moresby. The waterside property in the heart of Port Moresby, Marriott International's first in Papua New Guinea, is set within the mixed-use development of 'Harbourside South' and offers Marriott Executive Apartments' signature luxury apartments with premiere hotel services for long stays and all the comforts of home. "We are thrilled to establish our inaugural foothold in Papua New Guinea with this milestone opening", said Sean Hunt, Area Vice President, Australia, New Zealand and Pacific for Marriott International. "This is also a debut for the Marriott Executive Apartments brand in the region, allowing us to diversify our offering to cater to ambitious and adventurous travellers who seek a premium, trusted extended-stay experience." Marriott Executive Apartments Port Moresby features 88 modern residential apartments - ranging from one-bedroom and two-bedroom suites to a one-bedroom and two-bedroom penthouse, all offering the space, ambiance, and privacy of residential living to enable a comfortable stay away from home. Each apartment category features upscale furnishings, separate sleeping, living, dining and working spaces and a fully equipped kitchen. Additional touches that will ensure a seamless stay include a Marshall Bluetooth sound system, complimentary Wi-Fi, an in-room washer and dryer, cleaning service and parking. A stylish Executive Lounge for residents and guests will offer a relaxed environment for light meals, self-service options and evening cocktails. Guests will also have access to a floor featuring a 25m outdoor lap pool, leisure pool, a fully equipped gym, three spa treatment rooms offering a range of rejuvenating treatments, and a recreation zone for children. From empowering guests to make a graceful entrance into a new city to connecting them to uniquely local experiences to enabling that perfect balance between work time and pursuing personal passions, Marriott Executive Apartments is both residence and hotel, a workspace and home base. Marriott Executive Apartments Port Moresby will offer guests a sense of security and connection with modern and luxurious apartments that make it easy to settle in, and a locally fluent staff that takes a personalized approach to acclimating guests to the world outside. The new Harbourside South development also houses a retail floor and three floors of commercial space and connects to Harbourside East and West and Port Moresby's Waterfront - connecting guests of Marriott Executive Apartments Port Moresby to the city's finest restaurants, bars, boardwalk, and marina. Residents and guests will be able to live, shop, relax, work, and dine within the luxury and safety of the precinct - the first of its kind in Papua New Guinea. Marriott Executive Apartments Port Moresby will participate in Marriott Bonvoy - the award-winning travel program from Marriott International - allowing members to earn points for their stay at the new hotel, and at other hotels and resorts across Marriott Bonvoy's portfolio of extraordinary hotel brands. With the Marriott Bonvoy app, members enjoy a level of personalization and a contactless experience that allows them to travel with peace of mind. Hotel website The Kahala Hotel & Resort is pleased to announce the appointment of Christina Maffei as the new director of food and beverage. With her impressive background in the industry, Maffei brings creative insight and a wealth of hospitality experience to The Kahala. In her new role, Maffei will lead the resort's food and beverage team property wide, committed to delivering exceptional culinary experiences for guests and locals alike. A graduate of Mercyhurst College with a B.A. in Hotel, Restaurant & International Management, Maffei embarked on her career in hospitality at Hyatt Regency O'Hare as a manager in training, progressing to roles at Charlie Trotter's iconic Chicago restaurant and the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago, before landing the position of director of food and beverage for the Trump Hotel Collection. Over five years with the company, Maffei contributed to the success of various Trump Hotel Collection locations, including the successful opening of their Honolulu property. Enchanted by Hawaii, Maffei then assumed the role of director of restaurants and bars at Hilton Hawaiian Village, before moving on to join the Hale Koa Hotel as the director of food and beverage operations. In 2015, Maffei returned to her hometown of Pittsburgh, where she joined Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants as the regional director of operations for the Northeast. In this role, she supervised six properties spanning Pittsburgh, Boston, Vermont, and New York, before ultimately returning to Hawaii in 2019. In addition to her work in food and beverage operations, Maffei is a certified sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers, a member of the US Bartenders Guild, and a former member of the Chaine de Rotisseurs, Honolulu Chapter. Her grit has resulted in numerous awards ranging from two World's Best Mai Tai titles to being named one of the 'Top 10 Mixologists to Watch' by Beverage Media Magazine in 2013. Maffei joins The Kahala after taking a several-year hiatus from hospitality to focus on growing her business FRANKLIN & myrrh, a company specializing in all-natural personal and home goods. Alongside her passion for all things food and beverage, Maffei loves to spend time with Franklin, her Boston terrier who was the inspiration behind FRANKLIN & myrrh. Virtuoso, the leading global network specializing in luxury and experiential travel, has appointed seasoned executive Lori Kresse as Vice President, Hotels & Resorts. In this role, Kresse will oversee the network's longstanding property programme, Virtuoso Hotels & Resorts, and the team that services Virtuoso's preferred partners within this category. As Kresse takes on this role, her primary objective is to enhance and elevate the hotel programme by effectively responding to evolving market dynamics, increasing the value for partners and members, whilst securing a leading competitive advantage. She will spearhead efforts to diversify revenue streams, while also crafting innovative services and benefits for Virtuoso members and preferred partners. Lori joins Virtuoso with two decades of extensive leadership, brand and marketing experience. Most recently, she served as Senior Vice President of Client Service and Integrated Marketing at Spherical, a prestigious New York agency, where she was responsible for driving revenue results for hotel and hospitality clients including Aman, EDITION Hotels, Maybourne Hotel Group, Proper Hotels and Rosewood Hotels & Resorts. Prior to her role at Spherical, Kresse honed her skills at distinguished agencies Huge and iCrossing/Hearst, where she managed multi-million-dollar accounts for global brands such as Google, Fairmont, Hilton, JP Morgan Chase, InterContinental Hotel Group, Marriott and more. With a strong focus on full-service digital offerings encompassing strategy, search marketing, social media, display, analytics, and web design, she has skillfully led global account teams to success. Her expertise shines particularly bright in crafting targeted hotel opening strategies, increasing brand visibility and implementing impactful performance campaigns. Kresse's educational background includes studies at Louisiana State University and Tilburg University in the Netherlands, providing her with a diverse, global perspective that enriches her approach to marketing and business strategy. Radisson Hotel Group is pleased to announce the appointment of Nikhil Sharma as the Managing Director and Area Senior Vice President (ASVP) for South Asia, effective April 1, 2024. In his new role, Nikhil Sharma will lead Radisson Hotel Group's operations in the dynamic South Asia region, which boasts over 165 hotels in operation and development. He brings a wealth of experience and will play a pivotal role in strengthening the Group's leadership in the Indian market, nurturing relationships with its valued partners, driving revenue growth, and ensuring operational excellence. Nikhil will also lead the Group's vision of being an employer of choice for dynamic talent in the hospitality ecosystem. Nikhil joins Radisson Hotel Group from Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (WHR) where he served as Market Managing Director Eurasia, overseeing Business Development, Operations, New Openings, and Sales & Marketing. Before his time at Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, he held the position of Chief Operating Officer at Ginger Hotels, a renowned brand under the IHCL conglomerate. He was also a founding member of the Lemon Tree Hotel Company and a significant contributor to the growth of India's upscale hotel segment. "Nikhil's appointment reflects our commitment to strengthening our leadership team and driving strategic growth in South Asia. This region is a key market for us, and with Nikhil's strategic vision and deep understanding of the industry, we are confident in our ability to further elevate our presence and deliver exceptional experiences to our guests," said Chema Basterrechea, Global President & Chief Operations Officer at Radisson Hotel Group. "In the past 25 years, Radisson Hotel Group has become synonymous with unparalleled hospitality and delivering memorable moments to millions of guests. We have leveraged the collective efforts of our teams to establish a first-movers advantage that has resulted in the expansion of our footprints in markets that are unique to the Group. We are pleased to welcome a dynamic leader like Nikhil to steer us ahead in this journey and wish him the best for leading Radisson Hotel Group's next phase of growth in South Asia," said K.B. Kachru, Chairman, South Asia at Radisson Hotel Group. "I am thrilled to be part of Radisson Hotel Group and to lead South Asia during this exhilarating period of growth. With a diverse portfolio of brands and hotels, the Group is poised to be the top choice for travelers and asset owners alike. I am grateful for this opportunity to drive innovation, deliver exceptional results, and elevate the brand while creating value for our stakeholders," said Nikhil Sharma, Managing Director and Area Senior Vice President (ASVP), South Asia at Radisson Hotel Group. Nikhil is an active contributor to the hospitality sector in India, serving on committees for various federations, associations, and industry bodies that drive transformative decisions within the industry. He is also a published author and a regular contributor to leading hospitality publications. Radisson Hotel Group continues to command a leading presence in the Indian market and is one of the country's largest international hotel operators with over 165 hotels in operation and development. It continues to be the largest hotel operator in tier-1 markets like Delhi NCR and at the same time, more than 50% of its portfolio is in tier-2 and 3 markets where it has benefited by being the first mover. With hotels dotted across 70+ locations in India, there is a Radisson Hotel Group hotel in every 4 hours of drivable distance across the length and breadth of the country operating under brands, including Radisson Blu, Radisson, Radisson RED, Park Inn by Radisson, Park Plaza, Park Inn & Suites by Radisson, Country Inn & Suites by Radisson and Radisson Individuals and its extension Radisson Individuals Retreats. Additionally, the Group is soon set to open doors to the first hotel under its lifestyle luxury brand Radisson Collection. El Palace Barcelona is proud to welcome a new General Manager, Pedro Rodriguez Madrigal. Rodriguez Madrigal joins El Palace Barcelona at an exciting time as the hotel continues to lead Barcelona's luxury hotel market with its sophisticated and elegant offering combined with seasonal offerings and creative pop-ups in its majestic Great Hall and blossoming Rooftop Terrace. As Barcelona's first luxury five-star hotel dating back to 1919 as the former Ritz of Barcelona, El Palace Barcelona is a proud member of Leading Hotels of the World and is a vibrant part of the local Barcelona community, welcoming guests to experience its bright history, exceptional hospitality, and creative activations. Born in Seville, Pedro Rodriguez Madrigal discovered his love for hospitality at Hotel Alfonso XIII, A Luxury Collection in Seville, where he worked across several different departments and positions before becoming Rooms Division Manager. Rodriguez Madrigal continued his career working with several other iconic hotels such as The St. Regis New York, The Westin Saraya Aqaba Resort & Spa, and Al Manara, a Luxury Collection Hotel, where he was General Manager and received the "Best General Manager of the Year" award across all Luxury Collection properties worldwide. His most recent position was as multi property General Manager across both Al Manara, a Luxury Collection Hotel and The Westin Saraya Aqaba Resort & Spa. Rodriguez Madrigal arrived at El Palace Barcelona in February 2024, ready to contribute his philosophy of hospitality and luxury to the city's first five-star hotel and take the reins of this emblematic symbol of the city. "Hotels sell rooms, but El Palace Barcelona is more than just a hotel. It is a place that combines history and culture and has such a unique soul and spirit." Rodriguez Madrigal feels a genuine passion for hospitality, always prioritising guests and his team as exemplified by his motto which is: "The answer is yes, what is the question". Pedro Rodriguez Madrigal is a man of classic tastes, ranging from opera to classical music, as well as historic and emblematic buildings such as El Palace Barcelona, his new home. IHG Hotels & Resorts has appointed Marcello Ventisei as the new cluster general manager for Kimpton Blythswood Square and voco Grand Central, succeeding Daniel Moran who took a position at Kimpton's Edinburgh location last August. With eight months of experience as the general manager at voco Grand Central, Ventisei will now oversee both central city hotels, aiming to sustain their status as premier destinations for both leisure and business travelers. Born and raised in Glasgow, Ventisei's extensive background in the hospitality industry includes significant leadership roles at renowned UK hotels and resorts, starting his career at the Grand Hotel in Brighton. Ventisei expressed enthusiasm for the unique characteristics and shared qualities of both properties, emphasizing the integral role of the experienced team in maintaining high hospitality standards. Additionally, last summer marked the reopening of the Spa at Blythswood Square after a major refurbishment funded by the largest spa investment by IHG Hotels & Resorts in the UK. The renovation was inspired by the Scottish Hebrides' natural scenery, introducing the country's first snow shower, a Himalayan salt room, seaweed baths, sound therapies, and an enhanced hydrotherapy suite. The spa also improved its relaxation pools, crystal steam room, hydrotherapy pool, and expanded its treatment rooms to nine as part of the extensive refurbishment project. Milestone Inc. announces its integration with Olo Inc. (NYSE: OLO), a leading restaurant technology provider, as an official Olo Connect Developer Partner. This integration enables businesses to expand website management beyond Milestone's platform and incorporate the restaurant capabilities provided by Olo. The collaboration harnesses the power of Olos Omnivore API, which scales online ordering for numerous restaurant locations, eliminating the need for costly and time-consuming direct integrations for POS systems. This partnership facilitates a faster time-to-market for technology companies. Key highlights of the Olo partnership include compliance with their API standards and completion of Olos Terms of Use (ToU) security and privacy assessments. The highlight of the Olo-Milestone partnership is a bespoke immersive ordering experience on your website, driving increased bookings while staying up to date with live inventory. With this integration, Milestone enhances its offerings to hospitality and restaurant clients through the Milestone Platform, providing a host of benefits: End-to-End Hospitality Technology: Olo's modular platform enables "Hospitality at Scale" for restaurants, enabling them to cater to evolving guest expectations and drive more dining occasions. Streamlined Payment Processes: Modernizing payment processes ensures every transaction is smoother and more secure for both businesses and customers. Milestone is also integrated with Olo Pay, offering an even smoother payment experience for customers. Data-Driven Insights: Businesses can collect, analyze, and act on data to create more meaningful guest experiences, driving loyalty and revenue growth. "Our integration with Olo Connect and Olo Pay underscores our commitment to providing clients with the most comprehensive suite of platforms to enhance their digital presence and reach for restaurants, hotels in the hospitality industry." - Sathya Krishnamurthy, Chief Product Officer, Milestone Inc. About Milestone Inc Milestone drives online discovery and customer acquisition with our discovery-first' digital presence platform and performance marketing services. Over 2,000 companies in Hospitality, Retail, Financial Services and Automotive industries use Milestone to drive online growth. Our customers include global brands in hospitality, banking, retail, automotive, including Marriott, US Bank, One Nevada Credit Union, VMWare, Nissan, McDonalds, Motel6, Preferred Hotels, Sun Outdoors, mid-market companies, and SMBs. Milestone platform includes Website CMS, Schema Manager, Local listings, Reviews management, FAQ Manager, and Analytics. In addition, Milestone offers Performance Marketing Services - Content, Design, SEO, Paid Marketing, and Analytics to our clients. Annually, over 300 million visitors use websites developed on Milestone CMS, 540M consumers click on content powered by Milestone Schemas, and 3.7B consumers search for businesses powered by Milestone Local. Milestone platform is amongst the highest-rated Martech platforms with awards and recognition from Forrester, G2, Adrian Awards, US Search Awards, Search Engine Land, CMS Wire and many more organizations. URL: https://www.milestoneinternet.com/ About Olo Olo (NYSE: OLO) is a leading restaurant technology provider with ordering, payment, and guest engagement solutions that help brands increase orders, streamline operations, and improve the guest experience. Each day, Olo processes millions of orders on its open SaaS platform, gathering the right data from each touchpoint into a single sourceso restaurants can better understand and better serve every guest on every channel, every time. Over 700 restaurant brands trust Olo and its network of more than 300 integration partners to innovate on behalf of the restaurant community, accelerating technologys positive impact and creating a world where every restaurant guest feels like a regular. Learn more at https://www.olo.com/ Gaurav Varma Senior Director of Marketing +1 408 200 6949 NORTH BETHESDA, Md. Sleep Inn, a leading limited service, lifestyle brand from Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) known for its modern, nature-inspired, stylish design, has now revealed the interior details for its latest prototype, Scenic Dreams. Developed in collaboration with developers, owners, and operators, the refreshed Sleep Inn prototype features redesigned guestrooms and common areas that complement the iconic exterior tower and purple accent lighting previously announced in April 2023. Through consumer testing the Scenic Dreams prototype was found to significantly increase guests' likelihood to stay, while remaining one of the lowest cost hotels to build and operate in midscale. Choice Hotels strives to bring an intentional approach to design and development, ensuring that every new concept not only withstands the test of time but also has the potential to deliver noticeable results to our owners' bottom lines and guest satisfaction scores. The next generation of Sleep Inn incorporates inviting, wellness-focused elements that cater to the needs and senses of modern travelers. Coupled with its low cost to build and operate, the new look of Sleep Inn stands out in the midscale space and is the perfect fit for growth-minded owners. Jason Cowan, senior vice president, signature development, Choice Hotels A New Interior Inspired by Nature The Scenic Dreams prototype interior fulfills Sleep Inn's brand promise of providing an uplifting and tranquil sanctuary inspired by nature, giving guests the feeling of being outside while indoors. Throughout the iterative value engineering process, done in collaboration with owners and operators, the designs went through extensive customer research and testing to ensure a distinct and optimized customer experience, while maintaining its low cost to build and operate. The newly refreshed bright and airy interior includes signature murals of natural landscapes as well as calming color schemes and modern wood accents, all designed to complement the iconic exterior purple tower and distinctive purple lighting accents. The new interior also aims to maximize efficiency through its thoughtfully composed hotel layout and room designs, which minimizes wasted space and optimizes operational processes. Key efficiency drivers include strategically placed back-of-house spaces, easily movable furniture, ample AC and USB outlets, and easy-to-clean surfaces. It was exciting to work with Choice on the Sleep Inn Scenic Dreams prototype. From the owner's perspective, they really listened to us and took our feedback and made changes to improve the guest experience while keeping our costs low. When people walk into this hotel, they instantly feel like they're walking into a refreshed hotel that helps them immediately recharge. David Burton, President, Burton Hotel Group and owner of The Sleep Inn & Suites Round Rock Several additional updates and additions that enhance efficiency for hotel owners and guest satisfaction, include: Stylishly designed lobbies with open floorplans, large windows, front desk welcome wall, consisting of illuminated abstract natural wood cutouts to reflect the changing night sky, and updated signature murals, giving developers eight signature mural options to highlight natural landscapes, such as coast, palms, pines, maples, field, forest, desert, and mountains. Modernized guestrooms featuring increased functional spaces, light dimming and smart thermostat capabilities, as well as regional artwork. Developers can choose from four calming color schemes, including dusk, starry night, twilight, and dawn. New-and-improved breakfast areas with the ability to be zoned into three distinct areas to suit guests' needs, including a game room, TV room and flexible workspace. Enhancing Guest Experience Around Active Travelers Sleep Inn is committed to providing guests with a great stay, with the amenities they want at an affordable price point. The Scenic Dreams prototype offers guests expanded wellness offerings, including fitness centers, complimentary premium access to the BetterSleep sleep and relaxation app, and designated outdoor spaces to enhance guests' ability to connect with nature throughout every touchpoint. Sleep Inn also offers guests a free hot breakfast, tea blends at the signature Dream Cup Station, and a Dream Corner Marketplace stocked with essential items. Sleep Inn continues to team up with AllTrails, the world's largest digital guidebook for outdoor activities, to provide guests with a QR code for a curated list of nearby hiking trails at participating hotels. Over 90% of Sleep Inn hotels are located within an hour and a half of a national park. Sleep Inn participates in Choice Privileges, the award-winning rewards program where members earn points on eligible charges during their stay which can be redeemed for reward nights at more than 7,000 Choice-branded hotels. Sustainable Innovation: Reducing Environmental Footprint The new prototype was designed with sustainability in mind. The Scenic Dreams prototype includes energy-efficient LED lighting, a linen and towel reuse program, and low-flow shower heads and faucets. Water refill stations will also encourage guests to help reduce single-use plastics. Additionally, Sleep Inn properties will offer electric car charging stations for guests at select locations. Every aspect of the hotel's layout and room designs has also been carefully crafted to reduce material, supply, and labor costs. For more information about Sleep Inn and the Scenic Dreams prototype, please visit choicehotelsdevelopment.com/brands/sleepinn. Sleep InnDream Better Here Every Sleep Inn hotel offers a simply stylish stay that's designed to help our guests Dream Better Here. You'll find fresh, nature-inspired design elements that are modern but timeless, that create a relaxed and serene environment. A new-construction brand, every Sleep Inn hotel is built with a specific vision in mindto be a sanctuary for travelers as well as an efficient property to build, operate, and maintain. Franchised by global lodging leader Choice Hotels, Sleep Inn properties boast strong product consistency and an established presence in the midscale hotel segment with more than 500 Sleep Inn properties open or in the pipeline worldwide. All Sleep Inn hotels include free Wi-Fi, complimentary hot and cold breakfast options, a swimming pool and/or fitness center. For more information, visit www.choicehotels.com/sleep-inn. About Choice Hotels Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) is one of the largest lodging franchisors in the world, with over 7,500 hotels, representing more than 630,000 rooms, in 46 countries and territories as of December 31, 2023. A diverse portfolio of 22 brands that range from full-service upper upscale properties to midscale, extended stay, and economy enables Choice to meet travelers' needs in more places and for more occasions while driving more value for franchise owners and shareholders. The award-winning Choice Privileges rewards program and co-brand credit card options provide members with a fast and easy way to earn reward nights and personalized perks. For more information, visit www.choicehotels.com. Addendum This is not an offering. No offer or sale of a franchise will be made except by a Franchise Disclosure Document first filed and registered with applicable state authorities. A copy of the Franchise Disclosure Document can be obtained through contacting Choice Hotels International at 1 Choice Hotels Circle, Suite 400, Rockville, MD 20850, email: [email protected]. 2024 Choice Hotels International, Inc. All Rights Reserved WASHINGTON Delegates from all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia took to Capitol Hill on Wednesday for the U.S. Travel Associations annual legislative fly-in, Destination Capitol Hill. Delegates held more than 300 meetings with top policymakers to discuss industry priorities to increase global competitiveness, drive economic growth and create and support jobs nationwide. This years Destination Capitol Hill is all about setting the groundwork for a more globally competitive future for travel, said U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman. The annual event is a significant opportunity to unite the travel industryfrom all 50 statesto speak with lawmakers on issues that are vital to our long-term success and growth. Top legislative priorities Travel advocates shared four key requests in meetings with policymakers: Lower visitor visa wait times, which average 400 days for top source markets Lower customs wait times, which can reach up to two hours at peak times at major U.S. airports Fully fund the office of the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Travel and Tourism for FY 2025 Advance the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill New travel impact data Delegates were armed with new data on the travel industrys essential contributions to the U.S. economy and workforce. Travel accounted for $1.3 trillion in direct spending in 2023, which produced an economic footprint of $2.8 trillion. in 2023, which produced an In 2023, travel supported more than 15 million American workers8 million directly employed by the travel industry. by the travel industry. Travel spending generated nearly $165 billion in total tax revenue , including $89 billion in state and local tax revenue in 2023. , including $89 billion in state and local tax revenue in 2023. Travel-generated tax revenue alleviated an average of $1,273 in taxes per U.S. household. During the fly-in event, U.S. Travel awarded Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO) and Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-WA)both serving on the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructurewith the associations Legislator of the Year award. See here to learn more about Destination Capitol Hill. About U.S. Travel Association U.S. Travel Association is the national, non-profit organization representing the $1.2 trillion travel industry, an essential contributor to our nation's economy and success. U.S. Travel produces programs and insights and advocates for policies to increase travel to and within the United States. Visit ustravel.org for information and recovery-related data. Greg Staley U.S. Travel Association Atlanta WorldVia Travel Group, a collection of leading travel companies in the United States, recently hosted its Atlanta, Orlando, Dallas and Minneapolis Roadshow events, as part of one of the companys most highly attended educational event series catering to the professional development and business growth of travel agency owners and related travel professionals. WorldVias four recent and high-turnout Roadshow events united travel entrepreneurs and their local industry peers and partners at regional industry events rife with worthwhile connections and knowledge exchanges. These gatherings brought travel product and destination information from around the world to the doorstep of host agency members, fostering genuine relationships and collaborative learning for all participants. WorldVia's 2024 Roadshow event series commenced January 23 at the Atlanta Marriott Buckhead Hotel and Conference Center in Atlanta, Georgia. The series then traveled to the Orlando World Center Marriott in Orlando, Florida, January 25, followed by an event at The Beeman Hotel in Dallas, Texas, February 6. The series concluded February 29 at The Marquette Hotel in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Attendees of WorldVias Atlanta, Orlando, Dallas and Minneapolis Roadshows gained invaluable insights to help elevate their travel planning services and discover travel products suited for their portfolios and select travel industry niches. Member travel agents and advisors can discover more information about WorldVias upcoming 2024 Roadshows and other educational events at www.travelquestnetwork.com. Prospective host agency members eager to learn more about membership, events and other key benefits can do so by visiting www.travelquestnetwork.com. About WorldVia Travel Group WorldVia Travel Group is a collection of leading travel companies in the United States with a spirited and longstanding commitment to delivering unmatched services, assets and support to its members, clients and partners including independent travel agent and advisor entrepreneurs, corporate partners and humanitarian organizations through the company's two primary divisions: WorldVia, which operates the company's host agency, and the consumer travel website, worldvia.com. WorldVia's mission involves simplifying and streamlining travel agency owners' and travel advisors' business management practices as well as empowering them to build and cultivate the travel businesses of their dreams. Learn more: www.travelquestnetwork.com, www.worldvia.pro and www.worldvia.com. Peter Costello Public Relations Manager, Eberly & Collard Public Relations +1 404 574 2900 WASHINGTON AHLA Foundation, the charitable arm of the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA), today announced plans to expand its travel scholarship program in partnership with historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). The opportunity to grow the program, and formally connect HBCU students to the real estate investment trust (REIT) industry, was made possible by a 2023 grant from the Nareit Foundations Dividends Through Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DDEI) Giving Campaign. HBCUs are an incredible, yet underestimated, resource for talent said AHLA Foundation President Anna Blue. Travel scholarships are an important tool for fostering inclusion at the earliest stages and help to increase exposure to the different parts of industry, including hotel and lodging REITs. AHLA Foundation launched its travel scholarship program in 2023 to increase student exposure to career pathways in hospitality by inviting them to attend industry conferences, including The Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS) Conference, ForWard Conference 2024, the Lodging Conference, and the Hospitality Show. The $85,000 grant from the Nareit Foundationthe philanthropic arm of Nareitwill support HBCU students attendance at REIT- and investment-focused events such as the Hunter: Hotel Investment Conference in March and the NYU International Hospitality Industry Conference in June. Read more about how REITs are investing in HBCU programs to ensure visibility of CRE career paths for top talent here. HBCU travel scholarships are available for students attending AHLA Foundation-affiliated schools, including Bethune-Cookman University, Howard University, Morgan State University, North Carolina Central University, University of the District of Columbia, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, and Virginia State University. Each school may choose to nominate students to receive these scholarships. Recipients must demonstrate leadership ability and commitment to a future in the hotel and lodging industry, and meet eligibility guidelines. For more information about AHLA Foundation travel scholarships, contact [email protected]. About The AHLA Foundation The AHLA Foundation, the charitable arm of the American Hotel & Lodging Association, works to support the hotel and lodging industrys greatest asset our people. By connecting employees, employers, and their communities, we seek to continuously nurture a culture of professional growth and belonging. When the people who work in our industry thrive, the industry thrives along with them. The Foundation is funded by grants and charitable contributions from generous individuals and organizations who want to support individuals seeking opportunities to thrive in the hotel and lodging industry. Learn more at www.ahlafoundation.org. About the Nareit Foundation For nearly two decades, the Nareit Foundation has supported educational and charitable initiatives for the REIT and publicly traded real estate industry. The Nareit Foundation launched the Nareit Hawaii Community Giving Initiative, supported by Nareit members doing business in Hawaii, in 2018 to support affordable housing and family focused programs. The Nareit Foundation recently undertook a significant expansion of its philanthropic mission with the launch of the Dividends Through Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DDEI) Giving Campaign and Grant Program which identifies, funds, and connects the REIT and publicly traded real estate industry with non-profit organizations focused on reaching diverse individuals and businesses in the areas of talent development, education, capacity building, and entrepreneurial support. Learn more at nareitfoundation.org or REIT.com. About Nareit Nareit serves as the worldwide representative voice for REITs and publicly traded real estate companies with an interest in U.S. real estate. Nareits members are REITs and other real estate companies throughout the world that own, operate, and finance income-producing real estate, as well as those firms and individuals who advise, study, and service those businesses. Nareits focus is to broaden and deepen REIT ownership to help a growing set of everyday American investors enjoy the benefits of holding real estate in a well-diversified portfolio, while increasing capital sources that invest in Americas future. Nareit is the exclusive registered trademark of the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts, Inc., 1875 I St., NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20006-5413. Copyright 2024 by Nareit All rights reserved. Hotel & Shop Plus will take place from 26-29 March 2024 in Shanghai. As Chinas leading trade show, it has been devoted to hospitality and commercial space for more than 30 years. This event aims to be built as one-stop souring platform for the construction and operation of hotels and commercial space. With the support of China Tourist Hotel Association, China Commerce Association for General Merchandise, China Association of Lighting Industry, China Architectural Culture Centre, MoHURD, and organized by Sinoexpo Informa Markets, this mega event will gather again to benefit all the participants. As a large-scale and professional exhibition in China, we invite professional visitors from hotel management groups, real estate developers, cultural and tourism planning enterprises, architects, designers, chain stores, and other parties every year. By creating rich event content and diverse business opportunities, we help to deeply integrate the upstream and downstream industrial chains of the hotel and commercial industries, and make every effort to build a one-stop procurement platform for the construction and operation of hotels and commercial spaces. 80+ Inspiring Activities bring Countless Highlights For the past decade, we have held various themed activities, from hotels and design to commercial and office spaces... continuously enriching the interdisciplinary ecosystem, empowering the development and innovation of the industry. In 2024, a series of 80+activities will be created on site, bringing together over 1000 leading forces such as industry associations, hotel management groups, investors, design institutions, commercial office real estate developers, and property management companies, share insights and experiences, spread the voice of ideas! Discussing Design Trends with International Masters Many interesting activities will give you a new vision, for instance, on March 26th in Hall E1, the most popular and well-Known forum will be heldthe China International Building and Interior Design Forum, where you can see Rob Wagemans, the designer of W Hotels, Charlie Hearn from Inspiral Architecture, Kristina Zanic from Kristina Zanic Consultant, Alison Chi from Chi&Co, and Tristan Auer from IZEU TRISTAN AUER, etc. These international top tier masters will share and hot topics such as luxury design, renovation, and sustainable development, interpreting the latest industry trends. The 2024 IDF, with the theme of Breakthroughs Reinvention, will once again gather popular hotel and commercial space architects and designers in the industry. Besides, on March 26th in Hall E7, the China International Lighting Design Forum will be held, where you can meet Sergio Boccia from Sergio Boccia Lighting design, Ming Zhong from TS lighting, Wang Yue from GODEN Lighting Design, Yu Xiankai from Hanrun Lighting Design, etc. Focusing on lighting designs such as commercial intelligence lighting, cultural and tourism landscape lighting, and light shows that have received widespread attention, and from the perspectives of intelligence, technology, craftsmanship, aesthetics, and commercial applications, it will endow lighting design with more added value and imaginative space. More Exciting Design Forums: Urban Renewal and Hotel Renovation Theme Forum China Restaurant Interior Design Award Resort & Healing Hotel Planning and Design Theme Summit Tide Rising East 2024 Habitat Design Forum Hotel & Commercial Space Sustainable Development Design Innovation Forum 2024 INTERNI SIGN TALK 2024 Forum on Technology, Nature, and Humanities in Future Cultural and Tourism Hotel Design 2024 Cultural and Tourism Content & Traffic Empowerment Forum and 1 Billion Media Resources to Assist Cultural and Tourism Launch Conference Intelligent Health Light Forum Integration of Hotel Lighting and Commercial Space The Charm of Light Beautify the Commercial Space The Hotel Culture Week showcases new trends in brand development, new ideas for hotel operations and upgrades through a series of forums, as well as through Hotel Housekeeping Competitions and other activities to enhance hotel service levels, presenting hotel culture and innovative development in all aspects. The Hotel Brand Investment and Franchise Zone, and Hotel Plus Mockup Room Show, will gather well-known domestic and foreign hotel brands, B&B brands, design companies and integrated brands, as well as hotel and commercial space enterprises to showcase the real scenes of hotel room on site. The show includes IHG, Wanda Hotels & Resorts group, H world Group (Intercity Hotel /Orange Hotel /Crystal Orange Hotel), DaCheng Hotel Group, Shanghai Seclusive Life Hotel, Shanghai Catenate People Interior Design, etc., these activities can offer a new opportunity to know more design concepts. The first China International Hotel Brands Innovative Forum will be grandly held on March 26th in Hall W4, with the theme of "deconstruction, revitalization, and breakthrough". Focusing on topics such as value reshaping, renovation, product upgrading, brand iteration, and service innovation. There are more than 50 top-tier domestic and foreign high-end hotel groups, 500+cultural and tourism groups, investment franchisees, designers, and KOLs in Hotel and tourism, including Xin Tao, Secretary General of the China Tourism Hotel Association, Li Ruizhong, General Manager of Greenland Hotel Tourism Group, Jin Luyi, Vice President of Greater China Development of Intercontinental Hotel Group, Chen Baozhu, Vice President of Hilton Group Greater China, they will create a long-term influence for the big hotel brand, revitalize innovation, thus to help emerging Hotel brands quickly enhance brand effectiveness. More Exciting Activities of Hotel Culture Week: China Cultural and Business Tourism Industry Hotel Brand Culture Festival China Hotel Procurement Forum 2024 AHF Asia Hotel and Tourism Forum 2024 Hotel Traffic and Brand IP Marketing Forum Hotel Uniform Show Hotel Housekeeping Competition China Hotel Industry Innovation Empowerment Forum Saville Hotel Investment and Development Summit and Hotel Brand Franchise Matchmaking Summit China Hotel Investment AC Index Forum Reshaping the Traditional Form of Office The 2024 Hotel & Shop Plus, after years of deep cultured in the hotel industry and commerce, it further exploring more diverse attempts and new expressions - expanding the field of "Office & Public, with an international perspective and aesthetic perspective, to build a multi-industry breakthrough and interconnection. This year, highly influential commercial architects and designers from the industry, as well as representatives from large real estate development groups and property management companies, gathered on-site to hold forums such as Future! Future Office Space Trends Summit, Fashion Office Carnival Forum, Green Office Design Trend Forum, Innovation and Application Trends of Smart Office, and other office themed forum activities, bring inspiration to the office space and design industry under the new normal! Integrating Resources in China & Southeast Asian Hotel & Shop Plus connects both inside and outside, developing in multiple locations. In 2024, based in Shanghai, we will expand into larger place in China, and explore the Southeast Asian market. On June 27-29, 2024, the event will return to Chengdu New International Convention and Exhibition Center in Century City; On December 12-14, 2024, at Shenzhen International Convention and Exhibition Center; On August 21-24, 2024, it will happen again at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok, Thailand. The show will provide efficient procurement and business exchange platforms for domestic and foreign buyers and creating a series of high-quality Hotel and commercial space construction and operation procurement events. Learn about more information at www.expohsp.com/?lang=en Claim your free pass at https://reg.hdeexpo.com/en/user/login?utm_source=media&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=2024HN View source On April 8th, there will be a total solar eclipse that traverses North America. Being able to witness this from land is incredibly rare, with astronomers at NASA saying that it could be as long as 375 years before a similar event occurs in this North American pathway. Over the past few months, Amadeus has been tracking the impact of the eclipse on hotel booking patterns across America using forward-looking business intelligence data from Demand360+. The highlights from the latest data drawn on February 29, 2024, are as follows: Average hotel occupancy across the 9 markets of Dallas-Fort Worth, TX, Little Rock, AR, Poplar Buff, MO, Paducah, KY, Evansville, IN, Cleveland, OH, Erie, PA, Buffalo, NY, Burlington, VT has now risen from an average of 12% on April 1st 2024 to an average of 69% on April 7th 2024. Smaller towns like Erie and Burlington are seeing that 89% and 88% (respectively) of their hotel rooms are already booked (see chart below). Data suggests average daily rates (ADR) have also increased significantly because of the eclipse, averaging $170 more than the same day last year. Currently, rates will hit a high of $404 in Burlington which is 183% more than the same day in 2023. On average, hoteliers can see a 196% increase in their rates when comparing the start of the week (April 1) to the end of the week in preparation for the eclipse (April 7). Amadeus Demand360+ data: February 29, 2024 Source: Amadeus The average occupancy across the areas tracked has risen 10% from when the last insights were shared by Amadeus in December. ADR has continued to rise too, averaging a 7% increase from when the data was last examined (see charts above and below). Amadeus Demand360+ data: December 14, 2023 Source: Amadeus View source Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy is now testing a search with AI tool that will match travelers with the perfect home and destination based on a natural language search describing their desired vacation. This next gen search will take travelers own preferences and offer a curated list of properties from the 140,000 available properties on the Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy platform. Travelers can include as little or as much detail as theyd like through this easily accessible and user-friendly search functionality, alleviating the stress that selecting a vacation property might otherwise present. A few sample searches include: I want to travel to London, Paris or Vienna and stay in city center Best A-frame home in the mountains with a fireplace and stunning view I want to take a trip to California this summer where I can bring my dog I'm looking for a private villa in Asia for six people with a butler I need a beach front home in the Caribbean perfect for a bachelorette celebration The results will suggest destinations and identify specific properties that meet the criteria entered in the search bar or close alternatives that meet as many of the descriptors as possible. In addition, the results will include useful information such as weather and things to do at the location based on the criteria, such as hiking, sightseeing, or dining. Visitors to the site will have the option to use the new or traditional search functionality. Using the latest technologies, our new AI search tool breaks new ground among vacation rental platforms by allowing travelers to search without a specific destination. Consumers can focus more on the experiences they are passionate about and the amenities on their must-have list to reveal their next memorable travel adventure, said Jennifer Hsieh, Vice President, Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy. With natural-language search, were able to play matchmaker, helping travelers effortlessly discover the perfect but perhaps unexpected property and destination among our global collection of extraordinary homes available on the Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy platform. Whether travelers are yearning for a beach vacation or searching for an eclectic home overlooking a mountain range, Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy has premium and luxury vacation rentals that can inspire more travel experiences. By booking a home with Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy, travelers unlock the power of the award-winning travel program, Marriott Bonvoy, to gain access to free stays at hotels and destinations around the world and incredible experiences with the people, places, and passions they love. Travelers can also take comfort that each home offered on the platform is fully vetted by Marriott, leveraging the companys trusted travel expertise with exceptional quality, safe and reliable hospitality. Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoys search with AI functionality is being tested initially as a part of the broader technology transformation at Marriott International to unlock value for customers with more seamless, personalized, and engaging ways to experience travel. It is expected to become widely available to all visitors first on the website and then on mobile in the coming weeks. The search with AI tool was developed in collaboration with Publicis Sapient. For more information, please visit homes-and-villas.marriott.com. About Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy is a curated and growing collectionof 140,000+ premium and luxury whole home rentals located in 800+ prime destinations throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, the Caribbean, and Latin America. Leveraging Marriott Internationals decades of delivering exceptional hospitality experience, each home is professionally managed and meets the companys design, cleanliness, safety, and amenity standards. The platform is also part of the award-winning travel program Marriott Bonvoy, enabling members to earn and redeem points for all stays. Connect with @HomesandVillasbyMarriott on Instagram. The major trade show platform for the food and beverage, foodservice and hospitality equipment industry closes today an edition marked by international participation and business that has once again brought together the entire sector and advanced the industry's main lines and trends. More sustainable and healthier products, as well as AI and robotics solutions for the Horeca channel have been presented during these days at the event. More than 3,200 exhibiting companies from 68 countries took part in the event, which concludes today, to encourage business, internationalisation and competitiveness in strategic sectors for the Spanish economy. Just a few hours before the show closed, around 107,900 professionals had visited the show, 25% of them international, from 120 countries. With an estimated economic impact of 180 million euros, the figures for d'Alimentaria & Hostelco reflect the strength of the event, which occupied nearly 100,000 m2 of net exhibition space, almost all of Fira de Barcelona's Gran Via venue. Once again, Alimentaria & Hostelco has established itself as a strategic global event for the internationalisation of its participating companies. This edition was attended by more than 900 international companies, led by Italian companies, and with a remarkable return of Asian companies, especially China, South Korea and Thailand. The trade fair reaffirmed its leadership by strengthening the complementarity of its represented sectors and offering a great business platform for its professionals. Attendees included 2,200 important buyers invited from strategic markets for the export of food and hospitality equipment, such as the European Union, the USA and Latin America, who took part in some 13,500 meetings with companies. For Alimentaria's director, J. Antonio Valls, this edition has been a resounding success in terms of internationalisation and shows the great convening power of Alimentaria&Hostelco, which has recovered its pre-pandemic figures and attracted buyers from strategic countries such as China. The show has thus consolidated its position as one of the sector's main international business meetings Functional foods and Artificial Intelligence Food innovation, gastronomy and the rise of protein, as well as the latest trends in the hospitality sector, were the main features of the programme of more than 350 activities at Alimentaria & Hostelco, in which nearly 700 prestigious experts and chefs took part. The show was a great showcase for hundreds of innovations, including functional and healthier foods. The digital transformation that the sector is undergoing has also been confirmed and it has been possible to discover how new technologies and artificial intelligence are integrated into the industry and services with robots and new solutions that optimise restaurant management and resources, maintenance, customer service and sustainability. Alimentaria & Hostelco also showed its most charitable side with the presence of a hundred volunteers from the Fundacio Banc dels Aliments (Food Bank Foundation), who collected nearly 20 tones of food and drink donated by exhibitors. The next edition of the trade fair platform organised by Fira de Barcelona will be held from 23 to 26 March 2026 at the Gran Via venue. It is no secret that The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is changing. Over just the past five years the change has been staggering, both socially, and politically as well as a dramatic shift in its economic vision. Oil & Gas has been the foundation of its strength, and it continues to be but the shift to diversify is massive. Great festivals bolster their main cities and act as significant drivers of local tourism; Formula E has been lighting up Riyadh since 2018; Formula 1 since 2021 in Jeddah, along with a host of significant political and business conferences. Of course, Hajj & Umrah are another major stream of inbound travel. At the beginning of March 2024, The Saudi Ministry of Tourism released its 2023 statistics with an announcement of 106.2 million visitors. This figure marks a 56% increase compared to 2019 and a 12% rise from 2022; 24.2 million of these are international arrivals and 79.3 million are domestic. If we were to break it down by city, there is slightly less clarity due to the way numbers are tracked, but in terms of the most visited by international arrivals, none of the destinations in Saudi feature, while Dubai sits in third position with around 17 million, it is very clearly not a fair comparison between it and Riyadh or Jeddah. But when looking at UAE Vs. Saudi Arabia as a whole, its a much closer picture. This gap will continue to shrink as Saudi Arabia plans to invest USD800 billion in tourism by 2030, with the goal to attract 150 million tourists a year by 2030, with about 70 million coming from abroad. And they have the resource to deliver: Saudis GDP in 2023 was USD1.1 trillion while that of UAE was USD415 Billion. And domestic tourism, which has a big impact on hotel performance is also not a fair fight with Saudis population at 37 million while UAE is at 10 million. The advantages seem to be stacked in their favour. Looking more closely at occupancy levels for the two nations, between 2019 and 2023 we see that UAE has grown by 1.5% while Saudi Arabia has over triple the percentage growth at 5% In Total Revenue per Occupied Room (TRevPOR) both nations match each other closely at just under 15% growth. When compared to places like Oman & Qatar you can more easily understand the significance of this number as those two nations have dipped in occupancy by 10% and 15% respectively while their TRevPOR has shrunk by 12% and 5%. Qatar showing less pain due to higher achieved average rates than Oman. Digging further into the performance and looking at the profitability indexes paints an even more interesting perspective. From 2019 to 2022 and then 2023, UAE Gross Operating Profit (GOP) margins climbed from 33% to 41% and 42%; which are respectable levels. While Saudi started at a higher base of 42% in 2019 and moved up slightly to 43% and by 2023 it now sits at 48% which is the highest in the whole of the Middle East and one of the highest in the world. What is particularly interesting is to examine the key revenue streams of hotel operations - rooms division as well as food & beverage - and compare the two nations together. Here, Saudi is ahead of the UAE by a couple of points in 2023 within the rooms department and this is part of their GOP lead, but the driving force is clearly F&B margins where Saudi Arabia is managing an average of 45% while UAE is at just over 40%. What makes this even more perplexing is that there is no alcohol being served in The Kingdom while the majority of UAE does and typically, alcohol margins are quite high. Energy costs play a role as in the Kingdom, the government tariff is fixed at .05 USD per kWh while in Dubai for example, it is a sliding scale in terms of consumption and does start at similar prices to Saudi but ratchets up very quickly. The same applies to the price of petrol for cars where the UAE is 25% more expensive than Saudi Arabia. Source: HotStats Limited Source: HotStats Limited The UAE doesnt really utilize local labour in comparison with Saudi. The kingdom has been pushing through with its Saudization model for many years now and when visiting hotels, you will not find any non-Saudi employees in places of guest interaction, commercial teams, operators and similar. This of course carries a heavier labour cost when compared to the full expat teams that The UAE utilizes in its operations. Even though Saudi Arabia carries a higher labour cost per occupied room as clearly indicated in the below chart, overall, due to the other operating costs, it still comes out ahead in terms of profitability. Source: HotStats Limited What does the future hold? When talking to hospitality professionals in Dubai and elsewhere within the UAE, there is optimism. There is still plenty of business to go around and The Emirates not standing still. It still leads the way with theme parks, family attractions, ease of visa entry, and flight connectivity and is pushing the envelope yet again with its move to open casinos. The Ras Al Khaimah Wynn property is slated to open in 2026 at a cost of USD4 billion and Dubai is also building a casino Island on Jumeirah beach. Everything is moving quickly, and Saudi Arabia is very determined to build up the nation as a major tourism hub over the next few years. This is a very exciting time for the region and the only way is up. I am looking forward to what is coming. Story contributed by Tareq Bagaeen, founder of aQedina.com and a senior consultant with HotStats. Unlock the hidden profit potential in your hotel business by leveraging the power of data. With our data-driven approach, we provide you with the tools to make informed decisions that can significantly boost your bottom line. Find out more about Hotel Benchmarking now. Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy Incorporate Generative AI in Search Tool Travelers can use natural language to describe their vacation and Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy will recommend matching destinations and home rentals. Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy is now testing a search with AI tool that will match travelers with a home and destination based on a natural language search describing their desired vacation. This next gen search will take travelers own preferences and offer a curated list of properties from the 140,000 available properties on the Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy platform. Travelers can include as little or as much detail as theyd like through this easily accessible and user-friendly search functionality, alleviating the stress that selecting a vacation property might otherwise present. A few sample searches include: I want to travel to London, Paris or Vienna and stay in city center Best A-frame home in the mountains with a fireplace and stunning view I want to take a trip to California this summer where I can bring my dog I'm looking for a private villa in Asia for six people with a butler I need a beach front home in the Caribbean perfect for a bachelorette celebration The results will suggest destinations and identify specific properties that meet the criteria entered in the search bar or close alternatives that meet as many of the descriptors as possible. In addition, the results will include useful information such as weather and things to do at the location based on the criteria, such as hiking, sightseeing, or dining. Visitors to the site will have the option to use the new or traditional search functionality. Using the latest technologies, our new AI search tool breaks new ground among vacation rental platforms by allowing travelers to search without a specific destination. Consumers can focus more on the experiences they are passionate about and the amenities on their must-have list to reveal their next memorable travel adventure," said Jennifer Hsieh, Vice President, Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy. With natural-language search, were able to play matchmaker, helping travelers effortlessly discover the perfect but perhaps unexpected property and destination among our global collection of extraordinary homes available on the Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy platform. Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoys search with AI functionality is being tested initially as a part of the broader technology transformation at Marriott International to unlock value for customers with more seamless, personalized, and engaging ways to experience travel. It is expected to become widely available to all visitors first on the website and then on mobile in the coming weeks. The search with AI tool was developed in collaboration with Publicis Sapient. For more information, please visit homes-and-villas.marriott.com. NUMA and NWH acquire Bedford Corner Hotel in London A summary of European hotel transactions provided by HVS LondonMetric acquires LXi REIT including its 144 UK hotels British REIT LondonMetric Property Plc has finalised its acquisition of the London-based LXi REIT for 1.9 billion. The latter held a multi-sectoral real estate portfolio across the UK which included 144 hotels, with 135 Travelodges, seven Premier Inns, the Jurys Inn in Plymouth and the Cambridge Belfry Hotel. With this acquisition, the combined portfolio will reach approximately 6.2 billion across all sectors, making LondonMetric the fourth largest UK REIT by market capitalisation. Of the 135 Travelodges, 123 (6,557 rooms) were acquired in one transaction in July 2022, at which time they had a weighted average, unexpired lease term of 20.1 years. This transaction comes after LXi had sold a 66-hotel strong Travelodge portfolio to its tenant Travelodge earlier this year, as referenced in our European Hotel Transaction Bulletin from 16 January 2024. Hilton to acquire Graduate Hotels brand from AJ Capital Partners International hotel group Hilton Hotels & Resorts has signed an agreement to acquire all rights to the Graduate Hotels brand, with 33 properties across the US and UK, for $210 million, from Nashville-based real estate investment manager Adventurous Journeys (AJ) Capital Partners. Following the acquisition, AJ Capital Partners will remain owners of the existing assets plus two pipeline hotels, which they will also continue to operate under long term franchise agreements with the Hilton group. Hilton will be responsible for the brands future development and growth. The acquisition is expected to bring Hilton $16 million in franchise fee income during the first full ownership year. There are currently two Graduate Hotels in the UK, in the university cities of Oxford and Cambridge. NUMA and NWH acquire Bedford Corner Hotel in London Berlin-based hotel company NUMA Group and British operator New World Hospitality Group have acquired the four-star, 86-room Bedford Corner Hotel in London, UK, from an undisclosed seller. The hotel is located in the central Bloomsbury area, in proximity to the British Museum, Oxford Street and the University of London. Following refurbishments, including upgrades to incorporate NUMAs digital technologies that enable guests to use their smartphones to check in and out, access their rooms and communicate with customer service staff, the hotel will trade under the NUMA Bloom name. The acquisition marks Numas first venture into the UK and its portfolio now comprises 5,850 rooms across 33 cities in 15 countries. The group will aim to continue its expansion into the UK in major cities such as Manchester and Edinburgh. Grupo Fuertes and Satocan acquire Hotel Tenerife Golf & Sea View in Spain Spanish holding company Grupo Fuertes and Canary Island real estate developer and operator Satocan have acquired the four-star, 125-room Hotel Tenerife Golf & Sea View on Tenerife, the largest of Spains Canary Islands, from an undisclosed seller. The hotel is located ten minutes drive from Tenerife South Airport and within walking distance of the Amarilla Golf course. The asset, which is now being operated by Satocan, will undergo an extensive renovation during the course of 2025. Grupo Fuertes previously acquired the 1,200-room Marina dOr Resort in Oropesa del Mar, Spain, in November 2023. Satocans operating portfolio presently comprises six hotels distributed across Spain. HVS is the world's leading consulting and valuation services organization focused on the hotel, restaurant, shared ownership, gaming, and leisure industries. Established in 1980, the company performs more than 4,500 assignments per year for virtually every major industry participant. HVS principals are regarded as the leading professionals in their respective regions of the globe. Through a worldwide network of over 50 offices staffed by 300 experienced industry professionals, HVS provides an unparalleled range of complementary services for the hospitality industry. For further information regarding our expertise and specifics about our services, please visit www.hvs.com. Qingming travel bookings boom 13:53, March 21, 2024 By Cheng Si ( China Daily The approaching Tomb Sweeping Day Festival, a period of ancestor worship, has become a popular tourism holiday for spring outings and flower viewing. Experts and tourism insiders said lower travel costs mean that some "niche" domestic destinations welcome a spate of visitors. Travel portal Qunar said that many of its users have already made bookings for the holiday, which is also known as Qingming in Chinese. This year, the holiday will last three days, from April 4 to 6. Qunar said the number of bookings made from March 9 to 15 was 1.4 times higher than during the previous week, and it expects more will be made as the holiday approaches. High-profile destinations such as Beijing, Shanghai and Nanjing, Jiangsu province, are among the top choices for the holiday, while some niche or lesser-known places such as Tianshui, Gansu province, and Zhanjiang, Guangdong province, have also seen a surge in bookings as they are viewed as cheaper alternatives. According to Qunar, holiday flight bookings to niche destinations have registered a twofold increase on average on the platform. Hotels are generally less expensive in those places, costing an average of about 300 yuan ($42) per night. Besides the lower costs associated with visiting the niche cities, tourists are attracted to some of their unique offerings. For example, Tianshui spicy hotpot with its boiled meat and vegetables and mouthwatering scarlet chili oil has gone viral online, attracting large numbers of travelers to the city recently. Travel agencies said the city will welcome a wave of visitors during the Tomb Sweeping Day Festival. Yan Yun, a 28-year-old man from Xi'an, Shaanxi province, said that he and his friends have planned a road trip to Tianshui to spend the holiday. "I've seen some videos on Douyin (the Chinese version of TikTok) where people waited in very long lines for the spicy hotpot soup. It looks so alluring, and I bet I will eat two bowls of the soup the day I arrive in the city," he said. "We will depart on April 3, one day ahead of the holiday to avoid the traffic peak, and it will take about four hours to get there. We will stay in the downtown area for one-and-a-half days and then drive to some neighboring tourism spots such as the Maiji Mountain Grottoes, which feature Buddha statues, and Zhangye with its gorgeous Danxia landform," he added. Xiao Peng, a researcher at Qunar, said: "People who have become tired of the same scenery or snacks now prefer more special traveling experiences. A unique dish or an old street that isn't overcommercialized may help the destination attract crowds of travelers. It's more important for these niche destinations to keep these travelers with good services and honesty." In addition to the traditional popular domestic destinations, holiday bookings have increased for some overseas hot spots such as Thailand, Japan and the Maldives, according to travel portal Tuniu. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) Wait! Before you go Please sign up for our Evening Digest and Breaking Newsletters Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Hudson, NY (12534) Today Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. Low around 35F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. Low around 35F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. Five questions to ask yourself before supporting the TikTok ban Before backing the bipartisan supported ban, maybe ask yourself these questions about the true intentions behind the bill. Op=ed by Hudson Hongo and David Greene from TechDirt With strong bipartisan support, the U.S. House voted 352 to 65 to pass HR 7521 last week, a bill that would ban TikTok nationwide if its Chinese owner doesnt sell the popular video app. The TikTok bills future in the U.S. Senate isnt yet clear, but President Joe Biden has said he would sign it into law if it reaches his desk. The speed at which lawmakers have moved to advance a bill with such a significant impact on speech is alarming. It has given many of us including, seemingly, lawmakers themselves little time to consider the actual justifications for such a law. In isolation, parts of the argument might sound somewhat reasonable, but lawmakers still need to clear up their confused case for banning TikTok. Before throwing their support behind the TikTok bill, Americans should be able to understand it fully, something that they can start doing by considering these five questions. 1. Is the TikTok bill about privacy or content? Something that has made HR 7521 hard to talk about is the inconsistent way its supporters have described the bills goals. Is this bill supposed to address data privacy and security concerns? Or is it about the content TikTok serves to its American users? From what lawmakers have said, however, it seems clear that this bill is strongly motivated by content on TikTok that they dont like. When describing the clear threat posed by foreign-owned apps, the House report on the bill cites the ability of adversary countries to collect vast amounts of data on Americans, conduct espionage campaigns, and push misinformation, disinformation, and propaganda on the American public. This week, the bills Republican sponsor Rep. Mike Gallagher told PBS Newshour that the broader of the two concerns TikTok raises is the potential for this platform to be used for the propaganda purposes of the Chinese Communist Party. On that same program, Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi, a Democratic co-sponsor of the bill, similarly voiced content concerns, claiming that TikTok promotes drug paraphernalia, oversexualization of teenagers and constant content about suicidal ideation. 2. If the TikTok bill is about privacy, why arent lawmakers passing comprehensive privacy laws? It is indeed alarming how much information TikTok and other social media platforms suck up from their users, information that is then collected not just by governments but also by private companies and data brokers. This is why the EFF strongly supports comprehensive data privacy legislation, a solution that directly addresses privacy concerns. This is also why it is hard to take lawmakers at their word about their privacy concerns with TikTok, given that Congress has consistently failed to enact comprehensive data privacy legislation and this bill would do little to stop the many other ways adversaries (foreign and domestic) collect, buy, and sell our data. Indeed, the TikTok bill has no specific privacy provisions in it at all. It has been suggested that what makes TikTok different from other social media companies is how its data can be accessed by a foreign government. Here, too, TikTok is not special. China is not unique in requiring companies in the country to provide information to them upon request. In the United States, Section 702 of the FISA Amendments Act, which is up for renewal, authorizes the mass collection of communication data. In 2021 alone, the FBI conducted up to 3.4 million warrantless searches through Section 702. The U.S. government can also demand user information from online providers through National Security Letters, which can both require providers to turn over user information and gag them from speaking about it. While the U.S. cannot control what other countries do, if this is a problem lawmakers are sincerely concerned about, they could start by fighting it at home. 3. If the TikTok bill is about content, how will it avoid violating the First Amendment? Whether TikTok is banned or sold to new owners, millions of people in the U.S. will no longer be able to get information and communicate with each other as they presently do. Indeed, one of the given reasons to force the sale is so TikTok will serve different content to users, specifically when it comes to Chinese propaganda and misinformation. The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution rightly makes it very difficult for the government to force such a change legally. To restrict content, U.S. laws must be the least speech-restrictive way of addressing serious harms. The TikTok bills supporters have vaguely suggested that the platform poses national security risks. So far, however, there has been little public justification that the extreme measure of banning TikTok (rather than addressing specific harms) is properly tailored to prevent these risks. And it has been well-established law for almost 60 years that U.S. people have a First Amendment right to receive foreign propaganda. People in the U.S. deserve an explicit explanation of the immediate risks posed by TikTok something the government will have to do in court if this bill becomes law and is challenged. 4. Is the TikTok bill a ban or something else? Some have argued that the TikTok bill is not a ban because it would only ban TikTok if owner ByteDance does not sell the company. However, as we noted in the coalition letter we signed with the American Civil Liberties Union, the government generally cannot accomplish indirectly what it is barred from doing directly, and a forced sale is the kind of speech punishment that receives exacting scrutiny from the courts. Furthermore, a forced sale based on objections to content acts as a backdoor attempt to control speech. Indeed, one of the very reasons Congress wants a new owner is because it doesnt like Chinas editorial control. And any new ownership will likely bring changes to TikTok. In the case of Twitter, it has been very clear how a change of ownership can affect the editorial policies of a social media company. Private businesses are free to decide what information users see and how they communicate on their platforms, but when the U.S. government wants to do so, it must contend with the First Amendment. 5. Does the U.S. support the free flow of information as a fundamental democratic principle? Until now, the United States has championed the free flow of information around the world as a fundamental democratic principle and called out other nations when they have shut down internet access or banned social media apps and other online communications tools. In doing so, the U.S. has deemed restrictions on the free flow of information to be undemocratic. In 2021, the U.S. State Department formally condemned a ban on Twitter by the government of Nigeria. Unduly restricting the ability of Nigerians to report, gather, and disseminate opinions and information has no place in a democracy, a department spokesperson wrote. Freedom of expression and access to information both online and offline are foundational to prosperous and secure democratic societies. Whether its in Nigeria, China, or the United States, we couldnt agree more. Unfortunately, if the TikTok bill becomes law, the U.S. will lose much of its moral authority on this vital principle. Republished from the EFFs Deeplinks blog. Share on: Mass MoCA Shifts Hours After Union Rejects Offer NORTH ADAMS, Mass. The Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art will close an extra day a week after striking workers rejected the latest offer. The museum will close Monday "to allow managers covering shifts during this period to rest," according to an update on the museum's website. The museum is closed on Tuesdays normally and beginning next week, will also close on Wednesdays through April. Local 2110 of the United Auto Workers went out on strike March 6 after months of negotiations over wages broke down with museum administration. The union is seeking to raise the hourly minimum rate to $18.25 back to October 2023 and a minimum 4.5 percent increase this year. The latest offer rejected by union members on Wednesday, according to the museum, was a minimum hourly wage of $17.25, or 3.5 percent salary increase, or equity increases ranging from 3.9 percent to 14.29 percent and retroactive to Jan 1, 2024. An additional 3 percent "base building" increase was proffered for the following year to eliminate the need for more talks in six months. Local 2110 says increasing wages for its 125 members will come to $150,000 MoCA countered with one-time lump sum of $150,000 for the UAW to determine the size and structure of each payment and its recipients. "We are disappointed in the outcome of the vote, and indeed, that the union encouraged employees to vote NO rather than remaining neutral to allow staff to vote their conscience," the museum stated. "The strike continues and we will be confirming a date soon to return to the bargaining table." The strikers have been picketing outside the museum, accompanied by a blowup "Scabby the Rat," during museum hours and often on Tuesday. The latest offer came during talks that resumed over the weekend. Technical, Office and Professional (TOP) Union, Local 2110, part of the United Auto Workers, represents more than 3,000 employees in the education, creative, publishing and law fields. MoCA hourly workers joined the local in 2021 and held a one-day strike back in 2022 over wages. Organizing at museums and other nonprofit "creative economy" institutions has been on the upswing following the pandemic, rising prices and stagnant wages. It also included more benefits and a fund for prefessional development. The Guggenheim Museum also settled with its union last year for a total wage increase of 12 percent through December 2025. UAW members at the Brooklyn Museum ratified their first contract last fall that guaranteed a more than 23 percent wage increase over the next 3.5 years. With staff out on the picket line, Mass MoCA has postponed two shows scheduled for this weekend until May. Laurie Anderson's "To the Moon" and "Chalkroom VR" experiences have been closed. Thursday 21 March 2024, 18:43 - Last updated: 22 March, 10:27 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED This article is automatically translated High-level military training, extensive field experience, academic studies and post-graduate degrees, fluency in many languages, and familiarity with major headquarters. General Roberto Vannacci, a 55-year-old from La Spezia, has been serving in the army since he was 18. Having earned his commando badge, he participated from a young age in missions to 'neutralize' terrorists in Somalia and to rescue civilians during the genocide in Rwanda. Progressively, he added command roles to his operational duties. Thus, in his long career, which also includes experiences in Libya, Yemen, former Yugoslavia, and Iraq, before the Military Geographic Institute of Florence, of which he has been the commander for just two months, he can boast of having led the Task Force 45 during the war in Afghanistan and the Folgore Paratrooper Brigade. In Iraq, General Vannacci was sent as the commander of the entire Italian contingent to personally train local militias to fight on the ground against ISIS terrorists and to direct counter-insurgency activities. In this experience, the military officer distinguished himself with an initiative that was unwelcome to the highest ranks of the Armed Forces, leading to the submission of two reports on the lack of protection for the frontline contingent against the risks posed by depleted uranium. Decorated fifteen times (including by the United States of America - with the Bronze Star Medal and the Legion of Merit - for his activities in Afghanistan and Iraq), General Vannacci holds three master's degrees, in strategic, military, and international diplomatic studies, and is fluent in Italian, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Romanian. Regarding the Russian language, he was still taking his first steps when, in 2022, he was expelled from Moscow along with the entire Italian diplomatic contingent, of which he was the Defense Attache, immediately after the attack on Ukraine and the breakdown of relations between Russia and Italy. On February 26, 2024, following various complaints filed against him by some associations, the Rome Prosecutor's Office opened an investigation for incitement to racial hatred against Vannacci due to the book 'The World Upside Down'. A few days later, he was suspended from employment for 11 months following the disciplinary proceedings initiated by the Ministry of Defense for the publication of the book, which would have caused a 'breach of the principle of neutrality/impartiality of the Armed Force, compromising the prestige and reputation of the Administration of belonging and generating possible emulative effects that are disruptive and divisive within the military community.' 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 }} Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight has confirmed that Cillian Murphy will reprise his role as gangster Tommy Shelby in the forthcoming spin-off film. The Oscar-winning actor led the popular six-season British crime drama, which ran from 2013 to 2022. It was announced in 2021 that instead of wrapping up the series in a seventh season, loose ends would be tied up in a movie. Speaking at the recent premiere of his new BBC drama, The Town, Knight shared that Murphy is definitely returning for [the movie]. Were shooting it in September just down the road in Digbeth. Murphys return doesnt come as a total surprise as hes been quite vocal about his interest in continuing his role in a Peaky Blinders movie if presented with a worthy script. If theres more story there, Id love to do it, the 47-year-old Irishman told Rolling Stone last year. But it has to be right. Steve Knight wrote 36 hours of television, and we left on such a high. Im really proud of that last series. So, it would have to feel legitimate and justified to do more. The year before, the Oppenheimer star had similarly told RadioTimes: The television part of the story is finished. If theres more stories to tell, Im there. Cillian Murphy and Paul Anderson in Peaky Blinders (BBC) He added at the time that the films script was close to being done. Set in the aftermath of World War One, Peaky Blinders followed one of the regions most powerful gangs at the time led by returning war hero Thomas Shelby (Murphy). The critically acclaimed series premiered its first four seasons on BBC Two before moving to BBC One for its final two. Besides Murphy, it starred Tom Hardy, Paul Anderson and Helen McCrory. Knight has always been clear about his intentions to finalise the story in a film format. The film, I know exactly what its about. And I know what two stories its going to tell, he said in a 2022 interview with Esquire. What will happen after that, I want that to depend on the film. For all we know somebody is going to pop out I think I know who its going to be. He had previously suggested that the film would be released in cinemas in 2024, but with filming beginning in September, Knight has now hinted at a 2025 release date. 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 }} Sharon Stone has taken a swipe at Johnny Depp in a new interview about her success in the art world. The Hollywood star, whose credits include Basic Instinct and Casino, has turned her back on acting to pursue her painting skills and she cast aspersions on an art collection created by Depp that fetched millions in 2022. Stone reignited her passion for art during lockdown, and decided to embrace the skill full-time after failing to be offered roles she believed were worthy of her talents. She has now opened her own exhibition in Berlin and another is due to open in San Francisco in April. However, while she acknowledged that her rapid success in the art could probably be attributed to her fame, the actor told The Guardian she has several obstacles as she isnt necessarily painting art that galleries want. Here, Stone hit out at Depps lucrative art collection, stating: Johnny Depp is printing pictures of people, putting some paint over it and signing it, and making a fortune. Stone was referring to Depps Friends & Heroes, an art collection featuring 780 prints of famous faces, which he sold for an estimated $3.65m. He followed this up with even more prints in 2023, which included the faces of famous figures such as Heath Ledger and Hunter S Thompson. Also last year, Depp unveiled a self-portrait, which captures the emotional exhaustion he felt during a difficult period in his life. The actor donated $200 from every sale of the picture to Mental Health America. Stone said curators have made requests seemingly based on Depps success, telling the outlet: I had galleries approach me and say, Could you please make prints of your face? I think its my duty not to do that. Its my job to open a window for other women and hold it open further. In the past, Stone has been supportive of Depp in regards to his personal life. Addressing his high-profile court case with ex-wife Amber Heard, Stone told The Telegraph in 2020: Ive known Johnny from when he was a kid and hes a terrific guy: sweet and nice and very warm and generous. So I have a feeling its more about this young lady. 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 Sharon Stone is not a fan of Johnny Depps art skills (Getty Images for VOX Media) On Wednesday (20 March), Depp responded to an accusation that he treated his Blow co-star Lola Glaudini aggressively on the films set. A rep for the actor denied Glaudinis claims, saying: Johnny always prioritises good working relationships with cast and crew and this recounting differs greatly from the recollection of other members on set at the time. 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 }} An internal investigation by Channel 4 has said that there is no evidence that its bosses were aware of allegations against Russell Brand. Complaints against the 48-year-old comedian were made to the BBC and Metropolitan Police after a Channel 4 Dispatches and Sunday Times investigation aired in September revealed accusations by four women of rape, sexual assault and abuse between 2006 and 2013. Brand has strongly denied all accusations said to have taken place while at the height of his fame between 2006 and 2013. He recently told former Fox News host Tucker Carlson in a YouTube video that the claims were very, very hurtful. Channel 4 has been forced to question how much its bosses were aware of since the presenter worked on the broadcasters programmes Big Brothers Big Mouth and Kings Of Comedy between 2004 and 2007. A report, released by Channel 4 on Thursday, said: The investigation found no evidence to suggest that there was knowledge within the channel of the allegations contained in the Dispatches programme about Russell Brands behaviour while he was a presenter on Big Brothers Big Mouth and Kings Of Comedy between 2004 and 2007. No evidence was found to substantiate the allegation in the programme that Russell Brands behaviour had been discussed in a commissioning meeting in 2014. Following the Dispatches documentary airing in September, two reports were made to the broadcasters Speak Up facility. An allegation made in 2009 by a staff member, which concerned Russell Brands conduct towards them, revealed specific shortcomings by Channel 4, according to the report. The report said: That allegation was not passed up Channel 4s senior management chain, nor investigated as it ought to have been in accordance with the procedures in place at the time. 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 Brand told former Fox News host Tucker Carlson in a YouTube video that the claims were very, very hurtful (PA Wire) Channel 4 also acknowledges delays in its ongoing communications with the former employee in 2023 due to the length of its investigation. Channel 4 has apologised to the former Channel 4 staff member for the breakdown in 2009, communication delays in 2023 and the distress this matter has caused. One anonymous report with limited information was not substantiated, the investigation said. The Independent has contacted Brands representatives for comment. Investigators also examined what was known by senior levels at the broadcaster, when Brand was a contestant on The Great Celebrity Bake Off: Stand Up To Cancer, which was filmed in 2018, but not broadcast until March 2019. The Russell Brand: In Plain Sight Dispatches programme was commissioned in December 2019. While the investigation found that the recollections of former and current Channel 4 staff interviewed varied about when concerns around Russell Brand started to circulate within the commissioning team, the investigating team found no written or corroborated evidence to show that suspicions of serious allegations about Russell Brands behaviour were held within the channel before the special was broadcast, the report said. No record was found of concerns being raised within Channel 4, or in public, at the time of Russell Brands casting in the Celebrity Bake Off Stand Up To Cancer special or after its broadcast in March 2019. According to the investigation published in September, Brand allegedly entered a relationship with one of the women when he was 31 and she was aged 16. On their first date, she claims he asked her to confirm if she was 16 and said: I dont give a f*** if youre 12 ... I need to know where I stand legally. Channel 4 said that there was no prior knowledge within the channel of the allegations contained in the Dispatches programme (PA Archive) She claims that he sexually assaulted her at his home just before their relationship ended. Another woman is said to have received treatment at a rape crisis centre after she claims she was raped by Brand. The Times said she later texted him to say When a girl say[s] NO it means no after the alleged attack, and that Brand sent a text back in apology. The third complainant is said to have claimed Brand assaulted her in Los Angeles, with the star then threatening legal action if she took her case further. The Times reported that Brand was physically and emotionally abusive towards the fourth complainant. The allegations also included controlling, abusive and predatory behaviour, which he denies. In an interview with former Fox News broadcaster Tucker Carlson, Brand said it was very, very painful to be accused of the most appalling crimes. The journalistic investigation, which dominated international news headlines, was published while his infant son was undergoing heart surgery, Brand also said. I suppose what that did is it revealed that what we were experiencing was a public concoction, said the Get Him To The Greek actor. I am aware that I put myself in an extremely vulnerable position by being very, very promiscuous. That is not the kind of conduct that I endorse, and its certainly not how I would live now.\ Ive been shown a good many things, as a result of these events the value of my family, the value of friendship, the value of being able to speak publicly. I mentioned my son because throughout it I was able to maintain what is really important in life ... hurtful as it is to be accused of what I consider to be the most appalling crimes, to be accused of this is very, very painful, and very hurtful. He added: But I am being shown that there are consequences for the rather foolish way that I lived in the past although of course again to reiterate, due to the nature of the world we live, of course I deny any allegations of the kind that have been advanced. With reporting from 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 }} Indias main opposition Congress party has accused prime minister Narendra Modi of crippling it before the upcoming general election by freezing its accounts. A part of the Congress bank accounts was frozen last month pending a tax case that dates back to 2018-19, the party has said previously. Earlier this month, a tax tribunal dismissed its appeal to pause recovery of 1.35 billion rupees ($16.32m) in income tax from its bank accounts. On Thursday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said all accounts belonging to the party had been frozen, leaving it with no access to funds for campaigning. Twenty per cent of India votes for us and we cant even pay two rupees for anything. It has been orchestrated to cripple us in the elections, Gandhi said at a press conference. General elections are scheduled to be held in seven phases starting next month, with most opinion polls predicting an easy win for Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The Congress, which leads a rag-tag bunch of bickering opposition parties in alliance for the general elections, is seen as Modis main challenger. We can do no campaign work. Our leaders cannot fly from one part of the country to the other. Forget about flying, they cannot even buy a rail ticket, Gandhi said about the tax case, which he said had caused all the partys bank accounts to be frozen. India's opposition Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi interacts with his supporters during his month-long cross-country march (AP) The BJP was quick to deny Gandhis charges, saying the Congress was guilty of tax evasion and had to face action because of that. A spokesperson for Indias Income Tax department did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters. The Congress has said that the frozen accounts had funds including those collected by the party through crowd-funding and membership drives. The party, which has ruled India for 54 of its 76 years since independence from Britain, has sunk to record low numbers in parliament after Modi swept to power in 2014 and is struggling to revive support. 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 }} Lewis Hamilton said he has never supported Formula Ones ruler Mohammed ben Sulayem and believes the sport is sending out a message that if you file a complaint, you will be fired amid the Christian Horner controversy. Ben Sulayem, elected as FIA president in December 2021, was cleared by his own organisations ethics committee on Wednesday after he was accused of meddling with the result of last years Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and attempting to block the certification of F1s 500m Las Vegas Grand Prix on the Strip in November. But four hours later, on another whirlwind day in the controversy-hit world of F1, Susie Wolff announced she has filed a criminal complaint against the FIA following the sporting federations conflict of interest inquiry into her and husband Toto, the team principal of Hamiltons Mercedes team, in December. Earlier this month, Christian Horners accuser was suspended on full pay in the wake of Red Bulls investigation into alleged inappropriate behaviour by the F1 team principal. The employee of the Milton Keynes team has since appealed against the decision to exonerate Horner. Speaking ahead of this weekends Australian Grand Prix, Hamilton was asked if 62-year-old Emirati Ben Sulayem remains the right person in charge of the FIA and if he still has his backing. He never has, said Hamilton. Lewis Hamilton does not back FIA chief Mohammed ben Sulayem (Getty Images) The seven-time world champion was then asked for his thoughts on Wolffs decision to launch legal action. Firstly, Im incredibly proud of Susie, said the seven-time world champion. I think she is so brave, and she stands for such great values. Shes such a leader and in a world where often people are silenced, for her to be standing up sends such a great message. There is a real lack of accountability here, within this sport, within the FIA. There are things that are happening behind closed doors, there is no transparency, there is really no accountability and we need that. The fans need that. How can you trust the sport and what is happening here if you dont have that? So, hopefully this stand that shes taking now will create change, will have a positive impact, and especially for women. It is still a male-dominated sport, and were living in a time where the message is if you file a complaint, you will be fired, and that is a terrible narrative to be projecting to the world, especially when were talking about inclusivity here in the sport. We need to make sure we stay true to the core values. The probe into the Wolffs arose at the end of last year after a report in Business F1 magazine claimed that other team principals were concerned Susies husband Toto was benefiting from information shared by his wife, who runs the all-female F1 Academy series. Two days after the FIA announced its compliance department was looking into the allegations, the federation said it can confirm that there is no ongoing investigation in terms of ethical or disciplinary inquiries involving any individual. At the time, Susie, 41, described the allegations as intimidatory and misogynistic. And on Wednesday, she wrote on social media: I can confirm that I personally filed a criminal complaint in the French courts on the 4th of March in relation to the statements made about me by the FIA last December. There has still not been any transparency or accountability in relation to the conduct of the FIA and its personnel in this matter. I feel more than ever it is important to stand up, call out improper behaviour and make sure people are held to account. Whilst some may think silence absolves them from responsibility it does not. The FIA has been approached for a comment. Sign up to IndyEat's free newsletter for weekly recipes, foodie features and cookbook releases Get our food and drink newsletter 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 IndyEats email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Martha Stewart has been known to share some wild cuisines on her social media, but the lifestyle gurus latest post is perhaps the strangest one of all. On 20 March, the cookbook author took to Instagram - where she boasts a loyal two million followers - to share photos of her recent dining experience at Chef Daniel Bouluds Maison Barnes, a salon-style dining experience in New York City. We had the pleasure of ding last evening @maisonbarne which is located in the same location as @cafebouludny on Park Ave [sic], Stewart wrote on Instagram. The 82-year-old media mogul was treated to salads, entrees, and desserts in the style of early 20th century French cuisine. But there was one meal that stuck out to many of Stewarts fans, namely for its unique presentation. The first photo in her Instagram slideshow featured a golden roast chicken stuffed with an entire lobster. The red lobster claws stuck out of the sides of the chicken, while the lobster head - and its antennas - were placed at the front of the chicken. The lobster tail was also displayed at the rear of the chicken in between its legs. Unsurprisingly, some Instagram users were shocked by the bizarre chicken and lobster dish, while others were simply confused by the entree. One person even compared it to the otherworldly animals depicted in Yorgos Lanthimos film, Poor Things. The most terrifying thing youve ever posted, said one Instagram follower. Martha, what in the world is this, another person asked. That first picture seems like a Peta hate crime, a third user said, while someone else wrote: This is the most upsetting thing Ive ever seen. Is this one of those posts where youre trying to let us know youve been kidnapped and are in danger??! However, some people took turns at cracking their best jokes about the chicken and lobster creation. Not the chobster, one person jokingly wrote, as another chimed in: Chicken of the sea woah I get it now. I love the outfit the lobster is wearing, quipped someone else. I hope the lobster bought the chicken dinner first, another said. According to her post, Stewart and her friends were served the roast chicken and lobster on a plate topped with a brown gravy-like dressing. She was also given a slice of beef wellington with a green side salad, a meringue custard dessert, and a chocolate cake. The restaurant offers amazing pate, roast chicken and lobster, fresh complex salads, delicious desserts, lovely entrees and spectacular vegetables, she added in the caption. The wine list is sophisticated and excellent and the service delightful. I cannot wait to return !! This isnt the first time the TV personality has confused fans with her experiential food posts. Most recently, Stewart sparked mixed reactions when she shared her recipe for homemade dog food on Instagram. The homemade dog food - which Stewart feeds to her two French bulldogs, Creme Brulee and Bete Noire; and two Chow Chows, Emperor Han and Empress Qin - consisted of buck deer, roosters from her farm, fresh salmon carcasses, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, carrots, broccoli, frozen peas, and quinoa. Several followers were frustrated by the origin of her ingredients, like one user who commented: You killed the deer that found its way to your home? And your friends the chickens??? Sounds like a real fairytale over there. Am I reading this correctly? You killed the buck deer that has been calling your place home for the last year and put him in the dog food? another person added. The entrepreneur also sparked backlash when she used a small iceberg to chill her alcoholic drink while on a cruise from Iceland to Greenland. In August, Stewart posted a photo of herself holding up a drink followed by a snapshot of two iceberg chunks resting on a kitchen cart. Her caption read: We actually captured a small iceberg for our cocktails tonight. Some people accused Stewart of being tone deaf and criticised her use of the ice blocks to keep her drink cold. Martha the ice caps are melting dont put them in your drink, one person commented. However, others simply poked fun at Stewarts cocktail suggestion. If you cant find fresh icebergs for your cocktails store bought is fine, a sarcastic user wrote, while another added: I only use the finest icebergs for my cocktails. 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 }} Gene Kellys widow has reflected on her nearly 50-year age gap with the Hollywood legend. Patricia Ward Kelly met the Singin in the Rain star in 1985, when she was working on a television special about the Smithsonian Museum that he happened to be hosting. She was just 26 at the time, and Kelly was 47 years her senior. The age issue was not an issue for me, she told Fox News in an interview published 20 March. And the funny thing is, I never really even thought about it because he was so young at heart. Upon meeting the On the Town star, Ward Kelly revealed that she didnt know who her future husband was at the time. However, the author and public speaker admitted that it was perhaps the best way to meet Kelly because she had no preconceived notions of him. About six months after working on the documentary, the choreographer invited Ward Kelly to his Los Angeles home and to help him write his memoir. That began the start of their relationship, until Kellys death in 1996 at age 83. The couple were married in Santa Barbara in 1990, though Ward Kelly previously admitted to the Irish Times that she told the press her age was 36 and not 31. She explained that she didnt pay any mind to their age gap until the tabloids started making such a big deal about it. And then I didnt even add up the difference until they made a big deal, Ward Kelly added. Her parents, on the other hand, were more accepting of her relationship with the An American in Paris actor. My parents understood and didnt see it as any problem. They knew Id always kind of coloured outside the lines a little bit, she recalled. And so it seemed perfectly natural to them. There wasnt anything strange about it. Ward Kelly acknowledged that being suddenly thrust into this spotlight and having the public passing judgment on her and her relationship was more of an issue than their age gap. That was harder to take, if you go from anonymity to being the poster child at the checkout counter at the grocery store, she told the outlet. But it is strange when people are following you, taking pictures and certainly nothing like what people are experiencing today, what these mega stars experience in terms of violations of privacy, but we were just on the edge of it. Reflecting on her love story with the Academy Award nominee, she explained how she initially fell in love with Kellys words and their shared passion for etymology - the study of the origins of words. Although Kelly was enigmatic on screen, she noted that he was very quiet in private. (Getty) Throughout their relationship, the couple spent most of their time sitting next to each other on the couch or in front of the fire and reading books. She described Kelly as the epitome of romance and recounted moments when he would wake me up in the middle of the night just to go out on the balcony to see the full moon. The most challenging moment in their relationship, she recalled, was when their privacy was exploited during the final years of his life in the hospital. In 1994, Kelly suffered a stroke and was hospitalised for seven weeks. He suffered another stroke the following year, and passed away on 2 February 1996. Looking back, Ward Kelly shared that she still misses the brightness of his mind and the little valentines he would leave sprinkled around the house for Valentines Day. However, the widow maintained that her late husbands legacy is never going to go away and hell just keep going. Prior to his relationship with Ward Kelly, the Hello, Dolly! director was married to actor Betsy Blair from 1941 to 1957. They shared one child, daughter Kerry Kelly. In 1960, he married his choreographic assistant Jeanne Coyne, and they welcomed two children: son Timothy Kelly, and daughter Bridget Kelly. Their marriage lasted until Coynes death in 1973 aged 50. 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 }} The countries that are the happiest also tend to have higher levels of gender equality. Each year, the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network produces the World Happiness Report, a list that determines which countries in the world are the happiest. In the annual list of the happiest countries in the world, countries like Iceland, Finland, Sweden, Norway, and New Zealand made the cut. These countries not only have the honour of being dubbed one of the happiest countries on Earth, but according to the World Economic Forums Global Gender Gap Report, they also have the most gender equality. Since 2018, these countries have ranked high on both reports, modelling how improved gender equality can directly contribute to the nations happiness. The UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network reportedly measures a countrys happiness through six factors - social support, income, health, freedom, generosity, and absence of corruption. Meanwhile, the WEF calculates the gender gaps in different countries by analysing four factors, including economic opportunities, educational attainment, health and survival, and political empowerment. Through their research, theyve determined social policies, the happiness of families, and womens career mobility have all been key components to Nordic countries achieving higher gender equality in their respective societies. Iceland, Sweden, Finland, and Norway have generous paid leave policies that make balancing work and family life a little easier and more flexible for parents. Norwegian parents - both men and women - reportedly have the right to 49 weeks of parental leave at full pay, or 59 weeks at 80 per cent pay. Both parents have 15 weeks for themselves, but for the last 19 weeks, the pair can split the time between them in whichever way they desire. Those living in the aforementioned Nordic countries also have access to some of the most affordable child care in the world, and the WEF noted that this is a leading factor in the happiness of women and families. With increased federal financing for daycare, Norway has enabled mothers to return to the workforce in droves. Norway isnt the only country that has seen a record number of mothers in the workforce. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Sweden has the highest percentage of mothers in the workforce out of 38 countries. But it isnt just Nordic countries enjoying the fruits of gender equality. New Zealand has notably made legislative strides to shrink its gender wage gap. Although the country already has one of the smallest gender wage gaps in the world, at a low 14 per cent, Bloomberg reports that the countrys government introduced measures requiring 900 companies to report their gender pay gaps. 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 }} Kristen Stewart may be looking forward to her upcoming nuptials with Dylan Meyer, but shes still not over a wedding from her past. The 33-year-old actress took a trip down memory lane when she walked through her Twilight wardrobe, spanning the five-movie saga, with Who What Wear. During the fashion outlets famed segment, Behind the Looks, Stewart thought back on the coveted wedding dress she wore as Bella Swan in Breaking Down: Part One when she married Edward Cullen. I love that dress so much, the Underwater star admitted. I remember getting into it. It felt like getting into a real wedding dress. I was being hidden in some room with, like, heaters and I was like: Its too hot in here and my makeups melting off. And theyre like: Well were not going to be ready for another 30 minutes. It was like: But Im ready now. This is the time that I can play the bride, she added. Designed by Caroline Herrera, the satin long-sleeve assumed traditional elegance with French Chantilly lace lining a round cutout in the back and a line of dainty white buttons trailing down through the train. The Venezuelan fashion designer told Vogue in 2011 that she was grateful to be tapped for the opportunity. Being a big follower of The Twilight Saga, I was very flattered to be a part of this fantastic project, she admitted in 2011. I read the books and saw the first film and have been a fan ever since. On the making of the dress, Herrera said: It had to be magical. I was of course inspired by Stephenies description of the gown in the book, but I added the touch of Herrera and also took into consideration the personality and the style of the bride. Herrera also thought back on the moment Stewart put the gown on, how the delicate piece transcended her far beyond her role in the film. When Kristen put the dress on and looked in the mirror, she was very moved, the artist recalled. In that moment she was not an actress or a character in a film, she was a bride, and a happy one at that. Stewart is now preparing for her real-life wedding. The Hollywood star announced her engagement to Meyer in November 2021, but has since given little details about when and how they would tie the knot. According to Stewart, if she were to consider going the traditional route with her wedding attire, she would opt for something similar to the Herrera dress. I think if I were to ever do like a classic wedding dress, this is kind of the one, she confessed. However, Stewart isnt planning on assuming the same asethetic as her on-screen wedding. 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 }} Megan Fox has confirmed that her engagement to Machine Gun Kelly was called off last year, but decided she will no longer talk about their relationship in the media. The actor, 37, talked about her 2023 breakup with the 33-year-old rapper while appearing on Wednesdays episode of Alex Coopers Call Her Daddy podcast. Cooper observed that the couple got engaged, then I think it was called off, then we dont know whats going on with you. Fox confirmed, All those things you said were accurate things that have occurred. I could see them being confusing, or interesting to people, and them being like, Whats up? she continued. I think that what Ive learned from being in this relationship is that its not for public consumption, Fox told Cooper. Megan Fox and Colson Baker Machine Gun Kelly attend Machine Gun Kelly's Life In Pink premiere on 27 June 2022 in New York City (Getty Images) I think, as of now, I dont have a comment on the status of the relationship, per se. What I can say is [he] is what I refer to as being my twin soul and there will always be a tether to him, no matter what. I cant say for sure what the capacity will be, but I will always be connected to him somehow, Fox added. Beyond that, Im not willing to explain. Fox and Kelly, born Colson Baker, first started dating in 2020 and then announced their engagement in January 2022. The couple was open initially on their relationship, doing a joint cover for British GQ in October 2021. They sparked rumours of a breakup in February 2023 when Fox deleted all their photos together on Instagram. 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 }} The Princess of Wales is easing back into work following abdominal surgery by focusing on her early years project to improve the lives of newborn babies. Kate has been kept up to date with her campaign and the overwhelmingly positive results of a study she inspired, Kensington Palace confirmed. The positive update comes a day after it was alleged at least one staff member at the London Clinic, a private hospital where she was treated, attempted to access her medical records. Three workers been suspended while the hospital investigates the claims, according to reports. Kates Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, which funded a four-month trial of an observational tool that could enhance the monitoring of social development in babies, will publish its results on Thursday. Kate was inspired to introduce the tool on British soil after seeing a similar procedure in place during a royal trip to Denmark. The Alarm Distress Baby Scale (ADBS) is a quick psychological screening which involves assessing infants for their facial expression, eye control, vocalisation, general activity and their connectedness with their people and surroundings. A spokesperson for Kensington Palace told the Telegraph: The Princess has been kept updated throughout the process. A view of the newspaper headlines that published photographs of Princess Kate during a casual outing with her husband, Prince William, at a farm produce market in Windsor (Anadolu via Getty Images) Kate is expected to make a soft-return to her duties after Easter as she continues to recover from an unspecified condition. Her absence from the public eye fueled a social media storm and a number of unfounded conspiracy theories. Kensington Palaces decision to share a doctored image of the family on Mothers Day caused further furore, forcing Kate into making a public apology where she admitted she had retouched the photograph herself. The edited photo released on Mothers Day which caused uproar (Reuters) The Princess was seen alongside her husband William at a local farm shop in Windsor over the weekend which again led to an outpour on social media as online sleuths interrogated the footage. Amid the controversy, Kate continued to play a part in the Alarm Distress Baby Scale (ADBB) which was trialled across two NHS trusts. The tool originates from France and examines specific factors in babies including: facial expression, eye control, vocalisation, general activity and how they connect with the world around them in a bid to improve the assessment of infant wellbeing and development. The London Clinic where the Princess of Wales had abdominal surgery (Jeff Moore/PA) (PA Wire) Health visitors who used the tool praised new initiative and noted the benefits of the training which allowed them to have better conversations with parents regarding their infants emotional wellbeing and to establish families who need wider support. Christian Guy, executive director of the Centre for Early Childhood, told the Telegraph: The results of the initial phase of testing are so encouraging. We now want to move quickly to ensure we build on this work, bringing the benefits of this model to more health visitors across the country so that, ultimately, more babies and their families get the support they need to thrive. 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 }} First came the royal health shock headlines when palace officials announced that King Charles III and Kate, the Princess of Wales, both had health troubles. An absence of information about Kate's health and whereabouts then fueled an increasingly frenzied rumor mill that made its way from the fringes of social media to frontpages around the world. Distrust of the monarchy only intensified after Kate admitted that she edited an official family photo, and palace officials have struggled to regain control of the narrative as conjecture and conspiracy theories persist. Here is a timeline of recent events relating to the royal family: December. 25, 2023: Kate attends Christmas service at Sandringham, the royal estate on the eastern English coast, alongside Prince William, their children and other members of the royal family. This is the princess's last public appearance. Kate, Princess of Wales, Princess Charlotte, Prince George, William, the Prince of Wales, Prince Louis and Mia Tindall arrive to attend the Christmas day service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham in Norfolk, England, December. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, File) (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) January. 16, 2024: Kate, 42, is admitted to the London Clinic and undergoes abdominal surgery. The news isn't announced until the next day. January. 17: Kensington Palace reveals that Kate is recovering from a planned operation. Officials say her condition isn't cancer-related but did not specify what surgery it was, only saying it was successful. They say she will remain in the private hospital for 10-14 days and be away from public view until after Easter. Buckingham Palace announces on the same day that King Charles will be treated for a benign enlarged prostate. January. 21: Prince Andrew's ex-wife, Sarah, Duchess of York, says she has malignant melanoma, a form of skin cancer. (Scott Garfitt/Invision/AP) January. 26: King Charles is admitted to a London hospital for a three-day stay for his prostate treatment. January. 29: Kate and Charles are both discharged from the hospital. Charles is photographed leaving the hospital with Camilla and waving at well-wishers. Kate is not pictured leaving the hospital, but officials say she is making good progress" and will continue her recovery at home. February. 5: Buckingham Palace announces that Charles has cancer and will receive treatment. Officials did not say what form of cancer the king has. A selection of front pages of the British national newspapers for February 6, 2024, after it was announced that the King has cancer (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) February. 7: Prince Harry arrives in the UK from California to visit his father. He departs the next day. February. 27: William pulls out of a memorial service for his godfather, the late King Constantine of Greece, at the last minute, due to a personal matter. The palace declined to elaborate but said Kate continues to do well. Later on the same day, Buckingham Palace says Thomas Kingston, the son-in-law of Prince Michael of Kent, has died at the age of 45. Prince Michael is a cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth II. March 1: An inquest hears that Thomas Kingston died from a traumatic head wound" on Febuary. 25. A gun was found near his body at his parents' home. Thomas Kingston and Lady Gabriella Kingston in 2021 at a service of thanksgiving for the late Duke of Edinburgh (Kirsty OConnor/PA) (PA Wire) March 4: A photo reportedly showing Kate riding in a car with her mother Carole Middleton in Windsor circulates on social media. It is published by some international news outlets but not in any of Britain's newspapers. March 6: People magazine cites a royal spokesman as saying that William's focus is on his work and not on social media. March 10: Kensington Palace releases a photo of Kate surrounded by her three children to mark Mother's Day in Britain. The photo, the first official one since the princess underwent surgery, was retracted hours later by The Associated Press and other news agencies over concerns it had been digitally manipulated. The edited photo (Prince of Wales/Kensington Palace/PA Wire) March 11: Amid a new round of speculation about her health sparked by the edited family photo, Kate issues an apology on social media for the confusion caused. She says she occasionally experiments with editing like many amateur photographers. March 16: The Sun newspaper publishes a video reportedly showing a smiling and relaxed Kate shopping with William at a farm shop near their Windsor home. (Jonathan Brady/PA Wire) March 20: The Information Commissioner's Office says it is investigating a report that at least one member of staff at the London Clinic tried to snoop on Kate's medical records while she was a patient at the hospital. 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 }} Stephen Fry is the latest celebrity to criticise weight-loss drug Ozempic, after the medication made him violently sick. The Blackadder star was left vomiting up to five times a day after taking the medication in a last-ditch attempt to prevent weight gain. As an early adopter of the diabetes drug, which has swept Hollywood and been promoted by the likes of Sharon Osbourne and Amy Schumer, the 66-year-old shared that at first he thought the results were astonishing. The first week or so, I was thinking, This is astonishing. Not only do I not want to eat, I dont want any alcohol of any kind. This is going to be brilliant, he said during a recent appearance on the River Cafe Table 4 podcast. Fry, however, was forced to stop taking Ozempic after he began feeling sicker and sicker. I started feeling sick, and I started getting sicker and sicker and sicker, he said. I was literally throwing up four, five times a day and I thought, I cant do this. So thats it. The new variant, Tirzepatide Mounjaro its called makes it even worse apparently. The comedian said he was in America at the time when he read about the medication, many years ago. Im an early adopter of these things. I happened to be in America, and Id read about it, and I asked my doctor in America, my physician as they like to call them, and he said, I think I can get you some. He tried me on it, Fry said. Fry took the drug many years ago as an early adopter (Getty Images) According to The Mirror, Fry weighed over 290 pounds in April 2019. By August that same year, he had lost five-and-a-half stone due to Ozempic. Many celebrities have commented on the use of Ozempic, with Celebrity Big Brother star Sharon Osbourne, 71, reporting she had no regrets about taking the drug although she feels she is now too gaunt and cannot put weight. Her daughter, Kelly Osbourne, incited fury after she said any critics of the drug simply couldnt afford it. Oscar-winning actor Kate Winslet is one of several celebrities to speak out against Ozempic, condemning the weight-loss medication as terrible. Oprah Winfrey recently made headlines after she spoke about her own recent weight-loss journey in which she used a drug that she stopped short of mentioning by name. The talk show host did admit to using similar medication to Ozempic including Mounjaro injections. 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 }} Mothers on social media are trying to normalise having imperfect homes and lifestyles. In a viral TikTok video, 29-year-old substitute teacher and mother of three Katie Ziemer candidly spoke about the pressure to be perfect as a mother, saying that she often compares herself to the put-together mothers she sees on social media. I used to think I couldnt be a content creator because I dont live in a pretty houseI mean, look at me. In the video, Zermer notably kept things lowkey in black sweatpants as she cut fruit for her children in her slightly messy kitchen. My husband and I are just normal people who make just about enough money to get by every month, she added. Cant afford to do daily or weekly shopping hauls on here or afford to have the wardrobe of my dreams or decorate the way I would like to. Ziemers authenticity resonated with viewers as she spoke candidly that her limited circumstances didnt mean she couldnt be a content creator. I get messages probably every day from people just thanking me for my content, which is so weird to me, Ziemer told The Wall Street Journal. Theyll just say, I see so many of these moms who live a luxurious lifestyle, and they have all these pretty things. I cant relate to that, but you make me feel better about my life. Her first viral video brought her 100,000 new followers as well as interest from influencer management companies, which led to her getting a manager who could book her brand deals from companies. But no matter how many followers or brand deals she gets, Ziemer maintains that she is committed to living a humble life. She noted, I am always going to be a hot mess, whether I have a matching set of pyjamas one day, or Im still wearing my husbands boxers and a big T-shirt in my videos. Non-aesthetic or realistic momfluencers like Ziemer are gaining traction on TikTok, resonating with viewers through their unfiltered and unvarnished videos depicting an authentic, messier version of motherhood not often found on the platform. They are evidence of a growing backlash against the pristine mothers that dominate social media - including Hannah Neeleman of Ballerina Farm fame - with their aspirational content full of spotless countertops and picture-perfect children. Instead, these new momfluencers rock mismatched pyjamas, and cook meals for their children in dated kitchens, showing viewers a more accessible view of parenthood and homemaking as opposed to their wealthier counterparts. Their content is also typically more relatable and advocates for a more budget-friendly lifestyle Through videos that walk viewers through a weekly grocery shopping trip to Walmart, or how to make family meals under $15, this wave of momfluencing is all about showcasing how to live within your means. Yascha Mounk and Coleman Hughes in Persuasion: Coleman Hughes: I think theres a lot of people that might agree with some points I make about the prevalence of racism, the decline of racism, but they might think, Well, whats the harm in exaggerating racism a little bit? I can see the harm in under-exaggerating racism, but shouldnt we err on the side of assuming that theres more racism and white supremacy out there so that were really facing the problem? And I wanted to highlight the fact that there is a potential harm, including to black people, but people of color in general, to exaggerating racism. My grandfather wrote a short memoir of his life. He just turned 90 last year. And in this memoir, he writes of a time in the 1950s where he was one of the few black Americans in those days to have an engineering degree from Ohio State. He grew up in segregated D.C., and he started working at General Electric in the 1950s. And at that time there were basically two paths: You could be an engineer or you could be a manager. And the managers path had upward mobility. But he was warned by a well-meaning white colleague that the white engineers at GE would not work for a black manager. And he took that seriously and believed it. And so he just stayed in his humble engineering spot for many years. But then, something changed. The managing spot opened up, and he had been there for a long time, and he decided to go for it. And his boss was surprised, saying I didnt know you had any interest in this. You never displayed any interest. He got the job, and lo and behold, it turned out his white colleagues had no problem working for a black manager. More here. 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 }} Carles Puigdemont, the former leader of the Spanish region of Catalonia who fled the country after a failed secession attempt six years ago, said Thursday that he will return to Spain if he has a viable chance to be restored as regional president following upcoming elections. Puigdemont, 61, ran to Belgium after leading a 2017 breakaway bid that quickly collapsed and is still a wanted man in Spain. A contentious amnesty bill, crafted by Spains left-wing government to clear him and hundreds of other supporters of Catalan independence, is slowly making its way through the national Parliament. I will run in the next elections for the Catalan Parliament now that I have the chance to restore my presidency, Puigdemont said at a rally in Elna, France, near the Spanish border, when he announced his candidacy. The countdown until my return begins today. It appears that Puigdemont will campaign from abroad for his party in the May 12 regional ballot, that was called by Catalans regional president Pere Aragones, a political rival of Puigdemont inside the separatist camp, after he failed to pass a regional budget last week. 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 Minnesota Department of Corrections has penalized a county jail for depriving an inmate of food and water for more than two days as punishment after he smeared feces in his cell and refused to clean it up. The department ordered the Otter Tail County Jail in Fergus Falls to transfer all current inmates to new facilities by the close of business Thursday. The jail will be allowed to keep new inmates no more than 72 hours, excluding holidays and weekends, until the state agency approves. According to the department inspector general's order, on Saturday, Feb. 10 the inmate threw feces on the inside of his cell door and smeared it on his cell window, and underneath his cell door into the jail's dayroom area. Jail staff told him they weren't going to feed him until he cleaned it up, but he refused. Not only did jail employees withhold six straight meals from the inmate, the report said, he told an inspector that he was forced to drink toilet water and his own urine because the water to his cell was shut off. Jail staff saw him ingesting his own feces on the second day, a Sunday, according to the report. Staff documented that they saw him licking the feces off his cell window, and that he said it was because he was hungry. But staff did not contact medical staff about his potential physical and mental health conditions until the following Tuesday. He also was denied a daily shower. The order noted that state regulations strictly prohibit withholding food from detainees as punishment. It said the jail's failure to comply has contributed to conditions that have the potential to pose an imminent risk of life-threatening harm or serious physical injury to individuals confined or incarcerated in the facility if left uncorrected. Otter Tail County Sheriff Barry Fitzgibbons said in a statement Wednesday that his staff will follow the state's orders. I sincerely regret this incident occurred, Fitzgibbons said in a statement. Otter Tail County Sheriff's office is dedicated to preserving the safety and security of our staff and our inmates. We will work closely with the DOC to ensure the requirements outlined in their order are being implemented. The incident came to light Feb. 20 when the jail administrator contacted the Department of Corrections to self-report the staff actions and told the agency she had launched an internal investigation with the help of local law firm. The department decided it would also conduct its own review. The inmate, whose name was not released, was transferred to a jail in a neighboring county. The reason he was being held was not detailed in the order, except he had disciplinary time left to serve from a previous term of incarceration. The sheriffs statement did not dispute the states findings. His office did not immediately respond to follow-up messages on whether any staff had been disciplined, why the inmate was being held and whether he had mental health issues. Corrections officials ordered refresher and remedial training for jail staff, including on proper supervision of inmates, inmate rights and recognizing the signs of mental illness. Restoration of the jail's license to resume normal operations will depend on the completion of all corrective actions ordered and assurance that a plan has been created to prevent such an incident from happening again, the order 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 }} UK aid meant for Gaza has been stuck at the border for almost three weeks, Lord Cameron has said, as he named arbitrary denials by the Israeli government as one of the main blockers to assistance for the territory. On Thursday, Downing Street said the UK enjoyed a close working relationship with Israel, despite signs of strain between the Foreign Office and Tel Aviv. In a letter to Foreign Affairs Committee chair Alicia Kearns, the Foreign Secretary said it was an enormous frustration that aid had been routinely held up waiting for Israeli permissions. He also contradicted claims by Israeli spokesman Eylon Levi that the Kerem Shalom crossing in the south of the Gaza Strip had been closed on Saturdays at the request of the UN. Lord Cameron said: I can confirm that the UN has not requested that the Kerem Shalom crossing is closed on Saturdays. It is our understanding that Israel closes it due to the Sabbath. Prior to October 7, around 500 trucks entered Gaza each day, but the daily average for the first half of March has been only 165 trucks. Lord Cameron said this was an improvement over January and February, but urgent progress was still needed. The Israeli authorities have claimed the UN is failing to distribute aid. But in his letter, Lord Cameron said: The main blockers remain arbitrary denials by the government of Israel and lengthy clearance procedures, including multiple screenings and narrow opening windows in daylight hours. Saying it was vital to increase the number of aid trucks going into Gaza, Lord Cameron said he and Rishi Sunak had raised the issue consistently with the Israeli government and he would continue to press this point. He also reiterated calls for Israel to issue more visas to the UN staff needed to increase the distribution of aid, noting the Association of International Development Agencies said Israel had more than 50 visa applications pending. Ms Kearns said she was grateful to the Foreign Secretary for being clear and candid in his letter. She said: Todays letter confirms what we saw and heard on our visit to the border area that Israels arbitrary denials and lengthy clearance processes are key factors in holding up the delivery of aid. It also confirms that Israel has the ability and power to turn the water back on in Gaza, and so far has chosen not to do so. If the famine continues along its current trajectory, thousands of Gazans will lose their lives. This is suffering on an unimaginable scale. She also called on Israel to open more border crossings and the port at Ashdod to enable more aid to reach Gaza, calling the situation one of the most desperate, distressing humanitarian disasters in recent memory. Despite Lord Camerons criticism, Downing Street said the Government still believed that Israel was acting within international humanitarian law. A Number 10 spokeswoman said: Our assessment hasnt changed. We do keep it under constant review and act in accordance with that advice. Asked to characterise Britains relationship with the Israeli administration, she said: I wouldnt comment on reports around private conversations that may or may not happen. While we continue to support Israel and its right to defend itself from Hamas, we continue to be very clear that there needs to be much further action taken to protect civilian lives and get more aid into Gaza. We are very open and frank in our discussions about that. On Thursday, the Archbishop of Canterbury added his voice to those warning of an impending famine in Gaza. The Most Rev Justin Welby said: Israels prosecution of this war has destroyed large parts of the Gaza Strip decimating infrastructure essential to human survival. The scarcity of humanitarian access to and within the Strip continues to prevent aid workers from distributing life-saving supplies. We should not become numb to this injustice. It can never be normal for parents to use animal fodder or grass to feed their children. 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 murder investigation has been launched after a woman was found stabbed to death in south London. The 31-year-old victim was found suffering knife injuries at 11.15pm on Wednesday in Manor Park, Lewisham. Officers responded with paramedics and forced entry to the address. Despite the efforts of emergency services to save her, she was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later. A 24-year-old man was arrested at a different address in Lewisham the same evening on suspicion of murder. He was taken into custody at a south London police station. Police taped off a residential area in Staplehurst Road, close to Hither Green railway station and a row of shops. It is regularly used by commuters going to and from the station. A forensics officer was spotted at the scene on Thursday lunchtime, along with a number of police vehicles. An officer stood outside one of the residential properties on the street, within the cordon. Have you been affected by this? Email barney.davis.ind@independent.co.uk DCI Mike Nolan investigating said: We know that local people will be shocked by this incident and I would like to reassure the community that we are not looking for anyone else in connection with this investigation. A post-mortem examination is set to take place in due course. Foresnics officers were spotted in the area on Thursday as the investigation continues (Independent) Chief Superintendent Louise Sargent leading local policing in Lewisham said: Tragically overnight a young woman has lost her life. We dont underestimate the impact this has on the local community and those who knew the victim. All of our thoughts are with the victims family and friends as we do everything we can to support our Specialist Crime colleagues as they go about their enquiries. Please do speak with officers if you need to or contact your local policing team. Anyone with information relating to this incident should call police on 101 or post on X @MetCC quoting 8153/20MAR. To remain 100 per cent anonymous call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org. Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight 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 Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Simon Harris is set for a clear run to become the next taoiseach after announcing he will stand to be the leader of Fine Gael. The Further and Higher Education Minister announced his candidature on Thursday night after receiving a series of endorsements from within the Fine Gael parliamentary party and after a number of senior colleagues said they did not intend to stand to replace Leo Varadkar. Mr Harris told RTE: I want to join you to let you know this evening I am in, I want to be the next leader of Fine Gael. I am ready to step up and I am ready to serve. He added: I have been really overwhelmed and extremely grateful for support from Cabinet colleagues, ministers of state, TDs, MEPs, councillors and grassroots members right across Ireland. I want to thank everybody for their support and their trust. It means so much to me and I will work night and day. I will give this my absolute all to repay that trust. He added that he wants to bring energy and an enthusiasm to the leadership of the party. I also want to bring my practical life experience. I want to work with colleagues, I want to listen, I want to really reconnect with our party right across the country. I want to get back to core principles. In a statement, Mr Harris paid tribute to outgoing taoiseach Leo Varadkar. Leo has steered our party and our country through very challenging times including Brexit, the Covid-19 pandemic, and the recent cost-of-living crisis. He said: If given the opportunity, I will give this my all. Outgoing Fine Gael leader and Taoiseach Mr Varadkar surprised many within the political establishment by announcing his resignation on Wednesday. Focus has since shifted to his potential successor. Aside from Mr Harris, all other senior Fine Gael cabinet ministers have ruled themselves out of contention. Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe, Justice Minister Helen McEntee, Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys and Enterprise Minister and Fine Gael deputy leader Simon Coveney have all said they will not seek a nomination for the leadership. Ms Humphrey and Ms McEntee are also among a wave of Fine Gael members to have come out publicly in support of Mr Harris. Minister of State Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, who had been touted as a possible outsider in any race for the leadership, has also ruled herself out and declared support for Mr Harris. If appointed Fine Gael leader, Mr Harris would be expected to be formally elected as taoiseach in the Dail in April following the Easter recess. He would become the countrys youngest premier at the age of 37. Mr Harris has already been viewed as one of the favourites to replace Mr Varadkar, but he may now emerge as the only contender. Mr Donohoe announced his decision not to stand in a statement issued at lunchtime on Thursday. I have long said that my focus is on the two jobs that I am privileged to hold; that of government minister and as president of the Eurogroup (of finance ministers in the eurozone). That remains to be the case. It is with a huge honour that I undertake my work on the domestic and international stage. Ms McEntee did not rule out a future bid for the leadership, insisting she is still ambitious, but she said it was not the right time for her. She dismissed the suggestion that criticism of her handling of riots in Dublin in November and their aftermath influenced her decision not to seek the nomination. The minister said she made the decision a year or two ago not to stand if the position became vacant in the immediate future. I have thought about this and given it very serious consideration, and Ive decided not to put my name forward Heather Humphreys Ms Humphreys said she had given serious consideration to a run for the leadership but had decided against it, citing family commitments among her reasons. I just want to thank everybody who contacted me in the last 24 hours and have asked me to put my name forward and have offered me their support, she told reporters outside the Oireachtas parliament in Dublin. I have thought about this and given it very serious consideration, and Ive decided not to put my name forward, but I have decided to give Simon Harris my full support. Fine Gael deputy leader Mr Coveney had made clear he would not be running on Wednesday evening. There is a very long-standing tradition in Fine Gael, and a very good one, that outgoing or former party leaders dont endorse a particular candidate Leo Varadkar Mr Varadkar refused to endorse any candidate, saying he wanted to support the next leader wholeheartedly. Speaking in Brussels for the European Council meeting, Mr Varadkar said: There is a very long-standing tradition in Fine Gael, and a very good one, that outgoing or former party leaders dont endorse a particular candidate. So Im not going to do that. And the reason why I wont do that is that it will allow me to support wholeheartedly whoever is elected as the next Fine Gael leader. 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 }} Supermarket Iceland has sparked backlash after introducing hot cross buns with a tick instead of the traditional symbol. A hot cross bun is decorated with a cross to represent the crucifixion of Jesus, and is traditionally eaten on Good Friday. However, Iceland said its customer research found fifth of customers would prefer the spiced Easter buns to have a tick instead. The supermarket chain stressed it will continue to sell traditional hot cross buns, as well as its chocolate and salted caramel, and raspberry and white chocolate versions. But the move to introduce an alternative has still been met with criticism from right-wing politicians. Reform UK MP Lee Anderson told the Express: Its this type of ridiculous namby-pamby virtual-signalling that is leading to millions of people echoing Reform UKs call to get our country back. Conservative MP Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg also took aim at the supermarket, which mainly sells frozen food. The North East Somerset MP said: Who would buy a frozen tick bun? The cross on a hot cross bun represents the crucifixion of Jesus Christ (Getty Images/iStockphoto) Supermarket chains often experiment with different flavours of hot cross buns. M&S sell cheesy versions, while Tesco stocks a strawberry and clotted cream flavour. Hot cross buns have been linked to Good Friday for at least 350 years. Icelands David Lennox said: According to the research, it seems some people want to do away with the cross design and move to a tick instead. The results surprised us, but in true British fashion, were putting it to the test by trialling ticks on some of our buns. An Iceland spokesperson said: We are not replacing or removing the cross from our traditional hot cross buns and they will always be available at our stores nationwide. We are always listening to our customers for feedback on our products and we were surprised that a fifth came back to say they would like to see a version with a tick. 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 }} Recently barely a day has gone by without the royal family appearing on a newspaper front page, and this week has been no exception. Already this year Buckingham Palace has been rocked by a shock cancer diagnosis, and the scandal linking Prince Andrew to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein has continued to rumble on. There has also been the news of Kate Middletons abdominal surgery along with the surprise - albeit short - appearance of her uncle, Gary Goldsmith, in the Celebrity Big Brother house. And Kate Middletons operation recovery has been the latest focus of worldwide media attention in recent weeks. A view of the newspaper headlines that published photographs of Princess Kate during her visit to a farm shop on Saturday (Anadolu via Getty Images) To add to the continued pressure facing the palace, it looks like it holds little control, with any silence met with speculation that spirals out of control on social media platforms. Its been another week in the headlines for the royal family - here we look back at what has happened. Windsor Farm Shop Shopper Nelson Silva got a shock when he discovered he found himself standing behind the Prince and Princess of Wales at the meat section of Windsor Farm Shop on Saturday. The 40-year-old then took a video of the smiling couple as they walked from the shop, which is a short drive from their Adelaide Cottage home in the grounds of Windsor Castle. Kates visit to Windsor Farm Shop was splashed on the front of The Sun, which obtained a video taken by shopper Nelson Silva (Jonathan Brady/PA Wire) It was the first time Kate had been seen in public since her abdominal operation. The video was obtained by The Sun, and soon stills from the footage were shared across the world, with people voicing relief at not only the appearance of the royal but also her apparent good health. Kate Middleton lookalike But the footage of Kate did not quell the speculation over her absence. Some on social media made the wild claim an impersonator of the Princess of Wales had actually stood in for her during the farm shop visit. Heidi Agan saw her social media platform fill with comments including: How much did you get paid for pretending to be her at the farmers market? Another read: Found her. Shes fine. The mother-of-two from Northamptonshire was quick to provide an alibi for the day - she had been working as a teacher at a dance and musical theatre group - while criticising those fuelling the speculation. Kate Middleton impersonator Heidi Agan called on people to stop the speculation after she was accused for stepping in for the royal (katemiddletonlookalike/Instagram) Ms Agan, who gave up her 6-an-hour job at a restaurant to become an impersonator, told The Mirror: Since Kate has surgery, I have done gigs where I have walked in and people have said theres Kate so it started as a joke around weve found Kate but now it should stop really. Medical record security alleged breach After her last royal outing in 2023, on Christmas Day at Sandringham, there came the shock announcement on 17 January that Kate had undergone abdominal surgery at The London Clinic in Marylebone. Less than two weeks later, on 29 January, she was discharged, and shes been recovering at home since. The exact nature of her condition that led to the surgery was never revealed, although its been said it was not cancer-related. The princess wished for her personal medical information to remain private - but on Wednesday, it emerged that a member of staff at the hospital allegedly attempted to view Kates files while she was inside as a patient. Up to three staff members are allegedly being investigated. Chief executive of the London Clinic, Al Russell, said: All appropriate investigatory, regulatory and disciplinary steps will be taken. The Information Commissioners Office, the UKs privacy watchdog, said it was also looking into a breach report and assessing the information provided. King Charles spotted leaving Windsor Castle King Charles is continuing to receive treatment for his cancer diagnosis and has stepped back from royal duties. The King greeted four British veterans of the Korean War ahead of a palace reception to mark the 70th anniversary of the conflict (Jonathan Brady/PA Wire) However, on Tuesday he was pictured greeting British veterans of the Korean War ahead of a reception to mark the 70th anniversary of the conflict at Buckingham Palace. And on Tuesday and Wednesday, he was spotted leaving his central London residence, Clarence House, in the back of cars followed by a police escort. On Wednesday night, Queen Camilla travelled without her husband to Northern Ireland for a series of engagements. On being given a get well card for the King from a shopkeeper in Belfast, she said: He was very disappointed he couldnt come. Getting on with official duties Amid the storm surrounding the Princess of Wales, her husband, Prince William, was seen getting on with his royal duties on Wednesday. Prince William was pictured looking relaxed as he privately met Guardsmen from the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards based at Combermere Barracks in Windsor. He carried out the visit, a short distance from his home in the grounds of Windsor Castle, in his role as Colonel of the Welsh Guards. The Prince of Wales during a visit to a Homewards Sheffield Local Coalition meeting at the Millennium Gallery in the city (Oli Scarff/PA Wire) The engagement came a day after William spoke on his project, Homewards, to tackle homelessness during a visit to Sheffield. Williams only reference to his wife came after a participant at one of his engagements on Tuesday mentioned the importance of the early years of childhood, prompting the prince to say: Venturing into my wifes territory here. She needs to be sat here to hear this. Kates planned return to public duties Back when news first came out on Kates abdominal surgery, Kensington Palace said it was likely she would return to royal duties after Easter - however, there are reports emerging that she could make a return this weekend. As is tradition, the royal family make a walk to St Georges Chapel, Windsor, for the annual Easter Matins service, and The Times suggest her return could take place by joining her family at the church service. The newspaper said a team of palace officials was working to manage the messaging around Kates return to make her transition back to work as smooth as possible. Her Easter weekend appearance would be followed by a break with her children during the school holidays, with a more permanent return to public duties pencilled in at the start of the new school term, it was claimed. Claim another royal photograph edited After the drama surrounding Kates editing of a photograph of her and her children to mark Mothers Day last week, claims emerged that another royal photograph had been digitally enhanced. The picture of Queen Elizabeth that Getty claimed was digitally enhanced (The Princess of Wales/Kensington) Picture agency Getty placed an editors note on a picture of Queen Elizabeth II with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren that was released last year. It read: The image has been digitally enhanced at source. The picture shows the Queen seated along with Prince William and Kates children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, and their royal cousins Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor, James, Earl of Wessex, Lena Tindall, Isla Phillips, Mia Tindall, Lucas Tindall and Savannah Phillips on a green sofa. The Telegraph reported that the picture had several discrepancies, including the mismatch in late Queens tartan skirt as well as the black patches behind Princes George and Louis, suggesting editing. For the latest on the royal family, follow The Independents live blog by clicking here. Close King Charles waves as he arrives for Easter Sunday church service in Windsor 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 }} King Charles went on a surprise walkabout to speak to well-wishers outside Windsor Castle following the Easter Sunday service. The service was the Kings most notable public appearance since he was diagnosed with cancer in February. Afterwards, Charles surprised onlookers by greeting gathered members of the public, who later said he looked good and was in high spirits. A Buckingham Palace source told The Telegraph that doctors had changed medical guidance for the King after he had responded very encouragingly to cancer treatment. The walkabout will have meant a great deal to the King, said Joe Little, managing editor of Majesty magazine. He added: Its the first time that hes been able to meet the public in such a way for several months, the first opportunity to do a walkabout this year, so its a very welcome milestone on the road to recovery. The Kings appearance will also be seen as an effort to reassure the public following the royal familys double cancer scare, with todays service marking just over a week since Kate revealed her own diagnosis. The Prince and Princess of Wales did not attend the service, but Charles was joined by the Princess Royal and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Duke of York and Sarah, Duchess of York. 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 Archbishop of Canterbury has joined a growing chorus of voices urging more privacy for the Princess of Wales as she continues to recover from surgery. Justin Welby branded the conspiracy theories surrounding Kate during her absence from the public eye as old-fashioned village gossip and said people who have health concerns should be allowed to live their lives in peace. We are obsessed with conspiracy and we have little sense of the humanity of those who are caught in the glare of the news, he told Times Radio. It doesnt matter who it is, people should be allowed to be ill, have an operation, whatever it is, and to live their lives in peace without everyone demanding that they prove something every other day. Justin Welby says Kate should be given peace to recover (PA Wire) He added: Its the web that has made these conspiracy theories, for all kinds of people, run riot. Its extremely unhealthy. Its just old-fashioned village gossip that can now go round the world in seconds. We have to turn away from that. Gossiping in that way is wrong. His intervention came hours after Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said everyone should butt out of the princesss affairs. He said people should leave Kate alone because she had gone through a difficult surgery and deserved privacy. Kate has not conducted any official public engagements since undergoing surgery for an unspecified abdominal condition. Her withdrawal has prompted a public frenzy over her health. Keir Starmer said people should butt out of princesss business (Reuters) On Wednesday it was reported that members of staff working at The London Clinic, where Kate was treated, had tried to access her medical records. The hospital said any breach of patient information would be investigated. According to the Daily Mirror, which reported the alleged data breach, three employees were suspended on Thursday. If found guilty of any wrongdoing they could face disciplinary action and could face a criminal charge. Kate was seen in public for the first time since her surgery when she visited the Windsor Farm Shop with the Prince of Wales over the weekend. Kate recently underwent medical treatment in London (AP) Footage showed her smiling and walking with William with her hair down, wearing a black jacket and leggings, and carrying a large white bag. The Windsor Farm Shop is a short drive from their Adelaide Cottage home in the grounds of Windsor Castle. But the sighting, which came after her Mothers Day photo editing row, only served to fuel conspiracies about the princess and her health. Kate is understood to be targeting Easter weekend for a soft return to life in the public eye. Queen Camilla looks on at Fitz William Salmon-Corrie in Knotts Bakery during her visit to Northern Ireland on Thursday (Reuters) Palace aides have been discussing with Kate the possibility of her walking to church on Easter Sunday to join other family members for the annual Easter matins service which takes place at St Georges Chapel, Windsor, according to The Times. The newspaper said a team of palace officials was working to manage the messaging around Kates return to make her transition back to work as smooth as possible. Her Easter weekend appearance would be followed by a break with her children during the school holidays, with a more permanent return to public duties pencilled in at the start of the new school term, it is claimed. Kate and Williams children return to Lambrook School in mid-April. Charles, pictured with wife Camilla, is undergoing treatment for cancer (AP) King Charles was also admitted to The London Clinic in January for treatment of an enlarged prostate. He was later diagnosed with an unspecified form of cancer and has also stepped back from his public duties to undergo treatment. Queen Camilla has been helping out with public duties while the King continues his course of treatment. On Thursday she visited Belfast, where she entered shops on the Lisburn Road and talked with locals in the Northern Ireland capital. During a visit to The Arcadia delicatessen, shop assistant Brenda Robb handed over a get-well card for Charles, and extended her best wishes. Camilla took the card with thanks, adding: Hes doing very well.... he was very disappointed he couldnt come. The Queen with first minister Michelle ONeill, left, and deputy first minister Emma Little-Pengelly (PA ) She later visited Michelle ONeill and Emma Little-Pengelly, the first and deputy first ministers, at Stormont While visiting a bakery, the Queen joked that she had her thunder stolen by a toddler dressed up in a tuxedo. Fitz Corrie Salmon, 23 months old, beamed for the cameras while Camilla had a look around Knotts Bakery owned by his father William. The boys mother, Zoe Salmon, is a TV presenter who previously hosted Blue Peter and appeared on Dancing on Ice in early 2009. We have a natural for the cameras, Camilla said as she smiled at the smartly dressed youngster. 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 }} Camilla has given an update on the King during her visit to Belfast. The Queen was handed a get well card for her husband, who is undergoing treatment for cancer. She is undertaking a number of engagements in Northern Ireland on Thursday after arriving at the regions royal residence Hillsborough Castle on Wednesday night. On Thursday morning Camilla arrived to crowds of well-wishers on the bustling Lisburn Road in south Belfast. ( Victoria Jones - Pool/Getty Images) She met owners and staff at Coffeys Butchers, The Arcadia deli and Knotts Bakery before doing an impromptu meet and greet with well-wishers. Camilla was presented with a gift of some local favourites at Coffeys, including vegetable rolls and beer sausages, and responded saying: I shall take these back for my husband, he will make the most of them. During her visit to The Arcadia, shop assistant Brenda Robb asked after Charles, and handed her a get well card for him, extending her best wishes. Camilla accepted the card and thanked her, adding: Hes doing very well . he was very disappointed he couldnt come. Responding to quips about men not being the best patients, Camilla said: I try to keep him in order. (Liam McBurney/PA Wire) Ms Robb told the PA news agency: She was beautiful, a real lady. She accepted a get well card that I got for her husband and she said she was sorry her husband wasnt here. It was a very appropriate card. It had a wee saying from Belfast, basically rest up, take care, and on the back of it, it said from Ireland. It was picked with love. People say maybe hell not get the card, but I think he will. Meanwhile, at Knotts, Camilla met owner William Corrie, as well as his wife, former Miss Northern Ireland and Blue Peter presenter Zoe Salmon, and their one-year-old son Fitz. Queen Camilla recieves a message of goodwill during a visit to Lisburn Road in Belfast to meet shop owners and staff (Liam McBurney/PA Wire) The Queen chuckled as a joke was made that the young boy, dressed in a tux, had stolen her thunder, and smiled down at him. She left Knotts with a gift of their fruit loaf and iced madeira cake, adding she hoped to snack on it later. Camilla arrived in Northern Ireland on Wednesday evening, with a bugler from the Hillsborough Ford Guard playing to mark her arrival at Hillsborough Castle in Co Down. The Queen was last in Northern Ireland in May 2023 when she and the King undertook engagements on their first visit to the region following the coronation. She is travelling alone this week after Charles stepped back from his public duties while receiving treatment for cancer. Hong Kong: Deputy SJ attends UN meeting Deputy Secretary for Justice Cheung Kwok-kwan Mr President, Legislation on Article 23 of the Basic Law has just been passed by Hong Kongs legislature, to discharge Hong Kongs long overdue constitutional duty to enact laws on its own to safeguard national security. First and foremost, each and every sovereign state has an inherent right to enact laws to safeguard its national security, including China. Many countries have enacted a host of national security laws based on their own national security risks and needs. The US has at least 21 pieces of legislation; the UK has at least 14 pieces; Canada has at least 9 pieces; and Singapore has at least 6 pieces. The Basic Law Article 23 legislation will better protect our country from genuine threats to national security in the increasingly intricate geopolitics of our time. The legislation fully aligns with the principles of international laws and practices. The comments by some countries and organisations on this are made in complete disregard of basic jurisprudence and facts, and demonstrate nothing more than double standards and sophistry. Second, the legislation clearly specifies that the rights and freedoms enshrined in the Basic Law, as well as the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil & Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social & Cultural Rights as applied to Hong Kong, are to be protected in accordance with the law. This important principle forms a cornerstone of the legislation, and is literally written in the new law. Our new legislation also strictly adheres to the principles of rule of law. The laws are certain and clear, and they come with appropriate exceptions and defences. There is no question that the general public will inadvertently violate the law. Last but not least, the legislative exercise has gained very wide support from the Hong Kong community. Mr President, any attempt to discredit or undermine the legislation on Article 23 is misguided at best. We are confident that the legislation will bring about a stable and prosperous future for Hong Kong with the rights and freedoms enjoyed in accordance with the law fully protected, as always. Thank you. Deputy Secretary for Justice Cheung Kwok-kwan delivered this speech on the Basic Law Article 23 legislation at the 55th regular session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland on March 20. Joining him for the meeting were representatives of the Department of Justice, the Security Bureau and the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government officials attended the meeting as members of Chinas delegation. This story has been published on: 2024-03-21. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. 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 migrant was taken to hospital after being discovered with stab wounds on a small boat that crossed the English Channel. The boat was one of 10 carrying 514 migrants that were intercepted by Border Force officials on Wednesday. Authorities were made fully aware of the mans injuries after he was taken to shore at the Port of Dover. He told police he was attacked on a beach near Calais. New: 514 migrants crossed the Channel in 10 boats yesterday, a new daily high for 2024. It takes the total for this year to over 4,000 - 10% higher than this time last year. Around 60 other migrants on his boat were also checked over. It came on the busiest day for crossings so far this year, with pictures showing large numbers of people being brought ashore by officials in Dover. And it takes the total number this year to 4,043, according to latest Home Office figures - 10 per cent higher than the 3,683 this time last year. A Kent Police spokesperson said: At 12.52pm on Wednesday 20 March, Kent Police received a report of a man with injuries consistent with stab wounds, following the arrival of a small boat at Dover Western Docks. The man was taken to a local hospital for treatment and has since been discharged. He has reported that he was assaulted on a beach near Calais by two men who then stayed in France while he made the crossing to the UK. A group of migrants are taken ashore near Dover on Wednesday (PA) Details of the incident are being passed to authorities in France for further investigation. This week, Rishi Sunaks Rwanda deportation plan was also hit by a further delay after defiant peers dug their heels in and inflicted a fresh defeat against the controversial policy. The House of Lords voted by 271 to 228, majority 43, to press their demand that the legislation has due regard for domestic and international law. A Home Office spokesperson told The Independent: The unacceptable number of people who continue to cross the Channel demonstrates exactly why we must get flights to Rwanda off the ground as soon as possible. We continue to work closely with French police who are facing increasing violence and disruption on their beaches as they work tirelessly to prevent these dangerous, illegal and unnecessary journeys. We remain committed to building on the successes that saw arrivals drop by more than a third last year, including tougher legislation and agreements with international partners, in order to save lives and stop the boats. 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 }} Women and girls are more likely to experience abuse and threats on Twitter, or X as it is now called, compared to other social media platforms, according to new research from the Open University. Women report facing threats or misogynistic comments more often on Facebook but they also use the platform more often. Academics found that, when considering the amount of time spent on each platform, Twitter users were more likely to see or experience harm during their time using the site. The vast majority of incidents some 82 per cent involved text-based threats or written abuse. But 33 per cent were also image-based and 45 per cent were sexually explicit, a survey of over 7,000 women found. Women told researchers that their sex, gender identity and their personal views were the main things that were targeted in online harm. Shadow minister for domestic violence and safeguarding, Alex Davies-Jones MP, said that women are already restricting and modifying our behaviour online due to the threat of abuse. (Getty Images) Bullying and other harassment was more likely to move offline for women who experienced it on Snapchat, and least likely for Twitter users. Female Snapchat users said that their experience of online violence negatively impacted their attendance at school. Academics at the Open University, who conducted the research into violence against women online, said that young women, particularly those under 25, were bearing the brunt of abuse. The study, which was led by Professor Olga Jurasz, estimated that one in four young English women from the ages of 16-34 have experienced online violence. This rose to one in three for LGBT+ women in England. Meanwhile, 69 per cent of women who experienced abuse online in England reported it, primarily to the social media platform where it happened. However most people were not satisfied with the response of the tech companies. Only nine per cent of women reported what had happened to the police, with many citing a lack of faith in police as a reason for not doing so. One participant in the survey said: Based on my experience it does nothing. Last time I reported to the police they politely asked my stalker not to call me anymore. Or so they said. Quite frankly that didnt stop him if thats what the police did. Another person told researchers: The line is blurred between online violence, and it feels like it isnt a crime more just a part of life. Another said: The police said it is a civil crime and they couldnt do anything. The online platform said the evidence wasnt going against community standards. One man, who was part of a survey of mens views of online violence towards women, said he did not report some abuse that he saw because as a casual user of the internet it has become so common that I move past online comments or posts to not give them attention. Cindy Southworth, Head of Womens Safety at Meta, said: Weve worked with womens safety experts to develop rules against gender-based hate, sexualised language, and threats of sexual violence, and we work to proactively identify and take action on this content. Weve also built tools to help prevent women from having to deal with abuse in the first place, like the ability to turn off messages from anyone you dont know, and filter abusive messages and comments so you never have to see them. A Snapchat spokesperson said: There is absolutely no place for violent or threatening behaviour on Snapchat. When we find this type of content, we move quickly to remove it and take the appropriate action on the offending account. We have easy to use, confidential reporting tools, work with police to support investigations and if someone reports a life-threatening situation, we escalate it immediately to the police. X, formerly Twitter, have been contacted for comment. A government spokesperson said: Tackling violence against women and girls is a priority for this government and we are determined to stamp out all of its forms, with 140m committed to improving frontline services and supporting victims up to 2025. Our groundbreaking Online Safety Act is cracking down on abusers who use technology to enable their sinister crimes. 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 }} Women who were affected by the state pension age rise must be compensated for government failings, a new report has found. The state pension age for women has risen rapidly over the past few years to match men. In 1995, the government decided both would be brought in line between 2010 and 2020. The increase in womens state pension age from 60 to 65 sparked controversy, as millions of women claimed they werent adequately informed. Waspi campaigners outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, 2020 (PA) Many were forced to change their retirement plans, as they found themselves having to wait up to six extra years to retire (as the pension age for men and women increased to 66 in 2020). The transition triggered the formation of the Waspi campaign group, standing for Women Against State Pension Inequality. Led by women born in the 1950s who were directly affected by the change, they call for compensation for the financial impact this had on them. Figures put the amount of state pension lost for women born from 1953 to 1960 at between 8,116 and 12,140. WASPI women gather at the statue of political activist Mary Barbour in Glasgow, 8 March (Getty) What does the new report change? The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) released the findings of its five-year investigation on 21 March. It was damning assessment of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) handling of the issue. The Waspi groups claims of the changes being poorly communicated was partly upheld by the PHSO, with the report stating that too many people did not understand their own situations and how the new State Pension affected them personally. The report calls the DWPs failure to respond to official feedback on the issue maladministration. It also covers the DWPs complaint handling procedure, and finding that the government department did not adequately investigate or respond to the complaints it was considering another maladministration. However, while the PHSO report accepts that the DWPs poor communication caused some women to lose opportunities to make informed decisions, it also makes clear that they do not believe it led to direct financial loss. Responding to the report, Green MP Caroline Lucas tweeted: WASPI women were failed & are owed compensation. But DWP remains indifferent & shockingly has already indicated it wont comply. Parliament must urgently step in & ensure justice & fair remedy are finally delivered for 1950s women. Will Waspi get compensation now? If the findings of the report are followed, this will be the long-awaited beginning of a remedial process for the women who were financially impacted by the changes to state pension rises. The DWP has so far indicated no intention to compensate any Waspi campaigners. PHSO Chief Executive Rebecca Hilsenrath, said: The UKs national Ombudsman has made a finding of failings by DWP in this case and has ruled that the women affected are owed compensation. DWP has clearly indicated that it will refuse to comply. This is unacceptable. The Department must do the right thing and it must be held to account for failure to do so. In light of this, the PHSO states it is taking the rare but necessary step of asking Parliament to intervene to ensure compensation is provided quickly. The exact amount this compensation should comprise is another question. The PHSO report identifies the appropriate amount of compensation for the typical impacted woman as between 1,000 and 2,950. This is the amount the Ombudsman feels warrants the level of injustice which has taken place, where an issue has a lasting impact that could take over someones life to an extent. The figure will likely come as a disappointment to Waspi campaigners, who had been seeking a sliding scale of compensation, with the worst affected receiving in excess of 10,000. A submission from the all-party parliamentary group (APPG) on state pension inequality to the PHSO in 2022 backed this compensation amount. They claimed that the level of injustice is more severe than the new reports findings, and warrants payments of over 10,000. Following to the report, Labour MP Rebecca Long-Bailey, who chairs the APPG, tweeted: This report is not the robust vindication owed to those whove fought years to reverse the disgraceful injustice faced by millions of women born in the 1950s, denied money due to them after Govt increased state pension age without reasonable warning. The UK Government must right this historic wrong, and go beyond the recommendations of the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman and deliver fair compensation to these women as a matter of urgency. Responding to the report, a spokesperson for the DWP said: We will consider the Ombudsmans report and respond in due course, having cooperated fully throughout this investigation. The government has always been committed to supporting all pensioners in a sustainable way that gives them a dignified retirement whilst also being fair to them and taxpayers. 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 coming Easter weekend could be a washout, forecasters have warned, just weeks after England had its wettest 18 months since records began in 1836. The meteorological winter, from December last year to the end of last month, was among the wettest on record, Met Office data shows. Many parts of southern England recorded well over twice the average rainfall last month, leading to travel chaos caused by flooding. And the rain is set to resume over the long bank holiday weekend at the end of this month, forecasters predict. It marks a stark contrast to Wednesday - the first day of spring - on which temperatures in some parts of England topped 18C. The Met Offices long-range forecast for the next fortnight - which includes the bank holiday weekend from Friday 29 March to Monday 1 April - says everywhere is likely to be wet at times. Through the bank holiday weekend and into the following week, unsettled or changeable weather remains the most likely outcome, the forecast states. All areas are likely to see further rain or showers at times, with some drier spells in between. Wet weather will tend to favour the southwest, while northern parts remain a bit drier on average. Temperatures will probably continue near normal for the time of year, the forecast adds. Last month, 57 flood warnings and 190 flood alerts were in place across England, as well as several alerts in Wales amid heavy downpours that caused flooding on road and railway lines. Several schools in Herefordshire and Worcestershire closed because of rising water levels and treacherous road conditions after rain fell on groun that was already saturated. Many roads across the West Midlands were submerged, and some rail services were replaced by buses. Downpours are expected over the Easter bank holiday weekend (Danny Lawson/PA) Farmers said crops were ruined, leading to lower yields of certain veg such as cauliflowers. More than 1,000 properties were flooded in early January, and rivers across the country burst their banks. Met Office forecaster Simon Partridge said at this stage the Easter bank holiday weekend was quite a long way off in weather terms, but added: Some models suggest that conditions could be more settled by the Monday, but this comes with a large amount of uncertainly at this time. As we get nearer the time confidence in the forecast will grow, particularly after the coming weekend. Early next week, in the run up to Easter, the weather will turn unsettled across most of the UK, the experts say, as two weather systems bring rain or showers to most areas, with strong winds in places and temperatures near to a little below normal for late March. The north of the UK could stay relatively drier, with some wintry showers possible for northern Scotland on Monday. The damp forecast comes after the UK experienced temperatures topping 18C on the first day of spring (MET OFFICE) Met Office 4 Day Outlook Thursday: Low cloud and fog clearing in the south, and staying mostly dry with hazy sunshine. Rain and strong winds in the north moving southeast, with sunshine and blustery showers behind. Friday to Sunday: Turning colder with a mix of sunshine and blustery showers on Friday and Saturday, these perhaps wintry in the north and west. Showers easing in the west through Sunday. There are some who love nothing more than a conspiracy theory, or better still one laced with a whiff of royal scandal; the disappearance of Kate Middleton and that Mothers Day photograph have gripped audiences around the world. Especially in America. TMZ, the USAs behemoth showbiz site, insisted the palace has got caught in a lie confidence is shot. Time magazine ran a similar editorial: The royal family has a trust problem. Both have a point, but Kensington Palace doesn't see it like that. And nor do Britains supposedly attack-dog tabloids. The same day America demanded accountability, The Sun newspaper urged its readers to Lay off Kate and an unusually rueful Daily Mail mused How did Kates photo become a PR disaster? 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 }} An XL bully has been destroyed by police after it savaged a rescue dog too scared to fight back. Alan, a seven year-old rescue husky from Florida, was set upon the moment he stepped out of his home in Liverpool city centre with a dog walker on Thursday. The attacking XL bully came hurtling around the corner, without a lead or a muzzle, and locked down on the huskys back, according to Alans heartbroken owner Simon Warner. The vet said he was lucky the bite was on his back (@simonjwarner) The scared husky was left with deep bite marks on his back in the communal area of the block in Leeds Street. Merseyside Police said the offending dog was seized and officers confirmed it to be an XL bully. A spokesman added: With the agreement of its owner, the dog was humanely destroyed. Mr Warner, who had been on a trip in Australia at the time, told The Independent flew back to comfort his beloved dog that he rescued as a seven-month-old puppy. He had been concerned the XL bully was left to roam free in the days after the attack. Police later apologised for not seizing the dog until four days after their first call out. Mr Warner (@SimonJWarner) Mr Warner, who spent 1,000 on vet bills for Alan, said: The bully came round the corner. Unmuzzled and unleashed it attacked him. He was with a dogwalker at the time. Alan put up no resistance because he has no aggression in him. Alan is a real sweetie. He loves going to pub and making friends and has never been aggressive to anyone. If it had been a child or a smaller dog then it would be dead. The vet said where the bite was saved him. He is crying when left alone and very scared when going out now. Alan is normally so confident and friendly. The incident comes after a rampaging XL bully was shot dead by police on a high street in Battersea, south London on Monday night. Neighbours said the dog bit down on one mans arms and then rounded on others who tried to come to his aid. It comes after a dog attack in Battersea, south London (Handout/PA Wire) The dog eventually released one of the victims and sprinted 300m down the high street before being surrounded and shot dead by armed police outside a cafe. The four men attacked by the animal were taken to hospital for treatment for injuries that were not life-threatening. The Metropolitan Police said a 22-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman had been arrested on suspicion of being the owner in charge of a dog dangerously out of control. From February 1, it became a criminal offence to own the XL bully breed in England and Wales without an exemption certificate. Anyone who owns one of the dogs must have had the animal neutered, have it microchipped and keep it muzzled and on a lead in public, among other restrictions. Alan the rescue husky and his owner Simon Warner (@simonjwarner) Referring to the incident in Liverpool, dog section inspector Katie Wilkinson said: Specialist officers from our Matrix dog section are continuing to investigate the incident to establish the full circumstances and to identify any offences under the Dangerous Dogs Act. We would like to remind the public that all Section 1 prohibited breed dogs must have received an exemption and remain on a lead and wearing a muzzle when in a public place. Merseyside Police will take action against dog owners who do not comply with the legislation. Our standard protocol in such cases is to for an officer to attend the incident and make an initial assessment of the dog and consider seizing it at the earliest opportunity if it is suspected of being a prohibited breed. This is to ensure the safety of the owner and wider public. Regrettably, in this case the dog was removed for assessment four days after the initial visit of officers. As a result of this, we will undertake communications to remind all officers attending dog bite incidents of their obligation to carry out the correct procedures. There were no reports of any further incident involving the dog during that period, and an investigation into the original incident continues. 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 }} Good Morning Britain presenter Ed Balls was involved in a heated exchange when a guest referred to him as Mr Cooper. Journalist Quentin Letts said he found it tricky discussing the Rwanda bill as Mr Balls is married to Yvette Cooper, the shadow home secretary. The former Chancellor blasted the comment as patronising, adding that he wasnt trying to debate him but ask him a question. Mr Letts said: Its a bit tricky discussing this with Ed presenting the programme, given that his wife is the Shadow Home Secretary, but... interrupting him, the GMB presenter asked him why he thought answering the question was tricky. Mr Balls continued to speak about the controversial Rwanda scheme and asked another question before the Daily Mail journalist called him Mr Cooper. Mr Balls replied: Why do you keep saying that? Isnt that a really patronising thing? You are making a big thing of it, youve made remarks twice. Its really patronising to me, of course it is, the idea that I cant ask you questions on this television programme because Im married to somebody who has a role in politics. In my experience, people who make those kinds of taunts are people who find it hard to answer the questions, why dont you answer the question and stop playing silly politics? Ed Balls and Quentin Letts went head to head on GMB (Good Morning Britain, ITV) Mr Letts insisted he was trying to answer the question, before adding: I was trying to say to you I think the Tories will not get a benefit from this, but you wouldnt let me. Mr Balls replied: No I did, I interrupted you when you called me Mr Cooper and made a slur on my integrity rather than answering the questions, answer the questions and dont slander me. On Wednesday night, Rishi Sunaks Rwanda deportation plan was hit by further delays after defiant peers dug their heels in and inflicted a fresh defeat against the controversial policy. The House of Lords voted by 271 to 228, a majority of 43, to press their demand that the legislation has due regard for domestic and international law. The latest government setback means a continuation of the stand-off at Westminster over the proposed law that aims to clear the way to send asylum seekers who cross the Channel in small boats on a one-way flight to Kigali. On Thursday it was announced MPs will consider Lords amendments to the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill on 15 April. 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 }} Former Gogglebox star Josh Tapper has been selected by Labour to run against deputy prime minister Oliver Dowden in the general election. The 26-year-old, who featured on the Channel 4 show alongside father Jonathan, mother Nikki and sister Amy, has been confirmed as the candidate for Hertsmere, in Hertfordshire. The Deputy Prime Minister has been the MP for Hertsmere since 2015, winning a 21,000 majority in the last general election. Labour came in second in the constituency at the 2019 election, winning around 11,000 votes compared to Mr Dowdens 32,000. In a statement on X/Twitter, Mr Tapper said: "Im thrilled and honoured to have been selected as Labours parliamentary candidate for Hertsmere. Thank you so much to local members for your support - I wont let you down. The work to unseat the Deputy Prime Minister starts now! The Gogglebox Tapper Family: Josh, Nikki, Amy and Jonathan (Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images for B) Mr Tapper left the Gogglebox in 2017 after landing a job in the civil service. He joined Labour when Sir Keir Starmer became leader, according to the Jewish News. He previously stood for selection in 2022, but missed out on the nomination in the North London seat of Chipping Barnet. Mr Tapper is not the first celebrity to be selected by Labour to stand in the election. Dave Rowntree, the drummer for Blur, will stand for the Conservative-held Mid Sussex seat. Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden (PA Wire) On Wednesday, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said his working assumption remains that a general election will take place in the second half of the year, but has not yet confirmed a date. Downing Street sources have told The Independent that the election had been pencilled in for the second Thursday in October. It is understood that the PM is unlikely to wait until mid-November, since it would clash with US presidential election. No 10 dismissed the claim as speculation but did not deny the date. A government source said: The PM will announce the date. Until then everything else is speculation. Mr Sunak has come under fire for refusing to name the date that the country can expect to take to the polls. A Labour source told The Independent that the party was ready for any eventuality. They said: We remain ready for all scenarios. The public wants change and were ready to deliver it. Sunak needs to end the speculation and name the date. 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 }} Sir Keir Starmer has said everyone should butt out and give the Princess of Wales privacy while she recovers from her abdominal surgery. The Labour leader said it was his human response as a dad and a human being. Asked if he feels sorry for Kate, he told Channel 5s Jeremy Vine: Yes. I think that we should leave her alone. Shes had a difficult operation, and she deserves privacy. He added: We should just butt out and leave her alone Thats not really a political response, its a human response, as a dad and a human being. The Labour leader has said the Princess of Wales deserves privacy (Getty Images) Sir Keirs comments come amid reports that up to three people could have been involved in the alleged accessing of Kates private details after she was discharged from the London Clinic in January. Earlier, health minister Dame Andrea Leadsom told Sky News that the attempt to access the Princess of Wales records were completely outrageous, adding: Obviously, it is a matter for the Information Commissioner but it is the case that every patient has the right to their privacy. The UK privacy and data protection watchdog said it had received a breach report and is assessing the information. Kate was reportedly spotted shopping at Windsor Farm Shop (REUTERS/Hannah McKay) The reports have emerged as the social media frenzy around Kates health, absence from public life and a doctored photo issued on Mothers Day continues. Kate was reportedly seen this week seen with her husband at the Windsor Farm Shop close to their Adelaide cottage home in the grounds of Windsor Castle. Downing Street has also urged the public to get behind Kate as she recovers amid a flurry of conspiracy theories about her health. 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 }} Sir Keir Starmer has been accused of not listening to the Labour partys adviser on race relations. Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon, who is the mother of murdered black teenager Stephen Lawrence, is reported to have told a private meeting of Labours ethnic minority MPs and peers on Tuesday: I wish Keir listened to me. It is alleged Baroness Lawrence complained of gatekeepers around the Labour leader who had prevented her work,The Times reported, and said she no longer knew how to respond to complaints about the party from black and minority ethnic voters. Her remarks at a behind-closed-doors meeting of the black, Asian and minority ethnic section of the parliamentary Labour Party come amidmounting disquiet about the treatment of Black and Asian Labour MPs and voters including long-standing investigation into Diane Abbott, Britains first black female MP. Baroness Lawrence is also alleged to have suggested that Sir Keir needed to spend more time visiting diverse communities and churches with black congregations. She is reported to have questioned the partys decision to scale back a conference at which Sir Keir had been due to unveil plans for new race equality legislation last month. The Independent reported at the time that the meeting was scaled back at the eleventh hour amid security concerns, understood to be a pro-Palestine protest, and as key MPs vowed to stay away from the event. Baroness Doreen Lawrence reportedly criticised Sir Keir Starmer in a closed-doors meeting (PA Wire) Baroness Lawrence was appointed as Labours race relations adviser in 2020 after she praised him for his role in securing justice for her family after the highly publicised racist murder of her son, Stephen, in south London in the 1990s. Her first duty as a Labour party adviser was to investigate the impact of the Covid pandemic in ethnic minority communities. The pair have since made several public appearances since Sir Keir became Labour leader, including launching a report on Labours proposed race equality act, which the party says will extend full equal pay rights to black, Asian, ethnic minority and disabled workers for the first time. Diane Abbott was not permitted to speak during PMQs, despite repeatedly standing in an effort to do so (Ian West/PA) (PA Wire) Baroness Lawrence told the Times that she did not doubt Sir Keirs commitment to fighting racism. She said: Of course Im always going to push the party to do more as the fight for equality is never done, but Ive known Keir for years and Ive no doubts about his commitment to equality and fighting racism. Thats why Ive been proud to work with Labour to develop their plans for a new race equality act. Several Labour sources have previously told The Independent that the party needs to get its own house in order by addressing racial discrimination within its ranks as highlighted in the damning Forde report. That inquiry uncovered a hierarchy of racism within Labour, with many saying they felt the overwhelmingly white Labour Party was an unwelcoming place for people of colour. Sir Keir apologised for the findings but Mr Forde has since criticised the speed at which Labour has implemented his recommendations for improving how it dealt with sexism, racism, bullying and factionalism. As of December, only 154 of the 165 proposals had been implemented. Ms Abbott had the whip suspended last April after writing a letter suggesting Jewish people are not subjected to the same racism as some other minorities. She immediately apologised and said the letter published in The Observer had been an initial draft sent by mistake. But the Labour leadership have not yet restored the whip. Sir Keir Starmer has been accused of not listening to his partys race adviser (UK PARLIAMENT/AFP via Getty Imag) The Independent has been told that Ms Abbott was offered the Labour whip back but refused because she would have had to undergo antisemitism training, It comes after the Labour leader denounced alleged remarks made by Tory donor Frank Hester that Ms Abbott made him want to hate all black people. The ordeal led some within and outside of the party to call for the Hackney MP to have the whip restored, which Sir Keir has so far refused. Baroness Lawrence and the Labour party have been approached for comment Hong Kong: Parent education website refined The Education Bureau today announced the launch of a revamped Smart Parent Net one-stop parent education information website, which adopts a design by the Design Institute students with a renewed colour theme and outlook. The bureau said the enhanced categorisation of the website contents makes it more convenient for parents to get information on parent-child relationship, character development, parenting skills and emotional management of parents. The revamped Smart Parent Net website include four key sectors. They are six key themes catering for the needs of different parents, Positive Parent Campaign section, Calendar of parent education courses and activities organised by the Education Bureau, and Parent Education Activity Information Hub. The website contents will be updated regularly to allow parents' prompt access to the latest information. The bureau has issued a circular letter to all kindergartens and primary and secondary schools in Hong Kong, encouraging them to promote the revamped website to parents. This story has been published on: 2024-03-21. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. 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 }} Rishi Sunak is being urged to set aside billions of pounds to compensate women whose lives were ruined by government failures relating to changes in the state pension age. A damning report has said that the affected women, born in the 1950s, should be offered an apology and payouts of between 1,000 and 2,950, after changes to the age at which they would be eligible to draw a state pension were not communicated properly, plunging their retirement plans into chaos. The scathing 100-page report, published by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO), criticised the government for its handling of the change in the pensionable age from 60 to 65, accusing it of failing to acknowledge its error or to put things right for those affected. But Downing Street has so far refused to commit to paying compensation, which the watchdog said could cost the government up to 10.5bn based on the recommended payouts. MPs from across the political divide have urged the government to swiftly set up a compensation scheme, with some echoing the call of campaigners that the figure should be at least 10,000 per person. Rishi Sunak is being urged to set aside billions of pounds to compensate victims of the pensions fiasco (PA) The ombudsman also said that the DWP had indicated it would not comply with the recommendation, a stance that the PHSO deemed unacceptable. As a result, the PHSO said it was taking the rare but necessary step of asking MPs to intervene. Women Against State Pension Inequality (Waspi) chair Angela Madden said there are parallels with other scandals in recent years, such as the Post Office and Windrush, and urged the government to put their money where their mouth is. Appealing to Mr Sunak directly, and suggesting he put 36bn aside to allow for a higher payout for more women, she said: I would ask him to do the right thing ... and actually compensate us properly. His government and previous governments have caused great harm to Waspi women. Theyve ruined our lives. Its worth a heck of a lot more than one or two grand. Senior Tory Peter Aldous, co-chair of the all-party parliamentary group (APPG) on state pension inequality for women, also backed the 10,000 figure, adding: These millions of women worked, cared for families, and supported communities all their lives. They deserve the dignity of fast compensation. Labour MP Rebecca Long-Bailey, the chair of the APPG, added: The government must right this historic wrong, and go beyond the recommendations of the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman and deliver fair compensation to these women as a matter of urgency. Waspi campaigners have called for a more substantial compensation package (PA) Conservative peer Ros Altmann, a former pensions minister, called for parliament to decide what, if any, blanket compensation is offered and whether there will be a scheme that those worst affected can claim from on a case-by-case basis. Fellow former pensions minister Steve Webb also urged parliament to act, saying: There is no point in parliament having an ombudsman if the government ignores its carefully considered recommendations. One Waspi campaigner added: If it is 3,000, Ive spent more than that on banners and train tickets to go to protests. Work and pensions secretary Mel Stride is likely to appear in the House of Commons before the Easter recess to address the ombudsmans recommendations, Commons leader Penny Mordaunt suggested. Both the DWP and the prime ministers official spokesperson said the government will consider the ombudsmans report and respond to its recommendations formally in due course. The government is under no obligation to follow the recommendations. Waspi campaigners claim that millions of women had their retirement plans plunged into chaos, with many being left thousands of pounds out of pocket and more than 250,000 estimated to have died before receiving compensation. Some say they had to use food banks or sell their homes in order to survive. The watchdogs report detailed how women suffered stress and anxiety, with many forced to deplete their savings, as a result of the governments mishandling of the changes, which were introduced under the 1995 Pensions Act and raised the state pension age for women born on or after 6 April 1950. It found that thousands of women may have been affected by the failure in communication. PHSO chief executive Rebecca Hilsenrath said: The UKs national ombudsman has made a finding of failings by the DWP in this case, and has ruled that the women affected are owed compensation. The DWP has clearly indicated that it will refuse to comply. This is unacceptable. The department must do the right thing and it must be held to account for failure to do so. Complainants should not have to wait and see whether the DWP will take action to rectify its failings. The number of women who could be in line for compensation is unclear. The report said that compensating all 3.5 million-plus women born in the 1950s would cost anywhere between 3.5bn and 10.5bn. Women Against State Pension Inequality (Waspi) campaigners gather at the statue of political activist Mary Barbour (PA) It noted that not all of them would qualify, but that there were likely to be a significant number of women born in the 1950s who had suffered injustice because of maladministration. Campaigners say 2.4 million women were affected by the change to the pensionable age. Debbie de Spon, communications director for the Waspi campaign, is among those who were affected and claims that she lost around 26,000 in state pension payments. She told The Independent: When you dont have your disposable income, it limits the choices you make, the Christmas presents you buy, the holiday you choose, the way you spend your time. We all have budgets to live to, and if your budget is limited, you cut your coat to your cloth, which is what I did. The impact on some other women was much greater, she said. Many faced severe difficulties in their financial planning, because wills left by their husbands, or divorce settlements, had been drawn up on the premise that they would receive a state pension from the age of 60. Some, Ms De Spon said, were forced to sell their homes or spend their retirement savings, leaving them worse off when they eventually received their pensions. A large number are now fully dependent on their children for financial help. She added: One woman wrote to us and said, My children hope they stay well enough to support me as I cant pay my bills. Another said, I had to lose my home because I couldnt pay the mortgage. Im desperate, what can I do? they say. Some did try to find new work, but because of their age they struggled, said Ms De Spon, with many taking on unsuitable work just to keep an income. One woman, in her sixties, worked as a cleaner on an offshore oil rig, she said. Other women, she said, had taken painkillers to keep on working in roles that they found physically strenuous. One woman told the ombudsman she had suffered a financial loss of 39,000. Another said she had lost around 45,000 because she had reached the state pension age six years later than expected. The report also mentioned Ms E, who claimed she had lost around 186,000 in potential work that she may have found had she been correctly informed about the age increase. Another said she had lost more than 442,000 in additional pay she would have received had she stayed in her job. And another woman, Ms I, told the ombudsman her savings had been depleted and that she had grappled with a great deal of stress that had caused her physical symptoms including chest pain. While the consideration of any direct financial loss as a result of the change in the state pension age was not in the ombudsmans remit, Ms Hilsenrath said, she told BBC Radio 4 that it had found that the women had experienced an indirect financial loss as a result of the poor communication of the government. Conservative MP Peter Aldous has called for individual compensation payments of 10,000 (PA Media) She said: We were looking at the impact of poor communication. And what we found was it resulted in a lack of financial autonomy, a lack of the ability to make informed decisions about peoples plans for their retirement. The ombudsman investigated complaints that, since 1995, the DWP had failed to provide accurate, adequate and timely information about areas of state pension reform. It found that the DWP had failed to provide accurate, adequate and timely information to those affected by the state pension age changes, and that the department had omitted to offer any apology or explanation for its failings and has indicated it will not compensate women affected by its failure. It added that the DWPs handling of the changes meant that some women lost opportunities to make informed decisions about their finances. It diminished their sense of personal autonomy and financial control, it said. The ombudsman has been investigating the issue for five years, with the first stage of its report, published in 2021, finding that the government had been slow in informing women of how they would be affected by the change. 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 }} Sir Keir Starmer has taken a 50 bet that former Conservative Party deputy chair Lee Anderson will lose his seat at the general election. The Labour leader put down the wager after being asked by a journalist if he thought Mr Anderson would hang on to his constituency at the next national poll. No I dont, Sir Keir told the Mirror journalist and a group of other employees at the paper when he visited its newsroom earlier this week. Bet on it? the journalist then asks before the Labour accepts with a handshake, a video clip of the exchange shows. Although Jonathan Ashworth just lost a tenner didnt he recently, Sir Keir then said in a light-hearted quip referencing a colleague who recently lost money on a bet. Mr Ashworth, the shadow paymaster general, earlier this month made a bet live on TV that Rishi Sunak would call a general election on 2 May but the prime minister has since ruled out a snap spring poll. Mr Anderson, the MP for Ashfield, recently defected from the Tories to the Nigel Farage-founded Reform UK party after he was suspended for making Islamophobic remarks about Labours Sadiq Khan, the London mayor. A former miner, Mr Anderson represents Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, located in the red wall - a traditionally working class, Labour-supporting set of around 40 seats mostly in the north and Midlands. Lee Anderson announcing his defection from Conservatives to Reform UK (AFP via Getty Images) The constituencies were key to Boris Johnsons landslide victory in 2019 and analysts say the Conservatives will have to hold on to most of them to have any chance of winning a majority at the next election, which must take place by January 2025 at the latest. Redfield & Wilton Strategies latest polling on the Red Wall, from 20 March, found that Labour was leading the Conservatives by 24 per cent - unchanged from its previous poll conducted last month and the joint-largest lead for Labour in these seats since late August. It was the Tories lowest vote share since Mr Sunak became PM and only three points above the lowest vote share (21 per cent) they have ever recorded in Redfield & Wilton Strategies red wall polling. The survey also showed that Mr Sunaks approval rating was -25 per cent while Sir Keirs popularity stood at -1 per cent. Mr Anderson became Reform UKs only MP when he defected to the party, telling a press conference to announce the move I just want my country back. Redfield & Wilton Strategies March poll had Reform on 16 per cent - a record high and up two points from February. Some 21 per cent of 2019 Conservative voters said they would vote for Reform UK if a general election were held tomorrow. 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 }} Shipping tycoon Angela Chao was intoxicated at the time she drowned reversing her Tesla into a pond last month at a Texas ranch, according to police. Law enforcement found that her blood alcohol level was nearly three times the states legal limit when the incident happened. Blanco County Sheriffs Office had initially declined to share many details around the death, which was first reported last month, stating they were still investigating. But newly-released police records reveal that Chao was drunk at the time she reversed her Tesla Model X SUV into a pond in an estate on 10 February in Blanco County, outside Austin. Chao was the sister-in-law of former Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell and married to venture capitalist Jim Breyer. She was chair and chief executive of her familys shipping business, the Foremost Group, and the president of her fathers philanthropic organisation, the Foremost Foundation. On Wednesday, the Blanco County Sheriffs Office made public 62 pages of records concerning Chaos death. The documents described the incident as an unfortunate accident and revealed that her blood-alcohol level was 0.233 grams per 100 millilitres approximately three times the legal driving limit of 0.08 grams per 100 millilitres. Chao, 50, intended to drive from one building to another on the ranch due to the cold weather, police said. However, shortly after she entered her car, she mistakenly put the vehicle in reverse and ended up backing into a pond, according to police reports. Angela Chao and Jim Breyer arrive at the Ninth Breakthrough Prize Ceremony at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on April 15, 2023 in Los Angeles, California (Getty Images for Breakthrough Pr) According to a report by Business Insider, a number of Tesla owners had earlier communicated to federal authorities their experiences of confusion and potentially hazardous scenarios over the unconventional gear-shifting mechanisms in their vehicles. But Chaos family did not blame Tesla for the death. "Angelas passing was a terrible tragedy, and words cannot describe the familys profound grief," a spokesman for her father James SC Chao and the wider family said in an emailed statement. The family is grateful for the first responders and friends who tried so hard to save her. Additional reporting by agencies Close Elijah Vues family plead for help in finding him 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 }} Elijah Vues mother pleaded not guilty on Friday to charges in connection to the toddlers disappearance. Katrina Baur appeared briefly before Judge Robert Dewane, with her next court appearance now set over a month from now. This comes after a brief court appearance on Thursday for her friend Jesse Vang, who was the last known person to see Elijah. The toddler was last seen by Mr Vang on 20 February in Two Rivers, a town on the shore of Lake Michigan. Authorities say Ms Baur sent her son to live with Mr Vang for disciplinary reasons, where the boy was reportedly subjected to lengthy time-outs and threats of cold water if he misbehaved. Now, it has emerged that Mr Vang was previously charged with human trafficking. The charges were later dropped. Earlier this week, police found a blanket belonging to Elijah four miles from his last known location. There is a $40,000 reward for anyone with information that leads to an arrest. Officials describe Elijah as three feet tall, with brown hair and brown eyes he is also of Hmong and white ethnicity. 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 }} An escaped inmate and his armed accomplice have been located and taken into custody in Idaho, following a dramatic prison-break earlier this week. Prisoner Skylar Meade, 31, who had previously been serving a 20-year sentence for shooting at a sheriff during a high-speed chase, was busted out of hospital in a night-time raid on Wednesday. At a press conference on Thursday, Boise Police Chief Ron Winegar said Meade, who was aligned with a white supremacist prison group, and his accomplice Nicolas Umphenour, had been recaptured earlier in the day witout incident. Around 2pm this afternoon, following a lengthy investigation, the two suspects who we have been seeking were located in the Twin Falls area, Mr Winegar said. There was a short vehicle pursuit and both suspects were taken into custody separately. There were no shots fired or extensive use of force in this operation, for which we are thankful. According to law enforcement, detectives are now investigating two homicides at separate locations, and as Paris and Clearwater counties that are believed to be tied to the escape. Both homicides involve adult males and detectives are actively investigating. No further information on the homicides is available at this time, though the county coroner will provide identity as well as the official cause of death in due course. Shackles were found at the scene of one of the homicides. Those are being investigated currently. The development comes nearly a day after Meade escaped from prison while being transported from a hospital back to a prison. According to police, Umphenour pulled up to the ambulance bay and began shooting allowing Meade to escape into his car. Three correctional officers were shot and wounded in the ensuing firefight, including two of the correctional officers escorting Meade. A third was hit by a police officer responding to the incident but is reported not to have sustained serious injuries. Image of Skylar Meade released by Boise Police following his escape from custody (Boise Police) Director of Idaho Department of Corrections Josh Tewalt told reporters on Thursday that on of the officers had been released from hospital, while two others remained there but were stable and improving. I think with today's news, their spirits are lifted, he said. Mr Tewalt added that both Meade and Umphenour had common acquaintances in custody and were members of the white supremacist group Aryan Knights. Lieutenant Colonel Sheldon Kelly said: I want to thank all the law enforcement agencies across Idaho that have assisted with this. I know it's the Idaho way but there was an immense collaboration and cooperation all across the state to come to this conclusion. Ever since this is kicked off, we've had professionals working tirelessly on this issue to get to the point where we are today. The two had overlapped in housing on an off in custody, from December 2022 to when Umphenour was released in January 2024. Both were housed at the Idaho maximum security institution. Officials say that the two men had left Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center before police backup arrived at the scene on Wednesday night. They were able to leave the premises in a grey four-door sedan. Chief Winegar previously described the escape as a brazen, violent, and apparently coordinated attack on Idaho Department of Corrections personnel. Close Manhunt underway for white supremacist prison gang member, his alleged accomplice 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 identities of the two men who were possibly murdered in connection with an Idaho prison escape have been released by officials. The bodies of James L Mauney, 83, from the Juliaetta area and Gerald Don Henderson, 72 were found as officials searched for 31-year-old Skylar Meade and Nicholas Umphenour, an inmate and a man who had been recently released. Mr Henderson died from an apparent gunshot wound but his manner of death is pending an autopsy investigation. Mr Mauney was carjacked by the men as he was walking his dogs. His body was found near his home. Thursday afternoon, police captured Meade, who is aligned with a white supremacist group, and Umphenour near Leland, Idaho. The episode started around 2.15am on Wednesday. Meade escaped a Boise hospital where he was seeking treatment for an apparent self-inflicted injury. As officers worked to transport the man back to the prison, Umphenour pulled up to the ambulance bay and began shooting allowing Meade to escape into his car. 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 man facing child neglect charges in connection to missing Wisconsin boy Elijah Vue was accused of alleged human trafficking and sexually assaulting the childs mother back in 2015. Jesse Vang, 39, is currently in jail on a chronic child neglect charge, following the 3-year-olds disappearance on 20 February. Now, WBAY reports of a troubled past for Mr Vang, Elijahs mother Katrina Baur and the boys biological father Jimmy Vue. Court documents state that in November 2015 police were called out to a hotel in Appleton, Outagamie County. When they arrived, they found Ms Baur hiding in the bathroom after she got the hotel staff to call 911. She then told officers that she had been sexually assaulted by two men, one of whom was Mr Vang. Ms Baur then told officers that she was their property and she had been taken to Minnesota to perform sexual acts in exchange for compensation, which included drugs. Katrina Baur pictured following her arrest in February 2024 (Manitowoc County Sheriffs Office) Two months later, Ms Baur told investigators that she no longer wanted them to pursue the alleged sexual assault charge. At this point, Ms Baur was then in a relationship with Mr Vue, the report said. She told investigators that Mr Vue was the alpha over Mr Vang in some sort of structure. According to NBC 26, the human trafficking charges were dropped and Mr Vang was later convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. He was sentenced to federal prison, with his release coming in February 2022. Mr Vue, meanwhile, is also serving time in prison following another case. In February 2024, Ms Baur, 31, sent her son to stay with Mr Vang in order to teach him to be a man. (FB/Two Rivers Police Department) Following Elijahs disappearance on 20 February, Mr Vang, 39, told investigators that he had been using disciplinary tactics on the boy, including lengthy time-outs and threats of cold showers to make him behave. In an updated criminal complaint on Wednesday 20 March, photos were described showing Elijah with bruising to his face and wearing a blindfold, as well as standing in a full diaper with his hands in the prayer position in the days leading up to his disappearance. Neither Mr Vang nor Ms Baur have been charged in connection with Elijahs disappearance. They both face chronic child neglect charges. Mr Vang appeared in court on Thursday, with his preliminary hearing now adjourned until 4 April. Ms Baur is due to appear in court again on Friday 22 March. 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 }} Escaped prisoner Skylar Meade and his accomplice Nicholas Umphenour have been recaptured after the two men coordinated a prison escape in Idaho on Wednesday, officials have said. Meade had been serving a 20-year prison sentence for shooting a sheriff in a high-speed car chase at the time of his escape. Umphenour allegedly shot two of the officers to help Meade break free. A third correctional officer was shot amid the chaos as backup arrived at the scene and mistook the officer for an armed individual. The men were later reported to have been associates while spending time behind bars at the Idaho Department of Corrections (IDOC). Both had links to the same white supremacist gang. Heres everything we know about Meade, the escaped prisoner: Who is Skylar Meade? The 31-year-old prisoner has been incarcerated since 2016 October. His most recent sentence is due to end in 2036 October. He was jailed over charges including aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer with a firearm enhancement. Before that, Meade was convicted of felony possession of a controlled substance, grand theft and introduction of contraband into a correctional facility. Based on a report from KTVB7, the prisoner was convicted after a shooting at a Twin Falls sheriffs sergeant during a high-speed car chase. The outlet reported that the man was trying to flee a traffic stop. Meade ended up crashing his car and tried to run away on foot but was later arrested. He was separately convicted of possession of methamphetamine, illegal possession of a handgun and having a shank at a county correctional facility. Skylar Meade (Boise Police) Officials described Meade as 56 and 150 lbs. He has face tattoos including the numbers 1 and 11. Prior to the incident, Meade was being held in solitary confinement due to security concerns. How was he able to escape? Meade was at the Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center seeking medical treatment and had been taken to the hospital around 9.35pm on Tuesday after he engaged in self-injurious behaviour, The Associated Press reported. Under state procedure, unarmed guards stand at each side of a high-risk prisoner while an armed guard follows them. Officials did not elaborate on additional security measures that were taken and it is not clear if Meade was walking on his own or restrained in any way. It was when officials were gearing up to transfer Meade back to prison that the attack occurred. Around 2.15am on Wednesday an armed accomplice launched an attack. Three prison officers were shot in the ensuing gunfight and the two men were able to escape in a four-door sedan, later identified as a grey Honda Accord. The men escaped in a vehicle identified as a grey Honda Accord (Boise Police) All of the officers shot work for the IDOC. The department director Josh Tewalt told reporters on Thursday that one of the officers had been released from hospital, while two others remained there but were stable and improving. He added that following news of Meades recapture, the mens spirits were lifted. Who is Nicholas Umphenour? Meades alleged accomplice in the escape was later identified as Nicholas Umphenour. According to police information, Umphenour is about 511 and weighs 160 lbs. He has brown hair and hazel eyes. He was wanted for two counts of aggravated battery against law enforcement and one charge of aiding and abetting an escape, police said in a statement. The warrant has a $2m bond. Officials said on Thursday that additional information about Umphenours past criminal history would be available in due course. Josh Tewalt, direcotr of the Idaho Department of Corrections said that both Meade and Umphenour had common acquaintances in custody and had been housed at the maximum security institute at the same time. The two had a crossover in the unit at the facility from December 2020 until January 2024. Nicholas Umphenour (Boise Police Department via REUTERS) In addition, both were members of the white supremacist group Aryan Knights. Who are the Aryan Knights? The Aryan Knights emerged in the mid-1990s to organize criminal activity for a select group of white inmates within IDOC custody, according to the Idaho District Attorneys Office. The group has white supremacist and white separatist ideologies. It is believed to have over 100 members inside and outside of IDOC. The group has used violence and threats of violence to target non-white inmates and other targeted inmates. The Anti-Defamation League says the group will identify themselves with tattoos for the number 12 as well as A and K. Meades tattoos 1 and 11 are thought to represent A and K, the first and 11th letters of the alphabet, which supposedly stands for Aryan Knights. 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 }} Willie James Pye became the first person to be executed by Georgia in four years but some campaigners say that putting the man to death by lethal injection was inhumane and secretive. Ahead of the execution on Wednesday evening, attorneys for Pye argued that he shouldnt be executed because of his intellectual disability and the remorse he held for his victims family. He was sentenced to death over the 1993 rape, murder and robbery of 21-year-old Alicia Lynn Yarbrough. Pye was scheduled to be executed at 7pm, but officials announced his time of death as 11.03pm. Attorneys for Pye filed a last-minute appeal for a stay of execution that was unanimously rejected. The appeal mightve been the reason for the delay. This is the death penalty in 2024: an intellectually disabled man executed using unapproved drugs from a secret supplier, with witnesses prevented from seeing the IV insertion, a sheet drawn over the body during the execution to conceal movement and audio cut from the chamber, Maya Foa, director of Reprieve US, an anti-death penalty organisation, said in a written statement. In Georgia, so much is hidden from view that witnesses cant know how much Pye was brutalised in the process. Other states are choosing to step back from lethal injection executions due to the drugs becoming increasingly difficult to find. Additionally, companies that normally supply the drugs are concerned about their names becoming public. This image provided by the Georgia Department of Corrections shows inmate Willie James Pye As a result, some states have chosen to shift toward nitrogen hypoxia, a method that was used to put Kenneth Eugene Smith to death in January. Other execution methods, including electrocution and fire squad, are available in other states but not regularly used. States have used the gas chamber and electric chair when lethal injection drugs cant be obtained, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. Additionally, several issues have come up when trying to use lethal injection in the past. Nitrogen hypoxia was a second execution method for Smith after officials failed to establish IV lines in 2022. His was the third consecutively botched lethal injection execution in Alabama. Also this month, corrections officials in Idaho had to abort an execution attempt for Thomas Creech, citing the same reasons. Still, lethal injection remains the primary method of execution for states and the federal government. In Pyes case, he was given the sedative pentobarbital and was declared dead within minutes. Anti-death penalty signs placed by activists stand along the road heading to Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore, Ala., ahead of the scheduled execution of Kenneth Eugene Smith, Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024 (Getty/Reuters/AP) Only 27 states currently have the death penalty. According to the Death Penalty Information Center, a non-profit, states are attempting to cut off debate surrounding lethal injection executions by concealing their execution practices under a veil of secrecy. Some states are not required to disclose their execution practices due to recently passed laws. Such statutes make it impossible to judge the reliability of the manufacturer or the possible expiration of these drugs, the non-profit notes on its website. Hong Kong: Deputy SJ concludes Switzerland trip Deputy Secretary for Justice Cheung Kwok-kwan today concluded his visit to Geneva, Switzerland. Mr Cheung earlier attended the 55th regular session of the UN Human Rights Council, where he delivered a speech outlining that the legislation on Basic Law Article 23 had been passed by the Legislative Council to discharge Hong Kong's long overdue constitutional duty to enact laws on its own to safeguard national security. He stressed that the legislation will bring about a stable and prosperous future for the city with the rights and freedoms enjoyed in accordance with the law fully protected, adding that the legislative exercise has gained very wide support from the Hong Kong community. Noting that the legislation fully aligns with the principles of international laws and practices, he said it clearly specifies that the rights and freedoms enshrined in the Basic Law as well as the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil & Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social & Cultural Rights as applied to Hong Kong, are to be protected in accordance with the law. This important principle forms a cornerstone of the legislation, and is literally written in the new law, Mr Cheung added. The Deputy Secretary for Justice reiterated that every sovereign state including China has an inherent right to enact laws to safeguard its national security and that many countries have enacted a host of national security laws based on their own national security risks and needs. The Basic Law Article 23 legislation will better protect our country from genuine threats to national security in the increasingly intricate geopolitics of our time. The comments by some countries and organisations on this are made in complete disregard of basic jurisprudence and facts, and demonstrate nothing more than double standards and sophistry. In Geneva, Mr Cheung also called on Chen Xu, Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of the People's Republic of China to the UN Office at Geneva and other International Organizations in Switzerland. He thanked Mr Chen for his support to Hong Kong in enhancing international understanding of the legislative work concerned and hoped that the trip would enable the world to understand the necessity, legitimacy and urgency of the legislation. This story has been published on: 2024-03-21. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. 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 }} Watch as Evan Gershkovichs family marked one year since Russia detained the Wall Street Journal reporter. On 29 March 2023, the journalist was arrested in the Urals city of Yekaterinburg and accused of trying to obtain defence secrets. The State Department has declared Mr Gershkovich as wrongfully detained and Joe Biden has promised his family he will bring the reporter home, while he and his newspaper strongly reject the charges. Vladimir Putin alleges that Mr Gershkovich was caught red-handed when he was secretly getting classified information, while adding that there are certain conditions that are being discussed between special services. I believe an agreement can be reached. The Wall Street Journal says Mr Gershkovich had full press credentials from Russias foreign ministry. Mr Gershkovich has not yet faced trial; Russia extended his pre-trial detention in January until at least 30 March. Russian authorities havent given any evidence to support the charges. 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 Justice Department is reportedly considering permitting Julian Assange to enter a guilty plea to a reduced charge of mishandling classified information. Over the past few months, preliminary talks regarding a plea deal have taken place between officials at the Justice Department and Assanges legal team, The Wall Street Journal reported, based on sources familiar with the matter. However, these discussions were still evolving and theres a possibility that they remain in flux and the talks could fizzle. A lesser charge related to mishandling of classified information could enable Assange to plead to the misdemeanor remotely, potentially allowing him to avoid extradition to the US, where he has been wanted for years, and to walk free without having to travel to America. An attorney representing the WikiLeaks founder stated that his legal representatives have not seen any indication that the Justice Department intends to resolve the case. In a statement emailed to Reuters, Assanges lawyer Barry Pollack wrote: It is inappropriate for Mr Assanges lawyers to comment while his case is before the UK High Court other than to say we have been given no indication that the Department of Justice intends to resolve the case and the United States is continuing with as much determination as ever to seek his extradition on all 18 charges, exposing him to 175 years in prison. US prosecutors have earlier said it would be no more than 63 months. Assange is fighting against extradition from Britain to the US, where he faces criminal charges for the 2010 release of confidential US military records and diplomatic cables. The US argues that the publication of these documents endangered lives. However, Assanges supporters contend that he is being persecuted for revealing US misconduct, particularly in the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. Various human rights organisations, major media outlets, and leaders from countries including Mexico, Brazil, and Australia have called for the charges against Assange, an Australian citizen, to be dismissed. Since 2019, Assange has been held in a UK prison following his arrest by London police at the Ecuadorian embassy, where he was taken into custody on charges from the US. Additional reporting with agencies 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 }} In a world first, doctors in Boston have performed a kidney transplant from a genetically modified pig into a human. The kidney was taken from the pig and transferred to a 62-year-old man who was living with end-stage kidney disease. The novel procedure was performed by surgeons on 16 March at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), and took four hours to complete, the hospital announced on Thursday. It marks a major turning point for the medical world and could prove to be a milestone in the pursuit of making organs more readily available to patients. After this successful attempt, the news could bring hope to more than 100,00 people in the United States who are on the waiting list for an organ to become available for transplant, according to the United Network for Organ Sharing. Around 17 people die each day while they wait for an organ. The man who received the transplanted kidney, which came from a pig that was bred with 69 genetic modifications to make it suitable for human transplantation, has said he hopes the success of the procedure will provide hope for the thousands of people who need a transplant to survive. Richard Slayman, from Weymouth, Massachusetts, who underwent the groundbreaking surgery, weighed up the pros and cons of having a kidney transplant from a pig with the team at the transplant centre. The recipient of the first successful pig-to-human kidney transplant has spoken of his wish that it will bring hope to others who are waiting for an organ (Massachusetts General Hospital) Mr Slayman said his kidney started to fail in 2023, adding that he had full trust in the team at the Massachusetts hospital to meet my goals of not just improving my quality of life but extending it. The hospital said the patient is recovering well and should be discharged soon. The real hero today is the patient, Mr Slayman, said Joren C Madsen, the director of the MGH Transplant Center, as the success of this pioneering surgery, once deemed unimaginable, would not have been possible without his courage and willingness to embark on a journey into uncharted medical territory. Mass General Brigham, an integrated healthcare system, has an illustrious history in the field of organ transplantation. The worlds first successful organ transplant was performed at Brigham and Womens Hospital in 1954 when the organ in question was also a kidney. Another achievement on its roster includes the nations first ever penile transplant, which was performed at MGH in 2016. Nearly seven decades after the first successful kidney transplant, our clinicians have once again demonstrated our commitment to provide innovative treatments and help ease the burden of disease for our patients and others around the world, said Anne Klibanski, the president and CEO of Mass General Brigham. The pig kidney, supplied by eGenesis, a Massachusetts biotechnology company, was from a genetically edited animal, in which 69 modifications were made using a technology called CRISPR-Cas9. The technology removed harmful pig genes and replaced them with specific human genes in order to ensure its organs would be compatible with the human body. The procedure has the potential to be a landmark event in the field of xenotransplantation meaning animal-to-human transplantation and has offered a beacon of hope for those living with kidney disease. It took surgeons four hours to perform the groundbreaking transplant (Massachusetts General Hospital) The kidney is the most common organ needed among people who require a transplant, according to the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, and end-stage kidney disease rates are predicted to increase by between 29 and 68 per cent in the United States by 2030. Mr Slayman, the patient involved in the pioneering procedure, has been living with type 2 diabetes, hypertension and kidney failure for many years, and has had a kidney transplant before, in 2018, when the organ came from a deceased human donor. However, his transplanted kidney started to show signs of failure around five years later, and Mr Slayman had to resume dialysis in 2023. He experienced complications and had to visit the hospital every fortnight for declotting and surgical revisions, which had a significant effect on his quality of life. Many of the doctors at the hospital are hopeful that the advances in xenotransplantation can be a solution to the crisis that revolves around the lack of organs for patients who desperately need them to survive. Despite the success of the transplant, the science of xenotransplantation is still an emerging field. There have been two pig-to-human heart transplants in the United States, but in each case, the patient died only a few weeks after the procedure. Mr Slaymans procedure was also performed under the FDAs compassionate use programme, which allows patients with serious, life-threatening illnesses or conditions to gain access to experimental treatments. However, the experts in Massachusetts are celebrating the advanced transplant as a major milestone that they hope could improve the lives of future patients. I am firmly convinced that xenotransplantation represents a promising solution to the organ shortage crisis, said Leonardo Riella, the medical director in charge of the team of doctors who performed the procedure. Close Riley Strains mother speaks out after his body is recovered 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 preliminary autopsy has been completed on student Riley Strains body after he was recovered from Nashville, Tennessees Cumberland River this week. The initial autopsy results suggest an accidental death, as there were no signs of foul play, police told WKRN. Authorities recovered his body Friday around eight miles from the downtown area where he was last seen. Now, his family is thanking the Nashville community. I want to reiterate how thankful we are for everyone and how much we appreciate everyones support, love and prayers, Strains mother, Michelle Whiteid, said. We are quite thankful for everything youve done the grace youve given us, Chris Whiteid, Strains stepfather, said. The 22-year-old University of Missouri student was partying with his fraternity in Nashville on 8 March when he was kicked out of a bar around 10pm. Strains bank card was found a week later near the river. The discovery came after Mr Whiteid and family friend Chris Dingman told NewsNation police had shown them footage of what was believed to be Strains last known movements. In the video, Strain was seen jogging close to the river, away from the direction of his hotel, they 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 }} New surveillance footage containing images of missing University of Missouri student Riley Strain on the night of his disappearance in Nashville has been found, according to family friend Chris Dingman. Chris Whiteid, Mr Strain's stepfather, said the new footage shows the student walking toward the James Robertson Parkway bridge, which spans the Cumberland River. He revealed the details to NewsNation. The bridge is in the opposite direction of Mr Strain's hotel. It is unclear why he was walking in that direction. Chris Salisbury, who offers assistance to homeless individuals in the Nashville area, told Ashleigh Banfield of NewsNation that he spoke with someone who saw a homeless man named Ross wearing Mr Strain's distinctive black and white shirt. Several other people he spoke with claim to have seen the same man wearing the shirt. One of the women he was speaking with reportedly spoke with Ross, who said he found the shirt hung over a railing and covered in vomit. Ross allegedly wiped off the vomit and began wearing the shirt, according to Mr Salisbury. He said that he shared the information with police, who were able to identify the individual who allegedly had Mr Strain's shirt in a police database. It is currently unclear if the man has or will be been taken in for questioning by police. Mr Salisbury said he told both the police and Mr Strains family about his discovery. Mr Strains family said they had heard similar rumours during their own discussions with area homeless individuals. They also confirmed that they had seen the footage of Mr Strain approaching the bridge, but it was unclear to them if there was vomit on his shirt in that footage. There is some question over where the shirt was found; the area where the homeless man said he found the shirt was too far away from Mr Strain's known path on the night he disappeared. All known surveillance video of Mr Strain shows him wearing a shirt, and none of the footage appears to show a vomit stain on his shirt. Police have maintained that the evidence they've collected thus far does not suggest foul play was involved in Mr Strain's disappearance. Mr Strain disappeared on Friday 8 March after he was removed from Luke Bryan's 32BRIDGE bar in downtown Nashville. He was visiting the city with his fraternity brothers for their spring formal trip. After he was removed, he told his friends he was going to return to their hotel, but began walking in the opposite direction, which took him toward the banks of the Cumberland River. It is currently not clear why Mr Strain walked so far from his hotel, or where he may have been going on the night he disappeared. He was captured walking in the area by several surveillance cameras and had a brief interaction with a police officer, which was captured on bodycam footage. While Mr Strain does not appear in distress in the bodycam footage, images from another surveillance camera show him running headfirst into a pole, and later holding his head. Mr Strain was only served a single alcoholic drink at 32BRIDGE, but had visited two other bars before he arrived at the bar. Staff at 32BRIDGE said Mr Strain was removed for violating their conduct policies, but did not provide further detail. Close Trumps mental acuity questioned on Fox News 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 his social media platform Truth Social on Sunday to wish a happy Easter to all, including all those he claimed were doing everything possible to put him in jail. In a lengthy and all-capitalised post on Sunday afternoon, Mr Trump railed against some of his usual suspects, including DOJ special counsel Jack Smith and Georgia attorney Fani Willis. HAPPY EASTER TO ALL... INCLUDING THOSE MANY PEOPLE I COMPLETELY & TOTALLY DESPISE BECAUSE THEY WANT TO DESTROY AMERICA, he wrote. It comes as Republicans, led by the former president, are sounding off on Joe Biden after he issued a statement recognising Trans Visibility Day becasue it happened to coincide with Easter Sunday this year. Created by a Michigan-based transgender activist, Rachel Crandall, in 2009, International Transgender Day of Visibility (often shortened to Trans Visibility Day) falls on March 31 every year. In 2024, that date coincidentally falls on Easter Sunday, which is determined annually by marking the first Sunday after the full moon occurring on or after the Spring Equinox. President Biden marked the push for transgender rights with a statement recognising Trans Visibility Day on Friday that has immediately set off alarm bells on the far 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 }} The Senate and House Appropriations Committees on Thursday released the text to fund major departments of the US government and avoid a shutdown. The appropriators dropped the text in the early hours of Thursday morning. The so-called minibus spending bill will fund the State Department; the Pentagon; the Department of Homeland Security; Congress; the Department of Health and Human Services; the Department of Education; financial services and the general government. In addition to various aspects of government funding, the spending bill will also include 12,000 special immigrant visas for Afghans who assisted US service members in Americas longest war. We had to work within difficult fiscal constraints but this bipartisan compromise will keep our country moving forward, and I hope all of my colleagues will work with us to get it signed into law as soon as possible, Senate Appropriations Chairwoman Patty Murray, a Democrat from Washington, said in a statement. I am really pleased weve gotten this far and we need to get across the finish line, she told The Independent. Iowa Republican Senator Chuck Grassley said his thoughts on the spending agreement were pretty darn simple I think it costs money to shut the government down, costs money to open the government up. And government is supposed to be of service to the people of this country. And I think we got to pass the bill to keep the government running. The agreement will keep the government open until the end of the fiscal year on 30 September. It is part of a bipartisan agreement wherein six spending bills passed earlier this month and the additional six spending bills would pass this week. The chair of the House Appropriations Committee, Texas Republican Representative Kay Granger, told The Independent she believes the agreement will pass. When asked about conservative critics frustrated with the process, she said, well, the process is the process adding that oftentimes it's people that are not part of that process who are frustrated with it. I always keep apprised as it goes along, I don't ever wait till the last minute and then say now, this is what we've done. I work with them all the time, she added. Republicans have long objected to the use of omnibus spending bills wherein the appropriations committees combine the 12 individual spending bills into one must-pass spending bill, typically at the end of the calendar year. Florida Republican Senator Marco Rubio told The Independent, Its full of earmarks, thats the problem I have. I think [Maine Republican Senator Susan Collins] has done an extraordinary job. It could have been a lot worse, he added. But you know, it's always problematic because people around here are pigs and they just can't help themselves and just fill it with a bunch of crap. Ms Collins, the Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, told The Independent, I think it's an achievement, which everyone can be proud of but let's not count our chickens before they hatch. Republicans had also hoped that they could use the appropriations process to include provisions restricting immigration. On Monday, the House Freedom Caucus sent a letter asking that House Republican leadership include provisions from the so-called Secure the Border Act. The spending agreement also signals the ability of House Speaker Mike Johnson who took the gavel after conservatives ejected previous speaker Kevin McCarthy to negotiate with the Democrat-controlled Senate and White House. President Joe Biden announced that he would sign the spending agreement as soon as it passes. But Congress faces a tight deadline as the government would shut down by 12.01am on Saturday morning. Typically, the House requires 72 hours once a bill drops for lawmakers to read and learn about it before a vote. But the House, where all spending legislation must first pass, will likely expedite the passage of the legislation. In addition, the overwhelming bipartisan cooperation from Democrats and Republicans on both committees likely means the bill will be able to pass under suspension of the rules, where a bill does not need to pass through the House Rules Committee and then have a rule go to the floor to set the parameters of debate. Massachusetts Representative Jim McGovern, the ranking member on the House Rules Committee, told The Independent that the agreement could have been achieved six months ago. Everything is right to the brink, everything is a nail-biter. I mean, the American people are exhausted, he added. Conservative dissenters in the House Republican conference have frequently voted down rules on the floor, meaning that legislation requires an overwhelming bipartisan majority to even have a vote given the razor-thin Republican majority. House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Kay Granger, a Republican from Texas, said the spending bill includes conservative priorities on the US-Mexico border. With the odds stacked against us, House Republicans have refocused spending on America's interests, at home and abroad, and I urge support of this bill, she said in a statement. Republicans and Democrats alike are eager to pass the bill so that they can head off to their two-week recess and begin campaigning in what will be a contentious election. 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 United States has submitted a UN resolution that calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza in exchange for the return of hostages held by Hamas, secretary of state Antony Blinken has said. It comes just days after a UN report warned that widespread famine was imminent in northern Gaza, and a major acceleration of death would follow if an immediate ceasefire is not reached. Following weeks of increasing pressure from its allies at home and abroad over the humanitarian crisis caused by the war, Mr Blinken said in an interview that the US had drafted a security council resolution thats before the United Nations Security Council that does call for an immediate ceasefire tied to the release of hostages, and we hope very much that countries will support that. The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken as he departs Jeddah for Cairo on 21 March 2024 (AP) He added that a halt in the fighting would bring immediate relief to so many people who are suffering in Gaza and allow a much greater expansion of humanitarian assistance getting to them. The US blocked a similar UN resolution submitted by Arab states that called for an immediate ceasefire a little more than a month ago, and put forward an alternative one that called for a temporary ceasefire as soon as practicable. The secretary of state is currently on his sixth visit to the Middle East since Hamas killed some 1,200 people and took more than 200 hostage in a surprise attack on 7 October in southern Israel. Israels offensive in response has killed more than 31,000 people in Gaza, according to Palestinian health officials, who told The Independent there have been at least 27 reported deaths due to starvation and dehydration, including 23 children. After lending his administrations full political and material support for Israels war in Gaza for months, president Joe Biden has come under increasing pressure from the international community and from members of his party to convince Israel to halt its offensive as civilian casualties reached tens of thousands. Mr Biden faces a tough reelection battle against former president Donald Trump later this year. His prospects are likely to be harmed by a nationwide campaign led by Arab American groups to urge voters not to support Mr Bidens reelection in response to his support for Israels war. In recent weeks, the president has publicly urged Israeli leaders to do more to protect civilians and address Gazas humanitarian crisis. He has also expressed reservations over Israels plan to invade the city of Rafah, where more than one million Palestinians are now sheltering after being displaced by bombing elsewhere. However, the president has not shown any willingness to leverage massive US aid to Israel to pressure its ally. Instead, the Biden administration has quietly approved and delivered more than 100 weapons deliveries to Israel since 7 October, The Washington Post reported sales that were not announced publicly. The White House also bypassed Congress twice to send hundreds of millions of dollars of tank shells and ammunition. Meanwhile, the US has been unable to persuade Israel to allow sufficient aid deliveries into Gaza on the ground. That led to the US launching air drops of aid into the strip, and a plan to build a port on Gazas coast to facilitate further aid deliveries. Aid experts said those measures would be insufficient to prevent a famine. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), whose assessments are relied on by UN agencies, said this week that nearly three-quarters of people in parts of northern Gaza were now afflicted by the most severe level of food shortage, far exceeding the 20 per cent famine threshold. Antonio Guterres, the UN secretary general, called the IPC report an appalling indictment of conditions on the ground. This is an entirely man-made disaster and the report makes clear that it can be halted, he told reporters at the UN headquarters in New York, calling on Israel to ensure access to humanitarian goods throughout Gaza. He joined a chorus of condemnation from international diplomats, aid organisations and rights groups who said that Israel was wielding hunger as a weapon, which is a war crime. Starvation is used as a weapon of war. Israel is provoking famine, said EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell at the opening of a conference on humanitarian aid for Gaza in Brussels on Monday. The Israeli foreign minister Israel Katz hit out at such accusations and said specifically that Mr Borrell should stop attacking Israel and recognise our right to self-defence against Hamas crimes. Israel has allowed extensive humanitarian aid into Gaza by land, air, and sea for anyone willing to help, Mr Katz claimed on X/Twitter. Mr Blinken is due to meet with foreign ministers from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Jordan, as he pushes for a new ceasefire agreement in Gaza between Israel and Hamas. He said in the same interview with the Saudi media outlet Al-Hadath that the gaps are narrowing between Israel and Hamas in their negotiations for a ceasefire, and that an agreement is very much possible. The state department did not respond to a request for comment from The Independent. But on the ground, fighting has intensified in recent days around the Al-Shifa Hospital in northern Gaza. Al-Shifa is the only partially working hospital in the north and has been the scene of intense clashes over the last four days. Residents told Reuters that they had seen buildings inside the complex in flames. With additional reporting from Bel Trew 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 }} Joe Biden has launched a brutal campaign advert in response to a post made by Donald Trump which asked voters if they were better off before his political rival took office. The former president took to his social media platform earlier this week, writing, in his typical style of all capital letters: ARE YOU BETTER OFF THAN YOU WERE FOUR YEARS AGO? On Thursday the Biden campaign posted a short clip to X, captioned: Donald, Im glad you asked. The video, paid for by the president, contained a package of clips showing Mr Trumps response to the coronavirus pandemic. In it, Mr Trump is seen to be downplaying the mortality rate caused by the virus, responding to questions about the thousands of US deaths by saying It is what it is. I dont take responsibility at all, I think were doing really, really well, he says in one clip. The video also included one of Mr Trumps infamous gaffes in which he questioned whether it would be possible to inject disinfectant inside the human body as a way of combating the virus. At the time the former president said these remarks were sarcastic. Mr Trump also rated his response to the coronavirus pandemic which killed more than a million Americans as a 10 out of 10, telling reporters: I think we did a great job. A rematch of the 2020 election, which Mr Trump falsely claimed was stolen from him, is now all-but inevitable in November, after both men continued to dominate their respective presidential primaries earlier this week. (@realDonaldTrump/ Truth Social) On Tuesday both earned nominations for their respective parties in the states of Ohio, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, and Arizona. Mr Biden is expected to use some of the hefty donations raked in by his campaign thus far to ramp up his attack ads on his rival. According to the latest report filed with the Federal Election Commission on Wednesday, the Biden re-election campaign gained a further $21m in donations in February, closing out the month with $71m in cash on hand. That means the Biden campaign and the Democratic National Committee together have an estimated $97.5m in cash right now, more than twice the $44.8m that Mr Trump and the Republican National Committee have in the bank. 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 federal judge has indicated that former Trump fixer Michael Cohen may have committed perjury. In a written order rejecting Cohens request for early release from the Manhattan court, Judge Jesse Furman appeared to doubt that Cohen had been telling the truth ahead of former President Donald Trumps criminal trial in the hush money case in New York. Cohen was previously sentenced to three years in prison for tax evasion, lying to Congress and banks, and campaign finance violations. Judge Furman pointed to Cohens testimony at Mr Trumps civil fraud trial in October last year. While Cohen pleaded guilty in 2018, he has argued that he didnt commit tax evasion. When he was asked if he had lied to the judge in that case, the late William Pauley III, Cohen said he had. Cohen repeatedly and unambiguously testified at the state court trial that he was not guilty of tax evasion and that he had lied under oath, Judge Furman said in his written order, adding that it means that there are two possibilities: One, Cohen committed perjury when he pleaded guilty before Judge Pauley or, two, Cohen committed perjury in his October 2023 testimony. At a minimum, Cohens ongoing and escalating efforts to walk away from his prior acceptance of responsibility for his crimes are manifest evidence of the ongoing need for specific deterrence, Judge Furman added in his order. He decided not to release Cohen from court supervision set to come to a close later this year. Cohen issued a statement from his lawyer to the press, in which attorney Danya Perry said Judge Furmans conclusion was inaccurate on the facts and incorrect on the law. Judge Furman did not have a front seat to the testimony at the lengthy trial, the attorney added, noting that the judge in the case later said that Cohen had been truthful. And Judge Furman ignores that Mr Cohen has never disputed the underlying facts of his conduct, and also what many of Judge Furmans own colleagues on the bench have long noted: that defendants often feel compelled to agree to coercive plea deals under severe pressure, Ms Perry argued. Trump attorney Alina Habba said on Wednesday that Judge Furman confirmed what we already know: that Michael Cohen committed perjury and should be prosecuted. Cohen pled guilty to federal charges in 2018, noting that Mr Trump instructed him to make a hush money payment to adult actor Stormy Daniels and to former Playboy model Karen McDougal to avoid stories of their alleged affairs coming to light during the 2016 campaign. Mr Trump wasnt charged at the time. Mr Trump pled not guilty last year to 34 felony counts that he falsified business records to conceal the hush money payments. The hush money trial, in which Cohen is a top witness, has been delayed to at least the middle of next month. 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 }} Today, Senate Republicans hosted a closed-door meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who attended a lunch via video call. The call was announced with little notice even some Republicans werent aware of it until moments before. When The Independent asked Senator Todd Young, a Republican on the Foreign Affairs Committee, for his prediction on how the meeting would go less than an hour before the lunch began, he revealed he wasnt aware Netanyahu was even on the schedule. The conversation concerned the current status of the Israel-Hamas war, with Netanyahu discussing the Israel Defense Forces planned invasion into Rafah. More than 1.4 million Palestinians are currently in the southern Gaza city after being displaced from the north by Israeli attacks. Netanyahu told Senate Republicans an invasion was necessary and that the IDF is committed to seeing it through, Senator Josh Hawley told reporters afterwards. As Palestinians brace for a potential Rafah invasion, the United Nations, the European Union and several international aid agencies are warning of an imminent, widespread famine in Gaza. Many Democrats criticized the meeting and Netanyahus politicization of the war. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer went so far as to reject Netanyahus request to speak with Democrats, saying these conversations should not happen in a partisan manner, Punchbowl News reported. Senator Elizabeth Warren launched similar criticisms in discussion with The Independent. Prime Minister Netanyahu may serve his own political interests, but he is not serving the interests of the people of Israel, the Massachusetts Democrat told The Independent. He thinks that the only way that Israel will get the support that helps Netanyahu is through the Republican Party. Yet, for the Israeli prime minister, this meeting was par for the course, even amid the extraordinary circumstances of the Israel-Hamas war. Netanyahu, who spent much of his youth in the US, has often inserted himself in American politics, and he has frequently needled Democrats while propping up Republicans. When Netanyahu first met Bill Clinton in 1996 upon becoming prime minister, Clinton famously asked Whos the f***ing superpower? In 2002, during George W Bushs build-up to the Iraq War, in between his first and second tenure as prime minister, Netanyahu testified before Congress in support of invading Iraq. In 2011, amid numerous protests and upheavals during the so-called Arab Spring, Barack Obama called for a peace plan for Israel where the borders of Israel and Palestine should be based on the 1967 lines with mutually agreed swaps. That prompted Netanyahu to deliver a thundering joint address to Congress, during which he defiantly declared (with then-vice president Joe Biden sitting behind him) that Israel will not return to the indefensible boundaries of 1967. In 2012, Netanyahu tried to put his thumb on the scale for his old friend Mitt Romney, whom he had known since they were young men in Massachusetts working for the Boston Consulting Group, and invited Romney to Israel during the campaign. (Romney, meanwhile, told The Independent on Wednesday it would be good to hear from Netanyahu at the lunch. He otherwise provided no comment on the discussions.) But the Israeli prime ministers biggest act of defiance came in 2015, when then-House Speaker John Boehner invited Netanyahu to speak without telling the Obama administration. Netanyahu did so in a last-ditch attempt to sink the Iran nuclear agreement that the Obama administration was brokering. The move not only angered the Obama White House but also infuriated many Democrats. Senior Democrats such as the late civil rights activist John Lewis and other prominent members of the party including current House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark boycotted his address to Congress. Netanyahu has tussled with Biden in the past. In 2010, as tensions between Obama and the Israeli prime minister reached a fever pitch, Netanyahu announced the creation of new settlements in the West Bank just as Biden, a longtime foreign policy hand, arrived in Israel. However, Netanyahu refrained from criticising the president during his talk with Republicans today, Hawley told reporters afterwards, despite Bidens concerns about the invasion into Rafah. Instead, he attacked Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who gave a speech last week condemning Netanyahus government and calling for an election to replace him. Now, all eyes will be on a meeting between an Israeli delegation and members of the Biden administration concerning the countrys plan to invade Rafah. White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said the US would not support the offensive without a credible plan from the IDF, while Biden said he would consider conditioning aid to Israel if the invasion moves forward. 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 }} Although Donald Trump now finds himself the presumptive Republican presidential nominee after storming through primary season leaving his rivals trailing in his wake, pretty much from the Iowa caucus onwards he will not officially become his partys challenger to Joe Biden until his coronation takes place at its national convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in mid-July. With four criminal indictments and 88 felony charges hanging over him (three were recently discounted in Georgia) and his campaign burning through legal expenses, the 77-year-old still has a mighty long way to go as he traverses the road back to the White House and there are sure to be plenty more twists and turns to come. As his campaign ramps up, the 45th president appears to be turning his attention towards revising his line-up of advisers in the hope of recapturing former glories. According to The New York Times, his old 2016 campaign managers Corey Lewandowski and Paul Manafort are in talks to return while the near-legendary conservative agent provocateur Roger Stone has increasingly appeared at Trumps Mar-a-Lago home in Florida, according to The Times. The Washington Post and Axios have also reported on the trios recent run of secret meetings. The Times credits current Trump campaign operatives Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita with keeping hard-right activists like Laura Loomer out of the picture perhaps mindful of the furore that erupted when Kanye West brought Nick Fuentes to dinner at Mr Trumps Palm Beach home in November 2022 but the candidate appears determined to surround himself with familiar faces he trusts. For those in need of a refresher, Mr Lewandowski, 50, was one of Mr Trumps first political hires in 2015 and was credited with some of his earliest primary wins but his influence within the candidates inner circle gradually waned and he duly left his role as campaign manager in June 2016. Manafort, 74, a veteran political consultant who had previously advised Republican presidents Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan and George HW Bush, succeeded Mr Lewandowski in that role, chairing the Trump presidential campaign from June to August 2016. However, he was indicted in October 2017 on multiple charges related to the concealment of millions of dollars he had made from lobbying on behalf of pro-Russian politicians in 2014, the former Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych among them. Additional charges of obstruction of justice and witness tampering were added in June 2018, which were alleged to have occurred while he was under house arrest, and, in August that year, Manafort went on trial in Virginia and was ultimately convicted of eight charges of tax and bank fraud. Corey Lewandowski (Getty) Another trial in Washington DC saw him plead guilty to two charges of conspiracy to defraud the US and witness tampering in a plea deal with prosecutors, only for that to be ruled void when FBI special counsel Robert Mueller reported that he had repeatedly lied to federal agents during his investigation into the Trumps campaigns alleged ties to Russian election hacking efforts. In March 2019, Manafort was sentenced to 47 months in prison, with a further 43 months tacked on six days later. A bipartisan Senate committee subsequently branded him a grave counterintelligence threat and a potential channel for covert Russian influence. But Manafort would be pardoned by Mr Trump in the dying days of his presidency, along with numerous other allies, including the formers old business partner Roger Stone. The latter, 71, has operated on the Republican scene since the Watergate era and is as well known for the Nixon tattoo on his back and flamboyant dress sense as he is for his carefully cultivated air of gamey notoriety. Like Mr Lewandowski, Mr Stone was one of Mr Trumps earliest advisers in 2015 but left his presidential campaign shortly after its launch. Paul Manafort (AP) In January 2019, he was arrested at his home in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, as part of Special Counsel Muellers Russia investigation and charged in an indictment with witness tampering, obstructing an official proceeding and five counts of making false statements. He was convicted on all seven counts by a jury the following November and sentenced to 40 months in prison, only to have his punishment commuted by then-President Trump in July 2020 before he was pardoned that December. Asked about what a new Trump administration might look like on MSNBC recently, the former Republican strategist and Lincoln Project founder Rick Wilson said: The people around him this time will not be restrained by any grown-ups or adults or establishment Washington types. Its going to all be the crazies theyre going to go absolutely wild with this guy. Mr Trump appears keen to learn from the mistakes of his first term from 2017 to 2021, when the likes of his second White House chief of staff John F Kelly and defence secretary Jim Mattis believed they could play a restraining role and steer the president away from his worst instincts, ultimately causing both men and many others to resign and subsequently speak out against their former commander-in-chief. In a statement to CNN last September, for instance, General Kelly referred to Mr Trump as a man with no idea what America stands for and has no idea what America is all about and a person with nothing but contempt for our democratic institutions, our Constitution, and the rule of law. He is not the only former top aide turned denier. Roger Stone (Getty) A host of ex-Trump administration officials, from vice president Mike Pence to attorney general Bill Barr, have refused to endorse him again in 2024, with some, like former White House director of communications Anthony Scaramucci or national security adviser John Bolton, since emerging as outspoken critics of the man they once championed. Others, like his ex-trade adviser Peter Navarro and personal attorney Michael Cohen have ended up behind bars as a result of becoming embroiled in illegal activities associated with his reign while members of his own family, notably wife Melania Trump and daughter Ivanka Trump, have hinted at their reluctance to go through it all again. All of which leaves the former president with an ever-decreasing pool of people he could bring back to serve again, even if he wanted them, which perhaps goes some way towards explaining why he is inclined to return to the same faces who first helped him spring his political brand on an unsuspecting world nine years ago. Has anyone got Mike Pompeos number? Hope Hicks? But before Mr Trump gets ahead of himself and begins appointing a fantasy Cabinet, he needs to select a running mate for his presidential campaign and he has been uncharacteristically coy about who he might go for, even asking his MAGA supporters for their preference in a campaign email. The likes of New York congresswoman Elise Stefanik, South Carolina senator Tim Scott and California entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy have all been lobbying hard for the gig on the conservative news channels and at his rallies while the likes of serving state governors Kristi Noem and Sarah Huckabee Sanders have also been linked, as has the ousted Fox News host Tucker Carlson. For now, finding a prospective vice president has to be his top HR priority. 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 has sent out a panicked fundraising message to his supporters as he begs them to help foot his ballooning legal bills. The desperate memo, titled Keep your filthy hands off Trump Tower!, comes as the Monday deadline to pay his $464m bond in his New York fraud trial judgement ticks ever closer. KEEP YOUR FILTHY HANDS OFF TRUMP TOWER! the text reads, linking to an accompanying memo that states: Insane radical Democrat AG Letitia James wants to SEIZE my properties in New York. THIS INCLUDES THE ICONIC TRUMP TOWER! It continues: Democrats think this will intimidate me. They think that if they take my cash to stifle my campaign, that Ill give up! Heres one thing they dont know: WE WILL NEVER SURRENDER! The frantic tone of the plea stands in stark contrast to the statement issued by Trump spokesman Steven Cheung to CNN on Wednesday in which he dismissed the networks reporting that the presumptive Republican presidential nominee was in panic mode over the matter as pure bulls*** and fake news. As it stands, Mr Trump who made his name in luxury property before turning to reality television and then politics has until 25 March to stump up the money if he wishes to appeal Judge Arthur Engorons ruling last month. The judge ordered Mr Trump to pay around $355m in fines and a further $100m plus in interest for misrepresenting the value of Trump Organization assets between 2011 and 2021, in order to obtain favourable loans from banks and insurers. With interest ticking ever-upwards at 9 per cent or $120,000 per day, the exact total he owes at the time of writing (Thursday 21 March) stands at a staggering $467.6m, according to the helpful Trump Debt Counter website. Mr Trumps lawyers notified an appeals court earlier this week that their client has failed to raise the capital to cover the bond, saying finding a surety company to help them was proving a practical impossibility. The former president has approached about 30 surety companies through four separate brokers, his attorneys said, but had so far come back empty-handed in the face of insurmountable difficulties. Critical among these challenges is not just the inability and reluctance of the vast majority of sureties to underwrite a bond for this unprecedented sum, but, even more significantly, the unwillingness of every surety bond provider approached by defendants to accept real estate as collateral, his attorneys wrote. The companies approached will only accept cash or cash equivalents such as marketable securities, they said, and would typically require collateral of approximately 120 per cent of the amount of the judgement, which, in this case, comes to almost $560m. Sureties would then in all probability charge bond premiums of approximately 2 per cent per year with two years in advance an upfront cost over $18m, according to the attorneys. That money would not be recoverable even if Mr Trump were to ultimately succeed in overturning the judgement against him. Trump Tower in Manhattan, New York City (AP) The former president has hotly objected to a fire sale of his property empire selling off assets to generate cash to meet the bond. But failing to do so risks allowing such prized properties as Trump Tower in Manhattan a property so integral to his brand to fall into the hands of New York Attorney General Letitia James, who has already said she is more than happy to repossess his holdings. On Wednesday, The New York Post quoted Trump insiders as saying that the former president may be inclined to simply do nothing rather than continue to scramble to raise the money from companies, wealthy friends or donors or file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy which would in any case not rid him of debts accrued through fraud and definitively undermine his claims of being a billionaire businessman and therefore, potentially, his electoral appeal. Assuming his legal team cannot secure a pause in the enforcement of the financial portion of the judgement in the meantime, allowing Mondays deadline to pass would enable Ms James to begin taking charge of his assets and leave Mr Trump to gamble on him being able to recover them later via an appeal to the US Supreme Court. Even if there is a taking, it doesnt mean he cant take it back later, the Trump source told the newspaper. Former White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham was also asked recently by CNN about which of Mr Trumps properties he would most hate to lose and answered: I think if it were to happen, 40 Wall Street is probably the one that he would, I mean, he would hate it. But I think if she tried to seize Mar-a-Lago or Bedminster or Trump Tower even, I mean, those are his babies. Asked in an interview with Fox News later on Wednesday whether Mr Trump could look to wealthy overseas donors in Russia or Saudi Arabia for help, Mr Trumps attorney Alina Habba did not rule it out, stating instead that she could not discuss strategy. 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 }} Authorities have presented new plans for tackling wildfires which often ravage Greece during its hot, dry summers. The new plans come after massive fires last year killed more than 20 people and decimated vast tracts of forest and farmland, including a blaze in northeastern Greece which raged out of control for about two weeks, growing into the largest wildfire recorded in a European Union country since the European Forest Fire Information System began keeping records in 2000. They include changes in the deployment of firefighting aircraft and increased staffing in specialized forest firefighting units. The government has pointed to a changing climate and extreme weather that has included drier winters and more frequent summer heatwaves as contributing to an increased risk of forest fires. The new plans were presented by the head of the fire department, Lt. Gen. Theodoros Vagias, to coincide with International Day of Forests on March 21. FILE - A man wraps his shirt over his face as he tries to extinguish a fire, near the seaside resort of Lindos, on the Aegean Sea island of Rhodes, southeastern Greece, on July 24, 2023 (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) This is a big fight for us. Its climate crisis, its a time of need, Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Vassilis Kikilias said, speaking at the presentation. Were going to have a huge effort this summer to do the best of what we can do, to the best of our abilities, in order to be able to protect Greeks, protect tourists, protect their houses, and protect, of course, the wildlife and our forests.The changes include having water-dropping aircraft take off in the initial stages of the outbreak of a wildfire instead of waiting for a request for air support from ground firefighting crews once the blaze has already spread, and having more fire trucks deploy in the initial stages of any wildfire. The number of specialized forest firefighting crews will increase from six to 16, including 10 that will be able to deploy rapidly by aircraft, while forestry units will be deployed on the ground with firefighters for better coordination during fires. Greece is also seeking to increase its water-dropping aircraft fleet with seven new Canadair planes over the next few years. The aircraft are the main means of aerial firefighting used in Greece and several other European countries, and Greek lawmakers were expected to approve a bill Thursday regarding the purchase. The procurement is for five new planes with a six-ton water capacity, along with two additional aircraft to be obtained through the European Unions civil protection RescEU program that assists member states in the handling of disasters, government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis said Thursday. Marinakis said the first two planes would be delivered to Greece in 2027, one more in 2028 and another in 2029, with the remaining three arriving in 2030.Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is scheduled to travel to Canada on Sunday for meetings that are expected to include the signing of the Canadair deal. 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 }} Russian authorities have dismissed a lawsuit from the mother of late opposition leader Alexei Navalny alleging her son was not given proper medical care in prison. Mr Navalnys wife Yulia Navalnaya claimed the refusal stemmed from the Kremlins desire to hide what she believes is incriminating footage of his death. His mother Lyudmila Navalnaya, who the day after her sons death travelled to the Arctic Circle penal colony where he was being held, was told her lawsuit had been dismissed because she was not the allegedly wronged party. It was part of yet another attempt by 69 year-old Ms Navalnaya to find out about her sons death and yet another circumvention by the Russian authorities presiding over his case. Mr Navalny died on 16 February in what his family and allies have said was a state-sponsored murder. The Kremlin maintains he died of natural causes. Their conclusion came after the Investigative Committee refused to hand over his body to Ms Navalnaya for several days after his death while they were allegedly conducting tests. Mr Navalnys team said they were using this time to cover up traces of their murder. Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, seen here via a video link from inside prison, filed multiple lawsuits alleging mistreatment, according to his allies (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) IMr Navalnys team has leaked documents purportedly from the Labytnangi court, near his former penal colony, that said the only person able to file the lawsuit alleging his mistreatment in prison was the opposition figure himself. The court wrote that only Alexei Navalny can be a plaintiff in such a claim, wrote Ivan Zhdanov, a former aide. I wonder how? While Russian penal colonies are known for their poor conditions, political prisoners, as Mr Navalny was, are often further stripped of basic human rights such as adequate medical care, according to Grigory Vaypan, a senior human rights lawyer at Memorial, Russias oldest civil rights group. Whether or not Mr Navalny was killed on 16 February, in a single act or due to years of mistreatment in prison, remains unclear. Mr Navalnys widow Yulia Navalnaya (POOL/AFP via Getty Images) Mr Zhdanov said Mr Navalny had filed multiple lawsuits against the several colonies he had been held in since his arrest in January 2020 for their failure to provide medical care, but the claims were denied. Now he was killed, the claim is being denied to his relatives with mocking wording, he said. Mr Navalnys widow suggested that the decision to refuse a hearing was another attempt by the authorities to prevent incriminating evidence coming to light. The court dismissed the case. There is only one reason, she said. At the trial they had to provide documents and videos about what happened on 16 February. Maria Pevchikh, head of investigations, suggested those documents and videos would illustrate the violent death of Mr Navalny perpetrated by the prison authorities. There is not a single explanation for this except that they are hiding the circumstances of Alexeis death, she said. Violent death. Covering their tracks. 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 }} Irelands Simon Harris has become the clear frontrunner to become the countrys next prime minister, after other potential candidates said they would not run to replace the outgoing Leo Varadkar. Varadkar announced his shock departure on Wednesday citing personal and political reasons, prompting an internal contest within the governing Fine Gael party to replace him. It does not trigger a general election but Varadkars successor faces a tough task to improve the fortunes of Fine Gael. The announcement comes ahead of local government and European parliament elections in Ireland in June. The next general election must be held by early spring next year. Mr Varadkar, 45, became the first gay prime minister of the once staunchly Catholic country and the youngest person to hold the office when he first became Taoiseach in 2017. He returned to the premiership in 2022 for a second term. He said he believed his coalition could win the next election, but after careful consideration and some soul searching, I believe that a new taoiseach and a new leader will be better placed than me to achieve that after seven years in office, I dont feel Im the best person for that job anymore. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar (centre) with Minister for Justice Helen McEntee (left) and Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris (Brian Lawless/PA) (PA Wire) He said he had enjoyed being Taoiseach, and that he was proud that we have made the country a more equal and more modern place. However, politicians are human beings and we have our limitations we give it everything until we cant anymore and then we have to move on. It is likely that Harris, currently Minister for Further and Higher Education, will be the only candidate if, as expected, he confirms his intention to run later on Thursday. Harris has so far received support from most of the Fine Gael parliamentary party and is the favourite with bookmakers. Others seen as possible contenders, including Enterprise Minister Simon Coveney, Minister for Justice Helen McEntee and Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe have all ruled themselves out. Any rival candidate would still have until Monday to enter the race. Harris, 37, would become the countrys youngest prime minister if elected, surpassing Varadkar, who was 38 when he was first appointed in 2017. Harriss public profile rose during his spell as health minister during the COVID-19 pandemic. Whoever wins will have up to 12 months before a general election to try to overturn a wide opinion poll deficit. Both Fine Gael and their largest coalition partner Fianna Fail are trailing the main opposition Sinn Fein party, the former political wing of the Irish Republican Army. Varadkar is currently in Brussels for what is likely his last attendance at a European Council meeting. 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 }} More than two dozen Nobel prize winners have slammed the human catastrophe of repression in Belarus in an open letter demanding the immediate release of political prisoners in the authoritarian country. Oscar Arias Sanchez, the former president of Cost Rica; Jose Ramos-Horta president of East Timor; Dmitry Muratov, the journalist and former editor-in-chief of the independent Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta and Oleksandra Matviichuk, the Ukrainian human rights lawyers are among the signatories. The letter, launched by activist Dmitry Bolkunets and posted on his website, says that over the past four years, more than 50,000 people have been subjected to political repression in Belarus while hundreds of thousands of citizens have been forced to leave the country. Thousands have also been tortured. Belarus is ruled by Aleksandr Lukashenko, its authoritarian president who has been labelled Europes last dictator. He is a close ally of Russian president Vladimir Putin and allowed his country to be used as a staging post for the Kremlins invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Russia's president Vladimir Putin and Belarus president Alexander Lukashenko (POOL/AFP via Getty Images) He has ruled Belarus for nearly 30 years and launched a brutal crackdown on opposition figures after riots broke out when he claimed another landslide victory in the 2020 presidential election, which was marred by accusations of vote rigging. Entire families, mothers with multiple children, minors, the gravely ill, the elderly, and the disabled are currently held captive in horrible conditions, says the letter, which is addressed to the governments of all EU countries but urges Poland in particular, as the biggest Western neighbour of Belarus, to exert leverage by suspending rail freight shipments to the EU from Belarus, including transit from Russia and China. In recent decades, Europe has not seen a humanitarian catastrophe related to political repression on such a per capita scale as in Belarus, the letter says. We call on the governments of all EU countries, but addressing firstly the government of Poland, to take immediate measures to stop the brutal repression in Belarus and pressure for the release of all political prisoners. Journalists, professors, educators, doctors, musicians, workers, and students, public figures and human rights defenders, including the Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Ales Bialiatski are among those locked up in the eastern European country, which also shares a border with Russia, Ukraine and Nato allies Lithuania and Latvia. Lukashenko is known as Europes last dictator (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) It also carries the names of literature winners Svetlana Alexievich, JM Coetzee and Herta Mueller, and 19 other laureates in physics, chemistry, medicine and economics. The resolution encourages governments of all countries around the world to introduce any restrictive measures against Lukashenkos regime for systematic violations of labour and trade union rights. We appeal to politicians, opinion leaders and all people of goodwill to support our civil campaign for the release of political prisoners in Belarus. The lives of thousands of innocent people depend on your position and, more importantly, your action, it adds. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the exiled Belarusian opposition leader, said earlier this month she had not heard from her jailed husband Syarhey Tsikhanouski in a year. She said he was being held incommunicado, describing that as a form of torture. Ms Tsikhanouskaya, a former English teacher, was jailed in 2020 after announcing plans to run against Lukashenko in that years election, in which he claimed 80 per cent of the vote. She fled to Lithuania after the result and has been exiled there since. Human Rights Watch says that hundreds of rights activists, journalists, lawyers, opposition politicians and others are imprisoned in Belarus on politically motivated charges and face ill-treatment in detention. 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 }} Pupils in Russia are watching extracts of President Vladimir Putins interview with Tucker Carlson in lessons, according to posts by numerous schools on social media. Putin began the two-hour interview in February by lecturing Carlson for about half an hour on the history of Russia from the year 862, arguing that Ukraine had no tradition of independent statehood - a notion rejected by Kyiv as false and self-serving. In posts on Russian social media platform VK, schools described the quiz as an intellectual game that helped children understand the stages of development of the Russian state, and said it was both entertaining and instructive. In some cases, it appeared that children as young as six or seven had taken part. A school in Rostov, southern Russia, said pupils in classes one through 11 had watched parts of the interview and then answered questions appropriate to their age. The Domodedovskaya grammar school posted that children had been tasked after the 11-round quiz with thinking of questions to send to Putin. It said that since it was a nationwide event, unfortunately not everyone will receive answers from the president, but were still hopeful! Russia's President Vladimir Putin gives an interview to US talk show host Tucker Carlson at the Kremlin in Moscow on February 6, 2024 (POOL/AFP via Getty Images) The quiz was first reported by Ne Norma, a volunteer association that tracks the ways in which the world view underpinning Putins invasion of Ukraine is being instilled in Russian children. Dmitry Tsibiryov, a spokesperson for the project, said it was no surprise that the Carlson interview was being shown to children, given the mass propaganda coverage it had generated in state media. It was not clear which clips had been used in the quiz. Carlson was criticised and ridiculed after the interview for failing to push the Kremlin leader hard enough, and even Putin said he would have liked tougher questions. The multiple-choice quiz questions were designed to reinforce points that Putin had made. Children were expected, for example, to know that the word Ukrainian in the 13th century could denote a border guard or someone who lived in the borderlands, but not an inhabitant of a country called Ukraine. Tsibiryov said the quiz was just one example of a wider transformation of the curriculum since the start of the war, including the introduction of special lessons called Important Conversations that were often devoted to patriotic themes. Such lessons sometimes took the form of visits to schools by soldiers and veterans. Ne Norma has previously publicised cases of children making items such as trench candles and camouflage nets to send to soldiers in Ukraine. In this pool photograph distributed by Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin gives an interview to US talk show host Tucker Carlson at the Kremlin in Moscow on February 6, 2024 (POOL/AFP via Getty Images) Putin has told Russians it is important to unite at a time when the country is at war in Ukraine and facing what he says is an existential threat from the West. Last year Kremlin aide Vladimir Medinsky published four new history textbooks for 16- to 18-year-olds reflecting Putins view of the fall of the Soviet Union and the causes of the Ukraine conflict. In a telephone interview, Tsibiryov said the education system was increasingly being used as a vehicle for propaganda aimed at recruiting new participants, new volunteers for the war. At best, its a useless waste of time, Tsibiryov said. The main harm it does is to inject this false sense of patriotism... These are probably convictions that can remain a long time with children in the future, even if they arent directly drawn into this war. Last October it published a photograph of kindergarten children posing in soldiers hats in front of a screen with a quotation from 18th century general Alexander Suvorov: A warriors appearance must instil terror in the enemy. Ukraine is pinning its hopes on a proposal being put in front of EU leaders to help Kyiv fight off Vladimir Putins invasion to fund arms and ammunition for Ukraine using billions of pounds worth of profits from frozen Russian assets. The ability of Kyivs troops to defend against Russian attacks along the 600-mile frontline has been dealt a blow in recent months by the inability of the US Congress to agree to tens of billions of dollars in military funding for Ukraine, it is an ongoing stalemate. Critically, on the frontlines, there has been a dangerous shortfall in supplies of artillery shells. Artillery has been key to Ukraines defence of existing positions and to any potential advance. Kremen is the nom-de-guerre of a Lt Colonel commanding the 74th battalion of the 104th Brigade which has, for 16 months, manned a stretch of the frontline in Ukraines southeast, inside the Zaporizhzhia region. It is an area Moscow is very keen to control. 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 Russian serial killer known as the Volga Maniac was jailed for life on Thursday for murdering 31 elderly women, the TASS state news agency reported. Radik Tagirov was arrested in 2020 on suspicion of the killings. They were committed across 15 cities in and around the Tatarstan region, about 730 km (450 miles) east of Moscow, between 2011 and 2012. Law enforcement agencies said he had sometimes posed as a social worker, electrician or plumber to enter the womens homes before strangling them and stealing their valuables. Tagirov was a locksmith who had previously served prison time for petty theft. The court in the city of Kazan also found him guilty of several attempted murders as well as assaults on 34 more elderly women, TASS said. (ICR) Police have attempted to track down their killer for years and offered a 3-million-rouble (30,000) reward for information leading to his arrest. Tagirov would go down as one of Russias most prolific serial killers. in 2007 Siberian policeman Mikhail Popkov was convicted of 78 murders carried out between 1992 and 2007. He raped and killed women with an axe after offering them rides. Chessboard Killer Alexander Pichushkin was alos sentenced to life in prison in Moscow in 2007 for 48 murders. He said he wanted to kill one person for each of the 64 squares on a chessboard. Xi calls on Hunan to write its chapter in Chinese modernization Xinhua) 15:40, March 21, 2024 Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits a campus of Hunan First Normal University, and learns about the university's efforts in putting resources related to the Party's heritage to great use and its adherence to fostering virtue through education, in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, March 18, 2024. Xi inspected Changsha, capital city of central China's Hunan Province, on Monday. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi) CHANGSHA, March 21 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping has called on central China's Hunan Province to stay committed to reform and innovation and follow a realistic and pragmatic approach to write its own chapter in advancing Chinese modernization. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks during an inspection tour to the province from Monday to Thursday. Xi urged Hunan to build itself into a national hub for important and advanced manufacturing industries and a sci-tech and innovation center with core competitiveness, and continue to be a pacesetter for reform and opening-up of China's inland regions. On Monday, Xi first inspected Hunan First Normal University in Changsha City, where he visited an exhibition featuring Mao Zedong in his youth and chatted with students and faculty members. Xi stressed the role of schools in fostering virtue among students and guiding them to serve the country. Later, Xi inspected a Chinese-German battery materials joint venture. He said sci-tech innovation and high-quality development are the key to enterprises' growth and success. He said China will keep opening its door wider to the world and welcome more foreign companies to invest and develop in China. On Tuesday, Xi visited a cultural street in the city of Changde, where he pointed out that the country's diverse traditional cultures with local characteristics constitute a splendid Chinese civilization. Hunan is one of China's 13 major grain-producing provinces. When visiting a village in Changde, Xi said as China has over 1.4 billion people, the country must ensure its own food security. He stressed the importance of increasing grain production and quality. He also called for efforts to let farmers become rich by producing grains. Upon leaving the village, Xi said the Party leadership will take solid and effective policies and measures to turn the blueprint of rural revitalization into reality. On Thursday, after hearing the provincial Party and government authorities report their work, Xi gave acknowledgment to Hunan's work. He called for reinforcing the principal position of companies in sci-tech innovation, and promoting deeper integration of the chains of innovation, industries, capital and human resources. He also called for advancing major technology and equipment research and further developing advanced manufacturing. On deepening reform, Xi said the focus should be placed on resolving problems that are holding back the fostering of a new pattern of development and high-quality development. He said reforms must provide impetus and vitality to economic and social development. Xi also urged Hunan to be deeply involved in the Belt and Road cooperation, develop well the pilot free trade zone with high standards, and strive to build a pilot zone for deepening China-Africa economic and trade cooperation. Xi asked Hunan to take on the responsibility of safeguarding national food security and accelerate breakthroughs in core technologies in key fields such as the seed industry and agricultural machinery. He also called on the province to promote deep integration of culture and tourism, and strengthen Party building. Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, accompanied Xi on the inspection tour. On Wednesday, Xi met with military officers from troops stationed in Changsha. Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits a campus of Hunan First Normal University, and learns about the university's efforts in putting resources related to the Party's heritage to great use and its adherence to fostering virtue through education, in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, March 18, 2024. Xi inspected Changsha, capital city of central China's Hunan Province, on Monday. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi) Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits a campus of Hunan First Normal University, and learns about the university's efforts in putting resources related to the Party's heritage to great use and its adherence to fostering virtue through education, in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, March 18, 2024. Xi inspected Changsha, capital city of central China's Hunan Province, on Monday. (Xinhua/Ju Peng) Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits a campus of Hunan First Normal University, and learns about the university's efforts in putting resources related to the Party's heritage to great use and its adherence to fostering virtue through education, in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, March 18, 2024. Xi inspected Changsha, capital city of central China's Hunan Province, on Monday. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi) Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, talks with teachers and students while visiting a campus of Hunan First Normal University in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, March 18, 2024. Xi inspected Changsha, capital city of central China's Hunan Province, on Monday. (Xinhua/Wang Ye) Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, talks with teachers and students while visiting a campus of Hunan First Normal University in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, March 18, 2024. Xi inspected Changsha, capital city of central China's Hunan Province, on Monday. (Xinhua/Ju Peng) Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits a battery materials joint venture and learns about local endeavor to accelerate the development of new quality productive forces and promote high-standard opening up, in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, March 18, 2024. Xi inspected Changsha, capital city of central China's Hunan Province, on Monday. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi) Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits a battery materials joint venture and learns about local endeavor to accelerate the development of new quality productive forces and promote high-standard opening up, in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, March 18, 2024. Xi inspected Changsha, capital city of central China's Hunan Province, on Monday. (Xinhua/Yan Yan) Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits a battery materials joint venture and learns about local endeavor to accelerate the development of new quality productive forces and promote high-standard opening up, in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, March 18, 2024. Xi inspected Changsha, capital city of central China's Hunan Province, on Monday. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi) Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, learns about the restoration and utilization of historical and cultural blocks, and the comprehensive management of urban water environment while visiting a cultural street in Changde, central China's Hunan Province, March 19, 2024. Xi inspected the city of Changde in central China's Hunan Province on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Ju Peng) Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, waves to citizens while visiting a cultural street in Changde, central China's Hunan Province, March 19, 2024. Xi inspected the city of Changde in central China's Hunan Province on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Wang Ye) Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, learns about the restoration and utilization of historical and cultural blocks, and the comprehensive management of urban water environment while visiting a cultural street in Changde, central China's Hunan Province, March 19, 2024. Xi inspected the city of Changde in central China's Hunan Province on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi) Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, learns about the restoration and utilization of historical and cultural blocks, and the comprehensive management of urban water environment while visiting a cultural street in Changde, central China's Hunan Province, March 19, 2024. Xi inspected the city of Changde in central China's Hunan Province on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Wang Ye) Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, talks with citizens while visiting a cultural street in Changde, central China's Hunan Province, March 19, 2024. Xi inspected the city of Changde in central China's Hunan Province on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi) Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspects spring farming and its preparation work while visiting Gangzhongping Village of Xiejiapu Town, Dingcheng District, Changde, central China's Hunan Province, March 19, 2024. Xi inspected the city of Changde in central China's Hunan Province on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Yan Yan) Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspects spring farming and its preparation work while visiting Gangzhongping Village of Xiejiapu Town, Dingcheng District, Changde, central China's Hunan Province, March 19, 2024. Xi inspected the city of Changde in central China's Hunan Province on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Yan Yan) Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspects spring farming and its preparation work while visiting Gangzhongping Village of Xiejiapu Town, Dingcheng District, Changde, central China's Hunan Province, March 19, 2024. Xi inspected the city of Changde in central China's Hunan Province on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Wang Ye) Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspects spring farming and its preparation work while visiting Gangzhongping Village of Xiejiapu Town, Dingcheng District, Changde, central China's Hunan Province, March 19, 2024. Xi inspected the city of Changde in central China's Hunan Province on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Ju Peng) Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspects spring farming and its preparation work while visiting Gangzhongping Village of Xiejiapu Town, Dingcheng District, Changde, central China's Hunan Province, March 19, 2024. Xi inspected the city of Changde in central China's Hunan Province on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Ju Peng) Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspects spring farming and its preparation work while visiting Gangzhongping Village of Xiejiapu Town, Dingcheng District, Changde, central China's Hunan Province, March 19, 2024. Xi inspected the city of Changde in central China's Hunan Province on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Ju Peng) Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits Gangzhongping Village of Xiejiapu Town, Dingcheng District, Changde, central China's Hunan Province, March 19, 2024. Xi inspected the city of Changde in central China's Hunan Province on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Yan Yan) Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, learns about the improvement of grassroots governance efficiency while visiting Gangzhongping Village of Xiejiapu Town, Dingcheng District, Changde, central China's Hunan Province, March 19, 2024. Xi inspected the city of Changde in central China's Hunan Province on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Yan Yan) Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, talks with villagers while visiting Gangzhongping Village of Xiejiapu Town, Dingcheng District, Changde, central China's Hunan Province, March 19, 2024. Xi inspected the city of Changde in central China's Hunan Province on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Ju Peng) Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, meets with military officers from troops stationed in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, March 20, 2024. Xi made an inspection tour to Hunan Province from Monday to Thursday. (Xinhua/Li Gang) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) 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 }} An Israeli government spokesperson who clashed with UK foreign secretary David Cameron over humanitarian aid in Gaza has been suspended. Elyon Levy, born and raised in north London before emigrating to Israel in 2014, responded to a post by Lord Cameron on the social media platform X on 8 March, in which the foreign secretary urged Israel to allow more [aid] trucks into Gaza. In a now-deleted post, Mr Levy replied: I hope you are also aware there are NO limits on the entry of food, water, medicine, or shelter equipment into Gaza, and in fact the crossings have EXCESS capacity. Test us. Send another 100 trucks a day to Kerem Shalom and well get them in, he added, referring to an Israeli-controlled border crossing. It was the second time in as many days Mr Levy had responded directly to Lord Cameron, a fellow graduate of the same college at Oxford. The first message involved Mr Levy criticising a statement issued by Lord Cameron after he met with an Israeli minister in London. Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron was commenting on getting aid trucks into Gaza (PA Wire) After the second post, the UK embassy in Tel Aviv reportedly contacted the Israeli prime ministers office to ask whether Mr Levys position was reflective of official government policy or the spokespersons personal opinion. The UK Foreign Office also reportedly wrote to Israels foreign ministry to express its surprise at the comments, according to Israels Channel 12 News. That same new channel later said Mr Levy had been suspended on Tuesday. They did not provide a reason for the suspension and Mr Levy has not commented. The 32-year-old rose to prominence on the international stage as a spokesperson for the government in the wake of Hamas deadly attack on 7 October. Roughly 1,200 people were killed in that attack and hundreds taken hostage in Gaza, the Hamas-controlled exclave. During Israels subsequent offensive on Gaza, which has killed more than 31,000 Palestinians, according to the local health ministry, Mr Levy has been representing the Israeli government in international media interviews. He volunteered for the role despite attending protests against the governments plans to overhaul the countrys judiciary last year. Last November, a clip of him raising his eyebrows in incredulity at a question put to him by Sky News Kay Burley was turned into a meme that then went viral. Look at me, mummy, Im a gif, he wrote at the time. In January, Israels Channel 12 news claimed that Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahus office had expressed opposition to Mr Levys growing profile and that high-powered individuals were seeking to oust him. Mr Netanyahu has also lamented the ineffectiveness of Israels public diplomacy as international pressure continues to ramp up against its prolonged offensive in Gaza. There simply are no people, you are surrounded by people who cant put two words together [in English]. We need to find them, Mr Netanyahu was quoted as saying at a closed-door parliamentary committee hearing on Tuesday. The UK Foreign Office has been contacted 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 }} Martin Lewis has provided some urgent advice for anyone looking to travel with easyJet at the end of the year or early 2025. The Money Saving Expert posted a video on X (formerly Twitter) regarding a whole new range of seats that the airline is selling for flights operating between 1 December 2024 and 2 March 2025. In the video, posted on Wednesday 20 March, Lewis states that there is an opportunity to get far, far cheaper prices than normal. He explains that easyJet uses demand pricing, in which the price shown is dynamic based on how many people are trying to buy tickets for a flight. So usually the very cheapest point is exactly when flights are launched. Tomorrow, Thursday 21 Match 2024, its launching a whole new range of seats, 10 million UK seats for flights. If you can pounce when they launch, that is usually the very cheapest time. Lewis adds that the flights obviously cover the crucial Christmas period, and he uses an example from last year of a woman who tweeted him thanking him and pointing out that the price for a flight to Lanzarote around Christmas was 215 more expensive at 8am compared to 6.15am. The price drop has indeed started on the easyJet website, with flights to Paris available for as little as 24.99 in February 2025, and flights to Amsterdam offered at just 29.99. It is indeed worth noting that the aforementioned dynamic pricing that Lewis claims easyJet use will have come into effect today using that example of Lanzarote, a one-way flight to the popular Canary Island on 20 December is currently priced at a minimum of 264.99. EasyJets website says that it is offering ski flights to top hubs like Geneva, Grenoble and Innsbruck as well as flights to the best Christmas market destinations in Europe - from Prague, to Vienna, to Krakow and more. Lewis explained that he thinks that prices on some routes may get cheaper if there wasnt a lot of demand when the seats initially became available, but people need to use their intuition. If a flight looks expensive, then something has obviously changed. This is a bit more art than science. The Independent has contacted easyJet 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 }} One of the worlds most remote islands famous for being where Napoleon was exiled is about to open for tourists. St Helena, a small, craggy island in the South Atlantic Ocean, hasn't seen many people in the past for good reason: It's one of the most remote inhabited places in the world. But you can still use British pounds. Until 2017, it took five nights by boat to reach the British overseas territory, which is nearly halfway between southern Africa and Brazil. Today, with weekly commercial flights and the recent arrival of high-speed internet, the government is hoping to breathe new life into a fledgling tourism industry that welcomed about 2,100 leisure travelers in 2023. The city of Jamestown (AP Photo/Nicole Evatt) The island has just a little more than 4,000 residents, or Saints as they call themselves, and is likely to attract a certain kind of visitor. Its people with a real desire to travel and learn rather than, lets go somewhere to have a bit of sunshine and some nice food, says Emma Phillips, whose husband, Nigel, is St Helena's governor. After all, weather can be unpredictable and supplies occasionally run low when youre 1,200 miles from the nearest continent. Youve got to be prepared to embrace all of that, Phillips says, while extolling the islands welcoming locals, rich history and natural wonders. Come with an open mind. The site of Napoleon Bonaparte's tomb, known as the Valley of the Tomb Perhaps best known as the site of Napoleon Bonapartes exile from 1815 until his death in 1821, St Helena features multiple heritage sites honoring the deposed French emperor. Visitors can tour his homes and his original burial grounds. His remains were returned to France in 1840. The capital city, Jamestown, is an eclectic mix of new and old. British Georgian-era colonial buildings house small retail and grocery stores. There are a couple DVD rental shops remnants of the islands pre-high-speed internet days. For a workout with a view, climb the 699 steps of Jacobs Ladder on the edge of town. The 600-foot-high outdoor staircase was originally a donkey-powered cart track used to transport goods between the city and fortifications on the cliffs above. Plantation House, two miles south of the capital, is a grand Georgian mansion built in 1792 by the British East India Company, which administered St Helena until 1834. Now the official governors residence, the house features a collection of royal portraits and original furnishings, including antique china and a chandelier from Bonapartes final home. Jonathan holds the record for the oldest living land animal Plantation Houses well-manicured yard is home to one of the islands most famous residents, a venerable tortoise named Jonathan. At the approximate age of 192, Jonathan holds the Guinness World Record for the oldest living land animal. He has met several royals, including Queen Elizabeth II, who visited St Helena in 1947, and Prince Edward, who made the trip in January. Jonathan is an enigmatic tortoise, says Teeny Lucy, one of his caretakers for over a decade. If you come to St Helena, people usually know two things: Jonathan the tortoise and Napoleon Bonaparte. Shes not sure who is the bigger celebrity. Jonathan has lost his sight and sense of smell, but remains a major draw for tourists like Gilly Hill, who traveled from the UK to snap selfies with him. I just think hes the most amazing creature, she said. Tourism What you need to know before visiting St Helena Money: St Helena has no ATMs, credit cards are not widely accepted, and the local bank has limited hours. Be sure to bring British pounds (GBP) to cover your stay and the 20 entry fee (about $25). Another option is St Helena Banks prepaid Tourist Card app, which can be loaded with debit cards online and is accepted throughout the island. Connectivity: Download essentials like the Tourist Card app and offline Google maps before you arrive, as Wi-Fi and mobile data is limited and expensive. Getting There: Airlink flies once weekly from Johannesburg. A mid-week flight is often added during the busier summer season, December to March. Youll need proof of medical insurance covering at least 175,000 (about $223,000) to board the plane. Where to Stay: Accommodations range from simple home stays to boutique hotels. The higher-end Mantis St Helena has 30 rooms and complimentary, reliable internet. Getting Around: St Helenas narrow roads and blind curves are not for the faint of heart. If youre comfortable driving stick shift on the left side of the road, rental cars are available. Otherwise, taxis are your best option for island adventuring. Other bucket-list activities include swimming with Chilean devil rays or whale sharks, which are often spotted December through March. Theres also humpback whale watching from June to December. Come in January to catch peak nesting season for the wirebird, also known as the St Helena plover, which can only be found on St Helena. A wooden bridge leading to the Heart Shaped Waterfall on the island of St Helena Roughly one-third of all endemic biodiversity in UK territories can be found within the 47-square-mile island. More than 500 species are not seen anywhere else on earth, including 45 flowering plants and ferns. Microclimates that range from cool tropical forests to sunny rolling grasslands and windswept volcanic cliffs can all be experienced within an hours drive. With two dozen scenic trails, St Helena can satisfy even the most avid hikers wanderlust. Serious trekkers might opt for the highest point, Dianas Peak. The 2.3-mile hike takes you 2,690 feet above sea level and into Britains last remaining natural cloud forest Casual hikers can stroll along Blue Point Trail for spectacular views of Sandy Bay, Sperry Island and Castle Rock. For a moderate challenge, try the shaded hike to St Helenas famed Heart Shaped Waterfall, which only flows in winter and early spring. Be sure to catch the best views of the falls from the main road out of Jamestown. St Helenas famed coffee is pictured during a farm tour and tasting at Wranghams Perched at 1,700 feet on one of the lushest and most remote parts of the island lies a historic estate with sweeping cloud-forest views and a really good cup of joe. Wranghams is a small coffee farm with tours and home stays, run by Neil and Debbie Fantom. Coffee connoisseurs seek out St Helenas beans, often touted as one of the rarest and most expensive varieties in the world due to their export costs and single-origin status. It sells online for $150 per half pound. Extreme isolation has ensured that the coffee plants, which were imported from Yemen in the 18th century, have never been cross-fertilized. Is it the best in the world? I couldnt tell you. Is it coffee that we enjoy producing and drinking? One hundred percent, Neil says. Weve got the perfect climate for it, and we do it ourselves. With love, adds Debbie. Other local culinary delights include plo, a cross between curry and Spanish paella, fresh fishcakes, and sponge cakes with bright pink icing known as coconut fingers. Celebrity Big Brother contestant Louis Walsh has revealed he turned down a Hollywood star during his audition for Boyzone . Walsh, the boybands former manager, revealed Hollywood actor Colin Farrell once auditioned for the band, but was not successful. Speaking to housemates Fern Britton and Colson Smith during Wednesday nights show (20 March), the 71-year-old said: "I know him very well as he auditioned for Boyzone and he told me he wanted to be an actor, I knew him from Dublin. "I said 'You can't sing, I can't give you the gig' because I knew him very well. And he said to me 'Oh I wanna be an actor' and I said 'Youre wasting your f****** time.'" King Charles III is doing very well amid his cancer diagnosis, the Queen said during a visit to Belfast on Thursday, 21 March. Camilla was given a get-well card for Charles as she greeted crowds on the bustling Lisburn Road. Accepting the token from shop assistant Brenda Robb, the Queen said Charles was disappointed he couldnt make the trip alongside her. Responding to quips about men not being the best patients, Camilla said: I try to keep him in order. Footage shows the moment an injured hiker was airlifted to safety by the California Highway Patrol. The injured woman was located in Napa Countys Skyline Wilderness Park after reports of her situation reached local emergency services. With precise GPS coordinates relayed by dispatch, the Golden Gate Division Air Operations H-30 team were able to swiftly pinpoint the hiker. A flight officer and paramedic were lowered to the ground to provide medical assistance before she was airlifted to safety. The hikers injuries were reported to be minor, and she was then transported to a local hospital for treatment. **_If you are experiencing feelings of distress and isolation, or are struggling to cope, The Samaritans offer support; you can speak to someone for free over the phone, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch._** A woman has made a heartbreaking plea to politicians to change the UKs assisted dying policy in a video released after she died from cancer. Paola Marra, 53, said she had no choice but to travel to Dignitas to end her suffering. In a video message, filmed by renowned photographer Rankin, she said: When you watch this, I will be dead. Im choosing to seek assisted dying because I refuse to let a terminal illness dictate the terms of my existence. Ms Marra died at the Swiss clinic on Wednesday, 20 March, after being diagnosed with breast and bowel cancer. A Texas man was arrested after allegedly boarding a Delta flight in Utah using a photograph of another passengers ticket. Wicliff Yves Fleurizard, 26, faces a charge of stowing away on a vessel or aircraft after authorities say he got on Flight 1683 to Austin, Texas, from at Salt Lake City International Airport on 17 March. According to a complaint filed in US district court in Utah on Monday, security footage showed Mr Fleurizard taking photos of multiple passengers phones and boarding passes while they werent looking and then using his phone to board the flight. Ed Balls was involved in a heated clash with Quentin Letts on Good Morning Britain over a comment the former MP described as patronising regarding his marriage. The journalist said he found it tricky discussing the Rwanda bill as Mr Balls is married to Yvette Cooper, the shadow home secretary. As Mr Balls continued, Mr Letts referred to him as Mr Cooper which appeared to irritate the former shadow chancellor. Calling Mr Letts out, Mr Balls said: Why do you keep saying that? Isnt that a really patronising thing? A council meeting in England was called off abruptly because of public calls to discuss a ceasefire in Gaza. Hastings Borough Council was set to host its full council meeting on Wednesday evening (20 March) but it was cut short in under two minutes. In the recorded meeting available online, an inaudible man is seen standing and speaking from the back of the room as the meeting is called to begin. The meeting is then called off and the live feed ends after one minute and 52 seconds. Police were filmed inside the council chamber following the suspension of the meeting. A Hastings Borough Council spokesperson said the meeting was adjourned because of disruption and would not comment further. Democratic Representative Jared Moskowitz wore a Vladimir Putin mask on the House floor during President Bidens impeachment hearing Mr Moskowitz pretended to be the Russian leader as he addressed reporters outside the committee room on Wednesday (20 March). The Florida Democrat said he was there to thank Chairman James Comer, a Kentucky Republican, for taking all of our intelligence and using it in the committee. Mr Moskowitz said: Maybe he can come see the technology in our grocery stores, thank you. He was seemingly referring to former Fox News host Tucker Carlson's Putin interview, that happened shortly before the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. Labour MP Neil Coyle squirmed during a grilling by the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire over Labour's migration policy. Mr Coyle dodged questions over the Labour Party's plans to house migrants coming to the UK in small boats. He claimed the Labour Party would not house migrants in military sites, barges or hotels due to costs. "The costs are ludicrous. The National Audit Office has said the cost is ludicrous", said Mr Coyle. The MP for Bermondsey and Old Southwark refused to offer a solution or a plan to house migrants under a Labour government. He made the remarks on Wednesday, 20 March, during an appearance on BBC Newsnight. The House of Commons erupted in laughter as Penny Mordaunt suggested that Labours claims about Jeremy Hunts ambition to abolish national insurance were fuelled by dreams after eating a large amount of cheese. Opposition MPs pressed the Commons Leader to explain if the unfunded commitment of 46bn would be paid for by tax rises for pensioners, cuts to the NHS, or an increase in Government debt. I suspect the event the honourable gentleman might be recalling was actually a dream, perhaps after eating a large amount of cheese, Ms Mordaunt said. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice When the atrocities of 7 October unfolded, everyone knew Israel would respond against Hamas. I was braced for a retaliation that would impact my childrens extended family of Palestinian Christians and prayed that my Muslim brothers and sisters in Gaza would not suffer for the evil actions of a few. But I had no idea how bad it would get. Now, thanks to Israels military, ranked fourth in power on the global stage and an intelligence agency that is arguably the best in the world we see the horror of Gaza, reduced to rubble. We hear of medics reduced to eating animal feed and children at risk of famine. While not unexpected, it still came as a total shock that Israel would proceed in a collective punishment that was so egregious, even the International Court of Justice accepted jurisdiction to give further consideration to the claim that Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza. For me, it has been a further nightmare and horror to see my government and president using my taxes to help supply the bombs and military aid that are being used to wipe out a population of people in real time. By the time the Abandon Biden campaign was launched, giving the ultimatum that he call a ceasefire or risk losing votes in the November election, tens of thousands of men, women and children had already been killed, buried alive, or lost beneath the rubble. It continues to be mind-boggling and inexcusable that the US administration would give aid to any country that is committing these harms. To me, it amounts to state-sponsored terrorism. But where is the condemnation and where are the consequences? I have heard many Democrats reminding us of the danger that lies ahead if Joe Biden loses in November. But there is no greater insult to me a Muslim, Yemeni-American woman or to my community, than to assume we do not understand the ramifications of a second Trump presidency. I lived through four years of a Muslim travel ban, with the threat that it will be reinstated if Donald Trump regains office. Believe me, I understand. Im a Democrat who wrote in Bernie Sanders name in the 2020 election, based on how passionately I felt about issues such as housing, education, labour, healthcare and womens rights. But I firmly believe it is a matter of the lesser of two evils. And based on recent events, while Trump may have done a million and one things to lose our vote during his presidency, there has been no greater evil worldwide than the slaughter of more than 30,000 Palestinians. And that happened on Bidens watch. The one thing we dont hear Democrats saying any more is Vote with your conscience. If we did, Biden would not win in November. Trump may well be no better on Palestinian and Muslim issues but he couldnt be worse. It isnt our goal to instate a president who would be substantially more favourable towards Palestine we know thats impossible. We know the alternative is no better. But we must ensure that we, as an American people, punish someone who has betrayed us and betrayed the Palestinian people someone who, I believe, has actively funded a genocide. Biden does not deserve to be rewarded with a second term in the highest office in the land. We must hold politicians accountable for the consequences of their decisions. We must be willing to abandon politicians and parties in favour of our principles. The results in Michigan show that this is already happening. In the February primary, more voters in MI voted for Trump than voted for Biden and the uncommitted votes combined. And the longer that Biden continues to fail to call for a permanent ceasefire, the greater the likelihood is that this will impact down-ballot races, with voters like me now willing to cross party lines. We are prepared to vote for pro-ceasefire candidates over voting Blue, No Matter Who. For us, this election is not about what Biden can do to earn our votes in November it is about what he has already done to lose it. 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 }} Falling birth rates in the UK will leave the country reliant on immigration for the next 80 years, new research has suggested. By 2100, Britain along with 198 countries will have fertility rates below what is necessary to sustain population size over time, according to a study published in The Lancet. The analysis in the Global Burden of Disease, Injuries, and Risk Factors study predicts that sub-Saharan Africa will account for one in every two children born on the planet by the end of the century. Meanwhile in Western Europe, the total fertility rate the average number of children born to women of childbearing age is predicted to be 1.44 in 2050, dropping to 1.37 in 2100. In the UK, the total fertility rate was 2.19 in 1950, dropping to 1.85 in 1980 and then 1.49 in 2021. That is well below the rate of 2.1 needed to maintain a steady population without significant immigration. By 2050, the UKs total fertility rate is predicted to be 1.38, dropping to 1.30 by 2100. The researchers said the findings pose serious challenges to global economic growth, especially in the midst of a shrinking workforce and ageing populations. They said that for countries with low fertility rates, social policies such as enhanced parental leave, free childcare, and extra employment rights may provide a small boost but most nations would remain below the levels needed to sustain their populations. Dr Natalia V Bhattacharjee, co-lead author and lead research scientist from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washingtons School of Medicine in the US, said: The implications are immense. These future trends in fertility rates and live births will completely reconfigure the global economy and the international balance of power and will necessitate reorganising societies. Senior author Professor Stein Emil Vollset, from the IHME, said: We are facing staggering social change through the 21st century. The world will be simultaneously tackling a baby boom in some countries and a baby bust in others. The analysis predicts Niger would hold the top spot in 2050 for the highest fertility rate, with an average of five children for each woman, but this could come down to 2.7 children if universal education targets were met. South Korea would have the worst fertility rate by the middle of the century with 0.82 children per female, according to the analysis. The global total fertility rate has more than halved over the past 70 years, from around five children for each woman in 1950 to 2.2 children in 2021, the researchers said. They said it will be important for countries with low fertility rates to implement policies that support those who wish to have children and offer additional benefits to society such as better quality of life and greater participation of women in the workforce, alongside open immigration policies. Dr Bhattacharjee said: Theres no silver bullet. Social policies to improve birth rates such as enhanced parental leave, free childcare, financial incentives, and extra employment rights, may provide a small boost to fertility rates, but most countries will remain below replacement levels. And once nearly every countrys population is shrinking, reliance on open immigration will become necessary to sustain economic growth. Sub-Saharan African countries have a vital resource that ageing societies are losing a youthful population. She added: There is very real concern that, in the face of declining populations and no clear solutions, some countries might justify more draconian measures that limit reproductive rights. It is well established that nations with strong womens rights are more likely to have better health outcomes and faster economic growth. It is imperative womens rights are promoted and protected and that women are supported in having the number of children they wish and pursuing their careers. I will be extremely disappointed if we dont get 850,000 or 860,000 visitors Charles Coyle on Emerald Parks annual ambitions Charles Coyle has inherited his late fathers boundless enthusiasm for heading one of Irelands leading tourist attractions Behind the scenes at Emerald Park as new roller coasters set to open this May John Mulligan Thu 21 Mar 2024 at 03:30 In December 2008, I stood outside the Tayto factory with Ray Coyle as we wrapped up an interview. The entrepreneur, who died in 2022, gestured to the fields opposite, where bison grazed lazily and the late winter sun cast a golden veil over the land. The company, which was founded in late 2021, provides a tool for traders and investors to support their decision-making. Quantmatixs predictive analytics technology utilises big data, artificial intelligence and machine learning to predict prices and market performance of assets, including equities, commodities and cryptocurrencies. The company plans to use the new funding to expand into new markets and to speed up the launch of its software as a service (SaaS) product for family offices and professional investors. The funds will also be used to grow the companys existing sales and marketing base in regions such as the United States, Middle East and Asia. The funding round was supported by the Halo Business Angel Network (HBAN) and Enterprise Ireland. Investor Kevin OByrne, senior independent director of Centrica and former CFO of Sainsburys, will join the companys board. David Geraghty, who was previously on the board of Meta Ireland, will become a member of Quantmatixs advisory board. This achievement represents the strength of Quantmatix predictive analytics and solidifies the trust emanating from our ever-growing client list of global hedge funds and asset managers, Quantmatixs chief executive and co-founder Liam Boggan said. Bolstered by this substantial financial investment, we are poised to swiftly introduce a pioneering SaaS product to family offices and professional investors, he added. HBANs all-island director Ciaran Gilsenan said that it was encouraging to see the fintech close an oversubscribed funding round. HBAN was delighted to support the Quantmatix team kick-off this investment round, helping to sharpen their investment proposition and build momentum around the funding, he said, adding that the future growth of the firm was made possible with this significant injection of funding. The all-island organisation focuses on matching angel investors with high-potential start-ups and is funded by Enterprise Ireland and Intertrade Ireland. HBAN angel investors have also recently invested in Irish start-ups GreyScout and Examfly, as well as Quantmatix. Quantmatix reported that its algorithm has consistently eclipsed benchmarks when tested against major market indices, including the S&P 500 and FTSE 100, over the most recent six-year period. Other features offered by the market timing tool include actionable trading signals, market support and AI-driven insights. Google has pledged not to contest the facts as part of settlement proceedings. Photo: Lauryn Ishak/Bloomberg Frances competition watchdog said on Wednesday it fined Alphabets Google 250m for breaches linked to EU intellectual property rules in its relationship with media publishers, citing concerns about the companys AI service. The watchdog said Googles AI-powered chatbot Bard since rebranded under the name Gemini was trained on content from publishers and news agencies, without notifying them. Google has pledged not to contest the facts as part of settlement proceedings, the watchdog said, adding the company also proposed a series of remedy measures to certain shortcomings. Googles office in France did not immediately reply to a request for comment. The fine is linked to a copyright dispute in France over online content in a case triggered by complaints from some of the countrys biggest news organisations, including Agence France Presse (AFP). The dispute appeared to be resolved in 2022 when the US tech giant dropped its appeal against an initial 500m fine issued at the end of a major investigation carried out by the Autorite de la Concurrence. But in Wednesdays statement, the watchdog said Google violated the terms of four out of seven commitments agreed in the settlement, including conducting negotiations with publishers in good faith and providing transparent information. The watchdog in particular cited Googles AI chatbot Bard, launched in 2023, which it said was trained on data from unspecified media outlets and news agencies without the company informing them or the regulator. Subsequently, Google linked the use of the content concerned by its artificial intelligence service to the display of protected content, the watchdog said, adding that in doing so Google hindered the ability of publishers and press agencies to negotiate fair prices. The fine comes as many publishers, writers and newsrooms seek to limit the scraping or automatic collection of data by AI services of their online content without their consent of fair compensation. The New York Times in 2023 sued Google rivals Microsoft and OpenAI, the creator of the popular artificial-intelligence platform ChatGPT, accusing them of using millions of the newspapers articles without permission to help train chatbots. Court is told tech entrepreneur spun a fabulous tale to lure HP into $11bn deal for Autonomy At 58, tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch might have been expecting to enjoy a lengthy retirement, tending a herd of prize sheep from his English stately home and clocking up corporate and public sector board appointments. Instead hes in a San Francisco court, facing criminal charges and a potential prison sentence. The court will ultimately decide whether Lynch and other named Autonomy bosses pulled a massive fraud when they sold their software business to Hewlett Packard for $11bn in 2011 or if the losses that stemmed from that deal were simply a case of a merger gone wrong. The stakes are massive for Lynch, the Essex-raised son of a Cork-born fireman father and Tipperary teacher mother, who like hundreds of thousands of kids of his generation grew up in England but spent summer holidays at home in Lynchs case in Carrick-on-Suir. He was once seen as Europes Bill Gates. His early life and career were marked by huge success. Scholarships carried him to the pinnacle of academic achievement and he earned a PhD from Cambridge University. He parlayed that, plus an early switch into software, into business success, starting a series of businesses that culminated with Autonomy. Founded in 1996, the company developed software that could rapidly sift large volumes of data, pre-empting the direction of the digital revolution. It made him fabulously rich by his early 40s, and he personally netted around $800m from the Autonomy sale to Hewlett Packard, on top of the millions he had earned in pay and previous share sales. Before the Autonomy blow out, Lynch was in demand, having been appointed to the board of the BBC and advising then UK prime minister David Cameron on the potential and dangers of AI as early as 2011. Lynch personally netted around $800m from the Autonomy sale to HP That trajectory has been pushed dramatically off course since the Autonomy deal went sour, post sale, when Hewlett Packard, later HP, very publicly wrote down nearly $9bn from the value of the business. Recriminations followed swiftly and instead of enjoying an early retirement and the plaudits of his peers or indeed moving on with a major new venture Lynch has spent much of the last decade defending his role, including contesting civil cases. Now Lynch and Stephen Chamberlain, Autonomys former vice president of finance, are both defending themselves against 16 felony counts of fraud and conspiracy in a trial that is expected to run until late May or June and include testimony from more than 40 witnesses. If convicted by a jury, Lynch and Chamberlain could each face a sentence of more than 20 years in federal prison. Autonomys former chief financial officer, Sushovan Hussain, was sentenced to five years in prison in the US in 2019 after being convicted on 16 criminal counts of fraud and conspiracy. As well as Lynchs role, the case is likely to shine a light on former HP chief executive Meg Whitman, who took over the US tech firm just as the Autonomy deal was closing and on whose shoulders it fell to integrate the two firms. Whitman had risen to fame in the business world at tech start-up eBay and had been hired, in part, to bring a new economy drive to HP after dipping her toe into politics with a failed run for California governor. However the bounce HP shareholders were hoping from by hiring Whitman and buying Autonomy never came off. Under Whitman, HP laid off thousands of workers and split itself into two entities in 2015. Lynch paints himself as a scapegoat for a bumbling management team On her watch HP uncovered what it said was evidence Autonomy had inflated its value before the takeover, prompting her to write off much of the acquisition price. She stepped down as CEO of the spun-off company, Hewlett Packard Enterprises in 2018. In the meantime the US criminal trial was delayed to allow for a civil case in London being brought against Lynch and Sushovan Hussain. In 2022, the London judge found mostly for HP but indicated the damages would be less than 3.9bn the company was seeking. The amount is still subject to litigation. In the London civil trial, Lynch maintained his innocence and painted himself as a scapegoat for a bumbling management team and casting Whitman as being out of her depth. That narrative is likely to be revisited in the US case. Lynch was extradited to the US in May 2023 and has been living under court-mandated restrictions in San Francisco on a $100m bail bond while awaiting trial. That case kicked off on Monday and looks set to be long and testy. (Additional reporting by AP) Senior executives and company directors will be held accountable for the results of decisions made by generative AI models, and should avoid rushing out products based on new and untested technology, a top Bank of America (BoA) strategist has warned. Haim Israel, global strategist and head of global thematic research at BoA was in Dublin yesterday to speak at the American Chamber of Commerce annual conference, held at Croke Park. Generative AI (Gen AI) will potentially add $16trn a year to global output and is likely, over time, to boost employment but senior executives need to be alert to the speed of change and the potential pitfalls, he said. We (at Bank of America) are big believers that this is one of the biggest changes ever seen, and will apply to every industry over time, he told the Irish Independent ahead of the conference. There will be two kinds of companies ones that use Gen AI and ones that no longer exist However, he said firms rushing to deploy products while the technology is in its infancy are taking huge risks. The Gen AI models today are still training, they are still drawing on in some cases false data or incomplete data, and that creates what we call hallucinations, he said. Those hallucinations mean a Gen AI model will generate distorted predictions, based on its logical processing of incomplete or false data. You need to think of this as the very early stages of a revolution so if I rush to implementation and start coming up with products, Im exposing myself to this false data, he said. If decisions are taken based on Gen AI, there is a legal liability but it remains with the people taking the decisions to use the models. He pointed to the particular legal risks of deploying Gen AI in sectors such as medicine and banking two of the most data-rich industries globally, but also two of the most highly regulated sectors. While he cautioned against rushing to ship products, he said businesses need to be working on solutions now so they can be in position to exploit the technology when it can be used on scale in coming years. In three or four years, there will be two kinds of companies ones that use Gen AI and ones that no longer exist, he said. You have to start the work today to be in position to implement, once things like accurate models and a regulatory framework are in place. There are some products coming to market, but wed see this as very early days and anyone putting a toe in the water needs to do it very cautiously. One thing that must be considered is who bears responsibility for the outcomes, he said. Gen AI will transform industries and will result in a likely significant jobs upheaval. He compared the likely impact to the rollout of ATMs in the banking sector. While it raised fears over jobs, especially among cashiers, the impact over time was to increase employment, as banks were able to shift into higher-value-added activities. However, the pace of change under Gen AI may mean large-scale job losses come well ahead of future growth in new jobs-rich areas, creating a potentially big social impact, he noted. My dad was a strong person so if this can happen to him, what else is happening? Martin Abbott's daughter on his death in University Hospital Limerick The streaming giants line-up of goodies features a strong Irish contingent Andrew Scott looks like an ideal fit as Patricia Highsmiths conman and serial killer Tom Ripley. Photo: Netflix After the success of Cillian Murphy and Dublin outfit Element Pictures Poor Things at the Oscars, Netflixs line-up of goodies for the remainder of 2024 and into 2025 features a strong Irish contingent. Here are the best series, plus a couple of films, to look out for in the weeks and months to come. RIPLEY (April 4) In what feels like perfect casting, Andrew Scott is the latest actor to play Patricia Highsmiths amoral conman and serial killer Tom Ripley on screen. Writer-director Steven Zaillians eight-part adaptation of the first novel, The Talented Mr Ripley, which was made into a film with Matt Damon (miscast, in my opinion) in 1999, is shot in beautiful black and white. Andrew Scott looks like an ideal fit as Patricia Highsmiths conman and serial killer Tom Ripley. Photo: Netflix STEVE (date TBC) Man of the moment Cillian Murphy plays the headteacher of a last-chance reform school who tries to keep his students in line while his mental health deteriorates in this intense film, set over 24 hours. HOUSE OF GUINNESS (due this summer) Steven Peaky Blinders Knight turns his attention to the Guinness family in this drama series, set in 19th century Dublin and New York. It focuses on the impact of patriarch Benjamins death on his four children. THE UNDERTOW (due 2025) We get two Jamie Dornans for the price of one in this twisty tale of death and deception, currently in production. He plays identical twins. If it sounds familiar, its because its a remake of the Norwegian series Twin, which ran on BBC4 a few years ago. GROWN UPS (TBC) Marian Keyess bestselling novel comes to the screen as an ensemble family drama that focuses on the ups and downs of three couples. Currently at the casting stage. Scoop - Official Trailer SCOOP (April 5) Film telling the behind-the-scenes story of Prince Andrews disastrous, self-damaging interview on BBC2s Newsnight. Rufus Sewell is Andrew and Gillian Anderson plays his inquisitor Emily Maitless. BRIDGERTON (May 16) Season three of the costume drama thats like a sexed-up cross between Jane Austen and Gossip Girl, is split into two batches, with the second arriving on June 16. Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) decides she needs to find a husband. Luke Newton as Colin Bridgerton and Nicola Coughlan as Penelope Featherington in Bridgerton. Photo: Liam Daniel/Netflix ERIC (TBC) Intriguing six-part thriller from Abi Morgan. In 1980s New York, puppeteer Vincent (Benedict Cumberbatch) is devastated when his nine-year-old son Edgar disappears on the way to school. Growing increasingly desperate and distressed, Vincent convinces himself that if he can just get ERIC, a blue, seven-foot puppet Edgar loves, on TV, the boy will return home. SQUID GAME 2 (TBC) Its been four years since the South Korean dystopian drama about a deadly gameshow became a global phenomenon, so viewers might need a refresher before diving back in. BLACK DOVES (TBC) Television seems to be overrun lately by spies posing as ordinary people, but here comes another one. Kiera Knightly is a politicians wife whos been passing state secrets on to the titular organisation for 10 years. Sarah Lancashire plays her spymaster boss. KAOS (TBC) Dark, comedic modern-day take on Greek mythology. Jeff Goldblum plays the god Zeus, who fears the sudden appearance of a wrinkle on his forehead signals that an ancient prophecy about his destruction is about to come true. Cillian Murphy plays a headteacher in Steve. Photo: Getty MONSTERS (TBC) After the inexplicable popularity of season one of Ryan Murphys anthology series, which dealt with serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, the new run focuses on brothers Lyle and Erik Menendez, who were convicted of murdering their parents. Javier Bardem and Chloe Sevigny star. SUPACELL (TBC) In this tantalising new series, five ordinary people unexpectedly develop superpowers. They have only one thing in common: theyre all black South Londoners. MOURINHO (due 2025) Coming from the people who gave us documentaries about David Beckham, Lewis Capaldi and Robbie Williams, this one-off film looks at the life and turbulent career of the self-anointed Special One, Jose Mourinho. MILLENNIUM DIAMOND HEIST (due 2025) Guy Ritchie switches from geezer-gangster movies to geezer-gangster documentaries with this three-parter about London crims who planned to ram-raid the Millennium Dome and steal the worlds second-largest flawless diamond. People walk near a tractor as Polish farmers protest against the European Union's Green Deal and imports of Ukrainian agricultural products, in Zakret, near Warsaw, Poland March 20, 2024. REUTERS/Aleksandra Szmigiel Farmers have a history of discontent with the European Union, whether over how to tackle climate change or bureaucracy. Now another target for their anger risks escalating into a bigger political confrontation. A move by the EU this week to extend free trade measures with Ukraine has poured fuel on the already growing frustration among grain producers from Poland to France. A provisional deal early on March 20 to suspend duties and quotas for another year means Ukraine would be able to continue to sell wheat in the common market of 27 European countries. Ukraine is only one of the worries for European farmers, and the country isn't to blame for the tumble in wheat prices. Imports, though, have become a rallying point. The disquiet presents a challenge for politicians as they balance priorities at home with support for Kyiv against Russia's invasion. Poland, where farmers blocked more than 500 roads again this week, threatened to extend its grain ban and even halt flows of wheat to other countries in the EU. "We are flooded by Ukrainian grains, and the government needs to find a solution," said OPZZ farming union leader Slawomir Izdebski. In France, President Emmanuel Macron has made support for Ukraine central to his campaign to thwart the rise of the far right at European elections in June. His government has been working to appease farmers, rolling out concessions ranging from fuel costs to pesticides and green rules. "The feeling that prevails is that the European farmers are footing the bill for the war in Ukraine," said Benoit Pietrement, chair of the grains council at national agriculture and fisheries agency FranceAgriMer. "Supporting Ukraine against Russia is absolutely important for Europe and the Western countries. But we should not be the only ones paying the price." Read More: Farmers' Revolt Threatens Election Year Upsets Around the World French Foreign Trade Minister Franck Riester said in Paris on Wednesday that France and its EU partners were keen to protect the Ukrainian wheat industry given its importance to the country's economy as it faces the Russian invasion. Farmers in France are also getting some help. In a year when the government is cutting a10 billion ($10.9 billion) of spending, it announced more than a2.2 billion for agriculture so far. Prime Minister Gabriel Attal also promised more negotiations with the EU to limit grain shipments from Ukraine, a move also advocated by Poland. The anger has been palpable for weeks. The stand at the Paris agriculture fair at the end of last month looked like a scene out of Wall Street, just without the suits. Young farmers in dusty rubber boots frenetically argued about live wheat prices blinking red on their smartphones. "How do you want us to continue? Unfair competition from Ukraine is affecting us all," said Julien Caillard, a 34-year-old fifth generation wheat grower from the Yonne region southeast of Paris. "It was first impacting Ukraine's neighbors, now it's all the way to France." Introduced in June 2022 following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the so-called Autonomous Trade Measures give Kyiv almost unfettered access to the EU market. The latest plan in Brussels is to ensure tariffs on Ukrainian produce are restored in the event of a surge in imports on such things as corn, poultry, sugar and eggs. Grains are excluded, though, something that makes the proposals "unacceptable," according to Copa-Cogeca, a lobby group that says it represents 22 million farmers. The measures are still to be approved by the European Parliament in a vote in April and then by member states, and EU ambassadors have asked for more time to scrutinize the text. Along with the pain from depressed global prices driven by record shipments from Russia, the farmers are feeling the indirect effects of grain arriving in the EU via Ukraine's neighbors. The EU imported more than 17 times the amount of soft wheat from Ukraine in the 2022-2023 season compared with the previous year, before the war, according to French agency Intercereales. France, meanwhile, has been reducing every month its forecast for grains exports to the rest of the EU, where traditional buyers like Spain have been purchasing significant volumes from Ukraine, FranceAgriMer said. French crops haven't "been able to be as competitive as Ukrainian wheat so Ukraine is taking that share of the market," said Delphine Drignon, head of the Europe desk at Intercereales. Spain, which has suffered from a drought, bought 73% of the soft wheat imported from Ukraine this season as of March 4, she said. Farmers in the EU say the problem is that Ukrainian rivals can sell at cheaper rates and with less stringent environmental checks, and they also regained the ability to ship through the Black Sea. They also have the edge in terms of lower labor costs and much larger farms, according to Eric Thirouin, president of French grains growers' group AGPB. That's despite having to confront the war. "Solidarity with Ukraine was real when they were not able to export through the Black Sea," said Thirouin, who also manages a farm that has been in the family since 1560. "But it makes no sense to keep giving them free access." The French have joined their Eastern European counterparts who have been protesting for longer. Angry farmers have been testing support for Ukraine elsewhere, converging on Brussels earlier this year. And it's the Poles who say they have most to lose. "We are the most pro-Ukrainian state and nation, but we are facing the biggest problems related to the war," Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said at a press conference in Warsaw on Feb. 28. "We pay too high a price for the decision to launch free trade with Ukraine. We cannot afford it." EU Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski said recently the best way to resolve the situation was to help Ukraine move its crops to countries that traditionally bought Ukrainian products. Farmers say the EU is more willing to listen on Ukrainian exports of poultry, sugar and eggs, but grain is more of a financial lifeblood for Ukraine. "The EU is determined to keep supporting the Ukrainian economy," said Arnold Puech d'Alissac, who runs a family farm near Rouen and heads the Rome-based World Farmers' Organisation. "And grains are just the easiest way for them to earn money." Bloomberg Two livestock marts have received financial penalties after a regulatory body concluded they separately engaged in improper conduct. High Court president Mr Justice David Barniville confirmed decisions to require Corcaghan Co-operative Agricultural & Dairy Society, trading as Ballybay Livestock Sales, in Co Monaghan, to pay 13,000 and Mountbellew Regional Co-operative Livestock Mart Society in Co Galway to pay 11,000. Four Spanish men appeared before Cork District Court this morning charged with conspiring with others to import controlled drugs in to Ireland. Each accused is charged with conspiring with nine other men to import drugs with a value of in excess of 13,000 in to Ireland. The men all required Spanish speaking interpreters and were charged with the same offence. Cracks started to show for Leo Varadkar on US visit, but could a place on the world stage now beckon? Varadkar may have a taste for politics beyond the pantomime of the Dail chamber Leo Varadkar visibly emotional as he resigns as Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader I dont feel Im the best person for the job anymore Philip Ryan Thu 21 Mar 2024 at 03:30 On the final day of his state visit to Washington for St Patricks Day celebrations, Leo Varadkar was asked whether this was to be his last trip to the White House as Taoiseach. Each year in Ireland almost 45,000 people are diagnosed with cancer and sadly around 9,000 people die from various forms of the deadly disease. This year, in line with the Irish Cancer Societys call for everyone to go all in against cancer for Daffodil Day, several cancer survivors spoke to the Irish Independent about their battle and how it shaped their new lease on life. Jackie, from Killarney in Kerry, said: Cancer has changed my perspective on life in that I now dont stress over small things, I look at the bigger picture. She said she spends a lot of time outdoors, walking her dog as well as spending lots of time with her family including her sisters, brother, parents and daughters and loves to have fun. Deirdre from Wexford described her experience with skin cancer as very painful which meant she had to stay indoors, however it has really changed my life she told us. I appreciate spending time with my grandchildren in the garden and I am more aware of protecting our skin by putting on sunscreen and wearing a hat at all times throughout the year, she said. She stressed that her aim now is to keep spreading that awareness on social media, which she said gave her great strength throughout her journey. My family and friends were so supportive and my skin has now never looked so healthy, she said in her video message. Bianca, from Tipperary, said having cancer showed her how often she took time for granted. When I was diagnosed with cancer, our children were just three-and-a-half, two and twelve-weeks-old. It made us as a family realise how precious time actually is. It is not something that you can get back, she said. Daffodil Day, this Friday, March 22, is the largest single fund-raising activity of the Irish Cancer Society and is responsible for 20pc of all income. The first Daffodil Day in Ireland was held in 1988 and was led by President of the Irish Cancer Society, Professor Austin Daragh and the CEO, Tom Hudson. Every cent you give today will help fund cancer research, provide vital support services, and change the lives of people affected by cancer across Ireland. You are giving practical support, comfort and hope, the Irish Cancer Society said. The Irish Cancer Societys Daffodil Day takes place on Friday, March 22 visit cancer.ie to donate Simon Coveney, Fine Gael's deputy leader, has ruled himself out of the race to succeed Leo Varadkar. Mr Coveney told David McCullagh on RTE Six-One News: "No. I made a decision quite some time ago that I wouldn't stand in another leadership contest. "I got my chance and wasn't successful the last time." He said he thought there was a lot of talent in the party. "But I don't think we should be focusing on that today," he added. "I think we should focus on on the role that Leo Varadkar played in public life in Ireland, which is significant." Mr Coveney said he had been called last night by the Taoiseach "to explain his thinking. And then obviously he told everybody else (in Cabinet) this morning". "There's never a dull day in politics is there?" he said. The party is now at the start of a transition process that is going to take a few weeks, he said. "I think we need to go through that process calmly and professionally, which we will," Mr Coveney said. "But today is about Leo Varadkar and giving him the space to outline his reasons why he's stepping down - and I hope, also, to reflect on some extraordinary achievements that he's had in his time as leader of Fine Gael and in his time as Taoiseach. "I think he's given extraordinary leadership at a time of real challenge. And I think it's important to remember that today." Mr Coveney added that Mr Varadkar had been very honest about his reasons for going. "His given his reasons and feels that he has very little left to give," he said. "When you're in politics at a very senior level, particularly if you have the privilege of being Taoiseach, you need to really have all of your focus and all of your energy available. "An I think Leo just feels that he has, he's worked incredibly hard for seven years, and he feels the need to kind of call it quits at this stage, because he felt he couldn't give it the energy that was needed from now on. "I think we have to respect that and respect the honesty of it. A lot of politicians try to hang on for a very long time." There was no pressure on him within the party, he insisted. "I think, genuinely, he's doing what he believes is the right thing for Fine Gael as a party and the right thing for the country." Senan Molony Harris now set to become youngest ever Taoiseach at age 37Paschal Donohoe, Helen McEntee and Heather Humphreys all rule themselves out of the raceMr Harris emerged as clear frontrunner to become Fine Gael leader and Taoiseach next month after Mr Varadkar rocked the Coalition by resigning in a bid to salvage Fine Gaels electoral prospectsGet all the latest updates on the race to be the next Taoiseach on the Irish Independents Live Blog: Simon Harris has declared his candidacy for the Fine Gael leadership, paving the way for him to become the next Taoiseach and succeed Leo Varadkar. "Im in, I want to be the next leader of Fine Gael. Im ready to step up and Im ready to serve, he said. Mr Harris said he was overwhelmed, honoured and a little taken aback by the support he received from his Fine Gael colleagues and the party membership. Im extremely grateful for the level of support that I've received today from all strands of our party, he told RTEs Six One News. I really thank them for that. He received support from more than half the 54 members of the Fine Gael parliamentary party. Fellow leadership contenders Helen McEntee and Heather Humphreys ruled themselves out of the race and publicly backed Mr Harris. Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe also said he would not be in the running to replace Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, giving Mr Harris a clear run at the role. I am humbled and honoured to have received the support from so many members of the parliamentary party, councillors and members across the country throughout the course of the last 24 hours, Mr Harris said. I want to thank them for placing their trust in me and I am confirming that I will be seeking to become the next leader of Fine Gael. He said he wanted to listen to Fine Gael members and get back to core principles, adding a change in leadership offers a moment of renewal for the party. "I want to work with colleagues. I want to listen, I want to really reconnect with our party right across the country. And I want to get us back to core principles, in terms of delivering on the issues that matter to people in their daily lives. But I also don't want to take anything for granted. I'm here tonight to say that I'm putting my name forward. I'm here tonight to thank my colleagues for the support they've shown me and I'm here tonight to pay tribute to the work of Leo Varadkar and thank him for his service. Though he has received the backing of the majority of the parliamentary party, Mr Harris said he is ready for a leadership contest if it does come about. I'm ready for whatever the next few days may throw up in that regard. The party rules are very clear in terms of anybody wishing to put their name forward. Asked what would make his leadership different from that of Mr Varadkar, Mr Harris said each person brings their own personal qualities to the role. "I want to bring an energy and an enthusiasm to the leadership of Fine Gael, but I also want to bring my practical life experience. You know, I got involved in politics somewhat accidentally, I'm an accidental politician in many ways. "When my brother was born with special educational needs, I started campaigning in my area to deliver better educational services for kids with autism. "I know what difference politics can make and I want to bring those personal values to the office of leader of Fine Gael and to any role that I may play in Irish politics. Mr Harris denied that there was an orchestration to his leadership bid. It may look like that, it certainly didnt feel like that over the last 24 hours, he said of his campaign, saying it was came as a shock when Mr Varadkar announced he was stepping down. Mr Harris said he would not call a general election if elected Fine Gael leader and Taoiseach, and committed to the Government seeing out its full term. Our Constitution is very clear in relation to this. Governments have changed many times outside of the election cycle. Theres due to be a general election within the next year, there will be a general election within the next year. Im certainly committed, as I know my party is and as I believe the other parties in Government are to continuing the work of Government and the programme for Government, because a programme for Government isnt negotiated between individual party leaders, its an agreement that exists between Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and the Green Party. Speaking to Virgin Media TVs The Tonight Show, Mr Harris said Irish politics has become too personal in recent years. It's become in many ways too presidential. We need to tone it down and this is about getting stuff done. We have a programme for Government, we need to implement the programme for Government, he said. We need to work together, we need to dial it down, all of us, when it comes to rhetoric and toxicity. I think its really off-putting for the public, quite frankly. I want to get things done; Ive shown an ability to work with people of all political persuasions in terms of trying to get things done in Dail Eireann. He ruled out any chance of Fine Gael entering government with Sinn Fein following the next general election. Thats an OK thing. Its OK to have different ideas, its OK to have different policies and its OK to say therell be a real choice on offer to the Irish people in the next election. I think thats something people of all different political persuasions can relate to. On Fine Gaels chances in the next general election and the prospect of entering opposition in 12 months time, Mr Harris rejected the idea taking on the party leadership now is a poisoned chalice. I cant understand the logic of anybody who says public service is a poisoned chalice. I certainly didnt get involved in politics for a quiet life. Ive never been known to be one to shirk a challenge and if given the opportunity to serve in any role, including as leader of Fine Gael, we get involved to make a difference. Mr Harris acknowledged there are challenges including the cost of living and homelessness facing the country but was positive on the efforts of Fine Gael in government since 2011. There are huge challenges that our country faces but Im also very proud of the contribution Fine Gael has made in a number of governments over the last several years, he said. Its a very different Ireland to the Ireland that I first experienced when first elected to Dail Eireann 15pc unemployment, people were worried about mortgage arrears or repossessions, significant emigration, the collapse of the construction sector. We now have more than 500 people a week buying their first home. Mr Harris said he put himself forward for the Fine Gael leadership well aware of the scale of the challenges Ireland faces. Im absolutely committing myself to the need to do better, the need to listen and the need to bring humility to Irish politics, he said. Key updates 'I want to get us back to core principles' - Harris Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe will not run for the Fine Gael leadership, paving the way for Simon Harris to succeed Leo Varadkar. His declaration came after two other remaining contenders, Justice Minister Helen McEntee and Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys, said they would not make a bid for the top job, and rowed in behind Mr Harris. However, Mr Donohoe did not back a particular candidate. He said: "I have decided that I will not be putting my name forward to lead Fine Gael. I have long said that my focus is on the two jobs that I am privileged to hold; that of Government Minister and as President of the Eurogroup. That remains to be the case. It is with a huge honour that I undertake my work on the domestic and international stage. It was a great surprise to learn of Leos intentions. I thank him for his great service to Ireland and for the opportunities that he has afforded me. I do believe that a wealth of talent and experience exists in Fine Gael and that exciting times lie ahead, both for the Party and ultimately for the country. It means Mr Harris will run unopposed for the leadership of Fine Gael and ultimately become Ireland's youngest Taoiseach. His predecessor, Leo Varadkar, was 38 when he took up the post in 2017. Fine Gael leadership in numbers Fine Gael has 33 TDs, 16 senators and 5 MEPs in the parliamentary party, or 54 in total Simon Harris has officially declared his intention to run and is already backed by total 26 TDs, senators and MEPs for leader, including several who had previously been considered as leadership contenders. Backing Harris: Cabinet ministers: 3 - Helen McEntee, Heather Humphreys Junior ministers: 3 - Neale Richmond, Peter Burke, Patrick O'Donovan TDs: 6 - Frankie Feighan, Emer Higgins, Colm Burke, Colm Brophy, Brendan Griffin, Alan Farrell Senators: 11 - Micheal Carrigy, Martin Conway, Tim Lombard, Mary Seery Kearney, Regina Doherty, Garret Ahearn, John Cummins, Paddy Burke, Sean Kyne, Barry Ward, Maria Byrne MEPs: 3 - Frances Fitzgerald, Maria Walsh, Sean Kelly Paschal Donohoe, public expenditure minister: Ruled himself out, has not backed a candidate Helen McEntee, justice minister: Ruled herself out, backing Harris Heather Humphreys, social protection minister: Ruled herself out, backing Harris Said they are not yet backing a particular candidate Cabinet members: Leo Varadkar, Simon Coveney, Paschal Donohoe Junior Ministers: Hildegarde Naughton, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, Martin Heydon, Josepha Madigan TDs: Richard Bruton, Ciaran Cannon, Michael Creed, Bernard Durkan, Damien English, Charlie Flanagan, Paul Kehoe, Fergus O'Dowd, John-Paul Phelan, Michael Ring, David Stanton Senators: Jerry Buttimer, Emer Currie, Aisling Dolan, Joe O'Reilly MEPs: Deirdre Clune, Colm Markey Exempt * Alan Dillon TD is chair of the Fine Gael parliamentary party so must remain impartial * Joe Carey TD is on sick leave * Senator Jerry Buttimer is cathaoirleach of the Seanad so is independent Ryan Nugent Mr Harriss Fine Gael colleague Ciaran Cannon announced earlier this week he would not contest the next general election, citing the toxicity that exists in politics today. Mr Harris said he hopes he has demonstrated an ability during his political career to reach across the aisle and work with all parties to deliver on issues. I think we need to tone it down in politics, the toxicity and the rhetoric on all sides. We need to focus on what we can get done and what politics can deliver for people, he said. Ryan Nugent 'I want to get us back to core principles' - Harris "I want to work with colleagues. I want to listen I want to really reconnect with our party right across the country. And I want to get us back to core principles, in terms of delivering on the issues that matter to people in their daily lives," Mr Harris said. "Any leadership change always provides a moment of renewal and a moment to reconnect. It provides He added: "I'm very committed to the Programme for Government that we have in place. I want to look at what we can get done in a relatively short period of time. "But I also don't want to take anything for granted. I'm here tonight to say that I'm putting my name forward. I'm here tonight to thank my colleagues for the support they've shown me and I'm here tonight to pay tribute to the work of Leo Varadkar and thank him for his service." Ryan Nugent I'm here tonight to say that I'm putting my name forward. I'm here tonight to thank my colleagues for the support they've shown me and I'm here tonight to pay tribute to the work of Leo Varadkar and thank him for his service. Simon Harris, RTE Six One Ryan Nugent Higher Education Minister Mr Harris said he is ready for a leadership contest if it does come about. "I'm ready for whatever the next few days may throw up in that regard," he said. "The party rules are very clear in terms of anybody wishing to put their name forward. "I am overwhelmed, honoured and a little taken aback. extremely grateful for the level of support that I've received today from all strands of our party," he said. "I really thank them for that. "I want to bring an energy and an enthusiasm to the leadership of Fine Gael, but I also want to bring my practical life experience. You know, I got into involved in politics somewhat accidentally, I'm an accidental politician in many ways. "When my brother was born with special educational needs. I started campaigning in my area to deliver better educational services for kids with autism. "I know that difference politics can make and I want to bring those personal values to the office of leader of Fine Gael and under any role that I may play in Irish politics. "I want to work with colleagues. I want to listen I want to really reconnect with our party right across the country. And I want to get us back to core principles, in terms of delivering on the issues that matter to people in their daily lives," he added. Ryan Nugent Mr Harris denied that there was an orchestration to his leadership bid: It may look like that, it certainly didnt feel like that over the last 24 hours, he said of his campaign, saying it was a shock that Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced he was stepping down. Ryan Nugent Mr Harris said he would not call a general election if elected Fine Gael leader and taoiseach and bring the current Government to its full term. Our Constitution is very clear in relation to this, Governments have changed many times outside of the election cycle theres due to be a general election within the next year. There will be a general election within the next year. Im certainly committed, as I know my party is and as I believe the other parties in Government are to continuing the work of Government and the programme for Government, because a programme for Government isnt negotiated between individual party leaders, its an agreement that exists between Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and the Green Party. Ryan Nugent Mr Harris said he will give this my all if elected the next leader of Fine Gael. Firstly I want to thank Leo Varadkar for his leadership of the Fine Gael party over the past seven years and his leadership of our country for many of those, he said. Leo has steered our party and our country through very challenging times including Brexit, the Covid-19 pandemic, and the recent cost-of-living crisis. I am humbled and honoured to have received the support from so many members of the parliamentary party, councillors and members across the country throughout the course of the last 24 hours. I want to thank them for placing their trust in me and I am confirming that I will be seeking to become the next leader of Fine Gael. Ryan Nugent I've been really overwhelmed and I'm extremely grateful for support from Cabinet colleagues, ministers of state, TDs, MEPs, councillors and grassroot members right across Ireland Simon Harris announces leadership bid Ryan Nugent Simon Harris paid tribute to current Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, before insisting he wanted to succeed him. ""Im in, I wanna be the next leader of Fine Gael. Im ready to step up and Im ready to serve, he told RTE Six One. Ryan Nugent My position is very clear in terms of what needs to happen next, its not for Fine Gael to rearrange the deckchairs, its not for Fine Gael to decide who gets to take up the helm of taoiseach. Ultimately, it should go to the people for an election. On a personal basis, I wish Leo Varadkar the very best, I wish him very well in terms of his personal life and whatever life may hold for him next. Sinn Fein deputy leader, Michelle O'Neill Ryan Nugent Northern Irelands First Minister has stood by her criticism of the resigning Taoiseach after Irelands deputy premier branded her comments very partisan. Tanaiste Micheal Martin said Michelle ONeills remarks following Leo Varadkars announcement left a lot to be desired. In a press conference in Belfast on Wednesday, Sinn Fein vice president Ms ONeill accused Mr Varadkars party Fine Gael of 13 years of failure as she insisted it was time for a general election. Mr Martin referred to the remarks as he sparred with Sinn Fein TD Pearse Doherty in the Dail on Thursday. He said they stood in contrast to Sinn Feins glowing welcome for the recently announced increase in Irish government funding for Northern Ireland through its Shared Island Fund. Very partisan comments from the First Minister in respect of Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, given a month ago, the glowing response to the Governments Shared Island Initiative. Weve done more in respect of cross-border development and investment in Northern Ireland than any government for many a year. Speaking to reporters in Hillsborough on Thursday, Ms ONeill was asked whether she believed her remarks were appropriate and if she had struck the correct tone for a Stormont First Minister passing comment on the resignation of Irelands premier. While she said she had not heard Mr Martins comments in the Dail, she added: What I can say is Im quite sure the Tanaiste, as a coalition partner, would rather talk about anything other than his performance and their performance in government. My position is very clear in terms of what needs to happen next, its not for Fine Gael to rearrange the deckchairs, its not for Fine Gael to decide who gets to take up the helm of taoiseach. Ultimately, it should go to the people for an election. On a personal basis, I wish Leo Varadkar the very best, I wish him very well in terms of his personal life and whatever life may hold for him next. Ryan Nugent We were promised a bombshell political moment, and that exactly is what we got as Leo Varadkar announced his resignation as Taoiseach and leader of Fine Gael. Friends and colleagues of the departing Taoiseach gave him their best wishes, but it didn't take long for plotting and speculation to begin about who would replace Varadkar in the hot seat. Twenty-four hours on since the departure announcement, one clear favourite has formed as Simon Harris looks set to become Ireland's 16th taoiseach. Today on The Indo Daily, Fionnan Sheehan is joined by Hugh OConnell, Deputy Political Editor with the Irish Independent, to discuss the runners and riders for the race to become Ireland's next taoiseach - and whether the top job at Fine Gael is a poisoned chalice for those who win. Listen here: The Indo Daily: Simon Harris set to be youngest ever taoiseach, but is the job a poisoned chalice? We were promised a bombshell political moment, and that exactly is what we got as Leo Varadkar announced his resignation as Taoiseach and leader of Fine Gael. Ryan Nugent Dont be talking to me and lecture me on elections. Youre not ready for a general election, deputy. No, youre not. You need policies, deputy, and you need substance. You dont have substance Micheal Martin bites back at Pearse Doherty in the Dail Ryan Nugent Tanaiste Micheal Martin has accused Sinn Fein of not having the substantial policies needed to contest a general election. The Fianna Fail leader and Foreign Affairs Minister sparred with Sinn Fein TD Pearse Doherty during Leaders Questions over the coalition governments record in office. Opposition parties are pushing for a general election to be called after Leo Varadkar's surprise resignation as Fine Gael leader. Speaking in the Dail, Mr Doherty said: The Taoiseach has thrown in the towel, he has said hes not up for the job. None of you are up for the job. What the public need is change. What they dont need is a rearranging of the deckchairs in this Government, a Government that is spectacularly failing. Let the people decide, because we will go toe to toe with you in the morning. He said Fine Gael has been in government far too long and changing the partys leader will change nothing. Mr Martin said the people do not want a general election. You want an election every year, he said. Im more focused on the bread-and-butter issues that matter to people. Ryan Nugent Leo Varadkar said he left Leinster House last night at almost 10pm. He went home, had a takeaway and had a chat with partner Matthew Barrett, read a briefing document for this morning and got a flight at 8am this morning. He said he has been coming to Brussels for 14 years without a break and there comes a time when you need to move on and need to make space for new people, new ideas. You dont need to do that forever, he said. Its time for change, its time for something new. I think itll be good for the party and I think itll be good for the Government and the country. It hasnt sunk in yet, to be honest. This life was never really for him Leo Varadkar opens up about partner Matt Barretts reaction to him stepping down as Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said his partner Matthew Barrett is delighted he is stepping down as Taoiseach. Ryan Nugent Simon Harris has received the support of all nine Fine Gael councillors in his native Wicklow, as he puts his name forward to be the next leader of the party. Wicklows councillors back Simon Harris to become next Fine Gael leader as he puts his name forward Wicklow Fine Gael Minister Simon Harris has received the support of all nine Fine Gael Councillors in the county, as he puts his name forward to be the next leader of the party. Ryan Nugent As it looks done and dusted in the Fine Gael leadership race, Political Editor Philip Ryan looks to the future for Leo Varadkar, writing that the Taoiseach may have a taste for politics beyond the pantomime of the Dail chamber... Cracks started to show for Leo Varadkar on US visit, but could a place on the world stage now beckon? On the final day of his state visit to Washington for St Patricks Day celebrations, Leo Varadkar was asked whether this was to be his last trip to the White House as Taoiseach. -- Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe will not run for the Fine Gael leadership, paving the way for Simon Harris to succeed Leo Varadkar. His declaration came after two other remaining contenders, Justice Minister Helen McEntee and Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys, said they would not make a bid for the top job, and rowed in behind Mr Harris. However, Mr Donohoe did not back a particular candidate. He said: "I have decided that I will not be putting my name forward to lead Fine Gael. I have long said that my focus is on the two jobs that I am privileged to hold; that of Government Minister and as President of the Eurogroup. That remains to be the case. It is with a huge honour that I undertake my work on the domestic and international stage. It was a great surprise to learn of Leos intentions. I thank him for his great service to Ireland and for the opportunities that he has afforded me. I do believe that a wealth of talent and experience exists in Fine Gael and that exciting times lie ahead, both for the Party and ultimately for the country. It means Mr Harris will run unopposed for the leadership of Fine Gael and ultimately become Ireland's youngest Taoiseach. His predecessor, Leo Varadkar, was 38 when he took up the post in 2017. -- Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys has ended speculation about her Fine Gael leadership ambitions by declaring her support for Simon Harris this lunchtime. It comes after Justice Minister Helen McEntee also threw her support behind the Higher Education Minister. This means 25 of the 54 Fine Gael parliamentary party members have rowed in behind Mr Harris. Seoirse Mulgrew Leo Varadkars partner Matthew Barrett is delighted that Varadkar is stepping down as Taoiseach, the outgoing Fine Gael leader said. He said he hasnt had a proper chance to talk to my family yet, Ive loads of missed calls and missed messages, very tight turnaround last night. So looking forward to having that chance over the weekend". Gabija Gataveckaite in Brussels Leo Varadkars partner Matt Barrett delighted he is stepping down as Taoiseach Leo Varadkars partner Matthew Barrett is delighted Varadkar is stepping down as Taoiseach, the outgoing Fine Gael leader said. Load more Tickaroo Live Blog Software Mr Harris had already passed the threshold of six parliamentary party members before 9am on Thursday morning - before nominations formally opened at 10am - after early public declarations of support from Minister Neale Richmond, TDs Emer Higgins and Frank Feighan, senators Barry Ward, Martin Conway, John McGahon, Tim Lombard and Mary Seery Kearney, and MEPs Maria Walsh and Frances Fitzgerald. 'I have no CVs printed' Leo Varadkar addresses future plans after shock resignation as Taoiseach Justice Minister McEntee ruled herself out of the leadership race on Thursday morning. Speaking on LMFM, she said she will support "whoever puts themselves forward". She said she made the decision "a year or two ago" that she would not be contesting any leadership race. Dublin Mid-West TD Emer Higgins has also declared she is backing Mr Harris. Ms Higgins told the Irish Independent: In 2010, I shared an office with Simon, and 13 years ago, I knew he had what it takes to be Taoiseach and I told him some he'd be Taoiseach. That moment has arrived. I've seen his dedication and hard work up close, I'm confident in his ability to lead our party and our country with energy and instinct. Dublin South Central-based Senator Mary Seery Kearney said: "I am supporting and endorsing Simon Harris. Mr Harris is expected to secure further endorsements throughout Thursday. He is expected to formally declare his ambition to succeed Leo Varadkar as Fine Gael leader and Taoiseach later in the day. Mr Harris will be backed by a series of Fine Gael figures this morning as he aims to lock down the party leadership for which he is now the clear frontrunner. The Higher Education Minister will seek to replicate the campaign tactic of Leo Varadkar when he became leader. Neale Richmond was the first out of the blocks and it is understood junior minister Peter Burke will also lend his support. Fine Gael MEP and former deputy leader Frances Fitzgerald will back her former protege later this morning. Senators Martin Conway and Tim Lombard will also be backing Mr Harris. Mr Harris will announce his intention to run for the leadership later this morning. But it is unclear if there will be a contest as Cabinet ministers Paschal Donohoe, Heather Humphreys and Helen McEntee have yet to state their intentions. Mr Harris has emerged as the clear frontrunner to become Taoiseach next month after Mr Varadkar rocked the Coalition by resigning in a bid to salvage Fine Gaels electoral prospects. Mr Varadkar quit after determining Fine Gael was facing damaging seat losses under his leadership in Junes local and European elections an outcome that could have precipitated a move against him. I couldnt find anyone to stab me in the back, so I fell on my sword instead, Mr Varadkar told an emotional Fine Gael parliamentary meeting last night as he thanked TDs and senators for their support. Mr Harris is now the clear favourite to succeed him, with well-placed sources telling the Irish Independent that as many as 20 of the 54 members of the Fine Gael parliamentary party have already pledged their support to the Higher Education Minister. He could declare his plan to contest for the leadership as early as today and it is expected that some TDs and Senators backing him will publicly declare their support for the minister over the next 48 hours. The Irish Independent understands that junior minister Peter Burke, who was considered an outside shot for a leadership bid, is to declare his support for Simon Harris to become Fine Gael leader on Thursday morning. He is expected to be the first of several public declarations of support for Mr Harris from members of the 54-strong Fine Gael parliamentary party. Speaking on RTE Radio Ones Morning Ireland on Thursday, Fine Gael Dublin-Rathdown TD and Minister for State for Enterprise Neale Richmond backed Mr Harris for the leadership, appealing to him on air to declare his intention to run. He said among Mr Harris's achievements are his time as health minister during the Covid-19 pandemic and the work he currently does as Minister for Further and Higher Education. Asked if Mr Harris represented 'more of the same', Mr Richmond said: "Simon is something different." He said he would welcome a contest between Fine Gael candidates, but added "I do think Simon Harris is the best person for the job". Earlier, Fine Gael parliamentary party chairman Alan Dillon would not be pressed on who he would back, but he said he expected there would be a contest for the leadership. The president of Young Fine Gael, Eoghan Gallagher, has come out in support of Mr Harris. And on Instagram, Dublin councillor Emma Blain backed Mr Harris, saying: Ive known him for many, many years, (long before his hair went silver) and he is undoubtedly the most dedicated, most committed and hard working politician Ive ever known. Hes personable and proactive, and hugely supportive of all colleagues at all levels. His record speaks for itself, and for these reasons, and many, many more, I think Simon Harris is the best person to lead Fine Gael and the country into the future. Any candidate who secures the support of the majority of the parliamentary party would be well-placed to win a contest given that the votes of TDs, Senators and MEPs account for 65pc of the total vote. The Fine Gael executive council was meeting late last night to set the ground rules for a contest, with nominations to open today and expected to close on Monday at 1pm. Enterprise Minister Simon Coveney ruled himself out of the race last night but Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe was remaining tight-lipped. His withdrawal from a planned appearance on RTE News fuelled speculation he is considering contesting against Mr Harris amid suggestions some TDs were urging him to do so. Mr Varadkar said he had been considering his future since Christmas but firmly decided to step down only at the weekend. He shocked the two other Coalition leaders and some ministerial colleagues when he informed them of his plans on Tuesday night. After seven years in office, I am no longer the best person for that job, a visibly emotional Mr Varadkar said at a dramatic midday press conference in Government Buildings. Cabinet colleagues believe Mr Varadkars decision was crystallised by the two referendum defeats nearly a fortnight ago, the slew of Fine Gael TDs retiring at the next election, and the prospect of more damaging electoral losses in June all of which may have led to a heave against him in advance of the next general election. There was also a view among figures in the Government that Mr Varadkar had not embraced his second spell as Taoiseach with as much enthusiasm as his first term. He seemed slightly distracted and just not energised by it, a cabinet minister said. A source close to Mr Varadkar said last night: The principal motivation for the timing was to have a new leader in place for the ard fheis to set out their stall. Once hed made up his mind, he was determined to go ahead with it. Mr Varadkar said his reasons were both personal and political and later told reporters he had been weighing up stepping down since the Christmas and new-year period. He insisted he had definitively decided to resign only last weekend as he concluded his St Patricks Day trip to the US. He ruled himself out of becoming the next European Commissioner and said he had not decided whether to run again in Dublin West. It is widely expected he will step down from the Dail at the next general election. Fine Gael will install a new leader in advance of its ard fheis on April 6 and that person will be expected to become taoiseach early the following week. A senior figure in Fine Gael said: Paschal and Coveney had a conclave and decided only one or other of them will run. They know Harris is the man to beat. Mr Coveneys allies denied this, but Mr Donohoes supporters remained largely silent. A source close to Mr Donohoe said he was focused on his existing role as Public Expenditure Minister and Eurogroup chair. There was no comment from other possible contenders including Justice Minister Helen McEntee and Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys. Junior Finance Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has also been mentioned as an outside possibility, although one source suggested she could become deputy leader. Tanaiste Micheal Martin and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan were blindsided on Tuesday night when Mr Varadkar told them of his decision, with Mr Martin admitting he was very surprised. Both party leaders said they wanted the Coalition to run the full term to March next year despite the change of leader in Fine Gael, which is likely to fuel speculation of an earlier general election. The news sent shockwaves throughout the Government yesterday morning, with Fianna Fail and Green Party ministerial advisers in the dark as Fine Gael scrambled to plan the announcement. Sinn Fein called for an immediate general election a view echoed by the Social Democrats, Labour and other opposition politicians. Long-term computer use also associated with lower levels of follicle-stimulating hormone in men The study found a link between long-term use of a computer in mens leisure time and erectile dysfunction. Photo: Getty Spending a lot of leisure time on the computer may be linked to an increased risk of erectile dysfunction in men, research suggests. A study of more than 200,000 men indicates that for every additional 1.2 hours spent using a computer, the chances of experiencing erectile dysfunction increased by 3.57 times. The analysis, published in Andrology, also suggests these men showed a stronger genetic tendency for leisure computer use. Long-term computer use for leisure was found to be associated with lower levels of follicle-stimulating hormone in men, which stimulates the production of sperm. However, the researchers said there was no evidence to suggest that other sitting activities such as watching television or driving for leisure increased the risk of erectile dysfunction. They said further research is needed to understand the association between computer use and erectile dysfunction risk. The authors wrote: Although the specific mechanism of erectile dysfunction caused by computer use has not been clarified in the present study, the damage of sedentary behaviour to erectile function appears to be clear, which needs to attract public attention. In other words, physical activity can help to prevent or improve erectile function. For the study, scientists from China looked at data from genome-wide association studies, where genes linked to a particular condition or trait, such as risk of sedentary behaviour, are identified. The cohort involved men aged between 40 and 60 from the UK Biobank, an online database of medical and lifestyle records. Allan Pacey, professor of andrology at the University of Manchester, described it as quite a neat but complicated study exploring the possible contributory factors which may lead to erectile dysfunction. He said: Weve known for a while that men who have a sedentary lifestyle can have a higher incidence of erectile dysfunction, but we have not been sure why. In this study, long-term use of a computer in mens leisure time was associated with an increased risk of erectile dysfunction. They also show this was related to lower levels of FSH, an important reproductive hormone, which stimulates the production of sperm. Whilst this study does not absolutely show cause and effect, it certainly suggests that men who are worried about their erectile function should perhaps get off the computer and become more active. Studies have already shown that regular exercise can improve erectile function. Of course, if the problem persists, men should consult their GP who will be able to offer a range of solutions to try and help. Mediahuis team at Irish Podcast Awards where they won five prizes including best daily for the Indo Daily at The Irish Podcast Awards. Pic:Mark Condren Mediahuis Irelands podcast The Indo Daily has been nominated at the prestigious New York Festivals Radio Awards 2024. The shortlist for this years awards, which honours exceptional radio and podcasts across all platforms worldwide, includes two nominations for The Indo Daily. The Indo Daily podcast, which takes readers behind the headlines and is produced by the Irish Independent, was nominated under the best News Podcast category. The podcast, which started in 2021, is presented on a rotating basis by Kevin Doyle, Fionnan Sheahan, Tabitha Monahan and Ellen Coyne. The Indo Daily was also nominated for its five-part mini-series Im Not Here To Hurt You under the Serialised Podcast category. This series tells the story of one of Irelands most prolific bank robbers, John OHegarty, dubbed the polite bank robber after he held up at least 15 banks in 2004. In it, Mr OHegarty tells of how he went from a bachelors degree in philosophy and a masters degree in psychoanalytic studies from Trinity College Dublin to a 12-year prison sentence. Mediahuis Ireland group audio producer Mary Carroll said: To see The Indo Daily shortlisted is a privilege. The podcast is now an integral part of our newsroom offering and Irish Independent journalists have embraced a new way of story-telling. "Were proud of the high-end production values we bring to each episode. The BelTel Podcast, produced by the Belfast Telegraph, was nominated under best Investigative Report for its series Killing Edgar: The IRA murder of lawyer Edgar Graham. In this two-part series, journalist Sam McBride revisits the life of Edgar Graham, an Ulster unionist politician and law lecturer who would probably have become the leader of unionism. The 29-year-old was shot dead on December 7, 1983, by the IRA at Queen's University in Belfast. McBride said: The podcast took months of work, and navigated legally difficult territory, but some 40 years later it included the vivid recollections of some of those who knew Edgar best and who demonstrably still mourn the passing of a young academic cut down in cold blood because of his political beliefs. The winners will be announced at the Storytellers Gala on April 16. Terrorist, garda killer and prolific wife beater, Pearse McAuleys long litany of convictions have established him as one of Irelands most dangerous criminals for over 30 years. The Northern Irish para-military figure made the headlines in the early 1990s for a daring escape from an English prison, but his crimes against the State, specifically the shooting of a garda in 1996, would wrap his name in infamy among Irish criminal history. McAuley was part of a team that murdered Detective Garda Jerry McCabe. The garda was shot at point-blank range by an AK-47 in an attack by the Provisional IRA on June 7, 1996, outside Adare Post Office. McCabes colleague, Detective Garda Ben O'Sullivan, was seriously injured in the attack. Prison sentences were later handed down to McAuley, Michael O'Neill, Jeremiah Sheehy and Kevin Walsh after pleading guilty to Gda McCabes manslaughter at the Special Criminal Court. McAuley was sentenced to 14 years in February 1999 but was released from Castlerea Prison in August 2009. There had been strong calls from those within Sinn Fein for the men to be released earlier under the Good Friday Agreement. The eventual release of McAuley and Walsh sparked controversy in Kerry when then sitting Sinn Fein TD Martin Ferris greeted them at the gates of the prison before driving them in a Ford Transit van to meet their families. Although McAuleys release was welcomed by republicans in 2009, he was shunned in December 2015 when he was handed a 12-year sentence for a frenzied attack on his then wife Pauline Tully now a Sinn Fein TD at their home in 2014. McAuley stabbed Ms Tully 13 times in the attack. He walked free in 2022 after serving his prison term. This week, McAuley died alone in Strabane from a suspected heart attack. Today on The Indo Daily, Tabitha Monahan is joined by Allison Morris, crime correspondent with The Belfast Telegraph, to discuss the life and crimes of one of Irelands most violent terrorists, and whether Sinn Fein can ever escape their links to figures within the republican movement. *A warning, today's episode contains details of domestic violence which listeners may find upsetting Helplines: If you have been affected by the contents of this article, click here for more information. Head to www.mypodcastfeedback.com, pop in code INDO and fill out the short survey to be in with the chance of winning a 500 OneforAll voucher. We were promised a bombshell political moment, and that exactly is what we got as Leo Varadkar announced his resignation as Taoiseach and leader of Fine Gael. Friends and colleagues of the departing Taoiseach gave him their best wishes, but it didn't take long for plotting and speculation to begin about who would replace Varadkar in the hot seat. Twenty-four hours on since the departure announcement, one clear favourite has formed as Simon Harris looks set to become Ireland's 16th taoiseach. Today on The Indo Daily, Fionnan Sheehan is joined by Hugh OConnell, Deputy Political Editor with the Irish Independent, to discuss the runners and riders for the race to become Ireland's next taoiseach - and whether the top job at Fine Gael is a poisoned chalice for those who win. Garda chiefs have rowed back on controversial plans to cut opening hours at Ballyconnell Garda Station. Garda bosses have announced a dramatic u-turn to contentious plans to cut a west Cavan stations opening hours to just four hours per day. Locals living in a west Cavan town have welcomed a dramatic u-turn by Garda chiefs to cut opening hours at its local station to just four hours a day. A notice signalling plans to open Ballyconnell Garda Stations from 7am to 9am and 6pm to 8pm was posted on the facilitys front door last weekend. The station had previously been operating under a 9am to 9pm basis. Follow Independent Cavan on Facebook The announcement was met with considerable dismay at local political level and among the wider community. Cavan-Monaghan Fianna Fail TD Niamh Smyth was last night (Wednesday) due to raise the matter on the floor of the Dail with Justice Minister Helen McEntee. However, the Irish Independent website has learned Garda bosses have since rowed back on the controversial plans, much to the relief of locals. Cllr Peter McVitty, who lives locally, raised the matter at a Cavan-Belturbet Municipal District meeting on Tuesday before fresh talks with Superintendent John Callanan led to a dramatic reversal of the plans. The Superintendent rang me back to say that they were changing their mind on it, he said. They (gardai) are meeting with us next Tuesday evening to go through things. The Fine Gael local politician said the decision to cut hours at a station that mans such a vast area of the wider west Cavan area made little sense. He also took issue with how the announcement was made, saying its handling had left a bitter taste in the mouths of many locals. People were genuinely annoyed about it, he said. It is a massive, massive area and there is no barracks right from Cavan down to Blacklion and those hours from 7am to 9am in the morning were ridiculous hours to be quite honest. It was also a backhanded and underhanded way of doing it to put it up on a Saturday morning of a Bank Holiday weekend. We have JPC meetings and thats the place to discuss those things and not just hit us with the way it was announced, but I am just glad to see it reversed. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar makes his way to the front of Government Buildings for his announcement. Photo: Frank McGrath Fine Gael politicians in Cork have reacted with shock to yesterdays announcement that Leo Varadkar is to step aside as Taoiseach and party leader, with one remarking that nobody saw it coming. In a surprise move, Mr Varadkar announced that he is resigning as Fine Gael leader with immediate effect and he will remain as Taoiseach until a new party leader is elected after the Easter recess. The leader of the Fine Gael party grouping in Cork County Council, Cllr John Paul OShea paid a warm tribute to the outgoing Taoiseach. I want to pay tribute and thank Leo, our Fine Gael leader and Taoiseach. He has served the Irish people and communities for over 20 years in public service. Politics requires courage and commitment. Leo delivered on both. Our country has progressed during his tenure and his leadership has been unwavering. I wish him all the very best. Fine Gael councillor Eileen Lynch admitted she was shocked with the announcement from Mr Varadkar. Im shocked. I didnt see it coming. The consensus seems to be that nobody saw it coming. People are generally shocked. I think he can be proud of his achievements, said Cllr Lynch. There was an awful lot achieved by Fine Gael in government whilst he was Taoiseach and minister. There are a lot of things such as health and housing that are still a work in progress, but housing numbers have increased. We dealt with the war in Ukraine, Brexit, Covid and immigration. Yes, absolutely everything wasnt perfect but in politics as in life things arent perfect. I do think there are a lot of achievements that he has done and overseen that he should be very proud of. Cllr Lynch believes there are several front runners within the party who will make strong party leaders. I would imagine you would be looking at Paschal Donohoe, Simon Harris, Heather Humphreys, Helen McEntee and Simon Coveney potentially. In terms of front runners, it is very difficult to call and because there were no strong talks of a change or a heave, I dont have a frontrunner in mind. Ms Lynch, who represents the Macroom Municipal District, acknowledged the lack of a party leader is a blow ahead of the upcoming local and European elections in June. I have mixed feelings on it to be honest. I think for a local councillor seeking re-election or for first time candidates going for election it is a blow because Fine Gael will be to the fore with the media between now and April 6 for the Ard Fheis. I think if I was going to go canvassing this evening it will be raised on every door and I think that will be the way until at least mid-April. I think more so for sitting councillors it is going to massive deflect from the work that we have been doing, she added. Fine Gael councillor Gerard Murphy, a former TD for Cork North West who served in the Dail from 2002 to 2007, also expressed his surprise with Mr Varadkars decision. I am totally surprised although Leo made it clear from the very start that he didnt consider politics as his final goal in life, and he would only stay in politics until he thought he was useful. His achievements are phenomenal, said the former TD. I left the Dail in 2007 and the country was in absolute chaos. We were in the middle of one of the biggest recessions that you could possibly imagine. Leo, Enda Kenny, and Michael Noonan to a certain extent got us through a very difficult period. I would respect him. He was in politics to do good and achieve something, not for his own personal gain. Cllr Murphy believes the recent results in the referendums on family and care might have impacted his decision to step down. He would be very liberal, and he thought he was doing the right thing with the recent referendums. The results might have set him back a bit. He might have been concerned that the losses would have a knock-on effect within the party and would in turn effect the local and European elections. As Taoiseach he took responsibility, and he didnt feel he had the mandate to make major decisions about when the general election would happen. Cllr Murphy also highlighted potential candidates such as Simon Harris, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill and Helen McEntee to replace Mr Varadkar and said he believes the party has a strong future. I am quite confident that the current government will be re-elected, whether the general election is in the autumn or in the spring of next year. Forty-five-year-old Mr Varadkar was first elected to the Dail in 2007 and was was appointed as Minister for Transport in 2011 before taking up the health portfolio in 2014. He became Taoiseach in 2017, the youngest person to hold the role, after beating Simon Coveney in the race to succeed Enda Kenny. Cllr Gerard Murphy had tipped Minister Simon Coveney to become the next party leader, saying it was a move that would help attract strong loyalty from the membership. Being a Cork man I was involved in Peter Barrys campaign for leadership years ago. I think the party made a mistake not electing Peter as the party leader. I hope we dont make the same mistake this time. Simon Coveney was a very close runner up to Leo as he won the actual membership vote. We are going to need a strong organisation and strong loyalty from our members. Simon is in a strong position to do that, he said. However, Minister Coveney ruled himself out of contention yesterday evening. As a young mum in Dublin, finding somewhere to live is just impossible, says influencer Keelin Moncrieff Keelin Moncrieff is one of the many thousands of young adults still living at home with parents Content creator Keelin Moncrieff says it is 'impossible' to find suitable accommodation in Dublin Sarah Burke Thu 21 Mar 2024 at 14:20 A young mother-of-one has described her experience of trying to find a suitable place to live in Dublin as impossible. Paul Markey has been a volunteer driver with the Irish Cancer Society for almost a decade. Pic: Fran Veale A retired Dubliner, who faced his own cancer diagnosis in 2020, has been volunteering to transport cancer patients to and from their hospital chemotherapy treatments for nearly a decade. Paul Markey, who lives in Leopardstown with his wife Grainne, has since recovered and is encouraging others to get involved as a volunteer with the Irish Cancer Society. After retiring as a bank manager 14 years ago, Mr Markey decided to become a volunteer driver after seeing an advertisement in the local parish magazine. I was looking for something that would be completely different from what I did for my job, and Im quite happy to drive around. I know the city quite well as Im born and bred here, he said. After completing a short training session, he committed to the standard two days of volunteering per month. The volunteers receive an email each day listing the locations of the hospital and the pick-up points. Once the volunteer accepts the drive, which is usually somewhere in the locality, they can see who theyre picking up and can contact them. Once that happens, the driver must transport the person to their appointment or treatment and then wait for them to be ready to be brought home. Mr Markey says it have been a very worthwhile experience. If you have cancer, you are obviously very worried about your diagnosis and treatment and being worried about getting to your appointments, he said. Taking that stress away from someone, so they have one less thing to worry about, is convenient. He said that the best approach is to listen to the person being transported and let them chit-chat if they wish to. Paul Markey described the experience of being a volunteer as 'very worthwhile'. Pic: Fran Veale Mr Markeys cancer diagnosis, at the age of 68, began with excruciating pain in his back. He has since recovered, but the experience made him a much calmer person, and he has learned to slow down. He was diagnosed in August 2020 and started treatment in September, which included six sessions of chemotherapy, every six weeks. In April 2021, scans gave him the all clear. We all know somebodys got cancer, but the good news is theres 200,000 cancer survivors in Ireland today, he said. He encouraged anybody who may have the flexibility to become a volunteer to take it on for the rewarding element. In his time volunteering with the Irish Cancer Society, he said that being able to alleviate one worry from someone undergoing cancer treatment is a nice feeling. The Irish Cancer Society's Daffodil Day takes place this Friday, March 22, and they are calling on the nation to come together as a community and contribute. The Irish Cancer Society typically receives only 5pc of its income from the Government, so its thanks to the generosity of the public that they can provide vital free services and support to ensure nobody faces cancer alone. To donate to the Irish Cancer Society, visit cancer.ie/daffodilday. If youre interested in the Volunteer Driver Service, you can join the other 1,200 drivers around Ireland by reading more here. Ireland South MEP Sean Kelly is the latest high-profile Fine Gael figure to back Simon Harris to become the next party leader and Taoiseach. The Kilcummin native and former GAA President described the Wicklow TD widely tipped to take the baton following Taoiseach Leo Varadkars shock announcement yesterday as a highly effective Minister, public representative and leader in a statement this morning. 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 Kelly MEP is the third Fine Gael MEP after Maria Walsh and Frances Fitzgerald to endorse Minister Harris, bringing the Wicklow TDs total number of endorsements between MEPs, Senators, and TDs to 20. This would be enough support for him to contest a leadership election. Im delighted to announce that Ill be supporting the candidacy of my good friend Simon Harris to be the next leader of Fine Gael, Kelly MEP said this morning. Simon has a proven track record as a highly effective Minister, public representative and leader. I would be honoured to continue my work in the European Parliament under his leadership. What a day it was at Firies N.S this past Tuesday as they extended the St Patricks Day celebrations that little bit further through their La Glas event, the aim of which was to celebrate all things Irish culture. La Glas which stands for Green Day took place on Tuesday March 19 and by all accounts, it was a bona fide success with every pupil dressing up to the nines in their best and brightest green outfits as they embraced Irish culture through its music and language. One of the major highlights of the day was when each of the classes took part in a singing and dancing session; the young infant classes showed off their fancy foot work by doing a fantastic version of the tradition Siege of Ennis dance while the pupils in both first and second class filled their air with infectious energy thanks to their performances to An Dreoilin. Finally, the older students in third to sixth class showcased their skills in The Set with this captivating group dance with co=ordinated footwork and joyful expressions demonstrating their pride in the Irish traditions. 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 Read more Photos show Firies NS pupils celebrating World Down Syndrome Day Not to be outdone, the schools teachers accepted and rose to the challenge and formed their own set and it was this dedication and willingness to participate that added a delightful twist to the festivities with the kids in particular loving the sight of seeing their teachers on the dance floor. Other highlights of the day included the entire school singing the Irish national anthem, Amhran na bhFiann, together. The benefits of La Glas were numerous, Eva Spillane from the school, said following the event: It instilled a sense of cultural pride in the students. By celebrating Irish traditions, they learned about their roots and the importance of preserving their unique identity. The event also brought the whole school together. Dancing and singing fostered a strong sense of school community and belonging. The focus on the Irish language throughout the week encouraged students to appreciate and use it more actively. Language is a vital part of our culture. The dancing too, it is not only fun but also a great form of exercise. The lively dance routines kept everyone active and energised, she continued. In summary, Eva said, Firies National Schools La Glas was more than just a celebration. It was a testament to the schools commitment to Irish culture, unity, and the well-being of its students. Thomas Carroll was charged with the murder of Patrick O'Mahony in Tralee Court today. Photo: Domnick Walsh. Thomas Carroll, who is accused of the murder in late February of Castlemaine man Paddy OMahony Snr is no longer in state custody after bail was finalised in Tralee District Court this week. Mr Carroll (66) of 25 Brookway, Clonmel, County Tipperary, was charged with murdering Mr OMahony (84) on Saturday, February 24, at Mr OMahonys home in Ballyraemeen Upper. 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 Mr Carroll is represented by Kerry solicitor Pat Mann. Mr Mann and his legal team lodged a bail application in the High Court, which was granted last week. An independent surety of 20,000 was sought and Jim Cahill appeared in Tralee District Court this week to confirm he had lodged the money for Mr Carroll to get bail. Judge David Waters asked Mr Cahill did he understand that if Mr Carroll did not comply with the bail terms or does not attend court that bail would be removed and Mr Cahill would lose the money. "I understand that, he told the told the court. Today's News in 90 seconds - 21st March 2024 Mr Carroll lodged his own bond of 7,000 for bail. The case has now been adjourned to April 17 for mention for the book of evidence. Mr Carroll does not have to attend unless the book of evidence is ready. Mr Carroll, a former soldier, first appeared before Tralee District Court on February 28 after he was formally charged that morning with the murder of Mr OMahony, also a former soldier. Mr OMahony, a father of five, was a firearms expert, collector, and dealer, and he was among the best-known figures within the Irish target-shooting scene. The new facility which will support gardai has been described as the most advanced in Europe Minister McEntee praised Forensic Science Ireland as the unsung hero of our criminal justice system Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has officially opened the new state of the art laboratory and headquarters for Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) in Celbridge, Co Kildare. The new facility, which has been described the FSI Director General Chris Enright as the most advanced in Europe, will futureproof forensic science in Ireland. Follow Independent Kildare on Facebook Justice Minister Helen McEntee, alongside Minister of State with responsibility for Law Reform, James Browne and Minister of State at the OPW Patrick ODonovan, officially cut the ribbon at the new 100 million facility. This brand new campus will provide state of the art facilities for the recovery and analysis of trace evidence as well as FSIs broad range of functions including chemical analysis, physical analysis and DNA & Biological Analysis services. As a result, it will aid the FSI in taking full advantage of evolving DNA and other technologies in criminal investigations and support of Missing Person investigations. Justice Minister Helen McEntee and Minister of State Patrick O'Donovan cutting the ribbon at the new FSI campus in Co Kildare Speaking at the opening of the facility, Minister McEntee praised Forensic Science Ireland as the unsung hero of our criminal justice system. "This is a historic day. This is the largest investment we have put into any kind of infrastructure like this. I think Forensic Science Ireland is so often the unsung hero of our criminal justice system. But what it does every year is that it ensures that Gardai are supported in thousands of criminal convictions, it ensures that we support victims and that also Missing Persons can be identified. Their work is absolutely crucial. "This is an investment not just in the building and the infrastructure and the technology and the science itself, but its an investment in the people also and it is one that will stand the test of time and really is a world class facility. Minister McEntee added that the new facility will help gardai put criminals behind bars, but also exonerate innocent people. "If we look at recent figures from 2022, there were over 23,000 different sets of analysis that were sent to FSI here by the Gardai. "This facility will ensure that the newest of technology will help the team here to do their job as efficiently and effectively as possible which means that the Gardai will have the evidence that they need in either securing convictions and putting criminals behind bars, ensuring that innocent people are exonerated too, but also importantly identifying human remains. This means for families of Missing Persons, this facility is also really important. "It is a victim-focused and a victim-centred approach that is taken here by the FSI, which is something we really support. Minister of State Patrick ODonovan echoed Minister McEntees sentiments. Today marks the biggest single investment in forensic science in the country. It is an investment in Irelands future and an acknowledgement of the ever-increasing relevance of forensic services in our justice system. "We now have one of the elite forensic analysis facilities in Europe, designed and delivered by the Office of Public Works team, who work tirelessly to deliver important infrastructure projects like this, on behalf of the people of Ireland. FSI Director General Chris Enright explained the new facilities contained in the new FSI campus, will help Ireland continue to be a functioning society where criminals are held accountable for their actions and victims are supported. "This new purpose-built facility represents a deep commitment to the impact and value of forensic science in the country. It acknowledges the profound impact forensic science has on supporting a functioning society from supporting criminal investigations, to assisting with Missing Persons investigations and body identifications, to identifying new and potentially dangerous psychoactive substances or providing valuable intelligence information through DNA and Fingerprint Databases. "The demand for our services has grown dramatically over the years and this new building positions us very well to respond. The building also allows us to provide a more integrated forensic service, where all of our Chemical Analysis, DNA & Biological Analysis and Physical Analysis services can be provided from the same location in an integrated and cohesive way. Mr. Enright added that thanks to this new facility, the future of forensic science in Ireland looks bright. Our mission is to provide the Irish justice system with a high quality integrated Forensic Service through independent, expert scientific analysis and advice to best international standards. I have no doubt that this major capital investment will enable this and will provide for a great future for forensic services in Ireland. The 13,000 M facility is strategically located in the Backweston Campus outside Celbridge in Co Kildare, alongside Laboratories of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the State Laboratory. The construction of this new, fit-for-purpose building started in March 2020 and was completed in July 2023. The State Laboratory and offices & laboratories of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) are based on the same campus and construction of a new Government Data Centre on campus is also under way. Judge was critical of the defendants attempts to repay what she took A 30 year old single mother of three has been jailed for two years for stealing 66,595 from a community playschool where she worked over a six month period. The case had been adjourned from previous sittings of Sligo Circuit Court to allow the defendant, of Crozon Park, Sligo pay compensation but hadnt kept to the schedule and Judge Keenan Johnson said his patience was at an end with her. The court heard McLoughlin traded in her car in the meantime, had taken cocaine and gambled. Judge Johnson said he was sick to the teeth of getting lame excuses from the defendant. I am really sick of the excuses. Every opportunity has been given to her but she throws it back in the courts face, he said. He pointed out that the defendants latest offer at paying compensation, 40 a week, would take over thirty years to pay back. The money is gone but she can still afford to buy drink and take cocaine. Nothing adds up with this lady, he said. Mr Des Dockery SC with Mr Eoin McGovern BL, instructed by Mr Gerard McGovern, Solicitor, pointed out that a psychiatric report from March of last year stated that the defendant had said her drug and gambling habits had not been happening for a considerable time. McLoughlin was charged with 60 counts of theft from Kilmacowen Community Preschool and Play Group, Kilmacowen, Ballisodare, Co Sligo from June 16th 2020 to December 2020. She pleaded guilty to six sample counts of theft from Bank of Ireland, Stephen St, Sligo the property of Kilmacowen Community Pre-school and Play Group. The amounts were 2,5000, 8,000, 5,000, 2,000, 2,000 and 400. Mr Leo Mulrooney BL with State Solicitor, Ms Elisa McHugh (prosecuting) said the amount outstanding stood at 61,800. The Judge pointed out that the court had also been told the defendant was bi-polar but no evidence was ever produced to back this up having been pleaded on a previous occasion. I really take exception to the court being misled and then expecting leniency which is a two way street, he said. A previous court heard that McLoughlin, who recently gave birth to her third child, made full admissions to Gardai and she accepted she transferred money to her Permanent TSB and Revolut accounts. She told gardai it was something that got out of hand. She said she didnt have any debts or loans. She said during lockdown she had been working as a beautician but lost her job and became addicted to gambling online. She thought she could pay back the money but it just spiralled out of control. She said she was gambling regularly every week and sometimes every day. She was also buying stupid things through online shopping. She bought a new car and traded in an old car, the new car cost 17k and she had to pay 8k and had used some of the organisations money for this. When asked if she still had the car she said no, she sold it for 14k in July of that year and used the money to buy a second car worth 2,500. When asked where the balance was she said it was now gone. When asked by gardai what she spent it on, she replied the same thing, gambling. The offending was discovered in early January 2021 upon the realisation that staff wages were not paid over the Christmas period. Kilmacowen Community Pre-School and Playgroup is a registered charity and is run from the old Kilmacowen National School building which was built in 1846. The community preschool was founded in 1983 and prided itself on being amongst the longest running preschools in the county.Its committee has always consisted of parents who availed of their services. McLoughlin was part of this committee, serving many roles during her time on the board. Last week, Judge Johnson was informed that at the court sitting last October, McLoughlin had returned with 500 and had another 1,700 in cash at this sitting. She had consulted with MABS about a repayment plan. She was on 288 a week Jobseekers Allowance along with Child Benefit giving a total weekly income of 402 but had outgoings of 353 with 40 a week discretion. Judge Johnson said there had been a huge amount stolen causing significant amount of stress for the community. The court had extended every latitude to the defendant to reimburse but this was not forthcoming and the court had been misled which was not the fault of her legal team. He said he had to send out a clear message. He imposed a three year sentence, suspending the final year on condition she enter a bond to keep the peace and be of good behaviour for two years. She must also refrain from taking drugs and undergo 12 months post release supervision by the probation service. Judge Johnson said he would give the defendant time to get her affairs in order and said she must present herself at Sligo Garda Station at 10 am on July 9th from where she will be brought to prison. Dr Gerry ODowd, Associate Clinical Director of the Network, LUH Saolta Cancer MCAN / Consultant Histopathologist; Dr Joseph Martin, Associate Clinical Director of the Network, GUH Saolta Cancer MCAN / Consultant Radiation Oncologist; Olive Gallagher, Director of Nursing, Saolta Cancer MCAN; Professor Michael Kerin, Director Saolta Cancer MCAN; Tony Canavan, Regional Executive Officer, HSE West and North West; Professor Maccon Keane, Associate Clinical Director of the Network, GUH Saolta Cancer MCAN / Consultant Medical Oncologist. Saolta University Cancer Network has progressed to the next stage of accreditation to the Organisation of European Cancer Institutes (OECI). The OECI Accreditation and Designation programme is considered internationally as the gold standard for cancer care. It focuses on enabling a complete quality system for cancer diagnosis, care, education and research. OECI is an organisation of European cancer centres founded in 1979 to provide patients equal access to high quality cancer care through cooperation and knowledge exchange. This is Sligo Newsletter Enter your email address below and click 'Sign Up' to receive the This is Sligo newsletter direct to your inbox. Please check your inbox to verify your details By participating in this prestigious accreditation process the Saolta University Cancer Network has committed to ongoing quality improvement in cancer care through research, innovation, partnership and patient empowerment. The Saolta cancer programme provides a wide range of cancer services to a population of 830,000 people across the West and North West. In line with the national model of care (a hub and spoke model), complex care is located at University Hospital Galway with satellite centres delivering care closer to home in Letterkenny University Hospital, Sligo University Hospital, Mayo University Hospital and Portiuncula University Hospital. The network is a clinical academic partnership between the Saolta University Healthcare Group and the University of Galway and is aligned with the strategic priorities of the National Cancer Strategy (2017-2026). In 2021, the Saolta University Cancer Network became a member of the OECI with a view to becoming an European accredited cancer network to quality assure the cancer programme within region. Following membership and preliminary designation screening by the OECI, the Saolta University Cancer Network undertook an extensive self-assessment process against the OECI standards with a completed submission delivered in February 2024. This was approved by the OECI Accreditation and Designation (A&D) Board, and will result in a peer review visit scheduled for May 2024. The peer review will include site visits by a European independent panel of experts who assess all elements the cancer programme in our hospitals. Any recommendations for quality improvement as a result of the review will be the focus over the next period, with a decision expected in November 2024 on its status as a fully accredited OECI Cancer Centre. Professor Michael Kerin, Director of Saolta University Cancer Network welcomed the progress saying, Our vision is to create a centre of excellence delivering the highest international standards in cancer treatment, research and education across our network and the OECI accreditation process will enable us to deliver patient centred cancer care at the highest standards internationally. Tony Canavan, Regional Executive Officer, HSE West and North West welcomed the progress. The provision of integrated cancer care for the population of our region is a priority and I want to commend the team for the focus and determination they have shown in making this a reality for the people we serve. Eddie Downey (Chairperson Agricultural and Rural Development Committee), Senator Tim Lombard, Sean Kelly MEP, Catherine Kinsella (Saltrock Dairy) and Una Sinnott (Nutorious Nutriton) pictured at the top table during the public meeting in Askamore Community Centre on Thursday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell Tractors parked on both sides of the road reducing the road to one lane during the public meeting in Askamore Community Centre on Thursday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell Tractors parked on both sides of the road reducing the road to one lane during the public meeting in Askamore Community Centre on Thursday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell Farmers protested by parking their tractors on both sides of the road outside Askamore Community Centre in north Wexford during a Fine Gael public meeting recently. There was a large crowd at the meeting which event organiser and Fine Gael election candidate Edel Gahan opened and past President of the IFA, Eddie Downing chaired. There was a huge turnout from the hedge-cutting contractors, the IFA, it was like a sea of amber lights, it was a sight to behold, said PRO for the Fine Gael South Wicklow North Wexford constituency, Patrick Devitt. Earlier that day, many questions and concerns were raised at a constituency clinic at the Ashdown Park Hotel. It ran from 1 until 3p.m. and there was significant footfall. A lot of people coming in to talk to Sean about their own questions and concerns in the area, said Patrick. Fine Gael is the only political party in Ireland which has a dedicated agriculture, rural and food panel. The focus of the night was agriculture, food and rural development. Following the constituency clinic, MEP Sean Kelly also attended and spoke at the public meeting that night. He addressed the nature restoration directive and how he believes it will impact Ireland and the Irish agricultural sector. He went on to discuss emissions, nitrates and water quality. Ireland is making significant progress in this and the agricultural sector is certainly behind this. Sean is trying to gain more recognition for this at European level and at national level as well because the agricultural sector is on target to hit its targets by 2025 while most other sectors of the economy arent, said Patrick. Senator Tim Lombard was also present on the night and spoke about whats currently going on at the Oireachtas and Seanad in relation to agriculture. He also discussed water quality and the environmental protection agency providing data to farmers which is out of date. "Farmers are getting data which is 18 months old while in some pilot projects down in County Cork, farmers are getting information within ten minutes so they know whats going on in terms of water quality and steps can be actively taken, said Patrick. One of the key topics that was discussed was that in Wicklow and Wexford there are some of the worst incidents of Tuberculosis (TB) in Ireland. Theres a belief that TB, I dont know if its scientifically based but that its coming from the wild deer population and steps are going to need to be taken to actually address this, said Patrick. Fine Gael have two new local election candidates in the Gorey District; Edel Gahan and Darragh McDonald. Approval also given for appointment of a Rural Recreation Officer for County Wexford Five of County Wexfords walking trails have been included in the largest ever expansion of Irelands National Walks Scheme. The trails approved for inclusion in the National Walks Scheme are: Cullentra Trail, Kiltealy, Ballybrittas Dolmen Trail, Bree, Mount Nebo Trail, Hollyfort, Kilanerin, Curragh Wood Loop and River Walk, Courtown. The announcement includes the approval of the appointment of a Rural Recreation Officer (RRO) for County Wexford. The Wexford Walking Trails group have welcomed the recent announcement by Minister Heather Humphreys and the Department of Rural and Community Development, of the approval for inclusion of the five trails. The scheme is designed to boost outdoor recreation and rural tourism. Great credit is due to Wexford Local Development for submitting the application to include Wexfords walking trails in the National Walks Scheme, and for their co-operation in enabling the appointment of a RRO for County Wexford, a Wexford Walking Trails spokesperson said. Wexford Walking Trails wish to acknowledge the assistance of Rory OMahony and Wexford County Council for continuously aiming to establish and improve walking trails throughout County Wexford. The inclusion of Wexfords walking trails in the National Walks Scheme will further enhance the trails included, for the benefit of local communities, businesses and visitors to the trails. Wexford Walking Trails chairperson Peter OConnor said: A special thank you to local Trail Management Organisations for their dedication, co-operation and consistent work to improve the stunning walking trails in their localities for all to enjoy. Wexford Walking Trails wish to thank private landowners, Coillte and the NPWS for their valuable contribution and for working alongside local trail management organisations. This partnership will ensure that walking trails of a very high standard can be delivered through County Wexfords scenic countryside. Mr OConnor said Wexford Walking Trails is committed to consulting and co-operating with all stakeholders to ensure present and future developments are of benefit to all sectors of the rural and urban community. County Wexford with its scenic landscape, offers a diverse range of walking trails for enjoyment by walkers. From forest and hillside walks, to historic, coastal, riverside and mountain trails, there are walking trails in County Wexford to suit all ages and abilities, said Mr OConnor. For information and downloadable maps visit https://wexfordwalkingtrail.ie/trails-maps/. County Wexford Chamber has announced the appointment of Paula Roche as its new Chief Executive Officer. With a background in senior leadership and delivering customer solutions, Paula brings a wealth of experience in driving business growth to the Chamber, said Chamber President Lorcan Kinsella. A Wexford native, Paulas previous roles include Managing Director of Consumer Solutions at Equifax Ltd, the global consumer credit reporting agency. In that role, Paulas responsibilities encompassed strategic management of revenue and expenditure, while driving cross-functional delivery across product, marketing, change, and sales. Working at the top-tier level in the financial and tech sector in London, Dublin, and Wexford, Paula has spearheaded critical regulatory programmes, implemented large-scale digital transformations, and led the product development lifecycle from design to launch. Paula's appointment comes at a pivotal time as County Wexford Chamber embarks on its Sustainable Prosperity for All mission, as outlined in its Strategic Plan. Her leadership will be instrumental in advancing the Chamber's strategic objectives, which include: Promoting sustainability in business and the wider community, in alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Representing and growing membership, ensuring the voice of County Wexford businesses is heard at all levels. Advancing economic development in County Wexford by showcasing it as a centre of business excellence and supporting innovation and entrepreneurship. Encouraging tourism, culture, and the night time economy, working to enhance County Wexford's reputation as a vibrant destination. Supporting workforce development and education initiatives, collaborating with educational institutions to nurture talent within the community. Mr Kinsella expressed enthusiasm for Paula's leadership, stating, Paula's appointment marks the beginning of an exciting chapter for the Chamber. We are confident that, under her leadership, County Wexford Chamber will continue to champion the interests of its members while contributing to the economic vitality and community well-being of County Wexford. As the newly appointed CEO, Paula Roche expressed her commitment to delivering on the goals outlined by the Chamber. I am really looking forward to implementing the Chambers purpose to connect, support, and represent the vibrant business community of County Wexford. My own leadership style is focused on collaboration and inclusivity, delivering results, and building strong relationships with stakeholders. With the support of the Board and the Chamber team, I am energised about the exciting year ahead for County Wexford, including the boost that Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann will bring to the business and wider community of our county. The Wexford TD also announced his support for Simon Harris as the next leader of Fine Gael and Taoiseach Fine Gael TD and long-term Leo Varadkar ally Paul Kehoe has criticised opposition party leaders for lacking the good grace to wish the outgoing Taoiseach the best of luck. The Wexford TD and former government chief whip said that he was shocked by some of the criticisms and barbs aimed at Varadkar in the immediate aftermath of his announcement that he would be stepping down as Taoiseach and Fine Gael party leader. Having last month announced his intention to leave politics after 22 years in the Dail, Deputy Kehoe said that the reaction to Mr Varadkars announcement was further evidence of a change for the worse in politics. "I was shocked by some of what was said in the aftermath, he said. I was walking through the Dail yesterday and I thought to myself 'this goes to show how much things have changed. They couldn't even say best of luck. It's no wonder its getting harder to get people to go into politics these days. Deputy Kehoe said he was particularly shocked by the comments of Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns in the immediate aftermath of the Taoiseachs announcement, as well as tense exchanges in the Dail that followed. "She tried to hand his arse to him on a plate, but it didn't work, he said. Youd expect that from Mary Lou (McDonald). Id have thought it would be different with Holly Cairns. It was terrible stuff. A long term ally of Varadkar, having been quick to support him for the party leadership in 2017, Deputy Kehoe was stunned by yesterday's announcement. "It came totally out of the blue, he said. I had spoken with Leo the night before he went to Washington and this was not what I expected when he came back. Deputy Kehoe speculated that perhaps the Taoiseach had gone through some of the same soul-searching that he himself has done in recent months. "I think maybe Leo is not one to spend a lifetime at the same thing, he said. Im the same myself. I've done my time too. Leo can now go off and do something else with himself and take on new challenges. "I think what he did yesterday was extremely brave, Deputy Kehoe continued. It would've been very easy to just keep turning up and taking every day as another day in the office of An Taoiseach. But he decided he didn't want to do that and I admire him for making that decision. "He can be very proud of what he has achieved as Taoiseach, from negotiating a pandemic to Brexit and bringing the country back to full employment. Like many of his party colleagues, Deputy Kehoe has thrown his weight fully behind Simon Harris to be the next party leader and Taoiseach. "Ive known Simon for many years now, he said. I remember when he came into the Dail as a parliamentary assistant. "I have served in Cabinet with him, I have worked with him in the various roles he has held. Most recently I have worked closely with him as Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science on the establishment of the South East Technological University, which has been a long held goal for Wexford. "Throughout his time, he has shown the energy and the vision to lead the Fine Gael party and the country. He has shown the compassion and the capabilities to lead the country through our one darkest hours when the Covid-19 pandemic hit. "He is a close friend of mine and I know he will work every hour of every single day to deliver Fine Gael values. I've already had a few conversations with him yesterday and have pledged my support, although I dont think it will be contested at this stage. As a party Fine Gael is going through a difficult spell. Nationally, many long-serving, experienced TDs have opted to hang up their spurs, Kehoe among them. For his part though, regardless of who the next party leader is, he won't be contesting the next general election. "I didnt opt to leave because of who the leader of Fine Gael was," he said. I just felt it was the right time for me. When asked if perhaps Harris leadership might reinvigorate the Wexford man and encourage him to gear up for one final run, he was adamant. "No, I won't be changing my mind, he said. Ive great time for Simon and I've committed to help him in any way I can, but I wont be changing my mind. There was widespread sadness in New Ross following the passing of one of the towns true matriarchs, Catherine (Kathleen) Furness, a woman who always had an open door and a listening ear for all. Late of Charleton Hill, Kathleen is survived by her children, Derek, Marian, Joan, Anne, Martina and Elaine, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Born in Clongeen in 1933, Kathleen Whelan had two brothers, Billy and Joe and four sisters, Mary, Marcella, Ellen and Annie. Hers was a simple childhood in a different Ireland, one in which hard work was given from a young age. To this end, Kathleen did farm work, before getting a job at Freaneys Post Office, when she was 17, selling stamps and other items. Renowned for giving the biggest ice creams to customers, Kathleen became great friends with the Freaneys and lived with them, minding their children. She met her husband Nicky and moved in with him and his father Matthew on Folly House Lane. Both men were well known firemen in New Ross, a tradition of civil service carried on by Derek for many years. Kathleen and Nicky were married in the mid-Fifties and moved to Charleton Hill, where Kathleen made great friends. Her house always had an open door and with her great sense of humour and warm hospitality it was to become a home away from home for neighbours of all ages over the decades that followed. Firmly convinced that a cup of tea could put all the worlds problems to right, Kathleen was a constant presence in the family home where she raised her children well. Kathleen was someone who was very content in her own company. She was a great listener and neighbours young and old enjoyed coming over for a chat. Her great friend Mrs (Mary) Mullett would call over often and they often went down town together. Never one to judge anyone, Kathleen was the perfect companion. She enjoyed cooking traditional fayre and her tarts and Christmas puddings were always in big demand. Kathleen enjoyed great health throughout her life. A woman of deep faith, she had an inner strength which stood to her following the passing of her beloved husband in 1997. Her grandniece Nicola moved in with her when she was only three and remained with her the two becoming the best of friends. Nicola ended up caring for her, alongside Martina who minded her mother lovingly over the past decade. The family got to enjoy many special moments with Kathleen over the years, including big roundy birthday celebrations for her seventieth, eightieth and ninetieth birthdays. Kathleen loved her children, 20 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren and cherished the times they shared. In latter years Kathleen found a very good friend in Fr Tom Orr. What was most remarkable about Kathleen was her kindness and compassion. She mixed well with everyone and was welcome in every house in the close knit community that is Charleton Hill, enjoying watching matches in John Nolans house over the years and spending time with friends. A crowd attended Kathleens funeral mass and burial afterwards. May she rest in peace. Thursday, March 21, marked International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and five groups from County Wicklow aked candidates for the upcoming local elections to sign the national Anti-Racism Protocol. Bray For Love, Wicklow Welcomes, Enniskerry Welcomes, African Irish Society of Co Wicklow and United Against Racism Wicklow all came together to jointly request that each Wicklow candidate pledge their support for the protocol. Author and activist Emer ONeill said: We know that people in County Wicklow care deeply about our communities. We know communities across Wicklow have welcomed new neighbours with kindness, generosity and compassion. We know that newcomers to our communities in County Wicklow are involved in building new houses for us, driving us to school and work and nursing our families. During this local election campaign we are concerned that immigration might become a central talking point and overshadow many real issues of housing, local facilities, health and transport. We know that people who are genuinely anxious about our communities across County Wicklow want to raise these issues during election time. We believe it is important to raise these issues respectfully and we think we should be able to have those conversations without scapegoating minority groups. We are publicly calling on all County Wicklow local election candidates to keep this election clean. Honest and genuine conversations about immigration do not involve exaggerations or fearmongering about minority groups. We publicly call on all candidates for Wicklow County Council to sign up to the Irish Network Against Racism Anti Racism Election Protocol. A public event will be held in April in order to do this. Heartstopper actor Bradley Riches has become the seventh celebrity to be evicted from the Celebrity Big Brother house and will miss out on Fridays final. The five finalists are Irish talent manager Louis Walsh, former This Morning presenter Fern Britton, Strictly Come Dancing dancer Nikita Kuzmin, Ibiza Weekender star David Potts and Coronation Street actor Colson Smith. TV presenter AJ Odudu announced the news to Riches while he sat waiting for a family member or friend to greet him for a rendezvous as housemates were gifted the ultimate reward. 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 She said: Surprised to see me? As you can see neither a friend or family member is here for you. That is because the public have been voting. I can now reveal that the seventh housemate to be evicted from the Celebrity Big Brother house is you. Speaking in the diary room Riches, who opened up about his diagnosis with autism while on the show, said he had the best time. I feel like I had the absolute best time, Im so grateful I made so many amazing friends and for me to do this, I felt like I was scared to do it and Ive done it and Im so happy and Im so grateful and Ive just had the best time so thankyou Big Brother. 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 Before Riches left Potts was visited by his friend, while Kuzmin saw his girlfriend and Smith was visited by his mother. Elsewhere Britton saw her daughter and Walsh had a chat with Sinitta Malone, known for the song So Macho, who gave him some home truths. I need to tell you a few home truths quickly baby cause you know when I first met you you said Its always good to be nice but Louis everybody in the house is nice but you, she said. She added: Louis youre hilarious, but youre not nice. Sinitta, who has appeared on The X Factor during the judges house portion, said she thought Walsh, who used to judge on the reality singing programme, could win the show. Bizarrely I really think you could, I dont know how but you really could, she said. Sinitta spilled some home truths on the ITV1 reality show (Yui Mok/PA) Also on the penultimate episode, Potts opened up about his experiences of being bullied in school and coming out as gay. He said: I knew there was something different at that stage, I mean I was like 12 so I didnt know 100% what it was, but I just knew it was different because I did have girlfriends and stuff, when I knew deep down that it wasnt true. I left school when I was 16 and then that summer holidays as soon as Id finished high school, thats when I came out and told everyone. After Britton asked him to explain more about the moment, he said his mother said it would be fine and his father told him you dont need to worry, its not (going to) change a single thing before hugging him. The ITV series live final airs on Friday at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX. Irish News Jurgen was fantastic, he wrote me a letter when Sean was still in a coma Sean Coxs family thank Klopp for support after Anfield attack The personal data of Britains King Charles was not compromised during the alleged data breach at the London Clinic involving the Princess of Wales, it is understood. Up to three people reportedly could have been involved in the alleged accessing of the Princess of Waless private medical records after Kate was discharged from hospital on January 29. Varadkar in Brussels as EU leaders to discuss using profits from Russian assets to arm Ukraine Bloc's 27 national leaders aim to boost support for KyivProfits from frozen Russian assets could yield 3bnNo final decision expected at summitLeaders also to discuss defence, war in Gaza, farmer protests A woman clears debris from a building, damaged during a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Thursday. Reuters Andrew Gray Thu 21 Mar 2024 at 08:13 European Union leaders will discuss a plan on Thursday to use billions of euros in profits from frozen Russian financial assets to buy arms for Ukraine as they try to bolster Kyiv in its fight against Moscow's invasion. Former Manchester City and Real Madrid forward Robinho, 40, must serve a nine-year rape sentence in his home country of Brazil, a court has ruled. The former striker was found guilty by an Italian court in 2017 of taking part in the 2013 gang rape of a 22-year-old Albanian woman. He has been living in Brazil, which does not extradite its nationals. However, Brazilian judges ruled on Wednesday to uphold former AC Milan and Brazil striker Robinho's Italian rape conviction, adding that he must serve his nine-year prison sentence in Brazil. Today's Sport News in 90 Seconds - 21st March The trial in Brazil's Superior Court of Justice (STJ), the country's top court for non-constitutional matters, had a majority rule that Italy's decision was valid in Brazil. Judges on Brazils STJ in the capital city of Brasilia voted 9-2 to validate the conviction. A Milan court in 2017 found Robinho and five other Brazilians guilty of gang raping a woman in 2013 after plying her with alcohol in a discotheque. The conviction was confirmed by an appeals court in 2020 and validated by Italy's Supreme Court in 2022. The 40-year-old Robinho, whose full name is Robson de Souza, lives in Brazil and has always denied the charges. Brazil does not usually extradite its citizens, so Italy requested last year that Robinho should serve his prison sentence in his home country. Robinho's attorney Jose Eduardo Alckmin said after the trial that Robinho would surrender to authorities when officially notified about the decision. The Brazilian court did not reopen discussions about the rape conviction, focusing only on seeing if the sentence in Italy was valid in Brazil. However, Robinho said in an interview broadcast on Sunday by a local TV station that he hoped the court would look at the merit of the Italian case. "I was unfairly convicted in Italy for something that did not occur," he said. According to Goal, Robinho recently claimed his nine-year prison sentence is a result of racism in Italy. He reportedly told Record TV: I was convicted in Italy unjustly for something that did not happen and I have all the evidence to show that. I played four years in Italy and I got tired of seeing stories of racism. Unfortunately, it happens today. That happened in 2013 and today we are in 2024, which leads me to believe that the same people who do nothing against racism are the same ones who they condemned at my trial. If my trial were for a white person, it would be totally different, without a doubt, he added. The defence team of former soccer player Robinho has filed a request to Brazil's Supreme Court to avoid his immediate arrest after a different court ruled that he must serve in Brazil a nine-year prison sentence for rape. In the request, the lawyers representing the former player for Santos, Manchester City, Real Madrid and AC Milan asked for an injunction to suspend Wednesday's decision by the country's top court for non-constitutional matters, that ruled that he must serve his sentence immediately. Donald Trumps son-in-law and former foreign policy adviser Jared Kushner sparked a backlash by claiming that Israel should clean up Gaza and move Palestinians to the Israeli Negev desert. Gazas waterfront property, it could be very valuable, if people would focus on building up livelihoods, Mr Kushner, who is a former property dealer married to Mr Trumps daughter Ivanka, said in an interview last month at Harvard University. Why Foreign SMEs Consider Payroll Outsourcing in India Many SME companies in India, including foreign firms, are actively outsourcing their payroll services to ease the compliance burden and focus on core business growth goals. In India, businesses often encounter difficulties in efficiently managing their workforce while also managing expenses. Compliance obligations and costs related to employees are significant concerns for them. However, digital solutions and seeking the services of professional employer organizations (PEOs) have allowed many companies to alleviate the burdens associated with human resources (HR) obligations and costs. Its no surprise then that the payroll outsourcing sector has experienced robust expansion in recent years. Based on expert projections, this market could grow from US$11.17 billion in 2023 to US$12.01 billion in 2024, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.5 percent. Some forecasts suggest that the market will reach US$16.12 billion by 2028. According to a survey conducted by global consultancy Deloitte, a significant portion of companies worldwide, spanning North America, Latin America, EMEA (Europe, the Middle East, and Africa), and APAC (Asia-Pacific), choose to delegate their payroll management tasks to external vendors. This practice is also increasingly becoming prevalent in India as businesses seek to enhance the efficiency of their payroll operations. Centralizing payroll operations and prioritizing strategic initiatives can help streamline record-keeping and ensure timely and accurate payroll processing for employees in India. When companies start hiring employees, they immediately face a multitude of obligations, such as compliance, salary distribution, and workers compensation insurance. While larger corporations usually assign these tasks to specialized HR departments, smaller or newer businesses may struggle to justify establishing formal HR structures. Outsourcing thus shifts the HR burden to specialized external entities equipped to handle various aspects of human resource management, including payroll administration, benefits management, and employee training. Global outlook of payroll complexities and country-wise ranking According to the 2023 Global Payroll Complexity Index (GPCI) report, France maintains its status as the most complex country for payroll processing, with Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and Canada following closely behind in the top five. The GPCI report highlights that the top 10 countries are 29 percent more complex than the remaining 30, with Canada, Turkey, the Netherlands, and Slovakia featuring in the top ranks while the United States drops to 14th place. Payroll complexities countries Rank as of 2023 Rank as of 2021 France 1 1 Germany 2 4 Switzerland 3 8 Italy 4 2 Canada 5 30 Poland 6 6 Turkey 7 36 Netherlands 8 16 Belgium 9 3 Slovakia 10 26 Australia 11 21 China 12 14 Sweden 13 17 United States 14 10 Spain 15 5 Luxembourg 16 Denmark 17 12 Finland 18 20 Ireland 19 33 Czech Republic 20 27 India 21 25 Austria 22 18 United Kingdom 23 31 Philippines 24 37 Brazil 25 19 Portugal 26 Slovenia 27 Russia 28 7 New Zealand 29 32 Malaysia 30 29 Singapore 31 38 Hungary 32 United Arab Emirates 33 40 Romania 34 22 Mexico 35 15 South Korea 36 24 Argentina 37 23 Japan 38 9 Hong Kong 39 39 Saudi Arabia 40 Despite recent simplifications in the U.S., challenges persist, particularly in scenarios involving employment across multiple states. Notably, nine out of the top 10 countries for payroll complexity are situated in Europe. Summary findings of the 2023 GPCI report on payroll complexities France remains the most complex country for payroll processing, with a complexity score of 7.96 out of 10, showing a 10 percent increase in complexity since 2021. Indias ranking in payroll complexity rose to 21 in 2023 from 25 in 2021, signaling an increase in the obligations linked to payroll processing in recent years. Saudi Arabia emerges as the least complex country among the 40 ranked, reflecting its debut on the index, possibly due to the rise in international businesses setting up operations there, necessitating alignment with global payroll regulations. Some European nations like Austria, Hungary, and Poland require a blend of manual and digital payroll processing, increasing complexity and the potential for errors. Turkey experiences the second-highest increase in complexity with a 30 percent rise, while the United Arab Emirates sees the highest increase at 50 percent. Overall, from 2021 to 2023, theres a slight decrease of 6 percent in payroll complexity. The top 10 countries are 29 percent more complicated than the remaining 30, with mandatory deductions, social security calculations, and compulsory reporting types being the primary complexity drivers. Payroll complexity varies by 91 percent from the most to the least complex country. Agile and automated payroll solutions are crucial for streamlining processes and ensuring compliance with evolving regulations. Navigating the complexities of payroll in various countries requires embracing innovation, expertise, and tailored solutions to address unique challenges posed by governmental and social structures. Why foreign companies prefer outsourcing payroll services in India Given its status as one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, theres a pressing need for India to simplify its payroll compliance procedures. For foreign companies operating in India, grappling with the intricate and ever-changing payroll regulations and requirements can be challenging and confusing, consuming valuable time and resources that could otherwise be directed towards business growth. Outsourcing payroll services presents a transformative solution in this scenario. In-house payroll management entails meticulous attention to detail, from tax calculations to timely paycheck issuance, all while keeping abreast of dynamic Indian laws and regulations. Outsourcing payroll services to proficient professionals allows international companies to streamline their payroll and HR operations, liberating resources for core business functions. Various types of businesses stand to benefit from outsourcing payroll processing: Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with constrained budgets: Limited resources and budgets may hinder SMEs from establishing independent, in-house payroll departments. Outsourcing tedious payroll tasks to skilled professionals can result in substantial cost and time savings. SMEs seeking access to digital solutions: Access to sophisticated payroll automation software, typically beyond the budget of SMEs for in-house implementation, is facilitated through outsourcing payroll processing. This may also subsidize access to technology solutions for cross-department, multi-functional management processes, which can be bundled in the services package of external vendors. Rapidly expanding companies: Companies experiencing rapid growth may face time and resource constraints in managing payroll. Outsourcing allows them to focus on core business objectives while ensuring accurate and efficient payroll management. Key functional advantages of payroll outsourcing 1. Enhanced compliance with local employment and tax laws: Outsourcing to local experts ensures adherence to regulations, keeping businesses updated on changes without significant resource investment. 2. Streamlined HR function: Simplifying the workload of the HR department enables a focus on strategic issues and employee relations, reducing costs associated with administrative tasks. 3. Overcoming cultural and communication barriers: Language and cultural differences pose challenges for foreign companies in India. Partnering with a payroll provider possessing local expertise facilitates compliance and provides real-time support, addressing cultural nuances effectively. 4. Maintaining confidentiality and transparency: Outsourcing payroll accounting mitigates the risk of sensitive data breaches, ensuring confidentiality and limiting access to payroll details to authorized personnel. Partnering with a reliable provider ensures data security compliance through secure solutions. Payroll compliances in India Every country has its own set of payroll laws, and for business owners operating in that country, compliance is a must. In India, a company may have to adhere to different labor laws and compliances based on the nature of operations and the industry. The registration processes with central government authorities entail: 1. Obtaining a Permanent Account Number (PAN) necessary for tax filing and corporate tax return submissions. 2. Acquiring a Tax Account Number (TAN) required for withholding income tax at the source. 3. Enrolling with the Employee Provident Fund (EPF) and Employee Pension Scheme (EPS) compulsory for companies employing more than 20 individuals. At the state level, payroll-related registration processes include: 1. Enrollment for Profession Tax if applicable in the specific state. 2. Registration for Employee State Insurance (ESI) mandatory for companies with a staff of over 10 members. 3. Registration with the Labor Welfare Fund if applicable in the specific state. Statutory Compliance in Payroll in India Social security Employee salaries and benefits Industrial relations Tax liabilities The Employees Provident Fund and Miscellanous Act, 1952 Labour Welfare Fund Act, 1965 Employee State Insurance Act, 1948 The Payment of Gratuity Act,1972 Payment of Wages Act, 1932 Minimum Wages Act, 1948 Payment of Bonus Act, 1965 Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 Employee Provident Fund Act, 1952 Payment of Gratuity Act Labour Welfare Fund Act Employee State Insurance Act Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) Understanding functional obligations under payroll management Compensation, commonly known as payroll, denotes the financial remuneration a company disburses to its workforce for their rendered services. Typically managed by the accounting or human resources department, especially in larger organizations, smaller businesses might have owners or entrepreneurs handle these tasks themselves. Creating organizational policies such as the pay policy, which includes guidelines for leave encashment, flexible benefits, etc. Specifying elements on the pay slip, such as basic pay, variable pay, LTA, and HRA. Incorporating additional payroll inputs like meal allowances, among others. Performing the calculation of gross salary, both statutory and non-statutory deductions, to determine the net pay. Disbursing employee salaries. Submitting obligations such as TDS, PF, etc., to relevant authorities and completing necessary filings. In essence, payroll encompasses the roster of employees within a company. This involves tracking hours worked, calculating compensation, and disbursing payments via checks or direct deposits. Alternatively, businesses can opt for cloud-based software or professional services to manage payroll if they prefer not to handle it internally. Increasingly, companies are outsourcing payroll processing to specialized firms that also manage tasks like insurance, employee benefits, and tax withholding. Fintech companies are leveraging technology to streamline these processes, offering faster and more convenient payroll processing, which is particularly beneficial in gig and outsourcing economies. When establishing their local payroll operations in India, businesses must undergo various registration procedures with tax and social security authorities at both the national and state levels. Mumbai: Insurance behemoth Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), a government-owned entity, said on Wednesday that it terminated the employment of a worker banned by the Securities & Exchange Board of India (SEBI) for involvement in a front-running incident, according to a stock market filing. SEBIs investigation last year revealed that Yogesh Garg, an LIC dealer, possessed confidential information about forthcoming LIC orders and facilitated its dissemination, reported Business Standard. There is evidence suggesting that he traded using the account of the deceased Ved Parkash Garg based on this privileged information from LIC, the report said. According to the exchange note by LIC, He (Yogesh Garg) has been removed from the services of the Corporation following the due administrative procedure by the disciplinary authority consequent to his involvement in the front running. The insurance company further stated that it follows a strong monitoring system and implements best practices to prevent any instances of front-running. Stringent measures are in place to safeguard the integrity of transactions in the dealing room, including biometric entry, CCTV surveillance, and restrictions on electronic devices. In April 2023, the Securities & Exchange Board of India (SEBI) banned five entities, including an employee of LIC, from taking part in the securities market. SEBI also seized illicit profits equalling Rs 2.44 crore, which were made through front-running trades involving the state-owned insurer. In its order, the SEBI had said, The Interim Order was passed based on the prima facie conclusions to prevent further perpetration of fraudulent trading activity and to prevent defalcation of the wrongful gains cumulatively amounting to Rs 2.44 crore (as elaborated in the Interim Order). SEBI identified Yogesh Garg, who worked in LIC's investment department, along with his mother Sarita Garg, mother-in-law Kamlesh Agarwal, Ved Prakash, and another individual named Sarita Garg. These five people share familial ties, reside at the same address, and share a common phone number, establishing their interconnectedness, the report said. Hyderabad/UNI: South Korean smartphone maker Samsung is expected to contribute 75 percent in the overall category in the 5G segment this year against 67 percent growth expected by the overall industry, said Ghufran Alam, Senior Director, MX Business, Samsung India, on Wednesday. Talking to reporters after launching two new mid-range smartphones in its Galaxy A seriesGalaxy A35 and Galaxy A55, Ghufran said 5G is one of the growth factors in the mobile industry, and last year, the overall mobile industry growth in 5G stood between 50 and 52 percent and is expected to grow to 67 percent in 2024. As per the leading phone manufacturers analysis, the overall industry shipped 150 million units last year, where, Samsung's contribution was 18 percent, he said. We have robust growth in the smartphone segment and expect to continue the same growth this year, said Ali. He said Samsung operates 2,000 exclusive stores across the country and Hyderabad has 24 of them. The new A series devices have multiple flagship-like features, including Gorilla Glass Victus+ protection, camera features enhanced by AI, and a tamper-resistant security solution, the Samsung Knox Vault, amongst many other new features. He said the Galaxy A55 5G and A35 5G will help Samsung consolidate its leadership in the 5G smartphone segment and the fastest-growing mid-premium (Rs 30,000Rs 50,000) segment in India. For the first time, the Galaxy A55 5G has a metal frame, and the Galaxy A35 5G gets a premium glass back. These phones are available in three trendy colours: Awesome Lilac, Awesome Ice Blue, and Awesome Navy, and are rated IP67, which means they can withstand up to 30 minutes in 1 metre of fresh water. They are also built to resist dust and sand, he said. With the Galaxy A55 5G and Galaxy A35 5G, Samsung will provide up to four generations of Android OS upgrades and five years of security updates, optimising the lifecycle of the devices by keeping them equipped with all the latest Galaxy and Android features, he said. The Samsung Galaxy A35 5G is priced at Rs 27,999 for the 8GB RAM + 128GB internal storage variant and Rs 30,999 for the 8GB RAM + 256GB internal storage variant, while the Galaxy A55 5G is priced at Rs 36,999 for the 8GB RAM + 128GB internal storage variant, Rs 39,999 for the 8GB RAM + 256GB internal storage variant, and Rs 42,999 for the 12GB RAM + 256GB internal storage variant. The Galaxy A55 5G and Galaxy A35 5G are available for purchase across Samsung exclusive and partner stores, Samsung.com, and other online platforms. Image by Avishek Mitra/IBNS Kolkata/IBNS: Popular Bengali rock band Fossils talked about their new album release 'Fossils 7' at Mirchi Fanfest here on Saturday. Imperial Blue Superhit Nights, in partnership with Mirchi Fanfest, orchestrated a musical extravaganza in Kolkata with performances by Raj Burman, Euphoria, Fossils, and Parmish Verma. Talking about their new album, Fossils said, "We are almost done with the album, and it's going to be released this year before pujo." When asked about the trend of Bengali band culture, Fossils said, "We have done more shows in the past two years as compared to the last 20 years. And wherever we went, we witnessed the huge influx of people, with some coming with their next generation." Image by Avishek Mitra/IBNS "We always try to create new music, and we are doing a lot of live shows for our audience, and I think that binds us," added Fossils. "The people and the concertgoers who come to our concerts year after year are our biggest motivations," said Euphoria, talking about the motivation to still create music. "The concert in Kolkata was a massive success, with a stellar line-up of artists and the audience's energy reinforcing Imperial Blue's core philosophy of embracing life with a smile," said Ishwindar Singh, General Manager, Marketing, Pernod Ricard India. (Reporting by Ayush Gupta, Images by Avishek Mitra/IBNS) Photo courtesy: Pixabay New Delhi: The Directorate of Income Tax (Investigation), Delhi has opened a 24X7 Control Room at the Civic Centre to keep a vigil on the movement of unaccounted cash, bullion and other valuables, suspected to be used for electoral purposes, during the Model Code of Conduct in the national capital. The measure has been taken by the Directorate of Income Tax (Investigation), Delhi under its commitment to assist the Election Commission of India in curbing the role of black money in elections, the Ministry of Finance said in a communique. This is one of the several measures taken by the directorate to encourage the residents to contribute to the process of ensuring clean and fair General Elections to Lok Sabha, 2024. The Directorate has issued a Toll-free Number where any person can communicate with and give any information to the Income Tax Department regarding suspicious movement/distribution of cash, bullion & other valuables etc within the NCT of Delhi, in connection with the General Elections to Lok Sabha, 2024. According to the communique, the address and toll-free number are: Room No. 17, Ground Floor, C- Block, Civic Centre, New Delhi-110002 Toll Free Number: 1800112300. Landline Numbers: 011-23232312/31/67/76 Toll-free Mob. Number: 9868168682. Residents can contact the Toll-Free Number, and callers to the Control Room need not disclose any personal details, such as name or other details of identity. What is vital is that the information received is credible and actionable, it added. The Control Room will be functional during the entire period of the Model Code of Conduct in Delhifrom the date of the announcement of General Elections 2024, until the same is over in Delhi. In the spirit of free and fair elections, the citizens are requested to extend their help by sharing relevant information with the Directorate on the above-mentioned numbers, in respect of NCT of Delhi, the ministry said. The identity of the informant will be kept secret, it added. Photo courtesy: X/@BJP4TamilNadu Chennai/UNI: The BJP-led NDA, which is cobbling up a formidable alliance after its key partner AIADMK had severed its ties, has finalised the seat sharing agreement with its new found ally, the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam, besides the New Justice Party (NJP) and Tamizhaga Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (TMMK) for the ensuing Lok Sabha polls in Tamil Nadu. As per the agreement, the BJP, which will be taking on the two Dravidian majors, the ruling DMK and the AIADMK in the April 19 polls, has allotted two seats to the AMMK headed by TTV Dhinakaran. It also allotted one seat each to the fringe parties--the NJP led by A.C.Shanmugam and the TMMK headed by John Pandian. The seat-sharing arrangement was signed by BJP State president K. Annamalai with the respective party leaders on Wednesday evening. The signing of a pact with the three parties comes in the backdrop of the BJP roping in PMK as a key partner in its front by allotting ten seats to it. The seat sharing with other allies including ousted AIADMK leader O.Panneerselvam, Tamil Maanila Congress of G.K.Vasan, and IJK, which has been promised the Perambalur seat from where its Founder Paarivendhar will seek re-election, will be finalised in the next one or two days and the constituencies identified. The BJP's list of candidates and that of alliance parties were also expected by tomorrow as the filing of Nominations for the elections has started and would end on March 27. Photo courtesy: Facebook/Arvind Kejriwal New Delhi/IBNS: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has filed a fresh plea in the high court seeking no coercive action against him by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the excise policy case, media reports said. During the hearing in the high court on Wednesday, advocate Abhishek Singhvi, who represented Kejriwal, claimed his client has an apprehension that he would be arrested in the middle of the Lok Sabha elections. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief, who has skipped as many as nine summons served by the Enforcement Directorate so far, appeared before Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court last week after he was asked to appear by the court. Kejriwal was granted bail on a bond of Rs. 15,000 and a surety of Rs. 1 lakh. The probe agency is investigating the Delhi excise policy which has handed over liquor shop licences to private players. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) alleges that liquor companies and middlemen were "actively involved in irregularities in the framing and implementation" of the excise policy. Former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister and Kejriwal's colleague in the party, Manish Sisodia, is already in jail in the same case as the prime accused. In April last year, the CBI questioned Kejriwal as a witness for nine hours, after which he slammed the agency. The ED has been summoning him since November 2. Kejriwal, who is one of the prominent opposition leaders in the country, has called the ED summons as a "political vendetta" by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which runs the Centre but is out of power in the union territory. The Chief Minister, who is a staunch opponent of BJP, said the saffron brigade wants to bring an attack on his "asset" which is "honesty". He said, "A lot of my party leaders have been arrested on fake charges. Anyone is picked up and sent to jail. It's an open goondaism. Photo courtesy: Facebook/Arvind Kejriwal New Delhi/IBNS: Hours after the Delhi High Court refused to grant protection from arrest to Arvind Kejriwal in the liquor policy case, a team from the Enforcement Directorate Thursday reached the chief minister's residence and began questioning him under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. According to reports, a team consisting of 12 officials is questioning Kejriwal at his residence. They have come with a search warrant and have confiscated the phones of the Aam Aadmi Party chief as well as his family. As the ED officials carried out their questioning inside the residence, Delhi Police and Rapid Action Force personnel as well as CRPF teams were deployed outside. Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj, who also reached the chief minister's residence, said, "The way the police are inside and nobody is being allowed in, it seems like a raid is being conducted. It seems they have planned to arrest Arvind Kejriwal." Kejriwal has already skipped nine summons issued by the ED in connection with the alleged liquor policy scam. On Monday, he skipped a summon issued by the agency in a money-laundering case linked to alleged irregularities in the Delhi Jal Board. The ED's questioning of the Delhi chief minister less than a week after BRS leader K Kavitha was arrested in the liquor policy case. After her arrest, Kejriwal was, for the first time, named as a conspirator in the case. Ever since the ED issued the first summons in October last year and Kejriwal was asked to appear on Nov 2 last year, there has been speculation that the Delhi chief minister would be arrested by the agency. Former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia was arrested in connection with the case in February last year, and AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh was taken into custody in October. Earlier in the day, the Delhi High Court declined to give protection from arrest to Kejriwal in the liquor policy case but had asked the ED to file a reply to his petition. Listing the matter for the next hearing on April 22, a Bench of Justices Suresh Kumar Kait and Manoj Jain said, "We have heard both sides, and we are not inclined at this stage (to grant protection). The respondent (ED) is at liberty to file a reply." In a press note released on Sunday, the ED called the AAP chief a conspirator in the alleged liquor policy scam. "ED investigation revealed that Ms K Kavitha along with others conspired with the top leaders of AAP including Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia for getting favours in the Delhi Excise policy formulation and implementation. In exchange of these favours, she was involved in paying 100 Crore to the leaders of AAP," the press note said. "By the acts of corruption and conspiracy in the formulation and implementation of Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22, a continuous stream of illegal funds in the form of kickback, from the wholesalers was generated for the AAP. Further, Smt K Kavitha and her associates were to recover the proceeds of crime paid in advance to AAP and to further generate profits/proceeds of crime from this entire conspiracy," it added. Kejriwal, who is one of the prominent opposition leaders in the country, has called the ED summons as a "political vendetta" by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which runs the Centre but is out of power in the union territory. The Chief Minister, who is a staunch opponent of the BJP, said the saffron brigade wants to bring an attack on his "asset" which is "honesty". Photo courtesy: X/Tamilisai Soundararajan New Delhi/IBNS: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Thursday released its third list of candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. The list contained the names of nine seats from Tamil Nadu. According to the list, former Telangana governor Tamilisai Soundararajan will be contesting from Chennai South. She had resigned from the saffron party before assuming the office of Governor of Telangana in 2019. She was appointed Lt. Governor of Puducherry in 2021. Soundararjan rejoined the BJP in the presence of Tamil Nadu BJP President K. Annamalai on March 20. The other names include K. Annamalai contest from Coimbatore, L. Murugan from Nilgiris, Vinoj Selvam from Chennai Central, AC Shanmugam from Vellore, C. Narasimhan (Krishnagiri), TR Paarivendhar (Perambalur), Nainar Nagendran (Thoothukkudi), and Pon. Radhakrishnan (Kanniyakumari). On March 13, the saffron party released its second list of 72 candidates. [With UNI inputs] Photo Courtesy: unrwa.org Gaza: The Palestinian death toll from the ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 31,923, with 74,096 others wounded, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said Wednesday. During the past 24 hours, the Israeli army killed 104 Palestinians and wounded 162 others, the ministry said in a press statement. Palestinian sources and eyewitnesses reported that over the period, Israeli aircraft launched dozens of raids in various areas from the far north of the enclave to its south, mostly targeting homes and apartments. The Israeli army continued its military operation in Al-Shifa Medical Complex for the third day in a row, which led to the killing of dozens and the arrest of others, according to the sources. Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee said Wednesday in a press statement that Israeli troops and the Shin Bet security service were engaged in precise combat in the medical complex while avoiding harming civilians, patients, medical personnel, and medical equipment. Adraee claimed that the forces had killed more than 90 "saboteurs," while more than 300 suspects were questioned in the complex, with 160 of them transferred for follow-up investigations. Moreover, the spokesperson confirmed that strikes were carried out in the centre of the strip and the southern Gazan city of Khan Younis to eliminate "saboteurs." Israel has been launching a large-scale offensive against Hamas in Gaza to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on October 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 were taken hostage. (With UNI/Xinhua inputs) 1. Elvish Yadav Snake Venom Case: Court Reportedly Removes Two Sections Of NDPS Act We've been receiving ongoing updates regarding Elvish Yadav's involvement in the Rave Party Case and his connection to Snake Venom. Among the recent developments following his arrest, the removal of two sections under the NDPS Act stands out as significant. Picture Of Elvish Yadav/X 2. Inspector Rishi OTT Release: When And Where To Watch This Horror Tamil Series The launch date for the newest Tamil series, "Inspector Rishi," has been revealed. Created by Nandhini JS, this gripping crime thriller features actor Naveen Chandra in the lead role, supported by a talented ensemble including Sunainaa, Kanna Ravi, Malini Jeevarathnam, Srikrishna Dayal, and Kumaravel. Inspector Rishi OTT Release: When And Where To Watch This Horror Tamil Series/Indiatimes 3. Actor Prithviraj Sukumaran Lost 31 Kgs For Aadujeevitham By Fasting For 72 Hrs? Details Here In readiness for his forthcoming movie Aadujeevitham, actor Prithviraj Sukumaran underwent an arduous physical metamorphosis, which involved enduring prolonged periods of fasting. In a recent interview with the Hindustan Times, Prithviraj candidly discussed the toll this process took on his body, revealing that he underwent fasting sessions lasting up to 72 hours at a stretch. Actor Prithviraj Sukumaran Lost 31 kgs For Aadujeevitham By Fasting For 72 Hrs? Details Here/IMDb 4. Ae Watan Mere Watan Twitter Review: Must-Read Before Watching Sara Ali Khan's Prime Video Film Sara Ali Khan's latest film, "Ae Watan Mere Watan," helmed by Kannan Iyer and produced by Karan Johar, is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video as of today, March 21st. The movie delves into India's struggle for independence in 1942, focusing on the fearless Usha Mehta, who sets up an underground radio station during the Quit India movement to promote unity. This leads to a captivating cat-and-mouse game with British authorities. Ae Watan Mere Watan Twitter Review: Must-Read Before Watching Sara Ali Khan's Prime Video Film/X 5. Ranbir Kapoor Under Fire As His Old Statement On Teacher's Legs In Skirts Goes Viral Bollywood heartthrob Ranbir Kapoor has become entangled in controversy once more as an old video resurfaced online, revealing the actor making inappropriate comments about his teacher's attire. What's the fuss all about? The incident in question dates back to 2013 during the promotions of "Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani," where Kapoor openly reminisced about his childhood. He recounted an incident from second grade when he confessed to peeking at his teacher's legs whenever she wore skirts to class. Ranbir Kapoor Under Fire As His Old Statement On Teacher's Legs In Skirts Goes Viral/IMDb For more news and updates from the world of celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. Hollywood actor Will Smith who has often travelled to India for spiritual purposes and even met spiritual leader Sadhguru, recently revealed in an interview with Egyptian journalist Amr Adeeb on the Big Time Podcast that he read Quran 'cover to cover' during Ramadan 2023. Why Will Smith read the Quran during Ramadan? X While talking about his last few years and how his focus turned towards spirituality, Will Smith revealed he was inclined to explore various religious texts. "You know the last two years of my life have been a difficult time and my attention turned inward. And I was just talking to someone earlier about how I read all the holy books," he said. Furthermore, he revealed that he delved into the Quran during Ramadan in 2023 and read it cover to cover. " I read the Quran cover to cover during Ramadan this year (2023). This is the spiritual-seeking phase of my life. This is the period of my life that I am trying to cultivate as wide, open and loving a heart as I will be able to." The Hollywood star added, "I love the simplicity of the Quran. It's so clear. It's crystal clear..." Furthermore, Smith emphasized a principle from the Quran, which is "every soul is accountable for itself." He said that he adopted this belief as the cornerstone of his parenting philosophy, enabling his children to assume responsibility for their actions and choices. Shedding light on Abrahamic lineage, Smith observed the unified narrative presented in the Quran, the Torah, and the Bible. He shared that these scriptures depict Prophet Ibrahim as the patriarch from whom emerged the Prophets Ismail and Ishaq. Will Smith on Bhagavad Gita and Maharabhat X During his promotional tour in India for his movie Bright, Smith said that he was immensely influenced by Arjuna from Mahabharat when he read Bhagavad Gita. "I love the history. I am 90 percent through the Bhagavad Gita. To be reading that and to be here... my inner Arjuna is being channelled. I am going to go to Rishikesh next time. I am definitely going to be spending a lot more time here." he said in an interview. Furthermore, he added Bhagavad Gita and the story of Arjun in the Mahabharata helped him understand his purpose in life. For more news and updates from the world of celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. One of the world's most photographed women, a public figure who has lived her life quite gracefully ever since she dated Prince William, has suddently apparently vanished from public view. What happened to Kate Middleton? Where is the Princess of Wales? Kate Middleton conspiracy theories AFP Several consipracy theories about her alleged disapperance are doing the rounds. While some poeple think she is unwell after she underwent an abdominal surgery in January 2024, there are others who think she is dead. Some others suspect she is getting divorced as she hasn't made any public appearances since December. What happened to Kate Middleton? Here's a timeline. After her surgery, Kensington Palace announced on January 29 that she had returned home after 10 to 14 days of hospital recovery. Since them, she has not made any public apperance. Kate Middleton in coma? When Prince William called off his scheduled appearance on February 27, citing a "personal matter," people speculated that her health was a serious concern. Some even suspected if there was a danger of death. Or was she in coma? Or was their marriage on the rocks? Kate Middleton's Mother's Day photo On March 10, Kensington Palace released a photograph featuring the Princess of Wales smiling alongside her children to mark Mothers Day in the UK. She posed alongside Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis and Prince George hugging with a note that read, "Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months. Wishing everyone a Happy Mother's Day." The photo was edited Later, several prominent photo agencies including AP and Reuters, determined that the image had been "altered" and subsequently issued a directive to cease its distribution. A day later on on March 11, the X account for the Prince and Princess of Wales posted an apology reading, "Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing. I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused. I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mothers Day." Kate Middleton's farm video Kate Middleton and Prince William at a farm shop over the weekend. pic.twitter.com/hZZOseA3Xk 21 (@21metgala) March 18, 2024 On March 18, Kate Middleton was spotted at her favourite farm shop in a "happy, relaxed and healthy" mood with Prince William. Some other reports said she looked like a sad Princess Diana. Soon, the internet concluded the video was photoshopped. Some other said that it was her lookalike Heidi Agan with. Was it her looka-alike? Kate Middleton's look-alike Heidi Agan said that was "100 per cent" Kate Middleton. She told the Metro that she was occupied with a "teaching job" elsewhere at the time. Later, a friend of the Royal family told British media The Sun Kate would soon speak about her her health in public, but before that she would assume her duties as the Princess of Wales. "She and William are at their most open when out interacting with the public. I can see a world in which the Princess might discuss her recovery out on engagements. If she was going to do it, thats how she would do it," the insider said. Another photoshopped picture of the Royal family? On March 19, it was revealed that yet another photograph released by the Royal Family had undergone digital alterations. This image depicted Queen Elizabeth II alongside her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and was originally shared on the late monarch's birthday on April 21, 2023. Getty Images confirmed that the photo had been "digitally enhanced at the source." Prince Willaims' affair with Lady Sarah Rose Hanbury? Another conspiracy theory suggested Prince Willaims' alleged affair with Lady Sarah Rose Hanbury. However, on March, Hanbury rubbished these rumours and said, "the rumours are completely false," as per Business Insider. Kate Middleton's comeback A friend of Kate's and a friend of King Charles told The Daily Beast that she will make a comeback to the church with other members of the royal family on Easter Sunday on March 31. For more news and updates from the world of celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. Happy Choti Holi 2024: Choti Holi, also called Holika Dahan or Kamudu pyre, is a Hindu festival celebrated the day before Holi. It's marked by lighting a bonfire to show that good triumphs over evil. This year, it falls on March 24, 2024, Sunday. In Indian stories, there was a demon king named Hiranyakashipu who got a boon making him nearly invincible. He demanded everyone worship him, not Lord Vishnu. But his son Prahlada stayed loyal to Vishnu. This angered Hiranyakashipu, so he ordered his fireproof sister Holika to burn Prahlada. Vishnu saved Prahlada, and Holika burnt instead, showing good winning over evil. Choti Holi also welcomes spring and says goodbye to winter. It's a time for people to unite, forget differences, and enjoy with colors, music, and dance. It's a time of joy, forgiveness, and friendship. As Choti Holi 2024 approaches, people exchange gifts, sweets, and well-wishes. Sending warm wishes, images, quotes and messages adds to the festive spirit. Happy Choti Holi 2024 wishes, quotes, images, messages and WhatsApp status May the colours of Choti Holi fill your life with joy, happiness, and prosperity. Happy Choti Holi 2024! May the vibrant colours of Choti Holi brighten up your life and bring you endless moments of joy and happiness. Happy Choti Holi 2024! Let's make beautiful memories together and cherish the bond of love and friendship this Choti Holi. Wishing you a Happy Holika Dahan 2024! May your life be as colourful and vibrant as the colours of Choti Holi. Happy Choti Holi 2024! Happy Choti Holi 2024 wishes, quotes, images, messages Burn Your Ego, Expectations, and Everything in the Fire of Holi and Enjoy the Festival. Happy Choti Holi Wishing you a day full of fun, laughter, and happiness. Happy Choti Holi 2024 to you and your family! Rango ka tyohaar aaya hai, Saath apne khushiyan laya hai, Isse pehle koi rang de aapko, Humne subh kamnaon ka rang, sabse pehle bhijwaya hai. Happy Chhoti Holi. May this Choti Holi bring you new beginnings and fill your life with positivity and hope. Happy Choti Holi 2024! Sending you warm wishes on the occasion of Choti Holi. May your life be as colorful and cheerful as the festival itself. Happy Choti Holi 2024! Burn All Sorrow and Pain With Holika; With New Happiness and New Zeal, Celebrate the Festival of colours. Happy Choti Holi 2024 Let's forget all our differences and come together to celebrate the festival of colours. Happy Choti Holi 2024! On this auspicious occasion of Choti Holi, let's forget all our differences and come together to celebrate the victory of good over evil. Aapko aur aapke pariwar ko Holika Dahan ki dheron shubh kamnayein. Happy Choti Holi 2024 wishes, quotes, images, messages On this special day of Choti Holi, I wish you all the happiness and success in your life. May your life be filled with colours and positivity. Here's extending my heartfelt greetings to you and your loved ones on the auspicious occasion of Holika Dahan. May the splash of colours bring ample joy, health, and wealth to you and your family. Wishing you a very Happy Choti Holi! Let's celebrate the festival of colours with love, laughter, and happiness. Wishing you a very Happy Choti Holi! On this special day, let's forgive, forget, and spread happiness all around. Happy Holika Dahan 2024 to you and your loved ones! May the colours of Choti Holi fill your life with joy, happiness, and success. Have a wonderful celebration with your loved ones! May the colors of Choti Holi fill your life with joy, peace, and prosperity. Wishing you a colorful and Happy Holika Dahan 2024! May the colours of Choti Holi brighten up your life and bring new hopes and aspirations. Have a wonderful celebration with your loved ones! Gujjiya ki khooshboo aane se pehle, pyar ke rango me rangne se pehle, bhang ke nashe me dubane se pehle, Hum apse kehte hai, Happy Holi apko sabse pehle. Let's spread love and happiness on this auspicious occasion of Choti Holi. Wishing you a colourful and joyous celebration! Happy Choti Holi 2024 wishes, quotes, images, messages Let's forget all the sorrows and pain and embrace happiness and love on this auspicious occasion of Choti Holi. Happy Choti Holi to you and your family! May Lord Narasimha shower you with his choicest blessings on the auspicious day of Phalguna Purnima. A very Happy Holika Dahan to you. May the festival of Choti Holi bring new beginnings and a fresh start in your life. Wishing you a Happy Choti Holi 2024! May the colours of Choti Holi bring happiness and prosperity into your life. Have a great celebration with your loved ones! The day of fun and enjoyment is back, for it is the festival of Holi. Wishing you and your family a very Happy Choti Holi. Chalo ayo manaye choti-choti si khushiyan, tabhi to hasengi sath hamare yeh udaas duniya, Rango ke sath bikharo tum dhero saari khushiyan, Tabhi to jhumegi sath hamare yeh duniya. Happy Choti. On this day of Choti Holi, let's pray for a world filled with peace, harmony, and love. Wishing you a very Happy Choti Holi! Let's celebrate this Choti Holi with a heart filled with love and happiness. Wishing you a very Happy Choti Holi! Let's celebrate the triumph of good over evil with enthusiasm and zeal. Wishing you and your family a blessed Choti Holi 2024! May this Choti Holi be a new beginning of success, happiness, and prosperity in your life. Happy Choti Holi 2024 to you and your family! As we light the bonfire of Choti Holi, let's ignite our hearts with love and compassion towards one another. Happy Holika Dahan 2024! May the fire of Holi purify your heart, may the colours, colour your life, may the sweets, sweeten the journey of your life. Happy Holika Dahan. Burn your pride, negativity, and jealousy this Choti Holi, and lets make a new beginning together. Happy Holika Dahan 2024! Wishing you and your loved ones a very happy and prosperous Choti Holi. May the colours of this festival fill your life with joy and happiness. Holika Dahan ke pavan avsar par mera pranam sweekar karein. Aapko aor aapke pariwar ko Holika Dahan ki hardik shubh kamnayein. Happy Choti Holi 2024 wishes, quotes, images, messages Wishing you a colourful and joyful Choti Holi! May this festival bring happiness and prosperity into your life. May the sweetness of gujiyas and the vibrancy of colours fill your life with joy and happiness. Have a great Choti Holi celebration! On this auspicious occasion of Choti Holi, may all your worries burn away with the bonfire, and your life be filled with colors of love and joy. Happy Holika Dahan 2024! Let's burn away all the negativity and welcome a new beginning with the colours of Choti Holi. Happy Choti Holi to you and your family! May the fire of Holika Dahan burn all your troubles and worries, and bring prosperity and happiness in your life. Happy Choti Holi! May the vibrant colours of Choti Holi fill your life with joy, happiness, and positivity. Have a great celebration! Happy Choti Holi 2024 wishes, quotes, images, messages Let's make this Choti Holi a memorable one with our loved ones. Happy Choti Holi 2024! On this joyous occasion of Choti Holi, let's spread love, happiness, and positivity all around. Happy Choti Holi 2024! May the bonfire of Choti Holi light up your life with warmth and bring prosperity to your home. Happy Holika Dahan 2024! May the colours of Choti Holi brighten up your day and fill your heart with happiness and love. Happy Choti Holi 2024! Let's forget all our worries and indulge in the festivities of Choti Holi. Happy Choti Holi 2024 to you and your loved ones! Happy Choti Holi 2024 wishes, quotes, images, messages Wishing you and your family a very happy and colourful Choti Holi. May you be blessed with good health and success in all your endeavors. Let's celebrate this beautiful festival of colours with joy and happiness. Happy Choti Holi 2024 to you and your loved ones! Wishing you a vibrant and joyful Choti Holi filled with colours of happiness and moments of laughter. Happy Choti Holi 2024! On this auspicious occasion of Choti Holi, may you be blessed with love, peace, and harmony. Happy Choti Holi 2024! Happy Choti Holi wishes and messages for loved ones I wish the joyful hues of Holi fill your life with happiness and cheer on this special occasion. Here's to celebrating Choti Holi! Let's utilise this Holika Dahan to let go of all negativity and welcome positivity into our lives. Wishing everyone a joyful Holika Dahan. May the Holika Dahan purify your soul, the colours brighten your life, and the sweets add sweetness to your journey. Here's to celebrating Holika Dahan! On this Holika Dahan, I aim to let go of all grudges and start Holi on a joyful note. Wishing your family a happy Holi. Holika Dahan is a time to show love and understanding towards one another. Let's embrace joy and cast away negativity. Here's to celebrating Choti Holi! Red symbolises love, green signifies prosperity, orange represents success, and pink embodies joy. May you and your family always be blessed with these beautiful colours. Cheers to Choti Holi! A perfect Holi consists of vibrant colours, water balloons, delicious gujjiyas, and lively music. Wishing you and your family a happy and colourful Choti Holi. Sending abundant blessings to you and your family on Holi Dahan from me and my family. Happy Choti Holi 2024! May your life be free from all negativity, surrounded only by kindness. Here's to Holika Dahan! Happy Choti Holi 2024 wishes in Hindi #1. Mere Aur Mere Pariwar Ko or Se Aapko Holi Dahan Ki Dheron Shubh Kamnayein. Holika Dahan Ki Shubhakaamanaen! Happy Choti Holi 2024! #2. Holika Dahan Ke Pavan Avsar Par Mera Pranam Sweekar Karein. Aapko Aor Aapke Pariwar Ko Holika Dahan Ki Hardik Shubh Kamnayein. #3. Holi Se Ek Din Pahale Saare Duhkh-Dard Jala Do, Nai Khushi Aur Nai Umang Ke Saath Rangon Ka Parv Mana Lo. Happy Holi 2024! #4. Sir Dard Ko Maaro Goli, Jam Kar Manao Holi, Meri Taraph Se Happy Choti Holi. Holika Dahan Ki Shubhakaamanaen! #5. Holika Ke Aag Man Ki Sari Buraiyon Ko Jalaen, Aapako Holika Dahan Ki Haardik Shubhakaamanaen. Happy Choti Holi 2024! #6. Sweet-Sweet Si Rahe Aapako Boli, Khushiyaan Hi Khushiyaan Ho Aap Ki Jholi, Meri Taraph Se Mubaarak Ho Choti Holi. Happy Holi 2024! #7. Jis Tarah Holika Jalakar Ho Gai Thi Raakh, Usi Tarah Aapake Jeevan Ke Mit Jae Saare Kasht Aur Paap. Note: Dates/timings may be subject to change; details mentioned here are as per the information available. For more informative articles on historical and upcoming events from around the world, please visit Indiatimes Events. According to a report from Amazon Web Services, IT professionals with specific skills might see a salary increase of over 50% in India. The key skill driving this boost is Artificial Intelligence (AI), which is expected to be in high demand. Therefore, improving skills in AI could lead to higher salaries for tech workers. However, the report also emphasises that it's precisely this specific skill that many people are lacking. Salary increase of over 54% with AI skills The report, titled 'Accelerating AI Skills: Preparing the Asia-Pacific Workforce for Jobs of the Future' claims to have conducted surveys with over 1,600 workers and 500 employers across India. According to the report's findings, IT professionals equipped with AI skills and knowledge could potentially experience salary increases of more than 54%, with those in IT and research and development leading the way. Unsplash Furthermore, the report highlights a growing trend towards AI adoption among Indian businesses. Nearly all employers surveyed, up to 99%, envision their companies being heavily influenced by AI by 2028. The report also notes that while most employers (97%) believe their finance department will benefit the most, they also foresee significant value being driven by AI in IT (96%), research and development (96%), sales and marketing (96%), business operations (95%), human resources (94%), and legal (92%) departments. Further, both employers and workers surveyed expressed expectations for the widespread use of generative AI tools within the next five years. ai/Canva Generative artificial intelligence refers to AI capable of generating text, images, or other data using generative models, often in response to prompts. This technology includes tools like ChatGPT, a popular example of a GenAI tool. Skill gap in AI However, the report also mentions a significant gap in skills related to AI. About 6% of employers find it challenging to hire qualified AI talent. Unsplash Interestingly, the report shows that there's a strong willingness from workers to address this gap. The report stresses the importance of closer cooperation between the government, industry, and educational institutions to prepare the workforce with the essential AI skills for the future. For more information on exams, results and careers, please visit Indiatimes Education. You may have received a strange message on WhatsApp fot "Viksit Bharat" (developed India). Interestingly, it's a message sent by the Government of India. However, the Election Commission has ordered the government to stop sending it. But what exactly is the Viksit Bharat message, and why did the EC ask the government to stop sending it? EC puts a halt to Viksit Bharat message The Election Commission directed the Minister of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to immediately halt the delivery of the government's 'Viksit Bharat' message on WhatsApp to citizens. Reuters This action was taken because the Model Code of Conduct came into effect following the announcement of general elections to the Lok Sabha and four state assemblies on March 16. The Model Code of Conduct (MCC) is a set of rules for political parties and candidates to ensure fair competition. It is designed to maintain order, cleanliness, and peace during campaigning, polling, and vote counting and also aims to prevent any misuse of government resources or funds by the ruling party. The Election Commission received complaints that 'Viksit Bharat' messages, highlighting the government's initiatives, were being delivered to citizens' phones even after the model code of conduct was enforced. Unsplash In response, MeitY informed the commission that while the messages were sent to citizens via WhatsApp before the model code became applicable, some may have been delivered late due to systemic and network limitations. What is the 'Viksit Bharat' message? The 'Viksit Bharat' message reads as below: "In the last 10 years, 140 crore Indians have benefited from various schemes and policies of the government, and will continue to do so in the future as well. Your participation is critical as we, together as one family, work towards fulfilling our aspiration of a Viksit Bharat. You are therefore requested to kindly share suggestions on your vision of Vikshit Bharat." Why is government sending the 'Viksit Bharat' message? The 'Viksit Bharat' message was being circulated by the government to showcase the initiatives of the Central government. It aims to gather feedback and suggestions from citizens regarding government schemes and policies. For more on news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. In a world increasingly interconnected through social media, cultural exchanges often lead to unexpected revelations and discussions. Recently, an Indian student abroad took to the internet to share his "struggles" with doing dishes in a foreign land. However, what began as a personal reflection quickly transformed into a global conversation as the internet swiftly responded with diverse perspectives and insights. The student's narrative shed light on the challenges immigrants face in adapting to new environments, from mundane tasks like dishwashing to broader cultural differences. Yet, the swift and varied responses highlighted the power of digital platforms in fostering understanding and mutual learning across borders. This episode serves as a reminder of the complexities of cultural adjustment and the potential for online discourse to bridge divides and cultivate empathy in an increasingly globalized world. What Did This Indian Student Struggle Abroad? A recent tweet by an Indian student studying abroad has ignited a fiery debate on social media platforms. The student shared a seemingly innocent picture of himself washing a non-stick pan with the caption, "Go study abroad. It'll be fun, they said." Indian student struggles to do dishes in abroad, but internet quickly teaches him how to do it | Image: X However, what was intended as a lighthearted reflection on everyday challenges quickly turned into a heated discussion. The tweet has sharply divided social media users, with some expressing amusement at the student's struggles and others raising concerns about the importance of developing basic life skills and independence while studying abroad. This incident has brought to the forefront broader questions about cultural adaptation and preparedness for life in a foreign country. As the online discourse unfolds, it underscores the complexities of the international student experience and the diverse perspectives surrounding it. Where Can You Check Out The Post? You can check out the post on X posted by @itmedew. go study abroad itll be fun they said pic.twitter.com/3yoj19uKyC Dew (@itmedew) March 19, 2024 How Did The Internet React? Just a few days back, the post was shared on social media, and it has gotten over 354K views and many comments. Internet reacts to Indian student struggles to do dishes in abroad, but internet quickly teaches him how to do it | Image: X Internet reacts to Indian student struggles to do dishes in abroad, but internet quickly teaches him how to do it | Image: X What do you think about it? Do let us know in the comments. For more trending stories, follow us on Telegram. A recent viral receipt on social media has generated astonishment and anger among netizens. The receipt, totaling a staggering Rs 4,000 for just two rolls and two cold coffees, has left many scratching their heads and questioning the validity of such exorbitant pricing. The incident has sparked a flurry of reactions online, with users expressing disbelief, outrage, and amusement in equal measure. Some have condemned the apparent exploitation of customers, while others have shared similar experiences or speculated on the quality or ingredients of the rolls and coffees. The viral receipt serves as a stark reminder of the power of social media in amplifying consumer grievances and holding businesses accountable for their pricing practices. As the digital uproar unfolds, it prompts broader conversations about transparency, fairness, and consumer rights in the ever-evolving landscape of commercial transactions. What Happened At The Cafe? It's a representative image created by using AI | Image: Binge An Australian patron at a coastal cafe in Darwin was taken aback by the steep bill they received. What initially seemed like a routine order of two rolls and two coffees cost a substantial sum of 77 Australian Dollars, roughly equating to 4,000 rupees. The customer, known as Lee on Reddit, shared the surprising experience that stunned them. Lee ordered two bacon and egg rolls, each accompanied by avocado, and two iced coffees garnished with ice cream. Nevertheless, what initially appeared to be a standard breakfast soon escalated into an expensive ordeal upon the bill's arrival. The receipt unveiled an extra charge of seven Australian Dollars, attributed to it being a Sunday. Lee expressed astonishment at the final amount, elucidating, "Upon receiving the bill, I was taken aback to see a surcharge of seven Australian Dollars listed, solely because it was a Sunday." Viral receipt shows how people reacted to the Rs 4,000 charge for 2 rolls and coffees | Image: Reddit This unforeseen addition brought the grand total to a staggering 77 Australian Dollars, as communicated to The New York Post. Upon scrutinizing the itemized breakdown of the bill, it came to light that each roll was priced at $19, with an additional $3 charge for the avocado accompanying each roll. The coffees, originally priced at $10 each, incurred an extra $6 for the ice cream toppings. Despite the initial shock at the bill's total, Lee conceded to the excellence of the food, remarking, "The food was great." However, Lee also confessed to a moment of remorse, admitting, "I tapped my card without looking at the price or reviewing the menu." Where Can You Check Out The Post? You can check out the post on Reddit shared by r/australia. How Did The Internet React? The incident sparked an online discussion, with numerous users expressing astonishment and recounting similar unexpected steep bills at various restaurants and cafes. Internet reacts to viral receipt shows how people reacted to the Rs 4,000 charge for 2 rolls and coffees | Image: Reddit Internet reacts to viral receipt shows how people reacted to the Rs 4,000 charge for 2 rolls and coffees | Image: Reddit What do you think about it? Do let us know in the comments. For more trending stories, follow us on Telegram. Its been more than two years since Air India made its Rs 18,000 crore comeback into the Tata group. Reflecting on what has changed for Air India after Tata groups takeover, the airlines CEO recently revealed on the journey as well as Air Indias future plans. Air India CEO Reveals Changes After Tata Group's Takeover indiatimes After its acquisition by the Tata Group, Air India underwent a cultural shift brought about by the hiring of new staff and training, according to CEO and MD Campbell Wilson. Following the acquisition of the airline, Air India has let go of some of its more senior staff and hired new ones. During its privatization, the average employee age dropped from 54 to 34 years old, according to Wilson, who made this statement on Wednesday at the Skift India Summit 2024, as per ET report. "There had been no recruitment in non-flying staff for the last 15 years (before the acquisition in 2022). We have been able to recruit a whole bunch of people not only for necessity but also for their competency and bring down the average age of employees," he said. Also Read: Tata Group's Air India & Vistara Set To Merge In 2025 Less Than 1% of Air India Staff Was Laid Off air india ceo/et CEO Wilson's remarks coincide with Air India's 200+ employee layoffs as part of the airline's restructuring. Less than 1% of the company's workforce were laid off; they also did not take advantage of the airline's retraining opportunities or voluntary retirement plan. According to the statement, Air India complied with all legal requirements, including providing the sacked workers with fair compensation. In January 2022, the government gave up control of Air India to the salt-to-steel conglomerate. During privatization, there was an agreement that required the new owners to keep all of the staff for a year. How Air India Is Transition With Employees air india/PTI Air India CEO claimed that by investing in employees' skills, the company has also assisted in their transition. Air India has also executed two rounds of a voluntary retirement scheme, in which more than 2,500 employees had opted for the same. "We have helped them with transition," because shifting to the private sector's way of working after working years under the government "can be traumatic some times", he said. "It has been smooth, consensual and culturally transformational." Air India has hired 5,000 people over the last 18 months and also invested in modern technology which was absent before privatisation, the airlines CEO Wilson said. "We have hired people who have the right skills and understand how to run a complex, multi-hub airline that wasn't really present in the old Air India," he said, adding that the airline is promoting a culture of incentive for doing well. "There is no incentive in a non-private sector organisation; there were no job descriptions, there were no metrics of success. There were no rewards for doing well and no consequences for not doing well. So, you end up with an organization where there is a malaise," he said, adding that the new management is changing the culture so that it is a performance-oriented airline that takes things like punctuality and service seriously. In an effort to create synergy, the Tata Group is restructuring its aviation division. In order to create a low-cost airline, this included the merger of Air Asia India and Air India Express. Vistara and Air India will combine to operate in the premium segment. Recently, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday met Tata Group's Chairman Emeritus Ratan Tata and current Chairman N Chandrasekaran in Mumbai. Assam CM thanked them for setting up the Rs 27,000-crore Tata semiconductor facility in the state. Tata Group's Big Step: Viral Pics Of Ratan Tata Meeting Assam CM x Manufacturing of semiconductors in Assam will put the state on the global map, said industrialist and philanthropist Ratan Tata, whose conglomerate has put in Rs 27,000 crore in investments for a semiconductor plant in Jagiroad. "The investments being made in Assam transform the state in complex treatment for cancer care. Today, the state government of Assam in partnership with the Tata group will make Assam a major player in sophisticated semiconductors," Ratan Tata posted on his X timeline, attaching pictures of him, Himanta Biswa Sarma, and Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran. Tata Group, in collaboration with the Assam government, has already set up several cancer care hospitals across the state. "This new development will put Assam on the global map. We wish to thank the Chief Minister of Assam Himanta Biswa Sarma for his support and vision that has made all this possible," Ratan Tata's X post added. The investments being made in Assam transform the state in complex treatment for cancer care. Today, the state government of Assam in partnership with the Tata group will make Assam a major player in sophisticated semiconductors. This new development will put Assam on the global pic.twitter.com/Ut0ViaA38N Ratan N. Tata (@RNTata2000) March 20, 2024 Earlier this week on Tuesday, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw assured that the first semi-conductor chip would be rolled out. "We will have the first made in India chip by December 2024. We the first attempt at this was made as far back as 1962 but unless you have the correct policy and right conviction it can't happen. PM Modi has the conviction that for Viksit Bharat we need electronics manufacturing. From TVs to power electronics, in everything we need semiconductors" the Minister had said. Also Read: Meet Thomas Mathew, The Man Writing Ratan Tata's Biography Book PM Modi Had Laid Foundation Stones In Assam This Month ratan tata assam cm semi conductor/x Earlier this month on March 13, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stones for the three semiconductor facilities with financial implications of about Rs 1.25 lakh crore - 2 in Gujarat and 1 in Assam. Tata Group is setting up two of these three plants - one in each of the states. India's semiconductor market is still in its infancy, but many domestic and international businesses hope to capitalize on its enormous potential. Assam will host a semiconductor plant operated by Tata Semiconductor Assembly and Test Pvt Ltd ("TSAT"). This facility, which will have a daily production capacity of 48 million chips, is being constructed for Rs 27,000 crore. Mobile phones, consumer electronics, telecom, electric vehicles, and automobiles are the segments that will be covered. During the foundation stone ceremony, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated that during earlier industrial revolutions, Indian industries had never given the northeast region any thought as a potential location for business ventures. Sarma had claimed that Prime Minister Modi had included the historically ignored region in the technological revolution. The foundation stones of the two plants, located in Gujarat and Assam, were laid on Wednesday. The Tata Group anticipates that commercial semiconductor chip production will begin in 2026. The Covid-19 chip shortage brought to light the necessity of domestic manufacturing to bridge the gap, maintain national security, and spur domestic innovation. In the meantime, the first-ever high-end semiconductor fabrication plant in India is rapidly taking shape at Gujarat's Sanand, home to American chip maker Micron. It is anticipated to start up in late 2024. For the latest and more interesting financial news, keep reading Indiatimes Worth. Click her Vijaypat Singhania, a notable figure in India's textile sector, formerly served as the chairman of the Raymond Group. Once counted among India's wealthiest individuals, Singhania is the founder of a renowned brand synonymous with high-quality clothing for millions of Indians. wikipedia Years ago, he made headlines for an ugly spat with son Gautam Singhania. In a fresh update, it looks like the father-son duo have finally made up as a recent photo of them started doing the rounds on social media. Raymond chairman and managing director (MD) Gautam Singhania posted a photo of welcoming his father home. Happy to have my father at home today and seek his blessings. Wishing you good health Papa always,'' Gautam Singhania wrote on X. Gautam Singhania/Instagram Why Did The Fallout Happen? As per reports, Vijaypat relinquished control of the company to Gautam in 2015. Years later, he publicly regretted his decision, labeling it a "stupid" mistake to entrust everything to his son. He cautioned parents to "think very carefully before they give away everything to their children." In an interview, Vijaypat also said he was left with little money to survive as his son took away everything from him. Twitter Heres a timeline of their feud: 1. In 2015, Vijaypat transferred a significant 37% stake in the billion-dollar textile empire, valued at over Rs. 1,000 crore, to his son. 2. Under the terms of a 2007 agreement, Vijaypat was set to receive a Rs. 7,100 crore apartment in the Singhania family's 36-storey JK House in Malabar Hill for just Rs. 600 crore. However, Gautam refused to meet his end of the deal, keeping the company and the apartment. 3. In 2019, the senior Singhania lodged a complaint against his son citing theft and trespassing at his rented home Mahindra Towers. Gautam rejected the claims calling it malicious and baseless. In exchange, he accused his father of gaining media mileage and cheap publicity. 4. The duo again locked horns when Gautam objected to the publishing of a memoir written by his father through a court injunction. For years, the Singhanias have had a tumultuous relationship with each other. The photo brings a bit of hope for reconciliation. Gautam Singhanias Divorce Battle With Wife Nawaz Modi twitter Amidst a divorce battle between Gautam and his wife Nawaz Modi, she has appealed for 75% of his wealth as part of the settlement. The couple shares two daughters, Niharika and Nisa. Vijaypat Singhania, Gautam's father, expressed his support for Nawaz Modi Singhania, indicating he wouldn't interfere in the couple's decision. The history, key moments, and aftermath explored On the evening of February 28, 2023, a tragic collision occurred when passenger train IC62, en route from Athens to Thessaloniki with over 350 passengers, crashed head-on with freight train 63503 traveling from Thessaloniki to Larissa on the same track . This catastrophic event became the deadliest train accident in Greeces history , resulting in the loss of 57 lives, with 56 identified through biological material and one missing persons sample not found. Additionally, at least 85 individuals were injured, 25 of them critically. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis swiftly attributed the accident to a primarily human error by the Larissa station master and commended Minister Costas Ah. Karamanlis for taking political responsibility by resigning. However, concerns about the railways safety had been raised long before the accident. On April 27, 2022, Christos Katsoulis, then head of the railway networks signalling and safety project committee, resigned because of these issues. The Panhellenic Association of Traction Personnel had also alerted the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, the Railway Regulatory Authority, and Hellenic Train about the deteriorating railway conditions, lack of maintenance, and the malfunctioning of the automatic control system designed to prevent such human errors. Days before the tragedy, railway workers had ominously warned of the risks to human lives, criticising the complacency towards safety concerns. Remarkably, just 10 days before the crash, the minister had dismissed safety concerns in Parliament as disgraceful. The aftermath raised questions about the freights cargo, containing substances that could exacerbate a fire, as identified by experts representing the victims families. The decision to cordon off the crash site came under scrutiny, with the Fire Service attributing responsibility to Christos Triandopoulos, the Undersecretary for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection. The parliamentary inquiry into the accident saw the ruling majority decline to summon key witnesses, including the former president of the train drivers, the former head of the Hellenic Railways Organisation (OSE), and the ex-managing director of TRAINOSE, which was acquired by Hellenic Train following contentious contracts. Despite these significant oversights, the government determined that political figures were not criminally liable, a decision met with demands from both the opposition and the victims families for accountability and legal action. ______________________________________________ Are you seeking news from Greece presented from a progressive, non-mainstream perspective? Subscribe monthly or annually to support TPP International in delivering independent reporting in English. Dont let Greek progressive voices fade. Make sure to reference TPP International and your order number as the reason for payment. New concerns arise after MEP Anna Michelle Asimakopoulou's office was implicated in the widespread distribution of unsolicited emails to Greek expatriates, a move seemingly aimed at drumming up support for the forthcoming European Parliament election. Thirty Greek expatriates from countries including Holland , Britain, Sweden , Finland, Norway France , Denmark, Spain , the USA , and Australia have initiated legal action against both the Ministry of the Interior and. The controversy centres on the leak of the email list , traced back to Michalis Stavrianoudakis, the General Secretary of the Interior Ministry, who reportedly passed the list to Nikos Theodoropoulos, Secretary for Diaspora Affairs from the ruling New Democracy party . Both have resigned following the scandal's exposure, andhas been taken off the candidate list for the election in June. Vassilis Sotiropoulos, representing expatriates affected by the widespread dissemination of personal data linked to ND MEP Anna Michele Asimakopoulou, has appealed to the European Data Protection Supervisor. He urges the EDPS to investigate whether the tax identification numbers and social security numbers of these expatriates were also compromised. Here is the appeal to the European Data Protection Supervisor: Ladies and gentlemen, As the legal representative for individuals affected by a significant data breach, I bring forth a concern for your consideration, potentially influencing the forthcoming verdict from the European Data Protection Supervisor. The suspicions of expatriates extend beyond merely the exposure of their email addresses; theres reasonable fear that their tax identification numbers (TINs) and social security numbers (AMKA) might also have been compromised in the breach. Given the pivotal role of a TIN as a key identifier accessing multiple services, the potential misuse of these numbers, alongside other personal details, has sparked significant alarm among the expatriate community. If your investigation reveals that such sensitive identifiers were indeed circulated without authorization, it is within your responsibility to recommend corrective actions. These may include urging the Ministry of the Interior and other governmental entities to facilitate the legal amendment allowing the change of TIN and AMKA numbersan option currently restricted by law but deemed necessary for mitigating the impact of this breach and safeguarding the affected individuals data privacy. ______________________________________________ Are you seeking news from Greece presented from a progressive, non-mainstream perspective? Subscribe monthly or annually to support TPP International in delivering independent reporting in English. Dont let Greek progressive voices fade. Make sure to reference TPP International and your order number as the reason for payment. Numerous contradictions emerged in today's witness testimony Today, the Court of Appeal resumes the trial concerning those implicated in the death of Zacharias Kostopoulos. Previously, the first trial resulted in the acquittal of the accused police officers, with only the jeweller and the real estate agent, the subjects of the current appeal, being convicted. Initially, they were sentenced to 10 years in prison without the possibility of parole. However, because of his age, the 73-year-old jeweller is serving his sentence under house arrest, while the real estate agent was granted parole pending the appeal trial in December 2022. The local business owner testifying today declared his acquaintance with the accused and portrayed Kostopoulos as a threatening figure, allegedly armed with a knife. However, this weapon showed up only after Kostopoulos was incapacitated, a point at which the witness admitted to losing sight of him, leading to several inconsistencies highlighted by both the prosecution and the civil lawsuit. The witness attempted to paint Kostopoulos as menacing, omitting in his initial statement the critical detail of the accused repeatedly kicking Kostopoulos in the head, an addition made only after video footage came to light. He oddly referred to Kostopoulos as a white-skinned Moroccan and commented on his brawny appearance within the premises. The court and the prosecution questioned the credibility of the witnesss account, especially his claimed observations of Kostopouloss threatening demeanour, contrasted with his supposed absence during the physical retaliation against Kostopoulos, and his convenient recollection of events following the release of the video evidence. Civil action lawyers Clio Papapantoleon and Annie Paparrousou, raised doubts about the timing and content of the witnesss statements, particularly questioning the allegation about Kostopoulos robbing the store. The absence of his fingerprints on the cash register, as well as the jewellers failure to account for his inventory post-incident underpins their questioning of the witnesss account. The court dismissed the defences attempts to generalise Kostopouloss demeanour as subjective and unhelpful, reflecting the trials complexity and the contradictions in the witness testimony. The proceedings were abruptly halted because of a bomb threat in the building. ______________________________________________ Are you seeking news from Greece presented from a progressive, non-mainstream perspective? Subscribe monthly or annually to support TPP International in delivering independent reporting in English. Dont let Greek progressive voices fade. Make sure to reference TPP International and your order number as the reason for payment. A Greek prisoner's fight for education behind bars Konstantinos Tzanetos, a prisoner at Trikala, has been on a hunger strike since March 15 and has declared that he will also begin a thirst strike unless the authorities fulfill his demand for a transfer to Korydallos Prison in order to facilitate his educational pursuits. Tzanetos, a student at the University of West Atticas School of Applied Arts and Culture , contends that his transfer from Korydallos to Trikala Prison was punitive and has significantly hindered his academic progress because of the lack of adequate facilities in Trikala to continue his education In his statement, Mr. Tzanetos stressed, My request is by no means unreasonable. I fully qualify for educational leave. My extended imprisonment has already taken a toll on my health, and continuing this strike could further endanger my well-being. I hereby hold both the Ministry and the administrations of Trikala and Korydallos prisons accountable for any harm that may come to me. I am resolved to persist in my protest until justice is served. He states: My name is Konstantinos Tzanetos, and I am enrolled in the School of Applied Arts and Culture at the University of West Attica, majoring on Interior Architecture and Object Design. I completed my junior and senior high school education at the Avlona Prison, where I also sat for the Panhellenic exams and secured my university admission. I have successfully completed one-third of the coursework mandated by law for educational leave, aimed at participating in workshops. Despite meeting all requirements, the Korydallos Prison, for reasons deemed punitive, transferred me to the Trikala Prison. This facility lacks a student room or any means for me to attend my classes. In the past, I have undertaken hunger strikes four times, two of which also included a thirst strike, in a bid to assert my educational rights. However, it appears that the education of prisoners is not a administrative priority. The Ministry of Citizen Protection and the directors of the Korydallos and Trikala prisons deny me the educational rights guaranteed by law. Today, on 15/3/2024, I commence a hunger strike and will proceed to a thirst strike following the trial of my remaining case, scheduled for today. After this trial, there will be no pending felony or misdemeanour charges against me, enabling me to physically attend my schools workshops and obtain the bracelet. My request is by no means unreasonable. I fully qualify for educational leave. My extended imprisonment has already taken a toll on my health, and continuing this strike could further endanger my well-being. I hereby hold both the Ministry and the administrations of Trikala and Korydallos prisons accountable for any harm that may come to me. I am resolved to persist in my protest until justice is served. Kostas Tzanetos Trikala Prison ______________________________________________ Are you seeking news from Greece presented from a progressive, non-mainstream perspective? Subscribe monthly or annually to support TPP International in delivering independent reporting in English. Dont let Greek progressive voices fade. Make sure to reference TPP International and your order number as the reason for payment. Dimitris Markopoulos, leading the investigation into the Tempe tragedy, maintained his stance in Parliament today amid heated parliamentary discussion. The debate centred around the ruling party's conclusion, which points to human error as the primary cause of the catastrophe, despite public revelations of critically inadequate safety measures on the railway. Initially, he expressed willingness to "apologise again for any errors made during his tenure," but soon shifted tone, framing himself as a target of undue criticism as he challenged the opposition, stating, "you don't have a monopoly on grief." Markopoulos reiterated his readiness to apologise for any missteps, lamenting what he described as political vilification and labelling it as political cannibalism. He highlighted the challenges the committee encountered. He went on to acknowledge the profound sorrow and distress of the affected families, yet he criticized the depiction of committee members as figurative monsters by some critics. He criticized certain factions for treating the investigation into the train crash as an opportunity for retribution, accusing them of indulging in irrationality and conspiracy theories. He also addressed those suddenly appealing for European intervention, reminding them of their previous desire to distance Greece from Europe in 2015, while he and others strived for unity. In this chamber, no one has a monopoly on grief; we are all affected, Markopoulos asserted. Zoe Konstantopoulou, the president of the Course of Freedom party, sharply rebuked, accusing the New Democracy MP of deflecting blame onto the victims. Markopoulos countered, questioning her exclusive claim to grief and labelling her a merchant of pain. He broadened his critique, suggesting that grief was not confined to any single political spectrum, and directly attacked Konstantopoulou, calling her a political hooligan and accusing her of disrespecting the parliamentary space. In response, Konstantopoulou condemned Markopouloss statements as disgraceful, accusing him of resorting to insults and aggressive tactics. ______________________________________________ Are you seeking news from Greece presented from a progressive, non-mainstream perspective? Subscribe monthly or annually to support TPP International in delivering independent reporting in English. Dont let Greek progressive voices fade. Make sure to reference TPP International and your order number as the reason for payment. This noteworthy development was highlighted by the Economist Intelligence Unit's Business Environment Index , as disclosed by the Prime Minister's economic advisor, A. Patelis, in a post on X (formerly Twitter). Emeka Ike, a well-known Nollywood actor, and his wife, Yolanda Pfeiffer, have welcomed a baby girl on his birthday today. On Thursday, the actor announced the arrival of his child on his Instagram page. The pleased father praised his wife while sharing photos of his newborn. He also announced the childs name, Chidera Comfort Thando Ike. The actor also stated that the new childs arrival is a double blessing and source of comfort for the family. READ MORE: Mohbads Autopsy Results Expected In 4 Weeks Lagos Govt. He wrote, ITS A DOUBLE BLESSING FOR ONE LOSS Happy BIRTHDAY to me and WELCOME to baby, Chidera COMFORT Thando Ike The good LORD has filled the huge vacuum that Mama COMFORT Okwuchi Ike left behind, with another COMFORT Chidera T Ike My family and l are COMFORTED and cant ask for any better, this solemn times Thank you to my beautiful wife for taking the pains, of this wonderful gift I THANK YOU GOD!!! SEE POST: As part of measures to ensure cutting cost of governance, amid economic challenge, President Tinubu has placed a three-month ban on ministers, heads of agencies, and other government officials from undertaking public-funded foreign trips. This was contained in a letter dated March 12th and signed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila. INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that the directive, released on Wednesday, outlined that the ban will be effective for three months starting on April 1st, 2024. In the letter, officials intending to embark on public-funded international trips must obtain presidential approval at least two weeks prior to their departure. Such trips are only to be considered if deemed absolutely necessary. The letter reads: Mr President has concerns about the rising cost of travel expenses borne by Ministries, Departments, and Agencies of Government, as well as the growing need for Cabinet Members and heads of MDAS to focus on their respective mandates for effective service delivery. READ MORE: Insecurity: Stop Foreign Trips, Fulfil Campaign Promises Peter Obi Tells VP Shettima Considering the current economic challenges and the need for responsible fiscal management, I am writing to communicate Mr Presidents directive to place a temporary ban on all public funded international trips for all Federal Government officials at all levels for an initial period of three (3) months from 1st April 2024. This temporary measure is aimed at cost reduction in governance and is intended as a cost-saving measure without compromising government functions. All government officials who intend to go on any public funded international trip must seek and obtain presidential approval at least two (2) weeks prior to embarking on any such trip, which must be deemed absolutely necessary. Considering the above, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation is kindly requested to circulate this directive to all Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government. Afe BabalolaFormer Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, has faulted Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Afe Babalola, for saying previous Governors of the State abandoned the vision of those who laboured for its creation. Information Nigeria reports that on Monday, Babalola, said the States ex-Governors failed to develop the structure that would have propelled the State to higher standards. Reacting to Babalolas comment, Fayemi, in an interview with ThisDay, said the statesman may be suffering from a narcissistic personality disorder that has prevented him from seeing good in others. He said Babalola is partisan in his review of his administration, adding that the 94-year-old lawyer was not his supporter even during his tenure as State Governor. His words: It is important for people to know this is malicious and not a dispassionate and objective assessment. The only thing I brought to public service is my name and I wont let people take my silence as consent as far as Chief Babalolas opinion is concerned. He never supported me, he supported Segun Oni in the 2007 election. But thats fine. He has a right to support anyone. I dont begrudge him for that. Even when I challenged the stolen mandate in 2007, he was Segun Onis lawyer in court. READ ALSO: Gov. Sule Donates N35m, 14,000 Bags Of Rice To Nasarawa Students So, as far as he was concerned, this little David defeated the giant Goliath of Ekiti. Despite that, I embraced him as Governor and asked him to chair the Airport Viability Committee, which he was keen on during my first term in office. Age is supposed to imbue one with a level of circumspection in what one says, but not this old man who believes he owns Ekiti and any governor who chooses not to grovel before him and shower him with sycophantic adulation of the Almighty Afe Babalola must be brought down. Unfortunately, I will not grovel before any human being. Only God is Almighty in my books. Chief Afe Babalola has always been unfair to me personally, and to Governors Adebayo and Fayose equally. I can say categorically without any fear of equivocation that every governor that has occupied the exalted seat in Ekiti performed well in the circumstance they operated in. They all handed the baton to their successors who took the state further than they met it. Chief Babalolas prejudiced view can never be the final word on their times in the office, certainly not on my time in office because I know and the record is crystal clear that I improved the state on every developmental index than I met the state. But then, Chief Afe Babalola is an old man and as well brought up Omoluabi, one should grant him the indulgence of failing memory that comes with age. Im, however, glad that he recognised the good in Governor Oyebanji. We will continue to applaud his contribution to Ekiti State but I hope Baba is not suffering from a narcissistic personality disorder that prevents him from seeing the good in others even as he relishes his exaggerated sense of self. Oluremi, wife of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has taken a jab at Nigerians abroad who have taken on jobs they wont do in Nigeria. The First Lady who stated this during an interview with Arise News on Thursday, encouraged Nigerians to help each other amid the economic crisis. While tackling those who japa, the former Senator said: Nigerians we can help each other. Its not that the government will begin to give food to everybody. READ ALSO: Japa Syndrome: Future Of Our Youths Not In Europe But In Nigeria Adesina It is for people God has blessed to help the poor. She added, Even those people saying they are going to Japa, they go there. What work are they going to do? Work that you refused to do at home where you have loved ones, you end up going to do that. Even with all their education, they are driving cabs but wont drive cabs here. Rev Fr Emmanuel Edeh, the founder of Madonna University in Nigeria, has ignited debate online after asserting that the university is the only private institution where ladies enrol as virgins and remain so upon graduation. While praising the university for both its academic and moral brilliance, the Reverend father made the statement. He stressed that Madonna University is the only university free of secret cults, molestation, exam malpractice, and bullying. Rev fr Emmanuel Edeh also stated that Madonna has zero tolerance for hard drugs and sexual immorality. Further boasting, the founder said that Madonna University is the only university where a girl arrives as a virgin and graduate as a virgin after four to five years of study. He added that individuals from London, America, Germany, and other countries always refer to Madonna University University as a destination to discover a virgin. READ MORE: Stop Calling Me Nollywood Actor Yomi Fash-Lanso In his words, It is only in this university that is clearly maintained that girls who have entered the university as virgins graduate as virgins. You can enter our university as virgins and graduate as virgins. Tell me any other university in the whole world that can maintain this. That is why people from London, America, England, Germany, when you meet them, they will say Father, we want to marry a girl who is a virgin. And they dont tend to get that until they come to Madonna Univeristy. His statement has spark wave of reactions from social media users. See some comments below, obaksolo: SHOULD WE TELL HIM?. v.o.b__: YOU WERE NOT INFORMED ASK UNIPORT GUYS ABOUT MADONNA GIRLS. londonalaga: I attended and it is Very true. thecryptoghirl: Baba is not informed . che_fav: Can NEVER be the same Madonna my roommates graduated from . beatzbyjava: The person that wrote the speech need to be arrested! . mastfoods.ng: But its true naa. My school. Fr Edeh is ever young, he doesnt get old. anniebraide: If you go the school you go know Wattin eh dey talk about . SEE VIDEO: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Wednesday, disclosed that the army personnel killed in Okuama, Delta State will be conferred with national honours. The death of the soldiers sparked nationwide outrage as they were killed by youths while on a peace mission in theoil-rich State. In his reaction, Tinubu said he had authorised the Chief of Defence Staff to bring to justice anybody found to be responsible for the unconscionable crime. The President who described the killing of the officers as a wicked act, added that the attack on them is a direct attack on the nation. Speaking at the breaking of the Ramadan fast in Abuja with members of the green chamber, led by Tajudeen Abbas, Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President commiserated with the military and the families of the deceased. READ ALSO: Land Dispute Led To Death Of Soldiers In Delta Community Leader Tinubu described the slain soldiers as heroes, and urged citizens to remember that they paid the ultimate sacrifice. Let us pray for Nigeria. Let us see our country go through these problems. I accept the sympathy, and on behalf of the country, I saw your messages for the loss of the lives of our military men. We have to salute them as our heroes. Responding to a distress call, they met the end of their lives in a savagery manner. Let us work to sympathise and symbolise the fact that their lives are worth the sacrifices they are making for Nigeria. We salute all our men and women in uniform and we sympathise with them. They must have a befitting burial and they will have national honours, he said. Washington is the global champion of disinformation 15:45, March 21, 2024 By Chen Weihua ( Chinadaily.com.cn Cai Meng/China Daily Ever wonder why you have read and heard so much negative news about China in the last few years? Some examples: The Belt and Road Initiative is a debt trap; China has been committing cultural genocide in the Xinjiang and Xizang China is the biggest threat to regional and global security. An explosive Reuters' report last week revealed but just the tip of the iceberg of the reckless US disinformation and smear campaign against China. According to the report, US President Donald Trump authorized the Central Intelligence Agency in 2019 to launch a clandestine campaign on Chinese social media to turn public opinion in China against the government. According to three former US officials, the CIA formed a small team of operatives who used fake internet identities to spread negative narratives about the Chinese government while "leaking" disparaging intelligence to overseas news outlets. The fact that the US administration and the CIA have declined to comment on the Reuters report shows a tacit admission of guilt by them. Lest we forget, the US has spared no efforts in recent years to accuse countries such as China and Russia of spreading disinformation. If you search on the internet, you will get innumerable such stories, reports, seminars and speeches by US officials, from President Biden to Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The Global Engagement Center created by the US State Department in 2016 and now headed by James Rubin, a former State Department spokesman and ex-husband of CNN anchor Christiane Amanpour, claims its mission is to fight foreign disinformation, but its real aim is perhaps to help maintain the US' position as the global leader of disinformation. Shortly before the Reuters' exposure, the US intelligence community released its annual threat assessment, accusing China of trying to influence the 2024 US presidential election. The above developments are nothing but the US administration's efforts to cover its covert disinformation campaign against China. The Reuters report is similar to the exposure of the US Republican Senate memo in April 2020 which directed its members to blame China for the COVID-19 outbreak and avoid discussing the then president Donald Trump's handling of the public health crisis. There is no doubt that the US is the global leader of disinformation. In fact, the disinformation and smear campaigns by the Democrats and Republicans against each other in the run-up to the 2024 presidential election show how skillful US politicians are in playing such dirty games. Biden surely knows how dirty the accusations and counter-accusations are because, according to a CNN poll in July 2023, 60 percent of Republican members and Republican-leaning voters said his win in 2020 presidential election was not legitimate. The US' news outlets and think tanks are often used as geopolitical tools in such government disinformation campaigns. CNN national security correspondent Kylie Atwood said, rather confessed, in a Brookings talk in March 2021 that "we're going to use all the rhetoric we have to make them (China) look like the bad guy on the world stage", with fellow participants, Ryan Hass and Evan Osnos nodding their head. The US possesses the most powerful disinformation weapons given its dominance of the global media landscape, including its control of popular social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter). It's true that the US administration's disinformation campaign targeting China has somewhat succeeded in fooling many American people as well people in countries which are US allies and making believe in the lies about China and Russia, because Washington wields outsized influence thanks to the reach of its media outlets and think tanks. When I asked the European Commission spokesman this week about Reuters' revelatory report and its impact on the European Union, he declined to give any direct answer. Nonetheless, the Reuters' exposure is an awakening call for the EU and other economies which have for too long played along with the US and thus promoted the US' disinformation campaign against China. The author is chief of China Daily EU Bureau based in Brussels. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said that the National Assemblys constant summons could disturb and distract his appointees from carrying out their primary duties. Tinubu asked the lawmakers to be accommodating enough and let the poor breathe. It was gathered that the former Lagos state governor, led this out during the Ramadan fast-breaking event in Abuja on Wednesday, March 20. However, he said that excessive summoning of officials can lead to disruptions in operations and affect service delivery to citizens. READ MORE: Catholic Bishops Beg Tinubu To Release Nnamdi Kanu Tinubu advised lawmakers to exercise discretion in carrying out their oversight responsibilities. He said: I have been watching various committees summon ministers and agency heads. I have complained to the Speaker to let the poor breathe. Let these people do the job. We are not saying you are not influential. We are not saying you cannot do your oversight. But consider the primary duty of each agency, its personnel, or the responsibilities of the Governor of the Central Bank or the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance to you and the entire nation. If they are distracted or disturbed, maybe we will shift parliamentary sitting all through the night. We must find a way to accommodate one another. This is an appeal to you. See if you can accept representatives in some instances or even documentation. We are making sacrifices for the country, and we are assuring citizens that there is a very bright light at the end of the tunnel. We must have faith, and please do not forget your constituencies and remember what they are going through. I cannot thank you enough for what you are doing, but it is for our country. There is nothing personal about this. It is for Nigeria, and we have no other country but Nigeria. You might not know much about John Rhodens Nesaika, but you have walked past it every time you have passed Seventh and Arch Streets. The 9-footbronze sculpture, which stands outside the African American Museum in Philadelphia, was dedicated on June 10, 1976, by Mayor Frank L. Rizzo. Eight days later, on June 18, Rizzo inaugurated the museum, then called the Afro-American Historical and Cultural Museum. AAMP was founded around the Bicentennial in 1976, said Brittany Webb, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts Evelyn and Will Kaplan curator of 20th century art and the John Rhoden collection. She is the curator of Rhodens first comprehensive retrospective that is now on view at PAFA, which has acquired 275 of Rhodens sculptures. The name Nesaika, as is noted in the PAFA exhibit, is derived from a Chinook jargon of a West African coastal trade language. It means we or a people. When Webb started on the Rhoden exhibit, the sculptor was often considered an underseen, unknown artist waiting to be discovered. I immediately was sort of like, No, you actually cant work in large-scale bronze for a long time if youre unknown, because its such an expensive medium, she said. Rhoden, a Birmingham, Ala., born artist, had already attended Columbia University on the GI Bill, traveled the world on a Fulbright scholarship, and built public art sculptures for New Yorks Bellevue and Harlem Hospitals, in 1972 and 1968 respectively, before the AAMP commissioned him. The original founders who were working on the founding of the museum had all of these ideas about how art and history should come together for the museum and I think they chose Rhoden for this commission, because at the time, he was a known sculptor who had done [public art] commissions, Webb said. Black sculptors who had worked on large-scale public works at the time were not many. And [Rhoden] was somebody who was known to people who knew about African American art history before that was a known field. Public art has a way of assimilating itself among its surroundings. By design, it becomes a part of our landscape to a point where we often forget that it is, after all, art that is meant to be looked at, appreciated, and taken in. This is art that artists create in collaboration with commissions and officials who are not necessarily artists. Webb, who has served on public art commissions, concurs. It is a lot to put artists through. Theyre taking feedback from a lot of people who arent artists and arent makers, but have a lot of critical feedback on their work. The journey behind Nesaika While at Columbia, Rhoden met artist Richanda Phillips who, in 1951, dropped out of college to travel to Italy with Rhoden on his Fulbright. They married in Rome in 1954 and later lived in New Yorks Brooklyn Heights, where the couple would run art exhibitions in their living room and throw street fairs. They had a four-story house, so Rhoden clearly was not like an unknown broke artist, he was able to support himself. And his public commissions were a huge reason why he was able to do that financially, Webb said. With Phillips, who was Native American, Rhoden traveled the world, studying Indigenous art, meeting artists like the Serbian sculptor Ana Beslic, and training under Richmond Barthe. He developed an artistic style that departed from the conventions of contemporary American art. What emerged was this idea of one people out of many cultures. In his notes on Nesaika, Webb said, Rhoden talks about where the figure comes from, and what his inspirations were. He was thinking about Indigenous cultures. And he had had an opportunity to spend a lot of time [with] Indigenous artistic traditions that dont show up in fine art spaces, she added. He was inspired by pidgin languages and by the cire perdue wax-casting tradition he learned in West Africa. The 1970s, Webb pointed out, were a time when Pan-African themes were showing up in the art world. A lot of people were thinking, What does this identity mean? Where does it come from? How much of this history dont we know? Like, what does it mean to be this mix of people? ... and all of this shows up in Nesaika. The AAMP sculpture, however, isnt Rhodens first in Philadelphia. Back in 1957, his Zodiacal Curved Wall adorned the walls of the Sheraton Hotel at 17th and Race Streets, as did three chandeliers he created. While those were lost to a remodeling project, one can still see Rhodens 9-foot sculpture of Frederick Douglass on West Chesters Lincoln University campus. PAFAs retrospective of his works continues through April 7, but long after the shows end date, Nesaika will still stand, reminding us to look and think about the art that quietly surrounds us and the artists whose labor makes it possible. Cars waiting in line to pick up food from the pantry at Grace Episcopal Church in Merchantville. Read more For the first time in more than 30 years, the food pantry at Grace Episcopal Church in Merchantville did not open its doors for its weekly distribution on Wednesday. Leaders of the borough of nearly 4,000 in Camden County shut it down and ordered the church to come up with a plan to deal with what theyve described as congestion created by the estimated 300 cars that queue up for food a number thats been increasing as food insecurity in New Jersey and around the United States grows. The pantry feeds as many as 900 families a week. Mayor Edward Brennan said in an email on Wednesday that the borough wasnt making any official statements. He added that the borough had been speaking with Grace Episcopal and others, and is actively working towards a plan that allows us to achieve the goal of helping those in need in a safe and responsible way. In a statement issued by the borough last week, the pantry closing was called a pause until public safety and public nuisance issues could be resolved. It added that borough leaders were reacting to concerns of the public. Advertisement The Rev. Bob Fitzpatrick, the church rector, said Wednesday that the sudden shutdown was shocking, and that he was trying to get a handle on what the borough wants us to change to allow the pantry to reopen. Some of the things theyre asking are difficult and possibly not viable, he added. The borough will not allow cars to line up on public streets or in public parking lots. He said he wished the borough would have permitted the pantry to remain open while its leaders executed incremental changes, such as staggering pantry days and hours. Apparently borough officials are also concerned about the optics of poverty in town, Fitzpatrick continued. The mayor talked about seeing all the hungry people and the pallets of food at the pantry and he thought it looked like a picture of the New Orleans Superdome after Hurricane Katrina. We want to address safety issues regarding the long lines, but were not able to fix their anxiety over the visibility of poverty. Thats not our job. Fitzpatrick also indicated that the borough appeared to be exerting pressure on the church: Borough officials laid out the wide range of regulatory tools at their disposal to shape the behavior of the church zoning changes, violations, fire inspections. And then they said that our cooperation would make it unnecessary for the borough to take those further steps. Food is a human right Much of the reaction of hunger and poverty experts to the shuttering of the pantry has been unfavorable. Food is a human right, and I dont know why were abandoning people in need, said Jonathan Miller, COO of Share Food Program in North Philadelphia, one of the areas two largest food banks, along with Philabundance. Miller has lived in Merchantville for five years. This doesnt speak to Merchantvilles motto Small town with a big heart. Its punitive, not supportive, and it feels like the boroughs authorities just dont want to help. I do this for a living [distribute food]. Its a personal thing for me. For it to happen on the streets I traverse to take my 6-year-old daughter to school its not what Im raising her to be like. It doesnt sit well with me at all. Joel Berg, CEO of the national nonprofit Hunger Free America, said, Ive never heard of a traffic excuse shutting a food pantry in the United States before. To have your first reaction be to ban feeding activities is a bit much. Ken Regal, executive director of Just Harvest, a hunger-fighting nonprofit in Pittsburgh, agreed. Im just astonished that traffic would be enough of an issue to close the pantry, he said. If traffic was being generated by a parade, a popular dance club, or even the opening of a new Home Depot, thered be celebrating in the streets and people would be showing up for ribbon cuttings. The last thing elected officials should do is shut down food distribution for people in need. On Merchantville Facebook community pages, some residents have been asking how the lines for food were any different than those of parents picking up children from school. Brandon Trombetta, executive director of the Souderton-based Keystone Opportunity Center, which battles food and housing insecurity, called the Grace pantry shutdown a drastic move. He added, Youre taking lifelines away from people, making bad situations in peoples homes worse. The importance of pantries has escalated as rents and food prices rise. Food costs increased 11% in 2022 and 5% in 2023, said Sheldon Good, a director of Manna on Main Street, an antihunger nonprofit in Lansdale. And last year, all Pennsylvania households on SNAP (formerly food stamps) lost $95 a month when pandemic-related increases were scaled back. As he decides how to proceed, Fitzpatrick reflected that, while church begins with people praying on their knees on Sunday, it doesnt end there. Church is feeding the hungry, housing the homeless, and doing all we can to share love. Former labor labor leader John Dougherty arrives at the U.S Courthouse in Reading on Wednesday. Read more READING After two criminal trials, countless court hearings, and years spent in the crosshairs of the FBI, John Dougherty did something Wednesday hes never done before: Testify in court under oath. The former labor leader who is awaiting sentencing on federal embezzlement and bribery charges and a third trial next month on allegations of extortion took the witness stand during an unusual hearing pitting him against his former lawyer. Over roughly an hour of questioning, he maintained that his defense in his bribery trial had been tainted by conflicts of interest and that, as a result, his convictions should be overturned. At issue? Whether the legal representation Doughertys longtime lawyer Henry E. Hockeimer provided was compromised due to pressure from one of his law firms biggest clients, Comcast. The cable giant featured prominently throughout Doughertys bribery trial as prosecutors accused him of strong-arming company officials into granting concessions to union labor during its 2015 franchise renegotiation with the city. Advertisement READ MORE: The split between Johnny Doc and his former lawyers is getting messy. He hopes its enough to overturn his conviction. Hockeimer who leads the white-collar defense division at Center City law firm Ballard Spahr and left Doughertys case after his 2021 conviction insists he briefed Dougherty several times on his firms relationship with Comcast and the union chief never expressed concerns before now. He was well aware, the lawyer said in testimony of his own Wednesday. But under questioning from prosecutors, Dougherty dug in his heels. We didnt talk about it, he said. I dont know if he lied or not, but he didnt tell me. The fact that Dougherty was testifying at all eight years after federal authorities investigation of him burst into public view with a series of FBI raids was remarkable. Hes repeatedly said he was eager to speak to the court directly both at the 2021 bribery trial alongside former City Councilmember Bobby Henon and at the embezzlement trial that ended in his conviction on additional charges last year. But the attorneys who represented him through both thought better of the idea and persuaded him to stay off the stand. Testifying could have opened Dougherty up to aggressive cross-examination from prosecutors. And with the fast-talking, outspoken union chiefs conversational propensity to quickly bounce from topic to topic, theres no telling where such an interrogation might have led. Even in the limited confines of Wednesdays hearing, Dougherty was met with contentious questioning from Assistant U.S. Attorney Bea Witzleben. Are you a pretty assertive guy? Witzleben asked at one point in her cross-examination. Depends on the situation, Dougherty responded. Some are more sensitive and some are more aggressive. Still, throughout, Dougherty remained composed and consistent in his story. As he prepared to be sworn in, he straightened his tie and strode confidently to the stand. He clasped his hands in front of him while, under questioning from defense lawyer Caroline Cinquanto, he insisted he hadnt been fully briefed on the potential conflict Ballards representation of Comcast posed. Hockeimer, who had represented Dougherty since 2006, maintained that in his view, there was no conflict at all. He maintained he repeatedly explained to Dougherty his firms ties to the company and each time, he said, Doughertys response was the same: Henry, youre my guy. All I wanted to do represent John and help John, Hockeimer said. Still, he explained, he took precautions to avoid the appearance of a conflict including setting up a firewall preventing Ballard lawyers working on Comcast-related matters from accessing files tied Doughertys defense and making clear to his colleagues on the Comcast account that he might have to cross-examine company executives summoned to testify at trial. Had there been any improper pressure from Comcast or his bosses in his defense of Dougherty, Hockeimer said, he would have left his law firm. John was too important a client and friend to me to stop representing him, he said. To prevail in his bid to overturn his conviction, Dougherty must not only prove that that there was a conflict but also that it harmed his defense in some way. Testifying Wednesday, the union chief zeroed in on Hockeimers decision not to call former Comcast executive vice president David L. Cohen as a defense witness during the trial or interview him beforehand, despite Doughertys repeated requests. I had a lot of history with [Cohen] and he understood how we did business, Dougherty said, adding that he believed Cohen could explain my actions to a jury. As Dougherty told it, hed developed a personal and professional relationship with Cohen that stretched over decades. Cohen served as chief of staff to former Mayor Ed Rendell in the 90s, then as chairman of Ballard Spahr before being named as Comcasts executive vice president in 2002. Months before Doughertys 2021 trial, President Joe Biden nominated Cohen to become the U.S. Ambassador to Canada. Throughout all of those roles, Dougherty testified, Cohen often turned to him for advice and assistance. He relied on Doughertys contacts with other union leaders to smooth over tense labor relations and to facilitate Comcasts 1999 franchise talks with the Philadelphia, a deal that resulted in the cable giant agreeing to use union contractors that paid prevailing wages for work done in commercial trade buildings in a portion of Center City. And so, Dougherty said, it wasnt surprising that Comcast negotiators turned to him in 2015 when the city was renegotiating that franchise agreement with the company a series of meetings that would later become a focus in Doughertys bribery trial. READ MORE: John Dougherty was cordial, an ex-Comcast VP testified. But wiretaps reveal his harsh words for the greedy cable giant. Prosecutors accused Dougherty of using Henon, who has been convicted of bribery, to apply improper pressure on Comcast executives throughout the negotiations in order to secure concessions that benefitted the citys building trades. Dougherty insisted Wednesday that Cohen would have known there was nothing unusual about his involvement in those talks and should have been called as a witness to explain that to the jury. He knew that meeting that day was nothing more than how we did business, he said. Hockeimer, however, maintained the executives e-mails told a different story. As the talks dragged on, Cohen repeatedly referred to demands presented in the talks as illegal and unlawful in e-mails to the companys negotiators. (Dougherty said Wednesday that the cable executive wasnt referring to his requests but those from various city council members looking to get their pet projects addressed in the deal.) Another Comcast executive, recounting a meeting with Dougherty in an email to Cohen, described the union leaders bargaining tactics as extortion. Hockeimer said Wednesday he ultimately decided not to call Cohen as a witness out of concern it could open the door to those e-mails being presented to the jury a decision the lawyer insisted he explained to his client and with which Dougherty eventually agreed. I just didnt think [taking that risk] would be appropriate strategy, Hockeimer said. It wouldnt be fair to John. But despite their falling out in the years that followed and the accusations and acrimony that brought him to court Wednesday, Hockeimer remained resolute on one point: his belief that the jury got it wrong in Doughertys case. Asked whether he believed the union leader should have been acquitted at his bribery trial, the lawyer responded emphatically: I absolutely do. Atlanta-based writer Hannah Riley's 10-year-old dog, Hazel, went missing when a vet's office employee took her out without a leash and she escaped. Now the internet is rallying to find her. Read more Update: According to Rileys Twitter account, Hazel has been found. Atlanta-based writer Hannah Rileys 10-year-old dog, Hazel, went missing when a vets office employee took her out without a leash and she escaped. In a matter of days, their story has been shared across corners of the internet with hundreds of friends and strangers coming together to bring Hazel home. With the help of social media, the internet is rallying around Riley for support, creating fliers, TikToks, and raising more than $10,000 for search efforts. Heres what you need to know. Who are Hannah Riley and Hazel? Hannah Riley is a writer based in Edgewood, Ga. She works for the Center for Just Journalism, a nonprofit that works with media organizations on how they cover public safety issues. Her dog Hazel, whom she calls her heart dog because of their strong bond, is a 10-year-old papillon mix, and is white with light brown patches in her fur. Riley adopted Hazel six years ago. I saw Hazels picture on the Atlanta Humane Society website and beelined it, Riley told The Inquirer. She was a little rough around the edges growled at the volunteer who tried to pick her up but once she was placed in that little visitation room with us, the rest was history. Riley added, Its barely an exaggeration to say weve been attached at the hip for the last six years. Advertisement Everything went awry when Riley went to Toronto over the weekend and received a call from her pet sitter. How did Hazel go missing? On Saturday, Rileys pet sitter told her that Hazel had ingested the sitters Delta 8 cannabis gummies and that they had taken her to a nearby emergency veterinary clinic. But when an employee at the St. Francis clinic took Hazel outside unleashed, the dog bolted. Details have been scarce and Riley has described frustrations with St. Francis and the offices corporate parent company, Thrive Pet Healthcare, which she claims has been largely uncommunicative with her. Riley said a vet manager said Hazel escaped with a catheter remaining in her leg and a hospital tag around her neck. The dog is microchipped. Where was Hazel last seen? On Sunday, Riley said she heard that a man found Hazel running across the large DeKalb Industrial highway near the vets office. But he allegedly handed the dog to a woman who was waving her arms and he assumed was Hazels owner. The details are fuzzy, Riley and her supporters are working to make sure neighbors know who the dogs rightful owner is. What has the vets office said? Thrive Pet Healthcare confirmed that Hazel escaped while in the offices care but declined to go into specifics. They would not share surveillance footage with Riley. Thrive said in a statement that it was deeply saddened by the incident. Our regional leadership is and has been in communication with Hazels family and remains supportive of the search. Riley said a vet manager shared that the office has a search team and has solicited help from local businesses. But since going public, sharing her story and frustrations on X (formerly Twitter), internet detectives are also stepping in. The internet rallies to help find Hazel Hazels story has gone viral, with posts about her escape being viewed more than a million times on X. As the days went by, more sleuths have stepped in, sharing Hazels flier, recruiting help from local animal shelters and volunteers, and making their own TikToks about the situation. Its become a real fixation for some right up there with Princess Kate Middletons whereabouts with viral tweets about finding Hannah Rileys dog. With the help of herfriends, Riley has launched a volunteer sheet with tasks like shelters to call and nearby businesses to take fliers to where those called to act can sign up to help. A friend also launched a GoFundMe to help raise money to put toward ad space a billboard is in the works to spread the word. It collected more than $10,000 in less than 24 hours. Any leftover funds will be donated to a local animal rescue, according to the fundraiser. The large-scale mobilizing is not lost on Riley. Honestly, I think I would be feeling a million times worse right now if I didnt have this army of people both looking for Hazel and looking out for me, emotionally, she told The Inquirer. I feel so wrapped up in peoples love and care. If this were happening to someone else, I know I would be doing the same thing. Its the most relatable nightmare for any pet owner. I cant say how much comfort it brings me to not feel alone in this. Whats happening now? Riley said shes considering a lawsuit. A woman called me last night to let me know St. Francis had lost her dog, Riley said. She had threatened to sue to prevent it from ever happening again [to someone else], and here we are. According to the American Humane Association, one in three pets will go missing in their lifetime, amounting to about 10 million lost animals each year. But the frequency of how often a pet goes missing from a veterinarians office is not easily traced. Riley said next steps include purchasing billboards and other ads. She and her friends are also looking into tracker dogs and other professional services. But there have been no sightings of Hazel since Sunday. Thursday was a big day for self-described naval history buffs and lovers of Big Ships. At exactly 12:11 p.m., as the Delaware River reached a high tide exceeding six feet, four tugboats began to heave and ho the Battleship New Jersey, the famed World War II-era battleship-turned-museum. Dead tow, dead tow, rang radio dispatch ushering in the feat of strength and calculus underway. Four tractor tugs pulled the ship from silt deposits in its Camden dock, steered it in a U-turn, and towed Big J under the Walt Whitman Bridge to the Paulsboro Marine Terminal, where it will remain for about a week as it is prepared for dry docking. Advertisement The clear blue day marked the first time the battleship had been moved since 2001, and in a nod to its history, the 45,000-ton vessel is to be dry-docked in the same berth where it was built beginning in 1940 and launched on Dec. 7, 1942, one year after the Pearl Harbor attack thrust the United States into World War II. How cool is this? asked Jim Crumlish, 71, in awe as the ship the length of more than two football fields was slowly turned and appeared to stretch the width of the river. [The Battleship New Jersey] nearly ties the entire river up. Crumlish was one of a handful of friends who took a small charter boat out on the windy day to get an up-close look of the move. He grew up sailing and his father was a naval officer who worked on New Jerseys sister ship. His upbringing and love of history made him a de facto guide for his friends. He regaled them with stories of how the battleship was built in Philadelphia and mused how incredible it was that volunteers and history lovers had kept interest in the ship alive. Somebody in todays generation can appreciate the architecture, the workmanship, and the complexity of something that is antique, he said. A piece of history slated for a facelift The USS New Jersey entered service in 1942 and saw action during many conflicts, including World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. It served in the Navy for about 50 years before being decommissioned in February 1991. It was turned into a floating museum in 2001. After the Paulsboro stop, the decorated battleship will head across the river to the Philadelphia Navy Yard, where it will undergo routine maintenance, repairs, and repainting for the first time in 32 years. The whole project is set to cost about $10 million with restoration work set to take at least two months. The goal is to get the battleship back to Camden for Memorial Day and summer tourism traffic. Tim Savage, 55, captain of Penn Yacht Charters, roped Crumlish and others into joining him to watch the move. Its something else to do on the water, he said jokingly, despite being very serious about finding the perfect vantage point so his wife could capture a photo of the tugboats flanking the ship. Like Crumlish, Savage said he is passionate about sailing. He sold his home and moved onto a boat five years ago. No one had ever been so eager to get rid of their home, joked his wife. Crumlish and his friends werent the only ones eager to watch the U.S. Coast Guard, Delaware State Police, Pennsylvania State Police and other agencies guide the battleship to its temporary berth. Dozens of people gathered on the observation deck of Spirit of Philadelphia, a charter yacht, to take selfies and videos of the move. Attendees paid more than $100 for a two-hour cruise focused on the battleship. The Camden waterfront invited a slew of military veterans with connections to the ship to watch. Freedom Pier in Gloucester City and Red Bank Battlefield Park were also open to the public for viewing, with hundreds of veterans and families with children braving the frigid air at the latter to snap a photo. The Battleship New Jerseys YouTube page also offered an alternative live stream for those at home. The Walt Whitman Bridge closed to traffic around 1:30 p.m., as the battleship passed underneath. The ships move to Paulsboro was slated to take most of the day, wrapping at about 4 p.m. Tyler Ward, 72, fondly known as the marine boss of Pier 3, but officially the owners representative, said taking a break from work to see the move on a charter was a no-brainer. Theres this epic event on the waterfront [and] I know someone with a boat, she said, waving at another charter captain angling for a better view. Ward and others said they plan on coming out again when the ship is moved to the Navy Yard. Ernest Garrett served as president of AFSCME District Council 32 from 2020 until last month, when he was ousted. He's seeking to get his position back. Read more Ernest Garrett, who was recently ousted as president of the largest union for Philadelphias city workers, is appealing the decision that led to his removal and suing for the right to run in upcoming union elections. Garrett became president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees District Council 33, which represents about 9,000 blue-collar city workers, after winning an upset election in 2000 against longtime president Herman Pete Matthews. He was removed from office last month by an AFSCME judicial board after other DC 33 executive board members charged him with violating the unions rules by making personnel and financial decisions without the consent of the unions board. Those decisions included cutting the salaries of some union staff members, which the judicial decision noted may have saved money but does not excuse the violations. They also accused Garrett of nepotistic hiring for contracts that went to two of his family members. The judicial panel found that those decisions were not technically a violation but gave the appearance of nepotism. Advertisement READ MORE: Union president representing 10,000 city workers is removed from office Now, Garrett is fighting back. He filed an internal appeal to AFSCMEs full judicial board this week, along with a separate lawsuit in U.S. District Court. Absent reinstatement, Garrett is asking the court to give him the right to run in the unions elections in May, which he was barred from doing for four years by the judicial boards ruling. He also wants to clear his name. As the decision itself admits, nothing I did resulted in any personal benefit to me, yet Im now prohibited from running for office or even being nominated, Garrett said in a statement. My appeal shows why this decision is absolutely unfair, illegal, and violates the International Constitution. The dispute comes at a high-stakes moment for DC 33, which will soon negotiate a new contract with Mayor Cherelle L. Parkers administration. The current contract, which began under former Mayor Jim Kenneys administration, will expire at the end of June. Its also steeped in a decades-long history of conflict within DC 33. Garrett is seen by some as connected to a faction once led by James Sutton. As the unions president in the early 1990s, when the city was in the midst of a financial crisis, Sutton agreed to significant concessions in a contract with then-Mayor Ed Rendells administration that union members criticize to this day. (Garrett called it the worst contract of our unions history, but he hired Suttons wife, Evon Sutton, to be the unions political director.) Some of Garretts accusers, meanwhile, are viewed as allies of Matthews, who ousted Sutton. Garretts appeal argues that the AFSCME investigation and ruling were flawed for a variety of reasons, including that the hearing officer for the case relied on inaccuracies and that the judicial panel ignored the fact that Garretts predecessor, Matthews, also made unilateral financial decisions. It also argues that the penalties imposed on Garrett were excessive. The decision is inconsistent: The hearing officer states that there is no evidence of any personal or direct financial benefit to Mr. Garrett but imposes the most severe penalty possible without additional procedures, Garretts appeal reads. Garrett said his goal was to cut costs at the union and avoid wasting members dues. Nowhere in that constitution does it say you have to take it to the board when youre lowering salaries, he said. Most of these salaries they were bad. They werent in line with the people we represent. We have hundreds of secretaries, clerks. None of them making $85,000 a year. Why would we pay a secretary $85,000? He said he was in the process of auditing each locals finances, and suggested that turned the executive board members against him. There are a lot of things I learned in this process that I could have done better, I should have done better, he said in an interview Wednesday. But one of the things I never did was took money for myself. Omar Salaam, who was vice president under Garrett and who was one of the union officials that accused Garrett of wrongdoing, is now the unions acting president. Salaam declined to comment Wednesday. But he recently told The Inquirer that he intends to run the union by the book. We want to make sure that we never fall into a situation like this again, he said. William Grant was stabbed by a security officer at an Olney ShopRite as he purchased flowers for his wife and mother. Read more Start your day with the Philly news you need and the stories you want all in one easy-to-read newsletter Good morning, Philly. As pollen season ramps up, your allergies might be, too. But why does weather affects our bodies at all? How does that change according to the time of year? Our season-by-season guide to how the atmosphere impacts health has the answers. Private security companies aim to keep members of the public safe from crime while they patronize stores, bars, or gas stations, stepping in when police arent available in theory, at least. But sometimes, the opposite happens. Our lead story below examines why the industry is largely unregulated in Pennsylvania. And as youve surely noticed during your travels around the city this week, its cherry blossom time here in Philadelphia. We have a gorgeous illustrated guide to help you find and identify the different flowers. Julie Zeglen (@juliezeglen, morningnewsletter@inquirer.com) Advertisement If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here. Private security is a booming industry in Pennsylvania but one subject to little oversight in the state. With unprecedented public and private spending on private security has come an alarming number of violent incidents arising from conflicts between security guards and patrons of the businesses theyre hired to protect. In one case, an Olney ShopRite guard stabbed a patron whom he accused of shoplifting. Last week, he was sentenced to three to six years in state prison. Part of the problem: Theres no statewide licensing or training system for unarmed guards, and only 40 hours of training for guards wielding guns even assault-style rifles. The rules that do exist are confusing, even to those working in the industry, and are often ignored. There is a lot of freelancing in Philly, said one state-certified armed guard, who acknowledged that he has not bothered to get his own agency license because he can use a relatives. I dont think theyre necessarily breaking the law and, if there is one, its not being enforced. What could reform look like? One trade group is pushing to create a statewide licensing system, to start. Samantha Melamed and Ryan Briggs have the full story. What you should know today For just a few weeks each spring, Philly streets turn pink. The annual emergence of the cherry blossoms signify, for many, a relief from the tyranny of winter. Now that its mid-March, several varieties of these cheerful trees are at or approaching peak bloom. We have advice on what to look for and when to catch them looking their best. For instance: What is the earliest flowering cherry? You can spot the Okame in full bloom right around now. Where can you find them? All around the city, but if you specifically want your Instagram posts to include, say, Pendula weeping cherry trees, look for clusters of them in West Fairmount Park and along the Schuylkill. Whats the most common variety? That would be the Yoshino cherry. Check out the full guide from Jasen Lo and Hira Qureshi. Plus: Some types of cherry blossoms are popping early this year, due in part to rising temperatures. Frank Kummer has that story. Trivia time One of the Philly areas oldest wineries is on the market for $4.5 million. Which is it? A) New Hope Winery B) Penns Woods Winery C) Chaddsford Winery D) Clover Hill Vineyards & Winery Think you know? Check your answer. What we're... Visiting: All the South Street hotspots in this handy guide. Hoping: To spot world-class crush Mark Ruffalo in the Italian Market. Intrigued by: The World Oddities Expo coming to the Convention Center. Unscramble the anagram This nearly 60-year-old deli at 43rd and Locust Streets is in a legal pickle as an evicted tenant seeks to use its name at a new Center City location. CLOD HIKES Email us if you know the answer. Well select a reader at random to shout out here. Cheers to Robin Connell, who correctly solved Wednesdays anagram: March 24 is National Cheesesteak Day. Heres everything you need to know about Philadelphias signature sandwich. Photo of the day Todays photo was actually taken 20 years ago, when Nick Peetros pushed the button to blow up Veterans Stadium. Have a great rest of your Thursday, and thanks for reading, as always. 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. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis looks on during a hearing on the Georgia election interference case, Friday, March 1, 2024, in Atlanta. Read more Ive never dated a work colleague. But as a Black professional woman, I cant help but feel for the difficult situation Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis recently found herself in, leading up to dramatic courtroom testimony about her love life. For anyone not caught up on this courtroom drama: Willis is the prosecutor pursuing charges that former President Donald Trump interfered with the 2020 election in Georgia. The defense asked to dismiss the indictment or disqualify Willis from the case because she had a romantic relationship with Nathan Wade, the special prosecutor on the case. During a hearing investigating whether Willis committed misconduct, she testified sharply on her behalf. Do you think Im on trial? These people are on trial for trying to steal an election in 2020. Im not on trial no matter how hard you try to put me on trial, she said. Advertisement READ MORE: Fani Willis is doing her job. For Black women in America, thats enough to earn them scorn. | Solomon Jones Im married and have been for nearly two decades. Im not privy to Willis personal life, but I still recognize how many African American women face huge obstacles when they try and excel in workspaces traditionally reserved for white men and even think about trying to date. The process of maneuvering into positions of power like the one Willis occupies can throw a persons work-life balance seriously out of whack. Then, once ensconced, finding romantic partners of equal education and accomplishment is often daunting. Also, in such a high-pressure job, you spend most of your time at work, and even so-called workaholics need love and human connection. We all do. So it should be no surprise that an estimated 60% of adults have had workplace romances, according to Forbes Advisor. So lets take this opportunity to remind people of something they should already know: Be very careful when deciding to date a colleague, especially if its a direct report. Dating a subordinate is asking for trouble, particularly when the stakes are as high as they are for Willis prosecution of Trump. Dating a subordinate is asking for trouble. Willis is a highly intelligent and accomplished woman. She knew better than most not to even entertain the idea of getting involved romantically with Wade, whom she hired to help her prosecute the case against Trump and his codefendants. Back in 2020, when Willis was on the campaign trail, she was videotaped saying, I certainly will not be choosing people to date who work under me. If only shed stuck to that. Trumps defense team, no doubt, was thrilled to discover the so-called clandestine affair between her and Wade and tried their best to get Willis disqualified and thrown off the case, which could jeopardize the entire prosecution. It will be a long time before the nation forgets the riveting sight of Willis on that witness stand, sharing intimate details about her private life. I was vacationing in Arizona at the time and was supposed to be out mountain climbing, but stayed inside just to watch the drama unfold. On Friday, Judge Scott McAfee ruled that the case could continue with Willis at the helm as long as Wade resigned which he has done in the interest of democracy, as he put it. McAfee also came down hard on Willis, criticizing her lapse in judgment, but pointed out that Trumps lawyers hadnt proved enough of a conflict of interest to merit stopping the case against Trump from going forward. But that wasnt the end of things. Trumps lawyers filed court papers earlier this week to try and appeal the judges decision not to disqualify Willis or dismiss the charges against their client. On Wednesday, McAfee ruled the appeal could proceed. In other words, yet another unfortunate delay. Meanwhile, the November presidential election inches even closer. So although I sympathize with Willis situation, I wish she had followed her own rule about not dating in the workplace. Everyone involved in the case against Trump must hold themselves to the highest standards, in the interest of democracy, as Wade noted. At this moment in our countrys history, there is too much at stake. Mirabelle Stoedter holds a sign against school vouchers during a news conference on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, in Nashville. Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee presented the Education Freedom Scholarship Act of 2024, his administration's legislative proposal to establish statewide universal school choice. Read more It became a big political story when presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump abruptly flip-flopped on TikTok, revealing that he no longer supports efforts to ban the popular app if its Chinese owners dont divest from the company. Eyebrows were raised because Trump had just made peace at a Palm Beach, Fla., fundraiser with billionaire Jeff Yass Pennsylvanias richest man, TikToks biggest U.S. investor, and the nations largest political donor. But Trump later told CNBC that when he met Yass and his wife, Janine, at the Club for Growth fundraiser, they talked about something completely different. The ex-president insisted that Yass never mentioned TikTok. She [Janine Yass] did mention her school choice and thats what her whole ... in fact, she said, My whole life is based around school choice. [It] was a very important thing to her, and I agree with it. Voters shouldnt be reassured by Trumps explanation. They should be very, very alarmed. Advertisement Thats because whatever you think about TikToks wild popularity with teenagers and its impact on their state of mind, the portfolio of education strategies that right-wingers brand as school choice vouchers or tax credits to aid kids to attend private or even religious schools, or public charter school alternatives is actually more dangerous for your child. Not to mention its impact on declining public schools in your community. Or on your rising taxes. The mounting evidence that so-called school choice doesnt lead to better student outcomes, even as these programs devastate the traditional public schools that dare I say it made America great well into the 20th century, hasnt deterred the cartoon-villain alliance of the super-superrich like Yass from accelerating their effort to impose their will on U.S. education. The latest salvo came this month in the blood-red state of Texas, where six incumbent Republican state lawmakers were ousted by primary voters and four others were forced into a runoff almost all for the sin of opposing vouchers. At issue was a plan by their fellow GOP Gov. Greg Abbott for a universal voucher program that would have paid up to $10,000 per student to attend private schools. Some 21 GOP lawmakers ultimately bucked Abbotts plan because they understood losing students and dollars could devastate their rural public schools. So Yass gave Abbott a whopping $6 million campaign donation to spend on crushing their political careers. The Machiavellian hardball Yass and Abbott just played in Texas ought to be seen as a warning: Vouchers and other measures that proponents call school choice are the stealth issue of the 2024 campaign. While the electorate focuses on issues that range from the silly, like TikTok, to the deadly serious, like the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, theres been too little focus on education policy even though a Trump victory would bring major changes that would please the billionaire class. A Trump spokesman recently told Reuters what the candidate presumedly told Janine Yass: that Trump wants to liberate students from failing schools and raise the quality of education across the board. You might not hear it at his grievance-filled rallies, but the would-be 47th president backs federal tax relief to corporations and individuals who provide scholarships to allow students to attend private and religious schools similar to a program thats been in place in Pennsylvania. He also wants federal tax credits for parents who homeschool their kids. Trump and his divisive Education Secretary Betsy DeVos also backed the school-choice agenda when he was president, but the Project 2025 blueprint for a second term now calls for replacing career public servants with MAGA-movement loyalists to accomplish more of his goals. Project 2025 also endorses education savings accounts, a form of taxpayer-funded vouchers. Here in Pennsylvania, we saw the power of big money and this combustible issue this summer when Republican lawmakers who received the benefits of the bulk of at least $18 million in Yass donations to a web of political action committees that support school choice balked at passing a state budget after Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro reversed course on signing Yass pet proposal: a voucher program called Lifeline Scholarships. Yass may be leading this movement, but he is hardly an outlier. Throughout the 21st century, a rogues gallery of Americas super-wealthy DeVos, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Walton Family Foundation, the late Los Angeles billionaire Eli Broad, Mark Zuckerberg, Michael Bloomberg, and more have supported charter schools and other alternatives to traditional public schools. They insist that running schools like the businesses that made them so rich will benefit low-income kids stuck in struggling classrooms. Cynics say these billionaires just hate organized labor, like the teachers union, and want to keep their own taxes low. READ MORE: Pa.s TikTok billionaire, Donald Trump, and The Selling of the President 2024 | Will Bunch Writer Harold Meyerson, in a Los Angeles Times op-ed, explained that the superrich share a belief in individual betterment but not only that. They also share a fierce opposition to collective betterment, manifested in their respective battles against unions and, in many cases, against governmentally established standards and services. Thats not a popular concept, but it has gained a lot of steam in the four years since the COVID-19 pandemic massively disrupted classrooms. The Yass crowd and right-wing politicians saw that anger over remote learning, which was compounded by conservative outrage over anti-racism or positive LGBTQ instruction and books after 2020s George Floyd protests, could be leveraged to get public support for vouchers and similar programs. Critics stepped up their rhetoric against public schools, calling them government-funded indoctrination centers. Last year, 20 states with GOP legislative majorities raced to approve education savings accounts or other programs that allow for more tax dollars to send kids to private or religious schools. Now, the bills are coming due. In Arizona, Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs has watched a voucher program approved by Republican lawmakers balloon in cost to some $900 million, the prime reason why the Grand Canyon State now faces a $400 million budget deficit. Critics say that the way the program is structured, a lot of those dollars go to families who already had kids in private schools many of which have hiked their tuition to take advantage of the spending spree. In Colorado, a state that has seen a significant amount of billionaire foundation funding for charter schools, enrollment in traditional public K-12 schools has plunged to the lowest level in a decade, likely to trigger state funding cuts; Denver has closed 48 neighborhood public schools and opened 70 charter schools since 2005. But now, rural Republican lawmakers are concerned, with good reason, about the future of their local public schools the only ladder up for children in their districts which are getting swamped by this billionaire onslaught. It certainly smacks of gross hypocrisy from a political movement that claims to speak for the forgotten Americans in their heartland communities. Whats worse, the billionaires spending so much on this project have been unable to produce the evidence that vouchers or other forms of school choice improve student outcomes the supposed raison detre for doing all of this. In 2017, the Brookings Institute reported four separate studies on vouchers in Louisiana, Indiana, Ohio, and the District of Columbia that all reached the same result: The students who switched schools with vouchers scored lower on tests than similar students. But the superrich seem determined to seize the moment and buy the hearts and minds of the electorate. Its not enough to be right, Tracy Gleason, heir to an industrial fortune who heads a foundation that funds National School Choice Week, told a recent gala. We actually have to sell the notion of school choice and bring everyone around to our way of thinking. Now, the leading billionaire funder of pro-voucher politicians has the ear of a man whos dead even in the polls to become our next president, right at the moment when Trump desperately needs cash. Think about that and the future of the public school in your neighborhood when you go to the polls in November. READ MORE: SIGN UP: The Will Bunch Newsletter Tugboats took the most decorated ship in U.S. Navy history down the Delaware River to the Paulsboro Marine Terminal, where it will remain for about a week as it's prepared for dry docking. After that it will head across the river to the Philadelphia Navy Yard, where it will undergo routine maintenance, repairs, and repainting for the first time in 32 years. Guided dry dock tours of the battleship will take place during Saturdays and Sundays beginning April 6 and 7 while the ship is at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. Tickets must be purchased in advance online and are priced starting at a $225 donation per person. Sen. John Fetterman (D, Pa.) speaks as Sen. Bob Casey (D., Pa.) listens at this 2023 event. Fetterman said he would support Adeel Mangi's nomination to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Casey was noncommittal. Read more Until this week, Pennsylvanias two Democratic senators had been largely quiet as President Joe Bidens nominee to a key federal court post in Philadelphia became the target of Islamophobic attacks, which began late last year. New Jersey attorney Adeel Mangi would be the first Muslim-American appointed to a federal appellate court, but it looks increasingly unlikely that hell garner the 51 votes needed for Senate confirmation. Sen. John Fetterman (D., Pa.) said Wednesday that hed vote for Mangis confirmation and still hoped to see it happen. Like clockwork, the right wing fringe is spreading misinformation and innuendo simply because of his faith, Fetterman said in a statement to The Inquirer. I support this historic nomination and look forward to seeing him confirmed. Advertisement Sen. Bob Casey, a Democrat who is up for reelection in November, was more noncommittal, indicating hed be open to supporting Mangi if he comes up for a vote. Senator Casey believes that all qualified judicial nominees deserve serious consideration by the Senate, Casey spokesperson Maired Lynn said in a statement. Adeel Mangi has had a distinguished legal career and would make history as the first Muslim American on the appellate court. Should his nomination come to the Senate floor for a vote, Senator Casey will make his determination based on his qualifications and fitness. Mangis chances of confirmation appear slim in the Senate, where Democrats hold a narrow 51-49 majority and judicial nominations have increasingly become politicized. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) is unlikely to call Mangi up for confirmation unless he knows his party has the votes. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D., Nev.) said late Tuesday she would vote against Mangis nomination, meaning one more Democratic defection would scuttle Mangis chance even with Vice President Kamala Harris tie-breaking vote. Mangi, who lives in Jersey City and works at a corporate law firm in Manhattan, was nominated in November by Biden to serve on U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, which covers Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. During his confirmation hearing at the Judiciary Committee in December, Sens. Ted Cruz (R., Texas) and John Kennedy (R., La.) asked Mangi if he supported Hamas or celebrated 9/11. They cited Mangis role from 2019 to 2023 as an advisory board member for the Rutgers Center for Security, Race and Rights, which is part of Rutgers Law School, as pretext for the questions. The centers director has taken stances supporting Palestinians and hosted events featuring controversial speakers. Following the hearing, several Jewish organizations and the Anti-Defamation League released a statement condemning the inappropriate and prejudicial treatment Mangi received. But the line of questioning was promoted by the right-wing Judicial Crisis Network, which released ads blasting antisemite Adeel Mangi and falsely implying that Mangi, who was born in Pakistan, blamed America for the September 11 terrorist attacks. Those ads specifically targeted Casey and two other Senate Democrats up for reelection. Several national law enforcement groups also opposed Mangis confirmation on the grounds that he is an advisory board member of Alliance of Families for Justice, a criminal justice reform group that supports families of prisoners. Some of Mangis critics pointed to a fellowship the organization sponsored honoring one of its co-founders, Kathy Boudin, a woman who pleaded guilty to felony murder for being the getaway driver in a robbery that killed two police officers in 1981.After her release from prison, Boudin held adjunct positions at Columbia University and New York University School of Law. Mangi, whose area of practice largely focuses on false advertising, trade secrets, and intellectual property, became affiliated with the AFJ after helping a family referred to him by the group secure a $5 million settlement over the 2015 death of a New York state prisoner. In 2017 and 2018, Mangi successfully represented a group of Muslims who sued Bayonne, N.J.,, over the citys zoning boards denial of an application to build a mosque. The influential Third Circuit is currently made up of seven Republican-appointed judges and six Democratic-appointed judges. If a nominee isnt confirmed ahead of Novembers presidential election, it could enable former President Donald Trump to fill the vacancy if he prevails over Biden in their expected rematch. The White House has argued that if the opposition to Mangis confirmation succeeds it could fuel future false and Islamophobic attacks. White House spokesperson Andrew Bates noted Mangi has received endorsements in recent weeks from law enforcement groups, as well as retired federal appeals Judge Timothy Lewis, who was appointed by President George H.W. Bush. Mr. Mangi, who has lived the American Dream and proven his integrity, is being targeted by a malicious and debunked smear campaign solely because he would make history as the first Muslim to serve as a federal appellate judge, Bates said. Every Senate Democrat should side with the qualities that make America exceptional which Mr. Mangi embodies not the hateful forces trying to force America into the past. Sen. Cory Booker (D., N.J.), who has been a vocal defender of Mangi, said Wednesday that the New Jersey residents handling of the smears only reinforces his commitment to upholding and advancing the fundamental values we all hold as Americans. In Pennsylvania, a group of Muslim-American and Asian-American state and local elected officials, including: State Reps. Tarik Khan (D., Phila.) and Jason Dawkins (D., Phila.); State Sens. Nikil Saval (D., Phila.) and Sharif Street (D., Phila.); Montgomery County Commissioner Neil Makhija; and Philadelphia City Councilmember Nina Ahmad, issued a statement urging the Senate to move Mangis nomination forward. We are extremely disturbed that the nomination of a highly qualified judicial nominee would be in doubt because of the fact he is Muslim, the statement said. Hate has no place in Pennsylvania or in the judicial system just look to the image of blindfolded Lady Justice, which reminds us that justice is blind and should not be based on appearance. Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., asks a question before the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, on Capitol Hill Thursday, March 7, 2024, in Washington. Read more New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez plans to soon announce whether hell seek reelection while facing federal corruption charges. Ill make an announcement this week, the embattled Democratic lawmaker told NJ Spotlight News Tuesday night. Menendez is accused of accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes and acting on behalf of foreign governments. Hes expected to stand trial in a Manhattan federal court in May. Advertisement Since being indicted in September, Menendez has faced pressure to resign from fellow Democrats, including New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman. Fetterman went so far as to surreptitiously solicit the services of disgraced former New York congressman George Santos, who unwittingly recorded a Cameo message in December encouraging " Bobby from New Jersey " to "stay strong." Fetterman posted that video on Instagram and addressed it to his "ethically challenged colleague." Menendez would reportedly need 1,000 signatures by Monday to run for reelection as a Democrat, but could appear on ballots as an independent candidate in November if 800 signees back him by early June. The United States Attorneys Office in the Southern District claims Menendez and his wife accepted cash, gold bars, a luxury automobile and home furnishings for participating in a years-long bribery scheme. The senator, who assumed office in January 2006, maintains his innocence. Look forward to trial, Menendez told NJ Spotlight News Tuesday. Finally get my defense up. Former U.S. Rep. Mayra Flores, a Texas Republican pictured with a supporter in 2022, is a featured speaker at the launch of The Libre Initiative's Pennsylvania chapter in Philadelphia on Thursday. Read more A conservative Latino political group is launching a Pennsylvania chapter just days after President Joe Bidens campaign launched its own Latino voter outreach initiative. Members of the Pennsylvania Legislative Latino Caucus endorsed Bidens reelection in Harrisburg on Tuesday as part of the Latinos con Biden-Harris campaign launch. Just two days later, The Libre Initiative, which describes itself as the largest center-right Latino organization in the nation, prepared to launch its Pennsylvania chapter with a Thursday evening event at the Penns Landing Hilton. The event was set to feature an appearance by former Texas Republican Congresswoman Mayra Flores, the first Mexican-born woman to serve in Congress and fierce defender of former President Donald Trumps strict border policies. Flores is running for her old seat this year after losing the 2022 election. Advertisement The Libre Initiative is backed by billionaire Charles Kochs donor network, which also funds conservative advocacy group Americans for Prosperity. Daniel Garza, 55, of McAllen, Texas, launched the group in his home state in 2011 after the Charles Koch Institute contacted him about reaching Latinos about free markets, the New York Times reported. Garza, who previously worked for former President George W. Bushs campaign and administration, said in an interview with The Inquirer he was tired of center-left Latino organizations driving policy discussions. The government that governs least governs best, and we want to make sure we change the conversation in the Latino community, he said. Garza said the organization has taken note of the Latino population growth across cities in Pennsylvania, particularly Allentown and Harrisburg, when asked about the decision to expand into the key swing state. Garza said The Libre Initiative is currently focused on pushing conservative policies, not specific candidates. But the group shared a series of graphics online that rebut claims made by the president called Busting Biden. Garza said this week that Latinos could prosper under Trump, but not Biden, in an interview on Fox Business. This administration has just been woeful on their engagement with the Latino community, and then of course they throw these little events and pretend theyve been working closely with the Latino community, he told The Inquirer. Trump is gaining traction among Hispanic voters A February New York Times-Siena College poll showed Trumps popularity among Hispanic voters rising, raising a red flag for Biden. Just 20% of Hispanic respondents said they voted for Trump in 2020 while 46% said they would vote for Trump over Biden today, according to the poll. As part of the Biden campaigns push on Latino outreach, the president met Tuesday with Latino voters in a Mexican restaurant in Phoenix in an effort to reengage the constituency, which he credited for his 2020 win. In the restaurant, Biden criticized Trumps rhetoric about migrants and his plans to carry out mass deportations. Bidens campaign is running ads aimed at Latino voters in three battleground states, including Pennsylvania. They will run in English, Spanish, and Spanglish in regional accents across radio, TV, and digital platforms. His campaign also held events with Latino community leaders in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh to discuss Latino outreach. President Biden is stepping up and fighting to secure our broken immigration system, said state Rep. Danilo Burgos, chair of the Pennsylvania Legislative Latino Caucus. Meanwhile, Donald Trump is proudly saying that immigrants are poisoning the blood of our country. This kind of rhetoric isnt just frightening. Its hateful, its demonizing. When asked about Trumps rhetoric about immigrants, Garza criticized Bidens administrations handling of the border, and said the country needs a balance between paths to citizenship and border security. Theres broken promises on one side and theres bad narrative on the other side, he said. Take your pick. The Quick Stop at Kensington and Indiana in the Kensington section of Philadelphia on March 20, 2024. The store, which operates 24/7, has a deli, fresh meats, ice cream, refrigerated and frozen foods, canned goods, drinks and stocks general grocery items Read more About two dozen corner stores, smoke shops, and takeout restaurants in the heart of Kensington could have to abide by a mandatory 11 p.m. curfew as early as this spring. Philadelphia City Council on Thursday passed a bill requiring establishments on and near the Kensington Avenue business corridor shut their doors overnight and stay closed until 6 a.m. The legislation, which passed unanimously, does not apply to establishments that have a liquor license or a permit to operate 24 hours a day. The bill will now head to the desk of Mayor Cherelle L. Parker, who has previously expressed support for the legislation, saying it tackles social ills that erode quality of life in neighborhoods across our city, including Kensington. The bill would take effect with her signature. This is just another tool thats going to help us address and respond to some of the illegal and disruptive activity that occurs after 11 p.m., said Councilmember Quetcy Lozada, who represents parts of Kensington and introduced the bill. Advertisement The move comes as Parker and City Council have led a coordinated effort to improve conditions in Kensington and crack down on the open-air drug market that has persisted in the neighborhood for decades. Parkers administration is developing a strategy to increase police enforcement of drug crimes and clean up the neighborhood, while Council has advanced measures to tackle nuisance businesses and establish a caucus of members focused on Kensington. The 11 p.m. curfew applies to commercial establishments in the area bounded by East Lehigh Avenue, Kensington Avenue, D Street, East Tioga Street, and Frankford Avenue. Under the legislation, the city can fine businesses $500 a day for not complying. READ MORE: Philly City Council postpones effort to require data collection on overdose reversals and encampments Lozada, who represents the 7th District, has said her legislation is widely supported both by Kensington residents and groups that represent small businesses and that she has heard from other organizations representing commercial corridors that want the city to implement a similar regulation. During a recent hearing that included testimony from the city solicitor, Lozada said she initially wanted the curfew bill to apply across her entire district, but she suggested the citys Law Department was not supportive. Solicitor Renee Garcia, who provides legal counsel to both the administration and Council, said only that she didnt want to testify about privileged information in public. Rolando Sanchez, business improvement district manager for Impact Services, one of Kensingtons three largest community development nonprofits, said the overwhelming majority of business owners in the area back the curfew. The two dozen stores that would be impacted by the law are selling little more than tobacco products and snacks to the late-night crowd around Kensington Avenue, he said. Some are doubling as miniature casinos with slot-like virtual gambling machines, which have proliferated due to lax regulations and drawn criticism for attracting crime though Council on Thursday also passed legislation to curtail the so-called skill games. Whats killing businesses is the current state of affairs, Sanchez said. The businesses who have something valuable to contribute to the community with their goods and services are very much on board with the bill. One proprietor at a late-night convenience store told The Inquirer he supported the curfew, as he only stayed open late due to an arrangement with the business ownership. The manager asked not to be named due to the sensitive business arrangement. The manager said mornings were by far the busiest around the Avenue, and business is often too slow late at night to justify the overhead costs. Ill be saving on payroll, he said. City Councilmember Curtis Jones Jr., pictured, objected to Council President Kenyatta Johnson shutting down public testimony from a Philadelphia resident who was speaking in opposition to the Israeli invasion of Gaza. Read more The Israel-Hamas war once again sparked a heated debate at Philadelphia City Council, resulting Thursday in a rare moment of discord between members spilling into the open. The dispute pitted Council President Kenyatta Johnson and members who came to his defense against Councilmember Curtis Jones Jr., whom Johnson defeated in last years race to lead the body. It began during the public comment session, when Johnson cut off Philadelphia resident Kate Perez who was speaking against Israels invasion of Gaza. That issue wasnt on Councils agenda Thursday, and the bodys rules prohibit testimony on non-germane issues. Before being cut off, Perez said in part, Everyone is ignoring Palestine. Advertisement Jones then objected to Perez being shut down, noting that she had attempted to speak about the issue at multiple Council meetings. We have to do better. This is a forum, and we have to follow our protocol, he said, but we need to create a forum where we privately listen to what she has to say. It is the month of Ramadan. READ MORE: Philly City Council voted to condemn the Hamas attack against Israel Jones, who is one of Councils two Muslim members, said he tries to be a team player, but feels compelled to speak up when there is something egregious happening in this body. That didnt go over well with his colleagues. Johnson defended his decision, and Councilmembers Anthony Phillips and Katherine Gilmore Richardson backed him up. When Jones tried to speak again, Gilmore Richardson made a procedural motion to shut down the discussion an extremely rare move in Council. When you call for the orders of the day, theres no debate, she said, speaking over Jones. Theres a lot of backstory here. Shortly after locking up the votes to win the Council president race, Johnson introduced a resolution condemning the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel. The measure drew scores of protesters to Council, and supporters of Palestine disrupted proceedings several times, with some being removed from the chambers. READ MORE: City Councilmember Curtis Jones Jr. drafted a cease-fire resolution but then decided to abandon it This year, Jones drafted a resolution calling for a cease-fire in the war, but he was talked out of introducing the proposal by his colleagues, many of whom didnt want a repeat of the chaotic meeting last fall. Its unclear if the rare moment of discord will have a lasting impact on broader relationships in Council. By the end of the meeting, Johnson and Jones were complimenting each other, saying the dispute was no big deal and posing for pictures with each other. Jones even thanked Gilmore Richardson for the motion to shut down debate, saying he needed to calm down. Councilmember Isaiah Thomas adjourned the meeting and noted that Council is taking next week off for Easter. Maybe next weeks break is somewhat needed based on all of the emotions that folks are feeling here today, he said. Im sure that everybody watching can feel the tension. What else happened? Public comment chaos: The dispute over Perezs testimony appeared to have sent a signal for the frequent fliers of Councils public comment session to up their game. Lynn Landes, who during the coronavirus pandemic often spread misinformation about vaccines while testifying, said that prominent and often-controversial Philadelphia lawyer George Bochetto was going to help her sue Council for preventing members of the public from speaking on issues that arent on the agenda. Ogbonna Hagins, another regular at public comment who calls himself Councils unseated member, criticized members for using their phones during public comment, singling out Councilmember Mark Squilla. Councilman, youre not listening to me. Youre disrespecting me. Thats what the slave masters did, he said. And Jeremy Blatstein, the nephew of developer Bart Blatstein and the author of a sometimes-inflammatory social media account that comments on Philly politics, implored members not to alter the Turn the Key affordable housing program an issue that was only tangentially related to the two land sales bills that he said he was commenting on. What was this weeks highlight? Actual legislation: Believe it or not, Council didnt just listen to and fight about public comment on Thursday. They also passed some bills. Lawmakers approved a bill by Councilmember Mike Driscoll that will add additional penalties for drivers who use license plate-flipping devices to hide their tags. Driscoll has said that the devices are becoming more common, and that they allow drivers to evade tolls or escape crime scenes without being identified. A bill by Jones to crack down on the proliferation of the unregulated and untaxed casino-style gaming kiosks was also approved. The legislation will prohibit businesses from having the so-called skill games, which lawmakers say attract crime, unless they have a casino license or a liquor license, and 30 seats for patrons to eat or drink. READ MORE: Philadelphia City Council passes a mandatory curfew for some Kensington businesses Council also approved a bill to establish a curfew for businesses along a part of Kensington Avenue, part of Councilmember Quetcy Lozadas efforts to clean up the beleaguered neighborhood and its struggles overcoming rampant drug use and crime. All three bills now head to the desk of Mayor Cherelle L. Parker, who is expected to sign them into law. Who was there? City Hall legend: If you walked into the public entrance at the northeast corner of City Hall anytime in the last 18 years, you were likely to be greeted by the wide smile and friendly face of Police Officer Tony Long. Long, a 37-year police veteran, is retiring, and Council approved a resolution by Councilmember Jimmy Harrity on Thursday honoring his service. We come in here everyday, and the one thing we know is that Tony is going to be sitting down there looking after us, Harrity said. Former Councilmember Jannie Blackwell, who spoke during public comment before the session got out of hand, added: We love Tony. To know him is to love him, and for all that hes done we all consider him a friend as much as we do our lovely officer. Staff writer Anna Orso contributed reporting. Correction: An earlier version of this article misstated the purpose of Lynn Landes potential lawsuit against City Council. The legislation proposed in Pennsylvania would diversify housing options beyond single-family homes by legalizing duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes in some areas. Read more HARRISBURG As housing costs soar for renters and homeowners, an unusual confluence of politicians and interest groups from across the ideological spectrum is pushing for legislation they say will boost housing construction in areas where people want to live. Proponents on the left and right agree that zoning and building code regulations are strangling the supply of new homes in Pennsylvania. If we as a state really want to make housing more affordable and accessible, and we really want to keep the American Dream within the reach of low- and middle-income earners, then we must get rid of onerous government restrictions and let the housing market operate more efficiently, State Sen. John DiSanto (R., Dauphin), who is sponsoring one of the bipartisan proposals, said at a news conference Wednesday. These efforts are being championed by Republicans in the GOP-controlled Senate and Democrats in the House, the chamber they control with a one-seat majority. Both sides have bills echoing similar legislation thats sought to make housing construction easier in states like California, Oregon, and cities like Minneapolis and Austin, Texas. What the new laws would do DiSanto, who was a real estate developer, said he enlisted the help of two of his Senate GOP colleagues last year to start finding fixes for the restrictive zoning laws. He plans to introduce his bill with bipartisan support in the coming days. The legislation he is introducing includes reducing parking requirements, which add prohibitive costs to many apartment developments, to limiting minimum lot size requirements that make it very difficult to build more affordable housing in many municipalities by requiring that individual units be built on large parcels. Advertisement The legislation also would legalize duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes in single-family zones, depending on a towns population size. For example, in towns with a population of at least 5,000, duplexes would be allowed in single-family zones. In towns with a population of at least 20,000, developers could build up to a fourplex. Manufactured homes and accessory dwelling units an apartment above a suburban garage or in a standalone tiny house would be legal in any place zoned for single-family-detached housing. These kinds of reforms have been popularized in many states and cities in recent years, as rents have soared and home ownership moves out of reach for more Americans. Deregulating land use is seen as a starting place to ease costs for middle-income households while making it easier to develop truly affordable housing. Thats why a coalition called Pennsylvania Housing Choices Coalition has emerged to support legislation like DiSantos effort. Backers range from chambers of commerce and developer trade groups to Habitat for Humanity chapters and the Philadelphia Association of Community Development Corporations. The urbanist group 5th Square is a member, as is the Koch Brothers-backed Americans For Prosperity. The good thing about land use reform is that it snaps into a lot of different ideological frameworks, said Jon Geeting, senior adviser for the smart growth group 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania, which is part of the coalition. There are affordable housing advocacy groups who understand that greater density options leave more room in the budget for affordable housing projects. There are right-leaning groups that are responsive to a property rights message. Among the backers of DiSantos legislation include fellow Republicans like Dan Laughlin (R., Erie), but also Sen. Nikil Saval (D., Philadelphia), a self-identified socialist. If you are not able to build the housing thats needed, its going to increase the price of that housing, for homeowners and for everyone, Saval said. This is a way to decrease the effects of displacement, of rising prices, of all the things burdening people throughout Pennsylvania. The argument for local control But if loosening zoning and building codes can attract supporters across the ideological spectrum, so can those opposing it. District City Council members in Philadelphia jealously guard the privileged control they exert over land use regulations, creating overlays to limit building heights or to advance affordable housing goals that they cant get passed citywide. I would think it might generate some opposition from home rule advocates, and there could be some conflicting interests, even in the city, said Joseph McLaughlin, a Temple University public policy professor who also served as a lobbyist for Philadelphias government in Harrisburg for many years. In the suburbs, apartment and condo proposals are routinely met with ferocious opposition. Housing permitting in most of Philadelphias collar counties has declined dramatically in recent years. Supporters of strong local controls over land use argue that the surge of recent bills in Harrisburg around zoning deregulation are largely giveaways to the real estate industry. Its not unusual that builders and Realtors dont want there to be any rules, said Dave Sanko, executive director of the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors. They want to be able to do whatever they want. But thats not what drives the cost of housing. Sanko argues that problems with supply chains, labor or land availability have more salient effects on housing costs. Foremost, he says, local leaders are best positioned to decide what happens in their communities. One size fits all solutions would rob communities of the ability to control what gets built and undermine the preferences of residents, he said. People pay more to live in a community with high quality of life, whether thats because it has low taxes, or good schools or is safe, Sanko said. When you have things planted on you by out-of-towners, you lose that safety, you lose the low taxes, you lose the quality of life. Pricing people out of communities But the lawmakers and advocates argue that these changes are necessary to fill vacant lots near transit with dense apartments or to bring more diverse income earners into wealthier suburbs. When we price folks out of communities, we also cut them off from the very jobs we want them to hold, said State Rep. Josh Siegel (D., Lehigh), who noted that his fast-growing county is short 9,000 housing units for its needs. The proponents of rethinking zoning try to counter arguments like Sankos in different ways. DiSanto frames the fight in politically conservative terms, as an alternative to expensive government housing subsidies, a means to ensure property owners can do what they want with their land, and a boost to home ownership. Far too many hardworking individuals and families struggle to find housing that is both safe and affordable, said Laughlin, one of the Republican sponsors of the bill who ran a construction company in Erie before serving in the state Senate. Those on the left argue that land use restrictions are a barrier to affordable housing projects in cities and in suburban jurisdictions that use minimum lot sizes and single-family zoning to restrict who can afford to live in their towns. Sometimes in larger cities, but often in suburban or exurban areas, theyre not building [enough] to meet the demand, Saval said. The need for housing is a neighborhood issue, but its also a regional issue. And sometimes doing that kind of planning on a very restricted geographic area makes it hard to actually build the amount of housing we need. Just off of Rittenhouse Square sits one of the most prestigious blocks of real estate in Philadelphia. And now six of the multimillion-dollar homes on the 1800 block of Delancey Place are for sale. Tour the homes and take a look at the fancy features they offer. Keep scrolling for more on these homes and to discover the latest development in a city fight over sales of abandoned properties, learn about an agreement that could change how you pay real estate agents, and peek inside a Bucks County home that a couple inherited. Advertisement Do you have a real estate-related question? For a chance to be featured in my newsletter, email me. Michaelle Bond If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here. Delancey Place is a coveted address in Philadelphia. Its rare for six houses on one of its blocks to be on the market at the same time. But thats whats happening on the 1800 block near Rittenhouse Square. And that means up-to-date peeks into homes priced from $2.15 million to $5.75 million. The smallest of the properties is 4,400 square feet. Inside, youll find: elevators multiple fireplaces large tubs with jets One home has 14-foot ceilings in the living room, a kitchen with two skylights, and a built-in wine cooler that fits 132 bottles. Another has a patio with a fountain. A couple have terraces, and one has two decks. Take a look inside the homes and find out what else they offer. Weve reported about how the Philadelphia Sheriffs Office hasnt been doing one of the main things its supposed to do: auctioning the abandoned buildings and vacant lots owned by folks who are behind on their property taxes. Like a kid who ignores his parents orders to put his toys away because he knows hell get to play with his friends anyway, tax-delinquent owners have essentially been free to ignore court notices warning of auctions. The three-year pause in these sales has increased tax delinquency and left abandoned properties to deteriorate. Potential buyers who want to rehab or redevelop properties arent able to. And the city is missing out on millions of dollars that could go to building affordable homes, as noted by Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. Now it looks as if something may finally be happening. The mayor announced shes working with the sheriff to restart tax sales by July. Read about how we got here and what all of this means. The latest news to pay attention to Could the cost of buying and selling homes change? If youve sold a home, did you pay thousands of dollars to cover the commission of the agent who brought you your buyer? You probably did. But some home sellers complained about being expected to pay high fees and blamed the National Association of Realtors and associated brokerages. So sellers sued NAR. Last Friday, the association announced it had reached a settlement agreement. NAR agreed to pay $418 million in damages (a lot less than the billions it couldve had to pay after a jury ruled against the association last year). Under the agreement, sellers agents wont be able to offer to pay buyers agents commissions on most databases listing properties for sale, called multiple listing services. (They can still offer compensation to buyers agents to attract buyers using other platforms and through negotiation.) If the proposed agreement gets court approval, that and other terms would go into effect in July. So what does all this actually mean for buyers and sellers? At this point, its anyones guess. The settlement could make selling a home less expensive, or it could not. It could burden buyers and price more people out of home ownership, or it could not. An unknown number of agents may leave the business; new business models may emerge. Everything depends on how much the behavior of agents, sellers, and buyers changes. And NAR still has outstanding cases against it. While we wait to see what actually happens as a result of all this, heres some advice that will help sellers and buyers no matter what: communicate early and often with your agent to make sure you know what services youre getting and how much youre paying for them, and remember that everything is negotiable. If youd like to see for yourself what the NAR agreement says, (warning: its not light reading), you can find it here. Mel Kulenskis mom died from a heart attack in 2020. To cope, her dad cleaned and renovated the house they shared. Then, in 2021, Kulenski lost her dad, her favorite person. The childhood home she inherited has his touches everywhere. He owned a painting business and painted most of the furniture. He built the wooden coffee table in the den. A sapling he planted decades ago is now a towering tree. On the back deck, he built the pergola under which Mel and her wife, Rel, got married. The couple held onto family memories while renovating the home thats now theirs. They spent more than $30,000 to fix problems. They changed the layout of some of the rooms and created a bedroom on the third floor for one of their foster teens. Peek inside the home and find out how much money Mel got for renovations from selling her prized Pokemon collection. Trivia time Rittenhouse Squares lawn is being dug up and restored after it got extra trampled during the pandemic. The restoration of the grass at one of Phillys most popular public places will cost about $500,000. Question: About how long ago was the lawn last replaced? A) 10 years B) 20 years C) 40 years D) 50 years This story has the answer. Photo quiz Do you know the location this photo shows? If you think you do, email me back. You and your memories of visiting this spot might be featured in the newsletter. Last weeks newsletter featured a photo of a skateboarder on a skate ramp at FDR Park in South Philly. Happy spring! Enjoy the rest of your week. 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. Its springtime and some of Philly's cherry trees are already in full bloom. Read more Its officially spring but in typical seasonal fashion, this week certainly didnt feel that way. So much for putting our coats away. This weekend, explore cherry blossoms in bloom around Philly, see the epic three-hour-long drama The Lehman Trilogy, check out new contemporary art, and try a new winery in Fishtown. Rosa Cartagena (@_RosaCartagena, Email me at thingstodo@inquirer.com) If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here. Amid the various beautiful flower trees in the city, cherry blossoms deliver gorgeous pink and white hues that always stand out and make for great selfies. These trees have a long history in Philadelphia dating back to the early 1900s and varieties of cherry blossoms can be found all over the city if you know where to look. To help folks find and identify all the lovely cherry blossoms, we created an illustrated guide (and map!). Your weekly social calendar Thankfully not lost: Renowned sculptor John Rhoden created incredible art in Philadelphia, but sadly some of the works were lost over time. One of his unforgettable works sits outside of the African American Museum of Philadelphia (youve probably walked by it) and hes also the subject of a retrospective currently running at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. The Oppenheimer of plays: The award-winning drama, The Lehman Trilogy, challenges just three actors to play dozens of characters over the course of three hours to chart the Lehman familys 164-year journey from shopkeepers to Wall Street titans before the 2008 financial crisis. I spoke with freelance theater critic Alix Rosenfeld about the plays big swings and misses. Advertisement Contemporary takeover: Three exhibits have transformed the Institute of Contemporary Art with large-scale paintings, elaborate mixed-media works, and stunning sculptures that incorporate Black feminism and social critique. Admission is free. Sip something good: After moving around for the last few years, local winery Mural City Cellars is opening a new (permanent) location in Fishtown on Friday. Heres what you should know. Foraging fun: Fungi curious? Pittsburgh forager Barbora Batokova helps people identify, forage, and cook wild mushrooms as a hobby and now shes written a book about the subject. Her first rule for beginners: Learn what can kill you, then go have fun. My calendar picks this week: Science After Hours: Spectacular Spectacular, Pancakes & Booze Art Show, and Solo Society Thrift Market. The thing of the week Calling all beer lovers: How much do you know about the history of women in beer making? To mark Womens History Month, head to Roxboroughs Pocket Park for a celebration from New Ridge Brewing Company featuring live music, local women vendors, and a talk from Philly beer historian Tara Nurin, author of A Womans Place is in the Brewhouse: A Forgotten History of Alewives, Brewsters, Witches and CEOs. Yes, there will also be beer. (Saturday, March 23, 12pm-4pm.) Springtime and beyond Get outside: Looking for fun recommendations on South Street? Weve compiled a guide to the neighborhood, from where to eat (I love Banh Mi and Bottles), where to drink (Tattooed Mom is a classic), and where to shop (like Retrospect Vintage). Find out whether your favorite spots made the list. Hotties on alert: Houston rapper Megan Thee Stallion just announced her first-ever headlining tour and shes stopping in Philly in May. Heres everything you need to know for a Hot Girl Summer. Knockout plans: WrestleMania is coming to Philly in a couple weeks, but its not the only wrestling event around. Weve got a run down of every wrestling event also happening that week around Philly. See to believe: The World Oddities Expo showcases all sorts of weird, impressive, and wild feats as well as unique art, crafts, and jewelry. Contortionists, taxidermy artists, burlesque performers, and more quirky folks come to Philly next month. Broadway on Broad Street: Take a look at next years lineup of Broadway musicals and dramas coming to Philadelphia, including MJ: The Musical, The Wiz, & Juliet, and Some Like It Hot. Digital tour: While its still chilly, you can take a virtual walk through nearby John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, where special, rare, and endangered animals thrive. Learn about the tri-colored bat, great blue heron, Atlantic Coast leopard frog, and other incredible creatures in our illustrated and interactive guide. Pop quiz What U.S. city is renowned for its cherry blossoms? A) Seattle B) Washington, D.C. C) Newark D) Detroit To let me know which of the above is correct, write me back. 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 week, Ive been watching screeners of the upcoming AppleTV+ series Franklin, all about our boy Benjamin (look out for my story, coming soon!). Whats your latest binge-watch? Let me know! And when youve demonstrated to yourself that you know how your company makes money and youre acting with honesty and integrity, then hopefully youll be able to have a sensible conversation with yourself, and with your fellow directors, about the risks and what can go wrong. In actual fact, in New South Wales, the 2% strata bond is higher than the premiums that we charge including the technical inspection reports that are required to accompany the LDI, said Hicks. Offsetting the cost of the insurance however, extensive analysis of consumer views by the NSW government found the majority of purchasers would pay up to 5% more if their purchase came with the security of LDI. Dan is someone Ive wanted to work with for some time, Meech said. His dedication, focus, and innovation have been talking points with clients and within the market for years. As we enter the next chapter of our team build-out, Dan is a vital cornerstone, leader, and expert who will take BMS offering to the next level. This is a truly exciting moment that elevates both BMS and Dans ambitions to bring a different way of working to our clients. We are fortunate to have such a dynamic and experienced professional as Ariane leading our people & culture initiatives, Allianz Partners chief executive Tomas Kunzmann commented. Our people are the key enabler of our Peace of Mind vision, and we are committed to fostering a collaborative, entrepreneurial, and inclusive mindset across our global organisation that will support us as we continue on our growth trajectory. As part of Zurich Group, we tap into the strength that comes from a global footprint, married to a focus on each and every traveller, supporting them through responsive product design, ever-evolving technology, education, and ready access to assistance when and as needed, he said. This gives Australians peace of mind for their travels, whether they're heading overseas or exploring the delights of their own backyard. Russias dark fleet is using worthless insurance to gain access to international ports says a new report by Danwatch and the Financial Times. Leaked documents have unveiled that Russian oil tankers are sidestepping Western sanctions by using insurance policies that are nearly impossible to claim against - showcasing the risky tactics of Moscows secret maritime operations. This revelation, brought to light by the Financial Times and Danwatch, a Danish investigative journalism organization, indicates that numerous Russian vessels departing from the Baltic Sea are covered by insurance that could be voided in the event of disasters. More than a year after Russias invasion of Ukraine, the growth of the shadow oil tanker fleet is the latest consequence to challenge shipowners, their crew and insurers, said Captain Rahul Khanna, global head of marine risk consulting at Allianzs AGCS. Ingosstrakh, based in Moscow and providing essential insurance for ships to enter global ports, includes a sanctions exclusion clause in its agreements. This clause renders most insurance claims related to the transport of Russian oil ineffective. The secretive arrangements between Russias hidden fleet and Ingosstrakh create substantial financial risks for coastal countries in Europe and Asia, potentially leaving them with hefty bills for oil spill cleanups. Michelle Wiese Bockmann, an analyst at Lloyds List, has expressed serious concerns over the environmental and safety threats at critical shipping routes frequented by Russian oil tankers, such as the Danish waters and the English Channel. These are international waters that these vessels navigate daily. Many of the vessels fly the flags of countries like Gabon and Cook Islands, she said. My cat could get insurance papers from those countries if it just presented some kind of insurance company to the maritime authorities in those countries. They dont check anything. The G7s pricing cap policy requires Western insurance companies and maritime businesses to avoid engaging with Russian oil sales priced above $60 per barrel. In response, Russia has constructed a so-called dark fleet, concealing the ownership and management of these vessels through secretive practices, thereby enabling the sale of oil above the established price cap. Remarkably, more than 90% of Russian crude exported from the Baltic in December was sold at prices exceeding the cap, according to the Kyiv School of Economics. The insurance provided by Ingosstrakh is vital for these dark fleet ships travelling through the waters of Denmark and the English Channel on their way to India. A specific contract clause demands adherence to the sanctions laws of the US, UK, and EU, including the price cap. Ingosstrakh also maintains the right to cancel insurance for any ship caught selling oil above the price limit, aiming to sidestep secondary sanctions and reputation damage. This policy stance on refusing payouts for spills from vessels violating the price cap is consistent with practices of other international insurers, with Ingosstrakh emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy towards such infractions. Lars Lkke Rasmussen, the Danish Foreign Minister, voiced his concerns to the FT regarding tankers dodging sanctions without adequate insurance and indicated Denmarks willingness to support additional EU measures against Russias clandestine maritime fleet. Ingosstrakh, with its origins as Chief Agency of Foreign Insurance of the USSR in the Soviet era, is the fourth largest Russian insurer, although maritime insurance constitutes a small portion of its business portfolio. A year ago, Generali quit Ingosstrakhs board as it wound down its Europ Assistance operations in Russia. Generali still owns a 38.5% stake in the Russian insurer, Since the start of the war in Ukraine, Generali has been closely monitoring the situation and implications for operations and financial markets, a spokesman said at the time before withdrawing from the board. AM Best downgraded its rating of the insurer to B from B+ at the time. Despite the freezing of Generalis stake following the invasion, Ingosstrakh asserts it still engages in reinsurance activities with some non-Russian companies. The ongoing debate regarding the dark fleets ability to financially handle large-scale oil spill incidents, similar to the Exxon Valdez or Braer disasters, grows as more vessels operate outside Western insurance coverage. And the so-called dark fleet tends to consist of older vessels. The shadow fleet is more likely to be made up of older ships, operating under flags of convenience with lower maintenance standards, said Justus Heinrich, global product leader marine hull at Allianzs AGCS unit. In an incident last year where the UAE-managed Canis Power tanker, transporting Russian crude, encountered mechanical failures in the narrow Danish straits catapulted the issue to the front of the Danish publics attention. An inspection later found the 18-year-old vessel had 11 faults, including issues with its emergency power system and firefighting equipment. Allianz reports that there have been at least eight groundings, collisions or near misses involving tankers carrying sanctioned oil products, such as: In March 2022, shadow tanker Arzoyi ran aground off eastern China. Tanker Petion was involved in a collision in Cuba just days later In November 2022, oil tanker Linda I was found with severe deficiencies and was in contravention of pollution regulations for using high-sulphur marine fuel without an exhaust gas cleaning system. Recently, in May, the vessel Pablo exploded in Southeast Asia, reportedly killing three crewmembers and washing up oil on nearby shores. There is no definitive definition of what is good in sustainability or ESG. Different stakeholders prioritize different aspects, Wright explained. Some firms are heavily interested in the environment and its importance. Others are more focused on social causes. How do you turn that into data? Its incredibly difficult. So, we think there will be a core set of information and data that we fully expect the vast majority of stakeholders to be interested in. These bills, are part of Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Tim Temples attempt to rein in high insurance costs. Temple, with a background spanning over two decades in the insurance sector, has introduced a shift in regulatory approach from his predecessor, Jim Donelon. He advocates for a "free market" strategy, reducing regulations to attract more insurers to Louisiana, which he believes will enhance competition and subsequently lower consumer rates. This comes in the wake of a disaster-ridden year that saw five significant natural calamities. When it comes to cat exposures and how to prepare for those things, I like to advise my clients to think of insurance as a last resort, he said. Take care of what you can take care of before you even think about insurance. So if youre in a wildfire area, harden your properties. If youre in a hurricane zone, take care of your roofs. If youre in a seismic area, make sure your seismic structures are up to snuff. Do all those things take care of the risk in a physical fashion as much as possible before you even think about insurance. The dispute stems from a series of six performances Metallica planned to hold in South America in 2020, which were canceled as countries like Argentina, Chile, and Brazil imposed strict measures to curb the spread of the virus. After the insurer refused to cover the losses claimed by the band in May 2020, citing the disease exclusion clause, Metallica initiated legal action against Lloyds in June 2021. Importantly, if Citizens were to pay out all reserves and reinsurance following a major storm or series of disasters and there is a deficit, then depending on the extent of the deficit, Citizens would be required by Florida law to levy surcharges on its policyholders and assessments on other Florida insurance consumers until the deficit is eliminated. Despite Bermudas success, Tannock pointed out a concerning trend globally: only 4% of millennials express interest in pursuing careers in insurance, and merely 20% of the industrys workforce is under the age of 30. With millennials set to dominate the workforce by 2025, Tannock emphasized the urgent need for the insurance industry to advocate more vigorously for itself and the value it offers. Our prudent underwriting policy, the further diversification of our portfolio and, last but not least, our success to attract top talents from the industry enabled us to weather these challenges. I am proud to report 2023 as another record year for VIG Re, not only with regard to our growth of revenues, but also in respect of underwriting result and profits to our shareholder, Hartmann said. There are fears [around AI] and we have to open around that, she said. Its things like, if you want an email or another communication, how would your team feel if they knew it wasnt you and youre just getting a machine to do it? Does it artificially inflate the amount of work that we do, because its easier to do it? Does it dumb down the thinking because were getting the machines to do it? These are all on the softer side of the implications of this technology that we need to think about. This post is part of a series sponsored by CoreLogic. In 2023, the United States faced an unprecedented property risk crisis, highlighted by a significant disparity between insurance policy pricing and the escalating risks posed by natural catastrophes. The surge in severe convective storm (SCS) activity, including severe thunderstorms, led to an unprecedented amount of insured losses throughout the year, impacting millions of homes across the nation. Severe thunderstorms, characterized by straight-line winds, damaging hail, and destructive tornadoes, emerged as the primary drivers of insured losses in 2023. The widespread occurrence of these SCS losses, which included numerous billion-dollar incidents, were equivalent to the financial impact of a major hurricane. Among these perils, hail emerged as the leading cause of insured loss, affecting a vast expanse of the U.S. Unlike tornadoes and straight-line winds, hail occurrences are frequent and can inflict considerable damage. The extent of the crisis is evident in the staggering number of single- and multifamily homes affected by hail, surpassing 10 million across the contiguous U.S. during the year. While hailstorms typically peak during late spring and summer, the 2023 season witnessed significant activity throughout the year, with large hail impacting over 100,000 homes on multiple occasions. CoreLogics Weather Verification Technology recorded 141 days with large hail in 2023, the highest figure since 2003. The impact of these storms was particularly pronounced in Texas, the Southeast, and the Plains, where densely populated areas experienced substantial damage. However, not all parts of these states experienced this same increase in hail activity. A closer examination of specific events, such as the severe thunderstorm activity between June 11 and 16, 2023, reveals the severity of the situation. Large hail and strong straight-line winds ravaged parts of the Dallas-Fort Worth area, resulting in insured losses estimated between $7 and $10 billion, with hail accounting for 95% of the damages. While climate change may play a role in exacerbating the volatility severe weather patterns, data suggests that changes in exposure, including residential and commercial-residential construction growth, are the predominant contributors to escalating losses. The increase in housing units across the U.S., coupled with rising construction costs, has amplified the financial toll of severe convective storms. These challenges underscore the importance of high-quality input data for effective underwriting, pricing, and risk management strategies. Accurate assessments of building characteristics and real-time meteorological data are essential for enhancing resilience and mitigating catastrophic losses. The CoreLogic 2024 Severe Convective Storm Risk Report serves as a stark reminder for the insurance industry and policymakers alike, urging proactive measures to address the evolving property risk landscape. By embracing data-driven approaches and fostering collaboration, stakeholders can better prepare for future challenges and safeguard communities against the growing threat of severe weather events. 2024 CoreLogic, Inc. All rights reserved. While all of the CoreLogic content is believed to be accurate, CoreLogic makes no guarantee, representation, or warranty, express or implied, including but not limited to as to the completeness, accuracy, applicability, merchantability, or fitness, in connection with the content and assumes no responsibility or liability whatsoever for the content or any reliance thereon. CoreLogic is the registered trademark of CoreLogic, Inc. or its affiliates or subsidiaries. Topics Windstorm Dutch airline KLM misled customers through advertisements that suggested its flights are climate friendly, an Amsterdam court ruled. KLM makes climate claims in advertisements that are based on vague and general statements about environmental benefits, thereby misleading consumers, the district court of Amsterdam said in its judgment Wednesday. The carrier didnt provide travelers with honest and concrete information, it said. The aviation industry is struggling with efforts to decarbonize as the options at its disposal remain limited. Airlines depend on using sustainable aviation fuels or buying carbon offsets, such as tree planting or land restoration, to demonstrate how they are reducing emissions. Yet, many of these steps are currently seen as inadequate. Air France-KLMs Dutch arm was one of the first major airlines to face a lawsuit over greenwashing, which refers to marketing that aims to falsely convince customers that a brand is environmentally friendly. It was sued by Dutch environmental pressure groups in 2022 over allegations that the airlines Fly Responsibly campaign, with the tag line Be a hero, fly CO2 zero created a false impression of its climate impact. KLM paints an overly rosy picture of measures such as sustainable aviation fuels and reforestation which only marginally reduce the negative environmental aspects and give the wrong impression that flying with KLM is sustainable, the court said in its verdict. The airline has discontinued the ad campaign. Air France-KLMs Chief Executive Officer Ben Smith dismissed the claims of greenwashing. Its something we strongly believe we dont do, Smith said at an event in Brussels on Wednesday. Photograph: A KLM passenger jet. Photo credit: Jasper Juinen/Bloomberg Copyright 2024 Bloomberg. Topics Aviation Gabriel, an Israel-based technology company that tackles the challenge of mass shootings and workplace violence threats, announced it has partnered with global specialty re/insurance group Chaucer and crisis management specialists Merrill Herzog to provide an active assailant insurance product designed to prevent and mitigate against mass shootings. Gabriels Active Assailant product uses AI technology to alert insureds when an attack is taking place, notify emergency services and neighbouring buildings, and to establish a video-linked command platform to effectively manage the crisis in real time. Merrill Herzog will then provide immediate expert advice and support for organizations when a crisis occurs. Insureds such as schools, universities, hospitals and places of worship which buy active assailant cover from Chaucer have the benefit of including Gabriel. Gabriel then builds and installs an incident security dashboard, and Merrill Herzog assists with crisis response when an incident is triggered. The product is a combined property damage, business interruption and liability cover, following an active assailant incident at the insureds location or a neighbouring site. It also covers business interruption following the threat of an active assailant and loss of attraction following an incident. Chaucer [has] partnered with Gabriel and Merrill Herzog, two companies at the forefront of saving lives and crisis response in the event of an active assailant incident. We believe through these partnerships we have the most technologically advanced and unique Active Assailant product in the market, commented Liz Heslip, class underwriter at Chaucer. Our work with Chaucer represents a historic step in preventing mass shootings and other active assailant threats. By incentivising preventative measures, this forward-thinking insurance is focused on getting ahead of threats with smart technology and not just pay for their consequences, according to Gabriel CEO Yoni Sherizen. I believe this is a first step towards setting a new standard for active assailant, deadly weapons, and workplace violence cover. From now on, they will actually prevent threats, not just pay for their deadly impact, Sherizen said. Merrill Herzog and Gabriel are working together to combine technology and practical solutions to prepare for and help to prevent active shooter incidents. We are delighted to work with Chaucer to bring this powerful solution to their insurance clients, said Paul Hatcher, CEO of Merrill Herzog. About Gabriel Gabriel is a technology company that tackles the challenge of mass shootings and workplace violence threats, together with leading insurers. With offices in Austin, Texas, and Modiin, Israel, Gabriel works with risk managers, underwriters, carriers and brokers to reduce risk and stop critical incidents before they cost untold damage and lives. About Chaucer A specialty re/insurance group, Chaucers services are accessed both through Lloyds of London and the London company markets. It is a member of the China Re Group. About Merrill Herzog Headquartered Jackson, Wyoming, Merrill Herzog provides immediate expert advice and support for organizations when a crisis occurs. Its crisis response teams are prepared to deploy and support stakeholders and decision makers with guidance and recommendations to help stabilize, manage, and bring successful resolution to the crisis. Source: Gabriel Topics Carriers InsurTech Tech Reinsurance An Ohio will pay $50,000 to settle an age discrimination lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the federal agency announced. Cedar Fair, L.P., doing business as Cedar Point, and Magnum Management Corporation, which own, operate, and staff the Sandusky, Ohio-based Cedar Point amusement park provided housing at significantly below-market rates for out-of-town seasonal employees, EEOCs lawsuit alleges. During Cedar Points 2021 and 2022 seasons, Cedar Fair and Magnum implemented a policy prohibiting employees aged 30 and older, other than entertainers, from living in employee housing. As a result, older out-of-town workers could not resume their seasonal employment at Cedar Point, given the economic barriers created by the housing ban, the EEOC alleged. The housing policy was rescinded at the start of the 2023 season. Such alleged conduct violates the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), which prohibits the denial of equal terms, conditions, and/or privileges of employment, based on an individuals age (40 years and older). The EEOC filed suit in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Western Division, after first attempting to reach a pre-litigation settlement through its conciliation process. In addition to providing former employees monetary relief, the five-year consent decree settling the suit provides for systemic non-monetary relief intended to prevent further age discrimination, including a commitment that Cedar Fair and Magnum will continue to utilize a housing policy that will not discriminate against employees age 40 and older. Cedar Fair and Magnum will implement a revised ADEA policy, and provide training on the ADEA for management personnel responsible for employment decisions and policies for Cedar Point, as well as individuals responsible for managing and implementing the housing benefits and policies for Cedar Point. Source: EEOC Topics Lawsuits Ohio CHICAGO (AP) The city of Chicago sued Glock Inc. on Tuesday, alleging the handgun manufacturer is facilitating the proliferation of illegal machine guns that can fire as many as 1,200 rounds per minute on the streets of the city. The lawsuit alleges Glock unreasonably endangers Chicagoans by manufacturing and selling semiautomatic pistols that can easily be converted to illegal machine guns with an auto sear a cheap, small device commonly known as a Glock switch. The switches are the size of a quarter and are easily purchased illegally online for around $20 or manufactured at home using a 3D printer. The complaint filed in Cook County Circuit Court is the first to use Illinoiss new Firearms Industry Responsibility Act, passed and signed into law in 2023 to hold gun companies accountable for conduct that endangers the public. The lawsuit states police in Chicago have recovered over 1,100 Glocks that have been converted into illegal machine guns in the last two years in connection with homicides, assaults, kidnappings, carjackings and other crimes. The lawsuit alleges that Glock knows it could fix the problem but refuses to do so and seeks a court order requiring the company to stop selling guns to people in Chicago. It also seeks unspecified damages. The City of Chicago is encountering a deadly new frontier in the gun violence plaguing our communities because of the increase of fully automatic Glocks on our streets, Mayor Brandon Johnson said in a news release. Selling firearms that can so easily be converted into automatic weapons makes heinous acts even more deadly, so we are doing everything we can in collaboration with others committed to ending gun violence to hold Glock accountable for putting profits over public safety, Johnson said. Joining the city in the lawsuit is Everytown Law, a Washington-based firm that seeks to advance gun safety laws in the courts. Right now, anyone in the United States with $20 and a screwdriver can convert their Glock pistol into an illegal machine gun in just a few minutes, said Eric Tirschwell, executive director of Everytown Law. Phone messages were left with Smyrna, Georgia-based Glock seeking comment on the lawsuit. Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Lawsuits Gun Liability The U.S. government is warning state governors that foreign hackers are carrying out disruptive cyberattacks against water and sewage systems throughout the country. In a letter released Tuesday, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan warned that disabling cyberattacks are striking water and wastewater systems throughout the United States. The letter singled out alleged Iranian and Chinese cyber saboteurs. Sullivan and Regan cited a recent case in which hackers accused of acting in concert with Irans Revolutionary Guards had disabled a controller at a water facility in Pennsylvania. They also called out a Chinese hacking group dubbed Volt Typhoon which they said had compromised information technology of multiple critical infrastructure systems, including drinking water, in the United States and its territories. These attacks have the potential to disrupt the critical lifeline of clean and safe drinking water, as well as impose significant costs on affected communities, the letter said. Chinas Embassy in Washington and Irans mission to the United Nations did not immediately return a message seeking comment. Both countries have in the past denied carrying out cyberattacks The digital safety of water and sewage plants has long been a concern for cybersecurity professionals because the facilities provide a critical service and can often be lightly defended. Last years intrusion at a booster facility which monitors and regulates water pressure in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania drew particular attention in part because the stricken controller was replaced with a message saying: YOU HAVE BEEN HACKED. No damage to the water system was reported, but, in a statement released at the time, an industry group called the Water Information Sharing and Analysis Center said this may not be an isolated incident. Tuesdays letter called on governors to ensure that all water systems in your state comprehensively assess their current cybersecurity practices and prepare for potential cyber incidents. Topics Cyber USA The Environmental Protection Agency on Monday announced a comprehensive ban on asbestos, a carcinogen that kills tens of thousands of Americans every year but is still used in some chlorine bleach, brake pads and other products. The final rule marks a major expansion of EPA regulation under a landmark 2016 law that overhauled regulations governing tens of thousands of toxic chemicals in everyday products, from household cleaners to clothing and furniture. The new rule would ban chrysotile asbestos, the only ongoing use of asbestos in the United States. The substance is found in products such as brake linings and gaskets and is used to manufacture chlorine bleach and sodium hydroxide, also known as caustic soda, including some that is used for water purification. EPA Administrator Michael Regan called the final rule a major step to protect public health. With todays ban, EPA is finally slamming the door on a chemical so dangerous that it has been banned in over 50 countries, Regan said. This historic ban is more than 30 years in the making, and its thanks to amendments that Congress made in 2016 to fix the Toxic Substances Control Act, the main U.S. law governing use of chemicals. Exposure to asbestos is known to cause lung cancer, mesothelioma and other cancers, and it is linked to more than 40,000 deaths in the U.S. each year. Ending the ongoing uses of asbestos advances the goals of President Joe Bidens Cancer Moonshot, a whole-of-government initiative to end cancer in the U.S., Regan said. The science is clear: Asbestos is a known carcinogen that has severe impacts on public health. This action is just the beginning as we work to protect all American families, workers and communities from toxic chemicals, Regan said. The 2016 law authorized new rules for tens of thousands of toxic chemicals found in everyday products, including substances such as asbestos and trichloroethylene that for decades have been known to cause cancer yet were largely unregulated under federal law. Known as the Frank Lautenberg Chemical Safety Act, the law was intended to clear up a hodgepodge of state rules governing chemicals and update the Toxic Substances Control Act, a 1976 law that had remained unchanged for 40 years. The EPA banned asbestos in 1989, but the rule was largely overturned by a 1991 Court of Appeals decision that weakened the EPAs authority under TSCA to address risks to human health from asbestos or other existing chemicals. The 2016 law required the EPA to evaluate chemicals and put in place protections against unreasonable risks. Asbestos, which was once common in home insulation and other products, is banned in more than 50 countries, and its use in the U.S. has been declining for decades. The only form of asbestos known to be currently imported, processed or distributed for use in the U.S. is chrysotile asbestos, which is imported primarily from Brazil and Russia. It is used by the chlor-alkali industry, which produces bleach, caustic soda and other products. Most consumer products that historically contained chrysotile asbestos have been discontinued. While chlorine is a commonly used disinfectant in water treatment, there are only eight chlor-alkali plants in the U.S. that still use asbestos diaphragms to produce chlorine and sodium hydroxide. The plants are mostly located in Louisiana and Texas. The use of asbestos diaphragms has been declining and now accounts for less than one-third of the chlor-alkali production in the U.S., the EPA said. The EPA rule will ban imports of asbestos for chlor-alkali as soon as the rule is published but will phase in prohibitions on chlor-alkali use over five or more years to provide what the agency called a reasonable transition period. A ban on most other uses of asbestos will effect in two years. The National Association of Clean Water Agencies, which represents 350 publicly owned wastewater treatment agencies, said in a statement that it supports EPAs efforts to move away from asbestos products and will work with the agency to track implementation of the rule. The association warned before the final rule was announced that an immediate ban on asbestos would almost certainly cause shortages and price increases for chlorine and other disinfection and treatment chemicals used by the water sector. The American Chemistry Council, the chemical industrys largest lobbying group, said a 15-year transition period is needed to avoid a significant disruption of chlorine and sodium hydroxide supplies. A ban on asbestos in oilfield brake blocks, aftermarket automotive brakes and linings and other gaskets will take effect in six months. The EPA rule allows asbestos-containing sheet gaskets to be used until 2037 at the U.S. Department of Energys Savannah River Site in South Carolina to ensure that safe disposal of nuclear materials can continue on schedule. Scott Faber, senior vice president of the Environmental Working Group, an advocacy group that pushed to ban asbestos, hailed the EPA action. For too long, polluters have been allowed to make, use and release toxics like asbestos and PFAS without regard for our health, Faber said. Thanks to the leadership of the Biden EPA, those days are finally over. Separately, the EPA is also evaluating so-called legacy uses of asbestos in older buildings, including schools and industrial sites, to determine possible public health risks. A final risk evaluation is expected by the end of the year. Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., said the United States was finally starting to catch up with the rest of the world on asbestos. However, it cannot be the end of the road when it comes to phasing out other dangerous asbestos fibers, he said. Congress has a role to play here when it comes to providing stronger protections for our health. Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Trends Pollution In car-dependent Texas, most cities have rules on how many parking spots must be built anywhere people live, play or do business. But those requirements have come under scrutiny in recent years, with critics saying they do more harm than good. As the nation tries to curb carbon emissions and fight climate change, climate activists and urbanists have chided the regulations for encouraging car dependency. Housing advocates and developers have also identified those minimums as a barrier to building more homes and taming housing costs. This is a pretty obvious target for helping to address [the housing affordability crisis], said Tony Jordan, co-founder of Parking Reform Network. In major Texas cities like Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio and El Paso, developers usually cant build single-family homes or apartments without parking. Government regulations like those, critics argue, effectively force housing developers to provide parking spots where they may have instead built housing contributing to higher home prices and rents. Doing away with parking minimums doesnt mean parking will be abolished, reform proponents say. For instance, cities without parking mandates still must require properties to comply with federal law and build accessible parking spaces for people living with disabilities. And proponents expect developers will still build parking spots even if theyre not required to. But the decision of how much parking they should provide, reformers argue, should be left up to builders, not local governments. Austin last year became the largest city in the country to do away with its minimum parking requirements, following in the steps of other major cities like Portland, Minneapolis and San Jose. Nixing parking minimums is part of a slate of reforms in Austin to loosen city land-use regulations and allow more housing to be built amid the citys severe housing affordability crisis. Before the parking rules were overturned, Austin required single-family homes to have at least two parking spots and apartment buildings to have one-and-a-half spaces for every one-bedroom apartment, plus half a space for every additional bedroom. Those requirements drove up construction prices and resulted in higher rent bills. A city estimate projected that requiring one additional parking space per unit raised monthly rent by up to $200. And at a time when Austin is trying to beef up its public transit to the tune of billions of dollars and encourage denser transit-friendly development, policymakers concluded it didnt make sense to continue requiring a minimum amount of parking spots. A city like Austin that has adopted progressive mobility, affordability and climate goals should not be in the business of requiring an arbitrary amount of car storage in every new development, Austin City Council Member Zohaib Zo Qadri, the proposals author, said in a statement after the November vote. Dallas could soon take Austins place as the largest U.S. city to get rid of its parking requirements. In January, a subcommittee of the Dallas City Plan Commission advanced a plan to nix parking minimums a proposal the Dallas City Council could take up this year. Dallas is also facing a dire housing shortage. The Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan region surpassed 8 million people last year, and that booming population growth has put pressure on its housing stock. Dallas by itself is short some 33,000 homes that would fall within the price range of the citys lowest earners, according to an estimate from the Child Poverty Action Lab. That shortage is expected to balloon to 83,000 by the end of the decade. Allowing housing developers to determine how much parking they need rather than imposing city requirements on them is one way to speed up the development process and chip away at those needs, said Michael Wade, senior planner in Dallas planning and urban design department. The current requirements are slowing things down to a rate that makes it hard to meet our housing goals, Wade said. Rethinking parking in Texas Reforming parking requirements isnt just a big-city fixation. The week after Austin got rid of its parking minimums, Taylor, a town of about 17,000 people perched about an hour away, did the same as part of a broader rewrite of its land development code to allow denser housing stock. Taylor is the latest Texas town to ditch its minimum parking requirements, joining Bandera and Bastrop, according to the Parking Reform Network. Taylor nixed its parking minimums, Assistant City Manager Tom Yantis said, in an effort to bring down housing costs, boost their tax base by allowing denser development and encourage more walkable development in line with how the town developed in its early years before the rise of the automobile and parking minimums. If we start to build neighborhoods that are built around small walkable blocks, maybe in the future well have the opportunity in neighborhoods for people to walk or bicycle to the grocery store, Yantis said. Minimum parking spot mandates arose as automobile ownership took off in the middle of the last century. U.S. cities adopted these rules in an attempt to ease a shortage of curb parking spots, relieve traffic congestion and accommodate suburban commuters and shoppers arriving to the urban core by car. Now, its common for cities to have rules on the books determining how much parking should be built with homes and businesses like grocery stores, restaurants, offices, video game arcades and even places that serve and sell alcohol. Critics say those requirements have had nasty side effects, including increased sprawl, overreliance on cars and a proliferation of unsightly parking lots. If people know theres a parking spot waiting for them at their destination, theyre more likely to take a car than other modes of transportation. Parking is an invisible cost even when it appears to be free, they argue landlords and businesses ultimately pass on the cost of providing that parking to consumers via routine costs like monthly rents, grocery bills and restaurant tabs. Some of the rules are also fairly arbitrary, opponents say. Jordan points out that, for example, Dallas requires sewage treatment plants to provide one parking spot for every million gallons of capacity and water treatment plants must provide two spots regardless of capacity. The constraint is completely artificial, Jordan said. Its just based on some number that someone put in a book 40 or 50 years ago. Parking minimums drive up the cost of housing, too, critics say. A spot in a typical parking lot can cost between $5,000 to $10,000, some estimates show, while a spot in a parking garage can cost from $25,000 to $65,000. Landlords then pass the cost of building and maintaining those parking spots on to tenants who are more likely to have fewer cars than homeowners or not own one at all in the form of higher rents. If youre not having to use land for parking, you can use it for housing, said Claudia Aiken, director of new research partnerships at New York Universitys Furman Center and Housing Solutions Lab. If youre not pouring that money into developing parking, you could provide units that are more affordable. Minimum parking requirements can limit how many housing units are built on a lot and discourage builders from creating homes with more bedrooms. In Dallas, housing developers must build one to two parking spots for single-family homes and one space for every bedroom in an apartment. When designing a mixed-income development with 21 units that includes townhomes, duplexes and fourplexes in South Dallas, the citys parking requirements limited how many housing units could ultimately go on the lot, said Lisa Neergaard, associate director of planning at buildingcommunityWORKSHOP, a nonprofit architecture and planning firm. The rules also prevented designers from including more three-bedroom units designed to accommodate families, Neergaard said. Land was pretty inexpensive for a very long time, so parking was not as big of a burden, Neergaard said. But as the value of our land continues to increase, because the amount of available land is decreasing, parking is infinitely more expensive. Life without parking minimums Cities elsewhere that have retooled or nixed their parking minimums saw more home construction in the aftermath. Minneapolis got rid of its minimum parking requirements as part of a slate of reforms intended to spur housing production which has helped the city keep rent growth in check and build housing at a quicker clip than other places in Minnesota and the Midwest, the Pew Charitable Trusts found. Seattle and Buffalo, New York, also saw more homes built after reducing or getting rid of their parking requirements. Getting rid of parking requirements has its detractors. Neighborhood groups and residents opposed to such reforms worry that developers will skimp on parking spots, forcing drivers who cant find adequate parking at their destination to search for it on neighboring streets and clog traffic. Laura Palmer, a Dallas resident, told the city panel that approved a proposal to nix parking minimums that patrons of the nearby Bishop Arts District, a pedestrian-friendly collection of shops, restaurants and bars, already take up the curb on streets in her neighborhood. We are asking you as the city to help protect our neighborhoods, she told the panel in January. There are ways to make sure that neighborhoods dont suffer spillover effects, reform proponents argue, like only allowing residents to park on residential blocks or installing parking meters. But Dallas city staff and transportation officials with the North Central Texas Council of Governments, which coordinates transportation planning for the region, agree that parking in local districts, main street-like corridors, and transit-oriented developments tends to be either adequate for auto demand, or to even far surpass demand, Dallas officials wrote in a recent report. The decision of how much remaining parking to build will simply be left to developers, proponents say, and financiers are unlikely to back developments without parking if they think offering a certain amount of spaces makes financial sense. After Seattle retooled its parking requirements, developers built about 40% less parking than they would have without the changes, one study found. But more than two-thirds of developments that werent required to build parking still included some, the study found. It will likely take years if not generations to see the full effects of abolishing parking mandates, Wade said, but its a small step to allowing denser development and weaning people off of cars. We have the power to become an even more resilient city and provide that to the next generation, Wade said. This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at https://www.texastribune.org/2024/03/18/texas-cities-parking-rules-housing-climate/. The Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org. Topics Texas CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) A federal appeals court asked West Virginias highest court Monday whether opioid distributions can cause a public nuisance as it reviews a landmark lawsuit against three major U.S. drug distributors accused of causing a health crisis in one of the states counties. In July 2022, a federal judge in Charleston, West Virginia, ruled in favor of AmerisourceBergen Drug Co., Cardinal Health Inc. and McKesson Corp. The lawsuit accused them of distributing 81 million pills over eight years in Cabell County, which has been ravaged by opioid addiction. The verdict came nearly a year after closing arguments in a bench trial in the lawsuit filed by Cabell County and the city of Huntington. The lawsuit alleged the distributors created a public nuisance and ignored the signs that the area was being ravaged by addiction. But U.S. District Judge Faber said West Virginias Supreme Court has only applied public nuisance law in the context of conduct that interferes with public property or resources. He said to extend the law to cover the marketing and sale of opioids is inconsistent with the history and traditional notions of nuisance. The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia, sent a certified question to the West Virginia Supreme Court, which states: Under West Virginias common law, can conditions caused by the distribution of a controlled substance constitute a public nuisance and, if so, what are the elements of such a public nuisance claim? If the Supreme court answers the question no, that means the current appeal is over, according to the 4th Circuit. The appeals court noted that the West Virginia Mass Litigation Panel, which works to resolve complex cases in state court, has concluded in several instances that opioid distribution can form the basis of a public nuisance claim under West Virginia common law. Carl Tobias, a University of Richmond law professor, said the West Virginia Supreme Court is the authoritative source on interpreting state substantive law and has not ruled on the public nuisance question as it relates to the distribution, sale and use of opioids. In his decision, Faber also noted that the plaintiffs offered no evidence that the defendants distributed controlled substances to any entity that didnt hold a proper registration from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration or the state Board of Pharmacy. The defendants also had suspicious monitoring systems in place as required by the Controlled Substances Act, he said. In 2021 in Cabell County, an Ohio River county of 93,000 residents, there were 1,067 emergency responses to suspected overdoses significantly higher than each of the previous three years with at least 162 deaths. In the first two months of this year, suspected overdoses prompted at least 115 emergency room visits, according to preliminary data from the state Department of Human Services Office of Drug Control Policy. The plaintiffs had sought more than $2.5 billion that would have gone toward abatement efforts. The goal of the 15-year abatement plan would have been to reduce overdoses, overdose deaths and the number of people with opioid use disorder. Thousands of state and local governments have sued over the toll of opioids. The suits relied heavily on claims that the companies created a public nuisance by failing to monitor where the powerful prescriptions were ending up. Most of the lawsuits settled as part of a series of nationwide deals that could be worth more than $50 billion. But there wasnt a decisive trend in the outcomes of those that have gone to trial. Photo: A health event in Charleston in 2021. (AP Photo/John Raby, File) Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Virginia West Virginia Efforts to rein in third-party litigation financing are on their way to becoming law in Indiana and West Virginia, a scorecard that is less than what business and insurance interests had hoped for this spring. In Indiana, Gov. Eric Holcomb signed House Bill 1160, which aims to block foreign entities from funding lawsuits. It also bars parties involved in the litigation from sharing with financiers any information that a court has ordered sealed, and forbids finance firms from influencing the outcome. Financing agreements will now be subject to discovery. The bill passed with overwhelming support, with no dissenting votes in the House and only two in the Senate. The American Property Casualty Insurance Association said the Indiana law would help promote a more transparent legal system. Requiring disclosure and discovery of funding by third parties involved in the litigation and to the courts is a critical step to restoring balance to the legal system, Brooke Kelley, APCIA assistant vice president of state government, said, according to an AM Best report. These common-sense guardrails around third-party litigation funding are necessary to facilitate litigation transparency and protect consumers and businesses. The law follows a bill signed last year that made third-party financing agreements subject to discovery. West Virginias Senate Bill 850 would, if signed into law by coal company owner, Gov. Jim Justice, place a number of restrictions on lawsuit funding. The bill would bar financiers from: Offering commissions to attorneys and medical providers who refer consumers to a financing program. Advertising false or misleading information about its services. Referring consumers to specific attorneys or medical providers. The investors in litigation also must provide copies of all financing contracts to consumers; and may not attempt to waive settlements or require arbitration in the legal dispute. Finance firms also must not assign or securitize a financing contract to another party, if the bill becomes law. Any violation of the law would make the financing contract unenforceable, the bill notes. A litigation financier may not charge a consumer who is a natural person an annual fee of more than 18 percent of the original amount of money provided to the consumer for the litigation financing transaction, reads the bill, which was sponsored by state Sen. Charles Trump. SB 850 passed the West Virginia state Senate in February and the House on March 9. It was sent to the governor March 12. The APCIA, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and others had urged more states to adopt similar legislation this year. At least 10 states, including Georgia, Florida, Ohio, Missouri, Iowa, Kansas and Oklahoma, saw bills introduced, according to a LexisNexis tally, but none of those have advanced. Floridas bill passed a key committee but did not survive beyond that in the session that ended March 9. Topics Lawsuits Virginia West Virginia Indiana The Utah Insurance Department issued a warning about unlicensed companies and individuals offering coverage for damaged packages or packages stolen from porches. The department noted that some companies are using technicalities and fine print to avoid paying consumers, while others dont have cash to pay claims. When shopping online, pay close attention to your shipping protection options and who is offering the coverage, Utah Insurance Commissioner Jon Pike warned. Legitimate shipping coverage providers will be licensed as insurance companies or insurance agents with the Utah Insurance Department. These companies are vetted to ensure they operate according to the law and can pay claims when they arise. The department advised going online to check if a provider is licensed. March 21, 2024 (Investorideas.com Newswire) A new study has identified the states that are most obsessed with cryptocurrency, with New York being crowned as the most obsessed. The research, conducted by cryptocurrency tax software CoinLedger, used search volume data from Google Keyword Planner to identify which states were searching the most for crypto-related terms, such as 'crypto advice' and 'crypto news'. On average, in the US, residents interested in cryptocurrencies search for crypto-related terms 641 times a month per 100,000 residents. The study revealed that New York was the most passionate about cryptocurrency. It was revealed that, on average, New York residents search for crypto-related search terms 978 times a month per 100,000 residents - this was 52% more than the average American. Nevada was revealed as the second-most likely obsessed with cryptocurrency. It was revealed that in Nevada, there are 894 crypto-related searches each month per 100,000 residents monthly. The third most interested state in cryptocurrency, according to research, is California. Crypto investors search on average for crypto-related terms such as 'crypto-news' 869 times per 100,000 residents monthly. New Jersey is the fourth state with the most obsessed with crypto; the data has shown, on average, residents in New Jersey search for cryptocurrency terms, such as 'crypto news' and 'crypto advice', 839 times a month per 100,000 residents. The fifth state most passionate about cryptocurrency is Massachusetts. In Massachusetts, residents were found to search for crypto-related terms 821 times a month per 100,000 residents. The top ten states most obsessed with cryptocurrencies However, not everyone in America is so keen to invest in or learn about cryptocurrencies, as the study shows that residents in Mississippi have the least interest in cryptocurrency nationwide. The data revealed that, on average, Mississippi residents only search for crypto-related terms 278 times per 100,000 residents a month; 56% less than the average American resident. West Virginia is the second least obsessed with cryptocurrencies, with residents, on average, searching for these terms 294 times per 100,000 residents a month. Surprisingly, this is 57% less than residents in Virginia, who were revealed to be the tenth most likely to invest in cryptocurrency. The research shows that the third least fascinated in crypto is Kentucky; residents in Kentucky have shown little interest in crypto, only searching on average 359 times a month per 100,000 residents. The study revealed that the fourth and fifth states least obsessed with cryptocurrencies were Louisiana and Arkansas, respectively; in Louisiana, residents only search for crypto-related terms 363 times a month, while in Arkansas, they search 364 times a month. The top ten states least obsessed with cryptocurrencies A spokesperson from CoinLedger commented on the findings, "As cryptocurrency interest has grown over the years, it's no surprise that more people want to invest more now than ever. With a Bitcoin halving expected to happen soon, many people will be considering starting to invest in crypto. "It is crucial to conduct thorough research before making any financial decisions related to cryptocurrencies. As many currencies are highly volatile and vulnerable to fraudulent activities, it is essential to seek expert advice to manage them effectively and minimize the risk of losses. "These findings solidify New York's place as a global finance hub, with New Yorkers leading the nation as the most interested in crypto nationwide by some distance." Methodology Google Keyword Planner was used to determine the average nationwide and state-specific monthly search volume for crypto-related terms. Terms used included "Crypto app," "Crypto price," "Crypto news," and "Crypto advice." All figures rounded up. More Info: This news is published on the Investorideas.com Newswire - a global digital news source for investors and business leaders Disclaimer/Disclosure: Investorideas.com is a digital publisher of third party sourced news, articles and equity research as well as creates original content, including video, interviews and articles. 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More disclaimer info: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp Learn more about publishing your news release and our other news services on the Investorideas.com newswire https://www.investorideas.com/News-Upload/ Global investors must adhere to regulations of each country. Please read Investorideas.com privacy policy: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Private_Policy.asp Get Great Trading Ideas and News Alerts Guest posts and sponsored content - Got $100? That's all it takes to get an article published on Investor Ideas - Learn More Korean Air has passed over embattled Boeing (typically the carriers top aircraft supplier) to order 33 Airbus A350 wide-body jets in a $14bn (13bn) deal as it seeks to streamline its fleet. The move has put the spotlight on Ryanair, whose fleet is based on Boeing planes. Boeing has been engulfed in crisis after regulators swooped to examine all parts of its manufacturing processes in the US, following the blowout of a panel on an airborne Max plane above Portland in Oregon in January. The order will see the Seoul-based carrier buy 27 of Airbuss largest twin-aisle jet, the A350-1000, and six smaller A350-900s, which it selected over Boeings yet-to-be-certified 777X. The 13bn deal is before customary discounts. Airbus also scored another victory with Japan Airlines buying 42 jets, picking 21 A350-900s and 11 A321neos, while Boeing scored a consolation order of 10 787-9s. The orders have put the spotlight on Ryanair, another of Boeings major global customers. The airline has already said it will take delivery of 10 fewer Boeing planes than expected by this summer because of the production turmoil facing the US planemaker. Ryanair said the Boeing delays will lead to Ryanair cutting frequencies this summer, including at Dublin Airport. Ryanair has also placed one of the worlds largest orders for the still-to-be-certified Max 10 planes. The airline hopes to start taking delivery of some of the massive order starting in less than 36 months. Last May, it said it had ordered 300 new Max 10 planes worth over $40bn (36.5bn). Ryanair chief Michael OLeary said this week he was meeting with Boeing executives. Boeing directors are meeting with top executives from some of the largest airline customers, who are growing increasingly frustrated about the crisis. Boeings chief executive Dave Calhoun will not participate in the gatherings, said people familiar with the matter. Larry Kellner, the chairman of Boeings board, is spearheading the unusual listening tour. A sweeping audit of Boeing and its suppliers by the US Federal Aviation Administration has raised concerns about the companys safety culture, the agencys top official said earlier this week. Boeings largest US customers include American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, as well as Alaska Air which operated the plane on which the panel blew out in January. Irish Examiner; Bloomberg While the Netflix film has received some colourful feedback in recent days, for one Kerry man, landing a role in Irish Wish was a dream come true. Tim Landers from Tralee was cast as barman Scruffy Murphy in the rom-com starring A-list actress Lindsay Lohan. Filmed in Wicklow, the Netflix original follows Maddie Kelly (played by Lohan) as she heads to the Emerald Isle to attend the wedding of her best friend and the love of her life before a wish changes everything. Scruffy Murphy is introduced early on in the film in a scene with Ed Speleers, who plays James Thomas. Later, Lohan's character also pays a visit to his pub and encounters the barman. While Lohan tends to keep to herself on set, Landers was thrilled to have had a scene with the Hollywood actress. As he says himself, he is a massive fan of Lindsay Lohan. While teaching at a stage school, Mean Girls was a firm favourite for Landers as well as his students and quotes from the iconic 2004 comedy have become the basis of many inside jokes. Obviously when I got cast as Scruffy Murphy and realised I was going to be in the film it was awful exciting. When she was on camera opposite me, we got the Lindsay Lohan magic. She has something, he says of his experience filming alongside the star. Being in the film with Lindsay was a massive deal for me. That I now have a scene with her on camera it is a dream come true. It really is. And everyone was lovely. Despite some of the mixed reviews, Irish Wish has been climbing the streaming charts and was the number one film on Netflix in Ireland last week. Landers has been touring the UK with Seven Drunken Nights The Story Of The Dubliners but has been keeping up with the feedback from back home. Its been out of this world. Thank God for social media. I'm in the UK. So, this broke Friday. I have had at least 300 messages across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, phone calls. People who I havent spoken to in a long time have seen it. I remember when I watched it Friday, I was worried because the last thing I want to be is over the topwhat I'm really pleased about is I think I give it a bit of energy and there's a bit of banter with [Ed Speleers] and in that scene. So, I'm really proud of the work. "I'm so proud to be from Tralee and that this is out there now, and it's been wonderful. It's been the most widely seen of my work. Following the release of Irish Wish on Friday, the actor who has been involved in theatre since 1990 had quite the weekend. It's an absolute thrill for it to happen on Friday and then on Sunday night, at the age of 57, I made my West End debut with the Seven Drunken Nights show in the Dominion Theatre in the West End in London. There were 1,800 people there. What a weekend. The role of the Irish barman is not unfamiliar to Landers, having previously played a similar character in Joyride (2022), starring Olivia Coleman. When he read the description of Scruffy Murphy, the 57-year-old knew he would be suited to the role and credits his lockdown beard for some of his recent casting success. It was just one of those ones that fit me like a glove, he says of the role. I grew a beard at the start of lockdown, and Ive gotten four films since," he jokes. As for the films feedback, the Tralee man says Irish Wish is more like a love letter to Ireland than it is an accurate portrayal of the country and is likely made for an American audience. With a touch of Freaky Friday and wishes to St Brigid, it is also not designed to be realistic, he notes. To be fair, in terms of the scenery and everything, they show us off. I think its a fairy tale. A funeral has been held for convicted garda killer Pearse McAuley. McAuley, who was in his late 50s, was found dead in his home in Strabane on Monday. His death is not being treated as suspicious. He was sentenced to 14 years in jail for the manslaughter of detective Garda Jerry McCabe, who was shot dead by an IRA gang during a raid on the post office in Adare, Co Limerick, in June 1996. McAuleys coffin was draped in an Irish flag with a black beret and gloves placed on top as it was brought to the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Strabane on Thursday. Pearse McAuley being led away from Dublin High Court after a failed bail bid in the 1990s (PA) The items were removed as his remains were taken into the church for the funeral service. Addressing mourners, Father Declan Boland spoke of the loss felt by McAuleys family. Wherever we go in life and wherever our journey may bring us, we all come back to the place where it all began, at the foot of the altar, bringing with us all the content and happenings of our lives, all that has shaped us to be the people that we are, to be surrendered in all his detail to the one who gave us life in the first place, he said. This God is a God of mercy and love that has to be preached because all of us have sinned greatly and Pearse was no exception. We have to ask the mercy of God and seek pardon, fully confident that our pleas and our prayers will be heard and our petitions answered. Let us not forget primarily that Pearse was a father, a brother, a partner, and a friend of many. His loss is being felt deeply by those who love him. The sense of suffering, emptiness and pain that death brings to those who are left behind to mourn is a heavy burden to bear and this family bear it this morning. After the service, McAuleys remains were taken for burial in Strabane cemetery. He was jailed after an IRA gang shot dead Mr McCabe during the post office raid in Adare. Mr McCabe was in an unmarked garda patrol car, escorting a van delivering 80,000 (102,000 euro) to local post offices in Adare when the IRA gang struck. He was shot about 15 times with a Kalashnikov assault rifle. His colleague, Detective Garda Ben OSullivan, was seriously injured in the shooting but survived. McAuley was convicted of manslaughter in 1999 and was released from prison after serving 10 years. Years before the killing, McAuley and his cellmate, Nessan Quinlivan, shot their way out of Brixton Prison in London as they awaited trial for conspiracy to murder brewery boss Charles Tidbury and for firearms and explosives offences. Jail-breaker McAuley and IRA killer Kevin Walsh were the last of the five men jailed for the robbery to be released. They had served three-quarters of their 14-year sentences. While McAuley was serving his sentence, Sinn Fein made an unsuccessful attempt to have him and others jailed for the garda killing to be released under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement. The move was resisted by the Irish Government. In 2015, McAuley was sentenced to 12 years for stabbing his estranged wife, Pauline Tully, now a Sinn Fein TD, with a steak knife at her home on Christmas Eve in 2014. The pair had married while McAuley was serving his 14-year sentence for the garda killing. They met when Ms Tully, who was elected as a Sinn Fein councillor in 1999, visited McAuley at Castlerea Prison in Co Roscommon. They became engaged in 2000. He was temporarily released in 2003 to marry Ms Tully, a teacher at the time, in her home village of Kilnaleck, Co Cavan. McAuley was freed in 2020. Gardai are investigating whether there is any link between a massive cocaine seizure in Denmark and the suspected drugs smuggling operation intercepted by gardai on the West Cork coast last week. Several cocaine-filled bags and packages have been discovered washed up over recent days near the town of Sjllands Odde in Denmark. That came just days after what gardai believe could have been a foiled international drug smuggling operation attempting to land up to 1bn of drugs on the West Cork coast. Read More Gardai believe gang may have attempted to land 1bn of cocaine in West Cork It is believed the discovery in Denmark weighed at least 840kg. As news of the Danish seizure emerged, there was speculation of a link between the operation in Cork and the drugs haul 1,400km away in Scandinavia. It is believed the gang arrested in West Cork were trying to land between 1.5 to two tonnes of 90% of pure cocaine to make it viable. Wetsuits and diving gear were recovered by gardai as part of the operation. Gardai also seized several mobile phones and electronic devices, including GPS devices, which are the subject of extensive forensic examination. The men in custody range in age from mid 20s to mid-50s. They include six Spanish men, two Serbs, two Dutch men, and one man who is believed to have Iranian heritage or links to that country. Read More Hezbollah and Dutch & Iranian gangs behind West Cork drug smuggling attempt The Irish Naval Service is analysing shipping tracking data of certain vessels which were off the south west coast in recent days. A garda source said any link between the drugs haul in Denmark and the West Cork incident is unlikely. However, they stressed that all possibilities will still be explored. It would be foolish if there wasnt some conversation taking place through international units but as regards whether there is anything specific to link it back to this, at the moment there doesnt seem to be, the source said. No direct connection has been established. Obviously, there will be that ongoing liaison and information sharing which happens once a consignment of drugs like that washes up and we need to establish where it was heading for and what was happening with it. At the moment there is nothing that would directly link it back with ourselves. There are no tides or currents that might bring it up to the coast of Denmark. It was obviously dropped closer to where it washed up. There is no natural way for it to float. Something that heavy wont float that far. As it stands, this remains a mystery. Four Spanish nationals were arrested and charged with conspiring to import drugs into Ireland and they were brought before Cork District Court on Thursday. Each man is accused of conspiring with nine others to import drugs. Sergeant Gearoid Davis said in respect of each case: We are awaiting directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions. It is not an applicable matter for bail in this court. He applied to have each of the four men remanded in custody until March 27 to appear again at Cork District Court by video link from prison. Judge Mary Dorgan acceded to the application in each case. It will be a matter for the accused to apply for bail at the High Court in Dublin at a later stage if they want to be released pending trial. Two of the defendants who appeared at Cork District Court were formally arrested and charged at Togher Garda Station and two more were brought from the Bridewell Garda Station. The moment arrests were made after gardai stopped a campervan near Tragumna last week. All were charged at about noon on Thursday. Sgt Davis said to Judge Mary Dorgan that the arrests in Cork City gave jurisdiction to Cork District Court to deal with the matters. Detective Garda Kate Gilligan of the Garda National Drugs Unit arrested Angel Serran Padilla, 39, of Malaga, Spain, whose only reply after caution was: OK. Defence solicitor Eddie Burke said: This man has a number of medical difficulties and was hospitalised during the course of his detention. I would ask for that to be brought to the attention of the prison governor. Judge Dorgan requested that he would get any necessary medical attention, adding it would be a matter for the prison authorities. Free legal aid was granted and extended for the purpose of having the Spanish interpreter who translated court proceedings available for a consultation with the accused. Detective Garda Mark Donovan of the Garda National Drugs Unit arrested and charged Pedro Padio Ojeda Ortega, of Cadiz, Spain, and he made no reply after caution. Garda Donovan asked for the defendant to submit a written statement of means for his free legal aid application. Mr Burke said that would be done and said the accused was on Spanish social welfare of just over 300 per week. Detective Garda Robert Kennedy arrested 48-year-old Raul Garcia Tabares of Cadiz, Spain, on the same charge and he made no comment to the charge after caution. He was represented by Frank Buttimer, solicitor. Detective Garda Dermot Crowley charged 41-year-old Anuar Rahui of Malaga, Spain, with the same count of conspiring with others to import drugs. Again, he made no reply to the charge after caution and was remanded in custody until March 27 for DPP directions. Mr Buttimer asked in respect of Mr Rahui and Mr Garcia Tabares for them to be facilitated with necessary communications for family and consular contact while in custody. Free legal was granted subject to statements of means to Mr Rahui. There was one Spanish interpreter present in court who translated proceedings for both of these accused. For the first two accused who appeared at Cork District Court, a different Spanish interpreter was sworn for each of them. The court appearance of the four Spanish nationals followed the arrest of 10 men and the seizure of a jeep, a camper van, articulated truck, and rigid inflatable boat as part of a major investigation in the past number of days. A 24-year-old man ran down North Main Street in Cork carrying a pitchfork in the early afternoon, and now he has been sentenced to three months in prison. Daniel Mulroy of 78 Highfield Park, Ballincollig, County Cork, was sentenced by Judge Mary Dorgan at Cork District Court. Sergeant Gearoid Davis described what happened at around 3pm on July 3, 2023, on North Main Street, Cork. The accused went to Scotts Tools and stole a pitchfork and moments later he was seen running down the street with it in his hand. When he was arrested at Thomas Davis Street he had a Stanley knife in his pocket, Sgt Davis said. On October 10, 2023, he was drunk and a danger to himself or others at Cork Airport and had to be arrested by airport police. On December 8, 2023, he was drunk and a source of danger to himself or others at Highfield Park in Ballincollig. Daithi O Donnabhain, solicitor, said the accused was pleading guilty in respect of all matters at the earliest opportunity. Judge Mary Dorgan said that running down the street with a pitchfork was an aggravating matter. People are entitled to walk down the street without having someone run along with a pitchfork, in fairness. Mr O Donnabhain said on behalf of Mr Mulroy: In his sober senses he would totally agree. A group of 52 asylum seekers has taken up residence at a former B&B in Fermoy, Co Cork, which has been the scene of an anti-migrant protest since late last year. The group, which is made up entirely of families, was bussed to Abbeyville House in the town at approximately 2pm today and driven through the back entrance of the property. A small crowd of about 20 people had gathered outside the Tudor-style building to protest after news of the arrival broke on social media. Gardai had been maintaining a heavy presence in the town and sealed off the front entrance to the property just before the buses arrived. Protesters have been camped by the main gate of the former guesthouse for the past 18 weeks, since news emerged that it was to house international protection applicants. They say they will continue with their protest. Abbeyville House has not operated as a B&B for a number of years. Kate OConnell, Fermoy resident and member of the group Fermoy and Mallow Against Division, said: It is important people realise that there is a big integration plan in place. Primary and secondary school places have been sourced in Fermoy and Mitchelstown and Doneraile, as well as GP places, money raised, and clothes and toys have been collected. We have been working very closely with Tusla and there is a good plan in place. However, what concerns us most is what happens over the next few days," she said. We understand people might want to engage in a protest but we are really asking that that protest happens away from Abbeyville House, because this is now a home for children. We are also concerned that people coming to and from Abbeyville House should be allowed to go about their business without fear of intimidation or being recorded. We would please ask anybody who wants to protest could they please think also about protecting children. Initially, the plan was for Abbeyville to house adult male international protection applicants at what is now one of more than 200 accommodation venues opened since January 2022 across 26 counties. However, in February, the Department of Integration announced it would instead provide temporary accommodation for families and children. A spokesperson said: While initially earmarked for adult males, there is now an acute shortage of accommodation for families and it is intended to place families and children into this property. Some of the protesters opposed to the historic premises being used to house international protection applicants claim they are protecting the building, which is a listed structure. Others say the services in the town such as GPs and schools are already overstretched. In a move that has sent shockwaves across the political spectrum, Leo Varadkar has announced that he will be standing down as Taoiseach and leader of Fine Gael. "I don't feel I'm the best person for that job any more," the Taoiseach said in an address outside Government Buildings. Brussels is expected to bid farewell to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar over the next two days after news spread that Thursday and Fridays European Council summit is likely to be his last. We will have a farewell ceremony for him as we do for every leader, but it came as a big surprise so the video department is going nuts trying to go through footage to compile his best bits, an EU official told the Irish Examiner. During the last few months, Ireland along with Spain, Belgium, and Malta has been vocal about the EUs lack of response to the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza. Leo Varadkar was pretty good on the Middle East, he participated well, and was well respected on this issue, a senior source from the EU institutions said. They said it was appreciated that he was informed and eloquent in defending his position in Gaza and often called out the bullshit from other countries, in particular the Austrians and Hungary who refuse to acknowledge the suffering caused by Israeli military actions. Varadkar has been leading calls for Brussels to take a more proactive role in defending the rights of innocent Palestinian civilians suffering from a lack of basic medical supplies, including anaesthetics to perform amputations, as well as starvation among children in the enclave. He has also defended Israels right to defend itself in response to the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7. The source said: I think, overall, the feeling is that he always contributed well and didnt speak for no reason, but only when he had something to say. Hes had a good, pleasant, relationship among leaders and as part of the European Council. Overall, leaders have immense respect for each other as they understand how challenging politics can be. Varadkar exits the European stage amid a time of flux with European elections looming in June. However, its unlikely hes destined for one of the openings at the top jobs in the EU institutions which follow the elections. It is widely expected, although not completely certain, that the current European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen will be re-elected in her role. Von der Leyen is a member of Fine Gaels European Peoples Party grouping, and the political horse-trading within Europe means the other top job the European Council presidency will go to the Liberal or Centre-Left party. So there isnt room for another EPP candidate in the top job unless the Government here were to nominate him as Irish Commissioner. Mr Varadkar is one of a cohort of young international leaders ushered in from the last decade who once represented the potential for a fresher, more progressive political outlook. Last year, his former counterpart in Finland Sanna Marin who became the worlds youngest premier when she was elected in 2019 aged 34 stepped down as MP and leader of the Social Democrats after her party narrowly lost the election. She was held in high regard on the European stage for the strength of her response to Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and the importance of European unity amid the threat of Russian revanchist policies expanding further over its borders. She joined the Tony Blair Institute as a political advisor. Time to move on, she said. I believe that I can serve voters [in Finland] well and maybe even better in the new assignment. New Zealands Jacinda Ardern was the worlds youngest ever female prime minister when she took the job in 2017 the same year Varadkar became Taoiseach aged 37, but resigned in early 2023 saying she no longer had enough in the tank to do the job. She also cited the desire to spend more time with her family and young daughter who was born while she was in office. Soon after leaving office, she announced she was becoming a trustee of Earthshot Prize, a programme that awards funds to projects aiming to save the planet. Meanwhile, embattled French president Emmanuel Macron at 39 became the youngest French president since Napoleon. A breakaway socialist, he started his own party, En Marche!, in 2017. He won in a resounding victory partly because the alternative was far-right candidate Marine Le Pen, rather than his unabashed pro-EU, liberal policies. In his acceptance speech, he admitted a similar win against Le Pen in 2022 was to stop the far right rather than a vote of confidence in his presidency. Leo Varadkars legacy on the European stage will be seen as a continuation of years of constructive participation on most EU matters and in leading the Irish position against successive difficult and then belligerent UK governments under May, Johnson, and Truss during Brexit. But those days are a distant memory amid the urgency across Europe to act fast to prevent Russia making any more gains across Ukraine. In an address to the Spanish people, defence minister Margarita Robles said: I feel that we arent aware of the enormous danger that exists at present. Europe has to acknowledge that danger is very near, its not hypothetical. Here, Irelands voice appears more muted. This weeks summit focuses on defence and security with the president of the European Council calling for Europe to switch to a war economy. Leo Varadkar caused an unexpected earthquake in Irish politics with the abrupt announcement of his resignation as Taoiseach and leader of Fine Gael. Mr Varadkar didnt settle into his second period as Taoiseach with the same assured ease that marked his first tenure from 2017-2020. He often appeared distracted and, just last week, there were reports that he was not embracing the St Patricks Day visit to the White House with his usual energy and focus. While the decision was a surprise, taking a step back, there have been subtle signposts for many months. Mr Varadkar has been on the national political stage for 17 years. A politician of enormous intellect, he showed early promise when he was first elected in 2007 and he emerged as a straight-talking and ambitious high-flyer. He served a short political apprenticeship in the Fine Gael backbenches, before being appointed to Cabinet by Enda Kenny in 2011. Mr Varadkars performances as a minister are mixed, his early terms in transport and health were severely constrained by the economic crisis, and he was ill-suited ideologically to social protection. However, he developed a reputation for policy competence, ability, and strong communication skills. His keen political nous and organisational skills were showcased when he triumphed, almost on the first morning, at the 2017 Fine Gael leadership election. Mr Varadkar comfortably defeated Simon Coveney and was elected as Taoiseach on June 27, 2017. Leaders of major parties can be evaluated in three broad areas: In public office (Taoiseach), as managers of their parties interests and operations, and as campaigners. Leo Varadkar gets a mixed report card. He has some highly significant achievements as Taoiseach, and he listed several in his resignation speech. There is no denying Varadkars careful stewardship of the State through the most challenging early period of the pandemic. His profile as an international statesman was earned through his confident and creative leadership on Brexit, the generosity of the Irish response in welcoming 100,000 Ukrainian citizens to Ireland after the Russian invasion, and in his advocacy for the plight of the Palestinian people. In his last week as Taoiseach, he brought uncomfortable truths to the American political elite about their enabling of atrocity in Gaza. It is a difficult thing to highlight unpopular truth to a friend and ally, all the more so when that state is the most powerful in the world. However, there are also grave problems that endured throughout his premiership most notably the housing crisis. The acute shortage of houses will persist for another decade, and its legacy will have pronounced impacts for generations. As a manager of his party, Mr Varadkar developed a reputation for being available to speak with colleagues at all levels. He had an inclusive approach to party management and he carried out important groundwork on candidate selection, including attracting more female candidates. He was an engaged party manager, but he leaves a troubling vista behind, with one third of incumbent TDs not seeking re-election. While he may have created a slim lifeline for the next party leader to reposition the party and reconnect with voters, the fact that he has taken the decision just two months before important elections creates a near-impossible challenge for his successor. And that leaves his final function as party leader, that of chief election campaigner for Fine Gael. It was expectations about his electoral abilities that led to his resounding selection as party leader, and it is here that his reputation is weakest. Fine Gael secured modest gains at the local and European Parliament elections in 2019, but the party had a dreadful general election in 2020. Varadkars popularity soared after the election because of his excellent pandemic leadership, and the party was eventually returned to Government. Fine Gael and Mr Varadkar were saved a technicolour dissection of the partys electoral problems, but the issues mounted in the background. After more than a decade in power, the party looks tired and it lacks a coherent policy platform that is partially fed by Mr Varadkars own image-reality dichotomy. Mr Varadkar was loudly criticised from the left as a Thatcherite right-winger. He often fed this with his own rhetoric, but the reality of Mr Varadkar in power was of a middle of the road social democrat. Promises of tax cuts, pro-business policy, and an assault on red tape were drowned out as the Government oversaw soaring public spending, massive increases in the social protection budget, and valuable improvements in workers rights. Left-wing critics were never persuaded by the social democratic turn of recent governments, and centre-right Fine Gael supporters were left disappointed. The problems have amplified since covid and are now sitting in the in-tray of the incoming leader. Perhaps the most damming evidence of Fine Gael floundering is found in the idea that there might not be a contest to become the next party leader and Taoiseach. That the leadership of Fine Gael is not something worth competing for highlights the political fatigue that besets the party. Seeking a fourth term in office is an enormous hurdle for any party, but the world-weariness and lack of enthusiasm must, at least partly, be laid at the door of Mr Varadkar. Nevertheless, he departs the political stage leaving Ireland a prosperous and liberal state in an increasingly uncertain world. Helen McEntee was never interested in the Fine Gael leadership. So she says, at least. The day after Leo Varadkar had created a vacancy for which Ms McEntee had once been tipped as a certainty, the Justice Minister told LMFM yesterday morning that her mind was made up long ago. She told host Michael Reade: This is a decision I suppose I probably made a year or two ago, that if this was to come up in the near future or the immediate future, that its not something that Id be putting myself forward for. However, she was also quick to say that she wasnt ever going to be interested in the leadership of Fine Gael at this time. While it is true that Ms McEntee was never considered to be on maneouvres as such, there is a definite feeling within the party that she is ambitious and would have relished becoming the first female Taoiseach. But for the Meath East TD and another minister who has previously been a contender Simon Coveney the idea of disrupting Simon Harriss coronation was never on the agenda, a sign of how the political cycle had shifted. For Ms McEntee, the last year has seen her go from Mr Harriss equal in the race to be the next Fine Gael leader to being the first minister to endorse him publicly. In February 2022, this newspaper asked every member of the parliamentary party for their view on the next leader and Ms McEntee was only marginally behind her cabinet colleague and soon-to-be Taoiseach. But within the hours of Mr Varadkars decision to stand down, Ms McEntee did not feature in much speculation. One member of the parliamentary party who had previously backed her said that times had changed significantly in the 24 months since that poll. Within Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, there is a sense that Ms McEntee had become too focused on the social aspects of her Justice portfolio and a bill aimed at tackling hate speech has become a handy go-to for criticism of the minister, regardless of the truth. The bill is the first specific legislation that would deal with hate crime in Ireland, and would update existing hate speech laws, which the minister called ineffective and limited, but has attracted mass opposition online, including from X owner Elon Musk. Leo Varadkar stands with party colleagues Hildegarde Naughton, Heather Humphreys, Simon Harris, Simon Coveney, Paschal Donohoe, and Helen McEntee. Picture: Nick Bradshaw/PA The bills mere existence is pointed to as the reason for anything from garda shortages to antisocial behaviour. If it didnt exist, critics say, Ms McEntee would be able to solve those other issues. Indeed a coalition colleague and former Justice Minister Willie ODea said that the public want her to focus more on delivering safe streets than on playing to the woke gallery instead of working on a flawed hate bill. But it was the Dublin riots in November which crystalised that criticism. Amid disquiet over the policing of anti-migrant protests, the stabbing of a five-year-old girl by a foreign national lit the touch paper. However, Ms McEntee was characterised as being absent and aloof, her insistence that Dublin is safe in the days after only serving to raise the ire. One party colleague says that the riots were the moment (Simon) Harris won it, but asked by this writer if she felt they had played a part in her not running, Ms McEntee was adamant they did not and that her decision not to run had predated them, in any case. Even if that is true, Ms McEntee has seen her star wane in the party and in the eyes of the public to the extent that she was not really considered a viable candidate in a pool of just five people. But she is young, she is an active minister, and she has a chance to reverse her political momentum. On the flipside, Simon Coveney on Wednesday admitted that his chance had come and gone. I made a decision quite some time ago that I wouldnt stand in another leadership contest, I had my chance, I wasnt successful the last time, I think theres a lot of talent in the party, he said. Mr Coveney contested the 2017 leadership election that saw Leo Varadkar become Taoiseach but lost despite taking 65% of the votes of ordinary members, losing in the partys electoral college system. He would later become Tanaiste as well as Foreign Affairs Minister and was highly praised for his work during Brexit, but his handling of some issues, most notably the controversy around Katherine Zappones botched appointment as a UN envoy, saw him slip down the internal charts. When his constituency colleague Micheal Martin moved from the Taoiseachs office to the Tanaistes, he took with him the Foreign Affairs portfolio, with Mr Coveney moving to Enterprise, a place where he has found it hard to maintain his profile. But he retained allies within the party and a number of Harris supporters on Wednesday said that their first loyalty would have been with the Corkman had he decided to run. While the two senior ministers might now wonder what Taoiseach Harris has in store for them, Ms McEntee may look at Mr Coveneys example and wonder if her chance has gone too. Deals on two of the largest Munster region industrial lettings in recent years, totalling over 250,000sq ft, have been scored by rival business parks in Corks Little Island. The lettings include one to an expanding company Munters, which specialises in cooling equipment for data centres, while the other is to logistics and freight firm Crane Worldwide. Munters is set to move into the 129,077sq ft Unit 7A/7B, Anchor Business Park, Little Island. Munters acquired Carrigaline-based firm EDPAC two years ago for a sum of 29m and specialises in data centre cooling solutions, close control, air handling, and heat recovery systems. Already strong in North America, the acquisition and move to a larger premises in Cork allows the Swedish-based Munters to expand further into Europe along with its burgeoning data centre sector. The company currently operates in 30 countries. Unit 1 Harbour Gate Business Park - Lisney The major Munters deal brings the Anchor Business Park close to full occupation, according to letting agent Philip Horgan with Cushman & Wakefield. Mr Horgan said it is one of the very largest in the industrial and logistics sectors, in the greater Cork region, in recent years. The building being taken on by Munters, No 7A/7B is expected to be handed over by the end of this year/Q4 2024. Its very practically on a size par with another just concluded 128,000sq ft letting, via agent Ed Hanafin of Lisney, of Unit 1 at Harbour Gate Business Park also in Little Island. On an 8.4 acre site, it was just taken over by expanding logistics firm Crane Worldwide - which closes out the entire 200,000sq ft Harbour Gate Business Park. Other occupiers at Harbour Gate include CEVA Logistics and ProSys. The Industrial and Logistics (I&L) sector has had a strong couple of years, underpinned by robust occupier demand and solid rental growth, commented Cushman & Wakefields Philip Horgan. Mr Horgan added that this is evidenced at Anchor Business Park as it is all but fully let. Buildings here have a clear internal height of 14m, are built to a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (Leed) silver accreditation and an A-rated BER standard. Meanwhile, global transport and logistics company Kuehne+Nagel which is headquartered in Switzerland has leased Unit 4 at the Anchor Park, which extends to 75,600sq ft. In Ireland since 1996, and with a presence in Cork, Galway and Dublin, Kuehne+Nagel operates internationally across 1,300 locations as a key player in sea and air freight worldwide. Also based in Anchor Business Park is the PFH Technology Group (PFH), recently acquired by Ricoh Europe, and occupiers of Unit 5 which is close to 40,000sq ft. IT solutions providers PFH, leaders in the business, also have offices in the nearby Eastgate Business Park as well as in Dublin and Galway. Separately, there is a letting agreed on the 33,600sq ft Unit 6, which is currently under construction. The contracts are due to be exchanged in the coming weeks, with an expected completion date in early Q4 2024. The two major occupier deals involving Munters and Crane Worldwide bring the wider Little Island area closer to near full-development state, with few undeveloped sites remaining. Among them is one redevelopment site acquired by the JCD Group where a third party appeal to An Bord Pleanala has just been lifted close to a data centre site also being developed by the JCD Group. However, its intended occupier has not yet been revealed. FOR MORE DETAILS: Contact Cushman & Wakefield on 021-4275454 or visit their website www.cushmanwakefield.com; Call Lisney Estate Agents on 021-4275079, email them at dublin@lisney.com, or visit their website www.lisney.com. Nestled in the heart of Bellaghy, County Derry, Seamus Heaney HomePlace is a purpose-built arts and literary centre, which celebrates the life and work of the late poet and Nobel Laureate, Seamus Heaney, and invites visitors on an immersive journey through the life and works of one of Ireland's most beloved poets. With its rich tapestry of exhibition space, events, and captivating landscapes, HomePlace offers a unique and unforgettable experience for literature enthusiasts and casual visitors alike. Engage with interactive displays, audiovisual presentations and headsets containing Seamus himself reading his poetry. Exploring the life and legacy At Seamus Heaney HomePlace, visitors are transported into the poetic world of Seamus Heaney. The award-winning exhibition provides a comprehensive insight into Heaney's life, from his upbringing in rural Northern Ireland to his rise as one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century. Through a captivating blend of poetry, photographs, and personal artifacts, visitors gain a deep understanding of the influences that shaped Heaney's literary genius. Step into the immersive world of Seamus Heaney's poetry with the thoughtfully curated exhibition. From his early works like Digging and Mid-Term Break to later poems such as Anahorish and Two Lorries, each part of the exhibition offers a glimpse into the poet's profound connection to his homeland and the universal themes that resonate with readers worldwide. Engage with interactive displays, audiovisual presentations and handsets containing Seamus himself reading his poetry bringing his words to life in vibrant detail. While much of Seamus Heaneys writing is inspired by words and ways of life specific to this area, his human relationships and household objects, which are brought to the fore in the exhibition, are familiar to many. This creates a deeply personal visitor experience. Open Ground: Exploring Nature and Literature Venture beyond the exhibition and the building and explore the breathtaking landscapes that inspired Seamus Heaney's poetry. Open Ground invites visitors to immerse themselves in the beauty of this countryside, from the tranquil banks of Lough Beg to the winding pathways along the Moyola River. Experience connection between nature and literature as you walk in the footsteps of one of Ireland's greatest writers. In Open Ground you will discover places that shaped Seamus Heaneys life and literature Toomebridge, Magherafelt, Moyola River, Lough Beg and Bellaghy Bawn and discover the smells, sights and sounds that make his poetry so uniquely of this place. Heaneys roots were in the Bellaghy area and many of his poems are equally rooted in these places. Throughout his career, he regularly drew upon the loughs, rivers and bogs he visited in his formative years. Many of these places are unchanged since the time Heaney wrote about them, allowing you to see each for yourself through the poets eyes. Experience Heaneys work in the context in which it was inspired and see how the places of Open Ground are reflected in his writing. Time and again, visitors including those who may not have been familiar with Heaneys work beforehand express that their journey through HomePlace stirs unexpectedly vivid and heartfelt emotions. Located amidst the picturesque countryside of County Derry, Seamus Heaney HomePlace offers a retreat for literary enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. Whether you're embarking on a solo pilgrimage or planning a group excursion, our visitor amenities ensure a seamless and enjoyable experience. Explore our gift shop for unique souvenirs, indulge in delectable refreshments at our onsite cafe, or simply enjoy the tranquility of your surroundings. Visitors enjoy retracing poet Seamus Heaneys roots in the Bellaghy area. His poetry regularly drew upon the loughs, rivers and bogs he visited in his formative years. Arts programme The arts programme at Seamus Heaney HomePlace offers a rich tapestry of cultural experiences, bringing literature, music, and performance to life in the heart of Bellaghy. From captivating poetry readings to stirring musical performances, the arts programme celebrates the creative spirit of Seamus Heaney and his enduring legacy. All year round, visitors immerse themselves in a diverse range of events, including poetry recitals, storytelling sessions, and live music concerts. Renowned poets, musicians, and artists grace our stage, offering audiences the opportunity to engage with the arts in a unique and meaningful way. In addition to showcasing established artists, HomePlace is committed to nurturing emerging talents through collaborative projects with a wide range of arts focused organisations. These opportunities offer a platform for aspiring artists to share their work with an appreciative audience. The arts programme at HomePlace invites you to explore the power of creativity and the enduring impact of Seamus Heaney's legacy on the artistic landscape of Ireland and beyond. Seamus Heaney HomePlace is a purpose-built arts and literary centre in Bellaghy, County Derry. Join us at Seamus Heaney HomePlace Join us on this enriching journey as we celebrate the life, legacy, and enduring spirit of one of Ireland's greatest literary icons. Whether you're a lifelong admirer of Seamus Heaney or simply seeking inspiration amidst the beauty of his literature, HomePlace provides you wish the warmest of welcomes. Book your experience today Plan your visit to Seamus Heaney HomePlace today and discover the magic of Seamus Heaneys poetry in its first place. With a captivating exhibition and inspiring landscapes awaiting, there's never been a better time to immerse yourself in the world of Seamus Heaney. Visit our website www.seamusheaneyhome.com or contact us directly on 02879387444 to reserve your spot and experience the essence of Irish literature firsthand. President Vladimir Putin has thanked Russians for casting ballots in a presidential vote in which he cemented his grip on the country for another six years after the harshest crackdown on dissent since Soviet times. Any public criticism of Mr Putin or his war in Ukraine has been stifled, independent media have been crippled, Mr Putins fiercest political foe, Alexei Navalny, died in an Arctic prison last month and other opposition activists are either in jail or in exile. Western leaders denounced the election as a sham. Speaking in a video address following the announcement of the final results of the March 15-17 election which showed him winning 87% of the votes, Mr Putin argued that it reflected strong public backing of his policies. It means support for the countrys political and economic course, our common achievements that, of course, should be even greater but even now make Russia stronger and more independent It means support for the countrys political and economic course, our common achievements that, of course, should be even greater but even now make Russia stronger and more independent, he said. The Central Election Commission on Thursday released the final official results of the balloting, which showed Mr Putin getting more than 76 million votes, the largest number in his nearly quarter-century rule. His three token rivals from Kremlin-friendly parties who backed Mr Putins policies each received 3% to 4% of the vote. In addition to there being little choice, no independent monitoring organisations were able to observe the election and analysts said online polling meant it was highly susceptible to manipulation. While Mr Putins landslide victory was never in doubt, many Russians still attempted to defy the preordained outcome, heeding a call by Mr Navalnys associates to protest against Mr Putins repression at home and his war in Ukraine by showing up at polling stations at noon on Sunday. Lines outside a number of polling stations both inside Russia and at its embassies around the world swelled at that time. Mr Putin has led Russia as president or prime minister since December 1999, a tenure marked by international military aggression and increasing intolerance of dissent. At the end of his fifth term, Mr Putin would be the longest-serving Russian leader since Catherine the Great, who ruled during the 18th century. The German parliament has welcomed its first deaf legislator, who took her place in a moment that the houses speaker described as historic. Heike Heubach, 44, narrowly missed out on a seat in parliaments lower house, or Bundestag, in Germanys 2021 election. But she joined the house this week as the replacement for Uli Grotsch, a fellow member of Chancellor Olaf Scholzs centre-left Social Democrats from Bavaria, who took a newly created job as an independent commissioner for police issues. Today we are actually writing history, if I may say so Ms Heubach, who has a background as an industrial manager, was welcomed with applause and with raised, waving hands by her fellow legislators. Today we are actually writing history, if I may say so, speaker Barbel Bas told parliament. We have the first deaf lawmaker who will work here for her constituency. A sign language interpreter stood next to the podium to interpret for Ms Heubach when she initially took a place in the front row, German news agency dpa reported. She later moved to a row further back, with two interpreters sitting in front of her to convey speeches. Ms Heubach will have a fixed place in the plenary hall, unlike most other legislators, according to the Bundestags administration, with interpreters located near her to interpret speeches and her questions. When she makes speeches herself, an interpreter with a microphone will have a place next to the Bundestags stenographers to interpret for other legislators. United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken says the gaps are narrowing in indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas over another ceasefire and hostage release that the US, Egypt and Qatar have spent several weeks trying to broker. Mr Blinkens sixth visit to the region since the start of the Israel-Hamas war began in Saudi Arabia before going to Egypt on Thursday with a stop in Israel planned for Friday. In an interview with the Al-Hadath network in Saudi Arabia, Mr Blinken said the mediators worked with Israel to put a strong proposal on the table. He said Hamas rejected it, but came back with other demands that the mediators are working on. The gaps are narrowing, and I think an agreement is very much possible, Mr Blinken said. An Israeli army bulldozer is seen near the Gaza Strip border (Ohad Zwigenberg/AP) The Health Ministry in Gaza raised the territorys death toll on Thursday to nearly 32,000 Palestinians. The ministry does not differentiate between civilians and combatants in its count but says women and children make up two-thirds of the dead. A United Nations food agency warned that famine is imminent in northern Gaza. Palestinian militants killed some 1,200 people in the surprise October 7 attack out of Gaza that triggered the war, and abducted another 250 people. Hamas is still believed to be holding some 100 people hostage, as well as the remains of 30 others. The draft resolution also unequivocally supports ongoing international diplomatic efforts to secure such a ceasefire in connection with the release of all remaining hostages. The previous US draft would have unequivocally supported diplomatic efforts to establish an immediate and sustained ceasefire as part of a deal that releases the hostages. It was not widely supported in the 15-member council where 13 members had voted in favour of an Arab-backed resolution demanding an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza that the US vetoed on February 20. Parachutes drop supplies into the northern Gaza Strip, as seen from southern Israel (Leo Correa/AP) The new US draft states in strong language that the Security Council determines the imperative of an immediate and sustained ceasefire, with no direct link to the release of hostages taken during Hamas surprise attack on Israel on October 7. US deputy ambassador Robert Wood told reporters who asked Thursday when a vote would take place: We would like to do it as soon as possible maybe before the end of the week. We think it is a good text. Everyone should be able to get behind it, Mr Wood said. And were going to continue to work to the last minute to make sure that we get as many votes as possible. Meanwhile, the 10 elected members of the Security Council have been drafting their own resolution which would demand an immediate humanitarian ceasefire for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan which began on March 10 respected by all parties leading to a permanent sustainable ceasefire. It also demands the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. Former US president Donald Trumps lawyers kept pressing an appellate court to excuse him from covering a 454 million US dollar fraud lawsuit judgment for now, saying he would suffer irreparable harm before his appeal is decided. The financial requirement is patently unjust, unreasonable and unconstitutional, one of the presumptive Republican presidential nominees lawyers, Clifford Robert, wrote in a letter to a New York appeals court. It is the latest in a flurry of arguments and counterarguments that Mr Trumps lawyers and New York state lawyers are making ahead of Monday, when state Attorney General Letitia James can start taking steps to collect the massive sum, unless the appeals court intervenes. Mr Trumps lawyers want the court to hold off collection, without requiring him to post a bond or otherwise cover the nine-figure judgment, while he appeals the outcome of his recent civil business fraud trial. A judge ruled that Mr Trump, his company and key executives deceived bankers and insurers by producing financial statements that hugely overstated his fortune. The defendants deny the claims. The judge ordered Mr Trump to pay 355 million US dollars in penalties, plus interest that already has pushed the total over 454 million US dollars and is growing daily. New York attorney general Letitia James (Brittainy Newman/AP) That does not count money that some co-defendants were ordered to pay. Appealing does not, in itself, halt collection. But Mr Trump would automatically get such a reprieve if he puts up money, assets or an appeal bond covering what he owes. The presumptive Republican nominees lawyers said earlier this week that he could not find anyone willing to issue a bond for the huge amount. They added that underwriters insisted on cash, stocks or other liquid assets instead of real estate as collateral and wanted 120% of the judgment, or more than 557 million US dollars. Mr Trumps company would still need to have cash left over to run the business, his lawyers have noted. Lawyers for Ms James, a Democrat, maintained in a filing that Mr Trump could explore other options. Among the states suggestions: dividing the total among multiple bonds from different underwriters, or letting a court hold some of the former presidents property empire while he appeals. Mr Robert, Mr Trumps lawyer, said in his letter that the divide-and-bond strategy would not make a difference because it still would require 557 million US dollars in liquid assets as collateral. Having a court hold real estate during the appeal is impractical and unjust and essentially amounts to what a court-appointed monitor already has been doing, Mr Robert wrote. Making Mr Trump cover the judgment in full would cause irreparable harm, Mr Robert added. A message seeking comment was sent to Ms James office. Mr Trump called the bond requirement crazy, in capital letters, in a post on his Truth Social platform. If I sold assets, and then won the appeal, the assets would be forever gone, he wrote. Algeria will hold its next election on September 7, giving first-term president Abdelmajid Tebboune more than five months to campaign for a second term to lead the oil-rich north African nation. Mr Tebbounes office announced the date in a statement after meeting with a group that included high-ranking members of Parliament and the constitutional court as well as its independent election authority. Only Zoubida Assoul of the Union for Change and Progress has come forward to challenge Mr Tebboune in his quest for a second term leading the country of 44 million people which is facing mounting political and economic challenges. The announcement took the nation by surprise as elections in Algeria had been expected to take place in December 2024, raising speculation among observers about the rationale for the change. Ms Assoul, a 67-year-old lawyer, is best known for defending political prisoners and said three weeks ago in her announcement that she was running because she felt confident in the possibility of changing the course of things. Algerias President Abdelmajid Tebboune gives a press conference (Fateh Guidoum/AP) The ballot in September will be the first since the 78-year-old military-backed leader ascended to power in 2019. He emerged the winner in a low-turnout election that December in the aftermath of a popular movement that led to his predecessors resignation. Activists boycotted the vote and stormed polling stations to protest against the election and demand a broader overhaul of the political system. After winning with the backing of a powerful general, Mr Tebboune vowed to meet with protesters and fight the corruption they so despised. He initially freed some jailed youth involved in the Hirak protests but throughout his nearly four-and-a-half-year tenure, Algeria has ramped up punishments both for activists and for members of its once-vibrant free press who criticise the government. Its state spending and the broader economy remain heavily reliant on oil and gas, while inflation, unemployment and food shortages continue to plague its economy, despite a natural gas revenue bump enjoyed at the start of war in Ukraine. A white supremacist prison gang member and an accomplice were in custody in the US state of Idaho after a brazen attack to free the inmate as he was being transported from a Boise hospital, authorities said. Escaped inmate Skylar Meade, a 31-year-old member of the Aryan Knights gang, and his accomplice Nicholas Umphenour fled the scene early Wednesday morning and were arrested 2pm on Thursday in Twin Falls, authorities said. Police throughout the region were looking for both men. Meade was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2017 for shooting at a sheriffs sergeant during a high-speed chase. Authorities said they were alerted of the attack at 2.15am on Wednesday as Idaho Department of Corrections officers prepared to bring Meade back to prison from Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Centre in Boise, where they had taken him after he injured himself, officials said. Meade had been imprisoned at Idaho Maximum Security Institution in Kuna, about 12 miles south of Boise. Police said Nicholas Umphenour is suspected of shooting two corrections officers during Wednesdays ambush in the ambulance bay at Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Centre. Nicholas Umphenour is suspected as helping in the escape (Boise Police Department/AP) A warrant with a two million US dollars bond has been issued for his arrest on two charges of aggravated battery against law enforcement and one charge of aiding and abetting an escape, police said. He and Meade drove off early on Wednesday after the shooting in a grey 2020 Honda Civic with Idaho plates. The car was later located near Leeland, Idaho. Officials described Meade, 31, as a white supremacist gang member. Three prison officers were shot and wounded during the attack, two allegedly by Umphenour and one by responding police. One officer shot by the suspect was in critical but stable condition, police said, while the second wounded officer had serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The third injured officer also sustained non-life-threatening injuries when a responding officer, incorrectly believing the gunman was still in the emergency room and seeing an armed person near the entrance, opened fire. This brazen, violent, and apparently coordinated attack on Idaho Department of Corrections personnel, to facilitate an escape of a dangerous inmate, was carried out right in front of the Emergency Department, where people come for medical help, often in the direst circumstances, Boise Police Chief Ron Winegar said in a written statement. The Aryan Knights formed in the mid-1990s in Idahos prison system to organise criminal activity for a select group of white people in custody, as well as outside prison walls, according to the US attorneys office in the district of Idaho. In 2021, a man described as a leader in the group was sentenced to life in prison for his role in a plot to traffic drugs behind bars and use violence to collect unpaid debts. In a court filing ahead of Harlan Hales sentencing, federal prosecutors described the Aryan Knights as a scourge within the states prison system that drains its resources. The hate-fuelled gang engages in many types of criminal activity and casts shadows of intimidation, addiction, and violence over prison life, prosecutors wrote. Thursday, Mar 21st, 2024 (12:02 am) - Score 800 A new survey of residents in housing schemes across Hastings (East Sussex), which was jointly conducted by altnet ISP Lightning Fibre, the Orbit Housing Association and the Complete Technology Group, has revealed a stark lack of awareness of what full fibre broadband is (51% had little to no understanding and 87% of residents wanted to learn more about it). The results represent the first phase of the companies joint Connecting Customers initiative, which has been designed to improve digital inclusivity. The initiative also corroborates Ofcoms findings that many UK households remain unaware of Social Tariffs (available to those on state benefits) and have little knowledge of alternative providers offering faster speeds at lower costs. As part of the programme, CTG provides residents with generic information on Full Fibre. If the resident would like further information, they can follow up with any supporting ISPs available in their building, and the resident also has opportunity to receive a voucher towards living costs from CTG, on connection to Full Fibre. In addition, Orbit customers can also benefit from its Better Days Programme, which offers free universal services to every customer, designed to support financial inclusion, mental wellbeing, employment and skills and digital support. Jack Packman, Orbit Regional Place Manager South, said: Whilst people are facing incredibly challenging cost-of-living choices, having access to reliable and robust internet access for work, education and access to digital services such as banking and health is essential for our customers. This collaboration helps to raise awareness of the availability, reliability and affordability of Full Fibre and digital connectivity, and deliver social value for our communities. The press release doesnt offer much detail on the survey results or say how many residents were involved, although the issues around low awareness of full fibre (FTTP) broadband technology are already quite well understood, but tackling it is going to take time. Speaking of which, Ofcom recently finalised new guidelines (here) that will effectively only allow broadband ISPs to use terms like fibre and full-fibre if their network brings fibre optic cables all the way to your home (FTTP/B), which should help to end over a decade of abuse (e.g. ISPs describing slower hybrid-fibre connections like FTTC as being fibre broadband). But this wont be introduced until later in 2024. 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. Today Thunderstorms likely. High around 65F. Winds ENE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Tonight Cloudy. Low 51F. Winds light and variable. Tomorrow Sun and a few passing clouds. High 73F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. (Photo : Unsplash/Jonny Gios ) French regulators announced on Wednesday a two hundred seventy-two million dollars fine against Google's violation of commitments related to compensating media companies for the reproduction of their content online and for utilizing their material for its AI chatbot without prior notification. Google's Violation of Media Companies' Commitment Google committed to engaging in fair negotiations with French news organizations in 2022, following a 500-million-euro fine imposed by the Competition Authority from a long-running dispute. An organization representing French magazines, newspapers, and Agence France-Presse (AFP) filed a case in 2019, requiring the U.S. tech giant to offer newsgroups transparent payment terms within three months of receiving a copyright complaint. However, the regulator imposed a new fine on Google on Wednesday for failing to adhere to four of the seven commitments made in 2022 and not negotiating in good faith with news publishers. The U.S. tech giant utilized press agencies' content to train Bard, an artificial intelligence platform now known as Gemini, without informing them or the authority prior. According to the regulator, Google's failure to offer publishers and news agencies a technical solution to object to using their content hindered their ability to negotiate remuneration. READ ALSO: Nvidia Faces Lawsuit for Allegedly Using Copyrighted Materials to Train AI NeMo Without Permission In response to the shortcomings identified by the authority, the watchdog said that Google had agreed not to dispute the facts as part of the settlement process and had proposed a series of corrective measures instead. Google Settling Fines to Move On Google stated that the fine was disproportionate and did not adequately consider their efforts to address and resolve the concerns raised "in an environment where it is tough to set a course because we cannot predict which way the wind will blow next." Google said it settled because it is time to move on, highlighting that it had signed many licensing agreements with 280 French news publishers under the European Copyright Directive. The Neighboring Rights In 2019, the EU introduced a form of copyright known as "neighboring rights," enabling print media to seek compensation for using their content. France has served as a test case for the EU rules. After initial resistance, both Google and Facebook eventually agreed to compensate some French media for articles displayed in web searches. Marina Ferrari, the French government's secretary of state for digital affairs, emphasized that reliable, sourced, and trustworthy information is invaluable but comes with a cost, as the Competition Authority reminded Google today. Pierre Louette, former head of AFP and current chief executive at newspaper group Le Parisien-Les Echos, suggested that it would be preferable to provide publishers with even higher fair remuneration rather than continuing to pay the state fines. Google Pushing for Greater Clarity on Media Guidelines Google mentioned that since the law took effect, the absence of clear regulatory guidance and multiple enforcement actions have complicated negotiations with publishers. The tech company also emphasized the need for more precise guidelines on which media it should compensate, given the diverse range of publishers, from general news outlets to specialized publications or comparison sites. Google stated it is time for greater clarity on who and how payments should be made to foster a more sustainable business environment for all parties involved. Other European Union countries have similarly confronted Google regarding news content. Last year, Spain's competition watchdog investigated Google for suspected anti-competitive behaviors impacting news agencies and press publications. RELATED ARTICLE: Microsoft Files Motion to Dismiss NYT's Infringement Lawsuit, Calling It "Unsubstantiated" Using Deceptive Prompts 2017 Jobs & Hire All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. China's homegrown hydrogen-powered train completes test run at 160 km/h Global Times) 15:47, March 21, 2024 Photo: courtesy of CRRC China's homegrown hydrogen-powered train successfully completed a test run at full speed in Changchun, Northeast Chinas Jilin Province on Thursday, the Global Times learned from CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles Co. The train, which reached a speed of 160 kilometers per hour, marked a new breakthrough in hydrogen energy use in the rail transportation sector. It will advance China's independence in high-end railway equipment making and accelerate the building of new quality productive forces. Unlike traditional trains that rely on fossil fuel or overhead wires as their power source, this hydrogen-powered train has an onboard hydrogen power system that provides sustainable and efficient energy. The train's energy consumption was measured at 5 kilowatt-hours per kilometer, meeting international standards and showcasing good energy efficiency. It utilizes a hybrid power supply system with multiple energy storage and hydrogen systems, as well as a hydrogen-electric hybrid energy management strategy developed by CRRC Changchun. The integration of different systems significantly improves energy efficiency, flexibility, and reliability, and the maximum range can reach over 1,000 kilometers. CRRC Changchun conducted various tests on the train's key components, as well as its energy consumption, reliability, traction, braking, and dynamics at different speed levels. The tests have proved that the train can operate between -25 C and 35 C temperatures, and that it meets the design requirements. Hydrogen-powered trains are clean, easy to maintain, quick to build, and require a smaller initial investment. It can operate at fast speeds, high capacity, and integrates smart safety features which is ideal to connect city hubs, said CRRC Chuangchun. The success of the test run comes as China is accelerating the development of hydrogen energy with specific plans in place. In total 22 Chinese provinces have included hydrogen energy in their government work reports, Chinese media outlet Jiemian reported. South China's Guangdong Province plans to accelerate the production, storage, transportation, refueling, and manufacturing of hydrogen fuel cell equipment for low-carbon industrial applications. East China's Zhejiang Province plans to build 50 hydrogen refueling stations by 2025. Sales of hydrogen fueled vehicles in China reached 5,800 units in 2023, a 72 percent increase from the previous year. December saw a record-breaking monthly sale of 1,500 units, up 149.1 percent year-on-year. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) CAPTURING ISTANBUL'S TIMELESS ESSENCE: SANASARYAN HAN, A LUXURY COLLECTION HOTEL, ISTANBUL, DEBUTS WITH DISTINCT ELEGANCE (Turkey) Urban haven welcomes global explorers to an immersive sojourn of discovery, authentic hospitality, and thoughtful design. CAPTURING ISTANBUL'S TIMELESS ESSENCE: SANASARYAN HAN, A LUXURY COLLECTION HOTEL, ISTANBUL, DEBUTS WITH DISTINCT ELEGANCE (Turkey) Urban haven welcomes global explorers to an immersive sojourn of discovery, authentic hospitality, and thoughtful design. Turkey - Industry economy - Hotel opening This is a press release Category: Middle East This is a press release selected by our editorial committee and published online for free on 2024-03-21 Sanasaryan Han, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Istanbul, situated in the heart of Istanbuls historical peninsula. Istanbul, renowned as a captivating intersection of East and West, is a dynamic metropolis, home to historical landmarks, iconic monuments, and a rich culinary heritage. Nestled in the charming Old Town district, Sanasaryan Han is an urban sanctuary, providing a luxurious respite from the vibrant city streets. "We take pride in introducing The Luxury Collection to Istanbul, a city renowned as an international hub for both commerce and culture," said Philipp Weghmann, Vice President and Global Brand Leader of The Luxury Collection. "Sanasaryan Han, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Istanbul, marks a fitting entrance for our esteemed collection, encapsulating the essence of this historic city and embodying the adventurous spirit of global explorers through dynamic design and curated experiences." Originally constructed in 1895, the neo-classical structure seamlessly blends the opulent grandeur of the Old City with Istanbuls cultural heritage. Designed by Ottoman architect Hovsep Aznavur and commissioned by philanthropist Migirdic Sanasaryan, the hotel is conveniently located steps away from treasured landmarks such as the Spice and Grand Bazaar, the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and the district of Karakoy. The property has undergone a meticulous restoration, honouring its heritage with a curated collection of artifacts and antiques waiting to be discovered. In the light-filled atrium, a grand chandelier takes centre stage above elegant warm furnishings and large arched mirrors. A quiet, carefully curated space housing a library of books and relics draws inspiration from the propertys storied past of supporting education foundations. Displays of handmade ceramic parchment with drawings and paintings are housed in modern glass cases alongside contemporary art installations. The hotel also features a striking collection of monochromatic photographs by Harun Dogan exhibited throughout, capturing the timeless allure of the city. Soft, elegant design features flow through the 63 guestrooms, including 6 suites with sweeping views of Istanbul framed by grand Ottoman arched windows. The hotels personalised concerige service ensures that each guests preferences are thoughtfully considered at every turn. The guestrooms are artfully designed with a distinctive palette of black and cream, complimented by accents of marble and turquoise furnishings. Handcrafted copper accessories pay homage to traditional Turkish customs, while local postcards add a touch of local charm. The spacious bathrooms are inspired by ancient Turkish hammams providing a place of serenity. Tea, a time-honoured tradition in the city, is celebrated at Sanasaryan Han, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Istanbul with each guestroom featuring a Turkish tea set curated by the hotels Tea Master, inviting guests to savour aromatic tea in traditional glass cups. The hotel invites guests to discover Turkiyes rich culinary traditions with a distinctive restaurant and a bar that authentically showcase the styles and presentations of the destination's cuisine. Sini, inspired by the vibrant streets of Istanbul, offers a fine dining experience that celebrates traditional dishes, such as a refined Simit bagel to Lakerda and a signature fish dish infused with Mediterranean herbs served in a glass canister. The Library Bar is a lively space that hosts weekly thespian events, expressing culture through various art forms such as poem readings, book presentations, and live performances. The gatherings are accompanied by exquisite cocktails and aromatic tea tastings presented by the hotels Tea Master, who educates guests on the history, flavours, and stories of teas from around the world. The Book Meeting Room serves as a venue for both business meetings and elegant social events for up to 80 guests. Featuring high ceilings and an abundance of natural light illuminating the foyer, the flexible space provides a beautiful backdrop for unforgettable moments. Istanbul is one of the worlds most popular travel destinations and we are proud to showcase the history, culture and traditions for global explorers and collectors to immerse themselves in the citys soul, experiencing it like true locals, said Volkan Ozturkler, Multi-Property General Manager, Sanasaryan Han, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Istanbul. We look forward to welcoming guests who seek a journey that is both transformative and unforgettable when they come to the heart of Istanbul. In celebration of the opening, Sanasaryan Han, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Istanbul, has curated the Istanbul package for Marriott Bonvoy members. The package includes a traditional Turkish breakfast, a photographic walking map for city exploration, exclusive tea tasting sessions led by the hotels Tea Master, a private tour of the Spice Bazaar, and an additional 10,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per stay. About The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts The Luxury Collection is comprised of world-renowned hotels and resorts offering unique, authentic experiences that evoke lasting, treasured memories. For the global explorer, The Luxury Collection offers a gateway to the world's most exciting and desirable destinations. Each hotel and resort is a unique and cherished expression of its location; a portal to the destination's charms and treasures. Originated in 1906 under the CIGA brand as a collection of Europe's most celebrated and iconic properties, today The Luxury Collection brand is a glittering ensemble of over 110 of the world's finest hotels and resorts in nearly 40 countries and territories. All of these hotels, many of them centuries old, are internationally recognized as being among the world's finest. The Luxury Collection is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments and unparalleled benefits including free nights and Elite status recognition. About Marriott Bonvoy Marriott Bonvoys extraordinary portfolio offers renowned hospitality in the most memorable destinations in the world, with over 30 brands that are tailored to every type of journey. From The Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis to W Hotels and more, Marriott Bonvoy has more luxury offerings than any other travel program. Members can earn points for stays at hotels and resorts, including all-inclusive resorts and premium home rentals, and through everyday purchases with co-branded credit cards. Members can redeem their points for experiences including future stays, Marriott Bonvoy Moments, or through partners for luxurious products from Marriott Bonvoy Boutiques. [ Sanasaryan Han, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Istanbul ] [Website of the company which publishes this press release] Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) The vote in the Canadian parliament this week to halt new arms exports to Israel is of great symbolic importance in ways that may not be apparent on the surface. The measure called for no new arms and military technology transfers to Israel, for support for the International Court of Justice (which is investigating Israel for genocide), and for sanctions on Israeli squatters on Palestinian land in the occupied West Bank. The nonbinding resolution, which Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said her government would abide by, was spearheaded by the New Democratic Party. The NDP is a small social democratic party headed by Jagmeet Singh, a Sikh Canadian and the first Indo-Canadian to head a national party. It has 25 seats in a parliament of 338. The ruling Liberal Party is in coalition with the NDP and needs its support. In parliamentary systems, if the largest party doesnt quite have a majority, it seeks a partner to get its vote count to 51% so that it can rule and reliably pass legislation. That arrangement gives the smaller party enormous sway, since if it walks away from the deal, the government falls and there are new elections. The NDP website quoted NDP Foreign Affairs Critic Heather McPherson as saying last week before the vote: New Democrats have been calling for a ceasefire for nearly six months but the horror in Gaza continues, and we are further away from peace and an end to occupation than we have ever been. At least thirteen thousand Palestinian children have been killed in a war that the International Court of Justice says might be genocide and Canada does nothing to stop it. The children of Gaza are traumatized and starving to death. These children are not Hamas. She said the party has received half a million messages from Canadians upset about the way Israel is prosecuting its war on Gaza. She isnt wrong. Already last November a poll showed that 71% of Canadians wanted a ceasefire in Gaza. And among young Canadians 18-34, about half see Israel as a state with segregation similar to Apartheid. So the NDP are not leftist outliers on this issue. They represent a supermajority of the Canadian public on this issue. It is the Liberals and the conservative parties who are out of step. At one political event in February, Singh deplored Islamophobia, anti-Arab racism and antisemitism. He was challenged by a Palestinian Canadian who complained that Singh had not specifically called out anti-Palestinian racism and who also complained about horribly insensitive things outgoing British Columbia minister Selina Robinson had said about Gaza, calling it a crappy piece of land with no one on it. Singh replied, according to The Eyeopener, It was harmful. Theres no question about it. In terms of the Palestinian racism, youre absolutely right. I have often said that, but today, in my response I did not Its not just Islamophobia and antisemitism. But theres very clearly, specifically, what should be deemed as anti-Palestinian racism that exists as well. The NDP motion was modest in its gains. They did get a ban on new arms sales and military technology transfers, on the grounds that Canadian law forbids weapon sales to countries if they might be used contrary to Canadian law. In essence, the vote endorsed the finding of the International Court of Justice on January 26 that a plausible case can be made that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. Hindustan Times Video: NATO Founding Member Halts Arms Supplies To Israel Amid Genocidal War On Gaza | Details Canada only sells Israel on the order of $21 million in arms a year, a tiny amount given that Israels arms purchases are in the billions. Moreover, several key provisions that the NDP had pushed for were dropped, including the Canadian recognition of a Palestinian state, and the suspension of all trade in military goods and technology with Israel. That language, which was modified, would have halted not just new arms transfers but existing arms deals made last fall. The Liberal Party, like the Democratic Party in the United States, has strong commitments to Israel, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly had pushed for even softer language, attempting to continue to allow technology transfers with military implications, but the NDP refused. As it was, three Liberal MPs of a Zionist orientation voted against the measure and say they are reconsidering their future with the party. Some journalists are calling the resolution a nothingburger. They are wrong. An Indo-Canadian voice, sympathetic to Palestinians, was heard in Canada in an unprecedented way. The white Canadian establishment would not have passed this resolution. Further, the Canadian left made its voice heard, forcing the Liberals to take a stand when they really would have preferred not to. Moreover, despite its low-key approach to world affairs, Canada, a country of 40 million, is important. It has the tenth-largest gross domestic product in the world, ahead of Russia, Mexico and South Korea. It is a NATO member. It is much more important than people tend to think. For this reason, the real issue for Israel is not the potential loss of a paltry $21 million in arms this coming year. It is the possibility that other countries will be emboldened by what happened in Ottawa to take the same step. It is the clear conclusion that South Africas case at the International Court of Justice against Israel for genocide is reverberating around the world. And it is the possibility that Jagmeet Singh is the future of Canada and perhaps of a new multicultural North that will be much less sympathetic to the white nationalist project of militant Zionism. By Alastair Bonnett, Newcastle University | Dubais famous Palm Jumeirah is not the only man-made island to have emerged from the sea this century. Over the past 20 years, many islands have been built to accommodate both tourists and well-heeled residents especially in the Arabian Gulf states and China. In an era of sea-level rise and increased storm activity, new islands may seem a risky venture. Yet the desire for a sea view and to put blue water between yourself and the noise, traffic and crime of the mainland is keeping the market buoyant. Residential artificial islands cater for the rich and have serious environmental consequences. But they ride high on big promises. How else to explain the continuing expansion of Eko Atlantic, a complex of islands sprouting off coastal Lagos in Nigeria? Digital. Artificial Islands. Dream / Dreamland v. 3, 2024. Construction firms broke ground on Eko Atlantics boulevards and high-rise apartments in 2009. The city government has recently announced five more artificial islands to open up the city, and claims that the new islands generate and attract wealth and have already created 30,000 direct new jobs, mostly in construction and maintenance. The fashion for island-building shows no signs of abating. But instead of an answer to the desperate need for new housing among people who are set to be displaced by rising seas, new islands are offering yet another distraction for the wealthy. How to build an island As research for my book The Age of Islands, I visited all sorts of new enclaves that have been reclaimed from the sea. I was amazed at how quickly they can be built. In shallow water, creating an island is not technically complex: usually, the sea bed across a wide area is hoovered up and ground down, then sprayed and pummelled into a stable base. Alastair Bonnett In Lagos, the Gulf states and other island-building hotspots like the shores of the Chinese island province of Hainan, developers know their creations must be defended from the sea. Nigeria has the Great Wall of Lagos, a sea barrier containing about 100,000 concrete blocks and rising nine metres above the sea, to protect Eko Atlantic. More modest structures are favoured elsewhere, usually in the form of artificial reefs that are dragged and dropped into place, creating a shield against surging seas. Will any of this be enough? Such barriers provide enough protection long enough to make island-building an economic proposition. But this calculation misses something important: all these islands rely on the mainland thats where they get their energy, water and food. Lagos is a low-lying city and large parts are in danger of flooding. The boulevards of Eko Atlantic wont look so chic if they are marooned. Critics of new islands point to the havoc they cause to coastal and river systems, changing patterns of sediment deposition and erosion and creating silty, warm lagoons that turn living marine environments into dead zones. This is one of the reasons the Chinese government intervened to halt island-building around Hainan. From its shores you can see 11 projects, some in full swing, most paused. Alastair Bonnett The worlds biggest and most spectacular new island, Ocean Flower, is found here. It is shaped like a lotus with scrolling leaves and is already crowded with apartment blocks and outlandish architecture, including European-style castles, grandiose hotels and amusement parks. The plan was to have 28 museums, 58 hotels and the worlds largest conference centre. Even in the hyperbolic world of island building, it sounds extreme. The developer, Evergrande, is now in financial trouble and 39 residential towers on Ocean Flower have been deemed to have flouted environmental and planning regulations and ordered to be demolished. Boom-and-bust cycles would appear to plague new islands. But these tales shouldnt mislead us into thinking this is an ailing industry. The financial incentives remain enormous and island makers are an adaptive breed. Alastair Bonnett Floating for a few Floating islands have come to the fore recently: anchored platforms whose construction does not involve scraping away the seabed, making them less disruptive to the marine environment. Plans for floating cities keep bubbling up. One prospect, Green Float, led by the Japanese company Shimz, would be a floating Pacific city designed to float on the equator just like a lily pad and house 40,000 people. Building on the high seas will always be challenging, so its no surprise that ventures closer to shore, such as the Floating City in the Maldives, have been the first to materialise. Floating City is slated as a 500-acre development with 5,000 low-rise homes for 20,000 people arranged in a coral-like scatter of closely connected islets. The first islands have already been towed into place. The Dutch architect of the scheme, Koen Olthuis, hopes that the Floating City will not be the preserve of the rich (unlike the others Ive mentioned). His vision is of ordinary Maldivians, having lost homes and livelihoods to rising seas, finding a safe anchorage in the Floating City. But from what Ive seen, the world of artificial islands caters to the few not the many. Island-building is led by private developers, not environmentalists or even states. Foreigners are already being induced to buy into Floating City and told this will be their ticket to a Maldivian residence permit. The bond between wealth and island building will not be easily broken. Alastair Bonnett, Professor of Geography, Newcastle University This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 21, 2024) - Quest Critical Metals Inc. (CSE: BULL) (OTCQB: DCNNF) (FSE: DCR0) (formerly Canadian Palladium Resources Inc.) ("Quest Critical Metals" or the "Company") announces the appointments of Brian Kirwin and Percy Clark to its board of directors, and the resignation of Bryce Tisdale as a director, effective immediately. Mr. Kirwin, BA Earth Sciences, Dartmouth College, MSc Mineral Exploration, Queen's University, is an accomplished mining executive and geoscientist with over 35 years' of experience with both senior and junior mining companies. Mr. Kirwin began his career in mining working in exploration and corporate development on projects from grass roots to mines worldwide for companies such as Placer Dome, Freeport McMoRan and Cominco. He has served in leadership positions in various capacities from CEO and founder of American Bonanza Gold Corp. and Nevada Copper to VP Exploration for US Cobalt before its ultimate sale to First Cobalt. With global experience evaluating and developing deposits, mines and risk worldwide, Mr. Kirwin has led teams to several discoveries. Mr. Clark graduated with a BSc (Geology) from Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia. He is a Professional Geologist registered with the Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario. He has worked as a geologist with IAMGOLD Corp. at their Cote Gold project in Gogama, Ontario. At IAMGOLD Corp., he was part of the exploration team and worked on the feasibility study conducted in 2017. Mr. Clark serves on the boards of both the Ontario Prospectors Association and North-western Ontario Prospectors Association. James Newall, President and CEO, commented, "We are delighted to welcome Brian Kirwin and Percy Clark to the Board. Brian has a wealth of experience and Percy has been a key part of our work with the EU funded EIS Project. I would also like to thank Mr. Bryce Tisdale for all his work and support over the years." Quest Critical Metals Inc. James Newall, President and CEO T: (604) 639-4472 Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 20, 2024) - ATEX Resources Inc. (TSXV: ATX) ("ATEX" or "the Company") is pleased to announce that it has received approximately CAD$3,550,000 in total proceeds from the exercise of common share purchase warrants ("Warrants") between February 26, 2024 and March 8, 2024. During this period, an aggregate of 16,134,929 Warrants were exercised. Subsequent to the warrants being exercised, the Company has a total of 195,924,205 common shares outstanding. "We are very grateful for the continual support of our long-term Shareholders including Pierre Lassonde and Trinity Capital Partners," stated Raymond Jannas, CEO of ATEX Resources. "With the early exercise of these warrants bolstering our balance sheet as we continue drilling our already exciting Phase IV program, we are fully financed through to commencing Phase V." The proceeds from the Warrant exercise will be used to fund continued exploration at the Company's Valeriano Project where ATEX is currently executing its Phase IV program targeting 15,000m of diamond drilling. About ATEX ATEX is exploring the Valeriano Copper Gold Project which is located within the emerging copper gold porphyry mineral belt linking the prolific El Indio High-Sulphidation Belt to the south with the Maricunga Gold Porphyry Belt to the north. This emerging belt, informally referred to as the Link Belt, hosts several copper gold porphyry deposits at various stages of development including, Filo del Sol (Filo Mining), Josemaria (Lundin Mining), Los Helados (NGEX Minerals/JX Nippon), La Fortuna (Teck Resources/Newmont) and El Encierro (Antofagasta/Barrick Gold). Valeriano hosts a large copper gold porphyry resource: 1.41 billion tonnes at 0.67% CuEq (0.50% Cu, 0.20 g/t Au, 0.96 g/t Ag and 63.80 g/t Mo), which includes a higher-grade core totaling 200 million tonnes at 0.84% CuEq (0.62% Cu, 0.29 g/t Au 1.25 g/t Ag and 55.7 g/t Mo), reported in September 20231. For further information, please contact: Raymond Jannas President & CEO Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Ben Pullinger Senior Vice President of Exploration and Business Development Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 1-647-287-3778 or visit ATEX's website at www.atexresources.com CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: This news release contains forward-looking statements, including predictions, projections, and forecasts. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "planning", "expects" or "does not expect", "continues", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "potential", "anticipates", "does not anticipate", or describes a "goal", or variation 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. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, future events, conditions, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, prediction, projection, forecast, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include, among others: use of proceeds from the Credit Agreement; plans for the evaluation of exploration properties including the Valeriano Copper Gold Project; all aspects related to the timing and extent of exploration activities including the drill program contemplated in this press 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 such results will be achieved. Many factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements or information, including, but not limited to, the factors discussed above and elsewhere in this news release, as well as 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; changes in commodity prices; the interpretation and actual results of current exploration activities and mineralization; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; the results of regulatory and permitting processes; future metals price; possible variations in grade or recovery rates; failure of equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; the results of economic and technical studies; delays in obtaining governmental and local approvals or financing or in the completion of exploration; timing of assay results; as well as those factors disclosed in ATEX's publicly filed documents. Although ATEX has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. 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, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its regulation services provider has reviewed or accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this news release. 1 Please see NI 43-101 technical report titled "Independent Technical Report for the Valeriano Copper-Gold Project, Atacama Region, Chile" by Joled Nur, CCCRRM-Chile, and David Hopper, CGeol, with an effective date of September 1, 2023, available at www.sedarplus.com and www.atexresources.com for additional details on the 2023 Mineral Resource Estimate for the Valeriano project. March 20, 2024 / TheNewswire / London, Ontario Abitibi Metals Corp. (CSE:AMQ) (OTCQB:AMQFF) (FSE:4KG) (Abitibi or the Company), is pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement (the Offering) to raise gross proceeds of up to C$3,000,000 through the issuance of up to 3,488,372 common shares of the Company that will be closed before April 9, 2024. Jonathon Deluce, CEO of Abitibi Metals, stated, "We are pleased to announce this strategic financing to be led by the Deluce family. With the success of our on-going maiden drill program, this financing will position Abitibi to execute on a series of strategic objectives and accelerate the Companys plan to earn to up to 80% of the B26 Deposit. The Offering will consist of $3,000,000 of charity flow-through common shares (CFT Shares) priced at C$0.86/share for the issuance of 3,488,372 CFT Shares. The FT Shares will qualify as flow-through shares (within the meaning of subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the Tax Act)). The gross proceeds from the Charity Flow-Through Offering will be used to incur "Canadian exploration expenses" that are "flow-through mining expenditures" (as such terms are defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada)) related to the Companys projects in Quebec. Finders fees in cash or securities may be paid on gross proceeds of the financing, as permitted by securities laws. Eventus Capital Corp. has been appointed as a Finder in connection with the Offering. The securities issued in connection with the Offering are subject to the Companys filing requirements with the Canadian Securities Exchange, and all securities will be subject to a four-month statutory hold period after closing. About Abitibi Metals Corp.: Abitibi Metals Corp. is a Quebec-focused mineral acquisition and exploration company focused on the development of quality base and precious metal properties that are drill-ready with high-upside and expansion potential. Abitibis portfolio of strategic properties provides target-rich diversification and includes the option to earn 80% of the high-grade B26 Polymetallic Deposit (Ind: 7.0MT @ 2.94% Cu Eq & Inf: 4.4MT @ 2.97% Cu Eq) and the Beschefer Gold Project, where historical drilling has identified 4 historical intercepts with a metal factor of over 100 g/t gold highlighted by 55.63 g/t gold over 5.57 metres and 13.07 g/t gold over 8.75 metres amongst four modelled zones. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Jonathon Deluce, Chief Executive Officer For more information, please call 226-271-5170, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , or visit https://www.abitibimetals.com. The Company also maintains an active presence on various social media platforms to keep stakeholders and the general public informed and encourages shareholders and interested parties to follow and engage with the Company through the following channels to stay updated with the latest news, industry insights, and corporate announcements: Twitter: https://twitter.com/AbitibiMetals LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/abitibi-metals-corp-amq-c/ Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-looking statement: This news release contains certain statements, which may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information involves statements that are not based on historical information but rather relate to future operations, strategies, financing plans, financial results or other developments on the B26 Project or otherwise. Forward-looking information is necessarily based upon estimates and assumptions, which are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the Companys control and many of which, regarding future business decisions, are subject to change. These uncertainties and contingencies can affect actual results and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by or on the Companys behalf. Although Abitibi has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. All factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on Abitibis forward-looking information. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as expects, estimates, anticipates, or variations of such words and phrases (including negative and grammatical variations) or statements that certain actions, events or results may, could, might or occur. Mineral exploration and development are highly speculative and are characterized by a number of significant inherent risks, which may result in the inability of the Company to successfully develop current or proposed projects for commercial, technical, political, regulatory or financial reasons, or if successfully developed, may not remain economically viable for their mine life owing to any of the foregoing reasons, among others. There is no assurance that the Company will be successful in achieving commercial mineral production and the likelihood of success must be considered in light of the stage of operations. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 20, 2024) - Onyx Gold Corp. (TSXV: ONYX) (OTCQX: ONXGF) ("Onyx" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that, further to the Company's news release dated February 26, 2024, the Company has closed the first tranche (the "First Tranche") of its non-brokered private placement of securities for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $1,500,000 (the "Offering"). The First Tranche was comprised of all of the premium flow-through shares (the "Premium FT Shares") to be sold in the Offering. The second tranche of traditional flow through shares (the "FT Shares") will close shortly. Under the First Tranche, the Company issued 3,777,829 Premium FT Shares at a price of $0.27 per Premium FT Share for aggregate gross proceeds of $1,020,014. No finder's fees were paid by the Company in connection with the First Tranche. The securities offered in the First Tranche are subject to a four month and a day transfer restriction from the date of issuance expiring on July 21, 2024, in addition to such other restrictions as may apply under applicable securities laws of jurisdictions outside Canada. The Offering is comprised of a combination of FT Shares sold at a price of $0.215 per FT Share and Premium FT Shares sold at a price of $0.27 per Premium FT Share. Each FT Share and Premium FT Share will qualify as a "flow-through share" within the meaning of subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the "Tax Act"). The gross proceeds raised from the Offering will be used for exploration activities in Ontario that will qualify as "Canadian Exploration Expenses" and "flow through mining expenditures" (as such terms are defined in the Tax Act), which will be incurred on or before December 31, 2025 and renounced with an effective date no later than December 31, 2024 to the initial purchasers of FT Shares and Premium FT Shares. The Company may pay finders' fees comprised of cash and securities in connection with the Offering, subject to compliance with the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV"). The Offering remains subject to receipt of TSXV approval and all other necessary regulatory approvals. Multilateral Instrument 61-101 A director of the Company (the "Interested Party") purchased or acquired direction and control over a total of 50,000 Premium FT Shares in the First Tranche, accounting for 1.32% of the proceeds raised in the First Tranche. The placement to the Interested Party constitutes a "related party transaction" within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the directors of the Company have determined that the Interested Party's participation in the First Tranche will be exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 in reliance on the exemptions set forth in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101. The Company did not file a material change report 21 days prior to the closing of the First Tranche as the details of the participation of Interested Party had not been confirmed at that time. About Onyx Gold Onyx Gold is an exploration company focused on well-established Canadian mining jurisdictions, with assets in Timmins, Ontario, and Yukon Territory. The Company's extensive portfolio of quality gold projects in the greater Timmins gold camp includes the Munro-Croesus Gold property, renowned for its high-grade mineralization, plus two additional earlier-stage large exploration properties, Golden Mile and Timmins South. Onyx Gold also controls four properties in the Selwyn Basin area of Yukon Territory, which is currently gaining significance due to recent discoveries in the area. Onyx Gold's experienced board and senior management team are committed to creating shareholder value through the discovery process, careful allocation of capital, and environmentally/socially responsible mineral exploration. About the Timmins Area Gold Properties Onyx owns 100% of its three Timmins properties, totaling 420 km2 in size. The Munro-Croesus Gold Project is located approximately 75 kilometers (47 miles) east of Timmins, proximal to the Porcupine-Destor and Pipestone Faults, and approximately two kilometers (1.2 miles) northwest and along trend of Mayfair Gold Corp.'s multi-million ounce Fenn-Gib gold deposit. Mining occurred intermittently at Munro-Croesus between 1915 and 1936. The Golden Mile 140 square kilometer (54 square miles) property is located nine kilometers (5.6 miles) northeast of Newmont's multi-million-ounce Hoyle Pond deposit in Timmins. The Timmins South (Golden Perimeter) 187 square kilometers (72 square miles) property is located to the south and southeast of Timmins and surrounds the Shaw dome structure. On Behalf of Onyx Gold Corp. "Brock Colterjohn" President & CEO For further information, please visit the Onyx Gold Corp. website at www.onyxgold.com or contact: Brock Colterjohn, President & CEO or Nicole Hoeller, VP of Corporate Communications Phone: 1-604-629-1165 or North American toll-free 1-855-629-1165 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Website: www.onyxgold.com Twitter : @OnyxGoldCorp 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 and 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" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would" or "occur". This information and these statements, referred to herein as "forwardlooking statements", are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release and include without limitation, statements regarding discussions of future plans, estimates and forecasts and statements as to management's expectations and intentions with respect to, among other things, completion of the Offering, the use of proceeds from the Offering and the payment of finders' fees under the Offering. These forwardlooking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the Company not receiving the necessary regulatory approvals in respect of the Offering; recent market volatility; and the state of the financial markets for the Company's securities. In making the forward looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, that the Company will receive the necessary regulatory approvals in respect of the Offering. 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. MONTREAL, March 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- VIOR INC. (Vior or the Company) (TSXV: VIO; OTC: VIORF and FRANKFURT: VL51) is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement with Eight Capital to act as lead agent and sole bookrunner (together with a syndicate of agents, the Agents) in connection with a best efforts private placement offering by the Company of securities for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $20,000,000 (the Offering). Pursuant to the Offering, Vior may issue any combination of: (i) units of the Company (the Hard Units) and/or subscription receipts (the Subscription Receipts); and (ii) flow-through units of the Company (the FT Units and, together with the Hard Units and the Subscription Receipts, the Offered Securities). It is expected that approximately $13 million will be raised from FT Units and $7 million from Hard Units and Subscription Receipts. Each Hard Unit and Subscription Receipt will have an issue price of $0.125 and each FT Unit will have an issue price of $0.2225. Each Hard Unit will be comprised of one common share of the Company (each, a 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 Share at an exercise price of $0.21 for a period of twenty-four (24) months following the closing date of the Offering (the Closing Date). Each FT Unit will consist of (i) one Share, each of which will qualify as a flow-through share within the meaning of subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act (Canada) and Section 359.1 of the Taxation Act (Quebec), and (ii) one-half of one Warrant, each of which will qualify as a flow-through share within the meaning of subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act (Canada) and Section 359.1 of the Taxation Act (Quebec). Each Subscription Receipt will be automatically exchanged, without any action on the part of the holder thereof, for one Hard Unit upon satisfaction of the Escrow Release Conditions (as defined below). The only subscriber of Subscription Receipts will be Osisko Mining Inc. (the Osisko Mining) insofar as the Company must obtain, following the Closing Date, approvals of the TSX Venture Exchange (the Exchange) and the shareholders of the Company to authorize the creation of Osisko Mining as a new Control Person (as defined in the Corporate Finance Policy of the Exchange) of the Company resulting from Osisko Minings participation in the Offering. The Company has granted the Agents an option to offer for sale up to an additional 15% of the Hard Units and Subscription Receipts, in any combination, at their respective issue price (the Over-Allotment Option). The Over-Allotment Option will be exercisable, in whole or in part, up to 48 hours prior to the Closing Date. The net proceeds from the sale of Hard Units and Subscription Receipts (assuming the satisfaction of the Escrow Release Conditions) will be used by the Company for exploration on its Belleterre Gold Project and for working capital and general corporate purposes. The gross proceeds from the sale of FT Units will be used by the Company to incur expenses described in paragraph (f) of the definition of Canadian exploration expense (CEE) in subsection 66.1(6) of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the Tax Act) and paragraph (c) of the definition of CEE in section 395 of the Taxation Act (Quebec) (the QTA), and will be renounced in favour of the relevant purchaser for both federal and Quebec tax purposes no later than December 31, 2024, pursuant to the terms of the subscription agreement to be entered into between the Company and such purchaser of FT Units. Such expenses will also qualify as flow-through mining expenditures as defined in subsection 127(9) of the Tax Act for the purposes of the federal tax credit described in paragraph (a.2) of the definition of investment tax credit in subsection 127(9) of the Tax Act. For purchasers of FT Units resident in the Province of Quebec, 10% of the amount of the CEE will be eligible for inclusion in the deductible exploration base relating to certain Quebec exploration expenses and 10% of the amount of the CEE will be eligible for inclusion in the deductible exploration base relating to certain Quebec surface mining exploration expenses (as such terms are defined in sections 726.4.10 and 726.4.17.2 of the QTA, respectively, for the purposes of the deductions described in section 726.4.9 and 726.4.17.1 of the QTA), giving rise to an additional 20% deduction for Quebec tax purposes. In the event that the Escrow Release Conditions are not satisfied on or before June 30, 2024, then the Escrowed Funds together with accrued interest earned thereon (if any) will be returned to the holder of the Subscription Receipts and the Subscription Receipts will be cancelled. The Offering is scheduled to close on or about March 28, 2024, and is subject to certain conditions, including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory and other approvals, including the approval of the Exchange. The Offered Securities will be subject to a hold period of four-months and one day from the Closing Date. Shortly following the Closing Date, the Company intends to complete a consolidation of its common shares on the basis of one (1) post-consolidation share of the Company for every three (3) pre-consolidation common shares of the Company. None of the securities to be issued pursuant to the Offering have been or will be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and such securities may not be offered or sold within the United States absent U.S. registration or an applicable exemption from U.S. registration requirements. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities. Certain insiders of the Company (the Purchasing Insiders) are expected to participate in the Offering. Pursuant to Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (MI 61-101), a purchase by the Purchasing Insiders would be a "related party transaction". The Company expects to be exempt from the requirements to obtain a formal valuation or minority shareholder approval in connection with the Offering in reliance on sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(a), respectively, of MI 61-101, as neither the fair market value of the securities received by such parties nor the proceeds for such securities received by the Company will exceed 25% of the Companys market capitalization as calculated in accordance with MI 61-101. More specifically, it is anticipated that Osisko Mining will be subscribing to that number of Hard Units that shall result in Osisko Mining holding not more than 19.9% of the then issued and outstanding common shares of the Company. On March 22, 2021, the Company and Osisko Mining entered into an investor rights agreement (the Original IRA) pursuant to which Osisko Mining was granted, among other things: (i) the right to nominate a representative to the board of directors of the Company; (ii) the right to participate in future equity financings (as defined in the Original IRA) of the Company; and (iii) certain other rights as described in the Original IRA. In connection with the Offering, the Company and Osisko Mining will enter into an amended investor rights agreement (the Amended IRA) pursuant to which Osisko Mining will be granted the right to nominate an additional representative to the board of directors of the Company. Moreover, it is anticipated that the aforementioned rights granted under the Original IRA will be maintained under the Amended IRA. Moreover, it is anticipated that Osisko Mining will purchase that number of Subscription Receipts that, if and when converted into common shares of the Company, would result in Osisko Mining holding greater than 20.0% of the then issued and outstanding common shares of the Company thereby making Osisko Mining a new Control Person (as defined in the Corporate Finance Policy of the Exchange) of the Company under applicable securities laws. Pursuant to the policies of the Exchange, the creation of a new Control Person of the Company requires shareholder approval. Consequently, following the closing of the Offering, the Company intends to hold a special meeting of its shareholders to approve the creation of a new Control Person, among other things. The gross proceeds from the sale of the Subscription Receipts (the Escrowed Funds) shall be held in escrow by an escrow agent determined by the Company and Osisko Mining. The Escrowed Funds will be released from escrow to the Company upon satisfaction of the following conditions (the Escrow Release Conditions): the receipt of the required shareholder and Exchange approvals to authorize of the creation of Osisko Mining as a new Control Person (as defined in the Corporate Finance Policy of the Exchange) of the Company resulting from Osisko Minings participation in the Offering; the receipt of the required shareholder and Exchange approvals to permit the Company and Osisko Mining to enter into (i) the Amended IRA, and (ii) the Royalty Option Agreement (as defined below); the delivery by the Company and Osisko Mining of signed copies, in escrow, of the Amended IRA and the Royalty Option Agreement, with the release of such documents being automatic and subject only to the delivery of the joint direction in IV; and the Company and Eight Capital (on its own behalf and on behalf of the syndicate) having delivered a joint notice to the escrow agent confirming that the condition set forth in (I)-(III) above have been met. The Company and Osisko Mining have entered into a binding term sheet pertaining to the grant by the Company to Osisko Mining of an option to acquire a royalty in exchange for cash consideration of $250,000, which option shall provide Osisko Mining with an exclusive option, exercisable for a period of five (5) years following the effective date (subject to acceleration in the case that the Company publishes a milestone resource report on the Belleterre Gold Property), at an exercise price of $5.0 million in cash, to, inter alia, acquire the following exclusive royalty rights and privileges: (i) a 2.0% net smelter returns royalty on the Belleterre Gold Property (subject to a 3.0% limit on all royalties); and (ii) a right in favour of Osisko Mining to cause the Company to fully exercise all buy-back rights associated with existing royalties on the Belleterre Gold Property and regrant or transfer such royalties to Osisko Mining. The parties are expected to enter into a definitive royalty option agreement (the Royalty Option Agreement). About VIOR Vior is a junior mineral exploration corporation based in the province of Quebec, Canada, whose corporate strategy is to generate, explore, and develop high-quality mineral projects in the proven and favourable mining jurisdiction of Quebec. Through the years, Viors management and technical teams have demonstrated their ability to discover several gold deposits and many high-quality mineral prospects. Vior is rapidly advancing its flagship Belleterre Gold Project with the strategic support of Osisko Mining Inc. The Belleterre Gold Project is an exciting district-scale property that includes Quebecs past-producing high-grade Belleterre gold mine. Vior has conducted extensive exploration at the Belleterre property and is finalizing plans for a +50,000m drill program. Vior is also actively developing its promising Skyfall Project in partnership with SOQUEM Inc., as well as several other properties with multi-mineral potential. For More Information, Please Contact: Neither the Exchange nor its Regulations Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Information 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, statements with respect to, the completion of the Offering; the expected gross proceeds of the Offering; the receipt of all necessary regulatory and other approvals, including approval of the Exchange; the satisfaction of the Escrow Release Conditions; the expected incurrence by the Company of eligible Canadian exploration expenses that will qualify as flow-through mineral mining expenditures; the renunciation by the Company of the Canadian exploration expenses (on a pro rata basis) to each subscriber of FT Units by no later than December 31, 2024; and the use of proceeds from the Offering; the anticipated date for closing of the Offering. 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. 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 price of gold, 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 Companys 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, 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 and the risk factors with respect to the Company set out in the Companys filings with the Canadian securities regulators and available under Viors profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. 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. Former Iraqi defence minister Najah al-Shammari was briefly arrested after arriving in Sweden, where he is suspected of benefits fraud, the prosecutor investigating the case said Tuesday. Public prosecutor Jens Nilsson told AFP that Shammari was detained on Monday when he landed at Stockholm's Arlanda airport since an arrest warrant had been issued. Nilsson added that in his assessment there was no need to detain Shammari and he had made an agreement with his lawyer that the suspect would come in for questioning the following day. "He is suspected of aggravated benefits fraud and benefits fraud," Nilsson said in a email to AFP. In 2019, Swedish media reported that the former minister was under investigation for claiming housing and child benefits from Sweden despite living and working in Iraq. At the time newspaper Expressen reported that Shammari arrived in Sweden in 2009 and was granted permanent residency in 2011 before getting Swedish citizenship in 2015. In late November 2019, Swedish prosecutors also said that an Iraqi government minister -- which media identified as Shammari -- was being investigated for "crimes against humanity," but that investigation was later closed. A Rwandan court on Wednesday refused to restore opposition leader Victoire Ingabire's civic rights and remove her previous convictions for terrorism and genocide denial, rendering her ineligible to run in the July presidential polls. A fierce critic of Rwanda's long-ruling President Paul Kagame, Ingabire spent eight years in prison before receiving a presidential pardon in 2018 that cut short her 15-year sentence. She had asked the Kigali high court to remove her convictions, which would allow her to contest the July 15 polls despite a legal ban on convicted candidates who have been jailed for six months or longer. "The court finds that Ingabire's request to have her conviction removed is not accepted," a judge said, reading out the decision. "The court finds that in (the) presidential pardon granted to Ingabire, there were conditions that were set that she must follow," the judge said, adding, "therefore her appeal has no basis." "I disagree with this ruling. It is clearly politicised. We still have a country where the courts are still not independent," Ingabire told AFP after the court decision. According to Rwandan law, she will be allowed to appeal the ruling only after two years. The polls are widely expected to return Kagame to office for a fourth seven-year term, after he presided over controversial constitution amendments allowing him to potentially rule until 2034. The 66-year-old has been at the helm of the landlocked African nation for decades, winning presidential elections in 2003, 2010 and 2017 -- with more than 90 percent of the vote. Kagame's only known challenger in the July polls is Green Party leader Frank Habineza, who secured 0.45 percent of the vote in 2017. All other legally registered opposition parties back the ruling Rwandan Patriotic Front. Ingabire's Dalfa Umurinzi (Development And Liberty For All) movement is not officially registered in Rwanda. An ethnic Hutu, Ingabire, 55, was accused of "divisionism" after publicly questioning the government narrative of the 1994 genocide targeting the Tutsi minority that killed around 800,000 people. Kagame has been praised for bringing stability to the African nation but his government's dismal human rights record has drawn censure. - 'Urgent need for reform' - In a statement published on social media after Wednesday's verdict, Ingabire said the ruling "is not merely a personal setback but is emblematic of the broader issues facing our nation". "Today's decision is a stark reminder of the barriers to political participation and the urgent need for reform in our country's governance." Ingabire regularly accuses the Rwandan leader of suppressing dissent and neglecting the poor. Following her 2018 release from jail, she had told reporters she was freed because of international pressure on Rwanda's government, prompting a warning from Kagame: "Do not be shocked if you go back to prison." Numerous opposition politicians have disappeared or been killed in mysterious circumstances over the last few years. A member of Ingabire's former party FDU-Inkingi was stabbed near the capital Kigali in September 2019, six months after the party's spokesman Anselm Mutuyimana was kidnapped and his body later found in a forest. Based in the Netherlands since 1994, Ingabire returned to Rwanda in 2010, intending to run for president as FDU-Inkingi's leader. But she was arrested after calling for perpetrators of crimes against the Hutu majority also to be pursued and punished. Russia has tortured and arbitrarily detained people in occupied Ukraine, creating a "climate of fear" and suppressing Ukrainian identity, a UN report said Wednesday. Since invading in February 2022, Moscow has seized large swathes of southern and eastern Ukraine. The report, which the UN Human Rights Office said was based on over 2,300 interviews, accused Moscow of "committing widespread violations" of human rights law. Russia has imposed its "language, citizenship, laws, court system, and education curricula on the occupied areas," while suppressing a Ukrainian identity, the UN office said in a release accompanying the report. "From the onset, Russian armed forces, acting with generalised impunity, committed widespread violations, including arbitrary detention of civilians, often accompanied by torture and ill-treatment," it said. Russia had tried to suppress Ukrainian identity among children, replacing the curriculum in schools with a Russian one which sought to "justify" Moscow's invasion, the report added. Peaceful protests have been meet with "force" from the Russian army, which has restricted free expression and pillaged homes and businesses, it said. The report said Moscow has blocked access to Ukrainian media and phone networks in the regions in an effort to control information. "The actions of the Russian Federation have ruptured the social fabric of communities and left individuals isolated, with profound and long-lasting consequences for Ukrainian society as a whole," the release quoted UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk as saying. Ukraine has accused Moscow of widespread war crimes in its occupied regions. The Kremlin denies any wrongdoing, calling its takeover of the regions a "liberation." South Sudan said Thursday that its investigation into the 2017 death of journalist Christopher Allen supported earlier government claims that he was "unintentionally killed as a result of crossfire" while covering the country's bloody civil war. The 26-year-old freelance reporter, a dual American-British national, was shot in the head during a battle between the South Sudanese army and rebels in the southern town of Kaya on August 26, 2017. After years of international pressure from the United States and Britain as well as media campaign groups urging a probe into his killing, South Sudan's government announced in October that it would launch an investigation into his death. The government has repeatedly denied targeting Allen, who had been embedded with rebels from the Sudan People's Liberation Army In Opposition (SPLA-IO) to cover the conflict that erupted just two years after the country declared independence. On Thursday, David Charles Ali Bilal, head of the investigation committee, told journalists that the attack had taken place around 5:30 am (0330 GMT) and it was very difficult to see "who is black and (who is) white." "Christopher Allen was unintentionally killed as a result of crossfire," he said, reading out the report. Allen had "entered South Sudan illegally", he said, adding that he "was not wearing any protective or press identification clothes." The 2013-2018 war between forces loyal to two sworn enemies, President Salva Kiir and his now deputy Riek Machar, claimed the lives of almost 400,000 people. The investigation findings reiterated previous claims by South Sudan's government, with Information Minister Michael Makuei saying at the time of his death that "the killing of Christopher Allen was not targeted." "But anybody on that side is usually a target," the minister added. Makuei had previously described Allen as a "white rebel" and claimed he had been in the country illegally. Reporters Without Borders, known by its French acronym RSF, has also been urging the United States to lead a probe into his death because of Juba's "failure to hold anyone accountable". "Available information demonstrates that war crimes were committed in the deliberate targeting of Allen and the treatment of his body after his death, including trophy-style photos," it said in a statement in August. South Sudan ranks 118th out of 180 countries on RSF's 2023 World Press Freedom Index and the group says at least nine journalists have been killed in the world's newest nation since 2014. Park Sung Hoon is making waves, thanks to his impressive performance in "Queen of Tears." Park Sung Hoon's Mysterious Charm in 'Queen of Tears' Captivates Viewers Netflix's "Queen of Tears" is receiving widespread popularity, thanks to its brilliant script and the actors' notable performances. Apart from its main protagonists Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Ji Won, another talented cast member is marking another milestone in his acting career: Park Sung Hoon. The actor is back with a new villain role, and this time, he is businessman Yoon Eun Sung. He is receiving rave reviews for his outstanding chemistry with the two main leads as well as his mysterious aura, which intensifies the tension of the series. In the ongoing K-drama, Yoon Eun Sung's past was revealed. He was a child from an orphanage and he has been two-faced since childhood, which sends shivers down every viewer's back. ALSO READ: 'Queen of Tears' Hits Double Digit Rating + Kim Soo Hyun, Kim Ji Won Dominate Most Buzzworthy Actors List As he entered the life of the married couple Baek Hyun Woo and Hong Hae In, Eun Sung showcased a bizarre attitude. When he got invited to the Queen Group's villa, he proposed to buy the dog for 100 million KRW (75,000 USD). But when the couple refused, Eun Sung shocked them, stating that he'd just abandon it since it was a hassle. He then aimed a gun at the dog, leaving the couple scared. Park Sung Hoon's Villainous Demeanor Impresses Viewers Yoon Eun Sung's villainous demeanor is not the only thing that catches the viewers' attention. In particular, his gentle and sweet side in front of Hong Hae In is what the audience finds endearing. Even though he is cunning, he demonstrates why Hae In has no choice but to trust him, especially in the business. His character to make Baek Hyun Woo jealous is also what makes Park Sung Hoon's role more interesting. Yoon Eun Sung showing the good and evil are brilliantly portrayed by Park Sung Hoon. His acting prowess is being shown again in the drama, garnering applause from the viewers. "You are my favorite villain. Psychopath roles suit you very well." "You are so cool." "Don't be evil here, Park Sung Hoon." "You're so handsome, please don't die." "Confused to choose Park Sung Hoon or Kim Soo Hyun. My weekend is getting more colorful." Also, despite his character in "The Glory" being completely different from his current one, viewers are enjoying the crossover between the two dramas. They even expressed their honest comments about Park Sung Hoon's roles. "Why is Jae Joon doing bad things here too?" "Is Jae Joon scarier or is Eun Sung scarier?" IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Kim Ji Won Stopped Doing THIS for a Year in Preparation for Her 'Queen of Tears' Role What can you say about Park Sung Hoon's role in "Queen of Tears"? Share your thoughts/replies in the comments! For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news and updates, keep your tabs open here at KDramaStars. KDramaStars owns this article. Shai San Miguel wrote this Participants in a survey on mobility issues in Peachland have concerns about the lack of easy access to some of the town's beaches. Large boulders were dumped on the lakeshore in 2017 to try and contain record-high floodwaters. The salary for Kelowna Mayor Tom Dyas would rise from $126,000 to $145,000, and pay for city councillors would increase from $43,000 to $56,000 under a new wage scheme advocated by city manager Doug Gilchrist. Council will consider the matter on Monday. Destroyed buildings stand in the Gaza Strip, as seen from southern Israel, Wednesday, March 20, 2024. The federal government says people who managed to escape the Gaza Strip no longer qualify for a special program to reunite with extended family members in Canada if they didn't finish the application process before they left. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Leo Correa Thursday, March 21, 2024 It's a double celebration for actor, Emeka Ike who is celebrating his birthday today March 21st as well as the birth of his daughter, Comfort. The veteran actor disclosed that his baby girl was named after his late mum, Madam Comfort Okwuchi Ike. Posting photos of himself, his South African wife and their new-born, an elated Emeka wrote; ITS A DOUBLE BLESSING FOR ONE LOSS Happy *BIRTHDAY* to me and WELCOME to baby, Chidera COMFORT Thando Ike The good LORD has filled the huge vacuum that Mama COMFORT Okwuchi Ike left behind, with another COMFORT Chidera T Ike My family and l are COMFORTED and can't ask for any better, this solemn times Thank you to my beautiful wife for taking the pains, of this wonderful gift I THANK YOU GOD!!!'' Watch a video of him in the hospital below Thursday, March 21, 2024 Actor Jonathan Majors has been sued by his ex-girlfriend, Grace Jabbari, in a newly filed lawsuit in which she alleges that he committed assault, battery, and defamation against her. In December, Majors was found guilty in a New York criminal court of assaulting and harassing Jabbari during one of those episodes during an argument that took place in Manhattan in March 2023. Jabbari's civil lawsuit was filed on Tuesday, March 19, in federal court in the Southern District of New York. In addition to the New York incident that led to Majors' conviction, Jabbari alleges that he was physically violent towards her during incidents in Los Angeles and London as well. In London in September 2022, Jabbari claims, Majors "started hitting Grace's head against [a] marble floor while strangling her until she felt she could no longer breathe," but allegedly talked her out of seeking medical treatment, despite her head injury. Afterwards, the suit says, Jabbari told Majors in a text exchange that she had "brain fog" and "a constant ringing headache," but that he threatened to kill himself if she sought out a doctor. In the current suit, Jabbari asserts that Majors has also "resorted to very publicly abusing her reputation" in the wake of his arrest and following his criminal trial, including calling her "a liar at every turn ... with the goal of convincing the world that Grace is not a victim of domestic abuse but instead a crazy liar who should be treated as such." In a brief statement, Majors' lawyer, Priya Chaudhry, said that Jabbari's suit was "no surprise" and that her client "is preparing counterclaims against Ms. Jabbari." In the domestic violence trial held in New York in December, Majors was found guilty of two misdemeanor counts assault in the third degree and harassment in the second degree against Jabbari. In the split verdict, the jury found Majors not guilty of intentional assault in the third degree or aggravated harassment in the second degree, signaling that they did not believe that Majors had intended to hurt or harass Jabbari before their argument. Majors is expected to be sentenced on April 8. Shortly after the December verdict, Marvel and Disney announced that they were dropping Majors from the Marvel Cinematic Universe [MCU] franchise. Earlier, Marvel had planned to feature the then-rocketing Hollywood star at the center of an upcoming MCU film. Thursday, March 21, 2024 American actor Marlon Wayans has been named in a paternity suit recently after allegedly welcoming a daughter in secret. According to a report from Radar Online the woman who filed the suit, Brittany Moreland, claims the actor is the father of her 1-year-old daughter and wants him to help with expenses for her care. Brittany Moreland, 34, petitioned the court for a paternity test to establish Marlon Wayans, 51, as her childs father. In the documents, Moreland writes that shes spent a significant amount on the birth and care of her child, Axl July Ivory Wayans, and wants the Scary Movie star to be held financially responsible for her legal fees as well as reasonable expenses of pregnancy and birth. In her report, Moreland claims Wayans makes a monthly income of around $200,000 while she only brings in $21,000, adding that shes sure hes financially able to pay child support. Listing her regular child-care expenses, Moreland alleges she spends around $5,000 monthly for rent and $9,000 on care, groceries, and other necessities. If Wayans paternity is established, this will be the comedians third child. He currently shares two sons with his ex-girlfriend, Anglea Zachary Thursday, March 21, 2024 A German federal court has rejected a woman's appeal of her 14-year sentence for allowing a 5-year-old Yazidi girl she and her husband enslaved when they were members of the Islamic State group in Iraq to die of thirst in the sun. The defendant, a German convert to Islam, was convicted in October 2021 of, among other things, two counts of crimes against humanity through enslavement, one case resulting in death and membership in a terrorist organization abroad. She was initially given a 10-year sentence, which was overturned by the Federal Court of Justice on the grounds that judges had erred in sentencing the defendant for a 'less severe case' of crimes against humanity and overlooked aggravating circumstances. A new sentencing hearing for the woman, identified only as Jennifer W. in line with German privacy rules, ended in August with the 14-year sentence. The court said Wednesday it rejected her appeal as 'manifestly unfounded'. The statement on the ruling didn't specify on what grounds she appealed. The girl died in Fallujah, Iraq, in August 2015. At the original trial, the court found that the defendant did nothing to help the girl - who had been chained by her husband in their courtyard - although doing so would have been 'possible and reasonable'. The couple also enslaved the girl's mother.' Jennifer W., now 32, was taken into custody while trying to renew her identity papers at the German Embassy in Ankara in 2016 and deported to Germany. Her former husband, an Iraqi citizen identified only as Taha Al-J., was convicted by a Frankfurt court in November 2021 of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and bodily harm resulting in death. He was sentenced to life imprisonment. Thursday, March 21, 2024 Billionaire X owner, Elon Musk has said that Google interferes to help Democrats thousands of times every election season in response to a report that the search giant allegedly boosts Democrata while censoring Republicans. According to the NY Post, a right-leaning watchdog called the Media Research Center (MRC) published an analysis detailing what it described as 41 alleged instances of election interference at the online search giant since 2008. Musk quote-tweeted a screenshot of the article and asserted that it understates the magnitude of the problem. Google interferes to help Democrats thousands of times every election season! Musk wrote on X. This is to be expected when their censorship (aka Trust & Safety) teams have far left political views. In its report, the MRC accused Google of using its power to help push to electoral victory the most liberal candidateswhile targeting their opponents for censorship. The watchdog cited a 2008 incident in which Google purportedly helped then-Sen. Barack Obamas candidacy during his showdown with Hillary Clinton for the Democratic presidential nomination. The MRC alleged that Google targeted support for Hillary Clinton for censorship by suspending the accounts of writers who wrote blogs critical of Obama during his primary race against Clinton. During the 2012 election, the watchdog group said Google had once again favoured Obama over Republican nominee Mitt Romney. The company allegedly refused to correct a Google bomb targeting GOP primary candidate Rick Santorum, the report said. The MRC also pointed to data from Dr. Robert Epstein, who once testified to the Senate Judiciary Committee that biased search results generated by Googles search algorithm shifted at least 2.6 million votes to Hillary Clinton. The media watchdogs report also cited several other alleged examples of interference or bias, including a 2020 instance in which it alleged targeted the presidential campaign of former Democratic congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard and its alleged suppression of news sources critical of [Joe] Biden. Google has denied the allegations in the report. There is absolutely nothing new here just a recycled list of baseless, inaccurate complaints that have been debunked by third parties and many that failed in the courts, a Google spokesperson said in a statement. Politicians on the left have a long history of making similar claims, too, the company rep added. We have a clear business incentive to keep everyone using our products, so we have no desire to make them biased or inaccurate and have safeguards in place to ensure this. The Google spokesperson said that numerous conservatives have been particularly successful in using our platforms to spread their message to a wide audience. Thursday, March 21, 2024 - President William Ruto's plans to deploy police officers to Haiti have hit another snug. This is after politicians in the Caribbean nation rejected the seat they were offered at the Transitional Council which would have legitimized the deployment of police officers to deal with the dreaded gangs in the country. The council is set to take over following Prime Minister Ariel Henry's resignation and will be tasked with naming an interim government before elections. The council will consist of 7 voting members and 2 observers. According to reports, another political party that is supposed to name a representative is still in conflict over the candidate it wishes to field. In addition, Haiti's Catholic Church revealed that it would not participate in the council as previously anticipated. Instead, the church pointed out that it would keep a moral distance over the matter but hoped that peace would prevail in the country. The series of incidents are set to cause a further delay in the deployment of police officers to Haiti which was put on hold as Kenya awaits for the Council's formation. The Council will be mandated with restoring order to the conflict-riddled country by ensuring all stakeholders' voices are represented during the formation of the interim government. The Kenyan DAILY POST Thursday, March 21, 2024 - A growing number of young Kenyan ladies have been flying to Saudi Arabia lately to seek better opportunities, following the high level of unemployment in the country. Upon arrival, they are subjected to physical and emotional torture, with some even losing their lives. A Kenyan TikToker, identified as Jano, who works as a househelp in Saudi Arabia, has shared a video to show what domestic workers go through in the Gulf country. In a video posted on her TikTok page, Jano showcased her workplace, where her employer kept a large snake as a pet. The video depicted the snake casually slithering around the kitchen while she went about her daily chores, seemingly unfazed by the reptile's presence. The video sparked a wave of reactions among Kenyans, with many expressing shock and disbelief at the sight. Watch the video. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Thursday, March 21, 2024 Real Housewives of Potomac star, Karen Huger was involved in a scary crash this week, that left her car in an inoperable state. A representative for Montgomery County Police told TMZ that the 'Real Housewives of Potomac' star was driving a 2017 Maserati late Tuesday night in Potomac, Maryland in what they describe as an aggressive manner; too fast for the conditions. She struck a median and crosswalk sign at an intersection before continuing on and colliding with a parking sign off the roadway where the car came to a rest. The airbag deployed in the car but no other passenger was in her vehicle. No word on whether she or anyone else was injured. The car itself was allegedly damaged so badly it couldn't be driven and a tow truck was called to retrieve it. Karen received multiple citations but she was not arrested. Thursday, March 21, 2024 A South African man shot and killed his estranged wife before turning the gun on himself in front of their 10-year-old daughter. The incident happened on Saunders Circle in Belvedere - KwaZulu-Natal ZN on Wednesday afternoon, March 20, 2024. The Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) Tongaat Operations Centre received multiple calls from the public reporting the incident. The officers were immediately dispatched and arrived on the scene at approximately 17:58. Paramedics from a Private Ambulance Service were in the process of providing emergency medical care to a male who sustained a gunshot to his head. The body of a female with a gunshot wound to her head was discovered on the driveway. She showed no signs of life and was pronounced deceased. It was established that the man and the female are married but separated. He is currently employed as an Armed Response Officer (ARO) for a national company. The male arrived at the premises dressed in uniform driving his branded company vehicle to fetch the child when an argument ensued. He then drew his company-issued firearm and shot the female before turning the gun on himself. Four spent 9mm cartridges were recovered at the scene. The critically injured male was stabilized on the scene before being expedited to hospital in a serious condition. The child was visibly traumatized but was not injured. The motive for the shooting has not been established. Thursday, March 21, 2024 - Felix Onyango, a student who survived the grisly accident that claimed the lives of 11 Kenyatta University (KU) students on Monday, has revealed what transpired before the crash According to the student, the bus driver was overtaking along the busy Nairobi-Mombasa Highway. "The journey was alright before we got to Voi where it was raining. The driver started to overtake but he was doing it wrongly," Onyango stated. Per the student's recollection, the bus driver was driving in the wrong lane before he spotted the trailer approaching at high speed from the opposite side. The bus driver is said to have attempted to make way by switching to the opposite lane. However, the space was limited and he maneuvered to prevent a head-on collision. The driver steering the trailer also swerved towards the direction of the bus which culminated in the heavy truck ramming into the bus's rear end. This catastrophic collision led to the death of 11 students while several others sustained serious injuries. Some of the students were airlifted to hospitals within Nairobi for specialised medical attention. Meanwhile, Onyango who sustained minor injuries emphasized that the bus was fully functional and in good condition before they began their journey to Nairobi. Another survivor who sustained hand injuries reiterated that the students seated in the back of the bus were the most affected by the impact of the collision. The student who was also speaking to the press, added that some students who did not have their seat belts on were thrown outside resulting in neck, leg, and hand injuries. The Kenyan DAILY POST Thursday, March 21, 2024 - Two suspects who invaded a holding room where a newly wedded couple was staying before embarking on their honeymoon in Kiserian, Kajiado County have been arrested. John Mwangi alias Mankufa and James Mwandiki are believed to have orchestrated the Monday night robbery, where they stole gifts, household items, and electronics while in a gang of five to eight men. Armed with all manner of crude weapons, the malefactors forced entry into the apartment located at Olooseos area of Kiserian, by scaling the wall of the apartment and cutting a window grill. In an effort to protect his bride and their host from the mean-looking gang, the only man in the house made attempts to repulse the unwelcomed gate crushers, only to suffer several injuries. Aware that neighbours would in no time respond to the commotion, the gang hurriedly parked up two TV sets (50" & 48"), a microwave, a 13kg gas cylinder, a UPS inverter, three smartphones, duvets among other wedding gifts and beetled off. On receiving the report, Nairobi region crime researchers teamed up with law enforcers from Kajiado West in a scrupulous manhunt for the mannerless felons. Following crucial intelligence leads, the team hunted down two identified disciples of the gang, fishing them up within Kiserian township. John and James were briefly interrogated, thereafter leading the sleuths to their hideout at Olooseos where some of the robbed items, including others believed to have been stolen in previous hot prowl burglaries were recovered. The two youthful miscreants have since gained admission at a police lock-up facility, as detectives heighten pursuit of their partners in crime. Thursday, March 21, 2024 An 81-year-old woman died after having surgery to remove a rare "stone baby" she had carried for more than 50 years. Daniela Almeida Vera died a day after the operation to remove the calcified foetus from her abdomen. Her family revealed she had been too scared to see a doctor for many years, even though she often complained of severe stomach pains. Instead, she chose alternative medicine to cope with her problems, her daughter, Rosely Almeida, 21, said. Eventually, she went to the hospital and a 3D tomography scan revealed the hidden stone baby", dating back to her last pregnancy. This unusual condition, known as a lithopedion, happens when a foetus dies but can't be absorbed by the mother's body. Instead, it stays in the abdominal cavity, forming a calcium shell around it. Before this shocking discovery, doctors thought she might have had cancer. When the stone baby was discovered, Daniela, from an indigenous tribe near Brazil's border with Paraguay, had an operation on March 14. She was urgently transferred to Ponta Pora Regional Hospital in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, with a generalised infection, but didn't make it and died the next day, March 15, while still in hospital. She leaves behind seven kids and 40 grandkids. Her daughter Rosely said: "She was elderly and we are indigenous people. She didn't like going to the doctor and she was afraid of the equipment used to carry out tests." Rosely also thinks her mum might have had the "stone baby" inside her for more than 56 years because Daniela had pains since her first pregnancy, which felt like a baby moving in her belly. Her only son, Vanderlei Avalo Almeida, shared: "She didn't want to go to the doctors because she was worried she had a tumour. She would just take medicine so the pain went away." Now, further checks are underway to learn more about the stone baby. Rosely shared: "We're are in a state of shock, there's a lot of sadness. She was our mum and the only one who protected people and now she's gone and we feel lost." A study from 1996 says there have been only 290 cases of babies turning to stone, called lithopedion, written about by doctors. The oldest one they found was from a long time ago, around 1100 BC, in Texas. A woman has been convicted of money laundering, at Kilkenny District Court, following a Done Deal gone wrong. The unusual case resulted from a complaint to gardai after money was paid for an item which was not received. Melissa Crawford, 14 Poolboy Cottages, Ballinasloe, Galway, pleaded guilty to a charge of money laundering. Sergeant Morgan OConnor told the court that on June 7, 2021, the injured party posted a wanted advert on Done Deal for a grass box for a lawn mower. A person claiming to be Ms Crawford offered the item for sale and the injured party transferred 60 to them to pay for it. They then sent a picture of the receipt. However, the seller rejected the receipt as faulty and refused to send the item. The injured party complained to gardai that they were a victim of a scam.Garda investigations lead to Ms Crawford, in Galway. In interview she made admissions. Solicitor Ed Hughes said it was an unusual case because his client was charged with money laundering. He explained that Ms Crawfords cousin was allowed to use her Paddy Power betting account to place bets. She very foolishly allowed this account to accept the payment. She did not know her cousin was going to do this and use her account for a scam. The crime itself was not perpetrated by his client and he wanted to distance her from the actual fraud. Ms Crawford did not know this was going to happen but accepted she should have taken better care of her account and shouldnt have let her cousin use it. Ms Crawford is 34 and the mother of six children. She was duped by her cousin. Mr Hughes said his client had brought money to court to offer as compensation to the injured party and he asked the court to be lenient. Judge Geraldine Carthy noted the compensation offer. Ms Crawford was convicted and fined 101. The judge said she was sure a lesson had been learned. 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. Irish government minister Simon Harris could be set for a clear run at becoming the next taoiseach after a series of senior colleagues said they did not intend to run for the Fine Gael leadership. Further and Higher Education Minister Mr Harris has not yet formally declared his intention to succeed Leo Varadkar as Fine Gael leader and taoiseach, but he is now red hot favourite for the roles. All other senior Fine Gael cabinet ministers have now ruled themselves out of contention. Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe, Justice Minister Helen McEntee, Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys and Enterprise Minister and Fine Gael deputy leader Simon Coveney have all said they will not seek a nomination for the leadership. Ms Humphrey and Ms McEntee are also among a wave of Fine Gael members to have come out publicly in support of Mr Harris. Minister of State Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, who had been touted as a possible outside in any race for the leadership, has also ruled herself out and declared support for Mr Harris. If appointed Fine Gael leader, Mr Harris would be expected to be formally elected as taoiseach in the Dail in April following the Easter recess. He would become the countrys youngest ever premier at the age of 37. Mr Varadkar surprised many within the political establishment by announcing his resignation on Wednesday. Focus has since shifted to his potential successor. Mr Harris has always been viewed as one of the favourites to replace Mr Varadkar, but he may now emerge as the only contender after the other Fine Gael big hitters ruled themselves out. Mr Donohoe announced his decision in a statement issued at lunchtime on Thursday. I have long said that my focus is on the two jobs that I am privileged to hold; that of government minister and as president of the Eurogroup (of finance ministers in the eurozone), he said. That remains to be the case. It is with a huge honour that I undertake my work on the domestic and international stage. It was a great surprise to learn of Leos intentions. I thank him for his great service to Ireland and for the opportunities that he has afforded me. I do believe that a wealth of talent and experience exists in Fine Gael and that exciting times lie ahead, both for the party and ultimately for the country. Ms McEntee did not rule out a future bid for the leadership, insisting she is still ambitious, but she said it was not the right time for her. She dismissed the suggestion that criticism of her handling of riots in Dublin in November and their aftermath influenced her decision not to seek the nomination. The minister said she made the decision a year or two ago not to stand if the position became vacant in the immediate future. Thats not to rule me out in the future, Ive always said Im ambitious, that hasnt changed and thats not going to change, she said. But I believe now is not the right time for me. Ms Humphreys said she had given serious consideration to a run for the leadership but had decided against it, citing family commitments among her reasons. I just want to thank everybody who contacted me in the last 24 hours and have asked me to put my name forward and have offered me their support, she told reporters outside the Oireachtas parliament in Dublin. I have thought about this and given it very serious consideration, and Ive decided not to put my name forward, but I have decided to give Simon Harris my full support. Mr Coveney had made clear he would not be running on Wednesday evening. Mr Varadkar refused to endorse any candidate, saying he wanted to support the next leader wholeheartedly. Speaking in Brussels for the European Council meeting, Mr Varadkar said: There is a very long-standing tradition in Fine Gael, and a very good one, that outgoing or former party leaders dont endorse a particular candidate. So Im not going to do that. And the reason why I wont do that is that it will allow me to support wholeheartedly whoever is elected as the next Fine Gael leader. Mr Varadkar said that among his reasons for stepping down as Taoiseach was to give space for new people and allow for change. Im here in Brussels today. Ive been coming to Brussels for nearly 14 years now, without a break, representing the country as a minister and then as taoiseach and tanaiste, he added. But there comes a time when you need to move on and you need to make space for new people, new ideas and new energy and thats what I want to do. What Im saying is that its time for change. Its time for somebody new and I think itd be good for the party. More importantly, I think itd be good for the Government and good for the country. Ive had the privilege for over 13 years to represent Ireland around the world, to come to Brussels, to attend meetings like this. But it cant be forever and I dont want it to be forever. I left Leinster House last night at nearly 10pm. I went home, had a takeaway, had a chat with my partner and got up at 6.45am to get on a plane. You dont need to do that forever. On Thursday, Ms Carroll MacNeill said she expected Mr Harris would be the sole candidate. Today is about the future within Fine Gael and I am backing Simon Harris fully for the leadership of Fine Gael, she said. This morning, Ive had the opportunity to speak to Simon about his vision for the country. She said that Mr Harris has a vision for Ireland that is about equality of opportunity and said she was interested in meaningful difference. She added that appointing a female deputy would be a very good idea, adding there had been too few women in politics. We Are China China dispatches aircraft to combat forest fire in Yunnan Ecns.cn) 15:58, March 21, 2024 A firefighting helicopter extinguishes a forest fire in Yajiang County, southwest China's Sichuan Province, March 20, 2024. (Photo: China News Service/Liu Zhongjun) China dispatched aircraft teams to support tackling the forest fire in Yunnan. A firefighting helicopter fetches water to battle a forest fire in Yajiang County, southwest China's Sichuan Province, March 20, 2024. (Photo: China News Service/Liu Zhongjun) A firefighting helicopter extinguishes a forest fire in Yajiang County, southwest China's Sichuan Province, March 20, 2024. (Photo: China News Service/Liu Zhongjun) A firefighting helicopter extinguishes a forest fire in Yajiang County, southwest China's Sichuan Province, March 20, 2024. (Photo: China News Service/Liu Zhongjun) Two K-32 helicopters prepare to take off from a playground in Yajiang County, southwest China's Sichuan Province, March 20, 2024. (Photo: China News Service/Liu Zhongjun) (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. A third-party investigation found no evidence of bullying against former Lincoln University administrator Antoinette "Bonnie" Candia-Bailey before her suicide, according to a summary report released Thursday by the LU Board of Curators. Regional law firm Lewis Rice was hired Jan. 18 to conduct an investigation following Candia-Bailey's death by suicide Jan. 8. Before she died, Candia-Bailey, former vice president for student affairs, wrote a 12-page letter to LU President John Moseley, alumni and faculty, and accused the president of bullying and harassment. Moseley was voluntarily placed on paid administrative leave Jan. 12, and protests led by students ensued, calling for Moseley's removal. Following the completion of the investigation, the Board of Curators reinstated Moseley as president. This third-party investigation was independent and thorough, and members of the Board and I are confident in its conclusions that no claims of bullying by the University President can be substantiated, and that the University responded appropriately to requests for accommodation, said Rod Chapel, president of the Missouri NAACP State Conference, currently serving as special counsel to the Board of Curators. While this independent report clarifies the facts about legal and procedural concerns that have been raised, it does not make Dr. Candia-Baileys death any less tragic for her loved ones or our University community and we continue to grieve her loss as we work with students and employees to strengthen Lincoln University moving forward," Chapel continued. Lewis Rice wrote in its findings that allegations included in Candia-Bailey's letter were "wholly unfounded and do not implicate any employment laws at all." The law firm found the university did not fail to accommodate Candia-Bailey in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The firm said it prioritized this allegation in its investigation at a request from the Board of Curators. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. "The University responded appropriate and timely to Dr. Candia-Bailey's request for accommodation by, among other things, allowing Dr. Candia-Bailey to work remotely one or two more times per month and to use accrued leave if she needed time off," Lewis Rice wrote. The Curators heard the investigation results at a meeting on March 8, and a final report was submitted to the board on March 14. According to the law firm, it interviewed 19 employees and university leaders, and reviewed thousands of documents, including email exchanges, text messages and internal university memos and policies as part of its investigation. Employees interviewed includes those who reported directly to and worked closely with Candia-Bailey and Moseley, the law firm said. The Board of Curators also released an open letter to the LU community, which said the investigation did find "some workplace stress excited, leading to strained relationships among and between University employees." "Those concerns have been largely addressed and the Board will be working with President Mosely on improvements to staff operations and increased staff training and resources," the Board of Curators wrote. Victor Pasley, president of the Board of Curators, said the report is not the end of a process, but the beginning of one. "None of its findings have led the Board to doubt President Moseleys ability to lead the University, but this tragedy has forced us to grapple more fully with issues facing Lincoln and our individual students and employees ranging from mental health support to employee work and relationships, Pasley said. The LU students who previously protested for the removal of Moseley said their working on their next steps and plan to continue protests in the future. LU Student Government Association president Kenlyn Washington said she's skeptical because the Curators chose their own investigator to investigate another Curator. "Just because they [Lewis Rice LLC.] don't think there are any problems or a situation for his leadership, the students still feel some type of way, and I know there are still some faculty and staff and admin that does feel some type of way towards him coming back," Washington said. Under Public Service Loan Forgiveness, qualifying borrowers are eligible for student loan cancellation after making 10 years of monthly payments. The Missouri State Fair said its new state-of-the-art complex will provide a modern and versatile space for a wide range of events year-round and during the annual fair, from livestock shows to conferences, trade shows and community gatherings, among other multi-purpose uses. Shares of Banco de Sabadell, S.A. (OTCMKTS:BNDSF Get Free Report) fell 1.3% on Wednesday . The company traded as low as $1.51 and last traded at $1.52. 16,775 shares were traded during mid-day trading, an increase of 18% from the average session volume of 14,188 shares. The stock had previously closed at $1.54. Banco de Sabadell Price Performance The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $1.30 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $1.25. Banco de Sabadell Company Profile (Get Free Report) Banco de Sabadell, SA provides banking products and services to personal, business, and private customers in Spain and internationally. The company offers retail banking products, such as current and savings accounts, personal loans, cards, and mortgages. It also provides financial products and services to large and medium enterprises, SMEs, shops and self-employed workers, private individuals, and professionals; and consumer finance, asset management, and bancassurance services. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Banco de Sabadell Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Banco de Sabadell and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. lessened its stake in Chevron Co. (NYSE:CVX Free Report) by 0.1% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 176,391 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after selling 89 shares during the period. Chevron accounts for about 0.8% of Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc.s holdings, making the stock its 20th biggest position. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc.s holdings in Chevron were worth $26,310,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Several other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in CVX. Picton Mahoney Asset Management acquired a new position in Chevron during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $26,000. Valley Forge Investment Consultants Inc. ADV increased its position in Chevron by 80.0% during the 3rd quarter. Valley Forge Investment Consultants Inc. ADV now owns 180 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 80 shares during the period. Valued Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Chevron in the 4th quarter worth approximately $33,000. DHJJ Financial Advisors Ltd. acquired a new stake in shares of Chevron in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $35,000. Finally, Worth Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Chevron in the 1st quarter worth approximately $36,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 68.87% of the companys stock. Get Chevron alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on the company. Royal Bank of Canada upped their price target on Chevron from $185.00 to $190.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Monday, February 5th. Piper Sandler lowered their price target on Chevron from $188.00 to $180.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, March 14th. DZ Bank cut Chevron from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $160.00 price target on the stock. in a report on Tuesday, February 6th. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded Chevron from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $184.00 price target on the stock in a report on Monday, January 8th. Finally, Mizuho upped their target price on Chevron from $195.00 to $200.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Chevron presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $180.39. Chevron Trading Down 1.3 % Shares of Chevron stock traded down $2.07 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $154.55. 8,418,793 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 8,966,110. Chevron Co. has a 52-week low of $139.62 and a 52-week high of $172.88. The firm has a market capitalization of $287.04 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.60, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.84 and a beta of 1.12. The company has a fifty day moving average of $150.38 and a 200-day moving average of $153.04. The company has a current ratio of 1.27, a quick ratio of 1.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13. Chevron (NYSE:CVX Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, February 2nd. The oil and gas company reported $3.45 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $3.19 by $0.26. The company had revenue of $47.18 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $50.93 billion. Chevron had a return on equity of 15.24% and a net margin of 10.63%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 16.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $4.09 EPS. Sell-side analysts forecast that Chevron Co. will post 13.04 EPS for the current fiscal year. Chevron Increases Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 11th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 16th were issued a dividend of $1.63 per share. This represents a $6.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.22%. This is an increase from Chevrons previous quarterly dividend of $1.51. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 15th. Chevrons dividend payout ratio is presently 57.39%. Chevron Company Profile (Free Report) Chevron Corporation, through its subsidiaries, engages in the integrated energy and chemicals operations in the United States and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Upstream and Downstream. The Upstream segment is involved in the exploration, development, production, and transportation of crude oil and natural gas; liquefaction, transportation, and regasification associated with liquefied natural gas; transportation of crude oil through pipelines; and processing, transportation, storage, and marketing of natural gas, as well as a gas-to-liquids plant. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CVX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Chevron Co. (NYSE:CVX Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Chevron Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Chevron and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Dell Technologies Inc. (NYSE:DELL Get Free Report) Director V (Gp) L.L.C. Slta sold 560,052 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $107.95, for a total transaction of $60,457,613.40. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 435,849 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $47,049,899.55. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. V (Gp) L.L.C. Slta also recently made the following trade(s): Get Dell Technologies alerts: On Friday, March 15th, V (Gp) L.L.C. Slta sold 720,112 shares of Dell Technologies stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $107.54, for a total transaction of $77,440,844.48. On Wednesday, March 13th, V (Gp) L.L.C. Slta sold 77,070 shares of Dell Technologies stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $110.17, for a total transaction of $8,490,801.90. On Monday, March 4th, V (Gp) L.L.C. Slta sold 373,375 shares of Dell Technologies stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $126.32, for a total transaction of $47,164,730.00. Dell Technologies Stock Performance Shares of DELL traded up $3.54 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $111.06. 9,580,268 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 6,807,271. Dell Technologies Inc. has a 1-year low of $36.81 and a 1-year high of $131.06. The company has a 50 day moving average of $92.74 and a 200-day moving average of $78.64. The stock has a market cap of $79.03 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.41, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.91. Dell Technologies Increases Dividend Dell Technologies ( NYSE:DELL Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly 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. Dell Technologies had a net margin of 3.63% and a negative return on equity of 165.52%. The business had revenue of $22.32 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $22.17 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $1.55 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 10.9% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts anticipate that Dell Technologies Inc. will post 6.27 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. 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 paid a $0.445 dividend. This is a boost from Dell Technologiess previous quarterly dividend of $0.37. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, April 22nd. This represents a $1.78 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.60%. Dell Technologiess dividend payout ratio is 33.87%. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Dell Technologies Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in Dell Technologies by 17.7% during the 1st quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 14,076 shares of the technology companys stock worth $706,000 after buying an additional 2,117 shares in the last quarter. D.A. Davidson & CO. acquired a new stake in shares of Dell Technologies in the 1st quarter valued at $304,000. MetLife Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Dell Technologies in the 1st quarter valued at $568,000. Rhumbline Advisers raised its holdings in shares of Dell Technologies by 2.0% in the 1st quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 254,266 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $12,762,000 after purchasing an additional 4,949 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Yousif Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Dell Technologies by 5.2% in the 1st quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC now owns 6,090 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $306,000 after purchasing an additional 302 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 38.10% of the companys stock. Analyst Ratings Changes Several research firms have issued reports on DELL. TD Cowen lifted their price target on shares of Dell Technologies from $75.00 to $105.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a report on Friday, March 1st. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price objective on shares of Dell Technologies from $87.00 to $129.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, March 4th. Raymond James boosted their price objective on shares of Dell Technologies from $68.00 to $82.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday, December 1st. Morgan Stanley boosted their price objective on shares of Dell Technologies from $100.00 to $128.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday, March 1st. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on shares of Dell Technologies from $85.00 to $140.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday, March 1st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating and twelve have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $102.88. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on DELL 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 Stories 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. iShares Global Financials ETF (NYSEARCA:IXG Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high during trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $86.36 and last traded at $86.36, with a volume of 2183 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $85.63. iShares Global Financials ETF Stock Up 0.8 % The company has a market capitalization of $500.42 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.07 and a beta of 0.99. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $80.97 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $75.97. Get iShares Global Financials ETF alerts: Institutional Inflows and Outflows Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Sound Income Strategies LLC bought a new position in shares of iShares Global Financials ETF during the 4th quarter worth approximately $38,000. Advisors Preferred LLC purchased a new position in shares of iShares Global Financials ETF during the 3rd quarter valued at $39,000. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. boosted its stake in iShares Global Financials ETF by 5.8% during the third quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 6,546 shares of the companys stock valued at $461,000 after buying an additional 359 shares during the period. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC bought a new stake in iShares Global Financials ETF during the third quarter valued at $269,000. Finally, Richard Bernstein Advisors LLC increased its stake in iShares Global Financials ETF by 25,473.5% in the 3rd quarter. Richard Bernstein Advisors LLC now owns 66,491 shares of the companys stock worth $4,684,000 after acquiring an additional 66,231 shares during the last quarter. iShares Global Financials ETF Company Profile Ishares S&P Global Financials Sector Index Fund, formerly iShares Global Financials ETF (the Fund), is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of companies that Standard & Poors deems part of the financial sector of the economy and important to global markets, as represented by the S&P Global 1200 Financials Sector Index (the Index). Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for iShares Global Financials ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Global Financials ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. iShares MSCI Min Vol Canada Index ETF (TSE:XMV Get Free Report) announced a quarterly dividend on Friday, March 22nd, TickerTech reports. Investors of record on Thursday, March 28th will be given a dividend of 0.284 per share on Thursday, March 28th. This represents a $1.14 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.73%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 22nd. iShares MSCI Min Vol Canada Index ETF Price Performance Shares of XMV traded up C$0.12 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching C$41.62. 5,266 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,669. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of C$40.26 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of C$38.61. iShares MSCI Min Vol Canada Index ETF has a 52 week low of C$35.61 and a 52 week high of C$41.77. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI Min Vol Canada Index ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI Min Vol Canada Index ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. National Bank of Canada (OTCMKTS:NTIOF Get Free Report) announced a dividend on Tuesday, March 19th, investing.com reports. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 25th will be paid a dividend of 0.7841 per share by the financial services provider on Wednesday, May 1st. This represents a dividend yield of 3.85%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 22nd. This is a boost from National Bank of Canadas previous dividend of $0.78. National Bank of Canada Price Performance Shares of NTIOF stock opened at $83.52 on Thursday. National Bank of Canada has a twelve month low of $60.71 and a twelve month high of $83.74. The stock has a market capitalization of $28.33 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.54 and a beta of 1.08. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $77.32 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $71.34. The company has a current ratio of 0.78, a quick ratio of 0.78 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04. Get National Bank of Canada alerts: National Bank of Canada (OTCMKTS:NTIOF Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, February 28th. The financial services provider reported $1.92 earnings per share for the quarter. National Bank of Canada had a return on equity of 17.13% and a net margin of 13.64%. The business had revenue of $2.01 billion during the quarter. National Bank of Canada Company Profile 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. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS Get Free Report) traded down 0.3% on Monday . The stock traded as low as $383.41 and last traded at $386.01. 554,351 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 73% from the average session volume of 2,084,289 shares. The stock had previously closed at $387.21. Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Daiwa Capital Markets upgraded The Goldman Sachs Group from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and lifted their price objective for the company from $410.00 to $430.00 in a research note on Thursday, March 14th. Oppenheimer decreased their price target on The Goldman Sachs Group from $506.00 to $446.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Tuesday. Barclays raised their target price on The Goldman Sachs Group from $437.00 to $493.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 2nd. JMP Securities reiterated a market outperform rating and issued a $440.00 price target on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in a research note on Wednesday, January 17th. Finally, UBS Group upped their target price on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $382.00 to $440.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, January 9th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, The Goldman Sachs Group presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $406.69. Get The Goldman Sachs Group alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on The Goldman Sachs Group The Goldman Sachs Group Stock Up 2.0 % The company has a market capitalization of $128.67 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.37, a PEG ratio of 1.49 and a beta of 1.42. The company has a current ratio of 0.76, a quick ratio of 0.76 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.29. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $385.21 and its 200-day simple moving average is $354.25. The Goldman Sachs Group (NYSE:GS Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 16th. The investment management company reported $5.48 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.62 by $1.86. The Goldman Sachs Group had a net margin of 7.85% and a return on equity of 8.03%. The firm had revenue of $11.32 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $10.80 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $3.32 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 6.9% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. will post 32.79 EPS for the current fiscal year. The Goldman Sachs Group Announces Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 28th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 29th will be given a $2.75 dividend. This represents a $11.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.77%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, February 28th. The Goldman Sachs Groups payout ratio is 48.20%. Insider Transactions at The Goldman Sachs Group In other The Goldman Sachs Group news, CFO Denis P. Coleman sold 12,680 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, February 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $394.43, for a total transaction of $5,001,372.40. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 29,417 shares in the company, valued at $11,602,947.31. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other news, CFO Denis P. Coleman sold 12,680 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, February 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $394.43, for a total value of $5,001,372.40. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 29,417 shares of the companys stock, valued at $11,602,947.31. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Treasurer Philip R. Berlinski sold 11,650 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $390.64, for a total transaction of $4,550,956.00. Following the sale, the treasurer now directly owns 18,408 shares in the company, valued at $7,190,901.12. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 38,907 shares of company stock valued at $15,080,021 in the last ninety days. 0.54% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in the 4th quarter valued at $1,120,119,000. Morgan Stanley raised its holdings in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 40.0% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 5,936,351 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $2,038,425,000 after purchasing an additional 1,696,350 shares during the period. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC increased its position in The Goldman Sachs Group by 168,772.3% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 1,244,589 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $427,367,000 after purchasing an additional 1,243,852 shares in the last quarter. Comerica Bank acquired a new stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in the second quarter worth $2,300,710,000. Finally, Congress Wealth Management LLC DE increased its holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group by 27,076.5% in the 3rd quarter. Congress Wealth Management LLC DE now owns 653,322 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $211,396,000 after purchasing an additional 650,918 shares in the last quarter. 69.06% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About The Goldman Sachs Group (Get Free Report) The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc, a financial institution, provides a range of financial services for corporations, financial institutions, governments, and individuals worldwide. It operates through Global Banking & Markets, Asset & Wealth Management, and Platform Solutions segments. The Global Banking & Markets segment provides financial advisory services, including strategic advisory assignments related to mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, corporate defense activities, restructurings, and spin-offs; and relationship lending, and acquisition financing, as well as secured lending, through structured credit and asset-backed lending and involved in financing under securities to resale agreements. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for The Goldman Sachs Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for The Goldman Sachs Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Vornado Realty Trust (NYSE:VNO Get Free Report) shares traded up 6.3% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The company traded as high as $29.34 and last traded at $28.98. 786,724 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 66% from the average session volume of 2,304,609 shares. The stock had previously closed at $27.25. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of brokerages have weighed in on VNO. Evercore ISI decreased their target price on Vornado Realty Trust from $28.00 to $26.00 and set an underperform rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, February 15th. Truist Financial lifted their target price on Vornado Realty Trust from $27.00 to $30.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 20th. Piper Sandler lifted their target price on Vornado Realty Trust from $16.00 to $25.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 20th. BMO Capital Markets raised Vornado Realty Trust from an underperform rating to a market perform rating and lifted their target price for the company from $25.00 to $31.00 in a research report on Friday, December 15th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group decreased their target price on Vornado Realty Trust from $24.00 to $21.00 and set a sell rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, February 22nd. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and five have issued a hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Reduce and an average price target of $23.67. Get Vornado Realty Trust alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Vornado Realty Trust Vornado Realty Trust Stock Up 5.4 % The company has a current ratio of 4.95, a quick ratio of 4.95 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.82. The company has a 50-day moving average of $26.39 and a 200-day moving average of $24.98. The company has a market capitalization of $5.47 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 126.30 and a beta of 1.56. Vornado Realty Trust (NYSE:VNO Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Monday, February 12th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.04 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.59 by ($0.55). The firm had revenue of $441.89 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $453.82 million. Vornado Realty Trust had a net margin of 5.82% and a return on equity of 3.22%. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 1.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.72 EPS. On average, equities analysts predict that Vornado Realty Trust will post 2.31 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Institutional Trading of Vornado Realty Trust Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Gotham Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Vornado Realty Trust by 16.8% in the third quarter. Gotham Asset Management LLC now owns 321,993 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $7,303,000 after buying an additional 46,316 shares during the last quarter. Rush Island Management LP purchased a new position in Vornado Realty Trust during the third quarter worth approximately $27,901,000. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC boosted its position in Vornado Realty Trust by 50.9% during the third quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 215,608 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $4,890,000 after purchasing an additional 72,750 shares in the last quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP purchased a new position in Vornado Realty Trust during the third quarter worth approximately $1,158,000. Finally, Envestnet Asset Management Inc. boosted its position in Vornado Realty Trust by 35.4% during the third quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 426,691 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $9,677,000 after purchasing an additional 111,509 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 75.86% of the companys stock. About Vornado Realty Trust (Get Free Report) Vornado is a fully integrated real estate investment trust (REIT) with a portfolio of premier New York City office and retail assets and the developer of the new PENN DISTRICT. While concentrated in New York, Vornado also owns the premier assets in both Chicago and San Francisco. Vornado is a real estate industry leader in sustainability, with over 27 million square feet of LEED-certified buildings and over 23 million square feet at LEED Gold or Platinum. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Vornado Realty Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Vornado Realty Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Korea, Pakistan marks 41 anniversary of diplomatic relations By Nabeel Munir We, in Pakistan, celebrate our National Day on March 23. The day is a celebration of our homeland, and the freedom and hope that it engenders in our lives. This day reminds us of the struggles, the unparallel sacrifices and the resultant accomplishments of the founder of the nation, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, and the leaders of the Pakistan Movement. On this day, 84 years ago, our forefathers adopted the historic Pakistan Resolution in the city of Lahore. It was a pivotal moment in the history of Muslim political consciousness in British India, as it called for the creation of a separate sovereign state, Pakistan. The resolution laid the foundation of the ideology of Pakistan, and by extension, the principles on which the edifice of our foreign policy was erected. Pakistans worldview is characterized by friendliness and goodwill toward all nations, honesty and fair play in international relations and a commitment to promoting international peace and prosperity, based on the principles of the United Nations Charter. To quote the Father of the Nation himself, Our objective should be peace within and peace without. ROK-Pakistan relations In line with these fundamental principles, Pakistan established formal diplomatic relations with the Republic of Korea (ROK) 41 years ago on Nov. 7, 1983. Pakistan-Republic of Korea relations, based on respect, cordiality and mutual interest, have progressed well over the past four decades. The 40th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between the two countries last year was celebrated with multiple events in Pakistan and the ROK. Our foreign ministers also exchanged congratulatory letters on the occasion. But the relationship between our people is millennia old. It was in 384 A.D. that Monk Maranantha brought Buddhism to the ancient kingdom of Baekje from Swabi in Pakistan. He traveled across China, arriving at Beopseongpo in Yeonggwang in the Baekje Kingdom. The city hosts a memorial and a museum in his honor, acknowledging his Gandhara roots from what is now Pakistan. ROK-Pakistan bilateral relations have developed from strength to strength, covering diverse areas, including socio-economic development, trade and investment, human resource development and exchange, defense, people-to-people contacts and the list goes on. We have established various institutional mechanisms to ensure regular engagement and exchange of views. These mechanisms provide platforms for strategic deliberations between the two countries. Exchanges between the two countries have increased in the recent past. These have included official engagements and cultural exchanges, and ministerial and senior-level visits. Appearing as the feature country at last years Migrant Arirang Multicultural Festival (MAMF) was one such occasion, that allowed us to showcase our ethos and culture for the Korean people. Several MOUs, including in the fields of media, educational exchange, peacekeeping operations and collaboration in AI, big data, IoT and deep tech, were signed in recent years to further enhance collaboration. Economic and trade cooperation forms the cornerstone of our bilateral relationship, with both nations actively engaged in initiatives to further strengthen it. In 2023, Pakistan-ROK bilateral trade volume stood at around $1billion. This, of course, is far below our true potential, and the private sectors of both countries are dynamically engaged in increasing this number exponentially. Over the years, Pakistan has also attracted significant Korean investments. Beginning with Daewoo in the mid-1980s, they have since expanded into varied sectors, including automobiles, hydropower, chemicals, mobile manufacturing and confectionery. Key Korean investors in Pakistan include Lotte, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, Korea South-East Power Co., K-water, Samsung, Hyundai and Kia. The Miracle on Han River has endowed Korea with a passion to share the fruits of its prosperity, and to give back to other developing countries. Its commitment to supporting Pakistan's socio-economic development is evident through its official development assistance programs. Since 1991, Koreas Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) has funded many development projects in Pakistan. A recent increase in the EDCF to $1 billion for the period of 2022-26 will cover infrastructure projects, including highways, hydroelectric power, hospitals and IT parks. A positive trajectory in bilateral development cooperation is clearly discernible. Pakistani diaspora in the ROK, totaling around 15,000, represent an integral facet of people-to-people connection. Comprising of workers, businesspeople, students and professionals, the Pakistani community plays a pivotal role in fostering economic and cultural links between the two countries. Pakistani workers are contributing to the Korean economy, and ensuring that a labor shortage in Korean SMEs does not result in any negative impacts. The MOU on Employment Permit System (EPS) was signed between the governments of Pakistan and ROK in 2006. The number of Pakistani workers arriving in ROK under the EPS has been steadily increasing. The EPS worker quota for Pakistan for 2024 currently stands at 4700. Building on the trust established over decades, there is immense potential to further deepen bilateral relations between Pakistan and the ROK, particularly in economic diplomacy and development cooperation. Pakistan looks toward Korea to learn from its miraculous economic growth and development and to replicate the lessons learnt back home. May the enduring friendship and cooperation between the people of Pakistan and ROK propel us forward together, pursuing common dreams, visions and goals of peace and prosperity. Nabeel Munir is the Pakistani ambassador to Korea. By Slavoj Zizek LJUBLJANA The way things are going in Haiti, violent gangs might not only gain an official government role; they might actually become the government. Following the gangs seizure of critical infrastructure and the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry, Haiti is exhibiting all the familiar features of a failed state. Its people are left with a tragic choice: continued rule by a corrupt democratic elite, or direct rule by gangs who present themselves as progressive. With law and order having collapsed, CARICOM, the Caribbean regional intergovernmental organization, has announced an agreement to create a transitional council aimed at representing a wide swath of Haitian political and civil-society groupings. The council would wield some powers that typically belong to the (vacant) office of the president, including the power to name an interim prime minister. The resulting government would be expected eventually to hold elections, thus achieving a complete political reset. But whom will these new arrangements include? Haiti has been under a state of emergency since armed groups attacked the countrys largest prison earlier this month, killing and injuring police and prison staff, and allowing nearly 4,000 inmates to escape. The gang leader Jimmy Barbecue Cherizier himself a former police officer took credit for the attack and called for the government to be overthrown. Gangs now control 80 percent of Haitis capital, Port-au-Prince, having seized the countrys main airport to block Henrys return from a diplomatic mission to Kenya, where he was hoping to secure police reinforcements. The CARICOM agreement bars anyone with prior criminal convictions or sanctions against them, thus disqualifying Cherizier. But Cherizier has long been known to harbor political aspirations. He is not only a gang leader but also a populist politician, telling an interviewer in 2019: I would never massacre people in the same social class as me. Earlier this month, he said: We wont lie to people, saying we have a peaceful revolution. We do not have a peaceful revolution. We are starting a bloody revolution in the country. Cherizier has likened himself to Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, Che Guevara, Fidel Castro, and even Robin Hood. But he also admires Francois Papa Doc Duvalier, the right-wing dictator who ruled Haiti with an iron fist from 1957 to 1971 (and who also terrorized Haitian society with armed paramilitary groups, led by the infamous Tonton Macoutes). In a warning issued late on the night of March 11, Cherizier announced that the alliance of gangs known as Viv Ansanm would not recognize any government resulting from the CARICOM agreement, arguing that, It is up to the Haitian people to designate the personalities who will lead the country. Similarly, an adviser to Guy Philippe, a Haitian rebel leader who recently returned to the country, warns that Port-au-Prince will be burned to the ground if the next government does not include Philippe. Haitis story is a long-running tragedy. For more than 200 years, it has been punished for the successful slave rebellion (beginning in 1791) that allowed it to emerge as the worlds first black republic. Forced to pay reparations to France, its former colonial overlord, the only chance it ever had to prosper was when Jean-Bertrand Aristide and his Lavalas party took power a couple of decades ago. But Aristide, a thorn in Americas side, was toppled in a coup in February 2004. Haiti is an extreme case of a broader phenomenon. Violent gangs have also occupied parts of cities in Ecuador and Mexico; and, of course, a gang of outgoing U.S. President Donald Trumps supporters stormed the Capitol in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. Trump now promises that one of his first official acts, if re-elected, will be to pardon all those convicted for their participation in that assault. The strongest of the gangs that organized the Jan. 6 insurrection are the Proud Boys, an exclusively male neo-fascist organization that openly promotes and engages in political violence. Recall that when asked about his appeal to white supremacist and paramilitary groups at a presidential debate in 2020, Trump infamously responded, Proud Boys, stand back and stand by. The groups leaders have since been convicted of seditious conspiracy and other crimes against the United States for their attempt to block the constitutionally prescribed transfer of presidential power. Interestingly, the Proud Boys have an initiation process that includes physical hazing, such as being punched unless you correctly answer pop-culture trivia questions, and members must abstain from pornography. Strange as these rituals sound, they are familiar mechanisms. Fraternal rituals play the role of poetry, as described by Ernst Junger, a reluctant Nazi fellow-traveler who, like the Proud Boys, celebrated the purifying effect of military struggle: Any power struggle is preceded by a verification of images and iconoclasm. This is why we need poets they initiate the overthrow, even that of titans. Failed states are no longer confined to a few corners of the Global South. If we measure a states failure by the cracks in the edifice of its power that is, by the evidence of brewing ideological civil wars, deadlocked assemblies, and increasingly insecure public spaces we must recognize that France, the United Kingdom, and the U.S. are clearly on the spectrum. The Norwegian political theorist Jon Elster was correct, in 2020, when he wrote: We can reverse the common dictum that democracy is under threat, and affirm that democracy is the threat, at least in its short-termist populist form. Recent experience offers clear signals of what will happen if Trump wins the November presidential election. One might appropriately paraphrase an old joke from East Germany: Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, and Trump are given an audience with God and allowed one question each. Putin begins: Tell me what will happen to Russia in the next few decades? God answers: Russia will gradually become a colony of China. Putin turns around and starts to cry. Xi asks the same question about China. God answers: With the Chinese economic miracle over, you will have to return to a hardline dictatorship to survive, while asking Taiwan for help. Xi turns around and starts to cry. Finally, Trump asks: And what will be the fate of the U.S. after I take over again? God turns around and starts to cry. Slavoj ?i?ek, Professor of Philosophy at the European Graduate School, is International Director of the Birkbeck Institute for the Humanities at the University of London and the author, most recently, of Heaven in Disorder (OR Books, 2021). This article was distributed by Project Syndicate. Kendallville, IN (46755) Today Rain. Thunder possible. Low 41F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%.. Tonight Rain. Thunder possible. Low 41F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Angola, IN (46703) Today Rain likely. Thunder possible. Low around 40F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%.. Tonight Rain likely. Thunder possible. Low around 40F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%. After acknowledging her relationship in January, about 630,000 followers already turned their backs on HyunA on Instagram. Is it a crime to fall in love? On March 21, K-pop fans re-examined HyunA's status following her dating confirmation. The idol was once the No. 9 most followed Instagram among female idols. But from having 18.63M Instagram followers in December 2023, she lost 630k and has only 18 million now. HyunA Continues to Get 'Canceled' on SNS for Dating Her Beau HyunA star started losing her fans on the social platform when she confirmed her relationship with former HIGHLIGHT Yong Junhyung. While HyunA still has a considerable large number of followers, the crucial and saddest part of this was that most of those who unfollowed her were her long-time fans who had been with her since her debut in 2007. Aside from losing a massive number of followers, most of her largest fansites on X also shut down and left the fandom without looking back. Not only fans but even celebrities were said to unfollow the K-pop idol, including 2AM Jo Kwon and EXID Hani. ALSO READ: THIS Top Idol Loses Over 400k Instagram Followers After Dating News Why Is She Being Hated? While HyunA remains silent and continues posting on her SNS, netizens also goes on mocking her following her dating news, leaving hateful comments and criticism in every photo she uploads. Is It a Crime to Fall In Love? Here's Why HyunA Is Being Hated for Dating Yong Junhyung HyunA's current boyfriend is Yong Junhyung, who initially rose to fame as HIGHLIGHT and a well-known idol songwriter and producer. The frustration of fans didn't stem from him being a K-pop idol, but because of his involvement in the high-profile controversy, the Burning Sun Scandal. While he denied committing sexual assault and filming illicit videos of victims, he admitted that he did watch these illegal videos shared in a group chat by Jung Joonyoung, the key member who was jailed for r**e and recording s** videos without the victims' consent. To people's anger, Yong Junhyung didn't serve his jail time and only left his group as a punishment. Despite this, he didn't fully retire from the K-pop scene and returned as a soloist in 2022. As HyunA is known to be actively promoting women empowerment, fans began calling her "shameless" and "dumb" for dating a guy who committed a crime against women. If these reasons aren't enough, people also dubbed HyunA a "traitor" for betraying her late friend, Goo Hara. Back in 2011, the late idol dated Yong Junhyung and broke up in 2013. Simply put, HyunA broke the "girl code." In addition to this, before she passed away, she was threatened by her ex-boyfriend Choi Jongbum that he would release illicit videos wherein she was assaulted. Sadly, some blamed her for it, which was assumed to be one of the reasons she also took her life. In relation to this, HyunA was criticized for not sympathizing with the victims when her actual friend suffered from it as well and was still "unbothered" for dating Yong. READ MORE: HyunA Earns Hateful Comments for Recent Visuals: 'She looks like Annabelle...' For more K-Pop news and updates, keep your tabs open here at KpopStarz. KpopStarz owns this article. Written by Eunice Dela Cruz In the realm of captivating reactions, IVE's Jang Wonyoung has once again stolen the spotlight, this time with an unexpected encounter during the group's "SHOW WHAT I HAVE" tour in America. During IVE's electrifying performance in Fort Worth, a city buzzing with enthusiasm from thousands of devoted fans, a special moment unfolded post-show. Lucky fans, part of an exclusive send-off package, had the chance to interact with the members up close. It was during this intimate setting that Wonyoung's expressive nature shone brightly. A Photocard Surprise One fan, recounting their memorable experience, shared a delightful interaction with Wonyoung. As she passed by, Wonyoung's eyes lit up with surprise and affection as she exclaimed, "Oh! Your photocard." The charm of this moment escalated when it was revealed that the fan was holding a photocard featuring none other than ENHYPEN's Sunghoon. Fans fondly remember Wonyoung and Sunghoon's time together as Music Bank MCs, witnessing firsthand the genuine camaraderie and pure friendship between them. IN CASE YOU MISSED THIS: IVE Jang Wonyoung & Ahn Yujin Accused of Favoritism - K-Netz Defend The Idols Netizens' Delight As the video capturing Wonyoung's heartwarming reaction circulated online, netizens couldn't contain their joy. The genuine warmth and connection between Wonyoung and Sunghoon resonated deeply with fans, garnering widespread admiration and love. Some netizens took to Twitter to express their thoughts, with comments such as: "why is there a sunghoon pc at your concert?" wonyoung : thats oomf pic.twitter.com/nKOgkAMkL7 (@sagicidal) March 21, 2024 during ives send off today, op had a sunghoon pc on the back of their phone and wonyoung pointed at it and said oh! your photocard pic.twitter.com/XlGzKESVPj March 21, 2024 also im just so glad that both sunghoon and wonyoung are so comfortable in mentioning each other so casually it just shows how good their friendship actually is pic.twitter.com/Y3NMNkUQO0 val hoon fan (@eunchaekkk) March 21, 2024 op had a sunghoon pc on the back of op's phone then wonyoung pointed it and said "oh your photocard", jangkku besties pic.twitter.com/VdfxDyxaSD (@pshkive) March 21, 2024 With the viral moment leaving fans delighted and craving more, the anticipation for future interactions between Wonyoung and Sunghoon continues to grow. In recent news, During IVE's concert in Singapore, member Jang Wonyoung was captured on video pinching her own thighs to stay awake, sparking concerns about her health. The video went viral on Weibo, with many expressing admiration for her professionalism while others worried about her exhausting schedule and lack of rest. Netizens hope she gets adequate rest and isn't pushed to the point of exhaustion by her demanding schedule. Some praised her self-discipline, while others emphasized the importance of her well-being over her career obligations. YOU MIGHT BE ALSO INTERESTED IN: IVE Jang Wonyoung's Incredible Bob Haircut Debut Goes Viral - 'She Looks To...' For more K-Pop news and updates, keep your tabs open here at KpopStarz. KpopStarz owns this article. Written by Cassidy Jones. PRNewswire Gurgaon (Haryana) [India], March 21: Azure Power Global Limited (the "Company" or "Azure"), an independent sustainable energy solutions provider and renewable power producer in India, today announced that it held its Special Meeting of Shareholders on March 20, 2024 at its Gurugram, India office. The proposal submitted for shareholder approval was approved. Also Read | Terror Attack in Pakistan: Two Soldiers Killed, 15 Injured in Suicide Attack in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Dera Ismail Khan. Specifically, the shareholders adopted the Annual Report of the Company for the year ended March 31, 2022, along with the Report of the Board of Directors and the Report of the Auditors, and the corresponding annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended March 31, 2022 filed with US Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). About Azure Also Read | West Bengal: Transfer of Four District Magistrates Ahead of Lok Sabha Elections Again Proves BJP Targeting State for Electoral Gains, Says TMC. Azure is a leading independent sustainable energy solutions provider and renewable power producer in India. Azure developed India's first utility scale solar project in 2009, and since then it has grown rapidly to become a leader in developing and operating large utility-scale renewable energy projects in the country. For more information about Azure, visit: www.azurepower.com. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the US Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding the bringing of a fresh perspective and valuable guidance, driving growth and success, driving the Company forward, and achieving Company goals. Words such as "may," "will," "should," "likely," "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "projects," "believes," "estimates," "outlook" and similar expressions are used to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations and beliefs and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied by the statements in this press release. All forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to the Company as of the date hereof, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements. For more information: ContactInvestor Contactir@azurepower.com Media Contact pr@azurepower.com Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/819565/Azure_Power_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) BusinessWire India Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], March 21: DBS Bank India announced a lending commitment of USD 250 million for new-age start-ups today. The initiative is part of the bank's focus on fostering innovation and entrepreneurship within the country's thriving start-up ecosystem. Also Read | Vivo T3 5G With 'MediaTek Dimensity 7200' Processor Launched in India: Check Price, Specifications, Features and Sale Details. The Indian start-up sector, a foundational pillar of the country's development goals, has seen significant expansion over the years with over 90,000 start-ups and more than 100 unicorns as of 2024. Despite their growing resilience, access to capital for these companies in the current dynamic environment presents an ongoing challenge. Recognising the disruptive power of the start-up segment, particularly those harnessing emerging technologies, DBS Bank India has earmarked lending support of USD 250 million, focusing on enterprises that are set to redefine industry standards with innovative solutions. Rajat Verma, Managing Director & Head, Institutional Banking Group, DBS Bank India said, "We are inspired by the ability of new-age entrepreneurs to harness innovation to solve real world challenges and hope to play a constructive role in their growth. We believe that our lending commitment of USD 250 million for start-ups comes at an opportune time as the sector has been demonstrating improved operating metrics and a sharper focus on profitability in recent years. DBS Bank India intends to leverage our advanced digital expertise, deep Asian connectivity, and ecosystem partnerships to offer holistic support, even going beyond banking to empower these innovators to streamline operations, manage logistics and gain access to larger business networks. As a different kind of bank, our overarching objective is to become a trusted partner for start-ups across sectors and support them throughout the business lifecycle." Also Read | Worlds Happiest Country Title Goes to Finland for Consecutive 7th Time, Check Where India Stands on List. The bank's advanced risk assessment framework, which combines traditional metrics with modern analytical tools, ensures a balanced approach to financing. The comprehensive evaluation process ensures that DBS Bank India can deliver tailored banking solutions that match the dynamism of the industry innovators it partners with. Given the unique hurdles encountered by start-ups in the digital economy, DBS goes the extra mile to offer a host of exclusive benefits curated from across partners, which will enable these companies to bolster agility and unlock growth. Through platforms like DBS Businessclass FoundED, the bank celebrates modern-day founders, engaging with over 1000 start-ups and 50 incubators across India till date. (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) NewsVoir New Delhi [India], March 21: The Hotel Association of India (HAI) elected Mr. KB Kachru, Chairman South Asia at Radisson Hotel Group as President for a two year term at the Association's milestone 100th EC meeting held after HAI's 27th Annual General Meeting (AGM) at The Park, New Delhi on the 18th of March 2024. Mr. Kachru takes charge from outgoing President, Mr. Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, IHCL. The Executive Committee (EC) also elected Mr. Rohit Khosla, Executive Vice President - Operations, IHCL as Vice President of the Association for a concurrent term. Also Read | MS Dhoni Record As Captain in IPL: A Look at MSDs Stats As He Hands CSK Captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad Ahead of IPL 2024. Hotel Association of India (HAI), the apex body of the Indian hospitality sector also unanimously elected. Dr. JK Mohanty, Managing Director Swosti Premium Limited as Honorary Secretary and Mr. Sanjay Sethi, Managing Director & CEO, Chalet Hotels Limited as Honorary Treasurer of the Association for a term of two years. Welcoming the new members and congratulating the team, HAI Secretary-General, MP Bezbaruah thanked the outgoing committee members while adding that the relationship with them is enduring and continuous. Also Read | CSK vs RCB Dream11 Team Prediction, IPL 2024: Tips and Suggestions To Pick Best Winning Fantasy Playing XI for Chennai Super Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Thanking the outgoing president, Puneet Chhatwal for laying a strong foundation for the industry body and creating a unified voice for the sector as it faced its worst crisis in recent times, KB Kachru, said, "During Covid-19 HAI collaborated with other Industry bodies, followed an aggressive advocacy plan that included launching a magazine, a newsletter and engaged actively with the media for a wider outreach." "Over the last two years, HAI has achieved new heights under the stellar leadership of Mr. Chhatwal. As we embark on a new journey under the leadership of Mr. Kachru, we look forward to taking the legacy forward and contribute further to take the Association to the next level and create newer benchmarks for HAI. The industry has great hopes for HAI to be the driving force in achieving its goals. I am sure the new management team under Mr. Kachru will make all strides in ensuring the industry gets its due recognition in the times to come," Mr. Khosla said. In addition to adopting and approving the financial results for the year 2022-2023 and appointing auditors for the financial year of 2023-2024, the AGM's agenda included elections of the Association's Executive Committee. The Association also elected two new member to the Executive Committee - Mr. Shashank Bhagat, Managing Partner Radisson Blu Marina Hotel and Ms Sonali Chauhan, General Manager, IHCL Seleqtions - who replaced Mr. Surinder Singh, Area Director - Haryana & Dwarka and General Manager - Taj City Centre Gurugram & Mr. Samir MC, Managing Director, Fortune Hotels on completion of their respective term. While Mr. Bhagat is the nominee for HAI's member hotels in the category of 4 star and 3 star, the hotels classified in the ministry's classification categories of Heritage 1 and 2 star would be represented by Ms Chauhan. The present 16-member Executive Committee includes: * KB Kachru, President, HAI and Chairman South Asia at Radisson Hotel Group* Rohit Khosla, Vice President, HAI and Executive Vice President - Operations, The Indian Hotels Company Limited* Dr. JK Mohanty, Member & Hony. Secretary, HAI and Managing Director Swosti Premium Limited* Sanjay Sethi, Fellow Member & Hony. Treasurer, HAI and Managing Director & CEO, Chalet Hotels Ltd.* Puneet Chhatwal, Corporate Member (Immediate Past President) Hotel Association of India and Managing Director & CEO, The Indian Hotels Company Limited* Vikram Oberoi, Managing Director & CEO, EIH Limited* Priya Paul, Chairperson Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Limited* Dr. Jyotsna Suri, Chairperson & MD Bharat Hotels Limited* Patu Keswani, Chairman and MD Lemon Tree Hotels Ltd.* Anil Chadha, Divisional Chief Executive-Hotels ITC Ltd.* Ajay K. Bakaya, Managing Director Sarovar Hotels Pvt. Ltd.* R. Shankar, President - Corporate & Legal Affairs EIH Ltd.* Rupak Gupta, Managing Director U.P. Hotels Ltd.* Shashank Bhagat, Managing Partner Radisson Blu Marina Hotel* Sonali Chauhan, General Manager - IHCL Seleqtions* M.P. Bezbaruah, Secretary General, Hotel Association of India. HAI looks forward to the active involvement of the committee members to lead the Association into the phase of the Industry's thrival after it survived the pandemic years and revived to the pre-COVID levels. Established in 1996, Hotel Association of India (HAI) has evolved as an integrated hospitality industry platform to keep pace with the growing buoyancy ushered in by the liberalization of the Indian economy in the mid-90s. With its membership extending from major hotel groups; boutique, heritage and small hotels, HAI represents the entire spectrum of the industry. Its Executive Committee is a potent combination of the commitment of hotel owners on one hand and hard-core professionalism of hotel managers on the other. As the apex Industry Body, HAI works in the areas of Promotion of Regional Cooperation and Hospitality Research & Education in addition to taking Industry centric initiatives. By launching Unprecedented 'Social Inclusion' initiatives, HAI also projects the 'Social Face' of the Indian hospitality industry. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. 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) VMPL New Delhi [India], March 21: Madhukar Rainbow Children's Hospital, a prominent pediatric and maternity hospital in Delhi, hosted a bike rally to create awareness and uniquely celebrate International Women's Day. Over 200 bikers, including both women and men, participated and shared their experiences which inspired them to learn to bike. Men bikers also came forward in support of Women's Day. Also Read | Budaun Double Murder Case: Uttar Pradesh Police Arrest Second Accused From Bareilly (Watch Video). Madhukar Rainbow Children's Hospital came forward with this Bike Rally on Delhi roads to be aware of the need to make inclusion in society. If a woman can bring a new life to this world and nurture then women can also come forward at the front seat of the vehicle to ride her life. Dr. Prashant Vashistha, Vice President Operations, Regional Director (Delhi-NCR), Rainbow Children's Hospital, said, "The mindset that women can't ride a bike is now a past story, Women are bringing multifold changes to society. This is the time to celebrate and inspire through this bike rally, we are happy to contribute towards the Inclusive India mission.'' Also Read | CSK vs RCB IPL 2024 Preview: Likely Playing XIs, Key Battles, H2H and More About Chennai Super Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Indian Premier League Season 17 Match 1 in Chennai. Madhukar Rainbow Children's Hospital, Delhi: Madhukar Rainbow Children's Hospital & BirthRight offers a full spectrum of world-class Pediatric and Maternity diagnostic and treatment services. It has fully equipped NICU and PICU facilities and highly advanced infrastructure with up-to-date technology. Social Media Reach: Instagram: Rainbow Children's Hospital Facebook: Rainbow Hospitals Twitter: Rainbow Children's Hospital LinkedIn: Rainbow Children's Hospital YouTube: Rainbow Children's Hospital For any media-related queries: Pepper Interactive Communications Shaifali Rawat | +918588977924 Amit Soni | +918287072175 (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) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) PNN Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], March 21: edForce, a premier Workforce Upskilling Accelerator, recognized for its expertise in assisting enterprises with diverse upskilling needs, has proudly announced its strategic partnership with the esteemed organization, PECB. The collaboration aims to provide PECB ISO/IEC 27001-compliant training courses to the Indian IT workforce. Also Read | MG Cyberster Electric Sportscar Unveiled in India: Check Design, Specifications and Features. PECB (Professional Evaluation and Certification Board) is a global certification organization with a presence in over 150 countries, aligns its skilling and certification programs with internationally recognized standards across various disciplines, including Security, Governance, Risk, Compliance, Privacy, and Data Protection. Organizations globally face the critical need for a resilient cybersecurity workforce to protect networks and data from evolving threats. The World Economic Forum reports that 52% of public organizations identify a shortage of resources and skills as their primary challenge in developing cyber resilience. Moreover, 71% struggle with unfilled cybersecurity positions, with a staggering 95% of cyber leaders advocating for increased talent recruitment in this field. Also Read | Wrong Blood Group Claims Womans Life in Karnataka: Pregnant Woman Given B-Positive Blood Instead of A-Positive, Dies of Viral Pneumonia Month After Delivery. Tim Rama, CEO, PECB, expressed, "The strategic partnership with edForce signifies the beginning of a pivotal era in accelerating knowledge and skill development in the Information Security Management System. Our partnership with edForce offers the opportunity to deliver high-quality training and certification in this domain. We chose edForce because their expertise perfectly aligns with PECB's mission of delivering accredited courses to improve organizational compliance and resilience." Ravi Kaklasaria, Co-founder and CEO edForce, said, "With the rapid increase in global information security threats and attacks, the most effective defense lies in the proper skilling and reskilling of the workforce for effective implementation and management of information security controls, along with a solid understanding of best practices. Our partnership with PECB offers a unique opportunity for the workforce to have access to state-of-the-art training courses led by industry experts, covering skilling and certification programs in this crucial field." PECB is a certification body that provides education, certification, and certificate programs for individuals in a wide range of disciplines. Through our presence in more than 150 countries, we help professionals demonstrate their competencies in various areas of expertise by providing valuable evaluation, certification, and certificate programs against internationally recognized standards. Our mission is to provide our clients with comprehensive services that inspire trust and benefit society as a whole. For further information about PECB's principal objectives and activities, visit https://pecb.com/. edForce is the premier Bengaluru-based Workforce Upskilling Accelerator, catering to enterprises of all sizes by providing comprehensive learning solutions, including training, certifications, learning paths, assessments, labs, and infrastructure. Trusted by industry leaders such as Infosys, Walmart, Siemens, Sony, Microsoft, and more, edForce delivers high-quality learning experiences in areas like cloud computing, agile, cybersecurity, project management, and IT service management. edForce helps 150+ IT companies, with over 500 courses and certifications in fields such as Information Security, Machine Learning, GenAI, Cloud Computing, Programming, Networking, Storage, Databases, etc. For more information visit - https://www.edforce.co (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) New Delhi [India], March 21 (ANI) Harnessing the power of AI in healthcare, Dr. Dangs Lab has unveiled a platform to provide tailored testing profiles, catering to the requirements of individual patients. As a lab-agnostic platform, Discover is available free of cost, democratising access to personalised healthcare and fostering a culture of participatory medicine, the lab said. This is a significant departure from the traditional one-size-fits-all approach. Also Read | Debina Bonnerjee Leaves Social Media Users Stunned With Her Epic Transformation Pics; Netizens Ask 'Itna Weight Loss Kaisa Kiya?'. Dr. Arjun Dang, CEO of Dr. Dangs Lab, underscored the vision behind the platform, emphasising the need to bridge the gap between technological advancements and expert medical guidance. "In healthcare, individuals often find themselves constrained by standardised packages, potentially overlooking critical insights pivotal to their health goals and longevity. Discover seeks to harmonize technology with medical expertise, offering bespoke test packages tailored for each patient," Dang told ANI. Also Read | World Down Syndrome Day 2024 Date & Significance: What Is Trisomy 21? Symptoms, Causes & Treatment- Everything You Need To Know. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a game-changer in the field of healthcare, revolutionising how diseases are diagnosed, treated, and managed. The platform, introduced by Dr. Dangs Lab, leverages AI technology to transform the landscape of diagnostic testing by offering personalised testing profiles. Dr Dangs Labs is a pathology laboratory offering a wide range of testing services in Delhi NCR. The platform --'Discover' represents a paradigm shift in personalised diagnostics, offering a transformative approach to healthcare that prioritizes individual needs and preferences. "With its launch, Dr Dangs Lab reaffirms its position as a trailblazer in the diagnostic landscape, driving positive change and revolutionizing the future of healthcare in India and beyond," the lab said. Discover operates through three progressive stages, leveraging a seamless blend of technology and human expertise, the lab informed. The process begins with an intuitive tech interface, where users interact with a user-friendly web application to define their health goals, lifestyle, medical history, and symptoms. This interface recommends comprehensive test packages, supported by verifiable scientific evidence, ensuring transparency and reliability. In the subsequent stage, users engage with seasoned medical experts who further refine the test package based on individual health requirements and previous test results. Finally, a participatory approach ensures that patient concerns are addressed, culminating in the formulation of a finalized test package tailored to the patient's needs. Dr. Arjun Dang stressed that while physicians remain pivotal in healthcare decision-making, "Discover empowers patients with the autonomy to make informed choices about their well-being. Accessible globally, Discover is specifically tailored for the Indian population, addressing India-specific health concerns and needs," he said. "Dr. Dangs Lab, renowned for its commitment to precision and patient-centric care, continues to lead the way in enhancing healthcare delivery and optimizing patient outcomes through innovation and cutting-edge technology," he added. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Bengaluru (Karnataka), March [India], March 21 (ANI): BJP leader and former Karnataka Chief Minister DV Sadananda Gowda expressed his displeasure with the BJP and indicated that he could quit electoral politics days after being denied a ticket from the Bangalore North seat. Speaking at a press conference, Gowda claimed he was invited to join the Congress but would not join the party. Also Read | Rahul Gandhi Says No Democracy in India, Blames PM Narendra Modi for Freezing of Congress Accounts (Watch Video). "I am upset with the BJP as the election ticket (from Bangalore North seat) has been given to someone else in my place. Yes, I was invited to join the Congress party, but I will not join the Congress party...," Gowda said. "Narendra Modi should become Prime Minister again," he said. Also Read | Jaipur Shocker: Not Able to Sleep Due to His Constant Crying, Woman Slits Throat of One-Year-Old Son. "I had withdrawn from the election, but the BJP leaders (former BJP CMs) told me that I should stand for the election," the former CM said. Without taking any specific names, he said that, "a dictatorial attitude doesn't look good in democracy. I will not stop until the party is purified. Sidelining those who have toiled hard for the party is not right." Taking aim at veteran BJP leader BS Yeddyurappa, he said, "Many people who have taken the responsibility are selfish in nature. People are saying that the party has become a family," he said, in apparent reference to Yeddyurappa's son and state BJP chief, Vijayendra. "I have made it very clear that fighting against Parivaarvaad is part of the purification of the BJP. We will work together for the Lok Sabha polls but after the polls we will work towards the purification of the party," he said. Karnataka has 28 Lok Sabha seats, out of 28, in 2019 BJP won 25 seats with a vote share of 51.7 per cent. Congress won 1 seat with a 32.1 per cent vote share, while JD(S) and Independent won one seat each in Karnataka. The dates of the Karnataka Lok Sabha elections are set on May 4, and April 26, for 14 seats each. The Model Code of Conduct (MCC) has come into effect from March 16 after the Election Commission of India announced the dates for elections to the Lok Sabha and four state assemblies, with Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar asking all political parties and their leaders to strictly adhere to the poll code. The elections for 543 Lok Sabha seats will be held from April 19 to June 1, with the counting of votes scheduled for June 4. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, Mar 21 (PTI) The Rural Development Ministry may notify revision in wage rates under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and it has received a clearance from the Election Commission as the poll code is in force, sources said on Thursday. Though ministry officials refused to comment on the issue in view of the model code of conduct (MCC) being in place after the announcement of the Lok Sabha poll schedule, they said it is a "routine" matter and that ministries approach the EC for clearances when the model code is in place. Also Read | Bengaluru Shocker: Unable to Cope Up With Break Up, Youth Dies by Suicide in Hebbagodi; Girlfriend Absconding, Say Police. According to a source, the changes in rates are to be notified for the upcoming financial year starting April 1. "It's the regular process of revision of rates every financial year from April 1. The ministry has taken permission from the EC for notifying it," the source said. Also Read | West Bengal: Man Found Hanging Near Kolkata; Relatives Claim CAA Panic Triggered Suicide. The Centre determines wages under the flagship scheme under sub-section (1) of section 6 of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005, which says the Central government may, by notification, specify the wage rate for its beneficiaries. Meanwhile, retired IAS officer EAS Sarma has written to the poll panel, saying while a similar clearance was given in 2019 for notifying MGNREGA wage changes, the poll panel had directed that no publicity should be given to the hike through media, no political functionaries should refer to it, and the restriction was imposed on both the Centre and states. "I am sure that the Commission's latest clearance stipulated similar conditions. If not, it is necessary for the Commission to impose such restrictions," he said in his letter addressed to the Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar and the two election commissioners. Stating that the latest wage revision is "all over the press", he said, "apparently, the concerned Ministry has deliberately or otherwise given out the details to the media in violation of the MCC. May I call upon the Commission to investigate this urgently and take exemplary action, if necessary?" He also sought the poll panel to impose restrictions on political functionaries as was done in 2019 and prohibit political functionaries from referring to the wage hike or parties to put up posters with political functionaries' pictures. The last revision in MGNREGA wages was notified on March 24, 2023. The increase in the wages for different states varied from two per cent to 10 per cent. Karnataka, Goa, Meghalaya and Manipur were among the states which registered the lowest percentage increase in the wages. Rajasthan had registered the highest percentage increase in the MNREGA wages. The revised rate for Rajasthan was Rs 255 against Rs 231 in 2022. Bihar and Jharkhand came second in terms of percentage increase in wages, with the rates being hiked by around eight per cent compared to 2022. In 2022, the wages of an MNREGA worker in these two states was Rs 210, which was increased to Rs 228 in 2023. In a report tabled in Parliament earlier this year, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development and Panchayati Raj had pointed out the high range of variation in MGNREGS wages across states, and had also said that the wages were inadequate and not in consonance with the rising cost of living. The panel also quoted a report of the Central government committee on minimum wages -- Anoop Satpathy Committee -- which had recommended that the wages under MGNREGA should be Rs 375 per day. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Latur, March 21: The police in Maharashtra's Latur district have registered a case against four persons for allegedly duping a nationalised bank of over Rs 35 lakh by posing as government employees and using fake documents, an official said on Thursday. The accused, identified as Amit Tanaji Patil, Sham Vanjari, Shankar Mahadev Khadke and Sachin Nagnath Dhoble, first availed of a loan of Rs 22.6 lakh from the bank's branch on Ausa Road in Latur. Later, they borrowed Rs 12. 5 lakh more, he said. Loan Fraud in Mumbai: Borivali Businesswoman Duped of Rs 28 Lakh by Loan Frauds on Promise of Providing Rs 4 Crore Loan for Business The bank launched a probe after the accused defaulted on repayment of the loans granted to them between 2019 and 2022. It was found out they were not government and had submitted fake documents to the bank. The bank then approached a court which ordered registration of a case, the official said. The Shivaji Nagar police have booked the four individuals and an investigation is underway, said inspector Dilip Sagar. (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 21 (PTI) Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal wants to join the investigations of the Enforcement Directorate and cooperate with the agency but has appealed to the high court that coercive action not be taken against him, Delhi minister Atishi said on Thursday. Atishi said that Kejriwal has approached the Delhi High Court, alleging that the ED wanted to arrest him. Also Read | Lok Sabha Election 2024: IT Department Deploys 100 Officers in Uttarakhand To Curb Black Money and Unaccounted Cash Ahead of General Elections. "Delhi CM Kejriwal wants to join the ED investigation and cooperate with the agency. But, we believe that the ED is not an independent agency. It does not want to conduct investigation. It is a political tool of the BJP," Atishi charged in a video message. "The ED wants to arrest Kejriwal by summoning him. If the intentions of the ED are clear, the agency should say in the court that Arvind Kejriwal will not be arrested by it," she said. Also Read | Bee Attack in Lucknow: 50 Injured As Colony of Bees Attacks People During Cremation Procession in Mohanlalganj. The probe agency's aim is to arrest Kejriwal and stop him from campaigning for Lok Sabha polls, the Delhi minister alleged. Kejriwal has so far skipped multiple summonses regarding a money laundering probe linked to an alleged excise policy scam. (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 21 (PTI) L Prashant Pise, currently India's Ambassador to Iraq, has been appointed the country's next envoy to Slovenia, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday. He is a 1995-batch officer of the Indian Foreign Service (IFS). Also Read | Alibi for Its Imminent Defeat in Lok Sabha Polls: BJP on Congress's Bank Account Freezing Charges. "L Prashant Pise (IFS: 1995), presently Ambassador of India to the Republic of Iraq has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Slovenia," the MEA said in a statement. He is expected to take up the assignment shortly, officials said. Also Read | Excise Policy Case: Big Blow to Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi High Court Refuses To Grant Him Interim Protection. Soumendu Bagchi, currently a deputy director general at the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA), has been appointed as the country's next envoy to Iraq, the MEA had said on Wednesday. Bagchi is a 1993-batch officer of the IFS. India and Iraq have throughout enjoyed enduring political, economic and cultural ties, according to an earlier statement on India-Iraq ties, available on the MEA website. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Mysuru (Karnataka) [India], March 21 (ANI): Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane on Wednesday presided over the maiden test-firing of India's first indigenously-made 1500 Horsepower (HP) engine for Main Battle Tanks at BEML's Engine division in Mysuru complex. "The achievement heralds a new era in the country's defence capabilities, showcasing the technological prowess and commitment to self-reliance in defence technologies," as per a press release from the Ministry of Defence. Also Read | Delhi High Court Dismisses Plea Against Rahul Gandhi, Arvind Kejriwal, and Akhilesh Yadav Over Alleged False Statements. The 1500 HP engine represents a paradigm shift in military propulsion systems, possessing cutting-edge features such as high power-to-weight ratio, operability in extreme conditions including high altitudes, sub-zero temperatures, and desert environments. Equipped with advanced technologies, the engine stands on par with the most advanced engines globally. Inaugurating the Test Cell, the Defence Secretary described the achievement as a transformative moment which will enhance the capabilities of the Armed Forces. Also Read | Dog Attack in Delhi: Woman Hurt After Being Attacked by Pet Dog in Shahdara. "Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) of BEML Shantanu Roy stated that the accomplishment solidifies BEML's position as a key contributor to defence production in the country, underscoring its commitment to serving the nation's needs in this critical sector," as per the release. The first test-firing of the 1500 HP engine signifies the completion of Generation One, focusing on technology stabilisation. Generation Two will see BEML producing engines for various trials at Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment, a DRDO laboratory, and their integration into actual vehicles for user testing. "The project is slated for completion by mid-2025. The project, initiated in August 2020, has been meticulously structured into five major milestones, ensuring timely completion and adherence to quality standards," as per the release. The Defence Secretary also inaugurated the 'Wall of Fame' to recognise the extraordinary efforts of the BEML team. It symbolises their contribution towards advancing the defence capabilities of the country and achieving milestones in indigenous technological innovation. Senior civil and military officers of the Ministry of Defence; industry partners and officials of BEML Ltd were present on the occasion. (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 21 (ANI): The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested an absconding close associate and distant relative of Naxal's North Region Bureau Chief and Politburo member in the conspiracy to revive and strengthen the banned CPI (Maoist) organisation in Bihar's Magadh Zone, the agency said on Thursday. The accused, identified as Vinod Mishra alias Binod Mishra, was arrested from Dhanbad district in Jharkhand by a NIA team which was trailing him for several days after receiving inputs about his hideouts in Jharkhand. Mishra is named in the First Information Report (FIR) related to the case and had been on the run for the past eight months. As per the NIA, Mishra had provided shelter and logistics to senior Naxal leaders in his house. NIA has been investigating the case since August 31, 2023 and has so far chargesheeted Pramod Mishra alias Sohan Da alias Banwari Ji alias BB Ji alias Baba, a Politburo Member, along with Anil Yadav alias Ankush alias Lavkush, a Sub-Zonal Committee Member of CPI (Maoist), who were arrested earlier in the case. Also Read | Chinese Visa Scam Case: Congress MP Karti Chidambaram Took Rs 50 Lakh Bribe Through Close Aide, Says ED. The state police had registered a case initially, on August 10, 2023, following their arrest from the house of Vinod Mishra, from where they were conspiring to reactivate and strengthen the proscribed terror outfit in Magadh Zone (Gaya and Aurangabad areas). All three were named in the FIR registered at Tekari police station in Bihar. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, Mar 21 (PTI) The National Investigation Agency on Thursday charge sheeted three people in a court here for hatching conspiracy, fabrication of explosives, recruitment and fund-raising for the global terror organisation ISIS through a Maharashtra-based module. The accused, identified as Mohammad Rizwan Ashraf of Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh, Mohammed Arshad Warsi of Dehradun in Uttarakhand and Mohammed Shahnawaz Alam of Hazaribagh in Jharkhand, were actively involved in promoting anti-India agenda of the proscribed terror outfit, the NIA said in a statement. Also Read | Delhi Excise Policy Case: After High Court Rebuff, Arvind Kejriwal Faces ED Grilling at His Home; Police, RAF Deployed in Area (Watch Videos). "During its investigations into the Borivali-Padgha (Maharashtra) ISIS terror module case, the agency had seized incriminating material related to manufacturing of explosives and fabrication of IEDs, along with propaganda magazines like Voice of Hind', Rumiyah', Khilafat', Dabiq' published by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS)," the NIA said in the statement. Investigations had revealed that the trio had been sharing digital files related to the fabrication of IEDs with their contacts, it said. Also Read | Holi 2024: Noida Banquets, Farm Houses Asked To Obtain Bar License To Serve Liquor or Face Action. They were also found to be actively raising funds for their terror plans and designs for furtherance of the ISIS activities and promotion of its extremist and violent ideology, the statement said. NIA investigations further revealed that the accused had carried out acts preparatory to unleashing terrorist attacks, including recruitment of vulnerable youth into the organisation. Accused Mohammed Ashraf had taken bayath' (pledge of allegiance) from another arrested accused Saquib Nachan alias Amir-e-Hind, the federal agency said. Ashraf, in turn, had given bayath to the other accused, as part of a bigger conspiracy to spread terror among the people, it added. The accused had all conspired to endanger the safety and security of India, its secular ethos and culture, and the democratic systems of governance, the NIA said. The charge sheet, filed on Thursday before the NIA special court, Patiala House, New Delhi, has exposed international linkages and involvement of foreign-based handlers of ISIS, it said. A case was registered by the NIA on November 6 last year against Shahnawaz Alam and others in connection with a conspiracy to carry out terrorist activities on the directions of their ISIS handlers, the statement said. The NIA has been investigating various ISIS modules active in the country with the intent to dismantle the nefarious terror networks, it 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 [India], March 21 (ANI): The senior counsel for the former Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student leader Umar Khalid who is accused in an Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) case related to the larger conspiracy of the Delhi Riots case on Thursday argued that time spent in custody is also 'changed circumstances'. He also claimed that the other accused had been granted bail. Also Read | Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Chhatrapati Shrimant Shahu Maharaj in Congress' List of Eight Nominees in Maharashtra for LS Polls. Umar Khalid who has been in custody since September 14, 2024 and has sought regular bail in the matter. His bail plea is under consideration before Karkardooma Court. Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Sameer Bajpai listed the matter for hearing the arguments by the Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) on April 3. Also Read | Electoral Bond Data: BJP Received Donations From Big Corporate Groups Like Vedanta, Bharti Airtel, Muthoot, Baja Auto, Jindal Group and TVS Moto. Senior advocate Trideep Pias appeared and argued for Umar Khalid. He submitted that time is also a changed circumstance. His further incarceration implies a change in circumstances. He submitted that there was a change of circumstances in terms of time, a change of law, some laws becoming obsolete, or co-accused getting bail. It was also submitted that two circumstances entitled Khalid for bail, the factual basis on which the three accused, namely Natasha Narwal, Devangana Kalita and Asif Iqbal Tanha, have been granted bail has several overlaps with Umar Khalid. Senior counsel also submitted that the Zahoor Ahmad Shah Watali judgement says that the Court can't become the mouthpiece of the government. When the judge is looking at bail, they must look at it more liberally than discharge. "The Court must be satisfied with the worth of the evidence. No terrorist act has been attributed to the accused," Khalid's counsel argued. He also added the court cannot be the stenographer of the prosecution. During the arguments, Trideep Pais also referred to the charge sheet, which said that Khalid was part of a WhatsApp group titled Muslim Students of JNU (MSJ). "I have sent no message on the WhatsApp group. Just being a part of it doesn't make me an accused," the senior counsel argued. He also referred to the Supreme Court judgement granting bail to Bheema Koregaon accused Vernon Gonsalves and Arun Ferreira and said my (Umar Khalid) CDR doesn't even place me at the meeting in Jantar Mantar. The senior counsel also rejected the allegations that Umar Khalid instructed Sharjeel Imam to mobilise the youth for chakka jam as a protest against CAA. "This is a baseless inference of the prosecution. Fertile imagination of the author of the chargesheet. There are no witnesses for this either," he argued. It was also submitted that NGO NAPM, Khalid, Yogender Yadav, and Imam were part of this meeting held in December 2019 He argued that the statements in this regard only say I (Umar Khalid) attended the meeting. "Nothing particular is said against me. Why are just 2 of the 7 people been accused? What makes them stand out?" he said. The senior advocate contended, "Yogender Yadav is not an accused, Prasant Tandon is not an accused. Why only Imam and Khalid? They do not attribute any criminality to anyone in the meeting." "Participation in a meeting is not illegal. You don't know what the contents of the meeting are. Other members of the meeting are not accused," Pias argued. (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 21 (ANI): Responding to Rahul Gandhi's reference to electoral bonds as 'hafta vasooli', Union Home Minister Amit Shah, on Wednesday said that Rahul Gandhi needs to clarify where he obtained Rs 1,600 crore termed as 'hafta vasooli'. In response to Rahul Gandhi, who had referred to the bonds as 'hafta vasooli', "Gandhi also received Rs 1,600 crore. He should clarify where he got that 'hafta vasooli' from. We assert that it's a transparent donation, but if he labels it as vasooli, he should provide details," Shah said in a video posted on his X account. Also Read | Delhi High Court Dismisses Plea Against Rahul Gandhi, Arvind Kejriwal, and Akhilesh Yadav Over Alleged False Statements. When asked if the BJP would disclose their donor list like some other parties, Shah responded, "I assure you, once the details are out, the INDIA alliance will find it hard to face the public." "Electoral bonds were introduced to end the domination of black money in Indian politics, they were brought to eradicate black money... Now the scheme has been scrapped and I fear the return of black money," Shah said. Also Read | Dog Attack in Delhi: Woman Hurt After Being Attacked by Pet Dog in Shahdara. He further stated that there should be reforms regarding the electoral bonds, rather than scrapping it. "I believe that rather than scrapping it, there should be reforms, but it does not hold any significance, as the apex court has given its verdict and I respect that," he added. "But my personal opinion is that bonds had almost ended black money in politics. This is why the entire INDIA bloc, led by Rahul Gandhi, was against the bonds and they wanted the old system of cut money to rule over politics once again," the senior BJP leader stated. The Electoral Bond Scheme was a way for political parties in India to get money without revealing the donor's identity. But, the Supreme Court, in a ruling in February, struck down the Centre's Electoral Bond Scheme and ordered the SBI to stop issuing Electoral Bonds immediately. In compliance with a directive from the Supreme Court, the Election Commission of India (ECI) recently uploaded data on electoral bonds to its official website. The State Bank of India (SBI) supplied the information, which includes details about these electoral bonds. (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 21: Two employees of a jeans factory died while another was injured after a building collapsed in Welcome area in northeast Delhi early Thursday, police said. All three employees of the jeans factory were working on the ground floor of the two-storey building. "At 2:16 am, a call was received regarding the collapse of a two-storey, old construction building," Deputy Commissioner of Police (northeast) Joy Tirkey said. While the first floor was vacant, the ground floor was being used for cutting jeans, he said. Delhi Building Collapse: Two Dead, One Critically Injured After Building Collapses in Kabir Nagar; Police Looking for Owner (Watch Videos). Building Collapse in Delhi #WATCH | Delhi: Two workers died, another was injured when a two-storey, old construction building in Kabir Nagar, Welcome collapsed late last night. Latest visuals from the spot, as NDRF officials carry out search and rescue operations. pic.twitter.com/1p9Xyr9Bwy ANI (@ANI) March 21, 2024 #WATCH | Delhi: At around 2:16 am, a call was received regarding the collapse of a two-storey, old construction building in Kabir Nagar, Welcome. Two workers Arshad (30) and Tauhid (20) were declared dead at GTB Hospital while another worker Rehan (22) is critical and is being pic.twitter.com/2Zjw6WmgMo ANI (@ANI) March 21, 2024 "Three workers who were trapped under the debris were taken out and rushed to GTB hospital, where two of them were declared dead," another officer said. The deceased are identified as Arshad (30) and Tauhid (20). Another injured Rehan (22) is undergoing the treatment at GTB hospital. Kolkata Building Collapse: Under-Construction Building Collapses in Metiabruz Area, Rescue Operation Underway (Watch Video). "The owner of the building has been identified as Shahid. Efforts are being made to trace him," he said. Police said legal action will be taken in the matter. (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 21 (PTI) The Managing Director of Coimbatore-based Chandra Textiles Private Limited, R Nandini has been elected as the chairperson of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Southern Region for the year 2024-25. Prior to taking up the new role, she served the industry body as its Deputy Chairperson. Also Read | Martyrs Day Dates in India: Bhagat Singh Death Anniversary, Mahatma Gandhi Punyatithi and List of Other Recognised Shaheed Diwas Dates in the Country. Nandini was also the past chairperson of Education Sub-Committee in 2022-23 and she is currently a member of the CII National Council, a press release said on Thursday. Meanwhile, the Chairman and Managing Director of Kerala-based Muthoot Fincorp Ltd, Thomas John Muthoot was elected as the Deputy Chairman of CII Southern Region for the period 2024-25. Also Read | Bihar Day 2024 Date and Significance: Know About Bihar Sthapana Diwas History and Celebrations That Take Place To Honour the Formation of the State. Muthoot had served the Banking and Financial Services sub-committee of CII, as its Chairman. He was also the Chairman of CII Kerala State council in 2020-21. (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 21 (PTI) Delhi Police has apprehended four people for brandishing a dagger and carrying beer bottles while they were riding a motorcycle on the streets of southwest Delhi, police said on Thursday. The matter came to fore when a video clip of the incident surfaced on social media, the police said. Also Read | Martyrs Day Dates in India: Bhagat Singh Death Anniversary, Mahatma Gandhi Punyatithi and List of Other Recognised Shaheed Diwas Dates in the Country. In a 28-second video clip, the men were seen sitting on a moving motorcycle without helmets, carrying beer bottles and brandishing a dagger to other commuters. A passerby recorded a video of the act somewhere near Safdarjung Hospital and posted it on the social media, a police officer said. Also Read | Bihar Day 2024 Date and Significance: Know About Bihar Sthapana Diwas History and Celebrations That Take Place To Honour the Formation of the State. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southwest) Rohit Meena said taking a suo motu action on the tweet, all the accused have been apprehended and stringent legal action is being taken against them. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Jaipur, Mar 21 (PTI) Consumer electronics brand Samsung on Thursday announced the launch of Galaxy A55 5G and Galaxy A35 5G mobile phones in the mid-premium segment. The new A series devices have multiple features including Gorilla Glass Victus plus protection, camera features enhanced by AI, and a tamper-resistant security solution, the Samsung Knox Vault, amongst many other new features, a company official said. Also Read | Martyrs Day Dates in India: Bhagat Singh Death Anniversary, Mahatma Gandhi Punyatithi and List of Other Recognised Shaheed Diwas Dates in the Country. "Galaxy A series has been the highest-selling smartphone series in India for the last two years, showcasing its popularity among the consumers. The launch of Galaxy A55 5G and A35 5G reinforces our commitment to make flagship-like innovations accessible to all," Hirendra kumar Rathod, Senior Director, MX Business, Samsung India, said in a release. He said that for the first time, Galaxy A55 5G gets a metal frame and Galaxy A35 5G gets a premium glass back. Also Read | Bihar Day 2024 Date and Significance: Know About Bihar Sthapana Diwas History and Celebrations That Take Place To Honour the Formation of the State. Rathod informed that the new A series smartphones come with multiple innovative AI-enhanced camera features. Also, Samsung Knox Vault Security comes for the first time in A-Series making flagship-level security accessible to more people. "The hardware-based security system offers comprehensive protection against both hardware and software attacks. It can help protect the most critical data on a device, including lock screen credentials, such as PIN codes, passwords and patterns," 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) Geneva [Switzerland], March 21 (ANI): Baloch rights activist Sammi Deen Baloch virtually participated and presented her views in the 38th meeting of the ongoing 55th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council on Thursday. Sammi spoke on Pakistan's alleged atrocities against the Baloch community during her intervention at the meeting. Also Read | US Shocker: Former High School Teacher Supplied Vapes, Alcohol to Students Before Sexually Assaulting Them; Arrested After Her Mother Files Complaint. While sharing her family's sufferings at the hands of Pakistan's administration, Sammi stated, "My father, Mohammad Deen Baloch, a doctor by profession, was forcibly disappeared by Pakistani secretive agencies from his hospital on June 8, 2009. Me and my family haven't seen my father since. "Today, as a victim and a voice for those who have been silenced by the grave human rights violations and enforced disappearances in Balochistan, I implore you to lend your ears and hearts to the plea of people whose sufferings have gone unnoticed for far too long," she added. Also Read | Antibiotics From India for Use in Animals Seized in UK. Further, she also mentioned that "Balochistan faces egregious human rights violations, extra-judicial killings, enforced disappearances, and torture on a daily basis. The world must acknowledge the severity of the situation in Balochistan. She urged the international community not to remain silent in the face of such blatant violations of human rights. The activist also appealed to the United Nations to conduct an independent investigation into human rights violations and enforced disappearances in Balochistan. She urged the Pakistani government to release all unlawfully detained individuals and establish a monitoring mechanism to oversee the human rights situation in Balochistan. "I appeal to you to take a stand for justice, for humanity, and for the people of Balochistan. The time for action is now" she said. Baloch activists have been raising their issues on the international platform to hold Pakistan accountable for its human rights atrocities. Previously, another known Baloch activist, Naela Quadri Baloch, stated in the 31st meeting of the 55th UNHRC session, "The people of Balochistan are now fighting for all human rights, including the right to life with freedom." "Our sovereign rights, lands, ports, and resources have been removed. We are not part of any development as planners or beneficiaries. The China-Pakistan-Iran Economic Corridor has become a death sentence for the Baloch people. In the name of mega projects, our villages are being demolished and our people are being displaced, raising their voices against the injustices has resulted in genocide," she added. "The occupier states of Pakistan and Iran now seem to be licenced to kill, rape, and forcibly disappear us. The bombing of the civil populations in Bolan to Jamma e Khuni Dozhab Zahidan Masscare, the rape of Zarina Marie to the rape of 15-year-old girl child Maho Baloch is an unchecked and unaccountable series of the horrific state of violence on voiceless Baloch people" she further claimed Baloch pleaded with the UN for urgent intervention in the situation. "As a special reporter for peacekeeping and fact-finding missions, you promised that there would be no genocide, however, genocide is going on in Balochistan. If your signals for genocide are not beeping, we are here to inform you and ask you for urgent intervention, to save the Baloch from atrocities and genocide before it's too late," she 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) Beijing, Mar 21 (PTI) China on Thursday condemned the Baloch militants' attack on Pakistan's Gwadar Port, which is part of the multi-billion dollar CPEC, saying Beijing firmly backs Islamabad's efforts to fight terrorism and defend national security. Two soldiers of the Pakistani Army were killed and eight Baloch militants were "sent to hell" when security personnel foiled an attempt by heavily armed Baloch insurgents to storm the Gwadar Port Authority complex in the restive Balochistan province, according to the Pakistan military. Also Read | US Shocker: Former High School Teacher Supplied Vapes, Alcohol to Students Before Sexually Assaulting Them; Arrested After Her Mother Files Complaint. "We noted the reports. We strongly condemn the terrorist attack and mourn for the Pakistani personnel killed in the attack," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian told a media briefing here. "China is against all forms of terrorism and firmly supports national development and social stability in Pakistan. We firmly support Pakistan's efforts to fight terrorism and defend national security and stability," he said. Also Read | Antibiotics From India for Use in Animals Seized in UK. The port complex hosts several government and paramilitary offices and the strategically located Gwadar Port remains one of the focal points of the billion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Project. Balochistan, bordering Iran and Afghanistan, is home to a long-running violent insurgency. Baloch insurgent groups have previously carried out several attacks targeting the USD 60 billion CPEC projects. The BLA is opposed to China's investments in Balochistan and accuses Beijing and Islamabad of exploitation of the resource-rich province, a charge rejected by the authorities. Thousands of Chinese personnel are working in Pakistan on several projects being carried out under the aegis of the CPEC. Wednesday's attack comes after a lull in violence and terror activities in the Balochistan province since the February 8 general elections. According to an annual security report issued by the Centre for Research and Security Studies, Pakistan witnessed 1,524 violence-related fatalities and 1,463 injuries from 789 terror attacks and counter-terror operations in 2023 - marking a record six-year high. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Rabat (Morocco), Mar 21 (AP) A legal adviser to the European Union's top court recommended on Thursday that it annul the bloc's fishing agreement with Morocco, which would have allowed European boats to fish for valuable catch off the coast of the disputed Western Sahara. The advocate general for the Court of Justice of the EU backed the court's earlier ruling and recommended it reject a series of appeals that sought to uphold Europe's Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement with Morocco. Also Read | US Shocker: Former High School Teacher Supplied Vapes, Alcohol to Students Before Sexually Assaulting Them; Arrested After Her Mother Files Complaint. The court in 2021 ruled the agreement violated the rights of people from the disputed territory and the Polisario Front, which Europe considers the representatives of the Sahrawi people. The 2019 agreement lays out how European vessels can fish off of northwest Africa, including in waters adjacent to the disputed territory claimed and administered by Morocco. Also Read | Antibiotics From India for Use in Animals Seized in UK. Advocate General Tamara Capeta said in press release Thursday that it did not fulfil the requirement to treat the territory of Western Sahara as separate and distinct' from that of the Kingdom of Morocco. The court generally follows recommendations from appointed legal experts like Capeta and Thursday's strikes a blow against Morocco and the European authorities who appealed the ruling. Morocco's Foreign Ministry did not respond to questions about the decision. The status of the disputed Western Sahara has been a major sticking point between Morocco and the European Union, its biggest trade partner and foreign investor. Agreements between the two sides have allowed Morocco to export millions of valuable fish, melons and tomatoes, though whether they can do so with products from the disputed territory has long been in question. Though the agreement under scrutiny pertains to rights off the northwest African coast, the heart of the issue is about land and sovereignty. The one-time Spanish colony has been fought over between Morocco and the pro-independence Polisario Front since Spain withdrew in 1975. Morocco considers the territory its southern provinces and governs the majority of the land, except for a small sliver on the eastern side of a sand berm near the Algerian border. Thursday's recommendations come as an increasing number of countries, including 15 EU members, shift their stances to back a Moroccan plan that would offer residents of the resource-rich territory wide-ranging autonomy but not a referendum toward potential independence. In linked decisions, Capeta also recommended the court not ban the import of tomatoes and melons from the disputed territory to France but require they be labelled as from the Western Sahara, not Morocco. She also recommended the court side with a European appeal challenging a ruling rejecting a tariff scheme governing trade between Morocco and Europe. She said extending a tariff agreement Europe made with Morocco on products from the disputed territory shouldn't be seen as a violation of the Western Sahara's right to self-determination. (AP) (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 21 (PTI) The relationship between India and the United States has been growing and is stronger than it has ever been, America's top Defence Department officials have told lawmakers with an influential Congressman noting that New Delhi is a swing vote because of its ties with Russia. Assistant Secretary of Defence for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Ely S. Ratner told members of the House Subcommittee on Indo-Pacific on Wednesday that the US has been strengthening its relationship with India across a number of areas. Also Read | Live Breaking News Headlines & Updates, March 21, 2024. "I would describe the US-India relationship as growing and stronger than it has ever been and absolutely essential to our vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific. "We have been strengthening a number of areas across the relationship including in co-production, where we've made some major strides on jet engines, some new projects on armoured vehicles to integrate our defence industrial base, which is one important way to make those bonds all the stronger," Ratner said in response to a question from Ranking Member Adam Smith. Also Read | US: New York State Asks Court Not To Let Former President Donald Trump Forgo USD 454 Million Bond During Fraud Case Appeal. "I see them as a crucial, I wouldn't partner certainly, but also a little bit of a swing vote in that they have a relationship, certainly with Russia. They have relationships, across the world with many of our adversaries. Getting them to work with us more going forward I think is crucial to meeting our needs," Smith said. He asked Ratner how he would describe the US' relationship with India and what was needed to strengthen it. "We've been working at the department to strengthen the relationships between our private sectors, particularly in defence technologies, and we have some really important new initiatives to be doing that. Admiral Aquilino has been leading a number of important exercises and operations with the Indians that are enhancing our operational coordination, Ratner said. "Our defence trade now is valued at over USD 20 billion and India recently announced their decision to acquire over 30 MQ9Bs and BS. That's part of a growing defence relationship between our countries that couldn't be more important," the defence department official said. Navy Adm. John Aquilino, Commander of US Indo-Pacific Command, who also testified, said America has many overlapping interests with the largest democracies of the world, even though it doesn't always have the same interests. "Military to military, we have been executing much more increased operations and exercises together. They are working towards becoming more interoperable. They've bought our helicopters, they have C-130s, as we do, and we continue to expand both bilaterally and multilaterally our actions and exercises with them," he said. Smith then asked about BRICS, of which India is a key partner with Brazil, China, Russia and South Africa. "How do you feel the calculation, because the biggest alarm bell in all of this is the BRICS countries, which obviously includes Russia and China, but India is a big part of that. "So, they're working in that relationship, which is challenging in and of itself. But when those BRICS countries decided to allow Iran to join them, what do you think India's calculation is in terms of, ...I understand a little bit Russia and China, but why would India be part of empowering Iran in that way," Smith asked. Replying to the question, Ratner said, "Part of India's strategic identity, as you know, as a member of the Global South, they aspire toward an international system based on a principle of multipolarity, and that is reflected in part of their foreign policy. But on balance, they have been trending towards strategic convergence with the United States. We do share a vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific, and we're going to do whatever we can to nurture and advance that part of their orientation." In his testimony, Aquilino said a strong US-India Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership is essential for a free and open Indo-Pacific. In 2023, the US and India launched INDUS-X and completed a Roadmap for US-India Defence Industrial Cooperation to enhance bilateral defence industrial cooperation and innovation, he said. The proposed deal between G.E. Aerospace and Hindustan Aeronautics for domestic Indian production of F-414 jet engines exemplifies this approach. The US and India are seeking unprecedented levels of interoperability by expanding cooperation in the air domain through the participation of US B-1B Bombers in India's biennial air show AERO INDIA and bilateral air exercise COPE INDIA, he said. "Additionally, in the land domain, we conducted the largest-ever bilateral joint amphibious exercise with India, TIGER TRIUMPH, improving our cooperation on maritime domain awareness and strengthening service-to-service ties. USINDOPACOM seeks to deepen cooperation under the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) to enable more regular and flexible engagements in the Indian Ocean Region, including US ship repair in Indian shipyards," Aquilino said. "Two new Master Ship Repair Agreements were signed in 2023, and three US Navy vessels have recently received maintenance and repair in Indian shipyards," he told lawmakers in his testimony. (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 21 (PTI) Pakistan is facing a terrible threat of terrorism as areas along its border with Afghanistan have witnessed a multi-fold increase in terrorist activities, a top Biden Administration official has said. During a Congressional hearing on Pakistani elections on Wednesday, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Donald Lu told members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee that Afghanistan has witnessed conflict for 40 years and Pakistan has been caught up in it. Also Read | US: New York State Asks Court Not To Let Former President Donald Trump Forgo USD 454 Million Bond During Fraud Case Appeal. "The end of the war in Afghanistan provides us all an opportunity, an opportunity to have a relationship with Pakistan on its own terms and we are committed to doing that," Lu said. "One of the major goals that we have with Pakistan now is to support the Pakistani people as they face this terrible threat of terrorism. Many of the members have discussed this, but this is a country where the people have suffered under the threat of terrorism in a way that I think no one on the planet has had to suffer," he said. Also Read | PM Modi-Zelenskyy Phone Call: Ukrainian President Appreciates India's Support for Ukraine's Sovereignty, Territorial Integrity Amid War With Russia. The attacks, particularly in the provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan over the past three years have grown exponentially. Attacks continue to be launched from Afghan territory, Lu said. "And you saw a major attack on Saturday in which seven policemen were killed by the TTP, the Pakistani Taliban. We call on the Afghan Taliban to ensure that its territory is not used as a launching pad for terrorist groups," he said. A Lieutenant Colonel and a Captain along with five soldiers were killed when six terrorists launched multiple suicide attacks on a security check post in the restive tribal district of North Waziristan bordering Afghanistan on Saturday. All the six terrorists who attacked the check post in the Mir Ali area were shot dead, the Pakistani army had said. In response to the attack, Pakistan on Monday carried out airstrikes on the banned Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) affiliated militants in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan. At least eight civilians, including three children, were killed in the airstrikes, the Afghan Taliban said and summoned the charge d'affaires of Pakistan's embassy in Kabul to lodge a strong protest. Lu further said economic stability for Pakistan is another area of focus. "For Pakistan to deal with its social terrorism and political issues, it needs a functioning economy. We want private sector-led growth which benefits the Pakistani people, not growth, which fuels profits by lender countries like the PRC (People's Republic of China)," he said. The US, he said, has a long partnership with Pakistan. "We want to see that grow. We want to see business-to-business relations improve. We want to see the ease of Pakistani Americans to travel to Pakistan and Pakistanis to travel to the United States. Those ties are critical," he noted. Responding to a question, Lu refuted allegations that the US government conspired to oust the Imran Khan government. "I want to be very clear on this point. These allegations, this conspiracy theory is a lie. It is a complete falsehood. I have reviewed the press reporting related to this what's called the cipher in Pakistan, the alleged leaked diplomatic cable from the embassy here. It is not accurate. At no point does it accuse the United States government or me personally of taking steps against Imran Khan," he said. "We respect the sovereignty of Pakistan. We respect the principle that Pakistani people should be the only ones choosing their own leaders through a democratic process," he said. Lu expressed concern over some aspects of the recently held elections. "First, there were attacks against police, politicians and political gatherings by terrorist groups. Second, many journalists, particularly female journalists, were harassed and abused by party supporters. And third, several political leaders were disadvantaged by the inability to register specific candidates and political parties. "On the day of elections, an internationally respected local election monitoring organisation said they were barred from observing vote tabulation in more than half of the constituencies across the country. And despite a high court order not to interrupt internet service on election day, authorities shut down mobile data services, the principal means by which Pakistanis access social media and messaging apps," he said. There were positive elements to this election as well, Lu said, adding that despite the threat of violence, over 60 million Pakistanis, including over 21 million women, voted. "Pakistani voters had a choice. A range of political parties won seats in the national and provincial assemblies. Three different political parties now lead Pakistan's four provinces. More than 5,000 independent election observers were in the field. Their organisation's conclusion was that the conduct of the election was largely competitive and orderly, while noting some irregularities in the compilation of results," 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) Islamabad [Pakistan], March 21 (ANI): Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) candidates - Murad Saeed, Azam Swati, Khurram Zeeshan and Sanam Javed have filed appeals in election tribunals against the rejection of their nomination papers for the senate polls, Pakistan-based ARY News reported. In the appeals filed in the Peshawar election tribunal, PTI candidates Murad Saeed, Azam Swati, and Khurram Zeeshan said, "The election commission has challenged nomination papers over baseless allegations." In the appeal, the PTI leaders requested approval of their nomination papers and allow them to contest the polls in the Senate. Also Read | Antibiotics From India for Use in Animals Seized in UK. PTI's Sanam Javed challenged the election commissioner's decision to reject her nomination papers at the election tribunal in Lahore. In her appeal, Javed stated, "The election commission has rejected the nomination papers of Sanam Javed for Senate election against the facts," according to ARY News report. The plea stated, "They objected that the plot was not declared in the nomination papers, while Sanam Javed doesn't have any plot." Sanam Javed requested the tribunal to approve her nomination papers. Also Read | Terror Attack in Pakistan: Two Soldiers Killed, 15 Injured in Suicide Attack in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Dera Ismail Khan. Speaking to reporters after filing appeal against rejection of his nomination for the Senate polls, Azam Swati said, "The election commission has continued its tradition to reject the nomination papers." He said, "I have remained member of various house committees including the judges committee." Swati stated, "If I am not eligible for technocrat seat then cigarette sellers and property dealers will become senators," according to ARY News report. Azam Swati said that he has remained a senator for 18 years and noted that only a few senators have had that time in the senate. He said, "I have sided with the PTI founder and being punished for it." Earlier this month, the Election Commission of Pakistan announced that the elections for the upper house of Pakistan's Parliament will be held on April 2. The revised list of candidates will be issued on March 29 and the candidates can withdraw their nomination papers by March 27. Members of the National Assembly in Islamabad will elect members of the Senate against one general seat and one seat for technocrats including Ulema, according to Geo News report. Members of the four provincial assemblies will elect senators for seven general seats, two women seats, and two seats for technocrats, including Ulema from each province and one seat for non-Muslims from both Punjab and Sindh provinces. A total of 42 candidates have submitted their nomination papers for the Senate election in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A total of 25 candidates have submitted their nomination papers for seven general seats, according to a list issued by ECP Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chapter spokesperson Sohail Ahmad. Meanwhile, ten candidates have filed their nomination papers for two technocrat and Ulema seats in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Seven women candidates have filed nomination papers for two reserved seats for women from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, according to Geo News report. The Balochistan Election Commission has issued the preliminary list of candidates for the province's vacant seats in Pakistan's Senate. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) United Nations, Mar 21 (AP) The nearly year-long conflict between Sudan's military and paramilitary forces has put the African nation on course to become the world's worst hunger crisis with malnutrition soaring and already claiming children's lives, the UN humanitarian office has warned. Edem Wosornu, the director of humanitarian operations, told the UN Security Council on Wednesday that already one-third of Sudan's population 18 million people face acute food insecurity, and catastrophic hunger levels could be reached in some areas of the western Darfur region by the time "the lean season" arrives in May. Also Read | US: New York State Asks Court Not To Let Former President Donald Trump Forgo USD 454 Million Bond During Fraud Case Appeal. "A recent assessment revealed that one child is dying every two hours in Zamzam camp in El Fasher, North Darfur," she said. "Our humanitarian partners estimate that in the coming weeks and months, somewhere in the region of around 222,000 children could die from malnutrition." Wosornu called the harrowing violent situation that has seen appalling accounts of ethnic-based attacks, sexual violence including gang rapes, and indiscriminate attacks in densely populated areas, "the stuff of nightmares". Also Read | PM Modi-Zelenskyy Phone Call: Ukrainian President Appreciates India's Support for Ukraine's Sovereignty, Territorial Integrity Amid War With Russia. With the global spotlight now on the Israeli-Hamas war in Gaza and to a lesser extent on the war in Ukraine, she lamented that "a humanitarian travesty is playing out in Sudan under a veil of international inattention and inaction". Sudan plunged into chaos last April, when long-simmering tensions between its military led by Gen. Abdel Fattah Burhan and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces commanded by Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo broke out into street battles in the capital, Khartoum. Fighting quickly spread to other parts of the country, especially urban areas, but in Darfur it took on a different form, with brutal attacks by the Arab-dominated Rapid Support Forces on ethnic African civilians. Thousands of people have been killed. Two decades ago, Darfur became synonymous with genocide and war crimes, particularly by the notorious Janjaweed Arab militias against populations that identify as Central or East African. In late January, the International Criminal Court's prosecutor, Karim Khan, said there are grounds to believe both sides in the current conflict are committing possible war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide in Darfur. The UN's Wosornu said there has been no respite from fierce fighting in Khartoum, Darfur and Kordofan which are home to 90% of the people facing emergency levels of food insecurity. Farmers have been forced to abandon their fields and cereal production has dropped since hostilities moved into Sudan's breadbasket, Jazeera state, in December, she said. In these circumstances, the delivery of humanitarian aid should be a lifeline, Wosornu said, but the UN appeal for USD 2.7 billion for Sudan in less than 5 per cent funded receiving just USD 131 million. She expressed hope that a high-level donors conference for Sudan and its neighbours in Paris on April 15 will lead to "tangible commitments" to support aid operations "in the face of looming famine". In addition, Wosornu said, the UN must have access to reach the most vulnerable people in Khartoum, Darfur, Kordofan and Jazeera states which "continues to be severely obstructed" by the fighting. It also needs more cross-border openings and approvals to deliver aid across conflict lines, she said. Carl Skau, the UN World Food Program's deputy executive director, told the council the rapidly worsening food security situation in Sudan also has "profound regional implications". In addition to the 18 million people facing acute food insecurity in Sudan, he said 7 million people in neighbouring South Sudan and nearly 3 million in Chad which borders Darfur also face dire hunger. Currently, Skau said, 90 per cent of people who are a step away from the catastrophic level of food security and urgently need life-saving food "are trapped in areas that are largely inaccessible to humanitarian agencies," including Khartoum, Jazeera, Kordofan and Darfur. "If we are going to prevent Sudan from becoming the world's largest hunger crisis, coordinated efforts and joined up diplomacy are urgent and critical," he said. "We need all parties to provide unrestricted access: across borders and across conflict lines." Echoing Wosornu's call for funding, he said WFP had to cut assistance to 3 million acutely hungry people in South Sudan and reduce rations to others in need because of a lack of money. And in Chad, he said, WFP will have to end assistance to 1.2 million refugees and nearly 3 million Chadians. Skau expressed concern that hunger will spike even higher when Sudan's lean season arrives, and could reach catastrophic food insecurity unless there is sustained access and resources . Rein Paulsen, Director of the FAO Office of Emergencies and Resilience, told a news conference that an agency report on Sudan issued Tuesday demonstrates the conflict's damage to agricultural production: cereal production in 2023 dropped 46 per cent below 2022, and up to 80 per cent below in areas where the conflict was most intense. "The outlook for food production in 2024 is bleak," he said. (AP) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Taipei [Taiwan], March 21 (ANI): Activists in Taipei will hold a protest this weekend against the new security law passed in Hong Kong on Wednesday, Taiwan News reported. Supported by China, Article 23 will result in people getting tough penalties, including life prison sentences, for treason, secession, and collusion with foreign forces. The new law enables police to detain suspects for 16 days without charge, and courts to hold closed-door trials, according to Taiwan News report. Also Read | US Shocker: Former High School Teacher Supplied Vapes, Alcohol to Students Before Sexually Assaulting Them; Arrested After Her Mother Files Complaint. Activists across the world have decided to hold protests over the new law set to take effect in Hong Kong on March 23. According to Radio Taiwan International (RTI), 10 cities in Taiwan, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia will express their opposition against Article 23. The event in Taipei will be held outside the Ximen Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station on Saturday at 1:30 pm (local time). According to the organisers, a silent protest will be held after the guests at the event speak about the legislation that is set to be implemented in Hong Kong, Taiwan News reported. Also Read | Antibiotics From India for Use in Animals Seized in UK. The organisers stressed that the legislation did not only impact the people of Hong Kong but also contacts and exchanges between people of Hong Kong and foreign citizens, including from Taiwan. On March 19, Hong Kong's legislature unanimously passed a new national law that expands government power to crush dissent, Al Jazeera reported. The Safeguarding National Security Law passed includes new measures on treason, espionage, external interference, state secrets and sedition. "Today is a historic moment for Hong Kong," said Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee, who added that the law punishing five major crimes would go into effect on March 23. It gives government more power to quash dissent, widely seen as the latest step in a sweeping political crackdown triggered by pro-democracy protests in 2019. It comes on top of a similar law imposed by Beijing four years ago, which has already largely silenced opposition voices in the financial hub, Al Jazeera reported. The 90-seat council stacked with pro-China loyalists was first presented with the bill on March 8, following a monthlong public consultation, with Hong Kong's leader calling for it to be enacted at "full speed". As many as 88 lawmakers and the legislative council president voted unanimously to enact the legislation. Coming into effect on Saturday, the law introduces 39 new national security crimes, adding to an already powerful national security law that was directly imposed by Beijing on Hong Kong in 2020 after huge and sometimes violent democracy protests the year before, CNN reported. That law has already transformed Hong Kong, with authorities jailing dozens of political opponents, forcing civil society groups and outspoken media outlets to disband and transforming the once freewheeling city into one that prioritises patriotism. Known locally as Article 23, the new national security legislation covers a raft of new crimes, including treason, espionage, external interference and unlawful handling of state secrets, with the most serious offences punishable by up to life imprisonment, CNN reported. Critics counter that what China's Communist Party views as national security offences are far broader and more sweeping, often ensnaring political criticism, dissent and even business activity that would not be criminalised elsewhere. Earlier on March 19, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said that the Beijing-controlled Legislative Council in Hong Kong passed a new security law on March 19 that eliminates the last vestiges of fundamental freedoms in the city. In a statement, HRW stated, "The Safeguarding National Security Ordinance punishes peaceful speech and civil society activism with heavy prison sentences, expands police powers, and weakens due process rights. Because provisions apply to Hong Kong residents and businesses anywhere in the world, the law can silence dissent both in the city and globally." "The legislature took only 11 days to pass the Ordinance unanimously. At the committee stage, the legislature reviewed the 212-page bill in 39 hours, with no amendments proposed. The law will come into effect on March 23," it added. According to the HRW statement, the people of Hong Kong have consistently opposed such legislation since 2003, when half a million people held a protest against it. It noted that no genuine public consultation took place during the legislative process. Elaine Pearson, Asia director at Human Rights Watch, said, "The new security law will usher Hong Kong into a new era of broad-based oppression." She added, "Now even possessing a book in Hong Kong critical of the Chinese government can mean years in prison." In the statement, HRW stated that the legislation's provisions contravene human rights guarantees enshrined in the Basic Law, and violate the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which is incorporated into Hong Kong's legal framework via the Basic Law and expressed in the Bill of Rights Ordinance. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Dharamshala (Himachal Pradesh) [India], March 21 (ANI): A Dharamshala-based exile Tibetan NGO, the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy, released its annual report on the human rights situation in Tibet 2023. In a press statement, the spokesperson of TCHRD, Ngawang Lungtok, said, "Even as China ended its draconian zero-Covid policy measures in 2023, Tibetans continue to face escalating crackdowns on freedom of expression, religion and belief. Despite numerous calls from the international community to immediately halt its forced assimilation policy, Chinese authorities imposed Chinese medium education in Tibetan schools and amended local regulations in Tibetan areas to promote Mandarin Chinese." Also Read | Giorgia Meloni Deepfake Porn Videos Uploaded on Internet, Italy PM Seeks Over USD 100,000 From Accused Father-Son Duo in Damages. Tibetans face restrictions not only on their right to freedom of assembly but also on expressing opinions or criticisms against repressive and unjust government policies, both online and offline. Under the guise of maintaining social stability, Chinese authorities exercise direct supervision and censorship over all online platforms. The right to freedom of religion and belief faced further restrictions as Chinese authorities introduced more repressive regulations to exercise total control over the establishment, management and activities of religious activity sites. Despite the relaxation of zero-covid restrictions, it made no difference to Tibetan Buddhists, who continued to face restrictions in undertaking religious pilgrimages, the statement also read. Also Read | Russia-Ukraine War: Russian Military Launches Missile Attack on Kyiv; Several Residential Buildings Damaged (Watch Videos). Tibetan detainees inside Tibet continue to face a litany of human rights violations. Those arbitrarily, preventatively or forcefully detained underwent unjust sentencing and torture, resulting in custodial deaths. Incommunicado detention in undisclosed locations without due process also remained a regular practice, leading to lasting health issues and premature deaths among political prisoners upon release, it added. In 2023, China was re-elected to the UN Human Rights Council, the UN's premier rights body responsible for protecting and promoting human rights globally. This re-election demonstrates how authoritarian states like China manipulate, obstruct and exploit the international human rights system by waging systematic campaigns to weaken and eviscerate the UN's ability to enforce global compliance with international human rights standards. The ongoing injustices and human rights violations in Tibet underscores the urgent need to address the human rights abuses in Tibet perpetrated by Chinese authorities. The Chinese government must release all Tibetans detained for merely exercising their human rights and political freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, or any other areas of public life, according to the official statement. (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) Dubai [UAE], March 21 (ANI/WAM): Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs, received Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Singapore, in Abu Dhabi. Their discussions focused on current developments in the Middle East and the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. They explored international efforts to achieve a sustainable ceasefire, ensuring civilian safety and security and increasing humanitarian aid flow to Gaza. Also Read | US Files Monopoly Lawsuit Against Apple. The ministers also reviewed the maritime corridor initiative for delivering aid to Gaza and its role in enhancing humanitarian support. Sheikh Abdullah reaffirmed the UAE's commitment to working with regional and international partners to deliver sufficient, safe, sustainable, and unimpeded humanitarian aid to Gaza's civilians, meeting their needs and alleviating their suffering. Also Read | UN Chief Antonio Guterres Urges EU To Show Same Respect for International Law in Gaza As They Aim To Uphold in Ukraine. He reiterated the importance of ending regional extremism, tension, and violence, protecting civilians, and enhancing all possible means of humanitarian support for the Palestinian people. Sheikh Abdullah commended Singapore's prominent relief efforts in Gaza and its cooperation with relevant parties to address the crisis and support Gaza's civilians. The meeting also addressed the friendship relations and comprehensive partnership between the UAE and Singapore, exploring opportunities for further collaboration across various sectors for mutual benefit. Sheikh Abdullah praised the evolving and growing relations, highlighting both countries' keenness to exploit available opportunities to enhance their partnership to support development and achieve sustainable economic prosperity. The meeting was attended by Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of State, and Saeed Mubarak Al Hajeri, Assistant Foreign Minister for Economic and Trade Affairs.(ANI/WAM) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Cairo, Mar 21 (AP) The US announced more than USD 47 million in humanitarian aid for war-torn Sudan and two neighbouring countries, to where at least a million people have fled in the nearly 1-year-old conflict. The aid package is expected to help alleviate the suffering of nearly 25 million people, including refugees who have fled the country into Chad and South Sudan, according to a statement Wednesday from the US State Department. Also Read | US Shocker: Former High School Teacher Supplied Vapes, Alcohol to Students Before Sexually Assaulting Them; Arrested After Her Mother Files Complaint. This US humanitarian assistance provides critical life-saving assistance including food, water and sanitation facilities, shelter, medical services including mental health support, and protection to Sudanese fleeing the conflict, it said. The fresh funds bring to more than USD 968 million the total US humanitarian aid for Sudan since last year, the statement said. Also Read | Antibiotics From India for Use in Animals Seized in UK. Sudan plunged into chaos last April, when long-simmering tensions between its military led by Gen. Abdel Fattah Burhan and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces commanded by Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo broke out into street battles in the capital, Khartoum. Thousands have been killed. More than 9 million people are thought to be internally displaced in Sudan, and 1.5 million refugees have fled into neighbouring countries. The US relief funds were announced by Assistant Secretary for Population, Refugees, and Migration Julieta Valls> Kyiv [Ukraine], March 21 (ANI): During his inaugural visit to Kyiv since accompanying US President Joe Biden over a year ago, US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan expressed unwavering confidence in the eventual passage of additional military aid for Ukraine, despite prolonged blockage in Congress, CNN reported. Standing alongside Andriy Yermak, the head of office for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Sullivan conveyed optimism regarding bipartisan support in the US House of Representatives for an assistance package, though refrained from specifying a timeline for its approval. Also Read | Couple Caught on Camera Engaging in Oral Sex in Public Park in Colombias Bogota. He said, "We are confident we will get a strong bipartisan vote in the House for an assistance package for Ukraine and we will get that money out the door [...] It's already taken too long ... I'm not going to make predictions about exactly when this will get done." Although the US Senate had previously greenlit a supplemental bill unlocking USD 60 billion in military aid for Ukraine, House Speaker Mike Johnson had withheld it from a floor vote. Discussions in Capitol Hill now revolve around the possibility of securing at least partial aid through a loan, potentially garnering support from House Republicans, CNN reported. Also Read | 32 Chinese Airplanes Detected Around Taiwan: Live Breaking News Headlines & Updates, March 21, 2024. Meanwhile, political impasse in Washington coincided with significant battlefield advancements by Russia, including the seizure of the industrial town of Avdiivka, intensively targeted by Russian forces for months. Despite these challenges, Sullivan reassured Ukraine not to lose faith in the US, affirming ongoing support efforts spearheaded by President Biden. He affirmed, "You should believe in the United States ... We have provided enormous support and we will continue to do so every day and every way we know how." During his visit, Sullivan engaged in discussions with President Zelenskyy, emphasising the urgent necessity for Congress to pass the aid bill, as conveyed by National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson. Yermak echoed Sullivan's sentiments, acknowledging President Biden's relentless efforts to secure funding while emphasising the absence of disagreements between Washington and Kyiv. He urged sceptics to visit Ukraine, witness the resilience of its people, and embrace their unwavering commitment to righteousness, stating, "See our people, hear them, and feel the energy. We are on the side of good." Sullivan's trip followed the recent announcement by the White House of an additional USD300 million in military aid, the first such allocation this year. President Biden, albeit acknowledging it as "not nearly enough," attributed the funding to unanticipated cost savings at the Department of Defence, according to CNN. Regarding future weapons transfers, particularly the potential inclusion of longer-range ATACMs capable of reaching up to 300 kilometers, Sullivan remained noncommittal. He disclosed that constructive discussions had transpired regarding the requisite capabilities for Ukraine, avoiding specifics on the inclusion of the advanced missile systems. While the US initiated the supply of an older, shorter-range version of ATACMs in the latter half of the previous year, Ukraine had long sought these systems since the onset of the conflict. Recent speculations suggest deliberations within the Biden administration concerning providing Ukraine with a more advanced variant, extending its reach into Crimea, the territory illegally annexed by Russia in 2014, CNN reported. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Hyderabad, March 21: A 25-year-old Indian student has gone missing from the Cleveland area of the US, following which his family has urged the External Affairs Ministry to find their son after receiving a "ransom call." Mohammed Abdul Arafat, a native of Hyderabad, went to the US for his masters in IT from Cleveland University in May 2023 but has been missing since March 7, 2024. His father, Mohd Saleem, said that after ten days, they received a phone call where the person was saying that their son (Abdul Arafat) had been kidnapped and asked for a USD 1200 ransom. US Shocker: 20-Year-Old Indian Student Killed by Unidentified Assailants in Boston, Body Found Inside Car Within Forest. "My son went to the US on May 23 for his master's. He was doing fine and was talking to me every day. After March 7, we didn't talk. We tried calling, but the phone was off. Later, we called our brother and asked him to see. As my son was not at the location, they went and filed a missing complaint. After 10 days, we got a call on WhatsApp, that your son was kidnapped and asked for a USD 1200 ransom. I urge the state government and central government to find my son," Saleem said. Saleem's brother, who also lives in the US, filed a missing person complaint with the police. Saleem urged the state and central government to find their son. Today, Arafat's father, Mohd Saleem, went to the Nacharam police station, explained the whole incident to the police, and asked for their help in the matter. Indian Student Kidnapped in US: Hyderabad Student Goes Missing in Cleveland, Family Receives USD 12,000 Ransom Call. Moreover, Saleem also wrote a letter to the External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, requesting that they ask the Indian Embassy in Washington, DC, USA and the Indian Consulate in Chicago, USA about his son. "Missing of my son Mohammed Abdul Arfath from Cleveland, Ohio State, USA- Req-Reg.This is to state that my son Mohammed Abdul Arfath resident of H No: 4-2-88/24/2A Ambedkar Nagar, Nacharam, Medchal, Malkajgiri District in Telangana State holder of Indian Passport No: U9815651 went to pursue Masters in IT from Cleveland University during May 2023 and was staying 1700 East 13th Street, 23L Cleveland, Oh44114 and last spoke to me from +14406617965 on 7th March 2024 and since then he is not in touch with us. It is requested to ask the Indian Embassy in Washington DC, USA and Indian Consulate in Chicago, USA," he stated in his letter to EAM Jaishankar. Majlis Bachao Tahreek (MBT) spokesperson Amjed Ullah Khan took to his social media X, detailing the incident. "Mohammed Abdul Arfath from Malkajgiri District in Telangana State persuing Masters in IT from from Cleveland University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA is not in touch with his family since 7th March 2024, his father Mohd Saleem appeals @DrSJaishankar for help in locating his son, All details attached," he stated. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Kyiv, Mar 21 (AP) President Joe Biden's top foreign policy adviser Jake Sullivan sought to reassure Ukrainians during an unannounced visit to Kyiv that the US will continue to support their efforts to fend off Russia's two-year-old invasion. The national security adviser expressed optimism Wednesday that lawmakers in Washington will break a month-long logjam and approve tens of billions of dollars in military and economic aid to Ukraine. Russian forces have exploited the shortfall to make some gains in the conflict. Also Read | US: New York State Asks Court Not To Let Former President Donald Trump Forgo USD 454 Million Bond During Fraud Case Appeal. "We will get a strong bipartisan vote in Congress," Sullivan said during a press conference. "We will get that money to you as we should, so I don't think we need to speak about Plan B today." He also acknowledged that the process had "taken too long". Sullivan said the US would consider the conflict a victory for Ukraine if it emerges from the war as a sovereign, democratic and free country. Also Read | PM Modi-Zelenskyy Phone Call: Ukrainian President Appreciates India's Support for Ukraine's Sovereignty, Territorial Integrity Amid War With Russia. He sought to reassure Ukrainians that the US will continue to support them as it did since the first days of Russia's invasion, despite the holdup in Congress. House Republicans have thus far refused to take up a Senate-passed bipartisan measure backed by the White House to fund military aid for Ukraine and Israel, as well as humanitarian assistance for people in Gaza. "There is wide understanding in the United States that Ukraine matters, that the security and future of Ukraine matters to the security and future of United States of America," Sullivan said. "And that we want to help aid a friend and a partner, but we also want to help ourselves in helping you." Sullivan's trip was meant "to reaffirm the United States' unwavering commitment to Ukraine in its self-defence against Russia's brutal invasion", said National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson. (AP) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Washington, March 21: The United States recognises Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territory and strongly opposes any attempts made to advance territorial claims across the Line of Actual Control, an official spokesperson has said, days after the Chinese military reiterated its claim over the state following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit there. Earlier this week, Chinese Defence Ministry spokesman Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang said that the southern part of Xizang (the Chinese name for Tibet) is an inherent part of China's territory, and Beijing "never acknowledges and firmly opposes" the "so-called Arunachal Pradesh illegally established by India". US Approves Drone Sale for India at Estimated Cost of USD 3.99 Billion. China, which claims Arunachal Pradesh as South Tibet, routinely objects to Indian leaders' visits to the state to highlight its claims. Beijing has also named the area Zangnan. On March 9, Prime Minister Modi dedicated to the nation the Sela Tunnel built at an altitude of 13,000 feet in Arunachal Pradesh that will provide all-weather connectivity to strategically located Tawang and is expected to ensure better movement of troops along the frontier region. Speaking at his daily press conference on Wednesday, State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said, "The United States recognises Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territory and we strongly oppose any unilateral attempts to advance territorial claims by incursions or encroachments, military or civilian, across the Line of Actual Control." India-US Trade Policy Forum Meeting: New Delhi Urges White House To Restore GSP Status, Scrapped by Former US President Donald Trump, for Duty-Free Exports. India has repeatedly rejected China's territorial claims over Arunachal Pradesh, asserting that the state is an integral part of the country. New Delhi has also dismissed Beijing's move to assign "invented" names to the area, saying it did not alter the reality. The Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday said it has noted the latest comments made by the spokesperson of the Chinese Defence Ministry "advancing absurd claims" over the territory of Arunachal Pradesh and asserted that the state "was, is and will always be" an integral and inalienable part of India. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Lucknow, March 21: Over 50 people were injured when a colony of bees attacked a cremation procession in Mohanlalganj, on the outskirts of Lucknow. The incident took place on Wednesday evening in the Rajkhera area and people scurried for cover, leaving the corpse. According to reports, one Molhe, 80, had died on Wednesday due to prolonged illness and his cremation was to be performed later in the evening. As the procession was on its way to the cremation site, it passed under a cluster fig tree and a beehive on the tree broke suddenly, instigating the bee attack. Bee Attack in Uttar Pradesh: Six Labourers Seriously Injured After Swarm of Honeybees Bite Them Near Construction Site in Barabanki. About 50 people were taken to the community health centre where they were given first aid and later discharged. The local people later set a stack of hay on fire to drive away the bees. The cremation took place later in the evening. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 21, 2024 10:15 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Bengaluru, March 21: A 30-year-old software engineer, identified as Aarushi (name changed), experienced a terrifying incident at her home in AECS Layout near Brookefield in Bengaluru on March 17. She reported that the delivery boy from a prominent online food aggregator allegedly sexually harassed her after delivering her order. TOI quoted Aarushi as saying that she had offered the delivery boy water as a courtesy, which he accepted before leaving. However, he returned moments later. As I opened the door, he said, Maam can I use your washroom? Its very urgent. I directed him to the washroom. As soon as he came out, I asked him to leave. He said, Can I have some water again? to which I agreed and asked him to wait near the door. Upon exiting the washroom, he asked for water again, and shockingly followed Aarushi into the kitchen where he grabbed her hand. Aarushi defended herself by hitting him with a frying pan, causing him to flee the scene. Haryana Sexual Harassment Case: Principal of Government School in Jind Dismissed From Service for Sexually Harassing Girl Students. Following the incident, Aarushi contacted the police helpline (112), and a team from the Whitefield police station responded, advising her to file a complaint with the HAL police. The delivery boy, who was wearing a face mask pulled down to his chin, was captured on the buildings CCTV cameras and has been identified as Akash B. Efforts are currently underway to apprehend him. Delhi Shocker: Woman Alleges Sexual Harassment At Gunpoint in Washroom of University, Probe Launched. In the aftermath of the incident, the residents of the four-storey building where Aarushi resides have decided to prohibit delivery personnel from entering the premises, opting instead to collect deliveries at the gates. Aarushi expressed dissatisfaction with the online firms response to her complaint, stating that they were slow to respond and did not provide the delivery boys contact details until she was at the police station. The company only revealed his phone number after overhearing a police officer suggest that Aarushi include the companys name in her complaint. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 21, 2024 10:05 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Lucknow, March 21: School children in Uttar Pradesh will soon be writing to their parents saying, "My future is linked with a strong democracy of the country and for this I would like you to pledge to check your names in the voter list and surely vote in the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls." This is the initiative of the Election Commission (EC) under which the Uttar Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer, Navdeep Rinwa, has roped in the district administration and the Education department to go all out to increase the voter turnout so as to bring it on a par with the national average. Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Congress Finalises 12 Candidates in Maharashtra for General Elections; Meeting With Uddhav Thackeray, Sharad Pawar Today. The measure is part of EC's SVEEP (Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation) initiative, officials said. The office of the Uttar Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer has written to the Director General (school education) seeking help of school children of Uttar Pradesh in writing letters to their parents. Parents will also be requested to sign a "pledge letter" to ensure that they and all eligible members of their family use their right to vote in 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Both parents would sign the pledge letter providing their address, mobile number and e-mail id. Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Congress Finalises Names of 40 Candidates, Including Rahul Gandhi, for LS Polls. Pratap Singh Baghel, Director, Uttar Pradesh Basic Education, has sent a letter to all basic shiksha adhikaris (BSAs) to download soft copies of comics, which are a relevant and irreplaceable outreach medium, even in this age of digital media. The initiative also has a 'comic touch' with characters like Chacha Chaudhary and Sabu, being used to convey election-related information creatively, officials added. They will be used to motivate all 1.9 crore school children associated with the Uttar Pradesh Basic Education Department in writing moving letters to their parents to participate enthusiastically in the electoral process. With a significant following among children and teenagers, this medium enables the EC to effectively engage with the youth, fostering a sense of informed and responsible citizenship from an early age, officials said. The initiative is important because Uttar Pradesh has been falling short of the national average for successive general elections. In 2019, Uttar Pradesh's poll percentage was 59.21 per cent as against the national average of 67.4 per cent. Similarly in 2014, voter turnout in Uttar Pradesh was 58.44 per cent against the country's average of 66.44 per cent. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 21, 2024 08:34 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Any member of the public can forward audio notes and videos to +91 9999025044 on WhatsApp to get assessments on whether a piece of media is AI-generated or contains elements of it. The tipline will offer support in English, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu. Arvind Kejriwal will continue as the Delhi Chief Minister and carry out his duties from jail, the Aam Aadmi Party leader Atishi Marlena said today, minutes after he was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the Delhi liquor policy case. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday arrested Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal after hours of questioning in connection with the Excise Policy Case. Arvind Kejriwal Arrested: ED Arrests Delhi CM in Connection With Excise Policy Case. Arvind Kejriwal Arrested Arvind Kejriwal will continue as chief minister of Delhi, to run govt from jail: Atishi Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 21, 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.) D V Sadananda Gowda, former Chief Minister of Karnataka and BJP MP, has been denied a ticket for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections 2024. Despite his disappointment at not being able to contest from Bangalore North again, the 71-year-old former Union Minister has pledged his continued allegiance to the BJP and dismissed any speculation of joining the Congress. He also expressed his intent to purify the BJP. The BJP has instead chosen Shobha Karandlaje, the current Union Minister of State and representative of the Udupi Chikmagalur Lok Sabha segment, to contest from Bangalore North. Sadananda Gowda To Retire? Former Karnataka CM Instructed by BJP High Command To Retire From Electoral Politics, Says BS Yediyurappa (Watch Video). D V Sadananda Gowda Will Not Join Congress BJP leader and former Karnataka CM D.V. Sadananda Gowda holds a press conference in Bengaluru, he says, "I am upset with BJP as the election ticket (from Bangalore North seat) has been given to someone else in my place. Yes, I was invited to join the Congress party, but I will pic.twitter.com/uhs9fRa6wQ ANI (@ANI) March 21, 2024 Amid specualtions- @DVSadanandGowda clarifies he will be staying in @BJP4Karnataka. He says his aim is to "purify" the BJP now. Imran Khan (@KeypadGuerilla) March 21, 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.) Islamabad, March 21: Two soldiers were killed and 15 others injured in a suicide attack in Pakistan's northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Thursday, official sources confirmed. The incident happened in Dera Ismail Khan district of the province when some unknown militants opened fire at a convoy of security forces, Xinhua news agency reported, citing sources from the Counter Terrorism Department. Pakistan: Baloch Liberation Armys Militants Attack Gwadar Port Complex; Seven Attackers Killed (Watch Videos) Terror Attack in Pakistan BREAKING: Police in Dera Ismail Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, report that a suicide blast near a convoy of security forces has resulted in the deaths and injuries of dozens of Pakistani soldiers. The convoy, en route from Tank district to Dera Ismail Khan, was targeted by the pic.twitter.com/SO6P4HFOMa Kabul Frontline (@KabulFrontline) March 21, 2024 The firing was followed by the suicide attack in which the two soldiers including a military driver were killed, the sources added. The area had been cordoned off for investigations. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 21, 2024 04:55 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Three Texas kids known as the "Little Rascals" trio have been taken into custody for robbing a bank in Houston. The bank robbery by these three Texas kids raised eyebrows after FBI Houston posted about what they did and their subsequent arrest. As the FBI tweet noted, the "Little Rascals" trio were charged locally with robbery by threat after they were arrested. However, because they were all juveniles, as the law has stated, their identities and any additional details were not disclosed to the public. The three Texas kids allegedly robbed a Wells Fargo bank on the North Freeway and West Road in the Greenspoint area. The bank robbery has alarmed many in the Houston area because of the ages of the two youngest suspects, according to ABC 13. Initially, the boys reportedly appeared to be between the ages of 14 and 18. However, when the FBI posted the arrest update that they are, in fact, 16, 12, and 11 years old, many were shocked as the two pre-teens were very unusual for doing such an act. "The age of the younger two, that's unusual for a bank robbery," said retired juvenile district court judge Mike Schneider. "It's one of the first times I've seen that." 'Little Rascals' Trio Passed Threatening Letter To Bank Teller When Robbing Texas Wells Fargo The three Texas kids arrived at the Greenspoint Wells Fargo in North Houston, all wearing hoodies and inside the bank's lobby. They did not seem to be accompanied by anyone else when they robbed the bank. READ NEXT: Texas Immigration Law: White House, Human Rights Groups, Legal Scholars Slam Supreme Court After Allowing State To Deport Migrants As the Associated Press reported, the boys passed a threatening note to a teller before running away on foot with the money that they stole. It was not revealed how much they made off with. This led to the FBI Houston account posting an image of the three boys on X (formerly Twitter), and the tweet soon went viral. Soon enough, they were all identified, with the parents of two of the boys turning them in, while the third boy was identified by local Houston police after a fight. The boys were believed to be armed, but when they robbed the Wells Fargo, they did not present any weapon, just that threatening letter, according to the Harris County Sheriff's Office. However, authorities find a weapon and a "distinctive item pictured in one of the photos." Texas Kids Known as the 'Little Rascals' Trio Charged With a Felony Even though they were still minors, the fact that they were caught on CCTV cameras robbing a bank was enough to have the Harris County Sheriff's Office charge them with robbery by threat, which is a second-degree felony in the state of Texas, according to USA Today. Because they are still minors, an adult might be involved and is pulling the strings. However, investigators have not stated if there was any other person involved in the robbery. "I was thinking either this was very low in sophistication or maybe an adult had something to do with this. That is not uncommon," retired judge Schneider said. "Because kids have a punishment that is less severe, it is not uncommon for adult offenders to get them to commit crimes." READ MORE: Russia Spreading Disinformation About US Border Crisis To Undercut Ukraine Aid This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: 3 teenage bank robbery suspects dubbed 'little rascals' caught by FBI - 6abc Philadelphia China has vast space, outstanding advantages to attract foreign investment in long run: top economic planner Global Times) 16:11, March 21, 2024 An official from China's economy planner said that China has vast space and outstanding advantages to attract foreign investment, despite a recent minor decline in foreign direct investment. He also highlighted that investing in China means investing in the future, refuting Western media claims of foreign investment retreating from the Chinese market. China possesses the right characteristics to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) amid a complex global economic landscape, and China's actual utilization of foreign investment remains at a historically high level, Wu Hao, an official with the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) said at a press conference on Wednesday. Wu cited data from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, which shows that global foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows plunged 18 percent in 2023, as the global FDI inflows dropped after reaching a new high in 2021. It is normal to see the rise and fall in terms of global cross-border investment, but looking future, China has significant advantages and broad space in attracting foreign investment, Wu added. China had 53,766 newly established foreign-invested enterprises in 2023, an increase of 39.7 percent over the previous year, but the actual amount of FDI was 1.13 billion yuan ($156 million), a year-on-year decrease of 8.0 percent, data from Ministry of Commerce showed. Although looking purely at the numbers in 2023, China's scale of attracting foreign investment has fluctuated to a certain extent, a more objective conclusion can be drawn from both "quantitative" and "qualitative" aspects, Wu said. From a "quantity" perspective, China's actual utilization of foreign investment exceeded 1.1 trillion yuan last year, the third highest level in history. From a "qualitative" perspective, China's foreign investment structure continues to optimize, Wu noted. Official data showed that in 2023, the proportion of investment in high-tech industries reached 37.4 percent, an increase of 1.3 percentage points from 2022, and the proportion of investment in the manufacturing sector reached 27.9 percent, an increase of 1.6 percentage points. China has major advantages including market size, industrial chain maturity and policy. As long as China maintains the consistency of its macroeconomic policies and maintain the steady growth of China's economy, it will be the opportunities for the foreign companies, Wang Jun, an expert at the China Center for International Economic Exchanges in Beijing, told the Global Times on Wednesday. To better attract foreign investment, China's State Council, the cabinet, on Tuesday issued a broad plan to attract foreign investment, with targeted measures including expanding market access in the high-tech and financial sectors, facilitating cross-border data flows and promoting international business travel, showing China's determination for further opening-up and is set to boost the confidence of foreign investors. China is the world's largest market with the greatest growth potential, and will continue to unleash huge demand in advanced manufacturing, new urbanization, and consumption structure, Wu said. China offers a transparent and stable policy environment and the most complete industrial system in the world, which can provide foreign investment with a highly efficient and reliable industrial supporting system. Meanwhile, China's increasingly complete infrastructure network, sufficient human resources, and rich innovative application scenarios can create good investment space for foreign investors in new technologies, new industries, and new business formats, Wu said. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) Venezuela autocrat Nicolas Maduro repressing his political opponents as the elections draw near is nothing new, with the latest example being the arrests of election rival Maria Corinna Machado's staffers, including her presidential campaign manager. Machado campaign manager Magalli Meda and eight of the united opposition candidate's staffers were issued arrest warrants by Venezuela Attorney General Tarek William Saab on Wednesday. These staffers also include Machado's political coordinator, Dignora Hernandez who was arrested earlier that day. According to the Associated Press, Saab accused the Machado campaign staff "of being part of a 'destabilizing' plot that included demonstrations, a media campaign, and plans to attack military barracks." However, the Venezuelan government has yet to present any evidence of these accusations, with opponents and international observers already crying foul as Nicolas Maduro has returned to his usual opposition repression tactics that he employs every time there is an election. A video of Hernandez's arrest has surfaced, and it showed her screaming in Spanish, "Help! Help, please! No!" as at least three uniformed officers arrested her and tried to wrestle her into the back of an SUV. The Venezuelan government stated that these warrants were issued after he claimed that another Machado staffer that they previously arrested earlier this month, Emill Brandt, "confessed." However, Brandt's attorney spoke with the Associated Press and said that his client was denied legal counsel of his choice, prompting many to believe he may have been coerced into confessing under duress. The issuance of arrest warrants against the Maria Corina Machado staffers came after an independent panel of experts investigating human rights violations in Venezuela testified before the UN High Council on Human Rights that the Maduro regime had "increased repression efforts against real or perceived opponents ahead of this year's presidential election." READ MORE: Venezuela Starts a New Feud, This Time Against the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights Venezuela Opposition Denounces Repression by Nicolas Maduro Government Maria Corina Machado, who won last year's opposition primary by a landslide with over 90% of the vote, blasted her opponent, President Nicolas Maduro, for its "brutal repression" of his political opponents. While Maduro has not directly gone after her, his AG went after her staffers while the Supreme Court allied to him disqualified her from running. "The regime of (President Nicolas) Maduro unleashes brutal repression against my campaign teams," she tweeted on X, formerly Twitter, soon after the arrest warrants against her campaign staffers were issued. "These cowardly actions aim to close Venezuela's path to change and freedom in peace and democracy." Opinion polls have shown that if the Venezuela elections were fair, Machado would beat Maduro, according to Barron's. Venezuela Opposition Looking Into Replacing Maria Corina Machado as Entry Deadline Looms Despite Machado winning over 90% of the opposition vote and is likely to beat Maduro if the race were fair, she is still officially ineligible to run as her candidacy is still blocked by the Maduro-aligned Supreme Court. As El Pais noted, the submission for candidacy is on March 25, and Machado is still disqualified. The opposition is now looking into Plan B, with Machado now opening the door to alternative solutions to challenge Maduro. Alternate candidates include Manuel Rosales, governor of the state of Zulia, as well as Eduardo Fernandez, a veteran Social Christian. READ MORE: Venezuela Loses Appeal on Crimes Against Humanity Investigation This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado speaks about ban on presidential candidacy - CBS News The Western Mexico state of Jalisco is one of the most brutal places in Mexico as it is home to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, with the most recent act of violence happening when five dead bodies were found piled inside a bulletproof SUV. The vehicle with the dead bodies was discovered on Tuesday after an anonymous call was made to an emergency number. When police arrived, they found the bodies of five men "with visible signs of violence." However, they did not specify how these five people were killed. According to the Associated Press, the bulletproof SUV was found abandoned on a road in Villa de Corona, which is located south of Guadalajara, which is near the border with Arizona. While the state is home to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, or CJNG for short, authorities did not reveal which criminal organization they think was responsible for these deaths, as other smaller crime groups also operate there, though not as powerful or as brutal as the CJNG. The cartel is known for using homemade or professionally made bulletproof vehicles and having military-grade weapons that were brought over from the United States. It is also infamous for its ISIS-style decapitation videos, with cartel members chopping off the heads of their opponents in a brutal and macabre way. Mexico's Most Notorious Cartel, Jalisco New Generation Cartel Previously Announced It Was 'Cleaning' The discovery of the five bodies in Jalisco came just three weeks after the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, considered the most dangerous cartel in Mexico right now, announced that "The cleaning begins." This "cleaning" is believed to be an operation against the cartel's many rivals, with one victim being Jose Luis Olam, also known as "El Golpes," who was attacked in the state of Tabasco in late February. He was shot three times but survived after being taken to hospital. He is believed to be the leader of a local gang in Tabasco, according to the Daily Star. READ NEXT: Mexico: Local Drug Cartel Forces Residents To Pay for WiFi or Die The gunman who shot him was believed to be a member of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, which made the declaration, "The cleaning begins. We are coming for you, Carmen also known as El Sombra, in charge of the Villahermosa prison, for protecting Jose Luis Olan, also known as El Gopes. He escaped from Comalcalco." There is now a 500,000 pesos bounty on El Sombra's head, as well as a 100,000 pesos bounty on the guards protecting El Gopes. Jalisco New Generation Cartel Still Targeting American Tourists With Time Share Fraud The CJNG is not just into drug trafficking but also timeshare fraud. In fact, the cartel's constant targeting of American tourists has led to the Biden administration imposing massive sanctions against it and its partner companies. A US government investigation revealed that over the last 10 years, thousands of US citizens, mostly the elderly, were targeted by the Jalisco New Generation Cartel's scheme by offering up timeshare stays in vacation hotspots like Cancun and Puerto Vallarta. A US government official spoke with USA Today on the condition of anonymity and revealed that the cartel makes more money with the scam than it does with drugs. "It's more cash in hand than they make from drugs," said the official. "The overhead is really low for this." READ NEXT: Drug Cartels: Fentanyl, Meth Smuggling Busted by Border Patrol This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: Mexico's Most Wanted Drug Kingpin | The War on Drugs - VICE UPDATE: Bomb threat shutters Saucon Valley schools for 2nd day this week Law enforcement authorities continue to investigate a bomb threat that closed a school district Wednesday and plan an increased campus presence for the rest of this week. Lower Saucon Township police in an update Wednesday evening said a search of the schools turned up no evidence corroborating the reported threat made toward the school district. The police department supported the districts decision to close schools Wednesday. The investigation is ongoing and there is a collaborative effort between the police department and the school district to ensure the safety of the students and staff of Saucon Valley School District, the evening update stated. Police asked anyone with relevant information to submit a tip through Lower Saucons Crimewatch Tipline available through lowersauconpolice.org or contact the police department at 610-317-6110. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com. Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Does it make sense to restore passenger rail service in the Lehigh Valley? Its a question that has surfaced regularly in conversations about regional transportation planning since Amtrak in 2021 released a long-range plan that called for restoring the route between Allentown and New York City. Its also been the subject of an analysis thats been underway for more than a year. The findings of that analysis are about to go public. The Lehigh Valley Transportation Study says in a news release that it will hold a special informational meeting of its Technical and Coordinating Committees at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 27 to release the Lehigh Valley Passenger Rail Analysis. The analysis, commissioned by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), will be presented by PennDOT and consultants who have been collecting data and preparing the report for more than a year, the release says. The meeting is scheduled to be live-streamed. Visit tinyurl.com/LVTSPR0324 to access the stream at the time the meeting is scheduled. The analysis will lay out potential routes to New York, Philadelphia and Reading; estimated capital and operating costs; service carrier alternatives; the lengthy process ahead; and the potential freight rail and environmental challenges, the Lehigh Valley Transportation Study says. The full report will be available at lvpc.org March 27. The LVPC notes that this is the committees first viewing of the results and no votes or decisions about the analysis will be made at the meeting on March 27. Questions and accommodation requests can be made by contacting Hannah Milagio at 610-264-4544 or at hmilagio@lvpc.org by 10 a.m. on Tuesday, March 26. New, temporary home for Fountain Hill elementary The Bethlehem Area School District Board of School Directors have approved the two-year relocation of Fountain Hill Elementary School during the planned construction of the new school, the school district announced. A news release from the district states: Students and faculty will occupy the site of the former Lehigh Valley Academy Charter School located at 1640 and 1650 Valley Center Parkway during the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school years. All students of Fountain Hill Elementary will be provided bus transportation to the temporary location during those school years. The opening of the new Fountain Hill Elementary School is set for August 2027. Other local headlines Here are some additional headlines this week from other Lehigh Valley media outlets: WFMZ.com reports Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdoms new Iron Menace, the first dive rollercoaster in the Northeast set to open in 2024, completed its first successful test run. Lehighvalleynews.com reports Bethlehem City Council is considering a proposal to limit public comment at meetings to city residents and taxpayers only. Mcall.com reports that a Scottish-Irish concept called Bagpipers Pub will replace the shuttering Stooges Bar & Grille at 2101 Liberty St. in Allentown. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust. Over 300 prospective students turned out for Portlaoise Institute's open day which showcased the diverse educational opportunities they have on offer. The event, held on March 20, provided information about more than 24 full time and 30 plus part-time courses on offer for September 2024. Among the attendees were students from various neighbouring secondary schools, Dunamase College, Colaiste Iosagain, CBS Portlaoise, Mountmellick Community School, and Portlaoise College. Throughout the day, attendees had the opportunity to interact with teachers and students, participate in hands-on demonstrations, and learn more about the wide array of courses available at Portlaoise Institute. The Open Day also provided a platform for prospective students to gain insight into the institute's facilities and supportive learning environment. Principal Keith McClearn said: "We were delighted to welcome such a large number of enthusiastic students to our Open Day, it is a testament to the growing recognition of Portlaoise Institute as a premier educational institution in the region. For more information about the courses on offer at Portlaoise Institute, visit www.portlaoiseinstitute.ie Plans to honour the historic burial site of unbaptised babies in Abbeyleix are a step closer to fruition this week following the green light from Laois County Council. A committee has been working hard to recognise and mark the Cillini burial plot in the townland of Tonduff for babies who were not allowed in a Catholic graveyard because they died before being baptised. A fundraiser was set up mid-January for a sculpture and a stone seat to be erected which has raised 4,000 online to date. Providing an update on the project this week Noel Burke, who is part of the committee who spearheaded the successful fundraiser, said their plans to recognise the burial plot have been agreed by area engineer Wesley Wilkinson and Laois Heritage Officer Thomas Carolan subject to some conditions. Because of health and safety concerns in this area it is now agreed that the reflection seat and QR code will now be relocated to a community reflection area at the north end of the town close to the Abbeyleix Heritage House Museum, explained Mr Burke. There is a group of bereaved mothers that live in our community who attend a prayer service every October to remember the sad loss of their own babies, it will now be their intention to also use this community area when completed early this year to reflect on all the babies that were buried at the Abbeyleix Tonduff Cillin, as well as the loss of their own babies. Our new agreed plan is now to erect a piece of natural stone marking the Cillin burial site with the text written in both the English and Irish language. Our Parish Priest Fr. Paddy Byrne has agreed to celebrate a Mass at the Tonduff Cillin site on April 23 at 7pm. The committee has thanked Fr Byrne as well as the Abbeyleix Women's Development Group for their help with the project. The ladies of Abbeyleix Womens Development Group are selling eco-friendly knitted Easter Creme Egg gifts in aid of the project. Meanwhile the GoFundMe page will remain open until after the Easter ceremonies. The money collected will maintain both sites for many years to come, added Mr Burke. Laois farmers must take to Portlaoise's streets as part of a national protest in Ireland's county towns at over-regulation and to get better deal on climate issues and a host of other fronts, according to IFA President Francie Gorman. The call to protest in April was made by Mr Gorman at the Laois IFA AGM on March 19 where he also said the Fianna Fail / Fine Gael coalition with the Greens is the biggest problem facing farmers. The Ballinakill was given a rousing welcome by farmers from across the county to address the meeting in the wake of him taking over as IFA president in January. He told farmers in the Abbeyleix Manor Hotel that IFA led protests would be mounted in Portlaoise and other county towns around in Ireland in early April in a continuation of the Enough is Enough campaign launched in January. He believed that this campaign has already delivered in making progress due to the campaign on Acres, liming but he said the Government has it within their remit to take other action with the tillage sector now in urgent need of support. You can talk all day about growing the tillage sector but if you cant save the sector that is there how can you grow it? Those farmers are going to be on their knees by the end of this year, he said. He called on the Government to come forward with a package of support which he estimated would need to run to 30 million. He said the IFA has to work toward restoring the nitrate derogation through the CAP reform. He said the Nature Restoration Laws must also be railed against. Mr Gorman said meetings have taken place with Revenue over VAT issues which have emerged this year. He said the IFA hopes a resolution will be reached. He said the Department of Public Expenditures approval is also awaited on an Ash dieback package. He said these are issues that the Government could solve before the local and European elections and maximum pressure must be placed on election candidates. He said the extent of frustration over many ssues required him as national president to lead farmers in protest. The Association has got to lead farmers in the way that they want to be led, he said. He outlined the next public element to the campaign. What we are planning is to go to every county town in early April in advance of the elections. We want as many people as is humanly possible to turn up at their county townswhether it is bodies or tractors we want it replicated around the country, he said. Mr Gorman said he did not believe in people who need to go to the capital by mounting a protest in the capital but he would not rule it out. "If we have to go to Dublin after (to protest) we go to Dublin. My belief is that you go local first. You dont discommode people who support us as farmers - you dont cheese them off, he said. He said the coverage on Joe Duffy of people missing holiday flights due to a farmer protest will blow the goodwill among the public. But if we have to take action, and have to be more militant, I believe we will take that action, he said. He said the next programme for Government after the General election would be hugely important. Our single biggest problem at the moment is that Fianna Fail and Fine Gael sold out the people who traditionally voted for them and they went into power with the Greens, he said. He said the Nature Restoration Law would have been defeated in Europe but Government MEPs voted in favour of it because the Irish Government would have fallen apart otherwise. He said people voted into power should understand and support farming and that a new programme for the Government should not tie the hands of farmers. Laois County Council cannot comply with a Circuit Court judges call to cut speed limits at the Rock of Dunamase where a tourist was knocked down and killed until promised new national laws and a speed limits review materialise. The restriction on the council's ability to respond was revealed in an update given to county councillors after a request to cut the speed limit at the Laois landmark was sought at a recent meeting in County Hall. Cllr Thomasina Connell, Fine Gael, tabled a motion calling on the local authority to reduce the speed limit at the Rock of Dunamase to 30 km/hour to reduce risk of further road accidents at this location. Cllr Connells motion followed a call from a Circuit Court Judge in February who also called for speed limits to be lowered when jailing a Portlaoise man for causing the death of an American tourist at the site in 2022. The reply from James Dowling, Senior Executive Engineer, explained why the speeds could not be changed in response. MORE BELOW PICTURE. The Department of Transport advise that there is legislation due for changes to default speed limits. In paralell the Department are to publish a National Speed Limit review guidance document. Pending publication of these documents, it is premature to commence a speed limit review, noting that individual speed limit zones cannot be revised in isolation, he said. Laura Jones, 59, from Colorado, died at the Rock of Dunamase in October 2022 she and her Doug husband were hit by a speeding car. Jamie Kearns, 20, of 22 Cosby Avenue, Portlaoise was subsequently jailed and banned from driving in February 2024 by Judge Keenan Johnson. Sentencing the defendant at Portlaoise Circuit Court, the judge recommended that the council reduce the speed limit from 80km/h to 30km/h on the approach road to the Rock. The deceased, her husband and their youngest daughter Erin and her partner Jacob, had stopped off to visit the Rock of Dunamase at the start of their holiday in Ireland. Laois County Coucil has received the go-ahead to build a car park near the historic fort located off the N80 between Portlaoise and Stradbally. The issue was raised by Cllr Connell at the March meeting of the Portlaoise Municpal District. The Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris is expected to declare his candidacy for the Taoiseach role. From 10am this Thursday, March 21, candidacy will open to those in the Fine Gael party to apply as leader following former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar's shock resignation this Wednesday, March 20. I couldnt find anyone to stab me in the back, so I fell on my sword instead, Mr Varadkar said at private Fine Gael parliamentary meeting last night as he thanked TDs and senators for their support over his lengthy career, having first been elected in 2007. The focus now turns to April 6 when a new leader will be announced. Calls for a general election have poured in from opposition parties and some members of the public. Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe is expected to make a decision whether he will run for Taoiseach in the next day or two, with sources saying he is "seriously considering" a run at the leadership. Another potential candidate tipped to run for the role is that of Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys, while she has not yet declared her intention. "I believe that a new Taoiseach and leader will be better placed than me - after seven years in office, I don't think I am the best person do that anymore," Mr Varadkar said upon resigning. Any candidate who secures the support of the majority of the parliamentary party would have to get 65% of the total vote. Meanwhile, a number of Fianna Fail members have called on Tanaiste Micheal Martin to insist that he take over the Taoiseach's position. By Isabel Hayes and Jessica Magee A man who masturbated in front of four children last year initially denied the offence and told gardai he had an insect bite in his genital region, a court has heard. Mark Dolan (49), formerly of Ardrew Heights, Dun Brinn, Athy, Co Kildare, pleaded guilty to engaging in sexual activity in front of a child at an address in north Dublin on May 6, 2023. Four girls aged between six and eight years old were playing in the cul de sac where they lived when Dolan exposed himself to them for over five minutes. CCTV footage of the entire incident was played during a hearing at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on Thursday. A prosecuting garda told Emer Ni Chuagain BL, for the State, that CCTV captured Dolan parking his car beside a school before he walks past a group of young girls, crosses the road and undoes his jeans. The footage shows him repeatedly checking whether anyone is there while exposing himself and masturbating at a sideways angle to the children, who are aware of his presence. Three of the childrens mothers read out victim impact statements, while a prosecuting garda read out a victim impact statement on behalf of the mother of the fourth child. All four girls have suffered recurrent nightmares since the offence and no longer feel safe, the court heard. The mother of a girl who was aged six at the time of the offence said her daughter had been a happy, independent, secure, fun-loving little girl who loved playing with her friends, until her innocence and security were stolen by Dolan. I will never forget the look of fear and confusion on their faces when they knocked on my door to tell me about the bad man, she said. Women and girls are subject to this type of crime all too often in Ireland, she said, adding, A clear message needs to be sent that this will not be tolerated. Another mother of a girl who was aged 9 at the time said the incident turned her daughter from a happy, sociable, confident little girl into someone who is worried, vulnerable, scared and has regular nightmares about the man. It robbed her of her innocence. It will forevermore be her first sexual encounter. We will never be able to to bring her back to before the man cast a shadow in her life, the woman said. The court heard that parents of all four children contacted the guards who obtained footage from a nearby homeowner and also identified Dolans car registration. Dolan has no previous convictions. He was arrested two days after the offence and initially told gardai he had an insect bite. On his third interview, Dolan made admissions but denied he had been masturbating. He told gardai that his behaviour was related to a form of exhibitionism and that he had been pretending to urinate. The garda greed with counsel for the defence that Dolan had stayed on the opposite side of the road to the children and that there had been no full frontal exposure. Counsel said Dolan felt rotten and disgusted with himself and that he accepted that this was a despicable act which had traumatised the children. Counsel said Dolan described the period of the offence as the lowest moment of his life as he had separated from his wife and was soon to be divorced, which had destroyed his self-esteem and mental health. Dolan was living on his own with limited access to his children and was working six days and three nights a week at the time, the court heard. Dolan accepts that this offence was opportunistic and that he got a thrill from the public being present, counsel said. This behaviour was in many ways attention-seeking, counsel added. The court heard that Dolans reputation has been destroyed by the publicity arising from the case and that his ex-partner, current partner and their children have also been negatively affected. Dolan spent nine days in custody and began attending therapy to deal with emotional issues which had been building up for a long time, the court heard. He is also on medication, the court heard. Testimonials on Dolans behalf were submitted from his current partner, his mother and two from his current employers where he has worked as a mechanic for 16 years. Judge Nolan adjourned the matter until Friday for finalisation. The Presentation Sisters have announced the election of Sr Sharon Fagan as their new Congregational Leader. Sr Sharon, a native of St Johns, Newfoundland, Canada served as Assistant Congregational Leader on the outgoing Congregational Leadership Team (2018 2024). Sharons ministries in Canada included teaching elementary school children, nursing as a hospital staff nurse, a community health nurse, a nursing supervisor the administrator of Presentation Emergency Shelter for Children, and the Director of Nursing at Presentation Motherhouse. As a member of the Newfoundland Congregation Sharon served for twelve years as a counsellor on their Congregational Leadership Team and eight years as Congregational Leader. This election took place the 10 th Congregational Gathering of the Presentation Sisters which was held in Mount St Annes Retreat and Conference Centre, Killenard, Co Laois. Forty-nine Sisters from Ireland and across the world came as delegates to this international meeting on behalf of over nine hundred Presentation Sisters worldwide. They began on 3 March 2024 and will conclude their Gathering on Saturday 23 March 2024. They came together to reflect on how to respond to the needs and challenges of todays world, and to elect a new leadership team. The delegates also elected a Congregational Council to work alongside the Leader: Srs Anne OLeary (USA Unit), Sheila De Sa (India South Unit), Miriam Martin (Newfoundland and Labrador Unit) and Joy Puerta (Philippines Unit). Sr Anne OLeary was subsequently elected as Assistant Congregational Leader. Annes ministry work has included teaching religious education and music at secondary level; and theology, religious studies, education, scripture and spirituality at tertiary level in Ireland and the United States. Anne also served as a member of the Congregational Leadership Team from 2012 2018. She is currently serving as associate professor of sacred scripture and Director of the MA Sacred Scripture program at the Oblate School of Theology, San Antonio. Sheilas ministry work has included teaching in five Diocesan schools in Goa for nearly 20 years. Sheila was on the Circle Leadership Team in Goa, India for five years. She is currently serving on the Unit Leadership Team in the India South Unit. Miriams ministry work includes university chaplaincy, pastoral ministry, and diocesan liturgical ministry. Completing Graduate Studies in Practical Theology and Adult Education led her into ministry as a Professor at Saint Paul University in Ottawa where she taught, developed, and administrated Transformative Leadership Programs for 27 years. Miriam also served for eight years as counsellor on the Newfoundland Congregational Leadership Team. Joy has been a Presentation Sister for 18 years and has been involved in administration work in school ministries in the Philippines. She has been a member of the Leadership Team in her Unit for 7 years, and the Unit Leader for the last 2 years. She also works in the accompaniment of candidates in initial formation. The new leader, Sr Sharon commented: In these challenging times, we the Congregational Leadership Team, desire to serve the Congregation in the spirit of our Founder, Nano Nagle, who brought hope and light into a world that is experiencing great vulnerability. A funeral has been held for convicted Garda killer, Pearse McAuley. McAuley, 59, was found dead at in his home in Strabane, Co Tyrone, on Monday. His death is not being treated as suspicious. The IRA member was sentenced in 1999 to 14 years in jail for the manslaughter of Detective Garda Jerry McCabe, who was shot dead by an IRA gang during a raid on the post office in Adare, Co Limerick, in June 1996. McAuleys coffin was draped in an Irish flag with a black beret and gloves placed on top as it was brought to the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Strabane this Thursday. The items were removed as his remains were taken into the church for the funeral service. Addressing mourners, Father Declan Boland spoke of the loss felt by McAuleys family. Wherever we go in life and wherever our journey may bring us, we all come back to the place where it all began, at the foot of the altar, bringing with us all the content and happenings of our lives, all that has shaped us to be the people that we are, to be surrendered in all his detail to the one who gave us life in the first place, he said. This God is a God of mercy and love that has to be preached because all of us have sinned greatly and Pearse was no exception. We have to ask the mercy of God and seek pardon, fully confident that our pleas and our prayers will be heard and our petitions answered. Let us not forget primarily that Pearse was a father, a brother, a partner, and a friend of many. His loss is being felt deeply by those who love him. The sense of suffering, emptiness and pain that death brings to those who are left behind to mourn is a heavy burden to bear and this family bear it this morning. After the service, McAuleys remains were taken for burial in Strabane cemetery. He was jailed after an IRA gang shot dead Mr McCabe during the post office raid in Adare. Mr McCabe was in an unmarked garda patrol car, escorting a van delivering 80,000 (102,000 euro) to local post offices in Adare when the IRA gang struck. Mr McCabe was shot about 15 times with a Kalashnikov assault rifle. His colleague, Detective Garda Ben OSullivan, was seriously injured in the shooting but survived. McAuley was convicted of manslaughter in 1999 and was released from prison after serving 10 years. Years before the killing, McAuley and his cellmate, Nessan Quinlivan, shot their way out of Brixton Prison in London as they awaited trial for conspiracy to murder brewery boss Charles Tidbury and for firearms and explosives offences. Jail-breaker McAuley and IRA killer Kevin Walsh were the last of the five men jailed for the robbery to be released. They had served three-quarters of their 14-year sentences. While McAuley was serving his sentence, Sinn Fein made an unsuccessful attempt to have him and others jailed for the garda killing to be released under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement. The move was resisted by the Irish Government. In 2015, McAuley was sentenced to 12 years for stabbing his estranged wife, Pauline Tully, now a Sinn Fein TD, with a steak knife at her home on Christmas Eve in 2014. The pair had married while McAuley was serving his 14-year sentence for the garda killing. They met when Ms Tully, who was elected as a Sinn Fein councillor in 1999, visited McAuley at Castlerea Prison in Co Roscommon. They became engaged in 2000. He was temporarily released in 2003 to marry Ms Tully, a teacher at the time, in her home village of Kilnaleck, Co Cavan. McAuley was finally freed in 2020. A man has appeared in court charged with arson after a former pub, which had been earmarked for homeless accommodation, was destroyed in a fire causing two million euro worth of damage. Steven McDonnell, with an address in Cambridge Park in Ringsend, appeared before Dublin District Court on Thursday. The 49-year-old faces a charge of criminal damage by fire. The former pub on Thorncastle Street was set ablaze in the early hours of New Years Eve amid speculation it was going to be used to house immigrants. No-one was in the building at the time of the incident but the court was told that more than two million euro worth of damage was caused to the disused pub. The father of four, who denies the charge, appeared before Judge Fiona Brennan. Judge Brennan remanded McDonnell in custody with consent to strict bail conditions. McDonnell must pay his bond of 250 euro and lodge an independent surety or cash to the amount of 2,500 euro. On Thursday, garda detective sergeant Jonathan Kelly told the court that McDonnell was arrested at his home shortly before 7.30am on Thursday and was taken to a garda station for questioning. Mr Kelly told the court that when charged with the offence of arson he made no reply. Mr Kelly said there were two objections to bail including the seriousness of the charge and the damage caused to the building which cost in excess of two million euro. He said there was also potential for the fire to spread into an adjoining building where people lived. Defence solicitor Tony Collier said his client has been living in the Ringsend area for around 15 years. He is a married man with four children and has no previous convictions. Mr Collier said his client is asserting his innocence. He said McDonnell has a responsible job as a crane driver and is the main breadwinner for the family, and that his children are all in school. His solicitor said that he is deeply rooted in the community. He is a man who has significant links to the community, Mr Collier added. His solicitor handed in a copy of his financial means, saying his client has a reasonable income. As part of his bail conditions, McDonnell must surrender his passport, not loiter in Thorncastle Street or Fitzwilliam Street and have no contact by any means with the owner of the destroyed pub. McDonnell is also required to sign on at a garda station three times a week. McDonnell, who was granted legal aid, is to appear before court again on Wednesday March 27. In their appeal for witnesses earlier this year, gardai said they are aware of a significant volume of misinformation, disinformation and rumour in relation to the use or proposed use of the building. The Department of Integration confirmed there were no plans to use the building for that purpose. It later emerged the premises was intended for use as emergency accommodation for homeless families. Dye & Durham Announces Marketing of New Credit Facility TORONTO, March 20, 2024 /CNW/ - Dye & Durham Limited ("Dye & Durham" or "Holdings"), (TSX: DND) today announced that Dye & Durham Corporation (the "Company"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Holdings, commenced the marketing of a new senior secured Term Loan B facility and revolving credit facility (the "New Senior Secured Credit Facilities"). In conjunction with the New Senior Secured Credit Facilities, and subject to market and other conditions, the Company plans to launch the marketing of additional new secured debt (the "Additional Secured Debt", and together with the New Senior Secured Credit Facilities, the "Refinancing Transactions"). The Company intends to use the initial borrowings under the New Senior Secured Credit Facilities, together with the net proceeds of any Additional Secured Debt raised and cash on hand, to: (i) refinance the Company's existing credit facilities, (ii) repurchase some or all of the Company's 3.75% convertible senior unsecured debentures due 2026, and (iii) finance working capital needs and for general corporate purposes. The foregoing description and any other information regarding the potential of the Company incurring secured debt is included herein solely for informational purposes, and this press release is not an offer to sell any secured debt. "This refinancing represents a significant milestone in our previously announced deleveraging plan as we continue to target less than four times total net debt to Adjusted EBITDA," said Matthew Proud, Chief Executive Officer of Dye & Durham. "Assuming the refinancing is successful, we will have significantly reduced our annual interest costs, increased free cash flow and positioned Dye & Durham well for future growth." The refinancing of the Company's existing credit facilities will address the risk that its maturity is accelerated in the event that any of the Company's 3.75% convertible senior unsecured debentures due 2026 are outstanding as at September 30, 2025. Financial Update In connection with the planned Refinancing Transactions, Holdings has also disclosed the following financial information: Approximately $278 million of Further Adjusted EBITDA for the last twelve months (LTM) ending December 31, 2023 . 1,2 of Further Adjusted EBITDA for the last twelve months (LTM) ending . Organic Revenue Growth Rate of 3.0% year over year for the quarter ended December 31, 2023 . 2 . $118.6 million of annual recurring revenue ("ARR") for the period ending February 1, 2024 , an increase of $6.5 million from the period ending December 31, 2023 .2 1. Adjusted EBITDA was $250 million and net income was $(173) million over the same period. See below for a reconciliation of Further Adjusted EBITDA to Adjusted EBITDA. Further Adjusted EBITDA takes into account the pre-acquisition results of businesses acquired in the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 and certain other efficiencies that have been identified and, in some cases, implemented by Dye & Durham, and which are described in more detail below under "Non-IFRS Financial Measures". There can be no assurance that Dye & Durham will be able to realize on some or all of these efficiencies. 2. Adjusted EBITDA, Further Adjusted EBITDA, Organic Revenue Growth Rate and ARR are non-IFRS measures. These measures are not recognized measures under IFRS, do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and are therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. For further information and the relevant definitions, see the "Non-IFRS Financial Measures" section of this press release. About Dye & Durham Dye & Durham Limited provides premier practice management solutions empowering legal professionals every day, delivers vital data insights to support critical corporate transactions and enables the essential payments infrastructure trusted by government and financial institutions. Dye & Durham has operations in Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and South Africa. Additional information can be found at www.dyedurham.com. Non-IFRS Measures This press release makes reference to certain non-IFRS measures. These measures are not recognized measures under IFRS, do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and are therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. Rather, these measures are provided as additional information to complement those IFRS measures by providing further understanding of Dye & Durham's results of operations from management's perspective and to discuss Dye & Durham's financial outlook. Dye & Durham's definitions of non-IFRS measures may not be the same as the definitions for such measures used by other companies in their reporting. Non-IFRS measures have limitations as analytical tools. Accordingly, these measures should not be considered in isolation nor as a substitute for analysis of Dye & Durham's financial information reported under IFRS. Dye & Durham uses non-IFRS measures, including "Adjusted EBITDA", "Further Adjusted EBITDA", "Organic Revenue Growth Rate" and "ARR" (each as described below), to provide investors with supplemental measures of its operating performance and to eliminate items that management believes has less bearing on operating performance or operating conditions and thus highlight trends in its core business that may not otherwise be apparent when relying solely on IFRS financial measures. Dye & Durham's management also uses non-IFRS financial measures in order to facilitate operating performance comparisons from period to period. Dye & Durham believes that securities analysts, investors, and other interested parties frequently use non-IFRS financial measures in the evaluation of issues. Please see "Cautionary Note Regarding Non-IFRS Measures" and "Select Information and Reconciliation of Non-IFRS Measures" in Dye & Durham's most recent Management's Discussion and Analysis, which is available on its profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca, for further details on certain non- IFRS measures, including relevant reconciliations of each non-IFRS measure to its most directly comparable IFRS measure, which information is incorporated by reference herein. EBITDA EBITDA means net income (loss) before amortization and depreciation expenses, finance and interest costs, and provision for income taxes. Adjusted EBITDA Adjusted EBITDA adjusts EBITDA for stock-based compensation expense, asset impairment charges, loss on settlement of loans and borrowings, gains or losses from changes in fair value of derivative financial instruments and contingent consideration liabilities measured at fair value through profit or loss, specific transaction related expenses related to acquisitions, IPO and capital structure reorganization, operational restructuring costs, restructuring costs includes impact to the full year of cost synergies related to the reduction of employees in relation to acquisitions. Further Adjusted EBITDA Further Adjusted EBITDA further adjusts Adjusted EBITDA for the impact of (i) business acquired in the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 attributable to the portion of such period prior to the date of acquisition of each entity, inclusive of due diligence adjustments, (ii) the removal of the results of TM Group, which Holdings divested in Q1 2024 and (iii) platform consolidation, cost savings and other realized and reasonably anticipated synergies in respect of acquisitions consummated prior to December 31, 2023, as if such synergies had been fully realized as of January 1, 2023 and realized and reasonably anticipated cost savings derived from integration initiatives, including employee rationalization, operational efficiencies relating to IT infrastructure integration and IT outsourcing. Below is a reconciliation of Further Adjusted EBITDA to Adjusted EBITDA. (in millions) Adjusted EBITDA $250 Adjustments Pre-Acquisition Reporting Results $7 TM Group Divestiture $(5) Remaining Synergies $26 Further Adjusted EBITDA $278 Organic Revenue Growth Rate Organic Revenue Growth Rate is calculated by the total revenue in the current quarter period (excluding the pre-acquisition quarterly revenue of those acquisitions executed in the LTM period from December 31, 2023 and discontinued businesses) divided by the total revenue in the prior quarter period (excluding discontinued businesses). Below is a reconciliation of Organic Revenue to Revenue. (in millions) Q2 2024 Q2 2023 Revenue $110.2 $106.7 TM Group Revenue Pre-Divestiture -- $(12.5) Pre-Acquisition Reporting Results $(14.3) -- Discontinued Businesses -- $(1.0) Organic Revenue $95.9 $93.1 Organic Revenue Growth Rate 3.0 % ARR Annual recurring revenue includes revenues from subscriptions and revenue from minimum spend contracts. Revenue derived from customers with contracts that include a minimum committed level (volume or spend) with a fixed term of 12 months or more is included in our calculation of ARR. Forward-looking Statements This press release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws, which reflects Dye & Durham's current expectations regarding future events. In some cases, but not necessarily in all cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward looking terminology such as "plans", "targets", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "an opportunity exists", "is positioned", "estimates", "intends", "assumes", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate" or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "will" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances contain forward-looking statements. Specifically, forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the Company's Refinancing Transactions, including the contemplated New Senior Secured Credit Facilities and any Additional Secured Debt incurrence, the use of proceeds therefrom and the realization of the efficiencies and synergies reflected in the Further Adjusted EBITDA measure. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts, nor guarantees or assurances of future performance but instead represent management's current beliefs, expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events and operating performance. Forward-looking information is based on a number of assumptions and is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Dye & Durham's control, which could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those that are disclosed in or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the risk that the Company is unable to successfully market the New Senior Secured Credit Facilities and the Additional Secured Debt, such that one or both of such financings do not close or are not as successful as they are intended to be, the risk that the maturity of the Company's existing credit facilities accelerates, the risk that Dye & Durham is not able to realize the efficiencies and synergies reflected in the Further Adjusted EBITDA measure and the factors discussed under "Risk Factors" in Dye & Durham's most recent annual information form. If any of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if the opinions, estimates or assumptions underlying the forward-looking information prove incorrect, actual results or future events might vary materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking information. Although Dye & Durham has attempted to identify important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other risk factors not presently known to it or that it presently believes are not material that could also cause actual results or future events to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking information. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. No forward-looking statement is a guarantee of future results. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information, which speaks only as of the date made. The forward-looking information contained in this press release represents Dye & Durham's expectations as of the date specified herein, and are subject to change after such date. However, Dye & Durham disclaims any intention or obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking information or to publicly announce the results of any revisions to any of those statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable securities laws. Comparisons of results for current and any prior periods are not intended to express any future trends or indications of future performance, unless specifically expressed as such, and should only be viewed as historical data. All of the forward-looking information contained in this press release is expressly qualified by the foregoing cautionary statements. SOURCE Dye & Durham Limited 20 march 2024 at 17:25 News published onand distributed by: Petersen Health Care Files Voluntary Petition for Relief Under Chapter 11 Petersen Health Care ("Petersen" or "The Company"), an operator of nursing homes and assisted living and long-term care facilities in Illinois, Iowa and Missouri, today announced that it has filed a voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware to facilitate the restructuring of its balance sheet. Petersen expects to continue to operate its business as normal with funds to support its operations during the restructuring process. The Company announced that it has secured a commitment of $45 million in debtor-in-possession (DIP) financing, subject to required court approval, from lenders that will be used to fund post-petition operating expenses and ensure adequate working capital to meet its obligations to associates and suppliers. "Petersen will operate as usual, and our team remains committed to continuing to provide first-rate care for our residents," said David Campbell, the Company's Chief Restructuring Officer. "We will emerge from restructuring as a stronger company with a more flexible capital structure. This will enable us to continue as a first-choice care provider and a reliable employer for our staff." Teams from Getzler Henrich & Associates and Winston & Strawn LLP are working with Petersen Health Care as financial and legal advisors and will continue to support the company during the restructuring process. Further information on the reorganization process for Petersen is available by visiting the Company's website, www.petersenhealthcare.net, which will be updated as new information becomes available. About Petersen Health Care Petersen Health Care, founded in 1974, has been a leading senior healthcare provider, with facilities across Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri. We own and operate skilled nursing facilities, assisted/independent living communities, homes for the developmentally disabled, and memory care services. Headquartered in Peoria, our 50-year commitment to community involvement and resident-centered care has made Petersen Health Care stand out in the senior healthcare industry. We're dedicated to maintaining the highest quality of care for the elderly, fostering individuality, encouragement, and respect in a homelike environment. Learn more at https://www.petersenhealthcare.net/ 20 march 2024 at 18:30 News published onand distributed by: Widely Popular 'Honey Oranda Snack Bar' from YoungManDduk makes its US debut at Costco SEOUL, South Korea, March 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Popular Korean Food brand, 'YoungManDduk', will be making its US debut with their beloved Honey Oranda Snack Bars through Costco. The snack combines both Korea's authentic flavors and modern cuisine, creating a brand-new culinary innovation. 'Oranda' itself is a Korean traditional snack made from small, puffed wheat mixed with honey or syrup which are then shaped into snack bars. Its simple yet delicious taste has stood through time and continued to be loved by many people. Capturing the crunchy and sweet properties of 'Oranda', YoungManDduk' Honey Oranda Snack Bars come in three different flavors based on traditional recipes: original honey flavor, soybean flavor, and black sesame flavor. You can experience the sweet taste of honey, as well as the savory flavors of soybean and black sesame powder in each variety. This product has attracted attention with its diverse flavors and smooth texture, allowing consumers to enjoy both classic and modern tastes in one snack. 'YoungManDduk's' Honey Oranda Snack Bars' soaring popularity since its release has resulted in continuous sell-outs in Korea as consumer demand kept increasing. Not only guaranteeing good taste, this handmade product also places great importance on quality, which has led to it gaining recognition as a product of high value. 'YoungManDduk's' Honey Oranda Snack Bars' popularity did not stop in Korea, rather it has even reached the United States, prompting 'YoungManDduk' to expand into the US market through major retailers such as Costco. "People's high interest in Oranda and how it is being embraced in the United States shows an excellent example of a successful effort to promote the charm and diversity of Korean culture," said YoungManDduk's brand manager. "We believe that 'Oranda' will continue to be cherished by more people worldwide." 'Oranda' from YoungManDduk will be available for sale at Costco, primarily in the Los Angeles area, and subsequently in the Midwestern region, including Illinois and Ohio. SOURCE YoungManDduk 20 march 2024 at 20:34 News published onand distributed by: Ecopetrol S.A. obtains authorization to execute a USD 1,200 million debt management transaction BOGOTA, Colombia, March 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ecopetrol S.A. (BVC: ECOPETROL; NYSE: EC) informs that, as part of its comprehensive debt management and maturity refinancing strategy, the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit ("MHCP"), through Resolution 0652 of 20 March 2024, has approved the execution of a loan of up to USD 1,200 million. The loan will be executed by and among Ecopetrol, as borrower, and Bank of Nova Scotia (USD 300 million), BBVA Securities Inc. (USD 250 million), Bank of America, N.A. (USD 200 million), JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (USD 200 million), Itau Chile New York Branch (USD 100 million) and Standard Chartered Bank Hong Kong Limited (USD 150 million), as lenders. The term of the loan will be five (5) years; principal will be repaid at maturity; and interest will be subject to a variable rate previously agreed by the parties. The loan was approved by the MHCP, given Ecopetrol's request to refinance the USD 1,200 million outstanding under a previously-executed loan authorized by Resolution 1824 of July 30, 2021, and which expired on August 16, 2023. Such loan authorized in 2021 was disbursed on September 29, 2022 to refinance the debt contracted for the acquisition of Interconexion Electrica S.A. In order to obtain the loan, the Company complied with all the required internal and external procedures and approvals. The terms of the loan confirm the support and confidence of the international financial sector in the strategy of the Ecopetrol Group. Pursuant to Colombian regulation, the MHCP reviewed and authorized the terms of the agreement, which provide for events of default by the borrower, such as failure to make timely payments of principal and interest, possible impairment of the borrower's ability to pay, impairment of the integrity of the borrower's financial information, and failure to comply with contractual obligations, among others, which are frequently used in transactions of this nature. Should any of these events materialize, lenders would be entitled to claim early repayment of the debt, according to the procedure foreseen in the contract. Likewise, the loan agreement establishes Ecopetrol's right of recourse against the lenders when they fail to make disbursements under the terms of the loan. All of the above, in accordance with the law of the State of New York, which is the governing law of the agreement. Ecopetrol is the largest company in Colombia and one of the main integrated energy companies in the American continent with more than 18,000 employees. In Colombia, it is responsible for more than 60% of the hydrocarbon production of most transportation, logistics, and hydrocarbon refining systems, and it holds leading positions in the petrochemicals and gas distribution segments. With the acquisition of 51.4% of ISA's shares, the company participates in energy transmission, the management of real-time systems (XM), and the Barranquilla - Cartagena coastal highway concession. At the international level, Ecopetrol has a stake in strategic basins in the American continent, with Drilling and Exploration operations in the United States (Permian basin and the Gulf of Mexico), Brazil, and Mexico, and, through ISA and its subsidiaries, Ecopetrol holds leading positions in the power transmission business in Brazil, Chile, Peru, and Bolivia, road concessions in Chile, and the telecommunications sector. This press release contains forward-looking statements which are based on current expectations and assumptions about future events and which can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may", "will", "should", "expect", "anticipate", "estimate", "intend", "continue", or "believe" or other words of similar import, and which forward-looking statements also include certain projections, forecasts, budgets and other estimates. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. Many of these risks and uncertainties relate to factors that are beyond the Ecopetrol's control. Ecopetrol does not undertake any obligation to provide any additional information or to update this press release or to correct any inaccuracies that may become apparent, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. For more information, please contact: Head of Capital Markets Carolina Tovar Aragon Email: [email protected] Head of Corporate Communications (Colombia) Marcela Ulloa Email: [email protected] SOURCE Ecopetrol S.A. 20 march 2024 at 22:51 News published onand distributed by: Hearty Bay Drilling Suggests Till Sampling May Lead to Source of Radioactive Boulders CALGARY, Alberta, March 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Traction Uranium Corp. (CSE: TRAC) (OTC: TRCTF) (FRA: Z1K) (the "Company" or "Traction") announces the completion of a single sonic drill hole at the Hearty Bay Property ("The Property") and the early suspension of the drill program due to deteriorating ice conditions on Lake Athabasca. The use of a track mounted sonic drill has resulted in the recovery of till for the first time under the lake in the up-ice direction from the high grade boulder trains on Isle Brochet and resulted in the recovery of a complete intersect of the underlying glacial till. Initial interpretation of this unit is favorable and suggests less post depositional disturbance than assumed, supporting the theory that the glacial till in which the historic high grade boulder trains on Isle Brochet occur, does extend up ice under the lake towards a source location. Importantly, this suggests that it will be possible to use the subglacial till sampling method to trace the dispersion of uraniferous till under the lake, and thus directly back to the source of the historic Isle Brochet high grade boulder trains. The two previous sub glacial till programs completed by the geomorphological experts at Palmer Environmental Consulting in 2023 demonstrated a uranium geochemistry signature in the sub glacial till, a reliable sampling medium invulnerable to the effects of wave action, below the historic high grade boulder trains located on surface on Isle Brochet. The discovery of this 2.3 m thick till under the lake provides strong support for additional sub glacial till sampling to ultimately lead directly to the source from which the radioactive boulder trains on Isle Brochet originate. Traction and F3 Uranium Corp. ("F3") have also engaged Convolutions Geoscience to complete a constrained inversion of the ground gravity data collected in January and the ground VLF EM data collected in 2022. An inversion based structural interpretation will then be included for drill planning for the next program on the Property. Figure 1 is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e5fb2810-f200-4200-b193-6b68cef060ec Qualified Person The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Ken Wheatley, M.Sc, P. Geo., who is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. The information provides an indication of the exploration potential of the Company's properties but may not be representative of expected results. About Hearty Bay: The Hearty Bay property consists of 7 contiguous mineral claims with an area of 11,173 ha. and is located on the north edge of the Athabasca Basin, 20 km west of the Fond-du-Lac uranium deposit and 60 km east of the Beaver Lodge uranium district. The property surrounds the historic Isle Brochet high grade boulder field, consisting of the Wolfe and Jackfish 1km long dispersal trains trending in a down-ice direction and containing reported historic assay values up to 3.54% U 3 O 8 . Approximately 600m to the northeast on the lake bottom a group of radioactive boulders were discovered reported to contain up to 1.4% U 3 O 8 . These boulders were both sandstone and altered basement rocks which forms the basis of the source to occur at or near the unconformity. The source of the boulders remains undetermined. About Traction Uranium Corp. Traction Uranium Corp. (CSE: TRAC) (OTC: TRCTF) (FRA: Z1K) is in the business of mineral exploration and the development of discovery prospects in Canada, including its two uranium projects in the world-renowned Athabasca Region. We invite you to find out more about our exploration-stage activities across Canada's Western region at www.tractionuranium.com. On Behalf of The Board of Directors Lester Esteban Chief Executive Officer +1 (604) 425-2271 [email protected] Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements that are not historical facts, including without limitation, statements regarding future estimates, plans, programs, forecasts, projections, objectives, assumptions, expectations or beliefs of future performance, including statements regarding the suitability of the Properties for mining exploration, future payments, issuance of shares and work commitment funds, entry into of a definitive option agreement respecting the Properties, are "forward-looking statements." These forward-looking statements reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company based on information currently available to it. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including those detailed from time to time in filings made by the Company with securities regulatory authorities, which may cause actual outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. These factors should be considered carefully and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws. The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the information contained herein. 21 march 2024 at 03:05 News published onand distributed by: Great Pacific Gold Announces High-Grade Assays on Follow Up at Comet Discovery VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Great Pacific Gold Corp. ("Great Pacific Gold," "GPAC," or the "Company") (TSXV: GPAC) (OTCQX: FSXLF) (Germany: 4TU) is pleased to announce high-grade gold assays from its initial follow up diamond drill hole of the Comet gold discovery at the Lauriston Gold Project in Victoria, Australia. Diamond drill hole CDH01A intersected 4m at 25.1 g/t Gold from 99.5m including 0.4m at 72.5 g/t Gold from 99.5m and 1m at 55 g/t Gold from 102.5m, within a broader interval assaying 9m at 11.6 g/t Au from 97m. The high-grade intercept occurs within the core of the Comet Anticline at the fold axis, where the Comet Fault zone junctions with this fold. This high-grade gold mineralization is associated with strong quartz veining with large crystals of arsenopyrite and sulphidic stylolites within the quartz veins. Visible gold is occasionally present within the arsenopyrite crystals. Figure 1 - Example of CDH01A drill core annotated with gold grades in g/t. Core tray is 100m to 104.23m The Company set up diamond drill hole CDH01A in close proximity of the high-grade reverse circulation (RC) percussion discovery hole CRC07 (8m at 106 g/t Gold including 5m at 166 g/t Gold including 2m at 413 g/t Gold including 1m at 468 g/t Gold and 1m at 358 g/t Gold (from 95 metres) (see news release January 11, 2024)) as a conservative approach to determine extensions of mineralization. The hole CDH01A deviated once underway, steepening with depth and managed to drill about 8m down dip of the projected position of the CRC07 intercept. Diamond drilling has confirmed the gold rich quartz veined fault zone is extending to depth and laterally with this CDH01A result, and the high-grade mineralization remains open in all directions. Assays remain pending for two more diamond drill holes on the same section at Comet and will be reported once received. One of these diamond drill holes (CDH02) encountered multiple stacked zones of mineralization and due to this was extended by approximately 100m versus the originally planned target depth. CDH02 was drilled to 255.5m depth. GPAC Chief Operating Officer and Director, Rex Motton, states, "The high-grade gold intercept in our first diamond drilling, post the reverse circulation discovery hole at Comet, is a great start to the program. In addition to the high-grade gold interval in the first diamond drill hole assaying 4 metres at 25.1 grams per tonne gold within a broader 9 meter mineralized zone, we also are very pleased with early information from the second hole. While no assays have been received for the second hole, it has already shown importance geologically as multiple zones of mineralization were encountered. The second hole, which was originally planned to a target depth of approximately 150 metres was continued until approximately 255 metres based on these stacked zones of mineralization encountered. We see this as early days for this extensive and highly prospective structure." The Comet prospect has epizonal characteristics of Au-As-Sb with geology similar to the Fosterville Mine gold deposit. The west dipping Comet fault zone is hosted by Ordovician slates and sandstones, which are folded in a series of north south striking concertina folds. This high-grade discovery is within the core of the Comet Anticline as determined by mapping and core orientation studies, which is a similar structural setting of the mineralization present at Fosterville. Drill Results and Intercepts: HoleID East North Azimuth (deg.) Dip (deg.) From (m) To (m) Downhole Interval (m) Au g/t CDH01A 263516.9 5850092.3 95.3 -69.4 97.0 106.0 9.0 11.6 Includes 99.5 103.5 4 25.1 includes 99.5 99.9 0.4 72.5 includes 102.5 103.5 1.0 55.0 The 9m intercept uses a 0.3 g/t Au cut-off grade and maximum 2m internal waste. The 4m intercept uses a 5.0 g/t Au cut-off grade and maximum 0.6m internal waste, while the higher-grade included intercepts use assays of greater than 40 g/t Au and no internal waste parameter. True widths are not known. Additional drilling is required to determine true widths. The assays are not capped. Figure 2 ? Updated Comet Cross Section 5850100mN Quality Assurance / Quality Control All assays were subject to quality control measures appropriate for percussion drilling with duplicates, blanks and commercially available standards with the expected results from the samples submitted. All assays were conducted by Onsite Laboratory Services Ltd (ISO: 9001), located in Bendigo, Victoria, using fire assay techniques with a 25g or 50g charge and ICP or AAS finish. The quality control results are consistent. About GPAC Great Pacific Gold has a portfolio of high-grade gold projects in Papua New Guinea ("PNG") and Australia. In PNG, Great Pacific Gold recently acquired a significant 2,166 sq. km mineral exploration land package in PNG. The land package comprises of exploration licenses (EL) and exploration license applications (ELA). It includes both early-stage and advanced-stage exploration targets with high-grade epithermal vein and porphyry-style mineralisation present. The Arau Project consists of two exploration licenses, located in the Kainantu region, and includes the Mt. Victor Prospect, where previous drilling found a multiple phase intrusion complex hosting copper and gold mineralisation. The Wild Dog Project consists of one granted exploration license, EL 2761, and one exploration license application, ELA 2516, located on the island of New Britain and about 50 km southwest of Rabaul and Kokopo, PNG. The Kesar Creek Project consists of one exploration license, EL 2711, and is contiguous with the K92 Mining Inc. tenements. In Australia, Great Pacific Gold began with two, 100% owned, high-grade gold projects called the Lauriston and Golden Mountain Projects, and has since acquired a large area of granted and application tenements containing further epizonal (low-temperature) high-grade gold mineralisation and associated intrusion-related gold mineralization all in the state of Victoria, Australia. The Great Pacific Gold land package, assembled over a multi-year period, notably includes the Lauriston Project which is a 535 sq. km property immediately to the south of and within the same geological framework that hosts Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd's Fosterville Gold Mine and associated exploration tenements. The Golden Mountain Project is an intrusion-related gold project on the edge of the Strathbogie granite and occurs at the northern end of the Walhalla Gold Belt. The acquired projects include the epizonal gold Providence Project containing the Reedy Creek goldfield which adjoins the Southern Cross Gold's Sunday Creek exploration project and a large group of recently consolidated granted tenements called the Walhalla Gold Belt Project, which contain a variety of epizonal and intrusion related style gold mineralisation. Additionally, Great Pacific Gold has another gold-focused project called the Moormbool project which has epizonal style gold mineralisation and associated potential intrusion-related gold mineralisation, as well as the Beechworth Project occurs in the northeast of the state and contains intrusion related and mesozonal gold mineralization. All GPAC's properties in Australia are 100% owned and have had historical gold production from hard rock sources despite limited modern exploration and drilling. Qualified Person The technical content of this news release has been reviewed, verified and approved by Rex Motton, AusIMM (CP), COO of GPAC, a Qualified Person under the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 ? Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Mr. Motton is responsible for the technical content of this news release. On behalf of GPAC Rex Motton Chief Operating Officer and Director Forward-Looking Statements Information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on assumptions as of the date of this news release. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations. They are not guarantees of future performance. Great Pacific Gold cautions that all forward looking statements are inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by many material factors, many of which are beyond their respective control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to Great Pacific Gold's limited operating history, its exploration and development activities on its mineral properties and the need to comply with environmental and governmental regulations. Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, Great Pacific Gold does not undertake to publicly update or revise forward-looking information. 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. For further information: Adam Ross, Investor Relations, Direct: (604) 229-9445, Toll Free: 1 (833) 923-3334, Email: [email protected] Photos accompanying this announcement are available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0c344d80-9ba1-47bc-8a7a-93accba0919f https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/db76c6d2-645b-4636-b533-b11d77450c17 21 march 2024 at 03:05 News published onand distributed by: STATE SENATORS SUPPORT THE OPENING OF YOUR SIX RECOVERY, A VETERANS ADDICTION TREATMENT PROGRAM AT SWIFT RIVER ADDICTION CAMPUSES IN CUMMINGTON, MASS. CUMMINGTON, Mass., March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Your Six Recovery, a specialized addiction treatment program for U.S. veterans and a part of Swift River, celebrated the opening of its new facility in Cummington, Massachusetts, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The event was attended by Massachusetts state Sens. Paul Mark and John Velis, who expressed their support for the program's mission to provide comprehensive care for veterans struggling with substance use disorders and mental health challenges. In his address to the audience, Sen. Paul Mark quoted George Washington, our nation's first Commander-in-Chief, "'A nation will be judged by how it treats its defenders'." He added, "Programs like Your Six Recovery work to ensure those who have served, our defenders, are cared for." Mark had previously presented Swift River an official citation from the Massachusetts State Senate in recognition of "providing an innovative and responsive approach for veterans and first responders who are experiencing substance abuse disorders." "Facilities like Your Six Recovery are established to help those of us who have raised their hand to serve," said Sen. John Velis. "As a society, we have a great moral debt to those who have served our country, and facilities like this meet that obligation by offering help and healing to those who have answered that call." Your Six Recovery aims to address the alarming statistics revealed by the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, which showed that 12% of veterans struggle with a substance use disorder, nearly 20% face mental health challenges, and 5.7% battle both. The program offers evidence-based services to help veterans navigate the challenges they face in recovery, fostering an environment of camaraderie and trust. About Swift River: Swift River is a leading provider of addiction treatment services in Massachusetts, dedicated to transforming the lives of individuals struggling with substance use disorders and mental health challenges. Swift River is part of OMT Addiction Centers, LLC, which includes The Bluffs in Ohio and Texas Recovery Centers; the company offers comprehensive, evidence-based care across multiple locations nationwide. Your Six Recovery, a specialized program within OMT Addiction Centers' facilities, is specifically tailored to meet the unique needs of U.S. veterans. The program's name, originating from the military term "got your six," embodies the company's commitment to supporting and empowering veterans on their journey to recovery and resilience. For more information, please contact Brandi Robinson at [email protected] or 915-633-3881. SOURCE Swift River 21 march 2024 at 05:00 News published onand distributed by: ESG fraud is a growing risk for Canadian organizations, KPMG poll shows Nearly nine in 10 companies victimized by fraud worry about ESG scams, and nearly one quarter are currently experiencing ESG fraud TORONTO, March 21, 2024 /CNW/ - Canadian businesses that have experienced fraud are deeply concerned about a new and emerging type of scam: ESG fraud, according to new research from KPMG in Canada. Last month, KPMG polled 300 Canadian organizations victimized by fraud to learn about the types of scams they have experienced. The survey showed 24 per cent of respondents that had experienced fraud within the past five years have discovered ESG fraud, and some are currently still dealing with it. ESG fraud occurs when a company's environmental, social and governance efforts or data are exaggerated, embellished, or distorted. As the pressure mounts on organizations to deliver on ambitious sustainability targets, nearly nine in 10 (89 per cent) respondents said they are facing intense scrutiny from their stakeholders to demonstrate tangible progress on ESG targets. Additionally, 86 per cent are concerned that the pressures are increasing the risk of ESG-related fraud happening within their organizations, and 81 per cent are concerned their organization could inadvertently commit ESG fraud. "The fact that stakeholders are demanding accountability for ESG performance is a positive factor for driving change, but unfortunately it can motivate ? and already is motivating ? some individuals or teams within organizations to misrepresent or inflate their sustainability and financial metrics for corporate or personal gain," says Becky Seidler, a partner in KPMG in Canada's forensic and dispute advisory practice. "The consequences of ESG fraud can be significant, including financial and reputational harm, and quite possibly the loss of social license to operate if stakeholder trust is damaged," she adds. Ms. Seidler says the survey findings underscore the need for organizations to implement strong controls that properly address ESG fraud. ESG fraud can take many forms, such as falsifying carbon offsets in ESG reporting, greenwashing and other types of data "washing", misusing ESG grant funds, breaching ESG regulations and bribery and corruption, for example. "ESG fraud is a new and emerging risk for many organizations. That's why it's crucial for businesses to build anti-fraud defenses into their ESG strategies early and proactively, rather than reacting after the fact," she says. Key survey highlights: 24 per cent of 300 Canadian companies victimized by fraud in the past five years reported that they are experiencing or have experienced ESG fraud 9 per cent are currently dealing with or have previously dealt with internal ESG fraud ; that is, employees or teams within their company have been found embellishing, distorting, or exaggerating ESG data or efforts 8 per cent are currently dealing with or have previously discovered external ESG fraud ; that is, their suppliers or vendors are embellishing, distorting, or exaggerating their ESG data or efforts 7 per cent report that they are experiencing or have experienced internal and external ESG fraud of 300 Canadian companies victimized by in the past five years reported that they are experiencing or have experienced ESG 86 per cent are concerned about the growing risks of ESG fraud within their organization given how important ESG is becoming are concerned about the growing risks of ESG within their organization given how important ESG is becoming 81 per cent are concerned their organization could inadvertently commit ESG fraud are concerned their organization could inadvertently commit ESG 89 per cent say their stakeholders are increasingly demanding proof of their ESG records say their stakeholders are increasingly demanding proof of their ESG records 89 per cent say their stakeholders are increasingly demanding proof of compliance with anti-corruption and anti-money laundering regulations Confidence in compliance programs Amid widespread concerns about the growing risk of ESG fraud, nine in 10 respondents (90 per cent) say their organization has an ESG compliance program and 92 per cent also have anti-corruption compliance programs in place. When asked to characterize the effectiveness of their programs, nearly six in 10 (59 per cent) say their ESG compliance programs "meet or exceed industry peers", and 56 per cent say the same about their anti-corruption compliance programs. While Ms. Seidler calls those numbers encouraging, she warns that ESG regulations are still evolving in many countries including Canada, and compliance programs need to continually evolve in lockstep to mitigate the risk of ESG fraud. "Loosely and self-defined ESG metrics provide an opportunity for potential misstatements," Ms. Seidler says. "Even when the metrics are clear, an organization's internal controls over ESG reporting and regulatory compliance might still be immature. For example, if there are no qualified individuals to review ESG reporting for accuracy, completeness and understandability against a consistent framework, or the company lacks external assurance over its ESG reporting, the risk of fraud increases. "Given the complexity and changing nature of ESG regulations and metrics, compliance programs need to be updated regularly. Companies really need to be proactive," she adds. ESG: An emerging litigation risk Another major consequence of ESG fraud is the risk of legal action. Nearly nine in 10 (89 per cent) respondents say ESG fraud is an emerging litigation risk. Conor Chell, KPMG in Canada's national leader of ESG Legal Risk and Disclosure says litigation is a serious risk for businesses if activists and other investors find inconsistencies in an organization's reporting of ESG data. "There's a heightened scrutiny around ESG disclosure and performance right now, and any fraudulent or negligent misrepresentation in financial or other public ESG disclosures ? for example, a company's ESG report ? could lead to a securities or Competition Bureau investigation, or even class action litigation from shareholders or customers," Mr. Chell says. Mr. Chell says recently announced draft proposals on Canadian standards for sustainability-related financial information and climate-related disclosures by The Canadian Sustainability Standards Board (CSSB) will also help provide more clarity for organizations on their ESG reporting. "Once the CSSB standards are finalized ? and if adopted by the Canadian Securities Administrators as law ? one of the potential consequences of non-compliance will be litigation, so adhering to the new standards will help organizations mitigate that risk," he notes. "Companies can guard against ESG litigation risk by proactively and comprehensively identifying the sources and types of ESG legal risk that could exist internally, as well as external factors that span well beyond the four corners of a company's ESG report," he says. For more insights into sustainability reporting, visit KPMG Canada's ESG reporting page. About the KPMG in Canada Fraud Survey KPMG in Canada surveyed business owners or executive level C-suite decision makers at 300 small-and-medium-sized Canadian companies that were victimized by fraud. The survey took place between February 13-21, 2024 using Sago's premier business research panel. Seventy per cent of the companies surveyed have annual gross revenue between $50 million to $299.9 million; 20 per cent have between $300 million to $1 billion; and 9 per cent have over $1 billion. No respondents under $50 million in annual revenue were included in the survey. Over half (51 per cent) are privately held and 49 per cent are publicly traded. Thirty-seven per cent are based in Ontario, 34 per cent in Quebec, 12 per cent in Alberta, and 7 per cent in B.C. The remaining respondents are from other regions across Canada. About KPMG in Canada KPMG LLP, a limited liability partnership, is a full-service Audit, Tax and Advisory firm owned and operated by Canadians. For over 150 years, our professionals have provided consulting, accounting, auditing, and tax services to Canadians, inspiring confidence, empowering change, and driving innovation. Guided by our? core values ?of Integrity, Excellence, Courage, Together, For Better, KPMG employs more than 10,000 people in over 40 locations across Canada, serving private- and public-sector clients. KPMG is? consistently ?ranked one of Canada's top employers and one of the best places to work in the country. The firm is established under the laws of Ontario and is a member of KPMG's global organization of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International, a private English company limited by guarantee. Each KPMG firm is a legally distinct and separate entity and describes itself as such. For more information, see? kpmg.com/ca. For media inquiries: Roula Meditskos National Communications and Media Relations KPMG in Canada (416) 549-7982 [email protected] SOURCE KPMG LLP 21 march 2024 at 06:00 News published onand distributed by: NowVertical Group Announces Resolution of Shareholder Dispute and Board Changes TORONTO, March 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NowVertical Group Inc. (TSXV: NOW) (OTCQB: NOWVF), ("NOW" or the "Company"), is pleased to announce that it has resolved all outstanding disputes with Daren Trousdell, a shareholder of the Company, has appointed the Company's Chief Executive Officer, Sandeep Mendiratta, to the Company's board of directors (the "Board"), and has commenced a process to appoint an additional independent director who is mutually acceptable to the Company and Mr. Trousdell. In order to accommodate the addition of Mr. Mendiratta, Darrell MacMullin has agreed to resign from the Board. Mr. Mendiratta joined NowVertical in January 2023 as the Chief Executive Officer of Acrotrend Solutions in connection with NOW's acquisition of Acrotrend. Mr. Mendiratta was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company in January 2024 and has a proven track record of scaling businesses, is a seasoned expert in the data analytics industry, and is a well-respected leader within the Company. "We are excited to enhance and strengthen our existing Board with Mr. Mendiratta bringing the further perspectives of management and a strong understanding of the business in which NOW operates. We believe he will be a valuable addition as we continue to grow the business of the Company," said Elaine Kunda, Chairman of NOW. Daren Trousdell, former CEO of the Company and significant shareholder of the Company commented, "I have admired Mr. Mendiratta's abilities and vision since meeting him in the context of NOW's acquisition of Acrotrend. I believe that he will add an important perspective to the Board and will make a positive impact on the Board and as the CEO." As part of the resolution of all disputes between them, the Company and Mr. Trousdell have agreed to settle and dismiss without costs all ongoing legal proceedings and provide mutual releases in favour of one of one another. The parties have also agreed to certain voting and standstill provisions to preserve alignment between them moving forward, providing the Company with runway as it works to create value for shareholders. Ms. Kunda stated, "We are happy for the Company to be able to move forward. This agreement allows for the Board to continue to align with one of our largest stakeholders and focus on generating value for all stakeholders." Mr. Trousdell states that "I am pleased that the Company and I have resolved our differences and are aligned on a path forward that is focused on creating value for shareholders. I look forward to collaborating productively with Mr. Mendiratta, Ms. Kunda, and the Board in the months ahead." The Board would like to thank Mr. MacMullin for his contributions and dedication to the Company. About NowVertical Group Inc. NowVertical Group is a Vertical Intelligence (VI) software and services provider that delivers vertically-specific data, technology, and artificial intelligence (AI) applications to industry and governments through its global platform. NOW's proprietary solutions sit at the foundation of the modern enterprise by transforming AI investments into VI, enabling its customers to minimize their risk, accelerate the time to value, and reduce costs. NOW is rapidly growing organically and through targeted acquisitions. For more information about NOW, visit www.nowvertical.com. Neither the 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 release. For further information, please contact: Andre Garber, Chief Development Officer [email protected] Glen Nelson, Investor Relations and Communications e: [email protected] t: (403) 763-9797 Cautionary Statement This news release contains forward-looking information and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws (together "forward-looking statements"), including, without limitation the appointment of the New Director. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties, and contingencies. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as "may", "should", "will", "could", "intend", "estimate", "plan", "anticipate", "expect", "believe" or "continue", or the negative thereof or similar variations. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause future results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from the estimated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements and the forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by inherent risks and uncertainties, including: adverse market conditions; risks inherent in the data analytics and artificial intelligence sectors in general; regulatory and legislative changes; that future results may vary from historical results; inability to obtain any requisite future financing on suitable terms; any inability to realize the expected benefits and synergies of acquisitions; that market competition may affect the business, results and financial condition of the Company and other risk factors identified in documents filed by the Company under its profile at www.sedarplus.ca, including the Company's managements' discussion and analysis for the year ended December 31, 2022 dated April 28, 2023 and the prospectus supplement (including all documents incorporated by reference therein) dated February 22, 2023. Further, these forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and, except as expressly required by applicable law, the Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. 21 march 2024 at 07:00 News published onand distributed by: World Water Day: One Drop reveals the results of a survey on Canadian's views on access to water resources MONTREAL, March 21, 2024 /CNW/ - Just in time for World Water Day on March 22, the One Drop Foundation is releasing the results of a new public opinion poll and reaffirming its unwavering commitment to safe water access for all. The Canada-wide survey carried out by Maru/Blue for One Drop reveals that: 41% of Millennials believe water access could be affected by climate change, dropping to 35% for Gen Xers and 27% for Baby Boomers. Approximately 1 in 3 respondents think all Canadians have equitable access to safe water. 86% of respondents say the government should protect our water resources, 52% believe companies share in that responsibility, and only 50% think individuals are personally responsible. Most respondents (88%) are aware of how privileged or extremely privileged Canada is when it comes to freshwater access and availability. Indeed, on average, Canadian waterways discharge nearly 9% of the planet's renewable water resources, while the country is only home to less than 1% of the global population. Nonetheless, nearly a third (32%) of the people polled across Canada believe that everyone living in the country has equitable access to drinking water?a number which balloons to 51% when you ask only Gen Zs (18-27). In reality, however, even in a country as water-rich as Canada, nearly thirty First Nation, Metis and Inuit communities still lack access to safe drinking water according to 2023 data. "Through the Indigenous Water Allyship, One Drop is committed to expanding its safe water access mission in Canada?especially to Indigenous communities, which are usually the most remote and most vulnerable in terms of water-related issues," explains Lisa Clowery, Co-CEO at the One Drop Foundation. The program was co-created alongside First Nations, Metis, and Inuit youth to highlight water challenges using the Foundation's signature social art approach. "Together, we set into motion sustainable, structural change that improves living and health conditions in these communities." "While 79% of respondents think that water resources will be affected by climate change, 86% say that the responsibility of protecting them falls on the government, and just 50% also think of it as an individual responsibility. Since 2007, One Drop has affirmed that protecting our drinking water?which includes access, quality, and availability?is incumbent upon each and every one of us, not simply the governments. Positive, sustainable change amidst the water and climate crisis can only be attained if everyone in the system feels personally called and takes ownership," asserts Ernenek Duran, Co-CEO at One Drop. It's obvious that Canadian corporations have their fair share of the responsibility when it comes to protecting the country's water resources. As economic engines, they wield significant sway over water quality and how much they use in their operations. It's imperative that companies adopt sustainable water management practices to reduce their water footprint, prevent water pollution, and help preserve our ecosystems for future generations. In light of these survey results, One Drop is raising awareness of the potential scarcity of water, despite the abundance of freshwater resources in Canada. Canada is heating up faster than the planetary average?twice as fast, to be exact. The organization underscores just how important it is to work towards preserving water resources on the governmental, corporate, and individual levels via sustainable, co-created solutions. The One Drop Foundation calls on governments, businesses, civil society, and individuals to join this crucial cause. Protecting water is not an isolated responsibility?everyone must pitch in. About the survey Maru Group's public opinion poll for the One Drop Foundation was carried out by the polling and data collection experts at Maru/Blue. In total, 1,?530 Canadians adults were selected at random from a pool of online Maru Voice Canada panelists on March 5 and 6, 2024. Using census data, survey results were weighted for education, age, gender, region, and language (Quebec). Doing so allowed our experts to ensure that the sample group was representative of the adult population of Canada. In contrast, a probability sample of this size comes with an estimated margin of error (which measures sampling variability) of +/- 2.5%, 19 times out of 20. When compared to data tables, any discrepancies in totals are due to rounding. About the One Drop Foundation At One Drop, we unite people and empower communities to solve the water and climate crisis through innovative, sustainable actions. Channelling the creative spirit of Cirque du Soleil, we rally local and international changemakers to raise funds and co-create solutions that drive life-changing projects worldwide. Together, since 2007, we have transformed the lives of nearly 3 million people in Latin America, India, Africa, and among Indigenous communities in Canada. Join us in turning water into action and creating a sustainable future with safe water for all. Learn more at www.onedrop.org and follow One Drop's impact via our newsletter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. SOURCE One Drop Foundation 21 march 2024 at 07:00 News published onand distributed by: Monsha'at is joined by 18 leading Saudi brands at Franchise Expo Paris 2024 PARIS, March 21, 2024 /CNW/ -- Reaffirming its commitment to advancing Saudi entrepreneurship, Monsha'at, the Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, participated in the 2024 edition of Franchise Expo Paris: the leading business event for franchise entrepreneurs. Monsha'at took part in the international exhibition ? alongside 18 innovative Saudi brands from a broad cross-section of industries and sectors ? to showcase the growth and diversity of the Kingdom's small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) space and build on its efforts to transform the Saudi economy. Held from 16 to 18 March at Porte de Versailles in Paris, France, the gathering provided a timely platform for Monsha'at to shine a light on its delegation of 18 brands, enabling each entity to raise its profile, explore networking and partnership opportunities, and expand internationally. These brands included Dkhoon, AbdulGhani, Dr's Lounge, Mantorose, Key Cafe and Yelo. They were joined by 3days, Al Dakheel Oud, Barn's, Bazil, the i-be innovation and Entrepreneurship Center, Delta Medical Laboratories and Blueage. The Monsha'at delegation also comprised of companies such as Mamola, Saadeddin Pastry, Richy, Munch Bakery and Kleen. Sami Al Hussaini, Governor of Monsha'at, said: "Franchise Expo Paris 2024 served as the perfect platform for us to showcase the strides we have made as an investment destination. We welcomed attendees and participants to our dedicated pavilion, offering more insight into our ongoing work and initiatives. This enabled us to spotlight the inventiveness of 18 leading Saudi brands and connect them to a wider network of international partners." He added: "Taking part in the expo is fully aligned with our strategy of international engagement and follows our participation in a range of global events and gatherings. We look forward to collaborating with more businesses, franchises and franchisers from France and around the world; with this global outlook and commitment to effective partnership-working being key to unlocking the Kingdom's economic potential." Organized by Infopro Digital ? under the sponsorship of the Ministry of Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty ? Franchise Expo Paris attracts over 30,000 participants from around the world every year. The expo was launched to bring brands, investors, franchisees and franchisers together ? under one roof ? to network, explore partnership opportunities and discuss the future of the global franchise ecosystem. By showcasing diverse industries at a leading global platform, Monsha'at not only highlighted the growth and potential of the Kingdom's SME sector but also aligned its efforts with Saudi Vision 2030. This strategic engagement facilitated international networking, emphasizing the Kingdom's role as a dynamic investment destination and its endeavors in fostering a supportive ecosystem for franchises, as demonstrated through the establishment of Monsha'at's Franchise Center. In line with Vision 2030, Monsha'at's participation in the event extends its ongoing work to empower SMEs and brands to fulfil their potential. As highlighted in Monsha'at's Q4 2023 quarterly report, the number of SMEs in Saudi Arabia grew an impressive 3.1% in Q4 2023 to more than 1.3 million. SOURCE Monshaat 21 march 2024 at 07:16 News published onand distributed by: APAC Green Data Center Market Industry Analysis & Forecasts 2023-2028 - Large Colocation and Hyperscale, Data Center Operators, Drive the Market - ResearchAndMarkets.com The "APAC Green Data Center Market - Industry Analysis & Forecast 2023-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The APAC green data center market was valued at USD 7.01 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 11.20% from 2022-2028. China, Australia, Japan, India, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and others actively adopt renewable energy for most of their energy requirements in the APAC green data center market. In Singapore, government initiatives such as the Singapore Green Plan 2030 aim to multiply the solar energy deployments to 1.5 GWp in the country by 2025 and up to 2 GWp by 2030. The government of India announced that the country will become carbon neutral by 2070 with net zero emissions. Moreover, by 2030, the government plans to have around 500 GW of installed renewable energy in India, including 140 GW of wind and 280 GW of solar power. Japan has set lofty goals for increasing the share of renewable energy in electricity generation. The country aims to generate around 90% of clean energy by 2035. Hyperscale operators in the APAC green data center market, such as Google, Microsoft, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Alibaba, and Huawei Technologies, drive the market with sustainable investments and innovative technologies. Operators, such as NextDC, Chayora, SpaceDC, ST Telemedia Global Data Centers, STACK Infrastructure, Digital Realty, and AirTrunk, focus on building data centers with a Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) of Renewable energy providers continuously increase their portfolio of non-fossil fuel energy by investing in several new projects across the region. Solar and wind lead the market, followed by other sources, such as hydro and biomass. KEY MARKET TRENDS Innovations in Data Center Technologies Singapore's Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) has established a new guideline to improve the energy efficiency of data centers in tropical settings. In June 2023, Singapore's Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) launched the Tropical Data Center sustainability standard. In January 2022, Beijing Highlander signed an agreement with Hainan Province's Big Data Management for the commercial launch of an underwater data center in Sanya, near Hainan Island in China. In February 2022, China Offshore Oil Engineering Company (COOEC) and Chinese marine firm Offshore Oil Engineering Company announced that they began the construction of an underwater data center in China. The facility will be cooled using seawater. Keppel Data Centres partnered with Toll Group to develop a floating data center in Singapore based on modular data center designs that can be scaled based on demand. Keppel will likely consider deploying the floating data center solution of Nautilus Data Technologies. Government Push Toward Sustainability Various APAC governments, including those of China, Australia, New Zealand, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and others, actively work toward increasing the adoption of renewable energy. According to the State for Chemical and Fertilizers, New Renewable Energy in India aims to produce 450 MW of renewable energy by 2030. Four solar power plants will be set up in Karnataka, with a combined power capacity of around 1,200 MW. Thailand 4.0 aims to implement innovative energy initiatives for economic development. Under the policy, over $6 billion is invested by the state-owned enterprises on smart grids before 2036 to improve the grid's resilience and efficiency, leading to less carbon emissions. SEGMENTATION INSIGHTS Innovations In Power Technologies In 2022, NTILION's scalebloc provided a cutting-edge lithium-ion battery solution, revolutionizing stationary energy storage for data centers. Its small, all-in-one design offers various applications, weather-resistant housing, and sophisticated system control for efficient and safe interior or outdoor installation. In October 2023, Equinix and the National University of Singapore are working on a research project to study the possibility of hydrogen fuel cells as an alternative power source for Singapore data centers. In 2022, Equinix partnered with ZutaCore, Virtual Power Systems (VPS), Bloom Energy, and Natron to test cutting-edge technologies under Equinix's Data Center of the Future initiative. The technologies explored include generator-less and UPS-less data centers, among other technologies. Innovations In Cooling Technologies Data centers installed underwater are gaining traction. In February 2022, China Offshore Oil Engineering Company (COOEC) and Chinese marine firm Offshore Oil Engineering Company announced that they began the construction of an underwater data center in China. The facility will be cooled using seawater. In China, Foxconn has constructed a 'green tunnel-like data center' in Guiyang, southwestern China. According to Foxconn, the facility's design criteria are based on minimizing energy consumption, with an average PUE (power usage effectiveness) of less than 1.1. The Rise in Renewable Energy PPAs by Data Center Operators In the APAC green data center market, Hyperscale operators have entered into power purchase agreements with renewable energy providers to supply power to their data centers. In 2023, Google has secured 20 additional renewable energy agreements, expanding the total number of agreements to over 80, with a combined capacity of 10 GW - a $10 billion visionary commitment in clean energy procurement by 2040. In 2023, Alibaba Cloud and Shell collaborated to provide innovative cooling solutions. The alliance will use Shell's low-carbon energy products and immersion cooling fluids in data centers to decarbonize Alibaba's infrastructure. Colocation operators in the APAC green data center market like Nxtra by Airtel, Digital Reality, Equinix, Princeton Digital Group (PDG), Vantage Data Centers, AdaniConneX, ST Telemedia Global Data Centers, and Keppel Data Centres are operating facilities using renewable energy, with many of them aiming to be carbon-neutral by 2030. KEY QUESTIONS ANSWERED: How big is the APAC green data center market? What is the growth rate of the APAC green data center market? What are the key trends in the APAC green data center market? Which country holds the largest APAC green data center market share? How many MW of power capacity is expected to reach the APAC green data center market by 2028? Green Data Center Metrics Policy Drivers The Paris Agreement and the Science Based Targets Initiative (Sbti) Re100 Climate Neutral Data Center Pact Circular Economy Energy Certifications E-Waste Disposal Market Opportunities & Trends Innovative Data Center Battery Technologies Development of Data Centers with a Pue of < 1.4 Sustainable Innovations in Data Center Power Technology Microgrids Eco-Diesel Generators Natural Gas Generators Fuel Cells Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (Hvo) Fuel Nuclear Energy Generation Other Innovations Government Push for Green Data Center Development Innovative Data Center Cooling Technologies Tropical Data Center Testbed Free Cooling Underwater Data Centers Floating Data Centers Other Innovative Cooling Methods High-Performance Computing (Hpc) and Liquid Cooling Market Growth Enablers Renewable Energy Initiatives by Cloud Operators Renewable Energy Initiatives by Colocation Operators Automation & Intelligent Monitoring Market Restraints Growth in Carbon Emissions from Data Centers Increase in Water Consumption by Data Centers Lack of Skilled Data Center Professionals Location Constraints in Green Data Center Development VENDOR LANDSCAPE Prominent Data Center Investors AirTrunk Alibaba Group Amazon Web Services (AWS) AdaniConneX Apple Big Data Exchange (BDx) CDC Data Centers Chayora China Telecom China Mobile Chindata Group China Unicom Colt Data Centre Services CtrlS Data Centers Digital Edge DC Digital Realty Equinix Meta GDS Services Global Switch Google Huawei Technologies Iron Mountain Keppel Data Centres LG Uplus Lotte Data Communication Microsoft NEXTDC NTT Global Data Centers Nxtra by Airtel OneAsia Network Open DC Pi DATACENTERS Princeton Digital Group (PDG) Pure Data Centres RackBank Regal Orion Sify Technologies SpaceDC ST Telemedia Global Data Centres STACK Infrastructure SUNeVison Holdings Tenglong Holdings Group Vantage Data Centers VADS (Telekom Malaysia) Viettel IDC VNET Yondr Yotta Infrastructure YTL Data Center Renewable Energy Providers ACCIONA Energia Adani Green Energy (AGEL) AGL Energy AMP Energy Avaada Energy China Yangtze Power (CYCP) Engie EDF Renewables GreenYellow GCL-Poly Energy Holdings JinkoSolar Holding Meridian Energy New Zealand Solar Power ReNew Power Ventures Sunseap Group SB Energy Shell Suzlon Energy Solargiga Energy Holdings TATA Power Solar Systems TotalEnergies The AES Corporation Trina Solar Vena Energy Woodside Energy Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technology For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/x0ffjg 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. 21 march 2024 at 07:50 News published onand distributed by: Prosper Gold Provides Update on Option Agreement to Acquire the Kaza and Northstar Properties VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Prosper Gold Corp. ("Prosper Gold" or the "Company") (TSXV:PGX) is pleased to report on the status of its option to acquire a 100% interest in the Kaza and Northstar properties (the "Option"), pursuant to a definitive option agreement (the "Option Agreement") with several individuals (collectively, the "Optionors"), as previously announced on February 20, 2024 (the "Initial Press Release"). The Company received conditional approval of the transaction contemplated by the Option Agreement (the "Transaction") from the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") on March 8, 2024, which requires the Company to provide an update on the status of the Transaction 30 days following the Initial Press Release. The Company satisfied the first condition to exercise the Option by issuing 150,000 common shares in the capital of the Company (the "Option Shares") to the Optionors on March 21, 2024. The Option Shares will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day. Completing the Option exercise remains subject to the final approval of the TSXV and the Company satisfying the remaining conditions under the Option Agreement, as more particularly described in the Initial Press Release. For an overview of Prosper Gold please visit www.ProsperGoldCorp.com. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Per: " Peter Bernier " Peter Bernier President & CEO For further information, please contact: Peter Bernier President & CEO Prosper Gold Corp. Cell: (250) 316-6644 Email: [email protected] Information set forth in this news release may involve forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are statements that relate to future, not past, events. In this context, forward-looking statements often address expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", and "intend", statements that an action or event "may", "might", "could", "should", or "will" be taken or occur, or other similar expressions. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation; statements about the issuance of the Option Shares and receipt of final TSXV approval are forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the following risks: the need for additional financing; operational risks associated with mineral exploration; fluctuations in commodity prices; title matters; environmental liability claims and insurance; reliance on key personnel; the potential for conflicts of interest among certain officers, directors or promoters with certain other projects; the absence of dividends; competition; dilution; the volatility of our common share price and volume and the additional risks identified the management discussion and analysis section of our interim and most recent annual financial statement or other reports and filings with the TSXV and applicable Canadian securities regulations. Forward-looking statements are made based on management's beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date that statements are made and the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as required by applicable securities laws. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. Neither the 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 release. 21 march 2024 at 08:00 News published onand distributed by: Connecticut Green Bank Recognizes CPower as Energy Storage Solutions Top Performer for Second Year in a Row The Connecticut Green Bank Awards Highlight CPower's Leadership in Expanding Access to Energy Storage to Support Greater Grid Reliability in the State BALTIMORE, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- CPower Energy (" CPower "), the leading, national Distributed Energy Resource (DER) monetization and Virtual Power Plant (VPP) provider, today announced that it has been awarded a 2023 Green Bank Award as a Top Performing Commercial Contractor in Connecticut's Energy Storage Solutions . This is the second year in a row that CPower has been recognized for its efforts to advance energy storage deployment under the program. The Connecticut Green Bank established the Green Bank Awards to recognize companies advancing the green energy movement and helping bring resilience, health, and equity to Connecticut. Launched in 2022 and co-administered by the Green Bank, Eversource and UI, Energy Storage Solutions is a Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) program that incentivizes Eversource and UI customers to install batteries in their homes and businesses, helping customers across Connecticut increase their resilience when weather-related outages occur and providing benefits to the grid and all ratepayers. In 2022, CPower was awarded more than 25 MW of battery systems for the first tranche of the program. In 2023, this number increased to 44 MW of awarded storage systems to effectively support Connecticut's energy grid. "We're grateful to be recognized by the Connecticut Green Bank for the second year in a row for supporting our customers in adopting energy storage solutions," said Keith Black, Regional Vice President ? Northeast, CPower. "It's wonderful to help businesses in Connecticut realize the full value of energy storage for the resiliency of their own operations as well as the wider grid. We look forward to continuing our work with Connecticut energy users, where we've been supporting the state's sustainability goals for over 15 years and counting." "I'm pleased to present CPower with an Energy Storage Solutions Top Contractor award for the second year in a row. CPower has been one of the most active commercial and industrial participants in Energy Storage Solutions both as a developer and as a contributor to the regulatory process. The 11 battery energy storage systems that CPower was awarded will benefit Connecticut ratepayers by shifting up to 44 MW of demand from the grid at peak hours in the summer and winter," said Edward Kranich, Senior Manager of Incentive Programs at the Connecticut Green Bank. CPower is the country's leading DER Monetization and VPP provider, with 6.7 GW of DER capacity at more than 27,000 sites across the U.S. Nationally, CPower manages nearly 1 GW distributed generation and energy storage capacity. CPower guides energy users in sectors including education, healthcare, government, manufacturing, and data centers, on their energy storage needs and manages energy storage assets to help its customers save on energy costs, strengthen their operational resilience, and reach sustainability goals while supporting the resiliency of the wider grid through VPPs. About CPower Energy CPower Energy is the leading, national Distributed Energy Resource (DER) monetization and Virtual Power Plant provider, creating the Customer-Powered Grid that will enable a flexible, clean and dependable energy future. With 6.7 GW of capacity at more than 27,000 sites across the U.S., we unlock the full value of DERs to strengthen the grid when and where reliable, dispatchable resources are needed most. CPower is based in Baltimore, Maryland, and is owned by LS Power, a development, investment and operating company focused on the power and energy infrastructure sector. For more information, visit: www.cpowerenergy.com . Media Contact Amy Nunnemacher [email protected] 720-617-0877 SOURCE CPower Energy Management 21 march 2024 at 08:00 News published onand distributed by: National Bank of Canada Releases its Latest ESG Reports MONTREAL, March 21, 2024 /CNW/ - National Bank of Canada (the "Bank") today announced the release of its latest environmental, social and governance reports, which cover the year 2023. These are the Report on Environmental, Social and Governance Advances (the "ESG Report"), the Climate Report, the Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Booklet and the National Bank Investments ("NBI") Report on Responsible Investment Advances. These reports are intended for a wide range of stakeholders and present the Bank's commitments, strategies and achievements in this area, as well as its key performance indicators. They are available in the Commitments and impact section of nbc.ca. National Bank: having a positive impact in people's lives The fifth edition of the Bank's ESG Report sets out its commitments to various stakeholders and presents its advances, as well as a dashboard used to track progress over time. The nine ESG principles adopted by the Bank's Board of Directors guide its actions in rolling out initiatives and are subject to rigorous review by the Board. Changes in 2023 include the addition of content on the Principles for Responsible Banking, of which the Bank is a founding signatory, and the inclusion of concrete examples of the Bank's contributions to the community, as well as examples of how the Bank supports its clients in the energy and social transition by providing financing and advisory services. Tracking greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets and implementing the climate plan and the engagement strategy In line with its commitments under the Net-Zero Banking Alliance, the Bank follows up on its interim targets for reducing GHG emissions in carbon-intensive sectors, namely the Oil and Gas Producers sub-sector, the Commercial Real Estate sector and the Power Generation sector. This fifth edition of the Climate Report (previously known as the TCFD Report) also follows up on the target to reduce GHG emissions from the Bank's operations by 25% by the end of 20251 to help limit global warming to 1.5?C, the most ambitious goal of the Paris Agreement. The report presents a framework for implementing the climate plan and the engagement strategy, which lays the foundations for all stakeholders to make a voluntary, dedicated commitment to reinforcing the shared goal of energy transition. Lastly, it includes the Bank's new commitment regarding thermal coal, which concerns existing clients in the mining and power generation sectors. A work environment that fosters inclusion, diversity and equity The Bank has an action plan that clearly defines promising initiatives that will help us build an even more inclusive culture. The publication of the Bank's fourth Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Booklet provided an opportunity to report on our progress and the work that still needs to be done to achieve our ambitions. It also reaffirms those ambitions and presents our representation targets for 2026. This document results from our commitment to the United Nations as a signatory of the Women's Empowerment Principles and the Global Business Standards of Conduct for Tackling Discrimination Against Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans and Intersex (LGBTI) People, as well as our commitment under the Progressive Aboriginal Relations program established by the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business and our commitment as a signatory to the BlackNorth initiative. Furthermore, the Bank is firmly committed to continuing to promote its inclusive culture by leveraging our common values and the richness of our differences, adapting our processes and systems and implementing equity measures. As such, the Bank is proud to participate in efforts to create an accessible and barrier-free Canada. Commitment to responsible investment NBI releases its 2023 Report on Responsible Investment Advances. In a world in transition, we believe that responsible investment is an intrinsic aspect of our fiduciary duty to Canadian investors and a driver for wiser decisions. The 2023 edition provides an overview of highlights, examples of successful engagement activities conducted by our open architecture partners and details of our ambitions for 2024 to 2026. These reports contain a wealth of useful information, and stakeholders are encouraged to review them in order to continue the constructive conversations they have had with the Bank over a number of years. 1 This target includes Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions (Scope 3 includes employee business travel and paper consumption as part of the supply chain) and uses 2019 as the reference year. This target includes our activities in Canada and the United States, as well as our subsidiary in Dublin, our branch in London and our representative offices abroad. Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements made in this press release are forward-looking statements, including statements with respect to the Bank's targets and commitments regarding sustainable development, environmental, social and governance matters, including its inclusion, diversity and equity commitments, reaching net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050, as well as its interim targets and objectives of reducing its GHG emissions from its operations and financing activities, and actions that the Bank will take to achieve them, including its climate strategy and all objectives related to transitioning to a low-carbon economy and supporting clients in this transition. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations, estimates, and intentions and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Bank's control and the effects of which can be difficult to predict. These factors, risks and uncertainties are detailed in the Caution regarding Forward-Looking Statements included in the Report on Environmental, Social and Governance Advances, in the Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Booklet, and in the Climate Report.. Additional information is also available in the Risk Management section of the Bank's 2023 Annual Report and may be updated in the quarterly shareholders' reports subsequently published. Investors and others who rely on the Bank's forward-looking statements should carefully consider the aforementioned factors as well as the uncertainties they represent and the risk they entail. Except as required by law, the Bank does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, by it or on its behalf. The forward-looking information contained in this press release is presented for the purpose of interpreting the information contained herein and may not be appropriate for other purposes. About National Bank of Canada With $434 billion in assets as at January 31, 2024, National Bank of Canada is one of Canada's six systemically important banks. The Bank has approximately 30,000 employees in knowledge-intensive positions and operates through three business segments in Canada: Personal and Commercial Banking, Wealth Management and Financial Markets. A fourth segment, U.S. Specialty Finance and International, complements the growth of its domestic operations. Its securities are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: NA). Follow the Bank's activities at nbc.ca or via social media. About National Bank Investments Inc. National Bank Investments Inc. ("NBI") is an investment funds management firm committed to manufacturing and offering mutual funds, investment solutions and services designed to help Canadian investors pursue their financial goals. As at December 31, 2023, assets under management in NBI products were valued at over $81.86 billion. Guided by an open architecture strategy, NBI is dedicated to providing diverse solutions to meet the evolving needs of its clients. NBI consistently strives to be recognized as a key partner by combining innovation and excellence. NBI's role is not limited to administrative aspects of management; NBI Advisory Services and its registered representatives form a team of specialists who provide information and advice to help advisors build portfolios adapted to their clients' financial needs. Follow NBI's activities at nbinvestments.ca or via social media such as YouTube and LinkedIn. National Bank Investments is a signatory of the United Nations-supported Principles for Responsible Investment, a member of Canada's Responsible Investment Association, and a founding participant in the Climate Engagement Canada initiative. SOURCE National Bank of Canada 21 march 2024 at 08:00 News published onand distributed by: RealPage Earns 2024 Great Place To Work Certification RealPage, a leading global provider of AI-enabled software platforms to the real estate industry, is proud to be Certifiedtm by Great Place To Work in the United States, United Kingdom, India and the Philippines. This is the fifth consecutive year that RealPage has received certification in India, the fourth consecutive year for the United States, the third consecutive year for the Philippines and the second consecutive year for the United Kingdom. The prestigious award is based entirely on what current employees say about their experience working at RealPage. Great Place To Work is the global authority on workplace culture, employee experience and leadership behaviors proven to deliver market-leading revenue, employee retention and increased innovation. "Great Place To Work Certification is a highly coveted achievement that requires consistent and intentional dedication to the overall employee experience," says Sarah Lewis-Kulin, the Vice President of Global Recognition at Great Place To Work. She emphasizes that Certification is the sole official recognition earned by the real-time feedback of employees regarding their company culture. "By successfully earning this recognition, it is evident that RealPage stands out as one of the top companies to work for, providing a great workplace environment for its employees." "We are honored to be recertified as a Great Place To Work across the various countries where our employees live and work," said Dana Jones, CEO and President, RealPage, Inc. "Our people are the driving force behind our success, and we are focused on creating an environment that cultivates collaboration and inspires continuous innovation in our pursuit to be a leader in our industry and a true employer of choice." According to Great Place To Work research, job seekers are 4.5 times more likely to find a great boss at a Certified great workplace. Additionally, employees at Certified workplaces are 93% more likely to look forward to coming to work. They are twice as likely to be paid fairly, earn a fair share of the company's profits and have a fair chance at promotion. This is why RealPage continues prioritizing the employee experience at its various locations to cultivate an inclusive culture that elevates the employee voice, rewards impact and supports giving back to the community. The RealStars recognition program, for example, highlighted more than 150 employees who exemplified RealPage's core values in 2023. Through "RealTalk" sessions, employees can interact directly with senior leadership and share their experiences, challenges and ideas. In the RealPage Cares program, employees can give back to the communities where they live and work with RealPage's strategic partner, Habitat for Humanity. About RealPage, Inc. RealPage is a leading global provider of AI-enabled software platforms to the real estate industry. By using RealPage solutions for operational excellence in the front office and back office, many leading property owners, operators and investors gain transparency into asset performance with data insights, enhancing experiences with customized tools and improving efficiencies to generate incremental yield. In 2021, 2022 and 2023, RealPage was recognized as ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year for Sustained Excellence from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy. Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Richardson, Texas, RealPage joined the Thoma Bravo portfolio of market- leading enterprise software firms in 2021 to realize faster growth and innovation in serving more than 24 million rental units from offices in North America, Europe and Asia. RealPage has been certified as a Great Place to Work in India, the Philippines, the UK and the U.S. For more information, visit https://www.RealPage.com. About Great Place to Work Certification Great Place To Work Certificationtm is the most definitive "employer-of-choice" recognition that companies aspire to achieve. It is the only recognition based entirely on what employees report about their workplace experience ? specifically, how consistently they experience a high-trust workplace. Great Place to Work Certification is recognized worldwide by employees and employers alike and is the global benchmark for identifying and recognizing outstanding employee experience. Every year, more than 10,000 companies across 60 countries apply to get Great Place To Work-Certified. About Great Place To Work As the global authority on workplace culture, Great Place To Work brings 30 years of groundbreaking research and data to help every place become a great place to work for all. Their proprietary platform and For Alltm Model helps companies evaluate the experience of every employee, with exemplary workplaces becoming Great Place To Work Certifiedtm or receiving recognition on a coveted Best Workplacestm List. Learn more at greatplacetowork.com and follow Great Place To Work on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. 21 march 2024 at 08:35 News published onand distributed by: US Critical Materials Corp. Announces Major Discovery of Gallium on their Sheep Creek, Montana Properties SALT LAKE CITY, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- US Critical Materials confirmed a strategically significant deposit of high-grade gallium on its 6700 acres of claims in Sheep Creek, Montana. Gallium is consistently listed as the number one supply risk related to National Security, as the U.S. is 100% dependent on imported gallium, primarily from China. The Chinese government has recently embargoed the export of gallium, which is critical for national defense and many other vital applications. Gallium is used for semiconductors, 5G technology, smartphones, satellite systems, critical photonics technologies, and especially current and next generation defense systems. "US Critical Materials looks forward to being the primary gallium producer in the United States ." Jim Hedrick The 2022 list of critical minerals identifies gallium as having the greatest U.S. supply risk, a risk that has become a reality as a result of the recent export controls imposed by the People's Republic of China on gallium and other critical and rare earth minerals. In December 2023, US Critical Materials announced that it had signed an agreement with Idaho National Laboratories (INL) to develop new rare earth processing methods including gallium separation. It is believed that cutting-edge technologies developed under this Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) could potentially provide environmentally responsible mining and processing to mitigate environmental concerns. Idaho National Laboratory and US Critical Materials Sign Agreement to Develop New Rare Earth Processing Methods (prnewswire.com) James Hedrick, US Critical Materials President, and a 29-year former USGS and Bureau of Mines Rare Earth Commodity Specialist, said, "Not only is our gallium high grade, but we are also confident that we will be able to create a separation process that will be environmentally respectful. US Critical Materials prime gallium claims average over 300 PPM and go as high as 1370 PPM. Gallium can be separated profitably at 50ppm. US Critical Materials looks forward to being the primary gallium producer in the United States." About US Critical Materials US Critical Materials Corp. is a private rare earths exploration, development and process technology company based in Salt Lake City, Utah with holdings in Montana and Idaho. The mineral deposits held by US Critical Materials in Montana and Idaho are unique due to their high grades of rare earths, low levels of thorium, and large numbers of surface carbonatites. The Sheep Creek deposits contain some of the highest grades of rare earth minerals in the United States including at least thirteen of the currently listed "critical" minerals. As US Critical Materials progresses in its mission to bolster national security and technological independence through domestic gallium production, the company remains dedicated to fostering partnerships, advancing sustainable practices, and contributing to the economic vitality of local communities. US Critical Materials has an unwavering commitment to innovation, environmental stewardship, and securing critical materials for a prosperous future. Visit our website: www.uscriticalmaterials.com Contact: Rachel Winn US Critical Materials Corp. 4190 S Highland Dr Suite #230 Salt Lake City, UT 84124 [email protected] Office: 801-322-3401 Brigit Hennaman Rubenstein Public Relations [email protected] 212-805-3005 SOURCE US Critical Materials Corp 21 march 2024 at 09:00 News published onand distributed by: From chopping to protecting: Forest gatekeepers for four generations BEIJING, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report by China.org.cn on China's philosophy on the protection of forest resources: From chopping to protecting: Forest gatekeepers for four generations In Jing'an County, southeastern China's Jiangxi province, sits a forest farm boasting a pleasing green ocean brimming with trees. That, is the Sanzhaolun Forest Farm; as the first national forest park in Jiangxi province, 94.59% of the land inside the park is covered by forests. The blooming green hues are cultivated by numerous workers, among whom four generations of the Zhu family have passed on the baton of forest custodianship for more than six decades. Zhu Jiufu, the grandfather of the Zhu family, began his story with the forest farm in 1965. Back then, timber and Mao bamboo were plentiful in the Sanzhaolun Forest Farm, with production hitting 10,000 m3 of wood per year. There, Zhu Jiufu worked together with his father Zhu Chuqiao, chopping, transporting, protecting and growing wood. It's not hard to imagine, the growing of new trees can hardly match the rate of deforestation. In the following 20 years, the forests became less and less dense, and mudslides even began to damage villages. Pondering over such pain, Zhu Chuqiao, the great-grandfather, decided to put down his chainsaw once and for all after a production injury, and devoted himself to afforestation. In a larger context, he is answering to the call of the country: Since 1998, China has put a stop to the cutting of natural forests, and begun restoring farmland to forests and grasslands. People in Sanzhaolun County hence put more effort into preserving and expanding forests. Zhu Feike, daughter of Zhu Jiufu, as the third generation in the family, has her own special memory. She was born and raised on this forest farm. After graduating from college, she chose to return home and became a forestry engineer. Since 2012, China has been advancing ecological conservation and deepening reforms in forestry. Sanzhaolun Public Welfare Forest Farm was founded in 2015, the same year when tree-cutting was forbidden. Zhu Feike was responsible for the monitoring of forest resources, focusing on the improvement of the quality and ecological function of the forests, which is largely different from what her father and grandfather did on the forest farm. Today, Zhu Feike's "home forest" has not only seen lusher trees, but also attracted endangered species like the Chinese merganser and Elliot's pheasant, adding to its natural beauty. Last September, Nie Boyu, daughter of Zhu Feike, officially took the baton and became the fourth generation of guardians in the family. When the Gen-Z girl went back to Sanzhaolun, a green industry chain featuring eco-tourism and leisure had rolled out. Profits have flowed from the lucid waters and lush mountains. From deforestation to preservation, the story of the family's four generations on a forest farm epitomizes how China's philosophy on the protection of forest resources iterates. Over the past seven decades, the principle developed from the planned utilization of forests, to realizing sustainable forest utilization, to the current integration of conservation and restoration projects of mountains, rivers, forests, farmland, lakes, grasslands and deserts. With no spared efforts in ecological conservation, China has become the country with the fastest and largest increase in wood resources in the world. "The forest is like our very life for us forest guardians. The last thing we want is to see the forest shrink." This is a line passed down for four generations in the Zhu family. At present, the green hues of the forest are becoming denser, lusher, and nicer. China Mosaic http://chinamosaic.china.com.cn/index.htm From chopping to protecting: Forest gatekeepers for four generations http://www.china.org.cn/video/2024-03/21/content_117076605.htm SOURCE China.org.cn 21 march 2024 at 09:00 News published onand distributed by: Government of Canada supports young children and families in official language minority communities across Canada The Healthy Early Years (HEY) program aims to improve the health and development of children and their families, particularly those living in situations of increased vulnerability. OTTAWA, ON, March 21, 2024 /CNW/ - Improving the health and wellbeing of children and families in official language minority communities (OLMCs) across Canada is a priority for the Government of Canada. Health and development programs that are appropriate to the culture and language of communities helps to support healthier children, families and communities for generations. Today, the Honourable Mark Holland, Minister of Health, announced $9,450,000 over five years, for two organizations through the Public Health Agency of Canada's (PHAC) Healthy Early Years program. This investment will help improve access to community-based early childhood health promotion programming in OLMCs, including assisting families facing health equity barriers. It will also expand knowledge and resources as well as strengthen capacity to help improve the health and development of children (birth to 6 years of age). The Societe Sante en francais (SSF) will receive $7,560,000 to support francophones living in OLMCs outside of the province of Quebec . to support francophones living in OLMCs outside of the province of . The Community Health and Social Services Network (CHSSN) will receive $1,890,000 to support anglophones living in OLMCs in the province of Quebec . Both SSF and CHSSN will re-distribute funds to community-based organizations supporting the implementation and delivery of locally-tailored initiatives, including those that provide prenatal and postnatal activities, parenting skills programs and child-parent relationship programs. Throughout the next five years, SSF and CHSSN will offer capacity-building support, training and networking opportunities, host knowledge exchange and transfer events and disseminate resources to their community partners. Quotes "The Societe Sante en francais and the Community Health and Social Services Network understand the needs of their communities and have demonstrated the significant impact of their work and networks over the years. The renewal of their projects for the next five years will continue to improve the health and well-being of people living in official language minority communities across Canada, including low-income, socially isolated, single-parent families or newcomer families with young children." The Honourable Mark Holland Minister of Health "By supporting initiatives that respect culture and language, we foster environments where every child can thrive from the start. Investing in the Healthy Early Years program empowers organizations like Societe Sante en francais and the Community Health and Social Services Network to bridge gaps in community services, and ensure that every family, regardless of their background or circumstances, has the support they need to flourish." The Honourable Randy Boissonnault Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages "Since 2019, the Societe Sante en francais' "Healthy Early Years" project has been working to ensure that every child aged 0 to 6 from minority Francophone and Acadian communities can get off to a good start in life in terms of physical, mental, emotional and social health. Thanks to the renewal of financial support from the Public Health Agency of Canada for the next five years, some twenty partners involved in French-language early childhood across Canada will continue to deploy actions that improve the well-being of parents, from the prenatal period onwards, as well as children aged 0 to 6 and their families, and engage communities in taking charge of their health, well-being and overall health services." Antoine Desilets Executive Director, Societe Sante en francais "Challenges in accessing health and social services for English-speaking families in Quebec are well documented. Moreover, the role that community organizations can play to mitigate the barriers to access have been well demonstrated. For these reasons, our network is thrilled to receive the support of the Public Health Agency of Canada for our network organizations to strengthen their capacity to help children 0-6 years of age and parents facing conditions of risk." Jennifer Johnson Executive Director, Community Health and Social services Network Quick Facts The Healthy Early Years (HEY) program stems from the Government of Canada's Action Plan for Official Languages 2018-2023: Investing in Our Future as well as Budget 2018, which provided $10 million over five years for this priority program. as well as Budget 2018, which provided over five years for this priority program. The new Action Plan for Official Languages 2023?2028: Protection-Promotion-Collaboration , released in April 2023 , provides $10.9 million over five years to PHAC and continues to include the HEY program as a key mechanism to enhance early childhood health promotion programming. , released in , provides over five years to PHAC and continues to include the HEY program as a key mechanism to enhance early childhood health promotion programming. From 2019 to 2024, funding from the HEY program to the SSF and the CHSSN supported 59 organizations across Canada . In 2023, more than16,000 people participated in programs through these organizations. . In 2023, more than16,000 people participated in programs through these organizations. With this further five-year investment to the SSF and CHSSN, PHAC aims to effectively and efficiently distribute funds amongst OLMC through organizations who have established community networks and who have demonstrated experience in administering health promotion programs to the targeted communities. Official Language Minority Communities (OLMC) are French-speaking communities outside Quebec and English-speaking communities within Quebec . Official Language Minority Community organizations/institutions can include post-secondary institutions, school boards, non-profit organizations, health authorities, municipalities, private industry, etc. that operate in the minority official language of their province or territory. Associated links SOURCE Public Health Agency of Canada 21 march 2024 at 10:00 News published onand distributed by: Minister Vandal announces federal funding towards Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link to advance clean energy transition and broadband service delivery to the Kivalliq region of Nunavut CALGARY, AB, March 21, 2024 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs, CanNor and PrairiesCan, announced in a keynote address to the Arctic Energy and Resource Symposium that Nukik Corporation is receiving an additional $2.8 million in funding from Canada's Northern REACHE Program to advance the Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link project to the next phase of development. Led by Nukik, an Inuit-owned corporation, the Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link proposes to build a 1,200 kilometre, 150 megawatt transmission line with fibre-optic cabling connecting Manitoba's grid to the Kivalliq region of Nunavut. This nation-building project would take five communities and at least one gold mine off costly and polluting diesel and deliver high-speed internet to the region. The project would also significantly reduce the risk associated with shipping heavy fuels across the Arctic waters and fuel spills in communities. This funding will advance the project development phase activities, which include the engineering, design, and environmental fieldwork necessary for the project to move forward. It builds on previous federal funding for the earlier planning and feasibility phase of the project. Construction is expected to begin by 2028. Many communities in the North continue to rely on diesel for electricity and heat, which is costly, polluting, and contributes to climate change. This Inuit-led project will play an important role in reducing energy costs and pollution in the Kivalliq region, while helping to create local jobs and multi-generational socio-economic benefits. By advancing Indigenous Climate Leadership, Canada is implementing Action 46 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act Action Plan. This is a necessary action to fight climate change, create economic prosperity, and build a strong, healthy, sustainable future for Indigenous communities across Canada. Quotes "Our People have been wanting to turn to renewable and reliable electricity and connectivity for a long time. Our dependence on diesel fuel is not sustainable and it hinders our social and economic development. This new funding will further help advance a critical project and help Inuit access the same type of opportunities that exist elsewhere in Canada". Kono Tattuinee President of the Kivalliq Inuit Association "The Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link is not a 'nice to have', it is a 'must have' if we want to reach our national climate targets, walk the talk on economic reconciliation and build an equitable society for all Canadians, regardless of which part of the country they live in. Nunavut needs energy and connectivity optionality and this additional funding from the Northern REACHE Program will allow important development activities to proceed and get the project closer to financial close". Anne-Raphaelle Audouin CEO of Nukik Corporation "Indigenous investment, participation, and governance over northern infrastructure and resource development is crucial to building healthy and sustainable communities. The Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link will play an important role in reducing pollution and energy costs and fostering economic development. Clean energy projects, such as this one, contribute greatly to climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts. Canada is proud to support the advancement of this project and will continue to work with organizations such as the Kivalliq Inuit Association, Sakku Investments, and Nukik Corporation toward a greener, more prosperous future for Nunavut." The Honourable Dan Vandal, P.C., M.P. Minister of Northern Affairs, CanNor, and PrairiesCan Quick facts The territories in Canada are not connected to the North American electricity grid. The Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link project would connect Nunavut to Manitoba's grid, helping the communities of Arviat , Baker Lake , Chesterfield Inlet , Rankin Inlet and Whale Cove transition away from diesel for heating and electricity. are not connected to the North American electricity grid. The Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link project would connect to grid, helping the communities of , , , and transition away from diesel for heating and electricity. The transition to clean energy in this region will improve local air quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 371,000 metric tons annually, and displace 138 million litres of fuel per year. The project will also modernize the region's telecommunications systems and provide affordable, reliable internet service to nearly 10,000 residents of the Kivalliq region, allowing them to share in the same socio-economic opportunities as the rest of Canada . . The project will create jobs from its construction and operation and be the catalyst of economic opportunities for the region. Nukik Corporation has estimated that the project will contribute $3.2 billion to Canada's GDP during construction and generate approximately $8 billion in revenue over 50 years. to GDP during construction and generate approximately in revenue over 50 years. Prior to today's announcement, the Government of Canada , through Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs (CIRNAC) and Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency provided $11.6 million in funding to support the earlier planning and feasibility phase of the Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link project. , through Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs (CIRNAC) and Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency provided in funding to support the earlier planning and feasibility phase of the Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link project. CIRNAC's Northern REACHE program supports Indigenous and northern communities' transition away from diesel fuel for electricity and heating by supporting and funding for renewable energy technologies such as solar, wind, hydroelectricity, and biomass heating. To date, Northern REACHE has supported a total of ten hydroelectricity projects in the North with an investment of over $35 million , including two for projects in Nunavut . , including two for projects in . Supporting Indigenous leadership and collaborating on solutions to reduce reliance on fossil fuels in Northern communities for First Nations, Inuit and Metis is central to advancing the reconciliation journey and self-determination. Launched in 2019 and developed with Indigenous representatives and six territorial and provincial governments, Canada's Arctic and Northern Policy Framework is a long-term vision for the Arctic and the North to reflect the priorities and perspectives of Arctic and northern people. Related links Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link Minister Vandal announces federal funding to the Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link that aims to bring clean energy and broadband service to the Kivalliq Region Northern REACHE Program Arctic Energy and Resource Symposium Canada's Arctic and Northern Policy Framework Twitter: @NukikCorp LinkedIn: @NukikCorporation Stay connected Join the conversation about the North: Twitter: GovCan_North Facebook: GovCan - North SOURCE Indigenous Services Canada 21 march 2024 at 10:50 News published onand distributed by: Early Registration Opens for 2024 International Space Station Research and Development Conference in Boston BOSTON, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- This July, the 13th annual International Space Station Research and Development Conference (ISSRDC) returns to Boston, where leaders from the commercial sector, U.S. government agencies, and academic communities will assemble to highlight innovations and opportunities through our nation's orbiting outpost. ISSRDC will take place July 30-August 1, 2024, at the Marriott Copley Place in Boston. Early registration is now open until May 24, 2024. Booking during early registration reserves your spot before the price increases. ISSRDC 2024 is the only conference dedicated to showcasing how the space station continues to provide a valuable platform for research and technology development that benefits humanity and enables a robust and sustainable market in low Earth orbit. A series of announcements in the coming weeks will highlight dynamic keynote speakers and panel sessions for ISSRDC 2024. This year's conference will also feature lightning talks, plenary presentations, technical sessions, workshops, an investor session, and networking opportunities. A marketplace expo will allow companies to showcase how they are advancing opportunities in low Earth orbit and will provide a venue to meet with researchers and stakeholders. Join us on Day 3 of the conference as we present awards to students who have excelled in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and workforce development programs. Engaging students through such programs is key to ensuring the future of our industry. We invite professionals from industry, academia, and government as well as students to participate and share their research in our technical sessions. The Call for Abstracts is now open, and authors and presenters are encouraged to submit their abstracts early. The abstract submission deadline is April 19, 2024. The conference is hosted by the Center for the Advancement of Science in Spacetm (CASIStm), manager of the ISS National Laboratory; NASA; and the American Astronautical Society. To learn more about ISSRDC, including how to register, exhibit, and become a sponsor, please visit our conference website . To download a high-resolution image for this release, click here . About the International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory: The International Space Station (ISS) is a one-of-a-kind laboratory that enables research and technology development not possible on Earth. As a public service enterprise, the ISS National Laboratory allows researchers to leverage this multiuser facility to improve quality of life on Earth, mature space-based business models, advance science literacy in the future workforce, and expand a sustainable and scalable market in low Earth orbit. Through this orbiting national laboratory, research resources on the ISS are available to support non-NASA science, technology, and education initiatives from U.S. government agencies, academic institutions, and the private sector. The Center for the Advancement of Science in Spacetm (CASIStm) manages the ISS National Lab, under Cooperative Agreement with NASA, facilitating access to its permanent microgravity research environment, a powerful vantage point in low Earth orbit, and the extreme and varied conditions of space. To learn more about the ISS National Lab, visit our website . As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, CASIS accepts corporate and individual donations to help advance science in space for the benefit of humanity. For more information, visit our donations page . International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory Managed by the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space, Inc. (CASIS) 6905 N. Wickham Rd., Suite 500, Melbourne, FL 32940 ? 321.253.5101 ? www.ISSNationalLab.org SOURCE International Space Station National Lab 21 march 2024 at 11:25 News published onand distributed by: Kansas City Public Schools Enters Into Transportation Agreement with Zum Missouri District Partners With Zum to Deliver Safe, Modernized Transportation to 14,000+ Students REDWOOD CITY, Calif., March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Kansas City Public Schools (KCPS) has entered into an agreement with Z?m, the leader in modern student transportation, to deliver efficient and modern transportation to local families. With this decision, the district has chosen safer, greener and more reliable transportation services for its school community. Through Zum, KCPS students, families, drivers and school administrators will receive state-of-the-art service and peace of mind that comes from enhanced safety features, transparency and increased technology. "School transportation plays a significant role in children's lives, and we are privileged to be partnering with Kansas City's school community," said Ritu Narayan, Founder and CEO at Zum. "We look forward to working with them starting in the 2024-25 school year to deliver safe, efficient and more equitable service." "Zum's proven track record, along with its enhanced communication and equity-focused decision making, will greatly benefit our students, families and drivers in Kansas City," said Dr. Jennifer Collier, superintendent of Kansas City Public Schools. "We appreciate their commitment to safety, efficiency, transparency, and student-centered approach, and are excited to partner with them." Founded and led by a first-generation immigrant and mother, Ritu Narayan, Zum is challenging the status quo in school transportation, the nation's largest mass transit system. Zum's state-of-the-art buses prioritize advanced safety features and family-focused service. Through the Zum app, parents will be able to view a profile of their child's bus driver, along with real-time tracking and notifications about their school bus location and their child's pickup or dropoff status. Zum also allows administrators to optimize routes and provides staff with real-time data and performance reports. Additionally, Zum is committed to working with KCPS and key stakeholders to develop a plan to transition the school bus fleet to electric. Zum is the first and only 100% carbon neutral student transportation company in the U.S., and through its Net Zero Initiative , the company is leading in electric school bus conversion. School bus drivers are at the center of Zum's service. Zum offers higher wages and modern benefits for all drivers and staff, as well as top-of-the-line buses, equipment, and technology to enhance safety and comfort for students and drivers and make drivers' day to day jobs easier and more enjoyable. Zum supports its drivers and staff with advanced training and certification programs to ensure they not only meet or exceed all state and federal requirements but also receive extensive ongoing training in customer service and transporting students with diverse needs and disabilities. Zum is a "Great Places to Work" certified company and takes pride in becoming a "choice employer" in any city where it has partnerships. Zum holds regular local driver hiring events for certified school bus drivers and new candidates, with an upcoming event on Wednesday April, 3 and Thursday, April 4, 2024 from 9:00am to 6:00pm at the Courtyard Kansas City Country Club Plaza (4600 Mill Creek Parkway Kansas City, MO 64112). Zum encourages and welcomes all existing drivers as well as new candidates to attend. If you're interested in driving or know someone interested that cannot attend one of Zum's hiring events, please apply here . Zum manages and operates student transportation in Massachusetts, Maryland, California, Washington, Texas, Illinois, and Tennessee with significant operations launching this year in Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Connecticut. To learn more about how Zum is working with thousands of schools across the nation to deliver safe, reliable and modern student transportation, please visit Zum's website . About Zum: Zum has reimagined student transportation, the nation's largest mass transit system, and developed sustainable ways to charge the grid. Zum's robust operations and integrated end-to-end cloud-based platform provides a modern student transportation service for school districts purpose-built around the needs of kids and the expectations of modern families. Zum provides one seamless, real-time interface for parents, drivers, schools, districts, administrators, and operators to transport children safely and with increased visibility and personalized care. Always investing in the wellbeing of communities, Zum is also the only carbon neutral student transportation provider in the nation with plans to go Net Zero with its transition to EV electric buses. Zum is available nationwide, serving more than 4,000 schools across the U.S. Learn more at www.ridezum.com . CONTACT: Jenny Mayfield, Vice President of Communications - [email protected] SOURCE Z?m 21 march 2024 at 15:00 News published onand distributed by: People hold banners reading 'Justice for Wanys and Ibrahim' during a march held to pay tribute to the 18-year-old Wanys R. who was killed while driving a scooter pursued by police and Ibrahim, an injured passenger, at La Courneuve, a northern Paris suburb on March 21, 2024. BERTRAND GUAY / AFP Several hundred marched peacefully in a Paris suburb on Thursday, March 21, to demand justice for a teenager killed last week in a collision with a police car. The death of Wanys R. has sparked tensions in the town of La Courneuve near major venues for this summer's Paris Olympics. Police on March 13 chased a moped that the 18-year-old was driving in the nearby town of Aubervilliers after they said he refused to comply with a traffic stop. A video widely shared online showed a police car striking his scooter, killing him and injuring his passenger. Police and the investigation have so far said it was an accident, but his family have accused them of "voluntarily" hitting the scooter. His older brother, who did not wish to give his name, spoke to the press on the steps of the La Courneuve town hall. "My little brother was killed by the police. They decided to take his life unfairly," he said, his face covered with a black face mask and sunglasses. "We are only seeking justice. No violence, no excess," he said, before the march set off. On Sunday evening, people fired a barrage of fireworks at the La Courneuve police station, according to footage posted on social media. Police said the attackers also threw stones and Molotov cocktails. Police responded with non-lethal grenades, tear gas and flash-ball projectiles, it said. The police station suffered no damage. La Courneuve is located in Paris's northern suburbs, in the Seine-Saint-Denis department that hosts Olympic venues including the flagship Stade de France stadium. In June, a video of a police officer shooting dead 17-year-old Nahel M. triggered nights of riots in the Paris suburbs and other deprived areas. The policeman who fired the fatal shot has been charged with voluntary homicide. Read more Subscribers only Two months after French riots, questions raised over police actions Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune attends the 7th Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) Summit of Heads of State and Government, in Algiers, Algeria, March 2, 2024. ALGERIAN PRESIDENCY / VIA REUTERS Algeria will hold early presidential elections in September, three months ahead of schedule, a March 21 statement from the president's office said, without providing further details. "It was decided to hold early presidential elections on September 7, 2024," read the statement released following a meeting chaired by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and attended by lawmakers and the army's chief of staff. Tebboune has not said if he will seek a second term in office and there was no immediate explanation on why an early presidential election has been called. Tebboune, who turns 79 in November, was elected in December 2019, after pro-democracy protests that broke out in February of that year forced longtime president Abdelaziz Bouteflika to step down. This current president, whose five-year term in office was due to expire in December, had won 58 percent of the vote in 2019. He was a former premier under Bouteflika, who died in September 2021. Read more Subscribers only From Hirak to repression, Algeria enters a new era After Bouteflika stepped down, the demonstrations led by the Hirak protest movement continued, in a push for deep reforms in hydrocarbon-rich Algeria. Yet the movement waned when the coronavirus pandemic struck. 'Repression of peaceful dissent' Tebboune's government later banned demonstrations by the Hirak movements and stepped up legal proceedings against opponents, activists, journalists and academics. Algeria ranks 136 out of 180 countries and territories in the Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index. Read more Subscribers only Algerian dual nationals excluded from media ownership In February, rights watchdog Amnesty International said that five years after the pro-democracy protests erupted, Algerian authorities were still clamping down on the right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. In a report based on testimonies of detainees, families and lawyers, Amnesty said Algerian authorities had "escalated their repression of peaceful dissent" since the movement ended in early 2020 due to the Covid pandemic and a ban on protests. "It is a tragedy that five years after brave Algerians took to the streets in their masses to demand political change and reforms, the authorities have continued to wage a chilling campaign of repression," said Heba Morayef, Amnesty's Middle East and North Africa director. The London-based human rights group said hundreds of people had been arbitrarily arrested and detained and that dozens of peaceful protesters, journalists and activists still languished behind bars. It called for the immediate and unconditional release of all those detained. Read more Subscribers only Algerian filmmakers who offend 'national values' and religion threatened with jail Democratic Alliance (AD) leader Luis Montenegro answers questions from journalists after a meeting with the Portuguese president at Belem Palace in Lisbon on March 18, 2024, following the general election. PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA / AFP Luis Montenegro has been appointed prime minister of Portugal, the presidency said in a press release late Wednesday, March 20, after his right-wing Democratic Alliance party won the parliamentary elections on March 10. The 51-year-old lawyer by training and seasoned parliamentarian succeeds the Socialist Party's Antonio Costa, who was in power since 2015 but did not have a stable parliamentary majority. Portugal has named its new prime minister on Wednesday once the final results of its March 10 election were announced after the counting of overseas ballots. After a narrow win, Luis Montenegro, the leader of the center-right Democratic Alliance (AD), was expected to be appointed as Portugal's next prime minister, succeeding socialist Antonio Costa. President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa received Montenegro at the presidential palace on Wednesday evening, before the overseas results were completed. Montenegro said that he told Sousa that his party was ready to take charge of the government and, "as a consequence of that, to be named prime minister". Read more Subscribers only Portugal's far right on the rise as country returns to polls The meeting was the final step of consultations Sousa was due to hold with the parties represented in parliament before inviting the election winner to form the next government. Near-complete official results showed the AD won 29.5 percent of the vote and at least 79 seats, far short of a majority in the 230-seat parliament. The incumbent Socialist Party (PS), in power for eight years, came in second place, winning at least 77 seats. Even with the backing of the tiny business-friendly Liberal Initiative (IL) party, the AD would still need the support of the anti-immigration party Chega to reach a majority of 116 seats in the assembly. Read more Subscribers only Portuguese left suffers setback in elections marked by rise of far right Coalition with Chega ruled out However, Montenegro has ruled out forming a coalition with Chega, which took 48 seats, insisting that he intends to form a minority government. Chega's leader Andre Ventura warned of political instability if the AD continued to reject a coalition. "We are continuing to put in all our efforts... to reach an agreement that will ensure the country's stability," Ventura said on Monday. "If there is no government agreement, the AD will be responsible for the instability that will result." A minority administration will "not necessarily" be unstable because "none of the actors has an interest in triggering a crisis", said Antonio Costa Pinto, an analyst from the University of Lisbon's Institute of Social Sciences. Read more Subscribers only Portugal elections: 'The populist Chega party could emerge as a key player' The election results marked another advance for the far right in Europe, where populist and nationalist parties are either already governing often in coalitions in countries such as Italy, Hungary, and Slovakia, or are steadily gaining as in France and Germany. Chega, which means "Enough", calls for stricter controls over immigration, tougher measures to fight corruption, and chemical castration for some sex offenders. France's Senat on Thursday, March 21, overwhelmingly voted against a free-trade agreement between the European Union and Canada after an unusual alliance in the upper house between left- and right-wing opponents of French President Emmanuel Macron. The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) has been in force provisionally since 2017, but requires ratification in all European Union member countries to take full effect. Macron and his centrist parliamentary allies managed to get the deal approved in the Assemblee Nationale lower house in 2019 by a slim margin, but backing by the Senat upper house where they are in a clear minority is needed for ratification. After scenes of tension rarely seen in the upper house, senators voted 211 against and 44 for the treaty and then confirmed the rejection with a second vote. There had been some expectations that opponents of the treaty would run out of time for the confirmation vote but they managed to squeeze it in by racing through the debate. Although a setback for the government, which backs the treaty, the no-vote does not in itself nullify the agreement. Under EU rules, the rejection is only effective if the government officially notifies the EU, which Macron is not expected to do. The government has not said how it will handle the situation, but one option is to take the treaty back to the Assemblee Nationale for a fresh debate and vote. The Communist group placed the treaty on Thursday's Senat agenda, with the stated aim of getting it defeated. In a rare temporary alliance, the leadership of the conservative Les Republicains (LR) party, which has a majority in the Senat, also opposed to the trade pact. The entire left and an overwhelming majority of LR voted to reject the agreement. The senators from Macron's ruling coalition were all absent during the vote. Read more Subscribers only How an EU-Canada trade agreement became a key electoral issue in France Foreign Trade Minister Franck Riester, who had already slammed the opposition's strategy as "an unacceptable manipulation", added after the vote that it had been motivated by electoral considerations ahead of European Parliament elections in June. The Senat's non-ratification was "damaging to our economy and our agriculture," Riester said on X, formerly Twitter. The government, he said, would continue to back CETA. "The debate is not over," he said. Much of the opposition to the pact focused on food, with Bruno Retailleau, LR's leader in the Senat, saying that "we need free-trade agreements, but not at the expense of our sovereignty, especially for food." Ratified by 17 EU countries Like all EU trade deals, CETA was negotiated by the European Commission, but also needs approval from each EU member. Seventeen of them have ratified the deal, with the process in 10 countries including France still ongoing. The United Kingdom ratified the deal when it was still in the EU. Cyprus's parliament is the only one to have rejected the agreement outright, over a controversy about a geographical indication for halloumi cheese. Cyprus has not formally notified the EU of the rejection. Instead, it plans to re-submit the proposal later. Although a no-vote does not in itself kill CETA, the French government worries about the impact of any rejection. "We have to be careful not to send a negative signal concerning an agreement that produces benefits," Riester had warned. The government accused the opposition of weaponizing CETA ahead of the June European elections. "Let's not be naive," quipped Riester, saying the trade deal was being "instrumentalized in the middle of the European election campaign." Food safety While the French government defended CETA, there has been also plenty of opposition, notably around food safety, with critics pointing to Canada's laxer approach to genetically modified organisms, hormones, pesticides and herbicides, and lower standards on animal welfare compared to the EU. There have been angry demonstrations in several EU countries against the deal, including by climate activists. Criticism has also come from farmers and industrial sectors, notably over access to the Canadian market, and regulations. "Farming in central Canada is completely industrial and operates without any rules," said LR senator and professional farmer Laurent Duplomb, adding he hoped to "fire a warning shot" in the direction of the EU. Senators reported receiving an unusual amount of attention from companies, associations, the government and the Canadian embassy all hoping to sway them. The trade deal's backers say French exports to Canada increased by 33% between 2017 and 2023, while imports rose 35%, thanks to the agreement. Wine and dairy producers are among the main beneficiaries, the government says. FINE Gael in Limerick is in turmoil after three of its candidates hoping to contest the mayoral election have withdrawn in anger at the process - with one accusing party headquarters of ineptitude of the highest order. With just 11 weeks to go until Limerick people go to the polls to elect a mayor for the first time, Fine Gael has yet to formally select a candidate. Four councillors had expressed an interest in securing the party nomination. But now three of them - councillors Adam Teskey, John Sheahan and Liam Galvin - have all pulled out of the process. It leaves Cllr Daniel Butler as the only candidate whose name remains in the mix - but he has told the Leader he doesn't know yet if he will run. I have a lot of considerations as to whether I rule myself in or out. Its not as simple for me. Im relatively young, I have a full-time job, a mortgage and a young family. Theres a lot for me to think about and its not as straight forward a decision as it may be for other members of the party, he said. Cllr Adam Teskey, who is the leader of the Adare-Rathkeale district, has accused Fine Gael headquarters of ineptitude of the highest order around the selection. Abbeyfeale-based Cllr Liam Galvin added: Michael Collins would turn in his grave if we couldnt put a leader forward for Limerick not to mind the country. Its a bad indictment on Fine Gael and Im disgusted over it. Theyve argued there is not enough time to effectively campaign for the role, while at the same time, try to get re-elected to their respective council seats, with Cllr Teskey saying: I will not turn my back on my constituents in Rathkeale and Adare. Fine Gael emailed everyone promising a mayoral candidate by November 2023. It's now after St Patricks Day and nobody is in place, he added. The fact that the party secured the highest share of the vote at the 2019 local election in Limerick, and it is the architects of the legislation which has created the role of a directly elected mayor has sharpened local criticism of the party. Cllr Teskey said he is furious with the partys hierarchy, and added: Theyve taken their eye off the ball. Its farcical. Cllr Galvin said Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and general secretary John Carroll need to be held to account. Cllr Sheahan, the partys council leader added: I think the party could have been more proactive. Im disappointed the heavy hitters in the party including the Taoiseach did not have a more hands-on role. We should be seen as frontrunners rather then laggards. Fine Gael did not return a request for comment from the Leader. Separately, Cllr Galvin suggested Fine Gael bosses would be quite happy to support local businesswoman Helen ODonnell in her bid for the mayoralty, given her history in the party. The local Tidy Towns chairwoman launched her campaign as a non-party candidate on Monday of last week. But, only the night before, she had seconded Sean Kellys nomination to re-run for the European Parliament at a convention in Clonmel. Only after she had done this, she tendered her resignation from the party which her late husband Tom served in government, and as an MEP for. There has been a backlash locally in Fine Gael circles, with Cllr Galvin saying: She went out of a Sunday evening as a Fine Gael member and on Monday morning, she was an Independent. To me that doesnt wash. READ MORE: Directly elected mayor candidate says 'this is an election that matters' Cllr Teskey reflected these comments. Ms ODonnell said Mr Kelly is a friend of hers and had asked her weeks ago to second his nomination. She said she had told him she was planning to run as a community candidate in the mayoral contest, and the MEP was happy for her to proceed. She added she believes the role of executive mayor should be above party politics. Cllr Sheahan said rumours around Limerick that the popular senior hurling boss John Kiely would possibly join the general mayoral race also had a bearing on other candidates not going forward. Limerick will elect a mayor on Friday, June 7, the same day as the local election. This, says Cllr Sheahan, has disenfranchised members putting their own names forward, amid the risk that placing too much of a focus on the mayoralty could derail chances of re-election to the local authority. ALMOST 16 years after innocent rugby player Shane Geoghegan was shot dead in a case of mistaken identity, the Limerick gangster who ordered the hit, John Dundon, has been accused of a "cynical ploy" after he sacked his lawyers and asked for an adjournment of an appeal against his murder conviction. After the Court of Appeal granted an application for Dundon's lawyers to withdraw from the case, Dundon told the three-judge court that he discharged his lawyers after discovering last Tuesday that they were unable to advance a ground of appeal that had been identified in recent months. He said he didn't want to go into detail about the additional ground of appeal but said it related to things that were not disclosed to him ahead of his trial and that he was told did not exist but he is now in a position to prove did exist. He said he had instructed his legal team to raise the ground of appeal but decided to discharge them when he claimed he was told they "hadn't done it properly". Sean Guerin SC, for the Director of Public Prosecutions, said Dundon was engaging in a "cynical ploy" and that he had used a similar tactic at his trial in 2013. Counsel said disclosure was carried out in full and the director is "adamant" it can meet any complaint regarding disclosure. He said the director is anxious to get on with the case and the deceased's mother, who has attended every court date, "wants to see an end" to the matter. Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy said Dundon had "gone through several sets of competent lawyers" and that the latest dismissal "must raise an issue of good faith". Mr Justice John Edwards, presiding, granted the application for an adjournment but warned that Dundon must instruct his new lawyers at the earliest opportunity and they must complete all necessary paperwork by April 8. The appeal hearing will take place on April 22 and Mr Justice Edwards said the court would "not entertain any further applications for adjournment barring exceptional and unforeseen circumstances." Dundon (41) formerly of Hyde Road in Limerick, was convicted at the Special Criminal Court in 2013 of ordering the hit that killed the 28-year-old Mr Geoghegan near the victim's home at Clonmore, Kilteragh, Dooradoyle on November 9, 2008. He is serving a life sentence. Mr Geoghegan played rugby for Garryowen in Limerick and had been watching an Ireland international game at a friend's house before heading home shortly before 1am. He had just texted his girlfriend Jenna Barry to say he was on his way when Ms Barry heard shots being fired outside. Mr Geoghan was shot five times with a Glock semi-automatic pistol. The fatal shot was to the back of the head. READ MORE: Man jailed in Clare for four and a half years for 'repeated' sexual assaults on his wife It was the States case that Mr Geoghegan was the unintended victim of a shooting that was meant for another man and was ordered by John Dundon. Key prosecution witness April Collins gave evidence that John Dundon ordered gunman Barry Doyle to kill the other man. Doyle (38) admitted during garda interviews that he shot Mr Geoghegan in a case of mistaken identity. However Doyle, of Portland Row in Dublin 1, later pleaded not guilty at trial to the murder of Mr Geoghegan. He was found guilty by a jury at the Central Criminal Court and was given the mandatory life sentence by Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan on February 16, 2012. Leo Varadkar is set to step down as Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader, he has confirmed. There had been speculation in political circles since early morning that a major announcement was expected following a meeting of the Cabinet this Wednesday. There is no immediate indication that the shock announcement will trigger a general election. Addressing reporters outside Government Buildings, Mr Varadkar said his time as Taoiseach has been the "most fulfilling time of my life". Flanked by Fine Gael colleagues, he spoke of some of his achievements as Taoiseach and he stated that he was "deeply proud" of the role that Ireland played in accepting 100,000 refugees from Ukraine over the last two years. Mr Varadkar confirmed that his resignation as leader of Fine Gael will take immediate effect but that he will remain in the role of Taoiseach pending the election of a new leader of Fine Gael. He told reporters his decision to step down was both "personal and political". "I am standing aside in the absolute confidence that the country and economy are in a good place and that my colleagues in government from all three parties - Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and Greens - and the Oireachtas will continue to work hard for the Nation's best interests," he said. Mr Varadkar added that he has enjoyed being Taoiseach, Fine Gael Leader and a Cabinet member "on a personal level" and that he has learned so much during that time. "I've met so many people who I would never have got to meet, been to places I would never have seen - both at home and abroad - and I am deeply grateful for it." Dairygold has announced that it is adding an electric truck to its milk collection fleet, making it the first dairy processor in Ireland to do so. The truck, called e-moove, can cover 300km on a single charge. The installation of a charging system on the Castlefarm site enables a full charging of the truck within two and a half hours. Dairygold interim chief executive Michael Harte said: We are very proud to be the first dairy processor in Ireland to introduce an electric milk truck to our fleet. It is yet another step towards a more sustainable future in Dairygold. The electric truck will reduce Dairygolds greenhouse gas emissions and help us on our journey to achieve our 2030 carbon reduction targets." The e-moove will make daily deliveries and collections from Dairygolds Castlefarm dairy processing complex in Mitchelstown, Co Cork as well as milk suppliers farms. The debut of the new truck is the latest in an array of sustainability initiatives and investments. Other recent programmes include the 2023 launch of the 10m Grassroots Milk Supplier Sustainability bonus, which incentivises water quality, emissions reduction, soil health, farmer training and herd productivity measures. Head of sustainability at Dairygold, Orlaith Tynan, said: The introduction of Ireland's first electric milk truck represents a significant milestone, in not only Dairygolds ongoing commitment to sustainability, but also the agriculture sector as a whole. Being a pioneer, and demonstrating that this technology works, will have hugely positive effects elsewhere." An Australian police force has come to Ireland in an attempt to lure gardai abroad. South Australia Police (SAPOL) spoke to interested gardai at the Down Under Live expo in Dublin yesterday (March 20) about why they should leave An Garda Siochana and move to the other side of the world. According to the Irish Independent, a SAPOL police chief inspector told RTE's Morning Ireland that the response from gardai has been "overwhelming". Chief Inspector Scott Collins said, "We have had an overwhelming response to our campaign so far from the gardai and the UK as well. "We believe that the training that the gardai receive and the way they go about their policing would really complement our workforce and community too." Gardai who make the switch can expect a salary of approximately 58,000 to 67,000 per annum. In an Instagram post published this week, SAPOL posted a picture of an Australian sunset with the caption: "G'day mate! Fancy a change of scene... to South Australia, perhaps? South Australia Police is now recruiting Police Officers/Gardai from across the UK and Ireland! "Our recruiting efforts are fair dinkum, as we are travelling to you! Meet us at the Down Under Live expo or our exclusive event in London." The recruiters are also running the expo in Birmingham on March 23, and London on March 25. They continued: "Join us at any of the above to have a yarn, it'll be heaps good! Register now and receive an exclusive bonus. Posting this from where you'd rather be. "Or if you're ready to be a happy lil Vegemite, apply now. If you didn't understand some of the above, come along to the expos and we'll teach you all the Aussie slang." Gardai who make the move will be reimbursed for visa expenses, and allocated six weeks annual leave. They will also be able to earn while they learn during fully paid streamlined transition training courses. Further salary increases can be expected upon permanent appointment (dependent upon experience and classification), as well as additional financial and flexibility incentives for regional postings. The listing reads: "SA is home to Australia's 'best beach', the country's finest wine, outback mountain ranges and a thriving arts scene. If you're chasing a Mediterranean climate, friendly, laid back lifestyle, with a much lower cost of living than our eastern counterparts - that's us! "SA makes a great place to raise a family and expand your policing journey, while enjoying a competitive salary and limitless opportunities for learning and career growth." Currently, new Gardai receive a salary of 35,322 per year, which rises to 55,592 per year after 8 years up to a maximum of 59,842 per year after 19 years. Tanaiste Micheal Martin has accused Sinn Fein of not having the substantial policies needed to contest a general election. The Fianna Fail leader and Foreign Affairs Minister sparred with Sinn Fein TD Pearse Doherty during Leaders Questions over the coalition governments record in office. Opposition parties are pushing for a general election to be called after Leo Varadkar surprised the Irish political system by announcing his immediate resignation as Fine Gael leader on Wednesday. He will step aside as Irish premier once his successor has been selected by his party. But members of the opposition have called it an undemocratic way to select the next leader of the country. Speaking in the Dail, Mr Doherty said: The Taoiseach has thrown in the towel, he has said hes not up for the job. None of you are up for the job. What the public need is change. What they dont need is a rearranging of the deckchairs in this Government, a Government that is spectacularly failing. Let the people decide, because we will go toe to toe with you in the morning. He said Fine Gael has been in government far too long and changing the partys leader will change nothing. Mr Martin said the people do not want a general election. You want an election every year, he said. Im more focused on the bread-and-butter issues that matter to people. Fianna Fail believes that the people do NOT want an Election. If the Government is so confident in their record, why don't they let the people decide? It's time for a General Election. It's time for change! pic.twitter.com/WOYwUJADvB Pearse Doherty (@PearseDoherty) March 21, 2024 Mr Martin said he has fought far more elections than Mr Doherty and warned him: Dont be talking to me and lecture me on elections. Youre not ready for a general election, deputy. No, youre not. You need policies, deputy, and you need substance. You dont have substance. He added: Just last week your party were calling us and acknowledged and thanked the Government in terms of the Shared Island initiative and huge funding in Northern Ireland. I thought the comments from your First Minister left a lot to be desired. Very partisan comments from the First Minister in respect of Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, given a month ago, the glowing response to the Governments Shared Island Initiative. Weve done more in respect of cross-border development and investment in Northern Ireland than any government for many a year. Fine Gael TDs, Senators, MEPs and councillors have publicly backed Simon Harris as a candidate for the leadership, while senior Fine Gael ministers Simon Coveney, Helen McEntee, Paschal Donohoe and Heather Humphreys have ruled themselves out. Mr Doherty said: Were told that the frontrunner for the highest office in the land is Simon Harris. Lets remember that this is a minister whose record in the Department of Health was so bad that it precipitated the last general election. A man who made false promises to children with scoliosis and their families about when they would get their treatment. If this is best this Government can muster, it is clear that this is a Government that is out of touch, that is out of time. Labour leader Ivana Bacik accused the mechanisms of being an act of political self-preservation. Fine Gael is grappling with an exodus, Fianna Fail and the Greens will apparently cling to a sinking ship no matter what, following yesterday. And its having a serious effect on our policies, on our governance. Mr Martin replied that she should be careful about accusations of sinking ships considering the state of her own party. Your own party will want to rise a bit more, I think, before you lecture others about sinking ships, he said. Bhavish Aggarwal-led Ola Electric is close to signing up anchor investors for its initial public offering (IPO), the first in India's electric vehicle space, two people aware of the development said. The maker of S1 series of electric scooters has pitched its state-of-the-art battery technology under development as the USP in its road shows, the people said. Singapore-based Eastspring, a subsidiary of Prudential Plc, and UK-based Pictet are among investors which have shown interest to be anchor investors, the people cited above said on condition of anonymity. Ola Electric, which dominates India's electric two-wheeler space with more than 40% share in March, expects its battery arm Ola Cell Technologies to help reduce costs and increase profitability. According to the people cited above, Ola Electric has told prospective investors that its cell division is developing advanced batteries with the '4680' form factor, adopted by battery tech pioneers such as Tesla and Panasonic. This hard-to-make form factor, adopted by Tesla in 2020, enables longer ranges, quicker charging, and better overall performance. Ola Electric, Pictet and Eastpark did not respond to Mint's emailed queries. In its share sale papers, Ola Electric had said it will use some of the IPO proceeds to expand the capacity of its cell factory from 5 GWh to 6.4 GWh. "We are constructing the Ola Gigafactory for cell manufacturing in Krishnagiri district in Tamil Nadu, India. Phase 1(a) of the Ola Gigafactory is expected to be operational by March 31, 2024, at which time it will have a production capacity of 1.4 GWh. We expect to complete Phase 1(b) and expand the production capacity of the Ola Gigafactory to 5 GWh by October 2024", it added. "We aim to develop new cell form factors which are capable of storing five times the energy of conventional cell form factors and use advanced technologies such as advanced electrode manufacturing technologies", the company had said, in an apparent reference to the 4680 form factor that it is pitching to investors now. Recently, Reuters reported that Ola Electric was looking to bid for lithium blocks being auctioned by the government, aiming to secure a key raw material for batteries. "Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) having presence across the value chain of electrification from localization to charging infrastructure will enjoy the advantage of economies of scale, provided they are able to scale their output, thereby delivering cost efficiencies. This will help India emerge as a large manufacturing base for electric two-wheelers," said Hemal Thakkar, senior practice leader and director at Crisil. On 13 March, the Centre unveiled the 500 crore Electric Mobility Promotion Scheme (EMPS) 2024 to encourage the purchase of electric two- and three-wheelers, a measure expected to support companies including Ola Electric. However, despite EMPS extending subsidy benefits for four months, the quantum of subsidy per vehicle has been lowered, noted Rohan Kanwar Gupta, vice president, ICRA. "Accordingly, a reduction in the subsidy benefit is a short-term impediment and will impact demand/realizations to an extent. Notwithstanding the same, OEMs will continue to strive to offer competitive products by leveraging their cost structure through localization of key components and value engineering capabilities. In addition, softening in battery cells prices (which accounts for almost 40% of vehicle cost) will also help them offset the impact of lower subsidies to some extent," Gupta added. "While the industry is likely to witness an exponential rise in volumes over the medium term, the road to profitability for the industry remains long; thus, a timely fund-raising to support the capital structure/competitiveness of start-up players would be key. The same assumes even greater importance, given the ever-increasing competitiveness in the EV segment, with incumbent OEMs also ramping up their presence in the segment," Gupta of ICRA added. Founder Aggarwal plans to sell up to 47.4 million shares in the Ola Electric IPO, while the company will look to raise 5,500 crore by selling new shares. Ola Electric was said to seek a valuation of at least $10 billion when it floated its IPO plans in the first half of 2023. However, the company was valued at $5.4 billion, when it raised $385 million in October. According to people aware of these discussions, the company may fetch a valuation of around $6 billion in the IPO. The final valuation will be determined when the issue opens for subscription. Only 10% of Ola's IPO is reserved for retail subscription. Ola has been offering discounts of up to 25,000 per scooter in recent months. Meanwhile, electric two-wheeler rival Ather Energy is also eyeing the public markets, with an IPO planned during the year. In January, Mint reported that Ola Electric had sold at least 12,000 scooters to group company ANI Technologies and its subsidiaries from April 2022 to December 2023, with the majority of these sales in December 2023. These sales have continued into 2024 as well, the people cited in the report said. However, Ola Electric denied the bump in registrations in December. It also pointed to its own figure of 8,206 scooters registered by ANI Technologies till December. This has led to the company's market share in cities such as Delhi and Lucknow soaring, whereas in other states with high EV volumes, the company has lost share in the in December 2023-February 2024 period versus April-November 23. "In Maharashtra, Olas market share rose just 290bps despite price cuts", an analysis by equity research firm Elara Capital said. Private-equity firm Apollo Global Management has made an $11 billion offer to buy Paramount Globals film and TV studio, according to people familiar with the situation. The bid comes as an independent committee of the companys directors is reviewing another offer from Skydance Media to merge with all of Paramount, which also owns CBS, Nickelodeon and a number of other cable networks. Paramounts studio has long been an acquisition target. Netflix was among a number of companies that expressed interest over the past few years in buying the studio, which is behind such movies as Top Gun: Maverick" and A Quiet Place," according to other people familiar with the situation. But Paramount Globals controlling shareholder, Shari Redstone, and other board members have resisted selling the studio, which they consider the crown jewel of the company. Redstone, who is open to selling Paramount in its entirety, would have to agree to breaking up the company and allowing a sale of the studio to proceed. Apollos offer is more than the entire market capitalization of Paramount Global, which is currently around $7.7 billion. While the studio business is attractive, given its vast library and the demand for fresh programming in the streaming industry, Paramounts TV networks are declining as the cable business contracts. Bloomberg and Axios earlier reported on Apollos interest in Paramount. Meanwhile, Skydance Media, the production company run by David Ellison, has made an offer to buy Paramount parent National Amusements and merge Skydance into Paramount. Redstone controls National Amusements, which owns almost 80% of the voting shares of Paramount. The details of that offer couldnt be learned. Ellison is the son of billionaire Larry Ellison, the co-founder of Oracle, who is expected to help fund any deal. In evaluating the offers, Paramounts directors have to determine whether the deal would be good for all shareholders, not just its controlling shareholder, National Amusements. It has been months since news of the Skydance interest in National Amusements first surfaced late last year. So far this year Paramounts stock has dropped more than 20% and is trading around $11 per share. Paramount has also had discussions with Warner Bros. Discovery about a merger, and has discussed a streaming partnership or joint venture with Comcast, The Wall Street Journal reported last month. The daughter of media mogul Sumner Redstone, Shari Redstone reunited the familys media empire by merging Viacom and CBS in 2019, later renaming the resulting company Paramount Global. Miriam Gottfried and Laura Cooper contributed to this article. Write to Jessica Toonkel at jessica.toonkel@wsj.com BENGALURU , MUMBAI : Flipkart has rolled out a number of tweaks to its annual increment policy that could deny a majority of its remaining employees the immediate gratification of salary hikes come April, although they will all be awarded bonuses. The Walmart-backed e-commerce platform, which let go of about 5% of its staff in January, has split its annual salary increases into two quick tranches for its junior and middle management employees, as per an internal communication that Mint has reviewed. These increases will not reflect in an employees salary structure, and will effectively be merit-based payouts. These merit-based payouts, however, will be handed out in April and October, unlike increments that would be staggered across an entire year. Senior employees will receive neither annual increments nor merit-based payouts. But unlike last year, senior employees such as those at the levels of vice president and senior vice president will also receive bonuses, the company has said. Employees being promoted, across levels, will enjoy all threepay increases reflecting in their overall salary structure, merit-based payouts, as well as bonuses. These changes come on the back of Flipkarts attempts to contain attrition rates. This, however, is not specific to Flipkart as the broader startup ecosystem has struggled through similar patterns, undergoing a vigorous talent hunt, especially at senior levels. As for employees, those who were paid handsome salaries during the pandemic rush for hiring at tech-led companies are now struggling to sustain their pay cheques after funding dried up and startups became focused on conducting their operations more efficiently. Mint could not immediately quantify Flipkarts attrition rate. Kalyan Krishnamurthy, Flipkarts chief executive officer, issued a communication to the companys more than 20,000 employees on Thursday detailing the new compensation structure. Flipkart recently has had a spate of layoffs, and these measures, according to company executives, are expected to help it retain employees across levels. Instead of usual compensation increases, we will be delivering merit-linked payouts to all eligible employees, in Grade 12 and below. These merit list payouts shall be made as two lump sum payments in April and October this year, and equivalent, in value to the merit increase that would have typically been paid through the year," Krishnamurthy said in his letter addressed to Flipkarts employees. Grade 12 and below refers to Flipkarts junior and middle management employees. For employees in other grades, the company said it has enabled wider spread of ESOP (employee stock ownership plan) allocation to drive wealth creation". The company has a total of 16 grades. A spokesperson for Flipkart confirmed the development, which Mint reported first. We are providing compensation increases to employees getting promoted, merit-linked payments, and bonus payouts. Additionally, our stock option allocation exercise will continue as is for those who are eligible," the spokesperson said. In FY23, Flipkart spent 4,482 crore on employee benefit expenses, up from 3,735 crore a year earlier. Meanwhile, its total expenses grew 26% on-year to 19,043 crore. Some mid-level employees at Flipkart are not enthused by the changes in the compensation structure. One Flipkart executive, declining to be identified, said employees were dissatisfied with their pay structures and intense work schedules, which have pushed them to scout for better opportunities. Flipkarts decision to modify its increment policy so the base pay grades of employees remain unchanged will make it more challenging to land a better pay package elsewhere, this person added. Flipkart employees at the junior and middle management levels were given 6-10% increments last year, according to recruiters. In January, Flipkart laid off about 5% of its total workforce, or nearly 1,000 employees, as a part of its annual performance review cycle, according to several media reports. While the company carries out these routine job cuts every year, the layoffs were also aimed at reducing costs, according to the reports. Flipkart has been trying to improve its financial health and generate better unit economics as it looks to list on the public markets next year. The company had initially planned an initial public offering of its shares in 2023. Walmart, which acquired a 77% stake in Flipkart for about $16 billion nearly 6 years ago, has been increasing its presence in India. The American retail giant aims to import goods worth $10 billion annually from India by 2027. Last year, Walmart infused $600 million into Flipkart, with the fresh capital expected to bring in new investors, as per a Reuters report. Walmart's current stake in the company remains undisclosed after it bought the remaining shares held by hedge fund Tiger Global and venture capital firm Accel for $1.4 billion last year. The US Justice Department sued Apple on Thursday, alleging the tech giant blocked software developers and mobile gaming companies from offering better options on the iPhone, resulting in higher prices for consumers. The governments antitrust complaint, filed in a New Jersey federal court, alleges Apple used its control of the iPhone to prevent competitors from offering innovative services such as digital wallets and limited the functionality of hardware products that compete with Apples own devices. The suit also claims that Apple makes it difficult for users to switch to devices that dont use Apples operating system, such as Android smartphones. Consumers should not have to pay higher prices because companies violate the antitrust laws," Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement. Apple said it plans to vigorously" defend against the lawsuit. This lawsuit threatens who we are and the principles that set Apple products apart in fiercely competitive markets," an Apple spokesman said in a statement. If successful, it would hinder our ability to create the kind of technology people expect from Applewhere hardware, software, and services intersect." The case against Apple is the last shoe to drop on the big four tech giants by U.S. antitrust officials. Antitrust enforcers have also filed antimonopoly lawsuits against Amazon, Google and Meta Platforms. Apple has already faced calls around the world to open up its tightly-controlled iPhone software ecosystem. European law forced Apple to comply with tough, new competition rules for search engines, app stores and online marketplaces. The departments case comes after recent litigation that videogame developer Epic Games filed against Apple in 2020. Epic alleged Apple illegally tied its apps to its payment system, allowing the tech company to take a 30% commission on purchases. U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers ruled mostly in favor of Apple in that case and found the company didnt have a monopoly in the global market for mobile games. But she did order Apple to permit developers to tell customers about different payment options outside of its App Store. Apple has defended its policy of controlling downloads via the App Store, saying it is necessary for keeping the iPhone relatively free from viruses and fraud. The lawsuit against Apple has been in the works for years. An investigation began in 2019 but picked up momentum following the appointment of the Biden administrations top antitrust official, Jonathan Kanter, in 2021. Some analysts and investors say Apples proliferating legal risks may be a problem. The governments case could take years to play out. Still, the litigation is distracting to Apples management and could make it harder for Apple to grow its subscription services business. While Apples stock has fallen 7% so far this year, it is still the second-largest company in the world by market capitalization and produces tens of billions of dollars in profit each quarter. In recent years, Apple has relied on growth from its App Store and associated servicesvideo and audio streaming, cloud storage and newswhile the pace of iPhone hardware revenue increases has slowed. Oppenheimer analyst Martin Yang estimated that the App Store has margins as high as 80%. 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! Israeli security officials are quietly developing a plan to distribute aid in the Gaza Strip that could eventually create a Palestinian-led governing authority there, Israeli and Arab officials said, causing a fierce backlash from Hamas and creating divisions in Israels war cabinet. A top Israeli defense official has held talks with Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan to build regional support for an emerging effort to enlist Palestinian leaders and businessmen who have no links to Hamasa U.S.-designated terrorist organizationin distributing aid, some of the officials said. The aid would enter by land and sea after Israeli inspection and would head to large warehouses in central Gaza, where Palestinians would then distribute it, the officials said. When the war is over, the people in charge of aid would assume authority to govern, backed up by security forces funded by wealthy Arab governments, the officials said. The effort represents some of the first steps Israel has begun taking to fill a power vacuum left by its invasion of the Gaza Strip following Hamass Oct. 7 attack on Israel. The U.S. and Arab governments have pressured Israel to do more to get humanitarian aid for Gazans and lay out a clear vision for postwar Gazas administration. The aid effort has already hit obstacles and could fall apart. It so far doesnt have the support of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, given that some of those involved would be affiliated with Fatah, a rival party to Hamas seen by the Israeli leader as supporting terrorism. Gaza will be run by those who do not seek to kill Israelis," said a senior Israeli official from the prime ministers office. Another Israeli official said Hamass vehement opposition could make the plan unfeasible. But the chaos reigning across Gaza has frustrated the Biden administration, the Israeli defense establishment and critics inside Netanyahus emergency government. They say that the organized distribution of aid is currently impossible and that Hamas can reassert itself within the governance vacuum. A force that can effectively distribute aid in Gaza is needed now, they say, and realistically that force would be connected to the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank-based government, or to Fatah, the authoritys ruling party. Maj. Gen. Ghassan Alian, the head of the Israeli security arm overseeing civilian affairs in occupied territories, sees the aid effort as an important part of Israels plan to evacuate the city of Rafah, Hamass last stronghold, before an offensive on the border city. The aid-distribution network would feed 750,000 to a million people in displacement camps that Israel has planned for absorbing Rafahs population, which has swelled as Gazans sought refuge there, the officials said. One of the officials said Alians vision is that anti-Hamas Palestinians would form a local administrative authority" to distribute aid, cutting out the militant group from the process. The effort has triggered retaliatory threats from Hamas. The group has labeled anyone who works with the Israelis as traitors and threatened them with death. Several Palestinian families once thought to be open to the idea have withdrawn in recent days. Accepting communication with the occupation forces by heads of families and tribes for work in the Gaza Strip is considered national betrayal, which we will not allow," a Hamas security official said in a public statement on March 10, shortly after Israels efforts began. Hamas has played no formal role in distributing aid in Gaza but views the nascent Israeli plan as a way to create an independent governing structure. We will strike with an iron hand against anyone who tampers with the internal front in the Gaza Strip and will not permit the imposition of new rules," the Hamas security official said. Another Hamas official said the group already felt it was being sidelined by the sea bridge backed by the U.S., U.A.E. and other partners to deliver aid to Gaza. The humanitarian corridor was negotiated directly with the municipality of Gaza City without the group being consulted, the official said. He said Hamas was also nervous about the involvement of Mohammed Dahlan, a former senior member of Fatah who was the head of security in Gaza for the Palestinian Authority before going into exile in the U.A.E. More broadly, Hamas wants security to be handled by forces that would be apolitical but would operate with the militant groups approval, Husam Badran, a member of Hamass political bureau, said in a recent interview. He said that security in recent weeks has been handled by volunteer militias in the southern city of Rafah and in the north, with the groups approval, to replace the Hamas-run police after it had been targeted by the Israeli military. There was a consensus [between Palestinian groups] to form this security institution," Badran said. But the Hamas official said any permanent security arrangement should be overseen by a future Palestinian unity cabinet backed by all factions, not foreign entities. Security would be the responsibility of the government of national accord," he said. Wealthy Gulf states have said they wont pay for security forces or help rebuild Gaza, as envisioned under the emerging aid plan, unless Israel agrees to a process creating a Palestinian statean idea Netanyahu has rejected. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday to discuss postwar planning, with Saudi Arabia expected to shoulder a heavy financial burden for rebuilding Gaza. Israel has approached several prominent Palestinians for participation, the officials said, including the Palestinian Authoritys top intelligence official, Majid Faraj; West Bank businessman Bashar Masri and Dahlan. Netanyahu has opposed the involvement of Dahlan and Faraj, who is a Fatah member, according to an Israeli official. Ophir Falk, a senior diplomatic adviser to Netanyahu, said the Palestinian Authority isnt the right body to take over Gaza because it hasnt condemned the Oct. 7 attacks and continues to pay stipends to individuals or their relatives killed during attacks on Israelis, a policy Palestinian officials say provides necessary welfare payments to needy families. We need someone who doesnt want to murder Jews to step to the plate. That can happen once Hamas is destroyed in Gaza. That is within reach," he said. Dahlan has also made it clear he wont be involved in ruling Gaza, the officials said. Dahlan, who lives in Abu Dhabi, oversaw Palestinian security forces that fought Hamas in 2006 and is seen as a proxy for the U.A.E.s interests in postwar Gaza. Masri declined to comment. Dahlan and Faraj didnt respond to requests for comment. In an interview with The Wall Street Journal last year, Dahlan said he wasnt interested in returning to Gaza to run a government and said Israel and the West must accept that Hamas cant be totally eradicated and will need to play a role in future governance. I am no friend of Hamas," Dahlan said. But do you think anybody is going to be able to run to make peace without Hamas?" Israel initially imposed an almost total siege on Gaza after Oct. 7, when thousands of Hamas fighters stormed across the border in a surprise attack, killing about 1,200 people, most of them civilians, and taking more than 200 hostages. Israels response has killed more than 31,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to Palestinian health authorities whose figures dont distinguish between civilians and combatants. Israel and Hamas resumed talks this week for a six-week cease-fire that would free some 40 hostages and allow more humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, where more than one million people are experiencing famine-like conditions, according to food-insecurity experts. Israel has allowed in food, medicine and other essential items after close inspection, but aid hasnt reached much of Gazas north since it descended into lawlessness in recent weeks. Under pressure from the U.S., Israel has allowed more trucks to enter Gaza, opened a new land crossing and is involved in the Mediterranean Sea route for food deliveries. It still amounts to a fraction of what Gazans need. Write to Summer Said at summer.said@wsj.com, Dov Lieber at dov.lieber@wsj.com and Benoit Faucon at benoit.faucon@wsj.com BRUSSELSEuropean countries are waking up to Russias danger, but the cost of building robust defenses able to withstand a potential U.S. pullback is so great that it threatens Europes post-Cold War social model. With presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump questioning Americas future in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and Russian forces on the offensive in Ukraine, European leaders are warning of an existential threat to the continents security. War nearby and disputes with the U.S. have exposed gaps in Europes military capabilities that would take years to plug even if governments make military spending a political priority, which they havent done for decades. European Union leaders meeting Thursday plan to address the blocs defense vulnerabilities and its ambition to expand its defense industry. Painful decisions lie ahead. Boosting Europes security would require increasing defense outlays just as many European countries are cutting budgets to cope with high debt levels and weak economic growth. Achieving the military spending that some politicians and experts say is needed would force European members of NATO to start reversing big post-Cold War increases in social spending. You have to rearrange the social contract," said Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis, who has warned that Russia will eventually attack NATO countries if it isnt defeated in Ukraine. Europe would need at least 20 years to build a European force capable of reversing a Russian invasion of Lithuania and nearby parts of Poland without the U.S., according to an analysis by the International Institute for Strategic Studies, a think tank, in 2019. The cost, IISS said, would be $357 billion, equivalent to more than $420 billion in todays prices. Europes NATO allies are projected to spend $380 billion on defense this year. While vast amounts of Russian equipment have been destroyed in Ukraine, many European officials say Moscow could rebuild its military within a few years of the wars end. NATO has meanwhile depleted its own stocks of weapons to keep Ukraine armed. Because militaries need years to plan, equip and train forces, European governments face immediate and tough spending trade-offs. It comes down to the political will in combination with an ability to explain to the public what it is we really have to do," said Anna Wieslander, director for Northern Europe at the Atlantic Council, a think tank in Washington. The closer to Russia you get, the easier it seems to be." Europe in recent years has started reversing military cuts made after the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991. During the Cold War, many NATO members spent roughly 3% of gross domestic product on defense. Those outlays plunged in subsequent years. After Russia seized the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine in 2014, NATO members agreed to lift their spending to 2% of GDP by this year. Many experts believe European defense expenditures must reach 3% of GDP if the U.S. starts to disengage. The swing would be enormous for some countries. For Belgium to buy merely enough ammunition to fight an invasion for a few weeks, it would cost more than $5 billion, said retired army Lt. Gen. Marc Thys. The kingdom is one of NATOs lowest military spenders, at less than 1.2% of GDP last year. When Thys joined the military in the 1970s, Belgium could deploy 50,000 men to Germany. After Russias invasion of Ukraine two years ago, Belgium agreed to send 300 troops to Romania. We had to pull out all the stops," he said. Thys said most Western European governments will face the growing pains" of learning to synchronize equipment coming in, people coming in, building infrastructure and training them." Most European countries can hit 2% military spending by squeezing other government outlays by less than 1 percentage point, according to a recent study by Germanys Ifo Institute for economic research. But to reach 3% would mean shifting several percentage points of government spending to defense, Ifo said. Britain has long spent 2% of GDP on defense but has a target of 2.5%, contingent on economic conditions. To reach 3% of GDP, Britain would need to boost military spending by more than $40 billion, said Ben Zaranko, senior research economist at the U.K.s Institute for Fiscal Studies. That is twice what Britain spends on its justice system. I think generally, if we want to spend much more on defense and we dont want a bigger state, the government has to start removing state responsibilities," Zaranko said. Europes defense cuts since the Cold War generated a peace dividend of around $2 trillion, according to Ifo. Ifo calculates that although European NATO countries military spending has returned to 1991 levels based on 2023 prices, social spending has more than doubled in that period, to consume half of government spending. That includes entitlement plans such as rising pension costs in an aging continent, which are politically hard to adjust. That fiscal pressure has left Europe dependent on Washington for vital military capabilities. Among those are air defense, midair refueling, combat engineering, artillery and ammunition, experts say. Europe struggles to move its forces across borders without U.S. help. Washington also provides sophisticated intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets needed for fast reaction to threats. It dominates the digitization of militaries that allow forces to connect and communicate securely during conflicts. We have armed forces that look good and shiny, and platforms you can present for exportbut arent prepared for war," said Gustav Gressel, a senior policy fellow working on defense at the European Council on Foreign Relations. Europes shortfalls have shown up repeatedly in smaller conflicts since the Cold War. Britain and France ran out of precision bombs fighting in Libya in 2011. Some European countries are already shifting. Poland is spending 4.2% of GDP on defense, it is building up its forces and has embarked on a huge procurement drive for cutting-edge tanks, helicopters, rocket launchers and jet fighters. Sweden and Finland, which spend heavily on defense, have joined NATO, strengthening its grip in the Baltic region near Russia. NATO accelerated its buildup of troops and equipment on its eastern flank after Russia attacked Ukraine and Europe has started narrowing some shortfalls of critical U.S.-provided military equipment. But faced with elections, most governments struggle to address military funding. Germanys shaky coalition government, which holds elections next year, hasnt said how it would lift spending back to 2% or above once its special defense fund of $109 billion runs out in 2027. In Britain earlier this month, when the governments pre-election budget barely lifted military spending in real terms, a couple of ministers went public with calls to raise spending now. European military planners struggle to even start addressing how NATO might operate without a high level of U.S. support, said Edward Arnold, a research fellow for European security at the Royal United Services Institute in Britain. In the official planning sessions, therell be no change," he said. But when they go for coffee in the breaks, theyll probably all say: God, if we were doing this without the Americans, what would it actually look like?" Daniel Michaels contributed to this article. Write to Laurence Norman at laurence.norman@wsj.com New Delhi: Hours before Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, its hackers unleashed malware on routers linked to American satellite and internet communications provider Viasat, crippling the Ukrainian militarys communications. In desperation, two days after the invasion began, Mykhailo Fedorov, deputy prime minister of Ukraine, appealed to SpaceX chief Elon Musk on X, formerly Twitter. @elonmusk, while you try to colonize MarsRussia try to occupy Ukraine! While your rockets successfully land from spaceRussian rockets attack Ukrainian civil people! We ask you to provide Ukraine with Starlink stations," he posted. A few hours later, Musk replied: Starlink service is now active in Ukraine..." In the two years since then, while the war has raged on, the satellite internet service has kept Ukraines military and citizens online. Starlink is a constellation of thousands of low earth orbit (Leo) satellites launched into space over the last five years by its parent, SpaceX. It delivers high-speed internet services to individuals and enterprises all over the world". As the companys website explains, Starlink is the worlds first and largest satellite constellation using a low earth orbit to deliver broadband internet capable of supporting streaming, online gaming, video calls and more." Users on the ground connect to the satellites through small dish-like antennae called terminals. View Full Image Starlink satellite internet terminals play a key role in Ukraines war effort. (AFP) Starlink has blazed a path in satellite broadband services that others are set to follow. And India, like countries around the world, is scrambling to get on the bus. Last year, on 18 December, the Indian government decided to award spectrum or airwaves for satellite broadband services in the country without following the usual process of holding an auction. It did so by bringing the communication category within the ambit of a new legislation for the telecom sector, the Telecommunications Bill 2023, and put these services under a segment exempted from auctions. By doing so, it cleared a giant hurdle for satellite broadband providers such as Bharti Group-backed OneWeb, Reliances Jio Satellite Communications, Musks Starlink and Amazons Kuiper. There is clarity in law now. Auctions are the primary mode of giving out spectrum, but there are certain cases like law enforcement, public interest functions like airlines, and other areas like satellite services in which the same spectrum is to be used by multiple entities like OneWeb, Starlink, etc., where an auction is not feasible technically or economically," a senior government official explained. The India picture View Full Image Sunil Bharti Mittal, Bharti Enterprises chairman, at 7th edition of India Mobile Congress at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi. (Photo: PTI) OneWeb is expected to begin offering services as soon as the government grants the spectrum, Sunil Mittal, co-chairman of Eutelsat Group, said in a recent interaction with Mint. Eutelsat and OneWeb merged in September 2023. Were ready; the Mehsana (Gujarat) satellite network portal (the first base station that will serve as a signal and data downlink and uplink terminal on the ground) is ready. Weve done some trials, and everything functions very well. Now, the spectrum assignment has to be done," he said. Mittal added that OneWebs focus will be on B2B opportunities in military, oil and gas enterprise, warehousing, industrial applications and cellular backhaul segments. The company has begun trials using demo spectrum, said a person aware of the development, putting it ahead of the competition. OneWebs two gateways in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu will be operational within the next few months. Shivaji Chatterjee OneWebs two gateways in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu will be operational within the next few months. With Hughes as its distribution partner, it will be serving the market right from day one of operations," said Shivaji Chatterjee, president and managing director, Hughes Communications India, which will distribute the services in India and in global markets. Mukesh Ambanis Jio Satellite Communications has formed a joint venture with global major SES, which, executives said, is preparing to launch more satellites into orbit. Were fully ready. Our earth station in Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh, is operational. JioSpaceFiber is being piloted across four locations and the company plans to launch it commercially next year. Services will be launched as soon as the government allocates spectrum," a senior executive said, asking not to be named. Amazons Kuiper meanwhile is preparing to apply for government approval. Project Kuiper will bring fast, affordable broadband to unserved and under-served communities around the world, including rural and remote places in India. This is a long-term initiative for Amazon, and we look forward to working with the Indian government and local partners to connect customers and communities across the country," an Amazon spokesperson said. Why SatCom? View Full Image Union telecom and IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. The government of India is expected to treat satellite broadband as a telecom service. (PTI) The governments decision not to hold an auction put to rest a debate that had been raging for more than three years over the right way for India to permit satellite broadband communications. But what is it about satellite broadband that made the government change its stance on spectrum allocation, and why are global majors willing to bet billions on it? For the private sector, the revenue potential will be huge in the long run, with India having opened up the market for foreign direct investment, say industry executives and market experts. Indias space economy was valued at $8.5 billion in 2023, as per estimates by consultancy EY, and is expected to be worth $44 billion in 10 years, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16%. Satellite communication accounted for 49% of the space economy, at $4.2 billion in 2023, and is projected to touch $14.8 billion in the next 10 years at a CAGR of 12%. The government of India is expected to treat satellite broadband as a telecom service. This implies that new-age Leo satcom players will be eligible for 100% foreign direct investment (FDI) through the automatic route (in 2021, the government permitted 100% FDI in the telecom sector via the automatic route). It would open up investment in Indias space sector. Further, the nascent opportunity in satellite-based broadband services is prompting global players to invest in India," said Prashant Singhal, global leader of technology, media and telecom for emerging markets at EY. According to Deloitte, Indias satellite broadband service market is expected to be worth $1.9 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 36%. In 2020, the global market itself was valued at $3 billion, with India contributing about 3%. Primarily the services offered in India today are business-to-business applications for rural connectivity, disaster relief and machine-to-machine connectivity for enterprises. The Indian satellite communications market is projected to grow in double digits over the next few years, and it should serve as a key enabler to provide ubiquitous connectivity throughout the country. It should also open up new use cases in the agriculture, automotive, aviation, and insurance industries," said Sandeep Arora, industry platform leader for telecom, India, at IT services multinational Capgemini. He added that satellite technology had advanced to a level where it can support increased data capacity at a competitive price point, which is crucial in a value-conscious market such as India. The opportunity View Full Image File photo of satellite services equipment showcased by Jio Satellite at the India Mobile Congress 2023. In the Indian market, commercial applications of satellite broadband fall in three core areas. The first is remote sensing or earth observation, which has found critical application in areas such as crop insurance, yield monitoring, disaster management, biodiversity conservation, natural resource mining and urban development. Second is positioning, navigation, and timing, or PNT (in Indias case this is exemplified by the Navigation with Indian Constellation or NavIC system), which can assume a pivotal role in transportation, communication, and defence. Third is satellite communications itself, where Satcom-as-a-service can create multiple applications in areas such as in-flight and remote-area connectivity, direct-to-home broadcasting, and healthcare, the last through telehealth and tele-education services. Indias satellite communication (satcom) user base could reach 1.5-2 million by 2025 and generate revenue of 5,000-6,000 crore annually, provided the operating environment is favourable, ratings agency Icra said in 2021. In places where there is no terrestrial network, satellite communication is the only option Prashant Singhal Out of nearly 1.4 billion people in India, close to 40%, mostly in rural areas, do not have internet access, says the EY study issued in June 2023. The cost per MHz, per month is high for satellite communication as compared to terrestrial communication. Moreover, there is good penetration of 2G/4G services, which cover almost all places in India. Satellite-based communication services have a lot of relevance in remote/far-off areas. In places where there is no terrestrial network, satellite communication is the only option," said EYs Singhal. The senior government official cited earlier concurred, saying, Satellite broadband is for areas where there is no mobile or data connectivity. Like offshore or where terrain is extremely difficult to set up terrestrial networks." Besides connecting the unconnected, satellite broadband internet has a plethora of use cases across the healthcare, logistics, education, financial services, transport, e-commerce and smart public infrastructure sectors as well as military applications. In addition, there is high demand for instant communication between government and healthcare institutions, which became the need of the hour during the covid-19 pandemic and has remained constant, said analysts at EY. A senior industry executive said that the benefit of satellite broadband was not lost on the government, which wants to ensure that every citizen has data connectivityand through it, the benefits of government schemes. The immediate opportunity lies in consumer broadband, provided costs come down, there is scalability, and certainty in policy. The imminent launch of satellite-based broadband services through Leo constellations is expected to add much-needed capacity in the Indian space ecosystem and help bring down cost of delivery," said Singhal. Technological advancements Leos are small satellites, and are cheaper to make. They are deployed anywhere between 160 km to 2,000 km above the earths surface, allowing for very low latency (data travels from terminals on the ground to the satellites and back quickly). These satellites cover a smaller circular area on the earth, so hundreds are needed for full earth coverage. They can move faster, operate at lower altitudes, and provide good connectivity with low power. Starlink and OneWeb use a constellation of Leos to provide their services. Project Kuiper also intends to use Leos. Next are medium earth orbit or Meo satellites. Theyre larger than Leos, and cost more to make and set up, but only a few are neededabout sixfor full-earth coverage since they are deployed 2,000-35,786 km above earth. Meos have historically been used for GPS and other navigation applications. They can offer Gigabit, fibre-like services from space. Jio Satellite Communications intends to use a combination of Meos and geostationary earth orbit satellites (Geos). Geos move in tandem with the earths rotation, and so remain above the same point on the ground. Theyre deployed 36,000 km above earth and only three are needed to cover the entire planet. Geos were the only satellites in the early years of broadcast television and have hence traditionally been delivering services such as weather data and broadcast TV. Over the past few years, Geos have been enhanced by high throughput satellites (Hts), which are purpose-built for data. Global players such as SES and Viasat use this type of satellite to provide data connectivity. Starlink: The first mover The ability to provide access where no telecom service provider can allows operators to charge a huge premium. Thats why Starlinks plans begin at $99 a month, with an initial upfront cost of $499 for speeds between 50 Mbps and 200 Mbps. The total cost, which includes the antennae, can go up to $1,900-2,000 ( 158,000) a year, which is more than 10 times higher than plans offered by Airtel and Jio for speeds ranging between 100-200 Mbps, according to a report by EY. Airtels plans begin at 799 a month and Jios at 901 a month. Starlink has the first-mover advantage globally, with operations in 50 countries and nearly 4,000 satellites in orbit over earth. It has over 2.6 million subscribers, making it the largest player in the global internet satellite market. The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has already given Starlink the green light for 12,000 satellites offering satellite internet services to trucks, planes and boats. It has also partnered with leading global telecom companies, including T-Mobile in the US, Canadas Rogers, Australias Optus, New Zealands One NZ and Japans KDDI, to provide direct-to-mobile satellite communication sometime this year. SpaceX and T-Mobile will be testing the service in the US over the coming months. Starlink has the first-mover advantage globally, with operations in 50 countries and nearly 4,000 satellites in orbit over earth. It has over 2.6 million subscribers. In India, SpaceX is awaiting regulatory approval to offer Starlinks services. The telecom department has internally agreed to give the company the go-ahead. SpaceX had started to accept bookings in 2022, even before it got any approvals, and ended up having to refund about 5,000 of them after the government intervened. Starlink is clearly champing at the bit as it waits to roll out operations. Not surprisingly, other companies in this domain have taken a leaf out of its book and drawn up their own plans to provide connectivity worldwide. For India, that is very good news. Reliance share price: Shares of Reliance Industries (RIL) have showcased a remarkable surge of nearly 45 per cent over the past year, significantly outpacing the equity benchmark Nifty 50, which has also seen an impressive gain of about 29 per cent during the same period. However, after reaching its record high of 3,024.90 on the NSE on March 4 of this year, Reliance share price has experienced some profit-taking. This month, the stock has witnessed a marginal decline of approximately one per cent, as of the closing on March 20. Also Read: Nifty 50, Sensex jump 1% each; why is Indian stock market gaining today? explained with 5 critical reasons If the stock ends in the red in March, it will break the winning streak of the last four consecutive months. On Thursday, March 21, Reliance share price rose about a per cent amid positive market sentiment. Reliance share price opened at 2,905.05 against the previous close of 2,887.50 and touched its intraday high of 2,915.80 in trade till 1:10 pm. The stock was 0.60 per cent up at 2,904.95 at that time. Also Read: Content creators have mixed feelings about the Disney-Reliance merger We collated the views of fundamental and technical experts to understand what investors should do with the stock. Is there more steam left in it? Heres what they said: Fundamental views Motilal Oswal Financial Services Motilal Oswal has a buy call on the stock with a target price of 3,210. Using SoTP, the brokerage firm values the standalone business of RIL at 7.5 times Dec25E EV/EBITDA to arrive at a valuation of 955 per share. Also Read: BSE share price jumps 8% after Investec upgrades stock to Buy, sees 38% upside potential Motilal Oswal estimates the value of Reliance Retail's main business to be around 35 times EV/EBITDA for FY26E and connectivity at nearly five times to arrive at our valuation of 1,759. Reliance Retails value in RIL shares is 1,547 per share (for its 87.9 per cent stake). Our premium valuation multiples capture the opportunity for the rapid expansion of RILs retail business and the aggressive rollout of digital platforms," said the brokerage firm. For RJio, Motilal Oswal expects a CAGR of 11 per cent and 15 per cent in revenue and EBITDA, respectively, over FY24-26. "The business is valued at an EV/EBITDA multiple of 12 times on FY26E EBITDA. Potential tariff hikes, market share gains from VIL, and opportunities in digital offer an option value of 130, thereby arriving at a valuation of 889 per share, adjusted for its 66 per cent stake," said the brokerage firm. Also Read: Paramount to sell Viacom18 stake to Reliance in India exit The brokerage firm pointed out the government plans to set up two hydrogen hubs in India by FY26 and also plans to provide incentives of up to 4,440 crore for electrolyzer manufacturing through a second tranche. These plans coincide with RIL's aim to set up a large-scale electrolyzer manufacturing facility. Shreyansh V.Shah, a research analyst at StoxBox There was a sustained performance in the O2C segment due to higher gasoline cracks and advantageous feedstock sourcing, which was partially offset by lower downstream chemical margins and planned maintenance and inspection shutdown. O2C earnings in Q4FY24 should see the full impact of higher volumes as well as improving spreads. Also Read: IRB Infrastructure Developers share price jumps nearly 10% after Kotak upgrades rating to Add, ups target price The telecom business is also building robust subscriber growth across mobility and homes and benefiting from ARPU improvement. The retail segment also delivered an impressive financial performance with its rapidly expanding physical and digital footprint, led by store additions, higher store productivity, and a foray into digital and new commerce. Overall, the green hydrogen ecosystem plan, the rapid expansion of Reliance's retail business, and the aggressive rollout of digital platforms provide strong growth visibility. Technical views Jigar S. Patel, Senior Manager of Equity Research at Anand Rathi Share and Stock Brokers Patel underscored that over the past few months, RIL stock has undergone a remarkable upward surge, gaining a substantial 800 points or 36 per cent in value within a relatively short span of four to five months. However, amid this bullish momentum, there's a significant development on the daily chart indicating a potential shift in trend. A bearish AB=CD pattern has begun to emerge, particularly within the price range of 2,900-2,960, Patel pointed out. This pattern, characterized by its symmetry and specific percentage movements, suggests a possible reversal in the upward trajectory of RIL stock. Both the percentage rise from point A to point B and from point C to point D are quite similar, around 32.93 per cent and 32.86 per cent, respectively. Moreover, the time taken for the price movement from point A to point B and from point C to point D also demonstrates a symmetric pattern, spanning 17 and 16 trading weeks, respectively," Patel said. In light of these oBSErvations, traders are advised to exercise caution. They should consider booking partial profits by selling a portion of their existing long positions to secure gains made during the rally," said Patel. "Additionally, it's prudent to refrain from initiating new buy positions, as the emergence of the bearish AB=CD pattern implies the potential for a reversal in the upward trend of RIL stock," Patel said.ead View Full Image RIL technical chart (Anand Rathi Share and Stock Brokers) Foram Chheda, CMT, and the founder of ChartAnalytics.co.in RIL recently experienced a breakout from its resistance level of around 2,800 in January, leading to an upward momentum. However, during the current month, the stock reached a peak near 3,024 level before undergoing a corrective decline. Despite some minor breaches, this corrective decline found support at the 50-day moving average, indicating a potential level of stability for the stock. Last week, the stock predictably found support at this juncture and is now displaying indications of a rebound. It may be prudent to consider initiating a fresh buy at lower levels around 2,820-2,830 levels, while existing holders are advised to maintain their positions, anticipating a higher price target nearing 3,030," said Chheda. Read all market-related news here Disclaimer: The views and recommendations above are those of individual analysts, experts and broking companies, not of Mint. We advise investors to check with certified experts before making any investment decisions. MOTILAL OSWAL FINANCIAL SERVICES 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! Rama Sanyal is in a state of severe shock. The 60-year-old woman had invested 1.10 croreher entire life savingsin a dream home in Mumbai. The builder, however, refused to deliver possession of the flat and later took refuge under the insolvency law. Sanyals dreams lie shattered and her money out of reach, for now. Such is the sorry state of affairs in Indias glowing real estate sector. For most people, buying a house is both a financial and life goal. But risks abound, especially if you are investing in a new housing project. Most well-laid plans go awry when the builder delays handover of your dream house or fails to deliver it at all, for various reasons. Besides, any litigation involving the builder often takes years to be settled. So, when the government enacted the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act and set up the Real Estate Regulator Authority (Rera) in 2017, homebuyers heaved a sigh of relief. Errant builders were expected to fall in line and projects were scheduled to meet delivery deadlines. But has Rera matched the expectations of homebuyers? Enter the Rera Property dealers tell you there has been a sea change in the real estate market after the implementation of Rera. Their slogan is catchy as well, Rera hai to bharosa hai (You can rely on Rera). But homebuyers are not impressed. Builders are still playing truant, housing projects are getting delayed and Rera is unable to take builders to task, say many homebuyers and industry experts. Industry officials say builders exert their influence in civic bodies and hence get away with any delays. But when such delays happen, they are bound by law to pay interest penalty to homebuyers. However, they refuse to do so. Even if Rera issues orders for recovery of such interest penalty in favour of homebuyers, builders do not comply with it. Homebuyers then have to reach out to higher government authorities for grievance redressal. Take the case of a Bengaluru-based IT professional who is stuck in a judicial quagmire for more than 12 years now. I booked the apartment in 2012 with an expected delivery in 2014. By early 2013, over 90% of the amount had been paid through a combination of self-funding and a bank loan. Construction stalled when almost 90% of the project was completed due to reasons not disclosed to buyers. In late 2018, we approached Rera and received a favourable order for repayment of principal and interest in early 2019. The respondents (builder) did not comply with it. I approached the offices of the deputy commissioner and the tahsildar. My files suddenly went missing. Later, with the help of a friend who is an IAS officer, I pursued the matter and my file was found the same day ," says the IT professional who did not want to be named because his complaint is still pending in the courts. The builder challenged the Rera order in the high court, which has directed Rera to take a relook a the case. The entire process will begin all over again," says the IT professional. Sanyal faced a similar plight when she booked her flat in Acme Boulevard, a project by Mumbai-based builder Acme Realties, in 2015. The flat was to be delivered in 2018 as per the agreement. The project started in 2014. The builder got the Rera registration number in 2016, the year the Act was enacted, but has been granted multiple extensions for the project completion. Nearly 300 homebuyers had collectively given more than 600 crore to the builder and are awaiting possession of their flats. A few buyers approached Rera, which issued a recovery certificate. The developer was also sanctioned a loan from a leading bank. How could it go bankrupt?" says Sanyal. Acme Realties did not respond to an email from Mint. The buyers have moved National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) now and hearing in the insolvency case against the builder has started. Sanyal is now staying in a rented flat after paying 1.10 crore to book her flat. View Full Image (Graphic: Mint) Toothless tiger Real estate is a state subject where the recovery processinterest penalty that builders are asked to pay homebuyers for delays in handover of flatsis at the mercy of the state revenue department. Rera does not have any enforcement machinery. Amendments are needed in the Act so that Rera has control over not only passing the recovery order but also its timely implementation. It should be in a position to seize the properties of promoters if they disregard the recovery order. This will have a telling impact on promoters," says Godfrey Pimenta, an advocate who practices in Maharashtra Rera and is a trustee of the Watchdog Foundation, a voluntary organization that campaigns against corruption. To be sure, the ministry of housing and urban affairs (MoHUA) has directed state governments to follow the Gujarat Rera model to execute recovery warrants. Gujarat Rera has appointed retired district judge as its adjudicating officer whose job is to recover dues from builders. They have also constructed a civil prison to put errant promoters behind bars," says Abhay Upadhyay, member of the central advisory council for Rera. An email sent to the ministry on the rise in real estate litigation in the country did not elicit any response. Real estate lobby bodies, too, are silent about the issues. Recovery in the case of project handover delays is just one of the many issues that need attention. Builders are also blatantly violating almost all Rera laws. This reporter recently responded to a social media promotion of an upcoming project by Godrej Properties, a reputed builder. The project, proposed to come up next to the recently launched Godrej Tropical Isle project in sector 146 of Noida near New Delhi, is yet to be registered. Over a phone call, the sales team demanded a cheque for 10 lakh to book a unit of her choice during pre-launch. Sales team at the location informed that the Rera registration number for the project had already been obtained and would be announced soon. Ten days on, there has been no such announcement. To be sure, Section 3(1) of the Rera Act lays out that a promoter shall not advertise, market, book, sell or offer for sale, or invite persons to purchase in any manner any plot, apartment, or building in any real estate project or part of it, in any planning, development or municipal area, without the Rera registration number. Responding to Mints query, a spokesperson of Godrej Properties said, As a responsible developer, we always follow prescribed guidelines set by Rera for all our projects. We do not accept any bookings for a project prior to its registration with the concerned Rera authority." Many developers generate hype in the market to garner interest leading up to project launches. Agents often suggest that Rera registration will be obtained within a week, but this process can extend by 2-3 months. During this time, builders and agents capitalize on the frenzy created from online campaigns, collecting expressions of interest and selling out entire projects within days," remarked Pradeep Mishra, a real estate analyst based in Delhi. Further, there are cases of discrepancy between the proposed date of project completion as shared with the Rera and the duration of building approval. Upadhyay cites an example. As per disclaimer information on Godrej Tropical Isle property, the building plan is valid for 5 years from June 2023, but the project completion date as per Uttar Pradesh Rera (UPRERA) website is 28 February 2030 which is legally not tenable. Notably, the Bihar Real Estate Appeal Tribunal had last year held that the registration of a project on a lapsed building approval is illegal. This clearly shows that Rera is only doing mechanical registration of projects without proper verification of documents," he says. Responding to this, the Godrej Properties spokesperson said, the building plans for our project Tropical Isle have been sanctioned by the NoidaAuthority, as per extant rules and regulations and the same can be renewed further upon expiry basis the process. UPRERA has granted registration of the project basis the required documents submitted with the application." Separately, the real estate regulator is facing a lack of manpower and vacant positions of chairpersons and members in some states. We have been writing to the Maharashtra chief minister about it. Moreover, Rera members need to get trained. Sometimes orders are passed that are not in consonance with the law. This makes us file appeals which adds to litigations. It is important to appoint members having a judicial background," says Pimenta. Rera needs to be strict with project completion deadlines. Section 6 of the Rera Act says that the Authority cannot extend the deadline for project completion beyond one year under normal circumstances. Yet, inordinate extensions for project completion have been provided in many cases without disclosing details of why the extension was sought," says Upadhyay. In some cases, after multiple extensions, builders have been offering possession of flats without an occupancy certificate (OC). I bought a unit in ATS Le Grandiose in 2018 when the project was launched in 2016. Possession was due in June 2020 for phase 1 of the project but it got extended multiple times. The Rera website shows the project completion date as June 2023. It is almost a year now but the project is still incomplete. The builder has not paid land dues to the Noida Authority and has started giving fit-out possession without OC. They are also not complying with the Rera order in which the Authority awarded a 10% interest penalty to buyers," says Noida-based chartered accountant Akshay Aggarwal (30). The project has now been admitted to NCLT, according to the UPRERA website. An ATS spokesperson said, since the matter is subjudice and pending before the honourable Supreme Court, we are not in a position to comment on the issue. As you may be aware, on a legal note, admission of any company into NCLT automatically triggers a moratorium against any and all claims, which would also be the case here." View Full Image (Graphic: Mint) Making sense of Rera websites Details of registered housing projects are available on a Rera website but these cannot be analysed easily. A lot of information remains undefined or are labelled not applicable. A common homebuyer may not be able to ascertain the quality of the project or the track record of a property developer from this. For example, the marketing brochures by developers promise a plethora of amenities in a project while the Rera website mentions only a few of them. It is difficult to ascertain how many amenities have actually received approval from the authorities concerned," says Upadhyay. Upadhyay tracked Rera disclosures of a project launched in 2023 of a leading developer. It was surprising to see that the garage column was left undefined. The size of the garage space and the ceiling height of units could not be found either on the UPRERA website or that of the developer. There was no information about furniture and fixtures also," he says. A builder-buyer agreement is sacred for homebuyers. It is a legal requirement for promoters to upload the draft of the same at the time of the registration. However, the draft copy was not available for this particular project, which is a violation of the Rera Act. The authorities seem to have deliberately overlooked it," says Upadhyay. It is also surprising that developers manage to register new projects while the old ones are incomplete. From a buyers perspective, if they can track all projects of one developer at one place, they can ascertain the quality of a developer. However, this information is not available. While Rera provides for disclosure of promoters track record, it is confined to the promoter entity alone. Many developers have started launching projects in SPV or LLPs or a single entity for one project. These companies or project-specific LLP / company may not have any track record or legacy issues. This way lot of legacy issues are not available to prospective allottees," says Venket Rao, Rera expert and advisor to UPRERA. A change is required to make it mandatory for promoters to disclose track record of all projects executed by its Group companies/LLP or under a brand name," says Rao. The details of financial defaults by promoters are also not disclosed in Rera websites. Project-specific finances are disclosed, but a companys overall health is a key factor. Developers should be made to share loan/borrowing details with repayment default status, if any," he says. Pimenta says there have been cases where funds have been diverted for personal use, but no penal action has been taken despite complaints. If number of complaints are rising against a project, Rera must monitor how much funds have been collected and how much of it has been deployed in the project. If 80-90% funds have been collected while only 20% project has been completed, it is a clear indication that funds have been diverted. The authority needs to call the developer for explanation and issue a show-cause notice. If developers are unable to explain the reason, they should report them to the Economic Offences Wing. Individuals dont have the wherewithal to reach out to different authorities. If Rera does it, itll be a big relief for homebuyers," he suggests. What the data says The Rera implementation status available on the website of MoHUA only shows the number of registered projects and agents and total number of complaints disposed by Rera authorities. This number stood at 1, 20,605 as on 26 February this year. To be sure, publishing annual reports is one of the responsibilities assigned to state RERAs under the Act but they have not been doing it. Most of the state Rera authorities have either not published any annual report or have uploaded only till 2019-2020. Only Punjab Rera has uploaded such reports till 2020-21 and Gujarat Rera has uploaded these till 2021-2022," says Upadhyay. Data such as number of registered projects which are completed, number of delayed projects, number of extensions sought by a project, number of recovery certificates issued and the amount of the recovery are some of key data points that will help homebuyers in making an informed decision. Extreme action against errant builders are needed to set an example for course correction by others. For now, it is business as usual for builders even as homebuyers, pushed from pillar to post, rue their decision to buy a house. Have you ever imagined what would happen if your identity is stolen misused. It could have far more ramifications than one can imagine. The one who steals the identity can use it to open unauthorised account, make unauthorised purchases, apply for fresh loans, so on and so forth. In such a scenario, one collateral damage that ensues is that the credit score suffers considerably. Identity theft, more often than not, can have a significant impact on your credit score in a number of ways. These are six ways in which identity theft affects you: Unauthorised accounts: Identity thieves could open credit card accounts, loan in your name without your knowledge. If these accounts are used irresponsibly or go unpaid, it can result in negative marks on your credit report, lowering your credit score. Missing payments: If identity thieves use your information to make purchases or obtain credit but fail to make payments on time, it can result in late payment notations on your credit report, which can lower your credit score. ALSO READ: CIBIL Score: What is it and why is it important? Key questions answered Increased credit utilisation: If an identity thief maxes out credit cards or other lines of credit in your name, it can increase your credit utilisation ratio. High credit utilisation can negatively impact your credit score. New credit inquiries: When a thief applies for credit in your name, it results in hard inquiries on your credit report. While a couple of inquiries may not adversely impact your score, multiple inquiries within a short span of period may have an adverse effect. Collection accounts: If identity thieves accumulate debts in your name and those debts are sent to collections, it can severely damage your credit score. Collection accounts remain on your credit report for seven years and can significantly lower your score. Identity mix-ups: Sometimes, identity theft can lead to a mix-up of credit information between you and the thief. This can result in erroneous information on your credit report, potentially lowering your credit score. To lower the impact of identity theft on your credit score, it's important to monitor your credit report regularly for any suspicious activity. It is also recommended to work with the credit bureaus and creditors to dispute any fraudulent activity which can help restore your credit score over time. Frequently Asked Questions: How does identity theft affect your credit score? Thieves who stole your identity could provide false information to banks, leading to inaccuracies on your credit report. These can harm your credit score considerably, thus making it challenging to procure credit in the future. What is credit mix? This refers to the different credit accounts you have on your credit report. These include car loans, credit cards, student loans, personal loans, among others. How does a credit mix impact the credit score? Having a diverse mix of credit accounts shows to lenders that you can handle different types of credit in a responsible fashion Is this advisable to take new credit to improve the credit mix? No, it is generally not advisable to take on new credit in order to improve your credit mix. How is average age of credit accounts calculated? Average age of credit accounts is calculated by taking the sum of the ages of all your credit accounts and dividing it by the total number of accounts. 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! Boeings biggest U.S. customers are taking their frustrations directly to its board of directors. A group of airline chiefs recently requested a meeting with Boeings board to express concern over the Alaska Airlines accident and production problems that have upended the industrys plans, people familiar with the matter said. The airline bosses want Boeing directors to address mounting fallout from the Jan. 5 panel blowout on a 737 MAX and to spell out their plan for fixing the aircraft makers quality problems. Boeing has responded by offering to send its Chairman Larry Kellner, a former chief executive of Continental Airlines, and other board members to meet the leaders of its key U.S. customers as soon as next week, the people said. Boeing directors are also expected to meet in coming weeks with CEOs of international airlines that rely on its jets. The request to meet with Boeings directors is an unusual sign of frustration with the manufacturers problems and its leader, David Calhoun. The Boeing CEO isnt expected to attend the planned meetings. Calhoun supports and is encouraging the meetings, a Boeing official said. Weve been actively focused on listening to our customers at all levels of our company," Boeing said in a statement. Calhoun has apologized for Boeings mistakes and said the manufacturer is working with customers and regulators to address their concerns. Calhoun is a longtime Boeing director who was brought on to run Boeing in early 2020 amid an earlier crisis. Alaska Airlines, Southwest Airlines, American Airlines and United Airlines are among the biggest users of the 737 MAX and are waiting on deliveries of many more of the popular jets. Alongside Boeing, airlines have also weathered much of the fallout for the Alaska accident, which resulted in a door plug blowing off the 737 MAX and harrowing emergency landing in Portland. Delivery delays and a slowdown in long-awaited approval of new Boeing aircraft have upended airlines growth plans. Alaska Airlines itself became the butt of an SNL comedy sketch. The Alaska accident has called into question Boeings production quality controls and the safety of the 737 MAX, a workhorse for major carriers across the globe. Accident investigators have said it appeared the jet involved left Boeings factory without critical bolts needed to keep the door plug secured. Boeing has been producing and delivering far fewer aircraft this year as it weeds out quality problems and faces regulatory scrutiny. Analysts expect the company to deliver roughly 15 737s a month for the next few months, down from the more than 40-a-month being delivered at the end of 2023. Ryanair, a European carrier, and Southwest Airlines have had to cut flight-capacity citing lower-than-expected deliveries of Boeing jets. United Airlines is pausing pilot hiring for two months and hunting for new planes from rival Airbus to fill the gap. The slowdown also means Boeings operations are burning cash. At an investor conference Wednesday, finance chief Brian West said Boeing would take a hit of between $4 billion and $4.5 billion for the current quarter, larger than it previously forecast. West also said Boeing was taking more measures to reduce so-called traveled work, where problems with parts or aircraft are moved along its production lines and addressed later. That effort will also slow production, which West said would ramp up later in the year. Airline chief executives in recent months have said they will work to hold Boeing accountable for improving factory qualitypublic comments that are unusual for a typically clubby world of aviation. Others have voiced confidence in the company and placed orders for new 737 MAX planes. I and I know other CEOs have told Boeing, get the issues understood and get the issues fixed," Southwest CEO Bob Jordan said during an investor conference earlier this month. Stop, take the time, understand whats going on, fix the culture, whatever is at work here. But fix this, because we all need Boeing to be stronger, two years from now, five years from now, 10 years from now." Boeings problems have drawn greater scrutiny from the Federal Aviation Administration as well as accident investigators at the National Transportation Safety Board and prosecutors at the Justice Department, which is conducting a criminal probe into the Alaska accident. The DOJ is also reviewing a separate 2021 criminal settlement it struck with Boeing after two earlier fatal 737 MAX crashes. Travel-booking sites say consumers are paying attention to which aircraft they are flying after the recent publicity around Boeing jets. Kayak allows users searching for flights to exclude specific aircraft. Business-travel software company Navan recently responded to customer requests by providing details about aircraft models in flight-search results. Anytime theres an external event, we do see requests for more information, and I think thats the stage that were at right now," said Nina Herold, Navans chief operating officer. Tom Morris, an author and public speaker, is scheduled to travel to Southern California in May for a speaking engagement. He said he picked a return trip that will include a layover in Dallas to avoid an itinerary that would be flown on a Boeing plane. Ill do whatever it takes, but Im not going to fly on a Boeing plane if I can," said Morris, who lives in Wilmington, N.C. Jacob Passy and Emily Glazer contributed to this article. Write to Andrew Tangel at andrew.tangel@wsj.com, Sharon Terlep at sharon.terlep@wsj.com and Alison Sider at alison.sider@wsj.com (Bloomberg) -- Carles Puigdemont, the Catalan separatist who led a failed attempt to break away from Spain, is bidding to make a return as regional president. After six and a half years in exile, Puigdemont is heading back to Spain and plans to lead his party in Mays elections for the Catalan regional government. After strong-arming Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez into granting an amnesty for hundreds of Catalan activists, including himself, I couldnt explain" not taking the opportunity to try to take back the presidency, Puigdemont said Thursday in a press conference. Puigdemonts return will mark a watershed in Spanish politics and enrage the conservative opposition. Hes been demonized in most of the country since staging an illegal referendum on independence in 2017, but was given a new opportunity when last years national election left Sanchez and his Socialists needing a handful of extra seats to clinch a third term in office. A controversial pact allowed Sanchez to stay in power in exchange for the amnesty. I can say proudly, six and a half years later, that all attempts to make us give up, humiliate us or surrender, have failed," a celebratory Puigdemont, 61, said at the press conference in the southern French city of Elna, in front of an audience of collaborators and supporters. This opportunity must be faced with all the consequences as well as all the commitments." Sanchez has said that Julys election result left him needing to make a virtue of necessity" as he struggled to piece together a majority following a drop in support for his main partner. But its still uncertain whether the 52-year-old Sanchez can consolidate his grip on power after a turbulent few months. Puigdemonts return to front line politics wont help. The amnesty law has stirred up huge tensions in Spain, not just among the opposition and its supporters, but also with judges, business groups and even members of Sanchezs own party. But thats just one of the issues raising the temperatures of Spains political class. News reports alleging corruption and tax fraud by some close to both Sanchez and key opposition figures have swirled around the prime minister since he cut a deal with the separatists. The conservative Peoples Party, the largest group in parliament, published a post on an official X account calling Sanchezs Socialists the party of prostitutes and corruption." The Socialists replied by saying that the PP president of Madrid region, Isabel Diaz Ayuso, benefits from the corruption of her partner. Her spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment. The mudslinging started with reports that a government adviser had been involved in profiteering on the sale of face-masks to regional governments during the pandemic, though there is no evidence that any senior officials were involved. Then a local publication reported that Sanchezs wife had business deals with an airline only days before it was rescued by the government. After that, a website close to the government reported that prosecutors are investigating tax fraud by Ayusos partner who Ayuso says has done nothing wrong. Sanchez and his supporters argue that the amnesty will strengthen the Socialists position in Catalonia, Spains second largest region, giving it a shot at winning the next regional election and rebuilding its position in what was historically a Socialist stronghold before the push for independence. The Catalan governments decision to call a snap ballot a year early voting is scheduled for May 12 has disrupted those plans. Polls consistently show the Socialists are on track to be the largest party, but there is no certainty they will be able to govern. Puigdemont has huge influence over a large part of the pro-independence movement in Catalonia, but not all of it. His party, the pro-business group Junts, is vying with its left-leaning rival from within the separatist camp, ERC, for second place. While those two parties forged an alliance in 2017 to push through the illegal ballot, their relationship has soured as their leaders have faced jail time or exile and ERC pushed out Junts to take control of the Catalan government. The big problem for Sanchez is that he needs both of those parties to form a majority in the Spanish parliament in Madrid. The shift and tensions produced by the Catalan election campaign could persuade one of those groups that supporting the Socialist administration no longer serves its interests. The timing of Puigdemonts return to Catalonia is another wild card. The amnesty wont come into force until late May at the earliest, so he would risk arrest if he attends campaign events during the pre-election period. In his announcement Thursday, Puigdemont said he will be present when the new regional parliament sits for the first time, by which point his legal indemnity should be in place. A higher-stakes tactic would be to enter Spain before the vote. That would stir up tensions between the courts and police who have the power to arrest him and the prime minister, who realizes that such a move would trigger a political and potentially a constitutional crisis. One thing however is clear: when Puigdemont does come back, he plans to travel by land across the French border from France, tapping into the memories of another former independence leader who was exiled almost a 100 years ago and returned in 1931 to take part in a short-lived Catalan government. When he fled Barcelona in 2017, Puigdemont did so in secret to escape the Spanish police. The next time he visits the Catalan capital, its a good bet that he will be inviting plenty of attention. (Updates with details in paragraphs nine and 11.) 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! Chinese leader Xi Jinping plans to meet a group of U.S. business leaders next week after a government-sponsored forum as Beijing steps up efforts to woo American firms amid an exodus of foreign capital. The meeting with Chinas top leader is set for Wednesday, and insurer Chubbs CEO, Evan Greenberg, along with Stephen Orlins, president of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations, and Craig Allen, president of the U.S.-China Business Council, are expected to attend, people familiar with the matter said. The list of participants is still being completed and the people said that Beijing could cancel the Xi meeting at the last minute. The sponsor of the meeting, Chinas State Council, didnt respond to a request for comment. U.S. executives are heading to the Chinese capital this weekend for the China Development Forum, an annual gathering where global business leaders rub shoulders with Chinese policymakers. The two-day meeting is slated to start on Sunday. The topics set to be discussed include Chinas economic growth, artificial intelligence and climate change, according to a draft agenda seen by The Wall Street Journal. This years forum takes place as the worlds second-largest economy faces headwinds including an economic slowdown, weak consumption and declining private-sector investment in China. Foreign companies are also seeking reassurances from Beijing about inconsistent regulation and rising operational risks. After keeping a low profile at last years forum, American CEOs will be back in force this year. According to a draft delegate list circulated to attendees and viewed by the Journal, the U.S. will make up the largest global business delegation at this months gathering, with 34 of the more than 85 top executives expected to attend coming from American multinationals. Last March, only 23 business leaders from American companies turned up, with many staying away amid some of the rockiest political relations between the U.S. and China in decades. In early 2023, the U.S. Air Force had shot down what it said was a Chinese surveillance balloon off the coast of South Carolina, and Washington had been stepping up pressure over popular short-video app TikToks ties to China. Among the expected CEO attendees this year are Tim Cook of Apple, Stephen Schwarzman of Blackstone, Ken Griffin of hedge fund Citadel and HSBCs Noel Quinn. Other senior leaders in attendance this year include chip maker CEOs such as Sanjay Mehrotra of Micron Technology, Lisa Su of AMD and energy company Exxon Mobil top executive Darren Woods. The top executives from American food company Cargill, pharmaceutical companies Bristol-Myers Squibb and Pfizer also plan to come. While CEOs Laxman Narasimhan of Starbucks, Dirk Van de Put of snack food company Mondelez International and Enrique Lores of HP will make their first appearance at the forum. The Journal previously reported the expected attendance of Cook and Schwarzman. Despite the expected large turnout, this years gathering has been shrouded in mystery, with the identity of the keynote speaker for the conferencetypically a senior Chinese leaderup in the air, with no definitive details given to participants. There have also been no public announcements about the forum nor any website dedicated to it. The planned get-together with Xi after the forum is Beijings follow-up to a dinner hosted by the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations and the U.S.-China Business Council for Xi in San Francisco in November, according to the people familiar with the matter. Xi had traveled to the U.S. for his first face-to-face meeting with President Biden in a year. At the November dinner, where participants paid $40,000 each for a seat at Xis table, the Chinese leader sought to enlist American corporations help in easing bilateral tensions but provided no reassurance for executives jarred by Beijings increased focus on national security and perceived Western threats. The companies would likely emphasize to Xi the impact that U.S.-China tensions have on commerce, and express hope that ties will remain stable, said Ken Jarrett, a senior adviser at business consulting firm Albright Stonebridge Group in Shanghai. Executives might also bring up issues such as data-transfer regulations, remaining market-access barriers, government procurement and subsidies, he added. Before the San Francisco dinner in November, where U.S. CEOs gave Xi a standing ovation, the last publicized meeting between the Chinese leader and a group of high-profile U.S. executives was in June 2018, when Xi asked global business leaders in Beijing to help fight protectionism, promising to open Chinas market further to foreign investors. Clarence Leong contributed to this article. Write to Liza Lin at liza.lin@wsj.com and Lingling Wei at Lingling.Wei@wsj.com Google Doodle marks the celebrations of Mother's Day 2024 today. The doodle released today, March 21 will be visible across Middle Eastern countries and in some countries of Africa including Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Libya, Palestine, Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Oman and Iraq. This doodle shows the illustration of a mother in the foreground. She can be seen seated on a couch reading out to her child in a household setting. The background has a dog with the word Google and some plants. Also read: Apple in talks with Google for using Gemini to bring generative AI features to iPhones History The history of Mother's Day can be traced back to the early 20th century. This was the time when an American social activist named Anna Jarvis, advocated in honour of the contributions of mothers to society. in 1914, her campaign gained traction, it was then that Mother's Day was officially recognised as a national holiday in the United States by President Woodrow Wilson. In India, Durga-puja which honours the mother goddess Durga, continues to be an important festival. Hence, Mother's Day marks a day to celebrate and honour the most special person in our lives mothers. It is important to note that Mother's Day is celebrated on different days in more than 40 countries across the world. Significance of Mother's Day The purpose of Mother's Day is to express appreciation, gratitude, and love towards the most special person 'mothers' and mother figures for their unconditional sacrifices, support, and love. Usually, Mother's Day is celebrated on the second Sunday in May. However, in different countries, this day is celebrated on different days and usually falls in March or May. In India, Canada, Australia, and the United States, it is celebrated on the second Sunday of May . It is celebrated three weeks before Easter Sunday in the United Kingdom. Let's have a look at some ways to celebrate Mother's Day: Make your Mother's Day special by taking her out or spend the day by having all meals together. Have family gatherings or meals together. Dedicate poems or songs and let your mother feel special by knowing how important she is. Gift flowers, cards, jewellery, chocolate, clothing, accessories, cakes, or other items to express love and affection to your mother. Cook something special for your mother. 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! (Bloomberg) -- Irelands higher education and science minister, Simon Harris, is on course to become the countrys youngest-ever premier after key potential rivals in the race to succeed outgoing leader Leo Varadkar opted not to stand. Harris, 37, who announced he would stand for the party leadership position Thursday, has secured several high-profile backers, including Minister of State Neale Richmond and European Parliament member Frances Fitzgerald. His bid to become head of the Fine Gael party and the countrys next Taoiseach got a boost on Thursday when Paschal Donohoe, minister for public expenditure and president of the Eurogroup, said he would not put his name forward. Im in I want to be the next leader of Fine Gael, Im ready to step up and Im ready to serve," Harris told RTE news. Another possible contender, Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys, told broadcaster RTE she would give Harris her full support. Other potential riders have already dropped out, meaning his appointment looks likely in early April. Varadkar set off a leadership race on Wednesday when he unexpectedly announced he would step down after seven years in office. The next election must be held by March 2025, leaving his replacement less than 12 months to turn around Fine Gaels dwindling support and tackle housing and immigration challenges. There comes a time when we need to move on and you need to make space for new people, new ideas, and new energy," Varadkar told reporters on Thursday, adding that part of the reason he stepped down was the timing of the next national vote. Fine Gael, which leads a government coalition with two other parties, will be keen to ensure their next leader provides stability. It suffered surprise defeats this month in referendums to change outdated language on women and the family, and it faces a major housing crisis and rising tensions over how to accommodate an increase in asylum seekers. These challenges are also feeding support for main opposition party Sinn Fein, whose core tenet is the reunification of Ireland and which hopes to take power for the first time. Speaking ahead of a summit of European Union leaders in Brussels, Varadkar said the referendum results didnt really impact his decision." He added that he would respect his partys tradition of outgoing leaders not endorsing a successor. With more than a decade of political experience, having first been elected in 2011, Harris has risen through the ranks of his party and is seen as a competent minister. He would beat the record of Varadkar, who became Irelands youngest-ever prime minister aged 38. Hes a very, very capable individual," former Irish ambassador to the US Daniel Mulhall told Bloombergs UK Politics podcast on Thursday, adding that Harris had wowed" people in the City of London when he was a young junior minister for financial services. --With assistance from Ailbhe Rea and Caroline Hepker. (Updates with Harris comment in the fourth paragraph.) 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! SAN FRANCISCO (AP) Noriko Kuwabara was excited to try a new recipe shed seen on social media for crispy shrimp spring rolls, so she and her husband headed to Costcos frozen foods aisle. But when she grabbed a bag of farm-raised shrimp from the freezer and saw Product of India," she wrinkled her nose. I actually try to avoid shrimp from India," said Kuwabara, an artist. I hear some bad things about how its grown there." She sighed and tossed the bag in her cart anyway. Kuwabaras dilemma is one an increasing number of American consumers face: With shrimp the leading seafood eaten in the United States, the largest supplier in this country is India, where the industry struggles with labor and environmental problems. The Associated Press traveled in February to the state of Andhra Pradesh in southeast India to document working conditions in the booming industry, after obtaining an advance copy of an investigation released Wednesday by the Chicago-based Corporate Accountability Lab, a human rights legal group, that found workers face dangerous and abusive conditions." AP journalists obtained access to shrimp hatcheries, growing ponds, peeling sheds and warehouses, and interviewed workers, supervisors and union organizers. India became Americas leading shrimp supplier, accounting for about 40% of the shrimp consumed in the U.S., in part because media reports including an AP investigation exposed modern day slavery in the Thai seafood industry. APs 2015 reporting led to the freedom of some 2,000 enslaved fishermen and prompted calls for bans of Thai shrimp, which had been dominating the market. In India, residents told the AP newly dug hatcheries and ponds had contaminated neighboring communities water and soil, making it nearly impossible to grow crops, especially rice they depend on for food. From the ponds, trucks hauled the shrimp to peeling sheds. In one shed, dozens of women, some barefoot, stood on narrow wooden benches enduring 10-hour shifts peeling shrimp covered in crushed ice. Barehanded or wearing filthy, torn gloves, the women twisted off the heads, pulled off the legs and pried off the shells, making it possible for American cooks to simply tear open a bag and toss the shrimp in a skillet. From India, the shrimp travels by the ton, frozen in shipping containers, to the U.S., more than 8,000 miles away. It is nearly impossible to tell where a specific shrimp ends up, and whether a U.S.-bound shipment has a connection to abusive labor practices. And Indian shrimp is regularly sold in major U.S. stores such as Walmart, Target and Sams Club and supermarkets like Kroger and Safeway. The major corporations that responded to APs queries said they deplore human rights violations and environmental damage and would investigate. If we learn that serious issues may be present in a supplier facility, whether through allegations made or audits, we deploy Walmart investigators to gather facts through on-site visits to facilities or through other means," Walmart, the worlds largest retailer, said in a statement. As such, we are looking into the allegations raised by the Associated Press." Pradeep Sivaraman, secretary of Indias Marine Products Export Development Authority, a government agency, traveled to the U.S. this month to represent his countrys shrimp industry on the bustling floor of the Seafood Expo North America in Boston. A chef at Indias booth sauteed a sizzling shrimp curry in front of a case filled with frozen shrimp. Before ending a brief interview, Sivaraman said India is committed to providing quality shrimp to U.S. buyers. He refused to answer questions about labor and environmental problems. Erugula Baby, 51, widowed and destitute, sold her gold jewelry her only savings and then took out loan after loan in her rural Indian village as her son lay dying of liver disease. Her debt topped $8,500 and her son didnt survive. Today shes raising her granddaughters and trying to repay the loans, help her daughter-in-law get an education and, on a good day, eat a small amount of rice. She said she works in brutal conditions, peeling, cutting and grading shrimp in a factory for less than $4 a day, which is $2 less than minimum wage. The working conditions are tough," she said, wiping away tears with the corner of her red sari. Standing for long hours in the cold while peeling and cutting shrimp takes a toll on my body." Baby and other workers said they pay recruiters about 25 cents a day out of their salaries just to set foot inside the processing shed. Transportation in company buses is also deducted from some workers salaries, along with the cost of lunch from company canteens. Many workers have no contracts, and no recourse if they are hurt on the job. Another peeler, Penupothula Ratnam, said she suffers back pain all the time from the arduous work, for which she's paid about $3 a day. Its not enough for our living," she said, breaking into tears. Rarely does she get a day off, she said. Many people in India struggle to survive amid endemic poverty, debt and unemployment. The women AP spoke with said this work, despite the oppressive conditions, is their only chance to avoid starvation. The economic drivers go beyond shrimp, and beyond India, to issues of globalization and Western power. Desperately poor women told AP they werent paid overtime as mandated by law, in addition to not being paid Indias minimum wage. Some said they were locked inside guarded hostels when they werent peeling shrimp. The work was unsanitary to the point that workers hands were infected, and they lacked safety and hygiene protection required under Indian law. And it doesnt meet U.S. legal food safety standards required for all seafood imports. Dr. Sushmitha Meda, a dermatologist at a nearby government hospital in the city of Kakinada, said she treats four to five shrimp peelers every day. Some have nail fungus, caused by small cracks that allow germs to cause infections. Other women have fingers or even their entire hands darkening with frostbite. Meda said that sometimes she has to amputate. Its a preventable problem, she said. Cotton gloves covered with latex gloves can protect peelers hands, but few can afford a $3 box of gloves. The Corporate Accountability Lab said American importers may never encounter desperate and abused shrimp peelers, because large Indian exporters invite auditors into their own state-of-the-art facilities and use them as a showcase to foreign buyers." In contrast, auditors are unlikely to audit peeling sheds," the report said. And while the larger corporate processing facilities appear to meet hygiene and labor standards, CAL said, there are hidden abuses at the onsite hostels where shrimp peelers are housed. CAL found workers living in overcrowded and often unsanitary conditions under the careful surveillance of company guards," only allowed off the premises once a month. No one can enter, no one can leave without permission," labor organizer Chekkala Rajkumar, district secretary for the Centre of Indian Trade Unions, told AP about the large facilities in his region. He compared them to British colonial penal colonies. Anyone talking about the working conditions is kicked out. Its not a worker friendly atmosphere." He said pregnant women sometimes miscarry because of the arduous work. - At one tin-roofed processing shed, AP journalists observed dozens of women working in unsanitary and dangerous conditions. The shrimp, pulled from outdoor ponds in barrels, were swished around by hand in grimy water. Once rinsed, they were dumped onto ice-covered tables, where women stood, peeling them one shrimp at a time. Many handled shrimp with bare hands. Some women had bandages on injured fingers. Some womens long hair dangled into the shrimp. The shrimp at this facility were later loaded in large plastic crates into a truck with the brand NEKKANTI" painted in large letters. Managers at the small shed said Nekkanti Sea Foods and other major brands often outsource the labor-intensive peeling and deveining work to keep down costs. Nekkanti, however, says all its shrimp is processed in a handful of massive company-owned processing facilities approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. A marketing video produced by Nekkanti, which is projecting $150 million in revenues this year, shows shrimp peelers in a spotless room, with shiny tables, and workers wearing gloves, head coverings, face masks, rubber boots and waterproof aprons. John Ducar, an advisor to the board of Nekkanti Sea Foods, said the company had nothing to do with the peeling shed that AP visited and said their branded truck was there only because it was being leased to another company. He provided a document that said Nekkanti was paid $3,600 for the four-month lease of a truck with the license number the AP observed. It appears that you observed the operations of an entirely separate company," he said. The company named in the document did not respond to a request for comment. Though Nekkanti had no connection to the shed or the shipment observed by the AP, Ducar said, the company will work to improve conditions at neighboring shrimp sheds and is reconsidering leasing its trucks. U.S. trade records show Nekkanti shipped more than 726 U.S. tons of farmed shrimp from India to the U.S. in the past year, according to ImportGenius trade data. Records show shipments went to major American seafood distributors including AJC International Inc., Eastern Fish, CenSea, Jetro Cash & Carry Enterprises, King & Prince Seafood, Red Chamber Co. and Rich Products Corp. Those companies, in turn, sell Indian shrimp under popular brand names including Costar, Good & Gather, Great Value and Mrs. Fridays at supermarkets, box stores and restaurants across the U.S. Importers that responded to requests for comment about possible labor abuses said they would investigate, with some suspending business in the meantime. We at Rich Products treat these allegations with the utmost seriousness," said the owners of frozen SeaPak brand shrimp. We are always fully prepared to investigate any allegations and take decisive corrective measures in response to any substantiated claims." - Alongside a busy highway last month, men pulled nets of shrimp from shrimp ponds that had been dug into fields and mangroves, destroying critical ecosystems. Local villagers said the growing industry hasnt just brought abusive working conditions, its also damaging their environment. The massive, murky ponds and their toxic algae, chemicals and sewage have made it impossible to grow crops and poisoned their water, they said. Investigators from CAL say antibiotic use is widespread to control disease outbreaks. Antibiotic use in shrimp farming and other agriculture can lead to rising drug-resistant infections, a growing problem in the U.S. Essentially, we feel lost," said Areti Vasu, a farmer who said he was badly beaten and jailed during failed protests that sought to stop the development of a 57-acre shrimp processing and cold storage plant adjacent to his rice fields. Our lives, our land, our farming pride, fresh air, and clean water everything is lost. We are destined to live here in disgrace." Jonnalagaruvu village vice president Koyya Sampath Rao initially helped build the massive facility, ignoring warnings from environmentalists. Sadly their predictions came true," he said. Our water streams are now polluted, farmland is turning barren, yields are shrinking, and the night air is thick with pollutants." Official complaints about a lack of environmental impact studies and coastal regulation violations have usually been dismissed by Indian authorities. Among the trucks being loaded with the shrimp at a pond in the village was one with a large sign: Wellcome KingWhite." In the past year Wellcome shipped 3,800 tons of shrimp to the U.S., according to ImportGenius trade data. The records show these include distributors Great American Seafood Imports Co., Pacific Coral Seafood and Ore-Cal. Sysco, the nations largest food distributor, has imported in the past from both Nekkanti and Wellcome. A spokesperson said they stopped doing business with Wellcome in 2022 after the Indian firm refused to allow us to conduct a required social responsibility audit in their facility." Wellcome did not respond to requests for comment. The Sysco spokesperson said the company suspended receipt of any products from Nekkanti after APs query this month, and would immediately begin an investigation. Sysco "will continue to hold all its suppliers to the highest standards of labor and human rights," the company said in a statement. ___ Most American consumers say they would rather buy U.S.-produced food. But with only 5% of shrimp sold in the U.S. caught there, shrimp from the U.S. can be harder to locate and considerably more costly. In the 1970s, the U.S. led the world in shrimp production. Shrimp was considered a delicacy. Diners were served expensive shrimp cocktails with less than a dozen shellfish harvested off the East, West and Gulf coasts. Over the next two decades, the use of inexpensive shrimp-farming technologies soared in Asia, and imports flooded the market. Today in the U.S., where more than 5 pounds of shrimp per person is eaten per year, consumers expect all-you-can-eat shrimp buffets and $10 frozen bags at their markets. There are a number of systems failing to prevent shrimp that is produced by forced labor or causes environmental damage from arriving on Americans dinner tables. For one, there is plenty of shrimp in the Gulf of Mexico, but U.S. fishing communities have stricter, and more costly, labor and environmental standards than their Asian counterparts. Last year officials in the region sought financial relief, asking for state and federal declarations of a fishery disaster because they cannot compete with cheap imports that make up 95% of the market. The request is pending. If approved, boat owners typically receive checks for a few thousand dollars, well below their losses. The many small, family-owned commercial shrimping businesses in Louisiana are facing an unprecedented risk of collapse due to the devastating impacts that large volumes of imported shrimp are having on domestic shrimp dockside prices," said then-Gov. John Bel Edwards last fall. U.S. Customs and Border protection is responsible for blocking imports of products produced with forced labor, and in recent years has prohibited imports of some cotton from China, gold from Democratic Republic of Congo, and sugar from the Dominican Republic. No products have been prohibited from India. Eric Choy, executive director of CBPs office of trade, said CBP does investigate allegations of abuse. Youd hope that there was a magic button that you can push and then everything created by forced labor is prohibited from entering, but its a much harder task," he said. It does require us to follow the trail." Last year, the FDA refused entry of 51 shrimp shipments citing antibiotics; 37 of those were shrimp exported from India. The departments of Labor and Commerce havent taken significant action, despite U.S. shrimpers complaints of unfair trade. For too long India has engaged in unfair trade practices causing economic damage to our domestic shrimp industry," said Trey Pearson, president of the American Shrimp Processors Association. U.S. firms rely on industry organizations and auditors to make sure their shrimp imports are raised and processed in a safe, legal and environmentally responsible way. The National Fisheries Institute, Americas largest seafood trade association, works with seafood importers to improve working and environmental conditions in shrimp farming. Any labor abuses in the value chain are abhorrent and they need to be addressed immediately," said NFI chief strategy officer Gavin Gibbons. The Global Seafood Alliances Best Aquaculture Practice stamp of approval is on almost all Indian imports, certifying the supply chain meets their high standards. We take these matters very seriously," the organization said in an emailed statement. CAL said the Best Aquaculture Practice certifications are often performative. Despite strong standards on paper, implementation is often weak," said the report. Fisherman and author Paul Greenberg said he sees a future where the shrimp Americans eat is neither wild caught nor farmed: it will grow in a lab. He said the science is underway to develop those products, and because shrimp isnt flaky like fish, it should be an easier seafood to produce with living cells. In the meantime, hes been trying out vegan shrimp, the shrimp that never died." The texture is good, he said, and the sweetness impressive. Human rights advocates say cost-cutting from U.S. supermarkets, restaurants and wholesalers squeeze producers to provide cheaper shrimp without addressing labor and environmental conditions. CAL says Indian companies need to pay living wages and abide by labor, health, safety and environmental laws. In addition, the organization says U.S. companies need to ensure that the price they pay for shrimp is enough for Indian exporters to treat workers equitably. And, they say, both the Indian and U.S. governments need to enforce existing laws. The presence of widespread labor abuses and environmental destruction in the Indian shrimp sector is undeniable," said Allie Brudney, a CAL senior staff attorney. U.S. restaurants and grocery stores need to purge these unethical practices from their supply chains." Ecologist Marla Valentine, who heads non-profit Oceanas illegal fishing and transparency campaign, said consumers can help. You can use your dollar to make a difference," she said. When this isnt a lucrative business anymore, it will stop." It has worked in the past, she said. Thailand has been called out for labor abuses many times, particularly regarding shrimp, and we are seeing the seafood industry and the Thai government really try to make some of those changes," she said. They are answering the market power, so it shows that change can happen." Mendoza reported from San Francisco and Boston. Kumar and Nagpal reported from Kakinada, India. This story was supported by funding from the Walton Family Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. __ Contact APs global investigative team at Investigative@ap.org or https://www.ap.org/tips/ - This story has been corrected to fix style to Great American Seafood Imports Co." instead of Great American Seafood Co." and delete reference to US Foods, Whole Foods and WinCo Foods after question raised about Great Americans customers. 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! Delhi Police has beefed up security at Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's residence in Civil Lines as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested him in connection with the excise policy money laundering case on Thursday. Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel and additional police personnel have also been deployed there. "The deployment has been made in anticipation of a gathering of AAP workers near his residence," a police officer told news agency PTI. AAP ministers Atishi, Saurabh Bharadwaj, Delhi Assembly speaker Ram Niwas Goel and Rajinder Nagar MLA Durgesh Pathak reached the CM's residence. On the scale of force deployed outside Kejriwal's residence, the Delhi Assembly speaker said it shows that the ED has come to arrest the chief minister. If the court has agreed to hear the case, why is the ED so restless? Manish Sisodia was also arrested without any proof by the agency." The Delhi government will be run from the jail, said Ram Niwas Goel, adding that Kejriwal's arrest will just be a small setback to the party. will emerge stronger. Party and all MLAs have decided that CM Kejriwal will not resign after the arrest," he added. Outside Kejriwal's house, Atishi has said the people of Delhi love CM Arvind Kejriwal, which is why Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP are afraid of him". Arvind Kejriwal is not a person, he is an idea... We cannot go inside because heavy security is deployed. We will wait here. If a popular CM is arrested this way, his supporters from all over Delhi will come here," she said. Without waiting for the decision of the court, Atishi said, the ED has arrived to arrest Arvind Kejriwal. She also questioned the deployment of Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel outside Kejriwal's residence. If this is a search operation, why have they brought four buses full of police personnel? What was the need to bring two buses full of Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel?" "What was the need to barricade the whole area?... This is a conspiracy to arrest Arvind Kejriwal," she stated. According to ED officials, the agency team went to Kejriwal's residence to serve him a summons, shortly after the Delhi High Court refused to grant Kejriwal protection from coercive action in the Delhi excise policy scam-linked money laundering case. The ED team also informed Kejriwal's staff that it had a search warrant. The AAP chief has so far skipped as many as nine summonses of the probe agency in the case. 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! Accusing Congress of 'hypocrisy', BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla on Thursday said Rahul Gandhi is 'disrespecting his predecessors' by putting forward the demand for a countrywide caste census. The BJP national spokesperson was reacting to senior Congress leader and CWC member Anand Sharmas letter to party president Mallikarjun Kharge questioning its campaign pitch around the promise of a nationwide caste census. Speaking to ANI on Thursday, Poonawalla, "The Congress itself has exposed the Congress by showing the mirror to the Gandhi-Vadras and baring their real faces and hypocrisy. Their sole agenda, going into the elections, is to divide the country for a few votes. It's an agenda they are going to people with to mine votes but one they will never commit themselves to fulfilling. Isn't that what Anand Sharma cited (in his letter to Congress president Kharge)? The idea of a caste census was debunked by Pt. Nehru while the Mandal Commission (which recommended caste quota in government jobs and education) was roundly opposed by Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi. Their slogan was 'jaat par na paat par, mohar lagegi hath par' (neither on caste nor religion, votes will be cast in favour of the Congress). This isn't the first time Rahul Gandhi is being called out from within the Congress for taking a U-turn, showing hypocrisy, and disrespecting what his predecessors had preached." Earlier, Senior Congress leader and CWC member Anand Sharma said that the party had never engaged in nor endorsed identity politics" as it is detrimental to democracy" adding that in his opinion the departure from the historic position" will be misconstrued as disrespecting the legacy of Indira ji and Rajiv ji." In a letter written to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, dated March 19, Sharma said caste census cannot be a panacea nor a solution for unemployment and prevailing inequalities" in the country. The letter from the former Union minister comes at a time the grand old party has intensified its demand for a nationwide caste census and former Congress president Rahul Gandhi has promised to carry out the exercise if elected to power in the Lok Sabha elections. In his letter, Sharma said, "Though caste is a reality of Indian society, Congress has never engaged in nor endorsed identity politics. That is detrimental to democracy in a society with a rich diversity of regions, religions, castes, and ethnicities. As a representative of the National Party, Congress has believed in an inclusive approach that is non-discriminatory in formulating policies for equity and social justice for the poor and underprivileged," the letter read. Invoking former prime minister Indra Gandhi, the former union minister said, "It is pertinent to recall Indira Gandhi's clarion call of 1980: "Na jaat par na paat par, Mohar lagegi Haath par". "And after the Mandal riots of 1990, Rajiv Gandhi, as a Leader of Opposition, in his historic speech in Lok Sabha on September 6, 1990, said, "We have problems if caste is defined to enshrine casteism in our country...We have problems if casteism is going to be made a factor for parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies.....The Congress cannot stand by and watch this nation being divided......" the letter added. Sharma said, "All Census Commissioners, after independence, have recorded their reasons and disapproval of a National Caste Census citing overlap, duplication, data lacking in accuracy and doubtful authenticity." Anand Sharma further mentioned that the departure from the historic position, the Congress has taken on this issue is a matter of concern. "It calls for reflection. In my humble opinion, this will be misconstrued as disrespecting the legacy of Indira ji and Rajiv ji. Also by default, that will be an indictment of successive Congress Governments and their work for empowerment of the disadvantaged sections. It also provides a handle to detractors and political opponents of the congress," the letter read. In his letter, Sharma said, The Congress should strive to reclaim its role as a builder of national consensus and build a harmonious society. The articulation of party position should be balanced and eschew the radical posturing of regional and caste-based organisations." ARVIND 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! Kavya Dhakad, a National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) aspirant from Madhya Pradeshs Shivpuri, was earlier reported to have been kidnapped. Kavya studies in Kota and has been missing since March 17. The last location of her phone was in Gurugram. However, even until March 19, there has been no trace of the girl. An investigating team from Kota now says that there has been no kidnapping. The team has called it a ploy to extract money. The investigation revealed that the girl and her boyfriend planned the kidnapping together to get 30 lakh so that they could settle in another country, The Times of India reported. As per a screenshot of a WhatsApp chat doing rounds on social media, the kidnapping photographs were sent to the father. When Kavyas father replied, saying he was sending the pics to the SP, the kidnapper" replied: Send it to whomever you want to. Deposit 30 lakh in the bank and get your daughter back alive. Else, in the next photo, youd find her decapitated." The father replied that hed not be able to accumulate 30 lakh even if he sold all his property. He still asked for bank details so that he could deposit whatever he could. Also Read: Army officer kidnapped from home in fourth such incident since May 2023 Send the money by the evening. Otherwise, well murder your daughter," prompt came the reply. It is believed that the 20-year-old and her boyfriend had been travelling with another friend. Police have nabbed another friend whose Indore apartment was allegedly used to take the kidnapping photos. There has been no kidnapping. As per the available proof, the kidnapping was fake. The student has been staying in Indore," said Kota SP Amruta Duhan. The student had two friends with her. They had plans to go abroad for studies, for which they needed money and demanded the same from the parents," SP Duhan added. As per SP Duhan, Kavya never became a student at the Kota Institute. She had been in Indore while the kidnapping saga unfolded, she added. Jyotiraditya Scindia assures Kavyas father Jyotiraditya Scindia, the Minister of Civil Aviation, earlier spoke to Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma over the phone and asked for help for Kavyas rescue, as per Dainik Bhaskar. Scindia had said that police would investigate and bring the girl home as soon as possible. He had also spoken to the girls father and assured him that his daughter would return safely. 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! Reacting sharply to the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, former Congress president Rahul Gandhi Thursday slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of adopting dictatorial tactics to suppress dissent and destroy democracy in the country. "A scared dictator wants to create a dead democracy," the Wayanad MP said in a post on microblogging platform X (formerly Known as Twitter) in Hindi, without naming anyone. Pointing to a pattern of alleged targeting of opposition leaders, institutions and companies including the media, Gandhi described it to be an assault on the democratic principles of the country. While capturing all the institutions including the media, breaking up the parties, extorting money from companies, freezing the account of the main opposition party was not enough for the 'devilish power', now the arrest of the elected Chief Ministers has also become a common thing," the Congress leader said. The senior Congress leader said the opposition INDIA bloc will give a befitting reply to this. Besides, the former Congress president and several other opposition leaders have condemned the arrest of the Delhi Chief Minister by the Enforcement Directorate in the money laundering case linked to the 2021-22 excise policy case. Opposition leader Sharad Pawar said Kejriwal's arrest showcased the depth to which the Bharatiya Janata Party will stoop for power. "'INDIA' stands united against this unconstitutional action against Arvind Kejriwal," Nationalist Congress Party (SP) chief Sharad Pawar said in a post on X. Condemning the arrest of Kejriwal, CPI(M) Secretary-General Sitaram Yechury said Modi and the BJP are in panic over peoples rejection in the ongoing elections." All opposition leaders who defected and joined the BJP are protected and patronised. They are the Satya Harishchandras! These arrests will only cement peoples desire to defeat BJP, and defend democracy and Indian Constitution." Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said that the saffron party wants to keep the opposition leader away from the public by any means as the party knows it will not come to power again". This arrest will give birth to a new people's revolution," Akhilesh Yadav said in Hindi on X 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! Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev health updates: Spiritual leader Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev Sadhguru on Wednesday responded to PM Modi 's message, saying he was overwhelmed" by the prime minister's concern. Wishing for his speedy recovery, PM Modi wrote a post on X, "Spole to Sadhguru Ji and wished him good health and a speedy recovery." Sadhguru reposted PM's tweet and said, Beloved Pradhan Mantriji, I should not be a concern to you. You have a Nation to conduct. Overwhelmed by your concern, on my way to recovery. Dhanyavad." According to a statement from Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev underwent surgery on March 17 to address bleeding in the skull. Following the procedure, he was successfully taken off the ventilator. The statement further notes that Sadhguru has been making steady progress, with improvements in his vital signs. Also Read: Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev health updates: Healing himselfrecovering, says neurologist after brain surgery Numerous celebrities and political figures shared messages on social media, extending their wishes for Sadhguru's quick recovery. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar wished Sadhguru a speedy recovery. In a post on X, Jaishankar wrote, Deeply concerned on hearing about @SadhguruJV ji's surgery. Wish him a speedy and full recovery." Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut wrote in a post on X, I am numb since I got to know about it from Radhe, Sadguru ji not only hosted massive Shivratri event in that excruciating pain but also refused to skip any meeting or summit Get well soon, we are nothing without you Sadhguru." Sadhguru also posted a video on his Instagram account from his hospital bed. The Apollo hospital neurosurgeons cut through my skull to try and find something but found nothing -- totally empty. So they gave up and patched it up. Here I am in Delhi with the patched-up skull but no damaged brain," he said in a lighter vein. The 66-year-old spiritual leader, known as the founder of the Isha Foundation, has initiated environmental conservation campaigns like 'Save Soil' and 'Rally for Rivers'. Also Read: Isha Foundation's Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev undergoes emergency brain surgery in Delhi: 'They cut through my skull...' As reported by PTI, Vinit Suri, the senior consultant neurologist at the hospital who oversaw Sadhguru's medical care, described his condition as "life-threatening". On March 17, he developed a decline in his level of consciousness, and weakness in the left leg, and was admitted to the medical facility under the care of Suri. The CT scan revealed a marked increase in brain swelling and a decision was taken to operate, it said. Sadhguru underwent an emergency brain surgery on March 17 to remove the bleeding in the skull, the statement said. (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! Electoral Bonds case: The State Bank of India (SBI) has submitted complete details of electoral bonds, including the unique alpha-numeric details of bonds, to the Election Commission of India (ECI). The unique bond numbers would reveal the link between the buyers and the recipient political parties. On Thursday, the SBI told the apex court that it has revealed information such as the denomination and the specific number of electoral bonds. No details other than complete account numbers and KYC withheld from disclosure in terms of SC order," the lender informed the court. This comes after the Supreme Court of India, in a third tongue-lashing to the SBI, said the bank should stop being "selective" and make "complete disclosure" of all details related to the electoral bonds scheme by March 21. On Thursday, the SBI filed a compliance affidavit in the Supreme Court, saying it has furnished all details of electoral bonds to the ECI. The SBI further informed that it has not furnished the KYC details of the political parties and purchasers as it could compromise the security of the party concerned. The details furnished to the ECI by the bank on electoral bonds include the date of encashment, name of the political party, bond number, denominations, last four digits of account number, and payment branch code, the affidavit stated. The details of electoral bonds purchasers submitted include URN number, journal date, date of purchase, date of expiry, name of purchaser, bond number, denominations, issue branch code, and status. In a landmark verdict, a five-judge constitution bench had done away with the electoral bonds scheme, calling it "unconstitutional", and ordered disclosure by the Election Commission of donors, the amount donated by them and the recipients by March 13. On March 11, the SBI, which unsuccessfully sought an extension of time till June 30 to disclose electoral bond details, faced searching questions from the top court which wanted to know about the steps taken to comply with its directions. Last Friday, the SC admonished the SBI for furnishing incomplete information and issued a notice to the bank to explain the reasons for the non-disclosure of unique alphanumeric numbers. In the previously published lists by the ECI, with information from the SBI, lottery king Santiago Martin's Coimbatore-based Future Gaming and Hotel Services emerged as the top bond purchaser and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was the largest recipient, followed by Trinamool Congress (TMC). 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! Today, March 21, promises to be a tech extravaganza, with major launches like Vivo T3, OnePlus Ace 3V, BMW Vision Neue Klasse X SUV, and Microsofts Copilot, Windows, and Surface events. Meanwhile, the Indian Army will honour its gallant soldiers, and Ukraine awaits an IMF decision. The SC will also hear pleas on EC appointments and has directed the SBI to reveal all electoral bond data, decisions that could reshape the electoral landscape. MLC Polls in UP and Bihar: The MLC election in Bihar and UP is scheduled for Thursday, March 21. The last date for filing the nomination was March 11. ED summons Delhi CM Kejriwal for 9th time: According to individuals familiar with the matter, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued new summons to Delhis Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal, requiring his presence for questioning on March 21. This pertains to the money laundering investigation connected to irregularities in the Delhi excise policy for 2021-22. SC to hear pleas against appointment of Election Commissions: The Supreme Court remarked on Friday that it is the Union governments responsibility to elucidate why it proceeded to appoint two new Election Commissioners (ECs) under a statute currently under legal dispute. The Court has scheduled a hearing on the matter for March 21. SC directs SBI to reveal all electoral bond data by Mar 21: To prevent potential controversies in the future and to fully implement our ruling from February 15, 2024, the chairperson of the bank must submit an affidavit by 5 pm on Thursday (March 21). The affidavit should confirm the disclosure of all details within its possession and affirm that no information has been withheld," instructed the bench. Maharashtra: Cong to finalise seat-share arrangement with Shiv Sena (UBT), Sharad Pawars NCP: The Congress is likely to finalise its seat-share arrangement with the Shiv Sena (UBT) and Sharad Pawars NCP faction in Maharashtra on March 21, with the grand old party set to contest from around 19 seats in the state. Sources said while the Shiv Sena (UBT) is likely to contest 23 seats, the NCPs Sharad Pawar faction will field candidates from six seats, according to talks with various partners so far. Indian Armys Northern Command to honour its gallant and distinguished soldiers and units: The Northern Command of the Indian Army will pay tribute to its brave and distinguished soldiers and units during a prestigious Investiture Ceremony set to take place at Prayagrajs military station on March 21. LS polls: Cong to release list for two Lok Sabha seats in Goa: Amit Patkar, Goas state Congress president, indicated that the partys candidates for the two Lok Sabha seats in Goa are expected to be revealed on Thursday. Speaking to TOI on Tuesday, Patkar mentioned that the partys Central Election Committee convened and finalised the candidates for states participating in the initial phases of the polls. Patkar added that the next CEC meeting is scheduled for March 21 in Delhi, during which candidates for both the North Goa and South Goa seats will be announced. HDFC Nifty Realty Index Fund NFO closes on March 21: HDFC Mutual Fund announced the launch of the HDFC NIFTY Reality Index Fund. The scheme opened for public subscription on March 7, 2024, and will close on March 21, 2024. The scheme re-opens for continuous sale and repurchase within five business days from the date of allotment. Vivo T3 confirmed to launch in India on Mar 21: Vivo has officially announced that its Vivo T3 smartphone will be launched in India on March 21. This smartphone is set to be exclusively available on Flipkart and will join the lineup of recent mid-range releases this month, alongside devices like the Nothing Phone 2a, Realme 12, Realme 12+ 5G, and iQOO Z9 5G, among others. Oscar winner Oppenheimer to stream on Jio Cinema: The globally acclaimed film Oppenheimer which won in seven categories at the 96th Academy Awards, will be available for watching on JioCinema from March 21. BMW Vision Neue Klasse X SUVs global debut on March 21: BMW has officially revealed the launch of the Vision Neue Klasse X SUV on March 21, 2024. A teaser image has been shared on the companys social media platform, offering a glimpse of the cars side contour, resembling the current iX model. Microsoft schedules Copilot, Windows, and Surface event for March 21: Microsoft has scheduled an event on March 21, where it is anticipated to unveil new Surface hardware, features of Windows 11, and updates regarding its Copilot AI. Named New Era of Work," this digital-only event arrives as the industry prepares to introduce a new category of AI PCs." Many anticipate that these AI-centric computers could potentially rejuvenate the declining sales of PCs observed in recent quarters. Ukraine awaits a decision on a new IMF tranche on March 21: The National Bank anticipates that Ukraine will secure more than $10 billion in external funding during March and April. A positive outcome from the IMF board of directors will enable Ukraine to access the fourth tranche of $900 million under the EFF programme on March 21. 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! MADISON, Wis. (AP) Michigan attorneys pressed a federal appellate panel on Thursday to move their lawsuit seeking to shut down a portion of an aging oil pipeline running beneath the Straits of Mackinac from federal to state court, arguing that state environmental protection laws are in play. Assistant Attorney General Daniel Bock told a three-judge panel of the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati that the challenge to Enbridge Inc.'s Line 5 pipeline deals with the public trust doctrine, a legal concept in which natural resources belong to the public. He said that concept is rooted in state law. He said the lawsuit also invokes public nuisance concepts governed by state law as well as the Michigan Environmental Protection Act. He added the state owns the bottom of the straits. Theres no federal jurisdiction over this case," Bock said. Bock went on to assert that Enbridge Inc., the Canadian company that owns the pipeline, missed its deadline to shift the case from state to federal court. Enbridge attorney Alice Loughran countered that the case should remain in federal court because it affects international trade between the U.S. and Canada. She said the company didn't have to comply with the standard 30-day deadline for requesting removal to federal court because it lacked enough information to formulate the request. The judges Richard Griffin, Amul Thapor and John Nalbandian questioned Loughran extensively about why the company missed the deadline and sounded skeptical of her answers. It's unclear when they might issue a ruling. The pipeline, known as Line 5, was constructed in 1953. It moves 23 million gallons (87 million liters) daily of crude oil and natural gas liquids between Superior, Wisconsin, and Sarnia, Ontario, passing through northern Wisconsin and Michigans Upper Peninsula. Its part of a network transporting Canadian crude to refineries in both nations. A section of the pipeline runs beneath the Straits of Mackinac, which link Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. Fears of the section rupturing and causing a catastrophic spill have been growing since 2017, when Enbridge engineers revealed they had known about gaps in the pipelines protective coating in the straits since 2014. That section of pipeline also was damaged by a boat anchor in 2018, intensifying concerns about the lines vulnerability. Attorney General Dana Nessel filed a lawsuit in state court in 2019 seeking to void a 1953 easement that enables Enbridge to operate a 4.5-mile (6.4-kilometer) section of pipeline in the Straits of Mackinac, which links Lake Michigan with Lake Huron. Nessel won a restraining order from a state judge in June 2020. Enbridge moved the case into federal court in December 2021, a year and a half later. Nessel asked U.S. Circuit Judge Janet Neff to shift the case back into state court but Neff refused, prompting Nessel to appeal to the 6th Circuit. Enbridge filed a separate federal lawsuit in 2020 arguing the state's attempt to shut down the pipeline interferes with federal regulation of pipeline safety and could encourage others to launch copycat actions and impede interstate and international petroleum trading. That case is still pending in Neff's court. Enbridge has insisted the section of pipeline that runs beneath the straits is in good condition and could operate indefinitely. The company maintains that shutting the line down would constrict U.S. and Canadian oil and natural gas supplies, driving up costs. Rather than shutting the pipeline, Enbridge has proposed encasing the pipes in a protective tunnel. Michigan's Public Service Commission approved the $500 million project in December despite intense opposition. Enbridge still needs approval from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. A final decision might not come until 2026. A federal judge in Madison, Wisconsin, last summer gave Enbridge three years to shut down part of Line 5 that runs across the reservation of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. The tribe sued Enbridge in 2019 to force the company to remove about 12 miles (19 kilometers) of pipeline crossing its reservation, saying the pipeline is prone to spills and land agreements allowing it to operate on reservation land expired in 2013. The company has proposed rerouting the pipeline to end its dispute with the tribe. It has appealed the shutdown order to the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. That case is still pending. 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! Fighter movie OTT release: Riding on the massive success of Shah Rukh Khans Pathaan, director Siddharth Anand released his next film, Fighter. This action movie, produced by Marflix and Viacom 18 Studios, was released on the eve of Republic Day 2024. It was the first time Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone played the lead roles together in a Bollywood film. Made for a hefty 250 crore, the fighter flick took to the skies and soared past expectations. According to Sacnilk, it raked in 254.83 crore domestically and an additional 104 crore overseas, bringing its worldwide total to a successful 358.83 crore The director, Siddharth Anand, has plans on a Fighter sequel according to Pinkvilla. However, he'll hold off on filming it until after the release of the highly awaited Tiger vs Pathaan, which reunites Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan on screen. Though designed for the big screen, the action packed film is now available for you to enjoy at home! You can watch it on Netflix since its OTT release on March 21 at midnight. Fighter movie plot Terrorist Azhar Akhtar is planning an attack on the Indian Air Force base in Srinagar. The "Air Dragons" team is tasked with thwarting the plan. Group Captain Rakesh "Rocky" Jai Singh is leading the team. The skilled pilots in the team comprise Patty (Hrithik), who has a troubled past, and Minni (Deepika), who has feelings for him. Following an attack in Pulwama by Akhtar, India counters with a strike in Balakot. It leads to a Pakistani retaliation. Some team members get captured. Patty is suspended for not following orders. He later joins a rescue mission for the captured soldiers. 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! Braj Ki Holi 2024: Holi also commemorates various mythological events, including the burning of Holika, representing the victory of Prahlad's devotion to Lord Vishnu over the demonic forces of his father, Hiranyakashipu. It signifies the triumph of good over evil, righteousness over malevolence. In regions like Vrindavan and Mathura, Holi holds particular significance as it celebrates the divine love between Lord Krishna and Radha. Also Read: Holi 2024: Go beyond colors! Choose Made-in-India gifts for your loved ones Their playful antics with colours during Holi have become legendary, inspiring devotees to partake in joyous celebrations. Here are the different forms of Holi celebrated in 'Braj': Phoolwali Holi The Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan hosts Phoolwali Holi, where the enchanting tale of Lord Krishna and Radha playing with flowers comes alive. Devotees gather at the temple to witness a priest, representing Lord Krishna, showering colourful flowers upon them. Also Read: Holi 2024: A quick guide on where to celebrate festival of colours in Delhi and Mumbai This beloved celebration draws a large number of visitors who come to partake in the festivities and immerse themselves in the spiritual ambiance of Vrindavan. Widow's Holi On March 23, widows in Vrindavan eagerly await the Widow's Holi at Radha Gopinath Temple. Despite enduring the loss of their husbands, they joyfully come together to celebrate, embracing the colorful festivities. Holika Dahan March 24 is marked by Holika Dahan and Holi of flowers at Banke Bihari Temple, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. In the Braj region, people light bonfires in remembrance of Prahlad's victory over Holika. Also Read: Bengaluru water crisis: No rain dance, pool parties for Holi 2024. See what's allowed, what's not here Gulaal Holi On March 25, Holi is celebrated with zeal in Mathura and Vrindavan, where priests sprinkle natural colours like Gulal on attendees, drawing people from all over the country to partake in the jubilant festivities. Huranga Holi March 26 brings the traditional Huranga Holi in Baldev at Dauji Temple, where both men and women engage in playful exchanges of colours. This festival, celebrated nationwide, symbolizes the arrival of spring and the victory of good over evil, marked by singing, dancing, and joyous revelry. 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! (Bloomberg) -- To understand the 2024 US presidential election, it is essential to understand the politics of fentanyl. Americans have been traumatized by a years-long wave of overdose deaths caused by the synthetic opioid. Once rarely used outside hospitals, fentanyl has become a ubiquitous street drug made by criminal gangs, often in Mexico, from cheap chemicals typically manufactured in China. It frequently is a hidden ingredient in other illicit drugs and can have fatal consequences for unsuspecting users. Ending the scourge, voters indicate, is a high priority. About 8 in 10 voters in seven swing states say fentanyl misuse is a very important" or somewhat important" issue when deciding who to vote for in November more than the number who cite abortion, climate change, labor and unions, or the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, according to a recent Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll of almost 5,000 registered voters. Fentanyl has come up repeatedly in a campaign unfolding after an especially deadly phase in the US opioid epidemic. From just before the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in November 2019 to October 2023, about 270,000 people died of an overdose from a synthetic opioid, according to the most recent provisional data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Those fatalities account for the vast majority of overall opioid overdose deaths, which have climbed to about 80,000 a year. The crisis has received increasing attention on cable news, is the target of scores of bills in Congress and has become a rallying cry from statehouses to school-board meetings across the country. And while ideas range from ramping up treatment options to waging war on cartels, voters appear united by a desire to break fentanyls grip on American society. Presidential candidates are seizing on the issue to firm up support from party faithful and woo voters whose allegiances may have shifted due to the crisis. For President Joe Biden, a Democrat, and former President Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, fentanyl is also a way to talk about everything from immigration and border security to China and crime. Early in his term, Biden made addressing the epidemic the first pillar of his Unity Agenda" intended to bring Democrats and Republicans together. Yet during this years State of the Union address, a gap was on display, as Biden chastised GOP lawmakers for not taking a harder stance. Strengthen penalties on fentanyl trafficking you dont want to do that, huh?" he said. For his part, Trump has blamed Bidens immigration policies for the rise in overdoses. He has called for deploying the US military to Mexico and for using the death penalty as a punishment for drug smugglers. Our country is being poisoned from within by the drugs and by all of the other crime thats taking place," he has said. A Republican National Committee spokesperson said Trump would make America safe again" if reelected. Registered voters were most likely to hold US drug users and Mexican cartels responsible for the epidemic, according to the Bloomberg/Morning Consult poll. Voters from both parties agree the US should work with Mexico and Canada to combat drug trafficking. Drug-overdose deaths broadly are a problem across the US, with recent surges in places like Alaska, Washington state and Alabama. More than 4 in 10 Americans personally know someone who has died from a drug overdose, according to a study by the nonprofit Rand Corp. Just 2 milligrams of fentanyl, equivalent to 10 to 15 grains of table salt, is considered a lethal dose. Traffickers tend to distribute it by the kilogram, which is enough to kill 500,000 people, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration. The drugs street value varies one pill can cost less than a dollar, while a pound of powder can cost well more than $10,000. Since Biden took office, the US has seized more than 100 million pounds of fentanyl and 150 million fentanyl-laced pills, according to data from the DEA and the Department of Homeland Security. The White House said it has denied drug traffickers billions of dollars in profits. In Arizona a swing state along the Mexico border that has seen a recent rise in synthetic opioid overdose deaths fentanyls intersection with US political divisions is plain to see. Emergency medical services in Tempe, home to Arizona State University, receive roughly two calls a day, on average, related to opioids. Wastewater surveillance shows pervasive fentanyl use in the city of roughly 186,000 people just east of Phoenix. Last year, local law enforcement said they helped seize 4.5 million fentanyl-laced pills and 140 pounds of fentanyl powder that federal officials said was being distributed by the Sinaloa drug cartel. We used to deal with traditional drugs and traditional crises," said Sergeant Rob Ferraro, a Tempe police officer who helped set up a program that trains cops on administering overdose antidote naloxone. In the past four years, city police have saved 330 lives with the therapy, and helped get half into treatment through a partnership with a local health organization, according to Ferraro. Yet the success of such efforts hasnt always resonated with voters, he said. There are different beliefs about how fentanyl is getting here. People blame Trump, they blame Biden," Ferraro said. Its no different from anything else in our country: Its very polarizing, very binary." About one-third of swing-state voters trust neither Biden nor Trump to handle the crisis, according to the Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll, which has a margin of error of one percentage point. Some people who have been directly affected by the crisis say that neither candidate did enough to get fentanyl under control during their time in the White House. Its becoming an issue in the election because its been ignored by both administrations," said Jim Rauh of Akron, Ohio, who lost his 37-year-old son to fentanyl in 2015 and now runs an advocacy group called Families Against Fentanyl. The Trump administration ignored it, the Biden administration is now turning a blind eye," said Rauh. Theyve both evaded their duties." The Biden reelection campaign said the two administrations have taken drastically different approaches to navigating the epidemic. Trump was all talk and no action on the opioid crisis, declaring an emergency and then failing to allocate additional resources or even to develop a national opioid strategy as required by law," said spokesperson Lauren Hitt. Meanwhile, the Biden administration has focused on solutions that are popular among both Democrats and Republicans, she said. Democrats were more likely than Republicans to want to see the US make overdose antidotes more available and provide treatment for opioid-use disorder. Republicans, meanwhile, wanted in greater numbers to increase security at the US-Mexico border and limit migration, the Bloomberg/Morning Consult poll found. Harm-reduction strategies such as needle exchanges and efforts to decriminalize recreational fentanyl use were broadly unpopular with voters overall. Progressive cities like Portland, Oregon, and San Francisco have seen a backlash against relaxed drug laws. Oregons Democratic governor, Tina Kotek, has said she will sign a bill to make possession of illicit drugs a crime again, while in San Francisco, voters backed a measure sponsored by Democratic Mayor London Breed that would make welfare recipients suspected of using drugs undergo screening and enroll in a treatment program. Mentions of fentanyl on three major cable news networks began rising in 2021 and peaked in March 2023, when the networks referred to fentanyl in about 1,900 15-second clips, according to closed-captioning data from the Internet Archives TV News archive. Fox News referred to fentanyl about three times as often as CNN in March 2023, and about 13 times more than MSNBC, according to the Internet Archive, a nonprofit that maintains a digital library of web pages, books, videos and software. US Google search interest for the term fentanyl, meanwhile, has generally surpassed interest for its broader class of drugs, opioids, since early 2022 and hit an all-time high in September of that year, according to data from Google Trends. Its a bigger issue than you might think," said Chris Ager, chairman of the New Hampshire Republican Party, a few days before the states primary election in January. Even though were thousands of miles away from the southern border, where its coming from, everybody in New Hampshire, I believe, knows someone whos been impacted by a fentanyl overdose." Congress has also been paying greater attention to fentanyl. Lawmakers in the House and Senate introduced more than twice as many bills and resolutions that mentioned fentanyl in 2023 than a year earlier. For much of the past decade, Congressional Democrats and Republicans proposed roughly the same number of fentanyl-related bills and resolutions, but in the past two years, Republicans introduced more than two-thirds of all legislation mentioning the drug. State legislatures meanwhile introduced more than 600 bills about fentanyl in 2023 and enacted at least 103 laws, according to a report by the National Conference of State Legislatures. @rileyraygriffin has more on the story https://t.co/Umldivgwux pic.twitter.com/hjKuCyvlXe Bloomberg (@business) March 21, 2024 Partisan wrangling over how to address fentanyl worries some drug-policy experts, as well as immigration advocates and local officials. When I started working on this issue, it wasnt as politicized as it is today," said Regina LaBelle, director of the Addiction and Public Policy Initiative at the ONeill Institute at Georgetown University, who helped lead opioid strategy in the Biden and Obama administrations. It can be hard to get voters excited about public-health measures like prevention and treatment, she said. Its simpler in a sound bite to say Chinas killing our people or its immigrants coming across the border," she said. Fatima Saidi, the national campaign director for We Are All America, which advocates for immigrant and refugee rights, said politicians are conflating criminals with people seeking safety. When youre angry, you need something to punch and its the most vulnerable who are taking the punching," she said. Immigrants and refugees at the border should not be their punching bags." Seeing politicians use fentanyl to push border control isn't surprising to Lane Santa Cruz, a Democrat on the Tucson, Arizona, City Council. We see that time and time again with the war on drugs and the oversimplification of how drugs get to the US," she said. Cruz ran for office in part because after she lost her brother to a fentanyl overdose in 2016, she wanted to protect young people in her community. She considers casting fentanyl as a border issue a fear tactic. Blaming things on the border doesnt address the root cause of why demand for drugs exists," she said. In an interview steps from the White Houses West Wing, Rahul Gupta, the director of National Drug Control Policy, said Biden is focused equally on stopping traffickers and treating addiction. Those are two sides of the same coin," Gupta said. The death toll from the opioid crisis has been slowing but remains near all-time highs. Reported opioid overdose fatalities were down about 2.3% in the 12 months through October, according to provisional data from the CDC, and deaths from synthetic opioids like fentanyl, a subset of opioid-related deaths, were down about 0.3%. The administration continues to push to make naloxone more accessible, Gupta said, and has taken steps to ensure people with opioid-use disorder can continue to get treatment from home, as they were throughout the pandemic. The opioid epidemic, Gupta said, is like a large ship. Weve been able to slow it down and stop it. We have to now turn it around." The US is targeting accountants, real-estate agents, wealth managers and lawyers that enable the drug trade, Gupta added. The administration also wants to ramp up searches of vehicles crossing into the US. Some 90% of all interdicted fentanyl is stopped at these ports of entry, primarily in vehicles driven by US citizens, according to the Department of Homeland Security. Gupta said it is difficult for officials to catch because fentanyl, which is 50 times more potent than heroin, is often moved in small quantities. Biden has blamed Trump for encouraging conservative lawmakers to hold up a bipartisan border-security bill that would install 100 inspection machines at the Southwest border and strengthen US authority to sanction foreigners involved in fentanyl trafficking. This bill would save lives and bring order to the border," Biden said in this years State of the Union speech. Still, some voters in his own party are skeptical of Biden when it comes to handling the challenges posed by fentanyl. About six in 10 Democrats in swing states said they trust him more than Trump to navigate the crisis, according to the Bloomberg/Morning Consult poll. Among swing states surveyed, at least two Nevada and Arizona recorded an increase in overdoses from synthetic opioids in the 12-month period through October, according to the CDC, a sign that fentanyl is likely to remain a pivotal issue for voters until Election Day. Eight in 10 voters in Arizona see fentanyl as a very important or somewhat important issue when deciding who to vote for later this year, according to the Bloomberg/Morning Consult poll. They were more likely to blame US drug users and Mexican drug cartels for the crisis than any other entity. More said working with Mexico and Canada to combat drug trafficking or targeting foreign synthetic drug suppliers would be effective than said so about public-health measures. Near the outset of the pandemic, Theresa Guerrero of Tucson, lost her 31-year-old son, Jacob, to a fentanyl overdose. At first, Guerrero didn't want family or friends to know how he died. Soon, however, Guerrero said she realized that the problem was only getting worse, and threw herself into raising awareness about fentanyl. She recently appeared in a video about the drugs toll on families for Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb, who is seeking a US Senate seat by promising to bolster border security an issue Guerrero said wasnt important to her before Jacob died. We are a superhighway in Arizona, with a crazy amount of pills coming through," she said. Our kids are not overdosing. Theyre being poisoned." --With assistance from Nancy Cook and Allan James Vestal. 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! The United States recognises Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territory and strongly opposes any unilateral attempts by China to advance its territorial claims across the Line of Actual Control, a senior Biden administration official has said, days after the Chinese military reiterated its claim over the state following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit there. Earlier this week, Chinese Defence Ministry spokesman Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang said that the southern part of Xizang (the Chinese name for Tibet) is an inherent part of China's territory, and Beijing "never acknowledges and firmly opposes" the "so-called Arunachal Pradesh illegally established by India". China, which claims Arunachal Pradesh as South Tibet, routinely objects to Indian leaders' visits to the state to highlight its claims. Beijing has also named the area Zangnan. On March 9, Prime Minister Modi dedicated to the nation the Sela Tunnel built at an altitude of 13,000 feet in Arunachal Pradesh that will provide all-weather connectivity to strategically located Tawang and is expected to ensure better movement of troops along the frontier region. Also Read: Arunachal Pradesh is Chinese territory: PM Narendra Modi's visit irks Beijing; China remarks, India has no right to Speaking at his daily press conference on Wednesday, State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said, "The United States recognises Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territory and we strongly oppose any unilateral attempts to advance territorial claims by incursions or encroachments, military or civilian, across the Line of Actual Control." India has repeatedly rejected China's territorial claims over Arunachal Pradesh, asserting that the state is an integral part of the country. New Delhi has also dismissed Beijing's move to assign "invented" names to the area, saying it did not alter the reality. Also Read: India responds to China: Arunachal Pradesh will always be integral and inalienable part of India The Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday said it has noted the latest comments made by the spokesperson of the Chinese Defence Ministry advancing absurd claims" over the territory of Arunachal Pradesh and asserted that the state "was, is and will always be" an integral and inalienable part of India. 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! In an indirect criticism aimed at Pakistan for its support of cross-border terrorism, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday that modern India does not endure the agony of terrorism but instead imparts a stern lesson to perpetrators of such violence. He highlighted that the world is observing the consequences faced by those who instigate terror attacks against India. Speaking at the News 18 Rising Bharat Summit 2024, PM Modi said, Whether it is those who protect terrorism or countries who want progress and peace, all of them have experienced Rising Bharat." This new India does not tolerate pain from terrorism but teaches a lesson to those resorting to such attacks. Those who gave us terror attacks, what is their condition, the citizens are seeing as also the world," he further added. Prime Minister Modi recalled the Balakot airstrikes conducted by the Indian Air Force on a terrorist camp in Pakistan on February 26, 2019, following the Pulwama terror attack. He mentioned that he had addressed the Network-18 Rising India Summit on the evening prior to the airstrikes. Also Read: 'India committed to combating piracy and terrorism in Indian Ocean region,' says PM Modi The issue of terrorism originating from areas under Pakistan's jurisdiction continues to be a central concern in bilateral relations. India has consistently emphasized the importance of Pakistan taking tangible, irreversible, and verifiable measures to halt cross-border terrorism. Nation First approach," says PM Prime Minister Modi urged citizens to embrace the spirit of Nation First," emphasizing that such dedication would fortify the bedrock of a flourishing India. He highlighted, The day you all align your work with the nation... that day is when the seed of 'nation first' has sprouted in you." Technology to catch corruption: PM Prime Minister Modi expressed optimism about the BJP-led NDA securing victory in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. He underscored that the government is diligently crafting a roadmap for the next 25 years and even planning ahead for the next century. Also Read: PM Modi US visit: 'No room for ifs and buts in dealing with terrorism..,' says Modi Additionally, he emphasized the government's commitment to combating corruption through decisive action. Our government is employing technology to catch the corrupt, and therefore it's easier to nab them. Today, it's becoming hard to hide money trails, and therefore, stashs of money are being found now from beds and walls. A bundle of notes are being unearthed from a Congress MP's home...and hence they are rattled," he said. PM Modi on Centre's work PM Modi emphasised that over the last decade, India has moved forward with the mantra of 'Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas'--that is, collective efforts for inclusive growth. He said 25 crore people have come out of poverty in the last 10 years. India moved from the 10th largest economy to the fifth. India's forex reserves crossed $700 billion. India's exports have increased exponentially. We need to do a lot more," PM Modi added. Also Read: PM Modi says NDA is 'planning first 100 days of 3rd term' ahead of Lok Sabha polls: India has no reason to be behind He further noted, Today, the entire world considers the 21st century the century of India. Big rating agencies and economists are assured of rising India. Why is it that they aren't raising any questions? It's because the entire world is witnessing how India has brought big changes in the last 10 years." Highlighting India's growth in the technology sector, PM Modi said, India's rapid progress in digital public infrastructure has revolutionised public service delivery and enhanced financial inclusion. Riding on the power of youth and technology, India has rapidly developed into the world's third largest startup eco-system." (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! (Bloomberg) -- Montenegros top prosecutor is challenging recent court decisions to extradite Terraform Labs Pte co-founder Do Kwon to his native South Korea, as the Balkan country faces dueling demands from Seoul and US that both want to try him for the $40 billion collapse of the TerraUSD stable coin in 2022. Montenegros choice where to send the former crypto mogul seemed final earlier this week when its Appellate Court backed decisions that opted for South Korea. However, the office of Supreme State Prosecutor on Thursday said procedural errors were made, which requires to escalate the case to the nations Supreme Court. Both the Appellate and High Court allegedly mishandled the case of the high-profile detainee by going beyond their authority to make a decision on extradition, which is the exclusive right of the Justice Minister," the prosecutors said in a statement on his website. The latest twist may open way for Do Kwons extradition to the US, as preferred by Montenegros government officials. Kwons defense team, on the other hand, sought handover to his native country where penalties for white-collar crimes are lower than in the US. Even if Kwon is extradited to South Korea, the government there could still reach a deal with the US to have him tried in New York first. The US could argue that it has a stronger ability to seize Kwons assets around the world and agree to share them with South Korea. Read more: US to Fight Do Kwon Extradition to South Korea: Crypto in DC Kwon was arrested in Montenegro in March 2023 for traveling on a fake passport, along with his associate Han Chang-joon, who was handed over to South Korea last month. Read more: How Do Kwon Went From Crypto King to Fugitive to Jail: QuickTake 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! Against the backdrop of new attacks being launched by armed gangs in the suburbs of Port-au-Prince, India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday said that the country has launched "Operation Indravati" to evacuate Indian nationals from Haiti. They are being evacuated to the Dominican Republic. Jaishankar said that the Centre was fully committed to the security and well-being" of the Indian nationals abroad. In a post on social media platform X, Jaishankar wrote: "India begins Operation Indravati to evacuate its nationals from Haiti to the Dominican Republic. 12 Indians evacuated today. Fully committed to the security and well-being of our nationals abroad. Thank the Government of the Dominican Republic for their support." Earlier this week on Wednesday, US State Department also announced that more than 15 Americans were airlifted from Haiti to Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic. The development comes at a time when the country, which is yet to recover from 2010 earthquake, has been witnessing violent gang wars. On February 29, gangs in Haiti staged attacks across Port-au-Prince. Over the next few days, they burned police stations, shut down the country's main airport, stormed the two biggest prisons and freed thousands of prisoners. On March 3, Haiti declared emergency and impose a nighttime curfew. According to the Associated Press (AP), Haiti's most powerful gang leader Jimmy Cherizier had been demanding the resignation of Ariel Henry, the country's acting prime minister. Later, Henry on March 12 announced that he would be stepping down as the country's prime minister. However, he did not offer any timeframe and continues to hold the post. He is currently exiled in Puerto Rico. Jean-Charles Moise recently formed an alliance with Guy Philippe, a former rebel leader who helped overthrow former President Jean-Bertrand Artistide and who was repatriated to Haiti in November after serving time in a US prison after he pleaded guilty to money laundering. 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 world of science is full of numbers that mean something, sometimes called constants". Im not referring to 1, 2, 3, and so on, though, of course, those certainly mean something as well. Theres pi, and phi (the golden ratio), and e, mathematical constants that pop up all over the place. But theres also the Avogadro constant, the speed of light, and acceleration due to gravity... And theres my favourite, the Hubble Constant that says things about this universe we inhabit. But before I explain why I like it, heres a rundown of how Edwin Hubble, the 20th Century astronomer, came to define the number and give it a value, and what it means for our understanding of the universe. Youve heard of the Doppler effect: Its the change in frequency of a wave you notice, if you and the source of the wave are moving relative to each other. Plainer language, you say? Certainly youve noticed the change in the pitch of a trains horn as it moves past you. The horn is higher pitched as a train approaches you, lower as it moves away. Thats the Doppler effect: The sound is shifted" lower or higher depending on how the train is moving. Well, astronomers noticed distant galaxies producing the same kind of shift. Not in some sound they make, but in the light that they emit that reaches us. That light is Doppler-shifted, too, and (in general) towards the lower-frequency red end of the light spectrum. What does this red shift" tell us? That those galaxies are moving, and moving away from us. In turn, that means the universe is expanding. This was a fundamental, profound discovery about the universe. It raised all sorts of questions. What is it expanding into? Will it stop expanding at some point, and start collapsing? Is the expansion slowing down or accelerating, or is it steady? And how fast is it expanding, anyway? Edwin Hubble was the first to offer an answer to some of these questions, and it was a surprising one: The further a galaxy is from us, the faster it is receding from us. In other words, the red shift of a given galaxy doesnt just tell us how fast it is moving; it is also a measure of its distance from us. The Hubble Constant captures this, and Hubble estimated it at 500km/second per megaparsec (mpc). (The megaparsec is a unit of distance, equivalent to about 3.25 million light years, or mly.) He is now believed to have overestimatedcontemporary measurements suggest it is closer to 65km/s/mpc. Like with most things to do with the universe, this constant involves quantities almost too huge to comprehend. The closest star to us, Proxima Centauri, is about 4.3 light years awayitself about 40 trillion km. Milky Way galaxy is about 100,000 light years across. So, a megaparsec is about 750,000 times the distance to Proxima Centauri, and over 30 times the diameter of the Milky Way. The Hubble Constant says that with each megaparsec out into space from the Earth, an objects velocity increases by 65km/s. One way to understand this is to consider a galaxy thats more or less stationary, one mpc away. With every second, it moves another 65km away. Or imagine that we find a galaxy whose red shift says it is speeding along at 200km/s. The Hubble Constant tells us it is about 3mpc (200/65) away. If thats still hard to comprehend, think of friend, Manjula who jumps on her bike, saying: Im going to flee from you. With each kilometre I put between us, my speed will increase by 5kmph." Her Manjula Constant, if you like, is 5kmph/km. With a toss of her hair, she pedals off. Some time later, she zooms past friend Mandeep, who measures her speed and reports to you: 20kmph. You know that Manjula is now 4km (20/5) from you. Whats more, her constant also gives you an estimate of how long Manjula has been pedalling. Invert it to get 1/5, or 0.2 hours, which is 12 minutes. Thats how long it takes to travel 4km at 20kmph. Thats how long its been since she left. This is what makes the Hubble Constant my favourite. Because by simply inverting it, we have an estimate of the age of the universewe effectively roll the clock back to that gargantuan primeval explosion we know as the Big Bang. Try it: invert 65km/s/mpc and do some relatively straightforward arithmetic. Youll come up with a figure of a little less than 16 billion years. The thing is, though, we dont have the Hubble Constant down precisely. Astronomers have generally used three different methods to calculate it, and the values they get vary: about a 10% difference between figures. That may not be much, considering there is an inherent uncertainty in measuring red shifts and distances on these cosmic scales. Still, a respected science journalist recently wrote: [A]s far as anyone can tell, theres nothing wrong with [these measurements], and theres no obvious way to get them to agree" (Gravitational lens gives us a third estimate of the Universes expansion, John Timmer, Ars Technica, 13 May 2023) So persistent is this difference that it has come to be known as Hubble Tension". One method of calculating the Hubble Constant involves a certain class of stars known as the Cepheid variables. A recent paper builds on data from over a thousand Cepheids observed by James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). They were earlier observed with the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). There was some suspicion that the HST observations were not very accurate; the superior resolution of JWST negates" such inaccuracies. Even so, the paper conclude[s] that errors in [HST measurements] of Cepheids...do not significantly contribute to the [Hubble] tension." (JWST Observations Reject Unrecognized Crowding of Cepheid Photometry as an Explanation for the Hubble Tension at 8 Confidence, Adam G. Riess et al., Astrophysical Journal Letters, 6 February 2024) An entire scientific effort merely to confirm that the Hubble tension still exists! I love astronomy. And mathematics. And science. And reason. PS: Next weeks column will be my last in this space. Its been 13 years and something like 400 columns. Ive loved writing them, I am so grateful that you read them and I hope they gave you things to think about. Once a computer scientist, Dilip DSouza now lives in Mumbai and writes for his dinners. His Twitter handle is @DeathEndsFun. The World Happiness Report for 2024 by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network has some notable findings. The US has fallen out of the top 20 for the first time since the report started more than a decade ago. And old people are happier than the young, though this holds true across all surveyed countries. Finns are the happiest, claiming the top spot for the seventh consecutive year, followed by Danes, Icelanders and Swedes. Nordic countries are seen to be happier on account of welfare states that grant everyone access to basic amenities. At the other end, Afghanistan is ranked the worst. With individual rights choked under Taliban rule, its no surprise that its people have little to be cheerful about. As for India, it stays at No. 126, while China is No. 60, Pakistan is No. 108, Sri Lanka is No. 128 and Bangladesh No. 129. Several factors go into happiness, among them GDP per head, social support, life expectancy and freedom, apart from levels of generosity and corruption. The expansion of Indias economy should lift our mood on all these counts. Perhaps we also need a more people-centric approach that results in a more even distribution of economic gains. Its almost impossible for an artificial intelligence (AI) startup to build anything as good as ChatGPT, but a company called Inflection was getting there. Last year the Palo Alto, California-based firm raised $1.3 billion in a single fund-raising round to turn its chatbot Pi into a personal assistant for everything. It built up a phenomenal cache of computing power, gaining access to thousands of coveted graphics-processing unit chips from Nvidia and was on track to surpass OpenAIs free version of ChatGPT with a model it had built, remarkably, from scratch. Compared to most startups, Inflections path to success looked smooth. So it came as a shock to the industry on Tuesday when Inflection announced that its co-founders Mustafa Suleyman and Karen Simonyan, along with most of its employees, would be joining its investor Microsoft as employees, and that Suleyman would lead the software giants consumer AI business. What happened? Had Inflection run out of all that money in less than a year? If large portions of the funding were in cloud credits, perhaps it had, and those credits can now flow back to Microsoft. Suleyman also told Bloomberg last year that Inflection lacked a business model. But plenty of tech startups have coasted on venture capital dollars for years before being able to open the revenue spigots. That Inflection has been swallowed so quickly by Microsoft underscores a stark new reality: With AI, legacy tech companies are sucking the innovation out of the room like a giant squid and more rapidly than with previous waves of technology. And theyre doing it right under the noses of regulators. Requirements around computing power and talent have made it too expensive for most companies to build cutting-edge generative AI models without the patronage of a tech giant like Microsoft, Google or Meta. Case in point: Apple is said to be thinking of outsourcing its generative AI efforts to Google. Until now, Microsofts strategy seemed to be one of hedging its bets. It made a major investment in OpenAI, but it also invested in hot AI rivals including Inflection and Mistral. Now, its starting to adopt the Mark Zuckerberg School of Competition playbook, blasting smaller contenders out of existence so theyre no longer a threat, and pulling their talent into its orbit as its now doing with Inflection. That may have been the plan all along for Inflection, whose other co-founder is Reid Hoffman, the billionaire who sold LinkedIn to Microsoft and then joined the software giants board. Hoffman went on to broker the meetings that led to Microsofts investment in OpenAI, so he may well have been pivotal to the Inflection deal. (The night before Tuesdays announcement, I happened to spot Hoffman walking out of an AI conference in Paris and into a private meeting with Kevin Scott, Microsofts chief technology officer.) Hiring Inflections staff, rather than just buying the company outright, is a clever sleight of hand by Microsoft in the face of rising antitrust scrutiny of Big Tech firms in the AI space. According to Bloomberg News, Inflections investors will be made whole, possibly by a licensing deal between Inflection and Microsoft. That sounds a lot like an acquisition wrapped up in a hiring spreethe kind of shrewd move youd expect from a company thats spent years learning how to bat away antitrust regulators, ever since its bouts with the EU in the early 2000s. Thats likely why Microsoft has managed to purchase large players like Activision Blizzard and Nuance Communications and side-step antitrust probes into those deals, while Meta was blocked by British antitrust authorities for trying to buy a gif site called Giphy for just $315 million. Because Big Tech buys rather than innovates, the strategy benefits Microsoft. So long as it can keep finding ways to capture the worlds top AI talent, Microsoft can maintain pole position in the AI arms race. It is worth noting that Inflection co-founder Suleyman had noble goals for the firm that werent so different from those of OpenAI once upon a time. Having previously worked at Googles DeepMind, where he tried building an independent ethics council for its AI efforts, hed made Inflection a public benefit corporationmeaning it had to legally prioritize its social and environmental impact at the same level as its commercial obligations. AIs builders often start their journeys with humanitarian objectives, before realizing theyre caught in a system where theres only one outcome: helping fatten legacy tech companies and entrench their dominance. Inflection seems to have done that far quicker than anyone expected by joining Microsoft. Antitrust regulators will probably take notebut whether Microsoft will avoid their sanctions yet again is another question. bloomberg Who decides whether TikTok stays Chinese, is banned or sold? Washington. Who determines whether an American or Japanese company gets to buy United States Steel? Washington. Who is giving Intel $8.5 billion to make semiconductors in the U.S.? You get the picture. Across the U.S., business decisions once made in boardrooms or shareholder meetings increasingly depend on politics. The U.S. isnt sliding toward socialism, in which the government controls the means of production. It may, however, be slouching toward state capitalism, in which government regularly intervenes in business to ensure it serves the national interest. The problem, as both the TikTok and U.S. Steel affairs show, is that the national interest is constantly being redefined to fit the political priorities of the day. While the U.S. has never been a laissez-faire paradise, more than other countries it believed in free-market capitalism and let efficiency and profits determine the allocation of capital. Neither Donald Trump nor President Biden believe in that. Both are happy to use all the levers of the federal government, whether taxes, subsidies, regulations or the bully pulpit, to tilt business decisions toward their own vision of the national interest. When the House of Representatives voted to force the sale or ban of TikTok, the short-video app owned by Beijing-based ByteDance, Chinas Ministry of Commerce demanded, according to Xinhua, that the U.S. earnestly respect the market economy and the principle of fair competition, and provide an open, fair, just and nondiscriminatory environment for enterprises from all countries." Either irony is dead, or the Chinese Communist Party has a subversive sense of humor. Its entire economic model revolves around selectively flouting principles of the market economy and fair competition, including by systematically discriminating against foreign enterprises. Chinas state capitalism has so effectively tilted the international playing field in its own favor that it has forced others, including the U.S., to adopt their own versions of state capitalism. Trump was an early convert to state capitalism, albeit a somewhat personal, ad hoc kind. He browbeat one company into keeping a factory open instead of moving it to Mexico. He used trade policy to punish foreign competitors and favor American companies. At the request of Boeing, Trumps Commerce Department hit Canadas Bombardier with crippling tariffs. This forced it to sell control of a new regional jet, whose production soon moved to Alabama from Canada. Claiming the U.S. military needed a domestic source of steel, Trump imposed tariffs on imports of the metalfrom military allies. In 2020, he tried, and failed, to force the sale of TikTok to American investors. Trump has now decided that Chinese ownership of TikTok is less of a threat to the public than Facebook, which suspended Trumps account after the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot. Earlier this month, he came out against banning TikTok, before demurringinstantly weakening Republican support for a sale or ban. Biden has pursued a less personal, more refined version of state capitalism with two stated aims: promoting domestic manufacturing and green energy, and safeguarding national security by restricting the export of sensitive technology and knowledge. In practice, these have become the same thing. When every microchip has a military and civilian application and any database can become a channel of foreign influence, then even cargo cranes are fair game. And when Biden last week declared his opposition to Japanese steel giant Nippon Steels proposed purchase of Pittsburgh-based United States Steel, he showed that his version of state capitalism can be as personal, political and ultimately counterproductive as Trumps. Biden said U.S. Steel should stay in U.S. hands. But why? Nippons deep pockets, close relationship with Japanese automakers and expertise making the specialized thin steel for electric-vehicle motors would make U.S. Steel stronger. A Japanese American counterweight to Chinese behemoths would embody Bidens vision of cooperation among market democracies. But the United Steelworkers doubted Nippon Steels commitment to its unionized plants and came out against it. So, too, did senators from the swing states of Ohio and Pennsylvania, as well as Trump. Fearful of losing Pennsylvania voters, Biden joined them. On Wednesday, he got the United Steelworkers endorsement. Bidens opposition makes it more likely U.S. Steel will be bought on the cheap by Ohio-based steelmaker Cleveland-Cliffs, which was outbid last year by Nippon Steel. That would undermine another Biden priority, preventing corporation concentration, since the combined entity would dominate some markets. This isnt China, and neither Trump nor Biden can simply dictate their preferred outcome to companies. But the expectation that they will try changes how business behaves. Investment isnt crafted for maximum return but political expedience. Executives avoid saying anything that might offend people in power. The line between state capitalism and crony capitalism blurs as companies seek to defeat their competitors in the corridors of power rather than the market. Having lost in the boardroom, Cleveland-Cliffs set out to kill Nippon Steels bid by working with unions and politicians. It also added Ron Bloom, who had previously worked for the United Steelworkers and in the Obama administration, to its board. Any buyer of TikTok will presumably have to be acceptable to a future Trump administration. So it isnt surprising that Trumps former Treasury secretary, Steven Mnuchin, said last week that he was organizing a bid. As Bill Bishop, who writes a newsletter about China, wrote, You could not write a better storyline for the Ministry of Propaganda if you tried." Write to Greg Ip at greg.ip@wsj.com HONG KONGAs China wraps its authoritarian rule more tightly around this once-boisterous metropolis, no corner of society has been left untouched. Bookstores are closing, shows have been canceled and opposition to the governmentonce a rallying forceis now mostly whispered between friends behind closed doors. The massive crowds that took to the streets to demand democracy in 2019 are long gone, but the governments effort to quell dissent in the name of national security has marched on. The latest installment is a law coming into effect Saturday that mandates tougher sentences for offenses such as sedition and creates new crimes around state secrets and foreign interference. The law, fast-tracked through the citys Beijing-approved legislature, has sparked debates over whether people could get into trouble for transgressions as minor as having old copies of pro-democracy newspapers lying around at home. Some wonder whether spaces once considered sacred and private, such as church confessionals, are still safe. People sometimes just want to live a simple and stable life, but it seems like the government is the one who cant move on," said Dickson Chau, vice-chair of the League of Social Democrats, one of the citys few pro-democracy groups that hasnt disbanded. When there are more and more unspoken, unwritten rules, people feel lost and can only watch and silently accept." Hong Kongs Chief Executive John Lee said the laws passage was a historic moment that enables Hong Kong to prevent and punish spying and sabotage by hostile forces, and allows the city to move on. His governments officials say the law is in line with international norms and that criticism of it is aimed at tarnishing Hong Kong and China. They say the law targets only a small number of people who threaten to undermine national security in the city. The intensified crackdown comes as Hong Kong seeks to arrest its declining fortunes in recent years, battered by strict Covid rules that kept visitors away, an exodus of citizens and Chinas weakening economy. Some foreign executives say authorities relentless focus on national security shows politics is trumping business, undermining the citys efforts to revive its status as a global hub even as officials travel the world seeking to boost international confidence. Hong Kongs postpandemic economic recovery has been tepid, its stock market is in a funk and companies have pulled money out of China. Almost 200,000 Hong Kong citizens have applied to migrate to the U.K. since China imposed a national-security law on the city in 2020, with many already moving. Business owners have lamented a brain drain in professions from teaching to IT. A survey published in September by recruitment agency Robert Walters Hong Kong said that more than half of Hong Kong professionals it polled were considering or planning to leave the city in the next five years. The desire to work overseas and gain international experience isnt new, especially among young people, but its concerning to see such a large percentage of Hong Kong professionals considering leaving the city," John Mullally, the agencys managing director, said at the time. For those that remain, the citys character is changing bit by bit. Since Beijing imposed a national-security law on Hong Kong in mid-2020 to quell the mass pro-democracy movement, dissent in public and on social media has all but vanished. At least 290 people have been arrested under the law, including dozens of opposition lawmakers, journalists and activists, many of whom have been detained for years without a conviction. Police have called upon taxi drivers to report anyone they suspect to be involved in violence, terrorism or other crimes. There is a national-security hotline for tipoffs from the public that has received hundreds of thousands of reports. Several independent bookstores known to support freedom of expression have said their businesses have been targeted by frequent government checks on anything from land regulations to whether their business license was clearly displayed. Mount Zero bookstore, a small establishment nested under a sprawling banyan tree in a quiet but hip neighborhood near the central business district, is closing by the end of this month. Its owners said on social media they have been fielding government letters accusing them of minor infractions almost every week and had also received anonymous complaints. The bookstorewhich has the words, Ideas are bulletproof," emblazoned above its entranceheld outdoor poetry readings, book talks and weekend markets that sometimes drew police officers with cameras, visitors said. Book Punch, another independent bookstore, said officers from various government agencies including the labor, fire and tax departments visited within a span of about 15 days in December. The citys arts community has seen a spate of dance and theater shows, whose members were known to be sympathetic to the citys pro-democracy movement, canceled by their hosting organizations or venues, sometimes without a reason being given. One canceled show was to feature a group of deaf dancers whose leader had once interpreted a protest anthem in sign language. The citys longest-running drama awards had its public funding cut from an arts body that cited incidents at the show the previous year, the funding body said in January. Those included participants making references to creeping censorship in the city, and having a political cartoonist and a high-profile journalist as its guests of honor at the event. For some, the latest law has added to uncertainties over what is still permissible. During deliberations over the bill, lawmaker Rev. Peter Koon asked whether a priest must make a report if he listened to the confession of someone who might endanger national security. The citys justice secretary, Paul Lam, responded saying it would be hard for the government to offer exemptions to religious or social workers, but only extreme scenarios like confessing to trying to overthrow the government are targeted. That discussion led the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong to come out with a public statement to clarify that the new law wont change the confidential nature of confessions at the church, while adding that it recognizes that citizens have an obligation to ensure national security. Another debate sparked by Rev. Koon was asking whether people should destroy old publications containing seditious content, such as copies of old Apple Daily newspapers published by media tycoon Jimmy Lai, who is currently standing trial on national-security charges. The citys security chief said in response that it would be illegal to keep seditious material, although one possible defense would be if the holder had forgotten it was in their possession. The government later said it would only be a crime if someone keeps a publication without reasonable excuse," slamming a headline in a British newspaper suggesting people could be jailed for keeping old newspapers. Write to Elaine Yu at elaine.yu@wsj.com and Selina Cheng at selina.cheng@wsj.com The U.S. Justice Department is considering whether to allow Julian Assange to plead guilty to a reduced charge of mishandling classified information, according to people familiar with the matter, opening the possibility of a deal that would end a lengthy legal saga triggered by one of the biggest classified intelligence leaks in American history. Assange, the divisive WikiLeaks founder, is fighting a drawn-out legal battle with the British government to avoid being extradited to the U.S. to face trial for publishing thousands of confidential U.S. military records and diplomatic cables around 2010. A U.K. court is currently considering whether to allow a last-ditch appeal by the 52-year-old. After U.S. prosecutors charged him in 2019, U.K. law-enforcement officials apprehended him, and he has been in a London prison ever since. Justice Department officials and Assanges lawyers have had preliminary discussions in recent months about what a plea deal could look like, according to people familiar with the matter, a potential softening in a standoff filled with political and legal complexities. The talks come as Assange has spent some five years behind bars and U.S. prosecutors face diminishing odds that he would serve much more time even if he were convicted stateside. The discussions remain in flux and the talks could fizzle. Any deal would require approval at the highest levels of the Justice Department. Barry Pollack, a lawyer for Assange, said he has been given no indication that the department will take a deal. A Justice Department spokesman declined to comment. If prosecutors allow Assange to plead to a U.S. charge of mishandling classified documentssomething his lawyers have floated as a possibilityit would be a misdemeanor offense. Under such a deal, Assange potentially could enter that plea remotely, without setting foot in the U.S. The time he has spent behind bars in London would count toward any U.S. sentence and he would likely be free to leave prison shortly after any deal was concluded. Britains High Court is expected to decide within weeks whether to grant Assange a further right to appeal his extradition to the U.S. If the court rules against him, the U.S. government will likely have 28 days to come and collect Assange and bring him to face trial. WikiLeaks published tens of thousands of classified documents, prompting U.S. prosecutors in 2019 to charge him under a U.S. espionage law. He faces 18 counts of conspiring to disclose classified information and hack a military computer in relation to WikiLeaks releases, which painted a highly critical picture of Americas actions in Iraq and Afghanistan. Lawyers for Assange have argued that he merely published information given to him, much as a journalist would, and so shouldnt face punishment. An extradition would throw a political hot-potato into the lap of the Biden administration. The Justice Department has long struggled with how to proceed against Assange because there are some parallels between his work and that of the press, whose right to publish is generally protected by the First Amendment. Trump-era Justice Department officials who charged Assange sought to differentiate his work from journalism because they alleged Assange solicited the classified material and knew its publication would jeopardize lives. The Obama administration also considered charging him but declined because of concerns about how it could affect conventional journalism. Chelsea Manning, the former U.S. Army intelligence analyst who was convicted of leaking government secrets to WikiLeaks, served seven years in prison. Legal experts said any possible sentence for Assange would likely be less than what Manning served. Assange has fought a winding, and at times surreal, campaign to avoid a U.S. trial. He was initially dogged by allegations of rape in Sweden in 2010. He sought asylum in the Ecuadorean Embassy in London in 2012 and holed up there for years, fathering two children, hosting guests including model Pamela Anderson and pop star Lady Gaga, and continuing to lead WikiLeaks through the publication in 2016 of tens of thousands of documents the U.S. says were stolen from Democrats by Russian government hackers. Those efforts led U.S. officials to describe WikiLeaks as a tool of Russian intelligence that participated in a plot to denigrate then-Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and bolster the candidacy of Donald Trump. The Swedish rape charges eventually fell away. Assange outstayed his welcome in the cramped Ecuadorean embassy where he angered officials by not cleaning up after his cat, skateboarding in the hallway and allegedly leaking personal information about Ecuadors president to a rival. After being kicked out of the embassy Assange was promptly jailed in London. A British judge ruled Assange had a history of evading justice and so should be kept in Belmarsh prison awaiting decision on his U.S. extradition. In January 2021, a British judge ruled Assange should not be extradited, saying his mental health meant he would be at risk of suicide if convicted and held in a maximum-security prison. But that decision was overturned after an appeal by U.S. authorities who gave a package of assurances, including a pledge he could be transferred to his native Australia to serve any sentence. Last month, U.K. judges in the High Court heard claims by Assange that he faced prosecution for his political views and that extradition would be an attack on his right to free speechan argument they are expected to rule on soon. In a filing to the U.K. court, lawyers representing the U.S. government said that Assange threatened the strategic and national security interests of the United States and put the safety of individuals at serious risk." Even if plea talks dont result in a deal and Assange is sent to the U.S. for trial, he may not stay for long, given the Australia pledge. The Australian government, which has largely been supportive of Assange, could shorten any sentence once he landed on Australian soil, said Nick Vamos, a partner at London law firm Peters & Peters and a former head of extradition for England and Waless Crown Prosecution Service. I honestly think as soon as he arrived in Australia he would be released," he said. Assanges wife Stella Assange, who led a rally of supporters outside the High Court while judges deliberated last month, said that her husbands mental and physical health had deteriorated significantly while incarcerated and he would not face a fair trial in the U.S. Julians life is at risk," she said. Assange didnt attend the hearing because he was sick, his lawyers said. Write to Aruna Viswanatha at aruna.viswanatha@wsj.com and Max Colchester at Max.Colchester@wsj.com The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday dismissed the Congress attack on the central government over freezing of its bank accounts. The saffron party said the Congress has sought to create alibi in utter desperation over its imminent defeat in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Accusing former Congress president Rahul Gandhi of lying on the issue, BJP leader and former Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said it is gentle advice to the Congress that the more you allow Rahul Gandhi to speak the more ground you lose". ALSO READ: Rahul says not able to pay 2 for LS poll campaign as bank accounts frozen We wish the Congress well and our gentle advice to the party is the more you allow Rahul Gandhi to speak the more ground you lose," Prasad said. He said that the Congress did not file income tax returns in time which led to the freezing of its accounts. The Congress party did not get any judicial relief and has now moved to the Supreme Court. BJP president JP Nadda said that instead of correcting their own errors, Congress is blaming authorities for their troubles and not paying tax dues". Their bankruptcy is moral and intellectual, not financial," Nadda added. Prasad also mentioned that the Congress was even pulled up by high court over the issue. If people don't want to vote for the Congress, the BJP cannot help it, the BJP leader commented. ALSO READ: Lok Sabha elections 2024: Pre-poll survey predicts Congress win in Karnataka Prasad also said that both Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi had shamed Indian democracy globally with their irresponsible" comments. Meanwhile, the Congress president, Mallikarjun Kharge, on Thursday demanded that the party's accounts should be defreezed to ensure a level playing field in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections. Congress leader Rahul said that the party cannot campaign for the polls. ...We can do no campaign work... Our ability to fight elections has been damaged," Rahul Gandhi said. He said a systematic effort is underway by the prime minister to cripple the Indian National Congress financially. "Funds collected from the public are being frozen, and money from our accounts is being taken away forcibly," he said. 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! Congress leader Ajay Maken on Thursday said that the grand old party could not use 285 crore in its bank accounts because of the freezing by Income Tax authorities. Maken, who is also the treasurer of the party, said that the party has received a notice by Income Tax Department for the reassessment of taxes for FY 1994-95. "Efforts are being made to weaken Congress financially. This is not just an attack on accounts of the Congress party by the PM Narendra Modi government but also an attack on Indian democracy. The election date has come and we are not able to use 285 crore lying in our bank," Maken said addressing a press conference in New Delhi on March 21. Also Read : A systematic effort is underway by the Prime Minister to cripple the Indian National Congress financially : Sonia Gandhi Before Maken, Congress President Malikarjun Kharge and former Presidents Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi also addressed the media accusing PM Modi of making efforts to systematically cripple the Congress party ahead of Lok Sabha Elections 2024. "I informed you last week that after seven years, the Income Tax Department has frozen our bank accounts regarding a case of 2017-18. Now, we have received a notice about Sitaram Kesari ji's time in 1994-95. I am sure more bank accounts will be frozen now," Maken said flashing a copy of the notice. Both Motilal Vora and Sitaram Kesri have been treasurers of the Congress party. On February 16, Maken said Congress's bank accounts were frozen. Later, the tax tribunal said there was no restriction on the party's accounts. What kind of democracy is this?" Maken asked, adding that the party needs the money for publicity ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. Also Read : 'PM Modi has damaged our ability to fight elections', alleges Rahul Gandhi ahead of polls | Top 6 things Congress said He questioned the timing of the notices less than month before the commencement of Lok Sabha elections. We have three things to say. Every political party is exempted from income tax. But why is only the Congress being targeted," Maken asked. On March 8, the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) dismissed the Congress' plea seeking a stay on the Income-Tax department's proceedings against its bank accounts ahead of the Lok Sabha elections 2024. (With ANI 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! As reported by Republic, Governor Gehlot said, Why not tax other religious bodies? Why tax only temples?" The Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments (Amendment) Bill, 2024, was introduced by the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government on February 21 and passed in the Vidhan Sabha. However, it faced defeat by a voice vote in the upper house on February 23, where the opposition holds a majority. Also Read: Karnataka temple tax row: Siddaramaiah counters 'fake news after BJP backlash All you need to know The Karnataka Temple Bill was later reconsidered and passed in both the Assembly and the Legislative Council on March 1. What is the Karnataka Temple Bill? The Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments (Amendment) Bill, 2024, suggests imposing a 5% levy on temples earning between 10 lakh and less than 1 crore annually. Additionally, temples with incomes surpassing 1 crore would be subject to a 10% charge by the state government. These collected funds are intended for a Common Pool Fund managed by the Rajya Dharmika Parishath. Also Read: Siddaramaiah govts temple tax bill defeated; BJP chants 'Jai Shree Ram to protest. 10 things to know This fund is designated for the well-being of archakas/priests, including provisions like insurance coverage, relief funds in case of death, and scholarships for children from approximately 40,000 priest families and other temple staff. It also aims to support C category temples (state-controlled) with annual incomes below 5 lakh to ensure their maintenance. The Department of Religious and Charitable Endowments, popularly known as the Muzrai department, administers about 35,000 Hindu religious institutions which receive grants from the Government of Karnataka. What makes this bill controversial? The opposition parties, Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal (Secular), have criticised the bill as anti-Hindu. They allege that the Congress government in Karnataka aims to bolster its finances using temple funds. They argue that the Siddaramaiah administration may divert temple revenues to other religions. Previously, temples earning between 5 lakh and 10 lakh annually contributed 5% of their net income to the Common Pool Fund, while those with incomes exceeding 10 lakh allocated 10% of their net income to the fund. Also Read: Karnataka temple bill passedKnow features, controversies, revenue collection system | Explainer In contrast, in states like Kerala, temples are supervised by state-managed Devaswom (temple) Boards. Furthermore, in 2021, the government of Uttarakhand relinquished control over 51 temples and shrines, such as Badrinath, Kedarnath, Yamunotri, and Gangotri. (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! Lok Sabha Election 2024: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Centre and said that Congress bank accounts are frozen, hindering campaign work and support to workers and candidates. In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi wrote, The hate-filled Asura Shakti has frozen our bank accounts to murder Indian democracy." Earlier in the day, during a press conference in New Delhi, Rahul Gandhi termed this criminal action done on Congress by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah." Congress leader said, The idea that India is a democracy is a lie. There is no democracy in India today. The idea that India is the world's largest democracy is a lie. A complete lie. 20% of India votes for us and we are not able to pay 2 for anything." It has been orchestrated to cripple us in the elections. Even if our bank accounts are unfrozen today, a huge amount of debt damage has been done to Indian democracy," the Congress leader further added. Meanwhile, Former Congress President Sonia Gandhi said that this issue affects not just Congress, it impacts our democracy itself most fundamentally. A systematic effort is underway by the Prime Minister to cripple the Indian National Congress financially." Rahul Gandhi further alleged that the party can't book advertisements or send our leaders anywhere. We can do no campaign work, we cannot support our workers, we cannot support our candidates...This has been done two months before the election campaign. One notice comes from the 90s, another from 6-7 years ago. Quantum amount 14 Lakhs and punishment - our entire financial identity...EC has not even said anything...Already, our ability to fight elections has been damaged, we have already lost a month," he added. Also Read: PM Modi crippling Congress financially ahead of Lok Sabha polls, alleges Sonia Gandhi The seven-phase Lok Sabha Elections will begin on April 19. The results will be declared on June 4. Meanwhile, in a post on X, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge appealed to the constitutional institutions and said, If they want free and fair elections, then let our party use bank accounts without any restriction. The Income Tax claim will ultimately be settled as per the decision of the court. Political parties do not pay tax, and BJP never paid it, even after this if we are being asked for it, then we will wait for the final decision of the court." The party president stressed that fair elections are essential for any democracy. Besides, it is also necessary that there should be an equal level playing field for all political parties. All parties should have equal resmources," he said. Also Read: Congress to release 3rd list for Lok Sabha polls? Sonia Gandhi, Kharge hold meeting to finalise candidates He further added, But the elections for the 18th Lok Sabha will not be held again, therefore, to maintain a level playing field, it is imperative that our accounts be defreezed immediately." (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! Amid a political slugfest over Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government's 'Viksit Bharat' messages, the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday directed the Centre to "immediately halt" sending bulk WhatsApp messages. The Centre's 'Viksit Bharat Sampark' message on WhatsApp highlighted the National Democratic Alliance government's development initiatives. What is the 'Viksit Bharat' message? The Viksit Bharat Sampark is a "letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi", sent by the Government of India on WhatsApp. "In the last 10 years, all 140 crore Indians have benefited from various schemes and policies of the Government, and will continue to do so in the future as well," the message read as the Modi government sought support and suggestions for building a Viksit Bharat. Here is all you need to know about the 'Viksit Bharat' message: It was not just Indians who received it, several non-Indians from different countries like the UAE, Pakistan, and Britain have also claimed to have received PM Modi's message on their smartphones. The PDF document attached with the message mentions government schemes like Ayushman Bharat, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Matru Vandana Yojana, etc. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) was the first political party to raise an issue over the message. On March 18, the TMC said the message was a violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). TMC MP Saket Gokhale wrote a letter to IT Ministry Secretary S Krishnan saying that millions of WhatsApp users had received the letter from an account named Viksit Bharat Sampark" after the Model Code of Conduct came into effect on March 16 following the announcement of Lok Sabha elections 2024. TMC leader Mahua Moitra wrote on X: MCC came into effect today at 1500 hrs after EC announcement. Just received shameless campaign message from Viksit Bharat" at taxpayer expense plugging PM letter at 20:17 hrs. Please send from BJP party account @ECISVEEP" Several users in India and abroad have also expressed concerns about data breach after receiving PM Modi's letter on WhatsApp. "How did the BJP and the Indian government get a hold of our number?" UAE-based consultant Anthony J Permal asked. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, while sharing Permal's post, called the message a "blatant misuse of government machinery". Will the @ECISVEEP take note of such a blatant misuse of government machinery and government data to serve the partisan political interests of the ruling party," he wrote on X (formerly Twitter). Congress MP Manish Tewari wrote on X: This unsolicited WhatsApp message came at 12.09 AM today. It seems to be from @GoI_MeitY (Ministry of Electronics & IT). Is this not a blatant violation of both Model Code of Conduct & Right to Privacy." On Thursday, the Election Commission of India directed the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to "immediately halt" sending the 'Viksit Bharat' messages on Whatsapp after it received complaints. The ECI termed the move as a decision taken to ensure a level playing field. The ECI has also sought a compliance report on the matter from MeitY. The IT ministry, responding to the ECI, said that the Modi government had sent the 'Viksit Bharat Sampark' before the Model Code of Conduct came into force. ".... some of them could have possibly been delivered to recipients with a delay because of systemic and network limitations," the ministry said. (With agency 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! Uncertainty continues over the candidature of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) member of parliament (MP) Varun Gandhi from the Pilibhit seat in Uttar Pradesh, which he represents. Pilibhit, along with seven other seats in Uttar Pradesh, will go to the polls on April 19 in the first phase of the Lok Sabha 2024 elections, for which the filing of nominations started on March 20. For quite some time now, speculation has been rife that Varun may not be fielded by the BJP in 2024 because he attacked some of his partys policies over the past few years. Some reports suggested that he would contest the elections either as an independent or a Samajwadi Party (SP) candidate. However, the Akhilesh Yadav-led SP announced Bhagwat Sharan Gangwar as the partys candidate from Pilibhit on March 20. The SP had earlier hinted at fielding Varun Gandhi from Pilibhit if the BJP denied him a ticket. The BJP has so far announced the names for 51 of the 80 Lok Sabha seats from Uttar Pradesh. The delay in releasing names for the remaining 29 seats, including Pilibhit, has added to speculation. Also Read: Lok Sabha Polls 2024: No, says BJP MP Varun Gandhi in response to reports of contesting from Amethi Amid the buzz, Varun Gandhis aide MR Malik, purchased four sets of nomination papers for the forthcoming Lok Sabha 2024 polls on March 20, the day when the filing of nominations for eight Lok Sabha seats from UP, including Pilibhit, started. News agency PTI quoted Malik as saying, Varun Gandhi will be the BJP candidate from Pilibhit." The 43-year-old Pilibhit MP has been critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government at the centre and Yogi Adityanath-led state government in Uttar Pradesh on many issues. However, since December last year, Varun has not made any statement that could be seen as critical of either government. In February, however, Varun retweeted PM Modi on the governments decision to confer Bharat Ratna on former Prime Ministers Chaudhary Charan Singh and PV Narasimha Rao and architect of Green Revolution, MS Swaminathan. He also thanked PM Modi for the development undertaken in his parliamentary constituency. Varun won the Pilibhit Lok Sabha seat twice in 2009 and 2019. In 2014, he won the Sultanpur Lok Sabha seat, which was later won by his mother, Maneka Gandhi, in 2019. Sources suggested that the BJP might field state PWD minister Jitin Prasada or Minister of State, Sugarcane Development and Sugar Mills Sanjay Singh Gangwar from Pilibhit. However, the BJP would not want to risk this, considering the popularity of Varun in the seat and the fact that he won the last election by over 2 lakh votes," said a BJP leader who did not want to be named. Also Read: Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Why Raj Thackeray is important for BJP in Maharashtra. 5 Points Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP have set a target of 370 seats across the country for the 2024 elections. Union Minister Amit Shah has predicted that the party would win 74 of the 80 seats in Uttar Pradesh. In 2019, the party won 62 seats; in 2014, it won 71 seats from Uttar Pradesh. The seven-phase Lok Sabha Elections 2024 begin on April 19. The results will be declared on June 4. The last date for filing nominations in the eight Lok Sabha seats, including Pilibhit, is March 27. Nominations can be withdrawn before March 30. 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 right printer can significantly impact productivity and efficiency in both home and office environments. Colour printers are often the go-to choice for many. But how to print in black and white for those with specific printing needs. Produce crisp text documents, professional reports, or high-quality black and white prints. The best black and white printer can meet your demands with ease. In this comprehensive guide, we delve into some of the top black and white printers. It'll help you navigate through the choices and make an informed decision. They are from high-volume for busy offices to compact and versatile for home use. You'll explore the top contenders in the world of black and white printing. You may be a student, a professional, or a small business owner. This guide aims to assist you in finding the best black and white printer that suits your needs and budget. 1. Brother HL-L2321D Single-Function Brother HL-L2321D is a single-function laser black and white printer with auto duplex printing. It has USB connectivity and is compatible with Windows, Mac & Linux OS. It supports A4, Letter, A5, A5 (Long Edge), A6, and Executive paper sizes. It has a Maximum Print Speed of 30 ppm. Its maximum input sheet capacity is 250 sheets. It is compatible with TN-2365 toner cartridges. Specifications of Brother HL-L2321D Single-Function: Connectivity Technology : USB : USB Printing Technology : Laser : Laser Colour : Black : Black Model Name : HL-L2321D : HL-L2321D Printer Output: Monochrome Reasons to buy Reasons to avoid Auto Duplex Printing Black and White Printing Only Fast Printing Speeds No Wireless Connectivity Large Paper Capacity 2. HP Laser 1008w Wireless Single-Function HP Laser 1008w is a wireless single-function black and white printer. It has Wi-Fi and Hi-Speed USB 2.0 connectivity options. It uses HP Laser Black Print Cartridges that yield 1500 pages. It supports a variety of standard media sizes, like A4, A5, A5 (LEF), B5 (JIS), and more. The LED display has simple control panel buttons and LED indicator lights. It is compatible with Windows 11/10/7, macOS 10.15/11/12 Monterey, and Linux OS. Specifications of HP Laser 1008w Wireless Single-Function: Connectivity Technology : Wi-Fi, USB : Wi-Fi, USB Printing Technology : Laser : Laser Colour : White : White Model Name : HP Laser : HP Laser Printer Output: Monochrome Reasons to buy Reasons to avoid Wireless and USB Connectivity Black and White Printing Only Fast Print Speeds No Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) Sharp Text Quality No Automatic Duplex Printing High Duty Cycle 3. HP Laserjet P1108 Single-Function HP Laserjet P1108 is a single-function black and white laser printer. It is compatible with the HP 88A Black Original LaserJet Toner Cartridge. It yields 1500 pages. It comes with a 1-year Warranty from the date of purchase. It can print 18 pages per minute. It supports A4, A5, A6, B5, postcards, and envelopes (C5, DL, B5) Page sizes. It has a Manual Duplex Print. It has a Print resolution of Up to 1200 DPI. It has a Duty Cycle of Up to 5,000 pages per month. Specifications of HP Laserjet P1108 Single-Function: Connectivity Technology : USB : USB Printing Technology : Laser : Laser Colour : Black : Black Model Name : HP LASERJET PRO P1108 PLUS : HP LASERJET PRO P1108 PLUS Printer Output: Monochrome Reasons to buy Reasons to avoid Fast Printing Speeds Single-Function High-Quality Output No Wireless Connectivity Energy Efficient No Automatic Duplex Printing Toner Cartridge System No Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) Also Read: Best HP Laserjet printers for home and office use: Top 7 picks for you 4. Brother DCP-B7500D Multi-Function Brother DCP-B7500D is a Multi-Function Laser black and white printer with Auto Duplex Printing. It has a USB Connectivity with a Flatbed Scanner. It is compatible with Windows, Mac & Linux OS. It has an Enlarge/reduce option and Auto double print. It supports A4, Letter, A5, A5 (Long Edge), A6, Executive, Legal, Folio, Mexico Legal, India Legal Paper Sizes. It is Compatible with the TN-B021 Toner Cartridge. It has Print, Scan and Copy Functions. Specifications of Brother DCP-B7500D Multi-Function: Connectivity Technology : USB : USB Printing Technology : Laser : Laser Colour : Grey : Grey Model Name : DCP-B7500D : DCP-B7500D Printer Output: Monochrome Reasons to buy Reasons to avoid Multi-Functionality Black and White Printing Only Auto Duplex Printing No Wireless Connectivity Toner Box Technology Fast Printing Speeds 5. Brother DCP-B7535DW Multi-Function Brother DCP-B7535DW is a Multi-Function black and white laser printer. It has Wi-Fi and USB Connectivity and features a Flatbed Scanner. It has an enlarge/reduce option, Automatic Document Feeder (ADF), and Auto duplex printing. The Maximum Print Speed is 34 ppm. The Maximum Input Sheet Capacity is 250 Sheets. It is Compatible with the TN-B021 Toner Cartridge. It has Print, Scan and Copy Functions. Specifications of Brother DCP-B7535DW Multi-Function: Connectivity Technology : Wi-Fi, USB : Wi-Fi, USB Printing Technology : Laser : Laser Colour : Gray : Gray Model Name : DCP-B7535DW : DCP-B7535DW Printer Output: Monochrome Reason to buy Reason to avoid Multi-Functionality Black and White Printing Only Auto Duplex Printing Higher Initial Cost Wireless Connectivity Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) 6. Canon imageCLASS LBP6030W Wi-Fi Canon imageCLASS LBP6030W is a Wi-Fi black and white printer with Windows, Mac and Linux OS support. It has Wifi and Hi-Speed USB 2.0 connectivity. It has mobile connectivity via Canon Mobile Printing. It has a Maximum Print Speed of 18 ppm. It has a maximum input sheet capacity of 150 sheets (A4). It is compatible with Cartridge 925 ink. It also features high-speed printing and a 1-year onsite warranty from the date of purchase. Specifications of Canon image CLASS LBP6030W Wi-Fi: Connectivity Technology : Wi-Fi, USB : Wi-Fi, USB Printing Technology : Laser : Laser Colour : White : White Model Name : LBP6030W : LBP6030W Printer Output: Monochrome Reasons to buy Reasons to avoid Wi-Fi Connectivity Black and White Printing Only Fast Printing Speeds No Automatic Duplex Printing Energy Efficient Crisp Text Quality 7. Brother DCP-L2531DW Multi-Function Brother DCP-L2531DW is a Multi-Function black and white laser printer. It allows you to Print, Scan, and Copy documents. It has USB, Wi-Fi, and Wi-Fi Direct Connectivity. It has a printing speed of 30 ppm. It features Auto Duplex Print and LCD. It is Compatible with TN-2465 (3000 pages) and TN-2469 (4500 pages) Laser Toners. It is Compatible with Windows, Windows Server, and Mac OS X. It has a Duty Cycle of 15,000 pages a month. Specifications of Brother DCP-L2531DW Multi-Function: Connectivity Technology : Wi-Fi, USB : Wi-Fi, USB Printing Technology : Laser : Laser Colour : Black : Black Model Name : DCP-L2531DW : DCP-L2531DW Printer Output: Monochrome Reasons to buy Reasons to avoid Multi-Functionality Black and White Printing Only Auto-Duplex Printing Higher Initial Cost Wireless Connectivity Fast Printing Speeds 8. Pantum P2210 Pantum P2210 is a Laser black and white printer with Pantum Smart App control. It can Connect via Wi-Fi or Ethernet. The printer driver is available on its official website for Windows, Linux, Mac, and Android OS. This printer gets you productive MFP performance. Print, scan, or copy and produce high-quality results. It has an A4 printing speed of up to 22 pages per minute. Connect your smartphone or tablet directly to your printer using Direct Wifi. Specifications of Pantum P2210: Connectivity Technology : Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet : Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet Printing Technology : Laser : Laser Model Name : P2210 : P2210 Printer Output: Monochrome Reasons to buy Reasons to avoid Fast Printing Speeds Black and White Printing Only Affordable No Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) Wireless connectivity No Automatic Duplex Printing 9. Canon PIXMA MegaTank GM4070 All-in-One Canon PIXMA MegaTank GM4070 is an all-in-one ink tank black and white printer. It features Print, Scan, and Copy Functions with ADF and Auto Duplex Printing. It has USB, Wi-Fi, wired LAN, wireless/wired LAN PictBridge, and Direct Wireless Connectivity. It has a Maximum Input Sheet Capacity of 250 sheets (A4). It is compatible with GI70 Black ink. It also has Optional Colour printing, Borderless Printing, and High volume printing. Specifications of Canon PIXMA MegaTank GM4070 All-in-One: Connectivity Technology : Wi-Fi : Wi-Fi Printing Technology : Inkjet : Inkjet Colour : Black : Black Model Name : PIXMA : PIXMA Printer Output: Monochrome Reasons to buy Reasons to avoid All-in-One Functionality Larger Footprint Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) Auto Duplex Printing Large Ink Capacity Wireless Connectivity 10. Epson M1100 EcoTank InkTank Printer The Epson M1100 EcoTank InkTank black and white printer is a reliable and cost-effective printing solution. Its innovative EcoTank technology features refillable ink tanks. It boasts a sleek and compact design with energy-saving features. Refilling the ink tanks on the M1100 is a breeze. It has a High-yield pigment ink bottle with Spill-free and error-free refilling. It has a Print speed of up to 32ppm (15ipm) and comes with a 3-year warranty. Specifications of Epson M1100 EcoTank InkTank Printer: Connectivity Technology : Wired : Wired Printing Technology : Ink Tank : Ink Tank Colour : Black : Black Model Name : M1100 EcoTank Monochrome : M1100 EcoTank Monochrome Printer Output: Monochrome Reasons to buy Reasons to avoid Fast Printing Speeds No Automatic Duplex Printing Energy Efficient Wired Connectivity Only Easy Refill System No Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) High Yield Ink Bottles Also Read: Laserjet printers for efficient and economical printing: Top 8 options for you Top 3 features for you Product Name Printer Technology Connectivity Technology Printing Speed Brother HL-L2321D Single-Function Laser USB 30 ppm HP Laser 1008w Wireless Single-Function Laser Wi-Fi, USB 20 ppm HP Laserjet P1108 Single-Function Laser USB 18 ppm Brother DCP-B7500D Multi-Function Laser USB 34 ppm Brother DCP-B7535DW Multi-Function Laser Wi-Fi, USB 34 ppm Canon imageCLASS LBP6030W Wi-Fi Laser Wi-Fi, USB 18 ppm Brother DCP-L2531DW Multi-Function Laser Wi-Fi, USB 30 ppm Pantum P2210 Laser Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet 22 ppm Canon PIXMA MegaTank GM4070 All in One Inkjet Wi-Fi, USB, LAN 13 ipm Epson M1100 EcoTank InkTank Wired 32 ppm Best value for money Pantum P2210 is a Laser black and white printer with Pantum Smart App control. It can Connect via Wi-Fi or Ethernet. The printer driver is available on its official website for Windows, Linux, Mac, and Android OS. This printer gets you productive MFP performance. Print, scan, or copy and produce high-quality results. It has an A4 printing speed of up to 22 pages per minute. Connect your smartphone or tablet directly to your printer using Direct Wifi. Best overall product Brother DCP-B7535DW is a Multi-Function black and white laser printer. It has Wi-Fi and USB Connectivity and features a Flatbed Scanner. It has an enlarge/reduce option, Automatic Document Feeder (ADF), and Auto duplex printing. The Maximum Print Speed is 34 ppm. The Maximum Input Sheet Capacity is 250 Sheets. It is Compatible with the TN-B021 Toner Cartridge. It has Print, Scan and Copy Functions. How to Choose the Right Black and White Printer? Choosing the right black and white printer depends on your specific needs and preferences. Consider a printer with a high monthly duty cycle and a large paper capacity for high volumes. If you require quick document turnaround, opt for a printer with fast print speeds. Look for printers with high resolution and quality output to ensure clear black and white art print. Determine if you need additional functionalities such as scanning, copying, and faxing. Choose a printer with more connectivity options, such as USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, or mobile printing. Consider these factors and conduct thorough research. You will choose the right black and white printer that meets your specific requirements. FAQs Question : What is a black and white printer? Ans : A black and white printer, also known as a monochrome printer, is a type of printer that produces shades of black and white prints only. Question : What are the benefits of using a black and white printer? Ans : Black and white printers are often more cost-effective than colour printers. They are also ideal for printing text documents, reports, and other monochrome materials. Question : What types of users can benefit from a black and white printer? Ans : Black and white printers are suitable for students, professionals, small businesses, and home users. They are primarily for printing text documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and other monochrome materials. Question : What factors should I consider when choosing a black and white printer? Ans : There are many factors you need to consider while selecting a black and white printer. It includes printing volume, speed, quality, functionality (printing, scanning, copying), connectivity, and size. Question : What is the difference between a laser and an inkjet black and white printer? Ans : Laser printers produce prints using toner cartridges and a laser beam. They offer fast print speeds and high-quality text output. Inkjet printers create prints using liquid ink cartridges and microscopic nozzles. They provide vibrant colours and photo-quality output. Disclaimer: At Livemint, we help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and products. Mint 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. 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! As the market for artificial intelligence models consolidates around Microsoft, OpenAI and a handful of other proprietary systems and players, some companies are aiming to compete by offering their AI models free. The open-source approach of freely distributing technology for the public to use, share and modify helped create the modern internet, cloud-computing and billion-dollar companies. There is no guarantee it will work for open-source large language models, but some of techs biggest players are betting it can help them chip away at OpenAIs dominance. OpenAI accounted for nearly 80% of the global generative AI market in 2023, according to an estimate from market research firm Valuates Reports. Elon Musk last week said his xAI startup will open-source its chatbot Grok, which hasnt captured as much interest as OpenAIs ChatGPT or Anthropics Claude. Meta Platforms last year released its Llama 2 open-source model, intensifying the competition between private and open-source models. Google released its Gemma open-source models in February, though it also sells access to its more powerful Gemini offerings. Plenty of AI startups are betting on open source, too, with some of the most well-funded including Mistral AI, Hugging Face, Runway ML, Together AI, Writer, Cerebras and Databricks. Open-source AI models appeal to businesses because they offer a means of using large language models without paying and sharing data with a vendor like Microsoft. And because they are shared for public dissection, open-source models typically include their inner workings, which companies can use to build their own models. But AI companies face a number of challengesnamely the initial costs required to train their models, which can run into the hundreds of millions of dollars, licensing their technologies and maintaining the loyalty of independent developers who propelled their technologies to popularity. A callback to open sources freemium model Open-source software firms have traditionally made money by charging for services that make their technologies easier for businesses to use, said Joseph Jacks, founder of OSS Capital, a venture-capital firm that funds open-source startups. The approach has paid dividends for companies like MongoDB, which sells an enterprise version of its open-source database. Open-source AI companies say they also can turn a profit by selling business-grade services and applications on top of their open modelsbetting on businesses willingness to pay for enterprise features and support, ready-to-use apps like chatbots, and the convenience of outsourcing work to AI firms to build custom models for them. AI models on their own are useless to enterprises, giving companies like Databricks the opportunity to sell capabilities to help them use it, said Ali Ghodsi, the companys co-founder and CEO. Databrickss new AI group has released open models and helps businesses build low-cost models with proprietary data. Another strategy involves building a collection of AI modelssome of them free, and the more powerful requiring a fee or paid subscription. French AI startup Mistral AI last month announced a partnership with Microsoft and a more powerful, proprietary AI system customers must pay to use. Its free models, which are considered advanced, are less sophisticated than its paid model. Other well-known startups like Stability AI, which built the popular open-source image-generation model Stable Diffusion alongside AI startup Runway ML, began charging a subscription fee for commercial use of some of its advanced models in December. A subscription also comes with business features, a spokesperson said. Still, its not easy to make open-source pay. Online furniture seller Wayfair used Stable Diffusion to create an interior design tool that helps customers generate images of their homes with new decor, said Chief Technology Officer Fiona Tan. But the company is using a version of the model that is free for commercial use. Similarly, the San Francisco-based AI startup Writer has released open-source and proprietary language models aimed at helping businesses write content. Its open models are less powerful than its paid models, said Writer co-founder and Chief Executive May Habib. Sim Simeonov, chief technology officer of healthcare technology services and marketing firm Real Chemistry, said the choice isnt about open or closed models from vendors like Writer, but selecting technology that meets a companys technical, legal and business needs. The ecosystem effect Global venture-capital funding for open-source AI startups rose from $900 million in 2022 to $2.9 billion last year, according to PitchBook. Thats partly because investors are attracted to the fact that open-source companies can rapidly innovate through the legions of independent developers they draw, said Madrona Venture Group partner Jon Turow. Cerebras, a chip startup that has raised $750 million, makes money by selling AI chips and model-building services. It develops open-source models not because they are profitable, but because it can help woo developers, said co-founder and Chief Executive Andrew Feldman. Open-source also helps create a platform or ecosystem of software and services for the technology, which other startups can sell. Among them, Together AI this month raised $106 million from Salesforce Ventures and other investors, valuing the firm at $1.25 billion. The startup has released its own open models, but primarily sells tools that make it cheaper and faster for businesses to use open-source models developed by others, said co-founder and CEO Vipul Ved Prakash. Hugging Face, which has raised nearly $400 million from tech giants including Alphabet and Nvidia, helped develop the open-source BLOOM and StarCoder models. Rather than focusing on developing models, however, the startup sells compute power and enterprise support for other open models and its open-source model-sharing platform, said Jeff Boudier, head of product at Hugging Face Open models tend to create an ecosystem, whereas closed models just tend to find customers," he said. Thats a ten, one hundred times multiplier." Uncharted territory Unlike open-source software, which was developed decades ago, the commercialization of open-source AI is very much uncharted territory," Boudier added. For one, AI models require more capital than software. Big tech firms like Microsoft and Alphabet have the deep pockets to buy Nvidia graphics processing units, or GPUs, and put billions into building their AI. Another challenge is the difficulty of porting software licenses, which were designed for computer code, to AI models, which consist of numerical parameters or weights," training data, and other componentslargely what are considered math," said Mark Shuttleworth, founder and CEO of Canonical, a company that sells commercial services for the open-source Ubuntu technology. While efforts are being made, theres also not yet a standard definition or set of licenses for open-source AI. Some companies have chosen to release only certain elements of their AI models, which limits their technical usefulness for others. For instance, companies like Meta call their models open source while restricting certain usage, said Lawrence Lessig, a professor at Harvard Law School who studies tech and policy. Llama 2s community license lets developers use it commercially, but requires seeking Metas permission for use in a product with over 700 million monthly users. Meta didnt respond to a request for comment. So far, licensing has prevented some companies from open-sourcing their AI models, Shuttleworth said. Once you have a license that lots of people understand," he said, theres broad understanding of what we can do thats not going to get taken away." Microsoft recently announced the formation of a new AI unit led by former Google Deepmind CEO Mustafa Suleyman. Microsoft said the new unit will focus on advancing Copilot and other consumer AI products and research at the company. Also Read | Microsoft's Windows 11 to transform upcoming PCs with game-changing 'AI Explorer' feature: Report Suleyman, who led a rival artificial intelligence startup called Inflection AI, has joined Microsoft along with many key employees at his former company. The appointment of the 39 year old AI leader is being seen as an effort by Microsoft to improve its in-house AI capabilities. Just last month, the Satya Nadella led company had invested $16 million in a French artificial intelligence startup called Mistral AI. Top 5 things you need to know about the Microsoft AI CEO: 1) Born in London in August 1984, Suleyman comes from a modest background, having been raised by a Syrian-born taxi driver father and an English nurse mother. 2) Suleyman initially studied Philosophy and Theology at Oxford University, before dropping out in his second year to set up a not-for-profit counselling service called Muslim Youth Helpine, which later became one of the largest mental health support services for Muslims in the UK. Also Read | Microsoft Engineer Warns Copilot Tool Generates Harmful AI Images, Needs Better Safeguards 3) Mustafa Suleyman, along with his partners Shane Legg and Demis Hassabis, co-founded an AI lab called DeepMind, which soon gained prominence in the tech community and was later acquired by Google in 2014. According to a Blooomberg report, Suleyman remained a key public face for the AI startup, speaking about the promise of AI and the ethical guardrails needed. 4) During his time at DeepMind, Suleyman has been embroiled in various controversies. The AI startup was criticised for its work in the UK healthcare sector, with the country's data protection watchdog revealing in 2017 that London's Royal Free Hospital had illegally given the company access to 1.6 million patient records, prompting Suleyman to apologise at the time. In another controversy, many DeepMind employees complained about Suleyman's working style, with the executive later admitting he had "really screwed up". He said at the time (as quoted by Bloomberg): "I really screwed up. I was very demanding and pretty relentless." 5) DeepMind put Suleyman on leave in 2019 and he was later moved to Google, where he led AI product management, until he finally parted ways with the company in 2022 to start his own company with LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman. The new company, called Inflection AI, was aimed at creating AI that doesn't engage in racist, sexist or violent behaviour, AP reported 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's inbound tourism market sees continuous pickup 16:22, March 21, 2024 By Zhao Shan ( People's Daily To further promote Chinese-foreign personnel exchanges, China has adopted a visa-free policy for Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium and Luxembourg on a trial basis, which is effective from March 14 to November 30 this year. According to Tongcheng Research Institute affiliated to a major online travel agency, the six countries included in the visa-free policy this time have close tourism exchanges with China. In March, the average daily bookings of inbound air tickets from Austria increased by 70 percent compared to the January-February period, while that from Switzerland also went up by 52 percent compared to the January-February period. Passengers taking the first chartered tourist flight from Jakarta, Indonesia to Dunhuang, northwest China's Gansu province arrive at the Dunhuang Mogao International Airport, Dec. 24, 2023. (People's Daily Online/Zhang Xiaoliang) In recent times, China has been continuously expanding its visa-free "circle of friends," and the tourism industry is expecting a significant increase in tourist orders from visa-free countries visiting China in the near future. The head of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) recently noted that China's recent unilateral visa-free policies for multiple countries are an important measure to help the global tourism industry recover. According to the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, outbound and inbound tourism from China is expected to proliferate in 2024 due to visa facilitation and increased airline capacity. The international cruise ship Zuiderdam recently arrived at Dalian port in northeast China's Liaoning province. It was the first international cruise ship to visit a city in northeast China since China resumed international cruise transportation in September last year. The cruise ship carried over 2,000 tourists from 47 countries and regions to Dalian, who later visited various attractions in the city, including ocean parks, city squares and featured blocks. Recently, Zhengzhou, central China's Henan province welcomed the first batch of tourists from Australia after the Spring Festival, most of whom came to Henan for the first time. Foreign tourists taking the international cruise ship Zuiderdam arrive in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning province, March 10. (Photo from the information office of the Dalian municipal government) In recent years, the Culture and Tourism Department of Henan Province has been actively promoting the international tourism brand of the province. It has conducted systematic international promotion activities, built cultural brands for overseas markets and established a cooperation system for inbound tourism. Positive results have been achieved. In March, the province gradually welcomed thousands of tourists from countries and regions such as Australia, Italy, Germany, Luxembourg, South Korea, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Thailand. Recently, the attractiveness of China's tourism market has been continuously increasing, with a large number of South Korean tourists visiting Zhangjiajie, a famous tourist city in central China's Hunan province. According to statistics, from early January to the end of February, Zhangjiajie received 98,000 inbound tourist visits, a 34-fold increase compared to the same period last year, with 42,000 of them from South Korea. It is reported that Zhangjiajie has been focusing on creating unique tourism products to continuously attract South Korean tourists. Taking into account their preference for scenic landscapes, Zhangjiajie has introduced international tourism products centering on its amazing natural landscapes. Given the similarities between China and South Korea in "filial piety culture," Zhangjiajie has successfully made its name in the South Korean tourism market, earning praise among Korean tourists that taking parents on a trip to Zhangjiajie is an expression of filial piety. In response to the rapidly recovering inbound tourism market, the tourism industry has taken swift action to enhance the appeal of Chinese tourism overseas. South Korean tourists pose for a picture in a scenic area in Zhangjiajie, central China's Hunan province, Feb. 29, 2024. (People's Daily Online/Wu Yongbing) Recently, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism organized 13 regions across China, including Beijing and Shanghai, to participate in this year's ITB Berlin, a tourism trade show considered one of the largest exhibitions in the global tourism industry. The Chinese delegation became one of the highlights of the event. China Tourism Group Travel Services Co., Ltd. exhibited over 50 distinctive inbound tourism routes to Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai, and other places, providing diverse options for different European customer segments. It also held in-depth discussions with more than 40 overseas travel agencies regarding customized tours, family trips, and group tours. Xu Xiaolei, Chief Brand Officer of China CYTS Tours Holding Co., Ltd., told People's Daily that CYTS will continue to boost the inbound tourism market this year. "We will focus on addressing the pain points of inbound tourism, such as payment, internet access, translation, and tour guides. We will also explore simplified processes for overseas visa application centers, increase the promotion of tourism resources to overseas customers, expand our customer base, and make full use of resources such as multilingual websites developed by CYTS and specialized training for tour guides, so as to ensure the quality of our services," Xu said. Sun Bowen, executive secretary-general of a research institute under Chinese online travel agency Ctrip, said that Ctrip will leverage technology, international resources, talent development, and e-commerce support programs to enhance the convenience of inbound tourism. It is reported that on Ctrip's international platform Trip.com, overseas tourists can make reservations for various inbound tourism products and services, including hotels, flights, train tickets, car rentals, airport transfers, attraction tickets, travel photography, dining, WiFi, and SIM cards. Currently, Trip.com provides services in 24 languages, covering 39 countries and regions. (Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun) For copyright information, check with the distributor of this item, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Researchers and citizen scientists will observe how animals' routines at several zoos are disrupted during the April 8 total solar eclipse. The moon's shadow will sweep across North America including from Texas to Maine. In 2017, a team noticed strange animal behavior at a South Carolina zoo in the path of total darkness. This time, scientists will stand by to track how tortoises, giraffes and apes at the Fort Worth Zoo in Texas react when day transforms into dusk. It's only in recent years that scientists have started to rigorously study the altered behaviors of wild, domestic and zoo animals during a full solar eclipse. Willie James Pye, who is on death row awaiting execution at Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison, poses for a Georgia Department of Corrections photograph on an unspecified date. If you do not have a current print subscription to the Lodi News-Sentinel, but want to view unlimited articles for the month, please choose this option. A defendant with 125 previous convictions and two suspended sentences who is in poor health was told he can avoid prison if he has 250 in court for his victim when the matter returns before Longford District Court in July. William McDonnell (50) of 13 Sandylane Apartments, Richmond Street, Longford faced two charges. The defendant pleaded guilty to the theft of an orange suitcase containing clothes and toiletries on August 25, 2023 at Longford Train Station, Convent Road, Longford. The second charge was of public intoxication on February 24, 2024 at Paraic Colum Heights, Longford. Outlining details of the matters before the court Sergeant Enda Daly said on August 25 at 2:45pm a person travelling on the Sligo-Dublin train had their suitcase removed. Having reviewed CCTV footage Mr McDonnell was identified taking the orange suitcase from the train. Officers executed a search warrant, but the property was not recovered. Mr McDonnell made an admission about taking the case. The court heard the defendant had 125 previous convictions, primarily for road traffic and drug possession offences. Solicitor John Quinn described his client as a broken man. He told the court Mr McDonnell had lost two sons in the last number of months. Mr Quinn said the defendant had been living rough, but with the help of support services he had attained accommodation. The solicitor said his client is in poor health. Noting that Mr McDonnell had two suspended sentences hanging over him Judge Bernadette Owens said: Without any doubt he is in custodial sentence territory. Judge Owens acknowledged that Mr McDonnell is engaging with the services offered to him in a positive manner. I have to look at the proportionality of a custodial sentence and how it would impact on the progress he has made, Judge Owens said. Adjourning the case to July 16, Judge Owens said this would afford the defendant the opportunity to bring 250 into court. Judge Owens concluded: I am making no promises to Mr McDonnell, but if you have the money in court I may be persuaded not to impose a custodial sentence. A father of six who struck another man up to 20 times with a shillelagh during a "savage and vicious" pub attack has had his 2.5-year jail term more than doubled by the Court of Appeal. In January last year at Longford Circuit Criminal Court, Edward 'Blondie' Stokes (33) of Ferriskill, Granard, Co Longford, was given a three-year sentence with the final six months suspended for 12 months for violent disorder. Judge Kenneth Connolly said the attack was a "frenzied" assault on then 27-year-old part time farmer John Baxter at Kane's Bar, Main Street, Granard, during lunchtime on October 7, 2018. Stokes was also sentenced to two years and three months for endangerment and to 18 months for the production of an article, all of which were to run concurrently. Stokes had pleaded not guilty to all counts but a unanimous jury verdict found him guilty on all counts after a nine-day trial. "This was a particularly savage, vicious and sustained assault on Mr Baxter by Mr Stokes and other persons present that involved about 20 or more blows to Mr Baxter," said Judge Connolly, adding he believed the blunt instrument used to be a shillelagh. Mr Baxter sustained lacerations to his head and bruising to both arms and legs after being left in a pool of blood on the floor of the pub. The State successfully appealed the sentence on grounds of undue leniency and at the Court of Appeal today (Thursday, March 21), Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy said the court would quash the original sentence and increase Stokes jail time by four years. Shane P Geraghty BL, for the State, submitted that the overall term of two-and-a-half years imprisonment had been unduly lenient, specifically regarding the sentence for violent disorder. Mr Geraghty said the incident happened at around 1.40pm on a Sunday afternoon in a public house when others were present and where children were in the vicinity. CCTV footage played to the three-judge court showed a male in a physical altercation with Mr Baxter before Stokes and another man enter with bats or shillelaghs and strike the injured party around 20 times each. Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy said there had been an element of savagery from what she had viewed on CCTV. Mr Geraghty said the attack had been one of joint enterprise that was premeditated. It was preplanned. Stokes arrived there in a vehicle. It wasnt opportunistic in that there were weapons involved. The three males arrived at the location hell-bent on causing injuries, said counsel. Referring to the CCTV footage, Mr Geraghty said there had been a calmness and coolness in the way Stokes goes about this. Counsel said that Stokes moved a table during the incident so he can get the headshots and that is the intention of Mr Stokes. Barry White SC, for Stokes, said that while the sentence might be a lenient one, it is not an unduly lenient one. Mr White said the trial judge had specifically taken all aggravating factors into account when sentencing his client and had also viewed the CCTV footage. Ms Justice Kennedy said Stokes had two previous convictions for assault, which was aggravating and relevant to the case and that mitigation was very slight. In quashing the original sentence, Mr Justice McCarthy said great violence had been used in the attack and that a table had been moved by Stokes in order to get further access to the head of the injured party. Noting that the maximum penalty for violent disorder is 10 years imprisonment, Mr Justice McCarthy said the court could not agree with the trial judges placing of the headline sentence at four years. The trial judge engaged thoroughly but we cannot agree the headline was correct. We quash the sentence on violent disorder and will proceed to re-sentencing, said the judge. Mr Justice McCarthy said that, given the aggravating factors present in the case, the appropriate headline sentence was eight years. The judge said mitigating factors in the case were very modest in that Stokes has a family and a business but noted no guilty plea had been entered in the case. Mr Justice McCarthy then reduced Stokes sentence to seven years imprisonment with the final six months suspended leaving Stokes having to serve six-and-a-half years in jail. Local News By Chris Boyle Published: March 21 2024 The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is May 10, 2024. The deadline to return economic injury applications for physical property damage is December 11, 2024. Town of Brookhaven Supervisor Daniel J. Panico has announced that the United States Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering Low-Interest Federal Assistance Loans to eligible Long Island residents and small businesses impacted by severe weather conditions on January 9 and 10, 2024. Up to 3.5 inches of rainfall resulted in flooding throughout Brookhaven Town, as well as other Long Island communities. According to a recent press release issued by New York State Governor Kathy Hochuls office, a State of Emergency was declared on January 8 for Long Island, thus activating the New York State Emergency Operations Center in Albany. Furthermore, on March 15, the United States SBA designated a Brookhaven Town in-person Disaster Loan Outreach Center at the Mastic Recreation Center, 15 Herkimer Street in Mastic, NY 11950. Hours of operation are Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, Saturday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm and closed on Sunday. The Babylon Disaster Loan Outreach Center is located at Babylon Town Hall, 200 Sunrise Highway, Lindenhurst, NY 11757. Hours of operations are Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm and closed on Saturday and Sunday. Both centers are scheduled to close on Friday, March 29, 2024 at 4:00 pm. The following disaster loans are available: Business Physical Disaster Loans: Loans to businesses for the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged property owned by the business, including real estate, inventories, supplies, machinery, and equipment. Businesses of any size are eligible. Private, non-profit organizations such as charities, churches, private universities, etc., are also eligible. Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL): Working capital loans to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes meet their ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met as a direct result of the disaster. Home Disaster Loans: Loans to homeowners or renters to repair or replace disaster-damaged real estate and personal property, including automobiles. To apply for a disaster loan, please use the MySBA Loan Portal at www.lending.sba.gov. Applicants can also call the SBA Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. People with a hearing or speech disability can dial 711 to access telecommunications relay services. Completed applications should be mailed to U.S Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, Texas 76155. The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is May 10, 2024. The deadline to return economic injury applications for physical property damage is December 11, 2024. Local News By Chris Boyle Published: March 21 2024 Internships give students an advantage over other job seekers when it comes to work readiness, Supervisor Saladino said. Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino today announced the return of internship opportunities for college students who are looking to gain meaningful work experience. The Town will offer an internship program for the 2024 summer season. Internships give students an advantage over other job seekers when it comes to work readiness, and I am proud that the Town will once again provide that opportunity for our residents, Supervisor Saladino said. This internship program provides an invaluable opportunity for students to receive mentorship and supervision from experienced government professionals. This program compensates students at a competitive rate of $18 an hour, and students will work 19.5 hours per week. The program will operate May 30th through August 7th. Internships are available in the following Town Departments: Comptroller, General Services, Environmental Resources, Inter-Governmental Affairs, Planning & Development, Public Information, Public Safety, Public Works/Engineering, Town Attorney, Town Board, and Town Clerk. Interns will gain worksite specific knowledge, learn departmental procedures, assist with general office duties and reports, develop an understanding of worksite specific projects and apply the knowledge gained to benefit the Town of Oyster Bay. College students interested in internship opportunities must apply by April 12th. Applicants must submit a resume with their application, available at oysterbaytown.com/internship . Completed applications and resumes should be submitted to personnel@oysterbay-ny.gov . For more information, please call (516) 624-6425. CREDIT: Town of Oyster Bay Local News By Chris Boyle Published: March 21 2024 New Yorkers host 25 NY ERA day of action events across state to engage & educate voters including Buffalo, Albany, Ithaca, and Long Island. More than 1,000 New Yorkers joined 1199SEIU, the American Civil Liberties Union, the New York Civil Liberties Union, NAACP New York, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Planned Parenthood Empire State Acts, National Institute for Reproductive Health Action Fund, NEW Pride Agenda, Make the Road Action, the New York Immigration Coalition Action, and New York State United Teachers to kick off efforts to pass a 2024 ballot measure that would protect essential rights, including abortion and pregnancy outcomes under to the New York Equal Rights Amendment (NY ERA). Twenty-five NY ERA days of action are taking place across the state in the coming weeks, organized by college groups, gender equity organizations, and voter engagement coalitions signaling growing grassroots momentum behind this historic initiative. Grassroots-led days of action will educate New Yorkers about the urgent need for the NY ERA and activate New Yorkers to take part in advocating for a first-of-its-kind ballot measure. The NY ERA would protect and preserve the rights and freedoms of all New Yorkers, no matter who they are, where they come from, or who they love. The NY ERA would explicitly protect against sex discrimination based on a persons pregnancy or pregnancy outcome never before used language in any state at a time when criminalizing people for pregnancy outcomes like miscarriages and stillbirths is on the rise. The NY ERA would also protect against any government interference that would curtail a persons reproductive autonomy or access to abortion. By embedding protections for reproductive rights within the state constitution in a gender equity framework, the NY ERA will insulate New Yorkers from ever-changing politics that could ban, eliminate, or reduce access to abortion. New Yorkers deserve the freedom to control our own bodies, lives, and futures. But across the country, politicians are restricting peoples rights and freedoms, including the right to abortion. Here in New York, its critical that we, the voters, guarantee our own rights and freedoms in our state constitution so that they are permanently protected, and not left up to the whims of politicians, said New Yorkers for Equal Rights Campaign Director Sasha Ahuja. Because no New Yorker should ever be discriminated against by the government, no matter who we are, what we look like, who we love, whether we have a disability, or whether we choose to have an abortion. New Yorkers for Equal Rights is a grassroots campaign led by a coalition of 225 civil and reproductive rights organizations advocating for passage of the New York Equal Rights Amendment. The campaign efforts include, but are not limited to, grassroots organizing and voter education, phone banking and door-knocking, television ads, direct mail, and digital communications. The campaign is expected to be one of the biggest investments ever made in a New York ballot measure. 25 NY ERA days of action are taking place across New York State, including: Albany - League of Women Voters Rensselaer County Day of Action Buffalo - The Young Feminist Party Day of Action Long Island - Engage Long Island Day of Action Mid-Hudson - NYCLU Mid-Hudson Day of Action Ulster - Indivisible Ulster Day of Action Grassroots organizations and nonprofits leading NY ERA days of action across the state include: AAUW Westchester/League of Women Voters of North East Westchester Buffalo Young Feminist Party Cattaraugus/Allegany League of Women Voters Community Unitarian Universalist Congregation at White Plains Downtown Women for Change Engage LI Indivisible Ulster League of Women Voters of the City of New York League of Women Voters of Rensselaer County League of Women Voters of Tompkins County Markers For Democracy Nassau Community College National Council of Jewish Women NY The New York Civil Liberties Union Planned Parenthood of Greater New York (PPGNY) Action Fund Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic The Pride Agenda Reproductive Justice Social Justice Team Smithtown League of Women Voters Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood The Young Feminist Party By passing the NY ERA, New Yorkers for Equal Rights is building a model amendment the most expansive in the country. The NY ERA creates the most expansive list of protected categories; no other state explicitly defines sex discrimination as including reproductive healthcare and autonomy (decision-making) or pregnancy outcomes. New York's ERA, if passed in 2024, would serve as a model for how these rights can be realized and delivered on the ground, and other states are already looking to New York as a leader on this. Additionally, New Yorks expansive state ERA could help lead the conversation on how a federal ERA would be interpreted, if a federal amendment is passed. The New Yorkers for Equal Rights campaign executive committee includes 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, Planned Parenthood Empire State Acts, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, North Star, New York Immigration Coalition, New York Civil Liberties Union, NEW Pride Agenda, National Institute for Reproductive Health Action Fund, NAACP New York, Make the Road New York, and New York State United Teachers. New York State constitutional amendments must pass in two consecutive legislative terms and then be approved by voters in a ballot referendum. In an effort led by advocacy organizations, the NY ERA was voted on by the New York State Legislature on July 1, 2022, in a special session, following the Dobbs v. JWHO decision that overturned Roe v. Wade, and again on January 24, 2023, to mark the 50th anniversary of that landmark decision. New Yorkers will have the opportunity to vote on the amendment in 2024. If voters approve it, the ERA will be added to New Yorks state constitution.The Equal Rights Amendment is currently the only state ballot measure that will appear on New Yorkers ballots this November. New Yorkers deserve a constitution that reflects our values and protects us all, and we must be relentless in our pursuit of equality. When something is important, you write it down and in November, voters will have the chance to flip the ballot to vote for critical protections against discrimination into our state constitution. Our rights, bodies, and futures depend upon it. Through the strength of this powerful coalition and the majority of voters who believe in the Equal Rights Amendment, this ballot measure will send a clear message that New Yorkers wont take our rights for granted, said Robin Chappelle Golston, President and CEO, Planned Parenthood Empire State Acts. The National Institute for Reproductive Health Action Fund is proud to be part of a coalition working to pass the broadest list of protections of any statewide ballot measure weve seen yet. When it comes to reproductive freedom, the NY ERA will not only guarantee abortion rights, but it will end Roe's legacy of discrimination and criminalization based on pregnancy outcomes like miscarriage and stillbirth. We urge New Yorkers to pass this innovative ballot measure in November and establish a winning gender equity framework that protects every person's rights and freedoms, said Aisha Mills, interim president, National Institute for Reproductive Health Action Fund. This November the power will be placed in the hands of everyday New Yorkers not politicians to enshrine our values and protections into the New York state constitution. From LGBTQ+ rights to abortion access, our freedom and liberty are on the ballot. As state after state continue to roll back our healthcare, our bodily autonomy, and our dignity, here in New York we're standing up and fighting back. Our inclusive New York Equal Rights Amendment demonstrates that there is no winning without all of us, said Elisa Crespo, Executive Director of NEW Pride Agenda. Every day we work on behalf of immigrant communities to ensure that all of our rights are protected. Today we continue that fight by standing with leaders across our movements to secure the boldest Equal Rights Amendment in the country. At a moment when so many rights and freedoms have been rolled back in state after state, here in New York we are thrilled to join a broad coalition to ensure that no New Yorker experiences discrimination by the government, said Theo Oshiro, Executive Director of Make the Road Action. Abortion and equality are on the ballot this November. As states across the country roll back protections, New Yorkers have the opportunity to vote to safeguard rights, meet this moment, and lead the nation. This amendment would give constitutional backing to New York's anti-discrimination laws guaranteeing our civil rights, no matter who's in Albany. The New York Civil Liberties Union has organizers across the state, and well join our partners in training volunteers, knocking doors, and educating communities. Every single New Yorker needs to know whats at stake: equal rights, abortion, and a state constitution that truly protects all of us, said Donna Lieberman, Executive Director of the New York Civil Liberties Union. Our state and federal constitutions were written at a time when their promises of equality could not imagine what might be needed today to ensure equal protection for every person. Thats why we are proud to stand with leaders from across many movements to secure the boldest Equal Rights Amendment in the country. At a moment when so many rights and freedoms have been rolled back in state after state, together we can fight to ensure no New Yorker experiences discrimination by our government based on their race, disability, LGBTQ+ identity, pregnancy, or gender. The Equal Rights Amendment is the policy we need today to ensure that every New Yorker will be protected equally under the law!, said Murad Awawdeh, President and CEO, New York Immigration Coalition Action. As the leading civil rights and racial justice organization in New York State, NAACP New York is proud to lead New Yorkers for Equal Rights. This November, as voters, and especially voters of color, go to the polls, they will rest assured knowing that their rights are on the ballot. As part of the civic engagement and voter education work that we do cycle after cycle, we're thrilled to engage our members and our communities in the months ahead, said L Joy Williams, NAACP New York Staten Conference Legislative Coordinator and President of Brooklyn NAACP. About New Yorkers for Equal Rights New Yorkers for Equal Rights, a ballot initiative committee registered with the New York State Board of Elections, was formed by a coalition of civil rights and reproductive rights organizations advocating for passage of the New York Equal Rights Amendment. The NY ERA is supported by New York-based and national organizations across New York. For the full list of NY ERA coalition members please visit https://nyequalrights.org/. Governor Kathy Hochul today launched a $102 million effort to broaden wraparound care for individuals with serious mental illness. Governor Hochul announced more than $92 million will be deployed to develop 26 Critical Time Intervention teams, which provide continued support and care coordination for individuals living with mental illness. In addition, Governor Hochul also announced that up to $10 million will be deployed to develop additional Safe Options Support teams that focus on youth and young adults; the Safe Options Support initiative has already helped nearly 390 long-term homeless individuals move from the streets into stable housing. This new funding is part of Governor Hochul's nation-leading $1 billion plan to transform the mental health continuum of care. New Yorkers struggling with serious mental illness deserve care, treatment and support, Governor Hochul said. The mental health crisis is the defining challenge of our time, and New York will deploy every resource at our disposal to address this crisis. These investments are part of Governor Hochuls $1 billion plan to strengthen New York States mental health care system by adding capacity system-wide, expanding existing programs with a record of success, such as SOS, and funding new evidence-based initiatives, including CTI. The Governors plan will establish 50 CTI teams and further expand the SOS program. CTI teams are a key component of the proposed OMH regulations setting the expected standard of care for assessing, evaluating, and discharging individuals with behavioral health conditions from facilities the agency oversees. Similar regulations were also proposed by the state Department of Health for certain hospitals the agency oversees. OMH Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan said, Some individuals living with mental illness may for a period of time need intensive community supports to help them on their road to recovery. By creating Critical Time Intervention teams and expanding the Safe Options Support program, we can provide assistance, work with individuals and families to access the services they need and enable them to thrive in their communities. Through these initiatives, Governor Hochul is fulfilling her commitment to ensure all New Yorkers have access to quality affordable mental health care. The New York State Office of Mental Health will provide up to $41.2 million to establish ten Critical Time Intervention teams to serve Upstate counties; $32.2 million to establish five teams to serve New York City, Westchester County and Long Island; and $19.4 million to establish 11 teams to serve rural areas statewide. The new CTI teams will serve adults with complex mental health conditions including co-occurring substance use, medical conditions, or co-occurring intellectual or developmental disabilities and those being discharged from an inpatient psychiatric hospital. The teams will also support individuals being discharged from emergency department or other crisis services who are not engaged in treatment, lack community support, or are at risk of losing their housing. Earlier this year, OMH made more than $55 million available to establish the first nine Critical Time Intervention teams in New York City and Long Island to serve adults. In addition, OMH is now accepting proposals for $10 million in state funding to create two new SOS teams in New York City to serve young adults experiencing homelessness, which puts them at increased risk of victimization, such as through sex or labor trafficking. These teams are staffed by mental health specialists and provide support and care coordination, with a goal of finding them permanent housing. To date, SOS teams serving New York City have secured stable housing for nearly 390 individuals experiencing chronic homelessness, many of whom also suffer severe and chronic mental illness. These teams have had roughly 21,000 outreach encounters and enrolled more than 1,700 clients with serious mental illness into the program since its inception in spring 2022. Cannabis residues were lower than cocaine despite its legalisation last year High levels of cocaine, MDMA, amphetamines and cannabis have been detected in Luxembourgs wastewater, according to a study released Wednesday by the European SCORE group and the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction. This finding has put the Grand Duchy near the top of the European list for the amount of drugs found in urban wastewater. The study, which took place between March and May 2023, collected water samples from 88 European cities in 24 countries. Three Luxembourg cities participated: Mamer, Mersch and Bouvange. Also read: Cocaine use on the rise in Luxembourg More than 0.28g of cocaine residues were found in the Mersch wastewater treatment plant per 1,000 residents per day, the report said. The concentration rate was 0.25g in Mamer and 0.12g in Bouvange. This level is considered as high, especially when compared to Saarbrucken, a nearby city in Germany, where the average rate is 0.24g. However, Luxembourgs rates are less than those of other major European cities, such Brussels (0.60g) and Paris (0.61g). On the contrary, residues of cannabis were found to be lower than cocaine even after its legalisation in July last year. The study found 0.13g of residues daily per 1,000 inhabitants in Mamer, 0.09g in Bouvange and 0.11g in Mersch. Also read: Luxembourg to review penalties for eco-crimes as offences increase Other illicit substances, such as MDMA, amphetamines and ketamine, have also been detected in Luxembourgs wastewater, though at a lesser level than in other European countries such as Sweden, Belgium, Germany, Netherlands, France and Finland. This investigation is part of a larger European monitoring initiative, aimed to assess the prevalence of drug use across the continent by analysing urban wastewater. It has seen participation from many cities since it began in 2011. Luxembourg began participating in 2023. Prime Minister Luc Frieden says authorities know who was behind the attacks Prime Minister Luc Frieden says authorities know who was behind a cyberattack on Luxembourg government websites on Thursday morning. Speaking on the sidelines of the EU summit in Brussels, Frieden explained that he had been pleased with the authorities response to the attack: I am quite satisfied with the states response - our plans worked, he said. Frieden also explained that there had been no data theft. The lesson is: you always have to be well prepared and have contingency plans ready. The prime minister did not want to reveal who might be behind the attack nor what the motive may have been. Its not useful to publicise the people behind it - but our experts know where the attack came from. The attack had prompted an emergency meeting after several websites were shut down on Thursday afternoon, including that of the national health fund CNS, as well as the government.lu site and myguichet. By Friday morning all sites were up and running again. Considering the size of the attack, prime minister Luc Frieden called for a crisis unit to be established, a spokeswoman for the ministry of state told the Luxembourg Times during a phone call. The prime minister is being kept up to date about the situation, she added, explaining that digitalisation minister Stephanie Obertin would preside over the meetings of the crisis unit. Cybersecurity must be taken seriously, Frieden had said on Thursday afternoon. A country must be well prepared and must continue to prepare itself. However, according to my information, Luxembourg is well prepared to fend off such threats. The ministry said that the cyberattack on the governments websites has been identified as a so-called denial-of-service attack, where perpetrators flood their targets resources to render their systems incapable of fulfilling legitimate requests from users. Asked about the potential origin and motive behind the attack, the ministry spokesperson said an analysis is ongoing, and said more information would be communicated once the issue is resolved. Asked about rumours circulating on X that Russian hackers were at the origin of the attack, Luxembourgs government denied any link between the attack and the countrys stance on Russia and Ukraine, the Luxemburger Wort was told. Cybersecurity must be taken seriously, Frieden said in Brussels. A country must be well prepared and must continue to prepare itself. However, according to my information, Luxembourg is well prepared to fend off such threats. (This article was updated on 22 March with comments from Luc Frieden.) Country will not build any reactors, Prime Minister Luc Frieden said, but emphasised the importance of nuclear power in the fight against climate change Luc Frieden wants to take a "less ideological" approach to nuclear power, he told a summit in Brussels Luc Frieden wants to take a "less ideological" approach to nuclear power, he told a summit in Brussels Photo credit: Gerry Huberty Luc Frieden wants to take a "less ideological" approach to nuclear power, he told a summit in Brussels Photo credit: Gerry Huberty Luxembourgs prime minister Luc Frieden has spoken out in favour of new nuclear energy projects during an international summit on nuclear energy in Brussels on Thursday, despite the countrys longstanding anti-nuclear stance. Although the government is still in favour of closing power plants close to the border in France and Belgium, it is "open to technology" when it comes to the future development of nuclear energy, Frieden said during the event. Also read: CSV stands by anti-nuclear commitments as coalition leader "We will not be building any nuclear power plants in Luxembourg. Given the size of the country, that goes without saying," he said. "But we won't tell others how to move away from fossil fuels." Nuclear research must be supported, including with EU funds, Frieden said, adding that, down the line, a large proportion of the energy in Europe that does not come from fossil fuels will come from nuclear power. This should be viewed "less ideologically", Frieden said, adding that the future nuclear energy of tomorrow will not be the same as that of 30 or 40 years ago. Support for expansion The meeting was attended by heads of state and government from France, the Netherlands and Poland, as well as high-ranking representatives from the USA, China and Japan. Around 30 countries across the world, including the US, China and Brazil, want to see the faster expansion and easier financing of nuclear power plants. "We are committed to fully utilising the potential of nuclear energy," said the joint declaration, which was adopted at the summit on Thursday. Electricity from nuclear power plants is essential for reducing climate-damaging CO2 emissions, the statement continued. The signatories to the joint declaration spoke out not only in favour of building new nuclear power plants, but also in favour of extending the lifespan of existing plants. They also argue in favour of the rapid deployment of newer and smaller reactors. Also read: Cattenom director hopes for plant to run beyond 2050 Financing nuclear projects The participants called on international financial institutions, such as the World Bank, to provide more support for nuclear projects and indicated that, in their view, other alternative energy sources have so far been favoured by development banks. Germany, which has completed its nuclear phase-out, did not take part in the meeting, which saw a protest by campaigners from the environmental organisation Greenpeace. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, 415 reactors are in operation worldwide for the production of electricity. At the World Climate Conference at the end of last year, around 20 countries announced their intention to triple their nuclear power generation capacity by 2050. (This article was first published in the Luxemburger Wort. Translation and editing by Tracy Heindrichs.) Chega went from being the third in 2022 to first among Portuguese emigrants in Luxembourg, increasing its number of votes six-fold Chega went from being the third in 2022 to first among Portuguese emigrants in Luxembourg, increasing its number of votes six-fold Photo credit: Lusa Chega went from being the third in 2022 to first among Portuguese emigrants in Luxembourg, increasing its number of votes six-fold Photo credit: Lusa The far right Chega party won the most support among the Portuguese electorate in Luxembourg in parliamentary elections held on 10 March, securing nearly one in ten votes. Andre Ventura's party won with 19.61% of the vote (2,676 votes) in the Grand Duchy, according to the vote count at the consulate in Luxembourg, which has now been finalised and released by the Portuguese Ministry of Internal Affairs (MAI). The Democratic Alliance (AD) placed second among Luxembourg voters with 14.27%, and the socialist PS was third with 12.97%. Overall, the AD won 80 of the 230 seats in parliament, followed by PS with 78 seats and Chega, which was founded just five years ago, with 50. In Luxembourg, 13,649 (37.01%) of the 36,876 Portuguese citizens on the electoral roll voted, according to the MAI website. Of those votes that came out of the Grand Duchy, more than 40% (or 6,048 votes) were spoilt, according to the ministry. Chega increases vote six-fold Chega went from being the third to the first political force among Portuguese voters in Luxembourg in these legislative elections, increasing its number of votes six-fold compared to 2022. Two years ago, the party led by Andre Ventura won just 456 votes (8.67%). The main cause was the failure of the traditional parties to respond to peoples wishes, Sergio Ferreira, political director of the Association for the Support of Immigrant Workers (Asti), suggested. The fact is that many Portuguese are still going abroad and looking for a better life. If the parties dont wake up this time, there will be a greater risk in the long term, he said. Chega, like other far-right parties, creates the idea that we are good and others are bad. The Portuguese who vote for Chega believe that they are the good immigrants and that the others are the bad immigrants, Ferreira said. Its an absolute contradiction. Even immigrants who have been in Luxembourg for a few years look at the Portuguese who have arrived more recently as someone who wants to take advantage of the system. A phenomenon that can be explained by this dichotomy of good and bad immigrants, he added. Despite only losing 14 votes compared to the previous elections, PS fell from first in 2022 to third place in 2024 Photo credit: MAI Despite only losing 14 votes compared to the previous elections, PS fell from first to third place in the latest election. But while in 2022 its 1,784 votes accounted for 33.91%, in 2024 the 1,770 votes won be the socialists gained were worth just 12.97%. The PS is now likely to be asked to form a coalition with the Democratic Alliance after AD leader Luis Montenegro was charged with forming a government. Montenegro has ruled out a deal with Chega, which has angered voters of the far right party. Even though Im from the PS, I think Luis Montenegro is a coward for not including Chega in the government. Portugal needs cleaning up and Andre Ventura is a serious person who can do it, one Portuguese citizen in Luxembourg told Contacto. (This article was first published by Contacto. It has been translated and edited by Duncan Roberts.) Maria Johnson Davis Download Image: Web Lycoming College Art Gallery in downtown Williamsport will again open its doors to the community for the annual juried exhibition featuring the thesis works of Lycoming College graduating senior art students. The exhibition opens April 5, with an artist reception at 5:30 p.m. The exhibition will run through May 11. The exhibit is free and open to the public. The Lycoming College Senior Show is the culmination of thesis projects for all seniors with a major in studio art. All studio art majors are required to produce a cohesive body of professional thesis work and must be chosen by an outside juror to exhibit in the Senior Show in order to graduate. The juror for this years thesis exhibition is Eva Frosch, co-owner of Frosch & Co. gallery in New York City. Frosch was previously tapped to serve as juror for the 2020 Senior Show, but was unable to fill the role when the nation went on lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Eva Frosch holds a masters degree in art history from the University of Zurich, Switzerland. She moved to New York in 2004, where she was a fellow at the Museum of Modern Art, worked for the artist Peter Halley, and was the Gallery Director at Jack the Pelican Presents in Brooklyn. Frosch & Co. represents emerging and mid-career artists with an affinity toward witty intelligence. The 2024 Senior Art Show features works and artist statements from the following graduating seniors: Kya Carthen painting and anthropology double major Maria Johnson Davis art generalist major, Spanish minor Alexandra Dergarabedian art history and art generalist double major Jalen Johnson painting major Cesilio Coatl Miranda graphic design major, graphic design and 3D animation minor Richard Rheam graphic design major, music minor Cole Schaeffer art generalist major, painting minor Samantha Wood photography major, criminal justice and criminology minor Craig Zortman art generalist major, painting minor The Lycoming College Art Gallery, located in downtown Williamsport at 25 W. Fourth St., contributes to the citys arts culture and allows the College to become more involved with the surrounding community. Lycoming art students have the opportunity to interact with visiting artists and learn first-hand the inner workings of an art gallery. The gallery is open Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 4-8 p.m. For more information, visit the gallery online, or email Rose DiRocco-Hodges, art gallery director, with any questions. As a young lady going through this exciting journey of self-discovery and girlhood, you might often find yourself feeling lost or confused about many things be it about relationships, consent, sex, contraception and overall female reproductive health. Dont worry, you are not alone through all these! CHARMEE, one of the leading trusted feminine protection brands in the Philippines, can be your bestie and support system. The PAD-ibig Diary has a total of 24 different diary designs and stories, all wrapped around CHARMEE feminine pads. CHARMEE, together with Roots of Health, a highly respected reproductive health organization based in the Philippines, and an all-women team from advertising agency Blackpencil Manila of the Leo Burnett Group celebrated girls through Project Roots where they learned correct information on sexual health, contraception, consent, and healthy relationships in an engaging way. The project kicked off at the Palawan High School, the second largest high school in the country, and was made more relatable and fun through interactive activities and colorful storytelling delivered through a surprising media sanitary napkins! Dear diary The activity opened with the female students being welcomed with the PAD-ibig Diary shelf that has a total of 24 diary designs and stories, all wrapped around CHARMEE feminine pads, open to the students to grab one for free. Fun and visually appealing, these diaries contain nakakakilig stories with evidence-based scientific information, tackling important lessons on sexual education, spanning from busting common myths on reproduction and pregnancy to the basics of consent, healthy relationships and communication. To make it even more interesting and interactive, the activity included a dramatic reading by some of the schools best actresses of some of the diary entries. The students were also encouraged to take selfies with the self-care mirrors scattered around the school gym. Just between us girls The fun learning sessions didnt end there as a more in-depth talk with Roots of Health educators took place. The entertaining and engaging segment talked about the science behind what was Chismis or Check or true or false about sex and female health. But even after the learning sessions concluded at Palawan National High School, empowering and supporting more than 5,000 female high school students continue. The PAD-ibig Diary shelf was placed in the schools clinic, available for female students who need it. Ensuring educational resources are readily available, murals in the girls toilets and by the clinic were also created as reminders. Roots of Health has also uploaded the PAD-ibig Diary stories online for easy viewing anytime. Not only that, girls can also visit the organizations Youth Clinics and regular TikTok Live Sessions called Safe Magtanong Dito where more questions can be asked and answered by credible educators. Palawan High School female students joined the Project Roots kick off campaign. Beyond the feminine pad But this is just the beginning for CHARMEE! So many more young and adult women can watch out for the brands nationwide School Tour Activation in 2024, reaching girls from grade 7 to 12 (12 to 15 years old), and giving away sanitary napkin and pantyliner product samples. Aside from making sanitary pads accessible to young girls, this School Tour initiative also aims to educate the students on menstruation and proper menstrual hygiene practice through an educational flyer. On top of these exciting events, CHARMEE will also launch digital educational campaigns about Menstrual Hygiene and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). From PAD-ibig Diaries to educational campaigns, CHARMEE will continue to reach its goal of empowering girls and becoming their dependable partner in their journey to womanhood. To know more about CHARMEE, visit https://charmee.com.ph/ and follow their social media platforms, Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/CharmeeFeminineProtection), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/charmeefeminineprotection/), TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@charmeeph) The Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) is trying to find homes for 40 guinea pigs from its three animal shelters and theyre free this weekend. The group said in a press release Thursday that in coordination with National Adopt a Guinea Pig Month that the small pets will be available to adopt for free from Saturday, March 23 through Sunday, March 24. ARL has three adoption centers in Massachusetts: in Boston at 10 Chandler St., in Dedham at 55 Annas Place and in Brewster on Cape Cod at 3981 Main St. with operation hours between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. across all three. ARL added that with the more than 40 guinea pigs available for adoption that many more in foster care [are] waiting their turn, with the organization seeing a dramatic rise in guinea pig surrenders in the past few years. The group said owners grappling with unexpected litters of guinea pigs resulting from pet stores incorrectly determining the sex of the guinea pigs they sell is often a reason why this happens. ARL said in December 2023 the City of Boston passed a ban which went into effect this week which prohibits the sale of guinea pigs in pet stores unless a store partners with an animal rescue organization such as ARL. With many pet stores acquiring guinea pigs from out-of-state breeding facilities, the ban will help promote the large numbers of guinea pigs available for adoption in local animal shelters and cut down on the rising numbers of abandoned and stray guinea pigs being found around the city, ARL said. The group added that guinea pigs make for wonderful pets, noting they are social, relatively quiet, [and] great for small living spaces, and a good substitute for a pet for properties which may not allow for larger animals like dogs and cats. ARL said during the fee-waived adoption event that the groups Adoption Forward process will remain the same and its adoption team will require adopters to bring a photo of the enclosure their pet will live in to ensure it meets the groups requirements. ARL provides veterinary care, adoption and rescue services for animals across Massachusetts, while addressing the root causes of animal cruelty and neglect through community programs, police investigations and public advocacy. ARL said it served 20,964 animals through the Bay State in 2023 and as a non-profit organization it is reliant on the generosity of its supporters to fund the work it does. When Joann filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Monday, the company said it had no plans to close its retail locations or lay off any employees, and court filings detail how the popular crafts and fabric retailer plans to pull this off. Joann, which has more than 20 locations in Massachusetts, would be able to obtain money it would not otherwise have access to through Chapter 11 as part of an agreement with its lenders to become a privately held company. The company wants to use that money to pay employees and vendors as it works to pay off some of the debt on its balance sheet. Filings show the company has more than $1 billion in funded debt. Paying off vendors, employees But, the company has said it has commitments in place for approximately $132 million in new financing that will clear about half of that $1 billion in debt from its balance sheet, according to the filings. Joann is proposing a restructuring of its ownership, moving from a publicly traded company to a privately held one owned by its lenders as part of the bankruptcy process. In the filings, the company stressed the need for a swift move through bankruptcy proceeds. Time is of the essence for the [company] as [it has] faced mounting pressure from trade creditors and need to effectuate the restructuring contemplated... as soon as possible to in order to ensure [it] can exit chapter 11 in time to capitalize on an upcoming high season and manage trade partners appropriately, court filings read. In a declaration submitted along with the filing, Joann Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President Scott Sekella said if the proposed restructuring of the company is allowed to go forward, the company believes it will be able to keep all its stores open and maintain the more than 18,000 jobs it provides. The company anticipates having negative cash flow while it is in bankruptcy, accentuating the need for the additional financing, according to Sekella. In fact, the company plans to use the first chunk of money it obtains through Chapter 11 to pay vendors. Why Joann filed for bankruptcy Sekella also detailed the financial conditions that prompted the company to file for bankruptcy in the first place. Sekella wrote Joann and other retailers have faced a challenging commercial environment characterized by increased competition, particularly from online sellers, and an industry-wide shift away from brick-and-mortar shopping. Through the 2010s, the company was able to maintain relative stability due to the loyalty of brick-and-mortar customers. But, in 2018 and 2019, the companys merchandise costs rose sharply as a result of higher tariffs put on Chinese imports at the same time it undertook significant capital expenditures to remodel physical stores. Those factors led the company to retain investment banker Houlihan Lokey in early 2020 and prompted some negotiations with a group of lenders under a now-extinguished term loan facility that had been set to mature in 2023. The companys heavy reliance on imported goods continues to cause significant financial strain on the business, Sekella said in the declaration. Eight former Saint Vincent Hospital nurses who insist they were fired for reporting unsafe patient care conditions sued the Worcester hospital and its Dallas-based owner, the Massachusetts Nurses Association announced. Eight former emergency department nurses filed the lawsuit in Worcester Superior Court on Thursday against the hospital and owner Tenet Healthcare, claiming their reports of unsafe and illegal conduct and conditions were met with retaliation, according to a statement from MNA on Thursday. Saint Vincent Hospital told MassLive Thursday it would not comment on the lawsuit. Former St. Vincent nurses Katherine Antos, Jacqueline Charron, Alicia Dagle-Metz, Rachel Denapoli, Megan Fikucki, Kayla Gill, Dominique Muldoon and Christina Nester said nursing staff shortages in the hospitals emergency department led to caring for far too many patients than is safe, including sometimes taking up to a 20-patient assignment, the lawsuit said. Patients are often left unattended in ED (emergency department) hallways, left to sit in their own urine and feces, and there are severe delays in triage and care, the lawsuit said. When the plaintiff nurses objected to providing unsafe care, [Saint Vincent Hospital] and Tenet fired them or put them on unpaid leave. Within the more-than 600 complaints filed by nurses since July 2023, they reported that patients were left unattended suffering injuries from falls, a pregnant woman in labor waiting more than five hours for a C-section and patients lying in their own bodily waste for extended periods of time, the lawsuit read. Nurses talked about the staffing shortages on WhatsApp, according to the lawsuit. Stephanie Minardi, director of nursing for the emergency department, who is named throughout the lawsuit, was aware of these discussions and told an employee in a Dec. 16, 2023, text message to start deleting the goddamn stupidity on the [WhatsApp] ... Theyre going to use anything and everything to make you look bad so beware of what you type and erase any of those comments in real-time, according to the lawsuit. The nurses filed the suit under the states healthcare whistleblower statute, which was crafted to protect caregivers from being fired or met with retaliation for disclosing to a public body an activity, policy or practice of the healthcare facility ... that the healthcare provider reasonably believes is in violation of a law or rule or regulation ... or in violation of professional standards of practice which the healthcare provider reasonably believes poses a risk to public health, the MNA said. Nurses communicated their concerns to their managers via text, email or in-person and warned of the need for improvements to ensure safety, the nurses union said. The suit cited the staffing shortages but added that for many years, nurses have submitted unsafe staffing forms to both the MNA and SVH when they believe that staffing levels are dangerous for patient care, and all the nurses drafted and signed written unsafe staffing forms that were sent to SVH managers prior to the plaintiffs being fired or placed on unpaid leave. Claims by the nurses were validated by the Joint Commission following an investigation into the nurses complaints, the nurses association said. These nurses did everything in their power and met every obligation under their license and the law to protect their patients from harm, Katie Murphy, president of the Massachusetts Nurses Association, the union representing the nurses, said in the statement. These nurses, who we are referring to as the St. Vincent 8, are true heroes and represent the canaries in the dark mine shaft that is for-profit healthcare. We believe they have an ironclad case and hope the court acts quickly to provide the justice they so rightfully deserve. The firing of these nurses was described as an unlawful ... brazen, however fruitless, attempt to punish and silence them, the nurses union said. After a trial, the nurses hope to be reinstated to their former roles with full benefits and seniority rights and receive damages from Saint Vincent Hospital and Tenet as a result of their illegal conduct towards the nurses MNA concluded. Saint Vincent Hospital nurses have filed several complaints with the Department of Public Health Division of Healthcare Quality and the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing in response to conditions they said they have seen. On March 13, the hospital claimed that a recent survey by the Department of Public Health found no deficiencies in its staffing or quality of care, a clean bill of health. But the health department told MassLive it is still in the midst of an onsite investigation into conditions at the hospital, and that no conclusions can be drawn at this time. Best Buy will close more than a dozen stores over the next year, the company announced during its quarterly earnings call. By 2025, the electronics retail giant is expecting to close between 10 and 15 stores, Chief Financial Officer Matt Bilunas said on the call at the end of February. It was not said which stores would be closing. Bilunas explained the company is continuing its ongoing practice of reviewing stores as leases near renewal dates, and noted the company closed 24 locations last year. Best Buy has been working to improve its in-store customer experience in 2022, it rolled out more than 40 new Experience Stores across the country featuring products in the realm of health, transportation, outdoor living and even LEGOs, after seeing success with such immersive locations in Texas and North Carolina. There is a good chance the company will remodel larger spaces into Experience Stores, said CEO Corie Barry. But as the company continues to close some traditional stores, Bilunas explained Best Buy plans to open a few additional outlet centers and new formats to continue to test two important concepts. First, we will open small locations in a couple outstate markets where we have no prior physical presence and our omnichannel sales penetration is low to measure our ability to capture untapped share, the chief financial officer said. Second, we will test our ability to close a large-format store and open a small-format store nearby, thereby maximizing physical store retention through convenience, Bilunas said. And beyond initiating a great physical experience using visuals and in-store products, Best Buys employees will undergo further training and certifications so customers still receive expert service interactions, Bilunas said. The company has 23 stores in Massachusetts and 1,050 across the country. Best Buy did not immediately respond to MassLive for confirmation if any Massachusetts locations will close. Ward 1 Brockton School Committee member and former school committee Vice Chair Kathy Ehlers resigned from her seat effective on Wednesday, a Brockton Public Schools spokesperson confirmed to MassLive on Thursday. Brocktons mayor, Robert Sullivan, announced Ehlers departure during Tuesday nights committee meeting, where Ehlers chair sat empty, according to The Enterprise. The spokesperson said Ehlers resigned due to relocating outside of Brockton. Ehlers told The Enterprise on Monday that she was starting a new job in Vermont. A Venezuelan woman accused of involvement in a 2019 shooting in the Dominican Republic that nearly killed Red Sox icon David Ortiz has been taken into custody, authorities in the Dominican Republic said Wednesday. Maria Fernanda Villasmil Manzanilla, 25, was arrested on Tuesday by police assigned to the Santo Domingo Interpol office, Dominican Republic National Police said in a Facebook post. Police did not say what charges Manzanilla now faces. Manzanilla had been pursued with an Interpol red notice, a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action, according to police. She was taken into police custody in the National District of Santo Domingo, and found in possession of several iPhones, bank cards, jewelry, and cash. Police also seized her Venezuelan passport. Police have arrested more than a dozen suspects, including Manzanilla, in connection with the June 9, 2019 shooting at the Dial Bar and Lounge in Santo Domingo. Ortiz underwent two surgeries in the 24 hours following the shooting. The 48-year-old was transported to Boston by air ambulance a day after the shooting and spent weeks recovering at Mass. General Hospital. Dominican Republic officials have said Ortiz was not the intended target of the shooting and ruled it a case of mistaken identity. Instead, Sixto David Fernandez, who was sitting at the same table at the Dial Bar and Lounge in Santo Domingo, is believed to have been the target. Fernandez was reportedly targeted due to his status as a criminal informant. But a report compiled by former Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis at Ortizs request found that Dominican Republic drug kingpin, Cesar Peralta, ordered a bounty on the former Red Sox stars head, according to the Boston Globe. The investigation showed that Peralta with whom Ortiz is said to have a casual relationship felt disrespected by the Red Sox legend and in turn placed a price on his life, the newspaper reported. The coordinated hit on the life of the beloved Red Sox star was for $400,000 Dominican pesos, or about $7,800 U.S. dollars, according to Dominican Republic authorities. Unsatisfied with the Dominican Republic attorney generals investigation into the shooting, which concluded with Ortiz not being the intended target of the 2019 shooting, Ortiz would go on to hire Ed Davis and Ric Prado, a former high-ranking CIA official, to lead a private investigation into the shooting. The investigation showed that Ortiz conducted no business with Peralta and their relationship was circumstantial, according to The Boston Globe. While David appreciates the thoroughness of [Davis] report, he awaits further legal action in the Dominican and US courts to bring final clarity and answers on why this happened to him, Ortizs communications adviser told the Globe. Peraltas Miami-based lawyer, Joaquin Perez, told reporters that his client had nothing to do with the assassination attempt. As bad as Cesar Peralta is, its not even close to being in the ballpark to say he had something to do with this, Perez said to reporters. Peralta is currently being held without bail in Puerto Rico on drug trafficking and money laundering charges, according to the Diario Libre. The 47-year-old Dominican drug lord was on the run at the time of Ortizs shooting. The Boston Globe said although he was a fugitive, Peralta was seen walking around many popular Dominican Republic locations in 2019. One man was killed and another was injured in a house fire in Carver Wednesday night, according to the Carver Fire Department. Firefighters responded to the two-story home just before 11 p.m. and arrived within three minutes, the fire department said in a press release. When they arrived, they found heavy flames coming from the home and learned that a person was trapped inside. Firefighters quickly entered the house and found a man on the first floor, but he was declared dead at the scene, the fire department said. A second person escaped the home and was taken to a hospital with injuries. Officials did not know how badly the second man was injured or what condition he was in as of early Thursday morning, the fire department said. No firefighters were injured while responding to the fire. Carver firefighters, Massachusetts State Police and the state Fire Marshals Office are still investigating the cause of the fire, the fire department said. No further information, including the identity of the victim, has been released. A 35-year-old man was sentenced to more than five years in prison this week after pleading guilty to possessing, distributing, and receiving child sexual abuse material, federal prosecutors said. Ever Edilberto Zuniga Ramirez, 35, pleaded guilty in October 2023 to a single charge of distribution, receipt, and possession of child pornography, according to acting U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Joshua S. Levys office. On Monday, U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper sentenced him to 62 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release. Beginning in July 2020 and stretching until March 2022, Ramirez distributed and received child sexual abuse materials over the internet, including photos of children under 12, Levys office said in a statement. More than 280 images of children were found on Ramirezs phone. The case against Ramirez was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, according to Levys office. A 17-year veteran of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) was arrested on Wednesday and charged with filing false personal tax returns for three years and underreporting about $90,000 worth of income, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua Levys office. Ndeye Amy Thioub, 67, of Swampscott works as a revenue agent assigned to the Large Business and International Division of the IRS, conducting independent field examination and related investigations of complex income tax returns, the U.S. Attorneys office said. Not only did Thioub have extensive knowledge of accounting techniques and practices, she also taught them at Salem State University. She worked as a visiting instructor at the institution, teaching college level classes that included accounting standards and ethics, according to the Levys office. Thioub is accused of filing false personal tax returns for tax years 2017, 2018 and 2019, claiming a business loss from a purported import and export business she claimed to have. The claim led her to underreport her income by $42,805 in 2017, $20,324 in 2018 and $27,063 in 2019, a total of $90,192, the U.S. Attorneys office wrote. The charge of filing a false tax return can lead to a sentence of up to three years in prison, one year of supervised release and a $100,000 fine. A 52-year-old man is facing charges in federal court in Boston after prosecutors say he lied about his involvement in the Rwandan genocide over the course of three decades and falsified testimony in the trial of a man found guilty of perpetrating genocide in the African nation, acting U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Joshua S. Levys office said. Eric Tabaro Nshimiye, who is also known as Eric Tabaro Nshimiyimana, of Uniontown, Ohio, was arrested Thursday morning in Ohio on charges of falsifying, concealing and covering up a material fact by trick, scheme or device; obstruction of justice; and perjury, Levys office said in a statement. In the early 1990s, Nshimiye was a medical student at the University of Rwanda campus in Butare, according to prosecutors. During that period, Rwanda had a significant ethnic division with roughly 85% of the country made up of Hutus, and 14% made up of Tutsis. A Massachusetts General Hospital doctor who saw the urine output from a pig kidney hed just finished helping transplant into a Weymouth man last Saturday called it the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. Tatsuo Kawai had been in the operating room in Boston at the Mass General Brigham health care system location when his team completed the worlds first successful transplant of a genetically-edited pig kidney into a living human. Kawai an MD, PhD, and director of the Legorreta Center for Clinical Transplant Tolerance recalled at a press conference Thursday the moments just after the major medical breakthrough took place. The kidney pinked up immediately and started to make urine. When we saw the first urine output, everyone in the operating room burst in applause, said Kawai. It was truly the most beautiful thing I have ever seen, Kawai said. Richard Slayman, a 62-year-old man from Weymouth, had end-stage kidney disease and was the pig kidneys recipient during the four-hour surgery on March 16. Slayman is recovering well at MGH and is expected to be discharged soon as of Thursday. Kawai was joined by doctors Leonardo V. Riella, medical director for Kidney Transplantation and Winfred Williams, Slaymans doctor for over a decade and associate chief of the MGH Division of Nephrology, at the conference. Williams said the transplant represents a true milestone for solving issues around unequal access for minority patients to receive kidney transplants with extreme donor organ shortage and other system-based barriers. A pig kidney that had 69 genomic edits was used in the surgery and provided by Cambridge company eGenesis. The kidney was genetically-edited using technology called CRISPR-Cas9 to remove harmful pig genes and add certain human genes and make it compatible with a human. In order to make it a more humanized kidney, Riella explained both porcine and human kidneys look the same microscopically and function very similarly. But there are a few things based on the diversion 80 million years ago between humans and pigs that are different, he said. One of these differences includes special sugars only found in pigs, which doctors removed in genetic editing since humans have antibodies against them, he said. Having Slayman as his patient for so long whom he called an amazing man who held his management position at MassDOT throughout the process Williams discussed complexities doctors faced in surgery and said Kawai has been consistently modest on the case. Read more: Health care workers fear CDC airborne transmissions revisions prioritize profits over people The Weymouth man had a complex vascular anatomy after his first failed kidney transplant and a 30-year history of diabetes and hypertension, Williams said. A reporter at Thursdays press conference recalled the deaths over the past two years of two Maryland patients whod received genetically-modified pig heart transplants. Though better virus testing was implemented for the second Maryland attempt, Lawrence Faucette, 58, died nearly six weeks after his heart transplant in 2023, the Associated Press reported. Williams said not only would a kidney survive longer than a heart as a more robust organ, but that Slayman himself is more robust and less sick than the aforementioned patients, despite his years of dialysis treatments. Riella, the medical director for Kidney Transplantation, said there is no perfect patient and said the patient selection process was one of the most challenging aspects. Kawai expanded on the expected timeline for how long this pig kidney transplant may last. We still dont know how many years this kidney can survive, but based on our pre-clinical research, we are aiming two years more than two years, in the best-case scenario but still, we have to be careful, Kawai said. If it fails, Slayman could go back on dialysis, said Williams. When asked how scientists were able to eliminate the possibility of human infection from the kidney, Riella said, These pigs are bred in a very, very controlled environment. In addition to that, there were some amazing genetic modifications or edits that inactivated certain viruses that are present in pigs, which are called the porcine endogenous retroviruses. This creates an extra level of safety for us to decide thats good enough and to move on into transplantation in humans, he said. Read more: 8 Saint Vincent Hospital nurses file lawsuit claiming wrongful termination As for the future of medical treatment in regards to the breakthrough, Riella said, Our hope is that dialysis will become obsolete. In response to whether a porcine organ would ever become the first choice over a humans, he said theres still so many unknowns. This is the first time were doing it, so human transplant is not going to go away, he said. Though human donors are ideal, xenotransplantation transplanting animal organs into people may be a reasonable option for these patients who do not have the choice of receiving a human kidney either as a bridge, or hopefully the future, as being the permanent treatment, Riella said. More than 100,000 people are on the national waiting list for a transplant, most of them kidney patients, and thousands die every year before their turn comes. The next step for the pig kidney procedure includes taking the surgery to a larger clinical trial, Williams, said, to establish research efficacy and ensure safety. Riella broke down into tears at Thursdays press conference as he thanked his colleagues, pausing for half a minute while applause filled the room. My deepest ... my deepest gratitude goes to the MGH team, he said. For the support, guidance, expertise, I cannot think of a more dedicated team in the world and Im honored to be part of it. He also thanked eGenesis and other industry partners. The doctors also thanked the now-99-year-old Paul Russell, the doctor who dedicated his career to starting and developing the clinical transplantation program at Mass General after performing the first kidney transplant in 1963. Associated Press material was used in this report. Addressing multiple crises engulfing Massachusetts on top of slowing revenue collections, state House Speaker Ron Mariano on Thursday voiced an openness to considering a local-option real estate transfer tax to boost the affordable housing supply and previewed legislation that would strengthen monitoring of the struggling health care sector. Speaking to business leaders Thursday at a breakfast in the Seaport, Mariano, D-3rd Norfolk, said his chambers housing bond bill would build upon Gov. Maura Healeys $4.1 billion proposal by expanding the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority service area to provide clean water to future housing developments. Bringing up the transfer tax, the Quincy Democrat said softening state tax collections are a reminder of why its important to keep all options on the table when it comes to generating alternative forms of revenue. Now, I understand that the idea of a transfer fee is a cause for concern for some of you, but if you believe that the issue of housing affordability is a genuine crisis, then we must explore all options that have the potential to make a real difference, Mariano said during the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce forum. I look forward to having continued conversations with members, and with the business community, on how we can bolster the development of more affordable housing, while ensuring that Massachusetts remains competitive. Mariano, speaking to reporters later Thursday morning, said hes not sure whether he has the votes in the House to adopt a local-option real estate transfer tax. Asked whether he supports the tax, Mariano said his stance depends on the structure, and expressed concerns around Healeys proposal that would allow municipalities to impose a fee of 0.5 to 2 percent on the portion of a property sale above $1 million. You want it to be workable. You dont want it to be an inhibitor to construction, Mariano said at the Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel. When I read the governors, I thought, my initial reaction was that this might be high. I will talk to members to see where the support is. I dont know if I have the votes, Mariano said when asked about the fee. Mariano said the House is considering a number of options to help municipalities finance affordable housing development, staunch the exodus of young residents out of Massachusetts, and enable businesses to recruit talent here. The House is seeking input from stakeholders on whats the most efficient way to provide housing for employees to stay in Massachusetts. The Houses bond bill will exceed Healeys pitch, Mariano told reporters. Im going to go big, said Mariano, who did not provide a specific figure. The Quincy Democrat talked about housing development in his district, at the former naval air station in South Weymouth, that hes been working on for nearly three decades. The main obstacle is a lack of water supply, Mariano said. Expanding MWRA service to Weymouth could help create at least 6,000 homes there, he said. Mariano recalled his initial election to the House in the early 1990s during a previous MWRA expansion, and how constituents threw steep water bills into Quincy Bay as an act of protest. He said his constituents back then were paying for the creation of infrastructure including septic tanks, purification tanks, pipelines and sewer lines. The system now has more capacity than officials had anticipated, and Mariano said excess water is being wasted and dumped into the ground. We need to expand the ability to deliver infrastructure to these developments, Mariano said, as he invoked similar obstacles in Brockton. And Im serious that we have people who want to build 6,000 homes in Weymouth and they just need a water source. And if we can use this bonding bill to get that done, youll see some impact on the South Shore. Editors note: This story has been updated to correct a previous error regarding steps taken by the Hilltown Community Ambulance Association to improve its finances. An ambulance program serving six rural towns in western Massachusetts is on a path to strengthen its finances with help from local experts. The Hilltown Community Ambulance Association was struggling to cover costs and adequately pay its staff. The nonprofit reached out to the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission for help. The inaugural Commonwealth Ocean Ministers Meeting will be held on 19 April 2024 in Cyprus, under the theme Our Resilient Common Ocean: from Cyprus to Samoa. It follows a call by leaders at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Rwanda in 2022, to consolidate action on the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean, seas, and marine resources. The meeting will be attended by government ministers and senior officials from across the Commonwealth and is an opportunity to establish a voice for member countries on the ocean. Coastal states make up 49 of 56 Commonwealth members, yet all countries depend on the ocean for trade, transportation, access to resources and for security. While in Cyprus, Commonwealth ministers responsible for ocean affairs will meet to establish the principles, priorities and actions for a Commonwealth Ocean Declaration, and to agree a roadmap which will pave the way for adoption of the declaration at CHOGM 2024 in Samoa. The Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, said: The livelihoods of billions of people depend on the ocean because it is directly linked to food security, global heating, economic resilience and trade. Yet climate change, sea level rise, acidification, biodiversity loss, overfishing and plastic pollution are increasingly depleting our seas. No country can solve these challenges alone. The first Commonwealth Ocean Ministers Meeting will place the ocean at the front and centre of Commonwealth action and provide a valuable forum for ministers to share experiences and progress on implementing international commitments and the Commonwealth Blue Charter. April 19th marks exactly six years since leaders at CHOGM 2018 adopted the Commonwealth Blue Charter and committed to work together on tackling shared ocean issues as well as to take action to safeguard the ocean for future generations. Since 2018, the Commonwealth Secretariat has expanded its work in this area, by establishing and supporting country-led Blue Charter Action Groups, establishing an ocean project incubator, and through technical assistance on ocean governance, including accessing ocean climate finance. Le depute de la Caverne/Floreal a envoye au Clerc de lAssemblee Nationale ses quatre questions parlementaires demandant une reponse pour la seance parlementaire su 26 mars 2024. Deux sont adressees au chef du gouvernement concernant les frais et honoraires des avocats pour les affaires locales et internationales, sur les discussions sur les Chagos. Une autre sur le prix de legumes pour le ministre de lAgro-Industrie et les leivres pour les eleves/etudiants qui sera pour la ministre de lEducation. That old political adage linking governments, banana skins and referendums proved right once more, and the panicked footsteps we heard were the politicians deserting the ship as fast as they could. There always has to be a fall guy at such times, and when the music stopped, it was Equality Minister Roderic OGorman who found himself without a chair. Then came the blame game. The governing trio blamed each other, and Ms Bacik and Mary Lou came centre stage to make the risible claim that, while they had backed the proposals, they had disagreed with the measures all along. How the massed ranks of our political masters, of every shade and hue (bar Aontu) could have made such a monumental dogs dinner of the referendums will call for deep self-analysis. That they treated the public as half wits, ready to buy any pig in a poke, is beyond question. But how the practitioners of the political trade, where the first essential is to be tuned into the thinking of the electorate, could be so out of touch with public opinion is beyond explicable. The defeat of the referendum was the most comprehensive such rejection in the history of the State, but the Government can hardly have been surprised. The proposed changes were confusing, the explanations were unconvincing, spokesmen floundered when put under pressure, the campaign was leaden, the timing was cynical. The only crumb of comfort for the Government was that virtually all the opposition parties had followed the piper, and found themselves equally marooned on the wrong side of the river. That, and the reality that its effect on the coming elections will be short lived. A further question raised was the influence, or otherwise, of the NGOs (non governmental organisations), of which the country is awash, and which solidly backed the referendum campaign. These NGOs are, by and large, funded by the State, and yet purport to represent the views of various cohorts of citizens in lobbying against the Government. The question now is how truly representative can they claim to be, given that their advocacy of a Yes vote was so roundly rejected by the thousands whose interests they claim to speak for. NGOs depend on the Government for their funding; their reluctance to bite the hand that feeds them is understandable. And in case any might have doubts, Minister OGorman reminded them that they would have to explain themselves if they were found calling for a rejection. All duly obliged; the risk of being labelled as government lackeys was obviously worth taking. But alas, the electorate thought otherwise. In spite of the unstinted advocacy of the National Womens Council, Oxfam, the Childrens Rights Alliance, Family Resource Centres, the Union of Students, and a plethora of similarly cushioned advocacy groups, the people they represent rejected their advice. Eight of the main NGO advocates of the referendum campaign received an exchequer income of 40 million in funding last year, a revelation that must now cast doubts about what interests were being represented and how little real independence these organisations really have. In addition, the referendum backers included the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, which claims to represent over half a million members but which, on this occasion, was singing from a different hymn sheet than its members. The cost of the referendum was 23 million. And while all of this prodigal spending was being written off as incidental expenses, RTE was reporting the scandal of 200 wretches living in tents, on the main street of the capital, in the most squalid, filthy, repulsive conditions, without running water or sanitation. Prone to all sorts of disease and malnutrition, with doorsteps as latrines, these were the asylum seekers for whom the authorities choose to look the other way. Castlebar Fine Gael councillor Cyril Burke and Mayo's Midlands North West MEP Maria Walsh are backing Simon Harris to be the next Fine Gael leader. In a statement to The Mayo News, Cllr Cyril Burke said after engaging with a large number of grassroot members, he was confirming his support for Simon Harris for the position after the resignation of Taoiseach Leo Varadkar yesterday afternoon. Cllr Burke added: I believe Simon has all the qualities required to fill the post. He has immense experience and has proved his ability in numerous senior posts over a long number of years. I believe he has the energy and enthusiasm to lead the party into the Local and European Elections and to drive the party on after into the next general election. I believe Simon will prove to be a great leader and someone the people of Ireland will grow to respect for his dedication to politics and this country. Shrule born MEP Maria Walsh expressed her support for Harris in a tweet, simply saying: Pro European. Experienced. Principled. However, Mayo Sinn Fein TD Rose Conway Walsh has called on the government parties to do the right thing and call a general election. Speaking after Leo Varadkar announced his resignation, Teachta Conway-Walsh said: The next Taoiseach should be chosen by the people, not by Fine Gael. It is time for an election. This is a defining moment. People in Mayo are crying out for change. Not just a change of Taoiseach, but a change of government and a change of direction. Fine Gael have been in government for far too long. They are out of touch and have run out of ideas and have run out of time. We need a change of approach in healthcare, a change in supporting workers and families in the cost of living crisis and a change of approach in housing. Ireland had one of the highest levels of home ownership in Europe when Leo Varadkar first took office as a member of cabinet in 2011. This has collapsed during his time in office. The housing crisis is his legacy. There needs to be a General Election. It's time for change. The development of a new visitor and tourism hub in the heart of the Erris Gaeltacht was praised by local councillors who said it was testament to the drive and foresight of the local community. The Solas Visitor Experience and Tourism Hub in the Gaeltacht village of Eachleim in the Mullet Peninsula will open this Friday for local people in preparation for the busy summer season. An official opening will take place at a later date. Located on the site of the former Ionad Deirbhile centre, the Solas Visitor Experience and Tourism Hub celebrates and interprets the rich history and culture of Blacksod and the Mullet Peninsula. Visitors will learn about the history of the area including famous weather warnings issued from Blacksod Lighthouse which delayed the historic D-Day landings during World War II as well as the story of assisted emigration from Blacksod to the US and Canada in the late nineteenth century. The use of modern interactive touchscreens will allow the visitors to engage with your exhibits and create a more personalised experience. Members of the Westport/Belmullet Municipal District were given a tour of the premises by John Gallagher, Chairman of Comharchumann Forbartha Ionad Deirbhile before the monthly meeting of the municipal district. Comharchumann Forbartha Ionad Deirbhile, the local community development co-operative, were awarded funding of over 4 million from various government departments and Mr Gallagher praised the co-operation and support from Mayo County Council and the two Erris councillors, Gerry Coyle and Sean Carey. It is great to see what can be achieved by co-operation between the council executives and councillors helping this small community like ours. We are only 600 people but we have shown we are active and have other projects in train at the moment. I have to stress the co-operation we have received from Mayo County Council has been second to none. By cooperating we have been able to achieve an awful lot, he said. Both Cllrs Carey and Coyle praised the local community for all the hard work they put in behind the scenes in developing the project and ensuring they were successful in securing funding. They both stated that the hub will be a great asset to the local community for years to come and wished Comharchumann Forbartha Ionad Deirbhile continued success in future projects they have planned. Achill councillor Paul McNamara said that Solas showed what communities can achieve when they work together and it will be a great asset for future generations. This is a marvellous tourist attraction not just for ordinary tourists but the most important tourists who come to our area who are our Diaspora. They keep coming back and they bring their children and loved ones to places like this to show the history that's here and places like this preserve it and ensure it is there for the generations to come. It will be an extremely proud day for you all when you open up, he said. Westport councillor Brendan Mulroy said that the schools should be encouraged to visit the facility when it's open, such is the array of history and stories they can learn from it. Catherine McConnell, Director of Services with Mayo County Council also praised the local community for the work they put into the project and said it was a pleasure to deal with them. On behalf of the executive it is always a pleasure to work with the team in Eachleim and every time we see something come across our desk we know it is for the benefit of this community. This building is testament to the commitment of this team and community to determine their own future.We are very proud to have played our part to make this building a reality, she said. The upgrade of the N59 between Newport and Derradda is expected to start in the autumn according to a local Fianna Fail councillor. The realignment of the N59 between Newport and Derradda was allocated 5.5 million by the Department of Transport in February and is now expected to go to tender in the coming weeks. Westport-based councillor Brendan Mulroy stated that he was informed by officials in Mayo County Council that the project will be going to tender in the coming weeks with the contract expected to be awarded in July. The Fianna Fail councillor who will be contesting the Local Elections in June in the Westport Electoral Area added that the officials confirmed to him that the construction of the project is now expected to start in September. Cllr Mulroy said this is great news as this 5 km stretch of road which will be upgraded is 'possibly the worst in Ireland'. The Newport to Derradda upgrade of the N59 will also include the construction of an overpass bridge near Burrishoole Bridge which will be part of the Great Western Greenway. This will be welcomed by users of the Greenway as they currently have to cross the busy N59. The realignment of the N59 from Newport to Mulranny will be completed in three stages with the Newport to Derradda section followed by a section to Newfield and the last section to be completed will be from Newfield to Mulranny. The whole project is expected to be completed by 2030. The progression of the N59 project follows news that the TII have given the go ahead for the George's Street safety scheme in Newport with work on this project expected to begin after Easter. The project will involve the construction of a new 200 metre long footpath along the left hand side of the street as you travel towards Achill along with a pedestrian crossing at the Glenhest Road. The realignment of the N59 from Newport will begin at the junction of the Glenhest Road. County winners from across Connaught were unveiled yesterday at the Irish Restaurant Awards Regional Final. Last nights event at the Knockranny House Hotel, Westport, brought together culinary talents and hospitality greats from across the province to celebrate Irelands food-led hospitality industry. The celebration of food and hospitality in Connaught drew a significant crowd, with almost 650 attendees joining in the celebrations on the night. From gastropubs, to cafes, all types of eateries across the county were recognised at the regional final. Poacher restaurant in Ballina was crowned Mayos best restaurant, while the new and funky Postbox Coffee, in Kiltimagh, was named the countys best cafe. Wardes in Claremorris took home pub of the year, while Ashford Castles Michelin recommended George V was awarded Mayos best hotel and guest house restaurant. Speaking about the significance of the Irish Restaurant Awards during last nights event, President of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, Paul Lenehan, emphasised the resilience and innovation evident within Connaughts food industry. Amidst the challenges faced by our industry, celebrating Connaughts vibrant food and hospitality sector is more important than ever, he said. The Irish Restaurant Awards, now in its 15th year, garnered over 160,000 nominations from the public for restaurants, cafes, and other food service establishments across the country this year, setting a new record for participation. Mr Lenehan continued to say that the Irish Restaurant Awards provide a vital platform which acknowledges the dedication of Connaughts and the countrys talented restaurant, cafe and food-led hospitality staff. Once again, this years Connaught Regional Final showcased the unparalleled culinary talent within the province. I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the winners and nominees for their dedication and passion really paying off he concluded. Now, the attention turns to unveiling of regional and All Ireland Winners at the prestigious All Ireland Awards Gala Dinner, set to take place in May. See the full list of Mayo winners below: Local Food Hero Sponsored by Flo Gas Eddie OMalley, Jack & Eddies, Westport. Innovator of the Year Sponsored by Diageo Ryans Food Emporium, Cong. Best Sustainable Practices Sponsored by Familia Torres Foxford Cafe, Foxford. Best World Cuisine Sponsored by San Pellegrino Jalan Jalan, Ballina. Best Customer Service Sponsored by Restaurant-Insurance.ie Provided by Dolmen La Fougere Restaurant at the Knockranny House Hotel, Westport. Best Wine Experience Sponsored by Bibendum The Gallery Cafe, Wine & Tapas Bar, Westport. Best Newcomer Sponsored by Square The Moy Hotel, Foxford. Best Contemporary Irish Cuisine Sponsored by FBD Insurance Cronins Sheebeen, Rossbeg. Best Gastropub Sponsored by Molson Coors Nevins Newfield Inn, Newport. Best Casual Dining Sponsored by Musgrave Marketplace The Cot and Cobble, Ballina. Employee Excellence Award Sponsored by Peninsula Niamh Walsh, The Creel, Castlebar. Best Restaurant Manager Sponsored by Elavon Fatima Santos, Flannerys Bar & Restaurant, Ballinrobe. Best Chef Sponsored by BWG Food Service Kevin Stirzaker, Dining Room, Castlebar. The Chairperson of the Fine Gael party, Mayo TD, Alan Dillon wants a 'fair, unified and respectful' contest to take place for the leadership of the Fine Gael party. In a statement to The Mayo News, Deputy Dillon said while the resignation of Leo Varadkar might seem less than ideal, it also presents the party with a unique opportunity to reconnect with their support base and re-energise their members across the country in a dignified and collegiate manner. We have been lucky in Fine Gael to have stable leadership over the past 22 years with Enda Kenny in place for 14 years and Leo Varadkar the past 7 years. Every party goes through periods of transition, and its during these times that we have the chance to renew and reinvent ourselves. Deputy Dillon added that the party can now take this as an opportunity to reflect on its recent difficulties, learn from them, and emerge stronger. As the elected Chairperson of the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party, my responsibility within the party is to ensure that this leadership contest is conducted in a fair, unified, and respectful manner. Yesterday, I had a meeting with the General Secretary and the Chair of the Executive Council to ensure that the process of choosing our next leader is well-organised and supervised by the Fine Gael Executive Council. The nomination process has begun, and it would not be appropriate for me to publicly declare my personal choice for the next leader at this point. I will maintain my impartiality until a leader is chosen. I am confident that we will navigate this transition with grace and unity, and continue to serve the people of Ireland to the best of our abilities. by J. Walker Smith , Op-Ed Contributor, March 20, 2024 The paradox of quality is that the better our products get, the more they are alike. Quality is contagious. It multiplies itself. Quality follows quality, which is why quality also converges. Take cars, for example. One of the key things people want from gasoline-powered cars is good gas mileage. Maximizing fuel efficiency involves many things, such as tire resistance, lubrication, weight and engine design. But the most important thing is the aerodynamic design of the cars body. The shape of a car must minimize drag and instability. The laws of physics that come into play apply to every car, so every car designed to maximize fuel efficiency will end up in the same place. That is because one shape works best. This is why the silhouettes of most cars these days mass market and luxury are pretty much identical. advertisement advertisement This phenomenon was called out last year by Epoch strategy director Alex Murrell in a thought-provoking blog post entitled The Age of Average. He showed an image of the side profile of 25 cars. We would be hard-pressed to pick out one from another. All cars have greatly improved on gas mileage, and in doing so look more and more alike. And it's not just car silhouettes its brand logos too. Web developer Radek Sienkiewicz pointed out in a 2020 blog post that brand logos now look more alike. The reason is the handheld mobile devices people use to shop and browse these days. Branding must look good on smart phones and tablets. Certain fonts and colors are more readable on mobile devices, so brands are converging on those. Logos are better, but only by looking more and more alike. You see this in everything. You name it, and Murrell does. Coffee shops. Models. Movie posters. Book covers. Toothbrushes. Retail shelves. Skylines. Websites. Instagram photos. And more. In every case, it is quality following quality. Something works best, so everybody does that. Think of your own experience. When a competitor comes out with a better feature, you dont just fold up and quit. You do it, too. If its the best thing, everybody will do it. For the very reason that its the best thing. But in doing so, everybody ends up in the same place. It's higher quality all around, but with less differentiation. It is a commodity marketplace at a high level of quality, not a low level. Quality used to cost more to produce and deliver, which put high quality out of reach for many brands and most consumers. But this has changed. Increasingly, quality is affordable. In years past, commoditization meant lower quality everything headed to the lowest common denominator. These days, it means higher quality everything headed to the highest common denominator. For example, grocery, convenience and drug retailers have made significant investments in the quality of store brands, thus making trading-down less if any of a trade-off in quality. AI is sure to worsen the paradox of quality. The genius of AI especially generative AI is that it can quickly survey whats known about something and distill current learning about whats best. In other words, AI takes the guesswork out of great by pointing directly to consensus knowledge about the best and highest-quality thing to do. As brands and businesses use AI to synthesize large datasets, quality will cease to be exceptional. Quality will become normative. Everything will be much better, but also much the same. It's not quality that builds brands, however. Its difference, and difference that is motivating or specifically relevant to consumer needs and wants. Absent difference, any brand is as good as any other. In such an instance, every brand is great just the same. The challenge for brands is difference. Its the same challenge as always except that quality is no longer a reliable or sustainable way in which to create and deliver difference. For many categories, quality has become table stakes. This has had the effect of making advertising less about the brand and more about the spectacle of the ad itself. Natasha Degen, who teaches at the Fashion Institute of Technology, wrote about this in a New York Times op-ed earlier this year. The hype machine now precedes and overwhelms the product, she observed. What people seek is the experience of the marketing the buzz, the craze, the movement, the crowd, the conversation, the promotion. Product quality is expected. So its more about the rush of getting there than what you get once you get there. Its marketing as the difference that delivers a quality of spectacle that, paradoxically, presumes a quality product. by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, March 20, 2024 U.K.-based AccuraCast and U.S.-based Motivity have formed a joint venture to help brands successfully reach international audiences by navigating markets, cultures and regulations around data privacy. Localization is key to crossing international boundaries, which can become challenging. Making mistakes can become costly. The new collaboration will assist businesses in the United Kingdom and elsewhere in the world to move into other markets. Artificial intelligence (AI) and a variety of regulations in the European Union have made the transition from one continent to another complicated. "The UK and the U.S. do not sync up on many issues," said Kevin Ryan, founder and CEO at agency Motivity. "There is such a huge need for this type of help." The joint venture -- Accumotiv -- will help brands navigate the potential challenges and ensure that the brands digital marketing campaigns successfully prioritize, resonate, and measure success. The team will provide analysis on the best places to market and advertise. advertisement advertisement For example, Ryan said, a U.S. client who markets travel to U.S. parks and destinations such as Antelope Canyon may find that a high proportion of travelers who visit the park come from Germany and specifically, from Bavaria. Gaining an understanding of this is part of building an advertising and marketing framework. "It's about acting in the clients' best interest," Ryan said. AccuraCast works with brands such as Penguin Random House, WTW, Club Med, and PwC. Farhad Divecha, managing director of AccuraCast in London, says Motivity in the U.S. has decades of experience working with brands such as Rolex, Sony, Thales, and Aramark. "The agency will be a valued extension to our team, Farhad said. by Ray Schultz , March 20, 2024 Washington Post Opinions is offering readers a chance to eavesdrop on its opinion columnists with a new podcast called "Impromptu." New episodes will hit every Wednesday. In the March 20 opener, Ruth Marcus led a 20-minute discussion with fellow columnists Alexandra Petri and Amanda Ripley, about the post-Dobbs landscape and arguments before the Supreme Court regarding abortion pill access. advertisement advertisement The Post notes that while they dont always agree, its columnists enjoy talking with one another. The writers will wade in and perhaps change their minds as their ideas are tested, the Post says. by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, March 21, 2024 Reddit launched a social media campaign to commemorate the event of the companys initial public offering (IPO) on Thursday. The company wanted the announcement of Reddits IPO to represent the unique nature of the company and the platform, so it couldnt be a typical corporate post. Reddits in-house creative team, OrangeRed, collaborated with its social media team to create a fun video for its Reddit-owned social channels. The video follows a day in the life of Reddits mascot, Snoo, who in the video gets ready to go to the New York Stock Exchange and ring the bell. The Snoo gets ready for Reddits IPO video leans into what the company believes are the brand's four traits: delightfully absurd, genuinely candid, inherently eclectic, and confidently ourselves. advertisement advertisement Snoo is representative of all of the employees behind the platform and users who make Reddit. Community remains at the heart of its marketing efforts, and this quirky video brings Reddits community to life. The campaign is full of Reddit easter eggs, with glimpses of the companys New York office, Reddit employees and of course, Snoo ringing the bell at the New York Stock Exchange. The Reddit team includes Tavish MacLellan, head of brand creative; David Benham, design director, and Bev Galipeau, art director, among others. Reddit's shares reportedly are set to open 53% above their IPO price at their market debut on the New York Stock Exchange, which could potentially value the platform at $9.81 billion. The company priced its IPO between $31 and $34. Reuters reported that the IPO valued Reddit at $6.4 billion, while the company and its selling shareholders raised $748 million. About I felt I had no energy within me. A strange kind of blur and fogginess enveloped me both within and outside. I felt different. I hated going out in sunlight. I didnt want to move out of my bed. This went on for weeks. I felt so lethargic. I lost my high profile job and my life seemed to be suddenly shattered. I did not know what was wrong with me; the doctor said it must be a "virus".... The above are typical symptoms of a condition called Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Chronic illness is a term used to represent a condition that is present over a prolonged period. A few examples of chronic illness include hypertension, diabetes and cancer. Of the numerous chronic illnesses known so far, chronic fatigue syndrome deserves special mention. While it is relatively easy to attribute the cause of diseases like AIDS and tuberculosis to the HIV virus or mycobacterium tuberculosis respectively, the exact cause of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome still remains a mystery. Nobody is immune to developing this condition. It can affect even the healthy! A person can have it for years, and yet go unnoticed. It can strike following an episode of illness such as cold or can also be associated with high levels of stress. In some cases, it might be difficult for the patient to pinpoint when it all began. There is currently no method by which the severity of the disease can be gauged. The complex nature of the disease accompanied by lack of understanding of this strange disorder has left us with very few treatment options. Advertisement Chronic fatigue disorder or CFS is a disorder characterized by extreme fatigue, not resolved by bed rest. The condition can be aggravated by mental or physical activity. Persons suffering from CFS exhibit a substantially lower level of functionality when compared to their counterparts. The presence of non-specific symptoms such as muscle and joint pain, weakness, lack of sleep, decreased alertness and perceived impairment in the ability to concentrate, make it difficult to diagnose the condition. The disease was originally described as "yuppie flu" as women in their 30s to 40s, with a high level of income reported CFS or rather CFS-like symptoms. It is now known that it can affect people of all ages, despite their ethnic and socio-economic condition. As per a recent CDC survey that was published in December 2023. The survey revealed a higher incidence of chronic fatigue cases among women compared to men, as well as in individuals aged 5069. Health officials are considering the possibility that the recent increase in chronic fatigue cases could be attributed to long COVID. As per a recent CDC survey that was published in December 2023, approximately 4.3 million American adults are affected by chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). The survey revealed a higher incidence of chronic fatigue cases among women compared to men, as well as in individuals aged 5069. Health officials are considering the possibility that the recent increase in chronic fatigue cases could be attributed to long COVID. U.S. Supreme Court allows Texas to enforce controversial immigration law Xinhua) 10:39, March 20, 2024 HOUSTON, March 19 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. conservative-majority Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected an emergency request by the Joe Biden administration, allowing the state of Texas to temporally enforce its controversial law allowing Texas police to arrest migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border illegally. As a result, the state law can take effect while litigation continues in lower courts, meaning the legal battle is not over and the law could still be blocked at a later date. Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott hailed the court order, calling it "clearly a positive development." White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement that the law "will not only make communities in Texas less safe, it will also burden law enforcement and sow chaos and confusion at our southern border." "The court gives a green light to a law that will upend the longstanding federal-state balance of power and sow chaos," liberal Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote in a dissenting opinion. The Biden administration had argued that immigration enforcement is solely within the jurisdiction of the federal government. Immigrant rights groups filed a lawsuit against the Texas law one day after Abbott signed the bill in December. According to the plaintiffs, the bill violates the federal constitution since Congress has given the federal government sole authority over immigration enforcement. It will also prevent immigrants from requesting asylum in the country, a civil right they have regardless of how they enter the United States. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the Texas Civil Rights Project filed the lawsuit in an Austin federal court on behalf of El Paso County, the largest border county in Texas, as well as two other immigrant rights organizations -- El Paso-based Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center and Austin-based American Gateways. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Accelerating economic development helps solve 'hollowing out' of border areas 16:40, March 21, 2024 By Xu Yelu ( Global Times North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region has a border line that stretches more than 4,200 kilometers, accounting for about one fifth of the national land border. It is the "northern gateway" and the "moat" of the capital city Beijing. However, in recent years, many areas in Inner Mongolia have reported issues which have attracted wide attention such as many young people of working age choosing to leave the border areas. Recently, the Inner Mongolia delegation to the 14th National People's Congress held a plenary meeting which was open to domestic and foreign media outlets. During the meeting, chairman of the autonomous region Wang Lixia introduced that Inner Mongolia spans the northwest, north and northeast regions, has external relations with Russia and Mongolia, and surrounds Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. It shoulders a major political responsibility in safeguarding national security and border stability. Wang also stressed that in 2024, the autonomous region will focus on addressing the issue of "hollowing out" in border areas, implementing comprehensive measures to attract more people to settle and live in border areas, and ensure national unity and border security. In recent years, the permanent population in border areas of Inner Mongolia has been seriously flowing out, with the remaining residents being senior citizens, and the problem of population "hollowing out" becoming increasingly prominent. As a result, the local government has been studying and formulating differentiated and precise policies, which include promoting the development of border areas, enriching people's lives, stabilizing the borders, and striving to improve the level of industrial development, basic public services, and infrastructure guarantee in border areas. This will attract more people to settle and live in border areas, and guard the borders, as learned by the Global Times from the Standing Committee of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region People's Congress. Population decrease Taking Siziwang Banner of Ulanqab city as an example, the banner is one of the 19 border banners and counties in Inner Mongolia, with a total area of 25,500 square kilometers and a border length of 104 kilometers. Due to production, living conditions, especially education and medical conditions, most school-age children and senior citizens in the banner have moved to Ulan Huacheng town. The border population has been decreasing year by year. The total registered population of the three border regions is 8,714 people in 4,664 households, with 2,844 households and 4,260 people living outside the border area, accounting for 50.9 percent of the registered population. The long-term residents on the border are almost all senior citizens, over 60 years old, according to local officials. Official data show that as of December 2022, the actual population in the border area is 3,340, a decrease of 5,344 people compared to 2010, with a decrease rate of up to 56 percent. Meanwhile, a public report in September 2023 indicated that due to various factors, in recent years, the internal migration of border residents in the Alashan League border area has weakened the grassroots defense and control forces, leading to an increasingly severe border security situation. Due to education being limited in the border cities of Inner Mongolia, many families choose to send their children to neighboring cities to study. Yang Te, a PhD student who left the Alashan League after entering university, shared his story with the Global Times. "Almost all of my classmates in high school moved to Beijing or Tianjin. Only a few students who needed to help their families stayed in Inner Mongolia, Yang said. "Now that herding is no longer the main way to survive, more people choose to strive for a better standard of living in the big cities. Living in the border areas can be quite tough." Seeking a way out In order to address the issue, the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region has formulated a series of differentiated and precise subsidy policies. These policies are aimed at guiding and supporting residents in border areas to participate in local economic development, thereby reducing the phenomenon of population hollowing out. These policies include tax incentives and financial support for enterprises in border areas. At the same time, technical support is provided for industries such as agriculture and animal husbandry in border areas to improve industry efficiency and promote employment, according to local officials. In response to the prominent issue of "hollowing out" of the population in border areas, with a high average age of left-behind personnel and a significant decrease in permanent residents and serious outflow in Alashan League, the local government has coordinated resources from all parties to jointly build and share. The strengthening of the construction of various infrastructure projects in border areas is the main focus, to continuously increase the construction efforts of border defense infrastructure. In recent years, the league has renovated and maintained over 2,500 kilometers of patrol routes for frontline border guards, built four duty rooms and seven watchtowers, constructed over 160 kilometers of barrier facilities such as iron fences and wire fences in key areas, built and maintained nine monitoring centers and 39 sets of intelligent monitoring front ends, installed 32 sets of water purification equipment, effectively improving the working conditions of frontline military and police units. These efforts have not been in vain. Many young people like Li Hao, now a special police officer in the Xilin Gol League, have begun to consider the option of returning home to defend the border after graduating from college. Now the environment for garrison defense has been greatly improved, and many young people are tired of the pressure of living in a big city, they choose to return to their hometowns. But this process of a change in attitudes will take some time, Li said. For Li, who idolized his father as a forest ranger since he was a child, being able to use his own power to maintain peace and prosperity in the border region has brought him a great sense of honor. "Compared with the pressure and competition of big cities, life here is self-sufficient, and the infrastructure, education, ecology and tourism environment are rapidly improving, I believe that more young people will choose to stay and feel this call of duty," Li noted. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) The Marine Corps completed its force-wide barracks inspection Friday, marking the end of a month-plus-long effort to assess the state of more than 60,000 rooms across the force, according to a statement from Marine Corps Installations Command, or MCICOM. The inspection was meant to better understand the state of the barracks, which have recently come under scrutiny across the military. A government watchdog report last year pointed to dismal living conditions in "unaccompanied housing," which is typically occupied by junior enlisted service members and young sergeants. The Marine Corps inspection "most importantly" looked for health and safety issues, according to MCICOM. It also established a baseline for what is needed in barracks overall -- including for managing mold, moisture, amenities and temperature -- which MCICOM said would help it better direct funds to fix those problems. Read Next: At Least 3 Engineering Incidents and Poor Leadership Kept USS Boxer from Deploying, Investigations Reveal "As of three days ago, we finished the entire inspection of all of our barracks all over the globe," Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Carlos Ruiz told the House Committee on Appropriations on Wednesday. "Now we know we're in a better spot to understand where the rest of the issues are. It's not defendable, and [I'm] not going to, but the commandant has, in fact, invested heavily in the future of barracks. "Now we will know all over the Marine Corps who's not meeting the mark, and commanders, leadership will be held accountable," he said. This year's Marine Corps budget plans for a 32% increase in barracks spending -- an ask of $65 million more on top of a multi-hundred-million-dollar portfolio. The service dubbed its efforts Barracks 2030 to help improve living conditions for roughly 17,000 Marines who lived in substandard housing as of last year. It plans to ask for more money, in part, based on the results of this inspection. Those findings are still being assessed after last Friday's deadline, according to MCICOM, but initial reports were in line with what the Government Accountability Office found last year, it said. A spokesperson for MCICOM would not explain how the initial findings and the GAO report were consistent, but said information would be available after senior leaders are briefed. The GAO report found that service members lived in squalid conditions, to include mold-infested living quarters with stagnant water, bugs and sometimes squatters. Military.com spoke to several Marines and a Navy corpsman involved in the inspection, two of whom were part of their unit's inspection teams. The publication also obtained a copy of the inspection checklist from MCICOM, which was used to assess health, safety and environmental matters associated with the barracks. "We really weren't looking for the cleanliness side of it at all," a Marine, who served as a recorder for the inspection, told Military.com. "We were looking for functionality and livability of the rooms -- if it was actually safe for Marines to be living in that building." The Marine said their team, of which there were several, coordinated which rooms they would inspect the night before and spent the morning splitting up the barracks for inspection. Those results were then recorded and passed up the chain of command to be compiled by MCICOM. The first week of the inspection was "chaotic," the Marine said, but the teams began rolling through rooms "pretty fast." The inspection was meant to be carried out by a senior noncommissioned officer or civilian outside of the Marines' chain of command to avoid bias, and service members interviewed by Military.com said the guideline was followed, though some officers were involved as well. According to the checklist, the inspectors looked to see whether locks worked, doors could close, and rooms were free of mold and gas hazards, as well as water damage or even "strong musty odors." None of the service members Military.com spoke to said that they or their counterparts got in trouble if they failed the inspection. One Marine said that their unit's inspection was "nonchalant." Some said that the preparations for the inspections were largely routine, and did not include overly vigorous cleaning or painting -- a long-standing pre-inspection habit common in the military and one that a Marine Corps unit reportedly resorted to after squalid facility photos surfaced online earlier this year. "It wasn't anything that was going to your command to get you yelled at for, or get you in trouble for," a Marine said. "This was going all the way up to try to get allocation, extra money to fix the problems that everybody has." What some Marines found, experienced The inspection and its results appeared to vary between units. Some service members said the inspections were rushed or "sudden," while another said they had ample time to complete it. Barracks quality ranged from poor to good to "decently maintained," according to one Marine. One Marine Military.com spoke to said that they were involved in directly inspecting the barracks. They said that they received a five-minute class on what to look for and were sent to inspect rooms, of which this Marine said they looked at hundreds. They said that the "transient" barracks -- housing for Marines who are coming into and out of an installation, and are not permanently stationed -- were in an "absolutely terrible" state. Military.com has previously reported on the state of some transient barracks, which see relatively quick turnover if Marines staying there are in training. "Mold everywhere, roaches, rat infestations, wall lockers torn open and destroyed furniture, missing furniture ... just absolutely disgusting," the Marine said of the transient barracks at their unit. Of the "permanent party" barracks, where Marines live full-time, the inspector said they were mostly in good shape, but some lacked working locks and had missing smoke detectors. They also said that some rooms were unclean and, because their unit's inspections happened so quickly, the Marines were unprepared for inspectors to come in to look at them. Other service members signaled that their units had plenty of time to conduct the inspection. "In the future, I would like to actually have more time to do it besides being rushed for inspecting an entire base in a matter of weeks," the Marine said, adding that they conducted multiple inspections of the barracks, including follow-ups to see how maintenance on the problems they identified was progressing. The Marine said they were able to check in the following week on the status of repairs after conducting re-inspections for certain barracks, but "there was not one barracks room that was fixed yet." According to criteria provided to Military.com by MCICOM, service members were to be put in temporary housing if certain issues -- such as no running water, broken door locks or unsecured window repairs -- would take longer than 48 hours to fix. If the room was missing or had inoperable smoke detectors or fire sprinklers, the Marine "should be temporarily relocated" until fixed, the memo said. The inspection noted outdoor and indoor readings of temperature, humidity and dew point, a critical measurement when it comes to mold prevention and ventilation. Mold growth has been something that the Marine Corps -- and other services -- have been dealing with in their decades-old barracks, especially in the South. One Marine, the recorder, told Military.com that inspectors failed a vast majority of the rooms in their unit due to probable mold or moisture issues in the bathroom area -- a common breeding ground. After it was identified by the inspection teams, civilians would then come in and confirm through testing whether the growths were indeed mold, the Marine said. If "unidentified biological growth," as the Corps called it in its relocation memo, was discovered, service members were to be moved if the growth could not be assessed within 72 hours. The recorder knew of two Marines who were moved out of their barracks due to mold. "This isn't exact at all," the Marine said, "but I would say we probably failed 85% to 90% of the rooms that we did just for potential mold and mildew in the showers or in the bathroom, around the toilet, all over." Efforts to improve barracks Marine Corps leaders have conceded that fixing the barracks and building new ones will take time, potentially a decade, Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Eric Smith said last year. That said, the Marine Corps put quality of life for Marines and sailors, including barracks improvements, at the top of its unfunded priority list to Congress -- essentially a wish list sent to the Capitol, the service confirmed to Military.com on Tuesday. It is also conducting a tenant housing survey, through which Marines can submit feedback about their experience in the barracks and government-owned family housing. Military.com previously reported that the Corps was making several changes to the barracks as it continues to knock down or refurbish old ones. For example, the service said that it plans on replacing enlisted barracks managers, who are responsible for coordinating and fixing housing issues, with professional civilian managers who may be at a unit in a more permanent capacity. "The inspections also took a holistic approach to inventory all barracks-related issues," Maj. John Parry, a spokesperson for MCICOM, told Military.com on Monday. "This supported setting conditions for a seamless transition for professional civilian managers to hit the ground running with managing, modernizing and improving material in the barracks." Service members Military.com spoke to generally for this story and previous stories said that civilianizing the barracks manager program is a good idea, with one Marine saying that "it all comes down to who they hire to do the job, so if the person actually cares and takes their job seriously, then I think it'll be a big step forward." A corpsman told Military.com that their unit's inspection constituted several looks at their room, sometimes more than once in a day. They said that, while the inspection was not a "cure-all" to reenlistment woes or quality-of-life issues that stem from bad barracks, it was a welcome step in the right direction to address them. "With having to maintain a clean room, there's only so much that is in our control. ... I see it as a necessary overkill," the corpsman said of the inspections. "[It] feels mundane at best when you have more than one inspection in a day. However, I do see the good intentions are there." Related: Marine Corps Orders Servicewide Barracks Inspection Amid Improvement Efforts, Reports of Squalid Conditions HONOLULU Richard C. Dick Higgins, one of the few remaining survivors of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, has died, a family member said Wednesday. He was 102. Higgins died at home in Bend, Oregon, on Tuesday of natural causes, granddaughter Angela Norton said. Higgins was a radioman assigned to a patrol squadron of seaplanes based at the Hawaii naval base when Japanese planes began dropping bombs on the morning of Dec. 7, 1941. He recounted in a 2008 oral history interview how he was in his bunk inside a screened-in lanai, or porch, on the third floor of his barracks when the bombing began. I jumped out of my bunk and I ran over to the edge of the lanai and just as I got there, a plane went right over the barracks, he said according to the interview by the National Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg, Texas. He estimated the plane was about 50 feet (15 meters) to his side and 100 feet (30 meters) above his barracks. He described big red meatballs" on the plane, in reference to the red circular emblem painted on the wings and fuselages of the Japanese aircraft. So, there was no doubt what was happening in my mind, because of the things that had been going on, he said. Norton called her grandfather a humble and kind man who would frequently visit schools to share stories about Pearl Harbor, World War II and the Great Depression. Norton said he wanted to teach people history so they wouldn't repeat it. It was never about him," Norton said. The heroes were those that didnt come home. Higgins was born on a farm near Mangum, Oklahoma, on July 24, 1921. He joined the Navy in 1939 and retired 20 years later. He then became an aeronautics engineer for Northrop Corporation, which later became Northrop Grumman, and other defense contractors. He worked on the B-2 Stealth Bomber, Norton said. His wife, Winnie Ruth, died in 2004 at the age of 82. They had been married for 60 years. Not long after he went into hospice last Thursday, he told his granddaughter, I'm ready to go see Winnie Ruth." "I said, Its OK, go home. Be with Jesus and be with Winnie Ruth,'" Norton said. "Its okay to do that. Leave us. Youve had its such a good and full life.'" There are now 22 survivors of the attack still living, said Kathleen Farley, the California state chair of the Sons and Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors. Farley said other survivors may still be living but not all joined the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association when it was formed in 1958 and so may not be known to her. About 2,400 servicemen were killed in the bombing, which launched the U.S. into World War II. The USS Arizona battleship alone lost 1,177 sailors and Marines, nearly half the death toll. About 87,000 military personnel were on Oahu on Dec. 7, according to a rough estimate compiled by military historian J. Michael Wenger. Higgins is survived by two children, two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. The family plans to hold a memorial service at a church in Bend on Thursday followed by a ceremony with full military honors. Afterward his body will be flown to California, where he will be buried next to his wife. ____ Associated Press researcher Randy Herschaft in New York contributed. China is building its military and nuclear arsenal on a scale not seen since World War II and all signs suggest its sticking to ambitions to be ready to invade Taiwan by 2027, a top U.S. admiral testified. Despite Beijings economic challenges, its official defense budget has increased by 16% over recent years to more than $223 billion, Admiral John Aquilino, the leader of the Indo-Pacific Command, told the U.S. House Armed Services Committee in prepared testimony on Wednesday. In the three years since he took command, he said the Peoples Liberation Army, or PLA, has added more than 400 fighter aircraft, along with more than 20 major warships. Its also doubled its inventory of ballistic and cruise missiles since 2020, he said. All indications point to the PLA meeting President Xi Jinpings directive to be ready to invade Taiwan by 2027, Aquilino said. The PLAs actions indicate their ability to meet Xis preferred time-line to unify Taiwan with mainland China by force if directed. The Chinese military has also been rehearsing various tasks linked to operations against Taiwan such as simulating an encirclement with a maritime and air blockade, Aquilino said. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian on Thursday said Taiwan is Chinas internal affair and accused Washington of causing division in the Asia-Pacific region. Some people in the U.S. have been trying to hype up the China-threat narrative to escalate tensions across the strait and instigate confrontation. We firmly oppose that, he told reporters during a regular press briefing in Beijing. Chinas defense budget is still much less than that of the U.S. President Joe Biden this month proposed a $850 billion Pentagon budget for fiscal 2025. That includes $500 million to replenish weapons that would be provided to Taiwan in a first-time funding request seeking to address aggression in the region and ensure continued support to our allies. U.S. lawmakers, officials and military leaders have hotly debated Xis intentions for Taiwan, especially in light of his 2027 target for his nations military to become a world-class force. Nearly a year ago, Aquilino testified that everybodys guessing about the Chinese armys plans. Meanwhile, the U.S. intelligence community assesses that China doesnt want a military conflict over Taiwan, even as its determined to bring the self-governed island under its control. Chinas unprecedented level of defense spending is paying off, said Representative Mike Rogers, the Alabama Republican who chairs the House Armed Services Committee. The PLA is fielding modern systems like hypersonic weapons and fifth-generation fighters. They can project power well into the Pacific with a 340 ship navy that includes a new aircraft carrier and nuclear powered ballistic missile submarines. Chinas partnership with Russia is also troubling as China has provided Russian president Vladimir Putin with economic and security assistance for the invasion of Ukraine, Rogers said. Chinas partnership with Russia is a response to U.S. alliances in the Pacific region and elsewhere. It should be concerning to the whole globe, Aquilino said. ------- (With assistance from Colum Murphy and Alan Wong.) ___ 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. From prime viewing spots along the Camden waterfront and aboard ships cruising the Delaware River, hundreds of people witnessed history Thursday as the Battleship New Jersey left its home pier for the first time in 25 years to be dry-docked for repairs. For many veterans who served on the vessel which holds the distinction of being the most decorated in U.S. Navy history that moment may be the last time they will ever see the massive ship move. At 12:10 p.m. sharp, saluting guns boomed through the air as the USS New Jersey started its departure from the Camden dock. With the help of tugboats, it headed south toward Paulsboro for a four-hour trip to begin a maintenance project. It is scheduled to move again to Philadelphia next week for the remainder of the repairs. The story of the battleship is also a uniquely New Jersey one. Ultimately, shes just another in the long line of truly great Jersey girls. Shes not scared to strut her stuff. Shes not taking nothing from nobody. And she doesnt pump her own gas, Marshall Spevak, chief executive officer of the Battleship New Jersey museum, said before the ship left the dock. The celebration in Camden kicked off with speeches from Gov. Phil Murphy and Navy veterans, accompanied by music from a local high school band. Then, the crowd bid farewell to the ship as it left for several months of repairs. This is an incredibly powerful day for the state, for this community, Gov. Phil Murphy told the crowd. You think about World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Cold War, and Lebanon. And you all know this as well as I do, theres no battleship in the history of our nation that comes close to the legacy created and lived by the USS New Jersey, Murphy said. In 2001, the USS New Jersey made Camden its home after being decommissioned and turned into a museum ship. Thursdays trip marks the first time in over 30 years that the ship is being dry-docked for maintenance work. The first stop for the battleship will be the Paulsboro Marine Terminal, where the ship will be ballasted, or balanced to prepare for dry docking. On Wednesday, the vessel will travel to the Philadelphia Navy Yard for the next part of the maintenance project. That is the same Navy yard where it was originally built and launched in 1942, just one year after the attack on Pearl Harbor. The ship is not moving through the water under its own power, but instead, is being towed and guided by four tugboats. During the towing, the battleships engines will not be on because when the ship was decommissioned for the final time, the Navy covered its engines with preservative grease in case they need to be reactivated for service again, according to museum curator Ryan Szimanski. And although the force pulling the vessel through the waterfront is enough to spin the propellers, the Navy has also welded brackets in place to keep the propellers stationary and prevent any damage to the ship during the move, officials said. The repair work on the Battleship New Jersey is overdue. Decommissioned museum ships are required by Navy regulations and guidance to undergo dry-docking every 20 years, officials said. At the naval shipyard, the USS New Jersey will undergo four major preservation and maintenance projects, including hull repainting, anti-corrosion system maintenance, through-hull opening inspections and aluminum anode replacements. Before it was moved to Camden, the Navy battleship served for five decades in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Lebanon and the Persian Gulf wars. While its dry-docked in Philadelphia, tickets can be purchased for walking tours underneath the ship on Saturdays and Sundays from April through May. The entire maintenance project should take about two months, according to officials. Once complete, the ship will return home to its dock in Camden where it will once again serve as a museum. Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. 2024 Advance Local Media LLC. Visit nj.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Lawmakers are pressing the Pentagon to improve medical care in Japan for U.S. military personnel, families and Defense Department civilians amid ongoing concerns that the lack of access to care is forcing service members and federal civilian employees to leave the country. The move follows efforts initiated last October by U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and the Defense Health Agency to improve emergency medical services for Americans covered by a Status of Forces Agreement with Japan. In a letter to the assistant secretary of defense for health affairs and director of the Defense Health Agency, the bipartisan group that includes the chairwoman of the Senate Armed Services Committee's personnel subcommittee said the issues have not been resolved. Read Next: The Marine Corps Completed Its Force-Wide Barracks Inspection. Here's How it Went. "We appreciate the steps that DHA and INDOPACOM are taking to address these issues. But we continue to be concerned by reports of problems accessing care, and its impact on morale and retention," wrote Democratic Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Tim Kaine of Virginia, and Rep. Michael Burgess, R-Texas. They cited examples of teachers who have left their positions at Department of Defense Educational Activity schools and a child clinical psychologist who served military families but had to leave Japan after not receiving timely care for an injury. The psychologist's departure, expected late last year, according to the DoD inspector general, left just one pediatric psychologist in the country to serve military and civilian dependents. "These numerous reports of problems accessing care show its negative impact on morale and retention, and degrades our nation's readiness," the lawmakers wrote. U.S. Forces Japan is home to roughly 54,000 U.S. military personnel, 45,000 military family members, and 8,000 Defense Department civilians and contractors. In December 2022, the Defense Health Agency announced it would treat civilian U.S. employees in military hospitals and clinics in Japan on a space-available basis only and directed those patients to receive medical treatment from local providers if they could not be accommodated. Following a backlash to the announcement, the DHA clarified its policy, announcing that civilians could continue to receive treatment for chronic conditions at military hospitals but said appointments for acute care would remain on a space-available basis. Months later, U.S. military medical staff at Kadena Air Base began preparing to send pregnant service members, spouses and dependents out of the country to deliver their babies as a result of severe staffing shortages at Naval Hospital Okinawa. The diversions never came to pass but not before eight DoD civilians requested their assignments be cut short as a result of medical concerns. A November 2023 DoD inspector general report found significant challenges for using off-base medical resources, such as language barriers, differing approaches to medical care and the lack of availability of certain medications. In their letter, the lawmakers said they have received complaints as recently as the last few months, and they want to know what steps the DoD is taking to solve the problems. They cited the military health system's new strategic plan, published in December, that said the DoD needs to stabilize the system, improve military and civilian staffing, and increase readiness. "We seek to learn how and when DoD will implement the MHS Strategic Plan and the DoD IG's recommendations, and address ongoing problems with access to health care in Japan and the INDOPACOM region," they wrote. In an interview with Federal News Network in November, DHA Director Lt. Gen. Telita Crosland said the agency had "worked through the challenges" of meeting health care demands for civilian employees in Japan and would have a new network structure in place by the end of 2024 that would address the issues. "'We've unencumbered them to support the 'space-A' population on the same footing they'd previously supported them. We said, 'We really do have some capacity; let's maximize our capacity for all beneficiaries,'" Crosland said. Navy Adm. John Aquilino, who leads U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and wrote the order to improve medical staffing in the country, is expected to testify Thursday before the Senate Armed Services Committee. Related: With Hour-Long Drives and Weeks Until Appointments, Pregnant Military Women Feel Pain of Medical Reforms Nearly six months after the fiscal year started and just two days before a partial government shutdown could start, lawmakers have unveiled an agreement to provide the Pentagon with $825 billion for this fiscal year that eschews controversial policy riders on abortion and LGBTQ+ service members. If passed, the legislation would ensure troop pay is uninterrupted and avoid the devastating effects to personnel funding military officials have warned could happen if Congress does not approve a regular spending bill this year. The agreement, reached by leaders in both parties in the House and Senate, would provide the funding necessary to support the 5.2% pay raise troops got in January. Read Next: Medical Care Shortfalls for US Personnel in Japan Trigger Push from Lawmakers for Improvements While the pay raise took effect without Congress approving an appropriations bill, defense officials have said that not having the funding for the raise could eventually force the department to cannibalize other parts of the personnel budget, such as for recruiting efforts and permanent change-of-station moves. Since the start of the fiscal year in October, Congress has passed a series of stopgap funding measures that simply extended last year's funding levels with no changes or increases. The stopgap measures also largely prevented the Pentagon from starting new programs. The spending agreement released Thursday would provide $43 million more than the administration requested to fund an economic hardship bonus for E-6s and below that was authorized by the defense policy bill Congress passed in December, as well as for an expansion of the Basic Needs Allowance that was also approved in the defense policy bill. Not included in the final agreement is a plan to hike pay for junior enlisted troops by more than 30%. The idea was part of the House's initial draft of the bill, but was considered unlikely to survive negotiations. While overhauling the pay chart won't happen right now, lawmakers have already signaled they are looking to boost junior enlisted pay for next fiscal year. The deal would provide $29.6 billion to fund housing allowances and $8.4 billion for the Basic Allowance for Subsistence, according to a summary from Senate Appropriations Committee Democrats. It would also give the department $80 million more than it requested for enlistment and medical bonuses, and $30 million more than it requested for recruiting and advertising efforts. "Critically, this bill makes important new investments in the brave men and women who keep our country safe," Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Patty Murray, D-Wash., said in a statement. "It will help ensure our military families are able to make ends meet and get the child care they need." House Republicans loaded up their initial version of the spending bill with riders that took aim at Pentagon policies they consider "woke," including provisions that would have prohibited gender-affirming health care for transgender troops and reversed the Pentagon's policy of paying for travel and leave for service members seeking abortions. Republicans also sought to cut the salaries of several top Pentagon officials, including Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, to $1. But much like the results of December's defense policy bill, all of those controversial GOP riders were taken out of the final spending bill agreement released Thursday. Still, House Republicans are touting that the spending bill would cut $50.5 million from diversity and inclusion programs and $574 million from climate change-related programs. "Fundamentally, the bills achieve what House Republicans set out to do by strategically increasing defense spending, rescinding wasteful Democrat spending, and making targeted cuts to overfunded non-defense programs," House Appropriations Committee Republicans wrote in their summary of the agreement. Also taken out of the final agreement is a provision that researchers argued could have made it harder to uncover stolen valor. The provision would have required anyone seeking basic information about a service member's record to either get the service member's consent or file a Freedom of Information Act request that could take months or years to fulfill. The provision was a response to the Air Force improperly releasing personal information of several veterans who ran for Congress in the 2022 elections, including a veteran whose record detailed her alleged sexual assault. While the language making it harder to request service records was taken out of the final bill, the nonbinding report accompanying the bill calls for the Pentagon to brief Congress on plans to prevent feature breaches of personal information and to conduct a review of its privacy policies. The funding bill is expected to pass Congress, but whether it can happen before Friday night's deadline is unclear. The House has scheduled a vote on the bill for Friday. That gives the notoriously slow Senate, where any one senator can delay consideration of the bill, just hours to approve the legislation before current funding expires after midnight. A short lapse in funding over the weekend would be unlikely to cause major disruptions in government operations, including troop pay, as shutdown procedures would likely not start until the workweek begins Monday. Related: 12,000 More Visas for Afghans Who Helped US Military Included in New Funding Deal For years, one of the most recognizable faces in military life was not that of the commander in chief, the secretary of defense or any other senior leader in the chain of command. It was the face of an airman who was (understandably) excited to eat a hot dog. His visage graced Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) locations around the world, reminding American troops of what pure joy really looked like. And in the decades since it first appeared at the Exchange, U.S. service members and veterans have cultivated their own good-natured love affair with the hungry airman's photo, raising what was once just a piece of marketing material to military meme status. That man was retired Chief Master Sgt. Robin Williams, responsible for the safety of the food that flowed through AAFES installations. Chief Master Sgt. Robin Williams at his December 2011 retirement ceremony. (Courtesy of Rajeev Williams) To be clear, the now-iconic image of Williams, who died of a heart attack on March 14, 2024, at age 60, was more than a meme. Now, the beloved chief is being (rightfully) eulogized by those military members who remember him so fondly both as a senior leader and, of course, as the "AAFES Hot Dog Guy." Robin Lawrence Williams was born in London on Nov. 4, 1963, and would attend high school in Miami. He joined the Air Force in May 1983 and embarked on what his obituary calls "a journey decorated by remarkable achievements and cherished moments shared with those around him." "My dad never met a stranger, and the outpouring messages of support that have reached my family only continue to exemplify the lasting impact he had as a chief, mentor, role model and friend," his son, Rajeev Williams, told Military.com. Chief Williams journey is reflected by his remarkable service record across 30 years until his retirement in 2013. His first assignment was as an environmental health technician at Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi. As a noncommissioned officer, he oversaw medical units at Aviano Air Base in Italy, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio and Los Angeles Air Force Base in California. As a senior NCO, he was sent to Guam, Korea and Texas. After his promotion to chief, he finished his military career as the superintendent of the 19th Medical Group at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas. Along the way, Williams was the recipient of an Air Force Achievement Medal, Army Commendation Medal, two Air Force Commendation Medals and seven Meritorious Service Medals, according to records provided by the Air Force. "I want my legacy to be that I helped others, as well as the organization, or left a positive impression that inspires other people to be positive and successful as well," he said in the 2022 AAFES press release that finally revealed his identity to the world. Robin Williams as a chief master sergeant in an undated photo. (Courtesy of Rajeev Williams) But his claim to mustard-laden fame began in 2004, during an uncertain time for the United States. As AAFES editor Robert Philpot wrote, the early years of the Global War on Terror were marked by "heightened concern with food vulnerability and the potential for bioterrorism attacks on the Nation's food supply and the risk of targeting military installations in particular." It was not a job that was supposed to lead to widespread fame among his peers, but Williams was the right man for the job. At the time, AAFES was rolling out the "Snack Street" corner for its 7-Eleven-like shoppettes. Often attached to gas stations, they carry prepackaged food, water, sodas and quick eats for troops on the go. The "Snack Street" included a roller grill for hot foods such as hot dogs. AAFES was still working on getting those offerings into its convenience stores, and it needed some really eye-catching branding and marketing materials: Would U.S. troops ever know how delicious the glizzy possibilities are if they didn't see someone enjoying one? The now-instantly recognizable photo that adorned Snack Street locations looked like it could have been taken anywhere between 1981 to 2001; it was actually taken in 2004, when then-Senior Master Sgt. Williams was dispatched to the exchange services' headquarters to take the position of public health and food safety liaison for the Air Force. In that role, he got to know many people in the AAFES supply chain and developed a rapport with the team rolling out the new displays. They then asked Williams to take a few photos for them. "I was caught off-guard, but then asked what the pictures were for, to which they responded, 'They're for a menu,'" Williams later told AAFES. "Being new to working in the retail business environment, the only thing I could think of was, 'Oh, they just want some pictures for the restaurant upstairs in the building. Why not? This should be fun.' At the time, I completely forgot about how global the Exchange was and also oblivious to the potential use of images for broader marketing." Like a true senior noncommissioned officer, he was always willing to help out. He did his part, went back to work and thought nothing of it; eventually, he forgot about the photoshoot entirely. It was only after a general managers conference that he learned his image was going on menu boards around the globe. The calls from friends soon started pouring in. "That's when everything started to snowball," Williams recalled. "I started getting calls from friends in the military saying, 'Is that what you do at the Exchange? Take pictures and eat hot dogs?'" The "AAFES Hot Dog Guy" adorning a menu board in a Shoppette, date unknown. From that point on, AAFES employees around the world began to say he looked familiar. It was when Williams was due to give a food safety briefing in Phoenix that one audience member shouted, "Oh, wow, it's the hot dog guy!" And just like that, the title "AAFES Hot Dog Guy" was born. While some senior enlisted members might have taken offense or deemed the new moniker disrespectful, Williams was clearly in on the joke the whole time. It was especially poignant when he was recognized by junior airmen on deployments. He would take pictures with them and marvel at how much joy it gave them to share the photos with loved ones. "I figured, why not, it was the least that I could do to make their day, especially given the austere conditions that they were living and working in downrange," Williams recalled. "In fact, many of them expressed their excitement and left quickly to tell their friends that they had met the Hot Dog Guy." Williams retired from the Air Force as a chief master sergeant, one who was much beloved by his troops and civilian peers. He continued serving at AAFES HQ as a senior program manager in his civilian career. The one thing he wanted to be remembered for, he told AAFES, is that he was committed to his job, worked his tail off and did his best. Judging from various remembrances that have appeared on social media, that legacy is secure. "I know he's a meme to most, but he was an influential member of my former career field and a mentor of mine for a couple of years when [we] were stationed together at Little Rock AFB," said one airman in the unofficial Air Force subreddit. "I am so glad to hear he was loved," another airman wrote. "A literal AF legend in his own right, both for his 'PA/Icon Status' and from the kind words shared here and on the obituary as a friend, mentor, family man, and Chief." "Robin helped us open medical supply stores on 35-plus U.S. military bases worldwide, Brian Healey, president of Janz Corporation, a medical supply company, told Military.com. He was a champion for our cause, to provide our active military and dependents with top-of-the line medical products and always had a positive attitude. I admit, his English accent added to the warmth he generated as a business partner and friend." For those interested in sending condolences to his family, Williams' wish was that in lieu of flowers or cards, well-wishers chip in to a scholarship fund for his grandchildren. Even in death, Chief Williams is still looking out for his people. Want to Learn More About Military Life? Whether you're thinking of joining the military, looking for post-military careers 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. Correction: The incorrect name of a business that donated to the Committee to Stop Unlimited Marijuana Shops was previously listed and has been updated. MENOMINEE, MI -- The battle for control of a Michigan citys lucrative marijuana market has feuding attorneys making bold claims of unethical and potentially illegal behavior. Its all taking place in Menominee, an 8,300-resident town on the Wisconsin border in the south-central Upper Peninsula along the shores of Lake Michigans Green Bay. The quarreling marijuana stores hope to capitalize on a plethora of out-of-state marijuana customers, mostly from Wisconsin where marijuana remains illegal and many millions stand to be made. The finger pointing involves attorneys for eight marijuana companies embroiled in a legal battle against and on behalf of Menominee, where elected officials have been accused of Open Meetings Act violations and underhanded efforts to expand the marijuana market in favor of preferred marijuana businesses. A Higher Love Cannabis Co. employee takes a curbside order from a customer in Menominee, Michigan on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023. Joel Bissell | Jbissell@mlive.com Corporate shadow groups propping up sham citizen committees in an effort to stop the expansion of new marijuana shops, political bribery investigations and unethical political moves are some of the allegations that found their way into a motion hearing in Menominees 41st Circuit Court Wednesday, March 20. With 16 various attorneys present and arguing motions, the typically brief hearing stretched more than four hours. Accusing my client of bribing city officials, its problematic ... " said attorney Joslin E. Monahan with the Grand Rapids-based Miller Johnson law firm. She represents Higher Love, a U.P. marijuana chain that opened a store in Menominee. Monahan claims Rize, a marijuana chain operated by First Property Holdings, hired a private investigator to investigate whether Higher Love or other companies bribed Menominee politicians in exchange for favorable treatment. There is no evidence of bribery and speculation alone leaves a bad taste in the mouth of people who are making material decisions, Monahan said, These lies are adversely affecting my clients business. The conflict began in 2021, after Menominee officials, following a competitive application process, issued two marijuana retailer licenses to Rize and the Fire Station. Multiple businesses that didnt win licenses filed lawsuits claiming the selection process was flawed. Those businesses had their lawsuits dismissed last year but continued to threaten costly appeals. In 2023, a majority of Menominees City Council voted to accept a settlement agreement with those five challenging marijuana companies. The agreement uncapped the total number of licenses that could exist in the city and granted the settling companies first privilege on the new licenses. The companies also ensured Menominee that if it faced any lawsuits related to the settlement, the marijuana companies would pay for the litigation. And the lawsuits came. The entrance to Rize cannabis located at 3213 10th in Menominee Michigan on Monday, Oct. 9, 2023.Joel Bissell | Jbissell@mlive.com Rize and Fire Station sued the city in state and federal court, challenging the settlements validity and arguing that making the number of available licenses unlimited violated state law. They also allege expanding the market after the businesses already invested and created business plans based on the belief that only two marijuana shops would exist in Menominee is unfair. Opposing marijuana businesses accuse Rize and Fire Station of trying to create a monopoly. Kevin Blair, an attorney representing Lume, a large marijuana retail chain operated by Attitude Wellness, accused Rize and Fire Station of operating shadow groups, including one under the guise of a citizen-led ballot initiative seeking to limit the number of marijuana shops in Menominee to two. MLive confirmed through campaign finance documents Rize and the Fire Station had donated a combined $200,000 to the ballot initiative, named the Committee to Stop Unlimited Marijuana Shops, as of October 2023. Monahan said Rize and Fire Station used the sham committee as a front to send out mailers to voters spreading lies. Renovation work being done to the retail shop for Fire Station Cannabis Co. located at 3101 10th St. in Menominee Michigan on Monday, Oct. 9, 2023. They currently are operating on a curbside system. Joel Bissell | Jbissell@mlive.com Attorneys for Rize and Fire station are attempting to block depositions of their executives and a woman who notarized some of the citizen committee ballot petitions. Opposing attorneys said the notary is also an employee with Rize, indicating collusion in the petition drive efforts. During Wednesdays hearing, presiding Menominee Circuit Judge Mary Barglind dismissed some of the resolved claims in the lawsuit, at the request of the plaintiffs, and said she would allow Higher Love to file new allegations as part of a counterclaim. She said she will issue an order by Monday, March 25, ruling on whether a protective order will be issued blocking certain depositions. Currently, five marijuana shops are operating in Menominee. Three more have announced plans to open. One of the shops, Green Pharm, lists a March grand opening on its Facebook page. The active marijuana stores include: Fire Station, Rize, Lume, Higher Love and the Nirvana Center. EMPIRE, MICH. -- Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is encouraging visitors of all ages to spend this years spring break exploring natural wonders. The park in northwest Lower Michigan will host a variety of free, family-friendly activities and events from Saturday, March 23 through Saturday, March 30. Highlights include guided hikes, storytime with park rangers, public planetarium demonstrations, and more. The events are free, though a park pass is required for entrance. According to the National Park Service, this years spring break line up at Sleeping Bear Dunes includes: Junior Angler: Intro to Ice Fishing: Saturday, March 23 from 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. and Thursday, March 28 from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. This pop-in style program at the parks Phillip A. Hart Visitor Center in Empire allows participants to arrive anytime between the hours listed (though the park asks that visitors come no later than 3 p.m. in order to have time to complete the activies). This event is ideal for children in grades 2-5 who have an interest in fishing. Storytime with a Park Ranger: Wednesday, March 27 at 11:00 a.m., Traverse City District Library. This activity is open to children of all ages and is geared toward families looking to spend quality time together. Through a story, children will learn about the environment in a fun and engaging way. Ranger-led hikes: Enjoy a Beaver Hike (1.5-2 miles) on Monday, March 25 at 10 a.m. and Senses Hike (.5-1 mile) in Glen Haven on Tuesday, March 26 at 10 a.m. Discover different areas of the National Lakeshore by joining park rangers on a guided hike. Meet rangers at the Visitors Center in Empire and then car caravan a short distance to begin the hike. Dress for the weather. Warm layers, boots, and shoe traction or trekking poles are recommended if there is snow on the ground. Public Planetarium Programs: To be held Wednesday, March 27 from 2-7 p.m.; Friday, March 29 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4-8 p.m.; Saturday, March 30 from 1-5 p.m. Join rangers for an immersive experience at the National Lakeshore where visitors of all ages can engage with an unobstructed view of the night sky in the comfort of the parks new inflatable stargazing dome at the Visitors Center in Empire. Visitors can arrive any time between the hours listed. Each group will spend 15-20 minutes inside the dome. Activities will be available to visitors while they wait for their turn. Visitors should arrive at least 30 minutes before the end time to ensure having the time to enjoy the experience. For more information and other events, visit Sleeping Bear Dunes calendar of events online. It stands 24 hot dogs tall, 18 hot dogs wide and 60 hot dogs long. The worlds most famous hot dog on wheels is coming to Michigan this weekend and it will be at multiple locations throughout the state. Originally built in 1936, the 13-foot long hot dog car known as the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile will be making the rounds in the state beginning this Friday. The original Wienermobile traveled the streets of Chicago to promote Oscar Mayer hot dogs. And if you miss the Wienermobile when its in a city near you, you can always see one at The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn where a 1952 Wienermobile is on permanent display. Here is the full schedule of where you can see the Wienermobile while its in Michigan: INGHAM TOWNSHIP, MI Three adults who were lost and cold in a Michigan state game area were located and guided to safety using an app and a drone, police said. Around 5:45 a.m. Wednesday, Ingham County Sheriffs deputies responded to the area of Seven Gables and Dexter Trail in Ingham Township for three adults who were lost, according to a news release. The subjects told dispatch that they were not from the area, police said. They were wet and struggling with cold exposure. Dispatch used the What3Words app to find their exact location; What3Words has created three-word addresses for every 3 square meters (about 10 square feet) of Earth. Dansville firefighters searched the area on foot but had difficulty locating the subjects due to swampy terrain. The sheriffs office then used a drone to find and guide the subjects to the firefighters. All three subjects were taken by ambulance to a local hospital for cold exposure. The sheriffs office recommends downloading What3Words to your mobile device in case of emergencies. GRAND TRAVERSE COUNTY, MI - A northern Michigan court dismissed all claims from a lawsuit by a Michigan hairstylist who claimed First Amendment protections when telling transgender customers to use a pet groomer. Grand Traverse County Circuit Court thew out the Oct. 25 lawsuit filed by the Studio 8 Hair Lab in Traverse City against the city and the Michigan Department of Civil Rights. DEARBORN, MI -- Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy has charged an Ecorse man with multiple felonies after he allegedly beat, tortured and sexually assaulted a pair of elderly women Sunday at their home. Michael Holcomb, 52, was arraigned Wednesday in 19th District Court on five counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, two counts of torture, one count of second-degree criminal sexual conduct, and two counts of assault with intent to do great bodily harm. The alleged actions of the defendant in this case are among the most egregious and deplorable that I have seen in my 30 plus years in criminal law. The facts truly shock the conscience. The 85 and 78-year-old victims were brutalized, tortured, and repeatedly sexually assaulted. We will strive mightily to bring them some semblance of justice, Worthy said. Holcomb was arrested Sunday, hours after he allegedly assaulted the women at their Dearborn home. The women -- who are sisters -- were transported to a nearby hospital for treatment, according to officials. Police used evidence gathered at the scene and witnesses to locate Holcomb at a motel near where the alleged assaults took place. MACOMB COUNTY, MI A Michigan pilot and former teacher has been sentenced to two years in federal prison for sexually abusing a 15-year-old girl he was teaching about airplanes, authorities said. Rex Phelps, 72, of Harrison Township, pleaded guilty in October to abusive sexual contact of a child before U.S. District Judge Stephen J. Murphy, III. Murphy sentenced Phelps to the maximum 24 months, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorneys Office. While providing flying lessons to a 15-year-old girl, Phelps groomed and inappropriately touched the victim on several occasions, prosecutors said. According to court documents, Phelps also exchanged text messages with the victim, including one with a picture of a man and a woman lying on a bed kissing with the message, Shortly after the shower without that top. Maybe more. Phelpss abuse of the minor was uncovered after he mistakenly sent this text message exchange to an unintended recipient who then contacted police. This sentence reaffirms our offices commitment to protecting the most innocent and vulnerable members of our community children, U.S. Attorney Dawn N. Ison said in a statement. This defendant violated the trust that so many had placed in him, including the victims parents. Phelps formerly taught at Dakota High School in Macomb County. At the time of the abuse, he was president of the Experimental Aircraft Association chapter at Ray Community Airport and was teaching the victim about airplanes. The abuse began during October 2022 and continued until it was reported on March 1, 2023. RELATED: Former Michigan teacher indicted for sexually assaulting teen in airplane The federal charge is related to incidents that happened during flights, including kissing, and touching the victims inner thighs and groin area over her clothing. Phelps has also been charged in Macomb County for alleged incidents that happened at Ray Community Airport, including exposing and groping the victims breasts. TAYLOR, MI -- A woman who began working at Taylor Preparatory High School in August says she was fired last month because she refused to erase material she created for her rap career. According to WXYZ-Detroit, a parent of one of the students complained to school officials about Domonique Browns content after the parent discovered one of Browns music videos. Brown -- who goes by the stage name Drippin Honey -- says the parent anonymously complained about her content, leading to a meeting between Brown, the school dean and principal. Brown says she was told the parent felt she was a bad influence on her students because she raps. Brown allegedly asked to school to tell her in writing what issues the school had with her content, but that did not happen. During a meeting in November, Brown claims she was given an ultimatum to remove the content, but she refused. A month later she was voted Teacher of the Month by students, but by then Brown knew it was only a matter of time before she lost her job. Since being fired Brown says she has consulted with an attorney regarding her termination. WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI - A second case of measles has been identified in Washtenaw County, and health officials are warning the public about the possibility of exposure. The potential exposure locations include Ann Arbor-area pharmacies, medical offices, a hospital, an urgent care facility and an University of Michigan dormitory, according to an announcement issued Thursday, March 21. The new case is an adult without prior immunity to measles who was exposed to the first local case, reported on March 3, according to the Washtenaw County Health Department. Read more: What you need to know about measles in Washtenaw County The department has issued a list of exposure locations and timeframes for the second case of the highly-contagious disease that spreads by direct person-to-person contact and through the air but is preventable through vaccination. The measles virus can live for up to two hours in the air, and anyone at the exposure sites during the timeframes listed may have been exposed, officials said. A list of potential exposure locations and times for a second local case of measles reported by the Washtenaw County Health Department on Thursday, March 21, 2024. Anyone present at one of the locations at the listed date and time should monitor themselves for symptoms for 21 days and, if they develop, call ahead before seeking medical care to avoid exposing others, officials say.Washtenaw County Health Department Anyone potentially exposed to the measles case should monitor themselves for symptoms for 21 days after exposure, health officials said. Symptoms usually begin seven to 14 days after exposure and can include: A 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 and blotchy, usually starting on the face and spreading to the torso, arms and legs three to five days after symptoms begin If symptoms develop, health officials recommend calling a doctor, urgent care or hospital before seeking treatment to avoid potentially exposing others to the disease. This situation illustrates why we work so hard to contain measles, said Dr. Juan Luis Marquez, medical director with the health department, in a statement. People without immunity from vaccination or a prior illness are very likely to become ill if exposed, and about one in five will require hospitalization. Vaccinated people are unlikely to be infected, with just three in every 100 exposed to measles becoming ill if they come into contact with virus, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This alert is more urgent for anyone potentially exposed to the confirmed case, Marques said. But it is also a critical reminder for everyone to check their vaccination status and confirm protection against measles. The health department offers measles vaccine guidelines, and the information is also available from a health care provider or pharmacy. Since more than 72 hours have passed since potential exposure to the second case, it is too late for immediate vaccination to prevent infection, health officials said. The MMR vaccine, helping prevent measles infection, is routinely given to children with a first dose at about 12 months of age and a second dose starting at age 4, according to the health department. People with two appropriately spaced doses or adults born before 1957, or who have evidence of prior measles illness, are considered immune. Health officials urge anyone not currently fully vaccinated against measles to do so as soon as possible. Across the U.S. and Michigan, routine immunization coverage has dropped. For children between 19 and 35-months-old, MMR coverage in Washtenaw County decreased from 90% in 2017 to 81% in 2022, according to the health department. Michigan saw the first confirmed case of measles since 2019 in February in Oakland County, and since cases have since also been reported in Wayne and Washtenaw counties. Vaccination is available through the health department, health care providers and pharmacies, and some children are eligible for no-cost vaccines. The health department does not decline services if individuals are unable to pay, officials said. 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. WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI A man accused of fatally shooting a woman found dead last year in her Saline home has been deemed competent to stand trial. The criminal case now proceeds against Jeffery Ray Long, 56, who was ordered in December to undergo a psychiatric examination. He appeared Thursday, March 21, at a hearing before 14A-1 District Court Judge J. Cedric Simpson. By Michigan law, people are presumed competent unless it is determined they cannot understand the court proceedings against them or rationally assist in their own defense. Long is charged with one count each of open murder and carrying a firearm while committing a felony in the death of Cindy Gochis, 49. Gochis was found dead of a gunshot wound Sept. 29 in her home on the 100 block of Elmwood Court in Saline. Police were originally called to the home for a welfare check. Read more: Woman found dead in Saline basement was fatally shot, police say Long was previously in a relationship with Gochis, police said, and allegedly left the residence in Gochis vehicle. In October, 14A-1 District Court Magistrate Elisha Fink arraigned Long. He is accused of shooting Gochis in the back and the head, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Jessica Blanch said during the arraignment hearing. Read more: Man arraigned on open murder in death of Saline woman found in her home He then fled to Indiana where he did shoot himself in the chest, trying to kill himself so he couldnt be held accountable for this crime, Blanch said. Long was taken to a hospital in Indiana, released in early October and extradited from Fort Wayne, Indiana, according to Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Victoria Burton-Harris. Long admitted to killing Gochis, Blanch said during the hearing. Read more: Woman found fatally shot in Saline home remembered as shining light Long currently is being held in the Washtenaw County Jail without bond. He is next set to appear in court on May 16. 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. FLINT, MI Michigan Supreme Court Justice Richard Bernstein will speak at the University of Michigan-Flint next month after a Fenton student met him and asked him to speak on campus. Joe Bujak, a senior history and political science major at UM-Flint, asked Bernstein to come to campus. To his surprise, the justice said yes. SWARTZ CREEK, MI Swartz Creek Community Schools will host its second annual Connections to Wellness in the Creek community health event in April. The event will take place from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on April 9 at the Swartz Creek High School Performing Arts Center, located at 8427 Miller Road. GRAND RAPIDS, MI An elementary-school custodian, accused of possessing and distributing child pornography, told an undercover investigator he had an attraction to young girls, court records said. Bradley Arkesteyn is named in a criminal complaint unsealed Thursday, March 21, in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan. GRANDVILLE, MI - A West Michigan Sailor was laid to rest this week in Hawaii after 80 years of being lost at sea following the attack on Pearl Harbor. The remains of Grandville native Raymond Devere Boynton were laid to rest with full military honors on Wednesday, March 20, at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, also known as the Punchbowl, in Honolulu, Hawaii. JACKSON, MI - Developers involved with the restoration of the historic Hayes Hotel are getting an extension to their purchase agreement of the building, but say they are confident the deal will be sealed by the end of 2024. The Jackson City Council approved the purchase agreement extension on the building in downtown Jackson with Milwaukee-based developer J. Jeffers & Co. at its Tuesday, March 19 meeting. The extension is an addendum to the purchase agreement originally signed between J. Jeffers and the city in 2022. The developers right to purchase the nearly 100-year-old hotel building at 228 W. Michigan Ave. expired at the end of 2023. The extension passed Tuesday lengthens the term of the agreement to Dec. 31, 2024 - though J. Jeffers Chief Development Officer Brian Loftin said his company hopes to close on the purchase well before then. We had certainly hoped to have already closed and moved forward on this, Loftin said. But weve continued to stay in the fight and have invested several million dollars in getting to this point, and we do want to see continue and carry forward for the community as a whole. Loftin said the developer was very close to finalizing the purchase in June 2023, though the process was delayed due to the closure of Silicon Valley Bank and the resulting effects on the economy and real estate market. The $40-million Jackson project - to be called The Hayes - aims to bring 84 apartments to the 10-story building. The buildings first two floors will be rehabilitated to offer event, retail and restaurant space, Loftin said. Once the purchase is finalized, the construction is projected to take about 18 months and is expected to be complete sometime in 2025, officials said previously. Related: Hayes Hotel redevelopment project years in making to begin this spring These are the exact types of projects that we like to take on and be a part of, Loftin said. We love old buildings and we love reimagining them - taking something that sometimes can be seen as a blight or a thinking in the community of thats what we used to be and repurposing it and bringing it back to be something that says this is what we are now; this is what we can be as we move forward. The hotel opened in November 1926, and has been vacant since 2003. Related: Peek Through Time: Grand, glamorous Hayes Hotel drew out-of-towners, locals to downtown Jackson In April 2021, the Jackson City Council voted unanimously to sell the property for $25,000 to J. Jeffers & Co. for redevelopment. Want more Jackson-area news? Bookmark the local Jackson news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Jackson daily newsletter. This story has been updated with more details from the Michigan Attorney Generals Office. KALAMAZOO, MI -- A former township supervisor was found guilty of four counts of criminal sexual conduct, according to court records. LAPEER, MI - The Oxford school shooter was involved in a fight Tuesday in his Michigan prison unit in Lapeer, officials said March 21. Ethan Crumbley, 17, and another 17-year-old fought on March 19 in the Youthful Housing Unit at the Thumb Correctional Facility in Lapeer, according to Michigan Department of Corrections. Staff quickly responded and gained control of both prisoners, officials said. It is not clear what led up to the fight. There were no serious injuries or weapons involved, officials said. Both Crumbley and the other prisoner were issued misconducts for violating prison rules, officials said, and both will face hearings to determine potential sanctions. There was no lockdown related to the incident, officials told MLive. Crumbley, then a 15-year-old sophomore when he committed the shooting at Oxford High School on Nov. 30, 2021, pleaded guilty to 24 felonies, including four counts of first-degree murder for the deaths of Hana St. Juliana, 14, Madisyn Baldwin, 17, Tate Myre, 16 and Justin Shilling, 17. He is serving a mandatory life prison sentence. The shooters parents James and Jennifer were accused of gross negligence for failing to safely store the handgun used by their son in the attack and for not seeking help for their son when he exhibited warning signs of depression and possible mental illness. A jury found James Crumbley guilty of four counts of involuntary manslaughter, a crime punishable by up to 15 years in prison, during a March 14 hearing. James Crumbley, who shook his head following the verdict, is expected to be sentenced on April 9. A jury in a separate trial found 45-year-old Jennifer Crumbley guilty of four counts of manslaughter on Feb. 6. She is awaiting an April 9 sentencing. Both have remained jailed, currently with $500,000 bonds, since Dec. 3, 2021. Epiq Partners LLC boosted its position in Northern Oil and Gas, Inc. (NYSE:NOG Free Report) by 15.4% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 87,664 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 11,669 shares during the quarter. Northern Oil and Gas comprises 2.3% of Epiq Partners LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 16th biggest position. Epiq Partners LLC owned about 0.09% of Northern Oil and Gas worth $3,250,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Quadrant Capital Group LLC lifted its stake in Northern Oil and Gas by 259.2% in the 2nd quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC now owns 740 shares of the companys stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 534 shares in the last quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors increased its holdings in shares of Northern Oil and Gas by 1,349.4% in the 2nd quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 1,145 shares of the companys stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 1,066 shares during the last quarter. Quarry LP bought a new position in shares of Northern Oil and Gas in the 2nd quarter worth $31,000. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale bought a new position in shares of Northern Oil and Gas in the 3rd quarter worth $67,000. Finally, State of Wyoming bought a new position in shares of Northern Oil and Gas in the 4th quarter worth $82,000. 98.80% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Northern Oil and Gas alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth NOG has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on shares of Northern Oil and Gas in a report on Friday, January 5th. They issued an equal weight rating and a $40.00 price target on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus decreased their target price on shares of Northern Oil and Gas from $54.00 to $52.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, January 23rd. Piper Sandler decreased their target price on shares of Northern Oil and Gas from $39.00 to $38.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, February 16th. Truist Financial decreased their target price on shares of Northern Oil and Gas from $58.00 to $56.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, February 16th. Finally, Johnson Rice cut shares of Northern Oil and Gas from a buy rating to an accumulate rating in a research report on Thursday, December 14th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Northern Oil and Gas has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $46.50. Insider Activity In related news, CEO Nicholas L. Ogrady sold 3,750 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $35.63, for a total transaction of $133,612.50. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 220,825 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,867,994.75. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In related news, CEO Nicholas L. Ogrady sold 3,750 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $35.63, for a total transaction of $133,612.50. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 220,825 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,867,994.75. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, President Adam A. Dirlam sold 2,088 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $38.00, for a total transaction of $79,344.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the president now owns 122,359 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,649,642. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 7,794 shares of company stock valued at $284,252. Corporate insiders own 3.60% of the companys stock. Northern Oil and Gas Trading Up 0.1 % Shares of NOG stock traded up $0.05 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $39.15. The stock had a trading volume of 1,181,384 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,248,622. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $34.78 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $37.11. Northern Oil and Gas, Inc. has a 52-week low of $26.91 and a 52-week high of $43.64. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.95 billion, a PE ratio of 3.89 and a beta of 1.85. The company has a current ratio of 1.32, a quick ratio of 1.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.90. Northern Oil and Gas (NYSE:NOG Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, February 23rd. The company reported $1.61 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.64 by ($0.03). The firm had revenue of $543.40 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $555.31 million. Northern Oil and Gas had a net margin of 42.61% and a return on equity of 40.86%. Northern Oil and Gass revenue was up 21.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.43 EPS. Equities analysts expect that Northern Oil and Gas, Inc. will post 5.72 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Northern Oil and Gas Dividend Announcement The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 30th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 28th will be paid a dividend of $0.40 per share. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.09%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 27th. Northern Oil and Gass payout ratio is 15.94%. About Northern Oil and Gas (Free Report) Northern Oil and Gas, Inc, an independent energy company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, exploitation, development, and production of crude oil and natural gas properties in the United States. It primarily holds interests in the Williston Basin, the Appalachian Basin, and the Permian Basin in the United States. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Northern Oil and Gas Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Northern Oil and Gas and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Epiq Partners LLC decreased its stake in American Tower Co. (NYSE:AMT Free Report) by 7.4% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 16,601 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 1,327 shares during the period. American Tower makes up 2.6% of Epiq Partners LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 13th biggest position. Epiq Partners LLCs holdings in American Tower were worth $3,584,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Cohen & Steers Inc. grew its stake in American Tower by 44.2% during the 2nd quarter. Cohen & Steers Inc. now owns 9,842,980 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,908,844,000 after purchasing an additional 3,016,160 shares in the last quarter. Gateway Investment Advisers LLC lifted its holdings in shares of American Tower by 57.7% in the 4th quarter. Gateway Investment Advisers LLC now owns 35,751 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $7,718,000 after purchasing an additional 13,074 shares during the last quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of American Tower by 0.5% in the 3rd quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 177,288 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $29,155,000 after purchasing an additional 806 shares during the last quarter. PDS Planning Inc lifted its holdings in shares of American Tower by 16.1% in the 3rd quarter. PDS Planning Inc now owns 1,821 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $299,000 after purchasing an additional 253 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cyndeo Wealth Partners LLC lifted its holdings in shares of American Tower by 3.8% in the 3rd quarter. Cyndeo Wealth Partners LLC now owns 9,908 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,629,000 after purchasing an additional 365 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.29% of the companys stock. Get American Tower alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several brokerages recently issued reports on AMT. Barclays raised their price target on American Tower from $224.00 to $234.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, March 5th. HSBC initiated coverage on American Tower in a research note on Thursday, December 14th. They set a buy rating and a $245.00 target price on the stock. StockNews.com downgraded American Tower from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, March 1st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on American Tower from $236.00 to $230.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, February 28th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets cut their target price on American Tower from $235.00 to $228.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, February 28th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, American Tower has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $217.55. Insider Buying and Selling In related news, Director Pamela D. A. Reeve sold 5,054 shares of American Tower stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $190.46, for a total value of $962,584.84. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 18,545 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,532,080.70. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other news, Director Pamela D. A. Reeve sold 5,054 shares of American Tower stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $190.46, for a total transaction of $962,584.84. Following the transaction, the director now owns 18,545 shares in the company, valued at $3,532,080.70. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, CFO Rodney M. Smith sold 11,510 shares of American Tower stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $205.71, for a total value of $2,367,722.10. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 62,969 shares in the company, valued at approximately $12,953,352.99. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.24% of the companys stock. American Tower Price Performance Shares of AMT stock traded down $2.00 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $194.63. 1,888,584 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,339,955. American Tower Co. has a twelve month low of $154.58 and a twelve month high of $219.10. The firm has a market cap of $90.77 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 61.20, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.38 and a beta of 0.68. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $197.81 and its 200-day simple moving average is $191.57. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.29, a quick ratio of 0.69 and a current ratio of 0.69. American Tower (NYSE:AMT Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 27th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.94 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.10 by ($1.16). The firm had revenue of $2.79 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.74 billion. American Tower had a net margin of 13.31% and a return on equity of 12.80%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 3.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $2.34 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts expect that American Tower Co. will post 9.92 earnings per share for the current year. American Tower Cuts Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 26th. Investors of record on Friday, April 12th will be issued a $1.62 dividend. This represents a $6.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.33%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 11th. American Towers payout ratio is 213.84%. American Tower Profile (Free Report) American Tower, one of the largest global REITs, is a leading independent owner, operator and developer of multitenant communications real estate with a portfolio of over 224,000 communications sites and a highly interconnected footprint of U.S. data center facilities. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AMT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for American Tower Co. (NYSE:AMT Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for American Tower Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for American Tower and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Epiq Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund bought 6,650 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $327,000. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Fortis Group Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $25,000. Leith Wheeler Investment Counsel Ltd. boosted its stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 208.0% during the 4th quarter. Leith Wheeler Investment Counsel Ltd. now owns 528,104 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 356,620 shares during the period. Studio Investment Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company during the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL bought a new position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company during the 1st quarter worth approximately $28,000. Finally, Baystate Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 53.0% during the 3rd quarter. Baystate Wealth Management LLC now owns 803 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $33,000 after acquiring an additional 278 shares during the period. 72.47% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Wells Fargo & Company alerts: Wells Fargo & Company Price Performance WFC stock traded up $0.31 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $57.32. 22,838,408 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 19,659,289. The stock has a market capitalization of $205.06 billion, a PE ratio of 11.89, a P/E/G ratio of 1.20 and a beta of 1.19. Wells Fargo & Company has a 52 week low of $35.25 and a 52 week high of $58.44. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.24, a current ratio of 0.88 and a quick ratio of 0.88. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $51.86 and a 200 day moving average price of $46.37. Wells Fargo & Company Dividend Announcement Wells Fargo & Company ( NYSE:WFC Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, January 12th. The financial services provider reported $0.86 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.16 by ($0.30). Wells Fargo & Company had a net margin of 16.60% and a return on equity of 12.40%. The company had revenue of $20.48 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $20.30 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.67 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was up 2.2% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts expect that Wells Fargo & Company will post 4.72 EPS for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 1st. Investors of record on Friday, February 2nd were given a dividend of $0.35 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 1st. This represents a $1.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.44%. Wells Fargo & Companys payout ratio is 29.05%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several analysts recently issued reports on WFC shares. Raymond James boosted their price target on Wells Fargo & Company from $55.00 to $58.00 and gave the company a strong-buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 16th. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price target on Wells Fargo & Company from $45.00 to $50.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, December 1st. Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on Wells Fargo & Company from $54.00 to $63.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 30th. Robert W. Baird restated a neutral rating and issued a $55.00 price target on shares of Wells Fargo & Company in a research note on Monday, January 8th. Finally, Piper Sandler reduced their price target on Wells Fargo & Company from $51.00 to $50.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, January 16th. Twelve analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Wells Fargo & Company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $52.74. View Our Latest Research Report on Wells Fargo & Company Wells Fargo & Company Profile (Free Report) Wells Fargo & Company, a financial services company, provides diversified banking, investment, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance products and services in the United States and internationally. The company operates through four segments: Consumer Banking and Lending; Commercial Banking; Corporate and Investment Banking; and Wealth and Investment Management. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding WFC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Wells Fargo & Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Wells Fargo & Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. reduced its position in shares of AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV Free Report) by 2.5% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 67,571 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,725 shares during the period. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc.s holdings in AbbVie were worth $10,471,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in ABBV. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of AbbVie by 89,097.0% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 29,203,106 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,719,514,000 after acquiring an additional 29,170,366 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new position in AbbVie during the 4th quarter worth $3,033,348,000. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA grew its stake in AbbVie by 29,922.3% during the 3rd quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 6,032,374 shares of the companys stock worth $899,186,000 after buying an additional 6,012,281 shares during the last quarter. Morgan Stanley grew its stake in AbbVie by 17.9% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 31,571,750 shares of the companys stock worth $5,102,311,000 after buying an additional 4,785,277 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership grew its stake in AbbVie by 426.5% during the 1st quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 4,652,122 shares of the companys stock worth $754,155,000 after buying an additional 3,768,579 shares during the last quarter. 67.86% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get AbbVie alerts: AbbVie Price Performance ABBV stock traded down $3.39 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $176.27. 7,293,059 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 5,789,301. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $172.87 and a 200 day simple moving average of $156.87. AbbVie Inc. has a one year low of $130.96 and a one year high of $182.89. The company has a market cap of $311.38 billion, a P/E ratio of 64.57, a P/E/G ratio of 2.27 and a beta of 0.58. The company has a current ratio of 0.87, a quick ratio of 0.76 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.02. AbbVie Announces Dividend AbbVie ( NYSE:ABBV Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Friday, February 2nd. The company reported $2.79 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.76 by $0.03. AbbVie had a return on equity of 162.28% and a net margin of 8.95%. The business had revenue of $14.30 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $14.02 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $3.60 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was down 5.4% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts forecast that AbbVie Inc. will post 11.15 earnings per share for the current year. The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, April 15th will be issued a dividend of $1.55 per share. This represents a $6.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.52%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, April 12th. AbbVies dividend payout ratio is 227.11%. Analyst Ratings Changes ABBV has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Barclays upped their price objective on AbbVie from $175.00 to $185.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, February 5th. Raymond James upped their price objective on AbbVie from $181.00 to $189.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, February 5th. BMO Capital Markets upped their price objective on AbbVie from $187.00 to $195.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, February 5th. HSBC cut AbbVie from a buy rating to a hold rating and decreased their price target for the stock from $167.00 to $156.00 in a research note on Monday, December 18th. Finally, Truist Financial increased their price target on AbbVie from $180.00 to $195.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 6th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $175.36. Get Our Latest Analysis on AbbVie Insider Activity In other news, EVP Nicholas Donoghoe sold 2,912 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $154.72, for a total transaction of $450,544.64. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 55,903 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,649,312.16. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In other news, EVP Nicholas Donoghoe sold 2,912 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $154.72, for a total transaction of $450,544.64. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 55,903 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $8,649,312.16. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Azita Saleki-Gerhardt sold 52,870 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $173.71, for a total value of $9,184,047.70. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 243,944 shares in the company, valued at approximately $42,375,512.24. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 365,154 shares of company stock valued at $64,513,791 over the last three months. Insiders own 0.26% of the companys stock. AbbVie Profile (Free Report) AbbVie Inc discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells pharmaceuticals worldwide. The company offers Humira, a therapy administered as an injection for autoimmune, intestinal Behcet's diseases, and pyoderma gangrenosum; Skyrizi to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, psoriatic disease, and Crohn's disease; Rinvoq to treat rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, atopic dermatitis, axial spondyloarthropathy, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn's disease; Imbruvica for the treatment of adult patients with blood cancers; Epkinly to treat lymphoma; Elahere to treat cancer; and Venclexta/Venclyxto to treat blood cancers. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ABBV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for AbbVie Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for AbbVie and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Credit Suisse FI Large Cap Growth Enhanced ETN (NYSEARCA:FLGE Get Free Report)s share price dropped 1.1% during trading on Wednesday . The company traded as low as $809.53 and last traded at $809.53. Approximately 3,100 shares changed hands during trading, an increase of 352% from the average daily volume of 686 shares. The stock had previously closed at $818.83. Credit Suisse FI Large Cap Growth Enhanced ETN Stock Down 1.1 % The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $809.53 and a 200 day simple moving average of $809.53. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Credit Suisse FI Large Cap Growth Enhanced ETN Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Credit Suisse FI Large Cap Growth Enhanced ETN and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Davis Investment Partners LLC raised its stake in shares of The Southern Company (NYSE:SO Free Report) by 3.3% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 5,283 shares of the utilities providers stock after purchasing an additional 169 shares during the period. Davis Investment Partners LLCs holdings in Southern were worth $379,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its holdings in Southern by 0.4% during the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 99,572,665 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $6,444,343,000 after purchasing an additional 352,023 shares in the last quarter. FMR LLC raised its position in shares of Southern by 5.0% in the third quarter. FMR LLC now owns 38,906,760 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $2,518,045,000 after buying an additional 1,838,857 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its position in shares of Southern by 2.3% in the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 19,816,104 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,387,945,000 after buying an additional 452,511 shares during the last quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. raised its position in shares of Southern by 4.2% in the second quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 16,070,918 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,128,982,000 after buying an additional 642,737 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Capital Research Global Investors raised its position in shares of Southern by 8.0% in the second quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 11,910,166 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $836,689,000 after buying an additional 883,544 shares during the last quarter. 62.85% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Southern alerts: Southern Stock Down 0.5 % Southern stock traded down $0.33 during trading on Thursday, reaching $69.90. The stock had a trading volume of 2,864,656 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,686,713. The Southern Company has a 52-week low of $61.56 and a 52-week high of $75.80. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $68.50 and a 200 day moving average price of $68.74. The company has a quick ratio of 0.56, a current ratio of 0.77 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.62. The stock has a market cap of $76.26 billion, a PE ratio of 19.34, a P/E/G ratio of 4.38 and a beta of 0.49. Southern Announces Dividend Southern ( NYSE:SO Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 15th. The utilities provider reported $0.64 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.59 by $0.05. The company had revenue of $6.05 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.90 billion. Southern had a net margin of 15.79% and a return on equity of 11.40%. The firms quarterly revenue was down 14.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $0.26 earnings per share. On average, analysts predict that The Southern Company will post 4 EPS for the current year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 6th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 20th were given a dividend of $0.70 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 16th. This represents a $2.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.01%. Southerns dividend payout ratio is presently 77.14%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $80.00 target price on shares of Southern in a research report on Wednesday, February 21st. Citigroup began coverage on shares of Southern in a research report on Friday, December 8th. They set a buy rating and a $82.00 price objective for the company. BMO Capital Markets cut their price objective on shares of Southern from $75.00 to $72.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Friday, February 16th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price objective on shares of Southern from $75.00 to $72.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Friday, February 16th. Finally, Barclays cut their price objective on shares of Southern from $68.00 to $67.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, January 17th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating, five have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Southern presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $73.46. Get Our Latest Stock Report on Southern Insider Transactions at Southern In other news, EVP Christopher Cummiskey sold 899 shares of Southern stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $67.06, for a total value of $60,286.94. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 22,502 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,508,984.12. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other Southern news, EVP Christopher Cummiskey sold 899 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $67.06, for a total value of $60,286.94. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 22,502 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,508,984.12. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, CEO Stephen E. Kuczynski sold 5,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, January 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $71.99, for a total transaction of $359,950.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 101,284 shares in the company, valued at $7,291,435.16. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders sold 25,998 shares of company stock worth $1,806,063. 0.28% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. About Southern (Free Report) The Southern Company, through its subsidiaries, engages in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity. The company also develops, constructs, acquires, owns, and manages power generation assets, including renewable energy projects and sells electricity in the wholesale market; and distributes natural gas in Illinois, Georgia, Virginia, and Tennessee, as well as provides gas marketing services, gas distribution operations, and gas pipeline investments operations. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Southern Company (NYSE:SO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Southern Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Southern and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Eagle Rock Investment Company LLC cut its holdings in shares of AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO Free Report) by 0.2% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 4,146 shares of the companys stock after selling 7 shares during the period. AutoZone makes up 2.2% of Eagle Rock Investment Company LLCs holdings, making the stock its 11th biggest holding. Eagle Rock Investment Company LLCs holdings in AutoZone were worth $10,719,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in AZO. Householder Group Estate & Retirement Specialist LLC bought a new stake in AutoZone in the 3rd quarter worth about $25,000. Rock Creek Group LP bought a new stake in AutoZone in the 3rd quarter worth about $25,000. First Capital Advisors Group LLC. bought a new stake in AutoZone in the 2nd quarter worth about $32,000. MUFG Americas Holdings Corp grew its position in AutoZone by 166.7% in the 3rd quarter. MUFG Americas Holdings Corp now owns 16 shares of the companys stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 10 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Mascoma Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in AutoZone in the 3rd quarter worth about $38,000. 90.34% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get AutoZone alerts: Insider Activity at AutoZone In related news, VP Richard Craig Smith sold 3,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 28th. The shares were 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 approximately $8,756,456.96. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other AutoZone news, VP Richard Craig Smith sold 3,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 28th. The shares were 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 of the companys stock, valued at approximately $8,756,456.96. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, COO Thomas B. Newbern sold 7,800 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, January 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $2,551.62, for a total transaction of $19,902,636.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief operating officer now directly owns 2,519 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,427,530.78. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 14,807 shares of company stock valued at $39,669,061. Insiders own 2.50% of the companys stock. AutoZone Trading Up 0.7 % Shares of NYSE:AZO traded up $23.02 during trading on Thursday, reaching $3,210.40. The company had a trading volume of 123,537 shares, compared to its average volume of 164,381. The company has a fifty day moving average of $2,853.31 and a two-hundred day moving average of $2,677.29. The stock has a market capitalization of $55.54 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.64, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.57 and a beta of 0.70. AutoZone, Inc. has a 12 month low of $2,277.88 and a 12 month high of $3,236.13. AutoZone (NYSE:AZO Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 27th. The company reported $28.89 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $26.08 by $2.81. AutoZone had a net margin of 14.70% and a negative return on equity of 56.06%. The firm had revenue of $3.86 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.32 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $24.64 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 4.6% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts predict that AutoZone, Inc. will post 151.33 earnings per share for the current year. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research firms have weighed in on AZO. Barclays boosted their target price on shares of AutoZone from $2,779.00 to $3,100.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, February 29th. Mizuho began coverage on shares of AutoZone in a research note on Tuesday. They issued a buy rating and a $3,450.00 target price on the stock. Morgan Stanley boosted their target price on shares of AutoZone from $2,900.00 to $3,100.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 28th. TheStreet cut shares of AutoZone from a c rating to a d+ rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 20th. Finally, Stephens boosted their target price on shares of AutoZone from $3,000.00 to $3,070.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 6th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirteen have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, AutoZone has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $3,044.61. Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on AZO AutoZone 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. See Also 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. Shares of Invesco DB Oil Fund (NYSEARCA:DBO Get Free Report) dropped 0.8% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The company traded as low as $15.26 and last traded at $15.37. Approximately 388,353 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 12% from the average daily volume of 443,695 shares. The stock had previously closed at $15.49. Invesco DB Oil Fund Price Performance The firms fifty day moving average price is $14.60 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $15.55. Get Invesco DB Oil Fund alerts: Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its position in Invesco DB Oil Fund by 284.8% in the first quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 19,861 shares of the companys stock worth $344,000 after acquiring an additional 14,699 shares in the last quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC grew its position in Invesco DB Oil Fund by 9.6% in the first quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 43,084 shares of the companys stock worth $747,000 after acquiring an additional 3,764 shares in the last quarter. HAP Trading LLC purchased a new position in Invesco DB Oil Fund in the first quarter worth $438,000. Cetera Investment Advisers purchased a new position in Invesco DB Oil Fund in the first quarter worth $389,000. Finally, NewEdge Advisors LLC grew its position in Invesco DB Oil Fund by 38.0% in the first quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 741,658 shares of the companys stock worth $12,845,000 after acquiring an additional 204,373 shares in the last quarter. Invesco DB Oil Fund Company Profile PowerShares DB Oil Fund (the Fund) is a separate series of PowerShares DB Multi-Sector Commodity Trust (the Trust). The Fund is a based on the DBIQ Optimum Yield Crude Oil Index Excess Return (the Index). The Fund seeks to track the changes, whether positive or negative, in the level of the DBIQ Optimum Yield Crude Oil Index Excess Return (the Index) over time, plus the excess, if any, of the Funds interest income from its holdings of United States Treasury Obligations and other high credit quality short-term fixed income securities over the expenses of the Fund. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Invesco DB Oil Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Invesco DB Oil Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. SLC Agricola S.A. (OTCMKTS:SLCJY Get Free Report)s share price shot up 2.3% during trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $3.80 and last traded at $3.80. 21,967 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 12% from the average session volume of 24,978 shares. The stock had previously closed at $3.71. SLC Agricola Trading Up 2.3 % The business has a fifty day moving average of $3.86 and a 200 day moving average of $4.15. Get SLC Agricola alerts: SLC Agricola Cuts Dividend The firm also recently declared a dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 19th. Investors of record on Tuesday, January 2nd were issued a dividend of $0.0073 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 29th. SLC Agricolas payout ratio is currently 60.47%. SLC Agricola Company Profile SLC Agricola SA produces and sells agricultural products in Brazil and internationally. The company cultivates soybean, corn, cotton, wheat, seed corn, popcorn corn, mung beans, and brachiaria crops, as well as produces and markets seeds and seedlings, including soybean, wheat, and cotton seeds. In addition, the company is involved in the cattle raising business; acquiring and developing land for agriculture; property rental; and agro-industrial activities of industrialization of sugar cane, alcohol, and related derivatives, as well as reception, cleaning, drying, and storing of cereals. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for SLC Agricola Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for SLC Agricola and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. raised its stake in shares of Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN Free Report) by 1.4% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 41,473 shares of the information technology services providers stock after acquiring an additional 554 shares during the quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc.s holdings in Accenture were worth $14,553,000 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. United Bank raised its stake in Accenture by 6.3% in the 1st quarter. United Bank now owns 2,969 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $1,001,000 after acquiring an additional 176 shares during the last quarter. Weitz Investment Management Inc. grew its position in shares of Accenture by 1.3% during the 1st quarter. Weitz Investment Management Inc. now owns 89,400 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $30,148,000 after acquiring an additional 1,168 shares during the period. Fund Management at Engine No. 1 LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Accenture during the 1st quarter valued at about $1,805,000. Guardian Wealth Management Inc. boosted its holdings in Accenture by 0.6% in the 1st quarter. Guardian Wealth Management Inc. now owns 7,292 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $2,459,000 after buying an additional 41 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Clearbridge Investments LLC boosted its holdings in Accenture by 104.8% in the 1st quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC now owns 441,451 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $148,871,000 after buying an additional 225,943 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 70.42% of the companys stock. Get Accenture alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth ACN has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Wedbush boosted their target price on shares of Accenture from $330.00 to $360.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, December 14th. Redburn Atlantic upped their target price on shares of Accenture from $410.00 to $445.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday. Robert W. Baird increased their price target on shares of Accenture from $364.00 to $375.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, March 7th. Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and set a $374.00 target price on shares of Accenture in a research report on Tuesday, February 20th. Finally, Citigroup raised their target price on shares of Accenture from $385.00 to $430.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, March 15th. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and sixteen have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $384.38. Insider Activity In related news, insider Ellyn Shook sold 5,000 shares of Accenture stock in a transaction on Friday, January 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $371.81, for a total transaction of $1,859,050.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 20,316 shares in the company, valued at $7,553,691.96. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In related news, Director Jaime Ardila sold 3,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $353.18, for a total value of $1,059,540.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 11,392 shares in the company, valued at $4,023,426.56. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, insider Ellyn Shook sold 5,000 shares of Accenture stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $371.81, for a total value of $1,859,050.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 20,316 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,553,691.96. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 26,551 shares of company stock valued at $9,739,791 over the last quarter. 0.07% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Accenture Price Performance ACN traded up $2.36 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $380.44. The company had a trading volume of 2,859,141 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,995,781. Accenture plc has a 12 month low of $253.03 and a 12 month high of $387.51. The company has a market cap of $238.65 billion, a P/E ratio of 35.26, a PEG ratio of 3.45 and a beta of 1.20. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $369.93 and its 200 day moving average price is $339.67. Accenture (NYSE:ACN Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, December 19th. The information technology services provider reported $3.27 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.14 by $0.13. The company had revenue of $16.22 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $16.17 billion. Accenture had a net margin of 10.65% and a return on equity of 29.08%. Accentures quarterly revenue was up 3.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $3.08 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Accenture plc will post 12.21 EPS for the current fiscal year. About Accenture (Free Report) Accenture plc, a professional services company, provides strategy and consulting, industry X, song, and technology and operation services worldwide. The company offers application services, including agile transformation, DevOps, application modernization, enterprise architecture, software and quality engineering, data management; intelligent automation comprising robotic process automation, natural language processing, and virtual agents; and application management services, as well as software engineering services; strategy and consulting services; data and analytics strategy, data discovery and augmentation, data management and beyond, data democratization, and industrialized solutions comprising turnkey analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions; metaverse; and sustainability services. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ACN? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Accenture Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Accenture and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. You are already a Moneycontrol Pro user. OK 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 China urges US to stop unwarranted harassment, interrogation, deportation of Chinese citizens (People's Daily App) 16:47, March 21, 2024 China urges the US to correct its mistake of unwarrantedly harassing, interrogating and deporting Chinese citizens, foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said Wednesday. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) Rachita Prasad heads Moneycontrols coverage of conventional and new energy, and infrastructure sectors. Rachita is passionate about energy transition and the global efforts against climate change, with special focus on India. Before joining Moneycontrol, she was an Assistant Editor at The Economic Times, where she wrote for the paper for over a decade and was a host on their podcast. Contact: rachita.prasad@nw18.com Sohil Sehran is a journalist with 10 years of experience in print, broadcast, and digital media. He covers politics and national affairs at Moneycontrol. He tweets @SohilSehran Marc Champion writes editorials on international affairs. Views are personal and do not represent the stand of this publication. Pratim Ranjan Bose is an independent columnist, researcher, and consultant. His Twitter handle is @pratimbose. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication. Aurangzeb Naqshbandi is a senior journalist who has been covering the Congress for 15 years, and is currently associated with Pixstory. The directorate of enforcement (ED) has provisionally attached movable and immovable assets located in Nashik, Thane, Sindurgarh and Pali districts, among other areas across Maharashtra and Rajasthan, worth Rs84.24 crore belonging to the promoters of multilevel marketing (MLM) KBC Multitrade Pvt Ltd under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The main promoters of Nashik-based KBC Multitrade are Bhausaheb Chavan and his wife, Aarti. In a release, the ED says, "The attached assets include movable and immovable assets including the benami properties acquired by the promoters Bhausaheb Chavan, his wife Arati and others, demat accounts, post office savings, silver and diamond jewellery or bullion and bank account balances." KBC Multitrade's scheme was that if you invest Rs1 lakh today, the company will pay you Rs1 lakh in six months, Rs1 lakh in the next 18 months, and another Rs1 lakh after 30 months. Thus, it assured three-times return on investment in 30 months. Mr Chavan was reportedly working at a local bank and, hence, had knowledge about the financial status of several of the bank's customers. In 2010, he floated KBC Multitrade and promised to make his investors 'crorepatis' within a few months if they invested lakhs of rupees. He also promised 20% to 30% commission to 'agents' who would lure more people into the 'get-rich-quick' scheme. Within four years, the Nashik-based MLM was able to collect crores of rupees. When the scam was busted, some investors and agents of KBC Multitrade committed suicide due to mounting pressure from people seeking a refund of their money invested in the scheme On 25 February 2013, the economic offences wing (EOW) of Nashik police even issued a public note, warning people about KBC Multitrade. Following the raids and arrest of one person by Nashik police in March 2014, the EOW of Aurangabad police also asked people to file complaints against KBC Multitrade. The MLM company was active in several districts in Maharashtra, including Aurangabad. The ED initiated an investigation on the basis of several first information reports (FIRs) registered in Parbhani, Nashik and other districts across Maharashtra under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) against KBC Multitrade and its promoters. ED investigations revealed that the Chavan family, along with co-accused principal agents, hatched a conspiracy to lure people through an MLM scheme run under the aegis of KBC Multitrade and KBC Club and Resorts Pvt Ltd, promising attractive refunds on investment and duping investors of more than Rs200 crore. Many investors subscribed as members to the payment of fees under various packages and schemes propagated by KBC Multitrade and KBC Club and Resorts, with promises of binary and matrix commissions, awards, rewards and product gifts. The commission was incumbent upon all members to enrol more members, as a portion of the subscription amounts so collected is distributed among the members at the top of the pyramid. ED says that the members were incentivised to invest and lured by such commissions even when there was no underlying business activity for these companies. Earlier, ED recorded statements of the main accused in Prabhani district prison which revealed that the directors and promoters of KBC Multitrade, Bhausaheb Chavan and Arati Chavan and other co-accused used the membership fees collected from investors for buying immovable assets, gold jewellery, investment in shares, etc. On 8th March and 11 March 2024, ED conducted search operations at 11 official and residential premises in Nashik and Thane in Maharashtra and placed various movable assets of the Chavan family under restraint. Consider this case of early this week. At the regional commissioner of fisheries office located in Mumbai, the assistant commissioner, who doubles as the first appellate authority (FAA), conducted the first appeal hearing by directing the right to information (RTI) applicant to come from Pune and the public information officer (PIO) to come all the way from Alibaug. All in an era when the Supreme Court, as recently as in 2021, has directed all public authorities and information commissions to conduct hybrid hearings and the option to be served to the applicant. Besides, at a collective online meeting held by state and central information commissioners as well as the officers of the department of personnel and training (DoPT) as recently as November 2023, online hearing for second appeals/ complaints has been made mandatory. Curiously, at the FAA hearing, the PIO of the fisheries department, Raigad-Alibaug, paradoxically defended himself stating that he could not provide information due to stress and overload of work. Commuting from one place to another is time-consuming compared to online hearings that get over with 15 minutes to half an hour, on an average. And the time saved could have been used to provide the information. The letter of AM Deshpande, assistant commissioner, fisheries department, asking the RTI applicant Vijay Kumbhar and the PIO to come from Pune and Alibaug, is curious. Particularly because all public authorities have been directed to hold online hearings for which they have received some amount of funding from the Central government. When Moneylife contacted Rahul Pandey, state information commissioner of Nagpur and Amravati division, he informed that while all district courts have been allocated Rs34 crore for upgrading to facilitate online hearings, the state information commission (SIC) of Maharashtra has only received Rs50 lakh for its eight benches put together. Even within this small funding, all the eight benches have upgraded hearing to online/ hybrid, he stated. Hence, he is surprised that physical hearings are still going on in public authorities. Mr Kumbhar had filed an RTI application under Section 6 of the RTI Act, seeking information on some farmland under the fisheries department in Konkan region. States Mr Kumbhar, It is shocking to note that 95% of FAA hearings in Maharashtra are conducted physically as a result of which applicants have to travel from different parts of Maharashtra. It is complete contempt of court. I would have saved a few thousand rupees and my entire day if the fisheries department had conducted the online first appeal hearing. The PIO would have used his time fruitfully to reply to RTI queries. Will any action be taken against such public authorities who are defying the SC order? What the Supreme Court said in its order: The Supreme Court has ordered all SICs to build up a hybrid system to hear complaints and appeals under the Right to Information Act, 2005 (RTI Act). All SICs must provide the option for hybrid hearings and make electronic filing efficient and accessible for all litigants. All state and Central ministries shall take steps within a period of one month to compile the email addresses of the Central and state PIOs which shall be furnished to all the SICs and the central information commissioner (CIC). For implementation of this order, the DoPT shall convene a meeting of all SICs and CICs to prepare a timeline to adhere to the above directive. In an interim order, the securities appellate tribunal (SAT), while partially staying an order passed by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), allowed Catalyst Trusteeship Ltd to resume accepting new assignments as a trustee for alternative investment funds (AIFs) from 19 March 2024. In an order last week, the SAT bench of Meera Swarup (technical member) said, "In my view at this stage, the rigours of the directions at paragraph 28(D) and (F) of the impugned order would adversely affect the business of Catalyst Trusteeship as well as their clients. Accordingly, the effect and operation of the directions in paragraphs 28(D) and (F) of the order dated 28 February 2024 in the matter of Brick Eagle India Affordable Housing Trust are stayed insofar as they relate to Catalyst Trusteeship. Catalyst Trusteeship shall, however, ensure that the directions at paragraphs 28(A) and (B) are complied with." Catalyst Trusteeship had challenged an order passed by SEBI barring the trusteeship from accepting new AIF assignments for one year and from associating with any SEBI-registered intermediaries for three months. On 28 February 2024, SEBI passed an order imposing restrictions on Catalyst, stemming from an inspection of Brick Eagle India Affordable Housing Trust, an AIF for which Milestone Trusteeship Services Pvt Ltd (since merged with Catalyst Trusteeship) was the trustee during FY19-20. On 28 February 2024, SEBI passed an order imposing restrictions on Catalyst, stemming from an inspection of Brick Eagle India Affordable Housing Trust, an AIF for which Milestone Trusteeship Services Pvt Ltd (since merged with Catalyst Trusteeship) was the trustee during FY19-20. During the hearing, the counsel for Catalyst Trusteeship submitted that the violations had been committed by an investment manager which is borne by the fact that SEBI called upon the investment manager to reply to all the charges regarding violations of the fund. "The violations occurred before Catalyst Trusteeship's amalgamation with Milestone Trusteeship Services. Further, the SEBI order has gone beyond the show cause notice (SCN). The allegation in the SCN was limited to the failure of the fund to achieve the second and the final closing as per the private placement memorandum (PPM), while the SEBI order holds Catalyst Trusteeship liable for all the violations committed by the Trust (Brick Eagle India Affordable Housing Trust)," the counsel says. The counsel for SEBI contended that Catalyst Trusteeship failed to act in the interest of the investors or unit holders as they could not ensure the scheme's second and final closing. "The trust deed and the PPM laid down the duties of the trustee which stipulate the important role to be played by the trustee. They clearly indicate that the investment manager cannot be solely held responsible for the violations of the scheme. Catalyst Trusteeship was aware of the role assigned to it; however, in its reply to the SCN no explanation was provided to indicate the steps taken by it to ensure the closing of the scheme. Catalyst Trusteeship took action only after the SCN was issued." Vehemently denying that the SEBI order travelled beyond the SCN, the counsel argued that the allegation in the SCN was primarily that the fund failed to comply with the terms and conditions specified in the PPM. "The finding in the order vis-a-vis Catalyst Trusteeship is that they failed to maintain high standards of integrity in the conduct of the business and failed to register high standards of service and due diligence as they could not ensure that the trust (Catalyst Trusteeship) achieved second closing in accordance with the PPM." After hearing both sides, SAT noted that Catalyst Trusteeship, registered as category II AIF with SEBI, failed to comply with the terms and conditions specified in the PPM by not achieving the second and final closing. "However, I also note that Catalyst Trusteeship is taking action to liquidate the Fund in the interest of the investors." "...considering the assurance given by Catalyst Trusteeship to comply with the direction in the SEBI order at paragraph 28 (A) and (B), I am satisfied that Catalyst Trusteeship has made a case for stay," the bench says. In a release, Catalyst Trusteeship says it is taking expeditious steps to wind up the Brick Eagle AIF as directed by SAT. The Friends of the Arts invites you to enjoy the magical music of Roman Rudnytsky Reporter Andrew Roberto was raised his whole life on Saipan. He graduated from Saipan Southern High School, holds a degree from Northern Marianas College, and a BA in English from the University of Guam. He once worked for KUAM, UNO Magazine, and the Guam Daily Post. FILE PHOTO: Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally at the Forum River Center in Rome, Georgia, U.S. March 9, 2024. Tired of inflated ticket prices, Yungblud is launching his own affordable music festival View Photo LONDON (AP) Tired of inflated ticket prices, recording artist Yungblud is launching his own affordable music festival. Bludfest takes place on Aug. 11 in the iconic Milton Keynes Bowl, which in the past has hosted the likes of David Bowie and Green Day in Buckinghamshire, England, northwest of London. Yungblud, whose real name is Dom Harrison, thinks that currently festivals are unrepresentative of people so hes fixing the price point of Bludfest at 49.50 pounds (around $63). Its like massive ticket charges, massive prices that most of the time arent really going to the artist anyway, he said of typical festival prices in a recent interview with The Associated Press. He adds that music festivals are becoming inaccessible when really they should be about having fun and making memories. Joining him on the bill are Lil Yachty, duo Soft Play, Nessa Barrett, Lola Young and Jazmin Bean. The Damned are also playing in an icons slot. Tickets for the event go on sale March 22. Yungblud says he aims to make a physical world for him and his fanbase, and then anyone else who wants to come along. The British star is also offering a Make a Friend option for fans attending alone. You can either chat before on a Discord channel, or go to the designated tent and meet people in person. And he hopes to expand it out of the U.K. if it goes according to plan, taking the concept to different regions across the globe. As well as Bludfest, Yungblud is also working on a new record, his fourth. In the past hes written about darkness and depression, but says this one has a more positive tone. Ive sung about the things that really hurt me in the beginning. And this new album flips over and its about the light. Its about wanting to be alive and wanting to be with my friends and thinking I can get through it because these people have given me some hope, he said. And its not just his friends who give him hope its also his fans. I really do have a strong faith in humanity in me because I see people every day and I see what they do for each other at my gigs, he said. By SIAN WATSON Associated Press Indonesias rescue of Rohingya refugees at sea is a reminder of an ordeal that began in Myanmar Indonesias rescue of Rohingya refugees at sea is a reminder of an ordeal that began in Myanmar View Photo BANGKOK (AP) A dramatic story of survival and rescue off the western coast of Indonesias Aceh province has put the spotlight again on the plight of ethnic Rohingya Muslim refugees from Myanmar who make extremely dangerous voyages across the Indian Ocean to seek better lives. Desperate survivors were pulled to safety from their capsized boat by local fishermen on Thursday, after a yet-unknown number perished. For Rohingya refugees living in squalid refugee camps in Bangladesh, escaping across the seas might seem like a good option but its often a deadly one. The U.N. estimates that as many as one in eight people die or disappear in the attempt. The U.N. refugee agency said in January that of 4,500 Rohingyas embarking on sea journeys last year in Southeast Asian waters, 569 were reported dead or missing. ROOTS OF DISPLACEMENT Members of the Muslim Rohingya ethnic minority have long been considered by Myanmars Buddhist majority to be illegal settlers from Bangladesh, even though many of their families lived in Myanmar for generations. Aside from social discrimination, nearly all have been denied citizenship since 1982, effectively rendering them stateless, and have been denied freedom of movement and other basic rights. In August 2017, Myanmars military launched what it called a clearance campaign in northern Rakhine State in response to attacks by a shadowy Rohingya insurgent group. The counterinsurgency action forced about 740,000 Rohingya to flee to neighboring Bangladesh and led to accusations that security forces committed mass rapes, killings and burned thousands of homes. International courts are now considering whether the campaign amounted to genocide. There are now about 1 million Rohingya residing in refugee camps in Bangladesh, including those who fled previous waves of repression. Most live in large open camps in Coxs Bazar district, close to the border with Myanmar. There is inadequate water, sanitation, and health care in the overcrowded camps, which are susceptible to fire, flood and outbreaks of disease. There are few opportunities for meaningful work and violent criminal gangs operate unhindered,. A second major camp set up on the remote island of Bhasan Char in the Bay of Bengal houses about 30,000 refugees. It was supposed to help ease the overcrowding at Coxs Bazar, but critics say its housing resembles prison blocks, heightening an already dispiriting dead-end atmosphere, and it is vulnerable to flooding. An estimated 600,000 Rohingya still live in Myanmar, most in camps for internally displaced people or tightly restricted ghettos. ESCAPE BY SEA Social and economic pressures convince some Rohingya living in camps in Myanmar as well as Bangladesh to embark on the dangerous sea voyage to Malaysia or Indonesia, which have Muslim majority populations. The suffer from a lack of economic opportunity, as well as unhealthy physical and psychological conditions in the camps. Because the majority of Rohingya refugees are stateless, they have no legal hope of resettlement. The modest job opportunities they believe await them elsewhere are a strong attraction, and in some cases they can get help from relatives who have already started new lives abroad. But they are often exploited by human traffickers who charge extortionate amounts anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars to make the crossing on ramshackle boats with little concern for safety. In some cases, the traffickers deliver the refugees to confederates who trap them into jobs of virtual slavery. The voyages can take weeks or even months on vessels without adequate supplies of food, water, and safety equipment. Some never complete the journey. In a single deadly incident in November 2023, it is feared that some 200 Rohingya lost their lives when their boat was reported to have sunk in the Andaman Sea, the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees said in January. DESTINATIONS If they are not turned back or lost, the Rohingya refugees usually end up in Thailand, Malaysia or Indonesia. Thailand tries to discourage refugee landings by offering food, fuel and repairs to send the boats on their way, though if the refugees make landfall they are detained. Malaysia is relatively more welcoming, allowing thousands of Rohingya refugees to disembark over the years. Like Thailand, it is a middle income country and needs low cost labor. Thailand, however, has a bottomless supply of low cost workers from immediate neighbors such as Myanmar and Cambodia, which Malaysia does not, so in Malaysia the Rohingya arrivals can help fill that gap. Indonesia has for many years welcomed Rohingya refugees, providing them with temporary accommodation and allowing them to register for resettlement in third countries, a process that can take years In the past year, however, there have been signs of resentment in Aceh, where several hundred refugees have occasionally arrived in a single day, sparking protests about them taking advantage of local resources and other complaints. The negative sentiment has been egged on by apparently coordinated online hate speech campaigns whose origins are unclear. FUNDING PLEA While crises elsewhere around the world garner more attention, the U.N. continues to seek funds to ease the burdens of the Rohingya refugees and their hosts in Bangladesh. The U.N. last week launched an appeal to member nations to fund a $852.4 million plan to provide food, shelter, health care, access to drinkable water, protection services, education and livelihood opportunities and skills development to the Rohingya refugees and the communities where their camps are. By GRANT PECK Associated Press Russian court rejects suit by Navalnys mother claiming poor medical treatment by prison View Photo A Russian court has rejected a lawsuit filed by the mother of Alexei Navalny, the Russian opposition stalwart who died in prison in February, that claimed he received inadequate medical care, a close Navalny colleague said Thursday. Ivan Zhdanov, head of the Anti-Corruption Foundation that was started by Navalny, said the court in the town of Labytnangi, near the Arctic prison where he died, turned down the suit because it said only Navalny himself could be the plaintiff. Alexei filed claims against the colonies many times for failure to provide medical care. The claims were denied. Now that he was killed, his familys claim is being denied with mocking wording, Zhdanov said on the Telegram messaging app. Navalny, the most persistent foe of President Vladimir Putin, was serving a 19-year sentence. He had been behind bars since January 2021 after returning to Russia from Germany where he had been recovering from nerve-agent poisoning that he blamed on the Kremlin. The cause of his Feb. 16 death has been described by officials only as due to natural causes. By The Associated Press There are several events planned for this weekend, March 23 and 24. Mustache March 22nd is an annual event that raises money for local people who are fighting cancer. T-shirt sales before the event is the bulk of the fundraising and this Friday at 8 pm there is an event with a mustache contest for the gentlemen, a wig contest for the ladies, live music, a silent auction and raffle items. Details are in the event listing here. The Calaveras Fairgrounds will host the annual Gem and Mineral Show this Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm. The event features gold panning, demonstrations, exhibits, a silent auction, kids zone, treasure hunt, food and coffee bar, and prize drawing. There will be various items for sale featuring gems, rocks, minerals, fossils, tools, beads, jewelry and more. Saturday is the 4th Annual Vets Ruck March. Pre registration was due by March 1st get a patch and event shirt of the size you want, overall participation is free and welcome to all ages. After all registered participants have received their shirts and patches, any shirts and patches still available can be purchased. Participants are encouraged to bring a backpack that is at least 22 pounds of items to donate to the Homeless Veterans Program after the March. Donation ideas and more details are in the event listing here. The Knights Ferry Recreation Area will be host to Civil War Days. The event, put on by the American Civil War Association is an experience in living history, with visitors encouraged to stop by the camps, tour the store set up on site, and watch the battles. The camp will be in the Stanislaus River Park in Knights Ferry, near the historic covered bridge. Battle times are Saturday at 1 and 4 pm and Sunday at 11 am and 2 pm. Pebbles in a Pond is hosting the fourth live show event: The Rippling Effect of DemocracyWe, the People! The event offers storytelling, music, and visual art, including a student art show and musicians. The program includes a tribute to the late Amy-Ada Haratani and her deceased husband Joe, who both were sent to internment camps during WWII for people of Japanese descent. The program is geared for school-age children through adults, but younger children are welcome. The event is held from 2 to 4 pm at the Tuolumne Community Resilience Center as detailed here. The annual Polystyrene Collection will happen this Saturday from 9 am to 4 pm, details are here. It is the last weekend to see Sierra Repertory Theaters is performance of The Play That Goes Wrong at the East Sonora Theater. The play is a classic murder mystery full of mischief, more details are in the blog Monty Python Meets Sherlock Holmes In SRTs Latest Show. Calaveras Big Trees State Park is open but there is a storm approaching. The parks Saturday guided walk around the North Grove Trail is free with paid admission to the park, details are here. The restaurant of the month in our dining guide is Papas New Roost. Check out the movie times at local theaters, review the Snow Report in the weather section and see the conditions yourself via local webcams here. Governor Newsom celebrates passage of Proposition 1 View Photo Sacramento, CA After a couple of weeks of being too close to call, it is now clear that Proposition 1, an overhaul of the Behavioral Health Services Act, will pass by a narrow margin. It will put more emphasis on providing beds for those struggling with mental health challenges and homelessness but take away some control of local counties on how to spend behavioral health dollars. The Secretary of States Office reports that 3.603,999 voters supported the measure and 3,575,162 were opposed. Governor Gavin Newsom had hoped that the measure would pass overwhelmingly, and he acknowledged that the narrow victory was likely due to frustration in the state about the slow pace of addressing issues like homelessness to this point. At a press conference this morning, he stated, I hear you loudly and clearly. Newsom added, What I can say about Proposition 1 is that you will be proud. Thats exactly what this initiative brings, fundamental reforms, and requires for the first time in the states history that counties have one single plan. Proposition One was opposed by many rural counties, including the voters of Tuolumne and Calaveras counties. There are concerns that it will take much of the power that counties had to develop programs and replace it with new state-directed mandates. To read an earlier story about Tuolumne County concerns, click here. AP finds grueling conditions in Indian shrimp industry that report calls dangerous and abusive View Photo SAN FRANCISCO (AP) Noriko Kuwabara was excited to try a new recipe shed seen on social media for crispy shrimp spring rolls, so she and her husband headed to Costcos frozen foods aisle. But when she grabbed a bag of farm-raised shrimp from the freezer and saw Product of India, she wrinkled her nose. I actually try to avoid shrimp from India, said Kuwabara, an artist. I hear some bad things about how its grown there. She sighed and tossed the bag in her cart anyway. Kuwabaras dilemma is one an increasing number of American consumers face: With shrimp the leading seafood eaten in the United States, the largest supplier in this country is India, where the industry struggles with labor and environmental problems. The Associated Press traveled in February to the state of Andhra Pradesh in southeast India to document working conditions in the booming industry, after obtaining an advance copy of an investigation released Wednesday by the Chicago-based Corporate Accountability Lab, a human rights legal group, that found workers face dangerous and abusive conditions. AP journalists obtained access to shrimp hatcheries, growing ponds, peeling sheds and warehouses, and interviewed workers, supervisors and union organizers. India became Americas leading shrimp supplier, accounting for about 40% of the shrimp consumed in the U.S., in part because media reports including an AP investigation exposed modern day slavery in the Thai seafood industry. APs 2015 reporting led to the freedom of some 2,000 enslaved fishermen and prompted calls for bans of Thai shrimp, which had been dominating the market. In India, residents told the AP newly dug hatcheries and ponds had contaminated neighboring communities water and soil, making it nearly impossible to grow crops, especially rice they depend on for food. From the ponds, trucks hauled the shrimp to peeling sheds. In one shed, dozens of women, some barefoot, stood on narrow wooden benches enduring 10-hour shifts peeling shrimp covered in crushed ice. Barehanded or wearing filthy, torn gloves, the women twisted off the heads, pulled off the legs and pried off the shells, making it possible for American cooks to simply tear open a bag and toss the shrimp in a skillet. From India, the shrimp travels by the ton, frozen in shipping containers, to the U.S., more than 8,000 miles away. It is nearly impossible to tell where a specific shrimp ends up, and whether a U.S.-bound shipment has a connection to abusive labor practices. And Indian shrimp is regularly sold in major U.S. stores such as Walmart, Target and Sams Club and supermarkets like Kroger and Safeway. The major corporations that responded to APs queries said they deplore human rights violations and environmental damage and would investigate. If we learn that serious issues may be present in a supplier facility, whether through allegations made or audits, we deploy Walmart investigators to gather facts through on-site visits to facilities or through other means, Walmart, the worlds largest retailer, said in a statement. As such, we are looking into the allegations raised by the Associated Press. Pradeep Sivaraman, secretary of Indias Marine Products Export Development Authority, a government agency, traveled to the U.S. this month to represent his countrys shrimp industry on the bustling floor of the Seafood Expo North America in Boston. A chef at Indias booth sauteed a sizzling shrimp curry in front of a case filled with frozen shrimp. Before ending a brief interview, Sivaraman said India is committed to providing quality shrimp to U.S. buyers. He refused to answer questions about labor and environmental problems. Erugula Baby, 51, widowed and destitute, sold her gold jewelry her only savings and then took out loan after loan in her rural Indian village as her son lay dying of liver disease. Her debt topped $8,500 and her son didnt survive. Today shes raising her granddaughters and trying to repay the loans, help her daughter-in-law get an education and, on a good day, eat a small amount of rice. She said she works in brutal conditions, peeling, cutting and grading shrimp in a factory for less than $4 a day, which is $2 less than minimum wage. The working conditions are tough, she said, wiping away tears with the corner of her red sari. Standing for long hours in the cold while peeling and cutting shrimp takes a toll on my body. Baby and other workers said they pay recruiters about 25 cents a day out of their salaries just to set foot inside the processing shed. Transportation in company buses is also deducted from some workers salaries, along with the cost of lunch from company canteens. Many workers have no contracts, and no recourse if they are hurt on the job. Another peeler, Penupothula Ratnam, said she suffers back pain all the time from the arduous work, for which shes paid about $3 a day. Its not enough for our living, she said, breaking into tears. Rarely does she get a day off, she said. Many people in India struggle to survive amid endemic poverty, debt and unemployment. The women AP spoke with said this work, despite the oppressive conditions, is their only chance to avoid starvation. The economic drivers go beyond shrimp, and beyond India, to issues of globalization and Western power. Desperately poor women told AP they werent paid overtime as mandated by law, in addition to not being paid Indias minimum wage. Some said they were locked inside guarded hostels when they werent peeling shrimp. The work was unsanitary to the point that workers hands were infected, and they lacked safety and hygiene protection required under Indian law. And it doesnt meet U.S. legal food safety standards required for all seafood imports. Dr. Sushmitha Meda, a dermatologist at a nearby government hospital in the city of Kakinada, said she treats four to five shrimp peelers every day. Some have nail fungus, caused by small cracks that allow germs to cause infections. Other women have fingers or even their entire hands darkening with frostbite. Meda said that sometimes she has to amputate. Its a preventable problem, she said. Cotton gloves covered with latex gloves can protect peelers hands, but few can afford a $3 box of gloves. The Corporate Accountability Lab said American importers may never encounter desperate and abused shrimp peelers, because large Indian exporters invite auditors into their own state-of-the-art facilities and use them as a showcase to foreign buyers. In contrast, auditors are unlikely to audit peeling sheds, the report said. And while the larger corporate processing facilities appear to meet hygiene and labor standards, CAL said, there are hidden abuses at the onsite hostels where shrimp peelers are housed. CAL found workers living in overcrowded and often unsanitary conditions under the careful surveillance of company guards, only allowed off the premises once a month. No one can enter, no one can leave without permission, labor organizer Chekkala Rajkumar, district secretary for the Centre of Indian Trade Unions, told AP about the large facilities in his region. He compared them to British colonial penal colonies. Anyone talking about the working conditions is kicked out. Its not a worker friendly atmosphere. He said pregnant women sometimes miscarry because of the arduous work. - At one tin-roofed processing shed, AP journalists observed dozens of women working in unsanitary and dangerous conditions. The shrimp, pulled from outdoor ponds in barrels, were swished around by hand in grimy water. Once rinsed, they were dumped onto ice-covered tables, where women stood, peeling them one shrimp at a time. Many handled shrimp with bare hands. Some women had bandages on injured fingers. Some womens long hair dangled into the shrimp. The shrimp at this facility were later loaded in large plastic crates into a truck with the brand NEKKANTI painted in large letters. Managers at the small shed said Nekkanti Sea Foods and other major brands often outsource the labor-intensive peeling and deveining work to keep down costs. Nekkanti, however, says all its shrimp is processed in a handful of massive company-owned processing facilities approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. A marketing video produced by Nekkanti, which is projecting $150 million in revenues this year, shows shrimp peelers in a spotless room, with shiny tables, and workers wearing gloves, head coverings, face masks, rubber boots and waterproof aprons. John Ducar, an advisor to the board of Nekkanti Sea Foods, said the company had nothing to do with the peeling shed that AP visited and said their branded truck was there only because it was being leased to another company. He provided a document that said Nekkanti was paid $3,600 for the four-month lease of a truck with the license number the AP observed. It appears that you observed the operations of an entirely separate company, he said. The company named in the document did not respond to a request for comment. Though Nekkanti had no connection to the shed or the shipment observed by the AP, Ducar said, the company will work to improve conditions at neighboring shrimp sheds and is reconsidering leasing its trucks. U.S. trade records show Nekkanti shipped more than 726 U.S. tons of farmed shrimp from India to the U.S. in the past year, according to ImportGenius trade data. Records show shipments went to major American seafood distributors including AJC International Inc., Eastern Fish, CenSea, Jetro Cash & Carry Enterprises, King & Prince Seafood, Red Chamber Co. and Rich Products Corp. Those companies, in turn, sell Indian shrimp under popular brand names including Costar, Good & Gather, Great Value and Mrs. Fridays at supermarkets, box stores and restaurants across the U.S. Importers that responded to requests for comment about possible labor abuses said they would investigate, with some suspending business in the meantime. We at Rich Products treat these allegations with the utmost seriousness, said the owners of frozen SeaPak brand shrimp. We are always fully prepared to investigate any allegations and take decisive corrective measures in response to any substantiated claims. - Alongside a busy highway last month, men pulled nets of shrimp from shrimp ponds that had been dug into fields and mangroves, destroying critical ecosystems. Local villagers said the growing industry hasnt just brought abusive working conditions, its also damaging their environment. The massive, murky ponds and their toxic algae, chemicals and sewage have made it impossible to grow crops and poisoned their water, they said. Investigators from CAL say antibiotic use is widespread to control disease outbreaks. Antibiotic use in shrimp farming and other agriculture can lead to rising drug-resistant infections, a growing problem in the U.S. Essentially, we feel lost, said Areti Vasu, a farmer who said he was badly beaten and jailed during failed protests that sought to stop the development of a 57-acre shrimp processing and cold storage plant adjacent to his rice fields. Our lives, our land, our farming pride, fresh air, and clean water everything is lost. We are destined to live here in disgrace. Jonnalagaruvu village vice president Koyya Sampath Rao initially helped build the massive facility, ignoring warnings from environmentalists. Sadly their predictions came true, he said. Our water streams are now polluted, farmland is turning barren, yields are shrinking, and the night air is thick with pollutants. Official complaints about a lack of environmental impact studies and coastal regulation violations have usually been dismissed by Indian authorities. Among the trucks being loaded with the shrimp at a pond in the village was one with a large sign: Wellcome KingWhite. In the past year Wellcome shipped 3,800 tons of shrimp to the U.S., according to ImportGenius trade data. The records show these include distributors Great American Seafood Imports Co., Pacific Coral Seafood and Ore-Cal. Sysco, the nations largest food distributor, has imported in the past from both Nekkanti and Wellcome. A spokesperson said they stopped doing business with Wellcome in 2022 after the Indian firm refused to allow us to conduct a required social responsibility audit in their facility. Wellcome did not respond to requests for comment. The Sysco spokesperson said the company suspended receipt of any products from Nekkanti after APs query this month, and would immediately begin an investigation. Sysco will continue to hold all its suppliers to the highest standards of labor and human rights, the company said in a statement. ___ Most American consumers say they would rather buy U.S.-produced food. But with only 5% of shrimp sold in the U.S. caught there, shrimp from the U.S. can be harder to locate and considerably more costly. In the 1970s, the U.S. led the world in shrimp production. Shrimp was considered a delicacy. Diners were served expensive shrimp cocktails with less than a dozen shellfish harvested off the East, West and Gulf coasts. Over the next two decades, the use of inexpensive shrimp-farming technologies soared in Asia, and imports flooded the market. Today in the U.S., where more than 5 pounds of shrimp per person is eaten per year, consumers expect all-you-can-eat shrimp buffets and $10 frozen bags at their markets. There are a number of systems failing to prevent shrimp that is produced by forced labor or causes environmental damage from arriving on Americans dinner tables. For one, there is plenty of shrimp in the Gulf of Mexico, but U.S. fishing communities have stricter, and more costly, labor and environmental standards than their Asian counterparts. Last year officials in the region sought financial relief, asking for state and federal declarations of a fishery disaster because they cannot compete with cheap imports that make up 95% of the market. The request is pending. If approved, boat owners typically receive checks for a few thousand dollars, well below their losses. The many small, family-owned commercial shrimping businesses in Louisiana are facing an unprecedented risk of collapse due to the devastating impacts that large volumes of imported shrimp are having on domestic shrimp dockside prices, said then-Gov. John Bel Edwards last fall. U.S. Customs and Border protection is responsible for blocking imports of products produced with forced labor, and in recent years has prohibited imports of some cotton from China, gold from Democratic Republic of Congo, and sugar from the Dominican Republic. No products have been prohibited from India. Eric Choy, executive director of CBPs office of trade, said CBP does investigate allegations of abuse. Youd hope that there was a magic button that you can push and then everything created by forced labor is prohibited from entering, but its a much harder task, he said. It does require us to follow the trail. Last year, the FDA refused entry of 51 shrimp shipments citing antibiotics; 37 of those were shrimp exported from India. The departments of Labor and Commerce havent taken significant action, despite U.S. shrimpers complaints of unfair trade. For too long India has engaged in unfair trade practices causing economic damage to our domestic shrimp industry, said Trey Pearson, president of the American Shrimp Processors Association. U.S. firms rely on industry organizations and auditors to make sure their shrimp imports are raised and processed in a safe, legal and environmentally responsible way. The National Fisheries Institute, Americas largest seafood trade association, works with seafood importers to improve working and environmental conditions in shrimp farming. Any labor abuses in the value chain are abhorrent and they need to be addressed immediately, said NFI chief strategy officer Gavin Gibbons. The Global Seafood Alliances Best Aquaculture Practice stamp of approval is on almost all Indian imports, certifying the supply chain meets their high standards. We take these matters very seriously, the organization said in an emailed statement. CAL said the Best Aquaculture Practice certifications are often performative. Despite strong standards on paper, implementation is often weak, said the report. Fisherman and author Paul Greenberg said he sees a future where the shrimp Americans eat is neither wild caught nor farmed: it will grow in a lab. He said the science is underway to develop those products, and because shrimp isnt flaky like fish, it should be an easier seafood to produce with living cells. In the meantime, hes been trying out vegan shrimp, the shrimp that never died. The texture is good, he said, and the sweetness impressive. Human rights advocates say cost-cutting from U.S. supermarkets, restaurants and wholesalers squeeze producers to provide cheaper shrimp without addressing labor and environmental conditions. CAL says Indian companies need to pay living wages and abide by labor, health, safety and environmental laws. In addition, the organization says U.S. companies need to ensure that the price they pay for shrimp is enough for Indian exporters to treat workers equitably. And, they say, both the Indian and U.S. governments need to enforce existing laws. The presence of widespread labor abuses and environmental destruction in the Indian shrimp sector is undeniable, said Allie Brudney, a CAL senior staff attorney. U.S. restaurants and grocery stores need to purge these unethical practices from their supply chains. Ecologist Marla Valentine, who heads non-profit Oceanas illegal fishing and transparency campaign, said consumers can help. You can use your dollar to make a difference, she said. When this isnt a lucrative business anymore, it will stop. It has worked in the past, she said. Thailand has been called out for labor abuses many times, particularly regarding shrimp, and we are seeing the seafood industry and the Thai government really try to make some of those changes, she said. They are answering the market power, so it shows that change can happen. Mendoza reported from San Francisco and Boston. Kumar and Nagpal reported from Kakinada, India. This story was supported by funding from the Walton Family Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. __ Contact APs global investigative team at Investigative@ap.org or https://www.ap.org/tips/ - This story has been corrected to fix style to Great American Seafood Imports Co. instead of Great American Seafood Co. and delete reference to US Foods, Whole Foods and WinCo Foods after question raised about Great Americans customers. By MARTHA MENDOZA, MAHESH KUMAR and PIYUSH NAGPAL Associated Press Angela Chao, Mitch McConnells sister-in-law, was drunk when she drove into pond, police say Angela Chao, Mitch McConnells sister-in-law, was drunk when she drove into pond, police say View Photo Angela Chao, a shipping industry CEO and sister-in-law to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, was intoxicated when she drove into a pond and died last month in Texas, according to a law enforcement report released Wednesday. The investigation by the Blanco County Sheriffs Office concluded that Chaos death was an unfortunate accident and her blood alcohol level was nearly three times the states legal limit. Chao, 50, died the night of Feb. 10 after having dinner with a large group at a ranch near Johnson City, west of Austin. The report describes a frantic scene as friends and deputies tried to pull Chao from her Tesla after she backed it into the pond near a guest lodge on the property. A friend, Amber Keinan, told detectives that Chao called her at 11:42 p.m. and said the car was in the water and she was trapped inside. The conversation lasted 8 minutes as the car slowly sank. Chao told Keinan the water was rising and she was going to die and said I love you, the report says. Chao then said her good byes to Keinan. Friends swam to the car while another paddled out with a kayak, according to the report. Someone else called 911 at 11:55 p.m. and remained on the phone for 11 minutes. When law enforcement officials and firefighters arrived, they went into the water and attempted to enter the Tesla, the report said. They broke the window on the drivers side, and a deputy felt around until he located Chaos hand. Emergency crews pulled her out of the car and brought her to shore, where she was pronounced dead at 1:40 a.m. Feb. 11. A toxicology test determined that Chao had a blood alcohol concentration level of 0.233 grams per 100 milliliters, above the legal limit in Texas of .08, the report says. Chao was the chair and CEO of her familys shipping business, the Foremost Group, and the president of her fathers philanthropic organization, the Foremost Foundation. She lived in Austin, which is about 50 miles (80 kilometers) east of Blanco County. Chao was the youngest of six sisters to immigrant parents who moved to the U.S. from China in the late 1950s. Her eldest sibling, Elaine Chao, is married to McConnell and served as transportation secretary under President Donald Trump and labor secretary under President George W. Bush. Angelas name in Chinese sounds like the characters for peace and prosperity, her father, James S.C. Chao, said in a family statement shortly after her death. Her absence leaves a void not only in our hearts, but in the Asian-American community. Her father was named chairman of Foremost Group following her death. Michael Lee, a former president, became president. Chao is survived by her husband, father and four sisters. By CHRISTOPHER WEBER Associated Press A police officer was accused of spying for China. The charges were dropped, but the NYPD fired him A police officer was accused of spying for China. The charges were dropped, but the NYPD fired him View Photo Baimadajie Angwang thought he would be reinstated to his dream job as a New York City police officer after federal prosecutors dropped criminal charges alleging he spied for China. Instead, he is fighting the police commissioners decision to fire him. In a decision made public recently, Commissioner Edward Caban ordered the immediate firing of Angwang on Jan. 29, saying he disobeyed an order to submit to questioning by internal affairs investigators about the spying case. Angwang, 37, said he declined to appear before the investigators last year on the advice of his lawyers, because the NYPD refused to give them department documents ahead of the questioning that would have allowed them to prepare. Now he is considering taking the commissioner to court over his firing. Its extremely disappointing, Angwang told The Associated Press in a phone interview Wednesday. I have to continue to fight, not just for me, for anyone who were wrongfully accused in the past whos getting the wrongful treatment I just got at this moment, or any potential discrimination victims in the future. I will not give up until I find the justice. Police officials declined to comment and referred the AP to Cabans written decision to fire Angwang. The Department is a paramilitary organization, and failure to obey and comply with questioning under an official investigation undermines its ability to carry out its mission, Caban wrote. Angwang, who was born in Tibet and granted asylum in the U.S. in his teens, was arrested by federal agents in September 2020, charged with feeding information about New Yorks Tibetan community to the Chinese consulate in New York. He denied the allegations but spent six months in detention before being freed on bail awaiting trial. In a surprise move in January 2023, federal prosecutors in Brooklyn suddenly dropped the charges and did not fully explain why, saying only that they uncovered new information and were acting in the interest of justice. Prosecutors still havent elaborated on their decision. Angwang, who also served in the U.S. Marines and was deployed to Afghanistan, said he believes he got caught up in the Trump administrations effort to root out Chinese espionage across U.S. institutions, and alleges there were shades of racism targeting people with Chinese links. In firing Angwang, Caban chose a harsher penalty than what was recommended in November by an NYPD disciplinary judge who held a hearing on the firing and listened to testimony and arguments from both sides. The administrative judge, Vanessa Facio-Lince, found that Angwang violated department rules by disobeying the order to submit to internal affairs questioning. Facio-Lince said, however, that he should not be terminated, after citing his good record as a police officer and praise by his superiors. Instead, she recommended an alternate manner of Angwang leaving the department that would allow him to negotiate some terms of his departure, including partial retirement benefits. Angwangs lawyer, Michael Bloch, said even the judges proposal was out of line with department disciplinary guidelines. Bloch said the maximum penalty Angwang should have faced was a 20-day suspension. Bloch said there have been many other officers who committed more serious misconduct and were allowed to keep their jobs, despite administrative judges recommending their firing. For Angwang, losing the job has been painful. He said his desire to be a police officer sprouted years ago when an NYPD officer was nice enough to give him directions when he got lost riding the subway. Before his 2020 arrest, he served at a precinct in Queens as a community liaison officer. Every time I could help a person, that makes me the happiest person in the world, he said. And now, with the decision, I cannot continue to serve the community as a police officer. He said it was ironic that the NYPD was firing an officer who immigrated to the U.S. and was supported by the immigrant community, when the department is struggling to make the force more diverse. I just want people to be aware as an immigrant I served in the Marines. I went to combat. I went to Afghanistan, he said. I was able to become a police officer. I was able to become a community affairs officer. I was able to build a bridge between the underserved community and the NYPD, which never happened in the past. I gained a lot of support. And now, unfortunately, NYPD terminated that opportunity between the NYPD and the community. By DAVE COLLINS Associated Press Indonesias defense minister, accused of abuses under dictatorship, is declared election winner View Photo JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto was announced the winner of the presidential election in the worlds third-largest democracy Wednesday over two former governors who vow to contest the result in court over alleged irregularities. Subianto, who was accused of abuses under the past dictatorship and chose the son of the popular outgoing president as his running mate, won 58.6% of the votes. Former Jakarta Gov. Anies Baswedan received 24.9% and former Central Java Gov. Ganjar Pranowo got 16.5%, the General Election Commission said. It posted polling stations tabulation forms on its website, allowing for independent verification. Subianto said he will respect those who made different choices in the vote. We call on all Indonesian people to look to the future together, he told a news conference. We must unite and join hands because our challenges as a nation are very big. Subianto has received congratulatory messages from other Southeast Asian nations as well as the Chinese, Russian, French, Dutch and British governments, who all expressed their wishes to work with his new government. We look forward to partnering closely with President-elect Subianto and his Administration when they take office in October, U.S. State Secretary Antony J. Blinken said after his victory was confirmed. About 300 demonstrators held banners and signs criticizing outgoing President Joko Widodo for supporting Subianto and alleging widespread fraud. They burned photos of the president with trash near the election commissions compound. The second- and third-place finishers have refused to concede. On Thursday morning, Baswedans lawyers filed a challenge to the results in the Constitutional Court. Pranowo also plans a court challenge. We do not want to let these various deviations from democracy pass without historical records and set a bad precedent for future election organizers, Baswedan said after final results were announced. They have alleged fraud, citing the vice presidential candidacy of Widodos son. Widodo could not run again, and his sons candidacy has been seen as a sign of his tacit backing of Subianto. Widodos son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, is 37 but became Subiantos running mate after the Constitutional Court made an exception to the minimum age requirement of 40 for candidates. The courts chief justice, who is Widodos brother-in-law, was then removed by an ethics panel for failing to recuse himself and for making last-minute changes to election candidacy requirements. The new president will be inaugurated on Oct. 20 and will have to appoint a Cabinet within two weeks. Subianto had claimed victory on election day last month after unofficial tallies showed he was winning nearly 60% of the votes. Voter turnout was about 80%, the election commission said. Subianto won in 36 of 38 provinces and received 96.2 million votes compared to 40.9 million for Baswedan, who won in two provinces. Baswedan, the former head of an Islamic university, won a massive majority in the conservative westernmost province of Aceh. Pranowo, the candidate of the governing Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, received 27 million votes and did not win any provinces. Todung Mulya Lubis, a prominent lawyer who represents Pranowo, asserted that election irregularities occurred before, during and after the polls. Widodo has dismissed the fraud allegations, saying the election process was watched by many people including representatives of the candidates, the election supervisory agency and security personnel. Layered supervision like this would eliminate possible fraud, Widodo told reporters last month. Dont scream fraud. We have mechanisms to solve the fraud. If you have evidence, take it to the Election Supervisory Agency. If you have evidence, challenge it to the Constitutional Court. The campaign teams of Baswedan and Pranowo said they would provide evidence for their claims. But Lubis said his team has had difficulty getting witnesses to testify in court due to alleged intimidation by authorities. He acknowledged that successfully challenging the election result with such a wide official margin of victory will be difficult. The ethics panel that removed Anwar Usman as the courts chief justice allowed him to remain on the court under certain conditions, including banning him from involvement when the court adjudicates election disputes this year. That means any such cases brought to the court would be decided by eight justices instead of all nine members. Subiantos campaign highlighted the Widodo administrations progress in reducing poverty and vowed to continue the modernization agenda that has brought rapid growth and vaulted Indonesia into the ranks of middle-income countries. But Subianto has laid out few other concrete plans for his presidency, leaving observers uncertain about what his election will mean for the countrys growth and its still-maturing democracy. Subianto lost two previous presidential elections to Widodo, and the Constitutional Court rejected his bids to overturn those results because of unfounded fraud allegations. This time, Subianto embraced the popular leader and styled himself as his heir. His choice of Widodos son as his running mate raised concerns about an emerging dynastic rule in Indonesias 25-year-old democracy. Subianto comes from one of the countrys wealthiest families. His father was an influential politician who was a government minister under both the dictator Suharto and the countrys first president, Sukarno. Questions also are still unanswered about Subiantos alleged links to torture, disappearances and other human rights abuses in the final years of the brutal Suharto dictatorship, in which he served as a special forces lieutenant general. Subianto was expelled by the army over accusations that he played a role in the kidnappings and torture of activists and other abuses. He never faced a trial and vehemently denies any involvement, although several of his men were tried and convicted. Its not clear how Subianto will respond to political dissent, street protests and critical journalism. Many activists see his links to the Suharto regime as a threat. ___ Associated Press journalist Edna Tarigan in Jakarta, Indonesia, contributed to this report. ___ Follow the APs coverage of global elections at: https://apnews.com/hub/global-elections/ By NINIEK KARMINI Associated Press As election nears, Venezuelan government keeps arresting opponents allegedly tied to criminal plots View Photo MEXICO CITY (AP) As Venezuelas government would have it, President Nicolas Maduro and members of his inner circle have been the target of several conspiracies since last year that could have left them injured or worse. Few details have been released about the alleged plots. But the government has cited them in the arrests of more than 30 people since January including a prominent human rights attorney and staffers of the leading opposition presidential candidate. Local and international nongovernment groups, the United Nations and foreign governments have described the crackdown as a pretext to stifle political opposition ahead of the July 28 president election in which Maduro, in power since 2013, will seek a new six-year term. The latest arrests took place Wednesday shortly before the countrys top prosecutor announced arrest warrants for nine people working with Machados campaign whom he accused of participating in one plot. Oscar Murillo, general coordinator for the Venezuelan human rights group Provea, said officials are coordinating actions of the police, military and civic groups to tamp down on any anti-government activity. This has translated into greater political repression and a deepening of the policy of persecution that seeks to break civil society at a time when perhaps the ideal thing would be to be talking about the public policies needed to reverse poverty or inequality in Venezuela, Murillo said. Attorney General Tarek William Saab has described the plots variously as aimed at attacking military installations, killing Maduro and other officials and de-stabilizing the country. He has publicly presented alleged confessions, planning documents, laptops and other items he has characterized as evidence. Saab on Wednesday accused the nine members of the opposition, including Machados campaign manager, of being part of a destabilizing plot that included demonstrations, a media campaign and plans to attack military barracks. He said two of the nine people, Dignora Hernandez and Henry Alviarez Machados political coordinator and national coordinator respectively had already been arrested. The arrests of Hernandez and Alviarez brings to at least six the number of Machado staffers who are in custody over their alleged participation in the plots the government claims to have foiled. Allowing free-market proponent Machado to run in the July election would offer Venezuela its best chance of a competitive race because no other candidate has anywhere near the level of support, money or political machinery to challenge Maduro. But the self-described socialist government has barred her from office for 15 years an administrative order upheld by the countrys top court in January. Other members of Venezuelas opposition have urged Machado to stand aside for another contender, but she has insisted on continuing her candidacy perhaps hoping that international pressure could force Venezuelas establishment to relent on the ban. If the regime believes that with these actions they are going to isolate me, let me be clear: My team is Venezuela, she told reporters Wednesday. She added that her campaign continues organizing across the country and expects much more than just well wishes from the international community. Machado defended her staff, stressing that all allegations against them are false. The government has not made public any charging documents detailing allegations against the dozens of defendants in the conspiracy cases. Under Venezuelan law, court hearings are open, but in practice people, journalists and sometimes even the defendants counsels of choice are barred from the courtroom. Maduro has alleged the U.S. government is behind the plans to assassinate him. Among the dozens of people taken into custody earlier this year over accusations stemming from the alleged plots is also human rights attorney Rocio San Miguel, whom Saab has identified as a spy for one of the conspiracies. Saab has also accused her of having more than a dozen maps that highlighted sensitive military locations that she should not have known about. Should the state lower its guard and let these operations go forward, to bathe the country in blood? Saab said days after San Miguels Feb. 9 arrest. San Miguels attorney, Juan Gonzalez, said he has not been allowed to see her since her arrest but that she denied all allegations during an initial hearing. Wednesdays detentions came hours after an independent panel of experts investigating human rights violations in Venezuela told the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva that Maduros government had increased repression efforts against real or perceived opponents ahead of this years presidential election. The mission confirms that, as has happened in the past, the authorities invoke real or fictitious conspiracies to intimidate, detain and prosecute people who oppose or criticize the government, panel head Marta Valinas told the council, which authorized the investigative mission. At the same time, the Attorney Generals Office continues to operate as part of the governments repressive machinery to grant the appearance of legality to the persecution of critical voices. The panel last year reported that Maduros government was using defamatory campaigns, detentions, arbitrary criminal proceedings and even torture to curtail democratic freedoms ahead of the election. In some cases, the acts of torture or ill-treatment were intended to extract fabricated confessions or false statements, the panel said in its report. Maduro became interim president in March 2013 after the death of charismatic leader Hugo Chavezs. He narrowly won election weeks later and was re-elected in 2018 in an electoral process widely criticized as fraudulent. The country has not been without conspiracies against the government in the past. Less than three months after his re-election, Maduro tied opposition leaders to what the government described as an assassination attempt against the president in which drones with explosives detonated when he was delivering a speech live on television. In 2020, his government foiled an attempted armed invasion to overthrow him, an effort that ended with six insurgents dead and two former Green Berets behind bars. The latest wave of arrests threatens to unravel a political accord negotiated last year among the U.S. government, the opposition faction it backs and Maduro. The October agreement focused on conditions for a free and fair election and earned Maduro some relief from U.S. economic sanctions on the countrys oil, gas and mining sectors. But hopes for a more level playing field began fading shortly afterward, and the U.S. already reversed the relief on the gold-mining industry due to what it considers Maduros noncompliance. The administration of President Joe Biden has given Maduro until late April to comply with the deal or expect an end to the remaining relief, which would hurt the countrys oil-dependent economy. The administration confirmed to The Associated Press on Thursday that it has not changed the April deadline. Brian Nichols, a U.S. assistant secretary of state, earlier this month told attendees of a Washington-based think tank panel that the incentives the U.S. and other countries have put forth have not been sufficient to motivate Maduro to move toward a competitive election. On Wednesday, he called for the immediate release of all those unjustly detained. Maduros escalating attacks on civil society and political actors are totally inconsistent with Barbados Accord commitments but will not stifle the democratic aspirations of the Venezuelan people, Nichols tweeted. ___ Associated Press writer Christopher Megerian in Washington contributed to this report. By REGINA GARCIA CANO Associated Press The Latest | Blinken says hell talk with Israelis about alternatives to Rafah ground assault The Latest | Blinken says hell talk with Israelis about alternatives to Rafah ground assault View Photo U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says he will share alternatives to Israels planned ground assault into the southern Gaza town of Rafah when he meets with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his War Cabinet on Friday. Blinken and Arab leaders on Thursday discussed efforts for a cease-fire and ideas for Gazas post-conflict future during his sixth visit to the region since the start of the Israel-Hamas war. Growing disagreements between Netanyahu and President Joe Biden over Israels prosecution of the war will likely overshadow this weeks talks, although the Biden administration policy of providing crucial military aid and diplomatic support for Israel remains unchanged. The Health Ministry in Gaza raised the territorys death toll Thursday to nearly 32,000 Palestinians. The ministry doesnt differentiate between civilians and combatants in its count but says women and children make up two-thirds of the dead. The international communitys authority on determining the severity of hunger crises has warned that famine is imminent in northern Gaza. Palestinian militants killed some 1,200 people in the surprise Oct. 7 attack out of Gaza that triggered the war, and abducted another 250 people. Hamas is still believed to be holding some 100 people hostage, as well as the remains of 30 others. Currently: Blinken huddles on Gaza with Arab diplomats in Cairo as U.S.-Israel relations sour Why Israel is so determined to launch an offensive in Rafah. A Palestinian boy is shot dead after he lit a firework. Israels use of deadly force is scrutinized. U.N. chief urges the EU to avoid double standards over Gaza and Ukraine. U.S. House speaker says he plans to invite Netanyahu to address the Congress. Find more of APs coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war. Heres the latest: U.S. CALLS FOR A U.N. VOTE ON A STRONGER GAZA CEASE-FIRE RESOLUTION UNITED NATIONS The United States called for a vote to be held Friday on a newly revised and tougher U.N. Security Council resolution declaring that an immediate and sustained cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza is imperative to protect civilians and enable humanitarian aid to be delivered to more than two million hungry Palestinians. In the previous draft, the Security Council did not make such a declaration. Instead, it would have supported international efforts for a cease-fire as part of a hostage deal. The new draft obtained Thursday by The Associated Press determines which is a council order the imperative of an immediate and sustained cease-fire, with no direct link to the release of hostages taken during Hamas surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7. But it would unequivocally support diplomatic efforts to secure such a cease-fire in connection with the release of all remaining hostages. After the 15 Security Council members met behind closed doors Thursday afternoon to discuss Gaza, U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said when asked if the U.S. draft will be adopted: I am optimistic. Thats why it took us so long. Russias deputy U.N. ambassador Dmitry Polyansky told reporters that U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is pressing for an immediate cease-fire, and if the resolution calls for an immediate cease-fire we will, of course, support it. But he questioned the wording of the U.S. draft, asking, Whats an imperative? I have an imperative to give you $100, but its only an imperative, not $100. So somebodys fooling around, I think, (with the) international community, Polyansky said. We are not satisfied with anything that doesnt call for immediate cease-fire. I think everybody is not satisfied with this. Even secretary Blinken is not satisfied. ISRAELS RAID ON SHIFA HOSPITAL NETS 350 MILITANT ARRESTS, ARMY SAYS JERUSALEM The Israeli military says 350 Palestinian militants were among the 500 people it has arrested in an open-ended raid on Shifa Hospital in northern Gaza, where soldiers are clearing out patients from the emergency room. Israel also says it has killed dozens of militants in the operation, however there was no way to independently confirm if the dead or detained were combatants. Israeli troops entered Gazas largest hospital complex on Monday, months after an earlier operation at the facility, claiming Hamas had regrouped there. Army spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari told a news conference Thursday that the operation will continue for a number of days. Hagari says troops have arrested over 500 suspects and identified some 358 militants from Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Hagari says many had surrendered and had given very valuable information to interrogators. The claim could not be independently verified. He also said that militants had barricaded themselves inside hospital buildings, including an area near the emergency room. He said some 220 patients were being moved to other areas of the hospital compound while troops operated. Hagari says troops are conducting sweeps throughout the sprawling compound. There will be continuing battles. This operation will go on for a number of days. The raid was a new blow to the Shifa medical complex, which had only partially resumed operations after a destructive Israeli raid in November. HEAD OF ISRAELS MOSSAD SPY AGENCY WILL RETURN TO QATAR FOR CEASE-FIRE TALKS JERUSALEM Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office says the head of the Mossad spy agency will return to Qatar on Friday to meet with the head of the CIA and other key mediators as part of ongoing cease-fire talks. The office said Thursday that Qatars prime minister and Egypts intelligence chief would also join the talks. The announcement came as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken was in the region pushing ahead with efforts to pause the war between Israel and Hamas, now in its sixth month. Blinken is expected in Israel on Friday. Qatar, the U.S. and Egypt have been trying to broker a deal that would pause the fighting between Israel and Hamas for at least six weeks. During that time, Hamas would release some of the more than 100 hostages it is holding in Gaza. Israel would release some of the thousands of Palestinian prisoners it is holding and it would allow more aid to enter the war-battered Gaza Strip. HEAD OF W.H.O. SAYS 60% OF GAZA KIDS UNDER AGE 5 ARE MALNOURISHED, UP FROM 1% BEFORE THE WAR GENEVA The head of the World Health Organization said so little food has been allowed into Gaza that up to 60% of children under five are now malnourished, compared with fewer than 1% before the war began. At a press briefing on Thursday, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said virtually all households are already skipping meals. The future of an entire generation is in serious peril, he said, adding that children in Gaza need therapeutic food aimed at their needs. Despite the supplies of this specialized food in the region, Tedros said it could not be allocated due to security problems. He welcomed the recent air and sea deliveries of aid, but said the only way to dramatically boost the delivery of food to Gaza was through land deliveries. Tedros said WHO was also troubled by the latest siege of Shifa Hospital in Gaza, saying reports of health workers being arrested and delayed had added to security worries. A planned UN mission there was recently cancelled, he said. Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, WHOs representative to the occupied Palestinian territory, said he had never seen so many severe trauma injuries or amputations involving children as he had during recent trips to Gaza. He said the process to evacuate patients requiring urgent medical care like cancer treatment and dialysis abroad was failing, even as countries including Egypt and members of the European Union had agreed to accept patients. We need to get them out, he said. These patients deserve better. ISRAELI MILITARY INVESTIGATES TROOPS FATAL SHOOTING OF PALESTINIAN WHO HAD CONVERTED TO JUDAISM JERUSALEM Israels military has opened an investigation after its forces in the occupied West Bank fatally shot a Palestinian man who had converted to Judaism. The military says its soldiers shot the man at an intersection Thursday after he aroused suspicion. But Israeli settlers say the man was well known and had good relations with them. Noam Arnon, a spokesman for the Jewish community in the flashpoint city of Hebron, identified the man as 62-year-old David Ben Abraham. He says Ben Abraham was a Palestinian Muslim from Hebron who had converted to Judaism in 2019. Previously his name was Sameh Zaytoun. Arnon says he and other members of Hebrons ultranationalist Jewish community supported Ben Abraham on his conversion journey and unsuccessfully tried to help him obtain Israeli citizenship. Arnon says Ben Abraham was regularly threatened by the Palestinian Authority for his religious beliefs, including being held in Palestinian jails for months at a time. Unfortunately he was a wanderer between worlds and never found his place, Arnon said. Even now, hes still between worlds, because Im not sure where we will bury him. The circumstances of the shooting remained unclear. Israeli media reported that Ben Abraham had his hands raised when he was shot. The army called it a severe incident and immediately opened an investigation. The military says it holds its soldiers accountable for violations of open-fire orders. But rights groups say that investigations into the shootings of Palestinians almost never lead to indictments, much less convictions. Since the Israel-Hamas war began on Oct. 7, violence in the West Bank has surged. The Palestinian Health Ministry says at least 440 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since the wars start. U.S. WANTS A SWIFT U.N. VOTE ON ITS NEW GAZA CEASE-FIRE RESOLUTION UNITED NATIONS The United States is seeking a swift vote on a newly revised and tougher U.N. Security Council resolution demanding an immediate and sustained cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza to protect civilians and enable humanitarian aid deliveries for more than 2 million hungry Palestinians. In the previous draft, the council would not have demanded a cease-fire. Instead, it would have supported international efforts for a cease-fire as part of a hostage deal. The new draft obtained Thursday by The Associated Press determines which is a council order the imperative of an immediate and sustained cease-fire with no direct link to the release of hostages taken during Hamas surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7. The earlier draft was not widely supported in the 15-member council where 13 members had voted in favor of an Arab-backed resolution demanding an immediate humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza that the U.S. vetoed on Feb. 20. The new U.S. draft states in strong language that the Security Council determines the imperative of an immediate and sustained cease-fire, with no direct link to the release of hostages taken during Hamas surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7. U.S. deputy ambassador Robert Wood told reporters who asked Thursday when a vote would take place, We would like to do it as soon as possible maybe before the end of the week. We think it is a good text. Everyone should be able to get behind it, Wood said. And were going to continue to work to the last minute to make sure that we get as many votes as possible. Meanwhile, the 10 elected members of the Security Council have been drafting their own resolution which would demand an immediate humanitarian cease-fire for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan which began March 10 respected by all parties leading to a permanent sustainable cease-fire. It also demands the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. ARREST WARRANTS ISSUED FOR TWO LEBANESE CITIZENS IN CONNECTION WITH TARGETED KILLING OF HAMAS OFFICIAL BEIRUT Judicial officials in Lebanon say an investigative judge has issued arrest warrants for two people on suspicion of giving information to Israel including the digital mapping of a Beirut street where a top official with the Palestinian Hamas group was killed in January. The officials said Thursday that Fadi Sawwan, the investigative judge at the military tribunal, issued the arrest warrants earlier this week for the two Lebanese citizens weeks after they were detained while using sophisticated digital mapping equipment. The Israeli military did not immediately return requests for comment. The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations, said the two men had earlier mapped streets in different parts of Lebanon including Beiruts southern suburbs that are home to the leadership of the militant Hezbollah group. They said the men said they thought they were sending the information to a U.S.-based company that does virtual tourism business. The two officials said among the streets that they mapped was the one where the deputy leader of Hamas, Saleh Arouri, was killed along with six other militants in a January strike that hit an apartment. They said the street was mapped nearly two weeks before Arouri was killed. The officials said the two are in custody and were charged with spying for a foreign country and obtaining information that should remain secret because of national security. The officials said the two could get a sentence of up to life in prison. ___ Associated Press writer Bassem Mroue contributed. U.S. HOUSE SPEAKER SAYS HE PLANS TO INVITE NETANYAHU TO GIVE SPEECH TO CONGRESS WASHINGTON House Speaker Mike Johnson says he is planning to invite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address the U.S. Congress. I would love to have him come in and address a joint session of Congress, Johnson said Thursday morning on CNBC. Well certainly extend that invitation. Johnson said it would be a great honor of mine to invite him but were just trying to work out schedules on all this. U.S. Republicans have rallied around Netanyahu after Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., called for new elections in Israel on the Senate floor last week. Schumer said he believes that the prime minister has lost his way and is an obstacle to peace in the region amid the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Johnson spoke with Netanyahu Wednesday morning. He told reporters afterward that he had a lengthy conversation with the prime minister. I reiterated to him the House Republicans strong support for Israel in their efforts there, Johnson said. Netanyahu spoke by video with Senate Republicans at their weekly caucus lunch on Wednesday, telling them that he believes he still has support in the United States and Israel and that he believes Schumers remarks were inappropriate. Johnsons invitation comes as there is an ongoing case at the top United Nations court in which South Africa accuses Netanyahus government of breaching the Genocide Convention with its war in Gaza against Hamas. The court in December ordered Israel to do all it can to prevent death, destruction and any acts of genocide in Gaza. Israel strongly denies breaching the convention. COMMERCIAL SHIPS WILL TRANSPORT AID TO GAZA, U.S. OFFICIAL SAYS LARNACA, Cyprus A senior U.S. official says commercial ships will be employed to convey humanitarian aid from Cyprus once a U.S. built-pier and floating dock are completed by the May 1 target date. National Security Council Chief Curtis Ried told reporters Thursday the United Nations and its humanitarian agencies including world bodys relief agency for Palestinians UNRWA remain the best method that we have to deliver assistance to the territory. Speaking during a Cyprus-hosted meeting of officials from 35 nations interested to contribute in the effort, Ried said currently, theres no way to substitute the UNRWAs distribution network in Gaza quickly, but it may be replaced over time. He said U.S. troops will not be deployed to Gaza to provide security. Instead, Israeli forces will provide an outer security perimeter and that officials are currently in discussions with third nations to possibly offer troops to secure aid deliveries in the immediate vicinity of the pier. The U.N. in partnership with Cyprus will coordinate collection of goods donated by third countries to ensure the appropriate kind of help reaches those who need it most. A fund is currently being set up for that purpose. The aid will be security screened in Cyprus according to established protocols in cooperation with Israeli officials and then be shipped to a floating dock some miles off the Gaza coast before being transferred on land via the pier. The aid will then be loaded onto Palestinian trucks and distributed according to the U.N. network in Gaza. Between now and May 1, the U.S. charity World Central Kitchen founded by celebrity chef Jose Andres will continue to ship aid to Gaza through its own jetty. The charity sent its first batch of 200 tons of aid last week with a boat owned by the Spanish aid group Open Arms. A second ship is ready to depart once weather conditions off Gaza improve later this week or early next week, according to Cyprus Foreign Minister Constantinos Combos. Ried said the U.S. was primarily focused on expanding overland aid deliveries, but that changed with the new year when U.S. President Joe Biden decided to also pursue the maritime corridor alternative. DUTCH POLICE SAY A BURNING OBJECT THROWN AT ISRAELI EMBASSY, SUSPECT ARRESTED THE HAGUE, Netherlands Police in The Hague say that somebody threw a burning object at the Israeli Embassy in the Dutch city and that they arrested a suspect. The embassy said in a statement posted on its Facebook side that it is unacceptable that such an attack can happen in the Netherlands. It said that nobody was injured in the attack Thursday. We trust that the authorities will take all possible measures to prevent such attacks, it added. The embassy says that the attack demonstrates the dangerous consequences of the worrying trend of growing hate and incitement. This hate cannot be tolerated. Police did not release any information about the suspect. BLINKEN MEETS WITH EGYPTS PRESIDENT ON HIS SIXTH MIDEAST TRIP SINCE THE ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR BEGAN CAIRO U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Cairo and met with Egypts President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi on Thursday during his sixth trip to the Middle East since the start of the Israel-Hamas war. Blinken was in Saudi Arabia the day before, where he met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. A senior State Department official traveling with Blinken said the Saudi talks focused on the bilateral portion of a larger plan in which Saudi Arabia would recognize Israel in return for credible progress on the creation of a Palestinian state. Israels current government is staunchly opposed to Palestinian statehood, which Saudis have said is an essential component to any normalization agreement. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss private diplomatic talks, says only a handful of issues remain in the U.S.-Saudi component of the plan. That part of the plan is widely believed to include U.S. defense guarantees and aid in building a civilian nuclear program in Saudi Arabia. Blinken was set to meet with Arab foreign ministers later Thursday to discuss broader security assurances for Israel another component of the broader plan and an Arab role in governing and rebuilding postwar Gaza. Blinken will travel to Israel on Friday for talks expected to focus on efforts to broker a deal on a cease-fire and the release of hostages, as well as U.S. concerns about Israels plans to expand its ground offensive to the southern Gaza city of Rafah. Those talks will also focus on increasing humanitarian aid to Gaza. ___ AP Diplomatic Writer Matthew Lee contributed. HEALTH MINISTRY RAISES DEATH TOLL IN GAZA TO NEARLY 32,000 PALESTINIANS RAFAH, Gaza Strip Gazas Health Ministry says the overall Palestinian death toll from the Israel-Hamas war has climbed to nearly 32,000. The ministry says 31,988 Palestinians have been killed since Hamas Oct. 7 attack triggered the war, and another 74,188 Palestinians have been wounded. It says 65 bodies have been brought to hospitals in the past 24 hours, as well as 92 wounded people. The ministry does not distinguish between fighters and civilians in its figures, but says women and children make up around two-thirds of those killed. Israels military says it has killed over 13,000 militants, without providing evidence. The Gaza Health Ministry, which is part of the Hamas-run government, maintains detailed casualty records. Its figures from previous wars largely matched those of United Nations bodies, independent experts and even the Israeli militarys tallies. Palestinian militants killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took around 250 hostage after storming across the border into southern Israel on Oct. 7. More than 100 hostages were freed in November in exchange for the release of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. ISRAELI ACTIVISTS LAUNCH CROWDFUNDING CAMPAIGN FOR SANCTIONED SETTLERS BROTHER JERUSALEM Israeli activists have launched an online fundraiser that mentions the family of an extremist settler sanctioned by United States President Joe Bidens administration for alleged attacks on Palestinians and Israeli human rights activists. The campaign appears to be an effort to skirt U.S. sanctions on violent Israeli settlers and the unauthorized settlement outposts where they live. The sanctions prevent settlers from accessing the American financial system and expose them to an asset freeze. The fundraiser does not directly mention the sanctioned settler, Moshe Sharvit, nor his outpost, but says it is raising money for settlement activities in memory of his brother, who was killed in fighting in Israels war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The page says the funds are to build a synagogue, educational center and facility for Torah study in the Jordan Valley, where Sharvits sanctioned outpost is located. Hosted on the Israeli crowdfunding site Givechak, the campaign raised over $875,000 from more than 10,500 donors as of Wednesday. The site is the latest in a string of online fundraising campaigns that have collected the equivalent of hundreds of thousands of dollars for settlers sanctioned by the U.S. and Britain. At least two crowdfunding pages for sanctioned settlers have now been taken down. Sharvit and Givechak did not respond to requests for comment. ISRAEL SAYS ITS AIRSTRIKE KILLED 2 MILITANTS IN THE WEST BANK JERUSALEM The Israeli military says it launched an airstrike that killed two Palestinian militants during a raid in the West Bank. The military said in a statement early Thursday that the two posed a threat to its forces, which were operating in the built-up Nur Shams refugee camp in the West Bank town of Tulkarem. The Palestinian Health Ministry and the Palestinian Red Crescent rescue service both said four people were killed in Nur Shams, including the two killed in the airstrike, without saying whether they were civilians or combatants. Hamas later identified all four of the Palestinians killed in Nur Shams as its fighters. On Wednesday, a separate Israeli airstrike killed three Palestinian militants traveling in a car in the northern West Bank. The Islamic Jihad group claimed them as members. Violence across the Israeli-occupied West Bank has surged since the Israel-Hamas war broke out last Oct. 7. Since then, at least 435 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank by Israeli fire, according to Palestinian health officials. The Palestinians seek an independent state in the West Bank, Gaza and east Jerusalem, territories Israel captured in the 1967 Mideast war. THE GAPS ARE NARROWING IN NEGOTIATIONS FOR A NEW ISRAEL-HAMAS CEASE-FIRE DEAL, BLINKEN SAYS JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken says the gaps are narrowing in indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas over another cease-fire and hostage release. The United States, Egypt and Qatar have spent several weeks trying to broker an agreement to pause the fighting in Gaza and bring about the release of more of the scores of hostages captured by Hamas in its Oct. 7 attack that started the war. Blinkens sixth visit to the region since the start of the war began in Saudi Arabia and will take him to Egypt on Thursday and Israel on Friday. In an interview Wednesday with the Al-Hadath network in Saudi Arabia, Blinken said the gaps are narrowing, and I think an agreement is very much possible. He said the mediators worked with Israel to put a strong proposal on the table but that Hamas rejected it. But, he said, Hamas came back with other demands that the mediators are working on. Hamas has demanded guarantees that any cease-fire agreement will lead to an end to the war and the return of Palestinians to northern Gaza, from which hundreds of thousands fled following Israeli evacuation orders in October. Israel has thus far rejected those demands, saying it is determined to renew its offensive after any cease-fire and continue fighting until it destroys Hamas. Hamas is still believed to be holding around 100 hostages, as well as the remains of around 30 others. It hopes to exchange them for the release of large numbers of Palestinian prisoners, including top militants. By The Associated Press Blinken says an Israeli assault on Gazas Rafah would be a mistake and isnt needed to defeat Hamas Blinken says an Israeli assault on Gazas Rafah would be a mistake and isnt needed to defeat Hamas View Photo CAIRO (AP) U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday a major Israeli ground assault on the southern Gaza town of Rafah would be a mistake and unnecessary to defeating Hamas, underscoring the further souring of relations between the United States and Israel. Blinken, on his sixth urgent Mideast mission since the war began in October, spoke after huddling with top Arab diplomats in Cairo for discussions on efforts for a cease-fire and Gazas post-conflict future. He said an immediate, sustained cease-fire with the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas was urgently needed and that gaps were narrowing in indirect negotiations that U.S., Egypt and Qatar have spent weeks mediating. Those negotiations are to continue at a senior level in Qatar on Friday. Blinken heads to Israel on Friday to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his War Cabinet. The growing disagreements between Netanyahu and President Joe Biden over the prosecution of the war will likely overshadow those talks particularly over Netanyahus determination to launch a ground assault on Rafah, where more than a million Palestinians have sought refuge from devastating Israeli ground and air strikes further north. Netanyahu has said that without an invasion of Rafah, Israel cant achieve its goal of destroying Hamas after its deadly Oct. 7 attack and taking of hostages that triggered Israels bombardment and offensive in Gaza. A major military operation in Rafah would be a mistake, something we dont support. And, its also not necessary to deal with Hamas, which is necessary, Blinken told a news conference in Cairo with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry. A major offensive would mean more civilian deaths and worsen Gazas humanitarian crisis, Blinken said, adding that his talks on Rafah in Israel on Friday and discussions between senior U.S. and Israeli officials next week in Washington will be to share ideas for alternative action. The U.S. position on a Rafah operation has shifted significantly in recent days. Initially, U.S. officials said they could not support a major incursion into the city unless there was a clear and credible plan for getting civilians out of harms way. Now, U.S. officials said they have concluded there is no credible way to do that, given the density of the population of more than a million people. They say now that other options, including specifically targeted operations against known Hamas fighters and commanders, are the only way to avoid a civilian catastrophe. But Netanyahu, on a roughly 45-minute call with GOP senators on Wednesday, pledged to ignore warnings about a Rafah operation. He also took aim at Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumers condemnation last week of the civilian death toll in Gaza and his call for new elections in Israel in a speech that Biden later said was good. Netanyahu stressed that Israel would move ahead in Rafah, according to senators who participated in the meeting. Sen. John Kennedy, a Louisiana Republican, said Netanyahu made it very clear that he and the people of Israel intend to prosecute the war to the full extent of their power and that he would not be dictated to by Senator Schumer or President Biden. Netanyahu has been accused by Israeli critics of undermining bipartisan American support by cultivating close ties with Republican leaders. As Blinken and the Arab ministers met, Gazas Health Ministry raised the territorys death toll to nearly 32,000 Palestinians since the war began on its soil. Also, U.N. officials stepped up warnings that famine is imminent in northern Gaza. The Cairo talks gathered Blinken with the foreign ministers of Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, as well as a top official from the Palestine Liberation Organization, the internationally recognized body representing the Palestinian people. They also discussed ways to increase urgent humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza by land, air and sea. In an earlier meeting with Blinken, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi stressed the need for an immediate cease-fire and warned against the dangerous repercussions of any Israeli offensive in Rafah, according to a statement issued by el-Sissis spokesperson. Both parties renewed their rejection of the forced displacement of Gazans and agreed on the importance of taking all necessary measures to ensure the arrival of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, the statement said. Blinken said gaps are narrowing in talks over a cease-fire but that more work was needed. There are still real challenges, he said. Weve closed some gaps but there are still gaps. Netanyahus office said Thursday that the head of the Mossad spy agency will return to Qatar on Friday to meet with CIA chief William Burns and other key mediators in the talks. The office said Thursday that Qatars prime minister and Egypts intelligence chief would also join the talks. Meanwhile, the United States said it would seek a vote Friday on a revised and tougher U.N. resolution demanding an immediate and sustained cease-fire to protect civilians and enable humanitarian aid to be delivered. The resolution is notable because it does not directly tie the release of the hostages to the need for a cease-fire. Still, Blinken said the two must go hand-in-hand. There is an urgent need for an immediate, sustained cease-fire with the release of hostages, he said. Netanyahu has also rejected the Biden administrations repeated remonstrations that Israels long-term security cannot be assured without the creation of an independent Palestinian state. A clear path and deadline for the formation of a Palestinian state are key requirements for Saudi Arabia and other Arab nations to normalize relations with Israel, something Netanyahu is keen to achieve. Blinken spent much of his time in Jeddah with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussing the normalization process, which would also include U.S.-Saudi agreements. With tensions running high after not speaking for a month, Biden and Netanyahu held a phone call on Monday during which Netanyahu agreed to send a team of experts to Washington to discuss the Rafah plans. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant will also visit Washington separately next week. The war began after Palestinian militants killed some 1,200 people in the surprise Oct. 7 attack out of Gaza that triggered the war, and abducted another 250 people. Hamas is still believed to be holding some 100 people hostage, as well as the remains of 30 others. ___ Associated Press writers Josef Federman in Jerusalem and Noha ElHennawy in Cairo contributed to this report. ___ Find more of APs war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war By MATTHEW LEE AP Diplomatic Writer VAPOSTORI and MaZion for ED say Madzibaba Ishmael should face the full wrath of the law if his followers were coerced under duress to engage in the criminal activities which led to his arrest. Madzibaba Ishmael and seven of his church members are facing charges of Contravening Section (1) and (2) of the Burial and Cremation Act 5203 and Section 7 (1) and (5) of the Childrens Act 5206. Addressing a media conference in Harare yesterday, Vapostori and MaZion for ED national spokesperson, Obey Mapuranga, said they have full confidence in law enforcement agencies who are dealing with Madzibaba Ishmaels case. He said the spiritual and religious dictates of Johane Masowe eChishanu restricts its followers from engaging in malpractices. Mapuranga said plans are currently underway by their delegation to visit Madzibaba Ishmael shrine. The Masowe eChishanu restricts its followers from engaging minors into early marriages, girl and boy child abuse. The religion is very strict when it comes to righteousness that is why you always hear the word kureurura pamasowe. People must treat Madzibaba Ishmael allegations as a singular case in which, if found guilty, we will engage the leaders of the national judicial council of Vapostori to proceed with religious guidance and counselling to the families at Lilly Farm. They have to continue to reside and worship in line with the right religious practices and freedom according to the Constitution of Zimbabwe. On education, Mapuranga said: We urge them to send their children to Government schools or construct their own schools and colleges. Formal education is good as it gives children opportunities to get into vocational and training centres. Vana vose vanoona kuti vabereki vavo vari kuvaremedza nematambudziko must report to us or any police station where they can be assisted. HMetro. Breaking News via Email President Emmerson Mnangagwa plans to extend his second and final term by at least two years until 2030 after abandoning plans to abolish term limits through a constitutional amendment which would require a public referendum, ZimLive can reveal. Mnangagwas supporters, including Vice President Kembo Mohadi, have popularised a slogan which says he will still be there in 2030. This has been interpreted as a signal that Mnangagwa wants to amend the constitution and scrap a provision limiting the president to a maximum two five-year terms. Now, ZimLive has been briefed that Mnangagwa considers the legal requirements for scrapping term limits to be too cumbersome and unattainable. Instead, the 81-year-old will seek to extend his current term. To secure his target, he will also offer MPs and senators an extension of their own five-year terms, in the hope that they would back a constitutional amendment to postpone general elections due in 2028 by at least two years. Mnangagwa is reluctant to relinquish power under pressure from his associates who fear that his likely successor Constantino Chiwenga, the current vice president, will dismantle their mostly corrupt business cartels and throw them in jail. Writing on X on Tuesday, Mnangagwas spokesman George Charamba said people who think they can see into the future are revving themselves into a false frenzy of a third term which they seek to paste on President ED Mnangagwa. Zanu PFs director of information Farai Marapira, in an interview with NRTV, insisted that within Zanu PF there are no conversations about a third term. He added: We refuse to have conversations imported into our party. Nowhere at any level of our party are we having this conversation. In briefings with Zanu PF insiders close to the strategy to keep Mnangagwa in power beyond 2028, ZimLive has heard that Mnangagwa considered but felt that removing term limits requiring a two thirds majority vote in parliament and a public referendum was too high a hurdle. Instead, his strategists believe they can extend his term with just a constitutional amendment without a need for a referendum. For this to pass in parliament, he would also offer MPs and senators an extension up to 2030. A senior official said: The slogan 2030 va Mnangagwa vanenge vachipo is not about a third term because a third term is an order too tall to climb; but it also is not about nothing; it is about something, so what is it about? This is a most closely kept secret in the party, 2030 is not about a fresh term, its about extending the current term for everyone who was elected on 23 and 24 August 2023. Basically, it is about moving the next harmonised general election from 2028 to 2030. This would be similar to the changes that happened in 2008 when the term of MPs was reduced by two years, albeit under the old constitution. This planned constitutional amendment would increase the terms of everyone who was elected in 2023 to be up for reelection in 2030, not in 2028. 2030 is taking advantage of the governments Vision 2030 programme to give the incumbent an extra two years, which sits well with his age than would a third term. The plan is to use, among other things, Covid-19 as an excuse by claiming that it interrupted Mnangagwas Vision 30 developmental plan by at least two years. Mnangagwa loyalists will also claim that Zimbabwes progress is also being detained by the country being in perpetual election mode, and delaying elections is necessary to see through developmental initiatives. The campaign to keep Mnangagwa in power is set to be spearheaded by Zanu PFs youth league, taking advantage of nationwide thank you rallies to celebrate the partys victory in last years elections. Mnangagwa close loyalists from politics and business, including the controversial businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei, are reportedly mobilising a war chest to bankroll the campaign. Tagwirei, once a Chiwenga ally, had a bitter fallout with the former army general. Insiders claim that Tagwirei, in a bid to mend fences with Chiwenga, lavished gifts on the vice president including a luxurious Mercedes Maybach and a seven-digit sum of money as a wedding present last December. Chiwenga, the informed sources say, has largely spurned these peace overtures, deepening the animosity between the two men. The once-close relationship between Tagwirei and Chiwenga soured after Tagwirei who is under American and British sanctions for corruption switched allegiance during Chiwengas extended medical treatment in China in 2019. Chiwengas sudden return to Zimbabwe in November 2019, after months of speculation about his health, marked the beginning of a realignment of alliances with his supporters who had switched allegiance. Tagwirei declined a request for an interview for this story. Mnangagwas plan to extend his term in office will not go without opposition from both within and outside Zanu PF. It could face even more resistance from regional countries concerned about the destabilising effect of such a move, coming after a series of disputed elections in Zimbabwe.ZimLive. Breaking News via Email A 37-YEAR-OLD man was sentenced to 6 months in prison for domestic violence. The man beat up his wife on 8 March, on International Womens Day. International Womens Day is a holiday celebrated annually on March 8 as a focal point in the womens rights movement. It focuses on issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse against women. March is known as Womens Month. In a statement, the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) said the man from Nyangani Park, Nyanga slapped his wife (30), kicked her on the back, and punched her several times on the head after she failed to come back on the agreed day from her parents. The complainant was rescued by neighbours who heard her screaming. He was sentenced to 6 months imprisonment of which 2 months were suspended. A further 4 months were suspended on condition that he perform 140 hours of community service, reads the statement. Breaking News via Email In an incident that unfolded on Wednesday, a total of 69 foreign nationals, including five Zimbabweans, managed to escape from the Lindela Repatriation Centre, which falls under the jurisdiction of South Africas Department of Home Affairs. The facility, privately managed by EnvironMongz in Krugersdorp, housed a total of 1,521 detainees awaiting deportation. Among the escapees were 38 individuals from Tanzania, 14 from Malawi, two from Mozambique, as well as citizens from Lesotho, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and Nigeria. The South African government has swiftly responded to the situation, taking measures to address the incident, including the possibility of terminating the contract with EnvironMongz, the private facilities management company responsible for Lindela. According to a statement from the Department of Home Affairs, the escape was triggered by a confrontation between the inmates and the contracted management of the centre. The altercation resulted in the escape of the 69 undocumented foreign nationals. The Department expressed dissatisfaction with the circumstances surrounding the incident, believing that the management company and its security team could have done more to prevent the escape. As a result, the contract is currently under scrutiny, and appropriate actions will be taken. To address the immediate security concerns, the Department has assumed control over access and security functions at the facility, deploying a different security company at the gate while investigations continue. Despite the escape, the Department intends to proceed with its scheduled deportation plan for the majority of the 1,521 undocumented foreign nationals. Deportations are planned for countries including Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Eswatini, and Zimbabwe. A total of 622 individuals are to be repatriated to their respective countries as part of this plan. The statement also revealed that last week, South Africa had already deported 1,050 undocumented foreigners to Malawi, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe. Prior to the recent escape, EnvironMongz had informed the Department of Home Affairs about previous escape attempts, one of which had resulted in the death of an inmate. Collaborating with other law enforcement agencies, the Department is actively working to locate the escapees, with one individual having already been re-arrested. The situation remains fluid, and the Department of Home Affairs is committed to addressing the incident while ensuring the safety and security of the facility and its detainees. Breaking News via Email Yves here. There is understandably keen interest on where Russia is going with its war in Ukraine and what territorial arrangement it will settle on. Helmer takes a remark made by Putin in response to a question about Russia taking Kharkiv to prevent attacks on Russia, presumably the current Russian Federation. The wee problem not teased out is that Kharkiv has a considerable presence of ethnic Russians and thus would be almost certainly added to Russia. So then the border that needs to be protected moves west. Helmer was early to discuss the idea of a demilitarized zone in the context of the electrical grid attacks. Some form of buffer zone is a comparatively clean way to keep nasty NATO types well away from Russian territory. But how to sufficiently empty that large a territory is an open question. Note importantly in the remarks Helmer is citing, at least per machine translation, Putin made clear that he is depicting this only as an option: But I do not exclude that, bearing in mind the tragic events taking place today, we will be forced at some point when we consider it appropriate to create a certain sanitary zone in todays territories subordinate to the Kiev regime.. The forced gives the impression that Putin regards a sanitary zone as a less preferred solutionto what, one wonders? By John Helmer, the longest continuously serving foreign correspondent in Russia, and the only western journalist to direct his own bureau independent of single national or commercial ties. Helmer has also been a professor of political science, and an advisor to government heads in Greece, the United States, and Asia. He is the first and only member of a US presidential administration (Jimmy Carter) to establish himself in Russia. Originally published at Dances with Bears In his election victory speech on Sunday night, President Vladimir Putin has accepted the 87% Russian voter mandate to finish the war by securing the Novorussian territories east of the Dnieper River, and converting western Ukraine into a certain sanitary zone in todays territories subordinated to the Kiev regime. In military terms, this zone extends westward from the Dnieper to the full 500-kilometre range of NATO missiles supplied to the Ukrainian forces; and to the 900-km range of the drones in the current Ukrainian inventory. With direct flight distance from Odessa to Lvov at 630 kms, and between Kharkov and Lvov of 975 kms, this means that all of the territories subordinated to the Kiev regime will become a sanitary zone, demilitarized to the Polish border. Referring to the HIMARS rocket attacks in the Belgorod region and the proposed evacuation of nine thousand schoolchildren out of range, Putin announced at his campaign headquarters, I do not exclude that, bearing in mind the tragic events taking place today, we will be forced at some point when we deem it appropriate to create a certain sanitary zone in todays territories subordinated to the Kiev regime. The president did not specify how soon is appropriate, or how deep the demilitarized or sanitary zone will be, except that in calculating the depth and taking Russian control of it, the range of weapons includes first of all, of course, [weapons] of foreign production. Listen to the press conference here; read the text. Demilitarization of the Ukraine has been the strategic objective of the Special Military Operation from the start in February 2022. In several Kremlin meetings last June, Putin foreshadowed a zone variously called a DMZ, buffer zone, or cordon sanitaire. In a meeting with military correspondents on June 13, 2023, Putin explainedoperationally. Here are several solutions: first, bolstering the effectiveness of the counter-battery struggle. But this does not mean that there wont be missile strikes against our territory. And so if this continues then we will apparently have to consider the issue and Im saying this very carefully of creating a buffer zone on Ukraines territory at such a distance from where it could be impossible to reach our territory. Mapping the DMZ has been discussed in detail as senior civilian and military officials in Moscow and in the Donbass have publicly discussed the range-of-defence requirement. Follow the archive of maps and operations here. Now, with the conclusion of the election, Russian military bloggers have begun to voice open criticism of the performance of the military in preventing drone and missile attacks from striking civilians in Belgorod, as well as oil refinery targets up to 900 kms from the border. According to Boris Rozhin (Colonel Cassad), Russian early warning and detection of Ukrainian HIMARS units are effective, but counter-battery and interception firing is delayed. The reason is organizational issues that prevent timely fire damage to the exposed priority targets. The issue of their elimination is extremely relevant now: This will not only significantly increase the effectiveness of counter-battery warfare, but also reduce the intensity of enemy strikes on Belgorod and other settlements. Organizational issues is a code term for the chain of command Rozhin avoids explaining. Military sources in Moscow have been discreetly acknowledging that the decisions on how far the Russian military operation should extend westwards were postponed during the election campaign. During this time, the sources have also been warning, the Ukrainians were able to construct extensive surface fortifications and command-and-control bunkers north of Chernigov facing an expected offensive drive of Russian forces toward Kiev; and around Odessa to block a Russian offensive in the south. These lines are reportedly manned by fresh and well-supplied Ukrainian reserves, who are being held out of the meat-grinder battles along the line of contact, like Bakhmut and Avdeyevka. Threats to reinforce these new fortified lines with a French-led coalition have come from President Emmanuel Macron. In parallel, detailed planning by the German Luftwaffe, backed by Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, of long-range Taurus missile attacks, launched from aircraft based outside the Ukraine, has become public knowledge. In response, a well-informed Moscow source believes the parameters of Russian strategy are becoming clearer now that Putin is waving the green flag. Its clear, for example, that although there will not be battles inside cities like Odessa, Kharkov, and Kiev, there cannot be a military outcome for the General Staff and the Kremlin which will allow terrorism against Russia forever from inside those cities, or from whatever remains of the Ukraine. So there must be regime change in Kiev and a form of Russian occupation that will be surprising. I am not ready to talk about what, how, and when, Putin said on Sunday. Likewise, no Russian military source is ready. There is, however, frustration at the delay in the operational decision-making. Its not General Patience were talking about, comments a military observer. Its General Bullshit. Lets see if [Chief of the General Staff General Valery] Gerasimov calls it. In the one-hour programme on Gorilla Radio, recorded on March 21, Chris Cook leads the discussion. Click to listen. Steven Hale first began covering the death penalty for the Nashville Scene a decade ago. Convicted murderer and rapist Billy Ray Irick was set to be executed on Oct. 7, 2014, but the Tennessee Supreme Court delayed the execution due to a lawsuit related to secrecy surrounding the states lethal-injection protocol. Hale who at the time reported on myriad issues for our publication, including criminal justice watched the case closely. As closely as anyone could. Ultimately, Irick was executed by lethal injection on Aug. 9, 2018, at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution in Nashville. It was the first in a spate of executions carried out at the prison seven over the course of about a year-and-a-half and the first in Tennessee since 2009. Hale was among the few media witnesses selected via a Tennessee Department of Correction lottery to watch the killing in person. That was the first of three executions he would observe during his time as a reporter for the Scene, and part of a process he describes in his new book, Death Row Welcomes You: Visiting Hours in the Shadow of the Execution Chamber,as barbarism dressed as bureaucracy and armed with legal jargon. After Billy Ray Iricks execution, which is one of the ones I witnessed, I got an email from a man whos in the book quite a bit, Al Andrews, who is one of the members of this community that I write about, Hale tells me on a recent afternoon at the Scene offices. He reached out to me and said, Hey, were going to be having kind of a memorial service for Billy Ray Irick, and I read your coverage of the execution and of his life. And just for whatever reason, he was moved to invite me to this. The Nashville Scene Podcast, Episode 3: Death Row Welcomes You Talking to Steven Hale about his new book Death Row Welcomes You, and to contributor Brittney McKenna about Kacey Musgraves new record That invitation blossomed into a network of relationships that inspired Death Row Welcomes You, out March 26 via Melville House. As much as the book centers on Hales experiences covering the death penalty in Tennessee, it focuses just as much on the community surrounding the states condemned men the people who refuse to look away. The folks on death row are often kept at a distance from society, Hale says. Not just physically at a distance, but their stories and their humanity are kept behind a wall there in a way that does make it easier for it to remain abstract. And we dont have to confront what were doing. I feel much more passionate about the question of what we do with guilty people, he says when asked if the process of writing the book changed his own personal outlook on the death penalty. Early on, I was and I still am very interested in innocence cases. And I think obviously, those are incredibly important and the work that the Innocence Project and other organizations do around people who are wrongly convicted is hugely important. But almost everyone that I write about in the book is guilty, admittedly. [Writing the book has] made me much more interested in that question: OK, well, what does it mean that someone could commit this horrible crime, and then later be this person? And how do we handle that as a society? How do I look at them as an individual? Hale left the Scene in 2022 to pursue investigative work, but hes back in journalism once again he recently joined the team at the newly launched Nashville Banner, where hell continue his work covering criminal justice. Here youll find a short excerpt from Chapter 5 of Death Row Welcomes You. The excerpt centers on Hales October 2018 visit to Riverbends Unit 2, home to all of Tennessees male death row prisoners. There he meets others who have formed relationships with death row inmates people associating themselves in ink with men the state was determined to kill. These are advocates who believe, as Hale writes, that the best way to expose the inhumanity of the death penalty was to expose people to the humanity of the men condemned to it. D. PATRICK RODGERS, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF On a Monday night in early October, around two months after Billys execution and a few days before another, I made my first visit to Unit 2 at Riverbend. I had seen the death, but not the row the dying, but not the living. Shortly before 5 p.m., I met [death row activist David Bass] and [his therapist and fellow activist Al Andrews] in a parking lot on the west side of town and climbed into the back seat of Davids car. They were buzzing with the energy of people going to see friends. The return of executions had brought a weight to their evenings on death row and forced the reality of the place into clear, distressing view. But to David and Al, these visits were still life-giving. And they seized opportunities to bring new visitors into their peculiar community. The men on Tennessees death row who have visiting privileges are allowed to designate eight people, in addition to their immediate family members, who can visit them once a week. But they can also invite others to come as guests for special visits, subject to the wardens approval. So, by meeting David or Al, a person was suddenly just one degree removed from the men on death row. With permission [from death row inmate Terry King], they had invited a number of people out to the prison friends, family, professional acquaintances, well-connected businessmen, and me. But their drive to introduce people to Terry and the other men on death row wasnt just an outgrowth of their sociable personalities. It was a conscious and, to some, subversive act. David and Al, along with many of the other regular visitors, had come to believe that support for executions, or indifference to them, could not survive a Monday night with the men facing them; that the best way to expose the inhumanity of the death penalty was to expose people to the humanity of the men condemned to it. Death Row Welcomes You: Visiting Hours in the Shadow of the Execution Chamber By Steven Hale Available Tuesday, March 26, via Melville House 288 pages, $28.99 Author event feat. Hale and Demetria Kalodimos 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 22, at Parnassus Books We started driving out toward the prison, winding through industrial areas and working-class neighborhoods that were rapidly gentrifying. We passed the Walls [Tennessee State Prison, which closed in 1992 but still stands not far from Riverbend], where many of the men we were going to see had started their time on death row. It had been around four years since David drove out to Riverbend for the first time. After [an invitation from Joe Ingle, an advocate and spiritual adviser for death row inmates], hed eagerly told everyone in his life about his plans, which seemed to them to be a sign of an ongoing crack-up. Weve got the kind of family with the picket fence, he said when he first told me the story. And all of a sudden dad and husband comes home going, guys, I got this great idea, Im gonna go to death row and everybody looked at me like I was crazy. And some of em still feel that way. But most of the family has come around on it. Four years later, Davids wife, Michelle, had still never met Terry and he didnt think she ever would. He attributed this, at least in part, to her past experiences with murder and the trauma that emanates from it. Shed worked for the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and taken part in the autopsies of victims, including children. David was open about the fact that his relationship with Terry and the other men hed come to know on death row had complicated his marriage. But he did not expect his wife, or anyone else in his life, to share the passion hed fallen into. One of their two sons had visited Terry, though. And to their two daughters, Katie Ann and Caroline, hed become like an uncle. They corresponded with Terry regularly and often visited him with David when they could. But the man who later felt comfortable bringing his then teenage daughters along for visiting hours at the prison would be unrecognizable to the one who showed up to Riverbend on his first Monday night. Sitting in his car in the prison parking lot that evening, before leaving his phone and heading inside, David sent a final text to his family and loved ones, as if he might not make it out. Im going in ... His friends on death row would tease him about this for years. But the man who went into Riverbend that night didnt really make it out after all. That first Monday night visit upended Davids life. He met men he previously would have simply called murderers. And they were murderers, of course. But as he sat with them, he realized that was a lie by omission. These men had not been wheeled out on a dolly to speak to him from behind a leather muzzle. They were sitting unshackled before him, looking into his eyes. They even seemed to care about him. He felt destabilized in their presence, not because they were menacing but because they were not. Pull Quote These men had not been wheeled out on a dolly to speak to him from behind a leather muzzle. They were sitting unshackled before him, looking into his eyes. They even seemed to care about him. He felt destabilized in their presence, not because they were menacing but because they were not. The first man David met that night was Abu-Ali AbdurRahman, a slight, Black man known among the community of people close to death row simply as Abu. Hed been sentenced to death for his role in the 1986 killing of a small-time drug dealer named Patrick Daniels and the stabbing of Daniels girlfriend, Norma Jean Norman, in Nashville. His case had become well known for its myriad problems, not the least of which was an overwhelmed defense attorney who later admitted hed hardly given Abu a defense. But it wasnt the injustices of Abus case that left David feeling, as he put it to me, like his whole world was breaking down. It was the fact of the man himself, whose peaceful presence seemed to contradict the very premise of the place where he was confined. In more than thirty years on death row, Abu had maintained a deep interest in spirituality. Hed adopted his name after converting to Islam. Later, he converted again and was confirmed as an Episcopalian in a service on death row where he sang Amazing Grace. Among the several degrees hed earned during his incarceration was one as a mediator, and he was an active part of a conflict resolution program in the unit. After Abu, David met Terry, who told him a story of murder, yes, but also a curious story of redemption, one deemed impossible by the sentence handed down before Terry turned twenty-three years old. David would recall how uniquely present Terry seemed, and how aware he was of the overwhelming effect that the setting could have on a first-time visitor from the free world. Occasionally during their conversation, he would reach over and gently touch Davids shoulder, asking Are you OK? Toward the end of their visit, Terry asked David a question that he regularly asks new visitors. For David, who had already lost his sense of equilibrium, it was the blow that knocked him over. How do you feel about the death penalty? David didnt really answer. He stammered through a response, finding that he was unable to look this man in the face and tell him, As it happens, I think people like you should be exterminated. He left the prison in an existential fog. A couple years later, though, after spending many Monday nights at the prison, he went to death row and told Terry about that old line he used to repeat about the condemned, that we need to fry em until their eyes pop out. That was how he felt, he said, and he asked for Terrys forgiveness. We arrived at Riverbend around 5 p.m., about the same time Id arrived for Billys execution, only now it was quiet and still. There were no armed guards at the top of the driveway, no white tent prepared for a press conference. We got out of the car and walked toward the entrance, assured that everyone we saw in the prison that night would be alive when we left. A small group of men and women sat on benches outside the prisons front doors. They greeted us like regulars at a neighborhood bar, and David introduced me around. Like us, they were waiting for visiting hours to begin. Some were going to death row, others had family members in the prisons general population. One of the women was the mother of a man whose crime and trial had made national headlines. David had gotten to know her well and soon they were laughing, but she looked to me like a person smiling from behind a veil of grief. Sitting there on the benches, as afternoon turned to evening, the group seemed a lonely few. But they are not, of course. Around two million people are incarcerated somewhere inside Americas sprawling system of prisons and jails. On that day, more than 2,700 people were languishing on death rows around the country. For so many of those locked-away men and women there are people like these, people who have not forgotten them. Soon, the small group started jokingly bickering about who would go first through the door, risking the ire of the corporal who was perched at a desk behind the security checkpoint. She was short in stature and in temperament and particularly intimidating to uneasy newcomers. This tension did at times give way to some levity, though. Alvaro [Alvaro Manrique Barrenechea, a friend of Billy Ray Irick] had told me how his long last name used to peeve the corporal when he first started visiting Billy but eventually became a sort of running joke between the two of them. David, who seemed to view tough personalities as a kind of challenge, worked to win her over. Still, the visitors found her whims somewhat difficult to predict. Visitation began at 5:30 and the group was typically allowed to come inside around 5:15 to start going through security. But on the wrong day, for reasons that were not always obvious, they might be bluntly told to go back outside and wait longer. +2 The Execution of Billy Ray Irick Billy Ray Irick was lying on a gurney, eyes closed and snoring loudly at 7:34 p.m. on Aug. 9 when Tony Mays shouted his name. An even bigger hassle, though, was the prisons dress code for visitors, the enforcement of which seemed to ebb and flow on an arbitrary basis. This trouble mostly affected the women, whose outfits were scrutinized according to the visitation handbooks various dictates. A visitors attire could not be provocative or offensive to others; clothing was to fit in an appropriate manner, neither too tight or too loose; underwear was required, but underwire bras and thongs were banned, as were pieces of clothing with rips in them, such as a pair of jeans with a hole in the knee. After a while, most of the women who visited the prison regularly had cordoned off a collection of approved clothes in their closets. But they found that even an outfit theyd worn multiple times without incident could get them sent back to their cars or their homes for a wardrobe change. Looming executions also seemed to put the guards on edge. On the Monday night before Billys execution, the visitors had seen an unusual number of people turned away for minor violations. On this night, though, we made it through security without any problems. After passing through the metal detector and the body scanner and retrieving my belt and shoes on the other side, I approached the desk where the corporal oversaw the proceedings. With Davids direction, and the corporals prodding, I leaned over a large black binder and wrote Terrys name and the Department of Correction ID number assigned to him103308followed by my own name. We repeated the same process in another binder designated for Unit 2 visitors. Its pages were a picture of radical solidarity, a catalog of people associating themselves in ink with men the state was determined to kill. We waited quietly for a moment before the corporal waved us out the door and down the same path Id taken to the execution a couple months before. We walked through the first of the two tall barbed-wire gates, waiting for it to close behind us before the next one would open in front of us. From there, we entered the central building that houses a large visitation gallery for men from the general population. Some of the visitors left us there to find a seat with their loved ones. Soon, an officer arrived to escort the rest of us to death row. As we made our way down a long sidewalk, I saw what looked like large rectangular cages with concrete floors outside the unit buildings. A tiger pacing back and forth in one of them would not have looked out of place. Several of the regular visitors had told me about how the men on death row often spoke about how long it had been since theyd stepped foot on grass. I later learned that these cages surrounded by grass the men couldnt quite touch were as close as they got. Small red signs beside the sidewalk urged us to stay off the grass; they felt almost like taunts. When we arrived at Unit 2, we stood outside a heavy metal door, waiting for the guard seated at a desk inside to unlock it. We stepped inside, crowding into a small space between the first door and a second, waiting again for a door to close behind us before another could open in front of us. We each handed the guard a slip of paper wed been given at the security checkpoint, to prove, I suppose, that we hadnt gotten to death rows door by some other means. With that, we were in. @startleseasily is a fervent observer of the Metro government's comings and goings. In this column, "On First Reading," she'll recap the bimonthly Metro Council meetings and provide her analysis. You can find her in the pew in the corner by the mic, ready to give public comment on whichever items stir her passions. Follow her on Twitter here. Im tired of thoughts and prayers, said Councilmember Sandy Ewing Tuesday night. Its been a year since a mass shooting at the Covenant School in Ewings district left three children and three staff members dead. Discussing a resolution marking the anniversary of the tragedy, Ewing held back tears as she voiced frustration with inaction at the state and federal levels on common-sense gun control measures. Her colleagues joined in with their own impassioned speeches calling for change, but we all know their pleas will fall on deaf ears. It was a heartbreaking reminder that we live in a state where the legislatures only real response to this devastation was to harden our schools with bulletproof glass and an ever-increasing number of cops patrolling the halls creating prisons of learning instead of doing anything to stop the violence before it starts. Im tired of thoughts and prayers, too. A Laaht in the Darkness Councilmember Jordan Huffman was the subject of some good-natured ribbing on a resolution requesting that the city establish a wildflower planting program. Speaking with a strong East Tennessee accent Huffman hails from Greeneville he explained that the purpose of the program is to bring a little bit of light into some darkness. Mr. Huffman ... did you say laaht? Vice Mayor Angie Henderson playfully interrupted. Thats correct," Huffman retorted. "My resolution to expand the Appalachian dialect will come later, maam." Huffman stopped short of calling for a point of order when Henderson asked for the aahs (ayes), but he wouldve been well within his rights to do so, in maah opinion. Landlord-Tenant Dispute Resolution Were actually very empathetic to the birds, said Nashville Symphony CEO Alan Valentine. He was speaking to the Metro Councils Public Arts, Facilities and Culture Committee about the purple martins that have, over the past few years, become a nuisance for the symphony. The martins have taken to annually roosting in nearby trees, creating a public health hazard. The droppings were so massive, they clogged the street drains, Valentine explained. Efforts to clean up the excrement created a soup of Lord knows what, which even washed into the symphonys building. It was in the fountains, it was everywhere, he added. In their quest to evict the martins, the symphony plans to cut down 10 trees in the public right-of-way by the end of March, in advance of the martins yearly scouting expedition. The trees in question are Chinese elms, which are apparently an invasive tree species. The symphony will replace the elms with native species with a branch structure less attractive to the martins. By the end of each season, when they were here, said Valentine, the trees were completely denuded, and, you know, they were broken, and had dying limbs. It was a real mess. Its very on-brand for a landlord to blame their tenants for poor living conditions. The city hopes to attract the martins to a piece of land in Germantown. If you would like to become a purple martin landlord, here are some tools to get you started. The purple martins could not be reached for comment, but it should be noted that they are songbirds. Maybe they're in Music City because they just want a chance to perform! Mind Your Business The council on Tuesday passed a resolution recognizing March 31, 2024, as Transgender Day of Visibility. While theyve passed similar resolutions in prior years, this years resolution held special significance for one councilmember. Councilmember At-Large Olivia Hill, who is serving her first year in office, became the first openly transgender elected official in Tennessee last year. I dont know why Im so nervous, said Hill, who sponsored the resolution. Taking a deep breath, she shared her story. Anybody that knows me, five years ago, I was not very passable at all, she said. Ive come so far, and I want to recognize every single trans person in this county I stand with you. Councilmembers followed suit, expressing their support for the trans community and, more specifically, for Hill herself, whos been the subject of vicious attacks by people who really need to get a hobby. In his remarks, Councilmember Huffman spoke directly to that hateful group: If youve got a problem with someone who goes through this, he said, I suggest you just mind your business. Courtney Johnston Considers Challenging Andy Ogles in GOP Primary Potential Republican candidates cite Covenant shooting and the incumbents behavior in weighing 5th Congressional District bids Huffman says his deep-seated belief in the freedoms guaranteed by our Constitution compelled him to speak out. The thing that frustrates me the most about those that have an issue with transgender folks is that its typically the same people that preach individual liberty and individual rights," he says. "And they cant have it both ways." Individual liberty, says Huffman, should apply to everyone no exceptions, not even when you dont agree with it. Thats not how it works. Hill says that, while she was touched by her colleagues support, it is more remarkable to be a part of a body that recognizes humans for their values and talents, while not focusing on the gender that any of us happen to be. The resolution passed unanimously. Councilmember Jeff Eslick was conveniently absent at the time of the vote, though, having taken a walk the colloquial term for when a councilmember leaves the floor to avoid having to vote on a piece of legislation. Apparently Eslick doesnt quite have the courage of his convictions that it would take to vote no. By contrast, Councilmember Courtney Johnston, whos currently mulling a Republican primary challenge to Congressman Andy Ogles, stayed and voted in favor of the resolution a vote that could conceivably be used against her in a culture-war-heavy political environment. I vehemently disagree with most everything Johnston believes, but I have to give credit where credit is due. Its easy to take a walk. Johnston stayed put. On Wednesday (20 March 2024), the independent group of experts appointed to support NATOs reflection on its southern neighbourhood presented their final report to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. The group also engaged with the North Atlantic Council and briefed Permanent Representatives on their key findings. The report proposes concrete recommendations to shape NATOs approach to its southern neighbourhood particularly the Middle East, North Africa and Sahel regions. The presentation of this final report completes the work of the expert group, which had been asked by the NATO Secretary General to take stock of evolving developments in NATOs southern neighbourhood and identify concrete recommendations to shape the Alliances future approach. In their engagement with the Secretary General and the North Atlantic Council, the group discussed current challenges in the region and opportunities for further cooperation with partner nations, international organisations and other relevant actors. The group, established in early October 2023, was composed of eleven experts and engaged with senior Allied civilian and military staff, NATO partners in the southern neighbourhood, as well as experts from academia and civil society. Allied Foreign Ministers will provide feedback on the groups final report during their April 2024 meeting, after which the Secretary General will present concrete proposals to Allies. The aim is to agree a set of measures to strengthen NATOs approach to its southern neighbourhood in time for the NATO Summit in Washington in July. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed the Prime Minister of Slovenia Robert Golob to NATO Headquarters on Thursday (21 March 2024). Mr Stoltenberg thanked Slovenia for its steadfast commitment to the Alliance, as it marks 20 years of NATO membership. The Secretary General highlighted Slovenias contributions to security in the Western Balkans, a region of strategic importance to the Alliance, including through the critical role Slovenia plays in ensuring that KFOR continues to fulfil its UN mandate. Addressing Russias war against Ukraine, Mr Stoltenberg reiterated that: Ukraine needs even more support, and they need it now. He also welcomed Slovenias provision of humanitarian and security assistance and hosting Ukrainian refugees. On 20-21 March 2024, the Chair of the NATO Military Committee, Admiral Rob Bauer was in Kyiv, where he met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, Olha Stefanishyna, Foreign Affairs Minister Dmytro Kuleba, Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, and Ukrainian Chief of Defence, General Oleksandr Syrskyi. This is the first NATO military delegation to visit Ukraine since the full-scale invasion. During his visit, Admiral Bauer addressed the Kyiv Security Forum. Meeting President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Admiral Bauer commended him for his unwavering leadership during the last two years, and for his unrelenting determination to fight for democracy. Today is the 756th day of what the Russian leadership thought would be a 3-day war. In the darkness of war, you are a beacon of light that shows the world what it means to fight for what you believe in. Your strength and resilience - your - have astounded the world, he noted. In his keynote address to the Kyiv Security Forum, Admiral Bauer highlighted that the war in Ukraine is not about any physical threat posed by either Ukraine or NATO. This war is about the most powerful weapon on earth: democracy. That is what President Putin fears the most. If people in Ukraine can have democratic rights real democratic rights then people in Russia will soon crave them too, underscored the Chair. He praised the courage and strength of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, you have fundamentally changed many aspects of modern warfare. In his meetings with Foreign Affairs Minister Dmytro Kuleba, Defence Minister Rustem Umerov and Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, Olha Stefanishyna, Admiral Bauer discussed the current security environment and the ongoing support and training provided by NATO Allies and Partners. Discussions with General Oleksandr Syrskyi focussed on the situation on the battlefield, progress made by the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the need for more arms, ammunition, capabilities and equipment. In a meeting with members of the Verkhovna Rada, the Ukrainian Parliament, Admiral Bauer stated that NATO and Ukraine are growing closer every day, growing ever more interoperable. During his visit to the National Defence University, Admiral Bauer met with Ukrainian military personnel and members of the faculty. In an informal setting, the Chair took time to answer the questions posed by audience members on NATO, its military cooperation with Ukraine and other related topics. Admiral Bauer laid a wreath at the Memorial Wall in Kyiv, in honour of all Ukrainian soldiers who have been valiantly defending their homeland, and for those who have paid the ultimate price in the name of democracy and sovereignty. The Chair then toured an open-air exhibit that displays the wreckage of Russian military equipment captured and destroyed during the initial onslaught of Russias invasion of Ukraine. (As delivered) Prime Minister Golob, Dear Robert, Welcome to NATO Headquarters. Its great to see you again. We just finished a very productive meeting addressing a wide range of issues related to our shared security. This month we mark the 20th anniversary of Slovenias accession to NATO. NATOs open door has helped to spread freedom and democracy throughout Europe. And for two decades, you have stood with Allies, united and fully committed to our collective security. So I commend you for your many contributions to NATOs collective defence and to our shared security. You are supporting NATOs peacekeeping mission in Kosovo. You have deployed troops to our battlegroups in Latvia and Slovakia. And Slovenia, as a non-permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, you are showing your leadership in support of global peace and security. At this critical time, we all need to invest more in our security. So I welcome the steps Slovenia has taken to increase defence spending. As Slovenia stands with NATO, NATO stands with Slovenia. Italian and Hungarian jets guard your skies. And NATO Allies sent urgent aid to help Slovenia after last years floods, helping save lives. Today in our meeting, we addressed Russias war against Ukraine. Despite major losses, President Putin has not given up his war aims. The situation on the battlefield remains very difficult. Ukraine is running out of ammunition. So Ukraine needs even more support. And they need it now. I welcome the contributions that Slovenia has already made. Including humanitarian and security assistance. And welcoming Ukrainian refugees. Today, we also discussed the situation in the Western Balkans. A region of strategic importance in our shared European neighbourhood, and of strategic importance for NATO. Last years outbreaks of violence in Kosovo were unacceptable. And NATO responded swiftly, deploying 1,000 extra troops. We are committed to ensuring that KFOR continues to fulfil its UN mandate. We also spoke about Bosnia-Herzegovina. NATO strongly supports the countrys territorial integrity and sovereignty. All political leaders must work to preserve unity. Separatist rhetoric is irresponsible and dangerous. Finally, we also discussed the preparations for the NATO Summit in July. In Washington, we will take further steps to resource our defence plans, bolster our support to Ukraine, and deepen our partnerships around the world. So Prime Minister, Thank you again for our excellent cooperation, For your strong personal commitment to our transatlantic Alliance. So please, now you have the floor. NATO Spokesperson, Farah Dakhlallah: Thank you, we have some time for questions. We'll start with Slovenian Public Radio and TV. Over to you. Igor Juric (RTV): Hi, Secretary General, Igor Juric, Slovenian national television and radio. You already mentioned some things about this last 20 years since Slovenia joined NATO with some, with six other countries. Maybe could you elaborate a little bit more what, what Slovenia brought and all the other countries also to NATO in these last 20 years? And also the question how do you see the fact that Slovenia is still far away from the 2% of GDP for defence expenditures? And the question for the Prime Minister when will Slovenia reach this goal of 2% of the GDP? And maybe the last question for you, so Prime Minister why it took so much time for you or actually two years to come to visit NATO for the first time during your mandate? NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg: Slovenia has been a highly valued and important NATO Ally now for two decades and we continue to appreciate very much the contributions that Slovenia is making to our collective defence, to our shared security. The fact that Slovenia contributes to NATO's battlegroups, both in Slovakia and in Latvia, demonstrates that Slovenia is not only an Ally that addresses the challenges in the immediate neighbourhood but also look at the broader picture. Then, it is of course important to what Slovenia has done and continues to do. Related to how to ensure stability in the Western Balkans, both in Bosnia and Herzegovina, but also in Kosovo. And Slovenia has for many years contributed her troops, forces to our peacekeeping mission in Kosovo, and I welcome the announcement from Prime Minister Golob to be ready to further increase the Slovenian contributions to our KFOR mission. These are important examples of how Slovenia is actually making a difference. Then, of course, now when Slovenia is a member of the UN Security Council, Slovenia plays an even more important role, because when Slovenia speaks we listen to them in NATO but actually Slovenia is now a voice inside the UN Security Council. I also believe that Slovenia has played an important role just by demonstrating back then 20 years ago that NATOs door is open. It was not obvious after the end of Cold War that NATO was going to enlarge. But when the Cold War ended back in the beginning of the 1990s we were 16 members of the Alliance today with Slovenia and many others. We are 32 twice as many. And Slovenia has been part of this big success story of NATO enlargement, NATO enlargement of the European Union demonstrating that we actually are able to work together. It has helped to spread democracy and stability and freedom across Europe and Slovenia has been an important part of that big development. So we are extremely grateful to have Slovenia as a staunch Ally. I appreciate to work with Prime Minister Golob and maybe this is his first time at NATO headquarters, but we have met several times at different locations and we met at the NATO summit. So it's not the first time we both participate together in NATO meetings, but the first time here at the NATO headquarters, then just briefly, I welcome I have been Prime Minister for 10 years. I understand that it's hard to find more money for defence because there are so many other demands on education, on infrastructure, on health and many other things. But Allies, they reduced defence spending when tensions went down after the end of the Cold War, then we have to be able to increase defence spending when tensions are going up as they are now with a full-fledged war in Europe. And I welcome the fact that Slovenia has started to increase defence spending and I welcome also the commitment to be at two percent so of course, the sooner the better. But we welcome increase and we welcome the commitment. Prime Minister of Slovenia, Robert Golob: At the moment, our commitment to get to 2% is planned for the 20 and 30. That may change in the future but that's what it is at the moment but the fact is that in the last three years, we increased by 70 percent our investment in military equipment and I think that's really shows our total readiness to fulfil our commitments, because it's not just about spending more money. It's about where do we spend it for and we do invest in military equipment. And all of that is of course, in the line of capability building within our NATO commitments as well. Regarding our meetings as Secretary General already said, there were many occasions before, so coming here, it's symbolic in a way. But nevertheless, it just one of the meetings that we've had in the past, and I'm pretty sure that not the most important but it's the most visible. Yes. NATO Spokesperson, Farah Dakhlallah: Thank you, we'll go over to Peter from DELO if that's okay. Slovenian national daily newspaper. Peter Zerjavic (DELO Newspaper): Thank you Peter Zerjavic, Slovenian daily newspaper. The Secretary General, Mr. Prime Minister, the NATO annual report last week has shown that the public support for the Alliance in Slovenia is very low is besides the Montenegrin special case is the lowest where do you see a reason for this. And also public support for defence spending is also very low among the lowest. Don't you think that such a situation in the public could hinder planned defence spending in Slovenia. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg: Was that to me or to him? Okay, well I don't have the numbers in front of me in the annual report, but of course, it varies the support for NATO but in all Allies, including in Slovenia, there is a big majority for NATO. There is a big majority for increased defence spending. And especially if you take into account that the way we present the numbers there, it's support for NATO, then it's the undecided and then those who are against and if you just compare those are in favour against those who are against there is a majority, a clear majority also in Slovenia. Of course I would like to see even greater. That's obvious, but the reality is that we are 32 democracies, and we have open discussions. We have open debates and there will always be different opinions. That's part of being democracies, but Slovenia and NATO Allies have demonstrated again and again that despite some differences, some disagreements, we are always, we're always been able to unite around our core task to protect and defend each other, to invest more when necessary. And that's exactly what Slovenia is doing. Prime Minister of Slovenia, Robert Golob: I believe that the support is still quite strong. All the polls are relative in a way to make the light, make a light joke out of it. When our government is going to get that much support. We'll be really happy about that. So I would not want to put too much emphasise on that. There are many reasons why the support could be oscillating. Absolutely, the spill over of the propaganda from other Western Balkans country also out of Russia, it doesn't help to strengthen to support within Slovenia. But nevertheless, as I said, the government is committed and I think the support among the population is still strong enough not to be worried about that. When it comes to defence spending, it's not about we've been able or being committed to spend, is more about what we are capable of doing and as we're all aware, last year, we had really devastating floods, which we immediately informed not just our EU friends, but also our NATO Allies. And we were grateful to NATO to put some equipment immediately on the ground to assist in the floods relief. First and we also informed NATO that we will have to revise in the medium term, our plans for the military spending and that was also accepted with understanding. NATO Spokesperson, Farah Dakhlallah: Thank you. We'll have one final question for the Slovenian press agency. Over to you, Blaz. Blaz Mohorcic (Slovenian Press Agency): Thank you Blaz Mohorcic from the Slovenian press agency. It's quite a follow up to the colleagues question for the Secretary General on the spending, on this, could you please elaborate how do you assess this plan to increase until, only until 2030? Because since last summit, the 2% is floor and not the ceiling anymore? And for the Prime Minister, could you please elaborate a bit on the, on your remarks that Slovenia will increase the number of soldiers on Kosovo in KFOR what are the concrete plans? And also do you support Mr Rutte for the next Secretary General? Thank you. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg: We made the pledge back in 2014 to move towards spending 2% of GDP on defence. Since then, all Allies also Slovenia has started to increase defence spending and as the prime minister just refer to, there has been over the last year, significantly, significant increase in Slovenia when it comes to more investments in defence, which is of course in key importance to acquire new defence capabilities. Then, of course, I would like to see Slovenia at 2% as soon as possible, I welcome the increase we have seen and I welcome that there is a plan to be at 2% and I hope it will be possible to push that plan forward. Because we live in a more dangerous world and therefore we need to invest more in our collective defence. Prime Minister of Slovenia, Robert Golob: Regarding the first question, there were, there are no concrete steps being decided yet. But what we express today is our willingness to contribute more, especially when it comes to the stability of the Western Balkans region. KFOR is just, I would say the most important and successful story of cooperation within the NATO, NATO itself regarding how to stabilise the region. And Slovenia in the past has a very important role. Then throughout the year, years, we somehow reduced our contribution but we are willing to do more if the need arises. And as it looks, yes, that may be the case in the next month, but it's something to be still discussed and decided upon. When it comes to the new Secretary General, the fact is that a month ago proximately. We expressed our support for Mark Rutte. The fact is that at that time, Mr. Rutte was the only candidate so obviously we had no qualms about expressing support, just a couple of weeks ago, then. Klaus Iohannis also presented his candidacy. We took it very seriously. Especially some of the, his points regarding the regionality of the positions and so forth. And we are still looking into it, meaning that now since there are two candidates, we will take both seriously. We are not saying that we are revising our decision yet but we are looking into the both, at the end of the day is going to, it will have to be unanimous the decision. And of course, Slovenia will do its best to promote the candidate who will get most votes as well. At the moment that looks to be Mark Rutte. But I would say we will have to wait for a couple of more weeks in order to be decisive on that. NATO Spokesperson, Farah Dakhlallah: Thank you, Secretary General. Thank you, Prime Minister. That's it for today. Thank you (As delivered) Mr Yatsenyuk, dear Arseniy, Your Excellencies, Dear Ukrainian friends and colleagues, After these inspiring words from the NATO Secretary General, it is my distinct honour to address you here in Kyiv. I am grateful for the opportunity to travel to Ukraine in person and to meet with your political and military leadership. It allows me to express my deep respect for the courage and strength you have displayed, both on and off the battlefield. My visit the first NATO military delegation to visit Ukraine since the large-scale invasion is testament to the fact that NATO and Ukraine are closer than they have ever been. With every day that passes, we become closer. More interoperable. More intertwined. Together, we are putting everything into place to make Ukraine a member of our Alliance. The Swedish flag will not be the only blue and yellow flag at the NATO headquarters. Why? Because we all believe in the power of democracy. That is what is at stake here. Russias war against Ukraine has never been about any real security threat coming from either Ukraine or NATO. This war is about President Putin fearing something much more powerful than any physical weapon on earth: democracy. If people in Ukraine can have democratic rights real democratic rights then people in Russia will soon crave them too. That is what this war is actually about. In 2024, more than 2 billion people on earth will cast their vote in a democratic election and yet the concept of democracy needs to be defended more than ever. Real democracy is about choice. It is about making sure that those in power are held accountable. And about having the freedom to determine the direction you think your country should take. Real democracy can only exist under the rule of law that applies to all. In Russia there is no choice, only force. And the rule of law is a facade. A piece of theatre the leadership put on, to fool people into thinking they were playing along. With the illegal annexation of Crimea, they already showed their blatant disregard for the rules-based international order. And then, on the 24th of February 2022, the Russian leadership fully pulled down their mask and showed the world who they really are. Russia is desperately attempting to portray an image of strength. And yet, they have displayed only weakness. There is no amount of propaganda that can cover up the coffins that fly back to the Russian Federation. There is no amount of propaganda that can answer the questions of the families of the deceased soldiers. And there is no amount of propaganda that can conceal the truth that President Putin has not achieved any of his strategic objectives. And how can he? The Russian forces have no idea what they are fighting for You do. You are fighting for civilization itself. The Ukrainian people and the Ukrainian Armed Forces are doing this in a way we have never seen before. You have fundamentally changed many aspects of modern warfare. Confronted with a combination of World War One trenches and artillery barrages and 21st century drone warfare and artificial intelligence, you have quickly adapted and fought back. You are pioneering with innovation, using combinations of Soviet style equipment with modern Western materiel. Ladies and Gentlemen, Ukraine has suffered unimaginable sufferings. Has endured the unendurable. Has lost people and things that can never be replaced. And yet to describe you as a victim would not do justice to your immeasurable strength. It would not do justice to the successes you have achieved on the battlefield. To the historic resilience your whole society has shown. Despite all its sufferings, despite all the destruction, Ukraine remains a sovereign state. You are incredibly strong. The world sees it. Russia knows it. This is by no means an easy fight. You dont need me to tell you that. But while the world may have been overly optimistic in 2023, we should not make the same mistake by becoming overly pessimistic in 2024. Pessimists dont win wars. And if you look at the facts: there is every reason to be confident in Ukraines ability to achieve success. Last night, 31 missiles were fired at this beautiful city. Each and every one of these missiles was intercepted by the Ukrainian Armed Forces. There is nothing you cannot do. The only thing you need is our help. NATO Allies, and many other nations around the world, are providing unprecedented support to Ukraine and it has made a real difference. But Ukraine needs even more support. And you need it now. Time in Ukraine is not measured in days, weeks or months. It is measured in human lives. In Allied nations, a week is a week. In Ukraine, a week is a motherfather child friend lover lost forever. Just as the Secretary General has said: all Allies need to dig deep and deliver quickly. At the Munich Security Conference, President Zelenskyy rightly told the audience: Dont ask Ukraine when the war will end, ask yourself why Putin is able to continue it. It would be a grave, historic mistake to allow President Putin to prevail. This would be dangerous for us all. Because the outcome of this war will shape the fate of the world. Ladies and Gentlemen, Today is the 756th day of what the Russian leadership thought would be a 3-day war. I will never be able to comprehend how heavy each of those days has felt. In the darkness of war, you are a beacon of light that shows the world what it means to fight for what you believe in. You have done so in the Revolution of Dignity. And you continue to do so in this brutal war of aggression. Your strength and resilience - your - have astounded the world. You are proving that democracy is worth fighting for. It is not a perfect system. Nor is it self-sustainable. Even in countries where it has existed for centuries. But it is worth risking your life for. Because without choice, without freedom, what is there? How can we ever build a safe, prosperous world for our children in a system of brutal tyranny? In Russia we see a regime that murders their opponents oppresses its citizens uses their own soldiers as cannon fodder, not bothering to pick up the corpses and kidnaps Ukrainian children to force them to fight against their own people Compare that to the Ukrainian leadership, that is not only bravely resisting aggression, but at the same time is doing everything they can to eliminate corruption and strengthen their democratic institutions. A legitimate government that demonstrates grace under unimaginable pressure. That cares deeply about each human life. That is willing to put the long-term interest of the country before any short-term personal or political interest. A government that chooses the we over the me. That is inspirational leadership That is what strength looks like. That is what democracy is about. Ladies and Gentlemen, President Putin made two strategic mistakes: he underestimated Ukraines determination and he underestimated NATOs unity. With our help, Ukraine can and will prevail. From the bottom of my heart, I say: . You are not alone. NATO stands with you. Democracy will triumph over autocracy. Freedom will triumph over oppression. Light will triumph over darkness. Slava Ukraini. New evidence shows the CIA has turned on the American people The CIAs job isnt to turn its intelligence apparatus against Americans, but shockingly, thats exactly what seems to be happening. Lets rewind a bit. The January 6th rally was meant to be a pivotal moment, a gathering of Americans who felt robbed of their vote united in their demand for thorough election scrutiny. They werent asking for muchjust for their voices to be heard and the 2020 election mess to be properly investigated. President Trump, anticipating the massive turnout, tried to call in the National Guard for safety. But, curiously, his requests were denied. Liz Cheney reportedly hid evidence of Trumps attempts to get additional security. (Article republished from Revolver.news) The Federalist: Former Rep. Liz Cheneys January 6 Committee suppressed evidence that President Donald Trump pushed for 10,000 National Guard troops to protect the nations capital, a previously hidden transcript obtained by The Federalist shows. Cheney and her committee falsely claimed they had no evidence to support Trump officials claims the White House had communicated its desire for 10,000 National Guard troops. In fact, an early transcribed interview conducted by the committee included precisely that evidence from a key source. The interview, which Cheney attended and personally participated in, was suppressed from public release until now. Deputy Chief of Staff Anthony Ornatos first transcribed interview with the committee was conducted on January 28, 2022. In it, he told Cheney and her investigators that he overheard White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows push Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser to request as many National Guard troops as she needed to protect the city. He also testified President Trump had suggested 10,000 would be needed to keep the peace at the public rallies and protests scheduled for January 6, 2021. Ornato also described White House frustration with Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Millers slow deployment of assistance on the afternoon of January 6, 2021. Not only did the committee not accurately characterize the interview, they suppressed the transcript from public review. On top of that, committee allies began publishing critical stories and even conspiracy theories about Ornato ahead of follow-up interviews with him. Ornato was a career Secret Service official who had been detailed to the security position in the White House. Cheney frequently points skeptics of her investigation to the Government Publishing Office website that posted, she said, transcripts, documents, exhibits & our meticulously sourced 800+ page final report. That website provides supporting documents to the claims made by Cheney and fellow anti-Trump enthusiasts. So, why would they do all this? Well, some think the Deep State saw a perfect chance to corner President Trump and his supporters, leveraging the massive crowd and their election frustration to stage what would later be labeled an insurrection. And thats where the FBI and, shockingly, the CIA step in. Now you know why they were claiming insurrection on J6. Well, capital police had orders to open gates, unlock doors, and invite everyone in. It was staged and scripted all the way. Engaging in an insurrection is the only thing that would keep Trump off the ballot. Trump didn't. pic.twitter.com/Z1rlAHSotq Dr Jeffrey Cole (@JeffreyCole26) December 31, 2023 New revelations from text messages have blown the lid off: the CIA was not just observing but actively involved in the chaos of January 6th, and now we know more about what these shadowy government agencies were up to, thanks to a lawsuit by Judicial Watch. Judicial Watch just got their hands on 88 pages of juicy ATF documents from the DOJ, and guess what they found? The CIA actually had boots on the ground in Washington, DC, on January 6, 2021. How did Judicial Watch snag these records, you may be wondering? Well, no surprise, they had to drag the DOJ to court after a stone-cold silence on a FOIA request about gunfire in the Capitol and calls for ATF backup on that day. These striking records show that CIA resources were deployed in reaction to the January 6 disturbance, says Tom Fitton, president of Judicial Watch. BREAKING: Judicial Watch received 88 pages of ATF records from the DOJ in a lawsuit that show the CIA deployed personnel to Washington, DC, on January 6, 2021 (1/3). https://t.co/1gnVt0QVcG Judicial Watch ?? (@JudicialWatch) March 13, 2024 The CIA had dog teams on the ground that day. Washington Examiner: Newly unearthed communications records show for the first time that the CIA played limited but key roles during the Jan. 6 Capitol riots. Some 88 pages of documents that Judicial Watch shared with Secrets reveal the spy agency put several dog teams on alert near the Capitol and that it assigned bomb techs to the House side neighborhood where explosive devices were found at Republican National Committee and Democratic National Committee headquarters. The revelations were in heavily redacted documents provided to Judicial Watch, which had sued under the Freedom of Information Act for intelligence communications on Jan. 6, 2021, when pro-Trump supporters went to the Capitol to urge an end to the certification of President Joe Bidens victory, some violently. While virtually all federal and city police had some involvement in dispatching the crowds that day, the CIA has remained in the background. Day by day, its becoming clearer: the Capitol was swarming with FEDs from every US intelligence agency. It was an extensive operation, all aimed at entrapping Donald Trump. Both the protesters and Trump himself were set up. But as the old saying goes, the truth has a way of leaking out. Read more at: Revolver.news Hezbollah chief to Israel: You have lost the war Hezbollahs Secretary-General, Hassan Nasrallah , said in a speech on 13 March that Israel has lost the war in Gaza, even if it proceeds with plans to launch a deadly assault on the southernmost city of Rafah, which Tel Aviv claims is the key to its victory. (Article republished from TheCradle.co) Even if you reach Rafah, you will lose the war." Sayyed Nasrallah. Eliminating Hamas or the resistance is impossible. One of the signs of failure is that israel is negotiating with Hamas, said Sayyed Nasrallah. Sayyed Nasrallah stated: Today, all Palestinian factions demand pic.twitter.com/x8Nii5oBMh Arya - ???? ?? (@AryJeay) March 13, 2024 Nasrallah praised the patience of the Palestinian people in Gaza, calling it miraculous. He also praised the outcome of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood and its strategic achievements. Today, on the sixth month, Netanyahu says, If we do not go to Rafah, we have lost. And I say to him, even if you go to Rafah, you have lost this war. After six months of fighting, you have not been able to provide even an image of victory, the resistance leader said. He added that despite all the massacres and difficult conditions, the people of Gaza still support the resistance. What is the first and biggest goal Israel announced at the start of this war? The defeat of Hamas. Today, we are in the sixth month. Who is it negotiating with? Hamas, Nasrallah went on to say. Nasrallah added that Hamas is negotiating from a position of victory, praising it for imposing and standing by its terms. He also condemned western deception around the ongoing truce efforts, which he said Washington has lied about it by saying that the ball is in Hamas court. Recent truce efforts have stalled due to Israels refusal of the terms of the Palestinian resistance, which demands an immediate end to the war, a permanent ceasefire, and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip. Concerning Lebanon, Nasrallah confirmed that the Lebanese front will remain in a position of support alongside the resistance, the people of Gaza, and the leadership of Hamas, whatever the time. Since 8 October, Hezbollah has been launching daily operations against Israeli sites in support of the resistance in Gaza. ??WATCH: Hezbollah published a video showing the operation that targeted the Jal al-Alam and Metulla IOF army sites. pic.twitter.com/3704U2XXWr Arya - ???? ?? (@AryJeay) March 3, 2024 Israel has continued to escalate attacks on civilians in southern and eastern Lebanon, prompting Hezbollah to widen its target range. In response to recent attacks on eastern Lebanons Beqaa region and continuous indiscriminate bombardment of the south, Hezbollah has struck several strategic Israeli sites in the occupied Golan Heights and Galilee. Western-led efforts to de-escalate the southern front have failed, as Hezbollah continues to stand by its position that it will not stop fighting until the war in Gaza is brought to an end. Israel has been threatening to widen the war against Lebanon as a result. Nasrallah responded to criticism, claiming that the Lebanese resistances operations have not helped Gaza or affected Israel. 100,000 Zionist soldiers are deployed near the Lebanon border to prevent the resistance from invading occupied Palestine, he said, adding that Israel is suffering heavy losses. Israel does not have enough soldiers to wage a war on Lebanon, he said, repeating the recent comments made by former Israeli prime minister Yair Lapid. Nasrallah also referred to the crisis of ultra-orthodox military service, which is a sign of impending collapse for Israel. Further patience will lead the Axis of Resistance to achieve a major victory, he said, highlighting Zionist military, economic, and political exhaustion. Around 200,000 Israelis have been forced to flee their settlements in the north of Israel, creating what Hebrew media has referred to as a buffer zone imposed by Hezbollah upon the occupied Galilee. Whoever wants to evaluate what the resistance is doing on our front must see that the resistance deters the enemy from waging a war on Lebanon. Read more at: TheCradle.co Indian people are starving, but the government wants to use food as fuel instead of feeding the masses India has set some ambitious environmental goals, seeking to reach net zero emissions by the year 2070. As part of that pursuit, they are aiming to phase out fossil fuels and raise their use of biofuels. However, concerns are growing that the shift toward ethanol blending could put the nation's food supply in jeopardy. The country had originally set a target for reaching 20% ethanol blending for 2030, but they recently pushed it forward to 2025. The ethanol they use for fuel is derived as a byproduct during the process of obtaining sugar from sugarcane. Right now, a tenth of the petrol in India is biofuel blended with ethanol from sugarcane, and the practice of ethanol blending has risen eightfold during the last decade. India currently relies on imports to meet its energy needs, importing roughly 80% of its oil requirements, while fossil fuels make up 75% of the countrys energy demand. They believe that ethanol blending is a good way to reduce their dependence on oil imports and save money in the process. Public sector oil marketing companies in the country reportedly saved more than 5 billion liters of petrol thanks to the practice of ethanol blending during Ethanol Supply Year 2022-2023. This amounted to nearly $3 billion in savings on foreign exchange. But while some politicians maintain that ethanol is an eco-friendly and renewable approach that holds a lot of promise, it is important not to overlook the fact that sourcing ethanol from foods such as rice, sugar and corn is not the smartest move in a country that ranked 111th out of 123 countries in the 2023 Global Hunger Index. They were given a score of 28, which means that hunger in the country is serious. Moreover, official statistics indicate that more than 3.3 million children were malnourished in India in 2021. 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. In 2021, 78,000 tons of rice from the Food Corporation of India stocks were allocated to distilleries for the production of ethanol at subsidized rates by the Indian government. This stock could have been used to feed hungry people instead. Food policy analyst and agriculture expert Devinder Sharma questioned the wisdom of this approach given Indias food security problem. He said: Divesting food grain for biofuels is a flawed concept. We are being driven by commercial interest which will create unfair competition between people and automobiles. As a country that lags behind on GHI I cannot understand how policymakers could even think of diverting food grain for ethanol production. He suggests a smarter alternative would be biomass waste, which will otherwise contribute to air pollution problems in northern India. Punjab alone produces over 20 million tons of rice stubble every year which can be used for biofuel production, along with corn stubble. Stubble burning is a big problem in winters so why not use this resource for producing biofuels, he pointed out. Ethanol blending is not as eco-friendly as it appears Even if there was plenty of food to go around in India, ethanol blending still wouldn't be a sustainable approach because of drought. Around 2,000 liters of water are needed to produce just one kilogram of sugar, and water scarcity is already a problem in many areas of India, such as Maharashtra, which is experiencing acute water scarcity. Not only does sugarcane cultivation require a significant amount of water, but it also occupies a lot of land that could be used for food crops. It's also worth noting that the calculations that point to ethanol-based biofuels having lower emissions than conventional fuels generally overlook the emissions associated with the production of ethanol. In fact, studies have shown that the carbon intensity of ethanol may be 20% higher than that of petrol as a result of the emissions tied to land-use changes, ecosystem damage and increased fertilizer use. Sources for this article include: RT.com DownToEarth.org Macron, who already has no credibility, warns a Russian victory will reduce Europes credibility to ZERO French President Emmanuel Macron has warned that a Russian victory in Ukraine will reduce Europe's credibility to zero. Speaking on French television to clarify his stance on supporting Ukraine, Macron addressed concerns raised by European leaders last month regarding his remarks suggesting the potential deployment of Western ground troops. While ground forces are not currently under consideration, Macron said Europe must keep all options open in case the conflict escalates. He stressed that any decision to deploy troops would be in response to Moscow's actions, as France is not inclined to initiate an offensive into Ukraine. (Related: Russia destroys Ukrainian Patriot air defense missile launchers.) However, he emphasized the importance of maintaining strength in the face of aggression, asserting that weakness must not be tolerated for the sake of peace. Expressing grave concerns about the implications of a Russian victory, Macron highlighted the existential threat posed by the conflict to Europe and France. He warned that Moldova, Romania and Poland could face immediate threats if Ukraine were to lose the war, with dire consequences for the entire continent. Macron criticized those advocating for limits on support to Ukraine, arguing that such constraints only lead to defeat. He emphasized the need for unwavering solidarity with Ukraine and denounced any suggestion of capitulation. While Macron acknowledged the necessity of future negotiations for peace, he made it clear that peace does not equate to surrendering Ukraine's sovereignty. He referenced Winston Churchill's famous phrase about the "sinews of peace," emphasizing the need for resilience and determination in the face of aggression. 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. Regarding France's stance on the conflict, Macron affirmed that all options are on the table to support Ukraine. He assured that France would be prepared to prevent a Russian victory should the situation deteriorate further, but reiterated that France would not initiate offensive actions. Macron's comments come amidst discussions with European leaders, including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, aimed at coordinating a unified response to the crisis. While Macron's remarks sparked debate and criticism, French officials sought to clarify the government's position, emphasizing the importance of sending a strong message to Russia. What could happen if Russia wins Could a "battered yet triumphant" Russian military soon pose a significant threat to NATO's borders, marking a pivotal shift in global security dynamics? This scenario is not far-fetched, according to a prominent think tank, which warns of potential repercussions if the United States and Europe were to curtail military aid to Ukraine. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW), headquartered in Washington DC, has explored the potential ramifications of reduced aid to Ukraine. In their recent report titled "The High Price of Losing Ukraine," ISW analysts paint a concerning picture. They suggest that without robust Western assistance, a Russian conquest of Ukraine could become a tangible possibility. Highlighting the significant stake the U.S. holds in the conflict, the report warns of dire consequences if military support were withdrawn. It notes that Ukraine, with Western backing, has inflicted substantial damage on the Russian army since the invasion in February 2022. However, Russia has swiftly replenished its forces and is bolstering its industrial capacity to replace material losses. Should Russia emerge victorious in the Ukraine war, the ISW predicts a battle-hardened and enlarged Russian military. With a gradually recovering economy and strengthened military capabilities, Russia could pose a substantial conventional threat to NATO. Moreover, the deployment of advanced air defense systems could complicate matters further, potentially undermining NATO's deterrence efforts against other adversaries like China. As Western nations grapple with internal political dynamics and wavering commitments, the prospect of a resurgent Russian military looms large, posing unprecedented challenges to regional and global security. Russia is ready for a nuclear war. Watch this report. This video is from the Vampire Slayer channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Russia considering "retaliatory action" after Sweden joins NATO. Russia accuses Ukraine of using American-made chemical weapons. Russia making progress toward goal of MASS PRODUCING combat drones to rival Ukraine's Western-supplied drone fleet. Sources include: DailyMail.co.uk News.sky.com Brighteon.com One of Mexicos most dangerous cartels is using artificial intelligence to expand its operations One of the most dangerous drug cartels in Mexico is believed to be using artificial intelligence to expand its criminal empire. In a new report, Interpol has named the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) as one of many organized crime groups harnessing AI to expand their illicit operations. According to Interpol, the CJNG and other organized crime groups are pulling off "more sophisticated and professional fraud campaigns" using AI, large language models and cryptocurrencies. Interpol's Global Financial Fraud Assessment report also found that human trafficking is being expanded across the globe "for the purpose of forced criminality in call centers." Trafficked people are used to conduct so-called "pig butchering" investment scams with crypto. (Related: Texas liberates island near U.S.-Mexico border occupied by criminal cartels.) The report said "there is emerging evidence" of the CJNG and other Central and South American crime groups, such as Brazil's Red Command and First Capital Command, moving into "the commission of financial fraud." "The most common types of fraud across the Americas are impersonation, romance, tech support, advance payment and telecom frauds," reads the report. "Human trafficking-fuelled fraud continues to be a growing crime phenomenon. The Interpol coordinated operation, Operation Turquesa V, revealed that hundreds of victims were trafficked out of the region after being lured via messaging apps and social media platforms and coerced to commit fraud, including investments fraud and 'pig butchering,'" continued the report. 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. Pig butchering is a complicated scam that gets people lured into making lucrative investments into cryptocurrency. But these investments are fake, and once victims send enough funds, the scammers disappear. "We are facing an epidemic in the growth of financial fraud, leading to individuals, often vulnerable people, and companies being defrauded on a massive and global scale," warned Interpol Secretary-General Jurgen Stock. "Changes in technology and the rapid increase in the scale and volume of organized crime has driven the creation of a range of new ways to defraud innocent people, businesses and even governments." "With the development of AI and cryptocurrencies, the situation is only going to get worse without urgent action," Stock added. Republicans calling for elimination of CJNG leaders Republican lawmakers have launched a legal initiative to put pressure on the Department of Defense to fight the CJNG of Mexico by targeting the cartel's leadership. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) introduced a bill in the Senate requiring regular briefings on efforts to capture or kill the leadership of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. If approved, the Pentagon would have to report to Congress every 90 days on its efforts in this regard, although the legislation does not imply that Defense Department would have to launch an operation to strike the cartel's leaders in Mexico. Mexican drug cartels continue to kill Americans at a rate higher than any terrorist group in history," said Cotton. "Even by the standards of drug cartels, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel is especially violent and poses a direct threat to the security of Americans in border states and beyond. Its past time that the Biden administration develops a strategy to hold these murderers accountable. In the United States, concern has been growing about Mexican cartels and the penetration of their illicit businesses on the American side of the border. The CJNG is known not only for the vastness of its resources and its weapons' power but also for its violence and cruelty, taken to even greater extremes as the group battles the Sinaloa Cartel for control of markets inside and outside of Mexico. "It is important that there are no safe havens for financial fraudsters to operate. We must close existing gaps and ensure information sharing between sectors and across borders is the norm, not the exception," said Stock. "We also need to encourage greater reporting of financial crime as well as invest in capacity building and training for law enforcement to develop a more effective and truly global response." Watch this short clip proving how dangerous CJNG is. This video is from the Piper's Place channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Mexico demands U.S. investigate how American military-grade weapons are being smuggled to drug cartels. Mexican drug cartels are behind surge in organized retail crime across the US. EXCLUSIVE: Mexican drug cartels to launch terror attacks inside U.S., warns federal intel. HOUSTON, WE HAVE A PROBLEM: 4 Mexican drug cartels are operating inside Colony Ridge migrant settlement. Mexico-based cartels gearing up to flood America with up to one million illegal aliens after Biden opens the border by dropping Title 42. Sources include: Dailystar.co.uk Finance.Yahoo.com English.ElPais.com Brighteon.com GOP Reps Mills and McClain airlift Tuesdays with Morrie author Mitch Albom away from imploding Haiti Phenomenal author Mitch Albom, known for his books "Tuesdays with Morrie" and "The Five People You Meet in Heaven," was among those who were recently rescued in the middle of violent gang upheavals in Haiti Florida Representative Cory Mills conducted an independent rescue mission in the Caribbean country with the help of Michigan Representative Lisa McClain. The Republican congressman and his team managed to bring ten Americans working at an orphanage in Port au Prince back home, including Albom. Albom said he and a group from Have Faith Haiti, an orphanage he runs in the nations capital, were evacuated after sheltering in place since a state of emergency was declared in the country this month. He has been involved with the Haitian orphanage for more than a decade, and visits for a week once a month, McClain said in an interview. "It was a helicopter effort and was pretty crazy," Albom said upon arriving back in the United States. "I want to thank Cory Mills and Lisa McClain, who were instrumental in making this happen as an independent effort. We were lucky to get out." I am back on American soil. Thank you to all have supported us during this difficult week. My wife and I are safe tonight. Many Americans, Canadians, and others who are still stuck are not. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/nzbQDWAGtI ????? ????? (@MitchAlbom) March 13, 2024 In the statement, Albom said saying goodbye to the children "was horribly difficult." "I had a responsibility to bring home eight wonderful volunteers who were working with us," he wrote. "But my wife's and my hearts ache for our kids still there." Mills reported the mission on X, formerly Twitter. "I am proud to report that my team and I were successful in evacuating and rescuing a trapped, and at risk group of Americans from 'Have Faith Orphanage' in Haiti last night," he said. "This recent mission," he added, "reiterates a disturbing reality that under President Biden's leadership American lives are continually jeopardized. I have conducted rescue/evacs of Americans multiple times when Joe Biden has deserted them. There's a clear pattern of abandonment!" He also noted that he has now conducted three independent rescue missions: one each in Afghanistan in 2021, Israel in 2023, and now Haiti in 2024. "Americans at home and abroad are more unsafe under Biden than ever before," he lamented. 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. Meanwhile, McClain extended her "deepest gratitude" to Mills and his team for ensuring the group got home safe. Her sentiments were echoed by many others, who commended Mills for his bravery. The U.S. State Department has had a do-not-travel advisory on Haiti since March 2020, but violence has escalated in recent weeks as gangs have banded together and terrorized the country, kidnapping and killing civilians and shutting down the airport. Neighboring countries are now rushing to create a transitional government and replace Haiti's Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who has agreed to step down. Biden to open Guantanamo Bay detention camp to Haitian migrants As gangs now control 80 percent of Haiti's capital, per United Nations estimates, more than 300,000 people have been displaced. As a result, the Biden administration is discussing use of Guantanamo Bay to process Haitian migrants if there is a mass exodus to the U.S. amid the worsening situation. The center in Cuba was used in 2010 when the U.S. military prepared the site in anticipation of Haitians fleeing the earthquake-stricken country, CNN reported. Migrants from Haiti would likely attempt to reach Florida by sea in a journey that can be perilous, and the U.S. is weighing plans to take those interdicted at sea and transport them to Guantanamo for processing and potential repatriation, the news outlet added. "We are clear-eyed that economic, political, and security instability are key drivers for migrants around the world," a National Security Council spokesperson said. (Related: DoD preparing for a 'mass migration' of Haitians into U.S.) "DHS is monitoring the situation in Haiti and coordinating closely with the State Department and international partners. At this time, irregular migration flows through the Caribbean remain low," the spokesperson said. "Those interdicted at sea are subject to immediate repatriation pursuant to our longstanding policy and procedures. The United States returns or repatriates migrants interdicted at sea to The Bahamas, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti." Haiti's government has been under a state of emergency since groups attacked the country's largest prison in Port-au-Prince earlier this month, killing and injuring police and prison staff and allowing some 3,500 inmates to escape. Biden's officials are bracing for a mass migration event at a time when key immigration agencies are low on funds. Last year, the White House asked Congress for around $14 billion in additional funds to secure the U.S.-Mexico border as part of a broader national security supplemental request. President Joe Biden has repeatedly implored lawmakers to pass the request but faced challenges in the Republican-controlled House because of strings tied to the bill. The request remains stalled in Congress. Sources for this article include: NYTimes.com ThePostMillennial.com Edition.CNN.com Expecting windfall from wave of cancer patients, Pfizer leases huge property in San Diego for research and development of cancer drugs The oncology division of pharmaceutical giant Pfizer has leased a huge property in San Diego as part of its efforts to redefine itself as a cancer-drug powerhouse. This comes amid a noticeable increase in the number of people receiving cancer treatment in recent years, particularly after the global rollout of Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines. (Related: Vaccine side effect? Swiss health insurer's data shows 73% increase in people receiving cancer treatment since 2020.) Bloomberg News reported that Pfizer agreed to a 15-year lease for 230,000 square feet at the Torrey View life sciences complex in Silicon Beach, citing a statement by developer Breakthrough Properties. The drug manufacturer will occupy two research and development buildings at the 10-acre campus, which is nearing completion. According to the statement, the property offers "high-quality lab infrastructure" along with a 400-person conference facility, ocean views and campus amenities such as a fitness center and pickleball court. "Torrey View is an ideal campus for innovation," Breakthrough Properties CEO Dan Belldegrun said in the March 15 statement. "Breakthrough is proud to support the Pfizer Oncology team as they continue to discover and develop next-generation therapies." The statement didn't disclose the financial terms of the lease. But based on data from CBRE Group Inc. on average asking rents in the area, the total for the 15-year deal would be about $290 million. According to CBRE, the Pfizer lease is more than double the size of any life-science deal in the San Diego area in 2023. That year, the largest single tenant was medical test kit maker Acon taking 97,162 square feet of real estate space. 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. The company added that San Diego is one of the largest centers for life-science research after Boston and the San Francisco Bay Area. However, demand for offices slowed down in 2023 as venture capital funding decreased. Pfizer's pivot away from Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) products and into cancer drugs comes at a crucial time. The New York-based drug firm has been trying to shore up investor sentiment after its shares fell more than 40 percent in 2023. This translated to an erasure of more than $100 billion in Pfizer's market value. Pfizer shifts to oncology drugs after COVID-19 According to CNBC, Pfizer is betting on cancer drugs to help it regain its footing after a rocky year marked by the rapid decline of its COVID-19 business. Its acquisition of cancer drug manufacturer Seagen for $43 billion proves that it is ready to move on from COVID-19. With the Seagen product line incorporated into Pfizer, the latter is ready to produce at least eight cancer drugs by 2030 and 60 different experimental drugs on the pipeline. (Related: NEVER FORGET: Pfizer RIGGED scientific studies, promoted off-label use of its epilepsy drug Neurontin to hit sales targets.) However, some analysts have noted that it might take a few years for some of Pfizer's cancer drugs in mid-stage development to show pivotal clinical trial data and become less risky. But it's not just drugs in the works; Pfizer's existing oncology portfolio is also facing some competitive pressure. Revenue from the blockbuster breast cancer drug Ibrance and prostate cancer treatment Xtandi, which Pfizer shares with Astellas Pharma, has declined over the past year. Both drugs are expected to lose market exclusivity in 2027. Aside from this, Pfizer disappointed Wall Street last year with the underwhelming launch of a new RSV shot, a twice-daily weight loss pill that fell short in clinical trials and a 2024 forecast that missed expectations. The company has launched a $4 billion cost-cutting program, laying off hundreds of employees and shaving down its research and development spending. Visit BigPharmaNews.com for more stories about Pfizer. Watch this video about Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccines containing toxic and carcinogenic DNA. This video is from the Rick Langley channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Health Canada confirms that Pfizer COVID-19 injections contain SV40 DNA sequence that can cause CANCER. Scientist says Pfizer INTENTIONALLY DECEIVED regulators about COVID-19 vaccine contamination. FRESHLY OVERLAID graphene oxide nanobots found in Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines. RSV introduced into population by polio vaccines; now Pfizers RSV vaccines risk harming, killing people. Pfizer sued by GSK over claims that the US drug giant stole key elements of the UK firms RSV injection. Sources include: Bloomberg.com Brighteon.com Conflict between Russia and NATO could push the world closer to WORLD WAR III, Putin warns Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a stark caution to the West, asserting that a direct conflict between Russia and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) could perilously push the world to the brink of World War III The Russian leader issued this warning on March 18, emphasizing the grave implications of a potential clash with the NATO alliance. While such a universally undesirable outcome could arise from the escalating tensions in Ukraine, he expressed belief that few entities are inclined toward this endgame. According to YourNews, the ongoing war in Ukraine has profoundly strained Moscow's relations with Western powers, drawing parallels to the tense atmosphere of the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. Despite Putin's frequent evocation of the specter of nuclear warfare, he maintains that resorting to nuclear options in the Ukraine situation has not been warranted. (Related: Prominent leaders and personalities all over the world are warning that World War III is coming.) The Russian president also responded to remarks made by French President Emmanuel Macron, who did not rule out the possibility of deploying ground troops to Ukraine in February. According to Putin, anything is conceivable in today's geopolitical landscape. Moreover, he acknowledged the presence of NATO military personnel in Ukraine based on instances of English and French being spoken on the battlefield. He also lamented casualties among these forces. Putin nevertheless expressed hope for Macron and France to contribute to peace efforts instead of worsening the Ukraine conflict. 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 Russian leader also hinted at the prospect of establishing a "sanitary zone" within Ukrainian territories to safeguard Russian borders if attacks from Kyiv persist, but refrained from providing detailed specifications for such. Putin ultimately reiterated Moscow's willingness to engage in peace talks contingent upon genuine, long-term diplomatic relations rather than a temporary ceasefire for rearmament purposes. Warning follows Putin's victory in Russia's presidential election Putin's warning followed his recent victory in Russia's presidential election, which secured him a fifth term. According to exit polls released March 17, he managed to garner an overwhelming 87 percent of votes. Ella Pamfilova, chairwoman of the Russian Central Election Commission, described the 77 percent voter turnout a significant increase from 2018's 67.7 percent as "record-breaking" and "unprecedented." The carefully orchestrated election saw Putin's three nominal opponents representing Russia's "systemic" opposition each garnering around three to four percent of the votes. Anti-war candidates are notably excluded from the ballot. Many opposition figures either reside in exile, languish in jail or have met mysterious ends within Russia. Alexei Navalny, who died in February in a Russian penal colony, is one such figure. Putin addressed his supporters and the press at his campaign headquarters following his victory. He made his first public remarks on Navalny's death the first time the Russian leader mentioned the opposition figure's name publicly in years. According to Putin, Navalny's death was a "sad event." Despite rumors of Putin's animosity toward the opposition figure, evidenced by his refusal to directly mention his name, the Russian president's acknowledgment of Navalny's death signifies a departure from his previous approach. He also disclosed that discussions had taken place regarding a possible prisoner exchange involving Navalny and individuals imprisoned in Western countries. Pro-Kremlin media celebrated Putin's resounding win, hailing it as a milestone in modern Russian history. With his extended term in office, Putin is poised to surpass Soviet dictator Josef Stalin as Russia's longest-serving leader by 2030. Putin's landslide victory, widely anticipated given the erasure of political opponents over his 24-year tenure, serves to reaffirm his dominance in Russian politics. Looking ahead, Putin emphasized the importance of unity in the face of intimidation and suppression, vowing to uphold and strengthen Russia's position on the global stage. Watch this clip from the "Worldview Report" that discusses how European leaders led America into World War III. This video is from the Worldview Report channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Ex-Russian President Dmitry Medvedev warns that the world is on the verge of a NUCLEAR WORLD WAR III. Leaked Pentagon documents prove that World War III has been in the planning stages for years. Americas globalist leaders are psychologically programming the public for World War III, nuclear Armageddon and climate LOCKDOWNS. Sources include: YourNews.com CNBC.com Brighteon.com Uber agrees to pay $178M to settle lawsuit with over 8,000 taxi drivers in Australia after a 5-year legal battle After a five-year legal battle with over 8,000 Australian taxi drivers, tech and rideshare firm Uber has finally agreed to pay them AU$272 million ($178 million) to cover all of their financial losses since the ridesharing giant began its unlicensed operations in the country. In 2019, thousands of taxi and car-hire drivers, operators and license owners from Victoria, New South Wales (NSW), Queensland and Western Australia filed a case against Uber at the Victorian Supreme Court for allegedly launching cheaper and more convenient services but illegal operations in Australia. (Related: Uber Eats to deploy an additional 2,000 delivery robots, putting more jobs in peril.) Elizabeth O'Shea, a senior associate at Maurice Blackburn Lawyers, stated at that time that the taxi industry suffered substantial losses, like lost income and decreased license value, due to the unfair competitive advantage of Uber over compliant taxi and hire-car industry participants. Back then, Uber contested the allegations and has been consistently denying them until today. "[Uber has] fought tooth and nail at every point along the way, every day, for the five years this has been on foot, trying at every turn to deny our group members any form of remedy or compensation for their losses. But on the courtroom steps and after years of refusing to do the right thing by those we say they harmed, Uber has blinked, and thousands of everyday Australians joined together to stare down a global giant," said Michael Donelly, a principal lawyer at Maurice Blackburn Lawyers. 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. The case is set to run until May 17, but Uber has agreed to settle earlier than expected. "We are extremely proud that thousands of people put their faith in us and Nick Andrianakis and allowed us to do what we do bestholding to account major organizations that we say inflicted mass wrongs on people. A $271.8 million sum will finally put real money back into the accounts of people who have been devastated," said Donnelly. Uber has faced multiple legal battles in Australia since 2015 The legal battle against Uber in Australia has been multifaceted over the years. Three years after Uber began operating in Sydney in 2012, state governments have implemented different measures. The Australian Capital Territory permitted ride-sharing services to operate, followed by NSW and then the rest of the country. In 2015, NSW set up a $250 million plan to help taxi drivers adjust to changes in the industry. The state government also imposed a one-dollar levy per trip to compensate taxi license owners. These taxi license owners were promised $20,000 right away for up to two licenses. If they got their license in 2015, they would get up to $175,000. But those who bought licenses before 2006 would not get any compensation. In 2016, Victoria offered to buy back licenses from taxi drivers for much less than they were worth. Similarly, in 2018, the Western Australia government passed legislation to change taxi rules, including adding a fee on taxi and Uber rides to help fund a taxi plate buyback scheme. Watch the video below to learn more about tech hypes and learn how companies like Uber can operate at a loss for years. This video is from the Gold Newsletter channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Uber loses nearly $6 billion on investments due to stakes in Didi, Grab. Uber drivers now discriminating against black Trump supporters, essentially saying, We dont serve your kind here. GOING DARK: New York City lacks energy infrastructure needed to power Uber and Lyft EVs or reach 2030 zero-emissions mandate. Democrats to ban Uber, Lyft in Austin, Texas, as local bureaucrats destroy the free market to protect monopolies. Judge rules that Uber, Lyft must convert California drivers into employees; Uber says it may shut down all operations in California. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com ABC.net.au Brighteon.com Appeals court blocks Texas immigration law just hours after Supreme Court ruled in the states favor The Biden administration's continued attempts to keep illegal immigrants flowing across the border in Texas took a huge hit when the Supreme Court ruled that the state can enforce a new law empowering local police to arrest migrants while the controversial legislation makes its way through the court system. However, a federal appeals court then reinstated an injunction that blocks the law from going into effect just a few hours later. The new law, known as Senate Bill 4, says that police may arrest migrants who are suspected of crossing the border illegally from Mexico into the U.S. and charge them on their first offense. It also gives judges the power to deport individuals to Mexico. It was signed by Governor Greg Abbott back in December and has been subject to litigation, including a lawsuit by the Biden administration that sought to strike it down. The Biden administration maintains that the law usurps federal authority, stating in their lawsuit: "Texas cannot run its own immigration system. Its efforts, through SB 4, intrude on the federal governments exclusive authority to regulate the entry and removal of noncitizens, frustrate the United States immigration operations and proceedings, and interfere with U.S. foreign relations." However, Texas insisted that the state's new law is simply a mirror of federal law that needed to be enacted on account of the Biden administration's insufficient response at the border. In court papers, the state of Texas argued: "Texas is the nations first-line defense against transnational violence and has been forced to deal with the deadly consequences of the federal governments inability or unwillingness to protect the border. 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. The Supreme Court ruling came in response to an emergency request made by the Biden administration claiming that states do not possess the authority to make immigration-related legislation. The court rejected that request, which meant that the new law could take effect. The ruling came over the dissent of three liberal justices. However, a panel on the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in a 2-to-1 vote that the preliminary injunction preventing the state from enforcing the law should be restored. The unexpected late-night ruling dampened the mood of Texas officials, who had been celebrating the Supreme Court win. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton had posted on X shortly after the Supreme Court ruling that it was a huge win, adding: As always, its my honor to defend Texas and its sovereignty, and to lead us to victory in court. How will the law work? The laws validity is still in question, but if it does ultimately go into effect, it will allow any type of law enforcement officer to arrest individuals who are suspected of illegally entering the country. Once migrants are in custody, they can agree with a Texas judge's order to leave the country or face prosecution on misdemeanor charges of illegally entering the country. Those who fail to leave could be arrested again on felony charges. To make the arrest, officers must show that they have probable cause, such as by personally witnessing the individual illegally entering the country or seeing them do so on video. It cannot be enforced against those who are lawfully present in the country, such as those who have been granted asylum. However, the Mexican government has said that it will not accept the return of migrants from Texas under any circumstances and condemned the law, saying it encouraged the separation of families, discrimination and racial profiling that violate the human rights of the migrant community. Sources for this article include: ZeroHedge.com Politico.com APNews.com Australia axes 2 spy chiefs ahead of Chinese foreign ministers visit is it to please Beijing? Australia's government under Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has removed the heads of the country's domestic and foreign intelligence agencies , ahead of state visits by Chinese officials. The center-left Albanese government reportedly axed Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS) Director-General Kerri Hartland and Australian Security Intelligence Organization (ASIO) Director-General of Security Mike Burgess. Canberra's edict removes both Hartland and Burgess from the Land Down Under's National Security Committee (NSC). The ASIS is in charge of intelligence gathering and is comparable to the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency. Meanwhile, the ASIO serves as Australia's national security agency and is comparable to the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation. According to the Epoch Times, the directive to remove the two top intelligence officials from the NSC came from an official order by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet Secretary Glyn Davis. Composed of government cabinet ministers and intelligence service heads, the NSC serves as the central body for decision-making on critical national security matters. Sky News Australia stated that following their removal, the roles of Hartland and Burgess have been reduced to providing briefings on a case-by-case basis. Ultimately, the decision to remove the two has sparked debate over concerns that it could potentially impact the effectiveness of Australia's intelligence services. Australia appears to be cleaning house ahead of Beijing visit The timing of the move appears to be ahead of an impending visit by Chinese officials, which would make it appear that Canberra is cleaning house to please Beijing. 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. Burgess, the ASIO's head since 2019, has consistently raised concerns about foreign interference and espionage. In particular, he has been vocal about the threat of foreign interference on Australian campuses, highlighting the scale of the challenge and the risks posed by aggressive spy networks. In contrast, Davis was involved in renegotiating a contract with the Confucius Institute an entity backed by the Chinese Communist Party despite concerns about the institute's role in spreading propaganda. Critics have seized on this decision to question Davis' judgment, with some suggesting potential biases and conflicts of interest. (Related: Pompeo: All Beijing-run Confucius Institutes in the US could be closed by year-end.) Revelations of Davis' role in the removal of the two intelligence heads emerged just before the scheduled visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, the first in seven years. Albanese also extended a formal invitation to Chinese Premier Li Qiang to visit later this year as part of a diplomatic push for reconciliation with Beijing. The Albanese government's approach to Beijing has differed significantly from previous administrations, particularly in its response to provocative actions by China. Despite criticisms of a perceived soft stance, the government has pursued efforts to improve relations with Beijing while facing challenges from within and external security concerns regarding strategic assets like the Port of Darwin. The controversial action has sparked strong criticism from opposition figures, who warn of significant implications for national security. Shadow Defence Minister Andrew Hastie described the move as a concerning indication of the government's lack of direction on national security. He emphasized the vital role of intelligence chiefs in delivering critical insights to governments and expressed alarm over their absence from the committee responsible for key security decisions. Shadow Home Affairs Minister James Paterson echoed these concerns, asserting that the decision effectively silenced the most knowledgeable voices on intelligence matters within the government. He emphasized the importance of having access to expert advice from intelligence agencies when making decisions in the national interest. Cameron Milner, chief of staff for Government Services Minister Bill Shorten, criticized Davis and his close ties to China. He also questioned why intelligence heads were excluded while Davis remained. Head over to NationalSecurity.news for more stories like this. Watch this Russia Today report about China's response to Australia buying U.S.-made nuclear submarines. This video is from the High Hopes channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Australia risks OVERMINING in its bid to break Chinas grip over minerals crucial to clean energy technology. Australia to buy up to 5 nuclear-powered submarines from the US and China isn't happy about it. China set to have PERMANENT presence near Australia via deals with South Pacific nations. Australia following Communist China's footsteps with digital ID system. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com SkyNews.com.au Brighteon.com Climate change fanatics still trying to ban gas stoves theyre just doing it quietly now Just because it is out of the news cycle, at least for now, does not mean that gas stoves are out of the crosshairs of the climate change cult. Quietly and without national attention, the global warming crowd is still concocting plans to outlaw gas stoves because they fear those tiny flames are heating up the air or something. And the psychopaths who believe this hold more sway over government policy than many probably believe. Just the other day, researchers from Purdue University quietly published a study claiming that cooking on a gas stove produces up to 100 times more "dangerous particles" than a car exhaust pipe. The New York Post ran with the bogus study, calling it "terrifying." "These super tiny nano-particles are so small that you're not able to see them," claimed associate professor Brandon Boor from Purdue's Lyles School of Civil Engineering. "They're not like dust particles you would see floating in the air." "After observing such high concentrations of nano-cluster aerosol during gas cooking, we can't ignore these nano-sized particles anymore," Boor continued. (Related: Without access to gas stoves, restaurants everywhere will fail and what are people to do during a power outage?) Fear of gas stoves: a mental illness If Boor is so personally bothered by these invisible, non-detectable, and thus nonexistent "nano-cluster aerosols," then he is welcome to cook with subpar and typically far more expensive electric, if he so chooses. If any of Boor's conspiracy theories about gas stoves were real, one would think that humanity would have died off long ago, seeing as how gas stoves were invented back in 1826. 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. "There has been the occasional accident due to faulty installation," writes William M. Briggs on his Science Is Not The Answer Substack. "On the other hand, gas ovens serve as good places to stick reporters' heads. They also serve as nifty plot devices in murder movies." "Given the humongous numbers of uses of gas stoves over nearly two centuries, if there were systematic ill health effects wreaked using them to scramble your eggs, the world would surely have noticed by now. Since we haven't seen them, we can conclude that any effects are buried in the noise, or non-existent. Or far outweighed by the many benefits gas stoves bring." It turns out that the aforementioned study is completely bogus. The way Boor and his colleagues set it up used what Briggs described as a "dinky 'house,' which probably doesn't match the domiciles of most readers." Boor and his team then "married their air-sucker with an 'aerosol general dynamic equation (GDE) to provide fundamental insights into the size-dependent (dp) behavior of NCA in indoor atmospheres.'" In other words, Boor set up an unrealistic model that appears to have been purposely constructed in such a way as to produce the scariest-sounding findings. In a real-life setting, any combustion particulates produced by gas disperse quickly, rendering them non-detectable and thus nonexistent, for all intents and purposes fairly quickly. Shame on the New York Post for spreading this propaganda, and shame on Boor and his colleagues for devising it. The study, so-called, is just fearmongering nonsense that deserves to be ignored. Instead, climate fanatics everywhere will prop it up as "proof" that gas stoves need to go. "... there is nothing in this paper, just some equations and descriptions of the use of air suckers and the like," Briggs says. "It doesn't describe ordinary households. It only says what everybody knew it would say." "But it will still be used as ammunition in the 'climate change' propaganda wars. Which means readers can look forward, though not with pleasure, to us reviewing those studies claiming gas stoves cause various maladies." Climate lunacy is spreading like a virus. Learn more at Climate.news. Sources for this article include: WMBriggs.substack.com NYPost.com NaturalNews.com Unearthed Jan. 6 transcript completely debunks House Select Committees narrative about Trump and the Capitol riot In the final report of the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th attack on the United States Capitol, it claimed that it found no evidence supporting the idea that former President Donald Trump ordered 10,000 troops to be ready for Jan. 6, 2021. However, a previously hidden transcript has surfaced of an interview conducted by the U.S. House of Representatives panel that researched the breach of the U.S. Capitol that directly undermines the committee's claim. White House deputy chief of staff (during the breach) Anthony Ornato told the committee that he overheard then chief of staff Mark Meadows on the phone with Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser. According to the transcript, Meadows wanted to ensure the mayor "had everything she needed." According to the testimony, Meadows "wanted to know if she needed any more guardsmen." And I remember the number 10,000 coming up of, "The president wants to make sure that you have enough.' You know, 'He is willing to ask for 10,000.' I remember that number. Now that you said it, it reminded me of it." Bowser said "She was all set," Ornato recalled. Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-Ga.), who released the transcript, said that the former J6 Select Committee withheld Ornato's critical witness testimony from the American people because it contradicted their pre-determined narrative. "Ornato's testimony proves what Meadows has said all along; President Trump did offer 10,000 National Guard troops to secure the U.S. Capitol, which was turned down," Loudermilk, who is the chairman of the House Administration Committee's Subcommittee on Oversight, further stated. 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. Trump, meanwhile, confirmed the direct order on Fox News. He said he definitely gave the number of 10,000 National Guardsmen and said "I think you should have 10,000 of the National Guard ready." Christopher C. Miller, former acting secretary of defense, in a meeting on Jan. 5, 2021, told Trump that the Department of Defense was going to provide any number of Guard personnel that Washington officials requested. Trump reportedly replied: "You're going to need 10,000 people." But Miller told the select committee that he "never knew of any plans of that nature." "There was no direct, there was no order from the president," he later added. On Jan. 6, 2021, around 1:30 p.m., Bowser asked for more force after demonstrators began moving to the Capitol. Miller later approved the activation of 1,100 more personnel to help Washington's officers. The U.S. Capitol Police, meanwhile, said in the days leading up to the breach that it did not want Pentagon support, but on the day of the breach asked for help and received 150 personnel. Former Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund has said he spoke about asking for Guard assistance ahead of Jan. 6 but that former House Sergeant-at-Arms Paul Irving turned down the plan. Irving "stated that he was concerned about the 'optics' of having National Guard present and didn't feel that the intelligence supported it," Sund said at a Senate hearing. "That is categorically false," Irving said. "Optics did not determine our security posture." The House select committee was disbanded in early 2023 when Republicans started to gain control of the House. The committee had only two GOP members, both of whom were appointed by the Democrat former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Trump to pardon J6 defendants on the first day of his reelection The controversial J6 Capitol attack has sent nearly 500 people to incarceration and prosecutors have secured more than 950 convictions. Trump vowed that one of his first acts as president if he wins in November would be to "free" those charged and convicted of crimes related to the said uprising. "My first acts as your next President will be to Close the Border, DRILL, BABY, DRILL, and Free the January 6 Hostages being wrongfully imprisoned!" Trump wrote on his Truth Social account. Meanwhile, Sarafina Chitika, a spokesperson for President Joe Biden's campaign, said that the former president "has shown he'll do whatever it takes to hold on to power, including excusing and encouraging political violence." "The American people havent forgotten the violent attack at our Capitol on January 6 they know Trump is too dangerous to be let anywhere near the Oval Office again and they'll turn out to protect our democracy and keep Trump out of the White House this November," Chitika said. Trump has repeatedly called on Biden to "release" the Jan. 6 defendants and has suggested he would be likely to pardon a large number of them if he is elected in November. He also regularly characterizes the defendants as "hostages," which the White House has deemed "grotesque." (Related: TYRANNY: U.S. district attorney wants to prosecute Americans who stood on Capitol public lawn during J6, accusing them of "federal crime" for merely being present.) Sources for this article include: GovInfo.gov CHA.House.gov NTD.com NBCNews.com Report reveals Google has INTERFERED in U.S. elections for 16 years Big Tech firm Google has reportedly interfered with U.S. elections for 16 years , according to a new report. The Media Research Center's (MRC) Free Speech America Division was responsible for the report, according to Breitbart News. It accused the search engine giant of systematically utilizing "its immense technological prowess to sway electoral outcomes in favor of left-leaning candidates." The MRC's report cited 41 instances beginning in 2008 to back it up. In 2008, Google appeared to select former President Barack Obama then a U.S. senator for Illinois against the late Sen. John McCain (R-AZ). Those backing former First Lady Hillary Clinton were targeted, with writers who wrote blogs critical of Obama being suspended. This trend continued in 2012, during Obama's second term. The search engine giant favored Obama over Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT), the Republican presidential nominee that year. Google also refused to correct a "Google bomb" that smeared former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA), who was the leading GOP candidate until Romney's nomination. In 2016, Google then supported Clinton by "using its algorithm to exclude potentially damaging autofill results" for her while not doing the same for former President Donald Trump and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT). Four years later in 2020, Google also suppressed news sources critical of President Joe Biden then running for his first term and reportedly blocked GOP fundraising emails from reaching users' inboxes. (Related: Study: Big Tech's suppression of the Hunter Biden laptop story likely changed the course of the election.) 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 MRC report also pointed out that Google's interference is also blatantly visible ahead of the November 2024 elections. "Google has been aiding Biden, burying in its search results the campaign websites of every one of his significant opponents," it said. Those victimized by this interference include Trump and independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. who has decried the Democratic National Committee for rigging the Democratic primaries in favor of Biden. Google's anti-conservative bias exposed for the world to see "Google's impact on elections has surged dramatically in recent years," the report stated. "Google is making good on its 2016 promise never to let conservatives win again. While its interference was first evident in 2008, its meddling has turned into an organizational mission to ensure that its candidates win on Election Day." Aside from interfering via search results, the MRC report also pointed out that Google's news site removed all links to right-leaning media outlets. In contrast, the tech giant generously linked to left-leaning media outlets related to Trump, Biden, or elections. The MRC report cited a 2022 study by AllSides, a company that rates news outlets for political bias. According to AllSides, 88 percent of articles about Trump were left-leaning while 68 percent of articles about Biden were left-leaning. For the topic of elections, 96 percent of articles were left-leaning, while zero percent of articles were right-leaning for all three topics of note. Moreover, the data from AllSides showed that Google News linked to left-leaning media outlets 10 to 20 times more often than it linked to right-leaning media outlets across all topics between 2018 and 2023. Google has adamantly refused the allegations, asserting that it has implemented robust safeguards to ensure unbiased and accurate searches. A spokesperson for the tech giant told Fox News: "We have a clear business incentive to keep everyone using our products, so we have no desire to make them biased or inaccurate." Responding to the MRC's report, the spokesperson continued: "There is absolutely nothing new here. Just a recycled list of baseless, inaccurate complaints that have been debunked by third parties and many that failed in the courts." The report nevertheless urged Americans to "stop using Google products, particularly Google Search, and instead opt for one of the many alternatives. From our research, alternatives appear to produce better, less biased results." Watch Dr. Robert Epstein explains how Google manipulates U.S. elections below. This video is from the War Room channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: 'Manipulating the data': MRC's Brent Bozell highlights Google search's pro-Democrat election bias. Conservative leaders publish letter to Google demanding explanation about conservative censorship. YouTube CENSORS another RFK Jr. video "on its own initiative" most likely to please the establishment. Media Research Center exposes Google's BIAS: Tech giant rigging search results to favor Dems in midterms. Sources include: Breitbart.com CDN.MRC.org [PDF] Brighteon.com RINOs resigning, tampering with Republican majority to try to stop Trump in 2024 Democrats are not the only ones trying to stop Donald Trump from winning the presidency in 2024. RINO Republicans, meaning Republicans in name only, are conspiring with each other to block Trump through any means, even by resigning in order to cause the Republican Party to lose its majority in Congress. The same type of thing happened in 2018 during the midterms when, as Revolver puts it, "RINOs bowed out in droves, handing over the reins of the House to the Democrats on a silver platter, all so they could take a couple of swings at impeaching President Trump." On X, Charlie Kirk announced that Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.) is quitting his post, which will leave Republicans with just a one-seat majority. This was also confirmed by Newsweek and other media sources. "RINO Ken Buck has made it painfully clear that hes part of a four-man scheme to stop President Trump, even when he's duly elected for a third time by We the People," Revolver explains. "They plan to resign before 2024 so that Democrats will be in charge of the House and control the certification process." "If you've ever questioned the reality of the Uniparty, let this be your wake-up call. It's alive, kicking, and using every ounce of its energy to fight the people." (Related: Did you hear? Russian President Vladimir Putin has put the West's "vampire" elites on notice that their time is up the "vampire ball is over.") RINO Republicans vs. MAGA Republicans Rumors are also circulating that Buck and other RINOs in Congress are planning to use the lets-abandon-our-majority maneuver to not only block Trump from the White House again but also to put an end to MAGA (Make America Great Again) lawmakers winning office. 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 Hill reported that Buck is rejecting the notion that his early departure from Congress was calculated to thwart Rep. Lauren Boebert's (R-Colo.) electoral ambitions in the 4th Congressional District. Buck's early departure means there now has to be a special election to fill his seat, a move that Boebert called "weak sauce" and a "gift to the uniparty." "The establishment concocted a swampy backroom deal to try to rig an election I'm winning by 25 points," Boebert said in a statement, which Buck called "ridiculous." According to Buck, he has done his "very best" to stay out of the primary election, claiming that he is acting in impartiality. Try as he might to frame his early departure as nothing sinister, Buck was written about by Occupy Democrats as well, which admitted that the move "couldn't be worse for Lauren Boebert" because she was running to defeat Buck in November. "Since Boebert is plagued with scandals and has made a lot of enemies within the party the Colorado Sun predicts that they may end up NOT choosing Boebert," Occupy Democrats reported. "To make matters even worse for Boebert, the Colorado Sun also reports that she will have to resign her current Congressional seat in order to be eligible to run in the special election because Colorado law bans candidates from running for more than one office at a time." One thing is clear from all this: The establishment has pretty much given up on President Biden having any chance at winning this fall, otherwise they would not be going to such great lengths to stop Trump. "Instead, they've gone all-in, placing every single one of their rotten, stinking eggs in the 'STOP TRUMP' basket," Revolver says. "Dems, hand-in-hand with their RINO allies, are on a mission to dismantle MAGA and block President Trump from returning to the White House, no matter the cost to the country and the American people." To keep up with the latest news about Trump's re-run for the presidency, visit Trump.news. Sources for this article include: Revolver.news NaturalNews.com Supreme Court gives Texas green light to start arresting, deporting illegal aliens The Biden regime's efforts to keep the southern border wide open have hit another snag after the Supreme Court ruled that Texas is free to enforce a new law giving local police the power to arrest migrants. The conservative-majority court rejected an emergency request by the Biden regime to bar the new law, arguing that states have no authority to legislate on immigration. Three liberal Supreme Court justices agree, having dissented on the ruling. SB4, as the new Texas law is called, allows law enforcement throughout the Lone Star State to arrest migrants who illegally cross into the United States from Mexico. From there, police are allowed to impose criminal penalties, including deportation back to Mexico at a judge's order. "Texas is the nation's first-line defense against transnational violence and has been forced to deal with the deadly consequences of the federal government's inability or unwillingness to protect the border," Texas argued in its court filing. ?? HUGE WIN: Texas has defeated the Biden Administrations and ACLUs emergency motions at the Supreme Court. Our immigration law, SB 4, is now in effect. As always, its my honor to defend Texas and its sovereignty, and to lead us to victory in court. Attorney General Ken Paxton (@KenPaxtonTX) March 19, 2024 (Related: Just as they threatened to do, the Biden regime is waging war on Texas over the illegal immigration issue.) Opponents says SB4 defies 100-year Supreme Court precedent After Texas passed SB4, a federal judge blocked it from taking effect in response to a Biden regime lawsuit. Then, the New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said in a brief order that SB4 could go into effect starting March 10 unless the Supreme Court intervened. The Supreme Court ended up doing just that, but ended up reiterating the validity of SB4 in its majority ruling, this after Justice Samuel Alito issued a temporary freeze on March 4 to give the highest court time to consider the Biden regime's request. 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. According to Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar, the new Texas law is "flatly inconsistent" with Supreme Court precedent dating back a century. "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," Prelogar said, noting further that the appeals court failed to explain why SB4 should go into effect. Some in the GOP believe that the reason the Biden regime so adamantly wants wide-open borders in America is because allowing a constant flood of low-wage labor will help boost GDP to the tune of $7 trillion, they claim. Nearly all of the jobs that have been added to the official numbers under Biden, upwards of 10 million of them, have gone to foreign-born workers. "This unprecedented surge in illegal immigration isn't an accident," commented Eric Ruark, director of research for Numbers USA, a nonprofit group that advocates for immigration restriction. "It is the result of deliberate policy choices by the Biden administration." In the comments, someone noted that while this is something, "the horse is already out of the barn," meaning tens of millions of illegals are already in the United States, many of them already working in areas far from Texas where they will never be deported. "If we deport them all, housing prices will drop, medical costs will drop, crime will drop, taxes will drop, utilities will drop ...," suggested another. "They are a net drain on the economy and a deficit on the culture." "Texas should also arrest any federal authority assisting illegal invaders," said another. The migrant problem is only getting worse as time passes. Learn more at InvasionUSA.news. Sources for this article include: ZeroHedge.com NaturalNews.com Tyson Foods wants to hire 42,000 migrants if we could find them then here comes Haiti! Chicken giant Tyson Foods is back in the news for all the wrong reasons after Garrett Dolan, associate director of Tyson's human resources department, stated that the company's desire is to employ 42,000 migrants "if we could find them." Dolan told Bloomberg that Tyson is joining the nonprofit group Tent Partnership for Refugees, which was founded by Chobani yogurt magnate Hamdi Ulukaya. The group's efforts involve hiring some of the 181,400 migrants that have come through New York City's intake system over the past two years to work at food companies throughout the United States. Tent Partnership for Refugees is currently led by an Obama-era White House staffer named Gideon Maltz, by the way. After news of Dolan's statements went viral, Tyson Foods tried to play cleanup by issuing a statement that the company is "strongly opposed to illegal immigration," adding that it supposedly "led the way in participating in the two major government programs to help employers combat unlawful employments, E-Verify and the Mutual Agreement between Government and Employers (IMAGE) program." (Related: Did you know that Tyson Foods is shifting away from providing meat to customers and is instead going into the bug and insect business, in accordance with the desires of Klaus Schwab?) Tyson already employs 42,000 migrants The interesting thing about Dolan's statement is that Tyson already employs 42,000 migrants, and apparently wants 42,000 more to add to its 120,000-strong labor force. America Legal First issued a statement about Dolan's discriminatory statement warning that "it is illegal under federal law to discriminate against American citizens based on their citizenship in favor of non-citizens of any kind when it comes to employment." 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. In addition to seeking out illegals to hire as opposed to American citizens, Tyson Foods also invests cash into providing legal aid services for them; provides paid time off for any court appearances they might have; and provides childcare and transportation as well as English classes for free. "They're very, very loyal," Dolan said, praising the illegals who work for Tyson. "They've been uprooted and what they want is stability what they want is a sense of belonging." In a partnership with Chobani, Tyson met up at offices in Manhattan recently to hire 17 illegals from Venezuela, Mexico, and Colombia to work at its plant in Humboldt, Tenn. The hirings went so well that Tyson went back to New York City to hire another 70 more. As you can see from all this, the illegal alien invasion is helpful for large multinational corporations that can purchase cheap labor while padding their own pockets. It is bad for American citizens, though, which are watching prices for everything go up while their neighborhoods get taken over by foreigners, and they struggle to find jobs. Keep in mind that many of these illegals might never get accepted for asylum. Some will, but the rest will be backlogged in the courts for their immigration hearings, which oftentimes take years to conclude. In the meantime, though, the illegals are allowed to work in the U.S. as if they have already received asylum. "Tyson is constantly in search of workers to fill jobs in its factories tasks like washing meat, placing the cuts into trays and doing a final inspection for bones," Bloomberg says about why these companies love hiring illegals. "Dolan says the company expects about 40% of the 100,000 people in these roles will leave each year, a statistic he says is standard across the meatpacking industry. To meet this need, he said, Tyson plans to hire about 52,000 people at that wage class which starts at $16.50 an hour, plus benefits in 2024 alone. More related news about the migrant invasion can be found at InvasionUSA.news. Sources for this article include: TheNationalPulse.com Bloomberg.com NaturalNews.com STUDY: Widely used HPV injection linked to 4 AUTOIMMUNE DISORDERS A widely used human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine appears to be linked to four autoimmune disorders , according to a new study. The study published March 7 in Vaccine compared the health records of nearly two million unvaccinated and vaccinated girls in the South American nation of Colombia over a 10-year period. The vaccinated girls were injected with a quadrivalent vaccine that targets four HPV strains. It found that, compared to their unvaccinated counterparts, the vaccinated girls were: 4.4 times more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis 2.76 times more likely to develop juvenile idiopathic arthritis 2.86 times more likely to develop thyrotoxicosis 2.54 times more likely to develop idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura While the study did not name the quadrivalent vaccine used, it was reportedly widely used globally except the United States. Quadrivalent vaccines target four high-risk strains of HPV, while Merck's Gardasil 9 vaccine the only one distributed in the U.S. targets nine strains. Merck does make a quadrivalent Gardasil vaccine, one of two licensed by the World Health Organization (WHO). According to the study authors, HPV vaccination rates in Colombia are extremely low due to the "lack of an efficacious screening program," "lack of timely access to the health system in remote areas" and "widespread public misinformation regarding primary prevention in the adolescent population." They also cited "mistrust" that intensified in 2014 after 500 vaccinated girls in a small town called Carmen de Bolivar in the country's Bolivar department with videos of the girls being widely shared on the internet reported adverse symptoms, including headache, paresthesia (tingling or prickling sensation on the extremities), shortness of breath, chest pain and fainting. (Related: Federal "Vaccine Court": Gardasil jab for HPV irrefutably linked to NARCOLEPSY.) 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. As public confidence in the vaccine plummeted, rates went from 80 percent of girls in 2012 to 14 percent and 5 percent for the first and second doses in 2016. Colombian study proves that vaccines are far from being safe "This is a stunning admission of the immune dysregulation caused by this vaccine," said Children's Health Defense (CHD) Chief Scientific Officer Brian Hooker. "At a minimum, this deserves more comprehensive investigation towards a decision whether to pull the vaccine entirely." "There are significantly higher levels of these four autoimmune disorders in girls who werent diagnosed with the disorders before vaccination in the vaccinated group. In other words, these significant odds ratios speak for themselves." According to CHD, the March 7 study "adds to a large body of peer-reviewed scientific literature from the U.S., Australia, Denmark and Sweden, France, Japan and Colombia and statistics published by public health agencies in each of these countries demonstrating associations between HPV vaccination and autoimmune conditions." Even the authors themselves acknowledged the lack of local studies to say that the quadrivalent HPV vaccine is indeed safe and effective. Interestingly, the study was published on the final day of the Global Cervical Cancer Elimination Forum, held last March 5 to 7 at the Colombian city of Cartagena de Indias. Bogota reportedly hosted the event as part of its commitment to catalyze national and global momentum "to eliminate cervical cancer," as per CHD. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Bank committed nearly $600 million to expand global vaccination, screening and treatment in multiple countries, including Colombia. Visit Vaccines.news for more similar stories. Watch this 2013 clip of journalist Katie Couric touching on the HPV vaccine controversy. This video is from the Random Nobody channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Taxpayer-funded federal program urging DENTISTS to push HPV vaccines on patients. Evidence shows HPV vaccines like Gardasil are causing severe injuries and deaths. Mothers of 2 young girls killed by HPV vaccine file lawsuit against Merck. HPV vaccines are loaded with toxic ingredients, including an upgraded version of ALUMINUM. CDCs expansion of vaccination schedule for Americans sparks controversy. Sources include: ChildrensHealthDefense.org ScienceDirect.com PAHO.org Brighteon.com Woke University of Virginia spends $20 million on 235 DEI employees The University of Virginia (UVA) reportedly spends an estimated $20 million on 235 employees including 82 students on its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) banner at the expense of taxpayers. Adam Andrzejewski, the founder and CEO of OpenTheBooks.com, expounded on this in a March 5 report on his Substack. A team of auditors for the watchdog reviewed the university's payroll file for 2023 to sort out the DEI position head counts, compensation and estimated cost of benefits. The team found that those in DEI leadership roles such as vice presidents, associate/assistant deans, directors, assistant directors and managers earned up to $312,000 last year, or $400,000 with benefits. Martin N. Davidson, senior associate dean of UVA's Darden School of Business and the university's global chief diversity officer, topped the list of 10 highest-paid DEI earners for 2023 at $452,000 ($587,340 including benefits.) In contrast, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin earned $175,000 for that year. Kevin G. McDonald, UVA's vice president for DEI and community partnerships, landed at No. 2 with a salary of $401,465 (roughly $520,000 with benefits.) When McDonald began his position in August 2019, he was earning a $340,000 salary that was eligible for a 10 percent bonus every year. According to UVA records obtained through the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, McDonald was given a $25,000 recruitment bonus and up to $30,000 for relocation costs in his first year. Andrzejewski also noted that some of the DEI chiefs have been transparent about their philosophies during their public comments, citing UVA assistant vice president for equity and inclusive excellence Rachel Spraker. The No. 7 highest-paid DEI earner for 2023 reportedly described the opioid epidemic in Appalachia as an example of "White toxicity." Spraker reportedly earned $186,800 ($242,840 with benefits) in 2023. 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. Another example he cited was UVA assistant professor Lanice Avery, who made $102,200 ($132,860 with estimated benefits) in 2023. While Avery isn't included in the Top 10 high earners list, her credentials are worth mentioning. The assistant professor who describes herself as a "board-certified sexologist" runs UVA's Research on Intersectionality, Sexuality, and Empowerment (RISE) Laboratory. Andrzejewski wrote: "UVA was founded by Thomas Jefferson, the author of our Declaration of Independence. Jefferson's work presented the moral case for common freedom among all men." "The university has a historic opportunity to promote the time-tested principles: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.' But instead of working toward the idea of the Shining City on the Hill under Jeffersonian principles, his university embraced the divisive quotas of the neo-Marxist DEI crowd." University of Florida saves $5M annually by terminating DEI employees The OpenTheBooks.com founder compared UVA to the University of Florida (UFL), which dismissed its DEI bureaucracy and saved both students and taxpayers $5 million annually. UFL terminated 13 full-time DEI positions and 15 administrative faculty appointments. The money saved from these terminations was reprogrammed into a "faculty recruitment fund" to attract better people who actually teach students. (Related: University of Florida LIED to Gov. DeSantis about money spent on DEI propaganda.) "Reform or abolition must await this summers anticipated changes in the school's Board of Visitors. At least until then, the very highly compensated, generally non-teaching, DEI staffers are safely embedded throughout the entire university while costing students and taxpayers a fortune," Andrzejewski concluded. "Tens of millions of dollars in student tuition and taxpayer monies are flowing into promoting anti-American notions and radical philosophies that judge the color of one's skin instead of the content and competence of their character." Watch this video about DEI initiatives in various airlines. This video is from the Gone Dark channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: DEI captures the University of Florida. Harvard controversy saga continues: University DEI officer apparently plagiarized husbands academic work. Rice University now offers "Afrochemistry" course taught by woke DEI professor who claims chemistry works differently when you're Black. Former ADL boss Abe Foxman calls for scrapping DEI. Texas governor signs bill ordering the CLOSURE of DEI offices across state-funded universities. Sources include: OpenTheBooks.Substack.com Brighteon.com Earth Hour is a global environmental movement involving lights being switched off for an hour. It is held on a single day towards the end of March every year. The first "lights off" event took place in Sydney, Australia, in 2007, led by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). The movement aims to provide a symbolic message and a call to action as the planet is threatened by natural forces and other environmental challenges. As Earth Hour 2024 is approaching at 8:30 p.m. EST (local time) on Saturday, March 23, the United Nations reminds the world to take urgent action amid the climate crisis and biodiversity loss. While the worldwide environmental initiative has gained momentum from many people, businesses, organizations, and government entities across the globe, it has been asked in recent years if the initiative really help protect our planet. Earth Hour History The world's first Earth Hour started in Australia on the 31st of March 2007, which saw over 2.2 million people and approximately 2,000 businesses turning off their lights for one hour. This is to show a "climate-sceptic" government that the public were also concerned about the repercussions of climate change, as stated on the website of the global environmental movement. Since then, multiple countries worldwide joined in. The conceptualization of Earth Hour had its roots dating back in 2004, a time when scientific findings suggest the growing threat of the climate phenomenon during the onset of the 21st century. It was this period when WWF Australia collaborated with an advertising agency called Leo Burnett Sydney on ways how to engage a large section of Australian society to engage on the climate change problem. In 2006, the notion of a widespread switch off event was coined and developed. With an initial working title as "The Big Flick," WWF Australia presented the concept to Fairfax Media. Clover Moore, who was the Sydney lord mayor at that time, provided a green light to back the event. As of 2023, supporters of Earth Hour provided more than 410,000 hours to our planet in over 190 countries and territories, according to the event's organizers. Also Read: Pollution From Rocket Engines Spreads High Into the Earth's Atmosphere Earth Hour 2024 In a video message earlier in March, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated that our planet's "climate is collapsing" and called on people to join Earth Hour 2024. Guterres also cited that 2023 was the hottest year on record and emphasized the need to show solidarity by switching off our lights this coming Saturday. The worldwide movement continues after previous research shows the long-term impact of the climate crisis. According to experts, the lights switch off event physically does little to the environment and climate. However, advocates of the Earth Hour initiative highlight that it is more about raising awareness about the environmental threats the planet is facing. According to the World Health Organization in October 2023, research estimates that 3.6 billion are already living in areas vulnerable to climate change. Related Article: Advance Lighting in Cities and Streets Can Affect the Effectivity of Camouflage of Sea Creatures Scotland's pledge to decrease climate emissions by 75% by 2030 is "no longer credible" and cannot be met, according to the UK's climate watchdog. In a damning report delivered to the Scottish parliament, the UK Climate Change Committee (CCC) accused the Scottish government of continually failing to meet its legally binding commitments. Failure To Achieve Emission Cut The government's independent advisers criticized the ministers of "failing" on the ambitious targets and encouraged them to focus on meeting the aim "at the earliest possible date." Scotland has failed to meet eight of the previous twelve annual targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming. The study also noted a spike when it comes to the emissions in 2021, and this could be attributed to colder-than-average weather that year and an increase in transportation emissions following COVID. The most recent numbers, for 2021, show emissions were 49.2% lower than the baseline year of 1990. The CCC also underlined that the publication of Scotland's new draft Climate Change Plan, expected late in 2023, had been "delayed". "By the end of this decade, Scotland will need to: treble the pace of rollout of public electric vehicle charge points, reduce car traffic by 20%, increase heat-pump installation rates by a factor of at least 13 and double onshore wind capacity," the report said. Scotland's 2030 emission reduction target is more stringent than the UK's overall aim. The Scottish Parliament passed legislation requiring a 75% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by the same date, compared to the UK's aim of 68%. Read Also: UN Report: Measures Against Climate Change and Global Warming not Sufficient Redouble Effort Some groups called on the Scottish government to redouble its effort to address climate emergency. "While every party in the Scottish parliament carries some blame, the Scottish government has lost its position as a climate leader and we would like to see the first minister make an emergency statement to parliament to set out his response," said Mike Robinson, the chair of the civic society umbrella group Stop Climate Chaos, Mairi McAllan, the Scottish net zero secretary, claimed that the Scottish government had effectively abandoned its 2030 target. She stated that the CCC had long acknowledged that meeting that aim would be "extremely difficult, and may not be feasible." "We remain fully committed to meeting our target of net zero emissions by 2045. We are under no illusion that the hardest part of this journey is ahead of us," McAllan added. Scottish ministers have developed ideas to reduce car usage by 20% by 2030 and decarbonise buildings, but she blamed the UK government for the delays in Scotland's climate change plan. Ministers in London had "reneged on their net zero commitments, and rolled back on policies already announced and accounted for," as well as reducing capital financing for Scotland's new infrastructure. Scotland said the government will carefully study the report's recommendations, including legislative alternatives, before delivering a formal response. Related Article: Germany to Cut Carbon Emissions by 95% Ahead of Global Climate Summit Scientists have unearthed the fossilized skull of a giant river dolphin, a species believed to have abandoned the ocean and sought safety in Peru's Amazonian rivers 16 million years ago. The extinct species would have been up to 3.5 meters long, making it the largest river dolphin yet to be discovered. First Dolphin Of Its Kind Paleontologist Rodolfo Salas stated that the skull belonged to the largest dolphin known to have lived in South American waters, measuring 3 to 3.5 meters (9.8 to 11.4 ft). It was named Pebanista Yacuruna after the Yacuruna, a Peruvian mythological creature who dwelt in deep water. According to the University of Zurich, the new dolphin species belongs to the Platanistoidea, a group of dolphins that lived in the world's waters between 24 and 16 million years ago. The dolphin's skull, with its long snout, massive teeth, and well-developed forehead area, indicates that it was perfectly adapted to freshwater habitats. These dolphins, like their contemporary counterparts, were most likely thickset with long snouts and small, nearly entirely blind eyes, and they relied heavily on echolocation to navigate murky waters. They also possessed highly developed facial crests, which are specialized bone structures connected with echolocation - the ability to "see" by releasing high-frequency noises and listening for their echoes, which they use extensively for hunting. "For river dolphins, echolocation, or biosonar, is even more critical as the waters they inhabit are extremely muddy, which impedes their vision," said Gabriel Aguirre-Fernandez, a University of Zurich researcher who also participated in this study. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/03/20/ancient-giant-dolphin-remains-discovered-in-the-amazon/73039459007/ Scientists discovered the fossil on a National Geographic Society-sponsored expedition to the Napo River in 2018. The Amazon and Orinoco river basins still include the Amazon river dolphin, often known as the pink river dolphin or boto. Scientists claimed that surviving river dolphins were "the remnants of what were once greatly diverse marine dolphin groups" that had abandoned the oceans to search for new food sources in freshwater rivers. Read Also: Paleontology and Dolphin: Ancient River Dolphin Fossil Identified in Panama Closest Living Relatives The study also revealed that the river dolphins of South Asia, notably those of the Ganges and Indus rivers in India, are the closest living relatives of the ancient dolphin. Peruvian dolphins are substantially larger than their Asian counterparts. According to Salas, the ancestors of both dolphins previously resided in the sea. "This allowed them to occupy large marine spaces near the coasts of India and South America," Salas said. The discovery of Pebanista in proto-Amazonian strata demonstrates that platanistids entered freshwater habitats not only in South Asia but also in South America, before the contemporary Amazon River dolphin, during a critical point in Amazonian evolution. This also emphasizes the looming risks to the world's surviving river dolphins, all of which face identical extinction threats in the next 20 to 40 years. Experts stressed that the fossil was notable for its size as well as the fact that it bore no resemblance to the river dolphins that presently swim in the waters where it previously lived. Related Article: Ancient Dolphin Species Discovered in Swiss Alps in Landlocked Switzerland According to information published by Bloomberg on March 21, 2024, the Houthi group has assured China and Russia that their naval vessels will be granted safe passage through the strategically critical maritime zones of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Follow Navy Recognition on Google News at this link Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Serguei Lavrov and Qin Gang during a meeting in Uzbekistan. (Picture source: Russian MoD) The Red Sea has been a focal point of escalating tensions and conflict since October 2023, primarily due to the actions of the Iran-backed Houthi movement in Yemen. The crisis unfolded with the Houthis launching missile and armed drone attacks against Israel on October 19, 2023, as part of their demand for an end to the invasion of the Gaza Strip. This marked the beginning of what has been referred to as the Red Sea crisis, linking it to broader regional conflicts including the IsraelHamas war, the IranIsrael proxy conflict, and the ongoing Yemeni Crisis. The Houthis targeted merchant and naval vessels in the Red Sea, viewing any ship linked to Israel, the U.S., or Britain as legitimate targets, though attacks have been indiscriminate, affecting many nations. Over 60 attacks on vessels were recorded from October 2023 to March 2024, forcing hundreds of commercial vessels to reroute, significantly impacting global shipping and trade routes. Key incidents include the capture of the Galaxy Leader on November 19, 2023, by the Houthis, who boarded the ship via helicopter and sailed it to Hodeidah, Yemen. The fate of its 25-member crew, comprising individuals from multiple countries, remains unknown. Other significant attacks include UAV strikes, attempted hijacks, and missile strikes on a variety of commercial vessels throughout November and December 2023. These incidents have caused varying degrees of damage and have involved defensive actions by naval forces, including the USS Mason and the French Navy frigate Languedoc. The Houthi attacks have raised concerns over the security of one of the most vital maritime routes for global commerce, with significant economic implications. The attacks prompted a shift in shipping routes, with many companies opting to avoid the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, diverting around South Africa instead. Dhanush to play Ilaiyaraaja in upcoming biopic; check out first look Mumbai, March 20 A ctor Dhanush is all set to step into the shoes of music maestro Ilaiyaraaja in an upcoming biopic. The biopic was officially announced in Chennai in the presence of Kamal Haasan and Vetri Maaran on Wednesday. Directed by Arun Matheswaran and lensed by Nirav Shah, music will be composed by the maestro himself Dhanush also shared the first-look poster on X with a caption that read, "Honoured @ilaiyaraaja sir (sic)." https://x.com/dhanushkraja/status/1770355875380933094?s=20 The biopic for Ilaiyaraaja will be produced by Connekkt Media, PK Prime Production, and Mercuri Movies. Dhanush was last seen in 'Captain Miller' which was streamed on the OTT platform Amazon Prime Video on February 9. Set in the pre-independence era, the film focuses on the life of Analeesan (Dhanush), also known as Eesa. After his mother's death, Eesa spends time idly in his village, while his elder brother, Sengola (Shiva Rajkumar), who actively participates in the Indian Independence movement. When Eesa faces a conflict with the villagers and is asked to leave, he decides to join the British Indian army to earn respect. Renamed Miller by the British, Eesa becomes part of a battalion involved in a brutal attack against local protesters. Disturbed by this, he leaves the army and transforms into the revolutionary 'Captain Miller'. Dhanush to play Ilaiyaraaja in upcoming biopic; check out first look Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Mumbai, March 20 A ctor Bhumi Pednekar is all set to play the role of a cop in the upcoming web series 'Daldal', in which she dons the role of a cop. She opened up about her role and how she is always drawn to challenges. Amrit Raj Gupta has directed the project. The show is based on Bhendi Bazaar by Vish Dhamija. Talking about her role, Bhumi said, "I'm naturally drawn to challenges. That's my core. Have always done this right since my debut.. I believe that we are in the age of content and actors can really shine bright with these opportunities. Daldal is the perfect project for me to show a completely new side to my acting performance. It presents me in a whole new way and I love pushing my boundaries." She added, "I love that in Daldal, I play a woman who has shattered the glass ceiling by being appointed as the DCP of Mumbai. She is a super achiever in a man's world and I loved that layer of the show along with all the beautiful complexities that the role and the script has to offer. I think a character like this will resonate with the times that we live in because a woman is no longer shackled down and is ambitious and independent." On working with producer Vikram Malhotra again, Bhumi said, "I'm really excited to be teaming up again with Vikram after our blockbuster Toilet-Ek Prem Katha and the hugely acclaimed Durgamati. I'm delighted to be working with a mind like Suresh Triveni whose work I admire a lot and of course Amrit Raj Gupta! I hope we can create another blockbuster together for Amazon Prime Video and make India proud on the global content landscape. My last hit streaming project Bhakshak made me reach out to so many people across the world and I wish Daldal does the same." Bhumi is also elated that women actors are being empowered to headline projects on top global streaming platforms. On this, the 'Thank You for Coming' actor said, "It feels amazing that I work at a time when a woman can headline a series on a global streaming platform and feel supremely empowered that she can command such a massive mounting. So, I'm thrilled with the validation that my body of work, since my debut, has led me to this moment where big projects are being mounted on my shoulders." She added, "I'm honestly humbled by this realisation and it motivates me to work so hard that I deliver powerful performances that are remembered by people." The official synopsis of the show 'Daldal' read, "Haunted by the guilt of her past and dealing with the demons of her present, Mumbai's newly appointed DCP Rita Ferreira, must embark on an investigation of a series of murders that puts her on a collision course with a cold-blooded serial killer, even as she has to save her life from falling apart." Meanwhile, Bhumi is receiving appreciation for her role as a journalist in her recent release, 'Bhakshak'. 'Bhakshak' explores the journey of an unwavering woman's quest to seek justice.Directed by Pulkit and produced by Gauri Khan and Gaurav Verma, Bhakshak features a powerful ensemble including Sanjay Mishra, Aditya Srivastava and Sai Tamhankar, along with Bhumi Pednekar. 'Bhakshak' is currently streaming on Netflix. I'm naturally drawn to challenges: Bhumi Pednekar on essaying role of cop in 'Daldal' Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Mumbai, March 20 B ollywood diva Kareena Kapoor Khan shared her thoughts on brother-in-law Kunal Khemu's directorial debut, 'Madgaon Express.' The 'Jab We Met' actress, posted the film's poster on her Instagram story and praised Kunal's directing skills. "So, so funny and brilliantly directed. So, so proud of you, Kunal Khemu. Outstanding performances. Bravo, guys," she wrote in her caption. 'Madgaon Express' marks Kunal's directorial debut. Divyenndu, Pratik Gandhi, Nora Fatehi, and Avinash Tiwary feature in the lead roles. Recently, Kunal unveiled the film's trailer, which showcases three young boys, who dream about vacationing in Goa someday. Their dream does come true but it soon turns into a nightmare as the three friends, all grown up now, embark upon a train journey via Madgaon Express to reach their destination Goa. In an interview with ANI, Kunal shared his experience of shooting in Goa, The actor said, "I love Goa, I have been there many times to shoot films and it is the most relatable place. When you say Goa everybody in the country knows that it is all about fun, some kind of excitement, and beaches and it kind of resonates. Also, I am telling the story about boys who live in Bombay and to give them something aspirational is so relatable. They were so close to Goa but still could not reach Goa till 20 years" In August 2022, Kunal announced his directorial debut via Instagram post. "Ganpati Bappa Moriya! As all good things begin with his name I can't think of a better day to share this with all of you. It started with a thought in my head, which grew into a dream which flowed out through my fingers into words on my laptop, and now it is becoming a reality on its way to the silver screen. A big thank you to @ritesh_sid @faroutakhtar and @roo_cha at @excelmovies for believing in my script and my vision and partnering with me on this exciting journey in the world of cinema. With folded hands and a bowed head I seek all of your blessings and the blessings of Ganpati Bappa. Introducing Madgaon Express," his post read. 'Madgaon Express' will be released on March 22. It is produced by Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar. Kareena Kapoor lauds Kunal Khemu's directional debut film 'Madgaon Express;' calls it 'Funny and Brilliant' Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Rajamouli, son Karthikeya live through earthquake on 28th floor in Japan Mumbai, March 21 R enowned filmmaker SS Rajamouli and his son Karthikeya, who were in Japan for a special screening of NTR Jr and Ram Charan-starrer 2022 magnum opus RRR, felt an earthquake in the country on the 28th floor. The father-son duo were joined by producer Shobu Yarlagadda for the event. Karthikeya shared a picture on his X, featuring his smartwatch, which showed an emergency alert and had Earthquake early warning... Strongly shaking is expected soonStay calm and seek shelter nearbyJapan meteorological agency as the message. Captioning the image, he wrote: Felt a freaking earthquake in Japan just now!!! Was on the 28th floor and slowly the ground started to move and took us a while to realise it was an earthquake." "I was just about to panic but all the Japanese around did not budge as if it just started to rain!! Experience an earthquake box ticked. RRR created history as the film's track 'Naatu Naatu' by M.M. Keeravani was awarded the Best Original Song Award at the 95th Academy Awards. The film revolves around a revolutionary and an officer in the British force, who once shared a deep bond have a fight of freedom against the despotic rulers. Talking about Rajamouli, he will soon begin filming an adventure drama with Mahesh Babu. Rajamouli, son Karthikeya live through earthquake on 28th floor in Japan Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Florida, March 21 A four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka swept past Italian Elisabetta Cocciaretto 6-4, 6-3 on her return to the Magic City after maternity leave to reach the second round at Miami Open. She took just 1 hour and 18 minutes to defeat World No.51 Cocciaretto on Wednesday. In seven appearances at the Miami Open Osaka has never lost an opening match. The Japanese last played the Miami Open in 2022, where she beat Angelique Kerber, Danielle Collins and Belinda Bencic before finishing runner-up to Iga Swiatek. At the end of that year, Osaka began her maternity leave, and she gave birth to daughter Shai in July 2023. Osaka returned to the tour this season, so far, her best result was reaching the quarterfinals at Doha. The 26-year-old will now have a second-round showdown against another returning mom, No.15 seed Elina Svitolina. The Ukrainian came back from her own maternity leave less than a year ago and is already back inside the Top 20. Later, American Shelby Rogers outlasted Czech teenager Linda Fruhirtova 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 in first-round action. Rogers was sidelined for the second half of 2023 after Wimbledon as she underwent a second career knee surgery in the summer. She lost to Emma Raducanu in the first round of the Australian Open in her return to the tour this year, WTA reports. The American will next face 2021 Roland Garros finalist and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the second-round. Earlier in the day, the opening Stadium match had Florida native Sloane Stephens celebrating her 31st birthday by defeating 6-2, 6-3 German Angelique Kerber, another former WTA No.1, who is coming back after giving birth to her daughter just over one year ago. Sorana Cirstea of Romania will be Stephens' second-round opponent. Osaka sweeps past Cocciaretto; Fruhirtova beats in Miami Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Row over award to TM Krishna; Carnatic musicians pull out of the Madras Academy event Chennai, March 21 S everal Carnatic musicans have pulled out of Madras Music Academy's annual December conference to protest the Sangita Kalanidhi award to classical vocalist T M Krishna, who they allege has "glorified Periyar" and vilified the Carnatic music community. The artistes are miffed with the Chennai-based academy's decision to bestow the honour, which is considered the Oscar equivalent in Carnatic music, on the 48-year-old vocalist. Krishna will preside over the 98th annual conference and concerts of the Madras Music Academy later this year in December. https://x.com/tmkrishna/status/1769587976504549617?s=20 The sibling duo of Srikrishna Mohan and Ramkumar Mohan, otherwise known as the Trichur Brothers said participating in the year-end festival conference hosted by the Academy will make them "outright hypocrites in our own eyes." They took to social media platform X to write, "Formal announcement that we are pulling out of the Annual Conference 2024 of The Music Academy , Madras, for obvious reasons. To participate in a conference presided by Mr TM Krishna would make us outright hypocrites in our own eyes. Sincerely, Trichur Brothers." https://x.com/TrichurBrothers/status/1770522328881045939?s=20 Yesterday, renowned Indian classical musicians Ranjani and Gayatri announcing the decision stated that their participation in this year's conference under TM Krishna's presidency would constitute a "moral violation." They accused Krishna of causing "immense damage" to the Carnatic music world by "wilfully and happily" stomping over the sentiments of the community and said he "insulted most respected icons like Tyagaraja and MS Subbulakshmi" Musician and composer Chitravina Ravikiran also expressed his discontent over the decision and mentioned, "RETURNING SANGITA KALANIDHI AWARD from ACADEMY: I've taken this step after careful consideration as principles much larger than all of us are at stake. However I'll always remain deeply grateful to the org for its role in my career from childhood #musicacademy #award #Music" https://x.com/ravikiranmusic/status/1770618512337191006?s=20 Musician and composer Chitravina Ravikiran also expressed his discontent over the decision and mentioned, "RETURNING SANGITA KALANIDHI AWARD from ACADEMY: I've taken this step after careful consideration as principles much larger than all of us are at stake. However I'll always remain deeply grateful to the org for its role in my career from childhood #musicacademy #award #Music" Vedic Speaker and writer Dushyanth Sridhar said that he won't be performing at the academy's upcoming music festival in protest. He mentioned, "#Astikas - I have conveyed to the Madras Music Academy that I will not be performing on the 1st January 2025 (after the sadas). Below is a copy of the letter drafted to them." "I have no authority to question the selection of his name for the award. I am pained by many of his public statements on Dharma, Ayodhya, Sri Rama, and more," he wrote He also attached a copy of the letter he wrote to the President of the Music Academy outlining his ideological disagreements with Krishna as well as his reasons for declining to perform. https://x.com/dushyanthsridar/status/1770481032401125464?s=20 Historian Vikram Sampath supported the move by the renowned Carnatic musicians and vocalists like Vishakha Hari, Dushyanth Sridhar, Trichur Brothers among others. He mentioned in his post, A big shoutout to the immense courage of conviction showed by artists like @ranjanigayatri @dushyanthsridar @TrichurBrothers Vishakha Hari & most of all @ravikiranmusic 's bold step of returning the Sangitha Kalanidhi award in the wake of @musicacademyma's foolish, suicidal & self-serving move. A quiet revolution brews & hope other Carnatic musicians who revere the composers & our Gods join ranks to demonstrate how some things are simply non-negotiable!" https://x.com/vikramsampath/status/1770639792155627875?s=20 Musicians Ranjani and Gayatri have alleged that Krishna's actions have "tried to spread a sense of shame in being a carnatic musician" and has been exhibited through his "consistent denigration of spirituality in music." They also accused him of vilifying the Carnatic music fraternity that has collectively contributed millions of hours of artistry, hard work and literature. "It's dangerous to overlook Mr TM Krishna's glorification of a figure like EVR who 1. Openly proposed a genocide of 'brahmins' 2. Repeatedly called/abused every woman of this community with vile profanity 3. Relentlessly worked to normalize filthy language in social discourse," they posted on X. "We believe in a value system that respects art and artists, vaggeyakaras, rasikas, institutions, our roots and culture. We will be in moral violation if we were to bury these values and join this year's conference," the musicians added Erode Venkatappa Ramasamy (EVR) also known as Periyar is considered to be the 'Father of the Dravidian movement'. He rebelled against Brahmin dominance and gender and caste inequality in Tamil Nadu. Earlier, in a statement issued by N Murali, President of the Madras Music Academy said the distinguished recognition for Krishna is for "his powerful voice", "adherence to tradition when it comes to the art", "focusing on its exploratory as opposed to tightly defined structures" and for using music as "a tool for social reform". Krishna thanked the Music Academy and termed it "special" moment. He wrote in a social media post on X, "I am happy that The Music Academy, Madras is honouring me with the title Sangita Kalanidhi, for the year 2024. It is without doubt the highest honour for Karnatik musicians. At this moment I thank my family, my Guru-s and co-musicians for their selfless giving.." Krishna has often spoken out against conventional ideas of caste and gender politics in the existing Carnatic music system and also been vocal about the non inclusiveness of the famed December music season in Chennai, also known as the Marghazi season. He had also started a music festival in the fishing village of Uroor-Olcott Kupppam. An economics graduate, Krishna was a musical prodigy who started learning music from Bhagavathula Seetharama Sharma, followed by lessons from Carnatic vocalist Chingleput Ranganathan and Semmangudi Srinivas. Krishna is the grandnephew of former Indian finance minister TT Krishnamachari, who is among the founders of the Madras Music Academy. According to a press release of the Music Academy, the Sangita Kalanidhi awardee will preside over the academic sessions of the 98th Annual Conference and Concerts of The Music Academy to be held between December 15, 2024 and January 1, 2025. Row over award to TM Krishna; Carnatic musicians pull out of the Madras Academy event Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Felt like Aamir Khan: Japan's envoy to India Hiroshi Suzuki as he enjoys visit at film city in Mumbai Mumbai, March 21 J apan's Ambassador to India, Hiroshi Suzuki, said that he felt like Bollywood actor Aamir Khan as he experimented with some props from one of his movies on Thursday. Posting pictures of his visit to Mumbai's film city, the Japanese envoy in a post on X wrote, "Fully enjoyed Film City in Mumbai." https://x.com/HiroSuzukiAmbJP/status/1770742848482050556?s=20 In one of the videos, Suzuki is also seen dancing his heart out to Bollywood songs. He is also seen enacting iconic, filmy poses for pictures. "Felt like Aamir Khan," he wrote in another post on X. https://x.com/HiroSuzukiAmbJP/status/1770743187818131468?s=20 Several social media users praised the Japanese ambassador for his visit and showered his posts with comments. "Awesome..zeal.." said one user. "Welcome To Mumbai," said another social media user. "You are a rock star," another user commented. This is not the first time Japanese ambassador Suzuki is visiting Mumbai. In June, last year, when he was in Mumbai, Suzuki commuted like a typical Mumbaikar. He travelled on a local train in Mumbai and also posed for a photograph while standing at the gate of the train. His love for Mumbai just did not end there. Following his local train stint, Suzuki also tried Maharashtrian-style street food in Pune. The video of him trying the street food went viral. Apparently, the envoy who was in Pune for an event, tried Vada Pav and Misal Pav. However, he had a minor complaint -- that it was too spicy for him. Taking to X (then Twitter), he had posted the video of him eating the street food with a caption that read, "I love street food of India ...but thoda teekha kam please!" The Japanese envoy also tried Pune's famous Misal Pav, on the recommendation of his followers on X, and also posted a video of tucking into the delicacy. "Because many followers recommended me...! MisalPav," the envoy posted. He received much praise from netizens for his posts about trying out Indian street food in Pune. Some of his social media followers urged him to try other delicacies in the comments section, while others admired his willingness to try new foods. Felt like Aamir Khan: Japan's envoy to India Hiroshi Suzuki as he enjoys visit at film city in Mumbai Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! New Delhi, March 21 A day before the much-awaited Indian Premier League 2024, all the nine captains of different franchises along with Punjab Kings vice-captain Jitesh Sharma posed for the picture with the trophy. Ruturaj Gaikwad (Chennai Super Kings), Faf Du Plessis (Royal Challengers Bangalore), Hardik Pandya (Mumbai Indians), Rishabh Pant (Delhi Capitals), KL Rahul (Lucknow Super Giants), Shubman Gill (Gujarat Titans), Shreyas Iyer (Kolkata Knight Riders), Pat Cummins (SunRisers Hyderabad), Sanju Samson (Rajasthan Royals), Jitesh (Punjab Kings). "The 10 captains are ready! The Goal is set. Let the #TATAIPL 2024 begin," IPL said in video posted on X. https://twitter.com/IPL/status/1770767775327215822 Punjab Kings skipper Shikhar Dhawan was not present in the photograph session of IPL 2024 due to a minor illness. The schedule has been revealed till April 7 in view of Lok Sabha polls and further dates will be announced. Fans will have double delight as they will witness four doubleheaders that have been scheduled within this time frame. The 17th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) will start on March 22, with MS Dhoni-led side, the defending champions, set to clash with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in a South Indian derby at their home arena - MA Chidambaram Stadium. IPL 2022 winner and last year's runnersup Gujarat Titans (GT) and five-time champions Mumbai Indians (MI) battle against each other in an electrifying clash on Sunday at Ahmedabad. On the same day, Rajasthan Royals and Lucknow Super Giants will be starting their campaign at Jaipur. Delhi Capitals will be playing their home fixtures at Vizag on March 31 and April 3 against CSK and Kolkata Knight Riders respectively. In what will be the first-ever double-header on March 23, Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals will launch their campaign against each other at Mohali while two-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders will get their campaign underway in Kolkata. Team captains pose with trophy ahead of IPL season Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Download Now The News-Gazette mobile app brings you the latest local breaking news, updates, and more. Read the News-Gazette on your mobile device just as it appears in print. The hung jury deliberated for eight hours but failed to convict or acquit Coreyon A. Duncan, 35, who stands charged of attempted murder and for a May 2020 shooting in the 3200 block of Ridgewood Drive that left a man paralyzed. Regulatory T lymphocytes are cells that are responsible for regulating the immune system and have regenerative functions in many contexts, including myelin restoration. To determine if the function of these cells is impaired with age, Alerie Guzman de la Fuente, a Miguel Servet investigator at the Institute for Health and Biomedical Research of Alicante (ISABIAL) and the Institute for Neurosciences (IN), a joint centre of the Miguel Hernandez University (UMH) of Elche and the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), has co-led a study, together with the researcher Denise Fitzgerald from Queen's University Belfast (UK), demonstrating that, although regulatory T lymphocyte number increases with age, their ability to promote oligodendrocyte progenitor stem cells (OPCs) to form new cells to replace lost myelin is reduced. Myelin is a protective layer present in the nervous system that surrounds nerve fibers, allowing quick and appropriate communication between neurons: "It is similar to the plastic that covers the copper in a cable," explains Guzman de la Fuente, and she points out that myelin loss linked to aging or neurodegenerative diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, has serious consequences for neurological functions. In this work, published in the journal Nature Communications, the researchers have focused their study on how aging, a key risk factor that limits myelin regeneration, affects the regulatory T cells regenerative functions in the brain and spinal cord. To carry out this study, the researchers used mice that are between 19 and 23 months old as an animal model, which resembles an approximate age of 65 to 70 years in humans. The experts detected that the presence of regulatory T lymphocytes increases with age, however, these had lost the ability to enhance the conversion of OPCs to new oligodendrocytes that regenerate myelin upon damage. Reversible in a young environment The researchers wanted to figure out whether this loss in regulatory T cell function was completely irreversible. To do so, they carried out several experiments in young mice in which they replaced their young regulatory T lymphocytes by aged ones and verified that, in a young animal both, young and aged cells, have the same capacity to enhance myelin regeneration. The results of these experiments, in which researchers from the Institute for Neurosciences and from ISABIAL Francisco Javier Rodriguez Baena and Sonia Cabeza Fernandez have also participated, together with a team of researchers from the University of Cambridge (UK), Altos Laboratories (UK) and the University of Syddansk (Denmark), are very positive because they suggest that the loss of function may be reversible. New steps to study "Regulatory T lymphocytes are very complex because they modulate the immune system and in patients, it is not feasible to eliminate and exchange them for young cells", says Alerie Guzman de la Fuente and she explains that this led the team to study in depth what was different between young and aged regulatory T cells. The objective was to identify some of the mechanisms involved in the failure to enhance myelin repair associated with regulatory T cell aging to modulate them in a more specific manner", clarifies the researcher. Combining a series of techniques, such as transcriptomic analysis, researchers have detected two new molecules involved in this process: Integrin alpha 2 (ITGA2) and the Melanoma Cell Adhesion Molecule (MCAM). They verified that both molecules not only decrease with aging in regulatory T lymphocytes but are also involved in the interaction between these lymphocytes and the stem cells that regenerate myelin, the OPCs. This finding opens new avenues of research to determine whether ITGA2 and MCAM molecules have potential as therapeutic targets. Future studies are needed to determine whether manipulation of these proteins can increase myelin regeneration in aged multiple sclerosis patients. This work has been supported by funding from the Wellcome Trust (UK), the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), The European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS), the Miguel Servet Fellowship from the Spanish Institute of Health Carlos III, the Spanish State Research Agency Plan Generacion de Conocimiento 2021 grant, the Leverhulme Trust, the Generalitat Valenciana, and the Department for the Economy (Northern Ireland). The air quality in Swedish cities has improved continuously over the last twenty years, according to a research collaboration based at the University of Gothenburg. Several thousand deaths may have been prevented every year, thanks to better air quality. However, many people are still exposed to air pollution that exceeds the World Health Organization's recommendations. In the study, the researchers present a high-resolution data model of how air pollution levels have changed over time for six cities in Sweden: Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmo, Linkoping, Uppsala, and Umea. This means that the study covers more than half of the Swedish population. The results of the study are now published in the journal Air Quality, Atmosphere & Health. The researchers have studied emissions of fine particles (PM 2.5 ), coarse particles (PM 10 ), and nitrogen oxides (NO x ) from local, regional, and international sources. The studied emissions come from sources including traffic, industry, and wood burning, and have decreased significantly in Sweden since 2000. The ambient air concentration of fine particles have decreased by a full 56%, coarse particles by 23%, and nitrogen dioxide by 33% from 2000 to 2018. The largest reduction in fine particles was observed in Gothenburg, while coarse particles and nitrogen oxides decreased the most in Uppsala and Stockholm. Large health gains We estimate that almost 3,000 premature deaths were avoided per year between 2000 and 2018 in the six cities modeled in our study. Even more deaths can be avoided through continued work to improve air quality further. Many Swedes are still exposed to air pollution levels that exceed the World Health Organization's 2021 air quality guidelines." Karl Kilbo Edlund, doctoral student at the University of Gothenburg's Sahlgrenska Academy, lead author of the study Despite improvements in air quality, 65% of residents in the cities included in the study are still exposed to levels of fine particles that exceed the World Health Organization's guidelines. The study shows that there are significant differences between geographical areas within the six cities, but in general terms the highest exposures are in Malmo. Pollution moves across long distances, and emissions elsewhere in Europe affect also the air quality in Swedish cities. Falling emissions both in Sweden and abroad therefore explain the improved air quality in Sweden. The role of pollutants in chronic diseases The air pollution model will now be used to study the role played by air pollution and other environmental factors in the early stages of chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, and kidney failure. The research is based on data from the large Swedish SCAPIS study, in which 30,000 middle-aged Swedes were surveyed. In the SCAPIS study, researchers from six universities, including University of Gothenburg, collaborate with air quality experts from the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute, Stockholm Air and Noise Analysis, and the City of Malmo's Environmental Administration. Gastric cancer ranks among the most widespread diseases in Asian populations, with South Koreans experiencing the third-highest incidence globally in 2020, as reported by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Recently, a collaborative research effort between Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) and Yonsei University achieved advancement in the realm of precision personalized medicine for gastric cancer. By using 3D bioprinting to accurately replicate the biological environment surrounding gastric cancer cells, the researchers have achieved a significant feat-;predicting a patient's response to anticancer drugs during the preclinical stage. This marks a significant milestone in the exploration of precision personalized medicine for gastric cancer. A team of researchers including Professor Jinah Jang from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, the Department of Convergence IT Engineering, the Department of Life Sciences, and the School of Convergence Science and Technology), Professor Dong-Woo Cho from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ph.D. candidate Jisoo Kim from the School of Interdisciplinary Bioscience & Bioengineering at the POSTECH, Professor Jae-Ho Cheong from the Department of Surgery and Dr. Jungmin Kim from the BioMedical Science Institute at Yonsei University collaboratively developed a vascularized gastric cancer model for personalized drug therapy by using patient-derived organoids (PDOs). The results of their research were published in an international journal Advanced Functional Materials. Clinical trials, aimed at assessing the efficacy of new drugs or treatments, are typically conducted on humans. The ability to predict patient responses during the preclinical phase is crucial for selecting suitable candidates for these trials. This not only helps in minimizing unexpected side effects but also enhances the overall success rates. Unfortunately, existing technologies face limitations in accurately replicating the pathology of gastric cancer and the intricate environment surrounding the tumor in vitro. To address this challenge, the research team used organoids obtained from gastric cancer patients along with 3D bioprinting technology. This approach led to the development of a vascularized organoid model (VOM) that faithfully reproduces the actual vasculature and environment of gastric cancer. The incorporation of a stomach-derived decellularized extracellular matrix (st-dECM), rich in stomach-specific matrix proteins such as collagen, contributed to a high cell viability rate exceeding 90%. Furthermore, the model demonstrated a high level of similarity to actual gastric cancer conditions. Based on these findings, the team generated patient-specific vascularized organoid models (VOMs) for use in drug trials. The outcomes revealed distinct responses to the same drug among different patient models, aligning with real-world clinical trial results. The created VOMs, faithfully replicating the microscopic vasculature and biological conditions of gastric cancer, enabled the team to predict patient responses during the preclinical stage. Furthermore, the VOM accurately mimicked the clinical response to the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR2). The research highlighted the limitation of the currently employed human epithelial cell proliferation factor receptor (HER2) as the sole target in clinics, underscoring its ineffectiveness for patients unresponsive to this target. This research creates new possibilities for a broader spectrum of therapies. Professor Jinah Jang who led the research stated, "We have developed a promising platform for personalized cancer treatment." She added, "This platform has potential applications in other types of cancer where drugs act through the blood vessels." The advanced biomodel platform is crucial in simulating diverse clinical trials at the laboratory level. It not only facilitates the study of cancer mechanisms but also enables the advance assessment of the effectiveness of anticancer drugs, offering a new paradigm for the implementation of precision medicine in cancer." Professor Jae-Ho Cheong from Yonsei University This research was supported by Korean Fund for Regenerative Medicine funded by Ministry of Science and ICT, and Ministry of Health and Welfare, the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT) and the Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy(MOTIE) of the Republic of Korea, and National Cancer Center. This study was partly supported by the National Research Foundation of South Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korean government (MSIP), and Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea(NRF) funded by the Ministry of Education. Using a combined scanning technique on patients with early-stage breast cancer improved treatment in almost three out of ten cases in a trial presented at the 14th European Breast Cancer Conference today (Thursday). Using the combined positron emission tomography-magnetic resonance imaging (PET-MRI) scans enabled doctors to spot signs that a patient's tumour had begun to spread, meaning they could benefit from alternative treatment, such as chemotherapy or a different type of surgery. The research was presented by Dr Rosa Di Micco, a breast surgeon at IRCCS San Raffaele University and Research Hospital in Milan, Italy. She said: "The standard approach for patients with early breast cancer includes mammography, ultrasound, and sometimes MRI. Combined PET-MRI is a relatively new approach, so it's generally only used in clinical research." The new study led by Professor Oreste Gentilini includes 205 patients who were being treated at San Raffaele Hospital between July 2020 and October 2023. Before being offered breast-conserving surgery to remove the tumour, each patient was given a PET-MRI scan to look for signs of cancer spread in the affected breast, the surrounding area and the rest of the body. In 57 out of the 205 patients (27.8%), their planned treatment was altered based on the results of the PET-MRI scan. Of these, 18 had chemotherapy as a first-line treatment and the remaining 39 had different surgical approaches, including mastectomy, removal of extra lymph nodes and surgery on both breasts. In 12 out of the 57 patients (21%), additional tumour tissue removed turned out to be benign. Our research suggests that for patients with early breast cancer, the addition of a PET-MRI scan to standard care could help us make more informed decisions about the best treatment pathway. However, results of this technique are still affected by a high percentage of false positives and should therefore be confirmed by further testing." Dr. Rosa Di Micco, breast surgeon at IRCCS San Raffaele University and Research Hospital in Milan, Italy Professor Gentilini said: "These are early results from an ongoing study, but they suggest that a PET-MRI scan could refine treatment for some breast cancer patients. They also suggest that this is an area where more research could be beneficial." Dr Di Micco and her colleagues are also beginning a new study using a slightly different PET-MRI approach that should help detect breast cancer cells that grow in response to the female hormone oestrogen. This could be particularly helpful for patients with lobular breast cancer, which can be harder to see on mammograms or ultrasounds scans. Professor Michail Ignatiadis from the Institut Jules Bordet in Brussels, Belgium, is Chair of the 14th European Breast Cancer Conference and was not involved in the research. He said: "Once complete, this will be one of the largest studies of its kind looking at PET-MRI before surgery for patients with early breast cancer. We look forward to more results from this study, but these findings suggest that PET-MRI could help spot early signs that breast cancer has begun to spread. Spotting these signs might give people the best chance of long-term survival. We now need studies to prospectively test this hypothesis." The host Julie Rovner KFF Health News @jrovner Julie Rovner is chief Washington correspondent and host of KFF Health News' weekly health policy news podcast, "What the Health?" A noted expert on health policy issues, Julie is the author of the critically praised reference book "Health Care Politics and Policy A to Z," now in its third edition. The Affordable Care Act was signed into law 14 years ago this week, and Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra joined KFF Health News' Julie Rovner on this week's "What the Health?" podcast to discuss its accomplishments so far and the challenges that remain for the health law. Meanwhile, Congress appears on its way to, finally, finishing the fiscal 2024 spending bills, including funding for HHS without many of the reproductive or gender-affirming health care restrictions Republicans had sought. This week's panelists are Julie Rovner of KFF Health News, Mary Agnes Carey of KFF Health News, Tami Luhby of CNN, and Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico. Panelists Mary Agnes Carey KFF Health News @maryagnescarey Tami Luhby CNN @Luhby Alice Miranda Ollstein Politico @AliceOllstein Among the takeaways from this week's episode: The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments next week in a case that could decide whether the abortion pill mifepristone will remain easily accessible. The case itself deals with national restrictions rather than an outright ban. But, depending on how the court rules, it could have far-reaching results for instance, preventing people from getting the pills in the mail and limiting how far into pregnancy the treatment can be used. The case is about more than abortion. Drug companies and medical groups are concerned about the precedent it would set for courts to substitute their judgment for that of the FDA regarding drug approvals. Abortion-related ballot questions are in play in several states. The total number ultimately depends on the success of citizen-led efforts to collect signatures to gain a spot. Such efforts face opposition from anti-abortion groups and elected officials who don't want the questions to reach the ballot box. Their fear, based on precedents, is that abortion protections tend to pass. The Biden administration issued an executive order this week to improve research on women's health across the federal government. It has multiple components, including provisions intended to increase research on illnesses and diseases associated with postmenopausal women. It also aims to increase the number of women participating in clinical trials. This Week in Medical Misinformation: The Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the case Murthy v. Missouri. At issue is whether Biden administration officials overstepped their authority when asking companies like Meta, Google, and X to remove or downgrade content flagged as covid-19 misinformation. Plus, for "extra credit," the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week that they think you should read, too: Julie Rovner: The Washington Post's "Arizona Lawmaker Tells Her Abortion Story to Show 'Reality' of Restrictions," by Praveena Somasundaram. (Full speech here.) Alice Miranda Ollstein: CNN's "Why Your Doctor's Office Is Spamming You With Appointment Reminders," by Nathaniel Meyersohn. Tami Luhby: KFF Health News' "Georgia's Medicaid Work Requirement Costing Taxpayers Millions Despite Low Enrollment," by Andy Miller and Renuka Rayasam. Mary Agnes Carey: The New York Times' "When Medicaid Comes After the Family Home," by Paula Span, and The AP's "State Medicaid Offices Target Dead People's Homes to Recoup Their Health Care Costs," by Amanda Seitz. Also mentioned on this week's podcast: Credits Francis Ying Audio producer Stephanie Stapleton Editor The Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) will soon declare the results for Class 12 board exams 2024 on its official website. The Bihar Board Inter Exams 2024 were administered from February 1 to February 12. Students who appeared for the annual exams can check their results through the official website of the Bihar School Examination Board at secondary.biharboardonline.com by entering their login credentials. Students can also check their results via SMS, following the steps provided below. Bihar Board 12th Result 2024 LIVE Updates Bihar Board Exams 2024: Passing Marks In the Bihar Board class 12 Exam 2024, the total marks for all subjects are 500. Students scoring 300 marks and above (in total) will be awarded the 1st division. However, Candidates scoring below 150 marks will be declared fail. Students are required to score at least 33 marks in each subject and 30 percent as an overall aggregate score in each subject in theory to pass the Bihar Board examination. In addition, students must score at least 40 percent in practical exams. Bihar Board Exams 2024: How to Check Class 12th Result Online? Step 1: Visit the official website of BSEB at secondary.biharboardonline.com to check the result. Step 2: Look for and click on the BSEB Inter Result 2024 link available on the websites homepage. Step 3: Then, key in your roll number, roll code, and hit the submit button. Step 4: Upon submitting, the Bihar 12th result 2024 will be displayed on the screen. Step 5: View and save a copy of the mark sheet in your device. Step 6: Later, collect the original mark sheet from school authorities. Bihar Board Exams 2024: How to Check Class 12th Result via SMS? Step 1: Open the SMS application on your smartphone. Step 2: Tap the new message button and type: BIHAR12 ROLL-NUMBER in the given format. Step 3: Post that, send the message to 56263. Step 4: Within minutes, the board will send the Bihar board class 12th results 2024 on the same number. Bihar Board Exams 2024: Details Mentioned on Class 12 Result 1. Name of the Candidate 2. Roll number 3. Examination Name 4. Subjects 5. Marks scored in each subject 6. Minimum and maximum marks 7. Passing status of the student 8. Percentage/grade Candidates are advised to keep tracking the official website for the latest updates regarding the Bihar Inter Result 2024. Last year, the stream-wise pass percentage of class 12 by the Bihar Board was 83.93 per cent for science stream students, 93.95 per cent for commerce students, and 82.74 per cent for arts students. The Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) has announced vacancies for the post of Block Horticulture Officer (BHO). The deadline to apply for these vacancies is set for today, March 21. Interested candidates can apply through the official BPSC website at bpsc.bih.nic.in. The application process for the given position started on March 1. A total of 318 positions are available via BPSC Recruitment 2024, with 110 reserved for women. Selection Process The selection process for the Block Horticulture Officer (BHO) position includes two parts: an interview and a written test. Salary According to the Pay Matrix Level-4, the salary for a BHO may vary from Rs 25,500 to 81,100. This salary is exclusive of any additional perks and allowances. Eligibility Criteria Candidates must meet the eligibility criteria to apply for Bihar BHO Recruitment 2024. The criteria are as follows: Education Qualification Candidates eyeing the Block Horticulture Officer (BHO) role must have a Bachelors degree from a recognised university or institute. The degree should be in either agriculture science or horticulture science. Age Limit Candidates must be at least 21 years old and should not exceed 37 years of age. Application Fees Application fees for the Bihar Block Horticulture Officer (BHO) position vary as per the category: General, OBC, and Other State candidates- Rs 750 SC, ST, and PH candidates- Rs 200 Female candidates- Rs 200 How To Apply? Visit the official website of the Bihar Public Service Commission. Find the recruiting section to find the Block Horticulture Officer recruiting Notification 2024. Read the announcement carefully to understand the prerequisites and other details. Collect all required paperwork, including handwritten notes, identification, and address information. Prepare scanned copies of necessary documentation, such as proof of ID and birthdate. Keep recent photos and signed copies in Hindi and English ready for uploading. Pay the application fee for your category before submitting the form. Print a copy of the completed application for future records. Following a recent inspection aimed at assessing the condition of school premises in Bulandshahr, the district education department has initiated action against approximately 150 school staff members from primary and upper primary schools. This action entails withholding their salaries, as reported by Times of India. The inspection, which was conducted as part of preparations for setting up polling booths, uncovered an alarming scenario across several schools. Many were found to be unattended, with evident signs of neglect in maintenance such as lack of proper paint or repair work. As per the Times of India report, each government school is allocated funds by the authorities in the form of a composite grant, earmarked specifically for maintenance purposes. These funds, ranging from Rs 12,000 to Rs 50,000, and in some cases up to Rs 1 lakh, are intended to cover expenses related to maintenance, including paint, repair work, and other essential requirements. However, it was observed that a substantial portion of these funds remained unutilized. Laxmikant Pandey, basic education officer (BSA) in Bulandshahr, was quoted by TOI as saying that a grace period of one week has been granted to the concerned staff members to rectify the situation. During this time, their salaries will be withheld. However, if they fail to address the issues and utilize the allocated funds within the stipulated time frame, further actions will be taken. This includes the deduction of salaries for head teachers and school in-charges for one month as a measure to enforce accountability and ensure the proper utilization of allocated funds. Moving on to new recruitments, the Allahabad High Court has declined to extend the advantage of reservation under the EWS category for the hiring of 69,000 assistant teachers in 2020, citing that the recruitment process began prior to the passage of the statute. Judge Saurabh Shyam Shamshery noted that the process of appointing 69,000 assistant teachers in Uttar Pradesh began on May 16, 2020, ahead of to the EWS Acts enactment, or on August 31, 2020, while dismissing a number of writ petitions brought by Shivam Pandey and others. In the meantime, the Bihar Education Department withheld 12,987 school teachers salaries in December of last year due to their absences from work over a six-month inspection period. Additionally, the department suspended 39 more people for different violations in teaching and the provisions of the Bihar School Teachers Recruitment regulations. Students mostly get worried about higher education after their board exams are over. They are not able to decide which college or university to take admission to. Sometimes money also becomes a major factor for many candidates. Today, lets take a look at some famous colleges in Uttarakhand that are located in the quiet valleys of the mountains, and the fees here are also much lower as compared to other private colleges. Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology: According to reports, the Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology is located in Pantnagar, Kumaon, Uttarakhand. This is the first agricultural university in India. If one wants to take admission at this university, then it is mandatory for one to complete 10+2 with a minimum 45 percent marks in any related subject from any recognized board. GB Pant Agricultural University offers various undergraduate (UG), postgraduate (PG), and PhD courses in the fields of science, humanities, and agriculture. National Institute of Technology (NIT): If one wants to pursue engineering from an institute like NIT, then one can take admission at this institute, located in Srinagar, Garhwal, Uttarakhand.It is necessary for one to qualify for JEE Mains. As per reports, very soon the permanent campus of NIT Uttarakhand is going to be ready in Sumadi, Pauri Garhwal district. Presently, NIT Uttarakhand operates on the second campus of NIT, located in Srinagar Garhwal. Students from all over the country come here to study engineering. Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University: It is a Central University, established in 1973, located in Srinagar in the Pauri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand in Northern India. If one wants to do higher education at a central university, this is the best. Here, one can take admission in many courses like arts, science, commerce, agriculture, horticulture, BPharm, mass communication, engineering, and many more. But one needs to qualify for the CUET entrance examination to get admission to HNB Garhwal University at the undergraduate level. For PG courses, the entrance examination is conducted by the university at its own level. Being a central university, the fees here are negligible. Many beautiful hostels are also available here for accommodation. Govind Ballabh Pant Institute of Engineering and Technology (GBPIET): This college is located in Ghurdauri, Pauri Garhwal district, in the north Indian state of Uttarakhand. The institute offers courses in MCA, MTech, and BTech. The college provides seven undergraduate, five postgraduate, and six doctoral courses. For admission here, it is mandatory to qualify for JEE Mains after passing 12th. Kumaun University: Kumaun University is a state university whose headquarters are in Nainital, Uttarakhand, India. The academic wing of the university is spread over two campuses (Dev Singh Bisht (DSB) Campus, Nainital, and the newly constructed Sir JC Bose Technical Campus at Bhimtal). In this college, postgraduate and diploma courses in criminology and cyber security, BBA and LLB honours courses, as well as advanced courses like Agronomy Environment, Biochemistry, BioInformatics, and MSc in Medical Lab Technology, are offered. Apart from this, many courses are also organised in UG classes, where entrance examinations are conducted at the university level for admission. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray met Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis at a private hotel in Bandra on Thursday. This meeting comes days after Thackeray went to Delhi and met Home Minister Amit Shah. Earlier this week, Thackeray and Shah had a closed door meeting in which, sources say, the inclusion of his party in the NDA was discussed. After the meeting, neither the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) nor MNS confirmed or made the official announcement on the possible alliance ahead of Lok Sabha Election 2024. Todays meeting between Raj Thackeray, Shinde and Fadnavis is being seen as MNSs next move towards forging an alliance with BJP and Shiv Sena in the state. Surprisingly, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who is also part of this alliance, was not seen at the meeting. Sources in the Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra have indicated that these are primary talks on how to accommodate the MNS and, hence, Pawar was not present in this meeting. According to sources, Raj Thackeray-led MNS has given a proposal to contest two Lok Sabha seats South Mumbai and Shirdi. So far, no decision has been taken regarding the alliance, but strong speculation has been making headlines that the South Mumbai seat, which BJP wanted to contest, may be given to the MNS to give a tougher fight to Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena in their bastion. Sources within the BJP said that brand Thackeray will play a crucial role in this election. Also Read | Raj Thackerays Delhi Meeting With Amit Shah Sparks Buzz Ahead Of LS Polls, Hectic Parleys in Maharashtra Too It is being said that if Raj Thackeray joins the BJP-led NDA alliance, this will help cut the votes of Uddhav Thackerays Shiv Sena. Murmurs ae strong that Raj Thackeray may emerge as a strong option against Uddhav Thackeray with the MNS chief having adopted the agenda of Hindutva and holding on to his primary agenda of Marathi Manoos (son of the soil). Raj, with oratory skills and a huge fan following among the youth, is being seen as a big support for NDA and Mahayuti in taking their agenda to Maharashtras youth. However, the NDA and Mahayuti may face the wrath of North Indian voters with the inclusion of Raj Thackeray-led MNS. In Mumbai, the Western suburban has a sizeable pocket of North Indian voters, who have been the traditional vote bank of the BJP. MNS, after its formation in 2006, had taken an anti-North Indian stand with a view to give justice to Marathi Manoos (son of the soil) whose jobs and employment opportunities were snatched by migrant north Indians in a big city like Mumbai. MNS had also resorted to vandalism and holigoonism while pushing their agenda in the initial years of party formation. The Election Commission of India on Thursday directed the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to ensure that no further delivery of Viksit Bharat message on WhatsApp takes place as the Model Code of Conduct is in force ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The ECI issued the directive after it received complaints that despite MCC being in force, people were receiving messages highlighting the union governments initiatives on their phone. In an earlier letter, the Ministry told the poll body that the WhatsApp messages were sent out on March 15, before the MCC came into force. But due to system architecture and network limitations, it is possible that some letters have a delayed delivery, the Ministry had said. The ECI directed the Ministry that it has to ensure that no further delivery of WhatsApp messages takes place during the MCC period. The Commission has received complaints from various quarters that such messages are still being delivered on citizens phones. Since the MCC is now in force, you are, hereby, directed to ensure forthwith that no further delivery of WhatsApp messages takes place during MCC period. A compliance report in this regard may be sent immediately, the poll body added. On Monday, opposition parties raised the issue of people receiving Prime Minister Narendra Modis letter on WhatsApp seeking support in building a Viksit Bharat. The parties termed this as blatant violation of the MCC, which came into force soon after the elections were announced. Several Congress leaders also raised the issue on social media platforms. In a post on X, Congress MP Manish Tewari shared the letter which he received on his phone. This unsolicited WhatsApp message came at 12.09 AM today. It seems to be from @GoI_MeitY (Ministry of Electronics & IT). Is this not a blatant violation of the both Model Code of Conduct & Right to Privacy, Tewari said, asking how the ministry got his mobile number. The ECI announced the schedule of the Lok Sabha polls on March 16. The 2024 Lok Sabha polls will be held in seven phases between April 19 and June 1 while the counting of the votes will take place on June 4. The Bharatiya Janata Party could make One Nation, One Election a major promise in its manifesto or Sankalp Patra for the general elections starting next month, meaning 2029 could see simultaneous Lok Sabha and state assembly polls, top sources have told News18. The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) will also prominently feature in the manifesto, they added. The party is presently carrying out a massive public feedback exercise for the manifesto. The high-level committee report on Simultaneous Elections in India was submitted this month to the President of India. The next government could accept the report soon after coming to power, sources said. The terms of some state assemblies set to vote next in late 2028 could be extended by a few months to let them poll alongside the 2029 Lok Sabha elections, while the tenure of other state assemblies voting after 2024 could be curtailed to bring them in sync. Both simultaneous elections and Uniform Civil Code had featured in the BJPs manifesto in 2019 too. That manifesto had said the BJP was committed to the idea of simultaneous elections for Parliament, state assemblies, and local bodies to reduce expenditure, ensure efficient utilisation of government resources and security forces, and for effective policy planning. We will try and build consensus on this issue with all parties, the 2019 manifesto said. The government now has the report from the Ram Nath Kovind committee to move ahead on the matter, even though 15 political parties like the Congress, Trinamool Congress, and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam opposed the idea. The report has said a Constitution Amendment Bill is needed to be passed in Parliament with no need for ratification from the state governments. Keeping Promises The BJP has fulfilled major manifesto promises from 2019, like the abrogation of Article 370 sections in Jammu and Kashmir, and the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act. The 2019 manifesto said the BJP believes there cannot be gender equality till such time India adopts a Uniform Civil Code and said it was committed to drafting a UCC. BJP sources said the Uttarakhand government has shown the way by passing a UCC law and other BJP-ruled states could do so in the third term of the Modi government. The BJP could hence cite the Uttarakhand example to again promise UCC in its 2024 manifesto. What One Nation, One Election Report said The report has said that after this Lok Sabha election when Parliament meets, an appointed date should be to notify the move. The report said that all legislative assemblies constituted by state elections after the appointed date shall only be for the period ending by the subsequent general elections in 2029. In effect, state governments formed between 2024 and 2028 will have a shorter term till the 2029 Lok Sabha elections, subsequent to which there will be automatic simultaneous parliamentary and state elections in 2029. For example, a state that sees an election in 2025 will see its government having a four-year term, while one that sees an election in 2027 could only have a two-year term till 2029. The report has also recommended that in the event of a hung house, no-confidence motion, or any such event, fresh elections may be held to constitute the new house be it in Lok Sabha or state assemblies. The term of the new government hence formed will also be only for the unexpired term of the preceding full term of the Lok Sabha and the expiration of this period shall operate as dissolution of the house. The report has also recommended amendments to existing laws for enabling a single electoral roll and a single Electors Photo Identity Card. The panel has asked for the constitution of an implementation committee to look into the execution of the recommendations. The report has recommended that in the second stage, the polls to municipalities and panchayats will also be held within 100 days of the elections to the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. The report says that the committee finds that the loss of simultaneity in elections after the first two decades of Indias independence has had a baneful effect on the economy, polity, and society. Initially, two elections were held every ten years. Now, several elections are being held every year. This casts a huge burden on the government, businesses, workers, courts, political parties, candidates contesting elections, and civil society at large. The committee, therefore, recommends that the government must develop a legally tenable mechanism in order to restore the cycle of simultaneous elections, the report says. Upon all-inclusive deliberations the committee concludes that its recommendations will significantly enhance transparency, inclusivity, ease and confidence of the voters. Overwhelming support for holding simultaneous elections will spur development process and social cohesion, deepen the foundations of our democratic rubric, and realise the aspirations of India, that is Bharat, it says. Lok Sabha Election 2024: The Congress on Thursday released its third list of 56 candidates for the Lok Sabha polls, fielding Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury from Berhampore, party chief Mallikarjun Kharges son-in-law Radhakrishna from Gulbarga and former Union minister Sushilkumar Shindes daughter Praniti Shinde from Solapur. The Congress has left the Sikar Lok Sabha constituency in Rajasthan for the Communist Party of India (Marxist). With this, the party has declared a total of 138 candidates for the polls. In its third list, the Congress declared candidates for two seats in Arunachal Pradesh, 11 in Gujarat, 17 in Karnataka, seven in Maharashtra, five in Rajasthan, five in Telangana, eight in West Bengal and one in Puducherry. The grand old party has also declared seven candidates for the Lok Sabha polls in Maharashtra. Three-time Solapur City Central MLA Praniti Shinde (43), daughter of former Union minister Sushilkumar Shinde, will contest from Solapur, while Kasbapeth legislator Ravindra Dhangekar will fight the polls from Pune, the party said. In the April 19 Lok Sabha polls, undoubtedly, the battle for Coimbatore will be the most watched in Tamil Nadu as the ruling DMK and main opposition AIADMK the well entrenched Dravidian titans will see a new, aggressive challenger in the IPS officer-turned-politician, BJPs K Annamalai. In the wake of fresh challenge from Annamalai, the BJP state chief who has vowed to win the western belt for his party, the ruling DMK chose to not allot the Coimbatore seat, the hub of western Tamil Nadu to allies. Instead, the DMK has fielded its own candidate Ganapathi P Rajkumar from Coimbatore, which is also known as Kovai locally. In this battle of prestige, the DMK is determined to demonstrate that it continues to be all powerful in the region its ally CPI(M) nominee PR Natarjan won the seat in 2019. The AIADMK, on its part has resolved to disprove the ruling party and has nominated its IT wing chief Singai G Ramachandran who hails from the same region. For over four decades, the western region of Tamil Nadu, popularly known as Kongu mandalam in Tamil has been without doubt the AIADMKs bastion. It has made significant electoral gains even in losing causes, such as in 2006 and 2021. Traditionally, though BJP had some pockets of influence in western Tamil Nadu including Coimbatore, it was woefully insufficient to win enough votes to emerge victorious. Thirty-eight year old Annamalai, a native of western Tamil Nadu, belonging to the dominant Gounder community, according to party workers, decided to change the scenario by building on strength in the region. Coimbatore and the Nilgiris were among the regions in western Tamil Nadu that the BJP, especially under Annamalai has focused in a sustained manner to build the party. Roping in regional level leaders, like former elected representatives and opinion makers at the local level has been part of the BJPs strategy to bring about a real change in its electoral fortunes in the Dravidian state. Coimbatore-Nilgiris region is the crown jewel the Saffron party is eyeing to make deeper inroads in the state. Annamalai was arguably the first BJP leader in the state to aggressively target the Dravidian ideology and the key two parties DMK and AIADMK that represent it. In fact, the reason given by the AIADMK last year to snap ties with the BJP was that the Saffron party brass did nothing to stop Annamalai from targeting Dravidian ideologue CN Annadurai and late party matriarch J Jayalalithaa. With Annamalai often taking the lead in targeting the DMK on allegations of corruption besides everyday issues, the AIADMK was perceived by sections of people to be lagging behind in showing the spirit of real opposition. The fact that Prime Minister Narendra Modi took out a well-attended roadshow here on Monday, shows the focus the party has given to Coimbatore. Incidentally, he had attended events in two other districts in the Kongu region Tiruppur and Salem, in the past one month. Its been a mixed day for the Gandhis. In one of her rare appearances, Sonia Gandhi was seen at the press conference room in the party headquarters on Thursday along with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and MP Rahul Gandhi. It was about money. Rahul Gandhi rang the alarm bells, saying, The party has no money to even buy train tickets. This is in the context of the income tax department freezing the bank accounts of the Congress for non-compliance. The Congress is worried and an angry Rahul Gandhi lashed out at the media once again for not raising this issue. The party says it cant contest the Lok Sabha polls beginning next month on a level playing field, as neither media coverage nor funding is available to it. VICTIM CARD WORKS? But does this work? This victim card? Why did the party flaunt its strength on Thursday? This is because the Congress feels that the fund crunch could become a real issue. It may have to go back to the people to ask for money and this would be the best way to show itself as a party that is neither entitled nor rich. The 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections were fought on the pitch that the Modi Narendra government had risen from the roots and was not entitled. The Congress under Rahul Gandhi had attacked the PM with Chowkidar Chor Hai, which backfired. As the BJP-led NDA pushes for 400 paar this time, the Congress wants to project itself as a counter, which is a messiah of the poor and backward and is not rich like the saffron party. The Congress is making another attempt to showcase itself as a party that alone cares for the real poor people of India. And what better way than to be seen as a party that is not rich by going to the people for chanda or donation? WILL FALLING BACK ON CASTE HELP? Interestingly, Rahul Gandhi who entered politics to showcase himself as a youth icon who would change the party to make it modern, democratic, and an equaliser, has now taken recourse in the time-tested caste angle. So, during the entire Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, the Congress MP kept talking about the caste census and how it alone could help the backward youth. But not everyone has been comfortable with this narrative. While most have preferred to remain mum, one man who broke his silence has ended up embarrassing the Congress and the Gandhis. That man is Anand Sharma, who was close to Rajiv Gandhi and Sonia. In a letter to Kharge, he quoted Indira Gandhi to say that she had spoken out against the politics of caste and so had Rajiv Gandhi, therefore, why is the Congress talking about a caste census now? This evoked a sharp response from the Congress but as expected pleased the BJP. The caste factor has been strongly countered by the saffron party, with the Prime Minister saying that the only castes that matter to him are the poor, youth, farmers, and women. Inclusivity versus reservation can be a tough fight. For the Congress, it means giving up its legacy and a huge gamble. The point is would it be worth it? The Supreme Court today refused to stay the appointment of Election Commissioners, but questioned the Centre on the speed with which the Search Committee shortlisted the candidates. The SC did not question the Election Commissioners candidature but the procedure based on which they were selected. Let us look at the process of selecting an Election Commissioner. After the resignation of Arun Goel and Anup Chandra Pandey, only Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar was left in the three-member poll panel ahead of the 18th Lok Sabha election. The two officials Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu were appointed as the Election Commissioners by the President of India to fill up the vacancies in the three-member Election Commission. They are the first to be appointed to the Election Commission under the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023. As per the new law, the two ECs were selected by a Selection Committee comprising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Minister Amit Shah and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Choudhary. The two ECs were chosen out of the six shortlisted names. The shortlisted candidates were selected by the committee headed by the Union law minister, two officials of the rank of the secretary of the government. According to the law, the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners shall not be invalid merely because of any vacancy or defect in the constitution of the selection committee. What SC Said Earlier? The Supreme Court in its March 2023 ruled that a three-member panel headed by the PM, and comprising the Leader of Opposition and Chief Justice will appoint the ECs and CEC to ensure transparency in the selection process. The Supreme Court observed that the founding fathers of the Constitution did not want the Executive to have the exclusive right to appoint the Election Commission members as indicated in Article 324 of the Constitution. Earlier, the EC was appointed by the Executive, while the government maintained a database of retired and serving officials, including secretaries and chief secretaries, from which the law ministry would shortlist the names. The Prime Minister would decide the appointment while the President would formally make the appointment. What was the Need for the New Law? Four petitions were filed before the Supreme Court in 2015, 2017, 2021, and 2022, which demanded a fair and transparent system to choose the Election Commissioners. On October 23, 2018, while considering the 2015 petition, a two-judge bench felt that the matter required interpretation of Article 324, which deals with the role of the Election Commission. This issue was not discussed before in the Supreme Court, so it was referred to a Constitution bench. In September 2022, a five-judge Constitution bench led by Justice KM Joseph started hearing the petitions, as mentioned in an Indian Express report. The petitioners highlighted that there was a provision in the Constitution that specifies Presidents role in appointing Election Commissioners but it is subject to any law passed by Parliament. But no governments showed any interest in enacting the law, the report added. The Centre introduced a Bill in August last year, which specified the procedure to appoint an Election Commissioner. The Bill was passed by Parliament in December, 2023, with the Opposition parties criticising the composition of the committee. Powers of Election Commission The commission is empowered to function in accordance with the Delimitation Act and define territorial boundaries of electoral constituencies for different elections. It has the power to register or de-register any political party; enforce Model Code of Conduct for election campaigns, and check expenses of political parties. It also appoints officers as selection observers and expenditure observers from different departments of Civil Services. The Commission can also advise the President regarding disqualification of the Members of Parliament and the conditions for the same. It also advises the Governors on the disqualifications of the members of State legislatures. It also guides the Supreme Court or High Courts on the matter of post-election disputes. Tamil Nadu is seeing top Carnatic musicians pulling out of the annual conference of the Madras Music Academy in December after classical vocalist TM Krishna was conferred with the prestigious Sangita Kalanidhi award. The award, which is considered equivalent to an Oscar, was bestowed on the 48-year artiste after his fellow musicians have accused him of glorification of Periyar, who proposed genocide of Brahmins, abused women of the community and worked to normalise filthy language in social discourse. But DMK leader Kanimozhi has come out in support of the musician. TM Krishna being recognised as Sangita Kalanidhi by the Musci Academy has ruffled the feathers of parts of the music fraternity. The hate he is receiving for his social beliefs or his engagement with Periyar is uncalled for, she posted on X. Who are the Musicians Who Are Protesting? Ranjani and Gayathri said they will neither perform on the December 25 event nor participate in the academys conference between December 1 and January 1. We have made this decision as the conference will be presided over by TM Krishna. We wont go anywhere if he is there. We are boycotting the entire season at the academy, Rajani said, as quoted by The Times of India. We believe in a value system that respects art and artists, veggeyakaras, rasikas, institutions, our roots and culture. We would be in moral violation if we were to bury these values and join this years conference, the sisters post read. It also highlighted that Krishna has caused immense damage to the Carnatic music world, wilfully and happily stomped over the sentiments of this community and insulted the most respected icons like Tyagaraja and MS Subbulakshmi, it added. Another, exponent Dushyanth Sridhar, who has rendered Harikatha at the academy on January 1 every year since 2017, said he will not perform on January 1, 2025. He said he had a sea of ideological differences with Sangita Kalanidhi designate in 2024. I have no authority to question the selection of his name for the award. I am pained by many of his public statements on Dharma, Ayodhya, Sri Rama, and more, he said. He further said it would be disrespectful to the values of life and teachings of Bhagavat Ramanuja, Vedanta Desika, and Kanchi Paramacharya to perform immediately after the award ceremony. The Trichur Brothers the sibling duo of Srikrishna Mohan and Ramkumar Mohan said participating in the year-end festival conference will make them hypocrites. Therefore, they are pulling out of the Annual Conference 2024 of the Music Academy, Madras, for obvious reasons. To participate in conference presided by TM Krishna would make us outright hypocrites in our own eyes, their post on X read. Musician and composer Chitravina Ravikiran also showed discontent over Krishnas felicitation, and mentioned returning Sangitha Kalanidhi award from academy: Ive taken this step after careful consideration as principles much larger than all of us are at stake. However, Ill always remain deeply grateful to the org for its role in my career from childhood. Historian Vikram Sampath has also supported the move by renowned Carnatic musicians. The Divide Within Carnatic Musicians Social activist Nityanand Jayaraman said, as quoted by Scroll, the criticism over TM Krishnas award comes from a threat to an elite status that Carnatic musicians enjoy. I can see from the responses that their purity has been defiled by a person who has been talking about caste in Carnatic [music], about equality, about making Carnatic more than something that is divine and profound, said Jayaraman as quoted by Scroll. Krishna has been a vocal critic of upper caste status quo enjoyed by many Carnatic musicians. In 2016, when the organisers of the Ramon Magasaysay award gave Krishna the prize, they praised him for questioning the politics of art and the fact that he devoted himself to democratising the arts as an independent artist, writer, speaker, and activist. At the ceremony, Krishna had said that art must transcend the barriers of caste. A precious, aesthetic experience can become part of a political and social commentary. This, it was clear to me, was wrong, unfair unfair to society, unfair to the art. I must, I felt, resist this near hegemony. The Madras Music Academy in a press release said Krishna has also worked towards expanding the listener base of the art by taking it to varied social settings and focusing on its exploratory as opposed to tightly defined structures. While many Carnatic musicians have criticised Krishna for his ideological stance, none have acknowledged his music, experts have pointed out. I find it unfortunate that none of the protesting musicians have mentioned TM Krishnas artistic qualities, which the Academy has eloquently described in its citation, said columnist Sumana Ramanan as quoted by Scroll. These musicians have completely failed to understand the substance and spirit of Krishnas critique. Columnist Malini Nair mentions the churn that Krishna has written about in his book A Southern Music: The Karnatik Story published in 2016. The book points out the class, caste and gender barriers within the Carnatic music ecosystem. Ten-year-old Piyush has more questions than answers for everyone, including his distraught parents. And one question follows the grief in waves why did the salon waale bhaiyya do this to us? Forty-eight hours earlier, he became the sole eyewitness to the brutal murder of his brothers Ayush (13) and Aahaan (7) allegedly at the hands of 22-year-old Sajid, a barber who had recently opened a salon opposite the boys home. On Tuesday evening, Sajid and his brother Javed entered the boys home and asked to see their father Vinod Singh, a contractor by profession. When Singhs wife told them that her husband was not at home, the duo asked her for a cup of tea. As she went to the kitchen to prepare the tea, Sajid reportedly took the boys to the terrace where he allegedly attacked them with an axe. While Ayush and Aahaan succumbed to the vicious attack, Piyush managed to escape and raise alarm. While their mother rushed to the terrace and saw her two sons lying dead in a pool of blood, neighbours and locals gathered to try and catch Sajid but he and his brother had fled by then. As communal tensions arose in the area, Sajid was eventually traced to the nearby forest where the police said he opened fire and was killed in return fire. Javed is currently in police custody. Piyush hasnt eaten anything since then. He is also not talking to us. He has gone silent, said Piyushs father Vinod Kumar. Amid questions of why Sajid bhaiyya killed his brothers, Piyush manages to say: I want my brothers back. Punctuated by long bouts of shocked silence, the 10-year-old managed to describe the moments preceding the crime. He said he was playing with his brothers when Sajid and Javed came. We knew them since bhaiyya used to give us a good haircut. All three of us were very familiar with them. They never misbehaved with us. They used to ask us about our fathers wellbeing each time we visited their salon, Piyush told News18. But, that day, they seemed different, Piyush added. We were playing when they came in and asked my mother for a cup of tea. My mother went into the kitchen. Javed asked the three of us to take him to the terrace where he asked me for a glass of water. When I returned, I saw him slitting my youngest brother Aahaans throat, while my eldest brother Ayush was lying in a pool of blood. I dropped the glass of water. On hearing me, he pounced on me and attacked me with a knife, but I somehow escaped. I raised an alarm and ran downstairs after which my mother, too, raised an alarm and the duo ran outside, said Piyush. The police, however, said it was Sajid who murdered the boys. Sajid was gunned down in an encounter three hours after the murders. Javed surrendered before Bareilly police on Thursday. According to psychologists, children who witness such gruesome events are at the risk of post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD. PTSD symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event. The stress disorder symptoms may start within one month of a traumatic event, but sometimes symptoms may not appear until years after the event. These symptoms cause significant problems in social or work situations and in relationships. They can also interfere with your ability to go about your normal daily tasks, Dr Manini Srivastava, assistant professor at Department of Psychology, University of Lucknow, told News18. Two people were killed and one injured after a two-storey building collapsed in Delhis Welcome on the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday. The deceased have been identified as Arshad (30) and Tauhid (20). They were declared dead at GTB Hospital, while the injured, Rehan (22), is critical and is being treated, said North East DCP Joy Tirkey. Tirkey further said that it was an old construction in Welcomes Kabir Nagar, and investigation in the case is underway. We received a call regarding a building collapse around 2:16 am, and the team reached the spot. Three workers were buried under the debris, station officer Anoop said. The building owner, Shahid, is yet to be traced, and legal action is pending. A similar accident took place in Kotla Mubarakpur area of the national capital last month. A 32-year-old man was declared dead and several others injured after a portion of a house collapsed. The deceased has been identified as Vinay, while 30-year-old Nathu was injured in the incident, police had said. An official of the Delhi Fire Service (DFS) said that they received a call from Gurudwara Road in Koltla Mubarakpur around 5.02 pm. At least seven fire tenders pressed into service, he added. Future Gaming and Hotel Services, which emerged as the largest donor in the now-outlawed electoral bond scheme with Rs 1,368 crore, has donated more than Rs 500 crore each to the Trinamool Congress and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. While West Bengals ruling TMC got Rs 542 crore from the firm, the DMK, which is in power in Tamil Nadu, received Rs 509 crore. The company also donated Rs 160 crore to Andhra Pradeshs ruling Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP), the Election Commission of India data analysed by News18 shows. The three parties got nearly 90% of the firms total donations. The firm donated Rs 100 crore to the Centres ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and another Rs 50 crore to the Congress. In January 2024, just before the ban on the electoral bond scheme, the Future Gaming and Hotel Services PR purchased 63 bonds worth Rs 63 crore. All, except three bonds, were encashed by the TMC for Rs 60 crore. The Sikkim Democratic Front got the remaining bonds worth Rs three crore. In total, between January 3 and January 11, the last window for the sale of electoral bonds before it got banned by the Supreme Court, bonds worth Rs 571 crore were purchased. The Future Group was the biggest buyer followed by Bharti Airtel at Rs 50 crore with 50 bonds, as per the data from the Election Commission of India that has been made public. News18 reported earlier this week about the details of the donations made to the DMK and AIADMK. Future Gaming and Hotel Services Pvt Ltd has donated Rs 509 crore to the DMK between 2020-21 and 2022-23 (up to November). The company donated Rs 249 crore alone in 2021-22, followed by Rs 160 crore in 2022-23. It is worth mentioning that Tamil Nadu went for assembly polls in April 2021. The results were declared in May 2021 and, the same month, the DMK came to power with MK Stalin taking charge as chief minister. In 2020-21, the firm made its first donation to the party through electoral bonds Rs 60 crore. The DMKs documents also reveal that the party got Rs 40 crore from the firm between April 1, 2023, and November 2023. The donations given by Future Gaming, whose owner, lottery king Santiago Martin, has been under the scanner of the Enforcement Directorate (ED), is nearly 35% of the TMCs total donation through electoral bonds over the years. For the DMK, the share is around 77%. On Thursday, the Election Commission of India released a fresh set of data related to the now-banned scheme with the respective bond numbers that revealed the details of who donated how much to which party. Megha Engineering BJPs biggest donor The second biggest donor in the list of firms Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Ltd with Rs 966 crore has donated Rs 519 crore to the BJP, around 55% of its total donations. The firms donation in the BJPs total earnings from bonds stood at just about nine per cent. The party, over the last few years, got Rs 6,060 crore from electoral bonds. Supreme Courts directions Last month, the Supreme Court struck down the scheme saying anonymous electoral bonds violated citizens right to information. The court had asked the State Bank of India to share the data with the ECI and directed the poll body to publish these details on its website by March 15. On March 14, the Election Commission shared two sets of data the bonds purchased by the individuals and the list of political parties that redeemed these bonds in their accounts. KERALA LOTTERY KARUNYA PLUS KN-514 RESULT ON THURSDAY, MARCH 21, LIVE UPDATES: The Kerala State Lottery Department has announced the results of the Karunya Plus KN-514 lucky draw for Thursday, March 21. Check the full list of winning numbers below. ALSO READ: Kerala Lottery Result TODAY: Summer Bumper BR-96 Results on March 27, 2024; First Prize Rs 10 Crore! FULL LIST OF WINNING NUMBERS FOR KARUNYA PLUS KN-514 WINNING NUMBERS FOR CONSOLATION PRIZE WORTH RS 8,000 ARE PA 171484 PB 171484 PC 171484 PD 171484 PE 171484 PG 171484 PH 171484 PJ 171484 PK 171484 PL 171484 PM 171484 WINNING NUMBER FOR 1ST PRIZE WORTH RS 80 LAKH IS PF 171484 (MALAPPURAM) Agent Name: NISHAD N Agency No.: M 3331 WINNING NUMBER FOR 2ND PRIZE WORTH RS 10 LAKH IS PC 331857 (GURUVAYOOR) Agent Name: P C SANTHOSH KUMAR Agency No.: R 5235 WINNING NUMBER FOR 3RD PRIZE WORTH RS 1 LAKH ARE PA 189550 (ERNAKULAM) PB 417028 (MALAPPURAM) PC 492410 (GURUVAYOOR) PD 526265 (CHITTUR) PE 532016 (THAMARASSERY) PF 366176 (WAYANADU) PG 972044 (NEYYATTINKARA) PH 450814 (THIRUVANANTHAPURAM) PJ 629623 (ERNAKULAM) PK 175553 (IDUKKI) PL 974104 (KANHANGAD) PM 447056 (PALAKKAD) WINNING NUMBERS FOR 4TH PRIZE WORTH RS 5,000 ARE 0419 0517 2375 2701 3870 3907 3922 4276 4702 4732 5656 6427 6843 6949 8079 8456 9827 9972 WINNING NUMBERS FOR 5TH PRIZE WORTH RS 1,000 ARE 0070 0604 1025 1385 1406 1964 2405 2785 3052 3206 3355 3541 3730 3758 4117 4650 5264 6077 6439 6785 7391 7412 7457 7471 7621 7839 8263 8275 8596 8775 8821 9105 9171 9284 WINNING NUMBERS FOR 6TH PRIZE WORTH RS 500 ARE 0515 0556 0610 0684 1264 1272 1761 1801 1899 1975 2029 2309 2319 2341 2351 2391 2491 2519 2793 2862 2975 3140 3198 3239 3608 3650 3743 3754 3836 3873 3885 3901 4070 4231 4337 4382 4516 4551 4769 4867 5003 5303 5350 5351 5848 5911 5926 5931 5956 6176 6243 6263 6323 6531 6549 6582 6652 6865 7029 7177 7255 7282 7453 7546 7580 7759 7815 7919 7930 8242 8300 8617 8962 9452 9510 9519 9653 9861 9947 9978 WINNING NUMBERS FOR 7TH PRIZE WORTH RS 100 ARE 0035 0131 0136 0146 0216 0371 0629 0768 1228 1251 1256 1280 1417 1427 1437 1659 1890 1912 1922 2050 2095 2105 2140 2160 2220 2237 2248 2261 2342 2363 2367 2642 2821 2884 2889 2918 2962 3006 3225 3255 3374 3566 3740 3797 3867 4041 4166 4229 4363 4385 4747 4757 4796 4854 4923 4938 4953 5139 5366 5400 5415 5461 5542 5644 5659 5704 5735 5850 5875 5950 5955 6026 6031 6060 6146 6230 6431 6572 6594 6881 6936 7047 7051 7088 7138 7215 7473 7581 7587 7683 7714 7757 7790 7802 7912 7948 7996 7997 8029 8058 8151 8331 8493 8558 8574 8607 8642 8663 8730 8779 8863 8903 8990 9015 9080 9179 9213 9351 9425 9530 9606 9684 9749 9794 9888 9936 KARUNYA PLUS KN-514 LOTTERY: PRIZE STRUCTURE 1st Prize: Rs 80 Lakh 2nd Prize: Rs. 10 Lakh 3rd Prize: Rs. 1 Lakh 4th Prize: Rs. 5,000 5th Prize: Rs. 1,000 6th Prize: Rs. 500 7th Prize: Rs. 100 Consolation Prize: Rs. 8,000 HOW TO CHECK KARUNYA PLUS KN-514 RESULTS? To stay updated on the latest developments regarding the Kerala Karunya Plus KN-514 lottery results, you can visit the official website of the Kerala Lottery Department at www.keralalottery.info. Alternatively, you can verify ticket numbers at the Kerala Government Gazette office. For additional information or assistance, feel free to reach out to the Kerala Lottery Department through their official communication channels. HOW TO CLAIM YOUR PRIZE MONEY? To validate your ticket numbers, cross-check them with the numbers published in the Kerala Government Gazette. Matching numbers entitle you to a prize. Winners are required to claim their winnings within 30 days from the result announcement date at the Kerala lottery office in Thiruvananthapuram. Upon claiming the prize, winners must present their winning ticket along with a valid form of identification for verification. Kerala Lottery Summer Bumper BR-96 Results on March 27, 2024 The Kerala State Lottery Department will announce the results of the Summer Bumper BR-96 lucky draw on March 27, 2024 at 2 pm. The first prize winner will receive Rs 10 crore. The second prize holder will get Rs 50 lakh, and the third prize winner will be rewarded with Rs 5 lakh. The bumper lottery ticket was released by Kerala State Minister K.N. Balagopal. MLA Antony Raju presided over the event. By purchasing a ticket worth Rs 250, you have a chance to win up to Rs 10 crore. The tickets are available in six series: SA, SB, SC, SD, SE, and SG. KERALA SUMMER BUMPER LOTTERY PRIZE STRUCTURE Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister and BJP Lok Sabha candidate Shivraj Singh Chouhan, known for his down-to-earth approach, on Thursday opted to travel by train in second-class compartment to his constituency, which he fondly terms his karmabhoomi (workplace). During his train journey from Bhopal to Ganjbasoda, part of the Vidisha constituency from where he is contesting, Chouhan engaged with fellow passengers, chatting with them about various issues and listening to their concerns. I have been travelling by train since I was an MP. My heart is full of happiness. I am going to Ganjbasoda, which is my karmabhoomi (workplace). I have family relations with the people and I am going there again to meet all of them, Chouhan, accompanied by his wife Sadhna, told PTI on the train when asked that he was going to his constituency by rail after a long time. #WATCH | Bhopal: Former Madhya Pradesh CM and BJP leader Shivraj Singh Chouhan travels in a passenger train for the campaign in Ganj Basoda Assembly of Vidisha Lok Sabha Constituency.He says, "Jahan Janata hoti hai, vahan Mama hota hai.. I am grateful for the love and support pic.twitter.com/TLG1RvRlFe ANI MP/CG/Rajasthan (@ANI_MP_CG_RJ) March 21, 2024 Chouhan, 65, has entered the Lok Sabha poll arena after two decades and will contest his sixth parliamentary election from Vidisha. This seat was earlier held by BJP leaders Atal Bihari Vajpayee (1991) and Sushma Swaraj (2009 and 2014). Chouhans home turf Budhni is part of Vidisha Lok Sabha seat, a BJP citadel which the Congress won only twice (1980 and 1984) since 1967. The Congress is yet to announce its candidate for the constituency. Reflecting on his political journey, Chouhan reminisced about his humble beginnings as an MLA, his subsequent rise to become an MP, and his eventual tenure as Chief Minister for an impressive 18 years. I have a dilon ka rishta (connection from heart) with the people of the state. Even if new areas are associated (with Vidisha), it makes no difference as peoples love and trust are with me. My life is dedicated to them only. There is no challenge, asserted Chouhan. He said that his role may have changed but people will not be left behind. The MP too will stay here. We are missionary workers, which means the BJPs mission of redeveloping the nation, and we have decided to work for the party and the nation, he said. The mission is set by the party and they are working accordingly, Chouhan said. Whatever the party had made me, from MLA to MP and chief minister for 18 years, I have worked for the people day and night. Now, it has asked me to contest as an MP and I will do that to serve the people, Chouhan said while travelling as a common man in the sleeper class of Bhopal-Bilaspur Passenger. Despite his extensive experience in public service, he expressed humility and uncertainty about the outcome of his current electoral campaign. He said that whenever he got an opportunity to work, he had worked for the empowerment of women and thats why schemes like Ladli Laxmi and Ladli Behna were implemented. I will continue to do so again under the leadership of Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi Ji, he said. Political analysts believe that Chouhans decision to travel by train and connect with ordinary citizens underscores his commitment to grassroots politics and his willingness to engage directly with the people he serves. Chouhan also launched a scathing criticism against the opposition INDIA bloc, insinuating that their coalition is not founded on shared principles but rather on a shared apprehension of facing corruption allegations. Chouhan highlighted Prime Minister Modis strong anti-corruption stance as a stark departure from the alleged corrupt practices of the opposition. These dynastic, corrupt people with common interests are afraid of Modi ji who has said that he will neither indulge in corruption nor allow others to do it. (na khaunga, na khane dunga). Therefore, the bloc has disintegrated before taking shape, he remarked. He also took a swipe at Rahul Gandhis Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, suggesting that it inadvertently prompted senior Congress members to switch allegiances to the BJP. His yatra turned into a Congress Chhodo Yatra (leave Congress yatra). I think his mental age is very low. He doesnt understand the country, its people, traditions and values. He doesnt know the politics of India and its people. Thats why Congress is disintegrating, he said. Chouhan further asserted that Gandhis actions are hastening the fragmentation of the Congress party, hinting that Gandhi is unintentionally realising Mahatma Gandhis vision of disbanding the party. but Nehru ji (former PM Jawaharlal Nehru) did not listen to him. Now, Rahul Baba will fulfil this wish of Gandhi ji by finishing the party, Chouhan quipped. Days after Carnatic vocalist TM Krishna was announced as the recipient of the prestigious Sangita Kalanidhi Award by the Madras Music Academy, six musicians have registered their protest by refusing to be part of the Academys Margazhi festival 2024 line-up. The six musicians include vocalists Ranjani and Gayatri, Srikrishna Mohan and Ramkumar Mohan (aka Trichur Brothers), Harikatha exponents Dushyanth Sridhar and Vishakha Hari. On Wednesday night, vocalist sisters Ranjani and Gayatri posted on X (formerly Twitter) that they will not be singing at the December 25 concert as scheduled by the Music Academy because the conference and concerts this year will be presided over by TM Krishna. In the post, the sisters accused Krishna of causing immense damage to the Carnatic music world. #thread 1/6 We have communicated our decision to withdraw from participating in the Music Academys conference 2024 & from presenting our concert on 25 Dec.We made this decision as the conference would be presided over by TM Krishna. #madrasmusicacademy #respectcarnaticmusic Ranjani Gayatri (@ranjanigayatri) March 20, 2024 Academy president N Murali, however, said the decision to honour Krishna will not be reversed even if more musicians join the protest. Murali said he had received the letter from Ranjani and Gayatri, but before he could send them a reply, they had put out the contents of the letter on their social media pages. They were not talking about music but other issues. Now, the others are jumping into it without any locus standi, he said. In an interview to News18, Ranjani and Gayatri said their decision is based on their objection to TM Krishnas glorification of Dravidian icon Periyar who had called for Brahmin genocide. Edited excerpts: You announced that you will not participate in the upcoming music festival of the Academy. Take us through the reason behind this. We cannot participate in a conference presided over by TM Krishna for his vilification of the classical music fraternity, for hurting the sentiments and values of the system, for the glorification of EVR (Periyar) who called for the genocide of Brahmins and who normalised the use of vile profanity against Brahmin women. Academy president N Murali said you posted the letter you sent to him on social media without waiting for his response. We did not post a copy of our letter copy on social media, but only the information on our withdrawal and also the reasons for the decision. As our communication to the Academy was more of notifying them on our withdrawal, and no further decision was involved on their side, we felt it is appropriate to inform our audience. The ruling DMK has come out in support of TM Krishna. How do you view this development? We think this is too small an issue for such a big political party. If they are provoked because some classical musicians took objection to Periyars positions, what do we say TM Krishna had on several occasions praised leaders including Periyar. Is that a concerning factor? Yes. He (EVR) called for Brahmin genocide and used vile profanity against Brahmin women. TM Krishna has consistently found ways of working against the values and sentiments of the Carnatic music fraternity. Glorification of EVR is just one of them. The Music Academy honouring a musician who glorifies such a figure is indeed a big issue. The Music Academy in its response said you withdrew from the concert because the Academy chose a musician you dislike. How do you react to this? We have not questioned the Music Academys right to choose anyone they want. We have just used our choice not to join the festival. We have also candidly explained our rationale. The Academy need not assign motives to our views now. They can disagree with our opinion. Unfortunately, we only see anger in the response and that is sad. Hello readers, News18 evening digest brings you the latest updates: MS Dhoni Steps Down as Chennai Super Kings Captain, Ruturaj Gaikwad Named New CSK Skipper; SBI Files Affidavit in SC, Says All Electoral Bond Data Furnished, Nothing Withheld among others. IPL 2024: MS Dhoni Steps Down as Chennai Super Kings Captain, Ruturaj Gaikwad Named New CSK Skipper MS Dhoni has handed over Chennai Super Kings captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad ahead of the start of IPL 2024. Ruturaj has been an integral part of Chennai Super Kings since 2019 and has played 52 matches in IPL during this period. The team looks forward to the upcoming season, CSK said in a statement. READ MORE SBI Files Affidavit in SC, Says All Electoral Bond Data Furnished, Nothing Withheld The State Bank of India (SBI) on Thursday filed a compliance affidavit in the Supreme Court saying all details on the electoral bonds have been given to the Election Commission of India (ECI) and nothing is withheld. READ MORE Seriously Concerned About Conduct: SC Pulls Up TN Governor Ravi For Refusing To Reinduct Ponmudi as Minister Voicing serious concern over Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi s conduct in terms of refusing to reinduct senior DMK leader K Ponmudi as a minister in the state cabinet, the Supreme Court on Thursday directed him to decide the issue within 24 hours. READ MORE Row in Madras Music Academy Over Award to TM Krishna, Carnatic Singers Withdraw From 2024 Conference A row has erupted in the Madras Music Academy after it honoured musician TM Krishna with Sangita Kalanidhi award this week. Protesting against the award, Carnatic vocalists Ranjani-Gayatri and Harikatha exponent Dushyanth Sridhar have withdrawn from the Music Academy Conference 2024. READ MORE SS Rajamouli Crosses Paths With Anime Creators Rui Kuroki, Kazuto Nakazawa In Japan; See Viral Pic Even two years after its release, the SS Rajamouli directorial RRR continues to captivate audiences worldwide. The movie not only made a significant impact in India but also garnered global attention, earning an Oscar for its song Naatu Naatu. Besides that, the film continues to enjoy a massive fan base across the globe. Recently, a special screening of RRR was held in Japan, which was graced by director Rajamouli. Not only that, the film-maker also got the opportunity to interact with Rui Kuroki and Kazuto Nakazaw, leading names in the field of anime. READ MORE Spiritual leader Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev has undergone brain surgery due to internal bleeding. A medical team consisting of multiple doctors at Delhi-based Apollo Hospital performed urgent brain surgery shortly after his admission to address the skull bleeding. The root cause behind the surgery was an extremely severe headache. According to Sadhgurus neurologist Dr Vinit Suri, the spiritual leader had a very severe headache for the last four weeks but had been ignoring it to go about his daily routine. Does it sound familiar? We all keep avoiding headaches and move on to do daily stuff by popping painkillers assuming it could be due to insufficient sleep or stress. Sadhguru just faced a life-threatening situation because of similar assumption. According to Harvard Health, there are more than 300 types of headaches, but only about 10% have a known cause. The others are called primary headaches, such as tension headaches which are most common, occurring in three of every four adults. Other headaches include migraine, headaches due to high blood pressure, sinus-related headaches, medication-related headaches, exercise-related headaches, among others. Medical experts dont completely know why most headaches happen. They do know that the brain tissue and the skull are never responsible since they dont have nerves that register pain. But the blood vessels in the head and neck can signal pain, as can the tissues that surround the brain and some major nerves that originate in the brain, as per Harvard Health. The scalp, sinuses, teeth, muscles and joints of the neck can also cause pain. People who are on certain medications or suffer from health issues should take headaches more seriously. People on blood thinners or suffering from chronic liver or kidney issues must take headache seriously, said Dr Sumit Ray, medical director at Holy Family Hospital, New Delhi. The idea is not to cause panic over headaches, but to raise awareness among people to take severe headaches seriously, especially when they are accompanied by vomiting, fever or blurry vision. Understanding the Science Behind Headaches According to Dr Sudhir Kumar, head of department, neurology, at Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad, headaches are usually not serious, as the most common causes are migraine and tension. These conditions usually do not result in any serious complications. Moreover, medical treatment is often effective in alleviating the headache in these conditions. Dr Amit Batra, associate director, neurology, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Patparganj explained the concept further, saying 90% of the headaches fall into the primary headache category where you know the headache is not due to any serious condition. It can be migraine, it can be a tension headache, it can be a cluster headache. Normally, 10% of the headaches fall into the category of secondary headaches where you can have a problem in the MRI, there can be a raised pressure in the brain and there can be a host of reasons which you know merit consultation with a neurologist and should not be taken lightly, he added. When to Not Ignore a Headache Experts explained that a small headache is just a bother, and you can usually make it go away with a painkiller, food or coffee, or a quick break. However, if your headache is bad or different from usual, it could be an indication of serious issues like a stroke, tumour, or blood clot. Not all causes of headaches are benign. Some of the causes of headaches are serious and may result in disability and even death, if not recognized and treated on time, Kumar from Apollo said. Serious forms of headache are recognised based on their severity, abruptness of onset and the presence of neurological symptoms. For example, Dr Rajeev Jayadevan, chairman of research cell at the Indian Medical Association, Kerala explained that if a person who doesnt have a history of headaches experiences a sudden severe bout, it requires immediate evaluation. The presence of alarm symptoms such as vomiting, loss of consciousness or weakness in any of the limbs, predicts a stroke, which is a medical emergency. A stroke could be from a blocked blood vessel in the brain or from bleeding within the brain. A subarachnoid haemorrhage could also present with similar symptoms, the bleeding in this case being in the space outside the brain, Jayadevan said. Identify the Red Flags Experts suggest it is important to identify the red flags, which could point towards a more serious cause of headaches. First, this is the worst-ever headache you have ever had, and its getting in the way of your daily routine you need to see your doctor. Secondly, your speech is not clear, your vision is different, and you are having trouble moving your arms or legs, keeping your balance, remembering things, or staying clear-headed along with your headache you need to be alarmed. Thirdly, even if you have a history of headaches but they have changed in pattern or intensity, you should go and get it checked. Doctors suggest that a headache that lasts more than a few days should never be ignored. If you notice any red flags associated with headaches, it is better to consult a neurologist and undergo a brain scan (CT or MRI) to determine the underlying cause. Early recognition and prompt initiation of appropriate treatment can be life-saving in these conditions. The Supreme Court on Thursday paused the notification by the Centre that asked the Fact Check Unit under the Press Information Bureau to address the challenge of fake news, setting aside the Bombay High Courts go-ahead to the governments move. A bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud set aside the March 11 order of the Bombay High Court which had refused to grant interim stay on setting up the FCU under the amended IT Rules to identify fake and false content on social media about the Union government. We are of the considered view that questions before the HC deal with core questions on Article 19(1)(a) of the constitution, the bench said. We are of the view that notification dated March 20, 2024, after rejection of application of interim relief, needs to be stayed. The challenge to the validity of 3(1)(b)(5) involves serious constitutional question and the impact of the rule on free speech and expression would need to be analysed by the high court, the bench, also comprising Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, said. Rule 3(1)(b)(v) of the IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021 The FCU will be the nodal agency to tackle or alert about all fake news or misinformation related to the central government. The notification came days after the Bombay High Court declined to restrain the Centre from notifying the unit. The petition was filed by stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra and the Editors Guild of India. In April last year, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (Meity) promulgated the 2023 Rules, which further amended the Information Technology Rules, 2021. Under the new rules, if the fact check unit comes across or is informed about any posts that are fake, false or contain misleading facts pertaining to the business of the government, it would flag it to the social media intermediaries. The online intermediaries would then have to take down such content if they wanted to retain their safe harbour (legal immunity against third-party content). According to an official notification issued by Meity on Wednesday, the fact check unit under the Press Information Bureau will be the fact check unit for the central government. The fact check unit has been notified under IT Rules of 2021. The central government hereby notifies the Fact Check Unit under the Press Information Bureau of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting as the fact check unit of the Central Government for the purposes of the said sub-clause, in respect of any business of the Central Government, the notification said. A birth that occurs before the 37th week of pregnancy is known as a preterm birth. Preterm labour complicates 510% of pregnancies and is a leading cause of perinatal morbidity & mortality. Dr. Loveleena Nadir, Senior Consultant, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Rosewalk Healthcare, Delhi, shares her input: Risk factors include: Pregnancy with twins or triplets An interval of less than six months between pregnancies. Assisted Reproductive treatment, e.g., IVF and ICSI History of more than one miscarriage. History of previous premature births. Problems with the uterus, cervix, e.g., short cervix, placenta previa. Infections of the lower genital tract, sexually transmitted infections urinary tract infections, eg. , bacterial vaginosis Gestational hypertension & dialects. Lifestyle choices like smoking, alcohol intake, taking drugs, being overweight or underweight before pregnancy, stress, or getting pregnant before 17 and after 35. The complications of prematurity in a baby could be: Breathing difficulty due to being born with lungs that are not fully developed. Heart problems & low blood pressure. Risk of bleeding in the brain. Inability to maintain body temperature due to lack of stored body fat. The digestive system may not fully develop in premature babies. They are at risk of developing anemia and newborn jaundice. Neurological problems like cerebral palsy. May lag behind many milestones. Vision and hearing may be affected. Tips to prevent preterm birth: Holi, the vibrant festival of colors, serves as an enchanting occasion for people to unwind, come together, and engage in joyous celebrations with friends and family. Across the vast expanse of India, this festival is celebrated in different ways, each region infusing its own unique customs and traditions, yet all sharing in the unwavering spirit that defines the festival of colours. Streets turn into bright parties with lots of laughter, music, and people throwing colors everywhere. When To Celebrate Holi 2024? Holi, also called the Festival of Colours, occurs when spring begins. It doesnt have a fixed date like New Years Day. Instead, its celebrated on the full moon day of the Hindu calendars Falgun month, which usually falls in February or March. This year, the festival will be celebrated on March 25. Where To Celebrate Holi 2024? Holi, a significant festival celebrated throughout India, offers a variety of activities in different regions. Each region in India boasts its own unique customs and traditions associated with Holi, offering a diverse range of experiences for revelers. Heres a list of places where you can enjoy Holi celebrations this year. Lathmar Holi in Uttar Pradesh Phoolon Ki Holi in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh, offers a truly enchanting way to celebrate this vibrant festival. Instead of traditional coluored powders, people joyfully toss fragrant flower petals, creating a mesmerizing display of colors and scents. IN PICS: Unique Holi Traditions Vrindavan holds a special significance as the childhood playground of Lord Krishna, infusing the celebration with profound spiritual essence. The Banke Bihari Temple and the ISKCON Temple stand as must-visit destinations to witness the spiritual fervor of Phoolon Ki Holi. Another place to enjoy Holi in Uttar Pradesh is Barsana, known as the birthplace of Radha, where Lathmar Holi is celebrated. During Lathmar Holi, women playfully chase and hit men from Nandgaon, Krishnas village, with sticks. This is like a game to recreate the playful teasing between Radha and Krishna. Its a colourful and lively festival that brings joy to everyone involved. Basant Utsav in West Bengal In West Bengals Shantiniketan, Holi takes on the name Basanta Utsav also known as Spring Festival. This unique celebration was initiated by the renowned Bengali poet and Nobel Laureate, Rabindranath Tagore, and has become a cherished tradition at Vishva Bharati University. During Basanta Utsav, students wear vibrant spring attire and showcase cultural performances, including dances set to Tagores melodies, for visitors. Following the festivities, participants joyfully engage in the colorful tradition of throwing powdered colors, mirroring the jubilant spirit of conventional Holi celebrations. Himachal Pradesh Dive into the extraordinary Holi celebration in Sangla Valley, Himachal Pradesh, as part of the four-day Faguli Festival. This valley offers a unique twist on the traditional festival. Unlike other parts of India, Sangla uses dry colors and even snow for playful celebration, adding an adventurous touch to the festivities. You can also witness the vibrant procession during Holi, where characters from the Ramayana come to life amidst the sound of drums and joyful singing. Punjab Hola Mohalla is a significant festival for the Sikh community, typically occurring in March just after Holi. Originating from the time of the 10th Sikh Guru, Shri Guru Gobind Singh, this festival holds deep cultural and historical significance. During Hola Mohalla, Sikh warriors known as Nihangs dress in distinctive blue attire and demonstrate their martial skills with swords, weapons, and Gatka, a traditional form of martial arts. Goa Shigmo, also known as Shishirotsava, is a vibrant spring festival celebrated in Goa, marking one of the major festivals for the Hindu community. Additionally, it is enthusiastically observed by the Konkani diaspora. The festival, which typically takes place in the Phalguna month of the Hindu calendar, corresponds to March in the Gregorian calendar. Shigmo is a time of grandeur and splendor, with colorful processions, traditional dances, and joyful celebrations filling the streets of Goa. Manipur Yosang, also known as the festival of colours or Yaoshang, is a renowned celebration in Manipur, particularly among the Meitei community, the largest group in the state. During Yosang, people engage in various joyful activities such as dancing, singing, and playing games. A highlight of the festival is the Thabal Chongba dance, where boys and girls come together, holding hands, to dance around bonfires to the beats of drums and other instruments. Rajasthan Holi celebration in Rajasthan is a grand affair. In Udaipur, Holi celebrations are hosted by the royal family which presents a magnificent display of the citys cultural richness. Led by the Maharana of Mewar, the grand procession commences at the historic City Palace. Guests enjoy a delicious feast amidst enjoying captivating local performances. The highlight of the event is the Holika Dahan ceremony, signifying the triumph of good over evil. The following day, both the royal family and guests engage in joyful Holi festivities and enjoy traditional delicacies. Karnataka Traveling south, Hampi offers an enchanting setting for vibrant Holi celebrations. Hampi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site which sets the stage for festive joy. The festivities start off with bonfires, symbolising the victory of good over evil. The next day, everyone engages themselves in playful celebration by throwing colors and enjoying the festival with music, dance, and gatherings. Holi, known as the festival of colours, is one of the most cherished and vibrant occasions in India, deeply rooted in cultural and mythological significance. Its roots can be traced back to ancient Indian mythology, with stories depicting the triumph of good over evil. The most popular legend associated with the festival of Holi is the tale of Prahlad, where his devotion towards Lord Vishnu saves him from the evil intentions of his father and his sister Holika. On the eve of Holi, a bonfire is lit, symbolising the victory of Prahlads devotion to Lord Vishnu and the truth over negativity. Holi, celebrated with various tales and customs across India, brings forth a range of vibrant festivities nationwide. From the flower-filled Phoolon Ki Holi in Vrindavan to the playful Lathmar Holi in Rajasthan, the festivals joy spreads far and wide. This year, Holi will be marked on March 25. If youre unsure where to enjoy Holi 2024, dont worry! Heres a list of places where you can experience the colourful celebrations. Holi, celebrated with various tales and customs across India, brings forth a range of vibrant festivities nationwide. From the flower-filled Phoolon Ki Holi in Vrindavan to the playful Lathmar Holi in Rajasthan, the festivals joy spreads far and wide. If youre unsure where to enjoy Holi this year, dont worry! Heres a list of places where you can experience the colourful celebrations. Phoolon Ki Holi In Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh Phoolon Ki Holi in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh, is a truly special way to celebrate the festival. Instead of coloured powders, people use flower petals to play. Vrindavan is where Lord Krishna played as a child, so its a really spiritual place. During Phoolon Ki Holi, the streets and temples smell amazing because of all the flowers. Lots of people come from different places to experience this unique and beautiful celebration. Its a magical way to enjoy Holi! Lathmar Holi In Barsana, Uttar Pradesh Lathmar Holi in Barsana, Uttar Pradesh, is a lively celebration deeply tied to Hindu mythology. Barsana, Radhas birthplace, hosts this event, where women playfully chase and beat men from neighbouring Nandgaon, believed to be Krishnas village, with sticks. This playful reenactment symbolises the teasing between Radha and Krishna. Elephant Festival In Jaipur, Rajasthan The Elephant Festival in Jaipur coincides with Holi adding an extra layer of vibrancy to the festival of colours. Held at the Chaugan Stadium in Rajasthan, the elephants are adorned in colourful traditional attire who lead a grand procession. The highlight of this festival is the Gaj Shringar ceremony, honouring the best-decorated elephant with a magnificent headdress. This immersive event is unforgettable for both locals and tourists. Basant Utsab In Shantiniketan, West Bengal In West Bengals Shantiniketan, Holi is celebrated as Basant Utsav, meaning Spring Festival. This special event was started by famous Bengali poet and Nobel Laureate, Rabindranath Tagore. He made it an annual tradition at Vishva Bharati University. During Basanta Utsav, students dress in colourful spring clothes and perform cultural programmes for visitors, including dances to Tagores songs. Afterwards, everyone joins in the fun of throwing colours, just like in regular Holi celebrations. Royal Holi Celebration In Udaipur, Rajasthan The Holi celebration hosted by the royal family in Udaipur is a grand affair, showcasing the citys rich cultural heritage. Led by the Maharana of Mewar, the royal procession begins at the City Palace, where guests witness some local performances while enjoying a lavish feast. The highlight is the Holika Dahan ceremony symbolising the victory of good over evil. The following day, the royal family and guests join in colourful Holi festivities, enjoying traditional delicacies. Holi Celebration At Hampi, Karnataka Heading south, you can experience lively Holi celebrations at Hampi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Karnataka. The festivities start with bonfires representing the triumph of good over evil. The next day, people engage in colourful revelry, throwing colours and enjoying the festivities to the fullest. With music, dance, and joyful gatherings, the streets come alive as both locals and tourists partake in the fun. Holi in Hampi provides a special insight into Indias vibrant culture and traditions. Holi Moo Festival In Dehradun And Goa The Holi Moo festival in Goa and Dehradun is a special celebration that mixes traditional fun with modern music, art, and culture. Its a safe and friendly event where everyone can enjoy playing Holi with eco-friendly colours. Youll hear traditional Indian drums and see performances while enjoying tasty Indian and Western street food along with colorful Holi-themed cocktails. Its a unique fun-loving experience for anyone. Hola Mohalla Celebration In Anandpur Sahib, Punjab Hola Mohalla is a big festival for the Sikh community, usually happening in March right after Holi. It was started by the 10th Sikh Guru, Shri Guru Gobind Singh, a long time ago. During the festival, youll see Nihangs, who are Sikh warriors, dressed in blue clothes. They show off their skills with swords and other weapons, and they also do martial arts like Gatka. This shows how Sikhs value self-discipline, being strong, and treating everyone equally, which are important parts of their faith. Manjul Kuli in Kerala Manjul Kuli is celebrated at the Konkani Temple in Cherlai, Cochin, Kerala, usually around the same time as Holi. On the first day, people gather at the temple for worship, and on the second day, they celebrate in a special way by using turmeric instead of colours. The festival features traditional music, dance, and feasting, highlighting the communitys culture and traditions. Yosang in Manipur Yosang is a famous festival in Manipur. Its also called the festival of colors or Yaosang and is celebrated by the Meitei community, who are the largest group in Manipur. During Yosang, people take part in lots of fun activities like dancing, singing, and playing games. One of the best parts of Yosang is the Thabal Chongba dance. In this dance, boys and girls hold hands and dance around a bonfire to the beat of drums and stringed instruments. These 10 places promise an amazing Holi experience where you will get to know Indias diverse culture and feel its festive spirit in full swing. World Poetry Day is observed annually on March 21 to commemorate poets and bring back the practice of poetry readings. Poetry is a creative form that gives writers the ability to express deeply felt feelings, experiences, and hope. Using it as a tool, poets can give resistance to oppression and serve as a mirror to society. Thus, the phrase itself assumes great significance. According to UNESCO, the day commemorates one of humanitys most prized expressions of cultural and linguistic expression and identity. The goal is to promote linguistic diversity via poetry and increase the visibility of endangered languages. World Poetry Day 2024 Wishes Poetry is the only language that the heart understands. Write a poem and express yourself on this special day. Happy World Poetry Day 2024! Let us appreciate the brilliance and charm of poetry, which has so much to communicate in its own unique way. Happy Poetry Day. Life will never be uninteresting if poetry inspires you to live a better life every day. Happy World Poetry Day 2024, and best wishes. A poet combines the past, present, and future to create poetry that will last forever. Happy World Poetry Day! World Poetry Day serves as a warning that poetry is losing popularity and that we must do everything we can to treasure it. World Poetry Day 2024 Quotes A poem begins as a lump in the throat, a sense of wrong, homesickness, lovesickness. Robert Frost. Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent. Victor Hugo. Only the very weak-minded refuse to be influenced by literature and poetry. Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare. Poets have been mysteriously silent on the subject of cheese. Alarms and Discursions by G.K. Chesterton. Trees are poems the earth writes upon the sky. We fell them down and turn them into paper, that we may record our emptiness. Kahlil Gibran. World Poetry Day 2024: Poems One Must Read Gitanjali by Rabindranath Tagore. The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost. Abode of the beloved a Doha by Sant Kabir. Madhushala by Harivansh Rai Bachchan. All the Worlds a Stage by William Shakespeare. Daffodils by William Wordsworth. World Poetry Day 2024: History And Significance World Poetry Day was first declared by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) at its 30th General Conference in 1999, with the intention of recognising poetrys unique ability to capture the creative spirit of the peoples minds, promote cultural diversity, and encourage dialogue and peace. Since time immemorial, poets such as Rabindranath Tagore, Kabir, Ramdhari Singh Dinkar, Kalidasa, Bharathidasan, Alexander Pushkin, and TS Eliot have contributed to capturing, moving, and even transforming readers. Poetry preservation promotes the preservation of various languages and civilizations, as well as the recognition of particular abilities. Ae Watan Mere Watan Review: Historical biopics have been made aplenty in Bollywood but very few have managed to strike a chord with the audience. Ae Watan Mere Watan is a biographical drama that chronicles the courageous story of Usha Mehtas fight for Indias freedom in 1942 and its safe to say that director and co-writer Kannan Iyer has been successful in weaving a thrilling story of patriotism without going overboard. Usha (Sara Ali Khan) and her close associates set up the Secret Congress Radio, a clandestine radio station, in a bid to convey desh ki awaaz to every nook and corner of the nation. Her friends Kaushik, Fahad Ahmed, and Firdaus Engineer help her with equipment, technicians, and moral support. The radio airs recorded messages from Mahatma Gandhi and other prominent leaders across India. As the British put together a piece of sophisticated technology to pinpoint their location and put an end to the rising nationalism, Usha and her team constantly moved the stations location to evade an imminent track-down. Sara Ali Khan delivers a commendable performance. She shines in most of the film, particularly in scenes with her father (Sachin Khedekar) and her bua. She singlehandedly holds the viewers attention in a long sequence where Usha does everything in her power to safeguard a transmitter from the police. While Saras performance is convincing overall, she occasionally lacks the required intensity in scenes demanding fiery passion. Dialogue delivery could use a bit more gravitas here and there, and there are moments where her emotive range could also have been stronger. But, what works for the film is a fantastic supporting cast each giving their very best. Abhay Verma impresses as Kaushik, torn between his love for Usha, his dedication to Indias independence, and his battle for survival. The heartbreak he goes through during a pivotal scene is one of the highlights of the first half. However, its Sparsh Shrivastav who steals the show as Fahad Ahmed, displaying unwavering patriotism despite physical limitations. His portrayal of a character with a limp, with the zeal to fight till the very end, is sure to move the audience to tears. From the OTT series Jamtara: Sabka Number Ayega To Laapataa Ladies and now Ae Watan Mere Watan, he is one actor to watch out for. Emraan Hashmi stars in a powerful cameo as Dr Ram Manohar Lohia and does justice to the character. His voice modulation and body language lend the character the required realism. The delightful Anand Tiwari as Firdaus Engineer is also a perfect addition to the cast. The film excels in its screenplay and crisp editing, keeping the audience engaged throughout. The narrative unfolds like a thrilling chase, from the clandestine setup of the radio to evading British detection. The cinematography and production design capture the essence of old India. With its fast-paced plot and compelling performances, Ae Watan Mere Watan is a good watch if you want to experience the bravery and sacrifices of those who fought for Indias independence. Imtiaz Alis film Highway starring Randeep Hooda and Alia Bhatt is considered to be one of his best, in an extensive repertoire of filmography. It revolved around the life of a young girl Veera, who gets abducted by a local gangster just a day prior to her wedding day. Rather than being terrified for her life, Veera discovers a new meaning to her life after falling for her abductor. She discovers what freedom truly means in a twisted way post her kidnapping. In a recent interview, Randeep Hooda revealed that Alia Bhatt was terrified of him. During an interaction with Humans Of Bombay, Randeep Hooda shared, I didnt speak to Alia for 20-25 days when we shot for Highway. She was this girl from Juhu who had not seen much of the world; she didnt have much exposure. So, to keep her fear of my character in placeshe used to be terrified of me. I made sure of that. I never spoke to her. She wouldnt come to sit next to me also. Thats the effect we wanted in the movie. Previously, Imtiaz Ali revealed he let the people he met and the places he visited shape the story of his 2014 road drama Highway. The movie was shot with uncertainty through different states with mostly handheld cameras and a raw script. The characters in Highway were constantly in transit and the filmmaker chose not to rely on pre-written dialogues and situations. The story was the only thing he had in mind but the movie was almost filmed without a script. Imtiaz only knew what the purpose of a particular scene was but didnt have finished dialogues to give to Alia Bhatt and Randeep Hooda, the leads of the movie. While sharing his insights into the making of the film, Imtiaz had told YouTuber Roshan Abbas what was his thought of being able to compete with new directors that led him to produce Highway. He would write the dialogues after reaching the shooting location along with Alia Bhatt and Randeep Hooda. There was no light in the film, except for one or two sequences. There was no light, there was just a camera on a stick and, this time, I did not write the dialogue of the film. We used to reach the location and then I would write the scene and we would shoot it, he said. There were times when Imtiaz Ali would take Alia on a hill with no planned scene. What added to the struggle was to get to their pre-destined location. Imtiaz Ali believes one cannot get to the best places in India carrying heavy equipment. So, we took cameras and lugged the actors there. Randeep and Alia both would climb the mountains. Alia would ask me, Sir bolna kya hai? (What are the dialogues?) I would tell her, I dont know. Lets get there and by the time we are there, you will know, he added. Bollywood is known for its glitz, glamour and star-studded parties. Every other day, B-town celebs could be spotted exuding charm in their stylish outfits at lavish get-togethers in the city. Last night ace filmmaker Karan Johars residence in Mumbai turned into the biggest party hotspot as whos who of the Indian film industry marked their presence at the grand bash. Celebs like Arjun Kapoor, Malaika Arora, Rana Daggubati, Tamannaah Bhatia, Vijay Varma, Triptii Dimri, Sonam Kapoor and Anil Kapoor among others graced the extravaganza event in their stylish attires. Actor Arjun Kapoor attended the party along with his longtime girlfriend Malaika Arora. The couple was seen leaving the event together. For the party, the Gunday actor kept it casual as he was seen wearing a black shirt and a heavy beard. He completed his look with black shades. Malaika, on the other hand, looked gorgeous as always in a shimmery green ensemble. She kept her hair open and makeup dewy. The couple made their relationship Insta-official back in 2019. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Viral Bhayani (@viralbhayani) Apart from them, another couple Tamannaah Bhatia and Vijay Varma also attended Karans party. The Murder Mubarak actor looked dapper as he opted for a colourful shirt while the actress looked pretty in a green dress. They were seen flaunting their cute smiles and waving at the paps as they left the party. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Viral Bhayani (@viralbhayani) Parents-to-be Ali Fazal and Richa Chadha added grace to the grand event while Diana Penty was seen exuding boss-lady vibes in a black ensemble. Animal actor Triptii Dimri made head turns with her glamourous look for the night as she opted for a dazzling green attire. She will soon be seen in Bad Newz alongside Vicky Kaushal and Ammy Virk and in Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, opposite Kartik Aaryan. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Viral Bhayani (@viralbhayani) Father-daughter duo Anil Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor also added glam to the star-studded event as they slayed in a casual yet classy ensemble. Baahubali actor Rana Daggubati, producer Sidharth Roy Kapur, and director-choreographer Farah Khan were also among the attendees. They opted for casual yet stylish outfits. Ram Charan enjoyed a fun day with his family on a beach in Vizag, Andhra Pradesh. He is currently shooting for his upcoming film Game Changer at the coastal destination. Amid this, the actors wife Upasana Kamineni and their daughter Klin Kaara Konidela paid a visit to him. Scooping some time out from his hectic schedule, Ram Charan joined his loved ones at the seaside. Documenting their time spent at the location, Upasana Kamineni dropped a video montage on Instagram, capturing some special moments of their 9-month-olds first beach experience. Vizag you stole our hearts. Klin Karas first beach experience, captioned Upasana Kamineni. The video opened with Ram Charan and his family witnessing the sunrise from the rocky shore. While Upasana sat on a rock, Ram Charan was seen with Klin Kaara. In another frame, the actor was seen guiding his wife through the rocks and enjoying the crashing waves. The little munchkin proved herself to be a water baby as she dipped her feet into the water. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Upasana Kamineni Konidela (@upasanakaminenikonidela) Next on Klin Kaaras list of adventures was learning to respect the ocean and its inhabitants through sustainable fishing and minimal consumption. Ram Charan showed his daughter some fish, caught on the net by a local fisherman. She looked at the aquatic animals quite keenly. The clip also featured the trio, along with their pet poodle taking a stroll on the sandy shores and wading in the waters as the sky turned a crimson colour. Upasana lauded the proactive efforts of volunteers who collected debris from the beach, wishing the place was cleaner and had less broken glass. The video concluded with Ram Charan greeting a sea of fans in Vizag. The crowd cheered for the star, honouring him with garlands and throwing confetti in the air. The actor waved at his admirers from his vehicle, flashing a smile, and folded his hands graciously executing a namaste. Meanwhile, speaking about Ram Charans yet-to-be-released film Game Changer, the action thriller is directed by S Shankar and stars Kiara Advani as the female lead. The movie is slated to hit the big screens sometime in September. Who can ever forget the magical trio of Rahul, Anjali and Tina from the classic romantic drama Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. Even after more than two decades of its release the film still remains fans favourite and is considered as one of the best Bollywood films made on friendship. Released in October 1998 the film was helmed by the ace filmmaker Karan Johar and starred Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol and Rani Mukerji in the lead roles. It was among the biggest hits of that year. Not just on screen, but SRK, Kajol and Rani are known to have a close bond in real-life also. Today, on the occasion of Ranis 46th birthday, her friend, cousin and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai co-actor Kajol took to her Instagram and extended a heartfelt wish. She dropped a throwback picture from Durga puja festivities in which both actors could be seen sharing a warm hug, standing in front of Goddess Durga idol and twinning in beige traditional sarees. The Dilwale actor captioned the post, HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY #RANIMUKERJIMAY THIS YEAR BE FILLED WITH MOMENTS THAT MAKE YOU SMILE AND LAUGH. The stars earlier appeared together in an episode of Karan Johars popular chat show Koffee With Karan Season 8 which was among the most loved episodes. In the episode, Rani revealed that director Karan Johar wanted her to lose weight for Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and snatched food from her. I had told Rani that we have to wear a short skirt in Mauritius so just lose some weight. She said Ill lose 4-5. The kilos happened but they were not lost. They were put on. I was like how was she going to wear that orange skirt? So, we instructed the room service to not give her any food, KJo said. Kuch Kuch Hota Hai also featured Salman Khan in a special guest appearance role. On the work front, Kajol will be next seen in the thriller film Do Patti which also stars Kriti Sanon and Shaheer Sheikh in the lead roles. The film will stream on the OTT platform Netflix. Rani, on the other hand, has still not announced her next venture. Kangana Ranaut admitted she was shaken by Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudevs recent brain surgery. For the unversed, Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev was hospitalised in New Delhi and underwent a brain surgery due to internal bleeding on Sunday. After news of his health made headlines, Kangana took to X and confessed she felt her head was spinning. She said that the image of Sadhguru in ICU made her realise about the mortal nature of his existence and added that she suddenly broke down. Today when I saw Sadhguru ji lay on ICU bed I was suddenly hit by the mortal nature of his existence, before this it never occurred to me that he is bones, blood, flesh just like us, Kangana said about Sadhguru. I felt God has collapsed, I felt earth has shifted, sky has abandoned me, I feel my head spinning, I cant make sense of this reality and choose not to believe this but then suddenly I break down, she added. Today millions of people (devotees) share my grief, I want to share my pain with you all, I am not able to contain it. He better be fine or sun wont rise, earth wont move. This moment hangs lifeless and still, she concluded her post. Today when I saw Sadhguru ji lay on ICU bed I was suddenly hit by the mortal nature of his existence, before this it never occurred to me that he is bones, blood, flesh just like us. I felt God has collapsed, I felt earth has shifted, sky has abandoned me, I feel my head Kangana Ranaut (@KanganaTeam) March 20, 2024 On Wednesday, Sadhgurus team shared a video of the spiritual leader in the hospital bed, recovering from the surgery. They said that Sadhguru was tackling a severe headache for the past four weeks but had been focusing on the events he had scheduled, including the Mahashivratri celebrations. However, on March 15, he eventually underwent an MRI scan and the reports revealed he had a massive bleeding in his brain. Sadhguru refused to cancel his commitments including his session at India Today Conclave which he attended under the effect of powerful painkillers and sedation. On 17th morning, Sadhguru had to be rushed to hospital where it was discovered that he had life threatening swelling in the brain. After going through an emergency surgery on 17th, Sadhguru is now making steady progress and is recovering extremely well, his team said. The team quoted the neurologist who is treating Sadhguru in the post. Neurologist Dr. Vinit Suri of Apollo Hospital said, We were joking with him that we have done what we could but you are healing yourself. The kind of improvement we are seeing is beyond our expectation. He is now extremely well. All his brain, body and vital parameters are normal and he is making a steady progress,' the post read. Several stars including Kangana Ranaut and Samantha Ruth Prabhu are avid followers of Sadhguru and are often seen attending events he hosts on special occasions such as Mahashivratri. Actor Kunal Kemmu is making his directorial debut with the comedy film Madgaon Express, slated for release this weekend. The movie features Divyenndu, Pratik Gandhi, Avinash Tiwary and Nora Fatehi. It revolves around three childhood friends embarking on a trip to Goa that unexpectedly leads them into the world of drug trafficking. While Kemmu is already well-established as an actor, challenges in his career prompted him to venture into directing Madgaon Express. In a recent interview, he revealed that creating this film served as a means for him to address and cope with his mental health struggles. Speaking with The Indian Express, Kunal Kemmu disclosed that following his success in the film Go Goa Gone, he felt compelled to embark on a personal venture, leading to his directorial debut with Madgaon Express. Reflecting on the journey, he expressed, I had self doubt while I was writing it, but only got love from the first time I presented it. At the time I was told that with the way I have written it, I should also direct it. Encouraged by feedback suggesting he should also direct the project due to his unique approach, Kemmu admitted he initially felt unprepared. Sharing about his struggles as he was writing Madgaon Express, Kunal Kemmu said, I wanted to see if I can write something really funny when I am not feeling my best, when I am not feeling funny or humourous. Thats when I wrote the synopsis of the film and a couple of scenes kind of stood out and it helped me get out of that phase. Thats just how it is. Discussing his experiences and challenges within the industry, Kunal remarked, An actors life is never smooth sailing. He believes that handling the situation in the right manner involves maintaining a balanced perspective. However, he acknowledged, It is easier said than done actually but I remember this particular moment when I was feeling like that and I just said to myself that I want to use this (time) not to feel sad but (better myself). Kunal added during the interview that Madgaon Express got him out of the phase where he was struggling with his mental health and gave him something to do even if it was not a commissioned project. I was doing it for myself. It was making me feel happy. Every time I wrote a nice scene it gave me something to do through the day and made me feel happy by the end of the day and I slept better. Kunal expressed contentment with his writing process and said that he found satisfaction in his work by the end. He mentioned feeling satisfied with his writing in the end. He wrapped up by saying that during tough times, having conversations and believing in positive outcomes can make a big difference in mental health. Pulkit Samrat and Kriti Kharbanda said I do on March 15. The duo, who first met on the set of the 2019 movie Pagalpanti and fell head over heels for each other, had earlier exchanged rings with their families present. Kriti also gave fans a peek into their fairy tale wedding with some beautiful pictures that she shared with a lovely poem. Meanwhile, the couple is back in Mumbai. Both were spotted at the Mumbai airport hand in hand as they arrived in the city from Delhi after their wedding. Both Kriti and Pulkit looked quite the newlyweds. Kriti opted for a blush pink anarkali suit and completed her look with traditional choora and sindoor. Pulkit, on the other hand, looked charming in a printed blue kurta set. They smiled from ear to ear as they walked their way to the parking wading through the paparazzi. Check out the video here: On Wednesday, the couple dropped dreamy photos from their mehendi. In the first photo, Pulkit is seen applying mehendi on Kritis hands. Kriti looks beautiful in a beige lehenga paired with a corset and traditional earrings. Pulkit looks charming in an olive kurta set. In another photo, Pulkit is seen kissing Kritis hands, and in others, he is seen dancing his heart out. In another viral video, Pulkit and Kriti can be seen busting some moves post their wedding return to their house! They can be seen rocking to the beat of the dhol, fully embracing the traditional wedding vibes. Kriti stole the show in her post-wedding look, rocking a gorgeous red floral sari with loose hair in beautiful curls. Meanwhile, Pulkit looked sharp in an off-white kurta and dhoti combo. Apart from Pagalpanti, Pulkit and Kriti have appeared in the film Veerey Ki Wedding (2018). They were last seen together in Bejoy Nambiars Taish (2020). Even two years after its release, the SS Rajamouli directorial RRR continues to captivate audiences worldwide. The movie not only made a significant impact in India but also garnered global attention, earning an Oscar for its song Naatu Naatu. Besides that, the film continues to enjoy a massive fan base across the globe. Recently, a special screening of RRR was held in Japan, which was graced by director Rajamouli. Not only that, the film-maker also got the opportunity to interact with Rui Kuroki and Kazuto Nakazaw, leading names in the field of anime. Taking to the X(formerly Twitter) handle on Thursday, SS Rajamouli shared a smiling picture with Rui and Kazuto. He wrote, I was always curious about the process and making of fantastic Japanese anime. Thank you Rui Kuroki-san and Kazuto Nakazawa-san, for the wonderful time. Thoroughly enjoyed our creative discussions. Looking forward Take a look: I was always curious about the process and making of fantastic Japanese anime. Thank you Rui Kuroki-san and Kazuto Nakazawa-san, for the wonderful time. Thoroughly enjoyed our creative discussions. Looking forward pic.twitter.com/2YESHGMxTk rajamouli ss (@ssrajamouli) March 21, 2024 Rui Kuroki and Kazuto Nakazawa are names that stir excitement and anticipation in the worlds of anime and animation. Rui Kuroki, celebrated for his role as a producer, has been instrumental in bringing to life numerous popular series and films that have captivated audiences worldwide. His ability to blend storytelling, character development, and stunning visuals sets his projects apart in a crowded field. Kazuto Nakazawa, on the other hand, is a revered director and animator known for his distinctive style and storytelling prowess. Nakazawa has made significant contributions to the animation industry, with a portfolio that includes critically acclaimed films, series, and contributions to various anthologies. His work is characterized by a unique blend of artistry and narrative depth, making him a standout talent in animation and beyond. Meanwhile, speaking about SS Rajamouli, during his time in Japan, he met a special fan who gifted him 1,000 origami cranes along with a note that won his heart. Rajamouli shared pictures with his fan on Instagram and described his experience. In Japan, they make origami cranes & gift them to their loved ones for good luck & health. This 83-year-old woman made 1000 of them to bless us because RRR made her happy. She just sent the gift and was waiting outside in the cold. Some gestures can never be repaid. Just grateful, he wrote. In the picture, the ace director can be seen posing happily with the 83-year-old fan while holding the gift he received. Another picture shows a close-up of the gift bag that has a picture of the woman with Ram Charan and Jr NTR, grooving to the Naatu Naatu song. I am 83 years old. I wanna dance with RRR everyday. I made it one by one. Rajamouli garu, Welcome to Japan, she wrote on it. Notably, the event was organised on Monday, 18 March. Earlier in 2022, a meet-and-greet session could not be held in Japan due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Team RRR claimed that tickets for the special show were sold out in less than a minute after they went online. During the screening, the director received loud cheers and a standing ovation from fans, leaving him overwhelmed. Veteran actor Susan Sarandon recently joined Mira Sorvino and Geena Davis at a panel at 90s Con. On Sunday, the Oscar-winning actors spoke about Hollywood and its treatment of women. Actor Mira Sorvino, who was one of the first women to openly accuse Harvey Weinstein of sexual harassment in 2017, said that her career suffered a major setback after she rejected Weinsteins advances. Sorvino said that her career took off after she won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 1996 for the film Mighty Aphrodite but she soon stopped getting work from big studios. Sorvino said, For a time, I had a lot of wonderful offers and then, my career was stifled by Harvey Weinstein. So, I stopped doing major studio movies after 1998. I stopped being a viable movie actress. She said that afterwards, she worked on indie films and television shows. Sorvino had worked with Weinstein on films like Blue in the Face (1995), Beautiful Girls (1996), and Mimic (1997). On February 23, 2023, Weinstein was sentenced to 16 years in prison on charges of rape and third-degree sexual misconduct. Before 2017, Weinstein was a celebrated film producer. His company Miramax made several Oscar-winning films. Following Sorvinos comments, actor Susan Sarandon said that the film industry has not done enough even after Harvey Weinsteins arrest following the #MeToo movement, which outed many rich and powerful people for sexual misconduct. The 77-year-old actor argued that people who aided Harvey Weinstein should be held accountable and said, I dont think weve done the cleanup afterwards that we should be doing. I dont think people talk enough about the people who facilitated the Harvey Weinsteins of the world who are still functioning, who are equally responsible. They knew why they were sending people to a hotel, who didnt pay attention when someone complained. This is not the first time Sarandon has spoken about how Hollywood rewards complicity, which in turn allows abusers to escape accountability. In 2016, during a Q & A session after the screening of her documentary Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr in UK, Sarandon said, Its certainly not a requirement to be smart in my business. Mediocrity is rewarded time and time again. A lot of the time youre hired because you dont ask questions. She added, I think that we cant condemn someone or we slut-shame somebody for embracing their seductiveness. But, at the same time, you want to have enough power and economic stability to able to say no, to not be in a Harvey Weinstein situation where your work is held hostage and youre forced to do things you dont want to do. Om Rauts film Adipurush, which was a retelling of the Hindu epic Ramayana, disappointed cinegoers last year. Now, the audiences will get to witness the epic once more on the big screen. Filmmaker Nitesh Tiwari, known for his blockbuster hit Dangal, is making his rendition of Ramayana with Ranbir Kapoor reportedly playing Lord Ram. While the cast has not been officially unveiled as of yet, multiple reports have stated that Kannada actor Yash and south actress Sai Pallavi have been finalised for the roles of Ravana and Sita respectively. While the reports of this casting have been doing the rounds for a while now, latest reports talk about the casting of Lakshman, a key character in the epic. If reports are to be believed, TV actor Ravi Dubey is being eyed for the role of Lakshman. An official confirmation about the same is still awaited though. Ravi Dubey has made a significant mark in the television industry, solidifying his position, both as an actor and a producer. He started his career as a model before transitioning into acting in 2006. He made his acting debut with the parallel lead role of Ravi Agarwal in the DD National television show Stree Teri Kahaani, which was produced by actors Dilip Kumar and Saira Banu. Subsequently, he portrayed the character of Veer in Sahara Ones soap opera Doli Saja Ke. He later secured the male lead role in Yahan Ke Hum Sikandar, where he portrayed the character of Ravi.Throughout his career, Dubey has appeared in approximately 40 television commercial ads for various brands including Reliance, TVS Victor, Mrs Marino, Gee Pee Mobile, Nestle, ICICI, Action Milano Shoes, Fairever, Santro, and Water Kingdom. He was also a contestant in the eighth season of Khatron Ke Khiladi. There is a lot of ambiguity around Nitesh Tiwaris Ramayana as none of the reports that are being heard are confirmed. It was also heard that Sunny Deol agreed to take on the role of Lord Hanuman. It is expected that the team will make an announcement regarding the movie on Ram Navami, which is on April 17. Actor Ajith Kumar-starrer Vidaa Muyarchi is one of the most anticipated movies in Tamil cinema. It is written and directed by Magizh Thirumeni. Apart from Ajith Kumar, the movie also stars Trisha, Arjun Sarja, Regina Cassandra and Arav in prominent roles. The music of the movie is composed by the renowned musician Anirudh Ravichander. Vidaa Muyarchi is currently in the production stage. The first schedule of the shooting began in Azerbaijan last year. After the reported conclusion of the shooting in Azerbaijan, the fans are eager to know about the next schedule of the shooting. Amid this, the actor is now seen giving training to bike riders on behalf of his International motorcycle touring company, AK Motor Ride. The video has gone viral now. In the latest viral video, Ajith is supposedly giving training to motorbike riders for the upcoming second leg of his international motorbike tour. Actor Arav was also seen participating in the exercise. In the video, the actor appears to be teaching the rider a specific skill, which involves the continuous use of clutches considering his hand gestures. Suresh Chandra, manager of Ajith Kumar, posted the video on the social media platform X ( formerly called Twitter). The video clip has garnered 7.5 million views till now. Ajith, who returned to Chennai on a short break from shooting in Azerbaijan, was recently admitted to a hospital. Although, the actors managers and close sources said that he had returned for his routine checkup, the fans were shocked by the rumours of Ajiths spinal cord problems and brain tumour diagnosis. After some days, it was reported that the actors nerve below the ear was swollen and the doctors said that it could be fixed with a minor surgery. While this comforted the fans, Ajiths new video has further confirmed the actors updated health condition. Vidaa Muyarchi is produced by Subaskaran Allirajah under the banner of Lyca Productions. The cinematography of the movie is done by Nirav Shah and Om Prakash. NB Srikanth executes editing of the movie. Yuva Rajkumar, actor Raghavendra Rajumars son, is set to make his debut with the upcoming film titled Yuva. It is scheduled to hit theatres on March 29. Originally slated for release on December 22, 2023, the date was postponed to make way for the release of Salaar. The newly-released trailer provides a comprehensive look at Yuvas character a rebellious student who isnt afraid to stand up to local thugs, even if it strains his relationship with his father. Hes depicted as a caring brother, willing to protect his sister. Yuvas character is also shown to develop feelings for a fellow student, played by Sapthami Gowda. The trailer also showcases Yuvas action-packed sequences, demonstrating the actors ability to deliver powerful performances. Fans can expect Yuva to make a grand entrance into theatres, as evident from the trailer. Santhosh Ananddram has showcased Yuva Rajkumars versatility in the films songs. Yuva Rajkumar showcases his dance skills in the first song, Obbane Shiva Obbane Yuva; he portrayed his romantic side in Kavithe Kavithe, and hinted at the emotional depth of his character with the song Appuge. Audiences have been given a glimpse into Yuvas multifaceted personality. Santhosh has taken up a big responsibility of providing an ideal launchpad for Yuva Rajkumar. From the looks of the trailer, has done his best to make Yuva as saleable as possible. As per the trailer, Yuva is an engineering college student in Mangalore, whose tiffs with some local students eventually involves a goon as well.This has serious repercussions for Yuva, who has to then make a living as a food delivery boy. When the goons keep threatening his family, he has to take the law into his own hands. After the trailer went viral, many fans were of the opinion that Yuva Rajkumar strongly reminded them of his uncle, the late Puneeth Rajkumar with many drawing parallels. What an intense and content full trailer i just now seen.. Welcome to sandalwood @yuva_rajkumar None of frames we see u as debut actor.. Great future u have in KFI.. Stunts reminded Appu bossBest wishes.. Advance congratulations https://t.co/eiyw5dSRHw#YuvaTrailer Mahantesh (@Mahi_Appu75) March 21, 2024 Yuva is set to hit theatres on March 29. Taiwan, officially known as the Republic of China, recently had its presidential election, where the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) won for the third consecutive term, a first in the island nations history. DPPs victory is perceived as an act of defiance and a setback to Chinas occupational plan towards Taiwan. Post these elections, the world has witnessed an increasingly aggressive stance from China, aspiring for total domination in the South China Sea, starting from Taiwan, the first island chain. The contentious China-Taiwan relationship is deeply rooted in the island nations history and has witnessed a tense situation brewing for the last several years. Separated from China by the Taiwan Strait, Taiwan came to be known as the Republic of China after Chinas nationalist government under Chiang Kai-shek lost to the Mao Zedong-led Communist group in 1949, who then fled to Taiwan. The island nation, however, was under martial law from 1949-87 under Kai-sheks Kuomintang Party (KMT) and only in 1992 did Taiwan witness its first democratically elected presidential election. The Peoples Republic of China, however, has maintained the position that Taiwan is an integral part of China and perceives it to be a renegade province. The long-term goal of peaceful reunification of Taiwan has been the CCPs goal since the 1970s, however, this gained more prominence under Xi Jinpings leadership. Xis renewed call for a reunification process is evident from his One Country, Two Systems model announced in 2019. This model, however, has been vehemently rejected by the majority Taiwanese population. A look into the political culture in Taiwan reveals that there are two factions viz, the Kuomintang Party (KMT) which largely maintains a pro-China position and endorses Chinas 1992 consensus, and the DPP, which opposes Communist China completely. DPP, which has historically been associated with formal independence, maintains a status quo/ democratic position, falling short of declaring formal independence in terms of the island nations relations with China as opposed to the KMT. This has resulted in the DPP having a contentious relationship with mainland China. The relations took a sour turn after the 2016 presidential election in Taiwan when former president Tsai Ing-wen refused to increase cross-strait relations with Beijing and opted for trade diversification, following which Beijing severed all diplomatic ties with Taipei. Lai Ching-te, the former Vice President and the new President-elect voiced his support for the status quo position in terms of relations with China and wished to seek a reopened communication with Beijing. However, during the presidential election in Taiwan, the PRC branded Lai as a separatist and tried to manipulate these elections as a choice for Taiwanese people between war and China. Xi Jinping reiterated Taiwans reunification with China as inevitable weeks before the presidential election. Beijings attempts to create political divisions that would undermine popular support for DPP via disinformation campaigns and cyberattacks were rampant. This also indicated Chinas aggressive interference in internal political matters of Taipei. However, Chinas attempts, in the end, proved to be futile as reflected in the election mandate. Chinas reaction to DPPs election victory, though seemingly restrained, indicated that the election results would have an impact on cross-strait relations as Xi would continue to pursue the One China policy. However, post-election result, Beijing has stepped up its grey-zone warfare, employing non-kinetic tactics short of actual combat, in an attempt to intimidate Taipei. The increase in patrols of aircraft, warships, surveillance ships and aircraft over and around the strait has become a common occurrence of Chinese show of force to undermine Taiwans democracy. The recent launch of balloon barrage, comprising spy balloons across Taiwans airspace by China and the daily operations of military vessels can be viewed as typical Chinese tactics to intimidate Taiwan. The intensified frequent patrols around Kinmen Islands, which has been traditionally controlled by Taiwan, following the death of two Chinese fishermen engaged in illegal operations in Taiwanese waters are instances of Chinas grey-zone tactics against Taipeis popular mandate. China blamed Taiwan for the deaths of the two Chinese fishermen though their speedboat had capsized near Kinmen waters after being chased by Taiwans Coast Guard. As per Taiwans defence report, these tactics by China are meant to intimidate Taiwan and coerce the public into submission to its stated policy. It has been observed of late that Beijing has also been seen to conduct frequent military drills near Taiwan. This is seen as another reflection of China intensifying its military activities near the Taiwan Strait. Moreover, in the recent National Peoples Congress meeting, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) reiterated its strategy of resolving the Taiwan issue in the new era and mentioned that Beijing would be firm in advancing the cause of Chinese reunification. Interestingly, in Premier Li Qiangs report delivered in this meeting, reference to peaceful reunification was omitted, unlike the previous reports. This indicates Chinas hardening stance towards the island nation. It also underlines the possibility that China may go beyond the peaceful process to attain its objective of reunification. In line with Chinas goal of full modernisation by 2035, the countrys defence budget has witnessed a continuous increase over the years. This year, the defence budget has increased by 7.2 per cent focusing on Taiwan, irrespective of its slow-growing economy. While Chinas military modernisation is aimed at its reunification process, many believe that it is unlikely to transform into a full-fledged war anytime soon. For now, Beijing is asserting its domination on the Taiwan Strait through its grey-zone tactics, and it will likely continue to interfere with Taiwans democratic setup, now that the DPP continues to remain in power. However, considering the popular mandate which is against reunification with China, Beijings attempts are likely to backfire and might consolidate DPPs position further in Taiwan. This would also lead to more vocal resistance to Chinas bullying tactics by the Taiwanese people. The writer is an author and columnist and has written several books. His X handle is @ArunAnandLive. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. More than a century after it was founded, the only justice that the notorious Justice Party delivered to Tamil Nadu was snuffing out the inherently dharmic soul of the Tamil people. The Justice Party ensured that the sacred Tamil Desam permanently lost its capacity to produce iconic sons like Pallava Narasimhavarman, Raja Raja Chola, Rajendra Chola, all the way up to Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi. The states impressive infrastructure is now a vast and glimmering but soulless wasteland where nothing cultured and refined grows because all the good and the noble and the virtuous and the lofty and the spiritual has been scorched by the flames lit by generations of Dravidianists. The learning, nurturing and preservation of Sanskrit was among the first casualties to burn in this Dravidian furnace. The story of its near-total annihilation needs to be told in a detailed volume. But to offer a tragic appetiser of sorts, this essay series has picked a real-life slice from the recent history of Sanskrit destruction in Tamil Nadu. The period is the 1960s decade and the scene of action is set in the prestigious Presidency College, Madras. The manner in which the destruction of Sanskrit was carried out resembles the manner in which fanatical Muslim sultans made appointments in officialdom: kicking out Hindus and replacing them with Muslims or with Hindus who fell for the lure of converting to Islam for material benefits. It might seem incredible and even unbelievable today, but even as recently as in the 1940s, the learning of Sanskrit and its literature was regarded as a mark of high culture in Tamil Nadu. Especially in Tamil Nadu. Throughout Indian history, Kanchipuram strode aloft as one of the renowned and prestigious centres of Sanskrit scholarship. The sacred city took pride in being home to several unbroken lineages of extraordinary Sanskrit pandits and vidwans. Sadly, Kanchipuram, like the rest of the Tamil Desam, had not reckoned with the Messianic, caliginous sword called Dravidianism which was making slow but determined inroads about a century ago. The rowdy denizens of the Justice Party, in their rabble-rousing speeches, essentially spouted variants of the following clamour: What is there in Sanskrit thats not there in Tamil? The wicked Aryas from the north and their Sanskrit language invaded our pure Tamil land and destroyed our literature and culture and flung us into backwardness. We must liberate our pure Tamil land and culture from these Aryas. They are today known as South Indian Brahmins, who continue to oppress us. Today, the whole of the Dravidian ecosystem resembles a cauldron of dangerous junk composed of the following: at the top is the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) led by the aptly-christened MK Stalin and his son Udhayanidhi Stalin. Other elements include the fossilised Periyarists and the innumerable Dravidian groups and petty factions. For more than half a century, they have held Tamil Nadu in their vice-like grip. But history tells a different story. The Justice Party and its predecessors didnt have it easy. The early role played by the Church, especially by Bishop Kaltuvel Aiyar (Robert Caldwell) in seeding and fomenting Tamil separatism is too well-known to repeat here. But its far-reaching consequences leading up to our own time need deeper examination. One such consequence has already been mentioned: the naked lie that evil Aryas from north India and their oppressive Sanskrit language destroyed an alleged original Tamil culture and a pure Tamil language. This has become a settled truth in Tamil Nadus public discourse. It is still the seed capital of the Dravidian ideology. It also posits that these Aryas armed with their Sanskrit were solely responsible for creating backward classes in the state. But the purveyors of this ideology only need to remember two important facts of their own cultural and social history. The first is the fact that a significant portion of these backward classes have become cannon fodder for Christian missionary activity. This has reached such a sickening pitch that they now exercise frightening levels of political power all the while preaching a religious imperialism in the tongue of piety and compassion. The second is the fact that the converted generations of these backward classes have defiled the memory of and the valiant fight that their own ancestors put up against these Christian cultists. Much before appa Caldwell shot to fame, he had devoted several patient years to mining the Sanatana society for potential souls to harvest. In 1849, he published a spurious pamphlet titled The Tinnevelly (Tirunelveli) Shanars. Today, the Shanars are more commonly known as Nadars. Their traditional profession was toddy-tapping. Among other things, Caldwells tract imputed non-Aryan origins to the Shanars, a fact that elicited immediate outrage from the community. By this time, a substantial section of the Shanars had obtained English education. However, it was still firmly anchored to its roots and saw through Caldwells divisive game and launched widespread agitations against Caldwells pamphlet, leading to riots. As a result, his vile tract was withdrawn from circulation. But as history tragically shows, it appears that Caldwell ultimately triumphed: a good chunk of the Nadar community is now in the fourth or fifth generation as Christians worshipping a fictional Mother Mary, who has replaced their traditional Kula Devi she is the strength-giving, life-nurturing and foe-destroying Bhadrakali who had enabled their ancestors to fight both Islamic invaders and Christian evangelists. Fanatical clerics like Caldwell have become the deities and role models for these fifth-generation Christian Nadars, some of whom have also become bishops, pastors and evangelists on a mission to culturally consume their Nadar brethren. To be continued The author is the founder and chief editor, The Dharma Dispatch. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the liquor policy scam case, AAP leader Atishi said. The arrest comes after the Delhi High Court, earlier in the day, denied any interim protection from arrest to Kejriwal in connection with the summons issued to him by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the liquor policy scam case. What is Arvind Kejriwals Connection With Liquor Policy Scam Case? The ruling AAP government in the national capital introduced a series of changes in its liquor excise policy in 2021. The changes included the cessation of government-owned liquor stores with the issuance of store operation licenses to private entities, lowering of the legal drinking age from 25 to 21 years, and separate registration criteria for liquor brands on account of factors such as pricing and sales performance in areas outside of Delhi. It also proposed an increase in the annual liquor vending license fee from Rs 8 lakh to Rs 75 lakh. The Delhi government further withdrew from the liquor retail business, granting licenses to 849 private vendors through competitive bidding. However, soon after the policy was implemented, it was marred with allegations of corruption and favouritism in the licensing process by the Opposition. Delhis Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena initiated an investigation into the new excise policy. Based on a report from Delhis top bureaucrat, the Delhi LG formally called for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe. Amid the drama, the Delhi government scrapped the excise policy. In August 2022, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed a case against 15 persons, including former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, in connection with various irregularities in the excise policy. Sisodia was arrested by the CBI in February 2023, followed by the ED in March 2023. Arvind Kejriwal has been summoned by the central probe agency for questioning in connection with the case, nine times, however, the AAP national convenor chose to skip them every time. The bank accounts of the Congress party have not been frozen but the government has recovered (Rs 135 crore) what was legally due to it, top sources said on Thursday after the Congress leadership accused the Narendra Modi government of throttling its finances. Sources revealed that there are three separate tax matters going on against the Congress, and that all parties are at the same pedestal when it comes to tax exemptions. However, a party has to fulfill provisions under Section 13 (1) of the law to claim those exemptions. The Congress is accused of violating those provisions, which has exposed its income to tax purposes, sources explained. The Income Tax Department is now doing a re-assessment of the Congresss I-T returns of seven years from 2014-15 to 2020-21 after incriminating evidence of cash donations and transfers was found during searches across states since 2019, sources said. If the I-T department assesses violations of provisions of Section 13 (1) in those assessment years too, the Congress could be in bigger financial trouble. Sources also explained that the 1994-1995 tax matter has been pending since 1997 and there was a High Court judgement on it in 2016, hence the Congresss claim of the matter being raised after 30 years is wrong. First Case: Assessment Year 2018-19 Sources said the Congress lost exemption from taxation for this assessment year as it filed returns after a delay of 33 days and accepted taking donations of Rs 14.49 lakh in cash. The Congress had claimed exemption of Rs 199 crore income in that year. Sources said once you lose exemption under Section 13 (1), the entire income becomes liable for tax and there is no provision in law for any lesser penalty. I-T Department, hence, served a notice of Rs 105 crore on the Congress in 2021 and asked it to pay 20% of the amount (Rs 21 crore) to stay the full recovery. But the Congress paid only Rs 78 lakh and its appeal before the CIT (A) was dismissed. On March 13, Delhi High Court also dismissed the appeal of the Congress party. This led to the I-T Department recovering Rs 135 crore from Congress bank accounts on March 16, 2024, which included a demand of Rs 102.66 crore and interest of Rs 32.4 crore. Second Case: Re-opening of Assessment Years 2014 to 2021 This matter may be of bigger concern to the Congress, prompting the press conference by its top leadership on Thursday. The I-T Department is believed to have seized incriminating material during searches on Congress associates since 2019 in Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and other states about cash donations and transactions of the party. This led to the I-T Department opening reassessment proceedings for assessment years of Congress returns between 2014-15 and 2020-21 as the department feels there are violations in those years too regarding exemptions from taxation claimed under Section 13 (A). If proved, the Congress could be served a massive demand notice soon too. Sources said the Congress has not been cooperating in the matter so far and is not replying to I-T queries on merits despite the incriminating evidence being furnished to it for explanation by way of notices and summons. I-T Department suspects that the Congress does not complete audited book of accounts, which is a major violation of provisions of Section 13 (A) and could expose its entire income from 2014 to 2021 to taxation purposes. Sources said the Congress has filed writ petitions against all seven years, out of which writ petitions for three years has been heard by Delhi High Court on March 20 and the order is reserved. Third Case: The 1994 Matter The Congress leadership on Thursday said the I-T Department had served a demand notice of Rs 53 crore on it regarding the assessment year of 1994-1995 after 30 years, and termed it vendetta politics. Sources, however, say the red flag on the assessment of this particular financial year was raised by the I-T Department in 1997 itself as Section 13(A) exemption was denied due to lack of audited accounts. The matter was pending in I-T tribunals and the High Court for several years till the HC ruled in the I-T Departments favour in 2016. Sources said the Congress has moved an appeal in the Supreme Court in the matter and next date of hearing is April 1. Sources said the I-T Department has, in hindsight, been lenient with the Congress as many litigations have dragged for years and lot of time has been given to the party. Sources also referred to the High Court judgments which have been scathing on the Congress and slammed it for being slow in settling these matters. Microsoft has revealed plans for a special artificial intelligence (AI) event scheduled for May 20, set to precede the commencement of its Build 2024 developer conference.As per The Verge, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella will discuss the companys AI vision across hardware and software. The exclusive May 20 event will not be live-streamed on the internet and will be limited to journalists who have received invitations from Microsoft, the report adds. According to Nadella, AI has the greatest potential impact and will revolutionise the way humans and robots interact with technology. It appears that the tech behemoth will provide details about the impending AI features for Windows and select Surface devices.Earlier this month, Microsoft informed that it will hold an event on March 21 to introduce several AI features for Windows 11 and Surface devices.The digital event, titled New Era of Work, is scheduled for tomorrow at 9:00 am PDT (10:30 pm IST). While the March 21 event will be business-focused, the consumer-oriented Surface Laptop 6 and Surface Pro 10 may be revealed at the special May 2024 event. These laptops are believed to be powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite processors, which also include specialised neural processing units to improve AI-driven operations on Windows 11. On the software front, Microsoft appears to be preparing to introduce several new features, the most anticipated of which is the AI Explorer, an upcoming functionality that may allow Windows 11 users to use the power of generative AI to search for previous actions, similar to the now-deprecated Timeline feature on Windows 10. The tech titan has declared that 2024 will be the year of the AI PC. While hardware partners such as Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm appear to be ready to embrace AI PCs, Microsoft has yet to reveal how and when Windows will make use of recent hardware breakthroughs. At the recent HP Amplify Partner Conference in Las Vegas, Microsoft CEO Satya discussed the revolutionary potential of AI with HP CEO Enrique Lores. Meanwhile, Microsoft has also stated that it will disclose more information about its AI programmes, so we may see some additional announcements regarding Copilot. The company last held a Surface event in September 2023, when the company introduced new devices such as the Surface Laptop Studio 2, Surface Laptop Go 3, and Surface Go 4. News of various online scams go viral on the internet every day. Recently, a similar incident took place in Australia. A man received a message on his phone that felt like an attempt made to hack his bank account. All he was required to do was press OK so that the bank could send him a new card. The man was intelligent. He immediately called the bank for reconfirmation. In response from the bank, it was said that this news is true. Then, after the reassurance, he clicked OK; but immediately, Rs 16 lakh was debited from his account. Now, the bank is refusing to accept their involvement in it, and says that the investigation will take 45 days to complete. According to the report in the Daily Mail, this person, a resident of Melbourne, had an account with Ubank. The man received a call after he pressed Ok on the text. The person who called addressed himself as a bank employee and asked for some more details. He also asked him for the last four numbers on his card and what transactions he had done in the last few days. After hearing this, the person felt that perhaps he might be an actual bank employee. He then entered the PIN, confirming his identity. Later, it was revealed that this PIN was his security code, which fell into the hands of the scammer. The scammers kept talking to the person for half an hour. He kept telling him that his account was being investigated. In the meantime, Rs 16 lakh was debited from the persons account. In a media interaction, the mans sister shared that when his brother was talking on the phone for half an hour, within that time Rs 16 lakh was gone. The transaction was done twice. After this, when he called the bank, the bank denied any mistake and told him that the investigation would take 45 days. Earlier, a family in Lucknow fell prey to an online scam and lost Rs 16 lakh. As per a report, a Lucknow-based man and his two sons lost Rs 16 lakh after scammers obtained a new SIM card for his lost mobile number; they lodged an FIR after this incident. Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) found itself amid a real-life drama when a systems glitch allowed customers to withdraw millions more than what was in their accounts. The incident sparked chaos as word quickly spread, due to which people rushed to ATMs across the country. University students, in particular, took the opportunity by forming long queues at campus ATMs to withdraw hefty amounts. However, the police were quick to intervene and stopped the chaos. Reports indicate that CBE staff initially failed to notice the glitch and by the time the problem was solved, close to $40 million (approximately Rs 300 Crore) was withdrawn from the bank. According to Euronews Ethiopias central bank claimed the incident happened during routine maintenance. On the other hand, CBEs president, Abe Sano, clarified that it was not the result of a cyber-attack. Customer accounts remained unaffected by the technical mishap. CBEs CEO disclosed that the majority of the withdrawn funds belonged to students through their CBE accounts. He told the Fortune, The problem is all internal. Now fully controlled. In response to the incident, several universities have asked their students to return the funds immediately. However, the success of these efforts remains uncertain. Meanwhile, CBE has assured those who voluntarily return the money that they will not face criminal charges. During the period, account holders were able to make unauthorized withdrawals and transfers. Reports indicated that approximately 66,000 customers conducted around 25,000 transactions, which led to nearly 2.4 billion Ethiopian Br (approximately Rs 300 Crore) withdrawals. However, CBE executives have not officially confirmed these claims. As a result of the glitch, CBE decided to temporarily freeze digital services across the country. According to the CBE president, the glitch happened while they were improving their banking system and claimed it happened due to a missing code. To prevent further loss, the bank suspended its services. An investigation is underway after customers made high transactions. In August 2023, the Bank of Ireland found itself in a similar situation, where certain customers were able to withdraw funds more than their account balances. During the time, the bank had claimed the issue happened due to a technical issue. Despite the challenges, the Bank of Ireland assured account holders that any transfers and withdrawals made during this period would still be reflected in their accounts. Making a positive impact on someones life and experiencing that same kindness in return is a deeply fulfilling and emotional feeling. The bond between a teacher and their students is one that lasts for years. Recently, a touching video has been circulating on the internet, featuring a sweet gesture by students towards their music teacher battling cancer in Brazil. In the video, students from a school surprise their music teacher with an impromptu performance right outside his home. The entire band gathers on the street, filling it with music and love for their beloved teacher. The internet was deeply moved by witnessing the teacher conduct the performance once more. Seeing young students getting teary eyed looking at their teacher in such a challenging situation left many emotional. The video quickly garnered attention online, as social media users couldnt stop showering praise on the students for their gesture. Instagram page, Good News Movement shared the video and wrote, Marching Band surprise their music teacher who is fighting cancer. Sherlio had been away from the teaching position that he loved so much undergoing treatment and was overcome with emotion when the band and fellow faculty showed up at his house. The street was filled with musical notes as Sherlio, with tears in his eyes, conducted his band once again. Since the video was shared online, it has gone viral and garnered over 5 Lakh views. Social media users flooded the comments section with appreciation, with some expressing how emotional they felt after watching the video. Reacting to the clip, a user wrote, The kids crying for their teacher, never ever underestimate the connection a student can build with a teacher. Especially one they view as a role model or parental guidance. Teachers arent paid enough for the impact they make in this world. Another shared, This man has made a huge impact on these kids lives. And they just returned the favour. Aaand I am sobbing. So much love in this video, so much respect, a comment wrote. An individual mentioned, When humans come together with love, kindness and compassion, the world is a better place. Another wrote, My heart wasnt prepared for this. A user shared, I hope he makes a full recovery and goes back doing what he loves so much. Previously, a similar video from Christ Presbyterian Academy in Tennessee, US captured the internets attention. The video featured around 400 students and school management gathering outside the home of their teacher for a special performance. The teacher was battling with cancer due to which he was asked to stay at home. To bring joy to his life, the students and staff organized a surprise visit, and showed their love in a unique and touching way. 400 students gather outside the home of their cancer-stricken teacher to sing for him. He passed away 10 days later pic.twitter.com/raYmpK1196 Historic Vids (@historyinmemes) January 18, 2024 As per X post, unfortunately, the teacher passed away 10 days after the student surprised him with a musical performance. Often at workplaces, asking for a leave is always followed by mentioning the reason for taking the leave. However, not all bosses are keen to know why their employees are taking a day off as long as they deliver the work on the usual days. Tom Hunt, the founder and CEO of Fame, a digital marketing company, recently shared on LinkedIn that he never asks his employees the reason for their leaves. In a now-viral post, he wrote, A new team member asked me to approve his holiday. I immediately approved it. He then went on to explain why he was taking the holiday. My reply: I dont need to know the details. I hired you to do a job and I trust you to get it done." The CEO added, I dont need to know youll be late because of a dentists appointment, or you are leaving early to attend to pick up the kids. I am not a clock watcher. I trust you to get your job done. Keeping clients happy? Im happy. Flexible work is the future." This post has generated over 86,000 reactions on LinkedIn. Many people approved of Hunts flexible approach, but a few cautioned against its misuse. Agreeing with Hunt, a LinkedIn user wrote, This is great most of the time bosses dont have a remote work issue they have a trust issue. My team work across 4 different time zones, yet we feel like a super connected squad who have been working together for years. Bosses sometimes its not remote working, its you." Disagreeing with this, another person wrote, I trust you to get your job done. and what if they dont? just fire them and move on to the next person? I think providing some guidelines and discipline can be beneficial for some people. Not everyone will thrive in full blown anarchy." Some people also wrote about how sometimes, workers want their employers to know the reason behind their absence as it helps them feel connected to the workplace. Making this point, a LinkedIn user wrote, I love the tennet of this post and wonder if theres another view to consider too. I wonder if the team member was trying to increase a sense of connection by sharing? Boost their belonging? Needed to be heard? Just a thought." Social media is buzzing with a video that shows how some people have found a way to get into their houses by breaking the locks if they have misplaced their keys. The video, uploaded on Instagram, starts with a person throwing petrol on a lock from a bottle. Now, another person lightens a matchstick and burns the lock with it. One of the individuals standing in the background can be heard saying there is no need to do anything and the lock will open by itself. People are seen waiting for a few minutes and then asking the person who has thrown the petrol on the lock why it is not opening. He assures everyone that the lock will surely open and brings a stone lying nearby. He then strikes the lock with this stone and it opens with just a single stroke. He also explained to the people that there is a plastic coating in the lock that melts after it comes into contact with the fire and then prompts the lock to open. The video has garnered more than 6 million views. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Viral Public 24 (@viralpublic_24) Social media users lauded the trick used to break the locks but said that it could be used for theft and burglary. One of the users humorously wrote that these people are preparing for the next season of the thriller series Money Heist. Money Heist is a crime drama television series that revolves around an unusual group of robbers who attempt to execute the most perfect robbery in Spanish history stealing 2.4 billion euros from the Royal Mint of Spain. The person who devised this trick to break the lock had requested the viewers not to use this idea for committing wrongdoings. They can use it in case their keys get lost and they have no other option to get into their houses. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Viral Public 24 (@viralpublic_24) There are many other ways to open the locks like the drilling, screw, rod technique, etc. The drill destroys the internal components of the lock and renders it unfair for future use. After the drilling, the lock and other parts of the door will have to be replaced. A top US official has said the Biden administration is working with the Indian government to hold accountable those behind a plot to kill Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on American soil. This comes as Indian national Nikhil Gupta was charged by federal prosecutors in November last year, in connection with his involvement in a foiled plot to assassinate Pannun, who holds dual citizenship of the US and Canada. During a Congressional hearing on Wednesday, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Donald Lu told members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, This is a serious issue. A serious issue between the United States and India. This is a serious issue..We take it incredibly seriously, raised at the highest level with India. Encourage India to hold accountable those responsible, US Diplomat Donald Lu on Pannu case. pic.twitter.com/7ZYl039iHa Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) March 20, 2024 The Department of Justice has alleged that an Indian citizen at the behest of someone working in the Indian government has attempted to kill an American citizen on American soil. We take this in the administration incredibly seriously and have raised it at the highest levels with India, he added. Lu was responding to a question from Congressman Dean Phillips from Minnesota, who asked if sanctions similar to those placed on more than 500 individuals relating to the killing of Lexie Navalny in Russia are being considered for those believed to be behind the plot to kill Pannun. Earlier, US federal prosecutors had charged that Gupta was working with an Indian government employee and had agreed to pay an assassin USD 1,00,000 to kill Pannun, who lives in New York City. Meanwhile, India has already constituted a probe committee to investigate the allegations. We are at the moment working with India to encourage India to hold accountable, those responsible for this terrible crime. What we can see is that India itself has announced that they have created a committee of inquiry to look into this matter and we ask them to work quickly and transparently to make sure justice is done, Lu said. (With agency inputs) US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced on Thursday that the Biden administration has circulated a draft resolution at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), urging for an immediate ceasefire linked to the release of hostages in the Gaza Strip. This comes as Blinken is on his latest Middle East tour which runs parallel with talks in Qatar, where mediators met for a third day in a renewed effort to secure a ceasefire but with little indication of an imminent agreement. Well, in fact, we actually have a resolution that we put forward right now thats before the United Nations Security Council that does call for an immediate ceasefire tied to the release of hostages, and we hope very much that countries will support that, Blinken said. I think that would send a strong message, a strong signal, he told Saudi media outlet Al Hadath on Wednesday evening during a visit to Saudi Arabia to discuss the war between Israel and Hamas. In Jeddah, I met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Foreign Minister Prince @FaisalbinFarhan to discuss the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and efforts to immediately increase aid to Palestinians.I reaffirmed our commitment to lasting peace and security in the region. pic.twitter.com/5pYQjytt1d Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) March 21, 2024 Regional tour Blinken met Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and then held talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman soon after landing in the kingdom on the first leg of a regional tour that will include Egypt and then Israel. The trip is his sixth to the Middle East since the Israel-Hamas war began on October 7. The United States, Israels main backer, has previously used its UN Security Council veto to block the world body from calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Palestinian territory. Of course, we stand with Israel and its right to defend itself but at the same time, its imperative that the civilians who are in harms way and who are suffering so terribly - that we focus on them, that we make them a priority, protecting the civilians, getting them humanitarian assistance, Blinken said. Since blocking an Algerian draft resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza at the end of February, US officials have been negotiating an alternative text focusing on support for diplomatic efforts on the ground for a six-week truce in exchange for the release of hostages. This text had little chance of gaining the Councils approval and a new version was circulated to Security Council members on Wednesday, AFP reported, citing diplomatic sources. The amended draft stresses the need for an immediate and durable ceasefire to protect civilians on all sides, enable the delivery of essential humanitarian aid, and alleviate suffering in conjunction with the release of hostages still held. No vote has yet been scheduled on this text. The plan being discussed in Qatar would temporarily halt the fighting as hostages are exchanged for Palestinian prisoners and the delivery of relief supplies is stepped up. Its getting closer. I think the gaps are narrowing, and I think an agreement is very much possible, Blinken said of the mediation in Doha. We worked very hard with Qatar, with Egypt, and with Israel to put a strong proposal on the table Hamas wouldnt accept it, he said. They came back with other requests, other demands. (With agency inputs) Bulgarian President Rumen Radevs gratitude post to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in praise of the Indian Navys heroic rescue of the hijacked Bulgarian Ship Ruen and its crew, has gone viral. Radevs March 18th post received over 2 million impressions, 25k likes, and 5.4k retweets, making it his most successful post on the platform, previously called Twitter. Before the India post, the second most viewed post of Radevs account received 57k views, 74 likes and 87 retweets. The majority of his posts received on average less than 100 likes and 10-15 retweets with impressions not exceeding 15k. My sincere gratitude to PM @narendramodi for the brave action of Navy rescuing the hijacked Bulgarian ship Ruen and its crew, including 7 Bulgarian citizens. President.bg (@PresidentOfBg) March 18, 2024 We conquer Heart and Spread Love We are friends, We dont conquer territory, We conquer hearts and spread love, one of the users said in the comments section of the Bulgarian Presidents post. Bulgarian President Thanks India For Rescuing Its Citizens From Hijacked Ship MV Ruen under PM @narendramodis leadership, said another. Yet another wrote, Just two all-weather friends, supporting each other in every major crisis, be it COVID or any other military coordination. One of the Indian users even went ahead and said, India will make sure everyone follows rules in the Indian Ocean. To know more about this, see this tweet https://t.co/UzUqEvvNpo Amber Agarwal #ViksitBharatAmbassador (@iamberagarwal) March 18, 2024 Last week, the Indian Navy seized MV Ruen, a former Maltese-flagged bulk carrier, rescued 17 hostages, and captured 35 armed pirates in the nearly 40-hour operation around 2,600 km from the Indian coast. High praise for the Indian rescue operation came as defence experts recognised that the dramatic rescue of the commercial ship from pirates off Somalias coast shows how Indias military has developed special forces capabilities on par with some of the worlds best. The success of the operation marks the Indian Navy as a top-class force in terms of training, command and control and other capabilities, CNN quoted John Bradford, Council on Foreign Relations International Affairs fellow, as saying. What marks this operation as impressive is how risk was minimised by using a coordinated force that includes the use of a warship, drones, fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, and marine commandos, Bradford said. (With agency inputs) The relationship between India and the United States has been growing and is stronger than it has ever been, Americas top Defence Department officials have told lawmakers with an influential Congressman noting that New Delhi is a swing vote because of its ties with Russia. Assistant Secretary of Defence for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Ely S. Ratner told members of the House Subcommittee on Indo-Pacific on Wednesday that the US has been strengthening its relationship with India across a number of areas. I would describe the US-India relationship as growing and stronger than it has ever been and absolutely essential to our vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific. We have been strengthening a number of areas across the relationship including in co-production, where weve made some major strides on jet engines, some new projects on armoured vehicles to integrate our defence industrial base, which is one important way to make those bonds all the stronger, Ratner said in response to a question from Ranking Member Adam Smith. I see them as a crucial, I wouldnt partner certainly, but also a little bit of a swing vote in that they have a relationship, certainly with Russia. They have relationships, across the world with many of our adversaries. Getting them to work with us more going forward I think is crucial to meeting our needs, Smith said. He asked Ratner how he would describe the US relationship with India and what was needed to strengthen it. Weve been working at the department to strengthen the relationships between our private sectors, particularly in defence technologies, and we have some really important new initiatives to be doing that. Admiral Aquilino has been leading a number of important exercises and operations with the Indians that are enhancing our operational coordination, Ratner said. Our defence trade now is valued at over USD 20 billion and India recently announced their decision to acquire over 30 MQ9Bs and BS. Thats part of a growing defence relationship between our countries that couldnt be more important, the defence department official said. Navy Adm. John Aquilino, Commander of US Indo-Pacific Command, who also testified, said America has many overlapping interests with the largest democracies of the world, even though it doesnt always have the same interests. Military to military, we have been executing much more increased operations and exercises together. They are working towards becoming more interoperable. Theyve bought our helicopters, they have C-130s, as we do, and we continue to expand both bilaterally and multilaterally our actions and exercises with them, he said. Smith then asked about BRICS, of which India is a key partner with Brazil, China, Russia and South Africa. How do you feel the calculation, because the biggest alarm bell in all of this is the BRICS countries, which obviously includes Russia and China, but India is a big part of that. So, theyre working in that relationship, which is challenging in and of itself. But when those BRICS countries decided to allow Iran to join them, what do you think Indias calculation is in terms of, I understand a little bit Russia and China, but why would India be part of empowering Iran in that way, Smith asked. Replying to the question, Ratner said, Part of Indias strategic identity, as you know, as a member of the Global South, they aspire toward an international system based on a principle of multipolarity, and that is reflected in part of their foreign policy. But on balance, they have been trending towards strategic convergence with the United States. We do share a vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific, and were going to do whatever we can to nurture and advance that part of their orientation. In his testimony, Aquilino said a strong US-India Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership is essential for a free and open Indo-Pacific. In 2023, the US and India launched INDUS-X and completed a Roadmap for US-India Defence Industrial Cooperation to enhance bilateral defence industrial cooperation and innovation, he said. The proposed deal between G.E. Aerospace and Hindustan Aeronautics for domestic Indian production of F-414 jet engines exemplifies this approach. The US and India are seeking unprecedented levels of interoperability by expanding cooperation in the air domain through the participation of US B-1B Bombers in Indias biennial air show AERO INDIA and bilateral air exercise COPE INDIA, he said. Additionally, in the land domain, we conducted the largest-ever bilateral joint amphibious exercise with India, TIGER TRIUMPH, improving our cooperation on maritime domain awareness and strengthening service-to-service ties. USINDOPACOM seeks to deepen cooperation under the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) to enable more regular and flexible engagements in the Indian Ocean Region, including US ship repair in Indian shipyards, Aquilino said. Two new Master Ship Repair Agreements were signed in 2023, and three US Navy vessels have recently received maintenance and repair in Indian shipyards, he told lawmakers in his testimony. Indonesias newly elected president Prabowo Subianto extended a unifying message on Wednesday following the official confirmation of his sweeping victory in last months election. Securing nearly 60% of the votes, the former special forces commander and current defense minister expressed gratitude to voters and volunteers assembled at his residence in south Jakarta. Despite impending legal challenges from rivals Anies Baswedan and Ganjar Pranowo over the electoral process, Prabowo vowed to lead as a president for all Indonesians, emphasizing the smooth conduct of the election. We invite all Indonesians to look ahead in unity because our challenges are still huge, he said, vowing to eradicate poverty and injustice. He thanked the popular outgoing President Joko Widodo, known as Jokowi, whose tacit backing helped Prabowo win at his third attempt. He billed himself to voters and investors alike as the continuity candidate. On Wednesday he repeated a pledge to use as a guide Jokowis economic policies, which have modernised infrastructure, cut red tape, and delivered growth and prosperity in the trillion-dollar, G20 economy. We will use the strong foundation he has built, especially in the economic sector, to work faster, harder, to bring results as quickly as possible to the Indonesian people, he said. The recently decorated honorary four-star general rose to the top job in the worlds third-largest democracy despite past allegations of human rights abuses during his time in the military, which he has denied. His popularity soared with younger voters, especially on social media like TikTok, and especially after he picked Jokowis son as his running mate. Prabowo is expected to take over from Jokowi in October. Prabowos alliance with Jokowi, to whom he lost in 2014 and 2019, prompted fears of a resurgence of patronage politics in a country that just 25 years ago transitioned from authoritarian rule to democracy. Jokowi himself has been accused of election interference, which he and his allies deny. Jokowis 36-year-old son and Prabowos running mate, Gibran Rakabuming Raka is set to become the countrys youngest ever vice president, owing to a last-minute change of eligibility rules, by a court headed by the presidents brother-in-law. Anies said after the final results that there had been election irregularities and that his legal team would take it to court. A leadership born out of a sullied process, with deviations, fraud, will produce a regime with unjust policies, he said. He did not provide details of the alleged irregularities. Ganjars running mate Mahfud MD also said on Wednesday his camp was ready to go to court over the alleged irregularities. Prabowos campaign team said on Wednesday it was preparing evidence and rebuttals for the legal challenges. The election commission also announced on Wednesday that Indonesias biggest party PDI-P received the most votes in the legislative elections, which were held on the same day, followed by the Golkar Party and Prabowos Gerindra Party. (With agency inputs) Fears of a potential blackmail plot have emerged surrounding the investigation into a UK clinics alleged breach of Kate Middletons medical records. The probe, initiated after claims of unauthorised access, has escalated concerns over the Princess of Waless personal life, which is now in the limelight. Anyone accused of this most serious breach of trust should be interviewed under caution at the earliest opportunity, Dai Davies, the former chief superintendent and head of the royal protection unit, was quoted as saying by Daily Mirror. The implications for the royal family are far and wide and there must be a full probe by Scotland Yard to determine if any further crimes have been committed. The UKs information watchdog said it is assessing reports that hospital staff attempted to view Kate Middletons private medical records while the Princess of Wales was admitted for abdominal surgery in London. The private hospital in central London, The London Clinic, where the 42-year-old was treated in January is said to have launched its own investigation into the claims. At least one member of staff at the hospital had allegedly tried to access Princess Kates medical notes, according to UK media reports. We can confirm that we have received a breach report and are assessing the information provided, said a spokesperson for the Information Commissioners Office (ICO). The hospital reportedly contacted Kensington Palace, the Prince and Princess of Wales office, after the alleged breach came to light. This is a matter for the London Clinic, the palace said in a statement. The private clinic has so far not commented directly on the allegations. We firmly believe that all our patients, no matter their status, deserve total privacy and confidentiality regarding their medical information, the London Clinic told the Mirror newspaper. The latest privacy breach incident related to Kates health comes amid conspiracy theories and social media speculation around her recuperation from a planned abdominal surgery. Kensington Palace had said after the procedure on January 16 that the Princess of Wales was making good progress and that it would not be providing commentary on a private medical matter. The Princess of Wales is not expected to return to official royal duties until next month, after the Easter school holidays. Earlier, she was filmed by a member of the public out shopping with husband, Prince William, at a farm shop in Windsor near their family home. The palace hopes it would help quash rumours around her recovery, made worse after Kate was forced to apologise for the confusion she caused with an amateur edit of a picture of her with her three kids released earlier this month. A US-based man from the state of Texas has defied the odds after surviving a harrowing medical ordeal triggered by an attempt to remove an ingrown hair. 36-year-old Steven Spinales arduous journey began when he slipped into a medically induced coma, a consequence of complications from the procedure. Spinales sister, Michelle, chronicled his battle since late 2022, UKs Daily Mail reported. Doctors initially struggled to diagnose his condition, which deteriorated rapidly, leading to life support. Spinale contracted a rare bacterial infection, resulting in severe sepsis and organ failure. All [doctors] could figure out was he was bleeding internally from somewhere. Little did we know that would be the smallest worry, Spinales sister wrote on a GoFundMe page that has raised more than $8,000 for his care. Amid this crisis, he also battled influenza A, double pneumonia, and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Despite grim prognoses, Spinale endured a three-week coma, followed by open-heart surgery and intensive care measures. Michelles social media posts showed the familys unwavering hope in the face of adversity. Against the odds, Spinale defied medical expectations, gradually regaining strength and mobility by the end of 2023. Throughout the ordeal, a GoFundMe campaign garnered support for Spinale. Steven is so important to so many people and we need him to fight like he has never fought before. His wife hasnt left his side so both incomes are now gone. We are trying to raise funds to help ease their worries and help pay their bills including medical. Steven doesnt have insurance. This is going to be a long road if he pulls thru this and we appreciate all the help we can get, the GoFundMe read. The United States on Wednesday reiterated its stance that Arunachal Pradesh is Indian territory and strongly opposed any unilateral attempts made to advance territorial claims across the Line of Actual Control. Speaking at his daily press conference, State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said, The United States recognises Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territory and we strongly oppose any unilateral attempts to advance territorial claims by incursions or encroachments, military or civilian, across the Line of Actual Control. VIDEO | The United States recognises Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territory and we strongly oppose any unilateral attempts to advance territorial claims by incursions or encroachments military or civilian, across the line of actual control, says Vedant Patel, Principal Deputy pic.twitter.com/E3J5hUMlGG Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 21, 2024 This remark from the US State Department came days after the Chinese military reiterated its claim over the state following Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit there. A Chinese Defence Ministry spokesperson earlier this week said that the southern part of Xizang (the Chinese name for Tibet) is an inherent part of Chinas territory, and Beijing never acknowledges and firmly opposes the so-called Arunachal Pradesh illegally established by India. China, which claims Arunachal Pradesh as South Tibet, routinely objects to Indian leaders visits to the state to highlight its claims. Beijing has also named the area Zangnan. On March 9, Prime Minister Modi dedicated to the nation the Sela Tunnel built at an altitude of 13,000 feet in Arunachal Pradesh that will provide all-weather connectivity to strategically located Tawang and is expected to ensure better movement of troops along the frontier region. Read More: Was, Is, Will Always Be Integral Part Of: India Dismisses Chinas Absurd Claims Over Arunachal Pradesh India has repeatedly rejected Chinas territorial claims over Arunachal Pradesh, asserting that the state is an integral part of the country. New Delhi has also dismissed Beijings move to assign invented names to the area, saying it did not alter the reality. The Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday said it has noted the latest comments made by the spokesperson of the Chinese Defence Ministry advancing absurd claims over the territory of Arunachal Pradesh and asserted that the state was, is and will always be an integral and inalienable part of India. Speaking at the News18 Rising Bharat Summit on Wednesday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed the recent Chinese statement on Arunachal, stating, They (China) have been saying it since the times of Jawaharlal Nehru. At that time, they had even captured a big part. I was not born then in 1962. But under the Modi government, no one can dare to even take an inch of land at any Indian border. This is our promise to the people of Bharat. (With agency inputs) Zimbabweans should not view all Vapostori in the same way as they did Ishmael Chokurongerwa, commonly known as Madzibaba Ishmael, who is facing a number of charges including denying children basic rights and burying people without burial orders. Vapostori and MaZion for ED spokesperson Mr Obey Mapuranga told a media conference in Harare yesterday that the national Vapostori group would take action. The people of Zimbabwe should continue to live together in peace and treat allegations against Madzibaba Ishmael as a singular case in which, if he is found guilty, we will engage the leaders of the National Judicial Council of Vapostori to proceed with religious counselling and guidance to the Vapostori families at Lilly Farm so that they continue worshipping, residing and farming in line with the right religious practices and freedom of religion according to the constitution of Zimbabwe, he said. Mr Mapuranga said Vapostori had confidence in the countrys law enforcement agencies,with the issue being handled professionally by the police and courts. We understand the seriousness of the allegations against Madzibaba Ishmael and his followers. However, we have full confidence in our law enforcement agencies and the judicial system to address these matters with the utmost professionalism, said Mr Mapuranga. He emphasised the organisations commitment to upholding the religious and spiritual dictates of the Johanne Masowe Chishanu religion, which is against early marriages and child abuse. But Mr Mapuranga said there was some disturbing information and evidence about some non-governmental organisations that are waging a religious war against Vapostori as a whole. These agents are indirectly lobbying for the eradication of the Vapostori religion in Zimbabwe, said Mr Mapuranga Chokurongerwa appeared before Norton magistrate Ms Christine Nyandoro on Monday and was denied bail, together with his seven co-accused. They are jointly charged with two counts of contravening sections of the Burial and Cremation Act and the Childrens Act and were remanded in custody to April 4 for routine remand. Chokurongerwas co-accused are members of Johane Masowe-aligned Gore Jena Penyera Nyika: Shingirai Ngawafune (42), Takavengwa Gwenzi (55), Zebedia Sigudu (49), Devlodge Katsande (47), Aaron Chokurongerwa (47), Wonder Kabaya (41) and Siribinio Chikurunhe (53). They were all represented by lawyer, Purity Chikanganise. The State is alleging that Chokurongerwa and his co-accused buried or conducted funeral services for Hazel Chikunhire and Winlet Kabaya without obtaining proper burial orders for the two. It is further alleged that the sect leaders, being guardians of the children that lived at the churchs compound in Nyabira, neglected, abandoned and exposed the children in a manner that likely caused them unnecessary suffering. Their arrests came after police raided the farm and rescued 251 children, with 246 said to have no birth certificates. Police also found 16 graves near Madzibaba Ishmaels shrine and investigations showed that they were for nine adults and seven children. Another giraffe has lost its life in an accident that resulted in a broken neck, this time a baby giraffe at Zoo Miami. The giraffe, born Dec. 15, was found by the zoo's staff Saturday morning, spokesperson Ron Magill said. "Because the event that led to this trauma happened overnight and was not personally observed, zoo officials can only speculate that something startled the animal and caused it to run into a fence, resulting in the fatal injury," Magill said. A necropsy determined that the giraffe, named Saba, had a broken neck, reports the AP . "This has been a devastating loss, and all procedures are being carefully evaluated to help ensure the prevention of any similar incidents in the future," Magill said, telling the Sun Sentinel the zoo is looking at the possibility of installing cameras in the enclosure. He says no tracks or evidence of a predator in the habitat were found, but it's possible one got in. "For all we know it could have been a wasp that stung it in the middle of the night and freaked it out," he adds. Magill said zoo staff continues to monitor the other giraffes in the herd, but all have returned to their normal routines without incident. The zoo has a long history of caring for baby giraffes, with 60 having been born there, Magill said. The Miami Herald notes the last fatality of a young giraffe there occurred in 2016, when a 7-month-old giraffe went to observe another giraffe and got his neck stuck between two fence posts. (More giraffes stories.) A Ukrainian American businessman who worked with Rudy Giuliani told the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday that the allegations against the Biden family it's investigating are false and being "spread by the Kremlin." Lev Parnas, who was convicted of fraud and campaign crimes, had tried to find incriminating information about President Biden involving Ukraine. There's nothing there, he testified in the hearing. "The American people have been lied to, by Donald Trump, Rudy Giuliani, and various cohorts of individuals in government and media positions," Parnas said in an opening statement, NBC News reports. "They created falsehoods to serve their own interests knowing it would undermine the strength of our nation." Russia is the source of the misinformation, said Parnas, who appeared before the panel investigating impeachment allegations at the invitation of the committee's Democrats. He criticized Fox News, including Sean Hannity, and Republicans including Rep. Pete Sessions and Sen. Ron Johnson, for knowingly "pushing a false narrative" about Joe and Hunter Biden. A Giuliani representative later called Parnas desperate, saying he's "not to be trusted." He declined to address the accusation that Giuliani knew the misinformation came from the Russian government. The Republican effort to impeach the president is stalling, the AP reports, after the committee has failed to find solid evidence of wrongdoing. In his opening statement, Rep. Jamie Raskin, the panel's top Democrat, called the GOP impeachment effort a "comedy of errors" that is at last "crashing to an end." Instead of producing articles of impeachment, Chairman James Comer apparently is considering sending criminal referrals of the Biden family to the Justice Department, which would be mostly symbolic. "I'm hearing about Biden's family. I'm hearing about this and that," said Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. "I am not hearing the specific allegation." (More Biden impeachment stories.) Julian Assange has been battling with the US since 2010, when his WikiLeaks published thousands of confidential US military and diplomatic documents. But sources tell the Wall Street Journal the US Department of Justice is considering bringing the whole thing to an end with a plea deal. Assange has been jailed in the UK since 2019, fighting extradition to the US to face charges filed against him that year, and sources say the deal would see the 18 charges he currently faces under the Espionage Act dropped in exchange for Assange pleading guilty to a reduced charge of mishandling classified information, a misdemeanor, the Guardian reports. He could potentially do that from London, and would likely be released shortly thereafter, sources say. Sources say Assange's lawyers have been in touch with the Justice Department about the idea, but the official word from Assange's legal team is that they have received no indication of any change in the prosecution strategy. Per the Journal, not only are the talks very much in "flux" and subject to "fizzling" out, any plan would also need to be approved at the DOJ's highest levels if prosecutors do decide to move forward with a possible deal. Currently, Assange is awaiting a decision from Britain's High Court on whether he can further appeal his extradition; if he is ruled against, his final option would be the European court of human rights. (More Julian Assange stories.) Donald Trump's shortlist for running mate "remains on the long side" with enough names "to fill an entire season of The Apprentice," per NBC News , though a familiar name is reportedly moving up that list: Marco Rubio. The third-term Florida senator who ran against Trump in 2016 is among Trump's potential picks for vice president, multiple outlets are reporting. "Rubio, the Miami-born son of working-class Cuban immigrants, looks good on paper and on televisiona powerful combination for Trump" and if chosen, "would be the first nonwhite person ever to make a Republican presidential ticket, per NBC. "Choosing Rubio could be seen as an indication of how the Trump campaign wants to appeal to the Hispanic vote," per CBS News . There is one hiccup. Under the Constitution, electors are instructed to "vote by Ballot for two Persons, of whom one at least shall not be an Inhabitant of the same State with themselves." Both Trump and Rubio are from Florida. But Rubio could technically change his residence, just as Dick Cheney moved from Texas to Wyoming to run with George W. Bush in 2000. It's unclear if Rubio would be willing to resign his Senate seat and move to another state. Asked in January about the possibility of being Trump's running mate, Rubio told Fox News, "We're both from the same state, so that's probably not going to work that way." Trump has said he's considering around 15 people, with Rep. Elise Stefanik, Sen. Tim Scott, and retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson who previously served as Trump's secretary of housing and urban development, rumored to be among them. Trump has not said when he'll announce his choice. "No one has been directly reached out to yet, and I do not expect that for some time," a Trump adviser tells NBC, which reports the former president will be auditioning top contenders at upcoming rallies. Trump is also looking further ahead, eying people he'd like to join his cabinet should he regain the White House. According to Semafor, Rubio is also being considered for a key national security post, alongside Sens. Bill Hagerty and Tom Cotton. (More Marco Rubio stories.) UPDATE Mar 21, 2024 4:23 PM CDT An Idaho prison gang member and his accomplice, the subjects of a regional search since an ambush and escape early Wednesday from a Boise hospital, have been taken into custody, police said. Skylar Meade, the escapee, and Nicholas Umphenour were captured about 2pm Thursday in the Twin Falls area, about 130 miles from the hospital, after a brief vehicle pursuit, ABC News reports. State police are investigating two homicides that may be connected to the pair. Lt. Col. Sheldon Kelley said two men were killed in separate locations, per the AP. Police found shackles at the scene of one of the killings, and "that's one of the ways we tied them together," Kelley said. Mar 21, 2024 5:48 AM CDT Police in Idaho have identified the suspected shooter who helped a prison inmate flee a hospital in a "brazen" attack early Wednesday. Boise police described former inmate Nicholas Umphenour, 28, as an "associate" of 31-year-old inmate Skylar Meade, the Idaho Statesman reports. In a news release, the department said a warrant had been obtained for Umphenour's arrest on two charges of aggravated battery against law enforcement and one charge of aiding and abetting an escape. Police said both men, who escaped in a gray 2020 Honda Civic with license plate number 2TDF43U, should be considered armed and dangerous. The New York attorney general's office may have found something in Donald Trump's real estate portfolio it likes. New state filings in Westchester County could be a sign that it's moving toward seizing Seven Springs, Trump's golf course and private estate north of Manhattan, CNN reports. If the $464 million court judgment against Trump, his sons Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, and the Trump Organization isn't paid, such a seizure of assets could be next. The attorney general's office filed judgments on March 6, the move a creditor would make to try to recover property. The office already has filed a judgment in New York City, home to several of the former president's properties, including Trump Tower, but not in Florida or Illinois, court records show. Trump has four days left to come up with the judgment or get a court to approve a smaller amount for a bond he'd have to post while appealing the fraud verdict. Trump posted Thursday on social media that his decision on that would be "guided by the courts," per ABC News. State Attorney General Letitia James has said she would begin to seize Trump assets if he misses his payment deadline. That would take a while, one lawyer said. "These properties are huge, they have debt," Kevin O'Brien said, adding, "and they have tenants." (More Donald Trump stories.) A federal judge on Thursday finished handing down prison terms of about 10 to 40 years to six white former Mississippi law enforcement officers who pleaded guilty to breaking into a home without a warrant and torturing two Black men in an hourslong attack that included beatings, repeated uses of stun guns, and assaults with a sex toy before one of the victims was shot in the mouth. US District Judge Tom Lee called the culprits' actions "egregious and despicable," the AP reports, and gave sentences near the top of federal guidelines to five of the six men who attacked Michael Corey Jenkins and Eddie Terrell Parker. The exception was for Joshua Hartfield, 32, a former police officer who did not work in a sheriff's department with the others and was not a member of a "Goon Squad." He was the last of the six former officers sentenced over three days this week, months after they all pleaded guilty. Before giving Hartfield a 10-year sentence Thursday, Lee said Hartfield did not have a history of using excessive force and was roped into the brutal episode by one of the former deputies, Christian Dedmon, who already received a 40-year sentence. Lee said, however, that Hartfield failed to intervene in the violence and participated in a cover-up. Brett McAlpin, the fourth highest-ranking officer in the Rankin County Sheriff's Office, received a sentence of about 27 years on Thursday. McAlpin, 53, nodded to his family in the courtroom and offered an apology before the judge sentenced him. "This was all wrong, very wrong," said McAlpin, who did not look at the victims as he spoke before sentencing, adding, "I'm really sorry for being a part of something that made law enforcement look so bad." Arguing for a lengthy sentence, federal prosecutor Christopher Perras said McAlpin was not technically a member of the Goon Squad but "molded the men into the goons they became." story continues below Attorneys for several of the deputies said their clients became ensnared in a culture of corruption that was not only permitted, but encouraged by leaders within the sheriff's office. In a statement read by his attorney Thursday, Jenkins said he "felt like a slave" and was "left to die like a dog." He added, "If those who are in charge of the Rankin County Sheriff's Office can participate in these kinds of torture, God help us all. And God help Rankin County," Jenkins said. (More Mississippi stories.) And, as public servants were ushered into meetings to learn their fate, ACT Party leader David Seymour was dancing on the graves of their livelihoods. In response to the hundreds of people losing their jobs, Seymour reposted an ACT tweet saying: "Good." MPI is the frontline of the backbone of New Zealand's economy. On Thursday, it became the frontline of job cuts. "It's... tough and I really identify and empathise with those individuals and families," Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said. Newshub has seen a copy of the email MPI chief Ray Smith sent to all staff proposing to reduce numbers by 9 percent. That equated to a reduction of 384 positions, 40 percent of which are already vacant. The email said the agency is not proposing reductions to frontline services and statutory roles - that's vets, animal welfare, fishery and food compliance officers or biosecurity at the border. "It makes a mockery of them claiming that they're out there to support farmers and horticulturists," Labour's Damien O'Connor said. The agency had grown by more than 1100 people in five years across biosecurity, regional on-ground support along with fisheries animal welfare, trade and policy. Biosecurity will be the biggest hit, with 130 roles to go. "My heart goes out to anyone who loses their job in any circumstances but no Government can live beyond its means indefinitely," Finance Minister Nicola Willis said. Asked about ACT's tweet, Seymour said: "I'm talking about a story where excessive Government waste that's damaged every New Zealander's livelihood over the last couple of years is coming to an end and that is good." The signals intelligence system, "deployed by a foreign agency", between 2013 and 2020. That was without sign-off from the Government. "Some of these people may have gone a bit rogue," said security consultant and former intelligence analyst Paul Buchanan. "That speaks to a mindset that quite frankly is anti-democratic." While many details are classified, the Inspector General said the system had the potential to be "used, in conjunction with other intelligence sources, to support military action against targets." It also found the bureau "could not be sure the tasking of the capability was always in accordance with Government intelligence requirements, New Zealand law and the provisions of the [Memorandum of Understanding agreed between the GCSB and the foreign partner agency]". The GCSB first considered whether to host the system in 2010 doing what the report calls a "reasonably robust investigation", but there was no evidence the minister was briefed. While that didn't break the law, the Inspector-General said "it was improper" and "failed to respect and enable ministerial control of the agency". "There are serious issues of democratic accountability, democratic oversight," said Buchanan. Fairbanks, AK (99701) Today Variable clouds with snow showers. Temps nearly steady in the mid to upper 30s. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 50%.. Tonight Mainly cloudy with snow showers around this evening. Low 22F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 50%. Make the most of Ramadan with attractive offers on JAC Motors Make the most of Ramadan with attractive offers on JAC Motors TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com This Ramadan, International Motor Trading Agency (IMTA), a subsidiary of K.E. Kanoo Group, the sole authorized distributors and service partner for JAC Motors in Bahrain, has unveiled remarkable lower monthly installments and all-inclusive package deals for a wide range of JAC vehicles. Commenting on the announcement, IMTA President Suzy Kanoo said, We are thrilled to present incredible deals on Chinas premier commercial vehicle brand during the month of Ramadan. 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Customers are welcome to make the most of the all-inclusive deals on a wide range of SUVs and sedans starting at just BD 61 onwards per month for JAC S3, BD 75 onwards per month for JAC JS4, BD 76 onwards per month for JAC J7 and BD 92 onwards per month for JAC JS6. For customers looking to buy trucks, vans and pick-ups, avail great deals on JAC N-Series trucks starting at just BD 88 per month, JAC M4 vans at BD 89 onwards per month and JAC T8 pick-ups for a starting price of BD 76 per month. Terms and conditions apply. Visit your closest JAC showroom in Arad or Tubli for unmatched deals on SUVs, sedans, pick-ups, AFP | Riyadh The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com Saudi Arabia announced Wednesday it will donate $40 million to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, which has faced massive funding cuts and calls for its abolition spearheaded by Israel. The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) said the funds would support UNRWA's "humanitarian relief efforts in the Gaza Strip", where the Israel-Hamas war has raged for more than five months. "The funding will provide food for more than 250,000 people and tents for 20,000 families," KSrelief said in a statement. The UN agency, created in 1949, has come under heavy scrutiny after Israel accused about a dozen of its employees of involvement in the October 7 Hamas attack on southern Israel. Multiple countries have suspended their aid, although the United Nations has said that Israel has not provided it with any evidence for the allegations. The UN has launched both an internal and an independent investigation into the claims. "It is crucial to address the desperate needs of the people in Gaza," said KSrelief chief Abdullah al-Rabeeah. UNRWA head Philippe Lazzarini said the donation "reflects the solidarity that the kingdom has always shown Palestinians". UNRWA employs around 30,000 people in the occupied Palestinian territories -- including 13,000 in Gaza -- as well as neighbouring Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. Lazzarini, a veteran of UN and other humanitarian missions, said last month that he believed Israel's aim was "destroying UNRWA", long at the forefront of relief efforts and education in Gaza. Humanitarian aid efforts have intensified in recent weeks, including airdrops and the launching of a maritime humanitarian corridor from Cyprus, but the UN and other aid agencies warn that these are insufficient to meet the desperate needs in Gaza. AFP | Dublin The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com Leo Varadkar on Wednesday announced that he was stepping down as Ireland's prime minister and leader of the Fine Gael party in the governing coalition, citing "personal and political" reasons. Pundits called the surprise move, just 10 weeks before Ireland holds European Parliament and local elections, a "political earthquake". A general election also has to be held within a year. Deputy Prime Minister Micheal Martin, leader of Fianna Fail, the main coalition partner, said Varadkar's announcement was "unexpected" but added that he expects the government to run its full term. An emotional Varadkar, who is in his second stint as prime minister and at 45 remains one of Europe's youngest leaders, said he felt he was no longer the "best person" to lead the country. "Politicians are human beings. We have our limitations," he said in a statement on the steps of Government Buildings in Dublin, surrounded by his Fine Gael cabinet colleagues. "We give it everything until we can't anymore and then we have to move on." Despite recent poor showings at the ballot box, Varadkar insisted that he believed the government could be re-elected. But he added: "I believe a new taoiseach (prime minister) will be better placed than me to achieve that -- to renew and strengthen the top team, to refocus our message and policies, and to drive implementation." "After seven years in office, I am no longer the best person for that job," he said. "My reasons for stepping down now are personal and political, but mainly political," he said, without elaborating. Earlier this month, Varadkar was widely blamed for a twin defeat, including the biggest-ever referendum loss by a government, on proposals to reform references to women, the family and care in the Irish constitution. - 'Electoral loser' - Varadkar said his centre-right Fine Gael party would have a leadership contest, and that he would remain as premier until the new leader is elected, after parliament returns from recess next month. Varadkar first became prime minister in June 2017. He was the youngest person to ever hold the office, Ireland's first openly gay prime minister, and the first from an ethnic minority background. He stepped down as part of a deal with opposition parties after his party's poor performance in the 2020 general election, but took over for a second time in 2022 as part of the same agreement. Varadkar, a pugnacious and sometimes controversial speaker in parliament, was in charge of Ireland's response to the Covid pandemic and during Brexit negotiations, where he helped prevent a hard border with UK-run Northern Ireland. Fine Gael has lost five recent by-elections, leading some insiders to see Varadkar as an electoral liability. Ten of the party's lawmakers have announced that they do not plan to stand at the next election. "His legacy will be that of an electoral loser. He promised to be a good communicator, but it turned out he was bad at it. He had no clear agenda, and delivered little," Eoin O'Malley, a political scientist at Dublin City University, told AFP. In London, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's spokesman said of Varadkar: "We wish him well on his next steps and we'll continue to work closely with him as a successor is sought." In the city of Monaghan, few people told AFP that they regretted his departure. "I don't think it's a big loss," 37-year-old accountant Caron McKenna told AFP. Francis Meehan, a 66-year-old council worker, hailed Varadkar's handling of the Covid crisis. "Of course his experience as a medical doctor shone out," he said. Varadkar's potential successors include cabinet ministers Simon Harris (education), Simon Coveney (trade), and Helen McEntee (justice). Political analysts said an election was not expected in the wake of the announcement, though opposition parties queued up to demand a vote. Sinn Fein's leader Mary Lou McDonald, leader of the opposition, urged Varadkar to call an early election, saying it was "unthinkable" that a "conclave" of Fine Gael politicians decide the next prime minister. Environics Research study commissioned by Dialogue reveals Canadians are relying more than ever on workplace benefits, with 8 in 10 wanting sufficient virtual care from employers MONTREAL, March 21, 2024 /CNW/ - Canadians are experiencing a decline in overall well-being and are expecting their employers to provide key benefits to support them in 2024. A new report commissioned by Dialogue Health Technologies Inc. , Canada's premier care and wellness platform, and conducted by Canadian market research firm Environics Research , reveals that 71% of working Canadians have become more conscious of their health in the past few years. Despite this, 1 in 3 Canadians feel negatively towards their current state of well-being, notably in the areas of physical and mental health, sleep, and financial wellness, which for many have worsened over the past year. Dialogue - The 2024 state of workplace health and wellness in Canada (CNW Group/Dialogue Health Technologies Inc.) The 2024 state of workplace health and wellness in Canada sheds light on these issues, reporting new trends and insights into the well-being of working Canadians, as well as the perspectives of HR professionals. It also highlights barriers to improving health and the role employers are expected to play. The report reveals that several barriers hinder employees from taking action, including employees facing financial constraints (39%), experiencing a lack of motivation (41%), and simply a lack of time to tend to their well-being (45%). "Taking care of one's well-being goes beyond seeking help when you are feeling unwell. It means maintaining a healthy lifestyle with accessible solutions to reduce stress every day," shared Dr. Stephanie Moynihan, Associate Medical Director at Dialogue. "To get there, Canadians must have the right tools, which range from treatment-based solutions, self-serve resources, habit trackers, and wellness challenges and employers need to make these solutions clear with employees." When it comes to workplace benefits, the report reveals several findings capturing the disconnect between Canadians and their employers. While nearly half (47%) are interested in improving their well-being and plan on using workplace benefits to do so, working Canadians report dissatisfaction with their current level of support: Half view their overall benefits plan as insufficient or state that they don't meet their well-being needs. 4 in 10 report that their employers do not prioritize employee mental health. Only 18% indicate their managers are equipped to recognize and support employees' mental health. In reality, employees may not always perceive the efforts made by employers to improve well-being. In fact, a majority of HR professionals (86%) affirm their organizations value employee mental health, acknowledging the responsibility, and believing that their organizations are taking appropriate measures to safeguard well-being. Despite the majority recognizing the importance of providing support, 70% still face organizational financial constraints when looking to improve their benefits. "As Canadians in the workforce admit to a decline in their health and well-being, and the impact of workplaces on their well-being, employers must look for what makes employee benefits more accessible, as well as ensure these benefits are properly utilized," said Ahsan Sadiq, Vice President, Health & Wellness at Environics. "Employer-paid services, properly catered to employee needs, can help improve workforce well-being, job satisfaction, work-life balance, as well as improve chances of attracting top talent." Despite significant progress by Canadian employers to offer more accessible benefits, there's a noticeable gap: 1 in 3 employees and HR professionals continue to view their workplace mental health support as insufficient, which can further lead to decreased performance and burnout. More traditional models of benefits provided, such as old-school Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), are also under-utilized; 53% of working Canadians reported having never used their EAP, despite employees citing it as a valuable resource for mental health, family issues, and financial advice. This situation underscores the need for a thorough review and enhancement of workplace benefits. Improving these benefits is crucial for reducing absenteeism, turnover, and productivity losses, and for closing innovation gaps. With 8 in 10 working Canadians expressing a preference for virtual care options, it's clear that modernizing benefits to include such services is becoming increasingly important. Only then can workplaces thrive, as well as address HR teams' number one challenge: talent attraction and retention. The full report can be found here . About Dialogue Incorporated in 2016, Dialogue is Canada's premier virtual healthcare and wellness platform, providing affordable, on-demand access to quality care. Through our team of health professionals, we serve employers and organizations who have an interest in the health and well-being of their employees, members and their families. Our Integrated Health Platform is a one-stop healthcare hub that centralizes all of our programs in a single, user-friendly application, providing access to services 24 hours per day, 365 days per year from the convenience of a smartphone, computer or tablet. Dialogue is the first virtual care provider to receive the Accreditation Canada Primer award, a third-party validation of safety and high-level quality of care. About Environics Research Environics Research is a Canadian market research and consultancy firm that provides organizations with actionable, evidence-based solutions to real business problems. Environics Research partners with clients to understand the business challenges they face and leverage innovative and creative solutions to generate understanding and insights. Founded in 1970, Environics Research delivers evidence-based solutions to clients working in a range of sectors and industries. SOURCE Dialogue Health Technologies Inc. For further information: Adrianna Lemieux, Public Relations Advisor, Dialogue, [email protected] / 438-927-9498; Darragh Fitzgerald, Vice-President, Environics, [email protected] BELLEVILLE, ON, March 21, 2024 /CNW/ - Quinte Conservation Authority (QCA) proudly announces its contribution of 10,357 hectares of conservation areas and reserves towards Canada's international commitment to protect 30 percent of lands and waters by 2030. Commonly known as the 30x30 target, it was adopted by nations around the world as part of the Global Biodiversity Framework at the United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP 15). The target aims to protect biodiversity, mitigate impacts of climate change and ensure the sustainability of ecosystems. Quinte Conservation Authority (CNW Group/Ontario Nature) Based on an assessment completed in partnership by Ontario Nature and QCA, it was determined that 66 properties meet the rigorous pan-Canadian standards, warranting their designation as protected areas in the national database that is monitored and maintained by Environment and Climate Change Canada. Stewarded by QCA, these lands prioritize watershed health and the protection of the area's natural ecology. Commercial forestry is not permitted. The celebration of International Day of Forests on March 21st acknowledges the critical role that forests play in sustaining life on Earth. The collaborative effort to get more than 10,000 hectares in Canada's protected areas database highlights the importance of protecting natural habitats and promotes responsible forest stewardship, especially in southern Ontario where conservation efforts face unique challenges. QCA's sustainable management practices are further reflected through Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification for Community Forests. QCA's FSC certification, obtained through the Eastern Ontario Model Forest, signifies its commitment to environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable management practices. This includes adhering to FSC principles such as maintaining biodiversity, protecting endangered species, and respecting the rights of Indigenous peoples and local communities. The natural areas included in the submission encompass a range of Provincially Significant Wetlands and Areas of Natural and Scientific Interest, serving as a vital sanctuary for many species. Among the diverse habitats found within these protected lands, critical ecosystems support numerous species at risk, including Louisiana waterthrush, golden-winged warbler, five-lined skink, and yellow-banded bumble bee. QCA remains dedicated to upholding these standards and safeguarding ecosystems through partnerships and engagement with local communities for the benefit of present and future generations. Quotes: "We're proud to have 66 of our properties, totalling 10,357 hectares, officially included in the Canadian Protected and Conserved Areas Database. This is a major milestone in our effort to preserve and protect the environment, strengthening the natural ecosystems across the Quinte watershed. As a local watershed-based environmental protection agency, it's gratifying to be recognized at a federal level." Brad McNevin, Chief Administrative Officer, Quinte Conservation "Ontario Nature would like to extend our congratulations to Quinte Conservation on this achievement. We are proud to work with organizations that uphold strong policies and strategies to conserve biodiversity. Quinte is a leader in Ontario and beyond." Caroline Schultz, Ontario Nature Executive Director "Nature is our greatest ally in the fight against climate change. That's why the Government of Canada launched the largest conservation campaign in Canada's history in 2018, a campaign that continues to this day. As we celebrate International Day of Forests, I want to congratulate Quinte Conservation and its partners for conserving their lands and forests in the Quinte Region Watershed. By creating and recognizing more Protected Areas and Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs), we are expanding Canada's conservation networkand when we work across all sectors, there's no end to the possibilities for advancing conservation in Canada. Together, we are making progress toward Canada's important conservation goals in our effort to halt and reverse the alarming, global decline of biodiversity." The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change "FSC Canada applauds Quinte Conservation Authority for its remarkable contribution towards Canada's protected areas target, emphasizing the crucial role of community forests in conservation. Their commitment to FSC certification underscores the importance of environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial, and economically viable management practices. Together, we affirm that community forests deliver on conservation, ensuring the sustainability of our forests for present and future generations." - Francois Dufresne, President, FSC Canada "Certified community forests like Quinte Conservation provide incredible community benefits including sustainable wood products, outstanding recreational opportunities, and as highlighted here, critical conservation contributions. The Model Forest is proud of our family of fourteen FSC Certified community forests covering 65,800 ha in Canada's most populous regions. Our forest managers are second-to-none and people and wildlife are the benefactors." Glen Prevost, Ontario Woodlot Association Program Manager. About: Quinte Conservation is a community-based environmental protection agency, serving 18 municipalities in the Moira, Napanee and Salmon Rivers, and Prince Edward County watersheds. It provides cost-effective environmental expertise and leadership, with its main goal being to create a sustainable ecosystem where people and nature live in harmony. More information about Quinte Conservation is available at www.quinteconservation.ca. Ontario Nature protects wild species and wild spaces through conservation, education and public engagement. Ontario Nature is a charitable organization representing more than 30,000 members and supporters, and 150 member groups across Ontario (charitable registration # 10737 8952 RR0001). For more information, visit ontarionature.org . Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is a non-profit organization that provides a proven sustainable forest management solution. Currently, over 160 million worldwide is certified according to FSC standards. It is widely regarded as the most rigorous forest certification system among NGOs, consumers, and businesses alike to tackle today's deforestation, climate, and biodiversity challenges. The FSC forest management standard is based on ten core principles designed to address a broad range of environmental, social and economic factors. FSC's "check tree" label is found on millions of forest-based products and verifies that they are sustainably sourced, from forest to consumer. www.ca.fsc.org Eastern Ontario Model Forest is a not-for-profit, charitable organization. The EOMF works with government, landowners, industry, First Nations, non-government organizations and others to develop new ways to sustain and manage our forest resources. The model forest provides a unique forum where forest owners, managers, and users can forge partnerships, share their knowledge, and combine their expertise and resources. For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact: SOURCE Ontario Nature TORONTO, March 21, 2024 /CNW/ - Evolve Funds Group Inc. ("Evolve") is pleased to announce that it has filed a final prospectus and plans to bring Canada's first Artificial Intelligence Fund using generative Artificial Intelligence ("AI") to enhance portfolio construction. The Evolve Artificial Intelligence Fund ("ARTI" or the "Fund") is a fund actively-managed by Evolve that seeks to achieve its investment strategy by principally utilizing a database generated by Gradient Boosted Investments Inc. ("Boosted.ai"). ARTI is designed to provide investors with exposure to AI companies expected to benefit from the increased global adoption of AI. "As a leader in disruptive technology ETFs, Evolve has been exploring a pure play AI ETF for the last several years," said Raj Lala, President and CEO at Evolve ETFs. "It wasn't until partnering with Boosted.ai and leveraging their proprietary LLM technology, we felt we could build a portfolio of leading AI companies. Boosted.ai's proprietary model uses generative AI to seek to identify the best AI companies fundamentally changing our world. ARTI will be a great complement to our current suite of innovative disruptive technology ETFs and provide Canadian investors true pure play exposure to this exciting theme." Boosted.ai's proprietary large language model technology ("Proprietary LLM Technology") determines a company's applicability to the theme of AI based on its likelihood to benefit from increased global adoption of AI. The Proprietary LLM Technology considers securities of issuers from developed markets that are directly involved in the development of AI, including related technologies and services and those whose business models or operational efficiencies may be significantly enhanced by AI integration. The Proprietary LLM Technology is an advanced algorithm within the broader field of AI which is specifically engineered to understand, interpret, and generate human language. The model functions by processing and analyzing vast datasets comprising diverse text sources. The Proprietary LLM Technology can execute a range of complex language-related tasks, including composing texts, summarizing lengthy documents and conducting detailed text-based analyses. "Working with Evolve to bring this innovative ETF powered by generative AI has been a thrill, as we are pushing the capabilities of large language models (LLM) to new heights together," said Joshua Pantony, Co-Founder and CEO at Boosted.ai. "Evolve is at the forefront of Canadian innovation with funds focused on cyber security, cloud computing and even the Metaverse, and Boosted.ai is excited to partner with them to help bring ARTI to Canadian customers that want to take advantage of the transformative effect AI will have on the world." The following chart sets out the TSX ticker symbol for the Units of the Fund: TSX Ticker Symbol CAD Hedged Units Evolve Artificial Intelligence Fund ARTI About Evolve Funds Group Inc. With over $7.2 billion in assets under management, Evolve is one of Canada's fastest growing ETF providers since launching its first ETF in September 2017. Evolve specializes in bringing innovative ETFs to Canadian investors. Evolve's suite of ETFs provide investors with access to: (i) index-based income strategies; (ii) long term investment themes; and (iii) some of the world's leading investment managers. Established by a team of industry veterans with a proven track record of success, Evolve creates investment products that make a difference. For more information, please visit www.evolveetfs.com. Join us on social media: Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook | Youtube About Gradient Boosted Investments Inc. Boosted.ai is artificial intelligence for better investing. Boosted.ai makes Boosted Insights an artificial intelligence platform to augment idea generation for stock pickers. We believe that combining an investment manager's intuition and experience with artificial intelligence's enhanced learning and processing power equals better decision making. To learn more, please visit www.boosted.ai. Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with exchange traded funds (ETFs) and mutual funds. Please read the prospectus before investing. There are risks involved with investing in ETFs and mutual funds. Please read the prospectus for a complete description of risks relevant to the ETF and mutual fund. Investors may incur customary brokerage commissions in buying or selling ETF and mutual fund units. Investors should monitor their holdings, as frequently as daily, to ensure that they remain consistent with their investment strategies. Certain statements contained in this news release constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking information may relate to a future outlook and anticipated distributions, events or results and may include statements regarding future financial performance. In some cases, forward-looking information can be identified by terms such as "may", "will", "should", "expect", "anticipate", "believe", "intend" or other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. Actual results may vary from such forward-looking information. Evolve undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statement whether as a result of new information, future events or other such factors which affect this information, except as required by law. SOURCE Evolve ETFs For further information: Evolve ETFs, [email protected], t. 416.214.4884, tf. 1.844.370.4884; MEDIA CONTACT: Keith Crone, [email protected], 416.966.8716 Michelle Pfeiffer's collection of fragrances is now available to shop at Sephora Canada stores nationwide and on Sephora.ca. TORONTO, March 21, 2024 /CNW/ - Henry Rose, the genderless fine fragrance brand founded by Michelle Pfeiffer has officially landed in Canada. Launching exclusively at all Sephora stores nationwide and online, Henry Rose is the retailer's newest clean fragrance offering. The launch is an exciting milestone for the retailer and brand, marking the first time Canadians will have the chance to discover the brand's assortment of fully transparent fine fragrances. Michelle Pfeiffer's collection of fragrances is now available to shop at Sephora Canada stores nationwide and on Sephora.ca. (CNW Group/Sephora) Henry Rose sets a new precedent in fine fragrance by disclosing 100% of its ingredients, empowering customers to make informed choices. In partnering with Henry Rose, Sephora Canada is continuing its commitment to bringing the best in clean beauty to consumers who value ingredient transparency and safety. "It's no secret that 2024 is poised to be the year of niche fragrance, with consumers looking for new, innovative, and unexpected brands and products to build their fragrance wardrobe," says Jane Nugent, SVP, Merchandising, Sephora Canada. "Henry Rose delivers, from its thoughtful ingredients, to its unique, genderless scents, wrapped in luxury. We were inspired by Michelle's vision and passion for fragrance and know Henry Rose will resonate with our scent obsessed Sephora Canada clients." "We have always been intentional about the brand's plans for expansion, and I am thrilled to be launching in Canada exclusively with Sephora. After launching with Sephora in the US last year and expanding to over 500 stores stateside this month, our partnership with Sephora Canada is a natural evolution as we aim to reach a growing audience of mindful consumers." Henry Rose was created based on the strictest and most comprehensive health, safety and environmental standards set forth by two industry-leading non-profit organizations, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) and Cradle to Cradle (C2C) Products Innovation Institute. It is the first and only fine fragrance to receive both distinctions of EWG Verified and Cradle to Cradle Ceritfied. Canadians are now able to shop Henry Rose on Sephora.ca, the Sephora App and in all Sephora Canada locations across the country. For more information about the arrival of Henry Rose at Sephora Canada, please visit sephora.ca About Sephora Canada Since its debut in Canada in 2004, Sephora Canada has been a leader in prestige omni-retail with the mission of creating an inviting beauty shopping experience and inspiring fearlessness in our community. With the goal of delivering unbiased shopping support and a personalized experience, Sephora invites clients to discover thousands of products from more than 360 carefully curated brands, explore online and through our mobile app, enjoy services at the Beauty Studio and engage with expertly trained Beauty Advisors in [number] stores in Canada. Clients can access the free-to-join Beauty Insider program and digital community, which together enhance the experience of Sephora's passionate clients. Sephora has been an industry-leading champion of diversity, inclusivity, and empowerment, guided by our longstanding company values. In 2019, Sephora announced a new brand platform, "We Belong to Something Beautiful," to reinforce its dedication to fostering belonging amongst all clients and employees and to publicly strive for a more inclusive vision for retail in the Americas. Sephora continues to give back to our communities and advance inclusion in our industry through its social impact and equity programming, called the Sephora D&I Heart Journey. For more information, visit: https://www.sephora.com/about-us and @SephoraCanada on social media. About Henry Rose : Henry Rose operates on the belief that ingredient transparency is essential, and was founded to set a new precedent in fine fragrance by disclosing 100% of its ingredients. Henry Rose creates complex and evocative genderless scent experiences based on the strictest and most comprehensive health, safety and environmental standards set forth by two industry-leading non-profit organizations, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) and Cradle to Cradle (C2C) Products Innovation Institute. It is the first and only fine fragrance to receive both distinctions of EWG Verified and Cradle to Cradle Certified. SOURCE Sephora For further information: Courtney Steinhart, [email protected] OTTAWA, ON, March 21, 2024 /CNW/ - Situated atop historic Vimy Ridge in France, the Canadian National Vimy Memorial stands as a poignant testament to sacrifices made during the First World War. As Canada's largest memorial to its fallen soldiers, it bears the names of more than 11,000 Canadians who went missing in France during the conflict. Allward: Bringing Stone to Life is the Vimy Foundation's latest initiative, presented in partnership with the Canadian War Museum and Canadigm. Celebrating the enduring legacy of the Vimy Memorial and its sculptor, it delves into the intricate design and construction of the iconic monument through 3D digitizations of the maquettes for figures on the Memorial. Over a span of 15 years, Canadian sculptor Walter S. Allward worked on the Canadian National Vimy Memorial. A revered piece of Canadian heritage, the monument draws thousands of visitors annually, serving as a site of pilgrimage and remembrance. Allward focuses on the maquettes produced as models for the final figures on the Canadian National Vimy Memorial. Capturing Allward's intricate vision, each of the 15 scale models housed at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa, and at the Military Communications & Electronics Museum in Kingston embodies Allward's meticulous attention to detail and symbolism. Together, they offer insights into his creative process, while reflecting themes of sacrifice and remembrance. As part of its commitment to accessibility and engagement with Canadian history and art, the Vimy Foundation has also partnered with Canadigm an organization dedicated to preserving Canadian heritage through state-of-the-art digital technology. Canadigm scanned the works in three dimensions and digitized the results, making these fragile works of art accessible to the public in a single place for the first time since they were created. Together, these partnerships have been instrumental in bringing this project to life, allowing broader access to these valuable objects. This innovative approach will provide immersive digital experiences, allowing users to explore the intricate details and symbolism of Allward's sculptures as never before. The Vimy Foundation extends its deepest gratitude to Veterans Affairs Canada and Canada Company, whose financial support has been instrumental in bringing this project to fruition. To access Allward, please visit allward.vimyfoundation.ca. Quotations: "I am thrilled to see the Allward project come to life, which is one initiative we have proudly supported through our Commemorative Partnership Program. It is through innovative ideas such as this that we can bring the battlefields of France, and the stories of those who fought there, that much closer to home. I congratulate The Vimy Foundation, the Canadian War Museum, Canadigm, and the Military Communications and Electronics Museum for partnering on this project and for finding new ways to bring history to Canadians." The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence "The Vimy Foundation is delighted to announce the launch of our latest project: Allward. This initiative underscores our dedication to accessibility and engagement with our shared history. In collaboration with our partners, we aim to showcase the intricate details of Walter Allward's sculptures, through 3D technology, to audiences worldwide." Carolyn Patton, Chair of the Vimy Foundation "The Canadian War Museum is pleased to partner with the Vimy Foundation and Canadigm to leverage a technology that enables the maquettes in our collection to be seen in new ways by more Canadians. The meticulous details add an additional layer of human connection to the legacy of one of Canada's most important monuments to First World War sacrifice." James Whitham, Director General, Canadian War Museum "Canadigm and its volunteers firmly believe in the value of making Canadian history more accessible to a wide audience. We are honoured to have provided the latest 3D laser-scanning technology to this project, to help highlight and celebrate the legacy and contributions of Walter Allward to homes and classrooms across Canada and beyond." Zenon Andrusyszyn, Artistic and Executive Director of Canadigm "When approached by the Vimy Foundation about this project and potential partnerships, the Military Communications & Electronics Museum was eager and honoured to participate. To share Allward's work on this innovative new technological platform and work with Canadigm was a pleasure. Being able to share and make accessible such an important part of Canadian history and art beyond the Museum was an opportunity not to be missed!" Annette Gillis, Curator at the Military Communications & Electronics Museum About the Vimy Foundation Founded in 2006, the Vimy Foundation is dedicated to preserving and promoting Canada's First World War legacy, with a particular focus on the iconic Battle of Vimy Ridge. Its work extends beyond the battlefield to inspire and engage Canadians particularly youth in the exploration of our country's history during the First World War, and its enduring impact on our nation's identity. About the Canadian War Museum The Canadian War Museum is Canada's national museum of military history. Its mission is to promote public understanding of Canada's military history in its personal, national and international dimensions. The work of the Canadian War Museum is made possible in part through the financial support of the Government of Canada. About Canadigm The Canadian Historical Documentation and Imaging Group is a not-for-profit research group dedicated to advancing public education and awareness of events, artifacts and sites of historical significance, as well as to preserving their legacies through advanced documentation technologies and media. About the Military Communications & Electronics Museum Founded in 1961, the Military Communications & Electronics Museum is dedicated to collecting, interpreting, and sharing the stories of the Communications and Electronics Branch of Canada's Armed Forces. "The Troops, The Times and The Technology" are the focus both within the walls of the Museum and in its virtual content, to engage and educate. This work is not possible without the financial support of the Military Communications & Electronics Museum Foundation, the Directorate of History and Heritage of the Department of National Defence, and the Government of Canada. For more information, visit warmuseum.ca. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram. If you would like to have your name removed from our distribution list, or if this information should be directed to someone else, please email us. Maquettes for Sculptures on the Canadian National Vimy Memorial The Canadian War Museum is home to 12 maquettes, representing 17 plaster figures sculpted by Canadian artist Walter S. Allward (18751955) for the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France. When it was unveiled by King Edward VIII in 1936, the enormous and starkly moving memorial came to symbolize the sacrifice and bravery of Canadians during the First World War. Waged in April 1917, the Battle of Vimy Ridge marked the first time that all four Canadian divisions had fought together. The battle came at the cost of 3,598 Canadians killed, and an additional 7,000 wounded while capturing the ridge. More than 66,000 Canadians died during the First World War a number that shocked and galvanized the country, resulting in a determination to commemorate the nation's grief and pride. Rising above the Douai Plains on Hill 145 the highest point on Vimy Ridge the memorial features Allward's sculptures of allegorical human figures, many located 30 metres above the memorial's main platform, atop two stone "pylons." Between 1925 and 1930, Allward created life-sized clay figures in his studio. He quickly produced plaster casts or maquettes before the brittle clay models could dry out, later carving and incorporating additional details. The maquettes were shipped to Vimy Ridge, where French stone carvers used a device known as a pantograph to measure the figures and double the dimensions of the originals. The artisans then carved the final evocative sculptures from huge blocks of Seget limestone. The fragile maquettes 20 in all were later returned to Canada, where they are now cared for by the Canadian War Museum and the Military Communications & Electronics Museum in Kingston, Ontario. The maquettes are remarkable, not only for giving viewers a close-up look at the sculptures, but also because they literally reveal the artist's hand. As Allward worked the wet plaster, he left gestural marks, including his fingerprints. Viewers can also see signs of the stone carvers' measurements on the maquettes, such as pencil marks and metal markers. The War Museum's collection is displayed in the solemn and reflective Moriyama Regeneration Hall: a space designed to highlight the maquettes with dramatic lighting, while framing Parliament Hill's Peace Tower through a narrow angular window. SOURCE Canadian War Museum For further information: Media Contacts: For statements and interview requests for the Vimy Foundation and Canadigm, or to learn more about this project, please contact: Kevin McGaw, Communications Coordinator, Vimy Foundation, [email protected]; For media inquires related to the Canadian War Museum, please contact: Avra Gibbs Lamey, Senior Communications and Media Relations Officer, Canadian War Museum, [email protected] TORONTO, March 21, 2024 /CNW/ -- Wedia is thrilled to announce its participation in DX3 2024, Canada's leading conference dedicated to the coming together of retail, marketing, and technology, taking place at Toronto's Congress Centre from April 9 to 10. This pivotal event marks a significant opportunity for Wedia to showcase their cutting-edge insights and developments in Digital Asset Management (DAM) and its crucial role in bolstering international retail brands. With a keen awareness of the evolving demands in marketing and communication strategies, especially within the retail sector, Wedia is at the forefront of providing both existing and prospective clients with advanced tools essential for navigating the complexities of today's digital landscape. Our DAM solution, featuring a Media Delivery & Digital Experience module, empowers clients to seamlessly transition their media assets across diverse platforms from websites and e-commerce platforms to social media and internal communications, all while enabling real-time tracking of campaign performance through comprehensive analytics and reporting. Highlighting our participation, Vincent Grelier, Wedia's Presales Manager, will lead an insightful workshop on April 9 at 2 p.m. titled "Revolutionize Retail Content Management in 30 minutes." This session is designed to equip retailers with strategies to enhance content experiences, offering a deep dive into the subject for all DX3 attendees. Supporting future innovations In our continuous pursuit of innovation, Wedia is proud to introduce Wedia.ai, our revolutionary Generative-AI tool. This innovative solution simplifies the creation of visually compelling images from text prompts and enhances product photoshoots with new backgrounds, setting a new standard in the integration of AI within the retail sector. To further explore the transformative potential of AI in retail, Sebastien Bardoz, our VP of Sales, will participate in the "Leveraging Artificial Intelligence in Retail" panel on April 10 at 2:30 p.m. "DX3 is proving to be an inspiring moment to reflect on the transformative forces that have impacted the retail and marketing landscape in recent years. It provides a unique platform to unravel the trends and innovations that will undoubtedly mold the future of these dynamic industries." Sebastien Bardoz, VP Sales and Operations for North America at Wedia. For those interested in understanding further how Wedia and its DAM solution can help their business, Wedia will be happy to meet them at their dedicated stand or through one-on-one meetings. About Wedia Listed on Euronext Growth, the Wedia Group is an international player, specializing in B2B SaaS for Digital Asset and Social Media Management. Through its two offerings, Wedia and Iconosquare, the Group supports its customers (marketers, communicators, e-retailers, social media managers, etc.) in the creation, personalization, distribution and performance review of their content (photos, videos, social media posts, etc.). These offerings enable the Group's customers to simplify the organization of their marketing content, automate its distribution across different digital and physical channels, and ultimately measure its effectiveness. The Group's high-end, innovative positioning has been recognized by prestigious customers (Decathlon, Universal, Merck and NASA) and leading technology analysts (Gartner, Forrester and Constellation Research). To serve its 4,500 customers in over 120 countries, the Wedia Group, based in France, Germany and Canada, can count on more than 100 committed employees. The Wedia Group achieved 2023 sales of nearly 14 million, of which over 80% comes from SaaS revenue, and is driving its development with a proven mix of controlled organic and external growth. Contact: Lynn KLEMKE, [email protected] SOURCE Wedia The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has condemned the killing of 16 army personnel in Delta state. The officers who were on a peacekeeping mission, were killed by youths on March 14, in Okuoma community, Delta state. The Commission strongly condemns this cowardly act. It expresses its deepest condolences and sympathies to the families of the fallen soldiers as well as to the Armed Forces, the Government and People of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, ECOWAS said in a statement issued on Wednesday. The Commission prays for the peaceful repose of the souls of the gallant soldiers and wishes the injured quick recovery. The Commission calls on the authorities to carry out a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the gruesome murder of the soldiers and apprehend the perpetrators with the view to bringing them to justice. ECOWAS also urged the warring communities to eschew all forms of violence and amicably resolve their differences. President Bola Tinubu said he had authorised the chief of defence staff to bring to justice anybody found responsible for the unconscionable crime. Tinubu also said the deceased soldiers would be conferred with national honours and given a befitting burial. Bashir Ahmad, a former aide to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, has mocked Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, following his breaking of Ramadan fast with the Muslim faithful in Nasarawa State on Monday. A video appeared on social media where Obi was seen sitting in a mosque to have Iftar. Iftar is the meal eaten by Muslims to break their fast after sunset every day during Ramadan. While describing the action, the former Anambra governor, wrote on his X account in a series of tweets that it was an opportunity for him to perform a sacred duty in line with the Ramadan season. I had the honour of travelling to Lafia in Nasarawa state, where I had the privilege of meeting with the Emir of Lafia, Honorable Justice Sidi Bage Muhammad JSC Rtd, a very revered, leader and also extended my courtesy to Governor Abdullahi Sule. This visit was more than a mere formality, it was a genuine expression of my deep respect and unwavering solidarity with the community, Obi wrote. Reacting to the gesture on X, Ahmad said Obi was engaging in acting many scripts, questioning why he did not join Muslims to break Ramadan fast when he was governor for eight years in Anambra. According to Ahmad, the former governor travelled to Lafia, the Nasarawa capital, to break fast when he could have done it in his home state, criticizing him that he has started paying politics because of the 2027 general elections. The former presidential aide wrote, Peter Obi loves dramas; he would have to act in many scripts from now to 2027 and still end up producing an unsellable movie in the ballot boxes. I just watched his latest hit, his visit to a mosque in Nyaya where he joined Muslims during their breaking of the Ramadan fast. For eight years as a governor, Obi didnt deem it fit to break fast with Muslims in Anambra even years after leaving office. 2027 politics is in the offing, he added. Meanwhile, Obis action has continued to generate mixed reactions among Nigerians as some people commended him for displaying love and tolerance, while some labelled the action as an eye service. A former Director of the Department of State Services, DSS, Mike Ejiofor, has demanded an independent probe of the killing of 17 military personnel in Okuama community in the Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, stating that an objective inquiry will incriminate some very important personalities. Making the demands during an interview on Channels Televisions Sunrise Daily program on Thursday, Ejiofor wondered why a lieutenant colonel, two majors, one captain and 13 other military personnel would be deployed to settle a land dispute. The former Director urged the Federal Government to set up a high-powered, independent investigation to explain the reasons behind the deployment of 17 military personnel including the Commanding Officer of the 181 Amphibious Battalion on a peace-keeping mission to the communities engaged in a land dispute. The federal or state government should set up this or harmonise: the state government brings representatives, the federal government brings representatives to form a very high-powered, independent investigation that will come up with an objective report of what happened because as it is now, people are scampering, some people that might be indicted in this investigation, because a lieutenant colonel, two majors cannot on their own just move out on a peace-keeping mission in a community. There is so much to this incident that must be found out. The military is a party interested; they cannot undertake such an investigation. By now, the Federal Government or the state government must have set up an investigative panel to look into this matter because time is running out. We need to get to the root of this matter to know what really happened, he said. Ejiofor added that for future operations, the military should involve the Police and DSS operatives in such civilian assignments. He said, If there is a peacekeeping, two parties must be involved; people from the two communities must be involved and a neutral ground will be taken, possibly the local government headquarters, if you are talking of peace initiative. President Tinubu has temporarily banned ministers, heads of agencies, and other government officials from embarking on public funded foreign trips. This was contained in a presidential directive dated 12th March signed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila. Accordingly, the ban is to last for three months from April 1st, 2024. Tinubu noted that government officials who intend to go for any public funded international trip must seek and get presidential approval at least two weeks prior to embarking on any such trip, which must be deemed absolutely necessary. Mr. President has concerns about the rising cost of travel expenses borne by Ministries, Department and Agencies of Government as well as the growing need for Cabinet Members and heads of MDAS to focus on their respective mandates for effective service delivery. Considering the current economic challenges and the need for responsible fiscal management, I am writing to communicate Mr. Presidents directive to place a temporary ban on all public funded international trips for all Federal Government officials at all levels, for an initial period of three (3) months from 1st April 2024. This temporary measure is aimed at cost reduction in governance and intended as a cost saving measure without compromising government functions. All government officials who intend to go on any public funded international trip, must seek and obtain presidential approval at least two (2) weeks prior to embarking on any such trip, which must be deemed absolutely necessary. Considering the above, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation is kindly requested to circulate this directive to all Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government, the memo reads. Popular Nollywood actor Timini Egbuson has revealed his relationship status. The actor disclosed that he is in a relationship while featuring as a guest in the latest episode of the Whos In My House, hosted by Hawa Magaji. He said his love languages are act of service and words of affection, adding that he wants to be more available to his partner this year. He said, My strongest love language is act of service, and also words of affection because I am a good talker. For me, because I am very busy, its not very realistic for me to focus on quality time and I feel like thats something I am working on. Like I said, this year I want to be a little bit more available so that I can spend quality time with my partner. The host, Hawa inferred, You have a partner? Egbuson replied, Yes, actually. Oh my God I said it! I think I am in love. Its time for me to start considering marriage. I am not a kid anymore. 40 is knocking on the door. He added, In order to be a better boyfriend you have to be available. Because no matter how you tried to explain or compensate with material things, there would be really nothing like your presence, you know. Former Governor of Abia State and the immediate-past Senator who represented Abia Central district in the 9th Senate, Senator Theodore Orji, has flatly denied receiving any dime from Abia State Government as pension since his exit as Governor in 2015. Senator Orji spoke with Vanguard on the heels of the recent abolition of the Abia State Governors and Deputy Governors Pensions Law by the State House of Assembly. The Bill entitled:H.A.B 11: The Abia State Governors and Deputy Governors Pensions Law Repeal Bill 2024 was sponsored by the Majority Leader and member representing Arochukwu state constituency, Hon. Okoro Uchenna Kalu. Speaking through his former Chief Liaison Officer, Hon. Ifeanyi Umere, Senator Orji, said nobody had paid him any pension as former Governor, adding that he has also never asked for it as a matter of morality since he moved to the Senate immediately after leaving office as Governor. He said:Since T. A Orji left office as Governor, he has not received any penny as pension. He transited from Governor to Senate and he made it a point of morality that he will not, and he didnt ask for any pension or question anybody about it because he is not interested in it. READ ALSO: NASS: Tinubu seeks more restraint in exercise of oversight functions The former Governor who noted that the House of Assembly has the constitutional powers to review any laws of the state, said he was not part of the scrapped pension law. The House of Assembly has the prerogative to periodically review the laws of the state. Its in their powers to do so but nobody should link Senator Orji with the said pension law because nobody has paid him any pension after leaving office as Governor. Senator Orji has not received any pension as former Governor, and as a statesman he has not asked for any. He didnt receive any pension from Okezie Ikpeazu and he didnt pay anybody too. Related News Wrestling: Nigeria's Adekuoroye ranked No.1 globally in 57kg Mbah, youth coalition congratulate Ugwuanyi at 60 Terror sponsors: 'Tinubu has shown courage to end insecurity' Leading the debate on the floor of the House, the Sponsor of the Bill, argued that if passed into law, it would help to reduce the cost of governance. According to him, the humongous amount used in paying the former Governors and their Deputies, would have been channelled into other better uses. He said that it was not fair for the welfare of the majority of the citizens to be sacrificed on the altar of the comfort of only few individuals who are already comfortable. The Labour Party lawmaker, therefore, urged his colleagues to give the Bill accelerated hearing, and to consider it for passage. Other members of the House spoke in favour of the bill, and later it was passed into law. Announcing the passage of the bill, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa, commended his colleagues for their forthrightness, understanding and maturity in supporting the passage of the Bill. The Speaker who said the passage of the bill was in tandem with the yearnings of the majority of Abians, said the current Assembly would always make people-centric laws. The supremacy fight between the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC and Labour Party, LP, continued yesterday, with the union picketing the headquarters and secretariats of the party nationwide, insisting the national chairman, Julius Abure, quit office. But the party in a swift reaction, described the forcible entry of NLC members into its headquarters and secretariat as illegal and criminal. Speaking when workers occupied the Labour Party headquarters in Abuja, the Deputy President of NLC Political Commission, Dr Theophilus Ndubuaku, said the picketing was to express workers grievances towards Abures administration of the party. He said: Nigeria is not the only country that has a Labour Party backed by Organised Labour. There are so many others. Why would our own be different, the essence of registering a Labour Party in this country is not only to become a president or hold an office but also to create a viable opposition and any country where there is no viable opposition, then there would be dictatorship. The reason we set up this party is to make us have good governance in this country. While faulting the alleged unilateral convocation of national convention without consulting the relevant stakeholders, the NLC stated further: There has been court judgements declaring labour party as being owned by the NLC and there has been intervention by INEC telling Abure to appoint BOT members and organize all-inclusive convention. But what we now saw is a convention that we do not know who and who are going to be at that convention and the elected officers in the National Assembly thought he insulted them. You will not believe that a day before Abure issued the notice of the convention, he was with the NLC president and the political commission in the NLC office without telling them. All we are saying is that we do not want Abure, he should resign and go. He cannot be the sole administrator of Labour Party. Also speaking, the acting General Secretary of NLC, Comrade Bello Ismail, said the commission had been engaging Abure, thinking he was following due process, We were also thinking he was going to organise a convention, in line with the understanding with Labour to have an all-inclusive convention but Abure, knowing that he can never survive an all-inclusive convention wanted to do a convention in the night. Those in the NLC Political Commission have done a lot of efforts to reach this state of taking over our party by ourselves. We would insist that all democratic norms are fulfilled. We will insist that workers take back their party. We want a convention where we are all the stakeholders and we are very active and all will participate. We do not want a convention where one man will hand pick the officers of the party. We want a convention where in the 37 states of the federation, all stakeholders, including workers, youths, young people, informal workers can have a say in the party. We are not money people, but we have a voice and we want a party where, without money, we can participate, and that is what Labour Party offers. Now, it is in the hands of this usurper, he is looking for N30 million, N40 million, and so on to buy forms, excluding the people who founded the party. Enough is enough, Abure must go, he said. On his part, Chris Uyot, Secretary of the NLC Political Commission, said the national chairman of the party has decided to hold a convention without consulting, without discussion with the stakeholders in the party. Comrade Uyot said: He did not discuss with the NLC or with Labour or even with the House of Representatives who are stakeholders in the Labour Party, he did not discuss with anybody, he did not discuss with the Obidients, all the people that belong to this party or even have a stake in this party. So, he wants to have a convention where he will pick people as delegates, no it is not done. A convention starts from the local government areas, before it goes to states and then national. We are not going to have a dictator in our party, it is not going to be possible. Nigerian workers are democratic, and they support democracy. Nigerian workers own this party and would ensure they take hold of their party and chase out the looters. Responding, the Comrade Julius Abure-led National Working Committee, NWC, of the party decried what it described as unlawful break and entry into its national headquarters by the militant arm of the Nigeria Labour Congress. The party, which noted that the NLC raid led to the collosal destruction of party property, described the act as a criminal misplacement of priority and an action done in bad faith. National Publicity Secretary of Labour Party, Obiora Ifoh, said the party was appalled by the desperation exhibited by the NLC President, Joe Ajaero. Ifoh said: The party notes that the President of the NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaeros greed and inordinate ambition have pushed him into losing every sense of discretion and decency in his recent conducts, be it in his affairs with the workers or even the government. As a party, we wonder how Ajaero would lead a band of lawless persons who are known to have partisan interests in other major political parties such as the PDP and APC against a recognized independent political party. Ajaeros continuous claim that NLC owns the Labour Party is not in any way supported by either the Electoral Act or the Constitution. For his information, a political party is owned by those who are card-carrying or financial members of the party. We are aware that more than 90 percent of the members of the NLC have not met this condition and therefore cannot claim to be the owners of the party. The constitution also provides that no organisation can own any other organisation. The NLC as an organisation can therefore not claim the ownership of the Labour Party. The Labour Party, on Wednesday, condemned the invasion of its party secretariat by the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress, led by Joe Ajaero. The National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, Abayomi Arabambi, called for Ajaeros arrest for treason for allegedly planning a political insurrection against the Federal Government through conduct likely to cause a breach of peace with his call on students, market women and leaders, thugs and other miscreants to invade the 36 states chapter of Labour Party offices as this can lead to breakdown of law and order. The NLC had on Tuesday directed its members to mobilise workers and lay siege to LP secretariats across the country to protest the partys national convention planned for March 27. The circular jointly signed by the Chairman and Secretary of the NLC Political Commission, Titus Amba and Chris Uyot, respectively also demanded the immediate resignation or sack of the National Chairman of the Labour Party, Julius Abure, over the alleged financial rascality and contempt of the union president, Joe Ajaero. Expectedly, scores of protesting NLC members forced their way to LP national headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday chanting solidarity songs and calling for the head of the party leadership. They were however prevented from gaining access to the party secretariat by security operatives posted to the area to maintain order. But addressing a press conference on Wednesday in Abeokuta, Ogun State, the LP National Publicity Secretary, Arabambi, called for Ajaeros arrest. He said the call for the picketing and subsequent invasion and destruction of the Labour Party national office by the NLC was illegal, archaic and not in tandem with modern democracy. He said, We are now fully prepared to shed our blood in defence of our party leadership, as all unconventional or illegal means to hijack our party leadership, against the rule of law shall be met with force and this is not a threat. We shall defend our party leadership from being taken over by the NLC political terrorists; we are prepared to dislodge the NLC miscreants from the party national secretariat as nobody has the monopoly of violence. For anybody to illegally declare himself either as chairman, secretary or anything, we urge all workers anywhere in the country, to arrest them and bring them to us. Joe Ajaero has a penchant for civil disobedience, arrogation of rights and privileges of other citizens to himself because, when a matter is pending before a court, and in this case, the Supreme Court, all parties are to maintain the status quo as decided by the Court of Appeal. Our belief is that if there are any scores to settle, the NLC should have gone to court and allowed due process to take its course rather than coercing political parties to dance to their tunes as if they were dealing with the corporate organisation. NLC is a movement which by every standard should remain apolitical. There are thousands and one issues that affect Nigerian workers today, which the NLC has failed woefully to fight for. The set of NLC leadership as we have today is a failure who put an elephant on the head and scratched for rats on the grounds. The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has appealed to the Federal Government to remove the interventionist agency from the Treasury Single Account, TSA. The Rivers State Representative on the NDDC Management Board, Chief Tony Okocha made the call while briefing newsmen after he met with contractors handling projects in the state on Tuesday at the state office in Port Harcourt. Okochas call stems from his revelation that he inherited over 952 abandoned projects of the NDDC in Rivers State. The state NDDC rep stated that the commission will be able to disburse funds for projects in bulk to contractors, which he said is the reason for the number of abandoned projects in the state. One of the reasons we convened this meeting was to get feedback from our contractors, viz a viz how they are faring, the extent of work, and also to share with them our vision. We have been able to pass on our vision and mission to the contractors. We have also elicited responses from them. Those responses we have elicited, we will work on them because we are all Nigerians and we know the situation right now in the country. What Ive only advised or urged them is that they should all go back to the site. I inherited from the record, 952 abandoned projects of NDDC in Rivers State. More than the fact that Ive said I would visit with the projects, I enjoined the contractors to go back to the site. Their concern is non-payment for jobs that are completed. Their concern again is because of the fact that there is political instability; a new government comes and the other ones are jettisoned. We have promised that we will address those issues. That also leads us to our request to the Federal Government, through the President, that NDDC is an interventionist agency. And, NDDC covers nine states of the Niger Delta. And in these nine states of the Niger Delta is where you have heavy rainfall. And so, we have not more than five months of dry season to be able to work. If we are not able to explore the five months that we have the dry season to work, then we will be in trouble. But how can we achieve that when our money comes in trickles? If NDDC, like some agencies and some arms of government, is taken away from TSA (Treasury Single Account), then we will be able to make negotiations, get money in bulk, and see how we rework the procurement law to make sure that monies are handy for contractors to go to the field and deliver. Otherwise, we will be having a problem of variation, uncompleted projects and all that, he added. President Bola Tinubu has vowed to immortalise all the military personnel killed in Okuoma Community in Delta State. The President also said the fallen officers will be given a befitting burial and national honours. While expressing his heartfelt condolences to the families of the bereaved, he pledged that the sacrifices of the fallen heroes would never be in vain. Recall that about 17 military personnel were killed in Delta State while on a peacekeeping mission, a development that has drawn widespread condemnation from several quarters. In responding to distress calls, they met the end of their lives in a savage manner. Let us work to sympathize and symbolize the fact that they are worth the sacrifices they have made for Nigeria. We salute all our men and women in uniform, and we sympathize with them. I will soon make further pronouncements, but they must have a befitting burial and national honours, the President said. Meanwhile, the President has appealed to members of the National Assembly to exercise restraint in summoning heads of ministries, departments, and agencies before parliamentary committees. Speaking at the breaking of Ramadan fast on Wednesday in Abuja with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, and the leadership of the House, the President said while oversight is essential for maintaining transparency and accountability in governance, excessive summoning of officials can disrupt operations and hinder service delivery to citizens. He, therefore, urged lawmakers to show discretion in the exercise of their oversight functions. I have been watching various committees summoning ministers and heads of agencies. I have complained to the Speaker to let the poor breathe. Let these people do the job. We are not saying that you are not influential. We are not saying you cannot do your oversight. But consider the primary duty of each agency, its personnel, or the responsibilities of the Governor of the Central Bank or the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance to you and the entire nation. If they are distracted or disturbed, maybe we will shift parliamentary sitting all through the night. We must find a way to accommodate one another. This is an appeal to you. See if you can accept representatives in some instances or even documentations, the President said. Expressing confidence in the ability of the National Assembly to uphold good governance, President Tinubu lauded the existing cordial relationship between the executive and the legislature. He said the harmonious working relationship had resulted in the expeditious passage of several bills to improve the welfare of Nigerians. He urged the legislators not to forget their constituencies and to take advantage of the holy month of Ramadan to show compassion and support the less privileged in society. We are making sacrifices for the country, and we are assuring citizens that there is a very bright light at the end of the tunnel. We must have faith, and please do not forget your constituencies and remember what they are going through. I cannot thank you enough for what you are doing, but it is for our country. There is nothing personal about this. It is for Nigeria, and we have no other country but Nigeria, the President stated. In his remarks, the Speaker emphasized the importance of forgiveness, generosity, and prayers during Ramadan and called for unity in the nation and support for President Tinubu. I want to urge us to use this month to increase our good deeds and minimize our bad deeds, he said. Reflecting on the 10 months of this administration, the Speaker noted that the executive and the legislature have continued to work in synergy for the progress of the country. So far, so good, the House has been very supportive of the President and his policies, and we shall continue to ensure that we work together, the Speaker said. The meeting between the Federal Government and the leadership of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities and Allied Institutions ended in a deadlock on Wednesday as both parties failed to reach an agreement. The National President of SSANU, Muhammed Ibrahim, told our correspondent that the unions would continue with the strike. Strike continues, Ibrahim said in reaction to the meeting. SSANU and NASU commenced a seven-day nationwide strike on Monday to protest the refusal of the Federal Government to release their four-month salaries withheld in 2021 because they embarked on a strike. The government of then President Muhammadu Buhari withheld the salaries, insisting on the principle of No work; no pay. However, the current administration of President Bola Tinubu ordered the release of the withheld salaries of members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, who were also affected by the past administrations no work; no paystance. SSANU and NASU were, however, displeased to be left out. They wrote to the Tinubu government, asking that their withheld salaries be released. The government, however, ignored the repeated demands, following which the two unions embarked on a strike. The seven-day warning strike, which began on Monday, grounded academic activities on university campuses across the country. Sopranos creator David Chase is going with a new genre for his latest film. Horror. Chase is set to helm a horror movie in what will mark his return to the directors chair after Not Fade Away, released in 2012. Deadline reports that Chase will direct the untitled New Line Cinema film and is co-writing the script with Sopranos executive producer and writer Terence Winter, who created HBOs Boardwalk Empire. Of course, there were plenty of horrors to be had in The Sopranos, a show in which brutal violence and ruthless power plays were just par for the course. HBO recently marked the 25th anniversary of the 1999 premiere. Chase produced and co-wrote his last film, the 2021 Sopranos prequel movie The Many Saints of Newark, which was helmed by Sopranos director Alan Taylor. The Warner Bros. film, which was simultaneously released in theaters and on Max, was promoted as The Many Saints of Newark: A Sopranos Story. The language set the stage for questions about future Sopranos films. The A Sopranos Story is corporate wishful thinking, Chase told NJ Advance Media in 2021. I dont know about future ones. I just dont know. Im not ruling that out, he said of future Sopranos universe films. You know what? If we did another movie, it would have to take place in New Jersey. No word yet if the horror film will have any Jersey ties whether through story or filming locations. Chase made his feature directorial debut with the 1960s Jersey-set Not Fade Away, starring John Magaro, who played Silvio Dante in The Many Saints of Newark, and James Gandolfini, who won three Emmys for playing Tony Soprano in The Sopranos, setting the stage for other major TV antiheroes like Walter White of Breaking Bad. In October, Chase, who grew up in Clifton and North Caldwell, was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame in a ceremony that drew actors from The Sopranos. Fellow hall member Steven Van Zandt, who played Silvio Dante in the HBO series, introduced Chase at the event. Thank you for reading. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription. Amy Kuperinsky may be reached at akuperinsky@njadvancemedia.com and followed at @AmyKup. Styx bassist Ricky Phillips recently announced he is leaving the band after more than 20 years. He announced via Facebook that he would be stepping away from the stage. In a post from Wednesday, Phillips opened the post saying that after touring for 50 years with bands and musicians like The Babys, Bad English, Tina Turner, Belinda Carlisle, and recording with Jimmy Page, David Montrose and Ronnie Montrose, hes taking a breather. He followed by saying that after 20-plus years of touring and recording with Styx, his time with them has come to an end. However, Philips clarified he wasnt entirely done with music. I am taking a break from the road. Im not retiring, just taking a break, Phillips wrote in the Facebook post. Presently, I have accepted an offer to co-produce a project in a studio close to home. Ive known since I was a kid that live performance is in my blood so, in time I will post any future engagements or commitments. But for right now, Melissa and I will share coffee talk and meals from home...with our critters close by. Of course, I will always cherish the adventurous days recording and touring with Styx, Phillips wrote to end the post. And, I will truly miss the wonderfully-crazy and faithful Styx fans...whose smiling faces I often saw more than my own family. It was a joy to spend two decades with Ricky Phillips in Styx and we wish him all the best in his next adventure. Hell... Posted by Styx on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 Styx responded to Phillips decision on Facebook with their own page showing support for their longtime bandmate. It was a joy to spend two decades with Ricky Phillips in Styx and we wish him all the best in his next adventure, the band wrote on the Facebook post. Hell always be a part of the Styx family and well miss his presence on our stage and in our touring lives. Styx is currently on tour with their next show scheduled for Friday in Wallingford, Connecticut followed by three shows across New York. A replacement for Phillips has yet to be announced. Chuck Panozzo, who co-founded Styx and was the original bassist, is still involved with the band, but at a limited capacity due to his HIV diagnosis. More music coverage Saleah Blancaflor may be reached at sblancaflor@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at @saleyley and Instagram. A Hudson County-based MS-13 gang member was sentenced Thursday to 10 years in prison for his role in a failed plot to kill a rival gang member in 2015, according to a release from the U.S. Attorneys Office District of New Jersey. Jose Gimenez-Lobos, also known by the nicknames Infernal and Terrible, 33, previously pleaded guilty in Newark federal court to charges related to the investigation. His 10-year sentence will run concurrently with the 40-year sentence he received in Virginia federal court last year for a November 2014 killing he committed on behalf of MS-13, authorities said. In Newark federal court, Gimenez-Lobos admitted his membership in the violent transnational street gang, MS-13, and admitted his involvement in acts of violence and drug distribution on behalf of the gang, federal prosecutors said. Hoboken property owners are being slammed with a tax increase of more than $600 under the school districts proposed budget for the 2024-25 school year, which gained initial approval Tuesday night. Much of the 24.3% increase is a result of a growing staff, rising staff salaries and higher facilities costs, Superintendent Christine Johnson said Wednesday. JUPITER, Fla. Christian Scott stood outside the Mets clubhouse, about 100 feet away from the seats in left field in Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium, around the same place he sat as a kid. A few minutes earlier, Scott, who grew up 30-45 minutes away in Coconut Creek and had 30 friends and family in attendance, completed his first start against big-league hitters in the Grapefruit League. In four innings, the Mets top pitching prospect allowed one run on two hits with seven strikeouts. I used to always envision myself out there, Scott told reporters. So its nice to be able to go out there and compete. BUY METS TICKETS: STUBHUB, VIVID SEATS, TICKETMASTER Though the Mets didnt announce Scott as the starter until yesterday, he revealed that he knew he was getting the ball against the Marlins before then. I had a bullpen in preparation for it. They gave me a little bit of a heads up, he said. Its just another game, just go out there and compete at a high level (and) trust my stuff. Scott threw 59 pitches (44 strikes) in his outing, seeing success with his four-seamer, which topped out at 96.5 mph, and sweeper, which he debuted for the first time in camp. He threw those pitches 45 times (76.2% of total pitches), generating a called strike or a swing-and-miss 21 times, 46.6% of the time. All seven of his strikeouts came on either one of these pitches four on the four-seamer and three on the sweeper. The fastball in particular stood out to Mets manager Carlos Mendoza. His low release with ride and velo, he plays it up, an impressed Mendoza told reporters after the Mets 6-3 win over the Marlins. We saw it today with the way he was attacking hitters. They were having a hard time picking it up. You hear a lot about this kid (and) watching him go about it today, the way he threw the baseball, it was special (and) it was exciting. Scott could be someone fans see make an MLB debut at some point this season. The Mets intend to turn to a six-man rotation at points throughout the season, and 6-foot-4 righty figures to be in the mix at some point. This is one of the reasons Scott was given the start, to get a taste of whats to come. Its very important (to) get in a major league game and to go four innings, and the way he did it, facing big league hitters is a really good experience, Mendoza added. And I think its important for those guys to go through it. Overall, pretty impressive. Drafted by the Mets in the fifth round in 2021, Scotts ascent through the minor leagues has been impressive. Last season, he was named the Minor League Pitcher of the Year after posting a 2.57 ERA and a 0.856 WHIP, best among Met farmhands, in 19 starts between Single-A St. Lucie, High-A Brooklyn and Double-A Binghamton. As a result, entering 2024, Scott is listed as the teams No. 6 prospect, according to Baseball America. Hes not letting that get to his head, however. Im ready for whatever they have in store for me..., Scott said. I have a lot of confidence in my stuff, so whenever the call may be, Im going to be ready for it for sure. Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting us with a subscription. Manny Gomez may be reached at mgomez@njadvancemedia.com. A Morris County man was accused Wednesday of participating a scheme that netted him and others over $3.4 million after they offered phony debt relief services to small businesses and pocketed the money, federal prosecutors said. Mark Csantaveri, 51, of Morristown, was charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and was detained after his Newark federal court appearance, according to a release from the U.S. Attorneys Office District of New Jersey. Csantaveri and his unidentified conspirators allegedly ran businesses that asked clients to make regular payments to him while he was negotiating favorable settlements with the their creditors, the office said. Instead of using their money as promised, Csantaveri and others kept the money for themselves, federal officials alleged. They used the money on personal items, including over $1 million in gambling expenses, investigators said. The three businesses run by Csantaveri and the others were identified in a complaint as MCA Cure, LLC, LDMS Group, LLC, both of Parsippany, and Evergreen Settlement Group LLC, which was based out of Rockaway. In one alleged case, a company that operated a restaurant in College Park, Maryland that had fallen into debt during the COVID-19 pandemic entered into a debt consolidation agreement with MCA Cure. Over the next two years, the restaurant paid Csantaveri $149,400 that he and one on his co-conspirators deposited into their own bank accounts and never used for its intended purpose, according to the complaint. The scheme ultimately defrauded more than 50 victims, authorities said. Conspiracy to commit wire fraud is punishable by a maximum of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss involved in the offense, whichever is greatest, according to the release. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com. DALLAS For decades, their mission during World War II was a secret. With inflatable tanks, trucks and planes, combined with sound effects, radio trickery, costume uniforms and acting, the American military units that became known as the Ghost Army helped outwit the enemy. Now, they are being awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. Three of the seven known surviving members are set to attend the ceremony at the U.S. Capitol on Thursday including two New Jersey men. Seymour Nussenbaum, 100, of Monroe in Middlesex County and John Christman, 99, of the Leesburg section of Maurice Township are set to attend along with Bernard Bluestein, 100, of Hoffman Estates, Illinois. Gov. Phil Murphy on Wednesday signed a law he says will kick-start long overdue construction of affordable housing units across New Jersey. We finally have arrived at a solution to allow us to more transparently, efficiently, equitably and more quickly build affordable housing units in the state, Murphy said during a signing ceremony at a community center in Perth Amboy. The new law, which the Democratic governor described as landmark, will standardize obligations for towns throughout the state to build more units. Towns will also receive more protections from lawsuits that aim to stop the building of affordable housing. For decades, municipalities were consistently sued over affordable housing, forcing them to spend lots of money on litigation. Murphy signed the law two days after the measure (A4) gained final legislative approval in the Democratic-controlled state Legislature. He was also slated to sign an additional package of bills that would provide tax exemptions for affordable housing projects and deductions for taxpayers affected by it. Perth Amboy Mayor Helmin Caba echoed Murphys positive sentiments about the legislation. We value our sense of community and understand the critical importance of having access to affordable, common, safe and quality housing, he said. State Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, D-Middlesex, hailed the measure as an example about the best that legislating can be. The time, energy and effort that went into it produced a product that is truly monumental, Coughlin said. As a carrot, the law will give incentives for affordable housing that is built near grocery stores or transit. Age restricted housing and properties that were redeveloped into affordable housing would also be encouraged. Republicans have decried the measure, saying it will put undue burdens on some municipalites and questioning if the state can handle building 200,000 units Democrats say is needed. However, the bills that provide the tax exemptions and deductions passed with bipartisan support. A house is more than four walls and a roof, said Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez, D-Middlesex, a Perth Amboy resident and chair of the Assembly Housing committee. It is a place where memories are made an asset that creates generational wealth. Municipalities that disagree with their obligations can mediate with a court appointed board and also have the opportunity to be assigned a judge that specializes in such matters. The nice thing is that all three branches of government are involved in this, thats a good thing, Murphy said. Jelani Gibson is a cannabis and politics reporter for NJ.com. He can be reached at jgibson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @jelanigibson1 and on LinkedIn. One hundred forty-four billion dollars. Thats how much student loan debt the Biden Administration has erased, most recently by forgiving $5.8 billion for public-sector employees. While the administration and its supporters are applauding the sum, it actually hasnt put a dent in the opinions of Gen Z voters. They say that total is just a drop in the bucket compared to the volume of student loan debt still held and question if President Joe Biden has done enough to earn their vote this November. A promise of student loan debt forgiveness excited young voters in 2020 and heavily contributed to their historic turnout to elect President Biden, but with a nationwide total of $1.6 trillion in federal student loan debt still unforgiven, Gen Zers are willing to hold the president accountable with their vote. Young people are motivated to vote not just for candidates, but actually for policy issues that matter most to them, and economic mobility and student loan forgiveness are at the top of the list, DeNora Getachew, chief executive officer of DoSomething, an organization for young people and social change, told Reckon. According to DoSomethings 2023 survey of more than 5.5 million of its members aged 13 to 25, 77% said that they do not believe their economic stability is getting better. How the president handles the economy and financial well-being of Americans has long been a top election issue across the country, and since Gen Z entered into student loan debt repayment for the first time in September, the uncertainty of their financial stability has been exacerbated. When President Biden stated in his 2020 campaign, I propose to forgive all undergraduate tuition-related federal student debt, he provided reassurance to a generation anxious about their student loan debt and financial futures, drawing a significant amount of young voters out to the polls, making history as millennials and Gen Z accounted for 31% of voters, according to Catalist. A lot of people are struggling to meet their basic needs, pay rent and their student loans. They are having a hard time keeping their heads above water and I see that reflected in how people are talking about the election this year, Elijah Manley, CEO of Youth Victory Fund, an advocacy group encouraging young people to run for political offices, told Reckon. Currently, young voters are not impressed by President Bidens attempts for student loan forgiveness, according to a 2023 Bloomberg and Morning Consult survey. Gen Z: Its not enough Although he has canceled $144 billion in student loan debt and the U.S. Supreme Court struck down President Bidens relief plan to forgive up to $20,000 of federal student loan debt last summer, Gen Z voters are saying Biden is not doing enough to address the burden of student loan payments, according to the Bloomberg and Morning Consult survey. With 43% of Gen Z voters in the swing states of Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin saying Biden is not doing enough to address the burden of student loan payments, these young people could impact President Biden the most. We are solidly in the 2024 election cycle where Gen Z and millennial voters are gonna make up the largest voting block this year, Getachew told Reckon. We have 8 million new young people who are coming of age in time to vote this year. Gen Z borrowers like Brandy Lumford who owes $28,000 in federal student loans and resides in North Carolina, feel discouraged about the lack of cancellation. The lack of cancellation makes me not want to vote for him because I feel like we have a history of presidents making promises and not following through on them, especially something as big and life-changing as student loan debt cancellation, Lumford told Reckon. With President Biden and former President Donald Trump as the Democratic and Republican party candidates heading into November, according to the Bloomberg and Morning Consult survey, swing-state Gen Z voters, nearly one-third say they trust neither Biden nor Trump to handle the economy. While Gen Z voters trust neither candidate, only President Biden has attempted to forgive student loans as president. After an overwhelming youth voter turnout in 2020, fewer Americans ages 18 to 29 plan to vote in 2024 because of dissatisfaction with both President Biden and Trump, according to a 2023 Harvards Institute of Politics survey. From a lack of trust in leaders on a variety of critical issues such as climate change, gun violence, and the war in the Middle East, to worries about the economy and A.I., young peoples concerns come through loud and clear in our new poll, the institutes director, Setti Warren said in a statement. As the 2024 campaign season kicks into high gear, candidates up and down the ballot would be wise to embrace the opportunity to listen to and re-engage this generation. While 44% of Gen Z voters prefer President Biden over Trump, according to the Bloomberg and Morning Consult survey, young voters still feel he has done too little on student loan debt, a plurality of Generation X and baby boomer voters say he has already done too much. Much of Gen Zers dissatisfaction comes from President Bidens piecemeal approach to the cancellations. The majority of forgiveness has gone to middle-aged borrowers with a longer payment history, making it harder to convince young voters that the piecemeal cancellations have helped them. Young people feel like voting isnt working. What can they do? The stagnation of student loan debt cancellation is part of an overarching lack of enthusiasm fueled by many critical factors at play this year. Issues like student loan debt cancellation, climate change and gun violence brought record-breaking numbers of young voters out in 2020, but many young people feel hesitant about the power of their presidential candidate vote this year. While President Biden won the youth vote by 24 percentage points in 2020 against Trump, a lack of progress and follow-through on important issues to younger voters and the presidents response to the Israel-Hamas war could make this election season look a lot different. With many borrowers feeling unheard on student loan debt, the Student Borrower Protection Center, a nationwide organization working to protect borrowers, reassures those with loans that their stories matter. I think its really important for student borrowers right now to continue telling their stories and saying that this is an important issue for me, Kat Welbeck, the centers director of advocacy and civil rights counsel said. Keep talking about the importance of student debt and the importance of canceling student debt. Make sure people know youre still watching and making sure that the president holds to his promises. Because student loan borrowers are less than impressed by the actions of President Biden, groups like the Debt Collective are holding his administration accountable by launching the Student Debt Release Tool. This tool helps borrowers apply pressure and petition the Biden Administration to use authority under the Higher Education Act to cancel student loans. President Biden says he is going to use every tool he can to cancel student debt, but there is still much more he can do, noted Debt Collective co-founder Thomas Gokey. With this new tool, we are calling his bluff and demanding he cancel the debt for everyone today. The Student Debt Release Tool will create a personalized letter from each borrower that is sent to the U.S. Department of Education afterward putting pressure on the Biden administration to take action immediately. We [Gen Z] are the largest voter bloc, so I think if Biden loses this election, itll be because we stayed home, Manley said. 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. The New Orleans Sewerage & Water Board is no stranger to bad news. Nary a month seems to go by without some sort of flooding incident, boil advisory, employee scandal or major equipment malfunction making headlines. But, even by S&WB standards, the last week has been rough and it comes at the worst possible moment. To recap: On March 18, Mayor LaToya Cantrell informed the City Council that S&WBs estimated $32.5 million price tag for phase one of its flood pump power substation was off by at least $20 million. If the citys drainage system is to have the urgently needed, modern power source by the 2025 hurricane season, she said, the council will need to find the extra money as soon as possible. On March 19, longtime S&WB watchdog Matt McBride called the publics attention to a recent S&WB report given to the City Council acknowledging that more than 75% of the drinking water the agency treated in the last quarter of 2023 never made it to the taps of rate payers. That previously unnoticed but utterly astounding statistic proves what many have long suspected: Things at S&WB are getting worse, not better. For years, S&WB reported that roughly half of the citys drinking water was lost to non-paying entities like nonprofits or the zoo, leaks or major breaks in antiquated water pipes, many of which are nearly a century old. The average loss rate for all of 2023 was 68%, the report stated. On March 20, S&WB announced that Turbine 4, which has been offline since early February, had gone down because of operator error. Worse, the long-troubled, outdated pump wont return to use until late July two months into this years hurricane season. That means waterlogged New Orleanians, even those who live in historically high and dry neighborhoods, should expect continued flooding during normal rain events and prayerful residents should light some votive candles if a major storm approaches. Now for the really bad news: Gov. Jeff Landry and his Republican allies at the state level want to reduce if not eliminate local oversight of S&WB. Theres growing and justified concern that Landry will use his S&WB task force as political cover to privatize the city's sewerage and drinking water operations and infrastructure but provide no state money to the beleaguered agency. Instead, Landrys plan would force huge rate hikes on New Orleanians who already get soaked regularly by S&WB. The boards woes could allow Landry to argue that the state needs to take over S&WB in order to save New Orleanians from additional failures. Such logic, if you can call it that, fails to note that privatization has made things worse and more expensive in many communities. Consider Jackson, Mississippi, where privatization in 2017 led to nearly 5 billion gallons of untreated or partially treated wastewater getting dumped into the Pearl River between 2020 and 2022 triggering $90 million in settlement costs. Water is a precious public resource. We must not allow anyone to turn it into an expensive, unregulated private commodity. President of the Senate J. Cameron Henry Jr., R-Metairie, left, speaks with Sen. Rick Edmonds, R-Baton Rouge, in the senate chamber during Governor Jeff Landrys special session focusing on crime, Wednesday, February 28, 2024, at the Louisiana State Capitol in Baton Rouge, La. Edmonds has proposed a bill to let parents use taxpayer dollars to pay for private schools. ? El Peru sera el hub aeroportuario de la region, lo cual impulsara el crecimiento y el progreso del pais. Asi lo destaco la presidenta Dina Boluarte en una visita de supervision al avance de las obras del @LAPJorgeChavez, que se convertira en la Primera Ciudad Aeropuerto de pic.twitter.com/K6VyPhtw4c History buffs won't want to miss the latest exhibit to hit the Chicagoland area. "Titanic: The Exhibition" is starring at Westfield Old Orchard in Skokie. Tickets are currently being sold through April. Mark Lach, creative producer of the exhibit, said he's happy to be involved in bringing this exhibit back to the Chicago area. "Titanic: The Exhibition" was first displayed at Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry 24 years ago, Lach said. "I always wanted it to return to Chicago," Lach said. At Westfield Old Orchard, the exhibit, which is presented by Imagine Exhibitions, is housed in the former Bloomingdales store. "This is a perfect fit. It's a great place to see the exhibit," he said. Visitors to the exhibit will find a variety of fascinating displays, detailed recreations of the ship's interior and much information to read while walking from room to room. Lach said they've gotten positive feedback about the interactive exhibit and people like that it "corresponds" so well to the true story of the ship and its tragic voyage. The Titanic sank April 15, 1912. Guests entering the exhibit all get a boarding pass which gives them the name of the passenger they are traveling as. At the end, everyone learns their fate and if they lived or perished. A walk through the exhibit can also be very emotional as Lach stated that the story of the Titanic and the voyage "started out with such hope, optimism and promise for the future." In "Titanic: The Exhibition" visitors will also see the Grand Staircase, third-class and first-class hallways, millionaire's suite, the famous boiler room, lunch and dinner menus for the various classes, a recreation of the exterior promenade complete with a starry sky and more. The Discovery Gallery also shows information about the wreckage site and features a video of the site. Guests should allow at least an hour to explore all that is on display at the exhibit. In addition to the Titanic, a companion exhibit about the SS Eastland Disaster is featured. The SS Eastland Disaster happened July 24, 1915. The SS Eastland was a passenger ship in Chicago which tipped over on its side in the Chicago River killing 844 people. The passengers on the ship were workers from Western Electric Company's Hawthorne Works Factory who were headed to a company picnic at Michigan City's Washington Park Beach. FYI: "Titanic: The Exhibition" is currently in an open run with possibilities of extension.The exhibit is housed at Westfield Old Orchard, 4905 Old Orchard Center, Skokie. Tickets start at $29 for adults with discounts for children, senior citizens, military and groups. Visit thetitanicexhibition.com. LIBERTY TOWNSHIP A license plate recognition camera is being credited with alerting police this week to a stolen vehicle, resulting in the arrest of a 29-year-old Kouts man. Porter County police said a camera in the area of Ind. 49 and Division Road alerted them shortly before 8 a.m. Wednesday that a white 2005 Buick Rendezvous, which was reported stolen out of Lake Station, was headed northbound on the highway. Police said they stopped the SUV and learned the driver, identified as Zachary Murray, had stolen the vehicle the night before from a family member following an argument. Murray was taken into custody on a felony charge of vehicle theft, police said. License plate recognition cameras, which are likely not even noticed by most motorists, are being installed in ever growing numbers around the Region as a tool to quietly keep watch and tip off local police to vehicles sought in connection with various offenses. Cops: Woman hindered investigation into allegations of child molestation The accused appeared in court Tuesday and was ordered released without having to post bond, records show. Police say the information provided by the cameras are used by law enforcement alone and do not identify the drivers or occupants of vehicles. They are not used to issue tickets for traffic violations, police say. "It's been overwhelmingly positive," Porter County Police Sgt. Benjamin McFalls has said. "The cameras have assisted us in countless investigations and in locating stolen vehicles, hit-and-run suspects, missing subjects, wanted subjects, and aided us in getting unlicensed drivers off the roads." GARY Principals and teachers from schools across Northwest Indiana learned more about a reading curriculum being mandated statewide and its impacts on teaching standards at Indiana University Northwest on Tuesday. It was part of the IUN School of Education's Northwest Indiana School Principals' Luncheon. A similar luncheon was held for school superintendents earlier this month. Nearly 40 school leaders and educators from over 20 traditional public, charter and private schools participated in a presentation on the science the reading, an instructional method that emphasizes phonics when teaching children how to read. Suzanne Thomson, a project management specialist with Indiana University's Office of School Partnerships, provided background and research behind the science of reading. According to Thomson, when children learn to read, different parts of the brain are used to take in the visuals and sounds of letters in order to put them together to learn and understand words. While Thomson noted that effective readers have these different parts of the brain highly developed, she said that ineffective readers struggle because they don't have those areas developed, and it's educators' responsibility to help students build and practice those connections between visuals and sounds to create meaning with words. Thomson also provided details to the educators on new state requirements for classroom curriculums, educational materials and teaching licenses, before an official from the Indiana Department of Education joined the event virtually to answer questions from principals and teachers. House Enrolled Act 1558, passed by the General Assembly last year, defines the science of reading and requires schools to adopt curriculums that are aligned with the science of reading beginning next school year and bans the use of the three-cueing method which teaches students how to read by drawing from context clues, pictures and syntax. It also requires new and current elementary and special education teachers in the state to receive a literacy endorsement starting July 1, 2025. The push to change reading instruction came as scores on the state's standardized reading assessment, IREAD-3, had been on the decline since 2013. State officials currently have a goal to have at least 95% of students pass IREAD by 2027. Close Lecturer of Special Education Adra Young, left, collects suggestions from area school superintendents at the Northwest Indiana School Superintendents' Luncheon at Indiana University Northwest. Vice Chancellor Dorothy Frink speaks at the Northwest Indiana School Superintendents' Luncheon at Indiana University Northwest. Indiana State Rep. Vernon Smith addresses the Northwest Indiana School Superintendents' Luncheon at Indiana University Northwest. Vice Chancellor Dorothy Frink gives a presentation at the Northwest Indiana School Superintendents' Luncheon at Indiana University Northwest. Hammond's Scott Miller, left, and Duneland's Chip Pettit were among the superintendents at the Northwest Indiana School Superintendents' Luncheon at Indiana University Northwest. Indiana State Rep. Vernon Smith addresses the Northwest Indiana School Superintendents' Luncheon at Indiana University Northwest. Associate Professor Sharon Pratt, right, collects suggestions from area school superintendents at the Northwest Indiana School Superintendents' Luncheon at Indiana University Northwest. PHOTOS: Superintendent Luncheon at IUN Lecturer of Special Education Adra Young, left, collects suggestions from area school superintendents at the Northwest Indiana School Superintendents' Luncheon at Indiana University Northwest. Vice Chancellor Dorothy Frink speaks at the Northwest Indiana School Superintendents' Luncheon at Indiana University Northwest. Indiana State Rep. Vernon Smith addresses the Northwest Indiana School Superintendents' Luncheon at Indiana University Northwest. Vice Chancellor Dorothy Frink gives a presentation at the Northwest Indiana School Superintendents' Luncheon at Indiana University Northwest. Hammond's Scott Miller, left, and Duneland's Chip Pettit were among the superintendents at the Northwest Indiana School Superintendents' Luncheon at Indiana University Northwest. Indiana State Rep. Vernon Smith addresses the Northwest Indiana School Superintendents' Luncheon at Indiana University Northwest. Associate Professor Sharon Pratt, right, collects suggestions from area school superintendents at the Northwest Indiana School Superintendents' Luncheon at Indiana University Northwest. MUNSTER The School Town of Munster is weighing several options for the Center for Visual and Performing Arts after Superintendent Bret Heller said the Community Foundation of Northwest Indiana offered it for millions less than its market value. The School Town of Munster discussed the purchase of the Center for Visual and Performing Arts at a public work session and later a closed-door executive session Wednesday. The school is interested in the seven-acre site just north of its current administration building because it will soon face major capital expenses to renovate the 44-year-old building and because it would give it future options in a landlocked town where land is scarce and at a premium, such as for a preschool program. Community Foundation of Northwest Indiana, the nonprofit foundation of Community Hospital in Munster and the Community Healthcare System, is looking to sell the 72,660-square-foot arts center at 1040 Ridge Road in Munster out of a stated desire to get out of the theater and events business, Heller said. It asked for a sale price that was millions of dollars less than two appraisals, he said. "The price was significantly below market value so I'm bringing it to the board for at least consideration," he said. "If a neighbor were shutting down but interested in selling for millions below market value, I'm just doing my job bringing it to the board to have something to consider." The board has several options and discovered after doing due diligence it would not need to relinquish the liquor license that Trama Catering uses to serve champagne, wine and other adult beverages at weddings, banquets, anniversary parties and other events. Heller had originally believed the school could not hold a liquor license, which would essentially kill the wedding business and events business that fills the ballroom almost every weekend. But school board attorney Angela Jones checked with the Indiana Alcohol Commission and found the school could in fact retain the liquor license, which could be managed by a caterer if it leased space to them or another operator that subleased the building. Heller told the school board it would have four potential options, including that it could buy the land and building and find someone to continue to operate it the way it's now run, at least in the short term. The school could lease the building, subdivide it or work out some other arrangement with another party like the town. It would end up with more contiguous land it could build on in the future, such as for a preschool facility. "We could leave the programming completely in tact for the short term for whoever chooses to run it in that capacity," he said. Another option would be to not purchase it, Heller said. Many residents spoke out against a sale at the Munster Town Council and Munster Park Board meetings this week, asking the town to intervene to save the home of South Shore Arts, Theatre at the Center, the Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra and Trama Catering. "There's no guarantee the programming currently there will continue if the Community Foundation continues to walk away," he said. "There's a narrative, a false dichotomy, that if the School Town of Munster buys it the art programs do not survive and if the town buys it it's saved." Another option would be to buy the building and use about 8,000 to 10,000 square feet of it for an administration building, Heller said. "We'd only need a portion of that building to be split off and could maintain as many arts programs as possible," he said. "Likely under that scenario the banquet facility would probably be the tenant that goes away, at least in the long term." A fourth option would be to tear the building down to repurpose the space, which Heller said he was not recommending. "The appraisers said it has a 25-year lifespan," he said. "The building may not be here in 50 years, though that's not something we're looking at in the short term by any means." No action was taken Wednesday. Heller said the earliest the board would vote was May and that was likely optimistic. He said much more due diligence needs to be done, including doing site surveys and soil samples. Dave Mika, the executive director of South Shore Arts and the Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra, said he's had no communication with the school so far. He hopes to preserve the the arts center, which he said impacts the community in a number of ways. Chicago Symphony Orchestra Assistant Concertmaster David Taylor, for instance, gave a recent performance for donors and subscribers in the South Shore Arts Gallery when he was in town to perform "Carmen and Carmina" with the Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra. He presented photos from around the globe and played four pieces of music right in our gallery, Mika said. That's the type of arts and music experiences people can regularly enjoy in our facility. The Center for Visual and Performing Arts exhibits the work of local artists and nationally exhibiting artists whose work has hung at the Metropolitan Museum of New York, as well as the work of students. It for instance will soon display the artworks of 800 students at its annual Works In Progress exhibit. Region residents of all ages get the opportunity to be in the spotlight. At our Holiday Pops Concert we had ukulele players who are 70 to 90 years old. One of those women shared that she was diagnosed with cancer four years ago, he said. She jumped at the chance to do this on stage. She never thought she'd have the chance to perform in front our audience. I'm fearful we're at risk of losing he collaboration to make that happen. The School Town of Munster hasn't shared its plans with us. We feel there's a big risk we'll lose that opportunity. Dyer resident Bridget Covert went to her high school prom at the Center for Visual and Performing Arts, went to work for South Shore Arts there, met her husband there and got married and and had baby showers there. It means so much to so many people, she said. Our Salon Show shows 300 pieces a year. We sell the work of 70 local artists in the gift shop," she said. "It means so much to countless artists from our area." YEREVAN, MARCH 21, ARMENPRESS. A meeting between Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken will take place in Brussels on April 5, Armen Grigoryan, Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia told Armenpress. During the meeting the parties will discuss aspects of trilateral cooperation contributing to the development of Armenia. Question. Mr. Grigoryan, according to the Pashinyan-Von der Leyen joint statement of October 5, 2023 in Granada, President Von der Leyen informed Prime Minister Pashinyan about the preparation of a joint EU-US event to support Armenia. Is there any progress on organizing that event? Answer: Not only is there progress, but the date of the event is set. A joint meeting between President Von der Leyen, Prime Minister Pashinyan and Secretary of State Blinken is scheduled to be held on April 5 in Brussels where they plan to discuss aspects of trilateral cooperation that will contribute to the development of Armenia. The event also aims to strengthen Armenia's resilience. There will be an opportunity to talk about the event in more detail in the near future. On October 5, 2023, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen issued a joint statement after a meeting in Granada. Ursula von der Leyen announced the preparation of a joint EU-US event to support Armenia. It's been lights, camera, action in Gary's Miller Beach neighborhood, where a group of seniors have been learning how to shoot and edit films. The older adults over the age of 65 learned the art of filmmaking through Silver Screen Filmmakers Club. Acclaimed writer and filmmaker Jessica Renslow, whose films have won awards at film festivals like the Madonie Sicilian Film Festival and the WRPN Womens International Film Festival, has been leading the class. The seniors who took the class will screen their finished films at the inaugural Silver Screen Filmmakers Club Spring Showcase Saturday. The Miller Beach Arts & Creative District will present the screening of short films from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the Marshall J. Gardner Center for the Arts at 540 S. Lake St. in Gary. It's free and open to the public. The class will premier nine short films ranging from a minute to 7 minutes in length. The Silver Screen Filmmakers Club met six straight Saturdays at Marshall J. Gardner Center for the Arts to learn basic film making techniques. They shot movies on their phones and edited them online. Renslow got funding for the project through the Indiana Arts Commissions Lifelong Arts initiative, which aims to provide creative experiences to active older adults over the age of 65. She was one of 35 fellows in a Lifelong Arts 2023 Artist Training Cohort to offer such program across the Hoosier State. Im so proud of the creativity and tenacity the Silver Screeners have shown this spring. Theyve learned a ton of new skills and had to work together as production teams. Each of their films are completely different. We hope to have a good turn out Saturday," she said. "It should be a fun night celebrating lifelong learning. She received a second round of funding for the Silver Screen Filmmakers Club, which will start this summer and culminate in another showcase in the fall. The workshops, which take place both in person and online, are free and open to interested seniors. For more information or to sign up, call 818-294-4240 or email almostfairytales@gmail.com. The Indiana Court of Appeals unanimously rejected Wednesday the request for a reduced prison term made by a Hammond man who attempted to steal a vehicle while on a test drive and later crashed it into a semi-trailer severely injuring the auto salesman. LeDarien Devontae Deshon Gregory, 31, pleaded guilty last year to criminal confinement, a level 3 felony, in exchange for prosecutors dismissing numerous other pending charges, including kidnapping, auto theft, identity deception and driving without a license, according to court records. Records show the plea deal, where Gregory admitted he unlawfully confined the salesman without his consent, included a provision permitting the judge to order Gregory to serve up to 10 years in prison, which is the sentence Gregory ultimately received. In his appeal, Gregory argued that sentencing him to the maximum prison term authorized by his plea deal was inappropriate given the nature of the offense and his character. The appeals court was unpersuaded after evaluating the facts of the case and Gregory's prior criminal record, including repeatedly driving a vehicle without a license. According to court records, Gregory walked to Bosco Family Motors in Hobart on Aug. 11, 2021, handed over a fake identification card, and asked to take a blue 2009 Kia Borrego on a test drive. Salesman Maxwell Kurtz, then 23 years old, joined Gregory as he drove the sport utility vehicle north on Interstate 65, until Gregory claimed there was a problem with the car and pulled over to the shoulder, records show. According to court records, after both men exited the SUV to investigate the alleged issue, Gregory ran back to the vehicle in an to attempt to steal it. Kurtz also made it back into the SUV, however, and Gregory drove off at speeds topping 100 mph while Kurtz called 911 for help. Gregory eventually steered onto Interstate 80/94 in Gary where he slammed the SUV into the back of a semi-trailer and fled the crash scene, leaving Kurtz pinned inside the vehicle as it caught fire, records show. According to court records, as a result of the crash Kurtz suffered numerous broken bones, cracked ribs and a broken pelvis, among other injuries that required months of physical therapy and left permanent scars on his body. "In those moments (immediately following impact), I had to come to terms with death," Kurtz said at Gregory's sentencing hearing. "I didnt pass out. I didnt go unconscious. I felt every second of it. I closed my eyes. I felt the impact. I felt the pain all over my body. I felt my pelvis being crushed. I thought I was being crushed by the semi. It kept getting tighter and tighter. I thought I was going to die. I thought I was going to pop. I was waiting for my life to expire." He said the terror heightened when the vehicle caught fire: "There was smoke pouring into the cabin. So Im laying in this condition, just smelling the burning oil, the burning coolant. Just thinking great, I survived this, but Im going to die of asphyxiation. It felt like an eternity stuck in that car even though it was only like five, ten minutes. That moments going to haunt me the rest of my life." The appeals court noted in its ruling that the sentencing range for a level 3 felony is between 3 and 16 years, with the advisory sentence being 9 years. The slight upward deviation to a 10-year sentence for Gregory unquestionably was warranted based on the life-altering impact Gregory's actions had on Kurtz's life, the appeals court said. Gregory still can ask the Indiana Supreme Court to consider reviewing his sentence. Otherwise, his earliest possible release date from prison, assuming good behavior, is Aug. 11, 2030, according to the Indiana Department of Correction. Gallery: Recent arrests booked into Lake County Jail Marcus Roberson Brittany Smith Davion Stephenson Tyler Sweet Ezekiel Nettles Wayne Rivera Kurt McCammon Jr. Molly McIntosh Shauntrelle Lockhart Dalvin Kimmons Sr. Linda Lear Antoine Hull Jr. Jakobie Jackson Perry Jackson II Chance Jamerson Andrew Jones Miguel Gonzalez Lori Dennis Herbert Foust Salvador Arevalo Chagoya Stephen Bonner Lardarius Thomas Bernard Scott Juan Padilla Fernando Rosas Ricky Jackson Taurice Lancaster Toni Lindsey Malachi McClendon Jesse McGarr Justin Heinzel Maurice Dickey Jr. Troy Crosby Andrew Caradonna Larry Crocker III Bridgette Bailey Robertson Lindsey Spangenberg Jennifer Spisak Marian Zak Olorunleke Oshiga Jason Neal Aaliyah Boyce Emanuel Echavarria Garcia Marcus Hartman Augustine Karikari Michael Bass ROLLING PRAIRIE A Northwest Indiana lawmaker recently was honored for his civility during the 2023 and 2024 sessions of the Indiana General Assembly. State Rep. Jim Pressel, R-Rolling Prairie, was presented the biennial Civility in Government Award March 7 by the Association of Retired Members of the Indiana General Assembly. The award recognizes the lawmakers who best show courtesy and respect to other legislators and the public, exhibit politeness and appreciation for the rights and responsibilities of others, communicate to develop trust and find common ground, maintain emotional control and demeanor, and hold the belief the Legislature is a valuable institution and it's a privilege to serve. Pressel was selected for the award by House Democrats and state Rep. Ryan Hatfield, D-Evansville, was chosen by the Republicans. The LaPorte County native, who works as a home builder and remodeler when not at the Statehouse, has represented House District 20 since 2016. He currently serves as chairman of the House Roads and Transpiration Committee. Pressel is at least the second Region lawmaker to win the award. State Rep. Earl Harris Jr., D-East Chicago, also was recognized two years ago for his civility in public service. Meet the 2024 Northwest Indiana legislative delegation State Sen. Dan Dernulc, R-Highland State Sen. Lonnie Randolph, D-East Chicago State Sen. Dave Vinzant, D-Hobart State Sen. Rodney Pol Jr. State Sen. Ed Charbonneau, R-Valparaiso State Sen. Rick Niemeyer, R-Lowell State Sen. Mike Bohacek, R-Michiana Shores State Rep. Carolyn Jackson, D-Hammond State Rep. Earl Harris Jr., D-East Chicago State Rep. Ragen Hatcher, D-Gary State Rep. Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso State Rep. Pat Boy, D-Michigan City State Rep. Chuck Moseley, D-Portage State Rep. Mike Aylesworth, R-Hebron State Rep. Mike Andrade, D-Munster State Rep. Vernon Smith, D-Gary State Rep. Hal Slager, R-Schererville State Rep. Kendell Culp, R-Rensselaer State Rep. Julie Olthoff, R-Crown Point State Rep. Jim Pressel, R-Rolling Prairie Hoosier lawmakers are reducing the job security of the state employee tasked with providing individual citizens, as well as government officials and workers, advice and assistance relating to Indiana's public access laws. The Indiana public access counselor since 1999 has served as a statewide resource for addressing questions, concerns and alleged violations of two statutes the Access to Public Records Act and the Open Door Law focused on ensuring government records and meetings are open and accessible to Hoosiers. The public access counselor does not enforce either law. Instead, the counselor is empowered to issue informal statements responding to inquiries about the laws, usually potential violations, and advisory opinions interpreting the laws to guide the behavior of government entities. In addition, the public access counselor trains elected officials and ordinary Hoosiers about their rights and responsibilities under the laws, conducts research, and makes recommendations to the General Assembly about ways to improve public access. The public access counselor is appointed by the governor and has long been protected from the political consequences of the counselor's opinions by having a guaranteed four-year term except when good causes exists to remove the public access counselor. That guarantee, however, is being eliminated July 1, and the public access counselor going forward will serve at the pleasure of the governor, subject to replacement at any time and for any reason. House Enrolled Act 1338, approved earlier this month by the Republican-controlled General Assembly and signed by Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb, also requires the public access counselor to consider only the laws of Indiana and opinions of Indiana courts when issuing advisory opinions making other resources, such as federal court decisions, public access laws of other states and even the dictionary, off-limits. The public access counselor language was added to the legislation by state Sen. Aaron Freeman, R-Indianapolis, during a meeting of the Freeman-led Senate Committee on Corrections and Criminal Law. Freeman said the change is needed to limit the scope of the public access counselor's advisory opinions on the Access to Public Records Act and Open Door Law, both of which state law declares shall be liberally construed so Hoosiers can fully informed about the activities of their government. "He's issued some opinions that I vehemently disagree with and I think others in this body, and in this building (the Statehouse), vehemently disagree with," Freeman said. Freeman also spearheaded the effort to make the public access counselor serve at the pleasure of the governor, instead of during a four-year term. He said the new governor taking office in January should be able to appoint his or her own public access counselor and not be compelled to retain Luke Britt, whose third term as public access counselor, following his initial appointment by Republican Gov. Mike Pence and two reappointments by Holcomb, runs until October 2025. "I believe the governor should be able to pick the person that they're choosing to serve. Any other appointed office serves at the privilege of the governor, so I believe this should be no different," Freeman said. The measure ultimately was approved 40-8 by the Senate. In comparison, it only barely secured the 51 votes needed to pass the House advancing by a 58-36 margin following spirited opposition by state Rep. Ed Delaney, D-Indianapolis, who called it "a victory for government secrecy." "We're going to fool around with the language of the law, we're going to fool around with the tenure of this office, and we're doing it all so people will know less," Delaney said. "A vote for this is a vote for a less informed public, a vote for less open meetings, a vote for less public discussion. That's a really bad vote." The governor acknowledged those concerns about the public access counselor in a statement released after signing the proposal into law. But Holcomb said they were not enough to warrant a veto because "judicial review of the office's decisions is left untouched, and the governor retains the ability to appoint the position in the future." Other provisions of the new statute, also set to take effect July 1, give local government officials additional tools for removing individuals who regularly disrupt public meetings by actions that don't necessarily constitute a crime. Meet the 2024 Northwest Indiana legislative delegation State Sen. Dan Dernulc, R-Highland State Sen. Lonnie Randolph, D-East Chicago State Sen. Dave Vinzant, D-Hobart State Sen. Rodney Pol Jr. State Sen. Ed Charbonneau, R-Valparaiso State Sen. Rick Niemeyer, R-Lowell State Sen. Mike Bohacek, R-Michiana Shores State Rep. Carolyn Jackson, D-Hammond State Rep. Earl Harris Jr., D-East Chicago State Rep. Ragen Hatcher, D-Gary State Rep. Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso State Rep. Pat Boy, D-Michigan City State Rep. Chuck Moseley, D-Portage State Rep. Mike Aylesworth, R-Hebron State Rep. Mike Andrade, D-Munster State Rep. Vernon Smith, D-Gary State Rep. Hal Slager, R-Schererville State Rep. Kendell Culp, R-Rensselaer State Rep. Julie Olthoff, R-Crown Point State Rep. Jim Pressel, R-Rolling Prairie A key piece of Californias strategy to address its homelessness crisis was narrowly approved by voters in the state, The Associated Press determined on Wednesday, in a stunningly close margin that had Democrats on edge for more than two weeks. The measure, known as Proposition 1, includes a $6.4 billion bond to fund treatment and housing for homeless people with severe mental illnesses and addiction. Last year, when Gov. Gavin Newsom and a bipartisan group of California legislators placed Proposition 1 on the spring ballot, early polls suggested that it would pass easily. Its approval was considered such a sure thing that most voters and political donors were scarcely aware that opposition existed. But after the March 5 election, it took 15 days of tallying mail-in ballots for The Associated Press to determine that the measure had squeaked by. The count took so long that Mr. Newsom decided to postpone his annual state of the state address, which was originally scheduled for Monday, because he had wanted to celebrate Proposition 1 during his speech and highlight his efforts on homelessness and mental health. President Bidens top national security official made a secret trip to Kyiv on Wednesday, as Ukrainian soldiers holding off Russian troops are running out of munitions and U.S. aid remains stalled in congressional gridlock. Jake Sullivan, the national security adviser, met with President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine and his senior officials to reaffirm the United States unwavering commitment to Ukraine in its self-defense against Russias brutal invasion, said a national security spokeswoman, Adrienne Watson. He stressed the urgent need for the U.S. House of Representatives to pass the national security supplemental to meet Ukraines critical battlefield needs. The covert trip showed the rising sense of urgency in the White House to pressure Congress to pass billions of dollars of aid for Ukraine, a financial package that the Biden administration says the country needs to defend itself against Russia. The White House has tried, so far unsuccessfully, to push House Republicans to support a $60 billion emergency spending plan for weapons for Ukraine and to bolster armament production in the United States. One of two men accused of shooting 3,600 birds in Montana, including bald and golden eagles, in an illegal killing spree pleaded guilty to taking part in a scheme to sell the dead birds on the black market, federal prosecutors said on Wednesday. In a plea deal, Travis John Branson, 48, of Washington State, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy, two counts of illegally trafficking bald and golden eagles, and one count of violating the Lacey Act, a federal law prohibiting the sale of illegally acquired wildlife, the United States Attorneys Office for the District of Montana said. Mr. Branson faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the conspiracy and Lacey Act charges, prosecutors said. In December, a grand jury indicted Mr. Branson and his co-defendant Simon Paul, 42, of Montana, on 15 counts, most of them for illegal trafficking of eagles. Prosecutors agreed to drop 11 of those counts for Mr. Branson, according to the plea agreement. At Art Basel Hong Kong, two celebrated First Nations Australian artists will present complex and contrasting perspectives on Indigenous identities. In their work, the two artists, Naminapu Maymuru-White and Daniel Boyd, carry on a long tradition of creative expression harnessing and exploring the history of the hundreds of distinct peoples who established homelands across Australia more than 50,000 years ago. Their art also reflects the effects of colonialism on Aboriginal Australians: the severed families, displaced people and repeated efforts to erase their cultures. Despite this dark past, the pieces shine with a light of hope. Through glimmering dots and stars, the works illuminate the vast array of Indigenous viewpoints around the world, and highlight ways of reimagining our relationships with one another and with the earth itself. Naminapu Maymuru-White When Ms. Maymuru-White paints the galaxy on the canvas of a eucalyptus tree, she imagines her spirit traveling to her homelands on the earth and in the sky. Her installation for the fair will offer viewers the chance to be similarly transported to a remote Australian region and to the river of stars at the heart of her clans cosmology. Ms. Maymuru-White, a member of the Mangalili clan of the Yolngu people, was born in 1952 at the Yirrkala mission on the tropical coast of the Northern Territory. Like many Aboriginal people of her generation, her early life was shaped by a system of governmental policies and missions that funneled her family away from their homeland to an area where living conditions were difficult and their culture was deliberately eroded. Her father and uncle, both internationally known artists, taught her to create her clans sacred bark paintings as a way to preserve their worldview and ways of life. On March 21, 1924, Jessie Fauset sat inside the Civic Club in downtown Manhattan, wondering how the party for her debut novel had been commandeered. The celebration around her was originally intended to honor that book, There Is Confusion. But Charles S. Johnson and Alain Locke thought the dinner could serve a larger purpose. What if the two Black academic titans invited the best and brightest of the Harlem creative and political scene? What if, over a spread of fine food and drink, they brought together African American talent and white purveyors of culture? If they could marry the talent all around them with the opportunity that was so elusive, what would it mean to Black culture, both present and future? What the resulting dinner led to, nurtured over the years in the pristine sitting rooms of brownstones and the buzzing corner booths of jazz clubs, was the Harlem Renaissance: a flowering of intellectual and artistic activity that would give the neighborhood and its residents global renown. While there are plenty of galas and gatherings today, the goal of the 1924 dinner was far broader: It was intended to bring together that talent and those opportunities. Benefits are celebrations. Theyre not operational meetings, said Lisa Lucas, the senior vice president and publisher at Pantheon and Schocken Books who was the first woman and African American to head the National Book Foundation. Its unusual to really have an honest space for people to meet and hammer out whats working and whats not. The Ukrainian conductor Oksana Lyniv was preparing for a performance of Puccinis Turandot at the Metropolitan Opera this month when she saw the news: A Russian drone had hit a building in Odesa, not far from the home of her parents-in-law. She called her family to ensure they were safe. But images of the attack, whose victims included a young mother and children, lingered in her mind. When she conducted that night, she felt the pain of war more acutely, she said, praying to herself when Liu, a selfless servant, dies in the operas final act and the chorus turns hushed. In that moment, I saw all the suffering of the war, she said. How do you explain such sadness? How do you explain who gets to be alive and who has to die? Since the invasion, Lyniv, 46, the first Ukrainian conductor to perform at the Met, has used her platform to denounce Russias government. She has also set out to promote Ukrainian culture, championing works by Ukrainian composers and touring Europe with the Youth Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine, an ensemble that she founded in 2016. YEREVAN, MARCH 21, ARMENPRESS. Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan is paying an official visit to the Oriental Republic of Uruguay on March 21-22. According to a press release by the Spokesperson of MFA of Armenia, Minister Mirzoyan will meet with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uruguay Omar Paganini. Meetings of Minister Mirzoyan with other high-ranking officials are also planned. During the visit, the official opening ceremony of the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia to Uruguay will take place. How the E.U. plans to make Russia pay for Ukraines arms The European Union said that it had devised a way to use frozen Russian assets to help arm Ukraine, as Ukraine runs perilously low on munitions, Europes arsenals dwindle and most U.S. aid remains mired in Congress. Make Russia pay for Ukraines arsenal has long been a popular slogan among European allies, but legal concerns around liquidating Russian state assets frozen under sanctions have made accomplishing it difficult. Now, after months of political wrangling, the E.U.s executive branch has found a way. The E.U. is expected to approve the measure at a meeting in Brussels today, and the first payment to Kyiv could be made as soon as July. The plan could provide Ukraine with up to 3 billion euros, or about $3.25 billion, a year. How it would work: Over $217 billion in Russian central bank assets are held in the E.U., but Russia has not been able to access that money, and the cash it generates, because of sanctions. Under the E.U. plan, 97 percent of profits generated by frozen Russian assets as of Feb. 15 would go to Ukraine. In Riddle of Fire, Weston Razoolis too-fanciful-for-words debut feature, three adventuresome children set off on a mythic quest for a speckled egg. They need the egg to bake a blueberry pie; they need the pie to unlock a television password; they need the password to play their new video game. Viewers may need the patience of Job to remain in their seats. Not that this fairy-tale western is a chore to watch, exactly. Set in Wyoming (and shot in Utah by Jake L. Mitchell, using 16-millimeter film), the movie captures a natural world of golden light and rustling grassland. As Jodie (Skyler Peters), Alice (Phoebe Ferro) and Hazel (Charlie Stover) follow a family of miscreants known as the Enchanted Blade Gang into a forest, their progress is monitored by soaring mountains and stretching skies. Enya-adjacent music and a smattering of inscrutable narration enforce the dreamlike mood, as does the gangs matriarch, a stag-hunting taxidermist (Lio Tipton) who uses witchcraft to control her brood. The line between star and character gets thoroughly blurred in William Shatner: You Can Call Me Bill, a profile documentary that treats Shatner, the sole interviewee, as if he were as polished as Capt. James T. Kirk as opposed to merely being the durable, hard-working actor who played him on Star Trek and a terrific raconteur. The director, Alexandre O. Philippe, churns out movie-themed documentaries that veer between insightful (78/52: Hitchcocks Shower Scene) and obsequious (Memory: The Origins of Alien). The fawning You Can Call Me Bill makes you like Shatner. Still, listening to the actors wit, wisdom and drippy insights for 96 minutes is enough to tempt any viewer to channel his or her inner Spock. (Most illogical!) One of the last remaining survivors of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Richard C. Higgins, died on Tuesday at the age of 102. He died of natural causes, according to his granddaughter, Angela Norton. She said he died at her home in Bend, Ore., where he had been residing. Mr. Higgins was stationed at the Pearl Harbor naval base as a radioman on Dec. 7, 1941, when Japan launched a surprise bombing attack on the base. The airstrike killed more than 2,400 Americans and prompted the United States to declare war on Japan. Mr. Higgins, who later in his life often spoke about his experience to schoolchildren and on social media, described in a 2020 Instagram video pushing planes away from each other as bombs fell around him. For many years, Ohio has been thought of as a bellwether state: With rare exceptions, whoever won Ohio in a presidential election won the nation as a whole. But in 2020, Donald Trump won Ohio by about eight points even as Joe Biden led the national popular vote by more than four points and, of course, won the Electoral College vote. Then Ohios 2022 Senate election was won by J.D. Vance, who has staked out a hard-line ideological position that may be more thoroughly MAGA than that of Trump himself. And in Tuesdays Republican Senate primary, Trumps endorsement was enough to propel Bernie Moreno, a former car dealer who has never held elected office, to victory over the preferred candidates of the states relatively moderate Republican establishment. So Ive been trying to understand what happened to Ohio, and what it can teach us about Americas future. My short answer is that the United States of America has become the Disconnected States of America, on several levels. Once upon a time, Ohios bellwether status could be explained by the fact that in some sense it looked like America. These days, no state really looks like America because the economic fortunes of different regions have diverged so drastically. And Ohio has found itself on the losing side of that divergence. If you want to buy a Birkin bag, the piece de resistance from the French luxury retailer Hermes, you should know that you probably cant. Vogue delivered this tough-love message to readers in a recent article that described the quest for an Hermes bag as daunting. The magazine cautioned that customers might wait months or years for the right style to become available and further dashed hopes by noting that waiting lists at Hermes stores no longer exist. The exclusivity of the item is very much part of its appeal but a pair of California residents who have struck out in their attempts to buy the bags have decided that enough is enough. On Tuesday, the two shoppers in question, Tina Cavalleri and Mark Glinoga, filed a proposed class action lawsuit against Hermes in San Francisco. In the complaint, they accuse the company of holding back the coveted bag for all but the highest-spending customers, a practice that, the plaintiffs argue, violates antitrust law. At dozens of national parks and historic sites around the United States, getting away from it all to revel in the countrys wide open spaces has taken on a whole new meaning. Leave your dollars and coins behind, too. The National Park Service is continuing to convert dozens of its sites across the country to cashless payments only, drawing complaints and, now, a lawsuit. Starting in June last year, visitors to Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado were told that they could not use cash to enter the park or use its campgrounds. The negative reactions were swift, with visitors raising privacy concerns and expressing confusion about why the American dollar would not be welcome in the U.S. parks system. Some noted that not everyone has credit or debit cards. The National Parks belong to the citizens, wrote one person, among dozens who complained about the decision on the sites Facebook page. If we want to use legal tender then we should. A third man has been charged with murder in the shooting that erupted at a rally in February celebrating Kansas Citys Super Bowl win, prosecutors announced on Thursday. Nine people have now been charged as part of the investigation into the shooting over the last five weeks, including some people accused of weapons violations. Prosecutors said on Thursday that the investigation was continuing and that additional charges were expected. Terry J. Young, 20, of Kansas City, Mo., was charged with second-degree felony murder and unlawful use of a weapon, as well as two counts of armed criminal action. The shooting occurred after a parade on Feb. 14 through the downtown area and a rally in front of Union Station, an Amtrak hub and tourist spot. As the rally began to disperse, several groups of people became involved in a confrontation, and as the argument escalated several people who had brought guns to the parade fired shots at one another. A senior Pentagon official on Thursday sought to soften the impact of Nigers recent decision to revoke its military cooperation deal with the United States, which has upended the Biden administrations security strategy in a volatile swath of Africa. The announcement by Nigers military junta on Saturday, if finalized, could force the withdrawal of 1,000 U.S. military personnel and contractors from a country that for years has been a linchpin of U.S. counterterrorism efforts in the Sahel region, an arid area south of the Sahara. But in testimony before the House Armed Services Committee on Thursday, Celeste A. Wallander, an assistant secretary of defense, told lawmakers that the juntas pronouncement might not be as dire as first thought, and that U.S. officials were trying to find a way for American troops to stay in the country. The self-identified government of Niger has not asked or demanded that the United States military depart, Ms. Wallander said. There is actually quite a mixed message. We are following up and seeking clarification. No Labels, the group that for months has pledged to run a centrist presidential ticket in the event of a rematch between President Biden and former President Donald J. Trump, is running out of time to recruit a standard-bearer after a string of rejections. With a number of prominent prospective candidates saying no thanks in recent months, some No Labels members and leaders have grown frustrated with the failure to advance a ticket, according to two people involved with the group and notes provided to The New York Times from a recent video meeting of No Labels delegates. Still, the groups leadership continues to hold out hope for November, even as the possibility of outright defeating both Mr. Biden and Mr. Trump seems increasingly remote. Leaders have promoted a far-fetched scenario in which the group could play the role of power broker in the general election if neither major-party candidate reaches an outright majority. As the group charts a path forward, deadlines to get on state ballots are approaching. To be credible, you want to be on the ballot in every state, former Representative Tom Davis of Virginia, a No Labels co-founder, said in an interview. YEREVAN, MARCH 21, ARMENPRESS. Within the framework of the inaugural Nuclear Energy Summit, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met with the President of the European Council, Charles Michel. According to the readout issued by the Prime Minister's office, the interlocutors discussed issues related to Armenia-European Union cooperation, exchanged thoughts on the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process, the importance of the implementation of the agreements reached based on the results of the tripartite meetings between the President of the European Council, the Prime Minister of Armenia and the President of Azerbaijan held in Brussels on May 14 and July 15, 2023 was emphasized. According to those agreements, the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan mutually recognize each other's territorial integrity based on 1991 Alma-Ata Declaration, delimitation between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be carried out on the basis of the Alma-Ata Declaration, the opening of regional infrastructures will take place under the sovereignty, jurisdiction of Armenia and Azerbaijan, on the principles of reciprocity and equality. It is noted that, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia reaffirmed the commitment of the Government of the Republic of Armenia to the mentioned agreements and presented the "Crossroads of Peace" project. Robert L. Barry, an American diplomat who was the chief U.S. negotiator in reaching a key military agreement with the Soviet Union near the end of the Cold War, died on March 11 at his home in Newton, Mass. He was 89. His wife, Margaret Barry, said the cause was multi-infarct dementia. Mr. Barry led a U.S. negotiating team at a security conference in Stockholm in the summer of 1986, when he and his Soviet counterpart, Oleg Grinevsky, reached an accord on troop inspections that American officials regarded as important in reducing East-West tensions. The agreement established that NATO and Warsaw Pact members would have to notify each other at least 42 days in advance if they were planning military activities with at least 13,000 troops or 300 tanks. In addition, any country planning military maneuvers involving 17,000 or more soldiers would have to invite nations that had participated in the Stockholm conference to observe. We have taken an important step toward reducing the risk of military confrontation, Mr. Barry told reporters after the accord was struck. The subsequent calm bore out his remarks. These are the Sutter Buttes, a cluster of volcanic domes about 55 miles northwest of Sacramento and the remains of the Central Valleys lone, and now dormant, volcano. The U.S. Geological Survey calls the Buttes a remarkable geographic and geologic feature emerging from what are otherwise flatlands extending out for miles. For generations, the Buttes have also been a beloved landmark for locals. Coming home from Southern California or Oregon, or Tahoe or San Francisco, there they are, the Sutter Buttes rising mysteriously out of the Sacramento Valley, one reader, Martha Bunce, who lives in Yuba County, told me. Around here we say, When you see the Buttes, you know youre home. Firefighters continued to battle wildfires across parts of the Mid-Atlantic on Thursday, a day after high winds and low humidity sparked dozens of fires in four states, prompting officials to issue air-quality alerts. Wildfires were reported in parts of Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. The Virginia Department of Forestry said in a statement on Thursday that firefighters had responded to more than 100 wildfires in the previous 48 hours, and that more than 7,500 acres had burned. Firefighters were working with emergency responders in Albemarle, Louisa, Page, Rockingham, Tazewell and Dickenson Counties to contain several large wildfires, it said. Wildfire risk remains high because of continued low humidity and winds, the department said. One of the biggest fires in the state was burning in Rockingham County, Va., about 140 miles northwest of Richmond, the state capital. The Rockingham County fire chief, Jeremy Holloway, said about 2,000 acres had burned, according to WHSV-TV of Harrisonburg, Va. As a result, some residents in neighboring communities were asked to evacuate. The operation is relatively simple. Cartel employees posing as sales representatives call up timeshare owners, offering to buy their investments back for generous sums. They then demand upfront fees for anything from listing advertisements to paying government fines. The representatives persuade their victims to wire large amounts of money to Mexico sometimes as much as hundreds of thousands of dollars and then they disappear. The scheme has netted the cartel, Jalisco New Generation, hundreds of millions of dollars over the past decade, according to U.S. officials who were not authorized to speak publicly, via dozens of call centers in Mexico that relentlessly target American and Canadian timeshare owners. They even bribe employees at Mexican resorts to leak guest information, the U.S. officials say. A suicide bombing outside a bank in southern Afghanistan on Thursday killed at least 20 people, including several members of the Taliban, according to hospital staff, in a bloody reminder of the terrorist threats that have persisted in the country since the U.S.-led war ended. The attack occurred about 8:30 a.m., when a bomber detonated explosives in front of a branch of the New Kabul Bank in Kandahar City, the capital of Kandahar Province, according to Taliban officials. The blast appeared to have targeted Taliban members who had gathered at the bank to collect their salaries, witnesses and hospital staff said. About 50 others were injured, according to a doctor and a nurse at Mirwais Regional Hospital in Kandahar City who insisted on anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the news media. Taliban officials, disputing that higher death toll, said that three people had been killed and a dozen others injured in the blast. The elections in Russia earlier this month were widely condemned as a performance that fell somewhere between tragedy and farce. Although President Vladimir Putin does have substantial public support, the vote was stage-managed to ensure that he would be re-elected with more than 87 percent of the vote. And the result was fixed long before Russians even arrived at polling stations: The political opposition has been ruthlessly crushed, independent media has been silenced and public protesters have been given draconian prison sentences. Russias most prominent opposition politician, Aleksei Navalny, died in prison last month. All of which raises an interesting question: Why do autocratic leaders bother holding rigged elections at all? False results, real messages It can be helpful to think of elections in autocratic states as an exercise in propaganda, targeted at multiple audiences. Fixing a vote can be a way for an incumbent like Putin to demonstrate his control over the levers of power: there is value in demonstrating that bureaucratic agencies, local governments, security forces and the media are loyal (or cowed) enough to participate in such a substantial, expensive and complex project. The United States has submitted a draft resolution to the United Nations Security Council calling for an immediate cease-fire tied to the release of hostages in Gaza, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken said on Wednesday in Saudi Arabia, during his latest trip to the region to broker a diplomatic resolution to the war between Israel and Hamas. Biden administration officials have grown more forceful in recent weeks in their push for a cease-fire, as conditions worsen for Gazan civilians and pressure mounts for stronger international action. In an interview with Al Hadath, a Saudi-run news channel, Mr. Blinken said that he hoped other countries would back the U.S.-proposed resolution. I think that would send a strong message, a strong signal, he said. The United States has angered many U.N. member nations by vetoing three previous Security Council resolutions for a halt in fighting, saying at the latest vote in February that calling for an immediate cease-fire would interfere with diplomatic efforts to reach a deal securing the release of hostages. One of Israels longest hospital raids of the Gaza war stretched into a fourth day on Thursday, as the military said that it had killed dozens of people it described as terrorists in the previous 24 hours in its operation at Al-Shifa Hospital. Israel has staged a series of raids on Al-Shifa in northern Gaza, the largest medical facility in the territory, arguing that Hamas used it as a command center and concealed weapons and fighters in underground tunnels there. Since the latest attack began on Monday, the Israeli military has reported killing more than 140 people it said were terrorists in and around the hospital, far more than in past raids. On Thursday, the military said it had also detained 600 people at the hospital. The Israeli accounts could not be independently verified. The Al Jazeera news network and Wafa, the Palestinian Authoritys news agency, reported on Thursday that Israeli forces had blown up a building used for surgery that is one of the largest at the complex. The Israeli military said it had no comment on the reports. House Speaker Mike Johnson said Thursday that he planned to invite Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel to address a joint session of Congress, moving to welcome a leader who has become a flashpoint for partisan disagreement in American politics over the war in Gaza. Mr. Johnson, Republican of Louisiana, brought up the invitation one day after Mr. Netanyahu assailed Senator Chuck Schumer, the majority leader, in a private meeting with Senate Republicans for a speech in which the New York Democrat singled him out as an impediment to peace and called for eventual elections to replace him. I would love to have him come and address a joint session of Congress; well certainly extend that invitation, Mr. Johnson said of Mr. Netanyahu in an interview on CNBC. Mr. Johnson said he had also been invited to speak in front of the Israeli Knesset. Mr. Schumer on Wednesday declined a request from Mr. Netanyahu to speak virtually to Senate Democrats at their own closed-door party lunch, saying it was not helpful to Israel for discussions with the prime minister to happen in a partisan forum. When Lindsey and Meghan Zero met about a decade ago in Santa Barbara, Calif., they were unsure if they would stay for good. With its idyllic beaches and Spanish architecture, the city is among the most expensive in California. Its a beautiful place, but its a tough place to make ends meet, said Mr. Zero, 40, who owns a landscaping, design and construction company. Ms. Zero, 36, is an undergraduate advisor at the University of California, Santa Barbara. In 2014, the couple moved into a one-bedroom apartment in the community of Summerland, about six miles east of downtown Santa Barbara, and spent the next several years bouncing among rentals, hoping to save enough to buy a home. Their son, Milo, was born in late 2020, and by then the market had spiked, as remote workers flocked to the city. The market was extremely competitive, even pre-Covid, said David M. Kim, a real estate agent with Village Properties who worked with the Zeros, noting that just before the pandemic, an entry-level home in Santa Barbara was likely to cost around $1 million. Afterward, he said, it went to another level. [Did you recently buy a home? We want to hear from you. Email: thehunt@nytimes.com] By early 2023, frustrated with their landlord and escalating maintenance issues, the couple resolved to search more seriously. Were like, OK, we can either keep living with other peoples financial decisions or try to find a way out, Ms. Zero said. They wanted at least two bedrooms and an office, as well as short commutes to their jobs and ample storage and parking for Mr. Zeros business. They preferred not to share walls with neighbors, and hoped for outdoor space, decent schools nearby and a friendly community just a quiet place that youd feel welcome, Mr. Zero said. Their budget was around $850,000, but even with $450,000 saved, high mortgage rates meant that most single-family homes were out of reach. So they began to seriously consider a manufactured-home park about seven miles west of the city. There were no good options, Mr. Zero said. Except for this place. The complex, Rancho Goleta Lakeside, was a 140-home, resident-owned community with a pool, clubhouse and lake. On a visit, the Zeros were surprised to meet other families there with young children, and they liked the proximity to the university and the beach. While it took some time to warm up to the idea, they soon realized the community could be a workable answer, Ms. Zero said. Among their options: YEREVAN, MARCH 21, ARMENPRESS. A meeting between the Prime Ministers of Armenia and Finland Nikol Pashinyan and Petteri Orpo took place in Brussels. A reference was made to the issues of bilateral cooperation between Armenia and Finland, the PM's office said in a readout. According to the source, the interlocutors exchanged ideas on the comprehensive partnership agenda between Armenia and the European Union, the prospects of expansion and deepening of cooperation. The sides emphasized the democratic reforms implemented in Armenia in recent years and the concepts and programs aimed at strengthening democratic institutions. The Armenian Prime Minister presented the "Crossroads of Peace" project developed by the Government as an important guarantee for ensuring economic interdependence and peace in the South Caucasus. 3 p.m. Take one of the most scenic drives in the world Chapmans Peak Drive runs five and a half miles along the winding Atlantic seaboard from Hout Bay to Noordhoek, and it is often heralded as one of the most beautiful drives on the planet. Thats hard to dispute. Its a mix of rocky coastline and green water as far as the eyes can see. Get entranced by the ocean and mountain backdrops, but be careful not to get blown away by the stiff winds when you step out to take pictures at one of the many viewpoints. At the end of the route, stop at Noordhoek beach and take a walk. It is a vast, flat plain of sand, and almost feels as if youre in a desert on the ocean. (Note that the road has tolls, starting at 61 rand.) The New York State Dept. of Health AIDS Institute is looking for a firm to run a social media campaign to educate people about the syndemics of HIV, hepatitis C and sexually transmitted infections. Serious concerns have been raised about the future of a historic building in Offaly Many people in Birr are concerned about the future of the town's former Workhouse. One of the most important heritage buildings in Offaly, it was gutted by fire in 2017 and has remained in dilapidation since then, gradually deteriorating year on year. There had been great hopes that the premises would be turned into a care centre for dementia sufferers, but sadly this has come to nothing. Now there's a real danger that nothing will ever be done with the building and it will be allowed to fall into complete rack and ruin. Since the inception of Birr 20:20 in 2015, the restoration of the Workhouse has always been in the group's sights. In September 2018 a Birr 20:20 meeting was told that the building had been purchased by Castle Rook, a Canadian/Chinese company with its Irish base in Louth, and restoration was about to get underway, focusing initially on the roof, which is riddled with holes. The building was also badly damaged by fire in 2017 initiated by a group of young vandals. Detailed plans were shown during the September 2018 meeting to great enthusiasm. Access, the meeting was told, had been secured to the left of the building, leading past a proposed museum. Castle Rook said it was proposing to transform the Workhouse into a centre providing care for those with dementia. The proposed centre would provide a roofed pavilion for seating; a landscaped sculpture park; a glass walled dining area to retain connection with the public cafe, community day care centre, creche and playground. Mylo robots would also be in use. The Mylo robot connects to the resident's wristband and can monitor heartbeat and bloodpressure, as well as being programmable as a reminder not only for medication times, but also for me time at the treatment centre. The September 2018 meeting was also told that capital was in place for the purchase and initial works. An extensive discussion took place on the popular Facebook page Well Mush Birr Memories Old and New last weekend with many people commenting about the state of the building. It's obvious that it's a very live issue in the town. Can the owners of this building not be brought in for a chat to maybe come up with a future plan? asked one of the commentators on the Facebook page. I attended a meeting hosted by Birr Historical Society five and a half years ago, said another, when two people from Castlerook said they were going to turn the Workhouse into a centre for Dementia care. We haven't heard a word since. We have the librarian, the late Violet Doolin, to thank for the memorial there. She was an amazing, inspiring woman who really loved her area. Like Kilmainham Jail, commented one person, this building makes the hair stand up on the back of my neck. I am currently in the middle of finishing a number of video adverts and info videos for Portumna Workhouse, said Dickie Donnelly, who oversees the Well Mush page. I highly recommend everyone to go and see the Museum that has developed over there via a hardworking team of volunteers and committee members. Irish history restored at its best. While I was filming it I couldn't help but think of the state our own workhouse is in. My first job was in Birr Shoes in the Workhouse, commented one man. I worked in the old Chapel Room. Sad to see it decaying and falling down. BUSINESS interests in Tullamore have formally signalled their support for the project proposed for the former Tesco site but the Irish Georgian Society has come out against it. Anthony Hanniffy, Tullamore Chamber president, wrote to Offaly County Council urging it to grant permission for the application lodged by local developer Seamus Kane, which includes a 13-storey tower. Mr Hanniffy said the site had been derelict for a long number of years and the proposed mixed use development is a major opportunity which should entice footfall back into our town which will benefit all retailers. Tullamore retailers, Anthony and Kara Kearns, who operate GUY Clothing and KODE Clothing & Footwear, also strongly backed the plan, describing it as an exciting and adventurous opportunity for the town. We also welcome the mixed nature of the development with a large number of new town centre apartment dwellings coupled with the food and beverage element of the development to bring life and vibrancy to the town centre out of normal 9 to 5 hours, they said. They added that they see the project as the catalyst for the resurgence and further growth of Tullamore. However, in a move which followed an earlier submission of concern from the Heritage Council, the Irish Georgian Society called on the council to refuse permission. In a letter to the council planners, Donough Cahill, executive director of the society, recalled that Tullamore emerged as a prosperous town during the 18th century with development spurred on by the arrival of the Royal Canal in 1798-1804. Its town plan follows a regular grid pattern with OConnor Square and Market Square providing significant civic spaces, and the harbour area being of significant industrial heritage interest. The town retains its historic street pattern with most buildings standing two to three storeys in height while the tower and spire of the Church of the Assumption comprises the most significant structure on the skyline. The Irish Georgian Society is of the view that the proposal to construct a 13-storey building within this historic built environment would have a significant adverse impact on its urban character and scale, Mr Cahill wrote. He referred to the dramatic impact on the view along 18th century Harbour Street and said the 13-storey building would compete with the tower and spire of the Church of the Assumption when the town is approached from the east. He argued that the high-rise tower would be entirely inconsistent with Tullamore's historic urban character and overall the plan would not comply with the heritage related policies and objectives of the Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027. The development, which will be known as Distillery Yard, will have over 200 apartments, public squares, shops and restaurants in six blocks from two to 13 storeys. A two to three-storey block will be partly contained within the former De Bruns public house, with a change of use to two cafes or licensed restaurants. DE Williams House, which is a protected structure, will have five cafes/restaurants to its rear. Access for traffic will be both from O'Connell Street (which is off Kilbride Street), as well as Offaly Street and William Street. Seamus Kane heads up Cayenne Holdings, the company behind the ambitious plan and he said its aim is to ensure that Tullamore will bustle with life once more. The urge to travel can be strong but if money is tight, are those getaways really possible? Especially if youre young and broke, a phrase thats been popping up on TikTok. The cost-of-living crisis, rising housing and university costs have all hit young Brits hard, leading to increased debt, job losses and lack of savings. Plus, when youre starting out on the job market, salaries dont tend to be great. Yet, despite these challenges, many want to find ways to enjoy travelling abroad, hitting the beach and exploring new destinations. TikTok content creators crafting videos outlining the best budget-friendly destinations for young and broke travellers naming places such as Turkey, Austria and the Czech Republic, for example are a handy place to look for inspiration. So, what tips can travel experts share? What are the easiest ways to travel if you are young and broke? Experts are big advocates for second-city travel, encouraging exploration of lesser-known destinations outside the typical tourist hotspots. For instance, opting for Valencia over Barcelona, or Porto over Lisbon, can offer unique and memorable experiences, while being budget-friendly. Cat Jordan, communications director for travel club Travelzoo, says: Not only will you get to experience something a little more off the beaten track, but it also means youll likely get to enjoy a quieter holiday, away from the hustle and bustle of too many tourists. Jordan also advises travellers to remain flexible when booking flight and hotel dates, saying that shifting plans by a day or two earlier can lead to significant savings. When it comes to searching for flights or hotels, always choose the flexible search option if you arent fussy on dates, Jordan says. That way youll know if youre able to save a few pounds by travelling a day or two earlier. For cheaper hotel rates over a weekend, we recommend travelling on a Sunday to Monday, when room rates are less expensive and there are bargains to be had. For beachside breaks, if youre not looking to lie around in a bikini all week, then Cyprus and Greece are great in the shoulder-season months of April and October. Look at dates outside of school holidays and youll likely bag yourself a great deal. Travel expert and founder of Girl With The Passport, Kelly Duhigg, says flexibility is key for finding flight deals. She says: Use Google Flights to track airfares and set price alerts youll often find the best bargains on off-peak travel dates. Earning miles with a travel rewards credit card is another option, just be sure to pay it off each month. Hostels are a total game-changer for affordable stays, too. Not only do they have dorm beds and private rooms at a fraction of hotel prices, but you bond with other travellers and often get breakfast included. Duhigg also suggests that young people should consider taking advantage of house-sitting opportunities. She explains: Through TrustedHousesitters, you can stay in homes around the world for free in exchange for caring for pets while the owners are away. Its a fantastic way to save on accommodation. Couch-surfing is also great you meet locals who let you crash on their couch or spare room, and they usually show you around too. Are there easy ways to limit spending and stick to a budget during a low-cost break? Trimming food costs can help young travellers save cash, as relying on grocery stores, restaurants and market stalls can heavily decrease expenditure. Sara Rodriguez, founder of Madrid Traveling, says: To trim food costs, I rely heavily on grocery stores, mini-marts, and market stalls. Affordable staples let me picnic in parks and prepare light meals in guest kitchens. I also learned that blending in means adopting local customs so joining locals for an afternoon coffee or beer is often wallet-friendly, while gaining cultural insights. Street food, too, offers snacks on the go at budget-perfect prices. Pre-planning transportation while you are on holiday is another great budgeting tip, as Rodriguez recommends: With a little pre-planning, public transportation, ride-shares, and bicycle rentals also open up less expensive transit options beyond high taxi fares between areas. Travel guidebooks map out journeys by combining walking segments with affordable modes. Staying a zone or two out from the city centre also finds cheaper, residential neighbourhoods. On travelling while being young and broke, co-owner of website Frequent Traveller, Rosalind Cuthbertson, says: The key is knowing when to spend money versus going for the cheapest option. We would splurge for must-see sights and adventures. Everything else was an opportunity to save as much as possible. It felt so empowering and made us even more passionate about travel! I believe being young and broke taught us to be resourceful in ways that still help us run Frequent Traveller today. Theres something special about spontaneously exploring the world through youthful energy and clever budget tricks. It builds your sense of adventure! A father who reported his four-year old son's fatal injuries as having been caused by "an accidental fall" has admitted to charges of endangerment, neglect and impeding the apprehension of the person who he knew or believed to have murdered the child. The 33-year-old man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was arraigned before the Central Criminal Court today, where he pleaded guilty to four charges which took place in the southwest of the country three years ago. The man pleaded guilty (GUILTY) to reporting the cause of his son's injuries as an accidental fall to a garda station in the southwest of the country, with intent to impede the apprehension or prosecution of another person, knowing or believing them to be guilty of murdering the child or some other arrestable offence, on March 24 2021. He also pleaded guilty (GUILTY) to intentionally or recklessly endangering the child, by causing or permitting him to be placed or left in a situation that created a substantial risk to him of being a victim of serious harm, while being a person who had authority or control over the child, on March 13 2021. The defendant further pleaded guilty (GUILTY) to wilfully causing or procuring or allowing the child to be assaulted in a manner likely to cause him unnecessary suffering or injury to his health or seriously to affect his wellbeing, while being a person having custody, charge or care of the child, between March 6 and 12, 2021. In addition, the man also pleaded guilty (GUILTY) to wilfully neglecting the child in a manner likely to cause him unnecessary suffering or injury to his health or seriously to affect his wellbeing by failing to provide adequate medical aid to him, while being a person having custody, charge or care of the child, on March 13 2021. The child was found with serious injuries at a house in the southwest of the country on March 13, 2021. He died three days later in hospital in Dublin. Aoife O'Leary BL, prosecuting, told Mr Justice Paul McDermott today that a nolle prosequi will be entered on count six (meaning the State will not be proceeding with a third count of child cruelty) on the indictment and that she would be asking the court to take count eight (a fourth count of child cruelty) into account in due course. Brian McInerney SC with Maria Brosnan BL, defending, said the trial of his client's co-accused had been adjourned and no date had yet been fixed. Ms O'Leary informed the court that the trial of the defendant's co-accused is listed for May 1 in circumstances where the defence are seeking a psychiatric report. Mr Justice McDermott said there was no basis not to proceed to sentence and remanded the man in custody until June 10, for a sentence hearing. He also directed the preparation of a victim impact report. Mary's Meals feeds hungry children at school in 18 of the world's poorest countries at a cost of only 22 per child per school year or only 11 cent per meal Last November, I was blessed to be one of eleven, who got the opportunity to travel to Malawi (in southern Africa) for six days to see the work of the charity Mary's Meals. Just to say that all who travelled to Malawi paid all their own costs so that there was absolutely no expense or cost whatsoever to Mary's Meals. The organisation feeds hungry children at school in 18 of the world's poorest countries at a cost of only 22 per child per school year or only 11 cent per meal. It began in 2002 feeding 200 that year and now that number has risen to 2,429,182 children being fed every school day ensuring that not only are the kids getting a life saving nourishing meal but also getting an education which will, please God, take them out of the horrible cycle of poverty forever. Mary's Meals guarantee that at least 93% of all money goes directly to the work of feeding the children and for the past five years they have achieved 95%. Being involved in Mary's Meals for over six years I already knew before I went to Malawi just how well run the charity is and the life saving difference it is making in millions of lives every single day but nothing had prepared me for the experience of seeing the work first hand on the ground. During our six days we visited eight schools, with some of these having over 6,000 pupils, each child being fed each day by Mary's Meals. Generally the classrooms are simple red brick buildings with tin roofs and very often with no desks or seats for the kids; they would just be sitting on the floor during classes. Despite this the children absolutely love school, are so proud to be attending and are full of joy knowing that this is a real opportunity for a better life that there parents never had. It made me think of how education changed Ireland completely over the period of a few generations. For most of us our Grandparents or Great Grandparents would have only received a primary school education, then a generation later a secondary school education became the norm and now most children have the opportunity of a Third Level education. This has led to a booming, modern and well developed economy. Please God it'll be the same for the children of Malawi and a lot of those in the developing countries of the world. On our second morning we were up at 5am to visit Nayizi School where there are over 4,600 children. It was an honour to meet some of the volunteer women who rise at 3am to gather the wood, light the fires,d raw the water (80 litres per pot) and then slowly prepare and cook the food so that its ready to serve to the children before school begins at 7.30am. Absolute heroes each and every one of them and all this hard work done with a smile and a sense of joy. We were there to cook one of the several pots of porridge that had to be cooked that morning (and every morning) and found out very quickly that its ireally tough work. By the time we'd finished I'd felt like I'd finished a gruelling work out! These ladies do this each day out of pure love for the kids and to ensure that they dont go hungry. Once we had the food cooked it was time to serve it to the kids who were queuing up in long lines with their plastic mugs,waiting patiently. In a lot of cases it was amazing to see the difference in the kids before and after their mug of porridge. Before some were quiet and listless but after about 20 minutes they were full of energy and playing and having fun like any child. It just brought home to me the absolute importance of this one daily meal. On day three we were brought to visit Rab Processing Ltd., the mill that produces the food mix (in 20kg bags) for Mary's Meals. I suppose it would be similar to an Odlums Factory here. We saw the whole process from the beginning. It began with the mixing of the soya and maize and then the adding of all the vitamins and supplements required to ensure that each mug of food has all each child needs to grow and develop normally and healthily. What also really impressed me was the traceability and tracking of each of the 20kg bags of food from the factory until each bag reached the designated school and then used and cooked in that school to feed the hungry children. There was a record, a paper trail right from the beginning to the end. By the time we came to the end of our action packed six days in Malawi I was just so appreciative and feeling so blessed at the opportunity I'd been given to spend this time with so many truly amazing and wonderful people who work so incredibly hard, day in and day out (and most of them volunteers receiving no reward whatsoever for their work) to ensure that Mary's Meals feed over one million hildren every day at school in Malawi. Also it has made me even more passionate to try and do whatever I can,along with all the volunteers in Mary's Meals Offaly, to raise as much money as possible so that even more hungry children can get one nutritious meal a day at a place of Education. Communities across Offaly and the wider Midlands turned out in their thousands last weekend to mark the national day and celebrate at St Patrick's Day parades. A vibrant community spirit was on display in towns and villages as local groups from a wide range of backgrounds took part in festive events. In Tullamore there was a warm welcome for retired Taoiseach, Brian Cowen, who opened the 41st St Patrick's Day parade in the county town and filled the role of Grand Marshall. The parade was the largest in its history with thousands lining the streets as entries from community, sporting and business organisations and Ireland's newest residents made their way through the main thoroughfare. Daingean staged its first ever St Patrick's Day parade on Sunday and such was its success that it is likely to be repeated over coming years. Once again Kilcormac hosted one of the largest parades in the Midlands with topical subjects, such as the movie blockbuster Barbie, providing inspiration for the floats. Neighbouring Mountbolus also staged a very colourful parade and fittingly local community champion, Judy Bryant, was honoured with the role of Grand Marshall. That event also saw the launch of the new Killoughey Accordeon Band and they were led in the parade by Jim Rigney and Johnny Butterfield. Clara played host to an impressive parade once again almost single-handedly organised by Bertie McMahon. Crowds also turned out in force for parades in Rhode, Banagher and Edenderry. In his St Patrick's Day message, President Michael D. Higgins, stressed the importance of the occasion to the Irish scattered across the world, and all those who feel a connection to our country. He stressed the feast day reminds us too of a humanity of possibilities and vulnerabilities that we share despite the borders, oceans and miles that may separate us. How so much better it would be that these celebrations be taking place in conditions of peace and shared concern for the sustainable future of our planet and all forms of life on it. Unfortunately and tragically, our times are scarred by conditions of conflict, by wars and unresolved issues of hunger and poverty that affect so many in our human family. As we are all too aware, millions of people worldwide are struggling as a consequence of the contemporary multiple interacting crises, and of inequality, climate change and biodiversity loss. In these challenging times, it is appropriate for us to invoke and reflect on the values that we wish to define us as Irish people. To call to mind those words and actions of which we can be proud. President Higgins said an example of Irishness at its best, in a world marked by conflicts and unrest, is Irelands practical contribution to peace-building, as part of its commitment to living in peace and harmony with our global family. Encouraging others to do so becomes, in current conditions, ever more crucial. He also paid tribute to all those Irish women and men who are directly engaged in peacekeeping and in humanitarian relief around the world and of whom we are so proud. YEREVAN, MARCH 21, ARMENPRESS. The meeting of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan with Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing took place in Brussels. The interlocutors discussed issues related to Armenia-China economic cooperation, emphasized the implementation of joint steps to increase the volume of trade turnover, the PM's Office said. Reference was made to the possibilities of unblocking infrastructure in the South Caucasus region. Prime Minister Pashinyan presented the "Crossroads of Peace" project of the Armenian government. YEREVAN, MARCH 21, ARMENPRESS. Armenia anticipates continued and stronger engagement from the European Union in the normalization process between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the member of the delegation of the National Assembly to Euronest PA, the Chair of the Standing Committee on Foreign Relations Sargis Khandanyan said in his speech at the Plenary Session of the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly. Khandanyan first congratulated the Ukrainian and Moldovan colleagues for the EUs decision to open the accession negotiations, and the Georgian counterparts for getting EU member candidate status. ''Over the past two years, the relationship between Armenia and the European Union has experienced significant improvements in both quality and pace. I express my gratitude to our colleagues in the European Parliament for acknowledging the efforts and aspirations of the Armenian government in this regard, and for their unwavering support for our democracy and independence. The deployment of the long-term European civilian monitoring mission to Armenia not only enhances Armenia's security architecture but also fosters opportunities for cooperation in the security sector. I am optimistic that a decision regarding access to the European Peace Facility will be reached soon too. We are also eager to start the visa liberalization dialogue at the earliest opportunity and remain committed to fulfilling our part of the job under the CEPA, as well as pursuing joint initiatives in connectivity, the energy sector and more. Armenia also anticipates continued and stronger engagement from the European Union in the normalization process between Armenia and Azerbaijan. In this regard I express my appreciation for the resolution adopted by this Parliament on March 13, on closer ties between the EU and Armenia and the need for a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia. This resolution accurately reflects the evolving dynamics and positive developments in the relationship between Armenia and the European Union, as well as the guiding principles of the peace process and negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Paragraph 16 of this resolution clearly expresses the principles that should form the basis of normalization and future peace agreement. My colleague has already spoken about these principles. I just want to add that these principles have been agreed and reconfirmed between the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan during the negotiations of the past two years. Armenia at the highest level reconfirmed its commitments to those fundamental principles for the normalization of relations as soon as possible. Regrettably, Azerbaijan continues to impose additional demands on Armenia and obstruct progress in the peace process. It is imperative to underscore that adherence to the principles outlined in the Almaty Declaration is not only actual for the context of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan but also fundamental for respecting the territorial integrity of Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova, Sargis Khandanyan said. YEREVAN, MARCH 21, ARMENPRESS. Armenia Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan met with the delegation led by Eivind Vad Petersson, State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway. According to Grigoryan's office, the interlocutors discussed the extra-regional security situation and the developments taking place in the South Caucasus. Within this framework, the Secretary of the Security Council presented the current situation regarding the normalization process of Armenian-Azerbaijani relations. The Secretary of the Security Council addressed the process and results of democratic reforms implemented in Armenia in recent years, as well as the differentiation of the economy and security system. The parties reaffirmed their readiness to continue cooperation within the framework of bilateral economic interests. YEREVAN, MARCH 21, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Greece Tigran Mkrtchyan met with the newly elected PACE President, representative of Greeces ruling New Democracy party Theodoros Rousopoulos, the Embassy said. Ambassador Mkrtchyan stressed the importance of upholding PACE principles and remaining committed to the values declared by the organization, which only contributes to the improvement and establishment of democratic institutions and processes in the member states. Ambassador Mkrtchyan briefed Rousopoulos on the challenges in the Armenia-Azerbaijan negotiation process and Armenias steps to overcome them. The parties exchanged views on regional and international developments. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Either this nation shall kill racism, or racism shall kill this nation." (S. Jonas, August, 2018) "A Vote for 'ABBB' (Any Body But Biden) is a Vote for Trump and Republo-Fascism" (S. Jonas, March, 2024) Fred Trump in the 1980s. Oh Fred. Where are you when Donald REALLY needs you? (Image by Wikipedia (commons.wikimedia.org), Author: Gotfryd, Bernard, photographer) Details Source DMCA ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Many of us have read how important it is, in terms of finding, maintaining and improving your self-esteem, to "reach for your inner-self." Well, on the national political/historical stage, truly has there never been a person with lower self-esteem than Donald Trump. (At least I cannot think of one and I am rather familiar with U.S. history and government, going back to the Founding.) This (low-self-esteem), of course, along with $400,000,000, was the primary gift/legacy he received from his father. It is a gift that keeps on "giving" (ho-ho-ho) in driving Trump further off-the-wall, further in the fascist (see below) direction, as he keeps trying somehow to find it. Why the low self-esteem? Well, at some level, buried deeply (or perhaps not so deeply) in his sub-conscious he knows: A) that, as now is being revealed in a variety of Federal and New York State criminal and civil actions, he has never been worth nearly as much money as what he has publicly claimed he has (e.g. see the problems that he is having raising the surety for his fraud and sexual-assault-defamation convictions in New York State, while he appeals). Source for that one? None other than his ghost-writer for the book "Art of the Deal," Tony Schwartz. (Who, by the way, has publicly stated that if Trump wins in November, he [Schwartz] will be very quickly leaving the country, for his own safety.) B) as the New York Times' Maggie Haberman has documented, Trump can be labelled (as I, not Ms. Haberman, have done) as "History's Greatest Con Man." And of course he knows it. Every con artist, from the one (or ones) who started the 17th Century Holland Tulip Mania, through P.T. Barnum, to Trump, has known that he or she is one. For example (in terms of whether he really won the 2020 election): " 'During the ninth and possibly final hearing, the committee investigating the January 6 insurrection shared new testimony from Alyssa Farah, a former White House aide, who said that a week after the election was called in favor of Biden, Trump was watching Biden on the television in the Oval Office, and said: " 'Can you believe I lost to this effing guy?' " "In another (new) clip of testimony from Cassidy Hutchinson, a top aide to former Trump chief of staff Mark Meadows, she shared that Trump told Meadows: 'I don't want people to know we lost, Mark. This is embarrassing. Figure it out.' " And now we are seeing Trump go further off the rails with threats of "bloodbaths, if I do win," "Biden is a criminal," "[Various people and peoples] are 'vermin'," and "I'm going to be a Dictator-on-Day-one." (Of course, on the First Day he would be declaring himself dictator for a number of additional days, into the future.) We know that while Trump doesn't read much, he has, at least according to Ivana, read something of the speeches of Adolf Hitler. Apparently, however, he has never read the Constitution. DONALD (fyi): nowhere in it is there a provision for dictatorship. But what has accounted for his success so far, that is as much as he has had success so far --- after all, he has been President. (That is even though he never won a popular vote for the Office.) One major reason for the success he has had, and it is a topic on which I have written in the past (and will be doing so again in the not-too-distant future), RACE is the Trump Card. With that, and the xenophobia and the mysogny and the subtle (yes, on this one Trump is subtle) anti-Semitism, since 2015, after he came down the Golden Staircase, Trump has dominated US electoral politics. But even for Trump and his raging bellicosity, that, and his fundamental RACISM, would not have been enough, if he had not had major support from major elements of the U.S. capitalist ruling class. Presently, some of those elements are known, while others who maintain their support also do their best to hide that fact. However, while some who have supported him in the past have left him. At least for some of them, the best way to maintain their control of the U.S. political economy is through a form of bourgeois Constitutional democracy, such as we presently have in the United States. But be that as it may, there are still plenty who are with him, a subject with which I have dealt before, and am dealing with in the balance of this column. As I have said previously , under capitalism the 'ruling class' is the grouping of economically dominant individual and corporate owners of the means of production, distribution, finance, and exchange, that are the primary engines of any economy. Under capitalism, their primary function is the production of 'profit,' that is excess-revenue/surplus-value above the costs of production, both for personal use and for further investment in productive resources. Of course, they also produce what they produce and sell in goods and services. "Fascism" (about which there is an increasing amount of talk lately [wonder why?]) can be (relatively) briefly defined as: "Fascism is a system of government in which there is no separation of powers and the Executive is in control of all branches of the State apparatus, including the judiciary. It is designed to maintain and expand the power of the State for the benefit of a capitalist ruling class. Fascism is characterized by the use of racism, misogyny, and xenophobia, in various proportions, as well as force and terror, to maintain its control. The State may have a single charismatic leader. There may be a single national ideology supported by law, but if not, certain ideologies are banned by law. There are no independent media." In the industrialized countries in which fascism appeared in the 20th century, the dominant sector of the ruling class was the owners of industry. (This held true to a lesser extent in Hungary and Spain, which were less industrialized than Germany, Italy, and Japan.) Of course, in the 21st United States, the ruling class is much more complex than it was in any of the 20th century fascist nations. Just some of its elements are: manufacturing (to be sure), finance (as a means of profit-making, not just supplying capital to the manufacturing sector, as it was in the 20th century), mass media (of an increasing number of varieties), advertising, publishing, computer-based electronic communications, transportation (of goods and people), mass-retail (as in Amazon/Walmart), data-management, fossil fuels/petro-chemicals, and so on and so forth. Now, the way a ruling class exerts its control of a nation is by gaining and maintaining control over State Power, that is the elements of government, Executive, Legislative, and Judicial, and the forces of repression/control as necessary. And so, when looking at 20th-century, fascism in the three major industrialized countries in which it occurred, Germany, Italy, and Japan, understanding the ruling classes and their support/installation of that system leading to control of State Power is pretty straight-forward. (In Spain, a powerful Catholic Church played a major role in its instigation, and in Hungary [actually the first fascist-type of state in history, under Admiral Miklos Horthy, beginning in 1919] the old landed-aristocracy as, well as the rising industrial class, led the way.) But in the 21st century United States, presently, the situation is much more complex. In exerting its ownership and control of the economic system since the founding of the Republic, so-called 'liberal democracy,' with 'separation of powers' and regular elections, has worked very well for the U.S. ruling class. (VERY simply, "bourgeois democracy" is that political system which makes sure, even with voting, that capitalism stays in place.) Control of the political system has shifted back-and-forth between two major political parties over time (each changing their identities to some extent over time), as is well-known. But now things are changing, and that is precisely why the Trump/MAGA wing of the Republican Party is well on its way to becoming, in practice, the Republo-Fascist Party (as Trump himself tells us). Major elements of its elected, and non-elected (see, e.g., The Heritage Foundation, the American Legislative Exchange Council, the highly secretive National Council for Policy) leadership have for quite some time seen the future for themselves and their class, were the coming demographic changes be ignored and traditional bourgeois democracy allowed to be continued, as the political-system-in-place, leading to a gradually, but significantly, diminution of their power. Capitalism would not be replaced, of course, but the New Deal on a much grander scale and a significantly strengthened regulatory state might well be instituted. Major elements of the ruling class would not like that at all. And so, how to prevent that from happening? First came simple voter suppression, going back to my book "The 15 % Solution," it was first developed, in 1989, by an organization called "The Christian Coalition." (See the previous reference for a detailed description of it.) As is well-known, the process has continued and been greatly expanded since that time, from making it ever-increasingly difficult for certain elements of the population to vote, to the Trumpian-tactic of denying the legitimacy of counted outcomes of elections, even in advance of the election (as he did in both 2016 and 2020), to his on-going current campaign to deny the legitimacy of the 2020 election which has led to, among other things, "Jan.6th." And on the non-violent side, as is very well-known by now, it has led to a Republican candidate for governor in Arizona making it clear, repeatedly, that she is prepared to accept the official result of the upcoming election only if she wins, a clear future-denial of the democratic process. But, none of all of the above can guarantee the continued control of the state apparatus by the dominant section of the ruling class, which is increasingly lining up behind the Republicans. (It has happened already. See: "Meet the mega-donors pumping millions into the 2022 midterms" by Luis Melgar, et al). If, as the population profile changes, a) further limitations on fair and free voting are not undertaken, and then, b) even more seriously, further steps towards instituting a form of 21st century fascism are not implemented, the interests of the majority of the U.S. ruling class will be significantly undermined. What might those steps be? Of course, down the line I will be dealing with them in some more detail. But for now, consider: 1. the increasing use of political violence --- what else could Trump's glorification of the "Jan. 6" rioters mean? 2. The increasing numbers of Republicans like Tucker Carlson, conspiracy-theorist-extraordinaire (don't worry[!], he'll be back, somewhere prominently), like Paul Manafort, like Kari Lake in AZ, and etc., election deniers all. 3. Increasing un-Constitutional attempts to bring the control of elections under state legislatures (in Republican states, to be sure). 4. Increasing pressure and etc. openly expressed threats of violence exerted on neutral election workers (to get them not to do their jobs). 5. The use to an ever-increasing extent of the Supreme Court as an in-essence 3rd (Republican-controlled) legislative branch, as it functioned in the decision that declared that Sect. 3, (the Insurrection Section) of the 14th Amendment could not be invoked except by an Act of Congress (and an extremely-rare-hard-to-get-one-at-that), and thus that States that held Trump had indeed committed insurrection could not bar him from elections, unless he had been impeached and convicted by Congress first (a provision nowhere to be found in Sect. 3 of the 14th [see the footnote, below]). (Golly gee. Whatever happened to the "States Rights" arguments that were so popular with the Supreme [Court] Right, as in "Shelby," "Heller," and "Dobbs?" But that's another matter.) And then there is the most recent ex-President, who a) according to the "Jan.6th Committee" encouraged the use of force in an attempt to overturn the 2020 electoral count, and b) has on occasion expressed interest in being, shall we say, "President for Life." All of this, of course, would reinforce the controlling position of the present ruling class and make it even less-subject than it already is to what it hates the most: regulation, taxation, an expansion any kind of programming designed to help the population as a whole, gun control, the expansion of civil rights and civil liberties, and so and so forth. There will be more to come on this topic. But again, given what the Republican Party was telling us in the 1990s it would do if got the kind of political power it has now, what we are seeing now should come as no surprise. And make no mistake about it. What we are seeing now is not some random agenda made up by the rather dull Sen. Rick Scott. It is an agenda that is purposely and purposefully designed by the leading elements of the U.S. ruling class, for their benefit, and no one else's. (See my recent OEN column on The Heritage Society.) They are not talking too much about it, openly. But their man Trump is. Why? Because he believes it, and because at some level, he knows that he would be nowhere politically without the very strong ruling class support he has, both open and hidden. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Footnote: Section 3 of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution: "No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice"'President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two"'thirds of each House, remove such disability." I have read this document numbers of times. Nowhere can I find a requirement that before the label "insurrectionist" can be applied to a former President, he or she must have first been impeached and convicted by the Congress. But then again, maybe I'm missing something (that the Trumpublicans on the Court found under a rock somewhere) (Article changed on Mar 21, 2024 at 10:54 AM EDT) (Article changed on Mar 22, 2024 at 11:30 PM EDT) (Article changed on Mar 24, 2024 at 11:41 PM EDT) YEREVAN, MARCH 21, ARMENPRESS. On March 21, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan held a meeting in Montevideo at the Uruguay Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The meeting was attended by Committee Chairman Jose Carlos Mahia, members of the committee representing various political parties, as well as members of the Armenia-Uruguay Parliamentary Friendship Group. According to the readout issued by the foreign ministry, a wide range of issues were discussed during the meeting. Minister Mirzoyan touched upon the process of democratic reforms in Armenia, emphasizing that adherence to democratic principles is aimed not only at strengthening Armenia's sovereignty but also at fostering closer relations with like-minded countries, including Uruguay. Addressing the regional topics, Minister Mirzoyan detailed the security situation in the South Caucasus and the efforts aimed at regulating relations with neighboring countries to establish lasting stability in the region. Ararat Mirzoyan presented the key issues currently in the draft agreement aimed at regulating relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The resolution of these issues, according to the Armenian side, is based on well-known principles: a clear commitment to territorial integrity and the inviolability of internationally recognized borders. In the context of the development of the South Caucasus and the best use of logistical advantages, Ararat Mirzoyan emphasized the opportunities provided by unblocking regional economic and transport channels based on the principles of respecting sovereignty and jurisdiction, equality, and reciprocity. Minister Mirzoyan, addressing the messages of the international community during a challenging period for Armenia, added: "I am also here to express our gratitude for the principled positions that you have expressed at various times on issues that are priorities for Armenia." I don't know if the loud thumping angry sounds from BOTH Democrats and Republicans over social media platform TikTok is just total stupidity or misplaced obsession. If TikTok is a net bad or net good in some moralistic and perhaps objective sense, is irrelevant now. For me, all of the grandstanding and gorilla antics plus the political hyperbole is just so hilarious. Performance politics at its best boys and gals! The fact is that the United States all-powerful federal government -- or for that matter the Chinese, Russian, British or Iranian or Greek government -- can, if they chose, castrate all social media companies tomorrow. There has, in recent years since TikTok came on the scene, much social and traditional media chatter about if the Chinese-owned company, was a genuine force for social change or better media literacy. Or if, unlike Facebook, it helps younger media consumers break through the ideological filters of more traditional media. So, here's my take: TikTok, like ALL social media companies, and platforms, is a mix of both good and not so good (I won't say "bad"). Good because it caters to a new, younger demographic and generation while Facebook and company are rapidly "aging out." You have to ask yourself why all of a sudden American politicians and lawmakers are getting their proverbial knickers twisted over TikTok as a national security threat for doing the very same things that Mark Zuckerberg and company have been doing for decades now. Of course, the underlying magic bullet is to "sell to an American company" because miraculously the Chinese threat to U.S. national security would evaporate immediately overnight. My word! I never thought some people could be so bloody stupid! In fact, the people holding the congressional oversight on banning TikTok could barely crank up their 21st century smartphones, much less understand, at a granular level, the mechanics of complex artificial intelligence algorithms and other modern technologies. Thing is this congressional clique really, really has nothing to do since there are far more "national security" threats than Tiktok, its legion of teeny boppers, and high school students. So, it's very, very hard to see why the laser focus on TikTok and not Elon Musk's new X, for example, that is now the home of the ultra-right extremists, spewing all kind of bile that makes TikTok look like a Sunday School pantomime. Maybe some other embarrassing things going on on a platform that caters to young people is the real problem? Ah yes. Gaza. TikTok, unlike the other platforms, has been airing the war in Gaza almost non-stop, and with a very high degree of accuracy, as opposed to the inane, Israel has a right to defend itself a la CNN, the New York Times et al. As both parties continue to face serious backlash at home, and although virtually ignored by the big corporate media, and their biased, pro-Israel reporting through the lens of "God's chosen people against the terrorists using human shields etc. etc." TikTok has stood out as a place where unfiltered, objective REAL news on the war can be found. And some people just do not like that -- period. So, they fall back on that age old but useful trick about our "national security interests" while at the same time striving to make a new enemy to sell more guns, and bullets, and kill more people. The truth be told, the media and government feigned moral panic over TikTok pre-dates the latest "war" in Gaza. But the Gaza war has triggered a sense of moral outrage among America's youth thus the urgency to ban TikTok. Just look at the array of politicians lining up to do Israel's dirty work masquerading as caring for "our children." In the United States Senate, there's John Fetterman, Josh Hawley and Ted Cruz all now full-time pro-Israel lobbyists who have repeatedly called for a ban on TikTok. While they have been beating the drums about the evil TikTok, the Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal have helped to stoke the panic by painting the social media platform as a breeding ground where good, innocent American children are being radicalized to morph into Hamas supporters here in America. Of course, nobody produces one iota of evidence to support these comical assertions; who said fearmongering was dead? But for the likes of me, I cannot help but see the utter idiocy of this position. Its either these folks are plumb stupid or wrapped up and insulated by their hubris, they somehow believe that banning TikTok will translate to a groundswell of youth support/votes for Joe Biden on the Democratic Party side in the November presidential elections. Donald Trump, despite all his imperfections, has not supported the ban. The fact is that Biden has a really big problem with young voters, especially those of color, over his "ironclad support" for Israel and its actions in Gaza. Fifty-percent of Democratic voters see the war as genocide. Banning TikTok, these people believe, will deny young voters the Gaza War information that they are presently getting rather than Biden and company attempting to change the reality on the ground in Gaza. This is a very flawed political campaign strategy that the Biden team is trying to construct on a wobbly foundation of manipulating public reality through controlled mainstream media, CNN, MSNBC et al., without changing its Israel-Gaza policy. Its smoke and mirrors. This is also a bi-partisan agreement since some conservative Democrats and Republicans have always salivated over a TikTok ban, and their reptilian brain orgasms about the self-created China Menace. The Left and Progressives in Congress will go along with this ban because they're spineless political jellyfishes, and because they've all lined up like good little minions -- meek and mild -- behind Joe Biden for POTUS. The sad thing is that signing on to such a blunt and overt act of censorship, Democrats have shown that they are just as bereft of fairness and scruples like their Republican partners. They have also given President Joe Biden the greenlight to continue to support and allow Israel to ethnically cleanse Gaza -- no matter the cost in lives. Looking at this obvious anti-competitive, bullying behavior it's clear that the powers that be care absolutely nothing about our children's mental or their wellbeing when all of the other social media platforms are riddled with many, many more shortcomings as compared to TikTok. Does the powerful in in the United States congress feel so threatened by ONE social media platform because it operates outside of direct U.S. control? Singling out ONE foreign-owned tech company while letting slide American ones that have the same problems (and more) and dangerous mental health effects will do nothing to stop the negative harms of social media outlets. On the contrary, it will be an object lesson to all of the others and simply compel them to more thoroughly fall in line with US "national security interests" while still doing all the actual bad things that they do to harm our children every day. And yes, the need to control and manage the images of horror and brutality by America's "best friend in the Middle East" also drives this ban. TikTok may be banned for all of the very concocted and stupid reasons. Wanna to bet that something far more galling to the American elite will replace it? (Article changed on Mar 21, 2024 at 1:50 PM EDT) This article originally appeared at TomDispatch.com. To receive TomDispatch in your inbox three times a week, click here. Let's start with the obvious. Yes, in the MAGA world of Donald Trump's Republican Party, white supremacism and Christian nationalism have been on the rise for years. But to be clear, Donald Trump isn't a Christian nationalist; he isn't even an evangelical Christian. He's an evangelical Trumpian. And he isn't a white supremacist either, not because he isn't "white" or distinctly prejudiced, but because he doesn't believe in the supremacy of anything but Donald Trump and whatever in the world will make him the Biggest Man Around. Whatever he says, The Donald isn't an advocate for an ultimate white or evangelical Christian right to power, even if he's lent a grotesque helping hand to both. The only power he's focused on, the one that's at the very heart and soul of the MAGA world and of Trumpism, is his own. The Donald, in other words, is the ultimate Trumpist. If it turned out that Zen Buddhists or "the Blacks" were the key to that goal becoming our reality, he would be doing his damnedest to woo them. In fact, when it comes to Blacks, he's been doing that, however awkwardly, of late. But the remarkable thing about him is that, in some sense, he's awkward with everyone, every group, every person but himself. And yet, his appeal, explain it as you will, has been, and continues to be, stunning for someone for whom no one else in the world seems to truly exist (unless they're in his camp and dedicated to helping him 24 hours a day). In some sense, before he ever entered American politics, in his own mind at least, Donald Trump was already the ultimate autocrat, a Power of One and Only One. Today, TomDispatch regular Andrea Mazzarino considers just what that Power of One might lead to in a future almost too close and too possible to bear. Tom If America Were a Trumpian Autocracy The Lies We'd Be Told About War (and So Much Else) By Andrea Mazzarino We should already be talking about what it would be like, if Donald Trump wins the 2024 election, to live under a developing autocracy. Beyond the publicized plans of those around him to gut the federal civil service system and consolidate power in the hands of You Know Who, under Trump 2.0, so much else would change for the worse. All too many of us who now argue about the Ukraine and Gaza wars and their ensuing humanitarian crises, about police violence and extremism in the military here at home, about all sorts of things, would no longer share a common language. Basics that once might have meant the same thing to you and me, like claiming someone won an election, might become unsafe to mention. In a Trump 2.0 world, more of our journalists would undoubtedly face repercussions and need to find roundabout ways to allude to all too many topics. A moving opinion column by the New York Times's David French, who faced threats for his writing about Donald Trump, highlighted how some who voiced their views on him already need round-the-clock police protection to ensure their safety and that of their family. I often think about the slippery slope we Americans could soon find ourselves on. After all, from the time Vladimir Putin became Russia's president in 1999, I spent 20 years traveling to his country and back, working there first as an anthropology doctoral student and later as a human rights researcher. I've followed Russian politics closely, including as a therapist specializing in war-affected populations, asylum seekers, and refugees. Friends and colleagues of mine there have faced threats to their safety and their careers amid a Kremlin crackdown on public discussion after Putin's invasion of Ukraine, and several fled the country with their families in search of safety and a better life. To be sure, there are many differences between the United States, with its robust democratic tradition, and Russia, which only briefly had competitive elections and a free press. Nonetheless, my experiences there offer a warning about how a Trumpian version of top-down rule could someday stifle any possibility of calling out state-sponsored violence for what it is, and what it might feel like if that's our situation here someday. Tucker Carlson's Moscow On first look, far-right journalist Tucker Carlson's recent visit to Moscow, covered exuberantly by Russia's state media, might seem like an example of an American tourist's naive glorification of another country's luxuries. Carlson marveled at the fancy tilework of the city's subway system, visited the national ballet, and noted that you can buy caviar cheaply at the local grocery store. He also pointed out that Moscow's pristine streets had no homeless people and no apparent poverty. In the gilded halls of the Kremlin palace, he interviewed President Putin for more than two hours. Despite his guileless expression, Carlson occasionally appeared flummoxed as Putin lectured him endlessly on Russian history and the centuries-old claim he insisted Moscow has on Kyiv as its protector from aggressors near and far. Of course, he never challenged Putin on his rationale for invading that country (nor did he refer to it as an invasion) or any of the Russian leader's other outrageous claims. I'm of the school of thought that considers Putin's Russia exactly the sort of anti-woke paradise the MAGA crowd craves. Anyone of Carlson's age who grew up during the Cold War and turned on his or her television in that pivotal period when the Berlin Wall fell should certainly know that all of Russia doesn't look anything like what he was shown. He should also have known about the recent history of economic "shock therapy" that drained Russian public services of funding and human resources, not to speak of the decades of corruption and unfair economic policies that enriched a choice few in Putin's circle at the expense of so many. Of course, something had to happen to turn the Moscow that Carlson saw into a sanitized moonscape. If you haven't been following developments in Russia under Putin, let me summarize what I've noticed. Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Houston, TX, March 12, 2024 - Tanya Owens, an emerging fine art nature and travel photographer, is thrilled to announce the re-launch of her website, Tanya Owens Photography (www.tanyaowens.com). This captivating online gallery showcases Tanya Owens' collection of nature and travel photography, transformed into museum-quality prints for art enthusiasts and collectors worldwide. About Tanya Owens Photography "Nature is healing. And if you listen it speaks and will unfurl the book Dear Readers: A recent column about the caregiver who felt worn out prompted a deluge of letters, mostly from others who are, or have been, caregivers themselves. As I read the letters, I thought of the fact that airlines tell mothers to put on their own oxygen masks first and then help their children. Here is a sampling of the letters we received: Dear Annie: Please add to the caregiver (Not Good Enough) that human beings have a finite mental capacity for each day. This is why Steve Jobs wore a black turtleneck and jeans every day; it left him mental room for more important decisions. Caregiver is mentally exhausted due to the load he or she is carrying and needs to find ways to lessen that burden. Too many people dont realize the impact of stress on functionality and hold themselves to too high a standard. Caregiver should decide what tasks are most important for them, get help with things that are needed but that others could do, and focus on the tasks that would make them feel happy and productive. -- Therapist in Illinois Dear Annie: First, let me start by saying that reading your column is the marriage to my morning cup of coffee. I have never responded or written to you, but I just read about the caregiver who is taking care of their partner and is overtaken by exhaustion. Your response was to seek community support, local resources, etc. You neglected to also suggest seeing her physician, as there may be underlying health issues that are causing her exhaustion. Taking care of herself is taking care of her loved one! Thank you for the caring advice over the years. Everyone can relate to someone elses life challenges. -- Helping the Caregiver Dear Annie: Depression is a common occurrence in caregivers. There are support groups online for caregivers of dementia, Alzheimers and other conditions. While you may feel absolutely alone, there are others who are going through almost the same thing you are. You already reached out, writing to Annie -- thats an incredible first step, and if you do a quick Google search on caregiver support groups, many resources can pop up. Maybe some local support groups, but most likely online groups. Im the sole caregiver of my husband with severe combat-related PTSD; he is in his early 30s. The online support I found is amazing, because the people I know in person do not have real life experience with the everyday struggles that we have. Its so helpful to have a support system, even if its just a message online asking if youre OK from someone who knows what youre going through. Caregiving isnt for the faint of heart; you are your husbands lifeline, and in order to be the best for him, you have to take care of yourself, too. Keep going, its not an easy road and it doesnt get easier, but you dont have to go it alone. Youve got this! -- Another Caregiver Dear Annie: Having been a caregiver, I know firsthand how this lady feels. When you are taking care of everything, you are forgetting about your needs, and one of the most important is your own health. Please take care of yourself so you dont end up with a bad disease like I did. You are suffering from stress and thats why you are tired, which could damage your health. If family isnt close, contact a church, neighbors or even some online help. I wish my husband was still here but wish I would have taken care of me, too. -- Been There Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com. COPYRIGHT 2023 CREATORS.COM Four Portland-area men have been indicted on federal murder-in-aid-of-racketeering charges in connection with the fatal 2020 shooting of an Uber driver in Northeast Portland in what federal authorities say was a case of mistaken identity. An unsealed indictment alleges each of the men acted as part of a Hoover gang conspiracy. Two of the men, Anthony Devion Bagsby, 32, Cocoa Dalonta Taplin, 28, appeared in federal court Wednesday afternoon in Portland. Delane William Roy, 25, was arrested in Louisiana and Taezhon Tyreik Kelly, 22, in Texas, according to prosecutors. Theyre accused of shooting and killing Uber driver Dfuliqar Kareem Mseer, 23, just after midnight on Dec. 12, 2020. Mseer, a refugee from Iraq, had no involvement in a gang and didnt know the men, federal authorities said. He was shot as he was slowing down to pick up a fare on Northeast Stafford Avenue, near 11th Street. Gunshots pierced the front windshield of his new white Honda Accord as he looked for an address. A nearby resident who was startled by the gunfire called 911. At the time, Portland police said they believed he was mistaken for a gang rival because his car was going slow. Mseer was on life support for several days and declared dead on Dec. 16, 2020. 3 1 / 3 Uber driver ambushed in early Saturday shooting in Woodlawn neighborhood Mseer had moved with his family to Portland about five years earlier and had been working hard as an Uber driver to earn a living, his relatives said. While visiting his home country in August 2020, the 23-year-old married and then returned to Portland to get immigration papers to bring his new wife to live with him. An uncle, Alaa Adham, described his nephew as a hard worker trying to support his family, pay off his new car and find an immigration lawyer to help him unite with his wife. He had nothing to do with it. It was just the wrong time, and he was in the wrong place. Its non-describable with words, Rahman Hameed, a friend of the uncle, told The Oregonian/OregonLive shortly after the shooting occurred. The court-appointed attorneys for Bagsby and Taplin entered not guilty pleas on their behalf. A six-week trial was tentatively set for April 30. The four men all face charges of murder in aid of racketeering, using and carrying a gun during a crime a violence and causing death through the use of a gun. Bagsby, who goes by the aliases Astro and Thing 1, Kelly, who goes by Young Tyckoon, and Roy, whose alias is Scrawny, are all from Portland, according to prosecutors and the indictment. Taplin, who goes by Menace and Thing 2, is from Fairview. Bagsby was previously prosecuted in federal court in Portland for being a felon with a gun, sentenced to two years in prison in February 2023 and released from custody in mid-November 2023, according to court records and the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Taplin also was sentenced in federal court in February 2022 to two years and six months in prison for being a felon with a gun. He was placed in a residential re-entry center on March 1, according to court records. Agents from the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations worked on the case with officers from the Portland Police Bureau, Multnomah County Sheriffs Office and Gresham Police Department. -- Maxine Bernstein covers federal court and criminal justice. Reach her at 503-221-8212, mbernstein@oregonian.com, follow her on X @maxoregonian, or on LinkedIn. Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com. A federal court ruling will cut back Idahos wolf trapping and snaring season in large swaths of the state in response to claims that grizzly bears, which are protected under the Endangered Species Act, could be killed or injured by trapping or snaring devices. U.S. Magistrate Judge Candy Dale issued the summary judgment Tuesday as part of a 2021 lawsuit filed by environmental activist groups over the Idaho Legislatures expansion of trapping seasons. YEREVAN, MARCH 21, ARMENPRESS. From 19 to 20 March, the Armenia-Italy defense consultations were held in Rome with the participation of the delegation led by the Head of the Defence Policy and International Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Armenia, Levon Ayvazyan from the Armenian side, the Armenian Defense Ministry said in a statement. Throughout the consultations, the delegation of the Ministry of Defense has discussed with the Deputy Chief of Cabinet of the Minister of Defence of Italy and Defense Policy Director, Major General Enrico Barduani, and the Head of the International Cooperation Branch of the Italian General Staff, Colonel Mattia Zuzzi, the current status of the of Armenia-Italy defense cooperation and prospects of its development. During the discussion, Ayvazyan introduced the security situation around Armenia and the ongoing reforms of the Armed Forces. The consultations culminated in the signing of the annual program of Armenia-Italy military cooperation, and several agreements were reached. Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The interim Libyan Minister of the Interior, General Mustafa Imad Trabelsi, on Wednesday announced the withdrawal of members of the security directorate, the police station and the passport and nationality authority from the Ras Jedir border crossing with Tunisia, "to preserve lives and property" Mondi Enters Canadian Market with Acquisition of Hinton Pulp; COO Visits Mill The Hinton pulp mill is located in Alberta, Canada, and has the capacity to produce around 250,000 tonnes per year of unbleached kraft pulp (UKP). The Hinton pulp mill is located in Alberta, Canada, and has the capacity to produce around 250,000 tonnes per year of unbleached kraft pulp (UKP). March 20, 2024 - Mondi today brought local employees, elected officials and Roman Senecky, Mondi's Chief Operating Officer for Kraft Paper, together to celebrate the completion of the Hinton Pulp mill acquisition announced in February. Mondi acquired the mill from West Fraser Timber Co. for a total consideration of USD 5 million. Mondi intends to invest in the mill to improve productivity and sustainability performance and, subject to pre-engineering, permitting and market development, expand the mill with a new kraft paper machine, capable of producing 200,000 tonnes of kraft paper annually for sustainable packaging solutions, fully integrating Mondi's Paper Bags operations in the Americas. "The acquisition together with the intended investment and expansion in the mill is a significant step forward for Mondi as we bolster our presence in North America, reaffirming our dedication to innovation and sustainability," Senecky remarked, adding that "the strategic location will provide us with access to local, high-quality fibre from a well-established wood basket, supporting expansion plans to meet future demand for sustainable packaging solutions." According to Mondi, in addition to driving profitable growth, investment in the mill will unlock new opportunities for existing employees and generate job prospects for the local community and adjacent businesses, contributing to the region's economic advancement. Paul DiJulio, Managing Director of Mondi Hinton, emphasized the benefits for the community. "We are excited to remain part of the dynamic Hinton community and are steadfast in our commitment to enhance relationships with local stakeholders," DiJulio said. "Our aim is to collaborate closely to ensure economic security for the mill, contributing positively to the growth and vitality of the region." Hinton's Mayor, Nicholas Nissen, added, "This exciting partnership marks a bright future for Hinton. We've signed two, 20-year agreements with Mondi for additional investments, upgrading the pulp mill and ensuring essential services like water supply and sewage treatment." Mondi is a global leader in packaging and paper. The Group is integrated across the value chain from managing forests and producing pulp, paper and films, to developing and manufacturing sustainable consumer and industrial packaging solutions using paper where possible, plastic when useful. SOURCE: Mondi plc Photo: (Photo : MORITZ FRANKENBERG/POOL/AFP via Getty Images ) The individual implicated in a mass shooting in Philadelphia last summer, previously determined to be mentally incompetent, is now proceeding to trial following assertions from their attorneys that they have been undergoing treatment and are ready to advance with the case. Suspect's Trial Moves Forward After Undergoing Mental Health Intervention Kimbrady Carriker, aged 41, faces charges including five counts of murder, along with attempted murder, aggravated assault, and illegal possession of a firearm, stemming from what appeared to be indiscriminate shootings in early July in the Kingsessing neighborhood. During a preliminary hearing on Tuesday, detectives showcased footage from a police officer's body-worn camera depicting Carriker walking approximately a mile during most of the shootings on July 3. Assistant District Attorney Robert Wainwright stated that investigators are still endeavoring to discern the motive behind Carriker's actions, as reported by The Philadelphia Inquirer. Wainwright remarked, "Officers were running toward the danger without regard for their own safety, just trying to do everything they could to stop this man from killing more people." Carriker's legal representatives tell the court that their client is undergoing mental health medication and is prepared to continue with the case. The municipal court judge subsequently referred the charges to county court for trial. Prosecutors have alleged that Carriker left a will dated June 23 at his residence, and a roommate reported that he seemed agitated and had been wearing a tactical vest around the house in the days leading up to the shooting, which claimed the lives of 20-year-old Lashyd Merritt, 29-year-old Dymire Stanton, 59-year-old Ralph Moralis, and 15-year-old DaJuan Brown. Another victim, Joseph Wamah, aged 31, was discovered shot to death a day earlier in Kingsessing. Two-year-old and 13-year-old boys sustained gunshot wounds, while another two-year-old boy and a woman were injured by shattered glass during the shootings. According to Philadelphia police, Carriker was masked and armed with an AR-15-style rifle when he targeted people and vehicles. Upon surrendering in an alley, he was found in possession of two firearms, additional magazines, and a bulletproof vest. Read Also: Philadelphia Bus Stop Shooting: Two 18-Year-Old in Custody with $2M Bail Previous Reason for Trial Suspension A Philadelphia judge ruled on Tuesday that the suspect accused of fatally shooting five individuals in Kingsessing last month is unfit to stand trial. Kimbrady Carriker, aged 40, faced numerous criminal charges, including five counts of murder, stemming from the shooting incident on July 3. A spokesperson for District Attorney Larry Krasner verified that Carriker was deemed unfit for trial by a court-appointed psychiatrist and has been ordered to undergo 60 days of inpatient mental health treatment. "In the event the court determines this defendant to be competent for trial, the District Attorney's Office is fully committed to holding him responsible for the harm and suffering he has caused. Our condolences go out to the affected families, friends, and community," spokesperson Dustin Slaughter stated in an email. Witnesses recall the chaos of that summer night during the July 4 holiday weekend, with Carriker allegedly opening fire, causing panic among people outside enjoying the warm weather. "People were outside, having water ice. No one expected to step out and encounter someone randomly shooting," neighbor Ameer Barber remarked. Police reported the initial shots were fired at 56th Street and Chester Avenue on July 3, with Carriker eventually apprehended after a pursuit. A day prior, Carriker allegedly shot and killed one victim, 31-year-old Joseph Wamah Jr., by firing through the victim's front door. The other victims of the shooting were DaJuan Brown (15), Lashyd Merritt (20), Dymir Stanton (29), and Ralph Moralis (59). Upon Carriker's arrest, police discovered an AR-style rifle, a 9mm handgun, a bulletproof vest equipped with multiple magazines, and a police scanner. Authorities noted that two of the firearms were untraceable "ghost guns." Related Article: Worcester Mother, 11-Year-Old Daughter Shot in Parked Car; Police Detains 1 Suspect, Continues Search for Another Photo: (Photo : DELIL SOULEIMAN/AFP via Getty Images ) Latest research shows that over two-thirds of children under six years old in Chicago may be exposed to lead-contaminated water. Written in the journal JAMA Pediatrics, the research explained data from 38,385 household lead tests conducted by the Chicago Department of Water Management between January 2016 and September 2023. Employing machine learning techniques, researchers estimated lead levels in tap water across the city based on this data. Study Exposes Water Contamination in Residential Block in Chicago The findings indicated that approximately 75% of residential city blocks in Chicago had water contaminated with lead. Dangerously, more than two-thirds of young children in Chicago, totaling around 129,000 kids, live in these affected areas and may be at danger of lead exposure. Dr. Benjamin Huynh, the lead author of the research and assistant professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, conveyed disappointment at the range of lead contamination, quoting that such circumstances should not be happening in 2024. The research also displayed differences, with city blocks mostly occupied by Black or Hispanic populations being less likely to experience lead testing and more likely to have lead-contaminated water. Researchers examined whether a dwelling block had lead-contaminated water by evaluating if most of the tests within the block displayed a lead concentration exceeding 1 part per billion (ppb). It's remarkable that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says there is no safe level of lead in water. In spite of the EPA's action level of 15 ppb in 10% of samples, the research found that 9% of household tests in Chicago surpass this threshold, as reported by Johns Hopkins. Read Also: California Legislator Introduces Bill Removing Artificial Colors from Foods Served in Schools What Causes Lead Contamination in Water Lead contamination happens when lead-containing pipelines, faucets, and fixtures corrode, leaching lead into the water. Although lead pipes were banned in 1986, many cities, including Chicago, still have lead service pipes, with the city boasting nearly 400,000 such pipes, the topmost in the U.S., according to the research. Given the imperativeness of the circumstances Dr. Huynh highlights the need for interim measures such as improving access to lead testing and giving filtration to households with lead service lines while municipalities work on replacement of lead pipes. As lead is unseen, tasteless, and odorless, testing remains the only trustworthy procedure to discover its existence in drinking water. To diminish danger, people are encouraged to test their water, ask with their water supplier about lead service lines, and make use of proper filtration procedures, according to the EPA. Consequences of Water Contamination Contaminated water and poor sanitation add to the transmission of illness such as cholera, diarrhea, dysentery, hepatitis A, typhoid, and polio. Inadequate management of water and sanitation services boost the danger of disease, especially in healthcare settings. Unsafe water, sanitation, and hand hygiene practices lead to roughly 1 million deaths yearly from diarrhea, with children under 5 particularly sensitive. Addressing these causes could avoid about 395,000 deaths in young children each year. Inadequacy of water access may discourage handwashing, heighten the danger of diarrheal ailment and other diseases. Additionally, illnesses such as schistosomiasis influence millions worldwide, requiring preventive medication. Insects breeding in clean water sources can transmit diseases like dengue fever, highlighting the importance of interventions such as covering water storage containers to reduce vector breeding and fecal contamination. Related Article: FDA Warns About Cinnamon Products Due to Lead Contamination Photo: (Photo : ADEM ALTAN / Getty Images) In a recent announcement, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) revealed a substantial increase in Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) refund payments, allowing eligible workers to potentially receive up to $7,400 in tax support. This development is seen as a significant step towards providing financial relief to individuals and families with lower to moderate incomes, especially during the tax season. IRS Raises EITC Payments: Are You Eligible? The IRS is making an important announcement that could have an impact on thousands of American households. The government agency is now increasing the EITC refund payments to a maximum of $7,400 for eligible taxpayers. The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is designed to benefit employees earning between $0 and $3,000, with eligibility factors including family size, filing status, and income level. Taxpayers who meet the criteria for the credit can receive a refund if their EITC exceeds their tax obligations. Workers with moderate incomes have the opportunity to claim EITC refunds of up to $7,430 based on their annual earnings and the number of dependents they have. This tax relief initiative provided significant support to nearly 23 million workers and families last year, totaling $57 billion in payments. However, to get this tax boost, there are EITC eligibility criteria. To qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), taxpayers need to fulfill specific income and filing criteria, which include: Providing proof of employment with a valid Social Security number and documented income from sources like wages, business activities, or farming. Having some investment income may also be considered. Maintaining U.S. citizenship or residency status throughout the tax year is generally required. Meeting the qualifying conditions under a special rule allows married couples to file separately. Not being claimed as a qualifying child by another taxpayer is necessary. Avoiding the filing of Form 2555 or 2555-EZ concerning overseas earned income is also a requirement. Additionally, taxpayers must be U.S. citizens or resident aliens throughout the tax year, cannot be claimed as a qualifying child by another taxpayer, and must not file Form 2555 or 2555-EZ related to foreign earned income. The IRS processes EITC refund payments in the order in which they receive tax returns. Taxpayers who file electronically can expect to receive their refunds within 21 days after their returns are accepted. For those who file paper returns, refunds are typically issued within 6 to 8 weeks after the IRS mails out their checks. Furthermore, taxpayers nationwide can track the progress of their EITC refunds using the "Where's My Refund?" tool available on the IRS website. Read Also: California Toddler Drives Truck, Fatally Strikes 2-Year-Old Girl Boost Your Tax Refund How To Claim EITC refund Eligible American citizens can claim varying amounts of EITC refund payments based on their circumstances. Here are the maximum credit amounts available: For individuals without qualifying children: $600 If the taxpayer's child meets the eligibility criteria: $3,995 With two qualifying children: $6,604 For taxpayers with three or more qualifying children: $7,430 Additionally, there's a special rule regarding EITC refunds for separated spouses. Taxpayers may qualify for the Earned Income Credit (EITC) if they meet specific conditions, including being married, filing taxes separately, and having a qualifying child who has resided with them for the majority of 2023. Qualifying conditions include spending the final six months of 2023 apart from your spouse or not residing in the same household by the end of 2023 due to legal separation under your state's separation laws, supported by a formal separation agreement or decree of separate maintenance. It's important to note that meeting these requirements requires checking the appropriate box on Schedule EIC. Related Article: March Brings Unexpected $7,430 Stimulus Checks for Eligible Americans-Find Out If You Qualify Australian properties have shrunk in size, but the price per square metre of land has continued to skyrocket - soaring above $20,000 in some suburbs. House and unit property prices per square metre (sqm) have been trending upwards in the capital cities, driven by higher prices and smaller land sizes, Domains latest Price Square Metre Report found. Unsurprisingly, Sydney is the most expensive capital city, with houses costing a whopping $2,590 per sqm. However, this skyrockets 10-fold in the citys most expensive suburbs, with houses in Paddington costing $27,440 per sqm and those in Darlinghurst reaching $25,065 per sqm. Property prices are soaring with this studio in Paddington recently selling for $1.39 million, or around $24,821 per sqm. (Source: Domain) Do you have a story to share? Contact tamika.seeto@yahooinc.com In Melbourne, house prices have hit $1,838 per sqm while, in Canberra, prices have gone back slightly to $1,485 per sqm. Perth prices have increased the most among the capitals (up 14 per cent) to $1,410 per sqm, while Brisbane and Adelaide are also up to $1,341 and $1,296, respectively. ADVERTISEMENT Domains chief of research and economics, Dr Nicola Powell, said Australia was home to some of the least densely populated cities in the world but still had some of the most expensive property markets. Despite this, the desire of people to live in the capital cities has meant that more are trying to squeeze into them and are competing for housing, Powell said. RELATED Units have even higher prices per sqm, with Sydney units costing $8,510 per sqm, on average, and Melbourne units sitting at $7,333 per sqm. Land sizes are shrinking in Australia because of increased urban density. Powell noted this shift was essential for housing affordability for the broader population. Without the shift towards greater density and smaller land sizes over the past two decades, house prices would be vastly higher than they are today - higher by 44 per cent in Perth, 16 per cent in Adelaide, and 14 per cent in Melbourne, Powell said. Story continues Sydney buyers hit the hardest All of the top 25 most expensive suburbs in Australia by square metre - bar one - were located in Sydney. A 56-sqm Paddington studio was sold for a whopping $1.39 million - which works out to an eye-watering $24,821 per sqm. The studio last sold for $550,000 in 2003. (Source: Domain) The rare free-standing studio featured a pull-down bed in the middle of the main living area. It last sold for $550,000 in 2003. Despite the smaller size, real estate agent Ben Collier told Yahoo Finance there was an opportunity to make more of the limited space. To make it a one-bedroom, the path of least resistance would be to create a mezzanine level across the kitchen. The ceiling is very high and a mezzanine bedroom would retain the living space, Collier said. Get the latest Yahoo Finance news - follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram. Several years ago, before the devastating fire that severely damaged it on 15 April 2019, my wife and I spent a substantial portion of the day in the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris. At one place, in the transept to the right of the nave near the southern rose window, we saw a plaque commemorating the conversion of the prominent French poet, playwright, and diplomat Paul Claudel (1868-1955), eventually the recipient of multiple nominations for the Nobel Prize in Literature: Ici se convertit Paul Claudel. In his precocious youth, Claudel had come under the influence of the agnosticism and atheism that were beginning to dominate French intellectual life. He had even won a prize in school that had been personally awarded to him by Ernest Renan (1823-1892), the French scholar and writer who is most famous for his bestselling 1863 book Vie de Jesus, which, very controversially, had set out to demythologize the New Testament and to present Jesus as nothing but a mortal man. However, Claudel was never fully satisfied with his life as an unbeliever. He continued to read widely on religious subjects, overcoming many of his intellectual reservations but unable to feel any spiritual conviction. On Christmas Day in 1886, when he was eighteen years of age, Claudel attended High Mass at the cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris, celebrated by the citys still relatively new archbishop. He wasnt particularly moved by the liturgy. But he later returned for vespers, the evening service. It was the gloomiest winter day, he later recalled, and the darkest rainy afternoon over Paris. He listened patiently to the recitation of the psalms. Then, as the cathedral choir was singing the Magnificat, something happened: In an instant, my heart was touched and I believed. I believed with such a strength of adherence, with such an uplifting of my entire being, with such powerful conviction, with such a certainty leaving no room for any kind of doubt, that since then all the books, all the arguments, all the incidents and accidents of a busy life have been unable to shake my faith, nor indeed to affect it in any way. As others also have, I find his account of what he himself called his conversion striking, and entirely understandable. I hope that the plaque will still be there after the fire and the cathedrals restoration. Conversion comes in many ways. Sometimes, as in the case of Paul Claudel, it comes as an immediate insight or intuition, transcending reason but not opposing it.. The Interpreter Foundation continues to spew out a steady stream of my trademark vituperation and bile. Here are some of its latest volleys against decency, kindness, and human good: Conference Talks: The Word of My Power: The Divine Word in the Book of Moses: 2020 Tracing Ancient Threads in the Book of Moses Conference Matthew L. Bowen spoke at the Tracing Ancient Threads in the Book of Moses Conference on Saturday, September 19, 2020 about The Word of My Power: The Divine Word in the Book of Moses. His paper frames the divine word as a narrative thread in Moses 18 that has implications for the nature of the Genesis material quoted in the Book of Mormon and the nature of parts of JST Genesis as restored text. All of the conference presentations were filmed, and both video and audio recordings of each presentation are available. Videos, audio recordings and transcripts are available at https://interpreterfoundation.org/conferences/2020-book-of-moses-conference/papers/. The videos are also available on the Interpreter Foundation YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/theinterpreterfoundation. A YouTube playlist is also available at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRMn4gyXMWLv7A618LA-cCvxMqWRk8kxI. Nibley Lectures: Come, Follow Me Book of Mormon Lesson 13 He Shall Rise with Healing in His Wings (Easter) During 1988, 1989, and 1990, Hugh Nibley taught Honors Book of Mormon classes for four semesters at Brigham Young University. The lectures were video-taped and audio cassettes and printed transcripts were made of the lectures. We believe these recordings will be interesting to listen to and valuable to your Come, Follow Me study program this year. Each week, we will include the lectures covering the Book of Mormon chapters being studied that week. This week, we divert from the Book of Mormon lectures to present a reading of Nibleys talk on Easter and the Prophets from the 1954 radio series Time Vindicates the Prophets. This talk is available both as an audio recording below and in ePub, Kindle and hard cover versions of The World and the Prophets, The Collected Works of Hugh Nibley Volume 3, available at Amazon, Deseret Book, and Barnes & Noble. All 112 Book of Mormon lectures are immediately available in PDF, audio, video, and electronic formats, as well as in paperback books that are available for purchase. Links for all of the available online sources can be found in the Complete Bibliography for Hugh Nibley at https://interpreterfoundation.org/bibliographies/hugh-w-nibley/lectures/. The Book of Mormon in Context Lesson 13: He Shall Rise with Healing in His Wings (Easter) During the 3 March 2024 Come, Follow Me segment of the Interpreter Radio Show, discussants Hales Swift, Brent Schmidt, and Martin Tanner focused on Book of Mormon lesson 13, He Shall Rise with Healing in His Wings, the lesson for Easter. Delivered from commercial breaks, a recording of their conversation has now been made available online, at no charge, for your listening enjoyment. The other segments of the 3 March 2024 radio program can be accessed at https://interpreterfoundation.org/interpreter-radio-show-march-3-2024. Each and every week, the Interpreter Radio Show can be heard live on Sunday evenings from 7 to 9 PM (MDT), on K-TALK, AM 1640. Or, if you prefer or if you live outside of the Salt Lake Valley, you can listen live on the Internet at ktalkmedia.com. Come, Follow Me Study and Teaching Helps (2024): Lesson 13, March 25-31: Easter He Shall Rise with Healing in His Wings Thomas Cranmer, theologian, controversialist, one time Archbishop of Canterbury, was tied to a stake and burned to death on the 21st of March, in 1556. Cranmer, one time toady to a king, a priest and prelate. He was brilliant writer and complicated thinker, and was the principal architect of a reformed Catholicism in England. That king died. Then briefly under a boy king whose rule was through more extreme Protestants. Then, finally for him, under the new queen there was an instant shifting of political winds. The archbishop was imprisoned for two years. Then he was tried and convicted of heresy. He equivocated at the thought of the stake, recanting briefly. Then repudiating his weakness in the face of the fire, Archbishop Thomas Cranmer died fully acknowledging his life and owning all its actions. There would be more twists and turns until a queen would establish once and for all that reformed Catholicism. And Archbishop Cranmer laid out some critical elements which eventually would become that church. His outline for that church retained the basic forms of Catholicism. But he infused it with much of the rationalism of the Reformation. And in the process created one of the masterworks of the English language, the Book of Common Prayer. As for the church one can get all Hegelian about his work finding a thesis, and then an antithesis, and then coming up with a grand synthesis. But, it probably would be wise to avoid such a simple, perhaps the right word is simplistic analysis. What Cranmer created was a mess. Sort of like he couldnt leave his wife for his mistress, or, perhaps it was the other way around. But, out of the mess the good archbishop did initiate something with some staying power. At least once Elizabeth arrived, took what he did, polished it up a bit, and gave it the legs it needed to move on to the world stage. But without Cranmer there is no Elizabeth. It took both of them, each in their own good time. And in this time we might think of Archbishop Thomas Cranmer. The Anglican church celebrates the 21st of March as a feast for a saint. Me, I like that this particular saint was also so many more things, the perfect product of multiple causality. And, so, just a brief pause in all the hubbub to note Thomas Cranmer, one of those great and troubled minds and hearts of human history. A toast to Thomas, one of those who loved too much. He was a good man. But And, oh, my, what hangs in the several hesitations. One could say a whole religion. I think of that lovely mess of a church he bequeathed to the world. In the Zen tradition we speak of life and our way as one continuous mistake. And with that in mind, I raise my glass to Thomas Cranmer and the Church of England Microsoft announced the Surface Pro 10 for Business and the Surface Laptop 6 for Business on Thursday, as expected. But what differentiates these new Surfaces from earlier models is that these new laptops actually feel like they were designed with businesses in mind and the Surface Pro 10 is perfect if youre coming down with spring fever. Microsoft is accepting orders for both devices today, with shipments beginning April 9. Prices begin at $1,199 for both. Consumer versions of the Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 are likely due in May. Microsoft has scheduled a second event just before its Build conference, with additional Surface hardware and AI improvements in Copilot and Windows on the table. This marks the first time that the Surface for Business brand actually feels somewhat purpose-built. For years, Microsofts business devices have been essentially carbon copies of the consumer hardware, merely running the Pro version of Windows 10 and Windows 11. Meanwhile, competitors like Dell have differentiated commercial and consumer brands like Latitude and Inspiron through differences in design as well as marketing. Inside these new devices are upgrades that will clearly benefit businesses, such as the use of Intels Core Ultra processor; the eventual addition of 5G to an Intel-based Surface, the first time Microsoft has done so; a new bolder, business keyboard; NFC (on the Surface Pro 10) and a smartcard reader (on the Surface Laptop 6). Theyre Secured-Core PCs with enhanced sign-in security on by default. They do not, however, include Intels business-oriented vPro version of the Core Ultra chips. Microsoft has also announced other upgrades to these new Surface devices that I expect will be a sneak peek at the consumer versions. They include a significantly brighter, but more anti-reflective screen and better webcams, including a new wide-angle camera on the Surface Pro 10 that most likely will be used for AI panning and zoom. And, of course, theres the new Copilot key that will launch Microsofts AI service where its available. Microsofts Surface Pro 10 for Business and the Surface Laptop 6 for Business, with Copilot. Microsofts Surface Pro 10 for Business and the Surface Laptop 6 for Business, with Copilot. Microsoft Microsofts Surface Pro 10 for Business and the Surface Laptop 6 for Business, with Copilot. Microsoft Microsoft Otherwise, the new Surface Pro 10 for Business is the same 13-inch tablet youve seen before, and the familiar Surface Laptop 6 comes in both 13.5- and 15-inch options. Unfortunately, Microsoft still isnt selling the (almost mandatory) new Surface Pro Keyboard or the (more optional) Surface Slim Pen 2 as a unified bundle out of the gate, though most retailers will eventually sell them as a bundle. Whats new in the Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 for Business AI, of course, is the new watchword. Both Surface devices will include the dedicated Copilot key that Microsoft talked about earlier, with a catch: if Copilot isnt available in your region, it will default to the standard Windows Search instead. Copilot can also select between Work and a personal account, so that Copilot can access a users workplace environment. And although Microsofts Windows app allows Mac users to access a Windows Cloud PC, Windows users in businesses can use it for Windows 365 and other cloud tools. Both the Surface Pro 10 for Business and Surface Laptop 6 for Business will be the first Surfaces to use Intels Core Ultra (Meteor Lake) chips, which include a dedicated AI block, the NPU. Windows 11 taps that NPU for what it calls Windows Studio Effects, which includes automatic zoom and panning, as well as noise filtering. Select laptops, including the Surface Pro 9, had used a dedicated Movidius AI card to achieve those same effects. Now, both the hardware and the processor have been more closely aligned for AI-enhanced video calls. The upcoming consumer versions of the Pro 9 and the Laptop 6 are expected to use Qualcomms Snapdragon X Elite chip instead, which also features a dedicated and likely more powerful NPU than what the Core Ultra offers. Windows Copilot interacting with OneNote. Windows Copilot interacting with OneNote. Microsoft Windows Copilot interacting with OneNote. Microsoft Microsoft In a video, Microsoft showed off how Copilot could be used as an assistant to an app like OneNote using AI to help organize and clean up notes, but also reformat them. One Microsoft exec showed off how her handwritten notes on agile software could be reformatted into a text table, just by asking Copilot. Microsoft is also announcing a new Surface Pro Keyboard with a bold keyset meaning that the characters on the keys are brighter and more pronounced. Microsoft is also making its Adaptive Accessories available to business customers. Microsofts new bold version of the Surface Pro keyboard. Note the Copilot key to the right of the right Alt key. Microsofts new bold version of the Surface Pro keyboard. Note the Copilot key to the right of the right Alt key. Microsoft Microsofts new bold version of the Surface Pro keyboard. Note the Copilot key to the right of the right Alt key. Microsoft Microsoft The more significant upgrades seem to have been reserved for the Surface Pro 10 for Business. Windows Studio Effects is almost certainly the justification for the new Ultrawide Studio Camera that now appears in the Surface Pro 10. It features a wider 114-degree field of view, which normally wouldnt be all that useful if the camera was focused on a single person. Automatic framing using Windows Studio Effects, on the Surface Pro 9. Automatic framing using Windows Studio Effects, on the Surface Pro 9. Mark Hachman / IDG Automatic framing using Windows Studio Effects, on the Surface Pro 9. Mark Hachman / IDG Mark Hachman / IDG But the Ultrawide Studio Camera now offers 1440p resolution, up from a 1080p webcam a generation ago. Microsoft will likely use that additional resolution as an option to crop down or zoom in on your face, and do the same if you move from left to right. Microsoft isnt giving the same treatment to the Surface Laptop 6 for Business, however, which features a more typical 1080p camera. A tablet for the great outdoors? But if you dont want to spend all day in an office, Microsoft has also made the Pro 10 for Business a great tablet for outdoor use. Our review photos of the Surface Pro 9 (5G) were shot outdoors, an appropriate place to work with an integrated 5G radio. The Pro 9s screen only put out 443 nits of brightness still significantly above the 260 nits we consider adequate for working in a well-lit room. But the Surface Pro 10 for Business features a new screen capable of 600 nits, which pushes it into the why dont I try working from the hammock territory. Contrast has been bumped up a bit, from 1200:1 to 1300:1, too. Microsofts Surface Pro 9, and the consumer version at that. But you can imagine using the new model in this scenario, too. Note that the Surface Pro 10s screen will be about a third brighter than it is here. Microsofts Surface Pro 9, and the consumer version at that. But you can imagine using the new model in this scenario, too. Note that the Surface Pro 10s screen will be about a third brighter than it is here. Mark Hachman / IDG Microsofts Surface Pro 9, and the consumer version at that. But you can imagine using the new model in this scenario, too. Note that the Surface Pro 10s screen will be about a third brighter than it is here. Mark Hachman / IDG Mark Hachman / IDG The other bane of outdoor work are the reflections caused by a glossy screen. Both the Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 include an anti-glossy screen that promises to cut reflections by 50 percent, while hopefully not affecting inking. Both devices displays also include upgraded adaptive-color technology to offset a change in lighting, too. Finally, the Surface Pro 10 will also later include a dedicated 5G radio, a first for an Intel-based Surface platform. Surface Pro 10 for Business with 5G will be available later this year in select markets, a Microsoft representative said in an email. All this will allow you to more easily take your Surface into the great outdoors during the opening days of spring. Surface Pro 10 for Business: detailed specifications Other than the features mentioned above, the biggest changes arriving on the Surface Pro 10 for Business are a substantial memory bump, in terms of capacity, with a 64GB option and use of the faster LPDDR5X memory standard. The rear-facing webcam is now 10.5Mpixels, up from 10Mpixels. Microsoft is still allowing a skilled technician to repair its Surface devices, and now there are instructional QR codes built into the inside of the device to help out. Otherwise, the Surface Pro 10 for Business has the same dimensions including weight as its predecessor, the Surface Pro 9. Display: 13-inch PixelSense Flow (28801920, 267 PPI, Gorilla Glass 5) up to 120Hz with dynamic refresh rate and 10-point multitouch 13-inch PixelSense Flow (28801920, 267 PPI, Gorilla Glass 5) up to 120Hz with dynamic refresh rate and 10-point multitouch Processor: Intel Core Ultra 5 135U, Core Ultra 7 165U Intel Core Ultra 5 135U, Core Ultra 7 165U Graphics: Intel Graphics Intel Graphics Memory: 8, 16, 32, 64GB LPDDR5X 8, 16, 32, 64GB LPDDR5X Storage: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD 256GB, 512GB, 1TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD Ports: 2 USB-C (USB 4.0/Thunderbolt 4 w/DisplayPort 2.1), 1 Surface Connect port, 1 Surface Keyboard Port 2 USB-C (USB 4.0/Thunderbolt 4 w/DisplayPort 2.1), 1 Surface Connect port, 1 Surface Keyboard Port Security: Camera (Windows Hello), NFC/smartcard reader; TPM 2.0 chip Camera (Windows Hello), NFC/smartcard reader; TPM 2.0 chip Camera: 1440p ultrawide (user-facing) with Windows Studio Effects, 10.5MP rear-facing 1440p ultrawide (user-facing) with Windows Studio Effects, 10.5MP rear-facing Battery: Design capacity: 48Wh Design capacity: 48Wh Wireless: Wi-Fi 6e (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.3; optional 5G Wi-Fi 6e (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.3; optional 5G Operating system: Windows 10 Pro or Windows 11 Pro Windows 10 Pro or Windows 11 Pro Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.2 x 0.37 inches 11.3 x 8.2 x 0.37 inches Weight: 1.94 pounds 1.94 pounds Color: Platinum, Black Platinum, Black Price: $1,199 to $2,799 $1,199 to $2,799 Optional accessories: Surface Slim Pen 2: $90 on sale at Amazon Microsoft representatives emailed us this list of Surface Pro 10 prices and configurations, attached below. Surface Laptop 6 for Business: detailed specifications While many other laptops now offer high-refresh-rate screens, the Surface Laptop 6 for Business still offers the standard 60Hz refresh rate and the 400-nit screen of the Surface Laptop 5. Memory and storage options have improved, however, in line with what the Surface Pro 10 offers. Microsofts Surface Laptop 6 for Business. Microsofts Surface Laptop 6 for Business. Microsoft Microsofts Surface Laptop 6 for Business. Microsoft Microsoft Interestingly, the 13.5-inch model includes a 39W power charger, and the 15-inch includes a 65W charger. Display: 13.5-inch PixelSense multitouch (22561504, Gorilla Glass 5); 15-inch (24961664, Gorilla Glass 5); 400 nits 13.5-inch PixelSense multitouch (22561504, Gorilla Glass 5); 15-inch (24961664, Gorilla Glass 5); 400 nits Processor: Intel Core Ultra 5 135U, Core Ultra 7 165U Intel Core Ultra 5 135U, Core Ultra 7 165U Graphics: Intel Graphics (8GB RAM) / Arc Graphics (everything else) Intel Graphics (8GB RAM) / Arc Graphics (everything else) Memory: 8, 16, 32, 64GB LPDDR5X 8, 16, 32, 64GB LPDDR5X Storage: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD 256GB, 512GB, 1TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD Ports: 13.5-inch: USB-C (USB 4.0/Thunderbolt 4 w/DisplayPort 2.1), USB-A, 1 Surface Connect port, 3.5mm headphone jack 15-inch: adds another Thunderbolt 4 port 13.5-inch: USB-C (USB 4.0/Thunderbolt 4 w/DisplayPort 2.1), USB-A, 1 Surface Connect port, 3.5mm headphone jack 15-inch: adds another Thunderbolt 4 port Security: 13.5-inch: Camera (Windows Hello) 15-inch: Camera (Windows Hello) and integrated smart card reader; TPM 2.0 chip 13.5-inch: Camera (Windows Hello) 15-inch: Camera (Windows Hello) and integrated smart card reader; TPM 2.0 chip Camera: 1080p (user-facing) with Windows Studio Effects 1080p (user-facing) with Windows Studio Effects Battery: 47Wh (both models) 47Wh (both models) Wireless: Wi-Fi 6e (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.3 Wi-Fi 6e (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.3 Operating system: Windows 10 Pro or Windows 11 Pro Windows 10 Pro or Windows 11 Pro Dimensions: 13.5-inch: 12.1 x 8.8 x 0.66 in.; 15-inch: 13.4 x 9.6 x 0.67 in. 13.5-inch: 12.1 x 8.8 x 0.66 in.; 15-inch: 13.4 x 9.6 x 0.67 in. Weight: 13.5-inch: 3.06lb; 15-inch: 3.7lb 13.5-inch: 3.06lb; 15-inch: 3.7lb Color: Platinum, Black Platinum, Black Price: $1,199 to $2,999 Microsoft provided us a list of prices and configurations for the Surface Laptop 6 for Business, which weve attached below. Opting for the smartcard reader costs an additional $50, and those options are only available in the United States and Canada. In a landmark visit highlighting its commitment to knowledge sharing and industry collaboration, Fidelity Bank Ghana, the nation's largest privately owned bank, welcomed a delegation of 35 students and faculty from Columbia Business School, a world-renowned institution for business education. The visit, held at Fidelity Bank's head office at Ridge Towers in Accra, served as a valuable platform for knowledge exchange and exploration of potential collaborations in driving financial inclusion, fostering innovation, and implementing effective growth strategies within the African market, specifically focusing on Ghana. Students engaged in dynamic discussions with Fidelity Bank executives, gaining firsthand insights into the bank's operations, strategic vision, and steadfast commitment to financial inclusion and sustainability in Ghana. Leaders from the bank shared their experiences, including emerging trends and challenges in the financial landscape and strides Fidelity Bank is making. Managing Director Julian Opuni recounted the bank's transformation from a discount house in 1998 to a leading universal bank today. He emphasized its strategic expansion, including an international office in Malaysia, and its focus on digital banking for broader financial accessibility. He further inspired the students by urging them to embrace calculated risks, sharing a personal anecdote about his own career shift to join a young, five-year-old Fidelity Bank in Ghana from the UK, highlighting the potential rewards of taking bold steps. Nana Yaa Afriyie Ofori-Koree, Head of Partnerships, Sustainability, and CSR outlined Fidelity Bank's comprehensive approach to sustainable development. She addressed social and environmental challenges and highlighted the bank's three-pillar strategy: Sustainable Finance, Sustainable Operations, and CSR. Examples included the Fidelity Young Entrepreneur program and the Orange Impact initiative, which supports education through financial and non-financial support. Ag. Director of Retail Segments Thomas Ishmael Adjei showcased Fidelity Bank's innovative approach to financial inclusion. He shared the success of the Smart Account, featuring simplified account opening and low know your customer requirements, and the extensive agency network exceeding 9,000 agents, making financial services readily accessible in remote areas. Professor Stephan Meier, Chair of the Management Division and James P. Gorman Professor of Business at Columbia Business School, expressed his appreciation for Fidelity Bank's ongoing commitment to providing students with firsthand knowledge of the Ghanaian financial sector. This marks the third such visit, offering valuable insights into the unique realities of the Ghanaian market. Professor Meier emphasized the importance of exposing students to diverse perspectives within the field of finance. The delegation toured various departments within the bank, gaining a comprehensive understanding of Fidelity Bank's operations and its steadfast commitment to financial inclusion. This enriching experience provided students with valuable insights into the unique realities of the Ghanaian market and equipped them with practical knowledge that can be applied in their future endeavours. The visit signifies a crucial step in fostering collaboration between academia and the financial industry. This knowledge exchange equips future business leaders with valuable insights and paves the way for potential partnerships that can contribute to financial inclusion, innovation, and sustainable development in Ghana 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 This years West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for School Candidates (WASSCE-SC) will now be written from August 5 to September 27, the Ghana Education Service (GES) has confirmed. The new timetable is an update on the previously announced schedule of July 1 to August 31, 2024. Similarly, the 2024 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) is scheduled for July 8 to July 12. Circular The new WASSCE date was communicated to regional directors in a circular dated March 12, 2024, and signed by the acting Director, Schools and Instructions Division of the GES, Prince C. Agyemang-Duah. Management of the Ghana Education Service wishes to inform all heads of senior high schools (SHSs) that the date for the conduct of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination 2024 for School Candidates circulated to the schools earlier has been revised, it said. The letter urged regional directors of education to communicate the information to all heads of SHSs to take note of the new date and prepare the candidates for the examination accordingly. The new date supersedes the earlier date communicated to the schools, it said. Although no official reason was assigned for the new date, sources indicated that it was to give the candidates enough time to prepare for the examination. WAEC When contacted, the Head of Public Affairs of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), John Kapi, confirmed that with the new development, the country would continue with the Ghana Only Version of the WASSCE-SC. It will be the third time Ghanaian candidates will be writing the WASSCE-SC alone. This is because the other four-member countries of the WAEC Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone and The Gambia have returned to the May/June calendar after the COVID-19 pandemic. There has been some misinformation that we have to clarify. The fact that it is Ghana Only does not change anything about the examination. It is still the same process that we go through and the same conditions that go with the examination in the other member countries of WAEC, he said. 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 The United States Government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), donated a new 19-seater boat to the Ghana Health Service to serve communities of the Oti region. The boat, known as the Health Voyager, will serve 30 percent of the entire population in the Oti region more than 230,000 people across 185 island communities in four districts. The USAID/Ghana Health Office Director, Dr. Zohra Balsara noted that the United States is committed to ensuring that all Ghanaians, regardless of their location, have access to quality health care. USAIDs donations embody our commitment to enhancing primary health care services in Ghana. Island communities along the Volta Lake are often cut off from health services due to geographical barriers. The Health Voyager, designed and manufactured in Ghana, was custom-made to navigate the expansive Volta Lake. The boat will reshape the healthcare service delivery landscape along the Volta Lake coast, allowing community health staff to conduct routine outreach visits including childhood vaccinations, pregnant women checkups, and counseling for nurturing underweight children. In addition, the United States recently renovated a boat for the Volta Region, which is now serving 54,000 people across 45 island communities. USAID also donated four pick-up trucks and 30 motorcyclescontributing to the total of over 300 motorcycles and 20 vehicles the United States has donated to the Ghana Health Service over the past year. These are all crucial assets that will support healthcare delivery across Ghana and ensure the Ghana Health Service can implement its community outreach or CHPS Primary Health Care delivery model. The United States is Ghanas largest bilateral development donor. In 2023, USAIDs bilateral development assistance totaling over $140 million was dedicated to supporting health, economic growth, agriculture, education, governance, and security in Ghana. About USAID USAID is the lead U.S. Government agency that works to end extreme global poverty and enable resilient, democratic societies to realize their potential. USAID's activities and strategic partnerships support Ghana to advance an integrated approach to development. It promotes accountability, sustainable systems, and inclusive development. Source: Isaac Kwame Owusu/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected] 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 health Minister designate, Dr. Bernard Okoe-Boyebook recording Ghanas COVID-19 pandemic traumatic experience has officially been launched in Accra, on March 20, 2024. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo at the College of Physicians and Surgeons launched the book titled, Fellow Ghanaians: Telling Ghanas COVID-19 Story: A Journey of Fear, Facts, Faith and Fortune. The book is expected to serve as a study document presenting original research into the COVID-19 Pandemic and engaging directly with all sections of the Ghanaian society and beyond. Speaking at the official launch, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo labeled the book as a master piece published timely and purposefully for all, especially generations yet unborn. He praised Dr. Okoe-Boye for thoughtfully giving a comprehensive analysis of Ghanas COVID-19 pandemic traumatic experience. The President described Dr. Okoe-Boye as one of the distinguished youngest appointees of his government whose stellar performance is praiseworthy. He commended Ghanaians for strictly adhering to the safety protocols that were put in place to curb the spread of the pandemic and reminded the citizens to reflect on the bitter lessons learnt and the progress made towards nation building. The Author, Dr. Bernard Okoe-Boye said he wrote the book to share knowledge with the world on how the Ghana government and all key stakeholders helped in fighting the COVID-19pandemic. The legacies of the pandemic lie in these intangible, priceless changes in attitude. Another intangible legacy of the pandemic going into the future has to do with the rekindling of the can do spirit. The experience we have had as nation and the battles we have fought against the virus under the banner of This too shall pass and the grace of the Almighty has established our belief in the Ghanaian. It is now clear that no problem can continue to persist, no challenge can continue to linger on, when we dare ourselves to be frontal with the issues and rise to the occasion. He recognized the contribution of all key stakeholders in Ghanas health eco-system, especially the frontline health staff at the various health facilities whose hard work, resulted in the official documentation of the book. Dr. Okoe-Boye revealed that monetary gains from the book launch would be used for the construction of new Wards at the Lekma hospital in the Greater Accra Region and an identified health facility in a deprived community in the Nkoranza district of the Bono East Region. Vice President Bawumia Vice President, Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia commented, Two features of the book stand out. First, the language is highly accessible; everyone can read and understand the contents. This is good for both basic and advanced lovers of knowledge. Secondly, the story is told in detailed chronological accounts, making it easy for readers to follow the story as it is told. Future students of contemporary Ghanaian history or even global health history will find this book invaluable. The book is certainly a good record of the collective audacity of Ghanaians and our ability to fight the COVID-19 pandemic with such courage and alacrity. To get a copy of this book is to keep a piece history on your bookshelf. First Lady Rebecca The First Lady, Rebecca Akufo Addo (Mrs.) assessed the book and stated, The COVID-19 pandemic taught as many lessons and showed as that we are a resilient nation. Dr. Okoe Boyes book encapsulates that so succinctly. The book gives insight into our transition from the first reported case to our unique responsiveness to the global pandemic as it evolved. We are made to appreciate how the vulnerable in society adapted, as well what the government did, to facilitate the survival of the whole nation. The simplistic vocabulary book dovetails a detailed account of how Ghana in the Sub-Region handled the COVID-19 pandemic using the whole of government and whole of society approach. The book recounts the discovery of the virus in Ghana and the swift crafting, adoption, and implementation of measures to contain its widespread. The book also gives a mental picture of the imposition of some restrictions, the acquisition of vaccines and their administration, and the easing of the restrictions by the Ghanaian authorities. Source: ABDUL KARIM NAATOGMAH - Contributor 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 Amidst the electrifying atmosphere of the Greater Accra Regional Campaign launch for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), John Boadu, the immediate past General Secretary, took center stage to deliver a powerful message of unity and assurance. As the crowd gathered in anticipation, Boadu's presence commanded respect, his reputation as a seasoned politician preceding him. Addressing the enthusiastic supporters, Boadu emphasized the importance of peace and unity within the party. With the 2024 General elections looming, he stressed that cohesion and solidarity were the keys to victory. "Our strength lies not only in our numbers but in our unity," he declared, rallying the party faithful to stand together despite any differences. With fervor in his voice, John Boadu assured the crowd that the NPP was more than ready to secure victory in the upcoming elections. He highlighted the party's achievements and outlined its vision for the future, instilling confidence in the hearts of supporters. However, John Boadu didn't solely focus on the Greater Accra Region. Recognizing the significance of the Ashanti Region as the party's stronghold, he directed his attention to Justin Kodua Frimpong, the current General Secretary. Boadu urged Frimpong to ensure that peace prevails in the Ashanti Region, emphasizing the region's critical role in securing the party's success. "We cannot afford to overlook any region," John Boadu asserted. "The Ashanti Region must stand firm with the NPP, and it is our responsibility to ensure that peace reigns there." As his speech concluded, the crowd erupted into applause, energized by Boadu's impassioned words. His message resonated deeply, reaffirming the commitment of NPP supporters to work together towards victory. The Greater Accra Regional Campaign launch concluded with a renewed sense of purpose and unity. John Boadu's call for peace, unity, and determination echoed long after the event, serving as a beacon of hope and inspiration for the NPP as they embarked on their journey towards 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 CEO of the State Transport Corporation (STC), Nana Akomea, has assured Ghanaians of an imminent end to the frequent power outages. The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) is being pressured to release a load-shedding timetable due to frequent power outages. However, the company insists that there is no need for it. According to ECG, the power outages are not the "return of dumsor" but are due to an overload of the transformers. During a panel discussion on Peace FM's morning show 'Kokrokoo' on Tuesday 19th March 2024, Nana Akomea mentioned that there's an end in sight. "Let me assure you...I have information from a very reliable source that by next week, the dumsor will stop. The government would've resolved all the issues. So there will be no problems of Dumsor during the Easter season" he said. Listen to him in the video below 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 Australians are known for many things with our spirit and mateship among them. And that "true Aussie spirit" was on full display this week when several drivers came to a halt on a long and windy regional road. A driver's dashcam footage captured the "amazing" moment unfold on Wednesday afternoon after a fallen tree blocked drivers travelling along Jamberoo Mountain Road a 3.1km road connecting Kiama to the Southern Highlands in NSW. With there being only one lane in each direction and no way to get around, a group of Aussies came together and leapt into action. Robert, whose dashcam captured the footage, told Yahoo News Australia he came around the corner and found the tree lying flat across the road with drivers on the other side jumping out of their cars. Several drivers who were blocked buy a fallen tree helped move it off a road in NSW. Source: Facebook "I dont know if they knew each other but one of them must have said 'I can pull it off the road'," he said. "So he brought his car up, he had a snap tow strap, and they started setting it up to pull it off the road." Group of men safely guiding tree off the road The footage shows at least five men working to strap the tree, using a 4WD to eventually tow it off the road. One man is seen guiding the vehicle while keeping an eye on the tree trunk while another three stand by to make sure "it's all safe", Robert said. "The guy doing the driving and the guy doing the hand signals kept checking to make sure everything was as safe as it could be, and I was giving the police a running commentary right up until just before they got the tree off the road," he added Robert, who spent 40 years working for the NSW fire brigade said his experience meant he "could see that they were doing everything safe" and felt no need to step in. "I just did my bit by reporting the fall to the police and council," he said. Story continues Yahoo News Australia contacted Kiama Council for comment. Social media blown away by 'great Aussie spirit' The whole thing was over within five or so minutes with the banked-up cars once again able to pass through. Robert said it really showed "a bit of great Aussie spirit" and others on social media agreed. The men used a cable attached to a vehicle to help guide the tree off the road. Source: Facebook. "I was there and the camaraderie was amazing," one woman said. "Great Aussie spirit, well done all," praised another. "Well done everyone that was involved," a third a said. With many others agreeing it was a job well done. Robert said it's not the first time he's heard of this happening since the road is prone to fallen trees. Last year, Kiama Council closed the road for repairs after it was damaged during torrential rain in July. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. The Majority leader in Parliament, Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has reminded the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin, of his right to express an opinion on the actions of President Nana Akufo-Addo in relation to the anti-gay bill, but added that while expressing his opinion, he should be mindful of his utterances which seems to be denigrating the President. The Majority caucus of Ghanas parliament criticized the Speaker for the way and manner he described the President in his reaction to the letter that was written to Parliament by the Secretary to the President, Nana Asante Bediatuo on this particular bill. During a parliamentary session on Wednesday, March 20, Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin had told President Akufo-Addo that his refusal to accept the transmission of the anti-gay bill to his office is a departure from established democratic practices when not checked will be a bad precedence for the future. The Speaker also said the Presidents conduct is undermining the spirit of cooperative governance and mutual respect for the arms of government. Speaker Alban Bagbin said, "the behaviour exhibited by the Presidency in refusing to accept the transmission of this bill not only deviates from established democratic practices but also undermines the spirit of cooperative governance and mutual respect for the arms of government. This is a principle that forms the cornerstone of our political system. Such actions, if left unchecked, risk setting dangerous precedents that threaten the integrity and functionality of our democratic institutions, he said this on the floor of Parliament on Wednesday, March 20 while responding to the letter written to the House by the Presidents Secretary, Nana Bediatuo Asante asking the Clerk of parliament not to remit the bill to the President. He added, In alignment with our constitutional mandates and the principles of good governance, it is essential for the President to adhere to the lawful course of action by accepting the transmission of the bill. Upon receipt, the President has the constitutionally provided options to assent to the bill, refuse it, or seek further consultation, as deemed necessary. As we move forward, it is the collective responsibility of all branches of government, and indeed all citizens, to uphold the constitution and ensure that our democratic practices are not only preserved but strengthened." The current impasse presents an opportunity for reflection and reaffirmation of our commitment to the principles of democracy, rule of law, and the unequivocal respect for the legislative process that forms the bedrock of our nations governance. I reiterate that the refusal to even accept the bill for consideration falls outside the legal bounds established by our constitutional framework. It is incumbent upon the President to accept the bill and take the necessary action within the prescribed constitutional limits, whether that action is assent, refusal, or referral to the Council of State for advice. Article 106(7) says Where a bill passed by Parliament is presented to the President for assent, he shall signify within seven days after the presentation, to the Speaker that he assents to the bill or that he refuses to assent to bill, unless the bill has been referred by the President to the Council of State under article 90 of this Constitution. The Parliament of Ghana will comply with the existing legal framework and reject the attempts by the Executive Secretary of the President, through his contemptuous letter, to instruct the Clerk to Parliament, an Officer of Parliament whose position is recognizably under the Constitution. We shall not cease and desist!" He further said, Be that as it may, Hon. Members, I also bring to your attention, the receipt of a process from the Courts titled Rockson-Nelson Etse K. Dafeamekpor vrs. The Speaker of Parliament and the Attorney -General (Suit no. J1/12/2024) which process was served on the 19th of March 2024 and an injunction motion on notice seeking to restrain the Speaker from proceeding with the vetting and approval of the names of the persons submitted by His Excellency the President until the provisions of the constitution are satisfied." Hon. Members in the light of this process, the House is unable to continue to consider the nominations of His Excellency the President in the spirit of upholding the rule of law until after the determination of the application for interlocutory injunction by the Supreme Court, he said. Addressing the media after the Speakers comments on Wednesday, the Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin said, Mr. Speaker went beyond expressing disagreement and rather pronounced judgment on what in his view was wrong. Mr. Speaker did not only stop there, he also used very unsavory words to describe Mr. President. We believe that in a democracy, we have our right to disagree on views expressed but we do not have the right to say things to denigrate another. This we think is very unacceptable. Mr. Speaker said the President has undermined democracy and that he should have resorted to the Constitution in making certain communications to the House. We in the Majority beg to disagree with the position taken by Mr. Speaker. If you carefully read the letter that was sent to Parliament, Mr. President limited himself to the process before the court and the fact that Parliament itself has filed an affidavit in opposition and is in court. In fact, Parliament is a party to the suit, so for us, we do not see how this would have to affect the proceedings of Parliament. In any event, Mr. Speaker has always deferred to the leadership of the House to guide him in the conduct of business. This morning, the leadership of the House sat together to discuss the various items to be taken, we have finished some, but there were some that we were supposed to take and we were told that Mr. Speaker would have to take the chair. It is very disappointing that after Mr. Speaker had made known his own views about the letter sent from the presidency to the clerk he adjourned the house without giving room for the leadership of the house to even comment. This we find very strange, this is a democracy and we believe, as Mr. speaker himself said, that this impasse calls for reflection. I will play that out to Mr. Speaker that we all need to reflect on the way forward as a nation. The conversation on whether or not the president will assent to the Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family value Bill started after parliament had passed the bill on February 18. This generated controversies around the bill with some civil society organisations and other human rights groups called on the President not to assent to the bill. There were other groups such as the office of the Chief Imam as well as the Christian Council and the catholic Bishops Conference who were also calling on the President to assent to the bill passed by parliament. In addressing some foreign diplomats, the President mentioned that the bill has been challenged in the Supreme Court, hence, he will wait for the verdict of the Supreme Court. The bill, if assented to, prescribes between three and five years imprisonment to persons found guilty of willful promotion, funding, and advocating for LGBTQ+ activities prohibited under the act. Also, persons who publicly identify themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, an ally, or pansexual face between two months and three years of imprisonment. The president later indicated his inability to the bill until after the Supreme Court had finished hearing the suit filed against the bill. Later the Attorney -General in a letter dated March 18 addressed to Parliament and signed by the executive secretary to the President, Nana Bediatuo Asante, it was indicated that the Attorney-General wrote to the President stating, amongst other things, that he has been duly served with both applications. He, therefore, advised the President not to take any step in relation to the Bill until the matters raised by the suits are determined by the Supreme Court. The statement further requested that Parliament cease and desist from transmitting the Bill to the President until the matters before the Supreme Court are resolved. This Office is aware of two pending applications for an order of interlocutory injunction, both filed on 7th March 2024, in the Supreme Court in Dr. Amanda Odoi v. The Speaker of Parliament and the Attorney-General (J1/13/2023) and Richard Sky v. The Parliament of Ghana and The Attorney-General (11/9/2024), respectively, to restrain you and Parliament from transmitting the Bill to the President and, also, to restrain the President from signifying his assent to the Bill, pending the final determination of the matter, the statement added. 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 General Secretary of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) has urged Ghanaians to choose the next president for the nation wisely ahead of the December 7 presidential polls. Justin Kodua Frimpong in an interview with Citi News and monitored by Peacefmonline.com said voting for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, Mr John Dramani Mahama again to be president will be harmful to the state. You have one person who has the chance to be president for eight years, who can come to you again for four years for you to evaluate what he has done, and one person who has nothing to lose. After four years, whether he performs or does not perform, he is going. So it is a choice that Ghanaians will have to make, he advised. According to him, his party's flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has proven with his policies that he can transform the country if elected as president. Thats the message that we are driving home. When it comes to in terms of policies and ideas, we are waiting for the time that there will be that public discussion or debate between our flagbearer and the flagbearer of the opposition party and then we will be able to know the real and clear difference between the two of them, he said. Justin Kodua Frimpong further called for a public debate between the two main presidential candidates to sell to Ghanaians their policies. Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/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 NDC Member of Parliament(MP) for Afram Plains North constituency, Betty Krosby Mensah, has described a recent comment made by the Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markins about the ability of Prof Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang as running mate of the NDC Flag bearer to lead the party in future as unacceptable and misguided. Betty Krosby Mensah made the statement at a press conference in Accra. "Afenyo-Markin's comment about Prof Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang comes at a time women in the country want the Affirmative Action Bill passed to guarantee equal rights and inclusivity for all marginalised groups," Betty Krosby Mensah stated. The Afram Plains North MP said, as the first female Vice Chancellor of a public university in Ghana and a former Minister of Education, Prof Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang ought to be celebrated for her contribution to national development rather than being ridiculed. "Prof Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang's reselection as running mate of the NDC serves as evidence of her leadership qualities, wisdom and commitment towards advancement of the nation," the Afram Plains North MP stated. Source: Emmanuel Akorli/Parliamentary Correspondent Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Former General Secretary of the People's National Convention (PNC), Atik Mohammed has alleged that the actions of President Akufo-Addo is a deliberate attempt to undermine the arms of government. According to Atik Mohammed, the constitution makes it clear that, Parliament, after the passage of a bill, has to present it to the President to assent. However, the President upon receiving the bill, has fourteen (14) days to write back to parliament. In a letter dated, Monday, March 18, 2024, Nana Bediatuo Asante, Secretary to the President, urged parliament to refrain from transmitting the recently passed Anti-LGBTQI+ Bill to President Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo for assent. He added that the presidency cited two pending applications before the Supreme Court for an order of interlocutory injunction against the bill. In his view, Atik Mohammed opined that the letter from the President ordering parliament to cease and desist from transmitting the bill to the office is a total disrespect and disregard for the arms of government, adding that the actions are setting a bad precedence for posterity. According to Atik Mohammed, the presidents actions are so because he does not believe in the Ghanaian family values which the bill seeks to protect and promote. "It is a clear indication that the president is not committed to protecting the Ghanaian values. He is not committed to the issues related to the Ghanaian family values. It is very sad because the president's action is creating a rift between the arms Government. I dont know how far this will go but Ghanaians will not forgive the president," Atik said. Atik added that the President should be called out for the manner in which he is handling the Anti-gay Bill. Atik Mohammed's outburst came to light after the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Bagbin, on Wednesday, 20th March 2024 suspended the approval of Ministers and Deputy Ministers of State following an injunction filed at the Supreme Court by the Member of Parliament (MP) for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Etse K. Dafeamekpor. This action, according to Atik Mohammed, stems from the President's actions which seems to disrespect the parliament of 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 Vietnam's President, Vo Van Thuong, has resigned after just one year in office. The Vietnamese Communist Party accepted the resignation of President Vo Van Thuong, the government said on Wednesday, March 20. The government said in a statement that Thuong had violated party rules, adding that those "shortcomings had negatively impacted public opinion, affecting the reputation of the Party, State and him personally". The Central Party Committee, a top decision-making body in Communist Party-ruled Vietnam, approved Thuongs resignation just about a year after his election. The president holds a largely ceremonial role but is one of the top four political positions in the Southeast Asian nation. The committees meeting preceded an extraordinary session of Vietnams rubber-stamping parliament scheduled on Thursday when deputies are expected to confirm the partys decisions. The government statement did not elaborate on Thuongs shortcomings, but major leadership changes in the one-party state have recently been all linked to the wide-ranging anti-bribery campaign. It is aimed at stamping out widespread corruption but is also suspected by critics to be a tool for political infighting. Foreign investors and diplomats have repeatedly blamed the campaign for slowing down decisions in a country which is already grappling with cumbersome bureaucracy. Thuong, 53, quit days after Vietnamese police announced the arrest for alleged corruption a decade ago of a former head of central Vietnams Quang Ngai province, who served while Thuong was party chief there. He had also been a senior party official of economic hub Ho Chi Minh City, which has been rocked by a multi-billion-dollar long-running financial scam, for which a large trial is currently underway. 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 Dancehall act, Shatta Wale, says Prophet Nigel Gaisie should be arrested following his alleged prophecy about late Deputy Finance Minister, John Kumah. Speaking on GTV, Shatta Wale expressed dismay at the lack of action taken by authorities against Gaisie, emphasising his commitment to curbing what he perceives as false prophecies. I told myself that when I come out of prison, I am going to make sure they stop all these pastors from delivering those nonsense false prophecies, Shatta Wale asserted during the interview. His remarks came in light of the recent controversy surrounding John Kumahs untimely demise and Gaisies prophecy, which allegedly hinted at impending threats against a certain deputy minister. In his declaration last year, Gaisie cryptically warned of an attack targeting a Deputy Minister of Finance, spurring speculation after Kumahs passing in March 2024. Despite the outcry, Gaisies foresight into Kumahs health condition since November 2023, as revealed by the late ministers widow, has added complexity to the situation. Nigel Gaisie was like a brother. He knows my late husband, lawyer John Kumah personally, one-on-one, John Kumahs widow disclosed, shedding light on their personal relationship with the prophet. She further emphasised Gaisies prior knowledge of Kumahs terminal illness, questioning the authenticity and motive behind his prophetic utterances. Amidst growing scrutiny, Shatta Wales vocal stance underscores the tension between religious prophecy and accountability, sparking debate over the role of spiritual leaders in shaping public discourse and the consequences of their proclamations. As the controversy continues to unfold, the demand for transparency and accountability within the realm of prophecy remains at the forefront of public discourse. 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 An Allegheny County funeral director was found guilty of abuse of a corpse on Wednesday. Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Beth Lazzara issued the verdict after three days of testimony in the case of Michael Aldrich, 76, of West Mifflin, according to reports from WPXI and TribLive. Aldrich, a funeral director since 1977, had been charged in November 2022 for his handling the body of Dexter Owens, 64, who died on Aug. 31, 2022, in Munhall. Authorities said Aldrich left Owens body to decay unrefrigerated for eight days. Under Pennsylvania law, a body must be either embalmed, placed in a sealed casket or refrigerated within 24 hours. If refrigerated, it must be kept between 35 and 40 degrees. Owens family claimed that Aldrich left his body out deliberately, as they had expressed concerns over the cremation costs, and wanted to use a different funeral home. Would leaving the body of a family member on a table for two days under only air conditioning outrage an ordinary familys sensibilities? Lazzara asked, according to TribLive. This case fits well within the statutory requirements of abuse of corpse. Judge noted that by the time it had been put in a body bag on Sept. 2, it already had an odor. When Shamiah Coulverson, the owner House of Paradise Cremation and Funeral Services, testified that went to pick up the body, she could smell it from the alleyway outside, that it was on a stretcher in a pile of liquid, and that it was covered in maggots. The judge recognized that funeral directors are entrusted by the public. They have a very sacred obligation to treat the remains of a loved one with respect, Attorney Paul Ellis, who is representing the Owens family in a civil case, said to WPXI. That didnt happen in this case. The guilty verdict is appropriate. Aldrichs defense attorney, William Difenderfer, argued that the statute is vague and was intended only to criminalize mutilation and sexual abuse. I guess now for all funeral homes and directors, beware that if you dont refrigerate a body within 24 hours, like 27 hours, 28 hours, you could become a criminal and have a criminal record for abuse of corpse, which is absolutely ridiculous, he said to WPXI. Thats not the purpose of the statute. I disagree with every bit of the ruling. Aldrich will be sentenced on April 24. He is expected to get a term of probation. By Audrey McAvoy, The Associated Press HONOLULU Richard C. Dick Higgins, one of the few remaining survivors of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, has died, a family member said Wednesday. He was 102. Higgins died at home in Bend, Oregon, on Tuesday of natural causes, granddaughter Angela Norton said. Higgins was a radioman assigned to a patrol squadron of seaplanes based at the Hawaii naval base when Japanese planes began dropping bombs on the morning of Dec. 7, 1941. He recounted in a 2008 oral history interview how he was in his bunk inside a screened-in lanai, or porch, on the third floor of his barracks when the bombing began. I jumped out of my bunk and I ran over to the edge of the lanai and just as I got there, a plane went right over the barracks, he said according to the interview by the National Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg, Texas. He estimated the plane was about 50 feet (15 meters) to his side and 100 feet (30 meters) above his barracks. He described big red meatballs on the plane, in reference to the red circular emblem painted on the wings and fuselages of the Japanese aircraft. So, there was no doubt what was happening in my mind, because of the things that had been going on, he said. Pearl Harbor survivor Dick Higgins listens to a speaker during a ceremony at Bend High School in Bend, Ore., on Dec. 7, 2023, to honor him as well as those who died in the Dec. 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. Higgins, one of the few remaining survivors of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, died Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at his home in Bend, Ore. He was 102. (Joe Kline/The Bulletin via AP)AP Norton called her grandfather a humble and kind man who would frequently visit schools to share stories about Pearl Harbor, World War II and the Great Depression. Norton said he wanted to teach people history so they wouldnt repeat it. It was never about him, Norton said. The heroes were those that didnt come home. Higgins was born on a farm near Mangum, Oklahoma, on July 24, 1921. He joined the Navy in 1939 and retired 20 years later. He then became an aeronautics engineer for Northrop Corporation, which later became Northrop Grumman, and other defense contractors. He worked on the B-2 Stealth Bomber, Norton said. His wife, Winnie Ruth, died in 2004 at the age of 82. They had been married for 60 years. Not long after he went into hospice last Thursday, he told his granddaughter, Im ready to go see Winnie Ruth. I said, Its OK, go home. Be with Jesus and be with Winnie Ruth, Norton said. Its okay to do that. Leave us. Youve had its such a good and full life. There are now 22 survivors of the attack still living, said Kathleen Farley, the California state chair of the Sons and Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors. Farley said other survivors may still be living but not all joined the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association when it was formed in 1958 and so may not be known to her. This April 28, 1944 family photo provided by Angela Norton shows Dick and Winnie Ruth Higgins on their wedding day in Lake City, Fla.. Higgins, one of the few remaining survivors of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, died Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at his home in Bend, Ore. He was 102. (Angela Norton via AP)AP About 2,400 servicemen were killed in the bombing, which launched the U.S. into World War II. The USS Arizona battleship alone lost 1,177 sailors and Marines, nearly half the death toll. About 87,000 military personnel were on Oahu on Dec. 7, according to a rough estimate compiled by military historian J. Michael Wenger. Higgins is survived by two children, two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. The family plans to hold a memorial service at a church in Bend on Thursday followed by a ceremony with full military honors. Afterward his body will be flown to California, where he will be buried next to his wife. Associated Press researcher Randy Herschaft in New York contributed. By Theresa Braine, New York Daily News (TNS) The U.S. Coast Guard plucked more than two dozen high school students from the waters of Long Island Sound on Wednesday after their boat capsized in Westport, Connecticut. The Coast Guard was called at around 5:40 p.m. for a report of a capsized boat near Compo Beach and found multiple people in the water, WFSB reported. Seven boats from various agencies raced to the area as well, according to the outlet. It took about half an hour to rescue the 27 high school students and two adults, with the last person pulled from the water at 6:15 p.m. For a harrowing few minutes, one high schooler was missing, but was located soon after. No one was hospitalized or suffered serious injuries. The boat had collided with another, sending the occupants tumbling into Long Island Sound, the Coast Guard told WTNH, noting it was owned by Westports Saugatuck Rowing Company. As Riley Strains family and authorities continue to search for him after his disappearance ten days ago, they are beginning to have tough conversations about his possible fate. Strain, a student at the University of Missouri, was last seen on March 8 at Luke Bryans 32 Bridge bar in Nashville, Tenn. Put yourself in our shoes, Strains stepfather, Chris Whiteid, said to ABC News on Wednesday. Your family, your brother, your sister -- theyve been missing for almost two weeks. Everybody knows it, everybodys thinking it -- those conversations are starting to happen, he said. Its not what we want. And I understand that people want to know what were feeling -- were feeling frustrated, were feeling hurt, were feeling depressed. Nobody knows what happened to Riley. Strain and his fraternity brothers were at the bar, but he was reportedly made to leave after staff there felt he had too much to drink. According to Whiteid, Strains mother said that when he FaceTimed her from the bar, he didnt sound intoxicated. The two exchanged texts after the call. The last one he sent to his mother before disappearing said, I love you. Ive never gone this long without talking to him, she said to People. He just always wants to make sure that his mama is okay, no matter what. Hes such a great kid. Strain had told his friends he would walk back to the hotel they were staying at, which was about five blocks away. Pings from his phone, however, suggest that he walked in the opposite direction of the hotel when he left the bar. He has not been seen since. Police released a body camera video of Strain speaking to a police officer around 9:50 p.m. The officer asked how he was doing, and Strain, walking alone, responded, Im good, how are you? Why he didnt ask for help, I cant answer, Whiteid said to ABC News. It makes no sense. Security footage captured Strain walking along Gay Street at about 10 p.m. that evening. Police said they found Strains bank card near a river in Nashville on Sunday. Authorities said they have been have been searching by foot, by drone and by boat. The search has even extended beyond Nashville, as authorities shut down a dam 30 miles downstream from the riverbanks where Strain was last seen to look through debris, WKRN reported. Somebodys seen something, somebody knows something. Whiteid said. They just have to realize they need to share that information with us. Not wearing a seatbelt while driving is a known offence on Aussie roads, so too is wearing one incorrectly but its condition is just as important as using one, police have warned. The message comes after a Sydney driver was found with a sad looking seatbelt during a random stationary test at Richmond in the city's northwest, resulting in a hefty $387 fine. A photo shared by NSW Police Traffic and Highway Patrol shows the shocking state of the driver's seatbelt which had evidently seen better days. It was held together with duct tape, had frayed edges, and looked like it would snap at any moment. Police described the seatbelt as "dangerously defective". Police considered the Sydney driver's seatbelt 'dangerously defective'. Source: Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, NSW Police Force "Seatbelts help to save lives, except for this one...." the police department shared on Facebook on Wednesday. "Hawkesbury Highway Patrol were recently conducting random stationary testing on Londonderry Road at Richmond when they spoke with a driver about his seatbelt. "Not only was the seatbelt not being worn, an inspection of the seatbelt found it to be dangerously defective," they added. "He was issued a defect notice and infringement in the amount of $387 and three demerit points. Please ensure your seatbelts don't look like this." Seatbelt condition part of rego safety check For a vehicle more than five years old to be roadworthy in NSW it must first pass an eSafety check, also known as a pink slip inspection. These inspections must be performed at authorised inspection stations with the results electronically lodged with the Roads and Maritime Services (RMS). Part of the safety check includes a thorough inspection of the vehicle's body, engine, electronics and also the seatbelt condition, making many on social media question how it passed to begin with. Story continues It is an offence in NSW to drive without a suitable seatbelt. Source: Getty "And who passed the Pink Slip? Thats where Id be heading," one expressed on the social media post. "I wonder who did the rego check on this vehicle," another agreed. The car's condition stunned Aussies who couldn't believe how the seatbelt got so bad. "How does it even get to that stage," one question. While others agreed the seatbelt was no longer safe. While the cost of a new seatbelt can vary, Autobarn, Australia's largest franchise retailer of automotive accessories, sells standard seatbelts for under $200. However, for specific car models, seatbelts can cost up to $550. Previously, a dad was fined $2,156 in two weeks for his daughter's seatbelt mistake while another driver won a fight over an 'unfair' $413 fine. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. MOUNT GILEAD, Ohio A fire Wednesday at what officials called an Amish puppy mill in Morrow County killed 70 dogs, according to multiple reports. WBNS Channel 10 reports the fire occurred at about 1 a.m. in Johnsville in Morrow County, which is about 90 miles southwest of Cleveland. When firefighters arrived at the scene, the kennel already had partially collapsed, WBNS reports. Harlen Barrick, the chief of the Johnsville Fire Department, tells WCMH Channel 4 that it took about 40 minutes to get the fire under control. By Nick Vadala, The Philadelphia Inquirer (TNS) PHILADELPHIA Former Jackass star Bam Margera is off the hook on charges filed in connection with an incident at the Radnor Hotel in August. Margera, 44, faced counts of disorderly conduct and public drunkenness, but both charges were withdrawn in Delaware County District Court, records show. Justice prevailed today when charges were withdrawn against Mr. Margera, said attorneys Michael T. van der Veen and William J. Brennan in a joint statement. Its fulfilling to be able to help him get his life back on track. Margera was cited Aug. 9 after Radnor police received a call about an argument between a man and woman at the Radnor Hotel between 3 and 4 a.m., a source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the incident, told The Inquirer last year. Police arrived on scene where they allegedly found Margera intoxicated, and he was taken into custody and brought to the local police station before being released to a friend, the source said. The withdrawal of those charges are the latest legal development for Margera, who still faces another ongoing case. Margera is scheduled for a court date Monday in Chester County in connection with an incident in which he allegedly assaulted his brother, Jesse, and made terroristic threats toward family members last April. In a preliminary hearing in that case in July, Margeras brother recounted the incident at the Pocopson home known as Castle Bam, saying that the former MTV star repeatedly punched him, causing his eardrum to rupture. Margera, Jesse said, also urinated in the kitchen sink and smashed a bunch of stuff, including a guitar that once belonged to rock star Billy Idol. According to his brother, Margera allegedly threatened to put a bullet in the head of Jesse and their parents, April and Phil, and put a bear trap on Jesses girlfriends leg. After Jesses girlfriend called the police, Margera fled into the woods behind the home, court documents indicate. Pennsylvania State Police later issued a warrant for Margeras arrest, and he turned himself in to authorities days later. Margera, who has long publicly struggled with drug and alcohol, has reportedly remained sober for months, as stipulated by his bail conditions in the Chester County case. Earlier this month, TMZ reported, Margera was injured in a skateboarding stunt, and later had a public argument with his fiancee, Dannii Marie, outside a Nashville, Tennessee, hotel, allegedly over concerns that he may have snuck away to use drugs. In an Instagram post, Margera and his fiancee responded to TMZs report, saying that they were having a moment outside the hotel stemming from stress over Margeras injury and travel issues. I do not have a very good track record, and when I tear my ACL and MCL, all the fans, friends, family and trolls all think that I would be in the city of Nashville doing pills, Margera said in the clip, adding that he has passed drug tests for his parole officer for the past eight months. Yall enjoy it, Margeras fiancee said of the story. Were unbreakable. 2024 The Philadelphia Inquirer. Visit inquirer.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Republicans have spent years deriding mail-in voting and then watching as Democratic ballots flood election offices, but a new GOP effort is aiming to put a stop to that advantage. A coalition of Republican groups the Keystone Renewal PAC, the Sentinel Action Fund and the Republican State Leadership Committee PAC announced on Tuesday an historic eight-figure investment to convince Pennsylvania Republicans to vote by mail. This investment, which would not be possible without our partners, will create the largest and most comprehensive Republican vote-by-mail effort in Pennsylvania history and will be a difference maker as we work to elect Republicans up and down the ballot in the state, said Dee Duncan, the president of the Republican State Leadership Committee PAC, in a statement. Duncan said the PACs early and absentee voting program last year in Virginia was a major reason for their success in certain battleground districts there. We are doubling down on this innovative approach in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 2024, he said. Jessica Anderson, president of the Sentinel Action Fund, said that embracing early and absentee voting is key for a Republican victory in 2024, and the party must have a strategy to turn out voters before Election Day. The program incudes a website, skipthelinepa.vote, where voters can join a mail-in voter list. This is just the latest effort by Republicans to rally their voters to accept mail-in voting in Pennsylvania as former President Donald Trump continues to cast doubt on the process with false accusations. Just a few weeks ago, Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, said that you automatically have fraud under mail-in voting, reported Reuters. In that same article, Reuters reported that unnamed Pennsylvania Republicans were seeking to raise $8 million to launch a mail-in voting education effort to convince Keystone State Republicans that mail-in voting can be trusted. And, while some Republicans might be lobbying for mail-in-voting, state Senate Republicans are pushing a bill that would limit where voters can drop them off. Back in January 2023, far-right state Sen. Doug Mastriano, who lost to Gov. Josh Shapiro in 2022, and previously opposed mail-in voting acknowledged that, while he still had misgivings about the system, he had made a mistake by not encouraging GOP voters to vote by mail. Its icky, but if we want to win, were going to operate within the law, Mastriano told a radio host. Shapiro received more than 1 million mail-in votes in 2022 while Mastriano had less than 188,000, according to the Pennsylvania Department of State. That same year, now-Sen. John Fetterman, a Democrat, received about 960,000 mail-in votes while Republican Mehmet Oz had almost 234,400. PennLive reported in May 2023 that Republicans had a nearly 5% increase in mail-in ballot applications, a change that Pennsylvania Republican Party Chairman Lawrence Tabas said was the result of party leaders championing vote-by-mail after seeing Democrats win control of the state House in November 2022 and the governor and U.S. Senate losses. Having a strong robust mail-in ballot strategy absolutely helps in recruiting the best candidates because you now know you have the best tools and resources to win, Tabas said at the time. Trash and other maintenance issues are piling up at a Dauphin County apartment complex. Residents at Eastridge Apartments in Swatara Township say garbage hasnt been picked up for days, and is adding to their growing list of complaints. Dumpsters around the complex were visibly spilling over with garbage on Thursday afternoon. Its disastrous. Its sickening. Its unsanitary and unsafe, said Joyce Clark, a 20-year resident. Another resident, who wished not to be identified, questioned why the garbage isnt being picked up and called it unhealthy. Robert Ihlein, Swatara Townships director of planning and zoning, said a code officer was expected to stop at the complex today, and noted the township has the right to give the management a notice of violation. In a statement, Eastridge Apartments management team blamed the problem on a scheduling mix-up and said that the garbage will be removed by Friday. Providing safe, sanitary, and decent housing is the top priority of the Eastridge Apartments management team, it stated. Garbage collection company GFL declined comment. Lack of garbage removal is just one of many concerns residents shared with PennLive, ranging from mold and mildew in bathroom ceilings and fixtures to plumbing issues and a lack of snow removal. I dont believe people should be living in these conditions and I would hope this particular owner starts taking more responsibility and acting faster to address their tenants concerns, said Swatara Township Commissioner Michael Tuckey. Nationally, Eastridges owner, Millennia Companies in Cleveland, Ohio, owns about 200 subsidized properties in nearly two dozen states. Eastridge offers one-to-three-bedroom apartments designed for those who meet the federal definition for affordable housing, according to the low-income housing website. Millennia, which also owns Linden Terrace in Harrisburg and Hershey Plaza in Derry Township, is under scrutiny across the nation for complaints, including trash pile-ups, breeding maggots and broken AC and heating units. In January, tenants at Linden Terrace complained about broken elevators that they said left elderly and disabled tenants stuck in their apartments for a week. Problems at Millennia properties, in some cases, have led to severe injuries and death. Tenants at one Arkansas Millennia property filed a $5 billion class action lawsuit against the company after a gas explosion killed three residents. A mother and daughter were killed following a gas leak at one property in Mississippi, while a 2019 gas explosion in Jacksonville, Florida hospitalized seven people. The nations top housing authority, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, is holding the company accountable after it found Millennia mismanaged tenant security deposit accounts and taxpayer funds providing housing assistance. The agency said it is demanding Millennia repay misappropriated funds and the company faces potential civil money penalties and a suspension as well as possible debarment. HUD has suspended Millennia from entering into new business with the federal government and is taking steps to bar Millennia CEO Frank T. Sinito and Millennia Housing Management from all federal government programs, including HUDs Project-Based Section 8 program, for five years, according to a spokesperson. Clark said Eastridge used to be a nice place to live, but in recent years, maintenance issues have cropped up. She said last summer, she lived with sewage backups for a month. Our homes smelled like toilets. We were running to Sheetz, to the office to go to the bathroom, Clark said. Last fall, she said problems were compounded by sewer flies. After nothing was done she reached out to the Swatara Township Codes Enforcement officials. The township cited Millennia for violations, resulting in a hearing and fines, according to court documents. We were getting them so bad they were covering the windows, she said. They were in my refrigerator and stove. Clark added shes holding her rent payments because shes spent so much money on bug spray and meals out on account of the bugs. Others, such as Stephanie Shields, point out the lack of attention to maintenance. Last year, she said, sewage leaked from her toilet and bathtub to a hallway floor. Management fixed the problem, but Shields said it resurfaced a week later and no one offered to clean it or relocate her and her son. Plumbers dug up her apartment to replace a pipe for three weeks and she said during the work, they discovered black mold behind her kitchen cabinets. The mold was not removed and she said they never replaced the sewage-stained carpets. The amount of stress and amount of feces I had to clean up was horrible, she said. Shields said they told her they would relocate her to a different unit, but shes still waiting five months later. Honestly, I think because we live in low income. Its like Oh, we dont got no money and were low-income and thats why we got nothing, she said. Theyre treating us like we live in the ghetto. Patty Grossman said mold grew in her bathroom for months and only recently was the problem fixed. Moving, she said, is not an option. How do you do it with almost $800 a month to pay to rent an apartment? Theres no way you can, especially when people are living here and are on a fixed income, a lot of them get food stamps, she said. In a statement, Eastridges management team emphasized it is committed to providing safe, decent and sanitary housing for residents. It noted the complex undergoes continuous upkeep, with daily maintenance and cleaning carried out in outdoor spaces and shared areas. Monthly inspections cover interior lighting, sidewalks and landscaping, while quarterly inspections address life safety concerns, which it says are promptly addressed. As with any apartment community, maintenance issues arise and the management team is focused on responding to them promptly and professionally, it stated. Management said on March 5 that it was aware of mold in the basement of one building and blocked the area off, with remediation scheduled. It also said snow was removed this winter after each storm and the most recent plumbing issues were addressed in the fall. Ihlein acknowledged the township has handled several maintenance complaints at Eastridge over the past year and a half that seem to take a while to resolve. We try and work with the property owners and maintenance people to work with them to get issues resolved, he said. Property owners are given notice of violation and if they dont comply receive non-traffic citations filed with the local magistrate district court. It is then up to the district magistrate to hold a hearing and issue penalties, he said. While Eastridges management has been slow to respond, Ihlein stressed the problem isnt always the owners. Sometimes, he said tenants flush items such as disposable wipes and feminine hygiene products or toys that cause backups. In the case of Clarks sewer flies, Ihlein confirmed an exterminator found water leaking behind a wall near the shower causing the infestation. But Clark said a maintenance person recently found a broken pipe, but its not fixed and the flies remain. Mostly, shes worried about her health, noting shes lost hair and her blood pressure is too high. She said she was informed she will have to move into a one-bedroom apartment while they do the work, something the apartments management confirmed. Im so frustrated. Im so stressed, Clark said. An airman from Pennsylvania killed during a World War II bombing raid over Romania is finally coming home to be buried in his familys plot. U.S. Army Air Forces Technical Sgt. Paul Eshelman Jr. was a 21-year-old radio operator and turret gunner from Pittsburgh when his B-24 Liberator bomber was struck by German anti-aircraft fire on Aug. 1, 1943, and crashed. WILLIAMSPORT The former security guard charged in a double homicide in Williamsport claimed to have had issues with both of his victims. That was revealed Wednesday during a nearly four-hour preliminary hearing after which Troy Bennett Bailey Sr., 57, of Williamsport, was held for trial on homicide, kidnaping and related charges. He is accused of shooting Alisha Charee Seese, 37, Williamsport, and Ronald Dailey Jr., 37, of Jersey Shore, in January after he and a co-defendant, Muhammad Davis, 49, forced them into Daileys SUV in the parking lot of Lycoming Engines. Troy Bennett Bailey Sr. is escorted by Williamsport police Officer Nikita Bonnell following his arraignment on March 4, 2024, on charges that include homicide and kidnapping.John Beauge Baileys issues with Seese were well known but this was the first time his claim about Dailey became public. Another of the defendants, Randall A. Johnson, 54, of Williamsport, who is charged with hindering prosecution and stalking, was a prosecution witness admitting he told Bailey during a Jan. 8 phone call what shift Seese would be on when she returned to work. Lycoming County District Attorney Thomas A. Marino refused to say if Johnson, who is free on $50,000 unsecured bail, has been offered a deal to cooperate. Bailey, Seese, Dailey and Johnson worked for a private security firm hired by Lycoming Engines. Johnson was a supervisor. Through testimony, videos and recordings of telephone calls, First Assistant District Attorney Martin Wade traced the whereabouts of Bailey late on Jan. 11 and early on Jan. 12. Crying was heard in the darkened courtroom when the Lycoming Engines security video was played showing two people forcing a male and female into Daileys vehicle in a plant parking lot. It was not possible to identify the four but investigators claim it was Bailey and Davis waiting for Dailey and Seese as they walked separately to their vehicles parked alongside the other. According to testimony, Bailey stated in a conversation at a barbershop the afternoon of Jan. 11 he had issues with Dailey but did not elaborate and commented something like he was going to crack some heads. Troy Bailey had had an eight-year relationship with Alisha Charee Seese that ended in early December 2023 when she obtained a temporary protection from abuse (PFA) order for herself and her four children.Alisha Seese family The person to whom he told that said he dismissed the latter but is now sorry he did. Bailey had had an eight-year relationship with Seese that ended in early December when she obtained a temporary protection from abuse (PFA) order for herself and her four children. The PFA became permanent Dec. 15. She also is alleged to have exposed Bailey for using the Social Security number of his son to obtain employment and benefits. Troy Bailey Jr. was convicted of murder in Philadelphia in 2019 and is serving a life sentence. The testimony did not answer whether the Lycoming Engines security cameras were being monitored as required and, if so, whether anyone observed the struggle in the parking lot. Through data obtained from the Intoxalock breathalyzer system Daileys SUV, police have determined where it was driven from when it left the plant parking lot shortly after 10 p.m. until it was found in the 1700 block of Terrace Place shortly after 2 the following morning. Based on the Intoxalck data and a delayed report of shots heard in that area, investigators believe Seese and Dailey were killed several hours earlier. Seeses body was found face down outside the passenger side front door with the contents of a purse scattered nearby, police said. Daileys body was in the front drivers seat slumped over the center console with his pants pulled down to his ankles, they said. His ID cards were scattered outside, they said. Autopsies determined both had been shot multiple times including in the head. Autopsies determined that Robert Dailey Jr. had been shot multiple times including in the head.Photo provided by family Police testimony and body camera video revealed how an app on a family members cell phone was used to track Seeses phone. An officer who went to Seeses Hawthorne Avenue address after she was reported missing relayed to a unit in the field the location of phone which turned out to be in Baileys vehicle. Police cruiser video shows officers catching up the vehicle and seeing it stop briefly on the West Third Street bridge over Lycoming Creek. The video also records Baileys vehicle being stopped a short time later and him getting out of it He was released after nothing was found in it but was arrested later in the day for violating the PFA. Also presented as evidence was data from the FBI showing the locations of the cell phones of Bailey, Seese and Dailey during that period. Baileys and Seeses were together much of the time. Police believe he used Seeses phone to send himself a text message that apologized for her telling police he had abused her children. Other video showed Bailey at the Michael Ross housing project in the citys east end after midnight giving a bag with handles to Sandy Camile Perez, 43, and discarding a bag of trash before leaving. Bailey is heard in a call he made from the county prison telling Perez to get rid of the bag he gave her because he is under investigation for homicide. Sandy Camile Perez is escorted into her arraignment on March 4, 2024, by Lycoming County Detective Loretta Clark. John Beauge Perez is charged with conspiracy to commit kidnapping, hindering apprehension, obstruction of justice, tampering with evidence, making false reports and receiving stolen property. Bailey, Davis and Perez are jailed without bail. Davis and Perez are awaiting their preliminary hearings as is Johnson. Bailey is charged separately in the Social Security case and with sexually abusing children. Besides homicide and kidnaping, the 35 counts on which District Judge Christian D. Frey held Bailey include robbery, theft, retaliation in child abuse cases, unlawful restraint, recklessly endangering another person, stalking, false imprisonment, tampering with evidence and firearms not to be carried without a license. Rick Coplen, seeking to become the Democratic candidate for Pennsylvanias 10th U.S Congressional District, has done something remarkable on his website. He has posted the links to the websites of his five competitors. This is a bold bet that undecided Democrats will do their homework, consider all candidates on their merits and, as a result, vote for him. This shows an extraordinary level of confidence in the democratic process. I think this confidence is justified. When Rick Coplen and I served together on the Carlisle school board, I learned to respect his integrity, his courage and his good judgment. He has made it easy for voters to evaluate all Democratic candidates on multiple measures: public service, business experience, civic leadership, commitment to education, and military service (including actual combat experience). All these candidates can fairly claim some strengths. Only Rick Coplen invites you to evaluate him by whatever standard you may think is most important in a member of Congress. The official portrait of the late Catherine Baker Knoll, Pennsylvanias first woman lieutenant governor, will be placed in the office she once occupied in the Capitol. The portrait, painted by the late renowned Bucks County-based artist Nelson Shanks, was unveiled at a ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda on Wednesday where family members and others paid tribute to Knoll and her lengthy career in public service. Health Minister Mark Holland is promising a major crackdown on nicotine pouches, which he says are being marketed to children. Holland speaks to reporters in the Foyer of the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on Wednesday, March 20, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby The British Columbia Prosecution Service says no charges have been approved against a Vancouver Police officer over use of force that left a suspect with broken bones and bruises. A Vancouver Police Department patch is seen on an officer's uniform in Vancouver, on Jan. 9, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck Fiji will strike a deal with Australia to upgrade ports and shipbuilding infrastructure, months after its prime minister said it was likely to partner with China on the project. Fiji's government said its cabinet had agreed to enter into a memorandum of understanding with Australia for the project after Australia committed to financing. "The revival of the shipbuilding industry in Fiji has been articulated as a key priority," Fiji's government said in a statement on Thursday. "It has the potential to increase job opportunities, develop and expand specialised skill-sets amongst Fiji nationals and stimulate investment and economic growth." Australia would provide initial grant financing to the Fiji government and the Fiji Ports Corporation, it said. Australia, the largest aid donor to the Pacific Islands region, is stepping up its infrastructure support to counter China's push to expand security and policing ties in the region. "Countries who want to build their influence in the region look for vacuums to fill and the Australian government is working very hard to be the best development and security partner for the entire region, so there are no vacuums to fill," Australia's Pacific Minister Pat Conroy said on ABC television. Conroy will travel to Fiji, the Pacific's biggest transport hub, on Friday, and is expected to announce the ports deal and Australian financial assistance during his visit. In November, Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka told parliament he wanted to collaborate with China on a key port modernisation and shipyard project after discussing it in a meeting with Chinese president Xi Jinping. China is the world's largest shipbuilder, accounting for half of all ships built in 2024. The pace of expansion of its navy has concerned Australia, which has donated dozens of patrol boats to its Pacific Islands neighbours to boost surveillance of their territorial waters. Story continues A defence agreement allowing the militaries of Australia and Fiji to work in each other's country and share intelligence has meanwhile been introduced to Australia's parliament this week for ratification. The "status of forces" agreement was signed by Australia and Fiji in 2022 but needs to be approved by both parliaments. Australia is seeking to discourage its Pacific Islands neighbours from signing security or policing deals with China, after Beijing struck a security pact with Solomon Islands in 2022. Last week, Fiji told the Guardian it would not scrap a decade-old policing agreement with China after a review by Fiji's new government, but said Chinese officers would no longer embed in Fiji's police force. Alaska lawmakers fell one vote short Monday in an attempt to override the governors veto of a comprehensive school funding bill, which included a permanent increase in the state funding formula for K-12 education. The vote in a joint session of the House and Senate was 39-20. A two-thirds majority of 40 votes of the 60 legislators was required for an override. All 20 of the votes to uphold the governors actions came from Republicans. A dozen Republicans voted with Democrats and independents in the failed attempt. Even if lawmakers had succeeded in overriding the veto, the governor st... Travellers are calling a little-known iPhone feature a "game changer" for anyone about to hop on a flight, with the "mind-blowing" hack already built into most people's phones. It's no secret that people are losing faith in our airlines, particularly in Australia in the wake of the pandemic, with travellers slamming frequent flight delays, regular cancellations, exorbitant fares and a general decline in standards. While there's little the average person can do to improve those issues, there's one handy feature built into most people's phones that can make life a bit easier in the lead-up to flying. If you're an iOS user, including anyone with an internet connection on iPhones, iPads and Macbooks, all you need is access to iMessages for the "must-know" hack to work. Anyone with access to iMessages can use the handy flight feature. Source: Yahoo News Australia / Apple iPhone hack gives quick access to flight info How it works is very straightforward: Simply type your flight number, including the airline code so for example if you're flying from Sydney to Los Angeles with Qantas, you'd type "QF11" into any iMessage, whether it be to yourself or to a loved one and press send. The code will then appear as a link, which you tap, and then all the details you could possibly need for your upcoming flight will appear. Departure time, gate, arrival time, flight duration and baggage claim numbers are all instantly available at your fingertips as well as an up-to-the-minute flight status, including delays. The iPhone hack instantly brings up details about all live flights from around the world. Source: Yahoo News Australia / Apple Map provides up-to-the-minute updates In addition, there's also a handy little map that tells you, or your loved ones following along at home, exactly where the plane is in the world at any given point in time from when it departs to when it lands. People on social media catching on to the hack have spread the word about how much it's impacted their travel. "I worked in the airline industry for three years and this is my number one flying hack," a woman said in a TikTok this week. "It's the greatest," she continued, adding that she "never has to look at the airport screens anymore". Story continues The feature has impressed people online, with many branding it a "game-changer" for air travel. Source: Getty "If you have a connecting flight" the traveller explained, "text yourself both flights, so the second you land you can just click your link and see exactly where your gate is." People responding were impressed. "Ive learned more on TikTok than eight years in college," a person wrote. "This is absolutely mind-blowing information," said another. "Not me not even knowing you can text yourself," a third joked. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Join a group hike on the North Country National Scenic Trail at the Wisconsin-Minnesota state line on Saturday, March 30. The North Country Trail Associations Brule-St. Croix Chapter is sponsoring a 5-mile hike on a new section of trail in the Nemadji Valley. The new trail follows a historic rail grade, visits overlooks of Clear Creek and crosses the MacQuarrie Wetlands. Hikers can meet at 10 a.m. at the State Line Trailhead, 6 County Road 4, Wrenshall, Minnesota. More information is at www.meetup.com/sscbhikers.... Can You Catch "MMDpoker1" in the $300K Mystery Bounty Festival Main Event at 888poker? March 21, 2024 Matthew Pitt Senior Editor The 888poker Mystery Bounty Festival is crowning champions left, right, and center, but there is one tournament where we won't know who the winner is until March 26: the Mystery Bounty Festival Main Event. The 888poker Mystery Bounty Festival Main Event, costing 215 to enter and guaranteeing at least $300,000 will be won, is by far the largest tournament on the busy schedule. Approximately one dozen Day 1s take place before Day 2 on March 25, which seems like plenty of time to build a stack that challenges for the lead, but that final Day 1 will be on you quicker than you realize. Only 111 players, from 870 starters, have punched their Day 2 tickets and now stand a chance of becoming the 888poker Mystery Bounty Main Event champion. First place will come with a bankroll-boosting payout, not to mention the mystery bounties that come into play from the start of Day 2. Ten mystery bounty envelopes contain $1,500, with another ten awarding their recipient $3,000. Three lucky 888poker players will receive mystery bounty payments worth $6,000, with another two walking way with an impressive $12,000. The largest mystery bounty tucked away is worth a quite staggering $30,000! $300,000 MB Festival Main Event Top 10 Chip Counts Rank Player Country Chips Big Blinds 1 MMDpoker1 Romania 231,006 116 2 Kiskutya23 226,836 113 3 DaveyT47 Canada211,244 106 4 LeonBY Belarus 186,510 93 5 PrinzNemo Germany 164,738 82 6 Magicmarji Germany 157,815 79 7 Cavalito_ Brazil 141,871 71 8 Sheglov Ukraine 140,133 70 9 peacefulwow Ukraine 139,182 70 10 frittsson47 Sweden 132,195 66 Are You Ready For a New 888poker Experience? Check Out the Awesome New Features Read more Romania's "MMDpoker1" is the player who finds themselves in the envious position of chip leader. "MMDpoker1" ended their Day 1 with a colossal stack of 231,006 chips, the equivalent of 116 big blinds, when Day 2 commences at 9:00 p.m. GMT on March 25. Only two other players have managed to accumulate at least 100 big blinds so far. 888poker regular "kiskutya23" returns to the tables armed with 226,836 chips (113 big blinds), while Canadian "DaveyT47" has a war chest of 211,244 chips (104 big blinds). If you want to start Day 2 with a top-ten stack, you will need to bag up, in the virtual sense, at least 132,195 chips. 888poker Mystery Bounty Festival Results So Far "LODDENThinks" is the biggest winner of the 888poker Mystery Bounty Festival so far, courtesy of taking down the $120,000 guaranteed Mystery Bounty Opening event last weekend. The British grinder turned $109 into $9,620 plus the title of champion. While $9,620 is a significant score, it is over three times less than the largest mystery bounty the festival's Main Event will award; let that sink in for a moment! Event Buy-in Entrants Prize Pool Champion Prize #1 Mystery Bounty Opening Mini $11 1,948 $19,480 blackday1997 $1,822 #2 Mystery Bounty Opening Mid $55 859 $42,950 Alysson1994 $4,693 #3 Mystery Bounty Opening $109 1,171 $120,000 LODDENThinks $9,620 #4 Mystery Bounty 6-Max Mini $11 1,241 $12,140 SaintGoal $1,416 #5 Mystery Bounty 6-Max $55 337 $16,850 swig207 $2,965 #6 Mystery Bounty Mid $16.50 892 $13,380 AAGrimnir $1,441 #7 Mystery Bounty Mini $8.80 795 $6,360 1bravo90 $648 #8 Mystery Bounty $55 291 $15,000 Alysson1994 $3,878 #9 Mystery Bounty Mini $11 1,261 $12,610 PaiDeTodos $1,459 #10 Mystery Bounty $33 420 $12,600 winsistente $2,685 Find your perfect 888poker tournament with the PokerNews Online Tournament Calendar Remaining 888poker Mystery Bounty Festival Schedule (Numbered Events) The 888poker Mystery Bounty Festival offers many other tournaments in addition to the $300,000 guaranteed Main Event. At least four tournaments take place daily until the festival ends on March 26, each running alongside 888poker's exciting tournament schedule, which includes the Micro Rollers. Date Time (GMT) Event Buy-in Guarantee Sun 24 Mar 1:00 p.m. #24 Mystery Bounty Main Event Day 1 $215 $300,000 4:00 p.m. #24 Mystery Bounty Main Event Day 1 $215 $300,000 5:00 p.m. #18 Mystery Mini $11 $12,000 6:00 p.m. #19 Mystery Bounty $55 $40,000 7:00 p.m. #20 Mystery Bounty Hgh $109 $30,000 7:00 p.m. #24 Mystery Bounty Main Event Day 1 $215 $300,000 10:00 p.m. #24 Mystery Bounty Main Event Day 1 $215 $300,000 Mon 25 Mar 12:00 p.m. #24 Mystery Bounty Main Event Day 1 $215 $300,000 2:00 p.m. #24 Mystery Bounty Main Event Day 1 $215 $300,000 4:00 p.m. #24 Mystery Bounty Main Event Day 1 $215 $300,000 5:00 p.m. #21 Mystery Bounty Big or Small Mini $11 $10,000 6:00 p.m. #24 Mystery Bounty Main Event Day 1 $215 $300,000 7:00 p.m. #22 Mystery Bounty Big or Small $22 $10,000 9:00 p.m. #23 Mystery Bounty Mini Event Day 2 $50,000 9:00 p.m. #24 Mystery Bounty Main Event Day 2 $300,000 Tue 26 Mar 5:00 p.m. #25 Mystery Bounty Closing Event Mini $11 $10,000 6:30 p.m. #26 Mystery Bounty Closing Event $55 $15,000 7:00 p.m. #24 Mystery Bounty Main Event Final Table $300,000 *flights for the #23 Mystery Bounty Mini Event start March 17 and run each day Sharelines Time is running out if you want to become the 888poker Mystery Bounty Festival Main Event champion. The sun was shining at 888poker LIVE Bucharest, where action inside set a solid tone for the 560 Main Event. The first of four opening flights saw a total of 110 entries, a strong start on the way to reaching the guaranteed 200,000 prize pool at 888poker Room Bucharest. After the opening 12 levels of play, Ran Shahar leads the field of 34 survivors with a stack of 427,500 chips. That is good for 214 big blinds, setting the pace with a sizeable lead over Romanias Cristian Tabac (366,000). Tabac, one of eight Romanians inside the top 10 after Day 1a, was responsible for one of the last eliminations of the night when his pocket aces held for a big boost to his stack. Shahar also used aces to build his lead earlier in the day, beating the pocket kings of Ion Naicu and growing his collection of chips from that point on. Day 1a Top 10 Chip Counts Rank Player Country Chip Count Big Blinds 1 Ran Shahar Israel 427,500 214 2 Cristian Tabac Romania 366,000 183 3 Jack Sharpe United Kingdom 336,000 168 4 Dumitru Barta Romania 335,000 168 5 Gheorghe Alexutan Romania 326,500 163 6 Andreas Popa Romania 281,000 141 7 Bogdan Angelescu Romania 241,500 121 8 Radu Buican Romania 235,000 118 9 Marin Cocea Romania 213,500 107 10 Florian Tone Romania 193,000 97 Luc Bazley Among the notable names to survive the opening day is Luc Bazley, bagging up 112,000 to sit in 20th position. Bazley is trying to keep his momentum going in Bucharest, having already earned a pair of titles this week in the Romanian capital. Dumitru Barta sits inside the top five, consistently building his way to a stack of 335,000 at the end of the night. Also in the group of survivors are 888poker qualifiers Jack Sharpe and Laurentiu Paunas, both looking to spin their way into a big payday in the Main Event. All those who failed to survive the day can still choose to take advantage of unlimited reentries, with late registration remaining open until the start of Day 2. There are still three Main Event starting flights, starting with Day 1b on Thursday, March 21. Players will once again face a total of twelve 45-minute levels, with the same structure being followed for Day 1c on Friday, March 22. The turbo Day 1d flight, also on Friday, features 20-minute levels. All surviving players will bring their bags back for Day 2 on Saturday, March 23, before the series crowns a winner on Sunday, March 24. 888poker LIVE Bucharest Trophy Day 1b of the Main Event begins at 5 p.m. local time, with players sitting down with 50,000 chips and blinds of 100/100 with a 100 big blind ante. The PokerNews team will be there to report on all of the exciting action, as players continue to take their shot at the largest part of the 200,000 prize pool in Bucharest. A resolution to censure a Nebraska Republican was filed Wednesday evening after he repeatedly inserted a colleagues name into a book passage including graphic details about a rape that he read during a floor debate. Nebraska Republican state Senator Steve Halloran invoked a colleagues name while reading a rape scene during a debate on a bill to ban obscenity and pornography in K-12 schools, which is already illegal, according to opponents of the bill being debated, Nebraska Examiner reported. On Monday, Halloran read testimony from a March 24, 2023 hearing on LB 441, including passages from Lucky, by Alice Sebold, which includes a graphic description of a rape Sebold survived in college. Lucky was one of the most banned books in the country during the 2021-22 school year. To get more stories like this, subscribe to our newsletter The Daily. While reading the testimony Monday, Halloran inserted the name Senator Cavanaugh at the end of select sentences about the sexual assault. He didnt specify which Cavanaugh both Machaela Cavanaugh and her brother John serve in the Legislature. State Senator Machaela Cavanaugh objected later on Monday, rebutting, You dont know anything about anyone elses life. And I can tell you that women in this body have been subjected to sexual violence. NBC added that she said Tuesday that she did not believe he was referring to her brother. On Tuesday, after he faced calls to resign, Halloran claimed he was initially directing the graphic sexual assault details at her brother, as if men are not also the victims of sexual assault. You will probably not be surprised to learn that both Machaela Cavanaugh and her brother are Democrats. In case this seems like much ado about nothing, here is rather shocking video of his behavior, which is NOT SAFE FOR WORK and should come with a huge strobe light trigger warning. Heres the full video. I hate sharing it but its part of the public record and people ought to see what the fuck goin on in their Legislature. #NELeg pic.twitter.com/sxw0cMG6Qd Senator Megan Hunt (@NebraskaMegan) March 19, 2024 Independent state Senator Megan Hunt wasnt having it. Honestly, I think Halloran should resign. How dare he even form his mouth to say the words Give me a b j Senator Cavanaugh, she wrote on Twitter/X. He said that because he wanted to say it. It was beyond the pale. Pure aggression to read a rape scene out loud and put it like that. Broken brain. She went on (my edit), The problem isnt that graphic language exists in books. The problem isnt that rape survivors have written about their experiences. The problem is standing on a platform as a state senator, and fixing your mouth to tell one of your colleagues to give you a bl** j*b. Yes, a Republican state Senator demanded a sexual act from a colleague on the Senate floor as a way of objecting to a womans account of being violently raped. Although an investigation was launched under the Nebraska Legislatures workplace harassment policy against Halloran, a resolution to censure Halloran was filed late Wednesday for interjecting a senators name while reading about a violent rape. It was read in a way like he was demanding me to perform a sex act on him, Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh said. What happened on Monday night was disgusting and offensive to me. Cavanaugh said that a hearing on a censure resolution would help avoid further victimization, further traumatizing of sexual assault victims. This body should stand up for decency, she said. They are not wrong. This is a clear act of aggression. If we zoom out for a minute, we can see national examples of Republicans pushing revenge pornography into U.S. House hearings and harassing opponents by bringing their personal tragedy into public hearings. Certainly it not just Republicans who engage in this kind of workplace behavior, but right now it is elected Republican lawmakers who are in the news nationally and at the state level for injecting lurid, not safe for work, aggressive and inappropriate sexual and personal attacks into what are supposed to be legitimate legislative and oversight duties. These tactics are not accidental, although its fair to ask why people who claim to be against pornography are reading something they consider to be pornography in a hearing. And then its also worth asking why they consider the experience of sexual assault, which is shared by many, to be something that should be hidden even as their policies reward sexual assault by undermining access to and at times essentially banning abortion. The party of family values continue to be the party that subjects citizens to outrageous violations of decency on a pretty regular basis now, and this is happening because their oversight and policy objectives are a form of party warfare rather than actual efforts to improve the lives of their constituents. This is an aggressive form of obfuscation and deflection, meant to stun and wound opponents into silence via public humiliation. But the person who should be humiliated in this case is Senator Steve Halloran, who made a spectacle of his own aggressive sexual fantasies during a floor speech. ABCs Jimmy Kimmel said that the biggest loser of all due to Trumps lack of money is his wife, Melania, who is going to get half of nothing. Kimmel said: The great white supremacist has until Monday to come up with a $464 million bond, or the state may seize and sell his property. Trump said, Nobody has ever heard of anything like this before. Trump needs cash Weve never heard of most of the crazy stuff you do before Nobody ever heard of the president changing the weather with a Sharpie before, either. Something tells me that over the weekend, Trumps going to start talking about how strong Vladimir Putin is, then suddenly a dump truck full of rubles will pull up and cover this for him Of course, the real loser here is Melania She may end up with half of the nothing he owns I hope she got an advance on that prenup If you think she hates him now, wait until hes poor. To get more stories like this, subscribe to our newsletter The Daily. Video: Jokes are abounding about Trump being unable to afford the New York fraud bond. Even President Biden is joking about Trumps lack of cash. It is clear to everyone that Melania and Donald Trump do not have a relationship based on love. The Trumps are together as a business arrangement. Melania Trump has not committed to returning to Washington, DC, to serve as first lady if Donald Trump returns to the White House. The former president deserves everything that happens to him. He is accused of engaging in decades of business fraud, and many feel that his wife, who seems to be there for the money, also deserves to be left with nothing. 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. It's one of the most common community disputes in the country and the latest incident involving a protruding hedge causing neighbours to clash comes from Melbourne, with one resident choosing to lob loose cuttings over the fence in a definitive act of neighbourly "unpleasantness". On Wednesday a resident claims they went into their backyard only to find a large pile of twigs and greenery lying at the foot of their fence. They allege their next door neighbour threw it over from their own property, leaving a considerable mess to be tidied up, and it's not the first time. A common neighbourhood dispute escalated in Melbourne when loose hedge cuttings were dropped into a resident's backyard on Wednesday. Source: Reddit "I have the absolute displeasure of having a neighbour like this. This is the second time theyve done this, and the first time I disposed of the greenery myself," they wrote online. They questioned what their rights were and admitted they were very tempted to simply "chuck it back over their fence", fed up with their actions. Aussies encourage neighbour to be 'petty' After raising the question online people offered up an array of different options the resident could turn to, with most sharing a similar sentiment. "I'd take it to his front door with a note, 'Hey I saw you dropped this on my side of the fence, didn't want you to lose it'," one suggested, while many others encouraged them to throw it back over the fence admitting it was "petty" but necessary. What rights does the neighbour have? In Victoria, residents have the 'right of abatement' which means they are well within their rights to trim or cut back hedges that impede onto their property even if the plant is rooted in a neighbour's property. However, this must be done at their own cost, and regardless of whether they trim the plant themselves, or find the loose cuttings in their yard like the Melbourne resident, by law they must be returned to the original owner, according to the Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria. Story continues This means the suggestion of throwing the loose cuttings over the fence or knocking on the door is actually not as "petty" as first suggested. Having an informal chat with a neighbour about an issue is always encouraged and if the problem continues, disputes can be decided at court with a private nuisance case defined as the use or enjoyment of your own land being impacted by another person's act. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Aiken Standard Reporter Erin Weeks is a reporter with the Aiken Standard. She covers education in Aiken County. Erin is a graduate of the University of South Carolina Aiken. Her first poetry book, "Origins of My Love," was published by Bottlecap Press in 2022. To support local journalism, sign up for a subscription. See our current offers Iowa and LSU would rather not be playing each other on Monday night. LSU coach Kim Mulkey says the Elite Eight game would have been better as a Final Four matchup. The storylines are plentiful. Its not just a rematch, its last years champion against a No. 1 seed. And its two of the games biggest and most competitive stars in Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark going head to head again. The Tigers won 102-85 last year and have added transfers Aneesah Morrow and Hailey Van Lith to those back from that team. Clark says she plans to be more aggressive this time around after settling for 19 3-point attempts on 22 shots last year. Read moreIowa and LSU are ready to meet again in a rematch of the 2023 national championship game With the warmer weather and summer storms, roofing scams become more common. BBB Scam Tracker frequently receives reports of shady free roof inspections. Homeowners should be on the lookout for these cons. Read moreBBB CONSUMER TIPS: Watch out for 'free roof inspections' Judge clears way for Trump to appeal ruling keeping Fani Willis on Georgia 2020 election case An attorney for Donald Trump says hes optimistic an appellate review will lead to the Georgia 2020 election interference case against him being dismissed and Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis being disqualified HILTON HEAD ISLAND A peculiar building sits beside a busy road on the eastern edge of Hilton Head Island. Its modern roof was built atop centuries-old walls. Its wide, open door frame and windows face Skull Creek, allowing a breeze to drift through the quiet interior. The structure is made of traditional tabby a mixture of lime, water, sand, oyster shells and ash. Its a hardy, cement-like material that has stood through the American Revolution, Civil War and an onslaught of developers who marched across the island in recent decades. Now called the Barnwell Tabby, archaeological researchers estimate it was constructed around 1765, making it Hilton Head Islands oldest structure. The fact that it is still in the hands of a native islander adds to its rarity. The tabby was a fixture of Thomas Barnwell Jr.s childhood. Though, he admits, not one he found especially exciting. He recalls cows sheltering within the four walls and grapevines growing along one side. His father, who purchased the property in the 1930s, would allow visitors to break off pieces of the ruin as a souvenir. Barnwell inherited the land following his fathers death in the 1980s. As an adult, he found a new appreciation for the crumbling ruin. He set up a fence to deter vandals from breaking off pieces or climbing inside, and he pondered its history and future. The 88-year-old began a renovation of the tabby in 2009. Though the structure was still prominent at that time, the roof and significant pieces of the walls were missing. Hundreds of hours of work and $85,000 later, the Barnwell Tabby stood whole again in 2018. A new roof protects the interior, while tabby specialist Rick Wightman repaired missing pieces of the walls. Barnwell wasnt done. Soon after the renovation, he sought out sources and historians who could help him answer three lingering questions: BEAUFORT In decades past, the Charles Lind Brown Center, formerly known as the Greene Street Gym, was the center of life for kids in downtown Beaufort. Whether they were doing homework after school, shooting hoops in the gym or spending summer afternoons at the pool, the gym was an important resource in the city. Over time, the facility built in 1978 aged and suffered from a lack of upkeep. Access to the county-owned center was reduced or eliminated altogether. With a $500,000 investment and a new level of cooperation between the county, the city and interested citizens, the Charles Lind Brown Center once again is open for business in Beauforts Northwest Quadrant neighborhood. Speaking during an open house at the center on March 16, Beaufort Councilman Mitch Mitchell noted that getting the community center opened and updated required a team effort. Work at the center shifted into high gear in recent months, which Alana Jenkins, chair of the Friends of the Charles Lind Brown Community Center, attributed to the involvement of Beaufort Countys Hank Amundson. However, prior to Amundsons assignment, Mitchell described relations between the county and city officials regarding the center as contentious. What I saw was an unfair distribution of funds, Mitchell said, referencing what he perceived as a lack of the countys investment in the downtown Beaufort location. If any residual tension remains, it wasnt apparent as county and city officials stood side by side celebrating the achievement. This is a huge deal because now were getting a place in the city, Mitchell said, adding that the recreation center was the only one of its kind in the downtown area. The list of updates to the center is extensive. It includes a new playground, two new kitchens, a new yoga studio, an updated weight room and new community meeting spaces. Much of the facilitys infrastructure like the HVAC, drainage system, roof and bathrooms were updated, replaced or reworked. COLUMBIA Dust carried over Forest Drive as demolition crews began taking down Richland Mall on the morning of March 20, paving way for the redevelopment of the long-struggling shopping center that had loomed for a half century. Excavators tore out the two-story glass storefront of the former Parisian department store in a ceremony attended by officials from the City of Forest Acres and Southeastern Development, which purchased the property around a year ago. Crews tore off large portions of brick facade and a smaller exterior wall outside the store front. A smattering of local residents and a group of students from Harmony School in Forest Acres came to watch the demolition from a safe distance. This marks the end of an era for the mall which has struggled to keep tenants for decades and lost its last store in September but it also is a milestone in making long-time redevelopment plans a reality. Over the next four years, people should see really good new things coming to the community, and itll provide a boost to our economy, all kinds of stuff, Forest Acres City Administrator Shaun Greenwood said. Southeastern has hired Demolition Environmental Company to clear the site, which is expected to take a year, DECO Vice President of Operations James Flaugher said. Tearing down the structure and then its foundations should take six to eight months each, Flaugher said. The real challenge with this building is just the sheer bulk of it, he said. Its just not going to happen overnight. Around 95 percent of the concrete, steel, asphalt and aluminum from the building will be recycled, helping to offset the demolition cost, he added. Portions of the interior have already been gutted, Flaugher said. Some electrical equipment and metal materials from inside are being salvaged, and potential asbestos has been removed. Along with literally clearing the way for redevelopment of the site, the beginning of demolition work represents a major hurdle vaulted in the long struggle to redevelop the site, Greenwood said. The cost of tearing down the 930,000-square-foot structure was a major reason potential buyers balked at the site for the past 15 years, the city administrator said. GEORGETOWN Two Georgetown County Detention Center employees lost their jobs after an inmate died from a suspected drug overdose this month, according to a news release from the sheriff's office. Georgetown County Sheriff Carter Weaver announced March 20 that the detention centers administrator had been reassigned and the officer in booking on the night of the incident had been fired. The sheriff's office has not released the names of those employees, citing the ongoing criminal investigation. Two inmates were found unresponsive in their cells within hours on March 15, and one of the inmates, 23-year-old Shelby Ashby, was pronounced dead at Tidelands Georgetown Memorial Hospital four days later, authorities said. The sheriff's office initially announced that Ashby had died on March 18, but the Georgetown County Coroner's Office later corrected that date to March 19. The other inmate, 34-year-old Alecia Childers, has recovered and been returned to the detention center. A suspect in the case is Kelly Lambert, 45, who had been allowed by the court to serve a sentence on weekends for a traffic charge, according to the sheriff's office. Lambert, who lives in the Andrews area, has been accused of bringing illicit drugs into the detention center on March 15 when she was booked at 5:56 p.m. When she was put in that inmate population, she was able to give a drug to Ms. Ashby, which caused her death, Weaver said in a release. That drug was brought in by Ms. Lambert from the street, laid simply on the booking counter, and Ms. Lambert was able and allowed to pick those candy wrappers up and the simple pieces of paper which the drugs were contained therein and take it back to inmate population. Folks, its simple. When you take a job here and youre put in a place of public trust and youre given the training and youre given the latitude to do your job, I expect you to do your job. Weaver also launched a criminal investigation into the incident along with the administrative inquiry. The criminal investigation is being led by the sheriff's office, the Drug Enforcement Administration and State Law Enforcement Division, and is investigating the actions taken by Lambert in bringing contraband into the facility. Summerville, SC (29483) Today Partly to mostly cloudy. Low around 60F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly to mostly cloudy. Low around 60F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. (MURRAY SANDERS) Having suffered intermittently since childhood from racism, I hate diversity questionnaires like poison. If a diversity questionnaire lands on my desk, it goes straight in the bin. Providing to officialdom deeply personal information on gender, sexual orientation, religion, race/ethnicity Im not doing that. Its my business. I was nearly barred entry to Laos because I refused to fill in one. Its a matter of profound principle for me. The Solicitors Regulation Authority has now made these invasive forms a mandatory requirement, with all law firms forced to report their staffs diversity statistics every two years. This is now due. I have told my staff that we recognise that some people dont want to provide this kind of information to a public body, and that they are at liberty either to fill out or to ignore the forms if they wish I certainly wont be filling in mine. Generally youd think, as a society, were past the business of categorising people by their ethnicity. We have a Prime Minister of Indian descent, a Mayor of London of Pakistani descent, a recent Chancellor of the Exchequer of Ghanaian descent. The electorate want competence. Similarly, employers want to make money, and they hire, and pay to keep, the people who can deliver. I am not other. I will never put myself in the other box. The reality is now pretty much everyone is other The Labour Party has said it is determined to tackle the ethnic pay gap by making reporting mandatory if they win the next election. This will involve employers gathering data and reporting on the ethnicity of their workforce. Such intrusive enquiry into our ethnic status has been increasing. The number of questionnaires we all now have to fill in about our ethnic backgrounds grows every year. I detect the conscience-salving do-gooding of people who categorise by colour and are OK about asking whether someone is white or not. Theyre always much the same. They ask you to choose from a short list of supposedly ethnic categories which are in fact largely crudely colour-based. Generally with white at the top. If you dont fit any of them, you can tick mixed or other. You have to decide what you are. You have to report it. Story continues I am not other. I do not agree to be other. I will never put myself in an other box. But the reality is that in our world now, pretty much everyone is other. In any event, the data collected is skewed and meaningless, because its mainly people who feel completely comfortable in declaring their ethnic background that fill in the forms. Only those who have never experienced racism really feel good about ticking these boxes. I have been criticised for my opposition to them by several white box-ticking young ladies from privileged backgrounds who feel its all for our own good, as it were. Its the most patronising form of control ever. And whos to say, anyway, that diversity comes from having different ethnicities? I have more in common with many of my friends and colleagues from utterly different backgrounds than I do with some who might be lumped into the same box as me by ethnicity. Take people as they are, for what they contribute, what they feel, what they can do. Stop drawing lines. Bring us together. And until then, when those diversity forms drop through the office letterbox, my personal advice is gather them up and make a bonfire. Ayesha Vardag is the founder and president of Vardags law firm Convicted murderer and disbarred attorney Alex Murdaugh does not qualify to attend his late mothers funeral under S.C. Department of Corrections policies limiting which inmates can leave prison to grieve. Murdaughs mother, Elizabeth, known as "Libby," was receiving hospice care when she died March 19 at her home in Almeda, according to Peeples-Rhoden Funeral Home. Libby Murdaugh was a prominent figure in Hampton County long before her son became notorious internationally. A native of Brunson, she was a public school teacher who later served on the Hampton County school board, according to The Fall of the House of Murdaugh by Hampton journalist Michael DeWitt Jr. She was also married for 60 years to 14th Circuit Solicitor Randolph Murdaugh III, the third straight Murdaugh to prosecute crimes in the southern corner of South Carolina. But her name came to international recognition during her middle son Alexs closely watched double-murder trial. In the hours after his wife, Maggie, and son Paul were slain at their Colleton County estate in June 2021, Alex Murdaugh used her as an alibi. He claimed hed been visiting his mother, who suffered dementia, when they were shot. In fact, he had visited, but not for as long as he had claimed. At the time, his father was in the hospital; he died a few days later. Officers searched Murdaughs parents home months after the murders because a caregiver reported seeing Alex Murdaugh stash something there a blue tarp, she thought. CONWAY A judge has decided to evict the Conway-area couple who burned a cross near their Black neighbors yard, the Fifteenth Circuit Solicitor's Office confirmed March 21. Fifteenth Circuit Solicitor Jimmy Richardson asked the court to declare the home of Alexis Hartnett and Worden Butler at 1400 Corbett Drive a public nuisance. The couple has been accused of harassing, threatening and assaulting neighbors. "The neighborhood is not safe with them there," said Monica Williams, whose family was the target of the cross burning. "They have proven without a shadow of a doubt that they are dangerous. I want our neighborhood to have peace. They are not going to stop bothering us. ... We need to feel safe." James Battle, a special prosecutor who handles nuisance actions for the solicitor's office, filed a petition Jan. 26 arguing that Hartnett and Butler's abusive behavior escalated to a cross-burning incident on Nov. 24. The solicitor's office sought to evict Hartnett and Butler until the court can determine whether the house is a public nuisance. The couple has asked the court to dismiss the petition. Judge William Seals Jr. gave the solicitor's office verbal confirmation around 2:30 p.m. March 21 that he has granted the county's request and he plans to file a formal written order on his decision at a later date. Tonya Root, spokeswoman for the solicitor's office, said she did not have any other information about what would happen until the judge delivers his order. SULLIVAN'S ISLAND Water in South Carolinas wealthiest zip code will run dry this summer unless a $1 million debt to Charleston Water System is paid. The water utility is threatening to shut off the tap for Sullivans Island when the town's contract expires July 20, alleging that the town owes more than $1 million in back charges. CWS CEO Mark Cline told The Post and Courier that Sullivans Island has been paying an arbitrary and unsupported volumetric rate for their water 88 cents per thousand gallons of water since 2017. This rate was not issued by the utility, Cline said. Mike Saia, a spokesman for CWS, said the rate the utility issued for Sullivan's Island in 2017 was 96 cents per thousand gallons of water. In an October 2023 letter to Sullivans Island Mayor Pat ONeil, Cline warned the town that unless charges were paid and a new contract was agreed upon by July 20, the utility would shut off the three water supply connections that serve the town. Sullivans Island has had a wholesale contract with CWS since 1994. The town has up to 750,000 gallons of water available per day. Other nearby communities, like Isle of Palms, purchase water from CWS. Chris Jordan, general manager for the islands water and sewer commission, said the commission pays roughly $1.23 per thousand gallons of water used. Last year, the city paid around $100,000 in capital charges. The citys contract, initiated in 1995, allows for up to 1.5 million gallons of water per day. Jordan said the commission intends to renew its contract with Charleston Water System when the time comes. CWS calculates the volumetric rate for its wholesale customers on an annual basis. The rate can fluctuate from year to year, Cline said, based on economic factors and the cost of service. The utility also issues capital charges annually to fund infrastructure upkeep and other projects. The Berkeley County Coroner's Office identified a North Carolina man as the person killed in a police shooting in Summerville on March 20. Darnell Hartwell, Berkeley County coroner, identified the man shot by an off-duty Summerville police officer as Michael P. O'Neal, 39. Hartwell said O'Neal was from Pfafftown in the Winston-Salem area. O'Neal died following an altercation involving the unidentified police officer sometime around 1 p.m. on March 20 outside a Summerville Chick-fil-A on North Main Street. Agents with the State Law Enforcement Division are investigating the shooting. O'Neal died at the scene from a gunshot wound. The off-duty officer was taken to a local hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. Hartwell previously said the officer was hit by a vehicle. The shooting left the southbound lane of North Main Street from the intersections of Rackaway and Holiday drives to Azalea Square Boulevard closed for much of the afternoon. NORTH CHARLESTON Trident Technical College narrowed its presidential search to four finalists who will be visiting campus for final interviews starting April 1. The finalists include three sitting presidents of two-year colleges and one chief of staff of a four-year college. Three are South Carolinians, one hails from Ohio. All finalists have a masters degree; three of them have earned doctorates in education. Common to all is a knowledge of higher education, said Anita Zucker, chairperson of the search committee and the colleges Area Commission. They each bring different qualities and characteristics to the table, Zucker said. Well see how this shakes out when we meet with them in April. The search committee, which is comprised of members of the colleges Area Commission and various technical college leaders and experts, has reviewed nearly 70 applications during the search process and interviewed seven semifinalists in mid-March. The committee selected four finalists : Forest Mahan, Paul Patrick, Walt Tobin and Vicky Wood. Mahan is currently the president of Aiken Technical College, working in this role since 2016. He has spent nearly 30 years in the South Carolina Technical College System, starting as a history instructor at Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College in 1996 and later becoming vice president for academic affairs at Northeastern Technical College in Cheraw in 2008. Mahan received a bachelors degree from the College of Charleston, then a masters degree in history and doctorate in higher educational administration from the University of South Carolina. Patrick has worked as the chief of staff and executive vice president for President Andrew Hsu at the College of Charleston since 2019. Prior to this role, Patrick was the chief financial officer and executive vice president for business affairs, managing the institutions $300 million annual operating budget. Before his start in higher education, Patrick spent eight years as the director of state budget and finance for the South Carolina House of Representatives. In the aftermath of an unexpected announcement about the sale of the 65-acre Union Pier site in downtown Charleston, City Hall is signaling that it wants the public input process to continue even if it still remains unclear what that means and who will be in charge. Word of the anticipated sale to local businessman Ben Navarro surprised the team at the College of Charleston's Joseph P. Riley Center for Livable Communities, which current Union Pier owner, the State Ports Authority, had contracted last summer to reboot redevelopment efforts after a previous plan was criticized for lack of community input and too much density. The SPA board voted unanimously March 19 to sell the prime waterfront property to Navarro. The sale price will be released when the deal closes. Ali Moriarty, assistant director for the Riley Center, said in an email that center staff received no advanced notice of the sale and were unaware discussions between the Ports Authority and potential buyers dated to last year. "Like you, our team was notified of this development yesterday," the Riley Center team said in a March 20 email to its Stakeholder Advisory Council. "While we are certain this development marks a pivot to our process and work together, we are still figuring out exactly what that means." When William Ravenel was born into a prominent Charleston household in 1959, the family knew almost nothing about Down syndrome. Medical experts at the time routinely urged parents to send children to institutions where the kids languished to an average life expectancy of just 2. Instead, baby Williams parents, Louise and future congressman Arthur Ravenel Jr., listened to their pediatrician. His advice was to take William home and love him. Thats exactly what Williams parents and five siblings did. William Ravenel died March 16 at age 65. His later years were marred by health problems. But his loved ones dont recall that dimming his intuitive kindness or determination. When they swap stories about his fun-loving sweetness and vision of life as an adventure, his influence sounds vividly alive. William adored music, and his family observed how that passion helped him forge friendships. When he went to Unity Church with his family, he would often turn toward the congregation and pretend he was a conductor. His older sister, Suzie, regularly took him to predominantly Black churches where William felt at home surrounded by beautiful, energetic music and worshippers who didnt mind if he swayed and moved a bit as they sang the songs. Those worship services often ran from morning until about 3:30 p.m. Yet Williams enthusiasm never flagged. Suzie was always ready to sing Williams three favorite songs with him: "Happy Birthday," "Jesus Loves Me" and "The Star-Spangled Banner." Their close companionship had a big impact on her. William inspired me to switch careers from being an attorney and a civil rights protester; I picketed The Citadel to let Shannon Faulkner be its first female cadet, she told The Post and Courier. After years of caring for William, she felt called to be a nurse when I was in my 40s I worried that I might be too old. But she was inspired by Williams wholehearted embrace of life. And she enrolled in nursing school. I just put the Stars and Stripes back up outside my house. Though hard winds keep blowing it down, I put it up again. Having it regularly knocked down has me reflecting on what it means to be American in 2024. Read moreCommentary: Why I put my US flag back up again even as the hard winds blow A ribbon-cutting ceremony recently took place for three new multi-purpose athletic fields at Carolyn Lewis School in Carnes Crossroads. The school and the city of Goose Creek Recreation Department will use the fields. Read moreMulti-purpose athletic fields open at Carolyn Lewis School FORT MILL About two-thirds of voters on March 19 approved the Fort Mill School District's $204 million bond referendum to build more schools and keep existing ones up to date. Fort Mill is at a 10 percent annual growth pace, a projection that would put the current school campuses at capacity by 2028. The bond money approved this week lets the district build an $87 million middle school on Gold Hill Road, create an early childhood development center and buy land for future school expansions. About 7 percent of eligible voters cast ballots, with 2,436 voting in favor versus 1,370 "no" votes. The middle school will be next to an unnamed elementary school being built on the same block. The elementary, only identified as Number 12, was paid for with impact fees. The district previously bought the land for the elementary school and middle school. The tax impact of the bond will be about $20 of property taxes a month on a home valued at $400,000, according to Keep Fort Mill Schools Strong Bond Referendum Committee, the citizens group that successfully lobbied for the bond's passage. Renovations and technology needs across existing schools will also be paid for with the bond money. For the early development center, the Clear Springs Land Company has donated 34 acres for the facility in the Paradise community of Fort Mill near downtown, school officials said. That's a savings of up to $5 million the district would have spent on the acreage. The student body for the school district, which includes all of Fort Mill town limits, Tega Cay and nearby unincorporated areas, has tripled since 2003, from 6,000 pupils to more than 18,000. An Aussie woman has shared her "shocking" ordeal with a rideshare driver after she accused him of forcing her to take an unregistered trip with him to earn more from the ride. Young digital creator Emily Ward arrived at Melbourne's Tullamarine Airport from the Gold Coast on Wednesday, March 13 to see her family and had booked a rideshare driver through her DiDi app to take her from the airport to the family home. Her driver confirmed and swiftly met her at the arrival bay, helping her load her luggage into the car. While things began as normal, just as they began to pull out from the bay, Emily saw a notification alerting her that the driver had cancelled the ride she was sitting in. "I'm like, that can't be right, I'm in this man's car," she recalled. Emily has reported the incident to the rideshare platform Didi. Soruce: TikTok/Getty The moment Emily felt 'unsafe' in her rideshare After raising it with her driver, Emily says he tried to tell her she had likely accidentally pressed cancel on her phone, then followed up by saying there was likely a problem with the DiDi app. "He kept insisting it was something I must have done or the app messed up," she said. "This is where I start to get really scared because right now all of my belongings are in this man's car, which he is trying to slowly edge out of the airport pick-up area I'm by myself and now my ride isn't being tracked." Emily shared the driver then tries to persuade her to remain in the ride because he "already" has her address and she is in his car, saying that she could cancel her new ride, stay with him and transfer the amount to him directly an idea that made her extremely uncomfortable. On this occasion, Emily said she was able to "convince" him to let her out of his car despite his insistence and attempts to make her feel "guilty" for not going with him. "Even after [he let me out] he tried to guilt trip me he said, 'Oh, I've just been waiting for all this time to get this trip. Now I have to go leave the airport and come back around.' [But] I'm kinda like, not my problem, buddy. You cancelled the trip. I don't feel safe." Story continues A 'common' tactic used by rideshare drivers Soon after getting out, Emily says she saw the driver waiting in the bay before attempting the same thing with another passenger noting he was likely trying to divert the rideshare app fee he would have to give up, and keep the entire fare for himself. As well as this, since sharing her ordeal online a concerning number of women have come forward revealing they too have experienced similar behaviour from rideshare drivers. "People have said this has happened to me in an Uber, this has happened to me in a taxi, this has happened to me on every rideshare platform," Emily told Yahoo. "It isn't isolated just to DiDi or Uber. It is something that is just happening." Emily said she felt so "unaware in the moment that something like that would happen" and hopes that others particularly women in this situation aren't as "unaware" as she was, and know they "have the power" to say no and leave a vehicle if they feel "unsafe". "If you don't feel safe, make sure you ask to get out of the car before the trip even starts," she urges. "Don't feel like you need to be guilt-tripped into staying in the car. It's absolutely your choice and you have the power in that dynamic." Emily has since reported the incident to DiDi and Yahoo has reached out to them for comment, though has not yet received a response. DiDi has said previously that it only retains 15 per cent of the ride fare. While the driver was not working for Uber at the time of the incident, Yahoo understands the company investigated the incident and took swift action on the driver's Uber account. Fraudulent activity, such as driver-partners encouraging riders to pay directly in exchange for a trip, is a clear breach of Ubers Community Guidelines and this kind of behaviour can result in driver-partners permanently losing access to the app," a spokesperson told Yahoo. "We encourage riders to report behaviour such as this through the app, so we can take action right away." Women share ways they try remain safe in rideshares While many women shared their similar experiences, others gave advice on ways they remain safe and tracked by family when using taxis or rideshares. "Life 360 is good for this. Theres an SOS alert function as well. My kids and I use it in case they find themselves in weird uncomfortable or unplanned situations," one said "Have a tracking app you can share with trusted people in your life," another added. A third suggested to use Shebah Rideshare instead as it only has "women drivers". "All have a police and working with children check," they said. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. SPARTANBURG With more than 200 international companies operating in Spartanburg County, efforts continue locally to develop a skilled workforce to fill positions in demand. A new workforce development agreement between the United States and Austria aims to provide apprenticeship opportunities for up to a year. It's similar to a program adopted by Austria in 2022 to build stronger ties between the two countries and promote workforce development. Austrian Ambassador Petra Schneebauer touted the apprenticeship travel program during a stop on March 20 at OneSpartanburg's headquarters on North Pine Street in downtown Spartanburg. It was Schneebauer's second trip to Spartanburg since becoming ambassador. She toured The Spark Center at Spartanburg Community College's Tyger River Campus in Duncan on her first visit. Schneebauer has visited other parts of South Carolina since becoming ambassador, including Rock Hill, where she attended a groundbreaking for STIWA US Inc. in 2022. The advanced automation company based in Austria manufactures fittings for the automotive industry. The STIWA Group is moving its new North American headquarters to York County by late 2024 with a $30 million investment and will create 48 jobs over the next five years. She said South Carolina's economy will likely continue to draw interest from her country, which exports 6.6 percent of its goods annually to the United States. The new apprenticeship travel program will be a new tool to help both countries learn together how to develop a modern workforce to meet growing demands for skilled workers. "Our relationship between Austria and the United States remains important to us," Schneebauer told The Post and Courier. "South Carolina is also very important to us since our economy is strong in the automotive sector. We deliver 700 engines every day to BMW here in South Carolina. Our future in Spartanburg County and South Carolina is very strong." BMW Manufacturing in Spartanburg employs 11,000 people. Since 1992, it's invested $13.3 billion in the plant. More than 1,500 vehicles are assembled every day. Schneebauer said Austrian-based companies are vital in supplying parts to the plant. SPARTANBURG A popular Latin buffet on the east side of Spartanburg is adding Mexican cuisine to its portfolio. El Chinchorro Boricua is known for its buffet featuring Puerto Rican, Dominican and Cuban food. But on March 23, its opening a new Mexican buffet next door with offerings including seafood, chicken mole, handmade tortillas, a plethora of taco fillings and a salsa bar. Theyll also have several different soups including menudo. The Mexican buffet will go in the space that used to be the restaurant's bar area. Owner Rosendo Duran told The Post and Courier that diners would have at least 25 different meal options and would be able to build their own tacos. Its going to be 100 percent authentic Mexican food, said Duran, noting the chef is from Mexico. Were taking a chance. For a lot of people its going to be new to them. What they sell here as Mexican food is not truly Mexican food. What they sell here is more Tex-Mex and California style. After the weekend launch, the Mexican buffet will be open Thursday through Sunday. On Friday and Saturday, it will be open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and on Thursday and Sunday, it will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The charge for adults will be $16.99 and for kids under 10 years old, $10.99. Duran is originally from Mexico but moved to Texas when he was 13 before eventually heading to Puerto Rico. He and his wife moved to Spartanburg from Orlando, Florida several years ago and opened El Chinchorro Boricua in 2021 to serve the areas large Puerto Rican population. Now hes hoping folks enjoy the Mexican buffet as well. We know you can find Mexican restaurants on every corner, but were focusing on authentic food, Duran said. Weve been working really hard and I see on social media, the response is huge. I think were gonna have a big crowd on Saturday and Sunday, so were kind of nervous. PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-21 20:50:12 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 523 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / March 21, 2024 / Allied Enrollment Centers, a leading advocate for individuals grappling with the challenges of student debt, proudly announces a significant milestone - surpassing 1,000+ 5-star reviews on Google. This remarkable achievement serves as a testament to the organization's unwavering commitment and success in helping individuals navigate and overcome the complexities of the student debt crisis.As student debt continues to be a pervasive issue affecting millions, Allied Enrollment Centers has emerged as a beacon of support, providing expert guidance and solutions to those burdened by educational loans. The 1,000+ 5-star reviews on Google stand as a resounding endorsement from satisfied clients who have experienced firsthand the positive impact of the organization's services.Allied Enrollment Centers success in amassing such a substantial number of positive reviews is grounded in its holistic approach to addressing the multifaceted challenges associated with student debt. The organization's team of experts specializes in a range of services, including loan consolidation, deferment, managing defaulted loans, and facilitating student loan forgiveness.While celebrating the milestone, the company spokesperson said,We are thrilled to achieve this milestone of 1,000+ 5-star reviews on Google. It is a testament to the effectiveness of our services and the positive impact we've had on the lives of individuals dealing with the burden of student debt.One key element contributing to Allied Enrollment Centers success is its dedication to providing accurate and comprehensive information to empower individuals in making informed decisions about their financial future. The organization's website features user-friendly tools, including a student loan calculator, which allows users to track their loan balances, create budgets, and take control of their financial well-being.Beyond the tools and resources, the heart of Allied Enrollment Centers success lies in its commitment to ethical practices and unparalleled customer service. The organization prides itself on a team of highly qualified experts who guide individuals through the intricacies of loan consolidation, help lighten the load through deferment, and navigate the complexities of defaulted loans and student loan forgiveness.As a recognition of its commitment to excellence, Allied Enrollment Centers recently became a BBB-accredited business, reinforcing its standing as a trustworthy and reliable resource in the field of student debt assistance. The positive reviews on Google further validate the impact of the organization's services on the lives of those seeking relief from the financial strain of educational loans.In celebration of this milestone, Allied Enrollment Centers plans to continue its efforts in providing valuable resources and support to individuals struggling with student debt. The organization remains steadfast in its mission to be a guiding light for those navigating the challenging landscape of educational debt.Allied Enrollment Centers is a leading organization dedicated to easing the burden of student debt. With a team of experts specializing in various aspects of student loans, including consolidation, deferment, defaulted loan management, and loan forgiveness, Allied Enrollment Centers has become a trusted resource for individuals navigating the complexities of educational debt. The organization's commitment to excellence and ethical practices is reflected in its BBB accreditation and the numerous positive reviews received online.CONTACT: https://alliedenrollmentcenters.com Phone: 888-959-2505Email: info@ myalliedteam.com SOURCE: Allied Enrollment Centers PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-21 13:02:07 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 376 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Publication aims to provide valuable insights, best practices and innovative strategies to empower chief talent officers for talent management successCHICAGO, IL / ACCESSWIRE / March 21, 2024 / BetterWork Media Group (BMG) announced today the launch of its latest brand, Chief Talent Officer, and the introduction of its new annual event, Chief Talent Officer Summit, taking place in Chicago from August 12-13, 2024.The theme of this year's event is Beyond Talent Trends: Pioneering Progress Through Emerging Tech & Innovation and will host 60 director-level and above professionals in the talent, L&D and HR space, including chief talent officers, CHROs, chief people officers, SVPs of talent management, EVPs of talent management, VPs of talent management and heads of talent management.Chief Talent Officer offers a range of resources tailored specifically for Chief Talent Officers of organizations, individuals responsible for overseeing talent acquisition, onboarding, development, engagement, succession planning and retention strategies, from large enterprises to SMBs. Through valuable insights, best practices and innovative strategies, Chief Talent Officer empowers Chief Talent Officers to attract, develop and retain top talent, ultimately driving organizational success."As organizations increasingly recognize the strategic importance of talent management, the role of chief talent officer has become more crucial than ever," said Ashley St. John, chief content officer and editor-in-chief for BetterWork Media Group. "Through our new Chief Talent Officer brand and event, we aim to provide Chief Talent Officers with the tools and knowledge they need to excel in their mission of strategically managing and optimizing their organization's talent." This launch marks an evolution from BetterWork Media Group's former Talent Management brand that has been around for more than 20 years; it's a strategic pivot toward a comprehensive focus on helping chief talent officers manage and optimize the full employee lifecycle.Registration for the Chief Talent Officer Summit opens on March 19, 2024.For more information about Chief Talent Officer and to stay updated on the latest insights and resources for Chief Talent Officers, visit chieftalentofficer.co Contact InformationTaylar Ramsey-Thompson ; Director of Events & Marketingtaylar@ betterworkmedia.com (312) 690-3088Related ImagesChief Talent Officer Chief Talent Officer | People. Practice. Insights. Chief Talent Officer Summit Chief Talent Officer Summit | Aug. 12-13, 2024 | Chicago, IL Related VideoSOURCE: BetterWork Media GroupView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-21 22:01:31 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 504 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEWPORT BEACH, CA / ACCESSWIRE / March 21, 2024 / Bob's Watches, the leading online marketplace for buying and selling pre-owned luxury watches including Rolex, Cartier, and OMEGA, is thrilled to announce its strategic partnership with Fred Segal, the iconic fashion retailer renowned for its influence on Los Angeles style. This collaboration will bring Bob's Watches' extensive collection of used Rolex and other brand timepieces to both Fred Segal's e-commerce platform and their Southern and Northern California stores in West Hollywood, Malibu, Studio City, and Marin County.Bob's Watches Bob's Watches has earned a reputation for its commitment to quality, authenticity, and customer satisfaction in the pre-owned luxury watch market. By joining forces with Fred Segal, a renowned destination for cutting-edge fashion and lifestyle experiences, Bob's Watches aims to provide a unique and immersive shopping experience for watch enthusiasts.Carol Altieri, Principal and COO of Bob's Watches, expressed her enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, "We are excited to bring the world of pre-owned Rolex watches to Fred Segal, a brand synonymous with style and innovation. Our collaboration will offer customers the opportunity to discover and acquire timeless timepieces with confidence and convenience." In support of this exciting venture, Jeff Lotman, CEO of Fred Segal, shared his thoughts on the partnership, saying, "Fred Segal has always been dedicated to curating a diverse and exceptional selection for our customers. The addition of Bob's Watches and their high-quality pre-owned Rolex collection aligns perfectly with our commitment to providing unique and exclusive offerings." The collaboration between Bob's Watches and Fred Segal opens up new possibilities for watch enthusiasts and collectors, allowing them to explore and acquire exclusive pre-owned Rolex watches in a setting known for its trendsetting retail experiences.For more information, please visit www.bobswatches.com and www.fredsegal.com About Bob's WatchesBob's Watches is the leading online marketplace for buying and selling certified pre-owned Rolex watches, Omega, Cartier, and other luxury watch brands. With a focus on transparency, authenticity, and exceptional customer service, Bob's Watches has become the trusted destination for watch enthusiasts and collectors worldwide.For Bob's Watches Press Inquiries:Douglas Kaplan, douglas@ bobswatches.com Jason Geller, jason@ jmediahouse.com About Fred SegalFRED SEGAL is the iconic lifestyle brand that defined the LA Look and sparked a revolutionary shift in style, changing retail and pop culture forever. Pioneering the shop-in-shop concept and experiential retail, the brand is built on heritage, inclusivity, and love.The FRED SEGAL legacy is sustained by always staying ahead with innovative lines and collaborations with designers, artists and emerging brands to create unique capsules, cultural conversations and immersive experiences. Now owned by Jeff Lotman, CEO of Global Icons, FRED SEGAL opened its Sunset Boulevard Flagship in 2018, and has since expanded to Malibu, Las Vegas, Studio City and Asia.For Fred Segal Press Inquiries:Kimi Chiang, Kchiang@ fredsegal.com Max Kennedy, Mkennedy@ fredsegal.com ICA, fredsegal@ infinitycreativeagency.com Contact InformationDouglas KaplanBusiness Inquiriesdouglas@ bobswatches.com Jason GellerMedia Inquiriesjason@ jmediahouse.com SOURCE: Bob's WatchesView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-21 08:24:14 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 938 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 2023 FINAL DIVIDENDPERTH, AUSTRALIA / ACCESSWIRE / March 21, 2024 / Centamin is pleased to announce that the Board of Directors recommend the payment of a final dividend of 2 US cents per share, for the six months ended 31 December 2023.DIVIDEND POLICYStakeholder, and specifically shareholder returns, are central to our Company strategy. Centamin was one of the first gold producers to pay a dividend under a structured policy. We have since built a ten-year track record of returning cash to shareholders, totalling US$881m (inclusive of the FY23 final dividend).As a result of our continued commitment to shareholder returns, the dividend policy remains unchanged from our previous commitment to return a minimum of 30% of Group free cash flow before growth capital expenditure1 to shareholders in cash dividends. In addition to the minimum dividend, the balance sheet is assessed by the Board which will use its discretion to allocate the remaining available cash to growth projects and supplementary dividend payments.2023 FINAL DIVIDENDThe Board proposes a final dividend of 2 US cents per share (US$23 million). The final dividend will be subject to shareholder approval at the Annual General Meeting on 21 May 2024, which will be hosted in Jersey.Following the interim dividend of 2 US cents (US$23m) that was declared in July 2023 and paid in September 2023, the final dividend brings the total dividend attributed to full year 2023 to 4 US cents per share (US$46 million). This represents 55% of the cash available for dividend payments, exceeding the policy to pay out a minimum of 30% of Group free cash flow before growth capital expenditure. The Board applied its discretion to allocate US$21m to supplementary dividend payments given the continued strength of the balance sheet.The final dividend is calculated by the following:30-Jun-2330-Dec-232023US$'000 InterimFinalTotalGroup free cash flow19,36229,63348,995Add back:Growth capex financed from treasury[1]21,81813,88735,705Cash flow available for dividends41,18043,52084,70030% minimum distribution as per dividend policy(12,354)(13,056)(25,410)Surplus cash flow for discretionary capital allocation[2]28,82630,46459,290Board dividend supplement(10,814)(10,113)(20,927)Total dividend declared23,16823,16946,337US Cents2.02.04.0% of cash flow available for dividend payments56%53%55%Centamin maintains a robust financial position, with cash and liquid assets of US$153 million as at 31 December 2023. The Company's disciplined approach to capital allocation, provides the flexibility to allocate capital to shareholders returns, business investment and growth as well as environmental and social opportunities.2023 FINAL DIVIDEND TIMETABLE[3]Below is the final dividend timetable for the London Stock Exchange (LSE) and Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX):AGM Date21 May 2024Ex-Dividend Date:30 May 2024 (LSE only)Record Date:31 May 2024 (Record and Ex-Dividend Date for the TSX)Last Date for Currency Elections:3 June 2024Payment Date:19 June 2024Dividend Currency ElectionsThe dividend will be paid on 19 June 2024, in US Dollars ("USD") with an option for shareholders to elect to receive the dividend in Pounds Sterling ("GBP"). Currency elections should be made no later than 3 June 2024 as per the instructions detailed on the Company website ( www.centamin.com) . Payments in GBP will be based on the USD/GBP exchange rate on 4 June 2024 and the rate applied will be published on the website thereafter.As a Jersey incorporated company, there is no requirement for Centamin plc to make any withholding or deduction on account of Jersey tax in respect of the dividend.ABOUT CENTAMINCentamin is an established gold producer, with premium listings on the London Stock Exchange and Toronto Stock Exchange. The Company's flagship asset is the Sukari Gold Mine ("Sukari"), Egypt's largest and first modern gold mine, as well as one of the world's largest producing mines. Since production began in 2009 Sukari has produced 5.7 million ounces of gold, and today has a projected mine life to 2035.Through its large portfolio of exploration assets in Egypt and West Africa, Centamin is advancing an active pipeline of future growth prospects, including the Doropo project in Cote d'Ivoire, and over 3,000km2 of highly prospective exploration ground in Egypt's Arabian Nubian Shield.Centamin practices responsible mining activities, recognising its responsibility to deliver operational and financial performance and create lasting mutual benefit for all stakeholders through good corporate citizenship.FOR MORE INFORMATION please visit the website www.centamin.com or contact:Centamin plcMichael Stoner, Head of Corporateinvestor@ centaminplc.com FTI ConsultingBen Brewerton / Sara Powell / Nick Hennis+442037271000centamin@ fticonsulting.com FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTSThis announcement (including information incorporated by reference) contains "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" under applicable securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking statements"), including statements with respect to future financial or operating performance. Such statements include "future-oriented financial information" or "financial outlook" with respect to prospective financial performance, financial position, EBITDA, cash flows and other financial metrics that are based on assumptions about future economic conditions and courses of action. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes", "expects", "expected", "budgeted", "forecasts" and "anticipates" and include production outlook, operating schedules, production profiles, expansion and expansion plans, efficiency gains, production and cost guidance, capital expenditure outlook, exploration spend and other mine plans. Although Centamin believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, Centamin can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are prospective in nature and are not based on historical facts, but rather on current expectations and projections of the management of Centamin about future events and are therefore subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from the future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. In addition, there are a number of factors that could cause Dramatic footage has emerged of the moment an allegedly stolen car driven by a teenager crashed at high speed in Darwin, with confronting video showing a group of girls at first giggling and laughing with one another until the driver loses control, eventually striking a power pole and rolling. The shocking footage has emerged amid an outcry from residents and local authorities against the region's youth crime problem, an issue reported not just in the Northern Territory, but also across large parts of country, particularly in regional areas. A group of Darwin girls have filmed the moment a teenage driver allegedly crashed the car they were in at high speed. Source: 2GB Crime spree across Northern Territory Last weekend alone saw a major spike in burglaries and break-ins across the territory. On Friday night, three children held up a couple at knifepoint and stole their car from a car park in Darwin's northern suburbs. An elderly Alice Springs couple were allegedly robbed at knifepoint in their own home on Sunday, with four people in their 20s arrested hours later. In Darwin, police are investigating up to 20 reported unlawful entries, and four stolen vehicles are yet to be found. Similar encounters have taken place in recent weeks all over the country and across various states, with authorities scrambling to find the answer. Harrowing crash captured on video In the dramatic video showing the teenage girls, which spans just over 20 seconds, viewers can see just how quickly the group's laughter turns to horrified screams. "Look at this c***t driving," one of the girls is heard saying, before she urges her companion to "slow down" a number of times. "Slow the f***k down," she says repeatedly, before the screams turn to silence and the car seemingly crashes into a pole and rolls. After the vehicle comes to a complete stop, the girls can then be heard talking softly among themselves and it looks as though the teen recording made her way out of the car, before the footage ends. It's believed the young women posted the video to their social media accounts. Story continues Driver of crashed car taken to Darwin hospital A Northern Territory Police spokesperson said officers were aware of the crash footage. "Northern Territory Police are aware of a video circulating of three female youths driving an allegedly stolen vehicle and crashing on Monday, March 11, at 11.00pm," a spokesperson told Yahoo News. "[Police allege] three female youths stole a Mazda 3 from a residence in Stuart Park, before crashing it at the intersection of Trower Road and Nightcliff Road. The driver presented to the Royal Darwin Hospital for medical treatment. "One offender was arrested and the other two were summonsed to appear before the court." 'No quick fix' to teen crime problem: NT Chief Minister Last week, Northern Territory's Acting Police Commissioner Travis Wurst said the force's resources were stretched as a result of the steep increase in youth crime. "At times we are challenged by simultaneous commissions of crime in certain pockets of the NT, and that does stretch our resources," he said. Chief Minister Eva Lawler said the government was working hard at addressing crime in the NT. "There is no quick fix and don't let anybody tell you there is a quick fix around addressing these issues, it is constant hard work and perseverance," she said on Monday. The number of violent offences committed by children in the territory has skyrocketed over the past four years, with nearly 2,000 violent offences by youths reported in the year to November 2023. These figures represent a 50 per cent rise on 2019-20. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-21 22:00:19 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 501 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 How to Apply Behavioral Science to Ethically Reach Your GoalsPHOENIX, AZ / ACCESSWIRE / March 21, 2024 / The Cialdini Institute announces the Influence Amplified conference, scheduled for May 10-11, at the Arizona Grand Resort & Spa in Phoenix, AZ. This two-day event, led by world-renowned behavioral scientist Dr. Robert Cialdini, promises to equip attendees with practical influence insights to ethically reach their goals.Dr. Robert Cialdini Dr. Robert Cialdini, Regents' Professor Emeritus of Psychology and Marketing at ASU.In a world where influence ranks among the top in-demand power skills according to the World Economic Forum and Forbes, the Influence Amplified conference aims to provide professionals with the science-based influence tools they need to be successful in today's rapidly changing and highly competitive environment. Led by Dr. Robert Cialdini, globally referred to as the "Godfather of Influence," the conference boasts an influential lineup of speakers, who will share science-based insights to help attendees succeed in marketing, sales, leadership, negotiation, and communication.Dr. Cialdini's home turfDr. Cialdini is Regents' Professor Emeritus of Psychology and Marketing at Arizona State University. This year marks the 40th anniversary of his New York Times best-selling book "Influence," which sold over 5 million copies in 48 languages. Therefore, there can hardly be a better place for the Influence Amplified conference than Phoenix, AZ.Open for registrationRegistration for the conference is now open. "Whether it's to get a YES' more frequently, raise conversions and accelerate growth, or set yourself apart and build stronger relationships, this conference will get you there," says Bas Wouters, CEO of the Cialdini Institute. With a limited number of tickets available and high demand anticipated, especially since the conference is being held on Dr. Cialdini's home turf, Wouters encourages interested professionals to secure their spot soon.For more information and to register for the Influence Amplified conference, feel free to visit: cialdini.com/influence-amplified-arizona About Dr. Robert CialdiniDr. Robert Cialdini is known globally as the foundational expert in the science of influence and its ethical application. His seven Principles of Persuasion have become a cornerstone for people serious about increasing their influence. The results of his scientific research, his sold-out keynotes, and his bestselling books have earned him a worldwide reputation and the label of "Godfather of Influence." Many of the world's top CEOs and entrepreneurs consider "Influence" by Dr. Cialdini as their best business book.About the Cialdini InstituteThe Cialdini Institute is dedicated to advancing the understanding and ethical application of Dr. Robert Cialdini's seven Principles of Persuasion in various domains, including marketing, sales, leadership, negotiation, and communication. Led by Dr. Robert Cialdini and his CEO Bas Wouters, the institute empowers individuals and organizations to apply the science of influence to reach their goals ethically, efficiently, and effectively.For more information about this press release, please contact:Cialdini Institute Eily Cartwright1 602-834-9429 info@ cialdini.com Contact InformationEily Cartwrightinfo@ cialdini.com 1 602-834-9429SOURCE: Cialdini InstituteView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-21 16:20:32 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 289 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 RAPID CITY, SD / ACCESSWIRE / March 21, 2024 /Dakota Star Federal Credit Unionproudly announces its inclusion in Newsweek's prestigious list of America's Best Regional Banks and Credit Unions for 2024. This recognition underscores the credit union's dedication to excellence in serving its members and communities across the region. Since its establishment in 1952, Dakota Star Federal Credit Union has evolved to serve a broader range of individuals and businesses while striving to provide world-class service to all members.Newsweek, a globally recognized journalism, business, and finance authority, conducted a rigorous evaluation of approximately 9,440 financial institutions to identify the top regional banks and credit unions across the United States. The assessment focused on various criteria, including customer service, profitability, financial relevance, stability, and community involvement."We are thrilled and honored to be recognized by Newsweek as one of America's Best Regional Banks and Credit Unions for 2024," said Kelli Wold, President of Dakota Star Federal Credit Union. "This accolade reflects our unwavering commitment to our members and communities. It motivates us to continue delivering innovative financial solutions and superior customer service." Dakota Star Federal Credit Union remains steadfast in its mission to enrich the lives of its members by providing comprehensive financial services, educational resources, and community outreach programs. As a member-owned financial institution, it prioritizes transparency, integrity, and inclusivity in all its endeavors.For more information about Dakota Star Federal Credit Union and its range of financial products and services, please visit https://dakotastar.org To view a complete list of America's Best Regional Banks and Credit Unions by Newsweek and learn more about the methodology, please visit https://www.newsweek.com/rankings/americas-best-regional-banks-credit-unions-2024 Media Contact Kelli WoldPresidentDakota Star Federal Credit Union(605) 342 6442 kelli@ dakotastar.org SOURCE: Dakota Star Federal Credit Union PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-21 15:00:38 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 472 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 With 26+ years in finance and accounting, CFO Ben Nelsen is posed to expand Centra's prowess as a national leader in real estate investing and developmentMINNEAPOLIS, MN / ACCESSWIRE / March 21, 2024 / Centra Companies proudly welcomes Ben Nelsen as the newest addition to its leadership, assuming the position of Chief Financial Officer. A Minnesota native, Ben is a dynamic leader with an entrepreneurial spirit who is experienced in both public and private accounting. His impressive track record and rigid adherence to structure and processes will be instrumental in bringing Centra into a new age of growth and development.Ben Nelsen, Centra Companies Centra Companies proudly welcomes Ben Nelsen as the newest addition to its leadership, assuming the position of Chief Financial Officer.A University of Notre Dame alumni, Nelsen entered public accounting after college. His career journey spans various roles including business ownership and executive leadership, working with Fortune 500 companies such as General Mills and Best Buy. Nelsen's experience in strategic business growth is prolific, having spent a majority of his career helping grow Buffalo Wild Wings from 200 to more than 1,200 locations across the nation. During his 14-year tenure at the company, he was involved in every aspect of the business from marketing and operations to purchasing, allowing him to gain valuable insights."I'm thrilled to join Centra at such a pivotal moment," remarked Nelsen. "I see a lot of similarities between Centra and Buffalo Wild Wings in terms of vision and potential. Centra's hired a great team, they have the infrastructure in place, and I look forward to leveraging my expertise to propel us to new heights." Nelsen's main role at Centra Capital Partners will be to carefully calculate investment opportunities, such as the Meadows at Hugo, to optimize returns. Additionally, he will play a key role in guiding the Centra Land Team in planning and development to determine the best financial outcomes for the company, its stakeholders and investors. As part of the leadership team, Nelsen will analyze market trends to establish short- and long-term targets to ensure alignment with the company's financial objectives.Founder and owner of Centra Companies, Dale Wills, expressed enthusiasm about Nelsen's appointment, stating, "Ben's arrival signifies our commitment to excellence and innovation. His keen insights and strategic mindset will undoubtedly strengthen our operations and drive sustainable growth." ###About Centra Companies:Founded in 2011, Centra Companies has established itself as a leader in construction and real estate development. With its headquarters in Minneapolis and additional offices in Salt Lake City and Los Angeles, the company has expanded its services to include diverse real estate projects and financial markets. Centra Companies is known for its commitment to quality, sustainability, and community development.Contact InformationBryn Lambert Director of Public Relationsbryn.lambert@centracompanies.com (763) 307-2138SOURCE: Centra CompaniesView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-21 18:45:14 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 614 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 ROCK HILL, SC / ACCESSWIRE / March 21, 2024 / March 31, 2024, marks the end of the first quarter of the 2024 tax year. This means that the majority of employers will be required to file their quarterly payroll Form 941 with the IRS. The deadline tofile Form 941for Q1 of 2024 falls on April 30, 2024.Form 941is utilized to report the Social Security, Medicare, and income taxes withheld from employee wages to the IRS. As this form is filed quarterly, employers must adhere to four deadlines throughout the tax year. Employers must file Form 941 every quarter.Form 941 for Q1, 2024 is Now AvailableAlthough this deadline may seem distant, employers who have all their filing information ready can benefit by completing their941 filingearly. With the assistance of TaxBandits, a top IRS e-file provider in the industry, they can accomplish this. Form 941 for Q1 of 2024 is now accessible in the TaxBandits application, enabling their clients to get a head start on their quarterly filing.Form 941 Updates for 2024 Tax YearBusiness owners and tax professionals alike should be aware of these notablechanges to Form Form 941 for Q1, 2024 :The Social Security and Medicare tax limits have been updated. Each employer's Social Security tax rate is 6.2%, and the Social Security wage base limit is now $168,600. Social Security and Medicare taxes now apply to household workers paid $2,700 or more in 2024. Social Security and Medicare taxes now apply to election workers who receive $2,300 or more in cash or an equivalent type of compensation in 2024. The most notable change to the 941 draft is the removal of COVID-19-related tax credits for qualified sick and family leave wages. This can no longer be claimed on Form 941. Forms 941-PRandForm 941-SShave been discontinued after 2024. Instead, they are being replaced withForm 941 (sp)(Spanish). There have been several changes to specific lines on the 941 draft. All of these changes reflect the removal of COVID-19-related tax credits: Part I, Lines 11a - 11g has been removed. Part I, Lines 13a-13i have been removed. Part III, Lines 19-28 have been removed. TaxBandits: Streamlined E-filing Features for AllTaxBandits offers advanced features to improve the efficiency and accuracy of filing Form 941:Bulk Upload Templates for 941 data Form 941 Schedule Bfor semi-weekly depositors Form 941 Schedule Rfor PEOs, CPEOs, and other 3504 agents Volume-based prepaid credits Built-in 941 Worksheets Automatic Tax Calculations Error checks using the IRS Business Rules Easy e-signature options ( Online Signature PINorForm 8453-EMP )When asked about these upcoming quarterly filings CEO and Co-founder of SPAN Enterprises (parent company of TaxBandits), Agie Sundaram, responded by stating, "TaxBandits leads the industry as an IRS-authorized e-file provider because we offer excellent features and customer support that simplifies the e-filing process. With TaxBandits, filing Form 941 is easy and affordable whether you are filing for a single business or thousands of clients." Create a free account at TaxBandits toe-file Form 941for the first quarter of 2024. TaxBandits also supports filing for prior quarters.About TaxBandits:TaxBanditsis a SOC 2 Certified, IRS-authorized e-file provider specializing inForm 1099 ,Form W-2 ,Form 1095-C ,Form 1095-B ,Form 940 , Form 941, andFillable W-9 . Serving businesses, service providers, and tax professionals, TaxBandits offers a comprehensive solution for year-end filings.Software providers and other high-volume filers can take advantage ofTaxBandits API . The integration allows them to add value for their clients and expand monetization efforts. TaxBandits API enables seamless preparation and e-filing of 1099,W-2 ,941 ,940 , and ACA 1095 forms. Software providers can also use the developer-friendly 1099 API to request W-9s andautomate 1099filings efficiently.About SPAN Enterprises:Headquartered in Rock Hill, South Carolina, SPAN Enterprises has been developing industry-leading software tools for e-filing and business management for over a decade. The SPAN Enterprises portfolio includes Tax 990, ACAwise, ExpressExtension, 123PayStubs, and TruckLogics.For media inquiries, please contact:Stephanie GlanvilleContent Writer, SPAN Enterprises stephanie@ spanenterprises.com SOURCE: TaxBandits PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-21 21:01:55 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 425 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Collaboration Will Fast-Track Technologies, Materials for Nuclear Reactor SystemsSAN DIEGO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / March 21, 2024 / General Atomics (GA) announced today that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) to investigate collaborative project opportunities to support United Arab Emirates (UAE) nuclear energy programs. Representatives from both companies signed the MOU while attending the CERAWeek Conference in Houston, TX.General Atomics Signs Memorandum of Understanding with Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation Scott Forney (left), President of General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems, and His Excellency Mohamed Al Hammadi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Nuclear Energy CorporationUnder the MOU, General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS), a group operating within GA, and ENEC will conduct detailed discussions covering several projects, including opportunities to utilize GA-EMS' SiGA cladding for nuclear reactor applications and Fast Modular Nuclear Reactor designs. Silicon carbide cladding will improve the safety and affordability of existing light water reactors, as well as minimize outage time. Additionally, this innovative material is critical for the Department of Energy-funded Fast Modular Reactor (FMR) design and other advanced or Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) that use high temperature to achieve high efficiency in production of electricity."We look forward to working with ENEC to develop potential opportunities to fast-track the development of advanced fuels, silicon carbide cladding and new modular reactor designs to support the UAE's innovation-driven nuclear energy initiatives," stated Scott Forney, president of GA-EMS. "ENEC has extensive experience in developing nuclear programs and building and operating reactor systems to the highest standards of safety, quality, and security. We are committed to working with companies like ENEC, whose reputation for excellence is synergistic with ours, to deliver these revolutionary technologies to greatly enhance the safety, durability, performance, and economics of nuclear energy systems." His Excellency Mohamed Al Hammadi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of ENEC, said: "Having successfully developed the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, the largest single source of clean electricity in the UAE, we are now focused on building international partnerships to drive innovation and R&D in new clean energy solutions. The Barakah Plant is a catalyst for a new era of technological advancement and cooperation on a global level to collectively take us closer to our Net Zero targets. We look forward to working with General Atomics to identify areas of potential collaboration to drive progress within the international nuclear energy industry." Contact InformationGeneral Atomics Electromagnetic Systems Media Relationsems-mediarelations@ ga.com 8589646989SOURCE: General Atomics Electromagnetic SystemsView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-21 18:01:17 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 470 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 KANSAS CITY, MO / ACCESSWIRE / March 21, 2024 / Heartland National Life Insurance Company, a trusted leader in insurance solutions, proudly announces the launch of its latest groundbreaking product, Heartland's Secure Rate MYGA. The Company's new product is designed to tackle retirement challenges head-on by providing unparalleled stability and growth while shielding customers from market risk.HNL logoTo lead the charge in providing innovative solutions like Heartland's Secure Rate MYGA, Heartland is pleased to announce the appointment of Todd Wyss as Executive Vice President of Life and Annuities.Heartland's Secure Rate MYGA represents a significant advancement in addressing the challenges of modern retirement planning, offering a unique blend of security and growth potential. Designed to navigate the complexities of market volatility, Heartland's Secure Rate MYGA empowers its clients to achieve their long-term financial goals with confidence.The demand for innovative retirement solutions continues to grow, with fixed-rate products like Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuities (MYGAs) gaining traction among those seeking stability and predictability. LIMRA forecasts annuity products offering investment protection will continue to drive sales growth and demand will exceed $100 billion in fixed-rate deferred annuities in 2024 and 2025. Overall U.S. Individual Annuity sales are expected to exceed $311 billion in 2024 and $342 billion in 2025. As the industry anticipates continued growth in the MYGA category, Heartland emerges as a frontrunner, poised to meet the evolving needs of agents and consumers alike.We are excited to introduce Heartland's Secure Rate MYGA as a game-changer in the realm of retirement planning," says Nick Micheletti, Chief Marketing Officer. "At Heartland National Life Insurance Company (HNL), we are committed to empowering individuals to take control of their financial futures. With Heartland's Secure Rate MYGA, clients can navigate retirement planning with confidence, knowing that their goals are well within reach." Heartland's Secure Rate MYGA offers guaranteed, compounded interest growth over 3, 5, 7, or 10 years, with built-in liquidity and full account value payout upon death. Optional riders provide additional flexibility, allowing penalty-free withdrawals and access to funds in case of a terminal illness or nursing home confinement. Clients can customize their investment strategies to align with their unique financial objectives and risk tolerance, ensuring peace of mind and financial security.Backed by a legacy of excellence and commitment to customer satisfaction, Heartland National Life Insurance Company is proud to introduce Heartland's Secure Rate MYGA as the latest addition to its comprehensive product portfolio. Built on a foundation of trust and reliability, Heartland's Secure Rate MYGA embodies our dedication to empowering individuals to secure their financial futures.For more information about Heartland's Secure Rate MYGA and how it can benefit your retirement planning, visit https://heartlandnationallife.com , or call us at 816.816.MYGA.Contact InformationKim SteketeeDirector of Agency Servicesksteketee@ hnlic.com 8339644555Todd WyssExecutive VP of Life and Annuitiestodd@ hnlic.com 816.816.MYGASOURCE: Heartland National Life Insurance CompanyView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-21 15:01:08 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 517 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Industry executive brings strategic expertise to drive early-stage company growthHOUSTON, TX / ACCESSWIRE / March 21, 2024 / InnoVent Renewables announces the addition of Victoria Lazar to its Advisory Board in support of InnoVent's corporate mission to drive renewable energy forward by mitigating the global environmental challenge of waste tires. InnoVent Renewables launched as a U.S.-based technology and operations company with a proprietary continuous pyrolysis technology that converts waste tires, plastics, and biomass into valuable fuels and chemicals. As an Advisory Board Member, Ms. Lazar will provide strategic input to InnoVent Renewables' early-stage growth.Victoria Lazar "We are thrilled to have Victoria join InnoVent Renewables' Advisory Board at this strategic point in our development," noted InnoVent Renewables CEO Vibhu Sharma. "Victoria brings us proven success in executive leadership roles such as Chief Legal Officer across the industrial and technology sectors and her expertise guiding companies through strategic growth will be essential to helping InnoVent Renewables achieve both our near-term and long-term company objectives." "I am excited to support InnoVent Renewables and the visionary leadership team led by CEO Vibhu Sharma in its mission to solve the global environmental challenge of waste tires," said Ms. Lazar. "This is a unique opportunity to have a substantial positive impact on our environment, and I am excited to support the early-stage growth of InnoVent Renewables." Ms. Lazar is a highly accomplished business executive with a proven record of success leading companies through impactful changes. She has served as Chief Legal Officer for multiple global organizations, working with board and management teams at companies in all stages of the business lifecycle. Ms. Lazar most recently served as Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary for TechnipFMC, a leading technology provider to traditional and new energy companies, where she guided FTI through its spin-off of Technip Energies and initiation of a shareholder distribution program.Prior to TechnipFMC, she was Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for Bristow Group, where she led the company through its emergence from Chapter 11 restructuring and merger, to form the world's leading industrial aviation company.With a solution to the global environmental challenge of waste tires, InnoVent Renewables has assembled a team of world-class executives each with more than 25 years of energy and chemical industry experience to drive early-stage growth. With current operations in Houston (USA), Pune (India), and Monterrey (Mexico), the company has aggressive growth plans across North America and Latin America, with future expansion opportunities in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific.###About InnoVent RenewablesInnoVent Renewables is a U.S.-based technology and operations company with a proprietary continuous pyrolysis technology that converts waste tires, plastics, and biomass into valuable fuels and chemicals. InnoVent's corporate mission is to drive renewable energy forward by addressing the global environmental challenge of waste tires. With operations currently in Houston (USA), Pune (India), and Monterrey (Mexico), InnoVent has aggressive international expansion plans. InnoVent Renewables can be found at innoventrenewables.com Contact InformationMatt FlanaganMedia Contactmatt.flanagan@innoventrenewables.com 713-927-6136SOURCE: InnoVent RenewablesView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-21 15:00:55 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 501 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Continued Growth in International Health and Travel Insurance Enhanced by New Products and an Award-Winning TeamBOSTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / March 21, 2024 / International Citizens Insurance (ICI) is excited to announce another year of record sales, highlighted by 200% growth in its global life insurance business and more than 500% growth in its group business. The company's industry-leading presence in the international insurance space continues to expand, as recognized by the following awards.Cigna Global Award as Top Producer, Global Health Plans 2024 Award from Cigna Global for being the top Producer, Global Health Plans, Americas Global Insurance AwardsAffirming the company as a leader in the international insurance space, Cigna Global recently recognized International Citizens Insurance as the Top Producing Broker, Americas, Global Individual Health for the second year running. In addition, GeoBlue recognized ICI with the 2023 Sales Excellence Award."International Citizens Insurance was delighted to be recognized by Cigna Healthcare at their recent Global Broker Advisory Council in Sydney," said Joe Cronin, President of International Citizens Insurance. "We were honored to be recognized for this award and to be seen as a vital partner in helping to shape the future of healthcare for global individuals. We look forward to our partnership growing from strength to strength in 2024 and beyond." New Hires to Support Expanding BusinessTo support the continued growth of its global business, ICI has hired two new employees. Chris Geremia has joined the team as a Business Analyst to help refine the company's business processes to allow its team to serve ICI clients better. In addition, Christopher Delgado joined the company as an Insurance Consultant and will work with individuals to guide them through the process of researching and purchasing coverage.Growth and Diversification in 2024"2023 was a year of continued growth and diversification," said Cronin. "Our growth and recognition as an industry leader is a testament to the team we have in place and our focus on each client's needs. Heading into 2024, we are well positioned to better serve the needs of business and individuals globally." About International Citizens InsuranceInternational Citizens Insurance ( www.InternationalInsurance.com) is owned and operated by International Citizens Group, Inc. The company's mission is to educate consumers on the value of global medical, life, and travel insurance while providing a resource to research, compare, and purchase plans for their relocation abroad or international trips. The company offers expatriate plans, international health insurance, international group benefits, travel insurance, and insurance for international employees.ICI provides and markets high-quality resources, tools, and advice for expatriates, global citizens, and international employers. The team at ICI has deep experience in international life, travel, health, and the global insurance industry. This experience allows them to simplify the challenging process of selecting international insurance for their clients and ensure they get the best plan for their needs.Contact InformationJoe CroninPresidentmedia@ internationalinsurance.com 617-500-6738Andrew BlombergVice President, Global Group Benefitsandrew@ internationalinsurance.com (339) 221-5190SOURCE: International Citizens InsuranceView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-21 15:00:42 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 681 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 PITTSBURGH, PA / ACCESSWIRE / March 21, 2024 / Today,Liberated Syndication Inc.("Libsyn") , the leading all-in-one podcasting platform for creators and advertisers, announced the rebranding of its AdvertiseCast Marketplace toLibsyn Ads , marking a significant step in its next growth phase as the premier destination for podcast creators and advertisers. Making its debut atPodcast Movement Evolutions 2024(March 26-29, 2024 | Los Angeles, CA), Libsyn will unveil its new ad campaign for Libsyn Ads.From the evolution of host-read ads to the introduction of dynamic creative and programmatic capabilities, Libsyn has led the charge in driving innovation and set the standard for podcast advertising. As a pioneer, Libsyn has played a pivotal role in educating brands and agencies on the rapidly growing and fragmented podcast advertising marketplace - delivering unmatched specialist expertise, access to sought-after inventory, advanced targeting, and outcome-based measurement capabilities, along with access to brand safety tools."Our decision to rebrand AdvertiseCast to Libsyn Ads is a natural progression of the successful execution of our platform strategy," said Dave Hanley, Chief Revenue Officer of Libsyn. "We've been entrenched in podcast advertising since its inception and are proud to have built the most comprehensive portfolio of host-read, dynamic, and programmatic ad solutions. By consolidating our advertising offerings within the Libsyn platform, we're better positioned to serve the needs of advertisers and creators. We're simplifying access for brands looking to tap into highly engaged podcast audiences and maximizing monetization opportunities for podcasters." "Libsyn Ads simplifies our interactions with customers and prospects alike as our portfolio of services embarks on a new chapter," said Rich Romano, Vice President of Marketing for Libsyn. "Libsyn Ads will harness the thrill of podcast advertising innovation, the passion for creators and brand-building, and the unwavering belief that our evolution will not only echo Libsyn's long-standing presence in podcasting but will also elevate our connection with our audiences to new heights." Libsyn continues to experience significant growth from its focus on product innovation, podcast monetization, and expansion of its advertising business, including:Since introducing proprietary programmatic advertising platform in 2022, Libsyn has experienced a three-fold increase in adoption and have expanded its network to include hundreds of exclusive podcasts and thousands of participating shows. Libsyn has secured the number 1 spot in Podtrac's January & February 2024 global rankings for streams, downloads, and views, further validating the power and reach of its premier advertising network and solutions. Libsyn Ads is consistently reaching a unique US Monthly Audience of over 16 million listeners surpassing the reach of the likes of The New York Times, NBC News, CNN, Paramount, and the Fox Audio Network. Libsyn has signed a multitude of exclusive advertising partners, including ABC Audio, Leo Skepi's Aware & Aggravated, Beautiful Stories from Anonymous People by Comedian Chris Gethard, Multitude Productions, Upfire Digital, Big IP Media, Knock Em Dead, a new comedy podcast co-hosted by Rachel Bradley and Christopher Titus, and The Roseanne Barr Podcast. Libsyn has expanded and renewed exclusive ad relationships with new and popular podcasts, including Ruthless, Moms & Mysteries, The Newsworthy, Audivita Studios, A Date With Dateline, Combat Story, Christopher Titus, Dr. Phil, I've Got a Secret! with Robin McGraw, Behind the Velvet Rope, and Very Bad Wizards.Libsyn will be showcasing the full breadth of its industry-leading podcast advertising platform atPodcast Movement Evolutionsin Los Angeles between March 26-29. Visit us at booth #15 on the expo floor.About Liberated SyndicationCelebrating our 20th year in podcasting, Liberated Syndication Inc. ("Libsyn") is the leading all-in-one podcasting platform for creators and advertisers to host, distribute, monetize, amplify, and measure their audio and video content. The Company hosts more than 75,000 shows and delivers over 8 billion downloads to listeners globally. Libsyn Ads offers industry-leading podcast advertising solutions, serving as a comprehensive ad buying and management offering for creators, advertisers, and agencies to initiate and manage highly targeted campaigns across thousands of shows. Visit libsyn.com or investor.libsyn.com for more information on the Company and the platforms that it powers.# # #Media Contacts: Ray Yeung + Nancy Zakhary | ray@ relev8.co + nancy@ relev8.coInvestor Contact: investor@ libsyn.com SOURCE: Liberated Syndication, Inc. PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-21 16:45:43 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1010 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 GOTHENBURG, SWEDEN / ACCESSWIRE / March 21, 2024 / XVIVO Perfusion AB (STO:XVIVO)(LSE:0RKL)(FRA:3XV) (publ) (the "Company"), reg. no. 556561-0424, with its registered office in Molndal, gives notice of the Annual General Meeting to be held on Thursday 25 April 2024 at 2:00 PM, at The Swedish Exhibition & Congress Centre (Sw. Svenska Massan) (conference room J2), at Massans gata 24 in Gothenburg, Sweden. Registration starts at 1:30 PM.N.B. This is an unofficial translation of the Swedish original wording. In case of differences between the English translation and the Swedish original, the Swedish text shall prevail.XVIVO Perfusion AB (publ) (the "Company"), reg. no. 556561-0424, with its registered office in Molndal, gives notice of the Annual General Meeting to be held on Thursday 25 April 2024 at 2:00 PM, at The Swedish Exhibition & Congress Centre (Sw. Svenska Massan) (conference room J2), at Massans gata 24 in Gothenburg, Sweden. Registration starts at 1:30 PM.NOTIFICATION, ETC.Notification Shareholders who wish to participate at the Annual General Meeting shall: firstly, be entered in the share register maintained by Euroclear Sweden AB no later than on Wednesday 17 April 2024 (for nominee-registered shares, also see "Nominee-registered shares" below), secondly, notify the Company of their intention to participate at the Annual General Meeting no later than on Friday 19 April 2024, by mail to XVIVO Perfusion AB (publ), AGM 2024, c/o Advokatfirman Vinge KB, Box 110 25, SE-404 21 Gothenburg, Sweden or by e-mail to xvivoperfusion@ vinge.se The shareholders shall in their notice to attend state name, personal identification number or company registration number, shareholding, address, phone number and, as applicable, information about any advisors (maximum two), proxies or representatives. Information delivered upon notice to attend will be processed and used only for the Annual General Meeting. See below for further information on processing of personal data.Nominee-registered shares To be entitled to participate in the Annual General Meeting, a shareholder whose shares are held in the name of a nominee must, in addition to providing notification of participation, register its shares in its own name so that the shareholder is recorded in the share register relating to the circumstances on Wednesday 17 April 2024. Such registration may be temporary (so-called voting right registration) and is requested from the nominee in accordance with the nominee's procedures and in such time in advance as the nominee determines. Voting right registrations completed by the nominee not later than Friday 19 April 2024 are taken into account when preparing the share register.Proxy, etc. Shareholders who intend to be represented by proxy shall issue a dated power of attorney for the proxy. If the power of attorney is executed by a legal person a certified copy of the certificate of registration or equivalent should be attached. The power of attorney may not be older than one year, however, it may be older provided that the power of attorney according to its wording is valid for a longer period, although, not more than five years from its issuance. The certificate of registration must not have been issued earlier than one year before. The power of attorney in original and, where applicable, the certificate of registration should be submitted to the Company to the address set forth above well in advance of the Annual General Meeting. A proxy form is available on the Company's website, www.xvivoperfusion.com PROPOSED AGENDA 1. Opening of the Annual General Meeting.2. Election of Chairman at the Annual General Meeting.3. Preparation and approval of the voting list.4. Approval of the agenda.5. Election of one or two persons to approve the minutes.6. Determination as to whether the Annual General Meeting has been duly convened.7. Submission of the annual report and the auditors' report and the consolidated financial statements and the auditors' report for the group. In connection thereto, a presentation by the Chief Executive Officer.8. Resolution regardinga. adoption of the income statement and the balance sheet and the consolidated income statement and the consolidated balance sheet,b. allocation of the company's profits or losses in accordance with the adopted balance sheet,c. discharge of the members of the Board of Directors and the CEO from liability.9. Determination of the number of members of the Board of Directors, deputies, auditors, and deputy auditors.10 . Election of members of the Board of Directors. The nomination committee's proposal: a) Gosta Johannesson (re-election)b) Camilla Oberg (re-election)c) Lena Hoglund (re-election)d) Lars Henriksson (re-election)e) Goran Dellgren (re-election)f) Erik Stromqvist (re-election)11. Election of the Chairman of the Board of Directors. The nomination committee's proposal: a) Gosta Johannesson (re-election)12. Election of the auditor.13 . Determination of fees for members of the Board of Directors and auditor.14 . Principles for the appointment of the members of the nomination committee.15 . Submission and approval of the Board's remuneration report.16 . Resolution to adopt an incentive programme in the form of performance-based share option rights for the group management and key individuals within the XVIVO group and directed issue of warrants.17 . Resolution to authorise the Board of Directors to resolve on new share issues.18 . Resolution to authorise the Board of Directors to resolve on acquisition of the Company's own shares.19 . Closing of the Annual General Meeting.THE NOMINATION COMMITTEE'S PROPOSALS UNDER ITEMS 2, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 AND 14 The Nomination Committee, consisting of Henrik Blomquist (appointed by Bure Equity AB), Chairman, Thomas Ehlin (appointed by Fjarde AP-fonden), Fredrik Stenkil (appointed by Swedbank Robur Fonder AB) and Gosta Johannesson (Chairman of the Board of Directors), has submitted the following proposals.Item 2 - Election of Chairman of the Annual General Meeting The Nomination Committee proposes that Anders Strid, lawyer at Advokatfirman Vinge, is appointed Chairman at the Annual General Meeting.Item 9 - Determination of the number of Board members and deputies, auditors and deputy auditors The Nomination Committee proposes that the Board shall consist of six (6) ordinary members without deputies.The Nomination Committee proposes that a registered accounting firm is to be appointed as auditor.Item 10 - Election of Board members The Nomination Committee proposes that Gosta Johannesson, Camilla Oberg, Lena Hoglund, Lars Henriksson, Goran Dellgren and Erik Stromqvist are re A university student who had his legs amputated after claiming he suffered frostbite during a motorbike ride faces charges of insurance fraud. The 23-year-old man, identified only as Zhang, allegedly submerged his feet into a bucket of dry ice for more than 10 hours to inflict severe frostbite which resulted in a double amputation. It is believed he carried this out in the hope he could make an insurance claim worth $1.3 million, according to the Taiwan Criminal Investigation Bureau (TCIB). A Taiwanese university student and his friend faced insurance fraud charges after having his legs amputated for a $1 million claim. Source: Taiwan News It is alleged another man, a friend of Zhang's identified as Liao, persuaded him to carry out the insurance scam, with the pair claiming it was during a motorbike ride together in January last year that Zhang suffered the frostbite. Medical staff suspect injuries were manufactured After attending a local hospital medical staff determined the man's injuries were manufactured as he had no sock or shoe marks on his feet, and injuries on both limbs were symmetrical a detail not usually observed when a patient suffers frostbite. During the evening of the alleged motorbike ride temperatures also only dropped to lows of five degrees, well above temperatures which would inflict such injuries to a rider, furthering suspicions of the student's claim. "Taiwan is a subtropical region, and cases of severe frostbite requiring amputation due to natural climate factors in the flatlands are unheard of," the release from TCIB stated. Instead authorities believe the pair went to Liao's home where Zhang allegedly soaked his feet in dry ice. It is said Zhang was restrained to a chair by cable ties and endured the pain for hours before going to the emergency room of a local hospital, the Taiwan News reports. Zhang's legs were amputated below the calf and he did initially receive $7,200 in an insurance payout but will likely have the money seized. Authorities reportedly found a styrofoam box and plastic bucket which they allege Zhang used to carry out the feet soaking, with the man applying for life, travel and accident insurance mere days before the incident occurred. Story continues Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-21 13:30:39 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 293 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Bridging Dreams with Reality: Sandra Gomes Pinto Brings Expertise to San FranciscoSAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / March 21, 2024 / Sandra Gomes Pinto, a pioneering immigration attorney based in Lisbon, Portugal, is pleased to announce a roadshow to San Francisco March 18th - March 24th to provide guidance and support to Americans looking to make Portugal their new home. With a focus on investment and immigration law, Sandra and her predominantly female-led immigration office at SGP & Associates, have been instrumental in facilitating successful transitions for numerous clients.SGP & Associates Roadshow California Attorney Sandra Gomes Pinto"Eight years ago, when I started my law practice to help American and Canadian clients successfully move to Portugal, people in my industry thought I was crazy when, in reality, I was ahead of the curve," said Pinto.Portugal has emerged as a beacon of opportunity for thousands seeking to relocate to this Western European country, drawn by its temperate climate, affordable lifestyle, incredible cuisine, and rich culture.Sandra Gomes Pinto is excited to seize this opportunity to directly engage with Americans interested in relocating to Portugal and exploring investment opportunities in the country, including the pathway to Portuguese citizenship."We're on a mission to bridge dreams with reality, from the cobblestones of Lisbon to the innovation hubs of California," added Sandra Gomes Pinto.In addition to the roadshow, Sandra Gomes Pinto will be hosting a webinar on March 23rd, 2024, 10:00 AM Pacific Time / 5:00 PM Lisbon Time. The webinar will provide valuable information and answer questions regarding visa options and more for individuals considering relocation to Portugal.To register for the webinar contact sgp@ sandragomespinto.com -30-Contact InformationChrishan Wright Communications Leadinfo@ blaxitglobal.com (850) 972-9303SOURCE: SGP & AssociatesView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-21 13:00:46 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 510 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 CAMBRIDGE, MA / ACCESSWIRE / March 21, 2024 /Public Health Vaccines, LLC (PHV), a biotechnology company out of Cambridge, Massachusetts, developing novel products against emerging infectious diseases, has started its Phase 1 clinical trial (NCT06265012) to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of the company's single-dose vaccine (PHV01) against Marburg virus - a hemorrhagic fever virus of the Filoviridae family that causes Marburg virus disease, a rare but severe hemorrhagic fever that affects people and non-human primates and has a case fatality rate of up to 88%. In addition to being a naturally occurring public health threat on the World Health Organization's priority pathogens list with potential to cause future outbreaks and pandemics, Marburg virus has been identified as a Category A Select Agent.Public Health Vaccines LogoThe Phase 1 clinical trial is a randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled, ascending-dose study to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of PHV01 (rVSVG-MARV-GP [Angola]) in healthy adults in the U.S. The PHV01 vaccine is leveraging the proven recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (rVSV) vector platform originally developed by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) to develop a single-dose vaccine against Marburg virus. PHV01 is a live, attenuated rVSV vector expressing the glycoprotein of MARV (Angola) that utilizes the same vector system as the approved rVSV-EBOV vaccine against Ebola Zaire and is known for inducing a rapid onset of protection after a single dose.PHV01 has been funded by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of the HHS Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under contract number HHSO100201900022C. If PHV development efforts continue successfully, BARDA has the option to provide up to $72 million in funding, enabling the completion of a Phase 2 clinical trial and additional activities on the regulatory path to approval.Joan Fusco, PHV's Chief Operating Officer, commented, "In light of the Marburg outbreaks in Africa last year and in certain countries for the first time, it's critically important to have a complement of vaccine countermeasures with clinical data ready to address this rising infectious disease threat. PHV is dedicated to developing its PHV01 vaccine for endemic use and global preparedness. Our Phase 1 clinical trial is not only the first step towards that goal, but also the first clinical trial of a recombinant VSV-based Marburg vaccine. Like the rVSV-EBOV vaccine, we hope to achieve similar success with PHV01. PHV is grateful for BARDA's continued support in making this first step a reality. This pivotal milestone was reached due to the unwavering commitment and dedication of PHV, its core team and wide network of collaborators - thank you all." About Public Health Vaccines, LLCPublic Health Vaccines, LLC (PHV), headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is a privately held biotechnology company developing products for the prevention and control of emerging infectious diseases, including vaccines against Marburg virus, Sudan ebolavirus, and Nipah virus.For more information, visit www.phvaccines.com or email info@ phvaccines.com Contact InformationBecky BarrentineExecutive Director, Business Operationsbbarrentine@ phvaccines.com 617-539-8224SOURCE: Public Health VaccinesView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-21 14:25:40 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 770 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Edwards becomes a corporate sponsor for the Catalyze Program Edwards participation expands Catalyze program to Tier One and Tier Two suppliers within semiconductor value chain LOUISVILLE, KY / ACCESSWIRE / March 21, 2024 / Schneider Electric, the leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, today announced that Edwards has joined the Catalyze program not only as a Tier One supplier to the program's founding corporate sponsors but also an additional corporate sponsor to the program. Edwards' participation as a sponsor will enable decarbonization of energy sources for their own operations and enable their suppliers to access the Catalyze program benefits, extending the program's reach to include Tier Two suppliers of some of the founding sponsors.Edwards is a leading developer and manufacturer of sophisticated vacuum products, exhaust management systems, and related value-added semiconductor services. The company is a direct supplier to many of the Catalyze program's founding corporate sponsors."The Catalyze program is designed to foster collaboration and partnership among corporate sponsors and their suppliers enabling collective decarbonization impact," said John Powers, Vice President, Global Renewable at Schneider Electric. "Edwards has been at the forefront of working with their customers to develop products, services and solutions that maximize efficiency and minimize the environmental impact of the semiconductor industry." "We are immensely proud to join this ground-breaking initiative to help decarbonize the semiconductor value chain. It helps demonstrate our ambition to be leaders in enabling industry transformation for a better future. Catalyze provides a great opportunity to partner with our customers and suppliers around the world to accelerate the transition to renewable energy," said Koen Lauwers, President of Semiconductor Division, Edwards."The Catalyze program's continued growth represents our industry's continued commitment to accelerating the widespread adoption of renewable energy throughout the semiconductor value chain and IT supply landscape. Through this initiative, we aim to empower suppliers to make a significant impact to their supply chain decarbonization strategies," said John Golightly, Vice President Global Head of Sustainability at ASM. "We are thrilled to welcome Edwards as the latest member of the program, helping our industry to continue to lead the way to a more sustainable future." The Catalyze program aims to accelerate access to renewable energy across the global semiconductor value chain and IT supply landscape. The first-of-its-kind program was launched in July 2023 with the goal to:Combine energy purchasing power across the semiconductor value chain to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy projects Provide suppliers, who may not have the capacity on their own, with the opportunity to participate in the market for utility-scale power purchase agreements (PPAs). Enable any company that supplies to a Catalyze sponsor to participate in the program. Increase awareness of renewable energy availability in specific global regions where the semiconductor value chain is operational. Leverage educational and digital technology platform engagements to drive measurable actions in supply chain decarbonization.Learn more about the Catalyze program at sustainabilityse.com/catalyze About EdwardsEdwards is a leading developer and manufacturer of sophisticated vacuum products, exhaust management systems and related value-added services. These are integral to manufacturing processes for semiconductors, flat panel displays, LEDs and solar cells; are used within an increasingly diverse range of industrial processes including power, glass and other coating applications, steel and other metallurgy, pharmaceutical and chemical; and for both scientific instruments and a wide range of R&D applications.Edwards has over 8,000 employees worldwide engaged in the design, manufacture and support of high technology vacuum and exhaust management equipment and has state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Europe, Asia and North America.Edwards is part of the Atlas Copco Group. Atlas Copco Group is based in Stockholm, Sweden with customers in more than 180 countries and about 49 000 employees.Further information about Edwards can be found at Edwards VacuumAbout Schneider ElectricSchneider's purpose is to empower all to make the most of our energy and resources, bridging progress and sustainability for all. We call this Life Is On.Our mission is to be your digital partner for Sustainability and Efficiency.We drive digital transformation by integrating world-leading process and energy technologies, end-point to cloud connecting products, controls, software and services, across the entire lifecycle, enabling integrated company management, for homes, buildings, data centers, infrastructure and industries.We are the most local of global companies. We are advocates of open standards and partnership ecosystems that are passionate about our shared Meaningful Purpose, Inclusive and Empowered values.View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Schneider Electric on 3 blmedia.com Contact Info: Spokesperson: Schneider ElectricWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/schneider-electric Email: info@3 blmedia.com SOURCE: Schneider Electric PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-21 14:11:03 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1039 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 ST. JOHN'S, NEWFOUNDLAND and LABRADOR / ACCESSWIRE / March 21, 2024 / Vulcan Minerals Inc. ("the Company" - "Vulcan" TSX-V:VUL) is pleased to provide the following exploration update on its Springdale Copper-Gold project in north central Newfoundland.Highlights:Newly discovered Teapot Prospect - Quartz veins assay up to 6.65 g/t Au and up to 1.4% copper in separate samples Gold and copper soil geochemical anomalies at Pine Pond and West Brook highlight new exploration targetsTeapot ProspectIn 2023 the Company discovered a new zone of shear-zone hosted gold bearing quartz veins at the "Teapot" prospect while conducting ground follow up on soil geochemical sampling completed in 2022. Mineralization at Teapot consists of gold in chalcopyrite, galena and sphalerite bearing quartz veins hosted in sheared mafic volcanic rocks. Sheared mafic rocks are traceable for up to 500 metres in discontinuously exposed outcrop.Thirty-three (33) rock samples were collected in the Teapot area. Eight (8) samples assayed greater than 100 parts per billion (ppb) gold with highlights of 6.65 grams per tonne (g/t) Au and 1.3 g/t Au. The showing requires prospecting along the full extent of the shear trend to evaluate its significance.Soil Geochemical SurveysGroundTruth Exploration Inc. (GroundTruth) conducted soil geochemical surveys over two grids in the Springdale project namely at Pine Pond and West Brook. A total of 923 soil samples were collected over the two grids. Sampling was carried out on 100m spaced grid lines with 50m sample intervals. Maps with grid locations and sampling results are available at https://vulcanminerals.ca/springdale-gold-copper-2023/ Pine Pond GridThe Pine Pond soil grid covers the Maple Leaf North, Maple Leaf South and Oak Leaf Prospects. Historical sampling at Maple Leaf North and Maple Leaf South include 55.4 g/t Au and 33.5 g/t Au in grab samples. Historical sampling at Oak Leaf includes 31.5 g/t Au and 19.3 g/t Au in grab samples and 840 g/t Au in heavy mineral stream concentrates.Results for 409 soil geochemical samples taken over the Pine Pond Grid indicate a linear, northeast-southwest oriented, gold in soil anomaly in the immediate vicinity of the Maple Leaf North prospect extending over 300m. The highest gold value in this anomaly is 125 ppb Au. A second northeast-southwest trending gold in soil anomaly extends over 200m approximately 100m south of the Oak Leaf prospect with a high value of 73 ppb Au. A 100m gold in soil anomaly with a high value of 73 ppb also occurs on the south end of the grid near Pine Pond Brook.Copper in soil anomalies are widespread at Pine Pond with the values concentrated near the Maple Leaf North (259 parts per million (ppm)) and to the southwest of Oak Leaf. The copper in soil anomaly at Oak Leaf is continuous over 300m with a high value of 514 ppm Cu.An historic trail was rehabilitated in 2023 providing access to the Pine Pond area which will facilitate further exploration work including ground follow up of all soil anomalies.West Brook GridThe West Brook soil grid is located at the northern extent of the Springdale project. Results from 473 samples identify several gold in soil anomalies with 4 samples assaying between 50 - 100 ppb most notably along the West Brook valley fault.Copper in soil anomalies along this valley are more pronounced on the northwest side of the grid with 15 samples above the 98th percentile of 150 ppm.President Patrick Laracy commented, "The Springdale project continues to provide very encouraging exploration results. These results focus on new prospect areas outside of the advanced Colchester copper-gold deposits and demonstrate the potential for more copper-gold accumulations on the property. Our objective is to identify new targets while enlarging the historic deposits which will contribute to the regional critical mass of tonnage needed to re-establish the production potential of this historic copper mining camp. We are currently formulating our 2024 exploration work program as we continue to add value to the project." Quality ControlVulcan used Eastern Analytical Ltd. (Eastern) and SGS Canada Inc. for analysis of rock samples in 2023. Eastern is located in Springdale, NL and is an ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratory. Vulcan employed Eastern's ICP-34 multi-element analysis package grouped with their gold by fire assay package and, for base metals assaying greater than detection limits, an "ore-grade" multi-acid digestion package by atomic absorption was used to finish the analysis. SGS Canada Inc. (SGS) analytical laboratories operate under a Quality Management System that complies with ISO/IEC 17025. Vulcan employed SGS' four-acid digestion / ICP-OES multi-element analysis package grouped with 30 g, fire assay, AAS finish for gold. A four-acid digestion / ICP-OES "ore-grade" analysis package is utilized for base metals assaying greater than detection limits. Rock samples were delivered by Vulcan to SGS in Grand Falls-Windsor for preparation prior to analysis at the SGS Burnaby laboratory.Vulcan contracted GroundTruth Exploration Inc. to complete the soil geochemical survey at the Springdale Gold Project. Soil traverses were carried out on 100m spaced grid lines with 50m stations. Samples were collected using hand augers to target C horizon soil. GroundTruth collected 4 field duplicate samples per 100 samples. Samples were delivered by GroundTruth to SGS in Grand Falls-Windsor for preparation prior to analysis at the SGS Burnaby laboratory. Vulcan employed SGS' two-acid leach / ICP-MS multi-element analysis. SGS's analytical laboratories operate under a Quality Management System that complies with ISO/IEC 17025 and undertake their own internal coarse and pulp duplicate analysis to ensure proper sample preparation and equipment calibration. Preliminary inspection of these control samples shows them to be within the expected limits.About VulcanVulcan Minerals is a precious and base metals exploration company based in St. John's Newfoundland. The company has strategic land positions in multiple active Newfoundland gold and base metal exploration and development belts. It also holds approximately 30.5% of the shares in Atlas Salt Inc. (TSXV: SALT). Atlas Salt is an industrial minerals company currently developing the Great Atlantic Salt deposit in western Newfoundland. It recently filed an environmental registration document with the provincial government, a critical step towards permitting mine construction and development.Patrick J. Laracy, P. Geo. President, is the qualified person responsible for the technical contents of this news release as defined in National Instrument 43-101.We seek safe harbour.For information please contact:Patrick J. Laracy, P. Geo.President(709) 754-3186 info@ vulcanminerals.cawww.vu PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-21 22:00:43 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 873 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 CALGARY, AB / ACCESSWIRE / March 21, 2024 / Tocvan Ventures Corp. (the "Company") (CSE:TOC)(OTCQB:TCVNF)(FSE:TV3), has elected to enter into a joint venture arrangement with Colibri Resources ("Colibri") for the 51% owned Original Pilar Concessions. The two-concession owned jointly by Tocvan and Colibri account for just 4.6% of the total land area controlled by Tocvan where it has an ongoing 100% interest in the surrounding expansion area (over 2,100 hectares).Why the JV Arrangement is Beneficial to Tocvan Shareholders:Tocvan has Controlling Ownership (51%) in the Original Pilar Area. Tocvan has 100% Interest in a huge land package surrounding Pilar. In 2023, Tocvan was able to successfully expand the Pilar area by acquiring a land package 20 times the size of the Original Pilar Concessions. This expansion allows Tocvan optionality with discoveries to date pointing to greater Pilar-like systems. The two concessions held jointly with Colibri account for a total of 105 hectares, just 4.6% of the total area Tocvan has controlling interest in (2,277.7 hectares). The Company believes 105 hectares is insufficient space to build a significant mine, therefore payment of $2 million CAD for the remaining interest of the small portion of the property is not in the best interest of shareholders. Control on Share Dilution. Future capital can be raised for project development. Expenditures on the Original Pilar Concessions will be shared with Colibri through the joint venture, greatly reducing the need for excessive capital. Details of the joint venture agreement will be disclosed once finalized. Go Forward Plan for PilarThis year, the Company has planned a minimum of 7,000 to 10,000 meters of drilling on the Original Pilar Concessions and will look to continue that initiative. Across the broader Pilar Property exploration work will be ongoing identifying source areas for the expansive placer gold workings and the large hydrothermal alteration cells that coincide with gold and silver mineralization. Preparation work for mine development permitting is ongoing. Updates on the LiDAR Survey, Exploration and Drilling initiatives will be provided shortly.About Tocvan Ventures Corp.Tocvan is a well-structured exploration development company. Tocvan was created in order to take advantage of the prolonged downturn in the junior mining exploration sector, by identifying and negotiating interest in opportunities where management feels they can build upon previous success. Tocvan has approximately 43 million shares outstanding and is earning into two exciting opportunities in Sonora, Mexico. The Company has consolidated an attractive land position at its Pilar Gold-Silver Project where it holds 100% interests in over 21 square kilometers of prospective area and a majority ownership (51%) in a one square kilometer area shared with Colibri Resources. The Company also holds 100% interest in the Picacho Gold-Silver project in the Caborca Trend of northern Sonora, a trend host to some of the major gold deposits of the region. Management feels both projects represent tremendous opportunity to create shareholder value.Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking StatementsNeither 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.This news release contains "forward-looking information" which may include, 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. Forward-looking information in this news release includes statements regarding the use of proceeds from the Offering. Such forward-looking information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words and phrases such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or variations (including negative 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.These forward-looking statements, and any assumptions upon which they are based, are made in good faith and reflect our current judgment regarding the direction of our business. Management believes that these assumptions are reasonable. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which 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. Such factors include, among others, risks related to the speculative nature of the Company's business, the Company's formative stage of development and the Company's financial position. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release and the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results, except as may be required by applicable securities laws.There can be no assurance that forward-looking information 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 information.For more information, please contact:TOCVAN VENTURES CORP.Brodie A. Sutherland, CEO 820-1130 West Pender St.Vancouver , BC V6E 4A4403-829-9877 bsutherland@ tocvan.ca The Howard Group Jeff WalkerVP Howard Group Inc.403-221-0915 jeff@ howardgroupinc.com SOURCE: Tocvan Ventures Corp PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-21 15:30:57 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 456 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 KATY, TX / ACCESSWIRE / March 21, 2024 / Tonner-One World Holdings, Inc. (OTC PINK:TONR) a leading provider of AI solutions, is excited to announce a major upgrade to its flagship AI project, Maddie. This update marks the release of Maddie, as a cutting-edge Conversational AI product set to transform the way businesses interact with their customers.Conversational AI is Redefining Customer Engagement:Conversational AI is an advanced technology that enables machines to engage in natural language conversations with users, simulating human-like interactions. Powered by machine learning algorithms and natural language processing (NLP) capabilities, Conversational AI platforms like Maddie can understand, interpret, and respond to user queries in real-time, delivering personalized and contextually relevant experiences.Market Demand and Potential:In today's digital age, businesses across various industries are increasingly turning to Conversational AI solutions to enhance customer engagement, streamline operations, and drive business growth. According to recent research, the global Conversational AI market is projected to reach $15.7 billion by 2025, with industries such as retail, healthcare, finance, and customer service leading the adoption. Our goal is for Tonner One World to capture as little as .02% of the $15.7 billion between now and 2025.Features and Benefits:Tonner One-World's Conversational AI product offers a wide range of features and benefits, including: 24/7 Customer Support: Maddie will provide businesses with round-the-clock customer support, answering queries, resolving issues, and providing assistance at any time of the day.Personalized Interactions: With advanced personalization capabilities, Maddie delivers tailored responses based on user preferences, history, and behavior, fostering deeper connections and driving customer loyalty.Multi-Channel Integration: Maddie seamlessly integrates across multiple communication channels, including websites, mobile apps, social media platforms, and messaging apps, ensuring consistent and omnichannel experiences.Enhanced Efficiency: By automating routine tasks and inquiries, Maddie frees up human resources, allowing businesses to focus on more strategic initiatives and value-added activities.Upcoming Demos: The company will release demo recordings of Maddie being applied to various business sectors on Tuesday, March 26th, on the company's website, tonnerow.com About Tonner-One World Holdings, Inc.Tonner-One World Holdings, Inc. is an emerging growth company strategically expanding into digital commerce initiatives in finance, IP licensing, cryptocurrency, and high-value NFTs.For additional information, please visit the company's official X account at x.com/tonnerowinc. Email:info@ tonnerow.com Notice Regarding Forward-Looking StatementsSafe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995:* This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the company to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.SOURCE: Tonner-One World Holdings, Inc. PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-21 21:55:28 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 984 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / March 21, 2024 / Tsodilo Resources Limited (TSX Venture Exchange:TSD) ("Tsodilo" or the "Company") (TSXV:TSD)(OTCQB:TSDRF)(FSE:TZO) is pleased to announce the closing of a non-brokered private placement financing (the "Financing") for gross proceeds to the Company of C$124,332 on March 21, 2024, through the issuance of 621,660 units of securities of the Company (the "Units") at a subscription price of C$0.20 per Unit.Each Unit is comprised of one common share in the capital of the Company ("Common Share") and one Common Share purchase warrant ("Warrant") of the Company. Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share for a period of 24 months from the date of issuance at an exercise price of US$0.20. The Common Shares (including the Common Shares underlying the Warrants) and the Warrants comprising the Units are subject to a statutory four month and one day hold period, which expires on July 22, 2024.The proceeds from this Financing will be used for the advancement of the Xaudum Iron Formation project in Botswana and for general corporate purposes and working capital.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.FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:JamesM. Bruchs Chairman and Chief Executive OfficerJbruchs@ TsodiloResources.comHead Office Telephone +1 416 800-4214 Facsimile +1 416 987-4369 Website www.TsodiloResources.comThis press release may contain forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, which 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 The Chancellor of Madonna University, Emmanuel Edeh, has said female students who gain admission into the university as virgins also graduate as virgins. The Catholic priest said this during the universitys 25th anniversary, which was held on Wednesday in Elele, Rivers State. Among the distinguished guests at the event were notable figures like the deputy speaker of the Nigerian House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu; the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi; and the Bishop of Ekwlobia Diocese, Cardinal Peter Okpaleke. In a viral video, the Catholic priest who founded the University in 1999, while delivering a speech at the event, boasted that many individuals abroad looking for virgins to marry should come to Madonna University. Mr Edeh confidently stated that Madonna University stands out globally for maintaining the purity of its students. He said, It is only in this university that it is maintained that girls who have entered the university as virgins graduate as virgins. You can join our university as a virgin and graduate as a virgin. Tell me any other university in the whole world that can maintain this. That is why people from London, America, England, Germany, when you meet them, they will say Father, we want to marry a girl who is a virgin. And they dont tend to get that until they come to Madonna University. It Is Only In Madonna University That Girls Graduate As Virgins Founder pic.twitter.com/dlTpNDc8Py Channels Television (@channelstv) March 20, 2024 He explained that all students live on their campuses and cannot live off-campus for effective monitoring. Mr Edeh said that issues related to cultism, molestation, examination malpractice, and all other social vices cannot be found in the school. He said, We have 100 per cent residency of our students, which means that we do not allow our students to live in hotels or anywhere else and start coming to the school. Our 100 per cent boarding system on the university campus enhances effective monitoring, guidance, and counselling, and with all the levels of management to know the students better, for more appropriate guidance. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A former governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako, and his son Abdulaziz, were re-arraigned before Peter Lifu, a judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, on allegation of N29 billion theft. A former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Michael Aondoakaa, told the court on Thursday that former President Muhammadu Buhari had tried to have the case settled out of court on account of Mr Nyakos age. Mr Nyako, 81, was the governor of Adamawa State from 2011 to 2015. Shortly after Mr Nyako was re-arraigned, Mr Aondoakaa who is the former governors lead counsel, told the judge that Mr Buhari had instructed Abubakar Malami, the immediate-past Attorney-General of the Federation, to liaise with the EFCC with a view to having the charges dropped. But politics got in the way of the negotiation because the then Attorney-General (Mr Malami) wanted to be governor of Kebbi State, he said. Mr Aondoakaas revelation was prompted by a submission by the prosecution lawyer, Oluwaleke Atolagbe, who informed the court that there were moves by the Nyakos to strike a plea bargain with the government. In a swift reaction, Mr Aondoakaa clarified that Mr Atolagbes assertion of plea bargain was misleading as it meant an admission of guilt by the defendants in the case. I would like to clarify that it was not necessarily a plea bargain but to settle the matter. But Mr Malami was not available due to politics. He wanted to be governor of Kebbi State, Mr Aondoakaa said. After the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge, the judge admitted them to bail on the previous bail conditions. The prosecution did not object to the bail requests. Thereafter, the suit was adjourned to 10 May for trial. They want to kill me As the Court clerk read the 37-count charge to the defendants on Thursday, Mr Nyako intermittently retorted from the dock that four assassination attempts had been made on him. Mr Nyako made the allegation without mentioning the names of persons behind the plot to kill him. He said when his enemies plots failed, they brought him to court on frivolous charges. As the court clerk read the charges to him for his plea, Mr Nyako roared from the dock, I do not have the faintest idea about the allegation. You want to send me to jail so that I die? the former governor asked the court registrar after one of the charges was read to him. It took the intervention of Mr Nyakos son, Abdulaziz, to calm the brewing tension. History The Nyakos trial which began on 8 July 2015 before Evoh Chukwu, another federal judge, started afresh on 12 September 2016 before Justice Okon Abang, following the demise of Mr Chukwu on 8 June, 2016. Nigerias anti-corruption agency, EFCC, is prosecuting the Nyakos alongside Zulkifik Abba, Abubakar Aliyu, Blue Opal Ltd, Tower Assets Management Ltd and Crust Energy Ltd, on a 37-count charge of criminal conspiracy, stealing, abuse of office and money laundering. Following Mr Abangs elevation to the Court of Appeal last year, the case started afresh on Thursday before Mr Lifu in Abuja. Recalling the history of the suit, Mr Atolagbe said the prosecution had called 21 witnesses and closed its case before Mr Abangs appointment as Justice of the appellate court. He said Mr Abang had dismissed the defendants no-case-submission and ordered them to enter their defence in the suit. The judges ruling was upheld by the Court of Appeal in Abuja. A no-case submission is filed by a defendant at the end of the prosecutions case, asking the court for an acquittal without having him or her present a defence. Such filing is anchored on the presumption by the defendant that the prosecution, with all its witnesses and evidence tendered while making its case, failed to link him or her to the alleged crimes. Category of charges Count one to 14 of the charges preferred against the defendants bordered on the offence of conversion, punishable under Section 15 of the Money Laundering Act. The second category of the charge, according to the EFCC counsel, which relates to counts 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 34, 35, borders on disguising the genuine origin of proceeds of crime under the same section of the act. Mr Atolagbe had said the 3rd category, which related to counts 19, 20, 21, 30, 31, 32, and 33 of the charge bordered on collaborating in disguising the genuine origin of proceeds of fraud. The prosecuting counsel had at one of the previous hearings told the court that counts 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 and 29, fell under the 4th category of the charge, which bordered on obtaining money under false pretence, under Section 1(1) and (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud Act and other related offences. The 5th category of the offences that the defendants were charged with is conspiracy to launder funds which relates to count 36, and they were charged under Section 15(10) and (18) of the Money Laundering Act. According to Mr Atolagbe, the 6th category of the charge is conspiracy to obtain money by false pretence, and relates to count 37. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) says it is committed to promoting equality, justice, and dignity in Nigeria. Head of the Diplomatic Mission of IHRC, Duru Hezekiah, stated this in Abuja on Wednesday to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination held on 21 March every year. He stated that racial discrimination undermines the fundamental principles of equality and human rights. He stressed that it also perpetuates systemic injustices that hinder the progress and well-being of individuals and communities. Mr Hezekiah said it is imperative to recognise the inherent worth and rights of every human being and stand united against the scourge of racial discrimination that continues to plague the society. It is a barrier to social cohesion, economic development, and peace, and it is our collective responsibility to dismantle these barriers and build a more inclusive and equitable world for all, he noted. Committed to the oppressed Mr Hezekiah stated that IHRC is committed to advocating the rights of marginalised and oppressed communities and challenging discriminatory practices and policies that perpetuate inequality and injustice. He called on various government institutions, organisations, groups, and individuals to intensify efforts to uphold the principles of equality, diversity, and respect for human dignity. Together, we can make a difference. Together, we can eliminate racial discrimination and build a more just and inclusive society for generations to come, he stated. Background On 21 March every year, communities worldwide commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The day is dedicated to honouring the victims of the 1960 Sharpeville massacre and rallying to combat racial discrimination. In Sharpeville, South Africa, on 21 March 1960, peaceful demonstrators rallied against apartheid laws that enforced racial segregation. Sadly, police gunfire claimed the lives of 69 people and injured many others. This event has become a symbol of the struggle against racial discrimination. In 1966, the United Nations General Assembly designated every 21 March as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The day serves as a reminder to promote tolerance, understanding, and respect for diversity globally. People around the world participate in various events and activities, including educational workshops and cultural performances, to raise awareness about the harmful impacts of racial discrimination and advocate equality. This years observance of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is of significant importance given recent global events spotlighting ongoing racial injustices. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The announcement of Steve Adams' death on March 14 is an appropriate time for Auburnians to remember what Steve Adams did for Auburn's musical environment for upwards of 14 years through the auspices of the Adams Foundation's Piano Recital Series. The idea grew out of an encounter that took place at a 45th reunion at Yale, after Auburnians and Yale graduates Richard and John Contiguglia had performed for their classmates. Following their performance Steve, whom Richard and John did not know at the time, came to where John was seated with other classmates for dinner, got on his knees, and told him that the only topic of conversation at his table was his and Richard's concert. Afterwards, Steve asked the Contiguglias how a businessman like him could help people like us. Out of this encounter grew the idea of the Adams Foundation's subsidy of piano recitals throughout the U.S. Adams pianists soon began to appear in small venues, from the governor's mansion in Oregon to a university in Mississippi and, of course, Auburn. The opportunity for Auburnians to hear a roster of some of America's most acclaimed pianists in intimate settings including three first prize winners in international piano competitions in John Nakamatsu (Cliburn Competition), Ian Hobson (Leeds International Piano Competition) and Joseph Kalichstein (Leventritt Piano Competition) was an experience that most attendees will never forget. It was akin to hearing pianists like Ruth Laredo, Steven Mayer, Simone Dinnerstein, Jeanne Stark, Ann Schein and Ursula Oppens in one's own living room. My brother and I had the good fortune to perform two works that were highlights of our career Liszt's transcription for two pianos of Beethoven's 9th Symphony and Bartok's Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion in our hometown and, consequently, for many of our neighbors, thanks to the Adams Foundation Piano Series in Auburn. The Adams series in Auburn started at Emerson Auditorium in the former East High School. It found its perfect home, however, in Westminster Presbyterian Church. Pianists referred to the acoustics there as "perfect," and many people from central New York told us that they came to hear piano recitals as they had never sounded locally. A woman wrote John, "How very fortunate we Auburnians are to have these concerts. I left the church with chills on my body." Yes, we mourn the loss of Steve Adams, but we also thank him for what he did for our community. President Bola Tinubu says his administration is sustaining investments in digital technology to enhance the sustainability of small businesses, expand opportunities across sectors, and propel Nigeria to become the lodestar of information and communications technology in Africa. Speaking when he received a delegation from Meta Platforms Incorporated, led by Nick Clegg, former UK Deputy Prime Minister and Metas President of Global Affairs, at the State House in Abuja on Thursday, the president said Nigeria cannot afford to be left behind in this age of technological advancements; hence, his administration is opening up channels of opportunities in information and communications technology, deepening capacity, and fostering partnerships. In view of his administrations 3MTT programme, which is training three million Nigerian youths in digital technology and essential skills before deploying them to innovation hubs across the nation, the president emphasized that Nigerian youths are the most critical asset in Nigerias arsenal as it moves to achieve digital economic expansion. For us in Nigeria, we have a vibrant, gifted and resourceful youth population. Recognizing that the future is most likely to be AI-enabled, we have to prepare our youths and make them ready to compete and participate in the global economy. I can assure you that Nigeria is open for business. We want to lead the African continent in digital technology. Data is valuable to our development. We are ready to cooperate on technological advancements. It is the only way to go. We need a collaboration that will be a win-win for all, President Tinubu said. Emphasizing the importance of technology in driving small businesses, the president said he is committed to ensuring that technology is deployed, adapted, enhanced, and used to catalyze growth across a vast majority of micro-businesses, spurring mass prosperity down the line. What interests me is the use of technology in the development of small businesses. We need to make the business environment more conducive for you and more profitable for us as well. I hope we can collaborate and continue to promote our mutual interests, President Tinubu told the delegation. Earlier in his remarks, Mr Clegg thanked the president for an executive order he issued, which enabled the landing of the Meta-backed deep-sea cable in Nigeria. It is an extraordinary infrastructure project. When it comes on stream in the first quarter of 2025, it will be twice as much as the capacity of all subsea cables that exist. We buried the cable 50 per cent deeper than any other subsea cables under the seabed. It is more powerful and more extensive in terms of its geographical connectivity. It could yield up to 37 billion dollars worth of increase in economic activity in the next two or three years across the African continent, he said. Mr Clegg also said Meta will introduce in June 2024 a feature on its Instagram app that will allow Nigerian creators to monetize their content to enable them to earn a living using the app. We have a lot to do with Nigeria to deepen partnerships, he added. Bosun Tijani, minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, said Meta platforms are critical platforms in Nigeria, and as such opportunities for partnerships and engagement are essential to promoting development in the digital economy sector. We must continue to engage to create opportunities for our people so they can also share in global prosperity. Digital technology is an opportunity to connect Africa to contribute to the development of the world, the minister said. Ajuri Ngelale Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria has called on President Bola Tinubu to prevail on the security agencies to produce the editor of FirstNews, Mr Segun Olatunji, who was allegedly abducted by the military last Friday. IPI Nigeria, in a statement signed by its President, Musikilu Mojeed, and Legal Adviser, Tobi Soniyi, said the continued detention of Mr Olatunji under whatever guise is a gross violation of his fundamental human rights under the Nigerian Constitution. The statement added that: He is entitled to his personal liberty. If, however, he has committed an offence, he should be charged to court as provided for by the Constitution. Mr Olatunji, a former Kaduna State correspondent of The PUNCH, was on Friday picked up at his Lagos home in Iyana Odo, in the Abule Egba area of Lagos. He was reportedly whisked away by 10 armed men, and to date, nothing has been heard of his whereabouts. As it is now, no security agency has owned up to holding Mr. Olatunji. His family remains under apprehension. Before issuing its statement, IPI Nigeria said it reached out to security agencies demanding the immediate release of Mr Olatunji. However, there has been no positive response, the organisation said. President Bola Tinubu had in his inaugural speech promised to uphold the Constitution. IPI Nigeria is now calling on the president to uphold the Constitution, the statement by Messrs Mojeed and Soniyi said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print President Bola Tinubu says his administration is sustaining investments in digital technology to enhance the sustainability of small businesses, expand opportunities across sectors, and propel Nigeria to become the lodestar of information and communications technology in Africa. Speaking when he received a delegation from Meta Platforms Incorporated, led by Nick Clegg, a former UK deputy prime minister and Metas President of Global Affairs, at the State House in Abuja on Thursday, the president said Nigeria cannot afford to be left behind in this age of technological advancements; hence, his administration is opening up channels of opportunities in information and communications technology, deepening capacity, and fostering partnerships. In view of his administrations 3MTT programme, which is training three million Nigerian youth in digital technology and essential skills before deploying them to innovation hubs across the nation, the president emphasised that Nigerian youth are the most critical asset in Nigerias arsenal as it moves to achieve digital economic expansion. For us in Nigeria, we have a vibrant, gifted and resourceful youth population. Recognising that the future is most likely to be AI-enabled, we have to prepare our youth and make them ready to compete and participate in the global economy. I can assure you that Nigeria is open for business. We want to lead the African continent in digital technology. Data is valuable to our development. We are ready to cooperate on technological advancements. It is the only way to go. We need a collaboration that will be a win-win for all, President Tinubu said. Emphasising the importance of technology in driving small businesses, the President said he is committed to ensuring that technology is deployed, adapted, enhanced, and used to catalyze growth across a vast majority of micro-businesses, spurring mass prosperity down the line. What interests me is the use of technology in the development of small businesses. We need to make the business environment more conducive for you and more profitable for us as well. I hope we can collaborate and continue to promote our mutual interests, President Tinubu told the delegation. Earlier in his remarks, Mr Clegg thanked the president for an executive order he issued, which enabled the landing of the Meta-backed deep-sea cable in Nigeria. It is an extraordinary infrastructure project. When it comes on stream in the first quarter of 2025, it will be twice as much as the capacity of all subsea cables that exist. We buried the cable 50 per cent deeper than any other subsea cables under the seabed. It is more powerful and more extensive in terms of its geographical connectivity. It could yield up to 37 billion dollars worth of increase in economic activity in the next two or three years across the African continent, he said. Mr Clegg also said Meta will introduce in June 2024 a feature on its Instagram app that will allow Nigerian creators to monetise their content to enable them to earn a living using the app. We have a lot to do with Nigeria to deepen partnerships, he added. Bosun Tijani, minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, said Meta platforms are critical platforms in Nigeria, and as such opportunities for partnerships and engagement are essential to promoting development in the digital economy sector. We must continue to engage to create opportunities for our people so they can also share in global prosperity. Digital technology is an opportunity to connect Africa to contribute to the development of the world, the minister said. Ajuri Ngelale Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity) March 21, 2024 Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Former President Goodluck Jonathan has led the West African Elders Forum (WAEF) to Senegal on a mediation mission ahead of the countrys presidential election on Saturday. This is contained in a statement signed and issued in Yenagoa on Thursday by the Communications Officer of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, Wealth Ominabo. According to the statement, Mr Jonathan, who is also the chairperson of WAEF, with other members of the forum left Abuja for Dakar on Thursday, to be there till Wednesday. The statement named Mohamed Ibn Chambas, former Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel, as a member of the team. According to the statement, the team will meet with key stakeholders, including outgoing President Macky Sall, opposition leaders, civil societies, security authorities, and the countrys electoral commission. The statement quoted the Executive Director of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation and Head of the WAEF Secretariat, Ann Iyonu, as saying that WAEF was a forum primed for mediation. According to Mrs Iyonu, the forum expects to perform advisory and conflict resolution roles to ensure election-related conflicts are reduced to the barest minimum in the West Africa sub-region. She described the forum as a composition of former presidents and statesmen who had volunteered to deploy their enormous leadership experience and wisdom toward promoting peace and progress in the sub-region. Mrs Iyonu, in the statement, said while in Dakar, the forum would observe electoral processes and continue to engage political leaders and other stakeholders until the election was peacefully and successfully concluded. WAEF, going by this mandate, had played similar roles during elections in The Gambia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Liberia, she said in the statement. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A gun duel between personnel of the Ogun State Police Command and an eight-man kidnap gang has resulted in the death of five of the suspected kidnappers, the police have said. The gun duel occurred while the police were trying to rescue a farm manager, Tunde Osifowokan, in the Odogbolu local government area of Ogun state. Masked gunmen had reportedly stormed a poultry farm here Mr Osifowokan works,on Monday, shooting sporadically. They later abducted Mr Osifowokan, who is said to be a younger brother to the owner of the farm. Addressing journalists on the issue on Thursday, the state Commissioner of Police (CP), Abiodun Alamutu, said the police had been on the trail of the armed gang since the incident was reported. Mr Alamutu disclosed that at about 4 a.m. on Thursady morning, the police anti-kidnapping unit stormed the kidnappers hideout in Odogbolu forest along Sagamu-Benin Expressway. The kidnappers engaged the squad in a fierce gun battle during which five of them, out of about eight, were neutralised while the rest escaped with bullet wounds. Exhibits recovered from the dead among the kidnappers are a cash sum of N1,185, 070 suspected to be part of the ransom the kidnappers had collected. Other exhibits are one sword, cellphones, substances suspected to be hard drugs, charms, empty shells of AK47 rifle and sticks, the police chief said. READ ALSO: Nigerian police declare inspector wanted for murder Mr Alamutu also said the victim, Mr Osifowokan, was rescued unhurt. The corpses of the kidnappers were said to have been deposited at the morgue of a General Hospital for autopsy. The CP said the command has intensified efforts to bring all the fleeing suspects to book, warning that criminals who are hell bent on testing the strong resolve of the police in the state will have themselves to blame. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print President Bola Tinubu has affirmed Nigerias commitment to diligently implement world-leading sustainability reporting standards aimed at unlocking capital investments, transforming business models, and safeguarding the environment in the country. The president gave the assurance during a meeting on Thursday in Abuja with the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) Chair, Emmanuel Faber. The presidents endorsement coincides with the launch of Nigerias Adoption Readiness Roadmap by the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRC), in collaboration with ISSB. This roadmap aims to guide businesses towards comprehensive sustainability reporting standards. Highlighting the importance of compliance within the sustainability agenda, President Tinubu pledged that Nigeria would continue to adhere to international standards and expressed readiness to collaborate with ISSB to effectively harness national resources through reformed and reinforced financial management systems. As an administration, we are committed to adopting cutting-edge models for financial reporting and process standardisation. This applies to environmental regulation, where we are on the verge of significantly reducing the volume of gas flaring in the country. We are more transparent than ever before, and we are doing everything possible to represent the continent in a way that will be beneficial to humanity as a whole, he stated. Mr Faber, while recounting Nigerias commitment to sustainability reporting, noted that at COP 27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, in 2022, Africas largest economy had expressed its intent to be among the earliest adopters of rigorous new standards, which is now a reality. I am extremely happy to be in Nigeria as the country announces its Adoption Readiness Roadmap. Nigeria is leading the pack in Africa and around the world, and these standards, which Nigeria is willingly adopting, will unlock sustainable capital inflows through foreign direct investments, promote inclusivity in value chains, and facilitate the decarbonization of the national economy, Mr Faber said. Rabiu Olowo, the executive secretary of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRC), explained that Nigerias decision to join the global baseline for sustainability reporting marks the country as one of the earliest proponents committed to enhancing the transparency of financial information and business performance through sustainable reporting practices. READ ALSO: Tinubu appoints new head of Nigerias commission for museums The adoption readiness working group is set to pilot our affairs and roadmap to help us succeed on this journey. We are happy to inform the president that the work of the adoption readiness roadmap is ready, and we have the roadmap for businesses to follow. We have five sets of early adopters, and we have a period for voluntary adoption leading up to 2028 for mandatory adoption of the standards, Mr Olowo said. Ajuri Ngelale Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity) March 21, 2024 Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Nigerias military chiefs have resolved to adopt the use of artificial intelligence and other technological devices to apprehend those who attacked and killed soldiers in Okuoma community in Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State. The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Navy, Gbenga Daniel, disclosed this to journalists on Wednesday after a closed-door meeting with the service chiefs. The service chiefs appeared before the Senate Joint Committee on Defence, Army, Navy and Airforce earlier on Wednesday to brief the lawmakers about the killing of military personnel and the steps the Nigerian military is taking to identify and arrest the perpetrators. The security meeting was chaired by the immediate past Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, and the meeting lasted for over two hours. Mr Daniel, the senator for Ogun East, noted that part of the resolutions at the meeting was that technological devices such as artificial intelligence would be used to track the hideout of the perpetrators. It is a major affront and of course, we have to continue to appeal for patience and understanding. We also decided that technology has been very important and that the armed forces must begin to utilise technology and artificial intelligence to track down the location of some of these gangsters, he said. Mr Daniel, a former governor of Ogun State, also said both parties concluded that only people who are guilty of the offence will face the consequences and that the National Assembly will continue to support the military with additional funding. By and large, we encourage them that they are doing a yeoman job protecting the assets of the nation. Without doubt, Delta State is very important as far as the custodians of the assets of our nation are concerned and whatever happens, we must make sure that only people who are guilty face the consequences. These are some of the things we spoke about. Of course, we also spoke about the need to continually support the armed forces with additional funding. We recognise that Mr President has done very well, more than any other leader in recent history, but because of the peculiar situation we find ourselves in, we just have to continue to appeal that within the framework of the limited resources we have to give more priority to ensuring we retrain and equip our armed forces. That is the summary of the meeting, the senator said. More meetings Mr Lawan, who chaired the meeting, also commented on the resolutions of the closed-door meeting. He told journalists after the meeting that the service chiefs briefed the lawmakers on how the incident happened. He said more meetings will be held between the lawmakers and the service chiefs in respect of the killing and other security challenges facing the country. We have been briefed on what happened and this meeting was the first. We expect that we will also hold subsequent meetings when we have more information with respect to what has happened. But let me say this, the Senate particularly and the National Assembly stand solidly with our armed forces he said. The former senate president, who chairs the Committee on Defence, said President Bola Tinubu took the best decision by directing the Nigerian military to identify the perpetrators. He said, We will continue to support our armed forces and I want to also assure Mr President that he took the right step when he gave that directive to our armed forces to fish out the perpetrators of this heinous and horrific crime by killing our officers and men in Okuoma. There is no investment that an administration can do better than investing in the armed forces and other security agencies for them to secure us and our properties. I believe that this is what every Nigerian wants and that is what every Nigerian needs secured lives, secured environment for businesses and other pursuit of life. So we have closed today but we hope that pretty soon we will convene again for us to have more information and then report back to the Senate whatever it is that we are able to gather as a report. Mr Lawan assured that the perpetrators will be arrested and prosecuted. Of course, the military will not spend any time without looking for those that have carried out those murders. Therefore we are hoping that pretty soon they will be able to apprehend them and of course the law should take its full course, he said. PREMIUM TIMES reported that the 17 soldiers, including four officers, were killed in Okuama when they were deployed to restore peace between the community and a neighbouring one, Okoloba. The killing has been condemned by many Nigerians and President Bola Tinubu has ordered the military to identify and apprehend the killers and ensure they are brought to justice. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A meeting between the Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, and the leadership of the striking workers unions of Nigerian universities on Wednesday failed to achieve the desired outcome of ending the seven-day warning strike that commenced on Monday. The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) had at the weekend directed their members to withdraw their services beginning from Monday over what they described as the refusal of the government to accede to their request for the payment of the withheld four months salaries since 2022. The industrial action has taken its toll on the university campuses across the country, including the death of a student at the Federal University of Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) in Ekiti State, who reportedly died due to his inability to access the universitys healthcare centre as a result of the strike. The unions said the action became became necessary following what they described as neglect by the government, saying letters of complaint sent to the appropriate authorities were ignored. But on Wednesday the Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, and his Minister of State counterpart, Tanko Sununu, led other ministrys officials to hold a meeting with the leadership of JAC of SSANU and NASU, and that of the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT). Minister pleads for understanding Sources at the meeting said the government representatives had pleaded with the unions to suspend the warning strike while the government continues to address the striking workers demands. Mr Mamman was reported to have acknowledged the concerns of the striking workers and expressed the commitment of the government to address their concerns. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) also reported that the Minister, while briefing journalists at the end of the meeting, said the request for payment of the withheld salaries of the workers had been made to the superior authorities, and awaiting approval. NAN quoted the minister to have said: It is our expectation that things will not go beyond what it is. We have a good understanding with the unions to ensure stability in our tertiary institutions. We will do everything possible to maintain confidence in the unions so that the issue of the strike can be rested, he said. SSANU President speaks Meanwhile, in a telephone interview with PREMIUM TIMES on Wednesday evening, the President of SSANU, Mohammed Ibrahim, said the meeting ended in a deadlock. He said: We felt that while we appreciate the efforts they are making, we can not go back to our members and start telling them that. After all, when they paid our counterparts, they didnt have to wait for that long approval. The union wondered why the government decided to do a selective payment, which it said was done for the first time in its history. This is the first time they are segregating payments paying this one differently from another one. Even when we have to complain about the sharing formula of the earned allowance, payments were made at once for everybody, Mr Ibrahim said. So we told them that we cannot understand how and what transpired that they have to segregate teaching from non teaching and while we appreciate whatever efforts they said they are making, we have already declared a seven-day warning strike. Backstory The Nigerian government, under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, withheld the salaries of university workers during an industrial action that lasted eight months in 2022. SSANU, NASU, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) took part in the industrial action. But President Bola Tinubu in October directed the payment of four of the eight months withheld salaries for ASUU members, keeping mum as to the fate of the other non-teaching staff of the universities whose salaries were also withheld. Both unions, through JAC, wrote the Nigerian government to pay its members like that of their counterparts, but it got no response, according to a statement it released two weeks ago. The unions, therefore, declared a one week strike that crippled activities across Nigerian universities on Monday. Qosim Suleiman is a reporter at Premium Times in partnership with Report for the World, which matches local newsrooms with talented emerging journalists to report on under-covered issues around the globe Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The senator representing Borno North Senatorial District, Tahir Monguno, says he dropped out of school while he was acquiring his primary education because he wanted to be attractive to girls in his community. Mr Monguno, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said his decision to drop out from school was influenced by a traditional practice in his community where girls will prefer to mingle and dance with men who are commercial drivers during a festive season. He noted that to become one of favourites for the girls to dance and have fun with, he dropped out from school while in primary seven and started the commercial driving job within his community. Mr Monguno recounted his experience on Wednesday on the floor of the Senate while contributing to a motion sponsored by Adebule Oluranti (APC, Lagos West) on the need to find a solution to the increasing number of Out-of-School children in Nigeria. Why I decided to contribute to this motion is against the backdrop of my experience in life while growing up. Mr President, distinguished senators, it may interest you to know that while I was at primary seven, out of my own violation, I decided to drop out from school. The reason why I dropped out of school was because in my community, then, the vogue was to be a driver because once you are a driver, you are the talk of town and the elite in my community. When we go for festivities, there is a festivity in my community whereby boys and girls will line up and then girls will come and invite you to dance with them. So, when we line up together, girls will only come and invite drivers to dance with them. They will not invite those of us who are not drivers. I now said okay, if that is the case, let me also go and be a driver so that when we line up for festivities, girls will also come and invite me to dance with them. So, because of that, Mr President, I dropped out of school, he said. Mr Monguno, now a trained lawyer, said he was lucky to have returned to school because one of his uncles insisted that he must attain western education. But because of the persistent and the consistency of my late uncle of blessed memory whom I grew up with, I finished my secondary school, primary school, went to the university, went to law school, called to the bar, became an accountant general, five times member of House of Representatives and now a distinguished Senator. At that period, who dropped out of school and became a driver, today, the difference is clear. In fact, it was not more than three months ago that I had to buy cars to support some of my classmates that have become drivers, he added. Mr Monguno narrated the story of his early life to underscore the disadvantages of children quitting formal education to pursue other interests. Out-of-school children According to the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF), one in three children in Nigeria is out of school, totalling 10.2 million at the primary level and 8.1 million at the junior secondary school (JSS) level. It is estimated that one in every five out-of-school children around the globe is in Nigeria. Even though basic education is legally free and compulsory in the country, about 10.5 million children aged 5 to 14 years are out of school. About 50 per cent of these children live in the northern region, known to be severely affected by the Boko Haram insurgency. In addition, only 61 per cent of children between the ages of 6 to 11 years attend primary school regularly (UNICEF, 2018). There are a number of factors that contributed to the increasing number of Out-of-School children in the country such as early/child marriage, economic barriers, conflict, socio-cultural norms, and lack of inclusive policies/practices in schools. Senate resolution At the end of the debate on the issue on Wednesday, rhe Senate called on state governments to ensure free and compulsory education of children in their respective states as prescribed in the Universal Basic Education Act, 2004. It also urged the ministries of justice in the states to establish mobile courts for the enforcement of the provision of the UBE Act, with a view to reducing the high rate of Out-of-School children in the country. The upper chamber further mandated its Committee on Education (Basic and Secondary) to engage the Federal Ministry of Education to find a lasting solution to the issue of out-of-school children. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The trial of a former governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam, has recommenced at the Federal High Court in Abuja after an eight-year journey Mr Suswam was re-arraigned on Thursday before Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja alongside the Commissioner of Finance under his administration, Omadachi Okolobia, on an 11-count charge bordering on money laundering. Messrs Suswam and Okolobia pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to them. Mr Suswams lawyer, Adedayo Adedeji, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), and Mr Okolobias lawyer, Paul Erokoro, also a SAN, prayed the court to allow their clients to enjoy the previous bail conditions granted them by Ahmed Mohammed, the former judge, who was adjudicating in the case. The prosecution lawyer, Oluwaleke Atolagbe, did not object to the defendants bail request. But Mr Atolagbe disagreed with the defence lawyers submission that the defendants had always attended proceedings in the case. Subsequently, the judge asked defence lawyers if sureties for their clients were still willing to stand for Messrs Suswam and Okolobia, which they answered in the affirmative. The judge admitted the defendants to their earlier bail terms, and adjourned the suit until 29 April for trial. I dont want to be part of the cases chequered history Messrs Suswam and Okolobia were first arraigned before Justice Ahmed Mohammed in November 2015. Nigerias anti-corruption agency, EFCC, is trying Messrs Suswam and Oklobia over alleged money laundering bordering on the diversion of N3.1 billion from the proceeds of the sale of shares owned by the Benue government since 2015. But Mr Mohammed recused himself twice from the case before it was reassigned to another judge, Okon Abang, for hearing. Mr Mohammed had referenced a media report by Sahara Reporters which accused him of having been compromised to give Mr Suswam a soft landing as his reason to withdraw from the case. Mr Suswam had challenged the jurisdiction of the court presided over by Mr Abang to handle the suit. In a ruling in February 2020, the Court of Appeal in Abuja ordered a return of the case to Mr Mohammed for trial. Consequently, Mr Mohammed began the hearing of the case leading to the EFCC closing its prosecution last December. While the two defendants were preparing to commence their defence in the suit, Mr Mohammed was elevated from the Federal High Court to the Court of Appeal in 2023. With Mr Mohammeds elevation, the case was reassigned to Mr Lifu, where Messrs Suswam and Okolobia took a fresh plea on Thursday. But Mr Lifu has warned lawyers that he would not be a part of the cases chequered history. The case has had a chequered history and I do not want to be a part of it, Mr Lifu said. In one of the counts, Mr Okolobia was alleged to have accepted cash payments in the sums of N128 million, N100 million, N150 million and N200 million on different occasions from one Gera James, a non-financial institution, which were said to have exceeded the threshold authorised by law and contrary to the Money Laundering Act. Mr Suswam governed Benue State from 2007 to 2015 and was succeeded by Samuel Ortom. He was later elected a senator in 2019 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to represent Benue North-east Senatorial District. But Mr Suswam lost his reelection bid to the parliament in 2023. He was defeated by Emmanuel Udende, a lawyer and member of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Owasco Elementary School student Jenna Sadusky is getting a new dress. Thats pretty normal for any sixth-grader, but for Jenna, shes going to wear that new dress when she competes in the regional final of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Sadusky, and her parents Joe and Marie, will be going to Syracuse University on Saturday, March 23, to compete against 23 other students from across central New York. She is the lone student from a Cayuga County school district to qualify for the regionals. If she wins regionals, she would advance to the national finals that will be held during the last week of May at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, outside of Washington, D.C. To qualify for the regional bee, Jenna won Owascos bee in December. She then had to make it through an online test to advance. Winning the Owasco bee was special because it was Jennas first time competing in a bee. I was kind of nervous at first because I've never really done one before and I didn't want to get anything wrong, she said, but it was really exciting and my friends were there too, cheering me on. Joe and Marie watched Jenna as she progressed through the first few rounds and it was quite the experience. I remember sitting in the audience, it was going back and forth for a while, Marie said. For a spelling bee at an elementary school it was pretty nerve-wracking. I couldn't believe it, it was very exciting, there's Jenna up there spelling all those words, it was really cool. I was very excited for her. As it progressed, the further in she got, Joe said, wed look at each other every now and then and itd be like, wow, you know what, she made it through the first half. Wow, now she is in the top four. We just wanted her to have a good time. Win or lose, it wasn't a big deal or anything but the closer she got towards winning, it started getting a little nerve-wracking and it was exciting. Since Jenna qualified for the regional bee shes been preparing by studying a guidebook Scripps provides to give her an idea of what kinds of words to expect. A lot, like pretty much every night, Jenna replied when asked how often she studies. Some of them (the words) I've known before but most of them are all new. We've been working on it, Marie said, they're getting a little harder and more challenging. In the meantime, Jenna, who likes to read Harry Potter and Percy Jackson books, has been receiving a lot of support from her friends and the school. They've said congratulations. My classmates are encouraging me a lot, Jenna said. Any time an Auburn Maroon rises to prominence, it is special for our community whatever the endeavor, said Owasco Principal Ron Gorney. We have had plenty of that lately in our sporting Maroons that is for sure. So now we have a Maroon and Owasco Owl heading to Syracuse to compete in the Scripps Regional Spelling Bee. This is a point of pride for our Owasco learning community and district. Go Jenna! No matter what happens in Syracuse, Jenna and her family are going to enjoy a memorable experience. I want her to do her best of course but I also want her to have fun, absolutely, Marie said. So I think that's the most important thing, just to have a lot of fun there. It's pretty exciting, Joe said. She's really good about it, not putting a lot of pressure on yourself. She just is thrilled to be a part of the process and if she goes far, she goes far, if not that's fine. She's just as excited about picking a place to go to lunch afterwards. I'm biased but Jenna is really one of the sweetest, kindest, most polite kids you could ever hope to meet and she just happens to be a pretty decent speller too. The PowerUp Initiatives for Electricity Rights (PowerUp Nigeria) has urged the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to revive the award of a N12.7 billion meter installation contract to De Haryor Global Services Limited. Adetayo Adegbemle, executive director of PowerUp Nigeria, made the call in a statement on Wednesday. PowerUp Nigeria is an electricity consumer rights and policy advocacy organization. The Nigerian government had earlier in the week announced the flag-off of a N40 billion mass metering project to end the era of estimated billings in the Nigerian Army formations nationwide. Speaking during the flag-off of the metering exercise at the headquarters of the 9th Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Ikeja military cantonment at the weekend, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, said the exercise would be in phases with the Ikeja cantonment being the first phase of the exercise. He noted that the current exercise will last for six weeks before the second phase begins. Mr Adelabu explained that for the current exercise, the sum of N12.7 billion has been released out of a total of N40 billion for the mass metering project. Mr Adelabu who was received at the army headquarters by the Commander, A.M Adetuyi, and the Chief Executive Officer of De Haryor Global Services, Ashade Olatunbosun, who is in charge of the metering project said the current exercise is part of President Bola Tinubus renewed hope agenda to ensure regular supply of electricity to army formations, nationwide. This is one of Mr Presidents objectives as contained in the renewed hope agenda to ensure that electricity supply to the armed forces is prioritised and they do not suffer especially in the enjoyment of public utilities, he said. Concerns However, in its statement, Mr Adegbemle said before the announcement, the company, De Haryor Global Services Limited, is not known to have handled any installation of this magnitude. De Haryor Global Services Limited is not a registered meter manufacturing/assemblers company, neither is it on the list of manufacturers/assemblers at the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Trades. The company, De Haryor Global Services Limited, is not on the first schedule of Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) approved Meter Asset Providers (MAPs), Mr Adegbemle said. He said theres no evidence of public tender/bid for the 40bn Naira worth of contract and neither is there any evidence of meeting the Procurement Act procedures. If anyone insists theres a public tender, let them provide the names of other companies that bid for the installations. Theres no budgetary allocation for this project, neither in the Ministry of Power, nor the Ministry of Finance. A procurement of this magnitude requires FEC approval, no evidence this was sort, or granted, he said. Mr Adegbemle, therefore, urged that FEC should review and reverse this process and culprits should be investigated. He said the Minister of Power should be immediately redeployed or replaced. Minister Speaks Reacting in a statement to PREMIUM TIMES Wednesday night, Bolaji Tunji, special adviser on strategic communication and media relations to the Minister of Power, dismissed concerns that due process was not followed in the mass metering project of military formations nationwide, which began last week. He explained that the federal government had entered a tripartite agreement with Messrs Ziklagsis Network Limited and Unistar International in 2003 for the supply of three million meters to distribution companies (DISCOs) in the country, within three years. To kick start the project, a revolving metering loan of N32 billion was released to Messrs Ziklagsis. The agreement was not implemented while the fund remained in the bank account of Ziklagsis at the then Prudent Bank from where it moved to Skye Bank, Polaris and lately, Providus Bank. With the privatisation of distribution, the government proposed the metering of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in order to accurately determine the consumption of these MDAs and also reduce accumulated debts. This was what led to the initiative to meter military formations nationwide, the statement said. Worried by its bludgeoning electricity debt, according to the statement, the Nigerian Army wrote a letter to the presidency requesting intervention to pay off the outstanding debt and the metering of their formations. It said the federal government then directed the ministry to look into the armys request and utilise the funds with Ziklagsis. It was then that Ziklagsis was introduced to the Nigerian army by the Ministry of Power. It was around this period that the Nigerian Army also introduced De Haryor Global Services to Ziklagsis to enable them to work together. In November 2022, discussion began on the project among the parties and an agreement was signed between the Nigerian Army as a client, Messrs Ziklagsis as project supervisor and De Haryor Global Services as service provider to commence the metering projects in Army barracks at a cost of N12.7 billion, under the MDAs metering project. This predates the appointment of Adelabu as Minister of Power. In spite of this, the money was not released to the service provider that had already gone ahead to seek funds for the acquisition of smart meters, Mr Tunji said. Concerned about the over eight million meter gap in the country and the liquidity squeeze in the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry (NESI), the minister wondered how money meant for a national project could be held up untouched for over 20 years by an individual. He, therefore, mounted pressure and escalated the matter to the presidency for the retrieval of the revolving fund from Messrs Ziklagsis plus accrued interest till date. This was duly approved by the President. Upon the Presidents approval, N12.7 billion was, therefore, to be released in tranches to De Haryor Global Services to commence the installation of already procured smart meters. The minister should therefore be commended for his effort in ensuring the recovery of the revolving meter fund which had been untouchable for over 20 years, thus enabling the eventual take-off of the project, the statement said. Speaking further on the issue, Mr Tunji advised concerned stakeholders to seek clarifications on issues before misleading members of the public. It was stated that the service provider did not have any experience in that industry, this is however far from the truth as seen in the trajectory of the entire project. The minister was not privy to the arrangement between the army and the service provider. His job is not to intervene in operational issues but to provide an enabling environment through policies and guidelines. All he did in this case was to escalate and secure Presidential approval to facilitate the phased release of funds for the project to begin. In any case, De Haryor is not new in the industry. It had been an active operator in the industry. In March 2022, the company applied to the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) to certify its meter and a certificate was issued. Similarly, in 2022, De Haryor got another certificate attesting to the suitability of its meters. Not only that, there was a Federal Executive Council (FEC) approval during the administration of late President Umaru Musa Yaradua and approval of successive administrations for this project while the revolving loan still has to be paid back through deductions from the sales of energy from the meters provided, Mr Tunji said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Catholic Bishops of Nigeria have appealed to President Bola Tinubu to release Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a group seeking independence of South-east and parts of South-south from Nigeria. Mr Kanu, who is facing terrorism charges at the Federal High Court, Abuja, has been in detention at the facility of the State Security Service (SSS) since he was rearrested and brought back to Nigeria from Kenya in June 2021 under controversial circumstances. Catholic Bishops speak The Catholic bishops said releasing Mr Kanu would help the South-east to recover from the impacts of insecurity occasioned by the IPOB leaders prolonged detention. The bishop spoke through a speech delivered by their President, Lucius Ugorji, during the episcopal ordination of Ifeanyichukwu Obiatuegwu as the auxiliary bishop of Orlu Catholic Diocese in Imo State on Wednesday, Vanguard newspaper reported. I appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to explore civil remedy in the release of Nnamdi Kanu so as to restore economic and social lives to the South-east, Mr Ugorji said. The Catholic bishop said insecurity has worsened in the region since Mr Kanus incarceration and lamented that the sit-at-home introduced by IPOB has paralysed economic activities in the region. Insecurity has become an issue in the South-east. Unfortunately, the sit-at-home order has continued to paralyse economic and social lives in the South-east. There has been repeated outcry in the South-east. Business operators have lost billions of naira because of sit-at-home order. Many poor families are afraid to come out on Mondays, he said. Connecting the dots The call for Mr Kanus release, though not the first time, came hours after the IPOB leader boasted that he has the capacity to end the insecurity in South-east and South-south Nigeria within two minutes if he is released from detention. Mr Kanu was first arrested in 2015 under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari. The Court of Appeal, Abuja, on 13 October 2022, held that the IPOB leader was extra-ordinarily renditioned to Nigeria and that the action was a flagrant violation of the countrys extradition treaty and also a breach of his fundamental human rights. The court, therefore, struck out the terrorism charges filed against Mr Kanu by the Nigerian government and ordered his release from the facility of the SSS. But the government refused to release the IPOB leader, insisting that he (Kanu) could be unavailable in subsequent court proceedings if released and that his release would cause insecurity in the South-east, where he comes from. The government, through the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, later appealed the court ruling and subsequently obtained an order at the Supreme Court staying the execution of the court judgment Delivering judgment on the appeal on 15 December, the Supreme Court reversed the acquittal granted to Mr Kanu by the lower court and consequently ordered continuation of his trial at the Federal High Court Abuja. The court, on Tuesday, dismissed Mr Kanus fresh application for bail. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print UDEME, an initiative of the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), has selected 21 journalists across Nigeria and Ghana for its inaugural Social Accountability Fellowship. The six-month fellowship programme commenced with a two-day virtual workshop from 19 to 20 March for all selected applicants, who are full-time employees of reputable media organisations. According to the UDEME Project Manager, Ijeoma Okereke-Adagba, the 2024 accountability fellowship aims to build the capacity of journalists in Nigeria and Ghana to identify red flags in budget line items and unique patterns in contract awards that violate local procurement laws. This years focus will be on agriculture, health, education, and public infrastructure, emphasising gender inclusion, she noted. The fellows include two reporters with TVC News- Godwin Agwam and Chenemi Bamaiyi; two from the Guardian Newspaper, Gbenga Salau and Charles Akpeji; two from PREMIUM TIMES, Bakare Majeed and Mariam Ileyemi; Marie-Therese Nanlong from Vanguard; Azubuike Chimaobi, PUNCH; and Francis Ntow from Ghana News Agency. Others are Ekemini Simon, The Mail; Kafilat Taiwo, Dataphyte; Manasseh Mbachii, Middlebelt Reporters; Angela Nkwo-Akpolu, Leadership Newspaper; Abdulwasiu Olokooba, Sahara Reporters; Abubakar Kankara, Daily Episode and Muhasa TV/Radio; Azeez Jaji, TheInformant247; Adediran Adeleke, New Telegraph; Okediran Adeyemi, BONews Service; Shafaatu Suleiman, Daily Times; and Yahuza Bawage, Prime Progress. Journalism for accountability During his presentation at the workshop, PREMIUM TIMES Publisher and Chief Executive Officer of CJID, Dapo Olorunyomi, charged the fellows to uphold quality journalism based on truthfulness, accuracy, accountability and dedication to public purpose. Mr Olorunyomi emphasised the purpose of accountability journalism in a democracy, citing sections 22 and 162(5) of Nigeria and Ghanas constitutions respectively. From the Plans and Projects Department of the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Kenneth Kwujeli, also took the fellows on the budget formulation and preparation process. Mr Kwujeli noted that the budget formulation process engenders discipline and enhances transparency, adding that efforts are required to address some budget concerns that are likely to encourage impunity and corruption. He also gave an overview of the Nigeria Agenda (NA) 2050, which he said is aimed at positioning Nigeria as an African regional power and global economic force. He said the plan envisages a GDP of US$11.7 trillion with an average annual GDP growth rate of 7 per cent and a per capita income of $33,328.02 Mr Kwujeli highlighted the roles of CSOs and media to push for accountability and to collaborate to monitor the governments implementation of the NA 2050. The workshop also had CJIDs Director of Programmes, Akintunde Babatunde; Assistant Managing Editor at PREMIUM TIMES, Bisi Abidoye, and Dubawas Editor, Kemi Busari. About CJID, UDEME CJID is a West African media innovation and development think tank founded in 2014 as a non-governmental organisation in Nigeria. The centre has been a leader in investigative journalism, innovation, open data, verification, the promotion of journalist welfare and safety, elections and the freedom of information and expression. In 2020, CJID expanded its footprints beyond Nigeria and moved into specific niches in Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia and The Gambia. UDEME is CJIDs social accountability project which aims to use technology and professional reporting to galvanise citizens to get involved in tracking and implementing various projects promised by the governments of Nigeria and Ghana. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State has warned traditional rulers against shielding suspected killers of military personnel in the state. PREMIUM TIMES reported how suspected residents of the Okuoma Community on 14 March ambushed and murdered 17 military personnel in the community, including a commander (a lieutenant colonel), two majors, one captain and 13 soldiers. The troops were ambushed and killed while responding to a distress call arising from a clash between Okuoma and Okoloba Communities in the South-southern state. Governor speaks Addressing traditional rulers from the two warring communities at the State Traditional Rulers Council Secretariat in Asaba, Mr Oborevwori said the attack was alien to the state, according to a report by Vanguard newspaper. The killing of these Army Officers and soldiers came as a rude shock to us and when this thing happened, I immediately called the National Security Adviser, the Chief of Defence Staff and the Army Staff because I was in Abuja, he said. The governor described the murder of the military personnel as barbaric, inhumane and unacceptable and vowed that those who carried out the act would be tracked down and prosecuted. Do not hide or shield anybody. The Chief of Army Staff and Mr President have assured me that innocent people will not be victimised unless you connive with the killers of the soldiers. I have briefed you and made sure that you fish them out from your kingdoms. If any traditional ruler shields a criminal, that traditional ruler is inviting trouble, Mr Oborevwori warned. We did not bargain for this evil act, but for peace, I dont want a crisis. I have also received information that two other villages are boiling to fight. They should not fight. We want peace in all our communities. I condemn it, and its unacceptable. So please, my dear royal fathers, let us be on the same page to fish out these people. Dont allow anybody who committed this evil act to come to your kingdom and bring problems to your community, he added. The governor asked the monarchs to hand over any suspect in their communities to the security agencies to avoid military personnel taking over their communities upon discovering they are shielding any of the suspects. READ ALSO: Reps want probe into military personnel killing in Delta You should not play politics with this. Dont say that the Army has taken over your village because they cannot just come to your village without getting information. But I assure you people that no innocent person will be victimised. Tell your people not to encourage any crisis because if you do, you cannot come out of it. Some people dont have knowledge of what is happening, and they start talking, he added. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Nigerian army says the hoodlums who killed the military personnel in Delta State also carted away weapons belonging to the slain personnel. The General Officer Commanding 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, and Joint Task Force, South- South Operation in Delta State, Jamal Abdussalam, disclosed this on Thursday, according to a statement by the spokesperson of the Army Division, Jonah Danjuma, a lieutenant colonel. The murder PREMIUM TIMES reported how suspected residents of the Okuama Community on 14 March ambushed and murdered the Commanding Officer of 181 Army Amphibious Battalion, two majors, one captain and 13 soldiers. The troops were ambushed and killed while responding to a distress call during a clash between Okuama and Okoloba communities in the South-southern state. The military, on Saturday, said a total of 16 soldiers were killed but on Monday it posted the names and photos of 17 soldiers, including the commander (a lieutenant colonel), two majors, one captain and 13 soldiers. Army speaks Speaking when the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Samuel Ogbuku, paid him a condolence visit at the Divisions Headquarters in Port Harcourt Barracks on Thursday, Mr Abdussalam, a major general, said troops will be firm, strong, decisive and professional in conducting operations to arrest the hoodlums and recover the weapons. He said the Chief of Army Staff, Taoreed Lagbaja, issued the directive to the troops carrying out the operation. The army chief further said the troops would continue to be in the creeks until the hoodlums were arrested and weapons recovered. He reiterated that propaganda, arm-twisting, blackmailing, intimidation, and false narratives would not distract troops from staying on course to achieve their objectives. Mr Abdussalam called on people of the Niger Delta Region to go about their normal activities. The army chief appealed to people in the communities to assist the troops with information about the location of the fleeing criminals and the weapons that were carted away from by the hoodlums. If we allow criminals to continue to attack our security forces, there will be anarchy, he said. He stressed that troops would not rest until all the hoodlums involved in the murder of the military personnel were tracked down. READ ALSO: Reps want probe into military personnel killing in Delta Mr Abdussalam reassured that the operation against the attackers was being conducted in such a way that, going forward, nobody would contemplate attacking military personnel in uniform. Niger Delta people not in support of the murder Earlier, Mr Ogbuku, while commiserating with the army chief, said the agency was concerned about the attack. The NDDC boss said the people of the Niger Delta region are not in support of the murder of the military personnel. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Muyiwa Adekeye, spokesperson for a former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir el-Rufai, says the recent visit of his principal to the headquarters of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Abuja was without any political colouration. Mr Adekeye, in a post on X, said Mr el-Rufai merely paid a visit to the National Chairman of SDP, Shehu Gabam, who is his (el-Rufai) friend. He explained that Mr Gaban was at the home of the former governor the previous day and that the latter was only returning the visit. When Malam Nasir @elrufai visited Gabam the next day, he was merely returning a visit to a friend who happens to be SDP chairman, the post reads in part. Visit to SDP HQ A video recently surfaced on social media showing Mr el-Rufai at the headquarters of the SDP. The video has been generating reactions on social media. Some are speculating that the former governor may be considering moving to SDP ahead of the 2027 general elections. Mr el-Rufai and President Bola Tinubu have a very complicated relationship. Before the 2022 APC primary election, Messrs Tinubu and el-Rufai were not what many could consider allies. However, after the primaries, Mr el-Rufai, played a leading role in Mr Tinubu campaign. He openly spoke against former President Muhammadu Buhari during the implementation of the Naira redesign policy ahead of the election. He was subsequently nominated as a minister by Mr Tinubu. However, a power play within the ruling APC led to his withdrawal as the Senate refused to confirm his nomination, citing security reasons. Since the ministerial nomination controversy, the relationship between the two has been a subject of endless speculations. The visit to the SDP headquarters is the latest in a series of speculations concerning the political future of the former Kaduna governor. Merely returning a visit.. Mr Adekeye said Mr el-Rufai had earlier hosted Iftar at his residence with Mr Gabam, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, and others in attendance. He wondered why Mr Gabam was not accused of planning to defect to the APC, Mr el-Rufais party, as a result of the visit to the latters home. Malam Nasir @elrufai hosted some friends to Iftar on Tuesday, 19 March 2024. NSA Nuhu Ribadu was at the Iftar with a senior APC figure like Alh. Kashim Imam. SDP National Chairman Shehu Musa Gabam was among the friends who partook in the Iftar. Gabam was not accused of considering crossing over to the APC on account of that. Mr Adekeye explained that Mr el-Rufai has personal relationships outside the APC. People have personal histories and relationships that predate political affiliations. It cannot be a hallmark of civilisation to have friends from within only your political party. When people visit each other or mingle across party lines, it is because human relationships exist, distinct from the political or the partisan. Malam Nasir @elrufai is a senior member of the APC, one of the signatories to its merger documents, and a significant contributor to the partys demonstrated viability. These contributions do not require that he treats friends as anathema on account of politics or maintains an antiseptic distance from them. While dismissing the speculation, he stated that the camp of the former governor is not expecting such reactions to any move by Mr el-Rufai to end anytime soon. Malam El-Rufai is known for being open and forthright. If he had any political decisions to make, it would not be in character to let them be subject to speculation. Unfounded speculations about Malam Nasir @elrufai have become an industry that has delivered tons of lies and clickbait in the last 18 years. This is unlikely to abate anytime soon, given the persistent obsession of its purveyors who relish in negativity and their tireless indulgence in conflating assumption with fact. A recent instance was when he visited former presidents late in 2023 to explain his Nigerian governance study book project covering each of their tenures, the speculators said it was about politics! That is why it is sometimes necessary to clarify matters lest the unwary be taken in, Mr Adekeye said. Read the full statement: I consider the most recent speculations about Malam Nasir @elrufai as reflecting an unhealthy obsession with politics. People have personal histories and relationships that predate political affiliations. It cannot be a hallmark of civilisation to have friends from within only your political party. When people visit each other or mingle across party lines, it is because human relationships exist, distinct from the political or the partisan. Malam Nasir @elrufai is a senior member of the APC, one of the signatories to its merger documents, and a significant contributor to the partys demonstrated viability. These contributions do not require that he treats friends as anathema on account of politics or maintains an antiseptic distance from them. Malam Nasir @elrufai hosted some friends to Iftar on Tuesday, 19 March 2024. NSA Nuhu Ribadu was at the Iftar with a senior APC figure like Alh. Kashim Imam. SDP National Chairman Shehu Musa Gabam was among the friends who partook in the Iftar. Gabam was not accused of considering crossing over to the APC on account of that. When Malam Nasir @elrufai visited Gabam the next day, he was merely returning a visit to a friend who happens to be SDP chairman. Malam El-Rufai is known for being open and forthright. If he had any political decisions to make, it would not be in character to let them be subject to speculation. Unfounded speculations about Malam Nasir @elrufai have become an industry that has delivered tons of lies and clickbaits in the last 18 years. This is unlikely to abate anytime soon, given the persistent obsession of its purveyors who relish in negativity and their tireless indulgence in conflating assumption with fact. A recent instance was when he visited former presidents late in 2023 to explain his Nigerian governance study book project covering each of their tenures. The speculators said it was about politics! That is why it is sometimes necessary to clarify matters lest the unwary be taken in. Muyiwa Adekeye 21 March 2024 Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Daily Mail circled 10 spots, with lengthy captions on what it described as Kates pic scandal. My heart bled for the Princess of Wales, but something deep inside kept saying, if this had been Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex and famous Witch of Windsor, it would have been worse. I can imagine that the most generous description from the Daily Mail stable, for example, would have been something like, Meghan in epic scandal! The press has been unkind to Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales. I find it hard to understand why, of all the problems at this time, from the cost-of-living crisis to the war in Ukraine, and from the war in Gaza to the near total loss of trust in politicians, it is Kates unguarded photoshop moment on Mothers Day, of all days, that is the obsession. And theres no better time to catch the British press swooning with testosterone than when a member of the royal family trips. They go all out. Nothing smells like the scent of royal blood and the hounds spare no stone. And so, it was last week that a number of newswire services recalled or stripped photoshopped images of Princess Kate and her three children from their dispatches. The kinder ones among the newspapers nailed every single offending spot on the photo with a red flag, labelling and listing the photographic infractions one by one. Daily Mail circled 10 spots, with lengthy captions on what it described as Kates pic scandal. My heart bled for the Princess of Wales, but something deep inside kept saying, if this had been Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex and famous Witch of Windsor, it would have been worse. I can imagine that the most generous description from the Daily Mail stable, for example, would have been something like, Meghan in epic scandal! But whats the point of it, really? Since the outbreak of the so-called Kate pic scandal, I have been brooding over images that I see very often as DPs and also on some WhatsApp statuses. Im keeping myself to that microblogging site and the mainstream press. Theres no need to bother with Instagram, probably the worst photographic crime scene since Joseph Niepce invented the camera. Who is this? I have seen DP posts not remotely resembling folks that I know in real life. In a number of these meticulously airbrushed DPs, these same less than averagely endowed folks look so fine, faces nicely chiseled, neckties in place, or necklines plunging, and every strand of hair in place, with poses like something out of Vanity Fair. You cannot sometimes help but zoom in and look again. My anecdotal experience suggests that normal people, especially normal young girls and women, have fabricated more Kate Middleton moments than they can count. I have seen folks who are fat that word has been banned by the language police looking incredibly slim on their profiles or those who are black or brown looking all fair and incredibly white. I have also seen folks with ageing-borne wrinkles, birth marks or even a few blemishes or dimples in real life look breathtakingly flawless on their DPs. I have never stopped wondering what this digital filter is really all about. I have shied away from the digital makeover, not out of self-righteousness, but because I have accepted my flaws and physiological shortcomings as part of the gifts of an imperfect earthly life. Why do people go to extra lengths to make over and then portray themselves in images that are not remotely who they are? If the Daily Mails of this world have to spotlight every single photoshopped celebrity image never mind the millions of celebrity wannabes God knows how many would be out of circulation or perhaps be standing trial in the court of public opinion along with the Princess of Wales. I have shied away from the digital makeover, not out of self-righteousness, but because I have accepted my flaws and physiological shortcomings as part of the gifts of an imperfect earthly life. Why do people go to extra lengths to make over and then portray themselves in images that are not remotely who they are? Of course, photo airbrushing didnt start with the Princess of Wales or the folk in that DP whos probably the aspirational version of the image youre looking at right now. Fakery Industry Joseph Stalin erased enemies like Nikolai Yezhov, who played a significant role in the Great Purge, out of photographs because he thought doing so would wipe away the mans memory from history. He didnt quite succeed. In the 2004 presidential campaign, opponents of John Kerry spliced his photograph and that of actress and anti-war activist Jane Fonda to discredit his war record. And, come to think of it, this same Daily and Sunday Mail that have been unforgiving of the Princess of Wales fell flat for the epic Kerry photo forgery! Seven years later, an ultra-Jewish newspaper suspected of religious influence erased Hilary Clinton and Audrey Tomason from a Situation Room picture taken moments before President Barack Obama authorised the strike on Osama bin Laden. Here again, as in the Kerry pic scandal, the press was duped. Of course, its not every time that something bad comes out of an awkward photo moment. In 2016, for example, King Abdallah of Saudi Arabia caused a minor sensation when he and his brother, Crown Prince Sultan, were photographed with women without their faces covered. The domain is not limited to royalty. Obsession to twist, scrub and bend things from their essence as sacrifice on the altar of the post-modern self is just as widespread in royalty as it is in fashion, journalism, marketing and politics. And the realm is getting larger and larger because increasingly the only thing that matters, that is rewarded and celebrated, is success. Everything else is judged harshly. They would have been pleased to pay a million riyal to plug a leak or scrub it if they had known beforehand. The ticking photo-bomb was released only for a government official to defuse it the next day by simply saying the photo showed that, It was OK to work with women! Does It Matter? Back to the question: Why do people manipulate photos? Studies have suggested a number of reasons. A study by BMC Psychology last April suggested that reasons for image-manipulation or photoshopping are rooted in self-objectification, where individuals involved are keenly aware of, even sometimes obsessed with, their physical looks, which tends to affect everything, including their senses of self-esteem. The higher the investment in social media, the higher the tendency to use tools, including photoshop and other image-filtering apps, to look incredibly, yet quite often, deceptively, good. But thats the modern playground, the place where billions work and move and define their being. The domain is not limited to royalty. Obsession to twist, scrub and bend things from their essence as sacrifice on the altar of the post-modern self is just as widespread in royalty as it is in fashion, journalism, marketing and politics. And the realm is getting larger and larger because increasingly the only thing that matters, that is rewarded and celebrated, is success. Everything else is judged harshly. The Art of It There is, of course, also the ethical question of boundaries. While there are those who argue that image-alteration is a form of art which has produced such geniuses as Erik Johansson or Rosie Hardy, for example, there are others who take the view and I agree that unethical retouching can contribute to body image issues, especially among young people, fostering feelings of inadequacy and insecurity. To encourage authenticity and hopefully slowly create a society where people are not ashamed or afraid to be who they are, perhaps we need to be less severe and more forgiving and transparent when we scrub those images. And yes, we must also learn to take ourselves a lot less seriously. We may not yet look like the Madonna we wanted to be, but at least we can go to bed satisfied that we have paid our two cents to create a healthier, more responsible visual landscape. Azu Ishiekwene is Editor-in-Chief of LEADERSHIP. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print But the question begging for answer now is: Will those who have been entrusted with the leadership of the Baptist Convention at this time allow the humility and love of Christ to permeate their hearts for the overall benefit of the Baptist polity and the work of spreading the gospel of grace and salvation, which is the major reason for the co-operative work of the local churches, which gave birth to the convention in the first place? Jesus called them together and said, you know that the rulers of the Gentiles Lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you, instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant Mathew 20:25-26 NI The passage above epitomises the attitude to leadership in the Baptist polity. However, this is beginning to look like a thing of the past, and the generality of Baptists are getting increasingly uncomfortable with the high handedness of some leaders, particularly at the Baptist Convention level. The Convention is an association of local churches coming together under one body, to advance the work of the kingdom. This is the rationale behind the formation of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, with a secretariat that used to be run under a management headed by a General Secretary. All that has changed, with the convention now having a President, who also ominously designates himself as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of a kind of conglomerate. Reverend Dr Israel Adelani Akanji, the president and CEO of the Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC) published a book in 2021 entitled Towards a Theology of Conflict Resolution. However, his supposed knowledge of conflict resolution is obviously being put to the test, giving the crisis currently brewing in the NBC. Recently, a group of prominent members of local baptist churches across the country, known as The Concerned Nigerian Baptists wrote a letter to the Executive Committee (EC) of the Nigerian Baptist Convention highlighting in strong terms, their concerns about the goings on at the convention. This is not the first-time, though, that members and other concerned stakeholders will express their reservations about the disturbing manner the leadership of the Nigerian Baptist Convention has been piloting its affairs. This latest petition, dated Sunday 26 November, 2023 and signed by several distinguished members of the church, drawn from across the country, brings to the fore once again the recriminations of the local churches and members. The petitioners drew the attention of the church leadership to the highhandedness of officials of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, their veering away from the age-old values and norms of the convention, their tendency to turn the Convention into an episcopal one, where a supreme church leader wields ultimate administrative power and control, unlike the congregational polity, where administrative authority resides with the congregation, made up of members scripturally cloaked in Royal Priesthood. The concerned Baptists highlighted the burning issue of the attempt to amend the Constitution of the Nigerian Baptist Convention and went further to sound a note of warning, that if the Convention leadership does not take urgent steps to stem this tide by putting a stop to strange policies that are about to be entrenched in the Constitution, the fallout may be unpleasant. According to them, This shift has been slowly creeping up on us and we want to sound a clear warning that if the proposed amendments to the NBC constitution are pushed through and entrenched in the constitution of the NBC, the Baptist faith as we know and cherish it today, will cease to exist. The petition, through which the members expressed their grievances in unequivocal terms, begins thus: We have observed with concern certain developments currently facing our Baptist family. These developments have been brought to the fore by the current happenings between New Estate Baptist Church, Surulere-Lagos and the leadership of the Nigerian Baptist Convention. We strongly believe that these happenings, if left unchecked have the potential of doing serious damage to our polity and by implication, our purpose of Missions and Evangelism, the chief objective of the co-operation of the Local Churches who have come together to form the Nigerian Baptist Convention. Incidentally, these developments are intertwined and centre on the continuing onslaught on our cherished and biblical principles as found in the Scriptures and enshrined in the Constitution of the Nigerian Baptist Convention. These core doctrines and cherished values that underpin the faith of the Baptist community and sets it apart, but which are under continuing assault by the church leadership in Nigeria include the following: (1) The supremacy of the scriptures (2) soul competency (3) priesthood of all believers (4) congregational polity (5) unity in diversity (6) autonomy of the local church. These biblical doctrines and cherished values are enshrined in the Constitution of the Nigerian Baptist Convention and are pillars of the Nigerian Baptist community and they underpin the coming together of the churches in co-operation, establishing the Associations, Conferences and Convention as vehicles to pursue their core objective missions and evangelism. The petitioners also draw the attention of the convention leadership to the continuing attempts to deviate from these long cherished principles, with the most brazen being the provisions contained in the booklet, Beliefs, Policies and Practices of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, which seeks to, more or less, run local churches from the headquarters and completely water down every one of the above listed core doctrines. The provisions of this publication, which describes itself as a GUIDE now appears to be assuming the status of dogma, which the Convention leadership wants to set at par with Scriptures or at the very least, the Constitution of the Convention. The attempt of the Convention EC to forcefully compel a local church to comply with a provision in this booklet is the basis of a current disagreement between the Convention EC and some local churches, who are rightly insisting that the demands of the Convention EC to a local church to change its governance structure is unconstitutional and an infringement of their autonomy. The local churches are resisting the attempt to bring policies that are contrary to the Scriptures, as well as the norms and values of the Baptist Church into the Constitution through the back door, leveraging the above cited booklet. The petitioners go on to state, with emphasis, that If we truly believe in our core values and tenets of faith, why do we need an additional level of micro-management and control to the extent that something as basic as cleanliness of church environment and length of a church service has to be legislated (see Beliefs, Policies Practices of the NBC, pages 15, 17/18). Surely, an autonomous local church made up of Holy Spirit-filled, priestly and soul competent believers and led by a Baptist trained Pastor, can be trusted to make such decisions, without instructions and supervision from the Convention EC. The Concerned Baptists go further to warn that, The concentration of power in the hands of a few and particularly in the person of the President of the convention to recommend, approve or in other ways sign-off on the appointments of officials from Conference Presidents to members and chairpersons of Boards and Committees of various institutions in the Convention, will entrench the patronage system that is reminiscent of our national life, eroding the independence of our institutions. As long as the officers of our Associations, Conferences, Convention and other institutions and organs owe their appointments, principally to the Convention President and the EC, they will serve at his pleasure and jeopardize the independent thinking and decision-making that is the hallmark of strong and lasting institutions. The petitioners also point out some problematic amendments being proposed to the NBC Constitution. They include 1. Article III, Clause 5c, which attempts to designate pastors as staff of the Convention, who are therefore not autonomous of the Nigerian Baptist Convention. What this implies is that the Convention EC has authority over Pastors of Local Churches, such that they can be recalled, reassigned or withdrawn from the pastorate of a local church at the pleasure of the Convention President or EC. The import of this is that the Convention EC can wield power over a local church and in seeking to punish or rein her into compliance, infringing on her autonomy, it can instruct Pastors to withdraw their services from the church, they noted, stating how a few years ago there was an attempt by a convention president to unilaterally dismiss a pastor from a local church, which was resisted by the church and degenerated into a court matter. It remains to be seen how the Convention Executive Committee or Convention president will turn into its staff by fiat, a pastor who was never called in the first instance and whose conditions of service were negotiated by respective local churches! Another proposed amendment, which is entirely new, according to the petitioners, is Article III, page 7, which forbids the local church, organ, Association or Conference from acquiring separate legal status with the Corporate Affairs Commission. This implies that churches and institutions cease to have a corporate identity outside of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, which completely nullifies a core doctrine of the Autonomy of the Local Church, shifting our polity from independent, autonomous, congregational churches cooperating for the purpose of Missions and Evangelism TO a unitary, hierarchical church model, with administrative authority flowing from the Convention EC, through the Conferences and Associations to the local churches. Still, another proposed amendment, which goes against the norms and principles of the Baptist Church is Article V, clause C, which requires churches to fill out a form applying for membership of the Nigerian Baptist Convention. The petitioners believe this gives a false impression that new born churches mothered by a local church, who is already a member of the NBC, are foreign to the NBC and therefore have to be screened before being admitted into the fold. What the aggrieved members are asking, therefore, are how do these amendments, which are not in sync with the Conventions cherished heritage as Baptist, advance the core objectives of association, which are missions and evangelism? The petitioners then ask the Convention leadership, to note the following points: That the local churches, which are not pastor-founder churches, formed the NBC on their own efforts and co-operation to attain certain ends, particularly missions and evangelism, and not the other way round. That associations, conferences and conventions are vehicles through which the co-operating local churches organise themselves to pursue their objectives of missions and evangelism. These co-operative objectives are carried out, enabled by the funding of the local churches through their monthly dues. In turn, these bodies as agents of the churches are accountable, under God, to the churches and are expected, at their annual sessions, to render their stewardship and agree on future endeavours as agreed by the Local Churches. It would appear that this structure and practice is slowly being upturned. The result of many of these amendments, if sustained, is to reverse the existing order, contrary to our well tested practice of congregationalism. What used to be our annual business sessions where our officials give account of their stewardship, allowing the congregation (Convention messages of local churches) to ask questions and incisively interrogate the progress of the work and make recommendations, have now become annual Revival meetings. The business sessions (a few hours on the last full day at the end of the week long gathering) has simply become a hurried exercise which ultimately result in mere rubber-stamping due to lack of time and robust deliberations. The Baptist distinctive of Congregational Polity where authority rests with the congregation and power flows from the congregation to the top is being aggressively tampered with and if care is not taken, the powers being exercised by the Presidents of the Conferences and the Convention President may become akin to that of Arch-Bishops, General Overseers or Primates in hierarchical church models. By the NBC Constitution, a Local Church is, . Self-governing, Self-financing and Self-propagating Therefore, how a local church governs itself is her sole prerogative, especially if its governance structure does not contradict any known scriptural tenet or has in any way, shape or form hindered the ability of the church to fulfil its missionary objectives. A situation where the Convention can demand that a local church should make changes in its constitution, its governing instrument is clearly alien to our polity and an infringement on the autonomy of a local church. By our tenets, an autonomous Local Church, made up of Soul Competent and Priestly believers and led by a Baptist-trained Pastor has the necessary capacity, competence, skill and authority to make decisions for itself as guided by the principles of Gods Word and the leadership of the Holy Spirit. The Constitution of the Nigerian Baptist Convention is very clear with regard to the autonomous status and independence of the local churches. But, sadly, this is what the leadership of the convention is breaching, either overtly or covertly. In terms of the membership of the convention, Article III of the Constitution of the Nigerian Baptist Convention clearly states that: The Nigerian Baptist Convention shall consist of all Baptist churches in Nigeria that desire a general organisation for Christian service which shall fully respect the independence and equal rights of the churches that work together under the accepted Declaration of the Principles and Objectives set forth in this Constitution and who are willing to accept the responsibilities and privileges of the organization. In concluding their petition, the aggrieved members of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, who belong to local churches spread across the country, including the FCT, Abuja , made the following demands. This, according to them, is in line with their commitment to strive for the advancement of the Church of God, harmony in the polity and the progress of our co-operative work, namely missions and evangelism: 1. That the contents of the booklet, Belief, Policies and Practices of the Nigerian Baptist Convention remains a GUIDE as it is so defined on page 54 of the publication. The provisions of this booklet should, under no guise be engrafted into the Constitution and made mandatory on local churches and Baptists in general. Furthermore, the contents of this GUIDE should be urgently reviewed, to ensure that its provisions, do not erode our core doctrines and the fundamental principles of our faith. The Scriptures, under the leadership of the Holy Spirit must remain the final authority in all matters of faith and doctrine: 2. That the proposed amendments to the constitution should not detract from these our cherished core values, the fundamental principles of our faith and polity and our co-operative objectives. Particularly, provisions that diminish our core doctrines and values, making it more in form than in substance should be jettisoned. Furthermore, any clause that shifts our polity away from Congregationalism to Episcopalism, by concentrating power in a body, a group of persons or an individual, giving this body, group or individual the power of patronage should be unequivocally rejected. Strong structures and institutions, not persons are the hallmark of any organisation that will remain relevant and vibrant into the future. 3. That the annual sessions of our Associations, Conferences and Conventions stay true to their purpose Business sessions for rendering of accounts of stewardship by our elected officers and discussing and taking decisions on the cooperative work. Surely, members receive nourishment in their local churches through their Baptist-trained Pastors. The Masters business is urgent and important and must be given priority at our annual sessions. While we have no objections to other avenues of grace during the convention in session, they should not be reason to jettison or abridge the opportunity for examining the performance of the NBC officials, Departments and organs at Business sessions. Relegating business discussions to a few hours on the last full day is unacceptable and can be suggestive of an attempt by NBC officials to water down a more incisive interrogation of their stewardship. The current trajectory of our Convention portends a clear and present danger to what we believe as Baptists and the biblical practices that were handed down to us by the founding fathers of our faith. Just like our founding fathers, we have chosen to earnestly contend for the faith. Let the Local Churches be as envisaged by scripture and the NBC extant constitution. Our prayer is that the voice of reason will prevail at this time, that we will avoid distractions occasioned by the whims of men and that as a people, we will remain focused on the mandate of Jesus, the Lord of the Church to wit, Evangelism, Discipleship and Missions. May God help us so to do. Amen! But the question begging for answer now is: Will those who have been entrusted with the leadership of the Baptist Convention at this time allow the humility and love of Christ to permeate their hearts for the overall benefit of the Baptist polity and the work of spreading the gospel of grace and salvation, which is the major reason for the co-operative work of the local churches, which gave birth to the convention in the first place? That remains to be seen as the annual Convention in session approaches. May convention leaders consider themselves more as servants in the Lords vineyard than Masters with Executive powers. May Jesus Christ , the only true Lion of Judah, remain the head of His Church, without rival or equal in the Baptist Polity. This has been en enviable distinctive of the Baptist polity. Its a legacy worthy of being celebrated and preserving. Okezie Ekugo writes from Lagos. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Global affairs experts emphasise that President Xi Jinpings concept of a community with a shared future for mankind will evolve into a truly pragmatic foreign policy approach. For instance, the China-Africa cooperation is one of the examples of building a community of shared future for win-win cooperation among countries. By most accounts, the tragic consequences of division, conflicts and confrontation have never been very lucid to the people of the world. In recent times, the world has been enmeshed with conflicts and turbulence, such as the Russia-Ukraine crisis, the Palestine/Israeli conflict and the Red Sea confrontations, among others, which, unfortunately, have shown no sign of abating soon. As President Xi Jinping of China once stated: United or divided, peace or conflict, cooperation or confrontation; are all questions of our time. The Chinese leader then emphasised that peoples wishes for a happy life is our goal; peace, development and win-win cooperation are unstoppable trends of our times. To be more specific, President Xi Jinping, some 10 years ago, propounded the idea of building a global community of shared future; answering a question thrown up by the world, by history, and by the times: Where is humanity headed? Jinpings proposal is somewhat trailblazing, as the world continues to search for practical solutions and it represents Chinas contribution to global efforts to protect our shared home and create a better future of prosperity for all. The Chinese president, in Moscow, Russia, in 2013, first spoke of the vision of a global community of shared future, while addressing the Moscow Institute of International Affairs (MGIMO in Russian). For over a decade, the proposition has been steadily enriched and streamlined into a five-point proposal. The five points include building a partnership in which countries treat each other as equals, engaging in extensive consultation and enhancing mutual understanding. Besides, President Xi proposed five goals for the world. The goals are building a world of lasting peace via dialogue and consultation; building a world of common security for all through joint efforts; and building a world of common prosperity by means of win-win cooperation. Others include the evolution of an open and inclusive world through exchanges and mutual learning and the development of a clean and beautiful world by engaging in green and low-carbon development projects. The Chinese leader, nonetheless, underscored the need to restore Chinas greatness and re-examine the concept of socialism. To him, socialism must integrate and adapt to the characteristics of contemporary Chinese society, which is the ultimate dream of every Chinese citizen. In its continued commitment to building a community with a shared future for mankind, China has always been sharing weal and woe with developing countries and the Asian country has consistently remained a strong, dependable force in efforts to attain stability in a world that is obviously turbulent. President Xi Jinping apparently belongs to a school of thought which foregrounds certain ideals, such as the development of a community with a shared future for mankind. The Chinese leaders standpoint, which is widely supported and re-echoed by several global affairs experts, is by all means pragmatic, particularly in the current 21st century civilisation where hegemony, egoism, imperialism, supremacy, injustice, conflict and confrontations are increasingly becoming endemic characteristics. Perceptive observers believe that Xi Jinpings proposal for a community with a shared future for mankind offers innovative strategies for curbing these problems. This is because the well-thought-out concept refers to what the destiny of each person and/or country has in common with another person, mankind. It, therefore, behoves on people of the world to work together to solve the myriad of problems confronting their common destiny. Global affairs experts emphasise that President Xi Jinpings concept of a community with a shared future for mankind will evolve into a truly pragmatic foreign policy approach. For instance, the China-Africa cooperation is one of the examples of building a community of shared future for win-win cooperation among countries. It is also worthy to note that the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind is obviously mutually beneficial and a win-win cooperation. In a nutshell, President Xi believes that the community of a shared future for mankind is both a constructive world outlook and an invitation to participate in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) joint projects. The BRI is an initiative for economic cooperation, not for geopolitical or military alliance. It is an open and inclusive process that neither targets nor excludes any party. Rather than forming exclusionary cliques or a China club, it fundamentally aims at helping China and the rest of the world to seize opportunities and pursue common development priorities. It is a broad alliance that can be joined by all interested countries to work together for shared benefits. It is evident that the BRI has facilitated the modernisation drive of developing countries, leading the world into a new era of transcontinental cooperation. This viewpoint is shared by global affairs experts who maintain that the global community of shared future for mankind and win-win cooperation has politically, economically and socially restored the democratisation of international relations, which have widely negotiated global governance, regardless of the size and wealth of any nation. Both strong and weak countries are equal in the mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation, considering its multilateralism feature. In its continued commitment to building a community with a shared future for mankind, China has always been sharing weal and woe with developing countries and the Asian country has consistently remained a strong, dependable force in efforts to attain stability in a world that is obviously turbulent. Lawal Sale writes from Abuja. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal has stated his administrations resolve to prioritise education with a view to pulling the state out of the lowest rungs of education ranking in the country. He said his government has since identified education as a fundamental tool for the development of the state. A statement by the governors spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris said Mr Lawal spoke on Wednesday when he was honoured with an award from pupils of Leadsprings International School at the Government House in Gusau, the state capital. While addressing the pupils, Governor Lawal reaffirmed his commitment and determination to revamp the education sector in the state saying: Education is a top priority for my government, second only to security. However, our education system has not been performing well in the past. In particular, theof Zamfara consistently ranked at the bottom of every education index. This is why I declared a state of emergency in education. These include recruiting qualified and competent teachers, providing necessary teaching materials and infrastructure, and introducing innovative teaching methods. My administration will spare no effort to transform the education sector to meet the states and its citizens needs. Mr Lawal expressed his satisfaction with the quality of learning demonstrated by the students of Zamfara, Dauda Lawal, Education ranking and thanked the management for presenting him with an award. I am impressed with the quality of your presentation and believe that Leadsprings International School students are well prepared to compete anywhere in the world. Thank you for the honour. My government will encourage you in whatever way possible. I call on other private schools to emulate your good work, the governor said. Earlier, the students of the school presented the governor with seven critical expectations for a prosperous future of Zamfara State. The expectations cover the Gusau capital city development, the health sector, Zamfara airline, technology, agriculture, the economic and commercial sectors as well as industries and companies. In his remarks, the Proprietor of Leadsprings International Schools, Mr. Danjuma Sule expressed the schools desire to align with the educational initiatives of the Zamfara State government. We are impressed by your governments commitment to ensuring a safe learning environment throughout the state. We are also pleased with your decision to promote education for girls. Currently, Leadsprings International Schools has 386 girls enrolled in different classes, and we are dedicated to nurturing them to become valuable contributors to the development of Zamfara, Mr Sule stated. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print AUBURN Before a Cayuga County man was sentenced to prison for drug possession, he said in court Thursday that he accepts responsibility for his actions. David K. Kalet, 36, of Montezuma, was sentenced to 4.5 years in prison followed by three years of post-release supervision for third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance (a class B felony) by Judge Thomas Leone in Cayuga County Court that morning. Before he was sentenced, Kalet was asked if there was anything he wanted to say in court. He said he takes "full responsibility" for his deeds, adding that he had been previously sober for years before relapsing after his mother died. When he gets out of prison, Kalet continued, he intends to be "a positive member of society." Leone said Kalet was "saying all the right things" and that he had some sympathy for him, but the judge also noted Kalet's relapse and prior criminal history. Kalet was among dozens arrested in the fall as a part of a major central New York drug trafficking investigation called Operation Blockbuster." He and 30 other defendants were charged with over 190 drug trafficking and weapons offenses in connection with two networks that were distributing fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine and cocaine, the New York State Attorney General's Office said. Also in court Allison A. Gersbach, 34, was sentenced to five years of probation for fourth-degree grand larceny. Lynn M. Mosher, 39, was sentenced to five years of probation for aggravated driving while intoxicated with a child passenger first offense, satisfying charges of aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, endangering the welfare of a child and use of a motor vehicle without an ignition interlock device. Bernard J. Snyder, 51, was sentenced to 364 days in the Cayuga County Jail for first-degree criminal contempt. Nicholas D. Wagar, 37, was sentenced to two to four years of parole supervision for third-degree burglary. BRUSSELS, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- More than two years after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, BusinessEurope, that includes two observer members from Ukraine[1], reiterates its strong support to Ukraine and its people. More than ever the EU needs to ensure that emergency support continues to flow to the country, and that infrastructure and businesses are kept operational. In this respect, we support the renewal of the EU's autonomous trade measures (ATMs) to enhance bilateral trade with Ukraine. Combined with the implementation of solidarity lanes, these liberalisation measures have been critical to facilitate the flow of goods, including commodities, in and out of the country. This is key for the survival of businesses on the ground, to ensure they remain integrated in existing value chains, and to sustain Ukraine's economy. While acknowledging these measures must consider sensitivities and the overall EU interests, they should adhere to the principles of the integrity of the Single Market and the EU's exclusive competence in trade policy. In this regard, we hope the adoption and implementation of the measures will help resolve any remaining concerns that have led to actions at the borders and obstructed the flow of goods between Ukraine and the EU. Transport routes should remain open. This is beneficial for both Ukraine and the EU. Preserving the rule of law and the respect of the EU's international commitments is essential for the European business community. [1] FEU-Federation of Employers of Ukraine and SUP- Union of Ukrainian Entrepreneurs CONTACT: Sofiya Yevchuk Director Tel: +32 2 237 65 62 s.yevchuk@businesseurope.eu DENVER, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Newly built and nestled within Sloan's Lake, this fully custom home located at 2158 Stuart Street in Denver, Colorado is situated on a corner lot with remarkable outdoor connectivity taking full advantage of the picturesque surroundings. Listed by Rachel Gallegos of milehimodern, homes of this caliber rarely become available right on Denver's most coveted lake and park. With 360-degree views of Downtown Denver, Sloan's Lake and the mountains, this home places residents in the heart of everything Colorado has to offer. "Each space in the home honors the location with wall-to-wall glass, unobstructed views and open spaces fit for entertaining," notes Rachel. "This home has been completely customized with luxurious finishes." A wall of accordion glass doors integrates the front yard into a living space anchored by a luxurious fire feature and built-in storage. Adorned with a modern, monochromatic palette, a designer kitchen features Thermador appliances. Tucked on the main level is an ADA-compliant bedroom and bathroom for added convenience. Retreat upstairs to a primary hideaway complete with a built-in coffee bar, a private balcony with mountain and lake views and a showstopping bathroom fit for a five-star resort. Complementing the motif of the upper levels, the finished lower level is a guest's dream with a kitchenette and massage chairs. Crowning this home is an upper-level terrace in which residents can take in the stunning views from a hot tub, indoor bar area and multiple lounging spaces. For more information on this exceptional property, please connect with the listing broker, Rachel Gallegos, by emailing [email protected] or by calling Rachel directly at 720 308.2615. about milehimodern // milehimodern (mhm) is Colorado's premier real estate brokerage focused on the artistry of living. We believe in connection first; that every home has a soul-filled story to tell. Our purpose is to bring this story to light by discovering the artistic sizzle, the iconic value, the extraordinary architecture or simply the narrative of a beautiful life lived in each property. We are bringing an artful experience to real estate, energizing one soul at a time. To learn more about our real estate services, please visit milehimodern.com. For press inquiries, reach out to [email protected] SOURCE milehimodern WASHINGTON, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- AARP Chief Executive Officer Jo Ann Jenkins announced her decision to step down when her contract expires at the end of the year. Jenkins has served as CEO for the past decade. She has been part of AARP since 2004, when she joined the AARP Services, Inc. (ASI) Board of Directors, where she served as Chair of the Board from 2009-2010. In 2010, she was named as President of AARP Foundation, and in 2013 became AARP's Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. "On behalf of the entire Board, I want to thank Jo Ann for her impressive record of accomplishments in advancing AARP's mission and serving our members," said Lloyd Johnson, Chair of AARP Board of Directors. "Jo Ann has led AARP on a transformational journey to redefine the organization's vision, challenge outdated attitudes and stereotypes about aging, and spark innovative solutions that empower people to choose how they live as they age." Among the accomplishments during her tenure, Jenkins championed the multigenerational workforce, healthy longevity, protecting Social Security and Medicare, and lowering the cost of prescription drugs. She has led through a spirit of innovation, creating AgeTech and launching a Digital First journey to help AARP better serve our members in the future. Under her leadership, AARP has received the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, has been recognized by Ethisphere as one of the World's Most Ethical Companies, has been named as one of Fast Company magazines Best Workplaces for Innovators, and for the past seven years has been named as a Washington Post Best Workplace. In 2019 and 2021, Fortune magazine named her as "One of the World's 50 Greatest Leaders." Her national best-selling book, Disrupt Aging: A Bold New Path to Living Your Best Life at Every Age, became a signature rallying cry for revolutionizing society's views on aging. "The AARP Board will move diligently to find the right person to lead AARP on the next leg of its journey," Johnson said. The Board will be supported by Heidrick and Struggles in the CEO search process. About AARP AARP is the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to the more than 100 million Americans 50-plus and their families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also works for individuals in the marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality products and services to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the nation's largest circulation publications, AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org/about-aarp/, www.aarp.org/espanol or follow @AARP, @AARPenEspanol and @AARPadvocates on social media. SOURCE AARP SAN DIEGO, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Adam & Eva, Inc., a neuro-symbolic architecture Generative AI (GAI) startup, is thrilled to announce the appointment of Paul Kewene-Hite as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). His appointment is effective Wednesday, 13 March 2024. Paul Kewene-Hite Paul has decades of work experience with entrepreneurs, start-ups, major technology companies, investment capital, consulting, and government initiatives. He has successfully worked in every corner of a technology company from answering the telephone and emails in technical support to finance to sales and business development to CEO. Paul's previous positions include CEO and VP in start-ups, Technology Evangelist at Apple, Director of Strategic Planning and New Business Development at NEC Computers, and professor of entrepreneurship at INSEAD. He authored the award-winning business book: Survive & Thrive: Entrepreneurship Frameworks That Work (2020). Paul's enthusiasm for embracing Adam & Eva's science-based neuro-symbolic architecture Gen AI will be instrumental in driving the company's growth to market leadership. "We are delighted to welcome Paul Kewene-Hite as our new CEO. His exceptional leadership skills, strategic insights, and deep business expertise make him the ideal choice to lead Adam & Eva, Inc. in our journey to disrupt the AI industry. We are confident in his ability to steer the company toward great achievements in the future." said Vadim Asadov, Adam & Eva, Inc. Co-Founder About Adam & Eva, Inc. Adam & Eva, Inc. is a Delaware corporation, established in 2023, with offices in Boston (MA), Palo Alto (CA), San Diego (CA) and Haifa, Israel. Adam & Eva, Inc. (www.adam-eva.ai) develops a novel neuro-symbolic AI architecture for public utilization. Adam & Eva's AI incorporates linear computational complexity in its neuro-symbolic architecture rather than the quadratic computational complexity of neural network AI. Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Paul as he embarks on this exciting journey as CEO, leading an era of growth, innovation, and success under his leadership. For media inquiries or more information, please contact: Adam & Eva, Inc. Vadim Asadov, Co-Founder 858 405 9128 [email protected] SOURCE Adam & Eva Inc. Scientists at Cincinnati Children's lead deepest dive yet into the mechanics of blood cell development. They found new treasure. CINCINNATI , March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Thanks to an unusual application of game theory and machine learning technology, a large team of scientists led by experts at Cincinnati Children's has published the world's most detailed "atlas" of the many types of stem cells and early progenitors involved in producing human blood from diverse donors. A large team of scientists led by experts at Cincinnati Childrens has published the worlds most detailed atlas of the many types of stem cells and early progenitors involved in producing human blood from diverse donors. The team has identified more than 80 distinct subsets of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) early-stage cells that kick off production of mature red cells, white cells and other elements of our complex blood system. Details were published March 21, 2024, in Nature Immunology. "We believe our highly focused capture strategy of the earliest HSPCs, intermediate cell states plus stromal populations, and the most abundant end states provides the deepest view of bone marrow stem and progenitor compartments described to date," the co-authors state. The study was led by co-first authors Xuan Zhang, PhD, and Baobao Song, PhD, and co-corresponding authors Nathan Salomonis, PhD, and H. Leighton Grimes, PhD, all researchers with Cincinnati Children's. Overall, the study includes 26 co-authors from four academic medical centers and two biotech companies. Leukemia implications and more This complex research project involved using multiple advanced genomic research tools and computational methods to build detailed genomic and proteomic profiles of more than 300,000 bone marrow cells collected from a diverse mix of donors spanning race and sex. Cincinnati Children's is committed to promoting inclusivity and addressing population diversity in scientific studies as part of their ongoing mission. In addition to meticulous single-cell RNA sequencing work and matching flow cytometry, analyzing the massive data set required innovative use of machine learning technology and dipping into game theory to perform key statistical analyses. Some of the research tools the team used, including two software tools scTriangulate and pyIninityFlow, were developed at Cincinnati Children's. Among the team's key findings: Mixing a new "cocktail" of 132 antibodies that can target surface proteins on HSPCs and related cells. Testing demonstrated that the new mix outperforms commercial products for profiling human bone marrow cells. Identifying 89 clusters by a novel integration of gene expression and surface proteins helped reveal new stem/progenitor cell populations. Strategies and markers for isolating novel cell populations. First, two novel surface markers C5L2 and TSPAN33 to identify cells entering transitional states between progenitor status and becoming a mature neutrophil. Second, distinct staging of human red blood cell formation called erythroblasts with CD326 and CD235a. New online computational tools to predict the cellular origins and possible causes of cancers such as acute myeloid leukemia (AML). "Our analysis uncovers previously hidden cell states, such as the most primitive stem cells, by combining information from diverse prior atlases, surface markers and genes, and new advances in machine learning," Salomonis says. One of the most immediate potential applications of the new stem cell atlas centers on how treatment centers monitor patients receiving therapies for leukemia. "For example, some people develop resistance to Venotoclax with azacytidine (a chemotherapy that was approved in 2018 as a first line therapy for AML)," Grimes says. "In some cases, the therapy-resistant disease appears to be driven by a "monocytic" form of leukemia stem cell (m-LSC) rather than a more "primitive" form (p-LSC). With an atlas like this, it becomes more possible to determine which types of cancer stem cells are present in the AML, and that information could then inform how a clinician might adjust a treatment regimen." The new study reports finding 69 antibodies within 23 cell states that may represent attractive biomarkers for clinical monitoring of people with AML. While the development of the new stem cell atlas is an essential start, much more research and development will be needed to integrate the new data about blood cell formation into medical care, Grimes says. Making the tool available The co-authors predict that the new digital bone marrow atlas will accelerate the discovery of more cellular and molecular regulators of blood diseases. To support such efforts, the research team is making its data and tools widely available to the research community. While the Nature Immunology article has been made open access, full detail and access to this advanced digital resource, including data viewers, methods, raw data and code, are available at https://altanalyze.org/MarrowAtlas/. About the study In addition to the first and corresponding authors, contributing co-authors from Cincinnati Children's include Guangyuan Li, Dan Schnell, Kairavee Thakkar, Michal Kouril, Kang Jin, Stuart Hay, and Sidharth Sen, all with the Division of Biomedical Informatics; plus Kyle Ferchen, Bailee Kain, David Bernardicius, Siyuan Ma, and Sierra Bennett, all with the Division of Immunobiology. Data acquisition for this study included support from the Research Flow Cytometry Core and the DNA Sequencing and Genotyping Core at Cincinnati Children's. Contributors also included scientists from the Yale School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, University of Colorado School of Medicine, San Diego-based BioLegend Inc., and Massachusetts based Curiox Biosystems, Inc. Funding sources for this work include several grants from the National Institutes of Health, especially an RC2 grant from the NIDDK, complemented by an NIDDK Cooperative Centers of Excellence in Hematology grant, a Specialized Center of Research (SCOR) grant from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and the US Department of Veterans Affairs. SOURCE Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center DENVER, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Agcor, an AQUAOSO Technologies, PBC brand, a leading provider of agricultural lending software solutions, announces a significant milestone in its partnership with AgWare, a premier developer of innovative appraisal software. For over two years, the integration between Agcor and AgWare has been redefining the efficiency and accuracy of agricultural lending appraisals. AQUAOSO Technologies, PBC The partnership originated from shared recognition of challenges faced by agricultural lenders, particularly in transferring the extensive data from Agcor's platform to AgWare's appraisal software. Understanding the risks of manual data entry, both companies united to streamline the process and enhance the user experience. "Our commitment to empowering our customers with seamless and efficient solutions is at the heart of everything we do," said Chris Peacock, CEO of Agcor. "For over two years, our integration with AgWare has optimized agricultural lending appraisals, ensuring precision while simplifying workflows." Through this integration, appraisers are empowered to automatically populate Agcor data into AgWare, eliminating the need for manual data entry. This enhancement enables appraisers to focus on analysis and decision-making, optimizing productivity and effectiveness. As a result, appraisers can manage a greater number of cases without compromising quality, ensuring positive borrower experiences and heightened satisfaction. "We are proud to celebrate over two years of partnership with Agcor," added Mark Elder of AgWare. "Through our integrated platforms, we are reshaping the landscape of agricultural lending appraisals, empowering appraisers with the tools they need to thrive in a dynamic industry." The success story of Agcor and AgWare demonstrates a shared commitment to innovation and collaboration in addressing the evolving needs of agricultural lenders. Looking ahead, both organizations remain dedicated to exploring further integrations that anticipate and exceed customer expectations. "We are continuously exploring ways to enhance our integration and provide even more value to our customers," concluded Peacock. "Our teams are actively working on future enhancements that will further streamline the appraisal process and empower agricultural lenders with unparalleled efficiency and accuracy." Media contact: Tanya Luedke Agcor [email protected] About Agcor: Agcor is a proven suite of location-based lending software, data, maps, and analytics purpose-built to empower trusted relationships between ag lenders and their borrowers. For more information, visit agcor.io. About AgWare: AgWare, Inc. is a software company based in South Dakota that develops and maintains efficient, easy-to-use, and flexible tools for processing agricultural appraisals. For more information, visit uaar.net . SOURCE AQUAOSO Technologies, PBC MCLEAN, Va., March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Aireon, the leader in space-based air traffic management data products and services, has signed an expanded distribution agreement with Airbus to enable more users access to the Aireon's space-based automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data. Aireon logo (PRNewsfoto/Aireon) Under the terms of the multi-year contract, Airbus will integrate Aireon's global ADS-B data feed into its advanced flight analytics products, as well as the advanced digital solutions that the company offers to its customers. Multi-sourced real-time flight position data is one of the pillars to provide airlines, aircraft lessors and lessees and other aviation stakeholders advanced digital solutions, which will allow them to excel in their mission. Skywise Core users can leverage these solutions covering their fleet right from their private spaces where they can include it in their custom reports and analysis supporting them in operating Airbus products more efficiently and sustainably. Securing the provision of Aireon's global ADS-B data feed confirms Airbus' commitment to its customers to provide advanced real-time solutions to boost their operations and business. This agreement, signed today at the Airspace World exhibition in Geneva, marks the expansion of an agreement signed between the two companies in 2018. Since that time, Aireon has seen tremendous uptick in its data around the world. "Aireon's data holds a great deal of potential for Airbus and its customer base," said Peter Cabooter, Aireon Vice President of Customer Affairs. "The power of, not only of Aireon's real-time data, but also the historical information powers valuable analytic and situational awareness tools for Airbus. We look forward to the next phase of this outstanding partnership." About Aireon LLC Aireon has deployed a space-based air traffic surveillance system for Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) equipped aircraft throughout the entire globe. Aireon is harnessing next-generation aviation surveillance technologies that were formerly ground-based and, for the first time ever, is extending their reach globally to significantly improve efficiency, enhance safety, reduce emissions, and provide cost savings benefits to all stakeholders. Space-based ADS-B surveillance covers oceanic, polar, and remote regions, and augments existing ground-based systems that are limited to terrestrial airspace. In partnership with leading ANSPs from around the world, like NAV CANADA, AirNav Ireland, ENAV, NATS UK and Naviair, as well as Iridium Communications, Aireon is providing a global, real-time, space-based air traffic surveillance system, available to all aviation stakeholders. For more information, please visit www.aireon.com. Contact: Emily Feliz +1 571.424.5648 SOURCE Aireon Enterprise Search leader joins the ranks of Nvidia, YouTube, Microsoft, Elastic, Canva, IBM, and other renowned leaders BOSTON, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Akooda has been named to Fast Company's prestigious list of the World's Most Innovative Companies of 2024. This year's list shines a spotlight on businesses that are shaping industry and culture through their innovations. These organizations are setting new standards and achieving remarkable milestones in all sectors of the economy. Alongside the World's 50 Most Innovative Companies, Fast Company recognizes 606 organizations across 58 sectors and regions. "Enterprise Search is the gateway for companies to achieve Operational Excellence," says Yuval Gonczarowski, Akooda's founder and CEO. "By facilitating the rapid and efficient flow of information across an organization, Akooda empowers businesses to gain a competitive advantage. Early adopters of Akooda report saving thousands of hours annually, allowing them to focus on core priorities. This recognition by Fast Company will further amplify Akooda's reach and enable the company to make an even wider impact." Akooda's innovative approach to Enterprise Search is transforming how businesses operate. By going beyond traditional search and leveraging AI, Akooda unlocks a 360-degree view of customers. Meetings, contracts, proposals, emails, chats, and support tickets all come together, painting a complete picture for a more informed customer experience. Akooda's impact extends beyond information retrieval. Fortune 500 companies are choosing Akooda because it empowers them to take action. The platform's AI uncovers hidden connections within data, generating actionable insights that guide users toward effective solutions. Through advanced statistical modeling and a unique on-demand querying approach, Akooda never stores raw customer data within its systems which makes Akooda a compelling solution for security-conscious industries like finance and healthcare. The World's Most Innovative Companies stands as Fast Company's hallmark franchise and one of its most anticipated editorial efforts of the year. Fast Company's editors and writers identified the companies driving progress around the world and across industries, evaluating thousands of submissions through a competitive application process. The result is a globe-spanning guide to innovation today, from early-stage startups to some of the most valuable companies in the world. Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies package is available online , as well as in-app form via iTunes, and on newsstands beginning March 26. The hashtag is #FCMostInnovative. "Our list of the Most Innovative Companies is both a comprehensive look at the innovation economy and a snapshot of the business trends that defined the year," said Fast Company editor-in-chief Brendan Vaughan. "We saw extraordinary innovation across the board in 2023, but we also saw a handful of clear patterns: the growing footprint and impact of AI, the triumphant return of live events, and great leaps forward in climate tech. We face daunting challenges on many fronts, but the solutions we celebrate in MIC give me plenty of hope about the future." Fast Company will host the Most Innovative Companies Summit and Gala on May 16. The summit features a morning and afternoon of inspiring content, followed by a creative black-tie gala including networking, a seated dinner, and an honoree presentation. This event celebrates the Most Innovative Companies honorees and provides an inside look at cutting-edge business trends and what it takes to innovate in 2024. ABOUT AKOODA Akooda, a pioneer in Operational Intelligence (OI), empowers companies to optimize operations and achieve greater success. Its AI-powered Enterprise Search goes beyond traditional search, sitting atop all company data to grasp the true intent behind user queries. By seamlessly connecting across all applications, Akooda creates a unified information pool, eliminating data silos and ensuring users receive a complete picture, surfacing the broader context surrounding the information they seek. Akooda delivers more than just results; it delivers insights. Trusted by Fortune 500 companies, including those in highly regulated industries, Akooda seamlessly integrates with existing tools like Slack, Jira, G-Suite, and Salesforce while maintaining the highest level of security and permission requirements. Learn more about Akooda at akooda.co. ABOUT FAST COMPANY Fast Company is the only media brand fully dedicated to the vital intersection of business, innovation, and design, engaging the most influential leaders, companies, and thinkers on the future of business. Headquartered in New York City, Fast Company is published by Mansueto Ventures LLC, along with our sister publication Inc., and can be found online at www.fastcompany.com. Contact: Michal Wachstock VP Marketing [email protected] SOURCE Akooda -- Two expert-led Allergan Medical Institute (AMI) symposia will explore a personalized approach to aesthetics, featuring live injection sessions with Dr Mauricio De Maio, Dr Mansi Mukherjee and Dr Steven Liew -- -- World class experts to convene on socially transformative aesthetic medicine at Science of AgingTM event -- -- Seventeen posters exhibiting new clinical data on toxins and fillers showcase the diverse Allergan Aesthetics portfolio -- -- Allergan Aesthetics' innovative discovery booth explores what it means to be a True Original -- IRVINE, Calif., March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Allergan Aesthetics demonstrates its ongoing commitment to originality and its bold approach to aesthetics at the Anti-Aging and Aesthetics Medicine World Congress (AMWC) in Monaco from Wednesday, March 27 Friday, March 29, 2024. Events include two Allergan Medical Institute (AMI) symposia, Science of AgingTM event, Meet the Expert presentations, poster sessions and an interactive exhibition booth. "AMWC presents an invaluable opportunity to meet with esteemed experts from across the globe," said Carrie Strom, President, Global Allergan Aesthetics. "Through our expert-led AMI symposia and series of thought-provoking events, we're showcasing our innovative approach to aesthetics with an emphasis on thoughtful consultation with our diverse and expanding product portfolio to further shape the future of the industry." As industry pioneers, Allergan Aesthetics has been at the forefront of uncovering the trends that are shaping aesthetics. Activities taking place at AMWC this year further showcase Allergan Aesthetics timeless approach as it goes beyond the trends with decisive and thoughtful action. Centering around its True Originals theme, Individuality, Innovation and Integrity, Allergan Aesthetics is shaping the future of the aesthetics industry. AMWC 2024 AMI symposia The first symposium, 'True Originals: A Personalised Approach with the Allergan Aesthetics Range', focuses on an in-depth look into patient needs. The symposium will be co-chaired by Dr. Sophie Shotter (UK) and cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Andre Braz (Brazil), with expert panel discussions and two live injector sessions from Dr. Mansi Mukherjee (UAE) and Dr. Steven Liew (Australia). The second day opens with an introduction to the future of individuality from Carrie Strom, President, Global Allergan Aesthetics, Dr. Tapan Patel (UK) and Dr. Juliana Chieppe (Brazil) and leads to the symposium 'True Originals: Decoding the Future of Aesthetic Individuality'. During the session, they will dive deeper into the exclusive report and discuss trends, techniques, and drivers for personalized treatment around the world. To end the day, renowned plastic surgeon Dr. Mauricio de Maio (Brazil) will perform a live injection on stage. The symposia will take place as follows: True Originals: A Personalised Approach with the Allergan Aesthetics Range . 11.15 AM 1:15 PM on Wednesday , March 27 in the Salle des Princes, Grimaldi Forum . , March 27 in the Salle des Princes, True Originals: Decoding the Future of Aesthetic Individuality. 9:45 AM 12:45 PM on Thursday , March 28 in the Salle des Princes, Grimaldi Forum . Beyond the AMI symposia Dr. Steven Dayan will chair the Global Aesthetics Medical Affairs symposia, presenting 'Socially Transformative Aesthetic Medicine' alongside Dr. Mitchell Brin (US), Dr. Izolda Heydenrych (South Africa) and Damon Caiazza (US). Key topics include bias, emotional impact, social perception and future innovation. Dr. Stephanie Manson Brown, Vice President, Head of Clinical Development and Scientific Innovation at Allergan Aesthetics, will open the exclusive thought-provoking Science of AgingTM symposia event, where world-class experts Dr Saranya Wyles (US), Professor Claire Stewart (UK), Professor Gordan Lauc (Croatia) and Dr Janine Sengstack (US) will present the latest early science and research insights in the field of aging. Key topics include cellular aging and rejuvenation, exosomes and glyconology. The session will conclude with a Q&A session led by event chair Dr. Patricia Ogilvie (Germany). The symposia will take place as follows: Global Aesthetics Medical Affairs Symposium . 2:00 PM 4:00 PM on Wednesday , March 27 in the Genevoix Room, Grimaldi Forum . , March 27 in the Genevoix Room, Grimaldi Forum Science of AgingTM Symposium. 4:30 PM 6:30 PM on Wednesday , March 27 in the Auric Room, Grimaldi Forum. Meet the Experts Allergan Aesthetics will host a series of Meet the Experts sessions live from the booth, featuring: Combination treatment for male patients with Dr. Sebastien Derieux , France . with Dr. , . The importance of facial shape in Asian beauty with Dr. Jialun Li , China . with Dr. , . Juvederm VOLUMA and VOLUX for the lower face Drivers for Choice with Dr. Emily Schultz , Canada . with Dr. , . Combination treatment of Hyaluronic acid injection and Cryolipolysis for Lower face contouring with Dr. Kumiko Shimojima , Japan . with Dr. , . From Simple to Regal Transformation with the Full Allergan Aesthetics Portfolio with Dr. Silvia Ramirez , Singapore . Aesthetics-Ethics AMWC 2024 marks the launch of Moving the Needle on Ethics, a collaboration with medical aesthetics experts from around the globe with the aim of igniting thoughtful conversations on the importance of ethics in aesthetics medicine. This initiative is a result of Allergan Aesthetics' extensive global research on ethics, which includes global social media listening, insight gathering and face-to-face discussions across the industry in 13 countries.1 Visit the global Allergan Aesthetics website to download the 'Moving the Needle on Ethics' book and discover how Allergan Aesthetics is spotlighting future industry priorities in collaboration with leading experts. The 'Moving the Needle on Ethics' short film will be available to watch from the booth. Allergan Aesthetics booth Attendees can explore interactive areas of the booth K2 (Ravel Floor) to learn more about Allergan Aesthetics' commitment to maintaining its True Original status, and actions it's taking to empower excellence and lead innovation in aesthetics. New clinical data on toxins and fillers Allergan Aesthetics' commitment to advancing clinical data and evidence is demonstrated with the acceptance of 17 poster presentations to this year's congress. Posters have been accepted across various products, treatments and indications. For poster details please see Notes to Editors below. Be a True Original with Allergan Aesthetics. Visit the symposia and exhibition booth K2, Ravel Floor in the Grimaldi Forum to discover more. About Allergan Aesthetics At Allergan Aesthetics, an AbbVie company, we develop, manufacture, and market a portfolio of leading aesthetics brands and products. Our aesthetics portfolio includes facial injectables, body contouring, plastics, skin care, and more. Our goal is to consistently provide our customers with innovation, education, exceptional service, and a commitment to excellence, all with a personal touch. For more information, visit www.allerganaesthetics.com About AbbVie AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas immunology, oncology, neuroscience, and eye care and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube. Forward-Looking Statements Some statements in this news release are, or may be considered, forward-looking statements for purposes of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "project" and similar expressions and uses of future or conditional verbs, generally identify forward-looking statements. AbbVie cautions that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, challenges to intellectual property, competition from other products, difficulties inherent in the research and development process, adverse litigation or government action, and changes to laws and regulations applicable to our industry. Additional information about the economic, competitive, governmental, technological and other factors that may affect AbbVie's operations is set forth in Item 1A, "Risk Factors," of AbbVie's 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K, which has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as updated by its subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. AbbVie undertakes no obligation, and specifically declines, to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking statements as a result of subsequent events or developments, except as required by law. Notes to Editors Please find titles and named authors for the 17 posters to be showcased at AMWC 2024 included below: OnabotulinumtoxinA Efficacy and Safety in the Treatment of Masseter Muscle Prominence: 6-Month Results From a Phase 3, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Multiregional Study. Authors: Jiaming Sun , Yan Wu , Shyi-Gen Chen, Shannon Humphrey , Steven Liew , Joan-En Chang-Lin, Lijuan Zhang , Grace Pan , Elisabeth Lee Patient-Reported Outcomes with Repeat Administration(s) of OnabotulinumtoxinA for the Treatment of Masseter Muscle Prominence: Results From a Phase 3 Multiregional Study. Authors: Shu-Hung Huang , William McGillivray , Yan Wu , Yuguang Zhan , Donna Faletto , Grace Pan , Catherine Foley , Vaishali Patel Patient-Reported Outcomes From OnabotulinumtoxinA Treatment for Masseter Muscle Prominence: 6-Month Results From a Phase 3, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Multiregional Trial. Authors: Yuguang Zhang , William McGillivray , Shu Hung Huang , Donna Faletto , Grace Pan , Catherine Foley Treating Platysma Prominence with OnabotulinumtoxinA: Efficacy and Safety Results from a Phase 3 Multicenter, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-Controlled Study. Authors: Sabrina Fabi , MD; Brian Biesman , MD, Rosalyn George , MD, Shannon Humphrey , MD, Brenda LaTowsky , MD; Robert Weiss , MD, Grace S. Park , DrPH, Warren Tong , PharmD, Elisabeth Lee , MBA, MPH, Rene Hopfinger, MS Safety and Efficacy of Multiple Simultaneous Cryolipolysis Treatments Using a Dual Applicator Cryolipolysis System. Authors: Amir Moradi , M.D.; Grant Stevens , M.D.; Felicia Tsai, MA; Rafael Ostrowski , BS; Sylvia Gamio , MSc; Eric Bachelor , M.D Towards a Mechanism of Action of Skin Changes after Cryolipolysis. Authors: Joel Jimenez Lozano , PhD Prospective, Multi-Country, Post-Marketing Study with Novel Dual-Applicator Cryolipolysis System Demonstrates High Participant Satisfaction, Safety and Effectiveness at 4 Weeks Post Initial Treatment and 12 Weeks Post Final Treatment Session. Authors: Jens Altmann, MD; Ulf Samuelson , MD; Sabrina Fabi , MD; Mitchel P. Goldman , MD; Suzanne Kilmer , MD; Jean Michel Mazer , MD; Roy Geronemus , MD; Terence Tan , MBBS, MRCS, MMed; Jordan Wang , MD, MBE, MBA; Yi Li ; Alda Karic , PharmD A prospective, open-label, post-marketing study of the safety and effectiveness of HArmonyCa injectable gel for midface soft tissue augmentation: Interim analysis. Authors: Graeme Kerson , Alesandro Gritti , Malka Salomon , Andrew Schumacher Restoration of Jawline Definition in Males with Hyaluronic Acid Injectable Gel VYC-25L: Results from a Pivotal, Multicenter, Randomized Controlled Trial. Authors: Terrence Keaney , MD, FAAD; Raza Ahmed , MD; Elena Dimitrijevic , PhD; Alexander Rivkin , MD An Evaluation of VYC-17.5L for Forehead Contouring: A Prospective, Open-Label, Post-Marketing Study. Authors: Nicola Kefalas , Sofia Ruiz Del Cueto , Carola De La Guardia , Graeme Kerson , Fernando Urdiales Galvez , Alessandro Gritti An Evaluation of VYC-17.5L for the Treatment of Marionette Lines: A Prospective, Open-Label, Post-Marketing Study. Authors: Nicola Kefalas , Sofia Ruiz Del Cueto , Carola de la Guardia , Graeme Kerson , Fernando Urdiales Galvez , Alessandro Gritti Perceptions surrounding aging and aesthetic medicine later in life: Findings from a multi-country survey of adults aged 50 to 80 years with varying relationships with aesthetic medicine. Authors: Shannon Humphrey , MD; Jose Raul Montes , MD; Nancy Etcoff , PhD; Sasha Tyndale, MA; Stephanie Manson Brown , MBBS, MRCS, MFPM Aesthetic Concerns Regarding Face and Body Appearance Among Black Women: Results from A Large, Multigenerational Survey of Aesthetically-Inclined Adults in the US. Jeanine Downie, MD; Gaurav Bharti , MD; Charles Boyd , MD; Deirdre Hooper , MD; Amir Moradi , MD; Heather Woolery-Lloyd , MD; Elena Dimitrijevic , PhD; Jorge Ng Zheng , PharmD; Cheryl Burgess , MD Aesthetic concerns regarding face and body appearance among Hispanic and Latino Women: Results from Hispanic and Latino female-identifying participants of a large survey of aesthetically-inclined adults in the US. Authors: Sabrina Fabi , MD; Gaurav Bharti , MD, FACS; Charles Boyd , MD; Elena Dimitrijevic , PhD; Rosalyn George , MD; Elizabeth Houshmand , MD, FAAD; Alda Karic , PharmD; Zakia Rahman , MD, FAAD; Heather Woolery-Lloyd , MD, FAAD Aesthetic concerns regarding face and body appearance among Asian Women: Results from Asian female-identifying participants of a large survey of aesthetically-inclined adults in the US. Authors: Annie Chiu , MD; Charles Boyd , MD; Cheryl Burgess , MD; Omer Ibrahim , MD; Amir Moradi , MD; Mona Sadeghpour , MD; Noelle Sherber, MD, FAAD; Neha Tandon , PhD; Jorge Ng Zheng , PharmD, MBA, BCMAS; Zakia Rahman , MD, FAAD Aesthetic concerns regarding face and body appearance among women: Results from white female-identifying respondents of a large survey of aesthetically inclined adults in the US. Authors: Noelle Sherber , Jeanine Downie , Sabrina Fabi , Rosalyn George , Mona Sadeghpour , Birgitte Sondergaard , Alda Karic , Deirdre Hooper Aesthetic concerns regarding face and body appearance among men: Results from male-identifying participants of a large survey of aesthetically-inclined adults in the U.S. Authors: Omer Ibrahim , MD, FAAD; Elizabeth B. Houshmand , MD, FAAD; Noelle Sherber, MD, FAAD; Kamakshi Zeidler , MD, FACS; Raza Ahmed , MD; Jorge A. Ng Zheng , PharmD, MBA, BCMAS; Terrence Keaney , MD, FAAD 1 Allergan Aesthetics. Ethics social listening. October 2022 REF-102346 SOURCE AbbVie State lawmakers are pushing for greater disclosure of prison water quality reports after incarcerated individuals at one New York correctional facility said their water is "undrinkable and unusable." A bill introduced by state Sen. Pete Harckham would require the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, which oversees New York's 44 prisons, to release facility water testing results. The reports would be available to incarcerated individuals and staff in prisons, according to the bill. DOCCS would also be required to post the water testing results on its website, doccs.ny.gov. Harckham, a Hudson Valley Democrat who chairs the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee, explained in the justification for his bill that it would boost environmental protection and strengthen the relationship between correctional facilities and communities. "By safeguarding the water quality within correctional facilities, we not only protect the health of incarcerated individuals but promote the responsible use of water resources, contributing to long-term ecological resilience," Harckham said. The Senate Crime Victims, Crime and Correction Committee reviewed and advanced the legislation Tuesday. State Sen. Julia Salazar, who chairs the committee, mentioned the letter her office received that was signed by more than 200 incarcerated individuals at Green Haven Correctional Facility, a maximum-security prison in Dutchess County. In the letter, which was obtained by The Citizen, incarcerated individuals describe poor water quality conditions the water is "undrinkable," they wrote and that the drinking water is making them sick. "This is a serious issue," Salazar, D-Brooklyn, said. "It's not only affecting Green Haven but other facilities as well." A DOCCS spokesperson told The Citizen/auburnpub.com that water is provided to Green Haven Correctional Facility from three wells. It is filtered, softened and treated, they said, and the latest water quality report showed that the tap water "met all state drinking water health and quality standards and is in full compliance with (state Department of Health) regulatory requirements." Although state agencies usually don't comment on pending legislation, DOCCS addressed the issue raised by Harckham's legislation. According to a spokesperson, DOCCS facilities that produce water are required to prepare an annual water quality report. Copies of the report are posted to bulletin boards and provided in law libraries for incarcerated individuals and staff. However, the reports aren't released to the public. That would change under Harckham's bill. With the Senate Crime Victims, Crime and Correction Committee advancing the legislation, it has been added to the calendar for a full Senate vote. Similar legislation has yet to be introduced in the state Assembly. VIENNA, Va. , March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In an era defined by rapid technological advancement and global challenges, ensuring the security of our nation's future is paramount. Alpha Omega, a leading technology solutions company, has recently announced its deepened commitment to bolstering national security, advancing climate science, and navigating foreign affairs. With a steadfast dedication to innovation and excellence, Alpha Omega stands poised to empower and safeguard America's interests on the global stage. Through strategic partnerships and cutting-edge technology, the company is committed to delivering mission-enabling solutions that transcend boundaries and propel progress in key areas. Alpha Omegas Enhanced Commitment: Securing Our Nations Future Alpha Omega places significant emphasis on bolstering national security efforts in collaboration with key government agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Through innovative solutions and strategic partnerships, the company is committed to safeguarding America's safety and prosperity. From implementing advanced cybersecurity protocols to strengthening critical infrastructure resilience, Alpha Omega's contributions are instrumental in defending the nation against evolving threats. Furthermore, our dedication extends to protecting the interests of our service members within the Coast Guard, recognizing their integral role in the broader national security framework. Climate science is integral to our national security strategy, as it provides crucial insights into environmental threats that can destabilize regions, exacerbate conflicts, and compromise vital resources essential for the safety and stability of our nation. Moreover, Alpha Omega recognizes the urgency of addressing climate change and its far-reaching implications. Through initiatives like the integration of advanced climate modeling within National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and supporting agricultural production and conservation efforts within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the company actively contributes to the fight against the climate crisis. By leveraging technology to drive sustainability and resilience, Alpha Omega underscores its commitment to preserving our planet for future generations. In addition to its domestic endeavors, we are engaged in navigating complex foreign affairs and promoting U.S. diplomacy on the global stage. Through collaboration with the U.S. Department of State and other international partners, the company advances national interests while fostering cooperation and mutual understanding. By leveraging technological innovation, Alpha Omega strengthens America's position as a global leader and promotes stability in an increasingly interconnected world. As Alpha Omega embarks on this enhanced commitment, it invites partners and stakeholders to join in its mission to ensure our nation's continued global leadership. By harnessing the power of innovation, collaboration, and foresight, together, we can navigate the challenges of the 21st century and secure a brighter future for generations to come. ABOUT ALPHA OMEGA: Alpha Omega builds mission-focused solutions to ensure our nation's continued global leadership in national security, foreign affairs and climate science leveraging our expertise in cybersecurity, data and AI, and digital modernization. Alpha Omega is committed to service excellence and continuous process improvement as demonstrated by our Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) Maturity Level-5 (ML-5) for Development and Services, as well as ISO/IEC registration for 20000-1:2018, 27001:2013, and 9001:2015. For more information, please visit www.alphaomega.com. SOURCE Alpha Omega Integration SHANGHAI, March 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ALUMINIUM CHINA, Asia's premier tradeshow and B2B platform for the aluminium industry and its main application fields, organized by RX Greater China, is set to return to Shanghai, China from July 3rd to 5th. This highly anticipated event aims to create a unique space where global industry professionals and suppliers come together, explore business opportunities, and foster innovation through exhibition, networking events, and concurrent forums. Hosted at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre, the annual trade fair ALUMINIUM CHINA, is now open for registration. With an unprecedented scale, it brings together top-tier resources across the aluminium value chain, facilitating collaboration between upstream and downstream businesses and promoting sustainable development of the industry. Interested visitors are cordially invited to register via the link: https://reed.infosalons.com.cn/reg/ALU24/registeren/Login "In 2023, driven by the rapid advancements in new energy vehicles and photovoltaics, China's aluminium market has experienced substantial growth. This expansion signals immense potential for further development in the years ahead. Additionally, aluminium, known for its lightweight properties and recyclability, continues to gain favour across global markets and industries, especially in the context of sustainable and environmentally friendly practices. Against this backdrop, ALUMINIUM CHINA 2024 is strategically scheduled to be co-located with Copper China and Asia's Lightweight Automotive Trade Fair. This resourceful integration aims to maximize opportunities for global buyers and suppliers within the non-ferrous metals industry and related application sectors. By providing a comprehensive business platform, the event fosters business cooperation, technology sharing and networking, contributing to the overall growth and innovation in the industry," stated Chris Zang, Senior Project Director at RX Greater China. Converging global resources on one platform with an unprecedented scale Anticipated to welcome over 28,000 visitors, the 19th edition of ALUMINIUM CHINA centers around the innovation and applications of aluminium products, processing equipment, and other non-ferrous metals, including copper and magnesium. The expansive show floor spans an impressive 50,000 square meters. The event's international reputation has grown significantly, with this year's edition poised to attract more than 1,800 overseas attendees from over 80 countries and regions. In 2024, streamlined Chinese visa application processes and visa-free policies for multiple countriesincluding Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailandhave made international business exchanges even more convenient. Capitalizing on these favourable policies, ALUMINIUM CHINA introduces the International Visitor Benefits Program, a new initiative aimed at global buyers. This program will facilitate your attendance at the exhibition, allowing you to explore premium, high-quality aluminium products, and processing equipment showcased by both Chinese and international manufacturers. Visitors will also benefit from a range of on-site events curated by ALUMINIUM CHINA, including the ALU Insight International Aluminium Industry Development Forum, business matching sessions, and factory tours. These opportunities provide insightful updates on the market, boost business prospects, and offer a glimpse into advanced technology and solutions for aluminium processing. Exploring Multi-Exhibition Collaboration to Drive Industry Innovation After years of rapid development, China has emerged as the largest manufacturer and consumer of copper globally, establishing a robust presence in the industry. To empower professionals in the global non-ferrous metals sector and related application fields, we are creating a comprehensive platform where they can connect with diverse suppliers of non-ferrous metals, industrial materials, processing equipment, and auxiliaries. RX Greater China has partnered with the China Nonferrous Metals Industry Fabrication Association (CNFA) to introduce the 2024 Shanghai International Industrial Materials Exhibition Copper (Copper China). This dynamic tradeshow spotlights copper materials, semi-products, processing equipment, auxiliary materials, and engineering services related to the copper industry. Global professionals from various application sectorsincluding wire and cable, automotive OEMs, photovoltaic energy storage, air conditioning and refrigeration, electronic communication, and connectorsare cordially invited to this trade fair. Serving as a global hub for technology exchange, business networking, and academic dialogues, Copper China fosters collaboration and knowledge sharing. Furthermore, RX Greater China will host a themed forum that bring together industry experts and forward-thinking minds. These forums will provide a platform for sharing expertise, experiences, and insights on market trends, advanced technologies, and the dynamic forces shaping the future of the copper industry. Propelling Industry Development with Cutting-Edge Innovation ALUMINIUM CHINA 2024, a global platform committed to driving sustainable development in the aluminium industry, is poised to unite over 600 domestic and international exhibitors. These industry leaders will showcase innovative products and state-of-the-art technology spanning the entire aluminium value chain. Aligned with its core objectives, ALUMINIUM CHINA has meticulously planned a series of on-site events that spotlight the diverse applications of aluminium across various sectors. By bringing together industry elites, these events shed light on the market's future outlook. "In the face of escalating competition within the aluminium industry, companies are adopting multifaceted strategies. They focus on product quality, cost optimization, and groundbreaking innovations to gain a competitive edge. Simultaneously, they recognize the importance of collaboration to enhance their technological profiles and stabilize supply chains. ALUMINIUM CHINA 2024 will host themed forums and business matching services, fostering cooperation across the industry chain." emphasized Chris Zang, Senior Project Director at RX Greater China. To learn more about ALUMINIUM CHINA, please visit the official website or the Facebook Page. SOURCE Aluminium China Senior Care Franchise Owner Expands His Territory, Opening Second Office to Meet Growing Demand for In-Home Care ROSEVILLE, Calif., March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Always Best Care Senior Services, one of the leading senior care franchise systems in the United States, announced today that franchise owner Shawn Cothran has opened a second location to meet the demand of a growing senior population in North Carolina. Cothran acquired Always Best Care of Wake Forest-North Raleigh in October 2022, providing non-medical in-home care and senior living referral services throughout Wake County. A little over a year later, he has expanded his territory, opening Always Best Care of Wilmington. He and his team of local caregivers now assist seniors throughout Leland and the surrounding communities, including Southport, Rocky Point, Hampstead, Carolina Beach and Castle Hayne. "Wilmington is a beautiful area that has always held a special place in my beach-loving heart," said Shawn Cothran, owner of Always Best Care of Wilmington. "It's no wonder that retirees flock here and counties like Brunswick and New Hanover are projecting substantial growth of the 65+ population in the coming years. We have a wonderful opportunity to help these seniors age in place, continually adjusting their individualized plans to suit their needs and provide professional, compassionate care through all stages." An Apex native, Cothran had 18 years of experience in senior care before he came to Always Best Care's Wake Forest office as an employee in 2021. His background included working in dining services and then as an executive director for several assisted living communities, giving him a valuable vantage point to truly understand the unique hospitality and service needs of seniors and their families. Always Best Care is one of the nation's leading providers of non-medical in-home care and senior living referral services, with skilled home health care in limited markets. The company delivers its services through an international network of more than 250 independently owned and operated franchise territories throughout the United States and Canada. By working with case managers, social workers, discharge planners, doctors, and families, Always Best Care franchise owners provide affordable, comprehensive solutions that can be specifically matched to meet a client's particular physical or social needs. For additional information on services available through Always Best Care of Wilmington, call 910-213-3800 or visit alwaysbestcare.com/leland. About Always Best Care Founded in 1996, Always Best Care Senior Services is based on the belief that having the right people for the right level of care means peace of mind for the client and family. Always Best Care has been assisting seniors with a wide range of conditions and personal needs for over 27 years and currently provides thousands of hours of care every year. Franchise opportunities are available to individuals interested in leveraging the company's clear strategy and proven track record for delivering affordable, dependable service to seniors in their local areas. Always Best Care also offers exclusive programs such as Always in Touch, Balance Tracking System, remote patient monitoring and a 24/7 Virtual Care. For more information regarding Always Best Care's solutions, visit www.alwaysbestcare.com. CONTACT: Nicole Hunnicutt Fish Consulting 404-558-4108 [email protected] SOURCE Always Best Care The college was honored for the third-consecutive year INDIANAPOLIS, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- American College of Education(ACE) was recently presented the 2024 Top Workplaces USA award by Energage and USA Today at a celebration in New York City. For the third-consecutive year, ACE was chosen based solely on employee feedback gathered through an employee engagement survey issued by Energage. Results are calculated by comparing the survey's research-based statements, including 15 Culture Drivers that are proven to predict high performance against industry benchmarks. ACE President and CEO Geordie Hyland, Chief Human Resources Officer KK Byland and Vice President of Human Resources Natalie Pelham attended the celebration. ACE earned twelve culture badges. "Seeing ACE evolve in employee engagement over the past nine years continues to be inspiring," Byland said. "It was a so exciting to attend the event in New York and celebrate next to like-minded organizations who believe in what we believe in - creating space for employees to not only thrive in their careers, but to also have fun serving a mission." "Earning a Top Workplaces award is a badge of honor for companies, especially because it comes authentically from their employees," Energage CEO Eric Rubino added. "That's something to be proud of. In today's market, leaders must ensure they're allowing employees to have a voice and be heard. That's paramount. Top Workplaces do this, and it pays dividends." About American College of Education American College of Education (ACE) is an accredited, 100% online college specializing in high-quality, affordable programs in education, business, leadership, healthcare and nursing. ACE is headquartered in Indianapolis and offers more than 60 innovative and engaging doctoral, specialist, master's and bachelor's degree programs for adult students, along with graduate-level certificate programs. About Energage Making the world a better place to work together. Energage is a purpose-driven company that helps organizations turn employee feedback into useful business intelligence and credible employer recognition through Top Workplaces. Built on 18 years of culture research and the results from 27 million employees surveyed across more than 70,000 organizations, Energage delivers the most accurate competitive benchmark available. With access to a unique combination of patented analytic tools and expert guidance, Energage customers lead the competition with an engaged workforce and an opportunity to gain recognition for their people-first approach to culture. For more information or to nominate your organization, visit energage.com or topworkplaces.com. SOURCE American College of Education BESS del Desierto will be among the largest storage contracts in Chile and the first large-scale independent, standalone Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) and will have a storage capacity of 200 MW and hours. The agreement between Atlas Renewable Energy and COPEC, through its energy commercializer, EMOAC, considers storing energy to reinject approximately 3.6 TWh of sustainable energy into the grid at peak demand times for 15 years. SANTIAGO, Chile, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Atlas Renewable Energy, an international leader in clean energy generation, marks a new milestone in Chile after signing a power purchase agreement (PPA) for the use of a battery energy storage system with the Chilean company COPEC, through its energy commercializer EMOAC for 15 years. ATLAS RENEWABLE ENERGY AND COPEC'S ENERGY STORAGE DEAL USHERS NEW ERA FOR LATIN AMERICAS GRID TRANSFORMATION. BESS del Desierto will be one of the largest energy storage projects in Chile and Latin America, with an installed capacity of 200 MW and four hours and a storage capacity of 800 MWh. The project will allow for the storage of energy during daylight hours and re-injection into the grid during high demand. The battery system will be installed next to Atlas' Sol del Desierto solar plant, located in the commune of Maria Elena in the Antofagasta region. Under this agreement, BESS del Desierto will re-inject around 280 GWh per year to the grid, reducing curtailment of renewable energy generated during the day from solar sources and allowing greater stability and reliability of electricity supply in the region and the country. The project will have a storage capacity similar to 2,500 electric buses used in urban public transportation, equivalent to 500,000 km for these buses. BESS del Desierto will be implemented as a standalone battery. This means it is an independent and autonomous solution designed to store electrical energy, allowing the accumulation of energy generated during periods of greater energy supply, contributing to an efficient, continuous and reliable supply. "This deal marks our expansion into battery energy storage technology, establishing Atlas as an early adopter in Latin America. It demonstrates our commitment to innovative energy solutions and strengthens our position as a leader in sustainable technology for the region's energy transition. The BESS del Desierto project is a key part of our strategy to enhance energy reliability in the region through advanced solar resource utilization and offer customized energy solutions to our clients," said Carlos Barrera, CEO of Atlas Renewable Energy. "This agreement aims to address a fundamental issue at the national level, specifically the inappropriate disposal of NCRE. Our approach revolves around innovation, adaptation, and the integration of technology. We firmly believe that this represents a significant solution to the existing challenges within the system and marks another crucial stride towards our dedicated commitment to energy transition," said Vannia Toro, general manager of EMOAC. In just a few years, Atlas Renewable Energy has developed projects in the region with a clear focus on the long-term, both with its commercial partners and at the level of supply to regulated customers. The company has contracted 5,243 MW of renewable energy installed capacity, which contributes to the region's energy transformation toward cleaner energy sources, and it has now pioneered the implementation and use of battery energy storage systems in Chile after having signed two of the largest deals in the country and Latin America using this technology. The company expects to continue consolidating and expanding to other regions with innovative and sustainable energy projects. About Atlas Renewable Energy Atlas Renewable Energy is an international renewable energy generation company with about 5.6 GW of renewable energy assets, of which 2.7 GW are operational. Atlas has specialized in developing, financing, constructing, and operating renewable energy projects since early 2017. The company has an experienced team with a deep global power market and renewable energy expertise, with the longest track record in the renewable energy industry in Ibero-America. The company's strategy is focused on helping large corporates make the energy transition to clean energy. Atlas Renewable Energy is widely recognized for its high standards in developing, constructing, and operating large-scale projects, as well as its deep and long-standing track record in ESG and sustainable development. About EMOAC Since 2012, EMOAC has been a national leader in Integral Energy Intelligence, providing its clients with energy marketing services and advice on energy projects, as well as monitoring and supply management technologies that enable the digitization of the value chain for its clients. In 2020 EMOAC became COPEC's 100% renewable energy trader, reaffirming its commitment to sustainability. In 2023 EMOAC became the marketer with the most energy withdrawals registered in the system and with the largest number of free clients certified by the National Electric Coordinator for the use of 100% clean energy, thus reaffirming its commitment to efficiency and sustainability. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2368575/Atlas_Renewable_Energy_BESS.jpg NASHVILLE, Tenn., March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Greatest Extreme Savings Experience on Earth is rolling into Sylacauga, AL. Bargain Hunt will be opening its newest store on Friday, March 29th in Sylacauga, AL. The new store, located at 620 W Fort Williams Street, will be Bargain Hunt's 10th store in Alabama and 91st in the United States. To celebrate the opening, the store will be hosting a Mega Bin Sale Event that begins at 9am on Friday, March 29th. In addition, Grand Opening Weekend will feature exclusive deals only available in Sylacauga. "We are thrilled to be joining the Sylacauga community. We want everyone in Sylacauga to come discover the crazy deals on thousands of brand-name items that Bargain Hunt has to offer," said Geoff Lysaught, Chief Customer Officer at Bargain Hunt. "Bargain Hunt is the go-to store for people who love to save huge money on brand-name grocery must-haves, apparel for the family, and all the things that make your place a home. If you're looking for extreme savings, you won't want to miss this event." The Mega Bin Sale Event will feature a wide range of items with retail values of $20, $30, $40, and more priced at only $7.00. The Mega Bins contain one-of-a-kind deals so, first in, wins. In addition to the Mega Bins, there will also be crazy, Grand Opening Weekend Only savings on TVs, Roombas, brand-name fashion for the whole family, and more. About Bargain Hunt Bargain Hunt (https://www.bargainhunt.com) is a Nashville-based, extreme value experience with online auctions and 91 retail stores across 10 states. With a team of buyers skilled in acquiring high-quality closeouts, buyouts, overstocks and returns, Bargain Hunt can provide customers savings of 30-70% off other retailers every-day prices on great brand-name items. Bargain Hunt offers crazy savings on an ever-changing assortment of amazing brand-name items across food, beverage, personal care, cleaning, pet, baby, bed, bath, kitchen, home decor, mattresses, apparel, shoes, accessories, toys, electronics, sports and outdoors, lawn and garden, and seasonal categories. By making great closeout, buyout, overstock, and return items available for sale in Bargain Hunt stores and in online auctions, we help to keep high-quality merchandise that customers need and want out of landfills. That's why at Bargain Hunt, customers can be a little green while they save a lot of green. Bargain Hunt, It's the Greatest Extreme Savings Experience on Earth! SOURCE Bargain Hunt The hospital is one of six facilities in Florida to receive this verification TAMPA, Fla., March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- BayCare, the leading health care system in West Central Florida, today announced that St. Joseph's Women's Hospital has attained the highest level of certification in Maternal Care by The Joint Commission, the nation's oldest health care accrediting organization. "This certification is a testament to our unwavering commitment to the well-being of mothers and their babies." Post this St. Joseph's Women's Hospital in Tampa has attained the highest level of certification in Maternal Care by The Joint Commission, the nations oldest heath care accrediting organization. As a Level IV maternal care verified facility, St. Joseph's Women's Hospital is recognized for its commitment to providing exceptional maternal healthcare services. It is the sixth facility in Florida to earn the certification as part of The Joint Commission's Maternal Levels of Care (MLC) Verification program, offered in collaboration with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). "This certification is a testament to our unwavering commitment to the well-being of mothers and their babies," said Sarah Naumowich, president of St. Joseph's Women's Hospital. "Our team prioritizes a culture of compassion, collaboration and excellence in every aspect of patient care." The hospital underwent a comprehensive on-site review earlier this month to verify the level of care provided. During the visit, St. Joseph's Women's Hospital's capabilities related to maternity care were evaluated. Additionally, compliance with policies was reviewed. The MLC Verification program provides an objective assessment of a facility's capabilities and verifies that a hospital has the expertise, equipment and resources in place for a patient's specific needs and risk level. When complications arise, verification also confirms hospitals have agreements in place so the mother can be transferred to a higher-level facility with the appropriate level of care. St. Joseph's Women's Hospital demonstrated its capability to provide on-site medical and surgical care of the most complex maternal conditions and critically ill pregnant women and fetuses throughout antepartum, intrapartum and postpartum care. The certification recognizes St. Joseph's Women's Hospital's comprehensive approach to maternal care, which encompasses multidisciplinary teamwork involving obstetricians, perinatologists, emergency department personnel, intensive care unit staff, nursing teams and anesthesiologists. This collaborative effort ensures that even the most complicated cases receive specialized attention and optimal treatment. Dr. Megan Tirone, chief medical officer of St. Joseph's Women's Hospital, said the program provides holistic care for its patients, addressing not only their physical health, but also their mental well-being. "We offer mental health services and support to mom," she said. "We recognize the importance of addressing maternal mental health as an integral part of her overall wellness." The hospital recently launched a grant-funded High-Risk Obstetrics Clinic, which plays a crucial role in providing maternal fetal medicine consultation and evaluation for high-risk patients who may otherwise have limited access to care. In partnership with Tampa Family Health Centers, the clinic offers obstetric care alongside essential wrap-around services such as navigation assistance, education and social services. "The Joint Commission commends St. Joseph's Women's Hospital for being named a Level IV maternal care verified facility and for its efforts to standardize maternal care and reduce maternal morbidity and mortality," says Ken Grubbs, DNP, MBA, RN, executive vice president of Accreditation and Certification Operations and chief nursing officer, The Joint Commission. "The Maternal Levels of Care Verification program will help St. Joseph's Women's Hospital strengthen regionalized care for mothers and babies in its community." St. Joseph's Women's Hospital joins Advent Health Orlando, South Miami Hospital, University of Florida Health Shands Hospital in Gainesville, Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood, and Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies in Orlando as the sixth Level IV maternity hospital in Florida. The MLC Verification program was developed using ACOG's Levels of Maternal Care Obstetric Care Consensus (OCC) clinical guidance, which includes comprehensive uniform definitions, a standardized description of maternity facility capabilities and personnel, and a framework for integrated systems that address maternal health needs. To learn more, visit The Joint Commission website. About St. Joseph's Women's Hospital St. Joseph's Women's Hospital, part of the BayCare Health System, offers complete obstetrical, perinatal, surgical, gynecological and oncology services. Only St. Joseph's Women's Hospital offers the Shimberg Breast Center, where women can receive the most advanced testing and treatment available. With its comfortable labor and delivery suites, extensive childbirth programs, level IV neonatal intensive care unit and maternal/fetal program, St. Joseph's Women's Hospital is widely regarded as the place in Tampa to have a baby. The 100-bed hospital is located at 3030 W. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in Tampa, Florida. For more information: BayCare.org/SJWH. About BayCare BayCare is a leading not-for-profit health care system that connects individuals and families to a wide range of services at 16 hospitals and hundreds of other convenient locations throughout the Tampa Bay and central Florida regions. The system is West Central Florida's largest provider of behavioral health and pediatric services and its provider group, BayCare Medical Group, is one of the largest in the region. BayCare's diverse network of ambulatory services includes laboratories, imaging, surgical centers, BayCare Urgent Care locations, wellness centers and one of Florida's largest home care agencies, BayCare HomeCare. BayCare's mission is to improve the health of all it serves through community-owned, health care services that set the standard for high-quality, compassionate care. For more information, visit BayCare.org. SOURCE BayCare Health System NEWPORT NEWS, Va., March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- BayPort Credit Union today announced it was awarded a Diamond Award by the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) Marketing and Business Development Council. BayPort won in the new Public Relations category for the promotion of their $500,000, multi-year transformational grant called Accelerating Change Together (ACT), which was launched in partnership with two other leading corporations based in Newport News, Virginia. BayPort is proud to develop all the credit union's communications, public relations, media initiatives, and outreach in-house. In the inaugural year, the ACT Grant's focus was education and workforce development, answering the regional call to build a workforce pipeline for young people to enter the emerging career fields of renewable energy technologies. In 2023, BayPort was recognized with a CUNA Diamond Award in the Website category for the development and execution of the ACT Grant initiative. BayPort conceptualized, designed, and launched the ACT Grant website internally, as well as the grant application and judging process. In late 2022, the $500,000 ACT Grant was awarded to the Virginia Beach Education Foundation to support the Virginia Beach City Public Schools' addition of a new two-year, half-day Advanced Technology Center Renewable Energy Technologies program. In late 2023, the Virginia Beach Education Foundation's winning idea came to life. BayPort has since celebrated the official opening of the new program, welcoming 45 students into its inaugural class, marking an exciting day for innovation and growth in Hampton Roads with BayPort helping to lead that charge. The most prestigious annual credit union industry competition, the CUNA Diamond Awards recognize and reward creative excellence and outstanding results. The new category recognizes the best one-time or ongoing PR/communications campaign or crisis management communications that effectively engaged others to raise awareness about the credit union. More than 1,400 entries across 37 categories were submitted this year for a CUNA Diamond Award consideration. BayPort is one of only five Virginia credit unions to be recognized with a 2024 Diamond Award and one of only three credit unions in Hampton Roads. ACT Grant b-roll and other media is available upon request. About BayPort In 1928, 12 shipyard workers from Newport News Shipbuilding formed an organization with a specific purpose as a low-interest source of loans and a trusted place to deposit money. Today, BayPort Credit Union is rated a Superior 5-Star Credit Union by Bauer Financial, managing $2.4 billion in assets and servicing 152,000 individuals and businesses with 28 branch locations across the Virginia Peninsula and Southside communities. SOURCE BayPort Credit Union Torrance Childs, Former President of Private Banking at Boston Private, 40-Year Boston Banking Veteran, Joins Berkshire to Accelerate Client Growth & Experience BOSTON, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE: BHLB), the parent company of Berkshire Bank, a relationship-driven, community-focused bank with financial centers in New England and New York, is pleased to welcome Torrance Childs, former President of Private Banking at Boston Private Bank & Trust, to the Company as Chief Commercial Deposit Officer. Torrance Childs In his new role, Childs will focus on delivering personalized service, customized solutions and an integrated platform across commercial and private banking. He will report to Jim Brown, Senior EVP, Head of Commercial and Private Banking. Childs will work closely with the Private Banking team, led by Managing Director Beth Mineo, and the commercial leadership team. To support its growing team of talented commercial, private and wealth management experts, Berkshire plans to relocate one of its Boston financial centers to a nearby location, subject to customary regulatory approvals. The new full-service office on the first and second floor of One Post Office Square will provide an integrated banking experience and direct access to trusted advisors for existing and new commercial, private banking, wealth management and retail clients. The office is expected to open in early 2025. "Torrance and I have worked together for many years before joining Berkshire Bank," Brown said. "He is a well-respected leader, an outstanding partner, and cares deeply about clients and employees. Torrance's record over the years of driving strong results will benefit Berkshire's clients, employees, and shareholders across New England and New York. We are thrilled to welcome him to the team." "I'm excited to join Berkshire Bank to support the growth and success of our clients, employees, shareholders and communities," Childs stated. "Berkshire is deeply committed to delivering a best-in-class client experience and I look forward to working alongside the talented team to continue expanding our capabilities." Berkshire's Commercial and Private Banking division serves individual, institutional, business, professional services, healthcare, and non-profit clients, as well as commercial real estate investors across New England and New York. For more than 175 years, Berkshire Bank has been the trusted advisor its clients depend on for delivering tailored solutions with local decisioning and personalized service provided by seasoned advisors with industry-leading expertise. ABOUT TORRANCE CHILDS Torrance Childs has more than 40 years of experience in the banking sector, driving sales and revenue growth while enhancing client experience. He spent the last 15 years with Boston Private Bank & Trust, which was later acquired by Silicon Valley Bank. During his tenure he served as President of Private Banking, Co-President of Private Banking, Head of Private Banking Offices and a Bank Director. Prior to joining Boston Private he held senior leadership roles with Bank of America, Fleet Bank, Bank Boston and Bank of New England. Childs is a longtime active member of the Boston business and non-profit community, having served on the boards of the Associated Industries of Massachusetts and Boston Main Streets Foundation. He holds an MBA from Northeastern University and a bachelor's degree from Boston University. ABOUT BERKSHIRE HILLS BANCORP Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE: BHLB) is the parent company of Berkshire Bank, a relationship-driven, community-focused bank that delivers industry-leading financial expertise to clients in New England and New York. With $12.4 billion in assets and 96 financial centers, Berkshire is headquartered in Boston and provides a full suite of tailored banking solutions through its Commercial Banking, Retail Banking, Consumer Lending, Private Banking and Wealth Management divisions. For more than 175 years, the Bank has delivered strength, stability and trusted advice to empower the financial potential of its clients and communities. Newsweek named Berkshire one of America's Most Trusted Companies and one of America's Best Regional Banks. To learn more about Berkshire Hills Bancorp visit ir.berkshirebank.com. Investor Contact Kevin Conn, Investor Relations 617.641.9206 [email protected] Media Contact: Alicia Jacobs, Corporate Communications 413.242.6540 [email protected] SOURCE Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. ATLANTA, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Market Force's latest syndicated research covering retail and fashion suggests that consumers focus on getting what they perceive as a good value, regardless of whether the retailer is a department store, or specialty brand. Almost 5,500 (N = 5,462) consumers provided feedback about their experiences across popular department stores and specialty retail brands, providing specific feedback on both clothing and footwear retailers. Market Force study profiles top US fashion retailers. Market Force panel research highlights top retailers, and top drivers of consumer spending in 2024. https://www.marketforce.com/panel-results Study results indicate that purchase motivators go beyond value. Though value holds primary leverage with consumers, they also report spending based on their assessment of ease of shopping, both in-store and online, atmosphere at the shopped store, service while in the location, and finally their use of a retailer's mobile app. Interestingly, the motivation to purchase extends much less to loyalty programs, regardless of whether the retailer brand is a department store or a specialty retailer. Perhaps the value of loyalty programs is waning as the market becomes saturated with nearly every brand offering some sort of loyalty offering. Consumers rated the top department store brands, clearly indicating preference for those they felt were value leaders. The top department store brands in order were: Kohls, TJ Max, Walmart, Macy's, Ross Stores and Target. The lowest performers of the department store brands included Dillards, and Burlington Coat Factory. Leading the pack among specialty retailers was: Old Navy, H&M, Nike, Zara, Adidas, and Banana Republic. The lowest performers of the specialty retail store brands included Fabletics, Pacsun, Big 5 Sports, and Club Monaco. Low CX performance can be incredibly predictive of poor sales growth, and ultimately risk for brands in terms of market share and customer retention. "If you find yourself ranked anywhere from mid-pack to the bottom of the list it is likely time for a thorough review of the customer journey. We are happy to help with the process of getting your brand back on track, so please reach out," says Scott Griffith, CMSO at Market Force. To access the fashion retail study results please visit: www.marketforce.com/clothing-footwear-research-2024-access Brands and analysts interested in a full walkthrough of results can schedule a briefing at: https://www.marketforce.com/schedule-a-briefing Join our growing consumer panel at: https://panel.marketforce.com/become-a-panelist About Market Force Information Market Force helps leading global brands improve the customer experience and operations at each location. Through an integrated services package including mystery shopping, site audits, contact center, social reviews, surveys, employee engagement and analytics Market Force drives consistent growth and profitability for its valued clients. Market Force provides solutions for restaurants, big box and specialty retail, grocery, petro-convenience, hospitality, travel, telecom, technology, energy, education, health and wellness, movie studios and theatres, fitness, financial services, gaming, CPG, alcohol and tobacco, pharma, government agencies and more. Learn more at: www.marketforce.com SOURCE Market Force Information AUBURN Auburn Mayor Jimmy Giannettino and Cayuga County Legislature Chairwoman Aileen McNabb-Coleman shared the stage and a vision for economic development. The partnership between Giannettino and McNabb-Coleman was on display at the State of the City and County address Thursday. The event, which was organized by the Cayuga County Chamber of Commerce, was held at Auburn Public Theater. Since January, the two leaders have been meeting to discuss an economic development strategy. The talks are occurring amid questions about the Cayuga Economic Development Agency's future. A review examining the agency's mission and brand is in progress and the findings are expected this spring. In a statement released in February, McNabb-Coleman said the city and county were "in lockstep" on economic development. Those words were repeated by Giannettino on Thursday. "We are committed, together, to a one-stop," McNabb-Coleman said during her State of the County presentation. "One number to call. One organization for businesses to rely on for resources. One organization that we, together, can rely on for attraction, retention and growth of existing businesses in Cayuga County." Giannettino added, "I believe that as a city, county and region, we have tremendous economic opportunity in front of us. With construction of Micron set to begin late this year, we are in prime position to benefit from that $100 billion investment." Micron's plan to build a massive semiconductor chip fab in neighboring Onondaga County has sparked discussions about how Cayuga County could capitalize on the largest project in central New York's history. Representatives from the city and county are participating in subcommittee meetings on various topics, including housing and workforce development. With the first phase of Micron's investment set to begin within the next few years, city and county officials want to ramp up their economic development efforts. Giannettino and McNabb-Coleman are attending Central New York Regional Economic Development Council meetings as elected leaders, they are ex-officio members of the council and the city and county have representation on the Central New York Regional Planning and Development Board. A key part of the strategy, though, is a having a local economic development entity. That could be CEDA or another agency. Because of the ongoing review of CEDA's operations, no decision has been made. Regardless of whether it's CEDA or a different organization, Giannettino and McNabb-Coleman agree they have one shot to get it right. "We owe it to the people who put us in these positions," Giannettino said. "We owe it to our children and grandchildren and quite frankly, we owe it to ourselves." Gallery: State of the City and County address at Auburn Public Theater WASHINGTON, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Unprecedented abuse of immigration parole authority by the Biden administration is currently allowing more illegal aliens into the United States than the U.S. admits through the legal immigration process, finds a new report by the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR). Data detailed in the report, Immigration Parole: The Executive Branch's Shadow Immigration System, reveals that during the first two quarters of fiscal year (FY) 2023, 636,601 foreign nationals gained entry to the United States via parole compared with 545,419 who were granted green cards through our legal immigration system. The abuse of parole is effectively creating a shadow immigration system that circumvents Congress. The Biden administration has paroled in at least 1.8 million individuals in two years, giving these illegal aliens nearly the same benefits as green card holders. This widespread abuse of parole authority has been carried out in order to make the unprecedented influx of illegal aliens under the Biden administration less visible to the American public. In addition to illegal aliens who are granted parole upon entering the country illegally such as Jose Ibarra, who is accused of murdering Laken Riley, the Georgia nursing student the administration has created a parole program that allows citizens of certain countries who don't have visas and are ineligible to be admitted to fly directly to the United States. Upon their arrival, they receive parole, are released, and become eligible for work permits and other benefits. Illegal aliens who are granted parole to enter the U.S. have undergone inadequate vetting, increasing the national security and public safety risks to Americans. "The Biden administration has taken a program that, by statute, is supposed to be temporary and exercised on a case-by-case basis and created what they term as a 'new legal pathway' for people to enter and remain permanently in the country," said Dan Stein, president of FAIR. "To be clear, there is nothing legal about these pathways. Under our Constitution, only Congress has the authority to create legal avenues for people to enter the United States. Nevertheless, the administration has usurped that authority to implement what amounts to a shadow immigration system that now exceeds in scope the formal legal immigration process." Among the Biden administration's most egregious abuses of parole authority include: Development of the CBP One app, which facilitates appointments for illegal migrants heading to the U.S., and has resulted in the parole of over 43,000 illegal aliens each month from ports of entry. Creation of new programs for nationals of Ukraine and Afghanistan , which violate the statutory prohibition on paroling in refugees, bypass the established refugee process, and circumvent its standard vetting procedures. and , which violate the statutory prohibition on paroling in refugees, bypass the established refugee process, and circumvent its standard vetting procedures. Establishment of country specific parole programs for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans that allow as many as 360,000 inadmissible aliens a year to fly directly to the United States . . Creating "Family Reunification Parole" programs for the above-mentioned nationalities plus citizens of Colombia , El Salvador , Guatemala , Ecuador and Honduras . , , , and . Reinstatement of the Obama-era Central American Minors (CAM) and International Entrepreneurial parole programs. Illegal aliens granted parole are eligible for numerous public assistance programs and work authorization, and are able to adjust their status to green card holders. In addition, they are not monitored or required to check in with the government while in the United States. "This week Congress is holding hearings to examine the scope and impact of the Biden administration's flagrant abuse of parole. It is imperative that these hearings result in Congress passing clearly worded legislation such as those provisions included in H.R. 2 -- that curtails executive discretion and explicitly defines the specific, and limited, circumstances under which an alien may be released via parole into the United States," Stein concluded. FAIR's full report, Immigration Parole: The Executive Branch's Shadow Immigration System, can be found here. Contact: Joey Chester, 202-742-1827, [email protected] ABOUT FAIR Founded in 1979, FAIR is the country's largest immigration reform group. With over 3 million members and supporters nationwide, FAIR fights for immigration policies that serve national interests, not special interests. FAIR believes that immigration reform must enhance national security, improve the economy, protect jobs, preserve our environment, and establish a rule of law that is recognized and enforced. SOURCE Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) In honor of World Water Day on March 22nd, the water company is reflecting on new and continued partnerships while remaining focused on protecting water resources STAMFORD, Conn., March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- At BlueTriton Brands, our whole world is water. For us, every day is a day to celebrate water. We are always working to protect drinking water to make sure it's safe and available through water stewardship, monitoring, and investing in water infrastructure. As we honor World Water Day on March 22nd, a United Nations led initiative that focuses on the importance of freshwater, BlueTriton is proud to recognize our new and continued partnerships that are dedicated to keeping water sources sustainable. "As we reflect on the last year, BlueTriton continued to build upon our shared passion for water with our employees and our partners," said Ed Ferguson, Chief Sustainability Officer at BlueTriton Brands. "We would like to take this moment to celebrate our newly forged water-benefit partnerships and to recognize the collective efforts of our employees and community partners to protect the future of water!" Earlier this year, BlueTriton joined forces with World Resources Institute (WRI), becoming a member of their Aqueduct Alliance, a space for leading companies, governments, and foundations to gain strategic guidance and industry insight on water stewardship. During the partnership, BlueTriton will refine its long-term vision for water stewardship and provide WRI with important data to assist in research and analysis on reducing long-term water risk. BlueTriton is committed to investing in our communities, which is why in early 2023, we responded to water access challenges by donating $400,000 to support human rights nonprofit DigDeep. In addition, we pledged an additional $1.1 million over the next two years, to bring clean running water for the first time to families living in under-resourced communities along the Texas-Mexico border. BlueTriton Brands has a long history of helping communities in their times of need. Our partnership continues with the American Red Cross and other nonprofit organizations to donate millions of gallons of water every year in response to natural disasters, public water safety crises, and other emergencies. Over the last year, BlueTriton has donated more than 20 million bottles of water to support various nonprofit and charity organizations, emergency response teams, and disaster recovery efforts including our response to the Maui wildfires. "As a water company, our mission is to ensure people everywhere have access to healthy hydration," said Joey Bergstein, President and CEO at BlueTriton Brands. "Safe, sustainably sourced drinking water is essential to a healthy future. This is part of our ongoing legacy of water stewardship to provide high-quality water for generations to come." For more information on how BlueTriton Brands supports the communities in which we live and work, visit: BlueTriton Brands Community Stories Media Contact and for Interview Opportunities: [email protected] BlueTriton Brands Courtney Zieller Manager of External Communications About BlueTriton Brands: BlueTriton Brands, Inc. ("BlueTriton") is a water and beverage company in North America that produces and distributes a portfolio of brands of spring water, purified water, and other beverages including Poland Spring, Deer Park, Ozarka, Ice Mountain, Zephyrhills, Arrowhead, Origin Natural Spring Water, Saratoga Spring Water, AC+ION Alkaline Water, Pure Life, B'EAU Marine Collagen Water Beverage, and Splash Fresher. BlueTriton Brands also owns and operates ReadyRefresh, a reuse and refill platform for home and office beverage delivery in the United States, providing access to a broad portfolio of water and beverage products, the majority of which are sold in reusable, multiserve bottles. As a leader in home delivery and reusable packaging, the company strives to save customers time by conveniently and more sustainably delivering products to their door. ReadyRefresh is proud of its role in helping reduce waste by delivering healthy hydration to our neighbors, businesses, and communities in 3- and 5-gallon reusable bottles, which are collected, sanitized, and refilled. Headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, BlueTriton is a privately held company with operations and distribution primarily in the United States and Canada, employing more than 7,000 employees. BlueTriton manages water resources for long-term sustainability and helps safeguard more than 20,000 acres of watershed area owned by the company from harm and destruction. The company has 29 production facilities across North America, 14 of which are Alliance for Water Stewardship ("AWS") certified, with eight of the certified facilities achieving AWS Platinum, the highest level of certification. SOURCE BlueTriton Brands "Our mission is to continuously innovate and evolve our digital capabilities to provide best-in-class solutions for all of our clients," said Nikki Katz, Head of Digital at Bank of America. "By combining five apps into one, we're putting clients at the center of the experience, with our full enterprise and next-gen technology at their fingertips." The Bank of America mobile app is one of the first in the industry to combine banking, investing and retirement within one simplified mobile experience. Additional features of the reimagined app include: One personalized financial picture . A streamlined Accounts Overview experience provides clients with a summary of their accounts across banking, investing, and retirement. A streamlined Accounts Overview experience provides clients with a summary of their accounts across banking, investing, and retirement. Full suite of digital tools in a single app. A consolidated platform home to Bank of America's suite of digital solutions, including Life Plan and the Net Worth Estimator Tool, tailored to each client's financial needs. A consolidated platform home to Bank of America's suite of digital solutions, including Life Plan and the Net Worth Estimator Tool, tailored to each client's financial needs. Payments and Transfer hub. One location in the app for clients to pay bills, transfer money between accounts, split the dinner bill with friends, receive customer payments and receive domestic and international wire transfers. One location in the app for clients to pay bills, transfer money between accounts, split the dinner bill with friends, receive customer payments and receive domestic and international wire transfers. Even more ways to send money. Starting this month, clients are able to send domestic and international wire transfers in more than 140 currencies to 200 countries, all from the Bank of America mobile app, available in English and Spanish. Bank of America's mobile banking app has long been recognized for its user-friendly design and experience. This week, the company's new unified mobile app experience was recognized with the 2024 Celent Model Bank award for Customer-Centered Innovation. "Just as banks race to market with unified consumer and business banking apps, Bank of America raises the bar even higher," said Bob Meara, Principal Analyst, Celent, a global research and advisory firm for the financial services industry. "This customer-centered initiative may be conceptually simple, but it represents a huge win-win for Bank of America and its millions of clients." These mobile app enhancements come amidst record digital engagement. Last year, Bank of America clients digitally connected with their finances a record 23.4 billion times, 11% increase year-over-year. Within its digital channels, more than 19 million clients are also actively engaging with Erica the most advanced and first widely available virtual financial assistant to make managing their finances even easier. Bank of America Bank of America is one of the world's leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving approximately 69 million consumer and small business clients with approximately 3,800 retail financial centers, approximately 15,000 ATMs (automated teller machines) and award-winning digital banking with approximately 57 million verified digital users. Bank of America is a global leader in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 4 million small business households through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations across the United States, its territories and more than 35 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BAC). Zelle and the Zelle-related marks are wholly owned by Early Warning Services, LLC and are used herein under license. For more Bank of America news, including dividend announcements and other important information, visit the Bank of America newsroom and register for news email alerts. Reporters may contact: Andy Aldridge Phone: 1.980.387.0514 [email protected] SOURCE Bank of America Corporation WALTHAM, Mass., March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Buyers Edge Platform , a leader in digital procurement solutions, is thrilled to announce the successful acquisition of Food & Supply Source , a prominent provider specializing in supplying essential goods to a diverse range of facilities, including drug and alcohol treatment centers, halfway houses, group homes and residential programs, childcare centers, and more. Food & Supply Source This strategic move marks a significant expansion for Buyers Edge Platform, strengthening its presence in critical segments vital for community support and well-being. The acquisition brings together the expertise of both companies, creating a powerhouse that is poised to revolutionize digital purchasing in the industry. With this acquisition, Buyers Edge Platform can now leverage over $100 billion in Network Transactions and utilize technology and expertise to broaden the offerings available to Food & Supply Source's thousands of Human Service Sector Members. Operating from coast to coast, Food & Supply Source will maintain its high touch service approach, empowering members to allocate resources where they're most needed. Buyers Edge Platform is known for its cutting-edge digital procurement solutions, and this acquisition further strengthens its position by entering new segments critical for community services. The company's CEO, John Davie, expresses his excitement about the strategic move: "We are thrilled to welcome Food & Supply Source into the Buyers Edge Platform. This acquisition aligns with our vision to provide comprehensive solutions that cater to a broader spectrum of industries. Together, we will continue to innovate and deliver unparalleled value to our clients." Food & Supply Source Founder, Mike Foley is excited about the benefits that the acquisition will deliver to existing clients. "Food & Supply Source customers will now have access to Buyers Edge Platform's extensive resources, including enhanced purchasing power, industry-leading contracts, and state-of-the-art software designed to optimize purchasing and supply chain efficiency. By leveraging these resources, clients can expect continued cost savings, streamlined processes, and a more robust support system for their specific needs," Foley says. The expanded reach into the mentioned segments further showcases Buyers Edge Platform's commitment to addressing the unique challenges faced by organizations providing critical services. This move is a testament to the company's dedication to making a positive impact on the communities served by its clients. For more information about Buyers Edge Platform and its digital procurement solutions, please visit www.BuyersEdgePlatform.com. About Buyers Edge Platform Buyers Edge Platform stands at the forefront of revolutionizing the foodservice industry through technology, purchasing power and partnerships. We are dedicated to empowering stakeholders across the entire foodservice ecosystem (operators, distributors, manufacturers) with efficiency and unprecedented visibility. With a diverse portfolio of over a dozen brands, our mission is clear: to reduce costs, streamline the foodservice supply chain, and propel the industry from manual to automated. Today, we are one of the largest players in foodservice, with over 200K operator locations across North America and over $50+ billion of aggregated spend volume. Our commitment to foodservice excellence is proven in four distinct areas of value: Digital Procurement Network, Fresh Solutions, Supply Chain Management, and Software. Buyers Edge Platform is not just a provider we are a strategic partner on the journey towards a more efficient, connected, and automated future for the foodservice industry. Contact: Ryan Gerding 913-602-8531 [email protected] SOURCE Buyers Edge Platform ANN ARBOR, Mich., March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- C3 Industries ("C3" or "the Company,") a leading multi-state cannabis company dedicated to crafting premium cannabis experiences for consumers, announced the launch of its fast-acting cannabis-infused gummies by Galactic Cannabis in the Massachusetts market. On Friday, March 22, 2024, Galactic Gummies will be available at High Profile x Budega dispensaries in Dorchester , Roslindale and Roxbury as well as partner dispensaries across the Commonwealth, promising to revolutionize the cannabis scene with their flavor-forward profiles, strong potency and affordable price point. On Friday, March 22, 2024, C3's Galactic Gummies will be available at High Profile x Budega dispensaries in Dorchester, Roslindale and Roxbury as well as partner dispensaries across the Commonwealth, promising to revolutionize the cannabis scene. Building upon the success of the Company's previous cannabis product rollouts, including flower, pre-rolls, vapes and concentrates, C3 Industries' Galactic Cannabis gummies offer consumers a delightful and convenient way to embark on a cosmic journey. Available in 100mg packs, each containing 20 bite-sized pieces infused with 5mg of THC, Galactic Gummies come in four tantalizing flavor-forward varieties: Blue Razz, Citrus, Grape and Watermelon. C3 Industries VP of Marketing, Scott Franco said, "We're excited to offer our new edibles line to the consumers of Massachusetts. Galactic's Gummies offer not only delicious flavor but also fast-acting effects, providing a seamless and enjoyable cannabis experience for both seasoned enthusiasts and curious newcomers. With their high quality, potency and variety, Galactic's Gummies transcend the ordinary, offering consumers an unparalleled journey into relaxation and euphoria." For the Massachusetts market, the launch of Galactic Cannabis gummies signifies more than just the introduction of another cannabis product. "This launch represents the culmination of Galactic's comprehensive lineup of everyday cannabis products, catering to a wide spectrum of users with varying preferences and needs," said Vishal Rungta, President, and Co-founder of C3 Industries. About C3 Industries C3 Industries is a multi-state, vertically integrated cannabis company headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with multiple product brands including the award-winning Cloud Cover Cannabis and Galactic Cannabis, and a retail network, High Profile Cannabis Shop. The company retails high-quality cannabis products at its High Profile locations in Michigan, Missouri, Massachusetts, Illinois and New Jersey. Additional High Profile retail locations are scheduled to open throughout 2024 in New Jersey, Illinois, Missouri and Connecticut. C3 currently operates almost 220,000 sq. ft. of total cultivation and processing facilities, with 125,000 sq. ft in Michigan, 37,000 sq. ft. in Massachusetts, 55,000 sq. ft. in Missouri. The company also has a 55,000 sq. ft. expansion nearing completion in Missouri and a 58,000 sq. ft. Connecticut facility in development. For more information, visit www.c3industries.com . Additional information about High Profile Cannabis Shop can be found by signing up for the company's newsletters at www.highprofilecannabis.com and on Instagram at @highprofileofficial. Additional information on Cloud Cover Cannabis can be found at www.cloudcovercannabis.com and @cloudcovercannabis on Instagram. Additional information on Galactic Cannabis can be found at www.galacticcannabis.com and @galactic.cannabis on Instagram. Media Contact: KCSA Strategic Communications Ellen Mellody 570-209-2947 [email protected] SOURCE C3 Industries MONTREAL, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - CDPQ today announced the appointment of Rana Ghorayeb as Executive Vice-President and Head of Real Estate. In her new role, she will be responsible for leading the overall Ivanhoe Cambridge portfolio and investment team, which has assets of over $77 billion. Rana Ghorayeb (CNW Group/CDPQ) Rana Ghorayeb has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Otera Capital, a CDPQ subsidiary specialized in real estate lending, for nearly five years. Before joining CDPQ in 2012, Rana Ghorayeb already had an impressive track record in real estate in renowned institutions. She served as Vice-President of Acquisitions at JP Morgan Asset Management in London, England, where she was in charge of real estate investments in several European countries. Previously, she worked in New York, where she led real estate transactions as Senior Partner at TIAA, a major U.S. pension fund. "Rana's career at CDPQ has been remarkable, first as Senior Vice-President in the Infrastructure team, where she forged partnerships and carried out investments across the globe that continue to benefit CDPQ. Then, as President and Chief Executive Officer of Otera, where she distinguished herself as a leader. She successfully led the organization's profound transformation since joining five years ago, and headed the portfolio's growth and diversification strategy, which has made Otera a major player in North America," said Charles Emond, President and Chief Executive Officer of CDPQ. "With over 25 years of experience in investing, including 20 years in real estate, both locally and internationally, Rana has a real passion for projects and assets that have a positive impact on people's lives. Her appointment to head the Ivanhoe Cambridge portfolio will enable her to combine her extensive investment knowledge with her top-tier managerial skills." "I began working at CDPQ 12 years ago, and my attachment and my commitment to our organization have only grown stronger since then. I'm very pleased to be taking on this new role, which goes straight to the heart of what motivates me the most: projects that are anchored in people's day-to-day lives and built on creating and maintaining sustainable partnerships," said Rana Ghorayeb. "The real estate sector is facing big challenges, but Nathalie Palladitcheff and her team have transformed the portfolio to be better positioned for the future. Along with the Ivanhoe Cambridge team, I am delighted to be able to contribute to the next chapter at this pivotal moment for the industry, knowing that we have the key strengths to come out ahead. I would also like to thank all my current Otera Capital teams, whose commitment and high-quality work drove our results and growth over the last five years." Ivanhoe Cambridge's activities are currently being integrated, and as of April 29, 2024, this team will become an investment group within CDPQ. Rana Ghorayeb will start in her new position on the same date, and will report to the President and Chief Executive Officer of CDPQ. The appointment of Rana Ghorayeb follows the announcement that Nathalie Palladitcheff, who will remain in her position until the end of the gradual transition period, is leaving at the end of April. "Over the last five years, Nathalie has achieved a great deal, with conviction and courage, to transform Ivanhoe Cambridge despite an extremely challenging real estate environment. I would like to sincerely thank her as she continues to work towards the harmonious integration of the real estate activities and teams into CDPQ, with all the empathy and diplomacy she is known for," concluded Charles Emond. ABOUT CDPQ At CDPQ, we invest constructively to generate sustainable returns over the long term. As a global investment group managing funds for public pension and insurance plans, we work alongside our partners to build enterprises that drive performance and progress. We are active in the major financial markets, private equity, infrastructure, real estate and private debt. As at December 31, 2023, CDPQ's net assets totalled CAD 434 billion. For more information, visit cdpq.com, consult our LinkedIn or Instagram pages, or follow us on X. CDPQ is a registered trademark owned by Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec and licensed for use by its subsidiaries. For more information: MEDIA RELATIONS TEAM + 1 514 847-5493 [email protected] SOURCE CDPQ STOCKHOLM, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Sweden, the leading climate tech ecosystem in the EU by investment volume in 2023, is up for this year too. In the largest known green cement seed round to date, Swedish Cemvision joins forces with its compatriot investors Polar Structure and BackingMinds, and SF-based Zacua Ventures. The news comes soon after Cemvision announced its first official customer contract and is part of a plan to accelerate the company's short-term momentum. The cement industry accounts for 8% of global CO2 emissions and is an estimated $400B market globally. "This investment will accelerate our near-future operations, right before we make the next jump, which is not too far away. Having met and retained interest from VCs worldwide, we concluded some of the very best ones were right around the corner, and we are delighted to have them doubling down on Cemvision. Furthermore, Zacua's global understanding of the green transition of the built environment is the most impressive we've ever come across," says Oscar Hallen, CEO of Cemvision. BackingMinds and Polar Structure invest the lion's share of the 10M, with Zacua contributing an additional amount. BackingMinds is a VC investing in the blind spots of venture capital. The firm has made more than 20 investments in Europe including innovative technologies and circular business models solving the big global challenges. "Cemvision is addressing a $400 billion market, precisely meeting the increased environmental and regulatory needs of the industry. With the overwhelmingly positive market response, we're thrilled to keep backing the Cemvision team as they pioneer global sustainable construction," says Susanne Najafi, founding partner of BackingMinds VC. Polar Structure is a green transition partner in infrastructure development, providing the public and private sectors a way to develop, manage, and finance necessary investments to upgrade or build new, critical infrastructure. The firm's other green transition portfolio investments include freight mobility unicorn Einride. "We are constantly in search of innovations that can help us develop and scale the essential solutions required to achieve net zero emissions. Cemvision's technology to produce fossil-free cement, backed by their exceptional team, exemplifies our commitment to such innovations", says Tobias Emanuelsson from Polar Structure. Zacua is an early-stage, sector-specific venture fund tackling the world's biggest challenges in sustainability, productivity and urbanization. It has offices in San Francisco, New York, Singapore, Madrid, and Mexico City - and is led by partners with deep-running experience of investing in construction tech. Commenting on the investment, Juan Nieto, General Partner, at Zacua Ventures, added: "Cemvision's potential is nothing short of extraordinary - it's poised to lead the net-zero cement game. With a top-notch team bringing serious industry chops and a fresh take on decarbonisation of cement, they're primed to shake things up big time. We are beyond excited to take this journey together with the team and our esteemed co-investors." Cemvision's products offer an alternative to traditional Portland cement, reducing CO2 by more than 95% while retaining durability and performance. It is produced using raw materials recycled from industrial waste and kilns powered by green electricity at much lower temperatures. Cemvision's cement builds early strength up to 5 times faster than Portland, allowing for increased productivity. The company was founded by three experienced leaders from global cement industry incumbents. Further information, please contact: Oscar Hallen, Chief Executive Officer, [email protected] Max Larsson von Reybekiel CMO/CCO, [email protected], +46722334486 www.cemvision.tech and [email protected] This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/cemvision/r/cemvision-raises--10m-in-landmark-climate-tech-seed-round,c3950034 The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Main/23068/3950034/2687488.pdf Press release (PDF) https://news.cision.com/cemvision/i/cemvision-team,c3281631 Cemvision team SOURCE CemVision BEIJING, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Cheetah Mobile Inc. (NYSE: CMCM) ("Cheetah Mobile" or the "Company"), a leading internet company, today announced its unaudited consolidated financial results for the second half and full year 2023 ended December 31, 2023. Management Commentary Mr. Sheng Fu, Cheetah Mobile's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "In 2023, our total revenue was RMB669.5 million (USD94.3 million), which is within our guidance. We successfully completed the acquisition of controlling stake in Beijing OrionStar in November 2023. Through this transaction, the AI technology strengths accumulated by Beijing OrionStar will allow Cheetah Mobile to access the business chain from AI and large language models to end use cases and applications. Cheetah Mobile is optimistic about the immense potential of the service robot market in the LLM era. We believe that a greater market opportunity for AI solutions and service robots has arrived. As a result of the foregoing, the acquisition of a controlling stake in and integration of Beijing OrionStar provides Cheetah Mobile with a long-term growth engine in the LLM and AGI eras." Mr. Thomas Ren, Cheetah Mobile's Chief Financial Officer, commented, "In 2023, we continued to cut our costs and expenses to improve our operational efficiency. As a result, our costs decreased more than 8% and our operating expenses decreased more than 24% year over year in 2023. We maintained a strong cash position of RMB2,021.2 million as of December 31, 2023. This gives us financial flexibility to execute the key strategic objectives we have set out for long-term growth." Second Half 2023 Consolidated Financial Results REVENUES Total revenues were RMB332.1 million (US$46.8 million) in the second half of 2023, representing a decrease of 37.0% year over year. Revenues from the Company's internet business decreased by 49.2% year over year to RMB214.5 million (US$30.2 million) in the second half of 2023. The year-over-year decrease was mainly due to the strategic downsizing of our online advertising and gaming business. Revenues from the AI and others were RMB117.6 million (US$16.6 million) in the second half of 2023, representing a 11.9% year-over-year increase. The year-over-year increase was primarily attributable to the acquisition of controlling stake in Beijing OrionStar. COST OF REVENUES AND GROSS PROFIT Cost of revenues decreased by 8.3% year over year to RMB118.6 million (US$16.7 million) in the second half of 2023. The year-over-year decrease was primarily attributable to streamlining of certain business, such as online advertising and E-coupon vending robot business. Non-GAAP cost of revenues decreased by 8.2% year over year to RMB118.4 million (US$16.7 million) in the second half of 2023. Gross profit decreased by 46.3% year over year to RMB213.5 million (US$30.1 million) in the second half of 2023. Non-GAAP gross profit decreased by 46.3% year over year to RMB213.7 million (US$30.1 million) in the second half of 2023. Gross margin was 64.3% in the second half of 2023, compared to 75.5% in the second half of 2022. Non-GAAP gross margin was 64.3% in the second half of 2023, compared to 75.5% in the second half of 2022. OPERATING INCOME/LOSS AND EXPENSES Total operating expenses decreased by 36.6% year over year to RMB315.5 million (US$44.4 million) in the second half of 2023. Total non-GAAP operating expenses decreased by 40.1% year over year to RMB295.8 million (US$41.7 million) in the second half of 2023. Research and development expenses decreased by 0.7% year over year to RMB85.4 million ( US$12.0 million ) in the second half of 2023. We are committed to maintaining a consistent level of investment in research and development (R&D) expenses. Non-GAAP research and development expenses decreased by 3.7% year over year to RMB81.5 million ( US$11.5 million ) in the second half of 2023. decreased by 0.7% year over year to ( ) in the second half of 2023. We are committed to maintaining a consistent level of investment in research and development (R&D) expenses. decreased by 3.7% year over year to ( ) in the second half of 2023. Selling and marketing expenses decreased by 63.6% year over year to RMB111.7 million ( US$15.7 million ) in the second half of 2023. The year-over-year decrease was from the decrease of marketing and promotion expenses related to our user acquisition for our internet business. Non-GAAP selling and marketing expenses decreased by 63.6% year over year to RMB111.3 million ( US$15.7 million ) in the second half of 2023. decreased by 63.6% year over year to ( ) in the second half of 2023. The year-over-year decrease was from the decrease of marketing and promotion expenses related to our user acquisition for our internet business. decreased by 63.6% year over year to ( ) in the second half of 2023. General and administrative expenses increased by 3.4% year over year to RMB119.1 million ( US$16.8 million ) in the second half of 2023. The year-over-year increase primarily resulted from share-based compensation expenses for our key employees. Non-GAAP general and administrative expenses decreased by 8.8% year over year to RMB103.6 million ( US$14.6 million ) in the second half of 2023. Operating loss was RMB101.9million (US$14.4 million) in the second half of 2023, compared to RMB99.5 million in the same period of the last year. Non-GAAP operating loss was RMB82.1 million (US$11.6 million) in the second half of 2023, compared to RMB95.6 million in the same period of the last year. Share-based compensation expenses were RMB15.4 million (US$2.2 million) in the second half of 2023, compared to RMB3.9 million in the same period of the last year. OTHER EXPENSE, NET Other expense, net was RMB323.2 million (US$45.5 million) in the second half of 2023, which was primarily from the impairment and fair value change of some long-term investments. NET INCOME/(LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO CHEETAH MOBILE SHAREHOLDERS Net loss attributable to Cheetah Mobile shareholders was RMB325.5 million (US$45.8 million) in the second half of 2023, compared to a net loss attributable to Cheetah Mobile shareholders of RMB440.9 million in the same period of the last year. Non-GAAP net loss attributable to Cheetah Mobile shareholders was RMB305.7 million (US$43.1 million) in the second half of 2023, compared to a non-GAAP net loss attributable to Cheetah Mobile shareholders of RMB437.0 million in the same period of the last year. NET INCOME/(LOSS) PER ADS Diluted loss per ADS was RMB11.0 (US$1.5) in the second half of 2023, compared to diluted loss per ADS of RMB15.4 in the same period of the last year. Non-GAAP diluted loss per ADS was RMB10.3 (US$1.5) in second half of 2023, compared to Non-GAAP diluted loss per ADS of RMB15.3 in the same period of the last year. BALANCE SHEET As of December 31, 2023, the Company had cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments of RMB2,021.2 million (US$284.7 million). SHARES ISSUED AND OUTSTANDING As of December 31, 2023, the Company had a total of 1,494,169,386 Class A and Class B ordinary shares issued and outstanding. On August 23, 2022, the Company announced that it changed the ratio of its American Depositary Share ("ADS") to Class A ordinary share ("Share") from one (1) ADS representing ten (10) Shares to one (1) ADS representing fifty (50) Shares, effective September 2, 2022. Accordingly, the Company has retrospectively revised the comparative data from the previous periods to conform to the requisite presentation for the current period. Fiscal Year 2023 Consolidated Financial Results REVENUES Total revenues decreased by 24.3% to RMB669.5 million (US$94.3 million) in 2023. Revenues from the Company's internet business decreased by 35.5% year over year to RMB450.1 million (US$63.4 million) in 2023. The year-over-year decrease was mainly due to the strategic downsizing of our online advertising and gaming business. Revenues from the AI and others increased by 17.5% year over year to RMB219.4 million (US$30.9 million) in 2023. The year-over-year increase was primarily attributable to growth of our global cloud service business, advertising agency services as well as our acquisition of controlling stake in Beijing OrionStar. COST OF REVENUES AND GROSS PROFIT Cost of revenues decreased by 8.2% year over year to RMB231.9 million (US$32.7 million) in 2023. The year-over-year decrease was primarily due to lower costs related to our online advertising and E-coupon vending robot business. Non-GAAP cost of revenues decreased by 8.1% year over year to RMB231.6 million (US$32.6 million) in 2023. Gross profit decreased by 30.7% year over year to RMB437.6 million (US$61.6 million) in 2023. Non-GAAP gross profit decreased by 30.7% year over year to RMB437.9 million (US$61.7 million) in 2023. Gross margin was 65.4% in 2023, compared to 71.4% in 2022. Non-GAAP gross margin was 65.4% in 2023, compared to 71.5% in 2022. OPERATING INCOME/LOSS AND EXPENSES Total operating expenses decreased by 24.5% year over year to RMB647.4 million (US$91.2 million) in 2023. Total non-GAAP operating expenses decreased by 28.3% year over year to RMB609.8 million (US$85.9 million) in 2023. Research and development expenses decreased by 1.5% year over year to RMB178.2 million ( US$25.1 million ) in 2023. The year-over-year decrease was primarily due to our continuous effort to improve operating efficiency. Non-GAAP research and development expenses decreased by 3.3% year over year to RMB173.5 million ( US$24.4 million ) in 2023. decreased by 1.5% year over year to ( ) in 2023. The year-over-year decrease was primarily due to our continuous effort to improve operating efficiency. decreased by 3.3% year over year to ( ) in 2023. Selling and marketing expenses decreased by 49.1% year over year to RMB242.5 million ( US$34.2 million ) in 2023. This year-over-year decrease was primarily due to the marketing and promotion expenses related to our user acquisition for our internet business. Non-GAAP selling and marketing expenses decreased by 49.1% year over year to RMB241.7 million ( US$34.0 million ) in 2023. decreased by 49.1% year over year to ( ) in 2023. This year-over-year decrease was primarily due to the marketing and promotion expenses related to our user acquisition for our internet business. decreased by 49.1% year over year to ( ) in 2023. General and administrative expenses increased by 7.1% year over year to RMB229.5 million ( US$32.3 million ) in 2023. The year-over-year increase primarily resulted from share-based compensation expenses for our key employees. Non-GAAP general and administrative expenses decreased by 6.3% year over year to RMB197.5 million ( US$27.8 million ) in 2023. Operating loss was RMB209.8 million (US$29.6 million) in 2023, compared to RMB225.6 million in 2022. Non-GAAP operating loss was RMB171.9 million (US$24.2 million) in 2023, compared to RMB217.7 million in 2022. Share-based compensation expenses were RMB33.6 million (US$4.7 million) in 2023, compared to RMB7.9 million in 2022. NET INCOME/(LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO CHEETAH MOBILE SHAREHOLDERS Net loss attributable to Cheetah Mobile shareholders was RMB602.9 million (US$84.9 million) in 2023, compared to a net loss attributable to Cheetah Mobile shareholders of RMB513.5 million in 2022. Non-GAAP net loss attributable to Cheetah Mobile shareholders was RMB564.9 million (US$79.6 million) in 2023, compared to a non-GAAP net loss attributable to Cheetah Mobile shareholders of RMB505.6 million in 2022. NET INCOME/(LOSS) PER ADS Diluted loss per ADS was RMB20.5 (US$2.9) in 2023, compared to diluted loss per ADS of RMB18.1 in 2022. Non-GAAP diluted loss per ADS was RMB19.2 (US$2.7) in 2023, compared to Non-GAAP diluted loss per ADS of RMB17.8 in 2022. Business Outlook For the first half of 2024, the Company expects its total revenues to be between RMB350 million (US$49.3 million) and RMB400 million (US$56.3 million). This amount reflects the Company's current and preliminary expectations. Exchange Rate This press release contains translations of certain Renminbi amounts into U.S. dollars at specified rates solely for the convenience of readers. Unless otherwise noted, all translations from Renminbi to U.S. dollars in this press release were made at a rate of RMB7.0999 to US$1.00, the exchange rate in effect as of December 29, 2023, as set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board. Such translations should not be construed as representations that RMB amounts could be converted into U.S. dollars at that rate or any other rate, or to be the amounts that would have been reported under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP"). About Cheetah Mobile Inc. Cheetah Mobile is a China-based IT company with a commitment to AI innovation. It has attracted hundreds of millions of users through an array of internet products and services on PCs and mobile devices. At the same time, it actively engages in the independent research and development of its AI technologies, including LLM technologies. Cheetah Mobile provides advertising services to advertisers worldwide, value-added services including the sale of premium membership to its users, multi-cloud management platform to companies globally, as well as service robots to international clients. Cheetah Mobile is also committed to leveraging its cutting-edge AI technologies, including LLM technologies, to empower its products and make the world smarter. It has been listed on the New York Stock Exchange since May 2014. Safe Harbor Statement This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements, including management quotes and business outlook, constitute forward-looking statements under the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates" and similar statements. Such statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, including but are not limited to the following: Cheetah Mobile's growth strategies; Cheetah Mobile's ability to retain and increase its user base and expand its product and service offerings; Cheetah Mobile's ability to monetize its platform; Cheetah Mobile's future business development, financial condition and results of operations; competition with companies in a number of industries including internet companies that provide online marketing services and internet value-added services; expected changes in Cheetah Mobile's revenues and certain cost or expense items; and general economic and business condition globally and in China. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in Cheetah Mobile's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Cheetah Mobile does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable law. Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures This release contains the following non-GAAP financial measures: Non-GAAP cost of revenues excludes share-based compensation expenses. Non-GAAP gross profit excludes share-based compensation expenses. Non-GAAP gross margin excludes share-based compensation expense. Total non-GAAP operating expenses exclude share-based compensation expenses and amortization of intangible assets resulting from business acquisitions. Non-GAAP research and development expenses exclude share-based compensation expenses and amortization of intangible assets resulting from business acquisitions. Non-GAAP selling and marketing expenses exclude share-based compensation expenses and amortization of intangible assets resulting from business acquisitions. Non-GAAP general and administrative expenses exclude share-based compensation expenses. Non-GAAP operating profit/loss excludes share-based compensation expenses and amortization of intangible assets resulting from business acquisitions. Non-GAAP net income/loss attributable to Cheetah Mobile shareholders excludes share-based compensation expenses and amortization of intangible assets resulting from business acquisitions. Non-GAAP diluted earnings/losses per ADS excludes share-based compensation expenses and amortization of intangible assets resulting from business acquisitions. Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA represents net income/loss attributable to Cheetah Mobile shareholders excluding share-based compensation, amortization of intangible assets resulting from business acquisitions, interest income, depreciation and other amortization, net (loss)/income attributable to noncontrolling interests, other expense , net and income tax benefits . The Company reviews these non-GAAP financial measures together with GAAP financial measures to obtain a better understanding of its operating performance. It uses the non-GAAP financial measures for planning, forecasting and measuring results against the forecast. The Company believes that non-GAAP financial measures are useful supplemental information for investors and analysts to assess its operating performance without the effect of share-based compensation expenses and amortization of intangible assets resulting from business acquisitions, which have been and will continue to be significant recurring expenses in its business. However, the use of non-GAAP financial measures has material limitations as an analytical tool. One of the limitations of using non-GAAP financial measures is that they do not include all items that impact the Company's net income for the period. In addition, because non-GAAP financial measures are not measured in the same manner by all companies, they may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures used by other companies. In light of the foregoing limitations, you should not consider non-GAAP financial measure in isolation from or as an alternative to the financial measure prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. For more information on these non-GAAP financial measures, please see the tables captioned "Cheetah Mobile Inc. Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results". Investor Relations Contact Cheetah Mobile Inc. Tel: +86 10 6292 7779 Email: [email protected] CHEETAH MOBILE INC. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited, amounts in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and US dollars ("US$")) As of December 31, 2022 December 31, 2023 RMB RMB USD ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents 1,515,799 2,020,191 284,538 Restricted cash 696 - - Short-term investments 156,182 1,023 144 Accounts receivable, net 283,774 401,064 56,489 Prepayments and other current assets, net 968,145 973,127 137,062 Due from related parties, net 199,099 71,505 10,071 Total current assets 3,123,695 3,466,910 488,304 Non-current assets: Property and equipment, net 58,727 53,884 7,589 Operating lease right-of-use assets 39,579 30,451 4,289 Intangible assets, net 8,430 218,559 30,783 Goodwill - 576,989 81,267 Long-term investments 1,792,331 937,460 132,038 Due from related parties, net 3,840 - - Deferred tax assets 19,337 188,503 26,550 Other non-current assets 93,480 160,428 22,597 Total non-current assets 2,015,724 2,166,274 305,113 Total assets 5,139,419 5,633,184 793,417 LIABILITIES, MEZZANINE EQUITY AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities: Bank Loans - 5,000 704 Accounts payable 132,994 170,185 23,970 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 1,586,769 2,437,210 343,273 Due to related parties 23,629 84,147 11,852 Income tax payable 35,135 31,603 4,451 Total current liabilities 1,778,527 2,728,145 384,250 Non-current liabilities: Deferred tax liabilities 55,770 54,540 7,682 Other non-current liabilities 200,336 189,943 26,753 Total non-current liabilities 256,106 244,483 34,435 Total liabilities 2,034,633 2,972,628 418,685 Mezzanine equity: Redeemable noncontrolling interests - 105,978 14,927 Shareholders' equity: Ordinary shares 236 244 34 Additional paid-in capital 2,688,571 2,711,875 381,960 Accumulated deficit (9,424) (613,102) (86,354) Accumulated other comprehensive income 353,948 356,854 50,262 Total Cheetah Mobile shareholders' equity 3,033,331 2,455,871 345,902 Noncontrolling interests 71,455 98,707 13,903 Total equity 3,104,786 2,554,578 359,805 Total liabilities, mezzanine equity and equity 5,139,419 5,633,184 793,417 CHEETAH MOBILE INC. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Unaudited, amounts in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and US dollars ("US$"), except for number of shares and per share(or ADS) data) For The Six Months Ended For The Year Ended December 31, 2022 December 31, 2023 December 31, 2022 December 31, 2023 RMB RMB USD RMB RMB USD Revenues 527,043 332,118 46,778 884,066 669,503 94,298 Internet business 421,919 214,489 30,210 697,387 450,134 63,400 AI and others 105,124 117,629 16,568 186,679 219,369 30,898 Cost of revenues (a) (129,340) (118,591) (16,703) (252,561) (231,940) (32,668) Gross profit 397,703 213,527 30,075 631,505 437,563 61,630 Operating income and expenses: Research and development (a) (85,920) (85,353) (12,022) (180,957) (178,207) (25,100) Selling and marketing (a) (306,514) (111,684) (15,730) (476,853) (242,511) (34,157) General and administrative (a) (115,149) (119,090) (16,773) (214,337) (229,549) (32,331) Other operating income, net 10,369 652 92 15,051 2,867 404 Total operating income and expenses (497,214) (315,475) (44,433) (857,096) (647,400) (91,184) Operating loss (99,511) (101,948) (14,358) (225,591) (209,837) (29,554) Other income/(expenses): Interest income, net 21,547 33,740 4,752 35,710 60,978 8,589 Foreign exchange (losses)/ gains (40,395) 22,800 3,211 (95,434) (11,421) (1,609) Other expense, net (351,623) (323,218) (45,524) (260,465) (477,370) (67,236) Loss before taxes (469,982) (368,626) (51,919) (545,780) (637,650) (89,810) Income tax benefits 26,218 47,542 6,696 25,089 43,781 6,166 Net loss (443,764) (321,084) (45,223) (520,691) (593,869) (83,644) Less: net (loss)/ income attributable to noncontrolling interests (2,861) 4,421 623 (7,216) 9,029 1,272 Net loss attributable to Cheetah Mobile shareholders (440,903) (325,505) (45,846) (513,475) (602,898) (84,916) Net loss per share Basic (0.3081) (0.2192) (0.0309) (0.3617) (0.4095) (0.0577) Diluted (0.3083) (0.2193) (0.0309) (0.3619) (0.4100) (0.0577) Net loss per ADS Basic (15.4058) (10.9580) (1.5434) (18.0854) (20.4740) (2.8837) Diluted (15.4126) (10.9665) (1.5446) (18.0954) (20.4977) (2.8870) Weighted average number of shares outstanding Basic 1,447,753,976 1,493,074,547 1,493,074,547 1,443,682,305 1,472,615,281 1,472,615,281 Diluted 1,447,753,976 1,493,074,547 1,493,074,547 1,443,682,305 1,472,615,281 1,472,615,281 Weighted average number of ADSs outstanding Basic 28,955,080 29,861,491 29,861,491 28,873,646 29,452,306 29,452,306 Diluted 28,955,080 29,861,491 29,861,491 28,873,646 29,452,306 29,452,306 Other comprehensive income/ (loss), net of tax of nil Foreign currency translation adjustments 119,996 (62,373) (8,785) 271,640 45,769 6,446 Unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities, net (8,269) - - (8,269) (43,494) (6,126) Other comprehensive income/ (loss) 111,727 (62,373) (8,785) 263,371 2,275 320 Total comprehensive loss (332,037) (383,457) (54,008) (257,320) (591,594) (83,324) Less: Total comprehensive (loss)/income attributable to noncontrolling interests (1,822) 4,521 637 (9,531) 8,398 1,183 Total comprehensive loss attributable to Cheetah Mobile shareholders (330,215) (387,978) (54,645) (247,789) (599,992) (84,507) For The Six Months Ended For The Year Ended December 31, 2022 December 31, 2023 December 31, 2022 December 31, 2023 (a) Share-based compensation expenses RMB RMB USD RMB RMB USD Cost of revenues 283 144 20 686 370 52 Research and development 1,259 (290) (41) 1,580 580 82 Selling and marketing 860 118 17 1,899 509 72 General and administrative 1,533 15,452 2,176 3,698 32,095 4,520 Total 3,935 15,424 2,172 7,863 33,554 4,726 CHEETAH MOBILE INC. Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results (Unaudited, amounts in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and US dollars ("US$"), except for per share data ) For The Six Months Ended December 31, 2023 For The Year Ended December 31, 2023 GAAP Share-based Amortization of Non-GAAP GAAP Share-based Amortization of Non-GAAP Result Compensation intangible assets* Result Result Compensation intangible assets* Result RMB RMB RMB RMB USD RMB RMB RMB RMB USD Revenues 332,118 - - 332,118 46,778 669,503 - - 669,503 94,298 Cost of revenues (118,591) 144 - (118,447) (16,683) (231,940) 370 - (231,570) (32,616) Gross profit 213,527 144 - 213,671 30,095 437,563 370 - 437,933 61,682 Research and development (85,353) (290) 4,104 (81,539) (11,485) (178,207) 580 4,104 (173,523) (24,440) Selling and marketing (111,684) 118 313 (111,253) (15,669) (242,511) 509 313 (241,689) (34,041) General and administrative (119,090) 15,452 - (103,638) (14,597) (229,549) 32,095 - (197,454) (27,811) Other operating income, net 652 - - 652 92 2,867 - - 2,867 404 Total operating income and expenses (315,475) 15,280 4,417 (295,778) (41,659) (647,400) 33,184 4,417 (609,799) (85,888) Operating loss (101,948) 15,424 4,417 (82,107) (11,564) (209,837) 33,554 4,417 (171,866) (24,206) Net loss attributable to Cheetah Mobile shareholders (325,505) 15,424 4,417 (305,664) (43,052) (602,898) 33,554 4,417 (564,927) (79,568) Diluted losses per ordinary share (RMB) (0.2193) 0.0103 0.0030 (0.2060) (0.4100) 0.0228 0.0030 (0.3842) Diluted losses per ADS (RMB) (10.9665) 0.5165 0.1479 (10.3021) (20.4977) 1.1393 0.1499 (19.2085) Diluted losses per ADS (USD) (1.5446) 0.0727 0.0209 (1.4510) (2.8870) 0.1605 0.0210 (2.7055) * This represents amortization of intangible assets resulting from business acquisitions. For The Six Months Ended December 31, 2022 For The Year Ended December 31, 2022 GAAP Share-based Non-GAAP GAAP Share-based Non-GAAP Result Compensation Result Result Compensation Result RMB RMB RMB RMB RMB RMB Revenues 527,043 - 527,043 884,066 - 884,066 Cost of revenues (129,340) 283 (129,057) (252,561) 686 (251,875) Gross profit 397,703 283 397,986 631,505 686 632,191 Research and development (85,920) 1,259 (84,661) (180,957) 1,580 (179,377) Selling and marketing (306,514) 860 (305,654) (476,853) 1,899 (474,954) General and administrative (115,149) 1,533 (113,616) (214,337) 3,698 (210,639) Other operating income, net 10,369 - 10,369 15,051 - 15,051 Total operating income and expenses (497,214) 3,652 (493,562) (857,096) 7,177 (849,919) Operating loss (99,511) 3,935 (95,576) (225,591) 7,863 (217,728) Net loss attributable to Cheetah Mobile shareholders (440,903) 3,935 (436,968) (513,475) 7,863 (505,612) Diluted losses per ordinary share (RMB) (0.3083) 0.0028 (0.3055) (0.3619) 0.0054 (0.3565) Diluted losses per ADS (RMB) (15.4126) 0.1359 (15.2767) (18.0954) 0.2723 (17.8231) CHEETAH MOBILE INC. Information about Segment (Unaudited, amounts in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and US dollars ("US$"), except for percentage) For The Six Months Ended December 31, 2023 For The Year Ended December 31, 2023 Internet Business AI and others Unallocated* Consolidated Internet Business AI and others Unallocated* Consolidated RMB RMB RMB RMB USD RMB RMB RMB RMB USD Revenue 214,489 117,629 - 332,118 46,778 450,134 219,369 - 669,503 94,298 Operating profit/(loss) 16,134 (102,658) (15,424) (101,948) (14,358) 26,259 (202,542) (33,554) (209,837) (29,554) Operating margin 7.5 % (87.3) % - (30.7) % (30.7) % 5.8 % (92.3) % - (31.3) % (31.3) % For The Six Months Ended December 31, 2022 For The Year Ended December 31, 2022 Internet Business AI and others Unallocated* Consolidated Internet Business AI and others Unallocated* Consolidated RMB RMB RMB RMB RMB RMB RMB RMB Revenue 421,919 105,124 - 527,043 697,387 186,679 - 884,066 Operating profit/(loss) 17,738 (113,314) (3,935) (99,511) (369) (217,359) (7,863) (225,591) Operating margin 4.2 % (107.8) % - (18.9) % (0.1) % (116.4) % - (25.5) % *Unallocated expenses refer to SBC expenses that are not allocated to individual segments. CHEETAH MOBILE INC. Reconciliation from Net Income Attributable to Cheetah Mobile Shareholders to Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP) (Unaudited, amounts in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and US dollars ("US$")) For The Six Months Ended For The Year Ended December 31, 2022 December 31, 2023 December 31, 2022 December 31, 2023 RMB RMB USD RMB RMB USD Net loss attributable to Cheetah Mobile shareholders (440,903) (325,505) (45,846) (513,475) (602,898) (84,916) Add: Income tax benefits (26,218) (47,542) (6,696) (25,089) (43,781) (6,166) Interest income, net (21,547) (33,740) (4,752) (35,710) (60,978) (8,589) Depreciation and other amortization (1) 25,133 13,739 1,935 53,025 30,845 4,344 Net (loss)/income attributable to noncontrolling interests (2,861) 4,421 623 (7,216) 9,029 1,272 Other expense 392,018 300,418 42,313 355,899 488,791 68,845 Share-based compensation 3,935 15,424 2,172 7,863 33,554 4,726 Amortization of intangible assets (2) - 4,417 622 - 4,417 622 Adjusted EBITDA (70,443) (68,368) (9,629) (164,703) (141,021) (19,862) (1) This represents depreciation and other amortization exclude amortization of intangible assets resulting from business acquisitions. (2) This represents amortization of intangible assets resulting from business acquisitions. SOURCE Cheetah Mobile ATLANTA, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Cogitate announces its new partnership with sanctions.io, a cost-effective solution for real-time anti-money laundering and sanctions screening. Cogitate has integrated sanctions.io with DigitalEdge Policy to automate identity verification and meet anti-money laundering and sanctions compliance for its newest professional liability implementation. This partnership streamlines a critical component of the underwriting process, which has become increasingly complex due to recent world events. The rapid growth in sanctions, and explosive fines for noncompliance, necessitates a new level of due diligence, which Cogitate and sanctions.io are making simple and affordable. "Together, Cogitate and sanctions.io are delivering a new level of peace of mind within the underwriting workbench by automating hard blocks on submissions flagged for sanctions. Data integrations like sanctions.io are contributing to the speed with which underwriters are accurately evaluating and pricing risks on our platform," shares Arvind Kaushal, CEO of Cogitate. "We're thrilled to announce our partnership and integration with Cogitate. Anti-money laundering and sanctions compliance are more critical than ever for the insurance sector. With regulatory penalties on the rise and sanctions reaching unprecedented levels, our collaboration aims to provide insurance carriers, MGAs, and wholesalers with the real-time screening solutions they need to mitigate the risk of noncompliance effectively," explains Thorsten J. Gorny, CEO of sanctions.io. About sanctions.io sanctions.io is your go-to solution for anti-money laundering and sanctions screening. Our platform offers simplicity, reliability, and cost-effectiveness, ensuring hassle-free compliance for businesses of all sizes. AI-powered and backed by an enterprise-grade API boasting 99.995+% uptime, we are trusted by over 200 organizations worldwide. For more information, please visit www.sanctions.io. About Cogitate The Cogitate DigitalEdge Insurance Platform digitalizes insurance across the value chain, offering insurance carriers, MGAs, wholesale brokers, and program managers a smooth transition to cloud-native, data-driven core underwriting, policy, billing, and claim applications. The unified insurance platform unlocks the value of first-party data and advances the power of third-party data for profitable growth, superior risk selection, and a streamlined, modern user experience. Backed by more than 100 combined years of comprehensive experience and domain knowledge, our products are uniquely designed to meet the needs of insurance businesses of every size. Find out how Cogitate maintains 100% client retention at www.cogitate.us. Media Contact Pam Simpson, Director of Marketing [email protected] SOURCE Cogitate DUBLIN, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Colombia Data Center Market - Investment Analysis & Growth Opportunities 2024-2029" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Colombia data center market is expected to reach a value of $890 million by 2029 from $560 million in 2023, growing at a CAGR of 8.03% from 2023-2029. This report analyses the Colombia data center market share. It elaboratively analyses the existing and upcoming facilities and investments in IT, electrical, mechanical infrastructure, general construction, and tier standards. It discusses market sizing and investment estimation for different segments. In the Colombia data center market, Bogota is the major location for data center investments; the city is experiencing remarkable growth in construction due to the continuous expansion and development of data center facilities. Around 80% of the existing facilities operate in the capital city of Colombia, Bogota. In terms of upcoming data center investments, more than 85% of the investments are witnessed in Bogota, and the remaining investments are in Barranquilla. According to the Ministry of Commerce, Colombia has 120 Free Trade Zones (FTZs), which include 42 multi-company zones and 78 unique single-company zones. Colombia promotes economic growth through Free Trade Zones (FTZs), accounting for fiscal benefits such as tax cuts during the first five years of operation and a 50% income tax break for new businesses. For instance, the Ruta N complex in Medellin is a booming hub for ICT enterprises and local innovations. Colombia harnesses a rich mix of renewable energy, led by hydropower (constituting approximately 70% of its energy mix). The country, striving for a carbon-neutral future, aims to achieve net-zero greenhouse emissions in its electricity sector by 2050. The Colombian government, in agriculture, education, healthcare, telecom, BFSI, and other public sectors, is adopting AI technology to enhance infrastructure, process monitoring, and automation. For instance, SoftBank unveiled e-kakashi, a pioneering AI technology that is improving Colombian agriculture with the help of IDB Lab's Smart Rice Farming project. In Colombia, some government organizations and public and private entities have joined forces to overcome the labor shortage and improve personal skills. In November 2023, Amazon launched the AI Ready initiative, offering free generative AI training, scholarships, and collaborations with Code.org. The company's initiative will equip two million people globally with crucial skills in generative AI and cloud computing by 2025. The Colombia data center market accounts for ODATA, Equinix, Cirion Technologies, GlobeNet, Gtd Colombia, Etix Everywhere, and HostDime data center facilities. WHY SHOULD YOU BUY THIS RESEARCH? Market size regarding investment, area, power capacity, and Colombia colocation market revenue is available. colocation market revenue is available. An assessment of the data center investment in Colombia by colocation, hyperscale, and enterprise operators. by colocation, hyperscale, and enterprise operators. Investments in the area (square feet) and power capacity (MW) across cities in the country. A detailed study of the existing Colombia data center market landscape, an in-depth market analysis, and insightful predictions about data center market size during the forecast period. data center market landscape, an in-depth market analysis, and insightful predictions about data center market size during the forecast period. The Colombia data center market investments are classified into IT, power, cooling, and general construction services with sizing and forecast. data center market investments are classified into IT, power, cooling, and general construction services with sizing and forecast. A comprehensive analysis of the latest trends, growth rate, potential opportunities, growth restraints, and prospects for the market. Provide a business overview and product offerings of prominent IT infrastructure providers, construction contractors, support infrastructure providers, and investors operating in the market. A transparent research methodology and the analysis of the demand and supply aspects of the market. Snapshot of existing and upcoming third-party data center facilities in Colombia I. Facilities Covered (Existing): 20 II. Facilities Identified (Upcoming): 10 III. Coverage: 05+ Cities IV. Existing vs. Upcoming (Area) V. Existing vs. Upcoming (IT Load Capacity) Data Center Colocation Market in the Colombia I. Market Revenue & Forecast (2023-2029) II. Retail Colocation Pricing VENDOR LANDSCAPE IT Infrastructure Providers Arista Networks Broadcom Cisco Systems Dell Technologies Hewlett Packard Enterprise Huawei Technologies IBM Juniper Networks Lenovo NetApp Oracle Pure Storage Data Center Construction Contractors & Sub-Contractors AECOM Fluor Corporation ZFB Group Quark Support Infrastructure Providers ABB Alfa Laval Armstrong Ceiling Solutions Assa Abloy Bosch Security and Safety Systems Caterpillar Cummins Delta Electronics Daikin Applied Eaton Honeywell International Generac Power Systems Johnson Controls Legrand Mitsubishi Electric Piller Power Systems Panduit Rittal Schneider Electric Stulz Siemens Vertiv Data Center Investors Claro Cirion Technologies Etix Everywhere EdgeUno Equinix GlobeNet Gtd Colombia HostDime IPXON Networks KIO Networks ODATA (Aligned Data Centers) New Entrants Ascenty DHAmericas EdgeConneX Scala Data Centers EXISTING VS. UPCOMING DATA CENTERS Existing Facilities in the Region (Area and Power Capacity) Bogota Other Cities List of Upcoming Facilities in the Region (Area and Power Capacity) For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/btyvlo 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 Citroen e-C3 is the latest vehicle to be tested by Global NCAP under #SaferCarsForIndia campaign. The electric vehicle scored zero stars in adult occupant protection and one star in child occupant protection. The e-C3 is being produced in India and is based on its ICE counterpart. The Citroen e-C3 was given a zero star rating for adult occupant protection because it showed poor protection to the passengers chest and weak protection to the drivers chest. The vehicle was not equipped with side head protection system and they are not available even as an option. Moreover, the e-C3 misses out on Electronic Stability Control. Also check these Cars Find more Cars Citroen eC3 29.2 kWh 29.2 kWh 320 km 320 km 11.50 - 12.43 Lakhs Compare View Offers UPCOMING BYD Seagull 38 kWh 38 kWh 405 km 405 km 10 Lakhs View Details UPCOMING Citroen C3X 1998 cc 1998 cc Petrol Petrol 7 Lakhs View Details Citroen C3 1199 cc 1199 cc Petrol Petrol 6.16 - 9.08 Lakhs Compare View Offers Citroen C5 Aircross 1997.0 cc 1997.0 cc Diesel Diesel 30.30 - 32.30 Lakhs Compare View Offers Hyundai Creta 1497 cc 1497 cc Multiple Multiple 11 - 20.15 Lakhs Compare View Offers Child occupant protection received just one star as the model does not offer three point belts in all positions and does not offer a passenger airbag disconnection switch. The head of both child dummies impacted with the vehicle interior and the car offers only one position which is suitable for a universal child seat. The e-C3 was equipped with dual airbags which are offered as standard. Watch: How Citroen eC3 EV's crash test at Global NCAP went Citroen's e-C3 and C3 are developed for developing nations. David Ward, Executive President of the Towards Zero Foundation said, This result from Sellantis is of serious concern, not only for consumers in the Indian market but also for those in emerging economies around the world. We will be discussing this and other outcomes from the #SaferCarsForIndia campaign during our NCAP24 World Congress event in Munich next month." Also Read : Citroen ties up with BluSmart, to offer 4,000 eC3 EVs as cabs within a year To this, Stellantis has confirmed that they will be adding more safety features and six airbags as standard. This is what the company had to say, Stellantis confirms its vehicles comply with all current local market regulations and its commitment to safety with six airbags and additional safety features as standard across products in India during the second half of the year." Alejandro Furas, Global NCAP Secretary General said, This is an appalling result from Stellantis. PSA was once a leader on safety, but now, as part of the Stellantis group, the manufacturer appears to have taken a major backward step. We hope that this apparent negative trend is corrected globally as a matter of urgency." First Published Date: Bill Strengthens Worker Rights and Curbs Employer Intimidation DENVER, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Teamsters turned out in large numbers at the state capitol yesterday in support of Colorado House Bill 24-1260, The Worker Freedom Act. This critical legislation, which received a hearing in the General Assembly Business Affairs & Labor Committee, seeks to enhance workers' rights by outlawing employers from forcing workers to attend captive audience meetings. Captive audience meetings are frequently used by corporations to disseminate anti-union propaganda and deter workers from organizing. The introduction of The Worker Freedom Act represents a significant stride toward safeguarding workers' rights and fostering an environment of fair labor practices in Colorado. "The Worker Freedom Act is crucial to ensuring that workers across Colorado can exercise their rights without fear of reprisal," said Dean Modecker, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 455. "We thank our allies in the state legislature for introducing this important piece of legislation that will secure the rights of working-class people in our state." "Through our unions, we lift up our families by putting food on the table and a roof over our heads," said General Assembly Majority Leader Monica Duran, who co-sponsored the bill. "That work should not include being subject to required meetings where workers have to listen to their employer's religious or political views with fear of retaliation if they don't participate." Connecticut, Maine, Minnesota, New York, and Oregon have all passed similar legislation banning mandatory captive audience meetings. Teamsters Local 455 represents over 10,000 members working in various industries throughout the Rocky Mountain Region. For more information, visit teamsterslocal455.org/. Contact: Matt McQuaid, (202) 624-6877 [email protected] SOURCE Teamsters Local 455 The Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History Could Become the 22nd Smithsonian Museum; Major Jewish Organizations Have Already Expressed Support PHILADELPHIA, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A bipartisan, bicameral coalition in the U.S. Congress is championing an effort to establish a Smithsonian museum dedicated to exploring and interpreting the American Jewish experience. Introduced in the House by U.S. Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), and co-led by U.S. Representatives Mike Turner (OH-10), Brendan Boyle (PA-02) and Max Miller (OH-07), and led in the Senate by U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), H.R.7764 / S.4001 "To establish a commission to study the potential transfer of the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History to the Smithsonian Institution, and for other purposes" will create a Commission of Inquiry led by nine individuals with relevant expertise to study the feasibility of transferring the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History (The Weitzman) in Philadelphia to the Smithsonian Institution. The Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History could become the 22nd Smithsonian museum Post this Original co-sponsors in the Senate include Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Mike Crapo (R-ID), John Fetterman (D-PA), and Jacky Rosen (D-NV). The country's leading Jewish organizations, including the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, Anti-Defamation League, and Jewish Federations of North America, have already endorsed this legislation. The Weitzman was established in 1976 as the only museum in the nation dedicated exclusively to exploring and interpreting the American Jewish experience. It is currently a private non-profit and is maintained primarily through generous charitable support. The Weitzman has been in its current home, a 100,000-square-foot James Polshek designed building on Philadelphia's Independence Mall since 2010. "The Weitzman's Trustees stand ready to transfer the institution to the American People as an official museum of the Smithsonian Institution, with minimal cost to our citizens, and standing proudly in Philadelphia, steps from where our nation was founded," says Philip M. Darivoff, the Weitzman's Chair Emeritus. The Smithsonian is the world's largest museum and research complex. Several of its 21 museums including the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the National Museum of the American Indian, and the National Museum of the American Latino (as well as a potential National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture that is currently under study) explore and educate about America's minority communities. The American Jewish community merits a Smithsonian museum. At this moment in time, the rise in antisemitism in America over recent years became so alarming that the White House issued The U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism last May, urging understanding, awareness, and education about both antisemitism and Jewish American heritage in museums, libraries, and arts and cultural institutions. "A Smithsonian museum representing the American Jewish experience would serve as a resounding public endorsement that Jews belong in and are embraced by this nation," said Dr. Misha Galperin, President and CEO of The Weitzman. "The story of American Jews and today's living Jewish culture is a story that should matter to anyone who cares about a pluralistic society, to anyone looking for models of civil discourse and bridging divides, to anyone curious about America's past, and to all of us invested in America's future," said Dara Horn, novelist, scholar, and Creative Advisor to The Weitzman. "In this moment of rising hatred and ignorance, the possibility of the Weitzman becoming a Smithsonian institution is a reason for celebration and hope." "Jewish communities have made astounding contributions to America's noble experiment in building a more perfect union. Sharing those achievements with everyone is what the late Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter and I had in mind when we created Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM) nearly two decades ago. Educating all Americans, from all over the country, about these amazing Jewish impacts on our nation's history, not only raises awareness but helps dispel harmful prejudices about our community," said Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz. "Taking this critical step to welcome the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History into the larger Smithsonian family would bring that vision closer to reality. This powerful institutional integration signals a strong commitment to address the dramatic rise in antisemitism by helping amplify the myriad ways Jewish Americans enriched a nation who's very founding, fittingly, traces back to Philadelphia, the Weitzman Museum's home city." "Integrating the Weitzman with the Smithsonian would pay tribute to the role that the Jewish American community has played in the progress of America," said Senator Bob Casey. "With antisemitism on the rise, the Weitzman Museum stands as an opportunity to educate the next generation on the contributions Jewish Americans made to our Nation and help stem the tide of hate." "The Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia serves as a powerful reminder of the contributions that Jewish Americans have made to the fabric of the United States," said Congressman Mike Turner. "By bringing this museum and its collections into the Smithsonian Institution, Congress will ensure that the story of Jewish Americans is shared with the widest possible audience. I am proud to join my colleagues in supporting this effort to preserve and tell the story of such an important community in America." "The Weitzman Museum is the only museum in the nation dedicated exclusively to exploring and interpreting the American Jewish experience," said Congressman Brendan Boyle. "The Weitzman's role in telling the tale of our nation's history is significant. Bringing the Weitzman Museum fully into the Smithsonian family would give it expanded access to not only artifacts and documents, but robust educational resources, expertise and staff training to aid in the ongoing mission to preserve and promote the culture of American Jews." "With the recent rise in antisemitism, now more than ever it is imperative that Jewish-American Heritage be celebrated and exhibited at the world's largest museum, education, and research complex, the Smithsonian Institution," said Congressman Max Miller. "Taking steps to further preserve Jewish American history sends an important message against the rise in antisemitism, bigotry and racism," said Sen. Mike Crapo. Establishing a commission to study the potential transfer of the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History to the Smithsonian Institution is an important first step in the process of safeguarding the art, history and culture of Jewish Americans into the future." "The Weitzman is a critical institution in Philadelphia and for our country not just for Jewish Philadelphians but for residents and visitors of all backgrounds," said John Senator Fetterman. "It is crucial that we continue to lift up Jewish history and culture. As the only museum in the country dedicated exclusively to the Jewish American experience, the Weitzman does just that. I'm so proud to lead this legislation that will help strengthen the Weitzman and continue its incredible work as part of the Smithsonian Institution." "Throughout our nation's history, countless Jewish Americans have overcome challenges and adversity to make a home here in the United States, making major contributions to our culture, succeeding in a wide range of industries and arenas, and helping to build up our country in the process. These are stories that need to be told," said Senator Jacky Rosen. "At a time of surging antisemitism, establishing a Jewish American History Museum as part of the Smithsonian will help shed a much-needed and long-missing light on what it means to be Jewish in America, and I am proud to support this effort." Learn more . Download High-Resolution Photos Museum images ; credit lines enclosed ABOUT THE WEITZMAN NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AMERICAN JEWISH HISTORY Established in 1976, and situated on Philadelphia's Independence Mall, the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History is the only museum in the nation dedicated exclusively to exploring and interpreting the American Jewish experience. The Weitzman presents educational programs and experiences that preserve, explore, and celebrate the history of Jews in America. It proudly stewards one of the largest collections of Jewish Americana in the nation. Standing as a joyful bulwark against antisemitism, bigotry, and hate, The Weitzman serves to connect Jews more closely to their heritage and to inspire in people of all backgrounds a greater appreciation for the diversity of the American Jewish experience and the freedoms to which Americans aspire. www.theweitzman.org Contact: [email protected] SOURCE National Museum of American Jewish History Delivers pre-emptive, predictive protection against new DDoS threat vectors in real time MARLBOROUGH, Mass., March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Corero Network Security (AIM: CNS) (OTCQB: DDOSF), the specialists in distributed denial of service (DDoS) protection solutions, unveiled its latest innovation in the fight against DDoS attacks the Corero DDoS Intelligence Service, an automated, AI-assisted subscription service for Corero SmartWall ONE customers that delivers pre-emptive, predictive attack mitigation, before the first attack is even seen. The DDoS Intelligence Service works hand in glove with SmartWall ONE a top-tier, automated DDoS protection solution capable of handling existing, new, and zero-day DDoS attacks to fortify its defenses, ensuring maximum protection for customers. "DDoS attackers are unrelenting and issuing ever-more sophisticated attacks. It's essential, therefore, that companies keep their defenses sharp, even between software releases. The DDoS Intelligence Service takes our latest DDoS threat research and pushes it straight to our SmartWall ONE solution, extending SmartWall ONE's protection capabilities well beyond the standard installation and deployment offerings," said Corero CEO Carl Herberger. Powered by the Corero Threat Research Team, the DDoS Intelligence Service is available as an annual subscription for all SmartWall ONE customers that are subscribed to the Corero SecureWatch Attack-Time assistance service. Visit our website to learn more about our new DDoS Intelligence Service. About Corero Network Security Corero Network Security is a leading provider of DDoS protection solutions, specializing in automatic detection and protection solutions with network visibility, analytics, and reporting tools. Corero's technology protects against external and internal DDoS threats in complex edge and subscriber environments, ensuring internet service availability. With operational centers in Marlborough, Massachusetts, USA, and Edinburgh, UK, Corero is headquartered in London and listed on the London Stock Exchange's AIM market (ticker: CNS) and the US OTCQB market (OTCQB: DDoSF). SOURCE Corero Network Security PHOENIX, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Coterie Advisory Group, Inc., a trailblazer in affordable healthcare solutions, today unveiled the Fundamental Care Value Plan, their latest offering in the employer healthcare marketplace. Building on the success of the flagship Fundamental Care Limited Day plan, the new product is tailored to provide enhanced health benefits for hourly and part-time employees without the steep costs of traditional health insurance. In the current economic climate, where premium affordability remains unreachable for many employers, the Fundamental Care Value Plan emerges as a voluntary, self-funded limited medical plan. It's specifically crafted to meet the nuanced needs of the growing hourly and part-time workforce, often overlooked by conventional coverage models. "As healthcare premiums continue to surge, employers are grappling with offering meaningful benefits that won't break the bank," said Aaron Cook, President of Coterie. "With the Fundamental Care Value Plan, we've created a plan that's more substantial than typical indemnity plans and includes Minimum Essential Coverage (MEC), all while keeping it voluntary and cost-effective." The plan comes at a time when employers are in dire need of flexible, scalable health benefit options. It provides an alternative to traditional insurance plans by focusing on affordability and the demands of a diverse workforce. "The Fundamental Care Value Plan is designed to address the realities of today's employers and their employees," Cook explained. "It offers an essential bridge between cost and care, ensuring health plan benefits are accessible at a price point that works for everyone. And most importantly, as a voluntary plan, it empowers employees with choice and employers with flexibility." Coterie has strategically positioned the Fundamental Care Value Plan as a solution for businesses that struggle with offering healthcare benefits due to soaring premiums and deductibles. It maintains a competitive edge by eliminating the burden of high upfront costs and aligning with the financial realities of both employers and their hourly staff. The plan's structure facilitates simplified administration and enrollment, further reducing overhead and the burden of costs for employers and streamlining the benefits experience. Coterie is actively seeking partnerships with Brokers, Benefit Advisors, and General Agents to expand the reach of this innovative health coverage option. For more information on the Fundamental Care Value Plan and how it is changing the landscape of voluntary health benefits, visit https://www.fundamentalcare.com/value-plan. About Coterie Advisory Group, Inc. Fundamental Care products are managed by Coterie Advisory Group, Inc., an Arizona-based insurance program manager and national marketing agency. Coterie specializes in developing affordable, innovative healthcare plans catered to the evolving needs of employers, employees, and families. They are committed to innovating solutions that balance cost with care, ensuring that health benefits are both accessible and effective. Contact: Mike Lambert - EVP National Sales [email protected] 602-888-3090 Photo(s): https://www.prlog.org/13012394 Press release distributed by PRLog SOURCE Coterie Advisory Group, Inc. WASHINGTON, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Council for Innovation Promotion (C4IP) released its inaugural Congressional Innovation Scorecard. The Scorecard assesses the record of every member of Congress on pivotal issues related to U.S. innovation and assigns a grade to each based on the extent to which they are working to advance strong and effective intellectual property rights that promote American innovation, creative output, and industry. Council for Innovation Promotion "Every member of Congress owes it to their constituents to seriously engage with and prioritize policies that promote innovation, which is at the crux of the American economy and national security," said Andrei Iancu, former Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and Co-Chair of the Council for Innovation Promotion. "The Innovation Scorecard will bring, for the first time, clarity and transparency to each legislator's actions on innovation, and their dedication to a strong and reliable intellectual property system." IP-intensive industries generate nearly half of U.S. GDP, comprise 90% of the value of S&P 500 companies, and support approximately 44% of total U.S. employment for workers across all levels of education. Despite the critical importance of intellectual property, a supermajority of Congress received Innovation Scorecard grades of "C" or "C-," indicating only a passing interest in national IP policy. "Any member of Congress who is pro-innovation must support robust intellectual property rights," said David Kappos, former Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and Co-Chair of the Council for Innovation Promotion. "Innovation simply does not happen without the catalyzing effect of policies that safeguard creators' IP." C4IP considered members' voting records, bill sponsorship and co-sponsorship, and national leadership and advocacy efforts on IP during the 116th, 117th, and 118th Congresses to determine a score for each legislator currently in Congress, on a simple academic "A-F" grading scale commonly used in schools and universities. In the Senate, Senators Chris Coons (D-DE), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Mazie Hirono (D-HI) distinguished themselves as champions for U.S. intellectual property rights, receiving Innovation Scorecard grades of "A+," "A+," and "A," respectively. In the House, nobody received an A, with Representative Ben Cline (R-VA) receiving the highest grade of "B+." Representatives Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), Darrell Issa (R-CA), Hank Johnson (D-GA), Thomas Massie (R-KY), and Deborah Ross (D-NC) were among 81 members who received grades of "B." Unfortunately, a number of legislators have recently been antagonistic to IP rights to the detriment of future American innovation, including Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Representatives Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA), who all received Innovation Scorecard grades of "F." Representatives Andy Biggs (R-AZ), Valerie Hoyle (D-OR), Joe Neguse (D-CO), and David Schweikert (R-AZ) all received grades of "D-," indicating a similarly concerning disregard for IP rights. "Now more than ever, we need Congressional IP champions to support the intellectual property policies that drive innovation across all economic sectors," said Frank Cullen, Executive Director of the Council for Innovation Promotion. "C4IP is committed to continuing to work closely with members to ensure they support strong, predictable, and reliable IP rights, just as our founders envisioned. We encourage constituents to use our Scorecard as a resource and encourage their representatives to focus on these critically important issues." To view C4IP's 2024 Congressional Innovation Scorecard and your member's ranking, click here . C4IP plans to release an updated version of the Innovation Scorecard every year, and will consider members' actions during the current and prior two congresses when assigning grades. C4IP also plans to publicize in advance how it views key IP bills and their likely impact on scores in the next edition of the Scorecard. About the Council for Innovation Promotion: The Council for Innovation Promotion is a bipartisan coalition dedicated to promoting strong and effective intellectual property rights that drive innovation, boost economic competitiveness, and improve lives everywhere. Media contact Morgan Miller 202-990-3350 [email protected] SOURCE Council for Innovation Promotion Firm evolves its brand image to reflect its market leadership position and relaunches its line of strategic consulting services to meet client needs TAMPA, Fla., March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Crosstree, a global leader in health sciences M&A, proudly unveils its refreshed brand image, signaling a pivotal moment in its continued transformation. With a steadfast commitment to authenticity and excellence, Crosstree's reimagined brand reaffirms its position as a global leader in the Health Sciences M&A. "The evolution of Crosstree's brand underscores our dedication to remaining at the forefront of the health sciences M&A landscape," says Sandra G. Callahan, Chief Marketing & Growth Officer at Crosstree. "With a history of over 200 successful focused industry transactions, this strategic rebranding not only further solidifies Crosstree's position as a global leader in the industry but also signifies our readiness to adapt to the ever-changing needs of our clients and partners worldwide." Accompanying the brand evolution is the relaunch and expansion of Crosstree's line of Strategy Advisory & Origination Services. These new capabilities enable Crosstree to provide a breadth of services to health sciences operators and private equity firms, offering tailored solutions that address their unique objectives and challenges, filling crucial gaps in the market. These services include: Platform Thesis Development & Execution - Partnering with sponsors, Crosstree pressure tests, refines, and executes a focused thesis utilizing a high-touch approach and their experience as the most active M&A firm in the health sciences - Partnering with sponsors, Crosstree pressure tests, refines, and executes a focused thesis utilizing a high-touch approach and their experience as the most active M&A firm in the health sciences Add-on Strategy Development & Execution Developing a value-enhancing growth strategy for existing platforms, and executing on strategies with precision Developing a value-enhancing growth strategy for existing platforms, and executing on strategies with precision Platform Assessment - Using an industry-focused lens, validating a potential investment's inorganic growth opportunity, and evaluating the feasibility of execution to enhance client conviction in the deal - Using an industry-focused lens, validating a potential investment's inorganic growth opportunity, and evaluating the feasibility of execution to enhance client conviction in the deal 2.0 Growth Story - Developing the blueprints for the next stage of growth that can be executed by investors or buyers post-transaction in support of a formal sell-side process "We're excited to reintroduce Crosstree's suite of Strategy Advisory & Origination Services. Tailored for operators and private equity firms within the Health Sciences, these offerings allow our firm to partner with clients in new ways that do not currently exist in the marketplace. Combined with our deep industry expertise and unmatched sponsor network, we are utilizing a more specialized approach to help meet our client's dynamic needs." - Shane Senior, CEO & Co-founder, Crosstree Crosstree invites clients, partners, and industry participants to explore its revitalized brand identity exhibited in its updated website and to read more about its unique Strategy Advisory & Origination Services. About Crosstree Crosstree, a global leader in Health Sciences M&A, dedicates its focus to middle-market companies across pharmaceutical services, diagnostics and tools, and healthcare technology. Since 2004, Crosstree has advised on more completed Pharma Services transactions than any other investment bank and has completed over 200 deals in the Health Sciences space. The firm offers a comprehensive range of advisory and capital raising services, encompassing buy-and sell-side mergers and acquisitions, private capital raising, strategy advisory, and origination services. Focused solely on the Health Sciences, Crosstree provides clients with deep industry expertise, unmatched global strategic relationships, and superior outcomes. From its headquarters in Tampa, Florida, Crosstree serves clients across North America, Europe, India, China, Latin America, and Australia, managing transactions from $25 million to over $1 billion. All securities transactions are conducted through Crosstree Capital Securities, LLC, a registered broker-dealer with the SEC and a member of FINRA and SIPC, and an affiliate of Crosstree Capital Partners, Inc. Media Contact: Taylor Blease Crosstree Vice President of Marketing Email: [email protected] Telephone: 813-588-3179 SOURCE Crosstree Capital Partners AUSTIN, Texas, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- CSTMR (pronounced "customer"), a marketing agency for fintech and financial services companies, announces the acquisition of Vie Design Co ., a UK-based branding firm led by Daniel Ocock. With this move, CSTMR doubles down on its mission to build financial and fintech brands that transform lives through brand strategy, digital marketing, advertising, and design expertise. It also signals the launch of CSTMR's own brand evolution. Focused on helping financial services and fintech companies grow for a decade through digital marketing, CSTMR now strengthens its expanding brand strategy and marketing capabilities with the addition of Daniel Ocock from Vie Design. Daniel assumes the role of Chief of Brand and brings over 25 years of experience planning and designing brands for a broad range of organizations through a thoughtful, methodical process that consistently develops stronger, more meaningful brands. He has worked with larger brands such as Santander, Mercedes-Benz, Unilevel, and Bosch as well as creating brand strategies and identities from scratch for new startups. CSTMR combines this innovative branding expertise with its proven digital marketing services to provide an end-to-end brand marketing solution from strategy to execution and growth. "We are thrilled to have a professional of Dan's caliber join our team at CSTMR. He bolsters our ability to serve a financial market that needs impactful brand strategy and foundation-building marketing programs in combination with performance marketing campaigns. Dan's addition will also continue to push the bounds of our creative and critical thinking for our clients to deliver exceptional outcomes. And above all, he is a great human being and a perfect fit for our team culture," states Rory Holland, CEO of CSTMR. CSTMR believes that a great, effective financial brand is a critical asset for successful companies as much as a product, service, or people. An exceptional brand's worth is how it creates an audience preference for a company, differentiates, drives growth, and it can even protect in challenging times. A great brand can move mountains, while average brands fade into the landscape. And poor, afterthought brands are often a hindrance to growth. For more information about CSTMR, or how CSTMR can help your financial or fintech organization, schedule a discussion with our CEO, Rory Holland . Contact: Rory Holland 925-768-5700 SOURCE CSTMR Advisors, key hires, and in-house AI residents will inform the organization's AI strategy, including the development of virtual cell models to advance scientific research REDWOOD CITY, Calif., March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI) announced several key appointments and a new AI residency program to advance the organization's AI strategy for science, which is focused on building predictive models of healthy and diseased cells. Several AI experts from academia and industry have joined a newly established AI Advisory Group, which will provide guidance to leaders at CZI and across the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Network as these organizations work to enable AI at scale for nonprofit life science research. In addition, CZI is launching an AI residency program to develop foundational AI/ML models and tools that will enable new scientific breakthroughs. Theofanis Karaletsos, a technology leader in AI/ML research and science, has also been hired as CZI's Head of Artificial Intelligence for Science. The organization's newly-formed AI Advisory Group, which is composed of several members from CZI's Scientific Advisory Board and the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Board of Directors, will provide guidance and cross-disciplinary feedback to senior leadership teams at CZI and across the CZ Biohub Network. These advisors have deep expertise in leveraging AI/ML models and methods to advance scientific research: Sam Altman , CEO of OpenAI. Altman was also recently named to the CZ Biohub Board. , CEO of OpenAI. Altman was also recently named to the CZ Biohub Board. Regina Barzilay , Distinguished Professor for AI and Health and AI Faculty Lead at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology . Barzilay was also recently named to CZI's Scientific Advisory Board. , Distinguished Professor for AI and Health and AI Faculty Lead at the . Barzilay was also recently named to CZI's Scientific Advisory Board. Reid Hoffman , Partner at Greylock and the Co-Founder of Linkedin. Hoffman joined the CZ Biohub Board in 2016. , Partner at Greylock and the Co-Founder of Linkedin. Hoffman joined the CZ Biohub Board in 2016. Emma Lundberg , Associate Professor of Bioengineering at Stanford University and Co-Director of the Human Protein Atlas. , Associate Professor of Bioengineering at and Co-Director of the Human Protein Atlas. Joelle Pineau , Associate Professor of Computer Science at McGill University and Vice President of AI Research at Meta. Pineau was also recently named to CZI's Scientific Advisory Board. , Associate Professor of Computer Science at and Vice President of AI Research at Meta. Pineau was also recently named to CZI's Scientific Advisory Board. Mike Schroepfer , Founder and Partner of Gigascale Capital, Former CTO of Meta. Schroepfer was also recently named to the CZ Biohub Board. "Bringing these AI leaders and residents on board is an important milestone for our team as we work towards enabling AI/ML at scale to accelerate the pace of scientific research," said Stephen Quake, Head of Science at CZI. "Their participation will help us build a strong foundation for our AI work as an organization and accelerate the progress we're making towards deepening the scientific community's understanding of human biology at a cellular level." Karaletsos will lead CZI's AI strategy for science, including the organization's vision to develop virtual cell models, utilizing one of the largest high-performance AI computing systems for nonprofit life science research. He will collaborate with scientific leaders at CZI including Emma Lundberg, a member of CZI's AI Advisory Group and an Associate Professor of Bioengineering at Stanford University, to launch an in-house AI Residency Program. The new program coalesces AI/ML leaders from academia to develop AI models and applications that will be openly and widely available to the scientific research community. In collaboration with CZI scientists and engineers, the projects spearheaded by these residents will lay the foundation for virtual cell models that will allow researchers to explore the molecular underpinnings of human health and disease. "Enabling AI at scale for life science research will pave the way for new biomedical discoveries," said Theofanis Karaletsos, Head of Artificial Intelligence for Science at CZI. "I'm excited to collaborate with different teams across CZI and the Biohub Network to expand our AI capabilities." CZI's work in science includes grantmaking programs, open-source software development, and close collaboration with its partner institutes at the CZ Biohub Network. The CZ Biohub Network includes the San Francisco, Chicago, and New York Biohubs as well as the Chan Zuckerberg Imaging Institute. CZI also collaborates with institutional partners such as the Kempner Institute for the Study of Natural & Artificial Intelligence at Harvard University. For more information, please visit www.chanzuckerberg.com/science. About the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative was founded in 2015 to help solve some of society's toughest challenges from eradicating disease and improving education, to addressing the needs of our local communities. Our mission is to build a more inclusive, just, and healthy future for everyone. For more information, please visit chanzuckerberg.com . About the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Network The Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Network is a group of nonprofit research institutes that bring together scientists, engineers, and physicians with the goal of pursuing grand scientific challenges on 10- to 15-year time horizons. The CZ Biohub Network focuses on understanding underlying mechanisms of disease and developing new technologies that will lead to actionable diagnostics and effective therapies. To learn more, visit www.czbiohub.org . SOURCE Chan Zuckerberg Initiative NEW YORK, March 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP, a leading national securities law firm, is investigating potential claims against agilon health, inc. ("agilon" or the "Company") (NYSE: AGL) and reminds investors of the May 20, 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 Agilon To Contact Him Directly To Discuss Their Options Faruqi & Faruqi Logo (PRNewsfoto/Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP) If you suffered losses exceeding $100,000 investing in (a) purchased or otherwise acquired agilon common stock between January 9, 2023 and January 4, 2024, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"). (b) all persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired agilon common stock pursuant, or traceable, or both, to materials issued in connection with the Company's secondary public offering (the "SPO Materials") that occurred on or about May 16, 2023 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/AGL. 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: (1) touting the Company's purported visibility into utilization trends and medical costs; (2) failing to disclose increased medical costs that agilon had incurred prior to and during the Class Period due to higher utilization of healthcare by MA patients; (3) falsely stating that its accounting reserves for higher-than-expected medical costs were adequate; (4) making false and misleading statements about the effectiveness of its business model; (5) issuing overly optimistic financial guidance; and (6) issuing risk disclosures that were materially false and misleading because they characterized adverse facts that had already materialized as mere possibilities. The truth about the higher medical costs that agilon had been facing began to emerge on November 2, 2023. On that date, agilon reported lower-than-expected third quarter 2023 results due to increased utilization and medical costs. Defendants also lowered the Company's 2023 full-year revenue outlook and informed investors that agilon had increased its accounting reserve for prior period medical expenses. On this news, agilon's stock price fell $2.23, or 13.2 percent, to close at $14.66 on November 3, 2023. Then, on January 5, 2024, agilon surprised investors again by lowering its 2023 profit forecasts. agilon also announced that its Chief Financial Officer, Timothy Bensley would retire and be replaced later in the year. On this news, agilon's stock fell $3.45, or 28.6 percent, to close at $8.63 on January 5, 2024. The court-appointed lead plaintiff is the investor with the largest financial interest in the relief sought by the class who is adequate and typical of class members who directs and oversees the litigation on behalf of the putative class. Any member of the putative class may move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff through counsel of their choice, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision to serve as a lead plaintiff or not. Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP also encourages anyone with information regarding agilon's conduct to contact the firm, including whistleblowers, former employees, shareholders and others. Attorney Advertising. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP (www.faruqilaw.com). Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your particular case. All communications will be treated in a confidential manner. SOURCE Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP JERSEY CITY, N.J., March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- InsightAce Analytic Pvt. Ltd. announces the release of a market assessment report on the "Global DNA Nanotechnology Market By Type (Structural DNA Nanotechnology (Extended Lattices, Discrete Structures, Template Assembly), Dynamic DNA Nanotechnology (Nanomechanical Devices, Strand Displacement Cascades)), By Application (Targeted Drug Delivery, Smart Pills, Nanolithography, Others), By End User (Biotechnology & Pharmaceutical Companies, Academic & Research Institutions, Others)), Trends, Industry Competition Analysis, Revenue and Forecast To 2031." According to the latest research by InsightAce Analytic, the Global DNA Nanotechnology Market is valued at US$ 4.34 Bn in 2023, and it is expected to reach US$ 24.29 Bn by 2031, with a CAGR of 24.6% during the forecast period of 2024-2031. DNA Nanotechnology Market Report Scope: Report Attribute Specifications Market Size Value In 2023 USD 4.34 Bn Revenue Forecast In 2031 USD 24.29 Bn Growth Rate CAGR CAGR of 24.67% 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 Report Coverage The forecast of revenue, the position of the company, the competitive market structure, growth prospects, and trends Segments Covered By Type, Application, 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 DNA nanotechnology focuses on developing structures, devices, and systems at the nanoscale by harnessing the special characteristics of DNA molecules. Scientists can create highly precise and targeted nanostructures using DNA nanotechnology because DNA is a programmable building material. The potential of DNA nanotechnology in areas such as medical diagnostics, targeted medication administration, and the creation of high-tech materials with unique characteristics is fueling the industry's rapid expansion. Because of its adaptability and accuracy, DNA nanotechnology shows great promise as a medium for fabricating tailored molecular frameworks and systems likely to drive the DNA nanotechnology market forward. In addition, the emergence of novel goods and services based on DNA nanotechnology is propelled by substantial research spending by public and private entities, which helps drive future market revenue growth. However, there is a great deal of scientific and technological difficulty in creating and manipulating nanostructures of such a microscopic size, which could slow down the expansion of the industry. Request for Sample Pages: https://www.insightaceanalytic.com/request-sample/2402 List of Prominent Players in the DNA Nanotechnology Market: Genisphere LLC INOVIO Pharmaceuticals Tilibit nanosystems Aummune Therapeutics Ltd Nanovery Esya Labs Nomic Torus Biosystems Parabon NanoLabs, Inc. NanoApps Medical Inc. Fox BIOSYSTEMS Nanion Technologies GmbH Mehr Mabna Darou, Inc. Nanowerk NuProbe Twist Bioscience Corporation NanoInk Inc. Oxford Nanopore Technologies Ltd. Illumina Inc. Agilent Technologies Inc. Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc. Danaher Corporation Bruker Corporation New England Biolabs Inc. Other Market Players Market Dynamics: Drivers- The growing demand for the DNA nanotechnology market is fueled by the fact that DNA nanotechnology can transform industries as diverse as medicine, electronics, and materials research. Its demand is on the rise. For the development of targeted medication delivery systems, enhanced diagnostic tools, and new materials with unique features, its capacity to construct accurate and programmable structures at the nanoscale is important. Significant factors fueling the market's growth include innovation, as mentioned earlier, potential, and the rising investment in nanotechnology research driven by the growth of DNA nanotechnology. Challenges: There are several obstacles in the DNA nanotechnology industry. These challenges include the public's need for familiarity with and support DNA-based nanotechnology, regulatory roadblocks that could slow down the field, and the technical difficulties of nanoscale DNA manipulation and assembly. Also, new entrants and companies may be hesitant to embrace DNA nanotechnology solutions because the expensive expense of research and development in this cutting-edge industry is further slowing down the market growth. Regional Trends: The North American DNA nanotechnology market is anticipated to record a maximum market share in terms of revenue. It is projected to grow with a high CAGR in the coming years. Multinational firms have set up shop in the nation to produce DNA nanotech because of the cheap manufacturing costs and research and development subsidies. Also contributing significantly to the growth of this field is the creation of structures and gadgets based on DNA, which is progressing rapidly. Besides, Asia Pacific had a considerable market share in the market due to generating DNA nanotechnology solutions, which is encouraged by the expansion of nanotechnology, which stimulates collaboration between varied research groups and industries in this region. Curious About This Latest Version Of The Report? Enquiry Before Buying: https://www.insightaceanalytic.com/enquiry-before-buying/2402 Recent Developments: In January 2024 , Danaher Corporation announced the acquisition of Aldevron. Aldevron produces high-quality plasmid DNA, mRNA, and proteins for its customers in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, who use them in research, clinical trials, and commercial applications. , Danaher Corporation announced the acquisition of Aldevron. Aldevron produces high-quality plasmid DNA, mRNA, and proteins for its customers in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, who use them in research, clinical trials, and commercial applications. In Jan 2023, Agilent Technologies Inc. acquired Avida Biomed , a young startup in the field of life sciences. Avida Biomed has created advanced target enrichment procedures with distinctive features that are particularly useful for clinical researchers that employ next-generation sequencing ( NGS ) methods to investigate cancer. The acquisition enhanced Agilent's already dominant SureSelect portfolio and further supported Agilent's plan to enter the rapidly growing clinical research and diagnostics sectors. Segmentation of DNA Nanotechnology Market- By Type- Structural DNA Nanotechnology Extended Lattices Discrete Structures Template Assembly Dynamic DNA Nanotechnology Nanomechanical Devices Strand Displacement Cascades By Application- Targeted Drug Delivery Smart Pills Nanolithography Others By End User- Biotechnology & Pharmaceutical Companies Academic & Research Institutions Others 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 South East Asia Rest of Asia Pacific Latin America- Brazil Argentina Rest of Latin America Middle East & Africa- GCC Countries South Africa Rest of the Middle East and Africa Curious About This Latest Version Of The Report? Enquiry Before Buying: https://www.insightaceanalytic.com/customisation/2402 Why should buy this report: To receive a comprehensive analysis of the prospects for global DNA Nanotechnology market To receive industry overview and future trends of global DNA Nanotechnology market To analyze the DNA Nanotechnology market drivers and challenges To get information on the DNA Nanotechnology market size value (US$ Mn) forecast till 2031 Major Investments, Mergers & Acquisitions in global DNA Nanotechnology market industry Other Related Reports Published by InsightAce Analytic: Smart Pill Technology Market DNA/RNA Sample Extraction and Isolation Market DNA and Gene Cloning Services Market Next-Generation Lithography Materials Market Connected Smart Drug Delivery Systems 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: [email protected] Site Visit: www.insightaceanalytic.com Follow Us on LinkedIn @ bit.ly/2tBXsgS Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1729637/InsightAce_Analytic_Logo.jpg SOURCE InsightAce Analytic Pvt. Ltd Beijing (Gasgoo)- SERES Auto, the maker of high-end intelligent new energy vehicle brand AITO, held its Overseas Business Conference 2024 on March 19, with over 300 dealer representatives from 62 countries and regions in attendance, marking a significant milestone in the company's global expansion strategy. Photo credit: SERES Auto To fulfill its overseas development plans, SERES Auto will leverage its R&D capabilities and intelligent manufacturing strength to introduce a series of new luxury intelligent SUV models under the SERES brand for global markets. These models will redefine luxury intelligent vehicles with advancements in smart technology, space, safety, driving control, and premium features. Moreover, in its commitment to better serve global users, SERES Auto will deepen collaborations with global business partners. It aims to adopt diverse and flexible cooperation methods tailored to the market characteristics of each country and region, including establishing local sales companies and constructing overseas factories. Photo credit: SERES Auto Simultaneously, SERES Auto plans to establish a service system to provide a premium intelligent service experience for global users. In response to the disruptions and transformations in the global luxury automobile market, SERES Auto will collaborate with partners to build a comprehensive talent team aligned with the requirements of the smart luxury vehicle market, ensuring sustainable development. With its vehicles exported to over 70 countries and regions, including Europe, the Americas, Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia, SERES Auto has surpassed the milestone of exporting over 500,000 vehicles worldwide. VENTURA, Calif., March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On February 26, 2024, world-renowned gastroenterologist Dr. Sabine Hazan spoke at the United States Senate about the failures, corruption and censorship surrounding COVID-19 research. This round table discussion, titled "Federal Health Agencies and the COVID Cartel: What Are They Hiding?" , was led by the U.S. Senator Ron Johnson. Dr. Hazan has practiced medicine for over 30 years and conducted over 200 clinical trials, including vaccine studies. She is the founder of the Microbiome Research Foundation and ProgenaBiome - the first lab to document the entire sequence of the COVID-19 virus. Hazan discussed the extreme difficulties that doctors face when trying to publish research that counters the national public narrative. She cited her personal experience about the hardships she faced when publishing and conducting research on COVID-19 treatment during the pandemic. Hazan led 3 protocols for treatment of COVID-19 approved to be run by the FDA: 1) Hydroxychloroquine, Azithromycin, Vitamin C, Vitamin D and Zinc 2) Ivermectin, Doxycycline Hcl, Zinc, Vitamin D3 and Vitamin C 3) Hydroxychloroquine, Vitamin C, Vitamin D and Zinc for prophylaxis . "On April 2, 2022, the FDA sent me a research trial exemption letter. Someone must have called the FDA because on April 4, 2022, our exemption was removed and we were told we needed to conduct a full clinical trial," Hazan said. The research study was given a start date of May 2022. When the time came for research trial participant recruitment, the media had already instilled fear in the public around the drug hydroxychloroquine. "It was impossible to recruit even though hydroxychloroquine has been safely given for years to treat arthritis and lupus with no problems," Hazan said. The media interference continued when Hazan's clinical trial company was banned from advertising on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. "I do clinical trials for a living; I have never not been able to recruit for a trial via social media," said Hazan. The research on ivermectin on patients with COVID-19 showed an increase of bifidobacteria within 24 hours. She published a hypothesis that suggested ivermectin increased bifidobacteria in the gut which became "the most read hypothesis during the pandemic," Hazan said. This hypothesis was retracted within 8 months of being published. "When we cannot make and publish a hypothesis in science, that is not science," Hazan said. In December 2020, Hazan began collecting stool samples to test bifidobacteria levels pre and post receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. The research showed that mRNA vaccines, like the COVID-19 vaccine, kill bifidobacteria, therefore weakening the body's immune system and ability to fight viruses. These groundbreaking findings received an award at the American College of Gastroenterology in October 2022, yet the paper has yet to be published. "It is nearly impossible to publish data that goes against the national public health narrative. If doctors cannot publish the data, they cannot find solutions to fix the problems. COVID should have been a time where humanity joined forcesdoctors needed to come together. It is a shame that did not happen. What we saw during the pandemic was that the price of the stock mattered more than the price of a life," Hazan said. To view the recording of the roundtable discussion, click here . About ProgenaBiome: ProgenaBiome is a standalone research company pioneering the world of Microbiome research with their worldwide network of scientists and doctors. Along with their research, the company is bringing verified, reproducible assays to market and is looking to partner with investors. Read more about ProgenaBiome's research, mission, and register for the newsletter through their webpage, progenabiome.com . For more timely information, follow Dr. Hazan on X @SabinehazanMD and Instagram @dr.sabinehazan. About the Microbiome Research Foundation: The Microbiome Research Foundation is dedicated to helping patients with diseases of the gut flora (microbiome). The foundation runs on donations and sales of their product Biomeboosters . A portion of these funds help pay for education and those unable to afford microbiome testing. It is hosting its 4th annual Malibu Microbiome Meeting August 10/11, 2024 in a private vineyard in Malibu. Sponsors and attendees can purchase booths and tickets here . For more, visit: https://progenabiome.com https://clinicaltrials.gov https://microbiomeresearchfoundation.org/ https://letstalkshit.org https://biomeboosters.com Media Contact: 800-380-7764 [email protected] Author: Jamie Miller [email protected] 404-422-9433 SOURCE ProgenaBiome NEW YORK, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global e-bike battery market size is estimated to grow by USD 2.12 bn from 2023 to 2027, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of over 6.46% during the forecast period. The E-bike battery market is driven by the widespread adoption of lithium-ion batteries, particularly lithium-iron phosphate technology. These batteries offer advantages such as extended shelf life, high current density, and improved safety over lead-acid batteries. Key players like Appe, Bosch, and Yamaha are introducing innovative solutions like range extenders and graphene battery packs to enhance market trends in e-bike sales. E-bike sharing services and government initiatives further fuel market growth. Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global E-bike Battery Market 2023-2027 Reports provide in-depth analysis on market dynamics, competitive landscape, market size with historical (2017 - 2021) and forecasted (2023-2027) data- Request a sample report E-bike Battery Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2022 Historic period 2017 - 2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 6.46% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 2.12 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 4.1 Regional analysis APAC, Europe, North America, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution APAC at 77% Key countries US, China, India, Japan, and Germany Competitive landscape Leading Vendors, Market Positioning of Vendors, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks Key companies profiled BMZ Holding GmbH, Coslight India Telecom Pvt. Ltd., Giant Manufacturing Co. Ltd., GRUPO FOTONA, Guangzhou Yuntong Lithium Battery Co. Ltd., Hunan CTS Technology Co. Ltd., Johnson Matthey Plc, Kingbo Power Technology Co. Ltd., LG Corp., Melsen Power Technology Co. Ltd., OptimumNano Energy Co. Ltd., Panasonic Holdings Corp., Phylion Battery Co. Ltd., Robert Bosch GmbH, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., Shenzhen Handpack Technology Co. Ltd., SHIMANO INC., VARTA AG, Yamaha Motor Co. Ltd., and ZHANGZHOU YOKU ENERGY TECHNOLOGY Co. Ltd. This report presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources through an analysis of key parameters.View Sample Report Research Analysis The E-bike battery market is experiencing significant growth, with key players such as Lithium-ion Battery manufacturers and Lead Acid Battery suppliers dominating the market share. Government initiatives to promote electric vehicles and the increasing popularity of electric bikes have boosted sales. Graphene battery packs, a new development in the Lithium-ion Battery industry, offer improved energy density and longer range, making them an attractive option for E-bike manufacturers. Range extenders, which can be integrated with Lithium-ion Batteries, further enhance the riding experience by extending the bike's range. Overall, the RF Components market for E-bike batteries is poised for continued growth, driven by advancements in battery technology and government support. Market Drivers The RF components market for e-bike batteries is experiencing significant growth, driven by the widespread adoption of lithium-ion batteries in the e-bike industry. Among various Li-ion battery technologies, lithium-iron phosphate batteries are the most popular choice due to their superior electrochemical performance and extended shelf life. These batteries offer advantages such as increased thermal stability, safety, high current density, and longer lifespan compared to nickel-metal hydride and lead-acid batteries. RF components play a crucial role in the efficient communication and management of e-bike battery systems, ensuring optimal performance and longevity. The market for RF components in e-bike batteries is expected to grow steadily during the forecast period, fueled by the increasing demand for e-bikes and the ongoing shift towards advanced, high-performance battery systems. Geographic Landscape The RF components market for E-bike batteries in APAC has experienced significant growth, particularly in China. With the Chinese government's initiative to limit motorcycles in city areas, E-bike sales have surged since 2010. RF components play a crucial role in ensuring efficient and reliable communication between the battery and other E-bike components. As China's E-bike market matures, the RF components market is expected to maintain steady growth, driven by the ongoing demand for E-bikes and advancements in battery technology. Other key markets, such as Vietnam, Japan, and India, are also expected to contribute to the expansion of the RF components market for E-bike batteries in APAC. Download Free Sample Report Now Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation by Product Type 7 Market Segmentation by Distribution Channel 8 Customer Landscape 9 Geographic Landscape 10 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 11 Company Landscape 12 Company Analysis 13 Appendix About US Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus 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. Contact 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 BOSTON, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- This July, the 13th annual International Space Station Research and Development Conference (ISSRDC) returns to Boston, where leaders from the commercial sector, U.S. government agencies, and academic communities will assemble to highlight innovations and opportunities through our nation's orbiting outpost. ISSRDC will take place July 30-August 1, 2024, at the Marriott Copley Place in Boston. Early registration is now open until May 24, 2024. Booking during early registration reserves your spot before the price increases. ISSRDC 2024 is the only conference dedicated to showcasing how the space station continues to provide a valuable platform for research and technology development that benefits humanity and enables a robust and sustainable market in low Earth orbit. A series of announcements in the coming weeks will highlight dynamic keynote speakers and panel sessions for ISSRDC 2024. This year's conference will also feature lightning talks, plenary presentations, technical sessions, workshops, an investor session, and networking opportunities. A marketplace expo will allow companies to showcase how they are advancing opportunities in low Earth orbit and will provide a venue to meet with researchers and stakeholders. Join us on Day 3 of the conference as we present awards to students who have excelled in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and workforce development programs. Engaging students through such programs is key to ensuring the future of our industry. We invite professionals from industry, academia, and government as well as students to participate and share their research in our technical sessions. The Call for Abstracts is now open, and authors and presenters are encouraged to submit their abstracts early. The abstract submission deadline is April 19, 2024. The conference is hosted by the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS), manager of the ISS National Laboratory; NASA; and the American Astronautical Society. To learn more about ISSRDC, including how to register, exhibit, and become a sponsor, please visit our conference website . To download a high-resolution image for this release, click here . About the International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory: The International Space Station (ISS) is a one-of-a-kind laboratory that enables research and technology development not possible on Earth. As a public service enterprise, the ISS National Laboratory allows researchers to leverage this multiuser facility to improve quality of life on Earth, mature space-based business models, advance science literacy in the future workforce, and expand a sustainable and scalable market in low Earth orbit. Through this orbiting national laboratory, research resources on the ISS are available to support non-NASA science, technology, and education initiatives from U.S. government agencies, academic institutions, and the private sector. The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) manages the ISS National Lab, under Cooperative Agreement with NASA, facilitating access to its permanent microgravity research environment, a powerful vantage point in low Earth orbit, and the extreme and varied conditions of space. To learn more about the ISS National Lab, visit our website . As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, CASIS accepts corporate and individual donations to help advance science in space for the benefit of humanity. For more information, visit our donations page . International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory Managed by the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space, Inc. (CASIS) 6905 N. Wickham Rd., Suite 500, Melbourne, FL 32940 321.253.5101 www.ISSNationalLab.org SOURCE International Space Station National Lab Raise comes just four months after $6.5M Seed Funding from Suffolk Technologies Solution provides contractors with simple way to provide estimates quickly and accurately BOSTON, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ediphi, the most advanced cloud-based estimating solution on the market, today announced it has raised $12 million in Series A funding, led by Norwest Venture Partners. The financing will be used to expand its team, invest in product innovation through research and development, and grow its market share within the industry. This funding comes on the heels of a $6.5 million seed funding round that Ediphi closed in November 2023, led by Suffolk Technologies. "Dominated by legacy, on-premise solutions, nearly 75% of contractors rely on manual methods for price quoting. Ediphi is about to change that with a cloud-native solution that saves time and money by accelerating a days- or weeks-long process into a few hours, while enabling unprecedented accuracy, scalability and collaboration," said Sean Jacobsohn, Norwest partner. "I've followed Dustin for more than a decade and it's clear he understands the pain points of preconstruction firsthand, and he's assembled a strong leadership team with deep domain expertise. It's rare for a company at this stage to deliver an enterprise-class solution that pays for itself in savings. We see enormous opportunity for Ediphi to disrupt the preconstruction market." Estimating is no longer an event. It's a process and the most important phase in construction. Because of this, only a cloud-based solution can meet today's estimating requirements, which ties directly to downstream project success. Ediphi's cloud-based estimating solution generates informative estimates with minimal project inputs using a rich cloud database of scope and historical cost data. Contractors can begin preconstruction by pricing a napkin sketch and firm up details as the project evolves, allowing them to: Centralize data in the cloudwith an internet connection and a browser, you can access Ediphi. Drive conceptual, detailed cost estimates, general conditions and requirements, and buy-out Connect preconstruction workflows in a single location And ultimately, accelerate preconstruction and win more profitable work "Our mission is to empower the people who plan the built world. This funding further validates our efforts and will allow us to build our team and invest more in research and development," said Dustin DeVan CEO of Ediphi. "We have seen massive interest from customers looking to move away from desktop applications for modern cloud infrastructures and to consolidate their estimating processes." Prior to co-founding Ediphi, CEO Dustin DeVan spent six formative years as a general contractor. That experience deepened his passion for the construction industry and ignited his ambition to improve preconstruction. Following that calling, he founded BuildingConnected, a preconstruction platform that was eventually acquired by Autodesk for $275 million. DeVan is joined by CTO Michael Navarro, a 20-year veteran of preconstruction and operations, and the chief architect behind the Ediphi platform. To learn more about Ediphi, visit ediphi.com. About Ediphi Ediphi is the most advanced cloud-based estimating software on the market. Contractors use our platform to streamline preconstruction and empower better decision making, ensuring they consistently guide clients to the right target value design. At the core, we've made it drastically more efficient to provide conceptual and cost estimates quicklyand even easier for you to work through design iterations and value engineering. Ediphi leverages cloud infrastructure to ensure data accessibility across your workflowsfrom estimating to procurement and risk management, allowing Contractors to reduce non-recoverable preconstruction costs and decrease the time it takes to move from ideation to breaking ground, all while better serving their end customers. To learn more, visit our website: www.ediphi.com About Norwest Venture Partners Norwest Venture Partners is a global venture and growth equity investment firm managing more than $12.5 billion in capital. Since its inception, Norwest has invested in more than 700 companies and currently partners with more than 230 companies in its venture and growth equity portfolio. The firm invests in early- to late-stage businesses across key sectors with a focus on enterprise, consumer and healthcare. The Norwest team offers a deep network of connections, extensive operating experience, and a wide range of impactful services to help CEOs and founders scale their businesses. Norwest has offices in Menlo Park and San Francisco, Calif.; Mumbai and Tel Aviv. For more information, please visit www.nvp.com. SOURCE Ediphi Bill Would Establish An Award Program for Firefighters with PFAS-Related Cancers BIRMINGHAM, Ala., March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Environmental Litigation Group, P.C. (ELG), a leader in legal representation for individuals harmed by toxic chemical exposure, is proud to endorse the proposed federal Firefighter PFAS Injury Compensation Program and Fund and calls on the United States Congress and President Joe Biden to implement and fund it as swiftly as possible. Introduced by Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Representative Darren Soto (D-FL), this critical fund will provide full compensation to any firefighter, and their families, who have been physically injured or killed because of exposure to PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). "This fund would be a major victory for firefighters across the U.S., providing them desperately needed and deserved financial support as they battle through life-changing illnesses," said ELG principal Gregory Cade, Esq. "These brave individuals have laid everything on the line to protect their communities, and it's past time we protect them, too. I thank Senator Booker and Representative Soto for their sponsorship and support." ELG worked alongside Senator Booker, Representative Soto, and firefighters across the country to bring this legislation to Congress. "We're grateful for Senator Booker and Representative Soto's partnership in proposing this crucial legislation," said ELG Attorney Kevin McKie. "Of course, this bill would not be possible without the tireless advocacy of firefighters from every corner of the country, and hopefully this fund is operating soon to get them the help they need." "Exposure to PFAS changed my life and not for the better," said Jesse Powell, a Memphis firefighter with over 20 years of service. "This fund would be a silver lining in a dark situation that has impacted myself and so many other dedicated firefighters that truly deserve this attention and assistance." Firefighters are at increased risk of developing thyroid, kidney, testicular, prostate, and other cancers due to their exposure to PFAS, which is present in firefighting foam and gear, dust and smoke. Given PFAS stays in the body for years, repeated exposure results in increased levels, which ultimately puts those individuals at higher risk of illness. ELG represents thousands of firefighters across the country in their pursuit of justice for PFAS related injuries. About Environmental Litigation Group Environmental Litigation Group, P.C. (ELG) is a science-focused law firm specializing in occupational and environmental exposure to toxicants. At ELG, we understand the devastating effects these exposures can have on the lives of our clients and their families. We are dedicated to holding the responsible parties accountable for causing serious injury. ELG has offices in Birmingham, Alabama and Washington, D.C. and our team of attorneys and staff have a variety of scientific backgrounds and decades of experience in environmental mass tort litigation. Learn more at elglaw.com. SOURCE Environmental Litigation Group In partnership with the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC ), an agency under the purview of the Ministry of Digital established to lead Malaysia's digital economy, Draper University will support and spearhead the growth of 140 startups in Malaysia over the next two years with a focus on companies that operate in the AI, Cybersecurity, Blockchain, Web3, and Advanced 5G space. "This strategic collaboration between MDEC and Draper University will drive investment in Malaysian startups like never before, by developing the digital ecosystem and providing mutually beneficial market access for emerging Malaysian companies to propel the country's tech sector to even greater heights," said Asra Nadeem, Chief Executive Officer of Draper University. Minister of Digital, Malaysia, Gobind Singh Deo said, "I am happy to note that Draper University will establish its first campus outside of Silicon Valley in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This will accelerate innovation and value creation in our startup ecosystem. This underscores Malaysia's commitment to develop a global mindset in this sector and position us as the preferred digital hub in ASEAN." Malaysia is currently looking to build that competitive edge capable of empowering startups, including supporting initiatives which innovate and simplify business processes. Draper University has accelerated over 750 companies to date, with over USD1.05B raised from top global investors and produced several unicorns including "1047 Games" (video game developer) and "Highstreet" (a commerce-centred metaverse that integrates shopping with gaming). Draper University is part of the Draper Venture Ecosystem which is an alliance of various global independent venture firms including Draper Associates, Draper Dragon, Draper Cygnus, DNX Ventures, Boost VC and Draper Startup House, a global chain of affordable housing for entrepreneurs. About Draper University Draper University is an immersive entrepreneurship institution founded by venture capitalist Tim Draper. The University offers a combination of on-site and virtual programs designed to build understanding and foundations for the next generation of startup founders and entrepreneurs. With the aim to connect international startup ecosystems, Draper University has always worked towards building bridges between these ecosystems and Silicon Valley. SOURCE Draper University ORLANDO, Fla., March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Florida's housing market had more new listings, more inventory (active listings) and higher median prices in February compared to a year ago, according to Florida Realtors' latest housing data. "Florida's housing supply continued to improve in February, providing momentum for buyers wanting to enter the market now to hopefully find their Florida dream home during the spring homebuying season," said 2024 Florida Realtors President Gia Arvin, broker-owner with Matchmaker Realty in Gainesville. "Though mortgage rates currently are still fluctuating near 7%, housing economists are predicting rates will start to ease in the second quarter." Closed sales of single-family homes statewide last month totaled 19,040, up 2.2% from the February 2023, while existing condo-townhouse sales totaled 7,471, down 2.5% year-over-year, according to data from Florida Realtors Research Department in partnership with local Realtor boards/associations. Closed sales may occur from 30- to 90-plus days after sales contracts are written. In February, the statewide median sales price for single-family existing homes was $415,000, up 5.1% from the previous year; for condo-townhouse units, it was $325,000, up 3.2% over February 2023. The median is the midpoint; half the homes sold for more, half for less. Florida's home prices and number of closed home sales for the first two months of 2024 look a lot like they did at this point a year ago in early 2023, said Florida Realtors Chief Economist Dr. Brad O'Connor. "However, while the demand side of the equation is little changed from last year, on the supply side, we are seeing significantly more new listings than a year ago," he noted. "So far this year, while you could still characterize new listings of single-family homes as being in their normal pre-pandemic range, they were at the high end of that range in February. In fact, there were more single-family homes listed for sale in Florida this February (a total of 32,557, up 28.3% year-over-year) than in any February dating back to 2008, when we started tracking new listings. "While there were nearly this many new listings in both February of 2016 and 2018, this has been a remarkable turnaround compared to where we were last year at this time, when we had the lowest number of February new listings of single-family homes since 2013." Looking at condo-townhouse properties, new listings so far in 2024 are up (a total of 16,906, up 30.3% year-over-year) and higher than the previous "normal range," O'Connor said, pointing to recent increases in insurance rates and condo fees as a probable factor, along with local market dynamics. He added, "Despite the rapid rise in inventory levels (active listings) that has resulted from the recent resurgence in new listings, inventory levels at the end of February in both property type categories were still well within the ballpark of the pre-pandemic norm that was established roughly from 2013 onward. "It will take a lot more inventory to put a significant dent in home prices, but at current levels, inventory is now high enough that it should continue to slow home price growth and present buyers with a lot more options than they had two or three years ago." Statewide inventory (active listings) in February was higher than a year ago for both existing single-family homes, increasing by 36.5%, and for condo-townhouse units, up 73.3%. The supply of single-family existing homes was at a 3.9-months' supply while existing condo-townhouse properties were at a 6.3-months' supply last month. To see the full statewide housing activity reports, go to the Florida Realtors Newsroom at https://www.floridarealtors.org/newsroom and look under Latest Releases or download the February 2024 data report PDFs under Market Data at https://www.floridarealtors.org/newsroom/market-data. Florida Realtors serves as the voice for real estate in Florida. It provides programs, services, continuing education, research and legislative representation to 238,000 members in 51 boards/associations. Florida Realtors Newsroom website is available at http://floridarealtors.org/newsroom. SOURCE Florida Realtors DUBLIN, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Animal Biotechnology Market - Forecasts from 2024 to 2029" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The animal biotechnology market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 6.28% during the forecast period. Animals with enhanced growth rates, illness resistance, or the ability to synthesise therapeutic proteins have all been created via animal biotechnology. Animal biotechnology has advanced owing to recent advances in the sequencing of animal genomes, gene expression, and metabolic profiling of animal cells. Recent advancements in genome editing technologies, including TALENS, CRISPR-Cas, and Zinc Finger Nucleases, have opened up new possibilities for rapidly changing an animal's genetic composition to improve its health and well-being, agricultural productivity, and disease resistance. The growing demand for genetically engineered therapeutic proteins that offer improved disease resistance, their use in the treatment of cancer, and increased preventative care for animals are a few key growth drivers for the animal biotechnology market. Rising demand for the use of animals in agriculture, meat production, and animal-based products, rising public concern for the health and welfare of animals, an expanding role for animals in the creation of human pharmaceuticals, and an increase in animal adoption are all factors that contribute to the animal biotechnology market expansion. Increasing prevalence of obesity, inflammation and cancer in dogs The most prevalent nutritional problem in canines is obesity, and it has become more widespread in recent years which is a major driving factor for the animal biotechnology market expansion. Obesity is prevalent in dogs in several nations. Chronic low-grade inflammation is a common explanation for why obesity has so many detrimental effects on one's health. This is generally recognised and acknowledged, and multiple research shows a link between obesity and an increased risk of developing some malignancies and associated effects. These explanations are crucial since, like obesity, dog cancer incidence has grown recently, making it a substantial cause of death for these animals. Increasing government initiatives To improve India's preparedness and response to potential animal pandemics in line with the One Health approach, Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairy, Shri Parshottam Rupala, unveiled the Animal Pandemic Preparedness Initiative and the World Bank-funded Animal Health System Support for One Health. With an emphasis on zoonotic illnesses that are dangerous to both animal and human health, this effort seeks to improve India's readiness for and response to animal pandemics. Through community engagement, this effort works to increase farmer knowledge while also enhancing veterinarian services and infrastructure, disease surveillance capabilities, early detection and response, and the ability of animal health experts. Increasing demand for vaccines The rising prevalence of animal illnesses is the major reason for the growth of vaccines in the animal biotechnology market. Close contact with diseased people or animals, or other natural means, these illnesses are naturally passed from animals to humans because of contaminated food and water intake. Furthermore, in June 2023, the introduction of NANDI (NOC Approval for New Drug and Inoculation System) showed that DAHD is making progress towards implementing the treatments outlined in its Animal Pandemic Preparedness Initiative (APPI). Furthermore, in July 2023, the Centre on Vaccine Evaluation and Alternatives for Antimicrobials, or CVEAA, officially opened at Kansas State University's College of Veterinary Medicine to assist the use and development of animal vaccines. In North America, it is projected that the animal biotechnology market will grow steadily. It is projected that the existence of healthcare programmes and a rise in the number of efforts to enhance animal health will increase this region's potential for animal biotechnology market growth. Additionally, it is projected that the region's strong R&D investment would accelerate animal biotechnology market expansion in North America. For instance, in May 2023, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration jointly announced a project that aims to provide an important new resource for researchers and businesses developing novel animal biotechnology products by using genome editing to change the animals' genomes. The FDA is working on this initiative as part of its ongoing efforts to promote the development of safe, useful biotechnology products. Animal Biotechnology Products at CVM CVM is dedicated to advancing new technologies for the production of safe and reliable goods while preserving customer confidence via the use of a science- and risk-based regulatory framework. IGAs in animals and ACTPs are the two examples of novel animal products that CVM promotes and supports in their development. The Veterinary Innovation Programme (VIP), which offers more clarity in the regulatory process, promotes research and development, and supports an effective and predictable pathway to approval for ACTPs and IGAs in animals, was established by CVM to facilitate advancements in the development of novel animal products. Major Government Programs One Health Initiative, the Department established a "One Health Centre" at the National Institute of Animal Biotechnology (NIAB), Hyderabad to foster cross-sectoral cooperation between the veterinary, medical, agricultural, environmental, forestry, meteorological, and other fields to identify, prevent, and control zoonoses and transboundary animal diseases. to foster cross-sectoral cooperation between the veterinary, medical, agricultural, environmental, forestry, meteorological, and other fields to identify, prevent, and control zoonoses and transboundary animal diseases. Translational Research Platform for Veterinary Biologicals (TRPVB), to allow a collaborative and coordinated approach for the translation of innovations in the domain of veterinary biologicals, vaccines, and diagnostics, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and TANUVAS-Chennai have formed a partnership known as TRPVB. The goal of TRPVB is to translate veterinary vaccinations, diagnostics, and other biologicals into use in the field and to use their benefits to raise farmland's economic standing and increase animal health and production. Companies Profiled Zeus Biotech Pvt. Ltd. Invetx Ingenta Connect Kingfisher Biotech Animab Boehringer Ingelheim Beveridge & Diamond PC RSPCA Santa Cruz Biotechnology Pfizer Report Segmentation: By Product Diagnostic Tests Vaccines Drugs Reproductive and Genetic Medications Feed Additives By Application Diagnosis of Animal Disease Treatment of Animal Disease Preventive Care of Animals Drug Development Others By End Use Laboratories In-house Testing Clinics Others By Geography North America United States Canada Mexico South America Brazil Argentina Others Europe United Kingdom Germany France Spain Others Middle East and Africa Saudi Arabia UAE Israel Others and Asia Pacific Japan China India South Korea Indonesia Thailand Others For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/u3bboq 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 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Covid-19 Diagnostic Market Forecast by Technology, Product, Channel and Country with Executive and Consultant Guides" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The pandemic may be ending but Covid-19 is here to stay. This is still a dynamic market as multiple competitors are vying for the very lucrative future for respiratory diagnostics. New variants and the situation in China have changed the pandemic outlook. And we have changed ours. Get the revised outlook based on the latest data. A new dynamic market is emerging for Covid-19 based diagnostics. Testing is moving into physicians' offices and even into the home. Saliva tests? Handheld multiplex testers? Home-based testing sticks? And what about the Workplace market where safety is paramount? And what happens to the large laboratory capacity that was built up to handle a pandemic now in decline? Learn all about these changing markets in the publisher's latest report. Revenue, technology, products and channels. They are all looked at in this complete report that provides detailed breakdowns by country and regions. Get on top of the situation quickly with the publisher's Market Guides and Situation Analysis. The research makes you the expert in your organization. Get the publisher's research team working for you by ordering this comprehensive report. Your credit card order sends the report to your inbox instantly. Check all your licensing options but don't worry, your order is available as a credit if you wish to upgrade to more information. As always, assistance, and additional specific data, is provided without additional charges. Key Topics Covered: 1 Market Guides 1.1 Strategic Situation Analysis 1.2 Guidance for Executives 1.3 COVID-19. Guidance for Management Consultants and Investment Advisors 2 Introduction and Market Definition 2.1 What are Pandemics? 2.2 The Role of Zoonosis 2.3 Market Definition 2.4 Methodology 2.5 Historical Perspective on Pandemics 3 The Pandemic Overview 3.1 What is a Virus? 3.1.1 Is a Virus Alive? 3.1.2 Viral Structure 3.1.3 The Viral Genome 3.1.4 Viral Mutation 3.2 The Coronavirus 3.2.1 Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) 3.2.2 Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) 3.2.3 COVID-19. The SARS CoV 2 Virus. 3.2.3.1 Signs and symptoms 3.2.3.2 Transmission 3.2.3.3 Diagnosis 3.2.3.4 Prevention 3.2.3.5 Management 3.2.3.6 Prognosis 3.2.3.7 A Note on Global Statistics Reporting 3.3 Pandemic Diagnostics 3.3.1 Risk Management - Spark and Spread 3.3.2 Dx Technology - Nucleic Acid Based 3.3.3 Dx Technology - Immunoassay 3.3.4 Time to Market and Preparedness Issues 4 Industry Structure 4.1 Players in a Dynamic Market 4.1.1 Academic Research Lab 4.1.2 Diagnostic Test Developer 4.1.3 Instrumentation Supplier 4.1.4 Chemical/Reagent Supplier 4.1.5 Pathology Supplier 4.1.6 Independent Clinical Laboratory 4.1.7 Public National/regional Laboratory 4.1.8 Hospital Laboratory 4.1.9 Physicians Office Lab (POLS) 4.1.10 Audit Body 4.1.11 Certification Body 5 Diagnostic Company Profiles 5.1 Abacus Diagnostica 5.2 Abbott Laboratories 5.3 Accel Diagnostics 5.4 Accelerate Diagnostics 5.5 Access Bio 5.6 ADT Biotech 5.7 Advanced Biological Laboratories 5.8 Agilent/Dako 5.9 Altona Diagnostics 5.10 Alveo Technologies 5.11 Anatolia Geneworks 5.12 Anitoa 5.13 Antelope Dx 5.14 Applied BioCode 5.15 Applied DNA Sciences 5.16 Assurance Scientific Laboratories 5.17 Aureum Diagnostics 5.18 Aurora Biomed 5.19 Aus Diagnostics 5.20 Autobio Diagnostics 5.21 Baebies 5.22 Beckman Coulter Diagnostics 5.23 Becton, Dickinson and Company 5.24 BGI Genomics Co. Ltd 5.25 BillionToOne 5.26 Binx Health 5.27 Biocartis 5.28 Biodesix Inc. 5.29 BioFire Diagnostics (bioMerieux) 5.30 Biolidics Ltd 5.31 bioMerieux Diagnostics 5.32 Bioneer Corporation 5.33 Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc 5.34 Bio-Reference Laboratories 5.35 Bosch Healthcare Solutions GmbH 5.36 Celemics 5.37 Cepheid (Danaher) 5.38 Chembio 5.39 Co Diagnostics 5.40 Color Genomics 5.41 CTK Biotech 5.42 Cue Health 5.43 Curetis N.V. / Curetis GmbH 5.44 Detect 5.45 Diagenode Diagnostics 5.46 Diasorin S.p.A. 5.47 Domus Diagnostics 5.48 Element Biosciences 5.49 Ellume 5.50 Enzo Biochem 5.51 Everywell 5.52 Fluxergy 5.53 Fujirebio 5.54 Fulgent Genetics 5.55 Fusion Genomics. 5.56 Fyr Diagnostics 5.57 Genedrive 5.58 Genetic Signatures 5.59 GenMark Dx (Roche) 5.60 Genomadix 5.61 Gold Standard Diagnostics 5.62 Hibergene Diagnostics 5.63 Hologic 5.64 Illumina 5.65 Immunexpress 5.66 Inflammatix 5.67 Janssen Diagnostics 5.68 Karius 5.69 Laboratory Corporation of America 5.70 Letsgetchecked 5.71 Lexagene 5.72 LightDeck Diagnostics 5.73 Luminex (DiaSorin) 5.74 LumiraDx 5.75 Mammoth Biosciences 5.76 Mayo Clinic Laboratories 5.77 Mbio Diagnostics 5.78 Meridian Bioscience 5.79 Mesa Biotech (Thermo Fisher) 5.80 Mesa Laboratories, Inc. 5.81 MicroGem 5.82 Minute Molecular 5.83 Mobidiag (Hologic) 5.84 Molbio Diagnostics 5.85 NanoDx 5.86 Nanomix 5.87 Novacyt 5.88 OnsiteGene 5.89 OraSure Technologies 5.90 Oxford Nanopore Technologies 5.91 Perkin Elmer 5.92 Prenetics 5.93 Primerdesign (Novacyt) 5.94 Prominex 5.95 Qiagen 5.96 QuantuMDx 5.97 Quest Diagnostics 5.98 QuidelOrtho 5.99 Randox Toxicology 5.100 Salignostics 5.101 Scope Fluidics 5.102 SD Biosensor 5.103 Seegene 5.104 Sense Biodetection 5.105 Sherlock Biosciences 5.106 Siemens Healthineers 5.107 Singular Genomics 5.108 SomaLogic 5.109 Sona Nanotech 5.110 SpeeDx 5.111 Talis Biomedical 5.112 Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. 5.113 Ultima Genomics 5.114 Vela Diagnostics 5.115 Veredus Laboratories 5.116 Vircell 5.117 Visby Medical 5.118 YD Diagnostics 5.119 Zhejiang Orient Gene Biotech 6 Covid-19 Diagnostics Recent Developments 6.1 Recent Developments - Importance and How to Use This Section 6.1.1 Importance of These Developments 6.1.2 How to Use This Section 6.2 CTK Biotech Gets EAU for At-Home COVID Antigen Test 6.3 FDA Grants EAU for Premier Medical At-Home COVID Assay 6.4 QuidelOrtho Seeks Home Testing Contract 6.5 Aptitude Medical Gets EUA for Over-the-Counter COVID Saliva MDx 6.6 Siemens Healthineers Gains CE Marks for Seasonal Viral Assays 6.7 NanoDx Prepares for POC Platform Commercialization With TBI, COVID Tests 6.8 North American Dx Recalls Covid Rapid Antigen Tests 6.9 Domus Dx to Launch OC Diagnostics Test System 6.10 Becton Dickinson, ReturnSafe Collaborate on COVID-19 Testing 6.11 Mammoth Biosciences High-Throughput CRISPR-Based COVID Test Gets FDA EUA 238 6.12 At-Home COVID Test Coverage 6.13 LuminUltra Wins 500-Site CDC Wastewater Testing Contract 6.14 Sense Biodetection to Debut Instrument-Free Point-of-Care MDx 6.15 Tests Called Back 6.16 Cepheid Obtains CE Mark for Expanded Combo COVID Test 6.17 CRISPR Tests for SARS-CoV-2 Using Saliva Samples 6.18 CVS Limits Purchases of Rapid Covid-19 Tests 6.19 Illumina, COVID-19 Surveillance Continue to Boost Business 6.20 LetsGetChecked Closes $150M Funding Round 6.21 Novacyt Gets CE Mark for Multigene SARS-CoV-2 Test, Launches RUO Variant Assay 6.22 Abbott Sees Sharp Decline in COVID-19 Test Revenue 6.23 Phosphorus Diagnostics Gets EUA for DTC C19 Test, Sample Collection Kit 6.24 NY Times Explores Multiplex Testing 6.25 Hologic Banking on MDx Acquisitions 6.26 Demand for Cepheid SARS-CoV-2 Point-of-Care Tests to Continue Through 2022 6.27 DiaSorin Acquires Luminex to Broaden MDx Portfolio, Expand US Presence 6.28 LumiraDx to Go Public Through SPAC 6.29 Eurofins Test Helps to ID Mutations 6.30 Roche Sees Growing Opportunities for Diagnostics 6.31 Roche to Acquire GenMark Diagnostics for $1.8B 6.32 Fulgent Genetics s to Use COVID-19 Testing Gains to Grow Clinical Sequencing 6.33 LexaGene Syndromic Panel Platform Lets Labs Customize Targets 6.34 FDA Grants EUAs for DTC Sample Collection Kit, Two Molecular Tests 6.35 At-Home Infectious Disease Test Developer Lucira Health Goes Public 7 The Global Market for COVID-19 Diagnostics 7.1 Global Market Overview by Country 7.2 Global Market by Technology - Overview 7.3 Global Market by Product - Overview 7.4 Global Market by Channel - Overview 8 Global COVID-19 Diagnostic Markets - By Technology 8.1 PCR 8.2 PCR Multiplex 8.3 Sequencing 8.4 Antibody 8.5 Antigen 9 Global COVID-19 Diagnostic Markets - By Product 9.1 Instruments 9.2 Reagents & Kits 9.3 Extraction 9.4 Collection 10 Global COVID-19 Diagnostic Markets - By Channel 10.1 Public 10.2 Hospital 10.3 Clinic 10.4 Workplace 10.5 DTC/OTC 10.6 Wastewater 11 Appendix 11.1 U.S., Europe, Asia Approved COVID-19 Assays For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/8qgzsi 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 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Laminated Busbar Market by Material (Copper, Aluminum) End-User (Utilities, Industrial, Commercial, Residential) Insulation Material (Epoxy Powder Coating, Polyester Film, PVF Film, Polyester Resin, Heat-Resistant Fiber) Region - Forecast to 2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global market for laminated busbar is expected to reach USD 1,296 million by 2030, a notable increase from the estimated USD 863 million in 2023, with a steady CAGR of 6.0% spanning the period from 2023 to 2030. One of the primary objectives of any electrical distribution system is to deliver high-quality and uninterrupted energy to consumers. The escalating demand for energy emphasizes the necessity for a stable and reliable transmission & distribution network globally. Given that many electrical distribution systems worldwide are aging, several countries, including the US and the UK, are investing in the modernization of their transmission & distribution infrastructure to establish a dependable supply network. As per the US Department of Energy (DOE), achieving a safe and secure electrical distribution system requires an investment ranging from USD 1.5 to 2 trillion between 2017 and 2030. To ensure the safety of distribution systems in the US, the electric power industry has developed voluntary standards, ensuring the coordination of various electrical distribution systems. Presently, mandatory reliability standards are in place for operating power systems and addressing security concerns at critical electrical infrastructure. For example, in North America, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation and its member organizations have formulated and enforced these standards, which receive approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in the US and Canadian regulators in Canada. Laminated busbars play a crucial role in safeguarding electricity distribution systems by offering high heat resistance and applicability in high fire-risk environments. They contribute to minimizing equipment failure rates by eliminating wiring errors and protecting the electrical system when overused equipment is at the brink of failure, averting potential dangerous explosions. This, in turn, enhances productivity and optimizes power distribution systems. Epoxy powder coating segment, by insulation material, to be the largest market from 2023 to 2030 In 2022, the epoxy powder coating segment constituted a 37.8% share of the laminated busbar market in terms of insulation material. This segment is anticipated to retain its position as the largest in the laminated busbar market by insulation material throughout the forecast period. Epoxy powder coating, characterized by its free-flowing nature and thermosetting dry powder composition, boasts high dielectric strength. Renowned for exceptional adhesion, chemical and heat resistance, superior mechanical properties, and electrical insulating capabilities, epoxy powder coating stands out as a cost-effective option compared to other insulation materials. Laminated busbars coated with epoxy powder find predominant usage in switchgear and motor drive applications. These favorable properties contribute to the growing preference for epoxy powder-coated laminated busbars among end-use industries, indicating an expected increase in demand during the forecast period. Aluminium segment, by material, to be the second-largest market from 2023 to 2030 In 2022, the aluminum-laminated busbar segment held a 17.8% share of the laminated busbar market in terms of material. The cost-effectiveness of aluminum-laminated busbars compared to copper-laminated ones, especially beneficial in price-sensitive markets like Asia Pacific and the Middle East & Africa, contributes to their market share. Utilizing aluminum as a conductor offers a doubled conductivity per mass compared to copper, resulting in more than a 30% cost savings. With a lower density, aluminum-laminated busbars are lighter than their copper counterparts, making them suitable for applications where conductor weight is critical. Although aluminum conductors traditionally exhibit lower conductivity and a risk of oxidation, advancements in materials technology, such as tin plating, have addressed many limitations and improved performance. The rapid adoption of aluminum conductors is notable in distribution panels and busway systems for applications like households and data centers, indicating an expected surge in demand for aluminum-laminated busbars during the forecast period. North America to be third-largest region in laminated busbar market In 2022, North America held an 18.2% share of the global laminated busbar market, encompassing the US, Mexico, and Canada. The demand for laminated busbars in the region is driven by the imperative to upgrade aging electrical infrastructure in both the US and Canada. According to the Grid Modernization and the Smart Grid publication by the US Department of Energy, North America's transmission & distribution infrastructure is antiquated and in need of modernization. In response, utility companies and various stakeholders are investing in replacing outdated electrical equipment and upgrading transmission & distribution networks with advanced technologies. Over the next two decades, utility companies in the US and Canada are projected to invest approximately USD 880 billion and USD 100 billion, respectively, in power networks, spanning transmission & distribution networks. These investments encompass initiatives such as smart grids, asset monitoring, and smart grid analytics, with the adoption of smart technologies expected to further drive the laminated busbar market. The 'Global Landscape of Renewable Energy Finance 2023' report by the International Renewable Energy Agency highlights North America as the recipient of the second-highest influx of investments in renewable energy. In 2019, the region attracted USD 68 billion, constituting 21% of the global total, and in 2020, it drew USD 53 billion, equivalent to 15% of the global total, with a focus on the US. However, the region's share of funding has gradually diminished due to a decline in domestic investments within the US. Preliminary data suggests that investments in the region rose to nearly USD 66 billion in 2021 but then decreased to USD 59 billion in 2022. These trends are anticipated to drive the laminated busbar market in North America. Key Topics Covered: Executive Summary Laminated Busbar Market Snapshot Copper Segment to Hold Larger Market Share in 2030 Utilities Segment to Lead Laminated Busbar Market in 2029 Epoxy Powder Coating Segment to Account for Larger Share of Laminated Busbar Market in 2029 Europe Led Laminated Busbar Market in 2022 Premium Insights Attractive Opportunities for Players in Laminated Busbar Market - Rising Demand for Safe and Secure Electrical Distribution Systems to Drive Market Laminated Busbar Market, by Material, 2030 - Copper Material Segment to Dominate Laminated Busbar Market Laminated Busbar Market, by End-user, 2030 - Utilities Segment to Dominate Laminated Busbar Market European Laminated Busbar Market, by Insulation Material and Country, 2022 - Epoxy Powder Coating Segment and Germany Led European Laminated Busbar Market in 2022 Laminated Busbar Market, by Region - Laminated Busbar Market in Asia-Pacific to Grow at Highest CAGR During Forecast Period Market Dynamics Drivers Increased Demand for Safe and Secure Electrical Distribution Systems Significant Operational Benefits and Cost-Efficiency of Laminated Busbars Strong Focus on Generating Power Using Renewable Energy High Adoption of Electric Vehicles Restraints Growing Competition from Local Firms or Unorganized Sector High Initial Cost of Laminated Busbars Opportunities Aging Electrical Infrastructure and Rising Electricity Demand Increasing Adoption of HVDC Technology Ongoing Advancements in Insulation Materials Challenges Volatility in Raw Material Prices, Especially Copper Environmental Impact of Improper Disposal Companies Profiled Amphenol Corporation Methode Electronics, Inc. Mersen Group Rogers Corporation Sun.King Technology Group Limited Zhuzhou Crrc Times Electric Co. Ltd. Ryoden Kasei Co. Ltd. Shanghai Eagtop Electronic Technology Co. Ltd. (Eagtop) Shenzhen Busbar Sci-Tech Development Co. Ltd. Storm Power Components Suzhou West Deane Machinery Inc. Electronic Systems Packaging LLC Jans Copper Private Limited Molex Shenzhen Woer Electric Technology Co. Ltd. Raychem RPG Private Limited Zhejiang RHI Electric Co. Ltd. Segue Electronics, Inc. Kinto Group Ems Industrial & Service Company For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ce5aw5 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 With Gasgoo Daily, we will offer daily important automotive news in China. For those we have reported, the title of the piece will include a hyperlink, which will provide detailed information. ZEEKR submits third registration statement amendment to US SEC Geely Automobile Holdings Limited announced the latest progress regarding the proposal to spin off ZEEKR and list it independently. On March 20, ZEEKR submitted its third amendment to the registration statement to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in accordance with the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 regarding ZEEKR's offering. Xiaomi EV opens delivery center in Wuhan Optics Valley On March 21, Lei Jun, founder and CEO of Xiaomi, revealed on Weibo that Xiaomi EVs delivery center in Wuhan Optics Valley is now ready. With 29 delivery centers and sales outlets nationwide, Xiaomi EVs stores will start receiving visitors from March 25. Photo credit: Weibo @Lei_Jun All-new TANK 500 Hi4-T hits market at 335,000 yuan On March 20, the all-new TANK 500 Hi4-T officially hit the market with a price of 335,000 yuan, remaining unchanged from the previous model. As an upgraded version, the new model focuses on upgrades to the engine (Miller cycle), four-wheel drive system (EMOD system), and infotainment system (V1.4 version), making it more suitable for urban commuting scenarios. SERES Auto introduces several measures for overseas business expansion SERES Auto, the maker of high-end intelligent new energy vehicle brand AITO, held its Overseas Business Conference 2024 on March 19, with over 300 dealer representatives from 62 countries and regions in attendance, marking a significant milestone in the company's global expansion strategy. Gotion Japan teams up with Daiwa Energy, CO2OS on development of energy storage stations Chinese power battery supplier Gotion High-tech, through its subsidiary Gotion Japan, recently signed a collaborative agreement with Daiwa Energy and CO2OS in Tokyo, Japan, according to a press release from Gotion High-tech. This partnership is set to embark on the development and operational maintenance of energy storage stations across Japan. Hongqi NEV puts EH7 all-electric sedan onto market, starting at 229,800 yuan On March 20, the Hongqi EH7 electric sedan, the first strategic model under FAW Group's Hongqi New Energy Vehicle (Hongqi NEV), hit the market with a price ranging from 229,800 yuan to 309,800 yuan. Polestars vehicles get access to Teslas charging network in China On March 20, Polestar announced a significant collaboration with Tesla China, enabling shared access to Tesla's charging network in the world's largest auto market. Through the partnership. Polestar's owners can now use the Polestar App to charge their vehicles at Tesla's Superchargers and Destination Charging stations across the Chinese Mainland. BYD forges strategic partnership with renowned esports club NIP On March 19, 2024, BYD officially announced a global strategic partnership with the world-renowned esports club, Ninjas in Pyjamas ("NIP"). Tesla Shanghai Megafactory set to complete trial production by end of 2024 On March 21, during the first anniversary press conference of the Shanghai (Neobay) Future Industrial Pilot Zone, Lu Yu, the director of the High Technology Department of the Lingang New Area Management Committee, announced that Tesla's Megapack project in Shanghai is expected to complete trial production within the year, aiming for a production scale of nearly 40GWh. Dongfeng Motors e 008 REEV kicks off quality test On March 20, Dongfeng Motors e new energy vehicle brand officially announced the launch of its first SUV model, the e 008, for a comprehensive 25-day quality test journey, covering approximately 12,000 kilometers across 20 cities in China. SiEngine launches AD1000 advanced intelligent driving chip SiEngine recently launched its latest innovation, the AD1000 chip, targeting the all-scenario advanced intelligent driving field. Xiaomi EVs super factory unveiled by Lei Juns social media post Xiaomi's founder, Chairman, and CEO, Lei Jun, recently took to Weibo to announce the official unveiling of Xiaomi EVs super factory. BEIJING, March 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspected the city of Changde in Central China's Hunan Province on Tuesday. During the inspection, Xi visited a cultural street and a village. He learned about the restoration and utilization of historical and cultural blocks, the comprehensive management of urban water environment, preparation work for spring farming, and the improvement of grassroots governance efficiency. Changde, with a 2,200-year history, is rich in culture. By the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and the early period of the Republic of China (1912-49), more than 15 guild halls were established in the city by businessmen from various regions across the country. Historically, Changde Riverside Street was a prosperous and thriving dock. Yet most of the major architecture along the street was destroyed during the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression (1931-45). In 2016, Changde restored the 1,500-meter-long Riverside Street, with a total area of 133,000 square meters. Along with the street's structure and architecture, museums, small shops and art studios that showcase local intangible cultural heritage (ICH) and craftsmanship also give more vitality to the ancient street reborn. Zhang Yiwu, a professor at Peking University, told the Global Times that historical cultural blocks like the Riverside Street in Changde are now burgeoning across the country as part of a "new pattern" in promoting the country's cultural tourism. "The logic behind this pattern is to interpret a city's historical tales in modern ways. This is the reason that Riverside Street is a compound that includes not only old architecture but also trendy restaurants," Zhang said. Deep integration China entertains a rich array of ICH resources. Presently, China ranks first in the world with 43 projects inscribed on the ICH list of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. In China, through systematic protection and inheritance, creative transformation, and innovative development, ICH has been fully integrated into modern life. People can immerse themselves in Changde's rich cultural atmosphere by simply strolling along the Riverside Street, experiencing the deep integration of ICH with local cultural and tourist activities. One art museum on the street is especially dedicated to ICH, showcasing live performances of different types of Chinese operas such as Han opera, flower-drum opera, and sixian but with unique Changde styles, as well as various traditional musical instruments such as the Changde yugu (literal translation: fish drum). In the small shops along the street, people can also discover Taoyuan embroidery, from a county by the same name, on display and they can also get embroidery souvenirs. As a Hunan provincial ICH, Taoyuan embroidery dates back to the Xia Dynasty (c.2070BC-c.1600BC) and Shang Dynasty (c.1600BC-1046BC), featuring vibrant colors, bold designs, and is full of vitality. In recent years, through the integration of ICH with "cultural and creative products," films and TV dramas, short videos and new technologies, the Taoyuan embroidery industry has grown increasingly strong. Some regions in Changde, such as Anxiang county, are famous for woodcarving. The style is vivid and expressive, depicting lively themes that embody local people's aspirations for life. Pan Nenghui, a woodcarving inheritor in his 50s, from Anxiang, used to make carvings for clients abroad while he was working in different places such as Hong Kong and Shenzhen, but he wanted to design his own pieces that reflect the local culture and history of Changde. That was when he decided to open his own studio in the year 2000. Seeing the burgeoning tourism development along Riverside Street, he moved his studio there in 2019 to show this traditional art to a wider audience. His studio has been one of the attractions on the street since then. Broader prospect Zhang said that operating Riverside Street as a tourist site can help the locals "manage its immovable historical legacy with more flexibility." Riverside Street not only hosts retro-looking architecture, but also a community of residents, intangible cultural inheritors and so forth. The cultural block would not be complete without people; local residents are the "crux that forms the site's cultural touristic ecology," he added. "Indigenous people's everyday lives can also exhibit a city's cultural characters. They continue the historical spirit of the Riverside Street," Zhang emphasized. While prioritizing the protection and inheritance of historical and cultural districts, including Changde Riverside Street, and revitalizing them has always been a key focus for governments across the country. As of October 2023, there were a total of 142 historical and cultural cities approved by the State Council, with more than 1,200 designated historical and cultural districts. Local authorities have been stepping up efforts to revitalize historical cultural districts. Cultural policy researcher Song Weiping told the Global Times that in the future, such historical cultural blocks are likely to become even more "modern" to embrace particularly young visitors. Sharing a similar opinion with Song, Zhang told the Global Times that traditional cultural blocks should be open to embracing sectors such as "cultural and creative products," "pop culture events," as well as "live shows and performances." And these are also some experiences that other cities can take from Changde. "Traditional cultural blocks should live in people's current cultural experiences," Zhang said. Read more: https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202403/1309196.shtml SOURCE Global Times JERSEY CITY, N.J., March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- goTenna, the world's leading mobile mesh networking company, unveiled the goTenna EdgeRelay, a new endurance-focused, multi-network support capability for goTenna's Pro X2 radio operators. This ad hoc infrastructure solution supports up to two separate goTenna mesh networks. This system extends goTenna networks and offers environmental ruggedization, external charging options to extend onboard power, and varied mounting support to ensure sustained operational coverage without expensive and cumbersome installations. The new set and forget design is equipped to perform autonomously in austere environments with solar charging and a reliable internal battery. Customers can mount the goTenna EdgeRelay in remote and austere environments to ensure seamless connectivity of goTenna edge networks. Tested at over 100 miles point-to-point line-of-sight in real-world scenarios, EdgeRelays can be connected together to create several hundred square miles of coverage. With solar and direct power options, along with a dependable internal battery, the goTenna EdgeRelay aims to provide continuous operation as a dedicated infrastructure relay. This ruggedized and self-sustaining solution provides labor and personnel cost savings to the end user. Using an EdgeRelay greatly reduces the time it takes to deploy, recharge, fix, and maintain ad-hoc communications in an austere or comms-denied environment. "One of goTenna's greatest strengths is being able to stand up a communication network where there is no infrastructure whatsoever," said Ari Schuler, goTenna CEO. "The EdgeRelay extends that capability by enabling our customers to create robust fixed or itinerant goTenna mesh networks that operators can automatically connect to, offering more flexibility to those who are responding to natural disasters, supporting an austere forward operating base or operating in other difficult mission environments." The goTenna EdgeRelay system supports two separate mesh networks on each device, allowing operators to support different mission configurations, and is already enhancing missions for multiple U.S. government organizations. Additional software features in the relay introduce advanced capabilities for remote diagnostic checks on network statistics and health. A companion relay manager app and updated TAK plug-in allow operators to remotely monitor the health and status of deployed relays across the mesh network, eliminating the need to physically revisit deployed relays. About goTenna goTenna is advancing universal access to connectivity by building the world's most intelligent and scalable mobile mesh networks. goTenna is the world's leading mobile mesh networking company, providing off-grid connectivity solutions for smartphones and other devices, as well as augmenting traditional communications networks. This technology enables mobile, long-range connectivity without cell, wifi, or satellite connectivity. goTenna's drive to create resilient connectivity began during Hurricane Sandy in 2012, when approximately a third of cell towers and power stations in affected areas failed. goTenna's products are currently used by over 300 law enforcement, military, and public safety agencies worldwide. goTenna is backed by investors, including Union Square Ventures, Founders Fund, Lockheed Martin Ventures, Comcast Ventures, MentorTech Ventures, Walden Venture Capital, and ONE9. Company Press Contact: Natalia Sorto Associate Director, Content and Digital Marketing [email protected] SOURCE goTenna TROY, Mich., March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Graham Healthcare Group, a subsidiary of Graham Holdings Company (NYSE: GHC) has announced that it is a recipient of the prestigious USA TODAY Top Workplaces USA 2024 award. This achievement underscores the organization's dedication to fostering a people-first workplace culture and prioritizing the employee experience. With a history spanning 17 years, the Top Workplaces program has surveyed over 27 million employees, spotlighting culture excellence across 60 regional markets. The Top Workplaces USA designation honors the nation's greatest employers of choice. "The Top Workplaces USA award is a badge of honor and something companies should be very proud to showcase," commented Eric Rubino, Energage CEO. "The people-first cultures they have built and nurtured will set them apart in a highly competitive market. These organizations represent the best of the best." This national award celebrates organizations with 150 or more employees that have cultivated exceptional workplace environments. Of the more than 7,000 organizations invited to participate, Graham Healthcare Group secured the award based solely on employee feedback captured as part an employee engagement survey administered by Energage, the HR technology and research firm behind the Top Workplaces program. "There are few things more important to today's employees and job seekers than the workplace environment in which they spend so much of their time," said LeeAnn Lang, Senior Vice President of Administration and Human Resources, Graham Healthcare Group. "Through this award, we have the unique opportunity to showcase our people-first culture and our commitment to create a workplace where people feel valued and supported. Being recognized as one of the nation's employers of choice is a testament to Graham Healthcare Group's employees and the culture we have created together." We're Hiring Looking to join an award-winning company that puts its people first? Visit Graham Healthcare Group Careers. About Graham Healthcare Group Graham Healthcare Group (GHG) is a subsidiary of Graham Holdings Company (NYSE: GHC). GHG companies include Residential Home Health, Residential Hospice, Allegheny Health Network (AHN) Healthcare@Home, and Mary Free Bed at Home. GHG and its companies employ more than 2,800 dedicated professionals serving 15,000 patients daily. For more information, visit Graham Healthcare Group , Residential Home Health and Hospice, Mary Free Bed at Home, and AHN Healthcare@Home. About Energage Making the world a better place together Energage is a purpose-driven company that helps organizations turn employee feedback into useful business intelligence and credible employer recognition through Top Workplaces. Built on 14 years of culture research and the results from 23 million employees surveyed across more than 70,000 organizations, Energage delivers the most accurate competitive benchmark available. With access to a unique combination of patented analytic tools and expert guidance, Energage customers lead the competition with an engaged workforce and an opportunity to gain recognition for their people-first approach to culture. For more information or to nominate your organization visit Energage, Top Workplaces 2024, or Best Places to Work 2024, USA TODAY. SOURCE Graham Healthcare Group Milestone underscores enduring success and enormous opportunity for creators focused on education and impact NEW YORK, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hotmart Company , the leading global creator economy company, home to Hotmart and Teachable , today announced that its creators have collectively exceeded $10 billion in Gross Merchandise Volume (GMV). The milestone comes on the heels of several significant product advancements at both Hotmart and Teachable, and cements Hotmart Company as a longstanding innovator for creators around the world. "Today's announcement is a celebration of our creators above all else," says Joao Pedro Resende, Hotmart Company Co-Founder and CEO. "Their long-term success on both the Hotmart and Teachable platforms makes clear the growing demand for creators to deliver high-quality, transformative digital products. In turn, creators are scaling dynamic, multi-product businesses, rooted in meaningful connection, shared learning, and community. Our company's platforms supercharge this successrelieving creators from the stress of nitty-gritty business operations, equipping them with countless ecommerce tools to grow their sales, and providing partnership that effectively drives progress toward their unique goals." Currently, more than 200,000 global creators are selling products on Hotmart and Teachable. Over the past year, a staggering 21 million consumers have made purchases from creators across both platforms. These creators have successfully connected with consumers in nearly every country. In fact, almost half of Teachable creators sold products to audiences outside the U.S. in the last twelve months. The collective influence of creators on Hotmart and Teachable underscores Hotmart Company's pivotal role in fostering worldwide growth among creators, and highlights the burgeoning markets within the creator economy at large. In the last year, Teachable also saw: More than a third of its creators sell products outside of courses, having recently expanded into products like Memberships , Community , and Digital Downloads . , , and . Creators earning more than $100,000 on the platform grow upwards of 10%. on the platform grow upwards of 10%. More than 10% growth in sales for creators leveraging Teachable's suite of new ecommerce features , including Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL), Gifting, Upsells, Cart Abandonment, and more. , including Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL), Gifting, Upsells, Cart Abandonment, and more. More than two million pieces of AI-generated content across Teachable's AI tools , including the Curriculum, Quiz, Subtitles, Translation, and Sales Page Generators. , including the Curriculum, Quiz, Subtitles, Translation, and Sales Page Generators. Fashion & Beauty, Academics & Languages, and Software & Technology (think PhotoShop or Excel pros) representing the fastest-growing creator verticals on the platform. As for Hotmart: Today, one in five economically-active Brazilians have purchased a product from a creator via Hotmart. More than 300,000 direct and indirect jobs have been generated in Brazil by Hotmart creators, according to a study done in partnership with Fundacao Getulio Vargas University. by Hotmart creators, according to a study done in partnership with Fundacao Getulio Vargas University. The company continues to see strong international expansion, with LATAM creators' GMV (excluding Brazil ) growing 50% from 2022 to 2023, while reaching more than four million people in those regions since launch. ) growing 50% from 2022 to 2023, while reaching more than four million people in those regions since launch. The company's free tool, Hotmart AI , has already assisted more than 140,000 creators in outlining and strategizing their digital products. , has already assisted more than 140,000 creators in outlining and strategizing their digital products. Recently acquired Reshape, a startup specializing in AI-driven transcription, translation, and subtitling services across various languages, will further expand creators' businesses. "This milestone only strengthens our deep-seated belief that creator-educators are achieving unparalleled success in the creator economy," adds Mark Haseltine, Teachable CEO. "As it stands, 95% of recently-surveyed U.S. consumers say they've learned something from a creator, with another 80% saying they've made noticeable improvements to their life thanks to a creator's insights or teachings. As this highly-influential subset of creators grows, they deserve tech partners that build for them, not at their expense. That's why everything we do, from product advancements to curated creator programming, is designed to help creators maximize their impact and income." The creator economy is on track to reach a market size of $480 billion by 2027,1 with platforms specifically designed for creator-educators now representing the largest revenue category.2 Today's announcement solidifies Hotmart and Teachable as the leaders of an increasingly global future for creatorsone where their audience reach knows no bounds, they're generating consistent income they can rely on, and their unique knowledge is driving maximum impact. To learn more about Hotmart Company, visit hotmart.co . To keep up with Teachable's new products, stay updated on creator economy trends, and access exclusive events, challenges, and resources, become a newsletter subscriber here . To learn more about Hotmart and start your digital business, click here . About Hotmart Company Hotmart Company is a global creator economy leader, bringing together innovative enterprises with a shared commitment to empowering creators to become entrepreneurs. With a central mission to help these creators build, grow, manage, and scale their businesses, Hotmart Company has more than 1,900 employees across six countries, including its headquarters in Amsterdam, as well as locations in North America, South America, and Europe. To learn more, visit hotmart.co . Media Contact [email protected] About Teachable Teachable is trusted by creator-educators around the world to grow their impact and income. From Online Courses and Communities to Memberships and Downloads, Teachable's digital learning products help creator-educators drive meaningful connection and sustainable revenue. With industry-best ecommerce tools, easily toggled on directly within the platform, creators can confidently maximize their earnings, while getting paid directly by their audience. Teachable's unmatched focus on the student learning experience also ensures creators can make a positive and influential impact on their communitiesentirely on their own terms. Today, tens of thousands of creator-educators use Teachable to share their knowledge, reaching millions of students around the world. To learn more, visit teachable.com . Media Contact Vera Hanson [email protected] 1 Source: Goldman Sachs 2 Source: Stripe SOURCE Teachable NEW YORK, March 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The hydrogen fluoride market size is estimated to increase by USD 900.48 million from 2022 to 2027. The market's growth momentum will be progressing at a CAGR of 5.19%. The market for insulation foam is on the rise, thanks to its growing use in various industries like construction, automotive, and consumer goods. Insulation foam, also called fluorocarbons, is essential for making high-quality materials like polyurethane and polystyrene foams. It's mainly used in the foam-blowing process, employing agents like HFCs and HFOs. These agents stay in the foam, reducing heat transfer and making it efficient for insulation. From keeping homes warm to preserving food and medicines in cold storage, insulation foam is becoming increasingly important. Expect to see more growth and innovation in this field in the coming years. Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Hydrogen Fluoride Market 2023-2027 Discover some insights on market size historic period (2017 to 2021) and Forecast (2023 to 2027) before buying the full report - Request a sample report Report Coverage Details Page number 165 Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Market forecasting period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 5.19% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 900.48 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023(%) 4.49 Regional analysis APAC, North America, Europe, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution APAC at 39% Key countries US, Canada, China, Japan, and India Key Companies The global hydrogen fluoride market is fragmented, with the presence of several global as well as regional vendors. A few prominent vendors that offer hydrogen fluoride in the market are Buss ChemTech AG, Daikin Industries Ltd., Dragerwerk AG and Co. KGaA, Fluorchemie Dohna GmbH, Fluorsid Group Srl, Foshan Nanhai Shuangfu Chemical Co. Ltd., Fubao Group, Fujian Yongjing Technology Co. Ltd, Gulf Fluor, HaloPolymer OJSC, Honeywell International Inc., Lanxess AG, Minersa Group, Morita Chemical Industries Co. Ltd., Navin Fluorine International Ltd., Orbia Advance Corp. SAB de CV, Solvay SA, Tanfac Industries Ltd., Yingpeng Chemical Co. Ltd., and Zhejiang Sanmei Chemical Ind. Co. Ltd. and others. Fluorsid Group Srl - The company offers hydrogen fluoride such as industrial hydrofluoric acid, electronic grade hydrofluoric acid, ammonium fluoride, and ammonium fluoride. The company offers hydrogen fluoride such as industrial hydrofluoric acid, electronic grade hydrofluoric acid, ammonium fluoride, and ammonium fluoride. Daikin Industries Ltd. - The company offers hydrogen fluoride such as aqueous hydrofluoric acid, and buffered hydrogen fluoride under the brand Daikin Chemicals. The company offers hydrogen fluoride such as aqueous hydrofluoric acid, and buffered hydrogen fluoride under the brand Daikin Chemicals. Fluorchemie Dohna GmbH - The company offers hydrogen fluoride products under the brand Fluorchemie Stulln GmbH. For details on the vendor and its offerings Request a sample report Segment Overview Technavio has segmented the market based on application (Fluorocarbons, Aluminum fluoride, and Others), type (Gas and Liquid), and geography (APAC, North America, Europe, South America, and Middle East and Africa). The market share growth by the fluorocarbons segment will be significant during the forecast period. Fluorocarbons contain carbon and fluorine. Fluorocarbons, valued for their chemical inertness and non-toxic, non-flammable attributes, find extensive utilization, particularly in the production of refrigerants and foam-blowing agents. The escalating need for refrigerants in various settings such as hotels, malls, and commercial spaces, as well as in residential air conditioners and refrigerators, is projected to drive the demand for fluorocarbons, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. Forecasts indicate substantial growth in the APAC industrial and commercial refrigerants market, thereby propelling the expansion of the fluorocarbons segment throughout the forecast period. Geography Overview By geography, the global hydrogen fluoride market is segmented into APAC, North America, Europe, South America, and the Middle East and Africa. The report provides actionable insights and estimates the contribution of all regions to the growth of the global hydrogen fluoride market. APAC is estimated to account for 39% of the global market during the forecast period. Technavio's analysts have elaborately explained the regional trends and drivers that shape the market during the forecast period. The hydrogen fluoride market in the APAC region derives momentum from the robust activities within the construction and automotive sectors. The escalating need for aluminum in automotive applications and insulation foam within the construction domain acts as a significant catalyst for the demand for hydrogen fluoride. Particularly driven by India and China's automotive industries, where aluminum use in vehicle components for weight reduction prevails, this trend contributes to the overall growth of the hydrogen fluoride market. Furthermore, the construction sector's expanding requisites for refrigerants and insulation foam in India and China exert an additional impetus on the market. The rising popularity of frozen food in these nations is translating into amplified investments in refrigerants like HFC, thus augmenting the hydrogen fluoride market within the region. For insights on global, regional, and country-level parameters with growth opportunities from 2017 to 2027 - Download a Sample Report The development of green buildings is an emerging market trend. The hazardous nature of hydrogen fluoride is a significant challenge hindering market growth. Driver, Trend & Challenges are the factor of market dynamics which states about consequences & sustainability of the businesses, find some insights from a sample report! Analyst Review The hydrogen fluoride market is a crucial segment within the chemical industry, impacting various sectors such as agriculture, automotive, electronics, and consumer goods. With its diverse applications and significant role in industrial processes, understanding the dynamics of this market is essential for stakeholders ranging from manufacturers to end-users. Hydrogen fluoride (HF), also known as anhydrous hydrogen fluoride, is a key chemical compound utilized in a multitude of industrial applications. From its role in the production of fluorine-based polymers like Teflon to its use in the manufacturing of semiconductor devices, HF plays a pivotal role in modern industrial processes. One of the primary drivers of the hydrogen fluoride market is its widespread use in the production of fluorocarbons and fluoropolymers. These compounds find applications in various industries, including automotive, electronics, and refrigeration. Additionally, HF is indispensable in the production of aluminum and stainless steel, further boosting its demand in the metallurgical sector. The market for HF is not only influenced by end-use industries but also by regulatory frameworks and environmental concerns. Regulations aimed at curbing the use of ozone-depleting substances have led to the phasing out of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), driving the demand for HF-based alternatives such as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). The Asia Pacific region, particularly China and India, presents significant opportunities for market growth due to rapid industrialization and increasing consumer demand. With a focus on technological advancements and research and development (R&D), companies like Arkema and Solvay S.A. are poised to capitalize on these opportunities through strategic partnerships and mergers and acquisitions. However, the hydrogen fluoride market also faces challenges, including volatility in raw material prices, stringent regulations, and fluctuating demand from end-use industries. Companies operating in this market must navigate these challenges while focusing on innovation to maintain their competitive edge. In conclusion, the hydrogen fluoride market is influenced by a multitude of factors, including end-use industries, regulatory landscapes, and technological advancements. With the right strategies in place, companies can capitalize on emerging opportunities and drive growth in this dynamic market. Download a Sample Report Market Overview The Hydrogen Fluoride Market is witnessing a significant surge, driven by a blend of factors including robust market penetration strategies by chemical manufacturers like Arkema. Partnerships between Nutrien Ltd. and international consumer goods brands are also amplifying market growth. Merger and acquisition activities in the industry are reshaping production capacities and intensifying research and development endeavors. Agricultural land is increasingly being utilized for sourcing raw materials, further fueling the market's expansion. This collaborative ecosystem underscores the importance of enhancing production capacity while advancing R&D efforts to meet growing global demand. As such, the Hydrogen Fluoride Market continues to evolve, propelled by dynamic synergies across various sectors. Download a Sample Report Related Reports: The green hydrogen market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 45.51% between 2022 and 2027. The green hydrogen market size is forecast to increase by USD 14,745.04 million. This green hydrogen market report extensively covers market segmentation by end-user (chemical, power, industrial, and mobility and others), technology (alkaline electrolyzer and polymer electrolyte membrane (pem) electrolyzer), and geography (APAC, Europe, North America, Middle East and Africa, and South America). One of the key factors driving growth in the green hydrogen market is the growing adoption of clean fuel. The hydrogen storage market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 5.31% between 2022 and 2027. The size of the market is forecast to increase by USD 3,884.93 million. This report extensively covers market segmentation by type (physical and material-based), application (chemicals, oil refining, industrial, and others), and geography (APAC, North America, Europe, South America, and the Middle East and Africa). The increased usage of hydrogen storage tanks in transportation applications is notably driving market growth. Table of contents 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 US 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. Contact 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 DENVER, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai Motor America and local Hyundai Colorado dealers recently donated $150,000 to Children's Hospital Colorado as part of the 2024 Alice 105.9's (KALC-FM) annual Alice Cares for Kids Radiothon. The donation will support the hospital's world-class patient care, research, and advocacyhelping to foster better outcomes and opportunities for young patients. Hyundai and Hyundai Colorado Dealers Donate $150,000 to Childrens Hospital Colorado During the 2024 Alice Cares for Kids Radiothon "Hyundai is proud to once again come together with the Colorado Hyundai Dealers to show support for an important causethe health and wellbeing of our children," said John Angevine, general manager, mountain states region, Hyundai Motor America. "Children's Hospital Colorado is a remarkable institution whose work saves lives by delivering high-quality patient care to people in need." Children's Hospital Colorado is the only nonprofit pediatric health care system in a seven-state region and serves more than 300,000 children each year. Gifts from the community give families from rural states to major metropolitan areas and everywhere in between unprecedented access to expert pediatric care when major medical issues arise. Children's Colorado is there for every child and family who needs care, thanks to support from donors. Hyundai Motor America Hyundai Motor America offers U.S. consumers a technology-rich lineup of cars, SUVs, and electrified vehicles, while supporting Hyundai Motor Company's Progress for Humanity vision. Hyundai has significant operations in the U.S., including its North American headquarters in California, the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama assembly plant, the all-new Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (in development in Georgia), and several cutting-edge R&D facilities. These operations, combined with those of Hyundai's 835 independent dealers, contribute $20.1 billion annually and 190,000 jobs to the U.S. economy, according to a recent economic impact report. For more information, visit www.hyundainews.com. Hyundai Motor America on Twitter | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok SOURCE Hyundai Motor America PEORIA, Ill., March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Illinois Mutual Life Insurance Company announced that it has been recognized as a Great Place To Work for the fourth year in a row. 96% of Illinois Mutual employees feel that when you join Illinois Mutual, you are made to feel welcome. 96% of employees feel good about the ways Illinois Mutual contributes to the community. 96% of employees feel they are able to take time off from work when they think it's necessary. 95% of employees feel they are treated as a full member at Illinois Mutual regardless of their position. 94% of employees feel management is honest and ethical in its business practices. 96% of Illinois Mutual employees feel that when you join Illinois Mutual, you are made to feel welcome. Post this "Achieving recertification as a Great Place to Work company is a strong way to start 2024," says Illinois Mutual President Katie McCord Jenkins. "I'm so excited for what 2024 has to offer Illinois Mutual, and I'm as confident as ever that we'll tackle the challenges and celebrate the successes with the same momentum and tenacity that brought us into the year. We will continue to provide personal, caring service and work together to create amazing results!" Learn more about our Company culture, and view career opportunities at ilmutual.co/3TxqtEh. ### About Illinois Mutual Life Insurance Company Illinois Mutual is an experienced provider of life insurance, disability income insurance and voluntary worksite insurance products, founded in 1910 by the same family that leads the company today. The Company has a Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) by A.M. Best and a demonstrated strong commitment to employees, agents and policyowners. About Great Place To Work As the global authority on workplace culture, Great Place To Work brings 30 years of groundbreaking research and data to help every place become a great place to work for all. Their proprietary platform and For All Model helps companies evaluate the experience of every employee, with exemplary workplaces becoming Great Place To Work Certified or receiving recognition on a coveted Best Workplaces List. Contact: Isaac Ambrose [email protected] SOURCE Illinois Mutual Life Insurance Company WASHINGTON, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- NSSF, The Firearm Industry Trade Association, applauds Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb for signing House Bill 1084 into law, the NSSF-supported Second Amendment Privacy Act. The law will bar the use of a firearm-retailer specific Merchant Category Code (MCC) for banks, credit card companies or financial service providers to track the lawful sale of firearms and ammunition. NSSF worked closely with legislators in Indiana to introduce legislation that would protect private and legal purchases from exploitation. HB 1084 is designed to protect the privacy of lawful and private firearm and ammunition purchases from being abused for political purposes by corporate financial service providers and unlawful government search and seizure of legal and private financial transactions. "Corporate banks and the federal government have already proven they will run roughshod over Second Amendment and Privacy rights. The need to safeguard private and legal purchases of firearms and ammunition by law-abiding citizens has never been greater," said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF Senior Vice President & General Counsel. "NSSF thanks Governor Holcomb for his leadership in signing this important legislation into law that will protect the rights of the citizens in Indiana. No American should fear being placed on a government watchlist simply for exercising their Constitutionally-protected rights to keep and bear arms." The U.S. Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) admitted to U.S. Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) in a letter that it violated the Fourth Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens that protect against illegal search and seizure when it collected the credit card purchase history from banks and credit card companies of individuals who purchased firearms and ammunition in the days surrounding Jan. 6, 2020. Treasury's FinCEN had no cause, and sought the information without a warrant, to place these law-abiding citizens on a government watchlist only because they exercised their Second Amendment rights to lawfully purchase firearms and ammunition. The idea of a firearm-retailer specific MCC was borne from antigun New York Times columnist Andrew Ross Sorkin and Amalgamated Bank, which has been called "The Left's Private Banker" and bankrolls the Democratic National Committee and several antigun politicians. Amalgamated Bank lobbied the Swiss-based International Organization for Standardization (ISO) for the code's creation. NSSF has called on Congress to investigate Amalgamated Bank's role in manipulating the ISO standard setting process. Sorkin admitted creating a firearm-retailer specific MCC would be a first step to creating a national firearm registry, which is forbidden by federal law. Indiana joins Utah, Florida, Idaho, Mississippi, Montana, North Dakota, Texas and West Virginia with laws protecting citizens' Second Amendment privacy. Several other states are considering similar legislation. U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) introduced H.R. 7450, the NSSF-supported Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act, in the U.S. House of Representatives. California's Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law requiring the use of a firearm-retailer specific MCC and Colorado is considering similar legislation. About NSSF NSSF is the trade association for the firearm industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has over 10,0000 members including manufacturers, distributors, firearms retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen's organizations and publishers nationwide. For more information, visit nssf.org. SOURCE NATIONAL SHOOTING SPORTS FOUNDATION NEW YORK , March 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global intelligent virtual assistant market size is estimated to grow by USD 5000.82 mn from 2024 to 2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 23.05% during the forecast period. Intelligent virtual assistants are in high demand for improved customer service in businesses. They offer intuitive, automated experiences across digital channels like websites, apps, and text messaging. Advanced features enable understanding of complex queries and personalized responses in sectors like automotive applications, chatbots, retail, education, healthcare, text-to-speech, mobile computing, AI, smart speakers, and consumer electronics. Industries such as healthcare and automotive also utilize virtual assistants. Computing technology and connectivity are essential components. Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Intelligent Virtual Assistant Market 2024-2028 Reports provide in-depth analysis on market dynamics, competitive landscape, market size with historical (2018 - 2022) and forecasted (2024-2028) data- Request a sample report Intelligent Virtual Assistant Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2023 Historic period 2018 - 2022 Forecast period 2024-2028 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 23.05% Market growth 2024-2028 USD 5000.82 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 21.28 Regional analysis North America, APAC, Europe, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution North America at 39% Key countries US, Canada, China, Japan, and UK Competitive landscape Leading Vendors, Market Positioning of Vendors, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks Key companies profiled Ada Health GmbH, Alphabet Inc., Amazon.com Inc., Anboto Europe SL Co., Apple Inc., Baidu Inc., Creative Virtual Ltd., eGain Corp., Inbenta Holdings Inc., Infermedica Sp. z o.o., Interactions LLC, International Business Machines Corp., Microsoft Corp., Nuance Communications Inc., Oracle Corp., Orbita Inc., Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., Sense.ly Corp., True Image Interactive Inc., and Verint Systems Inc. This report presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources through an analysis of key parameters.View Sample Report Research Analysis In the dynamic business landscape, Intelligent Virtual Assistants (IVAs) have emerged as a game-changer in various sectors, including Customer Service roles in Financial Institutions, Enterprises, Retail, Banking, Automotive, and the Healthcare industry. RF Components play a crucial role in enabling seamless IVA functionality. These components, such as microphones, speakers, and processors, power Conversational AI tools that facilitate natural language processing and speech recognition. By enhancing IVA capabilities, RF components contribute significantly to improving customer experience and operational efficiency across diverse industries. Market Segmentation This Intelligent Virtual Assistant Market report extensively covers market segmentation by Product (Chatbots, Smart speakers) Type (Text-to-speech, Voice recognition, Text-based) Geography (North America, APAC, Europe, South America, Middle East and Africa) Market Segmentation by Product The RF components market plays a crucial role in the development and deployment of intelligent virtual assistants, particularly those powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. These technologies rely on robust and reliable RF communication for seamless interaction between users and chatbots. RF components, such as antennas, filters, and transceivers, ensure optimal signal strength and quality, enabling real-time data exchange and processing. As the adoption of AI-powered chatbots continues to grow across industries, the demand for advanced RF components is expected to increase, driving innovation and development in this sector. Download Free Sample Report Geographic Landscape The North American market holds a significant share in the global Intelligent Virtual Assistant market due to the region's inclination towards high-end technological products and services. With easy access to advanced artificial intelligence technologies and higher disposable incomes, North America is a prime market for virtual assistant solutions. The US, in particular, is a major contributor, hosting numerous vendors providing artificial intelligence services and solutions to customers worldwide. RF components play a crucial role in enabling seamless communication between various devices in virtual assistant systems. As the demand for intelligent virtual assistants continues to grow, so too will the need for reliable RF components to ensure optimal system performance. Research Analyst Overview The RF Components Market for Intelligent Virtual Assistants is a significant and growing sector in the technology industry. This market encompasses various RF components essential for the seamless functioning of intelligent virtual assistants (IVAs). These components include amplifiers, filters, mixers, oscillators, and converters. The drive for advancements in IVAs, such as Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Microsoft Cortana, necessitates the development of more sophisticated RF components. Technologies like Skyplex, DriveR, and Infineon make significant contributions to this market. Converters, such as ADCs and DACs, are also crucial components, enabling IVAs to interpret and transmit data. The market for RF components in IVAs is projected to expand, driven by the increasing adoption of these assistants in various applications, including consumer electronics, automotive, and healthcare. Significant Challenges The Intelligent Virtual Assistant (IVA) market relies heavily on advanced RF components to facilitate seamless communication and data transfer between devices. With growing concerns over data security, RF components play a crucial role in ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of exchanged information. These components enable secure connectivity through encrypted signals, protecting sensitive business data from potential breaches. Additionally, RF components enable the integration of various IoT devices, expanding the capabilities of IVAs and enhancing user experience. Despite the potential risks, the RF components market for IVAs continues to thrive, driven by the demand for efficient, secure, and intelligent virtual assistant solutions. Download Free Sample Report About US Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus 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. Contact 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 The International Association Of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental, and Reinforcing Iron Workers is thrilled to celebrate a monumental stride towards revitalizing the American semiconductor industry and bolstering the nation's workforce. CHANDLER, Ariz., March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A pivotal partnership between the Biden administration and Intel marks a groundbreaking moment as the Department of Commerce announces a preliminary agreement. This agreement, facilitated under the CHIPS and Science Act, designates up to $8.5 billion in direct funding and billions more in loans for Intel. This investment will fuel the construction and expansion of Intel facilities across Arizona, Ohio, New Mexico, and Oregon, pushing a new era of UNION JOB creation and innovation. Some ironworkers are already seeing the benefits of Intel's development, "Iron Workers Local 172 is currently fully employed and active at the New Albany, Ohio Intel site with 156 members." Robert Mullet, Business Manager for Iron Workers Local 172 went on to say, "we anticipate growing into the thousands by mid-2025 due to the CHIPS Act funding." Iron Workers Local 847 covers portions of Arizona and New Mexico and will put more than 250 ironworkers to work at Intel. Local 847 Business Manager Dylan Dalton praised the agreement, "[the agreement] will not only benefit local 847, But it will benefit the construction industry as a whole for more than 7,000 workers in each state. Keeping workers and dollars local." This initiative is not just an investment in semiconductor manufacturing; it's a robust commitment to generating tens of thousands of good-paying UNION jobs. The Iron Workers Union stands ready to play a pivotal role, ensuring that the construction of these state-of-the-art facilities not only advances technological prowess but also fosters a thriving workforce characterized by union jobs with safe working conditions. The Iron Workers Union (IW) represents 130,000 ironworkers in North America who work in construction on bridges; structural steel; ornamental, architectural, clean energy, and miscellaneous metals; rebar; and in fabrication shops. SOURCE Iron Workers Union Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On March 20th, Geely's Farizon New Energy Commercial Vehicle Group (Farizon Auto) signed a framework cooperation agreement with the Municipal Government of Chaoyang city, Liaoning province, and Windey Energy Technology Group Co., Ltd. (Windey), according to a post on Farizon Auto's WeChat account. While signing the agreement, all parties conducted a discussion on the development of the new energy industry of Chaoyang city and collaboration with Liaoning Aerospace Linghe Automobile Co., Ltd. Photo credit: Farizon Auto Leveraging Chaoyang's abundant wind and solar resources along with industrial advantages, Farizon Auto, together with the local government and Windey, aims to utilize these resources efficiently. The collaboration will focus on the utilization of wind and solar resources, the construction of a methanol-hydrogen ecosystem, and the promotion of methanol-hydrogen electric vehicles. This initiative is set to establish a demonstration area for the application of methanol-hydrogen electric vehicles, advance the investment in a methanol refueling trade system, and enhance the introduction of green methanol production projects, thereby strengthening the industrial and supply chain cooperation. Liaoning Aerospace Linghe Automotive Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, will join hands with Farizon Auto in expanding the market based on their resources. Together, they aim to advance the development of a methanol-hydrogen ecosystem and jointly promote the comprehensive development of green and high-quality initiatives across Chaoyang city. As the first commercial vehicle group in China dedicated to the new energy vehicle sector, Farizon Auto has leveraged Geely's nearly two decades of technological advancements in the methanol field. It has developed a unique strategic technology route for methanol-hydrogen electric vehicles and has operated it comprehensively. The company said its products have been fully validated for environmental friendliness, economic viability, applicability, and reliability, leading the industry in technological maturity and market deployment at an international level. Furthermore, Farizon Auto is constructing a diversified green methanol transportation ecosystem, by promoting the integrated development of green methanol production, methanol refueling, and methanol-electric vehicles, and through an integrated approach encompassing methanol, vehicles, cargo, stations, and finance. Hope for metastatic patients as PROphet blood test guides first-line treatment selection by identifying individuals with the highest likelihood of benefit from PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors BINYAMINA, Israel and CARY, N.C., March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- OncoHost, a technology company transforming the approach to precision medicine for improved patient outcomes, today announced the publication of a study in JCO Precision Oncology (JCO PO) demonstrating the clinical validity and utility of its proprietary PROphet NSCLC test. Entitled 'Plasma Proteome-Based Test for First-Line Treatment Selection in Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer,' the peer-reviewed paper highlights the role of PROphet NSCLC as a plasma proteome machine learning-based decision-support tool, identifying patient subsets benefiting from PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor-based therapies. Serving as a composite biomarker alongside tumor PD-L1 testing, OncoHost's test optimizes treatment selection, leading to improved survival outcomes and potentially reducing chemotherapy-related toxicity in select patients. "One of the greatest unmet needs in therapy of non-small cell lung cancer is the development of better predictive biomarkers for checkpoint immunotherapy," said Prof. David Gandara, clinical advisor at OncoHost and co-author of the paper. "While both PD-L1 and tumor mutational burden are approved biomarkers, they have limited applicability due to the genomic and immunologic complexity of this cancer type. The preliminary data in this paper suggests that PROphet, when used together with the PD-L1 score, can greatly improve therapeutic decision-making, and benefit our patients." Currently, there is a significant gap in the availability of definitive biomarkers to effectively guide immunotherapy treatment decisions. It takes an average of 3-6 months to assess treatment response, which not only decreases the quality of care but also heightens the risk of poor outcomes. Despite the thousands of ongoing clinical trials exploring immunotherapy-based therapeutics, progress has remained modest. To drive meaningful advances and enhance clinical outcomes, it is imperative to identify both response and resistance biomarkers for immunotherapy-based therapies. OncoHost's PROphet platform represents a new generation of precision oncology tools offering a solution to this critical challenge. "This publication underscores the strength of our PROphet NSCLC test as a reliable proteomics-based decision-support tool for metastatic patients," said Ofer Sharon, MD, CEO of OncoHost. "Notably, this represents a significant step forward for the industry, as there are few precision oncology tests utilizing machine learning (ML) on liquid assays in proteomics. By integrating ML into our approach, we have created a new breed of tests that can analyze vast amounts of data points from the blood proteome, providing clear clinical utility for physicians treating patients with advanced disease. Thank you to all the patients, physicians, and scientists who, together with our dedicated team at OncoHost, made this work possible. I am eager to see the promising developments ahead." About OncoHost OncoHost is a technology company headquartered in Binyamina, Israel, and Cary, North Carolina, transforming the approach to precision medicine for improved patient outcomes. OncoHost's proprietary platform, PROphet, is a plasma-based, proteomic pattern analysis tool whose initial offering in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) uses a single blood sample to guide first-line immunotherapy decision-making. The PROphet NSCLC test provides clear clinical utility by offering physicians crucial guidance on the optimal first-line immunotherapy treatment plan for each individual patient, with a significant effect on overall survival. Led by an experienced team of entrepreneurs and industry experts and supported by a large-scale prospective clinical trial with over 40 sites and 1,700 patients recruited worldwide, OncoHost is well-positioned to lead precision diagnostics and biomarker development to the next stage. For more information, visit www.oncohost.com, or follow OncoHost on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. Media Contact: Lior Alperovich Marcom Manager [email protected] +972-54-282-4503 SOURCE OncoHost SAN FRANCISCO, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Rising star J.K. Mac joined forces with the acclaimed rapper YoungBoy Never Broke Again, who boasts a dedicated and passionate fanbase, to unveil their latest song, "Swear" (also known as "Wallahi" in Arabic, meaning "I Swear" to Allah). Debuting exclusively on Gala Music yesterday, "Swear" demonstrates the music industry's shift towards web3 integration. The track will be exclusively available on the Gala Music platform for 60 days. The track and music video for "Swear" debuted exclusively on Gala Music on Wednesday, March 20th at 9 am PST. Alongside the premiere, Gala Music launched Mystery Boxes for purchase, starting at the same time. These limited-edition boxes offer fans the chance to win $MUSIC & $GALA tokens, exclusive merchandise, including a special unreleased track from J.K. Mac, and more surprises. Additionally, "Swear" became available for purchase on the Gala Music platform yesterday at 9 am PST. J.K. Mac, fresh from the success of his sleeper hit "No Love," and YoungBoy Never Broke Again, known for his lyrical prowess, have crafted this track as a declaration of spirit and authenticity in songwriting. The release was complemented by a music video that created a cinematic journey, further enhancing the song's powerful message. "Swear" stands as a testament to YoungBoy Never Broke Again's remarkable talent and fervent fanbase. With numerous achievements under his belt, including making history as YouTube's most streamed hip-hop artist for five consecutive years, YoungBoy Never Broke Again's influence is undeniable. This collaboration with J.K. Mac highlights his unwavering dedication to his craft, using it as both a personal journey of resilience and a source of strength. This collaboration represents a bridge between the energy of youthful, open-minded audiences and the innovative possibilities of web3 music distribution. By partnering with Gala Music, the duo aims to showcase the value of releasing art within a decentralized landscape, offering fans a unique opportunity to connect with their music on a deeper level through Gala Music's exclusive experiences. Exclusive Mystery Box Opportunity for Fans To celebrate the release, fans now have the chance to engage with a special Mystery Box experiences. These limited-edition boxes ($9.99 each) will be available until April 22nd and offers a chance to win exciting prizes like: Exclusive Merch: Snag limited-edition "Swear" collaboration merchandise, including beanies and hoodies Snag limited-edition "Swear" collaboration merchandise, including beanies and hoodies An exclusive unreleased song from J.K. Mac Facetime with J.K. Mac Tickets: Each Mystery Box offers a chance to win a raffle ticket for a potential studio session with J.K. Mac. Each Mystery Box offers a chance to win a raffle ticket for a potential studio session with J.K. Mac. Wallahi Badges: Unveil exclusive digital badges, some featuring varying levels of rarity (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum). These collectibles could hold future utility within the Gala Music ecosystem. Unveil exclusive digital badges, some featuring varying levels of rarity (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum). These collectibles could hold future utility within the Gala Music ecosystem. Music Passes: Collect multiple passes to unlock 'behind the scenes' content from the 'Swear' music video or an extended version of a track releasing soon. Studio Session Tickets: Each Mystery Box offers a chance to win a raffle ticket for a potential studio session with J.K. Mac. Each Mystery Box offers a chance to win a raffle ticket for a potential studio session with J.K. Mac. Gala Tokens: Mystery Boxes may contain digital tokens that unlock additional value within the Gala ecosystem, including: 500k $GALA (Gala's native token) 3,538 $MUSIC (Gala Music's native token) - the "35" representing J.K. Mac and "38" representing YoungBoy Never Broke Again's hometowns. Mystery Boxes may contain digital tokens that unlock additional value within the Gala ecosystem, including: About Gala Music Gala Music, a pioneer in the web3 entertainment space, is dedicated to empowering fans and creators through decentralized ecosystems and true content ownership. With a focus on developing innovative solutions and opportunities on its proprietary blockchain, GalaChain, Gala is at the forefront of redefining the future of entertainment. For more information, visit music.gala.com SOURCE Gala Music Company President Paul Thompson to become Chief Executive Officer (CEO); current CEO and Chairman of the Board Tom Wyatt will remain as Chairman, effective June 1, ensuring leadership continuity during period of continued growth LAKE OSWEGO, Ore., March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- KinderCare Learning Companies, a leading provider of early childhood and school-age education and care, today announced that as of June 1, 2024, Paul Thompson, the company's current President, will become CEO, succeeding current CEO and Chairman of the Board, Tom Wyatt. Wyatt will remain Chairman of the Board. "It has been the honor of a lifetime to lead KinderCare and be a part of an incredible team of dedicated and passionate individuals who serve families each day across the country. I could not be more proud of what we've achieved together," said Wyatt. "Paul is a highly respected and strategic leader who has served in various leadership roles at KinderCare. This is a leadership transition that leverages the deep talent within our team and provides continuity for the business to drive long term growth. I am incredibly confident in Paul's ability to lead us well into the future." Since joining KinderCare as CEO in 2012, Wyatt guided the company's transformational turnaround. He led the company's executive team in achieving the highest standards of excellence in education, with more accredited centers than any of the other major early childhood education providers. His focus on a cultural transformation has been marked by record-high levels of employee and customer engagement, earning KinderCare the Gallup Great Workplace Award for the past seven years. From 2018 to 2023, KinderCare saw an 8.4% 5-year Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) on top line revenue and double digit growth on EBITDA over the same time period. "Under Tom's leadership KinderCare has not only grown to be the largest private provider of early childhood education in the United States, but one of the highest quality providers in the country. Tom is truly an ambassador of our culture, and he leaves an incredible legacy of growth and commitment to doing what's right," said Thompson. "As we look ahead to what's next for KinderCare, we'll remain committed to ensuring every employee remains connected to our company purpose as we strive to bring care and education to more children, families and communities across the country." Thompson joined KinderCare in 2015 as Chief Financial Officer and has held additional leadership roles including Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Operating Officer. In 2021 he was promoted to President, overseeing strategy, center operations, new center growth, IT, marketing and communications and all of the company's brands. About KinderCare Learning Companies A leading provider early childhood and school-age education and care, KinderCare builds confidence for life in children and families from all backgrounds. KinderCare supports hardworking families in 40 states and the District of Columbia with differentiated flexible child care solutions to meet today's dynamic work environment: In neighborhoods, with KinderCare Learning Centers that offer early learning programs for children six weeks to 12 years old and with Creme School , which offers a premium early education model using a variety of themed classrooms; that offer early learning programs for children six weeks to 12 years old and with , which offers a premium early education model using a variety of themed classrooms; At work, through KinderCare Learning Companies for Employers , providing customized family benefits for employers across the country, including employer-supported child care benefits, on-site and near-site early learning centers and back-up care for last-minute child care, and , providing customized family benefits for employers across the country, including employer-supported child care benefits, on-site and near-site early learning centers and back-up care for last-minute child care, and In local schools, with Champions before and after-school programs. KinderCare programs meet the highest standards, validated by independent, third-party evaluation including: Gallup , measuring workforce engagement, , measuring workforce engagement, National Association for the Education of Young Children , ensuring individual early learning center quality, , ensuring individual early learning center quality, Cognia , accreditation for before- and after-school programs, , accreditation for before- and after-school programs, BRIGANCE and TerraNova assessments of children's academic progress and achievement, and assessments of children's academic progress and achievement, and WELL Health-Safety Rating, validating health and safety practices in our facilities. Headquartered in Lake Oswego, Oregon, KinderCare operates more than 2,000 early learning centers and sites. In 2023, KinderCare earned its seventh Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award one of only four organizations worldwide to achieve this milestone for seven consecutive years. To learn more, visit KC-Learning.com. CONTACT: [email protected] SOURCE KinderCare Learning Companies LAMBERTVILLE, N.J., March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Lambertville Station Restaurant and Inn, a member of Genesis Hospitality, will host the River's Edge Artisan Festival on April 13th and 14th. This free festival is open to the public from 11 am 4:30 pm. River's Edge Artisan Festival Lambertville Station Restaurant and Inn Experience two days full of artistry along the banks of the Delaware River. Enjoy delicious food, wine, beer and live music featuring Strange Brew and The Ramblers. Explore handcrafted treasures showcased by local artists and vendors, from unique jewelry to beautiful pottery and much more. An assortment of food, wine and beer will be available. Join us for a vibrant celebration of food, family, and local craftsmanship. This Fall Fest will occur on the grounds of the Lambertville Station Restaurant and Inn, a historic restored 19th-century train station located at 11 Bridge St, Lambertville, New Jersey. Named the most picturesque small town in New Jersey by USA Today and one of America's 15 prettiest towns by Forbes, Lambertville is a quaint town that sits right along the Delaware River in Hunterdon County, NJ. It is about an hour's drive from Philadelphia and North Jersey and a short walk over the bridge that connects New Hope, PA, to Lambertville, providing an Instagram-worthy photo-op. To learn more about this festival and the available spaces for vendors, visit the Lambertville Station Restaurant and Inn website at www.lambertvillestation.com. About Lambertville Station Restaurant and Inn Lambertville Station Restaurant and Inn, in operation since 1984, features an award-winning fine dining restaurant with seasonal menus that incorporate fresh, locally-grown and sourced ingredients and a wine cellar with a collection of boutique wines. Dine inside a restored 19th-century train station or al fresco on the terrace with breathtaking views of rolling hills and the Delaware River just a few feet away. The Inn boasts a stately elegant 46 contemporary rooms or suites with sophisticated furnishings and stunning views. Host your private event in one of the many event spaces, from intimate corporate functions to the elegant riverfront wedding of your dreams. About Genesis Hospitality Genesis Hospitality is a collection of restaurants and bars, historical inns and event spaces, bakeries, and boutique hotels. We are committed to crafting exceptional experiences for our guests. Whether you're looking for fine dining with an impressive wine list or a casual pastry and coffee, we're happy to deliver it with excellent service and our signature warmth. Name: Daniel Wang Email: [email protected] Tel.: 609-397-8300 Ext. 500 SOURCE Genesis Hospitality MADRID, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- LLYC (BME: LLYC) has released its audited results for 2023, affirming the preliminary figures announced in January. The Corporate Affairs and Marketing consultancy experienced a significant upsurge in operating revenues, which climbed by 14% to 83.1 million, while total revenues surged by 13% to 101.4 million. Recurring EBITDA showed a notable improvement of 15% over 2022, reaching 18.5 million. This advancement, fueled by a blend of organic and inorganic growth, surpassed the targets outlined in the budget. Throughout 2020-2023, LLYC has magnified its operating revenues by a factor of 2.1 and its EBITDA by a factor of 2.2. Furthermore, the company's net profit soared by 24% to 9.2 million last year. LLYC management team LLYC's expense and structure management resulted in an EBITDA margin of 22%, underscoring its ability to maintain high profitability despite competitors' margin reductions. Moreover, the company achieved robust cash generation, culminating in a closing balance of 10.7 million in cash and a net debt of 0.8 million by the end of 2023. This solid financial footing, coupled with low indebtedness, positions the company favorably to pursue future acquisitions in key markets, leveraging favorable terms for bank debt. "Despite the uncertainties of 2023 that reverberated across global economies, our presented results are truly commendable," said Alejandro Romero, LLYC's Partner and Global CEO. "LLYC's evolution has positioned us to pursue the growth outlined in our 2023/2025 strategic plan. We have shown our ability to overcome new challenges and remain focused on achieving our goals." In 2023, LLYC's revenue distribution by business unit was as follows: Europe accounted for 33% of operating revenues and 37.7% of EBITDA. accounted for 33% of operating revenues and 37.7% of EBITDA. Deep Digital contributed 34.5% and 28%, respectively. Latam represented 24.1% and 23.5%. The USA contributed 8.4% and 10.8%. Notably, marketing services comprised almost half of the company's revenues in 2023. Innovation, LLYC's central pillar The pivotal contribution of Deep Digital services was instrumental in LLYC's performance, with revenues from this segment escalating by 21% in 2023. Deep Digital now constitutes 34.5% of operating revenues and 28% of recurring EBITDA. The company intensified its focus on innovation, investing 1.3 million (a 62% increase over 2022) in RDI last year. In 2023, revenue from innovation activities accounted for 11.4% of Deep Digital's total revenue. LLYC's commitment to innovation facilitated the development of proprietary AI models, including a reputation measurement model that surpassed market benchmarks by 20 accuracy points and was validated by the Complutense University of Madrid, and which has already enabled the analysis of more than 850 million messages. Additionally, the company launched AIgent, a generative artificial intelligence solution tailored for specialized knowledge conversations. ESG commitment LLYC made significant strides in 2023 regarding its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives. ESG rating providers Clarity Ai and Refinitiv rated LLYC favorably, positioning it as a leader in its sector and surpassing its peers in sustainable performance. Clarity Ai currently gives LLYC a score of 76 points out of 100, with a clear leadership position in relation to its sector and comparable companies. The analysis highlights the quality of the information provided by LLYC to the markets and its good sustainable performance, especially in the area of corporate governance where LLYC receives a score of 93 points out of 100. In the case of Refinitiv, the rating obtained by the company for 2022 was "B" in the total ESG Ratings, with a score of 61 points out of 100. In the breakdown, LLYC stands out in environmental aspects such as the use of resources; social aspects such as labor, human rights or community relations policies; and corporate governance in its relationship with its shareholders and investors, with ratings of A-. LLYC also obtained the highest rating (A+) from the perspective of reputational risk associated with ESG controversies. The consulting firm is ranked 38th out of 183 in the world ranking of companies evaluated with an ESG perspective by Refinitiv in the Media & Publishing category. Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2368369/LLYC_Management_Team.jpg Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2058037/LLYC_Logo.jpg SOURCE LLYC MOUNT GILEAD, N.C., March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- McRae Industries, Inc. (Pink Sheets: MCRAA and MCRAB) reported consolidated net revenues for the second quarter of fiscal 2024 of $25,815,000 as compared to $30,769,000 for the second quarter of fiscal 2023. Net earnings for the second quarter of fiscal 2024 amounted to $1,636,000, or $.72 per diluted Class A common share as compared to $1,729,000, or $0.76 per diluted Class A common share, for the second quarter of fiscal 2023. Consolidated net revenues for the first six months of fiscal 2024 totaled $58,641,000 as compared to $64,552,000 for the first six months of fiscal 2023. Net earnings for the first six months of fiscal 2024 amounted to $4,858,000, or $2.15 per diluted Class A common share, as compared to net earnings of $4,586,000, or $2.02 per diluted Class A common share, for the first six months of fiscal 2023. SECOND QUARTER FISCAL 2024 COMPARED TO SECOND QUARTER FISCAL 2023 Consolidated net revenues totaled $25.8 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2024 as compared to $30.8 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2023. Sales related to our western/lifestyle boot products for the second quarter of fiscal 2024 totaled $18.2 million as compared to $22.8 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2023. This decrease in net revenues was spread across several western product lines and offset by an increase in our Dingo fashion brand. Revenues from our work boot products decreased from $8.2 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2023 to $7.8 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2024. This was primarily a result of decreased sales for our Dan Post work boots. Consolidated gross profit for the second quarter of fiscal 2024 amounted to approximately $7.0 million as compared to $8.0 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2023. However, gross profit as a percentage of net revenues was up from 25.9% for the second quarter of fiscal 2023 to 27.1% for the second quarter of fiscal 2024. This is primarily because of increased margins on military boot sales driven by increased efficiency in our manufacturing facility, as well as newer military boot contracts with updated pricing. Consolidated selling, general and administrative expenses totaled approximately $5.6 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2024 as compared to $6.1 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2023. This decrease resulted primarily from decreased sales commissions. As a result of the above, the consolidated operating profit for the second quarter of fiscal 2024 amounted to $1.4 million as compared to $1.8 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2023. FIRST SIX MONTHS FISCAL 2024 COMPARED TO FIRST SIX MONTHS FISCAL 2023 Consolidated net revenues for the first six months of fiscal 2024 totaled $58.6 million as compared to $64.6 million for the first six months of fiscal 2023. Our western and lifestyle product sales totaled $40.2 million for the first six months of fiscal 2024 as compared to $49.5 million for the first six months of fiscal 2023. While demand for the Laredo, Dan Post, and Eldorado brands has softened, we also missed some sales during the first six months of our fiscal year due to inventory shortages on select styles. Net revenues from our work boot business increased from $15.1 million for the first six months of fiscal 2023 to $17.2 million for the first six months of fiscal 2024. This was primarily a result of increased military boot sales. Consolidated gross profit totaled $16.9 million, or 28.8%, for the first six months of fiscal 2024 as compared to $18.3 million, or 28.3%, for the first six months of fiscal 2023. This is primarily due to the improved margins on military boot sales as discussed above. Consolidated selling, general and administrative expenses totaled approximately $11.6 million for the first six months of fiscal 2024 as compared to $12.2 million for the first six months of fiscal 2023. This decrease is mainly attributable to lower commissions because of the decrease in sales. As a result of the above, the consolidated operating profit amounted to $5.3 million for the first six months of fiscal 2024 as compared to $6.1 million for the first six months of fiscal 2023. On December 23, 2023, the company, through our affiliate American Mortgage and Investment Company and wholly owned subsidiary Hoke Development Company, signed a purchase sale agreement to sell approximately 262 acres in Berkeley Country Club located in Berkeley County, South Carolina to Berkeley Conservation Group LLC. The terms of the agreement provide for a sales price of $2,650,000 and a maximum due diligence period of 180 days prior to closing. Financial Condition and Liquidity Our financial condition remained strong as cash and cash equivalents remained consistent at $18.3 million for January 27, 2024 and July 29, 2023. Our working capital increased from $75.8 million at July 29, 2023 to $79.0 million at January 27, 2024. We currently have two lines of credit totaling $6.75 million, all of which was fully available at January 27, 2024. One credit line totaling $1.75 million (which is restricted to one hundred percent of the outstanding receivables due from the Government) expires in January 2025. Our $5.0 million line of credit, which also expires in January 2025, is secured by the inventory and accounts receivable of our Dan Post Boot Company subsidiary. For the first six months of fiscal 2024, operating activities provided approximately $8.4 million of cash. Net earnings contributed approximately $4.8 million of cash. Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided in operating activities totaled approximately $3.6 million. These adjustments were driven significantly by decreased inventory and accounts receivable. Net cash used by investing activities totaled approximately $6.5 million, primarily due to the purchase and sale of securities. Net cash used in financing activities totaled $2.0 million, which was used primarily for dividend payments. We believe that our current cash and cash equivalents, cash generated from operations, and available credit lines will be sufficient to meet our capital requirements for the remainder of fiscal 2024. Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes certain forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those projected, estimated, assumed or anticipated in any such forward-looking statements include: uncertainties associated with COVID-19 or coronavirus, including its possible effects on our operations, supply chain, and the demand for our products and services, our ability to complete the sale of our properties under contract for sale, the effect of competitive products and pricing, risks unique to selling goods to the Government (including variation in the Government's requirements for our products and the Government's ability to terminate its contracts with vendors), changes in fashion cycles and trends in the western boot business, loss of key customers, acquisitions, supply interruptions, additional financing requirements, our expectations about future Government orders for military boots, loss of key management personnel, our ability to successfully develop new products and services, and the effect of general economic conditions in our markets. McRae Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In thousands, except share data) (Unaudited) January 27, 2024 July 29, 2023 ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $18,274 $18,329 Equity investments 6,713 6,459 Debt securities 23,531 15,047 Accounts receivable, net 16,170 19,880 Inventories, net 19,797 21,914 Income tax receivable 138 370 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 598 317 Total current assets 85,221 82,316 Property and equipment, net 4,734 4,917 Other assets: Deposits 13 14 Right to Use Asset 2,136 2,362 Real estate held for investment 2,848 3,036 Trademarks 2,824 2,824 Total other assets 7,821 8,236 Total assets $97,776 $95,469 McRae Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In thousands, except share data) (Unaudited) January 27, 2024 July 29, 2023 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts payable $3,301 $2,122 Accrued employee benefits 566 1,783 Accrued payroll and payroll taxes 948 1,293 Lease liability 429 429 Other 945 878 Total current liabilities 6,189 6,505 Lease liability 1,707 1,933 Deferred tax liabilities 114 114 Total liabilities 8,010 8,552 Shareholders' equity: Common Stock: Class A, $1 par value; authorized 5,000,000 shares issued and outstanding, 1,896,334 and 1,895,949 shares, respectively 1,896 1,896 Class B, $1 par value; authorized 2,500,000 shares; issued and outstanding, 363,826 and 364,211 shares, respectively 364 364 Retained earnings 87,506 84,657 Total shareholders' equity 89,766 86,917 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $97,776 $95,469 McRae Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (In thousands, except share data) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended Six Months Ended January 27, January 28, January 27, January 28, 2024 2023 2024 2023 Net revenues $25,815 $30,769 $58,641 $64,552 Cost of revenues 18,816 22,788 41,733 46,277 Gross profit 6,999 7,981 16,908 18,275 Selling, general and administrative expenses 5,580 6,134 11,583 12,180 Operating profit 1,419 1,847 5,325 6,095 Other income 852 456 916 267 Earnings before income taxes 2,271 2,303 6,241 6,362 Provision for income taxes 635 574 1,383 1,776 Net earnings $1,636 $1,729 $4,858 $4,586 Earnings per common share: Diluted earnings per share: Class A 0.72 0.76 2.15 2.03 Class B NA NA NA NA Weighted average number of common shares outstanding: Class A 1,896,334 1,895,062 1,896,277 1,895,049 Class B 363,826 365,098 363,883 365,111 Total 2,260,160 2,260,160 2,260,160 2,260,160 McRae Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (In thousands, except share data) (Unaudited) Common Stock, $1 par value Accumulated Other Class A Class B Comprehensive Retained Shares Amount Shares Amount Income (Loss) Earnings Balance, July 30, 2022 1,895,035 $1,895 365,125 $365 $0 $78,989 Cash Dividend ($0.14 per Class A common stock) (265) Cash Dividend ($0.14 per Class B common stock) (51) Net earnings 2,857 Balance, October 29, 2022 1,895,035 $1,895 365,125 $365 $0 $81,530 Conversion of Class B 100 - (100) - - to Class A Stock Cash Dividend ($0.64 per Class A common stock) (1,212) Cash Dividend ($0.64 per Class B common stock) (233) Net earnings 1,729 Balance, January 28, 2023 1,895,135 $1,895 365,025 $365 $0 $81,814 Common Stock, $1 par value Accumulated Other Class A Class B Comprehensive Retained Shares Amount Shares Amount Income (Loss) Earnings Balance, July 29, 2023 1,895,949 $1,896 364,211 $364 $0 $84,657 Conversion of Class B 385 - (385) - to Class A Stock Cash Dividend ($0.14 per Class A common stock) (265) Cash Dividend ($0.14 per Class B common stock) (51) Net earnings 3,222 Balance, October 28, 2023 1,896,334 $1,896 363,826 $364 $0 $87,563 Cash Dividend ($0.64 per Class A common stock) (1,421) Cash Dividend ($0.64 per Class B common stock) (272) Net earnings 1,636 Balance, January 27, 2024 1,896,334 $1,896 363,826 $364 $0 $87,506 McRae Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (In thousands) (Unaudited) Six Months Ended January 27, January 28, 2024 2023 Cash Flows from Operating Activities: Net earnings $4,858 $4,586 Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash used in operating activities 3,584 (1,960) Net cash provided by operating activities 8,442 2,626 Cash Flows from Investing Activities: Proceeds from sale of land 1,985 - Capital expenditures (143) (594) Purchase of securities (19,011) (246) Proceeds from sale of securities 10,681 10 Net cash used in investing activities (6,488) (830) Cash Flows from Financing Activities: Dividends paid (2,009) (1,761) Net cash used in financing activities (2,009) (1,761) Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash and Cash equivalents (55) 35 Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year 18,329 15,315 Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period $18,274 $15,350 SOURCE McRae Industries, Inc. P8 Plus sees Midea make their own piece of history at Athens event ATHENS, Greece, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Midea, one of the world's largest home appliance manufacturing companies, today welcomes the latest additions to their family of household appliances at the Midea European Trade Conference 2024. Among the many big announcements, the Midea P8 Plus is a key talking point as it represents the brand's first cordless vacuum cleaner with a docking station. A vacuum cleaner that takes care of itself Midea P8 Plus Midea X10 Distinguishing itself from conventional cordless vacuum cleaners, the P8 Plus is equipped with an automatic dust collection station. Whereas traditional vacuum cleaners will release some dust back into the room when emptying the dust cup, with the P8 Plus the dust is automatically emptied into the dust collection station when the vacuum cleaner is docked. Thanks to a dust bag with a 3L capacity that rarely needs changing and a charging base that automatically charges the vacuum cleaner, the docking station allows consumers to spend less time maintaining their vacuum cleaners and more time enjoying those precious tiny moments at home with family. Say goodbye to pet fur problems The P8 Plus also represents a major upgrade with an increased suction power of 350W and anti-tangle brush, making it easier than ever to keep surfaces fur-free and for pet owners and pets alike to make themselves at home. The P8 Plus is not only good news for pet owners, however, as the three operation modes can meet almost any situation while the 90-minute runtime* means that the cordless vacuum cleaner can clean the largest of homes without running out of power. Vacuum and mop at the same time with Midea X10 The P8 Plus is not the only floor cleaning appliance grabbing attention at the Midea European Trade Conference 2024. The time-friendly Midea X10 floor washer combines vacuuming and moping so that consumers can transform dirty floors in one pass. Available in European homes this summer The Midea X10 is already available across Europe while the Midea P8 Plus will first launch in Cyprus, Turkey, the United Kingdom and Poland in June with a wider European launch in July. * Based on laboratory tests under specific conditions. Actual running time may vary About Midea & Midea Group Midea is one of over 10 brands within the Smart Home Business of Midea Group. Midea Group, established in 1968, is a leading global high-technology company ranked #278 on the 2023 Fortune Global 500 list, and one of the world's largest home appliance manufacturing companies which businesses go beyond smart home appliances. In early 2021 the company streamlined its core units into five high-growth business pillars to pave the new future growth path: Smart Home, Electro-Mechanical, Building Technologies, Robotics & Automation and Digital Innovation. www.midea.com www.midea-group.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2364684/Midea_P8_Plus.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2364685/Midea_X10.jpg PARIS, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Reaffirming its commitment to advancing Saudi entrepreneurship, Monsha'at, the Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, participated in the 2024 edition of Franchise Expo Paris: the leading business event for franchise entrepreneurs. Monsha'at took part in the international exhibition alongside 18 innovative Saudi brands from a broad cross-section of industries and sectors to showcase the growth and diversity of the Kingdom's small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) space and build on its efforts to transform the Saudi economy. Held from 16 to 18 March at Porte de Versailles in Paris, France, the gathering provided a timely platform for Monsha'at to shine a light on its delegation of 18 brands, enabling each entity to raise its profile, explore networking and partnership opportunities, and expand internationally. These brands included Dkhoon, AbdulGhani, Dr's Lounge, Mantorose, Key Cafe and Yelo. They were joined by 3days, Al Dakheel Oud, Barn's, Bazil, the i-be innovation and Entrepreneurship Center, Delta Medical Laboratories and Blueage. The Monsha'at delegation also comprised of companies such as Mamola, Saadeddin Pastry, Richy, Munch Bakery and Kleen. Sami Al Hussaini, Governor of Monsha'at, said: "Franchise Expo Paris 2024 served as the perfect platform for us to showcase the strides we have made as an investment destination. We welcomed attendees and participants to our dedicated pavilion, offering more insight into our ongoing work and initiatives. This enabled us to spotlight the inventiveness of 18 leading Saudi brands and connect them to a wider network of international partners." He added: "Taking part in the expo is fully aligned with our strategy of international engagement and follows our participation in a range of global events and gatherings. We look forward to collaborating with more businesses, franchises and franchisers from France and around the world; with this global outlook and commitment to effective partnership-working being key to unlocking the Kingdom's economic potential." Organized by Infopro Digital under the sponsorship of the Ministry of Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty Franchise Expo Paris attracts over 30,000 participants from around the world every year. The expo was launched to bring brands, investors, franchisees and franchisers together under one roof to network, explore partnership opportunities and discuss the future of the global franchise ecosystem. By showcasing diverse industries at a leading global platform, Monsha'at not only highlighted the growth and potential of the Kingdom's SME sector but also aligned its efforts with Saudi Vision 2030. This strategic engagement facilitated international networking, emphasizing the Kingdom's role as a dynamic investment destination and its endeavors in fostering a supportive ecosystem for franchises, as demonstrated through the establishment of Monsha'at's Franchise Center. In line with Vision 2030, Monsha'at's participation in the event extends its ongoing work to empower SMEs and brands to fulfil their potential. As highlighted in Monsha'at's Q4 2023 quarterly report, the number of SMEs in Saudi Arabia grew an impressive 3.1% in Q4 2023 to more than 1.3 million. SOURCE Monshaat New mortgage brokerage franchise provides homebuyers and refinancers competitive rates and access to local professionals that understand the California market SANTA CLARITA, Calif., March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Motto Mortgage, the first-and-only national mortgage brokerage franchise brand in the United States focused on transparency and compliance, has a new office located in the Valencia neighborhood of sunny Santa Clarita, California. Motto Mortgage Planning is now open and serving all markets throughout the Golden State. Motto Mortgage Planning is a customer-first, full-service mortgage brokerage established by Patrick Raach. Raach, who is also the broker owner of Realty ONE Group Success, has over 30 years of real estate and mortgage lending experience. He is a master of his craft and has worked in all facets of residential and commercial real estate to include multi-family, first-time home buyers, short sales, Real Estate Owned (REO), and property management. Now, he's looking forward to providing his clients a seamless, one-stop-shop experience by combining real estate and mortgage services under one roof. "Motto Mortgage Planning offers an advantageous alternative to the traditional mortgage bankers currently operating in Santa Clarita," said Patrick Raach. "We provide the scope, scale and support of a large retail lender, while offering the flexibility, autonomy and exceptional service of a local mortgage broker that knows how to navigate the intricacies of the home buying process in your market." Trent Boser will serve as the mortgage loan originator and branch manager for the office. As a seasoned mortgage professional with 25 years of experience in mortgage lending, Boser has dedicated his career to helping individuals and families achieve their dreams of homeownership. His extensive knowledge and commitment to exceptional customer service have earned him a reputation as a trusted advisor and partner in the mortgage industry. "I am excited to step into this role as loan originator and branch manager at Motto Mortgage Planning. I have honed my expertise in a wide range of financing options, including, Federal Housing Administration (FHA), Veterans Affairs (VA), Conventional, Conforming, and Non-Qualified Mortgage loans, to help serve a wide range of borrowers," said Trent Boser. "I take great pride in guiding my clients through the complex mortgage process and finding the best possible solutions to meet their unique needs." Loan originators in the Motto Mortgage network have access to competitive loans from various wholesale lenders and work hard to give homebuyers choices because no loan is one-size-fits-all. A loan originator with Motto Mortgage Planning can be reached at (661) 733-1357. A digital mortgage experience is available for borrowers who would prefer to conduct business remotely. Each Motto Mortgage franchise is independently owned, operated, and licensed. About Motto Mortgage Planning: Motto Mortgage Planning (NMLS #2455148) is a locally owned and operated full-service mortgage brokerage serving all of California, located at 23929 Valencia Blvd, Suite 408, Valencia, CA 91355. To learn more, please visit www.MottoMortgagePlanning.com or call (661) 733-1357. Trent Boser, NMLS #340211 SOURCE Motto Mortgage WASHINGTON, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Following a successful launch of NASA's SpaceX 30th commercial resupply mission, new scientific experiments and technology demonstrations for the agency are on the way to the International Space Station, including studies of technologies to measure sea ice and plant growth in space. SpaceX's Dragon resupply spacecraft, carrying more than 6,000 pounds of cargo to the orbiting laboratory, launched on the company's Falcon 9 rocket at 4:55 p.m. EDT Thursday, from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. NASAs SpaceX 30th commercial resupply mission launched at 4:55 p.m. EDT, Thursday, March 21, from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Credit: NASA/Madison Tuttle The cargo spacecraft is scheduled to autonomously dock at the space station on Saturday, March 23, at approximately 7:30 a.m. and remain at the orbital outpost for about a month. Live coverage of the arrival will begin at 5:30 a.m. on NASA+, NASA Television, and on the agency's website. Learn how to stream NASA TV through a variety of platforms. The Dragon will deliver a new set of sensors for Astrobee robots to support automated 3D sensing, mapping, and situational awareness functions. These systems could support future Gateway and lunar surface missions by providing automated maintenance and surface scanning using rovers. Additionally, the spacecraft will deliver BurstCube, a small satellite that is designed to study gamma-ray bursts that occur when two neutron stars collide. This satellite could widen our coverage of the gamma-ray sky, improving our chances of studying bursts both with light and gravitational waves, or ripples in space-time, detected by ground-based observatories. Finally, the spacecraft also will deliver sampling hardware for Genomic Enumeration of Antibiotic Resistance in Space (GEARS), an initiative that will test different locations of the space station for antibiotic-resistant microbes. In-flight gene sequencing could show how these bacteria adapt to the space environment, providing knowledge that informs measures to protect astronauts on future long-duration missions. These are just a few of the hundreds of investigations conducted aboard the orbiting laboratory in the areas of biology and biotechnology, physical sciences, and Earth and space science. Advances from this scientific research will help keep astronauts healthy during long-duration space travel and demonstrate technologies for future human and robotic exploration beyond low Earth orbit to the Moon through NASA's Artemis campaign, in advance of the first crewed mission to Mars. Get breaking news, images and features from the space station on Instagram, Facebook, and X. Learn more about NASA commercial resupply services missions at: https://www.nasa.gov/international-space-station/commercial-resupply/ SOURCE NASA Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Chinese power battery supplier Gotion High-tech, through its subsidiary Gotion Japan, recently signed a collaborative agreement with Daiwa Energy and CO2OS in Tokyo, Japan, according to a press release from Gotion High-tech. This partnership is set to embark on the development and operational maintenance of energy storage stations across Japan. Photo credit: Gotion High-tech Under the terms of the agreement, Gotion Japan, Daiwa Energy, and CO2OS will pool their resources to focus on the development and operational maintenance of energy storage stations within the Japanese market. Specifically, Gotion Japan will supply energy storage battery products and provide ongoing technical support for daily operations. Daiwa Energy will undertake project feasibility assessments and offer financial backing. Meanwhile, CO2OS will be responsible for the operational maintenance of the energy storage stations, in addition to offering other relevant technical support. The collaboration is anticipated to introduce a total of 1GWh of energy storage battery products to the market over the next two years, catering to the demands of energy storage stations on the grid side and renewable energy generation side. Through this partnership, the trio aims to accelerate the introduction of renewable energy in Japan, thereby contributing to the global effort to overcome the challenges of energy storage and electricity supply. Daiwa Energy, established in 2018, operates under the umbrella of Daiwa Securities Groupa company with a rich history exceeding 120 years and which ventured into renewable energy in 2010. CO2OS, a subsidiary of Daiwa Energy, specializes in the operational maintenance of photovoltaic power stations, particularly in the ultra-high and high voltage sectors, boasting extensive experience in the field. BOSTON, March 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- oneZero, a global leader in multi-asset enterprise trading technology solutions, is pleased to announce that it has won "Best Aggregator" and "Best FX Analytics Provider" in the FX Markets Asia 2024 Awards. oneZero: Best Aggregator oneZero: Best FX Analytics Provider This is the second consecutive year in which oneZero has won two prestigious FX Markets Asia Awards, which recognize the best banks, dealers, brokers, currency managers and technology providers in the Asia-Pacific region. The FX Markets Asia panel of judges reviewed entries across 53 categories to identify firms that developed unique and innovative ways to respond to industry needs. In 2023 oneZero won "Best FX Technology Provider" and "Best FX Aggregator" in the FX Markets Asia Awards. "Winning these awards - and repeating our success for two consecutive years - means a great deal to oneZero and we are grateful to the clients and partners who continue to support our Asia-Pacific expansion in serving the FX trading markets," said Alex Neo, oneZero's Sydney-based global Chief Commercial Officer. "oneZero delivers multi-asset technology solutions that drive intelligent performance. By helping our partners to increase their revenue through solutions that combine liquidity management with analytics, oneZero is transforming the role that technology providers play in real-time execution for OTC markets in Asia. oneZero also offers unparalleled commitment to our clients in Asia-Pacific from our regional headquarters in Sydney and five additional regional offices," Neo continued. Last week oneZero was named a Best Place to Work for the third consecutive year . In 2023, oneZero made a second consecutive appearance on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest growing private companies in America , while securing multiple other awards recognizing its trading technology solutions. About oneZero oneZero Financial Systems has been a leading innovator in multi-asset class enterprise trading technology since 2009. Its powerful software encompasses the Hub, EcoSystem and Data Source - three components that together provide a complete solution for execution, distribution and analytics. Through reliable connectivity, technology, infrastructure and market access, oneZero empowers financial institutions and brokers to compete effectively in the global financial markets through a globally compliant, liquidity-neutral solution. oneZero is certified to the standards of ISO 27001 information security management systems, and has development and operations centers in Asia, Australia, Europe and North America. For more information, please contact: Talia Geberovich Head of Marketing and Communications [email protected] SOURCE oneZero Financial Systems ATLANTA, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Operation HOPE announced today that Wiley will publish "FINANCIAL LITERACY FOR ALL," written by its Founder, Chairman and CEO John Hope Bryant, on April 16, 2024. From the best-selling author of "Up from Nothing, Love Leadership and How the Poor Can Save Capitalism," this new book delivers a powerful resource for everyday Americans seeking to build a stronger financial future. Part call to action, part inspiration, "Financial Literacy for All" offers a roadmap to increase prosperity for individuals, families, communities, and our nation, from one of the world's foremost experts. In his new book, "Financial Literacy for All", John Hope Bryant offers a new approach to understanding money and achieving financial fulfillment for everyday Americans seeking to build a strong financial foundation. With an insightful forward by Walmart CEO, Doug McMillon, the book is an easy-to-read first step toward a fulfilling financial future, helping you understand your relationship with work and money--a key component to untangling how to manage and master personal finance. The book will support establishing a financial mindset that contributes to success and wealth, rather than debt and struggle, and help answer tough financial questions Americans grapple with daily. The author issues a call to action for public and private sector leaders to help bring financial literacy education to young Americans and working adults while outlining a plan that invites individuals and organizations of every stripe to join this movement for financial self-determination. Pre-orders of the book are available now through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Walmart, and will be featured at the T.D. Jakes International Leadership Summit, the Consumer Bankers Association Annual Meeting, and the Wall Street Project's Economic Summit at the New York Stock Exchange, where Bryant will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award. It also includes a special forward by Walmart President and CEO Doug McMillon. "Fixing income inequality will reignite the American dream, and John takes aim at one of the biggest challenges of our time in Financial Literacy For All. I share John's optimism that we can help change the world and address our problems with the right skills, tools and knowledge. Drawing on lessons learned from history and his own personal experiences, John creates a powerful business plan for America to drive empowerment through education," said Jamie Dimon, CEO, JPMorgan Chase. "If there was ever the right book for the wrong time, it's this one! Misinformation is at an all-time high and financial literacy is at an all-time low. As a result, regular folks out there are struggling! Thankfully John Hope Bryant, a man I've known for years as an incredible entrepreneur and philanthropist, has come through with actual and actionable steps people can take to turn their lives around," said Charlamagne Tha God, Media Mogul, Bestselling Author, TV and Radio Host. ABOUT JOHN HOPE BRYANT John Hope Bryant is an American entrepreneur, thought leader, and philanthropic executive who is referred to as the "conscience of capitalism" by numerous Fortune 500 CEOs. Bryant is the Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of Operation HOPE, Inc. the nation's largest on-the-ground nonprofit provider of financial literacy. In 2008, Bryant inspired President George W. Bush to make financial literacy the official policy of the U.S. federal government. As a result, Bryant was appointed Vice-Chair of the inaugural U.S. President's Advisory Council on Financial Literacy. In 2016, Bryant inspired U.S. Treasury Secretary Jack Lew to rename the Treasury Annex Building to the Freedman's Bank Building, in honor of the Freedman's Bank created by President Lincoln, designed to teach newly freed slaves about money. Bryant's work has been recognized by five U.S. presidents, and he has served as an advisor to three sitting U.S. presidents representing both parties. Bryant is a CNBC Contributor, host of the iHeart Radio podcast "Money and Wealth with John Hope Bryant," a best-selling author of six books, and was selected in 2024 by TIME for the inaugural class of "The Closers" one of 18 extraordinary global leaders working to close the racial wealth gap. For more information, visit Wiley Books. Join the conversation on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. Operation HOPE Contact: Kevin Boucher, Operation HOPE [email protected] Lalohni Campbell, Per/Se Media [email protected] SOURCE Operation HOPE, Inc. North Carolina and Maryland-based Father and Daughter Overseeing $280 Million Join Osaic. PHOENIX, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Osaic, one of the nation's largest providers of wealth management services, welcomed Kings Mill Wealth Advisors, a father-daughter team of Marvin Rauchbach of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and Leigh Ritchey of Baltimore, Maryland, to the Osaic platform. Kings Mill brings more than $280 million in total client assets to Osaic. With more than 50 years of combined experience, the multi-generational team joined Osaic to launch Kings Mill Wealth Advisors. Mr. Rauchbach and Ms. Ritchey serve a range of clients, advising them on retirement and estate planning, asset allocation and portfolio management, tax planning, cashflow analysis and charitable giving. "Osaic's balance of hands-on support for best-in-class services and flexibility to build our business as we see fit made their platform the right choice for our independent practice," said Mr. Rauchbach. "We pride ourselves on building trust and lasting relationships with our clients and it's clear that Osaic will do that for our team. We found a partner in Osaic that understands our vision to build a firm that will serve clients for generations and has the resources we need to build that firm today." Kristen Kimmell, Executive Vice President Business Development, Osaic, said, "Marvin and Leigh's approach to wealth management is rooted in service and respect, making them a perfect addition to our advisor community. We are thrilled they chose Osaic as their partner so we can help them build their business in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast. We look forward to supporting their success for years to come." To learn more about Kings Mill Wealth Advisors, visit their website at www.KingsMillWealth.com. About Osaic Osaic, Inc. ("Osaic"), a portfolio company of Reverence Capital Partners, is one of the nation's largest providers of wealth management strategies, supporting approximately 10,500 financial professionals. Our mission is to support the strategic role that financial professionals can play in the lives of their clients. Cultivating a spirit of entrepreneurship and independence, Osaic champions the enduring value of financial professionals. For more information visit www.osaic.com Securities and investment advisory services are offered through the firms: Osaic Wealth, Inc., Triad Advisors, LLC, and Osaic Institutions, Inc., broker-dealers, registered investment advisers, and members of FINRA and SIPC. Securities are offered through Securities America, Inc., American Portfolios Financial Services, Inc., and Ladenburg Thalmann & Co., broker-dealers and member of FINRA and SIPC. Advisory services are offered through Arbor Point Advisors, LLC, American Portfolios Advisors, Inc., Ladenburg Thalmann Asset Management, Inc., Securities America Advisors, Inc., and Triad Hybrid Solutions, LLC, registered investment advisers. Advisory programs offered by Osaic Wealth, Inc., Securities America Advisors, Inc., and Triad Advisors, LLC., are sponsored by VISION2020 Wealth Management Corp., an affiliated registered investment adviser. Media Inquiries Donald Cutler Haven Tower Group [email protected] 424 317 4864 SOURCE Osaic, Inc. TSXV: PGZ | OTCQX: PGZFF | FSE: 2EU Copper metallurgy tests confirm saleable concentrate grades are achievable across the deposit through a simple conventional flotation process flowsheet Excellent recoveries up to 88% copper Concentrate grades up to 32.5% copper, with payable silver content and low deleterious elements Positive results advance La Romana to the preliminary design phase of the metallurgical process VANCOUVER, BC, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pan Global Resources Inc. ("Pan Global" or the "Company") (TSXV: PGZ) (OTCQB: PGZFF) (FSE: 2EU) is pleased to announce successful results for a froth flotation variability test program for copper ("Cu") recoveries at the Company's flagship La Romana copper-tin-silver deposit in the Escacena Project, southern Spain. Metallurgy tests for tin recovery are also underway and will be reported when available. Figure 1 - Distribution of the 10 blocks and composite sample locations chosen for the variability test work (long-section view to the north) Figure 2 - La Romana Locked Cycle Test Flowsheet Pan Global Resources Inc. logo "The new copper metallurgy test results for the La Romana deposit are further confirmation that simple conventional froth flotation can produce a high-value, high-quality, and clean copper concentrate at potentially lower cost than the average within the pyrite belt. These characteristics are highly desirable for smelters and potentially attractive for blending with lesser quality concentrates to increase the value and reduce penalty costs. The results are an important project development step to determine optimum process economics, metal recoveries, cash flow projections, and economic studies," said Tim Moody, Pan Global's President & CEO. The metallurgical test program is being conducted by Wardell Armstrong International (United Kingdom), under the coordination and management of Minepro Solutions SL (Spain). Minepro Solutions SL reported on March 19, 2024: "As compared to the average of deposits within the Pyrite Belt, the La Romana mineral deposit has demonstrated lower energy requirements for both crushing and grinding, coarser liberation sizes, as well as superior performance in the flotation process for copper. This includes higher concentrate grades and improved recoveries using conventional circuits and chemical agents, which indicates an anticipation of moderate operating costs related to the process." Key test results A simple conventional flotation flowsheet can achieve saleable concentrate grades and good recoveries for La Romana copper mineralization. A series of open circuit rougher and cleaner flotation tests were performed on composites from 10 blocks distributed across the deposit (see Figure 1 below) and compared to a reference sample from previous test work: Head grades ranged from 0.33% Cu to 0.54% Cu (average 0.40% Cu) Flotation tests for seven of the blocks (blocks 1-5, 8 and 10) established attractive concentrate grades ranging from 26.8% to 32.5% Cu (average 29.1% Cu ) and overall recoveries from 73.5% to 88.3% Cu (average 81.4% Cu ) Additional tests with finer regrinding indicate target concentrate grades and good recoveries for the other three blocks (blocks 6, 7 and 9) Where concentrates exceeded 30% Cu, the number of cleaning cycles were reduced from 3 to 2, simplifying and improving copper recovery Results indicate copper concentrate grades and recoveries increase with higher head grades Locked Cycle Tests (LCT) conducted on four of the 10 blocks resulted in Cu recoveries to concentrates ranging from 72% to 88.7% Cu and concentrate grades of 22.7% to 30.6% Cu. These compare closely to the 83.54% recovery and concentrate grade of 28.54% Cu for the reference sample used as the baseline for comparison. Multi-element analyses on the final concentrates from the four LCT confirmed low concentrations of deleterious elements (As, Sb, Bi, Hg, Cl, and F) and the potential for a silver credit with grades from 88 to 102g/t Ag, contributing to a higher Net Smelter Return potential. Tests to determine energy required for milling ore returned Bond Ball Mill Work Index (BBMWi) results ranging from 12.23 to 16.97 kWh/t (average 14.99 kWh/t). The average energy requirement is a slight improvement on the reference sample (15.48 kWh/t), and is classified as medium to hard. Additional optimization of the flotation processing and costing will be undertaken to enhance potential economics. Variability Test Program The primary objective of the La Romana metallurgical test program is to determine the optimal mineral processing flowsheet and treatment plant design to produce marketable copper and tin concentrates. The metallurgical variability study and new BBMWi tests were carried out using drill core sample composites selected from 10 blocks distributed throughout the La Romana deposit, and at different depths to help simulate different mining extraction phases. Applying the same test conditions, the results for all the blocks were compared with a reference sample ("REF") from previous successful metallurgical test work reported on April 11, 2023. The processing flowsheet for the variability tests replicated the flowsheet and chemical reagents used for the reference sample. Specifically: Each composite consisted of a minimum 30 kg of material from selected drill core Initial crush to reduce the material to 1mm for head grade assay and comminution tests, including ball milling amenability and net power requirements Primary grind size of 106 microns, followed by a copper rougher flotation stage to maximize recovery of the copper minerals to a concentrate at a coarse particle size Regrinding of the rougher concentrate down to 20 or 15 microns, contingent upon the cleaner performance Further extraction and upgrading of the copper concentrates through a series of two to three cleaner flotation stages Locked Cycle Tests on 4 of the 10 blocks Recoveries calculated from correlating locked cycle tests results with open circuit flotation results Approximately 50 additional drill holes were completed at La Romana after the samples for the variability test program were selected in May 2023, and the copper deposit has been extended to the west at surface by 400 meters and remains open for further expansion. Consideration will be given to extending the metallurgical test work to the western extension of La Romana. Tin metallurgy results are expected to be reported shortly, and results are pending for additional drill holes at the Canada Honda discovery. Additional drilling is planned at both La Romana and Canada Honda as part of the 2024 drilling program. Table 1 Summary Locked Cycle Test results and reference sample (REF) Head Grade Concentrate Grade Recovery BLOCK Cu % Cu % Cu % REF 0.39 28.54 86.40 2 0.37 30.60 87.61 5 0.38 22.71 78.23 6 0.34 25.45 71.98 10 0.37 23.86 88.68 Table 2 Head grades, Open Circuit concentrate grades and recoveries Block Cycles Head Grade Grind Regrind Open Circuit Interpolated LCT Cu % m m Cu % Cu % Recovery REF 1 Ro + 3 Cl 0.39 106 20 30.18 86.15 B.1 1 Ro + 2 Cl 0.33 106 20 32.49 76.40 B.2 1 Ro + 2 Cl 0.37 106 20 31.17 88.83 B.3 1 Ro + 2 Cl 0.54 106 20 30.56 66.62 B.4 1 Ro + 3 Cl 0.47 106 20 28.55 84.43 B.5 1 Ro + 3 Cl 0.38 106 20 20.64 88.18 B.6 1 Ro + 3 Cl 0.34 106 15 21.51 74.34 B.7 1 Ro + 3 Cl 0.35 106 20 17.03 66.59 15 22.391 73.611 B.8 1 Ro + 2 Cl 0.41 106 20 28.77 82.88 B.9 1 Ro + 3 Cl 0.39 106 20 15.90 77.91 15 20.911 83.221 B.10 1 Ro + 3 Cl 0.37 106 20 25.33 87.91 Ro = Rougher, Cl = Cleaner 1 = Estimated Table 3 Bond Ball Mill Work Index comminution test results BLOCK kWhr/tonne B.1 13.91 B.2 15.78 B.3 16.67 B.4 16.97 B.5 13.70 B.6 14.92 B.7 12.23 B.8 14.87 B.9 15.16 B.10 15.66 Average 14.99 About the Escacena Project The Escacena Project comprises a large, contiguous, 5,760-hectare land package controlled 100% by Pan Global in the east of the Iberian Pyrite Belt. Escacena is located near the operating mine at Riotinto and is immediately adjacent to the former Aznalcollar and Los Frailes mines where Minera Los Frailes/Grupo Mexico is in the final permitting stage with construction anticipated to start in 2024. The Escacena Project hosts Pan Global's La Romana copper-tin-silver and Canada Honda copper-gold discoveries and a number of other prospective targets, including, Bravo, Barbacena, El Pozo, Romana Norte, San Pablo, Zarcita, Hornitos, La Jarosa, and Romana Deep. About Pan Global Resources Pan Global Resources Inc. is actively targeting copper-rich mineral deposits, given copper's compelling supply-demand fundamentals and outlook for strong long-term prices as a critical metal for global electrification and energy transition. The Company's flagship Escacena Project is located in the prolific Iberian Pyrite Belt in southern Spain, where a favourable permitting track record, excellent infrastructure, mining and professional expertise, and support for copper as a Strategic Raw Material by the European Commission collectively define a tier-one jurisdiction for mining investment. The Pan Global team comprises proven talent in exploration, discovery, development, and mine operations - all of which are committed to operating safely and with utmost respect for the environment and our partnered communities. The Company is a member, and operates under the principles, of the United Nations Global Compact. Qualified Persons Alvaro Merino, Vice President Exploration for Pan Global Resources and a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has approved the scientific and technical information for this media release. Mr. Merino is not independent of the Company. Forward-looking statements Statements which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations, or intentions regarding the future. It is important to note that actual outcomes and the Company's actual results could differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. The Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information included in this media release 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. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, economic, competitive, governmental, environmental, and technological factors that may affect the Company's operations, markets, products, and prices. Readers should refer to the risk disclosures outlined in the Company's Management Discussion and Analysis of its audited financial statements filed with the British Columbia Securities Commission. The forward-looking information contained in this media release is based on information available to the Company as of the date of this media release. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update this forward-looking information. 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. Jason Mercier, VP Investor Relations and Communications, [email protected] / [email protected], Tel: +1-778-372-7101 / +1-604-689-9930, www.panglobalresources.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2367775/Pan_Global_Resources_Inc__PAN_GLOBAL_REPORTS_POSITIVE_COPPER_MET.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2367774/Pan_Global_Resources_Inc__PAN_GLOBAL_REPORTS_POSITIVE_COPPER_MET.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2367779/Pan_Global_Resources_Inc__PAN_GLOBAL_REPORTS_POSITIVE_COPPER_MET.jpg Research firm announces speakers for 28th CONNECTIONS Conference, hosted May 7-9 in Texas DALLAS, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Parks Associates today announced new research showing 45% of US internet households have a smart home device. The research firm will share its latest data on the adoption of connected home technologies, with sessions moderated by research analysts and featuring leading industry players at its 28th annual CONNECTIONS: The Premier Connected Home Conference, hosted May 7-9 at the Hilton Dallas/Plano Granite Park Hotel in Plano, TX. CONNECTIONS: The Premier Connected Home Conference Parks Associates' annual executive conference brings together industry leaders to network, learn, and discuss trends in consumer demand, new business models, and strategies for the connected home ecosystems. In addition, the event covers the multifamily market and the small-to-medium business (SMB) market, both key growth areas for companies developing products and services. The event also features Dealer Day at CONNECTIONS, on Wednesday, May 8, where local and regional security dealer, integrator, and installation companies can attend CONNECTIONS sessions to network, and meet with tech leaders, including a special dealer reception, sponsored by Nice, on Wednesday, May 8, at Union Bear at 6:30 PM CT. CONNECTIONS sponsors include Cox Communities; Nice; Ivani; Kaadas Smart Locks; Kwikset; Rapid Response Monitoring; SkyBell; Ubiety Technologies; Alarm.com; Cardinal Peak, an FPT Software Company; Shelly; SmartThings; Becklar; Calix; bluesalve partners; Midea; RSPNDR; Trident IoT; Xailient; Affiliated Monitoring; Origin; and the Z-Wave Alliance. "The population of smart home households is diversifying, from early adopters to include more mainstream consumers," said Mindi Sue Sternblitz-Rubenstein, VP, Marketing, Parks Associates. "This pivotal shift in the market requires reassessment of current strategies among all players in the connected home ecosystem. CONNECTIONS is a key event for these discussions among relevant ecosystem players." Keynotes: Steve Chazin , VP, Products, Alarm.com , VP, Products, Alarm.com Katie Espeseth , VP - New Products, EPB , VP - New Products, EPB Roger Lewis , VP, GVTC , VP, GVTC John Mack , EVP and MD, Co-Head Investment Banking, Imperial Capital , EVP and MD, Co-Head Investment Banking, Imperial Capital Michael Martin , CEO, RAPIDSOS Confirmed Speakers: Steve Butkovich , Chief Product Officer, CPI Security , Chief Product Officer, CPI Security Craig Campbell , Executive Chair, RSPNDR , Executive Chair, RSPNDR Gilles Drieu , CTO, ADT , CTO, ADT Nick English , CEO North America, Kaadas , CEO North America, Kaadas Daniel Grajeda , VP Operations, Eyeforce , VP Operations, Eyeforce Morgan Hertel , VP, Technology & Innovation, Rapid Response Monitoring , VP, Technology & Innovation, Rapid Response Monitoring Mike Hetke , President and CEO, A3 Smart Home , President and CEO, A3 Smart Home Hagan Kappler , Co-Founder and CEO, Daisy , Co-Founder and CEO, Daisy Wolfgang Kirsch , CEO, Shelly , CEO, Shelly Mathew Koenig , Director of Sales Strategy & Enablement, Cox , Director of Sales Strategy & Enablement, Cox Kevin Kraus , VP Technology Alliances, Fortune Brands Innovations , VP Technology Alliances, Fortune Brands Innovations Desiree Mejia , Co-Founder & COO, SkyBell , Co-Founder & COO, SkyBell Tony Nicolaidis , Chief Revenue Officer, Origin , Chief Revenue Officer, Origin Lars Oleson , CEO & Co-Founder, Xailient , CEO & Co-Founder, Xailient Geoff Martin , President & Co-founder, vipHomeLink , President & Co-founder, vipHomeLink Craig Rewerts , VP, Business Development, Ubiety , VP, Business Development, Ubiety William Scheffler , VP Sales, Founder, Trident IoT , VP Sales, Founder, Trident IoT Tyler Tribe , Chief Technology Officer, Becklar , Chief Technology Officer, Becklar Chris Tumpach , President, Rainforest Automation , President, Rainforest Automation Will West , CEO & Founder, OliverIQ , CEO & Founder, OliverIQ Paul Williams , Managing Director of Home Management Business Unit, Nice Group , Managing Director of Home Management Business Unit, Nice Group Matthew Wootton , Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer, Ivani, LLC To register or for more information on the event, visit www.connectionsus.com. To request data or an interview, contact Mindi Sue Sternblitz-Rubenstein at [email protected] or 972-490-1113. For 28 years, CONNECTIONS has brought together thousands of industry players from the consumer technology ecosystem for networking opportunities, consumer and industry research from the Parks Associates analyst team, insights from visionary speakers, and thoughtful, curated sessions focused on technology innovations, consumer behavior, and product and service adoption and trends. About CONNECTIONS Parks Associates' 28th annual CONNECTIONS: The Premier Connected Home Conference features an in-person conference on May 79, 2024, and multiple virtual sessions hosted throughout 2024. The event focuses on the adoption of technology including smart home, security, connected health, energy, and home automation. Bringing together more than 1,500 senior executives, CONNECTIONS provides networking opportunities combined with visionary keynotes and virtual sessions. The Parks Associates analyst team leads all conference sessions, which are focused on technology innovations, consumer adoption and trends, product and service forecasts, and the evaluation of new business strategies, partnerships, monetization opportunities, and value-added service design. For more information, contact [email protected], call 972-490-1113, visit www.connectionsconference.com. Contact: Mindi Sue Sternblitz-Rubenstein Parks Associates 972.490.1113 [email protected] SOURCE Parks Associates North America's Largest Home Inspection Company Ranks on Distinguished List After 27 Years of Impressive Success and Leadership in Industry TAMPA, Fla., March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pillar To Post, the largest and fastest-growing professional home inspection franchise, proudly announces its induction into Entrepreneur Magazine's prestigious Franchise 500 Hall of Fame. This remarkable achievement comes after an impressive 27 consecutive years of being named to the magazine's renowned Franchise 500 list. The Franchise 500 Hall of Fame is a prestigious designation reserved for franchise brands that have maintained a consistent and high-ranking presence on the Franchise 500 list over an extended period. Pillar To Post joins a select group of franchises that have demonstrated long-term success and leadership in their respective industries. Pillar To Post also ranked #1 for the Home Inspection category on the Franchise 500 list for the fifth year in a row. Post this This year, Pillar To Post ranked #305 on the Franchise 500 list, solidifying its status as a leader in the industry. This recognition underscores the company's commitment to providing exceptional service, fostering growth, and maintaining a strong presence in the home inspection industry overall. Pillar To Post also ranked #1 for the Home Inspection category on the list for the fifth year in a row. When Pillar To Post was first named to the Franchise 500 list in 1998, the brand had less than 100 locations open. Now, the brand has grown to over 450+ open locations in the US and Canada with even more growth behind a revamped franchise system coming in the future. "Being inducted into the Franchise 500 Hall of Fame is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our entire team; especially our franchise business owners in the field," said Charles Furlough, President and CEO of Pillar To Post. "For 27 years, we have consistently delivered unparalleled home inspection services, and this honor reflects our commitment to excellence in the franchise industry." Since 1994, Pillar To Post has been the standard for home inspection from coast to coast and beyond, serving both the United States and Canada. Using its state-of-the-art Ultimate Home Inspection, the brand offers the most efficient and advanced on-site home inspection that delivers reports within minutes. For more information about Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 Hall of Fame and to view the complete list of inductees, visit Entrepreneur Franchise 500 Hall of Fame. To learn more about Pillar To Post Home Inspectors and its franchise opportunities, please visit https://franchise.pillartopost.com/. About Pillar To Post Home Inspectors Founded in 1994, Pillar To Post Home Inspectors is the largest home inspection company in North America with home offices in Toronto and Tampa. There are nearly 500 franchises located in 47 states and 9 Canadian provinces. The company has been named as Best in Category in Entrepreneur Magazine's Franchise500 ranking for the fifth year in a row. For further information, please visit www.pillartopost.com. SOURCE Pillar To Post, Inc. Life Insurance Rebounded with Life & Health NBV Growing 36.2% HONG KONG and SHANGHAI, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, Ltd. (hereafter "Ping An", the "Company" or the "Group", HKEX: 2318; SSE: 601318) today announced its financial results for the year ended December 31, 2023. China's economy and consumption growth still faced challenges. Amidst external market pressures, internal operational challenges, and the persistent impact of a three-year pandemic, Ping An focused on core financial businesses and strengthened the insurance protection function to serve the real economy under its business policy of "focusing on core businesses, boosting incomes and cutting costs, optimizing portfolios, and improving quality and efficiency." Following the technology-driven "integrated finance + healthcare and elderlycare" strategy, Ping An continuously consolidated its integrated finance advantages, remained customer needs-oriented, and pursued high-quality development. The overall operating results for the last year remained solid, demonstrating resilience. The Group's operating profit attributable to shareholders of the parent company reached RMB117,989 million, and net profit attributable to shareholders of the parent company reached RMB85,665 million in 2023. Basic operating earnings per share reached RMB6.66. Three core businesses, namely Life & Health, property and casualty insurance, and banking, maintained steady performance. The three businesses delivered RMB140,913 million in operating profit attributable to shareholders of the parent company. Full year cash dividend is RMB2.43 per share, up 0.4% year on year, with total cash dividend increasing for 12 consecutive years. Life insurance returned to growth. Life & Health NBV grew 36.2% like for like driven by a 40.3% rise in agent channel NBV. Ping An continued to advance the "Integrated Finance + Healthcare and Elderlycare" synergistic strategy. The Group's retail customers increased to 232 million as of December 31, 2023; 25.3% of them held four or more contracts within the Group, with a retention rate of 97.7%; nearly 64% used services from the healthcare and elderlycare ecosystem as of December 31, 2023. Customers entitled to service benefits in the healthcare and elderlycare ecosystem accounted for over 73% of Ping An Life's NBV in 2023. Ten business highlights in 2023: Ping An achieved steady development of core businesses. The Group's operating profit attributable to shareholders of the parent company reached RMB117,989 million in 2023. Three core businesses, namely Life & Health, property and casualty insurance, and banking, remained steady, generating RMB140,913 million in operating profit attributable to shareholders of the parent company. Cash dividend has increased for 12 consecutive years. Attaching importance to shareholder returns, Ping An plans to pay a final dividend of RMB1.50 per share in cash for 2023. Full year cash dividend is RMB2.43 per share, up 0.4% year on year. Cash dividend payout ratio based on operating profit attributable to shareholders of the parent company is 37.3%, with total dividend increasing for 12 consecutive years. Life & Health achieved steady business development, enhanced comprehensive strength in channels, and delivered significant results in high-quality development. Life & Health NBV grew 36.2% like for like driven by a 40.3% rise in agent channel NBV due to an 89.5% increase in NBV per agent and continued strong momentum in the newly reformed bancassurance channel where NBV climbed 77.7% in 2023. Based on the latest assumptions including the return on investment and the risk discount rate, NBV of L&H amounted to RMB31,080 million . The 13-month persistency ratio rose 2.5 pps year on year. Ping An P&C maintained good business quality with steady revenue growth. Ping An P&C's insurance revenue rose 6.5% year on year to RMB313,458 million in 2023. Overall combined ratio excluding guarantee insurance was 98.4%. Auto insurance combined ratio was 97.7%, better than the market average, or 96.6% excluding the impacts of natural disasters. Ping An delivered excellent results in insurance funds investment. Despite a complex and volatile market environment, Ping An's insurance funds investment portfolio achieved a comprehensive investment yield of 3.6% in 2023, up by 0.9 pps year on year. The portfolio achieved a 5.2% average net investment yield and a 5.4% average comprehensive investment yield over the past decade, higher than the EV long-run investment return assumption. Ping An Bank maintained steady business performance and adequate risk provisions. Net profit increased 2.1% year on year to RMB46,455 million in 2023. Non-performing loan ratio was 1.06% and provision coverage ratio was 277.63% as of December 31, 2023 . Ping An continued to develop its integrated finance model. Retail customers increased to 232 million as of December 31, 2023 ; 25.3% of them held four or more contracts within the Group, with a retention rate of 97.7%. Ping An continued to implement its healthcare and elderlycare ecosystem strategy, empowering its core businesses with differential advantages. By integrating providers, Ping An partnered with all top 100 hospitals and 3A hospitals, and accumulated about 50,000 in-house and contracted external doctors in China as of December 31, 2023 . Ping An partnered with approximately 230,000 pharmacies as of December 31, 2023 , up by nearly 6,000 from the beginning of 2023. Customers entitled to service benefits in the healthcare and elderlycare ecosystem accounted for over 73% of Ping An Life's NBV in 2023. Ping An actively fulfilled its social responsibilities and supported the real economy. Ping An cumulatively invested over RMB8.77 trillion as of December 31, 2023 to bolster the real economy. Green investment of insurance funds and green loan balance totaled RMB128,568 million and RMB146,345 million respectively as of December 31, 2023 . Green insurance premium income amounted to RMB37,296 million in 2023. Ping An has provided RMB117,882 million for poverty alleviation and industrial vitalization since the launch of "Ping An Rural Communities Support." Ping An maintained "A" in MSCI ESG Ratings in 2023, remaining No.1 in the multi-line insurance and brokerage industry in the Asia-Pacific region. Ping An further increased its brand value. In 2023, Ping An ranked 33rd in the Fortune Global 500 list (1st among global insurers again and 5th among global financial services companies), 9th in the Fortune China 500 list, 16th in the Forbes Global 2000 list, and 1st in the Brand Finance Insurance 100 list in relation to global insurance brand value for the 7th consecutive year. Life & Health delivered significant results in high-quality development with NBV growing 36.2% like for like. Ping An Life continued to enhance its channels and improve business quality under the "4 channels + 3 products" strategy in 2023[1]. Life & Health NBV grew 36.2% like for like in 2023. Based on the latest assumptions including the return on investment and the risk discount rate, NBV of L&H amounted to RMB31,080 million. Ping An Life recorded a material improvement in its persistency ratios with the 13-month persistency ratio rising 2.5 pps year on year and 25-month persistency ratio rising 6.8 pps year on year in 2023. The development of four channels showed significant results. In respect of the agent channel, Ping An Life advances the high-quality transformation of the agent channel and improves the team structure. On a like-for-like basis, agent channel NBV grew 40.3%, and income per agent increased 39.2% in 2023. Proportion of "Talent +" new agents increased by 25.2 pps year on year in 2023. In respect of the bancassurance channel, Ping An Life furthered the exclusive agency model with Ping An Bank. On a like-for-like basis, bancassurance channel NBV grew 77.7% in 2023, indicating high-quality, leapfrog growth with a significant increase in the channel's contribution. In respect of the Community Grid channel, Ping An Life has set up 65 Community Grid outlets in 51 cities. Ping An Life's 13-month policy persistency ratio of "retained customers" in the cities with Community Grid outlets improved by 5.4 pps year on year. In respect of the lower-tier channel, Ping An Life continuously promoted sales in seven provinces in 2023. Ping An Life further diversified wealth management and insurance products, developed the pension insurance market, and consolidated insurance protection business. By leveraging the Group's healthcare and elderlycare ecosystem, Ping An Life steadily advanced its three core services, namely the healthcare, home-based elderlycare, and high-end elderlycare. In respect of "insurance + healthcare", Ping An Life provided health management services to over 20 million customers in 2023, and about 76% of Ping An Life' s newly-enrolled customers used health management services in 2023. In respect of "insurance + home-based elderlycare", Ping An's home-based elderlycare services covered 54 cities across China as of December 31, 2023. Over 80,000 customers have qualified for the home-based elderlycare services, giving positive general feedback. In respect of "insurance + high-end elderlycare," Ping An has unveiled high-end elderlycare projects in four cities as of December 31, 2023, including a "Ping An Zhen Yi Nian" experience center opened in Sanya, Hainan Province in July 2023. Ping An maintained steady growth in P&C and banking businesses, delivered excellent results in insurance funds investment, and continuously advanced its integrated finance strategy. Ping An P&C maintained good business quality with steady revenue growth. Ping An P&C's insurance revenue rose 6.5% year on year to RMB313,458 million in 2023. Overall combined ratio excluding guarantee insurance was 98.4%. Auto insurance combined ratio was 97.7%, better than the market average, or 96.6% excluding the impacts of natural disasters. Ping An P&C has been honored as "No.1 Brand" in China's auto insurance and property and casualty insurance markets by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology for 13 consecutive years. Ping An P&C's "Ping An Auto Owner" app ranks as the largest automotive service app in China having accumulated over 200 million registered users as of December 31, 2023, with over 136 million vehicles linked to it. With leading online claims services, Ping An P&C scored 94.52 in the Auto Insurance Service Quality Index evaluation by China Banking and Insurance Information Technology Management Co., Ltd., ranking among top players in the property and casualty insurance industry. Ping An Bank maintained steady business performance and stable asset quality. Net profit grew by 2.1% year on year to RMB46,455 million in 2023. Non-performing loan ratio was 1.06% and provision coverage ratio was 277.63% as of December 31, 2023, indicating adequate risk provisions. Retail assets under management ("AUM") rose 12.4% from the beginning of 2023 to RMB4,031,177 million, and retail deposit balance grew by 16.7% from the beginning of 2023 to RMB1,207,618 million as of December 31,2023. Retail business realized high-quality sustainable development. Ping An delivered excellent results in insurance funds investment. The Company's insurance funds investment portfolio grew 9.0% from the beginning of 2023 to over RMB4.72 trillion as of December 31, 2023. The portfolio achieved a comprehensive investment yield of 3.6% in 2023, up by 0.9 pps year on year. The portfolio achieved a 5.2% average net investment yield and a 5.4% average comprehensive investment yield over the past decade, higher than the EV long-run investment return assumption. Ping An's integrated finance strategy is focused on deepening engagement with retail customers and developing customer groups under a customer-centric business philosophy. Integrated finance brings higher operational efficiency to Ping An, reflected especially by lower customer acquisition cost, lower management and service costs, and higher customer retention rates. The Group's retail customers increased 2.2% from the beginning of 2023 to 232 million as of December 31, 2023; 25.3% of them held four or more contracts within the Group, with a retention rate of 97.7%. Contracts per retail customer reached 2.95. Over 88.01 million retail customers held multiple contracts with different subsidiaries. Further developing the healthcare and elderlycare ecosystem as a new driver of value growth. Ping An has launched an innovative Chinese "managed care model" by leveraging its more than ten years of operational and management experience in insurance and healthcare industries. The model covers multiple business lines, including finance, healthcare, and technology. Ping An builds its service moat by empowering retail financial customers and corporate clients as well as developing an online flagship medical platform. Ping An seamlessly combines differentiated healthcare and elderlycare services with financial businesses in which Ping An acts as a payer. By acting as a payer and integrating providers, Ping An offers the most cost-effective healthcare and elderlycare services under unique business models. Over the past decade, Ping An has been building a healthcare and elderlycare ecosystem in China with increasingly significant differential advantages including online, in-store and home-delivery service capabilities, wide coverage of hundreds of healthcare and elderlycare service resources, and access to high-quality proprietary resources. This is very important for quality assurance purposes. Ping An had about 50,000 in-house and contracted external doctors as of December 31, 2023. Moreover, Ping An partnered with over 36,000 hospitals (including all top 100 hospitals and 3A hospitals in China), over 100,000 healthcare management institutions and approximately 230,000 pharmacies as of December 31, 2023. Ping An's healthcare and elderlycare ecosystem is creating both standalone direct value and significant indirect value by empowering core financial businesses through differentiated "Product + Service" offerings. Nearly 64% of Ping An's 232 million retail customers used services from the healthcare and elderlycare ecosystem as of December 31, 2023. They held approximately 3.37 contracts and RMB55,900 in AUM per capita, 1.6 times and 3.5 times those held by non-users of these services respectively. Customers entitled to service benefits in the healthcare and elderlycare ecosystem accounted for over 73% of Ping An Life's NBV in 2023. In 2023, Ping An achieved over RMB140 billion in health insurance premium income; Ping An's healthcare ecosystem had over 56,000 paying corporate clients; Ping An Health (formerly known as Ping An Good Doctor) had nearly 40 million paying users over the past 12 months. Technological innovations empowered core businesses and enhanced efficiency and quality. Ping An had a first-class technology team of over 20,000 technology developers and over 3,000 scientists as of December 31, 2023. With 51,533 patent applications in total, the Group ranked first globally by the number of patent applications in both fintech and healthcare. Renewal premiums collected via self-service under smart guidance increased by 13% year on year to RMB300.3 billion in 2023. The volume of services provided by AI service representatives reached about 2.22 billion times. Claims loss reduction via smart risk identification increased by 16.0% year on year to RMB10.82 billion in 2023. Ping An engages in technology business through member companies including Lufax Holding, OneConnect, Ping An Health and Autohome, providing diverse products and services for ecosystem users, with significant synergies. Ping An actively fulfilled its social responsibilities and furthered green finance initiatives. The Group cumulatively invested over RMB8.77 trillion as of December 31, 2023 to bolster the real economy. The investments cover China's major projects including energy, transportation, and water conservancy. Ping An P&C provided over 1,500 key engineering projects across the country with over RMB3.9 trillion worth of insurance coverage, and supported national strategic initiatives including the Belt and Road Initiative and the development of the Guangdong Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Green investment of insurance funds and green loan balance totaled RMB128,568 million and RMB146,345 million respectively as of December 31, 2023. Green insurance premium income amounted to RMB37,296 million in 2023. Ping An has provided RMB117,882 million for poverty alleviation and industrial vitalization since the launch of "Ping An Rural Communities Support." To develop into a financial powerhouse, China has a long, long way to go. In 2024, Ping An will comprehensively implement the spirit of China's Central Financial Work Conference and adhere to the business policy of "focusing on core businesses, boosting incomes and cutting costs, optimizing portfolios, and improving quality and efficiency" under a people-centered and customer needs-oriented approach. Ping An will continuously strengthen risk management, improve operations, and enhance financial service capabilities and coverages. Ping An will advance its technology-driven "integrated finance + healthcare and elderlycare" strategy and pursue high-quality development. Moreover, Ping An will comprehensively develop TechFin, green finance, inclusive finance, pension finance, and digital finance. By doing so, Ping An will create robust and sustainable long-term value for customers, employees, shareholders and society, contributing to China's development into a financial powerhouse. [1] 4 channels include agent channel, bancassurance channel, Community Grid channel, and lower-tier channel, and 3 products include insurance + healthcare, insurance + home-based elderlycare, and insurance + high-end elderlycare. End SOURCE Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, Ltd. Dynamic leader to boost growth and inspire mortgage professionals in the Western U.S. MERIDEN, Conn., March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Planet Home Lending, a premier national mortgage lender, servicer, and asset manager, has hired Matt Kingsborough (NMLS# 313415) as Regional Sales Manager. Bringing more than two decades of experience in mortgage lending and an exceptional track record of leadership and innovation, Kingsborough is poised to drive Planet's expansion in the Western U.S. Planet Home Lending Regional Sales Manager Matt Kingsborough "Stepping into Planet Home Lending marks a pivotal chapter in my career," Kingsborough said. "It's an opportunity to align with an organization that not only values excellence and innovation in mortgage lending but also deeply invests in the growth and success of its sales professionals. I'm here to build on our presence in the West by fostering an environment where mortgage loan originators and branch managers can truly thrive." Kingsborough's approach to leadership centers on personal and professional development that empowers mortgage professionals to achieve exponential growth. His focus on continuous improvement, strategic communication, and life balance helps each team member achieve their full potential. "Matt's role is crucial as we look to attract and support the best talent in the industry," said Planet Home Lending President, Mortgage Lending John Bosley. "His ability to mentor, coupled with a keen understanding of the mortgage landscape, makes him the perfect fit to lead our expansion efforts in the West. We're not just announcing a new hire; we're inviting mortgage professionals to join us in setting a new standard for success in the industry." Kingsborough's previous roles have honed his skills in building and nurturing high-volume teams, making him a valuable asset to Planet Home Lending's ambitious growth plans. Prior to joining Planet, he was a Multistate Regional Area Manager for HomeBridge Financial Services and Prospect Mortgage's Northern California Regional Manager. Kingsborough's leadership comes at a time when Planet Home Lending continues to differentiate itself through product innovations targeting challenges facing today's homebuyers, including Cash 4 Homes, 1st Year Flex, and Purchase EDGE. Planet also offers niche products, like one-time close construction loans, and bridge, renovation, and manufactured home loans. "We are thrilled to have Matt on board," Bosley said. "His vision for the future of mortgage lending aligns with our commitment to excellence and innovation. Together, we're poised to offer unmatched opportunities for our mortgage loan originators and branch managers, setting new benchmarks for success in the competitive housing markets of the Western U.S." About Planet Home Lending, LLC Planet Home Lending, LLC, Meriden, Connecticut, (NMLS #17022) is an originator, correspondent lender, rated servicer and sub-servicer of agency and non-agency residential and commercial mortgages. As an Equal Housing Lender, Planet improves the lives of borrowers by delivering a streamlined lending experience to help individuals and families thrive throughout their journey home. For more information about Planet Home Lending, please visit https://phlcorrespondent.com or https://planethomelending.com. Press Contact: Dona DeZube Vice President, Communications [email protected] (443) 263-2832 SOURCE Planet Home Lending, LLC Polygraf AI-G was named Top AI & Data Product in the prestigious 2024 Product Awards by Products That Count. The award recognized Polygraf as one of the Best Products for Product Managers and celebrated its exemplary contributions to reshaping the future of AI innovation. AUSTIN, Texas , March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Polygraf AI was awarded the Top AI & Data Product at the 2024 Product Awards. The 7th Annual Product Awards, presented by Products That Count in partnership with Mighty Capital and Capgemini, is the only awards program designed to celebrate the tools that help Product Managers build great products. Polygraf AI Pattern Products That Count Award Polygraf AI Governance Intro Video Nominees are selected by Products That Count's product manager network, while winners are chosen by an independent Awards Advisory Board composed of top product leaders. This year's Board included product leaders from companies like Bank of America, Amazon's Twitch, and S&P Global, and scrutinized over 6000 nominations. Founded in 2021, Austin-headquartered Polygraf AI provides organizations with AI & data integrity, monitoring, and governance solutions through a Zero Trust on-prem user interface. The company's proprietary flagship on-prem AI Governance software detects, monitors, and mitigates potential confidential, business-critical, proprietary data leaks & breaches while engaging with commercial AI systems or at device endpoints. Employees can harness the productivity of AI tools, ensuring that data privacy and compliance requirements are adhered to. Add-on features include AI Identification and Source Identification, which leverage forensic linguistic analysis to ascertain content's origin, reliability and authenticity. These advanced tools can distinguish between human and AI-generated material, pinpointing the specific AI models employed in creation. "In a deep-tech company like Polygraf, we strike a careful balance between pushing the boundaries of what's possible with AI technology and ensuring that our solutions are intuitive and user-friendly and keep the customer experience at the forefront of our product development process. This recognition by Products That Count is a validation of that ethos, and our commitment to building products that bring true value to our customers." Says Anton Stepaniuk, Co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer. "Great tools are the Product Manager's secret weapon," said SC Moatti, Founder and Board Chair of Products That Count, "essential for staying ahead in the competitive market landscape. I congratulate Polygraf on defining product excellence in 2024 and beyond." Polygraf recently hosted the 2nd annual Ethical AI Summit in Austin during SXSW this year. This exclusive event was attended by top investors, founders, and AI leaders who participated in discussions around why Governance, Ethics, and Legislation are jointly needed to shape a responsible AI future. The company is ranked as the Top Analytics Startup to Watch Globally by Dealroom, and was also recognized by Established Startup Of The Year 2024 Top10 and AI Trailblazers during SXSW. Polygraf was also recently accepted into the 1871 AI Innovation Lab to collaborate with corporates, VCs, and industry experts on solving leading industry issues for AI integration in tech industries. About Polygraf: Polygraf Inc. is an artificial intelligence company based in Austin, TX. The company enables data-centric organizations to identify, monitor & and mitigate emerging threats through its proprietary AI-powered solutions. To read Polygraf's latest White Paper on AI Governance & Data Leakage in Enterprises please visit https://cutt.ly/Mw0xmASM For more information, please visit www.polygraf.ai Learn more about the 2024 Product Awards here: https://productsthatcount.com/?p=34264 This press release does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities of Polygraf Inc. The securities referenced herein have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements. SOURCE Polygraf Inc The franchising research firm shows that PostNet's female franchise owners are highly satisfied with the printing and shipping solutions company's opportunities DENVER, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- PostNet, a global leader in high-quality printing and shipping solutions, announced today that it has been recognized by Franchise Business Review as a 2024 Top Franchise for Women based on the research firm's review of female franchise owners. Only 100 brands were named to the prestigious annual list. A Franchise Business Review survey shows that PostNet's female franchise owners are highly satisfied with the company's franchise opportunities. "We are honored to have received such outstanding reviews from the female franchise owners within our organization," said Bill McPherson, vice president of retail network development. "PostNet has always focused on a culture of inclusion and diversity by providing our entrepreneurs with the flexibility and independence of business ownership while also delivering the support and resources of an established brand with a proven system. This is an attractive feature to many of our female entrepreneurs." Franchise Business Review (FBR), a franchise research firm that performs independent surveys of franchisee satisfaction, provides the only reviews of franchises based solely on actual franchisee satisfaction and performance. Franchise Business Review publishes its rankings of top franchises in its annual Guide to Today's Top Franchises, as well as in quarterly reports throughout the year that recognize the top franchises in specific sectors. PostNet was among 350 franchise brands, representing more than 8,500 female franchise owners, that participated in Franchise Business Review's research on the Top Franchises for Women. The printing and shipping solutions company's franchisees were surveyed on 33 benchmark questions about their experience and satisfaction regarding critical areas of their franchise systems, including leadership, training and support, financial opportunity, and work/life balance. "Franchising is a terrific option for women seeking business ownership on a full- or part-time basis," said Michelle Rowan, president and COO of Franchise Business Review. "With so many franchise opportunities to choose from, it's critical to do in-depth research to understand how satisfied current female franchise owners are with the training and support, work/life balance, financial opportunity, culture, and leadership of any brand they're considering before making an investment. When you look at the brands on this year's list of the Top Franchises for Women, 89% of women said they enjoy being part of their franchise organizations, and 88% said they enjoy operating the business, making them all excellent options for women looking to make the transition to business ownership." For more information about PostNet, visit www.postnet.com or to learn about franchise opportunities, visit www.postnetfranchise.com. About PostNet PostNet opened its doors in 1993. With nearly 700 locations in North America, Central America, South America and Africa, PostNet is a global leader in printing and shipping solutions. In 2017, PostNet joined the MBE Worldwide family. Combined, MBE has nearly 2,600 locations in 44 countries. For more information about PostNet services, visit www.postnet.com. To learn about franchise opportunities, visit www.postnetfranchise.com. About MBE Worldwide MBE Worldwide S.p.A. ("MBE"), a privately-owned company with its headquarters in Italy, is a Global Commerce enabler for SMBs and consumers thanks to its platform providing e-commerce, fulfillment, shipping, marketing and print solutions via multi-brand operations: PrestaShop, Mail Boxes Etc. (except the US and Canada), PostNet, PACK & SEND, Spedingo.com, AlphaGraphics, Multicopy, World Options UK and Print Speak. The combination of our retail platform - that currently counts 2,900+ Service Centers in 53 Countries with more than 12.000 associates - with our PrestaShop ecommerce platform served almost one million business customers in FY 2021 generating 1.01 billion (US $1.2 billion) of System Wide Sales and 24 billion (US $28.5 billion) of e-commerce Gross Merchandise Value. For additional information please visit MBE Worldwide Group websites at www.mbecorporate.com - www.prestashop.com/en - www.mbeglobal.com - www.postnet.com - www.packsend.com.au - www.spedingo.com/en - www.alphagraphics.com - www.multicopy.nl - wwwprintspeak.com - www.mbe.it - www.mbe.es - www.mbe.de - www.mbefrance.fr - www.mbe.pl - www.mbeportugal.pt - www.mbe.co.uk - https://uk.worldoptions.com/ About Franchise Business Review Franchise Business Review (FBR) is a leading market research firm serving the franchise sector. FBR measures the satisfaction and engagement of franchisees and franchise employees and publishes various guides and reports for entrepreneurs considering an investment in a franchise business. Since 2005, FBR has surveyed hundreds of thousands of franchise owners and over 1,200 leading franchise companies. FBR publishes free and unbiased franchisee satisfaction research reports throughout the year online at www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com . To read our publications, visit https://franchisebusinessreview.com/page/publications/ . MEDIA CONTACT: Heather Ripley Ripley PR 865-977-1973 [email protected] SOURCE PostNet BMW Last year, 203,771 of the 362,244 cars BMW sold in the United States were classified as light trucks. It is an odd twist; a brand built from the ground up on sport sedans has now become known for what it calls "Sport Activity Vehicles" first and foremost. BMW has already unveiled a look at future sedans with its Vision Neue Klass concept, but the brand's plans for future SUVs are even more important to its long-term business interests. BMW This is the Vision Neue Klasse X, a look at the brand's plans for its future SUVs and crossovers. Like the Neue Klasse concept, it represents a transformative shift from BMW's current era of massive kidney grilles to a new design language built on sharp noses, angular surfacing lines, and glassy, high-tech cabins. In other words, it is a completely new take on the core design tenets that got BMW here in the first place. ADVERTISEMENT On the Neue Klasse sedan, the brand's iconic kidney grilles are reimagined as wide pieces that extend from a pair of diagonal headlights to the center of the car. The Neue Klasse X drops that idea, integrating the same headlights into something that looks more like a traditional BMW grille: a long bar of trim extending from double headlights toward two smaller, vertical kidneys in the middle. Of course, this is a 2024 BMW concept, so those kidneys are still lit up by LEDs. BMW From the kidney grilles, two M4-like bulges in the hood stretch back toward a relatively large greenhouse that ends with a straightforward interpretation of the brand's signature Hofmeister kink. The rear of the car is not all that different from the current BMW iX, with wide tail lights angled around a central badge. BMW Inside, all of that glass makes for an airy cabin with an aggressive white and red two-tone finish. The central screen is angled and finished with a Hofmeister kink like the one on the Neue Klasse sedan, although the Neue Klasse X adds additional screens called BMW Panoramic Vision below the driver's eye and along the windscreen. Also like the Neue Klasse sedan, the steering wheel features four spokes for a fully symmetrical design. Story continues The car also includes a new feature called "HYPERSONX WHEEL," which BMW says is part of a "Personal Sound Experience" that allows passengers to "enjoy their favorite sound" from an adjustable control mechanism in the car. In signature German car press release vernacular, BMW says that this is "an innovative contribution to the immersive and holistic user experience that transforms the interior of the BMW Vision Neue Klasse X into a personal experience space." None of that clarifies what exactly a HYPERSONX WHEEL does or accomplishes, but it sounds pleasant. BMW The Neue Klasse X, like the Neue Klasse sedan, will likely eventually lead to a dedicated line of production EVs built on this electric-only platform. Given how unique the concepts look, the production cars should be among BMW's most visually exciting products ever. You Might Also Like Reduced cost and time required for construction, increase in focus toward affordable warehouse structures, and rise in demand for new construction activities, owing to growth in population and rapid urbanization, drive the growth of the global pre-engineered buildings market. WILMINGTON, Del., March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Pre-Engineered Buildings Market by Structure (Single-story and Multi-story), and Application (Commercial, Industrial): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032". According to the report, the global pre-engineered buildings market was valued at $17.6 million in 2022, and is projected to reach $46.6 million by 2032, registering a CAGR of 10.4% from 2023 to 2032. Request PDF Sample Copy @https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/3178 Prime determinants of growth The expansion of the pre-engineered buildings construction product market relies heavily on investments in industrial and commercial construction. There is a notable demand for constructing commercial complexes, buildings, and workshops due to increased investment in various industries. Additionally, the growth in population and rapid urbanization necessitates the utilization of pre-engineered buildings. Furthermore, the rising demand for renovating old warehouses and buildings fuels the necessity for cost-effective and efficient pre-engineered constructions. In turn, this is anticipated to support the development of the pre-engineered buildings market during the forecast period. Report coverage & details: Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 20232032 Base Year 2022 Market Size In 2022 $17.6 Billion Market Size In 2032 $46.6 Billion CAGR 10.40 % No. Of Pages In Report 220 Segments Covered Structure, Application, And Region. Drivers Reduced Cost And Time Required For Construction. Rise In Demand For New Construction Activities, Owing To Growth In Population And Rapid Urbanization. Increase In Focus Toward Affordable Warehouse Structures. Opportunities Government Initiative Toward Green Building Concept For Resource Efficiency. Restraints Volatility In Raw Material Prices. High Possibility Of Corrosion In Pre-Engineered Buildings. The single-story segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. By structure, the single-story segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for more than three-fifths of the global pre-engineered buildings market revenue and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period, owing to rise in demand for rapid construction, cost-effectiveness, and flexibility in design and functionality. However, the multi-story segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 11% from 2023 to 2032, owing to the escalating urbanization, increasing demand for high-density spaces, cost-efficiency in construction, and advancements in technology enabling taller structures with enhanced strength and flexibility. Buy This Research Report ( 180 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, Figures) @https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/checkout-final/cb7c1619df352c71bca9c644105aa57d The commercial segment maintained its lead position during the forecast period. By application, the commercial segment accounted for the largest share in 2022, contributing nearly three-fifths of the global pre-engineered buildings market revenue, owing to rising demand for rapid construction, cost-effectiveness, and flexibility in design and functionality. However, the industrial segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 10.6% from 2023 to 2032. This is owing to increasing demand for cost-effective, durable, and flexible solutions to accommodate evolving manufacturing, warehousing, and logistics needs. Asia-Pacific to maintain its dominance by 2032 By region, Asia-Pacific held the highest market share in terms of revenue in 2022, accounting for more than two-fifths of the pre-engineered buildings market revenue, owing to rising industrialization in developing countries such as India, Japan, China, and others. However, the Middle East and Africa are expected to witness the fastest CAGR of 11.4% from 2023 to 2032, owing to rising industrial growth in different sectors of manufacturing, and other industries in the region. Inquire Before Buying @https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/3178 Leading Market Players: - BlueScope Steel Era Infra Everest Industries Interarch Building Products Jindal Buildsys Kirby Building Systems Lloyd Insulations PEB Steel Buildings Tiger Steel Engineering Zamil Steel The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players in the global pre-engineered buildings market. These players have adopted different strategies such as new product launches, collaborations, expansion, 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. Trending Reports in Construction Industry (Book Now with 15% Discount): Plywood Market is projected to reach $100.2 billion by 2032 Prefabricated Homes Market is projected to reach $38.9 billion by 2032 Smart Door Locks Market is projected to reach $12.5 billion by 2032 Real Estate Market is projected to reach $4,923.3 billion by 2031 Hollow Metal Doors Market is projected to reach $26.1 billion by 2031 Non residential Green Building Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032 Residential Construction Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032 IoT in Commercial Construction Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032 Vinyl Flooring in Construction Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032 Virtual Reality in Construction Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032 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. 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: Wilmington, Delaware 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 [email protected] Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/636519/Allied_Market_Research_Logo.jpg SOURCE Allied Market Research LAKELAND, Fla., March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Randy K. Avent, president of Florida Polytechnic University, has been selected as the 2024-2025 recipient of the Fulbright-Schuman Innovation Award. The prestigious award is presented annually to one American scholar, with the purpose of supporting research at the intersection of policy and technology that can improve the understanding of issues important to the United States and the European Union. Dr. Randy K. Avent, president of Florida Polytechnic University, has received the prestigious Fulbright Schuman Innovation Award. Avent, who will leave his post as Florida Poly's president this summer, will then travel to Spain to work on his Fulbright-funded research at the University of Barcelona. He will study the role of academic research in driving economic development, with an emphasis on the contrast between the current European and American models. "The University of Barcelona is a premier research university," said Prof. Jordi Marti, head of administrative and financial management at that university. "I am pleased to welcome Dr. Avent as part of the distinguished Fulbright Shuman program to foster research excellence between the EU and the U.S." Avent said he is eager to get started. "I am honored to be chosen for this award and excited to begin advancing knowledge in an area that has such a profound effect on our global economy," he said. Avent has long been interested in exploring the marriage between higher education and industry, particularly as Florida Poly has championed that relationship since its opening. The addition of IFF's innovation center to campus is a direct result of that effort and ideology. The Fulbright award will enable Avent to investigate this subject further and expand its application to other nations. "Growing a robust technology economy depends on collaborative relationships between academic research and industry development," Avent said. "This research opportunity has the potential to shift these relationships and the way markets approach innovation." Avent, who has led Florida Poly since its opening 10 years ago, announced last summer that he would be stepping. He plans to rejoin the University as faculty after a sabbatical, during which he will conduct his Fulbright research. The international Fulbright Program works with over 160 nations to increase educational and cultural exchanges to study, learn, and pursue academic and professional projects. Since its creation in 1946, the program has created learning pathways for more than 400,000 scholars. SOURCE Florida Polytechnic University CHICAGO, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Pritzker Military Museum & Library (PMML) will host the in-person and live stream 2024 Pritzker Military Symposium: Assessing Global Security, sponsored by Geico Military, PenFed Foundation, and WTTW/WFMT. The event brings together sixteen renowned academic, government, and military experts for a day-long discussion on the historical context, current effectiveness, and future role of the U.S. military in global security in four panels: Panel 1: Global Partnerships & Treaties Russia's war with Ukraine brought greater awareness of the U.S. being drawn into foreign wars through alliances like NATO. Moderator Dr. Paul Poast, author of Economics of War and Arguing About Alliances, will guide the panel to examine the strengths, weaknesses, and changing needs of U.S. treaties and alliances in three hot spots: U.S. Army and Cold War historian covering Russia and Ukraine, Dr. Sean Kalic, U.S. naval historian, China war strategy expert, and author of Red Star over the Pacific, Dr. James Holmes; and author of Oil, the State, and War: The Foreign Policies of Petrostates, Dr. Emma Ashford, to cover Middle East alliances. Panel 2: Competition for Foreign Military Sales & Training The U.S. is supplying military equipment and training in Ukraine and Israel and competing with other nations to supply countries in Africa and the Indo-Pacific, particularly Taiwan. This second panel will examine the effectiveness of these different strategies. Moderator, Dr. William Reno, principal investigator of the U.S. Department of Defense's Minerva research project on improving foreign military training, joins fellow Minerva researcher, Dr. Jahara "Franky" Matisek,(Lt. Col. USAF), and Russian and Ukraine expert, Dr. Renanah Joyce, to discuss foreign military sales in Ukraine, Africa, and the Middle East. Colleague Dr. Alexandra Chinchilla will expand the discussion into military aid for Taiwan to counter China. Keynote Lunch: Dr. Craig Symonds, PMML's 2023 Lifetime Literature awardee and author of seventeen naval history books will present, "Red Sky at Morning: The U.S. Navy and the China Challenge." Panel 3: Global Security in China and the Indo-Pacific Today China poses serious opportunities and threats. Dr. Craig Symonds continues the keynote discussion in this panel to articulate the current tensions with China and our allies from the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) to the new security consortium The Quad. Maritime strategy and defense policy legend who taught at over 60 academic and defense organizations worldwide and is currently teaching in Singapore, Dr. Geoff Till, will provide an international perspective; founder of the China Maritime Studies Institute at the U.S. Naval War College and China expert, Dr. Lyle Goldstein, illuminates the costs of this power competition with China and how the U.S. might navigate staying out of war in the region; and U.S. Army Colonel Christopher Wehri, formerly on the Joint Staff as the Deputy Director for Politico-Military Affairs for China, Taiwan, and Mongolia, will share the Army's security strategy lens. Panel 4: Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence The final panel examines how cybersecurity and artificial intelligence are reshaping military capacities and revealing new blind spots. From hackers and misinformation to new autonomous weapons and precision targeting systems, the future is changing rapidly for the U.S. and many nations. Retired Admiral Stephen Evans, Founder, Chairman, and CEO, Flag Bridge Global Solutions, LLC, will moderate the conversation with the White House's first National Cyber Director, retired Brigadier General John (Chris) Inglis; strategist Dr. Thomas X. Hammes, retired Marine Colonel, and founder of the Norwich University Applied Research Institute training the next generation of cyber warriors, Phil Susmann. In-person tickets include breakfast at 8:00 a.m., lunch during the keynote presentation, and book signing at 5:00 p.m. Live stream options available. Event Date: April 27, 2024 When: 9:00 a.m. CDT- 5:00 p.m. CDT Where: Pritzker Military Museum & Library 104 S. Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL 60603 Info: For more information on the 2024 Pritzker Military Symposium: Assessing Global Security visit https://www.pritzkermilitary.org/2024-pritzker-military-symposium About Pritzker Military Museum & Library The Pritzker Military Museum & Library aims to increase the public's understanding of military history, military affairs, and national security by providing a forum for the study and exploration of our military - past, present, and future - with a specific focus on their stories, sacrifices, and values. With national and global reach, these spaces and events aim to share the stories of those who served and their contributions as citizen soldiers, helping citizens everywhere appreciate the relationship between the armed forces and the civilians whose freedoms they protect. A non-governmental, non-partisan organization, the Museum & Library features diverse collections, scholarly initiatives, and public programs from its flagship center in downtown Chicago to its world-class research center and park in Somers, Wisconsin. Media Contact April Smith-Miller Director of Marketing [email protected] (312) 374-9378 SOURCE Pritzker Military Museum & Library Emerging Functional Fitness Franchise to Open New Studio Location in the Sunshine State TAMPA, Fla., March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pvolve, the omni-channel fitness company with an innovative, clinically-backed method that pairs functional movement with proprietary resistance equipment, is making its Florida debut next winter after signing its latest franchise deal with Tampa Bay local Bijal Patel. After over a decade spent practicing law within the healthcare industry, Patel was searching for a new passion and another professional pathway. That search led her to Pvolve. Patel visited both the Los Angeles and Chicago studios to experience the class and began to research the franchise opportunity. She believes Pvolve meets an unmet demand for this kind of workout in Tampa. Unlike other fitness concepts, Pvolve is a workout that prioritizes longevity and sustainability, without sacrificing effectiveness. Recently, the company announced the preliminary results of its Healthy Aging study , which demonstrated that Pvolve is more effective in improving strength, flexibility, energy, and quality of life for women over 40+ than the recommended 150 minutes per week of cardio and strength training, which constitute standard physical activity guidelines.* "I am excited to bring Pvolve to the Tampa Bay area. There is nothing quite like it here," said Patel. "My hope is that the Pvolve studio can serve as a community for individuals in the area who, like me, want to build strength, tone and change their bodies through functional movement with effective, low impact and high intensity workouts." Patel is targeting South Tampa as the location of her new studio, which she anticipates opening in early 2025. "This marks an exciting milestone for Pvolve as we introduce the first studio in Florida," said Pvolve President Julie Cartwright. "We are thrilled to welcome Bijal to the Pvolve family as our newest franchisee. Between her professional experience and passion for health and wellness, she will play an integral role in developing our footprint in Southwest Florida." As the fitness industry continues to evolve, Pvolve's functional fitness modality stands out for its untapped potential in large markets. The growing demand for holistic fitness solutions positions Pvolve for continued expansion, due to its innovative, effective, and clinically-proven method. In addition to this new deal, Pvolve is aiming to strengthen its ties with the Tampa Bay community through the introduction of five or more studio locations in the year ahead, as brand awareness grows nationally and locally within the region. For the latest news about Pvolve and its franchising opportunities, please visit https://pvolvefranchise.com/. About Pvolve Pvolve is an omnichannel fitness company with a science-led method that pairs low-impact, functional movement with patented resistance equipment to sculpt, strengthen, and restore the body while enhancing mobility and flexibility. After being introduced to functional fitness in 2017, founder Rachel Katzman was determined to help others experience an approach that respects the body's holistic needs while making you look and feel great. The Pvolve Method is supported by a Clinical Advisory Board of doctors, as well as highly credentialed trainers, to offer effective workouts that help you break a sweat, not your body. In June 2023, world-renowned actress, producer, and director, Jennifer Aniston, officially partnered with Pvolve after falling in love with the method as a member. Through its hybrid fitness model, Pvolve can be experienced through a streaming membership that offers over 1,300 on-demand classes, a two-way, live virtual studio, and targeted series, all available via the web and mobile apps. Additionally, Pvolve has physical studio locations in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and franchises across the US and Canada, with more than 40 locations in development. For more information, please visit https://www.pvolve.com/. *The 12-week clinical trial conducted by the University of Exeter and Pvolve included 72 women ages 40-60 years old, comparing 4 Pvolve workouts per week of 30-55 minutes in length to standard physical activity guidelines of 150 minutes per week. Media Contact: Seth Goodman, Fishman Public Relations, [email protected], (224) 723-9645 SOURCE Pvolve NEW YORK, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Farmer's Almanac Spring 2024 Weather Forecast warns of a "Polar Coaster Spring," signaling a season filled with fluctuations in weather patterns, including prolonged cold spells and a slow warm-up across most of the United States. QBE North America is once again sharing best practices to help businesses navigate the potential challenges ahead. With a season expected to alternate between late snowfalls and severe weather events, businesses must be well-prepared for a range of weather-related risks. "As we transition from the colder months into a notably unpredictable spring season, businesses need to recognize potential risks and strengthen their preparedness," said Ted Cabaniss, AVP, Field Surveying, QBE North America. "Effective planning and preparedness are key to mitigating potential disruptions and accelerating recovery efforts in the face of adverse weather events." QBE North America recommends the following steps for businesses to ensure their readiness for this spring: Plan Ensure access to and clearly mark all utility shut-off valves (e.g., water, sprinkler, gas, etc.) and know when and how to use them. Reassess and update your business continuity strategies to include alternate suppliers for a swift recovery from potential disruptions. Create an emergency plan and conduct regular drills of the plan with all team members. Inspect and Maintain Schedule comprehensive fleet maintenance service checks on company vehicles, including brake systems, wiper blades, tire pressure and oil levels and filters. Evaluate and prune trees and landscaping to mitigate risk of damage to structures and/or power supply. Inspect plumbing and pipes for signs of wear or damage to prevent water leaks. Assess walkways, ramps and outdoor spaces for any damage and address as needed. Perform maintenance on any electrical systems, including backup generators and exterior lighting. For facilities with recreational areas, ensure all equipment is safe and operational. Verify the functionality of sump pumps and water removal systems. Conduct a thorough test of fire safety and security systems. Clean Remove accumulated clutter and debris inside and around the exterior of the property. Safely dispose of unused flammable materials and ensure proper storage of necessary chemicals. Clear and clean gutters, surface drains and grates and conduct a roof inspection of roof drains and HVAC condensate lines. Address any landscape erosion and/or modifications needed to maintain effective drainage. Maintain air quality by cleaning or replacing HVAC filters and ensuring systems are professionally serviced. Organize and store winter equipment and properly secure flammable materials. In the aftermath of property damage, prompt and efficient actions can help businesses address the issues quickly and safeguard against further harm. Here are tips from QBE if a disaster were to occur: Respond Conduct a damage assessment as soon as the area is safe to enter. Inspect all fire safety systems, including sprinklers, fire extinguishers and related components, for any signs of physical damage. Document the extent of the damage using photos and/or videos and secure any damaged parts/equipment for examination before initiating any cleanup efforts, restoration or repairs. Ensure damaged equipment is properly cleaned and dried and have its electrical integrity professionally assessed. Arrange for a certified technician to inspect and service heating and cooling systems before they are reactivated. Exercise caution when using portable or emergency generators and avoid locations near air intakes. Monitor for carbon monoxide buildup, power backfeeds and improper fueling. "Unforeseen losses can occur despite the best preparations," said Monique McQueen, VP, Property Claims, QBE North America. "Check in with your insurer to review your insurance policy and discuss any operational, property and/or workforce changes to ensure you have the right coverage." QBE North America's Risk Solutions team members are experts in identifying risks, delivering loss prevention recommendations and providing innovative loss protection tools and services. Their focused commitment to service and technical acumen helps customers identify, evaluate and reduce their potential for losses and business risk. By getting to know their customers, their business operations, priorities and concerns, they can help deliver the best possible outcomes. To consult with Risk Solutions or for any questions, QBE customers may call (888) 560-2635 or email [email protected]. About QBE North America QBE North America is a global insurance leader helping customers solve unique risks, so they can stay focused on their future. Part of QBE Insurance Group Limited, QBE North America reported Gross Written Premiums in 2023 of $7.6 billion. QBE Insurance Group's results can be found at qbe.com . Headquartered in Sydney, Australia, QBE operates out of 27 countries around the globe, with a presence in every key insurance market. The North America division, headquartered in New York, conducts business primarily through its insurance company subsidiaries. The actual terms and conditions of any insurance coverage are subject to the language of the policies as issued. Additional information can be found at qbe.com/us or by following QBE North America on LinkedIn , Facebook and Instagram . The information and recommendations presented herein are for general informational purposes only. No warranties or representations are made as to the accuracy of the information provided, and QBE North America assumes no liability in connection with your use or nonuse of such information and does not guarantee that the information includes all possible risks or unusual circumstances that may occur. Reliance upon, or compliance with, any of the information, suggestions or recommendations contained herein in no way guarantees the fulfillment of your obligations under your insurance policy or as may otherwise be required by any laws, rules or regulations. QBE and the links logo are registered service marks of QBE Insurance Group Limited. 2024 QBE Holdings, Inc. SOURCE QBE North America PUNE, India, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The report titled "Remote Sensing Services Market by Platform (Ground, Manned Aircraft, Satellite), Type (Aerial Photography & Remote Sensing, Data Acquisition & Analytics), Resolution, Technology, Application, End-User - Global Forecast 2024-2030" is now available on 360iResearch.com's offering, presents an analysis indicating that the market projected to grow from a size of $21.62 billion in 2023 to reach $41.72 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 9.84% over the forecast period. " Global Expansion of Remote Sensing Services: Harnessing Technological Innovations for Enhanced Environmental and Urban Management " Remote sensing services, employing advanced technologies such as photographic imagery, infrared, radar, and LiDAR systems from aerial or satellite platforms, are integral in gathering and interpreting data for multiple sectors, including agriculture, forestry, environmental surveillance, urbanization strategies, defense mechanisms, and disaster preparedness. These services are pivotal in addressing the demands for precision agriculture, effective resource allocation, and comprehensive urban planning propelled by global urban growth. Furthermore, significant investments in military and civilian satellite initiatives are broadening the market scope. However, the industry faces challenges such as interoperability issues, a scarcity of skilled workforce, and accuracy limitations due to satellite estimation errors and insufficient ground verification. Regardless of these obstacles, the increasing integration of big data analytics for managing voluminous datasets and the emerging applications within the transportation and logistics domain present notable market growth prospects. Geographically, the market showcases diverse adoption patterns; North America leads in satellite and aerial imaging technologies applications across varied domains. South America, with Brazil at the forefront, emphasizes forest and agricultural monitoring. The EMEA region exhibits a heterogeneous market due to its varied geography and politics, with Europe deeply invested in Earth observation initiatives such as the Copernicus Programme. The Middle East, with countries such as the United Arab Emirates, emphasizes urban and resource management. The Asia-Pacific region, with key contributors including China, India, and Japan, is experiencing rapid market growth driven by governmental and commercial needs for effective territory monitoring, disaster management, and resource conservation while navigating regional climatic challenges through innovative remote sensing applications. Download Sample Report @ https://www.360iresearch.com/library/intelligence/remote-sensing-services " Surge in the need for real-time data in agriculture & forestry " The increasing need for real-time monitoring in agriculture and forestry is a testament to the urgency for precision and efficiency in managing these critical resources. The transition toward real-time data utilization in agriculture marks a pivotal shift toward optimizing essential aspects such as irrigation practices, crop health monitoring, and yield predictions. This shift is underpinned by robust global government support aimed at embracing precision agriculture technologies. The unpredictable nature of climate change, coupled with the rising occurrence of extreme weather events, highlights the indispensable role of remote sensing technology in equipping farmers with the necessary insights to make informed decisions and effectively mitigate risks. Similarly, in forestry, the urgency for real-time data has been magnified by the escalating challenges of deforestation, wildfires, and illegal logging. Remote sensing services are at the forefront of providing continuous, updated information essential for monitoring forest health, detecting changes in land use, and identifying potential disturbances. These services enable high-frequency monitoring over expansive agricultural and forest landscapes by leveraging satellite imagery and drone-based sensors. The convergence of remote sensing with advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), significantly propels the capacity to analyze extensive datasets, providing stakeholders with actionable intelligence for sustainable management practices. Remote sensing technologies have become integral in fostering resilient and adaptive strategies in agriculture and forestry to meet the growing demand for real-time environmental monitoring. " Advancing Remote Sensing Technologies: Emphasizing the Importance of Enhanced Resolution Across Domains " In an era where precision and detail are paramount, the evolution of remote sensing technology has been significant, particularly in its resolution capabilities across various dimensions. Radiometric resolution, the gauge of a sensor's ability to distinguish minute differences in signal strength, is critical for accurately analyzing material properties in fields such as mineralogy and agriculture, where the slightest variations in reflectance can indicate vital changes. The importance of spatial resolution is equally undeniable, with its capacity to identify the smallest discernible ground objects, enhancing applications that require meticulous detail, including urban development and precise mapping. This feature is indispensable for defense, urban planning, and disaster response sectors, which rely on high spatial resolution imagery to identify crucial landscape changes. Furthermore, spectral resolution plays a vital role in distinguishing fine wavelength intervals, enabling the detailed classification of materials and vegetation, which is vital for monitoring agricultural health and analyzing coastal waters. Temporal resolution, or the frequency of sensor revisits to a specific area, supports the timely monitoring of environmental shifts, disaster development, or urban growth, serving as an essential tool for emergency responders and climate scientists. The advancements in remote sensing resolution are crucial for various industries, driving precision and enabling comprehensive analysis and monitoring to meet contemporary challenges. Request Analyst Support @ https://www.360iresearch.com/library/intelligence/remote-sensing-services " BAE Systems PLC at the Forefront of Remote Sensing Services Market with a Strong 5.77% Market Share " The key players in the Remote Sensing Services Market include Hexagon AB, BAE Systems PLC, Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc., General Dynamics Corporation, Airbus SE, and others. These prominent players focus on strategies such as expansions, acquisitions, joint ventures, and developing new products to strengthen their market positions. " Introducing ThinkMi: Revolutionizing Market Intelligence with AI-Powered Insights for the Remote Sensing Services Market " We proudly unveil ThinkMi, a cutting-edge AI product designed to transform how businesses interact with the Remote Sensing Services Market. ThinkMi stands out as your premier market intelligence partner, delivering unparalleled insights with the power of artificial intelligence. Whether deciphering market trends or offering actionable intelligence, ThinkMi is engineered to provide precise, relevant answers to your most critical business questions. This revolutionary tool is more than just an information source; it's a strategic asset that empowers your decision-making with up-to-the-minute data, ensuring you stay ahead in the fiercely competitive Remote Sensing Services Market. Embrace the future of market analysis with ThinkMi, where informed decisions lead to remarkable growth. Ask Question to ThinkMi @ https://app.360iresearch.com/library/intelligence/remote-sensing-services " Dive into the Remote Sensing Services Market Landscape: Explore 183 Pages of Insights, 568 Tables, and 28 Figures " Preface Research Methodology Executive Summary Market Overview Market Insights Remote Sensing Services Market, by Platform Remote Sensing Services Market, by Type Remote Sensing Services Market, by Resolution Remote Sensing Services Market, by Technology Remote Sensing Services Market, by Application Remote Sensing Services Market, by End-User Americas Remote Sensing Services Market Asia-Pacific Remote Sensing Services Market Europe , Middle East & Africa Remote Sensing Services Market Competitive Landscape Competitive Portfolio Inquire Before Buying @ https://www.360iresearch.com/library/intelligence/remote-sensing-services Related Reports: About 360iResearch Founded in 2017, 360iResearch is a market research and business consulting company headquartered in India, with clients and focus markets spanning the globe. We are a dynamic, nimble company that believes in carving ambitious, purposeful goals and achieving them with the backing of our greatest asset our people. Quick on our feet, we have our ear to the ground when it comes to market intelligence and volatility. Our market intelligence is diligent, real-time and tailored to your needs, and arms you with all the insight that empowers strategic decision-making. Our clientele encompasses about 80% of the Fortune Global 500, and leading consulting and research companies and academic institutions that rely on our expertise in compiling data in niche markets. Our meta-insights are intelligent, impactful and infinite, and translate into actionable data that support your quest for enhanced profitability, tapping into niche markets, and exploring new revenue opportunities. Contact 360iResearch Mr. Ketan Rohom 360iResearch Private Limited, Office No. 519, Nyati Empress, Opposite Phoenix Market City, Vimannagar, Pune, Maharashtra, India - 411014. Email: [email protected] USA: +1-530-264-8485 India: +91-922-607-7550 To learn more, visit 360iresearch.com or follow us on LinkedIn , Twitter , and Facebook . Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2359256/360iResearch_Logo.jpg SOURCE 360iResearch MOSCOW, March 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Yandex, the Russian internet giant, recently hosted the fourth edition of YAC/e (Yet Another Conference On Education). The conference, centered on the theme of "Technology Reinvents Education", brought together a diverse group of experts in education and technology from across the globe, drawing tens of thousands of online and offline visitors. As the sole representative of China's education technology sector, Dr. Joleen Liang, co-founder of Squirrel Ai Learning, opened the conference with a presentation on the groundbreaking applications of AI adaptive education technology. Squirrel Ai co-founder Dr. Joleen Liang delivers an opening speech Frequently likened to Google, Yandex is a leading internet and technology titan in Russia. YAC/e, an annual world-renowned educational technology event hosted by Yandex, aims to forge a seamless connection between technology and education. This year's YAC/e conference centers on exploring how AI technology can improve the quality of learning, enrich student-teacher interactions, and unlock the boundless opportunities of AI in education. In her opening address, Dr. Liang underscored AI's potential to tackle challenges such as the uneven distribution of traditional educational resources, standardized teaching methods, and reliance on rote learning. Despite growing competition in AI education, Squirrel Ai has been at the forefront of innovation for nearly a decade. This year, the company attained a noteworthy achievement by pioneering the development of the globe's first comprehensive Large Adaptive Model (LAM) encompassing all subjects. Dr. Liang noted that that while many in the field are still at the L2 stage, Squirrel Ai has reached the L5 level, indicating a fully-developed adaptive learning system. Dr. Liang also highlighted the framework of Squirrel Ai's LAM, comprising the application Layer, the model layer, and the data layer. The data layer leverages Squirrel Ai's innovative micro-granularity knowledge segmentation to create tailored knowledge maps and learning objectives for each student. The model layer, in turn, collects real-time data to dynamically update student profiles and accurately recommend targeted learning content that addresses their specific needs. Integrated with Squirrel Ai's proprietary MCM (Mode of Thinking, Capability and Methodology) model, this layer aims to cultivate students' thinking patterns, enhance their learning capabilities, and refine their learning strategies. The application layer fosters meaningful educational interactions through data exchange, enriching the learning experience. The comprehensive architecture offers a vast array of learning pathways and feedback mechanisms, embodying the essence of personalized teaching. At the business model level, Squirrel Ai bridges the online and offline gap, adopting an innovative closed-loop business model that integrates software and hardware, covering the trifecta of "engine, content, and service." In 2023, Squirrel Ai achieved a remarkable milestone by establishing 2,000 offline intelligent learning centers and selling 200,000 learning machine sets, accelerating the adoption of AI-powered education in the process. SOURCE Squirrel Ai Learning LONDON, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In the first of a series of special awards announced in advance of The World's 50 Best Restaurants ceremony, Sao Paulo's Janaina Torres, chef and co-owner of award-winning gastronomic initiatives including A Casa do Porco, has been named The World's Best Female Chef 2024. The Worlds 50 Best Restaurants today reveals Janaina Torres of A Casa do Porco, Sao Paulo, as the winner of The Worlds Best Female Chef Award 2024 Activist, sommelier and chef, Torres was named Latin America's Best Female Chef as part of Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants 2023 and is now recognised for her significant culinary contribution on a global scale. As chef and co-owner of Sao Paulo fine dining restaurant A Casa do Porco, casual Bar da Dona Onca, hot dog kiosk Hot Pork, lunch and sandwich shop Merenda da Cidade, and ice cream shop Sorveteria do Centro, Torres has become an instrumental figure in the Brazilian city's culinary scene. Torres is also deeply involved in social activism projects, having worked with Sao Paulo's government to train school cooks to improve the nutrition of 1.8 million children in just four years. During the pandemic, the chef engaged her community by mobilising thousands of Brazilian chefs and hospitality workers to pressure the government for vital financial support for the industry. A Casa do Porco, the restaurant co-owned by Chef Torres, is famous for its inventive, no-waste, nose-to-tail pork menu and placed No.12 in The World's 50 Best Restaurants 2023 list. William Drew, Director of Content for The World's 50 Best Restaurants, says: "It is a true privilege to announce that the incomparable Janaina Torres is named The World's Best Female Chef 2024. Her contribution to establishing Brazil as a leading force in the global gastronomic industry cannot be underestimated, and her philanthropic projects highlight an ongoing commitment to her community. This award is in recognition of her talent and deep commitment to driving positive change." Chef Torres says: "I am delighted to have been named The World's Best Female Chef 2024, and to join the incredible list of those who have been awarded before me. I hope to inspire the next generation of female chefs and to continue to build a legacy for Brazilian gastronomy, alongside my community. To me, this award represents an important platform to bring visibility for education through and for food, which I consider essential for a fairer future in my country and around the world." Media centre: https://mediacentre.theworlds50best.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2367648/50_Best.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2361814/World_50_Best_2024_Logo.jpg SOURCE 50 Best NEW YORK, March 21, 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 DUBLIN, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Smart In-Vitro Diagnostics - Artificial Intelligence for In Vitro Diagnostics Markets by Application, by Technology and by User with Executive and Consultant Guides 2023-2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Will Smart Diagnostics replace the physician? Will the power of Artificial Intelligence provide better diagnostics? The market is moving out of a research mode into the clinic. The market is exploding as physicians use all the information they can get to battle disease. While Pharmaceutical Companies see the potential to make nearly any therapy viable. Find out how this new approach to diagnostics will change medical care forever. This report provides data that analysts and planners can use. Hundreds of pages of information including a complete list of United States Medicare Fee Payment Schedules to help understand the new pricing for nucleic acid based tests. Forecast demand for new testing regimes or technologies. Make research investment decisions. Assistance in providing specific growth and market size estimates for new technology tests is normally provided without additional charges. Existing laboratories and hospitals can use the information directly to forecast and plan for clinical facilities growth. Again, assistance in using the information is normally provided without additional charges. Learn all about how players are jockeying for position in a market that is being created from scratch. And some players are pulling way out in front and expanding globally. It is a dynamic market situation with enormous opportunity where the right diagnostic with the right support can command premium pricing. And the science is developing at the same time creating new opportunities with regularity. And the cost of many diagnostics continues to fall. Broad-spectrum blood testing and artificial intelligence will routinely provide medical diagnosis in the near future according to a this new report. The report looks at the current market situation and forecasts double digit growth. 'We have already seen how multiplex testing is displacing other test methods in infectious disease diagnostics. Adding artificial intelligence will lead to better and faster diagnosis for a much wider range of conditions' according to Greg Powell, President of the publisher. The report explores recent developments in artificial intelligence, genomics, and costs that affect the market outlook. 'A number of factors are all coming together at once that will change how medicine is practiced. In Vitro Diagnostics and Artificial Intelligence will be playing a much bigger role in the future.' said Mr Powell. 'Artificial intelligence is coming into use much faster than expected. The use in medical diagnosis is just starting in image analysis where AI is already helping Radiologists and Pathologists. We are expecting this trend to move into mainstream In Vitro Diagnostics more quickly than previously thought.' 'Several important trends in technology are driving down the costs of testing and providing more results from a single test. This has very broad implications for medical care and for the way that diagnosis is carried out. Artificial Intelligence will be changing this situation even more.' said Mr. Powell. Key Topics Covered: 1 Market Guides 1.1 Strategic Situation Analysis 1.2 Guide for Executives, Marketing, and Business Development Staff 1.3 Guide for Management Consultants and Investment Advisors 2 Introduction and Market Definition 2.1 What are Smart Diagnostics? 2.2 Market Definition 2.2.1 Revenue Market Size 2.3 Methodology 2.4 Perspective: Healthcare and the IVD Industry 2.4.1 Global Healthcare Spending 2.4.2 Spending on Diagnostics 2.4.3 Important Role of Insurance for Diagnostics 3 Market Overview 3.1 Players in a Dynamic Market 3.1.1 Academic Research Lab 3.1.2 Diagnostic Test Developer 3.1.3 Instrumentation Supplier 3.1.4 Chemical/Reagent Supplier 3.1.5 Pathology Supplier 3.1.6 Independent Clinical Laboratory 3.1.7 Public National/regional Laboratory 3.1.8 Hospital Laboratory 3.1.9 Physicians Office Lab (POLS) 3.1.10 Audit Body 3.1.11 Certification Body 3.2 Understanding Artificial Intelligence 3.2.1 Artificial intelligence 3.2.2 Machine learning 3.2.3 Deep learning 3.2.4 Convolutional neural networks 3.2.5 Generative adversarial networks 3.2.6 Limitations 3.3 AI Applications in IVD 3.3.1 Infectious Disease 3.3.1.1 Known vs. Unknown 3.3.1.2 TMI 3.3.1.3 Disease surveillance 3.3.1.4 Outbreak detection 3.3.1.5 Contact tracing 3.3.1.6 Forecasting 3.3.1.7 Drug discovery 3.3.1.8 Resource allocation 3.3.2 Oncology 3.3.2.1 Electronic health records 3.3.2.2 Genomic analysis 3.3.2.3 Treatment planning 3.3.2.4 Clinical trial matching 3.3.3 Anatomic Pathology 3.3.3.1 Image analysis 3.3.3.2 Tumor segmentation 3.3.3.3 Disease classification 3.3.3.4 Predictive modeling 3.3.3.5 Quality control 3.3.3.6 Digital pathology 3.3.4 Cardiology 3.3.4.1 Electrocardiogram analysis 3.3.4.2 Electronic health records 3.3.4.3 Genomic analysis 3.3.4.4 Treatment planning 3.3.4.5 Prediction of outcomes 3.3.5 Diabetes 3.3.5.1 Diagnosis 3.3.5.2 Blood glucose monitoring 3.3.5.3 Personalized treatment plans 3.3.5.4 Medication management 3.3.5.5 Diabetes education 3.3.5.6 Predictive analytics 3.3.6 General Medicine 3.3.6.1 Diagnosis 3.3.6.2 Predictive Analytics 3.3.6.3 Personalized Treatment Plans 3.3.6.4 Medication Management 3.3.6.5 Disease Monitoring 3.3.6.6 Telemedicine 4 Market Trends 4.1 Factors Driving Growth 4.1.1 Outcome Improvement 4.1.2 The Aging Effect 4.1.3 Cost Containment 4.1.4 Physician Impact 4.1.5 Cost of Intelligence 4.2 Factors Limiting Growth 4.2.1 State of knowledge 4.2.2 Genetic Blizzard 4.2.3 Protocol Resistance 4.2.4 Regulation and coverage 4.3 Instrumentation, Automation and Diagnostic Trends 4.3.1 Traditional Automation and Centralization 4.3.2 The New Automation, Decentralization and Point Of Care 4.3.3 Instruments Key to Market Share 4.3.4 Bioinformatics Plays a Role 4.3.5 PCR Takes Command 4.3.6 Next Generation Sequencing Fuels a Revolution 4.3.7 NGS Impact on Pricing 4.3.8 Whole Genome Sequencing, A Brave New World 4.3.9 Companion Diagnostics Blurs Diagnosis and Treatment 4.3.10 Shifting Role of Diagnostics 5 Recent Developments 5.1 Recent Developments - Importance and How to Use This Section 5.1.1 Importance of These Developments 5.1.2 How to Use This Section 5.2 Paige, Leica Biosystems Expand Digital Pathology Partnership 5.3 Clarapath Acquires Digital Pathology Company Crosscope 5.4 CanSense to Develop Colorectal Cancer Test 5.5 Owkin-led Machine Learning Study IDs Cancer Treatment Biomarkers 5.6 Guardant Health to Integrate Lunit's AI PD-L1 Algorithm 5.7 Vesale Bioscience to Develop AI Phage Therapy Diagnostic Platform 5.8 Caris Life Sciences To Use AI and Machine Learning 5.9 Numares Health To Develop AI for "Metabolite Constellations" 5.10 Sepsis Testing Startup DeepUll to Use AI for Medical Decisions 5.11 Viome Life Sciences Raises $67M in Series C Financing For AI Cancer Dx 5.12 ADM Diagnostics Wins Grant for Brain Injury Test Development 5.13 Paige to Develop New AI-based Pathology Test 5.14 Aiforia Gains CE-IVD Mark for AI-Powered Histopathology 5.15 Genetic Profiling May Identify Patients Who Do Not Need Radiation Therapy 5.16 Thermo Fisher Introduces Homologous Score for Cancer Profiling 5.17 Genomic Test IDs Cancer Cells Early 6 Profiles of Key Players 6.1 Adaptive Biotechnologies 6.2 Aidoc 6.3 Anumana 6.4 ARUP Laboratories 6.5 Atomwise 6.6 Bayesian Health 6.7 Behold.ai 6.8 BGI Genomics Co. Ltd 6.9 bioMerieux Diagnostics 6.10 Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc 6.11 Cambridge Cognition 6.12 Cardiologs (Phillips) 6.13 CareDx 6.14 Caris Molecular Diagnostics 6.15 Cleerly 6.16 ClosedLoop AI 6.17 CloudMedX Health 6.18 Deepcell 6.19 Digital Diagnostics 6.20 EKF Diagnostics Holdings 6.21 Freenome 6.22 GE Healthcare 6.23 Glooko 6.24 Idoven 6.25 Illumina 6.26 Infohealth 6.27 Jade 6.28 K Health 6.29 Lunit 6.30 MaxCyte 6.31 Mayo Clinic Laboratories 6.32 Medtronic 6.33 Merative 6.34 Nanox 6.35 NIOX Group 6.36 Niramai Health Analytix 6.37 NVIDIA 6.38 Oncohost 6.39 OraLiva 6.40 Owkin 6.41 Oxford Nanopore Technologies 6.42 Pacific Biosciences 6.43 Paige.AI 6.44 PathAI 6.45 Perthera 6.46 Philips Healthcare 6.47 Prognos 6.48 Qiagen 6.49 Qure.ai 6.50 Renalytix 6.51 Seegene 6.52 Siemens Healthineers 6.53 Sophia Genetics 6.54 Sysmex 6.55 Viz.ai For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/fo0ynr 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 SMITHFIELD, Va., March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Smithfield Foods has created an endowed scholarship program to benefit leaders of tomorrow from the University of Mount Olive in North Carolina. As part of the Smithfield Foods Future Leaders Endowed Scholarship Program, the Mount Olive scholarship builds on the company's commitment to improve access to education and provide educational opportunities for the dependents of Smithfield's contract growers. "As each generation becomes further removed from the farm, there's a critical need for new talent to enter the field of agriculture," said Kraig Westerbeek, president of Smithfield hog production. "We're proud to be able to make these scholarships available to give dedicated young men and women the resources they need to succeed." "We are very appreciative of Smithfield Foods' continued support of our agricultural programs," said UMO President Dr. H. Edward Croom. "Recruiting top talent is a priority not only for the university, but also for the business community at large that experiences the workforce shortage. This Smithfield scholarship is the newest partnership that will impact our future students and further impact the communities of our graduates." Edward Olive, director of the Lois G. Britt Agribusiness Center, said, "Smithfield Foods has supported the University of Mount Olive in many ways over the years. They are a sponsor of our annual AgFest event. They provide students with opportunities for internships and careers. They send company representatives to speak to various classes and clubs, and so much more. We are excited to see our partnership with Smithfield grow even further. As a UMO alumnus and staff member, I am very excited for this new scholarship endowment and sincerely appreciate Smithfield's commitment to our students and our community." The University of Mount Olive will award the Smithfield endowed scholarship to one rising junior and one rising senior each year. The scholarship will cover a portion of the students' cost of tuition and fees and will be administered by the university. Scholarship recipients must demonstrate academic excellence and pursue studies and a career in agriculture, engineering, operations or supply chain, and must complete a paid summer internship with Smithfield Foods. Rising seniors must plan to work for the company full-time following graduation or be employed full-time by a current hog producer for Smithfield. Following graduation, interested students may enroll in Smithfield's Career Foundations Program, which provides high-potential candidates with critical training and career mentorship resources at the onset of their professional careers. The Mount Olive endowed scholarship program complements the Smithfield scholarship program, which provides scholarships to eligible dependents of the company's employees. Smithfield has provided nearly 1,600 annual scholarships worth nearly $9 million since the program's inception. Smithfield believes in the power of education to dramatically strengthen communities over the long term. More information about Smithfield's educational initiatives and investment in its communities is available at https://www.smithfieldfoods.com/helping-communities. About Smithfield Foods, Inc. Headquartered in Smithfield, Virginia, since 1936, Smithfield Foods, Inc. is a U.S. food company that employs more than 54,000 people in seven countries and partners with thousands of American farmers. As one of the world's leading vertically integrated protein companies, we are dedicated to producing "Good food. Responsibly." to feed a growing world population. We have pioneered sustainability standards for more than two decades, including our industry-leading commitments to become carbon negative in our U.S. company-owned operations and reduce GHG emissions 30% across our entire U.S. value chain by 2030. We believe in the power of protein to end food insecurity and have donated hundreds of millions of food servings to food banks, disaster relief efforts and community outreach programs in all 50 U.S. states. Smithfield boasts a portfolio of high-quality iconic brands, such as Smithfield, Eckrich, Gwaltney and Nathan's Famous, among many others. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com and connect with us on Facebook, X, formerly known as Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Threads. About the University of Mount Olive The University of Mount Olive is a private institution rooted in the liberal arts tradition with defining Christian values. The University was founded by the Convention of Original Free Will Baptists. For more information, visit www.umo.edu. SOURCE Smithfield Foods, Inc. WELLESLEY, Mass., March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Sun Life U.S. has been named a USA Today Top Place to Work, a recognition formerly known as Top Workplaces USA, for the fourth consecutive year. This award builds on previous Top Place to Work recognitions from the Boston Globe (six years); Hartford Courant (three years); and Baltimore Sun. Sun Life is committed to setting standards as a top workplace, promoting a flexible culture, hybrid work model, and new, state-of-the-art offices that support both wellness and productivity. USA Today Top Workplaces 2024 "Recognitions like USA Today Top Places to Work are meaningful to us because they are based on positive feedback from our own employees, which is something we care deeply about," said Dan Fishbein, M.D., president, Sun Life U.S. "Receiving this award for the fourth year in-a-row shows that our commitment to culture and inclusion is making an impact and resonating with our team." "We believe in providing a healthy work/life balance and valuable benefits that support our employees," said Tammi Wortham, senior vice president, Human Resources, Sun Life U.S. "When employees feel cared for it is a recipe for success. They express even stronger commitment to their work, and we see positive business impacts and employee engagement as a result." Sun Life U.S. offers a broad portfolio of benefits to employees, including one of the most generous paid family and medical leave programs in the country, which provides caregivers, new parents, and those dealing with their own health condition the time and support they need to be with family or return to health and wellness. Employees also have access to a sabbatical program, taking time for professional or personal development, or to simply unplug for an extended period. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) is also a strong focus for Sun Life, with initiatives in hiring and retention, career development, and philanthropy. Sun Life U.S. offers several Inclusion Networks (also known as Employee Resource Groups), including Asian Alliance; Black Excellence Alliance (BEA); BrightWomen; DiverseAbility; Emerging Professionals Networks (EPN); Hispanic & Latin-America Alliance (HOLA, Adelante); Sun Life Pride; and Veteran's Engagement Team (VET). Sun Life U.S. continues to receive workplace recognitions from a variety of sources, including Forbes (America's Best Large Employers 2024, Best Employers for Diversity 2023) and TIME (Top Companies for Future Leaders 2024.) For the past two years Sun Life has received the Great Places to Work recognition and been named a GirlsClub Top 25 Female Friendly Employer. Sun Life is listed annually on the Bloomberg Gender Equality Index and has received a 100% score from the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index for the past 15 years. About Sun Life Sun Life is a leading international financial services organization providing asset management, wealth, insurance and health solutions to individual and institutional Clients. Sun Life has operations in a number of markets worldwide, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As of December 31, 2023, Sun Life had total assets under management of C$1.40 trillion. For more information, please visit www.sunlife.com. Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the ticker symbol SLF. Sun Life U.S. is one of the largest providers of employee and government benefits, helping more than 50 million Americans access the healthcare and coverage they need. Through employers, industry partners and government programs, Sun Life U.S. offers a portfolio of benefits and services, including dental, vision, disability, absence management, life, supplemental health, medical stop-loss insurance, and healthcare navigation. Sun Life employs more than 8,300 people in the U.S., including associates in our partner dental practices and affiliated companies in asset management. Group insurance policies are issued by Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada (Wellesley Hills, Mass.), except in New York, where policies are issued by Sun Life and Health Insurance Company (U.S.) (Lansing, Mich.). For more information visit our website and newsroom. Media contacts Devon Fernald Sun Life U.S. [email protected] 781-800-3609 Anjie Coplin Sun Life U.S. [email protected] 214-549-1553 Connect with Sun Life U.S. Facebook LinkedIn SOURCE Sun Life U.S. The Lithium-Ion Battery Dispersant Market is poised for significant growth, driven by the surging demand for electric vehicles and the potential of water-based dispersant solutions. Future Market Insights' comprehensive report offers a deep dive into market trends, including demand and supply analysis, investment feasibility, revenue forecasts, competitive landscape, and pricing analysis. Access a complimentary sample report for a market overview. NEWARK, Del., March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- FMI predict, the global lithium-ion battery dispersant market was valued at US$ 826.1 million in 2023 and is anticipated to attain a valuation of US$ 3045 million by 2034. The market is likely to develop at a 12.4% CAGR from 2024 to 2034, reaching a valuation of US$ 949.2 million in 2024. Download the Sample PDF report to explore key market insights and trends: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-19284 One of the primary drivers of the lithium ion battery dispersant is the increasing sales of electric vehicles and increasing developments in energy storage systems. These systems require lithium ion batteries on a large scale. Constant improvement and technological advances enhances the productivity and lifespan of these batteries. Effective dispersants are thus needed to improve battery longevity, safety and efficiency. This has the probability to bolster growth in the global lithium ion battery dispersant market. One key strategy manufacturers can use to enhance the market reach is to partner with research institutes and battery manufacturers. This can help them to co-develop innovative lithium ion battery dispersants. Collaboration can result in the development of customized solutions that solve specific issues in lithium-ion battery manufacture, such as electrolyte performance and electrode stability. Companies may spur innovation, improve product offerings, and obtain a competitive edge in the rapidly evolving battery materials market through the use of their combined knowledge and resources. Report Scope Report Attribute Details Growth Rate CAGR of 12.4% from 2024 to 2034 Market value in 2024 US$ 949.2 million Market value in 2034 US$ 3045 million Base Year for Estimation 2023 Historical Data 2019 to 2023 Forecast Period 2024 to 2034 Quantitative Units US$ million for value Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Company Ranking, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, Trends, and Pricing Analysis Segments Covered Key Segments Profiled in the Lithium Ion Battery Dispersant Market By Dispersant Type: Block Co Polymers Naphthalene Sulfonates Lignosulfonates Others By End Use: Consumer Electronics Electric Vehicles Military Industrial Others By Region: North America Latin America Western Europe Eastern Europe South Asia and Pacific East Asia Middle East & Africa Countries Profiled The United States Canada Brazil Mexico Germany United Kingdom France Spain Italy Poland Russia Czech Republic Romania India Bangladesh Australia New Zealand China Japan South Korea GCC Countries South Africa Israel Key Companies Profiled Ashland Kao Corporation LG Chem Toyocolor Co. Ltd The Lubrizol Corporation Croda International PLC Borregaard AS Key Takeaways from the Market Analysis The global lithium-ion battery dispersant market was valued at US$ 458 million in 2019. in 2019. Historically, from 2019 to 2023, the lithium-ion battery dispersant market garnered a CAGR of 15.9%. The United States lithium-ion battery dispersant ecosystem is poised to develop at a CAGR of 12.6% over the projection period. lithium-ion battery dispersant ecosystem is poised to develop at a CAGR of 12.6% over the projection period. By dispersant type, block co-polymers will gain traction during the forecast period, with a 12.2% CAGR through 2034. By end use, lithium ion battery dispersant will widely be used in the consumer electronics sector, with a 12% CAGR from 2024 to 2034. "With the lithium ion battery dispersants, manufacturers can claim enhanced lifespan and performance of the batteries. These dispersants can aid in reducing the active materials agglomeration and particle accumulation in the batteries. This in turn will improve the electrical capacity and conductivity," says Nikhil Kaitwade (Associate Vice President at Future Market Insights, Inc.). Competitive Landscape The demand for lithium-ion batteries will probably grow in light of the need to protect the environment and achieve a carbon-free society. These batteries are utilized extensively all over the world for power storage in electric vehicles, smartphones, and equipment used in the production of renewable energy. The prominent market players have achieved higher levels of battery productivity and capacity by effective conductive carbon dispersion in lithium ion batteries. They have also developed significant dispersant that barely have any negative effects, even during its presence within the battery. This helps to enhance the battery life. Key players in the market are also developing novel lithium ion battery dispersants. These dispersants enhance the formation of a strong conductive network within the electrode. It features higher capacity, lower resistance, and higher battery output on the basis of the original design which has selective conductive carbon dispersion. Innovation as such is likely to give the market players a competitive advantage in the global market. Purchase now and gain full access to the Lithium-ion Battery Dispersant Industry report, featuring comprehensive Market Forecast, Company Share Analysis, Competition Intelligence, DROT Analysis, Market Dynamics and Challenges, and Strategic Growth Initiatives. Key Development In 2024, LG Chem entered into a contract with Toyota regarding the supply of various cathode materials in the North American region. The company signed a memorandum of understanding with Tennessee State to construct a cathode factory worth US$ 3 billion for electric vehicles. More Valuable Insights Available Future Market Insights offers an unbiased analysis of the lithium-ion battery dispersant market, providing historical data for 2019 to 2022 and forecast statistics from 2023 to 2033. To understand opportunities in the lithium-ion battery dispersant market, the market is segmented on the basis of dispersant type (block co-polymers, naphthalene sulfonates, lignosulfonates, others), end use (consumer electronics, electric vehicles, military, industrial, others) and region (North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, South Asia and Pacific, East Asia, Middle East & Africa). About the Chemicals and Materials Domain at Future Market Insights The chemicals and materials domain at Future Market Insights offers expert analysis, time efficient research, and strategic recommendations with the objective to provide authentic insights and accurate results to help clients worldwide. With a repertoire of over 100+ reports and 1 billion+ data points, the team has been analyzing the market lucidly in 50+ countries for over a decade. The team provides a brief analysis on key trends including competitive landscape, profit margin, and research development efforts. About the Author: Nikhil Kaitwade (Associate Vice President at Future Market Insights, Inc.) has over a decade of experience in market research and business consulting. He has successfully delivered 1500+ client assignments, predominantly in Automotive, Chemicals, Industrial Equipment, Oil & Gas, and Service industries. His core competency circles around developing research methodology, creating a unique analysis framework, statistical data models for pricing analysis, competition mapping, and market feasibility analysis. His expertise also extends wide and beyond analysis, advising clients on identifying growth potential in established and niche market segments, investment/divestment decisions, and market entry decision-making. Nikhil holds an MBA degree in Marketing and IT and a Graduate in Mechanical Engineering. Nikhil has authored several publications and quoted in journals like EMS Now, EPR Magazine, and EE Times. Explore FMI's Extensive Coverage in the Chemicals & Materials Domain: About Future Market Insights (FMI) Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting service provider, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in Dubai and has delivery centers in the UK, the U.S., and India. FMI's latest market research reports and industry analysis help businesses navigate challenges and make critical decisions with confidence and clarity amidst breakneck competition. Our customized and syndicated market research reports deliver actionable insights that drive sustainable growth. A team of expert-led analysts at FMI continuously tracks emerging trends and events in a broad range of industries to ensure that our clients prepare for the evolving needs of their consumers. Contact Us Nandini Singh Sawlani Future Market Insights Inc. Christiana Corporate, 200 Continental Drive, Suite 401, Newark, Delaware - 19713, USA T: +1-845-579-5705 For Sales Enquiries: [email protected] Website: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com LinkedIn | Twitter | Blogs | YouTube Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1197648/3531122/FMI_Logo.jpg SOURCE Future Market Insights SCHAFFHAUSEN, Switzerland, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- TE Connectivity, a world leader in connectors and sensors, will welcome another 10 students this year into its African Heritage Scholarship Program. The $3.5 million program, now in its third year, is an investment in the company's efforts to further diversify its workforce and bring new opportunities in the technology industry to top-performing Black and African American students in the United States. "Inclusion is one of TE's core values and the African Heritage Scholarship Program is a great example of how we are working to further diversify our teams," said CEO Terrence Curtin. "I am excited to see the contributions of this new class of scholars, as well as the people who have completed the program and have chosen to begin their careers at TE." The students will complete three-month internships at TE sites throughout the U.S. Upon successful completion of the internship, the students will receive a scholarship of up to $22,500 for their next academic year, based on financial need, and will be invited back for a second internship at TE the following summer. The scholarship would then be eligible for renewal for a second year. This year's cohort of students join TE from nine top universities across the country: Howard University, Lawrence Technological University, North Carolina A&T University, North Carolina State University, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Towson University, University of Memphis, University of San Francisco and Virginia Commonwealth University. For more information, visit te.com/scholarships. ABOUT TE CONNECTIVITY TE Connectivity (NYSE: TEL) is a global industrial technology leader creating a safer, sustainable, productive, and connected future. Our broad range of connectivity and sensor solutions enable the distribution of power, signal and data to advance next-generation transportation, renewable energy, automated factories, data centers, medical technology and more. With more than 85,000 employees, including 8,000 engineers, working alongside customers in approximately 140 countries, TE ensures that EVERY CONNECTION COUNTS. Learn more at www.te.com and on LinkedIn, Facebook, WeChat, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter). SOURCE TE Connectivity, LTD Surge in prevalence of hypogonadism and insurance coverage for testosterone replacement therapy are expected to drive the growth of the testosterone replacement therapy market. PORTLAND, Ore., March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Testosterone Replacement Therapy Market by Product Type (Injectables, Topical, and Other), Active Ingredient (Testosterone Cypionate, Testosterone, Testosterone Enanthate, Testosterone Undecanoate, and Others), and End User (Hospitals and Clinics): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20232032". According to the report, the testosterone replacement therapy market was valued at $ 1.9 billion in 2022 and is estimated to reach $ 2.9 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 4.2% from 2023 to 2032. Request Sample of the Report on Testosterone Replacement Therapy Market Forecast - https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/A08394 Prime determinants of growth The market for testosterone replacement therapy is anticipated to experience substantial growth due to an increased prevalence of hypogonadism, heightened awareness regarding men's health and overall well-being, and surge in geriatric population. Report coverage and details Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 20232032 Base Year 2022 Market Size In 2022 $1.9 Billion Market Size In 2032 $2.9 Billion CAGR 4.20 % No. Of Pages In Report 270 Segments Covered Product Type, Active Ingredient, And End User Drivers Surge In Prevalence of Hypogonadism. Rise In Geriatric Population Insurance Coverage Available on The Testosterone Replacement Therapy Opportunities Technological Advancement in The Testosterone Replacement Therapy Restraints Side Effects Associated with The Testosterone Replacement Therapy. 2023 Recession Impact Analysis The 2023 recession had moderate impacted the testosterone replacement therapy. The economic uncertainty has led to the decreased disposable income, which has negatively impacted the testosterone replacement therapy However, the market is expected to recover owing to rise in geriatric population and surge in prevalence of hypogonadism. Want to Explore More, Connect to our Analyst- https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/connect-to-analyst/A08394 The injectables segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period By product type, the injectables segment held the largest share in 2022, accounting for almost three-fourths of the testosterone replacement therapy revenue. This is attributed to the high adoption of injections owing to cost effectivity and high efficiency of the testosterone injections. However, other segment is expected to register fastest growth owing to increasing adoption of the prolong release implants. The testosterone cypionate segment to maintain its lead position during the forecast period By active ingredient, the testosterone cypionate segment held the largest share in 2022, accounting for more than one-third of the testosterone replacement therapy revenue. This growth is attributed the high adoption of testosterone cypionate. However, testosterone undecanoate segment is expected to register highest CAGR during the forecast period, owing to availability of testosterone undecanoate in topical and injectable formulation. The clinics segment to maintain its lead position during the forecast period By end user, the clinics segment accounted for the largest share in 2022, accounting for more than two-thirds of the testosterone replacement therapy revenue. This is attributed to the fact that specialty clinics such as urology clinics cater large male patient base suffering from hypogonadism. For Procurement Information- https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/A08394 The North America to maintain its lead position during the forecast period Region wise, the North America accounted for the largest share in 2022, accounting for nearly half of the testosterone replacement therapy revenue owing to well-established healthcare infrastructure and rise in geriatric population. However, Asia-Pacific segment is expected to register highest CAGR during the forecast period owing to surge in incidence of hypogonadism and rise in prevalence of obesity. Leading Market Players AbbVie Inc Besins Healthcare SA Acerus Pharmaceuticals Corporation Amneal Pharmaceuticals Inc. Acrux Ltd. Endo International Plc Biote Medical, LLC Pfizer Inc. Insud Pharma S.L Marius Pharmaceuticals The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players of the testosterone replacement therapy. These players have adopted strategies such as acquisition to increase their market. 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) Offered by Allied Market Research: 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 Allied Market Research: 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 domains. AMR offers its services across 11 industry verticals including Life Sciences, Consumer Goods, Materials & Chemicals, Construction & Manufacturing, Food & Beverages, Energy & Power, Semiconductor & Electronics, Automotive & Transportation, ICT & Media, Aerospace & Defense, and BFSI. 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. Toll Free: +1-800-792-5285 Int'l: +1-503-894-6022 UK: +44-845-528-1300 Hong Kong: +852-301-84916 India (Pune): +91-20-66346060 Fax: +1-855-550-5975 [email protected] Web: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com Follow Us on: LinkedIn Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/636519/Allied_Market_Research_Logo.jpg SOURCE Allied Market Research THE WOODLANDS, Texas, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- TETRA Technologies, Inc. ("TETRA" or the "Company") (NYSE: TTI) announced today that its Board of Directors has appointed Angela D. John as a member of the Board of Directors, effective March 20, 2024. With nearly 30 years of experience with BP and Williams, including senior executive business and strategy leadership roles, Ms. John brings great industry and energy transition experience to TETRA. Ms. John will serve as an independent director and a member of the Audit Committee and the Nominating, Governance and Sustainability Committee of the board, effective as of her appointment to the board. In addition, Gina A. Luna, a current member of our Board of Directors, will let her current term expire to enable her to focus on her other commitments. She will remain on the Board until the end of her term at the 2024 annual meeting of stockholders and, as such, Ms. Luna is not standing for election at the 2024 annual meeting. The Board of Directors and management of the Company sincerely thank Ms. Luna for her dedicated service over the past five years. Brady M. Murphy, TETRA's President and Chief Executive Officer, stated "We are very pleased to welcome Angela to our board as a great fit for our company. Angela's extensive experience as well as her chemicals and engineering background aligns very well with our strategy on advancing aqueous chemistry solutions and driving forward our energy expansion initiatives. We are very excited to have her join during this historic period for the Company, where her expertise will add to the strong breadth and depth of the board." Ms. John provides advisory services in the energy industry, primarily focused on clean energy business development and commercialization strategies. Most recently, Ms. John was the Director of Innovation and Strategy for New Energy Ventures with The Williams Companies, Inc. Prior to that, Ms. John held a number of leadership roles within BP p.l.c. over a 27-year period, including Vice President, Marketing and Supply, NGLs, Senior Vice President Marketing and Origination, and most recently, as Director of Structured Products where she focused on renewable fuels development. Ms. John has served on the board of Parkland Corporation since August 2021 and serves on its environmental, safety, and sustainability committee and its human resources and compensation committee. Ms. John earned a Master of Business Administration from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management, and a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Houston. Company Overview TETRA Technologies, Inc. is an energy services and solutions company focused on developing environmentally conscious services and solutions that help make people's lives better. With operations on six continents, the Company's portfolio consists of Energy Services, Industrial Chemicals, and Lithium Ventures. In addition to providing products and services to the oil and gas industry and calcium chloride for diverse applications, TETRA is expanding into the low-carbon energy market with chemistry expertise, key mineral acreage, and global infrastructure, helping to meet the demand for sustainable energy in the twenty-first century. Visit the Company's website at www.onetetra.com for more information. SOURCE TETRA Technologies, Inc. PALM BEACH, Fla., March 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The exclusive gathering will be held at the prestigious Mar-a-Lago Club featuring a special appearance by President Donald J. Trump and The Honorable Tom Homan, former ICE Director to the 45th President. The America Project is thrilled to announce its support for the upcoming BORDER911 Gala, an esteemed event aimed at addressing border security challenges and honoring those who serve to protect our nation's borders. Other guests of honor include Vivek Ramaswamy and Kash Patel. The event will be held at the prestigious Mar-a-Lago Club featuring President Donald J. Trump, Tom Homan, and more! Post this This high-profile event, emceed by Sebastian Gorka, will kick off with a poolside reception followed by a formal gala dinner in the grand ballroom. Prominent dignitaries, members of Congress, and celebrities will be in attendance, uniting for a noble cause. The Host Committee for this event includes notable personalities such as Matt Whitaker, Monica Crowley, Rob O'Neill, and Mark Green, with Anthony Marlowe and Joe Piscopo lending their support. The gala promises to be an unforgettable evening, offering attendees the opportunity to engage with influential leaders and public figures. Those interested in a unique opportunity to have their photo taken with President Trump can inquire for details via email at [email protected]. The BORDER911 Gala is not just an event; it's a movement to safeguard our nation. All donations submitted through the event are tax-deductible, with proceeds going directly to the BORDER911 Foundation, Inc., a dedicated non-profit organization focusing on border security. For more information on the event or to learn about how you can contribute to this cause, please visit BORDER911.com or reach out to the organization at [email protected]. The America Project is proud to stand with BORDER911 in their mission to bring critical issues to the forefront and foster actionable change. Contact: The America Project Email: [email protected] Event Details: BORDER911 Gala Date: April 4, 2024 Time: 6:00 PM Event Begins, 7:00 PM Ballroom Gala Venue: The Mar-a-Lago Club Dress Code: Cocktail Attire Team BORDER911: Jaeson Jones, Derek Maltz, Sara Carter, Mark Morgan, Rodney Scott SOURCE The America Project The public-private collaboration with nonprofits and local universities was supported by investor Elemental Excelerator's equitable Square Partnerships Model RIO DE JANEIRO, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Transcend, a SaaS provider of generative design tools for critical infrastructure, today announces an international project training engineering students across five universities in Brazil to use its Transcend Design Generator (TDG) software platform to design wastewater infrastructure for at-risk communities. Transcend partnered with Brazilian nonprofit LuTeS Urbanas, engineering firm Taboa Engenharia, and universities like the State University of Maringa in Parana as part of a new replicable project model funded and supported by nonprofit investor Elemental Excelerator. Transcend trained engineering students across five universities in Brazil to use its Transcend Design Generator (TDG) software platform to design wastewater infrastructure for at-risk communities. Through this collaboration, students at Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, University of Sao Paulo and other educational institutions have mastered the TDG, an intuitive, online generative design platform that enables capital planners, project developers, and engineering professionals to rapidly generate preliminary engineering designs for critical infrastructure. The designs created by the 50 students trained so far through the program would impact up to 200,000 Brazilians if implemented. These students join a growing cohort of engineers around the world who already using the platform, including engineers at leading firms such as BRK Ambiental, Arcadis and Xylem. "Students are hungry to experience real-world applications for their engineering education, particularly when those experiences have a real positive impact on the resilience of their communities," said Transcend Co-Founder and Chief Customer Officer Adam Tank. "We saw the of need for improved wastewater infrastructure design tools in Brazil, and an opportunity to train a future generation of engineers to use those tools to improve their communities after graduation." Communities around the world struggle with aging sanitation systems and water treatment facilities that must meet ever increasing regulatory standards, adopt more sustainable treatment strategies and improve resilience to changing weather patterns and population changes. This is especially pertinent across Brazil where only 40% of sewage is treated . Brazil's favela neighborhoods have some of the highest need for clean, reliable water, yet these communities lack resources to implement solutions. As a result, these communities suffer from poorly treated water and higher rates of disease and mortality. Transcend received funding from Elemental Excelerator to implement this project with Taboa Engenharia, a Rio-based sustainable engineering firm, and LuTeS, a Rio-based nonprofit organization that mobilizes high school youth for community activities. The collaboration connected local, high impact organizations, schools, and community members from the Rochinha and Mare neighborhoods in Rio de Janeiro through a bottom-up approach. "This is exactly the type of project that we envisioned when we created the Square Partnerships Model, which aims to help tech companies like Transcend engage directly with community organizations and the people its solutions will impact," Elemental Excelerator Founder and CEO Dawn Lippert said. "After this project, students will graduate with the skills and resources to tackle the challenges that they face in their own communities." "Not only did students learn how to use the most innovative software solutions available in the engineering industry today, they also applied their knowledge to better understand local issues in our favelas and design creative solutions," said Leonardo Adler, founder of Taboa Engenharia. Transcend expects to replicate this model in other regions in need of innovative wastewater infrastructure solutions, and where skilled engineering talent is in highest demand. For more information, visit transcendinfra.com . About Transcend Transcend is a leading Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) company, developing generative design engineering tools for the global engineering, construction, technology/OEM, and utility sectors. Their revolutionary platform, the Transcend Design Generator (TDG), integrates various engineering design disciplines into a hosted cloud-based software, enabling users to input data and automatically generate complete preliminary engineering designs for a wide range of critical infrastructure projects and vertical assets. For more information, visit transcendinfra.com . About Elemental Excelerator Elemental is a nonprofit investor in climate technologies with deep community impact. We bring more than a decade of experience across the climate sector, with an active and maturing portfolio of 150+ companies. Elemental fills two gaps fundamental to addressing climate change: funding projects for climate technologies in communities, and embedding equity and access into climate solutions. We invest in transformative technologies to create a systems change for a more resilient, equitable future. For more information, visit elementalexcelerator.com . Media Contact Brittany Gould [email protected] SOURCE Transcend Software, Inc. United becomes first major U.S. airline to allow members of its loyalty program, MileagePlus, to pool their miles with family and friends into a joint account This new feature makes it easier for family members of all ages -- and groups to share and use miles for award travel MileagePlus miles pooling is now available on United.com CHICAGO, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Just in time for summer travel planning, United today launched MileagePlus miles pooling a new way for MileagePlus members to contribute and combine their miles into a joint account. Available on United.com, groups of up to five members can now share and redeem miles in one linked account. United allows any MileagePlus member whether relatives or close friends to be in a pool with other members. United is the first and only major U.S. airline to offer this feature. United becomes first major U.S. airline to allow members of its loyalty program, MileagePlus, to pool their miles with family and friends into a joint account. "We're always looking for new ways to provide the most value to all of our loyalty members and are proud to be the first major U.S. airline to allow our members to pool their miles with their loved ones and friends," said Luc Bondar, Chief Operating Officer of MileagePlus. "MileagePlus miles pooling further reinforces United's position as the leader in family and group travel and gives our members more flexibility to use their miles while making it easier to connect to the destinations and moments that matter most, with the people that matter most." As 81% of parents report intent to travel with their children in the next year and nearly 60% report concern about travel affordability, according to a 2023 U.S. Family Travel Survey conducted by the Family Travel Association, the introduction of MileagePlus miles pooling aims to make travel even easier for families or groups looking to get away; even the youngest family members can contribute as there's no minimum age to become a MileagePlus member. MileagePlus miles pooling is now available to all MileagePlus members by logging in to their account on United.com. For those not already MileagePlus members, the program is free to join here. How MileagePlus miles pooling works Any MileagePlus member over 18 years old can become the pool leader and create a pool for free when logged in to their account on United.com. Pool leaders can invite up to four of their family, friends, or close travel companions of any age to join the pool if they have an active MileagePlus account. There is no minimum age to join MileagePlus. to join the pool if they have an active MileagePlus account. There is no minimum age to join MileagePlus. When logged in to their MileagePlus account on United.com, members will be instructed on how to contribute miles to the group pool as well as how to redeem pooled miles for award flights on United and United Express*. There are no limits to the number of miles that may be contributed to an active miles pool. Pooled miles can be used when booking a ticket on United.com or in the United mobile app. For example, if a group of friends is planning an upcoming summer getaway and each friend has their own individual MileagePlus accounts with their respective number of miles, they can combine all, or a select amount of their personal miles into one central 'pool' that can be used to purchase flights and offset the cost of ticket prices. Contributing miles to a MileagePlus miles pool will not affect an individual member's Premier status. Only members who travel on a ticket using pooled miles will earn any eligible Premier qualifying points (PQP), not the member who contributed them. Members cannot pool PQP, Premier qualifying flights (PQF), PlusPoints, or TravelBank cash. The MileagePlus program provides the most ways to earn and use miles of any other U.S. airline. Members earn miles that never expire with every flight purchased, through spending on the United Family of Cards from Chase, by making purchases on MileagePlus ShoppingSM and more. Members can opt to fully cover a trip with their MileagePlus miles or use a combination of money and miles to save on the out-of-pocket cost of their next flight**. *For full terms, restrictions, and conditions, see here. **MileagePlus miles pooling is excluded from money and miles at this time. About United At United, Good Leads The Way. With U.S. hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington, D.C., United operates the most comprehensive global route network among North American carriers, and is now the largest airline in the world as measured by available seat miles. For more about how to join the United team, please visit www.united.com/careers and more information about the company is at www.united.com. United Airlines Holdings, Inc., the parent company of United Airlines, Inc., is traded on the Nasdaq under the symbol "UAL". SOURCE United Airlines WASHINGTON, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- NSSF, The Firearm Industry Trade Association, applauds Utah Gov. Spencer Cox for signing House Bill 406 into law, NSSF-supported legislation that will bar the use of a firearm-retailer specific Merchant Category Code (MCC) for banks, credit card companies or financial service providers to track the lawful sale of firearms and ammunition. NSSF worked closely with legislators in Utah to introduce legislation that would protect private and legal purchases from exploitation. HB 406 is designed to protect the privacy of lawful and private firearm and ammunition purchases from being abused for political purposes by corporate financial service providers and unlawful government search and seizure of legal and private financial transactions. "Corporate banks and the federal government have already proven they will run roughshod over Second Amendment and Privacy rights. The need to safeguard private and legal purchases of firearms and ammunition by law-abiding citizens has never been greater," said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF Senior Vice President & General Counsel. "NSSF thanks Governor Cox for his leadership in signing this important legislation into law that will protect the rights of the citizens in Utah. No American should fear being placed on a government watchlist simply for exercising their Constitutionally-protected rights to keep and bear arms." The U.S. Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) admitted to U.S. Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) in a letter that it violated the Fourth Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens that protect against illegal search and seizure when it collected the credit card purchase history from banks and credit card companies of individuals who purchased firearms and ammunition in the days surrounding Jan. 6, 2020. Treasury's FinCEN had no cause, and sought the information without a warrant, to place these law-abiding citizens on a government watchlist only because they exercised their Second Amendment rights to lawfully purchase firearms and ammunition. The idea of a firearm-retailer specific MCC was borne from antigun New York Times columnist Andrew Ross Sorkin and Amalgamated Bank, which has been called "The Left's Private Banker" and bankrolls the Democratic National Committee and several antigun politicians. Amalgamated Bank lobbied the Swiss-based International Organization for Standardization (ISO) for the code's creation. NSSF has called on Congress to investigate Amalgamated Bank's role in manipulating the ISO standard setting process. Sorkin admitted creating a firearm-retailer specific MCC would be a first step to creating a national firearm registry, which is forbidden by federal law. Utah joins Indiana, Florida, Idaho, Mississippi, Montana, North Dakota, Texas and West Virginia with laws protecting citizens' Second Amendment privacy. Several other states are considering similar legislation. U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) introduced H.R. 7450, the NSSF-supported Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act, in the U.S. House of Representatives. California's Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law requiring the use of a firearm-retailer specific MCC and Colorado is considering similar legislation. About NSSF NSSF is the trade association for the firearm industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has over 10,0000 members including manufacturers, distributors, firearms retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen's organizations and publishers nationwide. For more information, visit nssf.org. SOURCE NATIONAL SHOOTING SPORTS FOUNDATION Energy industry veteran to serve as accountant for company's oil and gas outsourcing team FORT WORTH, Texas, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Valor , a Fort Worth-based specialty asset management company with expertise in providing mineral management solutions and oil and gas outsourcing , is pleased to welcome Jonathan Ashley as a new accounting manager in the firm's oil and gas accounting department. Ashley joins Valor with over 10 years in accounting, including six years of direct experience reconciling accounts and handling bookkeeping duties for oil and gas companies. In this new role, Ashley will be responsible for providing oil and gas accounting and bookkeeping services for Valor's individual and institutional-based clientele, including mineral rights holders, E&P operators, family offices, private equity firms, and midstream energy companies. Jonathan Ashley "We're pleased to add Jonathan Ashley to our oil and gas accounting team," said Gary Wilson , CPA, Managing Director of Accounting of Valor. "As we continue to grow our portfolio of individual and institutional clients in this sector, the demand for talented employees with direct industry experience has become a premium. We're confident that Jonathan is the right candidate to further enhance our oil and gas accounting department and we're certain he'll perform well on behalf of our clientele." Jonathan Ashley attended Mississippi College and earned a Bachelor of Science in business administration and a concentration in accounting and business management. Following his graduation, he went to work for Lightheart, Sanders and Associates, a full-service CPA firm, where he reconciled bank accounts, ran cash reports, recorded accounts payable transactions, and handled a wide array of tax-related filings. Most recently, Ashley spent the past six years as an oil and gas exploration accountant for Ergon Inc., a family-owned and operated conglomerate of diversified industries in Jackson, Miss. In addition to handling the requisite accounting and bookkeeping duties, he also kept the organization current on multiple regulatory and compliance issues. Ashley is well skilled at managing revenue distribution systems, AFEs, preparation of financial summary reports, day-to-day and month-end accounting activities, and the filing of monthly PR, R3, severance tax, and GLO reports with the state of Texas. Headquartered in Fort Worth, Valor has become one of the Southwest's premier providers of mineral rights management services such as oil and gas accounting , land management , and lease negotiation and counsel . The company is also a leading provider of oil and gas outsourcing for operator services clients, partnering with companies to offer owner relations support, oil and gas accounting , regulatory consulting , and other back-office operations . "I look forward to expanding my accounting experience in the oil and gas industry with a forward-thinking company like Valor," stated Ashley. "This is a company that takes culture very seriously, and I'm honored to have their endorsement as a new accountant in their oil and gas department." About Valor: Valor is a specialty asset management and professional services provider that serves mineral rights, and oil and gas owners and investors. We place the client first, providing flexible solutions and leveraging our team of experts to maintain the security, clarity and optimization of privately owned assets. Valor is headquartered in Fort Worth and maintains a satellite office in Midland, Texas. Valor has been singled out for several prestigious awards, including the Inc. 5000 list (ranked No. 572 in 2023), Fort Worth Inc.'s Best Companies to Work For (2022 and 2023), the Dallas Business Journal's "Best Places to Work," and Most Inspiring Workplaces. Explore the benefits of partnering with Valor to manage mineral rights and outsource accounting and back office services by visiting www.onevalor.com . Media Contact Hannah Jones 817-370-0612 [email protected] SOURCE Valor Set to Debut in Summer 2024, the New Viking Hathor Further Expands Viking's Fleet on the Nile River LOS ANGELES, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Viking (www.viking.com) today announced its newest ship for the Nile Riverthe 82-guest Viking Hathorwas "floated out," marking a major construction milestone and the first time the ship has touched water. Set to debut in August 2024, the Viking Hathor will join the company's growing fleet of state-of-the-art ships for the Nile River and will sail Viking's popular 12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary. Viking today announced its newest ship for the Nile Riverthe 82-guest Viking Hathorwas floated out, marking a major construction milestone and the first time the ship has touched water. Set to debut in August 2024, the Viking Hathor, pictured here, will join the companys growing fleet of state-of-the-art ships for the Nile River and will sail Vikings popular 12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary. For more information, visit www.viking.com. Viking today announced its newest ship for the Nile Riverthe 82-guest Viking Hathorwas floated out, marking a major construction milestone and the first time the ship has touched water. Pictured here, members of the Viking team at the float out ceremony of the Viking Hathor, which is set to debut in August 2024. For more information, visit www.viking.com. Viking today announced its newest ship for the Nile Riverthe 82-guest Viking Hathorwas floated out, marking a major construction milestone and the first time the ship has touched water. Pictured here, members of the Viking team at the float out of the Viking Hathor, which is set to debut in August 2024. For more information, visit www.viking.com. "Egypt is a phenomenal destination, and we are pleased with the continued interest for our Nile River voyages. Our guests are thinking people who are curious about the worldand Egypt, with its cultural treasures and ancient antiquities, remains at the top of the travel list for many of them," said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking. "With the float out of the Viking Hathor, we look forward to welcoming more guests to experience this fantastic region." The traditional float out ceremony of the Viking Hathor took place at Massara shipyard in Cairo and is significant because it denotes a ship moving into its final stage of construction. She will now be moved to a nearby outfitting dock for final construction and interior build-out. The Viking Hathor & Viking's Growing Egypt Fleet Hosting 82 guests in 41 staterooms, the new, state-of-the-art Viking Hathor is inspired by Viking's award-winning river and ocean ships with the elegant Scandinavian design for which Viking is known. An identical sister ship to the Viking Osiris and the Viking Aton, the Viking Hathor features several aspects familiar to Viking guests, such as a distinctive square bow and an indoor/outdoor Aquavit Terrace. Viking will have six ships sailing the Nile by 2025 with the addition of another sister ship, the Viking Sobek, which is already under construction and will be delivered next year. Additional ships in the Egypt fleet currently include the Viking Ra and the MS Antares. Viking's Pharaohs & Pyramids Itinerary During the 12-day, Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary, guests begin with a three-night stay at a first-class hotel in Cairo, where they can visit iconic sites such as the Great Pyramids of Giza, the necropolis of Sakkara, the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, or the Grand Egyptian Museum. Guests then fly to Luxor, where they visit the Temples of Luxor and Karnak before boarding a Viking river ship for an eight-day roundtrip cruise on the Nile River, featuring visits to the tomb of Nefertari in the Valley of the Queens and the tomb of Tutankhamun in the Valley of the Kings, and excursions to the Temple of Khnum in Esna, the Dendera Temple complex in Qena, the temples at Abu Simbel and the High Dam in Aswan, and a visit to a colorful Nubian village, where guests can experience a traditional elementary school. Finally, the journey concludes with a flight back to Cairo for a final night in the ancient city. Recently, the Viking Osiris was named one of the "Best New Cruises" in Conde Nast Traveler's "Hot List" and the "Best Luxury River Cruise" in Forbes' "Best Luxury Cruises" list. Additionally, TIME magazine featured both Giza and Saqqara on its "World's Greatest Places" list, recommending sailing the Nile River with Viking. TIME notes that Viking is among the very few who stop in both Giza and the village of Sakkara, where excavation sites, like the megatombs of animal and human mummies, are active. For guests looking to extend their journey in Egypt, Viking also offers Pre and Post Extensions that provide Privileged Access to archives and exhibits. Guests on the five-day British Collections of Ancient Egypt extension will begin the journey in London, where they will meet their Viking Tour Director, an expert Egyptologist, and experience Privileged Access to two museums: first a private, early morning visit to the Egyptian Collection at the British Museum before it opens to the general public and then a visit to the home and personal museum of world-renowned architect, Sir John Soane, where the tour will be illuminated by candlelight, a re-enactment of how Soane entertained guests and showcased his exquisite collection of Egyptian antiquities, including a 3,000-year-old Egyptian sarcophagus. Guests will also visit London's Petrie Museum, which houses more than 80,000 artifacts from ancient Egypt and Sudan. In Oxford, guests will visit the Ashmolean Museum, one of the oldest in the world, and home to a varied collection of Egyptian mummies and artand go behind the scenes at Oxford University's Griffith Institute, where they will enjoy a Privileged Access visit to see Howard Carter's archives, which detail the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb. Lastly, guests will have further Privileged Access with an exclusive visit to Highclere Castle to view the Earl of Carnarvon's magnificent private collection of Egyptian artifacts, as well as archives and exhibits not normally accessible to the public. Additional offerings include a three-night Pre-Extension in Istanbul, where guests can visit the timeless city and important religious sites including the "Blue Mosque" and the legendary Hagia Sophia. After concluding the river voyage, guests can also extend the journey with a 4-night Post-Extension to JordanPetra, Dead Sea & Amman to view Roman antiquities at Jerash, Crusader-era castles at Kerak or Shobak and experience the lost city of Petra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Media Assets For more information about Viking, or for images and b-roll, please contact [email protected]. About Viking Viking was founded in 1997 and provides destination-focused journeys on rivers, oceans and lakes around the world. Designed for curious travelers with interests in science, history, culture and cuisine, Chairman Torstein Hagen often says Viking offers experiences for The Thinking Person. Viking has more than 450 awards to its name, including being rated #1 for Rivers, #1 for Oceans and #1 for Expeditions by Conde Nast Traveler in the 2023 Readers' Choice Awards. Viking is also rated at the top of its categories for rivers, oceans and expeditions by Travel + Leisure. No other travel company has simultaneously received the same honors by both publications. For additional information, contact Viking at 1-800-2-VIKING (1-800-284-5464) or visit www.viking.com. For Viking's award-winning enrichment channel, visit www.viking.tv. SOURCE Viking The partnership will help the Brazilian regional carrier grow direct channel sales, create efficiencies in its back-office processes and improve the customer experience LONDON, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- CellPoint Digital, a global pioneer in Payment Orchestration, today announced that it will provide Payment Orchestration and reconciliation solutions to VoePass Linhas Aereas (VoePass), a leading Brazilian regional carrier. Working with CellPoint Digital will enable VoePass to expand the number of payment methods available to its passengers, streamline the resource-intensive back-end process of payment reconciliation, increase its transaction authorisation rates, improve its customer experience, and position itself for future growth. VoePass will utilise CellPoint Digital's Payment Orchestration Platform to centralise all its sales channels, giving the airline more control and visibility into its payment processes. For regional carriers like VoePass, reconciliation is often one of the most challenging and labour-intensive aspects of those processes, limiting their ability to add new acquirers and payment methods and resulting in a loss of potential revenue. Leveraging CellPoint Digital's Payment Orchestration solutions, reconciliation will be fully automated, paving the way for VoePass to introduce support for the alternative payment methods (APMs) its passengers prefer and implement a multi-acquirer strategy as the airline expands its route network and regional footprint. "Like many of our airline partners in the LATAM region, VoePass is eager to grow but faces payment-related barriers to that ambition," said Kristian Gjerding, CEO of CellPoint Digital. "By embracing Payment Orchestration, the airline is putting itself in a prime position for future expansion while addressing the cost considerations around payment reconciliation and improving the experience for its passengers. We're pleased to be the partner that helps VoePass achieve its goals." Growth Through Optimised Payments and Reconciliation VoePass, which prioritises meeting the unique needs of its passengers in diverse regions of Brazil, has a longstanding commitment to quality and operational efficiency. As the regional carrier expands its customer base and geographical footprint, it strives to accommodate passenger demand for various payment options and create a frictionless omnichannel customer experience while maintaining the back-end efficiencies on which it prides itself. Achieving this balance requires a solution like Payment Orchestration. "Our vision is for VoePass to be recognised as the most efficient regional airline in Brazil, and our partnership with CellPoint Digital takes us one step closer to realising that vision," said Adriano Pinhas, Head of Revenues, Alliances and Distribution for VoePass. "By streamlining our reconciliation process, centralising our payment and sales channels and opening new pathways to growth, Payment Orchestration is exactly the solution our airline needs at this phase of our business." Payment Orchestration as a Competitive Advantage Payment Orchestration is a concept that describes the end-to-end management of all components of a payment, from authorisation to routing to settlement to reporting, allowing airlines to boost conversions in direct and indirect sales channels at lower transaction costs. CellPoint Digital's Payment Orchestration Platform, which VoePass will implement, easily accommodates multiple PSPs and acquirers, routes transactions intelligently to boost acceptance, simplifies and centralises back-end reconciliation, and can integrate various payment methods. For more information about the CellPoint Digital partnership with VoePass or to speak with company executives, please get in touch with Steven Osei at [email protected] About CellPoint Digital CellPoint Digital is a fintech leader in payment orchestration. CellPoint Digital's main solution is a powerful Payment Orchestration Platform that optimises digital payment transactions from cards or alternative payment methods and accelerates the deployment of new payment options. Merchants can easily scale their own payment ecosystem across the world, unify the customer payment experience across their website, mobile apps and other channels, optimise the routing of each transaction, increase conversion rates and minimise payment costs. CellPoint Digital has offices in Copenhagen, Dallas, Dubai, London, Miami, Pune and Singapore. Visit www.cellpointdigital.com to learn more. About VoePass VoePass Linhas Aereas is a Brazilian airline based in Riberao Preto, Sao Paulo, serving passengers and cargo with a fleet of 15 ATR 72 and ATR 42 aircraft. VoePass operates in 38 cities in all regions of the country, including 7 destinations in the Amazon region. With a history marked by conscious and planned growth, passengers have always been VoePass's main focus, and the airline consistently prioritises meeting their carefully studied needs. Since 2012, VoePass has been certified with IOSA, IATA's internationally recognised and accepted Operational Safety Audit Program, designed to evaluate an airline's operational management and control systems. The airline is currently a member of ABEAR, ALTA and now IATA. Visit www.voepass.com.br to learn more. SOURCE CellPoint Digital Company Spearheads Blockchain Integration For the Scholarly Landscape ZUG, Switzerland, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Vonom Academic will host its premier academic conference, "Proof of Green: The Future of Blockchain and Sustainability," which is set to debut in Dubai on May 7th - 8th at the esteemed Address Downtown hotel. The conference fosters dialogue on blockchain for sustainability, key for tackling environmental issues. Post this The Proof of Green conference invites participants to explore the dynamic relationship between blockchain and sustainability, offering insights into future possibilities. Proof of Green is produced by Vonom Academic, a blockchain-based academic publishing company. A wide range of topics will be covered , including ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance), renewable energy, environmental conservation, carbon credits, and social policies. Key discussions will focus on blockchain's impact on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), its influence on emerging industries and regions, and community involvement in sustainable blockchain solutions. "We chose sustainability as our focus because, now more than ever, it's crucial to change our behaviors toward the environment. Blockchain's wide reach can amplify these efforts, making it pivotal in our mission for positive change," says Philip Blazdell, CEO of Vonom Academic. Featuring speaker panels, workshops, and more, "Proof of Green" offers a comprehensive exploration of blockchain's role in shaping a sustainable future. Announcements regarding keynote and session topics will be released in the days ahead. The conference will also unveil a glimpse of their cutting-edge blockchain-powered publishing platform. Through blockchain technology, researchers can meticulously record every step of the publication journey, from data aggregation and analysis to peer evaluation and revisions, all in an immutable and auditable fashion. This decentralized platform not only safeguards copyright entitlements and equitable compensation but also facilitates universal accessibility to published materials, thereby championing the principles of open access. "Our blockchain-powered publishing platform heralds a new era of trust in academic research and revolutionizing the way knowledge is shared," adds Mr. Blazdell. For more information and abstract submissions, visit vonomacademic.com. For media inquiries, please contact: Michael Henry [email protected] 1-917-399-7012 About Vonom Academic: Vonom Academic AG, a Swiss-based company, is at the forefront of transforming scientific publishing through blockchain technology. Our mission is to elevate research publication standards, facilitate global access to scientific knowledge, and host impactful academic events for the community. Follow Vonom Academic Online: Website: Vonomacademic.com Twitter: @Vonomacademic LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vonom-academic/ SOURCE Vonom Academic AG The partnership with the Michigan Veterans Trust Fund comes in the form of a generous grant which will be utilized to fund Warrior Rising's upcoming Business Shower event in Detroit, Michigan SALT LAKE CITY, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Warrior Rising, a leading non-profit organization dedicated to empowering veterans through entrepreneurship, is proud to announce a significant partnership with the Michigan Veterans Trust Fund (MVTF) and Grand Valley State University (GVSU). This collaboration marks a milestone in Warrior Rising's mission to support veteran entrepreneurs and will pave the way for innovative programs and initiatives. The partnership with the Michigan Veterans Trust Fund comes in the form of a generous grant in the amount of $150,000, which will be utilized to fund Warrior Rising's upcoming Business Shower event in Detroit, Michigan, scheduled for September 20th-21st. The Business Shower will provide veteran entrepreneurs with a platform to showcase their business ideas and connect with industry experts for potential funding and mentorship opportunities. "We are immensely grateful for the support of the Michigan Veterans Trust Fund," said Jason Van Camp, Executive Director of Warrior Rising. "Their generous contribution will enable us to continue our mission of empowering veteran entrepreneurs and fostering economic growth in the Detroit community." Lindell Holm, Michigan Veterans Trust Fund Director had this to say, "The Michigan Veterans Trust Fund wants to see the veteran community in Michigan thrive. We believe that partnering with Warrior Rising and GVSU can help make that happen by providing the necessary tools for veteran entrepreneurs to unleash their full potential. We expect this collaboration will kickstart the growth of veterans who accept the challenge to start their own businesses." In addition to the partnership with MVTF, Warrior Rising is excited to announce a collaboration with Grand Valley State University and its Richard M. and Helen DeVos Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation to create a new Veteran Business Accelerator program. This partnership will bring forth a new program combining Warrior Rising's curriculum and modeled after GVSU's successful Michigan Veterans Entrepreneur Lab. The program will provide veteran entrepreneurs nationwide with the resources, mentorship, and support needed to accelerate the growth of their businesses. The partnership with GVSU underscores Warrior Rising's commitment to providing veterans with access to high-quality entrepreneurial education and support. Through this program, veteran entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to learn from experienced mentors, connect with industry professionals, and gain valuable skills to drive their businesses forward. "We are honored to collaborate with Warrior Rising in supporting our nation's veterans," said Michael Hycinthe, representative from Grand Valley State University. "Together, we can make a meaningful impact on the lives of veteran entrepreneurs and contribute to the economic prosperity of our communities." For more information about Warrior Rising and its initiatives, visit warriorrising.org. About Michigan Veteran Trust Fund (MVTF): Michigan Veteran Trust is a fund established by the State of Michigan and administered by the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency. Through financial assistance and other resources, MVTF strives to improve the quality of life for Michigan's veterans. About Grand Valley State University (GVSU): Grand Valley State University is a public liberal arts university located in Allendale, Michigan. Known for its commitment to excellence in education and innovation, GVSU offers a wide range of academic programs and initiatives to support student success. SOURCE Warrior Rising LOS ANGELES, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Wayfinder Family Services, formerly known as Junior Blind, recently honored one of its longest-standing board members, Dr. Harold A. Davidson, at The Conversation. The luncheon and panel event, co-presented by Wayfinder Family Services and the Aspen Institute, gathered over 200 guests at the Jonathan Club in downtown Los Angeles. Philanthropist and president of Los Angeles investment counseling firm Harold Davidson & Associates, Inc., Davidson has served on the Wayfinder board of directors for nearly 35 years, continuing the legacy of his parents, Charlotte and Davre Davidson. In his acceptance speech, Davidson shared his family's history with the organization, "My parents were inseparable my father followed my mother and became involved with what was then known as the Foundation for the Junior Blind. My father soon joined the board and chaired for many years, providing great insight and vision The most important years of service for me were when I served simultaneously with my father, Davre Davidson on the board. I learned how to effectively help a charity and nurture the development of the organization." The family's multi-generational service continues with Harold Davidson and his nephew, Scott Farkas, currently serving simultaneously on Wayfinder's board of directors. The Davidsons are the namesake of Wayfinder's Davidson Program for Independence which opened in 1970. This comprehensive residential rehabilitation program transforms the lives of adults who are blind or visually impaired, many with recent vision loss. It is the only one of its kind in Southern California and a national model for many programs. Jay Allen, Wayfinder's president and chief executive officer, presented Harold A. Davidson with the Wayfinder Award and shared, "Wayfinder wouldn't be who we are today without Harold and his family I'm proud to present this award on behalf of the hundreds of thousands of Wayfinder families the Davidson family has helped throughout the years." Davidson expressed his appreciation for Wayfinder's leadership, "The major reason for success of the organization is that we've only had four chief executive officers in 70 years. That's amazing! I'm excited for the future of Wayfinder, each CEO has enhanced our programs and developed new ones, putting their own stamp on their term. It's the reason for the success and longevity of the organization." About Wayfinder Family Services Wayfinder Family Services is the place to turn for people facing the greatest challenges. The organization provides expert, individualized support and services to children, youth, adults and familiesfrom people with vision loss and developmental disabilities to children in need of temporary shelter, foster care and adoption. SOURCE Wayfinder Family Services BEIJING, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A report from People's Daily: Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, inspected Changsha, capital city of central China's Hunan province on March 18, which has drawn more attention to this "cyberstar" city. Changsha has made itself a great example showing how cultural advancement and economic development are integrated and mutually reinforcing each other. As a city among the first batch of state-level famous historic and cultural cities in China, Changsha boasts profound cultural heritage. At the same time, it is home to a large number of trendy internet-famous brands, which leads to prosperous urban consumption. Many young tourists from outside the city would merge into the bustling crowds in downtown Changsha, even before dropping off their suitcases, just to visit the stores they have long coveted. Building upon the Hunan culture, which stresses practicality, Changsha has well blended its culture into the hustle and bustle of the urban life. The popularity of "cyberstar" cities exactly stems from their vitality in cultural economy. Culture endows economic development with profound humanistic value. Cultural economy encompasses the processes of cultural economization and economic culturalization, which essentially involve the integration and mutual development of culture and economy. Modern China Tea Shop is a local bubble tea brand in Changsha that has gained fame across the entire country. Why are so many tourists traveling to Changsha just to take a sip of its bubble tea? Lyu Liang, the founder of the bubble tea brand, said that they once spent over 100,000 yuan ($13,890) to purchase the copyright of a Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) portrait, solely for making innovative designs of bubble tea cups. "Culture is the most nourishing soil for a brand," Lyu said. Culture empowers the economy and paints the humanistic feature of a city. In Changsha, the most bustling commercial areas are often the ones with a long history. Historical and cultural sites, including the Chaozong Street, the Taiping Street, and the Duzheng Street, have been revitalized through urban renewal. Passing through tranquil residences of historical figures, tourists in the city will find themselves surrounded by vibrant and trendy stores. These streets, deeply rooted in the cultural heritage of Changsha and yet exuding a fashionable atmosphere, have become the most dynamic places in Changsha at night. Economic development vitalizes culture and injects new vitality into a city's innovation. The dazzling neon at the foot of the Yuelu Mountain, the internet-famous bookstores on Juzizhou Island, and the bustling night markets all depict the youthful and energetic image of Changsha. In 2022, the population of Changsha increased by 181,300. As a city that leads economic development in Hunan province, Changsha has recently set a new goal of building itself into a global research and development center. The attractiveness to talents, fueled by the city's vibrant energy, is one of its important driving forces. The Changsha Huagu Opera theater has gained 3.5 million views at the first livestreaming performances on short video platform Douyin in September 2022, which is 70 times more than the number of in-person audience it receives in a year. Today, many Gen-Zers who enjoy the Huagu Opera are also hitting the theaters to feel the charm of the traditional art form. Profound yet dynamic, ancient yet youthful, the zeitgeist of Changsha reflects the inclusiveness and pioneering spirit of Hunan, as well as progressive spirit of the Chinese nation - staying on the right course without following the beaten track and respecting traditions but not obsolete practices. Aims to elevate awareness for the 800 Million Irritable Bowel Syndrome sufferers worldwide TORONTO, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- IBS is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder affecting 10-15% people globally manifesting in symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea. Misunderstood and stigmatized, this condition significantly impacts individuals' quality of life. The World IBS Day 2024, in its 5th year, supported this year by Ardelyx, Inc., will include patients, healthcare professionals and industry representatives to increase awareness about IBS. Light up the Sky for IBS on April 19th April 19th is World IBS Day. Help raise awareness this April 19th by using #WorldIBSDay2024 The theme "Light up the Sky for IBS" will feature periwinkle illuminations of buildings, bridges and waterfalls on April 19th. Ardelyx will light up Boston's Prudential Center in periwinkle in collaboration with elected officials and patient groups. A free patient webinar will be held on April 16 at 7pm EST and additional events are listed on the World IBS Day website. Supporters may use the hashtag #WorldIBSDay2024 to raise awareness on April 19th. World IBS Day receives support from partners and friends across the globe including countries like Australia, Canada, and the United States. Organizations, institutions, vendors, and industry are encouraged to add their events and support. World IBS Day social banners are available to download on the website. In 2024, additional support comes from our Fellow Partner Abbvie. World IBS Day was established by Jeffrey Roberts, founder of the IBS Patient Support Group. His vision was to reduce stigma and support patients and caregivers, emphasizing evidence-based medicine and non-anecdotal treatment options for patients. Jeffrey has been an IBS sufferer for over 40 years, working closely with researchers, industry, and patients for over 30 years. About Jeffrey Roberts: Jeffrey Roberts, MSEd, BSc is an IBS Patient Advocate. He was the creator of the first internet community for IBS sufferers in 1995. He currently runs IBSpatient.org, is the co-founder of TuesdayNightIBS.com and founded World IBS Day in 2019. He has testified to the US FDA several times to share the IBS patient perspective. About Ardelyx, Inc.: Ardelyx was founded with a mission to discover, develop and commercialize innovative, first-in-class medicines that meet significant unmet medical needs. Ardelyx has two commercial products approved in the United States, IBSRELA (tenapanor) and XPHOZAH (tenapanor) as well as early-stage pipeline candidates. Ardelyx has agreements for the development and commercialization of tenapanor outside of the U.S. Kyowa Kirin commercializes PHOZEVEL (tenapanor) for hyperphosphatemia in Japan. A New Drug Application for tenapanor for hyperphosphatemia has been submitted in China with Fosun Pharma. Knight Therapeutics commercializes IBSRELA in Canada. Media Contact: Jeffrey Roberts, MSEd, BSc [email protected] 203-424-0660 SOURCE World IBS Day NEW YORK, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The X-ray equipment market is expected to grow by USD 3.88 billion from 2022 to 2027. In addition, the momentum of the market will progress at a CAGR of 6.2% during the forecast period, according to Technavio Research. This report offers an up-to-date analysis of the current market scenario, the latest trends and drivers, and the overall market environment. Read a Free PDF Sample Report Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global X-Ray Equipment Market 2023-2027 Report Coverage Details Page number 163 Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 6.2% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 3,888.72 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023(%) 5.22 Regional analysis North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of World (ROW) Performing market contribution North America at 38% Key countries US, Germany, UK, Japan, and China The market has been segmented by technology (digital and analog), end-user (hospitals and diagnostic imaging centers), and geography (North America, Europe, Asia, and the Rest of the World (ROW)). The growing demand for non-invasive diagnostic devices is a key factor driving market growth. This rise compels advanced technologies like digital radiography equipment, Computed tomography (CT) scanners, and fluoroscopy equipment. The demand for portable X-ray machines and mobile X-ray units rises, aligning with medical imaging devices. With innovative X-ray detectors and interventional radiology equipment in focus, mammography machines also contribute significantly. This driver highlights the market's response to the imperative healthcare need. Key Companies Finapoline SAS, Agfa Gevaert NV, Canon Inc., Carestream Health Inc., Clermont Radiology LLC, DURR NDT GmbH and Co. KG, FUJIFILM Holdings Corp., GE Healthcare Technologies Inc., Hitachi Ltd., Hologic Inc., Konica Minolta Inc., Koninklijke Philips NV, MinXray Inc., New Medical Imaging Co ltd, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., Mindray Biomedical Electronics Co. Ltd, Shimadzu Corp., Siemens Healthineers AG, Toshiba Corp., and Varex Imaging Corp. Agfa Gevaert NV - The company offers X-ray equipment such as Ultimax I, kalare, and Mobirex i9. Regional Analysis North America is estimated to contribute 38% to the growth of the global market during the forecast period. The US significantly influences the regional market, driven by escalating healthcare capital expenditure, a surge in chronic diseases like cancer and diabetes, and an increasing demand for digital X-ray equipment. To gain access to more company profiles available with Technavio, buy the report! Segmentation Analysis The market share growth by the digital segment will be significant during the forecast period. To compete with the evolution of technologies like 3D detector technology, companies such as DanaherCorp. invest in state-of-the-art digital X-ray equipment. Learn about the contribution of each segment summarized in concise infographics and thorough descriptions. View a Free PDF Sample Report The X-Ray Equipment Market is propelled by a significant trend of technological advancements. The X-ray equipment Market encounters a significant challenge due to the substantial costs associated with essential components like X-ray collimators, radiographic grids, and radiation shielding materials. Identify key trends, drivers, and challenges in the market. Download a sample to gain access to this information. Analyst Review The global X-ray equipment market is experiencing a transformative surge driven by cutting-edge advancements in technology, strategic collaborations, and an increasing emphasis on preventive healthcare. With a focus on product development and integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into digital radiology solutions, the market is witnessing a significant boost in diagnostic accuracy and early detection of life-threatening disorders. One notable innovation is the introduction of AI algorithms into digital radiography systems, enhancing image output quality and enabling early diagnosis of conditions such as cardiovascular diseases and breast cancer. Collaborations between industry giants like GE Healthcare and Siemens Healthineers have accelerated the integration of AI into stationary and mobile X-ray systems, revolutionizing the landscape of medical imaging. The emergence of multimodal/hybrid imaging systems, such as the Luminos Impulse, underscores a shift towards comprehensive diagnostic solutions that combine the strengths of different modalities for improved diagnostic efficacy. Additionally, the advent of Amazon Web Services (AWS) has facilitated the seamless integration of AI into diagnostic equipment, further enhancing mobility and accessibility in healthcare settings. Government initiatives, such as the X-Ray Setu program, are driving disease screening programs aimed at tackling chronic conditions and promoting preventive healthcare. These programs leverage the latest technological advancements in X-ray systems to ensure widespread access to diagnostic services, particularly in underserved regions. In the realm of radiography, both computed radiography (CR) and digital radiography (DR) solutions are gaining prominence for their superior image quality and efficiency in healthcare facilities ranging from hospitals to diagnostic imaging centers. Mobile X-ray systems equipped with AI algorithms are particularly valuable in critical care settings, facilitating prompt interventions such as endotracheal tube (ETT) placements with enhanced precision. The focus on early detection and diagnosis is pivotal in combating diseases like cancer, with mammography playing a crucial role in breast cancer screening. The market for X-ray equipment continues to evolve rapidly, driven by a collective effort from key industry players, technological innovators, and healthcare stakeholders towards advancing diagnostic capabilities and improving patient outcomes. Download a sample to gain access to this information. Market Overview The X-ray equipment market continues to thrive with rapid product development fueled by significant investments and fundings, particularly in digital radiology solutions and AI integration. Government initiatives like X-Ray Setu further bolster advancements, enhancing diagnostic accuracy and patient care. Artificial intelligence revolutionizes the landscape, streamlining processes and improving diagnostic outcomes. This synergy between technology and healthcare is driving the market forward, with AI-powered solutions becoming integral components of modern radiology practices. As demand surges, innovations in X-ray systems cater to diverse needs, ensuring efficient and precise diagnostics across various medical settings. With relentless innovation and strategic partnerships, the X-ray equipment market is poised for sustained growth and transformative impact on healthcare delivery. Download a sample to gain access to this information. 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 Brilliant growth momentum in one-stop payment services, GPV increased by 29.2% YoY, Adjusted EBITDA significantly improved by 160.6% YoY HONG KONG, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Yeahka Limited ("Yeahka" or the "Company," Stock Code: 9923.HK), a leading payment-based technology platform in China, is pleased to announce its annual results for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 (the "year" or the "2023"). Financial Highlights Total revenue reached RMB3,950.6 million , representing a year-on-year (YoY) increase of 15.6%; , representing a year-on-year (YoY) increase of 15.6%; Adjusted EBITDA amounted to RMB556.0 million , an increase of 160.6% YoY; , an increase of 160.6% YoY; Gross profit margin of in-store e-commerce services improved to 80.3% in 2023 from 67.3% in 2022, while its net loss narrowed significantly by 79.4% YoY. Operational Highlights One-stop payment services growth fueled by growing merchant base and expanding channel network: Total gross payment volume ("GPV") of payment services increased by 29.2% YoY to reach RMB2.88 trillion , of which 71.2% was app-based payment services; , of which 71.2% was app-based payment services; Number of active payment service merchants reached 9.2 million, an increase of 13.3% YoY; Fee rate [1] increased to 13.3 basis points (bps) in 2023 from 12.3 bps in 2022, an increase of 1 bps YoY; increased to 13.3 basis points (bps) in 2023 from 12.3 bps in 2022, an increase of 1 bps YoY; The peak daily count of app-based payment transactions reached nearly 60 million; Number of independent sales agents in nationwide channel network reached nearly 19,000, number of joint merchant acquiring partner banks exceeded 150, and number of application programming interface (API) partners in cloud payment platform reached nearly 5,000. Merchant solutions effectively strengthened commercialization, capitalized on cross-segment synergies and recovered offline consumption: Number of active merchant solutions merchants for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 , exceeded 1.6 million, an increase of 30.8% YoY. In-store e-commerce services sustained growth momentum: Total gross merchandise value ("GMV") exceeded RMB4.3 billion , an increase of 30.3% YoY. Mr. Luke Liu, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, said, "Yeahka achieved a strong performance during the year, fueled by our strategic positioning of serving small and medium-sized offline merchants, and our independent and scalable ecosystem. Our domestic business grew steadily while our overseas initiatives began to yield tangible results. The growth in our one-stop payment services GPV, as well as the number of active merchants, outpaced the industry, representing a stellar performance that further solidified our industry-leading position. Beyond that, we actively expanded into overseas markets, serving over 5,000 local merchants in Hong Kong SAR and Singapore. Simultaneously, in-store e-commerce services sustained growth momentum and substantially narrowed losses as we built merchants' comprehensive digital marketing capabilities and refined our standardized midstream operational capabilities. Merchant solutions also achieved improved monetization, powered by our innovative models and merchant servicing capabilities. Moreover, we consistently pursued technological innovation. Throughout 2023, we adopted private clouds in our companywide technological infrastructure, significantly reducing costs comparing with traditional physical hosts in data centers, and are made available to our payment partners. And lastly, leveraging massive data and cutting-edge open-source models, we self-developed generative AI technology products and applied them to all business lines. For example, the code adoption rate of our self-develped co-pilot has reached to 10%, significantly improving our R&D and operational efficiency." Mr. Ben Zhao, Board Secretary and General Manager of Corporate Development, added, "For one-stop payment services, we achieved a remarkable 29.2% year-on-year growth in GPV in 2023. Our revenue from one-stop payment services increased by 26.5% year-on-year, aided by our efforts to develop new growth catalysts, including our joint merchant acquiring services with over 150 commercial banks. In-store e-commerce services also experienced robust growth, with a 30.3% year-on-year increase in GMV while improving operational efficiency. Prompted by offline merchants' increasing willingness to pay and our product innovation, such as the launch of the metaverse game "Yverse," revenues from merchant solutions services recorded a year-on-year increase of 17.2% in 2023. In terms of technological innovation, leveraging cutting-edge open-source libraries, our AI Lab has fine-tuned the foundational model and GNNs based on our extensive payment-related data and developed several proprietary applications. For example, our specialized generative AI technology for in-store e-commerce that automates the creation of promotional materials, significantly reduced content production cost by 90%, increased content generation efficiency by 70%. These effective operating strategies led to a year-on-year increase of 160.6% in our adjusted EBITDA." Outlook Mr. Luke Liu concluded, "Moving forward, we will continue to cultivate the domestic market, strengthen compliance management, and enhance each business's commercialization capabilities. Concurrently, we will further progress the use of generative AI technologies to reduce costs, increase efficiency, and explore new business models. We remain committed to accelerating our expansion into overseas markets and localizing our products and services, to further enrich our overseas product matrix and build our new global strategic footprint." - End - About YEAHKA LIMITED (Stock Code: 9923.HK) Yeahka is a leading payment-based technology platform dedicated to creating value for merchants and consumers. Our goal is to build an independent and scalable commercial digitalized ecosystem to enable seamless, convenient, and reliable payment services to merchants and consumers, and to further expand into serving merchants and consumers with our diversified product portfolio, which now includes (i) in-store e-commerce services, providing consumers with local lifestyle services of great value, and (ii) merchant solutions, enabling merchants to better manage and drive business growth. For more information, please visit https://www.yeahka.com/ [1] After eliminating the impact of the "Non-Recurring Adjustment on Revenue" to reflect a complete picture of our operations. SOURCE Yeahka Country United States of America US Virgin Islands United States Minor Outlying Islands Canada Mexico, United Mexican States Bahamas, Commonwealth of the Cuba, Republic of Dominican Republic Haiti, Republic of Jamaica Afghanistan Albania, People's Socialist Republic of Algeria, People's Democratic Republic of American Samoa Andorra, Principality of Angola, Republic of Anguilla Antarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S) Antigua and Barbuda Argentina, Argentine Republic Armenia Aruba Australia, Commonwealth of Austria, Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Bahrain, Kingdom of Bangladesh, People's Republic of Barbados Belarus Belgium, Kingdom of Belize Benin, People's Republic of Bermuda Bhutan, Kingdom of Bolivia, Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana, Republic of Bouvet Island (Bouvetoya) Brazil, Federative Republic of British Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago) British Virgin Islands Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria, People's Republic of Burkina Faso Burundi, Republic of Cambodia, Kingdom of Cameroon, United Republic of Cape Verde, Republic of Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad, Republic of Chile, Republic of China, People's Republic of Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia, Republic of Comoros, Union of the Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, People's Republic of Cook Islands Costa Rica, Republic of Cote D'Ivoire, Ivory Coast, Republic of the Cyprus, Republic of Czech Republic Denmark, Kingdom of Djibouti, Republic of Dominica, Commonwealth of Ecuador, Republic of Egypt, Arab Republic of El Salvador, Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Republic of Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Faeroe Islands Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Fiji, Republic of the Fiji Islands Finland, Republic of France, French Republic French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon, Gabonese Republic Gambia, Republic of the Georgia Germany Ghana, Republic of Gibraltar Greece, Hellenic Republic Greenland Grenada Guadaloupe Guam Guatemala, Republic of Guinea, Revolutionary People's Rep'c of Guinea-Bissau, Republic of Guyana, Republic of Heard and McDonald Islands Holy See (Vatican City State) Honduras, Republic of Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China Hrvatska (Croatia) Hungary, Hungarian People's Republic Iceland, Republic of India, Republic of Indonesia, Republic of Iran, Islamic Republic of Iraq, Republic of Ireland Israel, State of Italy, Italian Republic Japan Jordan, Hashemite Kingdom of Kazakhstan, Republic of Kenya, Republic of Kiribati, Republic of Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait, State of Kyrgyz Republic Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon, Lebanese Republic Lesotho, Kingdom of Liberia, Republic of Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Liechtenstein, Principality of Lithuania Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Macao, Special Administrative Region of China Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Madagascar, Republic of Malawi, Republic of Malaysia Maldives, Republic of Mali, Republic of Malta, Republic of Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania, Islamic Republic of Mauritius Mayotte Micronesia, Federated States of Moldova, Republic of Monaco, Principality of Mongolia, Mongolian People's Republic Montserrat Morocco, Kingdom of Mozambique, People's Republic of Myanmar Namibia Nauru, Republic of Nepal, Kingdom of Netherlands Antilles Netherlands, Kingdom of the New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua, Republic of Niger, Republic of the Nigeria, Federal Republic of Niue, Republic of Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway, Kingdom of Oman, Sultanate of Pakistan, Islamic Republic of Palau Palestinian Territory, Occupied Panama, Republic of Papua New Guinea Paraguay, Republic of Peru, Republic of Philippines, Republic of the Pitcairn Island Poland, Polish People's Republic Portugal, Portuguese Republic Puerto Rico Qatar, State of Reunion Romania, Socialist Republic of Russian Federation Rwanda, Rwandese Republic Samoa, Independent State of San Marino, Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, Democratic Republic of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Senegal, Republic of Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles, Republic of Sierra Leone, Republic of Singapore, Republic of Slovakia (Slovak Republic) Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia, Somali Republic South Africa, Republic of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain, Spanish State Sri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic of St. Helena St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Pierre and Miquelon St. Vincent and the Grenadines Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Suriname, Republic of Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands Swaziland, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Switzerland, Swiss Confederation Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand, Kingdom of Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of Togo, Togolese Republic Tokelau (Tokelau Islands) Tonga, Kingdom of Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Tunisia, Republic of Turkey, Republic of Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda, Republic of Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe 'Aim is to win each LS seat by over 5 lakh votes': Gujarat BJP chief's goal for party. Image Source: IANS News Ahmedabad, March 21 : Gujarat BJP Chief C.R. Paatil on Wednesday set a target for the party to win each Lok Sabha seat in the state by a margin of more than five lakh votes. Chhotaudepur is a significant Lok Sabha constituency for BJP's poll campaign in Gujarat to resolve local issues and strengthen the party's footprint. The Gujarat BJP Chief along with several BJP dignitaries, including MPs, legislative members and local leaders participated in the event at Chhotaudepur on Wednesday. "BJP is intensifying its organisational footprint across India, establishing offices in every district. In Gujarat, this expansion is guided by Paatil, who recently inaugurated the new Kamalam office in the Narmada district," sources said. During his address, the Gujarat BJP Chief praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's track record, highlighting transformative projects like the 'Statue of Unity', which has become a global tourist attraction, and initiatives honouring Mahatma Gandhi's legacy. He also emphasised the Union government's dedication towards women empowerment, youth employment and poverty alleviation, showcasing a series of measures to bolster the nation's progress. The political atmosphere in Chhotaudepur has been influenced by its tribal population, with tribal issues and rights vital to the political discourse. The region has been a stronghold for the Bharatiya Janata Party and Congress, with both parties actively vying for influence. The BJP has made inroads recently, capitalising on broader state and national-level political trends. Lucknow, March 21 : School children in Uttar Pradesh will soon be writing to their parents saying, "My future is linked with a strong democracy of the country and for this I would like you to pledge to check your names in the voter list and surely vote in the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls." This is the initiative of the Election Commission (EC) under which the Uttar Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer, Navdeep Rinwa, has roped in the district administration and the Education department to go all out to increase the voter turnout so as to bring it on a par with the national average. The measure is part of EC's SVEEP (Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation) initiative, officials said. The office of the Uttar Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer has written to the Director General (school education) seeking help of school children of Uttar Pradesh in writing letters to their parents. Parents will also be requested to sign a "pledge letter" to ensure that they and all eligible members of their family use their right to vote in 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Both parents would sign the pledge letter providing their address, mobile number and e-mail id. Pratap Singh Baghel, Director, Uttar Pradesh Basic Education, has sent a letter to all basic shiksha adhikaris (BSAs) to download soft copies of comics, which are a relevant and irreplaceable outreach medium, even in this age of digital media. The initiative also has a 'comic touch' with characters like Chacha Chaudhary and Sabu, being used to convey election-related information creatively, officials added. They will be used to motivate all 1.9 crore school children associated with the Uttar Pradesh Basic Education Department in writing moving letters to their parents to participate enthusiastically in the electoral process. With a significant following among children and teenagers, this medium enables the EC to effectively engage with the youth, fostering a sense of informed and responsible citizenship from an early age, officials said. The initiative is important because Uttar Pradesh has been falling short of the national average for successive general elections. In 2019, Uttar Pradesh's poll percentage was 59.21 per cent as against the national average of 67.4 per cent. Similarly in 2014, voter turnout in Uttar Pradesh was 58.44 per cent against the country's average of 66.44 per cent. Badaun, March 21 : The Uttar Pradesh Police have announced a reward of Rs 25,000 on Javed, the second accused in the Badaun double murder case, who is currently absconding in the matter. Javed is the brother of the main accused Sajid, who was killed in a police encounter, shortly after he killed two minor boys on Tuesday. Javed allegedly was waiting on his motorbike when his brother went into the house of the victims to ask for money for his wife's treatment. When Sajid came out after killing the boys, Javed sped away with him on his motorbike. Meanwhile, in another development, it has been found that Sajid's wife -- whom he claimed was in hospital for her delivery -- is not even pregnant. She has been staying at her maternal house in the Binawar area for the past 15 days, said Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Alok Priyadarshi. Badaun District Magistrate Manoj Kumar Singh, meanwhile, has ordered the mandatory magisterial inquiry into the encounter of accused Sajid and ordered to send the inquiry report within 15 days. Nazarin, the mother of the accused, said that her sons faced the consequences of their actions. "I don't know what was going on in their minds. They do not have any rivalry with anyone. I feel very sad for the children to whom this has been done," she told reporters. New Delhi, March 21 : Two workers were killed and one injured after a two-storey building collapsed in northeast Delhi's Kabir Nagar area, police said on Thursday. The building was being used as a garment factory. The deceased were identified as Arshad (30) and Tauhid (20) while the injured Rehan (22) is undergoing treatment and is said to be in critical condition. Deputy Commissioner of Police (northeast) Joy Tirkey said that at 2:16 a.m. a call was received regarding the collapse of a two-storey, old building at Gali No. 4, Kabir Nagar in Welcome area following which a police team rushed to the spot. "Three workers were trapped under the debris. All three were extracted and rushed to the GTB hospital where two were declared brought dead while the third worker is critical and is under treatment," said the DCP. The DCP further said that the owner of the building has been identified as Shahid and efforts were being made to trace him. "Legal action will be taken in the matter and further investigation is in progress," the DCP added. Director of Delhi Fire Service (DFS) Atul Garg said that after receiving a call regarding the building collapse, four fire tenders were rushed to the spot. "The search operation is going on," Garg added. Mumbai, March 21 : Renowned filmmaker SS Rajamouli and his son Karthikeya, who were in Japan for a special screening of NTR Jr and Ram Charan-starrer 2022 magnum opus 'RRR', felt an earthquake in the country on the 28th floor. The father-son duo were joined by producer Shobu Yarlagadda for the event. Karthikeya shared a picture on his X, featuring his smartwatch, which showed an "emergency alert" and had "Earthquake early warning... Strongly shaking is expected soonStay calm and seek shelter nearbyJapan meteorological agency" as the message. Captioning the image, he wrote: "Felt a freaking earthquake in Japan just now!!! Was on the 28th floor and slowly the ground started to move and took us a while to realise it was an earthquake." "I was just about to panic but all the Japanese around did not budge as if it just started to rain!! Experience an earthquake box ticked." 'RRR' created history as the film's track 'Naatu Naatu' by M.M. Keeravani was awarded the Best Original Song Award at the 95th Academy Awards. The film revolves around a revolutionary and an officer in the British force, who once shared a deep bond have a fight of freedom against the despotic rulers. Talking about Rajamouli, he will soon begin filming an adventure drama with Mahesh Babu. New Delhi, March 21 : With the festival of colours round the corner, leading photographers on Thursday shared some useful tips and tricks using the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max on how to click breathtaking photos during the celebration. Gursimran Basra, a famous travel photographer, told IANS iPhone has an inbuilt feature to activate the grid lines which divides the iPhone's camera screen into nine equal rectangles. "This will help to better frame the photographs real time in symmetry . One can activate this feature by going into the settings and then Camera settings," he informed. One can toggle between the focal lengths: 13mm, 24mm, 28mm, 35mm, 48mm, 120mm which are readily available in the camera interface. "This will help capturing the subject with various angles and will add a different perspective to each photograph. Also, focal length must be chosen based on how close the subject is," said Basra. Now portrait mode is available in 5x zoom as well. This helps in clicking far sighted colourful subjects at ease. "One can toggle between the 1x, 2x and 5x. One must remember to keep the iPhone steady to get the best results," he added. Holi being such a dramatic and colourful festival, shooting videos is always a must in order to capture the true essence of this extravaganza. According to experts, shoot in 4k 60 FPS so that one can edit the footage afterwards and adjust the frame speed as per the requirement in order to give the cinematic look. "I happened to clicked some photographs full of colours and drama in Pro Raw since there was so much detail in the surroundings and also harsh the afternoon light," Basra said. According to Mumbai-based photographer Apeksha Makar, the stabilisation and sensor shift on the primary lens in iPhone 15 Pro helped in capturing the movement between people celebrating. "If you want to maximise the quality, turn ProRaw on; this not only lets you use the 48MP camera of the iPhone 15 Pro but also gives you full control later on edit to tone your images as per your palette," according to Makar. Florida, March 21 : Andy Murray got off to a good start in the 2024 Miami Open as the Brit rallied past an ailing Matteo Berrettini 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in a two-hour, 48-minute battle here at Hard Rock Stadium. With Wednesdayas win, Murray joined Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal in the 30-win club in Miami. The Serbian boasts 44 wins in South Florida while Nadal has 40. A two-time Miami champion produced superb court coverage and held the advantage in lengthy baseline rallies, committing just 20 unforced errors to his opponent's 44, to earn his fourth consecutive first-round win Berrettini arrived in Miami off the back of a finalist finish at the ATP Challenger Tour 175 event in Phoenix, where he was playing his first event following a six-month injury layoff. Next up for Murray is Tomas Martin Etcheverry, who beat him in straight sets at the Australian Open. The Argentine has won two of their three encounters. Meanwhile, Frenchman Luca Van Assche earned a career milestone on Wednesday when he claimed his first ATP Masters 1000 win. The 19-year-old defeated Pavel Kotov 6-3, 7-5 in one hour and 29 minutes to reach the second round of the Miami Open. The French teen will next play seventh-seed Casper Ruud. In other Miami action, Jack Draper served past Taro Daniel 6-3, 6-2 in 70 minutes. The left-handed Briton hit 10 aces and won 97 per cent of his first-serve points (28/29) to advance to a second-round, where he will meet 22nd seed Nicolas Jarry, according to ATP tour. New investments in semiconductor chips will remain in Asia but moving away from China: Moody's Analytics. Image Source: IANS News Seoul, March 21 : South Korea will proactively support the semiconductor industry, and accelerate the development of high-bandwidth memory and artificial intelligence chips to achieve the annual export target of $120 billion, said Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun on Thursday. aThe government will support the timely establishment of related infrastructure, secure competitive technologies, promote exports, and strengthen the ecosystem of materials, parts, equipment and fabless sectors," Ahn said during his visit to SK hynix's semiconductor cluster construction site, reports Yonhap news agency. The move comes at a time when India has embarked on an ambitious semiconductor journey, with massive investments pouring in. About $26 billion worth investment proposals are currently with the Indian government for semiconductor manufacturing in the country, according to industry sources. More than $18 billion worth proposals have already been cleared by the government, which includes three new semiconductor fabrication (fab) manufacturing projects worth Rs 1.25 lakh crore. Meanwhile, SK hynix is currently seeking to build four units of fabrication plants at the site with a budget of 120 trillion won ($89.5 billion) by 2046, with the groundbreaking of the first unit set to start in the first quarter of 2025. The company plans to mainly produce DRAM and NAND flash memory chips at the cluster, which will become its flagship production hub. During the visit, Ahn said the government plans to come up with a comprehensive strategy to have South Korean businesses take the lead in the artificial intelligence sector. In line with these efforts, the ministry plans to launch a new department dedicated to supporting the development of the cluster, along with comprehensive support measures within this month. The government will establish plans to enhance the competitive edge of chip equipment within the first half of the year, he added. South Korea's chip exports have been showing signs of recovery, jumping 66.7 per cent on-year to $9.94 billion in February. It marked the fourth consecutive month of growth and the sharpest increase since the 69.6 per cent rise tallied in October 2017. Florida, March 21 : A four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka swept past Italian Elisabetta Cocciaretto 6-4, 6-3 on her return to the Magic City after maternity leave to reach the second round at Miami Open. She took just 1 hour and 18 minutes to defeat World No.51 Cocciaretto on Wednesday. In seven appearances at the Miami Open Osaka has never lost an opening match. The Japanese last played the Miami Open in 2022, where she beat Angelique Kerber, Danielle Collins and Belinda Bencic before finishing runner-up to Iga Swiatek. At the end of that year, Osaka began her maternity leave, and she gave birth to daughter Shai in July 2023. Osaka returned to the tour this season, so far, her best result was reaching the quarterfinals at Doha. The 26-year-old will now have a second-round showdown against another returning mom, No.15 seed Elina Svitolina. The Ukrainian came back from her own maternity leave less than a year ago and is already back inside the Top 20. Later, American Shelby Rogers outlasted Czech teenager Linda Fruhirtova 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 in first-round action. Rogers was sidelined for the second half of 2023 after Wimbledon as she underwent a second career knee surgery in the summer. She lost to Emma Raducanu in the first round of the Australian Open in her return to the tour this year, WTA reports. The American will next face 2021 Roland Garros finalist and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the second-round. Earlier in the day, the opening Stadium match had Florida native Sloane Stephens celebrating her 31st birthday by defeating 6-2, 6-3 German Angelique Kerber, another former WTA No.1, who is coming back after giving birth to her daughter just over one year ago. Sorana Cirstea of Romania will be Stephens' second-round opponent. Patna, March 21 : The alliance politics has not yielded dividends for the Congress in Bihar where it has been in partnership for the last 26 years. The party has obtained more than 10 per cent votes only once in the Lok Sabha elections held in the state in the last 26 years. The grand old party has been in alliance with the RJD since 1998 in the state. In 1998, the Congress contested 21 seats in undivided Bihar which had 54 Lok Sabha constituencies then. It had won only five seats and secured 7.27 per cent votes. In 1999, the Congress contested 16 seats out of 54 and won only four. The total vote percentage of the party was 8.81 per cent. In 2004, Bihar had 40 Lok Sabha seats and the Congress was given just four seats. It performed well with the 75 per cent strike rate and won three seats. The vote percentage was 4.49 per cent. In 2009, the Congress demanded more seats. After the RJD refused, the dispute over seat-sharing aggravated to the extent that the alliance fell apart. As a result, Congress party went alone and contested all 40 Lok Sabha seats but managed to win only two. The vote percentage of the Congress party was 10.3 per cent. After dismal performance in 2009 Lok Sabha elections, Congress again formed an alliance with the RJD in 2014 Lok Sabha elections and contested 11 seats. It, however, won only two seats and got a vote percentage of 8.56. In 2019, Congress contested nine seats and won only one seat -- Kishanganj. The vote percentage fell to 7.7. The Congress is contesting the 2024 Lok Sabha election under the umbrella of INDIA bloc and is expecting 12 seats. The party leaders are eyeing the seats of Seemanchal, Kosi and Mithilanchal regions. The seat-sharing formula in the INDIA bloc is expected to be finalised on Thursday. New Delhi, March 21 : The five-day global hydrogen partnership meeting being hosted by India, held deliberations on business models for transportation, production and storage of Hydrogen and possibilities of international collaborations and partnerships in the areas of finance, policy and regulations, according to an official statement issued on Thursday. The delegates of the International Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy (IPHE) from participating countries including Austria, Chile, France, European Commission, Japan, Germany, Netherlands, UAE, UK, US, Singapore and South Korea presented country updates on R&D, key policy developments and initiatives taken by their federal and provincial governments on Hydrogen. The delegates mentioned national clean Hydrogen strategies; research and development initiatives related to Hydrogen production, storage and transportation; status of demand creation, infrastructure development, supply and demand at scale, and upskilling of workforce. The delegates also deliberated on regulatory framework, methodology for detection of emission savings, creation of dedicated Hydrogen infrastructure and markets, Hydrogen banks and import-export corridors. Public awareness, ease of doing business and high-efficiency and low-cost approaches too figured in the discussions. It was suggested that membership should be promoted to ensure wider participation of the international community, including the countries from the Global South. It was also agreed that the European Commission will host the 42nd Steering Committee during European Hydrogen Week scheduled in November this year. Chair of the Committee urged all stakeholders to adopt bold measures to accelerate deployment of green Hydrogen in all possible sectors of economy on a priority basis. The 41st Steering Committee Meeting of IPHE which started on March 18 will conclude on March 22. 'We cry for all children just as for our own': Israel on Badaun killings. Image Source: IANS News New Delhi, March 21 : Israel said on Thursday that it is completely devastated by the information unraveling about the brutal killing of two young brothers in Uttar Pradesh and called the incident "heartbreaking". The children, aged 13 and six, were allegedly hacked to death by a local barber as they were playing on the terrace of their home at Baba Colony in Badaun on Tuesday evening. "We are completely devastated by the information unraveling about the brutal killing of Ayush and Ahaan in #Budaun," Deputy Ambassador of Israel to India, Ohad Nakash Kaynar, said in a post on X on Thursday. Speaking of crimes committed against Israeli children in its ongoing war with Hamas, Ohad Nakash Kaynar said they cry for all children as they do for their own. "As Israelis who have just seen the most heinous crimes perpetrated against defenseless children in our southern cities, we cry for all children just as for our own. Heartbreaking," the message, reposted by the Israeli Embassy, said. The main accused, Sajid, was shot dead in a police encounter two hours after the murder. The mother of the slain children told reporters: "It is Javed who can disclose the motive behind the murder of my minor sons. I still do not know why Sajid killed my sons. Maybe he did it at someone's behest," she said. According to local media reports, Hamas militants killed more than 30 Israeli children when they attacked the country on October 7, 2023. Israel says 130 hostages abducted last year remain in captivity, The Wall Street Journal reported. Following reports that Hamas killed or kidnapped several children during its attack, the group had released footage of its militants attending to infants and toddlers. Jaipur, March 21 : Five members of a family, including three minors, were burnt to death after an LPG cylinder exploded in Jaipur on Thursday morning. None of the family members could come out of the house after the cylinder exploded as it was kept at a room near the entrance gate, a police official said. The incident took place at Jaisalya village in the Vishwakarma police station area at 7.30 a.m. ACP Ashok Chauhan said after getting information about the incident, a police team rushed to the spot. The deceased were identified as Rajesh (26), his wife Ruby (24), Ishu (7), Dilkhush (2) and Khushmani (4). The family hailed from Bihar's Motihari district and was living here on rent. A neighbour said that Rajesh had changed the cylinder in the morning and the incident might have occurred due to its incorrect installation. Two fire brigades brought the fire under control in half-an-hour. "Rajesh was working in a factory here. He went to Bihar on leave for a few days and came back on Wednesday evening," said the ACP. Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma said, "The news of the untimely demise of five civilians due to the massive fire in Jaipur is heart-wrenching." "I pray to Almighty God to grant peace to the departed souls and to give strength to the family members to bear the loss," the chief minister said. Meanwhile, police officials said the bodies will be handed over to the family members after postmortem. Mumbai, March 21 : Bollywood star Vicky Kaushal, who was recently seen in the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer 'Dunki', has shared how romance unfolded between him and his wife Katrina Kaif. The two tied the nuptial knot in December 2021, after a few years of dating. Vicky recently appeared on the sixth season of the streaming chat show 'No Filter Neha', and gave audiences a peek into his personal life and shared how things worked out with Katrina. The actor said: "Just two people meeting and genuinely finding a connection, and that's how it literally happened. Like we kept meeting, and we just kept feeling that there's a connection, and till we just took it to the next level, we just felt like okay, this is just happening without effort. It's just very naturally feeling right, and that is how it happened." 'No Filter Neha' season 6, is available to stream on JioTV and JioTV+ with new episodes dropping every Thursday. Bengaluru, March 21 : Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has returned the controversial Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments (Amendment) Bill, 2024 proposing tax for temples, and asked if the state government has any legislation to encompass other religious bodies. The note from the Governor's office stated, "it is directed to return the file to the State Government with a direction to re-submit the file with the clarifications". The letter sent to the government also stated that, "further, has the state government conceptualized any legislation to encompass other religious bodies in similar fashion as this bill?" The Governor stated, "It is perused that the Karnataka Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Act 1997 and amendments made in the year 2011 and 2012 have been struck down by the Hon'ble High Court Dharwad bench in Writ Application number 3440/2005. ...It is informed that the said High Court decision has been challenged in the Hon'ble Supreme Court and Hon'ble Apex Court has stayed the High Court order and the case is in the stage of final hearing." "Since the case is still pending in the Supreme Court, it is necessary to get more clarification whether the amendment can be made during the pendency of the case, specifically when the entire act has already been struck down by the High Court and case in appeal is at the stage of final hearing," the order by the Governor states. The Congress government had passed the Bill in February in the Assembly and the council amid stiff opposition by the BJP. The Bill is meant to amend multiple provisions in the Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Act, 1997. It is aimed to alter the taxation on Hindu temples, and proposes diverting 10 per cent of gross income from temples with over Rs one crore annual revenue to a common pool for their maintenance. Previously, the allocation was 10 per cent of the net income for temples earning over Rs 10 lakh annually. Net income is calculated based on the profits of the temple after accounting for its expenses, whereas gross income simply refers to the total amount of money the temple makes. The Bill also suggested allocating 5 per cent of income from temples earning between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 1 crore to the common pool. These changes would have generated an additional Rs 60 crore from 87 temples with incomes over Rs 1 crore and 311 temples with income exceeding Rs 10 lakh. New Delhi, March 21 : Why be boring in white in the festival of colours? Fashion enthusiasts insist that Holi is the perfect opportunity to showcase "vibrant personality" along with being comfortable yet stylish with the right clothes and accessories. New Delhi, March 21 (IANS) Why be boring in white in the festival of colours? Fashion enthusiasts insist that Holi is the perfect opportunity to showcase "vibrant personality" along with being comfortable yet stylish with the right clothes and accessories. Shruti Shah, Founder at House Of Surkh told IANS: "I believe Holi festivities provide the perfect opportunity to showcase your vibrant personality through colourful and chic attire. Opt for lightweight, breathable fabrics like cotton or chiffon to stay comfortable and stylish throughout the celebrations." Indian wear can never go out of fashion as the traditional charm of the attire in bright kurtas paired with leggings or sarees adorned with playful prints bring out the best in fashion statements. "Don't shy away from accessorising with statement jewellery pieces like jhumkas or bangles to add an extra flair to your look Above all, exude confidence and radiate joy as you immerse yourself in the spirit of Holi," Shah said. "Embrace comfort and style with a colorful kurta with wide-leg pants. This is perfect for effortless movement and enjoyment. Enhance it with vibrant waterproof jewellery for added flair. Select a vibrant co-ord set for a fun and hassle-free Holi outfit. Ideal for an active celebration, this choice combines ease with style. Adorn with minimalistic, waterproof accessories for a complete look," Rishika Jain, Co-Founder at Nero India told IANS. Jain shared that colourful kurta sets, ethnic dresses, shorts co-ord sets too add an oomph factor. "Mix a kurta with a denim jacket or jeans for a cool, casual vibe. This is ideal for those who like a mix of ethnic and modern. Add colourful accessories and waterproof makeup to maintain the festive spirit," Jain added. Ananya Kumar, Co Founder at ATBW stressed at keeping it comfortable and stylish with flowy silhouettes and lightweight fabrics. However, experimenting is something Kumar suggested not to shy away from. "One can experiment with bold colour blocking or go simple with a white basic shirt/kurta and let the colours do the magic. Just style it up with a few modern accessories like chunky earrings or statement necklaces," she said. Kumar asserted on the footwear and said "go extra comfortable on the footwear like flat chappals or juttis." Most importantly, what one needs to focus on is enjoying the festival the most. New Delhi, March 21 : The Congress, led by its top brass including party president Mallikarjun Kharge, MPs Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, and treasurer Ajay Maken, held a press conference in the national capital on Thursday and claimed that its funds were frozen by the Income Tax Department to cripple the party's election campaign. "The freezing of Congress' funds is a criminal action and it has been done with the blessings of the country's top leadership. It is a clear attempt to cripple our election campaign," Rahul Gandhi said. Rahul Gandhi told the media that the party doesn't have money to fund its campaign. "We don't have money to buy train tickets, we don't have money to send our leaders for campaigns," he said. The Congress MP also questioned the timing and "quantum of punishment", saying that the government "has imposed a penalty of Rs 200 crore for an old case of Rs 14 lakh". He also urged constitutional bodies not to remain "mute spectators" and to take a proactive role in ensuring a level playing field to "save the democracy". Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge spoke about the appalling situation over "discriminatory" behaviour by the ruling dispensation and said that there has been a concerted attempt to "derail the Congress' election campaign". "Elections call for a level playing field, but the present dispensation has blocked our funds, this will have foreseen consequences," Kharge told the media. Further taking on the government over electoral bonds, he said, "The Supreme Court declared these bonds illegal and unconstitutional but the ruling party has gathered thousands of crores via electoral bonds while bank accounts of the Congress party have been frozen to stymie our election campaign." Kharge accused the ruling party of binding Congress' hands by blocking its funds and also slammed the BJP for being the biggest recipient of electoral bonds. The Congress chief also accused the ruling party of "coercing companies to donate in their favour via electoral bonds". "I appeal to the Constitutional bodies to let the Congress party access its bank accounts without any restrictions," Kharge said while underscoring that political parties have stayed out of tax ambit but the Congress is "being made a scapegoat for political gains". Congress leader Sonia Gandhi also hit out at the government and said that the party's funds have been frozen and also, possibly being taken away. "Electoral bonds were declared unconstitutional, it has benefitted the BJP hugely. But, the finances of the main opposition party are under a determined assault. We all believe this is unprecedented and undemocratic," said the veteran Congress leader. Congress treasurer Ajay Maken accused the BJP and Centre of derailing the Congress campaign, just months before the Lok Sabha elections by blocking its access to party funds. "We can't use Rs 285 crore lying in our (bank) accounts, we can't use our own money for funding our advertising and publicity campaigns," Maken said. He further said that the ruling party wants to make Congress a "handicap" in the run-up to the 2024 elections and tailor the situation "for its benefit". Maken told the media that all political parties enjoy immunity from taxation but Congress "is being targeted to provide the ruling party an advantage". He also said that an old case was raked up by tax agencies to impose "unexplained and harsh penalties" on Congress. New Delhi, March 21 : The Congress party, led by its top brass including party President Mallikarjun Kharge, senior leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi and Treasurer Ajay Maken held a press conference in the national Capital on Thursday and protested strongly against the party's funds being frozen by the Income Tax Department, allegedly with the blessings of the ruling dispensation at the Centre. "The freezing of Congress funds is a criminal action and it has been done with the blessings of the country's top leadership. It is a clear attempt to cripple our election campaign," former Congress President, Rahul Gandhi said. MP Rahul Gandhi told the Press that the party doesn't have money to fund its campaigns. "We don't have money to buy train tickets, we don't have money to send our leaders for campaigns," he said. The senior Congress leader also questioned the timing and quantum of punishment and stated, "For an old case of Rs 14 lakh, the government has imposed a penalty of Rs 200 crore." He also stressed on the need for constitutional bodies to not stay as "mute spectators" and take a "proactive role in creating a level-playing field to save democracy." Congress President Kharge spoke about the appalling situation created by the 'discriminatory' behaviour of the ruling dispensation and said that there was a concerted attempt to derail the Congress' election campaign. "Elections call for a level-playing field but the present dispensation has blocked our funds, this will have foreseen consequences," Kharge told the Press. Further taking on the government over electoral bonds, senior leader Kharge said, "The Supreme Court declared these bonds illegal and unconstitutional, but the ruling party has gathered thousands of crores via electoral bonds while the Congress party's accounts have been frozen to stymie our election campaign." He accused the ruling party of binding the Congress' hands by blocking its funds and also slammed the BJP for being the biggest recipient of electoral bonds. The Congress President also accused the ruling party of 'coercing' companies to donate in their favour via electoral bonds. "I make an appeal to the constitutional bodies to let the Congress party access its bank accounts without any restrictions," Kharge said while underscoring the point that political parties have stayed out of tax ambit but the Congress was being made a 'scapegoat' for political gains. Senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi also hit out at the government and said that the party's funds have been frozen and were also possibly being taken away. "Electoral bonds were declared unconstitutional. It has benefitted the BJP hugely. But, the finances of the main Opposition party are under determined assault. We all believe this is unprecedented and undemocratic," said the veteran Congress leader. Congress Treasurer Maken accused the BJP and Centre of derailing the Congress campaign, just months before the General Elections 2024 by blocking its access to party funds. "We can't use Rs 285 crore in our accounts, we can't use our own money for funding our advertising and publicity campaigns," Maken said. Maken further said that the ruling party wants to 'handicap' the Congress in the run-up to the 2024 elections and tailor the situation for its benefit. Maken told the Press that all political parties enjoy immunity from taxation but the Congress is being targeted to give the ruling party an advantage. He also said that an old case was raked up by the tax agencies to impose an unexplained and harsh penalty on the grand old party. Mumbai, March 21 : In a major initiative, the Maharashtra government has bowed to a long-pending demand of the Indian film industry - permitting free shootings of films and tele-serials on all its premises across the state, as per an official announcement. Indian Motion Pictures Producers Association (IMPPA) President Abhay Sinha said that the state government issued the orders on March 16 to the effect, which has been widely welcomed by the film fraternity. "Now, no fees shall be levied for carrying out shooting on any government or semi-government lands, locales and buildings anywhere in the state for films, documentaries, teleserials or even advertisements, by any film-makers from anywhere in India," Sinha told IANS. However, the concession will not apply to the famed Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari in Mumbai and the Chitranagari in Kolhapur, where the regular charges for all types of shootings shall be applicable. Continuing its ease of doing business even for the film industry, the government has implemented a 'single window scheme' (SWC), for any shooting proposals for state properties submitted by any producers for any language film from anywhere in India. "Through this SWC, we can freely shoot anywhere in the state... This will showcase Maharashtra in a big way, indirectly boost tourism and allied sector, plus help boost the image of the state, its people, culture and picturesque locations," smiled Sinha. Earlier, the producers had to shell out minimum Rs 40,000-Rs 50,000 for a day's shoot at any government locations which would be a direct saving, but presently only state-owned places have been opened, with hopes that even Centre-owned premises here may also follow suit. "All government, semi-government, local self-government bodies, aided institutions, corporations, etc. should provide free of charge for shooting movies, televisions, advertisements, and commercials in other languages, including Marathi and foreign languages," said an official order. Certain government departments have enacted laws specifying charges for filming activities which shall be changed in the next session of the Maharashtra Legislature. However, though there will be no fees for shooting, a nominal security deposit will have to be paid with each application a" Rs 40,000 for commercials, Rs 100,000 for teleserials and Rs 250,000 for feature films. This is to ensure that after the shooting, the premises are left clean and in case of any damage to the public properties, it will be recovered from the security deposit. Sinha explained that on an average, 500 feature films are made in India each year in multiple languages, and more than 100 are produced in Mumbai alone. Officials said that Mumbai has over 500 production houses, 250 theatres and multiplexes, and 150 cinema halls which provide huge employment through a well-established ecosystem for the expensive film production processes. Through the SWC, the Maharashtra Film, Theatre and Cultural Development Corporation earns around Rs 8-10 crore per annum through filming process activities. Bollywood circles say many places in the state, including beaches, forts, lakes, forests, historical monuments, memorials, sanctuaries, skyscrapers of Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, promenades, mega-infrastructure sites or bridges, etc. are popular among film-makers, depending on their requirements. Presently, free filming on government properties is allowed in Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh gives certain concessions to local producers, while Maharashtra is contemplating subsidies to Marathi film production, as part of the larger strategy to make the state a "global film destination". (Quaid Najmi can be contacted at: q.najmi@ians.in) New Delhi, March 21 : Polycab India was targeted by a ransomware attack but the incident has not impacted the core systems and operations of the company. The electricals and cables major said the cyber-security incident occurred on March 17, 2024, wherein the company's IT infrastructure was targeted by a ransomware attack. "However, the incident has not impacted the core systems and operations of the company. Currently, the company's systems are up and running, all factories are operating, and the company continues to serve its customers," Polycab India said. "The technical team of the company along with a specialised team of external cyber-security experts is working actively on analysing the incident," the company said. Polycab India shares are up 3 per cent in trade at Rs 4874. The company has a market cap of Rs 73,234 crore. New Delhi, March 21 : The Alliance of Digital India Foundation (ADIF), that represents thousands of homegrown startups, on Thursday said that it remains concerned about the high commission being imposed during in-app purchases on Google Play Store, adding that these charges are not in the best interest of digital entrepreneurs in the country. Prateek Jain, Associate Director, ADIF, said in a statement that these app store rates, ranging from 15 to 30 per cent, are significantly higher, as the Competition Commission of India (CCI) dismissed interim relief applications from startups seeking a restriction on Google from imposing a fee on developers as part of its updated payments policy. "The rates should be reconsidered and mutually favourable to both. This model will support the growth and sustainability of India's digital economy," said Jain. "We trust the judicial process and await further hearings with the hope that the best interests of the Indian app development community will be prioritised by the Indian judiciary." Earlier, the CCI said that it is of the view that "the informants have failed to meet the necessary criteria for grant of interim relief as propounded by the Supreme Court". "The informants have not been able to project any higher level of prima facie case warranting a positive direction as sought for by the informants at the interim stage," read the CCI order. The regulator last week ordered a probe into the Google Play Store, accusing the tech giant of exploiting its dominant position in the country's online market. The CCI said that Google allegedly imposed unfair terms and discriminatory practices in its Play Store, violating several provisions of the country's anti-trust law. New Delhi, March 21 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a charge sheet before the Special PMLA Court in Delhi against Karti P. Chidambaram and his former Chartered Accountant S. Bhaskararaman in the Chinese visa scam case. The agency stated on Thursday that the court took cognizance of the charge sheet on Tuesday. Besides Karti Chidambaram, Advantage Strategic Consulting Private Limited, Talwandi Sabo Power Limited and others are also named as accused in the money-laundering case. The financial probe agency had initiated the investigation on the basis of an FIR registered by the CBI under the provisions of IPC, 1860 and Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. The investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) revealed that Karti P. Chidambaram received illegal gratification of Rs 50 lakh through his close aide S. Bhaskararaman in exchange for facilitating the approval for the reuse of Chinese visas by Talwandi Sabo Power Limited. "This company was involved in establishing a power project in Mansa, Punjab. Officials from the company approached Karti P. Chidambaram to assist in obtaining approval for visa reuse from the Ministry of Home Affairs, where his father served as Home Minister," said a senior ED official. The official said that the modus operandi employed in this case involved the company issuing a Rs 50 lakh cheque to an entry operator for fictitious services. The entry operator then provided Rs 50 lakh in cash to Bhaskararaman. "Subsequently, S. Bhaskararaman invested this cash sum of Rs 50 lakh into Advantage Strategic Consulting Private Limited, a company controlled by Karti P. Chidambaram. Over time, the value of this investment increased to Rs 1.59 crore, constituting proceeds of crime under the provisions of the PMLA, 2002," said the official. Elvish Yadav says all accusations against him are baseless, will cooperate with UP police. Image Source: IANS News Gurugram, March 21 : Gurugram: Bigg Boss OTT winner Elvish Yadav is to be produced in a court on March 27 in connection with an assault case involving fellow YouTuber Sagar Thakur a.k.a Maxtern, the police said. While confirming the latest update in the matter, SHO Sector 53 police station, Rajender Kumar told IANS, that the court of Harsh Kumar, Judicial Magistrate First Class,, has fixed his appearance on March 27. He will be produced by the Uttar Pradesh police in the Gurugram court after the Gurugram police takes Yadav into custody, he said. Earlier on Wednesday, the Gurugram police had applied for a production warrant for Yadav in a Gurugram court. The incident occurred at a shopping mall in the Sector 53 area on March 8. He said once Elvish is brought in on the production warrant, he will be questioned regarding the assault case and they will also seek information regarding others involved in the incident based on the information obtained during the interrogation. On March 8, a video went viral showing Elvish Yadav physically assaulting a Delhi-based content creator. Following this, an FIR was registered against Elvish and others under Indian Penal Code Sections 147 (rioting), 149 (unlawful assembly), 323 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt), and 506 (criminal intimidation) at the Sector 53 police station. March 21 : "Ae Watan Mere Watan" - A Missed Opportunity in Indian History Director - Kannan Iyer Cast - Sara Ali Khan, Emraan Hashmi, Anand Tiwari, Sachin Khedekar, Abhay Verma, Sparsh Shrivastav, Alexx ONell, Benedict Garrett, Godaan Kumar, Uday Chandra, Aditi Sanwal, Pratik Yadav, Chrisann Pereira, Sanjeev Jaiswal Platform - Prime Video Rating 2.5 "Ae Watan Mere Watan" is a film set in the final years of British rule in India, focusing on the revolutionary efforts of Usha Mehta, a college student who starts a pirate radio station to broadcast messages of independence. As Usha, along with her friends Kaushik and Fahad, becomes increasingly involved in the freedom movement, they find themselves facing off against the oppressive British authorities in a struggle for freedom and justice. "Ae Watan Mere Watan" had all the ingredients to be a compelling and thought-provoking film about one of the most pivotal periods in Indian history. However, despite its promising premise, the film falls short in almost every aspect, resulting in a disappointing cinematic experience. One of the film's major drawbacks is its lackluster screenplay, which fails to fully explore the complexities of the freedom movement and the characters involved. The dialogue is often stilted and unnatural, making it difficult for the audience to connect with the characters on an emotional level. Additionally, the film's attempts at period-appropriate language feel forced and contrived, further detracting from its authenticity. The performances in "Ae Watan Mere Watan" are also underwhelming, with the cast struggling to bring depth and nuance to their roles. Sara Ali Khan, in particular, seems miscast as the idealistic Usha Mehta, failing to convey the passion and determination of her character convincingly. Abhay Verma and Sparsh Shrivastav, who play Usha's friends Kaushik and Fahad, also deliver forgettable performances, failing to leave a lasting impression. Visually, the film is uninspired, with a diseased yellow color palette and fake-looking sets that detract from the overall viewing experience. The lack of rhythm and pacing further diminishes the film's impact, making it a tedious watch despite its relatively short runtime. Despite its flaws, "Ae Watan Mere Watan" does offer a rare glimpse into a period of Indian history that is often overlooked. The film's portrayal of Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, and Parsis working together for freedom is a refreshing change from the usual narratives that dominate Indian cinema. However, this is not enough to save the film from being a forgettable and ultimately disappointing experience. In conclusion, "Ae Watan Mere Watan" is a film that had the potential to be great but falls short in almost every aspect. Its weak screenplay, lackluster performances, and uninspired direction make it a film that is best avoided, despite its noble intentions. DGCA suspends operations of Redbird Flight Training Academy from its bases across country. Image Source: IANS News New Delhi, March 21 : The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Thursday said the Indian operators will conduct a total of 24,275 weekly domestic flights during the upcoming summer schedule, commencing from March 31. This marks an approximately six per cent rise compared to the same period last year. According to the aviation regulator DGCA, the number of weekly departures has increased by just 2.30 per cent compared to the ongoing winter schedule, with scheduled carriers operating 23,732 flights. "Summer Schedule 2024 (SS24), which will be effective from March 31 till October 26, of the scheduled domestic airlines has been finalised after the slot conference meeting held in February," said the DGCA in a statement issued on Thursday. "The final slots clearances have been received from respective airport operators. It has been observed that there are 24,275 departures per week which have been finalised to/from 125 airports as per SS 24 compared to 23,732 departures per week from 119 airports in WS 2023," it said. "Out of these 125 airports, Azamgarh, Aligarh, Chitrakoot, Gondia, Jalgaon, Moradabad and Pithoragarh are the new airports proposed by the scheduled airlines," it added. Jaipur, March 21 : Veteran BJP leader Prahlad Gunjal on Thursday joined the Congress in the presence of former Rajasthan Chief Minister, Ashok Gehlot and PCC chief Govind Singh Dotasra, along with many other leaders at the state Congress office. Congress leaders said the party was planning to give a ticket to Gunjal and field him against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. "I will give my 100 per cent to help the Congress win in the Hadoti region," said Gunjal after joining the Congress. "We will work as a team this is what I assure you. I have been living with niti (policies) and riti (ethics) however I was left tormented," he added. "The BJP has nothing left in Kota except 'Bada bhai sahab' and 'Chhota bhai sahab'", he said without taking the name of Lok Sabha Speaker Birla who is also known as 'Bade bhai sahab' in Kota. Sources said that the veteran leader is annoyed with the BJP and has a running feud with Om Birla. However he has been a supporter of former Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje. Speaking on the occasion, ex-CM Gehlot said, "Leaders with mass support base are being eliminated in the BJP. Democracy is being torn to pieces in the country today." "Good leaders in the BJP are feeling suffocated. First the party makes allegations and as soon as that person joins the BJP he becomes a clean and polished person. This situation persists across the country," he added. "Gunjal has joined the party after being influenced by the policies of the Congress at a time when democracy is in danger in the country," said senior leader Gehlot. PCC chief Dotasra alleged that there was dictatorship in the BJP and power had shifted into the hands of some people while leaders with mass base were being eliminated. "Gunjal is a strong leader. When he felt that the BJP does not need leaders with mass base, it needs sycophants, he thought it appropriate to join the Congress," Dotasra added. Congress leaders said the party was planning to give a ticket to Gunjal from the Kota-Bundi seat and field him against Om Birla. They added, "Gunjal's name was discussed in the Congress meeting held on Wednesday." Mumbai, March 21 : Shiv Sena MP Rahul Shewale from Mumbai South Central Lok Sabha seat, who is likely to be renominated, has appealed to the opposition not to oppose the redevelopment of Dharavi slum only for scoring some political points. Dharavi is one of the six Assembly constituencies in Mumbai South Central and the redevelopment is a leading electoral plank to be flagged off by the MahaYuti and Maha Vikas Aghadi during campaigning. "Don't try to stop the Dharavi redevelopment process by spreading false information just for the sake of politics. Otherwise the people of Dharavi and future generations will never forgive you,"warned Shewale. He further said, "People are being misled by the opposition by spreading false information against the survey that has started in Dharavi.aa Shewaleas statement came days after the Congress and Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray stepped up their attack against the Dharavi redevelopment. Further, his appeal to the opposition coincided with the launch of survey by the Dharavi Redevelopment Project Pvt Ltd (DRPPL), a joint venture between the Maharashtra government and the Adani Group, to collect data from lakhs of informal tenement residents of Dharavi. The survey started from Kamla Raman Nagar in Dharavi on Monday. "The opposition was shocked by the positive responses given by the Dharavikars during the survey. Therefore, they have started spreading confusion among the people by making baseless allegations. Kamala Raman Nagar is a part of the Dharavi Notified Area and the Slum Rehabilitation Authority had conducted a survey here before,aa said Shewale. He said that since the Dharavi Redevelopment Project has been given the status of a special project, everyone here will get a home based on the state governmentas decision regarding eligible and ineligible residents. He urged the Dharavikars to cooperate during the ongoing survey without falling prey to false propaganda. China says its border issues with India have nothing to do with US. Image Source: IANS News New Delhi, March 21 : Expressing strong dissatisfaction with the US remarks on Arunachal Pradesh, China on Thursday said that the border issues between Beijing and New Delhi have nothing to do with Washington. The response came after the US said on Wednesday that it recognises Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territory and strongly opposes any unilateral attempts to advance territorial claims across the Line of Actual Control (LAC). "China expresses strong dissatisfaction and firmly opposes the US' move," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said in response to a question at a media briefing, according to a Global Times post on X. "Zangnan has always been Chinese territory, and border issues between China and India have nothing to do with the US, which uses all measures to stir up trouble to serve its own geopolitical interests," Lin said. India has time and again rejected China's claims over Arunachal Pradesh, which Beijing claims as Zangnan or South Tibet. A war of words has ensued between India and China after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to Arunachal Pradesh to inaugurate the strategically important Sela tunnel. Having routinely objected to Indian leaders' visits to the northeastern state in the past, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said that it "strongly deplored" Prime Minister Modi's visit and that India's move would "only complicate" the border issue. After Wenbin's remarks, Chinese Defence Ministry spokesman Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang said that the "Indian side's actions contradict the efforts made by both sides to ease border situations and are not conducive to maintaining peace and tranquillity in the border areas". Reacting to Chinese comments, India slammed China for "advancing absurd claims" over the territory of Arunachal Pradesh and reiterated that the northeastern state will always remain an "integral and inalienable part" of India. "Repeating baseless arguments in this regard does not lend such claims any validity. Arunachal Pradesh was, is, and will always be an integral and inalienable part of India. Its people will continue to benefit from our development programmes and infrastructure projects," the Ministry of External Affairs said. Chennai : CSK's Ruturaj Gaikwad celebrates his half-century during the IPL 2023 first qualifier match between Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings at M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Tuesday, May 23, 2023. (Photo:IANS/R.Parthibhan). Image Source: IANS News New Delhi, March 21 : Right-handed opening batter Ruturaj Gaikwad will be the new captain of Chennai Super Kings ahead of their IPL 2024 season opener against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Friday. "MS Dhoni has handed over Chennai Super Kings' captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad ahead of the start of IPL 2024. Ruturaj has been an integral part of Chennai Super Kings since 2019 and has played 52 matches in IPL during this period. The team looks forward to the upcoming season," said the franchise in a statement on its official website. The tournament also made the announcement of Gaikwad's appointment as CSK skipper through its social media accounts on Thursday, when he participated in a pre-captains photoshoot and met other teams' skippers' too. It will be the first time Pune-based Gaikwad will be the captain in the tournament. This will only be just the second time MS Dhoni won't start an IPL season as skipper of CSK, after Ravindra Jadeja had been the captain in IPL 2022, only for him to be replaced mid-way by the legendary wicketkeeper-batter. Kochi, Mar 21 : A day after speculation surfaced that three-time former Kerala CPI-M legislator S. Rajendran might join the BJP, things appeared to have cooled down on Thursday with the Left leader confirming with top party bosses that he will not do anything that might put his party in duress. The tongues started to wag that he might leave after he was spotted at the Delhi residence of senior party leader Prakash Javadekar in the national capital on Wednesday. Rajendran, accompanied by some leaders from Tamil Nadu, called on Javadekar, who is the BJP state charge also. " The meeting was nothing political and I will continue with the CPI-M," said Rajendran on Thursday at his residence in Munnar in Idukki district. Sources in the know of things pointed out that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan spoke to him and he assured he will not do anything which will put the party in duress with the Lok Sabha polls round the corner. Soon after Vijayan spoke, CPI-M state secretary M.V.Govindan had a conference call with Rajendran with Idukki district party secretary Vargheese also on line. But Rajendran is understood to have informed the party that he might not be very active in the election campaign. Rajendran had been one of the tallest CPI-M leaders in the Idukki district, where the backbone of the CPI-M is the large number of workers in the plantation sector. He had represented the Devikulam Assembly constituency for three terms since 2006 and was deeply upset when the party rejected his request for a ticket in the 2021 Assembly polls. Following this, Rajendran was further peeved after his party ordered a probe against him and a two-member committee found him guilty of gross indiscipline and recommended that he be stripped of his party membership for a year. . New Delhi, March 21 : A hair tech brand, L'OrAal Professionnel, is set to introduce the iconic Indian Hairdressing Awards 2024, which occur once every two years, in an all-new format as a reality series streaming exclusively on JioCinema starting March 28th. New Delhi, March 21 (IANSlife) A hair tech brand, L'Oreal Professionnel, is set to introduce the iconic Indian Hairdressing Awards 2024, which occur once every two years, in an all-new format as a reality series streaming exclusively on JioCinema starting March 28th. From over 100K entries for its theme "Meta-Morphosis" which represents a real transformation, 89 regional finalists were chosen to compete on technical skills. They were judged by an eminent jury comprising international hair artists and beauty media representatives. "L'Oreal Professionnel has taken giant strides into the future. Consumer and hairstylist centricity are our key drivers to elevate the professional hair industry in India. In the last two decades, the country's professional hair salon landscape has evolved at a supersonic pace. The skill of Indian hairstylists is now at par with global hair artists' and with the 2024 edition of The Indian Hairdressing Awards, we wish to celebrate their infinite talent and potential," asserts Mathilde Barthelemy-Vigier, General Manager of L'Oreal Professionnel, India. The final top 12 hairstylists will compete in a mega-augmented L'Oreal Professionnel salon. Judging their art and technique will be an illustrious panel featuring the renowned filmmaker, Karan Johar, and the L'Oreal Professionnel global color ambassador Min Kim. The winners of the competition will win a trip to Paris and an opportunity to enhance their skills in Le Visionnaire, the prestigious L'Oreal academy in Paris. Since 2014, The Indian Hairdressing Awards celebrate the art and skill of professional hairstyling. IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in KJo to judge reality series for hairstylists; 12 in the fray. Image Source: IANS News Mumbai, March 21 : The Indian hairdressing awards, which celebrates the art and skill of professional hairstyling, will be presented in an all-new format of a reality series, and will be judged by filmmaker Karan Johar. The awards which are hosted by the hair tech brand, L'Oreal Professionnel will be aired in a five episodic series, which will be streaming on an OTT platform. The awards, which have been held since 2014, recognises and rewards hairstylists across the country. This yearas edition was announced in August 2023 and received over 100K entries for its theme 'Meta-morphosis' that represents real transformation. From the thousands of hairdressers that participated in the competition, 89 regional finalists were chosen to compete on technical skills. They were judged by an eminent jury composed of international hair artists and beauty media representatives. The top 12 hairstylists will now compete in a mega-augmented LaOreal Professionnel salon. The selected hairstylists are -- Abhishek Choubey (Looks Change Salon, Indore), Vandna Mishra (Vandna's Salon, Kanpur), Danish Nehal (A N John Salon, Kolkata), Sushil Kumar (Geetanjali Salon, New Delhi), Nasimuddin (Naseem Salon, New Delhi), Rashid Salmani (Studio 17 Salon, New Delhi), Ravinderpreet Singh (Looks Salon, New Delhi), Danish Verma (Tress Lounge, Chandigarh), Lovepreet Kumar (The Color Palette, Ludhiana), Nihal Rathore (Vurve Salon, Bengaluru), Priya Tekchandani (White Feather Salon and Academy, Mumbai), and Shital Bavaliya (Bonanza Beauty Lounge, Rajkot). Judging their art and technique will be an illustrious panel featuring Karan Johar, Min Kim (LaOreal Professionnel global colour ambassador), and an exciting line-up of Bollywood celebrities, which are yet to be announced. The 12 hair pros will go through three challenges testing their skill and creativity to do real transformations through hair colour, haircut and styling. Hairstylists will have to achieve the ultimate freedom of self-expression and propose bold, elevated and out-of-the-box looks. These challenges will be scored by both judges and consumers. The winner will also win a trip to Paris and an opportunity to enhance skills in Le Visionnaire, the prestigious LaOreal academy in Paris. It will stream on JioCinema. New Delhi, March 21 : Bearing a child after the age of 50 may not be healthy for both mother and the baby, said doctors here on Thursday, amid the controversy around late Punjabi rapper Sidhu Moose Wala's middle-aged parents welcoming a baby boy via IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation). Nearly two years after Sidhu Moose Wala was shot dead in Punjab's Mansa District, his mother, Charan Kaur, underwent IVF treatment at the age of 58. However, the age limit for Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) procedures is 50. The Indian Government's 2021 ART Act prohibits undergoing fertility treatment after the age of 50 for women and 55 for men. The Centre, in a letter to the Punjab government, has sought a report on it. "It's crucial to emphasise that going for IVF beyond the recommended age limit can pose significant risks for both parents and the baby. Advanced maternal age increases the likelihood of pregnancy complications such as gestational diabetes, hypertension, and preterm birth, which can adversely affect maternal health. Additionally, older eggs may have a higher risk of chromosomal abnormalities, leading to an increased chance of miscarriage or genetic disorders in the baby," Dr. Nymphaea Walecha, Senior Consultant, Infertility Medicine, Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh told IANS. "In comparison to mothers between 20 and 29 years of age, babies born to those over 50 are almost three times likely to be at low birth weight and have a premature birth. Babies born to advanced age mothers are at almost double the risk of small size for gestational age and foetal mortality," said Dr Aruna Kalra, Director, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram. Moreover, the experts also cited the exhaustion that older parents may face in keeping up with the physical and emotional demands of raising a child. "There are also possibilities that the parents may not live longer as they are elderly and age-related conditions may arise, which impacts the wellbeing of the child," Dr Rohit Gutgutia, Medical Director of Nova IVF Fertility told IANS. New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal with Delhi Minister Atishi during the inauguration of the 3-lane flyover on Moti Nagar Ring Road. Image Source: IANS News New Delhi, March 21 : Delhi High Court on Thursday refused to grant interim protection to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on his plea for "no coercive action" by the ED in connection with the money laundering case related to the alleged excise policy scam. A division bench of Justices Suresh Kumar Kait and Manoj Jain, after hearing arguments from both sides, declined to pass any order granting interim relief at this juncture. Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Arvind Kejriwal, contended that the ED's summons lacked clarity regarding the capacity in which Kejriwal was called to appear, accusing the agency of attempting to create an uneven playing field amidst upcoming elections. Singhvi argued against the necessity of Kejriwal's arrest, saying that the ED must demonstrate a valid reason for such action rather than exercising power arbitrarily. He labelled the ED's actions as politically motivated and vague. In response, ASG SV Raju along with special counsel Zoheb Hossain, appearing for the Enforcement Directorate (ED), opposed granting interim relief, saying that the law must be applied uniformly to all individuals, regardless of their position. He clarified that Kejriwal was summoned in his personal capacity, not as the Chief Minister or the Aam Aadmi Party Chief, and stressed the necessity for his interrogation based on available evidence. Raju reiterated the plea's alleged lack of maintainability, stating that considering the application for interim relief would prematurely advance the main petition's hearing, where the issue of maintainability remains unresolved. He dismissed Kejriwal's concerns about the involvement of the Aam Aadmi Party in the case, saying that neither Kejriwal nor the party was named as accused in the FIR. Last week, ED issued ninth summons to Kejriwal in the excise policy case, asking him to appear before it on Thursday. The CM, who was to appear before the ED on Thursday on the ninth summons, moved the court for no coercive action, saying there is a clear intent to arrest him and hence he won't appear before the agency. A division bench of Justices Suresh Kumar Kait and Manoj Jain had, on Wednesday, asked CM Kejriwal as to why he doesn't appear in response to the summons. Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi appearing for Kejriwal, in response, said that he is not running away and will appear, provided he is granted protection and a "no coercive steps" order in his favour. Moreover, the court had asked the ED to reply on maintainability of Kejriwal's plea challenging the agency's nine summonses issued to him. The bench put up the matter for hearing on April 22. On March 16, a magisterial court granted bail to CM Kejriwal in complaints filed by the ED over non-compliance with the agency's summons issued to him in connection with the money laundering case related to the now-scrapped excise policy case. New Delhi, March 21 : The Supreme Court on Thursday took strong exception to Tamil Nadu Governor's refusal to administer the oath to K Ponmudi as a minister in the state Cabinet. "What is your Governor doing? The conviction of a minister has been stayed by the Supreme Court and the Governor says that 'I will not swear him in.' You tell the Governor that we will have to make some observations now. Please tell the Governor that we are going to take a very serious view of it," a Bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI), DY Chandrachud, told Attorney General (AG), R Venkataramani, the highest law officer of the Centre. "How could the Governor say after the Supreme Court has stayed the conviction that his re-induction is against constitutional morality? We give time to the Governor till tomorrow. Mr. Attorney General, if we don't hear from you in a positive manner tomorrow, we will pass an order directing the Governor to act in accordance with the Constitution. We want to avoid that situation by giving the Governor an opportunity to set the constitutional position right," added the Bench, also comprising Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra. AG Venkataramani said that he was not justifying the Governor's action and would come back after looking into the file and having a word with Governor RN Ravi. He wondered if the relief sought could be granted in an interlocutory application filed by the state government in a pending writ petition filed against the Governor. Posting the matter for hearing on Friday, CJI Chandrachud said, "Mr. Attorney General, we are seriously concerned about the conduct of the Governor in the state. This is not the way because he is defying the Supreme Court of India. The two-judge Bench of the SC stayed the conviction. The Governor has no business to tell us that this does not wipe out the conviction and is non-existent. "The Governor better be informed that when the Supreme Court of India has stayed the conviction, the law has to follow its course. We are deeply concerned with the manner in which this matter has proceeded at the level of Governor." Former Higher Education Minister, K Ponmudi, had to relinquish his post after the Madras High Court convicted him in a Disproportionate Assets case in December last year. The Supreme Court later stayed his conviction, following which Chief Minister, MK Stalin, sent a request to the Raj Bhavan for re-inducting Ponmudi as a minister in the state Cabinet. However, Governor RN Ravi refused to administer the oath of office to Ponmudi. New Delhi, March 21 : Embattled edtech company Byju's is reportedly planning to shut down about 200 offline tuition centres out of its 300 centres across the country as part of its latest cost-cutting move. New Delhi, March 21 (IANS) Embattled edtech company Byjuas is reportedly planning to shut down about 200 offline tuition centres out of its 300 centres across the country as part of its latest cost-cutting move. The company intends to leave the centres starting next month. This comes after the company closed 50 centres in February. The CapTable was the first to report the development. Byjuas Tuition Centres, or BTCs, were seen as the primary growth engine for the company, which had been expanding the vertical until early 2023. When reached, the edtech company did not immediately comment. Last week, Byjuas mandated all its employees to work from home as it gives up office spaces across the country amid several cash crunch. It barred those working at its 300 offline tuition centres. People close to the development told IANS, that the company has given up office spaces as the leases expired, keeping only its Bengaluru-based headquarters. The move to give up offices was part of Byju's India CEO Arjun Mohan's restructuring exercise to save cash as proceeds from the rights issue (around $250-$300 million) remain stuck amid its tussle with select investors. Meanwhile, Byju's has disbursed a portion of the pending salaries for over 20,000 employees for the month of February. "We processed part salaries for everyone for February, late night on Friday to the extent of capital we could get outside the rights issue. The company will pay the balance once the rights issue funds are available, which we expect shortly," the company said in a letter to employees. Bengaluru: Karnataka DCM DK Shivakumar during the launch of "Save Water Grow Bangalore campaign organised by BWSSB at Vidhana Soudha. Image Source: IANS News Bengaluru, March 21 : Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Thursday said that everything has been finalised by the Congress in connection with candidates for the remaining Lok Saba constituencies of the state. Talking to reporters, Shivakumar, who is also the state Congress chief, said that the party is now discussing tickets for Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu and the announcement will be made by the evening. "In my political career of 40 years, most of the youth, women, educated, wise, and new faces are given tickets. They will win elections and grow to be pillars of the party in the coming days," he said. Asked that only sons and daughters of ministers fall into this category, Shivakumar stated that the tickets are given to those who demand them and party workers are also being nominated. "We canat give tickets to those who did not make a demand in this regard. Primarily, they have to be interested and they should have the commitment," he said. He said that a meeting has been organised with all candidates this evening. The Congress has announced eight candidates from Karnataka and more are set to be announced though there is some confusion over four seats. About the confusion on four seats, Shivakumar said that one round of talks has been held and further discussion will held in virtual mode. Asked about the Governor returning the Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments (Amendment) Bill, 2024, he accused the BJP party of having a dual stand. "The BJP has shown its true colours by opposing the bill which is in favour of the development of small temples and priests. They (BJP) just speak of temples. We speak of small temples in villages. The bill will be re-introduced in the house during the session in June, by then we will have a majority in both the houses and see that the decision taken in this regard is implemented," Shivakumar stated. It looks like a robot from a sci-fi movie, with a big head, long body and spider legs. Its a virus that doesnt infect people in fact, it has the possibility to help humans with its bacteria-killing capabilities. Earth has lots of these viruses called bacteriophages. And one Ralston High School student discovered his own as part of an international undergraduate project to research ways to treat antibiotic-resistant infections. Senior Sean Mathews joined a small class at Metropolitan Community College this year to participate in the schools first cohort in the Science Education Alliance-Phage Hunters Advancing Genomics and Evolutionary Science (SEA-PHAGES) program. The class is run by Graham Hatfull, a microbiologist and professor of biotechnology at the University of Pittsburgh, along with the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Science Education Division in Maryland. Metro is one of 230 institutions around the world tasking undergraduates with researching bacteriophages, or phages for short. The University of Pittsburghs SEA-PHAGES program already has thousands of archived phages that continue to be researched. Phages are found naturally around the planet, especially in soil, and instead of infecting people, they infect and kill bacteria. Mathews found his phage in the soil of a creek bed near Hickory Hill Park in Papillion. His biology instructor at Metropolitan, Bhaswati Manish, warned the class that not everyone would find one. I was super excited when I first got my virus, Mathews said. We came back and on our agar plates there was a tiny spot where a virus was, and I was just super happy. I wrote, WE HAVE A VIRUS!!! (in my notebook) with all caps and exclamation points. Mathews named his phage CapTrips, based on a deadly virus called Captain Trips in a Stephen King novel. In reality, his phage and others in the SEA-PHAGES program are anything but deadly at least to humankind. Just last year, a phage from Hatfulls lab was used to treat an Omaha boys antibiotic-resistant ear infection. The research team at the University of Pittsburgh also published a paper in 2019 about their use of phages obtained through the SEA-PHAGES program that helped a London teen who developed a life-threatening infection after receiving a double-lung transplant. Right now, we are doing different programming to see the entire genome of the virus and to see what each genes function is, Mathews said. Then (well) see if there are any new genes that are in our virus that can be helpful. A passion for science Manish said this is the first year Metropolitan Community College has participated in the SEA-PHAGES program, and she hopes to continue it after research ends this spring. The class will have opportunities to get their work published, possibly in a scientific journal. Mathews research has already been accepted to a couple of science symposiums this year. Research results can have tremendous impact and thats what were hoping for, Manish said. For example, the discovery with Sean lets say we have annotated the genome and we find some interesting proteins. They might not be very crucial for him right now, but eventually down the line ... it can help in answering the questions of antibiotic resistance. Laura Prochaska, a science teacher at Ralston High, found Manishs course last summer when the district was exploring Metropolitan courses for high school students. Prochaska said Mathews has always been an advanced student. He had a strong passion for science and took AP Biology as a junior. I just thought this would really take his learning to a different level, Prochaska said. Im excited to see his first year in college, with him (already knowing) all those lab protocols that most students are coming in and learning. For now, the viruses from Mathews' class are sitting in a freezer, waiting to be researched more. They will eventually be sent to the University of Pittsburgh, where they might be put to use to help others. Mathews plans to continue his education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he wants to study microbiology or molecular biology. I want to become a researcher after this, Mathews said. I really like just discovering the new possibilities of what could be out there. Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of February 2024 Kolhapur : , March 21 (IANS) Former Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena (UBT) President, Uddhav Thackeray paid a courtesy call on Chhatrapati Shrimant Shahu Maharaj at his Kolhapur palace on Thursday and promised to campaign for him. Former CM Thackeray was accompanied by his son Tejas Thackeray and party MP Sanjay Raut at the meeting with the Chhatrapati, who is all set to be the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA)'s united candidate for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections. He will be contesting on a Congress ticket from Kolhapur. The Chhatrapati and his family members warmly greeted the Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders, exchanged flowers and pleasantries before posing for a mini-army of mediapersons. "We have enjoyed close family relations with the Chhatrapati family since my grandfather's days and will continue in the same vein even for the future generations. I have sought his blessings," said ex-CM Thackeray. He expressed confidence that the Chhatrapati would be victorious from the erstwhile royal city of Kolhapur and promised to campaign for him as well as attend the MVA poll rallies for him. He promised that Shiv Sena (UBT) cadres would work wholeheartedly for the Chhatrapati. In a warm gesture, barely two weeks ago, the Chhatrapati's son, Sambhajiraje Chhatrapati bowed out of the poll race after it became clear that his father would be the MVA candidate from Kolhapur and promised to work for his victory. New Delhi, March 21 : The Delhi High Court has issued notices on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the Delhi government's utilisation of the state's consolidated fund to disburse salaries and honorarium to Imams and Muezzins of both the Delhi Waqf Board and Non-Waqf Board. A division bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora has issued notices to the Delhi Government, its Finance and Planning departments, and the Delhi Waqf Board, seeking their responses. The PIL, filed by Rukmani Singh, a lawyer and social activist, seeks to restrain the Delhi government and the Waqf Board from utilising the consolidated fund to pay salaries or remuneration to the Imams and Muezzins. The court, acknowledging the significance of the matter, has scheduled it for hearing in July. Furthermore, upon an oral request made by the Delhi Government's standing counsel, Santosh Kumar Tripathi, the bench has impleaded the Delhi Government's Revenue department as a party respondent in the PIL. Singh's plea argues that the state's practice of providing honorarium to specific individuals of a particular religious community without considering the financial status of individuals in other religious communities violates the secular essence of the State and infringes upon various articles of the Constitution of India, including Articles 14, 15(1), and 27, as well as sections 266 and 282. The PIL draws upon a Supreme Court ruling in the All India Imam Organisation v. Union of India, emphasizing the Waqf Board's responsibility to utilize resources to compensate Imams for their crucial role in leading community prayers in mosques. In the light of these arguments, the plea contends that the state's actions are contrary to constitutional principles and the Supreme Court's directives, asserting that payments from the consolidated fund should not be allocated to a specific religious sect. New Delhi, March 21 : NDTV's legacy programme 'Battleground' is back with Sanjay Pugalia, Editor-in-Chief, NDTV Network at the helm. The platform delves deep into the intricacies of seat distribution in upcoming elections, challenges for the current government and the opposition, and much more with the foremost experts in the field. The first episode, brought together a panel of esteemed experts to dissect the dynamics shaping the electoral battleground in Maharashtra, just a month before the elections. The discussion, aired on March 18, 2024, offered invaluable insights into the current political scenario, policy perspectives, growth indicators, and challenges confronting both the ruling coalition and the opposition in Maharashtra. With two significant political realignments in the past three years, including the formation of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, the state's political landscape has witnessed considerable shifts, setting the stage for a fiercely contested electoral battle. The panellists engaged in a robust exchange of ideas and analyses, covering a wide array of topics crucial to understanding Maharashtra's electoral dynamics. From the impact of electoral bonds on political funding to the intricacies of affordable housing projects and the imperative of cooperative federalism, the discussions provided a comprehensive overview of the multifaceted issues influencing voter sentiments and electoral outcomes. Notable highlights from the discussion include observations from political strategists like Amitabh Tiwari, who emphasized the complexity of voting behaviour and the significance of late deciders and floating voters in shaping election results. Chief Economist of Axis Bank Neelkanth Mishra stressed on the importance of infrastructure development in driving growth and addressing key challenges such as unemployment, while political analyst Manisha Priyam shed light on the evolving perceptions of leadership and governance among voters. Understanding from panellists like Nilesh Shah, Managing Director of Kotak Mutual Fund, added depth to the discussion, highlighting the imperative of both cooperative federalism and competitive federalism in driving growth and development. His remarks emphasized the significance of fostering collaboration among states whilst promoting healthy competition to spur progress. Insights from senior journalists Rohit Chandavarkar and Sandeep Shastri further enriched the discussion, with Chandavarkar highlighting the pivotal role of Maharashtra as a deciding state due to its substantial electoral representation, and Shastri laid impetus on the standing of states like Maharashtra in reflecting the national mood. The panellists' diverse perspectives and expert analyses underscored the nuanced nature of Maharashtra's political landscape, characterized by a blend of regional dynamics, socio-economic factors, and ideological considerations. As Maharashtra braces for a pivotal electoral contest, the discussions on #BattlegroundOnNDTV provided stakeholders with valuable insights to navigate the complexities of the state's political terrain. New Delhi, March 21 : With the arrest of five persons, the Delhi Police on Thursday claimed to have busted an international racket that was allegedly involved in the sale and purchase of snatched or stolen mobile phones in the national capital, its peripherals, and Nepal. The police said that they have also recovered 473 mobile phones from the possession of the accused, and 91 cases of theft and snatching registered in Delhi and NCR have been worked out. The accused were identified as Paras Joshi (34), a resident of Uttarakhand, Ravindra Madan (56), Satish Kumar a.k.a Sonu (36) -- both residents of Delhi, Indra Bahadur (36), and Man Singh (53) -- both Nepal residents. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Amit Goel said that a team was working to uncover all members involved in the sale and purchase of stolen or snatched mobile phones from Delhi and NCR over the past year. During the investigation, it was uncovered that some suspects used their private cars to transport the stolen mobile phones to Nepal. "It came to light that these suspects would send the stolen mobile phones to Nepal through India-Nepal border in Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh," said the DCP. Furthermore, the police officer said that to dismantle the gang, information was gathered about the suspects. It was discovered that Paras Joshi would frequently visit Delhi from his hometown in Uttarakhand and return on the same day. "In addition, it was noted that workers of Umesh, the primary receiver based in Nepal, namely Indra Bahadur and Ravindra Madan, were in contact with each other. Through criminal intelligence, it was confirmed that Ravindra had travelled near the India-Nepal Border on two occasions and returned to Delhi," said the DCP. "The police team also observed that Indra Bahadur would travel from the India-Nepal border in Uttar Pradesh or Bihar and stay in a hotel in Delhi for 1-2 days," said the DCP. On March 2, specific information was received that Paras Joshi would be coming to Delhi to collect mobile phones. Consequently, a police team laid a trap. "Paras was seen stopping their car outside a hotel. Indra Bahadur emerged from the hotel with a heavy bag and handed it over to Paras. Upon suspicion, he fled in the car but was intercepted by the police. A total of 120 mobile phones were recovered from the bag after a search," said the DCP. During questioning, both the accused revealed that Indra Bahadur had handed over the bag to them and instructed them to collect more mobile phones from his hotel room. "Subsequently, the team followed Indra Bahadur's movements and intercepted him outside the hotel, where he was found carrying two bags. A search of the bags led to the recovery of 168 mobile phones. Bahadur admitted that he could recover more mobile phones from his associate, Ravindra," said the DCP. Based on his information, a raid was conducted in Ravindra's house from where a total of 160 mobile phones were recovered. "Ravindra claimed that Satish had handed over these mobile phones to him under the instructions of Umesh, the main receiver in Nepal. Subsequently, a raid was conducted at Satish Kumar's hideout, resulting in the recovery of 25 more stolen mobile phones from his possession and he was also placed under arrest," the DCP added. Mumbai, March 21 : Actress Sohaila Kapur, who is known for 'Phantom', 'Aarya', 'The Family Man' and 'Special Ops', will be seen portraying the role of a queen in the upcoming period drama film 'Bengal 1947: An Untold Love Story'. The film delves into the intricacies of a unique love story woven by the writer-director Akashaditya Lama. The actress said that playing a compassionate and caring queen offered a completely new and engaging experience. Talking about what attracted her towards the character, she said, "The opportunity to portray a royal person who engaged with the people during a rebellion against the British was particularly appealing. It evoked images of Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi and the many other warrior queens who defied invaders." The film also stars Devoleena Bhattacharjee, Omkar Das Manikpuri, Aditya Lakhia, Anil Rastogi, Pramod Pawar, Ankur Armam, Surabhi Srivastava, Falaq Rahi, Vikram TDR and Atul Gangwar. Shedding light on the film's subject, she said, "It talks of royalty and revolt on one side and caste discrimination in a way that resonates with us today. Also, it deals with a part of the country, Jharkhand, and its historical ties with Bengal royalty, which was an eye-opener. We know very little about it, so it was informative". Produced by Satish Pande, Akashaditya Lama, and Rishabh Pande under the banners of COMFED Productions Pvt Ltd and THINK TANK GLOBAL, the film is set to release on March 29. Assam: Setback to Oppn as CPI-M fields candidate against Congress nominee in Barpeta. Image Source: IANS News Agartala, March 21 : For the first time in the 72-year electoral history of Tripura, the Left parties and the Congress are contesting together in the parliamentary polls to take on the BJP, though the two traditional rivals jointly fought against the ruling party in last year's Assembly elections. In the high profile Tripura West Lok Sabha seat, the main contest will be between the BJP nominee and former Tripura Chief Minister, Biplab Kumar Deb and state Congress President, Ashish Kumar Saha, who is a common candidate of the INDIA bloc. In fact, Congress President Saha and sitting Congress MLA, Sudip Roy Barman quit the BJP in February 2022 after being elected to the state Assembly on the party's tickets in March 2018. The BJP came to power in Tripura for the first time, delivering a humiliating defeat to the CPI(M)-led Left Front after 25 years. In last year's Assembly polls, Saha and Barman contested as Congress nominees against the BJP but the former failed to win, though the latter retained his seat. Deb, who on May 14, 2022 resigned from the Chief Minister's post on the direction of the BJP's central leaders, had in May 2019 removed Barman from his Council of Ministers after a long internal feud. Significantly, since 1952 the Left Front has been contesting each election against the Congress, which came to power in Tripura last time in 1988 after defeating the Left parties. In last year's Assembly polls, the Left Front, which contested the Assembly elections in a seat-sharing arrangement with the Congress, won 11 seats while the grand old party secured only three seats. Of Tripura's two Lok Sabha seats -- Tripura West and Tripura East the electoral focus was always on the Tripura West Lok Sabha seat, which was won by the CPI(M) 11 times since 1952. The Congress won the seat four times in 1957, 1967, 1989 and 1991. After the BJP, in alliance with the Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT) came to power in 2018, the BJP nominee and Central minister Pratima Bhowmik for the first time won the Tripura West Lok Sabha seat in 2019. This time the BJP dropped Bhowmik and fielded Deb, currently a Rajya Sabha member. Voters belonging to the tribal and Scheduled Caste community play a vital role in the electoral politics of Tripura. Of the 60 Assembly seats, 30 each fall in Tripura West and Tripura East Lok Sabha seats. Of the total 60 seats, 20 seats are reserved for the tribals and 10 are reserved for the Scheduled Caste community. Of the 30 Assembly constituencies that fall in the Tripura West Lok Sabha seat, seven are reserved for the tribals and five for the Scheduled Castes. In last year's Assembly polls, the CPI(M) could not secure any tribal reserve seats out of 20, though the Left party has had a strong base among the tribals since 1952. The party, however, bagged three Scheduled Caste reserve seats out of 10. The Tipra Motha Party (TMP), which joined the BJP-led government on March 7 would be expected to facilitate the BJP in securing tribal votes. The TMP, which came to the forefront after capturing the politically-important Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) in April 2021, pushed the CPI(M) and the Congress into third and fourth positions, respectively, in last year's Assembly elections. In the 2023 Assembly polls, the TMP for the first time contested 42 seats on its own and emerged as the second-largest party after the ruling BJP, securing 13 seats out of the total 20 tribal reserve seats. The BJP won 32 seats, including six tribal reserve seats, while its ally IPFT got one seat. The BJP also managed vital seven Scheduled Caste reserve seats in last year's Assembly polls. In the 2018 Assembly polls, the BJP had won 36 seats, including 10 tribal reserve seats, while its ally IPFT bagged eight tribal reserve seats. The CPI(M) had secured 16 seats, including two tribal reserve seats in the 2018 Assembly elections. The TMP, since 2021, has been demanding elevation of the TTAADC areas by granting a 'Greater Tipraland State' or a separate state for the tribals under Articles 2 and 3 of the Constitution. This has enabled it to garner the support of the tribals, who constitute one-third of Tripura's little over four million population. The party, in support of its demands, organised agitations both in the state and in the national Capital. Political commentator Sekhar Datta said that Left parties' including the CPI(M)'s massive voter base erosion among the tribals and Scheduled Caste community caused their defeats in successive elections since 2018. "Besides the organisational decline, the leadership crisis and the anti- incumbency factors are still continuing as the Left Front was in power in Tripura from 1978 to 1988 and then from 1993-2018. With new faces, they have to rebuild the organisations, both among the tribals and the non-tribals to face the challenge of the BJP," Datta told IANS. (Sujit Chakraborty can be contacted at sujit.c@ians.in) New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal with Delhi Minister Atishi during the inauguration of the 3-lane flyover on Moti Nagar Ring Road. Image Source: IANS News New Delhi, March 21 : An ED team reached Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's residence on Thursday evening, hours after the Delhi High Court denied him relief against the agency's summons. Earlier in the day, the high court refused to grant interim protection to Chief Minister Kejriwal on his plea seeking "no coercive action" by the ED in connection with a money laundering case related to the alleged excise policy scam. Last week, the ED issued its ninth summons to Kejriwal in the excise policy case, asking him to appear before it on Thursday. Moga, March 21 : Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Singh Badal said on Thursday that the hooch tragedy in Sangrur, which is the home district of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, is indicative of the state of affairs in Punjab, as he demanded a judicial probe into the incident. The SAD chief spoke to the media during the Moga and Dharamkot leg of his 'Punjab Bachao Yatra'. On the recent hooch tragedy in Sangrur, in which the death toll has mounted to eight now, Badal said, "This is what happens when governance takes a fall and you allow your legislators to collude with illegal liquor and drug traffickers. I have been stating repeatedly that AAP legislators are sheltering drug traffickers and even taking cuts from them. The latest hooch tragedy reveals how deep the rot has set in." Rejecting the SDM-level probe ordered into the tragedy, Badal said, "Such a junior officer cannot identify the kingpins behind this illegal (liquor) trade or indict the politicians sheltering them. A judicial probe should be ordered into the entire incident. "Also, as the Chief Minister has been stating publicly, a murder case should be registered against the perpetrators of this tragedy as well as the politicians patronising them." Claiming that the Chief Minister is unaffected by the misery of the common man, Badal said, "Bhagwant Mann is busy serving his boss Arvind Kejriwal. He is even looting the coffers of Punjab for AAP's election campaigns in other states." He also accused the Chief Minister of failing the farmers, not once but thrice. "The farmers were denied compensation when their crops were destroyed by floods, hailstorms, and spurious pesticides," the SAD chief said. He said even now the Chief Minister is busy "singing songs" in his car even when people are dying in his home district after consuming spurious liquor". Mumbai, March 21 : Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, on Thursday exhorted the party MPs, ministers, legislators and office-bearers to work 24x7 for achieving the MahaYuti's 45 plus target in Maharashtra in the Lok Sabha elections. Mumbai, March 21 (IANS) Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, on Thursday exhorted the party MPs, ministers, legislators and office-bearers to work 24x7 for achieving the MahaYutias 45 plus target in Maharashtra in the Lok Sabha elections. "Chief Minister works 24x7, you should work 24x7 for the MahaYutias sterling performance in the Lok Sabha elections in the state," he said. "The lead in the individual legislatoras assembly constituency will be the criteria for giving a party ticket in the assembly elections. It will be the report card of the individual legislator. It will also be a real test not only for the legislators but also for the Shiv Sena district chiefs and office bearers," said Shinde in his address at the meeting of party leaders and cadres in Mumbai. Shinde asked the party MPs, ministers, legislators and office bearers to work hard so that Maharashtra can contribute in a big way to Prime Minister Narendra Modias call for 400 plus seats and also to make him the PM for the third time in succession. "There is no servant here, everybody is the owner of the party. 'Idhar Raja ka beta Raja nahi banega, jo kam karega wohi raja banega' (Here Kingas son will not become the King, but those who work will become the King)," he noted, without referring to Uddhav Thackeray. "Donat leave the rank and file alone during the crisis but remain within them. Shiv Sainiks are firebrands," he said. Shinde asked the party leaders and officer bearers to reach out to the voters with a slew of development works undertaken by the Central and state governments. Shinde strongly criticised his former boss and the Shiv Sena's Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray for terming PM Modi Aurangzeb. "Terming PM Modi Aurangzeb is a countryas insult and it's treason. The people of the state have seen this mentality of Aurangzeb and they will give a befitting reply through votes in the coming elections," he noted. Shinde also targeted Uddhav Thackeray for his criticism of Home Minister Amit Shah saying that he under the strong leadership of PM Modi abrogated Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. "Who got scared after the Income Tax department served notice to a brother-in-law (referring to the IT notice to Uddhav Thackerayas brother-in-law) and surrendered," he asked. Shinde referred to his talks with Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray saying that the decision will be announced at a proper time. "Lot of people are keen to join MahaYuti expressing faith and confidence in the government," he said. Bengaluru, March 21 : A student of the National School of Law here on Thursday committed suicide by jumping in front of a Metro train at the Attiguppe Metro Station, the police said. The deceased has been identified as Dhruv Thakkar, aged around 20 years, from Mumbai, the police said, adding that preliminary investigation has suggested the incident to be a case of suicide. DCP S. Girish, West Division, Bengaluru city, after conducting an inspection on the site of the incident, told the media that Dhruv Thakkar was a first-year student at the National School of Law in Bengaluru. "At this stage, it appears as a case of suicide and further investigation will have to be conducted to ascertain why he committed suicide. We are checking CCTV footage and statements will have to be recorded," the police officer said. Earlier, the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) had said: "This is to inform that one person has jumped in front of the train at Attiguppe station at 2.10 p.m." According to sources, the head and body of the youth were found severed. His body got stuck under the Metro train as his body was dragged by the running train. The deceased had come to the station with a female and male friend. Eyewitnesses told police that Dhruv Thakkar was talking on a mobile phone, and when the train came, he suddenly jumped onto the track in front of the train. WAVERLY In about four months, towns across America will hold their very own Fourth of July parades. Local fire and rescue teams often join in the fun, hanging off fire trucks and ambulances as they ride through town. If you find yourself in Waverly for its parade, you might see something a little less normal. They have a fire truck, too, but this one is 90 years old. Waverly Fire and Rescue's 1934 Ford Model BB fire truck has been a prized possession of the city for many years. Showcased at local events, the truck is a window into the past. Besides being a piece of history, the truck has quite the story of its own. In November 1953, 19 years after the truck was purchased by the city, its engine failed on the way to a house fire in Prairie Home. Because of this, the truck was sold to Roca. Around 1973, the Omaha Fire Department Historical Group bought and performed major engine and body restoration so it could display the vehicle at a museum in Omaha and parade it around the city. And about 46 years later, in August of 2019, the Waverly Fire Department was contacted by Omaha, which was interested in returning the truck to Waverly. Seven months later, in March of 2020, Aaron Hummel, a former Waverly fire chief, traveled up to Omaha, and with the help of Gana Trucking and a lowboy trailer, returned the vehicle to its home city. "They helped go up to Omaha when we brought it home because we couldn't drive it, we couldn't run it, it wouldn't start," Hummel said. Bringing the truck back to Waverly was the easy part; getting it back up and running proved to be more difficult. Over the course of the next year, the truck was brought back to life under the expertise of Bruce Whitefoot, a former Waverly fire chief and antique Ford enthusiast. "He loves working on the older Ford vehicles," Hummel said. Bringing the truck back to life involved a lot of work, including a new carburetor, spark plugs, wires, a new rotor, fuel pumps, fuel lines and general electrical work. "We've had some former fire chiefs that have pitched in a lot of time and elbow grease to fix it up," Hummel said. A community project Along with help from former fire chiefs, Nebraska businesses and members of the community donated their time and resources to repair the truck. One big help came from Mark Schmit, owner of the Schmit Automotive shop in Waverly, who donated spark plugs, engine oil and other parts. "I thought, oh that's cool. We'll get an old vehicle back in service," Schmit said. "Every community needs a fire department, so I try to support the fire department as much as I can." In addition to Schmit Automotive and private donors, Waverly Glass Company also helped out, donating glass for the truck's windshield. "It's a piece of history, Waverly's first fire truck, and it's nice that the community supports it, and the city wants to do something with it," Hummel said. After a long process of repairing and renovating the truck, on April 10, 2021, after being gone for 65 years, the 1934 Ford was driven through the streets of Waverly once again by Bruce Whitefoot. "It's always a joy when you get an old beast running again, that was a big deal," Whitefoot said. It's truly a sight to see, and a physical representation of how much the design and size of emergency vehicles have changed over 90 years. "A 5-foot-6 man struggles to get inside the cab because it's such tight quarters," Hummel said. "Most F-150s are bigger than this fire truck." In addition to size differences, the older model had no power steering, manual windows and a hatch that opened the windshield for the 1930s version of air conditioning. The 1934 fire truck pumped around 250 gallons a minute compared to the near 1,500 gallons in newer models. "Humorously, that old truck probably pumped more water than any of these newer trucks over the years because it was 'surround and drown,' till the basement was full of water they just kept pouring water on it," Whitefoot said. Firefighting techniques have since evolved to shooting water on a hot spot, which creates steam that puts fires out much quicker than water. "It just blows your mind when you think what they had back then versus what we have now," Jared Rains, fire chief at Waverly, said. "It's great to get it back and to start sharing with the rest of the community." Looking for a permanent home Waverly Fire and Rescue loves showcasing the truck to the community, displaying it at local car shows, driving it around the city in different events and taking part in Fourth of July parades. The truck has been stored all across Waverly for the last four years with the help of local residents who donated their storage spaces, garages and barns, but now the city of Waverly is asking for donations for future storage, maintenance, restoration and any other associated costs to ease the burden on others. While nothing is confirmed, Hummel says the hope is that the city can find a permanent home for the truck. "Waverly currently has some conceptual drawings for a potential future fire station," Hummel said. "Part of that fire station would have a museum that would house that vehicle. We're trying to buy ourselves some time so we can get that done." That museum would include all kinds of antique gear for the public to see. When we have tours with children and whatnot they can go through and see all this old antique stuff of what they used to do 100 years ago," Ryan Mueller, assistant fire chief, said. Mueller shared the renderings for the future fire station, which on top of providing a space for the 1934 fire truck to be displayed, would also improve on the station they have now. "It would allow us to modernize our way of doing things. Right now we're double and triple stacked," he said. "Trucks got bigger over the last 50 years. We're kind of condensed." On top of improving space, Mueller said the new station would help with ventilation for gear by having its own space to be cleaned and prepared. "Right now if we have a structure fire and we come back, it smells like smoke, and that's not the modern approach," he said. Waverly fire truck fundraiser Waverly Fire and Rescue is asking for donations to help it keep its 1934 Ford Model BB fire truck. Donations will be used for the storage, maintenance, restoration and insurance. It also hopes that one day to have a museum where it might store the truck and other antique firefighting equipment. To help with their efforts, contact them through their website citywaverly.com or by calling 402-786-2312. Top Journal Star photos for February 2024 Kolhapur : , March 21 (IANS) Saroj Patil, the elderly sister of Nationalist Congress Party (SP) President Sharad Pawar, asserted on Thursday that "only the party has split, not the Pawar family". Kolhapur (Maharashtra), March 21 (IANS) Saroj Patil, the elderly sister of Nationalist Congress Party (SP) President Sharad Pawar, asserted on Thursday that "only the party has split, not the Pawar family". At the same time, she also gently tweaked the ears of her nephew, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) President and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit A. Pawar, for his recent slur targeting her brother Sharad Pawar. "I want to make it clear that there is no division in the Pawar family Only the party has split, not our family. We are a very cultured and close family. Nobody needs to worry about this," Saroj Patil told the media here on Thursday. Targetting the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has allied with Ajit Pawar's NCP, Saroj Patil said, "They just want to unseat Supriya Sule (Sharad Pawar's daughter) and get Sunetra Ajit Pawar elected." "The BJP wants to oust Supriya Sule from the Baramati Lok Sabha seat and get Sunetra elected in her place They think that Sharad Pawar can be 'finished' by this. However, the work done by Sharad Pawar, and the peoples' love and affection for him are also equally important," she said. When queried about the severe criticism of Ajit Pawar by his brother Shriniwas A. Pawar earlier this week, she said "all this is political and election-oriented After the elections are over, these clouds will disappear and everything will be normal". "We are highly united as a family Whenever we meet, we keep politics out of the house along with the footwear. Whoever has to win will win the elections. We don't discuss all this at home," Patil said, adding that she is saddened by the current political developments. She recalled an incident involving her husband, the veteran politician and ex-minister late N.D. Patil of the Peasants & Workers Party (PWP), who used to visit the Pawar household regularly. When N.D. Patil, who hailed from a modest background, stood for elections once, Saroj Patil and Sharad Pawar's mother, the late Shardabai Govindrao Pawar, had quietly thrust Rs 10,000 in his hands. "My mother always taught us, 'don't keep crying over things, move ahead' She also understood N.D. Patil's situation and helped him out. They were always more worried about our welfare than their own (whether I have everything on my plate...)," Saroj Patil said. Making an oblique reference to Ajit Pawar's comments after the NCP split that "Sharad Pawar is 83 years old and should gracefully retire sit at home and do bhajan-kirtan, guide the gen-next", Saroj Patil said she was upset by the remarks. She, however, tried to defend Ajit Pawar saying he was a 'very sensitive boy' and though it came out of his mouth, "he must have regretted it", though it was all very discouraging. Saroj Patil's observations came amid the huge controversy that has gripped the powerful Pawar clan -- the battle for Baramati and a likely poll war between 'nanand' (Supriya Sule) and 'bhabhi' (Sunetra Ajit Pawar), making it among the most-awaited contests in the country. (Quaid Najmi can be contacted at: q.najmi@ians.in) New Delhi, March 21 : The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Thursday advised all endorsers and influencers on social media to refrain from promoting or advertising, including surrogate advertisements, of offshore online betting and gambling platforms. According to the ministry, these advertisements have significant financial and socio-economic implications of online betting and gambling on consumers, particularly the youth. The advisory cautioned that failure to comply with it may lead to proceedings under the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, including removal or disabling of social media posts or accounts and penal action under the applicable statutes. Further, the ministry has advised online advertisement intermediaries not to target such promotional content towards the Indian audience. Social media intermediaries have also been advised to conduct sensitisation efforts among their users to refrain from publishing such content. Moreover, the ministry has reiterated the advisory by the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) dated March 6, 2024, which had expressed concerns regarding endorsements of betting/ gambling platforms by celebrities and influencers to endorse and promote their betting activities, and had cautioned that any such direct or indirect advertisement or endorsement shall be subject to rigorous scrutiny. --IANS shs/pgh New Delhi, March 21 : The Delhi High Court on Thursday granted permission to a 73-year-old man, convicted under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act in 2010, to travel to Saudi Arabia for a month to perform the Haj or Umrah pilgrimage. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma noted the immense significance of the Haj pilgrimage in the Islamic faith, recognising it as one of the five pillars of Islam and a religious obligation for every Muslim. The court approved the plea filed by Syed Abu Ala, who was convicted for offences under sections 29 and 21(c) of the NDPS Act, sentencing him to rigorous imprisonment for 11 years and six months along with a fine of Rs 2 lakh. Additionally, Ala was convicted under section 25A of the NDPS Act, leading to a further imprisonment of 5 years and a fine of Rs. 50,000. Despite undergoing a sentence of approximately 10 years and 3 months and paying the fine, Ala's passport had been surrendered as a condition of his suspended sentence in 2011, prohibiting him from leaving Delhi. The prosecution opposed Ala's application, citing the seriousness of his convictions under the NDPS Act and the pending appeal. However, the court exercised its discretion, acknowledging its authority to grant exemptions or no objections for passport issuance or renewal in such cases. Justice Sharma noted Ala's age and his expressed desire to fulfill his religious duty of undertaking the Haj pilgrimage, citing the importance of balancing legal obligations with compassion and empathy. The court recognised the cultural and spiritual significance of the Haj pilgrimage for Muslims and deemed it essential to facilitate Ala's religious obligations. The court emphasised the duty to uphold legal obligations while demonstrating practical understanding and compassion, refraining from obstructing Ala's religious obligations solely due to the prolonged pendency of his appeal. Chandigarh, March 21 : Congress veteran and Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Hooda on Thursday demanded the Haryana government start purchasing the mustard crop and clear the outstanding compensation of farmers. Hooda said the arrival of the crop has started in the marketing yards, but the government is talking about starting the procurement on March 26. "Whereas looking at the preparations, this also does not seem possible and the government wants to trap the farmers in the web of the portal once again. A total of 9.25 lakh farmers have registered 61.45 lakh acres on the Meri Fasal Mera Byora portal. But out of this, there is a mismatch in records of 10.40 lakh acres. Until this flaw is removed the government will not buy the crops of the farmers. This means the farmers will have to bear the brunt of the government's mistake. The Congress demands the government to start procurement of mustard without any delay and complete all preparations for the arrival of wheat in advance," he said in a statement. The former Chief Minister also reiterated the demand of giving the outstanding compensation to the farmers. He said till now the government has neither compensated flood-affected farmers nor compensated for the damage caused by the hailstorm that occurred recently. "Farmers have been sitting waiting for many years. Somehow, the BJP has released nominal compensation for the failure of 2022, which has large flaws. Farmers, whose entire crop was destroyed, are being given a compensation of Rs 6 each. Such complaints from farmers have come from many places, where farmers have complained about getting very paltry compensation in comparison to the damage," he added. New Delhi, March 21 : In another setback to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who was arrested by the ED on Thursday evening, the Supreme Court is not holding any urgent hearing now on his plea against the Delhi High Court order denying him any protection. His plea is likely to be mentioned before the apex court for an urgent hearing on Friday. Kejriwal was arrested by an ED team after questioning, hours after the Delhi High Court decision denied him protection against "coercive action" by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which has issued multiple summons to him. Constituency Watch: Mahabubnagar to see repeat of 2019 contest with changed equation. Image Source: IANS News Hyderabad, March 21 : Mahabubnagar Lok Sabha constituency in Telangana is set to witness an interesting three-cornered contest in the May 13 election. The fight will be a repeat of 2019 with all the three main parties fielding the same candidates. However, the changed political equation in the state and shifting of loyalties by some key leaders have made the battle interesting. Sitting MP M. Srinivas Reddy of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) will be facing a tough challenge from BJP's national vice-president D. K. Aruna and Congress Working Committee's special invitee Challa Vamshichand Reddy. BRS, which lost power to Congress recently, may find it difficult to win the seat for a fourth consecutive term. The party lost all seven Assembly segments in the Lok Sabha constituency to the Congress party. Defection of some key leaders from both BRS and BJP have dealt blow to them in the run-up to the polls. This is a prestigious seat for Congress as Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy's Assembly segment Kodangal comes under it. The Congress party wrested all the seven Assembly segments under Mahabubnagar Parliamentary constituency from BRS in the elections held on November 30, 2023. The Congress party polled over 6.11 lakh votes in these Assembly segments. The BRS, whose candidates were runner-up in all the segments, secured 5.11 lakh votes. The BJP was distant third with 1.13 lakh votes. It polled more than 45,000 votes in the Makthal segment. With all seven Assembly segments in its hands and Chief Minister especially focussing on Mahabubnagar, the Congress party is confident of wresting it from BRS. Vamshichand Reddy, who is also AICC secretary, believes that the implementation of some key guarantees by the Congress government during last 100 days has brightened the party's prospects. On the other hand, BJP is pinning its hopes on the different voting pattern in the Lok Sabha polls and also (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi factor. Aruna, a former minister in erstwhile united Andhra Pradesh, had done well in 2019 to push Congress party to third position. She is confident of building on the performance of previous polls. As the BJP had clinched the seat in 1999, the leaders of the party believe that it can emerge victorious once again. However, the resignation of A. Jithender Reddy, who was elected on BJP ticket in 1999, has caused a setback to the party. Jithender is a two-time MP from Mahabubnagar. His son A.P. Mithun Kumar Reddy had contested the recent Assembly elections on a BJP ticket from Mahabubnagar Assembly constituency but finished a distant third. Unhappy with the BJP leadership fielding 'outsider' Aruna, Jithender Reddy last week quit the party. The BJP national executive member joined the ruling Congress party and he was immediately rewarded with the post of state government's special representative in Delhi. He was also appointed advisor to government (sports affairs). In 2019, Jithender Reddy had quit TRS (now BRS) to return to BJP after he was denied ticket. In 2019, Manne Srinivas Reddy had defeated his nearest rival Aruna by a margin of 77,829 votes. Srinivas Reddy, a businessman and then a newcomer to politics, had polled more than 4.11 lakh votes while Aruna had secured over 3.33 lakh votes. Vamshichand Reddy was a distant third with 1.93 lakh votes. Mahabubnagar is a prestigious constituency for BRS as its president K. Chandrasekhar Rao was elected from here in 2009. As MP from this constituency, he stepped up the Telangana movement and achieved the goal of Telangana state. However, in recent times, the party lost some key leaders to Congress. Two days ago, Mahabubnagar Zilla Parishad chairperson Swarna Sudhakar Reddy of BRS joined the Congress. The constituency, which has over 15 lakh voters, was once considered one of the backward and drought-prone regions and was known for migration of its agriculture workers. Palamuru, as Mahabubnagar is also known, has elected Congress candidates 10 times since 1952. The BRS captured the seat thrice. Telangana Praja Samithi, Janata Party, Janata Dal and BJP won the seat one time each. This constituency was once represented by former union minister late S. Jaipal Reddy, a relative of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy. He was elected from here in 1984 as Janta Party candidate and in 1998 on Janata Dal ticket. He, however, suffered defeat as a Congress candidate by a narrow margin of 2,590 votes in 2014 to Jithender Reddy, who had contested as BRS candidate. Revanth Reddy is focussing on Mahabubnagar constituency. Addressing first public meeting in his constituency, Kodangal, after becoming the Chief Minister, he announced Vamshichand Reddy as the Congress candidate from Mahabubnagar Lok Sabha seat. Vamshichand Reddy is a former MLA from Kalwakurthy constituency. He was keen to contest from the same constituency in the recent Assembly polls but had to sacrifice the seat for Kasireddy Narayan Reddy, who quit BRS to join Congress a few weeks before the elections. The Chief Minister kicked off the Congress campaign for Lok Sabha with a public meeting in Mahabubnagar town on March 6. During his visit to Kodangal, the Chief Minister also launched several development projects. He also laid the foundation stone for Narayanpet-Kodangal lift irrigation scheme. As Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme (PRLIS) on Krishna river is pending for a long time and considered important to improve irrigation in the constituency, it will be one of the key poll issues. The Congress government is already focussing on it. On his maiden visit to Delhi after assuming office of the chief minister, Revanth Reddy had urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to grant national project status to PRLIS. At the public meeting in Mahabubnagar, Revanth Reddy also slammed his predecessor KCR for doing nothing for the development of the constituency and for construction of PRLIS as MP from the constituency and later as the chief minister for 10 years. Noida, March 21 : BJP MP Mahesh Sharma, who has been fielded from Uttar Pradesh's Gautam Budh Nagar constituency for the third consecutive time, sees no leader in the opposition INDIA bloc who can challenge Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Citing the works completed in Noida and Greater Noida by the "double-engine" BJP government at the Centre and the state, former Union Minister Mahesh Sharma, in an interview with IANS, revealed his roadmap for the future -- focussing on the problems of farmers and speeding up registration of pending flats. Following are excerpts of the interview: IANS: The BJP has once again expressed confidence in you, how do you see this? Mahesh Sharma: I am a soldier of the BJP. I have had the opportunity to work in Gautam Buddha Nagar under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. I will maintain the faith reposed in me by the party. My next goal is to ensure that the 26 lakh voters of Gautam Buddha Nagar get the benefits of all the schemes and development works of the Central and state governments. IANS: What are your achievements, which you think, that the party considered and nominated you for the third consecutive Lok Sabha election? Mahesh Sharma: Whatever responsibility the party gives to a worker like me, we discharge it. Under the double-engine BJP government, several development works worth Rs 115,000 crore have been completed in Gautam Buddha Nagar. Prime Minister Modi's dream project Jewar Airport will be dedicated to the public this year. The airport is being built at a cost of Rs 30,000 crore. A THDC power plant with 1,320 MW capacity at a cost of Rs 11,000 crore is almost ready in Khurja. The Eastern Peripheral Highway was built at a cost of Rs 11,000 crore. The main roads of Dadri, Secunderabad and Khurja were connected to Meerut Expressway and Ghaziabad, Aligarh Expressway costing Rs 8,000 crore. Apart from this, Chilla Regulator Elevated Road has been constructed at a cost of Rs 800 crore to overcome the traffic congestion between DND and Noida Sector 15-A. Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Archaeological Institute was established in Greater Noida at a cost of Rs 289 crore. Similarly, the country's first culinary arts institute was established in Noida Sector-62 at a cost of Rs 98 crore. Parthala Bridge has been constructed at a cost of Rs 80 crore. Apart from this, metro work in Noida and Greater Noida are also among the key initiatives. IANS: What are tasks, which you think remained incomplete? Mahesh Sharma: The villagers here have played a major role in the development of Noida. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has formed a committee to into the demands of farmers and villagers, which will submit its report to the government after the elections. Their issues will also be resolved after the government receives the report. IANS: The problem of lakhs of home buyers in Noida is very complex; being the representative of the public, what suggestions would you make to the government to resolve the issue? Mahesh Sharma: The problems of flat buyers have been resolved. For the flats which are not yet registered, Noida and Greater Noida authorities are getting them registered by setting up camps. Even after this, our officials are in constant touch with the builders who are not depositing due money. Once such builders deposit the money, the registry of remaining flats will start. IANS: The Lift Act has been implemented in the state but the accidents did not reduce. The people responsible should be punished, which does not seem to happening as of now. What's your demand from the government on this? Mahesh Sharma: The previous governments had not taken any action against irresponsible builders. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the strictest action is being taken against such builders. Where accidents have occurred, the police have taken the strictest action and will continue to take swift and strict actions against them in the future. IANS: Do you think anyone from the INDIA bloc could be a challenge for the BJP? Mahesh Sharma: The people of the country and Gautam Buddha Nagar want to see India becoming the third-largest superpower in the world under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. People also know that the country is safe in the hands of Prime Minister Modi. I do not see anyone from the INDI alliance who can challenge Prime Minister Modi. Gandhinagar, March 21 : Gujarat BJP Spokesperson Yagnesh Dave on Thursday accused the Congress of becoming "desperate and defaming India's democracy as it faces defeat in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections". Addressing the media at BJP's Kamalam state office, Dave criticised Congress leaders, including Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, for allegedly spreading incomplete information regarding freezing their party's bank accounts. The BJP Spokesperson addressed the financial controversy surrounding the Congress, mentioning the alleged "embezzlement of assets worth Rs 5,000 crore from the National Herald case". He emphasised "the need for transparency, particularly in the case of seized assets worth Rs 200 crore," suggesting larger-scale financial misconduct that needs to be disclosed. Dave claimed that "the Congress's actions were an attempt to distract from its poor poll performance and diminishing support among the people of the country, adding that several leaders and workers are quitting due to the challenging circumstances faced by Congress". He also questioned Rahul Gandhi's understanding of political and legal matters, highlighting past incidents where the latter allegedly insulted India on foreign soil. The BJP Spokesperson clarified that the BJP had not seized Congress's bank accounts, pointing out that the Income Tax Department took the action due to non-compliance with tax return filings. Mumbai, March 21 : Two persons were killed while another was critically injured after they fell into an open sewerage drain here, the BMC Disaster Control said on Thursday. The tragedy occurred at around 5.30 p.m. at Ambujwadi in the Malad West area. The three persons belonging to a family fell into the 15-feet deep chamber of an underground sewer drain of a public toilet, as the locals raised an alarm. Before the Mumbai Fire Brigade reached the spot, the locals managed to retrieve the trio and rush them to the B.R. Ambedkar Hospital in Kandivali. One person, Suraj Kevat (18) was declared dead on admission, while another, Bikas Kevat (20), succumbed to his injuries during treatment. The third victim, Ramlagan Kevat (45), has been admitted to the hospital where his condition is stated to be critical, said the BMC Disaster Control. The exact cause leading to the tragedy and other details of the three victims - said to be a father and his two sons - is yet to be ascertained. Hyderabad, March 21 : Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, who was elected to the Lok Sabha from Malkajgiri constituency in 2019, on Thursday asked the party leaders to ensure that the party retains the seat. He held a meeting with the party leaders from the Malkajgiri parliamentary constituency and asked them to work hard to ensure that the Congress flag flies high in the May 13 election. The party has announced BRS legislator Patnam Mahender Reddy's wife and Vikarabad ZP Chairperson Sunitha, who joined the Congress last month, will contest from Malkajgiri constituency. Terming the Malkajgiri election prestigious, he said that this is the poll battle of the Chief Minister and not just the party candidate. Revanth Reddy, who is also the state Congress chief, reviewed the partyas poll preparations in the constituency and said Malkajgiri should set a campaign model for the party for the entire state. He said that if he is Chief Minister today it is because of the hard work of the party cadres in the constituency. He recalled that though some leaders had sold themselves, the Congress workers stood by him and sent him to Delhi. Revanth Reddy said his victory in Malkajgiri ultimately catapulted him to the position of Chief Minister. Targeting Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) President and former Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, he remarked that KCRas downfall started from Malkajgiri in 2019. He, however, noted that while Congress swept the recent Assembly elections across the state, the results in Assembly segments under Malkajgiri Lok Sabha constituency were not to the partyas expectations. "If we had won four out of seven Assembly seats, we could have undertaken development works. Thatas why Congress should win the Malkajgiri Lok Sabha seat so that development works can be taken up," he said. The Congress had drawn a blank in Assembly segments under the parliamentary constituency. Revanth Reddy also called upon the party leaders and cadres to ensure the party's victory in the Secunderabad Cantonment Assembly by-election, scheduled to be held along with Lok Sabha polls. The vacancy arose after Lasya Nanditha, who was elected on the BRS ticket in the November 30 election, died in a road accident last month. Sri Ganesh, who had contested on the BJP ticket and finished the runner-up in Secunderabad Cantonment, also attended Thursdayas meeting after joining Congress. Former MLA Mynampally Hanmanth Rao, former minister Patnam Mahender Reddy and senior Congress leader Madhu Goud Yaskhi were among those who attended the meeting. The Chief Minister said that during 100 days the Congress government focussed on governance. He mentioned that the government implemented guarantees like free bus travel for women, increasing Arogyasri health insurance coverage to Rs.10 lakh, cooking gas cylinders for Rs 500 and 200 units of free power every month. Revanth Reddy claimed that his government provided 30,000 jobs in three months. He said by maintaining cordial relations with the Centre, the Congress government laid the foundation stone for the development of the skyway in Malkajgiri. A girl reporting that shed been raped led to a Billings man admitting to the crime Thursday in court. William Ted Tymofichuk, 66, pleaded guilty in Yellowstone County District Court to one count of sexual intercourse without consent, with the victim being under the age of 16. The girl whom Tymofichuk abused was still a minor in February 2023 when she disclosed to a medical provider that Tymofichuk had raped her. The abuse occurred roughly 10 years prior, court documents said, when Tymofichuk would occasionally babysit her. The medical provider, as mandated by state law, reported the girls abuse to the state Department of Public Health and Human Services, which subsequently alerted the Billings Police Department. BPDs investigation began in March 2023, with a BPD detective speaking with the girl, her mother and Tymofichuk. The girls mother called and confronted Tymofichuk over the phone after her daughter disclosed the abuse to a medical provider. During that conversation, Tymofichuk admitted that he had sexually abuse the girl, court documents said. The girl was interviewed at the Yellowstone Valley Child Advocacy Center, managed by RiverStone Health. In that interview, she said Tymofichuk started sexually abusing her in 2013, and that abuse occurred multiple times over a period of several years. Tymofichuk agreed to speak with a BPD detective in April 2023. In speaking with law enforcement, according to court documents, he admitted to sexually abusing the girl and described several sex acts that he performed on her. That same month, Yellowstone County prosecutors filed criminal charges against Tymofichuk, accusing him of three counts of sexual intercourse without consent. He pleaded not guilty to the three counts, and has remained in custody in Yellowstone County Detention Facility since then on a $250,000 bond. Cases of rape in Montana trended upward from 2013 through 2023, according to data collected by the Montana Board of Crime Control. Although rape consistently made up only a fraction of violent crimes in the state during that time, the majority of those cases being aggravated assault, there were 380 victims of rape in Montana in 2013 and 408 in 2023. Reported rape cases peaked in the past decade in 2021, with 636 cases. Rape cases reported in Yellowstone County followed a similar trend, going from 68 in 2013 to 81 in 2023, with 121 cases in 2021, per Board of Crime Control data. The boards statistics did not differentiate between adult and child victims, however, in 2009 children made up more than half of the 347 rape victims reported to law enforcement, according to the Montana Department of Justice. Nationally, about a quarter of all girls are sexually assaulted before they reach the age of 18. Tymofichuk reached a plea agreement with county prosecutors in March of this year. Appearing for his change of plea hearing in person, Tymofichuk admitted to a single count of rape before District Judge Ashley Harada. In exchange for his guilty plea, county prosecutors are recommending a 50-year sentence, Deputy Yellowstone County Attorney Arielle Dean said. The nature Tymofichuks plea agreement is such that should Judge Harada reject the recommended sentence, he has the option to withdraw his guilty plea. Tymofichuk was represented in court Thursday by Defense Attorney Hillary Loney. His sentencing will be scheduled following a psychological evaluation. Hyderabad, March 21 : The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) has condemned the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by the Enforcement Director (ED) in the alleged excise policy scam on Thursday. Stating that he strongly condemns the aunlawfula arrest of Kejriwal, BRS Working President K.T. Rama Rao posted on X, aThe ED and the CBI have become the chief instruments of repression in the hands of the BJP. Political opponents are targeted on unsubstantiated grounds & political vendetta is their sole purpose." KTRas sister and BRS MLC K. Kavitha was arrested by the ED in the same case on March 15. Bengaluru, March 22 : The Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, D. K. Shivakumar, said on Thursday that he has kept the irrigation portfolio with himself to ensure that the Mekedatu project is implemented. Replying to a query on INDIA bloc ally DMK's declaration that it won't allow the Mekedatu project by Karnataka to take off, Shivakumar said, "It is the stand of the DMK. It is their desire and political wish, and I don't want to comment on it. I took the Ministry of Irrigation to ensure that the Mekedatu project is implemented. "We want to help Tamil Nadu as well. We will release 177 TMC of water, as Karnataka stands committed to the court order. At the same time, we want to help the people of Bengaluru, who have come from all over the country." Shivakumar, who's also the Karnataka Congress chief, said the aim is to provide clean drinking water to people from Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Northeast, and North India states who have settled in Bengaluru. "Let them (DMK) carry out their struggle. The case is coming up before the managing authority. I am confident of getting justice for Karnataka. The committee has an understanding of the prevailing situation in the state, and it is willing to render justice. I have full faith that we will get justice in all the courts," Shivakumar said. Meanwhile, the BJP has slammed the Congress-led Karnataka government after the DMK in its poll manifesto promised that it won't let the implementation of the Mekedatu project by Karnataka. BJP's Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka said that the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu, an alliance partner in the INDIA bloc, has announced in its manifesto that if the opposition comes to power at the Centre, it won't allow the Mekedatu project to be implemented by Karnataka at any cost. "Deputy CM Shivakumar, will you now take your MLAs to Chennai and stage a protest there? Or will you compromise the interest of the Kannada people for the sake of Rahul Gandhi," Ashoka asked. "The Congress launched the 'Mekedatu Padayatra' promising that it will bring water to Bengaluru, only to fool the people of Karnataka. Now, the government is stabbing the people of Karnataka in the back," Ashoka said. Cairo, March 22 : Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi met with visiting US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to discuss the escalating situation in Gaza, the Egyptian presidency said. The talks, which included Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and Intelligence Chief Abbas Kamel, focused on the war in Gaza and efforts to mediate a ceasefire and prisoner exchange, according to the presidency's statement released on Thursday. Al-Sisi emphasised the urgent need for a ceasefire, citing a humanitarian crisis and famine in the besieged coastal territory that threatens civilian lives, particularly in the city of Rafah, where nearly 1.5 million Palestinian refugees are seeking sanctuary, Xinhua news agency reported. "The besieged seaside enclave and its residents have been exposed to a humanitarian catastrophe and famine that threaten the lives of innocent civilians," al-Sisi said, warning against the serious repercussions of any military operation in Rafah. The President called for immediate action to facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza and reaffirmed the necessity of pursuing a political solution to establish an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. Blinken commended Egypt's role in promoting peace and expressed Washington's desire for continued coordination with Cairo to enhance regional stability and security. Both parties agreed on the importance of ensuring humanitarian aid delivery to Gaza and opposed any form of Palestinian displacement, the statement concluded. Blinken's visit to Cairo follows his trip to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where discussions centered on advancing a Gaza ceasefire, securing the release of captives, and bolstering international humanitarian efforts, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said. New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal being taken away from his residence after he was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in an excise policy-linked money laundering case. Image Source: IANS News New Delhi, March 22 : The inescapable hold of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) as it took the Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal into custody on Thursday evening, has left the curious lot with a number of questions answered about the AAP supremo's arrest and what comes next. Kejriwal, who now stands to be the first sitting Chief Minister arrested from the Opposition INDIA bloc, was questioned at his official residence for more than two hours in connection with the money laundering case related to the alleged excise policy scam before he was taken to the probe agency's office on A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Road at 11 p.m. on Thursday. The Chief Minister will remain in the ED jail on Thursday night before he will be produced before the Rouse Avenue Court on Friday after a medical examination. It is highly likely that the federal agency will seek for Kejriwal's remand from the court to question him in the case. Notably, Kejriwal's name in the matter came up for the first time in the remand application filed by the ED against the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLC K. Kavitha while she was presented in the court on March 16. It is also important to know that, so far, Kejriwal remains the biggest name to be arrested in the alleged scam, after K. Kavitha, former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and AAP Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh, among others. Well, going back to question one that is if Kejriwal will run the government from behind the jail or will he resign, let's look at what happened when recently Jharkhand's leader Hemant Soren and years ago various former Chief Ministers like Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, Bihar's Lalu Prasad, Andhra Pradesh's Chandrababu Naidu, Haryana's Om Prakash Chautala and Jharkhand's Madhu Koda were arrested. Rashtriya Janata Dal National President, Lalu Prasad, was convicted in the fodder scam in 2013 along with former Chief Minister Jagannath Mishra. He and his son Tejashwi Yadav are currently being probed in a land-for-jobs case. Lalu was the Chief Minister of Bihar twice between 1990 and 1997. Jayalalithaa, who served as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu several times between 1991 and 2016, was arrested in a corruption case in 1996. She was convicted and jailed in 2014. What the legal experts are saying: "As per the law, Arvind Kejriwal does not need to resign from his post as Delhi Chief Minister. There is no provision in the law by which he can be forced to resign. Resignation can be a moral decision of a sitting Chief Minister. He can also run his government from jail as Chief Minister. He can hold meetings of the cabinet and sign files by taking prior approval from the court as per the jail manual," Advocate Vineet Jindal told IANS. Of course, running the government from inside the jail sounds absolutely unreal and to back this thought, Advocate Rudra Vikram Singh told us that though the Chief Minister is only an accused at this stage and can't be barred from running the government from inside the jail, technically, it will be very tough as he has to follow the rules of jail and as per the rules, he cannot be available every time for the meetings, to sign the files. "Some specific time may be allowed to him to do all these work," he said. Whether a Chief Minister can run a state government from jail largely depends on the legal provisions and constitutional norms of the specific country or state. "Immunity from criminal or civil proceedings only extends to the President of India and Governors of states as per Article 361 of Constitution of India. However, a Chief Minister can only be disqualified or removed from office in case of conviction," Advocate Adeel Ahmed said. He added: "The arrest is for furtherance of investigation. It doesn't impede his functioning as an Assembly member and Leader of the House by virtue of which he holds the post of the Chief Minister in our parliamentary democracy." In many jurisdictions, there are no explicit provisions allowing a Chief Minister to govern from jail if they are under arrest for investigation or any other reason. However, in some cases, there might be legal loopholes or interpretations that could potentially allow a Chief Minister to continue governing from jail temporarily, such as if they have not been convicted of any crime and are able to delegate their powers to another individual within the government structure. That being said, Advocate Suresh Choudhary said: "Allowing a Chief Minister to continue governing from jail could raise significant ethical and practical concerns, as it could undermine the rule of law, the principle of accountability, and the public's trust in the government. Therefore, it's crucial for legal systems to have clear guidelines and mechanisms in place to address such situations, ensuring that the governance of the state remains stable and legitimate." Moreover, the AAP leaders and supporters firmly believe and stand by it that Kejriwal has been running, is running the government and will continue to do so from inside the jail, too. Scores of people, including the party leaders, supporters and even Congress leaders, gathered outiside the Chief Minister's residence after the ED arrested him on Thursday evening. Senior Aam Aadmi Party leader and Delhi Minister Gopal Rai also announced that AAP will surround BJP headquarters at 10 a.m. on Friday. Tons of reactions from various political leaders have poured in and protests against his arrest are likely to intensify with time. Now, while the AAP and the opposition parties, including the Congress, the BRS, the Samajwadi Party, the CPI-M, the DMK, and others, criticised the government over the Chief Minister's arrest, the BJP welcomed it. The arrest has led to political uproar, with AAP supporters and leaders protesting, and opposition parties accusing the BJP of political vendetta, especially with upcoming Lok Sabha elections. While several Congress leaders opposed Kejriwal's arrest calling it the "death of democracy" and "unconstitutional", the BJP hailed it as the victory of truth. BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa said: "Today the truth has won. Delhi's most corrupt CM Arvind Kejriwal has been arrested by the ED. I want to say to the people of the country that this marks the end of corruption in Delhi. He is being punished for his misdeeds." Calling ED's action against Kejriwal a "process of law", BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad said that the arrest has been done with a view to take appropriate action against corruption. The opposition parties accused the BJP of indulging in vendetta politics, saying that the Chief Minister's arrest shows how "jittery" the ruling BJP at the Centre is with less than a month left for the Lok Sabha polls. "Clearly, Modi and the BJP are in panic over people's rejection in the ongoing elections," Communist Party of India (Marxist) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury said, adding that he strongly condemns Kejriwal's arrest. "All opposition leaders who defected and joined the BJP are protected and patronised. They are the 'Satya Harishchandras'! These arrests will only cement people's desire to defeat BJP, defend democracy and Indian Constitution," the Left leader said. Moving ahead, Kejriwal has sought an urgent hearing on his plea filed before the Supreme Court challenging High Court's order, which had refused to grant any interim protection to him from any coercive action by the ED. The top court is very likely to hear it on Friday. Picture book author-illustrator Lynne Barasch, who created lively biographies as well as stories inspired by her family life, died on March 7. She was 84. Barasch was born Lynne Marx on March 23, 1939, in New York City, grew up in Woodmere, Long Island, and was a lifelong New Yorker. She showed an affinity for both art and reading early in her childhood. For as long as I can remember, drawing is what I did best, she wrote on her website. I was an enthusiastic and indiscriminate reader from the time I was very young. Barasch took art classes as a girl and continued to do so during her high school years on Saturdays at the Art Students League, she said in a 2007 interview for the Cynsations blog. She began her studies at the Rhode Island School of Design in 1957 but left after her first year to marry ophthalmologist Kenneth Barasch, with whom she shared five children. Barasch resumed her formal art studies several years later and received her B.F.A. from Parsons School of Design in 1976. After her children started school, Barasch began writing and illustrating stories in earnest. Though several early efforts remained unpublished, she broke through with Rodneys Inside Story (Orchard, 1992), featuring a gray bunny whose mother reads him a story about a gray rabbit who lives inside a cabbage. Barasch went on to create 10 picture books and she provided illustrations for two works by other authors. Among her notable titles are Knockin on Wood (Lee & Low, 2004), the story of one-legged tap dancer Peg Leg Bates; Hiromis Hands (Lee & Low, 2007), in which young Hiromi spends time with her sushi chef father by accompanying him to the fish market and learning about his career; Ask Albert Einstein (FSG, 2005), based on a 1952 New York Times article about the famous physicist; and First Come the Zebra (Lee & Low, 2009), inspired by Baraschs trip to Kenya. Telling stories and making pictures gives me great joy, Barasch wrote on her site. When words and pictures work well together they form something new, something greater than the sum of its parts. Louise May, former v-p and editorial director at Lee & Low, worked closely with Barasch on several books and offered this remembrance: Lynne Barash was an editors dreama gifted author and illustrator of picture books and a master storyteller. Her brief texts captured the essence of a story with a minimum of words that told you everything you needed to know. Lynne happily mined her own experiences and those of her children for stories that were lively, informative, and inspiring. I loved her inquisitive spirit and the way our books came together effortlessly. For one of our projects together there were corrections needed to the final art. I offered to have the art delivered to her, but instead Lynne brought her paints and brushes to my office and sat right there making changes. I will always remember Lynne as a dear collaborator, and will think of her every time I pass a sushi restaurant. Austin, Tex.based Literati Book Fairs has announced its expansion into the Mid-Atlantic region, beginning with the 20242025 school year. The company will now offer book fairs to pre-K8 elementary schools in select areas of Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia. Previously, fairs were available primarily in the Midwest and South. Since buying Follett Book Fairs' program in January 2022 and relaunching after a rebrand that March, Literati Book Fairs has experienced rapid growth, reaching more than five million students across 29 states from four distribution centers. It remains the only serious competitor to Scholastic in school book clubs, which raise money for classrooms and teachers. Literati works with more than 150 publishing companies and a number of independent authors, such as Marcus Emerson, author of the Kid YouTuber series. This expansion allows us to reach even more families, providing students, librarians, teachers, and parents with access to Literatis expertly curated book fair, Barb Wing, senior v-p of sales at Literati, said in a statement. We're excited to help families support their students at school, in the classroom, and at home through our book fairs, classroom offering, and book clubs for kids. Last year, Literati launched Literati Classrooms, an e-commerce platform that enables parents and families nationwide to order books for home and the classroom while contributing to classroom fundraising efforts. Schools can earn additional funds when a child becomes a member of Literati's book box program. The MoCCA Arts Fest 2024, an annual indie comics and graphic novels festival, was held this year on March 16-17, returning to the Metropolitan Pavilion on West 18th Street in Manhattan. This was the first show officially under the oversight of Arabelle Liepold, who last summer was appointed executive director of the Society of Illustrators, which organizes the annual event. Its the perfect crowd, a constant flow of people. The mix of exhibitors and sponsors had great variety, said Liepold, You see how [the tradition] gets passed generation to generationit almost feels like a class reunion. With a recorded attendance of about 7,000, this year's festival was one of the best attended evereven by pre-pandemic standardsthough it fell just short of the high-water mark of 8,000 attendees set in 2023. The show floor was less jammed and better climate-controlled than last year as well. The earlier date in March (MoCCA has typically been held early April) came as a surprise to longtime attendees, and was due to venue availability. But the nearby St. Patricks Day parade didnt keep fans away. Its just a completely different crowd, said Liepold. Liepold looks to bring that different, youthful energy uptown to the Society of Illustrators, eschewing any reputation that its a more traditional, exclusive club, she said. To that end, the society branding was made more prominent across festival marketing and materials (such as adding "SI" ahead of MoCCA on signage), a lively open invite after party was held at East 63rd and Lexington on Saturday evening, and any ticket holder at the festival was offered free attendance all week to its galleries. Its MoCCA week, said Liepold, pointing to Society of Illustrators exhibits designed to coincide with the festival, including one floor dedicated to Israeli cartoonist and illustrator Tomer Hanuka, also a festival featured artist. One of the festival's highlights was its connection to the extensive Made in New York exhibit showing at the Society, featuring local DIY zinesters and cartoonists, curated by longtime MoCCA Fest programming coordinator Bill Kartalopoulos. Kartalopoulos also brought together the artists from Made in New York for a panel at the festival on Saturday. The panel, comprised of Josh Bayer, E. A. Bethea, Juliette Collet, Austin English, Angela Fanche and John Vasquez Mejias, discussed their offbeat works and the inspirations they took from the NYC scene. The history of comics is still forming, said English, who also runs Domino Books. I love the preciousness of it.... Its ephemeral, said Bethea, on the handmade quality of zines and mini-comics, such as those found throughout the booths where longtime graphic novelists and newbie student artists sit beside established publishers such as Abrams ComicArts, Fantagraphics, Pantheon, and Top Shelf. Programming and in-person panels were held nearby at the School of Visual Arts Gallery on 21st Street. Featured artists included Anita Kunz, Nate Powell, Jillian Tamaki, Adrian Tomine, Edel Rodriguez, and Maurice Vellekoop. International artists included Ephameron from Belgium, Pam-Pam Liu from Taiwan, and Karina Shor from Israel. Tomine and Tamaki each had their own spotlight panel, opening Saturday and Sunday, respectively. Both publish with Montreal-based Drawn & Quarterly, who not coincidently also returned as an exhibitor to MoCCA for the first time in a decade (though theyve been continuously involved in programming), taking a spacious exhibit in a central location. We wanted to bring our A game for our first year back [and] its been amazing to see how the Society of Illustrators and Bill Kartalopoulos have shepherded this show into a new era, said marketing director Julia Pohl-Miranda, who added that it was fitting to have Roaming, Tamakis graphic-novel homage to NYC, featured at the show. The D&Q booth also sold advance copies of Tomines annotated screenplay for Shortcomings, his graphic novel adapted as a feature film directed by Randall Park. In his spotlight panel with Atlantic books editor Gal Beckerman, Tomine discussed that after declining more lucrative offers from production companies to adapt his cult classic, who pressured him to make it more castablemeaning whiter, collaborating with a dominantly Asian-American team was intuitive and allowed him to relinquish control. The graphic novel was, he said, very present on the set; theres photos of the cast members reading it between takes. San Franciscos Silver Sprocket was also back for the first time since the pandemic. Publisher Avi Ehrlich reported they sold out of two thirds of inventory on the first day alone, and sold out of Golden Record by Rosemary Valero-OConnell by Saturday afternoon. First-time exhibitor (though repeat attendee) Liz Frances, the Brooklyn-based publisher of Street Noise books, called MoCCA a must-visit hometown show. While their top sellers were primarily books by artists signing at the booth, including Silence, Full Stop by Karina Shor and Spellbound by Bishakh Som, they also sold out the first day of Mohammad Saba'aneh's Power Born of Dreams: My Story is Palestine. Sunday afternoon, the annual MoCCA Arts Fest Awards of Excellence winners were announced overhead, as Liepold passed out red balloons to the winner tables. It was the first time, according to Liepold, that the festival had employed the public address systemand the anticipation of hearing each announced winner drew onlookers to follow behind Liepold and her team as they weaved through the show floor. The 15 awards were granted to recently released works (only by humansNo AI, per Liepold) displayed at that years event. A cheer went up when the groundbreaking queer cartoonist Maurice Vellekoop, whose newly released graphic memoir Im So Glad We Had This Time Together was decades in the making, was announced as a winner. The biggest applause came for Rebecca Mock, an indie comics darling, for their comic Die Horny. The Fantagraphics table also boasted four winners, the most at any one table, including The N Word of God by Mark Doox, Love and Rockets Vol. IV #14 by Gilbert and Jaime Hernandez, Hypericum by Manuele Fior, and How War Begins: Dispatches from the Ukrainian Invasion by Igort. A full list of award winners can be found here. Show dates are already set for next years MoCCA Arts fest: March 15-16th, 2025, at the Metropolitan Pavilion. In an attempt to halt the decline of greater sage grouse across the West, the Bureau of Land Management is proposing changes to 77 Resource Management Plans at field offices in nine states that oversee 69 million acres of federal land. The proposals are outlined in a draft management plan released on March 15. Public comment will be taken through June 13. Joint efforts to conserve the greater sage-grouse and its habitat led to the largest collaborative conservation effort in our history, and we are building on that work, together with our partners, to ensure the health of these lands and local economies into the future, said BLM Director Tracy Stone-Manning in a statement. Whats proposed The draft plan outlines six alternatives the agency considered. The alternatives that do the most to protect sage grouse were Alternatives 3 and 6, which identify 11.13 million acres of habitat worthy of protection under a designation as Areas of Critical Environmental Concern, or ACECs. In Montana and the Dakotas, more than 726,000 acres were identified as potential ACECs due to the sage grouse habitat they provide. In Wyoming, more than 839,000 acres were outlined. Alternative 3, which has the most restrictive management in terms of development, would reduce the BLMs flexibility to meet its multiple-use mandate, the draft plan said. Consequently, the BLMs preferred option in the draft plan, Alternative 5, would allow more resource development as long as compensatory mitigation is used to offset impacts to sage grouse habitat. The agency also proposes that the work to offset any damage be completed first. Montana plans In Montana, much of the BLMs task under the new plan seems directed at making different field offices and interagency management more consistent across boundaries. "This preferred alternative supports the all-lands all-hands approach to sage-grouse conservation and collaboration with our partners," said Sonya Germann, state director, in an email. "There are not large changes to any of our resource programs, rather we want to emphasize what has been working and provide flexibility to respond to unique local circumstances. Specifically, livestock grazing availability remains unchanged. The BLM will continue to focus management on habitat and land health standards, evaluating effectiveness of grazing systems and range improvements at the local level." The agency also noted that migratory birds in north-central Montana that move into Canada, and in Eastern Montana that sometimes fly to western North Dakota, should be protected for their unique behavior, albeit under different prescriptions. The different prescriptions that can be applied to habitat include: Priority Habitat Management Areas, General HMAs, Restoration HMAs and Connectivity HMAs. Each of these HMAs would be geared to different management objectives, with Priority HMAs having the highest value to maintaining sustainable sage grouse populations through management to minimize habitat loss and degradation. Under the preferred alternative, in the Montana-Dakotas the BLM is proposing 3.3 million acres of Priority HMAs, 1.85 million of General HMAs, 94,000 acres of Restoration HMAs and 298,000 of Connectivity HMAs. In Wyoming, 8.6 million acres of Priority HMAs, 8.98 million of General HMAs and 15,000 acres of stewardship areas are proposed. "The alternatives outlined in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement combine the best available science, the most successful approaches in our current management, and the need to address emerging issues, to consider different ways to balance rangewide consistent management with the need to address unique conditions in parts of the range," said David Wood, a BLM conservation biologist, in an email. "Many of these changes are minor, focused on clarification and providing the flexibility to address the variable and dynamic sagebrush ecosystems." Status As the BLM works to ensure the continued survival of sage grouse, the draft plan also points to a somber fact, Despite years of management attention from multiple state and federal agencies (greater sage grouse) habitat continues to be impacted and lost. Prior to European settlement, sage grouse habitat was estimated at more than 296 million acres. Due to their declining populations, in 2010 sage grouse were listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as warranted but precluded for protection under the Endangered Species Act. While GRSG populations experience natural fluctuations, monitoring indicates the most recent nadirs (low point of population cycles) are lower than the prior nadirs in most states, the draft plan said. Between 1966 and 2021, the sage grouse population has declined 80% and between 2002 and 2021 fell by 41%. According to a U.S. Geological Survey study published in 2021, the birds decline was more severe in the western portion of its range, especially the Great Basin, while the declines have been less severe in eastern areas. Western Wyoming was the only region to show relatively stable sage-grouse populations recently, the researchers noted. Taken as a whole, the greater sage-grouse population now is less than a quarter of what it was more than 50 years ago. Causes for decline The sage grouses continued decline is largely due to loss of the birds sagebrush habitat. A west-wide satellite analysis documented a decline of 1.9 million acres of habitat between 2012 and 2018, 1.1 million acres of which was on BLM land. Wildland fires have increasingly played a role in loss of habitat, as drought has persisted across wide swaths of the western United States. In Montana, the sage grouse population was estimated last year at about 51,000 male birds spread across 766 leks. Leks are the birds breeding grounds where they can be most easily counted in the spring. In comparison, in 2010 the year the birds were precluded for ESA protection the states population was estimated at more than 61,000 on 946 leks. In Wyoming, which contains more than 30% of all sage grouse, more than 35,000 male sage grouse were counted on almost 1,200 leks in 2012, according to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. Eleven years later the agencys count showed 1,700 leks with more than 18,000 males. Not all leks could be checked last year, however, due to heavy snow. Sage grouse populations are known to fluctuate over six- to eight-year spans, so trend lines over those longer periods are what garners more attention. In Wyoming, that trend line has remained fairly flat for the past four years after declining from a peak in 2016. Hunting Due to a decline in sage grouse populations in 18 southeastern Montana counties, the hunting season for sage grouse could be halted there in 2024, Fish, Wildlife & Parks told hunters this winter. That will depend on counts at leks this spring. In the region, 36 males were counted at leks in 2001. Last spring that had dropped to six males. Under the states adaptive harvest management plan for sage grouse, if populations are 45% or more below the long-term average for three years, more restrictive regulations are initiated. Wyoming has documented an almost twofold increase in the number of sage grouse hunters in the past 10 years with a resulting climb in the number of sage grouse shot. The 2022 harvest was estimated at more than 11,600 birds. Last year, northeastern Wyoming was closed to sage grouse hunting. This year, sage grouse hunting in the state will require a free permit to allow Wyoming Game and Fish to better survey sage grouse hunters. Although hunting isnt believed to threaten sage grouse populations, an increasing number of ravens preying on sage grouse nests was cited by the BLM as a concern, especially in areas where habitat conditions are poor. Reactions Montana conservation groups used the released of the draft plan to advocate for protections of southwest Montanas sagebrush ecosystem, overseen by the Dillon Field Office. Speculative oil and gas development does not belong alongside family ranches and on our public land in the Big Hole, Beaverhead County, and other places in Montana where there is virtually nothing to drill, said Frank Szollosi, executive director of the Montana Wildlife Federation. Likewise, the Upper Missouri Waterkeepers executive director, Guy Alsentzer, cited southwestern Montanas sagebrush lands as in need of protection from development. Land management plans and decisions must reflect reality, not just appease oil and gas special interests at the expense of the rest of us, he said in a statement. National conservation groups were split, with many praising the new document for its updated scientific information, while others said more should be done in the face of the birds continuing decline. Stronger plans are needed to provide the grouse with a better chance of survival, said Steve Holmer of American Bird Conservancy. Areas of Critical Environmental Concern would offer hope that some habitat will be protected, but the preferred alternative doesnt designate them, and will do little to improve recovery of the sage grouse, or to make a meaningful contribution to fighting climate change. Comments on the draft plan can be submitted online, or by mail to: BLM Utah State Office, ATTN: HQ GRSG RMPA, 440 West 200 South #500, Salt Lake City, UT 84101. Valerie Van Delft, senior v-p of logistics at Penguin Random House, will retire this August, PRH executive v-p and chief supply chain officer Annette Danek announced in a letter to staff on March 20. As a result of Van Delft's retirement, Tracey Presley has been promoted to senior v-p of global transportation and logistics, effective immediately, and will report to Danek. "What a singular difference maker she has been," Danek wrote of Van Delft, whom she met in 1998, characterizing her career in the memo as the transformation of "a hidden, underutilized local talent" into "one of our PRH MVPs." Danek added: "I am struck by how many segments of our business will join me in missing her," including the transportation division, comprising "25,000-plus trucks constantly in and out of our facilities, across the country, all year long;" the stock control division, managing inventory "in more than 700,000 distinct locations in all our warehouses"; purchasing management, which allows the company to "ship more than 450 million units a year," and more. "To truly consider the depth and scope of Valeries PRHs Operations reach and responsibility," Danek said, "is overwhelming, even for me." In Presley, Danek wrote, Penguin Random House Publishing Services has found "the must-go-to global-services in-house transportation expert." She characterized him as "a genuine professional with a gift for creative and cost-effective solutions" whose "painstaking, win-win approach to negotiations with our domestic and international carriers has translated to significant cost savings and efficiencies for us across the board." Danek added that Presley's "dynamic leadership style" and "understanding of the far-flung complexities within the international freight network" have enabled the division "to successfully navigate importing our books from overseas printers during many global supply-chain disruptions." Those include, she wrote, "COVID and, most recently, delays related to historically low water levels in the Panama Canal, and the conflicts impacting the safety of maritime vessels transiting the Red Sea en route to the Suez Canal." In addition, Alison Martin has been named senior v-p of customer solutions, analytics, projects, and strategy, effective April 1. Jeanie Wood, v-p of fulfillment procurement and inventory management, will report to Martin, and Wendy Carey Leppo, director of wave planning, will report to Alyssa Oles, senior v-p of fulfillment operations and IT Services, also effective April 1. Jessica Studer / Instagram By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 03/20/2024 ADVERTISEMENT FOLLOW REALITY TV WORLD ON THE ALL-NEW GOOGLE NEWS! Reality TV World is now available on the all-new Google News app and website. Click here to visit our Google News page, and then click FOLLOW to add us as a news source! ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade. couple Jessica Studer and Austin Hurd have announced that they're expecting their second child together.Jessica and Austin, who wed on 's tenth season and are already parents of a two-year-old son named Westin Paul Hurd, have another baby on the way."We're expanding our 'Hurd' lol," Jessica captioned a family photo shoot with People."Baby H coming August 2024," she added.Jessica is currently 20 weeks along in her second pregnancy."We aren't going to find out the gender -- going to keep it a surprise until we deliver," Jessica told People."Working in labor and delivery, I always find surprises extra special. So excited to share this with everyone! Love: Jessica, Austin & Westin Hurd."Jessica and Austin welcomed Westin into the world on November 3, 2021, and they shared the good news on Instagram days later.In one of the pictures Jessica had posted, Westin was wearing a "Newest Member of The Hurd" onesie. Jessica gushed about how she and Austin were "so in love" with their newborn and she was healthy and adjusting to motherhood."The snuggles really do make it all worth it," Jessica shared at the time.Austin then uploaded similar pictures, including one of him appearing to hold his son for the first time in the hospital."I'm a Dad! Happiest day of my life. As proud as I am to be a father to Westin Paul Hurd I am even more proud of my wife," Austin wrote."All she needed to go through as a mother, the ups and downs of pregnancy, working her stressful job throughout and needing to do c-section when it wasn't in the plans," he continued."So much respect to all mothers and all they go through! Very thankful we are going home with both of them strong and healthy. Can't wait to see him grow and our family grow with him. #dad #family."Ironically, Jessica was pregnant with Baby No. 1 at the same time her twin sister, Jennifer Snyderman, was also expecting -- and the women were only four weeks apart.Jessica and Austin's first pregnancy made headlines in July 2021, just one month before the couple's two-year wedding anniversary.Jessica and Austin, who share a dog Rex, explained that same month how they had been waiting "for the right time" to start a family."Now that we have been married for almost two years and are a little more settled with a house, we are as ready as we can be!" Jessica and Austin told E! News in Summer 2021 once they discovered they were expecting their first child.On the July 28, 2021 episode of : Couples Cam's third season, viewers watched Jessica tell her husband on-camera that she was about to become a mother.Jessica admitted she and Austin had just begun trying for a baby and so neither of them probably anticipated on getting pregnant so quickly.When Jessica showed Austin her positive at-home pregnancy test, Austin, seemingly in disbelief, repeatedly asked, "What?! Are you serious?! What?""Finding out that Jess is pregnant is the best surprise," Austin said after hugging his wife."I just cannot believe it happened this quick. I am going to be a father. I have prepared myself for this. I've looked forward to this with Jess. I'm just so excited."Jessica went on to gush about how "happy" she was to hear the excitement in Austin's voice."I have always wanted to become a mom," Jessica shared in the footage, "but the fertility issues that ran in my family always made me wonder if it was meant to be and it's crazy to think that less than two years ago, Austin and I met at the altar and now we're going to be parents."Jessica celebrated the baby with her family and friends during an October 2021 baby shower, and then she and her husband revealed later that month that they had a baby boy on the way During a June 2021 episode of : Couples Cam, Jessica and Austin were shown agreeing to start trying for a baby.While Jessica clearly had baby fever at the time, Austin needed a little convincing since he wasn't sure they were 100 percent ready for a baby. Austin said he didn't want to rush into expanding their family like he had rushed into marriage.But after talking things through, Austin determined he and Jessica were in a good place financially and emotionally and could raise their child in a stable home, especially since they had purchased a house in Fall 2020 and recently moved in.Jessica was a 31-year-old nurse manager from Oak Harbor, OH, when she married a total stranger, Austin, who was a 31-year-old network technician from Maryland, on in early 2020.Jessica and Austin, who are both quirky and fun-loving, seemingly had the strongest and most stable relationship on 's tenth season.In fact, the pair actually toned down their physical affection when in the presence of the other struggling couples.Jessica and Austin consummated their marriage early into their honeymoon in Panama and succeeded in navigating the highs and lows of daily life together.Austin, for example, cooked and cleaned the apartment when Jessica worked late, and for those reasons, Jessica didn't mind making more money than her husband.Jessica and Austin had a little tiff about how much Austin had to travel for work, but his schedule eventually changed and Jessica's job became more demanding when she was asked to run a COVID-19 unit.However, the couple continued to support each other and grow more in love.Interested in more news? Join our Married at First Sight Facebook Group or click here to view our newspage!And click here for more updates on former cast members and info on where they are now! The 2024 Summer Games are set to take place in Paris from July 24 through Aug. 11 and enthusiasts are getting into a "French state of mind." ADVERTISEMENT Here are five TV series and films shot in Paris and the surrounding French countryside to get you ready for a summer of games in France. 'Emily in Paris' -- Netflix Created by Sex in the City writer Darren Star, Emily in Paris centers around Chicago marketing exec Emily Cooper who has to juggle work, friends and romance after landing her dream job in France. In January, Netflix announced that it had started production on Season 4 of the romantic comedy-drama series. Season 3 premiered in December 2022 and saw Emily caught in love triangle between Alfie (Lucien Laviscount) and Gabriel (Lucas Bravo). 'The New Look' -- Apple TV+ Examining the lives of designers Christian Dior and Coco Chanel against the backdrop of the World War II Nazi occupation of Paris, The New Look focuses on the French city through its fashion icons. The Apple TV+ show, which premiered in February, features Emmy Award-winner Ben Mendelsohn as Christian Dior, Academy Award-winner Juliette Binoche as Coco Chanel Maisie Williams as Catherine Dior, John Malkovich as Lucien Lelong Emily Mortimer as Elsa Lombardi and Claes Bang as Spatz. Inspired by true events and filmed exclusively in Paris, The New Look also offers an intimate look at Dior's contemporaries and rivals including Pierre Balmain , Cristobal Balenciaga and others. 'The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon' -- AMC Following more than a decade spent on AMC's The Walking Dead, Norman Reedus returned to the zombie universe in The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon in September, following the character on a journey through France. During the first season of the show, Daryl was joined by Isabelle, a nun trying to survive in a Paris convent, as he faced off against hordes of the undead across the French countryside. FOLLOW REALITY TV WORLD ON THE ALL-NEW GOOGLE NEWS! Reality TV World is now available on the all-new Google News app and website. Click here to visit our Google News page, and then click FOLLOW to add us as a news source! 'Lupin' -- Netflix Based on a long line of characters working for the good, while on the wrong side of the law, Lupin is based on the classic French character, master thief Arsene Lupin. Starring Omar Sy as Assane Diop, Lupin follows Diop as he seeks revenge on the wealthy family who framed his father. This series launched in 2021 and has run for three seasons. At the start of the most recent season, which debuted in October, Diop is on the run and living away from his family, when he decides to return to Paris and risk everything. 'Killing Eve' -- AMC Killing Eve made a huge splash when it debuted in 2018, following the serial assassin Villanelle (Jodie Comer) as she's hunted by detectives Carolyn (Fiona Shaw) and Eve (Sandra Oh). This AMC spy thriller shot was on location throughout Europe -- using historic buildings and squares as backdrops in places like Germany, Romania, London and France. In the opening scene from Season 2, a paranoid and severely injured Villanelle manages to get herself to the hospital for treatment as Eve contemplates escaping Paris. The series concluded in 2022. Two Bismarck people are accused of conspiring to deliver drugs after officers with the Metro Area Narcotics Task Force executed a search warrant at a residence. Codi Olson, 30, and Courtney Aman, 27, each faces felony charges that carry maximum sentences of 10 years in prison and fines of up to $20,000 if convicted. Task Force officers on Monday executed the warrant in the 600 block of South 16th Street, according to an affidavit. The document states Olson and Aman were inside the residence when officers arrived. Officers said they found more than 1,200 grams of marijuana, 65 grams of psilocybin mushrooms, 32 grams of meth, more than 150 grams of THC concentrate and more than $3,300 in U.S. currency. THC is what gives marijuana users a high. Officers found items commonly used to repackage meth and other controlled substances, as well as items used to ingest drugs, according to an affidavit. Officers also said they found a small number of pills that testing confirmed contained ecstasy, the document states. Aman provided a cellphone that contained messages between her and Olson that referred to Aman sending people to Olson for the purpose of purchasing drugs, authorities allege. Aman reportedly told officers she helped Olson further by depositing roughly $10,000 through one of her bank accounts so Olson could avoid suspicion, and that Olson's only source of income was from selling drugs, according to the affidavit. A backpack with Aman's information in it was reportedly discovered to contain meth. Aman allegedly told officers the drugs belonged to Olson. Olson was in custody at the Burleigh Morton Detention Center on a $20,000 cash bond. Prosecutors are seeking a charging enhancement that would declare him a habitual offender based on his previous criminal history, according to court records that indicate he has a four previous drug- and firearm-related convictions. Olson's preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 22. He could enter pleas at that time. The attorney listed in court records did not immediately respond to a Tribune request for comment Thursday. Aman is free on an unsecured $5,000 bond. Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 29. She could enter a plea at that time. Court records do not list an attorney for her. Photos by Kenda Lenseigne While the AR-15 has been subject to just about every modification imaginable, the quest for a belt-fed version took longer to come to fruition than anyone imagined. Way back in 1998, rumors started circulating of an AR upper that could be fed from either box magazines or M27 links, like the FN Minimi or its apple pie offspring, the M249 SAW. For anyone with an M16 lower, this would be an easy way to add a belt fed to the collection, and for those of us who had to content ourselves with semi-autos, well, a belt-fed semi was (and is) still pretty damn cool. The concept generated a lot of buzz, but actually getting from prototype to production proved to be a long and frustrating process, taking longer than anyone anticipated. The good news is that it was worth the wait, and since achieving widespread availability, the FightLite MCR has been subjected to extensive consumer testing. Now, it could be argued that for civilian use, a belt-fed 5.56 is both overkill and subject to the manifest drawbacks of the petite NATO round, but we posit that, A) when it comes to firearms, theres no such thing as overkill, and, B) shut up, commie. DESIGN CONSTRAINTS Using an AR lower receiver as the basis for what is essentially a light machine gun imposes severe restrictions on the designers ability to address the differences between rifle and MG use cases. Putting aside the legal issues, the biggest drawback is that while automatic fire can be achieved through either M16 fire control components or a RDIAS, open bolt operation is a bit trickier, in the U.S., at least. As a result, the potential for cook-offs and a runaway gun is ever-present, and to mitigate this risk, frequent barrel changes are necessary. A second drawback concerns the ARs receiver length, or rather, the length of its operating stroke. When using the MCR magazine well adapter to run a 100-round nutsack, the gun sits a bit higher than wed like. There are AR lowers that delete the magwell in order to bring the cloth bag higher up on the gun, should you wish to go this route. Machine guns must be designed to fire thousands of rounds in an engagement, so to cope with the associated heat stress, carbon buildup, and dirt ingress associated with running a belt, they use heavy springs to drive massive bolts and carriers, tap off comparatively large amounts of gas, and allow the moving parts plenty of runway to allow for sufficient dwell time in order to get things where they need to be. The AR-15 has a notoriously short operating stroke, which can be the source of feed-related stoppages and the driving factor behind the development by Jim Sullivan of the SureFire-optimized bolt carrier group. While it might be tempting to lengthen the stroke by shortening the bolt carrier (and in the case of the OBC, moving the carrier key forward), this inevitably leads to failure of the comparatively weak bolt catch as the BCG slams into it. When these shortcomings are considered, its a small miracle that the MCR works at all but work it does. OPERATION The MCR uses a short-stroke gas piston to drive an operating rod, which in turn pushes against an extension on the bolt carrier to drive it rearward and unlock the action. Think in terms of an HK 416 BCG but turned on its side. The piston itself is a simple cylinder with integral gas rings, riding inside a side-mounted gas block which also serves to mount the carry handle and front sight tower. A FAL-esque, three-position gas plug allows the user to adjust the amount of gas entering the system and account for both suppressor use and fouling. The quick-change barrel is quick. It does, however, leave the op rod exposed during swaps. Instead of just retaining the firing pin like in an AR-15, the MCR cotter pin also holds a separate piece which contains a roller bearing, used to drive the belt-feed mechanism. Any student of small arms will recognize the cam track and feed pawls in the MCR, which traces it lineage to the granddaddy of all of modern light machine guns, the MG42 and copied in the M60, MAG58, Minimi MG5 etc., etc. Although the MCRs bolt looks like an AR-15s, there are several improvements intended to increase its strength and reliability. The number of lugs has been reduced from seven to six, and their width has been increased from 0.10 to 0.145 inch. Rather than having square roots and tips that create stress risers in both the bolt and the corresponding spots in the barrel extension, these are rounded to eliminate the problem. This version fires from the closed bolt, as the BATFE is notoriously shy about allowing open bolt guns onto the civilian market. There is, however, an open bolt variant that uses a sear surface cut into the bottom of the bolt carrier, but you cant have it, serf. Both the charging handle and catch for the top cover are located on the left side of the upper receiver, and like all good Western machine guns, the MCR feeds from the left side also. It could really use a right-side bolt catch, as locking back the bolt for a barrel change, or dropping it after loading a new belt is more awkward than it needs to be. Note the carrier cam pin at the rear of receiver, which serves to actuate the feed pawls. The multi-lug bolt isnt AR-15-compatible. If you want to use, say, an ADM lower that does offer this feature, then youre going to have to swap out your bolt catch for the FightLite version in order to clear the wider upper receiver. FightLite also include a heavier buffer and buffer spring with their conversion kit, along with a buffer spacer to reduce the amount of BCG travel and the wear and tear this has on the bolt catch. Two standard barrel lengths are offered a 16- and a 12.5-inch. To mitigate some of the effects of heat buildup, they measure a full inch in diameter from the chamber to the gas block, then slim down after that. Two sets of feed ramps are present in the barrel extension, a pair of M4 cuts are at the usual 5 and 7 oclock positions for use with box magazines, with a third at the 12 oclock to feed founds from a linked belt. Barrels are secured to the upper receiver by means of a spring-loaded catch forward of the top cover. Barrel change is fairly straightforward lock the bolt to the rear, press down on the barrel catch, and pull forward using the carrying handle, with installation being the reverse of this. ROUNDS DOWNRANGE After adding an Atlas bipod and Primary Arms 2x prism sight to the MCR, we grabbed a few mags and some linked M855 and headed to the range, where we were met by the best kind of buddy, namely one with an SOT and an RDIAS. We broke in the gun according to the manufacturers instructions, firing a couple of magazines in semi-auto mode to both zero and loosen things up before switching to full auto, belt-fed operation, and shot the first 200 rounds with the belt laying on the bench next to us. Next up was another 100-round string, feeding from a cloth nutsack, followed by a barrel swap and a further 200 rounds fed from a boxed belt, or pork chop, both of which clip to a magazine well adapter. Due to the length of the AR-15s magwell, when adding SAW feed devices, youll need to add a few clicks to the bipods legs, which raises the height of the gun (and increases exposure of the operator). The rate of fire in rock n roll mode felt fast around 850 rpm and the light weight of the MCR required the shooter to keep a firm grip on the weapon, loading the bipod more than usual. Its very easy to burn through a lot of ammo with the MCR, even in semi-auto mode, so long as you have a decent trigger with a short reset. Let er rip, tater chip. A RDIAS is a welcome addition, but you can achieve pretty fast rates of fire with a light, single-stage trigger. Because of its closed bolt operation, its probably better to think of it as an automatic rifle, rather than a machine gun, and if you use it with this mindset youll probably never encounter a cook-off, no matter how many belts you push through it. Drop in an auto sear, or mate it to a three-pin lower, and youll be forced to change barrels every 400 rounds or so. In this role, the MCR offers the user all the ergonomic benefits of a lightweight carbine based on AR-15 architecture, but if its necessary to increase the number of freedom seeds going downrange to fight off a zombie horde or invasion of DPRNK paratroopers, then it can change quickly to belt-fed operation and lay down an impressive amount of hate, albeit for a shorter duration than a real LMG. We ran a few drills, engaging targets from a barricade with the gun feeding first from a magazine, then proning out and swapping to a belt, and its possible to make the transition in about 15 seconds. Is it worth the eight grand asking price? For most people, probably not. You can certainly buy all sorts of premium carbines and handguns for that kind of money and leave plenty of change for ammo. But if youve already built out your collection and want something that none of your buddies have or foresee dark clouds on the horizon filled with the best Korean paras, then go for it. This is, after all, America, and there aint nothing wrong with a little overkill. SPECS FightLite Industries MCR Caliber: 5.56 NATO Capacity: 200-round belt, 30-round magazine Barrel Length: 16, 12.5 inches Overall Length: 33 inches Weight (as featured): 11.3 pounds MSRP: $8,400 URL: fightlite.com FREEDOM ORDNANCE FG-15 Wallet feeling a bit light after buying an MCR upper? Cant afford to drop another 30K on a transferable M16 lower receiver, but still want to take advantage of some rapid belt-fed goodness? Freedom Ordnance would like a word. Swap out the grip on any AR-15 with their FG-15 and it turns your semi-auto carbine into a hand-cranked Gatling gun-hybrid through some nifty engineering. A pop-out crank handle in the right side of the grip activates a cam that drives a rod to push on the tail of a standard trigger (or indeed some aftermarket triggers, too). Each revolution of the crank produces four trigger activations, speeding up the rate of fire to near-full-auto rates, which is guaranteed to cause Gavin Newsom to soil his underoos. As a side note, its banned in the usual collection of pearl-clutching nanny states. While its tempting to dismiss this gadget as merely a gimmick (and yes, when firing from offhand, its pretty difficult to get consistent hits), when used from the prone in conjunction with a bipod, we were able to dump a D60 in short order and land shots in the vicinity of an IPSC steel target at 200 yards. Machine guns are area weapons, right? Videos Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. This is not John Vodickas first time protesting a Georgia execution, but he hopes that it is his last. On Wednesday, March 20, Vodicka helped organize a silent vigil held at the Arch in opposition to capital punishment and the execution of Willie James Pye. The event was sponsored by Oconee Street United Methodist Church as one of the latest protests against the death penalty in Georgia. During Tuesdays mayor and commission agenda-setting session, two hours were spent on the proposed rezoning to develop a townhouse-style multifamily complex on a five-acre wooded area between Forest and Barnett Shoals roads, which would also be on the side of Green Acres subdivision located in the eastside of Athens. The construction of this complex will provide 28 units totaling to 76 bedrooms and will require the removal of a private home in the neighboring subdivision. The new government that presents the full Budget for 2024-2025 in July should be ready to restructure the way divestment is managed and implemented, proposes A K Bhattacharya. The Interim Budget made an interesting classification change that many people may not have noticed. Divestment, as a receipt item, did not figure as such in the Budget documents. Earlier, divestment would be a separate entry under the broad head of miscellaneous capital receipts. However, in the Interim Budget for 2024-2025, the practice of showing a separate entry for divestment was done away with. The numbers shown against miscellaneous capital receipts were instead presented as what the government hoped to receive from the sale of government equity in public sector undertakings (PSUs). Thus, instead of a projected divestment receipt of Rs 61,000 crore (including Rs 10,000 crore from asset monetisation) in the Budget Estimate for 2023-2024, the Revised Estimate for the current year showed that an amount of only Rs 30,000 crore was received under miscellaneous capital receipts. The Budget Estimate for 2024-2025 also did not refer to divestment but showed Rs 50,000 crore to be collected under the same head of miscellaneous capital receipts. What could have been the reason for this change Does this signify any qualitative shift in the Narendra Modi government's approach to divestment When a senior finance ministry official was asked about this change, his explanation indicated that the government was indeed exploring a fresh approach to divestment. The official said: "We have not kept a fixed target for divestment... We need to have a new paradigm in terms of thinking and not just keep on parting with the wealth in one stroke. We can always do it in a gradual, calibrated way." India appears to have come a long way as far as divestment of government equity in PSUs is concerned. The experiments with divestment began over 32 years ago in 1991-1992 during Manmohan Singh's tenure as finance minister, and the idea of divestment was mooted as one of his many reform-oriented steps. While reforming PSUs through such divestment by making their managements a little agile and more responsive to market forces may have been the underlying spirit, an equally compelling reason for such minority sale of government stake in them was to shore up revenue for the government, whose finances were in a poor state. The Narasimha Rao government needed to mobilise revenue from all possible sources to bring down its fiscal deficit to a sustainable level, not least because international financial institutions, including the International Monetary Fund, would have released more funds only after they were convinced of the Indian government's commitment to taking credible steps towards reducing the fiscal deficit, which in 1990-1991 had ballooned to 7.6 per cent of gross domestic product. Indeed, it was a major victory for Indian finance ministry officials during their negotiations with the IMF when the latter relented and allowed the government to count its divestment revenue as capital receipts and use that to bridge the deficit. The IMF had initially argued against using divestment receipts to calculate the government's overall revenue. Although that battle was won then, it gave rise to a problem with the way divestment began to be pursued by successive governments over the following three decades. Governments have periodically used divestment more as an instrument to reduce the deficit rather than to do away with government ownership of enterprises, upholding the economic principle that the government should not be in the business of running businesses. This includes gradually imparting management autonomy to PSUs following divestment and forcing them to face market forces and fend for themselves. Not surprisingly, divestment began in 1991-1992 in a half-hearted way with the sale of government equity being restricted only to State-owned financial institutions, so that its critics could not argue that the so-called family silver was being sold to private entities. Over the years, this hesitation was overcome as government shares in PSUs began to be sold directly to private entities. The United Front government even set up a Disinvestment Commission, based on whose recommendations plans for aggressive divestment were mooted. During the years of the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led government, divestment took a giant leap with many PSUs being privatised. Since then, the pace of divestment has slowed, and in the last two decades only one PSU has been privatised. Inter-PSU sale of shares often contributed to the government's divestment receipts. Indeed, in the last 32 years, the government of the day has managed to achieve its divestment target only in eight years. The highest divestment receipt in all these years was achieved at 0.8 per cent of GDP in 2007-2008, and in only five years were such receipts higher than 0.5 per cent of GDP. So, what kind of a new approach to divestment will help improve its performance Surely, merely changing the nomenclature in the Budget documents will not be enough. Instead, the new government that presents the full Budget for 2024-2025 in July this year should be ready to restructure the way divestment is managed and implemented. Here are two approaches that the government could adopt. One, the NITI Aayog document on public sector policy should be taken seriously by the new government, and barring the few strategic PSUs, as recommended there, all other PSUs should be placed under a five-year time-table for disvestment or privatisation depending on the market opportunity and suitability of the entities involved. A five-year plan would allow the government to plan the sale of shares in a way that fluctuations in market prices do not become a hindrance. Two, all PSUs from which the government believes it should exit should be brought under the administrative control of a new ministry. The department of divestment was created in December 1999 and less than two years later it was converted into an independent ministry. Indeed, that was also the period when several PSUs were privatised. In May 2004, the divestment ministry was downgraded to a department and made part of the finance ministry. Subsequently, the divestment department was renamed. However, the pace of divestment or privatisation has remained slow. It is time to set up a divestment ministry once again and delink it from the finance ministry. More importantly, the administrative control of all PSUs, whether to be privatised or have their shares sold, should be transferred to the new divestment ministry. Divestment and privatisation should not be undertaken by the finance ministry, but entrusted to a different ministry that has no obligation to raise more revenue to bridge the deficit. That will be the surest way to delink divestment from the government's revenue-raising obligations. Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com The former pastor of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Max has been sentenced to more than half a year of jail time, probation and full restitution of the more than $80,000 she was accused of stealing over a period of years beginning in 2016. Erin Gullickson, 49, of Benedict, was convicted following a trial in January. South Central District Judge Cynthia Feland on Wednesday went beyond a sentence recommended by McLean County State's Attorney Ladd Erickson. Erickson had recommended a suspended jail sentence, giving Gullickson credit for 50 days served since her conviction, followed by three years of supervised probation and a condition that Gullickson make restitution of nearly $82,000 within a year of her release from jail. Defense attorney Ryan Sandberg told Feland he had no issues with Erickson's recommendation regarding jail time, but he offered that restitution should be spread out in annual payments over the term of Gullickson's probation. Feland said she "did not want to make the church wait" to begin being made whole. Following discussion with Sandberg, Gullickson and her husband said they could begin making payments of $1,000 monthly beginning in October. Feland accepted a monthly payment plan but said the amount would likely need to be higher because she wanted the entire amount paid off by the end of Gullickson's probationary period. Feland also disagreed with the notion that Gullickson, who has been in custody since her conviction, should not be subject to further imprisonment. The judge sentenced Gullickson to 10 years in prison but suspended all but time already served and an additional seven months, in addition to three years of supervised probation. Feland ordered Gullickson to serve her sentence in the McLean County Jail in Washburn rather than be transferred to the custody of the state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. "County time is hard time," Feland said. "Some say it's the hardest time there is. You don't have all the advantages they have at the (state) prison." Feland told Gullickson the sentence was based on what the judge called Gullickson's abuse of a position of trust and responsibility in the church and community. "You have fractured a community," Feland said to Gullickson. The judge also mentioned that allegations made regarding Gullickson's theft of church funds began in 2016 and only ended shortly before charges were filed last February. Gullickson was accused of diverting church funds for personal use for things such as groceries, home goods, travel, jewelry, gas and clothing. After Gullickson was charged Bishop Craig Schweitzer of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Western North Dakota Synod suspended her from her pastoral duties with pay. The synod council later removed Gullickson from its roster of pastors, according to Schweitzer. Regulators must learn from past mistakes and act swiftly to prevent Big Tech from monopolising the AI ecosystem, argue Payal Malik and Nikita Jain. IMAGE: Kindly note the image has been posted only for representational purposes. Photograph: Kind courtesy ThisIsEngineering and Tiger Lily/Pexels.com The rise of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) has been impressive. Some numbers that illustrate the speed at which technology has disrupted the status quo are in order: To reach 100 million users, the telephone took 75 years, the mobile phone took 16 years, the web took seven years, Facebook took four years, and Instagram took three years. Meanwhile, ChatGPT took just two months. These estimates underscore the rapid adoption of these technologies and emphasise the importance of getting competition right from the very beginning. Disruptive technologies always come with the promise of dislodging entrenched incumbents. To facilitate this, competition agencies and other policy instruments should be quick in their response. In this context, it is important to ask whether the new entrants have the potential to become competitors of Big Tech companies or if they will be integrated into existing business models and mirror the ecosystems that have been created on mobile platforms. Ecosystems have emerged as an accepted way to describe the economic activity that develops around Big Tech firms as they leverage critical input -- data being the most important -- to orchestrate the creation and provision of products and services. Are AI platforms that bring together data sets, cloud, computing power, graphics processing units (GPUs), and applications emerging into a new ecosystem? The focal point of the AI ecosystem is the foundational model, where few firms have the necessary resources, large datasets, infrastructure, and expertise to develop. It is not hard to imagine AI having a future similar to digital markets, where incumbents monopolise essential upstream inputs (cloud infrastructure and foundation models) and exercise market power over complementors in the application market of products and services. However, this need not be the case if the trajectory of this new technology is shaped by prudent and quick interventions to stymie any possible anti-competitive conduct such as tying, self-preferencing, acquisitions of complementors or potential competitors, or any other now-known conduct of Big Tech used to leverage their dominance from one market to another. As AI is still in its early stages of development, it is difficult to say with certainty whether its foundation will eventually become concentrated, but it is crucial to act now. Competition authorities in France, The Netherlands, and the UK are investigating monopolistic behaviour in the markets for AI infrastructure. Both globally and in India, the infrastructure (hardware and cloud platforms) and foundational model layers of the AI stack are dominated by Big Tech. The focus of Indian AI startups has largely been on the applications layer, with the majority working in the code and data segment. Big Tech incumbents have an advantage in AI due to their access to specialised hardware equipped with a large number of central processing units (CPUs) and GPUs, creating barriers to entry. The expenses involved in developing and training these models also tend to favour larger firms. The lack of high-quality, large-scale, localised training data; native hardware original equipment manufacturers (OEMs); and scarce patient capital for cost-intensive foundational model work is likely to increase dependencies of the GenAI startup ecosystem in India on the high-cost computing resources of global cloud companies. The next competition challenge of AI systems is the possibility for firms to begin with an open-source approach to attract customers; appropriate their competitively-sensitive data and eventually restrict access to their systems to prevent competition -- a scenario reminiscent of what we saw in the mobile ecosystem with the Android Open-Source Project. Large technology companies have a demonstrated history of capturing or using open-source projects to their benefit, often to entrench and expand centralised power. There is a growing concern about the increasing partnerships between Big Tech firms and AI startups, as it may lead to a lack of fair competition in the nascent GenAI market, with these partnerships seemingly serving the same function as previous 'killer acquisitions' or 'reverse killer acquisitions' used to create ecosystems. Interestingly, these agreements may have dodged existing merger regimes. For instance, Microsoft, which has thrown its weight behind OpenAI, does not own any conventional equity shareholding in the company; instead, it is entitled to receive a share of its profits from a specific subsidiary of OpenAI. In late January, the US Federal Trade Commission announced that it had issued orders to five companies, requiring them to provide information regarding recent investments and partnerships involving GenAI companies and major cloud service providers. Competition authorities are familiar with the 'playbook' used by digital companies to expand their dominance. Regulators must learn from past mistakes and act swiftly to prevent Big Tech from monopolising the AI ecosystem. We cannot afford to let history repeat itself. Payal Malik and Nikita Jain are professor (visiting) and fellow (consultant), Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations. Shiva Kanwar, research associate, and Bhargavee Das, research assistant contributed to the column. The views are personal. Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com Given the 2024 general elections, it is unlikely that the allegations around electoral bonds, raised by the Opposition, will disappear easily or with a shrug of the BJP's shoulders and fabled 56-inch chest, argues Shyam G Menon. IMAGE: Bharatiya Janata Party leader Narendra Modi in Shivamogga, Karnataka, March 18, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo The value of a television remote control is well-known. It gifts one control over the TV, from a distance. It was a couple of decades ago that the remote control entered political jargon. Several political parties have been victims of the characterisation. The most prominent example -- prominent because the engineers of such comparison pulled it off successfully -- was the government headed by Dr Manmohan Singh, wherein, the real decision-making power was often spoken of as wielded by the then Congress president, Sonia Gandhi. The late Bal Thackeray and the influence and control he maintained on the Shiv Sena government headed by the late Manohar Joshi was another example of remote control frequently cited. The country's biggest party -- the Bharatiya Janata Party -- has had repeated but shifting trysts with the notion of remote control. In the early stages when the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh was widely seen as source of control over the BJP, that was where the remote control was perceived as parked. As the BJP grew in stature, there were occasions when the relationship was thought to have reversed temporarily. Then, there has been the ascent of the cult around Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which with the widely propagated platform of 'Modi's guarantee' is perhaps currently, the best entrenched remote control within India's political Right. As the country drifts closer to general elections and campaigning starts to make its appearance, the posters of BJP candidates in many places are distinct for the inclusion of Modi in the frame. There is the candidate's face and looming behind him, Modi. The candidate promises action; Modi's guarantee on show in the backdrop ensures it. Seemingly reminiscent of the BJP's 'double engine' spin, it is however, a tricky relationship. In these days of all control vested in the remote control; the device damaged means an entire TV crippled. Metaphorically, it is like an infection from a distant body part, spreading throughout the body. And as it spreads, the subject of endorsement in an election campaign poster gets swept along. What few notice is that it is easier to ring fence and protect the guarantor in the event of contamination in the endorsed subject, than ring fence a candidate from contaminated guarantor in the backdrop. An infection spreading from the dominant guarantor's side, takes candidate also down. Back in the days of the Manmohan Singh government, no effort was spared by the BJP to sling mud at Sonia Gandhi and paint her and the Nehru-Gandhi family in bad light. Years later, we see its result and legacy -- even as Manmohan Singh stays much respected as an individual, the government he headed lost power in the elections that followed. Courtesy relentless taunting, mocking and hunting by the BJP, the Congress remains a shadow of what it used to be. The BJP risks a similar scenario as the developments around electoral bonds, continue to unfold. First the Supreme Court ruled that the electoral bonds-scheme ran afoul of constitutional rules and propriety. Then, it ordered the State Bank of India to reveal details pertaining to the bonds. Upon the bank revealing details inadequately, the Court gave it a rap and sought better disclosure. Finally, the Congress lost no time in trying to figure out links between raids by government agencies on companies and their resorting to buying electoral bonds besides possibilities of quid pro quo connections between the purchase of bonds and awarding of project contracts. Equally controversial would be the laws and policies made reality (or sought be made reality) with visible haste, little meaningful debate and disregard for the Opposition's view. There have been changes to the penal code, the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and the push for One Nation One Election. The modus operandi seen in these cases and several others where the BJP bulldozed its way through, wouldn't have escaped the electorate's attention. In a predicament where Modi is BJP and BJP is Modi, one can imagine where any dissatisfaction/disapproval would be heaped and how it would impact in an election poster born from such a heavily centralised set up. IMAGE: A Modi roadshow in Coimbatore, March 18, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo Given the 2024 general elections around the corner, it is unlikely that the allegations around electoral bonds, raised by the Opposition, will disappear easily or with a shrug of the BJP's shoulders and fabled 56-inch chest. As we sail into elections with party posters featuring BJP candidates and Modi in the backdrop, it is clear where in this arrangement emphasising remote control, lustre may have dimmed. Ring fencing the candidate in the poster to save him/her from Modi makes no sense. The infection will seep through. That is the problem when guarantors are titanic in popular imagination. One large iceberg hitting a weak spot, and down will go a whole ship. Like TV shut down thanks to remote hosting all controls, gone kaput. It is high time the BJP realised that 'Modi's guarantee' is actually a liability for its candidates. Even with smart technology for governance and tight monitoring of elected representatives factored in, there is something fragile, suspect about one person standing guarantor for the action plans of so many. It speaks poorly of the party's candidates, emasculates them to mere robots awaiting instruction and renders them only as worthy as the remote control in the backdrop. Should the remote control be sullied, its impact on the candidate is a given. In the BJP's case, such risk is manifold because most of its candidates would be sporting Modi's face and 'Modi's guarantee' in their posters. Further, the risk for candidates aside, there is something abnormal about a party that voluntarily limits itself to one person's vision and expects a nation of 1.3 billion people to concur that leadership-talent in their midst is so sparse. An old game that it was adept at playing to destroy others, may now be catching up with the BJP. Shyam G Menon is a freelance journalist based in Mumbai. Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com 'But he was very quick and did a very stylish adab.' 'Of course, I didn't expect him to hug.' IMAGE: Lakshmi Murdeshwar Puri and her husband Hardeep Singh Puri, currently India's minister of petroleum and natural gas and housing and urban affairs. All photographs: Kind courtesy Lakshmi Murdeshwar Puri Do girls need to swallow the sun to shine in India? They literally did have to, back in the day, to conquer their worlds. Even today, to prove themselves, women must radiate abundant light to overcome much of the darkness that often can be a stumbling block for them to succeed. Retired diplomat Lakshmi Murdeshwar Puri knows a lot about swallowing the sun. She learned about it at her Aai's knee. The daughter of a 'fierce feminist' and one of the first women to earn a postgraduate degree in law in Maharashtra, Puri's mother Malati Desai broke ridiculously finicky, rigorous caste and regional barriers -- waiting eight years -- to marry her Chitrapur Saraswat Brahmin poet-lawyer husband Balkrishna Ganesh Murdeshwar from Karwar. Right from young, her mother instructed her, 'Don't ever be told you are weak or vulnerable because you are a woman. Women are the strongest creatures god made! Be forever strong. You can't defy your nature!' And both her parents, who she describes as iconoclasts, feminists impressed upon her: 'Be someone in your own right'. IMAGE: Lakshmi Murdeshwar Puri on the cover of Eve's Weekly magazine. Puri went on to make her mom proud, eating the sun off for breakfast, when she trained as an officer for the Indian Foreign Service corps; married a fellow diplomat Hardeep Singh Puri; was posted in various capacities to Japan, Sri Lanka, Hungary, Switzerland, on the Pakistan desk in New Delhi; and then joined the United Nations going to become an assistant secretary general, working with UN Women on gender equality and empowerment of women. How Malati Desai Murdeshwar would have approved. Today Lakshmi Murdeshwar Puri is an author too. Her first novel Swallowing The Sun, published by Aleph, was released in January. Sprinkled with poetry and religious verse, it elegantly draws together several strands, warping and wefting an epic tale, as iridescent as a Paithani sari, against the rich backdrop of turbulent, seething but idealistic pre-Independence India, following a determined young woman who tramples rules and hurdles, sweeps imperiously past obstacles to become a brave new heroine of Young India. Her name is Malati. IMAGE: Lakshmi Murdeshwar Puri's mother Malati Desai Murdeshwar and father Balkrishna Ganesh Murdeshwar. While the character traits of many of the leading figures in Puri's masterwork reflect that of her parents and the book is a subtle and affectionate ode to Malati and Balkrishna Murdeshwar, it is not a biographical novel. Standing in front of a literary kind of kadhai, cooking up a rich and tasty plot, Puri decided to toss in a whole slew of piquant ingredients. Swallowing The Sun wanders from rural Ratnagiri to a royal court in Madhya Pradesh, stops for an interval at an Indore orphans' boarding school, journeys to the dacoit badlands of the Chambal, winds its way to cosmopolitan, brash Bombay, takes a detour to the banks of the Ganga in Varanasi, before heading later to snobby British-era Shimla and finally to post-Independence Delhi. You can almost experience the joy Puri had throwing colour and spice about, as feisty Malati is ambitiously pushed to different locales to take on new sets of challenges and the novel's trajectory takes an unexpected twist or turn. Discussions on caste, religion, romance, women's education, law, food, death, hunting, insanity, nine-yard saris, theatre, poetry, literature, horsemanship, nathya sangeet, Gandhism, Veer Savarkar, the British, all adventurously find their way into Swallowing The Sun. Explains Puri to Vaihayasi Pande Daniel/Rediff.com: "I keep saying this: It is not a biography nor an autobiography because, of course, it's of a different generation. But it is very much inspired by my parents. "Much of their soul and spirit is captured in the characters of Guru and Malati. The trajectories are not identical... certainly not, but there are some milestones that may be similar." IMAGE: Lakshmi Murdeshwar Puri in a dancing pose. One of Puri's purposes in setting it in the time of her parents was to present and bring alive the idealism and distinctive mood of that era and show "the values that they represented, that generation. "I was born to them when they were 45 years old. And as a post-Independence child for me, it was a very fascinating era and epoch that they represented and they kept talking about or recalling and invoking. "That also roused my curiosity about the world that they had inhabited and mentally, emotionally and intellectually continued to inhabit... So this is the context in which you have to look at their association with this book or they're inspiring this book." IMAGE: Lakshmi Murdeshwar Puri with her father Balkrishna Ganesh Murdeshwar, sisters Indira and Kusum and her mother Malati Desai Murdeshwar. Apart from Puri's parents' wistful and deep emotional connection with a pre-1947 India, a time of so much "socio-political upheaval and cultural rebirth," they also brought up their three daughters, Kusum, Indira and Lakshmi, in a highly progressive and artistic atmosphere, while stressing the need for the girls to have their own career, education. "The cultural, educational and literary environment that they created was also very much responsible for the careers we pursued. And this literary offering. "Even when I was wanting to tell a story, inspired partly by their life, the medium had to be a literary novel. "We grew up in a very literature-loving household. My parents were vidwans in Sanskrit... My mother made me study Hindi literature with a pandit." But many genres of literature swirled about Puri through her childhood and teenage years and is reflected in the novel, be it T S Eliot, Tennyson, Dickens, Greek mythology, Indian epics, Shakespeare, Sanskrit scriptures, Premchand, the Gita, Marathi poetry, Chhayavadi poets. The sundry obsessive conversations about food in her novel can be traced back to her parents too, her mom in particular, who she says was a talented cook, talked food eloquently and passed on her cooking skills to Puri. "Like her I consider Indian cuisine to be the greatest, most sophisticated and pleasure-giving. One of the main rasas of living!" IMAGE: Lakshmi Murdeshwar at her arangetram. Locating her novel in multiple places required a bit of serious research, although she had a lot of memories, recollections, letters, and "stories" of her parents and their contemporaries to go on and she was able "to recreate, burnished by my imagination, these places from the eyes, the ears and the senses of my parents." She is intimately familiar with Murdeshwar, Ratnagiri, and those rustic environs, right from her childhood, but Varanasi was a study project. Guna and Shivpuri she had knowledge of too, having, as she puts it "imbibed that atmosphere of a princely state." IMAGE: Puri's mother Malati Desai Murdeshwar, after graduation from Government Law College, as one of the first women law graduates of Maharashtra. Puri is now rather keen to go back to those milieus "to see how did I recreate these places and how have they changed. And just the magic of that imagination that may have shown these places to be different from what they were or are." Her novel is set around 100 years ago. Has India travelled all that far in a century? She chooses to create dialogues on many topics between various pairs of characters in her novel that make you question that. The barriers that Malati, her sister Kamala and other women characters bested in Swallowing The Sun, which her broadminded father Baba also battled when he tried to get all the village girls educated, not just his daughters, or that Gandhiji referred to when Malati met him, were not speed breakers confined only to Malati's time. The patriarchy that existed then is not even close to extinct today. IMAGE: Lakshmi Puri was much inspired by her mother Malati Desai Murdeshwar. Puri feels that, in spite of momentous attitudinal shifts, and being on the right path, the roadblocks yet exist in some form or another, even for girls of privileged backgrounds, over 75 years after freedom was won for our nation. "The mindset change that Baba tries to bring about is a continuous process, whether it was then, whether it is today, when we have the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign. "That is exactly what he was trying to do then too, to prevent child marriage, child motherhood and put an emphasis on education. "Removing discrimination in the workforce, whether women should work or not or is their place in the home -- there is that attitude. "Then there is this question of girl aversion and boy preference -- that attitude. And the issue of access to resources, economic and financial, property rights, autonomy of women... "All of these issues were very much there at that time and are there today." These problems, Puri underlines are faced as much in urban areas, among the more educated and better off too, and in the middle classes -- "there is still the need to fight attitudes" and to make sure "women themselves to claim their rights." Further, Puri believes that lack of discrimination against women should also be mirrored today in the higher echelons of policy making and governance and lawmaking. "The whole issue of their voice, participation and leadership in governance (exists). It was there then and it's a continuing battle today." Perhaps absence from a homeland births a longing to bring it closer and so Swallowing The Sun got its first contours when the diplomat began writing the 424-page novel 22 years ago on an ambassadorial assignment to Budapest. It was planned as a trilogy, but Puri is not sure if that shall come to pass. She got back to constructing the book a little while after she returned to Delhi post-retirement in 2018. Her career kept her rather busy in between. Each of her postings had highpoints and challenges that she enjoyed taking on. Many related to being a woman in the foreign service. In Tokyo, where she and her husband were first posted, in the mid-1970s, as second secretaries, after mastering the language, Puri was not put in charge of liaising with the press for the information and media division of the embassy. It was felt that it would be difficult for a woman diplomat to interface with Japan's deeply gender-biased society. Puri objected and requested then ambassador to Japan, Eric Gonsalves to give her a chance. Utilising the power and grace of six yards of fabric and her command of Japanese, "I met all the editors of the biggest newspapers in Japan. "Far from being blocked out, I actually got entry, possibly because I was a Japanese-knowing Indian woman in a sari. There was that novelty. "Plus, once we connected, they started respecting me. "It was one of those lessons early on in my career: When you come across speed breakers, go over them at a high speed. Then I never looked back." The highlight of working, next-on the Pakistan desk as an undersecretary in New Delhi was a visit to Pakistan. When Puri was assigned the desk there had been a dramatic, unexpected change of guard in Pakistan. "(Zulfikar Ali) Bhutto had just been executed when I joined. That was 1978. General Zia (Muhammad Zia-ul Haq) had taken over and he was bringing Pakistan, more and more, into a very Islamist kind of framework, which was also very misogynist." Both governments were bravely hoping for a thaw. Puri, known to be a hawk, and one in a series of strong women who had been assigned to this post that she terms a "launch pad" and a "lesson for life," was engaged in an exciting range of work, like confidence-building measures, security issues, territorial concerns. "It was a very complex, rich, sensitive portfolio, and it involved almost every part of the Government of India, particularly the home ministry" and then prime minister Indira Gandhi, ministers and chiefs of the armed forces sat in on the meetings. As a liaison officer she was part of the first ever Sikh Jatha, or group, visiting parts of Pakistan and Islamabad and meeting the general. But her name was missing from the delegation list that was that day heading to Zia's house. "Natwar Singh, who was then the ambassador, said, 'Why is her name missing? She is the liaison officer. She has to be there'. He called the military advisor to the president and said, 'How come her name isn't there?' He said, 'No, women we don't really allow...' "Natwar Singh wouldn't take no for an answer. He told me to get into his car and we landed up at General Zia's residence and they couldn't prevent him from taking me inside. "I was standing there in the line and he, of course, hugged every Jathedar. When he came to me, he was taken aback. "He looked at me with his lidless eyes, real startled. But he was very quick and did a very stylish adab. "Of course, I didn't expect him to hug," she says with a hearty laugh. After 15 minutes, while she was taking notes of the interactions, a waiter came over with a message from the "Begum Sahiba" and asked her to join Zia's wife, who was sitting nearby. Puri was in a quandary, but decided it might be construed ill-mannered to refuse an invitation and went across to Begum Shafiq. "She was waiting for me with tea and everything laid out on the other side of the lawn. I didn't know what to do. If you say no, it would be rude. "So, I joined her there and left the men to the official discussions. It was, of course, a very interesting discussion with her because she and General Zia were from Chandni Chowk and from Delhi, and their families had migrated to Pakistan during Partition from there. "She asked me about Chandni Chowk and what are the fashions for the salwar kameezs? What is the size of the pocha (outward flow of the salwar)? And many other things, including, 'Do they still do bottom pinching in the crowded Gandhi Chowk gullies'?! It was as interesting as that." Pakistan under Zia, Puri, a skilled and warm raconteur, colourfully describes, was very "mulish" about not allowing women, even ministers in official discussions and banquets, so much so that her later boss J N Dixit was led to comment that if Indira Gandhi were to visit would she have to 'sit in the pantry?!' The Pakistan division experience, she recalls was "invaluable" and provided key tutorials in bilateral diplomacy -- "one felt one was learning, but one felt one was contributing very substantially to the relationship and managing the relationship." Her subsequent Sri Lanka posting was at the height of the ethnic crisis, during the heady, history-making days when the India-Sri Lanka Peace Agreement was being negotiated. "It was soon after Mrs Gandhi's assassination. Rajiv Gandhi had taken over. He reviewed the whole Sri Lanka policy, and wanted to cut India's losses and be the broker of peace in Sri Lanka between the two communities." It resulted in India having to send peacekeeping forces to fight the LTTE and Puri had a ringside seat of the goings on. Colombo was again "an unmatched, unprecedented diplomatic experience" doing what diplomacy is meant for, which is "making peace, resolving difficult issues that are of national interests" as "real actors in that effort." All the stuff of a "thriller" that she would like to one day write about too. IMAGE: Laxmi Murdeshwar Puri at the UN. Puri's term in Hungary was the start of her growing her skills in multilateral diplomacy. She was concurrently accredited to Bosnia-Herzegovina, where UN peacekeeping forces and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe were trying to bring peace to this area that, Puri says, was like a horrific live "open air war museum," treacherously planted with extensive landmines. India had provided the largest contingent to the greater International Police Task Force operating there and were valued for their professionalism, discipline and experience in handling sensitive communities. From the multilateral role of dealing with the UN (and similar such organisations), Puri eventually moved to becoming part of the organisation, where she spent 15 fruitful years, first in international trade and commodities division of UNCTAD, later in the Least Developed Countries. She ended her career with a seven-year stint in an area very dear to her heart when she was appointed in 2011 deputy executive director, at assistant secretary general level, of the newly-founded UN Women, an organisation she worked hard to give roots and build. IMAGE: A moment captured after her marriage. Puri met her husband, at the beginning of her career, while they were studying at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy in Mussoorie, where IFS officers train. In three months, they decided to wed. He was the son of refugees from Peshawar and Rawalpindi, who had lived in a refugee camp post-Partition, but like her had grown up in Delhi, and had been educated in a few of the same institutions. They had Delhi in common, though she was a Maharashtrian Saraswat mix and he a Sikh. "The differences were there, religious and linguistic, provincial. But we were Dilliwallahs. That really bridged all the differences and, of course, education. "I had already become a true Indian -- very eclectic in terms of linguistic affiliations, poetry, music, films. We were very cosmopolitan, both of us, in so many ways." Getting over the chasms that could potentially divide them and persuading parents to agree was a small difficulty compared to richness of their multicultural married life. "I'm as much a devout Sikh as a Hindu. I'm spiritually stirred by shabad as much as by my Sanskrit mantras and shlokas that I recite every day. I do both the prayers. "I enjoy Punjabi literature, songs, language. It's a beautiful and robust language, very evocative. "You're absolutely right that intercultural marriages, even within the context of India, are very exciting. There may be some initial conflicts -- I won't deny that, the Two State (laughs) kind of situations -- but they are very enriching... Your horizon widens." IMAGE: Puri with her husband Hardeep Puri. The earliest person to read the initial draft of her book was Hardeep Puri. "My husband has been very supportive of my literary journey. He was the first to read the 270,000-word first draft which I finished one year during the COVID era. And I wrote it on my iPhone and took a print out. He read the whole book in a very concentrated way, gave his feedback. He loved it. "He was very encouraging. He saw so much of my own ideas, my soul poured into it, my experience distilled into it, my feelings, my emotions. Also, my worldview, of course, that evolves from both family and your own lived experience, isn't it? "He saw all of that and remarked, 'There's so much of you in the novel?' Of course, there are similarities in the stories of Malati and Guru and Hardeep and Lakshmi Puri's love story." IMAGE: Lakshmi Murdeshwar with Hardeep Puri at the Lal Bahadur Shastri Academy in Mussoorie. Puri is acutely aware that for many young Indians -- as India's Constitution turns 74 -- heroic, flag-waving sagas of winning freedom and gallantly fighting for Independence have no connect and they take much for granted. Also, the emotional values of the 1930s and 1940s are not reflected in today's India. "This is exactly why I want us not to forget. I want the young people today to remember what their forefathers and mothers did -- and I emphasise the mothers also -- to gain freedom and how valuable it is, how it is to be cherished, how it is to be nurtured. Puri's parents, who were the young of that era, envisioned, wished and worked towards a certain India to be Their Independent India. She reckons (not in a political manner she clarifies) this generation, who are also the young of this century, need to take lessons from the freedom generation and similarly toil at reimagining the India they want to strive towards by 2047. "On one hand, we are setting ourselves the target of India at 100 becoming a developed country. We say we are in the Amrit Kaal (golden era) and as we move towards that -- we are also the richest country in youth -- it is they who are really going to be driving what I would call the movement for reaching the Viksit Bharat (Developed India) goal." Puri has another reason why we must tap history, and the flavour of pre-1947 India, to show a way forward into the future: "The period, that I have tried to capture in the novel, was one of great civilisational reawakening; a cultural, literary, musical efflorescence. "It was a renaissance happening, particularly in Maharashtra. It is that sensibility, that awakening, that is also, in a way, happening now in India... It is very important to evoke -- what I think we are very much doing in some ways -- this civilisational awakening." Puri's Swallowing The Sun is not a simple recital of tales about a long-gone tumultuous time. It's storytelling with a purpose -- the blueprint for the future lies also in a rich past. Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com Several Carnatic musicians have pulled out of Madras Music Academy's annual December conference to protest the Sangita Kalanidhi award to classical vocalist T M Krishna, who they allege has 'glorified Periyar' and vilified the Carnatic music community. IMAGE: Classical vocalist T M Krishna. Photograph: ANI Photo The artistes are miffed with the Chennai-based academy's decision to bestow the honour, which is considered the Oscar equivalent in Carnatic music, on the 48-year-old vocalist. Krishna will preside over the 98th annual conference and concerts of the Madras Music Academy later this year in December. The sibling duo of Srikrishna Mohan and Ramkumar Mohan, otherwise known as the Trichur Brothers said participating in the year-end festival conference hosted by the Academy will make them 'outright hypocrites in our own eyes'. They took to social media platform X to write, 'Formal announcement that we are pulling out of the Annual Conference 2024 of The Music Academy , Madras, for obvious reasons. To participate in a conference presided by Mr TM Krishna would make us outright hypocrites in our own eyes. Sincerely, Trichur Brothers.' On Wednesday, renowned Indian classical musicians Ranjani and Gayatri announcing the decision stated that their participation in this year's conference under T M Krishna's presidency would constitute a 'moral violation'. They accused Krishna of causing 'immense damage' to the Carnatic music world by 'wilfully and happily' stomping over the sentiments of the community and said he 'insulted most respected icons like Tyagaraja and M S Subbulakshmi'. Musician and composer Chitravina Ravikiran also expressed his discontent over the decision and mentioned, 'RETURNING SANGITA KALANIDHI AWARD from ACADEMY: I've taken this step after careful consideration as principles much larger than all of us are at stake. However I'll always remain deeply grateful to the org for its role in my career from childhood #musicacademy #award #Music.' Vedic Speaker and writer Dushyanth Sridhar said that he won't be performing at the academy's upcoming music festival in protest. He mentioned, '#Astikas - I have conveyed to the Madras Music Academy that I will not be performing on the 1st January 2025 (after the sadas). Below is a copy of the letter drafted to them.' 'I have no authority to question the selection of his name for the award. I am pained by many of his public statements on Dharma, Ayodhya, Sri Rama, and more,' he wrote He also attached a copy of the letter he wrote to the president of the Music Academy outlining his ideological disagreements with Krishna as well as his reasons for declining to perform. Historian Vikram Sampath supported the move by the renowned Carnatic musicians and vocalists like Vishakha Hari, Dushyanth Sridhar, Trichur Brothers among others. He mentioned in his post, 'A big shoutout to the immense courage of conviction showed by artists like @ranjanigayatri @dushyanthsridar @TrichurBrothers Vishakha Hari & most of all @ravikiranmusic 's bold step of returning the Sangitha Kalanidhi award in the wake of @musicacademyma's foolish, suicidal & self-serving move. A quiet revolution brews & hope other Carnatic musicians who revere the composers & our Gods join ranks to demonstrate how some things are simply non-negotiable!' Musicians Ranjani and Gayatri have alleged that Krishna's actions have 'tried to spread a sense of shame in being a Carnatic musician' and has been exhibited through his 'consistent denigration of spirituality in music'. They also accused him of vilifying the Carnatic music fraternity that has collectively contributed millions of hours of artistry, hard work and literature. 'It's dangerous to overlook Mr TM Krishna's glorification of a figure like EVR who 1. Openly proposed a genocide of 'brahmins' 2. Repeatedly called/abused every woman of this community with vile profanity 3. Relentlessly worked to normalize filthy language in social discourse,' they posted on X. 'We believe in a value system that respects art and artists, vaggeyakaras, rasikas, institutions, our roots and culture. We will be in moral violation if we were to bury these values and join this year's conference,' the musicians added. Erode Venkatappa Ramasamy (EVR) also known as Periyar is considered to be the 'Father of the Dravidian movement'. He rebelled against Brahmin dominance and gender and caste inequality in Tamil Nadu. The Madras Music Academy on Thursday lashed out at the "unwarranted and slanderous assertions and insinuations" by Carnatic music vocalists Ranjani and Gayatri and their "vicious tone" against senior fellow-musician T M Krishna. N Murali, the president of the academy, in a letter to Ranjani and Gayatri said, "I received your joint letter of 20th March, 2024, and was shocked by both its vituperative content, which is replete with unwarranted and slanderous assertions and insinuations verging on defamation, and its vicious tone against a respected senior fellow-musician." In his letter, Murali said, "You are aware that the Sangita Kalanidhi award instituted by The Music Academy in 1942 is the highest accolade in Carnatic music. The choice of Sangita Kalanidhi made year after year is a prerogative of The Music Academy and has always been made after careful deliberation, with the sole criterion being musical excellence demonstrated over a significant and sustained career. "This year the executive committee of the academy chose TM Krishna for this accolade based on his excellence in music over a long career, with no extraneous factors influencing our choice," Murali said. He said that that the music academy respects the decision of RAnjani and Gayatri but said that posting their letter addressing him and the academy on social media was "discourteous." "We regard your decision to withdraw from the upcoming annual conference because the Academy has chosen for the award a musician you dislike and malign as unbecoming of artistes and in poor taste. I note that you have shared your letter addressed to me and the Academy on the social media, which apart from being discourteous, raises doubts about the intentions behind and the purpose of your letter," Murali wrote. "Normally, a missive of the kind you have addressed to me and the Academy posted on the social media before you have received a reply would not warrant a response. But I would not like to deny you the courtesy of a response in consideration of your contributions to the field of Carnatic music," he said. TM Krishna thanked the Music Academy and termed it 'special' moment. He wrote in a social media post on X, 'I am happy that The Music Academy, Madras is honouring me with the title Sangita Kalanidhi, for the year 2024. It is without doubt the highest honour for Karnatik musicians. At this moment I thank my family, my Gurus and co-musicians for their selfless giving.' Krishna has often spoken out against conventional ideas of caste and gender politics in the existing Carnatic music system and also been vocal about the non inclusiveness of the famed December music season in Chennai, also known as the Marghazi season. He had also started a music festival in the fishing village of Uroor-Olcott Kupppam. An economics graduate, Krishna was a musical prodigy who started learning music from Bhagavathula Seetharama Sharma, followed by lessons from Carnatic vocalist Chingleput Ranganathan and Semmangudi Srinivas. Krishna is the grandnephew of former Indian finance minister T T Krishnamachari, who is among the founders of the Madras Music Academy. According to a press release of the Music Academy, the Sangita Kalanidhi awardee will preside over the academic sessions of the 98th Annual Conference and Concerts of The Music Academy to be held between December 15, 2024 and January 1, 2025. Alleging misuse of state resources for the poll campaign of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Congress on Thursday complained to the Election Commission against "Modi Parivaar" and "Modi ki Guarantee" advertisements and sought their immediate removal and action against those behind it. IMAGE: BJP national president JP Nadda flags off the 'Viksit Bharat Modi ki Guarantee' video van, in New Delhi, February 26, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo A delegation of Congress leaders comprising Mukul Wasnik, Salman Khurshid and Supriya Shrinate met the Election Commission and handed over a set of complaints about alleged violations of the model code of conduct for the Lok Sabha polls and demanded immediate action. The Congress delegation also lodged a complaint against the Bharatiya Janata Party's "false advertisements" invoking the 2G allocation issue and alleged that the party was pursuing a decade-old narrative that had been thoroughly discredited through a comprehensive judicial process. The party prayed for the removal of the advertisement and action against its authors and publishers. In another complaint, the Congress sought the removal of 'Modi Parivaar' advertisement, alleging that it highlights how state resources are being misused for a veiled campaign advertisement. "The brazen use of the armed forces violates multiple directives of the ECI. The fact that the ministry of I&B is being compelled to produce and broadcast the same also needs to be addressed. We seek the removal of the advertisement and action against the guilty parties," the Congress memorandum read. In a separate complaint, the Congress demanded a probe into an unsolicited letter being circulated on social media purportedly from the prime minister himself and asked how the official letterhead of the PMO can be used for what is an obvious campaigning material. "We demand an inquiry into the group circulating the same and the takedown of the material along with other appropriate action," the memorandum said. The Congress also sought action against the BJP's advertisements on the Delhi Metro with the tagline "Modi ki Guarantee" and removal of such advertisements. The party also sought the removal of all images of the prime minister from government bodies, offices, petrol pumps for the duration of the elections as the same violates multiple safeguards iterated in election law. Another complaint by the Congress highlighted the "vile and obscene" posts targeting a senior congress leader, being run from the official social media handle of the BJP. "Strict action is sought against the authors and the publishers for multiple violations of the Indian Penal Code 1860 and the Representation of the People Act, 1951," the party said. The Enforcement Directorate on Thursday night arrested Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in an excise policy-linked money laundering case, officials said, in a big setback to his Aam Aadmi Party and the opposition INDIA bloc just ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. IMAGE: Enforcement Directorate team takes Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal (middle) to ED Headquarters, in New Delhi, March 21, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo The arrest, the first of a serving chief minister, came hours after the Delhi High Court refused to grant protection to the AAP national convenor from any coercive action by the central probe agency. The arrest of the 55-year-old bureaucrat-turned-activist-turned-politician at a time when the AAP seeks to expand its political footprint in the upcoming general elections drew strong condemnation from his party which is in power in Delhi and Punjab. Several opposition leaders also condemned the move and targeted the BJP and rallied behind Kejriwal. The AAP said Kejriwal will continue as the chief minister of Delhi and that if need be, he will run the government from jail. The party also called for nationwide protests outside the BJP offices in the country, Delhi minister Gopal Rai said. The BJP, however, demanded that Kejriwal step down as chief minister on moral grounds. After his arrest, Kejriwal was brought to the office of the Enforcement Directorate in central Delhi around 11.25 pm in an SUV. The chief minister was seen sitting in the rear seat of the vehicle wearing a white half-shirt. He was escorted by three ED officers. On a day of fast-paced developments, a 10-member ED team led by an additional director reached Kejriwal's official residence on Flagstaff Road in Civil Lines in the national capital soon after the high court order and carried out searches. The AAP chief was arrested more than two hours after the ED team arrived at his residence, officials said. Officials said the ED would produce the chief minister before a court here on Friday and seek his custody for interrogation in the case. This is the 16th arrest by the ED in the case that has hit the AAP. Kejriwal had skipped nine summonses issued by the agency for questioning, the latest being for Thursday, March 21. He has called these summonses "illegal". The ED officials questioned Kejriwal briefly before making the arrest. Some seizures have also been made, sources said but gave no details. Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said the ED did not find any evidence during the searches and that the agency found Rs 70,000 which was returned. As the ED officials carried out their action inside, additional Delhi Police personnel and Rapid Action Force (RAF) and CRPF teams were deployed around the chief minister's residence. The additional deployment was made as the ED sought extra security measures in anticipation of protests by AAP supporters. A large number of AAP workers and leaders gathered near the chief minister's residence and shouted slogans hailing Kejriwal and denouncing the ED action. The Delhi police detained around two dozen AAP workers, including MLAs, who were trying to block the road during their protests. The police also stepped up security around the ED office on A P J Abdul Kalam Road in central Delhi. During the day, Kejriwal moved the Supreme Court against the high court's order denying him any relief in the matter. Later, AAP leader and Delhi minister Atishi said they have moved the Supreme Court for quashing the arrest of Kejriwal and "asked for an urgent hearing...tonight itself." But court sources said no special bench was being set up on Thursday night. In Kejriwal's absence, the party stares at uncertainty as many of its other senior leaders are either in jail or in political obscurity. His trusted aides -- Sanjay Singh and Manish Sisodia -- are in prison in connection with the excise policy case, while another close aide Satyendar Jain is in jail in a separate money laundering case. The challenge before the AAP now is to come up with a worthy leader who could handle both the party and its government in Delhi in the absence of Kejriwal. With Kejriwal's arrest, the ongoing confrontation between the AAP and the Centre over a range of issues is also expected to further escalate. From leading the 'India Against Corruption' movement to becoming the chief minister of Delhi thrice in a row, Kejriwal has had a chequered career. The ED's action is virtually a replay of what transpired during the arrest last week of Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader K Kavitha, who is now in ED custody in the same case. The case pertains to alleged corruption and money laundering in formulating and executing the Delhi government's excise policy for 2021-22, which was later scrapped. Kejriwal's name has been mentioned multiple times in the charge sheets filed by the ED. The agency has alleged that the accused were in touch with Kejriwal for formulating the excise policy that resulted in undue benefits to them in return for which they paid kickbacks to the AAP. Minister Atishi, who was among those gathered outside the chief minister's residence, claimed that this entire episode showed how "scared" Prime Minister Narendra Modi is of Kejriwal. "He(Modi) has hatched a conspiracy to send him(Kejriwal) to jail before the Lok Sabha elections." "He(Kejriwal) will continue as the chief minister of Delhi. If need be, he will run the government from jail. There is no rule that stops him from running the government from jail since he has not been convicted," she told reporters. AAP MP Raghav Chadha alleged a "big conspiracy" to arrest Kejriwal just before the Lok Sabha elections. In a series of posts on X, the AAP said, "ED reached the house of Delhi's son @ArvindKejriwal! BJP should know that it is trying to move the mountain in whose support the entire country stands today. The people of Delhi are watching everything. No one will sit silent today." Using the hashtag #IstandWithKejriwal, it said, "The BJP can stoop down to any level to make Arvind Kejriwal bow down. The people of the country including entire Delhi are standing with their hero Arvind Kejriwal today. This dictatorship of yours will not last. And a Kejriwal will emerge from every house." The Congress alleged the BJP is scared of the upcoming elections and is creating all kinds of problems for the opposition out of panic. Another AAP ally NCP-SP chief Sharad Pawar said Kejriwal's arrest showcases the depth to which the BJP will stoop for power. "'INDIA' stands united against this unconstitutional action against Arvind Kejriwal," Pawar said in a post on X. The BJP on its part said Kejriwal reaped what he sowed and asserted that the law has finally caught up with him after his long-drawn efforts to evade it. Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva said, "If Kejriwal has any morality left he should step down and cooperate with the ED." Several former chief ministers like Lalu Prasad(Bihar), Hemant Soren(Jharkhand) and late Jayalalithaa(Tamil Nadu) were arrested by law enforcement agencies before but they were not holding office when they were taken into custody. Jailed separatist Shabir Ahmad Shah daughter Sama Shabir and deceased Pakistan supporter Syed Ali Shah Geelani's granddaughter Ruwa Shah have dissociated themselves from the separatist ideology and pledged their loyalty to the sovereignty of Union of India. IMAGE: A file photo of former Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani. Photograph: ANI Photo Ruwa Shah, daughter of Geelani's son-in-law Altaf Ahmad Shah alias Altaf Fantoosh, issued a public notice distancing herself from the Hurriyat Conference faction founded by her late grandfather. She also declared she has no inclination or sympathy towards Hurriyat Conference ideology. "I am a loyal citizen of India not affiliated with any organisation or association which has an agenda against the Union of India and I owe allegiance to the Constitution of my country (India)," Shah said in the notice published in a local daily earlier this week. Her father, who was also in jail for alleged terror funding, died last year after a prolonged illness. In a separate public notice published in a local newspaper on Thursday, 23-year-old Sama Shabir, a former CBSE topper in Kashmir, emphasised her status as a loyal Indian citizen and unequivocally distanced herself from the banned separatist organisation founded by her father, who is currently in Tihar Jail on money laundering and terror funding charges. "I am a loyal citizen of India and I am not affiliated with any person or organisation which is against the sovereignty of the Union of India," Sama Shabir, the elder daughter of Shah, said in the notice. "I am not associated with the DFP or its ideology in any way," Sama Shabir stated, cautioning that legal action would be pursued against anyone linking her to the separatist group without authorisation. Shabir Ahmad Shah (70) was arrested in 2017 by the Enforcement Directorate over alleged money laundering activities linked to terror financing. He was later chargesheeted by the National Investigation Agency also for alleged terror financing. The case stemmed from a 2005 incident in which Mohammed Aslam Wani, an alleged hawala dealer, was apprehended by the Special Cell of the Delhi police with a substantial amount of cash, purportedly intended for Shah. Sama was summoned by the ED in 2019 in connection with the case, but she did not appear at that time as she was in the United Kingdom studying law. Seeking clarification, Karnataka Governor has sent back to the government a bill that sought to collect funds from temples with over Rs 10 lakh annual income, citing that a case concerning the earlier related act and amendments made to it is still pending in Supreme Court. IMAGE: Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot with CM Siddaramaiah, at Raj Bhavan in Bengaluru. Photograph: ANI Photo The Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments (Amendment) Bill, 2024, was passed by both Houses of the legislature on February 29. The Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has sought more clarification as to whether the amendment can be made during the pendency of the case, specifically when the entire Act has already been struck down by the high court and case in appeal is at the stage of final hearing in the Supreme Court. Further, has the state government conceptualised any legislation to encompass other religious bodies in similar fashion as this Bill, he has asked. 'Therefore, it is directed to return the file to the state government with a direction to re-submit the file with the clarifications,' according to the Raj Bhavan. Karnataka Muzrai Minister Ramalinga Reddy told PTI the Governor has sought some clarification and the clarification will be sent by the government. "The Governor has asked whether the amendment can be made during the pendency of the case which is at the stage of final hearing at the Supreme Court; also it is asked whether the government has conceptualised any legislation to encompass other religious bodies like -- Bababudan Giri Datta peeta and one more such religious place, where two communities worship -- in similar fashion. It will be clarified," he added. The bill was earlier defeated by a voice vote in the upper house, where the opposition has a majority, on February 23, after it was passed by the assembly on February 21. Later the bill was reconsidered and passed by the legislative assembly once again on February 29, and it was sent to the legislative council and there too it got passed. In the Council it was passed amid din, as opposition Bharatiya Janata Party and Janata Dal-Secular members were protesting in the House against the government over the pro-Pakistan slogan issue, while in the assembly it was passed when the opposition had staged a walkout on the same issue. The Raj Bhavan said it is perused that the Karnataka Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Act 1997 and amendments made in the year 2011 and 2012 have been struck down by the high court Dharwad Bench. It is informed that the said High Court decision has been challenged in the Supreme Court and the apex Court has stayed the High Court Order, and the case is in the stage of final hearing, it noted. The Muzrai department's amendment bill had created a huge controversy, as it angered the opposition, especially the BJP, which has claimed that the ruling Congress was trying to fill its 'empty coffers' with temple money. The Congress then sought to turn the tables on the saffron party, pointing out that it had effected an amendment in 2011 to seek funds from high-income Hindu shrines. The bill among other things, proposes to collect five per cent from temples whose gross income is between Rs 10 lakh and less than Rs 1 crore and 10 per cent from temples whose income is above Rs one crore, to be put into a Common Pool Fund, administered by 'Rajya Dharmika Parishath', which is proposed to be used for Archakas' (priests) welfare and upkeep of 'C' category temples (state controlled) whose annual income is less than Rs 5 lakh. The act that was earlier amended in 2011 had made way for five per cent of the net income of temples with annual income between Rs 5 lakh and Rs 10 lakh and 10 per cent of the net income of temples with annual income of over Rs 10 lakh to come into the fund. 'Muzrai' refers to grants made by the government for religious and charitable purposes as well as the upkeep of religious and charitable institutions, according to the Karnataka Government Gazetteer. The department of Religious and Charitable Endowments is, hence, popularly known as the Muzrai department. It administers about 35,000 Hindu religious institutions which receive grants from the Government of Karnataka. From leading the 'India Against Corruption' movement to becoming the chief minister of Delhi thrice in a row, Arvind Kejriwal, arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on Thursday, has had a chequered career as a bureaucrat-turned-activist-turned-politician. IMAGE: AAP MLA Rakhi Birla detained by Delhi police while protesting outside the residence of CM Arvind Kejriwal, in New Delhi, March 21, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo Kejriwal's arrest comes at a time when his Aam Aadmi Party is making a serious foray into electoral politics through a tie-up with its opposition INDIA bloc partner Congress for the Lok Sabha polls in Delhi, Haryana and Gujarat. The 55-year-old AAP national convener's arrest may have serious repercussions on the poll fortunes of the party since he has been at the centre of its plans and strategy for the Lok Sabha election. In his absence, the party stares at uncertainty as many of its other senior leaders are either in jail or in political obscurity. His trusted aides -- Sanjay Singh and Manish Sisodia -- are in prison in connection with the excise policy case, while another trusted aide Satyendar Jain is in jail in a separate money laundering case. An IIT graduate, Kejriwal first led AAP to form the government in Delhi in 2013 with outside support from the Congress. He faced off with former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit in the New Delhi constituency and defeated her by a margin of 22,000 votes in his poll debut. But the Aam Aadmi Party-Congress government lasted only 49 days as Kejriwal resigned since he was unable to pass the Jan Lokpal Bill in the Delhi assembly. Buoyed by the party's electoral gains in its first-ever elections in Delhi, Kejriwal announced his decision to face off with the BJP's Narendra Modi in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections from Varanasi, only to face a crushing defeat. The next year, Kejriwal led AAP to victory on 67 seats in the national capital, restricting the BJP, which was riding the Modi wave, to only three seats while the Congress drew a blank. In the run-up to the 2015 Assembly polls, he had constantly apologised for his actions during the 49-day tenure in 2013 and promised not to quit again. Emerging from the anti-corruption movement of 2011, AAP was founded in the national capital by Kejriwal and his closest associates on Gandhi Jayanti (October 2) the next year. Within a short span of 12 years, Kejriwal has single-handedly led AAP's rise as the third largest national party of the country, following the BJP and the Congress, having its footprints not only in Delhi and Punjab but also in faraway Gujarat and Goa. Kejriwal, who was challenged by politicians during his 'India Against Corruption' days to take a plunge into active politics to taste realpolitik, managed to keep issues like health, education, water and electricity supply as the core of his politics and governance, even as his detractors slammed him for giving up on his promise for Lokpal. Kejriwal, who rose to prominence as an activist riding on the widespread public anger over big-ticket corruption charges on the then Congress-led UPA regime in 2011, still maintains the streak, slamming politicians over the dilapidated condition of health and education in the country. In his over a decade-long political journey, Kejriwal has shown a variety of moves, be it joining the INDIA bloc of opposition parties, whose leaders he earlier slammed over corruption issues, or adopting a "soft Hindutva" approach exemplified by his free pilgrimage scheme and the recent chanting of "Jai Sri Ram" slogans in the Delhi Assembly. Once he had demanded to put photos of Ganesha and Lakshmi on currency notes for the economic prosperity of the country. AAP's claim of pursuing corruption-free governance and alternative politics receives a big dent as Kejriwal goes to jail in connection with the liquor scam case. While defending Sisodia, Singh and Satyendar Jain, Kejriwal used to call corruption "treason" and assert that AAP follows the path shown by Bhagat Singh. The arrest of Kejriwal in a corruption case is indeed a big departure from his earlier persona as an AAP leader holding a 14-day fast in 2013 to put pressure on the then Sheila Dikshit government for action over "inflated" water and electricity bills. Having positioned himself among the top politicians in the country, Kejriwal has come a long way in a relatively short span of his political journey that began as a thin, bespectacled, muffler-clad leader of a fledgling party around 2014-15 that earned him the "mufflerman" nickname. The United States is working with the Indian government to hold accountable those behind a plot to kill Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on American soil, according to the Biden administration. IMAGE: India-designated terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. Photograph: Courtesy @SFJ_Gurpatwant/X An Indian national, Nikhil Gupta, was charged by federal prosecutors in November last year in connection with his involvement in a foiled plot to assassinate Pannun, who holds dual citizenship of the US and Canada. US federal prosecutors have charged that Gupta was working with an Indian government employee and had agreed to pay an assassin USD 1,00,000 to kill Pannun, who lives in New York City. India has already constituted a probe committee to investigate the allegations. During a Congressional hearing on Wednesday, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Donald Lu told members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, "This is a serious issue. A serious issue between the United States and India. The Department of Justice has alleged that an Indian citizen at the behest of someone working in the Indian government has attempted to kill an American citizen on American soil. We take this in the administration incredibly seriously and have raised it at the highest levels with India." "We are at the moment working with India to encourage India to hold accountable, those responsible for this terrible crime. What we can see is that India itself has announced that they have created a committee of inquiry to look into this matter and we ask them to work quickly and transparently to make sure justice is done," Lu said. Lu was responding to a question from Congressman Dean Phillips from Minnesota, who asked if sanctions similar to those placed on more than 500 individuals relating to the killing of Lexie Navalny in Russia are being considered for those believed to be behind the plot to kill Pannun. Prism Logistics has one less hoop to jump through if it wants to build a gravel pit at the base of Casper Mountain. Late Monday afternoon, a press release from Governor Mark Gordon's office announced that he had taken action on six bills that day, signing five into law and vetoing one. The bill that was dumped was Senate File 44, which contained an amendment from Rep. Steve Harshman, R-Casper, that would have required entities seeking to kickstart their limited mining operations to obtain a conditional use permit from their respective local leaders first. In his veto letter, Gordon said that "the amended bill would not change the particular circumstances of that gravel operation, and there is not a pending application for a LMO from that operation. However, the bill would have had constitutional consequences as to how state lands are managed to help fund schools. These impacts included making state lands uncompetitive due to an increased setback requirement and a requirement for counties to review and issue a conditional use permit, even though not all counties require one." Kyle True, manager of Prism Logistics, has shared with the public and the Star-Tribune that his company is considering the state-owned land at the south end of Coates Road for a possible gravel mine. This has infuriated residents, who packed a Natrona County Commissioners' meeting earlier this month to share their concerns, fears and ire. It will take months before the area is deemed feasible or not for a gravel mine, True told the Star-Tribune. Until then, he shared in a press release, Prism Logistics is choosing not to engage in speculation about "concerns raised by area residents." Amendments that were of particular concern to Gordon, he wrote, were a 500-foot setback requirement from a limited mining operation and any occupied structure that would have only been applicable for state lands, the obligations that this act would place on counties to issue conditional use permits and "undefined approvals" left for the State Board of Land Commissioners post-county permit issuance. Limited mining operations are required to be only 300 feet away from any occupied structure on federal and private lands. Gordon wrote that he thought this would make state lands "uncompetitive." "Statutory changes are not the proper place to address specific concerns for individual operations, Gordon wrote in his decision. While Wyoming seeks to manage her state lands cooperatively with counties and their land use plans, the state is not constrained by them. State lands and minerals are important to our states economic well-being and need to be treated the same as other lands in the state. In conclusion, he wrote, the Joint Minerals Committee should review the original bill in the "upcoming general session and examine ways to adequately address existing concerns over limited mining operations on state lands." Harshman, who represents the area of Natrona County that would have been most affected by a mine, told the Star-Tribune shortly after the veto was announced that he was disappointed with Gordon's decision and sees the loss of a dedicated public comment period for the proposed mine which a conditional use permit would have required as a serious issue. "How do leases like this go through a consent list, where nobody even talks about them?" he asked. "Nobody gets to know about them. There's no public comment. And I think that's a real issue. "And so now, a bill that will give the public some comment on mining leases on state lands right next to their property hey, sorry, you don't get any voice on that either. ... It's the board of land commissioners and the leaseholder. That's where this is at. And the public has been shut out." Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena head Raj Thackeray met here on Thursday, amid talk of a possible alliance ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. IMAGE: If the alliance is sealed, the MNS is likely be given one seat to contest from Mumbai. Photograph: ANI Photo The meeting is underway at the Taj Lands End in suburban Bandra. Earlier, MNS leader Thackeray met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Tuesday in Delhi, in an indication that the BJP is looking to ally with him for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls to boost its alliance in the western state. Senior MNS leader Bala Nandgaonkar had later said talks on the Lok Sabha polls between the two leaders were "positive", and details will be shared in a day or two. Deputy CM Fadnavis on Wednesday said the talks between Union minister Shah and Raj Thackeray were positive, and the picture would be clear in the next few days. Raj Thackeray had parted ways with the Shiv Sena when it was undivided and led by his cousin Uddhav Thackeray, and founded the MNS in 2006. If the alliance is sealed, the MNS is likely be given one seat to contest from Mumbai. Elections to the 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra will be held in five phases on April 19, April 26, May 7, May 13 and May 20 and votes will be counted on June 4. The arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the alleged excise policy scam case has posed a leadership crisis question before the Aam Aadmi Party as well as the Delhi government, with his wife Sunita Kejriwal and cabinet ministers Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj being talked about as his possible replacement. IMAGE: AAP worker being detained outside the residence of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal after the Enforcement Directorate team reaches for questioning, in New Delhi, March 21, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo The challenge before the Aam Aadmi Party now is to come up with a worthy leader who could handle both the party and its government in Delhi in absence of Kejriwal. However, it's indeed a big task for the AAP leadership to come up with a name of a leader that at least comes closer to Kejriwal's stature as convener of the party since its inception in 2012 and holding Delhi Chief Minister's post for three terms spanning nearly a decade. The urgency of the task becomes even more pressing as the AAP is gearing up to contest the Lok Sabha polls in Punjab, Delhi, Gujarat, Assam and Haryana in which Kejriwal was to be a key campaigner of the party. Apart from Sunita Kejriwal, a former IRS officer, the names of AAP government ministers Atishi and Bharadwaj too are taking rounds for the post of Delhi chief minister. Atishi, who holds the maximum number of portfolios in the Delhi government, including education, finance, PWD, revenue and services, is considered close to Arvind Kejriwal. She is also a frontline spokesperson of the party defending the AAP government and Kejriwal, and attacking the BJP in her regular press conferences and appearances on news channels. Likewise, Bharadwaj is also a prominent member of the Delhi Cabinet holding several important portfolios including health and urban development. He, too, is a well known face of the party, often engaged in defending the party and its leaders and counter-attacking the BJP and its government at the Centre on a range of governance-related and political issues. However, in December last year, the AAP launched a signature campaign 'Mai Bhi Kejriwal', asking people whether he should resign as Delhi chief minister or run the government from jail if arrested. During the campaign, the AAP supremo also met party MLAs and municipal corporation councilors in Delhi for their feedback on the issue. Bharadwaj recently told reporters in a press conference, "Nearly 90 per cent of people in this exercise opined that Kejriwal has the mandate of Delhi and he has been elected and hence, only he would run the government in Delhi no matter from where." The AAP leadership also has to find a replacement of Kejriwal to head the party that runs governments in Delhi and Punjab besides having MLAs in Gujarat and Goa as well. In this area also, the options of the party are rather limited. Apart from Sunita Kejriwal, name of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Atishi too are taking rounds as leaders who could hold the responsibility of new AAP national convener. Jack Widness, vice president of the Connecticut River Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited, presents a check to Jim Perry President, Deerfield River Watershed Association to further their work on the Wild and Scenic designation for the Deerfield River. WILMINGTON Longtime Planning Commission member John Lebron, an outspoken critic of short-term rentals, is no longer part of the group. On Tuesday, the Select Board voted 4-0 against his reappointment. Board Chairman Tom Fitzgerald abstained. "I have a real problem with that because we have a hard time finding people to fill positions in town," Town Clerk Therese Lounsbury said. "Just because you disagree with someone ... you want good debate and people who are passionate about things happening in town." Board Vice Chairman John Gannon said he's concerned about Lebron's "ability to follow process" dictated by the state's open meeting laws after Lebron as chairperson wouldn't allow fellow commission members to make a motion at a meeting in October. "We should not make changes to the proposal that are going to affect everyone and not put those out for the public hearing again," Lebron said at the meeting. Gannon said his decision to vote against Lebron's reappointment has "nothing to do with his position on short-term rentals." Lebron has urged the board to tamp down on STRs by limiting them and creating a registry. Commission chairman refuses motion to ease up regs on short-term rentals WILMINGTON Planning Commission Chairman John Lebron refused to allow a motion to ease regu A commission chairperson can't reject a motion unless it isn't germane, Gannon said. He called the motion proposed by the rest of the commission "germane." That motion, passed at a later meeting with Lebron voting in opposition, ended up being the basis for new STR regulations being proposed in town. A public hearing was held last week and became contentious when Fitzgerald took issue with Lebron bringing up critical views he's shared in the past. Board member Sarah Fisher said a lot of people have reached out to her to express frustration about Lebron. Fitzgerald noted the town received correspondence, requesting that Lebron not be reappointed. This is the first time Fitzgerald can remember anyone objecting to someone being on the commission. "It's really unfortunate, the whole thing," he said. Wilmington Select Board incumbents meet ballot competition WILMINGTON This year's two Select Board races will be contested, with challengers expressi Lebron told the Reformer he isn't surprised by the decision. After running unsuccessfully against Fisher for a three-year seat on the board earlier this month, he figured the board might not want to reappoint him after some of the criticism he publicly expressed. "I still thought it was petty and vindictive," he said. "That's what they are." Lebron said the Planning Commission has "a lot of work to do," including updates to the town plan. "There's not a lot of experienced folks on that Planning Commission right now," he said. "I think two years is the most. That should be interesting." Lebron isn't ruling out running for the Select Board again. He has served on the Planning Commission since 2015 and became chairman about a year-and-a-half ago. He has lived in Wilmington full-time since 2008 and served as the president of Mountain View Homeowners Association since 2010. "I'm experienced in getting people together, listening, just making a good consensus and making tough decisions when you need to and admitting when you're wrong, especially with the homeowners association here," he said in an interview ahead of the election. "It's a mix of second home owners and residents, so it's kind of a microcosm of what's going on in Wilmington today. There's a lot of give and take, and you just need to be open to ideas." Lebron had acknowledged not everyone is always happy with his decisions but he said he does "the best for the majority." "While I believe STRs are essential to the town, I do believe there needs to be reasonable restrictions on sizes and number of STRs," he said in the previous interview. "I would advocate for not only creating a registry but a licensing system, where there are limitations to the number of licenses in each district based on a total number of available residences or some other reasonable formula. Other towns have done this." Brattleboro, VT (05301) Today A few passing clouds. Low 32F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight A few passing clouds. Low 32F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Windham voters went to the polls in November 2021 to decide whether to close the school and adopt school choice for elementary school. The calendar might say "spring," but Mother Nature is saying, "Not so fast." An Alberta clipper system that swept into the state Wednesday dropped measurable snow in many areas, with the promise of more to come into early Friday, in advance of a second system over the weekend forecast to pack harsher conditions into early next week. Twenty-four-hour snowfall reports from the National Weather Service on Thursday afternoon showed about 1 inches on a southeasterly track stretching from Watford City through Bismarck to Ellendale. Hazen had 1.7 inches, Mandan and Dunn Center both 1.8 inches, Edgeley 2.3 inches and LaMoure 2.5 inches. Thursday morning saw a lull in the system, but snow began falling again later in the day. Initial expectations for a few more inches throughout western and central North Dakota were lowered late in the afternoon to mostly an inch or two. A winter weather advisory remained in effect until 1 a.m. Friday, and the weather service also warned of severe-to-extreme conditions for newborn livestock, with calving season underway in the state. Two rounds of snow expected to hit Dakotas and Montana Snow moves into the Dakotas and Montana Wednesday and Thursday with a second round arriving this weekend. Wind speeds with the system were light, and no major travel impacts were reported. The bigger threat was from a system bearing down from the West Coast. "A more impactful winter storm will move through the region this weekend into early next week," the weather service said. "The chances for 6 and 12 inches of snow remain elevated across southern areas of North Dakota." The chance for at least half a foot of snow Saturday night through Monday night in the Bismarck area was estimated at about 90%, with a 50-70% chance for a foot. Wind gusts could surpass 30 mph late Saturday and on Sunday, according to the weather service. The return to wintry weather after the official start of spring on Tuesday also has brought cooler temperatures, with daytime highs in the 20s, about 20 degrees below normal for this time of year. The below-average temps are forecast to continue through next week. Whether weve heard it on TV or directly from the mouth of a law enforcement officer, the Miranda warning is a familiar recitation of rights provided to someone accused of criminal activity. Important in that recitation are the sentences, You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed to you. The U.S. and North Dakota constitutions guarantee a criminal defendant the right to assistance of counsel. In North Dakota, that is maintained by the North Dakota Commission on Legal Counsel for Indigents. The commission employs attorneys as public defenders, and it also contracts with attorneys in private practice to represent indigent clients. The commissions mission is to provide high quality, professional, and effective legal representation to eligible clients. In order to do that, the commission must be adequately funded. At an Interim Judiciary Committee hearing earlier this month, Travis Finck, the executive director of the commission, presented an annual report and spoke about the current situation of public defenders being overworked and underpaid. There are a couple of issues at play. First, the commission has experienced turnover in its attorney positions. Finck reported the commissions attorneys are operating at a 140-150% caseload, and they are paid considerably less than an attorney with comparable experience within a prosecutors office or the court system. Although they enjoy the job, public defenders may seek employment elsewhere where they can earn higher wages. Second, the commission cannot find attorneys to contract as public defenders due to pay. The commission is authorized to pay contracted attorneys approximately $80 per hour. Comparatively, contracted attorneys in South Dakota are paid $115 per hour. When the North Dakota Attorney Generals Office contracts with a private attorney, the office pays an average of $118 per hour. Most notably, attorneys in North Dakota who contract as federal public defenders are paid $172 per hour. I would be remiss if I did not mention some other factors that come into play with the expense of public defense. Overzealous prosecutors, increased criminal penalties, inadequate mental health and substance abuse services, and untrained law enforcement all contribute to the cost of public defense. I note these things because it is important to understand just how justified the commission is in requesting more funding. Public defenders are not trying to get rich off the state of North Dakota; they are trying to effectively advocate for their clients in a multifaceted system. Finck said the fact that our public defense system hasnt collapsed yet is a testament to the attorneys in his office. Public defense work is often a thankless job, and it can be looked down upon by members of society. Those who work for and with the commission deserve our thanks. But, they also deserve our funding. Right now, we are exploiting the people who recognize the importance of public defense. This is unacceptable, especially because public defense is a constitutional right. North Dakota must adequately fund public defense no matter the expense. Farmers have been driven from their land to make way for rubber plantation. Villagers meet with Koet Saray (L), president of the Khmer Student Intelligent League Association, in the forest where they are hiding in northern Cambodia's Preah Vihear province, March 21, 2024. About 100 villagers in northern Cambodia who were evicted from their homes are hiding in the forest, sleeping in plastic tents and catching fish to survive, because they are afraid they will be arrested, said the head of an association who visited them on Thursday. They are guarding themselves afraid that authorities will arrest them, said Koet Saray, president of Khmer Student Intelligent League Association. His organization works with students to increase their participation in social development, good governance and the sustainable use of natural resources. In a decade-long land dispute, some 300 families in several villages have been driven off their land in Preah Vihear provinces Kuleaen district to make way for a rubber plantation on a land concession given by the government to Phnom Penh-based Seila Damex Co., Ltd. On March 6, hundreds of police and other security forces clashed with about 130 residents during a protest against the forced evictions. They tear-gassed protesters, burned down homes and arrested about 40 villagers. The seizure of land for development, often without due process or fair compensation for displaced residents, has been a major cause of protest in Cambodia and other countries in East and Southeast Asia. The villagers in hiding in the forest are using old hammocks and plastic tents for shelter and have a few mats to sit on, but lack mosquito nets, Koet Saray said. They are catching fish to eat and boiling water to drink. The adults took their children with them when they fled, so they are not going to school, he added. Some of the villagers arrested during the protest have since been released, but on March 12 the provincial court ordered more than two dozen others to be held in pre-trial detention on charges of illegal encroachment on forest land. One of the villagers, who refused to be named for safety reasons, said she wants to return home soon because she cant live in the forest forever. She wants Cambodian President Hun Manet and former President Hun Sen to release her detained family members and resolve the land dispute so the villagers will have a place to live, she said. Provincial Governor Kim Rithy told hundreds of villagers on March 13 said he would allocate 1,000 hectares (2,470 acres) of land to 100 families some of the land previously granted Seila Damex in 2011 according to an earlier RFA report. Am Sam Ath of Cambodian rights group Licadho said authorities must investigate the land dispute and the government must provide villagers with a social land concession if they have no land to cultivate. Social land concessions in Cambodia provide land on which people can establish residences and make money through agriculture. We should eradicate forced evictions, he said. The government must have a specific process to resolve the case rather than using violence. Translated by Yun Samean for RFA Khmer. Edited by Roseanne Gerin and Malcolm Foster. The video garnered angry comments, and some supportive ones, before being deleted. Chinese censors have deleted a video in which a People's Liberation Army soldier brags about a medal given to her father for participating in the 1989 Tiananmen massacre, highlighting the government's efforts to hide that part of its history, according to media reports and social media posts. In the video posted March 18 to the official account of the People's Liberation Army Rocket Force on the video-sharing platform Bilibili, a woman clad in a camouflage uniform holds up a medal she said was presented to her father after he was among the troops that entered Beijing in early June 1989 to put down weeks of peaceful, student-led protests in Tiananmen Square. The woman said she used to enjoy wearing the medal herself when she was a little girl. My father is a retired soldier," she says, according to subtitles on screenshots published by several media outlets including Taiwan's Liberty Times newspaper, Radio Taiwan International, and the citizen journalist X account "Mr Li is not your teacher." "Here is the medal he was given for defending the capital," the woman says. The "Defender of the Capital" honor was handed out to soldiers and other enforcers of martial law in Beijing, which was ordered by late supreme leader Deng Xiaoping on May 20 and defied by protesters and hunger strikers, who remained on Tiananmen Square. Youre bragging? The video soon started to garner comments referencing the killing of civilians by the People's Liberation Army on the night of June 3-4, 1989. "You're bragging about how the People's Liberation Army killed our compatriots?" said one comment, while another said the medal was fit for a "butcher," according to screenshots of the now-deleted video. "A 'medal of honor' won for massacring unarmed students on behalf of a dictator," wrote another. Medical workers at Beijing's Fuxingmen Hospital look at bodies of protesters killed by Chinese soldiers around Tiananmen Square on June 4, 1989. (Reuters) "You must be pretty ignorant to be proud of this," said another comment. "Proud of having innocent people's blood on your hands," said another. Some comments were from "little pink" supporters of the government, one of whom commented that not enough people were killed in the massacre. Chinese censors work hard to keep any mention of June 4, 6/4 or the Tiananmen massacre from the public. Last October, censors deleted a photo showing two hugging Chinese athletes who inadvertently displayed the numbers 6 and 4 on their uniforms. The video in question was deleted on March 18, the reports said. A capture of the Rocket Force's Bilibili account made on that date by the Internet Archive was unavailable on Thursday. Part of the machinery Fang Zheng, whose legs were crushed by a tank during the assault on Beijing, said the soldier has become part of the ruling Communist Party's machinery of oppression. "This little pink soldier is a second-generation June 4 massacre soldier who has sadly become an integral part of the CCP's brutal machine," Fang told RFA Cantonese. A Peoples Liberation Army tank crushed the legs of Fang Zheng, a 1989 Tiananmen Square protester seen in this undated photo. (Courtesy of Fang Zheng) "As a child, she may not have known the meaning of the 'Defender of the Capital' medal and thought it was an honor for her father," he said. "But the Defender of the Capital medal basically means he suppressed and massacred people." He said many soldiers in the 27th Army had been at pains to hide the fact that they had taken part, although others have spoken out. Lt. Gen. Xu Qinxian served a five-year jail term for refusing to lead his 38th army troops into Beijing on the eve of the crackdown. The 27th Army carried out the order after attempts by the 38th Army to enter the city ended in chaos. Former student leaders have said that they were expecting the army to use water cannons and rubber bullets, but diplomatic archives later declassified by the U.K. government said the army was ordered to "spare no one" as they used dum-dum bullets, automatic weapons and armored vehicles to carry out mass killings in Beijing. History written in blood Fang said the government still tries to avoid mentioning the massacre in public to this day. "The June 4 massacre is something the Chinese Communist Party can't get past, so it covers up this part of its history," he said. Former 1989 student leader Zhou Fengsuo said it's possible that the young woman didn't even know what took place in the early summer of 1989. He said the June 4th Memorial Hall museum in New York also has specimens of the medal shown in the Bilibili video. "It's a typical vacuum paradox created by years of brainwashing by the Chinese Communist Party," Zhou said. "But this history written in blood can suddenly get shouted out for the world to hear in unexpected places." "Back then, the government gave out a lot of commendations, medals and watches," he said. "But later, they were seen as incriminating evidence. By keeping these things in the museum, we can confirm the history of the Tiananmen massacre from a different angle." Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Malcolm Foster. New restrictions on imports and possibly travel are making some reluctant to go back, sources say. People wait at the customs station in Dandong, China, before crossing the border into North Korea, July 31, 2018. Chinese residents of North Korea who went to China during the COVID-19 pandemic are starting to return, but some are wondering if they should have stayed in China given all the restrictions on bringing things into the country, sources told Radio Free Asia. North Korean authorities denied requests by returnees to import goods, even those that they planned to sell or use in their own homes, including clothing and household goods. They were going back without items that they wanted to resell, a resident of Yanji in Chinas northeastern province of Jilin told RFA Korean on condition of anonymity for security reasons. Their request was denied. Called Hwagyo in Korean, which means overseas Chinese, these people descended from Chinese who moved to the Korean peninsula in the late 1800s and first half of the 1900s, prior to the split between North and South Korea. The Korea National Diplomatic Academy estimated that there were around 5,000 North Korean Hwagyo in 2017. According to rough estimates from North Korean residents, during the coronavirus pandemic, more than 70% of the Hwagyo community decided to weather the storm in China as they were facing severe economic difficulties at home. North Korea last week gave the green light for a third wave of Hwagyo returnees, after having approved returns in December and January. But some may be reluctant to return as word gets back about the severe restrictions. Many Hwagyo who returned to North Korea are regretting their return, said another Yanji resident, who requested anonymity for personal safety. They said that Hwagyo are even banned from doing business in the marketplace. The first Yanji resident said he had heard that 33 Hwagyo entered North Korea through Wonjong customs recently, referring to the border crossing between Hunchun, China, and Rason in northeastern North Korea. RFA sources confirmed that more Hwagyo came through the border crossing that connects Dandong, China with Sinuiju, North Korea in the peninsulas northwest, but RFA was not able to determine how many. The [North Korean] Consulate General in Shenyang asked returning Hwagyo not to reveal details such as the number of people returning and their departure date to the outside, the first resident said. They were only allowed to carry one piece of luggage upon entry and the luggage was restricted from containing any South Korean products. Easy Money The luggage situation might be a big problem for the returnees. Hwagyo in North Korea do not have North Korean citizenship and are officially citizens of the Peoples Republic of China, so prior to the pandemic, they had been able to travel back and forth between the two countries with relative ease. This put them in a very privileged position from a business perspective because they could go to China, load up on products not available in North Korea, and sell them for a considerable markup when they got home. According to the second Yanji resident, prior to the pandemic, North Korean wholesalers would mark the date that a Hwagyo was to return from China so that they could line up at the house to buy the latest products they brought back. Though most North Koreans struggle to make ends meet, money flowed into the hands of Hwagyo with relative ease. But now that may all change. As the news spreads, Hwagyo still in China are worried that they wont be able to go to China as often as before and they wont be able to sell Chinese products in North Korea, the second resident said, adding that many are planning to return to North Korea, settle their affairs, and then move to China permanently. If Chinese products cannot be imported and sold in North Korea in the future, there will be no reason for Hwagyo to continue living there, he said Translated by Claire S. Lee. Edited by Eugene Whong and Malcolm Foster. Workers were sent to more than 40 countries to earn foreign cash, most of it forwarded to Pyongyang. A North Korean worker, center, stands at the entrance of a North Korean restaurant in Shenyang in China's northeastern Liaoning province on March 31, 2023. Around 100,000 North Koreans worked overseas in 2023, earning about US$500 million for North Korea, indicating that Pyongyang has the means to get around sanctions, a report by the U.N. Security Councils Panel of Experts said. According to the report, which covers July 2023 to January 2024 and was dated March 7, the workers were sent to around 40 countries to work in construction, hospitality, medicine and information technology. These workers are initially dispatched on student or tourist visas; some use false nationalities and identity cards, the report said. The vast majority are reportedly working in two countries. Though the report did not name those countries, sources have told Radio Free Asia that there are tens of thousands of North Korean workers in Russia and China, with one source saying as recently as December that there were more than 100,000 in China alone. But the workers can only keep a fraction of their earnings, the report said. The remainder is taken by their dispatching agency and in many cases used to purchase items for the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, the report said, using North Koreas official name. More planned The report said that North Korea also has contracts to send around 400,000 more workers abroad once the border with China opens further after being closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Under U.N. Security Council Resolution 2397, meant to deprive Pyongyang of cash and resources that could be funneled into its nuclear and missile programs, all North Korean workers were supposed to have returned home by the end of 2019, and no new work visas were to be issued to North Korean citizens since then. According to RFA reports, some of the workers who were abroad prior to the deadline ended up stranded in China or Russia once North Korea closed its borders in January 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Though Pyongyang brought some of them home last year, others who have not seen their homes in more than four years remain abroad. IT workers Among the various sectors that dispatched North Korean workers are employed in, about 3,000 IT workers abroad and 1,000 at home generate what the panel estimated amounted to between $250-600 million per year. A report from South Korean outlet NK News quoted human rights activist Sokeel Park as saying that the sanctions should be revised to protect North Korean workers. If there is any interim deal that includes sanctions relief with snapback provisions in return for progress on arms controls, sanctions against North Koreans living and working overseas should be relieved first, Park, the South Korea director of Liberty in North Korea, told NK News. If these sanctions are adjusted, they could work in a broader range of countries, their visa situations could be regularized and there could be a push for better compliance with International Labour Organization standards and improvement in conditions and share of pay, he said. Edited by Malcolm Foster. The group is being treated well, according to an official. Some of the Rohingya arrested west of Kalegauk Island in the Andaman Sea on Mar 19, 2024. Myanmars junta navy arrested around 80 Rohingya attempting to flee the country by boat, residents who witnessed the event told Radio Free Asia on Thursday. Officials arrested the group on Tuesday morning in Myanmars coastal Mon state. The boat was intercepted off the shores of Ye townships Kaleguak Island in the Andaman Sea. Mon states junta spokesperson Aung Myat Kyaw Sein told RFA that although Mons administration was made aware of the arrest, other details have yet to be confirmed. The estimated number is about 80, but we do not know the genders yet, he said, adding that unspecified official processes still need to be carried out. The arrested Rohingya will be treated well and officials will follow official procedures, he said. RFA was able to confirm the group traveled on a boat named Zwel Khit San, but could not identify where the group traveled from or where it intended to go. Many Rohingya who had remained in Rakhine state after being targeted in a genocide by the Myanmar military in 2017 fled to Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia following the countrys 2021 coup. In October and November 2023, junta troops arrested over 200 Rohingya escaping to nearby countries by boat, citing job scarcity, unemployment and increasing restrictions placed on the ethnic minority. The junta announced on Feb. 10 that it would implement Myanmars military service law. Videos originating from Rakhine states west this month showed Rohingya undergoing military training. Troops have also preyed on Rohingya in internally displaced peoples camps, offering them freedom of movement in exchange for bolstering the juntas numbers. Mon state residents said that junta forces arrested 117 Rohingya on a rubber farm in Thanbyuzayat townships War Kha Yu village in January, but the reason is still unknown. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees reported on Jan. 23 that during 2023, at least 569 Rohingya died and went missing after leaving Myanmar and refugee camps in Bangladesh. Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Kiana Duncan and Mike Firn. Local fishermen saved at least six refugees, but dozens were seen clinging to their overturned vessel. An Indonesian transports Rohingya to the Samatiga District Office after local fishermen rescued about a dozen of the refugees after their boat capsized in waters off West Aceh, in Aceh province, Indonesia, March 20, 2024. Indonesian rescuers late on Wednesday were searching for dozens of Rohingya after their Australia-bound boat capsized in Indian Ocean waters off Aceh province earlier in the day. The wooden boat capsized at sea near Meulaboh city in West Aceh regency, the Agence France-Presse news agency reported, citing fishermen who saw the vessel sinking. Local fishermen were able to rescue at least six of the Rohingya, but dozens were still clinging to the overturned boat as attempts were made to save them, officials said. One survivor said that some 50 people aboard the boat had perished during the sea journey from Malaysia. A video taken by a fisherman showed more than 50 Rohingya standing on the hull of the barely visible boat, frantically waving for help, the Reuters news agency reported. It had flipped over in waters off Kuala Bubon port (16 nautical miles from Meulaboh), with local officials suspecting that large waves had caused the vessel to overturn. Please help, these are Rohingya people. Please help, friends, a fisherman was heard saying in the video. The six rescued two men and four women were brought to a local government office in West Aceh regency, said M. Asmiruddin Alnur, the head of Samatiga sub-district in Meulaboh. 50 died at sea A team from the provincial capital Banda Aceh was on its way to bring the Rohingya ashore and was expected to arrive at midnight, the local search-and-rescue agency said in a statement. Zaned Salim, one of the rescued refugees, said the group initially numbered 150 when they departed from a Malaysian refugee camp to Australia about 24 days ago. But 50 have died at sea due to lack of food, he told local reporters. We only ate once a day. Sometimes not at all. Meanwhile, the head of the local fishing community issued a written order for Acehnese fishermen to assist the Rohingya. Some of them drowned because their boat overturned, said Azwir Nazar, secretary general of Panglima Laot, a traditional institution focusing on the welfare of fishermen. Many are still floating at sea. For humanitarian reasons, we are obliged to help those who suffer misfortune at sea, whoever they are. A persecuted minority group The Rohingya are a persecuted, stateless Muslim minority group from Myanmar, who have been fleeing violence and oppression in their homeland for years. Following a 2017 military offensive in Myanmars Rakhine state that the United Nations described as a textbook example of ethnic cleansing, about 740,000 Rohingya fled across the border to Bangladesh. Now, close to 1 million Rohingya refugees live in crowded camps in southeastern Bangladesh. Usually, many Rohingya refugees who end up in Indonesia have left the Coxs Bazar camps seeking a better life in countries like Malaysia, which is a top destination for migrant workers from many South Asian and Southeast Asian nations Rohingya refugees rescued from their capsized boat rest at a local government building in Samatiga, Aceh province, Indonesia, March 20, 2024. (AP) Faisal Rahman, protection associate at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, or UNHCR, declined to comment to BenarNews, saying he was en route to West Aceh from Banda Aceh. AFP and Reuters, however, quoted a UNHCR statement that said the agency was deeply concerned about the well-being of the Rohingya at sea who were still to be rescued. This is an emergency, [so] our priority should be to join hands with the authorities and the local community to save lives, the U.N. refugee agency said in a statement. We hope that search and rescue could be performed and the refugees can be brought to land as soon as possible. The agency said it could not immediately confirm the total number of Rohingya on the boat, or whether there had been deaths among the group. The latest refugee wave The latest wave of Rohingya refugees began arriving in Aceh last October. Unlike before, this time some of the Rohingya faced rejection from residents due to negative social media campaigns against them. Some residents claimed there werent enough resources for both the locals and the refugees. According to the UNHCR, more than 1,800 Rohingya refugees have landed in Indonesia since October 2023. They have been accommodated in various locations across Aceh. With few options after years of a stateless existence, many Rohingya are desperate to leave Myanmar and the crowded and violent Bangladesh refugee camps and make the perilous journey by sea to get to Southeast Asia. In January, the UNHCR reported that 569 Rohingya refugees died or went missing at sea last year. BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated online news service. A survivor said up to 50 had died during the journey from Malaysia, but authorities reported no deaths. Rohingya stand on a capsized wooden boat before being rescued from the Indian Ocean off West Aceh, Indonesia, March 21, 2024. Indonesian rescuers on Thursday brought ashore 69 additional Rohingya who were found clinging to their wooden boat for nearly a day and suffering from hunger and dehydration after it capsized in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Aceh province, authorities said. Those rescued were brought to shore for medical treatment, said Supriadi, captain of the rescue ship, even as some locals protested their arrival. Six others from the same boat were rescued Wednesday by local fishermen. When they were found, they were weak due to dehydration and perhaps had not eaten for several days, said Supriadi, who goes by one name. Authorities reported that search efforts were complete. A video taken by a fisherman on Wednesday showed more than 50 Rohingya standing on the overturned hull of the barely visible boat as they frantically waved for help. The boat had flipped over in waters off Kuala Bubon port (16 nautical miles from Meulaboh), possibly after being struck by large waves, according to officials. Zaned Salim, one of the original six to be rescued, said 150 Rohingya departed from a Malaysian refugee camp 24 days ago, hoping to sail to Australia, adding that about 50 people had died during the journey. Authorities said they did not recover any bodies during rescue efforts, adding that those efforts were finished. Meanwhile, hundreds of residents blocked roads in protest against the latest Rohingya arrival. The residents demand that the Rohingya refugees not be placed in their village, said Iswahyudi, West Acehs deputy police chief, who goes by one name. Local journalists reported that villagers were carrying banners and shouting their opposition to the refugees presence. We do not accept refugees here. Why bring them to our village? said one resident. Indonesia is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention, but has a long history of hosting refugees from various conflicts. It allows refugees to stay temporarily, while they wait for a third country to resettle them, a process that can take years. Aceh has a history of welcoming Rohingya, specifically, but there has been growing resistance fueled by negative sentiment on social media. Some residents claimed there are not enough resources for both themselves and the Rohingya. A Rohingya holds a floatation device as he swims toward a rescue boat in the waters off West Aceh, Indonesia, March 21, 2024. [Reza Saifullah/AP] Faisal Rahman, an associate with the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) praised the collaborative rescue operations by the local leadership and law enforcement. The UNHCR deeply appreciates the swift and compassionate action of the West Aceh district officials and their teams in aiding the Rohingya, Faisal said, adding several of those rescued were in poor health and rushed to a local hospital. Rahman said Zaned Salims claim that as many as 150 people were aboard the boat needed to be verified. If the refugees claims were true, it implies a tragic loss of lives at sea, as only 75 individuals have been accounted for, he said. A child and other Rohingya sleep aboard a National Search and Rescue Agency ship after being rescued from their capsized wooden boat about 16 nautical miles off the coast at a port in Meulaboh, West Aceh, March 21, 2024. [Zahul Akbar/AFP] Persecuted minority The Rohingya are members of a persecuted stateless Muslim minority from Myanmar who have been fleeing violence and oppression in their homeland for years. Following a 2017 military offensive in Myanmars Rakhine state that the U.N. described as a textbook example of ethnic cleansing, about 740,000 Rohingya fled from their homes across the border to Bangladesh. About 1 million Rohingya live in crowded camps in and around Coxs Bazar in southeastern Bangladesh. Desperate, many leave overcrowded refugee camps in Bangladesh, seeking better lives in other Muslim countries including Malaysia and Indonesia. The latest wave of Rohingya began arriving in Aceh in October 2023. Since then, over 1,800 refugees have landed in Indonesia and have been accommodated in locations across Aceh, according to the UNHCR. In January, the UNHCR reported that 569 Rohingya refugees had died or went missing at sea in 2023 while attempting to flee from Myanmar or Bangladesh. BenarNews is an online news affiliate of Radio Free Asia. Fiji will continue police cooperation with China but wont have Chinese officers stationed inside its force, a government minister said, following a review of security relations that highlighted the Pacific island countrys balancing act between economic reliance on China and security ties to the U.S. and its allies. A police cooperation agreement between Fiji and China, signed in 2011 when Fiji was under military rule, was put on review last year after Fijis first change of government in nearly two decades. New Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, who has favored closer ties with Australia, New Zealand and the U.S., had said he wanted to terminate the agreement because it wasnt consistent with Fijis democracy. We are a democratic nation. We aspire to democratic principles. At the same time there are things to learn with everyone else, Fijis Home Affairs Minister Pio Tikoduadua said Wednesday in a radio interview with Australian state broadcaster ABC. Under the policing pact, Fijian police officers undertook training in China, Chinese officers had regular short-term deployments in Fiji and China donated equipment and surveillance technology such as drones. It was Chinas most extensive security cooperation with a Pacific island country until it signed a secretive security pact with the Solomon Islands in 2022. Chinas relations with Fiji burgeoned after Australia, New Zealand, the U.S. and other countries sought to punish it for military chief Frank Bainimaramas 2006 coup that overthrew the elected government. Tikoduadua said the memorandum of understanding with Chinas Ministry of Public Security was unchanged following the review, but Fiji decides what it implements. The Fijian government, he said, would reassess the agreement every six months. Fijian police officers would continue to train in China but there would not be deployments of Chinese officers inside the Fijian force, according to Tikoduadua. Intelligence sharing could also be curtailed. I can assure that we have asked the Chinese to take the [embedded police] out, he said One area that we were concerned with at the beginning and which is the subject of our review is in the area of intelligence sharing, Tikoduadua said. We would like to review that in terms of what we necessarily have to share. I cannot go into detail but that is an important area. Tikoduadua said Rabuka supported the decision to keep the police agreement in place. Rabuka himself has not issued a statement on the decision. Human rights groups protested in 2017 when Chinese police arrested dozens of Chinese nationals in Fiji suspected of online fraud and flew them back to China. Photos published by Chinas state media showed the suspects wearing black hoods and guarded by dozens of Chinese police officers. China, over several decades, has become a substantial source of trade, infrastructure and aid for developing Pacific island countries as it seeks to isolate Taiwan diplomatically and gain allies or leverage in global institutions. Its inroads with Pacific island nations have caused concern for countries such as Australia and the United States who see the region as vital to their security and defense. Through police cooperation agreements Chinas government may also be aiming to protect its economic interests in Pacific island nations and the Chinese diaspora, analysts have said. Beijings security pact with the Solomon Islands followed anti-government and anti-China riots in November 2021 that destroyed the Chinatown in the Solomon Islands capital. Tikoduadua said Fiji was facing an increase in illegal drug use and needed help to manage the situation. We need every assistance that we can get to help Fiji and our community. And if we need to go to China to clean Fiji of this problem then we will do it, he said. But we do it with people and nations who respect us as an equal partner. Bainimarama, who after his coup became Fijis prime minister until 2022 and led the fostering of ties with China, will be sentenced later this month after a court ruled he had interfered in a police investigation into financial problems at the Pacifics regional university. BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated online news organization. Foreign fishing ships that have been captured and sunk are visible in this aerial photo in Natuna waters near Lagong island in Riau Islands province, Indonesia, Sept. 23, 2023. A majority of Indonesians perceive Chinas activities in the South China Sea as a threat to their countrys sovereignty, with nearly half favoring a defense alliance with Southeast Asian nations to strengthen its position, a new survey has revealed. Most respondents believe that Beijings actions in the waterway also threaten member-states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), according to the survey released this week that was conducted by Indonesia Strategic and Defence Studies (ISDS) and Kompas Research and Development. The Indonesian public does not like the aggressiveness of Chinese ships which are pushing into Indonesian territory, ISDS co-founder Erik Purnama Putra told BenarNews. Some 73% of respondents viewed Chinas presence in the South China Sea as a menace to Indonesian sovereignty, while even more 79% perceived Beijing as a threat to ASEAN nations. This sentiment is strongest among people aged 27-42, the study found. The poll indicated that Indonesians prefer ASEAN as the best partner for defending their territory, and a defensive alliance with these nations as the best bet for security. The United States was the most preferred non-ASEAN partner, the survey suggested. The poll results show that generally people think that the conflict in the South China Sea is a matter of territorial sovereignty, Dimas Okto Danamasi of Kompas Research told an online press conference in Jakarta on Tuesday, when the survey was released. The survey was held to measure the extent of public awareness regarding state sovereignty in four forms, namely political, economic, cultural and territorial sovereignty, Dima, a researcher at Kompas Research, said. A China Coast Guard vessel (above) shadows the Philippines BRP Datu Tamblot during a mission to assist fishermen at the Scarborough Shoal in the disputed South China Sea,, Feb. 15, 2024. (Jam Sta Rosa/AFP) The ISDS-Kompas Research survey polled 312 respondents between the ages of 17 and 60 in five cities Medan, Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Surabaya, and Makassar. The South China Sea remains a major source of friction among several territorial claimants. Beijings assertive actions have also alarmed the United States. China claims nearly the entire South China Sea, including waters within the exclusive economic zones (EEZs) of Taiwan and ASEAN member-states Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam. While Indonesia does not regard itself as a party to the dispute, its EEZ overlaps with Chinas expansive nine-dash line. Beijing claims historic rights to parts of that sea overlapping Indonesias EEZ in and around the Natunas. Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia have accused China of disrupting their oil and gas exploration activities. And the Philippines has expressed concern over recent encounters near Second Thomas Shoal (Ayungin Shoal) and Scarborough Shoal, which both lie within its EEZ. A fisherman unloads his catch from his boat at Baruk Bay port, at Sepempang village on Natuna island, in Indonesia's Riau Islands province Sept. 23, 2023. (Bay Ismoyo/AFP) An agreement to prevent such skirmishes from developing into a full-blown conflict in the making since 2002 will hopefully be completed by 2025, said Hadi Tjahjanto, coordinating minister for political, legal and security affairs. Negotiations between ASEAN and China for this agreement, a code of conduct (COC) for the South China Sea, resumed last year when Indonesia held the rotating chair of ASEAN. China is a strategic comprehensive partner for Indonesia and ASEAN which has a central role in regional peace and stability, Hadi said. We all hope that the COC can become an effective document, substantive, and actionable to avoid escalation and at the same time increase mutual trust and mutual confidence between countries with interests in the South China Sea, he added. There also needs to be increased collaboration among ASEAN coast guards, Vice Admiral Irvansyah, leader of Indonesias Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla), said at the online press conference. The situation in the South China Sea requires civil order management, rather than a military emergency response, he said. Diplomacy is the key Erik, the ISDS co-founder, advocated for a united ASEAN front and stressed the need for closer coordination among maritime security stakeholders, including the military and Bakamla, to make patrols more efficient and effective. As a non-aligned country, Indonesia cannot form military alliances, but instead [it] seeks as many friends as possible to solve common problems, he said. Agus Widjojo, Indonesian ambassador to the Philippines, said he was confident that diplomatic strategies and leveraging national power would be central to resolving the sea dispute. And here, he highlighted Indonesias potential influence as a major Southeast Asian power. Diplomacy is the key to resolving the South China Sea conflict, as no nation stands to gain from its escalation, he said. BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated news service. JEFFREY D. SACHS May 23, 2023 Common Dreams George Orwell wrote in 1984 that "Who controls the past controls the future: who controls the present controls the past." Governments work relentlessly to distort public perceptions of the past. Regarding the Ukraine War, the Biden administration has repeatedly and falsely claimed that the Ukraine War started with an unprovoked attack by Russia on Ukraine on February 24, 2022. In fact, the war was provoked by the U.S. in ways that leading U.S. diplomats anticipated for decades in the lead-up to the war, meaning that the war could have been avoided and should now be stopped through negotiations. Recognizing that the war was provoked helps us to understand how to stop it. It doesnt justify Russias invasion. A far better approach for Russia might have been to step up diplomacy with Europe and with the non-Western world to explain and oppose U.S. militarism and unilateralism. In fact, the relentless U.S. push to expand NATO is widely opposed throughout the world, so Russian diplomacy rather than war would likely have been effective. The Biden team uses the word unprovoked incessantly, most recently in Bidens major speech on the first-year anniversary of the war, in a recent NATO statement, and in the most recent G7 statement. Mainstream media friendly to Biden simply parrot the White House. TheNew York Times is the lead culprit, describing the invasion as unprovoked no fewer than 26 times, in five editorials, 14 opinion columns by NYT writers, and seven guest op-eds! There were in fact two main U.S. provocations. The first was the U.S. intention to expand NATO to Ukraine and Georgia in order to surround Russia in the Black Sea region by NATO countries (Ukraine, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, and Georgia, in counterclockwise order). The second was the U.S. role in installing a Russophobic regime in Ukraine by the violent overthrow of Ukraines pro-Russian President, Viktor Yanukovych, in February 2014. The shooting war in Ukraine began with Yanukovychs overthrow nine years ago, not in February 2022 as the U.S. government, NATO, and the G7 leaders would have us believe. The key to peace in Ukraine is through negotiations based on Ukraines neutrality and NATO non-enlargement. Biden and his foreign policy team refuse to discuss these roots of the war. To recognize them would undermine the administration in three ways. First, it would expose the fact that the war could have been avoided, or stopped early, sparing Ukraine its current devastation and the U.S. more than $100 billion in outlays to date. Second, it would expose President Bidens personal role in the war as a participant in the overthrow of Yanukovych, and before that as a staunch backer of the military-industrial complex and very early advocate of NATO enlargement. Third, it would push Biden to the negotiating table, undermining the administrations continued push for NATO expansion. The archives show irrefutably that the U.S. and German governments repeatedly promised to Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev that NATO would not move one inch eastward when the Soviet Union disbanded the Warsaw Pact military alliance. Nonetheless, U.S. planning for NATO expansion began early in the 1990s, well before Vladimir Putin was Russias president. In 1997, national security expert Zbigniew Brzezinski spelled out the NATO expansion timeline with remarkable precision. U.S. diplomats and Ukraines own leaders knew well that NATO enlargement could lead to war. The great US scholar-statesman George Kennan called NATO enlargement a fateful error, writing in the New York Times that, Such a decision may be expected to inflame the nationalistic, anti-Western and militaristic tendencies in Russian opinion; to have an adverse effect on the development of Russian democracy; to restore the atmosphere of the cold war to East-West relations, and to impel Russian foreign policy in directions decidedly not to our liking. President Bill Clintons Secretary of Defense William Perry considered resigning in protest against NATO enlargement. In reminiscing about this crucial moment in the mid-1990s, Perry said the following in 2016: Our first action that really set us off in a bad direction was when NATO started to expand, bringing in eastern European nations, some of them bordering Russia. At that time, we were working closely with Russia and they were beginning to get used to the idea that NATO could be a friend rather than an enemy ... but they were very uncomfortable about having NATO right up on their border and they made a strong appeal for us not to go ahead with that. In 2008, then U.S. Ambassador to Russia, and now CIA Director, William Burns, sent a cable to Washington warning at length of grave risks of NATO enlargement: Ukraine and Georgia's NATO aspirations not only touch a raw nerve in Russia, they engender serious concerns about the consequences for stability in the region. Not only does Russia perceive encirclement, and efforts to undermine Russia's influence in the region, but it also fears unpredictable and uncontrolled consequences which would seriously affect Russian security interests. Experts tell us that Russia is particularly worried that the strong divisions in Ukraine over NATO membership, with much of the ethnic-Russian community against membership, could lead to a major split, involving violence or at worst, civil war. In that eventuality, Russia would have to decide whether to intervene; a decision Russia does not want to have to face. Ukraines leaders knew clearly that pressing for NATO enlargement to Ukraine would mean war. Former Zelensky advisor Oleksiy Arestovych declared in a 2019 interview that our price for joining NATO is a big war with Russia. During 2010-2013, Yanukovych pushed neutrality, in line with Ukrainian public opinion. The U.S. worked covertly to overthrow Yanukovych, as captured vividly in the tape of then U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland and U.S. Ambassador Geoffrey Pyatt planning the post-Yanukovych government weeks before the violent overthrow of Yanukovych. Nuland makes clear on the call that she was coordinating closely with then Vice President Biden and his national security advisor Jake Sullivan, the same Biden-Nuland-Sullivan team now at the center of U.S. policy vis-a-vis Ukraine. After Yanukovychs overthrow, the war broke out in the Donbas, while Russia claimed Crimea. The new Ukrainian government appealed for NATO membership, and the U.S. armed and helped restructure the Ukrainian army to make it interoperable with NATO. In 2021, NATO and the Biden Administration strongly recommitted to Ukraines future in NATO. In the immediate lead-up to Russias invasion, NATO enlargement was center stage. Putins draft US-Russia Treaty (December 17, 2021) called for a halt to NATO enlargement. Russias leaders put NATO enlargement as the cause of war in Russias National Security Council meeting on February 21, 2022. In his address to the nation that day, Putin declared NATO enlargement to be a central reason for the invasion. Historian Geoffrey Roberts recently wrote: Could war have been prevented by a Russian-Western deal that halted NATO expansion and neutralised Ukraine in return for solid guarantees of Ukrainian independence and sovereignty? Quite possibly. In March 2022, Russia and Ukraine reported progress towards a quick negotiated end to the war based on Ukraines neutrality. According to Naftali Bennett, former Prime Minister of Israel, who was a mediator, an agreement was close to being reached before the U.S., U.K., and France blocked it. While the Biden administration declares Russias invasion to be unprovoked, Russia pursued diplomatic options in 2021 to avoid war, while Biden rejected diplomacy, insisting that Russia had no say whatsoever on the question of NATO enlargement. And Russia pushed diplomacy in March 2022, while the Biden team again blocked a diplomatic end to the war. By recognizing that the question of NATO enlargement is at the center of this war, we understand why U.S. weaponry will not end this war. Russia will escalate as necessary to prevent NATO enlargement to Ukraine. The key to peace in Ukraine is through negotiations based on Ukraines neutrality and NATO non-enlargement. The Biden administrations insistence on NATO enlargement to Ukraine has made Ukraine a victim of misconceived and unachievable U.S. military aspirations. Its time for the provocations to stop, and for negotiations to restore peace to Ukraine. Correction: An earlier version of this article misstated the date of William Burns' 2008 cable warning about NATO enlargment. That error has been fixed. https://www.commondreams.org/opinion/the-war-in-ukraine-was-provoked-and-why-that-matters-if-we-want-peace Translations and global syndication: Jordan, The Jordan Times, May 20: https://jordantimes.com/opinion/jeffrey-d-sachs/war-ukraine-was-not-unprovoked India, News Mania, May 24: https://www.newsmania.co.in/2023/05/24/the-war-in-ukraine-was-provoked-and-why-that-matters-to-achieve-peace/ The Phillipines, The Manila Times, June 6: https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/06/06/opinion/columns/the-war-in-ukraine-was-not-unprovoked/1894668 A year after the arrest of Evan Gershkovich in Russia, the Wall Street Journal reporters family pledged to continue to fight for release from a Moscow prison where he is being held on espionage charges the White House and his employer say are fabricated. Gershkovich became the first U.S. journalist arrested on spying charges in Russia since the Cold War when he was detained on March 29, 2023, by the Federal Security Service (FSB), which said he had been trying to obtain military secrets. The Wall Street Journal and the U.S. government have vehemently rejected the espionage charges, saying he was merely doing his job as an accredited reporter when he was arrested. Gershkovich saw his detention extended to June 30 earlier this week by the Moscow City Court. The Kremlin said on March 29 it had no information on when the 32-year-olds trial will begin. If found guilty, he faces up to 20 years in jail. "We never anticipated this situation happening to our son and brother, let alone a full year with no certainty or clear path forward," his family said in a letter published by the Wall Street Journal on March 29 to mark the anniversary. "But despite this long battle, we are still standing strong." U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement on March 29 that "to date, Russia has provided no evidence of wrongdoing for a simple reason: Evan did nothing wrong. Journalism is not a crime." Born in the United States to Soviet emigres, Gershkovich reported from Russia for six years before being detained in the Urals city of Yekaterinburg. Leon Panetta, former director of the CIA, said the United States must play a "tough game" with Russian President Vladimir Putin in order to get Gershkovich released. "We have got to play a tough game with Putin to make sure hes not going to get away with this kind of game." Panetta said on Fox News. Gershkovich will ultimately be released through a prisoner swap, Panetta predicted, saying the United States could "develop some leverage" for such a deal by arresting Russian spies in the United States "so that [Putin] has a reason to come to the bargaining table." State Department spokesman Vedant Patel, also speaking on Fox News, said the United States engages daily with the "highest levels of the Russian government" in its effort to win Gershkovich's release, but he said it was "important not to talk about the deliberations in public." Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has also stressed the importance of silence about any negotiations, but Wall Street Journal Associate Editor Paul Beckett, who is leading the newspapers efforts to free Gershkovich, said talks involving Gershkovich on any level keep his supporters optimistic that something can be done. Russian authorities accuse Gershkovich of collecting state secrets about the military industrial complex at the behest of the U.S. government. Wall Street Journal Associate Editor Paul Beckett, who is leading the newspapers efforts to free Gershkovich, told Current Time in an interview broadcast on March 29 that the reporter is holding up OK under very difficult circumstances. He's in his cell for 23 hours a day. He has an hour outside in the courtyard, which is about the same size as his cell. So we've just been very grateful that he's been able to maintain his equilibrium, Beckett said of Gershkovichs incarceration in Moscows Lefortovo prison. Beckett said that besides one hour of courtyard time per day, Gershkovich has been in constant correspondence with his family, including swapping lines from shows that they enjoyed together, and weekly meetings with his lawyers. Earlier on March 28 in Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was asked about reports of a possible prisoner exchange involving Gershkovich, and he stressed the importance of silence about any negotiations. But Beckett said talks involving Gershkovich on any level keep his supporters "optimistic that something can be done." Gershkovich is one of two American reporters currently being held by Russian authorities. The other is Alsu Kurmasheva, an RFE/RL journalist who holds dual Russian-American citizenship. Kurmasheva, 47, was arrested in Kazan last October and charged with failing to register as a foreign agent under a punitive Russian law that targets journalists, civil society activists, and others. Shes also been charged with spreading falsehoods about the Russian military and faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted. RFE/RL and the U.S. government say the charges are reprisals for her work as a journalist for RFE/RL in Prague. She had traveled to Russia to visit and care for her elderly mother and was initially detained while waiting for her return flight on June 2 at Kazan airport, where her U.S. and Russian passports were confiscated. Gershkovich has been designated as wrongfully detained by the U.S. government. Kurmasheva, however, has not despite pleas from RFE/RL and Kurmashevas family. The Wall Street Journal on March 28 published a story about her detention and the difficulties her husband, Pavel Butorin, who also works for RFE/RL in Prague, and their two daughters, aged 12 and 15, have had without her and their efforts to have her designated as wrongfully detained. The designation would mean her case would be assigned to the office of the Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs in the State Department, raising the political profile of her situation and allowing the Biden administration to allocate more resources to securing her release. The designation currently applies only to Gershkovich and another American held in Russia, Paul Whelan, a former U.S. Marine and corporate security executive who is serving a 16-year prison sentence on espionage charges. Other events being held to mark the one-year anniversary of Gershkovichs detention include a 24-hour read-a-thon of his work by his Wall Street Journal colleagues at the newspapers headquarters in New York and swimming events at Brighton Beaches in New Zealand, South African, Canada, the United States and Britain. The beaches were chosen in recognition of his familys connection to Brighton Beach in Brooklyn, New York, which is home to a large Russian immigrant community. Gershkovich's parents emigrated from the Soviet Union, separately, in 1979. Russia has dramatically increased attacks on the Ukrainian border town of Velyka Pysarivka, where our journalists witnessed the destruction caused by hundreds of aerial bombs, rockets, artillery shells, and drones. Hundreds of people have been evacuated from the region with the local authorities rushing to get other residents to safety. Viewed 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. Eoin Reynolds A man who cut off his wife's head during a cannabis-induced psychosis has been returned to the Central Mental Hospital (CMH) for ongoing treatment. Diego Costa Silva (35) killed his wife, Fabiola De Campos Silva (33), on November 4th, 2021, at their home in Charlestown Place, Finglas, Dublin 11. At his trial earlier this month, he pleaded not guilty to murder. His trial heard that he believed he had to remove his wife's head to kill a serpent that had possessed her. Two forensic consultant psychiatrists agreed that he was suffering from a mental disorder as defined in the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act 2006 and that he qualified for a finding of not guilty of murder by reason of insanity. At a Central Criminal Court hearing on Thursday, Dr Dearbhla Duffy, a consultant forensic psychiatrist at the CMH, said that Mr Costa Silva continues to suffer from a mental disorder and is in need of in-patient treatment. Prosecution barrister Edward Doocey BL outlined Dr Duffy's report but did not reveal the psychiatrist's current diagnosis of Mr Costa Silva. Mr Justice Michael MacGrath ordered that Mr Costa Silva be returned to the CMH. His case will be mentioned before the court again on July 29th. During the trial the jury heard that, after noting Mr Costa Silva was displaying a paranoid belief that his wife might hurt him, doctors at the Mater hospital asked the defendant to remain as a voluntary patient, but he chose to leave the day before the killing. The court also heard Mr Costa Silva said he had recently confessed to his wife that he had been unfaithful to her. Mr Costa Silva's trial heard that due to his mental disorder, he had come to believe that his wife was possessed by a serpent and that she would kill him. After he attacked her, by striking her on the head with a mug, strangling and stabbing her, he cut her head off believing that he had to do so to make sure the serpent was dead. Two forensic consultant psychiatrists gave evidence that Mr Costa Silva was suffering from cannabis-induced psychosis with symptoms including paranoia, delusions and auditory hallucinations. As a result of his illness he did not know the nature and quality of his actions and did not know that what he was doing was wrong, the psychiatrists said. Barristers for the defence and prosecution told the jury that Mr Costa Silva was not legally responsible for his actions. The jury of seven men and five women took two hours and 24 minutes to come to their unanimous verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity. By David Young, Cate McCurry and Grainne Ni Aodha, PA Government ministers have rejected calls for an early election following Taoiseach Leo Varadkars shock resignation as focus shifts to the race to succeed him. In an emotional address outside Government Buildings in Dublin on Wednesday, Mr Varadkar announced he would step down as Taoiseach when a successor is confirmed. He also quit as leader of the Fine Gael party with immediate effect but made clear he does not intend to stand down as a TD for Dublin West in the Dail parliament. Mr Varadkar said his tenure as Irelands leader had been the most fulfilling time of his life but said he no longer felt he was the best person for the job. The announcement came after a turbulent number of weeks for the Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and Green Party three-party coalition. Earlier this month, it was resoundingly beaten in two referendums on changes ministers had proposed to the constitution. Mr Varadkars resignation has prompted calls from Sinn Fein and other opposition parties in the Dail for a general election. Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan dismissed those demands on Wednesday, signalling a determination that the government should run its full term which would see an election held in the first few months of next year. Attention is now on the potential race within Fine Gael to succeed Mr Varadkar as party leader and Taoiseach. Higher education minister Simon Harris, Justice minister Helen McEntee and Public Expenditure minister Paschal Donohoe are among the names touted as possible successors. Deputy party leader Simon Coveney, who lost the last leadership contest in 2017, has ruled himself out of contention this time round. Mr Varadkar said a new party leader would be in place ahead of the partys annual conference (Ard Fheis) on April 6th paving the way for the new taoiseach to be formally elected when the Dail returns after Easter recess. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar leaves after speaking to the media at Government Buildings in Dublin (Nick Bradshaw/PA) Mr Varadkar said his decision to quit was both personal and political. I believe this government can be re-elected, and I believe my party, Fine Gael, can gain seats in the next poll, he said. Most of all I believe the re-election of this three-party government would be the right thing for the future of our country. Continuing to take us forward, protecting all that has been achieved and building on it. But, after careful consideration and some soul-searching, I believe that a new taoiseach and a new leader will be better placed than me to achieve that, to renew and strengthen the team, to focus our message and policies, to drive implementation. And, after seven years in office, I dont feel Im the best person for that job anymore. Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald told Mr Varadkars government colleagues it was time for an election. Rather than limping on, and rather than passing the office of taoiseach amongst yourselves again, the correct democratic route at this point is to go to the people, she said in the Dail. Mr Martin said the coalition was based on parties, not personalities, as he insisted the coalition could continue without Mr Varadkar. I remain committed to the continuation of government, to the fulfilment of our mandate and to the implementation of the programme for government, he said. Minister for Justice Helen McEntee (left) and Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris are among those tipped to succeed Leo Varadkar (centre) (Brian Lawless/PA) Mr Ryan said the resignation should not disrupt the work of the coalition. Why would it stop us doing anything? We have work to do. At Cabinet today there was a full agenda, there will be a full agenda next week, he said. Mr Varadkars surprise departure comes ahead of local government and European Parliament elections in Ireland in June. Over the last year, 10 Fine Gael TDs have announced their intention to step away from politics at the general election, fuelling speculation of internal discontent within the party. The comprehensive rejection of the Governments proposed constitutional amendments was a significant blow to Mr Varadkar and other coalition leaders who had campaigned for Yes Yes votes in the plebiscites. Cabinet ministers met in Dublin for the first time on Wednesday since the referendum defeats. Mr Varadkar, 45, has also just returned from the US where he was involved in several high-profile engagements with President Joe Biden as part of traditional St Patricks Day celebrations. He is currently serving his second term as Taoiseach. Mr Varadkar, who first became premier in 2017, once insisted he would not remain in politics beyond the age of 50, albeit he later said he regretted making that pledge. During his time as Taoiseach, Ireland passed a landmark referendum to liberalise its strict abortion laws in 2018. Mr Varadkar also played a key role in the Brexit negotiations, with a crunch meeting with then prime minister Boris Johnson at a manor house on The Wirral in England seen as a significant moment in paving a way for the deal on the UKs exit from the EU. Leo Varadkar meeting with Prime Minister Boris Johnson at Thornton Manor Hotel on The Wirral, Cheshire (Government Information Service/PA) The agreement staved off the prospect of a hard trade border being introduced on the island of Ireland, but it did prompt years of further political turmoil, particularly within unionism in Northern Ireland, over the creation of a so-called Irish Sea border on the movement of goods between the region and Great Britain. Mr Varadkar was taoiseach at the onset of the Covid pandemic in 2020 and announced a lockdown, in arguably his most famous address, while on an annual St Patricks Day trip to Washington DC. In his first term as premier, Mr Varadkar led a minority government that was sustained in power by way of a confidence and supply deal with the then main opposition party Fianna Fail. Following the 2020 general election, Fine Gael and Fianna Fail agreed to enter coalition for the first time a seismic move for two arch rivals founded from opposing sides of Irelands civil war of the 1920s. The Green Party led by Mr Ryan joined as the administrations junior partner. The coalition deal saw Mr Martin serve as taoiseach for the first half of the mandate, with Mr Varadkar retaking the position at the mid-point of the government term. Mr Varadkars detractors will point to Irelands ongoing housing shortages and chronic problems within the health service as major government failings during his time as premier. The political establishment in Ireland has also been under increasing pressure on migration issues in recent times, with an influx of tens of thousands of Ukrainian refugees and asylum seekers from elsewhere in the world heaping further strain on state services and accommodation stock. In his resignation speech, the outgoing Taoiseach said politicians were human beings who had their limitations. We give it everything until we cant anymore, and then we have to move, he said. He said Fine Gael candidates in forthcoming elections had a better chance under a new leader. I know inevitably therell be speculation as to the quote unquote real reason for my decision. These are the real reasons. Thats it. I have nothing else lined up, I have nothing in mind, I have no definite personal or political plans, but Im really looking forward to having the time to think about them, he said. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar launched Daffodil Day 2024 after making his announcement on Wednesday (Nick Bradshaw/PA) Mr Varadkar said there was never a right time to resign high office, but he said it was as good a time as any to step down. Budget 2024 is done, he added. Negotiations have not yet commenced on the next one. Institutions of the Good Friday Agreement are working again (with the return of powersharing in Northern Ireland) and our trading relationship with the UK in the post-Brexit era is settled and stable. The new taoiseach will have a full two months to prepare for the local and European elections and up to a year before the next general election. Mr Varadkar thanked his fellow coalition leaders and his party colleagues for their support. Most of all, I want to finish by thanking the people of Ireland for giving me the opportunity to serve them, he said. And Ill promise Ill keep working for Ireland and my community in any way I can in future. Mr Varadkar was applauded by Fine Gael ministerial colleagues as he finished his speech and walked back into Government Buildings. Arvind Kejriwal Arrest News: Delhi CM arrested in excise police case, AAP to move Supreme Court Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal had refused several summons sent by ED. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal Arrest News: In a big news coming in, the Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been arrested by the ED in alleged Excise Policy case on Thursday. Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi said that "Arvind Kejriwal will not seek urgent hearing on plea for protection in SC tonight." Advertisement AAP Moves to the SC Likewise, AAP leader Atishi said, "We have received news that ED has arrested Arvind Kejriwal... We have always said that Arvind Kejriwal will run the govt from jail. He will remain the CM of Delhi. We have filed a case in the Supreme Court. Our lawyers are reaching SC. We will demand SC have an urgent hearing tonight." Arvind Kejriwal's Arrest Came Hours After High Court's Refusal For Relief Advertisement It is pertinent to mention that hours after the Delhi High Court denied relief to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, an Enforcement Directorate (ED) team reached his residence here on Thursday evening to carry out a search and serve him a summons to join the probe in an excise policy-linked money-laundering case, officials said. AAP Workers Detained In the meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party workers were protesting outside the residence of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal after which the police detained some of the workers. Not only this but also AAP MLA Rakhi Birla has also been detained for protesting outside the residence of Delhi CM. Advertisement Here's how BJP reacted to the news of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's arrest: BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra said, "A high voltage drama is going on outside the residence of Arvind Kejriwal. A celebration of corruption is going on... If their Excise policy was so good, why was it cancelled? Why and how did you introduce cartelization in the whole process of liquor procurement?... Why did he give contracts to his close ones? Initially 5% commission was given which was increased to 12%, and even 7% additional commission was received by him in the form of black money... There is no court left in this country which the AAP did not approach to spread their lies. Still, they did not get any relief from anywhere... Atishi says Arvind Kejriwal is not a person, he is an idea. I should say he is a bad idea." (For more news apart from Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal Arrest News, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has finalized the toughest pollution standards for vehicles aimed at expediting the automobile industry's shift to electric cars. The EPA announced final national pollution standards for passenger cars, light-duty trucks, and medium-duty vehicles for models to be manufactured from 2027. The agency estimates that these standards will avoid more than 7 billion tons of carbon emissions and provide nearly $100 billion of annual net benefits to society, including $13 billion of annual public benefits due to improved air quality, and $62 billion in reduced annual fuel costs, and maintenance and repair costs for drivers. The final standards deliver on the significant pollution reductions outlined in the proposed rule, while accelerating the adoption of cleaner vehicle technologies. EPA is finalizing this rule as sales of clean vehicles, including plug-in hybrid and fully electric vehicles, hit record highs last year. EPA projects an increase in U.S. auto manufacturing employment in response to these final standards. The "Multi Pollutant Emissions Standards for Model Years 2027 and Later Light-Duty and Medium-Duty Vehicles" build on EPA's existing emissions standards for passenger cars and light trucks for model years 2023 through 2026. The standards continue the -neutral and performance-based design of previous EPA standards for cars, pickups, and vans, and leverage advances in clean car technologies to further reduce both climate pollution and smog- and soot-forming emissions. EPA said it is finalizing the same standard proposed for MY 2032 while allowing additional time for the auto sector to scale up clean vehicle manufacturing supply chains in the first three years covered by the rule. Once fully phased in, the standards will save the average American driver an estimated $6,000 in reduced fuel and maintenance over the life of a vehicle, according to EPA. EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan joined the President's National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi at an event in Washington, DC to announce the final standards. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Apart from the missing roof, a new colour shade and refreshed interior theme, MG Comet EV Cabriolet is largely the same as the standard model With the JV between JSW and MG Motor, the new entity, JSW MG Motor India Pvt Ltd., is working on a major product onslaught. The focus will be on new energy vehicles including electric and hybrid cars. At the recent Mumbai event, MG Motor showcased multiple models such as the MG Cyberster, MG3 and MG4. MG Comet EV Cabriolet Concept Design and styling Another model that got everyones attention at the event was the MG Comet EV Cabriolet Concept. Excluding the windshield and supporting structures, the top section has been completely removed. The Comet EV cabriolet concept gets a new dark green colour shade. It feels a bit tacky, even more so with the dark green highlights on the front bumper and wheels. Moreover, the chrome highlights dont seem to complement the dark green exterior shade. But overall look and feel can be justified, considering that its a concept and designed to be an attention seeker. If this makes it to production stage, may be as a special edition or limited edition, most users will probably choose the colour options available with the standard model. Most other features are the same as the standard Comet EV. Some of the key highlights include an extended full-width LED light bar, illuminated MG logo, polygonal headlamps, aero wheel covers and a red LED bar on the tailgate. MG Comet EV Cabriolet Concept Interiors Although the hardware is largely the same as the standard Comet EV, a new interior theme with red accents has been used with the cabriolet concept. The red highlights can be prominently seen on the doors and dashboard. The upholstery is also new. The cabriolet concept works to highlight the spacious interiors of Comet EV. Folks who may be a bit skeptical about a 2-door EV can probably get a more realistic view about the usability of Comet EV. Most of the features of the cabriolet concept are the same as the standard Comet EV. It includes dual 10.25-inch screens for the infotainment system and instrument cluster. Theres support for more than 100 voice commands and 55+ connected car features. Other features include wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and smart storage spaces. Safety kit includes features like dual front airbags, ABS + EBD, electronic stability control (ESC), and hill hold control. Theres an electronic parking brake, reverse parking camera and sensors and tyre pressure monitoring system. MG Comet EV goes topless ? pic.twitter.com/kT9uM585SN RushLane (@rushlane) March 21, 2024 MG Comet is 2,974 mm long, 1,505 mm wide, 1,640 mm tall and has a wheelbase of 2,010 mm. It is equipped with a 17.3 kWh battery that supplies power to a permanent magnet synchronous motor. Certified range is 230 km. With a 3.3 kW charger, 0 to 100% charge can be achieved in 7 hours. Charging time can be reduced to 3.5 hours with a 7.4 kW charger. Xi calls for solid efforts to further energize China's central region Xinhua) 08:08, March 21, 2024 Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, chairs a symposium on further energizing the central region in the new era in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, March 20, 2024. (Xinhua/Ju Peng) CHANGSHA, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday called for solid efforts to further energize the central region at a higher starting point. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks while chairing a symposium on further energizing the central region in the new era. In his speech, Xi highlighted the central region's pivotal role as the country's important grain production base, energy and raw material base, modern equipment manufacturing and high-tech industry base, and comprehensive transportation hub. Xi called for synergy in promoting high-quality development and writing new chapters of energizing the central region in the process of advancing Chinese modernization. Li Qiang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Chinese premier, Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, and Ding Xuexiang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Chinese vice premier, attended the symposium. Since the previous symposium on energizing the central region was held five years ago, the region's development has reached a higher level, Xi said. Xi also noted that further energizing the central region still faces many difficulties and challenges that require practical research to solve them. More efforts should be made to push forward industrial innovation led by scientific and technological innovation, and actively cultivate new quality productive forces, he said. Xi called for forward-looking plans for future industries and a faster pace in modernizing the industrial system underpinned by advanced manufacturing. The campaign to energize the central region should be better linked with the nation's other major development strategies to help the region better integrate into and support the country's new development pattern, he said. Xi urged the region to promote deep reforms and high-level opening up in a coordinated manner in its efforts to grow into a more competitive inland pacesetter for opening up. He also called for efforts to coordinate ecological environment protection and green and low-carbon development, and accelerate the building of a beautiful central region. Xi highlighted the need to pursue integrated development of urban and rural areas and take solid steps to advance rural revitalization across the board. Efforts should be made to make high-quality development and high-level security reinforce each other, and enhance the capabilities of ensuring food and energy security, Xi said. Xi urged the related central authorities to conduct research and propose policies to further energize the central region in the new era. At the symposium, Li Qiang called for efforts to faithfully study and implement the guiding principles of Xi's important speech, and turn the region's geographical and resource advantages into development advantages. Ding Xuexiang stressed sticking to the requirements of high-quality development to secure new achievements in further energizing the central region. Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, chairs a symposium on further energizing the central region in the new era in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, March 20, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Ye) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Humans have a long history of transporting and trading plants, contributing to the evolution of domesticated plants. The cacao tree (Theobroma cacao), whose beans are used to make products including chocolate, liquor and cocoa butter, originated in the Neotropics from South America. However, little is known about its domestication and use in these regions. In a new study, archaeologists analyzed ceramic residues from a large sample of pre-Columbian cultures from South and Central America. Their results reveal the widespread use of cacao in South America out of its native Amazonian area of origin, extending back 5,000 years. The modern cacao tree whose scientific name means the food of the gods is one of the worlds most important crops. There are eleven known genetic groups including the widely used Criollo and Nacional strains. Although it is well established that the cacao tree was originally domesticated in the upper Amazonian basin, it has not been clear how its use by other cultures spread throughout South and Central America. In new research, AGAP Institut researcher Claire Lanaud and her colleagues analyzed residues from 352 ceramic items from 19 pre-Colombian cultures spanning from approximately 5,900 to 400 years ago across Ecuador, Colombia, Peru, Mexico, Belize, and Panama. They tested for the presence of ancient cacao DNA and those of three methylxanthine (mild stimulant) components that are present in modern cacao tree strains theobromine, theophylline, and caffeine to identify ancient cacao residues. The authors also used genetic information from 76 modern samples of cacao to establish the ancestry of ancient cacao present in the ceramic items, which could reveal how ancient strains diversified and spread. The findings demonstrate that cacao was extensively cultivated along the Pacific Coast soon after its domestication in the Amazon at least 5,000 years ago, with high levels of diversity among the ancient strains indicating that genetically distinct populations were bred together. The presence of cacao genotypes originating from the Peruvian Amazon in the coastal Valdivia Ecuadorian region suggests that these cultures had long-standing contact. Peruvian strains were also detected in artifacts from the Colombian Caribbean coast. Together, this indicates that cacao strains underwent a wide diffusion across countries and were cross bred to adapt to new environments as different cultures adopted their use, the researchers said. Greater understanding of cacaos genetic history and diversity may help to counter threats, such as disease and climate change, facing modern cacao strains. A paper on the findings was published in the journal Scientific Reports. _____ C. Lanaud et al. 2024. A revisited history of cacao domestication in pre-Columbian times revealed by archaeogenomic approaches. Sci Rep 14, 2972; doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-53010-6 Pebanista yacuruna is the closest relative of living South Asian river dolphins (genus Platanista). Pebanista yacuruna lived in the Miocene proto-Amazonia of Peru approximately 16 million years ago. The ancient dolphin had an estimated body length of 2.8 to 3.5 m (9.2-11.5 feet), making it the largest freshwater species of odontocete (dolphins, porpoises, and all other whales possessing teeth) known. Such a large size, also recorded in other proto-Amazonia inhabitants (i.e. fishes and crocodilians), might be attributed to the large resource availability in proto-Amazonian ecosystems. Sixteen million years ago, the Peruvian Amazonia looked very different from what it is today, said Dr. Aldo Benites-Palomino, a paleontologist at the University of Zurich. Much of the Amazonian plain was covered by a large system of lakes and swamps called Pebas. This landscape included aquatic, semi-aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems (swamps, floodplains, etc.) and stretched across what is today Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru and Brazil. When the Pebas system began to give way to modern Amazonia about 10 million years ago, new habitats caused Pebanista yacurunas prey to disappear, driving the giant dolphin to extinction. This opened an ecological niche that was exploited by relatives of todays Amazon river dolphins (genus Inia), which were also facing extinction in the oceans due to the rise of new cetaceans, such as modern oceanic dolphins. Pebanista yacuruna was a member of Platanistoidea, a group of dolphins that were common in the worlds oceans between 24 and 16 million years ago. We discovered that its size is not the only remarkable aspect, said Dr. Aldo Benites-Palomino, a paleontologist at the University of Zurich and the Museo de Historia Natural-Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos. With this fossil record unearthed in the Amazon, we expected to find close relatives of the living Amazon River dolphin, but instead the closest cousins of Pebanista yacuruna are the South Asian river dolphins. Pebanista yacuruna and Platanista both share highly developed facial crests, which are specialized bony structures associated with echolocation the ability to see by emitting high-frequency sounds and listening or their echoes, which they rely on heavily for hunting. For river dolphins, echolocation, or biosonar, is even more critical as the waters they inhabit are extremely muddy, which impedes their vision, said Dr. Gabriel Aguirre-Fernandez, a paleontologist at the University of Zurich. The elongated snout with many teeth suggests that Pebanista yacuruna fed on fish, as other species of river dolphins do today. A large skull from an adult individual of Pebanista yacuruna was found in 2018 in stratigraphic levels exposed along the Rio Napo, Loreto, Peru. After two decades of work in South America we had found several giant forms from the region, but this is the first dolphin of its kind, said Dr. Marcelo Sanchez-Villagra, a paleontologist at the University of Zurich. We were especially intrigued by its peculiar biogeographical deep-time history. The teams paper was published March 20, 2024 in the journal Science Advances. _____ Aldo Benites-Palomino et al. 2024. The largest freshwater odontocete: A South Asian river dolphin relative from the proto-Amazonia. Science Advances 10 (12); doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adk6320 Molhem Tayara and Wajih Elkhochen are two of the three owners of Shawarma King on South Westnedge. Shawarma King is a family-owned and operated business. One of the owners' daughters rolls silverware in preparation for the lunch rush. The first step in finding your way around the construction to Thrive and Shawarma King making it past the busy intersection of Whites Road and Southwest. You are still allowed to turn left onto Cork! Thrive founder and owner Sarita Alexander sits smiling, ready to welcome new patrons. Now that the road is blocked, the intersection of South Westnedge Avenue and Whitcomb Street is busy as traffic from Burger King, Shawarma King, and anyone who is turning around converges. A detour map for reaching South Westnedge businesses blocked by construction. Politics spotlight Tech-funded group seeks moderate takeover of San Francisco government Craig Lee/The Examiner Zack Rosen, founder of Abundant SF, seen in his office: Weve got a lot of work to do, but we feel good. When the dust settled from the March 5 election, it was clear that reformist forces had won some big victories over San Francisco progressives. None was more dramatic than the takeover of the San Francisco Democratic Party, with moderates taking 18 of 24 seats on the San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee. The local party is considered a valuable strategic prize because it doles out endorsements for candidates and measures that may make the difference between electoral success and failure in a city that votes heavily Democratic. The stunning coup by the moderate SF Democrats for Change slate of candidates was engineered by Abundant SF, a two-year-old group with strong ties to state Sen. Scott Wiener, who is known in part for his legislation aimed at clearing the way for housing to be built in The City and elsewhere. Abundant SF, which has only three full-time employees, a part-time policy expert and a political consultant, recruited and trained the winning slate. It spent nearly $813,000 to support candidates who raised almost $2.2 million more than three times more than the opposition raised. Seventeen candidates ran for office for the first time, and 11 won. The group orchestrated a sweeping ground campaign that resulted in candidates and volunteers knocking on almost 40,579 doors between mid-January and Election Day. We out-organized them, said Abundant SF co-founder Zack Rosen, who is also the co-founder of California YIMBY, a pro-housing group. We out-door-knocked them. We out-engaged. We out-messaged them. And were just getting going. Rosen also co-founded several San Francisco companies, including a billion-dollar website-software firm he leads as CEO. Now, Abundant SF is turning to November, looking to keep Mayor London Breed in office and win at least three seats on the Board of Supervisors. Weve got a lot of work to do, but we feel good, Rosen said. Its an open question whether Abundant SF will continue to enjoy such success. Its recent slate of candidates received support from other moderate groups, getting endorsements on mailers from GrowSF and TogetherSF Action. One of the successful candidates was Carrie Barnes, director of operations at GrowSF. Also in support was the Northern California Carpenters Regional Council, which donated cash and sent hundreds of members to canvas neighborhoods. Todd David, Abundant SFs political director, predicted the various groups would be aligned on supervisorial candidates, but some could differ on who should be mayor. David, who has repeatedly worked with Wiener in political roles, was previously the head of the Housing Action Coalition and a parent organizer on school issues. Abundant SF is already backing three of its successful local Democratic Party slate candidates for supervisor: Marjan Philhour for District 1, Bilal Mahmood for District 5 and Trevor Chandler for District 9. Philhour narrowly lost in 2020 to Supervisor Connie Chan, and the partys endorsement of Chan might have been a deciding factor in that race, according to political consultant Maggie Muir, who works with Abundant SF as well as with Wiener and Breed. Like Philhour, Chan just won a Democratic Party seat but she got fewer votes than Philhour, who this time might get the endorsement from the partys new moderate majority. That would have been completely off the table in the recent past and could give a huge boost to moderate candidates campaigns, Muir said. Abundant SF is also supporting Danny Sauter, a nonprofit executive director, in District 3, where incumbent Aaron Peskin, the current president of the Board of Supervisors, will be termed out in January. Jim Stearns, a political consultant working with Sharon Lai, one of Sauters opponents, portrayed Abundant SF as part of a cabal of interrelated big-money groups with agendas such as lower taxes and unfettered development without any kind of local or neighborhood say. Stearns said much of the funding swirling around these entities is unknown because it goes to nonprofit groups that do not openly conduct political operations. Its a very murky world, Stearns said. In Abundant SFs case, its political wing, Families for a Vibrant SF, files disclosure statements with the San Francisco Ethics Commission about political spending. Its parent organization, which is changing its name from Effective Government to Abundance Network, files statements with the state Attorney Generals Office showing general income-and-expense data in 2022, for example, it took in contributions and grants totaling $511,631 but not the names of donors. Daniel Anderson, a campaign consultant for the opposing progressive Labor & Working Families slate, suggested that in the long run, wealthy donors may get bored or distracted from San Francisco politics and groups they fund will disappear. I dont think that its really their love of San Francisco that is driving this, he said. Rosen, however, insisted that he is committed to The City, to raising his kids here, and that Abundant SF targeted the local Democratic Party as part of a long-term strategy to change policies. Our funders are our families, said Rosen, who would not identify donors. They want to help, and they want to help in a way thats most effective. And what weve come to as a group is there are no shortcuts. The only way we can be effective is to be consistent, not just in one year, or one cycle, or three cycles, but over decades. Rosen has long been interested in politics. In 2003, he dropped out of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to work for Howard Dean on the then-governor of Vermonts surging but unsuccessful Democratic campaign for the presidency, for which Rosen helped pioneer digital fundraising. Rosen said he was motivated to oppose George W. Bush and because Dean was running as an outsider. He was the only anti-war candidate. In 2006, Rosen co-founded Chapter Three, a San Francisco multidisciplinary digital marketing company he still owns. From the profits, Rosen in 2008 cofounded Mission Bicycle, a custom bicycle manufacturer that was recently sold, and in 2010, Pantheon Systems, a company that develops software to support website operations. Rosen is CEO of Pantheon, which raised about $200 million in venture funding, including a $100 million round in mid-2021 at a valuation of more than $1 billion. In 2017, Rosen was troubled by urban problems, particularly the high cost of housing. He got back into politics by cofounding California YIMBY, which, among other things, has pushed for laws to force San Francisco and other cities to enable developers to build more housing. Rosen came to believe that many progressive activists and politicians were making things worse. In the summer of 2021, Rosen and a couple of others created Effective Government to close the gap between Californias progressive values and its outcomes by advocating for and supporting effective and democratically responsive government. Before targeting the San Francisco Democratic Party, it supported various initiatives, from passing legislation to streamlining affordable housing production to wildfire policy reforms and stopping the shutdown of Pacific Gas & Electrics Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant. It launched an online publication called Modern Power that boasted more than 10,000 readers ranging from legislators to billionaire philanthropists, though there have been no postings since June 2023. In 2022, Effective Government supported Rosen and his wife, Robin Pam, in the fight to prevent the reintroduction of vehicular traffic to Golden Gate Parks John F. Kennedy Drive Promenade, which had been closed during the pandemic. Pam managed a campaign for a successful ballot measure to keep vehicles out and to defeat a competing measure that went down in flames despite big contributions from donors, including socialite Diane Dede Wilsey, chair emerita of the boards that govern the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco one of which, the de Young Museum, is located just off Kennedy Drive. David, Abundant SFs political director, worked on that and a simultaneous campaign for a ballot measure to streamline affordable-housing projects that lost by only 4,651 votes. He blamed the defeat largely on the San Francisco Democratic Party, which opposed his measure and endorsed a competing housing initiative that lost by a bigger margin. I made it very clear to Zack and the team, David said, Heres the prime example of why the Democratic Party matters so much in San Francisco. Another later example David pointed to was the uproar last year when the Westside Family Democratic Club of which Pam was president sought to become a chartered Democratic club. The Democratic County Central Committee initially snubbed the group amid allegations of conservative subterfuge and objections to the use of the word family in its name. In 2023, Abundant SF drafted candidates for the all-volunteer board. Entrepreneur Michael Lai, who founded and sold a network of micro-daycare operations that provided housing to teachers, was recruited after he took classes about local government that Abundant SF offered at Mannys in the Mission District. Abundant SF trained candidates on disclosure requirements, how to define themselves, phone banking, fundraising, door-knocking and communicating with reporters and voters. Then, in January, the group hosted a daylong retreat and a kickoff event at a farmers market in the Outer Sunset district. We had so many first-time candidates, and we were on a mission together, Lai said. Over the next two months, every Saturday and Sunday, rain or shine, there were community events with door-knocking and text messaging, said Graeme Joeck, Abundant SFs director of advocacy and organizing and a former leader of Democratic field operations around the country. A passionate advocate of universal childcare, Lai proved to be especially adept for a first-time candidate at rallying volunteers 69 of the 72 had never participated in city politics previously and raising money. He said he collected $114,811 from nearly 218 donors, 80 percent of whom had never donated previously. Theres a narrative about oh, its Republican billionaires, he said. I actually think its like, the vast majority of the city wants to change. Financial markets' focus at the end of the week would be on the UK consumer. Overnight, consultancy GfK would publish the results of its UK consumer confidence survey for March. They would be followed at 0700 GMT by retail sales figures for February from the Office for National Statistics. In the U.S., the market spotlight would be on a speech by Fed boss Jerome Powell at 1400 GMT. Earlier, at 0800 GMT Germany's Federal Office of Statistics would release import price data for January. At 1000 GMT, the IFO institute's closely-followed business confidence index for march was due out. In the company space, Phoenix Group was due to publish its full-year 2023 results. UBS's Nasib Ahmed expects the long-term savings and retirement business to focus on its plans to deleverage and capabilities to increase its solvency II own funds and IFRS 17 equity. He was also anticipating a final dividend per share announcement of 27.3p, against 26.7p for the consensus. The firm's next three-year cash generation target was seen at 4bn, which would be in line with market expectations. Friday 22 March INTERIMS SkinBioTherapeutics , Smiths Group, Wetherspoon (J.D.) INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE Heath (Samuel) & Sons, Mattioli Woods, Mobeus Income & Growth 4 Vct, Ruffer Investment Company Ltd Red PTG Pref Shares QUARTERLY PAYMENT DATE Unilever INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS Import Price Index (GER) (07:00) GMS Triple Point Energy Transition FINALS Dunedin Enterprise Investment Trust, Phoenix Group Holdings , Robinson ANNUAL REPORT Nexus Infrastructure AGMS Faron Pharmaceuticals Oy (DI), Kitwave Group, URU Metals Ltd. (DI), URU Metals Ltd. (DI), URU Metals Ltd. (DI) UK ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS GFK Consumer Confidence (00:01) Retail Sales (07:00) FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE easyJet, Gulf Investment Fund, Henderson Opportunities Trust, Hercules Site Services , Impax Asset Management Group, Ramsdens Holdings 3i Group said in its third-quarter update on Thursday that its largest portfolio company, the Benelux discount retailer Action, recorded notable growth in its 2023 financial year, with net sales reaching 11.32bn and operating EBITDA hitting 1.62bn, marking a 28% and 34% increase, respectively, compared to 2022. The FTSE 100 investment company said like-for-like sales jumped 16.7%, as Action expanded its footprint with the addition of 303 stores. Improved operating leverage and cost discipline contributed to an enhanced EBITDA margin of 14.3%. 3i said Action's robust performance continued into 2024, with net sales for the period up to the end of week 11 reaching 2.5bn, representing a 21% increase from the same period in 2023. Notably, like-for-like sales growth stood at 9.6% for the first 11 weeks of the year, despite having one fewer trading day compared to the same period last year. Transaction growth was a key driver behind the performance. As of 17 March, Action held cash and cash equivalents totaling 1.08bn. The company had expanded its presence with the addition of 32 stores year-to-date, including its inaugural stores in Portugal. Action was planning to distribute another dividend payment to shareholders in the final week of March. 3i Group said it had also concluded its semi-annual portfolio company review meetings, noting overall resilience across the rest of its portfolio. The board said most companies showed positive momentum heading into 2024. Its full-year results were set for publication in May. At 1011 GMT, shares in 3i Group were up 4.35% at 2,638p. Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com. Savings and investments firm M&G beat analysts' forecasts with its 2023 results, with net client flows, adjusted profits and operating capital generation all up materially on the previous year. Adjusted operating profit before tax totalled 797m, up from 625m in 2022, which the firm put down to a resilient performance in Asset Management, and improved contributions from Life, Wealth and Corporate Centre. This was well ahead of the consensus forecast of 750m, according to UBS. The IFRS profit after tax came in at 309m, compared with a loss of 2.1bn previously, due to a big reduction in losses relating to short-term fluctuations in investment returns. "M&G has performed very well in 2023. Today's results show positive business momentum and meaningful improvements across key financial metrics," said chief executive Andrea Rossi. M&G saw net client inflows (excluding the Heritage business in Life) of 1.1bn, up from just 0.2bn in 2022, as big inflows in International Institutional Asset Management and Wholesale Asset Management were able to offset 6.2bn of net client outflows in UK Institutional Asset Management, triggered by the 2022 mini-budget crisis and the ongoing de-risking of Defined Benefit pension funds. Operating capital generation rose 20% year-on-year to 996m, taking the total generated over the past two years to 1.8bn, as the company works it way to a three-year cumulative operating capital generation target of 2.5bn by the end of 2024. The company proposed a second interim dividend of 13.2p per share, taking the total payout to 19.7p for the year, up just 0.1p from last year. If you're looking for an adventure off the beaten path, Kazakhstan might just be the perfect destination for you. Nestled in the heart of Central Asia, this vast and diverse country offers a myriad of experiences for intrepid travelers. From the modern capital of Astana to the ancient city of Turkistan, Kazakhstan is a land of contrasts waiting to be explored. Travel Guide to Kazakhstan In this comprehensive travel guide, we'll take you on a journey through some of Kazakhstan's most captivating destinations, helping you plan the ultimate itinerary for your trip. 1. Shymkent: Gateway to History Our adventure begins in Shymkent, a city steeped in history and culture. As one of Kazakhstan's oldest cities, Shymkent boasts a rich heritage dating back to the 12th century when it was a vital stop on the Silk Road. Visitors can explore ancient fortresses, bustling bazaars, and marvel at the beautifully renovated citadel that stands as a testament to the city's storied past. 2. Astana: Modern Marvels and Cold Realities From Shymkent, we journey to Astana, Kazakhstan's modern capital. Built from scratch in the late 20th century, Astana is a city of architectural wonders and futuristic skyline. However, travelers should be prepared for the extreme cold, as Astana holds the title of the world's second-coldest capital. Despite the chilly temperatures, Astana offers a wealth of attractions, from impressive museums to vibrant markets, making it a must-visit destination on any Kazakhstan itinerary. 3. Almaty: The Jewel of Central Asia No trip to Kazakhstan would be complete without a visit to Almaty, the country's cultural and economic hub. Known as Central Asia's party capital, Almaty boasts a lively nightlife scene, along with a plethora of cultural attractions and outdoor adventures. From sampling delicious Indian cuisine to exploring Soviet-era monuments, Almaty offers something for every type of traveler. 4. Beyond the Cities: Natural Wonders and Historical Sites While Kazakhstan's cities are undoubtedly captivating, the country's true treasures lie beyond urban centers. From the majestic Shymbulak Ski Resort to the tranquil shores of Lake Issyk, nature lovers will find plenty to explore in Kazakhstan's breathtaking landscapes. History enthusiasts will also delight in visiting ancient sites like the Tamgaly Tas Buddhist petroglyphs and the UNESCO-listed mausoleum of Khwaja Ahmed Yasavi in Turkistan. 5. Practical Tips and Recommendations Before embarking on your Kazakhstan adventure, there are a few practicalities to keep in mind. Firstly, Indian travelers will be pleased to know that Kazakhstan offers visa-free entry for stays of less than two weeks, making it an accessible destination. Additionally, be sure to pack appropriate clothing for varying climates, especially if traveling in winter. In terms of accommodation, we recommend the Grand Shymkent Hotel in Shymkent, Rahat Palace Hotel in Almaty, and Hotel Karawan Saray in Turkistan for comfortable and convenient stays. Conclusion: Embrace the Spirit of Adventure As our journey through Kazakhstan comes to an end, we hope you're inspired to embark on your own adventure in this captivating country. Whether you're drawn to the ancient history of Silk Road cities or the natural beauty of mountainous landscapes, Kazakhstan offers a wealth of experiences waiting to be discovered. So pack your bags, prepare your itinerary, and get ready to explore the wonders of Kazakhstan. Safe travels! Proficient writing tools that let you customize essays arent a myth - welcome Papertyper, a modern solution with multiple tools to reach perfection in your academic writing. Whatever paper you have to complete and submit before the deadline, it is easy and effective help to save your time and get the project done without difficulty. 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That same cover also, claims that the book is "the definitive history of the Village Voice, the radical paper that changed American culture." Definitive? Definite overreach there. I'd leave it at "terrific." As well as "irresistible" for anyone who ever enjoyed reading the Village Voice or thinks they might have. Which is an awful lot of people, the majority of whom never lived in Greenwich Village. The Voice was far too important and influential for that. It was probably the greatest example of the wild and woolly Alternative Press that once enlightened, amused and informed America in the era where the infant social science of demographics began rearranging the chairs on deck even if the ship threatened to resemble the Titanic. This is a 500-page-plus page anthology of voices behind the Voice an oral history in snippets of participants telling the story of the paper that was born in 1955 (Norman Mailer put up some of the dough in exchange for a largely forgotten column), was bought for $30 million by Rupert Murdoch in 1977 (same year, this paper began to publish Gusto), and after other owners, died in 2018. It is now an irregularly appearing zombie publication and website. I have no choice here but to be completely personal. First of all, I am a sucker for oral histories. I love the form. Take any subject the history of the NBA, the life and career of Mike Nichols, whatever tickles your fancy and I'm as likely to fall for a massive anthology of snippets and quotes telling its story, especially if the quote compiler has been a gifted elicitor of truths and collector of the most edifying, important and entertaining. Romano passes all tests splendidly. Perfect, she's not. That clumsy tone in the title tells you that. (I attribute it, frankly, to publisher anxiety about readership.) Altogether splendid, she certainly is. There was no way I could resist they heyday of the Village Voice in a book. I'd have felt the same way if I lived in Greenwich Village or Billings, Mont. The fact that I lived in Buffalo which acted, like it or not, sometimes like an outlying cultural suburb of Manhattan the minute Martin Myerson declared the ambition to make the University at Buffalo the "Berkely of the East" underlined that. The fluctuating statewide synergy has been glorious ever since. Personally, it took up residence in my "wheelhouse" and remained there ever after. You couldn't love jazz in America without reading the Voice's Gary Giddins. He is arguably, the greatest writer and critic the music ever had. His Voice colleague Stanley Crouch was among the most important early Black critics that jazz ever had. You couldn't seriously love movies in America without paying attention to Andrew Sarris in The Voice. Sarris was the most important American to import France's "auteur theory" to native ground. His book "The American Cinema" has been educating Americans about our own movies since it first appeared, however many disagreements it engendered over a life of familiarity with it. You couldn't care about literate commentary about television without attending regularly in the Voice to James Wolcott and Tom Carson. When Eliot Fremont-Smith moved over from the Times to the Voice, the Voice became weekly reading for those who cared about books. In American cultural coverage, the New York Times was the paper of record, just as it's always been everywhere. It was the Mom and Dad of cultural advocacy journalism. The Voice was the restless, often wildly creative next generation of that family, sometimes obnoxious and even hateful in the way only adolescents can be but also often inventive and pioneering in the way it apprehended the world. The Voice was among the first journals to seriously cover AIDS. It was early to the subject of Donald Trump. You could read the Voice regularly and one day discover a very smart young woman named Leslie Savan had established a column of criticism of Madison Avenue and the advertising business. Look again in 1991 and you discovered she'd become a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Criticism (whose winner that year was the L.A. Times' majestic David Shaw, a great relief from the prize's tendency to plaster itself to the subject of architecture, a money and power subject if ever there was one). Voice readers delighted in Voice writers' ability to give each other an occasional hotfoot in print. But read Romano and you might be deeply moved, for instance, by Crouch's gift to Giddins when Giddins was involved in his book about jazz patriarch Charlie Parker, "Celebrating Bird." Here is how Giddins tells the tale in the book: "When I started my Charlie Parker book, (Crouch) had been researching his for years and he came over here with a backpack. He dropped about sixty or seventy cassette tapes of all the interviews he'd done. He said 'I'm going to leave this here with you because you need to make sure you get the story right.' It was a hundred people who'd lived and worked with Charlie Parker, many of whom were dead so it was valuable stuff. That was an incredible act of generosity." And not at all surprising for Voice writers whose passions and attachments to their subjects were vastly larger than any egregiously adolescent rivalries. As much affection as I have for Romano's oral history of The Voice, there is one major subject that I deeply regret she could find either no room or no witness for. Literary critic Fremont-Smith and investigative reporter Geoffrey Stokes collaborated on a piece that uncovered all kinds of vagaries and irregularities in the published output of writer Jerzy Kosinski. Kosinski had turned himself into something of a celebrity novelist since his hugely powerful advent in 1965 with his autobiographical novel about the Holocaust in Poland, "The Painted Bird," and his 1968 National Book Award winning novel, "Steps." What Fremont-Smith and Stokes charged that merged with the work of other journalists was an avalanche of doubts about the integrity of Kosinski's work, from doubts about their original language (Polish?), authorship and creative dependence on "translators" and "editors" as well as plagiarism. All the time his reputation was sharply ascending and descending at the same time, he appeared on talk shows, saw his book "Being There" made into a popular movie by Hal Ashby and an extraordinary Peter Sellers and took an acting role for himself in Warren Beatty's "Reds." That strange simultaneous ascent and descent ended with his suicide in 1991. He took sleeping pills and finished himself off with a plastic bag over his head and tied around his neck. His note said, "I am going to put myself to sleep now for a bit longer than usual. Call the time eternity." Kosinski's ascent touched me weirdly and personally. I received two separate personal letters from Kosinski regretting the continued lessening of my enthusiasm for his work in reviews of "Pinball" and "Being There" (in book form). Kosinski's fame, as well as his ungainly gestures toward the press, always seemed to me as if they'd somehow both been improperly translated. Despite the hollowing out of his reputation that began in the Village Voice, David Foster Wallace quite properly I think wrote in 1999 that "Steps" was among "five direly underappreciated U.S. novels." Wallace described "Steps" as "a collection of unbelievably creepy little allegorical tableaux, done in an elegant voice that's nothing else anywhere ever." The book, said Wallace, was "better than anything else (Kosinski) ever did combined." But by then, like most of Kosinski's work, it was buried in obloquy. It's a weird and tragic story that began in the pages of the Village Voice and yet there's not a whisper about it in Romano's book. A glaring omission, I think. For a grand, rectifying synopsis of that story, see the November 2023 issue of Vanity Fair. Capgemini proudly announces the inauguration of its new office in Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City), Gandhinagar. This milestone marks Capgemini's unwavering commitment to technological innovation and talent development in Gujarat, India. Capgeminis India operation is also the Group's largest platform for innovation and delivery. The new office in Gandhinagar was inaugurated jointly by Ms. Mona K. Khandhar, IAS, Principal Secretary, Department of Science & Technology, Government of Gujarat, and Mr. Ashwin Yardi, CEO of Capgemini in India. This initiative aligns with Capgemini's commitment made last year to invest in Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City). Situated within the renowned GIFT City, the office boasts state-of-the-art infrastructure, providing employees with a conducive work environment that fosters innovation and collaboration. The Gandhinagar center is dedicated to developing cutting-edge software applications for various industries, including life sciences, hospitality, consumer products, and retail. Capgemini actively collaborates with local universities and institutes to nurture talent and drive innovation in the region. As part of its expansion plan, Capgemini aims to create more employment opportunities, particularly for women and underprivileged individuals. By doing so, Capgemini is contributing not only to the economic growth of Gujarat but also to the social development of India. "We are thrilled to inaugurate our new office in GIFT City, Gandhinagar, jointly with Ms. Mona K. Khandhar, IAS, Principal Secretary, Department of Science & Technology, Government of Gujarat, as we celebrate Capgemini's presence in Gujarat", said Mr. Ashwin Yardi, CEO of Capgemini in India. "This expansion reaffirms our commitment to fostering innovation, empowering local talent, and contributing to the socio-economic development of Gujarat and India as a whole". TCPL Green Energy Solutions Private Limited (TCPL GES), a fully-owned subsidiary of Tata Cummins Private Limited (TCPL), a joint venture equally held by Tata Motors Limited and Cummins Inc. USA, has officially launched a cutting-edge manufacturing plant aimed at producing hydrogen-powered internal combustion engines for medium and heavy-duty commercial vehicles, along with other innovative low-to-zero emission technology solutions in India. Spread across nearly seven acres in Jamshedpur, this facility boasts state-of-the-art technology and infrastructure. The inauguration of the plant occurred within a year of signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the State of Jharkhand, according to the company. Girish Wagh, Executive Director of Tata Motors said Tata Motors established legacy of nation-building, innovations, and industry firsts gains further momentum with the opening of this new-age manufacturing facility. The hydrogen-based powertrain aggregates and systems produced here will shape the future of mobility in India, making it smarter and greener. We remain committed to partner our customers to build a better tomorrow by enabling them to progressively adopt emission-free and commercially viable solutions for cargo and people mobility. Ashwath Ram, Managing Director, Cummins Group in India, said, Cummins has always believed in bringing the right technology that powers the success of our customers at the right time. Our commitment to manufacturing advanced low to zero-emissions technology products that advance decarbonization isn't just a promise; it's a responsibility we embrace and is backed by concrete action. Powered by our global expertise, strategic partnership, and technological capabilities, we are making steady progress on our Destination Zero strategy". Tata Motors and Cummins have maintained a robust 30-year partnership in India through their joint venture, Tata Cummins Private Limited (TCPL). In March 2023, TCPL GES, a subsidiary of TCPL, was established with the objective of collaborating on the design and development of propulsion technology solutions for commercial vehicles with low and zero emissions in India. These innovative technologies and solutions are intended for deployment across various applications and are expected to play a crucial role in the advancement of sustainable powertrain solutions . The company emphasized in a media release that these efforts aim to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, enhance air quality, and support India's aspirations for achieving net-zero emissions. Aligned with Planet 2050, a forward-looking business strategy focusing on environmental considerations such as climate change, natural resource management, and community enhancement, Cummins demonstrates its commitment to sustainability not just through its product development but also in the operations of its manufacturing facilities. Throughout the construction of the new facility, emphasis was placed on sustainable practices, including the utilization of eco-friendly materials, implementation of energy-efficient systems, and adoption of waste reduction measures, as highlighted in the release. Amid renewed tensions over territorial claims, the United States has reaffirmed its recognition of Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territory and strongly denounced any unilateral actions by China to assert its claims across the Line of Actual Control (LAC). A senior Biden administration official made this statement in response to recent remarks by the Chinese military asserting its sovereignty over the region following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Arunachal Pradesh. Chinese Defence Ministry spokesman Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang reiterated Beijing's stance, emphasizing that the southern part of Xizang (Tibet) is an integral part of China's territory, and rejecting India's claim over Arunachal Pradesh. Prime Minister Modi's recent dedication of the Sela Tunnel, built at an altitude of 13,000 feet in Arunachal Pradesh, has further escalated tensions. The tunnel aims to provide all-weather connectivity to strategically important Tawang and enhance troop movement along the frontier region. Speaking at a daily press briefing, State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel underscored the US position, stating, "The United States recognizes Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territory and we strongly oppose any unilateral attempts to advance territorial claims by incursions or encroachments, military or civilian, across the Line of Actual Control". India has consistently rejected China's territorial assertions over Arunachal Pradesh, asserting its integral part of the country. New Delhi has also dismissed Beijing's attempts to assign 'invented' names to the region, emphasizing that such actions do not alter the ground reality. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs responded to the latest remarks by the Chinese Defence Ministry, labeling them as 'absurd claims' and reiterating Arunachal Pradesh's status as an integral and inalienable part of India. Baimadajie Angwang thought he would be reinstated to his dream job as a New York City police officer after federal prosecutors dropped criminal charges alleging he spied for China. Instead, he is fighting the police commissioners decision to fire him. In a decision made public recently, Commissioner Edward Caban ordered the immediate firing of Angwang on Jan. 29, saying he disobeyed an order to submit to questioning by internal affairs investigators about the spying case. Angwang, 37, said he declined to appear before the investigators last year on the advice of his lawyers, because the NYPD refused to give them department documents ahead of the questioning that would have allowed them to prepare. Now he is considering taking the commissioner to court over his firing. Its extremely disappointing, Angwang told The Associated Press in a phone interview Wednesday. I have to continue to fight, not just for me, for anyone who were wrongfully accused in the past whos getting the wrongful treatment I just got at this moment, or any potential discrimination victims in the future. ... I will not give up until I find the justice. Police officials declined to comment and referred the AP to Cabans written decision to fire Angwang. The Department is a paramilitary organization, and failure to obey and comply with questioning under an official investigation undermines its ability to carry out its mission, Caban wrote. Angwang, who was born in Tibet and granted asylum in the U.S. in his teens, was arrested by federal agents in September 2020, charged with feeding information about New Yorks Tibetan community to the Chinese consulate in New York. He denied the allegations but spent six months in detention before being freed on bail awaiting trial. In a surprise move in January 2023, federal prosecutors in Brooklyn suddenly dropped the charges and did not fully explain why, saying only that they uncovered new information and were acting in the interest of justice. Prosecutors still havent elaborated on their decision. Angwang, who also served in the U.S. Marines and was deployed to Afghanistan, said he believes he got caught up in the Trump administrations effort to root out Chinese espionage across U.S. institutions, and alleges there were shades of racism targeting people with Chinese links. In firing Angwang, Caban chose a harsher penalty than what was recommended in November by an NYPD disciplinary judge who held a hearing on the firing and listened to testimony and arguments from both sides. The administrative judge, Vanessa Facio-Lince, found that Angwang violated department rules by disobeying the order to submit to internal affairs questioning. Facio-Lince said, however, that he should not be terminated, after citing his good record as a police officer and praise by his superiors. Instead, she recommended an alternate manner of Angwang leaving the department that would allow him to negotiate some terms of his departure, including partial retirement benefits. Angwangs lawyer, Michael Bloch, said even the judges proposal was out of line with department disciplinary guidelines. Bloch said the maximum penalty Angwang should have faced was a 20-day suspension. Bloch said there have been many other officers who committed more serious misconduct and were allowed to keep their jobs, despite administrative judges recommending their firing. For Angwang, losing the job has been painful. He said his desire to be a police officer sprouted years ago when an NYPD officer was nice enough to give him directions when he got lost riding the subway. Before his 2020 arrest, he served at a precinct in Queens as a community liaison officer. Every time I could help a person, that makes me the happiest person in the world, he said. And now, with the decision, I cannot continue to serve the community as a police officer. He said it was ironic that the NYPD was firing an officer who immigrated to the U.S. and was supported by the immigrant community, when the department is struggling to make the force more diverse. I just want people to be aware as an immigrant I served in the Marines. I went to combat. I went to Afghanistan, he said. I was able to become a police officer. I was able to become a community affairs officer. I was able to build a bridge between the underserved community and the NYPD, which never happened in the past. I gained a lot of support. ... And now, unfortunately, NYPD terminated that opportunity between the NYPD and the community. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. A 52-year-old mother whose body was found inside a duffle bag in a luxury apartment in Manhattan was brutally beaten by individuals who were illegally occupying her familys home, according to police. The squatters then allegedly stole Nadia Vitels car, a Lexus, and fled to Pennsylvania, where they crashed her vehicle. The two persons of interest, a man and a woman, remained at large on Thursday, according to NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny. Vitel died from blunt-force trauma on her head and suffered multiple fractures on her face, bleeding on the brain and two broken ribs, Kenny said. The 52-year-old, who lived in Spain, had gone to the apartment located on the 19th floor at 206 East 31st St. and accessed it directly from an elevator. Her recently-deceased mother had lived in the apartment and Vitel was planning to prepare the apartment for a family member who was supposed to move into the dwelling, Kenny said. Vitels son became concerned when he did not hear from his mother and couldnt contact her by cell phone. He went to the apartment on March 14 with other family members and the building superintendent who let them into the home. The group searched the apartment and as they were about to leave, the son opened a closet door near the front exit and found his mother stuffed in the duffle bag with a foot sticking out, Kenny said. Vitel arrived at the apartment and parked her car before she apparently walked in on the squatters. After killing her, the squatters rode away in her Lexus, heading over the George Washington Bridge into New Jersey and then into Pennsylvania, where they crashed her car, Kenny said. Authorities in Pennsylvania responded to the crash, but didnt immediately do a license plate check that would have alerted them to the report of a stolen car or the occupants being wanted for questioning in connection with Vitels death, Kenny said. Pennsylvania authorities saw the stolen Lexus the next day on the side of the road, checked the license plate and then notified the NYPD, Kenny said. The NYPD investigation continued into Pennsylvania, where the individuals went to multiple car dealerships as they unsuccessfully attempted to purchase a car for about $1,000, Kenny said. A regional task force is looking for the individuals and authorities believe they know their identities. The apartment was vacant for a few months but the squatters most likely only occupied the space for a few days, Kenny said. Neighbors in another apartment in the building heard the garbage chute in the kitchen repeatedly opening and closing around the time the murder is thought to have occurred. Police investigating her death went down to the basement of the building and found some of the victims items discarded in the trash, Kenny said. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. As the world celebrated International Womens Day on March 8, as well as Womens History Month, here on Grymes Hill the Festa Della Dama Luncheon was staged at Casa Belvedere, the Italian Cultural Foundation on Grymes Hill. The luncheon honored three extraordinary women, who each received an award during a special presentation in the new Galleria with a spectacular view of New York Harbor. In Italy, March 8 marks Festa Della Donna, a jubilant occasion on which women across the nation come together to honor each other and commemorate International Womens Day, a tradition steeped in tradition for over a century. Originally initiated by Italian feminists, this day has blossomed into a joyous festival adorned with fragrant yellow mimosa flowers, fine wine, and delectable cuisine. Enjoying the luncheon are Dom and Rosemarie Stazzone, honoree. (Courtesy/Gail Fusco)Staten Island Advance FESTA DELLA DAMA HONOREES Carol Decina corporate affairs manager for National Grid, chairwoman of the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce and board member of the Staten Island Economic Development Corporation. Dianne Powers a community activist and philanthropist who is a retired Wall Street executive. Rosemarie Stazzone Richmond University Medical Centers chief operating officer and chief nursing officer. From the left, Rosemarie Stazzone, honoree, smiles for the camera with her daughters, from the left, Diana Kosciol and Victoria Sanicola. (Courtesy/Gail Fusco)Staten Island Advance Previous Casa Belvedere Dama Award recipients are Carol Ann Benanti and Frances Valenzo. Each of these women have been an extraordinary champion for our noble cause, said Gina Biancardi, founder of the Italian Cultural Foundation. Not only have they been deeply committed to the foundations mission, but they have also worked toward the betterment of Staten Island in their everyday lives. Daniel Messina, president and CEO of Richmond University Medical Center, smiles with Rosemarie Stazzone, honoree. (Courtesy/Gail Fusco)Staten Island Advance Preserving the past, enriching the future is a common thread that resonates with all our members and is one in the same with the mission and goals of Casa Belvedere, Biancardi said. But those who go above and beyond are deserving of special recognition. A LITTLE ABOUT CASA BELVEDERE The Italian Cultural Foundation at Casa Belvedere is a registered 501(c) (3) not-for-profit organization that seeks to preserve, promote and celebrate the legacy of its ancestors by offering a myriad of cultural and educational activities, programs and special events to the public. Rosemarie Stazzone, left, honoree, is shown with Helen Calcagno. (Courtesy/Gail Fusco)Staten Island Advance The 1908 building was the home of the Roebling-Stirn family and designated a New York City Landmark Building in 2001. The Stirn Mansion is listed on the New York State and National Register of Historic Places. It was renamed Casa Belvedere in 2008, meaning house with a beautiful view. For more information, call 718-273-7660 or visit www.casa-belvedere.org Syracuse, N.Y. -- A 35-year-old man died Wednesday night after he accidentally shot himself in the groin in Syracuse, police said. Around 6:15 p.m., officers responded to a call for a shooting with injuries at 304 Court St, according to Lt. Matthew Malinowski, a Syracuse police spokesperson. When officers arrived, they found the man - later identified as Andre Marshall - with a gunshot wound to the groin, Malinowski said. Marshall was taken to Upstate University Hospital where he was later pronounced dead, he said. The Pennsylvania State Police at Frackville are investigating a damage PPL utility pole near Shenandoah Heights. According to Troopers, State Police investigated an incident of criminal mischief where a PPL utility pole on Raven Run Road in Union Township between Shenandoah Heights and Raven Run was damaged by someone. The suspect or suspects reportedly cut the pole and wires, and also shot the utility pole. State Police say this occurred sometime between January 1st and March 18th, 2024. Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact the Frackville Barracks by calling (570) 874-5300. 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. You can download a digital replica of the Daily Journal for offline reading. You can also clip & download articles or images from the e-edition to share with others The most recent 90 issues are available at any given time. -- Unlimited access to our award-winning online content -- Commenting access on all stories as a valued member of the DJ community -- NEW! Access to our online-only digital crossword puzzle. A new puzzle every day, seven days a week! Catholic Diocese is seeking $649,000 for Newman Center serving Buffalo StateA Buffalo Diocese-owned Newman Center thats used primarily to minister to Catholic students at SUNY Buffalo State University is on the market for $649,000. The diocese, which is in its fourth year of Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, announced Thursday that the 5,068-square-foot building at 1219 Elmwood Ave. is listed for sale with Howard Hanna Commercial. The Newman Center serving Buffalo State has occupied the brick, two-story structure for decades. Its the third diocese-owned property since November to be marketed, joining the former Christ the King Seminary in the Town of Aurora and the Catholic Center on Main Street in the citys medical corridor. The diocese also owns separate Newman Centers in Amherst for students at the University at Buffalo and in Alfred in Allegany County for students at Alfred University. It closed a Newman Center near SUNY Fredonia in 2018. The three diocese-owned Newman Center properties remaining were included on a list of 22 properties identified in court documents as possibilities to be sold to generate funds toward a settlement of roughly 900 sex abuse claims against the diocese in federal bankruptcy court. The diocese said in a news release that a search is underway to find a new location for Buffalo States Newman Center. - Jay Tokasz Traditional owners are seeking federal protection for their cultural heritage on land containing the Northern Territorys famous Jabiluka uranium deposit after a resources company defied their wishes by applying to renew a mining lease. The Rio Tinto-backed Energy Resources Australia (ERA) on Wednesday lodged an application for a 10-year mine lease extension at Jabiluka an area near the Ranger uranium mine that is surrounded by, but not part of, the Kakadu National Park. The application has inflamed tensions with the Gundjeihmi Aboriginal Corporation, who represent the Mirarr traditional owners of the former Ranger uranium mine. Jabiluka was developed and prepared for mining before work was stopped, following huge backlash, including this rally in Melbourne in 1999. Credit: The Age Gundjeihmi Aboriginal Corporation chief executive Thalia van den Boogaard said an application was being prepared to the federal government asking for protection of Jabilukas cultural heritage. She called for the Northern Territory government and ERA to support the push. If ERA is true to its word about wanting to protect Mirarrs cultural heritage, we expect it will support protection through the Northern Territory Aboriginal Sacred Sites Act [NT] and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act [CTH], van den Boogaard said. Thirty-one dancers will step on to the vast overwater stage at Mrs Macquaries Point on Friday for the opening night of West Side Story, this years Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour. For many of those young performers, that moment will represent the highest point in their careers to date, and the fulfilment of years of gruelling sacrifice. Hailing from towns as distant as Mount Gambier and Alice Springs, the hand-picked all-Australian ensemble represents more than 20 cultural backgrounds. But what unites them is their ability to tackle the high-octane choreography in Leonard Bernsteins epic musical, which requires explosive theatrical energy, marathon stamina, and lightning-fast precision. The opening night of West Side Story will be a big moment for Bree Stephens, Ella Fitzpatrick and Eli Clarke. Credit: James Brickwood Nineteen-year-old Eli Clarke, a proud Western Arrernte, Arabana and Gurindji man, grew up in Alice Springs. His first dance school was run by a mother-daughter duo in a super-duper hot tin shed. The mother of Lederise Curry, who died at home from an asthma attack during the December 2022 blizzard, was denied a chance in court Thursday to file a claim against the City of Buffalo and Erie County over late rescue response time. State Supreme Court Justice Gerald J. Greenan III ruled a Notice of Claim from Phyllis Jackson, Curry's mother, was filed long after the 90-day time frame to submit the paperwork. Also this week, the daughter of Doris Williams, 91, found dead on Christmas Day in her apartment at a Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority building, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the housing agency and its executive director. Curry and Williams were among 47 people who died in Erie and Niagara counties during the Christmas week blizzard, the second most deadly natural disaster to occur in the United States in 2022. Curry, known as "Nikki" to her friends, was 46 and the mother of a 13-year-old son, Christian Elijah Curry, when she died Dec. 26, 2022. Christian called for the ambulance that didn't arrive through snow-clogged streets and whiteout conditions until she had died. Brittany Lee Penberthy, Jackson's attorney, said the late filing was due in part to an estate being created in late January of this year. Penberthy told The Buffalo News she hoped the court would exercise its discretion to go beyond the statutory 90-day limit. "I think we are going to review alternate avenues to pursue the litigation," Penberthy said. BMHA sued Few lawsuits have been filed as a result of the blizzard deaths. After Williams' apartment in the Lyndon B. Johnson Apartments lost heat during the blizzard, "Williams froze to death," according to a lawsuit filed Wednesday by her daughter, Kathy W. Lassiter. The lawsuit said BMHA's failure to have an adequate emergency generator system in the building and an emergency disaster plan for tenants resulted in her mother's death. The court filing also said the BMHA failed to warn tenants of the danger they faced without heat. BMHA Executive Director Gillian Brown declined to comment on the lawsuit, other than to say, "We are represented by counsel on this matter, who will vigorously defend against the claim." The lawsuit, which was not filed by a law firm, also named as defendants the City of Buffalo and New York State. Sitting alone in a Goulburn jail cell in January, Pio Misa, better known by his rap moniker YP, watched as a news story came on TV, revealing an alleged plot to murder him and other members of the rap group he was a part of, OneFour. It was at that moment he knew he needed to make a drastic change in his life. I wasnt surprised, I guess. I knew that people wanted my life, rightfully so, Ive done wrong to certain people and in their own due time I hope they can forgive me, Misa says in an interview with Nine News. Pio Misa, better known as YP, was part of one of the biggest and most infamous rap groups in Australia. Credit: Nine News As police held a press conference, announcing the arrest of the two alleged hitmen, Pio did something he hadnt done since he was a child. He read the Bible. It was mixed emotions, Misa says. Upset was one of them. Obviously afraid for my life. Finding this new journey I felt like my life had just started, experiencing life through Christ, so witnessing that on the news, it was just a big wake-up call that my past is still there. Community and environmental groups will use the state governments koala summit on Friday to call for an immediate halt to logging inside the promised Great Koala National Park in northern NSW. Groups such as the National Parks Association of NSW and the World Wide Fund for Nature will use the invitation-only event at Taronga Zoo to slam the delays in creating the park and the intensification of logging within the proposed boundaries. It comes as the Minns government earlier this week announced tweaks to strengthen the conservation plan for the Cumberland Plain in western and south-west Sydney, where the government plans to clear 1758 hectares of koala habitat to build 73,000 homes. The Minns government made an election promise to create a Great Koala National Park in northern NSW. Credit: Getty Images Grahame Douglas, president of the National Parks Association of NSW, said his organisation was frustrated that NSW Labor had taken the policy to two elections and served a year in government, but still not announced when the park would be created. Advertisement Review Eating outSydney Arrive early, stay late: Your plan of attack for Sydneys super popular new supper club The Caterpillar Clubs very long bar rarely has a free seat. Heres how to nab one. Callan Boys March 22, 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 1 / 7 Inside Sydneys new late-night supper club, The Caterpillar Club. Jennifer Soo 2 / 7 Go-to dish: Tuna-melt sandwich. Jennifer Soo 3 / 7 Crab and avocado cocktail. Jennifer Soo 4 / 7 Sticky toffee pudding. Jennifer Soo 5 / 7 Flank steak with peppercorn sauce and beef-fat chips. Jennifer Soo 6 / 7 The Caterpillar Clubs cheeseburger. James Brickwood 7 / 7 Caterpillar Clubs long (very long) bar rarely has a free seat. Jennifer Soo Previous Slide Next Slide 14.5 / 20 How we score American$$$ A few years ago, American author John Koenig invented a word to describe the sense of nostalgia for a time or place youve never known: anemoia. Im sure we all suffer from anemoia in some form or another. The history buff who daydreams about hanging out with Marc Antony at the Forum; that Francophile mate whos never travelled further than Toowoomba but keeps banging on about Provence. I have anemoia in spades for mid-century New York supper clubs. God, they look like a bloody fun time. Martini-drenched basements where you would come for a prawn cocktail and stay for George and Ira Gershwin. There was prime-rib, Old Fashioneds, crudites and crushed velvet. Oysters. Cocktail forks. A lot of iceberg lettuce. Ive also got a fair whack of nostalgia for Hollywood grills, so when Swillhouse (the team behind Restaurant Hubert and Le Foote in the CBD) announced plans for a live-music venue inspired by supper clubs and Los Angeles steakhouse Musso & Frank, it was cause for some excitement. Advertisement Isobel Whelan-Little a talented chef last seen draping figs in cured pork loin at Chippendales LPs Quality Meats would be leading the kitchen. Happy days. Frilly lights along the length of the main bar. Jennifer Soo Caterpillar Club opened in a low-lit basement near Martin Place in December, curving underground like the letter C (or, you know, a caterpillar). The 200-seat lounge was previously a strip joint and, where there was once smoke and ceiling mirrors, there are now frilly light shades and red leather booths. There are 10,000 records for DJs to choose from, and the long (very long) bar rarely has a free seat. Sydney artist Allie Webb has painted bold murals that would be at home in a 1970s Spanish nightclub, but it still all feels very Sydney. A distillation of the citys glamour and grunge. Frustratingly, you cant book and, on Friday and Saturday evenings, therell almost certainly be a queue. If youre in a group and want a booth, aim to arrive at 4pm when the doors open. Couples are best served by two-seater high-tables, or a drink in the Bamboo Lounge, a secret-ish tiki bar towards the back of the room. With fewer people vying for the bartenders attention, the cocktail quality here is usually a step up from the main bar. Advertisement Exclusive Caterpillar Club, by the Hubert and Frankies team, brings 4am party vibes back to the CBD Unlike the white-napkin supper clubs of my niggling anemoia, theres no silver service and you have to order at the bar, but caviar and waffles ($175) are available until 3am, plus $950 bottles of 2013 Dom Perignon (much cheaper sparklings are offered). North Americas most American salad, the Waldorf, makes an appearance with red velvet lettuce, candied walnuts, pickled celery, dill and a restrained use of anchovies ($18). The Caterpillar Clubs cheeseburger. James Brickwood Its nice to have to cut through a weapons-grade, smoked cheeseburger ($32) loaded with dry-aged beef, cheddar and soft, sweet onions. On one visit, I wondered if its the best burger in Sydney. On another, it was so over-seasoned we couldnt finish it. Advertisement Flank steak with peppercorn sauce and beef-fat chips ($45) was a salty old slog, too. Whelan-Little recently took over the pans at Swillhouses Albertos Lounge, and Caterpillar Clubs consistency may have suffered while she runs between kitchens. But when the foods good, its very good indeed, such as those long-flavoured chips, and a cheesy, sharp, tuna-melt sandwich ($22) with satisfying crunch. Go-to dish: Tuna-melt sandwich. Jennifer Soo Little spanner crab, avocado and lettuce cocktail boats (two for $26) with pickled daikon are wonderfully savoury; empanada-style mozzarella, feta and spinach hand pies (two for $18) are suitably golden and flaky. Oysters Kilpatrick gets a nod by way of four Sydney rocks ($28) roasted with bacon and smoked bonito vinegar delicious with a Zombie Highball of apricot brandy, rum, pineapple and eucalyptus soda. Advertisement Most house cocktails are pre-batched and cost $25, as does a standard-serve negroni. This has attracted some online criticism. But god knows what the bar line would be like if some drinks werent made earlier in the day. Theres no door charge for the live music; Id pay a bit extra per drink if it comes with Afrobeat, jazz, funk and soul. Caterpillar Club is far from the dinner-and-a-show supper clubs of Jackie Kennedys New York, but this isnt a bad thing. Nostalgia is a dangerous beast when its overfed. Better that Sydney has a singular new bar where you might find yourself eating steamed toffee pudding ($20) at midnight and watching experimental disco or a new-wave percussionist. Arrive early. Stay late. Have a dance. Enjoy your sandwich. Advertisement Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox. Sign up Australias corporate watchdog has defended itself against claims its ban on credit purchases from a retail chain that targets remote Indigenous communities is having a disastrous impact on First Nations customers. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission late last week extended an interim ban on Urban Rampage, a clothing and homeware chain which operates in 10 locations across the Northern Territory, Queensland and Western Australia, from signing up customers to credit agreements using the financial tool, Centrepay. The national corporate watchdog has defended itself against claims its ban on credit purchases from a retail chain is having a disastrous impact on First Nations customers. Credit: Darrian Traynor The regulator said the retailers use of a national scheme, allowing people to buy essential goods and pay them off via regular deductions from Centrelink payments, could push vulnerable customers into significant debt, leaving them unable to make ends meet. But Urban Rampage, which has previously described its target market as consumers who predominantly reside in remote Aboriginal communities and are low-income recipients of Centrelink payments, is rallying against the ban. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size The leadership of the Coalition now sides with Donald Trump in his personal attack on Australias ambassador to the USA, Kevin Rudd (Rudd feels the heat of nasty Trump blast, March 21). Australias diplomatic representatives, whoever they are and wherever they are stationed, deserve loyalty and respect from Australian politicians and should be immune from home-grown party political sniping. This is a shameful act by the Coalition. Its one thing to play hard politics. Its another to side with a foreign politician and show disloyalty and disrespect to your own national representative and your own nation, just to score a few lousy political points. Warren Marks, Hill Top and Tweedledumb. Credit: Matt Golding I find it extraordinary to see the opposition target Australias ambassador, and support a foreign presidential hopeful. Would I be so bold as to call the Coalition unpatriotic for turning on our ambassador after fully supporting his appointment? John Watkins, Collins Creek Trump says Rudd is not the brightest bulb. Most of us laughed at the irony; Peter Dutton fails to read the room. Trump was egged on by Nigel Farage, the man who successfully took the great out of Britain, and his audience was the small number of American people who actually do vote. They are looking to make America a basket case, again. Wendy Atkins, Cooks Hill Theres no doubt Rudds bulb burns brighter than that of Trump, but those with dull bulbs have led the United States before. Rudd is highly regarded in Washington by Democrats and Republicans alike for his work ethic and diplomatic skills, and will manage Trump should he be elected. Better than that would be the American population turning off Trumps lights at the coming election. Lyn Savage, Coogee While Im not a fan of Rudd or his appointment, Americans (be they Democrat, Republican or other) need to know the truth about Trump, the damage he previously did and the greater damage he is likely to do if re-elected (One has lit the fuse, but the other has long been waiting to explode, March 21). Most of that damage will be to America, but enough will be done to the remainder of the world to make it absolutely necessary for us to have a truth teller as our ambassador, rather than a diplomat. Diplomacy is for open-minded discussion, and the likes of Trump and other current players doing serial damage to the world are unable to engage with free and open discussion. Its all about themselves. We would do very well without AUKUS and nuclear submarines, in any event. Robin Humphrey, Springwood The presence of Rudd in the US ambassadorial role may well upset Farage, Trump and the Coalition, but it gives me confidence that in the event of a Trump presidency Australias interests will be protected. Some on the Right of politics would prefer an ambassador spruiking undying loyalty to the great power, but with Trump in charge such a position could leave Australia up to our necks in very dangerous excrement. Rudd working under the direction of Penny Wong ensures an alliance not dominated by bullying and narcissistic whim. Peter Hull, Katoomba Advertisement Far more unpleasant than Trumps ire would be the prospect of him being chummy. Adrian Connelly, Springwood Education system keeping equality in Australia down Tony George may well object to his beloved private single-sex school system being challenged (All the Kings men under siege, March 20). But for George to suggest that theres nothing wrong with a school system where privilege and financial advantage are lauded at the expense of a palpably disadvantaged public school system denigrates all of Australian society. Any student who attends any school should be entitled to the very best education and have every opportunity to flourish. We seem to be stuck in a Dickensian age, with an education system rooted in inequality, where wealth determines a childs access to knowledge while government schools continue to be disadvantaged. It seems that equal opportunity in Australia is dead, and the education system makes sure it stays buried. Bruce Spence, Balmain Illustration: John Shakespeare Credit: All week I have remained gobsmacked that a head of such an allegedly esteemed institution has used the term wokeness in his musings published in the schools journal (Letters, March 21). Not only used it but felt threatened by it, demonstrated by his engagement in the all-too-common dismal attempt to redefine its meaning. The cringe factor is high with this one. Being a private school alumna, I can assure George that there is no pain when the plunge pool bubble bursts a period of shame, humiliation and embarrassment, hopefully, but no physical pain. The real education starts when the bubble is pricked. Annabel Doherty, Rockhaven Instead of being obsessed about the shortcomings of one private school headmaster, and the outdated uniforms of another well-known school, isnt it time commentators thought more about why so many parents are sending their children to private schools, despite the financial sacrifice, often going into debt to do so? Principals come and go, some are outstanding, some very ordinary, but public school principals are often hamstrung by the requirements of a heavy-handed bureaucracy and anxious parents, yet its their leadership which sets the tone of the school. This is how parents will choose, not on issues of inclusion, but on the issue of what model suits their faith, or aspirations for their children. Vivienne Parsons, Thornleigh I can only suppose that Kings School principal was incoherent with indignation when he wrote of the sort of clickbait memes that tantalise memetic cliches. Perhaps he could consult the Kings School English department on further effusions emanating from his pen. How do you tantalise a cliche? Jennifer Briggs, Kilaben Bay Advertisement I believe in a public school system but that doesnt mean I think private schools dont make a valuable contribution to education. I have worked in both systems and saw committed dedication in both. Garry Feeney, Kingsgrove Gifted kids plan far from genius Who does the NSW Department of Education think it is kidding with the cheap decision to add opportunity classes of 15 students to nine schools, yet to keep the same number of places offered around the state (Opportunity knocks for gifted students, March 21)? Instead of investing in staff development, where all teachers are trained to recognise, teach and nurture students who may be gifted, we have been presented with just another version of whats currently offered. This plan is a joke, a slap in the face to public schools where, yet again, they are forced to do their best with poor decision-making out of their control. In the end its always the students who bear this burden. Sharon McGuinness, Thirroul Why wait until students reach year 5 before catering to their needs? The department needs to do more to allow schools to provide for the gifted and talented in younger classes in every school. Daphne Scott, Eastlakes I must disagree with your correspondents comment that separating children on the basis of academic prowess is not egalitarian nor inclusive (Letters, March 21). The plain fact is some children are more intelligent than others (even in a selective school), in the same way some are better athletes or musicians than others. I dont think an egalitarian society is one where we educate everyone to the lowest common denominator so that everyone feels inclusive. Proper education should acknowledge the differences in students and then endeavour to bring each to the best of their ability. Being egalitarian and inclusive is not in the outcome but in making sure each child has equal and inclusive opportunity to develop to the best of their abilities. Brian Collins, Cronulla Bike priorities Anish Bhasin is right to be frustrated at the way in which cyclists have always been treated poorly on Australian roads (Dont live in fear of kids on e-bikes, March 21). Cyclists, however, are not riding unassisted e-bikes. These e-bikes are motorbikes they have a throttle and the solution to the identified problems is to treat them as such. The solution to cyclist problems is much more complicated and enduring. Both problems need solving but lets not push aside the one with a straightforward solution to argue we should pay attention to the much more difficult and enduring problem first. Paul Gannon, Coopers Shoot Advertisement Your writer makes a common and easily made mistake when he describes the bike in the picture as an e-bike. Under NSW law an e-bike can only be pedal-assisted and the motor cuts out at 25 km/h. The electric bike in the picture appears to have a throttle, does not need to be pedalled and consequently has no speed limit. These can often do 50 km/h or more. Its a motorbike, and as such it is not legal in this context in NSW. They are rapidly becoming a scourge on footpaths as well as roads. Police need to crack down on these for the sake of both rider and pedestrian safety. But dont blame e-bikes or their riders. Michael Perry, Murwillumbah A teenager snapped heading to the beach on his fat bike in Cronulla. Credit: Dion Georgopoulos Although I agree with most of what Bhasin has said, I would like to point out that the rider in the photo (above) is not a cyclist. He is, in fact, riding an unregistered and uninsured motorcycle and judging by his age he would be unlicensed. It also appears that his helmet is not fastened. It is extremely unsafe and illegal riding with unfastened helmet. As I have been on a government road safety board, I have been privy to research on the benefits of wearing a helmet and the dangers of wearing one that is not fastened. Riders of illegal e-bikes (those that have a throttle) will not have any insurance and if they injure a pedestrian or pillion passenger the rider (or their parents) will be liable for the cost of any claim. Greg McCarthy, Cronulla Bhasin makes valid and defensible arguments regarding road sharing and the urgent need for bicycle lanes. However, it is disingenuous to ignore or promote kids riding e-bikes with reckless abandon in and around the suburbs. In my neck of the woods many if not most are riding without helmets, often doubling or tripling up, and occasionally on footpaths. I worry more for their own safety than damage to others. I encourage kids to use bikes; it is important that they be counselled on their safe use. Bruce Hall, Avalon Like the vast new road network in Sydney, the principal bike network can be rolled out across several council areas. The main ingredient missing is leadership and will. And a bike network neednt involve a budget in the tens of billions, or the demolition of homes and businesses, or hundreds of trucks each day carrying rock and dirt, or tall pollution towers. And the planning and legal mechanisms to do it already exist. Roisin Kelly, Glebe Nuance of conflict David Sharma is, of course, correct in saying that neither Jewish Australians nor Palestinian Australians are responsible for events surrounding the Hamas and Israeli conflict, and require protection from attacks within Australia (Attacks on minorities shredding society, March 21). There is, however, an intimation that criticism of the state of Israels prosecution of the war amounts to antisemitism. While undoubtedly there is a body of unfavourable opinion based on religious intolerance, it is not reasonable to conclude all criticism has that basis. The actions of Hamas that triggered the war are deplorable, not because Hamas is a Muslim organisation but because murder, torture and rape are deplorable regardless of the religious affiliations of the perpetrators. The enormous death toll visited on Palestinian civilians trapped in Gaza mostly, we are told, non-combatant women and children and the impending mass starvation is reprehensible, not because the predominant religion of Israel is Jewish but because these things are of themselves reprehensible. This is neither antisemitism nor an expression of support for Palestinians; it is criticism of needless violence and cruelty from whatever source. David MacKintosh, Berkeley Vale Advertisement Income facts I agree with everything written by Gary Newman (My 68 days waiting on Centrelink and Im a lucky one, March 21). But hes dreamin if he thinks our bean counters will sacrifice one nuclear sub, risk upsetting one mining magnate, or trim back 1 million lavished on retired prime ministers, to help create a more equitable society. Mark Paskal, Austinmer Time for some serious tax reform, including a serious discussion of a Universal Basic Income: everyone gets paid every week and we all have extra time to pursue non-work interests to improve our health, longevity and quality of life. Chris ORourke, Bathurst Scary monsters There is one point about monster utes that hasnt been mentioned: how the heck am I supposed to back my small car out of a nose-in parking spot with their equivalent of a truck parked next to me (Letters, March 21)? Its basically: cross your fingers, back out slowly and hope for the best. Maureen Partridge, Baulkham Hills Your cogent piece on monster utes should inform the federal governments policy on new vehicles. Sadly, I suspect the Coalitions threat to portray the policy as a ute tax will cower the government into producing a mealy-mouthed excuse aimed at avoiding losing the votes of macho tradies. We need a stand up and fight vehicle policy that penalises the rampaging hoons driving monstrous, overpowered pseudo-trucks and rewards those who choose safer, modest, fuel-efficient electric vehicles. Andrew Royal, Orange While were talking about polluting utes, can we include leaf blowers in the discussion? A broom and shovel would suffice, with no noise or carbon dioxide pollution. Pasquale Vartuli, Wahroonga Advertisement A young doctor allegedly took intimate photos of patients at a regional hospital months after finishing his medical degree. Nicholas Chu, 27, has been suspended while he faces two charges of producing child abuse material and 14 counts of intentionally recording intimate images without consent. Nicholas Chu, pictured here outside court in Sydney in September 2023. Credit: AAP Most of the charges relate to alleged incidents at Orange Health Service, a major hospital in central-western NSW, between January 2022 and February 2023. Chu, who is on bail and lives in Sydneys eastern suburbs, appeared in Orange Local Court via audiovisual link on Thursday for a brief mention. HEATHER GREENFIELD: 1939 - 2024 Dr Heather Greenfield was a powerhouse in the field of nutrition, both nationally and internationally. She was also a passionate advocate for womens rights, fighting for them in the prevailing culture of the University of NSW (UNSW) where she worked first as a lecturer and rose to the position of associate professor in nutrition between 1976 and 1998. After retirement, she was an adjunct professor in UNSW and the University of Sydney and of Canberra until 2018. Dr Heather Greenfield with a group of New Guineans. Heather was born in Sunderland, UK. Her mother and her girls school were ferociously feminist about higher education, and she accepted a place in London Universitys Bedford College, for a science degree, which she loved. By then, however, she had already had two of what proved to be a series of health afflictions throughout her life, having become half-deaf as a result of measles in her childhood, followed by hospitalisation with bronchiectasis from the age of 13, for 18 months, and which then became a chronic lifelong condition. These, and other afflictions in later life, she bore stoically and with characteristic good humour. The redevelopment and relocation of the Sydney Fish Market is proving so troublesome the project has turned into a saga rivalling the Sydney Opera Houses tortuous 14-year development. After decades of false starts and dashed hopes, the new market at Blackwattle Bay in Pyrmont is due to open by years end. But in the latest in a series of glitches, retailers who sublease their shops and restaurants from the old Sydney Fish Market claim the new building will not meet the operational requirements of a fish market. A render of 3XNs design for Sydneys new fish market. Only one of the 38 subtenants is prepared to surrender their existing lease and sign a lease for the new premises, raising concerns the hold-outs will seek compensation for being forced to vacate without a similar or better deal. But the Heralds Harriet Alexander has exposed an extraordinary sweetheart deal in the lease between the Sydney Fish Market and the NSW government that includes a provision to grandfather the rent at the current rate of $2.8 million per year for the first 10 years about half the average commercial rents for Pyrmont. It took a last-minute meeting with Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz, his budget office and legislators on both sides of the aisle on Wednesday and Thursday, but after a week of political tension, both sides agreed on a $40.9 million borrowing deal to pay for everything from convention center and community college upgrades to roadwork, library and park improvements. Erie County anticipates a $33 million surplus, and fighting over the money has begun Deputy Budget Director Mark Cornell said the Finance Department is a couple of weeks away from finalizing a surplus figure, but he expects it to fall within the $30 million to $35 million range, with $33 million being the rough estimate at the moment. A key part of the deal was Poloncarzs willingness to reduce the countys original borrowing package by $15.2 million and pay for more projects in cash, using surplus money from last years budget. In addition, Republican legislators said they reached an understanding that if the countys year-end surplus exceeds its projections by more than $2.5 million, all excess funds will roll over into the countys savings accounts, legislators said. The surplus is currently projected to be $33.9 million. Republican legislators said they expect the change to save $7 million in borrowing expenses. Deputy Budget Director Mark Cornell said that based on his analysis of past borrowing in recent years, the true savings is closer to $3 million. Among the projects being funded through the $40.9 million borrowing is: $24.5 million for reconstruction of New Road, Maryvale Drive, Pine Street and Borden Road. $2.1 million for county parks and playground improvements. $900,000 for Buffalo Convention Center upgrades. $700,000 for public library improvements. County Comptroller Kevin Hardwick said he was relieved a deal had been reached so his office can finally advance cash to get projects started during the short construction season. Alls well that ends, he said. Negotiations between Republican legislators and Poloncarz lasted about an hour and a half Thursday morning, prior to the start of the County Legislatures work session and regular meeting. The agreement was reached cordially enough that Poloncarz stood with both Republican and Democratic legislators at his afternoon news conference. There are two things you dont want to, sometimes, watch being made sausage and the work behind the scenes on government, Poloncarz said. Its not always pretty, but when you come together to reach a conclusion thats beneficial for all, it truly is a betterment for the greater community. Republican Minority Leader John Mills said he wished such conversations happened more regularly. When we do that, good things happen for the residents in Erie County, he said. Democratic Legislator John Bargnesi, D-Town of Tonawanda, extended credit to the county executive for being willing to negotiate and pushed back against the Republican narrative that the process wasnt inclusive and transparent from the beginning. This didnt come together at the last minute, he said. Weve been talking about this for months. Two weeks ago, the countys Republican legislators voted against a resolution that would have borrowed $56.1 million for various countywide construction projects. They said they supported the nearly $80 million in projects some of which would be partially funded through existing government funds but they wanted to see if more 2023 year-end surplus money could be put toward these projects so that less money needed to be borrowed. Even though Republican legislators comprise only four of the countys 11 lawmakers, any bond resolution requires a two-thirds supermajority vote. That means that, unlike the vast majority of all other resolutions voted on in Legislature chambers, approval to issue bonds requires at least one vote from the Republican caucus. Legislator Lindsay Lorigo, R-West Seneca, said Thursday that the Republican caucus would not rubber stamp an agreement that was irresponsible to taxpayers and that the new agreement still funds every project on the countys original borrowing list. Legislator Chris Greene, R-Clarence, and Frank Todaro, R-Lancaster, said the current compromise is a fair deal that saves money and sacrifices nothing. This is how government should work, Todaro said. The terms of the deal that was struck Thursday affect how surplus money from the 2023 budget year will be spent. For instance, Poloncarz had hoped to earmark $10 million to create a new winter storm fund to help cover cleanup costs associated with extreme winter storms that arent considered severe enough to meet federal reimbursement standards. That fund is now more likely to be closer to $5 million. Cornell said that the agreement in principle on the surplus means about $10 million will flow into the countys reserve accounts. Poloncarz also pointed out that the deal struck with legislators involves no legislator handouts, unlike past years. Theres no pork, he said. The failure to pass the borrowing package earlier this month marked only the second time in 20 years that the bond resolution failed. It also failed last year, a sign of the deteriorating relationship between the Republican minority caucus and the Democratic majority and County Executives Office. Last week, Poloncarz took to social media to berate Legislature Republicans for standing together in opposition to the borrowing deal, while Republicans said they werent going to be intimidated. When last years borrowing package bit the dust, backroom negotiations resulted in the county agreeing to pay an additional $25 million in cash toward the Bills stadium construction instead of borrowing the money. Republicans also reached a compromise to borrow less money for other county projects and gained a pledge for more transparency in project construction timelines and county finances. Both Republican and Democratic legislators also negotiated with the administration to secure more than $1 million in additional money for legislator handouts. Queensland LNP leader David Crisafulli has joined Premier Steven Miles in ruling out a new stadium at Victoria Park, as recommended by former Lord Mayor Graham Quirks review of 2032 Games venues this week. But Crisafulli has sought to differentiate his position from the Labor government, criticising Miles decision to choose an upgraded Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre as the main arena not suggested by Quirk. Speaking to reporters at parliament, Crisafulli has outlined some more detail on what he is proposing to do differently, saying he would establish a new independent delivery authority if elected in October which would report back within 100 days. The group, Crisafulli said, would likely replace the governments own version to be established by midyear, be named before the election, and given terms of reference to deliver planning options with a focus on road and rail legacies, use existing venues and keep within the current funding levels. There cant be new stadiums, because thats not what Queenslanders signed up to, he said. For 1000 days, the Labor government has torched the games. Im asking Queenslanders for 100 days to fix this mess. Loading Dutton furiously denounced Albanese for halting the changes. He turned the issue into a question of character and trust, although he did not declare how the Coalition might vote on the changes. Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus insisted on Wednesday that the government wanted to work with the Coalition to pass the full package of reforms. Thats why weve commenced discussions with the opposition, he said. Albanese, in question time, said there had been 10 inquiries, 260 hearings and consultations, and 70,000 submissions on the issue since 2016. It is now time to determine whether well progress forward or not. Im up for progressing forward on the basis of a bipartisan position and I hope that that can be achieved, he said. How we got here The religious discrimination issue was born from the tumult surrounding the marriage equality debate in 2017. At the time, some politicians, religious leaders and commentators raised concerns that allowing same-sex marriage would restrict peoples ability to practise their religion. To mitigate their concerns, then-prime minister Malcolm Turnbull tasked former Liberal MP Philip Ruddock with conducting a review of religious freedom in Australia. The Ruddock report found no widespread problem with peoples right to practise their faith but nonetheless recommended there should be a Religious Discrimination Act. It also called for clarity around the circumstances in which religious schools could discriminate against students and staff based on their sexuality or gender identity. The issue went on to plague the Morrison government. Scott Morrison promised to create a Religious Discrimination Act in 2018, observing that Australians of faith felt the walls have been closing in on them. Loading His government released what would become the first of three draft bills in 2019, as Rugby Australia dominated headlines over the controversial sacking of Wallabies star Israel Folau for social media posts that claimed homosexuals, among others, would go to hell. However, the Coalition referred the question of whether religious schools had a right to discriminate against gay, lesbian and transgender students to the Australian Law Reform Commission. That ensured the issue would live on until after that years federal election. The Morrison governments bill finally made it to parliament in February 2022 three years and as many drafts later. But that bill, too, faced challenges from critics, who said it went beyond standard discrimination law to allow people of faith to discriminate against others. In an attempt to appease moderate Liberals who supported LGBTQ children and deliver on his promise just months out from the federal election Morrison said he would abolish the right of schools to expel gay students. But he didnt extend this protection to trans students a move aimed at appeasing conservative Christian lobby groups and offered no additional protections to teachers. That led five moderate Liberal MPs to cross the floor and vote with Labor. Morrison was forced to shelve the bill, facing more mutiny in the Senate and a backlash from key religious lobby groups. And so the issue was still burning as voters went to the 2022 election. Enter Albanese, who said Labor would both legislate a religious discrimination act and scrap the ability of schools to expel gay and transgender students if it won government. We should be able to tackle both of these problems at once, frontbencher Jason Clare said on the campaign trail. What is the religious discrimination bill? The bill would deliver an anti-discrimination framework for Australians of faith, akin to that which is already in place to protect Australians against discrimination based on their age, race and sex. While the government has prepared draft legislation, its not public, so we dont know all the details. But Labor has outlined the core principles for what it wants to achieve: schools cant discriminate against students or staff based on their sex, sexuality, gender identity, relationship status or pregnancy. Schools should, however, be able to build their communities by giving preference in good faith to people of the same religion. That means there are some things we can expect, including the key flashpoints. Loading The first will be around Section 38 of the Sex Discrimination Act. That is the part that allows religious schools to discriminate against students and staff based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy or relationship status. In practice, it means religious schools have a right under federal law to sack gay teachers and expel transgender students, although some states and territories have blocked them from doing so. An independent report on how to resolve the issue, by the Australian Law Reform Commission, this week told the government the controversial clause should be scrapped. That creates a second issue: how to protect the right of religious schools to uphold their faith, including by hiring staff that reflect their values. The law reform commission said schools should still have a right to build religious communities by preferencing applicants who have the same religion when they hire staff. This would be achieved through amendments to the Fair Work Act and by setting out the exception in a new Religious Discrimination Act. But both are controversial changes. While Equality Australia said the recommendations were a blueprint for reform that the government should follow in its legislation, Christian Schools Australia slammed them as a direct attack on faith and freedom of belief. Theres also a third flashpoint, around an anti-vilification clause. Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus has committed to new measures that protect people from hate speech and vilification based on their faith. The anti-vilification provisions are important to Muslim and Jewish leaders, and have been backed by Christian groups despite their initial hesitation because the provisions could hamper their own religious teachings. Labor previously expressed support for provisions that would make it unlawful to threaten, intimidate, harass or vilify a person based on their religious beliefs. But the Coalition has been concerned about limiting freedom of expression and likened the measure to a blasphemy law. Labor doesnt need the Coalitions support to pass the reforms if it has support from the crossbench. But Albanese told Labor MPs this week he did not want a divisive debate on religious freedom laws when tensions were already running high given fears of antisemitism and Islamophobia. That means he will seek the Coalitions support on all those thorny issues to progress the legislation. Why it matters This debate has political ramifications within parliament and outside it. Labor does not want a culture war that will run until the next election, which is a key reason it is making bipartisan support a sticking point. It has learnt that lesson from the Indigenous Voice to parliament debate and will want to avoid a campaign against it by religious schools, which have mobilised against governments at previous elections. On the other hand, the government could be exposed to a political attack from the Greens if it doesnt do enough to protect LGBTQ Australians. Loading There is also the risk of internal ructions. The Coalitions legislation fell over because its MPs couldnt agree. The 2022 debate, in which five moderate Liberals crossed the floor to vote with Labor, was a major embarrassment for the Morrison government. But rights and freedoms are also at stake. Religious Australians have campaigned for years for more protection, and the case for this has been heightened by community tensions due to the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. Michael Stead, the Anglican bishop of South Sydney, has said legislation is needed because Australia has significant problems with Islamophobia, antisemitism and discrimination against Christians: Its definitely on the rise and theres no federal protection against it Its the missing jigsaw puzzle piece in our national anti-discrimination laws. For religious schools, there is the issue of uncertainty. We need to have clarity that we can employ staff who share our beliefs and values, Christian Schools Australia policy director Mark Spencer has said. We want our schools to be genuine communities of faith. We want to be able to teach what we believe. The NSW Bear Pit is the home of political blood sport. But outside the combative world of Macquarie Street, a premier and the man who wanted his job chose civility over character assassination. It was a rare time in NSW political history. Then-premier Dominic Perrottet and NSW Labor leader Chris Minns were both desperate to win the 2023 state election. But not at all costs. A fine bromance: Former Liberal premier Dominic Perrottet (left) and Labor Premier Chris Minns in the NSW Legislative Assembly. Credit: James Brickwood The men did not get personal, instead sparring over policy not personality, a battle of ideas, as Perrottet called it in his concession speech on election night. I believe this election truly was a race to the top, Perrottet told Liberal faithful, insisting Minns would make a fine 47th premier of NSW. Elves. Theyre everywhere, moving ever so cleverly across the vast swathes of emerald green moss. Basalt knolls bulge out of the ground, and from the passenger seat of the car, the landscape looks a little like a bubbling cauldron. The cunning creatures leap from one mound to the next before vanishing into ancient lava tubes. In the road in elf country the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, West Iceland . Credit: iStock Im in Iceland with my husband and two kids, and were on a self-guided road trip with 50 Degrees North, loosely following the Snaefellsnes and Golden Circle self-drive route before heading south. We have an itinerary, our hotels and activities have been booked, and we mostly follow the schedule But as any parent would know, the best-laid plans can go awry when little people are involved. Located on the westernmost edge of West Iceland, the 90-kilometre-long Snaefellsnes Peninsula is often referred to as Iceland in miniature due to many beautiful natural features packed into a small space. At the very tip, Snaefellsjokull National Park one of three national parks in Iceland is a natural beauty. As we drive along Route 54, the high midday sun pours over the fields and mountains around us, highlighting the bands of colour like a spotlight on a layered cake moss greens, sunflower yellows, russet reds. The colours are varied and dramatic, yet I imagine that winter, when the island is carpeted in white, is just as impressive, just differently so. PHILIPSBURG:--- NV GEBE is taking a significant step forward in its mission to modernize and sustainably transform its energy infrastructure by updating its business plan with the support of Energynautics GmbH. This initiative, supported by the ongoing 'Emergency Recovery Project 1' of the Sint Maarten Trust Fund, aims to elevate NV GEBE's business and investment strategies, ensuring reliable power delivery across Sint Maarten. Energynautics GmbH was chosen for its experience with similar Caribbean studies and island energy systems, as proven during the rigorous procurement process. The specialized firm will prepare a thorough examination and identify areas for improvement to bolster reliability and efficiency and stipulate the long-term investments needed. Temporary Manager of NV GEBE Troy Washington explains: A key aspect of the project is the development of a 'Least-Cost Power Development Plan', focusing on integrating renewable energy sources to optimize costs and minimize environmental impact. This plan will pave the way for the inaugural renewable energy project for NV GEBE, marking a milestone in the journey towards a sustainable energy portfolio. This partnership will also assess the feasibility of upgrading NV GEBE's transmission and distribution systems to meet anticipated future demand, informed by an in-depth demand forecasting study that considers demographic trends and electricity consumption patterns. In collaboration with the National Recovery Program Bureau and the World Bank, this partnership will also assess the feasibility of upgrading NV GEBE's transmission and distribution systems. This initiative represents NV GEBE's commitment to aligning its operations with modern energy standards, enhancing the quality of service for Sint Maarten's residents and visitors, and contributing to global efforts towards sustainable energy solutions. The Sint Maarten Trust Fund is financed by the Government of the Netherlands, managed by the World Bank, and implemented on behalf of the Government of Sint Maarten by the National Recovery Program Bureau. Willemstad:--- At the request of Finance Minister Mr. Drs. Javier Silvania, the Social and Economic Council (SER) of Curacao yesterday issued urgent advice on the draft of the national decree for implementing the UBO register in Curacao. This register, crucial in the fight against financial and economic crime, aims to increase transparency by identifying and registering Ultimate Beneficial Owners (UBOs) of legal entities and similar entities on the island. The advisory stems from a Council of Ministers decision last month, prompted partly by the upcoming review of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) this June. The timing of this advisory is critical, given the urgent international requirements and the need for improved due diligence procedures in Curacao. The proposal focuses on facilitating competent authorities, such as the Public Prosecutor's Office, the Central Bank of Curacao and Sint Maarten (CBCS), the Curacao Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), and the Inspector of Taxes, to investigate money laundering and terrorist financing more effectively. The UBO Registry promises to lay a foundation for a safer and more transparent business environment with a balanced approach to openness and privacy protection. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CoC) will be designated to manage the register due to its existing infrastructure and expertise with the trade register. Implementing the UBO register is driven by national legal obligations and the urgent need to comply with FATF recommendations. The FATF, a leading intergovernmental organization in the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing, requires its member states, including the Kingdom of the Netherlands, to strictly adhere to its standards. Curacao, as a member of the CFATF, is committed to implementing these international standards. Regular reviews by the CFATF ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of the implemented system, where non-compliance can have significant consequences for national jurisdictions. SABA:--- Last week, climate scientists Iris Keizer and Nadia Bloemendaal of the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI) visited Saba to share their knowledge on climate change. Their visit was about the climate scenarios report that KNMI published in October of last year. For the first time, the islands of Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba were included in this report, which forecasted possible future climate scenarios for the BES about climate change. Climate scenarios for Saba In its report, KNMI focused on the implications of temperature, precipitation, wind, and sea level changes for the BES islands. They also looked at how hurricanes will change in the future. KNMI developed four climate scenarios based on a future with high carbon dioxide emissions and a future with low carbon dioxide emissions. Carbon dioxide is one of the main drivers of global warming and climate change. Within the high and low emission scenarios, KNMI distinguished a wet and dry scenario, showing the results of extremes in precipitation development. In all four scenarios, the temperature and wind speed increase while precipitation decreases. According to the models, the future climate of Saba will be more similar to that under El Nino conditions with less precipitation and higher wind speeds. This means that in the future, residents of Saba may experience warmer temperatures with more intense heat waves, longer dry periods, and stronger wind in general. However, while the models show an El Nino trend, climate observations show that the current climate is more similar to La Nina conditions, which bring more rain but are also more favorable for developing hurricanes. The report also shows that hurricanes may become stronger as ocean temperatures increase. Simulation models reveal that the most severe hurricanes in the future will have higher maximum wind speeds and higher maximum precipitation intensities. However, it is not clear whether hurricanes will occur more frequently. Saba residents may experience hurricanes with stronger wind speeds and more rainfall. Hurricanes may also intensify more rapidly in the future, jumping from Category 1 to Category 4 and higher in a short period. This is caused by warmer ocean temperatures, which act as a superfuel to feed hurricanes. Saba will also experience sea-level rise. While this may not immediately affect the island (except the harbor), it may impact surrounding islands and the US mainland from which Saba imports its food and other supplies. Local (climate) stakeholders Part of Keizer and Bloemendaals visit to Saba was also to get to know their stakeholders in the Caribbean part of the Netherlands and to understand the experiences of persons whose lives, in one way or another, have been impacted by extreme weather events as a result of climate change. They met with various stakeholders while on the island. One of their meetings was with various government department heads, policy advisors, and stakeholders in public safety and order, nature conservation, and energy. As part of their research, it is essential for Keizer and Bloemendaal to understand how climate change impacts the island's various government departments and sectors. A town hall was also held for Keizer and Bloemendaal to share their knowledge with the general public and to hear the experiences of residents impacted by climate change. Keizer and Bloemendaal also met with and presented their climate research to the Executive Council. The goal of this meeting was to inform the island decision-makers about what to expect in the future. This information is critical for deciding how to further develop Saba with climate change in mind. Preparing Saba for the future While Saba contributes little to climate change (on a global scale), it and other islands in the region will feel the impacts of climate change the most. The severity of the impacts of climate change is determined by the level of global carbon dioxide emissions and whether large, industrialized nations commit to policies and (international) agreements aimed at reducing emissions. This is something Saba does not have control over. However, Saba controls how it can prepare and adapt to climate change. Earlier this year, a climate agenda was developed with the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, the Ministry of Interior, and Kingdom Relations with the 6 Dutch Caribbean Islands governments. The agenda has eight priorities, which include increasing renewable energy, developing climate-resilient infrastructure and spatial planning, improving water and waste management, stimulating circular economies, intensifying ecosystem protection, financing and economic incentives, collaborative partnerships and knowledge sharing and monitoring and evaluation. From this agenda, the Public Entity will create a climate plan with actions to prepare Saba for the future. During his speech at the town hall on climate change, Governor Jonathan Johnson stated, Amidst these challenges lies an opportunity for us to chart a course towards a more resilient and sustainable future. The aim is to complete the plan by the end of this year. Graduate student Victoria Hendrix is grateful for Hostel Buffalo-Niagara. The 29-year-old Athens, Ga., resident said her two-week trip to Buffalo to see friends wouldnt have been possible without the hostels $35-a-night-rate for the longer booking. Its been a lifesaver for me and its close to public transportation, and thats helpful, said Hendrix, who has cerebral palsy. She praised the staffs friendliness and laughed recalling the fun she had singing karaoke there on a recent night. But the sense of community the hostel is known to foster may soon come to an end for the better part of this year perhaps permanently. The 48-bed lodging, which annually attracts about 6,000 travelers, mostly 18 to 35 years old, has been told by the Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency it must vacate 667 Main St. by Monday. That deadline could be extended past April 8, an agency official said, so the hostel, booked solid for the total solar eclipse, can meet its obligations. BURA is a community development agency chaired by Mayor Byron Brown. It has committed $2 million to stabilize two long-neglected sections behind the hostel, including the portion that fronts 664 Washington St. To safely do that, the hostel will need to close for six to eight months of construction, which officials hope to start in late April. From a public health and safety perspective, our architects and engineers are indicating we need that whole location vacant, said Hope Young-Watkins, BURAs senior director. Alexander Burgos, hostel president, believes preventive safety measures can be put in place so the business can remain open during its busy season, since construction is going to occur in areas where the hostel doesnt operate. The bigger question concerns the long-term future of the hostel, which has been in its present location since 1996, and is the only one operating in New York State outside of New York City. BURA has sold three other buildings on the 600 block of Main Street the Market Arcade and buildings holding AMC Market Arcade and Irish Classical Theatre and wants to sell this building, too. The agency has told the hostel it will get the right-of-first-refusal to buy the building in the first 60 days after construction is completed. The nonprofit organization has assembled a team of financial consultants, board members and nonprofit community partners to try to acquire and develop the building. So many people and organizations have reached out in support of us, Burgos said. Were loved and people want us to stay in our home in Buffalos Theatre District, and we are doing everything we can to make that happen. Bigger issues are at stake, he said. What happens here at the hostel will be representative of what kind of city we want Buffalo to be in the future, Burgos said. What kind of city do we want, especially in our Theatre District? Do we want an organization that fits in with the other buildings on the block and is committed to the arts, affordable lodging and tourists? Or do we want more lifeless, high-end housing? I love this place, he added, and it deserves to exist. Best month of my life The three-story masonry building that houses the hostel was designed by Buffalo architect E.B. Green and home for 50 years to Norbans self-service department store, which closed in 1988. The hostel its not called a youth hostel because, unlike in Europe, there arent age restrictions moved in eight years later, when downtown was not as desirable for people looking for a place to live. More than 150,000 travelers from far-flung places have since made a trek to the hostels front door. Guests in recent weeks have arrived from Germany, Ireland, Columbia, Pakistan and Mexico, as well as California, Alabama and Washington. I spent the best month of my life there, the most enjoyable and unforgettable and entertaining, Zeynep Nazh Benekli, from Ankara, Turkey, told The Buffalo News. Benekli stayed for a month last summer to do medical research. I made friends I will never forget, and whom Im still in touch with. The meals we made in the kitchen were always delicious, and everyone shared them with each other, Benekli said. I cried a lot when I left after one month. It had now become my home. Uzo Mmeje, who stayed at the hostel for two months in 2022, warmly recalled movie nights with snacks, an art opening with local artists and recommendations from staff that included a play he enjoyed at Alleyway Theatre. Mmeje, from Nigeria, came from Madison, Wis., to take an engineering job in Buffalo. Those types of programs made me feel at home in Buffalo before I got a place of my own, he said. A welcoming vibe Some visitors are from New York State, including Mark Morris, a Buffalo native now living in Syracuse. Morris stays in the hostel because he likes the social interaction and interesting people he meets, and because hotels are not in my budget. I make it a practice to take friends from Syracuse, and they are surprised by how homey it is, Morris said. Ill make a dinner party in the hostel kitchen, and whoever is there is invited to sit down and eat with us. The hostel, for the past 10 years, has also held indie concerts, poetry readings, film screenings and other events in a small performance space locals also attend. Julia Bottoms, a painter whose work is on display in the Buffalo AKG Art Museums new exhibition, Before and After Again, has co-curated and exhibited experimental work in the hostels Box Gallery, seen from Main Street. I think its an amazing spot, especially for emerging artists, Bottoms said. It allows an artist to get their name out there with a solo show thats not always possible to do with the larger-sized galleries. Losing the hostel would be a huge loss for the city, she said. We only have one hostel, Bottoms said. We dont need another brewery. We dont need another hotel. The hostel welcomes people from all around the world. Thats a major win for Buffalo. Hostel manager Jonathan Piret, who goes by JP, said the facility adds vibrancy and walkability to the Theatre District. We are a cultural asset to downtown, Piret said. Sometimes were the only thing on Main Street thats open. Fear of collapse BURA, which has owned the building since 2002, has seen the property deteriorate significantly during its watch. Structural scaffolding has filled the middle space east of the hostel since 2014. The Washington Street side of the building is in even worse shape. City building inspectors in April 2023 cited nine violations, including water damage to the roof, floor and electrical panels that supply the hostels power. Floors were deemed too unsafe to walk on. Partial or complete collapse at the building on Washington is possible, the inspection report warned. An incomplete inspection was performed due to the hazardous conditions at the interior of this building. Scott Billman, BURAs senior director of administration and finance, said the agency is working aggressively to start construction. Our plans are 100% complete, and we fully plan to have a notice to proceed sometime in April, Billman said. Engineering consultant DiDonato Associates recommended in a report that the property should vacate any occupants directly adjacent to 664 Washington during the construction due to the unknowns and risks associated. Burgos, who owns a construction company, is confident the part of the building housing the hostel would not be at risk. I have done jobs at ECMC and the airport, he said. We are never given the luxury of asking people to vacate. We put in preventative measures, and thats all we are asking here. Thats pretty standard. Deferred rent The Brown administration raised alarm bells for the hostel in 2017 when it began looking for a developer, fearing it could lead to their eviction. An outcry followed, and the city announced a change of plans. We let them know the city does have a commitment to the hostel, Brown told The News that July. We think it is a desirable use for downtown Buffalo, and we feel very confident we will be able to work together for the long term. Young-Watkins said the citys position hasnt changed, even as the hostels future remains up in the air. The city and BURA have shown themselves to be a very strong supporter of the hostel, she said, noting the agency deferred collecting rent when Covid-19 forced the hostels closure for six months. Still, the hostels uncertain future worries people like Hendrix, the visiting graduate student now thinking of moving to Buffalo. When I see people trying to shut down resources that are helping the community, I get very frustrated by that, personally, Hendrix said. When you take resources away that are helping the community, whats going to be in its place? Paul M. Sutter is an astrophysicist at SUNY Stony Brook and the Flatiron Institute, host of Ask a Spaceman and Space Radio, and author of How to Die in Space . A number of ancient cultures believed that Earth is flat because, simply, they didnt know any better. But incredibly, there remain people today who still believe that the Earth is flat , despite centuries of evidence proving the contrary. So, why do people believe this, and is it even worth getting into a debate over? Surprisingly, while there are mountains of proof, the discussion around the idea of a "flat Earth" has nothing to do with evidence at all. Related: How big is Earth? Looking around To put it bluntly, we know more about the curvature of Earth than almost any other topic in the realm of physical science. There are so many experiments, observations and demonstrations that have, time and time again, revealed the curve of the Earth. And it all starts with the horizon. As objects recede from you, they begin to look smaller and slowly disappear in a very unique way: first their bottoms become hidden, and then their tops. If you've ever watched a ship on the horizon, you've seen this for yourself. Similarly, from a great distance, the tops of tall objects like mountains are visible well before their bases. And Earth's curvature is clearly apparent from high altitudes, as Capt. Albert Stevens of the U.S. Army Air Corps showed in the 1930s. In December 1930, for example, Stevens snapped a photo looking westward while flying at an altitude of 21,000 feet (6,400 meters) above Villa Mercedes, Argentina. "The Andes Mountains, 287 miles [462 kilometers] away, and although taller than the plane's altitude, lay below the sensible horizon, marked by the white horizontal line in the photograph," NASA officials wrote in a description of the flight. "The Earth's curvature explains this phenomenon, as described in the diagram accompanying the photograph. The Earth's curvature is also visible laterally in the photograph, although the effect is subtle as the image encompasses only 1/360 of the Earth's circumference." And in November 1935, Stevens and Capt. Orvil Anderson took a photo from a balloon that lifted off from Rapid City, South Dakota and soared to a maximum altitude of 72,395 feet (22,066 m). "The photograph showed the troposphere-stratosphere boundary and the actual curvature of the Earth and demonstrated the potential for long-range reconnaissance from high-altitude balloons," NASA officials wrote. Earth's atmosphere is capable of playing funny tricks on our eyes, with different layers of air bending light into interesting directions. This phenomenon, a side effect of Earth's curvature, isn't a sure-fire guarantee of our planet's curve, but its a start. But even if you can't look to the horizon for evidence, you can look up. Different stars are visible from different parts of Earth, in two very peculiar ways. First, there is the division between the northern and southern hemispheres. So, you can see Polaris, the star nearly directly above Earth's north geographic pole, quite easily in northern latitudes. But as you travel south, approaching the equator, Polaris sinks lower and lower toward the horizon. Once youve crossed that boundary, you can't see it at all it's blocked by the curve of Earth in that direction. Similarly, as you travel south, new constellations await your delighted gaze ones that would be completely obscured by Earth's curve if you stayed up north. There's another trick you can play, too. If you live in an especially flat area, you'll be able to see stars down to the horizon but no farther (because Earth is in your way). But if you travel up say, to the top of a mountain you get a better vantage point and can see stars farther down than you could before. In fact, the ninth century Abbasid Caliph al-Ma-mun sent an expedition to do exactly that and used those observations to measure Earth's circumference. Related: Earth's atmosphere: Composition, climate & weather Circles everywhere You might not be able to mount such a scientific investigation to your nearest mountain peak. But there is something you can do to witness the curvature of Earth in the comfort of your own backyard. You just have to be lucky. During a lunar eclipse, Earth passes between the sun and the moon, allowing Earth to cast its shadow on the moon. That shadow is always, always, always a circle, no matter where you are on the planet, no matter the timing of the eclipse. Always. The only way to always cast a circular shadow is if the thing casting the shadow in this case, Earth is a globe. It's a matter of geometry. And that's not to mention the countless photos of Earth taken by orbiting satellites and eyewitness testimonies from astronauts hailing from dozens of different countries, space programs and private organizations. Our curved Earth also aligns perfectly with all of physics. Additionally, all of the other planets ever discovered also appear round, because that's how gravity likes things. If you use gravity to, say, trust your GPS to give you accurate positions and calculate trajectories, then that same force will form material the size of Earth into a ball. Related: What is the temperature on Earth? Arguing from evidence I don't think this discussion is really about the actual evidence or the scientific process, however. People who believe that Earth is flat aren't coming to that conclusion from the same types of observations. Instead, they believe that we are being misled and lied to, that scientists (including me) want you to believe that Earth is round, despite its flatness. So the question isn't "Why do people believe in a flat Earth?" but rather "Why do people believe in a conspiracy?" And the answer is the same reason it always is: a lack of trust. Many people dont trust the society around them, most notably the representatives of that society. That trust often falls even further when it comes to elite representatives of that society, which include government officials, members of academia and scientists like me. By claiming that Earth is flat, people are really expressing a deep distrust of scientists and science itself. So if you find yourself talking to a flat-Earther, skip the evidence and arguments and ask yourself how you can build trust. Additional resources You can learn more about the first photographs that clearly showed Earth's curvature in this NASA story. This explainer from Arizona State University lays out clearly and concisely the plentiful evidence for our planet's spherical shape. (Nearly spherical, rather: Earth's rotation causes it to be slightly squashed at the poles and swollen at the equator, a shape known as an oblate spheroid.) And this piece by fivethirtyeight.com explains why people believe in conspiracy theories such as the flat-Earth idea. Bibliography Bergreen, L. "Over the Edge of the World: Magellan's Terrifying Circumnavigation of the Globe." William Morrow, 2003. https://www.amazon.com/Over-Edge-World-Terrifying-Circumnavigation/dp/006093638X Nataraj, N. "Earth and Space: Photographs from the Archives of NASA." Chronicle Books, 2015. https://www.amazon.com/Earth-Space-Photographs-Archives-NASA/dp/1452134359 Novella, S. "The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe: How to Know What's Really Real in a World Increasingly Full of Fake." Grand Central Publishing, 2018. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1538760533/ Editor's note: This article was originally published on Sept. 8, 2020. An updated version was posted on Feb. 4, 2022. Learn more by listening to the episode "How do we know the Earth is curved?" on the Ask A Spaceman podcast, available on iTunes and on the Web at http://www.askaspaceman.com. Thanks to Asher F. for the questions that led to this piece! Ask your own question on Twitter using #AskASpaceman or by following Paul @PaulMattSutter and facebook.com/PaulMattSutter. Meta, Microsoft slam Apple over app store policy San Francisco, March 20 (AFP) Mar 20, 2024 Meta, Microsoft, X and online dating giant Match Group hit at Apple on Thursday for overcharging on app purchases. The four companies filed a rare joint amicus brief in a California court in charge of applying a ruling that Apple must allow companies to link to alternative payment options outside the app store for iPhone users. That ruling was stemmed from a 2020 lawsuit by video gaming giant Epic Games, which has been fighting Apple in courts across the globe for years over its strict app store policies. Apple takes a cut of as much as 30 percent on all financial transactions in its app shop, prompting complaints about an unfair "tax" on companies. A federal court in San Francisco overwhelmingly rejected Epic's lawsuit in 2021, offering only a concession that apps could indicate other ways of paying for services outside of Apple's ecosystem. But Apple's compliance with the order earlier this year drew a furious response from Epic, which went to court arguing that it was defying the judge's intentions. Apple's proposed solution allows it a 12 to 27 percent fee on external purchases outside its app store, which amounts to just a small discount from what it charged within the app store. "The Apple Plan comports with neither the letter nor the spirit of this Court's mandate," Meta, Microsoft, X and Match said in their joint filing on Wednesday, in support of Epic. The plan's "new restrictions are plainly designed to render alternatives to Apple's in-app purchases impractical for developers, and inaccessible and unappealing to consumers," they added. Apple told AFP that it has "fully complied with the injunction," of the judge, which allows it to take measures needed to protect users. These measures also "guard against the uncompensated use of, among other things, Apple's platform, services... and proprietary tools and technologies protected by intellectual property," the company said, quoting its compliance statement sent to the court. UN General Assembly calls for guidelines on AI's risks, rewards United Nations, United States, March 21 (AFP) Mar 21, 2024 The UN General Assembly on Thursday called for the development of a set of international guidelines to address the risks and benefits of artificial intelligence. The resolution, co-sponsored by dozens of countries and adopted by consensus, emphasizes the necessity of guidelines "to promote safe, secure and trustworthy artificial intelligence systems," while excluding military AI from its purview. On the whole, the resolution, prepared by the United States, focuses more on the technology's positive potential, and calls for special care "to bridge the artificial intelligence and other digital divides between and within countries." It also seeks "to promote, not hinder, digital transformation and equitable access" to AI in order to achieve the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, which aim to ensure a better future for humanity by 2030. "This resolution establishes a path forward on AI where every country can both seize the promise and manage the risks of AI," US Vice President Kamala Harris said in a statement. According to Richard Gowan, an analyst at the International Crisis Group, "the emphasis on development is a deliberate effort by the US to win goodwill among poorer nations." "It is easier to talk about how AI can help developing countries progress rather than tackle security and safety topics head-on as a first initiative," he said. - 'Male-dominated algorithms' - The resolution does highlight the technology's threats when misused with the intent to cause harm, and also recognizes that without guarantees, AI risks eroding human rights, reinforcing prejudices and endangering personal data protection. It therefore asks member states and stakeholders "to refrain from or cease the use of artificial intelligence systems that are impossible to operate in compliance with international human rights law or that pose undue risks to the enjoyment of human rights." Warnings against the technology have become increasingly prevalent, particularly when it comes to generative AI tools and the risks they pose for democracy and society, particularly via fake images and speech shared in a bid to interfere in elections. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has made AI regulation a priority, calling for the creation of a UN entity modelled on other UN organizations such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). He has regularly highlighted the potential for disinformation and last week warned of bias in technologies designed mainly by men, which can result in algorithms that ignore the rights and needs of women. "Male-dominated algorithms could literally program inequalities into activities from urban planning to credit ratings to medical imaging for years to come," he said. Gowan of the International Crisis Group said he didn't "think the US wants Guterres leading this conversation, because it is so sensitive" and was therefore "stepping in to shape the debate." A race is underway between various UN member states, the United States, China and South Korea, to be at the forefront of the issue. In October, the White House unveiled a set of measures intended to ensure that the United States leads the way in AI regulation, with President Joe Biden insisting on the need to govern the technology. "As this technology continues to evolve, the United States will continue to lead and work with partners throughout the international community," Harris said. UK and Australia sign new defence agreement Canberra, March 21 (AFP) Mar 21, 2024 The United Kingdom and Australia inked a new defence agreement in Canberra on Thursday, paving the way for the two longtime allies to host troops and share military intelligence. The deal includes a "status of forces agreement", according to ministers from both countries, making it easier for each country's soldiers to deploy and operate in the other. UK Defence Minister Grant Shapps signed the agreement with his Australian counterpart Richard Marles during a ceremony in parliament in Canberra. "As the world becomes more complex and uncertain, we must modernise our most important partnerships," Marles told reporters after the signing. "The agreements we reached today will secure this outcome into the future." The agreement stops short of a full mutual defence pact, which would bind one side to intervene if the other was attacked or under threat. Instead, both sides said they had a "commitment to consult" with each other if threats arose. A status of forces agreement, common between NATO allies, outlines the rules for foreign military personnel based in a host country. Australia already has a longstanding status of forces agreement with the United States. Alongside the United States, Australia and the UK are members of the fledgling AUKUS defence alliance -- a landmark pact aimed at curbing Chinese military expansion in the Asia-Pacific. A major pillar of the AUKUS pact is a promise to help Australia build and acquire a fleet of potent nuclear-powered submarines, one of its biggest-ever military upgrades. Thursday's agreement would make it easier, for example, for Australian sailors to train on the UK's nuclear subs, or for British crews to be based in Australia. Governments in London and Washington have been racing to lay the foundations for the AUKUS deal as they face the prospect of potential political changes. RUTLAND, Vt. (AP) The owner of a firearms training center in Vermont who was ordered arrested by a judge in December in a long-running legal battle with a town pleaded not guilty to felony aggravated assault Thursday stemming from a scuffle during his arrest the day before, authorities said. Daniel Banyai, with one eye swollen nearly shut, attended his arraignment by video from the Rutland jail. His public defender entered a not guilty plea and the judge ordered Banyai held on $15,000 bail Banyai was a passenger in a vehicle that a Pawlet town constable pulled over for speeding Wednesday, Vermont State Police said. When Constable Thomas Covino ordered Banyai out of the vehicle, he refused and called Covino a dirty cop, according to the police affidavit. Covino said he called dispatch and asked for a state police trooper to respond but was told that a trooper was 35 to 40 minutes away, the affidavit states. After repeatedly attempting to get Daniel to get out of the vehicle, the constable told Banyai he was going to use pepper spray. Banyai then made a fist while yelling at him, the constable said. Banyai struck Covino on the left side of the head, according the affidavit, and a scuffle ensued. Covino said he didn't know if Banyai hit him first or he pepper-sprayed first. The constable managed to get Banyai on the ground and placed him in handcuffs, then attempted to get the pepper spray off Banyai's face at his request. He was treated at a Rutland hospital for minor injuries, and the constable was evaluated by a rescue squad. Banyai is charged with aggravated assault with the intent to prevent a law enforcement officer from performing lawful duty. If he makes bail and is released, the judge ordered he be on a nightly curfew from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. at his property in West Pawlet and is not allowed to leave the state unless he has permission from the court. The Rutland County state's attorney sought a 24-hour-curfew for Banyai saying he is a risk of flight and has a conviction in New York for possession of a weapon and contempt of court. In December, a Vermont Environmental Court judge ruled that Banyai was in contempt of court for failing to completely remove all unpermitted structures on his property in a long-running legal battle with the town. It was the second time last year that a judge ordered him arrested. The Rutland County Sheriff and Vermont State Police were ordered to report to the judge on their efforts to arrest him and said in court papers that they had visited the property multiple times and were told he had left the state. The Pawlet property, known as Slate Ridge, included buildings and two firing ranges. After complaints from neighbors, the town attempted for several years to get Banyai to remove the structures. Three years ago, the Environmental Court ordered Banyai to end any firearms training at the center and remove unpermitted structures. His appeal to Vermont Supreme Court was rejected. In February 2023, a judge issued a scathing order that Banyai was in contempt of court for deliberately flouting a series of court orders issued since the start of the case. At the time he faced jail and fines that could exceed $100,000 if he failed to comply by June 23. In response to Slate Ridge, a bill was passed in the Legislature making it a crime to own or operate paramilitary training camps in the state. Republican Gov. Phil Scott signed it into law in May. UK and Australia sign new defence pact Canberra, March 21 (AFP) Mar 21, 2024 The United Kingdom and Australia inked a new defence agreement in Canberra on Thursday, as they try to boost a fledgling nuclear-powered submarine program with the United States. UK defence minister Grant Shapps signed the agreement in Canberra with his counterpart Richard Marles, establishing a legal framework that makes it easier to host troops and share military intelligence. The agreement stops short of a full mutual defence pact, which would bind one side to intervene if the other was attacked. But it does include a "commitment to consult" about emerging threats and establishes an "status of forces agreement", which makes it easier to host soldiers from the other nation. "It is extraordinary, actually, the United Kingdom and Australia didn't already have a defence cooperation treaty in place," Shapps said after the signing ceremony. Alongside the United States, Australia and the UK are members of the fledgling AUKUS defence alliance -- a landmark pact aimed at curbing Chinese military expansion in the Asia-Pacific. Barely two years old, there are already signs the AUKUS program is under threat -- and some fear Donald Trump could scrap it completely if he returns to power next year. Australian National University security analyst David Andrews said Thursday's agreement gave the stalling AUKUS plan some much-needed momentum. "If there was a Trump administration at end of year, and for whatever reason they were not interested in pursuing the agreement, or not in the same way it is envisioned now, there is potential for a heavier bilateral pathway," Andrews told AFP. A major pillar of the AUKUS pact is a promise to help Australia build and acquire a fleet of potent nuclear-powered submarines, one of its biggest-ever military upgrades. Thursday's agreement would make it easier, for example, for Australian sailors to train on the UK's nuclear subs, or for British crews to be based in Australia. "This is a reflection of increased engagement between our two defence forces," said Australian defence minister Marles. "And it will greatly streamline the ability for us to work together." - Consult on threats - London and Canberra have pledged to consult each other if looming regional threats start veering towards conflict. "I think one of the most important elements is it describes a mechanism by which we consult when either of our countries are under threat," said Shapps. Australia is deeply involved in US-led efforts to counter China's increasingly assertive behaviour in the Asia-Pacific. Among a host of other initiatives included in the deal is "closer collaboration on undersea warfare", and greater UK contribution to Australian-hosted joint military exercises. Australia has also agreed to join a coalition with the UK and Latvia that aims to supply drones for the Ukrainian war effort. The UK has been a major backer of Ukraine in its grinding war against invading Russian forces. Two killed in Israeli air strike in West Bank: Palestinian Authority Ramallah, Palestinian Territories, March 21 (AFP) Mar 21, 2024 Two Palestinians, who the Israeli military said posed a "threat" to its soldiers, were killed by an air strike in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian Authority said early Thursday. Israel's military said shortly after midnight that it was carrying out an operation in the Palestinian refugee camp of Nur Shams, which adjoins the town of Tulkarm in the northwest of the West Bank. "During the operation, an aircraft struck two terrorists who posed an immediate threat to the forces," the Israeli army said in a brief message. The Palestinian Authority's health ministry also said two people had been killed by Israeli fire in the Nur Shams camp and that their bodies had been transferred to a hospital in Tulkarm. Three Palestinians, including an Islamic Jihad commander, were killed on Wednesday in an Israeli strike on a car in Jenin, a stronghold of Palestinian armed factions in the northern West Bank. Several hundred people, including young men firing automatic rifles into the air, took part in the funerals of the three men in a refugee camp next to Jenin on Wednesday evening, according to AFP journalists. Violence has intensified in the West Bank, occupied by Israel since 1967, since the start of the war in Gaza that was triggered by the unprecedented Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7. According to the Palestinian Authority, at least 430 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli soldiers or settlers in the West Bank since the war began and thousands more have been arrested. S. Korea's ambassador to Australia says will cooperate with graft probe Seoul, March 21 (AFP) Mar 21, 2024 South Korea's new ambassador to Australia said Thursday he will cooperate with anti-corruption investigators after being accused of interfering with a probe into a marine's death when he was defence minister last year. The marine was swept away while doing relief work during major floods in July last year, and Seoul's Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) is looking into whether Lee Jong-sup, who was defence minister at the time, interfered with a probe of the accident. Lee was under a travel ban due to the CIO inquiry, but was appointed ambassador to Canberra by President Yoon Suk Yeol and left to take up his post on March 10. He arrived back in Seoul Thursday, telling reporters he had returned to attend defence meetings but hoped to speak to the CIO while he was back. He has denied any wrongdoing. "I hope to arrange schedule with the CIO so that I can undergo questioning during my stay", he told reporters at the airport. Lawmakers from both the opposition and the ruling party have criticised the decision to allow Lee to leave the country for his new post while he was under investigation. "He must resign and be questioned as a civilian" to avoid negative publicity for the Yoon government, said MP Kim Tae-ho of the ruling party in a Facebook post. The ex-defence chief's posting to Australia was seen as an attempt by Seoul to help deepen defence cooperation with Canberra, which signed a $2.4 billion deal in December with South Korea's Hanwha Aerospace to purchase infantry fighting vehicles. But appointing Lee as ambassador while he remains under investigation "defies common sense", conservative daily Chosun Ilbo said in a Wednesday editorial. Zelensky calls for air defences after Russian missiles target Kyiv Kyiv, Ukraine, March 21 (AFP) Mar 21, 2024 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for the West to deliver air defence systems to Kyiv after an overnight Russian missile attack injured 17 in the capital and surrounding region. Ukraine's air force said it shot down 31 Russian missiles targeting Kyiv, an attack that comes after Moscow vowed to respond to an escalation in Ukrainian strikes on its border regions. "Such terror continues every day and night," Zelensky said in a post on Telegram. "It is possible to put an end to it through global unity... Russian terrorists do not have missiles capable of bypassing Patriot and other leading world systems," he said. "This protection is required in Ukraine now. "From Kyiv to Kharkiv, Sumy to Kherson, and Odesa to the Donetsk region. "This is entirely possible if our partners demonstrate sufficient political will." A $60-billion US military aid package for Ukraine is currently held up in Congress amid domestic political arguments. Local officials said falling debris from the missiles injured 17 -- 13 in Kyiv and four in the surrounding region. The air force said Russia fired two Iskander ballistic missiles and 29 cruise missiles, launched from strategic bombers. Oleksiy Kuleba, deputy head of Zelensky's office, said all of them were shot down. Zelensky posted a video of windows blown out of a residential building and debris strewn across the street as firefighters used water hoses on the smoking building. It was the first attempted missile strike on the Ukrainian capital since early February, said Sergiy Popko, head of the Kyiv city military administration. The attack comes after a sharp escalation in Ukrainian strikes on Russian border regions and oil refineries over the last two weeks. On Thursday, the Russian governor of the Belgorod region, on the border with Ukraine, said five people were injured in the latest aerial bombardment. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday said Russia had a "plan" for how to respond to the uptick in Ukrainian attacks on Russian border regions, where he vowed to restore security. Australia says BAE to build fleet of nuclear-powered submarines Canberra, March 21 (AFP) Mar 21, 2024 Australia said Thursday the UK's BAE Systems would build a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines, a key step in fulfilling the landmark AUKUS security pact between Canberra, London and Washington. Australia's Submarine Agency said BAE would produce the state-of-the-art vessels, which will be delivered from the early 2040s. The agency didn't reveal the exact number of submarines that will be built or financial details of the deal, but Australian defence officials have said the country would get at least five of the SNN-AUKUS class subs at a cost of billions of dollars. The first of the vessels are expected to be built in Britain, and later ones at a shipyard in Adelaide, South Australia. The deal is central to an effort to overhaul Australia's military, as AUKUS members seek to check Chinese military expansion in the Asia-Pacific. The subs will be quieter and stealthier than Australia's existing fleet, and capable of deploying over vast distances without surfacing, posing a potent threat to any foe. Although the subs will not carry nuclear weapons, the technology underpinning their nuclear-propelled engines has been a tightly held secret between the United States and Britain for more than 60 years. More details are expected when Australian and British defence and foreign ministers meet jointly in Adelaide on Friday. - AUKUS doubts - But the scale of the project is vast, and questions have been growing about whether Australia -- with limited nuclear experience and a relatively small navy -- can pull it off. Australian officials believe some 20,000 workers will be needed for the homegrown nuclear industry -- among them an army of technicians, metal workers, electricians and welders. Australia has struggled to maintain a fleet of ageing diesel-electric subs plagued by design flaws and cost blowouts. Successive Australian governments on both sides of the political spectrum have torn up their predecessor's defence plans and started again, at enormous cost. Because the submarines will take more than a decade to design and build, there is an added complication, with Australia expected to get at least three Virginia class nuclear-powered submarines from the United States in the interim. In total, the AUKUS submarine project could cost up to Aus$368 billion (US$240 billion) over the next 30 years. Some fear Donald Trump could scrap it completely if he returns to power next year. In a joint statement AUKUS defence ministers tried to swat aside concerns that the project is dead before it hits the water. "Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States remain fully committed to this shared endeavour," said US defence chief Lloyd Austin, UK defence secretary Grant Shapps, and Australian defence minister Richard Marles. "These steps to grow Australia's submarine construction and maintenance capability are critical to the AUKUS partnership." BAE Systems already has a close relationship with the UK navy, and is responsible for building its Astute-class and Dreadnought-class nuclear-powered vessels. It will also develop SNN-AUKUS class submarines for the UK's Royal Navy and a Rolls Royce plant in the UK will produce the nuclear reactors that are eventually installed in both the UK's and Australia's submarines. Earlier on Thursday, UK and Australian defence ministers inked a new defence agreement in Canberra. The agreement stops short of a full mutual defence pact, which would bind one side to intervene if the other was attacked. But it does include a "commitment to consult" about emerging threats and establishes a "status of forces agreement", which makes it easier to host soldiers from the other nation. The "status of forces" agreement makes it easier for Australian sailors to train on the UK's nuclear subs, and for British crew to be based in Australia. str-sft-arb/mca BAE SYSTEMS Leaders tout nuclear power as climate tool at Brussels summit Brussels, Belgium, March 21 (AFP) Mar 21, 2024 More than 30 countries -- including European nations, the United States, Brazil and China -- took part on Thursday in the first-ever summit held by the United Nations' atomic energy agency to promote nuclear as a "clean and reliable source of energy". "This is a fight where we have to use all the available, dispatchable, CO2-free energy sources for the common challenge," International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) head Rafael Grossi told the gathering at the Atomium in Brussels -- a modernist landmark built for the 1958 World Fair. The approach is anathema to a number of other European countries -- including Germany and Spain -- and to many environmentalists, who see the drive for nuclear as a harmful distraction from the need to invest massively, and immediately, in renewables. The summit follows on from last year's COP28 UN climate negotiations, at which 22 world leaders backed a call to triple the world's nuclear energy capacity by 2050. "It took 28 conferences on climate change to recognise, at long last, that nuclear should be accelerated," Grossi said. "Better late than never." Now, said Grossi, the focus was on "what we still need to do" -- including crucially on the question of financing. Nuclear currently accounts for just under 10 percent of global electricity generation, with 438 plants operating across 31 countries. More than 500 plants are at various stages of planning and development, with 61 under construction according to World Nuclear Association data. "I see around the world, nuclear is making a comeback. A very strong comeback," International Energy Agency (IEA) chief Fatih Birol told reporters at the gathering. Birol attributed the shift chiefly to the quest for carbon-free power sources but also the search for secure and stable energy following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. He said there was "a key role for nuclear", while also acknowledging that the "major part" of carbon-free electricity needed to come from renewables -- solar, wind and hydro power. In the European Union, France has been spearheading a drive to establish nuclear as a key source of carbon-free energy in the bloc, which has included it in its roadmap to reaching its 2040 climate goals. Questioned by reporters about nuclear safety risks, French President Emmanuel Macron pointed to France's decades-long record of producing atomic energy "within a framework that is controlled, understood, mature". "I say we should be much more worried, for instance, about CO2 emissions that have a direct impact on our health every day," Macron said. While nuclear plants generate almost no greenhouse gases, critics hightlight that compared to renewables they can take decades to build, are expensive and generate hazardous waste. The Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan in 2011 dealt the industry a severe blow and Russia's occupation of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in Ukraine, Europe's largest, has raised alarm in Kyiv about the risks of a new Chernobyl disaster. To make the point, a Greenpeace activist climbed a wall at the venue with a banner reading "Nuclear Fairy Tale". Taiwan detects 20 Chinese aircraft in high single-day activity Taipei, March 21 (AFP) Mar 21, 2024 Taiwan's defence ministry said late Thursday that 20 Chinese military aircraft had been detected since nightfall, a rise in activity following a large number of planes spotted earlier in the day. Beijing claims democratic Taiwan as part of its territory, and has never renounced the use of force to bring it under China's control. China has stepped up military pressures on Taiwan since 2016 after President Tsai Ing-wen was elected, sending in warplanes and other military aircraft while Chinese ships maintain a near-constant presence around its waters. In the 24 hours leading up to 6:00 am Thursday (2200 GMT Wednesday), the Ministry of National Defence said it had detected 32 Chinese aircraft and five naval vessels operating around Taiwan. Twenty of the aircraft "crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait", it added in a statement. The highest number this year -- 33 warplanes -- were detected in two other 24-hour periods in late January and early February. Later at night, the ministry announced that "20 PLA aircraft... were detected from 1930 hr (1130 GMT)". They included fighter jets, unmanned drones, and medium-range transport aircrafts, according to a tweet on the ministry's official X account. Among the 20, "nine crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered the north, central and south parts of Taiwan's (air defence identification zone)", it said. Relations between both sides of the Taiwan Strait have been frosty since Tsai's election in 2016, with Beijing cutting off high-level communications due to her refusal to acknowledge China's claim. Her deputy Lai Ching-te was elected as president in January, despite warnings from Beijing that he was a "dangerous separatist". Lai and vice president-elect Hsiao Bi-khim of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) will take office on May 20. China's Taiwan Affairs Office on Tuesday slammed Hsiao over her visit to the Czech Republic, saying it served "the purpose of Taiwan independence... and is unhelpful for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait." She appeared to be at the European Parliament on Thursday, according to a picture posted on X by Andrus Ansip, an Estonian politician and member of the parliament. - Fishing boat row - Adding to tensions, a row between Taipei and Beijing over a fatal fishing boat incident has dragged on since last month. A Chinese speedboat carrying four people capsized on February 14 near Taiwan's Kinmen islands while being pursued by the Taiwanese coast guard, killing two people while the other two survived. Beijing has accused Taiwanese authorities of "seeking to evade their responsibilities and hide the truth" about the incident, while a Taiwanese coast guard official has said the boat involved was zigzagging and "lost its balance" before capsizing. China has said it will step up patrols around Kinmen following a series of deadly incidents, including the sinking of another boat in the area this month that resulted in the deaths of two crew members. Last month, Taiwan said 11 Chinese naval vessels were detected around Taiwan, the most this year. Taiwan also detected a record eight Chinese balloons on two consecutive days during the Lunar New Year holiday last month, with some flying directly over the island. aw-dhc/mca Israeli raid kills four Palestinians in West Bank camp: new toll Tulkarem, Palestinian Territories, March 21 (AFP) Mar 21, 2024 An Israeli air strike and gunfire have killed four Palestinians at the Nur Shams refugee camp in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian Red Crescent said Thursday in an updated toll. Israeli forces withdrew from Nur Shams in the morning, AFP correspondents said, hours after the military announced around midnight (2200 GMT on Wednesday) it had launched a "counter-terrorism" operation. The Palestinian Red Crescent said on social media platform X that its "ambulance teams have just transported an 18-year-old man who was killed by the Israeli occupation forces in Nur Shams camp", bringing the death toll in the raid to four people. Two were killed by an air strike and two by live bullets, the Red Crescent said. The Israeli army said "an aircraft struck two terrorists who posed an immediate threat to the forces", and troops "eliminated two" militants in an exchange of fire during the operation. One of the fatalities was identified by his family as Nidal Abu Abeid, a vegetable seller at the northern West Bank camp, near the Palestinian town of Tulkarem. His uncle, Ziad Ali Abu Abeid, 52, told AFP at the morgue that Nidal "wanted to build a future". "He wanted to make a living for himself," the uncle said. "The (Israeli) occupation came and killed all the ambition he had, like for any other person in the camp." After road workers cleared rubble left by Israeli bulldozers that destroyed the tarmac to clear any explosives, crowds of young men carried the dead bodies through the streets of Nur Shams to their family homes. Some of them fired automatic weapons into the air. - Wrong place, wrong time - According to a military statement, the troops who shot dead Abu Abeid and another presumed militant "found an M-4 rifle" on one of them, without elaborating. But Jolan Abu Abeid, Nidal's cousin, told AFP that he was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time and was not himself a militant. "He grew up with us," she said through tears as a crowd formed inside the home where the body which was wrapped in a Palestinian flag. "He was with the (militants), just standing with them. The Israeli army targeted them." Israeli forces regularly carry out incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank but until several months ago had rarely struck the territory -- occupied since 1967 -- from the air. The Nur Shams raid came amid intensifying violence in the West Bank since the start of the Israel-Hamas war, triggered by the Gaza militant group's October 7 attack. Including the latest deaths, at least eight Palestinians were killed in less than 24 hours in the West Bank, authorities and medics said. Three Palestinians, including an Islamic Jihad commander, were killed Wednesday in an Israeli strike on a car in Jenin, a stronghold of Palestinian armed factions in the northern West Bank. One Palestinian was killed by gunfire in the Al-Amari refugee camp near Ramallah. At least 444 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces or settlers across the West Bank since October 7, according to the Palestinian health ministry. Thousands more have been arrested by Israel in the West Bank and annexed east Jerusalem, the Palestinian Authority says. bur-rcb/hkb Ukraine support could go beyond arms supplies: French army chief Paris, March 21 (AFP) Mar 21, 2024 Russia should not expect the West to limit its support for Ukraine to arms supplies only, the chief of staff of France's armed forces, General Thierry Burkhard, said on Thursday. His comments came after French President Emmanuel Macron in late February smashed a major taboo by floating the possibility of sending Western troops to Ukraine. "The war will end when Russia stops attacking," Burkhard told reporters following talks in Paris with the armed forces chief of new NATO member Sweden, General Micael Byden. Russian President Vladimir Putin "has built his operation on the idea that the West will never go into Ukraine but will simply supply arms," Burkhard said. "We have to show him that he will not be able to use this logic to go all the way, because this idea is not right," he added. "The war in Ukraine concerns us because we are involved in its consequences. Europeans must therefore be capable of taking risks to ensure the security of Europe in the decade to come." Despite the controversy over his remarks, Macron has refused to back down, insisting his statements were well thought out, but also stressing that France would not follow the "logic of escalation" with Moscow. "The president's intention is to make Vladimir Putin understand that we are aware of what is at stake in Ukraine", said Burkhard. Faced with an increasingly belligerent Russia, Sweden's army chief Byden also alarmed many of his compatriots in January when he urged them to consider their own preparedness. "Swedes have to mentally prepare for war," he said. Sweden's military has been boosting its preparedness since Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014. The country reintroduced limited conscription in 2017, and most significantly, Sweden dropped two centuries of military non-alignment to join NATO in March. "We have a war raging in Europe, we cannot let this become a normality," Byden said on Thursday. "Sweden is ready to shoulder its responsibilities, deterrence and defence." But he added: "We indeed live in challenging times, we should not despair." The Nordic country and France regularly conduct joint military exercises. Sweden also took part in the French-led Takuba task force of EU special forces in Mali. Following Macron's visit to Sweden in late January, the two countries plan to ramp up military cooperation including combat in the Arctic region, according to the French military. Facing Putin threat, EU pushes to arm Ukraine -- and itself Brussels, Belgium, March 21 (AFP) Mar 21, 2024 EU leaders grappled at a summit meeting Thursday with how to get more weapons to Ukraine's outgunned forces while also re-arming their own countries in the face of Russia's emboldened President Vladimir Putin. More than two years into Moscow's war against its neighbour, Kyiv's troops are struggling to hold back the Russian army as Western deliveries of ammunition have faltered. Putin has tightened his iron grip over his country by winning a new six-year term at elections after opposition was crushed. Addressing the EU's 27 leaders via videolink, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told them the shortfall in ammunition facing his troops was "humiliating" for Europe. "Europe can provide more -- and it is crucial to prove it now," he said, also calling for additional air-defence systems in the wake of a large-scale strike on Kyiv. As a $60-billion package remains stalled in Washington, the EU leaders debated a plan to use profits from 200 billion euros in frozen Russian central bank assets on weapons for Ukraine. The proposal could unlock some three billion euros ($3.3 billion) a year for Kyiv, but leaders were not expected to give the final go-ahead on Thursday. That would come on top of more than 33 billion euros that the EU says it has provided towards arming Ukraine since the Kremlin invaded in February 2022. - Kremlin threatens retaliation - Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who had been cautious about undermining EU markets, threw his weight behind the plan as legally sound. But the Kremlin warned it would use legal and "other methods of retaliation" to hit back. Alongside the efforts to get more weapons to Kyiv, the EU is also scrambling for ways to boost Europe's defence industry to be able to arm Ukraine and build up its own forces. Brussels has put forward a raft of proposals aimed at ramping up capacity but there are complaints that Europe is still not moving fast enough. While Russia has put its economy on a war footing, the EU has fallen well short of a promise made last year to supply Ukraine with a million artillery shells by this month. But the Czech Republic has spearheaded its own initiative aimed at getting hundreds of thousands of shells available around the world to send to Kyiv. France and Estonia have pitched the idea of using joint borrowing -- similar to the massive package of support the EU came up with during the Covid pandemic -- to fund defence spending. But a majority of member states, led by so-called "frugal" countries such as Germany, are unwilling to go anywhere near that far. "If that doesn't fly, then propose something else, some other solution that we can solve this problem, because there is a big problem of funding the defence industry," said Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas. Instead, the discussion was set to focus on getting the EU's lending arm, the European Investment Bank, to expand its funding for the sector. At the moment, the bank is limited to investing in only a small number of "dual-use products" that can have both military and civilian functions. - Call for Gaza truce - While the response to the conflict in Ukraine dominated the summit, EU leaders were also looking for a united stance on the war in Gaza, with United Nations chief Antonio Guterres in attendance. Diplomats say an overwhelming majority of countries support a call for an "immediate humanitarian pause" in Israel's offensive and a warning for it not to launch a ground operation in Rafah. But Irish premier Leo Varadkar said staunch Israeli allies the Czech Republic and Austria were reluctant to back that wording, in the latest obstacle to EU unity on the issue. "The response to the appalling crisis in Palestine has not been Europe's finest hour, quite frankly," he said. Closer to home, EU leaders look set to give the green light to opening membership talks with Bosnia, as Russia's war has sparked a push to expand the bloc. Diplomats said that the Balkan state would likely get an agreement on launching talks, but they could only start in earnest when the country had passed more reforms. "It's a two-step approach," Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said. "Yes, opening membership talks, but also, yes, working on all the outstanding issues before we can take the next step." News / National by Simbarashe Sithole Mukumbura-based Apostolic sect man "Madzibaba" allegedly bashed his neighbour to death with his worshipping stick over a land dispute.Richard Mufudza (43) died two days after the attack by Madzibaba Odias Chareka (35).Deputy Mashonaland Central police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Tony Nyandoro confirmed the case."I can confirm a murder case in Nyakatondo village, Mukumbura where Chareka assaulted Mupfudza with a worshipping stick and he subsequently died at Karanda hospital," Nyandoro said.Allegations are that on March 13 Mufudza came from a local bar and went to Chareka's house.Upon his arrival, he started shouting at Chareka and he became angry before picking his worshipping which he used to assault the now deceased.Mufudza's health started to deteriorate and he was taken to Mount Darwin where he was transferred to Karanda and subsequently died.The police warned people to desist from taking the law into their own hands by assaulting each other."Members of the public should desist from taking the law into their own hands. We urge the public to always respect the sanctity of human lives. People should seek assistance from the relevant offices whenever they have misunderstandings such as domestic and land disputes." EU states tell bloc's bank to lend more for defence Brussels, Belgium, March 21 (AFP) Mar 21, 2024 The EU's 27 nations on Thursday urged the European Investment Bank, the EU's financing body, to ramp up lending to defence firms in the face of a mounting threat from Russia. The European Union has been clambering to produce more weapons in a bid to continue the flow of arms and ammunition to Kyiv and keep Europe's own stocks in good health. "The European Investment Bank is invited to adapt its policy for lending to the defence industry and its current definition of dual-use goods," the leaders said in conclusions after a summit in Brussels. The EIB is the world's biggest multilateral public lender and has ploughed in billions of euros to help Ukraine after Russia's 2022 invasion. But according to long established policies, the Luxembourg-based bank should not directly fund the production of arms and ammunition, and the dual-use goods it finances must have a primarily civilian purpose. The states' call comes after more than half of the bloc's members urged the EIB to bolster financing for Europe's defence industry as war rages on the continent. In a letter signed by 14 countries including the EU's powerhouses, Germany and France, they said Sunday the lender should expand its investments in defence beyond a small number of "dual-use products" that can have both military and civilian functions. Since its establishment in 1958, the EIB has invested more than a trillion euros in projects covering a range of sectors including the environment and social cohesion. The EIB also plays a strong role in international development. Its EIB Global branch is active in 160 countries and has poured 10.8 billion euros in loans in 2023. EU agrees to move ahead on using Russian assets for Ukraine Brussels, Belgium, March 21 (AFP) Mar 21, 2024 EU leaders on Thursday agreed to "take work forward" on a plan to use the profits from frozen Russian central bank assets to arm Ukraine, as Kyiv pleaded for more ammunition for its outgunned forces. More than two years into Moscow's war against its neighbour, Kyiv's troops are struggling to hold back the Russian army as Western deliveries of weapons have faltered. Meanwhile, Putin has tightened his iron grip over his country by winning a new six-year term at elections after opposition was crushed. The proposal, at the heart of talks between leaders at a summit in Brussels, could unlock some three billion euros ($3.3 billion) a year for Kyiv -- once given a final green light. "I'm glad that leaders endorsed our proposal to use the extraordinary revenues from immobilised Russian assets. This will provide funding for military equipment to Ukraine," European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen told reporters. The EU froze around 200 billion euros of Russian central bank assets held in the bloc as part of punishing sanctions imposed on Moscow for sending troops into its neighbour in February 2022. The push by the EU to find more funds for Ukraine comes as a $60 billion support package from the United States, Kyiv's other major backer, remains blocked in Congress. Addressing the EU's 27 leaders via video link, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told them the shortfall in ammunition facing his troops was "humiliating" for Europe. "Europe can provide more -- and it is crucial to prove it now," he said, also calling for additional air-defence systems in the wake of a large-scale strike on Kyiv. - Kremlin threatens retaliation - EU leaders insisted the plan to target the interest being made by the frozen assets was legally sound. But the Kremlin warned it would use legal and "other methods of retaliation" to hit back. Alongside the efforts to get more weapons to Kyiv, the leaders debated ways to boost Europe's defence industry to be able to arm Ukraine and build up its own forces. Brussels has put forward a raft of proposals aimed at ramping up capacity but there are complaints that Europe is still not moving fast enough. While Russia has put its economy on a war footing, the EU has fallen well short of a promise made last year to supply Ukraine with a million artillery shells by this month. But the Czech Republic has spearheaded its own initiative aimed at getting hundreds of thousands of shells available around the world to send to Kyiv. France and Estonia pitched the idea of using joint borrowing -- similar to the massive package of support the EU came up with during the Covid pandemic -- to fund defence spending. But a majority of member states, led by so-called "frugal" countries such as Germany, have flatly rejected going anywhere near that far. Instead, the leaders issued a call for the EU's lending arm, the European Investment Bank, to expand its funding for the defence sector. At the moment, the bank is limited to investing in only a small number of "dual-use products" that can have both military and civilian functions. - Call for Gaza truce - While the response to the conflict in Ukraine dominated the summit, EU leaders managed to put on a rare show of unity on the war in Gaza. In a joint statement they called for an "immediate humanitarian pause" in Israel's offensive and warned it not to launch a ground operation in Rafah. The leaders -- split between staunch supporters of Israel and those who are more pro-Palestinian -- said they were "appalled by the unprecedented loss of civilian lives and the critical humanitarian situation". Closer to home, they also gave a green light to opening membership talks with Bosnia, as Russia's war has sparked a push to expand the bloc. But they tempered the good news by saying that the negotiations could only begin in earnest once the Balkan country has completed more reforms. News / National by Gideon Madzikatidze THE Zimbabwe Union of Drivers and Conductors (ZUDAC), including its affiliates, have been fingered in an extortion scandal and being accomplices in abusing commuting passengers, an investigation exposee has observed the rot.Speaking on condition of anonymity with this publication, one of the passengers invited a journalist to observe how they were held at ransom by some ZUDAC affiliates from the Ushewekunze maTeacher loading bay at the Market Square Main Rank up until final destination (Takaz offloading station) where they were forced to pay fares beyond their reach and as agreed from point of departure."Upon boarding commuter omnibuses at the rank, we were told that a trip will cost us$1 fare, but surprisingly, on our way were told its been hiked upto us$1,50," the disgruntled passenger said."We therefore plead with the government and responsible authorities to intervene in this prescribed route fare disequilibrium," he added."This is totally unfair especially when passengers were charged a certain fare in the rank during loading, and later on shortchanged during the course of the trip," the passenger complained.One of the fleet owned by a J. Manyonga (Chikonaz) with a Southley Park address which is registered under ZUDAC was part of the culprits in this passengers extortion scam."This vehicle and operator's license doesn't belong to the rank marshals, you should pay the fare that the conductors has told you. We want dollar fifty cents and anything below that, we will take the money and force you to disembark forthright," a driver by the moniker Boltcutter said in retaliation."Its not time to plead, but just pay according to what we have ordered you to. Otherwise we will abort this trip before the final destination or you all disembark at Mbudzi Interchange which is the distance equivalent to dollar," Boltcutter boasts.Contacted by the journalist about the altercation during the trip by the Journalist, one of the rank marshals distances self from such behaviour and confirmed that he was off duty, but will look into that."Yes I know Chikonaz Transport under J. Manyonga and the driver, Boltcutter. However, we discourage those drivers for shortchanging commuting passengers," the rank marshal said."Its unfortunate that am off duty today, but we will definitely address that on Monday when I report for duty," he promised.Meanwhile, ZUDAC president Frederick Maguramhinga was evasive when contacted for comment on why his organisation and its affiliates were co-ordinating an operation to shortchange commuting passengers.Maguramhinga promised to craft strategies in resolving the scam which has become rife amongst his affiliates without clearly disclosing how he will reprimand the culprits."Its one of those challenges which we are facing as an organisation. We received such reports before and preparations are at an advance stage to punish the culprits," Maguramhinga said."Its unfortunate that I am not yet at liberty to disclose the nature of measures we will be taking in correcting the abnormalities, but we will definitely deal with it. You shall see changes," Maguramhinga added.Maguramhinga pleaded with this publication to withhold publishing the story whilst a lasting solution is sought."If you want positive solution, do not publish this story please. We will make sure that all culprits are brought to order," Maguramhinga said.Cabinet has already approved the amendment of the Urban Areas (Omnibus Services) Regulations, which has be gazetted.The updated regulations ensure strict enforcement of regulations that require an operators licence, certificate of fitness and route authority.All kombis should also be required to obtain a valid rank disk from council as well as passenger and vehicle insurance before they are allowed to ferry commuters. According to the latest Government figures, published on Wednesday, 75% of medium and large businesses in the UK experienced some form of cyber security incident in the last year, as did 79% of high-income charities. Now a bore called Emily Bendell, a fashion entrepreneur, is calling on the King to resign as a member as well as all other public figures. She had tried to become a member herself; hers is the animosity of the excluded. Im not a member of a club but I should not join one that had her as a member. As I say, the Garrick probably shouldnt have boring civil servants and parliamentarians as members it should stick to thesps and journalists and it should not be obliged to include fanatics. Go to Soho House, Emily (annual fee circa 3,000). They might have you. Theres no question that the Devonshire is one of Londons most in-demand reservations. Restaurant bookings go live for the Devonshire at 10.30am every Thursday for tables within the next three weeks; set an alarm. If you do want to dine here, turn up for the pub first, order a Guinness and eat the bar snacks, then do that again a few times. Itll take a long while to become a regular here but the team are good to those they see often. Also, even the Devonshire gets cancellations, so chance a walk-in (first thing at lunch and after 8.30pm have worked for us in the past). Its also worth following landlord Oisin Rogers on Instagram (@mcmoop), as hes been known to announce an ad-hoc cancellation or two on his stories. Detective Chief Inspector Mike Nolan, who is leading the investigation, said: We know people will be shocked by this incident and I would like to reassure the community that we are not looking for anyone else in connection with this investigation. News / National by Nkululeko Nkomo Khanondo Safaris and Tours, a premier tour operating company nestled in the bustling adventure hub of Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, is making waves in the tourism industry with its diverse array of thrilling adventure activities and luxurious accommodations. The company prides itself on providing guests with an unforgettable African experience, blending exciting excursions with cultural immersion and top-notch hospitality. Founded in the picturesque setting of Victoria Falls, Khanondo Safaris and Tours offers a plethora of services aimed at catering to the wanderlust of travelers seeking an authentic African adventure. Boasting a fleet of boats, the company specializes in providing a wide range of activities, including accommodation, transfers, day tours, white water rafting, and tours spanning across Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Botswana. One of the standout features of Khanondo Safaris and Tours is its portfolio of exhilarating activities, such as sunset cruises, breakfast cruises, and lunch cruises along the scenic upper Zambezi River. For the adrenaline junkies, options like bungee jumping, canoe safaris, and helicopter flights over the majestic falls offer an unmatched thrill. For those with a penchant for nature and wildlife, the company also organizes game drives, birdwatching excursions, and cultural tours to provide a holistic African experience. With a commitment to creating a seamless and memorable vacation for every guest, Khanondo Safaris and Tours go above and beyond to ensure that your holiday is filled with thrilling adventures, luxurious accommodations, and authentic cultural experiences. Whether you're seeking an ultimate safari experience, a nature walk through the picturesque landscapes, or a taste of local African cuisine, the company promises to cater to your every need and desire. Moreover, Khanondo Safaris and Tours offer an array of tailored services, including day trip tours to Chobe in Botswana, day trip tours to Zambia, Zimbabwe Ultimate safaris, airport and interhotel transfers, and accommodation arrangements, to make your travel experience hassle-free and enjoyable. One of the standout features of Khanondo Safaris is its iconic ferry known as the King Lobengula, which has garnered praise as one of the best on the Zambezi waters. The King Lobengula offers guests the unparalleled opportunity to experience the beauty of the Zambezi River in a truly unique and luxurious manner. With sunset and sunrise cruises available, guests can soak in the breathtaking scenery while being treated to a delectable meal on the tranquil waters of one of Africa's most iconic rivers. The experience on the King Lobengula is not just a boat ride - it's a journey that combines the serenity of the Zambezi with the luxury and comfort that Khanondo Safaris is renowned for. As guests relax on deck, savoring delicious cuisine and sipping on cocktails, they are surrounded by the sights and sounds of the African wilderness, creating a magical and unforgettable experience. Whether it's witnessing a glorious African sunset or greeting the dawn of a new day on the Zambezi, the King Lobengula offers a one-of-a-kind experience that embodies the essence of luxury safari travel. Khanondo Safaris continues to set the bar high in providing exceptional experiences that showcase the best of Africa's natural beauty and wildlife, ensuring that every guest leaves with memories to last a lifetime. Khanondo Safaris and Tours stand out as a leading player in the African tourism industry, offering a comprehensive range of services that cater to every traveler's dream adventure. With its commitment to providing top-notch services and creating unforgettable memories, the company continues to wow guests and cement its reputation as a provider of exceptional African experiences. Amber Sawyer, an ECIU analyst said farmers will need more support to protect their livelihoods and to keep the flow of cocoa beans as well as other commodities like tea, bananas and rice coming to the UK. Officials said the new funding came on top of more than 115 million it had already provided to the scheme since 2013, and was part of the UKs efforts to protect and restore nature and tackle climate change, building on the deal at Cop26 in Glasgow to halt and reverse forest loss by 2030. The archbishop said thousands of trucks carrying aid were stuck in Egypt and Joran because the government of Israel refuses to give them access and it was unacceptable that the number of lorries entering Gaza in March was significantly below the operational capacity of the border crossings. In an accompanying open letter to party leaders at Westminster, Ms Marra said that, due to the current law, she had to travel to Dignitas alone because she did not want her loved ones to be questioned by the police or get into trouble. Weve made some progress in bringing that inactivity down and we have reduced inactivity by 43,000 since the pandemic peak and our inactivity rate is now lower than the average in the G7, the EU and the OECD, but it is clear that there is more work to do and our 2.5 billion back to work plan seeks to tackle the barriers people are facing in returning to the labour market, including those with mental health conditions. Our view and world outlook is very, very similar. Our understanding of the world order is almost identical and the need to act together is never more pressing than it is today. The Archbishop of Canterbury told Times Radio: I think we are obsessed by conspiracy and we have little sense of the humanity of those who are caught in the glare of the news. Ms ONeill, Northern Irelands first nationalist First Minister, attended the funeral of the late Queen and the coronation of Charles. Later she said it had been lovely to meet Camilla again and welcome her to the Co Down castle where they listened to a number of poetry recitals. He said the new set of allegations lacks any proper particulars of the elementary matters required to be pleaded, namely the information allegedly obtained by NGN, the means by which that information was allegedly obtained, by whom and when, and the basis on which such obtaining constituted a misuse of the claimants private information or a breach of his confidence. Whats more, the rise of K-pop has seen Korean stars make their mark on Western social media, with the public seeking to emulate the glowing complexions afforded by K-Beauty products hailing from Seoul and beyond. From BLACKPINKs Jennie and her recently announced ambassadorial role for Chanel and Chanel Beauty, to her bandmate Lisa being named MAC Cosmetics' new Global Brand Ambassador - the influence of K-beauty on popular brands on the other side of the globe is simply unmatched. News / National by Staff reporter ONE of the biggest ambitions that President Emmerson Mnangagwa haboured when he took over power following a military coup in 2017 was to re-engage the United States and end its embargo on Harare.This ambition saw his government forking out a whooping US$500 000 in 2019 in a deal with a lobby firm to canvas for the removal of targeted Western sanctions. However, latest developments show that this goal will now become the biggest failure of his diplomatic charm offensive.Mnangagwa and 11 other individuals, who include First Lady Auxillia, were on Monday last week targeted with fresh sanctions under the US Global Magnitsky (GloMag) sanctions programme. Three companies linked to Mnangagwa's ally, businessman Kuda Tagwireyi, were also sanctioned under the latest punitive measures. They were sanctioned for corruption and human rights violations.The GloMag programme revoked the Zimbabwe-specific sanctions programme in place since 2003 but tightened the noose on Mnangagwa and his cabal.Also sanctioned under the new programme is Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga and defence minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri. Forever Associates Zimbabwe (Faz) leader and Central Intelligence Organisation deputy director Walter Tapfumaneyi, Tagwirei, his wife Sandra Mpunga, businessman Obey Chimuka, police Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga, deputy police commissioner Stephen Mutamba and Midlands minister of state Owen Ncube are also on the list.Tagwirei's Sakunda Holdings, as well as Fossil Agro and Fossil Contracting are also targeted by the US Treasury which accuses the entities of facilitating high-level corruption.In 2019, Mnangagwa's government raised eyebrows when it splashed US$500 000 to engage former State Department official who served in the Bill Clinton administration, James Rubin, to be the lead lobbyist for Zimbabwe to shrug off the US sanctions.The latest development is therefore a major sign the re-engagement drive is totally off the rails.US embassy officials held a Press conference in Harare to explain the new sanctions regime and it seems the fallout is deepening. During the presser, the US embassy charge d'affaires, Laurence Socha, said the United States is committed to upholding core values of respect for human rights and responsible, transparent governance.Socha was quoted as saying: "The United States is committed to ensuring our sanctions are timely, relevant and targeted against individuals responsible for corruption and serious human rights abuses.""In Zimbabwe, we continue to witness gross abuses of political, economic and human rights. The target[1]ing of civil society and severe restrictions on political and human rights [is] a major concern for the United States."Socha reaffirmed the US commitment to working with the people of Zimbabwe."This sanctions transition is a key factor in the United States' commitment to working with the people of Zimbabwe. US sanctions are not on the country of Zimbabwe, we are refocusing our sanctions on specific and clear individuals and entities."In December last year, the United States government made an announcement of a new travel embargo targeted at the regime actors responsible for undermining democracy, notably through election rigging or manipulation and corruption.The fresh visa restrictions targeted officials at the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec), Zanu-PF, the police and the judiciary.Those targeted by the new punitive measures were barred from travelling to the US due to their lack of fairness in dealing with electoral matters. Their families will also be denied US visas, secretary of state Antony Blinken announced.Blinken said interfering with the independent operation of the judiciary during its adjudication of electoral cases, or abusing or violating human rights in Zimbabwe was unacceptable.The fallout between Mnangagwa and Washington can be traced to 1 August 2018, when the army was deployed to the streets of Harare to violently crush protests by opposition supporters aggrieved by delays in the announcement of presidential election results. The army killed six civilians and wounded several others.A commission of enquiry led by former South African President Kgalema Motlanthe revealed that Zimbabwean soldiers and police used "unjustified and disproportionate" force during the protests.The commission recommended that those responsible face "internal" discipline. In January 2019, the army again killed 17 civilians and inflicted gunshot wounds on several others while trying to quell fuel price hike protests.Owen Ncube, who was then the minister of State Security, ordered an internet shutdown. Internet monitoring group NetBlocks reported the blocking of social media and messaging platforms including WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.The disruption was extended to prevent the use of virtual private network (VPN) circumvention tools by demonstrators.The country's largest cellular provider, Econet, confirmed that the government issued a directive blocking all internet access during the pro[1]tests. After the protests, the High Court ruled that the internet shut[1]down was illegal and ordered it to be restored. The citation of the latest sanctions spotlighted these latest developments."Mnangagwa also oversees Zimbabwe's security services, which have violently repressed political opponents and civil society groups," Socha said."These designations build on recent US government actions, including pausing US participation in the African Development Bank Dialogue and utilising the Department of State's new visa restriction policy for undermining democracy in Zimbabwe."There is hope yet for Mnangagwa's reform, but the chances are slim, given his lengthy history of violent politics and oppression. Romania aims to extend, through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), its forested area by over 27,000 hectares, with almost 9,000 hectares currently being evaluated and 3,000 having already been forested, Minister of the Environment, Waterways and Forestry Mircea Fechet said on Thursday at a briefing at the end of a government meeting. "Under PNRR, we aim to extend Romania's forested area by over 27,000 hectares. We currently have almost 9,000 hectares under assessment at the Ministry of the Environment, if I remember correctly the figures. We have already forested over 3,000 hectares. In other words, we are very optimistic that when the deadline for PNRR funding is exhausted, namely June 30, 2026, we will be able to draw all this money and have those forested areas as well," Fechet said. He added that there are currently about six million hectares of forests in Romania, but the figure can be extended up to seven million, if we refer to forests that are not part of the national forest fund. He mentioned that the new Forest Code, adopted on Thursday by the government, has very clear provisions regarding the sustainable management of forests, the problem of forests in Romania being not the fact that "they log a lot or a little", but that they are often logged illegally. "But, under this piece of legislation, we come up to solve that situation and I believe that once we can say that we reduce, as much as we can reduce - because we will never reach the total eradication of timber theft - then we can talk about absolutely any other methods to ensure sustainable forest management," said Fechet. Justice Minister and National Liberal Party (PNL) deputy chair Alina Gorghiu said on Thursday that ministers will not run on the tickets for the European Parliament election, adding that she did not ask for any derogation to run in that election. Gorghiu also said it was "very sound" for PNL and the Social Democratic Party (PSD) to run separately in the local elections. "If ministers can't run, I guess I'm still a minister. I have already answered this question from the government. I didn't ask for a waiver, I don't want a waiver, please don't stress about my position on the list. The ministers are not on the ticket for the European Parliament. I also reacted to the request of the prime minister and party president: all ministers remain in the cabinet," Gorghiu said before a meeting of PNL's National Political Bureau. Asked about the fact that there would be only one woman from PNL on the list of MEPs, Gorghiu said: "Let's see the PNL list and if it is just one woman, that surely is not sound, and that I told the government yesterday." "Regardless of women's names, I think 30 percent should be on any election ticket, not just for the European Parliament election," Gorghiu said. Asked if PNL's collaboration with PSD should remain only for the European Parliament election and not for the local ones, the minister said: "Yes, I think it is very sound for it to remain at the level of the European Parliament election." "Everybody has their mayors, their elected officials, their messages. We do well separately in the local elections," she added. About the option of a joint PNL-PSD presidential candidate, Gorghiu said: "We haven't even finished the European Parliament tickets, don't you want us to finish them and start the presidential election after we have today's decisions?" TORONTO, March 21, 2024 /CNW/ -- Wedia is thrilled to announce its participation in DX3 2024, Canada's leading conference dedicated to the coming together of retail, marketing, and technology, taking place at Toronto's Congress Centre from April 9 to 10. This pivotal event marks a significant opportunity for Wedia to showcase their cutting-edge insights and developments in Digital Asset Management (DAM) and its crucial role in bolstering international retail brands. Wedia Digital Asset Management With a keen awareness of the evolving demands in marketing and communication strategies, especially within the retail sector, Wedia is at the forefront of providing both existing and prospective clients with advanced tools essential for navigating the complexities of today's digital landscape. Our DAM solution, featuring a Media Delivery & Digital Experience module, empowers clients to seamlessly transition their media assets across diverse platforms from websites and e-commerce platforms to social media and internal communications, all while enabling real-time tracking of campaign performance through comprehensive analytics and reporting. ADVERTISEMENT Highlighting our participation, Vincent Grelier, Wedia's Presales Manager, will lead an insightful workshop on April 9 at 2 p.m. titled "Revolutionize Retail Content Management in 30 minutes." This session is designed to equip retailers with strategies to enhance content experiences, offering a deep dive into the subject for all DX3 attendees. Supporting future innovations In our continuous pursuit of innovation, Wedia is proud to introduce Wedia.ai, our revolutionary Generative-AI tool. This innovative solution simplifies the creation of visually compelling images from text prompts and enhances product photoshoots with new backgrounds, setting a new standard in the integration of AI within the retail sector. To further explore the transformative potential of AI in retail, Sebastien Bardoz, our VP of Sales, will participate in the "Leveraging Artificial Intelligence in Retail" panel on April 10 at 2:30 p.m. Story continues "DX3 is proving to be an inspiring moment to reflect on the transformative forces that have impacted the retail and marketing landscape in recent years. It provides a unique platform to unravel the trends and innovations that will undoubtedly mold the future of these dynamic industries." Sebastien Bardoz, VP Sales and Operations for North America at Wedia. For those interested in understanding further how Wedia and its DAM solution can help their business, Wedia will be happy to meet them at their dedicated stand or through one-on-one meetings. About Wedia Listed on Euronext Growth, the Wedia Group is an international player, specializing in B2B SaaS for Digital Asset and Social Media Management. Through its two offerings, Wedia and Iconosquare, the Group supports its customers (marketers, communicators, e-retailers, social media managers, etc.) in the creation, personalization, distribution and performance review of their content (photos, videos, social media posts, etc.). These offerings enable the Group's customers to simplify the organization of their marketing content, automate its distribution across different digital and physical channels, and ultimately measure its effectiveness. The Group's high-end, innovative positioning has been recognized by prestigious customers (Decathlon, Universal, Merck and NASA) and leading technology analysts (Gartner, Forrester and Constellation Research). To serve its 4,500 customers in over 120 countries, the Wedia Group, based in France, Germany and Canada, can count on more than 100 committed employees. The Wedia Group achieved 2023 sales of nearly 14 million, of which over 80% comes from SaaS revenue, and is driving its development with a proven mix of controlled organic and external growth. Contact: Lynn KLEMKE, lynn.klemke@wedia-group.com SOURCE Wedia Cision View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/March2024/21/c0273.html Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu on Thursday said that President Klaus Iohannis has a chance to become NATO Secretary General and Romania deserves to be represented at such a level. Ciolacu was asked, after the meeting of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) National Political Council meeting, what chances Klaus Iohannis has to get the NATO leadership. "Romania has a chance. Romania deserves to be represented at a European and NATO level. Mr. President has a chance," Ciolacu said at the Palace of Parliament. On 12 March, President Klaus Iohannis announced that he would run for NATO Secretary General. "I assume this candidacy on behalf of Romania with full responsibility, and this decision is based on Romania's performance, the experience gained during my two terms as President of Romania, my deep understanding of the challenges facing NATO, Europe, and especially our region, and my firm commitment to NATO's fundamental values and objectives," Klaus Iohannis said in a press statement. Mustard is a 2-year-old Labrador retriever mix who came to the Humane Society of Missouris Macklind Avenue headquarters in December as part of an investigation from the Animal Cruelty Task Force. Mustard loves attention and is a gentle giant. He is treat-motivated and would enjoy a home with older kids. To adopt Call the Macklind Avenue Headquarters at 314-951-1562, or visit hsmo.org/adopt. Bessy is a 19-year-old pinto. This sweetheart enjoys any and all attention. Bessy was returned to Longmeadow when her previous owners had to move and could not bring her with them. She is an agreeable pasture mate and stands well for the vet and farrier. She would do best with a confident intermediate ride. With a confident rider, Bessy is willing to do anything. To adopt Call Longmeadow Rescue Ranch in Union at 636-583-8759 to schedule an interview. Motown is a 10-year-old beagle mix who first came to the Humane Society of Missouris Maryland Heights shelter on Valentines Day as a stray. This sweet older gentleman is looking for a quiet place to rest his head during his golden years. To adopt Call the Best Buddy Pet Center in Maryland Heights at 314-951-1588, or visit hsmo.org/adopt. Last weeks pets Dogs named Flynn and Teddy and a horse named Moonshadow are all still available for adoption. More info You can support these pets and others by making a donation at hsmo.org/donate. Ameren received state approval Thursday to advance its plans to build, own, and operate three solar farms in Missouri securing the green light for proposals the electric utility announced last year. The St. Louis-based company initially proposed the trio of Missouri projects last June, along with a fourth solar project that would be in Cass County, Illinois. The Missouri solar installations will be located in Warren County, Bowling Green and Vandalia, and were formally approved 5-0 by state utility regulators at the Public Service Commission during their weekly meeting Thursday. Conditions accompanied the PSCs approval, including one in which Ameren agreed to assess the use of grazing animals in and around the solar farms to reduce operation and maintenance expenses. Other terms could allow the company to eventually acquire the fourth project it had originally proposed, in Illinois. An order from the PSC states that approval for that project should not be granted until subscriptions equal to all of its renewable energy output are sold to businesses, like the utility has done in the past. In 2022, for instance, Ameren said it received almost twice as much demand from commercial customers as a separate 150-megawatt solar farm could serve. I will be interested to see how long it takes, said PSC Commissioner Jason Holsman, during his vote Thursday. The three solar farms approved Thursday will have a combined capacity of 400 megawatts enough to power up to 73,000 homes, according to Ameren. If the other, 150-megawatt solar installation proposed in Illinois is also approved and built, the four solar projects would have a total capacity of 550 megawatts just over half of that of Amerens smallest coal-fired power plant. The majority of the utilitys generation still comes from coal, despite cost and climate concerns that surround the fuel source. Ameren plans, however, to invest billions in renewable energy projects this decade and next, while aiming to become carbon neutral by 2045. The utility has also recently announced plans to build two natural gas-fired power plants in the next decade a goal that has generated some outside skepticism about costs and how it fits with the companys aim to slash greenhouse gas emissions. One of the proposed gas-powered plants would be called the Castle Bluff Energy Center, and sit at the confluence of the Meramec and Mississippi rivers, next to where the former Meramec Energy Center burned coal for decades. ST. LOUIS Members of the Jeff-Vander-Lou neighborhood are hoping they can convince Walgreens not to close its store here, saying losing the retail pharmacy would be a blow, particularly to older residents without transportation who rely on it. Walgreens plans to close its 1400 N. Grand Blvd. store on April 9 because of unsustainable business performance, it said in a statement. The chain is closing some 200 stores nationwide. People got really upset about it, when they learned late last month that the Walgreens would close, said Carla Alexander, a longtime resident and neighborhood advisory board member. Its so heartbreaking. All were trying to do is sustain our community. The Jeff-Vander-Lou Neighborhood Association is circulating an online petition asking the company to reconsider. It has invited Walgreens to a neighborhood association meeting on April 1 via Zoom. But, so far, Walgreens has only recently replied to the organizations messages with a general letter confirming the closure. The biggest thing is their silence. Silence speaks loudly to us, Alexander said. We just want to hear directly from them. After April 9, the nearest pharmacies will become the CVS and Walgreens on Lindell Boulevard in the Central West End. Both are about two miles away from the North Grand Walgreens. We apologize for the inconvenience, said Walgreens spokesperson Samantha Stansberry, in a statement. We know that our customers and patients rely on our stores and trust our team members for their healthcare needs. And, when we must close a store, it affects them and their community. Our priority is to ensure a smooth transition for our customers and team members during this time. Rasheen Aldridge, a 14th Ward alderman, said many of the residents hes spoken to are disheartened by the companys decision. We dont have the same healthcare opportunities on the Northside and access to transport is limited, Aldridge said. Its very unfortunate theyre shutting down a critical healthcare service, especially for our seniors. Because there are so few drug stores in the surrounding neighborhoods, Aldridge said it is important for a company like Walgreens to show that theyre committed to serving the community. Looking ahead, Aldridge said he hopes a smaller healthcare provider steps in to help and serve residents. Walgreens parent company Walgreens Boots Alliance previously said that it plans to optimize its footprint by closing roughly 200 stores. Stansberry confirmed that the shuttering of the Jeff-Vander-Lou Walgreens is part of this initiative. This neighborhood Walgreens joins two other recently announced pharmacy closures in the St. Louis area: a Walgreens in Manchester and a CVS in Rock Hill, pointing to a trend of drug stores continuing to struggle post-pandemic. In 2021, CVS announced an initiative to close 300 stores a year for the next three years to cut costs and last year Rite Aid filed for bankruptcy as it works to restructure the company. Joe Holleman Political correspondent/columnist Follow Joe Holleman 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 Questions about St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bells employment practices keep coming both in the courts and on the campaign trail. Attorneys for St. Louis County, who represent Bells office in a discrimination suit, lost twice Wednesday in circuit court meaning Bells office will have to answer questions it had hoped to dodge; and also will have to go to court next month, instead of next year. Meanwhile, former state legislator Maria Chappelle-Nadal is slamming Bell for employing Sam Alton as his chief of staff, resurrecting Altons arrest in 2011 on charges of domestic violence filed by Altons wife at the time. Bell and Chappelle-Nadal are both running in the Aug. 6 Democratic primary against incumbent U.S. Rep. Cori Bush, D-St. Louis. Alton did not respond to several phone calls from the Post-Dispatch. Chris King, a spokesman for Bells office, said, We dont intend to respond to every attack political foes throw at Wesley on Twitter. But King did cite a response on social media made in 2019 by Altons ex-wife, after the alleged assault was discussed on Twitter by political operative Jane Dueker. The ex-wife said Sam Alton and I are not only co-parents ... we are close friends. We are successfully raising our two children even after our separation, creating a loving, stable home. King concluded by saying that Bell shares a wish by Altons ex-wife that her family stop being used for political purposes.... Attempts to reach Altons ex-wife were unsuccessful. As to Wednesdays court hearing, which was held behind closed doors, Circuit Judge Bruce F. Hilton ruled that a person in Bells office Bell himself, according to Chappelle-Nadal would have to answer deposition questions about sexual relations occurring between a supervisor and multiple subordinates in Bells office. The genesis of Wednesdays hearing was a deposition taken in January in a discrimination suit filed in October 2020 by longtime prosecutor Susan Petersen. No date has been set for the new deposition hearing ordered Wednesday by Hilton, said Jerome Dobson, Petersens attorney. Petersen, a white female who was 46 when she was fired, alleges that Bell let her go because of her age, race and gender. Although court records have redacted the name of the person who refused to answer the questions, Chappelle-Nadal called out Bell on X (formerly Twitter). I strongly urge Wesley Bell to stop sleeping with ... subordinates in the prosecuting attorneys office, Chappelle-Nadal said in a social media post on March 8 that included a photo of Petersens motion. The countys attorneys argued that the questions were highly prejudicial and did not prove anything in the case. Petersens attorneys countered that the questions could illustrate the redacted partys attitude toward and general treatment of women in the workplace. Petersens side further argues that the redacted party engaging in intimate relationships with his female subordinates would make it more probable that (he) would use his power ... to treat other women in the office, including (Petersen), in a disrespectful and demeaning manner.... Why 2011 accusation resurfaced As to the domestic violence issue, Chappelle-Nadal took to social media on Monday to quote from court records which showed that in 2011, a St. Louis County judge granted Altons wife a full protection order against Alton for adult abuse/stalking. It's really hard to believe a word that comes out of the mouth of a man who staffs himself with wife abusers and accepts contributions from people even more violent towards their spouses. Like none of these folks knew any of this. But, ok. Maria Chappelle-Nadal (@Maria4Missouri) March 18, 2024 Chappelle-Nadal said she was spurred to publicly address the situation after seeing Bell being interviewed on local television news, speaking out on a domestic violence case. I guess (Bell) proves its possible to speak out of both sides of your mouth, Chappelle-Nadal said in an interview. Citing Alton and the discrimination suit, Chappelle-Nadal said, What is the culture and environment of the prosecuting attorneys office that creates all these problems? Its really hard to believe a word that comes out of the mouth of a man who staffs himself with wife abusers ..., she said Monday on X. It's really hard to believe a word that comes out of the mouth of a man who staffs himself with wife abusers and accepts contributions from people even more violent towards their spouses. Like none of these folks knew any of this. But, ok. Maria Chappelle-Nadal (@Maria4Missouri) March 18, 2024 County court records indicate that Ladue police arrested Alton about 1 a.m. on Oct. 1, 2011, at an address in the 1700 block of South McKnight Road. In the records, Altons ex-wife alleged that Alton had grabbed her out of bed, threw her to the floor multiple times and left bruises on her arms and stomach. The records indicate the alleged attack occurred in front of the couples children. The court order also noted that the ex-wife alleged that Alton previously had threatened, stalked and physically assaulted her in the past. In another matter relating to his employment with Bells office, Alton has come under fire from several County Council members who question the fact that he has made more money working side jobs than he has earned while working for Bell. Since Alton joined Bells staff in January 2019, he has made more money in the past five full years from those side gigs, $776,500, than he has working for Bell, $674,012. The Post-Dispatch has been trying unsuccessfully since early January to get pay records from two municipalities, Pagedale and Bellerive Acres, that employ Alton. Bell, who got a professional boost as a private attorney while representing several North County municipalities, has consistently defended Altons outside employment. Trial delay request denied In another matter decided at the court hearing Wednesday, Hilton denied the countys motion to delay the Petersen trial, which is set to go before a jury on April 15. Willie T. McGarry, representing Bells office, told the court he wanted the delay in the trial which likely would have been rescheduled to a date in 2025 because he is going through a marriage separation. Gregory Rich, Petersens lawyer, objected to the delay and noted that the case was filed more than 40 months ago. Hilton agreed with Rich, saying he did not find McGarrys personal situation to be a sufficient reason for a delay. Petersens lawsuit, filed in October 2020, says she worked in the prosecutors office for 21 years and was fired in 2019. Her suit contends that she was one of five white prosecutors older than 40 who either were forced out or quit in Bells first term as county prosecutor. Petersen now is lead counsel for the Missouri Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 15, which represents area police departments. Her suit against the county seeks at least $100,000 in damages. The two sides already have met for a mediation conference, which was unsuccessful. No other conferences are set at this time. COTTLEVILLE Amid our remarkably divided times, four school board candidates in the Francis Howell School District found a bit of common ground during a debate on Tuesday. This election is going to be about teachers, said Steven Blair, a Methodist pastor and father of two. He and Carolie Owens, a retired music teacher, are endorsed by the local affiliate of the National Education Association. Blair and Owens didnt agree much with their two opponents during the debate, led by student journalists in the districts high schools. Adriana Kuhn, who owns a marketing company, and Sam Young, a retired U.S. Navy officer, are endorsed by the Francis Howell Families activist group, which has helped push culture wars in the district. Kuhn has brought partisan politics to the race, touting her support by the Republican Central Committee. But all four candidates endorsed the idea that the election is about teachers increasing teacher pay and keeping them in the district, long one of the highest-ranked districts in Missouri. How to get there? Thats another matter. The debate, with pointed questions from the students, was a microcosm of the divisive battles that have embroiled school boards across the nation. In the past few months, the Francis Howell district has been divided by race, as the board rescinded an anti-racism resolution and then tried to cancel Black literature classes and Black history classes. The classes were reinstated, but not until a student-led walkout helped bring attention to the issue. Still, the board voted to erase the part of the curriculum dealing with social justice and political activism in Black history. That action was a reminder that political activism and history cannot be divided. Every single one of us is connected to political activism, Blair reminded his fellow candidates during the debate. Young and Kuhn supported the gutting of Black history and Black literature classes. They talked about how bad masks were in the COVID-19 pandemic, and how its important for school boards to delve into the sorts of debates that decide who uses which bathrooms. Some people thought it was a good thing that students walked out of school, Young said. I disagree with that. The four candidates are battling for two seats on the school board. The election is unlikely to end the culture wars, as the winners will replace two board members who were dissenting votes in the curriculum discussions. One way or another, there will still be a culture war majority on the Francis Howell School Board after the April 2 election. Thats a bad thing if the goal is to stop teachers from fleeing, Owens and Blair said. There are teachers who are leaving Francis Howell for other school districts, Blair said. Ive talked to the teachers. What they want more than anything else is to stop being attacked by the school board. Nationally, there are signs that voters are tiring of attempts to turn school board votes into partisan elections. After a few prominent post-pandemic victories, including in St. Charles County and the Rockwood School District in St. Louis County, voters have generally moved away from more divisive candidates. In November, for instance, voters in several states Pennsylvania, Kansas, Virginia and Iowa rejected candidates who wanted to focus on buzz phrases like CRT and DEI. In Francis Howell, theres at least agreement that the school board should be focused on retaining teachers. But ideas on how to do so give voters a clear choice between the two slates of candidates. Were running against the NEA, Kuhn said of herself and Young. Owens offered a retort: If youre running against the NEA, youre running against teachers. ST. LOUIS Fred Pestello, president of St. Louis University, announced Thursday that he will resign at the end of the 2024-2025 academic year. Pestello was named SLUs 33rd president on March 21, 2014, to help stabilize the university after the contentious departure of long-term leader the Rev. Lawrence Biondi. I took an organization that had been through some periods of turmoil, and got us to re-coalesce around its mission and vision and values, Pestello said. You never quite get there, but I think weve moved forward very successfully. During Pestellos tenure, SLU hit record highs in fundraising and enrollment, which reached 15,204 students this year. The universitys endowment stands at $1.8 billion, up 88% in the last decade. Dr. Pestello is a remarkable academic leader who has faithfully led SLU through increasingly complex and challenging times in our world while remaining unyielding in his commitment to the SLUs Catholic Jesuit mission and 205-plus year history, said Aric Hamilton, a 2023 graduate and education program coordinator at SLUs medical school. His belief in holistically supporting students, faculty and staff in their journeys and his resolve to uplift efforts toward diversity, equity and inclusion throughout his tenure will leave an indelible legacy that will far outlive his presidency. Pestello, 71, became SLUs first layman president when he arrived from Le Moyne College in Syracuse, New York, where he was also president. He succeeded Biondi, a towering leader who retired as SLU president under pressure from faculty and students after heading the school for 26 years. While Biondi was viewed by critics as a heavy-handed and sometimes retaliatory leader, Pestello was brought in as a bridge builder. Pestellos first test came three months after his inauguration when protesters occupied the SLU campus in October 2014 in the wake of police killings of young Black men, including Michael Brown in Ferguson and VonDerrit Myers Jr. in south St. Louis. Pestello allowed the protesters to stay in tents for six days near the clock tower on campus while negotiating their demands for racial justice. The 13-step Clock Tower Accords included a larger budget for SLUs African American Studies department, more support for Black students and improved college access for children in Normandy and St. Louis. Im proud of the way we handled this. We stayed true to our values, Pestello said at the time. I think our young people are hurting, and theres anger there, but they are also very bright and very thoughtful. In February of 2020, Pestello hit his stride as enrollment reached a record high and the donations were rolling in. We were almost giddy things were going so great, he said. A month later, the COVID pandemic turned the college president into an epidemiologist overnight. Like all schools, SLU switched to virtual learning. One-third of U.S. colleges stayed online in fall of 2020, but Pestello said students and professors were begging to come back. The university would not close down for another day. The pandemic led to the lowest point of Pestellos tenure, during the 2021-2022 school year, when three undergraduates and one medical resident died by suicide. It was the most tragic thing that could happen, Pestello said. We could see that our students were not as resilient as they had been pre-COVID. They were a little more fragile. The high points for Pestello include opening a $550 million hospital with SSM Health, securing $200 million in new construction on campus and the creation of the Midtown St. Louis Redevelopment Corporation for neighborhood investment. Christine Rollins, a law professor and president of the SLU Faculty Senate, said Pestello has been a trusted supporter by encouraging faculty input in the budget process and making sure they were included on committees and the University Leadership Council. Pestello plans to take a sabbatical in 2025 and then return to teaching, writing and research in his field of sociology. He also plans to work through the stacks of books hes been saving to read. I think 73 is a good age to be able to devote my time to other pursuits and slightly less stress, he said. U.S. Rep. Ann Wagner expressed outrage Thursday after a radiation compensation plan was excluded from a spending bill seeking to head off a looming partial government shutdown. Wagner, a Republican from Town and Country, and U.S. Rep. Cori Bush, D-St. Louis, had urged House Speaker Mike Johnson last week to include reauthorization and expansion of the 1990 Radiation Exposure Compensation Act in the upcoming appropriations bill. The law is set to expire June 7. Senate-approved legislation, pushed by Sen. Josh Hawley, would not only extend the law but also expand its scope to include Missouri and other states adversely affected by the nations nuclear weapons program. I am outraged Senate and House negotiators left this urgently needed legislation out of the spending package, Wagner said on the House floor Thursday. The setback Thursday wasnt the end for proponents of reauthorizing and expanding the radiation compensation law. The Senate-approved measure could still be voted on in stand-alone form, or be attached to another piece of legislation, before the RECA program expires in June. Wagner, on the House floor, called on the House to immediately vote on the Senate-passed bill. Missourians are terrified that radioactive waste is poisoning our communities. These innocent victims of the U.S. nuclear weapons program are relying on Congress for restitution, Wagner said. Hawley, on social media site X, also called for immediate action. The time to talk is over. The time to ACT is now. Put RECA on the floor and vote on it. Stop screwing around with Missouri, he said Thursday. Hawley was responding to a statement by Johnson, the House speaker, which praised Wagner for being a relentless fighter on nuclear waste issues in the greater St. Louis area. I understand her position and I look forward to working closely with Ann as we chart a path together for the House to move forward with evaluating and acting on the reauthorization measure, Johnson said in the statement, reported by St. Louis Public Radio. Total failure. Politicians have talked like this for decades. While doing nothing, Hawley said. The Senate has TWICE passed bipartisan legislation by wide margins to compensate Missouri radiation victims. The House has done nothing. And continues to do nothing, while politicians talk and make excuses. Time is running out, Hawley said. Bush also weighed in on the latest development. This is an insult to our communities who continue to be harmed by the radioactive waste dumped and left for decades by the federal government, she said in a statement. How is it that our government always has endless funds for war but refuses to find the money to repair the harm it caused? she asked. But the push to reauthorize RECA is far from over. Following Senate passage earlier this month, Wagner initially expressed caution about approving the legislation without designated funding. Were not looking to raise our debts and deficits any further than they already are, Wagner told the Kansas City Star. But her comments drew sharp criticism from Hawley and activists. Shameful for Ann Wagner to turn her back on her constituents after doing nothing on this issue for years. St. Louis deserves better than this, Hawley posted. Wagner responded by saying she remained extremely supportive of the RECA program. Voters will soon decide on two ballot measures that stand to raise bills for area sewer customers and increase funding for the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District including one that would pay for a new service from the utility, aimed at addressing local flood problems. One of the April 2 ballot items, called Proposition W, asks voters how to pay for the next four years of legally required improvements designed to reduce sewage overflows into regional waterways. The public must choose whether to fund the work with hefty payments of upfront cash or with $750 million in bond financing, which would spread out the costs over years. In this case, authorizing the St. Louis-based sewer utility to sell bonds will cause bills to rise about 7% annually over the next four years. The average residential customer would see their monthly bill step up from about $61 in 2025 to $75 in 2028. Meanwhile, rejecting bond financing would send MSD bills skyrocketing much more steeply, with two massive leaps of about 35% in each of the next two years. Such a scenario would see the same average residential bills rise to about $77 per month in 2025, and then $104 per month in 2026, before dropping to between $80 and $90 per month in the two years after that. The other ballot measure, called Proposition S, asks if voters wish to authorize MSD to start addressing local flooding and erosion problems something that no single entity currently has clear authority, or funding, to tackle. If passed, Prop S would enact a property tax that would collect an additional $25 per year from a typical residential property owner. Commercial customers would face new charges of $1.05 per month for every 1,000 square feet of impervious surfaces like parking lots that dont absorb stormwater. Collectively, the measure would produce approximately $35 million in annual revenue that MSD could use to address flooding and erosion issues chipping away at a $700 million list of related problems reported to the utility, said Brian Hoelscher, MSDs executive director and CEO. Its a start, said Hoelscher. Weve got a process set up to really go after the worst problems first. A similar version of the proposal was put to voters in 2019, but was rejected, 53% to 47%. Despite that earlier rejection, Hoelscher said that members of the public and local elected officials have approached MSD and asked the utility to try again. The renewed push comes as the St. Louis regions flood risk grows, made worse by more severe downpours wrought by climate change and development trends that easily overwhelm streams with runoff and jeopardize homes in low-lying areas. Hoelscher said he thinks that damage from severe flash flooding in 2022 may have helped generate more support for Prop S, compared to 2019. Even so, Hoelscher says a limited pool of regional residents around 20% to 25% are directly affected by flood problems, making the measures chances for approval unclear, if not a coin flip, based on surveys. It always seems like its 50-50, said Hoelscher. MSD is not publicly taking sides on the ballot measures, and is holding educational meetings around the region this week and next. The local chapter of the League of Women Voters, meanwhile, has encouraged voters to pass both items. Our region needs to address sewer and water issues, said Victoria Turner, the chapters co-president, in a recent press release. League members are always concerned about the impact of rate increases on low-income homeowners, but these propositions will actually lower the near-term cost to consumers of making necessary improvements. Prop W, the bond financing question, attracted months of criticism on its way to the ballot box including spirited debate as the proposal was reviewed by MSDs independent rate commission, late last year. Some of that criticism was from the Consumers Council of Missouri, a non-profit organization. John Coffman, an attorney for the group, said that although it is not taking an official position on either ballot item, concerns remain about how the unnecessarily high rates outlined in Prop W were calculated. They should be more careful to only raise rates as much as they need to, to do the work, Coffman said. We think they should issue more bonds and lower rates accordingly. Policies like Prop S that take aim at runoff from impervious surfaces are becoming increasingly common around the country, as cities and towns grapple with how to address problems from water off pavement, said Rob Traver, a Villanova University professor of water resource engineering and an urban stormwater expert. It is directly related to what causes the problem, he said. Its definitely growing. Im seeing more and more areas doing this. More information about the ballot measures can be found on MSDs website, along with details about the list of public meetings taking place through March 28, in St. Louis and around St. Louis County. Voters Guide for Tuesday's elections, free and customizable The Post-Dispatch and the League of Women Voters of Metro St. Louis present this guide to the candidates, races and issues on the April 2 ballot. Her Majesty's Penitentiary in St. John's, where migrants have been detained at the request of the Canada Border Services Agency. Newfoundland and Labrador now says it will end the practice by March 31, 2025. (Sarah Smellie/The Canadian Press - image credit) Newfoundland and Labrador has informed the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) that it will no longer incarcerate people detained solely for immigration purposes in its provincial jails as of March 31, 2025, according to information obtained by Radio-Canada. The province sent official notice to the agency on March 12, 2024, eight days after a Radio-Canada story stated it was, at the time, the only Canadian province intending to maintain the controversial practice. The detention of migrants for administrative reasons in the same facilities as people charged with or convicted of crimes has been denounced by many experts as a violation of international law. "Newfoundland and Labrador's decision is a momentous human rights victory that upholds the dignity and rights of people who come to Canada in search of safety or a better life," said Samer Muscati, acting disability rights deputy director at Human Rights Watch. Since June 2022, all other provinces have either refused to imprison people held for immigration-related purposes or have committed to stop doing so in the coming months. Many provinces had signed formal contracts with CBSA under which they had to give the agency one year's notice of cancellation. "With all 10 provinces now having cancelled their immigration detention agreements and arrangements, the federal government should finally guarantee through a policy directive or legislative amendment that the border agency will stop using jails for immigration detention, once and for all," said Muscati. The federal government would not comment on Human Rights Watch's proposal. In an email to Radio-Canada, CBSA instead explained that it is "committed to limiting the use of detention" to the most difficult cases and that it is increasingly using alternatives to the practice. Abdirahman Warssama spent five years and seven months in jail without ever knowing when he was getting out. Abdirahman Warssama spent five years and seven months in jail without ever knowing when he was getting out. (Evan Mitsui/CBC) Story continues More than 5 years behind bars A Somali-born man described his years behind bars in Canada in an interview with Radio-Canada/CBC last year. Abdirahman Warssama was locked up for five years and seven months in maximum security jails in Ontario, where he was violently beaten. Even though he wasn't charged with a crime, he was incarcerated with hardened criminals while the CBSA tried unsuccessfully to arrange his removal to Somalia. Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, the federal agency can detain foreign nationals or permanent residents for three main reasons: if they're considered a flight risk, if their identities aren't well-established or if they pose a danger to the public. The vast majority of the 71,988 migrants detained by CBSA between 2012 and 2023 were deemed to be flight risks, meaning the border agency believed they would not appear for immigration processes, such as a removal. It's the CBSA that decides whether they're locked up in provincial jails or in one of its three federal immigration holding centres in Toronto, Laval, Que., or Surrey, B.C. Over the years, migrants have been sent to prison when there was no federal centre in the province where they were detained, when they were considered high risk or when they suffered from mental health problems. But CBSA says that now, it only detains migrants in jails in provinces where that measure still exists when there are "serious concerns about danger to the public, or to other detainees, or staff." That could be a person who has "prior convictions and outstanding charges for violent crimes" or someone who has demonstrated "violent, non-compliant and unpredictable behaviour," the federal border agency said. Her Majesty's Penitentiary in St. John's, Newfoundland. Last year, six people were incarcerated in this province for immigration purposes. Her Majesty's Penitentiary in St. John's, Newfoundland. Last year, six people were incarcerated in this province for immigration purposes. (Ariana Kelland/Radio-Canada) CBSA upgrading holding centres Faced with the provinces' decisions, CBSA said last December that it's upgrading its immigration holding centres and adapting its staffing and guard training in order to "accommodate high-risk detainees." Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International each said they believe the federal government should put an end to immigration detention. "We commend the provinces for their decisions to stop locking up refugee claimants and migrants in jails solely on immigration grounds," said Ketty Nivyabandi, secretary general of Amnesty International Canada's English-speaking section. "There is now clear pressure for the federal government to stop this rights-violating system across the country." We were never supposed to have political parties. The founding fathers called them factions and were worried they would be more concerned with gaining or keeping power than serving the nations best interest. Parties or factions are not even mentioned in the Constitution. Alexander Hamilton called them the most fatal disease of popular government, while George Washington warned in his farewell address that political factions would lead to a frightful despotism. Perhaps they were right. However, despite their concerns, the two-party system soon emerged as a vital, albeit informal, lubricant in the machinery of our democracy. After all, its human nature for people with similar political interests to gravitate towards each other. Also, since any natural-born citizen age 35 or older is constitutionally permitted to run for president, the parties greatly simplify our options on election day by employing a system of caucuses, primaries and conventions. Thanks to the Electoral College and the winner-takes-all system used by every state except Maine and Nebraska, every president has belonged to one of the two political parties. The parties have evolved over the last 236 years, changing names and political principles. Hamiltons Federalists became the Whigs, and in the 1850s, they were replaced by the Republicans. Thomas Jeffersons Democrat-Republicans morphed into Andrew Jacksons Democrats. Since the 1850s, its been the Republicans who have repeatedly gone head-to-head with the Democrats. During this time, their values have also significantly shifted, reflecting the rise of new issues, concerns, and leadership. As a result, Abraham Lincoln would probably not be a Republican today any more than Stephen Douglas would be a Democrat. Until 2015, however, regardless of their names, political positions, and leadership, the two parties were built around a core set of principles. Since Woodrow Wilsons victory in 1912, when his party claimed ownership of the Progressive Movements agenda, the Democrats have been more liberal, advocating a significant role for the federal government to help the economically disadvantaged. Republicans, on the other hand, have pushed a more traditional platform, seeking a smaller federal government, lower taxes and greater freedom for private enterprise. The Civil Rights Movement pushed many white Southerner Democrats into the Republican Party, but otherwise, little changed until Donald Trump burst upon the scene. Regrettably, Trump has introduced a new and frightening dynamic to the two-party system. More and more, the conservative values of the Republican Party have faded, replaced by the blurry tenets of the MAGA Movement. What does the Trump faction of the Republican Party even stand for? Other than xenophobia and border security, they mostly believe whatever their puppet-master tells them. By established standards, they are no longer members of a traditional political party, but rather owe their allegiance to one man. How else can we explain why, in 2020, the Republican Convention didnt even bother to create a traditional party platform? Instead, they passed a resolution stating, the Republican Party has and will continue to enthusiastically support the Presidents America-first agenda. Rather than addressing the days critical issues, they essentially said that Republicans would support whatever Donald Trump wanted. A few Republicans, like the late Sen. John McCain of Arizona, Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah and former Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming, have courageously stood up to Trump. In Cheneys case, it probably ended her career. Recently, a handful of others, like Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Susan Collins of Maine, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and even former Vice President Mike Pence have refused to endorse Trump. Others have left politics, learned to fly under the radar, or turned into spineless amoebas. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida and Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas repeatedly kowtow to Trump no matter how much he personally disparages them (and even their spouses). One of our two political parties has been infected with a debilitating disease. Rather than playing its vital role in the democratic political process, uniting around a core set of values, the MAGA version of the GOP has built its identity around one man. This cult of personality is eerily familiar. Something similar occurred in Italy during the 1920s and Germany a decade later. So, what does this portend for the future? Donald Trump has already taken control of the Republican National Committee the partys main organizational and fundraising organ installing his daughter-in-law as its co-chair and setting his sights on its funds to pay his legal bills. If Trump wins the election in November, many legitimately believe it will mean the end of American democracy. If he loses, the post-Trump Republican Party will need to be rebuilt from scratch or replaced with something new. In 2012, Kansas embarked on what its Republican governor called a real live experiment to prove that deep reductions in the states income tax would supercharge the economy without hobbling education and other state services. It was a catastrophe. Within five years, under withering public anger over the resulting massive cuts to education and other state services, the Kansas Legislature scrambled to restore previous tax levels. The GOPs loss of the governors office in 2018 was widely attributed to backlash over what had come to be known, infamously, as the Kansas experiment. So, naturally, all three of Missouris current major Republican gubernatorial candidates want to give it a try here. What could go wrong? Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, state Sen. Bill Eigel and Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe, squaring off for the GOP gubernatorial nomination this year, are now all on record as vowing to eliminate the states individual income tax, which makes up two-thirds of the states general revenue. Its an even more radical proposal than the deep tax cuts that proved so catastrophic in Kansas. Missouris graduated state income tax rate for individuals tops out at 4.95%, well below the more than 6% national average among the 41 states that tax individual income. (The other nine tend to have economies either augmented by massive oil or tourism industries, or by higher rates on other forms of taxation.) Its not like Missouri government is functioning so well that it can afford to reduce its budget revenue. The state has among Americas lowest-paid teachers. Last year, Missouri missed out on more than $40 million in federal funding for lunches to lower-income school kids in part because the states outdated computer systems made participation too complicated. Missouris notoriously low state employee pay has caused worker shortages that have endangered abused kids and elderly veterans served by state programs. Yet Ashcroft this week told the Missouri Independent the state could function just fine without the more than $8 billion it takes in annually from the individual income tax, by just reducing or eliminating state services deemed to not be core responsibilities of the government. He didnt specify, of course, what services to Missouri residents would be cut. On his campaign website, Ashcroft lists a task force of experts he would rely upon to advise him on how to institute the tax cuts. As the Independent notes, it includes at least three nationally known conservative economists who advised former Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback on his ill-fated experiment. Its a good thing the architects of the Leaning Tower of Pisa are long dead, or Ashcroft might have wanted to hire them as state building contractors. Ashcroft also calls for repealing the 12.5-cent gas tax increase the Legislature approved in 2021. That increase brought the tax, previously among the lowest in the U.S., into line with most other states to address the shameful condition of Missouris highway infrastructure, long ranked among the nations worst. In a campaign video, Ashcroft acknowledges that roads and bridges are fundamental responsibilities of government, but says they can be paid for with general revenue the very revenue provided primarily by the income tax instead of a dedicated gas tax. Two problems, Mr. Secretary: One, user taxes like the gas tax are the fairest and most efficient kind. Its paid only by those who actually use the roads, so even out-of-staters just driving through end up contributing something. And, two, you just proposed giving up $2 of every $3 the state collects in general revenue, offsetting it with service cuts and now youre going to add the massive new expense of highway infrastructure to things that the remaining $1 has to pay for? How will there be anything left to serve the ailing veterans and abused kids already being failed by this state? Eigel has previously called for elimination of the state income tax. Kehoes campaign, in response to the question from the Independent, said he supports the idea as well. So all three of the major Republican gubernatorial hopefuls this year are fully vested in one of the most thoroughly discredited economic schemes in all of government. Since the Reagan era, conservatives have backed the concept of supply-side economics that tax cuts for higher earners can spur enough new economic activity to offset the loss of revenue to government budgets with almost religious fervor. Never mind that Ronald Reagans tax cuts ushered in the era of massive federal budget deficits. Or that Bill Clinton, who raised taxes, not only presided over a stronger economy than Reagans, but is the only modern president to deliver budget surpluses. Never mind that it will pay for itself was the explicit argument from congressional Republicans who in 2017 passed a massive tax-cut package that primarily benefitted corporations and upper-income individuals. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office says it will actually add to the deficit by almost $2 trillion over 10 years. And never mind that before Kansas experiment was over, the states finances were so devastated that it was raiding highway funds for other expenses, putting off payments to government agencies, hiking sales taxes (which burden the poor the most) and starving schools for money to the point that the state supreme court had to step in. This is what Missouris top three gubernatorial candidates are promising to deliver to their state. Believe them. March 21, 2024: American military aid to Ukraine included a shipping container size 3D-printing UAV factories for Ukraine. A new American tech startup raised $12 million from corporate backers like Lockheed Martin to develop cheap miniature 3D-printing UAV factories for battle zones like the Ukraine. A U.S. firm, Firestorm Labs, was founded after an American 3D printing engineer visited Ukraine in early 2024. The plan is to produce 3D-printing UAV factories that fit inside a shipping container that can be deployed anywhere in the world. The xCell shipping containers can produce a UAV in less than 24 hours. The UAV factory shipping containers come in two variants, one with a 6 meter long container and the other with a 12.2 meter container. Firestorm Lab claims these units should be able to produce around 50 UAVs a month. A feature of these 3D-printing factories is that they can be placed in remote areas and blend into the background. These operations are semi-automated manufacturing facilities that can be operated by only a few people. Power can be supplied by generators if local electric power is unavailable. Automated manufacturing makes it possible to quickly produce large numbers of UAVs. The basic Firestorm Labs 3D-printed UAV is the Tempest, which has a maximum takeoff weight of 25 kg, can carry a payload of 4.5 kg, and has a wingspan of 2.1 meters. It is 1.8 meters long and can be adapted to handle a range of ranges, loitering times, and cruise speeds. This UAV can be broken down into portable cases that one soldier can carry for easy transport. There are swappable propulsion systems for different mission needs. There is also a quick connect/disconnect system that enables rapid reconfiguration. Firestorm Labs plans to produce over 500 UAVs a month at its United States facility in California for a stockpile that can be used in some future military emergency. In the combat zone the ability to decentralize UAV production could make it difficult for an enemy to destroy a nations military UAV capabilities by attempting to destroy all local UAV production. This is what Firestorm Labs proposes for Ukraine. The pioneer in 3D manufacturing is SpaceX (Space Exploration Technologies Corporation). There was a need for finding or creating technologies and techniques that made it possible to rapidly develop more efficient rockets and SLV (Satellite Launch Vehicles). SpaceX inspired European countries, which had already developed some of the tech that SpaceX used to build their novel rockets and Space Launch Vehicles (SLVs). One of these techs was 3D printing of metal components for rocket engines and other major SLV components needed in small quantities. Traditional manufacturing methods such as forging, machining, and stamping metal are expensive and time-consuming. Change has been coming since the 1980s when the concept of 3D printing tech arrived. Soon it was realized that this tech was evolving to the point where it could handle metal components and complex objects could be built with a 3D printing device. For manufacturers, this was a major revolution for supplying small numbers of complex systems or developing prototypes for testing and further refinement. Spacecraft developers and manufacturers were among the first to make very visible use of this new tech. The first decade of the 21st Century saw the appearance of more effective 3D printers that could handle metal parts of different sizes and complexity that were equal to parts manufactured with traditional methods. SpaceX, an SLV design and manufacturing operation, was founded in 2002 with the goal of breaking into a market controlled by long-time suppliers. At the time these older firms had formed a legal cartel that monopolized satellite launch services for the U.S. government. This meant that after 2006 all this SLV business went to a monopoly called ULA (United Launch Alliance) which is composed of Lockheed Martin (using Atlas 5 rockets) and Boeing (Delta 4). These two firms dominated U.S. space launches for over half a century and in 2006 they officially monopolized it. But not for long, as the future arrived unexpectedly. One of the existing techs that SpaceX applied to their innovative rocket and SLV designs was 3D printing of components, especially for the smaller, liquid fuel rockets used in the final stage of an SLV to put the payload into orbit. These final stage rockets required small thruster engines to maneuver satellites into a specific orbit or maneuver space vehicles when they were docking with space stations, or any chore that required that kind of precision maneuvering in a gravity-free environment. The other SpaceX innovation was rocket boosters designed to deploy landing struts, and with engines designed to use less power and fuel to enable the booster vehicle to land intact and be used again and again. No government operated program was willing to pay to make this work. Engineers grew more and more confident of making it work but no NASA bureaucrat or SLV manufacturer would take the risk. The founders of SpaceX thrived on risk and made it work, much to the consternation of government space programs everywhere. NASA soon accepted reusable boosters as a low-risk tech and began giving SpaceX launch and design contracts. As each of these deals worked, SpaceX got more contracts and more commercial firms got into the business. Now Ukrainian companies or small partnerships are using 3D printing to aid the war effort. Wars always provide a sense of urgency and willingness to try anything that might work. For Ukraine, 3D printing worked. by Austin Bay March 21, 2024 America's defense industrial base just received a bad report card -- and given recent U.S. defense industry foul-ups, several failing grades are well deserved. The Ronald Reagan Institute, a think tank and foundation, issues a yearly report card evaluating what it calls the National Security Innovation Base (NSIB). Innovation means both creative problem-solving and the mechanical engineering and manufacturing expertise that turn creative ideas into physical war-fighting systems, like ships, planes, sensors, weapons, ammo -- the metal or composite material or plastic objects with which American soldiers win wars. The innovation base also includes the industrial base real-world manufacturing facilities and workforces that make the weapons. Sample Reagan grades: The U.S. got a "D" grade for defense innovation and modernization. Major industry talent base also got a D -- industry "continues to face a graying talent pool" and younger workers lacking skills. Private sector innovation, however, earned a "B." Thank goodness there's a lot of creative thinking going on. Creativity, however, is often hard to perceive, especially by politicians and generals beholden to politicians. But soldiers love creativity when a new device makes a difference on a battlefield. Understand the Reagan Institute rates programs it knows about -- mostly those run by big defense firms (Boeing, Lockheed Martin, etc.) -- and the big, troubled contracts, like the flop of the Army's light attack helicopter program, which was killed Feb. 8. I'm referring to the Army's Future Attack and Reconnaissance Aircraft program (FARA). Armed light scout helicopters find targets and protect the flanks of ground forces. The Army wanted to replace the Bell OH-58 Kiowa, a scout helicopter that was retired nearly 10 years ago. The Pentagon spent at least $2 billion on the scrapped program. Major manufacturers Bell and Sikorsky developed scout prototypes, but critics argued they were too expensive to build and maintain. After cancelling the FARA program, the Army officials issued a statement arguing the Ukraine war indicates drones can substitute for light attack helicopters. However, everyone knows drones have severe limitations -- they are vulnerable to anti-drone weapons and jammers. Drones can handle reconnaissance but carry small weapons loads, and microwave weapons scramble their guidance systems. A manned helicopter can carry multiple weapons and rapidly respond to changing battlefield conditions. What the Army really needs is a light attack helicopter working with drones, "pilot in the loop" synergy manned systems working with unmanned aerial and ground weapons systems. A lot of soldiers know that to be true. So do savvy aeronautical engineers. After the Army cancelled the contract in February, I contacted a weapons designer I know, a Texan named George Hamilton. Hamilton is a U.S. Army vet. I wanted his thoughts on the light attack helicopter fiasco. I've seen several of Hamilton's designs and products. He has designed, built and flown his own airplanes. I've mentioned in a column an innovative ship he designed. A couple of years ago, I visited his workshop, and he showed me a sniper rifle he had prototyped and a sketch of a helicopter. The first week of March, he called me and asked me to come to his workshop so we could discuss the Army's defunct contract. In his workshop, he said it was time to see what he kept "behind the curtain." I saw a full-size "master plug" of his light attack chopper's center section. Then he showed me the rest of the helicopter. The components were molded all-composite material. Composite manufacturing is cutting-edge 21st-century aircraft manufacturing. All-composite material construction also reduces a warplane's radar and sensor signatures. Hamilton told me he began developing the helicopter several years ago, on his own. Why? Here's the gist of what he said: "I knew the big manufacturers weren't going to build what the ground combat soldiers need." He said the composite frame can accept an engine rated in excess of 2,300 horsepower, which was a requirement of the now-defunct contract. In the heyday of American aircraft design and manufacturing, mechanical and aeronautical engineers who insisted on quality ran the big companies. Today, the big companies are run by "finance guys" with MBAs -- and Boeing's airplanes fall apart in the sky. But their big-business lobbyists keep the contracts coming. It's time to revive American manufacturing with "little guy" innovation and insistence on quality. Publication aims to provide valuable insights, best practices and innovative strategies to empower chief talent officers for talent management success CHICAGO, IL / ACCESSWIRE / March 21, 2024 / BetterWork Media Group (BMG) announced today the launch of its latest brand, Chief Talent Officer, and the introduction of its new annual event, Chief Talent Officer Summit, taking place in Chicago from August 12-13, 2024. The theme of this year's event is Beyond Talent Trends: Pioneering Progress Through Emerging Tech & Innovation and will host 60 director-level and above professionals in the talent, L&D and HR space, including chief talent officers, CHROs, chief people officers, SVPs of talent management, EVPs of talent management, VPs of talent management and heads of talent management. Chief Talent Officer offers a range of resources tailored specifically for Chief Talent Officers of organizations, individuals responsible for overseeing talent acquisition, onboarding, development, engagement, succession planning and retention strategies, from large enterprises to SMBs. Through valuable insights, best practices and innovative strategies, Chief Talent Officer empowers Chief Talent Officers to attract, develop and retain top talent, ultimately driving organizational success. "As organizations increasingly recognize the strategic importance of talent management, the role of chief talent officer has become more crucial than ever," said Ashley St. John, chief content officer and editor-in-chief for BetterWork Media Group. "Through our new Chief Talent Officer brand and event, we aim to provide Chief Talent Officers with the tools and knowledge they need to excel in their mission of strategically managing and optimizing their organization's talent." This launch marks an evolution from BetterWork Media Group's former Talent Management brand that has been around for more than 20 years; it's a strategic pivot toward a comprehensive focus on helping chief talent officers manage and optimize the full employee lifecycle. Registration for the Chief Talent Officer Summit opens on March 19, 2024. For more information about Chief Talent Officer and to stay updated on the latest insights and resources for Chief Talent Officers, visit chieftalentofficer.co. Contact Information Taylar Ramsey-Thompson ; Director of Events & Marketing [email protected] (312) 690-3088 Related Images Chief Talent Officer Chief Talent Officer | People. Practice. Insights. Chief Talent Officer Summit Chief Talent Officer Summit | Aug. 12-13, 2024 | Chicago, IL Related Video https://vimeo.com/917266125 SOURCE: BetterWork Media Group View the original press release on newswire.com. NEWPORT BEACH, CA / ACCESSWIRE / March 21, 2024 / Bob's Watches, the leading online marketplace for buying and selling pre-owned luxury watches including Rolex, Cartier, and OMEGA, is thrilled to announce its strategic partnership with Fred Segal, the iconic fashion retailer renowned for its influence on Los Angeles style. This collaboration will bring Bob's Watches' extensive collection of used Rolex and other brand timepieces to both Fred Segal's e-commerce platform and their Southern and Northern California stores in West Hollywood, Malibu, Studio City, and Marin County. Bob's Watches Bob's Watches has earned a reputation for its commitment to quality, authenticity, and customer satisfaction in the pre-owned luxury watch market. By joining forces with Fred Segal, a renowned destination for cutting-edge fashion and lifestyle experiences, Bob's Watches aims to provide a unique and immersive shopping experience for watch enthusiasts. Carol Altieri, Principal and COO of Bob's Watches, expressed her enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, "We are excited to bring the world of pre-owned Rolex watches to Fred Segal, a brand synonymous with style and innovation. Our collaboration will offer customers the opportunity to discover and acquire timeless timepieces with confidence and convenience." In support of this exciting venture, Jeff Lotman, CEO of Fred Segal, shared his thoughts on the partnership, saying, "Fred Segal has always been dedicated to curating a diverse and exceptional selection for our customers. The addition of Bob's Watches and their high-quality pre-owned Rolex collection aligns perfectly with our commitment to providing unique and exclusive offerings." The collaboration between Bob's Watches and Fred Segal opens up new possibilities for watch enthusiasts and collectors, allowing them to explore and acquire exclusive pre-owned Rolex watches in a setting known for its trendsetting retail experiences. For more information, please visit www.bobswatches.com and www.fredsegal.com About Bob's Watches Bob's Watches is the leading online marketplace for buying and selling certified pre-owned Rolex watches, Omega, Cartier, and other luxury watch brands. With a focus on transparency, authenticity, and exceptional customer service, Bob's Watches has become the trusted destination for watch enthusiasts and collectors worldwide. For Bob's Watches Press Inquiries: Douglas Kaplan, [email protected] Jason Geller, [email protected] About Fred Segal FRED SEGAL is the iconic lifestyle brand that defined the LA Look and sparked a revolutionary shift in style, changing retail and pop culture forever. Pioneering the shop-in-shop concept and experiential retail, the brand is built on heritage, inclusivity, and love. The FRED SEGAL legacy is sustained by always staying ahead with innovative lines and collaborations with designers, artists and emerging brands to create unique capsules, cultural conversations and immersive experiences. Now owned by Jeff Lotman, CEO of Global Icons, FRED SEGAL opened its Sunset Boulevard Flagship in 2018, and has since expanded to Malibu, Las Vegas, Studio City and Asia. For Fred Segal Press Inquiries: Kimi Chiang, [email protected] Max Kennedy, [email protected] ICA, [email protected] Contact Information Douglas Kaplan Business Inquiries [email protected] Jason Geller Media Inquiries [email protected] SOURCE: Bob's Watches View the original press release on newswire.com. Annual recognition highlights organizations that have demonstrated a commitment to business integrity through robust ethics, compliance, and governance programs MEMPHIS, TN / ACCESSWIRE / March 21, 2024 / FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX), one of the world's largest express transportation companies, 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. FedEx is being recognized for the second consecutive year and is the only honoree in the Transportation/Trucking/Railroad industry. In 2024, 136 honorees were recognized spanning 20 countries and 44 industries. "This is a great honor for FedEx, and we are pleased to be among this select group of companies with exceptional compliance programs and commitments to advancing business integrity for the second year in a row," said Justin Ross, Chief Compliance Officer of FedEx Corporation. "Our FedEx team members around the globe have done an incredible job building and maintaining FedEx's strong culture of compliance and ethics, and we are truly appreciative of this esteemed - and hard-earned - recognition." "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, Ethisphere's 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 FedEx for achieving this honor and demonstrating that strong ethics is good business." Methodology & 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 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. Honorees To view the full list of this year's honorees, please visit the World's Most Ethical Companies website, at https://worldsmostethicalcompanies.com/honorees. About FedEx Corp. FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenue of $88 billion, the company offers integrated business solutions through operating companies competing collectively, operating collaboratively and innovating digitally as one FedEx. Consistently ranked among the world's most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 500,000 employees to remain focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities. FedEx is committed to connecting people and possibilities around the world responsibly and resourcefully, with a goal to achieve carbon-neutral operations by 2040. To learn more, please visit fedex.com/about. 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, 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. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from FedEx Corporation on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: FedEx Corporation Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/fedex-corporation Email: [email protected] SOURCE: FedEx Corporation View the original press release on accesswire.com WASHINGTON, DC / ACCESSWIRE / March 21, 2024 / Honoring National Fragrance Day, Fragrance Creators Association (FCA) celebrates the wisdom gained and impacts delivered in 2023, likening its journey to the resilient dandelion, symbolizing the cycles of life and the opportunities for renewal. In the report's introduction, President & CEO, Farah K. Ahmed, wrote, "[t]he dandelion, from bloom to a cloud of seeds, embodies the essence of impermanence, teaching us to embrace change with courage and confidence. In 2023, we navigated through shifting landscapes with ingenuity and determination, carrying seeds of progress that will blossom into the legacy of our association and industry." Key Highlights of FCA's 2023 Achievements: Pioneering EPA Approvals of Newer, Greener Fragrance Chemistries: FCA engaged the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to advance an approval pathway for newer, greener fragrance chemistries within the New Chemicals Program, pioneering a template for the fragrance as well as the wider chemical sectors. Championing Responsible Industry Stewardship: FCA redefined its mission with the Fragrance Creators Responsible Industry Stewardship Pledge, designed to advance a diverse marketplace while nurturing consumer and worker well-being and environmental harmony. Shaping the Policy Landscape: FCA's advocacy efforts influenced Congress on modernized cosmetic regulations and set the stage with the FDA to advance digital labeling of fragrance allergens. Engagements with various governmental bodies and meticulous state monitoring led to more scientifically grounded policies and regulatory frameworks that are more conducive to consumer education and bringing greener innovation to market. Harnessed Data-Driven Foresights and Custom Compliance Tools: Integration of the Fragrance Creators Policy Foresights Program and members-only compliance tools enhanced advocacy and operational efficiency with actionable predictive intelligence, fostering proactive approaches and proficiency while saving significant time and costs for both members and the association. Advancing Consumer Education and Understanding: The expanded Fragrance Conservatory - the association's award-winning website - now offers an extensive array of ingredient profiles, promoting mindful and creative learning and fostering trust through science-based fragrance information dissemination. "2023 brought unprecedented activity and unprecedented ingenuity and adaptability," remarked Dr. Robert Weinstein, Ph.D., Co-Chair of the FCA Board of Directors and President & CEO of Robertet USA. "FCA rose to the occasion, delivering for business with vigor, integrity, and scientific expertise. The association's monitoring, rapid analysis, and customized compliance tools deliver meaningful value to the membership, saving all of us significant time and cost." Cynthia Reichard, Co-Chair of the FCA Board of Directors and Executive Vice President of Arylessence, noted, "FCA's focus on the needs of its entire membership and proactive approach positions us as industry trailblazers. Our modern approach to advocacy, data foresights, and ability to educate agency scientists have set the bar for the chemical sector." Looking ahead, Ahmed expressed optimism: "In 2024, we are poised to accelerate innovation pathways, consumer education, and harness our technology for more powerful insights to see what's coming around the corner sooner and with greater accuracy. I extend heartfelt appreciation to our diverse membership for their steadfast leadership and commitment to delivering good for people, perfume, and the planet." For more information and access to the full report, visit: https://www.fragrancecreators.org/fragrance-creators-2023-impact-report ### Fragrance Creators Association is the trade association representing the majority of fragrance manufacturing in North America. We also represent fragrance-related interests along the value chain. Fragrance Creators' member companies are diverse, including large, medium, and small-sized companies that create, manufacture, and use fragrances and scents for home care, personal care, home design, fine fragrance, and industrial and institutional products, as well as those that supply fragrance ingredients, including natural extracts and other raw materials that are used in perfumery and fragrance mixtures. Fragrance Creators established and administers the Congressional Fragrance Caucus, ensuring ongoing dialogue with members of Congress and staff. Fragrance Creators also produces The Fragrance Conservatory, the comprehensive digital resource for high-quality information about fragrance - www.fragranceconservatory.com. Learn more about Fragrance Creators at fragrancecreators.org - for people, perfume, and the planet. Contact Information Katie Cross [email protected] SOURCE: Fragrance Creators Association View the original press release on newswire.com. List Recognizes Corporations Offering Mentoring Opportunities BOSTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / March 21, 2024 / MENTOR, the unifying champion for the youth mentoring movement, has released the 2024 National Corporate Mentoring Honor Roll. This list recognizes American corporations offering substantial mentoring opportunities to spur young people's holistic growth. Launched in partnership with First Lady Michelle Obama in 2011, the Honor Roll first challenged companies to support their employees in becoming volunteer youth mentors. In the years since, corporate engagement in youth mentoring has grown to reflect a range of innovations and strategies. These developments construct a dynamic 21st-century workforce by connecting young people to a myriad of advancement opportunities. MENTOR Logo "Young people are grappling with real and complex challenges every day," notes MENTOR CEO, Jermaine Myrie. "We rightfully focus our attention on a young person's growth in school, at home, and in their community, but the need to nurture young people's development in the workplace is often overlooked. Recognizing such a need, the honorees on the 2024 National Corporate Mentoring Honor Roll ameliorate workforce mentoring initiatives and the youth development field writ large. They build programs, train managers, and steward ideas that ensure the continuous growth of our movement. Together, their efforts enrich the development of our youth, complementing mealtime discussions and classroom interactions in constructing brighter futures for our young people." Whether monetarily or with employee time, this year's honorees have invested greatly. New member Marshalls provides spaces for employees to learn best practices for mentoring, while engaging in self-actualization and growth. Longstanding members EY and JPMorgan Chase & Co. continue to address skill and service gaps by connecting executives and employees with mentoring opportunities. Carolina Pasaoglu, EY's Assistant Director of Americas Corporate Responsibility, shares, "At EY, mentoring is part of our DNA. We know that it ignites personal growth and career advancement, sparking innovation and business adaptability. Community mentoring also inspires our people to make a lasting, positive impact on the next generation, creating shared value and developing purpose-driven leaders. That's why, for more than a decade, EY has been a proud sponsor of MENTOR. We're thrilled to be named to their Honor Roll." MENTOR's research has established that employees are happier when working for an entity that supports mentoring. Such organization-wide engagements construct a culture of mentoring that can extend to employees' professional development and value expressions. In partnership with these corporations, MENTOR continues to build relationship-centered workplaces to the shared benefit of companies, their employees, and their communities. ABOUT MENTOR: MENTOR is the unifying champion for expanding the quality and quantity of mentoring relationships across the United States. More than 30 years ago, MENTOR was created to expand opportunities for young people by building a youth mentoring field and movement. Today, MENTOR is the expert voice representing a movement that meets young people everywhere they are - from schools, to workplaces, and beyond. MENTOR operates in collaboration with local Affiliates across the country. For more information, visit mentoring.org. Contact Information Caroline Holland Storytelling Manager [email protected] (617) 865-4525 Heather Coyne Director of Digital Marketing [email protected] (617) 303-4600 SOURCE: MENTOR View the original press release on newswire.com. Edwards becomes a corporate sponsor for the Catalyze Program Edwards participation expands Catalyze program to Tier One and Tier Two suppliers within semiconductor value chain LOUISVILLE, KY / ACCESSWIRE / March 21, 2024 / Schneider Electric, the leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, today announced that Edwards has joined the Catalyze program not only as a Tier One supplier to the program's founding corporate sponsors but also an additional corporate sponsor to the program. Edwards' participation as a sponsor will enable decarbonization of energy sources for their own operations and enable their suppliers to access the Catalyze program benefits, extending the program's reach to include Tier Two suppliers of some of the founding sponsors. Edwards is a leading developer and manufacturer of sophisticated vacuum products, exhaust management systems, and related value-added semiconductor services. The company is a direct supplier to many of the Catalyze program's founding corporate sponsors. "The Catalyze program is designed to foster collaboration and partnership among corporate sponsors and their suppliers enabling collective decarbonization impact," said John Powers, Vice President, Global Renewable at Schneider Electric. "Edwards has been at the forefront of working with their customers to develop products, services and solutions that maximize efficiency and minimize the environmental impact of the semiconductor industry." "We are immensely proud to join this ground-breaking initiative to help decarbonize the semiconductor value chain. It helps demonstrate our ambition to be leaders in enabling industry transformation for a better future. Catalyze provides a great opportunity to partner with our customers and suppliers around the world to accelerate the transition to renewable energy," said Koen Lauwers, President of Semiconductor Division, Edwards. "The Catalyze program's continued growth represents our industry's continued commitment to accelerating the widespread adoption of renewable energy throughout the semiconductor value chain and IT supply landscape. Through this initiative, we aim to empower suppliers to make a significant impact to their supply chain decarbonization strategies," said John Golightly, Vice President Global Head of Sustainability at ASM. "We are thrilled to welcome Edwards as the latest member of the program, helping our industry to continue to lead the way to a more sustainable future." The Catalyze program aims to accelerate access to renewable energy across the global semiconductor value chain and IT supply landscape. The first-of-its-kind program was launched in July 2023 with the goal to: Combine energy purchasing power across the semiconductor value chain to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy projects Provide suppliers, who may not have the capacity on their own, with the opportunity to participate in the market for utility-scale power purchase agreements (PPAs). Enable any company that supplies to a Catalyze sponsor to participate in the program. Increase awareness of renewable energy availability in specific global regions where the semiconductor value chain is operational. Leverage educational and digital technology platform engagements to drive measurable actions in supply chain decarbonization. Learn more about the Catalyze program at sustainabilityse.com/catalyze About Edwards Edwards is a leading developer and manufacturer of sophisticated vacuum products, exhaust management systems and related value-added services. These are integral to manufacturing processes for semiconductors, flat panel displays, LEDs and solar cells; are used within an increasingly diverse range of industrial processes including power, glass and other coating applications, steel and other metallurgy, pharmaceutical and chemical; and for both scientific instruments and a wide range of R&D applications. Edwards has over 8,000 employees worldwide engaged in the design, manufacture and support of high technology vacuum and exhaust management equipment and has state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Europe, Asia and North America. Edwards is part of the Atlas Copco Group. Atlas Copco Group is based in Stockholm, Sweden with customers in more than 180 countries and about 49 000 employees. Further information about Edwards can be found at Edwards Vacuum About Schneider Electric Schneider's purpose is to empower all to make the most of our energy and resources, bridging progress and sustainability for all. We call this Life Is On. Our mission is to be your digital partner for Sustainability and Efficiency. We drive digital transformation by integrating world-leading process and energy technologies, end-point to cloud connecting products, controls, software and services, across the entire lifecycle, enabling integrated company management, for homes, buildings, data centers, infrastructure and industries. We are the most local of global companies. We are advocates of open standards and partnership ecosystems that are passionate about our shared Meaningful Purpose, Inclusive and Empowered values. www.se.com View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Schneider Electric on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Schneider Electric Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/schneider-electric Email: [email protected] SOURCE: Schneider Electric View the original press release on accesswire.com In breakthrough, EU leaders call for eventual Gaza ceasefire for the first time The breakthrough on Thursday follows five months of deep divisions between the 27 leaders, whose failure to coalesce around a call for a ceasefire has put EU unity under stress. The conclusions - the result of intensive talks on Thursday evening as EU advisors hammered out a statement palatable to all 27 leaders - deplore the "catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza and its disproportionate effect on civilians" as well the "famine caused by the insufficient entry of aid into Gaza." "I think it was very strongly felt, the unity of the message tonight," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said following the summit. "The acknowledgment that Israel has the right to do everything possible that the 7th of October will never happen again (...) but it also has the duty to do everything possible to protect civilian life." The Commission chief has in the past been criticised for adopting a pro-Israeli stance and hesitating to call out the excessive loss of Palestinian life. But in a marked turn of rhetoric, von der Leyen pleaded on Israel to allow for a surge in humanitarian aid, saying that the minimum threshold of 500 daily trucks was not currently being allowed to enter the Gaza strip. European Council President Charles Michel, responsible for brokering the compromise between leaders, commended the "strong and unified statement." While member states such as Belgium, Ireland, and Spain have called for a ceasefire as far back as late October, the Czech Republic and Hungary had previously blocked such a call for fear it would undermine the blocs support for Israeli's right to self-defence. All EU foreign ministers - bar Hungary's - endorsed a call for an eventual ceasefire in the besieged Gaza strip in February, but Budapest wielded its veto power. The EU is moving in lockstep with its trans-Atlantic ally. Antony Blinken, the US secretary of state, announced on Wednesday he would push for an immediate ceasefire tied to the release of hostages in a resolution to be tabled at the UN Security Council. Story continues It is seen as a stark warning to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and a considerable shift in the position of the US, which has voted down UN resolutions on a ceasefire three times. In the statement, leaders also urge Israel not to proceed with its planned invasion of the southern Gazan town of Rafah, where over a million Palestinians are estimated to be sheltering from war. "We can imagine what would be the consequences if such an operation was launched," von der Leyen said in reference to Rafah. They also demand that Israel abide by the International Court of Justice's landmark order in January, which obliges Netanyahu's government to take measures to prevent genocide in Gaza. 'Deeply concerned' In the harshly-worded statement, leaders say they are "appalled" and "deeply concerned" by the humanitarian situation in Gaza, and say "additional land crossings" are needed to deliver life-saving aid. A new maritime corridor linking Cyprus with Gaza, called Amalthea, has received the EU's backing, with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides telling reporters a second aid ship for Gaza will likely leave from the island this week. But many leaders have said a maritime corridor cannot replace access by land, and urged Israeli authorities to do more to ensure aid reaches Palestinians. "Gaza is on the verge of famine - a catastrophic humanitarian situation," von der Leyen warned. In recent weeks, pockets of famine have appeared in Gaza. Major international organisations, including the UNs World Food Programme, have been forced to temporarily suspend deliveries of food to the north of Gaza due to the chaos wrought as hungry Palestinians try to access aid convoys. The WFP's Famine Review Committee has warned that over 500,000, almost one in four of the population, could fall into famine by May. The day after Thursday's conclusions also reaffirm the need to release the remaining Israeli hostages held in Gaza, and for the first time take note of the UN's reports of sexual violence committed by Hamas militants during the October 7th attacks, which leaders say they are "appalled" by. Leaders call on the Council to "accelerate" work on the adoption of further sanctions against Hamas. Both Michel and von der Leyen again reiterated the bloc's support for a peaceful resolution to the conflict, in which Palestinian statehood is guaranteed. For this to be achieved, the Palestinian Authority - which governs in the occupied West Bank under the leadership of President Mahmoud Abbas - needs to be supported to make sure "it is in position to take on more responsibility in the future." The bloc says it stands ready to support the revival of a political process to restore peace in the troubled region, but has not yet unveiled details on how it would restore governance in Gaza, where Hamas has governed since 2007. TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / March 21, 2024 / Tsodilo Resources Limited (TSX Venture Exchange:TSD) ("Tsodilo" or the "Company") (TSXV:TSD)(OTCQB: TSDRF)(FSE:TZO) is pleased to announce the closing of a non-brokered private placement financing (the "Financing") for gross proceeds to the Company of C$124,332 on March 21, 2024, through the issuance of 621,660 units of securities of the Company (the "Units") at a subscription price of C$0.20 per Unit. Each Unit is comprised of one common share in the capital of the Company ("Common Share") and one Common Share purchase warrant ("Warrant") of the Company. Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share for a period of 24 months from the date of issuance at an exercise price of US$0.20. The Common Shares (including the Common Shares underlying the Warrants) and the Warrants comprising the Units are subject to a statutory four month and one day hold period, which expires on July 22, 2024. The proceeds from this Financing will be used for the advancement of the Xaudum Iron Formation project in Botswana and for general corporate purposes and working capital. 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. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: JamesM. Bruchs Chairman and Chief Executive Officer [email protected] Head Office Telephone +1 416 800-4214 Facsimile +1 416 987-4369 Website www.TsodiloResources.com This press release may contain forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, which 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 As investors look for the next potential big artificial intelligence (AI) winner, analysts at Bernstein assessed the AI server market ... I'm a New Customer I'm a Returning Customer E-mail Address (or username, if registered via mobile device) Password MEXICO CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of B++ (Good) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of bbb+ (Good) of Black Gold Re Limited (BGRe) (Bermuda). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable. BGRe is a captive reinsurer of Ecopetrol S.A. (Ecopetrol) [NYSE: EC], a Colombia-based integrated energy company that is 88.49% owned by Colombias government. The ratings of BGRe reflects its balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management (ERM). The ratings also recognize the importance of the company within Ecopetrols strategy. BGRes very strong level of balance sheet strength reflects its capital management strategy and ability to build up capital. The company has low net underwriting leverage, creating dependence on reinsurance; however, these associated risks are mitigated partly by a diversified mix of well-rated reinsurers. AM Best expects BGRe to maintain a capital buffer as it continues to adjust its risk appetite to the reinsurance needs of its parent company, as well as the overall reinsurance market conditions. BGRes operating performance is characterized by profitable technical results backed by well-established underwriting principles and considerable revenue from ceding commissions. Over the past few years, the company has complemented its net profit with investment results; however, dependence on this revenue is low. AM Best expects the company to continue backing its results with its technical performance. AM Best views the companys business profile as neutral. BGRe has access to a wide scope of insured risks given the relevance of Ecopetrol to the oil and gas industry in the Americas. However, the companys underwriting risks are concentrated in Colombia. BGRes ERM is well-integrated within Ecopetrol and is important to the group as a cost-effective risk management tool. The stable outlooks reflect AM Best's expectation that BGRe will continue to adjust its risk appetite and tolerance levels that support its parent companys needs in terms of volume of capital and underwriting capabilities. Positive rating actions could result if there is a sustained favorable trend in operating performance as the companys strategy continues to adapt to the reinsurance market. Negative rating actions could occur if business flow is limited by any change in its holding company or if the financial situation of the parent company is compromised by any sociopolitical or economic event. Negative rating actions could also take place if the balance sheet strength of the company is further stressed by the materialization of any risk exposure. AM Best remains the leading rating agency of alternative risk transfer entities, with more than 200 such vehicles rated throughout the world. For current Bests Credit Ratings and independent data on the captive and alternative risk transfer insurance market, please visit www.ambest.com/captive. 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 Bests 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/20240321398103/en/ Juan Pablo Castro Associate Financial Analyst +52 56 5113 8842 [email protected] Eli Sanchez Director, Analytics +52 55 9085 7503 [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 Old Glory Cash-IN makes cash deposit available at 90,000 retail locations www.oldglorybank.com ELMORE CITY, Okla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Old Glory Bank, the pro-America online community bank, announced its popular Cash-IN program has reached the $500,000 mark in cash deposits. Old Glory Cash-IN is the banks innovative solution, providing a network of more than 90,000 retail locations across America where customers can quickly deposit cash into their Old Glory Bank accounts. Serving customers in all fifty states through our great online and mobile bank platform meant overcoming the challenge of how they can easily deposit cash, explained Mike Ring, Old Glory Banks President and CEO. So, we created Old Glory Cash-IN, which has been a huge hit with our customers. Old Glory Bank is an FDIC-insured bank with a physical branch in Elmore City, Oklahoma. Its intuitive and seamless online banking platform allows it to serve customers all across America. Now, with Old Glory Cash-IN, they have removed the remaining friction point to online banking, depositing cash. Our customer is the engine that runs America, and they frequently have cash, Ring explains. With Old Glory Cash-IN, there is now an easy way to deposit that cash into Old Glory Bank. Reaching a half-a-million dollars in cash deposits in a few short months confirms this demand. Old Glory Cash-IN is very easy to use. Customers select CASH-IN DEPOSIT in the App, go to the nearest location with Find Locations Near ME, and present the Apps one-time-use barcode to the cashier. The cashier will scan the barcode upon accepting the cash and within seconds, the deposit amount is credited to the customers account, allowing them immediate access to those funds. Old Glory Bank partnered with InComm Payments, a leading payments technology company, leveraging their expansive retail network across the US. Ring points out, InComm Payments has one of the most reliable and broad-reaching payments technology platforms and retail networks, which allows us to meet our customers where they shop. Customers should open an Old Glory Bank account at oldglorybank.com to take advantage of Cash-IN. About Old Glory Bank Old Glory Bank is an FDIC-insured bank that offers the best mobile banking solutions for consumers and businesses, from sea to shining sea. Old Glory Bank is committed to serving those who feel marginalized for believing in the greatness of America. Old Glory Bank was co-founded by some of the leading voices supporting freedom and love of country, including former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Dr. Ben Carson; Radio and Television Host Larry Elder; country music superstar, TV host, entrepreneur, and songwriter, John Rich; and former two-term Governor of Oklahoma, Mary Fallin-Christensen. Visit www.oldglorybank.com. We Stand with You. No Matter Where You Stand. Member FDIC. About InComm Payments InComm Payments is an innovative global payments technology provider. Leveraging dynamic technology and proven expertise, InComm Payments delivers enhanced end-to-end payment platforms and emerging financial technology solutions through a single integration, helping businesses grow across a wide range of industries including retail, healthcare, tolling & transit, incentives, mobile payments, digital currencies and financial services. By enabling omnichannel connections and alternative payment options to an ever-expanding consumer base in an increasingly digital ecosystem, InComm Payments creates seamless and valuable commerce experiences across the globe. With three decades of experience, over 525,000 points of distribution, 412 global patents and a presence in more than 40 countries, InComm Payments leads the payments industry from its headquarters in Atlanta, Ga. Learn more at www.InCommPayments.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240321672380/en/ Ms. Jules Wortman, [email protected] Source: Old Glory Bank BostonGene to showcase the power of next-generation multi-platform AI-driven analytics, paving the way for novel cancer therapeutics and showcasing RNA sequencing's crucial role in validating biomarkers assessed pathologically WALTHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- BostonGene, a leading provider of AI-driven molecular and immune profiling solutions, today announced it will participate in the United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology (USCAP) 113th Annual Meeting, the largest gathering of pathologists in the world. The event will be held from March 23 - 28, 2024, at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore, Maryland. BostonGene will exhibit in booth #106. Joe Lennerz, MD, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer at BostonGene, along with members of the BostonGene team, will showcase the power of next-generation multi-platform AI-driven analytics. This innovative approach aims to uncover crucial correlations between tumor genomics, patient immune profiles and treatment efficacy, driving advancements in personalized medicine. By revolutionizing patient care, this cutting-edge methodology is expected to significantly enhance clinical outcomes. During USCAP 2024, Dr Lennerz will host the Association of Directors of Anatomic and Surgical Pathology (ADASP) 2024 Education Program. To learn more or to schedule a meeting with BostonGene during USCAP 2024, please contact Maria Proia at [email protected]. About BostonGene Corporation BostonGene has a mission to provide transformative, AI-integrated molecular analytics and biomarker discovery for precision matching of therapies to improve the lives of patients living with cancer and other immune-related diseases. BostonGenes concierge-service model provides customized client solutions using a multi-omic approach prioritized for real-world impact to optimize standard-of-care therapies, accelerate research and provide cost-effective, measurable data-driven results. BostonGenes tests reveal key drivers of each patients unique disease profile, including an in-depth profile of the immune microenvironment, actionable mutations, biomarkers of response to diverse therapies, and recommended therapies. Through these comprehensive analyses, BostonGenes tests generate a personalized roadmap for therapeutic decision-making for each patient. For more information, visit BostonGene at http://www.BostonGene.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240321130004/en/ Media: BostonGene Erin OReilly +1-617-283-2285 [email protected] Source: BostonGene Corporation SEOUL, South Korea & MUNICH & NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Celonis, the global leader in Process Mining, today announced the appointment of Chun Hyunjae as Korea Country Manager, expanding the companys presence in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240320084893/en/ Chun Hyunjae, Country Manager - Korea, for Celonis (Photo: Business Wire) Chun Hyunjae is an IT industry veteran with over 23 years of experience in leadership positions at Oracle, Red Hat and most recently Palantir. As Country Manager, Chun Hyunjae will focus on expanding Celonis operations in Korea, working with Celonis partners to help new and existing customers optimize their business operations and unlock the value in their processes. Celonis, which entered the Korean market this year, has a strong presence in the Asia-Pacific region, and according to the Everest Group Process Mining PEAK Matrix Assessment 2023, holds the highest share of the process mining market across most geographies, including APAC. In 2023, Gartner also named Celonis as a Leader in the first-ever Magic Quadrant for Process Mining Tools. I am excited to welcome Chun Hyunjae to Celonis as our Country Manager for Korea, a crucial area for our APAC operations, said Philippe Mathieu, SVP EMEA and APAC at Celonis. With a wealth of IT industry knowledge, leadership experience and regional expertise, Hyunjae is the ideal person to drive our growth in Korea and help our customers drive significant business value across their top, bottom and green lines. I am thrilled to join Celonis as Country Manager for Korea, said Chun. Drawing on my enterprise software background and deep understanding of the region, I will focus on delivering tailored solutions based on Celonis marketing-leading process intelligence to help our customers increase productivity, deliver value, improve customer satisfaction and operate more sustainably. I look forward to growing Celonis operations in Korea and working with our partners to expand the process mining community. About Celonis Since 2011, Celonis has helped thousands of the worlds largest and most esteemed companies yield immediate cash impact, radically improve customer experience, and reduce carbon emissions. Its Process Intelligence platform uses industry-leading process mining technology and AI to present companies with a living digital twin of their end-to-end processes. For the first time, everyone in an organization has a common language for how the business runs, visibility into where value is hiding, and the ability to capture it. Celonis is headquartered in Munich, Germany and New York City, USA with more than 20 offices worldwide. 2024 Celonis SE. All rights reserved. Celonis and the Celonis droplet logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Celonis SE in Germany and other jurisdictions. All other product and company names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240320084893/en/ Media contact [email protected] Source: Celonis Ageros volume of calls initiated through Crash Response has grown 475% since its first-year launch, with 44% year-over-year growth in 2023 MEDFORD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Headline of release dated March 19, 2024, should read: Agero Expands Deployment of Crash Response Technology Following Significant Growth in 2023 (instead of Agero's Crash Response Volume Doubled in 2023, as More Top Insurers Embrace Telematics-Driven Crash Detection). The updated release reads: AGERO EXPANDS DEPLOYMENT OF CRASH RESPONSE TECHNOLOGY FOLLOWING SIGNIFICANT GROWTH IN 2023 Ageros volume of calls initiated through Crash Response has grown 475% since its first-year launch, with 44% year-over-year growth in 2023 Agero, the leading white-label provider of digital driver assistance services and software for the majority of automotive and auto insurance brands, announces the expanded deployment of its Crash Response technology after experiencing record growth in 2023. The expansion enables Agero to roll out its critically important Crash Response offering, which immediately works with emergency services to dispatch support after a crash has been detected, to more consumers across the U.S. - particularly important as vehicle accident rates and severity continue to rise. With two additional Top 10 carriers launching programs last year, Ageros Crash Response dispatch volume doubled. This means not only twice the number of opportunities to realize savings associated with capturing vehicles from accident scenes, but also twice the number of potentially life-saving customer interactions. Safety is always the paramount concern whenever a collision occurs, said Ben Zatlin, Vice President and Head of Accident Management at Agero. At Agero, weve long been proud of our ability to get to the scene quickly and help clients recover the vehicle. Now with increased Crash Response deployments, were excited to do even more for our clients customers in their time of need. Through partnerships with leading telematics technology providers, Ageros Crash Response team is immediately notified once a crash is detected and validated. Their team then follows up with the driver, triages the situation and determines the level of support needed. Considering that the U.S. Department of Transportation considers emergency response time to be a major factor ensuring an injured person receives the medical care they need to survive a crash, Ageros reliability in responsiveness is a life-saving capability. Accident details are shared immediately with the insurers claim system to begin the claims process and dispatch a tow. Without Crash Response, it takes the typical policyholder eight days to report an accident to their insurer, per a P&C insurance industry study. Crash Response helps enable earlier accident reporting to reduce secondary costs by as much as $800 to $1,000 by minimizing costs associated with extra storage, tows, and rental days. Since its launch, Crash Response customers have expressed sincere gratitude and appreciation of the service, further demonstrating the value of connecting customers to urgent medical assistance: I had a medical emergency and ran off the road into a tree. My insurer called me and after getting no answer called EMS. My insurer literally saved my life. THANK YOU. "Pleasantly surprised when I received two phone calls shortly after the accident checking on my safety and being ready to render assistance. Very nice service. My friends and colleagues were surprised by this service as they don't have this with their insurance providers. Outstanding." My operator stayed with me on the phone the whole time. She calmed me down in the situation and helped me realize that I made it out of my accident alive. She was simply amazing! Thank you, I'm happy to see another day on this earth. [The response] was fast; someone called right away. It was a good feeling to know someone had my back in an instant when I was scared for my life. To learn more about Ageros Crash Response technology, check out this PDF document from Agero or this short video providing a Crash Response overview. About Agero Wherever drivers go, were leading the way. Ageros mission is to reimagine the vehicle ownership experience through a powerful combination of passionate people and data-driven technology, strengthening our clients relationships with their customers. As the #1 B2B, white-label provider of digital driver assistance services, were pushing the industry in a new direction, taking manual processes, and redefining them as digital, transparent, and connected. This includes: an industry-leading dispatch management platform powered by Swoop; comprehensive accident management services; knowledgeable consumer affairs and connected vehicle capabilities; and a growing marketplace of services, discounts and support enabled by a robust partner ecosystem. The company has over 150 million vehicle coverage points in partnership with leading automobile manufacturers, insurance carriers and many others. Managing one of the largest national networks of independent service providers, Agero responds to approximately 12 million service events annually. Agero, a member company of The Cross Country Group, is headquartered in Medford, Mass., with operations throughout North America. To learn more, visit www.agero.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240319614001/en/ Kate Patty, Agero [email protected] 781.539.7326 Source: Agero GRANTS PASS, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Dutch Bros Inc. (NYSE: BROS; Dutch Bros or the Company) today announced commencement of a registered underwritten public offering of its Class A common stock, par value $0.00001 per share (the Common Stock), by certain selling stockholders associated with TSG Consumer Partners, L.P. (the Selling Stockholders). The Selling Stockholders intend to offer 8,000,000 shares of Common Stock pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-3 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC). The Selling Stockholders also intend to grant the underwriter a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 1,200,000 shares of Common Stock. Substantially concurrently with the consummation of this offering, the Selling Stockholders expect to distribute in kind securities convertible into 389,823 shares of Common Stock (or 448,298 shares of Common Stock if the option to purchase additional shares is exercised in full) to certain of their indirect members who have elected to maintain their existing interests and to not participate in this offering. The shares distributed in kind will be subject to the lock-up restrictions described in the section titled Underwriting in the prospectus supplement. The offering is not conditioned upon the completion of distribution in kind. Dutch Bros is not offering any shares of Common Stock in this offering and will not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares of Common Stock by the Selling Stockholders but will bear a portion of the costs associated with the sale of such shares, other than any underwriting discounts and commissions. Upon completion of this offering, one of the directors nominated by the Selling Stockholders is expected to resign from the Dutch Bros board of directors, and pursuant to the stockholders agreement that Dutch Bros previously entered with the certain affiliates of our co-founder and the Selling Stockholders and Dutch Bros amended and restated certificate of incorporation, the Selling Stockholders will only have the right to designate one director to the Dutch Bros board of directors. Morgan Stanley is acting as sole underwriter for the proposed offering. A shelf registration statement on Form S-3 relating to Dutch Bros securities, including the Common Stock, has been filed with the SEC and became effective upon such filing. The proposed offering will be made only by means of a free writing prospectus, a prospectus supplement and an accompanying prospectus. Before you invest, you should read the prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference therein and any other documents that Dutch Bros may file with the SEC for more complete information about Dutch Bros and the proposed offering. A copy of the prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relating to the offering may be obtained, when available, by visiting the SECs website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, copies of the prospectus supplement relating to the offering may be obtained, when available, by requesting it from: Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, 180 Varick St., 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10014. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor shall there be any offer or sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. About Dutch Bros Inc. Dutch Bros Inc. (NYSE: BROS) is a high growth operator and franchisor of drive-thru shops that focus on serving high QUALITY, hand-crafted beverages with unparalleled SPEED and superior SERVICE. Founded in 1992 by brothers Dane and Travis Boersma, Dutch Bros began with a double-head espresso machine and a pushcart in Grants Pass, Oregon. While espresso-based beverages are still at the core of what we do, Dutch Bros now offers a wide variety of unique, customizable cold and hot beverages that delight a broad array of customers. We believe Dutch Bros is more than just the products we servewe are dedicated to making a massive difference in the lives of our employees, customers and communities. Forward-Looking Statements In addition to historical information, this release contains a number of forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the intended size and terms of the proposed offering of shares of Common Stock by the Selling Stockholders. These statements are based on Dutch Bros current expectations and beliefs, as well as a number of assumptions concerning future events. When used in this press release, the words intends, estimates, projected, expects, should, guidance, and variations of these words or similar expressions (or the negative versions of such words or expressions) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors, including many of which are outside Dutch Bros control that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements, including those related to market conditions, the size of the proposed secondary offering, termination of the proposed secondary offering before closing, the satisfaction of customary closing conditions related to the proposed secondary offering and those described under the heading Risk Factors in the registration statement on Form S-3 related to the shares of Common Stock filed with the SEC on September 6, 2023, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the SEC on February 23, 2024 and in our future reports to be filed with the SEC. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of this date, and Dutch Bros undertakes no duty to update such information except as required under applicable law. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240321564234/en/ For Investor Relations inquiries: Raphael Gross ICR (203) 682-8253 [email protected] For Media Relations inquiries: Jessica Liddell ICR (203) 682-8208 [email protected] Source: Dutch Bros Inc. - Marks historic milestone and opens new frontier in transplantation to address kidney shortage affecting millions of patients globally - Transplant was conducted at Massachusetts General Hospital and authorized by the U.S. FDA under a single Expanded Access protocol CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- eGenesis, a biotechnology company developing human-compatible engineered organs to address the global organ shortage, today announced the first ever transplantation of a genetically engineered porcine kidney into a living human recipient. The transplant was authorized by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) under the Expanded Access pathway and performed by a surgical team at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) led by Tatsuo Kawai, MD, PhD and Nahel Elias, MD. The patient suffers from end-stage renal disease and lacked other therapeutic options following the loss of vascular access to support continued use of dialysis. Following the procedure, the patient is in good condition and recovering well at MGH. More than 800,000 people in the U.S., and millions globally, suffer from end-stage renal disease or kidney failure, a life-threatening condition for which transplantation is considered the gold standard treatment option to improve quality of life and outcomes. Yet the demand for organs far outpaces supply, with more than 90,000 individuals on the kidney waitlist and approximately 25,000 kidney transplants performed each year. Human compatible donor organs developed by eGenesis offer a potentially viable alternative to end waitlist mortality and alleviate the shortage of transplantable organs. The eGenesis donor kidney (EGEN-2784) used for this procedure is the companys lead candidate for kidney transplant and carries three classes of edits: (1) knock out of three genes involved in the synthesis of glycan antigens implicated in hyperacute rejection, (2) insertion of seven human transgenes involved in the regulation of pathways that modulate rejection: inflammation, innate immunity, coagulation, and complement, and (3) inactivation of the endogenous retroviruses in the porcine genome. eGenesis is the only company in the industry developing organs that carry all three classes of edits to address organ safety and efficacy. Without genetic modification, a porcine kidney would be immediately rejected by a human recipient. This successful procedure heralds a new era in medicine in which we have the potential to eliminate organ supply as a barrier to transplantation and realize our vision that no patient dies waiting for an organ, said Michael Curtis, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of eGenesis. We are humbled by the courage and generosity of this patient, who is a true pioneer, enabling this major break-through in science and transplant medicine. The large body of preclinical evidence of long-term recipient survival with EGEN-2784 that we have generated gives us the confidence to evaluate our product in the clinical setting. We are thrilled to collaborate with the team at MGH on this historic procedure given their preeminence in clinical care and research as well as their long-term experience with our technology. The immunosuppression regimen used includes approved agents as well as a novel, investigational monoclonal antibody, tegoprubart, targeting the co-stimulatory CD40L pathway. Tegoprubart is supplied by Eledon Pharmaceuticals and is currently being evaluated in two clinical trials for kidney allotransplantation. This procedure marks a pivotal milestone in the field of transplantation, illustrating the power of collaboration within our community and with leading organizations like eGenesis to address the critical issue of global organ shortage. MGH and eGenesis rigorously worked side by side to take this transplant from concept to reality. We are also grateful to the FDA team for their support and guidance during this process. Lastly, we commend the courage of our patient. The success of this procedure shines a beacon of hope for individuals worldwide grappling with organ failure," stated Leonardo V. Riella, MD, PhD, Medical Director for Kidney Transplantation at Massachusetts General Hospital. Decades of progress in cross-species transplantation, accelerated by the advancement of modern genome editing tools and next-generation sequencing, have enabled eGenesis to progress genetically engineered organs to the clinical setting. About eGenesis eGenesis is pioneering a genome engineering-based approach in the development of safe and effective transplantable organs to end the global organ shortage and transform the treatment of organ failure. The eGenesis Genome Engineering and Production (EGEN) Platform is the only technology of its kind to comprehensively address cross-species molecular incompatibilities and viral risk via genetic engineering to improve the lives of patients in need of a transplant, their families, and those who care for them. eGenesis has demonstrated durable preclinical success to date and is advancing development programs for kidney transplant, acute liver failure, and heart transplant. Learn more at www.egenesisbio.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240321465192/en/ Media Kimberly Ha eGenesis [email protected] Source: eGenesis John Taylor & Michele Dougherty to Serve as Leaders of ELIQUENT Practice Areas WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- ELIQUENT Life Sciences, a global regulatory consulting firm for the life sciences industry, today announced the appointment of John Taylor as head of the firms Quality & Compliance Practice and Michele Dougherty as head of the firms Regulatory Affairs Practice. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240321127987/en/ John Taylor, Head of Quality & Compliance Practice, ELIQUENT Life Sciences (Photo: Business Wire) ELIQUENTs integrated suite of services deliver the answers and solutions that global life sciences innovators need to gain and maintain market authorization for their products. The ELIQUENT team works cross-functionally to support pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, combination product, and cosmetics innovators across therapeutic modalities, phase-based pathways, and major global markets. JOHN TAYLOR Head of ELIQUENTs Quality & Compliance Practice Led by John Taylor, ELIQUENTs team of respected professionals, along with a network of ready to deploy global experts, bring an unmatched level of credibility and trust when interacting with regulators and guiding companies to sustainable quality and regulatory excellence. John brings more than 30 years of regulatory experience to his role at ELIQUENT, including a distinguished 20-year career at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), where he served in multiple leadership positions, including as FDAs Acting Deputy Principal Commissioner, FDA Counselor to the Commissioner, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Global Regulatory Operations and Policy, and Associate Commissioner for Regulatory Affairs. Johns extensive experience also includes roles within regulated industry, including service as Executive Vice President for Health at the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) and as Divisional Vice President for Federal Government Affairs at Abbott. Most recently, John served for 10-years as President and Principal of Compliance & Regulatory Affairs at Greenleaf Health, a legacy brand of ELIQUENT Life Sciences. John received his J.D. from the College of William and Mary and is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University. Learn more about John Taylor. MICHELE DOUGHERTY, Ph.D. Head of ELIQUENTs Regulatory Affairs Practice Led by Michele Dougherty, ELIQUENTs Regulatory Affairs Practice supports life science innovators from the earliest phases of development, through regulatory submissions, to post-approval support, and beyond. A 10-year veteran of FDA, Micheles career includes more than 15-years of regulatory experience across the product quality lifecycle, including her most recent role as President of DataRevive, a legacy brand of ELIQUENT Life Sciences. Michele joined FDA in 2008 as a product quality reviewer in the Office of Biotechnology Products (OBP). During her FDA tenure, Michele developed expertise across the manufacturing and product quality lifecycle and held multiple leadership roles, including OBP Team Lead and Review Chief. Michele managed a diverse portfolio of products including monoclonal antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates, antibody cocktails, growth factors, enzymes, and biosimilar products. Micheles biosimilars expertise is enhanced by her role on the Therapeutic Biologics and Biosimilar Staff in the FDAs Office of New Drugs, where she focused on supporting review of biosimilar products and participated in guidance and policy initiatives related to the biosimilar development pathway. Michele received her Ph.D. from Georgetown University and completed her post-doctoral training in the Laboratory of Cell and Developmental Signaling at the National Cancer Institute. Learn more about Michele Dougherty. About ELIQUENT Life Sciences ELIQUENT Life Sciences is the fusion of six global regulatory consultancies: Validant, Greenleaf Health, DataRevive, Oriel Stat-a-Matrix, RApport Global, and IDEC. ELIQUENT team works cross-functionally to deliver the global solutions that pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device companies need to gain and maintain authorization for the products. ELIQUENTs comprehensive services support innovators across therapeutic modalities, phase-based pathways, and major global markets. ELIQUENTs continued growth is supported by GHO Capital, the European specialist investor in healthcare. Learn more about ELIQUENT Life Sciences at eliquent.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240321127987/en/ Taryn Fritz Walpole [email protected] 202-445-7679 Source: ELIQUENT Life Sciences Grassroots museums should be given more support to improve their scientific research functionality and cultivation of staff, according to Guo Jin, a deputy to the National People's Congress of the second session of the 14th NPC. Guo, who is also deputy director of the Chengjiang Fossil Site Natural History Museum in Yuxi, Yunnan province, has been engaged in paleontology, especially the fossils found at Chengjiang, for nearly two decades. The site presents a complete record of an early Cambrian marine community. He participated in the application of the Chengjiang Fossil Site to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012, and the whole process of establishing the museum there. He notes that the museum has upgraded from a place solely collecting and displaying artifacts to somewhere people can receive education. Such a transition, he says, requires an improvement in the museum's research and science popularization functionality. As a result, last year he proposed the improvement of science popularization functionality in grassroots museums and, at this year's two sessions, proposed enhancements to their research functionality. "Research is the source of a museum's dynamism. Without updated knowledge, a museum cannot design good exhibitions to attract visitors," says Guo. He adds that demand for museums has changed over the years. "In the past, many people only visited museums to have fun, but now, they attend in order to learn something new. That requires better research to generate new knowledge for them to learn," says Guo. To be successful in such an endeavor, it is also important to cultivate talented people, he says. "It's very difficult for a grassroots museum to attract talent," says Guo. "The aggregation of talent is just like an inverted triangle. The higher-level museums can easily attract the best people since they offer more funding and other resources for scientific research, but at the grassroots level, it is much less appealing. "As a result, I believe grassroots museums should look to cultivate the people they already have, and provide better conditions for their growth," he says. Right now, due to the limited conditions at grassroots level museums, few people have the capacity or conditions to perform good research. "But, this year's Government Work Report mentions the need to develop a systematic protection of cultural relics, and that can only be achieved through systematic studies. This is what lower-level museums fail to complete," says Guo. As a geology major at Kunming University of Science and Technology, Guo was attracted to Chengjiang fossils at a paleontological geology lesson in 2006. He was keen to learn about the fossils, which are the traces of one of the earliest groups of living beings in the world. After graduation, he was recruited by the administrative committee of Chengjiang Fossil Site nature reserve to be engaged with protection and management of the site. At the same time, he was admitted to Yunnan University as a postgraduate student to learn more about Chengjiang fossils from his tutor Hou Xianguang, a researcher who discovered the fossil group in 1984. In 2014, when the Chengjiang Fossil Site Natural History Museum was being planned, Guo participated in the whole process from fund collection, appearance and exhibition design to artifact collection and the museum's operation. Guo says his ideas pertaining to grassroots museums were formed during this process. When the museum was officially opened in 2020, despite being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, it still attracted 2 million visits. "It has played an important role in the education of primary and middle school students. Many schools have organized extracurricular activities at our museum, which have been welcomed by the students," says Guo. He also mentions that, as well as cultural heritage-themed museums, which enjoyed a huge spike in interest in the past few years, nature-themed museums are also very popular. "Several years ago, culture-themed museums were distributed in an uneven way, mostly in first-tier cities like Beijing and Shanghai and coastal areas. But, in recent years, they have been built in less-developed cities and gained huge popularity among the wider public," says Guo. Reuters/Stringer Russia has recruited so many prisoners to replenish its manpower in the war in Ukraine that some Russian prisons may need to close soon for lack of prisoners, according to a regional official. Mark Denisov, the Krasnodar regions human rights commissioner, told a legislative assembly meeting Thursday that several prisons, including a men's penal colony and correctional colony No. 16 in Areysky and Hromadsk, will need to shutter, according to Kommersant. I note one alarming trend: a one-time large reduction in the number of convicts in the conditions of the special military operation prompted someone to report to the top about the need to close penitentiary institutions in order to optimize and save money, he said. A number of institutions will be closed this year in our region. Russia will also close colony No. 10 in Ust-Ilimsk and sections of the colony at IK-31 and IK-5, according to an ombudsman report on the region. The size of the prison population has decreased significantly, the report states, adding that the number of prisoners in the region at the beginning of this year has decreased since the beginning of 2023 by 17.5 percent. The draft order on the liquidation of three institutions is being agreed upon. Russia has long relied on prison recruits to boost personnel numbers on the frontlines while avoiding unpopular mobilizations. The Kremlin called up a mobilization in the fall of 2022 following a defeat in Kharkiv, but the order was highly unpopular, forcing Russia to rely on alternative ways to boost its manpower. Backfired: Putins Prison Recruits Spiral Out of Russias Control In 2022, Russias penal colonies lost an estimated 32,890 prisoners, according to a Mediazona report. Russias penal service previously reported that the countrys prison population decreased by more than 20,000 between August and November 2022. Since early 2023, the countrys penal service stopped releasing data. Russia had approximately 433,006 prisoners in January 2023, according to a report from the Russian penal system. That number plummeted to 266,000 by October, according to Deputy Justice Minister Vsevolod Vukolov, raising questions about how many war recruits helped account for that drop. Story continues A Washington Post tally of Russian prisoners sent to war, which was based on prison numbers before the invasion, came to 100,000. Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged sending prisoners to war last year, noting that they were atoning for their guilt with blood. They can atone for their crimes with blood on battlefields, in military units, under flying bullets and shells, Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov added. The former head of Russias Wagner Group, Yevgeniy Prigozhin, also recruited prisoners for the invasion of Ukraine. The mercenary boss, who died last year, had offered prisoners a pardon if they survived the war for six months. But many inmates in the seemingly endless stream of prison recruits went to Ukraine only to die. Wagners recruitment of prisoners, known as Project K recruitment, likely peaked at 40,000 in early 2023, according to a British intelligence assessment. By late July, at least 20,000 of them had been killed in the war, amounting to one of the bloodiest episodes in modern military history, according to the assessment. 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. Key Topics to include the Strategic Fit of its Partnership with Workday HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Insperity, Inc. (NYSE: NSP), a leading provider of human resources and business performance solutions for Americas best businesses, today announced that it will host its Investor Day on Thursday, May 16, 2024 at its corporate headquarters in Kingwood, Texas. The event is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. CT / 10 a.m. ET, and in-person attendance by financial analysts and institutional investors is welcome. If you plan to attend in-person, please register by May 6, 2024 by emailing [email protected]. The event will also be made available via a live video webcast. During the event, members of Insperitys management team will present insights into the companys business model, including its strategy to capitalize on the underpenetrated market in both its core and midmarket segments; an update on recent developments in the areas of sales, marketing, and technology; the approach to the ongoing management of pricing and cost; and further details of its recently announced strategic partnership with Workday, including how it fits into the long-term strategy. Presentation materials and the live video webcast will be made available on the day of the event on the companys investor relations website at http://ir.insperity.com. A replay of the event will be posted on the companys investor relations website on the next business day following the event and will be available for 90 days. About Insperity Since 1986, Insperitys mission has been to help businesses succeed so communities prosper. Offering the most comprehensive suite of scalable HR solutions available in the marketplace, Insperity is defined by an unrivaled breadth and depth of services and level of care. Through an optimal blend of premium HR service and technology, Insperity delivers the administrative relief, reduced liabilities and better benefit solutions that businesses need for sustained growth. With 2023 revenues of $6.5 billion and more than 90 locations throughout the U.S., Insperity is currently making a difference in thousands of businesses and communities nationwide. For more information, visit http://www.insperity.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240321595055/en/ Investor Relations Contact: Douglas S. Sharp Executive Vice President of Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (281) 348-3232 [email protected] News Media Contact: Cynthia Murga Director of Public Relations 713-324-1414 [email protected] Source: Insperity, Inc. SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Ivy Fertility, a collaborative network of globally-renowned fertility clinics, is thrilled to welcome Bryn Willson, MD and Shelun Tsai, MD to its collaborative team of physicians. Dr. Willson and Dr. Tsai are both board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology, and will complete their fellowships in reproductive endocrinology this spring. Dr. Willson will practice at San Diego Fertility Center, located in Del Mar, CA. She will begin seeing patients in September. Dr. Tsai will practice at Pacific Northwest Fertility, a clinic with locations in Seattle and Bellevue, Washington, and will begin seeing patients in October. These brilliant young physicians represent the future of our field. We are excited to work together to achieve exceptional outcomes for our patients, said Julie Lamb, MD, Medical Director at Pacific Northwest Fertility. Dr. Willson received her bachelors degree from Santa Clara University and her medical degree from Creighton University School of Medicine in Omaha. She completed her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at University of California, Davis. Dr. Willson completed her fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology at Cedars Sinai in Los Angeles, California. She was UC Daviss OB/GYN Chief Administrative Resident and recipient of the Golden Apple Teaching Award. I am thrilled to be joining the team at San Diego Fertility Center, said Dr. Willson. I grew up in San Diego, and being able to return home to help build families with the cutting-edge technology available at SDFC is a dream come true. I cant wait to get started. Dr. Tsai received her bachelors degree from Harvard University and her medical degree from Northwestern Universitys Feinberg School of Medicine. She completed her OB/GYN residency at Duke University and a fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York. She previously received a Pacific Coast Reproductive Society Research Grant and was Education Chief Resident at Duke in 2020. Pacific Northwest Fertility is a respected leader in fertility care in the Northwest and beyond, and I look forward to continuing my career there following the completion of my fellowship, said Dr. Tsai. The entire Ivy Fertility network is committed to staying at the forefront of fertility science, said Sandy Chuan, MD, Medical Director at San Diego Fertility Center. We are privileged that Dr. Willson and Dr. Tsai will be contributing their innovation and compassion to our network. About Ivy Fertility Ivy Fertility is globally recognized as pioneers and innovators in the field of advanced reproductive technologies, in-vitro fertilization, third-party reproduction, andrology, and fertility research. The Ivy Fertility network includes Fertility Associates of Memphis, Fertility Centers of Orange County, Idaho Fertility Center, IVF Fertility Center, Los Angeles Reproductive Center, Nevada Center for Reproductive Medicine, Nevada Fertility Center, NOVA IVF, Pacific Northwest Fertility, Reproductive Partners Medical Group, San Diego Fertility Center, Utah Fertility Center, and Virginia Fertility & IVF. By developing new procedures, achieving scientific breakthroughs, and teaching the latest techniques, Ivy Fertility upholds its commitment to successful outcomes and continually contributes to the development of the entire fertility community. The Ivy team is passionate about its family-building mission and works tirelessly each day to help patients become parents. To learn more about Ivy Fertility, please visit www.ivyfertility.com. To learn more about San Diego Fertility Center, please visit www.sdfertility.com. To learn more about Pacific Northwest Fertility, please visit www.pnwfertility.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240320530446/en/ Constance Rapson [email protected] Source: Ivy Fertility BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Lookout, Inc., the data-centric cloud security company, issued the following statement regarding the U.S. House of Representatives passing a bill on Wednesday, March 13, that will force TikTok to divest within 165 days of the law's implementation or risk being banned in the U.S.: The House legislation marks a pivotal moment for mobile security in the United States. U.S. lawmakers understand the power of this kind of data and the immediate threat to national security that apps like TikTok pose. Social media apps like TikTok capture extensive amounts of data, and when they are owned/operated by Chinese companies, this concern is compounded. Chinese companies are subject to the National Intelligence Law, which contains provisions that may compel them to share data with the government, including data collected internationally. The House's vote makes it clear that the U.S. government believes TikTok's data safeguards do not meet acceptable security standards. TikTok can collect and analyze sensitive data from mobile devices, including: brand; model operating system (OS) version; keystroke patterns; IP address; personally identifiable information (PII) such as age, image and personal contacts; preferences; and data collected through single sign-on (SSO) features that allow users to sign into TikTok from other platforms. In addition to concerns about the depth of data platforms like TikTok collect, social media platforms also have an outsized influence on current events, media consumption overall and especially election misinformation. Potentially adversarial countries like China should not control the algorithms that decide which political content Americans are exposed to and what is hidden from them. We expect to see increased global momentum around this issue in the coming months as the world awaits the Senate's decision on the bill. The U.S. government has a duty to ensure the safety of its citizens and their data while proactively addressing overall risks to national security. TikTok is the tip of the iceberg. There are more than nine million apps in the Lookout data corpus that communicate with IPs, domains or servers in China. Federal agencies, local governments and enterprises must all take the necessary precautions to include a mobile threat defense solution on devices that will control and prevent the leakage of sensitive data to China. Lookout is committed to doing its part to help advance this conversation and broader awareness, as only then can we take the necessary steps to properly protect our data and privacy. We are trusted with securing the mobile devices used by government agencies and major corporations. As a security partner, Lookout helps implement the technology and data strategies needed to enforce organizational policies surrounding TikTok, as well as help them understand the exposure risks posed by any mobile app and how they can protect themselves. - David Richardson, Vice President of Product, Endpoint and Security, Lookout Click here for more information on how Lookout helps governments and organizations mitigate the risk of mobile data being leaked through apps or websites using Chinese domains About Lookout Lookout, Inc. is the data-centric cloud security company that uses a defense-in-depth strategy to address the different stages of a modern cybersecurity attack. Data is at the core of every organization, and our approach to cybersecurity is designed to protect that data within todays evolving threat landscape no matter where or how it moves. People and human behavior are central to the challenge of protecting data, which is why organizations need total visibility into threats in real-time. The Lookout Cloud Security Platform is purpose-built to stop modern breaches as swiftly as they unfold, from the first phishing text to the final cloud data extraction. We are trusted by enterprises and government agencies of all sizes to protect the sensitive data they care about most, enabling them to work and connect freely and securely. To learn more, visit www.lookout.com and follow Lookout on our blog, LinkedIn and X. 2024 Lookout, Inc. LOOKOUT, the Lookout Shield Design, LOOKOUT with Shield Design and the Lookout multi-color/multi-shaded Wingspan Design are registered trademarks of Lookout, Inc. in the United States and other countries. DAY OF SHECURITY, LOOKOUT MOBILE SECURITY, and POWERED BY LOOKOUT are registered trademarks of Lookout, Inc. in the United States. Lookout, Inc. maintains common law trademark rights in EVERYTHING IS OK, PROTECTED BY LOOKOUT, CIPHERCLOUD, and the 4 Bar Shield Design. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240321343161/en/ Lookout PR: [email protected] Source: Lookout, Inc. LYON, France--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- 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 for patients with cancer, today announced the appointment of Jonathan Chriqui, PharmD, as Chief Business Officer and member of the executive management team. Jonathan Chriqui will be responsible for MaaT Pharmas business development and partnering strategies along with promoting MaaT Pharma's innovations within the microbiome industry. We are very pleased to welcome Jonathan at this pivotal time for MaaT Pharma. Jonathans expertise and extensive experience will be instrumental in securing strategic partnerships and maximizing the potential of our pipeline. MaaT Pharma is now poised to propel its lead asset, MaaT013, into the next phase of development and prepare for its commercial launch, said Herve Affagard, Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of MaaT Pharma. Jonathan brings over 15 years of business development experience working at Ipsen and Servier, including leadership in strategic transactions in the field of microbiota as well as collaborations, licensing, M&A, and alliance management. Previously, he held the role of Chief Operating & Chief Business Development Officer at Somagenetix in Zurich, Switzerland, which is developing gene therapies for rare diseases in immunology, neurology, and oncology. The gut microbiome as a therapeutic modality holds the potential to transform cancer treatment, and I'm thrilled to join MaaT Pharma. My goal is to support the growth of the company, which is recognized worldwide for its technology leadership and innovative approach towards oncology indications. I look forward to contributing to the advancement of MaaT013 towards the market and supporting the companys mission of providing new treatment options for patients with cancer, shared Jonathan Chriqui, Chief Business Officer at MaaT Pharma. 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 has launched, in March 2022, an open-label, single-arm Phase 3 clinical trial in patients with acute GvHD, 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 companys 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 Companys 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 Companys control that could cause the Companys actual results or performance to be materially different from the expected results or performance expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240321071270/en/ MaaT Pharma Investor Relations Guilhaume DEBROAS, Ph.D. Head of Investor Relations +33 6 16 48 92 50 [email protected] MaaT Pharma Media Relations Pauline RICHAUD Senior PR & Corporate Communications Manager +33 6 14 06 45 92 [email protected] Trophic Communications Corporate Communications Jacob VERGHESE or Priscillia PERRIN +49 151 7441 6179 [email protected] Source: MaaT Pharma Small-package TO-56CAN will contribute to miniaturized, low-power consumption of optical transceiver modules TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (TOKYO: 6503) announced today that it will begin shipping samples of its latest optical device, a DFB-CAN with built-in wavelength monitor, on April 1. This innovative new light source, the industrys first to use the TO-56CAN package for digital coherent communication capable of high-speed, long-distance transmission, is expected to contribute to the realization of ultra-small, low-power consumption of optical transceiver modules. Communication traffic is growing rapidly due to advances in IoT technology, high-resolution video streaming, and generative AI technology, requiring networks to deliver ever-higher speeds and capacities. However, faster optical communication signal speeds can cause waveform distortion due to chromatic dispersion, which limits signal transmission distances. Digital coherent communication corrects such distortions using digital signal processing technology, allowing optical signals to be transmitted at higher speeds and over longer distances compared to conventional intensity modulation methods. In parallel, the use of optical transceiver modules is increasing as optical communication traffic grows. Both trends are driving demand for optical transceiver modules and related components that combine small footprints and low power consumption. Mitsubishi Electrics new DFB-CANs compact package includes a DFB laser chip and a wavelength monitor chip. Its unprecedented low-power consumption of only 1W was achieved by improving the thermal exchange element for temperature control in the DFB laser chip and optimizing the design for heat dissipation. For the full text, please visit: www.MitsubishiElectric.com/news/ View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240320029306/en/ Customer Inquiries Semiconductor & Device Marketing Div.B Mitsubishi Electric Corporation www.MitsubishiElectric.com/semiconductors/ Media Inquiries Takeyoshi Komatsu Public Relations Division Mitsubishi Electric Corporation Tel: +81-3-3218-2346 [email protected] www.MitsubishiElectric.com/news/ Source: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- MV Oil Trust (the Trust) (NYSE: MVO) on March 20, 2024 filed its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC). The Annual Report on Form 10-K is available in the SEC Filings section of the Trusts website at http://mvo.q4web.com/home/default.aspx as well as on the SECs website at www.sec.gov. Trust unitholders may also request a printed copy of the Annual Report on Form 10-K, which includes audited financial statements, free of charge by submitting a request in writing to: MV Oil Trust The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee Elaina C. Rodgers (713) 483-6020 601 Travis Street, Floor 16, Houston, TX 77002 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240321575048/en/ MV Oil Trust The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee Elaina C. Rodgers (713) 483-6020 Source: MV Oil Trust Tuesday, March 26 HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority will hold its Regular Commission Monthly Meeting on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, beginning at 9:15 a.m. A quorum of the Port Commission, along with executive leadership, will be present in the boardroom of the Port Houston Executive Office Building, located at 111 East Loop North, Houston, TX 77029. It will be conducted as a hybrid meeting open to the public to attend in person or access virtually via WebEx webinar. The agenda and instructions for accessing Port Houston public meetings are available at https://www.porthouston.com/about/public-meetings/agendas-minutes/. Sign-up for public comment is available up to an hour before the meeting by contacting Erik Eriksson at [email protected] or Liana Christian at [email protected]. Immediately following or thereafter the adjournment of the Port Commission meeting, the Port Commission Community Relations Committee is also scheduled to meet at 10:00 a.m. The next Port Commission Regular Monthly Meeting is on Tuesday, April 23, 2024. About Port Houston For more than 100 years, Port Houston has owned and operated the public wharves and terminals along the Houston Ship Channel the nations largest port for waterborne tonnage and an essential economic engine for the Houston region, the state of Texas, and the U.S. nation. The more than 200 private and eight public terminals along the federal waterway supports the creation of nearly 1.54 million jobs in Texas and 3.37 million jobs nationwide, and economic activity totaling $439 billion in Texas 19% of Texas total gross domestic product (GDP) and a total of $906 billion in economic impact across the nation. For more information, visit the website: https://porthouston.com/ View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240321954194/en/ Lisa Ashley-Daniels, Director, Public Relations, Port Houston Office: 713-670-2644; Mobile: 832-247-8179; E-mail: [email protected] Source: Port Houston FRANKLIN, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Resource Label Group, LLC (RLG), a leading full-service provider of label and packaging solutions including pressure sensitive labels, shrink sleeves, flexible packaging, folding cartons, durable labels, and RFID/NFC technology, recently announced it has acquired Labelcraft, which operates two locations in Toronto, Canada and Dallas, Texas. Since its start in 1967, Labelcraft has been a leading manufacturer of printed custom pressure sensitive labels, eco-friendly stickers, decals, temporary tattoos, and other products. In 2017, Labelcraft launched an industry first, 100% recyclable label release liner with the patented Enviroliner. Since that time, the company has made significant capital investments to expand their capacity and sustainable label offering. Sustainability is a key part of the Labelcraft culture and is critically important to our customers. We have a long history of delivering innovative sustainable solutions to our customers, stated CEO and Owner, Brian Tomlinson. We chose to partner with Resource Label Group because they share our commitment to protecting the environment and desire to expand these solutions to a wider variety of customers. Mike Apperson, President and CEO of Resource Label Group, added, We are proud to welcome the talented team at Labelcraft to the RLG family. Both RLG and Labelcraft share a commitment to providing industry leading sustainable packaging solutions. Together, we will continue to strengthen and expand our product offering to help customers achieve their sustainability goals. Labelcraft represents the 31st acquisition for RLG. About Resource Label Group Resource Label Group, LLC is a leading full-service provider of label and packaging solutions with a diverse product offering which includes pressure sensitive labels, shrink sleeves, flexible packaging, RFID/NFC technology, sustainable product solutions, scent activation technology, industrial solutions, healthcare packaging and fulfillment services. RLG provides products and services for the food, beverage, chemical, household products, personal care, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, medical device, and technology industries. Headquartered in Franklin, TN and with thirty locations across the U.S. and Canada, RLG provides national leadership and scale to deliver capabilities, technologies, systems, and creative solutions that customers require. RLG is a portfolio company of Ares Management Corporation. For additional information, visit www.resourcelabel.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240321457675/en/ Marsha Frydrychowski, (224) 315-4851 [email protected] Source: Resource Label Group, LLC SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- In a significant move to enhance revenue opportunities for property managers, RMS North America and its subsidiary, Solonis, are excited to announce their partnership and successful integration with Vrbo, a global leader in vacation rental marketplaces. This collaboration marks another milestone in delivering innovative solutions to property managers and guests worldwide. Renowned for its cutting-edge Property Management Software, RMS and Solonis empower hospitality operators to manage their properties with unparalleled efficiency. Its platform is designed for scalability and flexibility, encompassing all property sizes and types. Well-known in the vacation rental marketplace for its emphasis on memorable experiences for families and friends, Vrbo connects millions of active users seeking accommodations tailored to group travel. It has established itself as the preferred platform for planning family vacations and group stays. The collaboration between RMS, Solonis, and Vrbo represents a significant advancement for RMS and Solonis property managers. By integrating with Vrbo, a seasoned player in the vacation rental market, RMS and Solonis enhance their Property Management Software to now include direct access to Vrbo's substantial family- and friend-focused audience. Were thrilled to join forces with Vrbo, says Frederic Dominioni, Chief Revenue Officer of RMS North America. By integrating our solutions, well empower property managers with best-in-class technology, streamlining operations and driving increased bookings with wider exposure. Dominioni adds, This is a win-win for property managers and travelers alike, unlocking a seamless rental experience. Together, we're unlocking new possibilities for vacation rentals." The integration of Vrbo with RMS and Solonis's PMS opens new avenues for property managers. This partnership is particularly advantageous for those catering to families and groups, a demographic that typically brings higher occupancy rates and longer stays. Increased Visibility: Gain access to Vrbo's extensive audience, significantly boosting booking potential, especially in high-demand markets. Enhanced Revenue Opportunities: Families and groups often book longer stays in larger accommodations, leading to increased revenue per booking. Strategic Market Incentives: Vrbo offers unique incentives for properties in regions with high demand and low availability, encouraging optimal listing and pricing strategies. Upsell Potential: More guests per booking presents increased chances for upselling amenities and services tailored to group needs. Looking ahead: a bright future for RMS, Solonis, and Vrbo The partnership between RMS, Solonis, and Vrbo is another step in the ongoing journey toward redefining hospitality management and bringing continued success and growth to our properties. As we continue to innovate and expand our offerings, RMS and Solonis remain dedicated to equipping users with the tools and opportunities essential for thriving in a dynamic market. About RMS North America RMS offers cloud-based property management solutions to fit the needs of the global hospitality industry, supporting over 6,000 properties worldwide. With more than 40 years of industry experience, their feature-rich technology is specifically designed to meet the unique needs of campgrounds, RV parks, National/State Parks, and marinas. For more information, please visit americas.rmscloud.com. About Solonis Solonis is an intuitive property management system powered by business intelligence that offers the hospitality industry a single, robust solution for managing hotels, resorts, vacation rentals and corporate housing. Its ease of use, streamlined onboarding, and 24/7 support make it the preferred PMS solution. Headquartered in San Diego, Solonis is the vision of hospitality experts and technologists who believe it is time for a new era of property management. For more information, visit solonis.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240321237312/en/ Lauren Watt Trevelino/Keller [email protected] Source: RMS North America CAMARILLO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Salem Media Group, Inc. (OTCQX: SALM) announced today that it entered into an agreement to sell its contemporary Christian music stations in Nashville, Tennessee and Honolulu, Hawaii to Educational Media Foundation (EMF). EMF operates Christian music stations across the country as K-LOVE and Air1. Salems Todays Christian Music (TCM) network is not affected by these sales. Salem Media CEO David Santrella stated, Salem remains steadfast in our commitment to paying down debt and reducing our overall leverage. The sale of these radio stations helps achieve those goals. At the same time, we are focused on the stations staying in mission format. We are happy to be working with our good friends at EMF to continue impacting lives through music. We are grateful for our staff at these stations that have worked tirelessly over the years. Santrella continued, With this change, Mike Blakemore, Salems VP of CCM Programming, will provide focus and leadership to programming TCM, which remains an important part of Salems content offerings. Salem expects to close on the sale of these stations sometime in late May or early June. ABOUT SALEM MEDIA GROUP: Salem Media Group is Americas leading multimedia company specializing in Christian and conservative content, with media properties comprising radio, digital media and book and newsletter publishing. Each day Salem serves a loyal and dedicated audience of listeners and readers numbering in the millions nationally. With its unique programming focus, Salem provides compelling content, fresh commentary and relevant information from some of the most respected figures across the Christian and conservative media landscape. Learn more about Salem Media Group, Inc. at www.salemmedia.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240315754382/en/ Evan D. Masyr Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (805) 384-4512 [email protected] Source: Salem Media Group, Inc. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says he will share alternatives to Israel's planned ground assault into the southern Gaza town of Rafah when he meets with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his War Cabinet on Friday. Blinken and Arab leaders on Thursday discussed efforts for a cease-fire and ideas for Gazas post-conflict future during his sixth visit to the region since the start of the Israel-Hamas war. Growing disagreements between Netanyahu and President Joe Biden over Israel's prosecution of the war will likely overshadow this week's talks, although the Biden administration policy of providing crucial military aid and diplomatic support for Israel remains unchanged. The Health Ministry in Gaza raised the territory's death toll Thursday to nearly 32,000 Palestinians. The ministry doesnt differentiate between civilians and combatants in its count but says women and children make up two-thirds of the dead. The international communitys authority on determining the severity of hunger crises has warned that famine is imminent in northern Gaza. Palestinian militants killed some 1,200 people in the surprise Oct. 7 attack out of Gaza that triggered the war, and abducted another 250 people. Hamas is still believed to be holding some 100 people hostage, as well as the remains of 30 others. Currently: Blinken huddles on Gaza with Arab diplomats in Cairo as U.S.-Israel relations sour Why Israel is so determined to launch an offensive in Rafah. A Palestinian boy is shot dead after he lit a firework. Israels use of deadly force is scrutinized. U.N. chief urges the EU to avoid double standards over Gaza and Ukraine. U.S. House speaker says he plans to invite Netanyahu to address the Congress. Find more of APs coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war. Here's the latest: U.S. CALLS FOR A U.N. VOTE ON A STRONGER GAZA CEASE-FIRE RESOLUTION UNITED NATIONS The United States called for a vote to be held Friday on a newly revised and tougher U.N. Security Council resolution declaring that an immediate and sustained cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza is imperative to protect civilians and enable humanitarian aid to be delivered to more than two million hungry Palestinians. Story continues In the previous draft, the Security Council did not make such a declaration. Instead, it would have supported international efforts for a cease-fire as part of a hostage deal. The new draft obtained Thursday by The Associated Press determines which is a council order the imperative of an immediate and sustained cease-fire, with no direct link to the release of hostages taken during Hamas surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7. But it would unequivocally support diplomatic efforts to secure such a cease-fire in connection with the release of all remaining hostages. After the 15 Security Council members met behind closed doors Thursday afternoon to discuss Gaza, U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said when asked if the U.S. draft will be adopted: I am optimistic. Thats why it took us so long. Russias deputy U.N. ambassador Dmitry Polyansky told reporters that U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is pressing for an immediate cease-fire, and if the resolution calls for an immediate cease-fire we will, of course, support it. But he questioned the wording of the U.S. draft, asking, Whats an imperative? I have an imperative to give you $100, but its only an imperative, not $100. So somebodys fooling around, I think, (with the) international community, Polyansky said. We are not satisfied with anything that doesnt call for immediate cease-fire. I think everybody is not satisfied with this. Even secretary Blinken is not satisfied. ISRAELS RAID ON SHIFA HOSPITAL NETS 350 MILITANT ARRESTS, ARMY SAYS JERUSALEM The Israeli military says 350 Palestinian militants were among the 500 people it has arrested in an open-ended raid on Shifa Hospital in northern Gaza, where soldiers are clearing out patients from the emergency room. Israel also says it has killed dozens of militants in the operation, however there was no way to independently confirm if the dead or detained were combatants. Israeli troops entered Gazas largest hospital complex on Monday, months after an earlier operation at the facility, claiming Hamas had regrouped there. Army spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari told a news conference Thursday that the operation will continue for a number of days. Hagari says troops have arrested over 500 suspects and identified some 358 militants from Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Hagari says many had surrendered and had given very valuable information to interrogators. The claim could not be independently verified. He also said that militants had barricaded themselves inside hospital buildings, including an area near the emergency room. He said some 220 patients were being moved to other areas of the hospital compound while troops operated. Hagari says troops are conducting sweeps throughout the sprawling compound. There will be continuing battles. This operation will go on for a number of days. The raid was a new blow to the Shifa medical complex, which had only partially resumed operations after a destructive Israeli raid in November. HEAD OF ISRAEL'S MOSSAD SPY AGENCY WILL RETURN TO QATAR FOR CEASE-FIRE TALKS JERUSALEM Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office says the head of the Mossad spy agency will return to Qatar on Friday to meet with the head of the CIA and other key mediators as part of ongoing cease-fire talks. The office said Thursday that Qatars prime minister and Egypts intelligence chief would also join the talks. The announcement came as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken was in the region pushing ahead with efforts to pause the war between Israel and Hamas, now in its sixth month. Blinken is expected in Israel on Friday. Qatar, the U.S. and Egypt have been trying to broker a deal that would pause the fighting between Israel and Hamas for at least six weeks. During that time, Hamas would release some of the more than 100 hostages it is holding in Gaza. Israel would release some of the thousands of Palestinian prisoners it is holding and it would allow more aid to enter the war-battered Gaza Strip. HEAD OF W.H.O. SAYS 60% OF GAZA KIDS UNDER AGE 5 ARE MALNOURISHED, UP FROM 1% BEFORE THE WAR GENEVA The head of the World Health Organization said so little food has been allowed into Gaza that up to 60% of children under five are now malnourished, compared with fewer than 1% before the war began. At a press briefing on Thursday, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said virtually all households are already skipping meals. The future of an entire generation is in serious peril, he said, adding that children in Gaza need therapeutic food aimed at their needs. Despite the supplies of this specialized food in the region, Tedros said it could not be allocated due to security problems. He welcomed the recent air and sea deliveries of aid, but said the only way to dramatically boost the delivery of food to Gaza was through land deliveries. Tedros said WHO was also troubled by the latest siege of Shifa Hospital in Gaza, saying reports of health workers being arrested and delayed had added to security worries. A planned UN mission there was recently cancelled, he said. Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, WHOs representative to the occupied Palestinian territory, said he had never seen so many severe trauma injuries or amputations involving children as he had during recent trips to Gaza. He said the process to evacuate patients requiring urgent medical care like cancer treatment and dialysis abroad was failing, even as countries including Egypt and members of the European Union had agreed to accept patients. We need to get them out, he said. These patients deserve better. ISRAELI MILITARY INVESTIGATES TROOPS FATAL SHOOTING OF PALESTINIAN WHO HAD CONVERTED TO JUDAISM JERUSALEM Israels military has opened an investigation after its forces in the occupied West Bank fatally shot a Palestinian man who had converted to Judaism. The military says its soldiers shot the man at an intersection Thursday after he aroused suspicion. But Israeli settlers say the man was well known and had good relations with them. Noam Arnon, a spokesman for the Jewish community in the flashpoint city of Hebron, identified the man as 62-year-old David Ben Abraham. He says Ben Abraham was a Palestinian Muslim from Hebron who had converted to Judaism in 2019. Previously his name was Sameh Zaytoun. Arnon says he and other members of Hebrons ultranationalist Jewish community supported Ben Abraham on his conversion journey and unsuccessfully tried to help him obtain Israeli citizenship. Arnon says Ben Abraham was regularly threatened by the Palestinian Authority for his religious beliefs, including being held in Palestinian jails for months at a time. Unfortunately he was a wanderer between worlds and never found his place, Arnon said. Even now, hes still between worlds, because Im not sure where we will bury him. The circumstances of the shooting remained unclear. Israeli media reported that Ben Abraham had his hands raised when he was shot. The army called it a severe incident and immediately opened an investigation. The military says it holds its soldiers accountable for violations of open-fire orders. But rights groups say that investigations into the shootings of Palestinians almost never lead to indictments, much less convictions. Since the Israel-Hamas war began on Oct. 7, violence in the West Bank has surged. The Palestinian Health Ministry says at least 440 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since the wars start. U.S. WANTS A SWIFT U.N. VOTE ON ITS NEW GAZA CEASE-FIRE RESOLUTION UNITED NATIONS The United States is seeking a swift vote on a newly revised and tougher U.N. Security Council resolution demanding an immediate and sustained cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza to protect civilians and enable humanitarian aid deliveries for more than 2 million hungry Palestinians. In the previous draft, the council would not have demanded a cease-fire. Instead, it would have supported international efforts for a cease-fire as part of a hostage deal. The new draft obtained Thursday by The Associated Press determines which is a council order the imperative of an immediate and sustained cease-fire with no direct link to the release of hostages taken during Hamas surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7. The earlier draft was not widely supported in the 15-member council where 13 members had voted in favor of an Arab-backed resolution demanding an immediate humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza that the U.S. vetoed on Feb. 20. The new U.S. draft states in strong language that the Security Council determines the imperative of an immediate and sustained cease-fire, with no direct link to the release of hostages taken during Hamas surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7. U.S. deputy ambassador Robert Wood told reporters who asked Thursday when a vote would take place, We would like to do it as soon as possible maybe before the end of the week. We think it is a good text. Everyone should be able to get behind it, Wood said. And were going to continue to work to the last minute to make sure that we get as many votes as possible. Meanwhile, the 10 elected members of the Security Council have been drafting their own resolution which would demand an immediate humanitarian cease-fire for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan which began March 10 respected by all parties leading to a permanent sustainable cease-fire. It also demands the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. ARREST WARRANTS ISSUED FOR TWO LEBANESE CITIZENS IN CONNECTION WITH TARGETED KILLING OF HAMAS OFFICIAL BEIRUT Judicial officials in Lebanon say an investigative judge has issued arrest warrants for two people on suspicion of giving information to Israel including the digital mapping of a Beirut street where a top official with the Palestinian Hamas group was killed in January. The officials said Thursday that Fadi Sawwan, the investigative judge at the military tribunal, issued the arrest warrants earlier this week for the two Lebanese citizens weeks after they were detained while using sophisticated digital mapping equipment. The Israeli military did not immediately return requests for comment. The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations, said the two men had earlier mapped streets in different parts of Lebanon including Beiruts southern suburbs that are home to the leadership of the militant Hezbollah group. They said the men said they thought they were sending the information to a U.S.-based company that does virtual tourism business. The two officials said among the streets that they mapped was the one where the deputy leader of Hamas, Saleh Arouri, was killed along with six other militants in a January strike that hit an apartment. They said the street was mapped nearly two weeks before Arouri was killed. The officials said the two are in custody and were charged with spying for a foreign country and obtaining information that should remain secret because of national security. The officials said the two could get a sentence of up to life in prison. ___ Associated Press writer Bassem Mroue contributed. U.S. HOUSE SPEAKER SAYS HE PLANS TO INVITE NETANYAHU TO GIVE SPEECH TO CONGRESS WASHINGTON House Speaker Mike Johnson says he is planning to invite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address the U.S. Congress. I would love to have him come in and address a joint session of Congress, Johnson said Thursday morning on CNBC. Well certainly extend that invitation. Johnson said it would be a great honor of mine to invite him but were just trying to work out schedules on all this. U.S. Republicans have rallied around Netanyahu after Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., called for new elections in Israel on the Senate floor last week. Schumer said he believes that the prime minister has lost his way and is an obstacle to peace in the region amid the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Johnson spoke with Netanyahu Wednesday morning. He told reporters afterward that he had a lengthy conversation with the prime minister. I reiterated to him the House Republicans strong support for Israel in their efforts there, Johnson said. Netanyahu spoke by video with Senate Republicans at their weekly caucus lunch on Wednesday, telling them that he believes he still has support in the United States and Israel and that he believes Schumers remarks were inappropriate. Johnsons invitation comes as there is an ongoing case at the top United Nations court in which South Africa accuses Netanyahus government of breaching the Genocide Convention with its war in Gaza against Hamas. The court in December ordered Israel to do all it can to prevent death, destruction and any acts of genocide in Gaza. Israel strongly denies breaching the convention. COMMERCIAL SHIPS WILL TRANSPORT AID TO GAZA, U.S. OFFICIAL SAYS LARNACA, Cyprus - A senior U.S. official says commercial ships will be employed to convey humanitarian aid from Cyprus once a U.S. built-pier and floating dock are completed by the May 1 target date. National Security Council Chief Curtis Ried told reporters Thursday the United Nations and its humanitarian agencies including world bodys relief agency for Palestinians UNRWA remain the best method that we have to deliver assistance to the territory. Speaking during a Cyprus-hosted meeting of officials from 35 nations interested to contribute in the effort, Ried said currently, theres no way to substitute the UNRWAs distribution network in Gaza quickly, but it may be replaced over time. He said U.S. troops will not be deployed to Gaza to provide security. Instead, Israeli forces will provide an outer security perimeter and that officials are currently in discussions with third nations to possibly offer troops to secure aid deliveries in the immediate vicinity of the pier. The U.N. in partnership with Cyprus will coordinate collection of goods donated by third countries to ensure the appropriate kind of help reaches those who need it most. A fund is currently being set up for that purpose. The aid will be security screened in Cyprus according to established protocols in cooperation with Israeli officials and then be shipped to a floating dock some miles off the Gaza coast before being transferred on land via the pier. The aid will then be loaded onto Palestinian trucks and distributed according to the U.N. network in Gaza. Between now and May 1, the U.S. charity World Central Kitchen founded by celebrity chef Jose Andres will continue to ship aid to Gaza through its own jetty. The charity sent its first batch of 200 tons of aid last week with a boat owned by the Spanish aid group Open Arms. A second ship is ready to depart once weather conditions off Gaza improve later this week or early next week, according to Cyprus Foreign Minister Constantinos Combos. Ried said the U.S. was primarily focused on expanding overland aid deliveries, but that changed with the new year when U.S. President Joe Biden decided to also pursue the maritime corridor alternative. DUTCH POLICE SAY A BURNING OBJECT THROWN AT ISRAELI EMBASSY, SUSPECT ARRESTED THE HAGUE, Netherlands Police in The Hague say that somebody threw a burning object at the Israeli Embassy in the Dutch city and that they arrested a suspect. The embassy said in a statement posted on its Facebook side that it is unacceptable that such an attack can happen in the Netherlands. It said that nobody was injured in the attack Thursday. We trust that the authorities will take all possible measures to prevent such attacks, it added. The embassy says that the attack demonstrates the dangerous consequences of the worrying trend of growing hate and incitement. This hate cannot be tolerated. Police did not release any information about the suspect. BLINKEN MEETS WITH EGYPT'S PRESIDENT ON HIS SIXTH MIDEAST TRIP SINCE THE ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR BEGAN CAIRO U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Cairo and met with Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi on Thursday during his sixth trip to the Middle East since the start of the Israel-Hamas war. Blinken was in Saudi Arabia the day before, where he met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. A senior State Department official traveling with Blinken said the Saudi talks focused on the bilateral portion of a larger plan in which Saudi Arabia would recognize Israel in return for credible progress on the creation of a Palestinian state. Israels current government is staunchly opposed to Palestinian statehood, which Saudis have said is an essential component to any normalization agreement. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss private diplomatic talks, says only a handful of issues remain in the U.S.-Saudi component of the plan. That part of the plan is widely believed to include U.S. defense guarantees and aid in building a civilian nuclear program in Saudi Arabia. Blinken was set to meet with Arab foreign ministers later Thursday to discuss broader security assurances for Israel another component of the broader plan and an Arab role in governing and rebuilding postwar Gaza. Blinken will travel to Israel on Friday for talks expected to focus on efforts to broker a deal on a cease-fire and the release of hostages, as well as U.S. concerns about Israels plans to expand its ground offensive to the southern Gaza city of Rafah. Those talks will also focus on increasing humanitarian aid to Gaza. ___ AP Diplomatic Writer Matthew Lee contributed. HEALTH MINISTRY RAISES DEATH TOLL IN GAZA TO NEARLY 32,000 PALESTINIANS RAFAH, Gaza Strip Gazas Health Ministry says the overall Palestinian death toll from the Israel-Hamas war has climbed to nearly 32,000. The ministry says 31,988 Palestinians have been killed since Hamas Oct. 7 attack triggered the war, and another 74,188 Palestinians have been wounded. It says 65 bodies have been brought to hospitals in the past 24 hours, as well as 92 wounded people. The ministry does not distinguish between fighters and civilians in its figures, but says women and children make up around two-thirds of those killed. Israels military says it has killed over 13,000 militants, without providing evidence. The Gaza Health Ministry, which is part of the Hamas-run government, maintains detailed casualty records. Its figures from previous wars largely matched those of United Nations bodies, independent experts and even the Israeli militarys tallies. Palestinian militants killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took around 250 hostage after storming across the border into southern Israel on Oct. 7. More than 100 hostages were freed in November in exchange for the release of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. ISRAELI ACTIVISTS LAUNCH CROWDFUNDING CAMPAIGN FOR SANCTIONED SETTLER'S BROTHER JERUSALEM Israeli activists have launched an online fundraiser that mentions the family of an extremist settler sanctioned by United States President Joe Biden's administration for alleged attacks on Palestinians and Israeli human rights activists. The campaign appears to be an effort to skirt U.S. sanctions on violent Israeli settlers and the unauthorized settlement outposts where they live. The sanctions prevent settlers from accessing the American financial system and expose them to an asset freeze. The fundraiser does not directly mention the sanctioned settler, Moshe Sharvit, nor his outpost, but says it is raising money for settlement activities in memory of his brother, who was killed in fighting in Israels war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The page says the funds are to build a synagogue, educational center and facility for Torah study in the Jordan Valley, where Sharvits sanctioned outpost is located. Hosted on the Israeli crowdfunding site Givechak, the campaign raised over $875,000 from more than 10,500 donors as of Wednesday. The site is the latest in a string of online fundraising campaigns that have collected the equivalent of hundreds of thousands of dollars for settlers sanctioned by the U.S. and Britain. At least two crowdfunding pages for sanctioned settlers have now been taken down. Sharvit and Givechak did not respond to requests for comment. ISRAEL SAYS ITS AIRSTRIKE KILLED 2 MILITANTS IN THE WEST BANK JERUSALEM The Israeli military says it launched an airstrike that killed two Palestinian militants during a raid in the West Bank. The military said in a statement early Thursday that the two posed a threat to its forces, which were operating in the built-up Nur Shams refugee camp in the West Bank town of Tulkarem. The Palestinian Health Ministry and the Palestinian Red Crescent rescue service both said four people were killed in Nur Shams, including the two killed in the airstrike, without saying whether they were civilians or combatants. Hamas later identified all four of the Palestinians killed in Nur Shams as its fighters. On Wednesday, a separate Israeli airstrike killed three Palestinian militants traveling in a car in the northern West Bank. The Islamic Jihad group claimed them as members. Violence across the Israeli-occupied West Bank has surged since the Israel-Hamas war broke out last Oct. 7. Since then, at least 435 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank by Israeli fire, according to Palestinian health officials. The Palestinians seek an independent state in the West Bank, Gaza and east Jerusalem, territories Israel captured in the 1967 Mideast war. THE GAPS ARE NARROWING IN NEGOTIATIONS FOR A NEW ISRAEL-HAMAS CEASE-FIRE DEAL, BLINKEN SAYS JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken says the gaps are narrowing in indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas over another cease-fire and hostage release. The United States, Egypt and Qatar have spent several weeks trying to broker an agreement to pause the fighting in Gaza and bring about the release of more of the scores of hostages captured by Hamas in its Oct. 7 attack that started the war. Blinkens sixth visit to the region since the start of the war began in Saudi Arabia and will take him to Egypt on Thursday and Israel on Friday. In an interview Wednesday with the Al-Hadath network in Saudi Arabia, Blinken said the gaps are narrowing, and I think an agreement is very much possible. He said the mediators worked with Israel to put a strong proposal on the table but that Hamas rejected it. But, he said, Hamas came back with other demands that the mediators are working on. Hamas has demanded guarantees that any cease-fire agreement will lead to an end to the war and the return of Palestinians to northern Gaza, from which hundreds of thousands fled following Israeli evacuation orders in October. Israel has thus far rejected those demands, saying it is determined to renew its offensive after any cease-fire and continue fighting until it destroys Hamas. Hamas is still believed to be holding around 100 hostages, as well as the remains of around 30 others. It hopes to exchange them for the release of large numbers of Palestinian prisoners, including top militants. The Associated Press HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Lanier Law Firm is pleased to announce that firm attorneys Jonathan Armour, Natalie Armour, Ryan Ellis, Caroline McLeod, Rebecca Phillips, and Christopher Phipps have been named among the states top young lawyers on the 2024 list of Texas Rising Stars. Published by Thomson Reuters, the guide recognizes only 5% of Texas attorneys who either are 40 years of age or younger or have been in practice for 10 years or less. The six from the Lanier Law Firm represent the largest number of firm attorneys selected since the inception of the list in 2004. Mr. Armour represents clients in a variety of civil litigation matters, including toxic torts and asbestos-related injuries. In addition to his litigation expertise, he is also a trained mediator with experience mediating cases on matters including contract and family law. Ms. Armour is recognized for her work in trial and appellate litigation involving mass torts, pharmaceutical and medical devices, and other types of liability claims and commercial disputes. She was a key member of the firm's litigation team that won a multibillion-dollar jury verdict against Johnson & Johnson in 2018 and was a member of the team that successfully briefed the matter before the Missouri Court of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court. Named to the list in Business Litigation, Mr. Ellis focuses his practice on business disputes and environmental class action matters. He has represented individuals and companies of all sizes and across a wide range of industries in both state and federal court, as well as in private arbitration. Ms. McLeod joined the Issues and Appeals section of The Lanier Law Firm in 2018. Her practice involves briefing in trial and appellate courts in mass tort litigation, product liability, personal injury, and commercial litigation. She was recently recognized by Best Lawyers on the nationwide list of Ones To Watch in Appellate Practice. Ms. Phillips has a diverse practice of personal injury litigation, including mass torts, class actions, and complex business cases. She was recently appointed as co-lead counsel in class action litigation seeking justice for individuals injured by defective port catheter products manufactured by Bard. Mr. Phipps focuses on bankruptcy-related actions for the firms acclaimed Asbestos and Toxic Exposure practice, where he applies his extensive administrative and regulatory knowledge to protect the rights of the firms clients and achieve the greatest results. Prior to joining the firm, he worked for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Washington, D.C. The full list of Texas Rising Stars is published in the April 2024 issue of Texas Monthly. About the Lanier Law Firm For more than 30 years, the men and women at The Lanier Law Firm have worked tirelessly, throughout the United States, to find unique and effective solutions for their clients. More than 60 skilled attorneys practice law in a broad array of areas, including business litigation, pharmaceutical litigation, asbestos exposure, oil and gas litigation, personal injury as well as defective and dangerous products, among others. Named an Elite Trial Law Firm by The National Law Journal, The Lanier Law Firm has offices in Houston, New York and Los Angeles. To learn more visit http://www.lanierlawfirm.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240321414768/en/ J.D. Cargill 713-659-5200 [email protected] Source: Lanier Law Firm Star Mountain Capital, an employee-owned, specialized private credit and secondaries investment manager with ~$4 billion in assets under management targeting systematic alpha and low market correlated returns for its clients announced that Frank Porcelli has joined as Senior Advisor. NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Star Mountain Capital, LLC (Star Mountain), a rapidly growing specialized private credit and secondaries investment firm targeting systematic alpha and low market correlated returns for its global institutional and high-net-worth investors is pleased to announce that Frank Porcelli has joined as Senior Advisor. Star Mountain has one of the largest teams focused on investing in established, profitable, small and medium-sized private U.S. businesses (the lower middle-market) which represents approximately 50% of U.S. GDP. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240320564063/en/ Star Mountain adds new Senior Advisor, Frank Porcelli (Photo: Business Wire) Frank Porcelli has had a distinguished 30+ year career in asset management and wealth management. While he was at BlackRock (NYSE: BLK), one of the worlds largest asset management firms at nearly $10 trillion of assets under management, he headed its U.S. Wealth Business and was a member of their Operating Committee and helped that division grow assets under management from $250 billion to $1 trillion. Mr. Porcelli retired from BlackRock after 14 years, where he served as a member of the firms Operating Committee and head of the firms US wealth advisory business. As the head of US Wealth Advisory, he had been responsible for integrating iShares with active coverage, creating the independent channel and shifting BlackRocks strategic focus from product sales to portfolio construction. We are honored to have Frank join Star Mountain as an aligned Senior Advisor bringing extensive strategic leadership, business management and client service experience, said Brett Hickey, Star Mountain Capital Founder & CEO. His experience with helping build a strong client service organization at BlackRock will help us continue to provide our investors with the best service possible in accessing the benefits of the less efficient and large U.S. lower middle-market. Having experienced the results for my own portfolio as an investor with Star Mountain, I am thrilled to be joining as a Senior Advisor, said Frank Porcelli. I believe many institutional and high-net-worth investors can benefit from the higher returns and low market correlation that Star Mountain targets through its distinctive platform in this large and inefficient U.S. lower middle-market. Prior to joining BlackRock, Mr. Porcelli served as the managing director of institutional sales and consultant relations at Putnam Investments for six years and director of corporate asset management services at Goldman Sachs for three years. Previously, he held various roles at Smith Barney, including director of retirement services, head of unit investment trusts, chief operating officer of Smith Barney Mutual Funds and manager of strategic planning. Mr. Porcelli is currently Managing Partner at Convergency Partners, a unique advisory and consulting business focused on the formulation and execution of growth strategies for asset management, wealth management and financial technology clients. He earned his bachelors degree in accounting from Pace University and is on the Board of Trustees of Partnership Schools, a non-profit supporting elementary school education in underserved communities. About Star Mountain With ~$4 billion in assets under management (committed capital including debt facilities as of 2/29/2024), Star Mountain takes a data-driven approach to investing into the North American lower middle-market through two complementary investment strategies: (i) direct debt and equity investing and (ii) secondaries (acquiring LP interests and direct assets and making primary LP commitments). Star Mountain believes these complementary strategies provide data-enhanced, scalable, diversified, and customizable access for its institutional and qualifying high-net-worth investors to established businesses that generally have at least $15 million in annual revenues and under $50 million in EBITDA. Its investors include public pensions, private pensions, insurance companies, commercial banks, endowments, foundations, family offices and high-net-worth individuals. Star Mountain is 100% employee-owned and shares its profits with 100% of its U.S. full-time employees as part of its focus on maximizing value for its stakeholders and investors through alignment of interests. Since 2010, Star Mountain has made over 200 direct investments in businesses and over 40 secondary / fund investments within its Collaborative Ecosystem, focused on the North American lower middle-market. One of Star Mountains specialties is seeking current cash income for investors that is materially above the typical yields found in the public markets, often accompanied with potential long-term capital gains equity returns and low correlation to public markets through its distinctive origination, underwriting and value-added investment capabilities. Star Mountain was recently named one of the Inc. 5000 fastest-growing private companies in America. For the fifth straight year, Star Mountain was again named one of the Best Places to Work by Crains New York Business as well as once again one of the Best Places to Work by Pensions & Investments. Star Mountain believes its focus and dedication has been productive for job creation and economic development including in underserved areas and communities. Star Mountain is dedicated to this large market of underserved businesses purpose-built to address the challenges and opportunities of these companies. As part of its commitment, Star Mountain has trademarked Investing in the Growth Engine of America . Star Mountains Charitable Foundation, a not-for-profit 501(c)3 focuses on improving lives through economic development, including job creation, health & wellness and cancer research. Notable missions include helping match veterans and women with high quality small and medium-sized business career opportunities across the country, including within Star Mountains portfolio. Note: This does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to purchase interests in any investment product. Awards and recognitions by unaffiliated rating services, companies and/or publications should not be construed by a client or prospective client as a guarantee that he / she / it will experience a certain level of results if Star Mountain is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services; nor should they be construed as a current or past endorsement, testimonial endorsement, recommendation or referral of Star Mountain or its representatives by any of its clients or any other third party. Rankings published by magazines and others are generally based exclusively on information prepared and / or submitted by the recognized advisor. Moreover, with regard to all performance information contained herein, directly or indirectly, if any, readers should note that past results are not indicative of future results. The description and the selection methodologies of each award and recognition are subjective and will vary. Awards and recognitions by unaffiliated rating services, companies, and/or publications should not be construed by a client or prospective client as a guarantee that he/she/it will experience a certain level of results if SMFM is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services; nor should they be construed as a current or past endorsement, testimonial endorsement, recommendation or referral of SMFM or its representatives by any of its clients or any other third party. Rankings published by magazines and others are generally based exclusively on information prepared and/or submitted by the recognized advisor. Crains two-part survey process consisted of evaluating each nominated companys workplace policies, practices, philosophy, systems and demographics. The second part involved an employee survey to measure the employee experience. The combined scores determined the top companies and the final ranking. Star Mountain must pay a fee to Crains only for survey collection purposes. Detailed eligibility criteria can be found here: https://bestcompaniesgroup.com/best-companies-to-work-for-in-new-york/eligibility/ To be named to P&Is Best Places list, all firms met Best Companies high threshold for inclusion and were evaluated against others of similar size. Individual firm profiles, which were compiled based on survey results, reflect U.S. employment numbers and were confirmed by Best Companies in the summer. Company and employee comments were edited for space, style and clarity. Assets under management or advisement are as of June 30, unless otherwise noted. To participate, companies had to have at least 20 employees in the U.S., at least $100 million of discretionary assets under management or advisement and be in business for at least one year. An anonymous employee survey, which aimed to evaluate employee engagement and satisfaction, accounted for 75% of a firms score; an employer survey, which evaluated workplace policies, practices, benefits and demographics, made up 25%. https://bestcompaniesgroup.com/best-places-to-work-in-money-management/eligibility/ Companies on the 2023 Inc. 5000 are ranked according to percentage revenue growth from 2019 to 2022. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2019. They must be U.S.-based, privately held, for-profit, and independent--not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies--as of December 31, 2022. (Since then, some on the list may have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2019 is $100,000; the minimum for 2022 is $2 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons. Growth rates used to determine rankings were calculated to four decimal places. https://www.inc.com/inc5000 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240320564063/en/ John Polis [email protected] Source: Star Mountain Capital, LLC SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- TASI Bank, a division of Bank of Guam, is a proud sponsor of the 12th annual Che'lu Chamorro Cultural Festival (CCF) being held on March 23 at Oceanside Pier Amphitheater. Chamorro people from around the world come together for the family-friendly event. March is synonymous with Chamorro celebration month in San Diego County, home to the largest population of people identifying as Chamorros. Chamorros are the indigenous people from Guam, Saipan, and the Northern Mariana Islands. "As the U.S. mainland division of Bank of Guam," said TASI vice president of marketing Alan Gaul, "we have a true heritage with the Chamorro culture." The most renowned cultural contribution of Chamorro is undoubtedly its culinary delights. CCF brings together some of the finest Chamorro restaurants serving San Diego County. Millions of people know and crave Chamorro-style barbecue, red rice, chicken kelaguen, and more. The island food options at CCF are plentiful and can match almost any taste. "CHE'LU, the San Diego-based non-profit, has organized this annual party that has grown to become the largest annual gathering of people interested in Chamorro art, culture, and food on the United States mainland," said Danny Blas, the primary organizer of the event. About TASI Bank TASI Bank, headquartered in San Francisco and with a branch in San Diego, has served a broad community of business and commercial customers since 1983. A maverick in community banking, it builds value for its client base by being flexible and adaptive and providing the traditional services of a bank combined with online, fintech capabilities. A division of the Bank of Guam, TASI encourages its staff to create and deliver innovative products and services that meet customer needs. It defines its success by the level of success that customers achieve. As a Minority Depository Institution (MDI) and an SBA Preferred Lender, it has the regulatory flexibility and the expertise to say "yes" to customers who may have been denied at other institutions. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240321892337/en/ Alan M. Gaul 650-255-0085 [email protected] Source: TASI Bank KEARNEY, Neb.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Buckle, Inc. (NYSE: BKE) announced today that Kelli D. Molczyk is stepping down from her position as Senior Vice President of Womens Merchandising and has left the Company to pursue other opportunities, effective immediately. Ms. Molczyk has been employed by the Company since 1999, serving in various roles on the womens merchandising team during her nearly 25-year career with the Company. Dennis H. Nelson, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented I would like to thank Kelli for her contributions to Buckles growth and success as a valued member of our team for nearly 25 years. We wish her the best in all her future endeavors." About Buckle Buckle is a specialty retailer focused on delivering exceptional service and style through unforgettable experiences. Offering a curated mix of high-quality, on-trend apparel, accessories, and footwear, Buckle is for those living the styled life. Known as a denim destination, each store carries a wide selection of fits, styles, and finishes from leading denim brands, including the Companys exclusive brand, BKE. Headquartered in Kearney, Nebraska, Buckle currently operates 442 retail stores in 42 states. SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995: All forward-looking statements made by the Company involve material risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on factors which may be beyond the Company's control. Accordingly, the Companys future performance and financial results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in any such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, those described in the Companys filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company does not undertake to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements even if experience or future changes make it clear that any projected results expressed or implied therein will not be realized. News releases and other information on The Buckle, Inc. can be accessed at www.buckle.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240321412111/en/ Thomas B. Heacock, Chief Financial Officer The Buckle, Inc. (308) 236-8491 Source: The Buckle, Inc. PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News: In accordance with Article 5 of EU Regulation n 596/2014 (Market Abuse Regulation), detailed information is available on the website of Tikehau Capital: https://www.tikehaucapital.com/fr/shareholders/regulatory-information Disclosure of Shares Repurchases From 15 March 2024 to 21 March 2024 Name of the issuer Issuer Identity Code (LEI) Trading Day ISIN Aggregated volume per day (number of shares) Weighted average price per day Market (MIC Code) TIKEHAU CAPITAL 969500BY8TEU16U3SJ94 15/03/2024 FR0013230612 2,016 20.9444 XPAR TIKEHAU CAPITAL 969500BY8TEU16U3SJ94 18/03/2024 FR0013230612 2,000 20.5608 XPAR TIKEHAU CAPITAL 969500BY8TEU16U3SJ94 19/03/2024 FR0013230612 1,094 20.3862 XPAR TIKEHAU CAPITAL 969500BY8TEU16U3SJ94 20/03/2024 FR0013230612 499 20.2448 XPAR TIKEHAU CAPITAL 969500BY8TEU16U3SJ94 21/03/2024 FR0013230612 1,368 20.2458 XPAR TOTAL 6,977 20.5599 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240321754866/en/ Tikehau Capital Source: Tikehau Capital Newly established accreditation recognizes UniCares commitment to health equity, prioritizing the needs of socioeconomically marginalized individuals at the highest risk for adverse health outcomes. CHARLESTON, W.Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- UniCare Health Plan of West Virginia recently earned the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) Health Equity Accreditation Plus, a recognition of UniCares leadership in developing solutions to enhance access equitable, high-quality healthcare. Leading the way as the first it further underscores UniCares commitment to eliminating health disparities in underserved communities to improve health outcomes and reduce overall treatment costs. NCQAs Health Equity Accreditation Plus recognizes our unwavering dedication to eliminating health disparities and ensuring access to high-quality care for everyone, said Tadd Haynes, President, UniCare Health Plan of West Virginia. This milestone positions UniCare at the forefront of advancing health equity through our innovative and impactful programs and personalized care to improve the whole health of our members. NCQA Health Equity Accreditation Plus builds upon the Health Equity Accreditation designation UniCare received last year, when it was recognized among the first Medicaid plans in the nation to create a strategic framework that prioritizes health equity based on race, ethnicity, language, sexual orientation, and gender identity. The new Health Equity Accreditation Plus goes a step further by acknowledging UniCares data-driven approach to help identify and collect information on individuals social needs. This data enables UniCare to develop personalized services and supports to combat health inequities, leveraging partnerships with community-based organizations (CBOs) to help improve the health outcomes of individuals. UniCare continues to advance its health equity mission through various innovative programs including: Culturally relevant maternal health and doula services, and parent education to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity disparities. Early prevention and interventions to improve health outcomes for members with chronic conditions, including diabetes and hypertension. Mobile dental services and screenings Increased access to healthy, nutritious affordable food Housing assistance initiatives Transportation services for medical appointments and health-related social needs. Racial and ethnic disparities have hindered quality healthcare progression for many Americans, said Margaret E. OKane, NCQA President. Organizations earning the Health Equity Accreditation Plus like UniCare Health Plan of West Virginia are leading the way in bridging this gap, and NCQA salutes their commitment. About NCQA NCQA is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. NCQA accredits and certifies a wide range of health care organizations. It also recognizes clinicians and practices in key areas of performance. NCQAs Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) is the most widely used performance measurement tool in health care. NCQAs website (ncqa.org) contains information to help consumers, employers and others make more-informed health care choices. NCQA can be found online at ncqa.org, on Twitter @ncqa, on Facebook at facebook.com/NCQA.org/ and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/ncqa. About UniCare Health Plan of West Virginia, Inc. UniCare Health Plan of West Virginia, Inc., serves more than 160,000 Medicaid and CHIP beneficiaries living in West Virginia. UniCare has served Medicaid beneficiaries in West Virginia since 2003 and WVCHIP members in 2021. For more information about UniCare, visit unicare.com/wv and follow the company on Facebook @UniCareWV and Twitter @UniCareWV. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240321608041/en/ Michael Perry Public Relations Director, UniCare Health Plan of West Virginia [email protected] Source: UniCare Health Plan of West Virginia EDMONTON, Alberta--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The United Steelworkers union (USW) is pleased to welcome over 100 workers from the Edmonton People In Need Shelter Society (EPINSS). During a vote that occurred on Nov. 30 and Dec.1, 2023, workers said an overwhelming yes to joining the USW. We wanted to help give the workers at Edmonton People In Need Shelter Society a unified voice, not only for them but also to bring strength and sustainability to the whole company, said Maria Ramos, a worker at EPINSS. We have a deep reverence for the institution and what it does for the people of Edmonton and surrounding communities and we strongly believe a union will allow greater care to be given to those in need, Ramos said. The path to unionization was not without its challenges, as objections filed by the employer prompted the sealing of the vote until the Alberta Labour Relations Board (ALRB) ordered the ballots to be counted. Over 80% of the workers voted in favour of joining the union. We are thrilled to welcome the workers of the Edmonton People In Need Shelter Society into the USW family, said Scott Lunny, USW Director for Western Canada and the Territories. The decision to join our union reflects the workers collective commitment to building a fair and equitable workplace where their voices are heard and respected. Its clear that these workers take immense pride in their role within the community and are committed to standing together to address their concerns. By joining the Steelworkers, these workers are building a better future not only for themselves but also for the individuals and families they serve, said Lunny. EPINSS, founded in 1986, is a community-based organization working to improve the well-being and enhance the quality of life of individuals in the community suffering from severe and persistent chronic mental illness. EPINSS has 155 beds over three locations in the city. The USW also represents 225,000 members in nearly every economic sector across Canada and is the largest private-sector union in North America, with 850,000 members in Canada, the United States and the Caribbean. Each year, thousands of workers choose to join the USW because of our strong track record in creating healthier, safer and more respectful workplaces and negotiating better working conditions and fairer compensation including good wages, benefits and pensions. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240321818479/en/ Scott Lunny, USW Director for Western Canada, 604-329-5308, [email protected] Brett Barden, USW Communications, 604-445-6956, [email protected] Source: United Steelworkers Sign up for StreetInsider Free! Receive full access to all new and archived articles, unlimited portfolio tracking, e-mail alerts, custom newswires and RSS feeds - and more! Dutch Bros Inc. (NYSE: BROS; Dutch Bros or the Company) today announced pricing of the previously announced registered underwritten public offering by certain selling stockholders associated with TSG Consumer Partners, L.P. (the Selling Stockholders) of 8,000,000 shares of Dutch Bros Class A common stock, par value $0.00001 per share (the Common Stock) at a public offering price of $34.00 per share. The offering is expected to close on or about March 26, 2024, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. The Selling Stockholders granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 1,200,000 shares of Common Stock. Dutch Bros is not offering any shares of Common Stock in this offering and will not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares of Common Stock by the Selling Stockholders but will bear a portion of the costs associated with the sale of such shares, other than any underwriting discounts and commissions. Upon completion of this offering, one of the directors nominated by the Selling Stockholders will resign from the Dutch Bros board of directors, and, pursuant to the stockholders agreement that Dutch Bros previously entered with the certain affiliates of our co-founder and the Selling Stockholders and Dutch Bros amended and restated certificate of incorporation, the Selling Stockholders will only have the right to designate one director to the Dutch Bros board of directors. Morgan Stanley is acting as the sole underwriter for the offering. A shelf registration statement on Form S-3 relating to Dutch Bros securities, including the Common Stock, has been filed with the SEC and became effective upon such filing. The offering will be made only by means of a free writing prospectus, a prospectus supplement and an accompanying prospectus. Before you invest, you should read the prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference therein and any other documents that Dutch Bros may file with the SEC for more complete information about Dutch Bros and the offering. A copy of the prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relating to the offering may be obtained, when available, by visiting the SECs website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, copies of the prospectus supplement relating to the offering may be obtained, when available, by requesting it from: Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, 180 Varick St., 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10014. Dutch Bros Inc. (NYSE: BROS) today announced commencement of a registered underwritten public offering of its Class A common stock, par value $0.00001 per share (the Common Stock), by certain selling stockholders associated with TSG Consumer Partners, L.P. (the Selling Stockholders). The Selling Stockholders intend to offer 8,000,000 shares of Common Stock pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-3 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC). The Selling Stockholders also intend to grant the underwriter a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 1,200,000 shares of Common Stock. Substantially concurrently with the consummation of this offering, the Selling Stockholders expect to distribute in kind securities convertible into 389,823 shares of Common Stock (or 448,298 shares of Common Stock if the option to purchase additional shares is exercised in full) to certain of their indirect members who have elected to maintain their existing interests and to not participate in this offering. The shares distributed in kind will be subject to the lock-up restrictions described in the section titled Underwriting in the prospectus supplement. The offering is not conditioned upon the completion of distribution in kind. Dutch Bros is not offering any shares of Common Stock in this offering and will not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares of Common Stock by the Selling Stockholders but will bear a portion of the costs associated with the sale of such shares, other than any underwriting discounts and commissions. Upon completion of this offering, one of the directors nominated by the Selling Stockholders is expected to resign from the Dutch Bros board of directors, and pursuant to the stockholders agreement that Dutch Bros previously entered with the certain affiliates of our co-founder and the Selling Stockholders and Dutch Bros amended and restated certificate of incorporation, the Selling Stockholders will only have the right to designate one director to the Dutch Bros board of directors. Morgan Stanley is acting as sole underwriter for the proposed offering. A shelf registration statement on Form S-3 relating to Dutch Bros securities, including the Common Stock, has been filed with the SEC and became effective upon such filing. The proposed offering will be made only by means of a free writing prospectus, a prospectus supplement and an accompanying prospectus. Before you invest, you should read the prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference therein and any other documents that Dutch Bros may file with the SEC for more complete information about Dutch Bros and the proposed offering. A copy of the prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relating to the offering may be obtained, when available, by visiting the SECs website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, copies of the prospectus supplement relating to the offering may be obtained, when available, by requesting it from: Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, 180 Varick St., 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10014. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor shall there be any offer or sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. The former British Prime Minister Theresa May pictured with Leo Varadkar in Downing Street in 2017 Leo Varadkar was taoiseach during the most intense phase of Brexit, when the Irish border was central to negotiations. In January 2017, the then UK Prime Minister Theresa May said Brexit would mean the UK leaving the single market and the customs union. That had immediate implications for Ireland, raising the prospect that it would have to harden its border with Northern Ireland. The Irish government quickly decided that would be a bad idea for economic, political and security reasons. Its Brexit bottom line was that there could be no hard border and Irelands place in the EU should be undisturbed. It fell to Leo Varadkar to pursue that policy. July 2017 Enda Kenny had a different style to Leo Varakar when he was leader There is a perception among some Brexit supporters that Irelands approach hardened when Mr Varadkar became taoiseach and that his predecessor Enda Kenny would have been a friendlier, more accommodating partner for the UK. However Irelands key Brexit policy had been set months before Mr Varadkar took the top job. The EUs negotiating guidelines of April 2017 had the avoidance of a hard border in Ireland as one of its three priorities. There was certainly a stylistic contrast between Mr Kenny and Mr Varadkar. The new taoiseach could be brusque, even blunt. A month after becoming taoiseach he made clear his exasperation with some of the ideas for the border coming from Brexit supporters. "What were not going to do is to design a border for the Brexiteers because theyre the ones who want a border," he said. "Its up to them to say what it is, say how it would work and first of all convince their own people, their own voters that this is actually a good idea. "As far as this government is concerned there shouldnt be an economic border. We dont want one." This robust defence of Irelands interest set the tone for his approach over the next few years. December 2017 Throughout the second half of 2017 EU and UK negotiators laboured to find a way to square Theresa Mays hard Brexit with a soft Irish border. Story continues An interim agreement called the Joint Report saw the UK implicitly concede that an Irish Sea border, between NI and GB, could be a solution. The Joint Report laid out three possibilities: The border issue could be solved in the context of an overall trade deal There could be technological and administrative solutions Northern Ireland could continue to follow some rules of the EU internal market and the customs union - this was known as the backstop For Mr Varadkar this was effectively mission accomplished with the UK signing up to a text which ruled out a hard border. We have achieved all we set out to achieve in phase one of these negotiations, he said. We have the assurances and guarantees we need from the United Kingdom and support for them from the European Union. He went on to paraphrase Winston Churchill describing the agreement as not the end, but it is the end of the beginning. October 2018 Mr Varadkar was right to suggest that the Brexit negotiations would not be concluded quickly. Throughout 2018 it became clear that Theresa May had signed up to a deal that would not win majority support in the House of Commons. Most importantly the DUP, which was keeping her party in power, was opposed to the backstop. There was an interminable series of summits and negotiations in an attempt to finesse the deal. At a meeting of EU leaders in October 2018 Mr Varadkar sought to impress on his peers just how important it was to stand firm on the border issue. He showed them a story from that days Irish Times about the IRA bombing of a customs post in 1972 in which nine people were killed. This provoked outrage among unionists who suggested he was using the threat of violence to advance his political agenda. Mr Varadkar said this was never his intention later explaining: I have never used a threat of violence in politics. What I did was express concerns at the time that were held by the Chief Constable and the Garda Commissioner, that the reestablishment of border posts between north and south could lead to violence. "But theres a very big difference I think, between warning or expressing concern about violence, and threatening it, and I certainly didnt do that. But this episode became emblematic of the low opinion many unionists had of his approach to Brexit. October 2019 Leo Varadkar had a new UK counterpart in July 2019 when Boris Johnson replaced Theresa May Mr Varadkar had a new UK counterpart in July 2019 when Boris Johnson replaced Theresa May. He promised to ditch the backstop but by October, he was proposing an "all-island regulatory zone" which would effectively keep Northern Ireland in the EU's single market for agriculture, food and all manufactured goods. However, the Irish government and the EU were not convinced as the plan would have potentially meant a new customs border in Ireland. They were also concerned an up-front veto for the DUP could prevent the "all-island regulatory zone" from ever materialising. But then came a decisive meeting with Mr Varadkar at Thornton Manor on Merseyside. This would prove to be the engagement which unlocked a deal that would finally be approved by the UK Parliament. Mr Johnson accepted that there would be a border in the Irish Sea while Mr Varadkar conceded that Stormont would need to have some democratic oversight. A joint statement said: "Both continue to believe that a deal is in everybodys interest. They agreed that they could see a pathway to a possible deal." Just a week later, the UK and EU had agreed the Northern Ireland protocol. An amended version of the protocol, the Windsor Framework, now governs NIs post-Brexit trading arrangements. March 2024 As Mr Varadkar announced his resignation on Wednesday he counted his approach to Brexit among his key achievements. He referenced Irelands original objectives saying: "We prevented a hard border between North and South and protected our place in Europe." He also suggested that with the DUPs return to government a period of difficult relations, east-west as well as north-south, was now beginning to heal. "The institutions of the Good Friday Agreement are working again, and our trading relationship with the United Kingdom, in the post-Brexit era, is settled and stable," he concluded. What is the Windsor Framework? KULR Technology Group, Inc. (NYSE American: KULR) (the "Company" or "KULR"), a global leader in sustainable energy management, today proudly announces the receipt of an additional purchase order from the United States Army, increasing the total contract value to $1.81 million. This latest order propels the project into its final phase, scheduled for completion by August 2024, with KULR having already achieved significant milestones in the development of next-generation battery solutions for advanced aviation applications. In the concluding phase, KULR will deliver two distinct prototypes of its innovative battery systems, each tailored to meet the rigorous operational demands of the U.S. Army. This strategic development represents a culmination of the Company's tireless efforts in navigating the initial two phases of the agreement with exceptional success. The final prototypes will leverage KULR's advanced energy management platform, KULR ONE Design Solutions, which integrates state-of-the-art safety measures and thermal management technologies. The KULR engineering team's use of comprehensive design and testing methodologies, including Fractional Thermal Runaway Calorimetry, bomb calorimetry, and impingement zone mapping, has been instrumental in guiding the design process. KULR CEO Michael Mo expressed, "As we progress to the final stages of our collaboration with the U.S. Army, our commitment to excellence and innovation remains unwavering. The trust placed in KULR to develop these advanced prototypes reflects our shared dedication to enhancing the operational capabilities of our armed forces. The forthcoming evaluation of our prototypes will set the stage for future phases, furthering our contribution to the military's mission readiness with superior energy solutions." As the sole provider of cell screening technology for NASA, KULR continues to cultivate a solid foundation of trust while exhibiting sound technical expertise throughout its ongoing partnership with the U.S. Army. The Company continues to establish its role as a key player in advancing the safety and efficiency of energy storage and management solutions. For further information about KULR Technology Group and its innovative solutions, please visit http://www.kulrtechnology.com. Raytheon, an RTX (NYSE: RTX) business, was awarded a $1.2 billion contract to supply Germany with Patriot air and missile defense systems. These systems will augment Germany's existing air defense infrastructure with additional Patriot equipment. The scope of the contract includes the most current Patriot Configuration 3+ radars, launchers, command and control stations, associated spares, and support. Patriot is the backbone of air defense for 19 countries, including Germany , the U.S. and Ukraine . The formidable, combat-proven performance of Patriot continues to demonstrate its effectiveness against the most advanced and complex threats. "This contract reflects the global emphasis on advanced air and missile defense capabilities and the steadfast confidence in Patriot," said Tom Laliberty , president of Land and Air Defense Systems at Raytheon. "With this expansion, Germany will not only modernize its own significant air defense but enhance its interoperability with allies and further strengthen a core NATO mission." Patriot is the only combat-proven ground-based air and missile defense capability available in the world to defeat advanced long-range cruise missiles, tactical ballistic missiles, and the full spectrum of air-breathing threats. Through investments by all Patriot partner nations, the technology is continuously refreshed, tested and upgraded. Salem Media Group, Inc. (OTCQX: SALM) announced today that it entered into an agreement to sell its contemporary Christian music stations in Nashville, Tennessee and Honolulu, Hawaii to Educational Media Foundation (EMF). EMF operates Christian music stations across the country as K-LOVE and Air1. Salems Todays Christian Music (TCM) network is not affected by these sales. Salem Media CEO David Santrella stated, Salem remains steadfast in our commitment to paying down debt and reducing our overall leverage. The sale of these radio stations helps achieve those goals. At the same time, we are focused on the stations staying in mission format. We are happy to be working with our good friends at EMF to continue impacting lives through music. We are grateful for our staff at these stations that have worked tirelessly over the years. Santrella continued, With this change, Mike Blakemore, Salems VP of CCM Programming, will provide focus and leadership to programming TCM, which remains an important part of Salems content offerings. Salem expects to close on the sale of these stations sometime in late May or early June. By Yuvraj Malik and Zaheer Kachwala (Reuters) - Social media platform Reddit's market debut on Thursday ended a more than two year-long wait but shifts the focus to how it will compare with the other publicly listed peers. Despite its cult-like status, the company has failed to replicate the success of Meta Platforms' Facebook and Elon Musk's X. Here's how the 19-year-old company compares with the larger social media companies: REVENUE With just more than $800 million in annual revenue, Reddit is much smaller than peers. Most of the company's revenue comes from ads as its communities of users post and discuss everything from history to stocks and AI, making it a valuable platform for some advertisers. Reddit recently struck a deal with Alphabet's Google unit to license its data for training large language models -- the technology behind generative AI applications like Gemini. VALUATION, IPO FUNDS RAISED Reddit's IPO raised $748 million after it was priced at the top end of the $31 to $34 range, valuing the company at $6.4 billion. That said, Reddit's IPO valuation is less than half of what X, then Twitter, and about one-fourth of what Snap had at their respective IPOs. Facebook, rebranded as Meta in 2021, was valued at more than $100 billion in its IPO in 2012 in the biggest listing for a social media firm. Meta, also home to Instagram and WhatsApp, counts nearly half the world's population among its users. USER NUMBERS As a niche platform, Reddit caters to over 70 million daily active users, far lower than peers. The platform has more than 100,000 online forums. Still, Reddit has some advantages. It has a relatively lower expenses profile and strong growth rates for its ads business. Brokerage Bernstein said Reddit's revenue to full-time employees ratio is 50% lower than both Snapchat and Pinterest, and 80% lower than Meta, while the 25% revenue growth is "up near Meta and Amazon ads levels." (Reporting by Yuvraj Malik and Zaheer Kachwala in Bengaluru; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila) FILE PHOTO: The Apple Inc. logo is seen in the lobby of New York City's flagship Apple store January 18, 2011. REUTERS/Mike Segar/File Photo By Stephen Nellis, Andrew Goudsward and David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. Department of Justice and 15 states on Thursday sued Apple as the government cracks down on Big Tech, alleging the iPhone maker monopolized the smartphone market, hurt smaller rivals and drove up prices. Apple joins competitors sued by regulators, including Alphabet's Google, Meta Platforms and Amazon.com across the administrations of both former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden. "Consumers should not have to pay higher prices because companies violate the antitrust laws," Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement. "If left unchallenged, Apple will only continue to strengthen its smartphone monopoly." The Justice Department said that Apple charges as much as $1,599 for an iPhone and makes larger profit than any others in the industry. Officials also said Apple charges various business partners - from software developers to credit card companies and even its rivals such as Google - behind the scenes in ways that ultimately raise prices for consumers and drive up Apple's profit. Dating back to its time as a marginal player in the personal computer market, Apple's business model has long been based on charging users a premium for technology products where the company dictates nearly all of the details of how the device works and can be used. The Justice Department seeks to unwind that business model by forcing Apple, which has a market value of $2.7 trillion, to offer users more choices around how apps can tap in to the hardware that Apple designs. Shares of the iPhone maker fell 4.1% to close at $171.37 on Thursday. CHANGES SOUGHT Apple denied the allegations made by the government. "This lawsuit threatens who we are and the principles that set Apple products apart in fiercely competitive markets. If successful, it would hinder our ability to create the kind of technology people expect from Apple where hardware, software, and services intersect." White House assistant press secretary Michael Kikukawa said: "President Biden strongly supports fair and robust enforcement of the antitrust laws." The Justice Department, which was also joined by the District of Columbia in the lawsuit, is seeking changes at Apple. An official suggested some form of breakup or reduction of the size of Apple was a possibility when they noted "structural relief is also a form of equitable relief." The 88-page lawsuit, filed in U.S. federal court in Newark, New Jersey, said it was focused on freeing smartphone markets from Apple's anticompetitive and exclusionary conduct and restoring competition to lower smartphone prices for consumers, reducing fees for developers, and preserving innovation for the future. In the lawsuit, the U.S. accused Apple of making it harder for consumers to block competitors and cited five examples where Apple used mechanisms to suppress technologies that would have increased competition among smartphones: so-called super apps, cloud stream game apps, messaging apps, smartwatches and digital wallets. For example, the U.S. alleges Apple made it more difficult for competing messaging apps and smartwatches to work smoothly on its phones. It also alleges that Apple's app store policies around streaming services for games have hurt competition. The Justice Department seeks to define the market as that of smartphones in the United States, where most analysts believe Apple has slightly more than half of the market. Apple representatives said they will try to persuade the court to define the market as the global smartphone market, where the iPhone has only one-fifth of consumers. The Justice Department quoted an email chain from Steve Jobs, the Apple co-founder who died in 2011, saying that it was "not fun to watch" how easily consumers could switch from iPhones to Android phones and vowing to "force" developers to use its payment systems in an effort to lock in both developers and consumers. It is unclear what specific changes the Justice Department seeks. The complaint asks a court to prevent Apple from using its control of app distribution, contracts and use of private software interfaces to undermine rivals and to order anything else necessary "to restore competitive conditions in the markets affected by Apples unlawful conduct." Apple has already been subject to antitrust probes and orders in Europe, Japan and Korea, as well as lawsuits from corporate rivals such as Epic Games. On Thursday Reuters reported that Apple, Meta Platforms and Alphabet's Google will be investigated for potential violations of the European Union's Digital Markets Act that could lead to hefty fines by the end of the year, according to people with direct knowledge of the matter. In Europe, Apple's App Store business model has been dismantled by a new law called the Digital Markets Act that went into effect earlier this month. Apple plans to let developers offer their own app stores - and, importantly, pay no commissions - but rivals such as Spotify and Epic argue Apple is still making it too hard to offer alternative app stores. (Reporting by Doina Chiacu, David Shepardson and Andrew Goudsward in Washington and Stephen Nellis in San FranciscoEditing by Chris Sanders, Lisa Shumaker and Matthew Lewis) BOSTON, March 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Black Kite, the leader in third-party cyber risk intelligence, today released its fifth annual Third-Party Breach Report. The industrys most comprehensive report, which is based on observable data and real incidents, analyzed 81 vendor breaches impacting 251 companies in 2023. In it the Black Kite research and intelligence team (BRITE) highlighted how third-party data breaches create critical weak spots in extended networks, potentially leaving businesses open to cyber attacks, which can have a negative ripple effect across the organization and its vast stakeholders. Last year demonstrated a complex tapestry of third-party data breaches. The report underscores the importance of strong software security and real-time third-party risk management to spot and respond to vulnerabilities and threats early, said Ferhat Dikbiyik, head of research at Black Kite. For businesses, the lessons are clear: enhance vigilance, foster transparency and continuously improve cybersecurity practices will ensure their data, and their stakeholders, are safeguarded and digital business integrity is protected. According to the data, unauthorized network access was the leading cause of breaches, accounting for over half (53%) of third-party breach incidents. This was a 26% increase from 2022, with ransomware being the most common method of compromise. Additionally, breach disclosure time significantly decreased last year; companies reported incidents within 76 days on average in 2023, compared to 108 days in 2022, proving that organizations have more awareness of security but now need better tools to understand their risk. The second most common cause of breaches was ransomware attacks, with 28.5% of all attacks being caused by ransomware. These notable and large scale breaches demonstrate the need to better understand which companies in a supply chain are susceptible to a ransomware attack so that organizations can avoid business disruption. To better secure organizations, proactive strategies against third-party risk are necessary, as the cybersecurity landscape is unpredictable and constantly changing. The data in Black Kites report explores the negative impact from third-party breaches and discusses lessons learned from attacks in 2023. According to the report, 40% of companies that suffered from a data breach caused by a vendor were indirectly affected by ransomware group CL0P's mass exploitation of vulnerabilities in MOVEit and GoAnywhere, highlighting the need for continuous monitoring of third-party vendors since point-in-time assessments arent able to keep up with rapidly evolving cyber threats. Additionally, the report showed that large companies, with revenues more than $10 billion, are the hardest hit by ransomware attacks on their vendors suggesting that monitoring your most critical vendors isn't enough. Black Kites annual report explores third-party breach trends including the leading causes of breaches, the most active threat groups, vendors most at risk, average response time, and victim profiles, among other insights. The report concludes: Vendors in technical services remained the primary source of third-party breaches for the fourth consecutive year, comprising over one-third (35%) of incidents. Healthcare remained the number one industry affected by third-party breach incidents (33%). More than 890 educational institutions experienced third-party breaches due to the MOVEit vulnerabilitys impact on the National Student Clearinghouse. The U.S. was the number one country impacted by third-party breaches. There was a 29% increase in third-party breaches, but the total number of companies impacted per vendor incident decreased by 16% year-over-year. Overall we are seeing better risk scores for companies that we are monitoring at Black Kite. This is a positive sign as its a direct result of more companies working to improve their security postures after they experience an incident. It further demonstrates that despite incessant attacks from malicious actors, more organizations are taking faster action after an attack, said Gokcen Tapkan, director of data research at Black Kite. However, there remains a critical need for stronger market insights in order to safeguard organizations against evolving attacks and advanced tools like Black Kites AI-based cyber risk intelligence platform, to empower companies to better understand and mitigate risk. Black Kite provides security and business experts with the industrys most accurate, timely, comprehensive and operational cyber risk intelligence. Through BRITEs regular industry intelligence, including its monthly ransomware report dashboard, companies can make more informed risk and business decisions to better protect their organizations from falling victim to an attack. To download the report, visit the website. About Black KiteBlack Kite gives companies a comprehensive, real-time view into cyber ecosystem risk so they can make informed risk decisions and improve business resilience while continuously monitoring more vendors, partners, and suppliers in an ever-changing digital landscape. Through an automated process, and a combination of threat, business and risk information, Black Kite provides cyber risk intelligence that goes beyond a simple risk score or rating. Black Kite serves more than 1,500 customers in a wide range of industries and has received numerous industry awards and recognition from customers. Learn more at www.blackkite.com, on the Black Kite blog. Copyright 2024 Black Kite, Inc. All rights reserved. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders. Media Contact:Geena Pickering Look Left Marketing[email protected] Source: Black Kite --Eisbach Is Enabling the Potential of Synthetic Lethality by Developing Novel Compounds to Exploit Molecular Vulnerabilities Uniquely Present in Many Hard-to-Treat Cancers-- MARTINSRIED, Germany and HOUSTON, March 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Eisbach Bio GmbH (Eisbach), a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering a new class of cancer medicines leveraging synthetic lethality to target specific proteins that are essential for the survival of cancer cells, and Cancer Focus Fund, LP, a unique investment fund established in collaboration with The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (MD Anderson) to provide funding and clinical expertise to advance promising cancer therapies, today announced that Cancer Focus Fund is investing $4.5 million to support a Phase 1/2 clinical trial of Eisbachs lead candidate, EIS-12656, which will be conducted at MD Anderson. EIS-12656 is a small molecule designed to treat tumors that are refractory or resistant to PARP inhibitors. PARP enzymes are involved in critical DNA repair processes. By hindering DNA repair, PARP inhibitors cause tumor cell death, and they have been effective therapies for many ovarian, breast, prostate, and pancreatic cancers. However, their use has been limited by serious toxicities and the development of resistance. EIS-12656 inhibits the chromatin remodeling enzyme ALC1, which is critical to the DNA repair process associated with PARP activation. EIS-12656 was developed by Eisbach to disrupt DNA-damage-dependent PARP activation at an early stage of the repair process. In preclinical studies EIS-12656 overcame PARP inhibitor resistance and demonstrated a benign toxicity profile and blood-brain-barrier penetrance, as well as synergy with PARP inhibitors and other standard-of-care therapies. Overcoming the widespread resistance and debilitating side-effects of PARP inhibitors required us to re-think how we tackle the genetic vulnerabilities prevalent in these tumors, said Dr. Adrian Schomburg, Founder and CEO of Eisbach. EIS-12656 is a first-in-class small molecule that targets and shuts down the molecular process that reorganizes the tumor genome upon DNA damage and PARP activation a process that is essential to the survival of cancer cells. Based on its exceptional safety profile and promising activity in preclinical studies, we believe that EIS-12656 has the potential to benefit the many patients with tumors refractory to PARP inhibitors patients who have few treatment options available today. Dr. Andreas Ladurner, Founder and CSO of Eisbach, and Professor and Chair of Physiological Chemistry at Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, commented, Most cancers contain genome reorganization mechanisms that play critical and very specific roles in tumor biology. By identifying how each of these vital mechanisms is selectively regulated, we can exploit unique molecular vulnerabilities. This approach holds great promise for the discovery of new cancer drugs that are both selective and safe. Eisbachs distinctive and scientifically sophisticated approach to addressing common difficult-to-treat cancers aligns perfectly with our goals at Cancer Focus Fund, said Ross Barrett, a founder and Managing Partner of Cancer Focus Fund. We aim to help innovative young companies like Eisbach to rapidly advance unusually promising new cancer drugs into clinical trials with the help of the expert researchers and clinicians at MD Anderson. EIS-12656 has demonstrated the potential to treat many relapsed and refractory tumors more effectively and with fewer side effects than current therapies, and we look forward to following the progress of this exciting first-in-class compound as it proceeds in clinical development. We also are delighted to expand our geographic reach with this first investment in a biotech company based in Germany, with its rich history of biomedical innovation. Timothy A. Yap, M.B.B.S., Ph.D., Professor of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics and Vice President and Head of Clinical Development in the Therapeutics Discovery division at MD Anderson, will serve as Principal Investigator of the trial. About the EIS-12656 Phase 1/2 Clinical Trial The Phase 1/2 open label study will assess the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of EIS-12656 as solo therapy in patients with various solid tumors. The study will involve dose escalation of EIS-12656 monotherapy to establish safety and determine the maximum tolerated dose and recommended Phase 2 dose. In the following stage, dose expansion modules will be conducted with EIS-12656 monotherapy. Additional modules will involve patients progressing under PARP inhibitor treatment. About EIS-12656, a small molecule inhibitor of ALC1 (CHD1L) EIS-12656, the lead oncology program at Eisbach, is a first-in-class allosteric small molecule inhibitor targeting the PARP-activated chromatin remodeling helicase ALC1 (also known as CHD1L). The cancer-relevant genome reorganization induced by PARP activation is critically dependent on ALC1 activity. Genetic data have revealed that disruption of this ALC1 activity greatly potentiates PARP inhibitors and produces synthetic lethality in BRCA gene mutations. EIS-12656 was developed by exploiting Eisbachs ALLOS drug discovery platform that recapitulates the selective, unique, and physiological activation mechanism of its target enzymes in the laboratory. Preclinical data showed that EIS-12656 disrupted cancer cell growth by interfering with the DNA damage and repair (DDR) mechanisms of cancer cells while exhibiting a markedly superior toxicity profile in comparison with currently available therapies targeting DDR pathways. With its first-in-kind, allosteric inhibitory mechanism and superior toxicity profile, EIS-12656 may enable novel monotherapy applications and powerful combination therapies. About Eisbach Eisbach is a pioneering, clinical-stage biotech company focused on precision oncology, aiming to disrupt tumor growth by targeting genetic vulnerabilities. The company develops allosteric drugs that selectively disrupt molecular mechanisms, also known as molecular machines, which are vital for tumor genome reorganization. Eisbach combines the genetic vulnerabilities present in defined tumors (synthetic lethality) with its proprietary drug discovery platform, ALLOS, which targets the unique molecular vulnerability of its drug targets, to create first-in-class therapies with fewer side effects. The companys pipeline includes several small molecule candidates targeting chromatin reorganization that enable potent combination therapies and suppress resistance mechanisms in cancer treatment. For more information, visit www.eisbach.bio and follow us on LinkedIn. About Cancer Focus Fund The Cancer Focus Fund LP is a unique investment fund established in collaboration with The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (MD Anserson). The fund provides investment support to advance promising cancer therapies that are close to being tested in humans or are in early clinical development, as well as the clinical trial expertise and infrastructure of MD Anderson and strategic partners Ochsner Health System Precision Cancer Therapies Program New Orleans and the LSU Feist Weiller Cancer Center Shreveport. The Fund's objective is to leverage this unique combination to provide investors with superior risk-adjusted returns. In collaboration with partner MD Anderson, the Cancer Focus Fund provides both capital and translational research expertise with the goal of accelerating the development of novel cancer therapies that result in better outcomes for patients while generating returns for investors. Disclosures The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Centers relationship with Cancer Focus Fund, and all research conducted at MD Anderson related to Cancer Focus Fund, has been identified as an institutional financial conflict of interest by MD Andersons Institutional Conflict of Interest Committee and therefore is managed under an Institutional Conflict of Interest Management and Monitoring Plan. Forward-Looking Statement This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including those related to the clinical development of EIS-12656 and other potential therapies. Actual results may differ materially from those projected in these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, the progress of clinical trials, regulatory approvals, market demand for new therapies, and competitive dynamics in the biotechnology sector. Contacts Eisbach Bio GmbH Corporate: Adrian Schomburg, CEO [email protected] Media: Jonathan Iorio +49 89 2153 79013 [email protected] Cancer Focus Fund Corporate: Ross Barrett Managing Partner [email protected] Media: Barbara Lindheim BLL Partners for Cancer Focus Fund [email protected] +1 917 355-9234 VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Higher levels of per-student spending do not achieve higher student scores on standardized tests, either internationally or among the provinces, finds a new report published today by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian public policy think-tank. Just spending more on K-12 education does not lead to better student outcomes, said Derek J. Allison, Fraser Institute senior fellow and author of School Spending and Performance in Canada and Other High-Income Countries. The study compares provincial per-student spending on K-12 education in 2018 (the last year of comparable data) to other high-income countries in the OECD and to performance on the OECDs Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). It finds that higher per-student spending levels are not associated with stronger academic achievement. In fact, in 2018, 10 countriesor one thirdof the high-income OECD countries included in the analysis spent more per student than Canada but achieved significantly lower PISA scores. Similarly, among the provinces, Saskatchewan was the highest per-student spender among the provinces but had only the 8th best PISA scores. Manitoba was the second highest per-student spender and recorded the lowest PISA scores nationwide. Conversely, British Columbia was the lowest spender per student in Canada and achieved the fourth-highest PISA scores. The evidence is clearsimply spending more on established K-12 schools without finding new and better ways to help kids learn will not improve student outcomes, Allison said. Provincial per-student spending (2018) compared to core PISA score Province Spending Core PISA score Saskatchewan Highest spender 8th Manitoba 2nd Lowest PISA score Alberta 3rd Highest PISA score Nova Scotia 4th 5th Ontario 5th 3rd New Brunswick 6th 9th Quebec 7th 2nd P.E.I. 8th 7th Newfoundland and Labrador 9th 6th British Columbia Lowest spender 4th MEDIA CONTACT: Derek Allison, Senior FellowFraser Institute To arrange media interviews or for more information, please contact:Drue MacPherson, Fraser Institute, (604) 688-0221 Ext. 721[email protected] Follow the Fraser Institute on Twitter | Like us on Facebook The Fraser Institute is an independent Canadian public policy research and educational organization with offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, and Montreal and ties to a global network of think-tanks in 87 countries. Its mission is to improve the quality of life for Canadians, their families and future generations by studying, measuring and broadly communicating the effects of government policies, entrepreneurship and choice on their well-being. To protect the Institutes independence, it does not accept grants from governments or contracts for research. Visit www.fraserinstitute.org Source: Fraser Institute SINGAPORE, March 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Genius Group Limited (NYSE American: GNS) (Genius Group or the Company), a leading AI-powered education group, announces updated financial guidance for the financial year ending December 31, 2024. The updated guidance is over 100% higher than previously issued guidance as a result of the Companys expansion in operations following a series of recent transactions. The Company also has an accelerated go-to-market strategy based on its Genius City Model, which enables the Company to grow its AI education courses and acceleration offerings city-by-city, via four revenue streams: students, entrepreneurs, enterprises and government. 2024 Updated Financial Guidance: Annual pro forma 2024 revenue of $105 million - $110 million, an 83% increase from the previous 2024 revenue guidance of $58 million - $60 million guidance. Pro forma 2024 Adjusted EBITDA of $6.0 million - $7.0 million, a 133% increase from the previous 2024 Adjusted EBITDA guidance of $2.5 million - $3.0 million. Number of students (and users) of 11.5 million to 12 million. Roger Hamilton, CEO of Genius Group, commented: Our updated guidance for 2024 represents a significant increase compared to the guidance we released in January 2024. The Company believes this is a strong indicator of the demand for AI-powered education and enablement that prepares students and users for the future world of work and entrepreneurship in the Age of AI. We are looking forward to an exciting year ahead and we believe that in addition to focusing on our annual performance goals, we will continue to lay the foundation for the decade ahead and the economy of tomorrow. About Genius Group Genius Group is a world leading AI Education Marketplace, with a mission to disrupt the current education model with a student-centered, life-long learning ecosystem that prepares governments, businesses, entrepreneurs and students with the leadership, entrepreneurial and life skills to build the exponential economies of the future. The group has a group user base of 5.4 million users in 200 countries, ranging from early age to 100. Non-IFRS Financial Measures The Company has included certain non-IFRS financial measures in this news release including Adjusted EBITDA because it is a key measure used by our management and board of directors to understand and evaluate our core operating performance and trends, to prepare and approve our annual budget and to develop short- and long-term operational plans. In particular, the exclusion of certain expenses in calculating Adjusted EBITDA can provide a useful measure for period-to-period comparisons of our core business. Non-IFRS financial measures are not a substitute for IFRS financial measures. We calculate Adjusted EBITDA as Net lprofit for the period plus income taxes plus/ minus net finance result plus depreciation and amortization plus/minus share-based compensation expenses plus bad debt provision. Share-based compensation expenses and bad debt provision are included in General and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Measuring adjusted EBITDA is intended to provide additional information to investors and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. Reconciliations of non-IFRS measures, such as Adjusted EBITDA, to the most comparable IFRS measures and managements reasoning for using them are included in the Companys earnings press release dated September 29, 2023, which is available on the investor relations section of the Companys website at ir.geniusgroup.net . Investors are encouraged to read these detailed financial disclosures and reconciliations. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws, including (without limitation) statements regarding our or our managements expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future and other statements that are other than statements of historical fact. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are generally identified by the words believe, project, expect, anticipate, estimate, intend, strategy, future, opportunity, plan, may, should, will, would, will be, will continue, will likely result and similar expressions, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release, including but not limited to: the Companys goals and strategies; the Companys future business development; changes in demand for online learning; changes in technology; fluctuations in economic conditions; the growth of the online learning industry the United States and the other markets the Company serves or plans to serve; reputation and brand; the impact of competition and pricing; government regulations; and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing and other risks contained in reports filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC). For these reasons, among others, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements in this press release. Additional factors are discussed in the Companys filings with the SEC, which are available for review at www.sec.gov . The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date hereof. Toronto, March 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Canadian travellers are seeking a mix of relaxation and exploration in 2024. InsureMyTrip Canada researchers looked at top destinations for those requesting travel insurance quotes so far this year and found that the United States and Mexico are emerging as top international destinations for 2024. Top 10 Destinations for Travellers Requesting Travel Insurance Quotes Canada United States Mexico Aruba Italy Dominican Republic United Kingdom Australia France India For those Canadians planning a trip this year there is some good news. Flight costs are trending in the right direction. According to Statistics Canada, in January 2024 airfare was down about 14% over January 2023, and 23.7% over December 2023. However, airfare remains about 10% higher than before the pandemic in 2019. While the cost of flights doesnt seem to be deterring travellers, its important to protect that financial investment. Here are three ways a travel insurance policy can act as a vital safeguard as prices remain high. Medical ExpensesIf you are travelling to another province, territory, or country this year, you may not be protected by your government health insurance. Having a travel insurance plan that includes emergency medical benefits can offer reimbursement for additional expenses in the event of a covered and unexpected injury or illness during the trip. While emergency medical evacuation coverage may provide transportation assistance to the nearest appropriate care facility if the initial hospital cant properly treat you. MORE: Travel Medical Plans Travel Delays, Cancellations, and/or Interruptions These benefits can be part of an all-inclusive travel insurance policy, non-medical all-inclusive, or as a standalone trip cancellation/interruption plan. Flight Delay - This benefit provides reimbursement for reasonable meals, and accommodation while you are unable to travel for a covered flight delay. Trip Cancellation - A benefit that provides reimbursement for cancellation of a trip for an unforeseen, covered reason. Every policy is different and lists covered reasons for a cancellation within the policy. Trip Interruption - This benefit can provide reimbursement of the unused portion of pre-paid, non-refundable trip costs if your travels are unexpectedly cut short. MORE: All-Inclusive Travel Insurance No Longer Want to Travel With fluctuating economic conditions, you may decide it best to forego a holiday in 2024. However, you likely wont get back the money youve already paid on a trip - if your reason for cancelling isnt covered. That is, unless you have the Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) benefit. CFAR may either be an optional benefit or included in a plan if requirements are met. To be eligible for reimbursement under the CFAR benefit, you will be required to cancel your plans within a certain time period before departure. If you follow all requirements, you may be reimbursed 50% of your insured, prepaid, non-refundable trip costs. CFAR requirements can differ by provider, so its important to read and understand a policy before purchasing. MORE: Travel Insurance Coverage and Benefits Reporters can request an interview or quote from InsureMyTrip CEO Suzanne Morrow by contacting [email protected]. Media Contact: Meghan Kayata [email protected] About InsureMyTrip You like options. We do too. InsureMyTrip finds you the right travel insurance plan, every time. We are committed to empowering travellers to make the best possible insurance decisions by leveraging our technology, data intelligence, and expertise. InsureMyTrip is based in the U.S. with offices in Toronto. *Not available to Quebec residents. Meghan Kayata InsureMyTrip [email protected] Source: InsureMyTrip Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks to the media in Montreal on Friday, March 15, 2024. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press - image credit) Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's controversial vacation to Jamaica last Christmas cost Canadian taxpayers far more than his trip to the same destination a year earlier, CBC News has learned. According to the government's answer to questions posed by Conservative House Leader Andrew Scheer, tabled this week, Trudeau's 10-day vacation with his family to Prospect Estate near Ocho Rios cost taxpayers $230,442, a 42 per cent increase over the $162,000 cost of a similar trip over the Christmas holidays in 2022-23. Trudeau's most expensive vacation to date as prime minister was a visit to the Aga Khan on a private island in the Bahamas, which ended up costing taxpayers $271,000 and resulted in a ruling that he had violated the ethics rules that govern members of Parliament. Trudeau's office initially said that he paid for his family's accommodations during the trip to Jamaica, a stay that some have estimated to be worth as much as $84,000. His office later corrected that to say Trudeau stayed for free at the resort owned by longtime family friend Peter Green. Trudeau has defended his trip to Jamaica, saying that like other Canadian families his family took a vacation over the holidays and stayed with friends, and that all of the rules were followed. Ethics Commissioner Konrad von Finckenstein said Trudeau's office consulted his office before he went to Jamaica. He said the rules that govern the gifts and travel MPs can accept make an exception for gifts and travel offered by friends or family. "What we have here is clearly a generous gift between people who are friends and I don't see why, just because they are well off, they can't exchange gifts," von Finckenstein told members of the House of Commons ethics committee in January during a hearing on the trip. A view of the Ocean from one of the Prospect Villas. A view of the ocean from one of the Prospect Villas. (Prospect Villas) According to the documents tabled in the House, the largest single expense for this year's trip to Jamaica was for the RCMP officers who accompanied the Trudeau family. Story continues While the RCMP reported the trip cost the police service $162,051, not including the regular salaries of its officers, it declined to provide a breakdown or say whether its officers paid to stay at the resort owned by the Trudeau family friend. This year's Jamaica trip also made headlines because the Canadian Armed Forces plane that brought him to the Caribbean island experienced a mechanical problem which forced the CAF to send a second plane to Jamaica with a crew to fix it. Like all prime ministers, Trudeau is required for security reasons to fly in government planes and reimburses the government for the cost of commercial airfare when travelling for personal reasons. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's plane is seen on the tarmac after being grounded due to a technical issue following the G20 Summit in New Delhi, India on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's plane on the tarmac after being grounded due to a technical issue following the G20 Summit in New Delhi, India on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press) The documents tabled in the House report that the second plane accounted for $20,835 of the $57,553 the trip cost the armed forces. They also report that the mechanical problem the plane encountered was a malfunctioning Integrated Standby Instrument (ISI), "which is used as an alternative source for flight and navigation data." Retired lieutenant-colonel Dean Black said the part would have needed replacing before the plane could return safely to Canada. "An integrated standby instrument (ISI) provides standby altitude, altitude and airspeed information to the flight crew, these being critical data components to the safe operation of an aircraft," said the longtime pilot. Another mechanical flaw caused the C-150 Polaris ferrying Trudeau to and from the G20 Summit to be grounded in New Delhi, India in September 2023. The third government department to incur costs related to the trip was the Privy Council Office (PCO), which provides an employee charged with ensuring the prime minister has access to secure communications. The PCO reported that its employee's 15-day stay in Jamaica cost $10,838, including $2,681 to stay at an AirBnB. Documents obtained from the RCMP under access to information law also report that there was an incident during Trudeau's stay in Jamaica. RCMP report 'incident' during Trudeau's stay While the documents are heavily redacted, officers reported on Dec. 29 that an individual showed up at the Frankfort villa where the Trudeaus were staying, wanting to speak with the prime minister. "Update on (redacted). The individual who wanted to meet (redacted) returned but this time to (redacted)," an officer wrote in an e-mail. "PPO spoke to him advising he was not to return. (redacted) agreed. "The pics and vehicle info was shared with our partners for their situational awareness." The e-mail chain, under the subject line "Comments on X (Twitter) re: location," said the individual left a business card with the manager. RCMP spokesperson Sgt. Kim Chamberland confirmed that the incident took place but said Trudeau was not in danger. "The RCMP spoke to the individual, who left without incident," she said. "There was no need to engage local authorities. For privacy and security reasons, we cannot speak further on details regarding the individual, nor what prompted the incident. However, we can reassure you that at no time was the prime minister's security jeopardized during that incident." Claremont, Calif., March 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Jim Obergefell, the plaintiff in a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case legalizing same-sex marriage across the country, will deliver the keynote address to Pitzer College's Class of 2024 at this springs Commencement ceremony on May 11. Jim Obergefells personal journey to have his marriage legally recognized resulted in a decision that stands among the most consequential in our nations history, said Pitzer President Strom C. Thacker. He is an inspiring and iconic figure not only for the LGBTQ+ community, but for us all. As a college deeply rooted in the ethos of social change and equality, Pitzer is honored and excited to welcome Jim to campus this spring. Obergefell has described himself as an accidental activist from Ohio who found himself and his partner plunged into legal controversy in 2013. After taking on the role of caregiver for John, his partner of more than 20 years who was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Obergefell learned he wouldn't be recognized as the surviving spouse on Johns death certificate because of Ohios same-sex marriage ban. The couple, who were legally married in Maryland, decided to challenge Ohios ban. Their case eventually went before the Supreme Court, which ruled in 2015 in favor of marriage equality in Obergefell v. Hodges. Unfortunately, John died before hearing the high courts decision. In the book Love Wins: The Lovers and Lawyers Who Fought the Landmark Case for Marriage Equality, Obergefell and Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist Debbie Cenziper chronicle the couples story and the legal journey that resulted in a decision praised by President Barack Obama as "a victory for America." Since the Courts decision, Obergefell has continued his activism on behalf of civil rights for all. With the overturning of the abortion rights case Roe v. Wade, and with ongoing challenges to marriage equality in a number of states, Obergefell has sounded a warning that the fight for privacy rights is far from over. We see today, in the wake of the Dobbs decision and the overturning of Roe, that no decision is ever final. Activism remains critically central to civil liberties in our country. Im honored to bring this message to Pitzer College, a place that embraces and encourages people to use their voices for social change, he said. Im thrilled to be able to share my journey with Pitzers graduating students. I hope my story will inspire them in their own journeys and encourage them to build on the efforts of all of the brave activists who have gone before them. Attachment Nokia Corporation Stock Exchange Release 21 March 2024 at 22:30 EET Nokia Corporation: Repurchase of own shares on 21.03.2024 Espoo, Finland On 21 March 2024 Nokia Corporation (LEI: 549300A0JPRWG1KI7U06) has acquired its own shares (ISIN FI0009000681) as follows: Trading venue (MIC Code) Number of shares Weighted average price / share, EUR* XHEL 450,786 3.29 CEUX - - BATE - - AQEU - - TQEX - - Total 450,786 3.29 * Rounded to two decimals On 25 January 2024, Nokia announced that its Board of Directors is initiating a share buyback program to return up to EUR 600 million of cash to shareholders in tranches over a period of two years. The first phase of the share buyback program in compliance with the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) 596/2014 (MAR), the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052 and under the authorization granted by Nokias Annual General Meeting on 4 April 2023 started on 20 March 2024 and ends by 18 December 2024 with a maximum aggregate purchase price of EUR 300 million. Total cost of transactions executed on 21 March 2024 was EUR 1,482,139. After the disclosed transactions, Nokia Corporation holds 76,844,431 treasury shares. Details of transactions are included as an appendix to this announcement. On behalf of Nokia Corporation BofA Securities Europe SA About Nokia At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together. As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs. Service providers, enterprises and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable and sustainable networks today and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future. Inquiries: Nokia Communications Phone: +358 10 448 4900 Email: [email protected] Kaisa Antikainen, Communications Manager Nokia Investor Relations Phone: +358 40 803 4080 Email: [email protected] Attachment RANKIN INLET, Nunavut, March 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nukik Corporation (Nukik), the Town of Churchill, and Arctic Gateway Group (AGG) are pleased to announce a formal partnership to further advance work on a strategic Northern renewable energy and infrastructure corridor between Churchill, Manitoba and the Kivalliq region of Nunavut. Partnerships allow us to address big challenges, remarked David Kakuktinniq, President of Nukik. For generations the Kivalliq and Northern Manitoba have worked together to advance our priorities and create opportunities for our communities. We look forward to working closely with AGG and the Town of Churchill to address our infrastructure deficits through our shared vision to develop the Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link (KHFL) as a crucial nation-building project that will deliver reliable, cost-effective, and clean power and fibre-optic internet for our region. Nukik is the 100 per cent Inuit-owned proponent of the KHFL, a 1,200-kilometer transmission project that will enable renewable power transmission and fibre-optic internet connectivity to several communities and mines in the Kivalliq region of Nunavut. The KHFL is seeking to connect to Manitobas electricity grid, near Churchill, Manitoba. The project will be Nunavuts first infrastructure connection to Canada and will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, stabilize energy costs and create economic opportunities for the region. This partnership seeks to address significant critical infrastructure gaps in Northern Manitoba and Nunavut to allow the parties to deliver on their socio-economic development, reconciliation, and sustainability objectives. The Town of Churchill has been a gathering place for Inuit, Dene, Cree, Metis for generations, and community and Indigenous collaboration on this significant northern corridor is finally in place, added Town of Churchill Mayor Mike Spence. We are pleased to work together as northern leaders to fight climate change and bring critical infrastructure to places that have been overlooked for too long. This will lead to greater Arctic security and sovereignty and allow the North to unlock its tremendous potential. We look forward to continuing our work with governments to support the important activities underway. The Town of Churchill and AGG, the operator of the Port of Churchill (the Port) and Hudson Bay Railway have long identified the need for increased electricity supply to the region as a barrier to capitalizing on the economic development opportunities in the region. Through this partnership, the parties commit to working together towards supporting regional priorities and helping advance the organizations shared objectives of creating economic opportunities for these regions, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and advancing economic reconciliation for Indigenous and specifically Inuit communities. It is the first partnership of its kind and marks a new era in northern Indigenous-led climate and infrastructure action for Nunavut and Manitoba. This unique partnership allows us to demonstrate to the Manitoba and Federal governments the strategic importance of the Hudson Bay Railway and Port of Churchill as unique supply chain facilities, concluded Arctic Gateway Group CEO Michael Woelcke. Critical mineral and natural resource sector companies have expressed interest in renewable power and economic development opportunities in the Churchill and Kivalliq region. Building reliable infrastructure and strengthening existing transmission connections is imperative if we are to collectively respond to business demand and overall interest in the region in a sustainable manner. A strengthened commitment from Federal and Provincial partners is essential to further advance the development of the KHFL and thereby build on the work and efforts demonstrated through this Partnership. Northern Canada is part of Canada. This partnership intends to make this a reality. Nukik, AGG, and the Town of Churchill are determined to advocate for and develop the infrastructure that will transform Nunavut, Manitoba, and Canada for generations to come. It is time to unlock the potential of Canadas North. For more information please contact: [email protected][email protected][email protected] Source: Nukik Corporation Basildon, March 21, 2024 CNH Industrial N.V. (NYSE: CNHI) today announced that its indirect wholly owned subsidiary, CNH Industrial Capital Canada Ltd., has priced Cdn$400 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.80% notes due March 25, 2027, with an issue price of 99.876%. The notes are being offered on a private placement basis to certain accredited investors in each of the provinces of Canada, which offering is expected to close on March 25, 2024, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. CNH Industrial Capital Canada Ltd. intends to add the net proceeds from the offering to its general funds and use them for working capital and other general corporate purposes, including, among other things, the purchase of receivables or other assets in the ordinary course of business, as well as the repayment of indebtedness as it becomes due. The notes, which are senior unsecured obligations of CNH Industrial Capital Canada Ltd., will pay interest semi-annually on March 25 and September 25 of each year, beginning on September 25, 2024, and will be guaranteed by CNH Industrial Capital LLC, CNH Industrial Capital America LLC and New Holland Credit Company, LLC, each an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of CNH Industrial N.V. *** The securities offered in the private placement have not been and will not be qualified for sale to the public under applicable securities laws in Canada and, accordingly, any offer and sale of the securities in Canada will be made on a basis which is exempt from the prospectus requirements of such securities laws. The securities offered in the private placement have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), or applicable state securities laws. Accordingly, the securities may not be offered or sold in the United States except pursuant to an effective registration statement or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and such applicable state securities laws. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of these 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. This press release is being issued pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 135c under the Securities Act. CNH Industrial Capital LLC is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of CNH Industrial N.V. and is headquartered in Racine, Wisconsin. As a captive finance company, the primary business of CNH Industrial Capital LLC and its subsidiaries is to underwrite and manage financing products for end-use customers and dealers of CNH Industrial America LLC and CNH Industrial Canada Ltd. (collectively, CNH Industrial North America) and provide other related financial products and services to support the sale of agricultural and construction equipment sold by CNH Industrial North America. CNH Industrial Capital LLC and its subsidiaries also provide wholesale and retail financing related to new and used agricultural and construction equipment manufactured by entities other than CNH Industrial North America. CNH Industrial Capital LLCs principal executive offices are located at 5729 Washington Avenue, Racine, WI 53406, and the telephone number is +1(262) 636-6011. Contacts: Media RelationsEmail: [email protected] Investor RelationsEmail: [email protected] Attachment Source: CNH Industrial N.V. Victoria, Seychelles, March 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In a truly remarkable turn of events in the cryptocurrency market, Bitcoin has shattered expectations by surpassing $73,000! Now, it's important to note that this historic milestone marks a significant moment in the halls of digital currency--which signals not only a resurgence but a loud shout for Bitcoin's enduring ability and preserverance. At the forefront of this revolutionary tide is none other than Toobit--a distinguished digital trading platform renowned for its innovative approach and dedication to providing traders and investors with available access to the cryptocurrency market. The platform's user-friendly design has made it a front runner and an overall preferred choice for trading cryptocurrency, especially trading pairs like BTC/USDT, ETH/USDT, BNB/USDT, and XRP/USDT as a few notable examples. Recently, Bitcoin's value jumped to a staggering amount. At a value over $73,000, it has successfully captured the eyes of not only the crypto community but even foreign investors. Now, it would seem that this surge has ignited a wider conversation about digital currencies again. Of course, this achievement is the result of an amalgamation of happenings, such as more adoptions of cryptocurrency, crypto being used as a valid form of payment in several sectors, as well as sentiments surrounding regulations. All of this, including the most recent regulations in favour of Bitcoin, have collectively pushed crypto as a whole to the forefront of the future for digital currencies. Naturally, this has improved general confidence around cryptocurrency, especially by market standards. Bitcoin is no stranger to the dramatics of ups and downs when it comes to the native currency's value. This tumultuous road to $71,000 is one that has been supported by millions of individuals; be it from institutions, investors, or even everyday folks accepting it as a form of payment. Now, this achievement means several things for the currency. Bitcoin is demonstrating what it's like to be a at the forefront of the cryptocurrency market that has been given grace to mature. 10 years ago, investing in Bitcoin would have been nothing more than a joke. Today, we've been bested at our own game. What makes Bitcoin's achievement so exciting is that it also means a brighter future for cryptocurrency as a whole; what may be the next BTC to take off? Will it be ETH? Perhaps XRP? Or will the unlikely underdoge, DOGE COIN (doge usdt), be in the spotlight next? Only time will tell. Bitcoin's milestone will be the example for institutions to further consider more cryptocurrency adoption for retail. The confidence that Bitcoin has the potential to grow even further and ultimately have longevity will be the factor that propels this forward. Toobit has responded to this great interest by ensuring that its platform stays updated with the latest technological offerings in order to provide the best for its users. Offering a seamless trading experience, Toobit enables users to navigate the crypto market with ease, leveraging real-time data and analytics to make informed decisions. The platform supports a wide array of digital currencies, including Bitcoin ( BTC/USDT), Ethereum ( ETH/USDT,), Binance Coin ( BNB/USDT), and Ripple (XRP/USDT ), thus catering to a diverse spectrum of trading strategies and preferences. As the cryptocurrency market continues to evolve, Toobit remains committed to empowering users with the tools and resources necessary to capitalize on emerging opportunities. The platform's emphasis on security, transparency, and user satisfaction has established it as a leading player in the digital trading space, well-equipped to navigate the complexities of a rapidly changing market landscape. In light of Bitcoin's recent achievements and the ongoing expansion of the cryptocurrency market, Toobit would like to invite traders and investors to explore the dynamic world of digital currencies. With a robust platform and a commitment to excellence, all eyes are on Toobit to continue leading the way as the crypto market embarks on its next chapter of growth and innovation. About Toobit Toobit is a rising global digital trading platform, created by a team of former core members from Huobi and a former executive from Bybit. Aimed at making high-quality financial assets worldwide accessible for all, Toobit has garnered a substantial user base. Distinguished by its exceptional speed and unwavering dedication to privacy, security, and its users; Toobit is here to stay. For more information about Toobit and to begin trading, visit https://www.toobit.com/ Contact: [email protected] 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 and securities. Keys Chen Toobit dev at toobit.com Source: Toobit Hsinchu, Taiwan , March 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Since its IPO in 2017, Andes Technology (TWSE: 6533) has established itself as a leader in the CPU IP sector, achieving a fivefold increase in sales over the past seven years. Andes has invested capital and R&D manpower to accelerate the launch of high-end products to ensure long-term competitiveness and maintain market leadership. It is expected that a competitive product portfolio will create the next wave of revenue peaks. With close monitoring of market dynamics and technology trends and decisive decision-making, Andes has strategically positioned the company to adeptly navigate challenges and seize emerging opportunities, such as bringing innovations in its proprietary AndeStar V3 ISA to the RISC-V based AndeStar V5 ISA in 2016. In 2023, even when the whole industry was still under inventory pressure, Andes surpassed a significant total shipment milestone of 14 billion Andes-Embedded SoCs. According to the SHD marketing report released on Jan 2024, Andes has secured an impressive 30% market share of RISC-V based chip shipping volume through its worldwide customers and is the number one provider of RISC-V CPU IP. In 2023, the diverse product portfolio offered by Andes has resonated exceptionally well with the market and enabled its sustained growth. Andes has successfully launched the groundbreaking vector processor-AX45MPV, and the industry-revolutionizing automotive ISO 26262 fully certified core N25F-SE. More recently, Andes ventured into the application processor market with the launch of its cutting-edge out-of-order (OOO) processor AX65. AndesCore D23 and N225 are also released for the compact, performant, and secure applications. Besides the CPU IPs, Andes has also established a new product line, AndesAIRE or Andes AI Runs Everywhere, which offers a comprehensive hardware and software solution designed for edge and end-point inference. Andes's unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction has fostered robust relationships with its customers and fortified its market position. The addressable market segments of Andes products span a wide spectrum, encompassing AI/ML, 5G communications, FPGAs, image processing, IoT, MCU/MPU, sensors, storage, TDDI, and wireless connectivity. Looking ahead, Andes would continue its dedication to innovations, customer satisfaction, and continual adaptation in the dynamic CPU IP licensing market. Below are a set of key drivers underpinning Andes' growth: Expansion of AI and HPC Applications: The ongoing surge in demand for AI and High-Performance Computing (HPC) applications, coupled with the requirements for specialized SoC, serves as one of the primary catalysts for Andes. Offering processors enhanced with ACE (Andes Automated Custom Extension) to meet the stringent requirements of AI and HPC workloads has significantly contributed to Andes' market growth. Increasing Demands for Automotive-Grade (ISO 262626) SoC: As the automotive industry continues to advance, there is a rising need for Automotive-Grade SoCs compliant with the ISO 262626 standard. Andes has seized this trend and is actively catering to the increasing demands for automotive-grade solutions. By offering processors designed to meet the stringent safety and reliability requirements of the automotive sector, Andes is well-positioned to capitalize on this growing market segment, further enhancing its success and market penetration. Maturity of the RISC-V Ecosystem: By actively participating in the RISC-V International and community with the highest RVI membership and Summit sponsorship, Andes contributes to the RISC-V ecosystem's fast expansion. Through this effort, Andes remains at the forefront of RISC-V development, fostering a positive cycle benefiting both the company and the ecosystem. Rise of Multi-Core Heterogeneous SoC: The growing complexity of modern applications, spanning various domains like AIoT, edge computing, and data centers, has led to the rise in multi-core heterogeneous System-on-Chips (SoCs). Andes' strategic focus on developing a diverse product portfolio aligns seamlessly with the demands of multi-core heterogeneous SoCs. These processors offer the performance and flexibility needed to address the contemporary applications' requirements. "Andes Technology's journey of consistent growth over the past seven years is a testimony to our unwavering determination of staying ahead of industry trends and commitment to customers," said Frankwell Lin, the Chairman, and CEO of Andes Technology. "We remain dedicated to shaping the future of the CPU IP licensing market with cutting-edge solutions." "As Andes charts our roadmap for the future, with 'Driving Innovations' as our motto, on one hand, we are developing high-end products that push the boundaries of performance," remarked Dr. Charlie Su, the CTO and President. "On the other hand, we continue to deliver strong compact processors for power-efficiency and security. Aligning our expertise with the evolving needs of this dynamic industry, our talented team and effective collaboration with customers will continue to drive us forward, shaping the future of high-performance and high-efficiency computing, complying to strict safety demands in automotive SoC, and addressing the ever-emerging AI requirements. About ANDES RISC-V CON ANDES RISC- V CON is the annual RISC-V technology forum hosted by Andes Technology and sponsored by partners. In 2024, the San Jose session will be held in Doubletree by Hilton Hotel on June 11. The 2024 theme is Deep Dive into Automotive/AI/Application Processing and Security Trends. It will introduce the flexible RISC-V processors that changes the face of emerging computing and share how Andes assists the RISC-V ecosystem in implementing diversified applications of innovative technologies. Four popular application areas will be focused on: AI/ML, automotive electronics, application processing and security. Many ecosystem partners are invited to give talks and on-site demonstrations. For free registration, please see the official website of Andes RISC-V CON https://www.andestech.com/Andes_RISC-V_CON_2024_US/ About Andes Technology Nineteen years in business and a Founding Premier member of RISC-V International, Andes is a publicly-listed company (TWSE: 6533; SIN: US03420C2089; ISIN: US03420C1099), a leading supplier of high-performance/ low-power 32/64-bit embedded processor IP solutions, and the driving force in taking RISC-V mainstream. Andes fifth-generation AndeStar architecture adopted the RISC-V as the base. Its V5 RISC-V CPU families range from tiny 32-bit cores to advanced 64-bit Out-of-Order processors with DSP, FPU, Vector, Linux, superscalar, functional safety, and/or multicore capabilities. By the end of 2023, the cumulative volume of Andes-Embedded SoCs has surpassed 14 billion. For more information, please visit https://www.andestech.com. Follow Andes on LinkedIn, Facebook, X, Bilibili and YouTube! Attachment Hsiao-Ling Lin Marcom Manager, Andes Technology Corp. [email protected] SHD Graphic Andes has secured an impressive 30% market share of RISC-V based chip shipping volume through its worldwide customers and is the number one provider of RISC-V CPU IP. Source: Andes Technology Corporation GPR35 is a novel target with an established genetic association to IBD UK regulatory approval received to commence first-in-human studies Return of rights follows change in immunology research strategy by GSK Tokyo, Japan and Cambridge, UK, 21 March 2024 Sosei Group Corporation (Sosei Heptares or the Company; TSE: 4565) announces it has regained full ownership from GSK of HTL0027477 (formerly GSK4381406), a clinic-ready, highly selective, first-in-class, oral GPR35 agonist in development as a potential new treatment for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD). GPR35 is an important orphan G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) with an established genetic association to IBD, for which there remains significant unmet need for millions of sufferers worldwide. HTL0027477 was designed by Sosei Heptares using its proprietary structure-based drug design (SBDD) platform and licensed to GSK in 2020. Since then, HTL0027477 has been advanced through a joint development program, generating promising mechanistic, preclinical efficacy and safety data suggesting that it may have the potential to improve intestinal barrier function and reduce visceral pain in gastrointestinal indications such as ulcerative colitis and irritable bowel syndrome. The UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) gave approval in mid-2023 for HTL0027477 to be investigated in first-in-human studies. The process to regain rights to the program was initiated in late 2023 following a decision by GSK to deprioritize and discontinue its development following changes to both its immunology research strategy and immunology research leadership. The decision was not based on any scientific, preclinical or safety data related to the candidate. Sosei Heptares regained full ownership of the HTL0027477 program including associated intellectual property licensed by Sosei Heptares to GSK, and preclinical data generated under the partnership for no upfront payment. Sosei Heptares expects to determine the optimal strategy for further clinical development of the program, which could include in-house development and re-partnering. Matt Barnes, President of Heptares Therapeutics and Head of UK R&D, commented: The return of the GPR35 agonist program, with its first-in-class mechanism of action and potential to address major unmet needs in IBD worldwide, is a strong addition to our growing clinical pipeline. This exciting program has already delivered highly promising preclinical data that support its potential as a new therapy for IBD and is poised to enter a Phase 1 clinical trial. This presents a clear opportunity for Sosei Heptares to further advance this program while determining the optimal path forward for further development and commercialization. -ENDS- About Sosei Heptares Sosei Heptares is a fully integrated biopharmaceutical company focused on bringing life-changing medicines based on world-class science to patients globally. Our vision is to become one of Japans global biopharmaceutical champions. Our global business combines our world-leading GPCR-targeted StaR technology, structure-based drug design and early development capabilities in the UK with a highly experienced clinical development capability and a commercial operation in Japan. We are leveraging these capabilities to generate and advance a broad and deep pipeline of novel medicines across multiple therapeutic areas, including neurology, immunology, gastroenterology and inflammatory diseases. We intend to develop these opportunities for patients in Japan and globally both internally and through our partnerships with global biopharmaceutical companies and emerging technology companies. Sosei Heptares operates from key locations in Tokyo and Osaka (Japan), London and Cambridge (UK), Basel (Switzerland) and Seoul (South Korea). Sosei Heptares is the corporate brand and trademark of Sosei Group Corporation, which is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (ticker: 4565). Sosei, Heptares, the logo and StaR are trademarks of Sosei Group companies. For more information, please visit https://soseiheptares.com/ LinkedIn: @soseiheptaresco | X: @soseiheptaresco | YouTube: @soseiheptaresco Enquiries: Sosei Heptares Media and Investor Relations Kentaro Tahara, VP Investor Relations and Corporate Strategy Shinichiro Nishishita, VP Investor Relations, Head of Regulatory Disclosures Maya Bennison, Communications Manager +81 (0)3 5210 3399 | +44 (0)1223 949390 | [email protected] MEDiSTRAVA Consulting (for International Media) Mark Swallow, Frazer Hall, Erica Hollingsworth +44 (0)203 928 6900 | [email protected] Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements about the discovery, development, and commercialization of products. Various risks may cause Sosei Group Corporations actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including: adverse results in clinical development programs; failure to obtain patent protection for inventions; commercial limitations imposed by patents owned or controlled by third parties; dependence upon strategic alliance partners to develop and commercialize products and services; difficulties or delays in obtaining regulatory approvals to market products and services resulting from development efforts; the requirement for substantial funding to conduct research and development and to expand commercialization activities; and product initiatives by competitors. As a result of these factors, prospective investors are cautioned not to rely on any forward-looking statements. We disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Itasca, Illinois, March 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Topco Associates, LLC recently celebrated its 80th anniversary with its member-owners at the 2024 Annual Membership Conference. While at the conference, the cooperative announced its 2024-2026 Board of Directors while also notifying the membership of changes taking place on its Operations Team. K-VA-T Food Stores Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer Steve Smith has been named Topcos Chairman of the Board. K-VA-T has been a member of Topco since 1995, and Smith and his team have been impactful leaders within the Topco membership. Smith replaces Randy Edeker, Hy-Vee, Inc. Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors who will be retiring from Hy-Vee this summer. Edeker's leadership has been at the forefront of Topcos growth since joining the Board of Directors in 2011, including serving as the Chairman of the Board from 2013-2016 and most recently from 2022-2024. Randy has been a highly visible leader in the membership for many years, and I can honestly say that he has been a key driving force in helping transform Topco into the organization it is today, said Randy Skoda, Topco President and Chief Executive Officer. Additionally, we look forward to Steves return to the Chairman role, as he has a lengthy track record of driving successful decision-making and growing strong collaboration across the membership. Also departing Topcos Board of Directors is Frank Curci, CEO of Northeast Grocery, Inc. Curci recently announced his retirement from NGI the parent company of Price Chopper/Market 32 and Tops Friendly Markets after a 43-year career in the industry. The 2024-2026 Topco Board of Directors are as follows: Topco Chairman of the Board: Steve Smith - President and Chief Executive Officer, K-VA-T Food Stores, Inc. Brad Brookshire - Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brookshire Holdings, Inc. Chris Coborn - Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Coborns Incorporated Michael DAmour - President and Chief Executive Officer, Big Y Foods, Inc. Brian George - President and Chief Executive Officer, Alex Lee, Inc. Jeremy Gosch - Chief Executive Officer and Vice Chairman, Hy-Vee, Inc. John Persons - Chief Executive Officer, Northeast Grocery Inc. David Rice - President and Chief Executive Officer, Associated Food Stores, Inc. Tony B. Sarsam - President and Chief Executive Officer, SpartanNash Company Todd Schnuck - Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Schnuck Markets, Inc. Randy Skoda - President and Chief Executive Officer, Topco Associates, LLC Pete Van Helden - Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, Stater Bros. Markets Changes to Topcos Operations Team also were announced at the annual conference, including a new co-chair. Stepping into the role of co-chair is Rebecca Calvin, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Stater Bros. Markets. Calvin replaces outgoing co-chair Dan Glei, Executive Vice President of Merchandising & Marketing at K-VA-T Food Stores, Inc. Glei spent the last two years serving as co-chair and will remain a member of the Operations Team. Id like to thank Dan for his leadership and productive tenure, and I look forward to working with Rebecca to advance our Operations Teams objectives, said Mike Ferguson, Topco Senior Vice President and Operations Team co-chair. Many of Topcos key initiatives and successes come as a result of recommendations from the Operations Team. Rebecca has demonstrated her ability to provide insightful and impactful thoughts that benefit the entirety of the membership. The complete 2024 Topco Operations Team is comprised of: Nick Albrecht - President, The Fred W. Albrecht Grocery Company Chuck Alexander - Senior Vice President, Procurement & Merchandising, Alex Lee, Inc./MDI Randy Arceneaux - President and Chief Executive Officer, Affiliated Foods, Inc. Brett Bremser - Chief Operating Officer, Hy-Vee, Inc. Rebecca Calvin - Senior Vice President and Chief Merchandising Officer, Stater Bros. Markets Michael Cormier - Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Big Y Foods, Inc. Ryan Cuba - Chief Merchandising Officer, Schnuck Markets, Inc. Jeff Culhane - Senior Vice President, Sales and Merchandising, Northeast Grocery Inc. Mike Ferguson Senior Vice President, Commodities, Fresh and Member Development, Topco Associates, LLC Bob Gleeson - Senior Vice President, Merchandising and Marketing, Weis Markets, Inc. Dan Glei - Executive Vice President, Merchandising and Marketing, K-VA-T Food Stores, Inc. Christine Heffernan Senior Vice President, Center Store Sourcing and Supply Chain, Topco Associates, LLC Jerry LeClair - Executive Vice President, Chief Merchant and Retail Operations Officer, Brookshire Holdings, Inc. Bennett Morgan - Senior Vice President and Chief Merchandising Officer, SpartanNash Company Danell ONeill Executive Vice President, Brand, Marketing, Human Resources, Corporate Communications and Transparency, Topco Associates, LLC Kris Roberts - Senior Vice President, Merchandising - Center Store, Coborn's Incorporated Jay Sharrock - Senior Vice President, Merchandising and Marketing, C&S Wholesale Grocers Roger White - Executive Vice President, Sales and Wholesale Operations, Associated Food Stores, Inc. About Topco Associates, LLC.Topco Associates, LLC is an 18.3 billion, privately held, member-owned company that provides aggregation, innovation and knowledge management solutions for its leading food industry member-owners and customers, including grocery retailers, wholesalers, food service and pharmacy companies. Topco leverages the collective volume, knowledge and commitment of these companies to create a competitive advantage in the marketplace by reducing costs and offering winning business-building capabilities. For more information, please visit www.topco.com. Attachment Heather Warthen Topco Associates LLC 847-329-3375 [email protected] Source: Topco Associates LLC Shenzhen, China, March 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wanbo, in collaboration with the latest addition to the DaVinci series, the DaVinci 1 Pro Projector, is set to make a stunning debut! As a globally leading brand in smart audiovisual devices, Wanbo once again presents users with an unprecedented feast for the senses. The launch of the DaVinci 1 Pro Projector marks a new milestone in projection technology. It's not just a product; it's a revolutionary upgrade to the viewing experience. With several unique features and outstanding performance, the DaVinci 1 Pro will bring users an unparalleled audiovisual experience. Product Highlights: 1. Built-in Official 1080P Netflix: Enjoy content from platforms like Netflix with clearer images and more immersive experiences. 2. Supports 4K: Fully compatible with 4K resolution for sharper images and immersive viewing experiences. 3. Dual 8W Speakers and 420CC Large Sound Chamber: Powerful sound performance immerses you in music and movies. 4. Innovative Lens: Utilizes 3+1 non-spherical glass lenses for higher light transmission and better color and image fidelity. 5. PixelPro 5.0 Innovative Fully Enclosed Optical Engine: Optimized optical system delivers more realistic images. 6. 600 ANSI Brightness: Measured against stringent brightness standards for clear and bright projection effects. 7. ASA 3.0 (All-Scene Smart Algorithm 3.0): Automatic focus, automatic keystone correction, automatic screen entry, and intelligent obstacle avoidance for a smarter operating experience. 8. Built-in Google OS: Seamless interface integration, one-click search for all related content, built-in Chromecast for streaming media without additional devices. 9. Voice Control Functionality: Easily control everything for a more intelligent and convenient operation. 10. Smart Home Connectivity: Connects to smart home devices to create a smart living space. The Wanbo DaVinci 1 Pro projector will officially launch on March 28, 2024. Prior to this date, from March 17th to March 27th, you can enjoy the super early bird price of $279 USD on the official website(www.wanbostore.com) and AliExpress (https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3256806252860610.html). Additionally, you will receive an extra complimentary dedicated screen and other surprises. Early bird offers are limited, so act fast! Starting March 28th, the projector will be available for purchase at the regular price of $399 USD (Don't forget to use the $110 USD discount coupon: DaVinci1Pro_PR01). Don't miss out on this opportunity to get the best price! About Wanbo: Wanbo is a leading global brand dedicated to the research and development of smart audiovisual devices. Continuously introducing cuttingedge products, Wanbo provides users with superior audiovisual experiences. In the future, Wanbo will continue to innovate to offer users more intelligent, convenient, and high-quality products and services. Media Contact: For more information, please contact: Email: [email protected] Orange Chen Shenzhen Wanbo Technology Co., Ltd. pr at wanbostore.com Source: Wanbo MISSISSAUGA, Ontario, March 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The 84 employees working at the Delta by Marriott hotel in Thunder Bay are celebrating today after their vote to join Local 175 of the United Food & Commercial Workers (UFCW) was a success. Like many people out there, these workers were looking for a way to build a better life, said Kelly Tosato, President of UFCW Local 175. Joining a Union and working together is a great way to harness their collective power to do just that, and Im pleased to see that these workers won their vote today. Organizers from UFCW Local 175 had met with employees at the Delta by Marriott in Thunder Bay to discuss their concerns and how joining the Union can assist them in reaching their goal to improve their working conditions. Those discussions led to the workers signing Union cards which enabled the Union to apply to the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB) for a vote. That vote took place online over a 24-hour period, closing at noon on March 21, 2024, to determine whether UFCW Local 175 would become the certified bargaining representative for the workers. The OLRB released the results shortly after the vote closed, assuring these workers are now Union members with UFCW Local 175. We were happy to speak to these workers about their concerns and our Organizing Team was impressed by their motivation and strength leading up to the vote, said Tony Nigro, UFCW Local 175 Director of Organizing. They want to create positive changes in their workplace and we are excited to have their backs, stand with them, and help them get started on bargaining their first collective agreement as Union members. The newest members of UFCW Local 175 are a welcome addition to the hospitality and service sector at the Union. The 84 workers at the Delta that will form the bargaining unit are employed throughout the hotel in Maintenance, Housekeeping, Front Desk, Food & Beverage, Banquets, and more. UFCW Locals 175 & 633 represents more than 70,000 working people across all sectors of the Ontario economy including hospitality and services, health care, retail grocery and pharmacy, food production, meat processing, manufacturing, packaging, and more. For more information: Tony Nigro, Director of OrganizingUFCW Locals 175 & 633647-381-1194 Source: United Food & Commercial Workers (UFCW) Locals 175 & 633 China controls 98% of the worlds production of gallium, a soft, silvery metal used to make semiconductors, LED screens, and solar panels and a key ingredient in next-generation weapons. Last July, after the United States restricted sales of advanced microchips to the Peoples Republic, Beijing responded by slapping export controls on gallium and other minerals used in tech. While Chinas gallium exports plummeted, prices did not immediately surge. Manufacturers across the U.S., Europe and Japan initially brushed off concerns over future supplies, in part because relatively small volumes of gallium are needed for most industrial uses. By last month, however, the cost per kilo of gallium stored in a Dutch depot was going for nearly twice the rate of the stuff warehoused in China, according to data from the market-research firm Fastmarkets. Beijing appears to be specifically trying to prevent U.S. military suppliers from securing the gallium Washington would need for weapons to defend Taiwan from Chinese invasion like the American-made Patriot missile launchers whose targeting systems rely on semiconductors made with gallium. The U.S. hasnt produced its own gallium in years. That could soon change. On Thursday, the Salt Lake City-based mining company U.S. Critical Materials Corp. plans to announce the discovery of a large high-grade deposit buried in a remote corner of the Bitterroot National Forest in southwestern Montana, HuffPost has learned. Gallium is not particularly rare. But China drove much of the worlds other producers out of business over the past decade, as Beijing subsidized its domestic aluminum smelters to churn out gallium as a byproduct. Extracting gallium from underground deposits can be tricky and polluting, too, since the metal is typically dispersed with lots of other minerals, some of which are toxic. But U.S. Critical Materials said its working with the Idaho National Laboratory on a novel method to siphon gallium out of the ore with a minimal environmental footprint. The company said it could turn a profit extracting trace amounts of gallium from ore where the metal made up 50 parts per million tiny bits in the rock. The deposit in Montana, named the Sheep Creek project, contains gallium at as much as 27 times that concentration. Story continues Its a geological unicorn, Harvey Kaye, the companys executive director, said on a Zoom call with two other top executives Wednesday afternoon. Conservatively, thats billions of dollars, said Jim Hedrick, a 29-year veteran of the U.S. Geological Survey who now serves as the companys president. A 2-inch diameter gallium oxide wafer is pictured at the Hangzhou International Science and Innovation Center of Zhejiang University in Hangzhou, China, May 30, 2022. NurPhoto via Getty Images From helicopters and by foot, the companys prospectors analyzed 800 of the 6,700 acres the firms owners initially staked more than three decades ago. At first, the company was searching for thorium, a radioactive metal once sought after for atomic weapons. Years later, the firm switched its focus to rare earth metals, the family of elements used to make batteries and other modern technology, which are similarly monopolized by the Chinese government. While exploring old mineshafts dug decades ago, the company discovered deposits of gallium, which aerial surveys later confirmed ran over a large area. This sounds like its very good news, in terms of where the U.S. is situated, said Matthew Funaiole, whos researched Chinas control of the gallium supply chain as a fellow with the Washington, D.C.-based Center for Strategic and International Studies. Kaye said U.S. Critical Materials has brought on $3 million in investments over the past two years, and is in the middle of raising more money now. We are being very discriminating in terms of where we take money from, he said. Were being offered money from various countries and parts of the world, and were not accepting because of national security concerns. The firm has enough cash on hand, he said, to manage two years worth of development on the mine. This company intends to make itself the prime domestic supplier of gallium by virtue of the richness of the deposits, the economics of that deposit and the ability to process it environmentally, Kaye said. The firm is also looking to mine, process and sell different kinds of rare earth minerals from the same area, such as niobium, which is used to make alloys such as stainless steel. Brazil is the worlds largest supplier of niobium, but Chinese companies spent billions of dollars over the past decade buying up double-digit percentage stakes in the Brazilian mines. But China doesnt own any of this, Kaye said. Were independent. A Patriot rocket launcher of the Romanian army fires a PAC-2 ATM missile during an army drill at the Capu Midia military shooting range next to the Black Sea November 15, 2023. The U.S.-designed system's target technology depends on gallium-based semiconductors. DANIEL MIHAILESCU via Getty Images The tracts U.S. Critical Materials controls are located at least 40 miles from any town, and do not intersect with any tribal lands, the firm said. But the companys push to develop its claims in the area has already drawn fierce opposition from local and national conservation groups. In a letter last month to the U.S. Forest Service, Friends of the Bitterroot and other environmental organizations warned that mining operations could jeopardize several threatened species, including grizzly bears, wolverines, Canada lynx and bull trout. They also voiced concern about what a mine could mean for water quality and the local economy. The exploratory project sits near the headwaters of the Bitterroot River, a renowned trout fishery and one of the most popular angling destinations in the state. Just the thought of an industrial scale mine on the Bitterroot River horrifies most Bitterrooters, Larry Campbell, conservation director for Friends of the Bitterroot, said in a statement accompanying the organizations letter. A worse location would be hard to find. The mining industry has a long history in Montana and a long legacy of pollution. The city of Butte, once known as the richest hill on earth and ruled by three industrialists dubbed the Copper Kings, is now home to the Berkeley Pit, a gaping former open pit copper mine that is full of water laced with toxic chemicals and heavy metals. Last month, the Montana Supreme Court overturned a lower courts ruling and cleared the way for a controversial underground copper mine, called Black Butte, to move forward. If constructed, it would be the first new copper mine to open in Montana in more than four decades. While the U.S. still produces large amounts of certain metals, mining as an industry largely shifted overseas in the latter half of the 20th century, as producers sought out laxer environmental regulations and cheaper labor. Where the U.S. was once the top supplier of rare earths, China now controls 90% or more of the market. Beijings dominance over the minerals needed for batteries, wind turbines and solar panels is frequently cited as a reason to slow the transition away from fossil fuels, lest the U.S. cede too much power over its energy systems to its rival. This company intends to make itself the prime domestic supplier of gallium by virtue of the richness of the deposits, the economics of that deposit and the ability to process it environmentally.Harvey Kaye, U.S. Critical Materials Corp. executive director Scarred by the early 1970s Arab oil embargo that saw the worlds top oil producers cut off energy supplies over the Wests support for Israel, U.S. policymakers long focused on the availability of domestic supplies of fossil fuels. It wasnt until 2010, when China briefly halted shipments of rare earths to Japan amid a spat over uninhabited islands both nations claim, that concern over Beijings virtual monopoly on key minerals began to grow. Beijing now claims its restrictions on exportinggallium, germanium and graphite are for national security reasons. Mark Squillace, a professor of natural resources law at the University of Colorado, Boulder, told HuffPost called U.S. Critical Materials discovery interesting, but said its too early to say where the project will go. It seems like a promising deposit for the company, and a fairly significant deposit, he said. What I dont know is if its a practical thing to develop in the location where its at. I dont know what kind of opposition is going to form. Squillace noted that neighboring Canada and other U.S. allies are pursuing operations to process rare earth minerals to combat Chinas dominance. They need to know there are multiple places, particularly friendly places, that are going to be producing and processing these materials, he said. We shouldnt just have other countries producing minerals that were using, he added. But obviously there are ways to do it better than other ways. ... Particularly in Montana, with the problems that have come up with some of the existing mining, I suspect this is going to get a lot of pretty close scrutiny. If U.S. Critical Materials project pans out, Funaiole said the gallium it produces will likely serve as a key domestic supply for military contractors, and could even end up being exported to U.S. allies if generated in large enough quantities. But Funaiole said Washington should be more proactive in seeking out new domestic sources of metals. Its a good first step, he said. But this shouldnt be something where people pat themselves on the back for too long, because theres a whole lot more critical minerals we need to think about besides gallium. Related... The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday that US Senator Elizabeth Warren has resumed calls on the Securities and Exchange Commission ... I'm a New Customer I'm a Returning Customer E-mail Address (or username, if registered via mobile device) Password When it comes to electric vehicle stocks, analysts at Morgan Stanley believes there is one that will rise in absolute ... Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - March 21, 2024) - Blacksteel Energy Inc. ("Blacksteel" or the "Corporation") announces that Mr. Duncan Nightingale has resigned as President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director of the Corporation for personal reasons. Blacksteel is pleased to announce that Arthur Madden, the Corporation's Chief Financial Officer, has agreed to assume the position of President and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation and join the board of directors. In addition, the Corporation has appointed Mr. John McLeod as Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Arthur Madden, CMA, CPA, MBA, ICD.D., brings over 40 years of experience as a Director, Advisor and Chief Financial Officer with international capital markets experience for private and public entities in Canada, Argentina, Russia, USA, and the Middle East. Mr. Madden has proven abilities in strategic planning, capital markets, value creation, and environmental, social, and corporate governance for public and private companies, including start-ups and initial public offerings. He is a previous director of Painted Pony Energy, a rapidly growing producer in Canada's Montney hydrocarbon play. Mr. John McLeod, P.Eng., has over 40 years of technical, operational and management experience in the upstream oil and gas industry, both domestic and international. He spent 15 years with Amoco Canada in Canada and the USA, including four years as Chief Engineer. In addition to his North American experience, he has been involved in international exploration, development, and EOR projects. He has been a director of several international oil companies, including Heritage Oil Plc. He has held the positions of President and CEO of several international public companies, including Arakis Energy Corp in Sudan, Rally Energy Corp. in Egypt, and United Hydrocarbon International Corp in Chad. He has served as an officer and director of several Canadian public and private energy companies. John is a member and a Past President of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA) and a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE). Arthur Madden stated, "I am thrilled to take on this additional responsibility as president and CEO of the company. Adding Mr. McLeod provides Blacksteel with the expertise needed to optimize growth opportunities. I strongly believe that our team can propel Blacksteel's growth and prosperity." Blacksteel Energy would like to thank Mr. Nightingale for his tireless contributions and guidance over the past few years, which enabled the Corporation to move forward and consolidate its current asset base. The Corporation wishes him all the best in his future endeavours and is appreciative that he has agreed to stay on as a consultant and advisor. Blacksteel Energy Inc. Blacksteel is a junior oil and gas company that explores, develops, and produces petroleum and natural gas resources. Arthur Madden President and CEO (403) 473-8547 [email protected] www.blacksteelenergy.ca Forward-Looking Information Cautionary Statement: This document contains forward-looking statements regarding the business and operations of Blacksteel. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained herein are forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. In particular, statements about the Corporation's anticipated transactions are forward-looking. These forward-looking statements are based upon various assumptions. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "seek", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "suggest", "indicate" and other similar words or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. The Corporation's actual results, performance or achievements 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 plans, intentions or expectations anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefit the Corporation will derive therefrom. 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 oil and gas exploration; risks related to the listing and 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 drilling results; risks associated with the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; the possibility that future exploration and development results will not be consistent with the Corporation's expectations; risks related to commodity price fluctuations; and other risks and uncertainties related to the Corporation's prospects, properties and business detailed elsewhere in the Corporation's disclosure record. All subsequent forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, attributable to the Corporation or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified by these cautionary statements. Furthermore, the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as at the date of this news release, and the Corporation does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. Not for distribution to U.S. Newswire Services or for dissemination in the United States of America. Any failure to comply with this restriction may constitute a violation of U.S. Securities Laws. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/202716 The 2024 OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Awards have recognized women-led science from more than 20 low- and middle-income countries since 2013 Amsterdam, the Netherlands--(Newsfile Corp. - March 21, 2024) - Five women researchers have been awarded the 2024 OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Award for Early-Career Women Scientists in the Developing World for their contributions to research that helps meet the challenge of improved water quality, advancing UN Sustainable Development Goal 6: Water, sanitation and hygiene - an issue which disproportionately affects women and girls around the world. This announcement comes ahead of World Water Day tomorrow (Friday 22 March) since the winners research explores a wide range of pioneering ways that the challenge of water quality can be tackled, from using hydrological modelling to bioremediation with bacteria, and from creating nanocomposites for heavy metal removal to working with communities to develop sustainable practices. The prize also acknowledges the scientists commitment to leadership, mentoring and engagement within their communities, including the translation of research into actionable insights for stakeholders. Jennifer Thomson, President of the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) said "Clean water is as essential a need as it gets - not only for humans but for the ecosystems that sustain us. Our five amazing winners this year are all working in their own different ways to make sure that the most vulnerable communities have access to clean water, and that critical ecosystems such as our coral reefs and wetlands are protected. We are so proud of them and are sure this prize is just one step on their path to success." Photo caption (clockwise from left): Zubeda Ukundimana, Lidia Antonella Rivera Pealva, Shirani Manel Kumari Widana Gamage, Augustina Clara Alexander, Tasrina Rabia Choudhury. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9476/202143_f4b1943d940158ef_003full.jpg This year's winners are: Augustina Clara Alexander, University of Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania: water supply and treatment, hydrological modelling, climate change Tasrina Rabia Choudhury, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, Bangladesh: environmental restoration, water quality improvement Shirani Manel Kumari Widana Gamage, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka: applied microbiology, plant virology, bioinformatics Lidia Antonella Rivera Penalva, Coral Reef Alliance, Honduras: marine biology, fisheries, socioecological systems Zubeda Ukundimana, Kampala University, Uganda: wastewater treatment, sanitation, and hygiene "With these awards, our vision is to celebrate impressive women scientists who are helping to make real progress towards advancing the UN SDGs," explained Ylann Schemm, Executive Director of the Elsevier Foundation. "We know that women and girls bear the brunt of the water and sanitation crisis, yet we do not have gender parity in research around issues disproportionately affecting women around the world. By offering this prize, we want to spotlight the important research undertaken by the women who've become inspiring role models for communities most affected by this issue." First given in 2013, the award is made in partnership, by the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD ) and Elsevier Foundation. OWSD fields applications and chairs a panel of distinguished scientists to select the winners, and the Foundation awards a cash prize for each winner of USD $5,000, as well as an all-expenses-paid trip to attend a relevant conference in the awardees' field to provide them with vital networking opportunities; in 2024, awardees will attend the International Water Week in Singapore. The winners will also have the opportunity to publish their work in STAR Protocols, an open access, peer-reviewed journal from Cell Press which offers structured, transparent, accessible, and repeatable step-by-step experimental and computational protocols from all areas of life, health, earth and physical sciences. Past award winners have been invited to meet their country's presidents, and have been celebrated by local, national, and international media, while other winners have gone on to receive other prestigious awards and fellowships including L'OREAL-UNESCO's For Women in Science Fellowships, and to hold influential scientific leadership positions including as National Secretary of Science and Technology. Notes for editors Short bios of the 2024 winners: Augustina Clara Alexander, Tanzania Augustina Clara Alexander is a civil and water resources engineer from Tanzania. Her research focuses on the areas of water supply and treatment, hydrological modelling, climate change and land use impact assessment, water resources evaluation and management. Augustina is part of Unlocking Resilient Benefits from African water resources (RESBEN), a project looking for a holistic understanding of processes and relationships of factors involved in sustainable water resource management and development while focusing on the novel research theory, methodologies, and practice. Tasrina Rabia Choudhury, Bangladesh Tasrina Rabia Choudhury is a chemist from Bangladesh, with expertise ranging from water quality improvement to environmental restoration, from climate change to risk assessment and environmental modeling, and more. She is working to pioneer novel approaches in the remediation techniques of toxic elements from wastewater and drinking water, ensuring the delivery of safe drinking water to underserved communities. Tasrina has actively engaged with local communities, implementing awareness campaigns that educate them about the importance of hygiene and efficient water use. Shirani Manel Kumari Widana Gamage, Sri Lanka Shirani Manel Kumari Widana Gamage is a plant virologist from Sri Lanka. Her main research focus is on various aspects of microbiological applications, including bioremediation of polluted soil and water environments, biofertilization and bioherbicides. She has developed a new platform to monitor cyanobacterial blooms in freshwater with a remote sensing-based model, to monitor and predict the risk of bloom and toxins formation for the first time in the country - supporting local communities at high risk of exposure to cyanotoxin-contaminated water. Lidia Antonella Rivera Penalva, Honduras Lidia Antonella Rivera Penalva is a biologist from Honduras. She has a multidisciplinary research background that ranges from analyzing the management of larval dispersal, to the use of perception research to assess the adaptive capacity of coastal communities. Her Mesoamerican Reef Regional Water Quality Monitoring Program - an initiative across 3 countries, 90 sites and over 20 institutions - established a unified monitoring protocol and provided invaluable data on key contaminants in principal tourist zones. Currently, Antonella works on generating research to support science-based decision-making in fisheries and water quality. Zubeda Ukundimana, Uganda Zubeda Ukundimana is a chemical and environmental engineer from Rwanda, working as lecturer and environmental impact assessment consultant in Uganda. Her research has focused on assessing the wetland vulnerability to wastewater and developing treatment processes for abating pollutants concentration to protect receiving water bodies. Currently, Zubeda coordinates the North-South Alliance for inclusive water, sanitation, and hygiene - bringing together international partners to confront challenges of water supply and sanitation through mutual co-operation. To find out how the OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Award helps shape our understanding of the global South, read more about the 2023 winners here. About OWSD The Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) provides research training, career development and networking opportunities for women scientists throughout the developing world. OWSD has more than 10,000 members and runs various programs, including the 25-years-running PhD fellowship programme with over 360 successful graduates from Least Developed Countries and sub-Saharan Africa, as well as an Early Career fellowship programme providing research grants, with over 100 alumnae, and a new Master's scholarship for refugee women scientists launched in 2024. OWSD is the only international forum to unite women scientists from the developing world with the objective of strengthening their role in the development process and promoting their representation in scientific and technological leadership. OWSD is affiliated with The World Academy of Science (TWAS), a program unit of UNESCO, and is based in Trieste, Italy, with 54 national chapters throughout the developing world. www.owsd.net About The Elsevier Foundation The Elsevier Foundation contributes over $1.5 million a year to non-profit organizations through partnerships which incubate new approaches, highlight inequities, and catalyse change toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Funded by Elsevier, a global information analytics company specializing in science and health, the Elsevier Foundation is part of Elsevier's wider corporate responsibility program. By leveraging Elsevier's networks and unique insights in content, data and analytics, the Elsevier Foundation is able to expand its impact in gender, health, climate action and reduced inequalities. Since 2005, the Elsevier Foundation has contributed over $16 million in grants to over 100 partners in 70 countries around the world. In addition, the Elsevier Foundation offers a special fund to support disaster relief, matching employees' donations, and volunteering to enable employees to work closely with Foundation partners and support their communities. About Elsevier As a global leader in scientific 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 contact Rebecca Clear +44 (0)7919 396403 [email protected] To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/202143 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 21, 2024) - GMV Minerals Inc.(TSXV: GMV) (OTCQB: GMVMF) (the "Company" or "GMV") is pleased to announce that it has reached a mutual agreement with Western Property Holdings, LLC ("WPH"), as optionor, to amend the Option Agreement dated May 15, 2023 between the Company, as optionee, and WPH (the "Option Agreement") for the Company's option to acquire a 100% interest in the Daisy Creek Project, Nevada, on the terms which were previously announced on May 16, 2023, as follows: The first cash option payment due on or before June 12, 2024 has been reduced from US$100,000 to US$10,000, and the parties have agreed to defer payment of the balance until June 12, 2026 (now US$190,000 in total); The first share installment due on or before June 12, 2024 has been reduced from 1 million common shares to 500,000 common shares of the Company, and the parties have agreed to defer issuance of the balance until June 12, 2026 (now 4 million common shares in total); and The parties have agreed to defer the minimum work requirements of US$250,000 due on or before June 12, 2024 until June 12, 2026 (now US$750,000 in total). The Company has doubled its land position at the Daisy Creek Lithium Project, and these revisions were made to allow additional time for the Company to complete on-going exploration work to evaluate the potential of the properties. Ian Klassen, President & CEO, commented, "We would like to sincerely thank Western Property Holdings for their continued support over this past year. Given market conditions, the reduction in near term cash and share payments is a timely and valuable step to advancing the Daisy project. I thank the project optionors for their market sensitivity and the additional flexibility that this deferral provides the Company." In addition, the Company announces that subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval, it has granted incentive stock options to various directors, officers and consultants to purchase up to 1,650,000 common shares exercisable at a price of $0.15 per share for a period of five years. About GMV Minerals Inc. GMV Minerals Inc. is a publicly traded exploration company focused on developing precious metal assets in Arizona. GMV, through its 100% owned US subsidiary, has a 100% interest in a Mining Property Lease commonly referred to as the Mexican Hat Property, located in Cochise County, Arizona, USA. The project was initially explored by Placer Dome (USA) in the late 1980's to early 1990's. GMV is focused on developing the asset and realizing the full mineral potential of the property through near term gold production. By NI 43-101 technical report dated November 19, 2020, the Company updated its inferred mineral resource to 36,733,000 tonnes grading 0.58 g/t gold at a 0.2 g/t cut-off, containing 688,000 ounces of gold. GMV is also exploring the geological potential of the Daisy Creek Project, Nevada, for uranium and lithium mineralization. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ________________________________________ Ian Klassen, President & CEO For further information please contact: GMV Minerals Inc. Ian Klassen Tel: (604) 899-0106 Email: [email protected] www.gmvminerals.com 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. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/202703 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 20, 2024) - Iconic Minerals Ltd. (TSXV: ICM) (OTCQB: ICMFF) (FSE: YQG) (the "Company" or "Iconic") reports that it has filed an amended National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") NI 43-101 technical reports for the Smith Creek project (the "Smith Creek Property") located 24 miles (40 kms) south-southwest of Austin, Nevada and the Grass Valley project (the "Grass Valley Property") located 55 miles (88 kms) south-southwest of Battle Mountain, Nevada. The NI 43-101 technical reports entitled "Geological Report and Summary of Field Examination, Smith Creek Property, Lander County Nevada" and the NI 43-101 technical report entitled Geological Report and Summary of Field Examination, Grass Valley Property, Lander County, Nevada) (the "Updated Technical Reports") are both dated effective October 19, 2023. The Updated Technical Reports were prepared pursuant to NI 43-101 by a Qualified Person, Mr. Robert A. Lunceford. The Updated Technical Reports are available on the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at www.iconicminerals.com . Smith Creek Lithium Property Extensive exposures of Tertiary siliceous ash flow tuff units, which are recognized source rocks for lithium, surround the Smith Creek Property both on the east and west. Lithium was eroded and deposited in the closed basin. On the west side of the Property, hot geothermal springs occur along major faults. Limited geochemical surficial sampling of sediments surrounding the hot springs conducted by Iconic 470 ppm Li, considered to be strongly anomalous. Two Magnetotelluric (MT) surveys have identified a low resistivity horizon averaging 650 ft. (200 m) in thickness. This lithium brine target MT anomaly occurs 650 ft. (200 m) to over 3,000 ft. (1 km) below the surface. The fault related lithium anomaly and the low MT resistivity indicate a possibly significant target. Grass Valley Lithium Property At Grass Valley Tertiary siliceous volcanic units occur on the western side of the basin and provide a critical source for lithium-rich sediments or brines. The basin is flanked by hot geothermal springs which are believed to enhance the solubility of lithium and lower the pH of the brine to reduce the precipitation of lithium ions out of solution. To determine brine potential a single, north-south MT (Magneto Telluric) survey line was conducted. The survey indicated that a significant low resistivity zone possibly indicating brine occurred within the alluvial sequence. The depth to the low resistivity target ranges from 2,500 ft. (760 m) to more than 3,300 ft. (1,000 m) beneath the surface. Limited surface sampling confirmed that lithium in sediments assayed up to 310 ppm Li which is considered to be significantly anomalous. Qualified Person Richard Kern, Certified Professional Geologist, a qualified person as defined by Canadian National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this news release. Mr. Kern is not independent of the Company as he is the Chief Executive Officer of Iconic. On behalf of the Board of Directors SIGNED: "Richard Kern" Richard Kern, President and CEO For further information on Iconic, please visit our website at www.iconicminerals.com, or contact: Keturah Nathe, VP Corporate Development (604) 336-8614. The Company's public documents may be accessed at www.sedar.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. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and U.S. securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward-looking statements. 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 typically identified by words such as: "believes", "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "estimates", "plans", "may", "should", "would", "will", "potential", "scheduled" or variations of such words and phrases and similar expressions, which, by their nature, refer to future events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such risks and other factors include, among others, statements as to the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, the ability of the Company to obtain sufficient financing to fund its business activities and plans, delays in obtaining governmental and regulatory approvals (including of the TSX Venture Exchange), permits or financing, changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting mining operations, currency fluctuations, title disputes or claims, environmental issues and liabilities, risks relating to epidemics or pandemics such as COVID-19, including the impact of COVID-19 on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations, changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting mining operations, title disputes, the inability of the Company to obtain any necessary permits, consents, approvals or authorizations, the timing and possible outcome of any pending litigation, environmental issues and liabilities, and risks related to joint venture operations, and other risks and uncertainties disclosed in the Company's continuous disclosure documents. All of the Company's Canadian public disclosure filings may be accessed via www.sedar.com and readers are urged to review these materials. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements in this news release or incorporated by reference herein, except as otherwise required by law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/202512 (All dollar amounts are in United States dollars) London, United Kingdom and New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - March 21, 2024) - Key Carbon Ltd. ("Key Carbon") and Cartesian Sustainable Finance 1, LLC ("CSF") today announced an $18 million transaction focused on funding the production and distribution of low-emission, affordable cookstoves across Africa, enabled by the generation and acquisition of carbon credits. The deal comprises new funding through Key Carbon as well as the partial sale of an earlier Key Carbon investment. Key Carbon is a leading financier within the Voluntary Carbon Market ("VCM"), and one of the largest financiers of clean cookstoves globally, in part through its strategic partnership with BURN Manufacturing ("BURN"), the industry-leading cookstove manufacturer and developer. Key Carbon creates strategic partnerships with high-quality project developers and provides them with direct financing and operational support. Investors acquire a stream of carbon credits and benefit from Key Carbon's filtering of developers and projects within the VCM, rigorous diligence, and financing agreements with its strategic partners. Key Carbon also helps businesses take climate action by selling high-integrity carbon credits directly to end buyers and has a roster of blue-chip customers. CSF, an affiliate of global private equity firm Cartesian Capital Group ("Cartesian"), provides capital to a wide range of innovative projects that are dedicated to long-term economic sustainability, including decarbonization and mitigation of the effects of climate change. BURN produces some of the world's most thermally efficient affordable cookstoves, a result of the company's extensive R&D investment, and has recently launched one of the first large-scale electric cooking decarbonization programmes in Africa. BURN has established a technological lead in the sector which, when combined with its sophisticated manufacturing, distribution, and monitoring capabilities, allows BURN to operate high-impact carbon projects with integrity. Luke Leslie, Co-Founder and CEO of Key Carbon, said: "Key Carbon continues to attract institutional investors and corporations into the VCM through creating appealing investable products. The VCM has enormous potential to accelerate climate and biodiversity action and benefit some of the world's most vulnerable communities, but requires more global asset managers and corporations to see carbon credits as an investable asset class. This latest transaction with Cartesian further endorses Key Carbon as a preferred route for investors to finance impactful decarbonization projects and access high quality carbon credits." Peter Yu, Founder and Managing Partner of Cartesian, commented: "BURN stoves improve our world in a myriad of ways: improving the quality of health, of life, and of our global environment. We are delighted to partner with Key Carbon to support BURN's continued expansion across Africa." Peter Scott, Founder and CEO of BURN, commented: "Since 2014, BURN's industry leading electric and biomass stoves have transformed the lives of over 24 million people. Now with funding from this transaction, we will bring our revolutionary appliances to an additional 1.5 million people. These products will avoid over 12 million tonnes of carbon emissions over the next 7 years. Last year, Key Carbon provided us with $25 million in financing to allow us to provide affordable cookstoves to customers and we are delighted to expand our partnership with Key Carbon, with the ultimate goal of raising $1 billion of carbon financing so that we can bring a clean cooking appliance to every household on the continent." About Key Carbon Key Carbon is a pioneering investment company that finances and supports some of the leading developers of high-quality carbon projects and has financed the planting of 3.75 million trees since incorporation, among other critical projects. The company's mission is to help combat climate change, improve local biodiversity, soil health and water quality, and benefit some of the world's most vulnerable communities. Founded in 2021 as Carbon Neutral Royalty and rebranded as Key Carbon in 2023, Key Carbon is a permanent capital vehicle building a large, diversified portfolio of high-integrity carbon credit streams and royalties. In turn, Key Carbon helps corporates and other organisations on their journey to Net Zero using high integrity voluntary carbon credits. www.key-carbon.com About Cartesian Capital Group & CSF Cartesian Capital Group is a global private equity firm with a demonstrated ability to grow companies internationally. With funds comprising more than $3 billion in capital commitments, Cartesian's team has helped to build 60 companies operating across 40 different countries. Cartesian established CSF to provide financing for a wide range of innovative projects that are dedicated to long-term economic sustainability. www.cartesiangroup.com About BURN Founded in 2011, BURN was created to save forests by revolutionizing the cookstove sector. While traditional, inefficient cookstoves can bankrupt families, damage their health, and destroy forests, BURN's best-in-class stoves can save families money on fuel, limit indoor air pollution and protect forests. BURN is now Africa's leading clean cooking company and one of the only carbon project developers to cover the full carbon value chain, from project design and in-house monitoring to credit issuance. Headquartered in Kenya and with direct operations in 9 African countries, BURN employs 2,500 people across Africa. The company has made and distributed nearly 4.4 million clean cookstoves, transforming the lives of over 24 million people and preventing over 20 million tons of CO2 from entering the atmosphere. www.burnstoves.com Contact Information Luke Leslie, Chief Executive Officer ([email protected]) Kristina Pillon, Investor Relations ([email protected]) +1-604-908-1695 Peter Yu, Managing Partner ([email protected]) +1-212-461-6363 Gemma Bakx, Investor Relations ([email protected]) +1-212-461-6363 To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/202474 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 21, 2024) - Neotech Metals Corp. (CSE: NTMC) (OTC Pink: NTMFF) (FSE: V690) ("Neotech" or the "Company"), is pleased to announce that it intends to complete a non-brokered private placement financing, in one or more tranches, of up to 2,142,857 flow through units of the Company (the "FT Units"), at a price of $0.70 per FT Unit, for gross proceeds of up to $1,500,000 (the "Offering"). Each FT Unit will be comprised of one common share that qualifies as a "flow-through share" as defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada) and one-half of one flow through common share purchase warrant (each such whole warrant, a "Warrant"), with each Warrant entitling the holder to purchase one common share (a "Warrant Share") at a price of $0.80 for a period of three years. The FT Units, including all underlying securities thereof, will have a hold period of four months and one day from the date of issue. Finder's fees may be payable to arm's length parties who introduce subscribers to the Company, in accordance with the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE"). The Warrants will be subject to an acceleration provision whereby, if for any 15 consecutive trading days the closing price of the Company's common shares (the "Shares") exceeds $1.00 per Share on the Exchange, the Company may announce by way of news release that the expiry date of the warrants will be accelerated to 30 days thereafter. The net proceeds from the sale of the FT Units will be used for qualified expenditures in respect of the Company's Canadian mineral properties. Neotech is also pleased to announce that it has extended its agreement with Financial Star News Inc. ("FSN") of 701 West Georgia Street, #1500, Vancouver, BC V7Y 1C6, e-mail [email protected] to provide marketing services for up to six months commencing on March 18, 2024. The new service term may be extended or shortened at the discretion of management depending on, amongst other things, the efficacy of the marketing services. The services provided by FSN will include the creation of campaigns, ad groups, text ads, display ads, performance of detailed keyword research, setup and management of remarketing campaigns, optimizing keyword options, coordinating online advertisers and marketers, corresponding to online marketing targets, creating landing pages for ad campaigns and generally bringing attention to the business of the Company. The promotional activity undertaken by FSN will occur on a http:///www.theFinancialStar.com landing page, and via Google ads and native advertising. The Company will pay a fee of USD $250,000 (plus GST) for the continuation of the marketing services. The Company will not issue any securities to FSN as compensation for its marketing services. As of the date hereof, to the Company's knowledge, FSN (including its directors and officers) does not own any securities of the Company and has an arm's length relationship with the Company. Lastly, the Company announces that it has decided to terminate its option agreement with regard to the Thor project in Nevada, USA. The Company will be refunded its initial cash payment from December 2023 and the common shares issued to the optionor will also be returned to treasury (please see news release dated December 15, 2023). For more Information please contact: Reagan Glazier, Chief Executive Officer E-mail: [email protected] Telephone:+1 403-815-6663 About Neotech Metals Corp. Neotech Metals Corp. is a mineral exploration company dedicated to discovering and developing valuable mineral resources in promising regions around the world. With a strong commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable practices, Neotech is positioned to make a positive impact while maximizing the potential of its exploration properties. The Company is a mineral exploration company based in Vancouver, B.C., and owns 100% of its TREO Rare Earth Element Property, located 90km northeast of Prince George, British Columbia, and 100% of its Foothills Rare Earth Element Property located in Central British Columbia. The Company also holds options on the EBB nickel-cobalt property in British Columbia, Canada. Forward-Looking Statements Certain information contained herein constitutes "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "will", "will be" 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. 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. The CSE has not reviewed, approved, or disapproved the contents of this press release. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/202526 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 21, 2024) - Quest Critical Metals Inc. (CSE: BULL) (OTCQB: DCNNF) (FSE: DCR0)(formerly Canadian Palladium Resources Inc.) ("Quest Critical Metals" or the "Company")announces the appointments of Brian Kirwin and Percy Clark to its board of directors, and the resignation of Bryce Tisdale as a director, effective immediately. Mr. Kirwin, BA Earth Sciences, Dartmouth College, MSc Mineral Exploration, Queen's University, is an accomplished mining executive and geoscientist with over 35 years' of experience with both senior and junior mining companies. Mr. Kirwin began his career in mining working in exploration and corporate development on projects from grass roots to mines worldwide for companies such as Placer Dome, Freeport McMoRan and Cominco. He has served in leadership positions in various capacities from CEO and founder of American Bonanza Gold Corp. and Nevada Copper to VP Exploration for US Cobalt before its ultimate sale to First Cobalt. With global experience evaluating and developing deposits, mines and risk worldwide, Mr. Kirwin has led teams to several discoveries. Mr. Clark graduated with a BSc (Geology) from Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia. He is a Professional Geologist registered with the Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario. He has worked as a geologist with IAMGOLD Corp. at their Cote Gold project in Gogama, Ontario. At IAMGOLD Corp., he was part of the exploration team and worked on the feasibility study conducted in 2017. Mr. Clark serves on the boards of both the Ontario Prospectors Association and North-western Ontario Prospectors Association. James Newall, President and CEO, commented, "We are delighted to welcome Brian Kirwin and Percy Clark to the Board. Brian has a wealth of experience and Percy has been a key part of our work with the EU funded EIS Project. I would also like to thank Mr. Bryce Tisdale for all his work and support over the years." Quest Critical Metals Inc. James Newall, President and CEO T: (604) 639-4472 To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/202479 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 21, 2024) - Ridgeline Minerals Corp. (TSXV: RDG) (OTCQB: RDGMF) (FSE: 0GC0) ("Ridgeline" or the "Company") is pleased to announce, further to its news release of February 21, 2024, the Company has received TSX Venture Exchange acceptance to proceed with the sale of the Robber Gulch oxide gold project ("Robber Gulch" or the "Project") to Scout Discoveries Corp. ("Scout"), a privately-owned Delaware company (the "Transaction"). The Transaction was completed effective March 20, 2024 wherein Scout acquired 100% of Ridgeline's interest (including assuming the underlying lease agreement and all outstanding liabilities of the Company) in Robber Gulch for the sale price of US$150,000 comprised of a cash payment of US$50,000 and 200,000 common shares of Scout with an aggregate value of US$100,000. The Project is comprised of 117 lode mining claims in Cassia County, Idaho and is host to an early-stage Carlin-Type gold system with shallow-oxide exploration potential. The Company's President, CEO and Director, Mr. Chad Peters (the "Interested Party"), is also a director and shareholder of Scout and the Transaction is therefore a "related party transaction" within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The directors of Ridgeline, excluding the Interested Party, have determined that the Transaction is exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 as neither the fair market value of the subject matter of, nor the fair market value of the consideration for, the Transaction, insofar as it involves the Interested Party, exceeds 25% of the Company's market capitalization. The Company will file a material change report in respect of the Transaction. The material change report will not be filed more than 21 days before the closing of the Transaction, which the Company deems reasonable in the circumstances as the Company has previously disclosed in its news release dated February 21, 2024 that the Company planned to complete the Transaction as soon as practicable following receipt of all requisite regulatory approvals. About Scout Discoveries Corp. Scout is a private mineral exploration company focused on the discovery of Tier One precious and base metal deposits in Idaho, USA. About Ridgeline Minerals Corp. Ridgeline Minerals is a discovery focused precious and base metal explorer with a proven management team and a 192km2 exploration portfolio across five projects in Nevada, USA. The Company boasts two earn-in exploration agreements with Nevada Gold Mines at its Swift and Black Ridge projects, which are being aggressively explored in 2024. More information about Ridgeline can be found at www.ridgelineminerals.com. On behalf of the Board "Chad Peters" President & CEO Further Information: Chad Peters, P.Geo. President, CEO & Director Ridgeline Minerals Corp. +1 775 304 9773 [email protected] Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. Cautionary Note regarding Forward Looking Statements Statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "Forward-Looking Information") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-Looking Information includes, but is not limited to, the filing of the material change report in respect thereof. The words "potential", "anticipate", "meaningful", "discovery", "forecast", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "project", "plan", "historical", "historic" and similar expressions are intended to be among the statements that identify Forward-Looking Information. Forward-Looking Information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied by the Forward-Looking Information. In preparing the Forward-Looking Information in this news release, Ridgeline has applied several material assumptions, including, but not limited to the current objectives concerning the Project and the Company's other projects can be achieved and that its other corporate activities will proceed as expected and that general business and economic conditions will not change in a materially adverse manner. Forward-Looking Information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of Ridgeline to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the Forward-Looking Information. Such risks and other factors include, among others, risks related to dependence on key personnel; risks related to unforeseen delays; risks related to historical data that has not been verified by the Company; as well as those factors discussed in Ridgeline's public disclosure record. Although Ridgeline has attempted to identify important factors that could affect Ridgeline and may cause actual actions, events, or results to differ materially from those described in Forward-Looking Information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that Forward-Looking Information 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 Information. Except as required by law, Ridgeline does not assume any obligation to release publicly any revisions to Forward-Looking Information contained in this news release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/202503 Sydney, Australia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 21, 2024) - Safe Pest Control today announced the expansion of its premier commercial pest control division in Australia. The pest control experts aim to live up to the expectations of its customers in New South Wales with its top-notch commercial pest control service. Its eco-conscious and harm-free pest management approach is worth acknowledging. "We are dedicated to expanding our operations tenfold with our new commercial pest control division," says Milad Bahrami, the Founder. "We understand the importance of preventative pest control. And, we strive to keep your home and business pest-free all year round with our dependable, trustworthy, and timely solutions," finishes Milad Bahrami, the Founder of the company. Safe Pest Control Safe Pest Control is famous for its amiability and efficiency in New South Wales, Australia. Its commercial and residential pest solutions have been a premier choice amongst the residents for over fifteen years now. From ant control solutions to silverfish pest control ones, Safe Pest Control has it all. And, Safe Pest Control brings it all to the table with 5-star service and a commitment to same-day service for all pest concerns. Safe Pest Control understands how commonly businesses feel hesitant to reach out to a commercial pest management company. This is why Safe Pest Control now takes pride in offering highly transparent commercial pest control services with upfront pricing. Safe Pest Control only works with experts to provide a variety of commercial pest control solutions to overcome the unique challenges and requirements of its customers. Its goal is to offer immediate services for various pest issues to satisfy its customers. People praise Safe Pest Control for its commitment to excellence in pest management and a stellar track record. The Safe Pest Control team is trusted by Australian companies. It specializes in treating commercial pest concerns for retail stores, factories, warehouses, restaurants, corporate offices, etc. Its reliable pest control services have bagged them immense acclaim in Australia. Being a popular pest management company in NSW, Safe Pest Control makes sure to unveil an extensive lineup of commercial pest solutions. It offers top-tier, effective pest control and solutions for commercial businesses. Businesses looking for any type of pest management solutions can trust Safe Pest Control with their time and money. Customers can enjoy quality pest management with Safe Pest Control. Property managers, strata managers, and building owners can implement routine preventative maintenance to maintain optimum pest control. Safe Pest Control lives up to the expectations with personalized and transparent pest management services. Some of the top-rated pest management solutions the company offers are cockroach control, termite control, rat control service, and more. What sets it apart from its competitors in the New South Wales region is its effective and long-term prevention solutions. Customers can find all pest control services at www.safepestcontrol.net.au/ and book a complimentary consultation to get started. The highly trained pest control specialists at Safe Pest Control further ensure a truly valuable experience by doing the job right the first time. Safe Pest Control https://safepestcontrol.net.au/ Milad Bahrami [email protected] 16/ 9 Anderson St Neutral Bay, Sydney, Australia 1300119085 To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/202457 Washington, D.C.--(Newsfile Corp. - March 21, 2024) - As part of its continuing efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion with regulated entities, the Securities and Exchange Commissions Office of Minority and Women Inclusion (OMWI) published two reports: the 2022 Diversity Assessment Report for Entities Regulated by the SEC and OMWIs Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Annual Report to Congress. The 2022 Diversity Assessment Report for Entities Regulated by the SEC analyzes information received from regulated entities in response to OMWIs 2022 invitation to conduct and submit voluntary self-assessments of their diversity policies and practices. The report indicates many entities did not submit self-assessments of their diversity policies and practices. SEC received 58 submissions covering nearly 7 percent of regulated entities. The report noted accomplishments about diversity efforts among the entities that submitted responses to voluntary self-assessments. Notable highlights include: A majority of responses indicate firms organizational commitment to diversity and inclusion as well as employment practices to promote workforce diversity and inclusion. Few firms indicate business and supplier diversity policies and practices. A majority of firms publicize workforce diversity progress but fewer publicize supplier diversity progress. Most firms monitor their diversity progress, but just 33 percent use the Joint Standards and fewer than 40 percent publicize the results of their self-assessments. OMWIs FY 2023 Annual Report to Congress provides more information about actions and progress in furthering the agencys mission through interactions with the financial services industry, including connecting with underrepresented groups through outreach events and participation in the SECs Advisory Committees and Task Forces. The report also summarizes the SECs continued actions and achievements towards fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace that reflects the diversity of the public the agency serves and the agencys use of minority- and women-owned businesses in the agencys business operations. Notable highlights from the report include: Of over 13,500 applications for mission-critical occupations and where applicants self-identified demographic information, 56.6% of those applicants were minorities and 39.2 percent of those applicants were women; Of the SECs 162 senior officers, 75 are women and 50 are minority reflecting a 13.6 percent relative increase in women and a 31.6 percent relative increase in minorities from FY 2022 to FY 2023; 36 percent of the workforce identify as minorities; and 44 percent of the money paid to the pool of socioeconomically identifiable vendors was paid to minority- and women-owned businesses. OMWI provides leadership and guidance for the SECs efforts to leverage diversity and inclusion throughout the agency, and works to build and maintain a diverse workforce, cultivate an inclusive work environment, and foster diversity in the agencys business activities. OMWI works in close collaboration with all of the SECs divisions and offices. ### LinkDaddy, a marketing agency based in Miami, has announced a new update to its fully managed social media marketing services for businesses across sectors. Miami, Florida--(Newsfile Corp. - March 20, 2024) - With the latest announcement, LinkDaddy expands its marketing capabilities to offer niche-specific, highly targeted social media content creation. The team - consisting of marketers with years of experience in online content creation - will manage content creation and analytics for brands and drive more impressions daily. More information can be found at https://linkdaddy.com/social-media-management/. Social Media Management & Content Creation Services Announced By LinkDaddy Cannot view this image? Visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8814/202391_linkdaddyimg1.jpg LinkDaddy notes that the main goal of the newly announced service is to increase engagement and reputation for clients. Regular posting can enhance brand visibility while maintaining a consistent cadence helps to foster deeper and more meaningful relationships with customers. According to recent data from HootSuite, over half of businesses believe that dedicating time to a social media presence on multiple apps is vital for success in 2024. LinkDaddy's service aims to make this a simpler and more efficient process. The team works closely with clients to develop thoughtful content strategies tailored to reach their ideal audiences - determining which platforms best align with campaign goals and user demographics. They also establish posting schedules optimized for each channel, ensuring content appears when users are most active and receptive. The team brainstorms engaging messages and utilizes different formats - including adaptive posts, photo albums, carousels, animated GIFs, and short videos - bringing campaigns to life visually. This multi-faceted approach aims to establish meaningful conversations and connections with viewers. Scheduling can be daily or as frequently as the business dictates. LinkDaddy oversees all activity across accounts - proactively responding to comments, messages, and reviews, nurturing the communities growing around brands. They also continuously analyze performance, fine-tuning content and strategies to maximize reach and results. In addition to organic marketing, LinkDaddy can manage boosted posts on each platform to raise awareness around specific messages. Combining both organic content and paid advertising helps to maximize reach and engagement, while also increasing follower count. Tony Peacock, the CEO of the agency, states: "We'll expand your brand's reach through strategic content creation, optimized posting schedules, and targeted audience engagement. Our experts will actively engage with your audience, fostering relationships that boost customer loyalty and satisfaction." Interested parties can learn more at https://linkdaddy.com/social-media-management/. Contact Info: Name: Tony Peacock Email: [email protected] Organization: LinkDaddy Address: 1065 SW 8th St PMB 622, Miami, Florida 33130, United States Website: https://linkdaddy.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/202391 Halifax, Nova Scotia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 21, 2024) - Torrent Capital Ltd. (TSXV: TORR) ("Torrent Capital") congratulates Port of Argentia and Hamburg Port Authority on the signing of a Letter of Intent ("LOI") to collaborate on the export and import of green hydrogen from Canada to Germany. The agreement was signed in Hamburg during the Canada-Germany Hydrogen and Ammonia Producer-Offtaker Conference. The conference was being held in support of the Canada-Germany Energy Partnership and Hydrogen Alliance. That Alliance commits the two countries to collaborate on reducing emissions and transitioning to cleaner fuels and a greener economy through the export of clean Canadian hydrogen to Germany. During the conference, Canada and Germany announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding ("MOU") that commits both countries to backing transactions between Canadian hydrogen producers and Germany's industrial manufacturing and energy distribution sectors. The intent of the MOU is to identify pathways which will enable Canadian hydrogen producers to develop commercial scale projects based on reasonable prices contained in long-term commercially binding offtake agreements with German buyers. The Port of Argentia is looking to host the production of a robust supply chain of green hydrogen derivatives for export to Germany. Pattern Renewable Holdings Canada 2 ULC ("Pattern Energy") is undertaking the feasibility, environmental and permitting work necessary to establish Argentia Renewables, a 300-MW wind energy to green hydrogen production project at the Port of Argentia. Coinciding with the Canada-Germany Hydrogen and Ammonia Producer-Offtaker Conference, Pattern Energy signed a LOI with Mabanaft, an integrated energy company headquartered in Germany. The LOI outlines both company's mutual interest of exploring the possibility of a partnership between Pattern Energy and Mabanaft for equity investment and green ammonia supply from Pattern Energy's Argentia Renewables project. Argentia Capital Inc. ("ACI") is a 50/50 joint venture between Port of Argentia Inc. ("POA") and Torrent Capital Ltd. Through the joint venture, Torrent Capital is investing in developmental projects at the Port which will generate opportunities to earn royalty revenues and invest in equity positions. ACI has negotiated an opportunity to invest in Pattern Energy's renewable energy green-fuels project. Negotiated commercial terms will see ACI receiving a royalty calculated as a percentage of gross revenue on sales from the ammonia production facilities, at rates ranging from 1.0% - 3.5% depending on price. In addition, ACI has the right to acquire up to a 12.5% limited partner equity interest in the wind, hydrogen and ammonia project, or any other entities established for maintaining and operating renewable energy green fuels production, storage and exports at the Port. ACI's involvement in this venture highlights its efforts to work with POA in fostering innovative projects with substantial long-term benefits. Pattern Energy's Renewable Green Fuels Project at the Port of Argentia Pattern Renewable Holdings Canada 2 ULC ("Pattern Energy") is planning to develop a renewable energy-to-green fuels project at the Port of Argentia, Newfoundland and Labrador. Feasibility and permitting work for a renewable energy-to-green fuels project at the Port is ongoing. The Project involves the installation of 300 MW of wind power on lands privately owned by Port of Argentia Inc. In addition, a hydrogen / ammonia plant will be located at the Port in close proximity to Port of Argentia's marine terminal. These facilities will produce hydrogen through an electrolysis of water using renewable wind energy. It will also produce nitrogen by air separation using renewable energy. Ammonia will be created when the hydrogen and nitrogen gases react, and its energy content is a product of the energy used to produce these gases. The Project is expected to produce 400 metric tonnes per day (MTPD) of green ammonia (146,000 tonnes of ammonia per year). Project commissioning is targeted for 2027. Once the Project is operational, the product will be exported by marine vessels to international markets. Based on the viability of the Project and market conditions, the Project could be scaled up in a second phase to more than 1 gigawatt of renewable energy producing approximately 1,400 MTPD of ammonia. About Torrent Capital Ltd. Torrent is a publicly traded investment issuer that invests in the securities of private and publicly traded companies. The Company invests in companies that are due to experience accelerated growth or are trading at a discount to their intrinsic value. Torrent offers investors the potential to earn above market returns while providing transparency, daily liquidity and a modest fee profile compared to competing investment products. For further information, please contact: Torrent Capital Wade Dawe, President & CEO Bus: 902-536-1976 Fax: 902-491-4281 [email protected] CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This press release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. 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. Torrent 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 required by law. The reader is referred the Company's annual financial reporting for a discussion of risks and uncertainties. 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. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/202702 Altera Global was founded on November 10, 2023 by Geoff Walker, a successful businessman and financier from New Zealand. In the business world, reaching new heights is not just a goal, it is a path of development. Altera Global, in just the first 4 months of its activity, attracted more than 10,000 partners, which shows the excellent growth rate of the company. This is due to a unique approach to doing business, as well as setting new standards in the industry. The company is based in the picturesque city of Vancouver, located on Canada's west coast. Vancouver is a unique city because it combines technological innovation, a forward-thinking community and a favorable regulatory environment. It was this unique combination that led to the choice of location for Altera Global. Altera Global was founded on November 10, 2023 by Geoff Walker, a successful businessman and financier from New Zealand. With sufficient knowledge of the stock market, the cryptocurrency industry and running a business, Geoff has always dreamed of starting his own company. Altera Global has become his reflection of ideas and ambitions. The company is developing, the number of participants is more than 10 thousand, registrations have been received in the UK and Hong Kong, which allows us to cover all major regions of the world. The main activity of the company is trading cryptocurrencies. The areas that the company uses are intraday trading, swing trading, futures and options trading, and long-term trading. The company is engaged in liquidity pharming and currency conversion. Altera Global conducts research in the field of artificial intelligence, as well as deals with educational processes. The question arises as to how a company can work with such a diverse set of directions. The fact is that before founding the company, Geoff already had a circle of people with whom he was engaged in joint activities. They were professionals from different fields. Thanks to them, as well as high-quality selection, it was possible to form a team consisting of various kinds of specialists. At the moment, the company employs about 500 people, including professionals in the field of trading, analytics, marketing, law, innovation, security and others. Altera Global is an innovative cryptocurrency company striving for global influence. Looking to the future, the company aims to diversify its product portfolio, integrate advanced blockchain and artificial intelligence technologies, and focus on creating environmentally sustainable solutions. By strengthening cooperation with regulatory authorities, focusing on educational initiatives and constantly improving the user experience, the company strives to become a global leader in providing innovative, secure and sustainable cryptocurrency services. The advantage of Altera Global is that you can track the company's activities in real time in the "Live Trading" section. This section displays information about ongoing transactions, their results, as well as detailed statistics for different time periods. The company provides quarterly reports in which you can find detailed information about the various indicators of the company. Also, one of the most important factors is the availability of its own Altera Secure Asset Fund (ASAF). Summing up, we can say that Altera Global is an advanced company at the moment, which is developing and sees its future. Go to the company's platform and get acquainted with its activities. Contact Info: Name: Media Team Email: Send Email Organization: Altera Global Website: https://www.altera-global.net/ Disclaimer: This press release is for informational purposes only. Information verification has been done to the best of our ability. Still, due to the speculative nature of the blockchain (cryptocurrency, NFT, mining, etc.) sector as a whole, complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed. You are advised to conduct your own research and exercise caution. Investments in these fields are inherently risky and should be approached with due diligence. Release ID: 89124986 If you encounter any issues, discrepancies, or concerns regarding the content provided in this press release that require attention or if there is a need for a press release takedown, we kindly request that you notify us without delay at [email protected]. Our responsive team will be available round-the-clock to address your concerns within 8 hours and take necessary actions to rectify any identified issues or guide you through the removal process. Ensuring accurate and reliable information is fundamental to our mission. The annual awards, hosted by OneCause, celebrate the passion, vision, and success of nonprofits and fundraising professionals. INDIANAPOLIS , March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- OneCause, a leading provider of digital fundraising technology, today announced that nominations for the 2024 Raise Awards are now open. The Raise Awards program honors fundraisers and nonprofits that are transforming the generosity landscape through innovative approaches that ignite donor engagement and drive fundraising success. "We're honored to host the Raise Awards each year," said Steve Johns , chief executive officer for OneCause. "It's more than just an awards program it's an opportunity to applaud the standout Fearless Fundraisers fueling positive change and creating a better future for generations to come. Their dedication inspires us, and it's a privilege to celebrate them at the annual Raise conference." The awards recognize multiple winners, segmented by nonprofit size, for their achievements in the following categories: Innovative Nonprofit of the Year: Recognizing innovation and creativity in fundraising by organizations who are thinking outside the box and implementing new ideas. Recognizing innovation and creativity in fundraising by organizations who are thinking outside the box and implementing new ideas. Storyteller of the Year: Recognizing excellence in communicating purpose and vision through branding, narrative, and promotion that informs the mind and moves the heart. Recognizing excellence in communicating purpose and vision through branding, narrative, and promotion that informs the mind and moves the heart. Fundraisers of the Year: Recognizing individuals who live out the organization's mission, are dedicated to the donor experience, and always give 100% percent to the cause. Last year's awards highlighted creating and strengthening meaningful connections with supporters through innovative fundraising strategies and inspiring, mission-focused storytelling. "I was beyond grateful to be recognized as a Fundraiser of the Year!" said Jessica Maginn, senior marketing communications specialist for Indy Women in Tech. "Really, the award honors the impact of the entire Indy Women in Tech team, whose persistent dedication, hard work, and passion are igniting young girls' interest in STEM and helping women accomplish milestones in tech across the Indianapolis community." Last year's winners included: Nomination Process Raise Awards nominations are being accepted on the Raise website through 11:59 p.m. on June 7, 2024 . The Raise Awards are free to enter for individual fundraisers and nonprofits of all sizes. All submissions will be reviewed by a committee of peer nonprofit professionals and industry experts, focusing on specific nonprofit achievements, campaigns, and events from March 2023 through March 2024 . This year, the cash donation to Innovative Nonprofit of the Year and Storyteller of the Year winners has been increased to $2,500 for their missions on behalf of OneCause. Individual Fundraisers of the Year will receive $500 . Winners will be honored at a reception on the evening of September 8th as the Raise 2024 conference kicks off in Nashville, Tennessee . About OneCause OneCause is driving the future of fundraising with easy-to-use digital fundraising solutions that help nonprofits improve the giving experience and raise more money. OneCause builds technology that optimizes everyday generosity, making it easier for nonprofit organizations to fundraise and for nonprofit supporters to give. Since 2008, OneCause has helped over 11,000 nonprofits in the United States and Canada raise more than $6.5 billion for their missions. Headquartered in Indianapolis , OneCause is committed to driving innovation in the charitable sector, bringing together nonprofit professionals across the world for the annual Raise Conference to exchange ideas that further fundraising. For more information, visit www.onecause.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/2024-raise-awards-for-nonprofits-open-for-nominations-302095988.html SOURCE OneCause LANSING, Mich. , March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Accident Fund is proud to recognize President's Club Award honorees and Regional Agency of the Territory winners, representing high-performing agent partners across the U.S. Recipients of this important award exhibited outstanding results in premium, cumulative loss ratio and premium retention in 2023. Accident Fund is proud to recognize President's Club Award honorees and Regional Agency of the Territory winners. "Accident Fund congratulates all of our winners for the hard work and care shown throughout the year," said Mike Valiante , senior vice president of Small Commercial Market, AF Group. "These dynamic agencies have earned this recognition by providing a high level of personal attention, expertise and value to our mutual policyholders. We are grateful for these incredible partners, leaders and collaborators, and look forward to working together to reach new levels of success in 2024." The President's Club Award winners are: Acrisure LLC dba The Campbell Group dba Acrisure LLC , DBA Larkin Group , Acrisure, LLC dba Presidio Insurance Solutions dba Alliant Insurance Services Inc Allied Insurance Managers ARM Mid-America AssuredPartners Great Plains LLC BHC Insurance BHS Insurance Agency, Inc. Brown & Brown of Michigan, Inc Doeren Mayhew Insurance Group FEE Insurance Group Gallagher Granite Insurance Agency Inc. Gregory & Appel Insurance Agency Hub International Midwest HUB International Midwest Limited InPro Insurance Group Kapnick Insurance Group Marsh & McLennan Agency LLC Marsh McLennan Agency, LLC . - Southwest . - Southwest McGowan Insurance Group Oakland Insurance Agency Peabody Insurance Agency, Inc. Pelnik Insurance , a MarshMMA Agency , a Powell Insurance Group Inc. Preferred Insurance Services, Inc. Ralph C Wilson Agency Saginaw Bay Underwriters Southpoint Insurance Agency, Inc. Sterling Insurance Group Swallows Insurance Agency The Huttenlocher Group Towne Insurance Agency, LLC UNITEL , a division of UNICO Group , a division of VAST, an Acrisure Partner Agency VTC Insurance Group Wells Insurance Additionally, Accident Fund recognized the following high performers as Regional Agency of the Territory winners: Atlantic NC/SC Region : Wayah Insurance : Atlantic MD/VA Region : Preferred Insurance : Central Region : AssuredPartners Great Plains LLC : Great Lakes : M3 Insurance : Southeast Michigan : Kapnick Insurance Group : Southern Region : Charles M. Moore Insurance Agency : Southwest Region : BHC Insurance About Accident Fund Accident Fund has provided exceptional workers' compensation insurance, loss prevention strategies and superior claims service for more than 100 years, with a focus on customer experience and innovation to achieve the best outcomes for customers and their injured workers. Accident Fund is a division of AF Group. All policies are underwritten by a licensed insurer subsidiary. For more information, visit afgroup.com. AF Group. Contact: Marissa Sura (517) 896-3707 [email protected] AFGroup.com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/accident-fund-names-presidents-club-and-agency-of-the-territory-winners-302096005.html SOURCE AF Group NASHVILLE, Tenn. , March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- CarSaver, the leading automotive enterprise adaptive retail platform and marketplace, proudly announces the appointment of Addison Verklas as Vice President of Product, Dealer Solutions, and System Integrations. Addison joins CarSaver from AutoNation, where he held a prominent position leading strategic systems. With his extensive experience and deep passion for product strategy garnered from his tenure at AutoNation, America's largest dealer group, Addison is poised to drive CarSaver's continued success in the automotive industry's digital transformation. "As the automotive industry embraces a pivotal shift towards digital, I'm excited to be joining CarSaver, a leader in this transformation," said Addison Verklas. "CarSaver's innovative e-commerce approach not only streamlines the car buying process for consumers but also sets a new standard for the industry. My enthusiasm for joining the team stems from a shared vision to enhance customer experiences, streamline dealer processes, and elevate the industry through their unique solutions. I look forward to working alongside CarSaver to spearhead advancements in automotive retail, pushing the boundaries of what's possible." CarSaver's CEO, Chad Collier , expressed enthusiasm about Addison Verklas joining the team, stating, "We are delighted to welcome Addison to CarSaver as our Vice President of Product, Dealer Solutions, and System Integrations. His proven track record in streamlining dealer processes through technology, along with his strategic approach to product development and innovation in automotive retail, will undoubtedly strengthen our leadership in the automotive marketplace. We eagerly anticipate leveraging Addison's extensive expertise as we continue to revolutionize the industry." About CarSaver Since its inception in 2016, CarSaver has been dedicated to simplifying the car-buying process through its online platform, providing a seamless experience from start to finish. Trusted by renowned brands such as Walmart, Nissan, iHeartMedia, SHOP.com, and thousands of dealers, CarSaver's e-commerce platform and marketplace have facilitated billions of dollars in retail purchases annually. CarSaver is pushing the boundaries of automotive e-commerce by delivering new and innovative experiences that brands, retailers, and lenders are deploying to enhance their customer experiences, increase loyalty, and sell more cars. The Automotive News Pace Awards recognized CarSaver as the first and only enterprise platform to sell cars 100% online. Carsaver's platform is licensed and white-labeled by car companies, dealers, groups, and lenders to provide a seamless, tier-less buying experience across the entire ecosystem online and in-store. For more information about CarSaver, visit CarSaverCommerce.com and follow CarSaver on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn. Media Contact: Aaron Crawford [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/addison-verklas-joins-carsaver-as-vice-president-of-product-dealer-solutions-and-system-integrations-302096205.html SOURCE CarSaver Scientists at Cincinnati Children's lead deepest dive yet into the mechanics of blood cell development. They found new treasure. CINCINNATI , March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Thanks to an unusual application of game theory and machine learning technology, a large team of scientists led by experts at Cincinnati Children's has published the world's most detailed "atlas" of the many types of stem cells and early progenitors involved in producing human blood from diverse donors. The team has identified more than 80 distinct subsets of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) early-stage cells that kick off production of mature red cells, white cells and other elements of our complex blood system. Details were published March 21, 2024 , in Nature Immunology. "We believe our highly focused capture strategy of the earliest HSPCs, intermediate cell states plus stromal populations, and the most abundant end states provides the deepest view of bone marrow stem and progenitor compartments described to date," the co-authors state. The study was led by co-first authors Xuan Zhang , PhD, and Baobao Song, PhD, and co-corresponding authors Nathan Salomonis , PhD, and H. Leighton Grimes , PhD, all researchers with Cincinnati Children's. Overall, the study includes 26 co-authors from four academic medical centers and two biotech companies. Leukemia implications and more This complex research project involved using multiple advanced genomic research tools and computational methods to build detailed genomic and proteomic profiles of more than 300,000 bone marrow cells collected from a diverse mix of donors spanning race and sex. Cincinnati Children's is committed to promoting inclusivity and addressing population diversity in scientific studies as part of their ongoing mission. In addition to meticulous single-cell RNA sequencing work and matching flow cytometry, analyzing the massive data set required innovative use of machine learning technology and dipping into game theory to perform key statistical analyses. Some of the research tools the team used, including two software tools scTriangulate and pyIninityFlow, were developed at Cincinnati Children's. Among the team's key findings: Mixing a new "cocktail" of 132 antibodies that can target surface proteins on HSPCs and related cells. Testing demonstrated that the new mix outperforms commercial products for profiling human bone marrow cells. Identifying 89 clusters by a novel integration of gene expression and surface proteins helped reveal new stem/progenitor cell populations. Strategies and markers for isolating novel cell populations. First, two novel surface markers C5L2 and TSPAN33 to identify cells entering transitional states between progenitor status and becoming a mature neutrophil. Second, distinct staging of human red blood cell formation called erythroblasts with CD326 and CD235a. New online computational tools to predict the cellular origins and possible causes of cancers such as acute myeloid leukemia (AML). "Our analysis uncovers previously hidden cell states, such as the most primitive stem cells, by combining information from diverse prior atlases, surface markers and genes, and new advances in machine learning," Salomonis says. One of the most immediate potential applications of the new stem cell atlas centers on how treatment centers monitor patients receiving therapies for leukemia. "For example, some people develop resistance to Venotoclax with azacytidine (a chemotherapy that was approved in 2018 as a first line therapy for AML)," Grimes says. "In some cases, the therapy-resistant disease appears to be driven by a "monocytic" form of leukemia stem cell (m-LSC) rather than a more "primitive" form (p-LSC). With an atlas like this, it becomes more possible to determine which types of cancer stem cells are present in the AML, and that information could then inform how a clinician might adjust a treatment regimen." The new study reports finding 69 antibodies within 23 cell states that may represent attractive biomarkers for clinical monitoring of people with AML. While the development of the new stem cell atlas is an essential start, much more research and development will be needed to integrate the new data about blood cell formation into medical care, Grimes says. Making the tool available The co-authors predict that the new digital bone marrow atlas will accelerate the discovery of more cellular and molecular regulators of blood diseases. To support such efforts, the research team is making its data and tools widely available to the research community. While the Nature Immunology article has been made open access, full detail and access to this advanced digital resource, including data viewers, methods, raw data and code, are available at https://altanalyze.org/MarrowAtlas/. About the study In addition to the first and corresponding authors, contributing co-authors from Cincinnati Children's include Guangyuan Li , Dan Schnell , Kairavee Thakkar, Michal Kouril , Kang Jin , Stuart Hay , and Sidharth Sen , all with the Division of Biomedical Informatics; plus Kyle Ferchen , Bailee Kain , David Bernardicius , Siyuan Ma , and Sierra Bennett , all with the Division of Immunobiology. Data acquisition for this study included support from the Research Flow Cytometry Core and the DNA Sequencing and Genotyping Core at Cincinnati Children's. Contributors also included scientists from the Yale School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, University of Colorado School of Medicine, San Diego -based BioLegend Inc., and Massachusetts based Curiox Biosystems, Inc. Funding sources for this work include several grants from the National Institutes of Health, especially an RC2 grant from the NIDDK, complemented by an NIDDK Cooperative Centers of Excellence in Hematology grant, a Specialized Center of Research (SCOR) grant from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and the US Department of Veterans Affairs. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/advanced-map-of-human-blood-stem-cells-could-guide-highly-targeted-leukemia-care-302096453.html SOURCE Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center The college was honored for the third-consecutive year INDIANAPOLIS , March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- American College of Education(ACE) was recently presented the 2024 Top Workplaces USA award by Energage and USA Today at a celebration in New York City . For the third-consecutive year, ACE was chosen based solely on employee feedback gathered through an employee engagement survey issued by Energage. Results are calculated by comparing the survey's research-based statements, including 15 Culture Drivers that are proven to predict high performance against industry benchmarks. ACE President and CEO Geordie Hyland , Chief Human Resources Officer KK Byland and Vice President of Human Resources Natalie Pelham attended the celebration. ACE earned twelve culture badges. "Seeing ACE evolve in employee engagement over the past nine years continues to be inspiring," Byland said. "It was a so exciting to attend the event in New York and celebrate next to like-minded organizations who believe in what we believe in - creating space for employees to not only thrive in their careers, but to also have fun serving a mission." "Earning a Top Workplaces award is a badge of honor for companies, especially because it comes authentically from their employees," Energage CEO Eric Rubino added. "That's something to be proud of. In today's market, leaders must ensure they're allowing employees to have a voice and be heard. That's paramount. Top Workplaces do this, and it pays dividends." About American College of Education American College of Education (ACE) is an accredited, 100% online college specializing in high-quality, affordable programs in education, business, leadership, healthcare and nursing. ACE is headquartered in Indianapolis and offers more than 60 innovative and engaging doctoral, specialist, master's and bachelor's degree programs for adult students, along with graduate-level certificate programs. About Energage Making the world a better place to work together. Energage is a purpose-driven company that helps organizations turn employee feedback into useful business intelligence and credible employer recognition through Top Workplaces. Built on 18 years of culture research and the results from 27 million employees surveyed across more than 70,000 organizations, Energage delivers the most accurate competitive benchmark available. With access to a unique combination of patented analytic tools and expert guidance, Energage customers lead the competition with an engaged workforce and an opportunity to gain recognition for their people-first approach to culture. For more information or to nominate your organization, visit energage.com or topworkplaces.com. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/american-college-of-education-named-top-workplace-by-energage-and-usa-today-302095314.html SOURCE American College of Education STARTING WITH A-B'S BUSCH LIGHT, CERTIFICATION INCLUDES NEW PACKAGING SEAL FOR PRODUCTS MADE WITH INGREDIENTS GROWN BY AMERICAN FARMERS FAIRFIELD, Calif. , March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Anheuser-Busch recently announced the national rollout of its newly-adopted U.S. Farmed certification and seal for several of its industry-leading beer brands, showing support for farmers in the U.S. , including California , where the state's farmers sold $59B worth of agricultural products in 20221. Developed and verified by the American Farmland Trust (AFT), a national nonprofit that helps to keep American farmers on their land, the U.S. Farmed certification and packaging seal helps shoppers choose products that derive at least 95 percent of their agricultural ingredients from farms in the United States . Anheuser-Busch is a proud supporter of American farmers, including rice farmers in California whom the brewer purchases over $8 million in rice from each year. Consumers in California are empowered to purchase U.S. Farmed certified products to benefit U.S. farmers and invest in the future of domestic ingredient sourcing, helping to ensure a vibrant and thriving agricultural sector in America for generations to come. The U.S. Farmed seal will first appear on Anheuser-Busch's Busch Light this May, and Budweiser, Bud Light and Michelob ULTRA have also obtained U.S. Farmed certification. Companies across the consumer-packaged goods (CPG) industry are encouraged to join the effort by obtaining U.S. Farmed certification for their domestically-sourced products. AFT will use funds raised through those certifications to expand programs and provide U.S. farmers across all 50 states with free resources and expert advisory services to help them access, protect, and maintain American farmland. By harnessing the potential of U.S sourced goods across the entire CPG industry, the U.S. Farmed certification aims to create a far greater impact for American agriculture than any one company could alone. This industry-wide effort will be supported by an Anheuser-Busch led campaign, "Choose Beer Grown Here," to encourage consumers to seek the U.S. Farmed certification and seal when shopping for products. "American farmers are the backbone of this country, and Anheuser-Busch has been deeply connected to the U.S. agricultural community and committed to sourcing high-quality ingredients from U.S. farmers for more than 165 years that's who we are," said Anheuser-Busch CEO Brendan Whitworth . "We source nearly all the ingredients in our iconic American beers from hard-working U.S. farmers many of whom we have worked with for generations. The U.S. Farmed certification takes our commitment to the next level, and we are proud to lead the industry in rallying behind American farmers to ensure the future of U.S. agriculture, which is crucial to our country's economy. We look forward to other companies joining us in seeking U.S. Farmed certification for their products so that together we can make an even greater impact and show our support for American farmers." The U.S. Farmed certification comes at a critical moment for American agriculture. According to AFT, within the next 15 years, ownership of over 30 percent of our nation's agricultural land could be in transition as the current generation of farmers prepares to retire. At the same time, farmland loss threatens the very foundation of our agricultural capacity, and new and beginning farmers are often challenged to secure the capital needed to enter agriculture. The U.S. Farmed certification will address this challenge head on by providing growers in California and across the country with access to the direct support needed to pursue their options for maintaining and protecting their farmland, as well as innovative strategies for transitioning their land to the next generation of farmers. "For over four decades, American Farmland Trust has worked tirelessly to ensure the land that sustains us remains in farming and its soils stay healthy and productive. Now, with the launch of the U.S. Farmed certification, we're taking a bold step to help secure the future of American agriculture and create both a movement and a market niche that celebrates and supports our nation's farmers," said Beth Sauerhaft , PhD, AFT Acting President and CEO. "Each U.S. Farmed certification has the potential to open new opportunities for farmers to receive assistance with succession planning, farmland protection tools for their operations, and other useful tactics to safeguard their land our nation's food systems. We appreciate Anheuser-Busch's leadership in bringing the U.S. Farmed certification to some of the country's most iconic brands, while also making tangible impact for American farmers." "We're excited to see American Farmland Trust partner with Anheuser-Busch to introduce the first-ever U.S. Farmed certification and support U.S. grown goods, including California ," said Ethan Driver , California farmer at Driver Family Farms. "Farmers in California now have a trusted partner and direct link to resources that will help ensure family-owned farms stay in the family for generations to come." For more information on the U.S. Farmed certification and seal, including resources for American Farmers and product certification, please visit http://www.farmland.org/usfarmed. Learn more about Anheuser-Busch's commitment to U.S. farmers here http://www.anheuser-busch.com/USFarmed. ABOUT AMERICAN FARMLAND TRUST American Farmland Trust is the only national organization that takes a holistic approach to agriculture, focusing on the land itself, the agricultural practices used on that land, and the farmers and ranchers who do the work. AFT launched the conservation agriculture movement and continues to raise public awareness through our No Farms, No Food message. Since our founding in 1980, AFT has helped permanently protect over 7.8 million acres of agricultural lands, advanced environmentally-sound farming practices on millions of additional acres and supported thousands of farm families. Learn more at www.farmland.org. ABOUT ANHEUSER-BUSCH At Anheuser-Busch, our purpose is to create a future with more cheers. We are always looking to serve up new ways to meet life's moments, dream big to move our industry forward, and make a meaningful impact in the world. We hope to build a future that everyone can celebrate, and everyone can share. For more than 165 years, Anheuser-Busch has carried on a legacy of brewing great-tasting, high-quality beers that have satisfied beer drinkers for generations. Today, we own and operate more than 120 facilities, including breweries, wholesaler distribution centers, agricultural facilities and packaging plants, and have more than 18,000 colleagues across the United States. We are home to several of America's most loved beer and beyond beer brands, including Michelob ULTRA, Cutwater Spirits, Stella Artois, Budweiser and Bud Light as well as a number of regional brands that provide beer drinkers with a choice of the best-tasting craft beers in the industry. From responsible drinking programs and emergency drinking water donations to industry-leading sustainability efforts, we are guided by our unwavering commitment to supporting the communities we call home. For more information, visit www.anheuser-busch.com or follow Anheuser-Busch on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. 1 USDA National Agricultural Statistics Services (2022). Census of Agriculture. Retrieved from https://www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/AgCensus/2022/index.php. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/american-farmland-trust-and-anheuser-busch-support-california-farmers-through-new-us-farmed-certification-302096246.html SOURCE Anheuser-Busch GURGAON, India , March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Azure Power Global Limited (the "Company" or "Azure"), an independent sustainable energy solutions provider and renewable power producer in India , today announced that it held its Special Meeting of Shareholders on March 20, 2024 at its Gurugram, India office. The proposal submitted for shareholder approval was approved. Specifically, the shareholders adopted the Annual Report of the Company for the year ended March 31, 2022 , along with the Report of the Board of Directors and the Report of the Auditors, and the corresponding annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended March 31, 2022 filed with US Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). About Azure Azure is a leading independent sustainable energy solutions provider and renewable power producer in India . Azure developed India's first utility scale solar project in 2009, and since then it has grown rapidly to become a leader in developing and operating large utility-scale renewable energy projects in the country. For more information about Azure, visit: www.azurepower.com . Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the US Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding the bringing of a fresh perspective and valuable guidance, driving growth and success, driving the Company forward, and achieving Company goals. Words such as "may," "will," "should," "likely," "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "projects," "believes," "estimates," "outlook" and similar expressions are used to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations and beliefs and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied by the statements in this press release. All forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to the Company as of the date hereof, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements. For more information: Contact Investor Contact [email protected] Media Contact [email protected] Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/819565/Azure_Power_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/azure-power-announces-results-of-the-special-meeting-held-on-march-20-2024-302095782.html SOURCE Azure Power WASHINGTON , March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Unprecedented abuse of immigration parole authority by the Biden administration is currently allowing more illegal aliens into the United States than the U.S. admits through the legal immigration process, finds a new report by the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR). Data detailed in the report, Immigration Parole: The Executive Branch's Shadow Immigration System, reveals that during the first two quarters of fiscal year (FY) 2023, 636,601 foreign nationals gained entry to the United States via parole compared with 545,419 who were granted green cards through our legal immigration system. The abuse of parole is effectively creating a shadow immigration system that circumvents Congress. The Biden administration has paroled in at least 1.8 million individuals in two years, giving these illegal aliens nearly the same benefits as green card holders. This widespread abuse of parole authority has been carried out in order to make the unprecedented influx of illegal aliens under the Biden administration less visible to the American public. In addition to illegal aliens who are granted parole upon entering the country illegally such as Jose Ibarra , who is accused of murdering Laken Riley , the Georgia nursing student the administration has created a parole program that allows citizens of certain countries who don't have visas and are ineligible to be admitted to fly directly to the United States . Upon their arrival, they receive parole, are released, and become eligible for work permits and other benefits. Illegal aliens who are granted parole to enter the U.S. have undergone inadequate vetting, increasing the national security and public safety risks to Americans. "The Biden administration has taken a program that, by statute, is supposed to be temporary and exercised on a case-by-case basis and created what they term as a 'new legal pathway' for people to enter and remain permanently in the country," said Dan Stein , president of FAIR. "To be clear, there is nothing legal about these pathways. Under our Constitution, only Congress has the authority to create legal avenues for people to enter the United States . Nevertheless, the administration has usurped that authority to implement what amounts to a shadow immigration system that now exceeds in scope the formal legal immigration process." Among the Biden administration's most egregious abuses of parole authority include: Development of the CBP One app, which facilitates appointments for illegal migrants heading to the U.S. , and has resulted in the parole of over 43,000 illegal aliens each month from ports of entry. , and has resulted in the parole of over 43,000 illegal aliens each month from ports of entry. Creation of new programs for nationals of Ukraine and Afghanistan , which violate the statutory prohibition on paroling in refugees, bypass the established refugee process, and circumvent its standard vetting procedures. and , which violate the statutory prohibition on paroling in refugees, bypass the established refugee process, and circumvent its standard vetting procedures. Establishment of country specific parole programs for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans that allow as many as 360,000 inadmissible aliens a year to fly directly to the United States . . Creating "Family Reunification Parole" programs for the above-mentioned nationalities plus citizens of Colombia , El Salvador , Guatemala , Ecuador and Honduras . , , , and . Reinstatement of the Obama-era Central American Minors (CAM) and International Entrepreneurial parole programs. Illegal aliens granted parole are eligible for numerous public assistance programs and work authorization, and are able to adjust their status to green card holders. In addition, they are not monitored or required to check in with the government while in the United States . "This week Congress is holding hearings to examine the scope and impact of the Biden administration's flagrant abuse of parole. It is imperative that these hearings result in Congress passing clearly worded legislation such as those provisions included in H.R. 2 -- that curtails executive discretion and explicitly defines the specific, and limited, circumstances under which an alien may be released via parole into the United States ," Stein concluded. FAIR's full report, Immigration Parole: The Executive Branch's Shadow Immigration System, can be found here. Contact: Joey Chester , 202-742-1827, [email protected] ABOUT FAIR Founded in 1979, FAIR is the country's largest immigration reform group. With over 3 million members and supporters nationwide, FAIR fights for immigration policies that serve national interests, not special interests. FAIR believes that immigration reform must enhance national security, improve the economy, protect jobs, preserve our environment, and establish a rule of law that is recognized and enforced. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/biden-administrations-abuse-of-parole-for-illegal-aliens-now-outpaces-admission-of-legal-immigrants-finds-new-report-by-fair-302096305.html SOURCE Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) DALLAS , March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Blockhouse Digital, an asset management firm specializing in collateralized lending and yield-generating strategies in the crypto markets, is pleased to announce the successful completion of a $2 million seed GP funding round. This round included investments from strategic partners such as Blockhouse Digital's institutional OTC partner BlockFills, with significant contributions from various angel and VC investors. The funding will fuel the launch of Blockhouse Digital's specialized financial products and services, which are designed to serve institutional investors, borrowers, and lenders. "There is a lack of available credit to crypto infrastructure providers and traders," said Young Cho, CEO & Co-CIO of Blockhouse Digital, who is the former CIO of Abra, CFO of Hedera, and CFO of AltLending. "At the same time, borrowing demand is growing, especially among Bitcoin miners as the Bitcoin halving approaches in Q2 2024, and miners prepare to increase capex spending and take advantage of cheap ASIC prices." "OTC and principal trading firms are seeking credit facilities for capital to fill orders for their clients and provide market-making services to improve market liquidity," stated Randy Song , Co-Founder & Chief Business Development Officer of Blockhouse Digital, who is the former Head of Global Institutional Sales for Abra. "Due to this imbalance of supply and demand in the crypto credit markets, we believe this is an opportune time to launch a fund focused on lending in the crypto space." "The strategic partnership between BlockFills and Blockhouse Digital truly utilizes the experience, expertise, and core competencies of both companies to enhance the product and service offerings for our collective institutional clients," stated Nick Hammer , CEO of BlockFills. "Our joint efforts will allow us to add a substantial amount of liquidity and innovative credit products to better serve clients within our ecosystem as we see an unprecedented demand for credit. Additionally, Blockhouse will leverage BlockFills' technological capabilities, liquidity, and connectivity for OTC trading to create a best-in-class trading experience for the fund and their client network". The firm is led by a team of financial industry veterans with extensive experience in both traditional and crypto asset management, including stints at prestigious firms such as Citigroup, UBS, Morgan Stanley, AQR Capital, Hedera, Abra, Talos, Oaktree Capital, and JPMorgan. The firm's approach to investing is characterized by a strong emphasis on risk management and regulatory compliance, ensuring the highest standards of security and transparency for its clients. Anthony Merriman joins as Co-CIO, Darren Yarwood joins as Head of Operations, and Tyler Adkison joins as Director of Business Development. The newly secured funds will be used to launch Blockhouse Digital's technology infrastructure, expand its product offerings, and strengthen its market position as a leader in crypto asset management. The firm is committed to leveraging its expertise to provide innovative solutions that generate sustainable returns for its clients while navigating the complexities of the digital asset landscape. For more information about Blockhouse Digital and its services, please visit https://www.blockhouse.digital/ About Blockhouse Digital Blockhouse Digital is an asset management firm specializing in collateralized lending and yield-generating strategies in the crypto markets. Led by a team of financial industry veterans with a wealth of experience in both traditional and crypto asset management, Blockhouse Digital is dedicated to delivering risk-managed, regulatory-compliant investment solutions to its clients. Media Contact: Tyler Adkison Partner, Director of Business Development Blockhouse Digital [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/blockhouse-digital-secures-2-million-in-gp-funding-to-launch-a-crypto-asset-management-firm-302095598.html SOURCE Blockhouse Digital In honor of World Water Day on March 22nd , the water company is reflecting on new and continued partnerships while remaining focused on protecting water resources STAMFORD, Conn. , March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- At BlueTriton Brands, our whole world is water. For us, every day is a day to celebrate water. We are always working to protect drinking water to make sure it's safe and available through water stewardship, monitoring, and investing in water infrastructure. As we honor World Water Day on March 22 nd, a United Nations led initiative that focuses on the importance of freshwater, BlueTriton is proud to recognize our new and continued partnerships that are dedicated to keeping water sources sustainable. "As we reflect on the last year, BlueTriton continued to build upon our shared passion for water with our employees and our partners," said Ed Ferguson , Chief Sustainability Officer at BlueTriton Brands. "We would like to take this moment to celebrate our newly forged water-benefit partnerships and to recognize the collective efforts of our employees and community partners to protect the future of water!" Earlier this year, BlueTriton joined forces with World Resources Institute (WRI), becoming a member of their Aqueduct Alliance, a space for leading companies, governments, and foundations to gain strategic guidance and industry insight on water stewardship. During the partnership, BlueTriton will refine its long-term vision for water stewardship and provide WRI with important data to assist in research and analysis on reducing long-term water risk. BlueTriton is committed to investing in our communities, which is why in early 2023, we responded to water access challenges by donating $400,000 to support human rights nonprofit DigDeep. In addition, we pledged an additional $1.1 million over the next two years, to bring clean running water for the first time to families living in under-resourced communities along the Texas - Mexico border. BlueTriton Brands has a long history of helping communities in their times of need. Our partnership continues with the American Red Cross and other nonprofit organizations to donate millions of gallons of water every year in response to natural disasters, public water safety crises, and other emergencies. Over the last year, BlueTriton has donated more than 20 million bottles of water to support various nonprofit and charity organizations, emergency response teams, and disaster recovery efforts including our response to the Maui wildfires. "As a water company, our mission is to ensure people everywhere have access to healthy hydration," said Joey Bergstein , President and CEO at BlueTriton Brands. "Safe, sustainably sourced drinking water is essential to a healthy future. This is part of our ongoing legacy of water stewardship to provide high-quality water for generations to come." For more information on how BlueTriton Brands supports the communities in which we live and work, visit: BlueTriton Brands Community Stories Media Contact and for Interview Opportunities: [email protected] BlueTriton Brands Courtney Zieller Manager of External Communications About BlueTriton Brands: BlueTriton Brands, Inc. ("BlueTriton") is a water and beverage company in North America that produces and distributes a portfolio of brands of spring water, purified water, and other beverages including Poland Spring, Deer Park , Ozarka, Ice Mountain , Zephyrhills, Arrowhead, Origin Natural Spring Water, Saratoga Spring Water, AC+ION Alkaline Water, Pure Life, B'EAU Marine Collagen Water Beverage, and Splash Fresher. BlueTriton Brands also owns and operates ReadyRefresh, a reuse and refill platform for home and office beverage delivery in the United States , providing access to a broad portfolio of water and beverage products, the majority of which are sold in reusable, multiserve bottles. As a leader in home delivery and reusable packaging, the company strives to save customers time by conveniently and more sustainably delivering products to their door. ReadyRefresh is proud of its role in helping reduce waste by delivering healthy hydration to our neighbors, businesses, and communities in 3- and 5-gallon reusable bottles, which are collected, sanitized, and refilled. Headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut , BlueTriton is a privately held company with operations and distribution primarily in the United States and Canada , employing more than 7,000 employees. BlueTriton manages water resources for long-term sustainability and helps safeguard more than 20,000 acres of watershed area owned by the company from harm and destruction. The company has 29 production facilities across North America , 14 of which are Alliance for Water Stewardship ("AWS") certified, with eight of the certified facilities achieving AWS Platinum, the highest level of certification. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bluetriton-brands-honors-world-water-day-every-day-through-water-stewardship-and-our-proud-partnerships-with-world-resources-institute-digdeep-and-american-red-cross-302096286.html SOURCE BlueTriton Brands Bill Strengthens Worker Rights and Curbs Employer Intimidation DENVER , March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Teamsters turned out in large numbers at the state capitol yesterday in support of Colorado House Bill 24-1260, The Worker Freedom Act. This critical legislation, which received a hearing in the General Assembly Business Affairs & Labor Committee, seeks to enhance workers' rights by outlawing employers from forcing workers to attend captive audience meetings. Captive audience meetings are frequently used by corporations to disseminate anti-union propaganda and deter workers from organizing. The introduction of The Worker Freedom Act represents a significant stride toward safeguarding workers' rights and fostering an environment of fair labor practices in Colorado . "The Worker Freedom Act is crucial to ensuring that workers across Colorado can exercise their rights without fear of reprisal," said Dean Modecker , Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 455. "We thank our allies in the state legislature for introducing this important piece of legislation that will secure the rights of working-class people in our state." "Through our unions, we lift up our families by putting food on the table and a roof over our heads," said General Assembly Majority Leader Monica Duran , who co-sponsored the bill. "That work should not include being subject to required meetings where workers have to listen to their employer's religious or political views with fear of retaliation if they don't participate." Connecticut , Maine, Minnesota , New York , and Oregon have all passed similar legislation banning mandatory captive audience meetings. Teamsters Local 455 represents over 10,000 members working in various industries throughout the Rocky Mountain Region . For more information, visit teamsterslocal455.org/. Contact: Matt McQuaid, (202) 624-6877 [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/colorado-teamsters-call-for-passage-of-worker-freedom-act-at-committee-hearing-302096555.html SOURCE Teamsters Local 455 LANSING, Mich. , March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- CompWest is proud to recognize this year's President's Club Award honorees, representing high-performing agent partners in California . Recipients of the award exhibited outstanding results in premium, cumulative loss ratio and premium retention in 2023. "CompWest congratulates our President's Club winners on their outstanding achievement," said Mike Valiante , senior vice president of Small Commercial Market, AF Group. "This award recognizes the hard work of their teams along with the trust, partnerships and meaningful relationships we see every day between our mutual customers. We look forward to another great year working together." The President's Club Award winners are: Alkeme Insurance Services Inc. Burnham WGB Insurance Solutions Rancho Mesa Insurance Services Inc. About CompWest CompWest is a dynamic provider of workers' compensation, offering leading strategies and innovative insurance solutions to employers in California and select Western states. CompWest is a division of AF Group. All policies are underwritten by a licensed insurer subsidiary. For more information, visit afgroup.com. AF Group. Contact: Marissa Sura (517) 896-3707 [email protected] AFGroup.com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/compwest-names-presidents-club-winners-302096019.html SOURCE AF Group Advisors, key hires, and in-house AI residents will inform the organization's AI strategy, including the development of virtual cell models to advance scientific research REDWOOD CITY, Calif. , March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI) announced several key appointments and a new AI residency program to advance the organization's AI strategy for science, which is focused on building predictive models of healthy and diseased cells. Several AI experts from academia and industry have joined a newly established AI Advisory Group, which will provide guidance to leaders at CZI and across the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Network as these organizations work to enable AI at scale for nonprofit life science research. In addition, CZI is launching an AI residency program to develop foundational AI/ML models and tools that will enable new scientific breakthroughs. Theofanis Karaletsos, a technology leader in AI/ML research and science, has also been hired as CZI's Head of Artificial Intelligence for Science. The organization's newly-formed AI Advisory Group, which is composed of several members from CZI's Scientific Advisory Board and the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Board of Directors, will provide guidance and cross-disciplinary feedback to senior leadership teams at CZI and across the CZ Biohub Network. These advisors have deep expertise in leveraging AI/ML models and methods to advance scientific research: Sam Altman , CEO of OpenAI . Altman was also recently named to the CZ Biohub Board. , CEO of . Altman was also recently named to the CZ Biohub Board. Regina Barzilay , Distinguished Professor for AI and Health and AI Faculty Lead at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology . Barzilay was also recently named to CZI's Scientific Advisory Board . , Distinguished Professor for AI and Health and AI Faculty Lead at the . Barzilay was also recently named to . Reid Hoffman , Partner at Greylock and the Co-Founder of Linkedin. Hoffman joined the CZ Biohub Board in 2016. , Partner at Greylock and the Co-Founder of Linkedin. Hoffman joined the CZ Biohub Board in 2016. Emma Lundberg , Associate Professor of Bioengineering at Stanford University and Co-Director of the Human Protein Atlas. , Associate Professor of Bioengineering at and Co-Director of the Human Protein Atlas. Joelle Pineau , Associate Professor of Computer Science at McGill University and Vice President of AI Research at Meta. Pineau was also recently named to CZI's Scientific Advisory Board . , Associate Professor of Computer Science at and Vice President of at Meta. Pineau was also recently named to . Mike Schroepfer , Founder and Partner of Gigascale Capital , Former CTO of Meta. Schroepfer was also recently named to the CZ Biohub Board. "Bringing these AI leaders and residents on board is an important milestone for our team as we work towards enabling AI/ML at scale to accelerate the pace of scientific research," said Stephen Quake , Head of Science at CZI. "Their participation will help us build a strong foundation for our AI work as an organization and accelerate the progress we're making towards deepening the scientific community's understanding of human biology at a cellular level." Karaletsos will lead CZI's AI strategy for science, including the organization's vision to develop virtual cell models, utilizing one of the largest high-performance AI computing systems for nonprofit life science research. He will collaborate with scientific leaders at CZI including Emma Lundberg , a member of CZI's AI Advisory Group and an Associate Professor of Bioengineering at Stanford University, to launch an in-house AI Residency Program. The new program coalesces AI/ML leaders from academia to develop AI models and applications that will be openly and widely available to the scientific research community. In collaboration with CZI scientists and engineers, the projects spearheaded by these residents will lay the foundation for virtual cell models that will allow researchers to explore the molecular underpinnings of human health and disease. "Enabling AI at scale for life science research will pave the way for new biomedical discoveries," said Theofanis Karaletsos, Head of Artificial Intelligence for Science at CZI. "I'm excited to collaborate with different teams across CZI and the Biohub Network to expand our AI capabilities." CZI's work in science includes grantmaking programs, open-source software development, and close collaboration with its partner institutes at the CZ Biohub Network. The CZ Biohub Network includes the San Francisco , Chicago , and New York Biohubs as well as the Chan Zuckerberg Imaging Institute. CZI also collaborates with institutional partners such as the Kempner Institute for the Study of Natural & Artificial Intelligence at Harvard University. For more information, please visit www.chanzuckerberg.com/science. About the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative was founded in 2015 to help solve some of society's toughest challenges from eradicating disease and improving education, to addressing the needs of our local communities. Our mission is to build a more inclusive, just, and healthy future for everyone. For more information, please visit chanzuckerberg.com . About the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Network The Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Network is a group of nonprofit research institutes that bring together scientists, engineers, and physicians with the goal of pursuing grand scientific challenges on 10- to 15-year time horizons. The CZ Biohub Network focuses on understanding underlying mechanisms of disease and developing new technologies that will lead to actionable diagnostics and effective therapies. To learn more, visit www.czbiohub.org . View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/czi-launches-ai-advisory-group-and-residency-program-to-accelerate-development-of-virtual-cell-models-302095282.html SOURCE Chan Zuckerberg Initiative LAS VEGAS , March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- EagleRider, the world's leading motorcycle experience company, is thrilled to announce the launch of its brand-new Off-Road Tour Series in the heart of the Las Vegas desert. Known for its extensive array of two-wheel rental and tours across more than 200 locations worldwide, EagleRider now offers adrenaline-packed off-road adventures to ATV and Side-By-Side enthusiasts and newcomers alike. The Off-Road Tour Series is designed to bring an exhilarating experience to the rugged terrains and breathtaking landscapes surrounding Las Vegas . With tours available in varying lengths from two-hour excursions to full-day private adventures participants can experience a different side of Sin City. EagleRider partnered with manufacturers like Polaris and Yamaha to ensure a brand-new fleet of 2-and 4-seat UTVs, also known as "Side-by-Sides," each year. EagleRider takes their driver and passenger experience to a new level of safety and comfort by providing full-face helmets that are connected to a fresh air ventilation system on each vehicle. Each helmet is also outfitted with custom radios that allow guests to communicate clearly with one another, as well as the Tour Guides. EagleRider Off-Road Tours include private transportation between the Las Vegas Strip hotels and casinos to their 40,000 square ft adventure center. EagleRider's Off-Road Tours are led by experienced guides who are passionate about off-roading and committed to providing a safe, enjoyable experience for all participants. Safety briefings, gear, and state-of-the-art UTVs are provided, ensuring that adventurers of all skill levels can confidently tackle the desert trails. Chris McIntyre , EagleRider Co-Founder and Chief Experience Officer added, "Our new off-road tours in Las Vegas are just the beginning! We're already working on bringing the EagleRider Off-Road brand to some of the most popular outdoor destinations in North America ." For more information or to book, visit www.eaglerideroffroad.com or contact EagleRider directly at [email protected] . About EagleRider: EagleRider, the world's largest motorsport experience company, offers a wide variety of motorcycle and off-road adventure rental and tour options from more than 200 locations across six continents, making dreams come true for over 100,000 people a year. Founded in 1992, EagleRider has been at the forefront of providing high-quality experiences for enthusiasts worldwide. Contact Information: Website: https://www.eaglerideroffroad.com Email: [email protected] Phone: +1 775-OFF-ROAD / +1 775-633-7623 Media & Interview Contact: Shawn Fechter SVP Strategic Growth & Marketing [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/eaglerider-launches-exciting-new-utv-off-road-tour-series-in-las-vegas-302095235.html SOURCE EAGLERIDER Essity today held the Annual General Meeting at Stockholm Waterfront Congress Centre, Sweden . STOCKHOLM , March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Meeting approved the Parent Company income statement and balance sheet and the consolidated income statement and consolidated balance sheet for 2023. The Meeting resolved in accordance with the Board of Director's proposal and decided on a dividend of SEK 7.75 per share for the 2023 fiscal year. Record date for the dividend is set to Monday, March 25, 2024 . The dividend is scheduled to be distributed by Euroclear Sweden AB on Thursday, March 28, 2024 . The Meeting resolved that the remuneration to each director elected by the Annual General Meeting who is not employed by the company shall amount to SEK 910,000 and the Chairman of the Board of Directors is to receive SEK 2,730,000 . Members of the Remuneration Committee are each to receive an additional remuneration of SEK 135,000 , while the Chairman of the Remuneration Committee is to receive an additional remuneration of SEK 160,000 . Members of the Audit Committee are each to receive an additional remuneration of SEK 320,000 , while the Chairman of the Audit Committee is to receive an additional remuneration of SEK 450,000 . Members of the Portfolio Development Committee are each to receive an additional remuneration of SEK 310,000, while the Chairman of the Portfolio Development Committee is to receive an additional remuneration of SEK 435,000 . Remuneration to the auditor is to be paid according to approved invoice. The Annual General Meeting resolved in accordance with the Board of Director's proposal on guidelines for remuneration of senior executives and a cash-based incentive program. The meeting also approved the Board of Director's remuneration report. The Board of Directors and the CEO were granted discharge from liability for the 2023 fiscal year. Board members Ewa Bjorling, Maria Carell , Annemarie Gardshol , Magnus Groth , Jan Gurander , Torbjorn Loof, Bert Nordberg and Barbara Milian Thoralfsson were re-elected. Karl Aberg was elected as a new director. Par Boman had declined re-election. Jan Gurander was elected Chairman of the Board. Ernst & Young AB was appointed the company's auditor for a mandate period until the end of the 2025 Annual General Meeting. The Annual General Meeting authorized the Board of Directors to decide on buy-back of Essity B shares and to transfer shares bought back by the company. These authorizations are valid until the next Annual General Meeting. Minutes from the Annual General Meeting will be available on the company website, www.essity.com, within two weeks. Contact: For further information, please contact: Per Lorentz, Vice President Corporate Communications, +46 73 313 30 55, [email protected] Sandra Aberg, Vice President Investor Relations, +46 70 564 96 89, [email protected] This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/essity/r/essity-s-2024-annual-general-meeting,c3946646 The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Main/15798/3946646/2687283.pdf Essity's 2024 Annual General Meeting View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/essitys-2024-annual-general-meeting-302096152.html SOURCE Essity BEIJING , March 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Chinese President Xi Jinping , also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspected the city of Changde in Central China's Hunan Province on Tuesday. During the inspection, Xi visited a cultural street and a village. He learned about the restoration and utilization of historical and cultural blocks, the comprehensive management of urban water environment, preparation work for spring farming, and the improvement of grassroots governance efficiency. Changde, with a 2,200-year history, is rich in culture. By the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and the early period of the Republic of China (1912-49), more than 15 guild halls were established in the city by businessmen from various regions across the country. Historically, Changde Riverside Street was a prosperous and thriving dock. Yet most of the major architecture along the street was destroyed during the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression (1931-45). In 2016, Changde restored the 1,500-meter-long Riverside Street , with a total area of 133,000 square meters. Along with the street's structure and architecture, museums, small shops and art studios that showcase local intangible cultural heritage (ICH) and craftsmanship also give more vitality to the ancient street reborn. Zhang Yiwu, a professor at Peking University, told the Global Times that historical cultural blocks like the Riverside Street in Changde are now burgeoning across the country as part of a "new pattern" in promoting the country's cultural tourism. "The logic behind this pattern is to interpret a city's historical tales in modern ways. This is the reason that Riverside Street is a compound that includes not only old architecture but also trendy restaurants," Zhang said. Deep integration China entertains a rich array of ICH resources. Presently, China ranks first in the world with 43 projects inscribed on the ICH list of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. In China , through systematic protection and inheritance, creative transformation, and innovative development, ICH has been fully integrated into modern life. People can immerse themselves in Changde's rich cultural atmosphere by simply strolling along the Riverside Street , experiencing the deep integration of ICH with local cultural and tourist activities. One art museum on the street is especially dedicated to ICH, showcasing live performances of different types of Chinese operas such as Han opera, flower-drum opera, and sixian but with unique Changde styles, as well as various traditional musical instruments such as the Changde yugu (literal translation: fish drum). In the small shops along the street, people can also discover Taoyuan embroidery, from a county by the same name, on display and they can also get embroidery souvenirs. As a Hunan provincial ICH, Taoyuan embroidery dates back to the Xia Dynasty (c.2070BC-c.1600BC) and Shang Dynasty (c.1600BC-1046BC), featuring vibrant colors, bold designs, and is full of vitality. In recent years, through the integration of ICH with "cultural and creative products," films and TV dramas, short videos and new technologies, the Taoyuan embroidery industry has grown increasingly strong. Some regions in Changde, such as Anxiang county, are famous for woodcarving. The style is vivid and expressive, depicting lively themes that embody local people's aspirations for life. Pan Nenghui, a woodcarving inheritor in his 50s, from Anxiang, used to make carvings for clients abroad while he was working in different places such as Hong Kong and Shenzhen , but he wanted to design his own pieces that reflect the local culture and history of Changde. That was when he decided to open his own studio in the year 2000. Seeing the burgeoning tourism development along Riverside Street , he moved his studio there in 2019 to show this traditional art to a wider audience. His studio has been one of the attractions on the street since then. Broader prospect Zhang said that operating Riverside Street as a tourist site can help the locals "manage its immovable historical legacy with more flexibility." Riverside Street not only hosts retro-looking architecture, but also a community of residents, intangible cultural inheritors and so forth. The cultural block would not be complete without people; local residents are the "crux that forms the site's cultural touristic ecology," he added. "Indigenous people's everyday lives can also exhibit a city's cultural characters. They continue the historical spirit of the Riverside Street ," Zhang emphasized. While prioritizing the protection and inheritance of historical and cultural districts, including Changde Riverside Street , and revitalizing them has always been a key focus for governments across the country. As of October 2023 , there were a total of 142 historical and cultural cities approved by the State Council, with more than 1,200 designated historical and cultural districts. Local authorities have been stepping up efforts to revitalize historical cultural districts. Cultural policy researcher Song Weiping told the Global Times that in the future, such historical cultural blocks are likely to become even more "modern" to embrace particularly young visitors. Sharing a similar opinion with Song, Zhang told the Global Times that traditional cultural blocks should be open to embracing sectors such as "cultural and creative products," "pop culture events," as well as "live shows and performances." And these are also some experiences that other cities can take from Changde. "Traditional cultural blocks should live in people's current cultural experiences," Zhang said. Read more: https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202403/1309196.shtml View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-times-changde-riverside-street-integrates-ich-with-tourism-302095356.html SOURCE Global Times WASHINGTON , March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- NSSF, The Firearm Industry Trade Association, applauds Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb for signing House Bill 1084 into law, the NSSF-supported Second Amendment Privacy Act. The law will bar the use of a firearm-retailer specific Merchant Category Code (MCC) for banks, credit card companies or financial service providers to track the lawful sale of firearms and ammunition. NSSF worked closely with legislators in Indiana to introduce legislation that would protect private and legal purchases from exploitation. HB 1084 is designed to protect the privacy of lawful and private firearm and ammunition purchases from being abused for political purposes by corporate financial service providers and unlawful government search and seizure of legal and private financial transactions. "Corporate banks and the federal government have already proven they will run roughshod over Second Amendment and Privacy rights. The need to safeguard private and legal purchases of firearms and ammunition by law-abiding citizens has never been greater," said Lawrence G. Keane , NSSF Senior Vice President & General Counsel. "NSSF thanks Governor Holcomb for his leadership in signing this important legislation into law that will protect the rights of the citizens in Indiana . No American should fear being placed on a government watchlist simply for exercising their Constitutionally-protected rights to keep and bear arms." The U.S. Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) admitted to U.S. Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) in a letter that it violated the Fourth Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens that protect against illegal search and seizure when it collected the credit card purchase history from banks and credit card companies of individuals who purchased firearms and ammunition in the days surrounding Jan. 6, 2020 . Treasury's FinCEN had no cause, and sought the information without a warrant, to place these law-abiding citizens on a government watchlist only because they exercised their Second Amendment rights to lawfully purchase firearms and ammunition. The idea of a firearm-retailer specific MCC was borne from antigun New York Times columnist Andrew Ross Sorkin and Amalgamated Bank, which has been called "The Left's Private Banker" and bankrolls the Democratic National Committee and several antigun politicians. Amalgamated Bank lobbied the Swiss-based International Organization for Standardization (ISO) for the code's creation. NSSF has called on Congress to investigate Amalgamated Bank's role in manipulating the ISO standard setting process. Sorkin admitted creating a firearm-retailer specific MCC would be a first step to creating a national firearm registry, which is forbidden by federal law. Indiana joins Utah , Florida , Idaho , Mississippi , Montana , North Dakota , Texas and West Virginia with laws protecting citizens' Second Amendment privacy. Several other states are considering similar legislation. U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) introduced H.R. 7450, the NSSF-supported Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act, in the U.S. House of Representatives. California's Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law requiring the use of a firearm-retailer specific MCC and Colorado is considering similar legislation. About NSSF NSSF is the trade association for the firearm industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has over 10,0000 members including manufacturers, distributors, firearms retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen's organizations and publishers nationwide. For more information, visit nssf.org. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/indiana-governor-holcomb-signs-second-amendment-privacy-law-302096159.html SOURCE NATIONAL SHOOTING SPORTS FOUNDATION The International Association Of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental, and Reinforcing Iron Workers is thrilled to celebrate a monumental stride towards revitalizing the American semiconductor industry and bolstering the nation's workforce. CHANDLER, Ariz. , March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A pivotal partnership between the Biden administration and Intel marks a groundbreaking moment as the Department of Commerce announces a preliminary agreement. This agreement, facilitated under the CHIPS and Science Act, designates up to $8.5 billion in direct funding and billions more in loans for Intel. This investment will fuel the construction and expansion of Intel facilities across Arizona , Ohio , New Mexico , and Oregon , pushing a new era of UNION JOB creation and innovation. Some ironworkers are already seeing the benefits of Intel's development, "Iron Workers Local 172 is currently fully employed and active at the New Albany, Ohio Intel site with 156 members." Robert Mullet , Business Manager for Iron Workers Local 172 went on to say, "we anticipate growing into the thousands by mid-2025 due to the CHIPS Act funding." Iron Workers Local 847 covers portions of Arizona and New Mexico and will put more than 250 ironworkers to work at Intel. Local 847 Business Manager Dylan Dalton praised the agreement, "[the agreement] will not only benefit local 847, But it will benefit the construction industry as a whole for more than 7,000 workers in each state. Keeping workers and dollars local." This initiative is not just an investment in semiconductor manufacturing; it's a robust commitment to generating tens of thousands of good-paying UNION jobs. The Iron Workers Union stands ready to play a pivotal role, ensuring that the construction of these state-of-the-art facilities not only advances technological prowess but also fosters a thriving workforce characterized by union jobs with safe working conditions. The Iron Workers Union (IW) represents 130,000 ironworkers in North America who work in construction on bridges; structural steel; ornamental, architectural, clean energy, and miscellaneous metals; rebar; and in fabrication shops. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/iron-workers-union-boast-preliminary-agreement-between-biden-administration-and-intel-302096428.html SOURCE Iron Workers Union MOUNT GILEAD, N.C. , March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- McRae Industries, Inc. (Pink Sheets: MCRAA and MCRAB) reported consolidated net revenues for the second quarter of fiscal 2024 of $25,815,000 as compared to $30,769,000 for the second quarter of fiscal 2023. Net earnings for the second quarter of fiscal 2024 amounted to $1,636,000 , or $.72 per diluted Class A common share as compared to $1,729,000 , or $0.76 per diluted Class A common share, for the second quarter of fiscal 2023. Consolidated net revenues for the first six months of fiscal 2024 totaled $58,641,000 as compared to $64,552,000 for the first six months of fiscal 2023. Net earnings for the first six months of fiscal 2024 amounted to $4,858,000 , or $2.15 per diluted Class A common share, as compared to net earnings of $4,586,000 , or $2.02 per diluted Class A common share, for the first six months of fiscal 2023. SECOND QUARTER FISCAL 2024 COMPARED TO SECOND QUARTER FISCAL 2023 Consolidated net revenues totaled $25.8 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2024 as compared to $30.8 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2023. Sales related to our western/lifestyle boot products for the second quarter of fiscal 2024 totaled $18.2 million as compared to $22.8 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2023. This decrease in net revenues was spread across several western product lines and offset by an increase in our Dingo fashion brand. Revenues from our work boot products decreased from $8.2 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2023 to $7.8 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2024. This was primarily a result of decreased sales for our Dan Post work boots. Consolidated gross profit for the second quarter of fiscal 2024 amounted to approximately $7.0 million as compared to $8.0 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2023. However, gross profit as a percentage of net revenues was up from 25.9% for the second quarter of fiscal 2023 to 27.1% for the second quarter of fiscal 2024. This is primarily because of increased margins on military boot sales driven by increased efficiency in our manufacturing facility, as well as newer military boot contracts with updated pricing. Consolidated selling, general and administrative expenses totaled approximately $5.6 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2024 as compared to $6.1 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2023. This decrease resulted primarily from decreased sales commissions. As a result of the above, the consolidated operating profit for the second quarter of fiscal 2024 amounted to $1.4 million as compared to $1.8 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2023. FIRST SIX MONTHS FISCAL 2024 COMPARED TO FIRST SIX MONTHS FISCAL 2023 Consolidated net revenues for the first six months of fiscal 2024 totaled $58.6 million as compared to $64.6 million for the first six months of fiscal 2023. Our western and lifestyle product sales totaled $40.2 million for the first six months of fiscal 2024 as compared to $49.5 million for the first six months of fiscal 2023. While demand for the Laredo, Dan Post , and Eldorado brands has softened, we also missed some sales during the first six months of our fiscal year due to inventory shortages on select styles. Net revenues from our work boot business increased from $15.1 million for the first six months of fiscal 2023 to $17.2 million for the first six months of fiscal 2024. This was primarily a result of increased military boot sales. Consolidated gross profit totaled $16.9 million , or 28.8%, for the first six months of fiscal 2024 as compared to $18.3 million , or 28.3%, for the first six months of fiscal 2023. This is primarily due to the improved margins on military boot sales as discussed above. Consolidated selling, general and administrative expenses totaled approximately $11.6 million for the first six months of fiscal 2024 as compared to $12.2 million for the first six months of fiscal 2023. This decrease is mainly attributable to lower commissions because of the decrease in sales. As a result of the above, the consolidated operating profit amounted to $5.3 million for the first six months of fiscal 2024 as compared to $6.1 million for the first six months of fiscal 2023. On December 23, 2023 , the company, through our affiliate American Mortgage and Investment Company and wholly owned subsidiary Hoke Development Company, signed a purchase sale agreement to sell approximately 262 acres in Berkeley Country Club located in Berkeley County, South Carolina to Berkeley Conservation Group LLC. The terms of the agreement provide for a sales price of $2,650,000 and a maximum due diligence period of 180 days prior to closing. Financial Condition and Liquidity Our financial condition remained strong as cash and cash equivalents remained consistent at $18.3 million for January 27, 2024 and July 29, 2023 . Our working capital increased from $75.8 million at July 29, 2023 to $79.0 million at January 27, 2024 . We currently have two lines of credit totaling $6.75 million , all of which was fully available at January 27, 2024 . One credit line totaling $1.75 million (which is restricted to one hundred percent of the outstanding receivables due from the Government) expires in January 2025 . Our $5.0 million line of credit, which also expires in January 2025 , is secured by the inventory and accounts receivable of our Dan Post Boot Company subsidiary. For the first six months of fiscal 2024, operating activities provided approximately $8.4 million of cash. Net earnings contributed approximately $4.8 million of cash. Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided in operating activities totaled approximately $3.6 million . These adjustments were driven significantly by decreased inventory and accounts receivable. Net cash used by investing activities totaled approximately $6.5 million , primarily due to the purchase and sale of securities. Net cash used in financing activities totaled $2.0 million , which was used primarily for dividend payments. We believe that our current cash and cash equivalents, cash generated from operations, and available credit lines will be sufficient to meet our capital requirements for the remainder of fiscal 2024. Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes certain forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those projected, estimated, assumed or anticipated in any such forward-looking statements include: uncertainties associated with COVID-19 or coronavirus, including its possible effects on our operations, supply chain, and the demand for our products and services, our ability to complete the sale of our properties under contract for sale, the effect of competitive products and pricing, risks unique to selling goods to the Government (including variation in the Government's requirements for our products and the Government's ability to terminate its contracts with vendors), changes in fashion cycles and trends in the western boot business, loss of key customers, acquisitions, supply interruptions, additional financing requirements, our expectations about future Government orders for military boots, loss of key management personnel, our ability to successfully develop new products and services, and the effect of general economic conditions in our markets. McRae Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In thousands, except share data) (Unaudited) January 27 , 2024 July 29 , 2023 ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $18,274 $18,329 Equity investments 6,713 6,459 Debt securities 23,531 15,047 Accounts receivable, net 16,170 19,880 Inventories, net 19,797 21,914 Income tax receivable 138 370 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 598 317 Total current assets 85,221 82,316 Property and equipment, net 4,734 4,917 Other assets: Deposits 13 14 Right to Use Asset 2,136 2,362 Real estate held for investment 2,848 3,036 Trademarks 2,824 2,824 Total other assets 7,821 8,236 Total assets $97,776 $95,469 McRae Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In thousands, except share data) (Unaudited) January 27 , 2024 July 29 , 2023 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts payable $3,301 $2,122 Accrued employee benefits 566 1,783 Accrued payroll and payroll taxes 948 1,293 Lease liability 429 429 Other 945 878 Total current liabilities 6,189 6,505 Lease liability 1,707 1,933 Deferred tax liabilities 114 114 Total liabilities 8,010 8,552 Shareholders' equity: Common Stock: Class A, $1 par value; authorized 5,000,000 shares issued and outstanding, 1,896,334 and 1,895,949 shares, respectively 1,896 1,896 Class B, $1 par value; authorized 2,500,000 shares; issued and outstanding, 363,826 and 364,211 shares, respectively 364 364 Retained earnings 87,506 84,657 Total shareholders' equity 89,766 86,917 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $97,776 $95,469 McRae Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (In thousands, except share data) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended Six Months Ended January 27 , January 28 , January 27 , January 28 , 2024 2023 2024 2023 Net revenues $25,815 $30,769 $58,641 $64,552 Cost of revenues 18,816 22,788 41,733 46,277 Gross profit 6,999 7,981 16,908 18,275 Selling, general and administrative expenses 5,580 6,134 11,583 12,180 Operating profit 1,419 1,847 5,325 6,095 Other income 852 456 916 267 Earnings before income taxes 2,271 2,303 6,241 6,362 Provision for income taxes 635 574 1,383 1,776 Net earnings $1,636 $1,729 $4,858 $4,586 Earnings per common share: Diluted earnings per share: Class A 0.72 0.76 2.15 2.03 Class B NA NA NA NA Weighted average number of common shares outstanding: Class A 1,896,334 1,895,062 1,896,277 1,895,049 Class B 363,826 365,098 363,883 365,111 Total 2,260,160 2,260,160 2,260,160 2,260,160 McRae Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (In thousands, except share data) (Unaudited) Common Stock, $1 par value Accumulated Other Class A Class B Comprehensive Retained Shares Amount Shares Amount Income (Loss) Earnings Balance, July 30, 2022 1,895,035 $1,895 365,125 $365 $0 $78,989 Cash Dividend ( $0.14 per Class A common stock) (265) Cash Dividend ( $0.14 per Class B common stock) (51) Net earnings 2,857 Balance, October 29, 2022 1,895,035 $1,895 365,125 $365 $0 $81,530 Conversion of Class B 100 - (100) - - to Class A Stock Cash Dividend ( $0.64 per Class A common stock) (1,212) Cash Dividend ( $0.64 per Class B common stock) (233) Net earnings 1,729 Balance, January 28, 2023 1,895,135 $1,895 365,025 $365 $0 $81,814 Common Stock, $1 par value Accumulated Other Class A Class B Comprehensive Retained Shares Amount Shares Amount Income (Loss) Earnings Balance, July 29, 2023 1,895,949 $1,896 364,211 $364 $0 $84,657 Conversion of Class B 385 - (385) - to Class A Stock Cash Dividend ( $0.14 per Class A common stock) (265) Cash Dividend ( $0.14 per Class B common stock) (51) Net earnings 3,222 Balance, October 28, 2023 1,896,334 $1,896 363,826 $364 $0 $87,563 Cash Dividend ( $0.64 per Class A common stock) (1,421) Cash Dividend ( $0.64 per Class B common stock) (272) Net earnings 1,636 Balance, January 27, 2024 1,896,334 $1,896 363,826 $364 $0 $87,506 McRae Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (In thousands) (Unaudited) Six Months Ended January 27 , January 28 , 2024 2023 Cash Flows from Operating Activities: Net earnings $4,858 $4,586 Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash used in operating activities 3,584 (1,960) Net cash provided by operating activities 8,442 2,626 Cash Flows from Investing Activities: Proceeds from sale of land 1,985 - Capital expenditures (143) (594) Purchase of securities (19,011) (246) Proceeds from sale of securities 10,681 10 Net cash used in investing activities (6,488) (830) Cash Flows from Financing Activities: Dividends paid (2,009) (1,761) Net cash used in financing activities (2,009) (1,761) Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash and Cash equivalents (55) 35 Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year 18,329 15,315 Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period $18,274 $15,350 View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mcrae-industries-inc-reports-earnings-for-the-second-quarter-and-first-six-months-of-fiscal-2024-302096429.html SOURCE McRae Industries, Inc. AMSTERDAM , March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The second annual Freedom of Mobility Forum, conceived by Stellantis and facilitated by a neutral third-party, will host an open digital debate featuring an international panel of global experts on Wednesday, April 3, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. EDT /2:30 p.m. CEST to discuss the critical question:"How will our planet accommodate the mobility needs of eight billion people?" What to Know: Online research company YouGov will unveil results of an exclusive survey that aims to measure the appetite for change in mobility habits with respondents across five countries. Viewers will have the opportunity to interact directly with the panelists throughout the program via three dedicated Q&A sessions. Students from three leading universities - Brandeis University ( United States ), HEC Paris ( France ), and ENSA Kenitra ( Morocco ) will challenge the debaters. To register for the event, please use the following link: https://live.freedomofmobilityforum.org/register. For those unable to attend the live session, a recorded replay will be made available on the website. To follow the event or share on social media, please use the hashtags: #FreedomOfMobilityForum or #FreedomOfMobility About the Freedom of Mobility Forum The Freedom of Mobility Forum, initiated by Stellantis and facilitated by a neutral third-party, is an international gathering of passionate problem-solvers committed to fact-based discussions that challenge the status quo, expand perspectives and identify how best to enable safe, affordable and sustainable freedom of mobility for a society facing the implications of global warming. For more information visit: freedomofmobilityforum.org. Stellantis Stellantis N.V. (NYSE: STLA/ Euronext Milan: STLAM/ Euronext Paris: STLAP) is one of the world's leading automakers aiming to provide clean, safe and affordable freedom of mobility to all. It's best known for its unique portfolio of iconic and innovative brands, including Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Citroen, Dodge, DS Automobiles, Fiat, Jeep, Lancia, Maserati, Opel, Peugeot, Ram, Vauxhall, Free2move and Leasys. Stellantis is executing its Dare Forward 2030, a bold strategic plan that paves the way to achieve the ambitious target of becoming a carbon net zero mobility tech company by 2038, while creating added value for all stakeholders. For more information, visit www.stellantis.com. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/media-advisory-register-for-the-second-annual-freedom-of-mobility-forum-live-digital-debate-on-april-3-302096087.html SOURCE Stellantis This is the 9th consecutive year Pinnacol has exceeded the scores of other carriers operating in Colorado DENVER , March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Recent data from the Colorado Division of Workers' Compensation reveal that Pinnacol Assurance is again the top-performing workers' compensation carrier for injured workers, with a score far surpassing the scores of other carriers that operate in the state. According to the latest state data, Pinnacol achieved a score of 4.2 out of 5, as rated by workers who've had claims. This marks the ninth consecutive year that Pinnacol held the top position, achieving almost a decade of outperforming its national competitors. Also according to state data, Pinnacol has achieved an injured worker satisfaction rating among Spanish-speaking workers of 4.48 out of 5. Pinnacol prioritizes inclusive services for Spanish-language workers and has added various specialized support services for Spanish speakers. Every worker filing a workers' compensation claim in the state is provided with the DOWC survey approximately 30 days following the closure of their claim. The survey solicits feedback on the quality of care and customer service the workers experienced. Pinnacol covers approximately 1 million workers in the state. "These results reinforce the importance of investing in new services, partnerships and technology to enhance access to Pinnacol's industry-leading claims support," said Pinnacol President and CEO John O'Donnell . "As Pinnacol continues to prioritize innovation and excellence in meeting the needs of a modern and expanding workforce, it reaffirms its commitment to delivering superior support and assistance to injured workers across Colorado ." Pinnacol also conducts its own surveys of injured workers with claims to ensure the organization is meeting its service goals, as well as policyholder satisfaction surveys. Pinnacol has maintained a record-setting customer Net Promoter Score of 61, which is more than double the industry average of 28 and is on par with that of top brands such as Starbucks, Amazon and Zoom. Learn more about how Pinnacol cares for Colorado . About Pinnacol Pinnacol Assurance is Colorado's largest workers' compensation insurance carrier. We operate as a mutual insurance company, providing caring coverage for nearly 1 million workers in the state. We focus on saving our customers money through careful rate-setting, general dividends and our award-winning safety programs. You can see our care for Colorado at work through our grantmaking, scholarships, volunteerism and award-winning apprenticeship program and through our championing of diversity, equity and inclusion. Learn more at Pinnacol.com. Contact: Liz Johnson Director, Public Relations 720.939.7238 (mobile) [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-state-data-shows-injured-workers-rate-pinnacol-highest-performing-workers-comp-carrier-in-the-state-by-a-wide-margin-302096384.html SOURCE Pinnacol Assurance SHANGHAI , March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On the evening of March 21st , OcuMension Therapeutics (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. (01477.HK, hereinafter referred to as "OcuMension" or the "Company") disclosed its 2023 annual performance report. The company achieved a total operating income of RMB 246.4 million for the full year, a year-on-year increase of 55.0%; with a comprehensive gross profit of RMB 144.4 million, representing a year-on-year increase of 40.3%. During the reporting period, the company's major operating indicators performed well, benefiting from rapid growth in sales revenue and further improvement in operational efficiency and cost control. Enhanced Product Matrix, Rapid Expansion Leveraging First-mover Advantage Adhering to the development philosophy of "providing world-class holistic solutions for pharmaceuticals," OcuMension has consistently devoted itself to identifying, developing, and commercializing innovative or best-in-class ophthalmic therapies. The company continuously enriches and expands its product matrix to meet the significant demand gap in Chinese ophthalmic medical care while maintaining its leading position in the ophthalmic track. A diversified product matrix has laid the foundation for the company's steady growth. Leveraging its strong corporate strength, the company possesses a leading ophthalmic pharmaceutical platform with various drugs for both anterior and posterior segments, providing strong support for the company's development. Among them, the company's main products such as Ouqin (sodium hyaluronate eye drops), Emidin (timolol maleate eye drops), and Shilida (latanoprost eye drops) have all maintained steady growth. Additionally, as one of OcuMension's outstanding products, OT-401(YUTIQ) for the treatment of chronic non-infectious uveitis was successfully included in the medical insurance catalog in December of last year. It is reported that OT-401(YUTIQ) completed the first domestic injection in December 2022 , breaking the deadlock in the treatment of uveitis in China at that time, filling the treatment gap domestically, alleviating the burden on patients to the greatest extent, and marking the formal entry of the product into ophthalmic clinical applications. It is worth noting that since OT-401(YUTIQ) officially entered the medical insurance catalog on January 1st of this year, the company has rapidly promoted its medical insurance landing work nationwide with its comprehensive commercialization capabilities, bringing better and more affordable treatment options for uveitis patients. As of the disclosure date of the report, the terminal injection volume of OT-401(YUTIQ) has exceeded the total for the previous year and is expected to continue to rapidly expand. Overcoming Technological Peaks, Strengthening Self-defense with R&D Strength To break the previous dominance of foreign capital in the Chinese ophthalmic drug market, the company continues to increase its investment in research and development, focusing on dual-source innovation, optimizing registration and development, promoting commercialization, and adhering to high-quality technical standards throughout the entire production cycle to ensure product safety, efficacy, and quality control. With years of technological accumulation and industrial experience, in 2023, the company achieved several milestone breakthroughs with the assistance of clinical PI, including the submission of NDA for OT-1001 (timolol hydrochloride eye drops) accepted by CDE and included in the priority review program; completion of global patient enrollment for Phase III MRCT of OT-101 (atropine sulfate eye drops); completion of real-world studies for OT-502 (dexamethasone implant), currently in the Pre-NDA stage; the completion of patient enrollment for Phase II clinical trials of OT-202 (tyrosine kinase inhibitor), a self-developed drug for dry eye syndrome, in 25 experimental centers, with a total of over 700 patients enrolled during the year. This not only enriches the company's product pipeline but also provides more high-quality treatment options for patients. The edge of technology stems from the strength of research and development behind it. Throughout 2023, the company invested a total of RMB 123.8 million in research and development, injecting strong momentum into the company's continued development. Meanwhile, the company also focuses on building a clinical research platform and constructing a research and development team to enrich the company's product pipeline and produce multi-level products that better meet patient needs. So far, the company has a total of 25 drug assets for both anterior and posterior segments, with 12 products already commercialized, covering both anterior and posterior segments and forming a strong product matrix in the fields of anti-allergy and glaucoma. Among them, five products in the company's pipeline are still in Phase III clinical trials, making it one of the companies with the highest number of Phase III clinical trials for innovative drugs in the Chinese ophthalmic drug market. It is noteworthy that the company has made breakthrough progress in the research and development of the myopia drug Atropine recently. Faced with the challenge of stability, the company cleverly solved the long-term storage stability problem of low-concentration atropine sulfate solution by using a dual-chamber device of reconstitution solution and freeze-dried powder. Currently, the company's self-developed product OT-101-S (0.01% and 0.05% atropine sulfate eye drops) has had its Phase III clinical trial application accepted by CDE in China . Accelerated Commercialization Process Provides Strong Support for Sales Revenue on the Sales Side As one of the powerful driving forces for terminal sales, commercialization has also shown remarkable performance for OcuMension in terms of product hospitalization. In 2023, with a complete product pipeline, the company continued to expand hospital coverage and accelerate product hospitalization. Currently, the company has formed a nationwide sales network, covering 1558 tertiary hospitals, with a commercial team of over 230 people. On this basis, the company deeply explores the commercial penetration of strong products such as Shilida and Emidin, achieving rapid growth in sales revenue. In addition, under the full play of national fiscal funds' guiding role in the development of innovative drugs, more approval resources will tilt towards high-value innovative drugs. With the company's increasingly mature commercialization process and the policy-driven tailwind, the company's image in the secondary market, previously underestimated, is expected to change. Within the month, the Hong Kong stock innovative drug sector has seen a full-scale increase, and the company gradually returned to a benign growth track in this round of valuation restoration of Hong Kong stock pharmaceuticals. In the future, driven by multiple factors such as aging, electronic lifestyle, increasing medical awareness among patients, and rising resident payment levels, China's ophthalmic market has tremendous development potential. The company will rely on its first-mover advantage to rapidly enhance its competitiveness and penetration in the domestic market, while actively expanding overseas markets to enhance the company's international influence. By continuously deepening hospital cooperation, optimizing sales network layout, the company will further improve product coverage, providing more patients with high-quality and efficient medical services. Chasing light and encountering, forging ahead. The development of innovative drugs in the field of Chinese ophthalmology is arduous but promising. With the continuous improvement in market recognition of the company's products, OcuMension will continue to uphold the development philosophy of innovation-driven and quality-oriented, continuously strengthen research and development investment, introduce more innovative and competitive products, strive to lead the market, and provide greater returns for investors. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ocumension-01477-hk-invests-over-rmb-123-8-million-in-research-technology-and-self-development-progress-in-tandem-main-product-sales-show-comprehensive-growth-302096109.html SOURCE OcuMension ALEXANDRIA, Va. , March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Parry Labs has been awarded a contract valued up to $13 million as a subcontractor to General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) to deliver its Edge Compute (EC) Hyper and Edge Compute Autonomy hardware systems as part of the multidomain configuration for the Air Force MQ-9A aircraft. This signifies a significant program milestone to modernize the MQ-9A, a remotely piloted aircraft produced by GA-ASI, and keep pace with future mission needs with enhanced capabilities. The EC Hyper is a size, weight and power optimized Intel server-class hardware solution that provides unparalleled compute power, high-density input/output for application hosting of converged data processing and communications across a wide range of systems. As a centralized communications hub across multi-domain platforms, Hyper provides simultaneous connectivity and management of multiple onboard systems. EC Hyper pairs with Parry Labs' EC Autonomy module, which provides unprecedented GPU compute power for real-time execution of applications such as autonomy, artificial intelligence/machine learning, and visual based navigation capabilities for legacy and next- generation platforms. "Parry Labs is excited to deliver cutting-edge open mission system architecture and edge compute capability to meet the warfighters' needs now and in the future," said Parry Labs CEO John Parkes . "This work will enable the Air Force to expand operational reach to new mission sets for the MQ-9A." This modernization and use of open architecture "future proofs" the platform by enabling rapid new capabilities and applications, allowing the MQ-9A to remain best in class and the Air Force to react and protect at the speed of need. About Parry Labs, LLC Parry Labs redefines the edge for the modern battlespace with digital systems integration that delivers rapid capability deployment and a decisive combat advantage. The company combines open software architecture and mission-proven hardware to create a common framework that's integrated, agile and designed to deliver the most mission-critical technology at mission relevant speed. For more information visit Parry Labs and follow us on LinkedIn. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/parry-labs-awarded-13m-contract-from-ga-asi-to-deliver-edge-computing-hardware-302096239.html SOURCE Parry Labs LLC - RDK Management joins WBA to further align efforts across service providers, CPE manufacturers, SoC vendors, software developers, and system integrators PHILADELPHIA and LONDON , March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- RDK Management (RDK) today announced that it has joined the Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA) and that the two organizations' members plan to collaborate on industry-wide initiatives such as Operator Managed Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi 7, and IoT. RDK and WBA share many common members across broadband operators and technology companies that are committed to deploying RDK for Broadband (RDK-B). RDK is an open-source software solution deployed on more than 100 million devices that standardizes core functions used in broadband, video, and IoT devices. With RDK, device provisioning, data diagnostics, reporting, and telemetry are consistent across all RDK software profiles, enabling service providers to manage video, broadband and cameras/IoT devices in a uniform way. For broadband, RDK-B provides carrier-grade core functionalities including device management, IoT gateway services, telemetry, Wi-Fi services, Ethernet access, IPv6 transitioning and more that works across all major network access technologies including DOCSIS, GPON, DSL, and Fixed Wireless Access. By packaging and open sourcing all these functions in a single standard software stack, service providers can develop, deploy, and manage a consistent set of broadband services across SoCs and OEMs for use across their networks and geographic footprints. The Wireless Broadband Alliance is a global industry body dedicated to improving Wi-Fi standards and services. WBA undertakes programs and activities to address business and technical challenges, while exploring opportunities for its member companies. These initiatives encompass standards development, industry guidelines, trials, certification, and advocacy. A recent example of such work, of particular relevance to the RDK community, is the WBA's working group and recent technical paper, "Operator Managed Wi-Fi: Reference Architecture and Requirements", which outlines a new operator-managed Wi-Fi (OMWi) reference architecture. The proposed framework combines multiple available standards to streamline Wi-Fi data collection, Wi-Fi management, configuration, and optimization of home networks, simplifying the analysis and decision-making process for carriers. "The RDK community and the WBA share a common commitment to enable interoperability and innovation across the ecosystem of companies supporting today's broadband service providers," said Jason Briggs , President and General Manager of RDK. "The coordination between RDK's open-source community of more than 600 companies, and leading industry organizations such as the WBA, is necessary to identify and address common technical challenges. By working together, we can enable service providers to spend more of their own efforts and resources on customer-facing applications and services that drive business results." "At the WBA, part of our core mission is to help move the industry forward by enabling collaborative opportunities for our members to enhance the Wi-Fi experience, and further aligning with RDK is an important part of that overall commitment," said Tiago Rodrigues , CEO of the Wireless Broadband Alliance. "While we have different areas of focus, our organization's efforts are highly complementary, and we look forward to supporting our respective member companies as they work on broadband initiatives that span the interests of both of our communities." Each year, the RDK and WBA host industry events for their members around the globe. For the upcoming annual RDK Global Summit scheduled for September 17 in Amsterdam , Tiago Rodrigues will join Jason Briggs on a special discussion about the collaboration of industry bodies, standards, and open-source communities. Additional information about RDK and upcoming RDK events is available at www.rdkcentral.com . More details about WBA and WBA events are available at https://wballiance.com/. About RDK Management RDK Management is an open-source consortium that manages RDK for the global community. RDK is an open-source software solution that standardizes core functions used in broadband, video, and IoT devices. Deployed on more than 100 million devices, RDK enables service providers to control their device diagnostics data, business models, and apps to improve the customer experience and drive business results. The RDK community is comprised of more than 600 companies including CPE manufacturers, SoC vendors, software developers, system integrators, and service providers. For more information on the tools, training, and events provided by RDK Management, please visit: www.rdkcentral.com . About the Wireless Broadband Alliance Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA) is the global organization that connects people with the latest Wi-Fi initiatives. Founded in 2003, the vision of the WBA is to drive seamless, interoperable service experiences via Wi-Fi within the global wireless ecosystem. WBA's mission is to enable collaboration between service providers, technology companies, cities, regulators and organizations to achieve that vision. WBA undertakes programs and activities to address business and technical challenges, while exploring opportunities for its member companies. These initiatives encompass standards development, industry guidelines, trials, certification, and advocacy. Its key programs include NextGen Wi-Fi, OpenRoaming, 5G, IoT, Smart Cities, Testing & Interoperability and Policy & Regulatory Affairs, with Member-led Work Groups dedicated to resolving standards and technical issues to promote end-to-end services and accelerate business opportunities. Membership in the WBA includes major operators, service providers, enterprises, hardware and software vendors, and other prominent companies that support the ecosystems from around the world. The WBA Board comprises influential organizations such as Airties, AT&T, Boingo Wireless, Boldyn Networks, Broadcom, BT, Cisco Systems, Comcast, Intel, Reliance Jio, Turk Telekom, and Viasat. Follow Wireless Broadband Alliance: www.twitter.com/wballiance http://www.facebook.com/WirelessBroadbandAlliance https://www.linkedin.com/company/2919934/ View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rdk-joins-wireless-broadband-alliance-to-collaborate-on-home-wi-fi-and-iot-initiatives-for-broadband-operators-302090888.html SOURCE RDK Management, LLC One out of four children are out of school as a result of Syrian crisis spillover, forced displacement, economic collapse and other intersecting challenges. First Emergency Response grant delivered by UNICEF provides life-saving access to protective learning environments. NEW YORK , March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hostilities in Southern Lebanon displaced tens of thousands of people late last year, compounding the challenges facing the nation as it works to respond to political turmoil, economic collapse and spillover from the crisis in Syria . In response to these challenges, Education Cannot Wait (ECW) announced today a new additional US$2.2 Million grant that will provide girls and boys impacted by these ongoing crises with access to safe, inclusive learning environments. The fast-acting 12-month grant will be delivered by UNICEF in collaboration with local strategic partners and the Education Sector. ECW funding in Lebanon has already reached over a half a million girls and boys. Total ECW funding now tops US$24 million . Hostilities in the region resulted in the closure of 50 public schools and eight technical education schools. Approximately 20,000 students have had their education impacted, and recent estimates indicate that as many as 91,000 people are displaced in Lebanon , including more than 33,000 children. Even before this recent uptick in violence, around 27% of children were out of school in Lebanon . "The education system in Lebanon has suffered enough pressure. This is the time to support the Ministry of Education and their firm commitment to a quality education for both Lebanese and refugee children and adolescents. Our investment in their education is an investment in peace and security across the region, and an investment in delivering on the promises outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals and Convention on the Rights of the Child. Lebanon and all school-aged children in the country deserve no less," said Yasmine Sherif , Executive Director of Education Cannot Wait, global fund for education in emergencies and protracted crises hosted within the United Nations. "The conflict in the southern borders of Lebanon has exacerbated the multiple crises that have been disrupting the education of the most marginalized children and youth in the country. UNICEF is supporting the strategies and approaches of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MEHE), as well as the Center for Educational Research and Development (CERD), to ensure the continuity of teaching and learning for children and youth affected by the conflict in the South, including at primary and secondary levels, as well as in technical and vocational education. Lebanon's children and youth cannot afford further disruption to their education. Through support from the ECW fund, MEHE and UNICEF will partner to deliver services that enable children and youth to leapfrog to a brighter future," said Edouard Beigbeder , UNICEF Representative in Lebanon . The new investment aligns with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education's emergency response plan and the Education sector strategy. There is a strong focus on improving access to inclusive and safe learning opportunities for displaced children. This includes the establishment of school hubs, as well as increasing the availability of online learning resources for children who are unable to access traditional schools. The investment also provides a focus on training teachers to respond to the unique needs of displaced children, with a focus on mental health and psychosocial support, gender-responsive training and more. To improve the resilience and recovery of the education system, the investment will strengthen capacity to respond to emergencies through comprehensive training programmes that include emergency preparedness, response strategies and other supports designed to ensure sustainability well into the future. About Education Cannot Wait (ECW): Education Cannot Wait ( ECW ) is the global fund for education in emergencies and protracted crises. We support quality education outcomes for refugee, internally displaced and other crisis-affected girls and boys, so no one is left behind. ECW works through the multilateral system to both increase the speed of responses in crises and connect immediate relief and longer-term interventions through multi-year programming. ECW works in close partnership with governments, public and private donors, UN agencies, civil society organizations, and other humanitarian and development aid actors to increase efficiencies and end siloed responses. ECW urgently appeals to public and private sector donors for expanded support to reach even more vulnerable children and youth. On X/Twitter), please follow: @EduCannotWait @YasmineSherif1 @KentPage Additional information available at: www.educationcannotwait.org View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/southern-lebanon-crisis-response-education-cannot-wait-announces-new-us2-2-million-grant-to-improve-access-to-inclusive-quality-education-bringing-total-ecw-funding-in-lebanon-to-us24-million-302096340.html SOURCE Education Cannot Wait U.S. District Court Dismisses Challenge to "ABC Test" for Determining Employment Status SAN DIEGO , March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Teamsters Union commends the Southern District of California , U.S. District Court for its decision to uphold Assembly Bill 5 (AB5) by dismissing California Trucking Association et al v. Bonta et al. The civil action was a direct challenge to the law, which prevents worker misclassification through the "ABC Test" for determining independent contractor status. "This is a monumental victory for Californians. It will lead to more union organizing, the expansion of full employee rights to hundreds of thousands of workers, and greater accountability for bad actors who won't follow the law," said Teamsters General President Sean M. O'Brien . "We applaud U.S. District Judge Roger T. Benitez for his unassailable rationale and detailed consideration of the issues at hand in this case, and we look forward to thorough enforcement of AB5 moving forward." Under the California ABC Test, a worker must meet three standards to truly qualify as an independent contractor. The criteria are that a worker is free from the control and direction of the hiring entity in connection with the performance of the work, they perform work that is outside the usual course of the hiring entity's business, and the individual has their own business or trade for the work performed. The lawsuit challenging AB5 was considered the greatest threat to the law, but it was dismissed for multiple reasons, including concerns around constitutionality. The decision comes amid attempts by Uber, Lyft, and other tech companies to undermine the ABC Test in Massachusetts via referendum. Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.3 million hardworking people in the U.S. , Canada , and Puerto Rico . Visit Teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and "like" us on Facebook at Facebook.com/teamsters. Contact: Matt McQuaid, (202) 624-6877 [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/teamsters-laud-federal-court-for-upholding-california-law-against-misclassification-302096554.html SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters Commences a $12 Million Fundraising Effort to Support Expansion and Continue Honoring Those Lost in the Line of Duty Launches Firefighters Memorial Oral History Project to Preserve Firefighter Stories Across California SACRAMENTO, Calif. , March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The California Fire Foundation ( www.cafirefoundation.org ), the California-based non-profit that assists families of fallen firefighters, firefighters, and the communities they protect, has announced its 2024 California Firefighters Memorial Wall Expansion to honor and preserve the memory of fallen firefighters across California . The announcement commences a 12-Million-Dollar Fundraising Effort to support the expansion, alongside the launch of the California Fire Foundation's Firefighters Memorial Oral History Project to gather stories of fallen firefighters across California . An official Groundbreaking Ceremony was held at California State Capitol Park in downtown Sacramento, California on Wednesday, March 20 , to "break the ground" with shovels. Host, Brian K. Rice , the President of California Professional Firefighters, was joined by local firefighters, families of the fallen, and elected officials. The current Memorial Wall is etched with the names of 1,527 heroic fallen firefighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty since California became a state in 1850. Sadly, the current Memorial Wall has run out of space, with cancer now being the leading cause of death to firefighters. To expand the Memorial Wall, the California Fire Foundation is announcing a 12-Million-Dollar Fundraising effort. The expansion will provide the capacity to honor an additional 4600 firefighters over the next 150 years. The artist at the helm of the California Firefighters Memorial expansion design is Adan Romo , a sculptor, teacher, artist, and the son of late, retired Sacramento Battalion Chief Jesus Romo . Jesus is the artist who created the awe-inspiring Fallen Brother sculpture, iconically placed in front of the Memorial Wall. WATCH the vision for the new California Firefighters Memorial Wall Expansion on YouTube @CaliforniaFireFoundation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOdnOBHLCd4 How to Support the Fundraiser ? SHARE YOUR FIREFIGHTER STORIES: Residents, friends and family of fallen firefighters across California are invited to share their stories, from kind gestures to favorite memories, to be part of the new Firefighters Memorial Oral History Project . The Project aims to preserve the memories of our heroes. Stories can be shared easily via voicemail by calling 916-883-3580 or scanning the barcode HERE. Residents, friends and family of fallen firefighters across are invited to share their stories, from kind gestures to favorite memories, to be part of the new The Project aims to preserve the memories of our heroes. Stories can be shared easily via voicemail by calling or scanning the barcode HERE. GIVE A DONATION: Support the Memorial Wall expansion by donating tax-deductible at CAfirefoundation.org/MemorialExpansion. Learn more about the Memorial Wall Expansion and how to support at CAFireFoundation.org. About the Memorial Wall The California Firefighters Memorial in Capitol Park serves as a permanent reminder of the heroism of the firefighter profession. The California Fire Foundation remains steadfast in its commitment to honor these souls in a way they deserve to be remembered. The sad reality of the profession is that every year, we lose more of our bravest and most dedicated individuals in the line of duty. The Memorial Wall now carries more than 1,500 names nearly twice the number when it was unveiled just two decades ago. About the California Fire Foundation The California Fire Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, provides emotional and financial assistance to families of fallen firefighters, firefighters, and the communities they protect. Formed in 1987 by California Professional Firefighters, the California Fire Foundation's mission includes survivor and victim assistance programs and a range of community initiatives. The Foundation's initiatives include its SAVE CARD program (Supplying Aid to Victims of Emergency), which provides fire victims $250 cash cards to buy necessities immediately after a fire or natural disaster, its Firefighters on Your Side community preparedness PSA program, and the annual California Firefighters Memorial Ceremony in Sacramento that honors firefighters who lost their life in the line of duty. MEDIA CONTACTS Destin Judy (859) -913-6983 (mobile), [email protected] Lauren Kay (310) 409-8754 (mobile), [email protected] DeeDee Garcia , California Fire Foundation (916) 906-3412 (mobile), [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-california-fire-foundation-announces-california-firefighters-memorial-wall-expansion-at-capitol-park-in-sacramento-302095465.html SOURCE California Fire Foundation Medtronic moves for patent infringement litigation to resume DUBLIN , March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Medtronic (NYSE: MDT), the global leader in healthcare technology, today announced that the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has affirmed the validity of claims in two of its patents in an ongoing patent infringement lawsuit filed by Medtronic against Axonics over sacral neuromodulation (SNM) technologies. Cumulatively, the PTAB has now upheld the validity of five of the Medtronic patents at issue in this lawsuit. Medtronic will now ask the federal court in the Central District of California , where Medtronic's patent infringement lawsuit is pending, to lift its stay on the lawsuit and proceed to trial on the five valid and affirmed patents so Medtronic can present its case in front of a jury. "It's now past time for Axonics to stand up in a court of law and take responsibility for its unauthorized use and infringement of Medtronic's intellectual property," said Mira Sahney , president of the pelvic health business in the neuroscience portfolio at Medtronic. "We respect the intellectual property of innovators, and our patent system exists to benefit society by encouraging the kind of innovation that Medtronic invests in. We are pleased with the PTAB's decision, and we are confident that the evidence at trial will show that Axonics improperly used and profited from Medtronic's patented technology." Medtronic also filed a complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) along with a parallel action in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware to block Axonics from improperly importing and selling products that infringe two additional Medtronic patents related to the MRI compatibility of implantable medical devices. About Medtronic Bold thinking. Bolder actions. We are Medtronic. Medtronic plc, headquartered in Dublin, Ireland , is the leading global healthcare technology company that boldly attacks the most challenging health problems facing humanity by searching out and finding solutions. Our Mission to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life unites a global team of 95,000+ passionate people across more than 150 countries. Our technologies and therapies treat 70 health conditions and include cardiac devices, surgical robotics, insulin pumps, surgical tools, patient monitoring systems, and more. Powered by our diverse knowledge, insatiable curiosity, and desire to help all those who need it, we deliver innovative technologies that transform the lives of two people every second, every hour, every day. Expect more from us as we empower insight-driven care, experiences that put people first, and better outcomes for our world. In everything we do, we are engineering the extraordinary. For more information on Medtronic (NYSE: MDT), visit www.Medtronic.com and follow Medtronic on LinkedIn. Any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties such as those described in Medtronic's periodic reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results. Contacts: Laurel Hood Ryan Weispfenning Public Relations Investor Relations +1-763-514-0249 +1-763-505-4626 View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/us-patent-office-rejects-axonics-latest-challenge-to-medtronic-patents-302096380.html SOURCE Medtronic plc Set to Debut in Summer 2024, the New Viking Hathor Further Expands Viking's Fleet on the Nile River LOS ANGELES , March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Viking (www.viking.com) today announced its newest ship for the Nile Riverthe 82-guest Viking Hathorwas "floated out," marking a major construction milestone and the first time the ship has touched water. Set to debut in August 2024 , the Viking Hathor will join the company's growing fleet of state-of-the-art ships for the Nile River and will sail Viking's popular 12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary. " Egypt is a phenomenal destination, and we are pleased with the continued interest for our Nile River voyages. Our guests are thinking people who are curious about the worldand Egypt , with its cultural treasures and ancient antiquities, remains at the top of the travel list for many of them," said Torstein Hagen , Chairman of Viking. "With the float out of the Viking Hathor, we look forward to welcoming more guests to experience this fantastic region." The traditional float out ceremony of the Viking Hathor took place at Massara shipyard in Cairo and is significant because it denotes a ship moving into its final stage of construction. She will now be moved to a nearby outfitting dock for final construction and interior build-out. The Viking Hathor & Viking's Growing Egypt Fleet Hosting 82 guests in 41 staterooms, the new, state-of-the-art Viking Hathor is inspired by Viking's award-winning river and ocean ships with the elegant Scandinavian design for which Viking is known. An identical sister ship to the Viking Osiris and the Viking Aton, the Viking Hathor features several aspects familiar to Viking guests, such as a distinctive square bow and an indoor/outdoor Aquavit Terrace . Viking will have six ships sailing the Nile by 2025 with the addition of another sister ship, the Viking Sobek, which is already under construction and will be delivered next year. Additional ships in the Egypt fleet currently include the Viking Ra and the MS Antares. Viking's Pharaohs & Pyramids Itinerary During the 12-day, Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary, guests begin with a three-night stay at a first-class hotel in Cairo , where they can visit iconic sites such as the Great Pyramids of Giza, the necropolis of Sakkara, the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, or the Grand Egyptian Museum. Guests then fly to Luxor, where they visit the Temples of Luxor and Karnak before boarding a Viking river ship for an eight-day roundtrip cruise on the Nile River , featuring visits to the tomb of Nefertari in the Valley of the Queens and the tomb of Tutankhamun in the Valley of the Kings, and excursions to the Temple of Khnum in Esna, the Dendera Temple complex in Qena, the temples at Abu Simbel and the High Dam in Aswan, and a visit to a colorful Nubian village, where guests can experience a traditional elementary school. Finally, the journey concludes with a flight back to Cairo for a final night in the ancient city. Recently, the Viking Osiris was named one of the "Best New Cruises" in Conde Nast Traveler's "Hot List" and the "Best Luxury River Cruise " in Forbes' "Best Luxury Cruises" list. Additionally, TIME magazine featured both Giza and Saqqara on its "World's Greatest Places" list, recommending sailing the Nile River with Viking. TIME notes that Viking is among the very few who stop in both Giza and the village of Sakkara, where excavation sites, like the megatombs of animal and human mummies, are active. For guests looking to extend their journey in Egypt , Viking also offers Pre and Post Extensions that provide Privileged Access to archives and exhibits. Guests on the five-day British Collections of Ancient Egypt extension will begin the journey in London , where they will meet their Viking Tour Director, an expert Egyptologist, and experience Privileged Access to two museums: first a private, early morning visit to the Egyptian Collection at the British Museum before it opens to the general public and then a visit to the home and personal museum of world-renowned architect, Sir John Soane , where the tour will be illuminated by candlelight, a re-enactment of how Soane entertained guests and showcased his exquisite collection of Egyptian antiquities, including a 3,000-year-old Egyptian sarcophagus. Guests will also visit London's Petrie Museum, which houses more than 80,000 artifacts from ancient Egypt and Sudan . In Oxford, guests will visit the Ashmolean Museum, one of the oldest in the world, and home to a varied collection of Egyptian mummies and artand go behind the scenes at Oxford University's Griffith Institute, where they will enjoy a Privileged Access visit to see Howard Carter's archives, which detail the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb. Lastly, guests will have further Privileged Access with an exclusive visit to Highclere Castle to view the Earl of Carnarvon's magnificent private collection of Egyptian artifacts, as well as archives and exhibits not normally accessible to the public. Additional offerings include a three-night Pre-Extension in Istanbul , where guests can visit the timeless city and important religious sites including the "Blue Mosque" and the legendary Hagia Sophia . After concluding the river voyage, guests can also extend the journey with a 4-night Post-Extension to JordanPetra, Dead Sea & Amman to view Roman antiquities at Jerash, Crusader-era castles at Kerak or Shobak and experience the lost city of Petra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Media Assets For more information about Viking, or for images and b-roll, please contact [email protected]. About Viking Viking was founded in 1997 and provides destination-focused journeys on rivers, oceans and lakes around the world. Designed for curious travelers with interests in science, history, culture and cuisine, Chairman Torstein Hagen often says Viking offers experiences for The Thinking Person. Viking has more than 450 awards to its name, including being rated #1 for Rivers, #1 for Oceans and #1 for Expeditions by Conde Nast Traveler in the 2023 Readers' Choice Awards. Viking is also rated at the top of its categories for rivers, oceans and expeditions by Travel + Leisure. No other travel company has simultaneously received the same honors by both publications. For additional information, contact Viking at 1-800-2-VIKING (1-800-284-5464) or visit www.viking.com. For Viking's award-winning enrichment channel, visit www.viking.tv. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/viking-marks-float-out-of-newest-egypt-ship-302096328.html SOURCE Viking LOS ANGELES , March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Wayfinder Family Services, formerly known as Junior Blind , recently honored one of its longest-standing board members, Dr. Harold A. Davidson , at The Conversation. The luncheon and panel event, co-presented by Wayfinder Family Services and the Aspen Institute, gathered over 200 guests at the Jonathan Club in downtown Los Angeles . Philanthropist and president of Los Angeles investment counseling firm Harold Davidson & Associates, Inc., Davidson has served on the Wayfinder board of directors for nearly 35 years, continuing the legacy of his parents, Charlotte and Davre Davidson. In his acceptance speech, Davidson shared his family's history with the organization, "My parents were inseparable my father followed my mother and became involved with what was then known as the Foundation for the Junior Blind. My father soon joined the board and chaired for many years, providing great insight and vision The most important years of service for me were when I served simultaneously with my father, Davre Davidson on the board. I learned how to effectively help a charity and nurture the development of the organization." The family's multi-generational service continues with Harold Davidson and his nephew, Scott Farkas , currently serving simultaneously on Wayfinder's board of directors. The Davidsons are the namesake of Wayfinder's Davidson Program for Independence which opened in 1970. This comprehensive residential rehabilitation program transforms the lives of adults who are blind or visually impaired, many with recent vision loss. It is the only one of its kind in Southern California and a national model for many programs. Jay Allen , Wayfinder's president and chief executive officer, presented Harold A. Davidson with the Wayfinder Award and shared, "Wayfinder wouldn't be who we are today without Harold and his family I'm proud to present this award on behalf of the hundreds of thousands of Wayfinder families the Davidson family has helped throughout the years." Davidson expressed his appreciation for Wayfinder's leadership, "The major reason for success of the organization is that we've only had four chief executive officers in 70 years. That's amazing! I'm excited for the future of Wayfinder, each CEO has enhanced our programs and developed new ones, putting their own stamp on their term. It's the reason for the success and longevity of the organization." About Wayfinder Family Services Wayfinder Family Services is the place to turn for people facing the greatest challenges. The organization provides expert, individualized support and services to children, youth, adults and familiesfrom people with vision loss and developmental disabilities to children in need of temporary shelter, foster care and adoption. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/wayfinder-family-services-honors-harold-a-davidson-302095423.html SOURCE Wayfinder Family Services FILE PHOTO: Students walk past stalls during the orientation week at The University of Sydney, in Camperdown, Australia February 15, 2023. REUTERS/ Stella Qiu/File Photo By Renju Jose and Stella Qiu SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia will begin enforcing tougher visa rules for foreign students this week as official data showed migration hit another record high, which is likely to further exacerbate an already tight rental market. From Saturday, English language requirements for student and graduate visas will be increased, while the government will get the power to suspend education providers from recruiting international students if they repeatedly break rules. "The actions this weekend will continue to drive migration levels down while delivering on our commitments in the migration strategy to fix the broken system we inherited," Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil said in a statement. A new "genuine student test" will be introduced to further crack down on international students who look to come to Australia primarily to work, while the imposition of "no further stay" conditions will be used on more visitor visas. The moves follow a raft of actions last year to close off COVID-era concessions introduced by the former government, including unrestricted working hours for international students. The government at the time said rules would be tightened for students that could halve its migrant intake over two years. Australia boosted its annual migration numbers in 2022 to help businesses recruit staff to fill shortages after the COVID-19 pandemic brought strict border controls, and kept foreign students and workers out for nearly two years. But the sudden influx of foreign workers and students has exacerbated pressure on an already tight rental market. Date released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on Thursday showed net immigration rose 60% to a record 548,800 in the year to Sept. 30, 2023, higher than the 518,000 people in the year ending June 2023. Overall, Australia's population rose 2.5% - the fastest pace on record - to 26.8 million people in the year to last September. The record migration - driven by students from India, China and Philippines - has expanded labour supply and restrained wage pressures, but it exacerbated an already tight housing market where rental vacancies hovered at record lows and elevated construction costs restricted new supply. O'Neil said the government's actions since September have led to a decline in migration levels, with recent international student visa grants down by 35% on the previous year. (Reporting by Renju Jose and Stella Qiu in Sydney) FILE PHOTO: ExxonMobil logo is seen in this illustration taken, October 6, 2023. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration//File Photo By Isla Binnie NEW YORK (Reuters) - The largest U.S. public pension fund plans to ask Exxon Mobil to drop a lawsuit against investors that filed a shareholder resolution asking the U.S. oil major to curb greenhouse gas emissions faster. California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS), which according to its most recent disclosure holds a 0.2% stake in Exxon, disclosed at a meeting of its officials this week that it will raise the issue ahead of the energy company's annual shareholder meeting in May. Exxon sued in January to block a proposal from two investors asking the company to speed up the pace of its emissions reductions from being put to a shareholder vote. The investors responded by dropping the proposal, but Exxon has refused to drop the legal action against them. "We don't think it's particularly helpful for companies to be suing the people who provide their capital," CalPERS investment director Drew Hambly told a board meeting of the $444 billion pension fund on March 18. "We will certainly voice that opinion with the company when we have that opportunity in our engagement," Hambly added. Exxon did not respond to a request for comment. The company's Chief Executive Darren Woods defended its handling of the matter on Monday at the CERAWeek industry conference in Houston. "These are not legitimate investors... That process has been hijacked to the detriment of our shareholders, and we're basically trying to correct the problem," Woods said. Exxon's lawsuit marked a departure from companies turning to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for permission to exclude investor proposals from shareholder votes. Exxon said in its lawsuit that activist investors want to constrain its business rather than increase shareholder value, and noted that such resolutions have burgeoned. It is not the first time that CalPERS has emerged as a thorn in Exxon's side over environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) issues. In 2021, the pension fund backed a successful board challenge by an activist investor against Exxon in a push to better position it for the energy transition. CalPERS administrative board president Theresa Taylor told the fund's meeting on Monday that Exxon's legal action against the activist shareholders was part of a broader effort to impede investors over ESG. "We need a plan and that plan needs to include whether or not we keep those people in our portfolios," Taylor said, referring to Exxon. A CalPERS spokesperson did not respond to a request for further comment on whether the pension fund was considering shedding Exxon from its investment portfolio. (Reporting by Isla Binnie; Additional reporting by Sabrina Valle in Houston; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama) FILE PHOTO: Chinese tourists walk in front of the Chinese and Hong Kong flags, outside the Convention and Exhibition Centre, in Hong Kong, China March 13, 2024. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu/File Photo By Kanishka Singh (Reuters) - Hong Kong's new national security law "fails to safeguard" human rights and basic freedoms, Canada said on Wednesday, joining the European Union, the United States, the United Kingdom and the United Nations in the legislation's criticism. WHY IT IS IMPORTANT Hong Kong lawmakers unanimously passed the new bill on Tuesday, fast-tracking a major piece of legislation that critics say further threatens the city's freedoms. The package, known as Article 23, broadens the definition of crimes including sabotage, sedition and state secrets, and stipulates tougher penalties of up to life imprisonment. KEY QUOTES "Canada is concerned that the new national security law adopted by Hong Kong could deviate further from internationally accepted standards of proportionality, transparency and accountability," the Canadian government said in a statement. It said the law defined national security threats and offenses very broadly, leading to concerns of "enforcement overreach." "This new legislation, however, fails to safeguard the human rights and freedoms enshrined in the Basic Law and in international instruments to which Hong Kong is a party." CONTEXT The new legislation comes on top of a China-imposed national security law in 2020 that has been used to jail pro-democracy activists after violent street protests a year earlier and triggered sanctions from the United States. Critics say the new law will further narrow freedoms, and could be used to "eliminate dissent through the fear of arrest and detention". China has dismissed concerns over the new law as "groundless" and said the legislation will "secure Hong Kong's prosperity and stability" as well as safeguard the interests of overseas investors, democracy and freedom. Hong Kong returned from British to Chinese rule in 1997 with the guarantee its freedoms, including freedom of speech, would be protected under a "one country, two systems" formula. Critics of the 2020 law say those freedoms have eroded swiftly. (Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Lincoln Feast.) By Ben Blanchard TAIPEI (Reuters) -Taiwan's top security official said on Thursday he does not currently recommend President Tsai Ing-wen visit the South China Sea given the possible risk to her flight from "interference by relevant countries" given China's military presence there. Both Taiwan and China claim most of the South China Sea as their own territory, but Taiwan only controls one main islet in the contested Spratly Islands deep in the southern part of the sea called Itu Aba, which Taiwan refers to as Taiping island. Some lawmakers from both the ruling and main opposition parties have called on Tsai to visit Itu Aba before she steps down in May to assert Taiwan's sovereignty and view a newly renovated harbour that can take larger ships. Both her predecessors visited the island but she has yet to do so while in office. Taiwan National Security Bureau Director-General Tsai Ming-yen said the South China Sea had been highly militarised, and the government must also consider how the international community would view such a trip. "Many countries' aircraft and ships are interfered with by relevant countries when passing through," he told reporters at parliament. "Therefore, it is necessary to assess whether the president's aircraft's flight safety can be maintained during the 1,600 km (994 miles) flight. If the two problems cannot be resolved, it is not recommended that the president go to Taiping island at this stage." China has reclaimed land and build air bases and other military facilities on some of its islands including those close to Itu Aba, and regularly objects to U.S. navy ships and military aircraft operating nearby in what Washington calls freedom of navigation operations. Itu Aba has a runway long enough to take military re-supply flights from Taiwan, which take around four hours, but is lightly defended compared to the nearby Chinese-controlled islands. Chinese forces generally leave Itu Aba alone. Asked by a lawmaker whether China had ever interfered with or followed Taiwanese coast guard or military aircraft around Itu Aba, Tsai, who shares a common family name with the president, said it had happened. "The activities of the Chinese communists' ships and aircraft in the South China Sea are very frequent," he added, without elaborating. Taiwan also controls the Pratas Islands in the northern part of the South China Sea, and both China's air force and navy regularly operate nearby to assert Beijing's territorial claims over Taiwan, which the government in Taipei rejects. Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei claim other parts of the South China Sea in dispute with both China and Taiwan. (Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Stephen Coates) FILE PHOTO: Delhi Chief Minister and leader of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Arvind Kejriwal waves to his supporters during celebrations at the party headquarters in New Delhi, India, February 11, 2020. REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavis By Shivam Patel NEW DELHI (Reuters) -India's financial crime agency arrested Arvind Kejriwal, the chief minister of Delhi on Thursday in connection with graft allegations relating to the city's liquor policy, his party said, a setback for the opposition ahead of elections. The arrest means the main leaders of the decade-old Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) are in jail, following the arrests last year of two of Kejriwal's deputies in the same case - which the party has called "dirty politics". Kejriwal, 55, rose to power as an anti-corruption crusader and founded the AAP, Hindi for "common man's party", in 2011. Scores of supporters protested outside his heavily guarded residence and clashed with security forces as news of his arrest broke. Atishi, Delhi's finance minister, said on social media that the AAP was seeking to quash the latest arrest. "We have asked for an urgent hearing by the Supreme Court tonight itself," she said. The agency, the Enforcement Directorate (ED), is investigating allegations that a liquor policy implemented by the Delhi government in 2022, which ended its control over sale of liquor in the capital, gave undue advantages to private retailers. The policy was subsequently withdrawn. The AAP has said no evidence of wrongdoing has emerged in the investigation and Kejriwal has previously said that if he is corrupt "then there is no one in this world who is honest". Local media reported that he will be presented before a court on Friday where the charges against him will be made public. There was no immediate comment from the directorate. The ED had issued nine summons to him so far for questioning. Kejriwal did not answer them, saying that he feared he would be arrested if he appeared for questioning. He also sought protection from arrest from court, saying his party would be weakened in elections if that were to happen. Opposition parties expressed concern on social media, including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who said: "The arrest of elected Chief Ministers has become a common thing." AAP is part of the 27-party 'INDIA' bloc, an opposition alliance that hopes to challenge Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in national elections beginning April 19. The bloc has dismissed graft investigations against multiple opposition leaders as a politically-motivated smear campaign by the BJP, which runs the federal government that controls the Enforcement Directorate. The BJP denies political interference. The agency arrested Kejriwal's deputy Manish Sisodia and AAP lawmaker Sanjay Singh in the same case last year. After coming to power in Delhi in 2013, AAP swept state elections in the northern state of Punjab in 2022 and won a few seats in Modi's home state Gujarat in the same year. (Reporting by Shivam Patel; Editing by YP Rajesh and Barbara Lewis) FILE PHOTO: Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas speaks during a conference organised by the Friedrich August von Hayek Foundation, in Berlin, Germany, March 19, 2024. REUTERS/Liesa Johannssen/File Photo By Andrew Gray BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas has backed the idea of a European Commissioner dedicated to the defence industry as the European Union seeks to become a bigger player in the sector. Kallas, a member of the European Council of the EU's national leaders, told Reuters in an interview that there was an urgent need to develop Europe's defence industry. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has sparked debate by pledging to create a post of defence commissioner if she wins a second term later this year. The idea shows how defence has risen up Europe's political agenda. Leaders have vowed to ramp up defence spending and arms production amid fears about Russia after its invasion of Ukraine and about the future of U.S. security commitments to Europe. Some politicians and diplomats see von der Leyen's idea as a welcome sign that Europe is getting more serious about defence. Others argue defence policy is the domain of member countries and the proposal risks dangerous duplication with NATO. Kallas said such a post would make sense if it focused on industry. "If the idea is about defence industry and developing it further, then we have an urgent need and then we could also have a leader that only deals with these issues," she said in Brussels on Wednesday, after arriving for an EU summit. "We don't want to blur the lines between NATO and European Union," she said. "In terms of a military crisis, it is important who gives orders to whom, how the chain of command really works. That is NATO, militarily. But boosting the defence industry - that is where the European Union has also a say." WAR IN UKRAINE The European Commission, the bloc's executive body, has concentrated largely on economic matters since its establishment in the 1950s - reflecting the EU's focus on soft power. But the war in Ukraine has prompted the EU and the Commission to embrace more hard power. An EU-run fund has bankrolled billions of euros in arms for Kyiv. The Commission has awarded billions more to stimulate defence investments, boost ammunition production and encourage EU countries to work together on common projects. Thierry Breton, the French commissioner for the EU's internal market, has taken the lead on the defence industry so far. The Commission wants EU countries to spend much more of their defence budgets in Europe. It says about 80% of EU countries' defence buys in the year and a half after the war began went to companies outside the bloc, mostly in the U.S. Kallas has suggested EU joint borrowing to finance greater defence investment - a proposal backed by French President Emmanuel Macron. But fiscally cautious countries such as Germany, Austria and Sweden are sceptical. Kallas argued such borrowing was needed urgently, even if countries took other measures to boost their defence spending over the medium and long term. "The crisis is right now, here. We have to invest in defence now," she said. "We don't have the time to wait." (Reporting by Andrew Gray; Editing by Ingrid Melander and Alex Richardson) By Daphne Psaledakis WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The European Union and its allies are considering steps to address the export from China of goods that could help Russia's military, including by imposing further sanctions, the bloc's sanctions coordinator said on Thursday. EU Sanctions Envoy David O'Sullivan said he discussed with U.S. counterparts this week how to address China's growing role and the role of production hubs in Southeast Asia as sources of advanced technology products, as the partners look to crack down on Moscow's evasion of Western sanctions imposed over the war in Ukraine. "We will continue to see how we can address that," O'Sullivan told reporters in Washington. The United States, EU and partners have applied scores of sanctions targeting Moscow in an effort to deny Russia access to revenue and sophisticated technology it needs to make weapons for the war, which has killed or wounded tens of thousands. The allies have also sought to crack down on Moscow's evasion of the measures. O'Sullivan said those efforts have slowed and in some cases stopped shipment of goods that could have military uses through countries such as Turkey, Serbia and the United Arab Emirates. "Because of that success, we see what I call the kind of eastward drift. We see increasing focus on Hong Kong, China as the source of these products. And we also see Western production hubs in Southeast Asia as a source of supply," he said. China's embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment. China has previously said it firmly opposes EU sanctions against Chinese firms over the Ukraine war. His conversations in Washington this week have included discussion on how to address this, he said. The EU has imposed sanctions on some entities in China and Hong Kong that it sees as part of procurement networks for buying European products for export to Russia, and will continue to do so, he said. Washington and the EU are also looking at other ways to address the new phase, including by reaching out to China itself, he said. O'Sullivan also said the international community needs to worry about the so-called shadow fleet of aging tankers that Western sanctions and a price cap have forced some oil market players in Russian oil to rely on. He said that the EU and its partners are trying to shut off the supply of end-of-life tankers. If one of the vessels leaks along the coast of a country, it would create a "massive ecological disaster" without clarity that there is reliable insurance to pay for the cleanup, he said. (Reporting by Daphne Psaledakis; Additional reporting by Timothy Gardner and David Brunnstrom; Editing by Don Durfee and Deepa Babington) FILE PHOTO: Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich stands inside an enclosure for defendants before a court hearing to consider an appeal against his pre-trial detention on espionage charges in Moscow, Russia, October 10, 2023. REUTERS/Evgenia Novo MOSCOW (Reuters) - Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich is holding up well despite spending nearly a year in a Moscow prison, the U.S. embassy said after ambassador Lynne Tracy visited him on Thursday. Gershkovich, now 32, was arrested on March 29 last year in the Urals city of Yekaterinburg and accused by the FSB security service of trying to obtain defence secrets. He, his paper and the U.S. government have all strongly denied he is a spy. "Next week marks a year since his unlawful detention by the Russian authorities. Evan remains strong and resilient, but it is a tragedy that he is awaiting trial for a crime he did not commit," the U.S. embassy said in a post in Russian on its Telegram channel. Gershkovich has failed in repeated appeals against his detention in Moscow's Lefortovo prison while awaiting trial for espionage, a charge that carries a sentence of up to 20 years. Washington has pledged to do "whatever it takes" to bring home Gershkovich and ex-Marine Paul Whelan, convicted in 2020 and serving 16 years in a Russian penal colony on spying charges that he too denies. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said Gershkovich could be released at some point in exchange for a Russian prisoner held abroad, but no such deal has so far materialised. (Reporting by Reuters, writing by Mark Trevelyan; Editing by Jon Boyle) MADRID (Reuters) - Exiled Catalan separatist Carles Puigdemont announced on Thursday he will seek to lead the northeastern Spanish region in elections in May, a move which could risk his arrest should he return to Spain and raise implications for the national government as well as the foundering independence movement. (Reporting by Joan Faus, writing by Aislinn Laing) Smoke billows in Gaza, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, as seen from southern Israel, March 21, 2024. REUTERS/Ammar Awad (Reuters) - Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza has killed thousands, caused a humanitarian catastrophe and raised the chances of a wider conflict across the Middle East. Here are some facts about the territory: WHAT IS THE GAZA STRIP? The Gaza Strip is situated at the southeast corner of the Mediterranean, 45 km (25 miles) long and at most 10 km (6 miles) wide. It is wedged between Israel to the north and east, and Egypt's Sinai Peninsula to the south. Formerly part of British-mandate Palestine, the Gaza Strip emerged as a territory during the 1948 war of Israel's creation, when invading Egyptian forces established control over the sliver of territory. Israel occupied the Gaza Strip in the 1967 Middle East war, along with the West Bank. The Palestinians have long sought to establish a state in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, with East Jerusalem as its capital. WHO LIVES IN GAZA? About 2.3 million Palestinians live in Gaza, giving it one of the highest population densities in the world. Some 1.7 million of them are refugees or descendants of refugees who were expelled or fled their homes during the 1948 war. Even before the latest war erupted, some 81.5% of the population lived in poverty, according to the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees UNRWA. HOW DID WE GET HERE? In 1987, Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank rose up against Israeli occupation in the first Intifada. In 1993, the Palestine Liberation Organization and Israel signed a historic peace agreement, paving the way for limited Palestinian self-rule in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. The newly created Palestinian Authority cracked down on opponents of the peace process, including the Islamist group Hamas. Gaza was a theatre of the Second Intifada which erupted after the failure of peace talks in 2000. Israel withdrew settlers and soldiers from the territory in 2005, but continued to control its land and sea borders - bar the crossing to Egypt. In 2006, Hamas scored a surprise victory in Palestinian parliamentary elections and seized full control of Gaza, overthrowing forces loyal to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Israel and Egypt tightened restrictions on the movement of people and goods through the Gaza crossings. Palestinian militants in Gaza have fought numerous conflicts with Israel since then, including a 50-day war in 2014. Confrontations have been largely defined by Palestinian rocket fire into Israel and Israeli air and artillery bombardments of the Gaza Strip. The latest war erupted on Oct. 7, when Hamas militants raided southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and abducting some 250 others, according to Israeli tallies. HOW BAD IS THE HUMANITARIAN SITUATION? The Health Ministry in Gaza said the Israeli air and ground campaign had killed more than 31,988 people and injured 74,188 by March 21. The ministry has said children under 18 make up more than 40% of those killed. UNRWA said as of March 16 up to 1.7 million people, or over 75% of the population, had been displaced since Oct. 7, some of them several times. More than 1 million displaced are in Rafah on Gaza's southernmost fringe close to the boundary with Egypt. More than 60% of housing units have been destroyed, along with 392 education facilities, 123 ambulances and 184 mosques, it said. Mains electricity stopped working in October. Children are dying of starvation in northern Gaza, World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on X on March 4, citing a WHO team that visited two hospitals. Famine is imminent and likely to occur by May in northern Gaza and could spread across the enclave by July, the world's hunger watchdog, known as the Integrated Food-Security Phase Classification (IPC), said on March 18. It said 70% of people in parts of northern Gaza were suffering the most severe level of food shortage, more than triple the 20% threshold to be considered famine. In all, 1.1 million Gazans, about half the population, were experiencing "catastrophic" shortages of food. The healthcare system in Gaza has essentially collapsed, Western doctors who visited the Palestinian enclave in recent months told an event at the United Nations on March 19. UNRWA said on Feb. 22 that only 12 hospitals were still partially functioning in Gaza and that there were more than 300,000 reported cases of acute respiratory infections and more than 200,000 reported cases of watery diarrhoea. Satellite images analysed by the U.N. Satellite Centre show that 35% of the Gaza Strip's buildings have been destroyed or damaged in the Israeli offensive, the centre said on March 21. (Compiled by Tom Perry and Angus McDowall; Editing by Ros Russell, William Maclean and Timothy Heritage) FILE PHOTO: Cigarettes and a health warning label are seen in this May 24, 2017 illustration photo. REUTERS/Thomas White/Illustration/File Photo By Jonathan Stempel (Reuters) -A federal appeals court on Thursday said a U.S. government requirement that cigarette packs and advertisements contain graphic warnings about the dangers of smoking is constitutional, in a victory for the Biden administration and a defeat for the tobacco industry. Reversing a lower court ruling, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans found that the 11 warnings required under a 2020 Food and Drug Administration rule were "factual and uncontroversial," and satisfied the First Amendment. RJ Reynolds, ITG Brands, Liggett and other tobacco companies complained that the warnings violated their free speech rights by compelling them to endorse images that they said misrepresented or exaggerated the harms from smoking. Lawyers for the tobacco companies did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The FDA and the Department of Health and Human Services, which both appealed the lower court ruling, did not immediately respond to similar requests. Though smoking has declined significantly over the decades, nearly one in eight American adults still smoke, and cigarette smoking kills more than 480,000 Americans a year, government data show. The FDA rule adopted in March 2020 during the Trump administration required that warnings about the risks of smoking occupy the top 50% of cigarette packs and top 20% of ads. These warnings included depictions of feet with amputated toes, a baby whose fetal growth had been stunted, and a woman with a large protrusion in her neck caused by cancer, along with written descriptions of various health risks. The FDA said the warnings were justified by the government interest in promoting greater understanding of the health risks from smoking, and reducing confusion and deception. Tobacco companies countered that the warnings went far beyond text warnings that had been allowed since 1984, including that smoking causes lung cancer and quitting reduces health risks. But in a 3-0 decision, Circuit Judge Jerry Smith said the graphic warnings conveyed facts about the benefits of reduced smoking, and were not unconstitutional because they "may induce emotions" or relate to ideological or political concerns. He also said the warnings were not unduly burdensome, saying tobacco companies still had plenty of space on cigarette packs and ads to convey their own messages. In supporting the rule, the Biden administration said graphic warnings were necessary because text-only warnings failed to deter teenagers from smoking. The appeals court returned the case to U.S. District Judge J. Campbell Barker in Tyler, Texas, to assess whether the FDA rule violated federal administrative law. Barker did not address that argument when striking the rule down in December 2020. (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Aurora Ellis) By Kirsty Needham SYDNEY (Reuters) - Fiji will strike a deal with Australia to upgrade ports and shipbuilding infrastructure, months after its prime minister said it was likely to partner with China on the project, the government of the Pacific Islands nation said on Thursday. Fiji's government said its cabinet had agreed to enter into a memorandum of understanding with Australia for the project, after Australia committed to financing. "The revival of the shipbuilding industry in Fiji has been articulated as a key priority," Fiji's government said in a statement. "It has the potential to increase job opportunities, develop and expand specialised skill-sets amongst Fiji nationals and stimulate investment and economic growth," it added. Australia will provide initial grant financing to the Fiji Government and the Fiji Ports Corporation, it said. Australia, the largest aid donor to the Pacific Islands region, is stepping up its infrastructure support to counter China's push to expand security and policing ties in the region. "Countries who want to build their influence in the region look for vacuums to fill and the Australian government is working very hard to be the best development and security partner for the entire region, so there are no vacuums to fill," Australia's Pacific Minister Pat Conroy said on ABC television on Thursday. Conroy will travel to Fiji, the Pacific's biggest transport hub, on Friday, and is expected to announce the ports deal and Australian financial assistance during his visit. In November, Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka told parliament he wanted to collaborate with China on a key port modernisation and shipyard project, after discussing it in a meeting with Chinese president Xi Jinping. China is the world's largest shipbuilder, accounting for half of all ships built this year. The pace of expansion of its navy has concerned Australia, which has donated dozens of patrol boats to its Pacific Islands neighbours to boost surveillance of their territorial waters. A defence agreement allowing the militaries of Australia and Fiji to work in each other's country and share intelligence has meanwhile been introduced to Australia's parliament this week for ratification. The "status of forces" agreement was signed by Australia and Fiji in 2022 but needs to be approved by both parliaments. Australia is seeking to discourage its Pacific Islands neighbours from signing security or policing deals with China, after Beijing struck a security pact with Solomon Islands in 2022. Last week, Fiji told the Guardian it would not scrap a decade-old policing agreement with China after a review by Fiji's new government, but said Chinese officers would no longer embed in Fiji's police force. (Reporting by Kirsty Needham; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan) By Inti Landauro PARIS (Reuters) -A large majority of French senators on Thursday voted against the ratification of a free trade deal between the European Union and Canada, dubbed CETA, in a closely watched ballot after farmers slammed liberal trade policies in weeks of protests. A majority of 211 senators opposed the ratification of the free-trade deal while 44 voted in favour. Free-trade deals, a symbol of the EU's will to open up markets and boost competition, have become the target of fierce criticism across the political spectrum since Europe-wide farmer protests highlighted what they called unfair competition from abroad. French farmers, who have pressured the government to obtain more aid, were spearheading the fight against international free-trade deals and CETA in particular, claiming it favours Canadian rivals whose environmental standards are looser. Interbev, the lobby of French cattle farmers and meat processors, welcomed the vote. "Interbev now counts on the National Assembly to definitely reject this harmful deal for the industry of cattle and meat and the consumers," it said in a statement sent after the vote. Leftist farmer union Confederation Paysanne also welcomed the vote, saying the agreement "accentuates the race for volumes, with no tangible return to producers". The rejection by the Senate means the bill needs to go back to France's lower house of parliament, the National Assembly, where lawmakers had narrowly backed CETA in a 2019 vote. Since then, President Emmanuel Macron - an advocate of free trade policies - has lost his absolute majority in the chamber. The trade deal, sealed in 2014, ratified in 2017 by the European Parliament and already partly in force, aimed at suppressing tariffs on 98% of goods between the EU and Canada. French Trade Minister Franck Riester said farmers like wine and cheese producers - France's top export productions - would benefit from the deal. "You are sending a very bad signal to our exporters, to our farmers and to Canada," he said. (Reporting by Inti Landauro, additional reporting by Sybille de la Hamaide, editing by Tassilo Hummel, William Maclean) FILE PHOTO: Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, Israel's chief military spokesman holds a bag with Hebrew words celebrating 60 years of Kibbutz Beeri and, according to Israel's miliitary, was found at Al Shifa Hospital compound in Gaza City, amid the ongoing grou JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Hamas and Islamic Jihad gunmen are holed up in the building of Al Shifa hospital's emergency room in Gaza, where an ongoing army raid was expected to go on for a few more days, an Israeli military spokesperson said on Thursday. "We are evacuating the patients, around 220 patients, to another building," Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said in a televised statement, "with appropriate medical equipment so that all the patients and doctors can be safe. We continue to call on all the gunmen in the building to surrender." (Reporting by Maayan Lubell; Editing by Leslie Adler) FILE PHOTO: The logo for Goldman Sachs is seen on the trading floor at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, New York, U.S., November 17, 2021. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo (Reuters) - Goldman Sachs Asset Management said on Thursday it had raised over $700 million for a new fund that will work with external managers to identify investment opportunities in both public and private markets. The fund, Union Bridge Partners I, will work together with private credit firms and hedge funds and is part of Goldman's $340 billion External Investing Group. Union Bridge has already deployed 40% of the capital raised to companies across North America and Europe in sectors such as hospitality, software, fitness centers, and music royalties. Wall Street banks are raising billions of dollars to regain lost ground in financing debt-backed deals after private equity firms and asset managers muscled into the business in recent years. The asset management arm of Goldman Sachs is looking to expand its private credit portfolio to $300 billion in five years, Reuters reported earlier this month. "We have seen a significant increase in the opportunity to partner with our external managers to provide flexible capital solutions to companies across public and private markets," said Philip Pallone, who leads the Union Bridge program. Goldman raised the capital from institutions, private wealth clients, and family offices, apart from commitments from its own employees. (Reporting by Arasu Kannagi Basil in Bengaluru; Editing by Tasim Zahid) Wu Weishan, director of the National Art Museum of China, vividly remembers a trip to his ancestral home, Shiyan town in Dongtai, Jiangsu province, back in 1972. He saw Gao Ershi, a distant uncle of his father, and a calligrapher and scholar, walking alone on the street. "He was dressed in a Zhongshan suit (Chinese tunic suit), and holding a stick while he walked," he recalls. "His scholarly charisma impressed me a lot. He looked so much like a man of wisdom and virtue from ancient times, like those portrayed in classic poems and paintings." Wu says that, in his early teens, he often heard from his father about the amount of effort Gao had invested in calligraphy and the study of Chinese classics, and years afterward, he saw a lot of Gao's calligraphic works, which showed an integrated accumulation of literature and classic art. "He was such an extraordinary man," Wu says. Today, Gao is highly regarded as an outstanding scholar, poet and calligrapher of the 20th century. In his lifetime, he mostly lived in his native Jiangsu province, and his accomplishments were known largely among cultural circles. In recent years, however, his reputation has spread to the wider public, thanks to donated works and their display in art museums, inspiring research into his life and legacy. One latest example is an exhibition of Gao's calligraphy at the Art Museum of Beijing Fine Art Academy. Running until Sunday, A Trace of Lanting brings together dozens of Gao's calligraphy works, as well as some by esteemed scholars and calligraphers in his close circle. There are also selected examples from the oeuvres of contemporary calligraphers in Jiangsu, which show Gao's long-standing influence. The exhibition has been touring across China since it was initiated last year to mark the 120th anniversary of Gao's birth. It was first shown at Zhejiang Art Museum, in the provincial capital Hangzhou, and then Zhengzhou Museum of Art, in Henan province, which in total received some 200,000 visitors. It will travel back to Jiangsu to Suzhou Art Museum after the Beijing show. Works on display are from the collections of public institutions and private collectors. It shows the enduring vigor of calligraphy as an important part of Chinese civilization, Wu says, linking the past and present. He adds that it also demonstrates the precious spiritual legacy Gao left to the world through his inheritance of various Chinese calligraphic scripts and efforts to reform the art and point out a direction for its future. Gao was particularly renowned for ushering caoshu, the cursive script, into a new realm through his own innovative approach. He is hailed in calligraphy circles as a "modern caoshu sage", partly owing to his mastery of the unique zhangcao style, a preliminary form of the cursive caoshu script, but blending the strokes of the clerical lishu script. Wu Hongliang, director of Beijing Fine Art Academy, says Gao's calligraphy is grounded in his masterful command of the solemnity of zhangcao script, but, meanwhile, is imbued with the reckless temperament of the writings of father and son Wang Xizhi and Wang Xianzhi, the celebrated fourth-century calligraphers. Gao's long-term commitment to the studies of these ancient masters allowed him to create an even more artistic, highly expressive style of his own in the later stages of his life. Gao is also respected for his rigorous approach toward academic study. A famed example is his avid involvement in an academic discussion in the 1960s pertaining to Lanting Xu (Preface to the Poems Composed at the Orchid Pavilion), a great piece by Wang Xizhi. Gao showed critical thinking, intensive learning and self-confidence, even when he had opposing views to experts in the field that were senior to him. Gao fulfilled his commitment to carrying on the cultural lineage through cultivating a younger generation of scholar-calligraphers. He would invite students to his home, and give lectures on Chinese classic texts and art. In 1987, an exhibition of Gao's work, in memory of the 10th anniversary of his passing, was held at Jiangsu Art Museum, in the provincial capital Nanjing, where Gao lived for decades. Lin Sanzhi, master calligrapher and a close friend of Gao, visited the show and, afterward, the 89-year-old wrote that, "Gao lived up to the fulfillment of art, and led a life of distinction and integrity". FILE PHOTO: A firefighting plane makes a water drop near the village of Provatonas in the region of Evros, Greece, September 3, 2023. REUTERS/Alexandros Avramidis/File Photo ATHENS (Reuters) - Greece on Thursday approved the purchase of seven firefighting aircraft from Canada to bolster its defences against wildfires, which have ravaged the country in recent years. The deal passed by Parliament is to buy seven DHC-515 aircraft from the Canadian Commercial Corp for 361 million euros ($392 million). The aircraft, purchased as part of a revamp of Greece's ageing fleet, will be delivered between 2027 and 2030, according to the agreement. The new aircraft can carry bigger quantities of water to dump on affected areas compared with the country's Canadair fleet, and fly for longer. Two of the jets will be part of an EU RescEU reserve programme, which means that Greece can lend them to other EU countries in emergencies. Summer wildfires have long been common in Greece, but rising temperatures and drought have made them more frequent and bigger and raised questions about the government's ability to stem the damage. Fires last year destroyed tens of thousands of hectares of land in the northeast. The deadliest blaze on record killed 104 people outside Athens in 2018. The purchase of the aircraft is part of a 2.1 billion-euro-scheme, mostly funded by the EU, under which Greece will receive firefighting equipment including drones, fire detectors, fire engines and meteorological stations. ($1 = 0.9217 euros) (Reporting by Angeliki Koutantou and Yannis Souliotis; Writing by Renee Maltezou; Editing by Edward McAllister and Leslie Adler) BUDAPEST (Reuters) - Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has congratulated Russian President Vladimir Putin on his re-election despite condemnation of the vote by many Western governments. The European Union, of which Hungary is a member, said the March 15-17 election had been held "in a highly restricted environment exacerbated also by Russias illegal war of aggression against Ukraine." Some EU ministers called the vote a sham. But Hungarian government spokesperson Zoltan Kovacs said Orban had, in a letter to Moscow, "congratulated Vladimir Putin on his re-election, noting that the cooperation between Hungary and Russia, based on mutual respect, enables important discussions even in challenging geopolitical contexts." "PM Orban affirmed Hungary's commitment to peace and readiness to intensify cooperation in sectors not restricted by international law, underlining the importance of dialogue in fostering peaceful relations," Kovacs wrote on X. Hungary cultivates closer ties with Russia than other EU states. Last October, Orban said he was "proud" of his contacts with Putin, whom he met in China despite EU efforts to isolate Moscow for waging war on Ukraine. Hungary said on Thursday it would not join a Czech-led ammunition initiative to procure and send weapons to Ukraine. While Western governments lined up on Monday to condemn Putin's landslide, China, India and North Korea congratulated him on extending his rule by a further six years. (Reporting by Boldizsar Gyori, Writing by Anna Wlodarczak-Semczuk, Editing by Timothy Heritage) By Steve Gorman (Reuters) -An Idaho maximum-security prison inmate, assisted by an outside accomplice, escaped from a Boise hospital early on Wednesday in a hail of gunfire that left three corrections officers wounded, one of them critically, sparking an intense manhunt. Skylar Meade, 31, a documented member of the Aryan Knights white supremacist gang serving time for aggravated battery, was last seen fleeing Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in a car with the accomplice, Boise Police Chief Ron Winegar said. The man suspected of opening fire on Meade's correction department escorts and driving away with him from the hospital was initially unknown to authorities but was later identified in a police bulletin as Nicholas Umphenour. Meade had been housed under administrative segregation, a form of solitary confinement for inmates deemed especially dangerous, at the Idaho Maximum Security Institution near Kuna, Idaho, according to state Correction Department chief Josh Tewalt. Meade was taken to the hospital on Tuesday night for treatment of what Tewalt called "self-injurious behavior" that prison staff deemed serious enough to warrant emergency medical care. At about 2:15 a.m. on Wednesday, as three corrections officers were preparing to transfer him back to prison, an individual waiting at the hospital's emergency department opened fire on the guards, wounding two of them. One was listed in critical but stable condition, while the other was hospitalized with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. A third correctional staffer was slightly injured in the ensuing pandemonium by gunfire from a Boise police officer called to the scene, authorities said. By then, Meade and his accomplice had already made their getaway, Winegar told reporters at a news briefing hours later. The police chief said law enforcement agencies throughout the state and surrounding region were searching for the two fugitives and anyone else who may have been involved in what he said was a planned, coordinated attack. Tewalt called the breakout "unprecedented" in nature. Authorities issued a bulletin with photos of the getaway vehicle, a gray four-door sedan, and pictures of Meade, whose face is tattooed with the numerals 1 and 11, which Winegar said stand for letters A and K, the abbreviation of Aryan Knights. A photo of Umphenour, appearing with head shaved and bushy beard, was later circulated with a warrant for his arrest on two charges of aggravated battery against law enforcement and one charge of aiding and abetting an escape. Authorities did not say how Umphenour and Meade knew each other but they appeared to be roughly the same age. Meade had been incarcerated since 2016 and was serving a prison sentence that was scheduled to run until October 2036, becoming eligible for parole in 2026. The police chief said authorities would welcome any tips that might lead to the arrest of the two fugitives while warning members of the public to keep their distance from both men. "They are dangerous, they are armed and they have shown a propensity for violence," he said. (Reporting by Steve Gorman in Los Angeles; Editing by Chris Reese and Sandra Maler) A displaced Palestinian woman reads the Koran at an UNRWA school where she shelters, during the holy month of Ramadan, as the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues, in Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, March 20, 2024. REUTERS/Mahmoud By Mahmoud Issa GAZA (Reuters) - At a Gaza school run by the U.N. Palestinian refugee agency, thousands of people who have fled Israeli airstrikes barely have enough food to break the daily Ramadan fast, unlike fellow Muslims elsewhere marking the holy month with post-fast treats. "Go and check all the markets ... You wouldn't find a single can of fava beans or chickpeas for the kids to eat," said Basel al-Soueidi, sheltering in the Jabalia refugee camp. In Ramadan, extended families usually gather for festive meals, pray together and gather around seasonal television dramas. Soueidi must make do with a few red lentils for the surviving members of his family, 17 of whom have been killed in the war. "I miss them all - there is no food or water, there is nothing. All my cousins died, there's no one left. We used to all gather during Ramadan, with my uncle," he said, close to tears. "We used to visit our siblings, aunts, our loved ones. No one's left, they were all martyred. All our loved ones are gone." Nearby, women prepared a fire for cooking, a few of them lucky enough to have greens, or dough to roll, or lentils, wondering if life will ever return to normal in Gaza, one of the most densely populated areas of the world. The war began when Hamas militants burst into Israel from the Gaza Strip, killed 1,200 people and took over 200 hostages, according to Israel's tally. Israel's retaliatory assault has killed more than 30,000 Palestinians and reduced much of Gaza to rubble, and efforts by Qatar and Egypt have failed to produce a desperately need ceasefire. Fayik al-Kufarnah washed dishes outside his tent. "Killing us is better than this life. We are not living," he said. "We are alive due to lack of death," (Writing by Michael Georgy) FILE PHOTO: Presidential candidate Anies Baswedan shows his ink-stained finger after casting his vote at a polling station during the general election in Jakarta, Indonesia, February 14, 2024. REUTERS/Ajeng Dinar Ulfiana/File photo JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesia's losing presidential candidate Anies Baswedan has asked the Constitutional Court to order an election re-run that exclude President Joko Widodo's son from the ticket, his lawyer Ari Yusuf Amir said on Thursday. The president's son Gibran Rakabuming Raka was running with the winning ticket of Prabowo Subianto and the team of Anies maintains he was unfairly allowed to join the race due to the court's last-minute change of eligibility rules. The lawyer said a re-run would ensure there was no "meddling". The president's allies have denied any political interference. Anies' legal team said its case contains evidence showing Widodo's government used social assistance to influence the election outcome, which it has rejected. (Reporting by Jakarta bureau; Editing by Martin Petty) By Lucy Craymer WELLINGTON (Reuters) - A New Zealand spy agency has accepted recommendations for increased oversight after an inquiry found it had hosted a foreign intelligence-collection system for years without telling the government. The Inspector General of Intelligence and Security (IGIS), which oversees the countrys spy agencies, reported Thursday that the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) had hosted a signals intelligence system deployed by a foreign agency and took part in a programme related to that system. The IGIS report said the bureau had agreed to host the system without gaining governmental approval or informing it, and that senior leadership lost track of the programme. After the IGIS inquiry, the GCSB accepted the agency's recommendations to compile a register of collection or analysis capabilities in New Zealand that are operated by foreign partners; audit its systems, including any foreign partner capabilities; review and monitor international agreements; and establish a process that allows IGIS to review any international agreements and arrangements entered into. Details of the country and the capability are secret, although the report says it produced intelligence that could find remote targets. New Zealand is a member of the Five Eyes intelligence grouping, which includes Australia, the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. The report notes that the system ran from 2013 until 2020 and that after it was installed, GCSB staff and the Bureaus legal team lost sight of the capability and its operation. GCSB Director-General Andrew Clark said that since joining the bureau five months ago, he had looked carefully at how it fulfilled its requirements in terms of compliance, relevant legislation, human rights and oversight. "It is important that we have effective processes in place that enable us to do our job in accordance with all our obligations," Clark said. "We are continually looking to improve how we work." (Reporting by Lucy Craymer. Editing by Gerry Doyle) Pope Francis leads the Angelus prayer from his window, at the Vatican, March 3, 2024. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane/File Photo BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The pope has expelled from the priesthood a disgraced former Belgian bishop who admitted more than a decade ago to sexually abusing two nephews, the Belgian church said on Thursday. Roger Vangheluwe, 87, resigned as Bishop of Bruges in 2010 after admitting he had abused one nephew for 13 years. A year later, he admitted to abusing a second nephew, while saying he did not consider himself a paedophile. Belgian prosecutors said at the time that the abuse had taken place too long ago for Vangheluwe to be charged. The justice minister urged the Vatican to impose a stiff punishment on him. The Belgian Catholic Church said on Thursday that the pope had removed Vangheluwe's clerical status. Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said the Belgian government had urged the Vatican to act quickly. "This is the right decision. It comes late but is a necessary step for the victims in their search for justice," he said on social media platform X. The Belgian Church said its bishops had repeatedly requested that Vangheluwe be expelled and considered it "shameful" that he officially remained a bishop and priest, albeit under tight restrictions. The church said he would remain in the abbey that currently houses him and live in isolation. The Roman Catholic Church has been rattled to the core by clergy sexual abuse scandals around the world. Pope Francis has tried to impose order, but his critics say more should have been done to root out abusive clergy and help their many victims. (Reporting by Philip Blenkinsop; Editing by Mark Potter) By Sarah Morland (Reuters) - The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) said on Thursday it has filed a collective complaint to a European rights body to demand that France urgently ensures access to drinking water in its Caribbean territory of Guadeloupe. The island territory has long faced water shortages, which right groups associate to poor infrastructure and contamination from a toxic pesticide that was for decades used on banana plantations across the region. "France cannot continue to ignore the recurring problems of the Antilles, they have lasted too long," FIDH's Western Europe head Elena Crespi said in a statement. "It must recognize that the European Social Charter applies to all its territories." Unrest surged during the coronavirus pandemic as residents expressed mistrust in the government's handling of health crises. Founded in 1922, FIDH brings together some 188 member groups and is funded by various international bodies and national embassies. FIDH said it filed the complaint alongside two other rights groups to the European Committee on Social Rights, an arm of the Council of Europe which seeks to uphold social and economic rights. Separately on Thursday, Guadeloupe's SMGEAG water management and sanitation syndicate said many communes were suffering from water shortages, notably across the south-eastern parts of the island, citing "malicious acts and shortages due to drought." Earlier in March, local authorities said they were cancelling over 13 million euros ($14 million) in water bills for some south-western residents, and had scrapped close to 30 million euros in this area since 2020. FIDH attributed the shortages to widespread leaks, poor sanitation and pollution from the chlordecone pesticide, which was banned in the 1990s due to its toxicity, and can cause convulsions, nerve degradations and higher risks of cancer. Guadeloupe and the neighboring French territory of Martinique have among the world's highest prostate cancer rates, according to a 2022 study funded by Public Health France and the country's National Cancer Institute, and over twice the mortality rates registered in mainland France. France in 2021 officially decreed prostate cancer a "professional illness" caused by pesticides such as chlordecone. ($1 = 0.9203 euros) (Reporting by Sarah Morland; Editing by Aurora Ellis) A detail of a Tesla electric vehicle charging station is pictured on a car park of the A10 shopping center in Wildau near Berlin, Germany, March 20, 2024. REUTERS/Annegret Hilse/File Photo (Reuters) -U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren in a letter on Thursday urged the Securities and Exchange Commission to investigate whether Tesla violated regulations over board independence at public companies. "New evidence has emerged in recent months that deepen my concerns that Tesla's board lacks independence from Mr. Musk, who uses his control over the board for his personal benefits," Senator Warren said in the letter to SEC Chair Gary Gensler. The Democrat alleged the board has failed to address possible misappropriation of Tesla resources and conflicts of interest arising from Musk's dual role at Tesla and Twitter, now X. She described Musk's $56 billion pay package as "unfathomable". Tesla did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. "Senator Karen's main economic & tax advisor is SBF's (Sam Bankman Fried, who was the chief of collapsed crytocurrency firm FTX) Dad. I suspect some of this is coming from him," Musk said in a post on social network X. Warren also highlighted that the board took no action to address shareholder concerns after Musk threatened earlier this year to divert AI product development away from Tesla unless he had about 25% voting control at the company. (Reporting by Akash Sriram in Bengaluru; Editing by Anil D'Silva and Shinjini Ganguli) FILE PHOTO: Presidential candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye cheers on supporters during his electoral campaign caravan in Zinguinchor, Casmance, Senegal March 16, 2024. REUTERS/Abdou Karim Ndoye/File Photo By Portia Crowe DAKAR (Reuters) - One of the most serious challengers to Senegalese President Macky Sall's party in Sunday's presidential election has sought to reassure investors about his plans for the West African nation set to begin producing oil and gas later this year. Bassirou Diomaye Faye, an anti-establishment candidate who analysts say stands a good chance of becoming the next president, told Reuters he would prioritise rebuilding the rule of law, restoring social cohesion and bringing stability to protest-hit Senegal. "This will allow investors to work with complete peace of mind and provide the country with the necessary calm for a proper economic take-off," Faye, 43, said in his first interview with English-language media after being released from prison on Thursday. "In that regard, no candidate can guarantee the security of foreign investors better than me," he said. Faye was released from prison under a new amnesty law introduced to reduce tensions. He had been held since April on charges including defamation and contempt of court, which he denied. If elected, he has promised a raft of changes including plans to renegotiate Senegal's oil and gas contracts and introduce a new currency. Some analysts say such moves could tarnish Senegal's reputation as an investment destination. Senegal's oil and gas projects, which are due to start production later this year, could boost GDP growth to double digits by 2025, according to the International Monetary Fund. Senegal shares the CFA franc currency, pegged to the euro, with seven other countries of the West African Monetary Union. At a campaign event last week, Faye appeared to back off the promise to leave the currency, saying he would first aim for monetary reform at the regional level with partners from the West African bloc ECOWAS. "But if our efforts within ECOWAS and (monetary union) UEMOA do not bear fruit, we will go alone," he told Reuters. Faye stood by his manifesto pledge to renegotiate mining and energy contracts agreed by Sall's government. But, he said, "any commitments the (Senegalese) people have made with external partners will be respected." The former tax inspector was relatively unknown until popular opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, who was disqualified from taking part in the election because of a defamation conviction, backed his candidacy. He would not say what role Sonko might play in any future government of his. Normally a beacon of stability in a turbulent region, Senegal has been rocked by violent protests since 2021, most recently after Sall attempted to postpone the presidential election by 10 months. He set the date for March 24 after a court ruled the delay unconstitutional. The president's supporters have accused the opposition of stoking unrest. Anti-government demonstrators have damaged infrastructure and kept businesses closed. "Investors must understand that if we fought ... to get to power ... it is not because power fascinates us, it is to put this country on the right track," Faye said. (Reporting by Portia Crowe; Editing by Mark Potter) FILE PHOTO: South Africa's Minister of Defence Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula addresses striking miners outside a South African mine in Rustenburg, 100 km (62 miles) northwest of Johannesburg August 21, 2012. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko/File Photo JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa's National Assembly speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula said on Thursday that she will take special leave as a result of an investigation into alleged corruption during her time as defence minister. Investigators raided Mapisa-Nqakula home on Tuesday as part of the corruption inquiry, but did not provide further details on the investigation or the corruption allegations. Mapisa-Nqakula, who was defence minister from 2012 to 2021, has denied wrongdoing. "Given the seriousness of the allegations and the attendant extensive media speculation, I have decided to take special leave from my position as Speaker of the National Assembly, effective immediately," Mapisa-Nqakula said in a statement. She said there has been no formal notification of an arrest warrant or communication regarding her imminent arrest, following local media reports that she was expected to hand herself over to police on Friday. "My lawyers have, however, proactively informed the National Prosecution Authority of my readiness to comply and cooperate should the need arise," she said. South Africa's state-owned broadcaster SABC reported that Mapisa-Nqakula is suspected of receiving millions of rand in cash as bribes from a former military contractor when she was defence minister. (Reporting by Olivia Kumwenda-Mtambo; editing by Barbara Lewis) KYIV (Reuters) - Three Ukrainian-backed paramilitary groups that purport to be made up of Russians opposed to the Kremlin said on Thursday their forces were continuing their cross-border attacks following a week of raids. The groups launched incursions from northern Ukraine last week into the Russian regions of Kursk and Belgorod, claiming to have entered several villages on the Russian side of the border. "The operation, even right now, is continuing. We will talk about our losses after it's conclusion," Denis Kapustin, leader of one of the groups, the right-wing Russian Volunteer Corps (RVC), told a press conference in response to a question about the unit's losses. Reuters could not independently verify the battlefield claims. Russian officials have made vague reference to "Ukrainian terrorists" in their comments about the groups' recent attacks. They have previously cast the groups as puppets of Ukraine's military and the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency. The current raid follows previous actions by two of the groups in Russian border regions in May 2023. The other two groups at the press conference in central Kyiv were the Freedom of Russia legion and the Siberia Battalion, which says it is comprised of indigenous groups from Russian territory. They said they received intelligence and logistics support from the Ukrainian armed forces, but repeated their assertion that they were acting independently of Kyiv when fighting on Russian territory. Kapustin said Ukraine provided ammunition and medical evacuation for his fighters. However, asked about the provenance of the unit's weapons, Kapustin smiled and said that one could buy tanks and rocket launcher systems in a military surplus shop. He appeared to be referencing similar comments by Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2014 when he dismissed a question about the Russian military's involvement in the seizure of Crimea from Ukraine. Alexei Baranovsky, the spokesperson for the Freedom of Russia legion, said that in its raids outside Ukraine his unit used trophy weapons captured from Russia. Kapustin said his unit had taken a total of 37 prisoners of war (POWs) during its latest operation, but that a prisoner swap was not yet on the cards, asserting that some of the prisoners had expressed willingness to join the rebel unit. Kapustin's far-right political background has been the subject of media attention in the past. The Anti-Defamation League, a U.S. extremism watchdog group, has said he was a neo-Nazi, although Kapustin denies this and says he and his unit instead hold conservative and traditionalist views. He said that his unit had already recruited fighters from Russian POWs, and that this included some former members of the Wagner mercenary group, whose former leader Yevgeny Prigozhin staged a brief mutiny against the Kremlin last year. (Reporting by Max Hunder; Editing by Alex Richardson) A rescuer works at a site of a building, damaged during a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine March 21, 2024. REUTERS/Alina Smutko By Olena Harmash and Ivan Lyubysh-Kirdey KYIV (Reuters) -Russia staged its largest missile attack in weeks on Kyiv and the surrounding region on Thursday, injuring at least 17 people and damaging schools, residential buildings and industrial facilities, officials said. The air force said its defences shot down all the inbound missiles that were fired after a 44-day pause in such attacks on the Ukrainian capital. The damage appeared to have been caused by falling debris. "Every day and every night there is such terror. The world's unity can stop it when it helps us with air defence systems. Now we need this defence here in Ukraine," President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on the Telegram messaging app. City and regional officials said at least 13 people were injured in different parts of Kyiv and four more in the surrounding region. An 11-year-old girl was among four people taken to hospital, city officials said. Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Kyiv last week of launching attacks to disrupt the Russian presidential election that handed him six more years in power. The Kremlin leader said Ukraine would be punished for that. Russia, which denies targeting civilians, invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, and has launched thousands of missiles and drones on Ukrainian cities and villages in attacks that have killed hundreds of civilians. The Ukrainian military has said Russia launched over 8,000 missiles on Ukraine in the first two years of the war. 'TERRIBLE HATRED' Air raid sirens, which warn Ukrainians to take shelter, have sounded in the capital more than 1,020 times since the start of the war, the Ukrainian military said. The capital was under an air raid alert for nearly three hours on Thursday morning. "We feel hatred, terrible hatred. This is not fear, this is hatred. Towards Russia generally and everyone there in particular," Kostyantyn, a Kyiv resident, told Reuters, standing outside a damaged residential house with his wife. His wife Alisa added: "I send greetings to my parents in Crimea who voted They went to the elections and voted for Putin. Mum, and Dad, thank you very much that my husband and I were almost killed today. Thank you." The Russian military used strategic bombers and also launched some missiles from its territory, Serhiy Popko, head of Kyiv's military administration, said. The missiles targeted Kyiv from different directions, he added. Kyiv city officials said that several kindergartens and schools, residential buildings and industrial sites were damaged by debris from downed Russian missiles across the city. In the region, at least 40 private houses and two multi-storey buildings were damaged, regional officials said. "Russia spent $390 million on today's missile attack on Kyiv," Agiya Zagrebelska, head of sanctions policy at the National Agency on Corruption Prevention, told Reuters. "This is less than 1% of the amount of taxes paid by international companies to the Russian budget since the beginning of the full-scale invasion." (Editing by Tom Balmforth and Miral Fahmy) FILE PHOTO: People walk past a damaged car in the Carrefour Feuilles neighborhood, which was deserted due to gang violence, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti March 19, 2024. REUTERS/Ralph Tedy Erol/File Photo By Harold Isaac and Ralph Tedy Erol PORT-AU-PRINCE (Reuters) -Attacks, including a shooting that left a gang leader dead, flared in Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince, on Thursday as political groups appeared nearer to finalizing a transition council to take over from an absent government. A police operation killed the head of the Delmas 95 gang, Ernst Julme, known as Ti Greg, a day after another gang leader was killed in an apparent resurgence of vigilante justice, police and sources confirmed. The death of Julme, a member of gang leader Jimmy "Barbeque" Cherizier's "Viv Ansanm" alliance, marks a setback for gangs' moves to take over more of the city. Julme had recently escaped from Haiti's largest prison in a mass jailbreak. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed reports that political groups had selected all members of a transitional council that would take over presidential powers ahead of future elections, a U.N. spokesperson said. The council, intended to bring together Haiti's fractured political class, is tasked with appointing a replacement to Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who announced his resignation on March 11 as gang violence prevented his return to the country. "The Secretary-General welcomes reports that Haitian stakeholders have all nominated representatives to the Transitional Presidential Council," deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq said at a media briefing. The transition plan was brokered in Jamaica by the intergovernmental Caribbean Community (CARICOM), alongside representatives of Haiti's government and opposition. CARICOM released a list of political groups that would be represented in the council. The nine-member council had been expected to be finalized within a few days of Henry's resignation, but some Haitian political factions were unable to unite behind one representative. One party rejected the plan, then backtracked, while groups left out of the plan criticized the return of politicians from previous administrations seen as corrupt. Cherizier has threatened reprisals against politicians and their families if they take part in the proposed council. CONFLICT IN SUBURBS As the council seemed to near completion, heavy gunfire was heard on Thursday near the National Palace off the Champ de Mars square in downtown Port-au-Prince, while people fled shootings in the capital's Petion-Ville suburb. On Wednesday suspected gang members in Petion-Ville, which has been under attack over recent days, were killed and set on fire - including one leader known as Makandal - in what appeared to be a resurgence of a civilian vigilante movement known as Bwa Kale. Local media reported another Bwa Kale killing outside the capital on Thursday, though Reuters was unable to verify this. The state has been largely absent during the violence and police are ill-equipped against heavily armed criminal groups seeking to expand their territorial control of the capital city. Plans for an international security mission, requested by Henry in 2022, remain on hold. Haq said the international force's swift deployment was critical for the political and security situations to improve. He said the U.N. would support restoring Haiti's democratic institutions and called for the protection of civilians. The U.N. and other international bodies and embassies have been evacuating staff and other foreigners by helicopter because Haiti's main airport is not secure. Canada's government said late on Thursday that the Canadian Armed Forces were working with the Canadian Embassy in Haiti to assist in contingency planning. It did not elaborate, but its statement came in response to reports that Canadian soldiers were flown in to protect the Canadian embassy. The U.S. government on Thursday organized the departure of 90 U.S. citizens from Haiti's northern city of Cap-Haitien to Miami as well as from Port-au-Prince to the Dominican Republic, in addition to 70 it has flown out since Sunday, a State Department spokesperson said. (Reporting by Sarah Morland in Mexico City and Ralph Tedy Erol and Harold Isaac in Port-au-Prince; Additional reporting by Daphne Psaledakis and Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Nia Williams, Stephen Coates and Gerry Doyle) WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States on Thursday sanctioned Nicaragua's attorney general for her role in the government's "unjust persecution of political prisoners and civil society," the U.S. Treasury Department said. Wendy Carolina Morales Urbina, who has been the country's attorney general since 2019, "has exploited her office to facilitate a coordinated campaign to suppress dissent by seizing property from government political opponents without a legal basis, Brian Nelson, the department's under secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, said in a statement. Protests erupted in Nicaragua in 2018 when President Daniel Ortega's government moved to reduce welfare benefits and then escalated into broader opposition to the Cold War-era former Marxist guerilla leader who has been in office since 2007. In 2023, Ortega deported 222 political prisoners on a flight to Washington, declaring them traitors who can never serve in Nicaraguan public office or hold Nicaraguan citizenship, the Treasury said. The State Department said earlier this month it would hit Nicaragua with arms restrictions and curb the import and export of U.S.-origin weaponry and defense services destined for or originating in the Central American nation. (Reporting by Katharine Jackson; Editing by Eric Beech) FILE PHOTO: Solar panels are set up in the solar farm at the University of California, Merced, in Merced, California, U.S. August 17, 2022. REUTERS/Nathan Frandino/File Photo By Liz Hampton HOUSTON (Reuters) -The U.S. government needs to streamline permitting for renewable energy projects, including development of power transmission infrastructure and grid connectivity, to support needed growth, executives said on Thursday at a conference in Houston. "It's a tremendous issue," said NRG interim CEO Larry Coben, pointing to difficulties around interconnection, the rules that new electricity generators must follow to connect to the grid. It can take up to four years to move a project through the interconnection process, according to the American Clean Power Association. Coben lamented that it is much harder to move through permitting processes in places like California than in Texas. States with fewer regulatory restrictions are going to be the big winners in attracting renewable investment and growth, said Andres Gluski, CEO of utility firm AES Corporation. Hurdles around permitting have been discussed frequently among executives attending the annual CERAWeek energy conference in Houston Texas. Earlier in the week, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin told participants that permitting reform "will get done." Former U.S. climate envoy John Kerry on Thursday agreed the need is critical for clean energy development. "Weve got to break the gridlock of permitting. We cannot take five or 10 years to be able to deploy the things we need to do," to meet climate goals. The call for faster permitting comes as renewable deployment is forecast to grow by as much as 17% to 42 gigawatts this year, representing about a quarter of electricity generation, consultancy Deloitte said in a report, citing U.S. government figures. "We've got to get infrastructure built, transmission lines built. Weve got to work through these kind of political forums that are being used to stonewall and stop progress, said Chris Womack, chief executive at utility firm Southern Company. (Reporting by Liz Hampton in Houston; Editing by David Gregorio) Cars ride in traffic along the I5 freeway is shown in Los Angeles, California, U.S., July 12, 2023. REUTERS/Mike Blake/File Photo (Reuters) - U.S. new vehicle sales are expected to rise 12.1% in March, fueled by strong demand and vehicle availability, according to a joint report by industry consultants J.D. Power and GlobalData on Thursday. WHY IT IS IMPORTANT While demand for personal transport has remained resilient, inventory levels have been rising as supply chain issues faced by automakers normalize. That coupled with intense competition has led manufacturers and dealers to offer bigger discounts, marking a shift to a pre-pandemic trend of higher volumes and lower margins. BY THE NUMBERS Total new-vehicle sales for March 2024, including retail and non-retail transactions, are expected to reach 1,525,700 units, a 12.1% jump from a year ago. Average transaction prices are trending toward $44,186, down 3.6% from March 2023, while average incentive spend per vehicle has grown 66.6% from a year ago and on track to reach $2,800. Total retailer profit per unit is expected to decline by around 32% in the month. KEY QUOTES "While the sales and expenditure performance are impressive, it is coming at the expense of reduced retailer and manufacturer profitability as inventories of unsold vehicles rise and competitive pressures intensify," said Thomas King, president of the data and analytics division at J.D. Power. "The bias is shifting from low sales volumes, high prices and profits to higher sales volumes, lower prices," King said. (Reporting by Pratyush Thakur in Bengaluru; Editing by Arun Koyyur) (Reuters) - A merchant vessel reported shots from a skiff approximately 109 nautical miles south of Yemen's Nishtun, British security firm Ambrey said on Thursday. Four armed people aboard a skiff approached the vessel and reportedly shot at the merchant vessel, and a private armed security team aboard returned fire, Ambrey added. The vessel reportedly increased speed and was no longer under threat by the skiff, with no damage or injuries reported, Ambrey said. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency reported the same incident on Thursday. Yemen's Houthis have threatened to expand their operations against shipping to the Indian Ocean region. The Iran-aligned group has been attacking ships in the Red Sea region since November in what they say is a campaign of solidarity with Palestinians during Israel's war with Hamas in Gaza. Somali pirates also operate in the Indian Ocean region, taking advantage of the distraction provided by Houthi strikes to the north, with more than 20 attempted hijackings since November, according to five industry representatives, (Reporting by Ahmed Elimam and Nayera Abdallah; editing by Christina Fincher) FILE PHOTO: The European Central Bank (ECB) presents the new 50 euro note at the bank's headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany, July 5, 2016. REUTERS/Ralph Orlowski/File Photo By Sinead Cruise and Alexander Marrow LONDON (Reuters) -Some western banks are lobbying against EU proposals to redistribute billions of euros in interest earned on frozen Russian assets, senior industry sources said, fearing it could lead to costly litigation. European Union leaders on Thursday agreed to move ahead with work on a plan to use up to 3 billion euros ($3.3 billion) a year to supply arms to Ukraine as they try to bolster Kyiv's fight against Russia, which would still own the underlying frozen assets. EU leaders said the proceeds could be used within a few months. Some banks fear, however, that they might later be held liable by Russia if they are involved in any transfer of money to Ukraine and that the EU plan could be extended to assets in accounts they hold for sanctioned individuals and companies. Such an extension has not yet been raised by the EU. The sources are also concerned that the proposals will lead to a wider erosion of trust in the western banking system. The sources, who declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter, said they were sharing their concerns with British and euro zone policymakers, flagging likely litigation when anti-Russian sanctions are eventually eased or lifted. Russia says any attempt to take its capital or interest is "banditry" that will lead to decades of legal action against all those involved. Moscow has repeatedly said it will retaliate if its assets or income are expropriated. Euroclear holds the equivalent of 190 billion euros of Russian central bank securities and cash. Western banks also hold billions of euros, pounds and dollars in assets owned by companies and individuals subject to sanctions. More than 3.5 million Russians have frozen assets abroad worth around 1.5 trillion roubles ($16.32 billion), Russia's Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said last year. The EU plan envisages paying a fee to Euroclear, which did not respond to a request for comment. The Belgium-based central securities depository, which counts some of the world's largest banks as shareholders, will also be permitted to temporarily retain 10% of the profits on stranded Russian assets as a safeguard against litigation. Under the EU plan, some 90% of the seized cash would be channelled through the European Peace Facility to buy arms for Ukraine. The rest will be used for recovery and reconstruction. EU, English and U.S. sanctions law typically provides for freezing assets owned by designated parties, but not confiscation. Assets can be confiscated under English law, but only if ruled to be the proceeds of crime. Permitting the confiscation and redistribution of interest earned on those assets puts banks at risk of being challenged by owners, the sources said. One source warned of the precedent this proposal would set and the "weaponisation of foreign-held reserves and assets". Russia itself has seized assets, installed new management at Western companies' subsidiaries and forced departing firms to sell at huge discounts in response to Western sanctions. A second person said their bank was seeking legal advice on indemnities it could demand to participate in the EU's plan. "If these proposals move forward, the whole legal architecture would need to change," said Paul Feldberg, partner and head of Brown Rudnick's White Collar Defense, Investigations & Compliance practice in London. "As far as banks go, I think they're right to be concerned because we have already seen huge amounts of civil litigation in relation to sanctions," said Feldberg, who is not currently directly involved in any lobbying. REPUTATION Moscow says that any confiscation would be a blow to property rights, harm confidence in Western bonds and currencies and torpedo trust between central banks. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov this week said the EU proposal would undermine international law and warned of inevitable damage to Europe and decades of legal wrangling. "The Europeans are well aware of the damage such decisions can cause to their economy and to their image, their reputation as a reliable, so to speak, guarantor of the inviolability of property," Peskov told reporters. Francis Bond, senior associate at law firm Macfarlanes said the detail on the EU proposal was crucial when gauging the likelihood of prolonged international legal disputes. "...this proposal is not going to represent the end of this story but more likely the latest salvo in a perennial debate about the nature of sanctions and their appropriate role in the global financial system," he said. The European Commission did not respond to a request for comment. Britain's finance ministry deferred comment to the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. The FCDO said British Foreign Secretary David Cameron had addressed the issue in a debate on March 5 in which he said: "The moral case is there this money should be used for the benefit of the Ukrainian people". 'CLAWBACK' It is not yet clear how many EU member states will support the EU proposals or how quickly they could be implemented. In the meantime, lawyers examining them said indemnities would not necessarily neutralise potential litigants. "There isn't an immediately obvious way for banks to insulate themselves comprehensively from future challenges and clawback actions," Oliver Browne, litigation and arbitration partner at Paul Hastings, told Reuters. "Prudent financial institutions need to anticipate the likely future costs of the inevitable disputes that will come," said Browne, who is not lobbying directly but is talking with clients who might be impacted by changes to sanctions law. A third industry source said the potential confiscations had compounded worries among bankers about their compliance with sanctions, including navigating any possible misalignment between the EU, Britain and the United States. ($1 = 91.8955 roubles) ($1 = 0.9196 euros) (Additional reporting by Gleb Stolyarov and Kirstin Ridley in London; Editing by Elisa Martinuzzi and Alexander Smith) Joseph Biedermann woke up to the sound of beeping hospital monitors, unsure of what was happening. Hed been unconscious for three days. That beeping and the hum and whoosh of machines still haunts me, he said. The first thing I saw was the fluorescent lights, then the IV and bed railings came into focus, and I realized I was in bad shape. But I was alive, and that was something. He has no memory of the accident that nearly killed him. But I remember the hospital. Well, I remember Sacred Heart. I dont recall being at St. Josephs the night of the accident. They transferred me from St. Joes to Sacred Heart," he said. Biedermann said it took awhile for him to piece together what happened. He and his wife, Erin, were traveling on Highway 178 on their way back to Chippewa Falls from Eau Claire on Feb. 16, 2007, when another driver side-swiped their car, he said. We ended up rolling off the side of the road before hitting a tree, he said. My wife broke a few bones. She was banged up, but she wasnt as bad as me. I was covered in bruises and lacerations. I broke my leg, hip, arm, wrist, collarbone, four ribs, my foot and eye socket. I was cut up pretty good, too. I had something like 60 stitches all over. Quote "We both lived. We went on vacation together. We danced at my sons wedding, thanks to them. - Joseph Biedermann, HSHS patient Biedermann said he and his wife had only been living in Chippewa Falls for five months when the accident happened. Hed never visited either hospital before the night of the accident. I will never forget the care I received, first at St. Joes then at Sacred Heart. Believe me, it was lengthy. I spent quite a while in the hospital and was back at both HSHS locations many times that year for follow-ups and aftercare. I was worried that, you know, I might lose my ability to walk, but after a lot of work I recovered. Coming back to life Biedermann said people often talk about gratitude when they survive something devastating. Now he understands why. I dont think I really got it until years later. My wife got sick with cancer in 2018, and she passed away in 2020, he said. Now I realize that St. Josephs and Sacred Heart gave me all those extra years with her. Theres not a day that goes by where I dont thank God for that. We both lived. We went on vacation together. We danced at my sons wedding, thanks to them. Rick Flynn said he, too, is grateful for the lifesaving care received at HSHS hospitals. Flynn started having serious health problems in 2015. For seven years he received treatment at HSHS St. Josephs and Sacred Heart from its wound care clinic among other hospital services. Flynn said he dealt with sepsis and toe amputation in January 2017, then in November of that year he had a leg amputation as part of ongoing health issues. In November 2017, he was at his brother's house when he fell backward. His step-dad, who lived one block away, came over to bring Flynn home. I couldn't get up, so Jeff called the fire department and the guys came to the house, and by the time we got to St. Josephs I was clinically dead. The ER, they worked on me for 10 to 15 minutes in the ER to get my heartbeat back, Flynn said. Key developments in Chippewa Valley closures of HSHS and Prevea facilities HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire and HSHS St. Josephs Hospital in Chippewa Falls announced Jan. 22 they will permanently close along Flynn was transferred to Sacred Heart Hospital, where he coded again. That was the night they amputated his leg, Flynn said. St. Joes saved my life. Sacred Heart saved my life. Im here today because of them, he said. Flynn said in the days after losing his leg, he struggled emotionally about his health problems. The nursing staff was great. I went through a little bout of depression because of everything that happened and then a couple of nurses kind of got me out of my funk there. I still keep in touch with them today, Flynn said. 'A soulless day' Rod Stetzer was a patient at HSHS Sacred Heart in late January. He was there the day that HSHS announced it would close its two hospitals in the region, along with multiple Prevea Health facilities. What struck me that day was I was still needing help. And everybody there was very professional. But when you looked in their eyes, you could tell that they were crushed. It was kind of a soulless day, he said. Their bodies were there and they were doing the right things, they were taking care of the patients, but their minds were elsewhere. Stetzer said hes been back and forth to HSHS Sacred Heart numerous times for health problems since 2015. They took really good care of me and always got me home, he said. They took me in and gave me my first COVID shot, too. And at the time that was like gold. You couldn't get them anywhere. And HSHS stood up and gave all the shots in a church in the village of Lake Hallie, and I'll always thank them for that, because it gave me the opportunity to get that shot at the height of the pandemic. Stetzer said he thinks a lack of planning has come back to hurt the hospitals. I love the city of Chippewa Falls. I lived and worked there for 40 years. I love the city government in Chippewa Falls, but no one had planned in advance. Or maybe they did, and I don't know it. But I question the planning departments of both cities, of Chippewa Falls and Eau Claire, who do not have a contingency book for health care and probably not having a contingency book of other major industries that may go out of the area. Because there was nothing like that. Everybody was flat footed, he said. Stetzer said hes worried people will die as a result of the hospital closures. Quote Every time mom and I used to drive by St. Joes shed say, Thats where me and your dad, we renewed our contract on life together. She used to tell me about how she prayed for dad there with the chaplain when she was being treated after the accident. She always said, 'God answered.' - Kelsey Manquist, HSHS St. Joe's patient There is no way around it. This will cost lives. This is deadly, he said. Kelsey Manquist, Joe and Erins eldest daughter, said she worries about the cost of the hospital closures. If St. Josephs wasnt there, what would have happened the night of the accident? If the ambulance drivers were overwhelmed with calls and making trips all night to Eau Claire, would they have gotten him out in time?, Manquist said. "They stabilized dad in Chippewa at St. Joes before bringing him to Sacred Heart. Theres a hundred different ways that night could have gone wrong, and I worry that this will be the future now for many people in Chippewa and Eau Claire with the two hospitals out of action." 'Hospitals are about the people, not the place' Manquist lives in Menomonie. She said her dad moved in with her after her mom died. I will never forget Chippewa Falls, the first responders and the hospital for taking care of my folks, Manquist said. Every time mom and I used to drive by St. Joes, shed say, Thats where me and your dad, we renewed our contract on life together. She used to tell me about how she prayed for dad there with the chaplain when she was being treated after the accident. She always said, 'God answered.' Manquist wonders how many other people have similar stories. I think of all the life, and death, at both places. I think of the last words spoken and the babies born and the joy when people learned their loved ones would live or that their cancer was regressing, and it breaks my heart. St. Joes gave me my dad back. Sacred Heart kept him alive and literally nursed him back to health. I will never forget that. I will be forever thankful, she said. These hospitals are about the people, not the place. And taking that away, that community, is horribly sad and wrong. Stetzer said he feels sorry for all the patients and the staff who will lose their health care home because of the HSHS closures. They deserve better the staff, doctors and nurses and EMTs. We all do. I am not impressed with HSHS, by which I mean the people in charge in Illinois, not the local workers who were blindsided, Stetzer said. He said the actions of HSHS regarding the announcement are inexcusable. How arrogant they are there. They are not only throwing dirt back at the patients that they've had through the years, but their very workers, hard working people who tried to save lives, he said. I'm just extremely disappointed that they didn't take leadership on this. Didn't take responsibility. They were not transparent. They just came up with mumbling word salad, not explaining why they're pulling out and never giving a good definition of why they can't compete here. 20 past photos from HSHS St. Josephs Hospital in Chippewa Falls Key developments in Chippewa Valley closures of HSHS and Prevea facilities HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire and HSHS St. Josephs Hospital in Chippewa Falls announced Jan. 22 they will permanently close along By Emma Farge GENEVA (Reuters) - The World Trade Organization is struggling to find an ambassador to lead negotiations on fixing its hobbled dispute system by the year-end, trade sources said, as the body's chief urged countries to keep striving for a deal. The commitment to continue such efforts in 2024 was one of the few concrete outcomes at the WTO Abu Dhabi meeting last month which has some minor successes but failed to strike major global agreements. The talks are aimed at agreeing reforms to the WTO's top appeals court, known as the Appellate Body, which has been idle since 2019 due to U.S. blockages of judge appointments. The lack of an Appellate Body has left dozens of trade disputes worth billions of dollars unresolved. But days before the Abu Dhabi meeting, the talks' previous facilitator Marco Molina from Guatemala who has been widely praised for developing a new interest-based negotiating method was dismissed by his government. The global trade watchdog had hoped to propose a replacement at its General Council meeting in Geneva on Thursday and Friday but three ambassadors declined, trade sources said. The countries included Botswana and Honduras, they said. Their Geneva delegations did not immediately respond to a comment request. "It's a lot of work and this is very difficult to land so it's fair enough they said no," said one WTO delegate, who is not authorised to speak publicly. Agreements at the global body are difficult to strike since all 166 of its members must agree. At the WTO meeting on Thursday which is the body's first major gathering since Abu Dhabi, some countries rued "abuse" of this consensus principle, referring to when just one country holds negotiations hostage by blocking a deal, sometimes in order to force progress on other topics. However, Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala struck an upbeat tone and urged countries to keep working on talks including dispute reforms and cutting fisheries subsidies. "We must regroup and reinvigorate how we engage in the coming weeks and months to complete the unfinished business as soon as possible," she said. (Reporting by Emma Farge; editing by David Evans) false 0000021076 0000021076 2024-03-21 2024-03-21 iso4217:USD xbrli:shares iso4217:USD xbrli:shares UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): THE CLOROX COMPANY (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Delaware (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) 1-07151 (Commission File Number) 31-0595760 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) 1221 Broadway , Oakland , California 94612-1888 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code) ( 510 ) 271-7000 (Registrant's telephone number, including area code) Not applicable (Former name or former address, if changed since last report) Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions: Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 Under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: Title of each class Trading Symbol(s) Name of each exchange on which registered Common Stock - $1.00 par value CLX New York Stock Exchange Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR 230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR 240.12b-2). Emerging growth company If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure. On March 21, 2024, The Clorox Company (Clorox) issued a press release announcing the sale of its operations in Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay. The full text of the press release related to the sale is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1. Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits. (d) Exhibits See the Exhibit Index below. EXHIBIT INDEX Exhibit Description 2 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. THE CLOROX COMPANY Date: March 21, 2024 By: /s/ Angela Hilt Angela Hilt Executive Vice President Chief Legal Officer 3 ATTACHMENTS / EXHIBITS PRESS RELEASE DATED MARCH 21, 2024 OF THE CLOROX COMPANY XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION SCHEMA XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION PRESENTATION LINKBASE XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION LABEL LINKBASE IDEA: R1.htm IDEA: Financial_Report.xlsx IDEA: FilingSummary.xml IDEA: MetaLinks.json IDEA: clx431282-8k_htm.xml false 0001620533 0001620533 2024-03-18 2024-03-18 iso4217:USD xbrli:shares iso4217:USD xbrli:shares UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) SHAKE SHACK INC. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Delaware 001-36823 47-1941186 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification No.) 225 Varick Street , Suite 301 New York , New York 10014 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) ( 646 ) 747-7200 (Registrant's telephone number, including area code) Not applicable (Former name or former address, if changed since last report) Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions: Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act Title of each class Trading symbol(s) Name of each exchange on which registered Class A Common Stock, par value $0.001 SHAK New York Stock Exchange Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR 230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR 240.12b-2). Emerging growth company If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers. Appointment of Chief Executive Officer On March 18, 2024, the Board of Directors (the Board) of Shake Shack Inc. (Shake Shack) appointed Robert Lynch to serve as its Chief Executive Officer, effective as of May 20, 2024 (the Effective Date). In addition, Mr. Lynch has been appointed as a member of Shake Shacks Board of Directors, also effective as of the Effective Date. From August 2019 until the present, Mr. Lynch, 47, has served as President and CEO of Papa Johns International, Inc. Mr. Lynch will succeed Randy Garutti who, as previously disclosed, will resign as Chief Executive Officer and as a member of the Board as of the Effective Date, but will serve as an advisor through the end of this year to ensure a smooth transition. Previously, Mr. Lynch was President of Arbys, one of the largest sandwich restaurant brands in the world, with more than 3,400 restaurants across eight countries, since August 2017 where he led operations, marketing, culinary, development and digital transformation. Mr. Lynch previously served as Arbys Brand President and Chief Marketing Officer from September 2013 until August 2017. Prior to joining Arbys, Mr. Lynch served as Vice President of Marketing at Taco Bell since 2012. Mr. Lynch has over 25 years combined experience in the QSR and consumer packaged goods industries and has also held senior roles at BJ Heinz Company and Procter & Gamble. Mr. Lynch is a graduate of the University of Rochester, where he obtained his B.A. and M.B.A. In connection with his appointment, Mr. Lynch entered into an Employment Agreement (the Employment Agreement) with Shake Shack, and its subsidiaries SSE Holdings, LLC and Shake Shack Enterprises, LLC (together with Shake Shack, the Company). All capitalized terms used but not defined in this Form 8-K shall be as set forth in the Employment Agreement. The term of Mr. Lynchs employment will be 3 years from the Effective Date, subject to automatic 1-year extensions unless either party gives notice of non-extension no later than 90 days prior to the expiration of the then-applicable term. Mr. Lynch will receive an initial annual base salary of $1.0 million, subject to annual review by the Board. During the portion of the term beginning after the conclusion of fiscal 2024, Mr. Lynch will be eligible to receive an annual bonus, semi-annual bonus, or such other periodic bonus as determined by the Board (or the Boards Compensation Committee), in each case based on an annualized target bonus opportunity of 150% of his annual base salary, payable upon the attainment of Company performance goals established by the Board (or the Compensation Committee), with the opportunity to make up to 200%, on an annualized basis, of his annual base salary, if the performance goals established by the Board are exceeded. For fiscal 2024, Mr. Lynch will receive a pro rata amount of an annual performance-based bonus, with such pro rata amount being determined in accordance with the preceding sentence. During the term, Mr. Lynch will be eligible to receive an annual equity award. For fiscal 2024, on the Effective Date, Mr. Lynch will receive an annual equity award comprised of restricted stock units for such number of shares of the Companys Class A common stock as may be determined based on an aggregate grant date fair value of $2.0 million, as calculated using the 30-day trailing average closing stock price (as determined based on the Effective Date) of the Companys Class A common stock. Provided that Mr. Lynch remains employed through the applicable vesting dates, the restricted stock units will vest in 4 equal installments, beginning on the 1st anniversary of the award date and continuing on each of the following 3 anniversaries of the award date. In addition, for fiscal 2024, on the Effective Date, Mr. Lynch will receive an annual equity award comprised of performance stock units representing the right to receive shares of the Companys Class A common stock as may be determined based on an aggregate grant date fair value of $3.0 million, as calculated using the 30-day trailing average closing stock price (as determined based on the Effective Date) of the Companys Class A common stock. Provided that the performance criteria that have been established by the Compensation Committee of the Board have been met and Mr. Lynch remains employed through the applicable vesting date, the performance stock units will vest in full on the 4th anniversary of the award date. In addition, Mr. Lynch will receive a signing cash award equal to a pro rata amount of 150% of his annual base salary. The signing cash award will be payable within 30 days after the end of fiscal 2024 if Mr. Lynch remains employed through the date of payment; provided, however, that Mr. Lynch will be entitled to the signing cash award in the event his employment terminates without Cause or by Mr. Lynch with Good Reason prior to the date of payment. Mr. Lynch also will receive a signing restricted unit signing award comprised of restricted stock units for such number of shares of the Companys Class A common stock as may be determined based on an aggregate grant date fair value of $1.6 million, as calculated using the 30-day trailing average closing stock price (as determined based on the Effective Date) of the Companys Class A common stock. Provided that Mr. Lynch remains employed through the applicable vesting dates, the signing restricted stock units will vest in 2 equal installments on the 1st and 2nd anniversaries of the award date. Mr. Lynch also will receive a signing performance stock unit award representing the right to receive shares of the Companys Class A common stock as may be determined based on an aggregate grant date fair value of $4.2 million, as calculated using the 30-day trailing average closing stock price (as determined based on the Effective Date) of the Companys Class A common stock. Provided that the performance criteria that have been established by the Compensation Committee of the Board have been met and Mr. Lynch remains employed through the applicable vesting date, the signing performance stock units will vest in full on the 3rd anniversary of the award date. The Employment Agreement provides for severance upon a termination by the Company without Cause or by Mr. Lynch for Good Reason, in each case, subject to his execution and non-revocation of a waiver and release of claims. In either such event, Mr. Lynch will be entitled to severance consisting of (a) continued payment of his base salary through the 18-month anniversary of the termination of his employment (or the 24-month anniversary if such termination occurs within 12 months following a Change in Control); provided, that if Mr. Lynch commences employment with a non-competitive business at any time during the severance period, the Companys annual base salary obligations will be reduced on a dollar for dollar basis by Mr. Lynchs annual base salary at his subsequent employer, (b) a pro rata portion of the performance-based cash bonus for the year of termination based on actual Company performance (or, if such termination occurs within 12 months following a Change in Control, the full target amount of such performance-based cash bonus), (c) accelerated vesting of a pro rata portion of any restricted stock unit awards that, absent such termination, would have vested through the 18-month anniversary of the termination of his employment (or, if such termination occurs within 12 months following a Change in Control, such pro rata portion of all outstanding restricted stock unit awards), (d) continued eligibility to receive a pro rata portion of any performance stock unit awards, subject to the performance measure being achieved, which performance measurement period would have ended over the 18-month period following the termination of his employment (or, if such termination occurs within 12 months following a Change in Control, such pro rata portion of all outstanding performance stock unit awards), and (e) reimbursement of a portion of any COBRA premiums for a period of up to 18 months equal to the amount the Company pays for the health insurance premiums of then-current executive level employees. Mr. Lynch will work out of the Companys corporate office in New York City. For fiscal 2024, Mr. Lynch will be entitled to a stipend of $8,000 per month on account of traveling to and from his primary residence and the Companys corporate office, which will include housing and commuting expenses. Mr. Lynch will be subject to certain non-competition and non-solicitation restrictions for an 18-month period after termination of employment, during which time he may not compete, directly or indirectly, with the Company in the business of developing, managing, and/or operating of (a) "better burger" restaurants, (b) "quick service" or "fast food" restaurants with an emphasis on hamburgers, or (c) restaurants the derive 50% or more of their revenues from the sale of hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken, French fries, and/or frozen desserts. There is no arrangement or understanding between Mr. Lynch and any other persons or entities pursuant to which Mr. Lynch was appointed to serve as Chief Executive Officer. Nor are there any related party transactions between the Company and Mr. Lynch that would require disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K. A copy of the employment agreement with Mr. Lynch is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this current report on Form 8-K. The above summary of the Employment Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Employment Agreement. In addition, Mr. Lynch will execute the Companys form of indemnification agreement, a copy of which has been filed as Exhibit 10.21 to the Companys Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on January 20, 2015. Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure A copy of the press release containing the announcement of Mr. Lynchs appointment is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 to this current report on Form 8-K. Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits (d) Exhibits 10.1 Employment Agreement, dated March 18, 2024, effective May 20, 2024, by and among Robert Lynch, Shake Shack Inc., SSE Holdings, LLC, and Shake Shack Enterprises, LLC 99.1 Press Release dated March 21, 2024, announcing appointment of Robert Lynch to serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company 104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document) SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. Shake Shack Inc. (Registrant) Dated: March 21, 2024 By: /s/ Ronald Palmese, Jr. Ronald Palmese, Jr. Chief Legal Officer ATTACHMENTS / EXHIBITS EXHIBIT 10.1 EXHIBIT 99.1 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION SCHEMA XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION LABEL LINKBASE XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION PRESENTATION LINKBASE IDEA: R1.htm IDEA: Financial_Report.xlsx IDEA: FilingSummary.xml IDEA: MetaLinks.json IDEA: tm249491d1_8k_htm.xml An MQ-9 Reaper taxis toward the runway at Miroslawiec Air Base, Poland, in March 2019. A Reaper crashed March 17, 2024, while carrying out operations in Poland, U.S. Air Forces Europe and Africa said in statement. (Preston Cherry/U.S. Air Force) KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany An MQ-9 Reaper surveillance drone crashed this week while carrying out operations in Poland, U.S. Air Forces Europe and Africa said. The aircraft went down Sunday near the northeastern Polish city of Miroslawiec, USAFE said Monday in a statement. The accident happened in an uninhabited area, and there were no reported injuries or damage to property, USAFE said. The unmanned aircraft was unarmed and conducting routine operations when the incident occurred, the statement said. An investigation into the cause of the crash is underway. The U.S. has been flying drones out of Miroslawiec since 2018. The area serves as a hub for surveillance missions along NATOs eastern flank. Reapers from the Polish base are dispatched for missions stretching from Estonia on the Baltic Sea to Romania in southern Europe to monitor the Black Sea region. The United States has stepped up surveillance missions in Europe ever since Russias initial 2014 invasion of Ukraine. Those efforts have intensified since the Russia-Ukraine war started in 2022. On occasion, such patrols have resulted in close encounters with the Russians. In March 2023, a Russian fighter jet collided with a U.S. MQ-9 over the Black Sea, forcing the unmanned aircraft to crash. 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) The Air Force used a Guam-based B-52H Stratofortress bomber to test a hypersonic missile it had relegated to prototype status. The AGM-183A Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon, or ARRW, was fired Sunday over the Reagan test site on Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands, according to an Air Force statement emailed Wednesday by Secretary of the Air Force spokeswoman Ann Stefanek. This test launched a full prototype operational hypersonic missile and focused on the ARRWs end-to-end performance, the statement said. The Air Force gained valuable insights into the capabilities of this new, cutting-edge technology. 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. Sundays test may be the AGM-183s final flight. The Air Force had asked for $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, 2023. 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. The U.S. conducted its first hypersonic missile test in December 2022 and made several more tests last year. Both China and Russia have fielded their own hypersonic weapons that can travel five times the speed of sound and maneuver in flight like a cruise missile, making them harder to detect and shoot down. North Korea reported the successful ground test of a solid-fuel engine for a new type of intermediate hypersonic missile, a test overseen by the countrys autocratic leader Kim Jong Un, according to the Associated Press and other media outlets Wednesday. The Air Force isnt releasing its test objectives, the Air Force statement said, but added the test acquired valuable, unique data and was intended to further a range of hypersonic programs. We also validated and improved our test and evaluation capabilities for continued development of advanced hypersonic systems, the statement said. ARRW maker Lockheed said it is ready to deliver hypersonic capabilities to the Air Force, according to a statement published Wednesday by Defense News. Following the recent end-to-end flight test, Lockheed Martin has completed the test program with full confidence in ARRWs revolutionary capabilities, and we stand ready to deliver this fully-qualified, hypersonic solution to the U.S. Air Force, the company said. Airmen trained on the ARRW on Guam in March and at Andrews Air Force Base, Calif., in September, according to the Air Force. Photographs of airmen on Guam checking out what appeared to be an ARRW were posted on Andersens website Feb. 29. Culinary soldiers prepare meal kits to sell as a to-go option in dining kiosks at Fort Carson, Colo. The base provides grab-and-go meals at kiosks instead of traditional dining facilities on the weekends. (Doniel B. Kennedy/4th Infantry Division Public Affairs) Fort Carsons new weekend grab-and-go food options for soldiers on meal cards hit record levels this month, causing leaders to renegotiate a commissary contract to stock some items, double the number of cooks making premade meals and increase the support and oversight of the kiosks, according to leaders at the Colorado Army base managing the food program. Command Sgt. Maj. Alex Kupratty, senior enlisted leader for the 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson, and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Amanda N. Hoxie, senior food adviser for the base, described the weekend as incredible record usage. We were unable to predict such a large spike in the preference of the [commissary-contracted] foods that the soldiers had chosen, Kupratty said. Were now able to resupply on a daily basis, including the weekends. That is single-handedly helping significantly. In mid-February the division decided to close all dining facilities on weekends because usage had dropped to about 200 to 250 meals served to soldiers who live in the barracks and use a subsistence allowance. Instead, they began offering soldiers grab-and-go kiosks filled with commissary-stocked sandwiches, salads and snacks, as well as microwavable meals made in advance by Army cooks. About four weeks into the change, kiosk sales were six times what theyd ever seen before, leaving empty refrigerator shelves ripe for criticism online. Fort Carson is not alone in figuring out what soldiers want to eat. The Army is tasked with providing meals to enlisted soldiers with a subsistence allowance they either use or lose each month. Every installation is grappling with meeting the needs of a new generation of soldiers, who have different dining preferences than those of the past, said Gen. Charles Hamilton, commander of Army Materiel Command. Further complicating the issue is the Army has reduced the number of cooks in units, and that every installation has a different mission, different population and different food options outside the gate, Hamilton said. There is no one-size-fits-all answer. Materiel Command created a team of food experts last year to visit bases and gather feedback from soldiers and collect data on dining facility usage to help commanders develop a plan to better feed soldiers, which is how Fort Carson landed on the kiosks. Running a kiosk takes only four to six cooks, whereas running a dining facility can take between 20 and 40, Hamilton said. Some installations, including Fort Liberty, N.C., have switched the weekend schedule to offer one brunch window with a to-go dinner available in a kiosk, he said. At Fort Cavazos in Texas, the commander has created a bus route to get soldiers to dining facilities and utilized contractors to keep them open during deployments or training. We can [hire contractors] pretty quickly, which gives soldiers an option to go sit next to their battle buddy or buddies and have a meal and have conversations and get into that team cohesion part of the Army that we still want to have happen, Hamilton said. Three premade to-go meal options available in dining kiosks at Fort Carson, Colo. The base provides grab-and-go meals at kiosks instead of traditional dining facilities on the weekends. (U.S. Army) Plans for more choice Materiel Command also continues to work two options that have long been requested by soldiers: the ability to use their meal card at the commissary to buy and cook their own food as well as the ability to eat at restaurants already established on bases with the same meal card. I want to see the day, and I hope its not far away, where soldiers take their [ID card], and that soldier can go to the commissary, have a meal; they can go even to the Burger King and get the healthy meals with real chicken and maybe some fruit or go to the kiosk, or even Panera Bread, Hamilton said. They want to eat, when they want to eat. They want to have a choice. A plan to convert dining facilities to mirror college campus-style cafeterias with chain restaurants contracting out operations is still on the table just delayed, Hamilton said. Its been caught in legal and legislative constraints, but he said they have the ear of Congress on the issue. We have not given up on that, he said. Some of those barriers are starting to come down. I really think thats still a very strong possibility. In the meantime, base commanders must find creative solutions to entice soldiers into choosing the food the Army offers. At Fort Carson, Kupratty said there are 6,100 soldiers on meal cards with an allowance for three meals a day; serving 1,800 meals in a weekend broke a record. Soldiers working routine weekend shifts known as staff duty, and weekend-assigned field officers are required to stop by the kiosks as part of their checks to make sure the refrigerators are stocked, Kupratty said. Those soldiers also know who to contact if there is an issue. The Army is also working to make it easier for soldiers to send feedback and escalate through the chain of command when the kiosks are empty, Hamilton said. So far, he said the record levels are holding steady, with 1,989 meals served March 15-17. That could have also been associated with a snowstorm, he said. It was a very unique situation, Hoxie said. It was a payday weekend so, typically, we will see a drastic decrease in the headcount. But we prepared as if it would be higher. Fort Cavazos, Texas, launched a bus route this year known as the Cavazos Connector to improve soldiers access to dining facilities and other points of interest. (Darren Cinatl/Fort Cavazos Public Affairs) Improving access Fort Cavazos last year struggled to keep dining facilities open during a particularly heavy round of training rotations and unit deployments. Soldiers without vehicles a population the base said has increased over the years found themselves with little access to dining facilities. The base made two major changes in response. It converted two dining facilities to be operated fully by contractors and arranged with a local transit authority to operate buses to move soldiers around post known as the Cavazos Connector, said Jerry Stephens, Deputy to the Commander, 407th Army Field Support Brigade. Both began operating in some form in early February, and meal-card usage at dining facilities jumped from 94,000 meals served in January to 143,000 between Feb. 5 and March 12. We think part of that is definitely tied to the Cavazos Connector, and the ability to get to the dining facilities, he said. Anyone with a military ID card can use the bus system for free through a circular route that travels past main points of interest on the base. Another option is to use an app that functions like ride-sharing within a certain zone. Anyone in a service zone can use the app to call the bus to wherever they are, and it can take them to anywhere else within that zone, either to a bus stop or to locations where the zones overlap. It operates in soldiers living and work areas, family housing neighborhoods, and medical, shopping and dining areas. A soft opening began Feb. 5 with one bus and one zone for ride-sharing, and there were more than 2,000 riders in the first month, Stephens said. On March 2 the base opened all five ride-share zones and brought on board additional buses. It is estimated to cost about $4.2 million a year to operate, he said. In the first week of full service there were more than 3,100 riders. Fort Carson has a transportation system, so thats not what was keeping soldiers out of dining facilities, Kupratty said. He argues it is not quality either. Kupratty eats two meals each workday on post and said the grab-and-go meals at the kiosks are some of his favorites particularly the southwest chicken bowl with black beans. Those meal kits were selling out on weekends, so theyve increased production from 250 available on the weekends to 1,000, Hoxie said. After Fort Carsons challenges, Hamilton said he hosted a call with all dining-facility program managers to make sure they had plans in place to avoid a similar situation. Sometimes you cant see everything coming, he said. But their reaction to it was pretty darn good. The U.S. Coast Guard plucked more than two dozen high school students from the waters of Long Island Sound on Wednesday after their boat capsized in Westport, Connecticut. (Dreamstime/TNS) (Tribune News Service) The U.S. Coast Guard plucked more than two dozen high school students from the waters of Long Island Sound on Wednesday after their boat capsized in Westport, Connecticut. The Coast Guard was called at around 5:40 p.m. for a report of a capsized boat near Compo Beach and found multiple people in the water, WFSB reported. Seven boats from various local agencies raced to the area as well, according to the outlet. It took about half an hour to rescue the 27 high school students and two adults, with the last person pulled from the water at 6:15 p.m. For a harrowing few minutes, one high schooler was missing, but was located soon after. No one was hospitalized or suffered serious injuries. The boat had collided with another, sending the occupants tumbling into Long Island Sound, the Coast Guard told WTNH, noting it was owned by Westports Saugatuck Rowing Company. 2024 New York Daily News. Visit at nydailynews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. The Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5), assigned to the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), returns to Naval Station Norfolk following an eight-month deployment operating in the U.S. 5th and U.S. 6th Fleet areas of operation, Thursday, March 21, 2024. (Anderson W. Branch/U.S. Navy) Welcome back to Virginia, USS Bataan and USS Carter Hall. More than 4,000 sailors and Marines assigned to the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group which includes Bataan, Carter Hall and USS Mesa Verde and embarked 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit returned to Hampton Roads on Thursday following an extended eight-month deployment to the 2nd, 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operations. The Bataan returned to its homeport of Naval Station Norfolk. Carter Hall returned to its homeport at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek. The Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50), assigned to the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), returns from an eight-month deployment operating in the U.S. 5th and U.S. 6th Fleet areas of operation, Thursday, March 21, 2024. (Manvir Gill/U.S. Navy) It is great to be home, said Amphibious Squadron 8 commodore Capt. Martin Robertson. Im proud of the sailors and Marines of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group who return home today knowing that for 8 months, they were the nations rapid response force. The Mesa Verde, which dropped off Marines and sailors with the 26th MEU at bases in North Carolina over the weekend, is expected back at its home port, Naval Station Norfolk, in the coming days, a U.S. 2nd Fleet statement said. The Bataan Amphibious Ready Group departed from Norfolk on July 10 on a deployment that began with Irans attempted seizures of commercial ships and continued amid the Middle Easts expanding upheaval. Since December, the group had been in the Mediterranean to help keep the Israel-Hamas war from expanding. Electronics Technician 3rd Class Brennon Potter, assigned to the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5), part of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), greets his family as Bataan returns to Naval Station Norfolk following an eight-month deployment operating in the U.S. 5th and U.S. 6th Fleet areas of operation, Thursday, March 21, 2024. (Anderson W. Branch/U.S. Navy) These young men and women were called into action from the start to help stop the spread of wildfires in Southern Europe, to deter Iran from seizing U.S.-flagged merchant vessels in the Middle East, and they reacted swiftly at the onset of the crisis in the Bab-El Mandeb to ensure merchant shipping access to the Red Sea, Robertson said. Your sons and daughters stood ready to assist American citizens in countries impacted by the Israel-Hamas conflict, and their efforts directly prevented the conflict from expanding to other nations in the region. While in the Mediterranean, the Bataan ARG participated in several exercises and made multiple port calls, including at least four to Naval Support Activity Souda Bay on the Greek island of Crete. In August, Bataan and Carter Hall, along with about 3,000 sailors and Marines, arrived in the Middle East as part of a Defense Department push to counter Iranian aggression in the Persian Gulf. Its been a challenging deployment, but we have accomplished a lot, and I am extremely proud of the hard work and resilience of every member of the Bataan team, said Capt. Paul Burkhart, Bataans commanding officer. Stars and Stripes reporter Alison Bath contributed to this report. Machinists Mate 2nd Class Adam Huggins, assigned to the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5), part of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), greets his family as Bataan returns to Naval Station Norfolk following an eight-month deployment operating in the U.S. 5th and U.S. 6th Fleet areas of operation, Thursday, March 21, 2024. (Anderson W. Branch/U.S. Navy) Aviation Boatswains Mate (Handling) 2nd Class Kareem Moore, assigned to the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5), part of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), greets his family as Bataan returns to Naval Station Norfolk following an eight-month deployment operating in the U.S. 5th and U.S. 6th Fleet areas of operation, Thursday, March 21, 2024. (Anderson W. Branch/U.S. Navy) Sailors depart the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5), assigned to the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), after Bataan returned to Naval Station Norfolk, Thursday, March 21, 2024. (Anderson W. Branch/U.S. Navy) The Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5), assigned to the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), returns to Naval Station Norfolk, Thursday, March 21, 2024. (Anderson W. Branch/U.S. Navy) Gunners Mate Seaman Michael Vietri, assigned to the Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50), part of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), prepares to handle lines on the pier as the Carter Hall returns to Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story following an eight-month deployment operating in the U.S. 5th and U.S. 6th Fleet areas of operation, Thursday, March 21, 2024. (Manvir Gill/U.S. Navy) Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Tyler Smith, assigned to the Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50), part of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), greets his family as the Carter Hall returns to Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Thursday, March 21, 2024. (Manvir Gill/U.S. Navy) Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Tyler Smith, assigned to the Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50), part of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), greets his family as the Carter Hall returns to Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Thursday, March 21, 2024. (Manvir Gill/U.S. Navy) Lt. Jerry Ireland, assigned to the Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50), part of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), greets his family as the Carter Hall returns to Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Thursday, March 21, 2024. (Manvir Gill/U.S. Navy) The signature dampfnudel at Pfaelzer Dampfnudelhof come with a choice of vanilla or wine sauces. (J.P. Lawrence/Stars and Stripes) The German steamed bun known as dampfnudel can be almost heavenly when cooked well, and a hut in Mehlingen that I discovered thanks to a tip offers some of the best in the Pfalz. As indicated by the name, Pfaelzer Dampfnudelhof specializes in the softball-sized buns, which can also be found at German fairs, farmers markets and some bakeries. But what elevates the wares at Pfaelzer Dampfnudelhof is the care put into the cooking. Pfaelzer Dampfnudelhof has a covered lounge area thats perfect for hikers finishing the nearby Mehlinger Heide nature walk. (J.P. Lawrence/Stars and Stripes) Each bite balanced softness and crunchiness. The tops were subtly sweet, light and fluffy, while the crust on the bottom was salty and savory but not oily. The co-worker who told me about Pfaelzer Dampfnudelhof raved about the crust, which indeed became my favorite part. Other dampfnudel Ive tried left me lukewarm. They were often too doughy, damp or salty to justify their cost in carbohydrates. Some had jam in the middle, making them too sweet. Pfaelzer Dampfnudelhof in Mehlingen, Germany, offers dampfnudel, a type of German steamed bun, as well as potato soup. (J.P. Lawrence/Stars and Stripes) The buns at Pfaelzer Dampfnudelhof come with a vanilla dipping sauce, which I thought tasted like ice cream yet managed to avoid overdoing it on the sweetness. Wine dipping sauces also are available. The eatery is popular with hikers heading through the nearby Mehlinger Heide nature walk. I could see the appeal after a long haul. Eat them in a covered lounge with the wicker seats and low tables, or bask in the sunshine if youre lucky (this is Germany) in the beer hall section. Perhaps Ill give that a try in the summer, when the heather blooms in the nearby Mehlinger Heide. In addition to dampfnudel, the Mehlingen, Germany, eatery Pfaelzer Dampfnudelhof sells liver meatballs, salads and charcuterie boards. (J.P. Lawrence/Stars and Stripes) I paired my dampfnudel with the eaterys creamy potato soup, a combination of savory and slightly sweet that satisfied me. The friendly, English-speaking staff at Pfaelzer Dampfnudelhof provided quick service. In addition to its namesake treat, the eatery offers the local delicacy of liver meatballs with sauerkraut, as well as salads and charcuterie boards. There was also a wine bar with local varieties, although I didnt partake. Even without the hike, I found dampfnudel fulfillment in Mehlingen. And if that happens to come with a side of blooming heather, so much the better. Seating areas at the Pfaelzer Dampfnudelhof in Mehlingen, Germany, include outdoor and indoor beer hall-style tables. (J.P. Lawrence/Stars and Stripes) Pfaelzer Dampfnudelhof Address: An d. Heide 15, Mehlingen, Germany. The dampfnudel hut is near the Mehlinger Heide, a popular nature walk, and next to a flammkuchen eatery. There is a parking lot and street parking nearby. Hours: Wednesday through Sunday, noon-6 p.m. The eatery closes in the winter. Prices: One dampfnudel costs 3 euros. Vanilla or wine sauces add 1.80 euros. A combo dampfnudel plus potato soup meal is 8.50 euros. In the summer there are salads that range from 10 to 12 euros each, as well as a charcuterie board for 28.50 euros. Information: +49 1514 0400823, pfaelzer-dampfnudelhof.de Editor's note: At the Butler County Chamber of Commerce annual banquet, five awards were given out. This is the last in a series highlighting the five recipients. The other stories can be found online. Even as far back as high school, Jeff Hilger said, he's liked helping out in the community. "I was in high school looking for a job, used to work for some people and was like 'Why don't I try this volunteer stuff?'" Jeff said. "That's how I got into these organizations and I just volunteered, somehow I stay busy doing that." Jeff graduated in 1992, he said, and has been volunteering around the community since then. From working at the opera house, the David City Volunteer Fire Department, snow removal and general maintenance to keeping an eye on the purple playground on Ninth Street and M Street. The fire department commitment is probably one of the longest-running, he said. He got started because of his father and a few other relatives who were also in the department. When it comes to his current work, he helps with the fire department and keeps the downtown area -- particularly the area of the Thorpe Building/opera house -- tidy like he always has. For his years of doing this, the Butler County Chamber of Commerce presented him with a Longtime Community Service Award at its Jan. 29 annual banquet. "A lot of people just don't take the time helping other people out. They always want to be paid or something - I just do it," Jeff said. Jeff said that he has a particular attachment to the opera house building not just because he worked there but because it's been many things over the years, like a youth center or an office for a gas company, and he wants to see David City keep its businesses and people. "We don't want the grocery stores to quit, or the banks. We used to have two hardware stores and one moved out, we used to have a TV store and a clothing store at one time," Jeff said. "You don't want a small town dying out." First Ward Council Member Jim Angell said Jeff works hard and is always around to help, no matter who it is that's asking. Between the fire department and his watchful eye on the chamber building and the purple playground, Angell said Jeff's a community servant. "He's always willing to help," Angell said. "He's very dedicated, very much community oriented." The Community Service Award, similar to the Longtime Community Service Award, was presented to Donna Chmelka for her work at the Butler County Senior Center. "It started out with one day a week and now I'm her every day, you know how that goes," Chmelka said. "It's being able to help getting to know the people and getting to help." Chmelka has helped in almost very part of the senor center, from hosting tai chi to driving people to appointments and even working in the kitchen. It's all about the people she works with, she said. "Meeting all these ladies, seeing all of them is very inspirational. Seeing them get here every day and be engaged - it's just great," Chmelka said. Chmelka knows who nominated her, and she greatly appreciates the nomination or even consideration, she said. "I am so grateful to be able to work with the people at the center every day but they give me much more than I give them. They are all a very special group," Chmelka said. "And a big thanks to the chamber of commerce for giving me the award." The senior center, Chmelka added, only runs thanks to a large group of valuable people, not just herself. "I'm just one of many generous people, this place runs on volunteers and a lot of these women do great things," Chmelka said. Jeannie Zegers and Dorothy Schultz, two regulars at the senior center, said Chmelka absolutely deserves the award as she's done many things for the senior center beyond what she does on a day-to-day basis. Mary Lou Hilger, who also volunteers at the senior center, said Chmelka is very deserving of the honor and that she actually makes sure the seniors she drives make it where they need to go or are safe before leaving. "She's always willing to step in, no matter what it is," Mary Lou said. "People don't appreciate (volunteers) enough. They do the small things nobody notices sometimes, but they really appreciate when it's done." A joint training event included personnel from U.S. Special Operations and a personnel recovery team on location at Air Base 201, Agadez, Niger, Nov. 1, 2023. American forces are not yet being kicked out of Niger, a top Pentagon policymaker told House lawmakers Thursday, March 21, 2024, just days after the countrys military junta announced it was severing ties with the U.S. military. (Rose Gudex/U.S. Air Force) American forces are not yet being kicked out of Niger, a top Pentagon policymaker told House lawmakers Thursday just days after the countrys military junta announced it was severing ties with the U.S. military. Nigers ruling military council, known as the CNSP, has not asked or demanded that the United States military depart the nation, Celeste Wallander, the assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs told the House Armed Services Committee Thursday. Her testimony came in the wake of the juntas March 16 announcement it was canceling its Status of Forces Agreement, or SOFA, with the United States, which authorizes American troops to operate in the country. There is actually quite a mixed message. We are following up and seeking clarification, Wallander said. They have declared this SOFA to be non-operational, [but] they have assured us that American military forces are protected, and they will take no action that would endanger them. The United States has about 1,000 U.S. military personnel in Niger, primarily to operate long-range intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance drones from a base on the outskirts of the Sahara Desert city of Agadez, known as Air Base 201. The Pentagon spent more than $100 million in recent years to build up the drone base, which officials have said is critical to counterterrorism operations in the Sahel, where groups affiliated with the Islamic State and al-Qaida have grown in recent years. Operations out of Air Base 201 had already been curtailed after the junta overthrew Nigers democratically elected president in July 2023. U.S. policy restricts the Pentagons ability to cooperate directly with governments following a coup. The military councils announcement came in the wake of a meeting last week with top U.S. officials, including Wallander; Marine Gen. Michael Langley, the head of U.S. Africa Command; and Molly Phee, the assistant secretary of state for African affairs. A spokesman for the CNSP told the Associated Press that American troops cannot stay on Nigerien soil any longer after the meeting, which was described as contentious. Pentagon officials this week said those talks were spurred, at least in part, by Nigers growing ties with Russia and recent talks it has held with Iran. Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said Monday the United States was troubled [with] the path that Niger is on concerning those ties with Russia and Iran. Langley, who testified Thursday alongside Wallander, said losing Air Base 201 would be a massive hit to his ability to monitor extremist groups in the region. He told lawmakers AFRICOM was in talks with other countries in the region about access for its drone program in the Sahel, but he declined to provide additional details about those negotiations. Langley blamed a Russian disinformation campaign for Nigers decision to break away from the U.S. military. He said the United States must do more to counter Russias propaganda machine across Africa, which has helped it expand influence on the continent. The general said Russia has successfully exploited the recent rise in internet access in the Sahel to spread false information about western nations and democracy. He said that campaign is at least somewhat responsible for coups detat in recent years in Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso. AFRICOM, the U.S. Agency for International Development and the State Department are working hard to counter Russian disinformation in the region, but Langley said more must be done because it has continued to influence regular African civilians as well as members of militaries. We are losing to the disinformation [campaign] from the Russian Federation, [and] we need to meet that with the truth, Langley said Thursday. We need to take that disinformation campaign we need to hit it front and center, because Russia does have a passing game. Now, they have a ground game, as well. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro participates in a wreath-laying at the 81st Infantry Division Memorial in Peleliu, Palau, March 1, 2024, that honors members of the division who assisted the 1st Marine Division in the Battle of Peleliu during World War II. (Shaina Marie ONeal/U.S. Navy) A 20-year agreement between the U.S. and several small Pacific island nations significantly advances Americas strategic priorities in the Indo-Pacific region, a top Defense Department official told lawmakers Wednesday. President Joe Biden signed legislation March 9 that provides $7.1 billion over two decades to the Freely Associated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Palau. The bipartisan renewal of the Compacts of Free Associations, or COFA, between the U.S. and the three nations ensures that the United States and only the United States can maintain a military presence in those countries, Ely Ratner, assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific security affairs, said in a testimony before the House Armed Services Committee. Approving COFA funding marked one of the 118th Congress most significant achievements to advance U.S. strategic priorities in the Indo-Pacific region, he said. The three nations lie in an expanse of sea east of the Philippines just above the Equator. Renewing the COFA agreement was critical, Suzanne Vares-Lum, a retired Army major general and now director of the Honolulu-based East-West Center, said by phone Tuesday. Crucially, the agreement precludes China from exerting more influence in the region by filling unmet needs within the three nations, Vares-Lum said I think it shows our acknowledgement that we are not leaving any gaps in the relationship and that the COFA agreements fulfill the government functions of each of the countries for day-to-day requirements education, health care, families, environment, the preservation of cultural resources of their own security, she said. The agreement somewhat mitigates Chinas successful foray into the Solomon Islands, which lies south of Micronesia. American and Australian officials were stunned in early 2022 when Solomon Islands announced a security agreement with China, raising the possibility that Beijing could leverage that into greater military presence in the region. Under the renewed COFA agreement, Micronesia, Marshall Islands and Palau gain more than just the billions of funding in exchange for Americas exclusive military access to their land, waters and airspace. Citizens of those countries are allowed to work and attend school in America, enlist in the U.S. armed services and access veterans health care, Vares-Lum said. The previous COFA agreement expired last fall, and renewal had been tied up in congressional gridlock, Robert York, director for regional affairs at Pacific Forum, a Honolulu-based policy research institute, said by phone Monday. Some U.S. lawmakers were apparently shaken out of their complacency when a leaked letter from Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr. to a U.S. senator was posted on X on Feb. 15, York said. The letter, posted by Cleo Paskal, a non-resident senior fellow at the Washington-based Foundation for Defense of Democracies, warned that China was upping pressure on Palau to break its diplomatic ties with Taiwan. Palau is one of only 11 nations that maintains diplomatic relations with Taiwan, a democratically governed island China maintains is a renegade province that must at some point concede to Beijings control. Whipps letter urged the U.S. senator, whose name was redacted, to pass the COFA legislation. Every day it is not approved plays into the hands of the [Chinese Communist Party] and the leaders here (some of whom have done business with the PRC) who want to accept its seemingly attractive economic offers at the cost of shifting alliances, beginning with sacrificing Taiwan, Whipps wrote. In exchange for Palau breaking ties with Taiwan, China offered to fill every hotel room ... and more if more are built and to lease two acres for $20 million a year for a call center, Whipps wrote. Theres a lot more concern about Chinese activities in the Pacific these days, York said, referring to the developments in the Solomon Islands. If you look at the nations in question that are covered under this [COFA agreement], the U.S. attaches a great deal of strategic importance to them, particularly Palau, and its place in the first island chain. Last year, the 90,000-square-foot commissary at Camp Humphreys, South Korea, counted over $4.2 million in sales from around 66,500 customers, according to the Defense Commissary Agency. (David Choi/Stars and Stripes) CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea The grocery store on the largest U.S. military installation overseas has been named the best overseas large commissary of the year by the Defense Commissary Agency. The Camp Humphreys commissary learned of the title March 1, according to an email Wednesday from DeCA spokeswoman Tressa Smith. The grocery store at Camp Humphreys, South Korea, has been named the best overseas large commissary of the year by the Defense Commissary Agency. (David Choi/Stars and Stripes) Credit for the award goes to the commissary employees, who work hard and consistently do their jobs well, commissary officer Myong Brown said Wednesday in a separate email. The Camp Humphreys commissary is like a symphony orchestra, in that all the employees and annex stores must play off the same sheet of music to remain in harmony, she said. Our zone manager is the conductor, and our working teams and annex stores are the music. Our music is not and never will be perfect; however, we stay in rhythm every day. Second place this year went to the commissary at U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria in Grafenwohr, Germany. Last years first-place winner was the commissary at Osan Air Base, just a few miles north of Humphreys. Each of DeCAs approximately 235 commissaries in 13 countries were assessed on sales, customer surveys, safety, display contests, special events, cleanliness and organization, the agency said in a news release March 14. This years winners put a lot of hard work into providing the best benefit for our patrons, DeCA acting chief operating officer Robert Bunch said in the release. We have a lot of great employees at store level, and these awards are a testament to their commitment to their patrons. Last year, the 90,000-square-foot Humphreys commissary counted over $4.2 million in sales from around 66,500 customers, according to DeCA. Around 10% of sales come from meat and produce. Lower prices draw Sgt. First Class Charles McCoy, an electromagnetic spectrum manager for Eighth Army, to the commissary. The commissary has been beneficial for me due to the meats being at a decent price compared to off post, he said while shopping there Thursday. Also, the variety of cereal, rice and vegetables have been something that I find myself coming back to due to pricing. McCoy, whos lived in South Korea six years, said many items were out of stock during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the commissary was able to bounce back. This place always stays clean; I havent seen it not being clean, he said. Its been good, and the staff has always been great. Air Force spouse Sarah Prothero said her family can usually find everything that we need at the commissary; however, certain items like produce can be really expensive, even if its locally sourced. They always have enough registers open; its always really good, she said. I dont have to wait for 10 minutes to check out, so thats always really nice. A newly painted gold anchor hangs from aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan at Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan, March 20, 2024. (Jennessa Davey/Stars and Stripes) YOKOSUKA NAVAL BASE, Japan The aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan recently donned anchors of gold two 30-ton ornaments that signify achievement in reenlisting or otherwise retaining a significant number of its sailors. At least 500 of the carriers approximately 5,000 crew members reenlisted during fiscal 2023, Chief Petty Officer Mona Morris, career counselor aboard the Ronald Reagan, told Stars and Stripes during an interview on the carrier Thursday. That helped the carrier earn a Retention Excellence Award on Feb. 27, according to a Ronald Reagan spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Phil Chitty. With the award comes the privilege of applying a coat of gold paint to the carriers massive anchors, a job that took about 12 hours and 10 sailors, including Ronald Reagan commander Capt. Daryle Cardone, executive officer Capt. Harry Evans III and Command Master Chief Tychicious Turner. Gold anchors showcase to any other naval vessels that the carrier has earned the retention award, said Lt. Jesse Crider, head of the carriers deck department. You could liken it to winning a gold medal, he said. Capt. Daryle Cardone, commander of the USS Ronald Reagan, and Capt. Harry Evans III, executive officer, help paint one the carriers anchors gold at Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan, March 15, 2024. (Evan Mueller/U.S. Navy) Cardone credited the ships deck plate leaders, or supervisors, with helping achieve the award. It is their jobs as front-line supervisors to train, mentor and advocate for our most junior Sailors so they can become the best versions of themselves, he said by email Wednesday. Bravo Zulu to them, and to all of our departmental, and divisional career counselors for their continued dedication to the professional development of our warfighters. To qualify for the award, the Ronald Reagan reported every reenlistment, commissioning and action enhancing retention to its Navy type command, or administrative unit, Morris said. Its definitely not something that one person can do, she said. It takes a village. Recruiting and retention have become more difficult in recent years, as quality-of-life issues are of growing concern for all service members. The overall well-being of U.S. sailors has continued to slowly improve, but levels of severe and extreme stress plague a third of the force, according to an annual Navy survey released Feb. 15. These challenges exacerbate Fleet manning shortages, putting additional stress on our force, which could have negative effects on readiness and potentially impact future retention, in an environment where retention is ever important, the survey states. The most mentioned factors for staying in were job security, availability of billets in desirable locations, salary, retirement benefits and the ability to balance work with personal life. The Ronald Reagan the Navys only carrier stationed overseas has been at Yokosuka since 2015. It is expected to return this year to the United States, with the USS George Washington taking its place. Airmen Ray Ryan, left, and Jeudy Craig, both of Yokota Air Base, Japan, serve meals to homeless people at Ueno Park in Tokyo, March 15, 2024. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes) TOKYO Approximately 180 people recently turned up at Ueno Park for a free meal courtesy of a homeless outreach project organized by the Yokota Air Base chapel and a local church. Sixteen service members and two Air Force spouses joined 40 members of the End of The Earth Mission Church in Tokyo to feed and clothe homeless people during the March 15 event in one of Tokyos most popular parks. I feel like it connects us a lot closer with our Japanese locals and that we do get a lot of good results out of this, Air Force Staff Sgt. Alex Cook-Ransdell, a volunteer organizer, told Stars and Stripes during the three-hour event. It makes the people who volunteer from the church happy; it makes us happy for what we do with the military. Overall, it is a good experience. Sixteen service members and two Air Force spouses joined 40 members of End of The Earth Mission Church in Tokyo to feed and clothe homeless people in the citys Ueno Park, March 15, 2024. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes) Air Force spouse Lorraine Cook-Ransdell serves meals to homeless people at Tokyos Ueno Park, March 15, 2024. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes) Staff Sgt. Angel Ramirez, of Yokota Air Base, Japan, serves food during a homeless outreach project at Ueno Park in Tokyo, March 15, 2024. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes) The number of people fed that day represented about half the 402 homeless people in Tokyo, according to the metropolitan governments website. The worlds largest city has a population of 13.5 million people. Across Japan, only 3,000 people are confirmed homeless, according to a January 2023 nationwide survey by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. That number is likely much larger, according to advocates for homeless people who count people with nowhere else to sleep but businesses like internet cafes. If the number of those so-called internet cafe refugees, who are invisible homeless that are not reflected in the surveys are added, it is believed that there are a great number of people that are spending the night at unstable living environments even now, said the website for Big Issue Japan, a magazine sold by homeless individuals to earn money. For the March 15 event, the base chapel and the mission collected more than 2,900 pounds of food, clothing and other supplies, Cook-Ransdell said. The church group erected tents in the park for food preparation. In a separate space, those waiting for food gathered for a message from the church members. Finally, they lined up for a meal near the tents. Passersby stopped to watch as volunteers unloaded rice, snacks and freeze-dried foods from their vehicles, then washed and dried dishes when the meal concluded. Despite Tokyos relatively low official homeless count, their numbers appear to be growing, Cook-Ransdell said. Today was probably the most we have had, he said. Even from December to now, its been significantly higher. Shim Nayoung, a mission leader, said the church hosts similar events for Tokyos homeless people four days a week at three locations in the city, including Ueno Park. She said some of the citys homelessness is caused by unemployment. It is not special to be homeless; anyone has the possibility to become homeless, she said. A giant European Union flag hangs from a building as smaller ones adorn a main street in Sarajevo, Bosnia, Thursday, March 21, 2024. European Union leaders meeting in Brussels are expected to give a greenlight to Bosnia and Herzegovina to open membership talks once certain conditions are met. (Eldar Emric/AP) BRUSSELS European Union leaders were poised to agree in principle Thursday to open membership negotiations with Bosnia-Herzegovina, even though the Western Balkan country must still do a lot of work before talks can begin. The 27 leaders were expected to give the political green light at a summit in Brussels after the European Commission the EUs executive arm last week agreed to start talks in spite of deep lingering ethnic divisions in the nation with 3.2 million inhabitants. In the latest version of the draft summit conclusions, leaders said that the European Council decides to open accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina. The draft emphasizes the need for Bosnia to keep on taking all relevant steps set out by the Commission that include economic, judicial and political reforms as well as better efforts to tackle corruption and money laundering. Bosnia is riven by ethnic divisions, even decades after the 1992-95 war that tore the country apart, leaving more than 100,000 people dead and millions displaced. In 2022, Bosnia was granted candidate status. For candidates to join the EU, they have to go through a lengthy process to align their laws and standards with those of the bloc and show their institutions and economies meet democratic norms. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said upon his arrival in Brussels that a lot of work still needs to be done before the country can really get into the thick of negotiations with the bloc. Its crucial that Bosnia will fulfil all the necessary actions in the Commissions report so that you really will have ticked all the boxes, Rutte said. Gitanas Nauseda, the president of Lithuania, said he supports Bosnias candidacy, but with strings attached. We have to respect the rules, rules of game, implementation of all necessary requirements, he said. Bosnia-Herzegovina is one of six nations from the region the others are Albania, Serbia, Kosovo, Montenegro and North Macedonia which are at different stages of the EU membership process. Their entry to the bloc has been stalled for years. But after Russias war on Ukraine, EU officials are more keen on trying to lure them away from the Kremlins influence. In addition to the incomplete internal reforms damaging its bid, Bosnia is still ethnically and politically divided, and is perhaps the most fragile of the Balkan countries. Separatist Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik, who is pro-Russia, continues to undermine the presidency and other political functions in the country. In December, Dodik told The Associated Press that he intended to keep weakening the country to the point where it fell apart. The latest US intelligence annual threat assessment published last month noted that Dodik is taking provocative steps to neutralize international oversight in Bosnia and secure de facto secession for his Republika Srpska. His action could prompt leaders of the Bosniak (Bosnian Muslim) population to bolster their own capacity to protect their interests and possibly lead to violent conflicts that could overwhelm peacekeeping forces. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said he was very much for moving a step forward after the many efforts that have been made in Bosnia-Herzegovina. As a whole, the states of the Western Balkans also must be able to rely on us, he said. The promise that they would be able to become members of the European Union was made more than 20 years ago in Thessaloniki, and now we need the next steps. In anticipation of a positive outcome, EU flags could be seen hanging throughout Bosnias capital Sarajevo, where citizens and officials alike hailed the prospects of their country moving forward in its bid. Adnan Balvanovic, a resident of Sarajevo, believes EU integration is something Bosnia needs, to make its way forward, to develop. It can finally become a normal state like its citizens want it to be. It is also good for us, young people who want to stay in Bosnia Hercegovina. Pensioner Jasmina Kadusic agreed it would be nice if Bosnia joined the EU but warned that the process has already taken too long and that our politicans are not doing enough to make it happen. Eldar Emric in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Raf Casert and Lorne Cook in Brussels, contributed to this report. From left, Denmarks Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Germanys Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Hungarys Prime Minister Viktor Orban, French President Emmanuel Macron and Polands Prime Minister Donald Tusk during a round table meeting at an EU Summit in Brussels, Thursday, March 21, 2024. European Union leaders are gathering to consider new ways to help boost arms and ammunition production for Ukraine. Leaders will also discuss in Thursdays summit the war in Gaza amid deep concern about Israeli plans to launch a ground offensive in the city of Rafah. (Geert Vanden Wijngaert/AP) BRUSSELS European Union leaders on Thursday debated fresh ways to help boost arms and ammunition production for Ukraine amid a new sense of urgency about the future of the war-torn country. Ukraines munition stocks are desperately low, while Russia has more and better-armed troops. There is also a growing awareness that the EU must provide for its own security, with election campaigning in the U.S. raising questions about Washingtons commitment to its allies. At the same time, political rhetoric is at fever pitch as the campaign for Europe-wide elections on June 6-9 gathers pace, with security a major issue. As they talk up the need to fund the defense industry, both at home and in Ukraine, many leaders are also trying to convince citizens that budgets could be tightened elsewhere. Ahead of the summit in Brussels, EU Council President Charles Michel said the Europeans face a pivotal moment. He said that with Europe facing the biggest security threat since the Second World War, it is high time we take radical and concrete steps to be defense-ready and put the EUs economy on a war footing. Across town at NATO, the alliances secretary-general, Jens Stoltenberg, warned Thursday that the situation on the battlefield remains very difficult. Ukraine is running out of ammunition. So, Ukraine needs even more support, and they need it now. New plans are on the EUs table, notably to use the profits from frozen Russian assets to buy arms and ammunition for Ukraine. The 27-nation EU is holding around 210 billion euros ($228 billion) in Russian central bank assets, most of it frozen in Belgium, in retaliation for Moscows war against Ukraine. The bloc estimates that the money could generate profits of up to 3 billion euros ($3.3 billion) each year. I am glad that leaders endorsed our proposal to use the extraordinary revenues from immobilized Russian assets, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said after the meeting. This will provide funding for military equipment to Ukraine. A small group of member countries, notably Hungary, refuse to supply weapons to Ukraine, so these windfall profits would be split up. Around 90% of the money would be put into a special fund that many EU countries already use to get reimbursed for arms and ammunition they send. The other 10% would be put into the EU budget to help bolster Ukraines defense industry. Members that object to sending weapons could then claim that they are not arming the country. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that these profits should be used first and foremost to buy weapons and ammunition for Ukraine. What is important to me is that we give this use a clear direction now, the direction of acquiring ammunition, for example, he said. Asked what signal would be sent to Russian President Vladimir Putin if there is no agreement on using windfall profits, Scholz said: I am very sure that we are sending a very clear signal to Putin here. He has miscalculated if he thinks we are not in a position to support Ukraine for as long as is necessary, and the use of the windfall profits is a small but important element. Speaking to the leaders via video-link, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged them to provide his armed forces with more artillery shells and air defense systems following an overnight missile attack on the capital Kyiv. Unfortunately, the use of artillery at the front line by our soldiers is humiliating for Europe in the sense that Europe can provide more. And it is crucial to prove it now, he said, adding that Ukraines current air defense systems are not enough to protect our entire territory from Russian terror. Some countries want to use the windfall profits to help Ukraine rebuild, but Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, whose country currently holds the EUs rotating presidency, said that the first necessity is ammunition. Of course I would love to invest in reconstruction but its a bit pointless to invest in reconstruction if you risk losing the country. The leaders of Estonia and Lithuania, two of Ukraines staunchest supporters within the EU, said it would be best to use the frozen assets themselves and not just the interest earned on those billions. The damage that Russia is causing to Ukraine is much bigger than the value of those assets that we have in Europe. We have to think how we can really achieve this (so) that our taxpayers dont have to pay the damage that Russia is causing in Ukraine, Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said. De Croo also urged his EU partners to be receptive to new ideas. Well need different types of financing, or at least be open to the discussion. It will need to be national contributions, it might be defense bonds, it might be financing by the EIB (European Investment Bank), he said. The idea of issuing defense bonds to finance military spending through common debt issuance is gaining some traction, but is far from having the unanimous agreement that such a move would require. It would mirror way the EU raised money to kickstart economies with its pandemic recovery fund. Samuel Petrequin and Raf Casert in Brussels, and Geir Moulson in Berlin contributed to this report. U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Sarabrian Jackson, 6th Maintenance Group quality assurance chief inspector, unloads turkeys during a Nourish the Service event at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., Nov. 17, 2023. The event provided food for service members and their families. The Pentagon in its fiscal 2025 budget request is asking Congress to expand the pool of troops that qualify for a monthly basic needs allowance by raising the household income cutoff from 150% of federal poverty guidelines to 200%. (Zachary Foster/U.S. Air Force) WASHINGTON Senior enlisted leaders threw their support behind a proposal to widen military family eligibility for a basic needs allowance on Wednesday, urging lawmakers to approve the measure to help lessen food insecurity. The Defense Department in its fiscal 2025 budget request is asking Congress to expand the pool of troops that qualify for the monthly allowance by raising the household income cutoff from 150% of federal poverty guidelines to 200%. Few service members and mostly only those with large families are taking advantage of the stipend in its present form, which became law in 2021, senior leaders told members of the House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday. Troops must have at least one dependent to be eligible. In the Army, only 16 people are receiving the allowance, according to Sgt. Maj. Michael Weimer. One of them, an E-4 rank that lives at Washingtons Joint Base Lewis-McChord, had to have nine dependents to qualify for the supplemental. I had to have my team do the calculation on the whiteboard for me to truly understand between federal poverty guidelines and gross household income, and I felt like I needed an accounting degree to truly understand how to get soldiers to take advantage, Weimer said. Raising the income ceiling would mean that a family of eight would need to make under about $105,000 to qualify for the stipend instead of the current threshold of about $80,000. An average allowance today is more than $1,000 per month. Pentagon officials said the eligibility expansion would cost $245 million and help decrease service member reliance on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as the food stamp program. Nearly 26% of active-duty troops are considered to be food insecure, meaning they skip or cut meals or go hungry instead of eating, according to a 2023 study by the Rand Corp. think tank that examined 2018 data. It is unclear if a larger group of candidates for the basic needs allowance will have the impact the Pentagon intends. A recent survey by the nonprofit organization Blue Star Families found that the allowance is having a limited effect so far on alleviating hunger. Our limited, but novel, data shows that this new policy may not yet efficiently target food insecure military families, though this may change as more families become aware of the program, the survey states. Many families who could benefit are unaware of the program. Chief Master Sgt. John Bentivegna of the Space Force said it was unacceptable for a military family to not have enough food on the table. But he said educating families, specifically young enlisted members, about budgeting and healthy eating was also an important part of addressing food insecurity. From a financial perspective, we have to make sure service members have at least enough money in the bank account so they can budget appropriately to make sure that they are buying the right foods and having the right access to the foods, Bentivegna said. The basic needs allowance is a helpful tool, he said, though it needs to be coupled with a broader effort to boost overall compensation and pay for troops who are stretched thin financially. Master Chief Petty Officer James Honea of the Navy also advocated for that approach and said sailors and other service members need to be paid salaries that are reflective of their unique roles and responsibilities. That young 19-year-old thats working at the Starbucks is not the same thing that were asking of our 19-year-olds who are serving in harms way, he said. The Defense Department is proposing a 4.5% pay raise for troops next year but lawmakers have made clear that they also want to see targeted pay hikes that specifically focus on junior enlisted service members. The White House has resisted proposals to make dramatic pay changes until the Defense Department completes its quadrennial review of military compensation. Honea said on Wednesday that the review should result in pay models that account for the difficult work performed by troops and perhaps align with compensation models for first responders, who often receive hazard pay for dangerous work. If we look after the well-being [of troops], and we pay our people appropriately, then we wont have to worry about the basic needs allowance or be overly concerned about food insecurity, he said. If we pay them appropriately, theyll figure out how to feed themselves. Migrants who crossed the Rio Grande from Mexicao into the U.S. are lined up for processing by U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Eagle Pass, Texas, in September 2023. (Eric Gay/AP) McALLEN, Texas A dizzying volley of courtroom maneuvers over a Texas law that would allow the state to arrest and deport people who enter the U.S. illegally sowed confusion at the nations border with Mexico on Wednesday as sheriffs, police chiefs and migrants waited for direction. Texas faced skeptical questioning during a hearing before a three-judge panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that ended without a ruling, leaving the new law on hold for now. It was part of a flurry of activity that included a decision from the U.S. Supreme Court that allowed the law to take effect for several hours Tuesday. And regardless of how the three-judge panel rules, the legal saga over Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbotts latest escalation to prevent illegal border crossings wont be over. Yolanis Campo, 42, who traveled from Colombia and crossed the Rio Grande to enter the U.S. from Mexico with her 16-year-old daughter, recommended other migrants take another route because of the confusion over Texas law. She was processed by Border Patrol agents who released her with an ankle bracelet to pursue her immigration case. Its more complicated because (federal authorities) tell us we can move on, but this new rule, this new law complicates everything because it says we cant move on, said Campo, who was staying at a shelter in McAllen. During Wednesdays hearing, 5th Circuit Chief Judge Priscilla Richman questioned how the state law would be carried out, including how Texas would respond if federal authorities dont cooperate with a state judges order to deport someone. No arrests were reported while it was in effect Tuesday. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has said it would not have authority to deport under the state law. This is uncharted because we dont have any cases on it, said Texas Solicitor General Aaron Nielson. The Justice Department has argued that Texas law is a clear violation of federal authority and would create chaos at the border. The departments lawyers faced a grilling from Judge Andrew Oldham, who was appointed by Republican President Donald Trump. The third judge on the panel, Judge Irma Ramirez, an appointee of Democratic President Joe Biden, previously voted to keep the law on hold. Richman, who was appointed by Republican President George W. Bush, challenged Texas assertion that it is exercising a core police power, getting Nielsen to acknowledge that deporting people has been a federal responsibility. But Nielsen denied that Texas is trying to take over the field on border enforcement and said the state wants to cooperate with the federal government to address the issue. Nielsen also said he did not know how the law would affect someone who entered the country illegally but came to Texas from another state. Republican legislators wrote the law so that it applies in all of the states 254 counties, although Steve McCraw, the director of the Texas Department of Public Safety, has said he expects it will mostly be enforced near the U.S.-Mexico border. Dozens of sheriffs met in Austin on Wednesday to rally support for Abbott, but they offered varied explanations about how they would enforce the law. Those farther from the border said they expected to have little to do with it. Were not going to be targeting minorities or anything like that. McLennan County Sheriff Parnell McNamara, whose office is a few hundred miles from the border. Our good citizens dont need to be worried about the police, especially in McLennan County. The Supreme Court did not rule on the merits of the law. It instead kicked back to the lower appeals court a challenge led by the Justice Department. The 5th Circuit has been considering the states appeal of a scathing injunction from a lower-court judge that put the law on hold. Under the Texas law, once migrants are in custody on illegal entry charges, they can agree to a judges order to leave the U.S. or face prosecution. However, Mexico has said it would refuse to take back anyone who is ordered to cross the border. Of course were against this draconian law, completely opposed, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said Wednesday during his daily press briefing. Other GOP-led states are already looking to follow Texas path. In Iowa, lawmakers on Tuesday approved a bill that would also give its state law enforcement the power to arrest people who are in the U.S. illegally and have previously been denied entry into the country. If Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds signs it, it would take effect in July. The confusion in Texas resembles other immigration battles during the Trump and Biden administrations, fueled by congressional inaction. In 2020, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals blocked a Trump policy to make asylum-seekers wait in Mexico for hearings in U.S. immigration court but said its order applied only in California and Arizona and not in New Mexico or Texas because those border states were outside its jurisdiction. The Supreme Court later said the policy should remain in effect across the border. Arrests for illegal crossings fell by half in January from a record-high of 250,000 in December, with sharp declines in Texas. Tucson, Arizona, has been the busiest corridor in recent months, followed by San Diego in January, but reasons for sudden shifts are often complicated and are dictated by smuggling organizations. When Biden visited the Rio Grande Valley for his second trip to the border as president last month, administration officials credited Mexico for heightened enforcement on that part of the border. They said conditions were more challenging for Mexican law enforcement in Sonora, the state that lies south of Arizona. Whitehurst reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Acacia Coronado in Austin, Texas; Elliot Spagat in San Diego; Christopher Sherman in Mexico City; and Scott McFetridge in Des Moines, Iowa, contributed to this report. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., rides an escalator at the Senate subway on Capitol Hill Tuesday, March 12, 2024, in Washington. (Mariam Zuhaib/AP) WASHINGTON A bill from group of Democratic and independent senators would let the federal government request a court order that local authorities hold immigrants with permanent legal status or without who are charged with or convicted of violent crimes until they can be transferred to federal custody for deportation proceedings. The bill Thursday by six Democrats and allied independents reflects a willingness by Democrats to focus on immigration enforcement policy during an election year in which immigration is expected to be a leading issue. Seizing on the recent killing of nursing student Laken Riley in Georgia, Republicans have called attention to crimes committed by immigrants without permanent legal status. Earlier this month the GOP-controlled House passed legislation, named the Laken Riley Act, that would require federal authorities to detain such immigrants who have been accused of theft. Sponsoring the measure are Democratic Sens. Sherrod Brown of Ohio, Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin, Bob Casey of Pennsylvania and Chris Murphy of Connecticut, as well as independent Sens. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona and Angus King of Maine. Brown, Baldwin and Casey are facing tough reelection races. Baldwin, in a statement, spoke of ensuring that law enforcement has the tools they need to do their jobs. Since Republicans rejected a bipartisan proposal to overhaul the U.S. asylum system, Democrats have taken a more aggressive stance on immigration policy. They are pitching to voters that they are willing to tighten immigration laws, but with an approach that preserves civil rights for immigrants. In the House, some Democrats have also formed a group focused on border security. The Senate legislation is aimed at keeping in custody immigrants with legal status and without who are charged with or convicted of a felony, violent crimes or a national security threat. It would allow U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement to request a warrant from a judge that would enable local authorities to hold the individual until that person can be transferred to ICEs custody. The agency can currently make written requests, called detainers, to local authorities to hold an individual in custody for an additional 48 hours after a release date so ICE has extra time to take the person into custody for deportation proceedings. But local cooperation with ICE has been a highly contentious issue, and civil rights groups have said the detainer policy often violates Fourth Amendment rights. Republicans have tried to get the Senate to take up the Houses Laken Riley Act, but quick consideration was blocked last week by Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. In response, Sen. Ted Budd, R-N.C., said the Democratic Partys commitment to open borders is causing otherwise preventable tragedies to occur again and again. Meanwhile, it was unclear whether the Senates Democratic leadership would advance the proposal that was introduced Thursday. Murphy said in a statement that it would actually fix one of the problems facing our immigration system, rather than serve as a messaging tool to demonize immigrants. Hanna Gangwish of Bellwood has been selected to attend American Legion Auxiliary Cornhusker Girls State June 2-8, 2024, on the campus of the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. Gangwish was selected based on criteria of the American Legion Auxiliary. Gangwish will study local, county and state government processes in this nonpartisan political learning experience. Every spring, the American Legion Auxiliary Girl State Program provides approximately 25,000 young women with a hands-on education opportunity designed to instruct tomorrows leaders in the privileges and duties of responsible citizenship. Delegates receive special instructions in parliamentary procedures and organize themselves into two mythical political parties. They campaign, hold rallies, debate and ultimately vote to elect city, county and state offices. Once elected to office, delegate are sworn in and preform their prescribed duties. Citizens not elected to office are given appointments and will attend meetings with the offices of their elected or appointed counterparts in actual state, country and city government. Two outstanding citizens, known as Senators, are selected at each of the 50 Girl State sessions held across the country to represent their state at American Legion Auxiliary Girls Nation held in Washington, D.C., in July. Founded in 1919, The American Legion Auxiliary is the worlds largest patriotic womens service organization. With a membership of nearly 850,000 local Auxiliary units have a presence in more then 9,500 communities nationwide. The Auxiliarys mission to serve veterans, their families, and their communities is carried out through its hundreds of outreach programs delivered by its members, volunteers and national headquarters. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., shakes hands with Bernie Bluestein while presenting the Congressional Gold Medal at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. on March 21, 2024, during a ceremony recognizing the service of World War II Ghost Army veterans. Honored at the event along with Bluestein were Seymour Nussenbaum, seated in the wheelchair at left, and John Christman, standing second from left. (Carlos Bongioanni/Stars and Stripes) WASHINGTON Eighty years after they used elaborate trickery to deceive enemy armies about the true size and location of American forces, the surviving members of World War IIs Ghost Army soaked up the appreciation of a nation on Thursday as they received the Congressional Gold Medal. Two counterfeit designers 100-year-old Bernie Bluestein of Hoffman Estates, Ill., and 100-year-old Seymour Nussenbaum of Monroe Township, N.J. as well as a demolition specialist, 99-year-old John Christman of Leesburg, N.J., accepted Congress highest award on behalf of the 1,300 men who comprised two clandestine units tasked with fooling Hitlers forces and their allies. Collectively known as the Ghost Army, the units harnessed their imaginations and artistic talents to stage more than 20 full-scale deception campaigns, featuring inflatable tanks, trucks and airplanes, prerecorded tracks of troops in action, fake radio transmissions and other masquerading tactics. The soldiers recruited for the Ghost Army were not only men of muscle, they were also men of the mind, said Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass. They were creative, original thinkers who used engineering, art, architecture and advertising to wage battle with the enemy. Their weapons were unconventional, but their patriotism was unquestionable. The 23rd Headquarters Special Troops carried out ruses close to the front, including in France, Luxembourg, Belgium and Germany, while the 200-member 3133rd Signal Service Company pulled off two illusions in Italy. Their deceptive warfare saved an estimated 15,000 to 30,000 American lives. A replica of the Congressional Gold Medal is displayed at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on March 21, 2024, during a ceremony to honor veterans who served with the World War II Ghost Army. (Carlos Bongioanni/Stars and Stripes) Bernie Bluestein speaks of his time with the Ghost Army, a World War II unit whose members were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on March 21, 2024. (Carlos Bongioanni/Stars and Stripes) John Christman holds a Congressional Gold Medal and a coin from the Office of the Secretary of the Army before a special ceremony honoring World War II Ghost Army veterans on March 21, 2024. (Henry Villarama/U.S. Army) Bernie Bluestein, 100, holds his Congressional Gold Medal before a special ceremony honoring World War II Ghost Army veterans on March 21, 2024. (Henry Villarama/U.S. Army) WWII veteran Seymour Nussenbaum, a member of the Ghost Army, is honored at a Congressional Gold Medal ceremony on March 21. 2024. (Gianna Gronowski/Stars and Stripes) Gen. Randy A. George, Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army, greets John Christman before a special ceremony honoring World War II Ghost Army veterans on March 21, 2024. (Henry Villarama/U.S. Army) But that accomplishment, and the Ghost Armys very existence, remained shrouded in secrecy for decades. The Army waited 30 years after World War II to write a report detailing the groups exploits and only declassified the document in 1996. Part of the delay was by design, said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. Whether the men of the Ghost Army knew it or not, they had developed top secret ways to help preserve peace through the ensuing Cold War. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., held up the Armys declassified report to the audience gathered for the medal ceremony at the Capitol Visitor Centers Emancipation Hall. He pointed to a particularly striking sentence on page 51: Rarely, if ever, has there existed a group of such few men, which had so great an influence on the outcome of a major military campaign. The Ghost Armys most impressive deception operation, and its final performance on the battlefields of Europe, came in March 1945. During the critical Rhine River campaign to advance into Germany, the group posed as two Ninth Army divisions a 40,000-man force and set up 10 miles south of where the actual divisions were to cross the river. Seymour Nussenbaum listens to a well-wisher after he and fellow members of the World War II Ghost Army were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on March 21, 2024. (Carlos Bongioanni/Stars and Stripes) John Christman speaks with a well-wisher after he and fellow members of the World War II Ghost Army were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on March 21, 2024. (Carlos Bongioanni/Stars and Stripes) Senior military personnel attend a Congressional Gold Medal ceremony at the U.S. Capitol on March 21, 2024. (Carlos Bongioanni/Stars and Stripes) Hundreds of people attend a Congressional Gold Medal ceremony at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on March 21, 2024, to honor members of the World War II Ghost Army. (Carlos Bongioanni/Stars and Stripes) To impersonate the much bigger force, the Ghost Army inflated hundreds of dummy vehicles, sent out misleading radio messages about the movements of American troops and used loudspeakers to blare sounds of soldiers building pontoon boats. The charade tricked the Germans into firing on the 23rds divisions while the Ninth Army made the river crossing with nominal resistance and minimal casualties. Four members of the Ghost Army died over the course of the war. When our troops were near, this group made the enemy believe we were far away and when we were small, they made the enemy believe we were much larger, Johnson said. The presentation of the Congressional Gold Medal marked the culmination of a nine-year grassroots lobbying effort by volunteers with the nonprofit Ghost Army Legacy Project to give the Ghost Army its due. More than two-thirds of both congressional chambers co-sponsored legislation to award the medal, and President Joe Biden authorized it in 2022. Rick Beyer, president of the board for the Ghost Army Legacy Project, speaks during a ceremony to honor veterans who served with the World War II Ghost Army on March 21, 2024. (Gianna Gronowski/Stars and Stripes) Rick Beyer, the president of the projects board, said the Ghost Army veterans he spoke to downplayed the impact they had on the war and shied away from being called heroes, believing such praise should be reserved for the infantry men and tankers who bore the brunt of fighting. When the Ghost Army soldiers were landing at Omaha Beach, when they were setting up inflatables in the rain, near the front line in Brest, when they were freezing in the snows outside of Bastogne or drawing fire on the Gothic Line in Italy, they would have been shocked by the idea that 80 years later, a grateful nation would honor them in this way, he said. Bluestein, who specialized in fake signs and vehicle stencils, said Thursday that he was very proud and happy to receive the medal and expressed gratitude for the yearslong effort to let the world know we did exist. But he also lamented afterward that it was a pity so few of his comrades were alive to enjoy the honor with him. There are seven known surviving members of the Ghost Army. Many of the groups members were recruited from art schools, advertising agencies and communications companies and went on to have successful careers in creative fields after the war. Some of the most well-known former members include fashion designer Bill Blass and painter Ellsworth Kelly. The Ghost Armys legacy continues to be felt within the U.S. Army and beyond, said Army Secretary Christine Wormuth. Ukrainians have notably used decoys resembling advanced U.S. rocket systems to trick Russian forces into firing on dummy targets. Wormuth noted that modern technology has changed the art of subterfuge but said the techniques employed by the Ghost Army are still being passed on to American troops serving today. We teach our Army planners that the cornerstone of what we now call military deception operations is the story, she said. And the Ghost Army were master storytellers. Rep. Derrick Van Orden, R-Minn., lashed out at Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin after no Pentagon officials showed up to testify at a House hearing about changes proposed for the transition assistance program, called TAP, that is mandated for exiting military members. (Carlos Bongioanni/Stars and Stripes) WASHINGTON Saying he was sick and tired of getting lip service from the Department of Defense about our veterans, Rep. Derrick Van Orden, R-Minn., lashed out at Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin after no Pentagon officials showed up to testify at a House hearing Wednesday about changes proposed for the transition assistance program, called TAP, that is mandated for exiting military members. You have over 2 million service men and women that are underneath your purview, and you could not send one person here to show these veterans that you actually care about them and that you actually care about the active-duty service men and women, said Van Orden, who chairs the House Veterans Affairs subcommittee on economic opportunity. The panel heard testimony Wednesday about reforms proposed for the program operated by the Defense Department. TAP provides service members with information about jobs, education and benefits in their final months of military duty. Van Orden at the start of the hearing noted the absence of representatives from the Defense Department without full explanation, noting that the department declined to send a representative. He expressed anger and frustration later about lawmakers inability to receive feedback from the Defense Department on proposed changes the committee is considering for a military-to-civilian transition program that it operates. Under the TAP Reform Act, military members would be provided with one-on-one counselors who would help guide them through the resources available to them. Van Orden, a retired Navy SEAL, said that the TAP program in its current format often fails to address the needs of service members entering civilian life. He said that veterans are at the greatest risk of dying by suicide in their first 12 to 24 months of leaving military service. We are not equipping them well enough before they leave the military, he said. Van Orden also suggested that there may be a perception by defense officials that improving TAP could compel service members to end military service sooner for opportunities in civilian life. Providing a good transition and off-ramp to the civilian community does not encourage people to getting out of the military earlier, Van Orden said in closing statements at a subcommittee hearing that looked at proposed reforms, along with several other pieces of legislation to benefit veterans. Knock it off and show up, Mr. Secretary, Van Orden said, turning to Rep. Mike Levin, D-Calif., ranking member of the committee, for his agreement. The ranking member and I would like to extend a formal invitation to the secretary of defense to take one of those chairs and explain to us why he apparently doesnt care enough about the transition assistance program to send at least one of his subordinates, Van Orden said. Levin echoed the concerns. I share the chairmans frustration that we havent gotten the time and attention of DOD on TAP, and Ive been at this now for five years, Levin said. We keep at it, though, and we just have to continue to collectively request their participation. I certainly share the sentiment. In response to a question about why the Defense Department did not send a representative to the hearing, the Pentagon said in a statement Thursday: The Department of Defense provided the committee a view on their legislative proposals. Taking care of our people, including through their transition out of military service, is a top priority for the Secretary, and the Department continues to work with the Committee on the transition assistance program. Veterans advocates who testified largely supported the changes in the bill but said that commanders often need encouragement to emphasize attendance. Van Orden said that there needs to be language for accountability in the program, so that officers are held responsible for attendance. This needs to be part of an officers evaluation for their troops going to TAPs, he said. Levin suggested that TAP should be moved from the Defense Department to the jurisdiction of the House Veterans Affairs Committee. Rep. Morgan McGarvey, D-Ky., said it is important that TAP is not a recitation of resources without context, which he described as death by PowerPoint. Marquis Barefield, assistant national legislative director at the Disabled American Veterans, said he hears from members that they need a more thorough explanation of benefits, including for education, and more guidance about how to best to use them. As it is now, the TAP program does not give enough time for those full discussions, he said. Billy Whyde was a petty officer in the Navy during the Vietnam War. Whyde, who is from Ohio, served aboard vessels that transported Marines in Vietnam. He has received denial letters for his disability claims related to exposure to Agent Orange. Whyde is shown in September 1972 in Vietnam aboard a vessel that moved troops and equipment. (Jeremy Bert) WASHINGTON Billy Whyde, a Navy veteran in Columbus, Ohio, has filed five disability claims in 15 months with the Department of Veterans Affairs for a chronic neurological condition he said he developed after exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam. But the VA rejected every claim for disability compensation related to his diagnosis of central nervous system vasculitis, a rare disorder that causes swelling in his spine and brain. Adding insult to injury are the lengthy denial letters the VA sends about the status of his claims and his rights for appeal, he said. The letters are 10 to 20 pages with legal explanations that are hard to follow and understand. Look, I am 71 years old and having problems because of my disease. The average, everyday veteran like me gets lost in the legal terminology. It feels like Ive been kicked in the teeth, said Whyde, who was a petty officer who served from 1969-1973, including deployments in the Philippines, Japan and Vietnam. The challenges that Whyde and many disabled veterans face trying to decipher VA notification letters which communicate decisions for disability compensation and health care are a focus of House lawmakers who urged the VA to simplify the language. The letters have critical instructions that veterans must follow to collect benefits, appeal denials or complete a pending claim. These letters from the Department of Veterans Affairs are often unclear and confusing puzzles that only lawyers can read, Rep. Morgan Luttrell, R-Texas, said at a hearing Wednesday of the House Veterans Affairs subcommittee on disability assistance and memorial affairs. The hearing examined complaints and concerns by veterans about the lengthy citations of federal regulations and laws included in the letters. Veterans groups, including the Disabled American Veterans and the National Organization of Veterans Advocates, told lawmakers that veterans often panic after receiving a letter and decide not to pursue a claim. Luttrell, a retired Navy SEAL and chairman of the panel, admitted to struggling over the VAs decision letters regarding his own disabilities. He asked VA officials to put the letters into plain language. The notice letters are supposed to be easy to understand, but the directions are like walking through a maze, Luttrell said. The Government Accountability Office has documented problems with clarity in the notification letters for several years, said Rep. Chris Pappas, D-N.H. Although there have been improvements, more needs to be done, he said. Lawmakers discussed how the VA needs to better balance the legal information required in notification letters with clear messages and instructions. Brian Griffin, deputy chief counsel at the VA, said that the notification letters do get litigated, so the agency is careful to provide legal explanations for its decisions. Another issue, according to Rep. Morgan McGarvey, D-Ky., is about reports of mistakes in letters, and he questioned the accuracy of automated decision technology that the VA is using. Beth Murphy, senior principal adviser for compensation service at the Veterans Benefits Administration, defended the computerized support, saying it is used for compiling information from veterans files for staff to make decisions. Diane Boyd Rauber, director of the National Organization of Veterans Advocates, said that information for how to file appeals often is buried in decision letters. She also said mistakes are common, citing the case of a veteran asked by the VA to submit an additional form after he filed a claim for disability benefits. Upon receipt of the completed form, the VA inquired about the whereabouts of his original claim, which he had to file again. Luttrell criticized VA officials for mismanagement and lack of oversight. This issue should not be in front of this committee. It should have been handled at lower levels, Luttrell said. He urged the VA to resolve the issue and return to his committee in 30 days with a report. In Whydes case, he said that he resubmits claims for the same condition based on instructions in a VA letter only to receive another denial with a new set of instructions to file again. He is now appealing the denials, a process he is told could take years. My disease could kill me before my claim is resolved. It simply becomes a closed case then, with no fault of the VA, Whyde said. The Foreign Office has shed light on the operation the security forces conducted in the Pakistan-Afghanistan border areas less than a week ago. At her weekly media briefing, FO spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that on March 18, Pakistan conducted an intelligence-based operation on the Pak-Afghan border whose target was terrorists associated with the Hafiz Gul Bahadur group. "The attacks did not target the civilian population of Afghanistan," she clarified, adding that the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan terrorists have been responsible for many killings in Pakistan. Ms Baloch further stressed that the March 18 operation was not against the Afghan people, institutions, or the government. "We respect the regional security and sovereignty of Afghanistan," she stated, adding that the country was ready to work together for a joint solution to the problems. The spokesperson also stressed that Pakistan will not tolerate terrorist acts on its soil, adding that a protest communique was also sent to Afghanistan over the terrorist attack. "Pakistan has provided evidence of the presence of terrorists in Afghanistan many times. According to our latest information, the Afghan border is peaceful," she added. Ms Baloch further said that when information is shared by Afghanistan, only then can Pakistan comment on it. "Pakistan has always been sending messages to Afghanistan regarding joint counter-terrorism measures," she emphasised. On the global front, the FO spokesperson reiterated that Pakistan was deeply concerned about the massacre in Gaza, and strongly condemned the Israeli attacks on the Al-Shifa Hospital, where she says women and children, who had taken refuge, were subjected to atrocities. "Israel's attacks on Palestinian citizens are war crimes and attacks on Gaza against the orders of the International Court of Justice," she stressed, adding that targeting innocent civilians falls under the category of war crimes. The United Nations should press Israel for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the Foreign Office spokesman demanded. Furthermore, Ms Baloch condemned that India had banned 14 political parties in the held-Kashmir and muzzled freedom of expression. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has underscored the pivotal role of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) in fostering foreign investment, during his address to the SIFC's Apex Committee meeting in Islamabad on Thursday. Highlighting the SIFC as a cornerstone of Pakistan's comprehensive strategy for economic recovery, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized the imperative of addressing the nation's current economic challenges and crises. "The SIFC has a key role in removing obstacles in the way of foreign investment. It is a manifestation of the country's comprehensive strategy of 'economic recovery'. Pakistan has to get rid of the current economic problems and crises," he stressed at the conclusion of the Apex Committee meeting. Expressing his determination to pave the way for increased foreign investment in Pakistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif outlined the council's aim to promote the concepts of 'one government' and 'collective government' to facilitate investment projects and accelerate their implementation across the country. "The implementation of investment projects in the country will be accelerated," Shehbaz stressed. Lauding the "extraordinary efforts" of the military leadership in ensuring the success of the platform and attracting foreign investors through streamlined processes, Prime Minister Sharif acknowledged the provision of a 'single window' facility to investors from foreign countries. Furthermore, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif highlighted the importance of fostering cooperation between the federal and provincial governments under this initiative. He highlighted that the Apex Committee worked effectively and efficiently during the caretaker government also. PM Sharif said it was a welcome development for everyone to come together to deal with the economic challenges facing the country. "In the current situation, it is the need of the hour for everyone to sit together," he stressed. He called the platform "very important" for economic development and foreign investment. The introductory meeting of the committee was attended by federal ministers and the military leadership, including army chief Gen Asim Munir, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur. Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed all the participants for attending the meeting, with special gratitude expressed to the chief ministers. Former caretaker prime minister Anwarul Haq Kakar and his cabinet also attended the meeting and briefed the committee on the steps they took under the SIFC, as per sources. The meeting also reviewed progress on the projects launched so far for the promotion of foreign investment. The country's overall economic and national security situation was also discussed in the meeting, the sources added. The meeting was also likely to consider investment opportunities in the country and the interest from friendly countries. It should be noted that the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) is also playing an important role in harmonizing the financial expenses of the federal government and the provinces. With an estimated allocation of Rs1 trillion in federal funding, the council is facilitating subsidies and projects falling within provincial jurisdiction. These encompass critical initiatives such as the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP), the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP), as well as investments in higher education, electricity provision for tube wells, and fertilizer subsidies. The long-term goal of SIFC's efforts is to reduce financial strains on the federal government while ensuring optimal utilization of funds at the provincial level. The NA-207 seat fall vacant after her father Asif Ali Zardari was elected as the President of Pakistan. Peoples Partys legal team, comprised of Farooq H. Naek and Sindhs ministers of law, home department and jails reached to the office of the RO for scrutiny of nomination papers. The returning officer (RO) conducted scrutiny and approved the papers before the PPPs legal team. Aseefa Bhutto had submitted her nomination form to returning officer of the NA-207 constituency, Sher Ali Jamali. The youngest daughter of President Zardari, first time contesting for a public office in the by election. The PPP leadership has instructed party leaders to launch the election campaign of Aseefa Bhutto. Asif Zardari on March 09 sworn in as the countrys 14th head of state after he swept the presidential election bagging 411 electoral votes. Aseefa had actively been involved in PPPs electoral campaign in the run-up to the February 8 general elections and was seen leading various rallies in a bid to seek voters support. Keith Byrne denies murdering mother-of-one Kirsty Ward (36) who was found dead at a hotel in Salou. A 31-year-old Irishman who was arrested for the suspected homicide of his south Dublin girlfriend in a Spanish hotel last July remains on remand in a Spanish jail. Keith Byrne denies murdering mother-of-one Kirsty Ward (36) from Balinteer, south Dublin, who was found dead at the Hotel Magnolia Salou at around 9.30pm on Sunday July 2. The couple had been on holiday together and she died as a result of strangulation Dubliner Mr Byrne, who had been living Duleek, Co Meath, has been in custody since he was arrested on the night of Kirstys death which is the subject of an ongoing major investigation by prosecutors at the Superior Court of Justice of Catalonia based in Barcelona. The Sunday World has learned that as part of their investigations, Spanish prosecutors intend to interview at least two of Mr Byrnes former partners who may be able to assist the case by giving background information about the chief suspect. One of these women previously claimed in an interview with the Irish Independent that Mr Byrne had tried to strangle her in an incident at a property in Co Meath a number of years ago. When contacted a spokesperson at the superior court said: The Salou crime case continues its investigation, for homicide, in the violence against women court of Tarragona. The case remains open and they are taking the necessary steps to advance the investigation. The investigated person remains in provisional prison. The spokesperson was unable to say when Mr Byrne will next appear in court. It may take additional months before a judge decides what formal charges should be preferred in the case. The judicial procedure in Spain is for prosecutors to investigate cases once investigative files are handed over to them by the local police force. In this case Ms Wards homicide was initially investigated by the Mossos d'Esquadra police force who told the Irish Independent in a statement that they arrested the alleged suspect and he was brought to justice. In the aftermath of the murder, Mr Byrne was remanded in custody after he appeared before a special court in Tarragona that deals with violence against women in a closed hearing. Keith Byrne Just over a week later he claimed that he had no involvement in Ms Wards death in a video shot in his prison cell. In the video in which he addressed a number of family members and friends directly, Mr Byrne said: Obviously you know that I didnt do it because (inaudible) found the girl dead, he said. The truth will come out, he said before claiming that Ms Ward was dead for a number of hours before he found her. And then the newspapers will all eat their words but listen I love you all very much and just keep this video because everyone will watch it. I love you right, with all my heart, Mr Byrne continued. The video ends with Mr Byrne blowing a kiss and saying see ye all soon. Earlier in the video, Mr Byrne spoke about the favourable conditions in the prison that he is being held in as well as saying how much he misses his family. Ms Wards funeral mass took place later last July after her body was repatriated to Ireland with the help of the Kevin Bell repatriation trust. Kirsty Ward Her mother Jackie addressed mourners gathered at the Church of St John the Evangelist on July 20 last and said their lives were shattered when they heard about the tragic loss of Kirsty. In the weeks and months to come please dont be afraid to come to me to say hello, or to share a story about Kirsty and how you knew her. People have told us many lovely things and it would be great to listen to them again and hear what she means to you, she said. Everyone who has been in contact with us in the last couple of weeks is a testament to Kirsty, and who she was, and the mark she left in our lives. Adding that Kirsty was a wonderful mum, she continued: I hope to continue the great work she has done. To me, she was a fantastic friend as well as an adored daughter. She was a loving and caring sister, a treasured granddaughter, a much-loved cousin, a loyal and true friend, said Jackie. She is survived by her son Evan, parents Jackie and John, brother Ryan and sister Zoe and extended relatives and friends as well as colleagues at Glenview Medical Centre. Greetings from the Nebraska Legislature, were in the home stretch of our 60-day session. By the time of publishing, well be within 12 legislative days of Sine Die. Though, those legislative days are spread over 3 weeks with many recess days. Full-day debate on non-budget bills is scheduled to resume on day 51. Senator Hunts LB307 was passed to the Governor's desk to be signed into law on Feb. 29, however, Governor Pillen vetoed the bill. Senator Hunt made a motion to override Governor Pillens veto, however, it failed to reach the necessary 30 votes. LB307 would have allowed municipalities or counties to create a syringe service program to distribute clean hypodermic needles to members of the public of all ages. Later in the week, the body began discussing the budget bills LB1412 and LB1413. Debate on budget bills started late Tuesday, and must be passed by day 50. LB1412 was advanced to select file on the 13th after reaching a cloture vote, and LB1413 advanced to select file. LB1412 is the mid-biennium budget adjustment which makes adjustments to the budget which the Legislature passed last year. The Appropriations Committees preliminary budget adjustment included an increase in appropriations of $56.7 million. The bill also includes appropriations for all State Agencies and Departments. LB1412 also included provisions to move unused American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds into eligible programs such as child care agencies, increasing the daily rate for rural assisted-living facilities, and workforce development grants. LB1413 includes cash fund transfers which move funds already appropriated to a specific fund to another fund. One of the main provisions of LB1413 was a transfer of $70 million from the State Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund to the General Fund. On the 15th, Senator Sanders LB771 passed Final Reading with 45 votes. The bill would direct the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide grants relating to the US Defense POW/MIA Accounting agency for internships and academic programming to assist the Department of Veterans Affairs with its mission. Specifically, this program seeks to retrieve and identify the remains of individuals who gave their lives for our country. The bill also would make appropriations of $200,000 from the General Fund to the Department of Veterans affairs to distribute for these grants. Senator Brandts dark fiber bill, LB61, passed final reading on the 15th of March and will soon make it to the Governor's desk. Dark fiber refers to the unused strands in an underground fiber optic line. Currently, there are fiber optic lines across the state that are not entirely used. This bill creates a new streamlined process for the leasing of dark fiber to serve unserved areas of the state. As always, constituents are welcome to contact my office with any questions or thoughts on legislation impacting District 23. You can reach my office at 402-471-2719 or bbostelman@leg.ne.gov. Five years after the non-jury trial commenced, Mr Justice OHara returned not guilty verdicts against Colin Duffy and Henry Fitzsimons One of Northern Irelands longest-running trials concluded today with the acquittal of two men charged with terrorism offences. Five years after the non-jury trial commenced, Mr Justice OHara returned not guilty verdicts against Colin Duffy and Henry Fitzsimons. As he delivered his judgement at Belfast Crown Court, the senior judge ruled that covert recordings which formed the heart of the Crowns case did not meet the standard to secure convictions. Lurgan man Colin Duffy (56), whose address was given as HMP Maghaberry, and Fitzsimons (56), from Dunmore Mews in Belfast, were charged with offences arising from a gun attack on a police convoy in the Ardoyne area of north Belfast on December 5, 2013. The charges included preparing and directing terrorism and membership or professing to be members of the IRA, whilst Mr Fitzsimons was also charged with attempting to murder police in the convoy on December 6, 2013, and possessing the two AK-47 assault rifles and ammunition. The day after the shooting, a total of 14 covert devices secretly recorded a conversation between three men in the Lurgan Park areas of the Co Armagh town. The discussion concerned the gun attack which took place the night before, as well as a future operation, and it was the Crowns case that Mr Fitzsimons and Mr Duffy were two of the three men recorded. Henry Fitzsimons The prosecution contended that the names Collie and Harry could be heard on the audio. Other parts of the Crowns evidence was the presence of a silver Lexus, which was the same make and model as Mr Fitzsimons car and which was in Lurgan at the appropriate times. During the trial, several experts were called to give evidence about the audio recordings, which were also carefully considered by Mr Justice OHara. As he gave his ruling today, the judge said it would be unsafe to reply on his own impression of the audio evidence given the clear warnings from the experts for both the Crown and defence. Colin Duffy Mr Justice OHara said: In light of this conclusion I cannot say that I am satisfied to the requisite standard that the audio evidence proves that either Fitzsimons or Duffy was in the lane in Lurgan Park on the afternoon of December 6, 2013. The reasonable and legitimate suspicions raised about their presence and their intent from other evidence are not enough to form the basis of a conviction of either of them. In these circumstances, I find both defendants not guilty on all charges. More to follow. Ann Byrne (57) was served with the book of evidence when she appeared on bail before Blanchardstown District Court Ann Byrne, Shancastle Avenue in Clondalkin, was allegedly caught with large quantities of the drug A Dublin woman allegedly caught with large quantities of cocaine following a garda search of her home has been sent forward for trial. Ann Byrne (57) was served with the book of evidence when she appeared on bail before Blanchardstown District Court. The accused, of Shancastle Avenue in Clondalkin, is charged with possession of cannabis at her home on June 25, 2021. She is also charged with possession of cocaine as well as having the drug for the purposes of sale or supply at the same location and date. The court heard that Ms Byrne was facing trial in the Circuit Court, which has greater sentencing powers, after the allegations were ruled to be too serious for the district court. State solicitor Paul Bond said that the book of evidence was ready and had been served on the accused, who goes forward to the present sittings of Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Judge David McHugh gave Ms Byrne the formal alibi caution, warning her she had 14 days to provide to the State details of anyone she proposed calling as a witness in her defence. The judge assigned defence solicitor John Shanley and one junior counsel on free legal aid. Judge McHugh further ordered that a video copy of an interview that gardai conducted with Ms Byrne be provided to her lawyers. Ms Byrne has not yet indicated a plea to the charges. The accused was remanded on bail to appear before a court in the Criminal Courts of Justice later today. Scott was jailed for life for the murder of Sylvia Fleming, with a minimum tariff of at least 19 years to be served in jail A thoroughly evil killer who murdered and dismembered his pregnant girlfriend more than 20 years ago was handed a 12-month sentence on Wednesday for firearms offences. Jailing Stephen Peter Scott, Judge Patrick Lynch KC told the 52-year-old that as a life-sentenced prisoner, it was incumbent on you to make sure that you behaved yourself within the ambit of the law. He said although it was accepted by the PPS and police that he had an air pistol and ammunition not for any malicious or sinister purpose, the case still merited a jail sentence, which he ordered to run from yesterday. Standing in the dock of Craigavon Crown Court, Scott entered guilty pleas to two charges of breaching a prohibition on possessing firearms and ammunition on March 25 last year. Prosecuting counsel Joseph Murphy told the court that on April 5, 2000, Scott was jailed for life for the murder of Sylvia Fleming, with a minimum tariff of at least 19 years to be served in jail. Giving a brief synopsis of that case, the lawyer outlined how 17-year-old Sylvia was pregnant when she was murdered and her body dismembered in Omagh in 1998 by fireman-turned-bodybuilder Scott. Sylvia Fleming When he was caged in 2000, the judge told him: "The manner in which her body was disposed of after her murder is surely the most gruesome. "I am satisfied that you not only deliberately killed this young girl, but that you planned that killing and carried it out in circumstances so squalid that they would revolt any right-thinking person." Mr Murphy described how the firearms offences arose after a police search at a farm on the Garvaghy Road in Dromara, Co Down, where Scott had been working as a labourer. Cops uncovered an air pistol, firearm parts including a trigger assembly, shotgun stock, a small laser sight, airsoft guns and ball bearings and a large quantity of shotgun cartridges. Police confirmed that the farm owner did not hold a firearms certificate, but relied on friends and neighbours to help control vermin on the farm, said Mr Murphy adding officers also uncovered books on how to build your own gun. Scott, he told the court, was co-operative throughout and admitted during police interviews he had obtained each of the items to control vermin on the farm, but that none were powerful enough so he had obtained the books with a view to build his own firearm, not realising he was putting himself in breach of his prison release licence. The main aggravating feature is that the defendant has a conviction for the ultimate crime of violence, Mr Murphy said. And while the circumstances where he had the firearm and ammunition may not give rise to direct concerns, nevertheless this is an offender who has a conviction for a brutal murder. Defence counsel Patrick Taylor emphasised how there was no malicious intent behind his possession of these items, however, given his conviction for the ultimate crime of violence, the fact that he had these items is necessarily red-flagged. He told the court that since Scotts release he had rebuilt a life for himself and had been working 12-hour days on the farm, with the owners wife commenting that theyd need three men to replace him. The court heard the deceased's mother, who has attended every court date, "wants to see an end" to the matter. Almost 16 years after innocent rugby player Shane Geoghegan was shot dead in a case of mistaken identity, the Limerick gangster who ordered the hit, John Dundon, has been accused of a "cynical ploy" after he sacked his lawyers and asked for an adjournment of an appeal against his murder conviction. After the Court of Appeal granted an application for Dundon's lawyers to withdraw from the case, Dundon told the three-judge court that he discharged his lawyers after discovering last Tuesday that they were unable to advance a ground of appeal that had been identified in recent months. He said he didn't want to go into detail about the additional ground of appeal but said it related to things that were not disclosed to him ahead of his trial and that he was told did not exist but he is now in a position to prove did exist. He said he had instructed his legal team to raise the ground of appeal but decided to discharge them when he claimed he was told they "hadn't done it properly". Shane Geoghegan Sean Guerin SC, for the Director of Public Prosecutions, said Dundon was engaging in a "cynical ploy" and that he had used a similar tactic at his trial in 2013. Counsel said disclosure was carried out in full and the director is "adamant" it can meet any complaint regarding disclosure. He said the director is anxious to get on with the case and the deceased's mother, who has attended every court date, "wants to see an end" to the matter. Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy said Dundon had "gone through several sets of competent lawyers" and that the latest dismissal "must raise an issue of good faith". Mr Justice John Edwards, presiding, granted the application for an adjournment but warned that Dundon must instruct his new lawyers at the earliest opportunity and they must complete all necessary paperwork by April 8. The appeal hearing will take place on April 22 and Mr Justice Edwards said the court would "not entertain any further applications for adjournment barring exceptional and unforeseen circumstances." Dundon (41) formerly of Hyde Road in Limerick, was convicted at the Special Criminal Court in 2013 of ordering the hit that killed the 28-year-old Mr Geoghegan near the victim's home at Clonmore, Kilteragh, Dooradoyle on November 9, 2008. He is serving a life sentence. Mr Geoghegan played rugby for Garryowen in Limerick and had been watching an Ireland international game at a friend's house before heading home shortly before 1am. He had just texted his girlfriend Jenna Barry to say he was on his way when Ms Barry heard shots being fired outside. Mr Geoghan was shot five times with a Glock semi-automatic pistol. The fatal shot was to the back of the head. It was the States case that Mr Geoghegan was the unintended victim of a shooting that was meant for another man and was ordered by John Dundon. Key prosecution witness April Collins gave evidence that John Dundon ordered gunman Barry Doyle to kill the other man. Doyle (38) admitted during garda interviews that he shot Mr Geoghegan in a case of mistaken identity. However Doyle, of Portland Row in Dublin 1, later pleaded not guilty at trial to the murder of Mr Geoghegan. He was found guilty by a jury at the Central Criminal Court and was given the mandatory life sentence by Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan on February 16, 2012. It emerged during a High Court hearing today Walsh is out of prison but is not apparently back at the house at Wheatfield Avenue. KINAHAN weapons cache caretaker James Walsh has been freed from prison after serving an eight-year sentence for possessing the guns. But he wont be moving back to his home in Clondalkin any time soon which is the target of the Criminal Assets Bureau. It emerged during a High Court hearing today Walsh is out of prison but is not apparently back at the house at Wheatfield Avenue. His ex-wife, Lisa OHara, who was also convicted of her role in money laundering gangland cash, is also listed in the CAB case. It was heard that a sale of the property is possibly on the cards and permission was given to allow lawyers seek a motion to let the sale to go ahead later in the week. A hearing to allow Ms OHara apply for free legal aid in her fight with CAB was due to go head, but was withdrawn. The house had been on the verge of being sold last year for 340,000 but the sale was not completed. Last November CAB were set to allow the sale of the former couples home to go ahead, and the money be held by a solicitor But then in December it emerged the planned sale fell through, and Judge Alex Owens agreed to revert to the previous interim order to prevent the property being sold. Lisa O'Hara The house was the scene of garda searches in 2017 following a raid at Greenogue Business Park, Rathcoole as gardai acted on information from their British colleagues investigating Thomas Bomber Kavanaghs drugs gang. Walsh, who was not represented in court this week, was previously convicted of his role in a weapons stash organised by Bomber Kavanagh in 2016. Also convicted over the lethal underworld armoury was key Cartel man Declan Brady aka Mr Nobody and Jonathan Rocket Man Harding. Walsh also pleaded guilty in July 2021 at the non-jury Special Criminal Court to laundering 62,000 in crime cash. Walsh (39) and his former partner Lisa OHara had both been charged with a total of 44 money laundering offences, which include using crime cash for a deposit on a house. He was also charged with stashing 19,000 in a wardrobe at his home. OHara given a suspended sentence, after pleading guilty to multiple counts of laundering more than 100,000 that was the proceeds of crime. The Special Criminal Court found that she didn't know where the money came from but was reckless in not asking questions of her then partner and father of her child. James Walsh When the gardai had raided their home they also found financial documents which showed 136,000 had been lodged in various bank and credit union accounts over a three-year period. It included a 60,000 cash deposit on the house and another 62,000 in cash paid to a builder for renovations on the house. Walsh, was serving an eight-year sentence for the weapons offences when he was given another sentence of four years and nine months for money laundering. O'Hara, who had never been in trouble before, said she presumed Walsh worked every day like she did. The raid at Greenogue Business Park in Rathcoole came at the height of the Hutch-Kinahan feud in January 2017. Walsh was standing in the reception area of the industrial unit where gardai found 15 firearms, including an AK47, and 1,300 rounds of ammunition. Mr Carroll (66) of Brookway, Clonmel, County Tipperary, was charged with murdering Mr OMahony (84) Thomas Carroll was charged with the murder of Patrick O'Mahony in Tralee Court today. Photo: Domnick Walsh. Thomas Carroll, who is accused of the murder in late February of Castlemaine man Paddy OMahony Snr is no longer in state custody after bail was finalised in Tralee District Court this week. Mr Carroll (66) of Brookway, Clonmel, County Tipperary, was charged with murdering Mr OMahony (84) on Saturday, February 24, at Mr OMahonys home in Ballyraemeen Upper. Mr Carroll is represented by Kerry solicitor Pat Mann. Mr Mann and his legal team lodged a bail application in the High Court, which was granted last week. An independent surety of 20,000 was sought and Jim Cahill appeared in Tralee District Court this week to confirm he had lodged the money for Mr Carroll to get bail. The late Paddy O'Mahony Judge David Waters asked Mr Cahill did he understand that if Mr Carroll did not comply with the bail terms or does not attend court that bail would be removed and Mr Cahill would lose the money. "I understand that, he told the told the court. Mr Carroll lodged his own bond of 7,000 for bail. The case has now been adjourned to April 17 for mention for the book of evidence. Mr Carroll does not have to attend unless the book of evidence is ready. Mr Carroll, a former soldier, first appeared before Tralee District Court on February 28 after he was formally charged that morning with the murder of Mr OMahony, also a former soldier. Mr OMahony, a father of five, was a firearms expert, collector, and dealer, and he was among the best-known figures within the Irish target-shooting scene. 14 packages of cannabis worth around 200,000 were found in the car, and the remaining 300,000 worth of drugs were discovered in the warehouse. A man who went to collect insulation pallets containing over half a million euros worth of cannabis discovered he couldnt fit them all in his rented car, a court has heard. Dominik Golebiowski (30) of Krakow in Poland pleaded guilty to possessing the drugs for sale or supply after he was stopped by gardai at the Dublin Port toll plaza last July 5th. He was sentenced to five and a half years in prison today at a sitting of Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Detective Garda Patrick Hearne told George Burns BL, prosecuting, that the offence came to light after a detective dog found the drugs at a logistics warehouse in Co Dublin. Customs and excise officers were searching a warehouse at Dachser Ireland, Blackchurch Business Park, Rathcoole, when the dog indicated the presence of drugs in a consignment. The consignment was brought back to Customs in Dublin Port, where concealed cannabis was found cut into ten insulation sheets. The following day, an employee in Dacsher's logistics section received a call from someone with poor English who needed directions to the warehouse to collect the insulation pallets. The staff member gave this man the Eircode, and when he arrived, he signed for the consignment and produced a false Polish ID card. This man, the accused, was then told that the insulation pallets were 7ft high and wouldnt fit in his white Tuscon hatchback. Golebiowski replied that he would take what he could and come back for the rest. He managed to fit four insulation sheets into the car and was later interrupted by gardai at Dublin Port. Gardai searched the rented car and found two iPhones with Dutch numbers and an Alcatel phone. 14 packages of cannabis worth around 200,000 were found in the car, and the remaining 300,000 worth of drugs were discovered in the warehouse. In total, gardai seized over 25 kg of cannabis valued at 505,340. Golebiowski gave his correct name and address and said his ID was fake, but his passport was real. He told gardai on arrest that he had arrived in Ireland ten days earlier from Brussels and that the iPhones were his. He said he was not under pressure or in fear, adding, No, Im not afraid. CCTV footage from Dublin Airport showed Golebiowski picking up the rental car from a company on July 6th. Golebiowski has no previous convictions. Gda Hearne agreed with Diarmaid McGuinness SC, defending that the accused was lower on the chain of culpability than others involved and had effectively been a transporter of the drugs. Mr McGuinness said Golebiowski deeply regrets his involvement and, although he was not necessarily aware of the full scale of the operation, takes full responsibility for his role. Golebiowski worked as a chef in Krakow, and his mother, sister, and fiancee wrote letters on his behalf which were handed into the court. The court heard his mother is seriously ill. Judge Martin Nolan said Golebiowksi was a vital cog in the wheel but had no record and was unlikely to re-offend. He described the accused as a good family man and noted that as a Polish man with limited English, he will find it harder in an Irish prison. The sentence was backdated to July 5 last. The 59-year-old man, who can't be named to protect the anonymity of his victim, was arrested when he came home after living abroad for decades A man who sexually abused his cousin more than 40 years ago was arrested when he came back to Ireland to visit relatives last year. The 59-year-old man, who can't be named to protect the anonymity of his victim, was arrested by gardai when he came home to visit Ireland after living abroad for decades. In a ruling at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on Wednesday, Judge Martin Nolan sentenced the man to three years but suspended it in full, because of the mans serious lung condition. The man, with an address in Kildare but formerly from overseas, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to three counts of indecently assaulting his cousin at her home address in Dublin on dates between January 1979 and December 1982. He was aged between 15 and 18 years' old at the time, while his cousin was aged between six and nine. The court heard the man has had lung replacements which have a shelf life and currently has breathing difficulties, which are expected to disimprove. He requires regular operations under general anaesthesia and has a reduced life span as a result. It would be utterly unfair to imprison him. He could not withstand exposure to prison, said Judge Nolan, who set a headline sentence of four to five years. The judge said the man has suffered public shame and that his reputation has been affected. He said the offences were serious and had induced considerable fear in the injured party. He said the accused should have had enough sense and judgement not to offend. Judge Nolan said the man had no criminal record, a long work history, and an impressive list of references and letters submitted on his behalf. Garda James Campbell told the court that the victim in the case first reported the abuse to gardai in 2023. The court heard that the abuse occurred on three occasions in her family home, twice on occasions when her extended family members were gathered together. On each occasion, her cousin touched her inappropriately, inserting his fingers in her and causing her pain. On one occasion he abused her and attempted to penetrate her while she was lying in bed beside her younger sibling, the court heard. The abuse left the woman terrified of her cousin. Any mention of him and how well he was doing among family members had a triggering effect on her as she grew older, the court heard. A victim impact statement was handed into court, but the woman did not wish it to be read aloud. She did not attend the sentence hearing. The court heard that the man is well educated and has lived and worked abroad since he was young. When he came home to Ireland at one point to visit an elderly relative who was staying with the woman, she became upset and told him never to contact her or her children again. She asked him if he realised the enormity of what he had done, to which he replied: Yes I do, the court heard. The woman then told him that if he set foot on Irish soil again, she would do something about it. After the woman's parents died, she felt able to make a complaint to gardai. When the man came home to Ireland in 2023, he was arrested by gardai in Dublin Airport. He has remained in the country since then on strict bail conditions. When questioned by gardai, the man denied the allegations. Michael O'Higgins SC, defending the man, handed in a medical report outlining his complex medical condition. He also handed in a letter of apology, in which the man said that reading his cousin's victim impact statement in the book of evidence had pierced (his) heart. It made me truly understand better the pain you carry, he wrote. I understand now your fear in my presence over the years. The man said he wanted to unconditionally and humbly apologise for assaulting you and hurting you. He paid tribute to her resilience and bravery. Mr O'Higgins said the offences occurred when the man himself was a minor who was sexually stunted and who had received no sexual education. He said the man has been married since his twenties and his wife was his only sexual partner. His family was shocked to the core when he made admissions to them about what he had done, the court heard. His adult children travelled to support their father. The court heard the maximum sentence for the first two counts of indecent assault was two years, while the third count, which was dated after 1981, had a maximum sentence of 10 years. She led us to believe that the business was failing and she mocked me for constantly putting in strategies to save money while she went to Dubai and New York and other extravagant holidays while we struggled A Co Armagh nursery group that was conned out of more than 200,000 by an employee said she was treated like family as the fraudster was jailed for 23 months on Wednesday. Outlining how Lisa Marie McGuckin used her ill-gotten gains to fund holidays to Dubai and New York, Judge Patrick Lynch KC ordered the 45-year-old to serve half her sentence in jail and the remainder on licence. I do not know whether you have any shame at all, but you should hang your head now, the judge told her at Craigavon Crown Court. Last December, McGuckin, from Rose Cottages in Portadown, entered guilty pleas to two counts of fraud by abuse of positions. Between September 15, 2011, and July 11, 2019, she defrauded 203,498 from her employers at Cots and Tots Ltd by transferring the cash out of their account. She also defrauded the Drumcree Community Trust by transferring 1,918 from their account to her own account. Both businesses are in Portadown. Lisa Marie McGuckin Opening the facts of the case for the first time on Wednesday, prosecuting counsel Ian Tannahill told of how McGuckins frauds were committed in broadly the same way against the two companies. In relation to Cots and Tots, a business that provided childcare for kids from birth to the age of 12, McGuckin had been working as a financial administrator with control and access to the pay roll, outgoings and tax matters. In 2019, a bankruptcy agency contacted the other directors to alert them that McGuckin had been declared bankrupt and could no longer act as a director, a matter which came as something of a surprise to them because as far as they were concerned, she was not a director. That led to an audit of the accounts and it transpired that McGuckin had made dozens of unauthorised transfers from Cots and Tots straight to her own account. Mr Tannahill told the court that, in total, McGuckin had transferred just under 308,000, but taking into account her wages, that brought the fraud down to 203,498. Regarding Drumcree Community Trust, the barrister said McGuckin had been employed in a similar role but her offences came to light when the company became aware of the allegations at Cots and Tots. When they checked their accounts, they uncovered that McGuckin had been doing almost the exact same thing, essentially transferring money to herself over and above her salary. The fraudster attended voluntarily for police interview, and while she admitted her offending, she highlighted there was huge personal trauma in her family at the time including that her father had been convicted and jailed for sex offences against multiple victims and her husband had come out of prison having developed addictions to drink, drugs and gambling. However, Mr Tannahill emphasised that while McGuckin did admit her guilt, there were additional aggravating features including that she defrauded two victims over a protracted period of time and had used the money to fund a lifestyle that she could not afford. Defence counsel Jonathan Browne said McGuckin had admitted to police: I did all that I could to keep my family together [but] Im sorry for the hurt that has been caused. He revealed it was clear from a psychiatric report that McGuckin conceded her husband did not hold a gun to my head, but he did put her under pressure to transfer money and she failed to resist that. Mr Browne emphasised that while committed over a protracted period, the finger of blame was also going to point at her. While he described her as effectively a lady of straw with no way of compensating the victims, Judge Lynch highlighted that she could afford to take holidays. During his sentencing remarks, the judge revealed that the head of Cots and Tots had written a victim impact statement where she described how McGuckin had been treated like family, but her frauds had left everyone connected to the business feeling betrayed. Judge Lynch quoted from the statement: She led us to believe that the business was failing and she mocked me for constantly putting in strategies to save money and not have to close the business while she went to Dubai and New York and other extravagant holidays while we struggled. He added that the statement described McGuckin as extremely manipulative and willing to do anything possible to try to avoid facing justice. The defence had argued that McGuckins mental health difficulties, her PTSD and the situation with her husband and father warranted suspending any prison sentence, but the judge rejected that and jailed her. The court heard Mary Lowry had been pulling out of a car park at a forest onto a main road, and had paused to let a convoy of motorbikes pass, and thought the road was clear before driving across the road and into the path of Mr Connolly. A woman who was central to the Mr Moonlight murder trial has been given a one year suspended sentence and banned from driving for a year for careless driving causing the death of a motorcyclist. Mary Lowry (57) of Green Road, Dundrum, Co Tipperary, pleaded guilty to the incident in which Tipperary motorcyclist Patrick Connolly (51) was killed while on a charity biking event at Springhouse, outside Tipperary town, on December 21, 2021. She was sentenced today at Clonmel Circuit Court before Judge Catherine Staines. The court heard Mary Lowry had been pulling out of a car park at a forest onto a main road, and had paused to let a convoy of motorbikes pass, and thought the road was clear before driving across the road and into the path of Mr Connolly. Mr Connolly, who had his 15-year-old son on the back of the bike, crashed into the back door of Mary Lowrys car and both of them were thrown into the air. Mr Connolly, a father of five, later died from his injuries. The court heard Mr Connollys Suzuki bike had its headlight on, but he was not wearing hi-visibility clothing at the time. In her victim impact statement, Mr Connollys widow Geraldine told how her son Johns father was killed in a road accident when he was a small boy, and that she later met Patrick at a friends wedding, and how he had become a father to John and then their other four children. She said he was a carpenter by trade, a master craftsman who took great pride in his work, and was a very good provider. We were a team. We had just paid off our mortgage and were looking forward to having things a bit easier and travelling more, said Geraldine. He had a life-long interest in motorbikes and we used to travel to event like the TT in the Isle of Man. He was a careful rider, and I was never concerned about him riding, she added. She said is a single mother again now and has to bring up her children on a smaller income, and that Paddy would not see his children graduate or move up in life. She described Paddy as the love of her life. Mr Connollys daughter Rebecca said that seeing her fathers pale skin and the robotic rising and falling of his chest while on a ventilator and dialysis in hospital is something that is burned into her skull. She said she ran out of tears at his funeral, and could not cry at her fathers funeral. She described their loss as a horrendous trauma, and that her brother David, who was on the back of the bike, suffers survivors guilt and finds it hard to talk about the crash. A letter from Mary Lowry was read out to the court in which she said it was hardest letter she ever had to write, and that she agonised over how to express her feelings. She said she accepted responsibility and apologises sincerely. If I could change it, I would. I hope in your heart you can forgive me, she added. Her barrister Colman Cody said Mrs Lowry had suffered tragedy of her own in the past with the loss of her husband through cancer. He also said that Mrs Lowry was a key witness in a murder trial and described her as an essential witness. He said she had absence of concentration on the day, and had waited for a convoy of motorbikes to pass before pulling out onto the road in the belief the way was clear. Judge Staines put Mrs Lowrys driving into the mid-range of carelessness, and sentenced her to one year in prison fully suspended for two years. She also disqualified her from driving for one year. Mrs Lowry thanked the judge as she wept in court. She previously gave key evidence at the trial of farmer Patrick Quirke for the murder of Bobby Ryan, a popular DJ who went by the stage name Mr Moonlight. Ms Lowry, a widowed mother-of-three, began dating Quirke, who is married, following the death of her husband in 2007. But she ended the affair in the summer of 2010 having fallen for Mr Ryan. Mr Ryan (52) went missing after leaving Ms Lowrys home in Fawnagown, Tipperary, early on the morning of June 3, 2011. His body was discovered nearly two years later in April 2013 in a disused run-off tank on land which was leased and being farmed by Quirke. The prosecution case was that Quirke killed Mr Ryan so he could rekindle the affair he previously had with Mary Lowry. Key to the circumstantial case against him was the discovery by gardai that Quirkes computer had been used to conduct online searches for webpages about the decomposition of human remains. Quirke, of Breanshamore, Co Tipperary, had dumped Mr Ryans body in the run-off water tank on Ms Lowrys farm after murdering him. He had been leasing the farm at the time. Mary Lowry decided to terminate his lease on her land on April 29, 2013, and the prosecution case was that Quirke then staged the discovery of the decomposing remains as his lease was about to end and he feared he would be found out in the future. At the trial of Quirke, Lowry described her relationship with him to the jury as seedy and sordid and something she regretted. She described Quirke as overpowering and insisted she did not choose to have an affair but was led to it. Counsel for Quirke described the relationship as consenting, between adults. Quirke denied the murder but after a 15-week trial in the Central Criminal Court the then 54-year-old was found guilty by the jury by a majority of 10-2 and sentenced to life for the murder. He later challenged the verdict but the conviction was upheld. The Colfax County Attorneys Office announced Wednesday that on Tuesday, March 19, Colfax County Sheriff Shawn Messerlie's office arrested Katryna Kaup, 22, for the offenses of second-degree assault and use of a firearm to commit a felony related to a shooting incident that occurred at 7:09 p.m. at Road 10 and Road E in Colfax County. The Schuyler Police Department and the Nebraska State Patrol assisted in the investigation, a press release from the county attorneys office said. The incident involved individuals in two separate vehicles and one person remains hospitalized. Kaup will appear in court at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, March 26, in the County Court for Colfax County. The investigation will be forwarded to Colfax County Attorney Bruce J. Prenda and remains ongoing. The press release said there is no immediate likelihood of harm to individuals or the public, however, law enforcement is asking for assistance and encourages anyone who has information related to this investigation to contact: Colfax County Sheriff, Investigator B. Struebing, 402-352-8526; or Colfax County Attorney Victim Advocate, 402-352-8502. The men appeared in three different courts across Co Cork earlier today. Alexander Milic is brought to Midleton Court charged with offences in connection with a criminal operation in West Cork Raul Taberes Garcia is brought to Cork Court charged with offences in connection with a criminal operation in West Cork Anuar Rahui is brought to Cork Court charged with offences in connection with a criminal operation in West Cork Kiumaars Ghaibiri, 51, a Dutch national pictured at Bandon District court, Cork charged with conspiring with one or more persons to import controlled drugs in excess of 13,000 contrary to Section 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act . Pic Cork Courts Limited Mario Angel Del Rio Sanz, 45, from Spain pictured at Bandon District court, Cork charged with conspiring with one or more persons to import controlled drugs in excess of 13,000 contrary to Section 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act . Pic Cork Courts Limited Ali Mazidi pictured at Bandon District court, Cork charged with conspiring with one or more persons to import controlled drugs in excess of 13,000 contrary to Section 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act . Pic Cork Courts Limited Sean Curran, 37, from Enniskillen pictured at Bandon District court, Cork charged with conspiring with one or more persons to import controlled drugs in excess of 13,000 contrary to Section 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act . Pic Cork Courts Limited Ten men have been charged with being part of a gang accused of conspiracy to import drugs into the state. The men appeared in three different courts across Co Cork earlier today. Four men - one from the North, two Dutch residents and a Spaniard - appeared before Bandon District Court on Thursday afternoon, all having been charged earlier in the day in connection with a garda swoop in Tragumna and Leap in west Cork last Friday. They are all accused, acting alongside six other named individuals and between February 27 and March 14 last, of conspiring to import drugs worth more than 13,000 into the state, under Section 71 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006, as amended. The men had been questioned since last Friday. All four have now been remanded in custody to appear again before Bantry District Court at noon next Wednesday, with gardai saying they will object to any application in the High Court for release on bail. Ali Mazidi pictured at Bandon District court, Cork charged with conspiring with one or more persons to import controlled drugs in excess of 13,000 contrary to Section 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act . Pic Cork Courts Limited Det Garda Shannon Ryan of the Divisional Drugs Unit told Judge James McNulty that he had arrested Ali Mazidi at 9.25am on Thursday morning for the purpose of the charge and that Mr Mazidi, who has an address in the Netherlands, was formally charged at 12.06pm. Mr Mazidi, date of birth June 7, 1975, told gardai that he understood the charge, stating yes, what you tell me, but had no other comment to make. A legal aid application was made on his behalf by his solicitor, Plunkett Taaffe, and granted by Judge McNulty, who noted the affidavit of means handed into court which stated that Mr Mazidi had an elderly mother and was earning 400 per month as a self-employed coffee distributor. Garda Sean OConnor of Bandon Garda Station told the court that he had arrested Mario Angel Del Rio Sanz, date of birth August 12, 1979, at 9.30am Thursday morning and had then formally charged him at 12pm. The judge heard Mr Sanz, who is Spanish, made no reply when the charge was put to him with an interpreter present. Mario Angel Del Rio Sanz, 45, from Spain pictured at Bandon District court, Cork charged with conspiring with one or more persons to import controlled drugs in excess of 13,000 contrary to Section 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act . Pic Cork Courts Limited Legal aid was also granted following an application by Mr Sanzs solicitor, Myra Dinneen, with an affidavit of means outlining how he has no property, lives in rented accommodation and has some debt. Det Garda Catherine McCarthy of the Divisional Drugs Unit told the court she had arrested Sean Curran, who has an address at Carrickyheenan, Aughnacloy, Enniskillen, Fermanagh, at midday on Thursday and then charged him. The judge heard he had made no reply when charged. Mr Curran was also granted legal aid on foot of an affidavit of means being provided to the court by his solicitor, Flor Murphy. Garda Eoin Concannon of Bantry Garda Station told Judge McNulty that he had arrested and cautioned Kiumaars Ghabiri at 9.25am on Thursday and then formally charged him at 12.05pm. Legal aid was also granted to Mr Ghabiri, who the court heard works as a chef at a restaurant in Rotterdam, and who is divorced and who has a partner who is not working. He is also servicing a bank loan and owns no property and has no savings. Kiumaars Ghaibiri, 51, a Dutch national pictured at Bandon District court, Cork charged with conspiring with one or more persons to import controlled drugs in excess of 13,000 contrary to Section 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act . Pic Cork Courts Limited Legal aid in all cases was backdated to last Friday, when the men were first detained for questioning, and all four were remanded in custody to appear before Bantry District Court at noon next Wednesday, March 27. The court heard that under the charge the District Court did not have jurisdiction to grant bail, which can only be sought in the High Court. In all four cases gardai said they would be objecting to bail. All four men left the court covering their faces and were driven away in separate cars. Judge McNulty had noted that the charges were conspiracy to commit a serious offence connected to the importation of drugs. It is understood it is the first time the specific charge has been brought in the history of the state. In a separate hearing, four Spanish men appeared before Cork District Court this morning charged with conspiring with others to import controlled drugs in to Ireland. Each accused is charged with conspiring with nine other men to import drugs with a value of in excess of 13,000 in to Ireland. The men all required Spanish speaking interpreters and were charged with the same offence. Judge Mary Dorgan remanded all four accused in custody to appear at Cork District Court again on March 27 by video link. The men can only apply for bail in the High Court. Sgt Gearoid Davis told Judge Dorgan that DPP directions were awaited in relation to all four individuals. Det Garda Kate Gilligan of the Garda National Drugs Unit gave evidence of the arrest, charge and caution of Angel Serran Padilla, (39) of Malaga in Spain. Mr Padilla was arrested at 10.05am today and charged just over two hours later at Togher Garda Station in Cork city. His reply after caution was, Okay. Defence solicitor, Eddie Burke, said that his client was hospitalised during the seven day detention period. He asked that the medical issues of Mr Padilla be brought to the attention of the prison Governor. Judge Dorgan directed that Mr Padilla get all necessary medical attention whilst in custody. Mr Burke also applied for and was granted legal aid for his client. The legal aid was extended to allow for a consultation with a Spanish interpreter. Mr Burke said that his client was in court for a very serious matter. Pedro Padio Ojeda Ortega (35) of Cadiz in Spain was the second man to appear before the court. Det Garda Mark Donovan of the Garda National Drugs Unit gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution. He said shortly before 10am today, he arrested Mr Ortega at Togher Garda Station. He formally charged him at 12.01pm today. Det Garda Donovan said that the accused made no reply when the charge was put to him under caution. Det Garda Donovan requested that a statement of means be furnished in relation to Mr Ortega. Mr Burke said that his client was on Spanish social welfare of 325 a week. A statement of means will be provided to the court in relation to the father of one. A decision on legal aid will be made at a later date. The third man before the court was Raul Garcia Taberes (48) of Cadiz in Spain. Raul Taberes Garcia is brought to Cork Court charged with offences in connection with a criminal operation in West Cork Det Garda Robert Kennedy gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution. He said that he arrested Mr Tabares at the Bridewell Garda Staton at 9.30am today and charged him at 12.06pm. Mr Tabares made no reply after caution. Defence solicitor Frank Buttimer said that his client was a non national gentleman who had been in custody for seven days. He asked that Mr Tabares be facilitated with all necessary communications for family and consular services. Judge Dorgan said that this was a matter for the prison authorities. Free legal aid was granted. Anuar Rahui (41) of Marbella, Malaga in Spain was the last of the four men to appear before the court today. Det Garda Dermot Crowley gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution. He said that he arrested Mr Rahui at 9.33am today and charged him at noon. Mr Rahui made no reply when the charge was put to him. Anuar Rahui is brought to Cork Court charged with offences in connection with a criminal operation in West Cork Mr Buttimer made an application for legal aid in the case. The Judge asked Mr Rahui about his financial means. He said that he had zero in the way of savings. A statement of means will be handed in to the court. Judgement was reserved on the matter of legal aid. Mr Buttimer asked that his client be given assistance with communications and consular services. All four men will require Spanish interpreters when they are back before the court next week. Each charge sheet states: That you (name of defendant ) on dates between February 27 and March 14, both dates inclusive, within the State, did conspire with one or more persons, namely (nine other names), to do an act in the State that constitutes a serious offence, namely the importation of controlled drugs in excess of 13,000, an offence contrary of Section 15 B (1) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 as amended and contrary to Section 71 (1) a(4) of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 as amended by Section 4 (b) of the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2023. Meanwhile two men appeared before Midleton District Court charged with the same offence. The two men were Juan Antonio Gallardo (55) of Cadiz, Spain and Aleksander Milic (26) of Belgrade in Serbia. Garda Brendan McGarry gave evidence of the arrest, charge and caution of Mr Gallardo. He said that Mr Gallardo replied after charge : I dont belong to any criminal organisation and I have never taken part in drug smuggling. Juan Antonio Gallardo Meanwhile, Garda Anthony Finn gave evidence of the arrest, charge and caution of Mr Milic. He said that Mr Milic made no reply after caution. Both men were remanded in custody to appear before Mallow Court on March 26th next. Free legal aid was granted to both men by Judge Colm Roberts. Both accused had access to interpreters for the duration of their hearings. Alexander Milic is brought to Midleton Court charged with offences in connection with a criminal operation in West Cork Each charge sheet states: That you (name of defendant ) on dates between February 27th and March 14th, both dates inclusive, within the State, did conspire with one or more persons, namely (nine other names), to do an act in the State that constitutes a serious offence, namely the importation of controlled drugs in excess of 13,000, an offence contrary of Section 15 B (1) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 as amended and contrary to Section 71 (1) a(4) of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 as amended by Section 4 (b) of the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2023. Leeanda Farrelly (49) reposted the image of 'Boy A' in a closed Facebook group with approximately 25,000 members Leeanda Farrelly (49) of Kilmartin Avenue, Tallaght, Dublin, pictured at the Criminal Courts of Justice(CCJ) on Parkgate Street in Dublin for her sentence hearing. Pic: IrishPhotoDesk.ie A Dublin woman was a self-appointed judge, jury and executioner when she shared a photo on Facebook identifying one of the killers of 14-year-old Ana Kriegel, a judge has said. Leeanda Farrelly (49) reposted the image of 'Boy A' in a closed Facebook group with approximately 25,000 members on June 19, 2019, but took it down after around 20 minutes. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that the post included text added by Farrelly encouraging others to share the image. On May 14, 2018, two 13-year-olds lured Ana Kriegel to a derelict farmhouse in Lucan, Co Dublin where she was beaten to death. Both boys were convicted of murder on June 18, 2019 following a trial at the Central Criminal Court during which they were referred to as 'Boy A' and 'Boy B'. 'Boy A' was also convicted of aggravated sexual assault. Ana Kriegel Neither boy can be identified by order of the trial judge and under a provision of the Children's Act that prohibits the identification of minors who have been accused or convicted of a criminal offence. Farrelly of Kilmartin Avenue, Tallaght, pleaded guilty to a charge of publication of a report likely to lead to the identification of a child involved in criminal proceedings. She has 23 previous convictions for road traffic offences. Imposing sentence, Judge Pauline Codd said this was an offence where ignorance of the law is no defence. She described Farrelly as a self-appointed judge, jury and executioner, who herself had little or no regard for the road traffic laws and is not a person who is perfect herself. The judge noted that Farrelly has many positive characteristics, including her love of animals, and had expressed remorse. Imposing a fully-suspended sentence of nine months, Judge Codd said Farrelly seemed to have been motivated by a sense of grievance and annoyance and a misplaced sense of need to protect. The judge said it was not the job of self-appointed people to protect others, but the job of the gardai and the courts. Detective Garda Robert McNicholls told Maddie Grant BL, prosecuting, that court orders prohibiting the publication of any material, including photos, that might identify the two boys were made throughout the criminal process and following their conviction. Ana Kriegel A public statement was also issued by gardai on June 19, 2019 to warn of the consequences of posting this material and it was covered by the media. He agreed with Ms Grant that gardai became aware of a number of posts on social media which purportedly identified the boys, including Farrelly's post on Facebook in relation to 'Boy A'. Det Gda McNicholls said a senior member of the investigating team viewed the post made from an account in Farrelly's name and recognised the image as 'Boy A'. A screenshot of the post was shown to the court. The post included text which read these are the two scum that murdered that poor little girl.... share their evil faces, theyll get new names like that scum that killed baby Jamie Bulger. The court heard that the closed Facebook group 'Mas on a Mission' where Farrelly posted the image has between 25,000 and 30,000 members. Farrelly removed the post within a short period of time after being asked to do so by family and friends. She attended Tallaght Garda Station voluntarily for interview on July 27, 2019 and admitted reposting the image, which had been shared with her. She confirmed her ownership of the Facebook account and said she was sorry for publishing the image. The court heard the Director of Public Prosecutions directed summary disposal, but jurisdiction was rejected by the District Court. Farrelly pleaded guilty on a trial date in November 2023, but her intention to enter a plea was indicated in advance. Det Gda McNicholls agreed with Keith Spencer BL, defending, that his client told gardai that she was not aware of the court orders or the relevant provisions of the Children's Act when she published the post, but became aware after someone contacted her. He also agreed that a number of similar prosecutions have also been taken in relation to the publication of material purporting to identify these boys. Det Gda McNicholls said the origin of the image was a matter for speculation, but agreed with defence counsel that Farrelly told gardai she observed the image online then reposted it using her own account to a closed Facebook group. The garda also agreed that Farrelly said during interview that she was stupid and ignorant for sharing the photo, apologised and acknowledged that juveniles should be protected. Farrelly told gardai said she got annoyed because she has two girls and a large number of nephews and nieces and didnt understand that the boys being prosecuted needed to be protected as well. Ana Kriegel Mr Spencer put to the witness that this was a misplaced effort at protectionism, which Det Gda McNicholls accepted was fair. Mr Spencer asked the court to take into account that the mitigating features including her apology and co-operation with gardai. He told the court his client was someone who was civic-minded and a lover of animals. Farrelly left school early and has a long history of work. She is involved in two animal welfare shelters and volunteers weekly with them. Her Facebook page is public due to her work with these groups. She has three children and has been assisting members of her extended family who have been dealing with serious illness. Mr Spencer said his client is aware she is sailing close to the wind in relation to her previous convictions for road traffic offences. She has been disqualified and is not driving. He said Farrelly puts that down to complacency and disregard on her part for road traffic laws, but has received a strong talking to from myself and Det Gda McNicholl. He noted that her previous convictions show a disregard for the orders of the court. Judge Codd said there are very good reasons why the orders prohibiting the identification of the two boys were in place. They are children, not withstanding they were before the court in respect of a very serious offence, the judge said, adding that children have particular protections under the law due to their level of immaturity and their age. Judge Codd said the courts also have a right to protect their own process and a right to expect their orders to be complied with Judge Codd said Farrelly used language of unsavoury nature in the text accompanying the image and encouraged others to share it far and wide. That was her addition to post, she was encouraging others to disseminate it, the judge said, describing this as an aggravating feature of the case. Judge Codd noted that people need to be careful in their use of social media and abuses of it like this have to be stopped for benefit of society and rule of law in general. People have to understand they dont have to publish every opinion they hold into the world of social media...the world doesnt need to know their views on all things, Judge Codd said. The elder man is a convicted killer who has multiple previous convictions and has been on the garda radar for over four decades Gardai have secured charges under anti-gangland legislation in relation to 10 men arrested last week for an alleged drugs smuggling conspiracy off the coast of Co Cork. All are due to appear before a number of district court sittings later this afternoon in Co Cork. It can be revealed for the first time that a father-and-son from the Crumlin area of Dublin are suspected of being the masterminds behind the botched shipment. The elder man is a convicted killer who has multiple previous convictions and has been on the garda radar for over four decades for involvement in violent and organised crime. The Dublin based father-and- son have not been arrested but two properties linked to them were searched by specialist gardai from west Cork last weekend in an attempt to gather evidence. It can also be confirmed that gardai firmly believe that 840 kilos of cocaine worth 58 million that was found washed up on beaches in Denmark in recent days was the drug haul that was destined for Ireland. Gardai swoop on camper van Gardai have established that a six-man landing party left Tragumna slip near Skibbereen in the early hours of March 12th in a 10m long rigid inflatable boat (Rib) to rendezvous somewhere off the coast with a mother ship carrying the drugs. Intercepted communications led to gardai discovering the details of a nine-man crew, who flew into the capital for the scheduled collection of a major consignment of cocaine off the coast of Cork on Thursday morning of last week. Nine of the 10 men arrested on Thursday are foreign nationals and include six Spaniards, a Serbian and two Iranians travelling on Dutch passports.The tenth person is a Fermanagh man who was arrested, in possession of an articulated lorry parked up near Tragumna, near Skibbereen, at 7.30am last Thursday. The men are aged between 25 and 56. Among those detained are men with addresses in Spain, the Netherlands, the UK and Ireland. At least two of those arrested have links to the Middle East. Several of the men are experienced divers - leading gardai to consider whether part of the cocaine consignment was to be hidden underwater offshore and retrieved when gang members believed it was safe to do so. A number of electronic items were seized, including mobile phones, tablets and a GPS device. A number of the suspects have refused to provide passwords for these devices, senior sources said. No drugs landed in west Cork, with gardai unclear whether the mission was aborted due to gang fears over police surveillance or poor sea conditions in the area. Several of the men are believed to have panicked when they were approached by a dog-walker in a high-visibility vest and mistakenly confused them for a police officer. Their suspicious behaviour then prompted a phone call to gardai from a member of the public. A camper van and articulated lorry were also seized. A rigid inflatable boat with powerful outboard engines is also being examined. A number of key individuals had been under surveillance for some time after arriving in this country. In a statement, gardai said the ten men would be brought before the courts later today. A spokesman said: "The 10 males detained as part of this ongoing Crime Operation in County Cork have been charged with alleged offences in connection with this investigation. The 10 males will appear before the following District Courts in County Cork today, Bandon District Court, Cork City District Court and Midleton District Court. An Garda Siochana is making no further comment at this time. The priest told mourners gathered that all of us have sinned greatly and Pearse was no exception The coffin of Pearse Mc Cauley enters the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Strabane (Photo: Pacemaker Belfast) A funeral Mass for convicted garda killer Pearse McAuley has taken place in his hometown of Strabane. The priest told mourners gathered that all of us have sinned greatly and Pearse was no exception, while a tribute from a loved one remembered a man of warmth and passion and hope. The former IRA man was found dead at his home in Co Tyrone on Monday night. His death is not believed to be suspicious, the PSNI said. He will be buried in Strabane Cemetery later today after Requiem Mass in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Strabane, which began at 10am. A funeral notice described him as the father of Pearse and Eoghain, dearly loved son of the late Pearse and Sheila McAuley, much-loved brother of Nancy, Siobhan, Patricia, Micheal and the late Fionnuala, Thomas, Seamus and Maura and beloved partner of Mary. Pearse McAuley, who died on Monday, photographed in 1995 Fr Boland said McAuley was born on November 9, 1964, adding: All our journeys begin in a church when we were christened. On that day we were given a status and an identity as Christians which would remain with us forever. Wherever we go in life, and wherever our journey may bring us, we all come back to the place where it all began, at the foot of the alter, bringing with us all the contents and happenings of our lives. All that has shaped us to be the people that we are, to be surrendered in all his detail to the one who gave us life in the first place. This God is a God of mercy and love that has to be preached because all of us have sinned greatly and Pearse was no exception. He added: Let us not forget primarily that Pearse was a father, a brother, a partner and a friend of many. His loss is being felt deeply by those who love him. And a sense of suffering, emptiness and pain that death brings to those who are left behind to mourn is a heavy burden to bear and this family bear it accordingly. You cannot Google away grief, and a computer or some other gadget cannot embrace or comfort you when you weep or when loneliness breaks your heart. Fr Boland told those gathered: The Lord is close to the broken-hearted, and those whose spirits are crushed he will save. A tribute was paid during the Mass, with the mourner saying it was important to look at Pearse the person and not the past. He said those who loved him knew a man of warmth and passion and hope and who cared about oppressed people in the world. His passion and respect for those less fortunate in impoverished and war-torn areas of the world, particularly the plight of Palestinians in Gaza whose suffering saddened him deeply. Incidentally this was one of the many countries that Pearse visited a number of years ago in order to spread his message that he knew of another way forward, in hope that we could all move on from the dark days and live as one. Hope that societal evils affecting many people, particularly our youth and our young, could be eradicated. Pearse McAuley in 1995. Photo: Martin McCullough/PA He was deeply saddened as a result of what he witnessed upon his return to Strabane just less than two years ago, but he never lost hope of change. The individual spoke of McAuleys love for life and almost youthful innocence. A poem was read out and there was applause after the tribute. Sources said it appeared the former Provisional IRA man may have lain dead in his native town of Strabane for a number of days and that he died from natural causes. McAuley, who was almost 60 years old at the time of his death, walked free from prison in 2022 after serving his time for a brutal knife attack on his ex-wife. He stabbed Pauline Tully, now a Sinn Fein TD, 13 times in 2014. McAuley had previously served a sentence for killing Detective Garda Jerry McCabe in 1996, for which he was released from prison in 2009. Sinn Fein stood by McAuley and three other IRA killers after the 1996 death of Det Garda McCabe during an armed robbery. McAuley was jailed for 14 years but was released in 2009 after serving 10. The party claimed he should have been released under the Good Friday Agreement and fought for his early release despite Irish Government opposition. McAuley met Ms Tully when she visited him in jail. They married in 2003 as he was serving his sentence. They have two children. He shot his way out of Brixton Prison in London in 1991 and fled to the Republic. After his release for the McCabe killing, the Crown Prosecution Service said it would not seek his extradition for the escape. The ex-Provo was later disowned by republicans following the attack on his wife. Large demonstrations took place in Coolock, Dublin 17 over the past three days Dublin has seen protestors on horseback block a main road over a planned asylum seeker centre. Large demonstrations took place in Coolock, Dublin 17 over the past three days over a reported asylum seeker centre going into the Crown paint building. A section of the Malahide Road was blocked for up to an hour yesterday. In the evening, youths on horses were snapped disrupting traffic. The demonstrations began after screenshots of an email detailing plans for the former warehouse, reportedly from the Department of Integration, circulated on social media. Crowd on Malahide Road Protests against proposed immigration centres in several areas around the country have erupted. A march took place in Naas in Co Kildare and a crowd turned up at a location in Newtownmountkennedy in Co Wicklow also. A Spokesperson for Kildare Says No, said that the mainstream media spent the whole weekend covering what was happening in Mount Street while ignoring the local protests taking place throughout the country. It has been further reported that politicians are refusing to listen and are underestimating the huge anger in the county on the immigration issue. Malahide Road Last November, a meeting of residents in Naas heard that locals would be taking political action by standing in the next election as they believe the government are ignoring the people. A small number of companies are making millions of euro in profit from the asylum seeker issue. Figures from from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth show that 236 million was spent finding beds for new arrivals in 2022. Mosney Holidays plc, which operates a direct provision centre for asylum seekers in Co Meath, was paid more than 20 million in 2023. This figure is up from 9.9 million in 2019. Next Week & Co Ltd, the company that runs the Abbeyfield Hotel at Ballaghaderreen in Co Roscommon where a number of asylum seekers live, was paid almost 7 million in 2023 for IP accommodation. Protests in Kildare And Millstreet Equestrian Services, which provides accommodation for hundreds of asylum seekers in Cork and Waterford, made over 12 million in 2023. Catherine Murphy TD raised the issue in the Dail when she questioned how the same group of individuals were able to buy a number of buildings, including some earmarked as accommodation for asylum seekers. The same group of people in different capacities are involved in many buildings. There are legitimate questions about where the money is coming from, she said. Protestor with tricolour in Dublin The State is spending an average of 1.88m per day in accommodating International Protection (IP) applicants in centres across the country, according to latest figures. Dept of Integration figures show that Holiday Inn Dublin Airport received 15.59m for housing IP applicants from January to the end of June in 2023, as one example. TIFCO, one of Irelands largest hotel groups, received 14.26m in just six months to accommodate IP applicants. In 2021, the European Union emphasised that it had never forced Ireland to take refugees or immigrants, and stressed that the Irish government had voluntarily decided to participate in resettlement schemes." Latest figures further show there are more than 13,500 people in emergency beds in Ireland. The number of homeless children has surpassed 4,000 for the first time. 68pc of young Irish adults still live at home with their parents as housing is unaffordable for the average worker in Ireland. Declan had a lot more to give to this world. It is no exaggeration that everybody was fond of Declan Friends and family of Irishman Declan Curley who was killed by a drunk driver in New Zealand have told how they have been left with lifetime of grief. Curley (37), from Clonark near Athlone, who was living in Wellington at the time, was killed when he was struck by a vehicle while out walking at approximately 3.30am on Saturday, February 12, 2022. Callum Alec Charles Wither (23) of Wainuiomata was sentenced to 12 months home detention having pleading guilty to charges of dangerous driving causing death and driving with excess breath alcohol. Wither, who was 21 at the time of the incident, had ignored friends who told him not to drive after he had been out drinking. One of them was so concerned that they asked him for his keys but Wither decided to get behind the wheel. He drove along Dixon Street at 56km/h where the speed limit is 30km/h as it is a busy area for nightlife and pedestrian traffic. As Curley crossed the road, Wither was unable to stop, and hit him. Curley died at the scene. Wither was over the legal alcohol limit with a breath alcohol reading of 516mcg. The legal limit is 250mcg. However, just weeks later, on April 22, he was caught drink-driving again in the same area of Wellington with a level of 529. The New Zealand Herald reported how Curley had been making plans to return to Ireland with his partner Sam and her daughter who called him daddy. Curleys family said his father Tommy died suddenly at the end of last year of a broken heart before justice could be served. Curleys friends and family packed out the public gallery for the sentencing hearing, The New Zealand Herald reports, while others had to watch proceedings via a video link from another room. Those who read victim impact statements highlighted Withers willingness to put others at risk by driving drunk a second time, just two months after Curley was killed. A cousin representing Curleys family, Sean Curley, said they were devastated that the New Zealand system was so soft on drink driving. That someone can kill somebody and only receive 12 months home detention, is able to watch Netflix, and not have to serve some form of a custodial sentence. Sean Curley told the court about the pain Curleys parents had felt as they packed up his childhood toys which they hoped a grandchild would one day play with. He said Curleys father Tommy could no longer pick up his guitar and sing, which he had always done. He also thanked everyone who supported them in the courtroom, the police, and the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust in Ireland for helping to bring his cousin home. A friend told the court that Curley was a true gentleman who would light up the room. He was an incredibly family-orientated friend and loved all of his friends near and far, The New Zealand Herald quoted the friend as saying. Declan had a lot more to give to this world. It is no exaggeration that everybody was fond of Declan. She said the loss of Curley had brought a lifetime of grief. Another friend said Curley was an only child, but a brother to so many people including myself. He was deeply loved. He added that friends and family would not forgive Wither, who read an apology to the court that he had written for Curleys parents. He said he didnt think he would ever come to terms with the fact he had taken such a good person from this world. Every day I am reminded about how my ignorance led to the loss of Declan, the letter read. Wither said he now understood how precious life was and he was striving to be a better person. Nothing I say can ever ease the pain I have caused you and I know that, he said. I will never treat life as if its not precious again. In handing down the sentence in Wellington District Court, Judge Noel Sainsbury acknowledged Curleys friends and family would be disappointed with anything short of a prison term. However, Sainsbury had to weigh that against the risk to the community of Wither not getting the help he needed in prison. Sainsbury took into account Withers guilty plea while also acknowledging it came some 18 months after the incident, that he had no prior history, and that Wither had come to accept the terrible pain he had caused with the help of counselling. Wither has also been disqualified from driving for three years and must undertake relevant counselling and other programmes. With almost a million visitors to South Boston for the parade, we cant sustain an anything goes attitude in the neighborhood The Boston Police Department thanked those who did celebrate safely A Boston City councillor has said the citys St Patrick's Day Parade needs "major changes after 10 people were arrested at this years event. The annual celebration of Irish culture in South Boston was marred by incidents ranging from disorderly conduct to assault and battery, underage drinking and rubbish, local media reports. Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn said many of the spectators that come to the parade do not treat residents of South Boston with respect. We must make major changes and implement a zero tolerance for public drinking, any form of violence, fighting and destruction of property and other quality of life issues, Flynn said in a statement shared on social media the day after the parade. If we are not able to meet basic standards of decency and respect the South Boston neighborhood, the parade should be moved out of South Boston indefinitely. With almost a million visitors to South Boston for the parade, we cant sustain an anything goes attitude in the neighborhood. This is a neighborhood, and many of the spectators that come to the parade do not treat residents of South Boston with respect. The South Boston Allied War Veteran Council (SBAWVC), organisers of the long-running parade, said they had no comment when asked about Flynn's statement by Irish Central. But, in a statement shared on social media on Tuesday, Randy J Greeley, Commander of the SBAWVC, said: "Yes, there are some things that need to be worked on and we will try to fix these things in the future." The day after the parade, the Boston Police Department thanked "all who came out and celebrated safely. However, Michael Torigian of the Boston Police Department told Irish Central on Wednesday that there were 10 arrests - ranging from disorderly conduct to assault and battery on the day of the parade.. All arrests have been arraigned in South Boston District Court, Torigian said. MBTA Transit Police said on Monday they arrested "a highly intoxicated 26 y/o male armed with a firearm. A Transit Police sergeant while monitoring large crowds at #MBTA Andrew Sq for the St Patrick Day Parade observed a highly intoxicated 26 y/o male armed with a firearm, they posted on X. The male was subsequently arrested & transported to TPDHQ for processing. Excellent police work. Boston's online 311 service shows several complaints, mainly relating to trash and debris left behind, after the parade, Irish Central reports. At least one complaint related to witnessing alleged underage drinking. John Bold brandished what his victim, John Moran, believed to be a knife before he took Morans wallet Merseyside Police have released this photo of the man who left an Irish student fearing for his life" after he was confronted by a gang when he went to a McDonald's following a night out in Liverpool. John Bold brandished what his victim, John Moran, believed to be a knife before he took Morans wallet. Liverpool Crown Court heard yesterday how the Irishman, who was studying at a university in the city, had been out in central Liverpool for "several hours" on May 13 last year. By around 2am, Moran was "intoxicated" and left his companions in an Irish bar near Central Station to go to a McDonald's to "get something to eat". He was standing outside the fast food premises messaging a friend about getting a taxi home when he was "surrounded by three to four males", wearing dark clothing and with their faces covered, who demanded his wallet. Andrew McInnes prosecuting, told how Bold, of Lysander Close in Everton, "produced what Mr Moran described as a black handled knife" with a blade measuring three to four inches. According to the Liverpool Echo, which reported on the case, this instrument was then held to Morans abdomen, leaving him "immediately in fear for his life". As a result, the victim took his wallet from his pocket and handed it over to the defendant, the Echo reported from the court hearing. Bold and his accomplice Neil Cassidy were caught on CCTV leaving the scene. Cassidy later tried to use one of Mr Moran's bank cards in a shop, but this transaction was declined. Police then detained him in Queen Square, where he had discarded the stolen items in a bin. Mr McInnes described how Bold had been found in possession of a black hair comb with a silver metallic handle when he was stopped and searched by officers around half an hour before the robbery which was "likely to have been the item which was produced to Mr Moran". The 34-year-old was eventually arrested on July 10, but under interview claimed that he "couldn't recall being in the city centre" and "denied ever carrying a knife". He was then found carrying a single wrap of crack cocaine when he was searched by police officers in the city centre shortly after 10.30pm on November 24. Brendan Carville, defending, told the court: "The defendant is realistic as to his plight and asked for the sentence to be kept to an absolute minimum. However, Bold who admitted robbery and possession of crack cocaine was jailed for three years. In passing sentence, Judge Stuart Driver KC said: "The weapon used was a metal handled comb and not a knife. It was a group offence. "The victim believed that what you had in your hand was a knife. Your record shows recent convictions for dishonest." Cassidy, of Daneville Road in Walton, previously pleaded guilty to attempted fraud and handling stolen goods. The 39-year-old was sentenced to seven days in prison by magistrates last month. I want to join you to let you know this evening I am in, I want to be the next leader of Fine Gael. Simon Harris has announced he will stand to be the next leader of Fine Gael (Brian Lawless/PA) Simon Harris is set for a clear run to become the next taoiseach after announcing he will stand to be the leader of Fine Gael. The Further and Higher Education Minister announced his candidature on Thursday night after receiving a series of endorsements from within the Fine Gael parliamentary party and after a number of senior colleagues said they did not intend to stand to replace Leo Varadkar. Mr Harris told RTE: I want to join you to let you know this evening I am in, I want to be the next leader of Fine Gael. I am ready to step up and I am ready to serve. He added: I have been really overwhelmed and extremely grateful for support from Cabinet colleagues, ministers of state, TDs, MEPs, councillors and grassroots members right across Ireland. I want to thank everybody for their support and their trust. It means so much to me and I will work night and day. I will give this my absolute all to repay that trust. He added that he wants to bring energy and an enthusiasm to the leadership of the party. I also want to bring my practical life experience. I want to work with colleagues, I want to listen, I want to really reconnect with our party right across the country. I want to get back to core principles. In a statement, Mr Harris paid tribute to outgoing Taoiseach Leo Varadkar. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced on Wednesday that he was stepping down (Nick Bradshaw/PA) Leo has steered our party and our country through very challenging times including Brexit, the Covid-19 pandemic, and the recent cost-of-living crisis. He said: If given the opportunity, I will give this my all. Outgoing Fine Gael leader and Taoiseach Mr Varadkar surprised many within the political establishment by announcing his resignation on Wednesday. Focus has since shifted to his potential successor. Aside from Mr Harris, all other senior Fine Gael cabinet ministers have ruled themselves out of contention. Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe, Justice Minister Helen McEntee, Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys and Enterprise Minister and Fine Gael deputy leader Simon Coveney have all said they will not seek a nomination for the leadership. Ms Humphrey and Ms McEntee are also among a wave of Fine Gael members to have come out publicly in support of Mr Harris. Minister of State Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, who had been touted as a possible outsider in any race for the leadership, has also ruled herself out and declared support for Mr Harris. If appointed Fine Gael leader, Mr Harris would be expected to be formally elected as taoiseach in the Dail in April following the Easter recess. He would become the countrys youngest premier at the age of 37. Mr Harris has already been viewed as one of the favourites to replace Mr Varadkar, but he may now emerge as the only contender. Mr Donohoe announced his decision not to stand in a statement issued at lunchtime on Thursday. I have long said that my focus is on the two jobs that I am privileged to hold; that of government minister and as president of the Eurogroup (of finance ministers in the eurozone). That remains to be the case. It is with a huge honour that I undertake my work on the domestic and international stage. Minister of State Patrick ODonovan and Minister for Justice Helen McEntee at the Backweston Laboratory Campus in Co Kildare talking to the media about the Fine Gael leadership contest as McEntee rules herself out (PA video) Ms McEntee did not rule out a future bid for the leadership, insisting she is still ambitious, but she said it was not the right time for her. She dismissed the suggestion that criticism of her handling of riots in Dublin in November and their aftermath influenced her decision not to seek the nomination. The minister said she made the decision a year or two ago not to stand if the position became vacant in the immediate future. Ms Humphreys said she had given serious consideration to a run for the leadership but had decided against it, citing family commitments among her reasons. I just want to thank everybody who contacted me in the last 24 hours and have asked me to put my name forward and have offered me their support, she told reporters outside the Oireachtas parliament in Dublin. I have thought about this and given it very serious consideration, and Ive decided not to put my name forward, but I have decided to give Simon Harris my full support. Fine Gael deputy leader Mr Coveney had made clear he would not be running on Wednesday evening. Mr Varadkar refused to endorse any candidate, saying he wanted to support the next leader wholeheartedly. Speaking in Brussels for the European Council meeting, Mr Varadkar said: There is a very long-standing tradition in Fine Gael, and a very good one, that outgoing or former party leaders dont endorse a particular candidate. So Im not going to do that. And the reason why I wont do that is that it will allow me to support wholeheartedly whoever is elected as the next Fine Gael leader. A 6-year-old male Western lowland gorilla has joined the bachelor group at Omahas Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium. Ajabu has been a member of the Philadelphia Zoos Western lowland gorilla troop, a news release said. Ajabus father, Motuba, arrived in Omaha at 6 days old in 1985. Tubby, as Motuba is called by some staff and guests, was a member of Omahas bachelor group until 2014, when he was moved to Philadelphia per the recommendation of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Western Lowland Gorilla Species Survival Plan. Motuba is the father of 21-year-old Bambio, a current member of the zoos family group and Ajabus half-sister. Ajabu was moved to his new home in Hubbard Gorilla Valley after completing his quarantine period. Introductions have begun with 7-year-old male Kgosi, in the hopes of forming a new bachelor group. In their natural environment, blackback or juvenile male Western lowland gorillas will leave their family groups around this age, Ryan Sears, curator of large mammals, said in the news release. Introducing Kgosi to Ajabu at this age will play a key role in their development into silverbacks. Kgosi and Ajabu are expected to be visible in Hubbard Gorilla Valley on weekends this spring once their introduction is complete, the release said. During the week, they will be in a private area working with the animal care team in the hopes of introducing them to an established group of silverbacks: Timmy and Samson. We are excited to have Motubas son in Omaha, Christine DuPre, supervisor of great apes, said in the release. We are looking forward to welcoming a new generation and dynamic into our bachelor group. Photos: Omaha Zoo announces birth of male African elephant Justice Minister Helen McEntee on Thursday morning ruled herself out of the race Possible candidates to replace Leo Varadkar (left to right) Simon Coveney, Heather Humphreys, Simon Harris, Helen McEntee and Paschal Donohoe Higher Education Minister Simon Harris has secured sufficient support from the Fine Gael parliamentary party to secure a nomination to contest an election to replace Leo Varadkar. Justice Minister Helen McEntee on Thursday morning ruled herself out of the race, but other likely contenders Paschal Donohoe and Heather Humphreys have yet to declare their intentions. Mr Harris passed the threshold of six parliamentary party members before 9am on Thursday morning - before nominations formally open at 10am - after public declarations of support from Minister Neale Richmond, TDs Emer Higgins and Frank Feighan, senators Barry Ward, Martin Conway, John McGahon, Tim Lombard and Mary Seery Kearney, and MEPs Maria Walsh and Frances Fitzgerald. Outgoing MEP Frances Fitzgerald and Sligo TD Frank Feighan have also endorsed Mr Harris. Justice Minister McEntee ruled herself out of the leadership race on Thursday morning. Speaking on LMFM, she said she will support "whoever puts themselves forward". She said she made the decision "a year or two ago" that she would not be contesting any leadership race. Dublin Mid-West TD Emer Higgins has also declared she is backing Mr Harris. Ms Higgins told the Irish Independent: In 2010, I shared an office with Simon, and 13 years ago, I knew he had what it takes to be Taoiseach and I told him some he'd be Taoiseach. That moment has arrived. I've seen his dedication and hard work up close, I'm confident in his ability to lead our party and our country with energy and instinct. Dublin South Central-based Senator Mary Seery Kearney said: "I am supporting and endorsing Simon Harris. Mr Harris is expected to secure further endorsements throughout Thursday. He is expected to formally declare his ambition to succeed Leo Varadkar as Fine Gael leader and Taoiseach later in the day. Mr Harris will be backed by a series of Fine Gael figures this morning as he aims to lock down the party leadership for which he is now the clear frontrunner. The Higher Education Minister will seek to replicate the campaign tactic of Leo Varadkar when he became leader. Neale Richmond was the first out of the blocks and it is understood junior minister Peter Burke will also lend his support. Fine Gael MEP and former deputy leader Frances Fitzgerald will back her former protege later this morning. Senators Martin Conway and Tim Lombard will also be backing Mr Harris. Mr Harris will announce his intention to run for the leadership later this morning. But it is unclear if there will be a contest as Cabinet ministers Paschal Donohoe, Heather Humphreys and Helen McEntee have yet to state their intentions. Mr Harris has emerged as the clear frontrunner to become Taoiseach next month after Mr Varadkar rocked the Coalition by resigning in a bid to salvage Fine Gaels electoral prospects. Mr Varadkar quit after determining Fine Gael was facing damaging seat losses under his leadership in Junes local and European elections an outcome that could have precipitated a move against him. I couldnt find anyone to stab me in the back, so I fell on my sword instead, Mr Varadkar told an emotional Fine Gael parliamentary meeting last night as he thanked TDs and senators for their support. Mr Harris is now the clear favourite to succeed him, with well-placed sources telling the Irish Independent that as many as 20 of the 54 members of the Fine Gael parliamentary party have already pledged their support to the Higher Education Minister. He could declare his plan to contest for the leadership as early as today and it is expected that some TDs and Senators backing him will publicly declare their support for the minister over the next 48 hours. The Irish Independent understands that junior minister Peter Burke, who was considered an outside shot for a leadership bid, is to declare his support for Simon Harris to become Fine Gael leader on Thursday morning. He is expected to be the first of several public declarations of support for Mr Harris from members of the 54-strong Fine Gael parliamentary party. Speaking on RTE Radio Ones Morning Ireland on Thursday, Fine Gael Dublin-Rathdown TD and Minister for State for Enterprise Neale Richmond backed Mr Harris for the leadership, appealing to him on air to declare his intention to run. He said among Mr Harris's achievements are his time as health minister during the Covid-19 pandemic and the work he currently does as Minister for Further and Higher Education. Asked if Mr Harris represented 'more of the same', Mr Richmond said: "Simon is something different." He said he would welcome a contest between Fine Gael candidates, but added "I do think Simon Harris is the best person for the job". Earlier, Fine Gael parliamentary party chairman Alan Dillon would not be pressed on who he would back, but he said he expected there would be a contest for the leadership. The president of Young Fine Gael, Eoghan Gallagher, has come out in support of Mr Harris. And on Instagram, Dublin councillor Emma Blain backed Mr Harris, saying: Ive known him for many, many years, (long before his hair went silver) and he is undoubtedly the most dedicated, most committed and hard working politician Ive ever known. Hes personable and proactive, and hugely supportive of all colleagues at all levels. His record speaks for itself, and for these reasons, and many, many more, I think Simon Harris is the best person to lead Fine Gael and the country into the future. Any candidate who secures the support of the majority of the parliamentary party would be well-placed to win a contest given that the votes of TDs, Senators and MEPs account for 65pc of the total vote. The Fine Gael executive council was meeting late last night to set the ground rules for a contest, with nominations to open today and expected to close on Monday at 1pm. Enterprise Minister Simon Coveney ruled himself out of the race last night but Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe was remaining tight-lipped. His withdrawal from a planned appearance on RTE News fuelled speculation he is considering contesting against Mr Harris amid suggestions some TDs were urging him to do so. Mr Varadkar said he had been considering his future since Christmas but firmly decided to step down only at the weekend. He shocked the two other Coalition leaders and some ministerial colleagues when he informed them of his plans on Tuesday night. After seven years in office, I am no longer the best person for that job, a visibly emotional Mr Varadkar said at a dramatic midday press conference in Government Buildings. Cabinet colleagues believe Mr Varadkars decision was crystallised by the two referendum defeats nearly a fortnight ago, the slew of Fine Gael TDs retiring at the next election, and the prospect of more damaging electoral losses in June all of which may have led to a heave against him in advance of the next general election. There was also a view among figures in the Government that Mr Varadkar had not embraced his second spell as Taoiseach with as much enthusiasm as his first term. He seemed slightly distracted and just not energised by it, a cabinet minister said. A source close to Mr Varadkar said last night: The principal motivation for the timing was to have a new leader in place for the ard fheis to set out their stall. Once hed made up his mind, he was determined to go ahead with it. Mr Varadkar said his reasons were both personal and political and later told reporters he had been weighing up stepping down since the Christmas and new-year period. He insisted he had definitively decided to resign only last weekend as he concluded his St Patricks Day trip to the US. He ruled himself out of becoming the next European Commissioner and said he had not decided whether to run again in Dublin West. It is widely expected he will step down from the Dail at the next general election. Fine Gael will install a new leader in advance of its ard fheis on April 6 and that person will be expected to become taoiseach early the following week. , with Mr Harris the clear frontrunner. However, the Wicklow TD was remaining silent, as were most other potential leadership contenders. Only Mr Coveney ruled himself out, telling RTE News: I got my chance and wasnt successful the last time.A senior figure in Fine Gael said: Paschal and Coveney had a conclave and decided only one or other of them will run. They know Harris is the man to beat. Mr Coveneys allies denied this, but Mr Donohoes supporters remained largely silent. A source close to Mr Donohoe said he was focused on his existing role as Public Expenditure Minister and Eurogroup chair. Mr Donohoe had been due to appear on RTEs Six One News but withdrew at short notice. An ally insisted that there was nothing to it and that something came up.There was no comment from other possible contenders including Justice Minister Helen McEntee and Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys. Junior Finance Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has also been mentioned as an outside possibility, although one source suggested she could become deputy leader. Tanaiste Micheal Martin and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan were blindsided on Tuesday night when Mr Varadkar told them of his decision, with Mr Martin admitting he was very surprised. Both party leaders said they wanted the Coalition to run the full term to March next year despite the change of leader in Fine Gael, which is likely to fuel speculation of an earlier general election. The news sent shockwaves throughout the Government on Wednesdayyesterday morning, with Fianna Fail and Green Party ministerial advisers in the dark as Fine Gael scrambled to plan the announcement. Sinn Fein called for an immediate general election a view echoed by the Social Democrats, Labour and other opposition politicians. The deceased has been named locally as Dean Dobbin who was from Downpatrick and aged in his 30 Tributes have been paid to a young Co Down father who died while on holiday in Gran Canaria. The deceased has been named locally as Dean Dobbin who was from Downpatrick and aged in his 30s. A post mortem is due to take place on Wednesday, two days after the tourists body was found in an apartment building in the popular resort of Puerto Rico. A Civil Guard source said there were signs of violence but the autopsy results are still pending. The discovery was made at around 12.30pm on Monday at the Colina Mar complex in the municipality of Mogan in the south of the island. It has been reported Mr Dobbin suffered a head injury from a blow or a fall. A death notice states he died suddenly while abroad. Loving father to Aodhan and dearly beloved son of David and Annemarie, it adds. "Much loved brother of Mark and David. Dear brother-in-law, uncle and nephew. Very deeply regretted by his entire family circle. Funeral arrangements have yet to be confirmed. Mr Dobbins heartbroken brother David posted an emotional tribute on Facebook alongside three heart emojis. My bro, my everything, he wrote. Most beautiful heart you will ever have met "I love you brother. A reply read: There are no words Davy, they broke the mould when they made Dean. "Some memories over the years big big hugs. According to local news reports it was a housekeeper who raised the alarm after entering the apartment. Puerto Rico in Gran Canaria (stock image) A male friend is believed to have been in the room when police arrived. South Down MLA Colin McGrath has offered his condolences to grieving family and friends. "This will come as devastating news and will be compounded by the difficulty of it happening overseas, he said. "It is never easy to lose a loved one, but to see a young life cut short in such circumstances is unimaginable. I understand that an investigation is underway into the circumstances of the mans death and the family must be kept updated at this difficult time and receive the necessary help and support. "I hope that he can be returned to Downpatrick as soon as possible so his family can lay him to rest. Locator: Colina Mar complex Gran Canaria I know that people in this area will rally around the family as they come to terms with their loss and my heart goes out to them. Many social media users have been expressing shock and sadness online. "R.I.P Dean, so sad to hear this, thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family at this difficult time, one person wrote. You were a good lad Dean. Another posted: Heartbreaking , Dean was a good lad he will be missed a lot, plenty of memories growing up with him hard to believe he's gone. "Thinking of you and all the family at this terrible time. A third person wrote: Such utterly devastating news, my thoughts and prayers for Dean and heartfelt, sincere condolences to Anne-Marie and all the family circle. "RIP Dean. "Sending love and hugs. McGregors Black Forge pub in Crumlin now has the name Road House in blue signage erected over its main door. Conor McGregor has temporarily renamed his pub in Dublin in honour of his new movie. The Black Forge Inn pub in Crumlin now has the name Road House in blue signage erected over its main door. The Notorious, who got 5 million for his debut acting role for playing a misfit in the remake of the 1989 classic movie, has been on a whistle-stop tour of America and England recently promoting the flick. Friends and family were tonight treated to a private screening of the film in The Black Forge but McGregor himself was not in attendance as he hit the promotional trail. The Black Forge Inn temporarily changes name Liam Flynn, Manager of The Black Forge Inn, said Were delighted to bring a little bit of Hollywood to west Dublin as we celebrate Conors first ever major role in a blockbuster. "We might not have the Florida weather but you wont beat the craic we have here in the Forge and were looking forward to raising a pint as we watch Conor raise some hell on the silver screen. Despite McGregor bigging up his participation in the film, American promotional billboards are only using pictures of its main star Jake Gyllenhaal to promote the movie, which is being streamed on Amazons Prime channel from tomorrow. Gyllenhaal plays Patrick Swayzes famous bouncer character Dalton in the film, and gets to fight McGregors character Knox in several scenes. The first shot we ever shot together was like the headbutt where were face to face, Gyllenhaal told ITVs This Morning show earlier today. Conor McGregor Every time I was like what am I doing. At the same time I was like oh my God, this is pretty cool. I was also like totally terrified. Its not just Conor. A number of fighters are in our movie, and it was really funny to me, teaching professional fighters who would like totally kick my ass how to kick my ass (laughs). It was so funny. So that people really buy it. Gyllenhaal beefed up for his role, while McGregor uses his native Dublin accent in the film, rather than the put on semi-American one he occasionally uses. Whats also great is when youre working with professional fighters, their ability to judge distance is unlike anyone else, adds Jake. To be working with someone who is able to judge that distance, theres a safety to that too. The former X Factor judge has been sharing tales about several celebrities since entering the Celebrity Big Brother house including Simon Cowell, Cheryl, Bob Geldof, and Colin Farrell. Louis Walsh has revealed how U2 found fame after listening to his career advice almost four decades ago. The former The X Factor judge has been sharing tales about several celebrities since entering the Celebrity Big Brother house including Simon Cowell, Cheryl, Bob Geldof, and Colin Farrell. In last nights episode, the 71-year-old described how he helped U2 on their way to becoming international superstars. Speaking to Coronation Street star Colson Smith in the bedroom, Louis explained that he overhead the group discussing their future while dining in Captain Americas in Dublin city centre back in the late 1970s. True story. In (Bonos) book, page 95, I was in a place called Captain America's. It's a restaurant. It's a really good burger restaurant in Grafton Street in Dublin. I loved going in there. I went in there every week. "And I went in and I saw U2. They were unknown. They were a brand-new band from Dublin and they were at the next table. They were chatting away about changing their manager. Out loud. And, of course, I was listening. I knew Paul McGuinness. He is probably one of the best managers in the world. Eventually, I went over. I said, 'Guys, I heard your conversation. I know Paul McGuinness. He's good. Probably the best manager in the world - because he believes in you guys.' That's the most important thing and manager could do, believe in a brand-new act. And they listened." Colson then asked: "Did they stay with McGuinness?" And Louis confirmed: "Of course," adding that he managed them forever. He's fantastic. He's world class, Louis said. Colson then wondered: "Do you think they were doing that deliberately in front of you?" But Louis shut Colsons theory down, clarifying: "No, no, I was just an agent. They had no idea. That's a true story. It's funny how things happen, isn't it? True story." In his autobiography Surrender: 40 Songs one story, Bono recalls how the band held a crisis meeting to discuss firing McGuinness. After a heated discussion, we came to a conclusion we would fire Paul from the agreement he hadnt signed and hire Billy McGrath, who managed a group we admired called the Atrix. Im sorry but I couldnt help overhear you. The speaker, a pale-faced man in his last twenties, had been sitting at the next table we were talking. He adds: I know the person you are talking about, Paul McGuiness, he continued. Youre about to make the biggest mistake of your life if you get rid of him. He told us he managed local showbands, which is how he knew Paul, who represented a folk band called Spud. His name was Louis Walsh, later to become the manager of Boyzone and Westlife, among Irelands most successful pop acts, and then famous in his own right as a judge on the talent show The X Factor. We didnt fire Paul McGuinness or he us. After becoming a multi-millionaire thanks to looking after U2, McGuinness stepped down as manager in 2013 after 34 years at the helm. Its almost pointless to speculate on McGregors acting skills, because this is hardly acting at all In Road House, we first meet Knox - the character played by Conor McGregor - via his bare buttocks. Road House (18) *** The Stars: Jake Gyllenhaal, Daniela Melchoir, Conor McGregor, Billy Magnussen, Jessica Williams. The Story: An ex-fighter is hired to clean up a notoriously wild bar. Having taken a fire-escape exit from an apartment naked as an angry man confronts him over a liaison with his missus, Knox saunters naked down to the local market to do a bit of clothes shoppin as he puts it, playing the role in his own Dublin accent. Later, we learn of Knoxs favourite go-to food when hes hungry: Thank you God! Sandwiches. Im f**kin famished. Grinning and strutting as weve seen him on many a fight night, and delivering his lines with the over-the-top sense of theatre weve seen at his press conferences, McGregors performance is not subtle, nor is it intended to be. In fact, its more dialled up, if thats even possible. McGregors public image is being milked here for fun by Road House director Doug Liman. Its a hammy performance in a very goofy tale, a B-movie action film filled with some violent and realistic fight sequences. Its almost pointless to speculate on McGregors acting skills, because this is hardly acting at all. The fighter is ultimately playing a version of his Notorious persona. But its in the fight scenes between McGregor and Gyllenhaal that you can see why producers were keen to get the Irishman on board. They are convincing in their brutality and well executed, bringing a sense of grit and urgency to the movie. Whatever you think about him, he is part of some amazing fight scenes in the new movie New to Prime Video and a reimagining of the 1989 film starring Patrick Swayze that became a cult hit, Road House stars Jake Gyllenhaal as Dalton, a feared ex-UFC fighter who takes a job as a bouncer at a bar called Road House on the Florida Keys. This is a seedy joint that has descended into chaos via its customers, which include known and notorious criminals. Its owner, Frankie (Jessica Williams) wants to clean it up and take it upmarket. She sees the potential to do so through Dalton, a bona fide badass, feared in fight circles and respected by his peers. Unusually, when hes not pummelling rivals to a pulp, Dalton comes across as sweet, charming and thoughtful. He even tries to dissuade his rivals from confrontation before packing a punch. The thin plot sees Gyllenhaals character placed on the radar of a load of bad people, including a motorcycle gang, a corrupt businessman used to getting his own way, and McGregors hitter for hire Knox. The story is basically engineered to deliver a succession of fight sequences between Dalton and his bad-ass foes. Of these, Knox is the most powerful - and the most deranged. The Verdict: A flamboyant, over-the-top action movie that rolls with its punches. *Road House releases on Prime Video on March 21. "Not sick enough to get help" - That's the message many people struggling with debilitating depression and other mental problems are getting from the health system. Even for those who can afford to pay, wait times for private psychologists are blowing out due to massive workforce shortages. Meanwhile, the government watchdog is warning there is no point in training more mental health workers if the health system does not do more to stop the exodus of those it already has. Ren has suffered major depression since the age of 16 and been on anti-depressants for the past decade. Referred to Christchurch's mental health service last year, Ren waited four months for an appointment - only to be told the only thing on offer was medication. Their file was closed the next day. Now 28, Ren says there's a big gap for people like them, who were not at crisis point - but for whom a pamphlet or even a helpline were not enough. "There is nothing for me because I'm not 'bad enough' to get the next sort of level of help. It is really frustrating when you're being told you're not bad enough yet, it's almost like 'oh yet?' It almost feels like you should get worse so I can receive help. "I do have to get up every day and shower and go to work. It seems like if you're not actually trying to sabotage yourself, they think you're not actually doing that badly." After two years of searching, Ren finally managed to find a private psychologist. "And it's great I'm now with someone but that's $195 a week. It's very lucky that I'm currently earning enough at the moment that I can afford that. But for someone who's not in my financial position, they literally have no options." New Zealand Psychological Society president Tania Anstiss says there's "a tragic mismatch" between what services could offer and what most people needed. "They're not yet at that crisis point where they might go to ED and access urgent care that way, but the biggest need is in that in-between space and that's where the real challenges lie because of the lack of workforce capacity." In 2017, it was estimated district health boards needed to double the number of psychologists to meet demand - an extra 359 full-time people. Today, it's 1000 - but the number of government-funded internships will only reach 50 next year, up from 28 in 2021. New Zealand must train more psychologists - especially Maori and Pasifika - but it also needed to do more to stop them quitting the public system, says Anstiss. "So there often is a lack of that experience in services and that means lack of supervision for younger staff members as well." That's also a key finding of the Office of the Auditor-General in its report into youth mental health services. Speaking to Parliament's health select committee this week, senior auditor Rachel Patrick was blunt about the need to tackle critical workforce shortages. "We know that workforce is under extreme stress. We don't want to put all our effort into recruiting new people, when actually we want to focus on keeping the ones we've got as well." Te Whatu Ora has said previously it has developed a new mental health and addiction workforce plan as part of its overall Health Workforce Action plan - but it was still under consideration by the government. -Ruth Hill/RNZ. Genesis energy company is sharing its experience of Cyclone Gabrielle following a media tour of the Lake Waikaremoana Power Stationl. The company is keen to dispel rumours that they opened the floodgates, causing the flooding of Wairoa during the cyclone last year. They also want to highlight the work being done to switch to renewable energy in which the company aims to have invested $1 billion by 2030. The team at Genesis Lake Waikaremoana power plant were proud of their efforts to keep the region running during the floods. We were the only real major generation working at the time, saysa Genesis team member. Effectively, if you become stranded from the grid on the East Coast or the North Island, youre relying on the generation from that area to power your own homes or businesses. So the team here are really proud of what theyve achieved, says chief wholesale officer Tracey Hickman. Without the power station, the lights could have been out for the whole region for a long amount of time. Hickman points to the Onepoto intake structure and says, as you can see, there arent any floodgates to open. After the cyclone, Genesis commissioned an independent review which found that their water was responsible for only 1 per cent of Wairoas flooding. The Wairoa District Council is conducting its own review of this data to verify the report. The rest of the flooding was overflow from streams and rivers, Hickman says. Before the cyclone, Genesis had seen the weather forecasts and intentionally lowered the lake by six per cent to reduce the possibility of overflow. During the flood they had to flow the water according to the resource consent rate of between 35-40m per second. Hickman says the resource constraint is there in case of uncertainty on whether there will be lots more rain, or no rain potentially youre going to get a mixture of both. Its a balancing act, which is why we have minimum constraints and maximum constraints to try to manage rain. General manager for media and communications Chris Mirams says Lake Waikaremoana operates about 5.5m below the natural lake level, which enables flood flows to be stored rather than passed directly downstream. A Genesis team member says: Without the power scheme, thered be no control of the lake water. So this scheme actually becomes a safety control point for the river flows. During the media tour, Genesiss efforts to decarbonise New Zealand featured heavily. Hickman, who has a Masters degree in environmental studies, says the electricity sector has an important part to play in decarbonising New Zealand. Genesis is investing really heavily in solar farms and, over time, in wind farms, she says. One of the big constraints around solar and wind farms is, its great when the wind is blowing and when the sun is shining, but you need to diversify when that is not available. In New Zealand thats hydropower schemes, but currently dry winters are a huge problem for us, when the rain does not come. So, we are planning a large grid scale battery at our Huntly site and these might increase in years to come because that provides intermittent grid firming, when the sun and the wind come and go. Hickman says Genesis is also exploring the possibility of biomass, which is the process of turning wood pallets into energy. Forestry slash could potentially be used for this, she says. Genesis still has the Huntly power station (which is run through coal and gas) and New Zealand depends on that power station when the hydro lakes are low. Were all working really hard to see if we can just replace coal with something more renewable. The benefit of biomass is when you do not need it you are are able to store it. And then you have it available when the hydro lakes are low. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air. A Waikato cattle farming family have been fined $23,000 for failing to provide sufficient food and care for their animals, resulting in more than half a dozen animal deaths. Shane Ross Quigley, 49, Colin Ross Quigley, 75, and Margaret Heather Quigley, 72, were sentenced on four charges under the Animal Welfare Act in the Morrinsville District Court, following a successful prosecution by the Ministry for Primary Industries. Shane Quigley was fined $13,000, while Colin Quigley was fined $7000 and Margaret Quigley, $3000. Shane and Colin were also ordered to pay $4058 in veterinarian costs, sought by MPI. Colin and Shane Quigley were also disqualified from being in charge of more than 100 bovine cattle over the age of six months and 30 cattle under the age of six months. They will also need to employ a farm consultant to carry out visits every four to six weeks. Between July and August 2022, Animal Welfare Inspectors and a veterinarian inspected the cattle at the Quigleys 26-hectare Matamata farm, resulting in charges being laid. We found the Quigleys were raising about 158 mixed breed and 21 Limousin cattle, which was above the appropriate stocking rate for the feed available at their farm, says MPI Acting Regional Manager, Animal Welfare and NAIT Compliance, Bianca Upton. Seven dead cows were discovered on the property, and the grass cover for grazing animals was minimal. They were also providing low-quality supplementary feed some of it mouldy and rotten. Most farmers do the right thing for their animals, but the Quigleys were not living up to their welfare obligations and more of these animals were at a high risk of dying from starvation. Shane Quigley was in charge of the animals between 1 March and 7 July 2022. Due to an injury, his parents, Colin and Margaret Quigley, who own the farm and cattle, took over responsibility for the animals until 4 August 2022. During the first visit by MPI, 39 cattle were visually assessed as being emaciated and the Quigleys were issued a legal notice of direction to immediately address these animal welfare issues. A further inspection found a young bull, a Limousin cow and a young heifer were in serious need of veterinary care because of conditions such as worms and emaciation. All three animals were euthanised due to their poor health. Our veterinarian assessed that it would have taken a number of months for these animals to have built up to the level of worm burden they were suffering from, says Bianca Upton. These animal deaths were preventable if the Quigleys had been meeting their animal welfare responsibilities. MPI strongly encourages any member of the public who is aware of animal ill treatment or cruelty to report it to the MPI animal welfare complaints freephone 0800 00 83 33. UPDATE 4:40: Police can confirm one person is in custody after the Tauranga Hospital incident. Police are no longer in attendance. Tauranga Hospital has returned to normal operational status as suspect is detained. Police have confirmed that the suspect being sought in relation to the incident which caused Tauranga Hospital to be locked down today has been apprehended and is in custody. As a result, the hospital has now been returned to a normal operational state with normal services being resumed. UPDATE 2PM: Lockdown protocols remains in place at Tauranga Hospital following a threatening phone call today. The hospital has gone from a full lockdown to a partial one, says a spokesperson in an update this afternoon. "The safety of our staff and patients remains our primary concern. The hospital has gone from a full to a partial lockdown state. "This means controlled access for staff (via swipe cards) and vetting of patients and whanau prior to entry will be in operation until further notice." The hospital says patients should attend at their scheduled appointment times. They will be vetted on arrival before being allowed access. Staff should continue to come into work for their shifts as normal and carry their ID cards when doing so. Police have requested that staff and members of the public remain vigilant and report anyone acting strangely, either to an onsite police or security team member, or by calling police on 111. " A police presence will remain at the hospital, together with an increased security presence, until the situation is resolved. "The hospital Incident Operations Centre Incident Management Team (IOC IMT) will also remain in place until the situation is resolved." EARLIER: Tauranga Hospital is currently in lockdown after receiving a threatening phone call. "Police were made aware of the call and are present onsite," says a statement from the hospital. "The hospital has been locked down as a precaution. The incident is currently being investigated. "The hospital will remain in lockdown until it is resolved. "A hospital Incident Operations Centre Incident Management Team (IOC IMT) has being stood up whilst the situation is resolved." The Emergency Department remains open and patients who have appointments at the hospital should still attend at their scheduled time, says a hospital spokesperson. "There are no further updates available at this time. "We will provide an update once more information becomes available." A witness, who is inside the hospital, says she was visiting her mother when she went to go to the cafe and couldn't get through. "The police are not allowing any public movement within the hospital. No one's allowed inside, and once you leave, you can't come back in. "The nurse said someone has made a threat to the hospital why the police are here and armed." Read more here. LINCOLN After previous doubts that the Nebraska Legislature would take action against a lawmaker who invoked his colleagues' names in the reading of a graphic rape scene, a formal investigation has been launched into the incident. State Sen. Steve Halloran of Hastings has faced calls to resign due to remarks he made in support of a bill that sought to regulate the state's obscenity laws. He quoted extensively from a graphic rape scene from a memoir of a sexual assault survivor Lucky, by The Lovely Bones author Alice Sebold and repeatedly interjected the name Senator Cavanaugh into the passage. Lawmakers from across the political spectrum criticized Hallorans words, and some urged his resignation or suggested that he should be punished. And a small group of protesters stood outside Hallorans Capitol office Tuesday, calling him a fascist and a despicable, evil man. We cant just let this go, said Sen. Julie Slama of Dunbar. On Wednesday, Sen. Raymond Aguilar of Grand Island, the Executive Board chair, said he filed a complaint against Halloran under the Nebraska Legislature's workplace harassment policy. This complaint launched a formal investigation that will lead to recommendations for possible repercussions Halloran could face. Slama, who sits on the Executive Board, which oversees disciplinary matters, said there are three options the Legislature can pursue to punish Halloran: a formal letter of reprimand, censure or expulsion. She lamented that there aren't more options for punishment, arguing that censure and a letter of reprimand is little more than a scolding. "Two of these three options have zero impact in Nebraska," Slama said on social media Wednesday. "We wont do the third." Earlier in the week, Speaker of the Legislature John Arch said he did not condone Hallorans words, but urged lawmakers to move forward with the work left to do in the remaining 15 days of the session. We cannot let this derail this session, Arch said. The controversy began Monday evening when Halloran spoke to support Legislative Bill 441, which sought to remove current protections that make it harder to prosecute K-12 educators charged with providing obscene materials to minors. The bill was blocked from advancement Wednesday. State law lets teachers use a defense in court that the materials were provided under the purview of their jobs, although a jury could still choose to convict them. LB 441 supporters said that legal defense is a loophole that should be closed. They contend that school libraries currently contain materials that are inappropriate for children a view supported by numerous people who testified on the bill in March 2023 by reading explicit materials from books that were available in some Nebraska schools. Halloran read the passage based on the testimony at that hearing. He argued that the memoir's contents was inappropriate to make available for children. The backlash from his colleagues and the general public began immediately. Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha said the comments constituted harassment and noted that female lawmakers have experienced sexual violence. She said she opposed the bill but has worked to remain respectful in her opposition. That was beyond the pale, she said in a tearful response to Hallorans comments. Slama agreed with her and called for Halloran to resign. I know how this crowd operates, she wrote in one social media post Monday night. Bet theres plenty of laughs happening as certain senators pretend its funny to treat colleagues this way. In any other job, she said, an employee who said what Halloran did likely would be fired. Halloran apologized Tuesday for naming lawmakers in his testimony, saying it was a mistake. He said he did so in an effort to get lawmakers to pay attention to what he was reading. He also claimed that he was referring to Cavanaughs brother, Sen. John Cavanaugh of Omaha, along with Sen. George Dungan of Lincoln, who had both spoken against the bill earlier in the day. Machaela Cavanaugh said she didnt believe Hallorans assertion. She said Halloran approached her and Sen. Lynne Walz of Fremont before he made his comments, and described the same passage he later read on the floor. Halloran stood behind his decision to read the explicit rape description, saying he wanted to call attention to materials that he repeatedly described as required reading. However, the March 2023 testimony said only that it was found in 16 different libraries across Nebraska and that in five schools, students could get points for having read the book. John Cavanaugh, Wendy DeBoer of Bennington and Brad von Gillern of the Omaha area said Hallorans apology missed the mark and urged him to do better. Von Gillern said that he believed Halloran meant no harm by his comments but that Hallorans apology was conditional because he paired it with further justifications for his actions. Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln was willing to move on from the controversy, saying that it would be wrong to invoke government punishment on someone because of comments made during a debate that centered on free speech rights. She said Halloran had a right to say what he did, and other lawmakers have the right to criticize it. Popular speech needs no protection, Conrad said. Unpopular speech is what needs protection. Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of March 2024 Alekk M. Saanders Thursday, 21 March 2024, 13:30 | Updated 14:51h. Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X LinkedIn Telegram For the past 25 years the world has celebrated a day dedicated to poetry, to encourage the writing, reading, publishing and teaching of this art around the world. Unesco established World Poetry Day in 1999 to give new recognition and impetus to national, regional and international poetry movements. Joseph Blanco White Joseph Blanco White was born on 11 July 1775 in Seville as Jose Maria Blanco y Crespo. He was the son of William White, an Irishman from Waterford who emigrated to Seville in the early 18th century to take over his uncle's trading house, and who became known as Guillermo Blanco. Supposedly to facilitate his business dealings with American colonies, he changed his surname to Blanco. His mother was Maria Gertrudis Crespo y Neve, who came from a noble Spanish family, though of modest wealth. Blanco White was educated for the Roman Catholic priesthood. In time, however, he became a freethinker, largely due to his collaboration with Melchor de Jovellanos, a major figure of the Spanish Enlightenment. In 1808, he began his journalistic career as a defender of Spanish independence during the French invasion of Spain. When the French entered Seville in 1810, he fled to England. Joseph White studied theology at Oxford. It is reported that there he converted to Anglicanism and re-anglicised his name - from Blanco In London, Blanco White is said to have been kindly received by several Englishmen, including Lord Holland, a important politician at the time. He soon established the periodical El Espanol (The Spaniard), which was circulated in Spain to incite Spanish opposition to the French and which was also strongly for the independence of Spanish America. In England Joseph White became known as a writer of essays, poems and popular polemical treatises on questions of dogma Joseph White studied theology at Oxford. It is reported that there he converted to Anglicanism and re-anglicised his name from Blanco. While at University, he struck up friendships with young clerical intellectuals who subsequently became leaders of the Oxford Movement. Later, Joseph White was appointed as editor of a new quarterly journal, The London Review. In England Joseph White became known as a writer of essays, poems, and popular polemical treatises on questions of dogma. He is best remembered for his sonnet Night and Death, dedicated to Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Blanco White died in Liverpool on 20 May 1841. The correspondence, manuscripts, notebooks and pamphlets relating to his life and work form the Blanco White Collection, held in the library at the University of Liverpool. Jose Angel Valente A Spanish poet of 50s, Jose Angel Valente was born in Galicia on 25 April 1929. He studied law at the University of Santiago de Compostela and then graduated from the University of Madrid with a degree in Romance Philology. In the mid-1950s he went to England and was a lecturer in Spanish philology at Oxford, where he also earned his Master of Arts. He translated for the World Health Organisation in Switzerland, before moving to Paris, where he worked for Unesco. In 1972, Jose Angel Valente was accused by Franco's government of insulting the honour of the Spanish army. Consequently, he was only allowed to return to Spain after the death of the Spanish dictator, finally settling in Andalucia, where he lived and wrote. It is thought that Almeria attracted the poet due to its desert landscapes and the nearby Cabo de Gata National Park. Valente died in 2000. Almeria attracted Jose Angel Valente, due to its desert landscapes and the nearby Cabo de Gata National Park An obituary to Jose Angel Valente by The Guardian wrote, "Many of those who grew up under Franco became politicised poets, but Valente turned to writing meta-poetry about the inner processes of poetry itself because he was a "poet in times of misery" who had to re-think what poetry meant in the corruption of language under Franco. The practice of writing and translating poetry became his self-defence, and path to the enigma of inner knowledge. Franco's shadow drove him into 'poverty and exile', living in what he called the 'extrapatria', outside Spain." Jose Angel Valente was named Spain's most dedicated poet, described as "a poet's poet elaborating an austere ethic of creativity" Jose Angel Valente is considered one of the greatest Spanish poets of the latter half of the 20th century. He was named Spain's most dedicated poet, described as "a poet's poet elaborating an austere ethic of creativity". For his work, he was the prize winner of the Pablo Iglesias Posse Foundation (1984), Princess of Asturias Awards (1988), and Queen Sofia (1998). The Department of Poetics and Aesthetics at the University of Santiago de Compostela was named after him. A day out in Almeria In Almeria you can visit La Casa del Poeta (The Poet's House), located on the street that bears his name. The renovation project of Jose Angel Valente's house was carried out with the aim of spreading his poetry and turning his home into a centre of pilgrimage for literature. Casa del Poeta, with its different spaces and thematic areas, attempts to take visitors on a journey through the life and work of Jose Angel Valente. The Poet's House in Almeria. SUR It is thought that Jose Angel Valente saw his home Almeria as a magical path, connecting basement and roof; an ascent to the light that also influenced his own creative process. Ignacio Lillo Malaga Thursday, 21 March 2024, 16:12 Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X LinkedIn Telegram The Spanish government's three-line answer to a question from the Partido Popular about the Costa del Sol train line extension has outraged the local party. In February, Malaga PP politicians, who sit in Madrid, asked the government to clarify its position on its intentions for the coastal train extension, following a previous question on the issue. They asked: "Does the government plan to resume the project of the coastal train from Malaga to Marbella?" The answer of the ministry of Transport, was terse: "The project of the new railway access to Marbella and Estepona has been the subject of several studies over time that have shown its great complexity from the territorial, functional and economic points of view". This is all the information that was provided for an infrastructure that has been demanded for decades and which would cost at least 2.5 billion euros. The PP of Malaga has spared no adjectives to describe the response. Its secretary general, Jose Ramon Carmona, at a press conference on Monday 18 March, branded the reply as "shameful", and said that central government, in his opinion, "confirms that it has no interest" in the infrastructure on the Costa del Sol. Canal Motor / Patxi Fernandez Thursday, 21 March 2024, 14:21 Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X LinkedIn Telegram Seat belts and child restraints are among the most effective measures to protect people from injury in the event of road accidents. Yet, although this has been scientifically proven, there are still a significant number of drivers and passengers who do not use a safety belt, or use it incorrectly. Especially in the case of children's restraints, which are more complex to use than seat belts, there is a high prevalence of incorrect use or use of systems that are not appropriate for the size of the child. In the case of children, the use of child restraints is even more important as data shows that nine out of ten serious or fatal injuries in children would have been avoided if mandatory child restraints had been used. In the event of an accident, injuries are reduced by up to 75% with proper use of child restraints, data also shows. In Spain, it is compulsory for children with a height of 135 cm or less to correctly use a child restraint system appropriate to their size and weight, being recommended up to 150 cm. A total of 139 people killed on inter-urban roads in 2023 were not wearing seat belts at the time of the accident - 25% of the total number of fatalities last year. To promote the safe use of seat belts and child restraint systems, the DGT carried out a special surveillance and control campaign on both urban and inter-urban roads. The campaign finished on Sunday 17 March. The campaign helped ensure all vehicle occupants, adults or minors, make use of seat belts or the appropriate child restraint system. The Guardia Civil's traffic unit and local police forces joined the campaign which involved increasing vigilance on all types of roads. Surveillance was also increased from the air, as well as road cameras with 245 devices installed on both conventional and high occupancy roads. The campaign is in addition to other campaigns organised by RoadPol (European Road Policing Network) which, within the European Union, was launched in a bid to promote safe use of vehicle restraint systems. In order to experience first-hand the effectiveness of seat belts, the Direccion General de Trafico carried out a presentation of the campaign at the RACE Foundation training centre at the Jarama Circuit, where attendees were able to ride on a rollover simulator with RACE Foundation and RACE Institutional Relations director Ignacio Fernandez, and head of research at RACE Foundation David Fernandez. Traffic and road safety law The traffic and road safety law penalises four points off one's licence for not wearing a seat belt. The same points are deducted for not using the appropriate child restraint system or using it incorrectly. Children should always be seated in the rear seats, unless the vehicle does not have them, they are already occupied by other children or it is not possible to install all child restraint systems in them. It is also recommended they travel rear facing, if possible, up to the age of four years and mandatory up to the age of 15 months. Carles Puigdemont, during the appearance this Thursday evening in which he announced his candidacy. Cristian Reino / Paula de las Heras Elna (France) / Madrid (Spain) Thursday, 21 March 2024, 21:14 Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X LinkedIn Telegram The leader of Catalan separatist party Junts, Carles Puigdemont, is to stand for regional president in the Catalan elections in May. The announcement was made by Puigdemont in an eagerly awaited meeting in Elna in southern France, close to the border with Spain, this Thursday evening (21 March). Self-exiled Puigdemont is still wanted in Spain over the illegal independence referendum in 2017 although an amnesty of those involved, driven by the Socialist party, is currently going through Spains parliament. Speaking to the some 1,000 people present including the media, Puigdemont said the elections would be to choose between those who want to sink Catalonia and those who want to finish the job so that Catalonia can be recognised as another nation. The Spanish Prime Minister and leader of the PSOE-Socialists, Pedro Sanchez, dismissed the possible candidacy of Puigdemont earlier on Thursday. He said Puigdemont was a candidate in 2021 and 2017. There is nothing new in that. An opinion poll published by the Catalan government this Thursday showed Sanchezs Socialists, under regional leader Salvador Illa - the former national Health minister during Covid - are favourites to win on 12 May. The left-wing ERCrepublican party are lagging behind and Junts under Puigdemont would be in third place. This week, the leader of ERC, Pere Aragones, who is the current Catalan president, launched his partys drive for all taxation income to be collected directly by the Catalan regional government and part given back to Spain, rather than the Spanish state collecting and redistributing it. Isabel Mendez Malaga Thursday, 21 March 2024, 12:11 Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X LinkedIn Telegram Spanish consumer group Facua has issued a warning about a new smishing scam where cyber criminals pretending to be from TikTok are offering fake jobs. Victims receive an SMS text message supposedly sent by the "TikTok promotion department" stating they are looking for "5,000 part-time employees", promising daily pay starting at 50 euros, with new employees receiving five euros "immediately". "The work is very simple and has no time restrictions. You can join from any country or region with access to TikTok. You can work from home," the cybercriminals state in the text message. In order to get more information about this job offer, such as salary details, people are then asked to access a link to a website. "The number of the contact sending the message is 648 43 40 14, although other similar numbers cannot be ruled out," Facua pointed out. Tips to avoid scams Facua recommends being wary of job offers with few requirements and a high salary, as well as always checking whether the company exists. Never making transfers or any other bank activity to unknown accounts or numbers, the consumer group warned. If you have already been a victim of this scam, you should contact your bank. It is also advisable to file a complaint with National Police, providing any evidence such as conversations with the fraudsters and receipts of the bank transfers made. After three heated days of debate, the Nebraska Legislature blocked a bill to remove protections for K-12 educators if they face charges of providing obscene materials to minors. LB441 failed its first round of floor debate Wednesday in a 30-17 vote. The bill needed 33 votes to pass a filibuster-ending cloture motion. Introduced by Sen. Joni Albrecht of Thurston, the bill would remove a legal defense currently available to educators, which she says is a loophole in state law. "In the state of Nebraska, obscenity is a safe zone in K-12 and their libraries," Albrecht said. Under state law, educators who are charged with providing obscene materials to minors can use a defense in court that the materials were provided under the purview of their jobs. A jury can still choose to convict them for this crime. Albrecht argued that this defense was only meant to be used by educators in higher education, and said it isn't justifiable for K-12 educators. Opponents said the bill would violate free speech rights and hinder students' right to learn. Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln said the bill wasn't the correct route to keep children safe in schools. She also said the bill would weaponize criminal law as a way to fight culture wars, calling it "a thinly veiled attempt to ban books." "If a book is in a library, it's not mandated that you read it," Conrad said. Tensions reached a boiling point Monday night, when Sen. Steve Halloran of Hastings read an excerpt of an explicit rape scene and injected the name "Senator Cavanaugh" into the passage. His comments prompted calls for him to resign. Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh said Halloran's remarks were "beyond the pale," and qualified as harassment. Albrecht said she was "mortified" by what Halloran said. Sen. Raymond Aguilar of Grand Island, chair of the Legislature's Executive Board, said Wednesday that he filed a complaint against Halloran under the body's workplace harassment policy. The complaint has since launched a formal investigation into the incident, which may lead to recommendations for punishment. Sen. Lynne Walz of Fremont said the Legislature should be focused on preventing educators from being charged with crimes to begin with, and spoke favorably about establishing a more robust review process for content. Conrad said most school districts already have a process established for parents to voice concerns about learning materials they find offensive. Sen. Tom Brandt of Plymouth was one of the few Republicans who spoke against LB441. He said he found the language overly broad, and noted that there are many examples of art and literature that might be considered obscene, including in the Nebraska Capitol. Elementary students regularly pass by mosaics that depict nudity when they visit the building. "Are we going to lay carpet over the Rotunda and Great Hall to protect our fragile sensibilities?" Brandt asked. "I would hope not." Sen. Dave Murman of Glenvil said obscenity isn't legally protected speech. If educators are concerned with facing criminal charges, he said that just serves as proof that objectionable content is being taught in Nebraska classrooms. Multiple opponents disagreed, and accused LB441 supporters of having a broader concept of obscenity than its legal definition. Sen. John Cavanaugh of Omaha said obscenity doesn't mean anything that an individual doesn't like, and said there can be value in content that makes people uncomfortable. "The problem is that everything is obscene to you people," said Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha. "Everything scandalizes you." The bill's supporters said it would not lead to a spike in teachers being arrested. But John Cavanaugh said the bill would be harmful because it would scare K-12 schools into removing books from the shelves solely because some people found them offensive in order to avoid the risk of criminal penalties. Meet the Nebraska state senators making laws in 2024 Washington, D.C. A Utica native and former geophysicist who fought with police outside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, was sentenced to 63 months in prison Thursday. Jeffrey Sabol, who now lives in Colorado, was found guilty at a trial in August on robbery, assault and obstructing an official proceeding charges. He was seen on security cameras dragging a Capitol police officer down steps, where he was kicked and beaten with a flag pole by a mob. Syracuse, N.Y. -- National Grid plans to beef up 1,000 miles of transmission lines over the next six years, a $4 billion upgrade to the electric grid that all New Yorkers not just National Grid customers will pay for. State regulators authorized the work to promote the growth of rural wind and solar power and to support rising demand for electricity as New York moves to phase out fossil fuels. Other Upstate utilities are launching similar projects. A roundup of conversations we're having daily on the site. Subscribe to the Reckon Daily for stories centering marginalized communities and speaking to the under-covered issues of the moment. Migrant advocates are reeling following the U.S. Supreme Courts ruling to allow enforcement of the controversial Texas Senate Bill 4, which would give state police and judges the ability to arrest and deport people suspected of unlawfully crossing into the country from the Mexican border. The law was put on hold again hours later by an appeals court. The bill, signed into law late last year by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, was initially blocked by a district court. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals effectively undid the decision, and the Supreme Court declined to review that suspension, according to the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas. The legislation would have originally gone into effect on March 5. Supreme Court Justices, in a 6-3 vote on Tuesday, cleared SB 4 to take effect until the appeals court reinstated the district courts injunction, temporarily blocking the law again as litigation continues to strike it down completely. SB4 is cruel, inhumane and clearly unconstitutional, Kate Melloy Goettel, the senior legal director at the American Immigration Council, said in a statement released after the Supreme Court ruling. We have a blueprint for fixing our broken immigration system and politically-motivated and hateful laws like SB 4 dont solve any of our root problems, it only creates more chaos. The appeals court scheduled a hearing Wednesday morning to discuss whether the law should be implemented, and according to reports, the judges did not appear receptive to Texas arguments that SB 4 mirrored federal law. Opponents and supporters of the immigration law released a flurry of statements following the initial ruling on Tuesday. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in a post on X, formerly Twitter, called it a huge win. Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa said in a statement that the inhumane border law would force American citizens to carry passports in their own neighborhoods. Mexicos Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement condemning the laws implementation, which they said seeks to stop the flow of migrants by criminalizing them and encouraging the separation of families, discrimination and racial profiling. The Mexican government also called into question the safety of the more than 10 million people of Mexican origin who live in Texas and said it would file an amicus curiae brief with the Fifth Circuit court of appeals to provide information about how this law will impact Mexicans and Mexican-Americans and the U.S.-Mexico relations. It has filed briefs of this kind as a third-party opposing anti-immigrant laws in previous litigation in Arizona and Alabama. Mexico recognizes the importance of a uniform migration policy and the bilateral efforts with the United States to ensure that migration is safe, orderly and respectful of human rights, and is not affected by state or local legislative decisions, according to the statement. In this regard, Mexico will not accept, under any circumstances, repatriations by the State of Texas. SB 4, referred to by migrant advocates as one of the most extreme anti-immigration laws, would create new state crimes ranging from misdemeanor to felony in an attempt to regulate immigration. These charges include: illegal entry from a foreign nation, illegal reentry by certain noncitizens and refusal to comply with an order to leave the country. Local law enforcement could arrest anyone suspected of unlawfully entering the U.S. and state judges would be allowed to issue deportation orders. The American Civil Liberties Union of Texas, the Texas Civil Rights Project and other civil rights organizations filed a lawsuit late December, which was consolidated into a suit with the Department of Justice, stating the law was unconstitutional and contradicted federal immigration policy. Like other state immigration Show Me Your Papers laws, SB 4 grants sweeping powers to Texas state and local law enforcement to racially profile and harass Latinos and other communities of color, UnidosUS President and CEO Janet Murguia said in a statement. 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. On March 6, Douyin E-commerce released the 2024 Douyin E-commerce Female Consumer Trend Data Report. It unveiled that in the past year, the order volume of horse-faced skirts a type of hanfu, the traditional style of clothing worn by the Han people among female users on Douyin, skyrocketed by 841 percent compared to the previous year. "I've noticed that there are so many people wearing horse-faced skirts on the streets now, from young women to children; it's unbelievable," said Wang Zicheng, 23, a hanfu enthusiast. He recalled that when he wore hanfu for the first time in 2018 at his coming-of-age ceremony, it was still a minority interest even among young people in China. Now, he is confident wearing it everywhere, even outside of China. While studying at University College London, UK, and now at Boston University, US, Wang has taken pictures of himself wearing hanfu against the backdrop of iconic landmarks in various countries, such as Big Ben, the Egyptian pyramids, and the White House, illustrating a captivating blend of different cultures. Wei Xiaobo, 33, noticed the same change. He is the owner of the Taobao store "Huaibian Xiaozhu", specializing in restored traditional hanfu. He founded the store in 2014 while at university and shifted to full-time entrepreneurship in 2019. It was at that time that he noticed more general consumers were starting to rediscover the attire. "Previously, customers who came to the store to purchase hanfu were mainly fans of it and were familiar with the clothes and their associated terms," said Wei. "Around 2019, however, it was noticeable that many customers had only recently discovered it or had no prior knowledge of it." Since then, sales at Wei's store have continued to climb, with another significant surge recorded in 2023. Currently, over 41 percent of his customers are between the ages of 18 and 25. As a frontline practitioner, Wei experienced the impact of the hanfu trend on production lines. Previously, it was not easy to find Chinese manufacturers for hanfu fabrics; sourcing from neighboring countries was often necessary. "However, an increasing number of Chinese manufacturers now produce such fabrics, and even allow customization of patterns," he said. Tradition meets modernity With the rising popularity of hanfu, traditional attire and modern fashion are blending not only in clothing styles but also in cultural and conceptual dimensions. Some hanfu enthusiasts believe that each design of hanfu's structural form reflects historical and cultural symbolism. They advocate for strict adherence to traditional forms and craftsmanship. However, some ordinary consumers prioritize the aesthetics and comfort of the clothing itself over strict historical accuracy. Wei is among those who firmly uphold their beliefs regarding the structure of traditional hanfu. When engaged in restoration work, he meticulously references historical materials such as museum exhibitions and reports from archaeological teams. He dedicates significant effort to studying traditional clothing, aiming to provide consumers with authentic attire in its original form. Despite his unwavering convictions about hanfu aesthetics, he acknowledges the emergence of different viewpoints. "It's a natural outcome of the resurgence and evolution of traditional culture in modern society," he said. According to him, some people misunderstand hanfu, assuming it's all about loose-fitting and impractical for daily wear. However, attire worn during ancient agricultural activities was also well-suited for everyday life. "We can explore more traditional casual wear to meet daily clothing needs, rather than arbitrarily altering traditional ceremonial attire," said Wei. Zhou Shuang, 37, is a lecturer at the Wuhan Institute of Design and Sciences in Wuhan, Hubei province, specializing in character styling for film and television and traditional Chinese clothing culture. According to her, traditional Chinese attire features three distinctive design elements. First, the collar crosses over, with the right side wrapping over the left. Second, the garment is loose-fitting, with wide sleeves that extend past the arms. Third, it is fastened with cords instead of buttons. "Each design carries its own cultural significance. For instance, the loose-fitting robes and wide sleeves symbolize the harmony of nature," she said. "For those with a deep understanding of hanfu, their dedication to its structural integrity is admirable. It's a way of safeguarding and upholding the historical continuity of traditional clothing culture." However, Zhou also pointed out that for those unfamiliar with traditional clothing culture, it's understandable for them to desire a blend of classical elegance with contemporary fashion. This combination is referred to as the neo-Chinese style. "Neo-Chinese style clothing design doesn't merely layer traditional elements but seamlessly integrates modernity and tradition comprehensively and naturally, "explained Zhou. "It aims to showcase traditional charm that resonates with the aesthetic preferences of contemporary individuals." Beyond style Sanmu (pseudonym), 33, is the founder and designer of INGKO, a women's clothing brand specializing in neo-Chinese style. Reflecting on the establishment of INGKO with his wife in 2019, Sanmu recalls that the prevalent Chinese-style clothing options in the market at the time were mostly hanfu or Zen-style attire favored by middle-aged and elderly customers, leaving a gap for young fashion brands with Chinese artistic flair. "In recent years, hanfu has garnered increased attention and admiration from young people, laying a strong foundation for the contemporary appreciation of Chinese aesthetics among today's youth," said Sanmu. He also noticed that since 2022, the neo-Chinese style has surged in popularity. "Our suppliers, fabric merchants, and accessory providers have begun experiencing shortages, and there has been a noticeable growth in factories manufacturing related products," he said. However, Sanmu took a distinctive approach with INGKO, aiming to capture the allure of Chinese women. For example, he believes qipao can be both elegant and cool, open to incorporating subtle punk or metallic elements into the design. "Why can't someone wear a qipao to a nightclub?" he thought. Sanmu's design inspirations stem from heroines in films from his youth, such as Guan Qiaohong from Hidden Man, directed by Chinese filmmaker Jiang Wen. He fondly recalled the character's inspiration a female assassin named Shi Jianqiao (1905-1979), who spent a decade in hiding to avenge her father's death by assassinating the warlord Sun Chuanfang (1885-1935) during the 1920s. "These heroines embody a calm, decisive, and independent image of Chinese women, diverging from the gentle stereotype often portrayed in Western perceptions," he said. Drawing from this inspiration, Sanmu and his wife conceived a women's clothing line called "Chushan" (Taking the Field) in early 2020.One promotional image that encapsulates the essence of this series features a woman in a black qipao, facing the camera with a clenched fist raised in salute. "This concept incorporates the Taoist philosophy of chushan, signifying the notion of venturing out to combat evil, aiming to convey the chivalrous spirit and righteousness of Chinese women," he explained. "I hope to showcase contemporary cultural trends by blending traditional Chinese aesthetics into modern fashion, celebrating our ethnic culture." Despite the growing hanfu trend in China and the efforts of enthusiasts and academics to promote it, there remains a general lack of understanding among people in other countries about Chinese traditional clothing. According to Wang, he traveled to a dozen countries, including the UK, Germany, the US, and Mexico, while wearing hanfu. One memorable moment occurred at Big Ben, where international tourists were intrigued by his outfit and approached him. "They guessed about the origin of my clothes, suggesting countries like Japan, South Korea, and even Brunei, but none correctly identified that it's from China," Wang said. He believed this misconception stemmed from the fact that people in other countries have few chances to see authentic hanfu items. "Even in museums like the British Museum, most clothing artifacts are from the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), which is typically not categorized as hanfu," he said. One potential solution might be to integrate hanfu into everyday wear. In fact, Zhou's students are currently exploring possibilities that preserve hanfu's cultural heritage while meeting the needs of everyday dress choices. Their innovative hanfu designs involve minimal alterations to the structure and focus on improving fabric and craftsmanship. Zhou disclosed that they integrate materials such as organza or chiffon, along with contemporary decorative techniques, to give a traditional, refined look to the garments while also lowering costs and improving practicality. In contrast to traditional silk, cotton, and linen, modern fabrics usually offer affordability and ease of maintenance. "Traditional Chinese clothing culture is essential for students to refine their aesthetic sensibilities and spark fresh design concepts, enabling them to integrate this knowledge into practical design," she said. Kraken Unveils Crypto Custody Service for US Institutional Clients Crypto exchange Kraken launched a crypto custody service in the US targeted at institutional clients on Wednesday. Kraken Financial, a state-chartered bank based in Wyoming, will provide the service. The service includes digital asset custody and institutional deposit accounts. The announcement comes amid renewed excitement in the crypto market, spurred by the approval of Spot Bitcoin ETFs. This change is marked by growing interest from institutional investors, renewed optimism, and wider adoption of cryptocurrencies. Custody has always been integral to the institutional crypto space and the recent success of the bitcoin ETFs has only underscored the need for a broader range of qualified custodians, said Tim Ogilvie, Head of Kraken Institutional. He pointed out that Kraken Custodys launch is well-timed, offering another option for custody. Kraken Custody is the first product under our new institutional brand. Offered via Kraken Financial, our state-chartered bank that holds fiat deposits in full reserve, it is ideally suited to offer qualified custody solutions for US institutional clients.https://t.co/1TzDm00CBZ Kraken Exchange (@krakenfx) March 20, 2024 Kraken Crypto Custody Independent From Main Exchange Kraken Financial operates independently, keeping its funds and assets separate from the main Kraken exchange. This setup is in Wyoming, known for being forward-thinking in the crypto space. The state took early steps to regulate the crypto industry, notably by launching a fintech sandbox in 2020 to experiment with new financial products and services. The state of Wyomings clear regulatory structure means Kraken Financial can offer qualified custody that fully meets institutions requirements, said Kraken Financial CEO Trevor Rutar. Major Banks Move Into Crypto Custody The worldwide market for crypto custody services is becoming increasingly competitive with the entry of significant financial institutions. For instance, HSBC stepped into this space last year, offering a custody service for digital assets, targeting institutional clients interested in tokenized securities. In the US, Custodia Bank also made a move by introducing its Bitcoin custody platform in certain states. Meanwhile in Europe, Swiss crypto firm Taurus teamed up with Deutsche Bank to combine crypto custody with tokenized services. Furthermore, Standard Chartered-backed Zodia Custody began offering its digital asset custody services in Singapore, focusing on financial institutions. 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. What just happened? Epic Games has for years been fighting against Apple's policies that require developers to pay the tech giant up to 30 percent of their revenues on every purchase made through the App Store. Now, Epic has found legal support from some of the biggest tech companies in the world, including Microsoft, Meta, Spotify, X (formerly Twitter), and Match Group. The aforementioned companies have reportedly filed an amicus brief (via WSJ) in the Epic vs Apple case, stating that the latter was in "clear violation" of the court injunction forcing Apple to enable third-party payment options on iOS. According to their filing, Apple made it intentionally harder for iOS users to use cheaper means to pay for digital content. Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney had earlier blasted Apple for what he claimed was the firm's "malicious compliance" with the requirements of the European Union's Digital Markets Act. According to Sweeney, Apple was forcing users to choose the "illegal" Apple App Store exclusivity or be saddled with anti-competitive junk fees on downloads and Apple taxes on payments processed by third-party platforms. The bad blood between Apple and Epic Games started several years ago, when Epic complained that the Cupertino giant was allegedly violating US antitrust laws by requiring consumers to download apps exclusively through its App Store and charging developers up to 30 percent commissions on every transaction. Epic finally sued Apple in 2020 after the tech giant removed Fortnite from the App Store in retaliation for Epic receiving payments through third-party payment processors. Apple was subsequently compelled to allow developers to accept payments through third-party channels following a ruling by the US District Court of the Northern District of California. While the ruling was binding in the US, the EU's Digital Markets Act also forced the company to offer third-party payment options in Europe. Additionally, the DMA regulations stipulate that Apple must allow its customers in the EU to download apps from alternative digital stores. However, Apple has since announced that it will charge a 27 percent fee for app publishers processing payments through third-party platforms, leading to howls of protest from developers around the world. South Korean Tax Dodgers Out of Pocket as Authorities Seize $768,500 Worth of Crypto South Korean tax dodgers have been dealt another blow, with tax authorities in the city of Hwaseong confiscating crypto assets worth over $768,500. Tax officers said they had seized a whopping $567,000 of the total from one single individual. The move is part of a continued nationwide crackdown. South Korean Tax Dodgers in Crosshairs in Hwaseong Crypto trading profits are not yet subject to taxation in South Korea, where successive governments have u-turned on and delayed plans to introduce levies. However, tax officials think that many people throughout the country have used crypto to conceal their earnings and income. Tax officers have been given the power to comb data from domestic crypto exchanges to look for evidence of undeclared income. Per Newsis, the city began to investigate the aforementioned individual after noticing they had failed to pay local taxes and local income tax levies. But using a new electronic management system that can track virtual assets, Hwaseong tax officials could monitor the individuals crypto transactions. The city began using the new platform in October last year. Officials used this solution to probe the individual, named only as A by the media outlet. City officials initially found that A appeared to own no property, had no cash assets, and did not live at a registered Hwaseong address. The officials launched a larger probe in conjunction with the National Tax Service. They even questioned As family members. Eventually, the officials began to suspect that A may have been using crypto to pay for living costs. Software Helps Officials Track Crypto Using crypto exchange data, the officials unearthed As crypto holdings, which they seized to pay off the individuals tax bills. The city also began investigating 568 residents who had defaulted on large amounts of local taxes. In each case, the tax body checked to see if it could find crypto wallets in these peoples names. Finally, officers discovered that 100 of these people held virtual assets. They seized a total of $201,500 worth of crypto from these tax dodgers. An undisclosed number of these individuals appear to have made voluntary cash payments to stop the city from forcibly liquidating their cryptoassets. The South Korean wons correlation with the yen has risen to the highest level in more than nine months as traders await a potentially historic policy decision by the Bank of Japan https://t.co/ace64BEHOU Bloomberg Economics (@economics) March 19, 2024 Tax Officials Hunt Crypto Nationwide Oh Chu-seop, the head of the citys tax collection department, said: We will take strong action against habitual tax dodgers by all means possible. That includes seizing their personal assets. In February, the province of Gyeonggi announced it had recovered $4.6 million in outstanding taxes from crypto-holding residents using a similar system. South Korean tax dodgers have been warned local authorities are coming for them. Tax officials said they had seized tokens worth $28.4 million from delinquents in 2023. Under ruling party proposals, South Korea could once again move to defer the introduction of capital gains tax on crypto earnings. Such a proposed delay would likely push tax plans back, and would not require South Koreans to pay any tax on their coin earnings until 2027 at the earliest. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol called for deeper defense ties with the United Kingdom as he met the visiting British deputy prime minister, with the two countries also kicking off a new round of trade negotiations this week https://t.co/pBkp89OG8K Reuters (@Reuters) March 20, 2024 South Korea goes to the polls for legislative elections on April 10. Earlier this month, the National Tax Service said it had commissioned an IT firm to help it build a crypto monitoring system. The system will help the body ensure that crypto holders do not fall behind on their taxes. The service said the platform will help the body seize coins from those who fail to pay income and local taxes. Tech aficionados hailed Nvidia's AI conference, GTC 2024, in San Jose, California, as a must-attend affair. At the conference, the tech giant displayed its newest breakthroughs as its stock soared over 500% since 2023. Nvidia, the third-most valuable company in the world due to the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), introduced its powerful Blackwell architecture, GB200 GPU, and CUDA software improvements. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's two-hour keynote talk on the first day covered a wide variety of topics, including artificial intelligence, new technologies, and robotic dancer exhibitions. CEO Jensen Huang outlined his company's AI-powered future vision in his keynote talk at Nvidia GTC 2024 in San Jose. According to TechRadar, Huang's address highlighted Nvidia's leadership in the AI revolution with various announcements, ranging from new, powerful CPUs to developments in the omniverse and humanoid robots. Speaking to more than 10,000 guests during the keynote, Huang affirmed Nvidia's critical role in influencing the future and called the computer the foundation of contemporary civilization. Huang noted the establishment of a new sector category and acknowledged the tremendous increase in AI innovation, pointing out its unique potential. Blackwell: The Future of AI Notably, Nvidia unveiled Blackwell, a revolutionary chip that promises increased processing capacity, efficiency, and productivity and is expected to power the next wave of technological innovations to propel this new sector ahead. According to Huang, accelerated computing is a game-changer that goes beyond general-purpose computing and is essential to maintaining growth and scalability while maintaining affordability and sustainability. Huang remarked that Blackwell would become "an amazing system for generative AI...in the future, data centers are going to be thought of as AI factories. Their goal in life is to generate revenues, in this case, intelligence." Read Also: Nvidia GTC 2024: Automotive Tech and Breakthroughs Unveiled in California The Nvidia top executive also underlined how important Blackwell was to advancing generative AI and creating humanoid robots, highlighting fascinating prospects for AI innovation. Nvidia GTC 2024 also featured the tech firm's impressive efforts in the field of automobiles. Along with Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai, Land Rover, and BYD, Nvidia integrates generative AI in self-driving automobiles. Nvidia Automotive Vice President Danny Shapiro believes the technology might revolutionize vehicle, truck, and robot interiors by encouraging natural driver-vehicle interactions and advancing autonomous driving technologies. Moreover, generative AI makes Autonomous vehicle testing and validation easier, per Yahoo! Finance. Nvidia's Partnership with Apple: A Game-Changer Meanwhile, during recent research, Tech analyst Mark Vena called attention to Nvidia's noteworthy partnership with Apple. Vena sees this collaboration as a significant advancement, as it will allow them to better utilize Nvidia's capabilities in creating unique video content. Vena underlined how important this partnership is to Apple, especially in terms of demonstrating the headset's potential for use in virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) applications. According to ABC News, he called the Vision Pro a state-of-the-art offering in this field. Vena also mentioned how unexpected he thought Nvidia's growing emphasis on AI-powered robots was. He noted Nvidia's evident dedication to humanoid robotics, indicating consumer markets beyond commercial and corporate uses. Vena believes that Nvidia's strategic stance in the field of AI-powered humanoid robots demonstrates the company's proactive approach to future trends and advancements in the technological environment, as highlighted in the Nvidia GTC 2024. Related Article: Apple Unveils New 'MM1' Multimodal AI Model Capable of Interpreting Images, Text Data 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Georgia is reportedly aiming to ban artificial intelligence (AI) deepfakes, spearheaded by Todd Jones, the Republican state representative who also chairs the House Committee on Technology and Infrastructure Innovation. Jones began his proposal to forbid the use of AI deepfakes in political communication by showing a deepfake video to the judiciary committee that featured Moore and Mallory Staples, a far-right activist who currently leads the Georgia Freedom Caucus. Staples is a former Republican congressional candidate. The video mimics Moore and Mallory's voices using AI to falsely support the bill's passing. A constant disclaimer at the bottom of the video references the bill's text. Mallory and Moore are against the bill. (Photo: ALEXANDRA ROBINSON/AFP via Getty Images) A research team has comprehensively analyzed deepfake content in the context of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The bill's Republican co-sponsor and co-author, Brad Thomas, said that he and his associates made the film using readily accessible resources. Thomas asserts that a $50 piece of software was used to construct the displayed Deepfake video. According to Thomas, the speed at which visual AI generative tools develop is years ahead of the laws required to stop abuses. These AI-generated people appear real. On an 8-1 vote, the bill was approved out of committee. Read Also: FTC Ban on Deepfakes Could Soon Cover All Consumers Georgia's Previous Deepfake Ban Proposals Georgia continues to tackle the rise of deepfakes in politics ahead of this year's elections. Last February, the Georgia state house reportedly approved legislation banning political deepfakes as well, with a vote of 148-22. H.B. 986 would make it illegal to release a deepfake within ninety days of an election to deceive or confuse voters about a candidate or their prospects of winning. The law would give the state election board the authority to publicize the results of investigations and give the attorney general jurisdiction for the offenses. According to the law, the Georgia Legislature has discovered that artificial intelligence and other cutting-edge technologies are being used and developed at a considerable and rapid rate, which presents a special risk to the state's elections. The law also asserts that AI has made it possible for anyone operating in both good and bad faith to produce fraudulent content yet seemingly genuine. AI Deepfakes Remain Debatable The bill would not apply to satire or parody, and campaign ads that included AI-generated content would have to disclose such information. According to the Journal-Constitution, State Representative Charlice Byrd was among the few legislators who rejected the bill. She claimed that it would weaken the foundation of freedom and restrict free speech. Several states in the US have expressed concerns about deepfakes. Various crimes are being committed using AI, but without a clear law prohibiting deepfakes, AI crimes remain debatable in court. Related Article: Deepfake Dangers: Rise of AI-Generated Pornography Sparks Global Concerns (Photo: Tech Times) 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Following the recent approval of a bill aimed at compelling TikTok to sever ties with its Chinese parent company, the House of Representatives has greenlit another significant measure. Backing for Data Protection The Protecting Americans' Data from Foreign Adversaries Act, also known as HR 7520, is designed to shield individuals' data from being traded with foreign adversaries. This legislation specifically targets data brokers, seeking to bar them from selling Americans' personally identifiable information to nations such as China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran. Under this bill, data brokers found engaging in such activities could face penalties imposed by the FTC. The bipartisan bill swiftly gained traction in the House, with unanimous support from all 414 lawmakers who cast their votes in favor of its passage. The aim is to bolster cybersecurity measures, protect American internet users, and fortify national security. Led by House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Ranking Member Frank Pallone (D-NJ), the bill unanimously cleared the committee, alongside the recently passed TikTok bill, garnering broad support from lawmakers. In a joint statement, McMorris Rodgers and Pallone emphasized that the legislation complements the recent passage of H.R. 7521, reflecting bipartisan consensus. They underscored their commitment to collaborating on broader national data privacy legislation in the future. Enforcing Data Privacy Measures In contrast to the TikTok-focused legislation, this bill refrains from singling out specific companies but instead places a wide-ranging restriction on data brokers. It prohibits them from engaging in various activities related to sensitive data belonging to U.S. individuals, preventing its transfer to foreign adversaries or affiliated entities. Additionally, the legislation grants enforcement authority to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Sensitive information encompassed by the bill includes biometric and genetic data, Social Security numbers, details of health conditions or therapies, and precise location data. Should the bill successfully navigate the Senate and receive the president's signature, it promises a notable enhancement in data privacy protections for Americans. However, it's worth noting that the current standards for such protections remain modest. While discussions surrounding a broader privacy law have languished in recent times, leaders in the Energy and Commerce Committee express optimism that the resounding support for the data broker bill could spur Congress into action on more ambitious privacy legislation. McMorris Rodgers and Pallone underscored their encouragement by the robust vote, expressing hope that it will catalyze momentum towards enacting both this crucial bipartisan legislation and more comprehensive privacy measures during this congressional session. Also read: US Senate Debates Bill Targeting Chinese Biotech Giants WuXi Apptec, BGI Over National Security Concerns In other news, lawmakers in the House have given the green light to a bipartisan bill that mandates TikTok to sever ties with its parent company or face the possibility of a nationwide prohibition. With a resounding majority of 352 votes in favor, 65 against, and 1 present, the bill addresses concerns regarding national security implications linked to ByteDance, the Chinese conglomerate that owns TikTok. Congress has overwhelmingly supported the bill with 352 votes in favor, 65 against, and 1 present, signaling a bipartisan effort to address national security concerns associated with ByteDance. Representative McMorris Rodgers underscored the importance of the measure, asserting that it sends a strong message that they will not allow adversaries to exploit Americans' freedoms. Related Article: US House Passes Legislation That Could Ban TikTok Amid National Security Concerns 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. AI was only the start for NVIDIA, and much so was revealed when it introduced its 'Project GR00T,' its new development that looks to advance a foundational model for application on humanoid robots. Through an 'embodiment' process, it is possible to deliver humanlike actions, emotions, reactions, and more to bring the evolution of robots. In this development by NVIDIA, it looks to leverage its technology and resources to create the foundational model and deliver the embodiment to life. NVIDIA's 'Project GR00T' to Deliver Foundational Model for Humanoid Bots NVIDIA's announcement of Project GR00T is one of the highlights of its GTC 2024 event, one that looks to deliver a foundational model to be used in turning humanoid bots into reality. GR00T stands for Generalist Robot 00 Technology and will be designed by the company to emulate movements and understand the natural language of a human. "Building foundation models for general humanoid robots is one of the most exciting problems to solve in AI today," said NVIDIA founder and CEO, Jensen Huang. "The enabling technologies are coming together for leading roboticists around the world to take giant leaps towards artificial general robotics." Alongside this, the company also announced its Jetson Thor Robot Computer under the NVIDIA Isaac robotics platform for robot training simulator, powered by the NVIDIA Thor SoC, based on the Blackwell architecture. Read Also: Earth 2: NVIDIA Unveils AI-powered Earth Climate Digital Twin The Embodiment of AI: Humanoid Robots Coming? NVIDIA also announced that it is now working closely with robotics companies with its current development of the comprehensive AI platform. It partnered with the likes of Agility Robotics, Boston Dynamics, Figure AI, Unitree Robotics, and XPENG Robotics to accelerate the development of AI's embodiment for automated machines. Humanoid robot workers or incorporating these machines into the world's daily lives is part of NVIDIA and its partners' goals in this development. NVIDIA's Massive AI Push In its annual event NVIDIA, the company delivers massive developments and future tech for the world to see, but in GTC 2024, it made its massive push on AI and where the company stands. This is evidenced by the significant shift of the company towards artificial intelligence development, centering on its chips that would help develop it, alongside the AI features available on its tech. One of the most significant announcements of NVIDIA is the more capable and powerful AI chip that is coming soon for all, the B200 processor that goes beyond being a GPU. The GB200 Grace Blackwell Superchips are touted to be more powerful compared to its previous flagship, the H100, in preparation for the growing needs of the AI industry to train and create future models and experiences. The ramping developments of NVIDIA's dive towards the AI world are seeing a significant push from the company, now looking to bring a new kind of intelligence in the form of humanlike machines. Project GR00T is an embodiment of NVIDIA's focus on next-gen AI, looking to help the embodiment process of humanoid robots, one that could bring it to life. Related Article: GTC 2024: Nvidia Reveals Digital Blueprint for Next-Gen Data Centers 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Doctors continue to progress medical technology using artificial intelligence (AI) as a new tool, dubbed the Pre-Act Project, which has reportedly been designed to predict cancer patients' tendencies to the side effects brought by their breast cancer treatments. According to reports, a team of multinational experts developed the tool, which was presented at the 14th European Breast Cancer Conference. The technology can reportedly identify patients with breast cancer who may be more vulnerable to adverse effects after radiation and surgery treatments. (Photo: Angiola Harry from Unsplash It's been a rollercoaster ride for the American woman who battled triple-negative breast cancer before she received the much-needed vaccine for the deadly disease. While some of the risk factors for side effects are already known, the PRE-ACT project (Prediction of Radiotherapy side Effects using explainable AI for patient Communication and Treatment modification) aims to provide physicians and patients with easily understandable explanations and more accurate predictions for each patient. While it is a good thing that long-term survival rates for breast cancer are rising, some patients will have to deal with treatment side effects like skin changes, scarring, painful arm swellings called lymphoedema, and even heart damage from radiation therapy, according to Dr. Tim Rattay, an associate professor and consultant breast surgeon at the University of Leicester. Researchers from six European nations trained several machine learning algorithms to predict arm swelling up to three years following surgery and radiation treatment using data from three European and French datasets containing 6,361 patients with breast cancer. Read Also: This New Robot Could Help Diagnose Breast Cancer Early AI Tool's Effectiveness The final, best-performing model, according to Dr. Guido Bologna, an associate professor at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Western Switzerland in Geneva and a co-investigator on the project, makes predictions based on 32 distinct patient and treatment features, such as the type of radiation therapy administered, whether or not patients underwent chemotherapy, and whether or not sentinel lymph node biopsy under the armpit was performed. In the three datasets, 6% of patients had significant lymphoedema. In 81.6% of cases, the AI tool accurately predicted lymphoedema, while in 72.9% of cases, it properly identified people who would not acquire it. The model's overall prediction accuracy was 73.4%. AI Cancer Detection's Future The researchers will integrate the present AI model into software that may give physicians and patients assessments and forecasts. Later this year, when the PRE-ACT-01 clinical trial begins, this will be put to the test. Additionally, the program is being developed further to forecast other negative effects, like harm to the skin and heart. Although they will not be utilized to generate predictions in the PRE-ACT study, the researchers will gather information on genetic markers and imaging data as part of the experiment to increase the precision of the AI tools. AI proves useful in both facets of breast cancer treatment, as previous reports indicate that AI can speed up breast cancer scans. Lunit, back in November 2023, also unveiled a groundbreaking AI tool that can outperform radiologists in detecting breast cancers. Related Article: AI Could Speed up Breast Cancer Scans, New Study Shows (Photo: Tech Times) 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A new museum exhibit, dubbed "Voices From the Front," has officially been unveiled in the National WWII Museum in New Orleans. It supports life-sized, artificial intelligence (AI)- powered World War II veterans. It is said that virtual veterans can facilitate interactions between guests and over 12 interview subjects. With the help of artificial intelligence, visitors to the museum will be able to interact directly with veterans, Home Front workers, and other combat witnesses, creating an immersive experience. (Photo: Leon Neal/Getty Images) On August 23, 2023, Visitors to the British Museum looked at the reconstructed Nereid Monument, removed from modern-day Turkey in the early 1840s , in London, England. According to the Associated Press, a military nurse who served in the Philippines, an aircraft factory worker, and Margaret Kerry, a dancer who performed at USO shows and later served as a model for Tinker Bell in Disney productions, are just a few of the war-era home front heroes and supporters of the U.S. war effort who can be questioned during the "Voices From the Front" exhibit at the New Orleans museum. The project, which took 4 years to complete, includes videotaped interviews with eighteen veterans of the conflict or the relief effort. Each veteran answered up to a thousand questions regarding the conflict and their individual lives. According to an earlier press release from the museum, the exhibit was made possible through a $1.5 million gift from Museum Trustee Sandy Villere and his wife, Margie. Related Article: How a Filipino Math Teacher Helped Transform WWII Weaponry AI and the Veterans' Voices Each Voices from the Front interview, produced by StoryFile, a pioneer in immersive technology and video capture, consists of up to 1,000 questions about the subject's life and experiences during the war. This builds a substantial database of answers that the program may compare to spoken inquiries from users. The Museum teamed up with Ideum, an experience design company that has previously worked on exhibits, to incorporate the interactive interviews into a user-friendly interface. The Museum's staff chose participants to represent the widest variety of events that could have occurred during World War II. Their Creative Services team created an intuitive display that combines cutting-edge technology with a visitor-centric approach to assist customers in comprehending Voices from the Front, distinguishing amongst interviewees, and feeling comfortable striking up conversations. Voices from the Front will be on exhibit among a variety of rare, famous, and captivating items in the recently restored Forbes Gallery of Rare and Famous Items, formerly known as the Malcolm S. Forbes Theater. Visitors can ponder the power of the items and stories they hold as these relics stimulate a wide range of emotions and experiences from a time of significant conflict and change. Museums appear to be exploring AI as a means of optimizing their operations. This is evident from a UK study that identified numerous key uses of AI in cultural organizations, including collection management, visitor experience enhancement, and business assistance. World War II Veterans' Contributions Since its opening as the National D-Day Museum in 2000, the museum in New Orleans has been enhanced by the presence of elderly veterans. Veterans frequently volunteered at the museum, holding a table close to the entrance where guests could chat about the conflict. However, as the veterans get older and pass away, that tradition has decreased. The COVID-19 pandemic has reportedly affected those born after World War II. Related Article: VR Therapy Creates 'Virtual Vietnam' to Heal War Veterans' Trauma (Photo: Tech Times) 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. In August 2023, the scientific community's attention turned toward a physicist affiliated with the University of Rochester, known for his involvement in groundbreaking research concerning room-temperature superconductors. However, instead of acclaim, this physicist found himself embroiled in controversy as allegations of "research misconduct" surfaced, prompting an investigation into his conduct and work. Accused of Research Misconduct Following a thorough investigation spanning several months, a committee assigned to scrutinize the work of a physicist who gained prominence for his purported discovery of a room-temperature superconductor has determined instances of research misconduct. Ranga Dias, a physicist affiliated with the University of Rochester in New York, has faced scrutiny after several papers he co-authored, including three related to superconductivity, were retracted by the journals that initially published them within the last 18 months. According to Sara Miller, a spokesperson for the University of Rochester, a committee comprising external experts appointed by the university raised apprehensions regarding the reliability of data presented in these papers. The Verge reported that the university has concluded a comprehensive investigation led by a panel of external scientists who are well-versed in the pertinent field. In alignment with university protocols and federal guidelines, the committee has determined that Dias was involved in research misconduct. Also read: Researchers Develop Fastest Room-Temperature Semiconductor, Revolutionizing Electronics Last year, physicist Ranga Dias contributed to a research paper published in Nature, which delved into the properties of nitrogen-doped lutetium hydride. The study proposed that this substance could conduct electricity without resistance, even at room temperature, echoing the buzz generated by the speculated LK-99 superconductor on social platforms. However, scientists uncovered inconsistencies in Dias' research data. Dias' paper, along with several others, has undergone retractions. Miller stated that the committee raised concerns about data reliability in these papers. Previous Inquiries, Administrative Actions Before the commencement of the ongoing investigation, the University of Rochester had undertaken two distinct inquiries into Dias's research activities. However, the university refrained from initiating a thorough and exhaustive investigation during those previous instances. Instead, it chose to pursue limited inquiries into specific aspects of Dias' research. These prior inquiries may have focused on addressing specific concerns or allegations without delving into a broader examination of Dias' overall research practices. As The Wall Street Journal highlighted, the University of Rochester has retained the authority to take disciplinary action against Dias if necessary. This process falls under the purview of the institution's provost, who oversees matters related to personnel actions and academic integrity within the university. Depending on the outcome of the current investigation and any subsequent findings, the university may consider various personnel actions, including but not limited to reprimands, sanctions, or termination of employment. Such decisions are typically made in accordance with established university policies and procedures governing academic misconduct and professional conduct. Related Article: Journal Nature Retracts 'Room Temperature Superconductor' Paper, Raising Concerns About Field's Reputation 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The Biden administration has reportedly warned state governors of a potential cyberattack on US water management systems by hackers linked to Iran and China. The White House and Environmental Protection Agency letter prompts governors to prepare ahead of time and strengthen their cybersecurity measures against a possible attack. The National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and EPA Administrator Michael Regan reportedly wrote the letter to governors advising them to ensure all water systems in their states thoroughly evaluate their current cybersecurity procedures. (Photo: CHRIS DELMAS/AFP via Getty Images) Law enforcement agencies have been using Cellebrite's phone hacking technology to access locked devices. According to Regan and Sullivan, water facilities frequently lack even the most basic cybersecurity safeguards, which might be the difference between a disruptive cyberattack and regular operations. According to reports, these possible attacks might seriously harm the vital supply of safe and clean drinking water and put a heavy financial burden on the impacted areas. The letter seeks to outline the nature of these threats and asks for cooperation from the governors on crucial measures to protect water systems from the growing threats and fallout from cyberattacks. According to Regan and Sullivan's letter, the EPA will establish a "task force" to determine the water systems' greatest susceptibilities to cyberattacks, among other urgent matters. To explore the need for cybersecurity advancements in the water industry, the Biden representatives invited state homeland security and environmental officials to a meeting. Read Also: AI is Russia and China's Newest Tool to Sow Discord in US, Warns Intel Agencies Alleged Cyberattacks on US China has been connected to potential US hacking regularly. Previous reports claim that late last year, the Chinese hacker organization "Volt Typhoon" allegedly attacked US infrastructure, including water, power, and communications services. Actions allegedly intended to foment unrest and prepare for a potential U.S.-China confrontation. These claims, according to U.S. officials, are that the invasions are part of a wider effort to come up with plans for wreaking havoc or making things more difficult if the United States and China engage in combat over Taiwan. The experts who reported this claim that within the previous year, hackers connected to China's People's Liberation Army had gained access to the computer systems of roughly twenty-six important organizations. Cyberattacks Against Other Nations In January 2023, the UK's cyber security agency released a study stating that state-affiliated hackers from Russia and Iran are progressively aiming to breach email accounts in Britain. This suggests that hackers with state support are not limited to the US. These hackers are allegedly based in the US and other NATO members, and they have increased their activities in the UK as a result of the current circumstances in Ukraine. These gangs allegedly want to steal private information from well-known people. Threat actors from the two distinct groups, based in Russia and Iran, according to NCSC operations director Paul Chichester, continue to get access to potentially sensitive networks by pilfering login credentials online. Related Article: Microsoft Executives' Emails Compromised in Russian State-Sponsored Midnight Blizzard Cyberattack (Photo: Tech Times) 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Texas has launched a new initiative to strengthen the state's microchip manufacturing sector and enhance workforce training programs in collaboration with colleges and universities. Governor Greg Abbott unveiled the Texas Innovation Consortium Fund during an event held at the University of Texas at Dallas, emphasizing the state's commitment to semiconductor production and workforce development. "Texas is the birthplace of the integrated circuit, and we now lead the nation as the No. 1 state for semiconductor manufacturing," Governor Abbott said in a press release statement. "With these new appointments to the Texas Semiconductor Innovation Consortium Executive Committee, we will leverage the expertise of industry leaders and our world-class higher education institutions to ensure we not only remain the best state in America for semiconductors but we become a global leader for semiconductor innovation." Texas Announces Innovation Consortium Fund for Semiconductors According to Abbott, the establishment of the fund reflects Texas' dedication to maintaining its position as a leader in semiconductor manufacturing and attracting additional investment from both the public and private sectors. He described the initiative as a pivotal step towards solidifying Texas' competitiveness in the global semiconductor market and emphasized the significance of the state's role in advancing research, design, and manufacturing in the semiconductor industry. The Texas Semiconductor Innovation Consortium Executive Committee (TSIC EC) oversees the consortium's activities and collaborates with industry stakeholders to drive advancements in semiconductor research, design, and manufacturing. Governor Abbott highlighted the committee's role in leveraging the expertise of industry leaders and higher education institutions to ensure Texas remains a frontrunner in semiconductor innovation. Key figures, including Speaker Dade Phelan, Representative Greg Bonnen, Representative Angie Chen Button, and Representative Mihaela Plesa, along with prominent leaders from the University of Texas System and the Texas A&M System, joined Governor Abbott at the announcement. Speaker Phelan emphasized the importance of semiconductor manufacturing to Texas' economy and underscored the need for continued investment in research and design to maintain the state's leadership position in the industry. "Semiconductors are increasingly ubiquitous in our everyday lives, and it is important we work to ensure Texas remains at the forefront of advanced semiconductor research and design. Our state has always been America's trailblazer, and the work done by this committee will help keep Texas a leader in innovation," Speaker Phelan said in a statement. Read Also: Compact Accelerator Tech Achieves Significant Energy Milestone, Holds Promise for Semiconductor Industry Texas CHIPS Act The Texas CHIPS Act, signed into law by Governor Abbott last year, serves as a key legislative measure aimed at leveraging the state's investments in the semiconductor industry. The act aims to incentivize semiconductor-related companies to expand operations in Texas, enhance expertise and capacity at higher education institutions, and reinforce the state's position as a national leader in semiconductor manufacturing. Related Article: Foxconn's Failed $19.5 Billion Semiconductor Plant Joint Venture in India Shows How Difficult It Is for New Competitors 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Recent research reveals that artificial intelligence (AI) can identify COVID-19 in lung ultrasound images, similar to how facial recognition technology identifies faces in a crowd, as reported in Medical Xpress. This advancement may signify a significant stride in AI-driven medical diagnostics, potentially enabling healthcare professionals to swiftly diagnose patients with COVID-19 and other pulmonary ailments by employing algorithms that scrutinize ultrasound images for signs of disease. AI Detects COVID-19 in Lung Ultrasound Images The study marks the culmination of efforts initiated early in the pandemic to aid clinicians in rapidly evaluating a large number of patients, particularly in overwhelmed emergency rooms. The study's senior author, Muyinatu Bell, emphasized the utility of this automated detection tool in emergency settings, where timely and accurate diagnoses are paramount, especially during the initial stages of the pandemic. "We developed this automated detection tool to help doctors in emergency settings with high caseloads of patients who need to be diagnosed quickly and accurately, such as in the earlier stages of the pandemic," Bell said in a statement. "Potentially, we want to have wireless devices that patients can use at home to monitor progression of COVID-19, too." Additionally, the researchers note that the tool holds promise for the development of wearables capable of tracking various illnesses, such as congestive heart failure, by monitoring fluid buildup in the lungs. According to the researchers, this innovation could also advance point-of-care diagnostics, with potential applications in wearable ultrasound patches that provide real-time feedback to patients, indicating the need for medical intervention or medication adjustments. Read Also: Man Who Received 217 COVID-19 Vaccinations Offers Himself for a Study - Here's What Happened to Him Identifying B-lines The AI system functions by analyzing ultrasound images of the lungs to identify specific features known as B-lines, which manifest as bright, vertical abnormalities indicative of inflammation in patients with pulmonary complications. The integration of computer-generated images with real ultrasound scans, including those from patients at Johns Hopkins, enabled the development of this tool. Bell's team overcame initial challenges posed by the scarcity of patient data and limited understanding of COVID-19 manifestations by developing software capable of learning from a combination of real and simulated data. The software employs deep neural networks, mimicking the interconnected neurons of the human brain to recognize patterns and detect abnormalities in ultrasound scans indicative of COVID-19 infection. "Early in the pandemic, we didn't have enough ultrasound images of COVID-19 patients to develop and test our algorithms, and as a result our deep neural networks never reached peak performance," said first author Lingyi Zhao. "Now, we are proving that with computer-generated datasets we still can achieve a high degree of accuracy in evaluating and detecting these COVID-19 features." The research team's findings were published in the journal Communications Medicine. Related Article: Researchers Genetically Engineer First Mice That Get Human-Like Version of COVID-19Here's What Happened 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Swedens Riksbank Releases Final Report on CBDC Project Swedens Riksbank has released its final report on its central bank digital currency (CBDC), the e-Krona, which focused on offline payments. In the fourth phase, Swedens Riksbank, said the focus has been on testing and evaluating whether it is possible to design a secure, balance-based offline currency based on the conditions of the e-krona pilots test environment. Findings show that it is possible to develop a secure and usable offline digital currency but with the right boundaries and regulatory framework, concludes Riksbank in its final report. Swedens Riksbank noted in its report on the E-krona pilot Phase 4 report released March 2024: Many lessons have been learnt during the project, the most important of which is that a secure and functional offline solution requires a lot of development cooperation work in terms of technology, regulations and processes. During its research the Riksbank said three different use cases were tested: funding and de-funding e-krona to the payment instrument, offline payment from card to payment terminal (PoS) and offline payment between two cards. Payments Made Offline Need to Be Synchronized The bank said payments made offline need to be synchronised so that the balance in the offline wallet corresponds to the e-Krona reserved in the shadow wallet in the online system. Findings did show that depending on the order in which users synchronise payments, problems may arise from lack of liquidity in some shadow wallets. Central banks around the world are tinkering with their own CBDCs and the race for who will launch a digital currency has a geopolitical component to it. According to the Riksbank, a CBDC is an investment to protect the current fiat monetary system, according to a central banker from Sweden, who also argued that cash will soon be history. Speaking at the European Central Banks (ECB) Forum on Central Banking in Portugal in 2023, Cecilia Skingsley, the former first deputy governor of the Riksbank, said it is necessary for central banks to develop CBDCs in order to address public demand and stay up to date with developments in the modern world. Riksbank Governor Cautions Against Bitcoin Integration On March 12, Swedens Central Bank Governor, Erik Thedeen, warned against substantial Bitcoin integration into the nations financial system, citing its speculative nature and potential investor losses. The Riksbank governor emphasized that Bitcoin doesnt belong in Swedens financial system, stating that the less, the better for Bitcoin integration. Riksbank is Swedens central bank, overseeing its monetary policy and issuing its Swedish krona currency. Bitcoin Not Welcome in the Swedish Financial System Thedeens cautionary stance on Bitcoin comes at a time when the cryptocurrency has reached new record highs. Swedens central bank governor has now warned of possible losses to crypto users within Swedens financial system. Following its removal from the App Store due to its alleged involvement in the planning of the Capitol attack in 2021, the Parler app has made a controversial return recently. While the Android version is yet to be reinstated on Google Play, the iOS version is now available for download. However, many are wondering what holds true about the app's ownership and moderation policies. A Brief History of Parler Parler emerged in 2018 as a platform promoting "free speech," positioning itself as an alternative to mainstream social media. It quickly gained traction among users banned from platforms like Twitter for posting hate speech and threats. However, its association with the Capitol insurrection tainted its reputation, leading to its removal from app stores and subsequent shutdown by its hosting provider, Amazon Web Services. Related Article: What is Parler? Social Media Users Leave Facebook and Twitter to Join New Platform Challenges in Moderation One of the key criticisms leveled against Parler was its lax approach to content moderation. The platform became a haven for extremist views and hate speech, with users openly advocating violence and spreading offensive content. Despite pledges to address these issues, Parler struggled to enforce effective moderation, leading to its removal from app stores on multiple occasions. In 2021, the app successfully returned to the App Store. However, the Cupertino giant was quick to deny its entry, spoiling its comeback. "We have received numerous complaints regarding objectionable content in your Parler service, accusations that the Parler app was used to plan, coordinate, and facilitate the illegal activities in Washington D.C. on January 6, 2021 that led (among other things) to loss of life, numerous injuries, and the destruction of property. The app also appears to continue to be used to plan and facilitate yet further illegal and dangerous activities," Apple said at the time. Mystery Shrouding Around Parler's New Owner Recent reports indicate that Parler has reappeared on the App Store under new ownership. As 9to5Mac reports, Ryan Rhodes, the company's new CEO, claims that significant changes have been made to the app's moderation policies. However, doubts persist regarding the transparency of the ownership structure. While Rhodes acknowledges partial ownership, he refrains from disclosing further details, citing privacy concerns. Questions Surrounding 'Shady' Management Concerns about Parler's management team add to the uncertainty surrounding its comeback. Rhodes mentioned the existence of a management team on the platform's website, but its current status remains unclear. The lack of transparency raises doubts about the app's operational stability and long-term viability. Despite Parler's assertion that it is "back for good," skepticism remains regarding its future prospects. The app's turbulent history and ongoing controversies cast doubt on its ability to regain user trust and navigate the online discourse on the internet. As the app re-enters the fray, it faces the daunting task of rebuilding its reputation and addressing concerns about content moderation and user safety. This could be hard especially for Parler that's painted with controversies of the past. The return of the Parler app to the App Store marks a significant development in the ongoing debate surrounding online speech and platform accountability. While its comeback signals a second chance for the embattled platform, it also underscores the challenges inherent in balancing free expression with responsible content moderation. Parler is herefor now, but it won't be long for Apple to address its existence. It's always a gamble for it to thrive in the App Store behind the tech giant's close watch. Read Also: Parler Ban Causes Parlor App Download Surge by 355% in 24 Hours Due to Confused Searchers 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. During his recent visit to China for the opening of a new Apple store, Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, commended China as a pivotal production center, as reported by a state-owned newspaper. This comes in the wake of the Cupertino titan's announcement of a 13% dip in revenue from China, with market data indicating a 24% decline in iPhone sales at the beginning of the year. What Tim Cook Promised to China According to the Financial Times, Cook pledged to increase investments in China without specifying the exact amount. State-owned media outlets, including the Global Times and Shanghai-based publications, highlighted Cook's praise for China's advanced manufacturing capabilities and well-trained workforce. The Apple tech boss emphasized the importance of China's supply chain to Apple, giving importance to its critical role in the company's operations. Related Article: Tim Cook in China: Apple CEO Attends New Shanghai Store Opening Amid iPhone Sales Dip Apple to Face Handful Challenges in the Chinese Market Cook's presence is indeed a morale booster for stores experiencing iPhone sales dip. However, he knows deep within his heart that it won't be easy for Apple to dominate the market in China. According to 9to5Mac, the iPhone maker will have to face some challenges as it enters a foreign territory. Firstly, economic uncertainties in China have led to significant discounts to mitigate reduced consumer demand. Secondly, strained diplomatic relations between the US and China have resulted in government discouragement of iPhone purchases among Chinese citizens. Thirdly, the resurgence of Huawei as a formidable competitor poses a notable threat to Apple's market share in China. Huawei's successful launch of the Mate 60, featuring domestically-produced 5G chips, is a clear sign that US smartphone makers need to double-time to attract more locals. Strategic Outlook and Dependency Mitigation Efforts Apple remains committed to diversifying its production beyond China, with India emerging as a key focus area. However, the Cupertino-based company acknowledges its significant reliance on China for iPhone manufacturing, with approximately 80% of global iPhone production concentrated in the country. Despite ongoing efforts to expand its manufacturing footprint, Apple's relationship with the Chinese government should be maintained for sustaining its supply chain operations. Tim Cook's acknowledgment of China's importance to Apple underscores the company's strategic imperative to maintain fruitful partnerships amidst evolving geopolitical dynamics. While the tech giant explores avenues to reduce its dependency on China, the country's role as a critical production hub remains indispensable in the foreseeable future. After visiting the Apple store in Shanghai, Cook will be attending the China Development Forum, according to Reuters. He will meet the top Chinese policymakers in this special gathering. In other news, the once-banned Parler app just made a huge return in the App Store. However, the Android version of the app is nowhere to be found. Still, it's a mystery how it suddenly came back after the 2021 controversy. Read Also: [RUMOR] Upcoming iPad Pro is Getting Matte Display Option for the First Time 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Siemens announced on Thursday that it would acquire ebm-papst's industrial drive technology division as the German multinational will expand production facility automation. Siemens purchased the 650-person ebm-papst unit that concentrates on air and heating technology. Ebm-papst, a Germany-based, company makes electric motors and sophisticated fans. According to ebm-papst CEO Klaus Geissdoerfer, the purchase complements Siemens' product offering and fills a need. Geissdoerfer said that ebm-papst needs a worldwide sales framework, which Siemens' capabilities complement, per Reuters. The two corporations' agreement does not reveal the purchasing price. The deal should be completed by mid-2025. Siemens Still Struggling in China Geissdoerfer says industrial drive technology is profitable but accounts for less than 10% of ebm-papst's 2.54 billion euros ($2.77 billion) revenues. Siemens' executive board member in charge of digital industries, Cedrik Neike, stressed that the purchase would allow Siemens to investigate new business prospects in the expanding market for mobile robot solutions and intelligent, battery-powered drive solutions in intralogistics. (Photo : Ethan Miller/Getty Images) Attendees visit the Siemens booth during CES 2024 at the Las Vegas Convention Center on January 10, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Meanwhile, Siemens AG shares fell Tuesday as its CFO indicated its continued struggle in China. At a Bank of America conference in London, CFO Ralf Thomas maintained a profit forecast for the year but predicted a low-double-digit drop in digital-industry orders. Orders in that division fell 31% in Siemens' fiscal first quarter. Shares of Siemens fell 5%. Thomas remarked that though the March figure was "a bit better than February, but it "will be too late to completely safeguard the quarter." He claimed fresh Chinese stimulus would benefit the firm, but orders are slower than projected, per MarketWatch. Read Also: Tim Cook Praises China Upon Arrival As Apple Prepares For Three Challenges in the Region Siemens Partners with Nvidia The announcement of Siemens' purchasing of ebm-papst industrial drive technology division follows the revelation of the expanded collaboration between Siemens and Nvidia to further the industrial metaverse. NVIDIA Omniverse Cloud APIs enable immersive visualization, which the Siemens Xcelerator platform incorporates to enhance the adoption of AI-driven digital twin technologies. The tech companies demonstrated at NVIDIA GTC 2024 how generative AI may simplify difficult data visualization and offer photorealism. The collaboration intends to transform product design, production, and support by letting users engage with things in realistic environments. According to the company's website, Siemens AG President and CEO Roland Busch highlighted the possibilities for generative AI and rapid computing throughout Siemens' Xcelerator range. "We will revolutionize how products and experiences are designed, manufactured, and serviced. On the path to the industrial metaverse, this next generation of industrial software enables customers to experience products as they would in the real world: in context, in stunning realism, and-in the future-interact with them through natural language input," Roland Busch, President and CEO of Siemens AG, noted. The founder and CEO of NVIDIA, Jensen Huang, underlined how generative AI and the Omniverse are revolutionizing industrial businesses. He said, "Siemens is bringing Nvidia platforms to their customers and opening new opportunities for industry leaders to build the next wave of AI-enabled digital twins at every scale." The Siemens Xcelerator platform will include a new Teamcenter X solution for its cloud-based lifecycle management (PLM) software. The product, to be released later this year, will use Nvidia Omniverse. It enables engineering teams to create ultra-intuitive, photorealistic, real-time, physics-based digital twins. This technology streamlines product development procedures, reduces errors, and boosts productivity. Related Article: OpenAI's GPT Store Flooded with Copyright-Infringing GPTs: Report 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The anticipated launch of a Russian Soyuz spacecraft heading for the International Space Station (ISS) was abruptly canceled shortly before liftoff. Reports tell us that the mission, which was supposed to take Russian and Belarusian cosmonauts as well as an American astronaut to the International Space Station, was abruptly canceled Thursday. (Photo : VYACHESLAV OSELEDKO/AFP via Getty Images) The Soyuz MS-24 spacecraft carrying the International Space Station (ISS) Expedition 70-71 crew of US NASA astronaut Loral O'Hara and Russian Roscosmos cosmonauts Oleg Kononenko and Nikolai Chub blasts off to the ISS from the Moscow-leased Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on September 15, 2023. Russian Soyuz Launch Canceled at the Last Second As anticipation built at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, where the Soyuz rocket stood poised for launch, viewers worldwide watched in anticipation as the countdown reached its final moments. However, just 21 seconds before liftoff, the mission was abruptly halted. The reason for the sudden cancellation remains unknown. "The Soyuz launch to the space station has been aborted," NASA spokesperson Rob Navias said during a live feed. The crew, consisting of NASA astronaut Tracy Dyson, Russian cosmonaut Oleg Novitsky, and Marina Vasilevskaya from Belarus, was prepared for their mission to the ISS. Despite the setback, NASA assured the public that the crew and the spacecraft were safe following the abort. Both ground crews and engineers from Roscosmos, the Russian space agency, were quick to respond, ensuring the safety of the vehicle and its crew. "Today's Soyuz launch was aborted at the 20-second mark. The spacecraft and crew remain safe," NASA confirmed. Read Also: SpaceX Prepares Second Florida Launch Pad to Boost Astronaut Launch Capacity Reasons Behind the Postponed Launch Navias stated that the abort was prompted by an automatic system soon before engine ignition. Two umbilical connections were also withdrawn away from the rocket ahead of the planned launch. The aborted launch has raised questions about the next steps for the mission. With the next launch opportunity scheduled for Saturday, all eyes are now on the teams working tirelessly to resolve the issue that led to the cancellation. Once the problem is identified and addressed, the crew will have another chance to fulfill their mission to the ISS. According to NASA, Novitsky and Vasilevskaya were only supposed to be aboard the ISS for 12 days, and their mission was to carry Loral O'Hara down to Earth on April 2. Meanwhile, Dyson was scheduled to spend six months onboard the ISS doing technology experiments to help humans prepare for future space endeavors. This is not the first time a Russian space launch has been canceled at the last minute. In October 2018, a Soyuz rocket carrying NASA astronaut Nick Hague and cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin encountered an in-flight abort. This emergency forced the crew's Soyuz capsule to disconnect from the rocket mid-flight, resulting in a difficult emergency landing. Stay posted here at Tech Times. Related Article: China Space Mission Hit by Rare Setback as Test Satellites Fail to Reach Orbit 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Have you ever driven past the same building day after day and wondered what it looks like inside? Have you ever only seen a space from the street and wondered what lies within? Maybe the location is closed to the public, or maybe youve just never had a reason to go in. Now you dont have to. The Sentinels Inside Look series aims to take readers into the curious places Cumberland County has to offer from the comfort of their living rooms. Join us every other week for a video and photo gallery of new, or sometimes very old, local places that are just waiting to be explored. Army Heritage Trail A walk along the Army Heritage Trail in Middlesex Township takes visitors quite literally through the trenches of military history. Situated along Army Heritage Drive, the trail functions as an outdoor museum for the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center, complete with tanks, helicopters, barracks and, of course, trenches. An article on the Cumberland County Historical Societys website said the center was established in 1999. According to the Army Heritage Center Foundation, the trail made its debut around 2005, though artifacts and exhibits have been added throughout the years. The roughly one-mile loop covers history from the French and Indian War and Revolutionary War in the 1700s to the global war on terror. Attractions include an exhibit showing Redoubt Number 10 from the Revolutionary War siege of Yorktown, a Civil War winter encampment, a World War I trench system, a World War II obstacle course and a Vietnam Fire Support Base with a guard tower and storage bunker. Several tanks and helicopters stationed along the trail can also be seen along Interstate 81. The trail is open to the public daily from dawn to dusk and several of its buildings and structures, such as a functional forge, sample barracks and a German pillbox, are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Aside from the Army Heritage Trail, the visitor and education center offers rotating galleries and exhibits indoors. In addition to regularly scheduled programming, the center also hosts events and demonstrations along the trail. Upcoming events include a womens history educational program featuring childrens author Claudia Friddell at 11 a.m. Saturday. Two helicopters from the 28th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade of the Pennsylvania National Guard out of Fort Indiantown Gap are scheduled to land along the trail from noon to 2 p.m. on April 13, weather permitting. That event had been postponed from an earlier March date. The trail also houses live history events, demonstrations and workshops throughout the year. Photos: An Inside Look at the Army Heritage Trail in Middlesex Township Separatist leader Puigdemont eyes return to Spain as Catalan vote looms Barcelona, March 21 (AFP) Mar 21, 2024 Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont is to unveil Thursday his plans for Catalonia's snap May election, a move that could bring forward his return home after years of self-imposed exile. A European Parliament lawmaker who fled Spain for Belgium to avoid prosecution over the botched 2017 Catalan independence bid, Puigdemont plans to announce whether he is running in the vote at a 7:00 pm (1800 GMT) press conference in southern France. "We went into exile for the same reasons that we will return, the future of our nation," Puigdemont, who was Catalan regional leader at the time of the secession bid, wrote on X. Last week, Pere Aragones, the current leader, called a May 12 snap election in the wealthy northeastern region, on the eve of a key parliamentary vote in which Spanish lawmakers approved an amnesty law for Catalan separatists. The bill, which aims to draw a line under years of efforts to prosecute those linked to the independence bid, is currently before the Senate but will return to the lower house for a final green light in around two months. At the time, a smiling Puigdemont, 61, had told reporters it could mean he would be back in Spain to welcome the new Catalan leader into office. But his hardline separatist JxCat party did little to hide their enthusiasm to see him run in the high-stakes election, even if he would not be back in time to campaign in person. "With the amnesty bill, his outlook is no longer exile but return," JxCat's secretary general Jordi Turull told El Pais newspaper. Named Catalan leader in 2016, Puigdemont led the independence bid the following year that sparked Spain's worst political crisis in decades before fleeing to Brussels, where he was elected a eurodeputy in 2019. - Separatists divided - With the Catalan separatist movement in the doldrums, the outcome of Spain's inconclusive July election was a gift for Puigdemont, whose party was cast in the role of kingmaker. After months of political uncertainty, JxCat's seven lawmakers decided to back Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, its votes enabling him to secure a new four-year term in November. In exchange, the party demanded the amnesty bill, which will affect around 400 people, first and foremost Puigdemont. Although rejected in late January after JxCat voted against it on the ground it did not go far enough, the bill passed on March 14 with fresh wording the party sees as sufficient to avoid prosecution for terrorism or treason. In late February, the Supreme Court opened an inquiry into Puigdemont on "terrorism" charges over his alleged links to mass protests by a group called Democratic Tsunami. Even when the law comes into force, there is no guarantee Puigdemont will not be arrested on return to Spain, his lawyer Gonzalo Boye told Catalonia's RAC1 radio station, saying however he would "accept the consequences of his decisions". The vote in Catalonia, which is home to eight million people, looks very tight, with the latest polls putting the Catalan branch of Spain's governing Socialist party in the lead, followed by JxCat and its more moderate separatist rival ERC. Initially, the two separatist parties had ruled Catalonia in coalition following the 2021 elections, but JxCat pulled out of Aragones's ERC-led government in 2022, exacerbating divisions within the movement. Although Aragones, who will run again as ERC's candidate, expressed a desire to see Puigdemont return and participate in the campaign, he said he thought the JxCat leader's time was over. "I respect him for what he's achieved in his career but I think that Catalonia needs to look ahead," he told La Vanguardia newspaper on Sunday. Panama Canal administrator hopes traffic normalizes by February 2025 Panama City, March 21 (AFP) Mar 21, 2024 Traffic through the Panama Canal could return to normal by next February, its administrator said, after record-low water levels limited the number of ships able to transit through the global pipeline. Since last year, authorities have had to limit vessel traffic through the canal, which handles about six percent of global maritime trade. The waterway operates entirely from water collected through rainfall, and has been hard hit by the combination of climate change and the El Nino weather phenomenon. "We hope that before February 2025, the situation will normalize," administrator Ricaurte Vasquez told reporters on Wednesday. He said the La Nina weather pattern, which is characterized in Central America by an increase in rainfall, should soon replace El Nino conditions, which produce the opposite effect. "The indications point to a moderate La Nina" that could begin around April, and "a greater likelihood of intensity increasing in July and August," Vasquez said. The extra rainfall will not produce immediate changes to the volume of traffic however, as the shipping industry cannot adapt that quickly, he said. The canal, which was inaugurated by the United States in 1914, requires fresh water to move ships through the lock system. For each ship, about 200 million liters of fresh water must be discharged into the ocean, with the water drawn from nearby Gatun and Alhajuela lakes. According to authorities, 2023 was the second-driest year in the canal watershed's recorded history. Methane experts urge cuts to meet climate targets Geneva, March 21 (AFP) Mar 21, 2024 Experts urged countries to cut methane emissions in the energy industry as a quick and relatively cheap way of slowing global warming, at a key conference wrapping up Thursday. The second-biggest greenhouse gas has a much more powerful, but shorter-lasting warming impact on the climate than carbon dioxide. Finding ways of slashing methane emissions could therefore put a dint in global temperature increases -- and provide high returns on climate investment. The Global Methane Forum 2024, hosted at the United Nations in Geneva from Monday to Thursday, aimed to generate momentum on replicable methane mitigation methods. "When it's emitted, it's 120 times more warming than carbon dioxide. Which means that one tonne of methane has the effect of 120 tonnes of CO2," forum moderator Dario Liguti told AFP. "Shutting down those emissions now has an immediate impact on the increase of temperatures, as opposed to CO2 which takes much longer," said Liguti, head of the sustainable energy division at the UN's UNECE economic agency. The outcomes of the forum, which is seeking to identify and share best practices and financing strategies, will feed into the COP29 climate summit in Azerbaijan in November. - Not flaring is caring - Countries agreed under the 2015 Paris Agreement to cap global warming at "well below" two degrees Celsius above average levels measured between 1850 and 1900 -- and 1.5C if possible. "We must reduce methane emissions... dramatically in the near term to help buy us time while we also address CO2 emissions, to keep the goal of limiting temperature increases to below 1.5C within reach," said Tomas Carbonell of the US Environmental Protection Agency. "There's a lot of good news when it comes to solutions for methane," said Carbonell, who also chairs the Global Methane Initiative, a public-private partnership co-hosting the forum. "There are many cost-effective technologies that can abate, monitor and capture methane emissions for use as an energy source," he said. Coal mines can for instance recover explosive-hazardous methane and sell it to natural gas pipelines. Landfill sites can use methane to generate electricity. And fixing leaking pipelines, valves and compressors can make a major difference, as can eliminating routine venting and flaring on oil rigs. - 120 million tonnes in play - The International Energy Agency (IEA) says there were around 120 million tonnes of methane emissions from the energy sector last year. China, Russia and the United States top the list of countries that emit the most methane from fossil fuel operations, it said. The agency meanwhile estimates that more than 75 percent of methane emissions from such operations, and 50 percent of emissions from coal, could be cut using existing technology. And 35 percent of methane emissions from oil and gas could be avoided at no cost -- with the figure at 10 percent for coal, it said. "Countries and companies can achieve near-zero methane emissions," IEA chief energy economist Tim Gould told the forum. "We cannot rely on overall reductions in fossil fuel demand... to do the job for us. That will simply not deliver the quantity and speed of change that we need." - Temperature, health impact - To date, 157 countries have signed up to a global methane pledge aiming to reduce global emissions from human activity by at least 30 percent below 2020 levels by 2030. If they manage, it "will lower the average temperature by 2050 by 0.2 degrees," Liguti said. He acknowledged that "doesn't sound like a lot", but stressed that "it's critical" to the overall target. "It has a real impact." Maria Neira, head of the World Health Organization's environment, climate change and health department, said the climate crisis was also a public health crisis. "It's a horrible figure: we have seven million premature deaths every year caused by exposure to air pollution -- plus the diseases, the suffering and the cost for health systems," she told AFP. "When we talk about methane and reducing emissions, we are talking about how many cases of lung cancer and asthma we can prevent," she said. "The moment people understand that this is about health, I think it will be unstoppable." A simulation at Dickinson College will give participants insight into returning to society after incarceration. The event will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 6 at Dickinson Colleges Holland Union Building Social Hall at 217 N. College St. Sponsored by the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, the Cumberland County Reentry Coalition and Dickinsons Center for Civic Learning and Action, the event will be divided into four 15-minute segments to represent the first four weeks of reentry. A debrief will follow the simulation, which will include a discussion about the criminal justice system and reentry challenges. Registration for the event is available online, and the deadline to sign up is Monday. The simulation is free and open to the public, and lunch will be provided. Nuclear's EU comeback on show at Brussels summit Brussels, Belgium, March 21 (AFP) Mar 21, 2024 Promoting nuclear power was long taboo in Brussels, but a high-profile international summit Thursday sent loud and clear the message that atomic energy -- now touted by its champions as key to fighting climate change -- is back. Gone are the days when Berlin's anti-nuclear stance set the tone: in the past two years atomic pioneer France has been spearheading a drive to establish nuclear as a key source of carbon-free energy in the EU. Organised by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Brussels summit followed on from last year's COP28 climate talks, at which 22 nations backed a call to triple the world's nuclear energy capacity by 2050. "This is a fight where we have to use all the available, dispatchable, CO2-free energy sources for the common challenge," IAEA chief Rafael Grossi told the summit bringing together more than 30 countries, from Europe but also the United States, China and Brazil. In a joint declaration, the states committed to "work to fully unlock the potential of nuclear energy," including by mobilising public and private finance to meet the sector's colossal investment needs. Inside the European Union, that message is being carried by a "nuclear alliance" of a dozen countries including France, launched last year with a view to weighing on policy -- with a string of successes so far. "For the past four years, we have been sowing seeds -- they began to grow, and now we are reaping the harvest," said EU lawmaker Christophe Grudler, from Emmanuel's Macron's centrist Renew Europe party. Back in 2021, European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen made headlines by arguing the EU needed nuclear as a "stable source" of energy -- and Brussels went on to label it among its list of "sustainable" investments. By last June, Paris had secured a change to EU renewable energy rules to recognise nuclear power as a way to produce low-carbon hydrogen. In December, EU states and lawmakers reached a deal on public aid for investment in existing nuclear power plants, then in February on cutting red tape for nuclear as a "net-zero" emission technology. Finally, Brussels included nuclear in its roadmap to reaching its 2040 climate goals, and in February it launched an industrial alliance to speed up the development of small modular reactors (SMRs). - 'More outspoken' - With 100 reactors currently in service across 12 countries, nuclear accounts for about a quarter of electricity produced in the EU, and almost half its carbon-free power. Around 60 reactors are at various stages of planning or construction, one third of them in Poland. Massimo Garribba, deputy director general at the European Commission's energy department, said this week he had seen EU members become "much more outspoken" in support of nuclear. The French-led alliance is now pushing for "a comprehensive and enabling European framework for nuclear development" -- including its financing. And its members want nuclear and renewables put on an equal footing without "discrimination" in the bloc's goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050 Despite the EU's more accommodating stance, the nuclear vs. renewables debate is still fuelling a standoff between Paris and Brussels. France failed to meet EU-set renewable targets in 2020, but is refusing to make amends -- arguing that its carbon footprint is low enough thanks to nuclear. "France will not be paying penalties," warned its economy minister Bruno Le Maire this month. "These goals of having this many wind turbines, that many solar panels -- that's a Europe that we don't want any more." - 'Theoretical' - Likewise when it comes to a new French energy strategy that includes no goals for renewables: Brussels wants it to set targets by June, with at least 44 percent of renewables by 2030, against 20 percent now. France's stance is anathema to many environmental activists -- and to EU countries like Spain or Germany which are part of a "Friends of Renewables" alliance within the bloc. "We have never thought about mixing or exchanging renewable and nuclear," Spanish energy and climate minister Teresa Ribera said in December. While nuclear plants generate almost no greenhouse gases, critics highlight that, compared to renewables, they can take decades to build, are expensive and generate hazardous waste. Sven Giegold, a German state secretary for the economy, said the promise of nuclear remains largely "theoretical" with many projects at planning stage -- making the case instead for "competitive" renewables. Rejecting that argument, the centrist Grudler said SMRs will be a reality by 2035, and new generation EPR reactors by 2040. "That is still a way off, but it's now that we need to create the framework and the financing plans," he said. Poorer countries need money before raising climate targets: COP29 head Copenhagen, March 21 (AFP) Mar 21, 2024 Developing countries should not have to set stricter targets for cutting their carbon emissions before funds are available to help them, the chairman of this year's UN climate negotiations said on Thursday. Addressing a ministerial climate meeting in Copenhagen, Azerbaijani politician Mukhtar Babayev said finance was a "critical enabler of climate action". "But there is a growing gap between the needs of developing countries and what's available," said Babayev, the ecology and natural resources minister of oil-rich Azerbaijan, which will host the COP29 climate summit in Baku in late 2024. This year, "finance will lie at the heart of climate diplomacy", he said. At last year's annual UN climate talks, governments agreed to "transition away" from fossil fuels such as oil, gas and coal. But that agreement did not include commitments to provide financial aid for developing countries, a major sticking point in the global climate negotiations. This is set to be a central theme of the Baku summit, which hopes to fix a new target for the aid rich nations should give to poorer ones. The forthcoming negotiations are an "opportunity to set a new path, unlock funds and rebuild trust between the parties", said Babayev, who was an executive for Azerbaijan's state oil company SOCAR for 26 years. "If we get this right, and we send a clear and strong signal that more public and private finance will be allocated to climate targets, then we will empower all parties to raise the ambitions of their upcoming NDCs (Nationally Determined Contributions)." NDCs are the targets set by each country to reduce their emissions of planet-heating greenhouse gas emissions. They need to be tightened up by the COP30 climate summit in Brazil in 2025 in order for the world to respect its commitment under the 2015 Paris Agreement to limit the rise in Earth's annual temperature to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Italian man gets front yard surprise after dumping trash Rome, March 21 (AFP) Mar 21, 2024 Police in Italy got the last laugh after identifying a man who had dumped two couches in a field -- thoughtfully returning them to him on his lawn, by dump truck. Police in Romano di Lombardia near Bergamo in northern Italy released a tongue-in-cheek video Thursday as a public service message against illegal garbage dumping. "Lost something?" read a title over footage of two old, dilapidated couches lying in a field at the side of the road. The next shot showed the two couches tumbling out of a dump truck onto the perpetrator's lawn. "The local police will find it and bring it back to your home," said the message, with "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" song playing in the background. Police confirmed to AFP that the illegal dumping took place last week at night, with the couches returned to their rightful owner the next morning. The man, who was identified via surveillance cameras, risks a maximum 10,000-euro ($10,900) fine to be determined by a court, police said. "Home delivery is a striking but also highly symbolic gesture to explain we're not backing off on garbage dumping," Romano Mayor Sebastian Nicoli told the Corriere della Sera newspaper. "The message for the sneaky is that they must not think they can do whatever they want at the expense of the community." Sweden off-track to meet climate goals: expert agency Stockholm, March 21 (AFP) Mar 21, 2024 Sweden's climate policy is leading to short-term emissions increases and knocking it off-course from its 2030 reduction target, according to a report by a council reviewing government policy released Thursday. The coalition government -- headed by conservative Ulf Kristersson of the Moderate Party and propped up by the anti-immigration Sweden Democrats -- took decisions in 2023 that will increase emissions in 2024, the Swedish Climate Policy Council said. "Policy adopted in 2023 will increase emissions and does not lead towards the fulfilment of Sweden's climate goals and EU commitments by 2030," said the report by the council, set up by the previous government in 2018. The council said that in particular measures announced in the budget presented in September, such as a reduced fuel tax, put climate ambitions at risk. But it also lamented a lack of concrete measures in the government's "climate policy action plan", a roadmap that the government is required by law to present every four years. The council's chair Asa Persson said the government was passing the buck for meeting Sweden's climate targets and EU commitments by 2030 on to the government that will be in power after the next Swedish general election in 2026. - Emissions recommendations - The report was handed over to Minister for Climate and the Environment Romina Pourmokhtari, who told reporters she would "analyse its contents." "I'm not particularly worried about some of the assessments made at this point. They are based on the government's policy announcements during 2023, and there are several measures that have been added since then," Pourmokhtari said, adding that she was confident several of the issues raised had already been addressed. The report also put forward recommendations to the government, such as measures to reduce emissions from the transport sector, that plans be drawn up to increase carbon dioxide uptake by forests and land, as well as outlining a strategy for carbon neutral agriculture. Often considered a leader on climate issues, Sweden has set a goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2045, ahead of the 2050 target set for the European Union. But even this target now seems out of reach, argues Bjorn Sanden, vice-president of the agency. "We have examined the government's action plan and concluded that the claim that it creates the conditions for achieving net zero emissions by 2045 is misleading and lacks objectivity," he told a press briefing. Poorer countries need money before raising climate targets: COP29 head Copenhagen, March 21 (AFP) Mar 21, 2024 Developing countries should not have to set stricter targets for cutting their carbon emissions before funds are available to help them transition to cleaner energies, the chairman of this year's UN climate negotiations said Thursday. Addressing a ministerial climate meeting in Copenhagen, Azerbaijan's Mukhtar Babayev said "there is a growing gap between the needs of developing countries and what's available." This year, "finance will lie at the heart of climate diplomacy", said Babayev, the ecology and natural resources minister of oil-rich Azerbaijan, which will host the COP29 climate summit in Baku in late 2024. At last year's annual UN climate talks, governments agreed to "transition away" from fossil fuels such as oil, gas and coal, but did not set commitments to provide financial aid for developing countries. The Baku summit hopes to fix a new target for the aid rich nations should give to poorer ones. "If we send a clear and strong signal that more public and private finance will be allocated to climate targets, then we will empower all parties to raise the ambitions of their upcoming NDCs," said Babayev, who was an executive for Azerbaijan's state oil company SOCAR for 26 years. NDCs, or Nationally Determined Contributions, are the targets set by each country to reduce their emissions of planet-heating greenhouse gas emissions. They need to be tightened up by the COP30 climate summit in Brazil in 2025 in order for the world to respect its commitment under the 2015 Paris Agreement to limit the rise in Earth's annual temperature to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. On Wednesday, the United Arab Emirates, Azerbaijan and Brazil -- the hosts of the COP28 and the upcoming two summits -- announced they were forming a "troika" aimed at keeping alive the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The countries also said in a letter to UN countries that NDCs from developed countries "should include ambition in finance, technology and capacity-building resources to developing countries." The United States strongly criticised this proposal on Thursday. "We find this not only inconsistent with the Paris Agreement but highly prejudicial to the negotiations that are ongoing this year on the new quantified goal," Susan Biniaz, deputy to the US climate envoy, said in Copenhagen. Separatist leader Puigdemont eyes return to Spain as Catalan vote looms Barcelona, March 21 (AFP) Mar 21, 2024 Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont was to unveil his plans Thursday for Catalonia's snap May election which could bring forward his return home after years of self-imposed exile. A European Parliament lawmaker who fled Spain to avoid prosecution over the botched 2017 Catalan independence bid, Puigdemont will say whether he will run as a candidate for his hardline separatist JxCat party at a 7:00 pm (1800 GMT) news conference in southern France. At the time of the secession bid, he was Catalan regional leader. Last week, current Catalan leader Pere Aragones called a May 12 election in the wealthy northeastern region, one day before Spain's parliament voted through a key amnesty law for him and other Catalan separatists. The bill, which aims to draw a line under years of efforts to prosecute those linked to the independence bid, is currently before the Senate but will return to the lower house for a final green light in some two months. When it becomes law, Puigdemont, 61, says he hopes to come back to Spain in time to welcome the new Catalan leader into office. But JxCat is hoping he will run again as its candidate in the high-stakes regional election as he has done twice since fleeing Spain -- in December 2017 and February 2021. "With the amnesty bill, his outlook is no longer exile but return," JxCat's secretary general Jordi Turull told El Pais newspaper. Named Catalan leader in 2016, Puigdemont led the independence bid the following year that sparked Spain's worst political crisis in decades before fleeing to Belgium. He was elected to the European Parliement in 2019. - Separatists divided - With the Catalan separatist movement in the doldrums, the outcome of Spain's inconclusive July election was a gift for Puigdemont, whose party was cast in the role of kingmaker. After months of uncertainty, JxCat's seven lawmakers decided to back Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, its votes enabling him to secure a new four-year term in November. In exchange, it demanded the amnesty bill. Although the bill was voted down in January after JxCat rejected it on grounds it did not go far enough, it passed this month with fresh wording that the party sees as sufficient to avoid prosecution for terrorism or treason. Just two weeks earlier, Spain's Supreme Court started investigating Puigdemont on "terror" charges over his alleged links to mass protests by a group called Democratic Tsunami. Even when the bill becomes law, there is no guarantee Puigdemont will not be arrested on return to Spain, his lawyer Gonzalo Boye told Catalonia's RAC1 radio, saying he would "accept the consequences". Polls suggest the Catalan vote will be tight. A survey published Thursday by regional polling firm CEO put the Catalan branch of Sanchez's Socialist party in the lead with 25-29 percent, the moderate separatist ERC with 17-20 percent, and JxCat with 15-18 percent. Following the 2021 election, the two separatist parties ruled Catalonia in coalition but JxCat pulled out in 2022, exacerbating divisions within the movement. Although Aragones, who will run again as ERC's candidate, said he wanted to see Puigdemont return, he said he thought the JxCat leader's time was over. "I respect him for what he's achieved in his career but I think that Catalonia needs to look ahead," he told La Vanguardia newspaper on Sunday. Speaking in Brussels Thursday, Spain's Sanchez said the region would only move forward if it was "united". "For that, it needs an inclusive political approach, without recriminations, bitterness or grudges, one that is committed to coexistence and Catalonia's progress," he said. Residents and staff at Church of God Home in Carlisle helped raise more than $7,000 and donated 10 knot blankets for the Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser, in support of homelessness awareness. The senior living community had a goal of $5,000, but was able to surpass it and fund local charities that support people facing hunger and homelessness. In addition to the fundraising, about 14 independent living residents, as well as staff members, completed 10 knot blankets that will be donated to Community CARES family shelter. School board member Rick Rovegno is calling for more stringent oversight on how a cyber charter school is receiving money from South Middleton School District for student tuition. Its apparent to me there needs to be greater scrutiny and examination of the charges being billed to the school district from the Commonwealth Charter Academy, he said in a phone interview Tuesday morning. We [the district] should not be billed significantly more than the actual cost of delivering the services. During a Monday night meeting, Rovegno briefed fellow board members on his interpretation of financial data Commonwealth Charter submitted to the IRS as part of its annual Form 990 Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax. Rovegno said the school, which is considered a nonprofit organization, consistently reported revenue far exceeding expenses, along with annual fund balances in the hundreds of millions of dollars. I got some information from the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Rovegno said Monday, adding that the graduation rate for CCA is about 68.4%. Thats not great in my opinion, he told fellow board members. By comparison, the graduation rate for South Middleton School District is about 93.6% while the state average is about 89.7%, according to the latest Future Ready Index data. Rovegno called on board members to contact state lawmakers to press for charter school funding reform. Only state senators and representatives have the authority to change the funding formula, he said. We should ask them what they would propose to do. In a phone interview Wednesday, Tim Eller, the academys senior vice president for outreach and government relations, said Rovegno took the graduation rate and Form 990 numbers out of context. Were not billing South Middleton School District, Eller said. South Middleton is paying what the law says they need to pay. Were not coming up with arbitrary tuition rates. Those rates are set by state law. Fiscal trends Rovegno attended the March 4 meeting when Dean Clepper, a retired educator, asked school board members to hold down costs to avert a proposed 5.3% real estate tax increase in 2024-25. Rovegno said he has done research since then to better understand the major cost drivers that affect the districts annual general fund budget. We have a budget of around $45 million, Rovegno said Monday, referring to the 2023-24 fiscal plan. Of that total, the state has required the district to pay about $1.86 million in tuition payments to charter schools with the bulk of that money going to Commonwealth Charter Academy. There are about 105 school-aged children in the district who attend an outside charter school instead of a district public school or the Bubbler Cyber Academy, Rovegno said. Roughly three-quarters of those students attend Commonwealth Charter Academy, he said. Rovegno said he analyzed Form 990 paperwork filed by the academy. For fiscal year 2020-21, the charter school reported about $315.5 in revenue and about $203.8 million in operating expenses. Though classified as nonprofit, CCA posted a gain of 64% of revenue over expenditures for that year. Were paying for that, Rovegno said. Their fund balance ending 2020-21 was $182.6 million. That means the academys reserves equate to about 89% of its expenses, he said. By comparison, South Middleton School District is operating with a fund balance of about $9 million or about 20% of its budget. It gets better, Rovegno told board members. According to Form 990, the charter school posted revenues of about $397.2 million and expenses of about $274.7 million for 2021-22. The fund balance that fiscal year was $305.1 million or 111% of operating expenses. I will get the 990 that is coming in May for 2022-23, Rovegno said. If they [the academy] stay on the same trend line, their fund balance is going to be half a billion dollars. So, what can we do reasonably? he asked board members. We can call our state representatives and state senator and provide some of this statistical information. Based on his calculations, South Middleton should be charged about $600,000 less per year in student tuition. Costs in context The 990 is just a snapshot in time, Eller said. Its the snapshot for the end of the year. What it doesnt capture is the money we put aside to pay for our buildings and infrastructure. We dont have the ability to capture funding from the state or even locally to pay for infrastructure or maintenance. So, any additional funds that we have are put into reserve accounts to pay for those buildings and infrastructure. The academy has about 20 buildings placed regionally across Pennsylvania, along with an extensive computer network to run its learning management system, Eller said. While this expense shows up as a fund balance on the 990 Form, the actual money set aside in an annual reserve has been less than $1 million over the same fiscal period cited by Rovegno, Eller said. Like the school district, the charter school has an unassigned fund balance to offset cash flow shortfalls. In 2019-20, the charter school had $904,877 in this reserve, according to data provided by Eller. That decreased to $608,162 in 2020-21 and to $536,005 in 2021-22. Contrary to what public school officials say, there is no 100% dollar-for-dollar transfer of money from a school district to an outside charter school each time a family exercises its right to school choice, Eller said. About 30% of the cost per student is retained by the district to cover its overhead while 70% follows each student to the charter school, he said. For South Middleton, the charter school tuition rates for 2023-24 are $13,896.48 per nonspecial education student and $28,864.91 per special education student, Eller said. The special education rate is the sum of two parts nonspecial education, plus a special education add-on, he said. Graduation rates Rovegno on Monday quoted the Pennsylvania Department of Education statistic of a 68.4% graduation rate for Commonwealth Charter students. What hes doing is comparing a local district to a cyber charter school that has a statewide enrollment, Eller said. Not all our students come from South Middleton. Most of our students come from lower performing districts. What is missing, as part of that calculation, is the number of students who enroll in CCA who are outside their graduation cohort, Eller said. About two-thirds of our high school [student body] is brand new every school year. When youre talking about kids who have been here since the seventh or eighth grade, that go into our high school program, thats about a 93% graduation rate. The US Justice Department and 16 attorneys general have sued Apple, accusing the iPhone maker of violating antitrust laws by blocking rivals from accessing hardware and software features on its popular devices. The suit, filed in New Jersey federal court, marks the culmination of a five-year probe into the worlds second-most-valuable technology company. The Biden administration has made competition a cornerstone of its economic policy, with Silicon Valley becoming a key focus. And it comes as the European Commission is gearing up to announce probes into compliance with the Digital Markets Act the European Unions new gatekeeper rules for Big Tech by Apple and Alphabets Google. The suit marks the culmination of a five-year probe into the worlds second-most-valuable technology company. Credit: Bloomberg Shares of the company closed 4.1 per cent lower, erasing about $US113 billion ($172 billion) in market value and taking their year-to-date loss back past 11 per cent. Once the worlds most valuable firm at more than $US3 trillion, Apple has underperformed both the Nasdaq 100 and the S&P 500 in 2024. The lawsuit alleges that Apple has used its power over app distribution on the iPhone to thwart innovations that would have made it easier for consumers to switch phones. The company has refused to support cross-platform messaging apps, limited third-party digital wallets and non-Apple smartwatches, and blocked mobile cloud streaming services. Bruce McWilliam, one of Seven West Medias most senior executives and its billionaire chairman Kerry Stokes closest adviser, is leaving the company. Seven confirmed commercial director McWilliams departure in a statement this morning, bringing to a close his 21-year tenure at the media empire. McWilliam will join chief executive and managing director James Warburton in leaving the company in the coming months. Warburton announced his exit in December, with plans to leave before the end of the financial year after five years. Chief financial officer Jeff Howard will be the new chief executive. Seven Network commercial director Bruce McWilliam is leaving the company. Credit: Janie Barrett While McWilliam has resigned from his role, a Seven spokesman said the exact date of his departure is yet to be determined. When Nam Le was at primary school, his teacher read that rollicking narrative poem The Highwayman by Alfred Noyes to the class. To the little boy who arrived in Australia as a babe in his parents arms after they fled Vietnam on a refugee boat, it had a profound impact. The rhythms, they found their way deep into my body. And I was writing imitations of The Highwayman almost immediately. I think thats what I did for ages, he said. I was reading whatever I could find ... whatever was available, which was mainly sort of the western English canon, and just soaking it in, revelling in it, and copying it. I probably would never have imagined that 20-plus years on, these issues would remain so pressing and so alive, Nam Le says. Credit: Luis Enrique Ascui For the longest time, Tennyson was his totem poet: I think its because of his ear, because of his rhythms. He just had this incredible intuitive sense of how to flood the frequency that I was operating on. You wont find any Highwayman-like lines in 36 Ways of Writing a Vietnamese Poem, somewhat astonishingly Les first creative work since The Boat, his book of short stories that dazzled readers, reviewers and prize judges when it came out in 2008. (He did also write a short book about David Malouf for the Writers on Writers series in 2019.) When Peter Dutton spoke at a dinner for the Australian Business Network the Liberal Partys big business fundraising body in Sydney last Thursday before about 40 well-heeled donors from the banks, defence, energy, insurance and financial services industries, the opposition leader struck a different note from what we normally hear. Loading According to our spies in the room, Dutton dialled down the vitriolic attacks on Labor and gave a fairly measured speech at the event sponsored by Cornerstone Group, the lobbying shop run by Liberal powerbroker Joe Tannous on nuclear energy, cost of living and the housing crisis. It was a far cry from the rant Dutton reportedly delivered at a private Business Council breakfast in Parliament House this week. But most intriguing were Duttons thoughts on the US presidential election. This week, after former president and presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump took a swing at nasty Kevin Rudd, Dutton called on Rudd to repair the relationship, lest America shoot itself in the face come November. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size A state-of-the-art building that will cost taxpayers nearly a billion dollars was handed to the Sydney Fish Market for the same peppercorn rent it is paying at its existing dilapidated site, in a sweetheart deal that has soured into a stoush over the final design. The new market at Blackwattle Bay in Pyrmont is due to open by the end of the year, and the government is eager to advertise for expressions of interest to develop the old site, so construction can begin as soon as the existing tenants vacate. But the retailers who sublease their shops and restaurants from the Sydney Fish Market claim the new building which is being compared to the Sydney Opera House and is expected to double its 5.5 million annual visitors will not meet the operational requirements of a fish market. Former Sydney Fish Market chairman Grahame Turk said the building was destined to become a white elephant: You dont need the Taj Mahal to flog dead fish. Only one of the 38 subtenants has been prepared to surrender their existing lease and sign a new one for the premises under construction, raising concerns the hold-outs will seek compensation for being forced to vacate without a similar or better deal. They argue that the fit-out allowances have not kept pace with rising costs. Critics have accused them of greed. Advertisement And in the midst of tense negotiations with the government for design changes that will satisfy the subtenants, the market boss has floated opening a second transport hub near the soon-to-open Western Sydney Airport to capitalise on the export opportunities to Asia. We could have beautiful quality Australian seafood out of the water and up to Singapore overnight, which would be quite remarkable, Sydney Fish Market chief executive Greg Dyer said. The market under construction, designed by Danish architects 3XN, will be twice the size of the existing site and as big as three Queen Victoria Buildings side-by-side. Its a wonderful building beautiful building but it cant function as a fish market in its current design. Grahame Turk, former Sydney Fish Market boss It sits under a wave-shaped, scale-patterned roof with a basement for parking, a temperature-controlled operations level for the daily auction and wholesale outlets, and a retail level at the top. Construction workers at the site of the refurbished Sydney Fish Market. Credit: Kate Geraghty The Herald can reveal the new agreement for lease between the Sydney Fish Market and the government grandfathered the rent at the current rate of $2.8 million per year for the first 10 years about half the average commercial rent for Pyrmont by square metre, according to the latest quarterly report by real estate agent Cushman and Wakefield. Advertisement For a $750 million construction, this delivers a yield to the government of 0.4 per cent. Landlords can generally expect an annual yield of 5.5 per cent on a commercial property. Government sources not authorised to speak publicly have raised eyebrows at the return to taxpayers. The government agreed to build the market on a separate site to ensure no interruption to trade during construction. While 27 new subtenants will be charged at the market rate, the existing tenants will pay their current rate. The six seafood retailers also have the benefit of a long-standing, unwritten promise by management that no new fish shops will be accepted as tenants, which will extend to the new site. NSW Lands and Property Minister Steve Kamper said the agreement for lease was signed by the former government and his government was required to deliver on it. But Turk, who signed the agreement with the government in 2019, only for the tenants to dump him from the board last year, said it was quite possibly the best deal Ive done in my commercial life. Seafood wholesalers and retailers at the Sydney Fish Market are concerned that the movement of fish from the auction floor to the shops will be inefficient in a multi-level building. Credit: Kate Geraghty They would build us a new building. We would get a 50-year lease. The rent would be the same as what we were paying. The fit-out would be new-for-old, like-for-like. Thats an incredible deal. Advertisement However, the on-site tenants who owned half the shares in the Sydney Fish Market (the other half is owned by the Catchers Trust of NSW on behalf of the states commercial fishermen) were not content, and wanted more spent on the fit-out, Turk said. Some of them not all of them are very greedy people and they just wanted more and more and more and more, Turk said. When the final design was delivered with several major issues, the government had stopped listening to them, he said. I think the greed of the tenants combined with the inefficiencies and incompetence of Infrastructure NSW is a great mixture for a disaster. Its a wonderful building beautiful building but it cant function as a fish market in its current design. Grahame Turk, the former chairman of the Sydney Fish Market, says, You dont need the Taj Mahal to flog dead fish. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer Construction costs are now estimated at $836 million, including the price of peer reviews and independent experts who have revisited the plans among other factors, and could rise further if the tenants demands for change are accepted. Advertisement Chief among their concerns are the enormous west-facing windows, which they say will increase the ambient temperature on the retail level and reduce the shelf life of their product, and the multiple-level building, which they claim is incompatible with the efficient movement of goods. Turk said the only other seafood market in the world to be built over multiple levels, the Toyosu Central Wholesale Market in Tokyo, Japan, recorded a fatality within six months of opening when a truck driver was crushed by an elevator door. To improve efficiency and eliminate pinch points, that market has a wide internal road with ramps, lifts and hoists to move product between levels. Design by 3XN and BVN for the redeveloped Sydney Fish Market. The Pyrmont site is not big enough for an internal thoroughfare to move fish between the trucks, auction floor, wholesalers and retail stores. Infrastructure NSW chief executive Tom Gellibrand agreed the governments patience had been worn by years of back-and-forth over the design. The market sat on the panel that selected the design, and management knew from the start that it would be built over several levels, he said. The tenants initially said they did not want ramps, then asked for them after the groundwork had already been laid for lifts. Advertisement Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Shortly before 7pm one Thursday evening, a shaken worker at a luxury Sydney CBD jewellery store allegedly screamed out to a couple walking past as she jumped up and down on the chair she had been tied to. Minutes earlier, she was showing two solidly built men a tray of luxury necklaces inside Germani Jewellery in the Hilton Hotel complex when she was allegedly grabbed by the back of the neck, led to the safe and ordered to put all of its contents in a bag. After following the alleged robbers orders, the woman was bound to the chair with cable ties before the men fled. Unbeknownst to the frightened customer attendant, the stores high-profile owner Michel Germani who was also present and tied up during the robbery was allegedly behind the fake theft of more than 160 items worth $2.8 million, to trigger a bogus insurance claim. Police are yet to recover the jewellery. There are two Germani Jewellery stores on George Street, one in the Queen Victoria Building and one attached to the Hilton Hotels foyer, which was robbed. Credit: Nine News Court documents released by the Supreme Court reveal the Crowns case against 66-year-old Germani and 57-year-old mum-of-four Giulia Penna who are accused of staging the robbery on January 19 last year. Penna is accused of recruiting Mounir Helou and Shanel Tofaeono to carry out the act as well as driving them to Bunnings to buy the cables Germani and his employee were tied with. The prosecution alleges Germani began planning the offence on January 2 through contact with an email address created that date. His wife, Coco Germani, is alleged to have used that email address two days later to pretend to be the customers that would later rob the store, emailing her husband: Dear Michel very sorry I couldnt make this afternoon appointment due to health in my family can we reschedule Friday same time Im very sorry for late notice. Advertisement Minutes earlier, the Crown alleges Germani sent a text to his wife saying: Afternoon Michel I emailed you regarding family problem I wont be able to make this afternoon please lets reschedule. Very very sorry. On January 10, Germani allegedly received a notice of default about the lease on his Hilton Sydney store. Michel Germani, his wife Coco and their child. That same day, the Crown alleges Germani contacted a man named Joseph Esber whom the court heard is allegedly a serial fraudster concerned hed have to close his shop and asking if he knew anyone who would rob his store after someone hed already paid to do the job backed out. During this conversation, the court documents allege Germani told Esber that he and a second staff member would be in the shop; someone would need to call and make an after-hours appointment to view jewellery and thats when the robbery would need to happen because he would be covered by the insurance; whoever does it would need to steal the CCTV DVR [digital video recorder] and steal the contents of the second safe [and] tie him and the second staff member up; He would leave $20,000 or $25,000 cash in the safe as payment for whoever did it. After Esber allegedly told Germani he would ask around, the Crown submits he reported Germanis request to police on January 11. Two days later, police attended Germani Jewellery to check security arrangements and warn Germani of a suspected looming robbery, without revealing their knowledge of the store owners alleged involvement. Advertisement Police allege Germani met with Penna on January 13 and 16, when fake details were allegedly used to set up a phone used to arrange the robbery. Police allege on the morning of the robbery, Germani, Penna, Helou, Tofaeono and another co-accused Andrea Cusumano went to Pennas home to organise the fake theft. Denying Germani bail for a second time in the Supreme Court on Tuesday, Justice Stephen Rothman suggested his financial difficulties were strong motives for the crime and noted his wife had significant contacts with people in China, with which Australia does not have an extradition treaty. Germani applied for bail in the NSW Supreme Court earlier this week. Germanis lawyer Matthew Kalyk argued a trial might not begin until mid-2025, when his client would have been in custody for more than two years. He said the police case relied on statements by co-accused that had never eventuated, including one from Penna whom the court heard was no longer available to give evidence in the trial. The absence of her evidence leaves a significant hole in the crown case, Kalyk said. Advertisement Penna successfully sought bail this week (alongside Helou), with Justice Stephen Campbell noting she was undoubtedly central to the alleged scheme. This is a very strong Crown case, to the extent of being virtually overwhelming, he said, but acknowledged ties to her four children reduced her risk of fleeing the country. Pennas lawyer Mark Klees said there was no evidence confirming the true value of the stolen jewellery or who currently possessed it. Germani has been charged with aggravated robbery, dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception, publishing false material, kidnapping and intending to pervert the course of justice. Penna faces charges of participating in a criminal group, being an accessory before the fact of kidnapping, and dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception. Coco has been charged with intending to pervert the course of justice and dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception. Tofaeono and Helou face charges of kidnapping and dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception, while Tofaeono is also charged with possessing or using a prohibited weapon without a permit. Advertisement CAMDEN, N.J. Residents in the Philadelphia area are about to see a rare site a battleship floating down the Delaware River. The USS New Jersey is scheduled to move from its dock in Camden on Thursday, when it will head to the Philadelphia Navy Yard for extensive maintenance work. The vessel, guided by tugboats, will initially head to the Paulsboro Marine Terminal, where it will be balanced to prepare for dry docking, and will then go to the Navy Yard six days later. The maintenance work is expected to take about two months to complete, officials said. Three major repair projects are planned, including repainting the ships hull, fixing the anti-corrosion system underneath the ship and inspecting through-hull openings. The battleship, which was built in the 1940s in Philadelphia, served for about 50 years before its retirement in February 1991. It has been a floating museum since 2011. The ship was built at the former Philadelphia Naval Shipyard and was launched from there on Dec. 7, 1942, the first anniversary of the Japanese air attack on Pearl Harbor. The ship is the most decorated battleship in Navy history, earning distinction in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War and conflicts in the Middle East, according to its website. The ship steamed more miles, fought in more battles and fired more shells in combat than any other battleship. A father who allegedly abandoned his wife overseas before returning to Australia with their young children is accused of secretly cancelling her partner visa in the first exit-trafficking case to be prosecuted in Victoria. A County Court trial heard on Thursday that Mohamed Ahmed Omer, 52, was living in Australia when he wed his Sudan-born wife in an arranged marriage and moved her to Melbourne in 2012. County Court of Victoria. Credit: Darrian Traynor After the birth of their first child, a girl, Crown prosecutor John Saunders said, Omer allegedly became violent and threatening towards his wife at their Docklands home, including when she tried to contact her extended family on the phone. In September 2014, when their second child, a boy, was six months old and his mother still breastfeeding him, Omer bought four plane tickets with cash so the family could travel to Sudan for a family holiday. Prefabricated houses come with plenty of positives: theyre faster to design and construct, and they can be customised and stylish. But less than 5 per cent of homes built in Australia are prefabricated and the federal government wants that to change. Prefabricated homes like this one by Arkular in Victoria make up only a tiny part of Australias new-builds. To address the housing crisis, it aims to build 1.2 million homes in the next five years. Speaking ahead of a building ministers meeting on Friday, federal Minister for Science Ed Husic said prefab and modular housing could play a big part in getting homes built more quickly. Anthony Albanese has managed a remarkable feat with his decision this week to shelve a religious freedom law unless he can secure approval from Peter Dutton to give it a smooth passage through the parliament. Everyone feels they have lost, whether they wanted more rights for religious schools or more protection for gay teachers and transgender students. In one remark, relayed second-hand to journalists from the Labor caucus meeting on Tuesday, the prime minister offended the Greens, equality campaigners, Christian schools and church leaders, who all had different views on how the law should work. Illustration: Simon Letch Credit: And Dutton was incensed. The opposition leader worked himself into a tirade at a press conference on Tuesday, as if it was an outrage for one side of politics to seek a bipartisan agreement with another. He seemed truly angry that Albanese only wanted to pass a law the Coalition could accept. The anger seems overdone. Perhaps the real frustration in the opposition is that Albanese will not give it the fight it wants. Thats because there will be no chance for the Liberals to start a culture war about Labor and the Greens joining forces to limit the liberty of religious schools. Lonely Planet founder Tony Wheeler calls Aitutakis lagoon the most beautiful on Earth. Aitutakis lagoon in the Cook Islands is four times the size of its land mass (at 74 square kilometres) and is home to 15 tiny islands (motu) all but one of which are uninhabited. Take a day-long private boat tour, or join a traditional Polynesian Vaka cruise across the lagoon which inspired US producer Mark Burnett to create the series, Survivor. Stop for a lunch of barbecued wahoo at One Foot Island, and walk waist-deep in aquamarine water to a sand-spit dubbed Heaven. See cookislands.travel Plunge deep beneath the worlds best small cruise ship destination Take a brand-new ship with two submarines aboard to one of the planets best destinations for small expedition cruising the Kimberley (for even Antarctica now hosts ships with more than 1000 passengers). Seabourn Cruise Line, which recently partnered with APT, is debuting a new ship, Seabourn Pursuit, on a 10-day voyage between Broome and Darwin between June and August, featuring seven-person submarines, allowing passengers the closest view of the regions salt-water crocs, humpback whales and sharks. Its here that youll find 30 per cent of Australias 8222 islands in an area three times the size of Great Britain. See seabourn.com; aptouring.com.au Toast New Zealands best wine country Take the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail for a five-day, 485-kilometre journey through world-class wine country. Start in Hawkes Bay in the North Island and take cycle trails between wineries and two of the worlds best-preserved art deco towns (Napier and Hastings) before driving south to Martinborough and Wellington, the countrys cosmopolitan capital. Bring your car aboard on a scenic ferry ride across Cook Strait to the Marlborough region, home to the worlds finest sauvignon blancs. See newzealand.com Dive with a sea of sharks in Rangiroa Tiputa Pass features the highest concentration of sharks on Earth. Credit: iStock Diving icon Jacques Cousteau called Rangiroa the most beautiful dive site on Earth; its also been dubbed the worlds biggest natural aquarium. The worlds second-biggest atoll is 300 kilometres north of Tahiti and is famous for its incredibly clear waters and diversity of marine life. One dive site, Tiputa Pass, has the highest concentration of sharks on Earth, while dolphins are known to accompany divers, and humpback whales and manta rays pass close by. Made up of 415 islets and sand bars, its home to 100 narrow passageways perfect for diving. See tahititourisme.com.au Experience the worlds oldest art on a train trip across Australia Listen to Dreamtime stories as you cruise down an ancient riverway in the outback looking for Indigenous art thats thousands of years old. Youll wind your way down the Katherine River, surrounded by towering ancient sandstone walls within Nitmiluk Gorge. Youre already on one of the worlds great train journeys from Adelaide to Darwin and back, a distance just shy of 3000 kilometres aboard The Ghan, but its the off-train experiences included which make this an unforgettable adventure. Youll also get to hike among rare outback plant species within dramatic rock formations like Simpsons Gap, outside Alice Springs. Go even deeper by booking the four-day, three-night all-inclusive Ghan Expedition journey from April to October. See journeybeyondrail.com.au Swim with whales in Tonga Humpback whale off the coast of Tonga. Credit: iStock Between July and October theres no better place to swim with humpback whales, which come to Tonga for the warm, calm waters to mate, give birth and nurse their babies. Theyre so plentiful many operators havent missed a whale swim with any group in more than a decade. Guests are taken by boat into the deep ocean. When whales are spotted, groups of four enter the water with masks and snorkels and fins for a close-up view of humpbacks in motion. There are whale swim boats and resorts across four of Tongas island groups. See humpbackswims.com Tackle NZs most spectacular walking trail Taranaki Falls, Tongariro National Park, New Zealand. Credit: iStock Its one of the worlds most iconic day walks and in a country full of stunning hikes, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing is the most spectacular. Located half-way down the North Island, hike 19.4 kilometres across an active volcanic area in New Zealands oldest national park. Take a shuttle to the start of the walk and climb across terrain where youll look down on steaming vents, glacial valleys, old lava flows and crater lakes below some of the countrys tallest mountains. Do it in summer when the weather is more predictable. See tongarirocrossing.org.nz Take a cargo ship to the Earths end Sail aboard one of the worlds last combined cargo/passenger expedition ships to the most isolated island archipelago on Earth. Take a 12-day cruise aboard the Aranui 5, 1400 kilometres north-east of Tahiti to The Marquesas, a group of 12 islands so remote the French government considered testing atom bombs there in the 1960s. While several have makeshift airports, the only real way to see these mountainous islands is aboard Aranui 5, the only real link to the outside world. Youll explore wilderness as the crew unloads everything from toilet paper to cars. See aranui.com Sail the worlds largest lagoon The worlds best sailing destination, New Caledonia, is just a few hours away. There are hundreds of sailing options from bareboat charters (sailing yourself) to luxury multi-day skippered superyacht charters at the worlds largest lagoon, protected by the worlds second-biggest barrier reef. Home to 140 islands and more than 30 marine parks, the lagoon offers hundreds of safe anchorages among deep, clear blue water. See newcaledonia.travel/nz/lagoon/sailing Get close to the worlds most accessible live volcano Mount Yasur, Tanna Island, Vanuatu. Take a tour from Port Vila, Vanuatu, aboard a small plane to stare into the crater of a live volcano on the island of Tanna. Youll be escorted by 4WD to the rim of Mount Yasur to watch it erupt. As the sun sets, the colours of the lava flow increase in intensity and youll watch dry lava the size of small cars fly into the air around you. Stay overnight in a resort built into the earth (Rockwater Resort) and snorkel at dawn via a cave connected to the ocean. See airtaxivanuatu.com Behold the Southern Lights The Northern Lights have been a bucket list travel item for decades, but far fewer people have experienced the Southern Lights. The further south you go, the more chance you have of seeing these electrically charged particles and its tricky to go much further south than New Zealand. Head to Lake Tekapo Observatory part of the Dark Sky Reserve the best viewing places for star-gazing. Or try Stewart Island, New Zealands southernmost populated island, or Mount Cook National Park (the higher you go, the better). June and July are best, and 2024 is when the solar cycle moves towards maximum. See darkskyproject.co.nz Chase waterfalls in Samoa With its green mountainous hinterland, there are few better places to see waterfalls than Samoa. Take a waterfall tour do your own, or join a guided tour and youll jump off, swim below, hike beside or just stare at more waterfalls than you can name in a week. Samoas most populated island, Upolu, (youll fly here) has the largest concentration of them. Mostly located just north of the southern coastline, its easy to find the best ones: youll see them from the road. Some you can swim in, so bring your bathers. See samoa.travel Find World War II wrecks in the Solomon Islands The cockpit of a World War II wreck, now resting on the ocean floor near Munda, Solomon Islands. Credit: iStock With 992 islands, all surrounded by coral reefs, and with almost no development and tough fishing laws allowing marine life to flourish and a whole ocean bed of wrecked planes, ships and other vehicles from World War II, the Solomon Islands is one of the best places to dive in the world. Most dive sites are easily accessible, water visibility goes up to 90 metres and theres small-scale dive resorts sprinkled throughout. There are also few other divers about. See padi.com Swim in a blue hole The blue holes on Espiritu Santo are breathtaking. Nowhere youll ever swim is like Vanuatus blue holes. Surrounded by thick green forest, blue holes can be found all over the island of Espiritu Santo, an hours flight north of Port Vila. When it rains, the water from the mountains flows underground into limestone streams, where its filtered and becomes incandescent blue. One of natures rarest wonders, swim by yourselves in blue holes all over Espiritu Santo, paying a small entrance fee only for the three best-known sites (Matevulu, Nanda and Ri Ri). See vanuatu.travel/au Sleep in a luxury over-water bungalow Bora Bora magic. Invented in Bora Bora 55 years ago, other countries and islands may now offer them (especially the Maldives), but nothing compares to sleeping in an overwater bungalow where the concept was derived. Built as the piece de resistance within resorts built on their own private island (motu) just jump from your back deck into a French Polynesian lagoon. There is no more romantic accommodation available anywhere on the planet. Also consider Moorea, if you prefer to stick closer to Tahiti. See marriott.com Experience the Pacifics most romantic champagne breakfast Take a 15-minute boat ride to your own uninhabited island for a champagne breakfast on a daybed looking across a protected marine reserve. Likuliku Lagoon Resort in Fijis Mamanuca Islands has a private lease over pristine Mociu Island. Walk to the highest point of the island for sunrise as staff arrange your breakfast. Then the islands yours; youll be left with a walkie-talkie to radio in when youre ready to leave. Lunches also available. See likulikulagoon.com Ride the Otago Rail Trail Rides dont get more scenic... Otago Rail Trail. Credit: Suppled One of the best things about New Zealands Otago Central Rail Trail is that in a landscape of soaring mountains and deep lakes, its almost completely dead flat. So this 150-kilometre trail through the South Island is perfect for all ages, and all levels of fitness. Its also totally free if you prefer to avoid a guided tour and while biking is why youre here, the trail is as much about wine tasting, gourmet food and historic lodges. Allow at least four days to take your time passing through historic towns, some formed during New Zealands 1860s Gold Rush. See otagocentralrailtrail.co.nz Q+A Ryan Thomas, My Holiday I love Oceania because it offers everything you could want from a holiday, right at your fingertips. There are plenty of adventures to be had in destinations like Queensland, Vanuatu and Samoa, while spots like Fiji and the Cook Islands provide the perfect setting for a flop and drop resort holiday. For me, the hottest new bucket list destination in Oceania is Vanuatu. Its a little bit more off-the-beaten-path than other destinations in Oceania, but its packed with bucket list experiences, like ash boarding down the slopes of an active volcano, or canyoning through deep blue caves. A family member from Perth and myself are visiting relatives in Birmingham before travelling to France. What would be a good stopover as the family member has mobility issues? I believe Emirates flies direct, or would Qantas be a better choice? A. Dennis, Canberra, ACT If youre planning to board an international flight from Sydney rather than flying to Perth to accompany your relative, what you might do is take an Emirates flight to Dubai. Your Perth relative could also take a non-stop Emirates flight to Dubai. You could then meet there, enjoy a stopover and continue together aboard your non-stop flight to Birmingham. Emirates has package deals with several hotels in Dubai and this would ensure a smooth stopover. You can fly direct to Birmingham with Emirates from Dubai, while Qantas offers a non-stop flight from Perth to London. Credit: Nic Walker Another alternative would be for you to fly to Perth, meet your relative there and both take the Emirates flight to Birmingham via Dubai. You could take the Qantas non-stop flight from Perth to London and then a domestic flight to Birmingham however that Qantas flight takes 17 hours on average and that might be a challenge for your relative. In that case, the Emirates flights with a stopover would be a better solution. We have a weekend stopover in Japan and wish to use the bullet train from Osaka to Tokyo and the Yamanote line and Narita Express in Tokyo. How do we buy tickets? R. Phillips, Templestowe, Vic More than 60 refugees are feared starved at sea or drowned while possibly trying to reach Australia by boat. The wooden vessel was carrying scores of Rohingya, a persecuted ethnic minority in Myanmar, when it capsized on Wednesday near the city of Meulaboh in West Aceh. Rohingya refugees on a capsized boat before being rescued in the waters off West Aceh, Indonesia. Credit: Reza Saifullah At least 75 people have been rescued, but the precise number on the boat is the subject of contradictory information. So is their intended destination. Antara Indonesian News Agency, citing a regional official, reported the Rohingyas were trying to reach Australia. Of course, an interested party can still make true allegations, so none of this automatically makes Israels allegations wrong. UNRWA has fired a small number of employees in the past for their links with Hamas. Its commissioner-general has admitted to finding some antisemitic content in the textbooks used in its schools, and the EU has condemned this in a detailed report. So Israels October 7 allegations were certainly worthy of investigation. The context only means they werent independent allegations. And it means that if the international community was going to accept them and act on them, they could not simply rely on Israeli intelligence. Intelligence, as the Iraq War proved, is not evidence. It has to be examined critically. Loading This, it seems, is where things began to get sketchy. In Britain, Sky News, Channel 4 and the Financial Times all reviewed a six-page Israeli dossier on the allegations, and separately noted it provided no proof of the claims. By mid-February, UNRWA told Haaretz that Israel was yet to provide any evidence to support its claims, despite being invited to do so. Then, earlier this month, UNRWA shared an unpublished report with The New York Times, alleging that several of its staff who confessed to being involved on October 7 were forced to confessions under torture and ill-treatment in Israeli prisons. Israel denies this and the Times could not corroborate the details, but did say that some accounts correlated with some of its own interviews. Of course, its likely the media has only limited information. And perhaps Israel hasnt given UNRWA any evidence because it doesnt want to co-operate with that organisation. But we would expect Israel to share far more extensive intelligence with its staunchest ally. And in late February, a United States intelligence assessment said that while it did not dispute Israels claims about a vast number of UNRWA staff having Hamas links, it could not verify them. As for Israels allegations against certain individual staff members, it said these were credible but ultimately, it had low confidence in them. None of this is resounding. All six pleaded guilty in August, admitting that they broke into a home without a warrant and tortured Jenkins and Parker after a neighbour complained the men were staying there with a white woman. Hours before Dedmons sentencing, Opdyke cried profusely as he turned to look at Jenkins and Parker, saying isolation behind bars had given him time to reflect on how I transformed into the monster I became that night. Michael Corey Jenkins (left) and Eddie Terrell Parker (right) with their lawyer Malik Shabazz outside court. Credit: AP The weight of my actions and the harm Ive caused will haunt me every day, Opdyke said. I wish I could take away your suffering. Parker rested his head in his hands and closed his eyes, then stood and left the courtroom before Opdyke finished speaking. Jenkins said he was broken and ashamed by the cruelty inflicted on him. Some of the former officers involved in the attack called themselves the Goon Squad. The judge said Opdyke may not have been fully aware of what being a member of the group entailed when Middleton asked him to join, but Opdyke did know it involved using excessive force. The terror began January 24, 2023, with a racist call for extrajudicial violence when a white person in the county complained to McAlpin that two black men were staying with a white woman at a house in Braxton. McAlpin told Dedmon, who texted a group of white deputies asking if they were available for a mission. No bad mugshots, he texted a green light, prosecutors said, to use excessive force on parts of the body that wouldnt appear in a booking photo. Once inside, they handcuffed Jenkins and his friend Parker and poured milk, alcohol and chocolate syrup over their faces. They forced them to strip naked and shower together to conceal the mess. They mocked the victims with racial slurs and shocked them with stun guns. Dedmon and Opdyke assaulted them with a sex toy. After Elward shot Jenkins in the mouth, lacerating his tongue and breaking his jaw, they devised a cover-up that included planting drugs and a gun. False charges stood against Jenkins and Parker for months. The majority-white Rankin County is just east of the state capital, Jackson, home to one of the highest percentages of black residents of any major US city. The officers shouted at Jenkins and Parker to stay out of Rankin County and go back to Jackson or their side of the Pearl River, according to court documents. Michael Corey Jenkins stands with his mother Mary Jenkins outside court. Credit: AP Opdyke was the first to admit what they did, his attorney Jeff Reynolds said on Wednesday. On April 12, he showed investigators a WhatsApp text thread where the officers discussed their plan and what happened. Had he thrown his phone in a river, as some of the other officers did, investigators might not have discovered the encrypted messages. Reynolds also said Opdyke was sexually assaulted as a child and had seen the older deputies as father figures, making him susceptible to the culture of misconduct within the Rankin County Sheriffs Office. Loading When a new officer goes over there, they start indoctrinating people, Reynolds said. Where is the true leadership? Why arent they in this court? Dedmon, who planted drugs on Jenkins to frame him on false charges, said bad behaviour did not get in the way of his promotion to narcotics investigator. Its because instead of doing the right thing, I chose to do the wrong thing, Dedmon said. Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey, who took office in 2012, revealed no details about his deputies actions when he announced they had been fired last June. 1 2024 : 1918 (), 998 . 1924 5 , 9 . 1955 . 1976 Apple. Northrop Grumman, a titan of the U.S. defense industry, is building a new factory in Waynesboro that promises to bring hundreds of high-salary jobs to the area. But on which side of Afton Mountain those residents will choose to live is not predetermined. The Falls Church-based company announced its plans for a new $200 million advanced electronics and testing facility in Waynesboro in November and broke ground on the 63-acre facility in February. Northrop Grumman has promised the plant will employ more than 300 engineers and manufacturers with an average annual salary of $94,000. Waynesboro has long been a refuge for Charlottesville workers: Many choose to work in Charlottesville, where jobs pay more, and live in Waynesboro, where things cost less. The 30-mile commute over Afton Mountain to and from Charlottesville in the east and Waynesboro in the west has become just another part of the daily grind. But Waynesboro may not have the housing stock or caliber to satisfy all of Northrop Grummans well-paid employees. Waynesboro is a smaller city with 22,550 residents, it is half the size of Charlottesville and its houses are significantly cheaper its median house price at $226,700 is roughly 55% less than the average Charlottesville residence. It is very likely that many Northrop Grumman employees will choose to work in Waynesboro and live in Charlottesville, or close to it, effectively shifting the commuter balance on Afton Mountain. Experts go so far as to say the new factory could disrupt the regional housing market, and cause prices to rise even higher in Charlottesville and the surrounding counties in Central Virginia, already one of the most expensive places to buy property in the commonwealth. It will be another four years before all of the jobs are filled at Northrop Grummans new plant, but there is already anticipation, dread and anxiety on both sides of the mountain about what those new workers, those new residents, will mean for the two markets. In the valley Based on engineering salaries, Waynesboro-area Realtor Bill Hausrath of Westhills Ltd. Realtors, said Northrop Grumman employees will likely target housing in the $400,000-500,000 range. A supply of which Waynesboro is lacking. The available housing stock in Waynesboro, surrounding Augusta County and the nearby city of Staunton is about a fifth of a normal market. December listings in the three localities were just over 200 properties. Realtors say a healthy housing market in the three localities would have 1,000 new and older residences on the market. Waynesboro has a growing supply of townhouses off Hopeman Parkway. Those properties are affordable for first-time buyers, but are likely not suitable for Northrop Grummans engineers. The current housing markets volatility is also worth noting, said Jay Langston, the executive director of the Shenandoah Valley Partnership, an economic development and marketing organization that serves 12 cities and counties in the valley that helped bring Northrop Grumman to Waynesboro. Housing is a big concern, he said. Rick Kane, the broker-owner of Westhills Ltd. Realtors in the Fishersville community west of Waynesboro, said improved senior housing is one of the keys to providing housing for Northrop Grumman workers. We need to cater to the 55-and-older community, Kane said. So when they leave and go into these homes, they will sell homes. But senior housing is just one facet of a complicated housing picture, according to Kane. For the necessary senior housing, there may need to be changes in local zoning to accommodate greater density, Kane said. And there is likely to be pressure because of the influx of higher-paying jobs to increase the cost of housing, both for renting and buying. They can afford more so people can charge more, he said. And while new construction is anticipated, that is not an overnight process. Beyond the regulatory hoops from the Virginia Department of Transportation and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality that developers will have to clear, new roads will be needed. More housing units means more roads and more infrastructure, said Kane. While the Waynesboro market may not have the inventory to support all of Northrop Grummans new employees, there are several other options in the Shenandoah Valley in a higher price range that would be suitable for the cohort. In the city of Staunton as well as Augusta and Nelson counties, roughly 1,700 houses were sold last year with an average price of $310,000, according to the president of the Charlottesville Area Association of Realtors, Anne Burroughs. She said there are a few offerings, particularly in Staunton, that might be attractive to Northrop Grummans newcomers. However, as more individuals purchase the more expensive homes available, the median price of houses in the Staunton area will naturally increase. But, she said its important to note that though the defense contractor plans to hire 300 employees, that does not directly correlate to 300 new households, as some could potentially work remotely or may already own property in the area. Some of that influx will be absorbed, said Burroughs. Seventy-five people arent going to create a crisis, just make the market a little bit more competitive. Over the mountain Given Waynesboros housing market may not satisfy the demands of homebuyers looking to purchase in the $400,000-500,000 range, many may look to the Charlottesville area on the other side of the mountain. While Charlottesville proper is not lacking in expensive properties, some might not be willing to accomodate the price tag or the distance. My hunch is that with that salary a lot of people will be willing to pay more for the house they want in Waynesboro, Hamilton Lombard, a demographics researcher at the University of Virginias Weldon Cooper Center, told The Daily Progress. Many people would still opt to live in Waynesboro, they might have to pay more than usual there, but still not as much as Charlottesville. In 2022, the median household income in Waynesboro was just over $52,000 while property values were around $226,700. Over the mountain in Charlottesville, the median household income was $67,000 with median property values sitting at $398,400. Though $94,000 is a sizable paycheck, Northrop Grummans future Waynesboro employees may want to live in a place where they get more bang for their buck than the city of Charlottesville. We already have the most expensive housing market in Virginia, more expensive than Northern Virginia because people earn less, so itll add more pressure, said Lombard. Its sad to say, but that said, $94,000 in Charlottesville is still below the median. So, itll get some additional pressure, but given its already so expensive, its going to be less pressure than in Waynesboro. Now, western Albemarle County is a different story, said Burroughs. While the commute from Charlottesville to Waynesboro can take up to an hour at times, the drive from western Albemarle is half an hour or less far more ideal. Around 450 homes were sold in the western Albemarle County school district last year, with a median price of $725,000, which could be exactly what some Northrop Grumman employees are looking for. But, again, any rise in homebuyer demand is going to increase home prices. The inventory in western Albemarle can absorb the influx to a certain degree, but it would lead to higher prices, said Burroughs. If theres an increase in demand, but supply remains the same, it will lead to higher prices. For the past decade, but especially in the past couple of years, Charlottesville workers have been opting to live farther west in Albemarle, Nelson and Augusta counties. If Northrop Grummans employees also opt to avoid the city of Charlottesville, and instead settle down in the counties between the two cities, their arrival could dramatically drive up prices in the places that had long been the more affordable options. High-paying and additional supportive jobs created out there could cause housing prices to rise, Lombard said. Those counties will become less of a relief valve and put more pressure on the housing market in Charlottesville. This could potentially force homeowners to expand the periphery of the suburbs of Charlottesville. Individuals may think twice before accepting a Charlottesville-based job considering the closest place they could afford may be in Lynchburg or Harrisonburg, said Lombard. Burroughs came to the same conclusion, referring to the drive until you qualify concept. She drew parallels between what Lombard described and dropping a rock into still water as the ripples spread out. Northrop Grumman is about to throw a pretty big pebble in the pond, said Burroughs. Somewhere in between It may have some adverse effects on the housing market in Central Virginia next door, but experts such as Lombard agree that the impact of Northrop Grummans new plant is a positive development for the city of Waynesboro. Northrop Grumman was direct about what it needed when the company contacted Waynesboro and Shenandoah Valley economic development officials in 2022. Langston, himself, was contacted by a site selector for the industry. The consultant said they wanted at least 60 acres, and they wanted something that was viable long term, Langston said. Langston told the site selector, There is one property that comes to mind. That 63-acre property, behind the Waynesboro Town Center, was the location chosen. Waynesboro Economic Development and Tourism Director Greg Hitchin said Northrop Grumman did not divulge where else they were looking. He said the keys to finalizing any deal hinge on providing a site with correct zoning, transportation and utilities. Financial incentives also must be included. But it is known that Waynesboro was not the only location under consideration. Langston confirmed that the defense contractor also expressed interest in UVas North Fork Discovery Park north of Charlottesville in Albemarle County, a business park a mere 7 miles from Northrop Grummans offices on Seminole Trail near Charlottesville city limits. The site ultimately chosen in Waynesboro is just off exit 94 of Interstate 64. The land contains water and sewer, and is zoned for industry. Hitchin had encouraged the rezoning of the property to industrial four years ago to the former owner, Richard Spurzem, the owner of Neighborhood Properties of Charlottesville. Spurzem agreed. I went to the property owner and said, We see this as industrial land. We proactively moved to make it light industrial, he said. The city of Waynesboro also obtained a GO Virginia grant for preliminary engineering to make the site ready for use. The negotiations and final agreement with Northrop Grumman took 15 months, a process that Hitchin said required a total team effort of city departments including public works, fire rescue and community development. Incentives provided to seal the agreement included $8.5 million in reimbursement of local taxes the company would pay Waynesboro over the first 10 years of operation. The commonwealth of Virginia, which became involved in the project later in the process, is also providing an $8.5 million grant from the Commonwealths Opportunity Fund. Northrop Grumman must achieve performance agreements to receive both funding sources. Having a large multinational company select your city provides some credibility, Hitchin said. Langston said Northrop Grummans location broadens the economic offerings in the Shenandoah Valley. I think Northrop Grumman opens up a new sector in manufacturing for the Valley, Langston said. The traditional industries for the area have been dominated by the food and beverage sectors, according to Langston. Hershey Chocolate and McKee Baking have major operations in the Augusta County community of Stuarts Draft, and beermaker Coors has a manufacturing facility in nearby Rockingham County. Langston said while the jobs created will offer a big boost for Waynesboro, workers could migrate from neighboring counties and cities. The nature of this project creates opportunities in Albemarle County, Nelson County and Charlottesville, he said. While Virginia is also providing worker training under its talent accelerator program, Langston could see a cadre of area colleges and universities assisting with training. Northrop Grumman will look at the existing population and reach out to the University of Virginia, James Madison University and Virginia Tech and build those skills, he said. Blue Ridge Community College President John Downey said during the companys groundbreaking last month that he expected the college to help train Northrop Grumman workers through the manufacturing and electronics technology programs at his school. A number of the future employees may wind up coming from the eastern side of the mountain from UVas School of Engineering. Whether they will choose to continue living in Charlottesville or Albemarle is, at present, unknown. All might not be lost for homeowners who have their hearts set on Charlottesville, as Lombard said there is hope that the housing issue will improve down the road. The responsibility would fall on local municipalities to rethink some of the strict building regulations put in place following the housing boom in the early 2000s. There was so much growth that governments wanted to get it under control, but now theyre realizing they might have made it too hard, said Lombard. Situations like this might have people coming back to think how to balance it without a mindless sprawl but one that would increase and improve the housing supply. The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission met in Pinedale last week for its March meeting. The Commission voted to approve the departments Feedground Management Plan, the result of a four-year collaborative process. Regional wildlife managers will now be tasked with developing adaptive Feedground Management Action Plans with local stakeholders. This is not a plan to shut down elk feedgrounds. The Feedground management plan provides a long-term roadmap and a suite of adaptive management options that may be utilized for each feedground, said Game and Fish Director Brian Nesvik. Not all feedgrounds are the same. By sitting down with stakeholders and the public, we can identify unique obstacles and determine the appropriate combination of strategies to accomplish the overarching goals of the plan, while staying within the sideboards clearly identified in the plan. The Commission elected Richard Ladwing from Manville as president and Mark Jolovich from Torrington as the vice president. The Commission voted to approve the following items: Preliminary FY 2025 budget. The disposal of the Saratoga Game Warden Station. Chapter 23, Lands and Waters Acquired or Administered by the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission. To identify and move forward in the designation process of the Sublette antelope migration corridor. The Commission received informational presentations on the departments five-year mule deer study and the Wyoming Range mule deer herd. The Commission also was provided with an update on the large carnivore program, communication efforts and the employee housing project in Jackson. Game and Fish Wildlife Chief Rick King awarded Baggs Senior Game Warden Kim Olson with the 2023 Shikar-Safari Wyoming Wildlife Officer of the Year award. The award, given annually in every state and Canadian province by the Shikar-Safari Club International, honors a wildlife officer whose efforts during the year display outstanding performance and achievement. Olson is a 16-year veteran of Game and Fish. Her district is one of the largest in the state and is nearly 3,000 square miles. A full recording of the Commission meeting is available online. The Commissions next meeting is April 16-17 in Riverton. Girl Scout Cookie season is a highly anticipated time of year for Montana and Wyoming residents. During this annual event, Girl Scouts unbox their future through the worlds largest entrepreneurial program for girls. If you missed pre-ordering your favorite Girl Scout cookies, you can still indulge in your favorite treat by supporting girls at Cookie Booths beginning Friday, March 22. When you support Girl Scouts, you help girls flex their entrepreneurial muscles and acquire important life skills like goal setting, decision making, money managements, people skills, and business ethics. From local grocery to large box stores, Girl Scout Troops will hold booth sales March 22 through April 14. Customers can find exact locations, dates, and times by visiting www.gsmw.org/findcookies. Simply enter your zip code to find a booth nearest to you. Girl Scout Troops will feature up to nine varieties at their Cookie Booths this year: Thin Mints, Caramel deLites, Peanut Butter Patties, Peanut Butter Sandwich, Trefoils, Adventurefuls, Lemonades, Toast-Yay!, and gluten/allergen free Caramel Chocolate Chip. The Caramel Chocolate Chip may not be available at all booths. Cookies will sell for $5 per package with the exception of the Caramel Chocolate Chip, which will sell for $6 per package. Customers may also participate in the Care to Share program. Purchase a package or two from your local Girl Scout Troop and they will donate them to their local hometown heroes, food banks, service organizations, and much more. If Cookie Booths are not available in your community, you can still support local Girl Scouts by purchasing online. Visit www.gsmw.org/findcookies to find a troop in your community, or support Girl Scouts of Montana and Wyomings outreach troops, which benefit underserved girls. All of the net revenue raised through the Girl Scout Cookie Programevery penny after the baker is paidstays with the local council and troops. Girl Scout troops set goals for how to spend their proceeds on program-related activities including travel, camp, as well as investing back into their community through service projects. For youth interested in breeding their cattle, the University of Wyoming Extension will offer artificial insemination (AI) workshops in Campbell and Fremont Counties Thursday, May 9, followed by breeding days later that month. The May 9 workshops, led by UW Extension educator Chance Marshall and UW Extension beef specialist Shelby Rosasco, will take place from 4-7 p.m. at extension offices in Campbell and Fremont Counties. Topics to be discussed include nutrition, breeding selection, AI protocol and pregnancy testing. To sign up for a workshop, visit http://tiny.cc/24cattleaibreeding. Registration, which reserves dinner and supplies, closes Wednesday, May 1. Breeding days, in which participants artificially inseminate cattle under Marshalls guidance, are scheduled for Tuesday, May 28, in Campbell County and Wednesday, May 29, in Fremont County. For those who attend the May 9 workshop, the cost is $25 per head for up to four females and $50 per head for each additional animal. Now in its third year, the AI program has attracted participants from across Wyoming and even from surrounding states. AI is an involved process where you have to make decisions on breeding combinations and think about what your goals are, says Marshall. Its not just getting animals bredits also about encouraging young people to think about the future. While the AI program is geared toward 4-Hers and other youth raising cattle, community members of all ages are welcome to attend. The workshop and breeding days are not a substitute for an AI school, however, and participants do not receive a certification for attending the events. We teach about the process, but the point is to provide ways for young people to actually breed their animals and further their involvement in the industry, Marshall explains. Even if theyve just got a few animals, we want to provide them that opportunity. For youth raising sheep and goats, UW Extension will offer AI workshops and breeding days this summer. All 2024 AI educational workshops and breeding days are funded by a grant from the John P. Ellbogen Foundation. The program is organized by Marshall and Campbell County 4-H educator Kim Fry. * China launched a new relay satellite on Wednesday to provide Earth-Moon communications services, a key step for its future lunar exploration missions such as retrieving samples from the far side of the moon and exploring the lunar south pole region. * The name of the satellite, Queqiao, embodies China's hope that the relay satellite could serve as a vital communication link between Earth-based controllers and the mysterious far side of the moon. * The deployment of the Queqiao-2 relay satellite is a key step for China's future lunar exploration missions including Chang'e-6, Chang'e-7 and Chang'e-8. WENCHANG, Hainan, March 20 (Xinhua) -- China launched a new relay satellite on Wednesday to provide Earth-Moon communications services, a key step for its future lunar exploration missions such as retrieving samples from the far side of the moon and exploring the lunar south pole region. A Long March-8 rocket, carrying the satellite dubbed Queqiao-2, or magpie bridge-2, soared into the sky at 8:31 a.m. from the Wenchang Space Launch Site in south China's Hainan Province. After 24 minutes of flight, the satellite separated from the rocket, and entered the planned Earth-Moon transfer orbit with the perigee at 200 kilometers and the apogee at 420,000 kilometers. The satellite's solar panels and communications antennae were unfolded, according to the China National Space Administration (CNSA). "Today's launch has laid a good foundation for the ensuing flight control of the Queqiao-2 relay satellite," said Ge Ping, deputy director of the CNSA's Lunar Exploration and Space Program Center. However, the successful launch is only the first step of the Queqiao-2 mission. A series of important maneuvers such as midway trajectory correction, decelerating near the moon and orbit adjustment will be carried out before Queqiao-2 enters its target elliptical orbit around the moon to become the world's second relay satellite deployed beyond Earth orbit. After that, communications tests will be carried out to determine whether the Queqiao-2 relay satellite has the ability to support the sample collection mission from the far side of the moon, Ge said. NEW BRIDGE OF COMMUNICATIONS According to a Chinese folktale, Zhi Nyu, the seventh daughter of the Goddess of Heaven, and her beloved husband, Niu Lang, a humble cowherd, found their love forbidden and were separated to opposite sides of the Milky Way. Moved by their plight, magpies intervened, creating the Queqiao bridge with their wings on the seventh night of the seventh month of the lunar calendar, allowing the couple to reunite for just one day each year. Hence, the name of the satellite, Queqiao, embodies China's hope that the relay satellite could serve as a vital communication link between Earth-based controllers and the mysterious far side of the moon. Since the moon's revolution cycle is the same as its rotation cycle, the same side always faces Earth. The other face, most of which cannot be seen from Earth, is called the far side or "dark side" of the moon. This term doesn't refer to darkness but rather to the mystery shrouding the moon's largely unexplored terrain. Due to its special environment and complex geological history, the far side of the moon stands as a prime destination for scientific and space exploration. In order to explore the moon's far side, China sent the first Queqiao relay satellite in 2018 to a halo orbit around the second Lagrangian (L2) point of the Earth-Moon system. Thanks to the communications support and data transmission from this relay satellite, China later successfully sent the Chang'e-4 probe to the Von Karman Crater in the South Pole-Aitken Basin, realizing the first-ever soft landing and roving on the far side of the moon at the beginning of 2019. Since the first Queqiao satellite has exceeded its designed lifespan, Queqiao-2 will take over the communications relay services for Chang'e-4, which is still operating on the moon's far side. Compared with the first Queqiao satellite, the new satellite launched on Wednesday boasts enhanced functionality, innovative features and intricate designs. It also carries multiple instruments for scientific exploration, the CNSA said. KEY STEP FOR FUTURE MOON MISSIONS The deployment of the Queqiao-2 relay satellite is a key step for China's future lunar exploration missions including Chang'e-6, Chang'e-7 and Chang'e-8. The landing and sample collection sites of China's moon missions in the coming years are mainly in the lunar south pole region or on the far side of the moon. A more powerful relay satellite with more functions is necessary to provide communications and data transmission services for the missions, the CNSA said. Chang'e-6 is scheduled for launch in the first half of 2024, while Chang'e-7 will be launched around 2026, and Chang'e-8 around 2028. Chang'e-7 and Chang'e-8 will form the basic model of a lunar research station to carry out lunar environment exploration, according to the CNSA. In addition to China's missions, the Queqiao-2 relay satellite can also provide communications services for other country's lunar exploration missions, the CNSA said. "China has always attached great importance to international cooperation in the lunar exploration program. And many win-win results have been achieved in the previous lunar missions," Ge said. China has initiated the application process for researchers worldwide to study the lunar samples gathered by the Chang'e-5 mission, and also welcomes other countries to cooperate in China's future lunar and planetary exploration projects, Ge said. Together with Queqiao-2, two communications and navigation technology test satellites Tiandu-1 and Tiandu-2 were also sent into space by the Long March-8 carrier rocket. With a total length of 50.3 meters, the rocket has two stages and two liquid boosters. This is the first time a Long March-8 carrier rocket has been used for a lunar exploration mission. "We have improved and optimized the design of the rocket for the mission to enhance its reliability," said Xu Shanshu, a chief designer for the rocket, from the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology under the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. Wednesday's launch was the 512th mission of the Long March rocket series. (Video reporters: Zhao Yuhe, Li Duojiang, Mei Yuanlong; Video editors: Li Ziwei, Hui Peipei) The Virginia Piedmont Regional Science Fair showcasing the scientific discoveries and ingenuity of middle and high school students from across the region will be held this Saturday at the University of Virginias North Fork Discovery Park outside Charlottesville. More than 140 students from public, private, independent and home schools in Albemarle, Culpeper, Fauquier, Fluvanna, Green, King George, Louisa, Madison, Nelson, Orange, Rappahannock, Spotsylvania and Stafford counties as well as the city of Charlottesville will put their projects on display as part of the 44th annual regional science fair. We are excited to showcase the remarkable talent and passion for science among the students in our region, Adrian Felts, the fairs director, said in a statement. The fair provides a platform for students to explore their scientific interests, engage with peers and experts, and ultimately, make meaningful contributions to the world around us as they pursue careers in the STEM fields. The event will be open from 2:30 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. for a public viewing of the students exhibits as well as an award ceremony after which students will learn if they advance to state, national and international competitions. The first place winners of the senior division, open to ninth- to 12th-graders, will automatically advance to the Virginia State Science and Engineering Fair held on April 13 at Old Dominion University in Norfolk. The top winners in the junior division, sixth- to eighth-graders, will then move on to an online submission process for the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge. If selected, they will attend a project showcase held in October in Washington, D.C. Judges will also name two grand winners in the senior division on Saturday to represent the region in the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair. A weeklong event planned for this May in Los Angeles, the Regeneron fair is the worlds largest precollege STEM or science, technology, engineering and mathematics competition. To make it to California, contestants must first face Saturdays judges who will evaluate contestants based on various criteria, including creativity, presentation and application of the scientific method. The regional fairs organizers sent out a call last month for volunteers with experience in the STEM subjects to serve as judges. The event usually has roughly 90 to 100 volunteers, but received a record-breaking number of roughly 130 this year, according to Felts. This years judging panel features individuals from a range of Central Virginia technology companies and government agencies, including the National Ground Intelligence Center, National Radio Astronomy Observatory, the University of Virginia, Booz Allen, Signature Science, the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Air Force. The number of judges this year is wonderful, Felts told The Daily Progress. We got a great response. For those interested in investing in the budding scientists and innovators of tomorrow, Felts said the fair is always in need of sponsors to help cover the travel expenses for Saturdays winners as they take their projects to the next level within the commonwealth or across the country. Baileys to trial aluminium bottle in travel retail Irish cream liqueur brand Baileys has announced that it will trial aluminium bottles in select international airports. Released in March to mark B Corp Month, the lighter bottle is a practical move as well as sustainable, giving shoppers in travel retail venues a more convenient bottle to carry on their journey. Baileys was certified as a B Corp brand in October 2022, the first Irish spirits brand to receive the accreditation. Sarah Blake, global brand director for Baileys, commented: We are proud to drive our progress in the community with our latest innovation to deliver positive impact. While this is an important milestone for Baileys, we know that there is more we can do. We are already looking forward to the delivery of more initiatives as we journey towards our 2030 commitments. The trial contributes toward parent company Diageos aim to reduce the carbon footprint of its packaging, and the companys overall 10-year Environmental, Social, and Governance plan Society 2030: Spirit of Progress. The Baileys aluminium bottle will be available in Amsterdam Schipol, Frankfurt, and Copenhagen airports from next month, as well as online and instore in REWE Germany, for a limited period only. Baileys is by no means the only drinks brand trying the aluminium bottle Penrhos Spirits, which first adopted aluminium in 2023 for its wonky fruit spirits, recently announced that its Wonky Raspberry Alumini would be available inflight on select easyJet journeys. 21 March 2024 - Lucy Schofield Revalation Vineyards will present a special edition of its monthly book club at 6 p.m. Friday. Brendan Slocumb, author of Symphony of Secrets, will attend the clubs discussion of his novel and take part in a question-and-answer session. Slocumb will discuss the research and themes behind his novel, which dives into cultural appropriation, the erasure of contributions by Black artists and the importance of recognizing true genius. His novel focuses on a music professor who discovers that some of the most iconic works attributed to a major American composer actually were penned by a Black musician from the Jazz Age. During his quest for the truth, the professor faces threats and opposition from a secretive organization determined to hide the facts. The event is free. For information, go to revalationvineyards.com or call (540) 407-1236. The Virginia Festival of the Book continues through Sunday in a variety of Charlottesville locations. A full schedule is available at vabook.org. This festivals 2024 Carol Troxell Reader is Dwight Garner, a popular New York Times critic who has released a memoir, The Upstairs Delicatessen: On Eating, Reading, Reding About Eating and Eating While Reading. The Carol Troxell Reader honors the memory of Troxell, who owned New Dominion Bookshop for 30 years. The festival also teams up with the Southern Environmental Law Center each year to present the Reed Environmental Writing Award. The winners for 2024 are Emily Strasser, David Folkenflik, Mario Ariza and Miranda Green, who will receive their awards at 5 p.m. Friday at the CODE Building. The free event is open to the public and will be streamed online. Highland will present Diane Flynt, author of Wild, Tamed, Lost, Revived: The Surprising Story of Apples in the South, at 1:30 p.m. Sunday. Flynt will take part in a conversation with Sara Bon-Harper s part of the Virginia Festival of the Book, and Albemarle Ciderworks will present a free cider tasting. Learn more at highland.org. The Arts Center in Orange will present Poetry Reading, Art and Tea at 2 p.m. March 30 in connection with The Ekphrastic Exhibition, which features poems by poets in the Poetry Society of Virginia and artworks by artists from Firnew Farm Artists Circle. The exhibitions participating poets are Steve Bucher, Stacy Clair, Cherryl T. Cooley, Jae Dyche, Cathy Hailey, Michelle OHearn, David Anthony Sam, Julia Travers, Jenna Veasey and Ellen Penn Berry. The artists include Lee Barker, John Berry, Pat Brodowski, Ellen Copeland, Kitty Dodd, Lea Doise, V-Anne Evans, Jane Goodman, Kate Kraus, Jon Perry, Claudia Wisdom-Good and Trish Crowe. Learn more at artscenterinorange.com. Jefferson-Madison Regional Library will present the following book-related events in the coming week: 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Greene County Library: Storytime with Charlottesville Ballet, designed for ages 2 to 8 and their caregivers, includes an interactive dance class and storytime featuring professional dancers. Registration is required. 6:30 p.m. Thursday: Finding Your Voice: YA Fiction Pizza Party, a Virginia Festival of the Book event for teens, brings in novelists Don P. Hooper, Sarah Mughal Rana and Kelly Ann Jacobson to discuss Hope Ablaze and Robin and Her Misfits. 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Northside Library: Sharon Harrigan of WriterHouse will lead Writing Your Familys Story: Five Different Ways, a Same Page Community Read event. Harrigan will discuss memoir writing with memoir authors Sharon Hostler, Erin James and Rowena Zimmerman. 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at Central Library: The annual Book Swap offers readers a chance to bring in gently used books and take home something new to them. 11 a.m. Saturday at Crozet Library: Visit the Plant Propagation Station to learn how to propagate plants and take a cutting home to plant. 1 p.m. Saturday at Central Library: Heart, Spunk, Magic, Chutzpah: Courageous Girls is a Virginia Festival of the Book event focusing on books for middle grades. 1 p.m. Saturday at Northside Library: Susan Schwartz will speak about her latest book, Haunted Inns and Hotels of Virginia. Register online at www.jmrl.org. 4:30 p.m. Monday at Nelson Memorial Library: Teens can make handmade cards using Cricut Expression, an older generation of the Cricut machine brand. 6 p.m. Monday at Gordon Avenue Library: Community Coloring Night is for ages 10 to adults. Coloring pages, pencils and markets will be provided; bring your own supplies if you prefer. Registration is optional. 6:30 p.m. Monday at Northside Library: Grown-Up Game Night is for ages 18 and older. Marchs featured board game, Wingspan, will be taught. 6:30 p.m. Monday at Crozet Library: Barbie is the Movie Night feature, and wearing pink is encouraged. The event is for ages 13 and older. Registration is requested but not required. 1 p.m. Tuesday at Central Library: Representatives of the Red Cross and a registered nurse will be on hand to provide free blood pressure screenings and heart health information. 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at Greene County Library: The Craft Circle, a bring-your-own-craft gathering encouraging community and creativity, is Greene County Librarys newest program. 3:30 p.m. Tuesday at Crozet Library: Stitches Handcraft Group for ages 8 to adult offers time to work on craft projects and socialize. 6 p.m. Tuesday at Greene County Library: Cookbook Book Club members will share dishes prepared from this months featured cookbook, Justice of the Pies: Sweet and Savory Pies, Quiches and Tarts + Inspirational Stories from Exceptional People by Maya-Camille Broussard. For JMRLs baby, toddler and preschooler programs, go to https://jmrl.org/kids. AIADMK, DMDK seal LS poll deal CHENNAI : TAMIL Nadus main Opposition AIADMK on Wednesday finalised a seat sharing arrangement for the Lok Sabha polls with the DMDK, founded by actor-politician Captain Vijayakanth who passed away recently. Announcing the electoral pact here at the party headquarters here, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami said the DMDK would contest from Tiruvallur (SC), Central Chennai, Cuddalore, Thanjavur and Virudhunagar Lok Sabha constituencies. DMDK general secretary Premalatha Vijayakanth described the AIADMK as a natural ally. She said that a big victory alliance has again been formed, like the one in 2011 for the Assembly polls. This victory alliance will continue in 2026 Assembly polls also. RJD authorises Lalu to decide LS candidates, new allies: RASHTRIYA Janata Dal President Lalu Prasad was on Wednesday authorised to take a call on the partys candidates for Lok Sabha polls, besides exploring the possibility of bringing in new allies. This was announced by Abdul Bari Siddiqui, the RJDs principal national general secretary, after meetings of the partys State parliamentary party and national parliamentary party. Meanwhile, RJD MP and national spokesperson Manoj Jha said seat sharing in Bihar will be finalised in a day or two, adding that talks are going well and in a positive direction. Talking to the media after meeting Congress General Secretary Mukul Wasnik, Jha said they have agreed on seat sharing to a great extent. Agreement has been built to a great extent, things are on track, in a couple of days, everything will be cleared, Jha told reporters. Ex-MLA Majra rejoins INLD: FORMER Haryana MLA Rampal Majra rejoined the Indian National Lok Dal on Wednesday and was appointed the partys State unit chief, a post lying vacant after Nafe Singh Rathee was shot dead in February. Majra joined the BJP ahead of the 2019 assembly elections and later quit the party during the farmers agitation against the now-repealed farm laws. He rejoined the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) in the presence of senior leader Abhay Singh Chautala here. Apna Dal (Kamerawadi) declares candidates for three seats in UP: THE Apna Dal (Kamerawadi), claiming it to be an ally of the I.N.D.I.A. bloc, on Wednesday declared candidates for three seats in Uttar Pradesh for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. A meeting of the Apna Dal (K) central executive committee was held under national president Krishna Patel. It has been decided in the meeting to contest three seats as part of the I.N.D.I.A. bloc, Central office secretary Ram Sanehi Patel said in a statement issued here. Phulpur, Mirzapur and Kaushambi are the three seats on which the party has decided to contest. Khariar MLA Adjiraj Panigrahi joins BJD: KHARIAR MLA Adjiraj Panigrahi joined the BJD on Wednesday, a day after quitting the Congress. Panigrahi, a first-time legislator, joined the BJD along with his supporters at Sankha Bhawan, the party headquarters, in Bhubaneswar. Around 37% of women population employed: Report Business Reporter : THE women workforce demographics in India suggests that of the total population of approximately 69.2 crores of women, around 37 per cent are actively working or employed, says a report. According to talent solutions provider Careernets The State of Womens Employment in India report, cities like Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai top the chart in women employment. In 2023, womens representation in the workforce experienced a significant rise of 2- 5 per cent compared to the previous year, in junior professional roles and executive boards, it stated. The report revealed 40 per cent of the fresh talent from colleges placed in 2023 were women. Women candidates having 0-3 years and 3-7 years of experience constitute 20-25 per cent of the total hires in their respective bands, it added. The report further revealed that there has been a slight overall increase in the hiring ratio of women in most cities, except for Delhi and National Capital Region (NCR), which showed a decline. Hyderabad leads with a 34 per cent hiring rate, followed by Pune at 33 per cent, and Chennai at 29 per cent. While, Delhi-NCR has witnessed a decline at 20 per cent, reflecting a 2 per cent decrease from the 2022 figure, it added. The report has been prepared with an analysis of 25,000 job placements collated from internal sources, employer career portals, and month-onmonth hiring trends in 2023. The sectoral analysis revealed an increase in hiring trends for women in the banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI) sector within Global Capability Centers (GCCs), the offshore units set up by multinational companies to perform a range of strategic functions. Further, the report noted a narrowing pay gap, decreasing to approximately 20 per cent in 2023 from 30 per cent in the previous year, signalling a positive shift towards equitablesalary practices. Meanwhile, the hiring of women at the midmanagement level hasremained unchanged at 23 percent over the past two years, said the report. While 30 per cent of theurban population are whitecollar professionals, only 5 percent of the rural populace fallsinto this category. This underscores a significant gender disparity in Indias white-collarlandscape, Careernet CEO andco-founder Anshuman Dassaid. While significant strideshave been made in enhancingwomens participation in theIndian workforce, some challenges need addressing forthem re-entering the workforce, he said. The surge in womensemployment in the Indianstartup ecosystem affirms that India Inc is open to transformation, he added. Modi dials Putin Dialogue, diplomacy only way for Ukraine war resolution: PM NEW DELHI : PRIME Minister Narendra Modi held a telephonic conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday and reiterated Indias stand on dialogue and diplomacy as a way for the resolution of the ongoing war against Ukraine, said an official release. The two leaders agreed to make concerted efforts towards further strengthening the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between the two countries in the years to come. They also reviewed progress in various issues of bilateral cooperation, and exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, an official release said. While discussing the Russia-Ukraine conflict, PM reiterated Indias consistent position in favour of dialogue and diplomacy as the way forward. The two leaders agreed to remain in touch, it added. Meanwhile, Kremlin also shared details of President Putins conversation with PM Modi and said that the former informed the latter about the ongoing situation in the war-torn region of Ukraine. President Putin also emphasised Ukraines refusal to take political and diplomatic steps to settle the conflict. The President of Russia gave his assessment of the current state of affairs in the zone of the special military operation. He emphasised Kievs categorical refusal to take political and diplomatic steps to settle the conflict, the President of Russia said in a statement. In connection with the events of June 24, Narendra Modi expressed understanding and support of the resolute actions by the Russian leadership to protect law and order and ensure stability in the country and security of its people, it added. On June 24, 2023, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the chief of the Wagner Group, led an armed rebellion against the Russian Defence Minister. The rebellion started in Rostov-on-Don, in southern Russia, and forces loyal to Prigozhin marched toward Moscow. Further in the conversation, both leaders discussed the bilateral cooperation between the two countries and expressed their satisfaction over the increase in trade. During the discussion of topical issues of bilateral cooperation, the leaders noted the importance of further consistent implementation of large-scale joint projects in different areas and voiced their satisfaction over a tangible increase in trade in 2022 and the first quarter of the current year, Kremlin said. Special attention was paid to interaction in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and the G20, in which India is holding the rotating presidency this year, and in the BRICS format. In addition, Narendra Modi told Vladimir Putin about his international contacts, including his recent visit to Washington, it added. The statement said further, The conversation was substantive and constructive. The leaders confirmed their mutual desire to strengthen the Russia-India specially privileged strategic partnership and planned future contacts. Need to get out of cult worship that Nehru era was great years: EAM NEW DELHI : Companies are audited. After all, a country should also be audited, policies should be audited. People should look at what happened in the past with an open mind and a critical mind, said Jaishankar EXTERNAL Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday took a critical view of some of the key decisions made by the Jawaharlal Nehru Government, and said one needs to get out of this cult worship that the period from 1946 onwards was great years and the country did splendidly. In the early years, it was very much a Nehruvian ideological bubble when it came to foreign policy and vestiges of that continue, even today, he said in response to a question during a session at the News18 Rising Bharat Summit here. A career diplomat-turned-politician, Jaishankar spoke on a range of issues such as Indias role during G20 presidency, the criticism surrounding the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, abrogation of Article 370, and India-China and India-Pakistan relations in the current context and the geopolitical scenario. Asked about the legacy of the foreign policy of Government in the early years after Independence, Jaishankar said, You got Pakistan wrong, you got China wrong, you got US right, and we had a great foreign policy. So, put that aside. I am not saying that today, benefit of 2024, lets look back 1954 or 1950, I am saying, somebody in 1948, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, as you were taking those decisions, stood up and said, please, Mr Nehru, what you are doing, have you looked at this aspect of it. So this is not hindsight, these are Nehrus contemporaries who are questioning decisions which Nehru was taking at that point of time, he said. Companies are audited. After all, a country should also be audited, policies should be audited. People should look at what happened in the past with an open mind and a critical mind, he said, adding he would also be very happy to discuss the last 10 years with anyone. The former Foreign Secretary cited Syama Prasad Mookerjees views on the Nehru-Liaquat Pact and views of B R Ambedkar on Nehrus decisions to buttress his claim. So, this is not hindsight, this is not a political polemic. I am placing before the younger generation, historical situation, which is what I called the road not taken, that road was available and that road was marked, he said. Now, I am not saying they were no-brainers, there are pluses and minuses, but we need to get out of this cult worship that everything from 1946 till, pick your year... That these were great years, and we did splendidly and if anything went wrong, other people were to blame. But Nehrus foreign policy is such an impeccable theology that even today, whoever comes to power must follow it. And, any deviation is somewhere wrong, Jaishankar said. Asked if India not facing a two-front situation today, he said, We have... We have always been, it is we who were in denial. The External Affairs Ministers strong remarks on the Opposition comes ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. He argued that in the early years after independence, it was very much a Nehruvian ideological bubble. Nehru was against America, so everybody was against America. Nehru said China is a great friend, everybody said China is a great friend. So, the vestiges of that continue, even today. I mean, you have a concept called Chindia, and many of you will remember, who put that concept forward, Jaishankar added. On ties with Pakistan, he said, Indias relations with its neighbours at a formal level are very minimal. It happened for two reasons, one is that India has put terrorism fair and square at the centre of the relationship. Secondly, Pakistans reaction to the long-awaited decision on abrogation of Article 370, he said. So what would the Opposition want us to do, not do (Article) 370, because it will upset Pakistan. Or talk to Pakistan, ignoring that they do terrorism. Actually, that is what the opposition was doing, the minister said. Of city that gave a short shrift to the PM Vijay Phanshikar : POSSIBLY, it is time to remind the Nagpur civic as well as political leaderships that they are failing to fulfill the promise Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi had made to the city about rejuvenation of the Naag River -- during his last visit to the city nearly one-and-a-half years ago. The Naag River Rejuvenation was one of the projects the Prime Minister had promised to undertake in and around Nagpur. That promise is yet to be fulfilled by the local authorities and leadership. Hence this reminder. Of course, political leadership and civic administration had said sometime ago that some steps had been taken in the Naag River Rejuvenation projects implementation. But those answers were, at best, half-hearted and half-baked -- and probably intended to somehow assuage the popular feeling in a sheepish manner. Such an approach does not solve any problem. On the contrary, it only complicates matters and leaves the people with a sense of deception. This appears to be the case with the Naag River Rejuvenation Project. Every Nagpurian has a special relationship with the Naag River. For the loosefooter, the Naag River holds an extra-special importance since his childhood when he swam in those clean and flowing waters on several occasions (including flood times). Sitting on the banks of the Naag and dipping his feet in its flow, the loosefooter had seen many a young dreams of good life. The Naag River, thus, was an integral part of his growing-up process. Later, the loosefooter also saw the deterioration of the Naag river when people and the authorities joined hands in the most callous endeavour of converting the stream into a massive gutter over time. It is common knowledge now how the Naag has fallen on bad days -- thanks to our own misdeeds. It must be admitted that the civic administration and the political leadership made some attempts to rejuvenate the Naag river in the past few decades, to little avail. The failure was the outcome of half-heartedness of attempts that were never planned well. Mixed with half-heartedness was also a careless attitude of the citys political leadership that never took its own word seriously. Hence this reminder. Hence the reminder that the Naag is still crying its heart out. It is bleeding everyday, overflowing with filth of all kinds. Hence the ringing of the bell. If the city has the temerity even to ignore the Prime Minister, then even gods would not be able to save it from sure disaster in the near future. The city which is considered as the biggest in Central India from Bhopal to Adilabad, reels under such apathy, then all the tall claims of the Government about caring for urban renewal will prove hollow and misleading. Hence the question whether a city of the size and importance like Nagpur can afford to give a short shrift to the Prime Ministers assurance to common people about the rejuvenation of the Naag river. It is time, therefore, the city rose to its full stature and fulfill the PMs promise about the rejuvenation of the Naag. Failing this, the city of Nagpur will get counted among the places -- very few in number -- that gave a short shrift to the Prime Minister on an important project. Sustainable THE assertion by the Reserve Bank of India in its latest bulletin that India would be able to sustain 8 per cent annual GDP growth, is truly reassuring -- particularly against the background of constant allegations by vested interests that India is chasing an impossible -- and even fake -- dream of high GDP growth. An article in the bulletin emphasises that there are good and substantial markers of high sustainability of the countrys economic growth available to underline the sense of assurance. A systematic political campaign has been underway in the country for the past some years to disprove the official claims of healthy economic growth. The campaigners of this negative narrative insist that most of the markers of the economy have been faked or temporarily hyped for the sake of propaganda for benefits in elections and that such fakeness can never last and the weaknesses of the national economy would get exposed soon. The RBI assertion, therefore, comes as a good answer to the doubts and questions. There may still be a few grey areas in the Indian economy needing appropriate attention, all right. But that is understandable in the sense a national economy of the size of Indias is a continuous work in progress and needs a constant course-correction to adjust to the lows and highs of the growth trajectory. The Indian economy is no exception to this general global experience. Yet, given all the factors available at hand, the Indian economy can be described as a safe ecosystem in which many robust elements are all the time protecting the country from several vulnerabilities. Among the strongest elements protecting the Indian economy are healthy indirect and direct tax collection , lower subsidies and strong momentum acting as a forward-driving growth engine. The article authored by a team headed by Deputy Governor Michael Debobrata Patra, therefore, insists that India is in a position to sustain its 8 per cent GDP growth over reasonable length of time and power the economy appropriately. Obviously, the article in the RBI bulletin is not a part of any propagandism and considers all the factors on professional ground beyond fear or favour of any political infliction. In the past ten years, the Indian economy has grown in leaps and bounds simply because right reforms and operational policies were adopted by the Government. The country also saw a major capital influx into the economy from the Government sector, triggering better growth and enthusing the private sector to start investing in increasing proportions. After sustained efforts on this front, the private sector is now beginning to make greater capital investment in newer ventures -- which is being considered a positive sign of growth. Because there is money in the market, the common consumers sense of hurt over rising prices appears to have waned a little, no matter the political outcry on that count by the Opposition camp. Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modis attempt is to raise the level of national growth discourse by encouraging common people to be part of the bigger India story by making definable contribution to growth. This participation of people at the grass-root level in economic activity -- thanks to massive dose of inclusive finance -- is another reason of the high sustainability of the 8 per cent GDP growth. What is actually work, thus, is the positive mindset of the common people about the national economy and national affairs. No matter the politically-driven criticism of the economic policies, the common people realise the intrinsic strength of the Indian economy -- which gets reflected so well in the RBI assertion. US: Indian student goes missing in Ohio, family seeks MEA's help after ransom call Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], March 21 (ANI): A 25-year-old Indian student has gone missing from the Cleveland area of the US, following which his family has urged the External Affairs Ministry to find their son after receiving a "ransom call." Mohammed Abdul Arafat, a native of Hyderabad, went to the US for his masters in IT from Cleveland University in May 2023 but has been missing since March 7, 2024. His father, Mohd Saleem, said that after ten days, they received a phone call where the person was saying that their son (Abdul Arafat) had been kidnapped and asked for a USD 1200 ransom. "My son went to the US on May 23 for his master's. He was doing fine and was talking to me every day. After March 7, we didn't talk. We tried calling, but the phone was off. Later, we called our brother and asked him to see. As my son was not at the location, they went and filed a missing complaint. After 10 days, we got a call on WhatsApp, that your son was kidnapped and asked for a USD 1200 ransom. I urge the state government and central government to find my son," Saleem said. Saleem's brother, who also lives in the US, filed a missing person complaint with the police. Saleem urged the state and central government to find their son. Today, Arafat's father, Mohd Saleem, went to the Nacharam police station, explained the whole incident to the police, and asked for their help in the matter. Moreover, Saleem also wrote a letter to the External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, requesting that they ask the Indian Embassy in Washington, DC, USA and the Indian Consulate in Chicago, USA about his son. "Missing of my son Mohammed Abdul Arfath from Cleveland, Ohio State, USA- Req-Reg. This is to state that my son Mohammed Abdul Arfath resident of H No: 4-2-88/24/2A Ambedkar Nagar, Nacharam, Medchal, Malkajgiri District in Telangana State holder of Indian Passport No: U9815651 went to pursue Masters in IT from Cleveland University during May 2023 and was staying 1700 East 13th Street, 23L Cleveland, Oh44114 and last spoke to me from +14406617965 on 7th March 2024 and since then he is not in touch with us. It is requested to ask the Indian Embassy in Washington DC, USA and Indian Consulate in Chicago, USA," he stated in his letter to EAM Jaishankar. Majlis Bachao Tahreek (MBT) spokesperson Amjed Ullah Khan took to his social media X, detailing the incident. "Mohammed Abdul Arfath from Malkajgiri District in Telangana State persuing Masters in IT from from Cleveland University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA is not in touch with his family since 7th March 2024, his father Mohd Saleem appeals @DrSJaishankar for help in locating his son, All details attached," he stated. (ANI) Thank you for reading! To read this article and more, subscribe now for as little as $1.99. Thursday, March 21 "Virarium," through April 11; artist reception, 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 21, Corrine Woodman Gallery, The Arts Center, 700 SW Madison Ave., Corvallis. Erin Robinson Grant has always been interested in biological boundaries: Where does the boundary between the subjective self and the objective external world lie? Do we consider how our body's biological systems have uncanny analogs in flora and fauna to which we claim superiority? In this exhibition, Grant's works attempt to break down barriers between the human body (self) and the natural world (other). Hours: noon to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays; closed Sundays and Mondays. Podcasts 'A Place to Sleep' podcast: Catch all the episodes here Our podcast, A Place to Sleep, explores how Oregon cities are responding to a new law that is meant to provide homeless individuals a place to rest. "Perseverance: A Tribute to Grace and Resilience In Celebration of International Women's Day 2024," through Thursday, April 18, The Little Gallery, 210 Kidder Hall, 2000 SW Campus Way, Corvallis. Exhibition showing a selection of works by regional artist Vicki Idema, exploring her use of clay and paper to illustrate and bring awareness to some of the social and environmental issues still affecting women, and to highlight those who overcame obstacles to reach their goals. Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. "Heavenly and Earthly Paradise," through April 27; artist reception, 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 21; artist talk, 6 p.m. Thursday, March 21, Main Gallery, The Arts Center, 700 SW Madison Ave., Corvallis. Nathaniel Praska reflects on the pervasive theme of hallucinatory fear that's permeated society since the late 20th century through work crated with hurried scribbles and handmade paint sticks and sculptures crafted from discarded materials and remnants sourced from construction sites. Hours: noon to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays; closed Sundays and Mondays. Corvallis Arts Walk, 4 to 8 p.m., downtown. Tour the working studios of local artists, see them at work, view their art. The Corvallis Museum, 411 SW Second St., will offer free admission until 7 p.m. For a map, visit theartscenter.net/corvallisartswalk. Live professional comedy, 6:30 p.m., The Garage, 229 SW Third Ave., Albany. Forest Moonlight Wander, 6:30 to 8 p.m., Peavy Arboretum, Northwest Peavy Arboretum Road, Corvallis. Free. Information: https://bit.ly/49Dm7nn. Movies at the Whiteside presents "The Hunger Games," 7 p.m., Whiteside Theatre, 361 SW Madison Ave., Corvallis. Admission: $6 in advance; $8 at the door. Podcasts 'A Place to Sleep' podcast: Catch all the episodes here Our podcast, A Place to Sleep, explores how Oregon cities are responding to a new law that is meant to provide homeless individuals a place to rest. Friday, March 22 Northwest Horse Fair and Expo, 10 a.m. Friday, March 22, 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 23 and 24, Linn County Fair & Expo Center, 3700 Knox Butte Road E., Albany. Tickets: adults, $15; age 65 or over, $13; ages 6 to 12, $8; age 5 or under, free; online tickets: $13 for adults, $7 for ages 6 to 12. Sunday is KMTR Youth Day; those age 12 or younger will be admitted free with a paid adult; ages 13 to 18 with 4-H or FFA membership will be admitted free with an adult. Information: https://bit.ly/3ToFauN. Delgani String Quartet in concert, 7:30 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 114 SW Eighth St., Corvallis. The program will open with Franz Josef Haydn's String Quartet Op. 77/1. "String Circle" will follow, featuring composer and violist Kenji Bunch on his own string quintet: a love letter to American fiddle, folk and popular music. Bunch will return to the stage in the second half for Johannes Brahms' first Viola Quintet. Tickets are $30 for adults, $5 for students and free those age 12 or under. Information: delgani@delgani.org. Saturday, March 23 Willamette Valley Concert Band presents "Sounds of Home Spring Concert," 2:15 p.m., Albany Performing Arts Center, 2100 SW Elm St. Free concert celebrating St. Patrick's Day, featuring an array of Irish tunes, including traditional jigs to contemporary melodies. Perfect for families. Pre-concert lecture at 2:15 featuring Michael Merrill on how linguistics impacts music; concert at 3. Conducted by artistic director Kim A. Williams Melby. Free and open to all. Information: contactwvcb@gmail.com. Sunday, March 24 Bingo Sunday, 3 p.m., taproom, Deluxe Brewing, 635 NW Water Ave., Albany. Deluxe gives swag to bingo winners. The taproom is family-friendly and open to well-behaved dogs on leash. Information: https://linktr.ee/sinisterdeluxe. Froggy's Blues Jam, 3 to 6 p.m., Calapooia Brewing, 140 NE Hill St., Albany. Live music, food and drink. Bring your instrument of choice. All ages; dogs welcome. Information: 541-928-1931. Monday, March 25 Art Camp, 8:30 a.m. to noon or 1 to 4:30 p.m. Monday, March 25, through Friday, March 29, Maxtivity Art and Craft Creative Space, 1604 Main St., Philomath. For ages 5 to 10. Theme: "Craft with Nature." Five different art media. Cost: $199; $20 to $100 with scholarship sliding scale. Registration: info@maxtivity.org. Spring Break Arts Adventures, 9 a.m. to noon, Monday, March 25, through Friday, March 29, Corvallis Museum, 411 SW Second St. Educator and artist Jen Hernandez will lead students ages 8 to 12 in the process of creating a storybook, including inventing new characters, developing stories using classic story structure, practicing book layouts and building finished books. For inspiration, students will use picture books, group games, art challenges and daily yoga practice. Cost: $200; scholarships available. Registration: https://bit.ly/4al7ODV. Acoustic jams, 6 p.m., Deluxe Brewing Company, 635 NE Water Ave., Albany. Adult Craft Night, 6 to 7:30 p.m., Pride Pavilion, Common Fields, 545 SW Third St., Corvallis. Needle felting cute animals. Cost: $25 plus kit fee. Registration: www.maxtivity.org. Trivia, 6:30 p.m., The Garage, 229 SW Third Ave., Albany. Hanneke Cassel in concert, 7 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Corvallis, 2945 NW Circle Blvd. With Cassel on fiddle, Tristan Claridge on cello and Christopher Lewis on guitar. Benefit for the Corvallis Celtic Festival. Tickets: $25 at the door; $20 at https://www.tickettomato.com/event/8453. Tuesday, March 26 Board Game Night, 6 p.m., taproom, Deluxe Brewing, 635 NE Water Ave., Albany. Customers of all ages and game-playing abilities are welcome, and there is no cost to participate. Information: rebecca@sinisterdeluxe.com. Wednesday, March 27 Carousel Happy Hour, 3 to 4 p.m., Historic Carousel & Museum of Albany, 503 W. First Ave. Ride tokens are $1; drinks in the cafe are half-price. Information: 541-497-2934. Movies at the Whiteside presents "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade," 7 p.m., Whiteside Theatre, 361 SW Madison Ave., Corvallis. Admission: $6 in advance; $8 at the door. Mid-Valley Live Asio Capital LLC raised its holdings in UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH Free Report) by 0.4% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 13,846 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock after purchasing an additional 59 shares during the quarter. UnitedHealth Group accounts for approximately 1.7% of Asio Capital LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 15th biggest holding. Asio Capital LLCs holdings in UnitedHealth Group were worth $7,290,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Robbins Farley purchased a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group during the 3rd quarter worth about $25,000. NewSquare Capital LLC raised its holdings in UnitedHealth Group by 340.0% in the 3rd quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 66 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock valued at $33,000 after acquiring an additional 51 shares during the last quarter. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL acquired a new stake in UnitedHealth Group in the 1st quarter valued at about $35,000. WFA of San Diego LLC purchased a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $39,000. Finally, Annapolis Financial Services LLC raised its position in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 38.6% during the 3rd quarter. Annapolis Financial Services LLC now owns 79 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock valued at $40,000 after buying an additional 22 shares during the period. 85.69% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get UnitedHealth Group alerts: Insider Transactions at UnitedHealth Group In other UnitedHealth Group news, EVP Erin Mcsweeney sold 1,236 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $483.48, for a total transaction of $597,581.28. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 9,364 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,527,306.72. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other news, CAO Thomas E. Roos sold 858 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $525.79, for a total value of $451,127.82. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 32,289 shares of the companys stock, valued at $16,977,233.31. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Erin Mcsweeney sold 1,236 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $483.48, for a total value of $597,581.28. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 9,364 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,527,306.72. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.35% of the stock is owned by insiders. UnitedHealth Group Stock Performance Shares of UnitedHealth Group stock traded down $2.07 on Thursday, reaching $492.16. The stock had a trading volume of 1,362,259 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,148,208. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $507.45 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $518.41. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62, a quick ratio of 0.79 and a current ratio of 0.79. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated has a fifty-two week low of $445.68 and a fifty-two week high of $554.70. The stock has a market cap of $453.74 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.67, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.34 and a beta of 0.54. UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, January 12th. The healthcare conglomerate reported $6.16 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $5.98 by $0.18. UnitedHealth Group had a net margin of 6.02% and a return on equity of 26.39%. The business had revenue of $94.43 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $92.13 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $5.34 earnings per share. UnitedHealth Groups revenue for the quarter was up 14.1% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that UnitedHealth Group Incorporated will post 27.79 EPS for the current year. UnitedHealth Group Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, March 19th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 11th were issued a $1.88 dividend. This represents a $7.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.53%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, March 8th. UnitedHealth Groups payout ratio is 31.54%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades UNH has been the topic of several analyst reports. HSBC reaffirmed a reduce rating and set a $480.00 price target (down previously from $550.00) on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research report on Monday, December 18th. Piper Sandler dropped their target price on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $584.00 to $581.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 17th. Stephens restated an overweight rating and issued a $605.00 price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research note on Thursday, February 8th. Barclays assumed coverage on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research note on Wednesday, March 6th. They set an overweight rating and a $551.00 target price for the company. Finally, Erste Group Bank reiterated a hold rating on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research note on Wednesday, March 13th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating, fifteen have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong 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 $579.33. Read Our Latest Report on UNH UnitedHealth Group Profile (Free Report) UnitedHealth Group Incorporated operates as a diversified health care company in the United States. The company 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. See Also 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. Vest Financial LLC raised its stake in shares of Bank of America Co. (NYSE:BAC) by 19.8% during the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 382,047 shares of the financial services providers stock after buying an additional 63,192 shares during the period. Vest Financial LLCs holdings in Bank of America were worth $12,864,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Roundview Capital LLC raised its stake in shares of Bank of America by 1.5% in the 1st quarter. Roundview Capital LLC now owns 135,764 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $5,596,000 after buying an additional 2,013 shares in the last quarter. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P grew its stake in shares of Bank of America by 150.3% in the 1st quarter. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P now owns 1,985 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $82,000 after purchasing an additional 1,192 shares during the last quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Bank of America by 4.2% during the first quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 405,098 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $16,698,000 after purchasing an additional 16,319 shares during the last quarter. First Western Trust Bank bought a new stake in Bank of America during the first quarter worth approximately $586,000. Finally, Pearl River Capital LLC bought a new position in shares of Bank of America in the first quarter valued at $534,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 68.06% of the companys stock. Get Bank of America alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In other news, major shareholder Of America Corp /De/ Bank acquired 5,398 shares of Bank of America stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 27th. The stock was bought at an average price of $10.56 per share, for a total transaction of $57,002.88. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 5,398 shares of the companys stock, valued at $57,002.88. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.27% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities analysts recently issued reports on the company. BMO Capital Markets decreased their target price on Bank of America from $37.00 to $36.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, January 16th. Morgan Stanley upgraded shares of Bank of America from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and raised their target price for the stock from $32.00 to $41.00 in a report on Tuesday, January 30th. Citigroup upped their price target on shares of Bank of America from $37.00 to $39.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday. Oppenheimer cut their target price on shares of Bank of America from $50.00 to $46.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday. Finally, Odeon Capital Group lowered Bank of America from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $33.90 price objective for the company. in a research report on Tuesday, January 16th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $35.65. Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Bank of America Bank of America Price Performance NYSE BAC opened at $36.91 on Thursday. The stocks 50-day moving average is $33.93 and its two-hundred day moving average is $30.96. Bank of America Co. has a fifty-two week low of $24.96 and a fifty-two week high of $36.91. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.15, a current ratio of 0.80 and a quick ratio of 0.80. The firm has a market cap of $291.24 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.97, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.64 and a beta of 1.38. Bank of America (NYSE:BAC Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Friday, January 12th. The financial services provider reported $0.70 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.69 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $22 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $23.70 billion. Bank of America had a net margin of 15.42% and a return on equity of 11.38%. The businesss revenue was down 10.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $0.85 EPS. On average, analysts anticipate that Bank of America Co. will post 3.15 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Bank of America Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 29th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 1st will be issued a $0.24 dividend. This represents a $0.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.60%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 29th. Bank of Americas dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 31.27%. 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. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BAC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Bank of America Co. (NYSE:BAC Free Report). 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. Vistry Group (LON:VTY Free Report) had its price target lifted by Berenberg Bank from GBX 894 ($11.38) to GBX 1,030 ($13.11) in a report released on Wednesday morning, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Berenberg Bank currently has a hold rating on the stock. Vistry Group Stock Performance Shares of VTY stock traded up GBX 35 ($0.45) on Wednesday, reaching GBX 1,252 ($15.94). The stock had a trading volume of 583,323 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,271,746. Vistry Group has a 12 month low of GBX 621.69 ($7.91) and a 12 month high of GBX 1,253.48 ($15.96). The firm has a market capitalization of 4.27 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 1,725.00, a P/E/G ratio of -0.20 and a beta of 2.10. The firms 50-day moving average is GBX 1,025.21 and its two-hundred day moving average is GBX 894.03. The company has a quick ratio of 0.56, a current ratio of 2.43 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 19.85. Get Vistry Group alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at Vistry Group In other Vistry Group news, insider Greg Fitzgerald purchased 10,525 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 19th. The shares were bought at an average price of GBX 943 ($12.01) per share, for a total transaction of 99,250.75 ($126,353.60). In related news, insider Greg Fitzgerald purchased 10,525 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 19th. The stock was bought at an average price of GBX 943 ($12.01) per share, with a total value of 99,250.75 ($126,353.60). Also, insider Rowan Baker acquired 247 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 15th. The shares were purchased at an average price of GBX 1,204 ($15.33) per share, with a total value of 2,973.88 ($3,785.97). Insiders have acquired 10,800 shares of company stock worth $10,252,627 over the last 90 days. Company insiders own 1.63% of the companys stock. Vistry Group Company Profile Vistry Group PLC, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a housebuilder in the United Kingdom. It offers one-bedroom apartments and larger family homes. The company was formerly known as Bovis Homes Group PLC and changed its name to Vistry Group PLC in January 2020. Vistry Group PLC was founded in 1885 and is headquartered in West Malling, the United Kingdom. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Vistry Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Vistry Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Boeing (NYSE:BA Get Free Report) had its price objective cut by stock analysts at Susquehanna from $265.00 to $230.00 in a note issued to investors on Thursday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has a positive rating on the aircraft producers stock. Susquehannas price target indicates a potential upside of 21.13% from the companys current price. A number of other equities analysts also recently weighed in on BA. Northcoast Research downgraded shares of Boeing from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, February 23rd. Royal Bank of Canada decreased their target price on shares of Boeing from $285.00 to $260.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, February 1st. Barclays raised their target price on shares of Boeing from $210.00 to $235.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 6th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price target on shares of Boeing from $225.00 to $215.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, February 1st. Finally, Edward Jones downgraded shares of Boeing from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, January 8th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Boeing presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $245.50. Get Boeing alerts: Read Our Latest Report on Boeing Boeing Trading Up 1.1 % Shares of Boeing stock traded up $2.10 during trading on Thursday, hitting $189.88. The stock had a trading volume of 2,697,155 shares, compared to its average volume of 10,516,180. The businesss 50-day moving average is $203.67 and its 200 day moving average is $211.00. The firm has a market cap of $115.85 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -51.56, a P/E/G ratio of 17.87 and a beta of 1.52. Boeing has a 12 month low of $176.25 and a 12 month high of $267.54. Boeing (NYSE:BA Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 31st. The aircraft producer reported ($0.47) EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($0.72) by $0.25. The company had revenue of $22.02 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $21.14 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned ($1.75) earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 10.2% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts expect that Boeing will post 2.53 EPS for the current year. Institutional Trading of Boeing A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Accent Capital Management LLC bought a new position in Boeing during the 4th quarter valued at about $39,000. Skyline Advisors Inc. bought a new position in Boeing during the 4th quarter valued at about $561,000. BlueChip Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in Boeing during the 4th quarter valued at about $425,000. Walden Wealth Partners LLC purchased a new stake in Boeing in the 4th quarter valued at about $1,001,000. Finally, Ables Iannone Moore & Associates Inc. purchased a new stake in Boeing in the 4th quarter valued at about $359,000. 61.33% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. About Boeing (Get Free Report) The Boeing Company, together with its subsidiaries, designs, develops, manufactures, sells, services, and supports commercial jetliners, military aircraft, satellites, missile defense, human space flight and launch systems, and services worldwide. The company operates through Commercial Airplanes; Defense, Space & Security; and Global Services segments. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Boeing Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Boeing and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Boeing (NYSE:BA Get Free Report) had its price objective lowered by equities researchers at UBS Group from $275.00 to $250.00 in a note issued to investors on Thursday, Benzinga reports. The firm presently has a buy rating on the aircraft producers stock. UBS Groups target price would indicate a potential upside of 31.66% from the stocks previous close. A number of other brokerages also recently issued reports on BA. Royal Bank of Canada lowered their price target on shares of Boeing from $285.00 to $260.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, February 1st. Bank of America cut shares of Boeing from a buy rating to a neutral rating and reduced their price objective for the stock from $255.00 to $225.00 in a research report on Thursday, January 25th. Stifel Nicolaus assumed coverage on shares of Boeing in a report on Friday, December 1st. They set a buy rating and a $265.00 price objective on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price objective on shares of Boeing from $225.00 to $215.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, February 1st. Finally, Edward Jones downgraded shares of Boeing from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, January 8th. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $245.50. Get Boeing alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Report on BA Boeing Price Performance NYSE:BA traded up $2.10 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $189.88. 2,697,155 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 10,516,180. The stock has a market capitalization of $115.85 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -51.56, a PEG ratio of 17.87 and a beta of 1.52. Boeing has a 52-week low of $176.25 and a 52-week high of $267.54. The companys 50 day moving average price is $203.67 and its 200-day moving average price is $211.00. Boeing (NYSE:BA Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 31st. The aircraft producer reported ($0.47) EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.72) by $0.25. The business had revenue of $22.02 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $21.14 billion. The firms revenue was up 10.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company earned ($1.75) earnings per share. On average, equities analysts predict that Boeing will post 2.53 earnings per share for the current year. Institutional Trading of Boeing Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Boeing by 109,667.8% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 16,055,730 shares of the aircraft producers stock worth $3,058,456,000 after purchasing an additional 16,041,103 shares during the period. Capital Research Global Investors grew its stake in shares of Boeing by 35.5% during the 4th quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 16,880,647 shares of the aircraft producers stock worth $4,400,109,000 after purchasing an additional 4,425,964 shares during the period. Jennison Associates LLC acquired a new position in shares of Boeing during the 4th quarter worth $960,397,000. Wellington Management Group LLP grew its stake in shares of Boeing by 563.9% during the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 3,439,093 shares of the aircraft producers stock worth $896,434,000 after purchasing an additional 2,921,043 shares during the period. Finally, Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD grew its stake in Boeing by 23.7% in the 4th quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 9,823,006 shares of the aircraft producers stock valued at $2,560,466,000 after acquiring an additional 1,884,850 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 61.33% of the companys stock. About Boeing (Get Free Report) The Boeing Company, together with its subsidiaries, designs, develops, manufactures, sells, services, and supports commercial jetliners, military aircraft, satellites, missile defense, human space flight and launch systems, and services worldwide. The company operates through Commercial Airplanes; Defense, Space & Security; and Global Services segments. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Boeing Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Boeing and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Chesley Taft & Associates LLC lessened its stake in Duke Energy Co. (NYSE:DUK Free Report) by 3.2% in the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 9,990 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 325 shares during the quarter. Chesley Taft & Associates LLCs holdings in Duke Energy were worth $969,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in DUK. Fairfield Bush & CO. bought a new position in shares of Duke Energy in the 1st quarter valued at about $40,000. Cibc World Market Inc. lifted its stake in Duke Energy by 1.2% in the 1st quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 47,250 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $5,276,000 after purchasing an additional 581 shares during the last quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Duke Energy by 29.5% during the first quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 9,751 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,089,000 after purchasing an additional 2,223 shares during the period. Covestor Ltd increased its position in Duke Energy by 447.8% during the first quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 1,260 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $141,000 after buying an additional 1,030 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Mather Group LLC. raised its stake in Duke Energy by 5.2% in the first quarter. Mather Group LLC. now owns 6,505 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $726,000 after buying an additional 322 shares during the period. 63.68% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Duke Energy alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets Several research analysts have recently commented on DUK shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on Duke Energy from $98.00 to $101.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 29th. Evercore ISI raised shares of Duke Energy from an in-line rating to an outperform rating and lifted their target price for the stock from $90.00 to $108.00 in a report on Tuesday, January 23rd. KeyCorp increased their price target on shares of Duke Energy from $106.00 to $107.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, January 4th. BMO Capital Markets reduced their price objective on Duke Energy from $101.00 to $100.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Monday, February 12th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on Duke Energy from $103.00 to $100.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, February 9th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $100.00. Duke Energy Price Performance Duke Energy stock opened at $95.41 on Thursday. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $94.38 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $92.66. The firm has a market cap of $73.60 billion, a PE ratio of 26.88, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.02 and a beta of 0.46. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.50, a current ratio of 0.74 and a quick ratio of 0.49. Duke Energy Co. has a one year low of $83.06 and a one year high of $100.39. Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 8th. The utilities provider reported $1.51 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.53 by ($0.02). Duke Energy had a net margin of 9.78% and a return on equity of 8.93%. The company had revenue of $7.21 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.24 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.11 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 1.9% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts expect that Duke Energy Co. will post 5.98 EPS for the current fiscal year. Duke Energy Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 18th. Investors of record on Friday, February 16th were paid a $1.025 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 15th. This represents a $4.10 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.30%. Duke Energys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 115.49%. Insider Buying and Selling at Duke Energy In other Duke Energy news, EVP Louis E. Renjel sold 3,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $92.57, for a total value of $277,710.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 14,213 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,315,697.41. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.10% of the companys stock. Duke Energy Company Profile (Free Report) Duke Energy Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an energy company in the United States. It operates through two segments: Electric Utilities and Infrastructure (EU&I), and Gas Utilities and Infrastructure (GU&I). The EU&I segment generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electricity in the Carolinas, Florida, and the Midwest. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding DUK? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Duke Energy Co. (NYSE:DUK Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Duke Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Duke Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Consilio Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF (BATS:EFG Free Report) by 8.5% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 143,526 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 11,222 shares during the quarter. iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF accounts for 7.1% of Consilio Wealth Advisors LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 5th largest position. Consilio Wealth Advisors LLC owned about 0.11% of iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF worth $13,901,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in EFG. Dividend Assets Capital LLC bought a new stake in iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF during the 3rd quarter valued at about $26,000. Headlands Technologies LLC bought a new stake in iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF during the 3rd quarter valued at about $28,000. Anchor Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF during the 4th quarter valued at about $34,000. HM Payson & Co. bought a new stake in iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF during the 3rd quarter valued at about $38,000. Finally, MBM Wealth Consultants LLC bought a new stake in iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF during the 4th quarter valued at about $37,000. Get iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF alerts: iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF Stock Up 1.1 % EFG traded up $1.12 on Thursday, reaching $104.23. 655,616 shares of the company traded hands. iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF has a one year low of $67.58 and a one year high of $85.81. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $99.64 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $93.39. The company has a market cap of $13.97 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.69 and a beta of 0.89. About iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares MSCI EAFE Growth Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI EAFE Growth Index (the Index). The Index is a subset of the MSCI EAFE Index and constituents of the Index include securities from Europe, Australasia (Australia and Asia), and the Far East. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. e.l.f. Beauty, Inc. (NYSE:ELF Get Free Report) shares were up 1.9% on Thursday . The company traded as high as $204.50 and last traded at $204.33. Approximately 339,400 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 77% from the average daily volume of 1,502,620 shares. The stock had previously closed at $200.54. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on shares of e.l.f. Beauty from $168.00 to $184.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 7th. Bank of America increased their target price on shares of e.l.f. Beauty from $200.00 to $230.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 6th. DA Davidson reissued a buy rating and set a $220.00 target price on shares of e.l.f. Beauty in a research note on Thursday. Raymond James raised their price objective on shares of e.l.f. Beauty from $140.00 to $180.00 and gave the company a strong-buy rating in a research note on Monday, January 22nd. Finally, Truist Financial raised their price objective on shares of e.l.f. Beauty from $150.00 to $200.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 7th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $186.58. Get e.l.f. Beauty alerts: Check Out Our Latest Analysis on ELF e.l.f. Beauty Price Performance The stock has a market cap of $11.51 billion, a PE ratio of 90.41, a P/E/G ratio of 2.14 and a beta of 1.60. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27, a current ratio of 1.50 and a quick ratio of 0.83. The firms 50 day moving average price is $179.10 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $140.36. e.l.f. Beauty (NYSE:ELF Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 6th. The company reported $0.58 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.47 by $0.11. e.l.f. Beauty had a net margin of 14.53% and a return on equity of 28.98%. The company had revenue of $270.94 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $239.66 million. On average, research analysts expect that e.l.f. Beauty, Inc. will post 2.49 earnings per share for the current year. Insider Activity In other e.l.f. Beauty news, SVP Joshua Allen Franks sold 200 shares of e.l.f. Beauty stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, January 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $152.53, for a total transaction of $30,506.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 91,003 shares in the company, valued at $13,880,687.59. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In other e.l.f. Beauty news, SVP Joshua Allen Franks sold 200 shares of e.l.f. Beauty stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, January 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $152.53, for a total transaction of $30,506.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 91,003 shares in the company, valued at $13,880,687.59. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CEO Tarang Amin sold 23,519 shares of e.l.f. Beauty stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $198.89, for a total transaction of $4,677,693.91. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 10,889 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,165,713.21. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 61,922 shares of company stock worth $10,145,374. 5.20% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. BlackRock Inc. increased its position in e.l.f. Beauty by 0.4% during the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 8,247,354 shares of the companys stock valued at $942,095,000 after purchasing an additional 36,208 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its position in e.l.f. Beauty by 8.9% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 6,147,304 shares of the companys stock valued at $231,262,000 after purchasing an additional 504,690 shares during the period. Wellington Management Group LLP increased its position in e.l.f. Beauty by 5.2% during the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 2,540,832 shares of the companys stock valued at $366,744,000 after purchasing an additional 126,231 shares during the period. Renaissance Technologies LLC increased its position in e.l.f. Beauty by 34.4% during the 2nd quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 1,930,400 shares of the companys stock valued at $220,510,000 after purchasing an additional 493,988 shares during the period. Finally, Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD increased its position in e.l.f. Beauty by 1.8% during the 4th quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 1,870,307 shares of the companys stock valued at $269,961,000 after purchasing an additional 33,243 shares during the period. 92.44% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. e.l.f. Beauty Company Profile (Get Free Report) e.l.f. Beauty, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides cosmetic and skin care products under the e.l.f. Cosmetics, e.l.f. Skin, Well People, and Keys Soulcare brand names worldwide. The company offers eye, lip, face, face, paw, and skin care products. It sells its products through national and international retailers and direct-to-consumer channels, which include e-commerce platforms in the United States, and internationally primarily through distributors. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for e.l.f. Beauty Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for e.l.f. Beauty and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. increased its stake in shares of Ecolab Inc. (NYSE:ECL Free Report) by 936.5% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 25,933 shares of the basic materials companys stock after acquiring an additional 23,431 shares during the period. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc.s holdings in Ecolab were worth $5,144,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of ECL. United Bank lifted its position in Ecolab by 2.7% during the 1st quarter. United Bank now owns 4,149 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $733,000 after acquiring an additional 111 shares in the last quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. increased its holdings in Ecolab by 7.6% during the 1st quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 6,172 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $1,090,000 after purchasing an additional 434 shares during the last quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Ecolab by 23.0% during the 1st quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 1,893 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $334,000 after purchasing an additional 354 shares during the last quarter. Brighton Jones LLC increased its holdings in Ecolab by 6.7% during the 1st quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 1,707 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $301,000 after purchasing an additional 107 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Candriam Luxembourg S.C.A. increased its holdings in Ecolab by 17.1% during the 1st quarter. Candriam Luxembourg S.C.A. now owns 73,182 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $12,920,000 after purchasing an additional 10,676 shares during the last quarter. 73.91% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Ecolab alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities research analysts have issued reports on the company. UBS Group lifted their price objective on Ecolab from $211.00 to $227.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, January 11th. Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and set a $238.00 price objective on shares of Ecolab in a report on Wednesday, February 14th. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price target on Ecolab from $212.00 to $227.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a report on Wednesday, February 14th. Citigroup boosted their price target on Ecolab from $220.00 to $237.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, February 14th. Finally, Mizuho boosted their price target on Ecolab from $210.00 to $216.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, February 14th. Twelve investment 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 has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $219.06. Ecolab Stock Performance ECL stock traded down $0.25 during trading on Thursday, reaching $228.36. 270,988 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,232,197. The company has a quick ratio of 0.95, a current ratio of 1.30 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.94. The firm has a market cap of $65.29 billion, a PE ratio of 47.73, a P/E/G ratio of 2.65 and a beta of 1.10. The companys fifty day moving average price is $211.35 and its 200-day moving average price is $191.48. Ecolab Inc. has a 1-year low of $155.18 and a 1-year high of $229.70. Ecolab (NYSE:ECL Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 13th. The basic materials company reported $1.55 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.54 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $3.94 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.92 billion. Ecolab had a net margin of 8.96% and a return on equity of 19.36%. The businesss revenue was up 7.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.27 EPS. On average, research analysts expect that Ecolab Inc. will post 6.42 EPS for the current fiscal year. Ecolab Dividend Announcement The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 15th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, March 19th will be issued a dividend of $0.57 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 18th. This represents a $2.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.00%. Ecolabs dividend payout ratio is currently 47.60%. Ecolab Company Profile (Free Report) Ecolab Inc provides water, hygiene, and infection prevention solutions and services in the United States and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Global Industrial; Global Institutional & Specialty; and Global Healthcare & Life Sciences. The Global Industrial segment offers water treatment and process applications, and cleaning and sanitizing solutions to manufacturing, food and beverage processing, transportation, chemical, metals and mining, power generation, pulp and paper, commercial laundry, petroleum, refining, and petrochemical industries. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Ecolab Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ecolab and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. This piece contains the perceptions of two longtime doctors in our community, not representing any group. The Corvallis Clinic has struggled financially for several years. It took a financial hit in 2020 after Oregon adopted the gross receipts tax. The tax hurt the clinic and businesses that had many transactions and receipts but thin profit margins. The clinic had to pay that tax on revenue from all transactions, including those involving Medicaid and Medicare. We have heard that the clinic was recovering from the tax crisis when the pandemic hit. The pandemic sharply diminished clinic revenue because it had to cease income-generating procedures. In late November 2022, two local doctors, a retired hospital insurance specialist and a business consultant met with clinic leaders to learn more about their financial challenges and consider solutions. The meeting was cordial, but the clinic did not respond to offers of further discussion. A step the clinic did take was urging patients to switch from Traditional Medicare to Medicare Advantage, hoping to boost revenue. In early 2023, the clinic approached Optum. Optum and the clinic then approached the Oregon Health Associations Health Care Market Oversight program in early December, seeking approval of a merger. As of March 11, Health Care Market Oversight had received 381 comments from the public, of which 323 were against the merger. Most of the testimony warned of the reputation of UnitedHealth Group/Optum, likely increased costs and impaired health care. Of the 58 comments that favored the merger, 14 appeared to be form letters. Is the merger of the clinic with Optum the best solution to the problem? Of concern is that UnitedHealth Group has several times been sued and paid large fines for misconduct ("Cash Monster," Oct. 8, 2022, New York Times). In addition, three weeks ago, Change Health, a UnitedHealth Group subsidiary, suffered a breach of medical records that negatively impacted the processing of more than half of all medical claims in the United States. Are there other solutions for the clinic and our community? Should the clinic cease operations, could Samaritan Health Services, which operates in the same service area as the clinic, be prepared to absorb the clinic's providers and patients in a timely manner? The clinic and Samaritan have worked together as community partners over the past 75 years, including the pandemic years. Health care does not work as a business. The many years of financial trouble the clinic has faced is a testimony to this. Doctors are trying to heal and save lives, with procedures and processes that are not necessarily profit-making. In addition, we are not consumers. We are patients. We must achieve universal health care for everyone. In doing so we will save billions of dollars by cutting out middlemen who now pocket a large share of health care dollars while providing no care. If we make this change, we will be able to afford health care for all. We just learned the evening of March 13 that the Oregon Health Authority approved the emergency exemption, allowing the merger without the conditions originally intended. We can understand the sense of relief that the clinic doctors and staff must feel right now. Nevertheless, our community must monitor Optum's next moves and respond as needed in terms of legislation, public education and a warning to other communities. They may want to form local health districts in advance to prevent this sort of thing. Chardan Capital reiterated their buy rating on shares of Energy Vault (NYSE:NRGV Free Report) in a report published on Monday morning, Benzinga reports. They currently have a $7.00 price target on the stock. A number of other analysts have also weighed in on NRGV. TD Cowen decreased their target price on shares of Energy Vault from $6.00 to $5.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, March 13th. Roth Mkm began coverage on shares of Energy Vault in a report on Tuesday, January 16th. They set a buy rating and a $4.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Roth Capital reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Energy Vault in a report on Tuesday, January 16th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and four have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $4.44. Get Energy Vault alerts: Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Energy Vault Energy Vault Stock Up 7.6 % Insiders Place Their Bets NYSE NRGV opened at $1.84 on Monday. The companys 50 day moving average is $1.71 and its 200-day moving average is $2.16. Energy Vault has a 12-month low of $1.35 and a 12-month high of $3.55. The firm has a market cap of $264.13 million, a P/E ratio of -2.71 and a beta of 0.56. In other news, CMO Laurence Alexander sold 20,385 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $1.64, for a total value of $33,431.40. Following the completion of the sale, the chief marketing officer now owns 897,123 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,471,281.72. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other Energy Vault news, insider Marco Terruzzin sold 25,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, January 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $1.99, for a total transaction of $49,750.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 1,360,298 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,706,993.02. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, CMO Laurence Alexander sold 20,385 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $1.64, for a total transaction of $33,431.40. Following the sale, the chief marketing officer now directly owns 897,123 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,471,281.72. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 102,889 shares of company stock valued at $177,753 in the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 20.00% of the companys stock. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Penserra Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Energy Vault in the 1st quarter worth about $57,000. Covington Capital Management bought a new position in shares of Energy Vault in the 3rd quarter worth about $35,000. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale bought a new position in shares of Energy Vault in the 3rd quarter worth about $25,000. HighTower Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Energy Vault in the 4th quarter worth about $31,000. Finally, Principal Financial Group Inc. bought a new position in shares of Energy Vault in the 2nd quarter worth about $28,000. 33.65% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. About Energy Vault (Get Free Report) Energy Vault Holdings, Inc develops and sells energy storage solutions. The company offers battery energy storage systems for shorter-duration energy storage needs; gravity energy storage systems, including EVx solution; green hydrogen energy storage systems; hybrid energy storage systems; and energy management software platform that orchestrates the management of one or more diverse storage mediums. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Energy Vault Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Energy Vault and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Raymond James upgraded shares of Equity Residential (NYSE:EQR Free Report) from an underperform rating to a market perform rating in a research note issued to investors on Monday, MarketBeat.com reports. Other equities research analysts also recently issued research reports about the stock. Mizuho decreased their price target on shares of Equity Residential from $62.00 to $61.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, February 28th. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on shares of Equity Residential from $58.00 to $64.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Monday, February 26th. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price target on shares of Equity Residential from $65.00 to $66.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, February 1st. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft initiated coverage on shares of Equity Residential in a research note on Tuesday, January 30th. They issued a hold rating and a $64.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Barclays reduced their target price on shares of Equity Residential from $69.00 to $67.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, February 20th. Eleven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $65.68. Get Equity Residential alerts: Get Our Latest Report on Equity Residential Equity Residential Trading Up 0.7 % Shares of EQR stock opened at $62.68 on Monday. Equity Residential has a 1 year low of $52.57 and a 1 year high of $69.45. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $60.64 and its 200 day simple moving average is $59.57. The firm has a market capitalization of $23.79 billion, a P/E ratio of 28.49, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.67 and a beta of 0.84. The company has a current ratio of 0.30, a quick ratio of 0.30 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66. 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 (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.00 by ($0.18). Equity Residential had a return on equity of 7.43% and a net margin of 29.07%. The company had revenue of $727.50 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $725.07 million. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.94 EPS. The companys revenue was up 4.0% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Equity Residential will post 3.8 EPS for the current year. Equity Residential Increases Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 12th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 25th will be issued a dividend of $0.675 per share. This is a boost from Equity Residentials previous quarterly dividend of $0.66. This represents a $2.70 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.31%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 22nd. Equity Residentials payout ratio is currently 122.73%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other Equity Residential news, CAO Ian Kaufman sold 716 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $57.80, for a total transaction of $41,384.80. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 23,949 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,384,252.20. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other news, CFO Robert Garechana sold 876 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $57.80, for a total value of $50,632.80. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 20,933 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,209,927.40. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CAO Ian Kaufman sold 716 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 13th. The shares were 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 of the companys stock, valued at $1,384,252.20. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders sold 3,280 shares of company stock valued at $192,335. 1.69% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Institutional Trading of Equity Residential A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of EQR. American Century Companies Inc. increased its stake in shares of Equity Residential by 234.9% in the 1st quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 12,882 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,158,000 after acquiring an additional 9,035 shares during the last quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC increased its stake in Equity Residential by 45.5% during the 1st quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 4,761 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $428,000 after purchasing an additional 1,489 shares in the last quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. increased its stake in Equity Residential by 85.2% during the 1st quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. now owns 11,356 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,021,000 after purchasing an additional 5,224 shares in the last quarter. Prudential PLC bought a new stake in Equity Residential during the 1st quarter worth approximately $687,000. Finally, Baird Financial Group Inc. increased its stake in Equity Residential by 8.5% during the 1st quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 9,295 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $836,000 after purchasing an additional 730 shares in the last quarter. 84.79% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Equity Residential Company Profile (Get 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. See Also 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. Raymond James upgraded shares of Essex Property Trust (NYSE:ESS Free Report) from a market perform rating to an outperform rating in a research report released on Monday morning, MarketBeat.com reports. Raymond James currently has $265.00 price target on the real estate investment trusts stock. Other analysts also recently issued research reports about the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft initiated coverage on Essex Property Trust in a research report on Tuesday, January 30th. They issued a hold rating and a $240.00 price objective for the company. Barclays raised their target price on Essex Property Trust from $224.00 to $225.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 20th. Truist Financial raised their target price on Essex Property Trust from $260.00 to $276.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 16th. Morgan Stanley raised their target price on Essex Property Trust from $227.00 to $230.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Monday, February 26th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada raised their target price on Essex Property Trust from $237.00 to $239.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, February 8th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have issued a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Essex Property Trust currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $243.58. Get Essex Property Trust alerts: View Our Latest Research Report on Essex Property Trust Essex Property Trust Price Performance Essex Property Trust Increases Dividend Shares of ESS stock opened at $240.59 on Monday. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $236.61 and a two-hundred day moving average of $228.08. The company has a current ratio of 3.26, a quick ratio of 3.26 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.11. Essex Property Trust has a 12 month low of $195.03 and a 12 month high of $252.85. The company has a market capitalization of $15.45 billion, a P/E ratio of 38.13, a P/E/G ratio of 3.09 and a beta of 0.79. The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 12th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 29th will be paid a $2.45 dividend. This is a boost from Essex Property Trusts previous quarterly dividend of $2.31. This represents a $9.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.07%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 27th. Essex Property Trusts dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 146.43%. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Essex Property Trust Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of Essex Property Trust by 1.8% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 10,614,782 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $3,667,195,000 after buying an additional 184,047 shares during the period. State Street Corp increased its stake in shares of Essex Property Trust by 15.0% in the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 6,712,755 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,419,056,000 after buying an additional 874,625 shares during the period. Cohen & Steers Inc. increased its stake in shares of Essex Property Trust by 31.2% in the 4th quarter. Cohen & Steers Inc. now owns 3,072,004 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $761,760,000 after buying an additional 730,141 shares during the period. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Essex Property Trust in the 4th quarter valued at $675,183,000. Finally, Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD boosted its position in shares of Essex Property Trust by 10.7% in the 4th quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 1,685,715 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $417,959,000 after purchasing an additional 162,809 shares during the last quarter. 92.93% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Essex Property Trust Company Profile (Get Free Report) Essex Property Trust, Inc, an S&P 500 company, is a fully integrated real estate investment trust (REIT) that acquires, develops, redevelops, and manages multifamily residential properties in selected West Coast markets. Essex currently has ownership interests in 252 apartment communities comprising approximately 62,000 apartment homes with an additional property in active development. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Essex Property Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Essex Property Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Evercore ISI reiterated their in-line rating on shares of Invitation Homes (NYSE:INVH Free Report) in a research note published on Monday morning, MarketBeat.com reports. Evercore ISI currently has a $36.00 target price on the stock. Several other analysts have also recently weighed in on the company. BNP Paribas initiated coverage on Invitation Homes in a report on Monday, January 22nd. They set an outperform rating and a $39.00 price objective for the company. Oppenheimer boosted their target price on Invitation Homes from $35.00 to $40.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, January 5th. Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and set a $36.00 target price on shares of Invitation Homes in a research report on Thursday, February 15th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft initiated coverage on Invitation Homes in a research report on Tuesday, January 30th. They set a hold rating and a $35.00 target price for the company. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group upgraded Invitation Homes from a hold rating to a buy rating and boosted their target price for the stock from $33.00 to $41.00 in a research report on Tuesday, January 2nd. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Invitation Homes has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $37.72. Get Invitation Homes alerts: View Our Latest Report on INVH Invitation Homes Trading Up 0.4 % Shares of Invitation Homes stock opened at $34.84 on Monday. Invitation Homes has a 1 year low of $28.49 and a 1 year high of $36.53. The company has a current ratio of 0.20, a quick ratio of 0.20 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.53. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $33.66 and its 200-day simple moving average is $33.18. The company has a market cap of $21.32 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 41.48, a PEG ratio of 2.05 and a beta of 0.94. Invitation Homes (NYSE:INVH Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 13th. The company reported $0.21 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.44 by ($0.23). Invitation Homes had a net margin of 21.34% and a return on equity of 5.06%. The company had revenue of $624.32 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $623.51 million. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Invitation Homes will post 1.82 EPS for the current year. Invitation Homes Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 19th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 28th will be paid a dividend of $0.28 per share. This represents a $1.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.21%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 27th. Invitation Homess dividend payout ratio is currently 133.33%. Insider Transactions at Invitation Homes In other news, CFO Jonathan S. Olsen sold 10,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $34.75, for a total transaction of $347,500.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 37,037 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,287,035.75. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.30% of the companys stock. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Invitation Homes A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in INVH. Norges Bank bought a new position in Invitation Homes during the 4th quarter worth $1,346,883,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its position in Invitation Homes by 78.0% during the 2nd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 16,553,036 shares of the companys stock worth $569,424,000 after buying an additional 7,252,150 shares during the period. State Street Corp increased its position in Invitation Homes by 12.8% during the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 29,070,728 shares of the companys stock worth $1,168,062,000 after buying an additional 3,310,121 shares during the period. Boston Partners bought a new position in Invitation Homes during the 4th quarter worth $105,282,000. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Invitation Homes by 3.3% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 86,649,432 shares of the companys stock worth $3,481,574,000 after purchasing an additional 2,784,696 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 96.79% of the companys stock. About Invitation Homes (Get Free Report) Invitation Homes, an S&P 500 company, is the nation's premier single-family home leasing company, meeting changing lifestyle demands by providing access to high-quality, updated homes with valued features such as close proximity to jobs and access to good schools. The company's mission, "Together with you, we make a house a home," reflects its commitment to providing homes where individuals and families can thrive and high-touch service that continuously enhances residents' living experiences. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Invitation Homes Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Invitation Homes and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ferguson Wellman Capital Management Inc. increased its stake in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO Free Report) by 7.4% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 48,772 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 3,344 shares during the period. Ferguson Wellman Capital Management Inc.s holdings in Altria Group were worth $1,967,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in MO. Sei Investments Co. grew its position in Altria Group by 1.6% in the first quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 404,894 shares of the companys stock worth $21,248,000 after acquiring an additional 6,324 shares in the last quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC boosted its position in Altria Group by 5.2% during the first quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 18,647 shares of the companys stock valued at $974,000 after buying an additional 929 shares during the period. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P purchased a new stake in Altria Group during the first quarter valued at about $25,000. Mackenzie Financial Corp boosted its position in Altria Group by 3.4% during the first quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 2,711,773 shares of the companys stock valued at $141,690,000 after buying an additional 89,334 shares during the period. Finally, First Western Trust Bank purchased a new stake in Altria Group during the first quarter valued at about $498,000. 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 subject of several analyst reports. StockNews.com lowered shares of Altria Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, February 23rd. UBS Group restated a sell rating and set a $36.10 price target on shares of Altria Group in a research report on Tuesday, January 23rd. One equities research 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. According to data from MarketBeat, Altria Group presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $47.22. Altria Group Price Performance MO stock opened at $44.79 on Thursday. Altria Group, Inc. has a 1 year low of $39.06 and a 1 year high of $48.04. The company has a market cap of $78.99 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.80, a PEG ratio of 2.69 and a beta of 0.65. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $41.09 and a 200 day moving average of $41.53. Altria Group (NYSE:MO Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 1st. The company reported $1.18 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping 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 company had revenue of $5.02 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.06 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.18 earnings per share. Altria Groups revenue was down 1.2% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts expect that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.08 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Altria Group declared that its Board of Directors has authorized a share buyback plan on Thursday, February 1st that allows the company to buyback $1.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization allows the company to buy up to 1.4% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback plans are usually a sign that the companys board believes its shares are undervalued. Altria Group Announces Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 25th will be paid a dividend of $0.98 per share. This represents a $3.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 8.75%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 22nd. Altria Groups dividend payout ratio is 85.78%. Altria Group Company 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. Recommended Stories 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. Ferguson Wellman Capital Management Inc. cut its stake in Otis Worldwide Co. (NYSE:OTIS Free Report) by 2.9% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 14,788 shares of the companys stock after selling 441 shares during the period. Ferguson Wellman Capital Management Inc.s holdings in Otis Worldwide were worth $1,323,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Orion Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in Otis Worldwide in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $30,000. Janiczek Wealth Management LLC grew its position in Otis Worldwide by 141.1% in the 3rd quarter. Janiczek Wealth Management LLC now owns 381 shares of the companys stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 223 shares during the period. NBC Securities Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Otis Worldwide during the 3rd quarter valued at $33,000. Resurgent Financial Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Otis Worldwide during the 4th quarter valued at $33,000. Finally, CNB Bank grew its position in shares of Otis Worldwide by 81.0% during the 3rd quarter. CNB Bank now owns 429 shares of the companys stock valued at $34,000 after acquiring an additional 192 shares during the period. 85.48% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Otis Worldwide alerts: Insiders Place Their Bets In other Otis Worldwide news, insider Montlivault Stephane De sold 18,393 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $91.10, for a total value of $1,675,602.30. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 67,274 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,128,661.40. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. In other news, insider Montlivault Stephane De sold 18,393 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $91.10, for a total value of $1,675,602.30. Following the sale, the insider now owns 67,274 shares in the company, valued at $6,128,661.40. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Judith Fran Marks sold 37,312 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $91.83, for a total transaction of $3,426,360.96. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 192,319 shares in the company, valued at approximately $17,660,653.77. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.11% of the companys stock. Otis Worldwide Stock Performance NYSE OTIS opened at $99.03 on Thursday. Otis Worldwide Co. has a 52-week low of $73.32 and a 52-week high of $99.52. The firms 50 day moving average price is $92.12 and its 200-day moving average price is $86.42. The company has a market cap of $40.15 billion, a PE ratio of 29.29 and a beta of 1.01. Otis Worldwide (NYSE:OTIS Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, January 31st. The company reported $0.87 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.85 by $0.02. Otis Worldwide had a net margin of 9.90% and a negative return on equity of 30.75%. The company had revenue of $3.62 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.57 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $0.75 earnings per share. On average, analysts forecast that Otis Worldwide Co. will post 3.87 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Otis Worldwide Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 8th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 16th were issued a $0.34 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 15th. This represents a $1.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.37%. Otis Worldwides dividend payout ratio is currently 40.12%. Analysts Set New Price Targets OTIS has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Argus raised shares of Otis Worldwide from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $102.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Thursday, February 22nd. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on shares of Otis Worldwide from $97.00 to $95.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, February 1st. UBS Group boosted their price target on shares of Otis Worldwide from $87.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, February 16th. Vertical Research cut shares of Otis Worldwide from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 2nd. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and set a $100.00 target price on shares of Otis Worldwide in a research report on Monday, February 5th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $92.29. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on OTIS About Otis Worldwide (Free Report) Otis Worldwide Corporation engages in manufacturing, installation, and servicing of elevators and escalators in the United States, China, and internationally. The company operates in two segments, New Equipment and Service. The New Equipment segment designs, manufactures, sells, and installs a range of passenger and freight elevators, as well as escalators and moving walkways for residential and commercial buildings, and infrastructure projects. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Otis Worldwide Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Otis Worldwide and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. FORVIS Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO Free Report) by 11.0% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 31,096 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after acquiring an additional 3,080 shares during the period. FORVIS Wealth Advisors LLCs holdings in Valero Energy were worth $4,043,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. BKM Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Valero Energy during the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Live Oak Investment Partners bought a new position in shares of Valero Energy during the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Indiana Trust & Investment Management CO bought a new position in shares of Valero Energy during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $28,000. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Valero Energy during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $28,000. Finally, Quarry LP boosted its holdings in shares of Valero Energy by 1,676.9% during the 1st quarter. Quarry LP now owns 231 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 218 shares in the last quarter. 77.07% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Valero Energy alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth VLO has been the topic of several research reports. Bank of America upgraded shares of Valero Energy from a neutral rating to a buy rating and upped their price objective for the stock from $156.00 to $210.00 in a report on Friday, March 15th. Raymond James boosted their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $154.00 to $155.00 and gave the stock a strong-buy rating in a research report on Friday, January 26th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $138.00 to $171.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Wednesday. Barclays boosted their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $146.00 to $149.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, January 29th. Finally, Citigroup began coverage on shares of Valero Energy in a research report on Wednesday, January 24th. They set a buy rating for the company. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating, nine have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $158.33. Valero Energy Stock Up 1.3 % NYSE VLO opened at $169.57 on Thursday. The stocks 50 day moving average is $141.82 and its 200 day moving average is $134.60. The company has a current ratio of 1.56, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. Valero Energy Co. has a 12 month low of $104.18 and a 12 month high of $171.16. The stock has a market cap of $56.38 billion, a PE ratio of 6.86, a P/E/G ratio of 1.78 and a beta of 1.53. Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 25th. The oil and gas company reported $3.55 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.95 by $0.60. Valero Energy had a return on equity of 31.62% and a net margin of 6.10%. The company had revenue of $35.41 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $34.76 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $8.45 EPS. The firms revenue was down 15.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts predict that Valero Energy Co. will post 15.66 EPS for the current fiscal year. Valero Energy Increases Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 4th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 1st were issued a dividend of $1.07 per share. This represents a $4.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.52%. This is a boost from Valero Energys previous quarterly dividend of $1.02. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, January 31st. Valero Energys dividend payout ratio is 17.31%. About Valero Energy (Free Report) Valero Energy Corporation manufactures, markets, and sells petroleum-based and low-carbon liquid transportation fuels and petrochemical products in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Latin America, Mexico, Peru, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Refining, Renewable Diesel, and Ethanol. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding VLO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Valero Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Valero Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. George Weston Limited (TSE:WN Get Free Report) has earned an average recommendation of Moderate Buy from the six brokerages that are covering the company, MarketBeat reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 12 month price target among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is C$201.00. A number of research analysts recently issued reports on the company. TD Securities increased their price objective on George Weston from C$205.00 to C$215.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday, February 26th. CIBC raised their price objective on George Weston from C$213.00 to C$222.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, February 29th. Scotiabank dropped their price target on George Weston from C$184.00 to C$179.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, November 22nd. Desjardins raised George Weston from a hold rating to a buy rating and lifted their price target for the stock from C$177.00 to C$187.00 in a report on Wednesday, November 22nd. Finally, BMO Capital Markets lifted their price target on George Weston from C$172.00 to C$185.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Friday, March 1st. Get George Weston alerts: Read Our Latest Analysis on George Weston Insider Buying and Selling George Weston Stock Up 0.4 % In other George Weston news, Director Willard Galen Garfield Weston sold 79,200 shares of George Weston stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$144.88, for a total value of C$11,474,503.92. In other news, Director Willard Galen Garfield Weston sold 79,200 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$144.88, for a total transaction of C$11,474,503.92. Also, Senior Officer Rashid Wasti sold 1,086 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, March 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$176.24, for a total transaction of C$191,393.60. Insiders sold a total of 147,205 shares of company stock worth $23,656,170 in the last three months. Insiders own 58.54% of the companys stock. Shares of WN stock opened at C$181.56 on Thursday. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is C$175.03 and its 200 day simple moving average is C$163.37. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 158.23, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a current ratio of 1.24. George Weston has a twelve month low of C$144.41 and a twelve month high of C$184.97. The company has a market capitalization of C$24.40 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.87, a PEG ratio of 1.70 and a beta of 0.38. George Weston Dividend Announcement The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 15th will be issued a dividend of $0.713 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 14th. This represents a $2.85 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.57%. George Westons payout ratio is 26.49%. George Weston Company Profile (Get Free Report George Weston Limited provides food and drug retailing, and financial services in Canada. 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 and healthcare services, health and beauty products, apparel, general merchandise, and financial services. Further Reading 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. Bread Financial (NYSE:BFH Get Free Report) and Discover Financial Services (NYSE:DFS Get Free Report) are both business services companies, but which is the better business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their valuation, dividends, profitability, earnings, institutional ownership, risk and analyst recommendations. Earnings & Valuation This table compares Bread Financial and Discover Financial Services top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Get Bread Financial alerts: Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Bread Financial $5.17 billion 0.38 $718.00 million $14.32 2.80 Discover Financial Services $20.61 billion 1.53 $2.94 billion $11.25 11.18 Discover Financial Services has higher revenue and earnings than Bread Financial. Bread Financial is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Discover Financial Services, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Institutional & Insider Ownership Dividends 99.5% of Bread Financial shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 83.6% of Discover Financial Services shares are held by institutional investors. 0.3% of Bread Financial shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.7% of Discover Financial Services shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth. Bread Financial pays an annual dividend of $0.84 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.1%. Discover Financial Services pays an annual dividend of $2.80 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.2%. Bread Financial pays out 5.9% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Discover Financial Services pays out 24.9% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Discover Financial Services has increased its dividend for 13 consecutive years. Discover Financial Services is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth. Profitability This table compares Bread Financial and Discover Financial Services net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Bread Financial 13.87% 26.24% 3.34% Discover Financial Services 14.30% 22.24% 2.08% Analyst Ratings This is a summary of current ratings and target prices for Bread Financial and Discover Financial Services, as provided by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Bread Financial 4 7 1 0 1.75 Discover Financial Services 0 11 7 0 2.39 Bread Financial presently has a consensus price target of $35.00, indicating a potential downside of 12.85%. Discover Financial Services has a consensus price target of $119.78, indicating a potential downside of 4.76%. Given Discover Financial Services stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Discover Financial Services is more favorable than Bread Financial. Risk and Volatility Bread Financial has a beta of 1.94, meaning that its share price is 94% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Discover Financial Services has a beta of 1.45, meaning that its share price is 45% more volatile than the S&P 500. Summary Discover Financial Services beats Bread Financial on 11 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks. 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. About Discover Financial Services (Get Free Report) Discover Financial Services, through its subsidiaries, provides digital banking products and services, and payment services in the United States. It operates in two segments, Digital Banking and Payment Services. The Digital Banking segment offers Discover-branded credit cards to individuals; private student loans, personal loans, home loans, and other consumer lending; and direct-to-consumer deposit products comprising savings accounts, certificates of deposit, money market accounts, IRA certificates of deposit, IRA savings accounts and checking accounts, and sweep accounts. The Payment Services segment operates the PULSE to access automated teller machines, debit, and electronic funds transfer network; and Diners Club International, a payments network that issues Diners Club branded charge cards and/or provides card acceptance services, as well as offers payment transaction processing and settlement services. The company was incorporated in 1960 and is based in Riverwoods, Illinois. Receive News & Ratings for Bread Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bread Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shaftesbury Capital (LON:SHC Get Free Report) was upgraded by investment analysts at HSBC to a buy rating in a report released on Thursday, Digital Look reports. The brokerage currently has a GBX 149 ($1.90) price target on the stock. HSBCs price objective points to a potential upside of 5.60% from the companys current price. Separately, Berenberg Bank reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a GBX 160 ($2.04) price target on shares of Shaftesbury Capital in a research note on Tuesday, March 5th. Get Shaftesbury Capital alerts: View Our Latest Analysis on SHC Shaftesbury Capital Price Performance Insiders Place Their Bets Shaftesbury Capital stock traded up GBX 5.80 ($0.07) during trading hours on Thursday, hitting GBX 141.10 ($1.80). The company had a trading volume of 1,173,980 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,223,465. Shaftesbury Capital has a fifty-two week low of GBX 101.90 ($1.30) and a fifty-two week high of GBX 141.20 ($1.80). The firm has a market capitalization of 2.75 billion, a P/E ratio of 313.56 and a beta of 1.11. The firms fifty day moving average is GBX 130.29 and its 200-day moving average is GBX 123.56. In other Shaftesbury Capital news, insider Ian Hawksworth purchased 88,888 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 29th. The shares were acquired at an average price of GBX 124 ($1.58) per share, for a total transaction of 110,221.12 ($140,319.69). Insiders own 3.52% of the companys stock. Shaftesbury Capital Company Profile (Get Free Report) Shaftesbury Capital PLC ("Shaftesbury Capital") is the leading central London mixed-use REIT and is a constituent of the FTSE-250 Index. Our property portfolio, valued at 4.9 billion at June 2023, extends to 2.9 million square feet of lettable space across the most vibrant areas of London's West End. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Shaftesbury Capital Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Shaftesbury Capital and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Gamberettis Italian Restaurant may be changing ownership and name, but the new owner says you should expect most things to stay the same. Inside the restaurant, bricks lie neatly behind a long bar with stocked wines and spirits. In the kitchen, batches of creme brulee and vats of spaghetti sauce and pasta await plating. 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. Outside the restaurant, a sign marked with an image of a red shrimp is soon to bear a new name: Vitos Trattoria. The downtown eatery has been in Albany since its opening in 2019 by owner Treva Gambs. Based in Sublimity, she owns two other restaurants: G3 pizza in Aumsville and the Markum Inn in Mount Angel, along with the original Gamberettis in Salem. The name Gamberettis was a play on words with her last name. It means shrimp in Italian, she said. The building and location initially drew her to Albany as the place to set up her second location, she said. But now it's time to say goodbye. The decision to hand over ownership was a business one, Gambs said in a phone interview. Visiting all of the restaurant locations had her spread thin. She came to Gamberettis once or twice a week to check in with the manager and see what the needs of the restaurant were, she said. Now that manager, Alex Loomis, is becoming the owner. Alex has been there since Day One, and hes had so much growth that has prepared him to open his new place, Gambs said. The name had to be changed because Gambs still owns the Gamberettis in Salem, and she would have had to relinquish that one as well if the name were to stay the same, she said. Its a soft changing of hands," she said. "The best part is its going to still be what all the regulars love. Loomis recently sat inside the dimly lit restaurant, his hands folded over the table, sporting a black beanie and jacket. He was ushered into the restaurant industry very young, he said. At 15 years old, he bused tables and washed dishes at a Los Angeles steakhouse before learning to bartend and run a restaurant. When he became the manager of Gamberettis, he describes working with Gambs as a sort of mentor, preparing him to one day own his own restaurant. The busy atmosphere the clattering of plates and rushing of staff is an environment that energizes him. I love the chaos, the anxiety of it. It makes me feel alive, he said. Loomis doesn't view the Albany restaurant scene as competitive, but rather as symbiotic, he said. I think having more restaurants, downtown events, the restaurants downtown, so to speak, its like an ecosystem. And we want to keep that biodiversity going, so that other people want to visit, he said. The menu will stay about 80% the same, he said. Loomis plans to add a few new dishes. Plus some of the dishes that were removed from the menu in the fall will be returning. During that transitional period, a lot of the pasta was not being made in house. Loomis plans to bring back fresh pasta too. He wanted to be sure to let people know a customer favorite, the chicken piccata, would be making a reappearance. He also plans to introduce a new manicotti, a ricotta cheese-stuffed pasta. Additionally, he hopes to incorporate more seafood into the menu, he said. The cocktail menu will be getting an update, along with such happy hour items as flatbread and pizza, Loomis said. While he will be adding seating, Loomis said that will be just about the only aesthetic change. He still want the restaurant to feel "elevated causal," as he calls it. The name of the restaurant is to honor a friend who gave Loomis a loan to purchase the restaurant, he said. Vito is the name of his friends father, he said. In the coming weeks, the logo outside Gamberettis will replace the shrimp with a sign that reads "Vitos Trattoria" with accented grapevines and red text. Related stories: Skechers U.S.A., Inc. (NYSE:SKX Get Free Report) CEO Robert Greenberg sold 30,339 shares of Skechers U.S.A. stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $61.11, for a total transaction of $1,854,016.29. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 132,783 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,114,369.13. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Robert Greenberg also recently made the following trade(s): Get Skechers U.S.A. alerts: On Thursday, February 8th, Robert Greenberg sold 99,139 shares of Skechers U.S.A. stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $57.87, for a total transaction of $5,737,173.93. On Tuesday, January 2nd, Robert Greenberg sold 12,605 shares of Skechers U.S.A. stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $62.21, for a total transaction of $784,157.05. Skechers U.S.A. Stock Performance Shares of SKX opened at $61.02 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.06, a quick ratio of 1.46 and a current ratio of 2.38. Skechers U.S.A., Inc. has a 1 year low of $43.67 and a 1 year high of $65.17. The stock has a market capitalization of $9.35 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.48, a P/E/G ratio of 1.09 and a beta of 1.32. The companys fifty day moving average is $60.99 and its two-hundred day moving average is $56.10. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Skechers U.S.A. ( NYSE:SKX Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 1st. The textile maker reported $0.56 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.52 by $0.04. Skechers U.S.A. had a net margin of 6.82% and a return on equity of 12.89%. The business had revenue of $1.96 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.03 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $0.48 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 4.4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Skechers U.S.A., Inc. will post 3.82 earnings per share for the current year. SKX has been the subject of a number of research reports. Wedbush dropped their price objective on shares of Skechers U.S.A. from $75.00 to $68.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Friday, February 2nd. Monness Crespi & Hardt lifted their price objective on shares of Skechers U.S.A. from $60.00 to $72.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, January 18th. Stifel Nicolaus dropped their price objective on shares of Skechers U.S.A. from $72.00 to $70.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Friday, February 2nd. Bank of America assumed coverage on shares of Skechers U.S.A. in a report on Friday, March 8th. They issued a neutral rating and a $67.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Raymond James decreased their price target on shares of Skechers U.S.A. from $68.00 to $66.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Monday, February 5th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $66.18. Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Skechers U.S.A. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Skechers U.S.A. Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in SKX. American Century Companies Inc. boosted its position in shares of Skechers U.S.A. by 10.8% in the 1st quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 16,901 shares of the textile makers stock worth $689,000 after buying an additional 1,654 shares in the last quarter. US Bancorp DE lifted its holdings in Skechers U.S.A. by 71.1% in the 1st quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 2,416 shares of the textile makers stock valued at $98,000 after purchasing an additional 1,004 shares in the last quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. lifted its holdings in Skechers U.S.A. by 11.5% in the 1st quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 6,413 shares of the textile makers stock valued at $260,000 after purchasing an additional 663 shares in the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can lifted its holdings in Skechers U.S.A. by 8.6% in the 1st quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 12,534 shares of the textile makers stock valued at $519,000 after purchasing an additional 990 shares in the last quarter. Finally, MetLife Investment Management LLC lifted its holdings in Skechers U.S.A. by 34.4% in the 1st quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 87,839 shares of the textile makers stock valued at $3,580,000 after purchasing an additional 22,464 shares in the last quarter. 80.54% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About Skechers U.S.A. (Get Free Report) Skechers U.SA, Inc designs, develops, markets, and distributes footwear for men, women, and children worldwide. The company operates through Wholesale and Direct-to-Consumer segments. It offers footwear under Skechers Hands Free Slip-ins, Skechers Arch Fit, and Skechers Air-Cooled Memory Foam brands. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Skechers U.S.A. Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Skechers U.S.A. and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Informatica Inc. (NYSE:INFA Get Free Report) EVP John Arthur Schweitzer sold 5,952 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $33.87, for a total transaction of $201,594.24. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 490,902 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $16,626,850.74. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. John Arthur Schweitzer also recently made the following trade(s): Get Informatica alerts: On Thursday, March 7th, John Arthur Schweitzer sold 65,709 shares of Informatica stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $32.04, for a total transaction of $2,105,316.36. Informatica Trading Up 2.3 % Informatica stock opened at $35.52 on Thursday. The business has a 50 day moving average of $31.55 and a 200-day moving average of $26.46. Informatica Inc. has a 1 year low of $13.29 and a 1 year high of $36.00. The company has a quick ratio of 1.66, a current ratio of 1.66 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.82. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Informatica ( NYSE:INFA Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 14th. The technology company reported $0.17 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.18 by ($0.01). Informatica had a negative net margin of 7.85% and a positive return on equity of 4.29%. The firm had revenue of $445.18 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $431.51 million. On average, analysts anticipate that Informatica Inc. will post 0.56 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. INFA has been the subject of a number of research reports. The Goldman Sachs Group raised shares of Informatica from a neutral rating to a buy rating and increased their target price for the stock from $26.00 to $44.00 in a report on Friday, February 16th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on shares of Informatica from $33.00 to $38.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, February 15th. Citigroup increased their target price on shares of Informatica from $28.00 to $33.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Monday, February 12th. Scotiabank increased their target price on shares of Informatica from $21.00 to $27.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a report on Thursday, December 7th. Finally, UBS Group increased their target price on shares of Informatica from $27.00 to $37.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, February 15th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $31.63. Get Our Latest Report on INFA Institutional Trading of Informatica A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its position in Informatica by 26.1% during the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 5,308,121 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $150,698,000 after purchasing an additional 1,098,246 shares during the period. Wellington Management Group LLP increased its position in Informatica by 10.0% during the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 9,720,552 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $275,966,000 after purchasing an additional 883,642 shares during the period. Quarry LP increased its position in Informatica by 186.9% during the 4th quarter. Quarry LP now owns 2,275 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $65,000 after purchasing an additional 1,482 shares during the period. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD increased its position in Informatica by 2.4% during the 4th quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 1,216,303 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $34,532,000 after purchasing an additional 28,453 shares during the period. Finally, GSA Capital Partners LLP acquired a new stake in Informatica during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $1,961,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 38.76% of the companys stock. Informatica Company Profile (Get 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. Featured Articles 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. The Goldman Sachs Group (NYSE:GS Get Free Report) had its price objective increased by analysts at JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $421.00 to $424.00 in a note issued to investors on Thursday, Benzinga reports. The firm currently has an overweight rating on the investment management companys stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co.s price objective would indicate a potential upside of 2.98% from the companys previous close. Several other brokerages have also issued reports on GS. Edward Jones started coverage on The Goldman Sachs Group in a research note on Tuesday, February 27th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. UBS Group lifted their price target on The Goldman Sachs Group from $382.00 to $440.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 9th. JMP Securities reiterated a market outperform rating and issued a $440.00 price target on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in a research report on Wednesday, January 17th. Barclays lifted their price target on The Goldman Sachs Group from $437.00 to $493.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 2nd. Finally, Daiwa Capital Markets upgraded The Goldman Sachs Group from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and boosted their target price for the stock from $410.00 to $430.00 in a research report on Thursday, March 14th. Six investment 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 Goldman Sachs Group currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $406.87. Get The Goldman Sachs Group alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Report on GS The Goldman Sachs Group Trading Up 3.9 % NYSE GS traded up $15.27 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $411.74. 1,201,346 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,306,893. The company has a current ratio of 0.76, a quick ratio of 0.76 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.29. The Goldman Sachs Group has a 1-year low of $289.36 and a 1-year high of $411.74. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $385.21 and a 200 day simple moving average of $354.25. The firm has a market cap of $133.62 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.97, a PEG ratio of 1.51 and a beta of 1.42. The Goldman Sachs Group (NYSE:GS Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, January 16th. The investment management company reported $5.48 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.62 by $1.86. The company had revenue of $11.32 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $10.80 billion. The Goldman Sachs Group had a return on equity of 8.03% and a net margin of 7.85%. The Goldman Sachs Groups quarterly revenue was up 6.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $3.32 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts forecast that The Goldman Sachs Group will post 32.79 EPS for the current fiscal year. Insider Buying and Selling In other The Goldman Sachs Group news, CFO Denis P. Coleman sold 12,680 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $394.43, for a total transaction of $5,001,372.40. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 29,417 shares in the company, valued at $11,602,947.31. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In other news, insider Brian J. Lee sold 3,000 shares of The Goldman Sachs Group stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, January 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $376.39, for a total transaction of $1,129,170.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 10,121 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,809,443.19. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Denis P. Coleman sold 12,680 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $394.43, for a total transaction of $5,001,372.40. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 29,417 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $11,602,947.31. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 38,907 shares of company stock worth $15,080,021. Corporate insiders own 0.54% of the companys stock. Hedge Funds Weigh In On The Goldman Sachs Group A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of GS. First Foundation Advisors increased its position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 18.4% during the second quarter. First Foundation Advisors now owns 1,771 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $571,000 after purchasing an additional 275 shares in the last quarter. TBH Global Asset Management LLC increased its position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 2.0% during the third quarter. TBH Global Asset Management LLC now owns 3,676 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $1,190,000 after purchasing an additional 72 shares in the last quarter. Congress Wealth Management LLC DE increased its position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 27,076.5% during the third quarter. Congress Wealth Management LLC DE now owns 653,322 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $211,396,000 after purchasing an additional 650,918 shares in the last quarter. Syon Capital LLC acquired a new position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group during the third quarter worth $1,395,000. Finally, Fort Point Capital Partners LLC increased its position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 11.1% during the second quarter. Fort Point Capital Partners LLC now owns 728 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $235,000 after purchasing an additional 73 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 69.06% of the companys stock. About The Goldman Sachs Group (Get Free Report) The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc, a financial institution, provides a range of financial services for corporations, financial institutions, governments, and individuals worldwide. It operates through Global Banking & Markets, Asset & Wealth Management, and Platform Solutions segments. The Global Banking & Markets segment provides financial advisory services, including strategic advisory assignments related to mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, corporate defense activities, restructurings, and spin-offs; and relationship lending, and acquisition financing, as well as secured lending, through structured credit and asset-backed lending and involved in financing under securities to resale agreements. See Also Receive News & Ratings for The Goldman Sachs Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for The Goldman Sachs Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Judges Scientific (LON:JDG Get Free Report)s stock had its house stock rating reiterated by analysts at Shore Capital in a research report issued on Thursday, LSE.Co.UK reports. Judges Scientific Stock Performance JDG stock traded down GBX 475 ($6.05) during trading on Thursday, reaching 111.25 ($141.63). The company had a trading volume of 16,785 shares, compared to its average volume of 9,317. The company has a market cap of 736.48 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8,545.80, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.56 and a beta of 0.92. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 90.17, a quick ratio of 0.65 and a current ratio of 1.77. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of 101.97 and a 200-day simple moving average of GBX 9,292.23. Judges Scientific has a twelve month low of GBX 7,300 ($92.93) and a twelve month high of 118.98 ($151.46). Get Judges Scientific alerts: Judges Scientific Company Profile (Get Free Report) Further Reading Judges Scientific plc designs, manufactures, and sells scientific instruments. It operates through two segments, Materials Sciences and Vacuum. The company offers engineering teaching and research equipment for universities, colleges, schools, and research centers; and research and development systems for food, beverage, dairy, edible oil, and pharmaceutical industries. Receive News & Ratings for Judges Scientific Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Judges Scientific and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Lavras Gold Corp. (CVE:LGC Get Free Report) Director Rowland Wallace Uloth acquired 15,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 19th. The stock was purchased at an average price of C$1.21 per share, for a total transaction of C$18,150.00. Rowland Wallace Uloth also recently made the following trade(s): Get Lavras Gold alerts: On Friday, March 15th, Rowland Wallace Uloth bought 2,800 shares of Lavras Gold stock. The stock was bought at an average price of C$1.25 per share, with a total value of C$3,500.00. On Friday, March 8th, Rowland Wallace Uloth purchased 49,300 shares of Lavras Gold stock. The shares were purchased at an average cost of C$1.10 per share, with a total value of C$54,230.00. On Tuesday, January 23rd, Rowland Wallace Uloth purchased 8,500 shares of Lavras Gold stock. The shares were acquired at an average price of C$1.12 per share, with a total value of C$9,520.00. Lavras Gold Stock Down 1.4 % Shares of CVE:LGC traded down C$0.02 during trading on Thursday, hitting C$1.38. The stock had a trading volume of 49,800 shares, compared to its average volume of 73,428. The firms fifty day moving average is C$1.04 and its 200 day moving average is C$1.15. The company has a market capitalization of C$70.86 million and a PE ratio of -28.00. The company has a quick ratio of 11.12, a current ratio of 18.00 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76. Lavras Gold Corp. has a 12 month low of C$0.21 and a 12 month high of C$1.79. Lavras Gold Company Profile Lavras Gold Corp. operates as a junior exploration company in southern Brazil. It engages in the exploration and development of the Lavras do Sul gold project covering an area of approximately 22,000 hectares located in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The company was incorporated in 2021 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Lavras Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Lavras Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. LVM Capital Management Ltd. MI cut its stake in shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:DLR Free Report) by 5.5% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 52,796 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 3,070 shares during the period. LVM Capital Management Ltd. MIs holdings in Digital Realty Trust were worth $7,105,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in DLR. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its stake in Digital Realty Trust by 2.1% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 47,390,848 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $5,735,240,000 after acquiring an additional 971,032 shares during the period. BlackRock Inc. raised its stake in Digital Realty Trust by 11.8% in the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 30,815,132 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $3,508,919,000 after acquiring an additional 3,245,264 shares during the period. State Street Corp raised its stake in Digital Realty Trust by 2.3% in the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 20,596,456 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $2,345,318,000 after acquiring an additional 464,694 shares during the period. FMR LLC raised its stake in Digital Realty Trust by 4.8% in the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 8,647,509 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,046,522,000 after acquiring an additional 394,682 shares during the period. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its stake in Digital Realty Trust by 74.2% in the 2nd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 7,324,758 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $834,070,000 after acquiring an additional 3,118,791 shares during the period. 99.71% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Digital Realty Trust alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In other news, Director Jean F. H. P. Mandeville sold 3,400 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $145.50, for a total value of $494,700.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 8,413 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,224,091.50. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.39% of the stock is owned by insiders. Digital Realty Trust Trading Down 0.6 % Digital Realty Trust Dividend Announcement DLR stock traded down $0.88 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $140.01. The company had a trading volume of 2,238,063 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,114,755. The company has a current ratio of 1.14, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.92. Digital Realty Trust, Inc. has a 52 week low of $86.33 and a 52 week high of $154.18. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $142.32 and its 200 day moving average price is $133.76. The stock has a market cap of $43.72 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 47.44, a PEG ratio of 3.22 and a beta of 0.54. 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 $1.22 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 14th. This represents a $4.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.49%. Digital Realty Trusts dividend payout ratio is presently 164.31%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research firms have weighed in on DLR. Barclays lifted their target price on Digital Realty Trust from $110.00 to $119.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a report on Tuesday, March 5th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on Digital Realty Trust from $125.00 to $140.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, February 20th. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their target price on Digital Realty Trust from $155.00 to $160.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, February 16th. KeyCorp started coverage on Digital Realty Trust in a report on Wednesday, December 6th. They set a sector weight rating for the company. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reissued an outperform rating and set a $144.00 price objective on shares of Digital Realty Trust in a report on Friday, February 16th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating, five have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $137.87. Read Our Latest Research Report on Digital Realty Trust Digital Realty Trust Profile (Free Report) Digital Realty brings companies and data together by delivering the full spectrum of data center, colocation, and interconnection solutions. PlatformDIGITAL, the company's global data center platform, provides customers with a secure data meeting place and a proven Pervasive Datacenter Architecture (PDx) solution methodology for powering innovation and efficiently managing Data Gravity challenges. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Digital Realty Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Digital Realty Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Paragon Capital Management Ltd trimmed its position in shares of HF Sinclair Co. (NYSE:DINO Free Report) by 20.2% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 4,449 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,129 shares during the quarter. Paragon Capital Management Ltds holdings in HF Sinclair were worth $247,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in DINO. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its stake in HF Sinclair by 5.5% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 16,665,477 shares of the companys stock valued at $948,766,000 after buying an additional 869,429 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. boosted its stake in HF Sinclair by 2.4% during the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 15,396,848 shares of the companys stock worth $686,853,000 after purchasing an additional 357,510 shares during the last quarter. Capital World Investors boosted its position in HF Sinclair by 8.7% during the second quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 13,584,421 shares of the companys stock worth $606,001,000 after acquiring an additional 1,088,227 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp acquired a new position in shares of HF Sinclair during the 1st quarter valued at about $308,240,000. Finally, Invesco Ltd. acquired a new position in shares of HF Sinclair in the 1st quarter valued at $102,959,000. 89.15% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get HF Sinclair alerts: HF Sinclair Stock Down 0.2 % DINO stock traded down $0.12 during trading on Thursday, reaching $61.37. The stock had a trading volume of 1,078,069 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,351,220. The company has a market capitalization of $11.66 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.39, a PEG ratio of 1.11 and a beta of 1.28. The company has a current ratio of 2.22, a quick ratio of 1.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $56.62 and a 200 day moving average price of $55.89. HF Sinclair Co. has a 1-year low of $37.12 and a 1-year high of $62.20. HF Sinclair Increases Dividend HF Sinclair ( NYSE:DINO Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, February 21st. The company reported $0.87 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.72 by $0.15. The company had revenue of $7.66 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.05 billion. HF Sinclair had a net margin of 4.97% and a return on equity of 17.61%. The companys revenue was down 14.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $2.97 EPS. On average, equities analysts anticipate that HF Sinclair Co. will post 6.38 earnings per share for the current year. The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, March 5th. Shareholders of record on Monday, February 26th were given a $0.50 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 23rd. This is a positive change from HF Sinclairs previous quarterly dividend of $0.45. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.26%. HF Sinclairs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 24.10%. Analyst Ratings Changes Several research firms recently commented on DINO. Barclays began coverage on HF Sinclair in a research note on Monday, February 26th. They set an equal weight rating and a $60.00 target price for the company. UBS Group raised shares of HF Sinclair from a neutral rating to a buy rating and upped their target price for the company from $64.00 to $73.00 in a report on Wednesday, February 14th. Bank of America upgraded HF Sinclair from a neutral rating to a buy rating and boosted their target price for the stock from $62.00 to $78.00 in a research report on Friday, March 15th. TD Cowen boosted their target price on shares of HF Sinclair from $50.00 to $52.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research report on Thursday, February 22nd. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on shares of HF Sinclair from $64.00 to $67.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, February 22nd. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $64.82. Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on HF Sinclair Insider Activity at HF Sinclair In other news, Director Manuel J. Fernandez sold 1,213 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $61.10, for a total value of $74,114.30. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 9,828 shares of the companys stock, valued at $600,490.80. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, Director Franklin Myers acquired 4,180 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 26th. The stock was bought at an average price of $58.94 per share, for a total transaction of $246,369.20. Following the transaction, the director now owns 131,793 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,767,879.42. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Manuel J. Fernandez sold 1,213 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $61.10, for a total value of $74,114.30. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 9,828 shares of the companys stock, valued at $600,490.80. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.35% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. HF Sinclair Company Profile (Free Report) HF Sinclair Corporation operates as an independent energy company. The company produces and markets gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel, renewable diesel, specialty lubricant products, specialty chemicals, specialty and modified asphalt, and others. It 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. Featured Stories 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. Power Co. of Canada (TSE:POW Get Free Report) had its target price lifted by National Bankshares from C$39.00 to C$41.00 in a report issued on Thursday, BayStreet.CA reports. National Bankshares target price would suggest a potential upside of 2.40% from the companys current price. Several other equities research analysts have also recently commented on the stock. Scotiabank boosted their price target on shares of Power Co. of Canada from C$44.00 to C$45.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 31st. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price target on Power Co. of Canada from C$38.00 to C$41.00 in a research report on Friday, March 15th. CIBC increased their price objective on Power Co. of Canada from C$40.00 to C$43.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Thursday. Royal Bank of Canada upgraded shares of Power Co. of Canada from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating and boosted their target price for the stock from C$41.00 to C$45.00 in a report on Thursday, January 4th. Finally, Desjardins increased their price target on shares of Power Co. of Canada from C$39.00 to C$40.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, February 2nd. Three investment 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 presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of C$41.56. Get Power Co. of Canada alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Report on POW Power Co. of Canada Stock Up 2.0 % About Power Co. of Canada TSE:POW traded up C$0.77 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching C$40.04. 6,404,288 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,448,393. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 49.89, a current ratio of 45.83 and a quick ratio of 107.64. Power Co. of Canada has a twelve month low of C$32.33 and a twelve month high of C$40.30. The stock has a market cap of C$24.06 billion, a PE ratio of 15.89, a PEG ratio of 0.95 and a beta of 1.11. The firm has a 50 day moving average of C$38.82 and a 200 day moving average of C$37.19. (Get Free Report) Power Corporation of Canada, an international management and holding company, offers financial services in North America, Europe, and Asia. It operates through Lifeco, IGM Financial, and GBL segments. The company offers life, disability, critical illness, accidental death, dismemberment, health and dental protection, and creditor insurance; retirement and investment management; fund and asset management; reinsurance and retrocession; investment advisory, financial planning, and related services; fund products; and protection and wealth management services. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Power Co. of Canada Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Power Co. of Canada and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Redrow (LON:RDW Get Free Report) was downgraded by equities research analysts at Royal Bank of Canada to a sector perform rating in a report issued on Thursday, LSE.Co.UK reports. They presently have a GBX 750 ($9.55) price objective on the stock. Royal Bank of Canadas target price suggests a potential upside of 12.61% from the stocks current price. Several other brokerages have also weighed in on RDW. Berenberg Bank reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a GBX 643 ($8.19) target price on shares of Redrow in a research report on Wednesday, February 7th. Citigroup reaffirmed a neutral rating and issued a GBX 756 ($9.62) target price on shares of Redrow in a report on Friday, February 9th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of GBX 627 ($7.98). Get Redrow alerts: Check Out Our Latest Research Report on RDW Redrow Stock Up 2.0 % Insider Buying and Selling Redrow stock traded up GBX 13 ($0.17) during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting GBX 666 ($8.48). The companys stock had a trading volume of 569,101 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,593,033. The firms 50 day moving average is GBX 635.73 and its 200 day moving average is GBX 564.59. The company has a market cap of 2.20 billion, a PE ratio of 1,040.63, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of -0.81 and a beta of 1.66. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49, a current ratio of 4.08 and a quick ratio of 0.36. Redrow has a 52-week low of GBX 423.63 ($5.39) and a 52-week high of GBX 700 ($8.91). In related news, insider Matthew Pratt sold 27,430 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 653 ($8.31), for a total transaction of 179,117.90 ($228,030.43). 25.08% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Redrow Company Profile (Get Free Report) Redrow plc focuses on housebuilding activities in the United Kingdom. It is involved in acquires, develops, and resells land; develops and sells residential housing properties; and business park maintenance services. Redrow plc was founded in 1974 and is based in Flintshire, the United Kingdom. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Redrow Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Redrow and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Fidelis Insurance (NYSE:FIHL Get Free Report) is one of 95 public companies in the Fire, marine, & casualty insurance industry, but how does it weigh in compared to its rivals? We will compare Fidelis Insurance to related companies based on the strength of its earnings, institutional ownership, profitability, dividends, valuation, risk and analyst recommendations. Dividends Fidelis Insurance pays an annual dividend of $0.40 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.2%. Fidelis Insurance pays out 2.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, Fire, marine, & casualty insurance companies pay a dividend yield of 1.1% and pay out 11.2% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. Fidelis Insurance is clearly a better dividend stock than its rivals, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio. Get Fidelis Insurance alerts: Analyst Ratings This is a summary of current ratings and target prices for Fidelis Insurance and its rivals, as reported by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Fidelis Insurance 0 4 4 0 2.50 Fidelis Insurance Competitors 665 3309 3023 207 2.38 Profitability Fidelis Insurance currently has a consensus target price of $18.00, suggesting a potential downside of 2.76%. As a group, Fire, marine, & casualty insurance companies have a potential downside of 0.92%. Given Fidelis Insurances rivals higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Fidelis Insurance has less favorable growth aspects than its rivals. This table compares Fidelis Insurance and its rivals net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Fidelis Insurance 59.30% 20.23% 4.22% Fidelis Insurance Competitors 3.20% -12.06% 0.75% Valuation & Earnings This table compares Fidelis Insurance and its rivals top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Fidelis Insurance $3.60 billion $2.13 billion 0.97 Fidelis Insurance Competitors $16.14 billion $2.98 billion 73.88 Fidelis Insurances rivals have higher revenue and earnings than Fidelis Insurance. Fidelis Insurance is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its rivals, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry. Institutional & Insider Ownership 39.6% of Fidelis Insurance shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 54.4% of shares of all Fire, marine, & casualty insurance companies are held by institutional investors. 14.7% of shares of all Fire, marine, & casualty insurance companies are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term. About Fidelis Insurance (Get Free Report) Fidelis Insurance Holdings Limited, together with its subsidiaries, provides insurance and reinsurance products in Bermuda, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. It operates in three segments: Specialty, Reinsurance, and Bespoke segments. The Specialty segment offers aviation and aerospace, energy, marine, property direct and facultative, and other specialty risk solutions. The Reinsurance segment provides property, retrocession, and whole account reinsurance solutions. The Bespoke segment offers customized risk solutions for clients that include credit and political risk, and other risk transfer opportunities. The company is also involved in specialty treaty reinsurance, and surety bonds and guarantees activities; and upstream energy, energy liability, and marine businesses; and provision of product recall and contamination, and marketing services. Fidelis Insurance Holdings Limited was incorporated in 2014 and is headquartered in Pembroke, Bermuda. Receive News & Ratings for Fidelis Insurance Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Fidelis Insurance and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com upgraded shares of RLJ Lodging Trust (NYSE:RLJ Free Report) from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report report published on Monday morning. Other equities analysts have also issued reports about the stock. Oppenheimer boosted their price objective on shares of RLJ Lodging Trust from $14.00 to $15.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, February 29th. Truist Financial boosted their price objective on shares of RLJ Lodging Trust from $13.00 to $14.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, December 22nd. Wolfe Research began coverage on shares of RLJ Lodging Trust in a report on Wednesday, January 10th. They issued an outperform rating and a $15.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on shares of RLJ Lodging Trust from $11.00 to $12.50 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Friday, December 22nd. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $13.90. Get RLJ Lodging Trust alerts: View Our Latest Analysis on RLJ Lodging Trust RLJ Lodging Trust Price Performance RLJ stock opened at $11.83 on Monday. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $11.77 and a 200-day moving average price of $10.88. RLJ Lodging Trust has a 52-week low of $9.06 and a 52-week high of $12.39. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.84 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 36.95, a PEG ratio of 0.96 and a beta of 1.71. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.12, a quick ratio of 3.46 and a current ratio of 3.46. RLJ Lodging Trust (NYSE:RLJ Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Monday, February 26th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.34 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.30 by $0.04. RLJ Lodging Trust had a net margin of 5.76% and a return on equity of 3.79%. The firm had revenue of $319.70 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $313.34 million. During the same period last year, the business earned $0.33 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 5.8% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts forecast that RLJ Lodging Trust will post 1.56 EPS for the current fiscal year. RLJ Lodging Trust Announces Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 29th will be given a $0.10 dividend. This represents a $0.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.38%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 27th. RLJ Lodging Trusts dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 125.00%. Insider Activity In other news, Director Arthur Reginald Collins sold 25,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, December 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $11.92, for a total transaction of $298,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 30,758 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $366,635.36. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Insiders own 2.60% of the companys stock. Institutional Investors Weigh In On RLJ Lodging Trust A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of RLJ. HG Vora Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in RLJ Lodging Trust in the 3rd quarter worth $31,818,000. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of RLJ Lodging Trust during the 4th quarter valued at about $33,938,000. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership boosted its holdings in shares of RLJ Lodging Trust by 232.1% during the 4th quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 1,706,282 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $18,070,000 after purchasing an additional 1,192,538 shares during the last quarter. Donald Smith & CO. Inc. bought a new position in shares of RLJ Lodging Trust during the 4th quarter valued at about $13,597,000. Finally, Glenmede Trust Co. NA bought a new position in shares of RLJ Lodging Trust during the 3rd quarter valued at about $11,324,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 93.77% of the companys stock. RLJ Lodging Trust Company Profile (Get Free Report) RLJ Lodging Trust is a self-advised, publicly traded real estate investment trust that owns primarily premium-branded, high-margin, focused-service and compact full-service hotels. The Company's portfolio currently consists of 96 hotels with approximately 21,200 rooms, located in 23 states and the District of Columbia and an ownership interest in one unconsolidated hotel with 171 rooms. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for RLJ Lodging Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for RLJ Lodging Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Schlumberger Limited (NYSE:SLB Get Free Report) was up 1.4% during trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $54.30 and last traded at $54.18. Approximately 1,596,874 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 87% from the average daily volume of 11,930,457 shares. The stock had previously closed at $53.43. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of analysts have weighed in on the company. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on Schlumberger from $69.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, January 22nd. Benchmark reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a $68.00 price target on shares of Schlumberger in a research report on Monday, March 4th. Barclays reduced their price target on Schlumberger from $77.00 to $74.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Monday, January 22nd. Royal Bank of Canada reissued an outperform rating and set a $66.00 price objective on shares of Schlumberger in a research report on Thursday, February 8th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus boosted their price objective on Schlumberger from $63.00 to $64.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Monday, January 22nd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Schlumberger currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $70.87. Get Schlumberger alerts: Get Our Latest Analysis on Schlumberger Schlumberger Stock Performance The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $49.72 and a 200-day simple moving average of $53.39. The company has a current ratio of 1.32, a quick ratio of 1.00 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51. The stock has a market cap of $77.95 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.63, a P/E/G ratio of 0.98 and a beta of 1.59. Schlumberger (NYSE:SLB Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, January 19th. The oil and gas company reported $0.86 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.84 by $0.02. Schlumberger had a return on equity of 21.97% and a net margin of 12.68%. The firm had revenue of $8.99 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.96 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $0.71 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 14.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts forecast that Schlumberger Limited will post 3.54 EPS for the current fiscal year. Schlumberger Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 4th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, February 7th will be paid a $0.25 dividend. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.83%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, February 6th. Schlumbergers dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 34.25%. Insider Activity In other news, CFO Stephane Biguet sold 6,250 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, February 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $48.64, for a total value of $304,000.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 242,932 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $11,816,212.48. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In related news, CFO Stephane Biguet sold 6,250 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, February 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $48.64, for a total transaction of $304,000.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 242,932 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $11,816,212.48. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP Abdellah Merad sold 50,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, February 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $48.52, for a total value of $2,426,000.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 261,507 shares in the company, valued at approximately $12,688,319.64. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 178,441 shares of company stock valued at $8,972,947 in the last 90 days. 0.26% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Institutional Trading of Schlumberger Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of Schlumberger by 1.3% in the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 132,281,480 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $6,883,928,000 after purchasing an additional 1,753,108 shares during the period. BlackRock Inc. raised its stake in shares of Schlumberger by 1.1% in the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 106,818,561 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $5,246,928,000 after purchasing an additional 1,129,628 shares during the period. State Street Corp raised its stake in shares of Schlumberger by 1.0% in the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 83,794,992 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $4,136,112,000 after purchasing an additional 861,439 shares during the period. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD raised its stake in shares of Schlumberger by 12.9% in the 4th quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 75,379,848 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $3,922,768,000 after purchasing an additional 8,617,971 shares during the period. Finally, Capital World Investors raised its stake in shares of Schlumberger by 2.2% in the 4th quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 51,617,471 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $2,686,173,000 after purchasing an additional 1,133,686 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.43% of the companys stock. Schlumberger Company Profile (Get Free Report) Schlumberger Limited engages in the provision of technology for the energy industry worldwide. The company operates through four divisions: Digital & Integration, Reservoir Performance, Well Construction, and Production Systems. The company provides field development and hydrocarbon production, carbon management, and integration of adjacent energy systems; reservoir interpretation and data processing services for exploration data; and well construction and production improvement services and products. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Schlumberger Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Schlumberger and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Monness Crespi & Hardt upgraded shares of Snowflake (NYSE:SNOW Free Report) from a sell rating to a neutral rating in a report issued on Monday morning, Marketbeat reports. SNOW has been the subject of a number of other reports. Needham & Company LLC decreased their target price on Snowflake from $265.00 to $240.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, February 29th. Stifel Nicolaus cut their price target on Snowflake from $235.00 to $220.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, February 29th. Wedbush boosted their target price on Snowflake from $144.00 to $210.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, February 28th. Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an equal weight rating and issued a $175.00 price target (down previously from $230.00) on shares of Snowflake in a report on Thursday, February 29th. Finally, Piper Sandler reaffirmed an overweight rating and issued a $250.00 price target on shares of Snowflake in a report on Tuesday, February 27th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have issued a hold rating and twenty have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $202.50. Get Snowflake alerts: Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Snowflake Snowflake Stock Performance NYSE:SNOW opened at $163.01 on Monday. The company has a market capitalization of $53.68 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -64.14 and a beta of 0.94. Snowflake has a one year low of $134.17 and a one year high of $237.72. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $199.83 and a 200 day simple moving average of $179.59. Snowflake (NYSE:SNOW Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, February 28th. The company reported ($0.44) EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of ($0.49) by $0.05. Snowflake had a negative return on equity of 13.80% and a negative net margin of 29.79%. The company had revenue of $774.70 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $759.86 million. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Snowflake will post -1.92 EPS for the current fiscal year. Insider Buying and Selling at Snowflake In other news, CAO Emily Ho sold 1,500 shares of Snowflake stock in a transaction on Monday, March 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $156.98, for a total transaction of $235,470.00. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 28,393 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,457,133.14. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, CAO Emily Ho sold 1,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, March 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $156.98, for a total value of $235,470.00. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 28,393 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,457,133.14. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CEO Frank Slootman sold 19,764 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, March 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $156.66, for a total transaction of $3,096,228.24. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 233,297 shares in the company, valued at $36,548,308.02. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 434,355 shares of company stock valued at $87,276,911. 8.30% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Snowflake Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. California State Teachers Retirement System increased its stake in shares of Snowflake by 8.2% during the 2nd quarter. California State Teachers Retirement System now owns 447,364 shares of the companys stock worth $78,727,000 after purchasing an additional 34,051 shares during the last quarter. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Snowflake in the 3rd quarter valued at about $458,000. Glynn Capital Management LLC grew its stake in Snowflake by 3.1% in the 3rd quarter. Glynn Capital Management LLC now owns 188,428 shares of the companys stock valued at $28,786,000 after buying an additional 5,629 shares during the last quarter. O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC grew 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 valued at $880,000 after buying an additional 3,294 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Rheos Capital Works Inc. acquired a new position in Snowflake in the 3rd quarter valued at about $4,583,000. 63.74% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. 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. Read More 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. Talbot Financial LLC boosted its stake in The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG Free Report) by 5.9% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 64,650 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 3,621 shares during the quarter. Procter & Gamble comprises approximately 1.4% of Talbot Financial LLCs holdings, making the stock its 26th largest holding. Talbot Financial LLCs holdings in Procter & Gamble were worth $9,474,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Several other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the stock. Dfpg Investments LLC increased its holdings in shares of Procter & Gamble by 1.7% in the 4th quarter. Dfpg Investments LLC now owns 24,892 shares of the companys stock worth $3,680,000 after buying an additional 424 shares during the last quarter. Garrett Wealth Advisory Group LLC grew 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 valued at $645,000 after purchasing an additional 260 shares during the last quarter. N.E.W. Advisory Services LLC grew 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 valued at $13,772,000 after purchasing an additional 12,016 shares during the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew 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 valued at $2,298,184,000 after purchasing an additional 131,339 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada grew 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 valued at $1,642,339,000 after purchasing an additional 2,293,824 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 63.43% of the companys stock. Get Procter & Gamble alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at Procter & Gamble In other Procter & Gamble news, CEO Gary A. Coombe sold 22,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $161.32, for a total value of $3,549,040.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 36,845 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,943,835.40. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In related news, CEO Ma. Fatima Francisco sold 74,443 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, January 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $153.30, for a total transaction of $11,412,111.90. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 973 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $149,160.90. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, CEO Gary A. Coombe sold 22,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $161.32, for a total transaction of $3,549,040.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 36,845 shares in the company, valued at $5,943,835.40. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 279,063 shares of company stock worth $43,187,745 in the last ninety days. 0.17% of the stock is owned by insiders. Procter & Gamble Stock Performance Shares of NYSE:PG traded down $0.13 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $161.86. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,199,779 shares, compared to its average volume of 6,856,945. The firm has a market capitalization of $380.86 billion, a PE ratio of 27.12, a P/E/G ratio of 3.30 and a beta of 0.44. The Procter & Gamble Company has a twelve month low of $141.45 and a twelve month high of $162.73. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $157.07 and a 200 day moving average of $151.80. 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 (NYSE:PG Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data 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. The business had revenue of $21.44 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $21.48 billion. Procter & Gamble had a net margin of 17.60% and a return on equity of 34.04%. The companys revenue was up 3.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.59 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts expect that The Procter & Gamble Company will post 6.45 EPS for the current fiscal year. Procter & Gamble Dividend Announcement The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 15th. Investors of record on Friday, January 19th were given a dividend of $0.9407 per share. 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 2.32%. Procter & Gambles payout ratio is presently 62.98%. Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities analysts recently commented on the stock. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Procter & Gamble from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, February 29th. The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on shares of Procter & Gamble in a research note on Friday, March 1st. They issued a neutral rating and a $168.00 target price on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on shares of Procter & Gamble from $162.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their target price on shares of Procter & Gamble from $169.00 to $162.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, January 18th. Finally, Truist Financial upgraded shares of Procter & Gamble from a hold rating to a buy rating and upped their target price for the stock from $160.00 to $175.00 in a research note on Monday, March 11th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $168.41. Read Our Latest Research Report on PG Procter & Gamble Company Profile (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. Featured Stories 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. Ternium (NYSE:TX Get Free Report) had its target price boosted by analysts at JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $48.00 to $51.50 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Thursday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has an overweight rating on the basic materials companys stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co.s target price points to a potential upside of 25.46% from the stocks previous close. Separately, TheStreet raised shares of Ternium from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a research report on Friday, January 12th. Get Ternium alerts: Check Out Our Latest Analysis on TX Ternium Trading Up 0.1 % Shares of NYSE TX traded up $0.05 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $41.05. 9,782 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 153,204. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $39.24 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $39.25. The company has a market capitalization of $8.06 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.93, a P/E/G ratio of 0.95 and a beta of 1.69. Ternium has a 12 month low of $35.22 and a 12 month high of $45.58. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08, a current ratio of 3.16 and a quick ratio of 1.86. Ternium (NYSE:TX Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 20th. The basic materials company reported $2.11 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.32 by $0.79. The company had revenue of $4.93 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.94 billion. Ternium had a net margin of 3.84% and a return on equity of 10.84%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 39.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.20 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Ternium will post 8.1 EPS for the current year. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Ternium A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Lazard Asset Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Ternium by 29.0% in the 4th quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 3,681,706 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $112,512,000 after purchasing an additional 827,276 shares during the period. Ninety One UK Ltd raised its holdings in Ternium by 20.5% in the 3rd quarter. Ninety One UK Ltd now owns 1,715,948 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $68,466,000 after acquiring an additional 291,825 shares during the period. Contrarian Capital Management L.L.C. raised its holdings in Ternium by 8.9% in the 4th quarter. Contrarian Capital Management L.L.C. now owns 1,117,981 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $47,481,000 after acquiring an additional 91,629 shares during the period. Victory Capital Management Inc. raised its holdings in Ternium by 48.7% in the 3rd quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 966,286 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $38,555,000 after acquiring an additional 316,432 shares during the period. Finally, Oaktree Capital Management LP raised its holdings in Ternium by 7.4% in the 4th quarter. Oaktree Capital Management LP now owns 958,237 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $40,696,000 after acquiring an additional 66,082 shares during the period. 12.07% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Ternium Company Profile (Get Free Report) Ternium SA, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, processes, and sells various steel products in Mexico, Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, Bolivia, Uruguay, Brazil, the United States, Colombia, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua. It operates through two segments, Steel and Mining. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Ternium Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ternium and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST Get Free Report) EVP Carrie Lee Kirby sold 72,748 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $62.63, for a total value of $4,556,207.24. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 184,201 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,536,508.63. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Vistra Stock Performance VST stock opened at $66.75 on Thursday. The businesss fifty day moving average is $48.35 and its 200-day moving average is $39.54. The company has a quick ratio of 1.11, a current ratio of 1.18 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.26. The company has a market cap of $23.22 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.65, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.84 and a beta of 1.03. Vistra Corp. has a twelve month low of $22.67 and a twelve month high of $66.88. Get Vistra alerts: Vistra Increases Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 29th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, March 20th will be paid a $0.215 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 19th. This represents a $0.86 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.29%. This is an increase from Vistras previous quarterly dividend of $0.21. Vistras dividend payout ratio is 23.74%. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several research firms have issued reports on VST. Evercore ISI upped their price objective on Vistra from $42.00 to $72.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Monday. BMO Capital Markets increased their price target on Vistra from $52.00 to $60.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, March 4th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $52.50. Get Our Latest Analysis on VST Institutional Trading of Vistra Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in VST. MetLife Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in Vistra during the 1st quarter worth $223,000. Rhumbline Advisers increased its holdings in Vistra by 2.5% during the 1st quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 458,182 shares of the companys stock worth $10,653,000 after purchasing an additional 11,136 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. increased its holdings in Vistra by 2.3% during the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 23,939,759 shares of the companys stock worth $556,597,000 after purchasing an additional 534,299 shares in the last quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in Vistra by 15.5% during the 1st quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC now owns 26,786 shares of the companys stock worth $623,000 after purchasing an additional 3,595 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Raymond James Trust N.A. increased its holdings in Vistra by 44.8% during the 1st quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. now owns 39,151 shares of the companys stock worth $910,000 after purchasing an additional 12,108 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 91.31% of the companys stock. Vistra Company Profile (Get Free Report) Vistra Corp., together with its subsidiaries, operates as an integrated retail electricity and power generation company. The company operates through six segments: Retail, Texas, East, West, Sunset, and Asset Closure. It retails electricity and natural gas to residential, commercial, and industrial customers across 20 states in the United States and the District of Columbia. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Vistra Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Vistra and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Paragon Capital Management Ltd cut its position in shares of WestRock (NYSE:WRK Free Report) by 17.9% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 7,195 shares of the basic materials companys stock after selling 1,571 shares during the quarter. Paragon Capital Management Ltds holdings in WestRock were worth $299,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Several other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of WRK. Natixis Advisors L.P. increased its position in shares of WestRock by 14.7% during the 1st quarter. Natixis Advisors L.P. now owns 39,928 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $1,878,000 after purchasing an additional 5,108 shares during the period. MetLife Investment Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of WestRock by 21.3% in the 1st quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 71,551 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $3,365,000 after acquiring an additional 12,559 shares during the last quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS grew its holdings in shares of WestRock by 5.1% in the 1st quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 35,219 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $1,656,000 after acquiring an additional 1,705 shares during the last quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can grew its holdings in shares of WestRock by 0.9% in the 1st quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 208,790 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $10,379,000 after acquiring an additional 1,762 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Yousif Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of WestRock by 0.6% in the 1st quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC now owns 53,133 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $2,499,000 after acquiring an additional 340 shares during the last quarter. 85.51% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get WestRock alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of equities analysts recently issued reports on the company. Royal Bank of Canada restated a sector perform rating and issued a $42.00 target price on shares of WestRock in a report on Friday, February 2nd. Seaport Res Ptn downgraded WestRock from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a report on Monday, January 29th. StockNews.com initiated coverage on WestRock in a report on Friday, March 15th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Truist Financial lifted their price target on WestRock from $40.00 to $48.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Thursday, January 4th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reiterated an equal weight rating and set a $45.00 price target (up previously from $42.00) on shares of WestRock in a report on Thursday, January 11th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $42.40. WestRock Stock Performance WRK traded down $0.72 on Thursday, hitting $48.72. 847,243 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,117,841. WestRock has a 52 week low of $26.85 and a 52 week high of $49.66. The company has a current ratio of 1.55, a quick ratio of 0.95 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.81. The firm has a market capitalization of $12.50 billion, a PE ratio of -7.32, a P/E/G ratio of 4.01 and a beta of 1.09. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $43.26 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $39.87. WestRock (NYSE:WRK Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 1st. The basic materials company reported $0.20 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.35 by ($0.15). WestRock had a negative net margin of 8.58% and a positive return on equity of 6.87%. The firm had revenue of $4.62 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.79 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.55 earnings per share. The companys revenue was down 6.2% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts predict that WestRock will post 1.95 EPS for the current fiscal year. WestRock Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, February 21st. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 9th were paid a $0.3025 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 8th. This represents a $1.21 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.48%. WestRocks dividend payout ratio is currently -18.01%. Insider Activity In other news, insider Vicki L. Lostetter sold 3,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $42.77, for a total value of $149,695.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 92,117 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,939,844.09. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.49% of the companys stock. About WestRock (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. Featured Articles 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. Commissioner says police were only doing their job Hormuud Telecom launched 5G in key locations across Somalia with 4G customers receiving free upgrades to the next generation technology starting from today (March 21). Subscribers will see their connectivity upgrade to 5G at no extra cost in the following locations: Mogadishu, Kismayo, Galkayo and Baidoa, Dhusamareeb, Beledwayne, Afgoye, Merca and Dhobley. The operator noted its 5G coverage across these locations is up to 81%. Hormuud highlighted how the the faster speed and reliability will be a significant tool for subscirbers that rely on mobile money services for business and leisure. The 5G service will provide speeds of 10Gbps/100Gbps/200Gbps/400Gbps based on request per single wavelength with a total capacity of 0.96Tbps/9.6Tbps/19Tbps/38Tbps. Hormuud will offer customers an unlimited data plan that costs US$20 per month which it claimed rivals the most affordable in Africa. Hormuud customers use on average 5GB monthly, which is up from 1-2 gigabytes two years ago. The new technology will support deployment of IoT products that will upgrade Hormuuds disaster management systems, enabling the platform to monitor environmental conditions in real time through sensors. Hormuud noted 70% of Somalias population has access to 4G connectivity following the operators 4G network deployment that began in 2015. The company is aiming for 88% coverage in urban areas and 70% in rural locations. Minister of Telecommunication for the Federal Government of Somalia, Jama Hassan Khalif, said: As Somalia strides towards stability, the launch of 5G services by Hormuud Telecom emerges as a critical milestone. This initiative is more than just a technological advancement; its a symbol of our nations commitment to growth and constant improvement. Enhanced connectivity is pivotal for Somalia, underpinning the growth of a resilient economy and empowered citizens its about giving every Somali, their family, and their business, access to the digital tools they need to thrive. Hormuud Telecom CEO Ahmed Yusuf added: We aim to ensure that the benefits of 5G faster internet, improved services across sectors such as healthcare, education, and agriculture become accessible to all, fostering a future where everyone can benefit, in myriad ways, from this advanced technology. This initiative is about more than just connectivity; it's about empowering our communities, stimulating progress, and paving the way for a thriving, digitally inclusive society." AI "anxiety" swept across netizens and industries in China last month, when OpenAI, the United States company that developed the artificial intelligence-powered language model ChatGPT, launched Sora a text-to-video model that allows users to create photorealistic videos based on prompts they've written. Why weren't groundbreaking technologies such as Sora and ChatGPT created in China? How long will it be before China's equivalent of Sora comes out? Is the AI gap between China and the US widening? These were typical of some of the questions being asked across the nation. While some people in China are concerned about falling behind the US in frontier AI technologies, leading company executives and experts believe that China's AI large modela type of AI algorithm that uses deep learning and data sets to understand, summarize, generate and predict new content has developed quicker than expected and has unique advantages over its US counterpart. They did concede, however, that more joint efforts are needed to develop underlying AI technologies such as GPT-4 as well as computing power to close the gap with the US. "There is no need to be overly anxious about the launch of Sora," said Liu Qingfeng, chairman of Chinese AI company iFlytek Co Ltd. "Sora is just a successful implementation of basic capabilities of GPT-4 in the video sector, in other words, the underlying competitiveness of such tech still lies in GPT-4." Liu, who is also a deputy to the 14th National People's Congress, the nation's top legislature, said that the main focus of the current AI competition between the US and China is still over the capability of the base of the AI large model. "In terms of such a foundation, Chinese companies have the confidence to develop it quite well. It is impossible for the country to be left with a huge gap to the US in AI development," he said. Zhou Chengxiong, a researcher from the Institutes of Science and Development of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said while most of the current breakthroughs in AI technology are emerging from US companies, latecomers also have advantages. For instance, they have fewer risks and uncertainties during the progress in development. "In addition, Chinese companies have developed AI large models and related technologies in a profitable way over the past year and have already accumulated basic infrastructure and technologies needed to develop the equivalent of Sora and ChatGPT," Zhou said. He added that, "China still has a huge opportunity to be at the forefront of the world in the application of AI technologies in the future." Steady progress As of October, China had developed 254 AI large models with a parameter of at least a billion tokens each, according to a report released by the Beijing Municipal Science &Technology Commission. Tokens are chunks of text that AI learns from, while a parameter is used for evaluating numeric data. From December to February, more than 10 A-share companies, including Wondershare, BroadV, Eclicktech and Hanvon Technology disclosed their investment and progress made in their text-to-video models. Well aware of the opportunities, Chinese tech companies such as Alibaba Group, Tencent Holdings, Baidu Inc, ByteDance and Huawei Technologies as well as thousands of startups are scrambling to develop AI large models. Many of them have gained momentum over the past year. Liu's iFlytek, based in Hefei, Anhui province, unveiled its SparkDesk AI large model in May. The company said in January that its upgraded version outperformed GPT-4 Turbo the latest generation of ChatGPT in metrics including language understanding and math. Its capability in multimodal understanding had reached 91 percent of that of OpenAI's most advanced model. The company said that SparkDesk is expected to reach the level of GPT-4 Turbo "in an all-around way" in the first half of this year. Liu said Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei had sent the company's highest-level team to Hefei to work on co-development of the model. "Through continuous optimization of software and hardware like chips, the training efficiency has increased from 20 to 30 percent to the current 90 percent," Liu said of the advances made in Spark-Desk's development. Domestic tech giant Tencent Holdings debuted its AI large model, Hunyuan, in September. Hunyuan has so far been connected to more than 50 of Tencent's products and services, such as WeChat search, cloud, advertising, gaming, financial technology, online meetings and documents. In June, Tencent Cloud, the company's cloud subsidiary, also launched an industry-specific large model. Compared with general large models like ChatGPT, industry-specific large models are industrial versions of ChatGPT focused on niche sectors. Landmark year Zhou Hongyi, founder and chairman of 360 Security Technology and a member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the country's top political advisory body, said that 2024 should be the "year of application" for Chinese AI development. "China can follow a development path of large models with Chinese characteristics that will support the development of large models in the direction of vertical sectors and industrialization to help accelerate the formation of new quality productive forces," he said. Compared with traditional productive tools that are driven by factors such as labor, land and capital, new quality productive forces refer to technological innovation, data and smart or intelligent technologies. "Developing a universal large model that surpasses GPT-4 in an all-around way may be challenging at the moment, but GPT-4 currently knows everything, yet (it is) not specialized," he explained. "If we can excel in a particular business domain by training a large model with unique business data and integrate it with many business tools within that vertical such a large model will not only have intelligence but also possess unique knowledge," he said. "It is entirely possible for China to surpass its US counterparts in a year or two." Zhou Yu, chairman of Beijing Fanyu Technology Co, a startup specializing in natural language processing products and services, said Chinese and US startups appear to be adopting different approaches to developing large models that drive generative AI. "The US puts more emphasis on the research and development of underlying technology and groundbreaking innovations. The US is a world leader in terms of hardware and deep-learning frameworks," Zhou said. "China focuses more on applications, and those launching these startups are better at adapting technology to various industries, and commercializing different applications. Chinese companies are also more flexible in creating personalized products and innovations," she added. Zhou Hongyi from 360 Security Technology suggested at the two sessions in Beijing earlier this month that the government and State-owned enterprises take the lead in opening up more application development scenarios, so that large models can drive the digitalization of enterprises and various industries. The Government Work Report released at the two sessions said China will step up research and development, applications of big data and AI, launch an AI Plus initiative, and build internationally competitive digital industry clusters. The country will also strive to modernize its industrial system and develop new quality productive forces at a faster pace, give full rein to the leading role of innovation, spur industrial innovation through innovations in science and technology, and press ahead with new industrialization, according to the report. Regional role Several provincial-level regions across China identified new quality productive forces like AI as their top priorities at meetings in February, where they released their blueprint and action plans for 2024. Huang Kunming, Party chief of Guangdong province, said that as a pacesetter, Guangdong should take the lead in reaching the level of a moderately developed and innovative economy by 2035. But, he added, there are still large gaps and deficiencies. The key to achieving these goals is technological innovation, industrial development, and the continuous unleashing and development of new quality productive forces such as AI. Wang Peng, a researcher at the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences, said intensified and joint efforts by the central government, local governments and companies will create more opportunities for China. He noted that China unveiled a new-generation AI development plan back in 2017. This helped the country accumulate technical reserves and organize teams in the field of cognitive intelligence, making China an important player in the global AI arena. "Now, AI has been put even higher on the agenda. It is entirely possible for China to leverage existing resources to gain a lead in AI development in the new round of global technological competition," he said. Smarter approach Though China has quickly developed AI large models and related areas, Wu Hequan, an academician at the Chinese Academy of Engineering, said that greater efforts are needed to close the gaps in computing power and key underlying technologies. AI large model training requires a huge amount of computation, he said, so expanding the supply of computing power has become increasingly important in the global race for AI leadership. As the US continues to restrict exports to China of high-end processors, such efforts are more urgent than ever. China aims to boost its aggregate computing power by more than 30 percent by 2025. The nation's computing power last year touched 197 Eflops a measure of the performance of a supercomputer and it ranked second globally behind the US, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology data showed. Wang Xiaochuan, founder of Baichuan AI, has said that OpenAI is currently attempting to connect 10 million graphics processing units. By comparison, China has far less amount of GPUs, an indication that core resources needed in the country's AI development are lacking, Wang said. Zhang Feng, deputy director of the Institutes of Science and Development of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, pointed out that China also faces security challenges in its development of AI large models. "More efforts are needed to strengthen the safety evaluation of large model technology, develop security specifications and standards applicable to large models, and conduct security assessments and vulnerability detection on large model data privacy protection," she said. Zhang said the lack of openness in regard to high-quality data sets was also a problem. "Due to unclear data ownership and sharing specifications, it is difficult to publicly obtain large-scale, high-quality data, which will hinder the collaborative development of AI large model technology and applications," Zhang said. She added that China should make coordinated efforts to construct large-scale data sets, promote greater openness of high-quality public data, and gradually open up such data to leading companies for their use and further development. The mobile money market matured as transaction value grew by 14% to US$1.4 trillion and total global registered accounts reached 1.75 billion in 2023, an increase of 12% year-on-year. In a statement, the industry body detailed in its 2024 Mobile Money Programme report transaction volumes had increased by 23% year-on-year to 85 billion annually. Between 2013 and 2022 countries with mobile money services saw a US$600 billion higher GDP than those without, equivalent to mobile money increasing GDP by 1.5%. The GSMA noted the rate of growth in registered accounts had slowed compared to 2022 showing the sector is maturing and mobile money is being used more frequently for smaller transactions. Mobile money providers found there were was a 98% increase in female subscribers for their platforms between September 2022 and June 2023. In the same time frame, average revenue per user grew from US$2.2 to US$3.2 - an increase of 40%. Mobile money accounts in Sub-Saharan Africa had grown for two consecutive years by 47% in 2023, the highest since 2019. Sub-Saharan Africa accounted for over 70% of the total growth in registered accounts in 2023, with South Asia contributing a fifth. Use cases powered by mobile money are becoming more sophisticated as providers are now offering adjacent financial products such as credit, savings, and insurance. Credit is the most popular service among those mentioned as take up of credit surged 73% year-on-year. West African mobile money powerhouse Nigeria, Ghana, and Senegal recorded a 100% increase in registered accounts from 2013 to 2023, making these markets leaders in mobile money adoption. The growth was driven by positive regulatory frameworks facilitating a shift to digital transactions, and underpinned by the popularity of international remittances and merchant payments. The West African Economic and Monetary Union reported 110 million new mobile money accounts between 2018 and 2022. This in turn showed financial inclusion grew from 56% to 71% for a population of over 137 million, with 60% residing in rural areas. Remaining barriers Several barriers still remain for financial inclusion. The biggest challenge is low mobile device ownership, an issue that continues to persist. The gender gap remains large as women are 7% less likely to own a mobile device. A gap in mobile ownership exists in all markets except Kenya. Other user barriers include perceived relevance, digital skills, social norms, and trust levels. Another major barrier is high taxation, the GSMA noted Ghana and Tanzania saw negative effects from higher taxes on mobile money transactions. GSMA Head of Financial Inclusion & AgriTech, Ashley Olson Onyango, said: As the industry has started to mature, it is also clear that mobile money offers a sound commercial proposition. Between 2022 and 2023 the average revenue per user rose 40% validating the recent investment that the industry has seen. To ensure mobile money remains safe, accessible, and affordable, there is a clear need for governments and regulators to work with financial service providers to launch financial literacy programmes that can empower underserved populations and improve their financial decision-making. Trinamul Congress national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee has got relief from the Supreme Court, ahead of Lok Sabha elections. The SC has ordered the Enforcement Directorate that it cannot summon Abhishek to Delhi during the Sabha elections. Abhishek Banerjee is a Trinamul candidate from Diamond Harbour constituency. The next hearing date in the Supreme Court is 10 July. According to the Supreme Court order, Abhishek cannot be summoned to Delhi till the next hearing date. That is, the ED cannot summon Abhishek to Delhi during the Lok Sabha polls. A bench of Justice Bela M Trivedi and Justice Pankaj Mithal gave this order. Advertisement Abhishek Banerjee approached the Supreme Court against EDs summons in the illegal coal mining case. Advocate Kapil Sibal, on behalf of Abhishek Banerjee, requested the court not to summon the ED in Delhi at least till July, during the Lok Sabha elections. Sibal also told the court that Abhishek has always cooperated with the ED investigations. The MP has submitted 10-year income tax return as directed by ED. He has always responded to the summons and faced questioning. Trinamul Congress welcomed the Supreme Court order. Further, as the ED had not summoned Mr Banerjee after March 2022 and Ms Rujira Banerjee after September 2023, therefore there was no pressing urgency for them to be summoned now in the run up to the elections and therefore have listed the matter on 10 July 2024. The interim order passed earlier by SC, has been directed to continue. In the SLP filed by ED against the interim order granted by Calcutta High Court directing that Mr Sumit Roy (personal secretary to Mr Bannerjee), be summoned and questioned only in Kolkata and order of no-coercive steps, the court today noticed that the respondent had not been summoned after the interim order and therefore the said matter is to be listed with other connected matters on 10 July. All interim orders to continue. A distressing incident unfolded aboard an IndiGo flight from Hyderabad to Kolkata. Prashant Gaisani, a 35-year-old passenger, experienced severe abdominal pain mid-flight, prompting him to alert the cabin crew yesterday. With quick thinking, the cabin crew promptly contacted the pilot, who, in turn, communicated with authorities at Kolkatas Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport seeking permission for an emergency landing. Following protocol, the IndiGo flight safely landed at Kolkata Airport, where a medical team was on standby to assist Mr Gaisani. Upon disembarking, he received immediate medical attention from airport medical staff before being transferred to a nearby private hospital on VIP Road via ambulance. Mr. Gaisani remains under observation at the hospital, with his condition reported as stable. This incident highlights the swift response and coordinated efforts of airline personnel and airport authorities in ensuring the safety and well-being of passengers during emergencies. Advertisement With the focus on broadening startup interactions among the SCO member states, the fourth edition of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Startup Forum was organized on March 19 in the national capital, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said on Thursday. The forum aims at fostering an environment conducive to innovation, promoting job creation, and inspiring young talent to develop innovative solutions. At the plenary session, physical participation from SCO Member States including a delegation of SCO startups, nodal agencies for startups at the Member States, senior government officials and diplomats was witnessed. Advertisement Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Rajesh Kumar Singh delivered the keynote address highlighting the role of the startup ecosystem in boosting the economy of a nation. Joint Secretary, DPIIT, Sanjiv addressed the delegation about Indias startup journey and initiatives for promoting startups by the Government of India. A showcase opportunity at the SCO pavilion was provided where over 15 SCO startups showed their products and services. The showcase provided networking opportunities designed to inspire, educate, and empower these entrepreneurs. In addition, the delegates also attended a workshop conducted by Startup India on Establishing a Seed Fund: A Strategic Approach to Fostering Innovation and Entrepreneurship. The workshop included an interactive session to understand various models of setting up seed funds to support early-stage startups, and provided participants with comprehensive insights into the strategic planning and execution involved in setting up a seed fund. It is to be noted that in Samarkand, Uzbekistan on 16th September 2022, all the Member States agreed to create a Special Working Group for Startups and Innovation (SWG) at the Summit of SCO Heads of State. Given the importance of innovation and entrepreneurship in driving and diversifying an economy, India had proposed this initiative in 2020 to create a new pillar of cooperation between the SCO Member States. The SWG was created with the vision of fostering collaboration among SCO Member States, to not only benefit the startup ecosystem, but also accelerate regional economic development. In 2023, after multiple rounds of meetings chaired by DPIIT, the Member States decided to approve and adopt the Regulations of the SWG to be permanently chaired by India in SCO. The Uttar Pradesh government is completing seven years under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath later this month. Shedding its previous BIMARU label, the state has transformed into a symbol of swift progress nationwide. Playing a crucial role, Uttar Pradesh is at the forefront of realising Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision for a developed India. The Yogi 2.0 government took the oath of office on March 25, 2022. Advertisement Over the past seven years, Uttar Pradesh has witnessed transformative changes not just in law enforcement, but also across various sectors including infrastructure, transportation, womens empowerment, job creation, investment, and welfare schemes. With its steadfast momentum, Uttar Pradesh inches closer to claiming the top spot in the nations economy, while also making significant strides towards self-reliance. With investment projects worth over Rs 10 lakh crore launched during the Ground Breaking Ceremony (GBC@4.0) recently, Uttar Pradesh has emerged as a favourite destination for industrialists and entrepreneurs from across the country. When considering the collective investments from all four GBCs held in the state, this sum totals approximately Rs 16 lakh crore. This substantial influx of investment has not only fuelled Uttar Pradeshs economic growth but has also generated extensive employment opportunities. GBC@4.0 alone is expected to create over 34 lakh job opportunities. It is noteworthy that Uttar Pradesh has transitioned from being a BIMARU state to coming close to becoming an industrial state. Uttar Pradesh, with seven cities with a population of more than 10 lakh and five cities with a population of more than 5 lakh, has 56 per cent of its population working. The state not only has a population of 250 million, but also has a huge consumer base, with around 425 million people residing in neighboring states. The massive consumer market offered by UP is a major attraction for investors. The state, which was once known for roads full of potholes before 2017, has now become the state with the most operational expressways in the country. Currently, there are 6 operational expressways in the state, with 7 more in various stages of construction. Among them, the Ganga Expressway, which is approximately 600 kilometres long, is set to be completed by the end of this year. Uttar Pradesh will soon become the first state in the country to have five operational international airports. Currently, the state boasts 15 fully functional domestic airports, including Agra, Trishul (Bareilly), Gorakhpur, Hindon (Ghaziabad), Prayagraj, Kanpur, Aligarh, Azamgarh, Moradabad, Shravasti, and Chitrakoot. Additionally, the international airports in Lucknow, Varanasi, Kushinagar, and Ayodhya are operational. Moreover, Asias largest international airport in Jewar, Noida, is ready and preparations are underway to make it operational soon. Besides, the domestic airports in Saharanpur, Sonbhadra, Lalitpur, Meerut, and Palia are in different phases of construction. Uttar Pradesh is rapidly advancing towards its goal of achieving a one trillion dollar economy by 2027. This progress is attributable to governance policies centred around faith, welfare, and economic growth, reflected in the consistent expansion of the states budget in tandem with developmental strides. Illustratively, the states budget, which stood at Rs 3.46 lakh crore in 2016-17, has now more than doubled to Rs 7.36 lakh crore for the fiscal year 2024-25. In the words of the Chief Minister, the Budget 2024-25 represents the Prime Ministers vision of making Uttar Pradesh the growth engine of the country and a 1 trillion dollar economy. When it comes to Uttar Pradeshs Gross Domestic State Product (GSDP), the states GSDP in 2016-17 was Rs 12.75 lakh crore which rose to Rs 25 lakh crore in 2024-25. With this, Uttar Pradesh has become the second-largest economy in the country. Despite the global pandemic COVID-19 in 2019-20, the state has continued to progress at a steady economic growth rate of 14 per cent. The governments emphasis on development through capital expenditure in both social and economic sectors has played a significant role in this progress. Over the past seven years, the Yogi government, following a zero-tolerance policy against mafias and criminals, has strengthened the law and order situation in the state. More than 194 criminals have died in encounters with the police in the last seven years. Moreover, through effective prosecution in courts, over 24,743 criminals have been convicted. Over 71,600 criminals have been sent to jail under the Gangster Act, and movable and immovable properties worth more than Rs 124 billion 4 crore 18 lakh and 52 thousand were confiscated. Action has been taken against 68 mafia and their gang members and associates at the state level while property worth over Rs 3,758 crore has been confiscated. According to the NCRB report, Uttar Pradesh is the leading state in the country in punishing criminals involved in crimes against women. The biggest emphasis of the state government is on shaping the future of the youth. In the last seven years, the state government has set a record by giving government jobs to more than seven lakh youth. Apart from this, more than one crore employment opportunities have also been created by connecting the youth with the private sector and self-employment. The state government has also started the Mukhyamantri Yuva Udyami Vikas Abhiyan in this years budget, under which a loan facility of up to Rs 5 lakh without interest will be provided to 10 lakh youth in the next 10 years to help them establish start-ups. Integrated Command and Control Centre and Intelligent Traffic Management System are operational in 10 smart cities in the state at a cost of around Rs 2,000 crore. In the ranking of smart cities, Agra and Varanasi have continuously featured among the top 10 cities of the country. On the lines of the Smart City Mission Plan of the Central government, Uttar Pradesh has taken an innovative initiative to develop other 7 municipal corporations of the state (Ayodhya, Firozabad, Gorakhpur, Ghaziabad, Mathura-Vrindavan, Meerut and Shahjahanpur) as Smart Cities. A better environment of social security has been created in Uttar Pradesh over the past seven years. While over 3.19 lakh daughters have been married off through various initiatives in these seven years, through the Mukhyamantri Abhyudaya Yojana, a first-ever initiative was taken to think about the bright future of talented youths preparing for civil services. Since the inception of this scheme in 2020-21, more than 51,000 youths have benefited from it. Over the past seven years, the governments focus has been on the development of every section of society through social security initiatives. Under the Jan Aabhiyan-2023 tree plantation campaign, 36.16 crore saplings were planted within two days in Uttar Pradesh. The greenery in UP has expanded over the past seven years. Between 2003 and 2016-17, during the previous governments tenure, an average of 4 to 6 crore plantations were carried out annually. However, there has been an increase in this since the Yogi government took office. In 2017-18, 5.72 crore saplings were planted, which more than doubled to 11.77 crore in 2018-19, going further up to 22.60 crore in 2019-20, 25.87 crore in 2020-21, and 30.53 crore in 2021-22. In 2022-23, 35 crore and in 2023-24, 36.16 crore saplings were planted. This means a total of 167.65 crore saplings have been planted in seven years. The education sector has undergone radical changes in the last seven years. Today, under Project Alankar, the establishment of smart classes has commenced in 1,060 government high schools in the state. Furthermore, the operation of Atal Residential Schools is being carried out by the Uttar Pradesh Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board. Except for Bareilly and Moradabad, the operation of Atal Residential Schools commenced in all 16 divisions from September 11, 2023. Additionally, new government industrial training institutes are being established in 36 unserved assembly constituencies in the state. Moreover, new government industrial training institutes are also being established in 45 unserved constituencies of the state. Once known as a BIMARU state, Uttar Pradesh is now witnessing several achievements in healthcare services due to the efforts of the Yogi government. Over the past seven years, the state has been recognised with several awards for better performance in healthcare services. Additionally, the Yogi government has taken several significant steps to establish Uttar Pradesh as a hub for medicine production. As a result, medical device parks, bulk drug parks, and meditech parks are being set up in the state. Strengthening the healthcare infrastructure in the state over the past seven years, Uttar Pradesh now has 35 government medical colleges, 31 private medical colleges, 3,828 MBBS seats in the government sector, and 5,450 MBBS seats in the private sector. Currently, the state also operates two AIIMS, namely Rae Bareli (with 100 MBBS seats) and Gorakhpur (with 125 MBBS seats). Uttar Pradesh is now recognised not as a land of mafias but as a land of festivals. With more than 50 events held in a year, not only is the tourism-based economy gaining momentum but also the perception of Uttar Pradesh is changing globally. To boost tourism activities in the state, the Tourism Department is promoting events organised domestically and internationally. Notably, there is not a single geographical area in Uttar Pradesh where local identity and heritage are not valued, leading to the organisation of fairs, festivals, and events. This is why Uttar Pradesh has welcomed more than 44 crore tourists in the past year, setting a new record. Diljit Dosanjh is about to bring a fresh spin to the iconic 90s track Choli Ke Peeche for the upcoming film Crew, following the success of his earlier song Naina. Directed by Rajesh A Krishnan, Crew boasts a stellar cast including Kareena Kapoor Khan, Tabu, and Kriti Sanon playing the roles of bold and sassy air hostesses. TIPS music production recently teased fans on Instagram with a snippet of the new song, promising a dose of 90s nostalgia combined with the fun vibes of Crew. The track, remixed by Akshay & IP, features Diljit Dosanjh and IP Singh on vocals with lyrics penned by IP Singh. In the songs video, Kareena rocks a pink outfit as she grooves to the beats, paying homage to Madhuri Dixits iconic moves from the original track Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai from the movie Khal Nayak. Notably, the songs launch was a unique affair, being the first-ever song video to debut on a hoarding in Mumbai. Advertisement Enjoy the Choli ke peeche song: Choreographed by the renowned Farah Khan, the song adds another layer of excitement to the films trailer, which introduces Kareena, Tabu, and Kriti as fed-up flight attendants stumbling upon a fortune in gold bars on a passenger. However, their plans take a comedic turn as they face numerous obstacles. The film, produced by Balaji Telefilms and Anil Kapoor Film & Communications Network, was initially slated for release on March 22 but has been pushed to March 29. Crew promises to be a hilarious ride, blending laughter with the struggles of the airline industry and the unexpected twists faced by its protagonists. Notably, this project marks the second collaboration between Ektaa R Kapoor and Rhea Kapoor, following their successful venture with Veere Di Wedding in 2018. With a stellar cast, foot-tapping music, and a storyline packed with humor and excitement, Crew is ready to entertain audiences when it hits the theaters. Pulkit Samrat and Kriti Kharbanda seem to have had a joyous return to Mumbai after their wedding festivities. Their airport arrival was met with warm wishes from paparazzi, capturing the newlyweds in a jubilant mood. Pulkit opted for a blue kurta and white pyjamas, while Kriti looked stunning in a pink Anarkali suit, accentuated by her red choodas, sindoor, and mangalsutra. The couple shared glimpses of their mehendi ceremony, showcasing their love and affection through candid moments. Their Instagram posts were full of sweet captions, expressing their deep bond and excitement for this new chapter in their lives. Advertisement View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kriti Kharbanda (@kriti.kharbanda) Kriti also shared her culinary skills, presenting her first dish post-marriage, adding a personal touch to their journey together. Their wedding attire was nothing short of elegant, with Kriti dazzling in a pink lehenga and Pulkit looking dashing in a mint green sherwani. Their social media posts have congratulatory messages, reflecting the immense love and support they have from fans and well-wishers. The speculation about their wedding had been brewing since Valentines Day, where they hinted at a March wedding through their romantic vacation posts. Both Pulkit and Kriti have been making strides in their respective careers, with Pulkit featuring in recent projects like the Fukrey series and Kriti gearing up for her upcoming movie, Risky Romeo. Its heartwarming to see the couple embark on this journey together, filled with love, support, and shared dreams for the future. In a heartfelt message to her fans, Raashii Khanna expressed her gratitude for the warm response to her latest movie, Yodha. Taking to Instagram, she shared some stills from the film and penned a note thanking her supporters for embracing her character. Your messages and love have truly warmed my heart, she wrote. Thank you for letting me be a part of your cinematic experience. Im on a mission to bring you roles that inspire and delight! Yodha, produced by Karan Johars Dharma Productions, stars Raashii alongside Sidharth Malhotra and Disha Patani. Reflecting on her dream of being a Dharma heroine, Raashii shared her excitement, albeit with a humorous twist. Ive always dreamt of being in a Dharma film, wearing a chiffon saree, surrounded by snow, she revealed during an Instagram live session. Well, in Yodha, Ive got the saree part covered, but no snowy song yet. Im halfway there! Directed by debutant duo Sagar Ambre and Pushkar Ojha, Yodha is a high-octane action thriller that follows Arun Katyal, the commanding officer of an elite unit, the Yodha Task Force, on a thrilling rescue operation. Advertisement During a promotional event in Delhi, Sidharth Malhotra discussed the films unique elements. Yodha is a completely fictitious story, he explained. Creating a new task force allowed us to take many liberties. The action sequences are different from Shershaah here, Im more energetic and lean, using various weapons. Its a highly entertaining film with some of my best action sequences in the last decade. In addition to Yodha, Raashii recently appeared in the thriller series Farzi, where she starred opposite actor Shahid Kapoor. With her diverse roles and engaging performances, Raashii Khanna continues to captivate audiences across various platforms, promising more cinematic adventures in the future. In a major jolt to the Congress, senior party leader Anand Sharma has objected to a caste-based census, saying the issue is disrespecting the legacy of Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi. Sharma, who is a member of the Congress Working Committee (CWC), expressed his displeasure in a letter to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge dated March 19. Party leader Rahul Gandhi has made caste census a major political plank in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls and promised that, if elected, the INDIA alliance government will conduct this exercise across the country. Advertisement Sharma said a caste census cannot be a panacea nor a solution for unemployment and prevailing inequalities. In a three-page letter, he said though caste is a reality of Indian society, the Congress has never engaged in nor endorsed identity politics. That is detrimental to democracy in a society with a rich diversity or region, religion, caste, and ethnicity, he said. The veteran leader also recalled Indira Gandhis clarion call of 1980 Na jaat par na paat par, Mohar lagegi Haath par. After the Mandal riots, he said, Rajiv Gandhi, as a Leader of the Opposition, in his historic speech in Lok Sabha on September 6, 1990, said, We have problems if caste is defined to enshrine casteism in our countryWe have problems if casteism is going to be made a factor for parliamentary and Assembly ConstituenciesThe Congress cannot stand by and watch this nation being divided. Recalling the inclusive and all-encompassing approach of the Congress party, Sharma said the partys current stand will come as an indictment of previous Congress governments. Sharma, who served as Minister of Commerce and Industry from 2009 to 2014, said the departure from the partys historic position is a matter of concern for many Congressmen and women across the country. It calls for reflection, he said. After Independence, a conscious policy decision was made by the Government not to canvas caste-related questions in the census, except for SCs and STs, which is collected by the States, he said, adding that all census commissioners, after independence, have recorded their reasons and disapproval of a national caste census. The CWC leader also hinted at lack of coordination in the party. Sharmas letter has put the party in an uncomfortable position as it has been striving to make caste census a rallying point ahead of the general election. The ruling BJP had termed Rahuls jitni abadi, utna haq poll pitch backward and regressive, and now with discordant voices within the party, its campaign may hit a rough patch. Sharma is also one of the G-23 leaders who wrote a scathing letter to the then Congress president Sonia Gandhi in 2021 and called for sweeping changes in the partys structure and functioning. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) in the liquor policy case on Thursday night after he was quizzed for about two hours by the probe agency. Confirming the arrest of the Delhi CM, AAP leader Saurabh Bhardwaj, taking to social media platform X, wrote: CM is arrested.Hours after the Delhi High Court refused to grant interim protection from coercive action to Kejriwal in connection with the EDs money laundering case linked to the liquor policy, the federal probe agency on Thursday evening reached his official residence and quizzed the AAP supremo.AAP Minister Atishi said that the party has moved to the Supreme Court for quashing the arrest and has requested an urgent hearing tonight. We have moved the Supreme Court for quashing the arrest of Delhi CM @ArvindKejriwal, by ED. We have asked for an urgent hearing by the Supreme Court tonight itself, Atishi posted on X. Earlier she told reporters about receiving the news that the probe agency has arrested Arvind Kejriwal, and added that the party said in the past that Arvind Kejriwal will run the government from jail. Heavy security arrangements were put in place outside the CM residence, while Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj, who reached there, was denied entry to the CM House where the ED teams were present, and questioned the CM in the excise policy case. Advertisement Bharadwaj, while speaking to reporters outside the CM House, said that the ED is inside. It seems there is a raid taking place, and the CM may be arrested. Delhi Ministers Atishi and Saurabh along with other AAP leaders reached the CMs residence but claimed that they were stopped from entering the house. Atishi, who also reached outside Kejriwals house, talking to media, had said the federal agency had come with the intention to arrest the CM. Delhi Mayor and AAP leader Shelly Oberoi also reached the spot and said that peoples blessings are with the AAP chief. There were barricades put outside the CM residence and security was stepped up with the deployment of RAF personnel, while near the residence AAP workers started to gather and began to stage a protest. On the other hand, AAP spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar alleged that whatever is happening shows the desperation of the Centre, as they want to keep Arvind Kejriwal away from the elections, since they know they cannot defeat the AAP chief in the upcoming General Elections. They have not been able to find the proceeds of crime, which is very crucial in the PMLA probe, Kakkar claimed. The AAP chief had received summons nine times. Since he started getting the summons last year in October, the AAP has been saying that the party will not be scared, and if their leader is arrested, they will run the government from jail. The ED had moved to a Delhi Court after Kejriwal skipped its multiple summons in February, and the agency had filed a complaint over him not complying with the summons. Recently, the probe agency had also issued summons to Kejriwal in a case related to the alleged irregularities in the Delhi Jal Boards tendering. Prominent minority leader Aminul Haque Laskar has joined the Congress in Assam after switching sides from the BJP in the run up to the general election. Laskar, who was the first minority MLA for the BJP in Assam in 2016, tendered his resignation on Wednesday. Previously serving as the deputy speaker of the Assam Assembly and as the chairperson of the Assam State Commission for Minorities, Laskar faced electoral defeat in 2021 at the hands of Karim Uddin Barbhuiya from the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF). Explaining his decision, Laskar cited departure of the BJPs core political values in Assam, noting significant discrepancies between the partys current stance and the principles he had aligned with during his 13-year tenure with them. Advertisement The induction of Laskar into the Congress party was met with approval by party officials, with Jitendra Singh Alwar, the partys in-charge in Assam, present during the ceremony. Laskars departure from the BJP raised concerns within the ruling party, particularly regarding its rapport with the minority community in Assam. Laskar, who was the sole Muslim MLA representing the BJP in the region since 2016, cautioned that his exit could dent the partys credibility among Muslim voters. He drew parallels between the ideologies of the BJP and the AIUDF, suggesting a convergence that could potentially harm the BJPs standing among minorities in Assam. Chief Justice of India, Justice DY Chandrachud on Thursday inaugurated a one-stop facility Accessibility Help Desk in the Supreme Court to help not just the differently abled people but also people requiring special assistance including senior citizens, and pregnant women. Announcing the opening of the one-stop facility Accessibility Help Desk in the Supreme Court, the Chief Justice Chandrachud said that it is in continuation of our mission which began with the report by a committee headed by Justice s. Ravindra Bhatt, who has since retired. The Committee had made various suggestions for making the Supreme Court accessible for people with special needs, not just the differently abled but senior citizens, pregnant women and all those people who require special assistance. Advertisement The CJI Chandrachud said: This is just the beginning, we are implementing the other recommendations made by the committee which consists of experts and stakeholders. The Chief Justice Chandrachud also inaugurated a Media Enclosure in the Supreme Court premises today. Inaugurating the media enclosure, CJI Chandrachud said: I hope that this will be a much-needed welcome facility for the media. We have a large contingent of the media which reports the proceedings of the Supreme Court which are matters of public interest. The CJI said: I was always worried about the fact that the camerapersons have no place to sit. I hope this will be a special facility where all of you can sit, and do your work without being exposed to the elements like the heat of the summer or rain. A delegation of the Congress party including senior party leaders Mukul Wasnik and Salman Khurshid on Thursday met the Election Commission of India (ECI) and submitted a set of complaints over alleged violations of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). Talking to reporters outside the poll panels office here, Khurshid informed that they have submitted complaints including advertisements of government works at various places of the country despite the MCC being in force, to the ECI. We have objected to advertisements of government works at various places in the country despite the Model Code of Conduct being in force, the senior party leader said. Advertisement Informing that a few issues that they have taken up have already been acted upon, Khurshid expressed hope that the poll panel will work as per the constitutional rights that it has. In one of the complaints, the Congress accused the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting of promoting a video of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The video in question showcases Narendra Modi wearing the Army uniform and interacting with Defence Personnel during the festivals. It is clear that the said video is nothing but an attempt by Narendra Modi and BJP, to use the defence personnel as a tool for their election campaign in the Lok Sabha elections, reads the complaint. It added: In fact, the BJP is now using the social media handle of Union Ministries to further the electoral interests of Narendra Modi and BJP. The Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has moved a fresh plea in the Delhi High Court seeking no coercive action against him in connection with the Excise policy case. The Division bench led by Justice Suresh Kumar Kait will hear the matter this morning. The Enforcement Directorate has issued 9 summons to him in the Excise case till now. On Wednesday, during the hearing in the related matter before the Delhi High Court, his lawyers stated that they have apprehension that ED will arrest him and he is ready to appear if he is given protection. According to the EDs last summon in the Excise Case, the financial probe agency has called him to appear before it on March 21, 2024. On Wednesday, the Delhi High Court sought the response of the ED on a plea filed by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal challenging the summons issued to him in connection with the Delhi excise policy case. During the hearing, the bench asked the Kejriwal lawyers, Why dont you appear before the Enforcement Directorate? In the reply, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi said that AAP leaders Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh were also arrested by the agency. We have an apprehension that ED will arrest him, but he is ready to appear if he is given protection. Kejriwal through plea has sought, the declaration of section (2) (s) of PMLA to be ultra vires, unconstitutional and arbitrary insofar to the extent that it is construed to include a political party within its ambit and sweep. Advertisement Kejriwal plea further stated that the present petition is being filed in extremely urgent and emergent circumstances where such arbitrary procedure under PMLA is sought to be employed to create a non-level playing field for the impending general elections scheduled to be held from April 19, 2024, and to skew the electoral process in the favour of the ruling party at the Centre that controls the ED through Ministry of Finance. That said action is being taken given Petitioners role as a vocal critic of the ruling party and his role as an opposition leader and partner of the INDIA alliance contesting the General Election to be held next year, the plea stated. By use of such provisions of PMLA for investigation/arrest or threat thereof, ED being in control of the Central Government, has been weaponized as a tool to coerce a change in the political landscape of the country in favour of the ruling dispensation, Kejriwal alleged. The plea further stated that it is the case of Petitioner that the said impugned summons dated February 26, 2024, and March 16, 2024, was sent to the Petitioner with an oblique motive to arrest the Petitioner (Kejriwal). The investigation in the present matter has been going on since August 22, 2022, i.e., for the last one and a half years and after investigation- as many as 6 Prosecution Complaints with thousands of documents stand filed. All necessary documents/ information are already in possession of Respondent and summoning Petitioner in person is therefore a ploy to illegally arrest Petitioner and the present matter is a clear case of malice. Since elaborate complaints with thousands of documents are filed by the Respondent- it is clear that all relevant material and information is already in possession of the Directorate of Enforcement. Last week, the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate of Rouse Avenue Court granted bail to Arvind Kejriwal on two complaints filed by ED for non-compliance with summons issued by the agency. During the hearing, Kejriwal appeared physically before the court. According to the ED, the agency wants to record Kejriwals statement in the case on issues like the formulation of policy, meetings held before it was finalized, and allegations of bribery. In its sixth charge sheet filed in the case on December 2, 2023, naming AAP leader Sanjay Singh and his aide Sarvesh Mishra, the ED claimed that the AAP used kickbacks worth Rs 45 crore generated via the policy as part of its assembly elections campaign in Goa in 2022. The now-scrapped excise policy was aimed at revitalizing the citys flagging liquor business and replacing a sales-volume-based regime with a licence fee for traders. Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena had ordered a probe into alleged irregularities in the policy. AAP has accused Saxenas predecessor, Anil Baijal, of sabotaging the move with a few last-minute changes that resulted in lower-than-expected revenues. Two senior AAP leaders, Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh, are in judicial custody in the case. Sisodia, who was the then Delhi Deputy Chief Minister, was arrested by the CBI on February 26 following several rounds of questioning. On October 5, ED arrested Sanjay Singh, who is a Rajya Sabha member. A Parliamentary delegation led by Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh on Thursday left for Geneva, Switzerland to attend the 148th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) during 23-27 March. The IPU has a membership of 180 countries. The delegation includes five Rajya Sabha members who are S Niranjan Reddy, Kartikeya Sharma, Ashok Mittal, Prashanta Nanda, Sumitra Balmik, along with Rajya Sabha Secretary-General P C Mody. During the Conference, Mr Harivansh will participate in discussions on different items of agenda concerning Parliamentary Diplomacy: Building Bridges for peace and understanding. He will also participate in a meeting of the BRICS Parliamentary Coordination Forum, besides other bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the IPU Assembly. Advertisement The delegation will join discussions in meetings of different standing committees on subjects like Peace and International Security; sustainable development; democracy and human rights; United Nations Affairs in addition to forums of Young Parliamentarians and Women Parliamentarians of the IPU. Several other subjects are before nations at the global level on which Members of the Delegation will participate for putting across Indias role and contribution in the areas. In a veiled dig at the BJP dispensation, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said the Asura Shakti has frozen the bank accounts of his party and they are fighting against it. The BJP also hit back at the Congress saying that by calling the elected government Asura Shakti it has shown that it has no faith in the people of the country. The hate-filled Asura Shakti has frozen our bank accounts to murder Indian democracy, Gandhi wrote in a social media post in an apparent attack on the government. Advertisement The MP further said they are fighting against the hatred-filled Asura Shakti. Earlier, while addressing a press conference at the party headquarters, in presence of party president Mallikarjun Kharge and Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson (CPP) chairperson Sonia Gandhi said, All our bank accounts have been frozen. This has been done two months before the election campaign. One notice (from Income Tax) comes from the 90s and the other from six to seven years ago. Quantum amount Rs 14 lakh and punishment our entire financial identity. Already our ability to fight elections has been damaged. We have already lost a month, he said. The parliamentarian said, There are institutions in the country that are supposed to protect the democratic framework. However, no court is saying anything , the Election Commission is silent, no other institution is speaking out and the media is not addressing the issue. This is not the freezing of the Indian National Congress bank accounts. This is the freezing of Indian democracy, he added. Reacting to Gandhis remarks, BJP leader Nalin Kohli said, By calling a government elected by the people Asura Shatkti, the Congress is confirming that they have no faith in the people of India, the voters, those who determine the destiny of India. It may be mentioned that the Congress MP stoked a controversy recently over his Shakti remarks. The BJP on Wednesday filed a complaint with the Election Commission of India against him stating that it has deeply hurt the sentiments of the Hindu. Gandhi, in his comments made on Sunday in Maharashtra, said, There is a word Shakti (might) in Hinduism. We are fighting against a Shakti (might of the state). The question is, what is that Shakti and what does it entail for us? The soul and integrity of EVMs have been traded to the King (Modi). This is a fact. Not just EVMs but every autonomous institution of the country, be it the ED, CBI or Income Tax department, have traded their spines to the Centre. The Orissa High Court has granted bail to a HIV-infected under trial prisoner (UTP) booked under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, stating that the petitioner (UTP) is entitled to live with dignity in an environment congenial to him, which is not possible inside the jail. Earlier a lower court had rejected his bail application. The UTP had later moved the High Court annexing HIV profile medical documents and sought for regular treatment and monitoring. As the petitioner is HIV+, even though the jail authorities have claimed that he is being extended proper treatment, the petitioner is also entitled to live with dignity in an environment in which is congenial to him, which is not possible inside the jail, Justice Savitri Ratho stated in the order. Advertisement Considering the nature of ailment, he was not able to lead a normal life inside the jail, as the other inmates were avoiding contact with him, for which he was leading a secluded and miserable life in jail, the petitioners counsel informed the Court. The counsel further submitted that under Section 437 of the CrPC, a sick or infirm person is entitled to be released on bail. After considering the submission of the counsel, the decision of the Supreme Court and the provisions of the Act, the quantity of brown sugar seized from the petitioner who is admittedly HIV+ and under treatment, even though he has one criminal antecedent under the NDPS Act, I am inclined to allow his prayer for bail, Justice Ratho concluded in the order pronounced recently. The legal team of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday moved the Supreme Court seeking urgent listing of his plea after Enforcement Directorate arrested him in a money laundering case related to the alleged liquor policy scam. AAP leader and Delhi minister Atishi said, We have received news that ED has arrested Arvind Kejriwal We have always said that Arvind Kejriwal will run the govt from jail. He will remain the CM of Delhi. We have filed a case in the Supreme Court. Our lawyers are reaching SC. We will demand SC have an urgent hearing tonight. The development came hours after the Delhi High Court refused to grant him interim protection from arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in the money laundering case. Advertisement Hearing his petition, a devision bench of the high court said that they cant pass any order at this stage. More than half a dozen ED officials reached Kejriwals residence and conducted searches in connection with the money laundering case. He was questioned for nearly two hours before being arrested. Heavy police force has been deployed outside Kejriwals residence amid protest by his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) workers and supporters. A team of Rapid Action Police has also been stationed outside the Delhi CMs bunglow in Civil Lines. The Assam police on Thursday said two leaders of ISIS who were arrested will be handed over to the National Investigation Agency for further investigation. Haris Farooqi alias Harish Ajmal Farukhi, and Anurag Singh alias Rehan, will be handed over to the NIA soon, a senior police official said. They were apprehended in the Dharmasala area of the Dhubri sector following a special operation led by IGP Partha Sarathi Mahanta. Advertisement Farooqi, identified as the head of ISIS in India, is from Chakrata, Dehradun, while Singh, a converted Muslim, hails from Diwana, Panipat. Their arrest is seen as a significant blow to ISIS operations in India. Mahanta said on the morning of March 28, the STF team located two men in the area, who were apparently seeking transportation. We had photographs of the top-level leaders of ISIS with us, and two of the photographs matched with these two men, he added. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma vowed to eradicate terrorism from the nation under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Reacting to a tweet from the Assam police, he asserted, We shall continue our fight against the fundamentalist and eradicate terrorism from the soil of our nation. To strengthen the coastal security mechanism, a joint two-day maritime security exercise named Sagar Kavach was conducted to further invigorate the security mechanism along the 480-km-long Odisha coastline. The two-day exercise was conducted under the stewardship of the Indian Coast Guard to validate the effectiveness of coastal security mechanisms along the Odisha coast, Coast Guard officials said in a statement on Thursday. The main aim of the exercise was to evaluate the threats emanating from seaward in the present geo-political scenario and validate existing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) of all stakeholders for enhanced coastal security mechanisms. Advertisement The exercise was also aimed at checking the efficacy of layered security arrangements, air surveillance, deep sea patrol by bigger ships of Coast Guard and Navy and close coast Patrol by Coast Guard Interceptor Boats, boats of Marine Police, Central Industrial Security Force, Customs, and Forest department. The stakeholders, who participated in the exercise included the Indian Navy, Army, Defence College Gopalpur, Marine Police, State Police, CISF, Integrated Test Range/Port Experimental Establishment Chandipur, Forest department, Fisheries department, Customs, Ports, Light Houses, Immigration and various intelligence agencies. Participants were divided into two teams Attack (Red) Force and Defence (Blue) Force. The Attack team acted as anti-national elements who attempted to infiltrate coastal areas, while Defence teams established Coastal Security Surveillance. The ships and aircraft of the Coast Guard, Indian Navy, the patrol boats of Marine Police, Customs and CISF, Were deployed at sea, while land forces were deployed near the coast and entry points, in the two-day exercise. The efficacy of men and material was tested for alertness in preventing any incursion by non-state actors in our coastal areas. The sustained efforts put in by all stakeholders ensure a seamless flow of information from the lowermost formations to the higher echelons, Coast Guard officials said. Real-time threats and situations were simulated for all the participating agencies to assess their preparedness and update SOPs. Enhanced security measures were instituted through security patrols at sea. The Indian Coast Guard and the Indian Navy aircraft undertook extensive surveillance at sea off the coast of Odisha. No seaward intrusion was observed in the state and all the attacks of Red Force were neutralised by the Blue Force. The exercise was instrumental in strengthening close coordination among coastal security stakeholders, developing progressive synergy, validating SOPS, identification of grey areas, and in the enhancement of coastal security mechanisms for the state of Odisha, the Coast Guard said. The State Bank of India (SBI) submitted all the details of Electoral Bonds to the Election Commission of India (ECI) and filed an affidavit regarding the same to the Supreme Court on Thursday. SBI Chairman Dinesh Khara filed the compliance affidavit in the Supreme Court saying all details of Electoral Bonds, including the alphanumeric numbers, have been disclosed to the Election Commission of India (ECI), according to reports. The SC had demanded that the bank provide complete disclosure, including the unique bond numbers, which would reveal the link between the buyers and the recipient political parties. Advertisement The deadline for the disclosure was set for March 21. The Supreme Court had criticised the public lender for being selective and ordered it to disclose all details related to the electoral bonds scheme by the aforesaid date. In the series of events, after the SCs stringent directive, the SBI had shared the information with the ECI on March 12. It presented the affidavit about the same with the apex court on March 13. The top court had given the ECI time till March 15 to upload the data on its website. On March 16, the ECI had published the electoral bond details provided by the SBI on its official website. On Monday, a five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud said, There is no manner of doubt that the SBI is required to disclose complete details of the bonds. During the hearing, the CJI had said, In the judgment, we had asked the State Bank of India to disclose all details. That includes the bond numbers as well. The bank cannot be selective in disclosing all details. Do not wait for the orders of this court. In our judgment, we have taken a conscious decision that the cut-off date should be the date of interim order (April 12, 2019). We took that date because it was our considered view that once that interim order was pronounced, everybody was put on notice. If we have to go back to an earlier date, it will become a substantive modification of the judgment and will require a review of this judgment. This cannot be done in a miscellaneous application, the CJI had said. A five-judge Bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai, JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra was hearing the case related to the electoral bonds. This happened just a couple of years ago. A startling fallout of the Covid19 pandemic in the corporate world was the mass retrenchment of staff in many companies across multiple affected sectors. Unable to cope with the severity of the prevailing situation then and impacted by the colossal shock, companies preferred reducing manpower as a quick-fix solution while grappling with their dwindling coffers. Recently, after two consecutive quarters of their economies showing degrowth, the UK and Japan are officially braving recession. Germany is on the brink. Civil societies in many countries are under tremendous stress and emotional cracks are all too apparent. An outlier is India, shining brightly in the prevailing gloom. Rating agency Moodys recently upped Indias FY24 GDP growth projection to 8 per cent against the earlier 6.6 per cent buttressing the belief that the next few decades will belong to us. Though we havent seen the Western kind of layoffs sometimes ruthlessly done over a video call many have reconciled that hiring and firing will be more of a norm here as well despite the growth that we are witnessing. Alongside, a term that has gained currency of late is Quiet Quitting. Broadly it can be defined as a phenomenon observed in many organisations where some employees put in barely the required efforts to keep their job. They hardly display any enthusiasm to travel the extra mile while performing their tasks, thereby making no secret of their job dissatisfaction. We should not make the mistake of underestimating them as they constitute quite a sizeable mass. In fact, Gallups 2023 State of the Global Workplace report states that 59 per cent of the global workforce consists of quiet quitters. To be fair to them, these quiet quitters shun dramatic exits but prefer subtly fading away caused by lack of motivation. Advertisement A silent retreat from the forefront and slipping away unnoticed without any fanfare, triggered by disillusionment is something that they prefer. It would be wrong to assume their quitting quietly as surrender but it is more of a conscious choice to disengage towards pursuits better aligned and hopefully more pleasant. On the other hand, we also know companies across domains thrive on their star employees. Many even maintain some kind of unofficial list of stars to hold by keeping a close tab on them. These stars usually exhibit diametrically opposite behaviour vis-a-vis the quiet quitters and hence are fiercely protected from getting poached by rivals. Quiet quitting like any other decision of life comes with its own set of pros and cons. Lets study a few of them: Pros: *Non-confrontationist: By choosing to quit quietly, individuals can alleviate stress associated with confrontations leading to a smoother transition instead of dragging the exit process. * Maintain healthy relations: Quietly moving on from an organization allows minimal disruption to professional relationships and equations within the industry. * Friendly image: If continuing in an organization becomes difficult, quitting honourably without spats in a dignified manner usually helps retain the image that one may have built assiduously. * Expensive fracas: Before drawing out the dagger, possible repercussions including the cost factor involved should be considered. Considering this many prefer to exit quietly with grace from a toxic environment without much fuss. Cons: *Conjectures: There could be some potential lack of closures when an individual decides to leave quietly. Without proper reasons shared publicly, there could be lingering questions or dubious gossip left over. * Valuable feedback opportunity gets sacrificed: A quietly exiting employee may not offer constructive suggestions for the organization to rectify its flaws. *Burning bridges: Departing employee by not offering reasons runs the risk of closing the door forever. Often this leaves doubts in the minds of colleagues making them draw inaccurate conclusions. *Ill-advised: If the decision to quit was fuelled by external factors, it would be judicious to deeply ruminate over them before arriving at a conclusion. Often many fail to decipher wrong pieces of advice. In the end, it can be said that in the silent trail, after quitting, often lies the beginning of a new chapter to reinvent oneself. A possible fresh space one can create by relinquishing the stale old. (The writer is a business executive with more than two decades of corporate experience spanning the globe. The views expressed are personal.) US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, will visit Israel on Friday and meet the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other senior leaders. Blinken will also be meeting senior Egyptian and Saudi leaders on Thursday in Cairo and Riyadh respectively. The visit of Blinken, the most powerful leader of the US, to the Middle eastern countries, including Israel, is to communicate to the concerned parties and mediators on the American viewpoint regarding the hostage deal as well as on the probable ground invasion of Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in Rafah area. Advertisement US President Joe Biden has recently spoken to Netanyahu not to push forward with the Rafah ground operations as it would lead to the death of a large number of Palestinian civilians, including women and children. An estimated 1.3 million civilian population is living in Rafah area of the Gaza Strip and the idea of Israeli troops is to evacuate the civilian population to the north of Rafah. However, Egypt has told the Israeli and American authorities of its strict opposition to the Rafah operation since it would lead to a huge refugee exodus to its territory in Sinai region bordering Rafah. Meanwhile, the indirect mediatory talk between Israel and Hamas is continuing in Doha, Qatar. Israel is taking a tough stand and not agreeing to many of the demands put forward by Hamas regarding the hostage deal and therefore, the mediatory talks are not progressing smoothly. Sources in the Israel Defence Ministry told IANS that the talks would progress only on the terms put forward by the Israeli side. Israel has demanded a two-step release of all the hostages in the custody of Hamas and has told the mediators that Palestinian prisoners kept in Israeli jails charged with heinous crimes cannot be released. According to sources in Israel Defence Ministry, the Israel intelligence agencies, including the Mossad, Shin Bet and the military intelligence had informed the Israel government that Hamas has completely collapsed and the Rafah area is the key to defeat the remaining resistance of the militant outfit. It has also reported that Hamas has only four army battalions remaining in the Rafah area and if they are also destroyed, then there was no other option for Hamas but only to surrender to Israel. The Israel Defence Minister, Yoav Gallant, considered a hawk among the Israeli leadership, has again called on the IDF to look out for Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and neutralise him. It remains to be seen how Blinken will be able to prevent an impending ground offensive from a highly confident Israeli army in the Rafah region. FILE - Nuts, bolts and fittings are ready to be added to the east leg of the pipeline near St. Ignace, Mich., as Enbridge Inc., prepares to test the east and west sides of the Line 5 pipeline under the Straits of Mackinac in Mackinaw City, Mich., June 8, 2017. Michigan attorneys pressed a federal appellate panel Thursday, March 21, 2024, to move their lawsuit seeking to shut down the portion of an aging pipeline running beneath the Straits of Mackinac from federal to state court, arguing that the state's environmental protection laws are in play. NED BRISTOL, a retired editor of The Sun Chronicle, contributes columns to the newspaper. You can reach out to him at news@thesunchronicle.com . Job Title: Manager General Insurance Organisation: DFCU Bank Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda Reports to: Head Bancassurance/ Principal Bancassurance Officer About US: DFCU Bank is a fast growing commercial bank offering a variety of innovative products and services. DFCU Limited was started by the Commonwealth Development Corporation (CDC) of the United Kingdom and the Government of Uganda through the Uganda Development Corporation (UDC) under the name of Development Finance Company of Uganda Limited. Later restructuring brought in DEG (of Germany) and International Finance Corporation (IFC) as equal partners with CDC and UDC, each having a 25% stake in the company. Its objective was to support long-term development projects whose financing needs and risk did not appeal to the then existing financial commercial lending institutions. Job Summary: Reporting to the Head Bancassurance/ Principal Bancassurance Officer, the Manager General Insurance will be responsible for driving the non-life Bancassurance sales strategy, delivery of customer growth and revenue ambitions and maximise the banks distribution network to maximise sales. The role holder will further be responsible for effective relationship management optimising customer satisfaction, retention, and wallet share. The Manager- General Insurance will also be charged with identifying and commercialising new business and revenue opportunities. Key Duties and Responsibilities: Sales and Revenue Growth: Drive non-life insurance product sales offered by the Banks prequalified insurers, by presenting proposals, negotiating terms, and closing deals to achieve revenue targets. Identifying potential customers and new business opportunities: to grow the non-life insurance portfolio by leveraging the banks database, cross-selling to existing customers, conducting market research, and seeking referrals. Policy Servicing and Renewals: Maintain an effective insurance tracker, to facilitate policy issuance, and servicing, and proactively engage with policyholders to facilitate timely renewals and address coverage-related inquiries. Risk, Audit and Compliance: comply with Banking and Insurance Regulations, industry standards, and Bank Policies in all business activities, while proactively identifying and addressing potential risks and instances of non-compliance and participating in the implementation of effective control measures. Reporting: Prepare regular reports on sales activities and pipeline status to evaluate progress against targets. Customer Training: Educate customers on insurance products, coverage options, claims procedures, and risk management strategies to help them make informed decisions and maximise the value of their insurance policies. Additionally, provide product training to bank staff and facilitate joint customer visits to bolster the Bancassurance portfolio. Promptly address and resolve customer complaints while actively fostering positive and high-quality interactions between the Banks sales teams and customers. Maintain good relations with insurers while diligently assessing their performance metrics to guarantee the delivery of high-quality services to customers. Continuous Learning and Professional Development: Stay updated on industry trends, market developments, and changes in insurance regulations to enhance knowledge and skills, contributing to personal and professional growth. Qualifications, Skills and Experience: The applicant for the DFCU Bank Manager General Insurance job must hold a University Degree from a recognised university. A Certificate in Insurance (CIU). A Diploma in Insurance (DIU) will be an added advantage. At least five years of Business Development in Insurance. Thorough knowledge of the financial services industry. High level of integrity and ethical Attention to detail, excellent analytical skills, and ability to demonstrate a high degree of accuracy. Excellent interpersonal, verbal, written, communications and independent judgement skills. Good organisational Excellent negotiation Conflict resolution skills. How to Apply: If you believe you meet the requirements as noted above, please forward your application with a detailed CV including present position and copies of relevant professional/academic certificates (University Transcript, O & A level), to the email address indicated below. Vacanciesbank@dfcugroup.com Deadline: 28th March 2024 Disclaimer: dfcu Bank does not solicit/accept payment in cash/kind from prospective candidates in exchange for shortlisting or job placement. Any candidate who engages in this kind of transaction is aiding and abetting fraud and will be automatically disqualified. For more of the latest jobs, please visit https://www.theugandanjobline.com or find us on our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UgandanJobline Date Posted 2024-03-21 Valid Through 2024-03-28 Employment Type FULL_TIME Hiring Organization DFCU Bank Job Location Kampala, Kampala, Kampala , 0256, Uganda Related Jobs In recent years, the convenience of online pharmacies has changed the way how people get their medications. It includes prescription drugs like Nitrazepam. Nitrazepam, a benzodiazepine medication is primarily used for the treatment of insomnia. It has garnered attention among those seeking a reliable solution for sleep disorders. If you consider buy nitrazepam mogadon online UK , you need to understand the legal landscape, prescription requirements, and safety considerations associated with online pharmaceutical transactions. Legality of Online Nitrazepam B uying Before getting into the process of b uying Nitrazepam online, address the legality of such transactions. 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However, if it's almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. Q. Can I stop taking Nitrazepam suddenly? A. No, it's not recommended to stop taking Nitrazepam suddenly, as it can lead to withdrawal symptoms. It's important to consult with your healthcare professional before discontinuing Nitrazepam to discuss a tapering schedule if necessary. Q. What should I tell my healthcare professional before taking Nitrazepam? A. Before taking Nitrazepam, inform your healthcare professional about any medical conditions you have, especially kidney or liver disease, breathing problems, or a history of substance abuse. Also, inform them about any other medications or supplements you're taking, as they may interact with Nitrazepam. Q. Can I take Nitrazepam if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding? A. Nitrazepam is not recommended for use during pregnancy, as it may harm the unborn baby. It's also not recommended while breastfeeding, as it may pass into breast milk and affect the baby. Consult with your healthcare professional for guidance if you're pregnant or breastfeeding. Q. What should I do if I overdose on Nitrazepam? A. If you suspect an overdose on Nitrazepam, seek immediate medical attention or contact a poison control center right away. Overdose symptoms may include extreme drowsiness, confusion, muscle weakness, fainting, or coma. Q. Can Nitrazepam interact with other medications? Yes, Nitrazepam can interact with other medications, including antidepressants, antihistamines, muscle relaxants, and alcohol. It's important to inform your healthcare professional about all medications you're taking to avoid potential interactions. Q. How should I store Nitrazepam? A. Nitrazepam should be stored at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep it out of reach of children and pets. Do not store Nitrazepam in the bathroom or near the kitchen sink. 16. Can I drink grapefruit juice while taking Nitrazepam? A. No, it's not recommended to drink grapefruit juice while taking Nitrazepam, as it can increase the levels of Nitrazepam in your blood and increase the risk of side effects. 17. What should I do if Nitrazepam doesn't seem to be working for me? A. If Nitrazepam doesn't seem to be working for you, consult with your healthcare professional. They may adjust your dosage or recommend alternative treatments for your insomnia. 18. Can I take Nitrazepam if I have a history of drug or alcohol abuse? A. If you have a history of drug or alcohol abuse, it's essential to consult with your healthcare professional before taking Nitrazepam. They may recommend alternative treatments or closely monitor your use of Nitrazepam to prevent misuse. Q. What are the signs of an allergic reaction to Nitrazepam? A. Signs of an allergic reaction to Nitrazepam may include rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue, and difficulty breathing. If you experience any of these symptoms, seek immediate medical attention. Q. Can I take Nitrazepam with food? A. Nitrazepam can be taken with or without food. However, taking it with a meal may help reduce the risk of stomach upset. Follow your healthcare professional's instructions on how to take Nitrazepam. Q. Can I take herbal supplements while taking Nitrazepam? A. It's important to consult with your healthcare professional before taking any herbal supplements while taking Nitrazepam, as they may interact with the medication and affect its effectiveness. Q. How long does it take for Nitrazepam to be out of my system? A. The half-life of Nitrazepam is approximately 20-40 hours, which means it can take several days for the medication to be completely out of your system. Factors such as age, liver function, and dosage may affect how long Nitrazepam stays in your system. Q. Can I take Nitrazepam if I have a history of depression? A. If you have a history of depression, it's important to consult with your healthcare professional before taking Nitrazepam, as it may worsen depression symptoms. They may recommend alternative treatments or closely monitor your use of Nitrazepam. Q. Can I take Nitrazepam if I have glaucoma? A. If you have glaucoma, it's important to consult with your healthcare professional before taking Nitrazepam, as it may increase eye pressure. They may recommend alternative treatments or closely monitor your use of Nitrazepam. Q. Can I take Nitrazepam if I have a history of seizures? A. If you have a history of seizures, it's important to consult with your healthcare professional before taking Nitrazepam, as it may increase the risk of seizures. They may recommend alternative treatments or closely monitor your use of Nitrazepam. In conclusion, b uying Nitrazepam online in the UK can offer convenience and accessibility for individuals seeking relief from insomnia and other sleep disorders. However, it's essential to prioritize safety and legality by obtaining a valid prescription and choosing a reputable online pharmacy. By following safe consumption guidelines and taking necessary precautions, individuals can ensure a positive and hassle-free b uying experience while prioritizing their health and well-being. On August 5, 2023, India introduced a licensing regime for importing laptops, tablets, personal computers and servers. More than two months later, the Union IT ministry eased the restrictions on October 19, saying it's part of a new "import management system" and future steps will be decided later. However, now it has been revealed that the reversal of the decision was a result of behind-the-scenes lobbying by US officials who were successful in persuading the Indian government to ease the norms, as per Reuters. The agency, which accessed US government emails under an open records request, said the officials in Washington are still concerned about New Delhi's compliance with WTO rules. According to Reuters, the policy reversal on laptop imports is a rare move from India as in the past it did not back off on similar decisions despite diplomatic pressure. The Union government had earlier made it mandatory for Visa and Mastercard to store data locally and made Amazon adhere to the country's e-commerce rules. Though US officials have raised red flags about India's "out of the blue" policy changes that make the business climate "incredibly problematic", New Delhi has reiterated that it supports foreign investments and its policies are finalised after taking into account the interest of all stakeholders, reported Reuters. Just weeks after the import policy was introduced, US Trade Representative Katherine Tai, during an August 26 meeting, told Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal privately that Washington wants New Delhi to "rescind the requirement", as per a USTR briefing paper. Travis Coberly, a US diplomat for trade in New Delhi, reportedly told his US colleagues that India's IT ministry "understands they (India) screwed up. They admitted as much. American companies here have been hammering them about this," he wrote, according to the news agency. However, Indian officials, who preferred to remain anonymous, told Reuters that the Centre did not reverse its policy because of US pressure but rather made the decision after realising that local manufacturing of laptops and other devices was not significant currently. Union Commerce Ministry told the news agency that Tai "did raise some concerns" during their meeting and that his side had "conveyed India's security concerns" regarding the imports. A recent global research study published in The Lancet journal has shed light on India's remarkable decline in fertility rates over the past seven decades. According to the study, India's fertility rate has plummeted from nearly 6.2 in 1950 to just under 2 in 2021, with projections indicating a further decrease to 1.29 and 1.04 by 2050 and 2100, respectively. The findings align with global trends, which have seen the Total Fertility Rate (TFR) drop from over 4.8 children per woman in 1950 to 2.2 in 2021. Projections suggest a continued decline to 1.8 and 1.6 by 2050 and 2100, respectively. In 2021, the world witnessed 129 million livebirths, marking an increase from approximately 93 million in 1950 but a decrease from the peak of 142 million in 2016. Within India, the number of livebirths stood at over 16 million and 22 million in 1950 and 2021, respectively, with a projected decline to 13 million by 2050. Despite the global trend of declining fertility, the study highlights that many low-income countries will continue to grapple with high fertility issues throughout the 21st century. The researchers from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 Fertility and Forecasting Collaborators emphasized that certain regions, particularly in western and eastern sub-Saharan Africa, will face persistently high fertility rates, resulting in a demographically divided world. Moreover, the study projects a shift in the distribution of livebirths, with low-income countries expected to contribute significantly more to the global livebirths, almost doubling their share from 18% to 35% between 2021 and 2100. In light of these demographic shifts, the researchers underscore the profound impacts on economies, geopolitics, food security, health, and the environment. They warn of a "clear demographic divide" between middle-to-high-income and low-income regions, stressing the need for innovative solutions to address the challenges posed by an ageing population. Poonam Muttreja, Executive Director of Population Foundation of India (PFI), emphasized the profound implications of the findings for India, including challenges such as an ageing population, labour force shortages, and potential social imbalances due to gender preferences. She urged comprehensive approaches to address these impending challenges, including economic policies stimulating growth and job creation, alongside social security and pension reforms. The researchers also stressed the importance of improving women's access to education and contraceptives to limit the concentration of livebirths in high-fertility, low-income regions. They projected considerably steeper fertility declines in sub-Saharan Africa through the rapid scale-up of education and contraceptives access. The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington (UW), US, which coordinates the GBD study, hailed it as the largest and most comprehensive effort to quantify health loss across places and over time. ISIS India head Haris Farooqi, alias Harish Ajmal Farukhi of Chakrata, and one of his associates were arrested in Assam on Tuesday. According to media reports, based on specific intelligence inputs, the two were apprehended from Dharmasala area of Dhubri in Assam by the Special Task Force (STF). They were brought to the STF office in Guwahati. "The identity of both of them was ascertained and it is found that accused Haris Farooqi, alias Harish Ajmal Farukhi of Chakrata, Dehradun, is the head of ISIS in India," Assam Police chief public relations officer Pranabjyoti Goswami said. His associate, Anurag Singh, alias Rehan of Panipat, got converted to Islam, while his wife is a Bangladeshi national, according to the police. "Both of them are highly indoctrinated and motivated leaders/members of ISIS in India. They had furthered the cause of ISIS in India through conspiracies to carry out recruitment, terror funding and terror acts by means of IEDs at several places across India," the police said. The duo are also wanted by the NIA. The Assam Police will hand them over to the NIA for further action. The Enforcement Directorate on Thursday began conducting searches on AIADMK leader and former Tamil Nadu minister Dr C Vijayabaskar, a private educational institution and a Chennai-based real estate group in separate money laundering cases. The ED is conducting searches in 25 different locations across the state, including former minister Vijayabaskar's home at Iluppur in Pudukkottai district. The searches come at a time when the AIADMK had chosen to stay away from the NDA despite several feelers sent by the BJP. The AIADMK released its first candidate list on Wednesday and the raids began just hours before the second candidate list was released by the AIADMK leader. According to official sources, the ED raids at his house in Pudukkottai based on a FIR registered by the state's vigilance and anti-corruption agency (DVAC). The DVAC had registered a FIR against Vijayabaskar in 2022 over allegations of corruption in granting essential certificate to a private medical college and hospital. The searches are happening at his premises two years after the FIR was registered by the DVAC. Sources say that the ED had initiated a money laundering case and the probe is underway. The ED officials arrived in three vehicles at his house in Iluppur at 8 am. Vijayabaskar, reportedly, was not in his residence during the search. The ED is looking for evidences linking the former minister with Vels medical college and hospital in Chennai for which he had reportedly given essential certificate when he was the health minister. The institution had allegedly submitted fake documents by fraudulent means to get the essential certificate. The institution is also facing ED raids simultaneously. Considered to be a money bag and a strong leader from the popular Thevar community in South Tamil Nadu, Vijayabaskar was the health minister for two successive terms during the previous AIADMK regime under Jayalalithaa and Edappadi K Palanisami. He was earlier subjected to an income tax probe in 2017, five months after the death of Jayalalithaa, in the run up to RK Nagar bypoll. The constituency had fallen vacant after Jayalalithaa's death. A CBI probe was also initiated against him in the famous Gutkha scam case in which the chargesheet has also been filed by the investigating agency. Apart from the minister and the educational institution, G Square, a reality firm in Chennai, is also being raised by the enforcement directorate. The reality firm which is considered to be close to the ruling DMK was subjected to income tax raids earlier in 2019 and 2023. Accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of crippling the Congress financially, former party president Sonia Gandhi on Thursday demanded that the party be given access to its bank accounts to ensure a level playing field in the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls. In a press conference also addressed by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, the party stressed that all its accounts were frozen. "...We can do no campaign work... Our ability to fight elections has been damaged," former Congress president Rahul Gandhi said while launching a scathing attack on the government over the issue of freezing of the party's accounts due to an Income Tax returns issue. "Defreeze our accounts to ensure a level playing field in polls," Congress president Kharge added. According to Rahul Gandhi, this is not a freezing of the Congress' accounts but a freezing of Indian democracy. "There is no democracy in India today and the idea that India is the world's largest democracy is a complete lie," Rahul Gandhi alleged, terming the freezing of accounts a criminal action against the Congress and a criminal action by the prime minister and home minister. "There are institutions that are supposed to protect the democratic framework but nothing is happening," he said. According to Sonia Gandhi, money from the Congress' accounts was being taken away forcefully. "Systematic effort is underway by the prime minister to cripple the Congress financially," she said, hitting out at the government. On the one hand, is the electoral bonds issue, on the other, the finances of the principal opposition party are under assault," Sonia Gandhi said. "Even under these challenges we are doing our best to maintain the effectiveness of our campaign," Sonia Gandhi told reporters. The issue, she said, is extremely serious and affects not just Congress but India's democracy. "I appeal to constitutional bodies that they should allow our party to access bank accounts if they want free and fair polls," Kharge said. The party in power, he said, amassed funds through electoral bonds while freezing the Congress' accounts to create hurdles for it in fighting polls. "Those in power should not have direct or indirect control over constitutional bodies," he said, adding that those in power should not have a monopoly over resources. For a long time, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had been saying that the Modi government would get him arrested any moment in connection with the probe into alleged corruption in the excise policy. The fear of the arrest of the founding leader and national convenor of the party came true on Thursday evening, with the Enforcement Directorate moving to arrest him. The party had been steeling itself for such a turn of events, and it is learnt that Kejriwal had in consultation with senior leaders of the AAP to prepare a backup plan concerning governance in Delhi as well as the partys political activities. The AAP leaders know that it will be a massive challenge for them to now not just carry on but also take on the BJP electorally in the absence of Kejriwal. He is AAP's face, the decision maker and the person every party worker looks up to. It is his shrewdness which has helped the party negotiate the choppy waters and establish itself as a force to reckon with just over a decade after it was established. CM Kejriwal is also the party's mascot and the primary vote catcher. This is especially significant since the arrest comes on the eve of the Lok Sabha elections, and the Assembly elections in Delhi are also less than a year away. The AAP now also has to deal with a possible problem of perception. Many of its top leaders are behind bars for alleged corruption, especially in connection with the excise policy case. For a party that was founded on a nationwide campaign against corruption, the arrests, especially now of the main force behind Anna Andolan, is ironic. The impact of Kejriwals arrest is expected to be felt in the opposition space as well. He is one of the most prominent leaders in the opposition INDIA alliance and also a leader who aggressively took on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He is also among its leaders with the best connection with the people. However, AAP leaders hope the development will in fact act as a mobilising force for the party workers, making them rally behind Kejriwal rather than have a demoralising effect on them, or worse still lead to leaders and workers leaving the party. They also expect there to be a huge public sympathy for Kejriwal because he has in the states under AAP rule been the face of the welfarist and populist measures. Meanwhile, Kejriwal's arrest would provide his party with a big talking point against the BJP, especially in Delhi, where it will counter the BJPs corruption barbs with the argument that a leader who cared for the poor and the middle class is being victimised by the BJP. The INDIA alliance is also expected to rally behind Kejriwal and more forcefully take up the issue of the alleged misuse by the Modi government of investigating agencies to target opposition leaders. The arrest of Kejriwal for corruption is a moment of reckoning for the party he founded and a big turning point in Indian politics. The Congress has finalised candidates for 12 Lok Sabha seats in Maharastra, amid talks that it plans to stake claim to 18-19 seats. The Congress Central Election Committee held in Delhi on Wednesday had also confirmed candidates for seven seats each for Gujarat and Rajasthan. According to Maharashtra unit party President Nana Patole, the final list for the state will be announced on Thursday or Friday. Before that, the party will hold crucial talks with the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Udhav Thackeray on Thursday. "We have discussed at least 18-19 seats of Maharashtra and finalised at least 12 seats. Tomorrow morning, we have a meeting with Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray. Final discussions will be held and all seats will be announced by tomorrow or the day after tomorrow," Patole told reporters after the meeting. The selection committee panel headed by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge finalised 12 candidates for Maharashtra and seven each for Gujarat and Rajasthan. The selection committee was attended by former Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Congress general secretary K C Venugopal and other members of the panel. Rahul Gandhi, who is also a member of the panel, was not present during the meeting. Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala added that the coalition is strong in Maharashtra. "We are going to announce some seats and later we will announce other seats also. Maha Vikas Aghadi is intact and we are all going together," he added. Chennithala's statement comes amid reports that Shiv Sena (UBT)'s sudden decision to stake claim on the Sangli Lok Sabha seat has irked the Congress. Last week, Uddhav Thackeray had named Chandrahar Patil a prominent wrestler and two-time Maharashtra Kesri awardee as its Lok Sabha candidate for Sangli even before the seat-sharing deal could be finalised among the members of the opposition alliance. Meanwhile, speculations are that Shiv Sena (UBT) is likely to contest 23 seats and the NCPs Sharad Pawar faction will field candidates from six seats in Maharashtra. The Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi led by Prakash Ambedkar too has written to the Congress leadership, pledging its support the party from outside on seven Lok Sabha seats. The Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi is not a part of the MVA. Maharashtra has 48 Lok Sabha seats, the second highest after Uttar Pradeshs 80. Besides, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Rajasthan, the CEC also deliberated on the seats it could contest in West Bengal in view of a tie-up with the Left parties. The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to stay the law on the appointment of the election commissioners, saying it could create chaos before the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The court also noted that there are no allegations against the newly appointed ECs, Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu. The decision comes days after the SC refused to stay the appointments of new election commissioners (ECs) under the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Terms of Office) Act, 2023 that excluded the Chief Justice of India from the selection panel. A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta said, "At the stage, we cannot stay the legislation or suspend it operation. It would lead to chaos and uncertainty and we cannot do it (stay) by way of an interim order. There are no allegations against the new election commissioners." The Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, 2023, was passed by the Parliament last year and subsequently got the President's assent. The new law replaced the Chief Justice of India on a committee to pick election commissioners, with a Union Cabinet minister. The committee now has the prime minister, a Union cabinet minister and the leader of the opposition. During the hearing, the bench questioned the Centre over the procedure adopted for appointment of two new election commissioners. It said the selection committee should have been given more time to apply its mind on the appointment of election commissioners. Concerns of impartiality came to the fore after Congress leader and leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said that he had been given 212 names for scrutiny the night before, and a shortlist of six names just before the meeting for the selection of the election commissioners. The panel had PM Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chowdhury. "The Chief Justice of India should have been on this committee," Chowdhury said and had added that the new law had reduced the meeting to a "formality. The two vacancies in the ECs came up after the retirement of Anup Chandra Pandey on February 14 and the sudden resignation of Arun Goel. The Election Commission of India on Thursday said it has directed the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to "immediately halt" sending WhatsApp messages in bulk under the Viksit Bharat Sampark. The move comes after the poll panel received complaints that such messages continue to be sent to citizens' phones despite the Model Code of Conduct coming into force. The EC has asked the ministry to submit a compliance report on the matter. "The move is a part of a series of decisions taken by the Commission to ensure a level-playing field," the Commission said. The ministry had clarified that the messages and a letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi were sent via WhatsApp before the Model Code of Conduct came into force on March 16. ".... some of them could have possibly been delivered to recipients with a delay because of systemic and network limitations," the ministry said in a communication to the EC. Opposition parties, including the Congress and Trinamool Congress, slammed the government for "blatant violation" of the Model Code of Conduct" and requested the poll panel to take action. Just as Australia hits a record migration level - the country's population surged by 2.5 per cent between September 2022 to September 2023 largely due to an increase in migrant workers and students - authorities are set to implement tighter visa rules, especially for international students, from this week. From Saturday, the visa norms will include implementing English language requirements and a "genuine student test" for international students. The government will also have the power to suspend education providers from recruiting foreign students if they repeatedly break the rules, according to Reuters. The "genuine student test" will be a means to crack down on international students who look to come to Australia primarily to work. Authorities will also impose "no further stay" conditions on visitor visas. "The actions this weekend will continue to drive migration levels down while delivering on our commitments in the migration strategy to fix the broken system we inherited," Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil said in a statement. The regulations to curb migration were introduced last December. The government had planned new measures, including higher scores on English proficiency tests for student visas. The required IELTS score for a Temporary Graduate visa will increase from 6.0 to 6.5. For a Student visa, the IELTS score requirement will go up from 5.5 to 6.0. Students taking an English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS) before their main study must score 5.0 (up from 4.5). Students in university foundation or pathway programs need an IELTS score of 5.5. Other measures included increased scrutiny of applications from high-risk providers, acknowledging the post-study migration pathways, and investing $19 million to bolster the student visa integrity unit. This will reduce the misuse of student visas by those seeking to exploit international students. Just after Australia boosted its annual migration numbers in 2022 to fill the shortages that occurred due to COVID-19 controls, there was a sudden influx of foreign workers and students which put increased pressure on an already tight rental market. The data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on Thursday showed net immigration rose 60% to a record 548,800 in the year to Sept. 30, 2023, higher than the 518,000 people in the year ending June 2023. Overall, Australia's population rose 2.5% - the fastest pace on record - to 26.8 million people in the year to last September. The record migration - driven by students from India, China and the Philippines - has expanded labour supply and restrained wage pressure. While Indian students form a large chunk of migrant students, there are concerns as to whether the changes in visa rules will affect the hordes of Indian students. According to Monica Kennedy, Senior Trade & Investment Commissioner, Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade), Australian Government, the Department of Home Affairs (Australia) granted 382,000 student visas between July 2022 and February 2023. "This is a 41.3 per cent increase compared to the same period of 2019-2020," said Kennedy. In January-May 2023 alone, Australia welcomed 47,759 Indian students. This comes amid reports from Australia that there was a surge in visa rejections due to some universities withdrawing admission offers. According to a report by Times Higher Education, the University of Wollongong and La Trobe University have retracted offers to students who did not have a strong application. However, a report by The Indian Express claimed La Trobe denied the allegations. In many cases, the reason for rejecting the visa has not been clear. Besides Australia, Canada, and the UK too introduced visa restrictions recently. This could also mean that students could increasingly opt for the US and other European countries for higher education. In 1942, after Mahatma Gandhi announced the Quit India movement, the entire nation tuned in to the radio. They were eagerly awaiting the radio programme led by Usha Mehta, who started the Congress radio. Ae Watan Mere Watan is inspired by the life of this 22-year-old woman, who is one of the unsung heroes in India's fight for freedom. This film, which also stars Emraan Hashmi, Sparsh Shrivastava and Abhay Verma. The pace of the film is slow, as with most period films. It begins with a young Usha, who wants to fly like the migratory Siberian cranes she sees. The radio station is born post the arrest of all major Congress leaders after Gandhi, at August Kranti Maidaan, announces the 'Do or Die' slogan. The young freedom fighters start the radio station, as they realise that bridging the communication gap would further the fight for India's independence. The move comes at a time when media has been censored by the British and the government has banned private radio stations. It is interesting to watch the British officers led by John Lyre (Alexx O'Nell) chase the signals to locate the radio station. There are certain lapses in the filmin the first halfwhere the editing could have been tighter, but, overall, the plot keeps you hooked. Sara Ali Khan is convincing as Usha, who stands true to her commitment to the freedom fight. While her dialogue delivery could be better, her emotions come through, especially, when her relationship with her father (Sachin Khedekar) is conflicted. For, he works for the British Raj. Sparsh Shrivastava as Fahad, too, puts up a great performance. The film is definitely a shift for director Kannan Iyer, who has previously written Victory starring Harman Baweja and directed Ek Thi Daayan starring Konkona Sen Sharma and Hashmi. But, the film doesn't stir feelings of patriotism like Raazi or Rang de Basanti or any of the Bhagat Singh movies did. Better narration, for one, could have done wonders to it. The film, however, might be Sara Ali Khan's breakthrough moment. Film: Ae Watan Mere Watan OTT platform: Amazon Prime Director: Kannan Iyer Cast: Sara Ali Khan, Alexx O Nell, Emraan Hashmi Rating: 2.5/5 Sonipat, 21 March, 2024: In a record-breaking event, O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) in collaboration with the Flag Foundation of India (FFI), created the largest human waving national flag surpassing all previous Guinness World Records. The event saw the certified participation of 7368 students and staff of JGU which was endorsed by the Officials of the Guinness World Records organization. It was a momentous occasion as all participants enthusiastically gathered in the colours of the Indian flag to mark this unique occasion which included students from all schools and institutes of JGU, staff, faculty and other officials. The Adjudicator for the Guinness World Records Mr Rishi Nath, who was present on the campus to certify the event said, I am delighted to announce that O.P. Jindal Global University in collaboration with the Flag Foundation of India has successfully created the largest human waving flag record with 7368 enthusiastic participants. JGU & FFI is now the record holder for this activity and I am pleased to endorse their effort that this new record will be a part of the Official Guinness Book of World Records. The landmark event was organized by JGU in collaboration with the Flag Foundation of India, a non-profit organization dedicated to rekindling the Indian spirit of nationalism. The Tiranga embodies our modem democratic, secular and liberal values, which should be embraced by all Indians in their endeavor to build a strong and progressive India, which would take its rightful place in the world. The Founding Chancellor of O.P. Jindal Global University, Mr. Naveen Jindal and the driving force behind the Flag Foundation said, I congratulate the Flag Foundation of India and O.P Jindal Global University who have successfully created a new Guinness World Record for the largest human image of a waving national flag. On 23 January, 2004, the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India ruled that flying of the National Flag is the Fundamental Right of an Indian citizen within the Constitution of India that grants freedom of speech and expression. It is important to display our National Flag not only at significant public buildings but also at our homes to showcase our national pride and unity. When we display the flag, we rise above narrow considerations of religion, caste, language, region, etc. and it reminds us of being, first and foremost, an Indian. At the same time, it represents every Indian religion, language, culture and region and is thus the greatest symbol of our 'unity in diversity'. Speaking on the occasion, the Founding Vice Chancellor of O.P. Jindal Global University Prof. (Dr.) C. Raj Kumar said, This year we mark the 15th anniversary of Indias leading private university. With more than 11,000 students and 1100+ faculty members across all Schools and Institutes, JGU has been a benchmark in transformational higher education which brings international standards of learning and knowledge creation for our students. Establishing the Guinness World Record for the largest human waving national flag is a notable event. It is indeed an occasion that befits our 15th anniversary and marks our commitment to excellence and innovation. The recognition by the Guinness World Records reinforces our commitment to building a robust India through education. The Flag Foundation of India was set up as a registered society, a non-profit body after Mr. Naveen Jindal won a decade long court battle that enabled all Indians to display our National Flag with honour and pride at their homes, offices and factories on all days of the year. Prof. Dabiru Sridhar Patnaik, Registrar, O.P. Jindal Global University said, Today marks an event which brought together the JGU community as a unified and integrated organization to achieve this landmark record. The recognition awarded by the Guinness World Record organization stands as a testament to strengthen pride in our identity as Indians and our commitment to uphold the values enshrined in the Tricolour which represent the values of Democracy, Inclusivity, Respect and Tolerance across all races, region or religion. Maj. General (Retd) Ashim Kohli, Secretary General, Flag Foundation of India said, By choosing the path of striving to uphold the dignity of the Tiranga, this project aims at regenerating that sense of pride and removing those layers of hesitation which keep us from living a life of a true nationalist. The Flag Foundation of India is an attempt to rekindle that spirit of nationalism. We have also installed more than 80 monumental flags across the length and breadth of the nation. In 2004, after a protracted legal battle fought by Mr. Naveen Jindal (Industrialist, sportsman & Member of Parliament), the Supreme Court of India ruled that the display of the national flag by every citizen on all days of the year, a fundamental right. Thereafter, he founded the Flag Foundation of India. (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with O.P. Jindal Global University and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR PWR The partnership is aimed at offering a holistic space infrastructure-as-a-service to businesses It will open up new business prospects & encourage collaboration within the IndiaFinland space ecosystem BENGALURU, India and HELSINKI, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Bengaluru-based pioneering deep tech EO analytics and platform company SatSure, along with its subsidiary KaleidEO, is pleased to announce the signing of a MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) with the Helsinki-based leading provider of software-first satellites, ReOrbit. This partnership is aimed at developing innovative full-stack solutions to meet the future market demands in the Earth Observation (EO) segment. As a part of this partnership, KaleidEO will provide the bleeding edge of future-ready payload technology meant for sub-meter imaging capability, with unparalleled quality and AI analytics on board. Meanwhile, SatSure's proven downstream solutions and analytics stack will support businesses needing last mile connection. The partnership brings together ReOrbit's Earth Observation (EO) satellite with optical inter-satellite link capabilities for data relay, KaleidEO's high-resolution sub-meter optical payload with AI-on-EDGE integration, and SatSure's suite of business-ready EO solutions (SatSure Sparta). This paves the way for the future of EO constellations to network and communicate with each other, enhancing mission efficiency through integrated functionalities. Through this joint proposition, we aim to provide a sector leading full stack EO infrastructure-as-a-service. "We are pleased to sign this MoU with ReOrbit. It is a testament to the growing demand and awareness for true full stack EO solutions. Together with ReOrbit, we look forward to enabling the democratization of space and its potential for enterprises, governments and asset owners with very high-resolution imagery capabilities on demand. This Indo-Finnish partnership shall leverage the best of both ecosystems for global market access," says Arpan Sahoo, COO, KaleidEO. "ReOrbit brings to the partnership the vision of the future of space applications where the transformation of satellites into truly intelligent, interconnected platforms requires satellite systems to be defined by software, which facilitates a complete network integration from space to ground. This future starts today, and our partnership with KaleidEO for high-resolution imaging payloads and with SatSure for EO analytic platform and solutions fosters it, enabling us to provide a holistic space infrastructure-as-a-service to entities that need EO data for either business, sovereign or security requirements", said Sethu Saveda Suvanam,Founder and CEO, ReOrbit. Prateep Basu, Founder & CEO, SatSure & KaleidEO, added, "The world has only just started exploring the business value of Earth imaging datasets. We are excited to partner with ReOrbit and provide a one-stop-shop solution for customers, globally, to reduce the time and cost to deliver value from EO data and insights." This partnership is being announced following the liberalization of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) regulations in India. The potential of the Indian private ecosystem is now made much more accessible and marks a new cornerstone for the IndiaFinland space ecosystem. About SatSure SatSure is a deep tech, decision intelligence company headquartered in Bangalore, India. Leveraging satellite imagery and AI, SatSure provides valuable insights to industries such as agriculture, insurance, and infrastructure. Their solutions empower clients to make data-driven decisions and drive sustainable development. For more information, visit here. About KaleidEO KaleidEO, a SatSure company, is on a mission to connect the dots between the Earth Observations upstream and downstream sectors. KaleidEO is committed to capturing high-resolution images and gathering data that aligns with user demands and expectations. For more information, visit here. About ReOrbit ReOrbit provides autonomous and interconnected satellites that are optimized for efficient and reliable delivery of customers' space-related data. ReOrbit is creating the most compelling in-space data flow company, by augmenting the world's information use via space. ReOrbit works with the most prominent entities within security, satcom and Earth Observation. Our technology is supported by Business Finland, the European Space Agency and the European Commission. Founded in 2019, ReOrbit is headquartered in Helsinki, Finland with additional offices in Sweden and Argentina. For more information, please visit here. Media Contacts: Sarvesh Kurane, VP- Marketing, SatSure sarvesh@satsure.co Jana Avdeeva, Head of Marketing, ReOrbit jana.avdeeva@reorbit.space Shreya Ganguly, Content Writer, SatSure shreya.ganguly@satsure.co +91 9123372772 Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2368136/SatSureKaleidEOReOrbitMoU.jpg Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2368137/spacetechnologyfuture.jpg Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2162476/SatsureLogo.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 21 (PTI) Negotiations on the new climate finance goal at the next UN climate conference in Azerbaijan will be an opportunity to unlock funds and rebuild trust between the parties, COP29 president designate Muktar Babayev said on Thursday. Addressing the opening segment of the two-day Copenhagen Climate Ministerial, he said COP29 comes at a deeply complex moment when the world has seen the first one-year period of global average temperature 1.5 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial reference period (1850-1990). "Despite all the progress at COP28, we're still not on a pathway to 1.5 (degrees Celsius). Vulnerable communities are facing one crisis after another due to the rising temperatures. These communities must be front and centre of our mind when we meet in Baku," he said. "Finance underpins everything and is a critical enabler of climate action," Babayev said. He said many are losing trust in the UNFCCC process due to the "growing gap in their needs and what's available" and urged all to work tirelessly to mobilise resources. "Finance is at the heart of climate diplomacy this year. The negotiations on a New Collective Quantified Goal on climate finance are an opportunity to set a new path, unlock funds and rebuild trust between the parties," Babayev said. Other sources of finance, such as taxation and fossil fuel subsidy reform, are on the table to bridge the gap. In 2022, public financial support for fossil fuels hit a record high of USD 1.7 trillion globally, according to research by the global think tank International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD). All parties will be empowered to raise their ambitions if a clear and strong signal is sent, that more public and private finance will be allocated to climate targets, Babayev said. "Countries need to find ambitious, achievable and fair solutions that scale up accessible finance, lower the cost of capital, develop new green financial instruments, deepen green capital markets, and simplify access to climate funds," he said. This is needed to ensure that the developing world is not forced to choose the carbon-intensive development pathways that the developed world took, Babayev said, requesting parties to put in place the finance to enable a just and orderly transition. In parallel with mitigation, countries need urgent progress to adapt to the escalating impacts of climate change, but implementation depends on finance, he said. The Azerbaijani minister of ecology said all countries need to ensure they have national adaptation plans and policies by 2025. The Copenhagen ministerial meeting is the first major climate gathering since COP28 in Dubai in December and an opportunity for climate leaders to set expectations and priorities for COP29 in Azerbaijan in November. The discussions will have a strong focus on the next climate finance goal -- the biggest issue on the COP29 agenda -- and the next generation of national climate plans (NDCs) that all countries are required to update by early 2025. Developing countries, including India, are calling for USD 1 trillion a year to support their climate plans, which is tough as rich countries have yet to deliver on their commitment to provide USD 100 billion to developing countries to deal with climate impacts. According to the latest assessments, developed countries mobilised and delivered USD 89.6 billion in 2021. The failure to meet the USD 100 billion goal fully has eroded trust and been a continual source of contention during negotiations. The G20, which accounts for 80 per cent of global emissions, agreed last year that an additional USD 4 trillion will be needed every year until 2030 for developing countries to reach net zero emissions (a balance between greenhouse gases emitted and removed from the atmosphere) by 2050. "The finance battle looms large ahead of COP29," said Farooq Ullah, senior policy advisor at IISD. "To meet this challenge, governments must now look at all forms of resource mobilisation, including the domestic reform of public finances and leveraging private finance, as well as redirecting all harmful finance in line with the Paris Agreement," he said. New Delhi, Mar 21 (PTI) Hollywood actor Michael Keaton's action thriller "Knox Goes Away" is set to release in theatres across India on March 29, PVR INOX Pictures said on Thursday. Keaton, the star of "Batman" movies as well as Oscar-winning titles "Birdman" and "Spotlight", has directed the movie from a script by Gregory Poirier. The 72-year-old veteran also features in the movie along with Al Pacino, James Marsden, Marcia Gay Harden, Suzy Nakamura, Joanna Kulig, and Ray McKinnon. The film is about John Knox (Keaton), a contract killer diagnosed with a fast-moving form of dementia called CreutzfeldtJakob disease. Knox vows to spend his final days attempting to redeem himself by saving the life of his estranged adult son. He finds himself in a race against the authorities as well as the ticking clock of his own rapidly deteriorating mind, according to official synopsis. "Michael Keaton's portrayal of Knox is nothing short of extraordinary, showcasing his unparalleled experience and expertise both in front and behind the cameras," Kamal Gianchandani, CEO of PVR Pictures Limited & PVR Limited, said in a statement. "We are thrilled to present 'Knox Goes Away' to Indian audiences and are confident that it will continue to amaze them just as it has done on the international stage," he added. "Knox Goes Away" had its world premiere at the 2023 edition of the Toronto International Film Festival. It was released in theatres in the US last week. Bengaluru (Karnataka), March 21 (PTI) A storm is brewing in the Carnatic music circle over the Music Academy Madrass decision to give its prestigious Sangita Kalanidhi Award to Carnatic vocalist T M Krishna this year, which was announced on March 18. A handful of musicians have decided to boycott the Academy this year. But the Academy president N Murali told PTI that even if more musicians join in, they will stand by their decision. So far, six musicians vocalists Ranjani and Gayatri, Srikrishna Mohan and Ramkumar Mohan (aka Trichur Brothers), Harikatha exponents Dushyanth Sridhar and Vishakha Hari have registered their protest by refusing to be part of the Academys Margazhi festival line-up. Chitraveena exponent Ravikiran, who had received the Sangita Kalanidhi Award in 2017, but who has not been performing at the Academy since 2018, has stated that he would be returning his award in protest. The Academy has seen many such storms over the years and has proven its resilience. Even if more musicians join in, we will stand firm in our decision. This year will be our 98th annual convocation and concerts. The institution is bigger than individuals, Murali told PTI over the phone. Murali said he had received the letter by Ranjani and Gayatri yesterday and before he could send them a reply, they had put out the content of the letter in their social media pages. They were not talking about music but other issues. Now, the others are jumping into it without any locus standi, added Murali. When contacted, Ranjani told PTI that they have stated all that needed to be said about the issue in their letter, which is now in the public domain. The post published on X (formerly Twitter) Wednesday night, at around 7 pm, stated that the sisters will not be singing on December 25, as scheduled by the Music Academy, because the conference and concerts this year will be presided over by T M Krishna. According to them, Krishna has caused immense damage to the Carnatic music world. They went on to state that they object to Krishnas glorification of a figure like EVR (Periyar E V Ramasamy). In his reply to the sisters, Murali had said he was shocked by both the vituperative content and the vicious tone against a respected senior fellow musician. He also called out the sisters for posting the content of the letter on social media without waiting for a response. According to me, they are disappointed that they have not been awarded. That is at the root of all this, said Murali to PTI. On Wednesday night, Trichur Brothers too had taken to X to convey without going into many details that they will be pulling out of the annual conference and concerts of the Academy this year. When contacted, Ramkumar Mohan reiterated his stand and said if they participate when Krishna is presiding over, they will be outright hypocrites. Harikatha exponent Sridhar too confirmed to PTI that he will not be performing on January 1 as scheduled. Of the 3,000-odd concerts that will happen in the months of December and January, about 10 per cent will be musical discourses like Harikatha. Not only me, but also another Harikatha performer, Vishaka Hari, has also decided to boycott Music Academy this year, said Sridhar. Meanwhile, Murali said Krishna, even though unorthodox in his approach, is certainly one of the foremost Carnatic musicians today and is a right candidate for Sangita Kalanidhi award. Our foremost criterion is excellence in music over a sustained period and Krishna fulfils it, end of story, added Murali. Despite various attempts, PTI could not reach Krishna for his reaction. Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 21 (PTI) Senior Mohiniyattam dancer Kalamandalam Sathyabhama came under attack from various sections of society, including politicians and cultural organisations, for her racist remarks against a fellow artiste during a purported interview with a YouTube channel. Noted Mohiniyattam dancer Dr RLV Ramakrishnan alleged that Sathyabhama's remarks were directed at him, and threatened to initiate legal action against her. As her remarks created an uproar in Kerala society, Sathyabhama denied Ramakrishnan's allegations, saying she did not name anyone specifically in the interview. During the interview, Sathyabhama had said, "The person who performs Mohiniyattam should be 'mohini' (enchanting). He has the colour of a crow. This is an art form that requires a stance that keeps the legs wide apart. There is nothing more repulsive than a man who performs with his legs wide apart in this manner. "In my opinion, men should perform Mohiniyattam only if they are that good-looking... But his looks are unbearable," the 66-year-old dancer was heard saying in the parts of the interview that were telecast by news channels. She had also declared that he was not apt for the dance form, Mohiniyattam. Sathyabhama, however, did not specify whom she was referring to. The video, which went viral on Thursday, was severely criticised by many on social media, cutting across political lines. Ministers Saji Cheriyan, R Bindu, Veena George, Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Assembly V D Satheesan, BJP state chief K Surendran, among others, condemned the statement. The Kerala Kalamandalam, a premier public institution that preserves Kerala's artistic heritage, has also condemned Sathyabhama's remarks. The Congress held a protest march in Chalakudy town in Thrissur district, protesting against the racist remarks. Ramakrishnan hails from Chalakudy. In a Facebook post, Ramakrishnan, who is the brother of famous film actor Late Kalabhavan Mani, said Sathyabhama was continuing her racist abuse against him alleging that he was not qualified to teach Mohiniyattam. "I completed my studies at the renowned RLV college in Tripunithura. I am a first-rank holder in MA Mohiniyattam from MG University. I am a top scorer in MPhil and completed a PhD from Kalamandalam," Ramakrishnan said, adding, "This is not the first time I have faced insults from her." He said that due to such people, it is difficult for a person from a scheduled caste to survive in the field of classical dance. "Legal action will be taken against such people," he added. Expressing solidarity with Ramakrishnan, Culture Minister Saji Cheriyan urged Sathyabhama to withdraw the statement and apologise to Ramakrishnan. He said the history of Kerala consists of progressive movements that fought and achieved rights for the oppressed and the downtrodden communities. Art knows no monopolies, he said. "The remarks made by Sathyabhama are an insult to Kerala's cultural ethos. People with such conservative mentalities have no right to use the name of such a respected institution along with their names. Alongside the insult regarding his (skin) colour, her words exhibited inherent casteism," Cheriyan said. Minister Bindu said Ramakrishnan has rewritten the history of Mohiniyattam and liberated the art form of feudal times from the shackles of outdated values. "Shocked to hear a classical dance performer, who seems to be harbouring the rotting remnants of caste and colour-based discrimination, level such slanderous words against a creative genius like RLV Ramakrishnan. This is highly objectionable," Bindu posted on social media platform X. Meanwhile, BJP state chief K Surendran said that in art, there is no distinction based on caste, colour, race, sex or financial status. "Everyone in this field is above all this. And those who distinguish thus, no matter how great the throne of knowledge they may ascend, will remain ignorant. Don't use pride and arrogance to insult others. With RLV Ramakrishnan," Surendran said in a social media post, expressing solidarity with the renowned male artiste. Kerala Kalamandalam condemned the statements of Sathyabhama. In a statement, it said that individuals who make such uncivilised remarks while associating their name with the institution bring disgrace upon it. The institution said that it currently does not have any connection with Sathyabhama, other than that she being a former student. The Purogamana Kala Sahitya Sangham (Progressive Arts and Literary Organisation) also condemned the "casteist" remarks and said Ramakrishnan's contribution to the art form is invaluable. Minister George said Sathyabhama's remarks are an insult to Kerala society itself. However, Sathyabhama vehemently defended what she said and added that she had not taken any names in the interview. "I have not taken any names in the interview. What I have said in the interview is my opinion, and I stand by that. I don't have any regrets," she said. She even criticised the media for creating an issue out of the incident. Expressing solidarity with Ramakrishnan, Leader of Opposition Satheesan said, "Art is important, not colour. Art is the union of humility and compassion. Art and culture die when one is insulted on the basis of colour and caste." Protesting against Sathyabhama's remarks, Congress leader and Chalakudy MLA Saneesh Kumar Joseph led a protest march in Chalakudy town for insulting Ramakrishnan and his late brother Mani. He also sought stern action against Sathyabhama. DYFI, the youth wing of the ruling CPI(M), on Thursday announced that it would organise events statewide to host performances by Ramakrishnan. Singapore, Mar 21 (PTI) Two prominent Indian-origin professionals -- Justice Judith Prakash and Ravi Menon -- were among three new members to be appointed to the Board of Trustees of the National University of Singapore, according to a statement from the institution. NUS said that Justice Judith Prakash, Tan Chong Meng and Ravi Menon have been made part of its board of trustees of the prestigious varsity. The three new members of the board, who are all NUS alumni, will begin their terms on April 1, the university said. Menon was the longest-serving managing director of the Monetary Authority of Singapore, holding the position from 2011 until his retirement on January 1 this year. He was also the deputy chairman of the Central Provident Fund Board and sat on the boards of the Housing and Development Board and DBS. He is currently the chairman of the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ) Asia-Pacific Network advisory board and a member of the GFANZ Principals Group. He is also a trustee of Singapore Indian Development Association (SINDA). Justice Prakash, who is a senior judge, has served on the Supreme Court bench for more than 30 years. She was the first woman to be appointed a permanent judge of the Court of Appeal and was previously the lead judge for arbitration matters. She currently sits on the boards of trustees of the SINDA and the Eurasian Association. Tan was the group CEO of port operator PSA International until his retirement this month. He is currently the chairman of Jurong Town Corporation (JTC) and the deputy chairman of the board of the National University Health System. He was also the governor chair of the World Economic Forum's Supply Chain & Transport Industry Community and co-chairman of Singapore's Emerging Stronger Taskforce, a committee set up by the government to guide the country's economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The chairman of the NUS board of trustees, Hsieh Fu Hua, extended a warm welcome to Justice Prakash, Tan and Menon. "Their breadth and depth of experience will enrich board discussions and bring useful perspectives to guide the growth of the university amid a fast-changing and challenging environment," he said in a statement. The NUS board of trustees, which currently has 20 members, works closely with the university's management and stakeholders to shape its vision, chart its major directions and guide its initiatives, NUS said. Its members are appointed by the Minister for Education, according to a Channel News Asia report. London, Mar 21 (PTI) A package containing antibiotic tablets intended for animal use was seized by the UKs Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) at Heathrow Airport in west London on Thursday. The Amoxycillin and Potassium Clavulanate tablets in the package were identified by a courier company based at a depot in the Heathrow Distribution Centre. The VMD, an executive agency of the UK governments Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) charged with protecting animal health, public health and the environment, said the parcel had arrived from India containing medicine destined for a residential address in Lancashire, north-west England. The medicine five boxes (each containing 100 tablets) of Amoxycillin and Potassium Clavulanate Tablets (Finecure Pharmaceuticals Ltd) was detained and subsequently seized by an inspector from the VMD, the veterinarian watchdog said in a statement. "This antibiotic product was intended for use in companion animals. The product listed is not authorised for use in GB [Greater Britain] or NI [Northern Ireland] and was not accompanied by any relevant certification to permit their import, it said. The VMD said the medicines were seized under Regulation 25, pertaining to the importation of unauthorised veterinary medicinal products, of the UKs Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013. Sydney, Mar 21 (AP) Australia and the United Kingdom signed a new defence and security cooperation agreement with the defence ministers of both countries saying it was required to meet 'contemporary challenges' to maintain a global rules-based order. The treaty was signed by Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles and his UK counterpart Grant Shapps following annual bilateral ministerial defence talks at Parliament House in Canberra on Thursday, as part of the Australia-UK Ministerial (AUKMIN) meeting, which was first held in 2006. Australia's relationship with the UK is dynamic and enduring, Marles said in a written statement on Thursday. From the UK's leadership of support for Ukraine and efforts to address the Houthi threat, to increasing contributions in the Pacific and the Indo-Pacific, we continue to work closely together to support a global rules-based order. As the world becomes more complex and uncertain, we must modernize our most important partnerships," the statement said. Refreshing the bilateral defence treaty was a commitment made at the AUKMIN conference held last year in the UK. Shapps said the treaty formalises how the two country's will consult on issues that affect each other's sovereignty and regional security. I think one of the most important elements is it describes a mechanism by which we consult when either of our countries are under threat and we have those discussions more formalized than it is at the moment, Shapps said at a joint press conference with Marles at Parliament House in Canberra on Thursday. We do already cooperate very significantly on defense matters, it should be said. So we'll always be looking to deepen that cooperation between our countries. The treaty includes provisions to make it easier for the respective forces to operate together in each other's countries, such as the joint training of Ukrainian troops in the UK. Other areas within the agreement included continued cooperation on capability development, including through the AUKUS alliance, as well as closer collaboration on undersea warfare, intelligence and military exercises. (AP) PY PY Karachi, Mar 21 (PTI) At least two soldiers of the Pakistani Army were killed and eight Baloch terrorists were "sent to hell" when security personnel foiled an attempt by heavily armed Baloch insurgents to storm the Gwadar Port Authority complex in the restive Balochistan province, the military has said. The port complex hosts several government and paramilitary offices and the strategically located Gwadar Port remains one of the focal points of the billion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Project. A press release from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military's media wing, said a group of terrorists attempted to enter the Port Authority Colony but were successfully thwarted by security forces personnel on Wednesday. Own troops employed for security responded immediately and effectively engaged the terrorists, and in ensuing fire exchange, all eight terrorists were sent to hell," the statement said late on Wednesday. Two sepoys were killed in the exchange of fire, the statement said. A large quantity of arms, ammunition and explosives was also recovered from the possession of the militants from the separatist Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA). Balochistan, bordering Iran and Afghanistan, is home to a long-running violent insurgency. Baloch insurgent groups have previously carried out several attacks targeting the USD 60 billion CPEC projects. The BLA is opposed to China's investments in Balochistan and accuses Beijing and Islamabad of exploitation of the resource-rich province, a charge rejected by the authorities. Thousands of Chinese personnel are working in Pakistan on several projects being carried out under the aegis of the CPEC. BLAs Majeed Brigade, which was formed in 2011, is a particularly lethal guerilla cell of the BLA. It was named after a guard of former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto who was killed while attempting to assassinate the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) founder. It has been alleged that the group also maintains sanctuaries in areas along the Pak-Iran border. The brigade, which is the suicide squad of the BLA, mostly targets security forces and Chinese interests in Pakistan. It also claimed responsibility for the April 2022 suicide attack outside the Karachi Universitys Confucius Institute. The outfit had also claimed responsibility for three coordinated attacks launched using rockets and sophisticated weapons in Balochistans Mach town in January, some 70 kilometres from the provincial capital of Quetta. The attack comes on a day when Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif asserted that his government will not tolerate any acts of cross-border terrorism. Gwadar Senior Superintendent of Police Captain (retd) Zohaib Mohsin said the situation is now under control. A large contingent of police and security forces had arrived at the scene when the intense firing was ongoing, he added. A statement from the United Nations Department for Safety and Security said several explosions followed by continuous firing were reported during the attack on the complex. The statement confirmed there were no immediate reports of civilian casualties, elaborating that seven personnel from three UN agencies based in Gwadar and two UN agencies on missions were safe and accounted for. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, commending the security forces for thwarting the attack, appreciated the valour and professional skills of the personnel and officers of the police and security forces. He paid tribute to the soldiers who laid down their lives during the operation, the PM Office Media Wing said in a press release. Shehbaz further said those trying to target Gwadar and Balochistan wanted to interrupt the process for the countrys economic prosperity and vowed to foil all internal and external conspiracies with the help of the people. Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti hailed security and law enforcement officials for their response against the attackers and said the message is loud and clear that whosoever chooses to use violence will see no mercy from the state. Pakistan has witnessed an uptick in terror activities in the past year, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan after the banned militant Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) outfit ended its ceasefire with the government in November 2022. Balochistan faces a double threat by the banned TTP as well as Baloch militants. The incidents of terrorism have increased in Pakistan since the Taliban took over the government in Kabul, dashing hopes in Islamabad that a friendly government in Afghanistan would help to tackle militancy. Wednesdays attack comes after a lull in violence and terror activities in the Balochistan province since the February 8 general elections. According to an annual security report issued by the Centre for Research and Security Studies, Pakistan witnessed 1,524 violence-related fatalities and 1,463 injuries from 789 terror attacks and counter-terror operations in 2023 - marking a record six-year high. Sonipat, Mar 21 (The Conversation) Lawmakers in Hong Kong passed new security legislation on March 19, 2024, handing authorities in the semi-autonomous city-state further power to clamp down on dissent. The law, under Article 23, has been decades in the making but was resisted for a long time by protesters who feared the legislations effect on civil liberties in Hong Kong, a special administrative region in China that has become increasingly under the thumb of Beijing. To explain what the adoption of Article 23, which is set to be signed into law on March 23, 2024, means for the future of Hong Kong, The Conversation turned to Michael C. Davis, a law professor who taught constitutional law and human rights in Hong Kong for more than 30 years, most recently at the University of Hong Kong, and is the author of Freedom Undone: The Assault on Liberal Values in Hong Kong. What is the background to Article 23? Article 23 has a lengthy backstory. It is an article in the Basic Law of Hong Kong requiring the Hong Kong government to enact a local ordinance governing national security. The Basic Law itself is effectively the constitution of Hong Kong. Its promulgation by the central government was part of Chinas obligation under the Sino-British Joint Declaration of 1984 the treaty providing for Hong Kongs return to China. Thirteen years later, in 1997, the territory was transferred to Chinese rule after more than a century under the British. The Basic Law established a largely liberal constitutional order for post-handover Hong Kong. This included guarantees of the rule of law and basic freedoms, as well as a promise of ultimate universal suffrage. It was formally adopted by Chinas National Peoples Congress in 1990. Basic Law Article 23 requires the Hong Kong government to on its own enact certain national security laws relating to treason, secession, sedition, subversion or theft of state secrets, and to regulate foreign organisations. The Hong Kong government first put forward an Article 23 bill in 2003. But due to concerns over the implications for press and organisational freedoms, as well as expanded police powers, the proposed bill met with widespread opposition. A uniformed police officer puts his fingers in his ears in front of a sign that has the number 23 crossed out. A group of seven leading lawyers and two legal academics, including myself, challenged the proposed bill in a collection of pamphlets that highlighted its deficiencies under international human rights standards. Meanwhile, half a million protesters took to the streets of Hong Kong. In the face of such opposition and the consequent withdrawal of support by a leading pro-goverment party, the bill was withdrawn. Rather than come forward with a replacement bill that would address human rights concerns, the government opted to let Article 23 languish for two decades. Then, in 2020, Beijing imposed a national security law that gave Hong Kong authorities greater power. It led to the arrest and repression of opposition figures in Hong Kong, silencing the once-vibrant democracy movement. With no effective opposition left and the threat of arrest for anyone who speaks out, the pro-Beijing Hong Kong government decided now was the time to ram through a more extreme version of the bill. The Hong Kong government, with Beijings encouragement, was able to open up a short consultation on the new Article 23 legislative proposal with little or no opposition expressed. The process was facilitated by a patriots only electoral system imposed by Beijing in 2021 that has tightened Beijings grip over the Hong Kong legislature, leading to unanimous support for the bill. How will it affect civil liberties in Hong Kong? In tandem with the 2020 Beijing-imposed national security law, the new Article 23 legislation will have a dramatic effect on civil liberties. The national security law with its vague provisions on secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion has already been used along with a colonial-era sedition law to arrest and silence dissent in Hong Kong. Many opposition figures are in prison or have fled into exile. And those with dissenting views who remain have largely gone silent. The draft bill expands on the national security law in key areas: the stealing of state secrets, insurrection, sabotage and external interference in Hong Kong. It essentially embraces mainland Chinas comprehensive national security regime, which has long focused on suppressing internal opposition, targeting numerous areas of local civil life, impacting organisational, press and academic freedoms. Included in Article 23 is the adoption of the mainlands broad definition of state secrets, which can even include reporting or writing on social and economic development policies. The legislation expands the potential use of incarceration with both lengthy sentences upon conviction and longer holding of suspects before trial. Article 23 also intensifies scrutiny of foreign influence making working with outsiders risky for Hong Kong citizens. The draft legislation speaks disparagingly of activism under the guises of fighting for or monitoring human rights and is critical of so-called nongovernmental organisations. All of this makes working with or supporting international human rights organisations perilous. In short, in the space of two decades, Hong Kongs liberal constitutional order has been transformed into a national security order with weak or no protecno protections for basic freedoms. What is the wider context to Article 23? To understand this legislation, one must appreciate the Chinese Communist Partys deep hostility to liberal values and institutions, such as the rule of law, civil liberties, independent courts, a free press and public accountability. Such liberal ideas are viewed as an existential threat to party rule. This mindset has led to a dramatic expansion of the partys national security agenda under current leader Xi Jinping. Beijing has emphasised economic development in recent decades, staking its legitimacy on economic growth betting that people will care more about their standard of living than about political freedoms. But as growth declines, leaders concerns about security and dissent have grown, placing such security even above economic development. This has led to the comprehensive national security concept now being imposed on Hong Kong. With Beijing advancing an agenda that casts liberal, democratic ideas as a threat, a liberal Hong Kong on the countrys border became impossible for the Chinese Communist Party to ignore. A group of protesters shelter under umbrellas Widespread protests in Hong Kong in 2019 both exacerbated this concern and offered an opportunity for Beijing to address the perceived threat under the claim that protesters were advancing a so-called colour revolution". Having long nurtured its loyalist camp to rule Hong Kong, these loyal officials became the instrument of the crackdown. What does the lack of protest now say about the pro-democracy movement? It tells us that the mainland national security regime imposed on Hong Kong has effectively intimidated the society, especially those with opposition views, into silence. Hong Kongs pro-democratic camp had historically enjoyed majority support, at around 60 per cent of the voters in the direct elections that were allowed for half of the legislative seats. The introduction of loyalists-only elections led to a dramatically reduced turnout. This and emigration patterns tend to show that the majority of Hong Kong people do not support this new illiberal order. Be that as it may, with most of their pro-democratic leaders either in jail or exile, they dare not speak out against the new national security regime. (The Conversation) PY PY Meulaboh (Indonesia), Mar 21 (AP) An Indonesian search and rescue ship located a capsized wooden boat that had been carrying dozens of Rohingya Muslim refugees, and began pulling survivors who had been standing on its hull to safety Thursday. An AP photographer aboard the rescue ship said 10 people had been taken aboard local fishing boats and another 59 were being saved by the Indonesian craft. Men, women and children, weak and soaked from the night's rain, wept as the rescue operation got underway and people were taken aboard a rubber dinghy to the rescue boat. (AP) NPK NPK Bathurst (Australia), Mar 21 (The Conversation) X owner Elon Musk recently described using small amounts of ketamine once every other week to manage the chemical tides that cause his depression. He says its helpful to get out of a negative frame of mind. This has caused a range of reactions in the media, including on X (formerly Twitter), from strong support for Musks choice of treatment, to allegations he has a drug problem. But what exactly is ketamine? And what is its role in the treatment of depression? It was first used as an anaesthetic Ketamine is a dissociative anaesthetic used in surgery and to relieve pain. At certain doses, people are awake but are disconnected from their bodies. This makes it useful for paramedics, for example, who can continue to talk to injured patients while the drug blocks pain but without affecting the persons breathing or blood flow. Ketamine is also used to sedate animals in veterinary practice. Ketamine is a mixture of two molecules, usually referred to a S-Ketamine and R-Ketamine. S-Ketamine, or esketamine, is stronger than R-Ketamine and was approved in 2019 in the United States under the drug name Spravato for serious and long-term depression that has not responded to at least two other types of treatments. Ketamine is thought to change chemicals in the brain that affect mood. While the exact way ketamine works on the brain is not known, scientists think it changes the amount of the neurotransmitter glutamate and therefore changes symptoms of depression. How was it developed? Ketamine was first synthesised by chemists at the Parke Davis pharmaceutical company in Michigan in the United States as an anaesthetic. It was tested on a group of prisoners at Jackson Prison in Michigan in 1964 and found to be fast acting with few side effects. The US Food and Drug Administration approved ketamine as a general anaesthetic in 1970. It is now on the World Health Organisations core list of essential medicines for health systems worldwide as an anaesthetic drug. In 1994, following patient reports of improved depression symptoms after surgery where ketamine was used as the anaesthetic, researchers began studying the effects of low doses of ketamine on depression. The first clinical trial results were published in 2000. In the trial, seven people were given either intravenous ketamine or a salt solution over two days. Like the earlier case studies, ketamine was found to reduce symptoms of depression quickly, often within hours and the effects lasted up to seven days. Over the past 20 years, researchers have studied the effects of ketamine on treatment resistant depression, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder obsessive-compulsive disorder, eating disorders and for reducing substance use, with generally positive results. One study in a community clinic providing ketamine intravenous therapy for depression and anxiety found the majority of patients reported improved depression symptoms eight weeks after starting regular treatment. While this might sound like a lot of research, its not. A recent review of ketamine research conducted in the past 30 years found only 22 ketamine studies involving a total of 2,336 patients worldwide. In comparison, in 2021 alone, there were 1,489 studies being conducted on cancer drugs. Is ketamine prescribed in Australia? Even though the research results on ketamines effectiveness are encouraging, scientists still dont really know how it works. Thats why its not readily available from GPs in Australia as a standard depression treatment. Instead, ketamine is mostly used in specialised clinics and research centres. However, the clinical use of ketamine is increasing. Spravato nasal spray was approved by the Australian Therapuetic Goods Administration (TGA) in 2021. It must be administered under the direct supervision of a health-care professional, usually a psychiatrist. Spravato dosage and frequency varies for each person. People usually start with three to six doses over several weeks to see how it works, moving to fortnightly treatment as a maintenance dose. The nasal spray costs between AUD 600 and AUD 900 per dose, which will significantly limit many peoples access to the drug. Ketamine can be prescribed off-label by GPs in Australia who can prescribe schedule 8 drugs. This means it is up to the GP to assess the person and their medication needs. But experts in the drug recommend caution because of the lack of research into negative side-effects and longer-term effects. What about its illicit use? Concern about use and misuse of ketamine is heightened by highly publicised deaths connected to the drug. Ketamine has been used as a recreational drug since the 1970s. People report it makes them feel euphoric, trance-like, floating and dreamy. However, the amounts used recreationally are typically higher than those used to treat depression. Information about deaths due to ketamine is limited. Those that are reported are due to accidents or ketamine combined with other drugs. No deaths have been reported in treatment settings. Reducing stigma Depression is the third leading cause of disability worldwide and effective treatments are needed. Seeking medical advice about treatment for depression is wiser than taking Musks advice on which drugs to use. However, Musks public discussion of his mental health challenges and experiences of treatment has the potential to reduce stigma around depression and help-seeking for mental health conditions. (The Conversation) PY PY Kyiv, Mar 21 (AP) Ukraine's capital was attacked by Russia for the first time in 44 days on Thursday as Kyiv residents woke early to loud explosions. Ukraine's Emergency Service said 13 people were wounded, including one child, and that dozens of people were evacuated from their homes. Around 30 cruise and ballistic missiles were shot down over the city, said Serhii Popko, the head of Kyiv City Administration. In the Shevchenkivskyi district in western Kyiv, an apartment in a multistory building and cars were set on fire as a result of the Russian attack, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said. The attack comes after Ukraine has continuously attacked Russia's Belgorod region near the border with Ukraine for several days.(AP) RUP RUP London, Mar 21 (PTI) British Prime Minister Rishi Sunaks flagship legislation aimed at flying illegal migrants to Rwanda has hit another set of parliamentary hurdles after the House of Lords delivered multiple defeats on the draft bill, sending it back to the Commons. The Safety of Rwanda Bill will return for members of Parliament to vote on in mid-April after the Easter recess as the Upper House peers rejected the changes of the House of Commons in seven votes, with majorities ranging between 30 and 55, on Wednesday night. They expressed support for amendments to water down the hardline legislation that seeks to deem the East African country safe in law to block legal challenges to migrants being flown out to Rwanda while their asylum claims are assessed. While the Opposition Labour Party has branded the scheme a costly gimmick, the Conservative government has said it is a key tool to tackle soaring illegal migration via dangerous small boats crossing the English Channel. It is crystal clear, as we are seeing from the Labour Partys opposition in this House, that while we are committed to stopping the boats, the Labour Party would keep them coming, said Sunak in the Commons, when questioned about his Rwanda scheme on Wednesday. Since I became Prime Minister, the number of small boat crossings is down by over a third. That is because we have doubled National Crime Agency funding and we have increased illegal immigration enforcement raids by 70 per cent. We have closed 7,500 bank accounts, deported 24,000 illegal migrants and processed over 112,000 cases more than at any point in the last two decades, he claimed. Labour Leader Keir Starmer accused the government of wasting taxpayers money on the scheme, which has a reported bill of around GBP 600 million. The tragedy is we know the Prime Minister does not even believe in the Rwanda gimmick His great hope is to placate those in his party with a couple of empty planes, praying they will not notice when the flights stop going, the boats are still coming and the costs keep mounting, said Starmer. The Rwanda bill, meanwhile, remains in a deadlock phase between the two Houses of Parliament until an agreement can be reached on the final wording. The government is expected to hold consecutive days of votes in both Houses once Parliament is back in session post-Easter next month until a consensus can be found. This means the likelihood of the first flights of migrants taking off for Rwanda is not before June at the earliest after the bill clears its parliamentary journey and receives the Kings royal assent to become law. The legislation is crucial to Sunaks stated priorities ahead of a general election, with his stop the boats pledge hinging on this flagship policy to fly asylum seekers out to Rwanda and show he is cracking down on illegal migration to the UK shores. Beijing, Mar 21 (PTI) China on Thursday condemned the Baloch militants' attack on Pakistan's Gwadar Port, which is part of the multi-billion dollar CPEC, saying Beijing firmly backs Islamabads efforts to fight terrorism and defend national security. Two soldiers of the Pakistani Army were killed and eight Baloch militants were "sent to hell" when security personnel foiled an attempt by heavily armed Baloch insurgents to storm the Gwadar Port Authority complex in the restive Balochistan province, according to the Pakistan military. "We noted the reports (and) we strongly condemned the terrorist attack and mourn for the Pakistani personnel killed in the attack, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian told a media briefing here. China is against all forms of terrorism and firmly supports national development and social stability in Pakistan, he said answering a question on the Gwadar port attack. We firmly support Pakistan's efforts to fight terrorism and defend national security and stability," he said. The port complex hosts several government and paramilitary offices and the strategically located Gwadar Port remains one of the focal points of the billion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Project. Balochistan, bordering Iran and Afghanistan, is home to a long-running violent insurgency. Baloch insurgent groups have previously carried out several attacks targeting the USD 60 billion CPEC projects. The BLA is opposed to China's investments in Balochistan and accuses Beijing and Islamabad of exploitation of the resource-rich province, a charge rejected by the authorities. Thousands of Chinese personnel are working in Pakistan on several projects being carried out under the aegis of the CPEC. Wednesdays attack comes after a lull in violence and terror activities in the Balochistan province since the February 8 general elections. According to an annual security report issued by the Centre for Research and Security Studies, Pakistan witnessed 1,524 violence-related fatalities and 1,463 injuries from 789 terror attacks and counter-terror operations in 2023 - marking a record six-year high. London, Mar 21 (PTI) A 26-year-old pro-Khalistan Sikh activist who pleaded guilty to causing injury to two Indian-origin men and a female police officer at an Indian Independence Day related community event in west London last year has been sentenced to 28 months imprisonment. Gurpreet Singh appeared at Isleworth Crown Court on Wednesday after pleading guilty in January to the unlawful wounding of victims Aashish Sharma and Nanak Singh and causing actual bodily harm (ABH) to Police Constable (PC) Justine Nicolle Farrell, as well as a fourth count of affray. The incident occurred during an Indian Independence Day related community event in Southall on August 15 night last year, with videos circulating on social media showing a clash involving some pro-Khalistan extremists and police officers chasing suspects. "Gurpreet Singh was sentenced to 28 months imprisonment after he entered guilty pleas in respect of four counts on the indictment on January 12, a court official said. The court heard that the Indian national was carrying his religious kirpan, which was used as a weapon of offence. Singh could face deportation to India at the end of his sentence. "I recognise the enormous concern this incident will have caused, both in Southall and in the Sikh communities around London and further afield, in what was an otherwise largely peaceful and celebratory event, said Metropolitan Police Superintendent Sean Lynch, responsible for neighbourhood policing in west London at the time of the incident last year. We are aware of footage circulating on social media, with people also commenting on what they think happened. We would urge people to avoid echoing or adding to speculation. Fortunately, none of those injured were seriously hurt and there were no fatalities," he said. PC Justine Farrell was involved in detaining Singh and sustained a small cut to her hand, which the Met Police said did not require hospital treatment. Islamabad, Mar 21 (PTI) Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday approached an anti-corruption court seeking presidential immunity in a case of alleged corruption. During the hearing of the Thatta water supply case, the president's counsel submitted the application that after becoming the president, Zardari enjoyed presidential immunity against court cases, and any proceedings against him could not continue. The court issued notices to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), which had filed the case and adjourned the hearing till April 22. The Thatta water supply case pertains to an alleged illegal award of a contract for the water supply scheme to a private contractor in the Thatta district of the Sindh province. The other accused in the case include former secretary Ejaz Ahmed Khan, Ali Akbar, Ejaz Memon, and others. Earlier this week, Zardari filed for presidential immunity in the Park Lane case, in which he is accused of influencing authorities to release loans to front companies. On March 9, Zardari was elected president of Pakistan for the second time, a record for any civilian and as per the law, he enjoys immunity from legal proceedings until the end of his five-year term. Srinagar, Mar 20 (PTI) Security forces on Wednesday apprehended a suspected terrorist in Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara district and seized explosives among other incriminating materials from him, officials said. The person is being questioned by police, they said. "Based on specific intelligence inputs, a Joint Search Operation was launched by #IndianArmy & @JmuKmrPolice at Khurhama, Kupwara today. One suspected individual has been apprehended along with the recovery of 04xHand Grenades and other war-like stores," Srinagar-based Chinar Corps of the Army posted on 'X'. Mumbai, Mar 21 (PTI) The Mumbai civic body has demolished the alleged illegal portion of a five-storey residential structure belonging to a man who injured four persons over a parking dispute, an official said on Thursday. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) carried out the demolition in the Sakinaka area on Wednesday after receiving multiple complaints against the building of accused Iqbal Khan, a civic official said. The incident took place on March 14 over a parking row between Khan (50) and Siddesh Prakash Godpade (23), Rajesh Chettiyar (28), Tangaraj Chettiyar (58) and Laxmi Chettiyar (52). During a heated argument, Khan allegedly stabbed the four, said an official. The Sakinaka police registered a case against Khan and two others, Asgar and Javed, the next day on the complaint of one of the victims. The trio was later arrested for attempt to murder, assault and criminal intimidation under the Indian Penal Code. There have been many complaints against Khan, who runs a mobile repairing shop, as he frequently fought with his neighbours, the official added. Pune, Mar 21 (PTI) Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday said wrestler Chandrahar Patil will be his party's candidate from Sangli Lok Sabha seat in western Maharashtra. Thackeray announced the name of Patil, who has won the state's top wrestling competition 'Maharashtra Kesari' two times, at a rally in Sangli. "Today I am announcing the candidature of Chandrahar Patil. He will contest the election on the symbol of 'mashaal' (torch). I have given this 'mard' who is ready to fight for you. You (party workers) are the real 'gada' ( blunt mace ) for him," Thackeray said. Incidentally, earlier in the day, Congress MLA from Jat, Vikramsinh Sawant, had said his party would boycott Thackeray's rally due to the impasse over Sangli Lok Sabha seat. "Sangli seat has always been with the Congress. We are of the opinion that Congress should get this seat and we have conveyed it to our seniors. Since the Shiv Sena (UBT) has unilaterally declared its candidate, we will not attend this rally." Sawant had said. (This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI) New Delhi, Mar 21 (PTI) Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal wants to join the investigations of the Enforcement Directorate and cooperate with the agency but has appealed to the high court that coercive action not be taken against him, Delhi minister Atishi said on Thursday. Atishi said that Kejriwal has approached the Delhi High Court, alleging that the ED wanted to arrest him. "Delhi CM Kejriwal wants to join the ED investigation and cooperate with the agency. But, we believe that the ED is not an independent agency. It does not want to conduct investigation. It is a political tool of the BJP," Atishi charged in a video message. "The ED wants to arrest Kejriwal by summoning him. If the intentions of the ED are clear, the agency should say in the court that Arvind Kejriwal will not be arrested by it," she said. The probe agency's aim is to arrest Kejriwal and stop him from campaigning for Lok Sabha polls, the Delhi minister alleged. Kejriwal has so far skipped multiple summonses regarding a money laundering probe linked to an alleged excise policy scam. BIRMINGHAM Adolfo Martinez of Enterprise was named to the Deans List for the Fall, 2023 Semester at Lawson State Community College. Deans List Scholars attained a grade point average of 3.5 consisting of a minimum course load of not fewer 12 semester hours of college-level courses or above. With two campuses located in Bessemer and Birmingham, Lawson State Community College provides seamless administrative processes and educational support services for students, members of the community, and other constituents. Lawson State is composed of two main divisionsan academic division and a career/technical division and prepares students for gainful employment and career advancement through comprehensive offerings including college transfer, workforce development, adult education, and dual enrollment programs. New Delhi, Mar 21 (PTI) The Election Commission Thursday directed the Centre to "immediately halt" sending bulk WhatsApp messages under the "Viksit Bharat Sampark". to highlight the government's initiatives. The Commission issued the direction to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology after it received complaints about the matter. "The move is a part of a series of decisions taken by the Commission to ensure a level-playing field," the Commission said. It has also sought a compliance report on the matter from the ministry. The ministry had informed the Commission that the messages along with a letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi were sent before the Model Code of Conduct came into force on March 16. ".... some of them could have possibly been delivered to recipients with a delay because of systemic and network limitations," the ministry said in a communication to the Commission. The poll authority had received several complaints that such messages highlighting the government's initiatives were still being delivered on citizens' phones despite the announcement of the General Elections 2024 and the MCC coming into force. The Congress and the Trinamool Congress had raised objections to the message and requested the Election Commission to act against this "blatant violation" of the Model Code of Conduct. New Delhi, Mar 21 (PTI) The BJP on Thursday dismissed the Congress' attack on the government over freezing of its bank accounts as the opposition party's "desperate" attempt to create an alibi for its imminent defeat in the Lok Sabha polls. BJP leader and former Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad accused former Congress president Rahul Gandhi of lying on the issue and also targeted Sonia Gandhi, saying both of them shamed Indian democracy globally with their "irresponsible" comments. Prasad said the Congress did not file income tax returns in time, leading to the freezing of its accounts. The opposition party did not get any judicial relief and has now gone to the Supreme Court, he said, accusing Congress leaders of lying over the issue. He said the Congress was even pulled up by high court over the issue. "We wish the Congress well and our gentle advice to the party is the more you allow Rahul Gandhi to speak the more ground you lose," Prasad said. If people don't want to vote for the Congress, the BJP cannot help it, he said. New Delhi, Mar 21 (PTI) Alleging misuse of state resources for the poll campaign of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Congress on Thursday complained to the Election Commission against "Modi Parivaar" and "Modi ki Guarantee" advertisements and sought their immediate removal and action against those behind it. A delegation of Congress leaders comprising Mukul Wasnik, Salman Khurshid and Supriya Shrinate met the Election Commission and handed over a set of complaints about alleged violations of the model code of conduct for the Lok Sabha polls and demanded immediate action. The Congress delegation also lodged a complaint against the BJP's "false advertisements" invoking the 2G allocation issue and alleged that the party was pursuing a decade-old narrative that had been thoroughly discredited through a comprehensive judicial process. The party prayed for removal of the advertisement and action against its authors and publishers. In another complaint, the Congress sought removal of 'Modi Parivaar' advertisement, alleging that it highlights how state resources are being misused for a veiled campaign advertisement. "The brazen use of the armed forces violates multiple directives of the ECI. The fact that the Ministry of I&B is being compelled to produce and broadcast the same also needs to be addressed. We seek the removal of the advertisement and action against the guilty parties," the Congress memorandum read. In a separate complaint, the Congress demanded a probe into an unsolicited letter being circulated on social media purportedly from the prime minister himself and asked how the official letterhead of the PMO can be used for what is an obvious campaigning material. "We demand an inquiry into the group circulating the same and the takedown of the material along with other appropriate action," the memorandum said. The Congress also sought action against the BJP's advertisements on the Delhi Metro with the tagline "Modi ki Guarantee" and removal of such advertisements. The party also sought the removal of all images of the prime minister from government bodies, offices, petrol pumps for the duration of the elections as the same violates multiple safeguards iterated in election law. Another complaint by the Congress highlighted the "vile and obscene" posts targeting a senior congress leader, being run from the official social media handle of the BJP. "Strict action is sought against the authors and the publishers for multiple violations of the Indian Penal Code 1860 and the Representation of the People Act, 1951," the party said. Srinagar, Mar 21 (PTI) Mehbooba Mufti would have supported the NC on all three Lok Sabha seats in Kashmir if Farooq Abdullah or Omar Abdullah had consulted her before announcing their decision to contest, senior PDP leader Waheed ur Rehman Parra said on Thursday. Mufti, the president of the PDP, on March 8 expressed unhappiness over the National Conference contesting all three Lok Sabha constituencies in Kashmir, saying the decision was disappointing and a setback to the hopes of the people of J&K. She also accused the NC of reducing their Peoples Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) to a joke. "If Farooq Abdullah or Omar Abdullah had told Mehbooba ji to give all these seats to them, as far as I know, she would have done it," Parra told reporters in Pulwama, 32 km from here. The People's Democratic Party (PDP) youth president said while the PAGD alliance had been working for five years, the NC leaders were now making "arrogant statements" about being the number one party. "For five years, they kept this alliance for DDC polls, corporation elections and many other issues. When it was time to keep people united, they decided to divide people. And their arrogance in stating that our party is nowhere, we have no vote share," he said. Parra said the National Conference had won the 2019 Lok Sabha polls in Kashmir due to a situation of boycott. "They won in a situation of boycott (in 2019) and now claim that the NC is the number one party and the PDP is nowhere on the ground. I think the people of Jammu and Kashmir keep an eye on every statement and every leader and they will decide like they did in 2002," he added. Hitting out at the NC MPs, Parra asked what they achieved during their five-year tenure in the Lok Sabha. "As far as PDP is concerned, we are for unity and our intentions were sincere. They had three MPs in the Lok Sabha. What did they do? What issues did they raise? When the state land eviction drive was on, it was Mehbooba Mufti who protested outside the Parliament. Even when ED summons Farooq Abdullah, it is Mehbooba Mufti who raises her voice," he said. Jaipur, Mar 21 (PTI) Senior BJP leader and former Kota North MLA Prahlad Gunjal on Thursday joined the Congress here in the presence of former chief minister Ashok Gehlot and Rajasthan Congress chief Govind Singh Dotasra. Apart from Gunjal, Naresh Meena, Fateh Khan and Sunil Parihar who contested the 2023 assembly elections as independent from Chhabra, Sheo and Siwana seats, respectively, also joined the Congress in a programme organised at the party's state office here. "Today I have left the Bharatiya Janata Party and joined the Congress. I was a BJP worker for 40 years and became MLA twice. The tendency to crush the voice of a common man has become a challenge for democracy," Gunjal told reporters after joining the Congress. He further said, "Today the country has come to a point where coercion and oppression have become the character of politics...hence people with self-respect need to unite to save their existence." Rajasthan Congress president Dotasra said, "Today dictatorship is going on in the BJP. Power has come into the hands of some people, and leaders with mass base are being sidelined. "Gunjal is a strong leader. When he felt that the BJP did not need leaders with a mass base, he thought it appropriate to join the Congress." Gehlot said that Gunjal has joined the Congress after being influenced by the policies of the party. He also said that democracy is in danger in the country. "Good people are feeling suffocated in the BJP. First the BJP levels allegations and as soon as that person joins it, all allegations get settled," Gehlot alleged. Gunjal, who was the MLA from Kota North twice but had lost the last assembly polls, is seen as a very vocal leader and with his arrival, the Congress is expected to benefit in Hadoti region. New Delhi, Mar 21 (PTI) The Supreme Court on Thursday took note of the alleged manhandling of senior advocate Gaurav Bhatia in the Gautam Budh Nagar district court and issued notice to the president and secretary of the Janpad Diwani Evam Faujdari Bar association. Senior advocate Vikas Singh mentioned the matter before a bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, who directed registration of a suo motu petition over the incident which took place on Wednesday in the district court where lawyers were on a strike. Singh told the apex court that lawyers allegedly misbehaved and snatched the collar band of Bhatia. A woman lawyer also appeared before the bench and claimed that she was also manhandled in a different court while appearing in a matter. "There is no reason why this Court should not accept what is placed on the record. Ordinarily, we would have insisted on a petition. But the attack on two members of the SCBA is a serious. We accordingly direct the Registrar to register a suo motu writ petition," the bench, also comprising Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, said. The top court directed the District Judge, Gautam Budh Nagar to ensure that the CCTV footage of the incident is in safe custody pending further orders and also ordered that a report be submitted on the incident. Let the president and secretary of bar association be personally present, the bench said. The top court said a strike by members of the bar affects the litigants who are vital stakeholders in the justice system. The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) has also condemned the misconduct of a lawyer in the Gautam Budh Nagar district court against Bhatia. "The Supreme Court Bar Association takes cognizance of this grievous misconduct by a lawyer present inside the Court room and strongly condemns such unprofessional and illegal act undertaken by the concerned advocate as it brings disrepute to the entire legal fraternity. "The Supreme Court Bar Association urges the Executive Committee of Janpad Dewani and Faujdari Bar Association Gautam Budh Nagar to identify the said lawyer, put him to notice and take strict against the concerned lawyer," the SCBA said. Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 21 (PTI) Facing criticism from the medical fraternity, the Kerala Health Department on Thursday retracted an order issued on March 13 that prohibited its officials from engaging in social media activity or creating YouTube channels. In the latest order issued on Thursday, the director of Health Services stated that the circular issued on March 13 was being withdrawn retrospectively due to administrative reasons. The decision to rescind the controversial circular followed intense backlash from various medical professional bodies, notably the Kerala Government Medical Officers Association (KGMOA). The March 13 order issued by the Health Services director had emphasised the potential risk of violations associated with government officials' social media usage and expressed concern regarding the possibility of financial gain through platforms such as YouTube and Instagram, which contradicted existing regulations. Earlier, the KGMOA had condemned the circular, characterising the Health Department's restrictions on social media activity as an infringement upon the fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression enshrined in Article 19(1)(A) of the Constitution. "It is highly objectionable that such an extremely reactionary order has been issued at a time when many health workers, including government employees, are making tireless efforts through social media to educate the public against false and unscientific propaganda in the field of health, to impart science-based knowledge and above all to protect public health," the KGMOA had said. The KGMOA had criticised the Health Department's approach, likening it to "killing a rat by burning a house," and urged authorities to promptly retract the "black law" and adopt measures that align with the principles of the modern era while upholding dignity. Chennai, Mar 21 (PT) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Thursday slammed the arrest of his Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal by the ED, calling it a part of a "relentless persecution" of the opposition. Ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, "driven by fear of a decade of failures and the imminent defeat, the Fascist BJP Govt sinks to despicable depths by arresting Hon'ble Delhi CM following the unjust targeting of brother @HemantSorenJMM," he said in a post on 'X'. . "Not a single BJP leader faces scrutiny or arrest, laying bare their abuse of power and the decay of democracy. The relentless persecution of opposition leaders by the BJP Govt smacks of a desperate witch-hunt." "This tyranny ignites public fury, unmasking BJP's true colours. But their futile arrests only fuel our resolve, fortifying the #INDIA alliance's march to victory. BJP, brace for the people's wrath!" he added. Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on Thursday night in an excise policy-linked money laundering case hours after the Delhi High Court refused to grant protection to the AAP national convenor from any coercive action by the agency. Senior Congress leader from Puducherry, V Narayanasamy also condemned the arrest of Kejriwal. The former chief minister said the arrest is a "political vendetta" unleashed by the NDA government against the opposition particularly during the run up to Lok Sabha polls. Bengaluru, Mar 21 (PTI) Seeking clarification, Karnataka Governor has sent back to the government a bill that sought to collect funds from temples with over Rs 10 lakh annual income, citing that a case concerning the earlier related act and amendments made to it is still pending in Supreme Court. The Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments (Amendment) Bill, 2024, was passed by both Houses of the legislature on February 29. The Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has sought more clarification as to whether the amendment can be made during the pendency of the case, specifically when the entire Act has already been struck down by the High Court and case in appeal is at the stage of final hearing in the Supreme Court. Further, has the state government conceptualised any legislation to encompass other religious bodies in similar fashion as this Bill, he has asked. "Therefore, it is directed to return the file to the state government with a direction to re-submit the file with the clarifications," according to the Raj Bhavan. Karnataka Muzrai Minister Ramalinga Reddy told PTI the Governor has sought some clarification and the clarification will be sent by the government. "The Governor has asked whether the amendment can be made during the pendency of the case which is at the stage of final hearing at the Supreme Court; also it is asked whether the government has conceptualised any legislation to encompass other religious bodies like -- Bababudan Giri Datta peeta and one more such religious place, where two communities worship -- in similar fashion. It will be clarified," he added. The bill was earlier defeated by a voice vote in the upper house, where the opposition has a majority, on February 23, after it was passed by the assembly on February 21. Later the bill was reconsidered and passed by the legislative assembly once again on February 29, and it was sent to the legislative council and there too it got passed. In the Council it was passed amid din, as opposition BJP and JD(S) members were protesting in the House against the government over the pro-Pakistan slogan issue, while in the Assembly it was passed when the opposition had staged a walkout on the same issue. The Raj Bhavan said it is perused that the Karnataka Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Act 1997 and amendments made in the year 2011 and 2012 have been struck down by the High Court Dharwad Bench. It is informed that the said High Court decision has been challenged in the Supreme Court and the apex Court has stayed the High Court Order, and the case is in the stage of final hearing, it noted. The Muzrai department's amendment bill had created a huge controversy, as it angered the opposition, especially the BJP, which has claimed that the ruling Congress was trying to fill its "empty coffers" with temple money. The Congress then sought to turn the tables on the saffron party, pointing out that it had effected an amendment in 2011 to seek funds from high-income Hindu shrines. The bill among other things, proposes to collect five per cent from temples whose gross income is between Rs 10 lakh and less than Rs one crore and 10 per cent from temples whose income is above Rs one crore, to be put into a Common Pool Fund, administered by 'Rajya Dharmika Parishath', which is proposed to be used for Archakas' (priests) welfare and upkeep of 'C' category temples (state controlled) whose annual income is less than Rs five lakh. The act that was earlier amended in 2011 had made way for five per cent of the net income of temples with annual income between Rs five lakh and Rs 10 lakh and 10 per cent of the net income of temples with annual income of over Rs 10 lakh to come into the fund. 'Muzrai' refers to grants made by the government for religious and charitable purposes as well as the upkeep of religious and charitable institutions, according to the Karnataka Government Gazetteer. The department of Religious and Charitable Endowments is, hence, popularly known as the Muzrai department. It administers about 35,000 Hindu religious institutions which receive grants from the Government of Karnataka. Thiruvananthapuram, March 21 (PTI) The Office of the Chief Electoral Officer in Kerala has come out with a handbook on the green protocol to be followed strictly by campaigners and election officials during the Lok Sabha polls. Chief Electoral Officer Sanjay Kaul released the handbook by handing the first copy to Suchitwa Mission Executive Director U V Jose here on Wednesday evening. Additional Chief Electoral Officers Dr Adeela Abdullah, Sharmila C and Premkumar V R were also present, according to an official release here on Thursday. Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Green Protocol Compliance Doubts and Answers was prepared in collaboration with the Suchitwa Mission and Haritha Keralam Mission. It guides stakeholders on using eco-friendly materials during the electioneering to minimise generation of polluting garbage. Significantly, the elections are being held when the state government is pressing ahead with a massive 'Malinya Muktam Nava Keralam (Garbage-Free New Kerala)' campaign and a slew of other big-ticket schemes like the Kerala Solid Waste Management Project (KSWM). The Election Commission of India has also issued instructions to use only nature-friendly materials for election-related activities. According to the handbook, flex boards, plastic flag poles, polyester cloth and similar polluting substances should be strictly avoided. Propaganda boards and banners should be made of cotton and paper, the release said. Natural materials like panampaya (palm leaf mats), pulpaya (grass mats), palm leaves, reeds, bamboo and areca nut leaves should be used. Similarly, eco-friendly materials should be used to decorate election offices of political parties. The District Election Officer will take legal action if prohibited materials are found to be used, the release said. The campaigners should explore the possibilities of digital technology, which will reduce use of non-degradable campaign materials significantly. It is also suggested that flower garlands, cotton shawls, books, and fruit baskets be given as gifts at receptions to candidates. Polling officials should take care to avoid plastic items while setting up the polling booths. The handbook even goes as far as mandating that polling officials and agents should use steel plates and glasses instead of plastic products while consuming food and water. Eco-friendly plates and glasses should be kept at polling stations, according to the release. The district administration should ensure that the voter slips are not left around the booths but delivered to the collection centres or handed over to scrap dealers. After the elections, the local self-government bodies, political parties, the Haritha Keralam Mission, Suchitwa Mission and other voluntary organisations should remove the materials used for election campaigns and carry out cleaning activities, the release said. The Suchitwa Mission and various departments should take necessary steps based on the protocol, and the district election officers should be empowered to enforce it, the release added. Wallace Community College-Dothan has been awarded a $2.9 million grant to facilitate the establishment of the Wiregrass Center for Rural Healthcare Opportunities on the campus of Dale Medical Center in Ozark. This is a really big deal for the city, Ozark Mayor Mark Blankenship told those attending the Ozark City Council meeting Tuesday evening.Its a great partnership, great news for the community. The grant is from the Alabama Community College System as part of the Alabama Centers for Rural Healthcare Opportunity legislative appropriation and the new center will focus on alleviating shortages of licensed practical nurses, nursing assistants, and mental health technicians currently in high demand in the greater Dale County area. Every healthcare provider in our region has depended on Wallace Community College to train our workforce over the years, said Vernon Johnson, Dale Medical Center Chief Executive Officer. When we had the opportunity to join forces with Wallace Community College to provide an on-site training program for Nurses and Certified Mental Health Technicians, we jumped at this opportunity. Through this joint effort between WCCD and DMC, we are expanding our existing partnership of developing and training a healthcare workforce that will benefit not only DMC but the entire Wiregrass Region, he added. Wallace Community College is proud to lead the way in expanding healthcare training and reducing worker shortages in the Wiregrass, said Dr. Linda C. Young, WCCD President. With the funding of the innovative Wiregrass Center for Rural Health Opportunities at Dale County Medical Center in Ozark, residents of the greater Dale County and adjacent counties will be able to earn healthcare credentials and begin a healthcare career pathway closer to home. WCCD intends to offer its Practical Nursing program and the Mental Health Technician program at the center. Coursework that prepares students for the Certified Nursing Assistant credential is embedded in both the PN and MHT curriculum and enables students to begin working in the healthcare field before graduation. The Wiregrass Center for Rural Healthcare Opportunities is poised to make a significant impact in the Dale County area by serving as a career and workforce development hub for the high-demand healthcare professions of licensed practical nursing and mental health technician, moving students from the earliest stages of healthcare career exploration through completion of a healthcare training program, successful certification/licensure to work in-field, and on to successful employment with a local rural healthcare employer, Young said. The center is a community-wide collaboration between the college, multiple healthcare providers, multiple high schools, local government, and local and regional workforce/economic developers. Each of the health programs offered by Wallace Community College strives to prepare its students with state-of-the-art instruction and real-world clinical experiences to allow them to successfully fill the critical healthcare vacancies that exist in the Wiregrass and Tri-States areas, said Kathy Buntin, WCCD Associate Dean of Health Sciences. Creating a base of instruction at Dale Medical Center will allow us to reach even more residents in nearby communities, as well as high school students in the Dale County area, with educational opportunities that will allow them to join us in our mission. We look forward to working with potential health sciences students and our healthcare partners in this venture. The college will work directly with partner healthcare providers to match students up-front with employer sponsors for scholarships, internships, and job offers. The center will also function as a career pathways hub, raising awareness not just about licensed practical nursing and mental health technician roles, but also other healthcare professions while promoting local healthcare training and employment opportunities. Latur, Mar 21 (PTI) The Latur administration has asked the district level media certification and monitoring committee to keep an eye on the use of social media and advertisements broadcast through electronic media during the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Polling for the Latur Lok Sabha seat in Marathwada region of Maharashtra will be held on May 7. Collector Varsha Thakur-Ghuge held a meeting with the monitoring committee officials here on Wednesday. She instructed the officials to carefully monitor the campaigning done through social media and take strict action if any malpractices, such as paid news and other violation of norms, are found. Westerly, RI (02891) Today Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. Low 37F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. Low 37F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph. FILE - Electric vehicles are lined up for sale as an alternative to gas-powered cars at Walker Motors, a Ford dealership, in Montpelier, Vt., Monday, June 16, 2008. The neighboring state of Maine's environmental regulators are set to decide, Wednesday, March 20, 2024, whether the state will join a growing number of states adopting new standards designed to grow the use of electric vehicles. A federal judge suggested Wednesday that Michael Cohen committed perjury under oath, giving fresh support to former President Donald Trumps claims that his onetime personal lawyer poised to be a star prosecution witness at his upcoming New York criminal trial is an untrustworthy liar. Judge Jesse M. Furman in Manhattan questioned Cohens truthfulness in a written order denying his request for early release from the court supervision that followed his three-year prison sentence for crimes including tax evasion, lying to banks and Congress and violating campaign finance laws. Furman cited Cohens testimony at Trumps civil fraud trial in a Manhattan state court last October. On the witness stand, Cohen insisted he wasnt actually guilty of tax evasion even though he pleaded guilty to the charge in 2018. Asked if he had lied to the federal judge who accepted his guilty plea, Cohen said, Yes. Cohen repeatedly and unambiguously testified at the state court trial that he was not guilty of tax evasion and that he had lied under oath to the late Judge William H. Pauley III, Furman wrote. He said Cohens testimony gives rise to two possibilities: one, Cohen committed perjury when he pleaded guilty before Judge Pauley or, two, Cohen committed perjury in his October 2023 testimony. At a minimum, Cohens ongoing and escalating efforts to walk away from his prior acceptance of responsibility for his crimes are manifest evidence of the ongoing need for specific deterrence, Furman wrote as he explained why he left in place the court supervision that is scheduled to end later this year. Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, has repeatedly attacked Cohens credibility, saying he committed MASSIVE PERJURY in the civil fraud case at a level seldom seen on the stand before. Trump, who was accused in the case of lying about his wealth on financial statements used to secure loans and make deals, reacted after Cohen backtracked from initial testimony that Trump had directed him to boost the value of assets to whatever number Trump told us to. Pressed on cross-examination, Cohen conceded that Trump never told him to inflate the numbers though Cohen later said Trump signaled it indirectly, and we understood what he wanted. Trump lost the case and was ordered last month to pay a $454 million penalty. In response to Furmans findings, Cohen sent reporters a statement from his lawyer, E. Danya Perry, in which she said she takes exception to the judges conclusion, calling it factually inaccurate and legally incorrect. Judge Furman did not have a front seat to the testimony at the lengthy trial, she said. Perry added that the trial judge ultimately stated that Cohen told the truth. And Judge Furman ignores that Mr. Cohen has never disputed the underlying facts of his conduct, and also what many of Judge Furmans own colleagues on the bench have long noted: that defendants often feel compelled to agree to coercive plea deals under severe pressure, she said. That is exactly what happened to Mr. Cohen. Trump lawyer Alina Habba said Furman confirmed what we already know: that Michael Cohen committed perjury and should be prosecuted. As the Manhattan DA says on their website one standard of justice for all. The judge in the civil fraud trial, however, did deem Cohen credible. In his decision, Judge Arthur Engoron wrote that Cohen proved truthful despite seeming contradictions in his testimony and the cloud of his guilty plea. Engoron said that while Cohen had an incentive to lie after falling out with Trump, he found the ex-lawyers testimony credible based in part on his relaxed manner and the general plausibility of his statements. In his ruling, Furman also decided not to impose sanctions against a lawyer who cited three bogus artificial intelligence-generated legal case citations in a court filing because he was unaware Cohen had plucked them from research he conducted using Google Bard. Perry discovered that the cases werent real and told the judge. When Cohen pleaded guilty to federal charges in 2018, he said Trump directed him to arrange the payment of hush-money to two women to fend off damage to his 2016 presidential bid. Federal prosecutors did not charge Trump. Before Cohen was sentenced, federal prosecutors attacked his credibility. Last year, Trump pleaded not guilty in New York state court in Manhattan to 34 felony charges alleging that he falsified internal business records at his private company to cover up his involvement in the payouts. Cohen is a key prosecution witness in Trumps hush-money criminal trial, which has been delayed until at least mid-April after the defense complained about a last-minute evidence dump from a 2018 federal investigation into Cohen and the hush-money matter. After ex-Trump Organization finance chief Allen Weisselberg pleaded guilty this month to lying during his fraud case testimony, Trumps lawyers accused the Manhattan district attorneys office of turning a blind eye to Cohens alleged perjury. In a March 4 letter to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, Trump lawyer Todd Blanche wrote that the prosecutions 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. Braggs office didnt respond publicly to Blanches letter. Trumps lawyers sought to have Cohen barred from testifying at the hush-money trial, arguing in a court filing that Michael Cohen is a liar. 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. Hush-money trial Judge Juan M. Merchan rejected that argument, saying he was unaware of any perjured testimony Cohen had given in the criminal matter, nor could he find any precedent for keeping a witness off the stand because his credibility has been previously called into question. In essence, he wrote in a decision Monday, Trumps lawyers were arguing Cohen should not be allowed to testify because his past actions suggest that he will commit perjury, putting emphasis on suggest. (AP) The chief executive of the cryptocurrency company Sam Bankman-Fried founded attacked the onetime crypto power player on Wednesday in a letter to a federal judge scheduled to sentence him next week, saying his claim that customers, lenders and investors were not harmed was callously false and he was living a life of delusion. FTX Trading Limited CEO John J. Ray III told Judge Lewis A. Kaplan that Bankman-Frieds victims have suffered and continue to suffer from his crimes. Mr. Bankman-Fried continues to live a life of delusion. The business he left on November 11, 2022 was neither solvent nor safe. Vast sums of money were stolen by Mr. Bankman-Fried, and he was rightly convicted by a jury of his peers, Ray wrote. Bankman-Fried, 32, was convicted in November on fraud and conspiracy charges, nearly a year after his December 2022 extradition from the Bahamas to New York for trial. Once touted as a cryptocurrency trailblazer, his companies collapsed in November 2022, less than a year after Bankman-Fried reached a pinnacle that included a Super Bowl advertisement, celebrity endorsements and congressional testimony. Ray said he wanted to correct material misstatements and omissions in a sentencing submission in which a lawyer for Bankman-Fried wrote that statements made during a recent bankruptcy proceeding showed that the harm to customers, lenders, and investors is zero because FTX was solvent when it entered bankruptcy proceedings. As the lead professional of a very large team who has spent over a year stewarding the estate from a metaphorical dumpster fire to a debtor-in possession approaching a confirmed plan of reorganization that will return substantial value to creditors, I can assure the Court that each of these statements is categorically, callously, and demonstrably false, Ray said. He said some of what was lost was recovered by a team of professionals working tens of thousands of hours digging through the rubble of Mr. Bankman-Frieds sprawling criminal enterprise to unearth every possible dollar, token or other asset that was spent on luxury homes, private jets, overpriced speculative ventures, and otherwise lost to the four winds. At the trial, prosecutors told the jury that Bankman-Fried had stolen more than $10 billion of money from customers, lenders and investors. They have asked that he be sentenced to a prison term of 40 to 50 years. Bankman-Frieds lawyer has requested a prison term in the single digits, relying in part on claims that those who lost money will be reimbursed. But Ray said customers will never be fully made whole, despite Bankman-Frieds claims that a Jan. 31 bankruptcy court hearing shows that customers and creditors will get all their money back. Ray said many of Bankman-Frieds victims are extremely unhappy to learn that the Bankruptcy Code dictates that each claim must be valued as of Nov. 11, 2022, when the value of cryptocurrencies was 400 percent lower than today. And, he added, their plight was made worse by incorrect financial statements sent to them when Bankman-Fried was in charge. The victims also will not get back money that cant be recovered, like $150 million in bribes that prosecutors say were paid to Chinese government officials or nearly 100,000 bitcoins listed on customer statements even though only 105 bitcoins were left on the FTX.com exchange, he said. Also lost was the hundreds of millions of dollars he spent to buy access to or time with celebrities or politicians or investments for which he grossly overpaid having done zero diligence, Ray wrote. The harm was vast. The remorse is nonexistent. Effective altruism, at least as lived by Samuel Bankman-Fried, was a lie. He added: FTX was run for its very short existence by Mr. Bankman-Fried with hubris, arrogance, and a complete lack of respect for the basic norms of the law, which is all the more inexcusable given his privileged upbringing. A lawyer for Bankman-Fried did not immediately comment on Rays letter. But in a letter to the judge Wednesday, attorney Marc Mukasey said that a March 5 letter from debtors to the bankruptcy court indicated that it appears more and more likely that FTX investors may be in position to recover 100 percent of their claims in the bankruptcy. (AP) Independent US presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. voiced staunch support for Israel in a recent Reuters interview, calling it a moral nation that is justly responding to Hamas provocations with its attacks on Gaza. Kennedy questioned the need for a six-week ceasefire backed by President Joe Biden, stating, I dont even know what that means right now. Kennedy expressed skepticism towards previous ceasefires, which he says has been used by Hamas to rearm, to rebuild and then launch another surprise attack. So what would be different this time? He compared Israels situation to the US involvement in World War II after the attack on Pearl Harbor, stating that Israel did not choose this war. Kennedy placed blame on Hamas for Gazas destruction, citing their failure to embrace a two-state solution and their attacks on Israeli cities. Any other nation that was adjacent to a neighboring nation that was bombing it with rockets, sending commandos over to murder its citizens, pledging itself to murder every person in that nation and annihilate it, would go and level it with aerial bombardment, Kennedy said. But Israel is a moral nation. So it didnt do that. Instead, it built an Iron Dome to protect itself so it would not have to go into Gaza. Kennedy says Hamas gave Israeli leaders no choice after the October 7 terror attack, which killed 1,200 people and captured 253 hostages. He suggested that a US president should contact leaders from Russia, Turkey, and Egypt to put an end to Hamas. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) by Rabbi Yair Hoffman A number of Beis Yaakov students and Yeshiva students have used the following study guide to both enhance their knowledge of Purim and to win prizes. The study guide helps impart halachos and hashkafos HaTorah. Please print out several copies and employ it with your families and students. Use it creatively to help spread their love of Torah! (Let the author know your creative uses.) READING THE MEGILLAH Rav Yeruchem Levovitz ztl, the famed Mashgiach of the Mir Yeshiva in Poland, writes something absolutely fascinating (Daas Chochma uMussar Vol. I page 76) about the Megillah. He writes, basing himself on the Vilna Gaons pshat on the last pasuk in Megilas Esther, that the entire Megilah is a mussar sefer wherein we derive lessons in both inspiring behaviors that we should imitate, as well as horrible behaviors that we should stay away from. Every act and character trait that Esther and Mordechai do and exhibit in the Megillah are perfect prototypes for us all to follow. Conversely, every character trait and act that Haman and Achashveirosh do are examples of horrible character traits from which we must distance ourselves. Examples abound. Vechamaso baarah bo and his anger seethed within him. What we should be doing, writes Rav Yeruchem, is we should carefully note all of these traits and learn to imitate the good and stay away from the bad. Chazal at the time created an obligation to read the Megillah at night and in the day in commemoration of the miracle, where they cried out day and night. The daytime reading begins at sunrise and continues until the end of the day. If it was read from Amud HaShachar dawn, the Mitzvah has still been fulfilled. It is interesting to note that the Mishna does not mention the night reading at all. The reader must read the Megillah as if it was an iggeres a letter. Therefore, he should not pause between the Psukim more than a breath. This is the ruling of the Tur and the Mogain Avrohom. The chapter splits of Megilas Esther are NOT OF JEWISH ORIGIN. Therefore, it is wrong for the reader to end off a chapter with a different tone or melody. (Kuntrus Toras HaKoreh). The nighttime reading begins when three stars come out and continues throughout the night until 1 and 1/5th hours before sunrise. If one lives far away and can only travel to hear one reading of the Megillah, it is preferable to hear the day reading rather than the night reading. If it is absolutely impossible to hear the Megillah otherwise, and one cannot read the Megillah by oneself, may one fulfill the obligation by telephone? Rav Moshe Feinstein ztl (IM OC IV 91:4) permitted a woman to hear Havdallah in a hospital through the telephone if there was no other possibility. Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (Minchas Shlomo Vol. I #9) disagreed but did hear a ruling from the Chazon Ish that it is not so simple to dismiss this possibility. Some Poskim, therefore, rule that when there is no other choice at all, one should opt for the telephone option. One should not eat before hearing the Megillah unless it is very necessary. Very necessary means that one is either sick or has difficulty with not eating. The reason why an issue is made of Megillah is because of how important this Mitzvah is since it pushes off all other Mitzvos. Women should also not eat before hearing the Megillah. One may, however, have a coffee in the morning before the reading of the Megillah. Hallel is not recited on Purim because the reading of the Megillah is itself considered a recitation of song. If one does not have a Megillah and will not hear the reading from a Megillah, the Poskim have ruled that hallel should be said, but without a blessing. PIRSUMEI NISSAH The best way to of fulfill the Mitzvah is to read the Megillah publicly, and in Shul. When attending the Megillah in a bigger place, one should have in mind that he or she is giving greater glory to Hashem by hearing the Megillah there. This Kavannah serves to bring us closer to Hashem, and is an action similar in purpose to the recitation of Kaddish, an extremely holy endeavor. Reading the Megillah involves the notion of Pirsumei Nissah publicizing the miracle. Because of this, it sets aside any other Mitzvah even a Torah Mitzvah. Even the study of the Torah is set aside for the reading of the Megillah. The only Mitzvah which is not pushed off is the Mitzvah of providing burial for a dead person, when there is no one else available to do so. This is interesting because reading the Megillah is only a Rabbinic Mitzvah. If the other Mitzvah cannot be performed later, however, and it is a Biblical Mitzvah that Mitzvah would come first. A Bris Milah is an exception to this halacha. The Bris Milah is performed before the reading of the Megillah. Even if there are many people in ones company, he should not read the Megillah at home, but should rather go to Shul, since, In a multitude there is Majesty; and the miracle is made known more widely. Before reading it, the reader of the Megillah recites these three blessings: Al Mikrah Megillah Who sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us with the Reading of the Megillah Shasah nissim laAvosainu, Who made miracles for our fathers in those days at this time Shehecheyanu. Who kept us alive and sustained us After the reading he recites the blessing of Harav es riveinu Who waged our quarrels The reader should intend to fulfill the obligation of the congregation. The congregation answers Amen, and they too should intend to fulfill the Mitzvah. Baruch Hu uvaruch Shmo is not said. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE DAY READING AND NIGHT READING The only difference between the day reading and the night reading is that in the day when saying Shehecheyanu the Reader should have in mind the other Mitzvos of the day the Purim Feast, the Sending of Gifts, and possibly Matanos LEvyonim Giving of Gifts to the Poor. Some leave out the last one possibly because it may be improper to recite a blessing on someones misfortune. If someone read it without having recited the blessings he has still fulfilled the Mitzvah. If a person remembered that the blessings were not recited, they may be recited in between the chapters of the Megillah. If one reads the Megillah alone, he recites the brachos which come before it, but not the one which comes after. If one has already fulfilled the obligation of reading the Megillah, and he wishes to read it a second time for many other people, he recites all the brachos the beginning ones and the end bracha. If he is reading the Megillah only for one other individual, he recites only the first brachos. If that person knows the brachos well, he says them himself. Before HaRav es Riveinu the final brachah after the Megillah Reading, the Megillah is rolled together. This is because it is disrespectful to keep the Megillah open after the reading. ASPECTS OF THE MEGILLAH In (1:7) it is the custom to recite the words Vechailim mikailim shonim to the tune of Aicha. The reason is because it refers to Achashveiroshs use of the vessels of the Temple for a mundane use. We do not do this, however, when we read ves ykar tiferes gdulaso even though the Gemorah tells us that he wore the vestments of the Kohain Gadol at this time. The reason is because during the latter he did not mean to show disrespect to the clothing, but he did mean to do so for the vessels. Intentions make a difference. The Baal Koreh stops and waits for the Kahal four times during the reading. Where is this done? It is done during the four verses-of-redemption. After he stops everyone listening reads the Pasuk before him. The Chazan then repeats it from his Megillah. This is because all the listeners are required to hear the entire Megillah read. These are the four Psukim where he stops: Ish Yehudi haya beshushan habirah There was a Jew in Shushan the capital And Mordechai went forth from before the King in royal garments Unto the Jews there was light For Mordechai, the Jew, was second to the King. . . The purpose of this custom is to keep the children from slumber so that the great miracle performed for Israel in the days of Mordechai and Esther, might enter their hearts. Another minhag is to read more loudly the Pasuk which states, That night the sleep of the King was disturbed. It is also read in a slightly different tune. These changes are made because it is in this particular pasuk in which the salvation of the Jews actually begins. According to the Kaballah, the King refers metaphorically to Hashem Himself. We also read the names of the ten sons of Haman all together in one breath. This is also done with the four preceding words [500 men and], and the word ten which follows the ten names. This is done to show that they were all killed and hung together. If this was not done the Mitzvah of reading has still been fulfilled. The reader should be careful not to read the ves of each son of Haman by heart. He must read it from the Megillah. Likewise, he should connect each ves to the one that comes before the name and not after the name. Rav Michel Ber Weismandel zatzal, after the horrors of the Second World War, made a remarkable discovery in the letters of the Megillah itself. In the writing of the ten sons of Haman Megillah (9:7-9), there are three letters, the Taf, the Shin, and the Zayin, of a much smaller size than the other letters of the Megillah. These letters correspond to 5707 the Hebrew year that occurred during the 1946 hangings that resulted after the Nuremburg Trials. Ten sons of Haman were hung during this period. No other adequate explanation has ever been given to explain the different sizes of the letters in this section. There is also a very large Hey in this section which corresponds to the fifth millennium (5000 plus 707). It is interesting to note that Esther says in the Megillah, Im al haMelech Tov, yinasain gam lamachar.. ves aseres Bnei Haman.. If it is pleasing to the King, He should also give tomorrow the ten sons of Haman. As mentioned before the Kaballah states that whenever the word HaMelech appears in the Megillah, it also refers metaphorically to Hashem. It is also interesting to note that Newsweek magazine reported that Julius Streicher, Yimach Shmo, one of ten Nazis hung at Nuremberg said while going to the gallows, the words Purimfest, 1946! All are obligated in reading the Megillah: men, women, converts, and children. The term reading the Megillah is used instead of hearing the Megillah for a reason. The obligation, however, is to hear it from someone who is himself obligated in reading it too. THE TEFILOS ON PURIM In the Shmoneh Esreh of Maariv, Shacharis, and Minchah and in Bentching we add the Tefillah of Al HaNissim. The Mishna Brurah writes that the correct Nussach is to add a vov in the beginning, as in, Val HaNissim. This is both in Davening as well as in Bentching. If Al HaNissim was forgotten, one does not have to rerecite either the davening or the bentching. The Mishna Brurah recommends inserting it as a request in Elokai Netzor found at the end of Shmoneh Esreh. It is proper to place a piece of paper in the Siddur to remind ourselves to recite Al HaNissim. MATANOS LEVYONIM The mitzvah of matanos levyonim on Purim is discussed in the Gemara at the bottom of Megillah 7a. The mitzvah is to give at least one gift to two different poor people on the day of Purim. The plural form of the word levyonim appearing in the verse teaches us that it must be given to two people. There is also a Gemara in Bava Metziah 78b that discusses the charity plate of Purim. It is a debate among the Rishonim whether or not this Gemara is discussing the mitzvah of matanos levyonim, or whether it deals with a separate mitzvah of providing for the Purim needs of the poor. NATURE OF THE MITZVAH There also seems to be another debate among the Rishonim as to the nature of the mitzvah. Is it a mitzvah of tzedakah, or is matanos levyonim its own special mitzvah of the day of Purim, a mitzvah associated with creating happiness? We will see that this issue is a matter of further debate among the poskim. On account of this debate, there are a number of differences in halachah as to the nature of fulfilling this mitzvah. Can you fulfill the mitzvah of Matanos Lrvyonim with maaser funds? If it is tzedakah, then yes you can. If it is a happiness mitzvah then it may not be fulfilled with maaser funds. Is an ani, a poor person, obligated to fulfill this mitzvah? If it is tzedakah, then no, he is exempt. The obligation of an ani to give tzedakah is once per year. If it simcha, however, then he must give the matanos levyonim. Even a poor person who himself has reached a financial state that he must ask for charity must give. PREAMBLE Preamble Rav Alexander Ziskind of Grodno was one of the only two individuals who ever received an approbation on a sefer from the Vilna Gaon himself. In his sefer, Yesod Vshoresh HaAvodah, (12:6) he recommends that one should recite a specific preamble before fulfilling the mitzvah. From the text, it is clear that the Yesod VShoresh HaAvodah understands that this mitzvah is tzedakah. The Ramban (Bava Metziah 78b) explains that the main purpose of this mitzvah is to spread simcha, joy and delight. Rav Yeruchem Olshin shlita, one of the four Roshei Yeshiva of Beis Medrash Gavoah in Lakewood, New Jersey, in his Sefer Yareach LaMoadim, cites the Peleh Yoetz that it is also a good idea to send Mishloach Manos to someone with whom one is in a fight or argument. This obligation may be fulfilled through any type of giftmoney, food, drink, or clothing. One should, however, try to give a substantial monetary gift. If one does use money, ideally it should be enough to buy bread weighing at least three eggsfive slices, approximately. At the very least, however, one must give a perutah or its equivalent value to each of two poor persons. A perutah is 1/1244th of an ounce of silver. Many poskim, however, are concerned that giving the minimum amount no longer causes the feeling of simcha to the poor. When these minimal amounts were calculated, the value of silver was significantly higher. Rav Shmuel Kamenetsky, shlita, thus rules that the minimum amount should be $1. The Shaarei Teshuvah rules that it should be the equivalent amount of the cost of a meal for a poor person. In modern times, this amounts to approximately five dollars (ruling of Rav Shmuel Fuerst). In the post-COVID era, it seems that it should be more like eight dollars. SPEND MORE ON MATANOS LEVYONIM The gedolei haposkim (see Mishnah Berurah 694:3) tell us that it is preferable to spend more on the mitzvah of matanos levyonim than on the mitzvah of mishloach manos. The calculation, of course, includes the food items, the packaging, and the value of the time and effort placed into making the mishloach manos. For many people, all of this amounts to several hundred dollars. Thus, we should give this amount for matanos levyonim as well. These gifts should be given in the daytime, after the Megillah is read. Matanos levyonim should be above and beyond maaser. Therefore, maaser money should not be used, but it may be added to it. Some poskim hold that, technically, matanos levyonim may be given before Purim. However, because of the concern that the recipients will spend it earlier, it is preferable to give it on Purim itself. Others write that one should make sure that the funds are only given on Purim itself and that when an intermediary is used it should be held as a package for the poor person and not received on behalf of the poor person. If one thought to give to a specific poor person but was unable to facilitate it, one may give it to another as long as one did not verbalize it. If one verbalized that he wishes to give to that specific person, he should follow up (BaLeilah Hahu p. 16). Money set aside for matanos levyonim should not be changed to another tzedakah without a ruling from a posek. This is based upon the Gemara in Bava Metziah (78b), according to those Rishonim who learn that the Gemara is dealing with matanos levyonim. Other Rishonim learn that this Gemara doesnt deal with matanos levyonim at all, and therefore there is room for a posek to be lenient. One is not overly strict with the poor on Purim to determine whether they are really poor or not. Whoever puts his hand out, we give to him. According to leading poskim, this does not apply to organizations, however. Why is that? Perhaps because there is no simcha in regard to making organizations happyit is only making actual poor people happy that makes the simcha. WOMEN AND CHILDREN Women are also obligated to give gifts to the poor on Purim. A married woman may fulfill the mitzvah through her husband. Ideally, however, the husband should inform his wife that he has given matanos laevyonim for her as well. Children who are dependent on their parents table should still give matanos laevyonim on their own (Aruch HaShulchan 694:2). Even though they may be exempt from tzedakah, there is still the idea of simcha. THE ORIGINAL MITZVAH Originally, the mitzvah was to give to a true evyon, a poor person who did not have enough money to have a meal on Purim. Nowadays, such a definition is indeed rare. The poskim have thus ruled that it may be given to any poor person who is eligible to receive maaser funds. The Chazon Ish (Terumos Umaasros cited in BaLeilah Hahu p.12) has written that it may be given to anyone who is not mesudar bparnasaso to the extent that he can sustain himself and his family. CHECKS Rav Moshe Feinstein, ztl, ruled that one may fulfill the mitzvah of matanos levyonim with a check. This is true even if the check is post-dated. This is also the opinion of Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, ztl, cited in Halichos Shlomo 19:23, and of Rav Elyashiv, ztl, cited in Yismach Moshe (p. 140). Rav Nissim Karelitz ztl on the other hand, is of the opinion that the check must be negotiable on Purim itself in order for one to fulfill the mitzvah. This may present a difficulty when Purim falls on a Sunday. In inner cities where they have check-cashing facilities open on Sundays, it would, of course, not be a problem. There are those who have questioned whether these rulings in Israel are applicable in America where one may place a stop payment on checks. The truth is that both in Israel and in England a stop payment may be placed on a check as well as long as there are funds to cover it. MOURNERS Although generally speaking one does not give gifts to an avel, a mourner, one may give him matanos levyonim because it is considered tzedakah. A mourner within twelve months must, of course, give matanos levyonim, too. This is true also for a mourner within the seven days of shivah. An onein, someone who has lost a close relative who has not yet been buried, may give matanos levyonim in the merit of the neshamah of the deceased, according to Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, ztl. HOW IT SHOULD BE GIVEN One may fulfill the mitzvah of matanos laevyonim by giving the money even to a young child who is considered poor. Matanos levyonim may be given anonymously. This, in fact, is the ideal form of fulfilling the mitzvah of Matanos Levyonim. SMALL AMOUNT TO MANY OR LARGE AMOUNT TO FEW There is a debate as to whether it is preferable to give many poor people a minimum amount of matanos levyonim or to give just a few people a significant amount of matanos levyonim. The Bach (Siman 695) writes that it is preferable to give more people the lesser amount. Rav Elyashiv, ztl, is quoted (Shvus Yitzchak 8:2 as cited in Kovetz Halachos, p. 92) that it is preferable to give fewer people a more significant amount. Rav Elyashiv seems to be emphasizing the simcha aspect of the mitzvah. Since either way one fulfills the mitzvah, one should perform it in the manner in which one feels most inspired toward dveikus bHashem. MISHLOACH MANOS THE MITZVAH The Michtav MEliyahu writes that the best way to form a relationship is to give. When you give, you develop your ahavas Yisrael to that other person, and eventually to others. Mordechai and his beis din enacted that on the day of Purim each person must send a gift of at least two portions of food to a friend. This is seen from the verse in Megillas Esther, Umishloach manos ish lreieihu. THE TWO BLESSING MYTH The mitzvah is to send two different foods. The two foods may certainly have the same berachah; there is no requirement the two different food items to have two separate berachos. This is one of the biggest misconceptions in hilchos Purim. There is an issue, however, of taking one food item and cutting it in half into two slices. The Aruch HaShulchan (O.C. 695:14) writes that just because one cut it in half it should be considered two foods? Perhaps it is this statement of the Aruch HaShulchan that has caused the two-blessings myth to exist. If someone sends another two pieces of meat from two different limbs that taste slightly different, this is considered two foods (Mikraei Kodesh, Siman 38). TWO DIFFERENT FOODS The parameters of what constitutes two different foods have been delineated by the poskim. Rav Shlomo Miller, shlita, has ruled that one piece of roasted chicken and one piece of boiled chicken are considered two minim, but two different pieces of chicken prepared the same way, such as one top piece and one bottom piece are considered one min, one type of food (See Sefer Shoshanas Yisrael cited by Rabbi Moshe Friedman). Similarly, a mixed vegetable salad is considered one type of food only, while cut-up vegetables to be mixed into a salad are considered two minim. A sandwich or hamburger in a bun is considered to be one min. This is even if it has two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, pareve cheese, pickles, and onions on a sesame-seed bun. The same would be true with a hotdog in a bun. What about the thousand-dollar Doma sandwich? That would be considered one min. THE REASONS What is the reason behind the mitzvah of mishloach manos? Two reasons are brought down. The Terumas HaDeshen (Siman 111) writes that it is to ensure that the recipients not run out of food items to serve for their meals. The Manos HaLevi on Megillas Esther (9:19), written by Rav Shlomo Alkabetz and cited by the Chasam Sofer, writes an altogether different reason: to increase peace and brotherly love. This is the opposite of the characterization of the Jewish people by Haman as a nation that is mefuzar umefurad, spread and standing apart on account of internal arguments. PREAMBLE AND INTENTIONS Rav Alexander Ziskind of Grodno was one of the only two individuals who ever received an approbation on a sefer from the Vilna Gaon himself. In his sefer, Yesod VShoresh HaAvodah, he includes a preamble that one should recite before fulfilling the mitzvah of mishloach manos. Translated from the Hebrew text, its For the unification of the Name of the Holy One Blessed be He, I am hereby prepared and ready to fulfill the positive mitzvah of the sages of umishloach manos one to the other. When performing the mitzvah, one should not just perform it perfunctorily, but should focus on the qualities of the recipient and place within his heart a strong love for his fellow man. He should intend to honor him and to strengthen his inner joy with this package manos. WHO IS OBLIGATED? Men and women are both included in this mitzvah. The halachah is that men send to men, and women send to women. Women are obligated in the mitzvah because, according to the Mishnah Berurah, they, too, were involved in the miracle. A child should be instructed to fulfill the mitzvah just as one instructs a child to fulfill all the other mitzvos. The child may send to another child, as the other child is considered his or her peer. Even a poor person is required to fulfill the mitzvah of mishloach manos. The mitzvah of mishloach manos MAY NOT BE FULFILLED WITH MONEY, CLOTHING, OR OTHER NON-FOOD OR NON-DRINK ITEMS. The mitzvah may only be fulfilled with kosher items. HOW FANCY? Another little-known halachah about mishloach manos is found in an esoteric Biur Halachah (written by the Chofetz Chaim) in Orach Chaim 695. He writes that the Chayei Adam has proved from a passage in the Talmud Yerushalmi that if one sends a Purim package to a wealthy individual, the package must be a respectable one. Thus, one should not send something below the kavod of the recipient. The poskim have ruled that a lollipop is not considered chashuv for an adult, nor is a bottle of Poland Spring water or seltzer. To fulfill the mitzvah, the portions must convey sufficient regard for the recipient. Rav Shlomo Miller, shlita, ruled that one does fulfill the mitzvah with flavored seltzer water, even though regular water and regular seltzer are not sufficient to fulfill the mitzvah. WEALTH OF THE GIVER AND OF THE RECIPIENT Getting back to the respectable package for the wealthy, the Biur Halachah writes that the Ritvas comment on his version of the Talmud Bavli agrees with the Chayei Adam. A careful reading of the Ritva, however, reveals that the Ritva and Chayei Adam are not exactly the same. Both of them require an upgraded Purim package on account of wealth; of that there is no question. However, the Ritvas requirement is of the wealth of the givernot the recipient. According to the Ritva, if the giver is very wealthy, his package must reflect that as well and he cannot fulfill the mitzvah with a meager package. Since the Biur Halachah quotes both the Chayei Adam and the Ritva, both would seem to be authoritative. Therefore, one should not send something below the kavod of either the giver or the recipient. NATURE OF THE PACKAGE The mitzvah is fulfilled only with foods that are immediately edible or drinkable. The Magen Avraham, Vilna Gaon, and Chayei Adam hold this way. The Pri Chadash is lenient. We rule in accordance with the former view. An item that requires further cooking or preparation may be added, but two immediately usable foods must be included, too. It is praiseworthy to send portions to as many friends as possible. It is better, however, to give more matanos laevyonim than to give more mishloach manos to friends. THROUGH A MESSENGER Ideally, mishloach manos should be sent through a messenger, rather than be delivered personally. Generally speaking, we say, Mitzvah bo yoser mibshluchoit is a bigger mitzvah to do it oneself rather than through a messenger. Regarding the search for chametz before Pesach, it is better to do it oneself. Here, though, it is different. The Chasam Sofer writes in his commentary to the Talmud (Gittin 22b), that the pasuk says, and the sending of giftsmishloach manos, which indicates that it should be done through a messenger. A gift sent through a messenger is fancier and nicer. If one did deliver the mishloach manos oneself, the obligation is still fulfilled. Virtually all the poskim rule that a goy or a child may be a shaliach for mishloach manos. Rabbi Akiva Eiger, ztl, was unsure of this, however. SENT TOGETHER Must the two foods be sent together? Rav Elyashiv, ztl, is of the position that they must. May one of the foods be a liquid? Most authorities hold that one of the foods may certainly be a liquid (except for water), and this is the authoritative view. There is a reading of Rabbeinu Chananel that holds a liquid may not be one of the two food items. This view is apparently not lhalachah. GIFT CERTIFICATES Does sending money to buy food or sending a gift certificate for a restaurant work? Some Acharonim hold that it does, but many hold it does not. The language of the Rambam (Hilchos Megillah, Chapter 2) seems to indicate that it must be real food and not a gift certificate or money. REFUSAL OF GIFT What if a package is prepared and the recipient responds with a No, thank you? Has the sender fulfilled the mitzvah in such a case? According to the Terumas HaDeshen cited above in the reasons for the Mitzvah it would seem not; according to the second opinion of the Manos HaLevi he very well might. It is interesting to note that the Rema in O.C. 695 writes that one has fulfilled the mitzvah. The Pri Chadash questions this position and does not understand it. The Chasam Sofer answers the dilemma by suggesting that the Rema holds like the Manos HaLevi. Perhaps one can point out, however, that even according to the Manos HaLevi, the full effect of the mishloach manos has not been achieved. Peace and brotherly love is a two-way street, and the giver doesnt necessarily feel so good if his gift is refused. So how can the Rema be understood? It is only if the recipient responds gently, Dont worry about it; you dont need to actually give it to me. Rav Ovadia Yosef, ztl, however, holds that Sephardim should not rely on this Rema and should send the mishloach manos to someone else. ANONYMITY Does the recipient have to know who sent it, or does anonymity work? The Ksav Sofer (responsum O.C. #141) relates the issue to the two reasons mentioned above. He recommends that one be stringent and avoid anonymity. Rav Elyashiv, ztl, ruled that one does not fulfill the mitzvah with anonymity. LOST OR STOLEN What happens if the mishloach manos that you had sent got lost or stolen? The Birchei Yosef writes that one must send it again. THROUGH A CHILD May one fulfill the mitzvah by sending to a child? The verse in the Megillah uses the term Umishloach manos ish lreieihuand the sending of portions each man to his peer. The Aruch HaShulchan permits it and considers a child a peer. Other poskim disagree with the Aruch HaShulchan. It is, therefore, better to send it to an adult. TO A MOURNER What about sending shalach manos to a mourner? The Rema states that one should not send during the entire 12 months of mourning. This halachah is true for Ashkenazim. Sephardim, however, can receive mishloach manos during mourning. The mourner, however, should send to one person, but should avoid sending items that arouse great joy. One may send to the spouse of a mourner. The Divrei Malkiel (Vol. V) writes that one may send to ones teacher even if he is a mourner because this is considered similar to a payment of an obligation. THE PACKAGING Should at least two of the food items be wrapped separately or in two different containers? Some authorities (the Ben Ish Chai) hold that if they are sent together then the container itself may make it as if it is one food. Thus, Raisin Bran would only be considered one food item unless one separated the raisins from the cereal into two plastic baggies. Others (Sheim MShimshon, O.C. #31) write that the container does not make it into one food. TIMING When should the mishloach manos package be given? It must be given in the daytime and not at night. The mitzvah should also be fulfilled, ideally, before one begins the Purim seudah. SCHOOL AND SHUL PROGRAMS What about sending Mishloach Manos through the school and shul? Schools and shuls often send out a flyer and request you to participate in their mishloach manos program. While this idea is fantastic in terms of reducing the waste and excess in mishloach manos giving, the givers should be aware that one cannot and does not fulfill the actual mitzvah with this form of giving. Many people are unaware of this fact. OTHER RULINGS OF RAV SHLOMO MILLER Rav Moshe Friedman cites a number of other rulings of Rav Shlomo Miller, shlita. One still fulfills the mitzvah of mishloach manos if one did not have in mind to fulfill the mitzvah and just gave over the package to the recipient without thinking. If the recipient of the package was not aware that he or she has received it until after Purim, the sender has still fulfilled the mitzvah. One may send a package to a non-religious Jew, even though a berachah will not be recited on it. [It is recommended that actual hamotzi products not be sent because of a possible violation of Lifnei Iver placing a stumbling block before the blind.] A groom may be lenient and send mishloach manos to his kallah. It does not violate the halachos of creating a possible pre-marriage. If a shliach had delivered it before Purim and it was not eaten until Purim, the person has fulfilled the mitzvah. (It is recommended that a note be affixed to the package that states, Please do not eat before Purim.) If someone baked a shiur of challah even though she meant to send smaller cakes to a number of individuals, a berachah on taking off challah is recited. Rav Miller ruled that a sender may tovel a dish with a berachah when he or she sends a food that requires a dish, such as applesauce. However, when sending a candy dish where the candies in it are wrapped, a berachah is not recited on the tevilah. WHAT TO THINK ABOUT WHEN PREPARING MISHLOACH MANOS There are a remarkable pshatim that one can think about when preparing the Shalach Manos. But first a question. With what power did Haman succeed in getting his agenda passed? The answer is that he pointed out to Achashveirosh yeshno am echad mefuzar umeforad bein haamim bechol medinos malchusecha there is one nation scattered and separated from all the nations in all the states of your realm. He pointed out the division within us. The Chasam Sofer points out that the word yeshno means that we are sleeping we are thus sleeping in our achdus. What does mishloach manos do? It points out that we are indeed, one we have an Achdus, a unity, that no other nation has and this mishloach manos awakens us to it. We are united in our love for each other. This undoes the power of Haman and Amalaik. There is a fascinating Targum Yonasan that is found in a different megillah that of Megilas Rus. Boaz mentions the fact that Rus both joined up with the Jewish nation (an amazing thing being that she was a foreign princess) as well as that she did chessed with her mother-in-law. The fact that they were both mentioned together indicates that both of these acts were performed on the same level of piety. Imagine if a British princess, Princess Diana or someone like her, were to leave her royalty and join up in Lakewood as a kollel wife availing herself of WIC and HUD. It would be earth-shattering news. And yet it did happen. It happened with Rus. What a remarkable accomplishment! NO LIMIT TO WHAT WE PLACE IN A MITZVAH But from this Targum Yonasan we see an even more remarkable chidush. The chessed she did with her mother-in-law was equal to the first accomplishment! What we see from here is that there is no limit to what we can put into a Mitzvah. Lets think about what we can, therefore, accomplish with Mishloach Manos. In preparing them, we can counter the power and tumah of the sonai Yisroel of the Hamans of the world, by showing our achdus. So lets prepare, bake new, repackage, whatever it is that we do all with intense kavana. We should have the kavana of achdus. MISHLOACH MANOS GEULAH COMES FROM US The Nesivos Shalom in his sefer on Megilas Esther explains that Purim is different from all the other yomim tovim in that the geulah did not come on account of zchus avos like it did on Pesach. Rather, it came from the individual teshuvah of each member of Klal Yisroel. He, therefore, explains that they enacted Mishloach manos as an expression of Hakaras haTov to each other a manifestation of the gratitude we need to show all of our brethren for bringing about the geulah then. We can also have this idea in mind too. And the sky is the limit in terms of the intensity of the kavanah that we have. THE SEUDAH It is a mitzvah to have a festive meal on Purim (Ramah 695:1). It is during this meal that one experiences the most profound growth and escalation in our connection to HaKadosh Baruch Hu. This meal should include both meat and wine. And just as a pre-reminder: Rav Chaim Kanievsky ztl would learn some hilchos Pesach at the Purim Seudah to fulfill the Mitzvah of learning the halachos of an upcoming Yom Tov starting at 30 days before the time. One should also wash on bread at this festive meal because there are many authorities who hold that it is an obligation (Raavya Vol. II Siman 563). By the same token, it is preferable to have beef during this meal and not just chicken, as there are some authorities who hold that chicken does not fulfill the requirement of simcha. This meal should include meat and wine. This meal is held during the day. If one holds it at night, he has failed to fulfill his obligation. Nevertheless, ones evening meal should be more festive than usual. One should wear festival clothing and rejoice. The main Purim meal is held Purim afternoon and is preceded by Minchah. The meal is extended into the night. Most of the meal, however, should be during the day. When Purim falls on Friday, the meal is held early, and is finished with enough time before Shabbos that one will have a good appetite for the Shabbos meal. Some, however, have the custom to extend the meal until Shabbos arrives. DRINKING The Biur Halacha poses the question as to why drinking is a part of Purim when we find so many Psukim that show how terrible and evil getting drunk actually is. He explains that the miracles of Purim actually all occurred through wine. A] Vashti was removed from her throne because of wine. B] Haman was brought down through wine. C]The Teshuvah of Klal Yisroel involved regretting having drunk wine at the feast of Achashveirosh. Chazal enacted that those who truly experience growth in Avodas Hashem should drink wine on Purim. They said, Chayav adam libsumei BPuraya ad de lo yada bain Arur Haman u Baruch Mordechai. The Nesivus Shalom explains this to mean that a person is obligated to become genuinely intoxicated with the notion of Purim that is that no matter how distant we are from Hashem Hashem is close to us. Whether throughout the year we are Boruch Mordechai or Arur Haman Hashem wants to develop our connection with Him. The Nesivos Shalom notes that the word wine is absent in the formulation of the Shulchan Aruch: Chayav adam libsumei bPuraya ad de lo yada. The reason, he writes, is that we must become inebriated with the concept of Purimnot with wine. The concept of Purim is that Hashem is close and that we can achieve remarkable dveikus bHashem at this time. No matter how distant we areeven if we are arur Haman in terms of our general distance from Hashem, we can become, at this particular time of Purim, as close as baruch Mordechai. Aside from this, the mitzvah of drinking is only at the seudah. And there are numerous interpretations which seem more in line with the guidelines that the Torah requires of us. One pshat is that ad de lo yada means ad vlo ad bichlal never get to that point. Rav Avigdor Miller, ztl, held that way. The Aruch HaShulchan (695:3) states that it means to reach a point where one would be unable to recite an ancient poem with the stanzas cursed is Haman and blessed is Mordechai. The Rema writes that one is merely required to drink a little more than usual on Purim, which would cause one to fall asleep. Another explanation (see Magen Avraham 695:3) is that one should drink to the point where one is unable to calculate the gematrias of cursed is Haman and blessed is Mordechai. The Baal HaMaor writes that the reason that the Gemara tells us the story of Rabba killing Rabbi Zeira was to show us why we should not be drinking on Purim. There is a fascinating Gemara that backs up this idea. The Talmud Yerushalmi (Tractate Shabbos 8:1) explains that Rabbi Yehudah bar Illai would only drink wine from Pesach to Pesach. The implication is that Rabbi Yehudah Bar Illai did not drink wine on Purim. The Talmud Bavli has a similar statement in Nedarim (49b). There are three possible understandings of this passage of the Yerushalmi. The first is that, indeed, this is the case, but the halachah is not in accordance with Rabbi Yehudah bar Illai. The second possibility is that we are misreading the import and implication of this Yerushalmi. The third possibility is that Rabbi Yehudah bar Illai had a perfectly valid reason not to consume wine on Purim and was in complete accordance with our statement in the Gemara which is cited by the Shulchan Aruch. The Shaarei Teshuvah (695:2) writes clearly that we should interpret the Yerushalmi in this third method. The Yerushalmi understands that Rabbi Yehudah bar Illai had a weaker constitution and that drinking wine would actually damage his health, body, or general welfare. A very good argument can be made that in contemporary times, we all share the status of Rabbi Yehudah bar Illai, since, medically, even one time drinking can cause severe damage to the brain and heart. Over time, drinking can cause extreme damage to the liver, kidneys, and pancreas. It has also been linked to developing cancers. STATE OF HAPPINESS A person should eat and drink the seudah in a state of happiness. One should gladden every family member at this meal (See Eliyahu Rabba 695:4 and Rashi Megillah 9:28). Individual attention should be given to each family member. AT LEAST TWO ITEMS The meal should have at least two items, meat and some other dish (See Rambam 2:15 who learns that the obligation of Mishloach Manos stems from the obligation of the Seudah). This is at a minimum. Indeed, the Rambam indicates that one should arrange and organize the best meal that one can (Hilchos Megillah 2:15). OTHER MINHAGIM There is also a custom to eat a kreplach at the Seudah, which is meat covered with a dough. This is because the entire holiday came about through hidden means (Likutei Maharich). Some have the custom to eat Hamantaschen at the meal (Taamei HaMinhagim, Aruch HaShulchan and perhaps the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch). Traditionally, hamantaschen have been made out of poppy seeds, although, of late, there are all sorts of other fillers that have popped up. Why poppy seeds? The minhag was based upon a Ramah in Shulchan Aruch, where he cites the Kol Bo and writes (OC 695:2), Some say that it is a custom to eat zironim seeds on Purim, as a commemoration of the seeds that Daniel and his friends ate in Babylonia. The main Purim meal is held Purim afternoon and is preceded by Minchah. The meal is extended into the night. Most of the meal, however, should be during the day. WORKING ON PURIM It is technically permitted to work on Purim. Nonetheless, if possible, it should be avoided. The Ramah writes (OC chapter 696) that nowadays the custom is to refrain from working on Purim. Chazal tell us that Whoever works on Purim does not see a siman bracha from it any sign of blessing. This refers to work that involves making money or strenuous effort. Therefore, one may do machine laundry on Purim. One should avoid doing laundry by hand on Purim. One may therefore shave, get a haircut or cut ones nails on Purim. The custom to refrain from work on Purim refers to the daytime, but not the evening, according to the Biur Halacha (written by the Chofetz Chaim). Work involving a Mitzvah is completely permitted. MOURNING ON PURIM Eulogies and fasting are forbidden Purim. If someone is a mourner rachmana litzlan, and is in Shiva, he or she does not publicly display mourning on Purim. Mourners do not sit on the ground nor remove their shoes. Private aspects of mourning are observed, however, just like on Shabbos. As a reminder, Mourners must give Mishloach Manos but should not receive. MARRIAGE ON PURIM It is permitted to get married on Purim and to have the wedding feast on this day as well. Although it has been a debate in the past, the Mishna Brurah permits it and writes that our custom is to allow it. PURIM FALLING ON A SUNDAY When Purim falls on Sunday, Taanis Esther is pushed up earlier and is observed on Thursday. This is because the day before Purim is Shabbos and we do not fast then. It is permitted, however, for the Baal Koreh to practice reading the Megillah on this Shabbos, because it is still considered Torah study. It is nonetheless forbidden to bring a copy of the Megillah on Shabbos day in preparation for the Saturday night reading of the Megillah even when there is an Eiruv. This is considered Hachana on Shabbos for during the week. If someone was the beneficiary of a personal miracle, he may institute upon himself and his descendents a personal day of Purim. We rule that such a meal is considered a Seudas Mitzvah since it is done to commemorate the wonders that Hashem performed for us. Certainly, the members of a community or city may enact such a community Purim as long as the members of that community or city had accepted it upon themselves. The Chayei Odom and his descendents celebrate the 15th of Kislev as their personal Purim on account of the fact that his family was miraculously saved from a fire on that day. They fast on the 15th and on that evening they light candles, recite the Shir HaKavod, and make a feast. The idea of a personal Purim reflects the notion that all of a persons experiences in life should serve the purpose of bringing us to an ever higher level of devotion and Dveikus Bashem. PURIM AFTER MOSHIACH COMES, PURIM KOTTON AND THE DALET PARSHIOS So what will Purim be like AFTER Moshiach comes? There is a famous Yalkut Shimoni (#944) referring to the time of Moshiach that states, All the holidays are destined to be negated but the days of Purim will never be negated forever. Rav Elazar says that Yom Kippur will also not be negated. The idea is also found in Midrash Mishlei. Regarding this Midrash, Rav Moshe Feinstein zatzal is quoted (page 160) in the second volume of Mesoras Moshe (printed Taives 5776) that his grandson, explained to Rav Moshe that his wifes shul had purchased for him a silver Chanukah menorah as a wedding gift, but he hoped never to use it. Rav Moshe zatzal expressed confusion. His grandson explained that he hopes that Moshiach will come beforehand and the above Midrash will apply. Rav Moshe explained that when the Midrash refers to Purim, it also includes Chanukah because they are both of the same type of Yom Tov. In other words, Chanukah will always be around as well just like Purim. There is another source to this idea. Rav Yoseph Karo, author of the Shulchan Aruch had kept a diary in which he included the learning sessions he had had with a Malach. The Sefer is called Maggid Mesharim. Rav Karo also mentions the idea that both Purim and Chanukah will not be abolished (See Maggid Mesharim Parshas Vayakhel) The Bnei Yissaschar writes (Maamar Chodesh Adar 4:8) that this Midrash does not actually mean that the other holidays will be abolished because nothing of the Torah will be erased. Rather, the intent is that the new Geulah will be so remarkable that it will cause all of the other Moadim to pale in comparison. Nonetheless, we will still be observing them. The Satmar Rebbe ztl in Divrei Yoel Motzei Yom Kippur (page 418) writes the same thing. ADAR It is important to know that the entire experience of Adar and Purim should be a time where one undergoes tremendous and remarkable growth in Dveikus Bashem and Avodas Hashem. Whoever does not experience this growth has failed to fully appreciate Purim and what it could bring about. The Gemorah (Taanis 29a) tell us that when the Month of Adar begins we increase our joyous activity. Why is this so? Because this month is a very favorable time for the Jewish people. We, the nation of Israel, drew ourselves ever closer to Hashem. The closeness was so visible for all to see that even gentiles observed it and jumped to convert and join us. Indeed, Chazal explain that on Purim, Hashem is so close to us, that even Yom Kippurim is called like Purim. Therefore, the Mogain Avrohom writes, if one has a lawsuit with an idol-worshipper, a special effort should be made to settle it during the month of Adar. PURIM KOTTON Every 19 years, there are 7 years in which an extra month is added. These years are 3, 6, 8, 11. 14, 17, 19 in the 19 year cycle. 5784 is the 6th year of the cycle. The month that is added is an Adar Rishon. Purim is held in Adar Sheini. But on Afar Rishon we do have a day called Purim Kotton. The Mishna Brurah (697:2) tells us that it is the custom of Klal Yisroel to conduct a festive seudah on Purim Kotton. It is also true that we do not recite Tachanun on that day. What special message does this give us? The Chida, Rav Chaim Yoseph Dovid Azulai in his Birchei Yoseph, focuses on an extra hidden message taught to us by the Ramah. The Ramah begins his comments on Orech Chaim with the idea of Shivisi Hashem leNegdi samid placing Hashem next to you at all times. The Ramah ends his great work with the idea of making a mishteh a feast, on Purim Kotton. The message? The Birchei Yoseph explains that they are both two sides of the same coin vetov lev mishteh tamid one who is of good heart is in a festive mood at all times. Purim Kotton occurs 7 out of every 19 years. The Halachos of Purim Kotton are not that we read the Megillah on the 14th of Adar Rishon, but we do make a festive meal. We do not say the portions of davening that evoke sadness. This is the special Avodah of this day. The Yom Tov of Purim Kotton thus reflects the idea that ivdu es Hashem bsimcha is an important aspect of serving Hashem. We have to be sameach bchelko. The standard translation of this idea is to be happy with ones lot a theme that Purim Kotton represents. The great Kabbalistic masters, however, understand this phrase that one is happy with his chailek that is the Chailek Eloka mimaal the Divine portion from above that is a part of the Torah neshama. Let us also not forget that Yom Kippurim is described as a day that is likened to Purim. In other words, the closeness that we feel to Hashem during the time of Purim is reflected on Yom Kippur. The Slonimer Rebbe writes that it is inconceivable that Yom Kippur has the aseres yemai Teshuvah and Purim which seems to be the primary source of this special day of closeness to Hashem does not. The Slonimer Rebbe answers that indeed there are preparatory days. The Megillah may be read on the eleventh for those who live in areas that do not have a minyan and who have to travel. When is ten days before this time? It is Rosh Chodesh Adar. Thus the idea of mishenichnas adar marbim bsimcha is part of the ten days of preparation akin to the aseres yemai teshuvah. The Nesivos Shalom explains that the impetus of Purim was Mordechais incredible emunah his faith and bitachon in Hashem. He points out that it does not say that Mordechai did not bow down or prostrate himself. It says, and Mordechai would not bow down and would not prostrate himself. Why the different verb case? To show his remarkable emunah and bitachon in Hashem. Chazal tell us that intense bitachon and trust in Hashem is one of the ways in which we can actually change reality. This is also reflected in Mordechais response to Esther, For if you remain silent, salvation and redemption shall come from another source.. Mordechai was absolutely sure in Hashems redemption. Putting all this together we have the following messages: the Ramahs message about Purim Kotton that it is two parts of the same coin having a festive mood and placing Hashem next to us constantly. Sameach bchelko means being joyous in our Divine portion from Above that forms part of our soul. The preparatory nature of Adar. The knowledge that trust in Hashem can change worlds can truly imbue meaning and depth in the festive seudah that we will conduct today. TAANIS ESTHER During the time of Mordechai and Esther the Jews united on the 13th of Adar to fight and wage war thus standing up for their lives. They fasted during the day of the battle to beseech mercy from Hashem. Hashem sees and hears every person in his or her time of need, when they fast and return to Hashem with all their heart. In order to remember that Hashem does this, all of Israel accepted upon themselves this fast of Esther. Esther herself fasted for three days, but she did so during the month of Nissan. Since this was when we were redeemed and when the Mishkan was erected we rather make the fast in Adar. Taanis Esther is not as obligatory as the four written fasts. When necessary, therefore, one can be lenient such as for expecting or nursing women, or if someone has a severe headache or something similar. Others, however, should not separate themselves from the community and should fast. The custom among some different groups in Klal Yisroel for the women not to fast is entirely incorrect and should be stopped. According to Rav Moshe Feinstein ztl, if a person is having difficulty fasting, he or she may eat a small amount of food 41 minutes after Shekiya before the Megillah reading. When reading the Torah at Mincha of Taanis Esther, only those that are fasting may receive an Aliyah. If there is no Levi that is present who is fasting, the Kohain is called twice. REGULAR PURIM AND SHUSHAN PURIM The holiday of Purim was split into two days because the salvation and fighting that occurred in the capital of Persia, Shushan happened on a different day than the salvation of Jews elsewhere. It happened one day later on the 15th of Adar. Since Shushan was a walled city, the sages of the time decreed that every walled city should celebrate Purim a day later. Jerusalem is a walled city and Purim is celebrated on the 15th of Adar not the 14th. For the honor of Eretz Yisroel the determination of what is a walled city was set back to the time of Yehoshua. MACHATZIS HASHEKEL Immediately before Purim, it is the custom to give half shekels of the established coinage of the country to charity in order to commemorate the half shekels that were given for the communal sacrifices. These were done in Adar. We give three half shekels because in parshas Ki Sisah, where the matter of the donation is discussed, the word Trumah appears three times. The money given for Machtzis HaShekel should be aside from the amount given each year for Maaser. Some say that ideally the money should be given to the maintenance of the shul,the Yeshiva, or the Bais HaMidrash. A child is not obligated in Machtzis HaShekel. Some say that the obligation begins at thirteen. Others rule that it is at twenty. If a father gave Machtzis haShekel for a child even once, he is obligated to continue doing so each year. Women are exempt from the Mitzvah of Machtzis HaShekel. Although the Talmud Yerushalmi discusses the apparent obligation of women giving Machtzis HaShekel, the reference refers only to women who have taken the Mitzvah upon themselves voluntarily. If one neglected to give the Machtzis HaShekel immediately before Purim, he may do so until Rosh Chodesh Nissan. THE FOUR PARSHIOS There are four special Parshios that Chazal instituted to read beginning from before the month of Adar until the month of Nissan. These parshios assist us in developing the very special Kesher we have with HaKadosh Boruch Hu during these two months. The first Parsha of the four is Parshas Shekalim. This Parsha brings to mind the half shekel that the Jewish people brought in order to bring the Korban Tamid the sacrifices brought daily in the Bais HaMikdash. It is proper to realize that term sacrifice is a mistranslation. The correct translation of Korban is a closifier or something that brings one closer to Hashem. The next parsha is Parshas Zachor, which causes us to remember the actions of Amalek. It is a Torah Mitzvah to recall his actions and to abhor him with a hate firmly situated in the heart. We read it during this time because Haman was a descendent of Amalek, and Hashem saved us from him. If one did not hear Parshas Zachor on this Shabbos, he may fulfill the Mitzvah by listening to the Torah reading that is read on the morning of Purim. However, he must specifically have in mind that he is fulfilling the Mitzvah of Parshas Zachor at this time. He must also request of the Baal Koreh that he specifically have in mind to be Motzi him. If either of these two requirements are not fulfilled, he has not fulfilled his Mitzvah. The third parsha is Parshas Parah which commemorates the Parah Adumah that was prepared in the desert after the Mishkan was erected so that the Korban Pesach could be eaten in purity. We read it now so that Hashem should throw this purifying water upon us as well speedily in our days. Some say that it is a Torah Mitzvah to read this Parsha. The fourth Parsha is Parshas HaChodesh which is read to sanctify the month of Nissan. Nissan is the time when we both dedicated the Mishkan and when we became the Am Hashem. These four Parshios are read in addition to the weekly Torah portion. The determination of when these parshios are read is dictated by the need for Parshas Zachor being read immediately before Purim and Parshas HaChodesh being read immediately prior to Rosh Chodesh Nissan. PARSHAS ZACHOR On the Shabbos before Purim, we read a special maftir from a second sefer Torah. It is from Sefer Dvarim (25:17-19) in which we are commanded to remember the evil of Amalek and to eradicate it from the face of the earth. What is it about Parshas Zachor that makes it so unique? What does the Torah want us to do with remembering Amalek to extinguish its memory isnt it, at first glance, counter-intuitive? Also, why did Chazal ordain that we fulfill this Mitzvah on Shabbos? Finally, how can we utilize this Mitzvah to gain inspiration in our Avodas Hashem? UNLEASHED FORCES Long ago, at the very beginning of time, different forces were unleashed in the universe. Some were unleashed by Hashem, and some were unleashed by the actions of mankind. There were forces of goodness of purity. There were impure forces. THE OHR HAGANUZ One such force was the Ohr HaGanuz the hidden light. There are figurative and physical understandings of this light and both are true. The complete physical aspects of the light were put away for Tzaddikim in the future, but the figurative understanding is that Tzaddikim see that every event, every aspect of the universe is controlled completely by Hashem. Ain Od Milvado. Understanding this, we see from one end of the universe to the other. MAN HAS BECHIRAH Man was different than the other animals. Man was endowed with something called Bechira freedom of choice. He had the ability to choose good over evil. Man could utilize the impure destructive force in his choice toward evil. Likewise, he could utilize pure forces in his choice to pursue good. MAHARALS EXPLANATION The Maharal, Rabbi Yehudah Lowe, was a master Talmudist and also was fully fluent in the esoteric knowledge of Kabballah. In one of the Maharals works, Ohr Chadash, he explains (intro. P. 51) that the snake discussed in Bereishis represented the dark and impure destructive force in the world. The evil Haman in the story of Purim also represented and utilized the primordial destructive force. The sages of the Talmud, were well aware of this. The Talmud (Chulin 139b) asks, Haman from the Torah where can he be found? The Talmud answers with the verse in Bereishis 3:11 Hamin (spelled the same) Ha-Aitz asher tzivisi levilti achal mimeno achalta? In context, it is from Hashems response to man Did you eat from the tree that I commanded of you not to partake? MAHARALS DEEPER EXPLANATION OF THE GEMORAH The Talmud, explains the Maharal, is not merely revealing a symmetrical siman. No, it is revealing to us that this was the primordial destructive force which was unleashed a force that defined Haman and the evil that was his forebear Amalek. AMALEK MEUKAL WARPED Rav Chaim Vital explains (Aitz HaDaas Tov Vol. III p. 105) that Amalek has the very same letters as the Hebrew word MUKL warped. Amalek is the apogee of warped and distorted justice. Warped and distorted destructive thinking. It is the anti-thesis of that which is pure and just. MORDECHAI REPRESENTS FORCE OF GOODNESS Mordechai, on the other hand, represents a primordial force of goodness the cure, the antidote to the destructive and evil force. The Gemorah points this out as well. Mordechai from the Torah where can he be found? The Gemorah answers based on the pasuk in Shmos (30:23), Take for yourself pure myrrh Mor Dror. This refers to the Ktores upon which the Gemorah in Shabbos (89a) states that it stops death and destruction. Parshas Zachor then is the remembering of our mission of the triumph of good over evil. Hamans plan of the wholesale murder and destruction of men, women and children who symbolize the concept of Hashem in the world His Great Name was set aside. How? Through the actions of our leaders Mordechai and Esther. WHAT ESTHER AND MORDECHAI REPRESENT Esther represented self-sacrifice giving of herself so that the people will live. Rav Meir Simcha of Dvinsk the Meshech Chochma explains that Esthers original plan was to give her own life up so that Klal Yisroel should survive. That is why she never revealed her own destiny. Rav Yeruchan Olshin shlita explains that Mordechai represents Chessed as well. He looked after a kidnapped Beis Yaakov girl, for years alone in the palace. This chessed helped save Klal Yisroel at the time. WHY SHABBOS? Why on Shabbos? Because Shabbos represents the mission of Klal Yisroel to build and to do the ratzon Hashem. Shabbos has always been viewed as the symbol or flag of the Jewish nation. Just as patriots look at their flag as more than a mere dyed cloth with fancy designs, so too is Shabbos viewed in the eyes of the Jewish people. The Sheiltos of Rav Achai Gaon explains that Hashem instructed us to rest on Shabbos, just as He rested from all creative acts on Shabbos. Observing Shabbos is a sign of our deep belief in Hashem that it was He who Created the world and that we should Create as well create rather than destroy and build. GENERAL DEBATE OF THE RISHONIM There is also a debate among the Rishonim as to the underlying reason for the requirement of Parshas Zachor. The Sefer HaChinuch understands this Mitzvah as a means of encouraging the men of Klal Yisroel to battle to defend against an implacable enemy. His position is that women are exempt from this Mitzvah. Not so the Sefer Mitzvos Ketanos (Rav Yitzchok Ben Yosef 1210-1280), also known as the SMaK. He is of the position that the reason is to realize that Hashem saved us from the hand of Amalek and so that we will always be in awe of Him so that we not sin against His will. This position could perhaps be traced to the words of the Targum Yonasan on the verse Lo Tishkach (Shmos 25:19). He writes, vafilu lyoma Malka dmeshicha lo tisnashi that it applies even to the times of Moshiach. NESIVOS SHALOMS DEFINITION OF YIRASH SHAMAYIM There is also a fascinating explanation of Yiras Shamayim, fear of Heaven that is provided by the author of the Nesivos Shalom. It is different than the explanation that is commonly given. We are afraid of losing our unique bond and relationship with Hashem our dveikus to Him. He give a moshol, a parable. Imagine you are drowning in a vast ocean. A lifeguard jumps in and rescues you, You hold on to him for dear life afraid to let go. You are afraid of losing that connection you have with him. So too here, Yiras Shamayim, according to this explanation of the Nesivos Shalom is that you are afraid of losing that special relationship that you have with Him. Aside from the aforementioned explanation of the Maharal of the cosmic significance of the battle between Klal Yisroel and the forces of destruction, we have now another explanation. According to the combined SMaKs and Nesivos Shaloms explanation, we read Parshas Zachor to further cement the notion within us that Hashem saved us from the hand of Amalek and so that we will realize how precious our relationship with Hashem is and that we should be afraid of losing it. This will encourage us not to sin and do aveiros which will distance ourselves from Him. According to the Sefer HaChinuch (and also the Rambans explanation) the obligation is combined with the Mitzvah of destroying Amalek. Many people explain that Amalek represents the epitome of evil. The intent we should have then is that we must fight that which epitomizes evil in all that we can. This fits with the Maharals explanation. The author can be reached at [email protected] In a two-to-one decision, the High Court of Justice has upheld a decision by the defense minister and the IDF to destroy the home of the parents of a Palestinian terrorist who shot and severely wounded a police officer last year. This marks the first time a house demolition will be carried out over an incident in which the victim of a Palestinian terror attack was not killed. The terrorists family had argued that house demolitions constitute collective punishment and violate human dignity, and that the family was completely uninvolved in the attack. However, Justice David Mintz, writing for the majority, stated that the severity of the terror attack and the grievous injuries sustained by the police officer justified the decision to destroy the family home. The BTzalmo legal campaign group welcoming the decision as a necessary measure in the fight against terrorism. However, the Hamoked organization, which provides legal aid to Palestinians, has denounced the decision, describing house demolitions as blatant collective punishment and questioning their deterrent effect. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) In a last-minute intervention, the High Court of Justice has ordered the Defense Ministry to halt its plan to deport a group of 22 ill Palestinians receiving treatment in Israel back to Gaza, along with their relatives. The patients, mostly cancer patients, have been hospitalized in Israel for several months and require continued care, which would be jeopardized if they were sent back to Gaza. Physicians for Human Rights and the Hamoked Center for the Defense of the Individual filed a petition urging the Defense Ministry to reverse its decision, arguing that it would endanger the patients lives. The court agreed to intervene, citing the potential risk to the patients health and well-being. In response, the Defense Ministrys Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories stated that the patients would be returned to Gaza in coordination with international aid organizations and forces on the ground, and that those requiring further medical treatment would have their continued stay coordinated with hospitals. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) is cracking down on greenwashing, the practice of making false or unsubstantiated environmental claims. The government is proposing to introduce mandatory climate-related disclosure laws for large businesses and financial institutions. These laws would require large businesses to disclose information each year about their climate-related financial risks, opportunities, plans and strategies. The reporting requirements are intended to apply only to large businesses and financial institutions, and will be phased in across three groups of businesses by size over time. The first two groups will capture Australias largest businesses and financial institutions. The third group is expected to encompass businesses that meet at least two of the following criteria: consolidated revenue of $50 million or more, consolidated gross assets of $25 million or more, and employees numbering 100 or more. The majority of Australian small and medium businesses will not fall within this category. This means that those businesses are not expected to have any direct reporting requirements in the immediate future. However, many small businesses form part of the supply chain of larger businesses, which means they may need to engage with climate reporting considerations over time, even if they do not have any direct climate reporting obligations. This is because the scope 3 emissions of a large business with reporting obligations may include the emissions of its small business suppliers. Scope 3 emissions are those emissions that occur up or down a companys supply chain. Under the governments proposals, reporting entities will have to disclose their scope 3 emissions provided that this information is available at the reporting date without undue cost or effort. Scope 3 emissions reporting is required from the second year of reporting, which will provide additional time for reporting entities to develop the capabilities required to measure and report on them. The government expects that, in the immediate term, most scope 3 emissions will be estimates reflecting information that is accessible at the time of the disclosure. Once the new laws come into effect, ASIC will work with small business representatives to develop practical guidance for small businesses in relation to the requirements of the new laws and how the new laws may impact them. Small businesses are critical to Australias economy, and they have an important part to play in Australias transition to a sustainable future, writes ASIC Deputy Chair Sarah Court. A Call to Action Karen Platt, Co-founder of CandleXchange, emphasizes the growing trend of consumer eco-consciousness, which has led to an increase in brands offering sustainable products across various industries. However, not all environmental claims are equal, with a recent internet sweep by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) revealing that 57% of businesses may be engaging in greenwashingmisleading environmental claims. To address this, the ACCC has released guidelines to assist businesses in avoiding such practices. The new guidelines focus on ensuring accuracy, providing evidence for claims, transparency, and avoiding misleading visual imagery, among other key areas. While these guidelines are a positive step, its crucial for businesses to take practical steps to genuinely incorporate eco-friendly practices. Platt suggests businesses consider the broader impact of their operations, such as working with suppliers with sustainable practices and choosing recyclable or biodegradable packaging materials. For instance, CandleXchange opted to eliminate marketing collateral, offering QR codes instead of brochures to reduce waste. Transparency is emphasized as essential; businesses should openly communicate both positive and negative aspects of their sustainability efforts to build trust with customers. Furthermore, educating consumers on sustainable practices is vital, ensuring they know how to properly reuse materials. Platt emphasizes the importance of ongoing sustainability efforts beyond initial product purchase. Incorporating sustainability at the core of business operations is encouraged, with suggestions such as furnishing offices with second-hand furniture and minimizing single-use plastics. With the ACCC guidelines in place, businesses are urged to prioritize clarity and transparency regarding their environmental impact, setting a new standard for sustainability practices. What exactly are the new greenwashing guidelines? The ACCC has provided clear guidance that brands are encouraged to follow when it comes to communicating their environmental and sustainability practices to consumers. The report covers eight key areas, including: Make sure claims are accurate and truthful Have evidence to back up all claims Dont leave out or hide important information Explain the conditions and qualifications of your claims Avoid broad and unqualified claims Dont be misleading when using visual imagery. Use easy-to-understand language. Be transparent about your journey to sustainability Greenwashing refers to claims made about a product that it is environmentally friendly, sustainable or ethical, when it is not. It is a form of misleading or deceptive conduct. Consumers and investors need to be able to rely on the claims made to them about the environmental benefits of their products, and tackling greenwashing is an enforcement priority for ASIC. ASIC has recently taken action in cases including where: Listed companies described their operations, projects or products as carbon neutral, clean or green when there appeared to be no reasonable basis for these claims. Financial products or managed funds were not true to label that is, the names of the products or funds included sustainability-related terms that were inconsistent with investments made by the fund. The scope or application of an investment screen or exclusion was vague or overstated in a Product Disclosure Statement or website. Our most recent greenwashing report (REP 763) highlights why and when ASIC intervened to correct disclosures made by listed companies and managed funds. We have also issued an information sheet (INFO 271) to help the entities that we regulate comply with their legal obligations. We encourage small businesses to consider this guidance if they intend to make sustainability-related claims in connection with the promotion or offering of financial products or services. Our continued work in this area alongside efforts from other regulators such as the ACCC is designed to ensure that all participants in the financial system (including small businesses) can place greater trust and confidence in sustainability-related claims. The ACCC has produced some excellent reference materials relating to the Australian Consumer Law, including this guide for businesses on making environmental claims. For further information, see ASICs Moneysmart advice on Environmental Social Governance (ESG) investing. Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Ministers and leading City figures hope to persuade Unilever to list its ice cream business in London. The producer of brands such as Marmite and Dove this week set London against Amsterdam and New York as potential locations for a new public firm. Its 15billion ice cream business would be a prized addition to the London Stock Exchange. Treasury sources said the Government would love the Ben & Jerrys and Walls maker to list in London alongside parent Unilever. But it remains to be seen whether ministers will roll out the red carpet as they did in their failed attempt to win chipmaker Arm, which plumped for New York, as did building materials supplier CRH and plumber Ferguson. Listing: Treasury sources said the Government would love the maker of Ben & Jerry's and Wall's ice cream to list in London alongside parent Unilever Unilever boss Hein Schumacher has said he is open to options. His firm makes a large proportion of its ice cream sales in the US while its headquarters is in the Netherlands. City Minister Bim Afolami said: Weve developed reforms to boost the UK as a destination for IPOs the Government does not comment on individual companies, it is for firms to decide where to list. It would be very odd for Unilever to pick another stock market, said a prominent City figure. But there are concerns the ice cream endeavour could fall prey to a private equity swoop, with Direct Line and Currys among recent targets. A London listing would be a vote of confidence. Danni Hewson, at AJ Bell, said: Unilever has long had a listing in the UK but it has had a torrid time over the past couple of years. It hasnt been giving investors what they want. 'It has lost value and market share. Because of this bumpy ride, there will be a lot of speculation that looking elsewhere would be sensible. A spin-off like this would be exactly the kind of company UK investors would understand and support. Any listing which grabs headlines in the way this one would has to be good for London, if it can get the listing. If it cant, it would do even more damage. Confidence in London really has been eroded, it does need a win. Disgraced crypto fraudster Sam Bankman-Fried has argued plans to put him behind bars for half a century amount to a death-in-prison sentence and paint him as a depraved super-villain. The co-founder of now-defunct FTX will be sentenced on Thursday next week after he was convicted of seven charges of fraud and conspiracy by a New York jury in November. US prosecutors have called for a sentence of between 40 and 50 years for what has been described as one of the biggest financial frauds in American history. They told the judge who will sentence SBF as he is widely known that he showed unmatched greed and hubris and a pernicious megalomania driven by his own values and sense of superiority. But while the call for as long as half-a-century behind bars is less than the full 100 years recommended in US criminal guidelines, it is much more than the six-and-a-half years suggested by Bankman-Frieds lawyers. Justice? Sam Bankman-Fried is facing 50 years in jail after being convicted of seven charges of fraud and conspiracy The defence team described the prosecution proposals as disturbing and claimed the US government wants to break the 32-year-old. In their submission to the judge, Bankman-Frieds lawyers wrote: With marked hostility, the memorandum distorts reality... and casts Sam as a depraved super-villain. It attributes to him dark and megalomaniacal motives that fly in the face of the record; it makes apocalyptic prophecies of recidivism; and it adopts a medieval view of punishment to reach what amounts to a death-in-prison sentencing recommendation. That is not justice. Bankman-Frieds parents law professors Joseph Bankman and Barbara Fried have already told the judge that they feared for their sons life in prison. His father and I face the very real possibility that we will not live long enough to see him freed, his mother wrote. I would gladly change places with him if I could. Bankman-Fried was found guilty after the collapse of his exchange FTX. He was accused of leaving a 6billion hole in the companys accounts after siphoning off customers cash to make risky bets, repay loans and buy property. Work drinks: Brewer Shepherd Neame said demand has been particularly strong in London Brewer Shepherd Neame is celebrating record sales as workers return to their offices and then to the pub. The company, which is more than 300 years old, said demand has been particularly strong in London, amid signs that staff are spending more time in the office. Revenues for the six months to December reached a record 89million, about 4 per cent more than the same period a year ago. Christmas trading was exceptional, said chief executive Jonathan Neame, and it was affected by just six days of rail strikes. The minimum wage will wise to 11.44 from April, from 10.42, and applies to 21 and 22-year-olds for the first time. Pre-tax profit fell to 1.1million from 5.5million the previous year. GKN Automotive owner Dowlais Group saw its shares fall on Thursday after revealing it expects a slight decline in global light vehicle production and its current order book this year. Dowlais, which spun-off from aerospace company Melrose Industries last April, reported adjusted revenue of 5.49billion for the year ending 31 December, against 5.25billion in 2022. Adjusted operating profit for the year came in at 355million, giving the group headroom to kick-off a 50million share buyback over 12 months starting in April. Dowlais declared a final dividend of 2.8p per share. But the group's shares were down 9.45 per cent or 5.5p to 81.44p on Thursday afternoon, having fallen over 30 per cent in the last year. In the red: GKN Automotive owner Dowlais Group saw its shares fall on Thursday GKN Automotive, which makes the lion's share of the group's revenue, benefited from a near 10 per cent increase in the global production of light vehicles, fuelled by easing chip supply constraints, strong export growth from China, inventory restocking and steady consumer demand, the company said. The unit supplies drive system technologies to the likes of Ford, General Motors and Toyota. But, current industry forecasts imply a slight decline in global light vehicle production in 2024, the group's chief executive, Liam Butterworth, said. The company expects a modest reduction in first-half revenue and sees an improvement in the second half on the back of new programme launches. Butterworth said: '2023 was a year marked by significant progress and transformation for Dowlais, following the Group's successfully executed demerger and listing on the London Stock Exchange.' He added: 'As we look forward, current industry forecasts imply a slight decline in global light vehicle production in 2024. 'Based on these external forecasts and our current order book, we anticipate Group revenues will be similar to the prior year, at constant currency, with a modest reduction in the first half offset by an improvement in the second half due to the expected timing of several new programme launches. 'On this basis, and with our strong continued focus on operational efficiencies, we expect to further expand operating margins and grow free cash flow in 2024. We remain confident of achieving our margin target of 10 per cent+ in Automotive over the medium-term, largely underpinned by announced restructuring.' Pudding politics: Ben & Jerrys said it will stick to its woke agenda - even with a change of hands Unilever is courting private equity groups to see if they would bid for its ice cream business. The consumer goods giant is working with bankers at Morgan Stanley and JP Morgan to gauge interest, according to the Financial Times. The reports will stoke concerns that Londons stock market could miss out on what could be a blockbuster listing worth up to 15billion. Chief executive Hein Schumacher plans to spin off the ice cream division behind brands including Walls, Magnum and Ben & Jerrys. This week he hinted at a potential stock market listing by the end of 2025 and said he was open to all options for where to list. But he did not rule out other options such as selling to a private buyer and said he wanted to maximise returns for shareholders. It would be a bitter blow for London if the demerged company fell into the clutches of private equity. Speculation over its future came as Ben & Jerrys said it will stick to its woke agenda. It has come under fire for its political views, which have included demands for a ceasefire in Gaza and accusing President Biden of fanning the flames of war in Ukraine. Unilever shares rose 0.9 per cent. Britains defence sector received a major boost after two industrial giants were chosen to build Australias next-generation nuclear powered submarines. BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce have been picked by the Australian government alongside domestic defence company ASC Pty and will deliver the SSN-AUKUS submarines in the early 2040s. The vessels are to be used by the Royal Australian Navy and will be the largest, most powerful and advanced attack submarines ever deployed. The deal is part of the AUKUS defence pact, a trilateral agreement between the UK, US and Australia signed in 2021 aimed at curbing Chinese military expansion in the Asia-Pacific region. BAE is to design the submarines, while the nuclear reactors will be developed by Rolls-Royce. Down under: BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce have been picked to build Australias next generation nuclear powered submarines As part of the project, Australia will give Britain 2.4billion for the design work and also fund the expansion of a Rolls-Royce plant that builds submarine nuclear reactors in Derby. BAE said the contract would create 3,500 extra jobs over the next 15 years in the port town of Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, where the companys submarine division is based. Rolls-Royce, meanwhile, will double the size of its Derby submarine facilities, creating 1,170 jobs. Defence Secretary Grant Shapps, who is visiting Australia, said the deal would create security and prosperity to our two nations. He added: In a more dangerous world, the deal symbolises the huge confidence our close partner Australia has in our world-leading defence companies such as BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce. The AUKUS agreement was first struck in 2021, with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Australian PM Anthony Albanese and US President Joe Biden then announcing in March 2023 that the subs would be designed by Britain. A major pillar of the pact is a promise to help Australia build and acquire a fleet of potent nuclear-powered submarines, one of its biggest-ever military upgrades. Australia ditched a previous deal to buy French vessels as part of the pact, triggering a diplomatic row with Paris. Nuclear-powered subs are seen as essential to countering Chinese aggression in the Pacific, due to their ability to operate more quietly and stay underwater for longer than their diesel counterparts. In a potential conflict over Taiwan, they are regarded as critical to containing the Chinese navy partly as they could lie in wait at choke points along the string of islands between Japan, the Philippines and Indonesia. BAE Systems has been riding high and its shares gained 1.2 per cent yesterday. The business has benefited from rising global defence spending in the wake of Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine while demand has also been stoked by conflict in the Middle East and US-China tensions. Likewise, Rolls-Royce shares have soared under chief executive Turbo Tufan Erginbilgic who took charge in January 2023 going from strength to strength following a recovery in air travel. Shares gained 3.3 per cent. Shulman DeMeo Asset Management LLC boosted its position in UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH Free Report) by 6.0% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 794 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock after purchasing an additional 45 shares during the period. Shulman DeMeo Asset Management LLCs holdings in UnitedHealth Group were worth $418,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of UNH. Axiom Financial Strategies LLC purchased a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group in the first quarter valued at $210,000. McGowan Group Asset Management Inc. grew its position in UnitedHealth Group by 8.9% during the first quarter. McGowan Group Asset Management Inc. now owns 744 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock valued at $379,000 after acquiring an additional 61 shares during the period. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. grew its position in UnitedHealth Group by 31.8% during the first quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 250,196 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock valued at $127,592,000 after acquiring an additional 60,300 shares during the period. MAS Advisors LLC grew its position in UnitedHealth Group by 10.8% during the first quarter. MAS Advisors LLC now owns 463 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock valued at $241,000 after acquiring an additional 45 shares during the period. Finally, First Western Trust Bank purchased a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group in the first quarter worth about $875,000. 85.69% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get UnitedHealth Group alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In other UnitedHealth Group news, CAO Thomas E. Roos sold 858 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, February 23rd. The shares were 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 $16,977,233.31. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In other news, EVP Erin Mcsweeney sold 1,236 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $483.48, for a total value of $597,581.28. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 9,364 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,527,306.72. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CAO Thomas E. Roos sold 858 shares of UnitedHealth Group stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $525.79, for a total value of $451,127.82. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 32,289 shares in the company, valued at $16,977,233.31. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.35% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Oppenheimer reaffirmed an outperform rating and issued a $610.00 target price on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research report on Wednesday, January 17th. Stephens reiterated an overweight rating and issued a $605.00 price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research note on Thursday, February 8th. Piper Sandler cut their price target on UnitedHealth Group from $584.00 to $581.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, January 17th. Erste Group Bank reiterated a hold rating on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research note on Wednesday, March 13th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated an overweight rating and issued a $591.00 price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research note on Friday, January 19th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating, fifteen have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $579.33. View Our Latest Report on UNH UnitedHealth Group Price Performance Shares of NYSE:UNH traded up $0.91 on Wednesday, reaching $494.23. 3,483,885 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 4,199,767. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated has a fifty-two week low of $445.68 and a fifty-two week high of $554.70. The companys 50 day moving average is $507.45 and its 200-day moving average is $518.41. The stock has a market capitalization of $455.65 billion, a PE ratio of 20.65, a P/E/G ratio of 1.33 and a beta of 0.54. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62, a current ratio of 0.79 and a quick ratio of 0.79. UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Friday, January 12th. The healthcare conglomerate reported $6.16 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $5.98 by $0.18. UnitedHealth Group had a return on equity of 26.39% and a net margin of 6.02%. The company had revenue of $94.43 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $92.13 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $5.34 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 14.1% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts anticipate that UnitedHealth Group Incorporated will post 27.79 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. UnitedHealth Group Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, March 19th. Investors of record on Monday, March 11th were issued a dividend of $1.88 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, March 8th. This represents a $7.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.52%. UnitedHealth Groups dividend payout ratio is 31.54%. UnitedHealth Group Profile (Free Report) UnitedHealth Group Incorporated operates as a diversified health care company in the United States. The company 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. See Also 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. Vodafone Group Public Limited (LON:VOD Get Free Report) insider Luka Mucic purchased 2,460,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, March 15th. The shares were bought at an average cost of GBX 70 ($0.89) per share, with a total value of 1,722,000 ($2,192,234.25). Vodafone Group Public Stock Performance VOD opened at GBX 67.28 ($0.86) on Thursday. The firms fifty day simple moving average is GBX 67.44 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is GBX 71.64. The company has a quick ratio of 0.78, a current ratio of 0.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 109.39. The company has a market cap of 18.22 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 210.25, a PEG ratio of 0.59 and a beta of 0.48. Vodafone Group Public Limited has a 52-week low of GBX 62.71 ($0.80) and a 52-week high of GBX 97.05 ($1.24). Get Vodafone Group Public alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of analysts have recently weighed in on VOD shares. Citigroup restated a neutral rating and issued a GBX 68 ($0.87) target price on shares of Vodafone Group Public in a report on Wednesday. Barclays restated an equal weight rating and issued a GBX 92 ($1.17) target price on shares of Vodafone Group Public in a research note on Wednesday, December 20th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of GBX 99.80 ($1.27). Vodafone Group Public Company Profile (Get Free Report) Vodafone Group Public Limited Company provides telecommunication services in Europe and internationally. It offers mobile connectivity services comprising end-to-end services for mobile voice and data, messaging, device management, BYOx, and telecoms management, as well as professional and consulting services; and fixed line connectivity, such as fixed voice and data, broadband, software-defined networks, managed WAN, LAN, ethernet, and satellite; and financial services, as well as business and merchant services. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Vodafone Group Public Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Vodafone Group Public and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Rocket Companies (NYSE:RKT Free Report) had its price objective hoisted by Bank of America from $7.00 to $8.00 in a research report released on Monday morning, Benzinga reports. Bank of America currently has an underperform rating on the stock. RKT has been the subject of several other research reports. Wedbush reaffirmed a neutral rating and issued a $13.00 price objective on shares of Rocket Companies in a report on Friday, February 23rd. UBS Group lifted their target price on Rocket Companies from $8.50 to $10.00 and gave the company a sell rating in a research report on Monday, February 26th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft began coverage on Rocket Companies in a research report on Wednesday, January 10th. They set a hold rating and a $10.00 target price on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on Rocket Companies from $14.00 to $13.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, February 23rd. Finally, Citigroup upped their price objective on Rocket Companies from $10.00 to $11.00 and gave the stock a sell rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 28th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and seven have assigned a hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $10.02. Get Rocket Companies alerts: Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Rocket Companies Rocket Companies Trading Up 6.4 % NYSE RKT opened at $13.50 on Monday. The stock has a market cap of $26.81 billion, a P/E ratio of -84.38, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 9.94 and a beta of 2.39. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.92, a quick ratio of 9.78 and a current ratio of 9.78. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $12.06 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $10.63. Rocket Companies has a fifty-two week low of $7.17 and a fifty-two week high of $15.19. Rocket Companies (NYSE:RKT Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 22nd. The company reported ($0.06) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates 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 company had revenue of $885.00 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $762.44 million. During the same period last year, the business earned ($0.12) EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 29.6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts forecast that Rocket Companies will post 0.25 earnings per share for the current year. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Rocket Companies Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Aigen Investment Management LP purchased a new stake in Rocket Companies during the third quarter valued at approximately $786,000. QRG Capital Management Inc. purchased a new stake in Rocket Companies during the third quarter valued at approximately $5,195,000. Bank of New York Mellon Corp raised its position in Rocket Companies by 20.3% during the third quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 430,251 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,519,000 after purchasing an additional 72,465 shares during the period. Strs Ohio purchased a new stake in Rocket Companies during the third quarter valued at approximately $925,000. Finally, Boston Partners purchased a new stake in Rocket Companies during the third quarter valued at approximately $47,544,000. 4.09% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Rocket Companies Company Profile (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; and Rocket Loans, an online-based personal loans business. Further Reading 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. Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on shares of Ardagh Metal Packaging (NYSE:AMBP Free Report) in a report issued on Monday morning, Marketbeat reports. The brokerage issued an underweight rating and a $3.20 target price on the stock. Several other equities research analysts have also recently issued reports on AMBP. Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price on Ardagh Metal Packaging from $4.00 to $3.70 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Friday, February 23rd. UBS Group began coverage on Ardagh Metal Packaging in a research note on Tuesday, January 16th. They set a buy rating and a $5.00 target price for the company. Barclays cut Ardagh Metal Packaging from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and set a $4.00 target price for the company. in a research note on Monday, January 8th. Finally, Truist Financial reissued a hold rating and set a $3.00 target price (down previously from $4.00) on shares of Ardagh Metal Packaging in a research note on Monday, February 26th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $4.36. Get Ardagh Metal Packaging alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Report on Ardagh Metal Packaging Ardagh Metal Packaging Price Performance NYSE:AMBP opened at $3.49 on Monday. Ardagh Metal Packaging has a one year low of $2.57 and a one year high of $4.29. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 34.34, a quick ratio of 0.68 and a current ratio of 0.99. The stock has a market cap of $2.09 billion, a PE ratio of -28.92, a P/E/G ratio of 0.64 and a beta of 0.73. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $3.59 and a 200 day moving average price of $3.51. Ardagh Metal Packaging (NYSE:AMBP Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 22nd. The company reported $0.01 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.04 by ($0.03). Ardagh Metal Packaging had a negative net margin of 1.04% and a positive return on equity of 38.48%. The company had revenue of $1.13 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.11 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.05 EPS. Ardagh Metal Packagings revenue for the quarter was up 5.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts expect that Ardagh Metal Packaging will post 0.19 EPS for the current fiscal year. Ardagh Metal Packaging Announces Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 27th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, March 13th will be issued a dividend of $0.10 per share. This represents a $0.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 11.46%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 12th. Ardagh Metal Packagings dividend payout ratio (DPR) is -333.33%. Institutional Trading of Ardagh Metal Packaging Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Keeley Teton Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Ardagh Metal Packaging by 15.0% during the third quarter. Keeley Teton Advisors LLC now owns 1,579,381 shares of the companys stock worth $4,943,000 after purchasing an additional 206,295 shares in the last quarter. Aigen Investment Management LP increased its position in shares of Ardagh Metal Packaging by 253.1% during the third quarter. Aigen Investment Management LP now owns 55,497 shares of the companys stock worth $174,000 after purchasing an additional 39,780 shares in the last quarter. Barclays PLC increased its position in shares of Ardagh Metal Packaging by 53.0% during the third quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 1,105,701 shares of the companys stock worth $3,461,000 after purchasing an additional 383,081 shares in the last quarter. BW Gestao de Investimentos Ltda. increased its position in shares of Ardagh Metal Packaging by 771.2% during the third quarter. BW Gestao de Investimentos Ltda. now owns 2,783,639 shares of the companys stock worth $8,713,000 after purchasing an additional 2,464,105 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Gamco Investors INC. ET AL increased its position in Ardagh Metal Packaging by 19.0% in the 3rd quarter. Gamco Investors INC. ET AL now owns 1,176,783 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,683,000 after acquiring an additional 188,200 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 17.33% of the companys stock. About Ardagh Metal Packaging (Get Free Report) Ardagh Metal Packaging SA, together with its subsidiaries, supplies metal beverage cans in Europe, the United States, and Brazil. Its products are used in various end-use categories, including beer, carbonated soft drinks, energy drinks, hard seltzers, juices, pre-mixed cocktails, teas, sparkling waters, and wine. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Ardagh Metal Packaging Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ardagh Metal Packaging and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Maria Hackley, Citis Global Head of Industrials who was named one of 25 most powerful women in finance for three consecutive years by American Banker, said that Citi's long-term commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion will continue to be the core of its vision. Maria Hackley, Citis Global Head of Industrials. Photo courtesy of Maria What are the key milestones in your career journey that have led you to be Citi's Global Head of Industrials? I have spent more than 30 years of my entire career at Citi. I first joined the bank as an analyst in the Latin American Financial Institutions Group, covering foreign subsidiaries of Central American banks. I wanted to have the experience of covering U.S.-based clients, and I then pivoted to take on the relationship management responsibility of insurance companies, finance companies, and banks. My then-mentor encouraged me to take on a managerial stretch assignment leading the global industrial banking sector for the corporate bank. In my current role since 2016, I manage a team focused on developing global relationships with industrial clients in aviation, autos, shipping, rail, metals, and mining, and focusing on leading and executing corporate finance transactions. Our goal is to deliver a wide array of financial solutions, providing advice on capital structure, acquisition finance, debt issuance, infrastructure finance, working capital optimization, credit advisory, structured finance, risk management and treasury services to industrial clients. Over my tenure, I have helped raise over US$100 billion for clients through investment-grade bond issuances, revolving credit facilities, and asset-based landings. How does Citi use its global network to support industrial clients in Vietnam? Vietnam is one of the most dynamic emerging economies in Asia and is at an inflection point where foreign companies are increasingly looking to increase their investments and exposure in the country as supply chains shift and ASEAN continues to grow. Citi believes that the foreign investment inflows into manufacturing will remain strong and that Vietnam will continue to grow and develop as a sought-after manufacturing hub in the region. The bank economists estimate that supply chain shifts will support industrial production and export growth for Vietnam in 2024, enabling Vietnam to maintain its competitiveness in exports and attract foreign capital. As a banking partner to the biggest multinational corporations across the world, Citi is well positioned to support our multinational clients business interests in Vietnam as they look to capture opportunities in Asia and ASEAN and diversify their global supply chains. We serve the biggest FDI client portfolio of Fortune 500 companies and facilitate annual international trade flows exceeding US$90 billion in Vietnam. In Vietnam, Citi remains the bank of choice for top-tier local corporations, financial institutions, and large multinational companies because of our unmatched credentials, experienced and skilled personnel, and global network in 95 markets. We can open doors and facilitate connections around the world, offer expertise and advice on regulatory matters, and help clients navigate market-specific nuances while ensuring uniformity in the products, platforms, and services that we offer across geographies. As a senior leader at Citi, what strategies have you implemented to promote diversity and inclusion in the organization? At Citi, our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is a long-standing value and continues to be core to who we are as a bank. A diverse workforce is invaluable to serving our more than 200 million clients and customers across nearly 160 markets, and we have a well-established track record of cultivating a culture of inclusion and belonging for our colleagues. We are also committed to transparency and accountability in our efforts to achieve pay equity and representation of women and racial and ethnic minorities. To illustrate this point, Citi was the first bank to disclose our adjusted pay results in 2018 and in 2019 and became one of the first companies to disclose our unadjusted or raw pay gaps for both women and US minorities. Based on the results, we made appropriate pay adjustments wherever gaps were identified. We set out our first set of aspirational representation goals, which we achieved in 2018, and since then, we have expanded our goals for 2025 to be more global and inclusive. These goals include boosting the global representation of women from assistant vice president to managing director levels to 43.5% in 2025. Citi was also among the first financial services firms to achieve gender parity on its board. Our work doesnt end there. We embed diversity through our talent recruitment process and invest in career development and planning for diverse talent through mentorship, networking, rotational programs, and partnerships. By providing access to learning opportunities, development programs, and mentors across the firm, we try to maintain an inclusive culture and build a pipeline of diverse leaders. What are some of the challenges that women encounter in positions of leadership in the finance industry, and how could these challenges be overcome? There are two parts to this. First is at the entry level, where I think the finance industry has made the most progress. The recruitment process has become a lot more cognizant of the need for a diverse slate of candidates and an equally diverse interview board. We generally find that we have a balanced mix of men and women, therefore, at the entry levels. The next stage, and where the challenges remain, is retention at the middle to senior level. This is where we find women leaving the industry. There is more we can do here to ensure that we provide more support and greater flexibility, which allow women to balance their personal as well as professional goals. We conduct maternity support programs and educational series for expecting and new mothers, covering a range of topics from navigating their fertility journey to pregnancy and return to work. Furthermore, our benefit initiatives, inclusion networks, and male allyship programs are designed to support the immediate and long-term well-being of colleagues in all locations to help them be successful at work. What message do you have for young women aspiring to leadership roles in finance and your hopes for their future? There has never been a better time to join the financial sector. The industry has evolved and continues to improve, and awareness around creating a level playing field where both women and men can succeed has never been higher. My top tips for young leaders are to build a team that complements your weaknesses so that you can focus on your strengths. To be a strategic advisor and relationship banker, you need to be well-read and differentiate yourself. And finally, you need to network and cultivate relationships. In a competitive environment like banking, the day-to-day intensity and demand for precision, correctness, and urgency are high. Learn to prioritize, focus on delivering quality and value to your clients, stay calm under pressure, and strive for work-life balance for yourself and your team. Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:CRM Get Free Report) CEO Marc Benioff sold 15,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, March 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $296.12, for a total transaction of $4,441,800.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 13,161,166 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,897,284,475.92. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Marc Benioff also recently made the following trade(s): Get Salesforce alerts: On Tuesday, March 19th, Marc Benioff sold 15,000 shares of Salesforce stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $299.59, for a total transaction of $4,493,850.00. On Wednesday, March 13th, Marc Benioff sold 15,000 shares of Salesforce stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $306.23, for a total transaction of $4,593,450.00. On Monday, March 11th, Marc Benioff sold 15,000 shares of Salesforce stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $304.97, for a total transaction of $4,574,550.00. On Wednesday, March 6th, Marc Benioff sold 15,000 shares of Salesforce stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $304.25, for a total transaction of $4,563,750.00. On Friday, March 1st, Marc Benioff sold 15,000 shares of Salesforce stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $315.54, for a total transaction of $4,733,100.00. On Wednesday, February 28th, Marc Benioff sold 15,000 shares of Salesforce stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $299.36, for a total transaction of $4,490,400.00. On Monday, February 26th, Marc Benioff sold 15,000 shares of Salesforce stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $300.46, for a total transaction of $4,506,900.00. On Friday, February 23rd, Marc Benioff sold 15,000 shares of Salesforce stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $293.39, for a total transaction of $4,400,850.00. On Wednesday, February 21st, Marc Benioff sold 15,000 shares of Salesforce stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $280.77, for a total transaction of $4,211,550.00. On Wednesday, February 14th, Marc Benioff sold 15,000 shares of Salesforce stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $287.78, for a total transaction of $4,316,700.00. Salesforce Trading Up 1.5 % CRM opened at $306.08 on Thursday. Salesforce, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $184.89 and a fifty-two week high of $318.71. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14, a current ratio of 1.09 and a quick ratio of 1.09. The firm has a market capitalization of $296.90 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 72.88, a PEG ratio of 2.31 and a beta of 1.28. The companys 50 day moving average price is $289.88 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $248.76. Salesforce Announces Dividend Salesforce ( NYSE:CRM Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, February 28th. The CRM provider reported $1.78 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.72 by $0.06. Salesforce had a net margin of 11.87% and a return on equity of 10.42%. The firm had revenue of $9.29 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $9.22 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.01 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 10.8% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts predict that Salesforce, Inc. will post 7.45 earnings per share for the current year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 11th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 14th will be paid a $0.40 dividend. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.52%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 13th. Salesforces dividend payout ratio is currently 9.52%. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Salesforce A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of CRM. Fairfield Bush & CO. boosted its stake in shares of Salesforce by 8.7% in the 1st quarter. Fairfield Bush & CO. now owns 4,468 shares of the CRM providers stock valued at $949,000 after purchasing an additional 357 shares during the last quarter. Roundview Capital LLC lifted its position in shares of Salesforce by 18.8% during the 1st quarter. Roundview Capital LLC now owns 24,037 shares of the CRM providers stock valued at $5,104,000 after acquiring an additional 3,809 shares during the period. Covestor Ltd lifted its position in shares of Salesforce by 42.8% during the 1st quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 621 shares of the CRM providers stock valued at $132,000 after acquiring an additional 186 shares during the period. Ergoteles LLC acquired a new position in shares of Salesforce during the 1st quarter valued at $455,000. Finally, Mackenzie Financial Corp lifted its position in shares of Salesforce by 21.3% during the 1st quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 860,950 shares of the CRM providers stock valued at $182,797,000 after acquiring an additional 151,440 shares during the period. 77.52% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Analyst Ratings Changes CRM has been the subject of several analyst reports. Morgan Stanley upgraded shares of Salesforce from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and lifted their price objective for the stock from $290.00 to $350.00 in a research note on Thursday, December 21st. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price objective on shares of Salesforce from $325.00 to $335.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, February 29th. Wolfe Research upgraded shares of Salesforce from a peer perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $315.00 price objective for the company in a research note on Monday, December 18th. Citigroup lifted their price objective on shares of Salesforce from $265.00 to $325.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, February 26th. Finally, Raymond James boosted their target price 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. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-five have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $304.32. View Our Latest Stock Report on Salesforce About Salesforce (Get 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 artificial intelligence, and deliver quotes, contracts, and invoices; and service that enables companies to deliver trusted and highly personalized customer support at scale. Recommended Stories 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. Shares of Transocean Ltd. (NYSE:RIG Get Free Report) have been assigned a consensus recommendation of Hold from the nine analysts that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and four have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average twelve-month price target among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $8.00. RIG has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Morgan Stanley decreased their price target on shares of Transocean from $8.00 to $7.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Monday, February 26th. Barclays cut their price objective on shares of Transocean from $7.00 to $6.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, February 22nd. Citigroup cut their price target on shares of Transocean from $9.00 to $7.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, February 21st. StockNews.com raised shares of Transocean to a sell rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 20th. Finally, Capital One Financial initiated coverage on shares of Transocean in a research report on Tuesday, November 28th. They set an equal weight rating and a $8.00 price target on the stock. Get Transocean alerts: Get Our Latest Report on RIG Institutional Inflows and Outflows Transocean Price Performance Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. OLD Point Trust & Financial Services N A acquired a new position in shares of Transocean during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC grew its position in shares of Transocean by 446.5% during the 3rd quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 10,996 shares of the offshore drilling services providers stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 8,984 shares in the last quarter. VisionPoint Advisory Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Transocean during the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. IHT Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Transocean by 38.8% during the 3rd quarter. IHT Wealth Management LLC now owns 16,895 shares of the offshore drilling services providers stock worth $42,000 after acquiring an additional 4,719 shares during the period. Finally, National Bank of Canada FI lifted its holdings in shares of Transocean by 3,800.0% during the 3rd quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 5,850 shares of the offshore drilling services providers stock worth $46,000 after acquiring an additional 5,700 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 66.70% of the companys stock. RIG opened at $6.11 on Thursday. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $5.29 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $6.38. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68, a quick ratio of 1.22 and a current ratio of 1.52. Transocean has a 52 week low of $4.45 and a 52 week high of $8.88. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.94 billion, a PE ratio of -4.81 and a beta of 2.75. Transocean (NYSE:RIG Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Monday, February 19th. The offshore drilling services provider reported ($0.09) EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of ($0.21) by $0.12. Transocean had a negative net margin of 33.69% and a negative return on equity of 7.13%. The firm had revenue of $741.00 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $779.17 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned ($0.49) EPS. As a group, analysts anticipate that Transocean will post 0.09 earnings per share for the current year. About Transocean (Get Free Report Transocean Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, provides offshore contract drilling services for oil and gas wells worldwide. It contracts mobile offshore drilling rigs, related equipment, and work crews to drill oil and gas wells. The company operates a fleet of mobile offshore drilling units, consisting of ultra-deepwater floaters and harsh environment floaters. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Transocean Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Transocean and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Beazer Homes USA (NYSE:BZH Get Free Report) and The Berkeley Group (OTCMKTS:BKGFF Get Free Report) are both construction companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, dividends, profitability, valuation, earnings, risk and institutional ownership. Valuation & Earnings This table compares Beazer Homes USA and The Berkeley Groups gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Get Beazer Homes USA alerts: Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Beazer Homes USA $2.15 billion 0.46 $158.61 million $5.05 6.26 The Berkeley Group N/A N/A N/A $2.62 22.45 Beazer Homes USA has higher revenue and earnings than The Berkeley Group. Beazer Homes USA is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than The Berkeley Group, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Insider and Institutional Ownership Profitability 79.1% of Beazer Homes USA shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 45.9% of The Berkeley Group shares are held by institutional investors. 7.0% of Beazer Homes USA shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term. This table compares Beazer Homes USA and The Berkeley Groups net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Beazer Homes USA 7.26% 14.09% 6.40% The Berkeley Group N/A N/A N/A Analyst Recommendations This is a breakdown of current ratings and target prices for Beazer Homes USA and The Berkeley Group, as provided by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Beazer Homes USA 0 1 2 0 2.67 The Berkeley Group 0 0 0 0 N/A Beazer Homes USA currently has a consensus target price of $35.67, indicating a potential upside of 12.87%. Given Beazer Homes USAs higher possible upside, research analysts clearly believe Beazer Homes USA is more favorable than The Berkeley Group. Summary Beazer Homes USA beats The Berkeley Group on 9 of the 10 factors compared between the two stocks. About Beazer Homes USA (Get Free Report) Beazer Homes USA, Inc. operates as a homebuilder in the United States. It designs, constructs, and sells single-family and multi-family homes under the Beazer Homes, Gatherings, and Choice Plans names. The company also sells its homes through commissioned new home sales counselors and independent brokers in Arizona, California, Nevada, Texas, Indiana, Delaware, Maryland, Tennessee, Virginia, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Beazer Homes USA, Inc. was founded in 1985 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. About The Berkeley Group (Get Free Report) The Berkeley Group Holdings plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the residential-led and mixed-use property development and ancillary activities in the United Kingdom. The company is involved in land selling activities. It operates under the Berkeley, St Edward, St George, St James, St Joseph, and St William brand names. The Berkeley Group Holdings plc was founded in 1976 and is headquartered in Cobham, the United Kingdom. Receive News & Ratings for Beazer Homes USA Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Beazer Homes USA and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO Get Free Report) have earned a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy from the eight ratings firms that are covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and six have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1-year target price among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $126.25. A number of analysts have commented on NVO shares. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated an overweight rating and issued a $160.00 price objective on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in a report on Wednesday. Morgan Stanley started coverage on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in a report on Tuesday, January 23rd. They issued an overweight rating and a $120.00 price objective for the company. 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. Finally, UBS Group started coverage on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in a report on Tuesday, January 16th. They issued a neutral rating for the company. Get Novo Nordisk A/S alerts: Read Our Latest Research Report on NVO Novo Nordisk A/S Trading Down 0.8 % Shares of Novo Nordisk A/S stock opened at $130.36 on Thursday. The firm has a market capitalization of $584.99 billion, a PE ratio of 48.19, a P/E/G ratio of 2.19 and a beta of 0.41. Novo Nordisk A/S has a twelve month low of $72.39 and a twelve month high of $138.28. The firms 50-day moving average price is $119.11 and its 200 day moving average price is $101.35. 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 (NYSE:NVO Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 31st. The company reported $0.71 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.66 by $0.05. The firm had revenue of $9.51 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $9.14 billion. Novo Nordisk A/S had a net margin of 36.03% and a return on equity of 90.36%. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Novo Nordisk A/S will post 3.36 EPS for the current fiscal year. Novo Nordisk A/S Increases Dividend The company also recently declared a Semi-Annual dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 2nd. Stockholders 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 dividend yield of 0.9%. This is an increase from Novo Nordisk A/Ss previous Semi-Annual dividend of $0.22. Novo Nordisk A/Ss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 22.92%. Institutional Trading of Novo Nordisk A/S A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Pacific Center for Financial Services boosted its position in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 100.0% during the 3rd quarter. Pacific Center for Financial Services now owns 270 shares of the companys stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 135 shares during the period. Copeland Capital Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 100.0% during the 3rd quarter. Copeland Capital Management LLC now owns 282 shares of the companys stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 141 shares during the period. Bell Investment Advisors Inc boosted its position in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 79.9% during the 3rd quarter. Bell Investment Advisors Inc now owns 286 shares of the companys stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 127 shares during the period. CNB Bank purchased a new position in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S during the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Finally, Citizens National Bank Trust Department boosted its position in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 100.0% during the 3rd quarter. Citizens National Bank Trust Department now owns 300 shares of the companys stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 150 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 6.41% of the companys stock. Novo Nordisk A/S Company Profile (Get 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. Further Reading 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. Equity Residential (NYSE:EQR Get Free Report) has been given an average recommendation of Hold by the fourteen analysts that are presently covering the company, MarketBeat reports. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and four have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year target price among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $65.68. Several equities research analysts have issued reports on EQR shares. Barclays cut their target price on Equity Residential from $69.00 to $67.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, February 20th. Raymond James raised Equity Residential from an underperform rating to a market perform rating in a research note on Monday. Morgan Stanley raised their target price on Equity Residential from $58.00 to $64.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Monday, February 26th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft started coverage on Equity Residential in a research note on Tuesday, January 30th. They issued a hold rating and a $64.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Mizuho dropped their price objective on Equity Residential from $62.00 to $61.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, February 28th. Get Equity Residential alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Report on Equity Residential Insiders Place Their Bets Hedge Funds Weigh In On Equity Residential In other news, CAO Ian Kaufman sold 716 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated 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 of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,384,252.20. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website . In other news, CFO Robert Garechana sold 876 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $57.80, for a total value of $50,632.80. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 20,933 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,209,927.40. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website . Also, CAO Ian Kaufman sold 716 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 13th. The shares were 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 of the companys stock, valued at $1,384,252.20. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders sold 3,280 shares of company stock valued at $192,335 in the last ninety days. Insiders own 1.69% of the companys stock. Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC acquired a new position in Equity Residential in the 4th quarter valued at about $28,000. Financial Gravity Asset Management Inc. increased its position in Equity Residential by 593.9% during the 3rd quarter. Financial Gravity Asset Management Inc. now owns 458 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 392 shares during the period. Allworth Financial LP increased its position in Equity Residential by 120.8% during the 4th quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 488 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 267 shares during the period. Money Concepts Capital Corp acquired a new position in Equity Residential during the 4th quarter worth approximately $29,000. Finally, Voisard Asset Management Group Inc. acquired a new position in Equity Residential during the 4th quarter worth approximately $33,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 84.79% of the companys stock. Equity Residential Stock Performance Shares of Equity Residential stock opened at $62.68 on Thursday. Equity Residential has a one year low of $52.57 and a one year high of $69.45. The company has a market cap of $23.79 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.49, a PEG ratio of 3.67 and a beta of 0.84. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 0.30 and a current ratio of 0.30. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $60.64 and its 200 day moving average price is $59.57. Equity Residential (NYSE:EQR Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 30th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.82 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.00 by ($0.18). Equity Residential had a return on equity of 7.43% and a net margin of 29.07%. The company had revenue of $727.50 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $725.07 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $0.94 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 4.0% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts predict that Equity Residential will post 3.8 EPS for the current year. Equity Residential Increases Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 12th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 25th will be issued a dividend of $0.675 per share. This represents a $2.70 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.31%. This is an increase from Equity Residentials previous quarterly dividend of $0.66. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 22nd. Equity Residentials payout ratio is 122.73%. Equity Residential Company Profile (Get 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 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. Moncler (OTCMKTS:MONRY Get Free Report) and Delta Apparel (NYSE:DLA Get Free Report) are both consumer cyclical companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, profitability, institutional ownership, risk, dividends, valuation and earnings. Analyst Recommendations This is a breakdown of current ratings and price targets for Moncler and Delta Apparel, as provided by MarketBeat.com. Get Moncler alerts: Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Moncler 0 2 1 0 2.33 Delta Apparel 0 0 0 0 N/A Earnings and Valuation Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Moncler N/A N/A N/A $0.42 174.88 Delta Apparel $387.99 million 0.06 -$33.21 million ($5.46) -0.59 This table compares Moncler and Delta Apparels top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Moncler has higher earnings, but lower revenue than Delta Apparel. Delta Apparel is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Moncler, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Institutional and Insider Ownership 50.8% of Delta Apparel shares are owned by institutional investors. 10.3% of Delta Apparel shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth. Profitability This table compares Moncler and Delta Apparels net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Moncler N/A N/A N/A Delta Apparel -9.84% -10.64% -3.62% Summary Moncler beats Delta Apparel on 6 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks. About Moncler (Get Free Report) Moncler S.p.A., together with its subsidiaries, designs, produces, and distributes clothing and related accessories for men, women, and children under the Moncler and Stone Island brand names. Its product portfolio includes footwear products; leather goods, such as bags, backpacks, and accessories; and sunglasses and eyeglasses under the Moncler Lunettes brand. The company also offers perfume for men and women. It operates directly operated stores and wholesale shop-in-shops. The company also sells its products through moncler.com, an online store. It serves in Italy, other European countries, Japan, the rest of Asia, and the Americas. Moncler S.p.A. was founded in 1952 and is headquartered in Milan, Italy. About Delta Apparel (Get Free Report) Delta Apparel, Inc., through its subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, sources, and markets activewear and lifestyle apparel products in the United States, Honduras, El Salvador, Mexico, and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Delta Group and Salt Life Group. It offers on-demand digitally printed apparel products under the DTG2Go brand; silhouettes and fleece products; performance shirts that keep athletes dry under the Delta Dri line brand; ringspun garments; Delta Soft apparel products; and heritage, mid- and heavier-weight tee shirts under the Delta Pro Weight and Magnum Weight brand names, as well as polos, outerwear, headwear, bags, and other accessories under the Soffe brand. The company also distributes its products to various audience, which includes sporting goods and outdoor retailers, specialty and resort shops, farm and fleet stores, department stores, and mid-tier retailers, as well as through soffe.com website. In addition, it offers apparel, swimwear, board shorts, sunglasses, bags, and accessories under the Salt Life brand through surf shops, specialty stores, department stores, and outdoor retailers, as well as through its saltlife.com ecommerce site. The company was found in 1903 and is headquartered in Duluth, Georgia. Receive News & Ratings for Moncler Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Moncler and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Whirlpool (NYSE:WHR Get Free Report) updated its FY 2024 earnings guidance on Tuesday. The company provided earnings per share (EPS) guidance of 14.000-14.000 for the period, compared to the consensus estimate of 13.470. The company issued revenue guidance of $16.9 billion-$16.9 billion, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $17.2 billion. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of research firms have recently commented on WHR. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on shares of Whirlpool from $120.00 to $111.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Friday, February 2nd. Royal Bank of Canada dropped their price objective on shares of Whirlpool from $92.00 to $85.00 and set an underperform rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 31st. TheStreet raised shares of Whirlpool from a d+ rating to a c+ rating in a research note on Monday, January 29th. StockNews.com raised shares of Whirlpool from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 27th. Finally, Loop Capital began coverage on shares of Whirlpool in a research note on Thursday, February 22nd. They set a buy rating and a $140.00 price objective for the company. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $122.17. Get Whirlpool alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on WHR Whirlpool Stock Performance Whirlpool stock opened at $109.69 on Thursday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $109.88 and a 200-day simple moving average of $117.02. Whirlpool has a 1-year low of $98.40 and a 1-year high of $160.62. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.53, a current ratio of 0.89 and a quick ratio of 0.57. The stock has a market cap of $5.99 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.59 and a beta of 1.47. Whirlpool (NYSE:WHR Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 30th. The company reported $3.85 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.53 by $0.32. Whirlpool had a net margin of 2.47% and a return on equity of 38.67%. The business had revenue of $5.09 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.98 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $3.89 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 3.4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts expect that Whirlpool will post 13.64 EPS for the current year. Whirlpool Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 1st were issued a $1.75 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 29th. This represents a $7.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.38%. Whirlpools dividend payout ratio is currently 80.37%. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Whirlpool Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Meiji Yasuda Asset Management Co Ltd. lifted its holdings in shares of Whirlpool by 3.6% in the 2nd quarter. Meiji Yasuda Asset Management Co Ltd. now owns 1,719 shares of the companys stock worth $266,000 after acquiring an additional 60 shares during the last quarter. Kentucky Retirement Systems lifted its holdings in shares of Whirlpool by 2.3% in the 3rd quarter. Kentucky Retirement Systems now owns 4,267 shares of the companys stock worth $575,000 after acquiring an additional 96 shares during the last quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Whirlpool by 96.2% in the 1st quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 204 shares of the companys stock worth $35,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. CENTRAL TRUST Co lifted its holdings in Whirlpool by 7.1% during the 3rd quarter. CENTRAL TRUST Co now owns 1,517 shares of the companys stock worth $204,000 after buying an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Utah Retirement Systems lifted its holdings in Whirlpool by 1.1% during the 4th quarter. Utah Retirement Systems now owns 9,598 shares of the companys stock worth $1,358,000 after buying an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. 90.89% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Whirlpool Company Profile (Get Free Report) Whirlpool Corporation manufactures and markets home appliances and related products and services in the 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. Read More 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. Rockland Trust Co. reduced its holdings in W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE:GWW Free Report) by 7.6% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 401 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 33 shares during the quarter. Rockland Trust Co.s holdings in W.W. Grainger were worth $332,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in GWW. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. lifted its holdings in W.W. Grainger by 6.9% in the third quarter. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. now owns 3,160 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $2,187,000 after purchasing an additional 205 shares during the period. Sigma Planning Corp boosted its holdings in shares of W.W. Grainger by 23.4% in the third quarter. Sigma Planning Corp now owns 633 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $438,000 after acquiring an additional 120 shares in the last quarter. US Bancorp DE increased its stake in shares of W.W. Grainger by 11.3% during the third quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 71,748 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $49,638,000 after acquiring an additional 7,273 shares during the period. Pathstone Family Office LLC raised its holdings in W.W. Grainger by 89.4% during the third quarter. Pathstone Family Office LLC now owns 7,828 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $5,415,000 after purchasing an additional 3,695 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Natixis acquired a new stake in W.W. Grainger in the second quarter worth approximately $355,000. Institutional investors own 71.24% of the companys stock. Get W.W. Grainger alerts: Insider Activity In other W.W. Grainger news, VP Paige K. Robbins sold 3,813 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $968.88, for a total value of $3,694,339.44. Following the sale, the vice president now directly owns 4,909 shares in the company, valued at $4,756,231.92. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In related news, VP Paige K. Robbins sold 3,813 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $968.88, for a total transaction of $3,694,339.44. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 4,909 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,756,231.92. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, VP Paige K. Robbins sold 3,122 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $950.22, for a total value of $2,966,586.84. Following the sale, the vice president now owns 4,909 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,664,629.98. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 9.90% of the companys stock. W.W. Grainger Price Performance NYSE GWW opened at $1,016.16 on Thursday. The company has a market cap of $49.92 billion, a P/E ratio of 28.06, a P/E/G ratio of 1.96 and a beta of 1.14. W.W. Grainger, Inc. has a 1 year low of $625.97 and a 1 year high of $1,016.89. The company has a current ratio of 2.88, a quick ratio of 1.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $935.89 and a 200 day simple moving average of $820.52. W.W. Grainger (NYSE:GWW Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, February 2nd. The industrial products company reported $8.33 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $8.05 by $0.28. The business had revenue of $4 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.04 billion. W.W. Grainger had a return on equity of 56.54% and a net margin of 11.10%. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $7.14 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 5.1% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts predict that W.W. Grainger, Inc. will post 39.26 EPS for the current year. W.W. Grainger Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 1st. Investors of record on Monday, February 12th were given a $1.86 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 9th. This represents a $7.44 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.73%. W.W. Graingers dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 20.55%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several research firms have issued reports on GWW. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price target on shares of W.W. Grainger from $809.00 to $907.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research report on Monday, February 5th. Stephens boosted their price target on shares of W.W. Grainger from $775.00 to $1,000.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Tuesday, February 6th. Loop Capital lowered shares of W.W. Grainger from a buy rating to a hold rating and raised their price objective for the stock from $925.00 to $1,000.00 in a research note on Tuesday, February 20th. StockNews.com raised shares of W.W. Grainger from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Saturday, March 16th. Finally, Oppenheimer lifted their target price on W.W. Grainger from $1,075.00 to $1,125.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 5th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, W.W. Grainger has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $913.89. Read Our Latest Analysis on GWW W.W. Grainger Company Profile (Free Report) W.W. Grainger, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, distributes maintenance, repair, and operating products and services primarily in North America, Japan, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company operates through two segments, High-Touch Solutions N.A. and Endless Assortment. The company provides safety, security, material handling and storage equipment, pumps and plumbing equipment, cleaning and maintenance, and metalworking and hand tools. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GWW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE:GWW Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for W.W. Grainger Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for W.W. Grainger and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Tsakos Energy Navigation (NYSE:TNP Free Report) had its target price raised by Jefferies Financial Group from $28.00 to $30.00 in a research report released on Thursday morning, Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a buy rating on the shipping companys stock. Separately, StockNews.com lowered shares of Tsakos Energy Navigation from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, January 13th. Get Tsakos Energy Navigation alerts: Get Our Latest Report on Tsakos Energy Navigation Tsakos Energy Navigation Trading Down 0.0 % Institutional Trading of Tsakos Energy Navigation TNP opened at $24.65 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.84, a current ratio of 1.54 and a quick ratio of 1.49. Tsakos Energy Navigation has a fifty-two week low of $15.50 and a fifty-two week high of $25.37. The firm has a market capitalization of $727.42 million, a PE ratio of 2.17 and a beta of -0.15. The companys 50-day moving average is $24.18 and its 200 day moving average is $22.21. Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Pale Fire Capital SE purchased a new position in Tsakos Energy Navigation in the 2nd quarter worth $11,953,000. Millennium Management LLC raised its position in Tsakos Energy Navigation by 89.6% in the 4th quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 1,048,370 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $17,749,000 after purchasing an additional 495,349 shares during the period. Marshall Wace LLP raised its position in Tsakos Energy Navigation by 171.1% in the 4th quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 430,527 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $7,289,000 after purchasing an additional 271,733 shares during the period. Two Sigma Investments LP boosted its stake in shares of Tsakos Energy Navigation by 88.4% during the 3rd quarter. Two Sigma Investments LP now owns 371,400 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $5,671,000 after purchasing an additional 174,231 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership boosted its stake in shares of Tsakos Energy Navigation by 71.7% during the 4th quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 375,885 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $6,364,000 after purchasing an additional 156,989 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 21.18% of the companys stock. About Tsakos Energy Navigation (Get Free Report) Tsakos Energy Navigation Limited provides seaborne crude oil and petroleum product transportation services worldwide. The company offers marine transportation services for national, major, and other independent oil companies and refiners under long, medium, and short-term charters. It also operates a fleet of double-hull vessels, comprising of conventional tankers, LNG carriers, and suezmax DP2 shuttle tankers. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Tsakos Energy Navigation Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Tsakos Energy Navigation and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Xenia Hotels & Resorts (NYSE:XHR Get Free Report) had its price target boosted by analysts at Wells Fargo & Company from $14.00 to $15.50 in a research note issued to investors on Thursday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has an equal weight rating on the real estate investment trusts stock. Wells Fargo & Companys target price would suggest a potential upside of 2.92% from the companys current price. Several other research firms have also recently commented on XHR. KeyCorp lowered their target price on Xenia Hotels & Resorts from $17.00 to $15.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, December 13th. Wolfe Research initiated coverage on shares of Xenia Hotels & Resorts in a research note on Wednesday, January 10th. They set a peer perform rating on the stock. B. Riley restated a neutral rating and issued a $17.00 target price (up from $16.00) on shares of Xenia Hotels & Resorts in a research report on Monday, March 4th. Jefferies Financial Group raised Xenia Hotels & Resorts from a hold rating to a buy rating and raised their target price for the company from $14.00 to $18.00 in a research note on Thursday, February 29th. Finally, StockNews.com raised shares of Xenia Hotels & Resorts from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, February 28th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $15.30. Get Xenia Hotels & Resorts alerts: View Our Latest Analysis on XHR Xenia Hotels & Resorts Stock Up 0.1 % XHR stock opened at $15.06 on Thursday. The company has a current ratio of 2.50, a quick ratio of 2.50 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.06. Xenia Hotels & Resorts has a twelve month low of $10.90 and a twelve month high of $15.84. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $13.87 and a 200-day simple moving average of $12.87. The company has a market capitalization of $1.53 billion, a P/E ratio of 88.59 and a beta of 1.46. Xenia Hotels & Resorts (NYSE:XHR Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 27th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.07 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.35 by ($0.28). Xenia Hotels & Resorts had a net margin of 1.87% and a return on equity of 1.75%. The company had revenue of $253.38 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $253.00 million. On average, equities research analysts predict that Xenia Hotels & Resorts will post 1.51 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Xenia Hotels & Resorts Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Norges Bank acquired a new position in Xenia Hotels & Resorts during the 4th quarter worth $18,408,000. 683 Capital Management LLC grew its position in Xenia Hotels & Resorts by 461.7% during the third quarter. 683 Capital Management LLC now owns 1,650,000 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $19,437,000 after buying an additional 1,356,258 shares in the last quarter. Kennedy Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in Xenia Hotels & Resorts in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $13,177,000. Centersquare Investment Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Xenia Hotels & Resorts by 20.1% during the 1st quarter. Centersquare Investment Management LLC now owns 5,929,628 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $114,382,000 after purchasing an additional 993,790 shares in the last quarter. Finally, State Street Corp raised its stake in shares of Xenia Hotels & Resorts by 12.8% in the first quarter. State Street Corp now owns 7,303,386 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $140,882,000 after purchasing an additional 828,429 shares in the last quarter. 91.16% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About Xenia Hotels & Resorts (Get Free Report) Xenia Hotels & Resorts, Inc is a self-advised and self-administered REIT that invests in uniquely positioned luxury and upper upscale hotels and resorts with a focus on the top 25 lodging markets as well as key leisure destinations in the United States. The Company owns 32 hotels and resorts comprising 9,511 rooms across 14 states. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Xenia Hotels & Resorts Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Xenia Hotels & Resorts and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Flights to Con Dao Island run out of economy tickets despite soaring fares An aircraft prepares to land at Con Dao Airport, southern Vietnam. Photo by VnExpress/Hoang Anh A one-way ticket between Hanoi and Con Dao Archipelago now costs VND3.5-8 million, 15% higher than a year ago, but economy class tickets are sold out for March. Pham Thi Thu, who runs an air ticketing agency in Hanoi, said only business class tickets are available for Hanoi-Con Dao flights but these cost VND7.5-8 million. Economy tickets had been sold for around VND3.5-4.2 million, she said. Hoang, owner of a travel agency in HCMC, said it is hard for tour companies offering Con Dao tour packages to find air tickets for March and April. The most expensive Hanoi - Con Dao round-trip was only at VND5-6 million at this time last year, but is now 30% higher at VND6-8 million. Travel agencies fear flights to Con Dao will become even more scarce and expensive following Bamboo Airways' suspension of services to the island from April. The number of visitors to the island has steadily increased in recent years, according to Huynh Trung Son, vice chairman of the Con Dao District People's Committee. Earlier this month he called on Vietnam Airlines to increase flights to meet the growing demand. Heeding this request, the airline announced Monday it would increase the number of flights by 50% to 26-30 daily from mid-March. Con Dao Airport can only handle a maximum of 33 a day. Last year 72% of visitors arrived in Con Dao by air. International Business Machines Co. (NYSE:IBM Get Free Report) traded down 0.1% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as low as $190.28 and last traded at $191.44. 783,570 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 85% from the average session volume of 5,282,617 shares. The stock had previously closed at $191.69. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of research firms have issued reports on IBM. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their price objective on shares of International Business Machines from $144.00 to $183.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday, January 22nd. Evercore upgraded International Business Machines from an in-line rating to an outperform rating and upped their price target for the company from $165.00 to $200.00 in a research report on Friday, January 19th. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price objective on International Business Machines from $179.00 to $200.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, January 25th. Evercore ISI raised International Business Machines from an in-line rating to an outperform rating and boosted their price objective for the stock from $165.00 to $200.00 in a report on Friday, January 19th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group began coverage on International Business Machines in a report on Friday, January 5th. They set a hold rating and a $180.00 price objective for the company. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $176.85. Get International Business Machines alerts: Get Our Latest Report on International Business Machines International Business Machines Price Performance The firm has a market capitalization of $176.75 billion, a PE ratio of 23.86, a PEG ratio of 3.79 and a beta of 0.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.22, a current ratio of 0.96 and a quick ratio of 0.93. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $183.66 and a 200-day simple moving average of $162.47. International Business Machines (NYSE:IBM Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 24th. The technology company reported $3.87 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.78 by $0.09. International Business Machines had a return on equity of 39.55% and a net margin of 12.13%. The firm had revenue of $17.38 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $17.29 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $3.60 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 4.1% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts forecast that International Business Machines Co. will post 10.07 earnings per share for the current year. International Business Machines Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Saturday, March 9th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 9th were paid a $1.66 dividend. This represents a $6.64 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.44%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 8th. International Business Machiness dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 81.67%. Institutional Trading of International Business Machines Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC increased its stake in International Business Machines by 98,797.1% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 11,029,001 shares of the technology companys stock worth $1,553,876,000 after acquiring an additional 11,017,849 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of International Business Machines in the 4th quarter worth approximately $1,019,009,000. Morgan Stanley boosted its holdings in shares of International Business Machines by 22.8% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 16,592,094 shares of the technology companys stock worth $2,337,660,000 after purchasing an additional 3,084,458 shares during the period. International Assets Investment Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of International Business Machines by 15,439.1% in the 4th quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 2,653,462 shares of the technology companys stock worth $433,974,000 after purchasing an additional 2,636,386 shares during the period. Finally, BlackRock Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of International Business Machines by 3.5% in the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 74,044,855 shares of the technology companys stock worth $9,907,942,000 after purchasing an additional 2,483,682 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 56.16% of the companys stock. About International Business Machines (Get Free Report) International Business Machines Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides integrated solutions and services worldwide. The company operates through Software, Consulting, Infrastructure, and Financing segments. The Software segment offers a hybrid cloud and AI platforms that allows clients to realize their digital and AI transformations across the applications, data, and environments in which they operate. Read More Receive News & Ratings for International Business Machines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for International Business Machines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Signet Jewelers Limited (NYSE:SIG Get Free Report) declared a quarterly dividend on Wednesday, March 20th, Zacks reports. Stockholders of record on Friday, April 26th will be paid a dividend of 0.29 per share on Friday, May 24th. This represents a $1.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.29%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 25th. This is an increase from Signet Jewelerss previous quarterly dividend of $0.23. Signet Jewelers has increased its dividend by an average of 34.0% annually over the last three years and has raised its dividend every year for the last 2 years. Signet Jewelers has a payout ratio of 7.9% meaning its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Equities analysts expect Signet Jewelers to earn $10.29 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $0.92 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 8.9%. Get Signet Jewelers alerts: Signet Jewelers Stock Down 12.1 % SIG stock opened at $90.08 on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of $3.99 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.91, a PEG ratio of 1.24 and a beta of 2.13. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $100.45 and a 200 day simple moving average of $88.59. Signet Jewelers has a fifty-two week low of $57.10 and a fifty-two week high of $108.79. Analysts Set New Price Targets Signet Jewelers ( NYSE:SIG Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, March 20th. The company reported $6.73 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $6.33 by $0.40. Signet Jewelers had a return on equity of 31.86% and a net margin of 6.29%. The firm had revenue of $2.50 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.55 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $5.52 earnings per share. Signet Jewelerss revenue was down 6.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts anticipate that Signet Jewelers will post 9.96 EPS for the current year. A number of analysts recently weighed in on SIG shares. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on shares of Signet Jewelers from $110.00 to $120.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Friday, December 22nd. Citigroup upgraded Signet Jewelers from a neutral rating to a buy rating and lifted their target price for the stock from $93.00 to $119.00 in a report on Wednesday, December 6th. Telsey Advisory Group reduced their target price on Signet Jewelers from $105.00 to $100.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a report on Thursday. UBS Group decreased their price target on Signet Jewelers from $138.00 to $134.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded Signet Jewelers from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Monday. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four 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 price target of $111.20. Read Our Latest Research Report on SIG Insider Buying and Selling In other Signet Jewelers news, insider Stash Ptak sold 750 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $100.36, for a total value of $75,270.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 23,321 shares in the company, valued at $2,340,495.56. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In related news, insider Stash Ptak sold 750 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, January 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $100.36, for a total transaction of $75,270.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 23,321 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,340,495.56. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, insider Howard A. Melnick sold 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, December 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $102.73, for a total transaction of $205,460.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 66,999 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,882,807.27. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 81,004 shares of company stock worth $7,983,094. Corporate insiders own 4.54% of the companys stock. Institutional Trading of Signet Jewelers A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Belpointe Asset Management LLC lifted its holdings in Signet Jewelers by 67.9% in the 1st quarter. Belpointe Asset Management LLC now owns 403 shares of the companys stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 163 shares during the last quarter. Quarry LP lifted its stake in shares of Signet Jewelers by 274.1% in the first quarter. Quarry LP now owns 404 shares of the companys stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 296 shares during the last quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Signet Jewelers during the 1st quarter worth $51,000. Lazard Asset Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Signet Jewelers by 17.0% during the 3rd quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 1,374 shares of the companys stock worth $98,000 after buying an additional 200 shares during the period. Finally, State of Wyoming grew its stake in Signet Jewelers by 18.5% in the 4th quarter. State of Wyoming now owns 1,565 shares of the companys stock valued at $106,000 after buying an additional 244 shares during the last quarter. Signet Jewelers Company Profile (Get Free Report) Signet Jewelers Limited operates as a diamond jewelry retailer. It operates through three segments: North America, International, and Other. The North America segment operates jewelry stores in jewelry stores in malls, mall-based kiosks, and off-mall locations in the United States and Canada primarily under the Kay Jewelers, Kay Jewelers Outlet, Jared The Galleria Of Jewelry, Jared Vault, Zales Jewelers, Zales Outlet, Diamonds Direct, James Allen, Banter by Piercing Pagoda, and Peoples Jewellers names, as well as operates online through its digital banners, James Allen and Blue Nile. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Signet Jewelers Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Signet Jewelers and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Rockland Trust Co. boosted its stake in shares of NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE Free Report) by 1.9% in the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 191,454 shares of the utilities providers stock after acquiring an additional 3,529 shares during the quarter. Rockland Trust Co.s holdings in NextEra Energy were worth $11,629,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in NEE. Coppell Advisory Solutions LLC acquired a new position in NextEra Energy in the 2nd quarter valued at about $32,000. Country Trust Bank grew its stake in shares of NextEra Energy by 975.6% in the third quarter. Country Trust Bank now owns 441 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 400 shares in the last quarter. West Tower Group LLC bought a new position in NextEra Energy during the second quarter valued at about $36,000. GeoWealth Management LLC lifted its stake in NextEra Energy by 124.1% in the 1st quarter. GeoWealth Management LLC now owns 549 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $42,000 after acquiring an additional 304 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Alaska Permanent Fund Corp increased its position in NextEra Energy by 59.8% in 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 last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 76.48% of the companys stock. Get NextEra Energy alerts: NextEra Energy Trading Up 1.5 % NYSE:NEE opened at $62.17 on Thursday. The stock has a market capitalization of $127.60 billion, a PE ratio of 17.22, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.18 and a beta of 0.50. NextEra Energy, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $47.15 and a fifty-two week high of $79.78. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $57.64 and its 200-day simple moving average is $58.74. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.06, a current ratio of 0.55 and a quick ratio of 0.47. NextEra Energy Increases Dividend NextEra Energy ( NYSE:NEE Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results 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 return on equity of 11.73% and a net margin of 26.00%. The company had revenue of $6.88 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.72 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.51 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts expect that NextEra Energy, Inc. will post 3.44 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 15th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 27th were paid a $0.515 dividend. This represents a $2.06 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.31%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, February 26th. This is a positive change from NextEra Energys previous quarterly dividend of $0.47. NextEra Energys payout ratio is 57.06%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several equities analysts have issued reports on NEE shares. StockNews.com downgraded NextEra Energy from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Monday, February 19th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on NextEra Energy from $84.00 to $85.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday. Royal Bank of Canada reissued an outperform rating and set a $74.00 price objective on shares of NextEra Energy in a report on Tuesday, January 30th. Citigroup initiated coverage on NextEra Energy in a research report on Friday, December 8th. They issued a buy rating and a $69.00 target price for the company. Finally, Mizuho reiterated a buy rating and issued a $67.00 price objective (up previously from $65.00) on shares of NextEra Energy in a research note on Friday, March 15th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating and eleven have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $72.46. Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on NEE NextEra Energy Company 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 Articles 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. Grey Street Capital LLC lifted its stake in shares of Exxon Mobil Co. (NYSE:XOM Free Report) by 12.5% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 37,457 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after purchasing an additional 4,173 shares during the period. Exxon Mobil accounts for about 1.8% of Grey Street Capital LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 16th largest holding. Grey Street Capital LLCs holdings in Exxon Mobil were worth $3,745,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). A number of other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the stock. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. increased its holdings in shares of Exxon Mobil by 83.0% during the 3rd quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 1,269,030 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $149,213,000 after buying an additional 575,649 shares during the last quarter. Qsemble Capital Management LP increased its stake in Exxon Mobil by 34.3% during the third quarter. Qsemble Capital Management LP now owns 4,700 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $553,000 after acquiring an additional 1,200 shares during the last quarter. Meyer Handelman Co. raised its position in Exxon Mobil by 5.9% in the third quarter. Meyer Handelman Co. now owns 390,975 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $45,971,000 after purchasing an additional 21,895 shares during the period. Flputnam Investment Management Co. lifted its stake in shares of Exxon Mobil by 36.0% in the 3rd quarter. Flputnam Investment Management Co. now owns 87,395 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $10,276,000 after purchasing an additional 23,148 shares during the last quarter. Finally, HB Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Exxon Mobil by 41.3% during the 3rd quarter. HB Wealth Management LLC now owns 160,807 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $18,908,000 after purchasing an additional 46,987 shares during the period. 58.53% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Exxon Mobil alerts: Exxon Mobil Stock Performance Shares of XOM stock opened at $112.99 on Thursday. The company has a market cap of $448.33 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.71, a PEG ratio of 4.14 and a beta of 0.96. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $103.50 and a 200 day moving average price of $105.91. The company has a current ratio of 1.48, a quick ratio of 1.09 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18. Exxon Mobil Co. has a 12 month low of $95.77 and a 12 month high of $120.70. Exxon Mobil Dividend Announcement Exxon Mobil ( NYSE:XOM Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, February 2nd. The oil and gas company reported $2.48 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.20 by $0.28. The business had revenue of $84.34 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $90.03 billion. Exxon Mobil had a return on equity of 18.51% and a net margin of 10.45%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 11.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $3.40 EPS. Sell-side analysts predict that Exxon Mobil Co. will post 9.11 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 11th. Investors of record on Wednesday, February 14th were given a $0.95 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, February 13th. This represents a $3.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.36%. Exxon Mobils dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 42.74%. Insider Activity In other news, VP Darrin L. Talley sold 2,400 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $105.00, for a total value of $252,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 30,189 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,169,845. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 0.06% of the companys stock. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of research analysts have commented on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed a sector perform rating and issued a $120.00 target price on shares of Exxon Mobil in a research report on Monday, February 5th. Mizuho upped their price objective on shares of Exxon Mobil from $119.00 to $125.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday. Erste Group Bank reiterated a hold rating on shares of Exxon Mobil in a report on Friday, December 22nd. Piper Sandler decreased their price target on Exxon Mobil from $142.00 to $130.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, March 14th. Finally, UBS Group lowered their price target on Exxon Mobil from $133.00 to $132.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, January 23rd. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $128.18. Check Out Our Latest Report on XOM About Exxon Mobil (Free Report) Exxon Mobil Corporation engages in the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas in the United States and internationally. It operates through Upstream, Energy Products, Chemical Products, and Specialty Products segments. The Upstream segment explores for and produces crude oil and natural gas. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding XOM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Exxon Mobil Co. (NYSE:XOM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Exxon Mobil Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Exxon Mobil and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. CNO Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:CNO Get Free Report) CFO Paul H. Mcdonough sold 9,410 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $26.64, for a total transaction of $250,682.40. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 182,724 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,867,767.36. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. CNO Financial Group Stock Up 1.3 % Shares of NYSE:CNO opened at $27.07 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.50, a quick ratio of 0.19 and a current ratio of 0.19. CNO Financial Group, Inc. has a 1 year low of $19.95 and a 1 year high of $28.39. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.95 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.23 and a beta of 1.03. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $26.98 and a 200-day simple moving average of $25.74. Get CNO Financial Group alerts: CNO Financial Group (NYSE:CNO Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 6th. The financial services provider reported $1.18 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.85 by $0.33. The business had revenue of $1.17 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $934.05 million. CNO Financial Group had a return on equity of 17.51% and a net margin of 6.67%. Equities analysts forecast that CNO Financial Group, Inc. will post 3.17 earnings per share for the current year. CNO Financial Group Announces Dividend Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 22nd. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 8th will be issued a dividend of $0.15 per share. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.22%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 7th. CNO Financial Groups dividend payout ratio is 24.90%. A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. StockNews.com raised shares of CNO Financial Group from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Thursday, March 14th. Evercore ISI raised their target price on shares of CNO Financial Group from $26.00 to $27.00 and gave the company an underperform rating in a report on Wednesday, February 28th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada raised their target price on shares of CNO Financial Group from $29.00 to $30.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, February 8th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $25.80. Read Our Latest Stock Report on CNO Institutional Investors Weigh In On CNO Financial Group Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of CNO. Franklin Resources Inc. increased its position in CNO Financial Group by 48.4% in the 2nd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 4,332,549 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $102,551,000 after purchasing an additional 1,413,511 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in CNO Financial Group in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $32,205,000. BlackRock Inc. lifted its position in shares of CNO Financial Group by 4.1% in the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 15,806,159 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $350,739,000 after acquiring an additional 626,454 shares during the period. Retirement Systems of Alabama bought a new stake in shares of CNO Financial Group in the 4th quarter worth approximately $10,568,000. Finally, Assenagon Asset Management S.A. lifted its position in shares of CNO Financial Group by 97.8% in the 4th quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 587,569 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $16,393,000 after acquiring an additional 290,585 shares during the period. 94.28% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. CNO Financial Group Company Profile (Get Free Report) CNO Financial Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, develops, markets, and administers health insurance, annuity, individual life insurance, insurance products, and financial services for senior and middle-income markets in the United States. It offers Medicare supplement, supplemental health, and long-term care insurance policies; life insurance; and annuities, as well as Medicare advantage plans to individuals through phone, online, mail, and face-to-face. See Also Receive News & Ratings for CNO Financial Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for CNO Financial Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Rockland Trust Co. lifted its position in shares of Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Free Report) by 6.7% during the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 98,003 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after purchasing an additional 6,135 shares during the quarter. Rockland Trust Co.s holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $10,787,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Several other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC boosted its stake in 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 buying an additional 30,218,560 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new position in Abbott Laboratories in the 4th quarter valued at $1,893,715,000. Morgan Stanley raised 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 purchasing an additional 4,886,954 shares during the last quarter. Capital International Investors raised 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 purchasing an additional 2,747,652 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership raised 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 purchasing an additional 2,235,314 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 73.70% of the companys stock. Get Abbott Laboratories alerts: Abbott Laboratories Stock Down 1.5 % ABT stock opened at $111.50 on Thursday. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $115.43 and its 200 day simple moving average is $106.03. Abbott Laboratories has a fifty-two week low of $89.67 and a fifty-two week high of $121.64. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a quick ratio of 1.16 and a current ratio of 1.64. The company has a market cap of $193.47 billion, a P/E ratio of 34.20, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.72 and a beta of 0.75. Abbott Laboratories Announces Dividend Abbott Laboratories ( NYSE:ABT Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 24th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.19 EPS for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $1.19. The firm had revenue of $10.24 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $10.19 billion. Abbott Laboratories had a return on equity of 20.65% and a net margin of 14.27%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 1.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.03 EPS. On average, research analysts expect that Abbott Laboratories will post 4.62 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The company also recently disclosed 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 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.97%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, April 12th. Abbott Laboratoriess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 67.48%. Insider Buying and Selling at Abbott Laboratories In other Abbott Laboratories news, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 12,500 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, February 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $120.00, for a total transaction of $1,500,000.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 78,704 shares in the company, valued at $9,444,480. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In other Abbott Laboratories news, EVP Daniel Gesua Sive Salvadori sold 963 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, March 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $118.50, for a total transaction of $114,115.50. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 125,697 shares in the company, valued at $14,895,094.50. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 12,500 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, February 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $120.00, for a total value of $1,500,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 78,704 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,444,480. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 56,435 shares of company stock valued at $6,451,298. Company insiders own 1.10% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In ABT has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. 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. Raymond James raised their price target on Abbott Laboratories from $124.00 to $127.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, January 25th. Citigroup raised their price objective on Abbott Laboratories from $123.00 to $126.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, January 25th. Finally, Barclays lifted their price objective on Abbott Laboratories from $133.00 to $141.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday, January 26th. 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.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $120.00. Get Our Latest Stock Report on Abbott Laboratories 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. Further Reading 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. Whittier Trust Co. lowered its stake in SPDR MSCI ACWI ex-US ETF (NYSEARCA:CWI Free Report) by 3.4% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 275,777 shares of the companys stock after selling 9,850 shares during the quarter. Whittier Trust Co.s holdings in SPDR MSCI ACWI ex-US ETF were worth $7,457,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the business. Mutual Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of SPDR MSCI ACWI ex-US ETF by 1.1% during the 3rd quarter. Mutual Advisors LLC now owns 37,443 shares of the companys stock valued at $932,000 after purchasing an additional 403 shares during the period. Colony Group LLC increased its holdings in SPDR MSCI ACWI ex-US ETF by 0.3% in the 1st quarter. Colony Group LLC now owns 168,875 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,345,000 after acquiring an additional 443 shares during the last quarter. Flagship Harbor Advisors LLC increased its holdings in SPDR MSCI ACWI ex-US ETF by 3.6% in the 3rd quarter. Flagship Harbor Advisors LLC now owns 14,681 shares of the companys stock valued at $365,000 after acquiring an additional 507 shares during the last quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. increased its holdings in shares of SPDR MSCI ACWI ex-US ETF by 10.5% in the 3rd quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. now owns 6,337 shares of the companys stock worth $158,000 after buying an additional 600 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Financial Counselors Inc. increased its holdings in shares of SPDR MSCI ACWI ex-US ETF by 0.9% in the 3rd quarter. Financial Counselors Inc. now owns 82,712 shares of the companys stock worth $2,059,000 after buying an additional 711 shares during the last quarter. Get SPDR MSCI ACWI ex-US ETF alerts: SPDR MSCI ACWI ex-US ETF Price Performance Shares of SPDR MSCI ACWI ex-US ETF stock traded up $0.05 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $28.45. The companys stock had a trading volume of 22,964 shares, compared to its average volume of 411,271. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $27.21 and a 200-day moving average price of $26.14. SPDR MSCI ACWI ex-US ETF has a one year low of $23.78 and a one year high of $28.51. The stock has a market cap of $1.73 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.82 and a beta of 0.82. SPDR MSCI ACWI ex-US ETF Company Profile SPDR MSCI ACWI ex-US ETF (the Fund) seeks to closely match the returns and characteristics of the total return performance of the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (the Index). The Index is a float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure the combined equity market performance of developed and emerging market countries excluding the United States. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CWI? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for SPDR MSCI ACWI ex-US ETF (NYSEARCA:CWI Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for SPDR MSCI ACWI ex-US ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for SPDR MSCI ACWI ex-US ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. KB Home (NYSE:KBH Get Free Report) had its price objective lifted by analysts at UBS Group from $82.00 to $87.00 in a research note issued on Thursday, Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a buy rating on the construction companys stock. UBS Groups price target would suggest a potential upside of 25.05% from the companys previous close. Other analysts have also recently issued reports about the company. Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on KB Home from $65.00 to $70.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Thursday. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft cut KB Home from a hold rating to a sell rating and decreased their price objective for the stock from $55.00 to $46.00 in a research report on Friday, December 8th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price target on KB Home from $55.00 to $61.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, January 11th. Barclays raised their price target on KB Home from $57.00 to $68.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, December 13th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada raised their price target on KB Home from $63.00 to $69.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a report on Thursday. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, KB Home presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $60.68. Get KB Home alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on KB Home KB Home Stock Down 0.5 % NYSE KBH traded down $0.32 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $69.57. 789,922 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,187,501. The company has a 50 day moving average of $63.33 and a two-hundred day moving average of $55.82. KB Home has a 52-week low of $36.55 and a 52-week high of $72.00. The firm has a market cap of $5.26 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.90, a PEG ratio of 0.83 and a beta of 1.73. KB Home (NYSE:KBH Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, March 20th. The construction company reported $1.76 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.57 by $0.19. KB Home had a return on equity of 15.63% and a net margin of 9.21%. The business had revenue of $1.47 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.46 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $1.45 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 6.5% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts predict that KB Home will post 7.59 EPS for the current year. Insider Activity at KB Home In related news, CFO Jeff Kaminski sold 4,928 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, January 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $59.86, for a total value of $294,990.08. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 38,386 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,297,785.96. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. In other news, CFO Jeff Kaminski sold 4,928 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, January 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $59.86, for a total transaction of $294,990.08. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 38,386 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,297,785.96. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CAO William R. Hollinger sold 45,471 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, January 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $60.47, for a total value of $2,749,631.37. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 109,981 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,650,551.07. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 373,635 shares of company stock valued at $22,400,005 over the last three months. 4.44% of the stock is owned by insiders. Hedge Funds Weigh In On KB Home Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. American Century Companies Inc. boosted its position in shares of KB Home by 32.3% during the third quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 1,251,656 shares of the construction companys stock worth $57,927,000 after buying an additional 305,820 shares during the period. Trexquant Investment LP raised its position in KB Home by 7.1% in the third quarter. Trexquant Investment LP now owns 181,169 shares of the construction companys stock worth $8,385,000 after acquiring an additional 12,048 shares in the last quarter. Advisors Preferred LLC lifted its position in shares of KB Home by 188.4% during the 3rd quarter. Advisors Preferred LLC now owns 50,820 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $2,331,000 after acquiring an additional 33,197 shares during the last quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of KB Home by 36.6% during the 3rd quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC now owns 15,619 shares of the construction companys stock worth $723,000 after acquiring an additional 4,188 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Qube Research & Technologies Ltd lifted its stake in KB Home by 935.4% during the third quarter. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd now owns 92,896 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $4,299,000 after buying an additional 83,924 shares in the last quarter. 91.27% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About KB Home (Get Free Report) KB Home operates as a homebuilding company in the United States. It operates through four segments: West Coast, Southwest, Central, and Southeast. It builds and sells various homes, including attached and detached single-family residential homes, townhomes, and condominiums primarily for first-time, first move-up, second move-up, and active adult homebuyers. See Also Receive News & Ratings for KB Home Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for KB Home and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. OneAscent Wealth Management LLC lowered its position in Mettler-Toledo International Inc. (NYSE:MTD Free Report) by 6.6% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 271 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock after selling 19 shares during the period. OneAscent Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Mettler-Toledo International were worth $329,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of MTD. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. lifted its position in Mettler-Toledo International by 8.0% during the first quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 176 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $242,000 after purchasing an additional 13 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. lifted its position in Mettler-Toledo International by 19.7% during the first quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. now owns 176 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $242,000 after purchasing an additional 29 shares in the last quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. lifted its position in shares of Mettler-Toledo International by 48.9% in the first quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. now owns 834 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $1,172,000 after acquiring an additional 274 shares in the last quarter. Sei Investments Co. lifted its position in shares of Mettler-Toledo International by 4.2% in the first quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 16,305 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $21,817,000 after acquiring an additional 662 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Prudential PLC purchased a new position in shares of Mettler-Toledo International in the first quarter valued at about $626,000. 93.11% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Mettler-Toledo International alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth MTD has been the topic of several research analyst reports. StockNews.com upgraded Mettler-Toledo International from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Friday, March 15th. Citigroup restated a sell rating and issued a $975.00 price objective (down from $1,050.00) on shares of Mettler-Toledo International in a research report on Monday, December 11th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $1,223.71. Insider Buying and Selling In other Mettler-Toledo International news, insider Christian Magloth sold 400 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $1,278.73, for a total transaction of $511,492.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 734 shares of the companys stock, valued at $938,587.82. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In other Mettler-Toledo International news, CFO Shawn Vadala sold 300 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 23rd. The stock was 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 $5,950,018.62. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, insider Christian Magloth sold 400 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $1,278.73, for a total value of $511,492.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 734 shares in the company, valued at approximately $938,587.82. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 951 shares of company stock worth $1,170,256. Corporate insiders own 2.40% of the companys stock. Mettler-Toledo International Trading Up 2.0 % Shares of NYSE:MTD traded up $25.80 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $1,328.66. The stock had a trading volume of 14,879 shares, compared to its average volume of 150,752. The company has a market cap of $28.54 billion, a P/E ratio of 36.30, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.56 and a beta of 1.15. Mettler-Toledo International Inc. has a 1 year low of $928.49 and a 1 year high of $1,615.97. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $1,229.71 and its 200 day moving average price is $1,146.97. Mettler-Toledo International (NYSE:MTD Get Free Report) last posted 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 during 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 quarterly revenue was down 11.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $12.10 earnings per share. Analysts predict that Mettler-Toledo International Inc. will post 39.9 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. About Mettler-Toledo International (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. Featured Stories 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. OneAscent Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of EastGroup Properties, Inc. (NYSE:EGP Free Report) in the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund purchased 1,326 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock, valued at approximately $243,000. Other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in EastGroup Properties by 1.3% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 6,532,176 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,087,803,000 after acquiring an additional 81,798 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. raised its holdings in EastGroup Properties by 4.1% in the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 5,016,343 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $870,837,000 after acquiring an additional 198,578 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp raised its holdings in EastGroup Properties by 11.5% in the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 2,412,188 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $492,949,000 after acquiring an additional 248,538 shares in the last quarter. Morgan Stanley raised its holdings in EastGroup Properties by 544.4% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 2,044,292 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $302,678,000 after acquiring an additional 1,727,071 shares in the last quarter. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its holdings in EastGroup Properties by 1.2% in the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 1,276,420 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $211,018,000 after acquiring an additional 15,667 shares in the last quarter. 90.69% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get EastGroup Properties alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities analysts have weighed in on EGP shares. Truist Financial lifted their price objective on EastGroup Properties from $186.00 to $188.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, February 20th. Mizuho lowered EastGroup Properties from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $185.00 price target on the stock. in a research note on Tuesday, December 5th. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price target on EastGroup Properties from $180.00 to $190.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research note on Friday, February 16th. Finally, KeyCorp lifted their price target on EastGroup Properties from $188.00 to $198.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, February 12th. Seven equities 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, EastGroup Properties presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $188.83. EastGroup Properties Price Performance EGP stock traded up $1.99 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $181.50. 16,042 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 285,613. The stock has a market capitalization of $8.70 billion, a PE ratio of 40.74, a P/E/G ratio of 2.79 and a beta of 0.93. EastGroup Properties, Inc. has a 52 week low of $152.45 and a 52 week high of $188.85. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64, a current ratio of 0.28 and a quick ratio of 0.28. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $180.32 and a 200 day moving average price of $175.27. EastGroup Properties Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 15th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, March 28th will be given a $1.27 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 27th. This represents a $5.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.80%. EastGroup Propertiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 115.19%. Insider Buying and Selling at EastGroup Properties In other EastGroup Properties news, CFO Brent Wood sold 2,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $182.74, for a total value of $456,850.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 102,617 shares in the company, valued at approximately $18,752,230.58. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Corporate insiders own 1.50% of the companys stock. About EastGroup Properties (Free Report) EastGroup Properties, Inc (NYSE: EGP), a member of the S&P Mid-Cap 400 and Russell 1000 Indexes, is a self-administered equity real estate investment trust focused on the development, acquisition and operation of industrial properties in major Sunbelt markets throughout the United States with an emphasis in the states of Florida, Texas, Arizona, California and North Carolina. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EGP? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for EastGroup Properties, Inc. (NYSE:EGP Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for EastGroup Properties Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for EastGroup Properties and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Lawyers for Van Thinh Phat chairwoman Truong My Lan request a court review of her embezzlement and bribery charges after prosecutors recommended a death sentence based on the allegations. When Lan was invited to help restructure the Saigon Commercial Bank (SCB) in 2011 the bank was having colossal debts and was facing severe financial difficulty, lawyer Phan Trung Hoai told the People's Court of Ho Chi Minh City Wednesday. Lan, who was going through a lot of stress because of the challenging task, convinced friends and family members to buy more than 65% of SCB and two other banks so she could merge them into a single entity, SCB. Truong My Lan's lawyers seen at the People's Court of Ho Chi Minh City. Photo by VnExpress/Thanh Tung She then put in many personal and family assets into SCB and used them as collaterals to ensure the bank would not go bankrupt. The assets were then managed by SCB leaders, not Lan, and to accuse her of embezzlement the prosecutors needed to prove that Lan had a position in the bank and the rights to manage those assets. But Lan never signed any documents to approve loans and only gave the bank her assets to help it restructure. Lan was accused of ordering subordinates to deliver VND108 trillion ($4.36 billion) and $14.7 million from SCB to the 127 Pasteur building, but because the assets of the bank were given by her, she was only "withdrawing money from the bank to pay for its debts". Concerning the accusation of Lan bribing the head of the State Bank of Vietnams inspection team Do Thi Nhan $5.2 million in cash, there were conflicts between the testimonies of Lan, Nhan and the middleman Vo Tan Hoang Van, former SCB CEO, the lawyers claimed. "Apart from Vans testimony there is no evidence to prove that Lan ordered him to give $5.2 million to Nhan," said lawyer Phan Huy Thiep. Truong My Lan seen at People's Court of Ho Chi Minh City. Photo by VnExpress/Thanh Tung Problematic damage calculation Lan was accused of causing a loss of VND498 trillion to SCB and had to pay back VND677 trillion in compensation (including interest). But her lawyer Giang Hong Thanh said that there were issues in the valuation of SCB assets to determine the losses that Lan allegedly caused. The appraisal company Hoang Quan had valuated many assets of SCB but the bank itself had disregarded some of Hoang Quans valuation. Of 726 assets that were appraised by loans, SCB agreed with the valuation of 520 of them and disregarded the rest. "Why did SCB disregard those assets?" Thanh asked, adding that because the damage calculation was done by deducting the value of the assets from the amount of money she was accused of stealing, a lower valuation means Lan had to be responsible for much more damage. So far the prosecutors have only used Hoang Quans valuations to determine the damage even though the valuations are outdated, as a valuation of a property is only legitimate for six months. For other assets a valuation is only acceptable within three months. If the assets are appraised correctly the damage that Lan allegedly caused would be much lower or even none at all, Thanh said. Lan has also offered all the shares of her and family in SCB to the central bank and other assets to compensate for the losses, and therefore the court needs to take this into account, along with her "contribution to SCB", he added. On March 19 the prosecutors proposed a death sentence for Van Thinh Phat chairwoman Truong My Lan for committing severe crime over a long period and causing irrevocable consequences. From 2012 to 2022, Lan's group has more than 2,500 loans at SCB with a total disbursement of more than VND1 quadrillion ($44 billion), which accounts for 93% of the total credit that the bank has issued. She is accused of causing a loss of VND498 trillion to the bank after the value of collaterals has been deducted. Jeppson Wealth Management LLC decreased its stake in Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) by 1.2% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 27,717 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 347 shares during the period. Jeppson Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Wells Fargo & Company were worth $1,364,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in WFC. Fortis Group Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Wells Fargo & Company during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Leith Wheeler Investment Counsel Ltd. lifted its holdings in Wells Fargo & Company by 208.0% during the 4th quarter. Leith Wheeler Investment Counsel Ltd. now owns 528,104 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 356,620 shares during the last quarter. Studio Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company in the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL bought a new stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Finally, Baystate Wealth Management LLC raised its position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 53.0% during the 3rd quarter. Baystate Wealth Management LLC now owns 803 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $33,000 after acquiring an additional 278 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 72.47% of the companys stock. Get Wells Fargo & Company alerts: Wells Fargo & Company Stock Up 0.5 % Wells Fargo & Company stock opened at $57.32 on Thursday. Wells Fargo & Company has a twelve month low of $35.25 and a twelve month high of $58.44. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.24, a quick ratio of 0.88 and a current ratio of 0.88. The firm has a market cap of $202.94 billion, a PE ratio of 11.89, a P/E/G ratio of 1.19 and a beta of 1.19. The firms 50 day moving average price is $51.86 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $46.37. Wells Fargo & Company Announces Dividend Wells Fargo & Company ( NYSE:WFC Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, January 12th. The financial services provider reported $0.86 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.16 by ($0.30). Wells Fargo & Company had a return on equity of 12.40% and a net margin of 16.60%. The firm had revenue of $20.48 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $20.30 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.67 earnings per share. Wells Fargo & Companys revenue was up 2.2% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts predict that Wells Fargo & Company will post 4.71 EPS for the current fiscal year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 1st. Investors of record on Friday, February 2nd were issued a $0.35 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 1st. This represents a $1.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.44%. Wells Fargo & Companys dividend payout ratio is currently 29.05%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of brokerages have issued reports on WFC. Morgan Stanley raised their target price on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $54.00 to $63.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, January 30th. Raymond James increased their target price on Wells Fargo & Company from $55.00 to $58.00 and gave the stock a strong-buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 16th. Robert W. Baird reissued a neutral rating and set a $55.00 price target on shares of Wells Fargo & Company in a report on Monday, January 8th. Citigroup reaffirmed a neutral rating and issued a $63.00 price objective (up previously from $57.00) on shares of Wells Fargo & Company in a report on Wednesday. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a hold rating and issued a $51.00 target price on shares of Wells Fargo & Company in a research report on Tuesday, January 9th. Twelve research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $52.74. Get Our Latest Analysis on Wells Fargo & Company About Wells Fargo & Company (Free Report) Wells Fargo & Company, a financial services company, provides diversified banking, investment, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance products and services in the United States and internationally. The company operates through four segments: Consumer Banking and Lending; Commercial Banking; Corporate and Investment Banking; and Wealth and Investment Management. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding WFC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Wells Fargo & Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Wells Fargo & Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. raised its position in Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (NYSE:TDY Free Report) by 4.5% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 12,417 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock after purchasing an additional 538 shares during the quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc.s holdings in Teledyne Technologies were worth $5,541,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Householder Group Estate & Retirement Specialist LLC acquired a new position in shares of Teledyne Technologies in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $28,000. Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC acquired a new stake in Teledyne Technologies during the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. Benjamin Edwards Inc. lifted its holdings in Teledyne Technologies by 137.9% during the 2nd quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. now owns 69 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 40 shares in the last quarter. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC acquired a new stake in Teledyne Technologies during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $44,000. Finally, Anchor Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in Teledyne Technologies during the 4th quarter worth approximately $45,000. 87.57% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Teledyne Technologies alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on TDY shares. Needham & Company LLC reduced their target price on shares of 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 investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $515.67. Insiders Place Their Bets In other Teledyne Technologies news, Director Kenneth C. Dahlberg sold 4,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, February 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $432.91, for a total value of $1,731,640.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 18,735 shares in the company, valued at $8,110,568.85. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In related news, Director Michael T. Smith sold 511 shares of Teledyne Technologies stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $431.00, for a total transaction of $220,241.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 56,492 shares in the company, valued at approximately $24,348,052. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Kenneth C. Dahlberg sold 4,000 shares of Teledyne Technologies stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $432.91, for a total value of $1,731,640.00. Following the sale, 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. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 6,711 shares of company stock worth $2,890,621. 2.14% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Teledyne Technologies Stock Performance TDY traded up $4.85 on Thursday, hitting $428.55. 28,524 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 208,873. The company has a 50 day moving average of $428.10 and a 200-day moving average of $414.78. The company has a quick ratio of 1.17, a current ratio of 1.69 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29. The stock has a market capitalization of $20.30 billion, a PE ratio of 22.88, a PEG ratio of 2.71 and a beta of 1.02. Teledyne Technologies Incorporated has a 12-month low of $364.98 and a 12-month high of $448.71. Teledyne Technologies (NYSE:TDY Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 24th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $5.44 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $5.04 by $0.40. The business had revenue of $1.43 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.46 billion. Teledyne Technologies had a return on equity of 10.81% and a net margin of 15.72%. The companys quarterly revenue was up .5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm earned $4.94 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Teledyne Technologies Incorporated will post 20.56 earnings per share for the current year. Teledyne Technologies Company Profile (Free Report) Teledyne Technologies Incorporated, together with its subsidiaries, provides enabling technologies for industrial growth markets in the United States and internationally. Its Digital Imaging segment provides visible spectrum sensors and digital cameras; and infrared, ultraviolet, visible, and X-ray spectra; as well as micro electromechanical systems and semiconductors, including analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters. Further Reading 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. Cranswick plc (LON:CWK Get Free Report) insider Mark Bottomley sold 400 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 4,184 ($53.27), for a total value of 16,736 ($21,306.17). Cranswick Stock Performance LON:CWK traded up GBX 36 ($0.46) during trading hours on Thursday, reaching GBX 4,164 ($53.01). The stock had a trading volume of 64,403 shares, compared to its average volume of 67,207. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 19.32, a quick ratio of 1.02 and a current ratio of 1.81. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of GBX 3,989.88 and a 200 day simple moving average of GBX 3,782.07. Cranswick plc has a 12-month low of GBX 2,890 ($36.79) and a 12-month high of GBX 4,210 ($53.60). The stock has a market cap of 2.24 billion, a P/E ratio of 1,759.15, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.62 and a beta of 0.44. Get Cranswick alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes CWK has been the subject of several analyst reports. Redburn Partners initiated coverage on Cranswick in a research note on Wednesday. They issued a buy rating and a GBX 4,900 ($62.38) price objective for the company. Berenberg Bank increased their price target on Cranswick from GBX 4,694 ($59.76) to GBX 4,921 ($62.65) and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 31st. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of GBX 4,405.25 ($56.08). About Cranswick (Get Free Report) Cranswick plc manufactures and supplies food products to grocery retailers, food service sector, and other food producers in the United Kingdom, Continental Europe, and internationally. The company offers fresh pork, gourmet bacon and gammon, fresh and coated chicken, ready to eat chicken, charcuterie, houmous and dips, and olives and antipasti, gourmet sausages, cooked meats, and gourmet pastries, as well as provides food services. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Cranswick Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cranswick and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Dell Technologies Inc. (NYSE:DELL Get Free Report)s share price was up 2.7% on Thursday . The company traded as high as $114.62 and last traded at $114.02. Approximately 4,570,358 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 32% from the average daily volume of 6,755,439 shares. The stock had previously closed at $111.07. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on DELL shares. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on shares of Dell Technologies from $100.00 to $128.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, March 1st. Barclays raised their price objective on shares of Dell Technologies from $53.00 to $94.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a report on Friday, March 1st. Sanford C. Bernstein raised their price objective on shares of Dell Technologies from $90.00 to $120.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Friday, March 1st. Raymond James raised their price objective 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. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price objective on shares of Dell Technologies from $87.00 to $129.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday, March 4th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating and twelve have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $102.88. Get Dell Technologies alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on DELL Dell Technologies Price Performance The firms 50 day moving average is $92.74 and its 200 day moving average is $78.64. The company has a market capitalization of $81.15 billion, a PE ratio of 26.09, a P/E/G ratio of 1.43 and a beta of 0.91. Dell Technologies (NYSE:DELL Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, February 29th. The technology company reported $2.20 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.73 by $0.47. Dell Technologies had a net margin of 3.63% and a negative return on equity of 165.52%. The company had revenue of $22.32 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $22.17 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.55 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 10.9% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts predict that Dell Technologies Inc. will post 6.26 EPS for the current fiscal year. Dell Technologies Increases Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 3rd. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, April 23rd will be given a dividend of $0.445 per share. This is an increase from Dell Technologiess previous quarterly dividend of $0.37. This represents a $1.78 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.56%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, April 22nd. Dell Technologiess payout ratio is presently 33.87%. Insider Buying and Selling at Dell Technologies In other Dell Technologies news, CEO Michael S. Dell sold 624,450 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $119.80, for a total transaction of $74,809,110.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 39,787,791 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,766,577,361.80. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other news, CEO Michael S. Dell sold 624,450 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $119.80, for a total transaction of $74,809,110.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 39,787,791 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,766,577,361.80. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director V (Gp) L.L.C. Slta sold 560,052 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $107.95, for a total transaction of $60,457,613.40. Following the sale, the director now owns 435,849 shares in the company, valued at approximately $47,049,899.55. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 6,594,462 shares of company stock valued at $632,367,084. 48.60% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Institutional Trading of Dell Technologies A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of DELL. Greenleaf Trust boosted its stake in Dell Technologies by 1.2% in the 4th quarter. Greenleaf Trust now owns 10,097 shares of the technology companys stock worth $772,000 after purchasing an additional 122 shares in the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its stake in Dell Technologies by 1.3% in the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 9,826 shares of the technology companys stock worth $752,000 after purchasing an additional 125 shares in the last quarter. ORG Partners LLC boosted its stake in Dell Technologies by 19.0% in the 4th quarter. ORG Partners LLC now owns 876 shares of the technology companys stock worth $67,000 after purchasing an additional 140 shares in the last quarter. Eaton Financial Holdings Company LLC boosted its stake in Dell Technologies by 2.1% in the 4th quarter. Eaton Financial Holdings Company LLC now owns 6,997 shares of the technology companys stock worth $535,000 after purchasing an additional 147 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Signet Financial Management LLC boosted its stake in Dell Technologies by 0.4% in the 4th quarter. Signet Financial Management LLC now owns 40,295 shares of the technology companys stock worth $3,083,000 after purchasing an additional 153 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 38.10% of the companys stock. Dell Technologies Company Profile (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). See Also 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. LVM Capital Management Ltd. MI raised its holdings in Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Free Report) by 13.6% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 33,325 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after buying an additional 3,996 shares during the period. LVM Capital Management Ltd. MIs holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $3,668,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Zevenbergen Capital Investments LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 0.6% during the 3rd quarter. Zevenbergen Capital Investments LLC now owns 21,419 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $2,074,000 after buying an additional 130 shares during the period. Rockland Trust Co. boosted its holdings in Abbott Laboratories by 1.5% in the 3rd quarter. Rockland Trust Co. now owns 91,868 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $8,897,000 after purchasing an additional 1,343 shares during the period. VisionPoint Advisory Group LLC raised its position in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 7.4% in the 3rd quarter. VisionPoint Advisory Group LLC now owns 3,106 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $301,000 after buying an additional 215 shares in the last quarter. Whittier Trust Co. raised its position in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 1.4% in the 3rd quarter. Whittier Trust Co. now owns 373,375 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $36,161,000 after buying an additional 5,058 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Boston Partners raised its position in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 634.6% in the 3rd quarter. Boston Partners now owns 29,758 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $2,882,000 after buying an additional 25,707 shares in the last quarter. 73.70% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Abbott Laboratories alerts: Abbott Laboratories Stock Up 0.0 % Shares of NYSE:ABT traded up $0.01 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $111.51. The companys stock had a trading volume of 9,715,791 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,635,624. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $115.37 and a 200-day moving average of $106.07. The firm has a market capitalization of $193.49 billion, a P/E ratio of 34.21, a PEG ratio of 2.72 and a beta of 0.75. The company has a quick ratio of 1.16, a current ratio of 1.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. Abbott Laboratories has a 12-month low of $89.67 and a 12-month high of $121.64. Abbott Laboratories Dividend Announcement Abbott Laboratories ( NYSE:ABT Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 24th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.19 EPS for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $1.19. Abbott Laboratories had a net margin of 14.27% and a return on equity of 20.65%. The company had revenue of $10.24 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.19 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $1.03 EPS. Abbott Laboratoriess revenue for the quarter was up 1.5% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts anticipate that Abbott Laboratories will post 4.62 earnings per share for the current year. The business also recently disclosed 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 yield of 1.97%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, April 12th. Abbott Laboratoriess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 67.48%. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on ABT shares. Citigroup boosted their target price on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $123.00 to $126.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, January 25th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $116.00 to $121.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, December 13th. Barclays raised their price target on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $133.00 to $141.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Friday, January 26th. TheStreet upgraded shares of Abbott Laboratories from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a report on Thursday, December 21st. Finally, Raymond James raised their price target on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $124.00 to $127.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, January 25th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten 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 price target of $120.00. Read Our Latest Research Report on ABT Insider Buying and Selling at Abbott Laboratories In other Abbott Laboratories news, VP John A. Jr. Mccoy sold 472 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $118.50, for a total transaction of $55,932.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 18,760 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,223,060. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. In other news, EVP Daniel Gesua Sive Salvadori sold 963 shares of Abbott Laboratories stock in a transaction on Friday, March 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $118.50, for a total transaction of $114,115.50. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 125,697 shares in the company, valued at $14,895,094.50. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, VP John A. Jr. Mccoy sold 472 shares of Abbott Laboratories stock in a transaction 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 sale, the vice president now owns 18,760 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,223,060. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 56,435 shares of company stock valued at $6,451,298 in the last three months. 1.10% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Abbott Laboratories 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. Recommended Stories 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. South Korea to pump ODA loans to Vietnam by 50% more Vietnam Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang meets with Korea International Cooperation Agency president Chang Won-sam in Hanoi on March 20, 2024. Photo courtesy the Vietnam Government Portal South Korea is set to increase its Official Development Assistance loans to Vietnam by 50% from last year to $52 million this year. "The South Korean government and the Korea International Cooperation Agency highly values Vietnam," KOICA president Chang Won-sam told Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang Tuesday. In June 2023, South Korea President Yoon Suk-yeol promised to let Vietnam borrow $200 million in ODA from 2024 to 2027 in the areas of environment, healthcare, education and digital transformation. South Korea will also pay attention to Vietnams needs and initiate projects accordingly. KOICA, established in 1991, oversees the management of non-refundable aid projects by the South Korean Government. The South Korean government, through KOICA, has provided $600 million in loans to Vietnam. Deputy PM Quang said that South Korea has been giving Vietnam the most effective and fastest loans. He wants South Korea to increase aid in digital transformation and innovation. He proposed an aid for connecting the rural of Dien Bien Province in northern Vietnam with the national grid, which is estimated to cost $20 million. Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan was appointed Vietnam's acting president by the Communist Party's Politburo on Thursday, following Vo Van Thuong's exit from the role. Xuan will hold the position until the National Assembly can vote for a new president. This is the second time in the 2021-2026 term where Xuan was appointed as an acting president. In January last year, Xuan also held the position for over a month after Nguyen Xuan Phuc exited the role. Xuan, 54, from the southern province of An Giang, holds a master's degree in public management. She became the youngest vice president to be voted by the National Assembly in April 2021, at age 51. Throughout her three years in the position, Xuan had made trips to other countries like Bulgaria, Greek and Kazakhstan, as well as attending events like the Global Summit of Women in 2021 and 2023. As an acting president, in February 2023 she appointed 13 new ambassadors for Vietnam in foreign countries. The National Assembly relieved Vo Van Thuong of his duties as Vietnam's president for the 2021-2026 term during an extraordinary session on Thursday morning. Thuong served in the position for more than one year, from March 2, 2023. The lawmakers' decision came after the Communist Party Central Committee on Wednesday afternoon agreed to let President Vo Van Thuong be relieved from his position per his personal request. Thuong will leave his positions as president, member of the Politburo, member of the 13th Party Central Committee, and president of the defense and security council for the 2021-2026 term, per a decision announced at an extraordinary session of the committee. A statement from the office of the Party Central Committee said Thuong, as a key leader of Vietnam's Communist Party and state, was entrusted with several important leadership positions of the country. However, he had committed violations to Party regulations, according to reports by the Central Inspection Commission and other relevant authorities. "Vo Van Thuong's violations and flaws have negatively affected public perception, as well as the reputation of the Party and the state. Being aware of his responsibilities before the Party, the state and the people, Thuong has sent in his resignation from his positions," it said. Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald says the proposition of Fine Gael choosing who the next Taoiseach is amongst themselves would be unacceptable and should not be allowed. The leader of the opposition, Ms McDonald, is calling for a general election to happen now in order to let the Irish public be in the driver's seat in terms of deciding who the next leader of the country should be. We are four years into this administration and we are on to Taoiseach number three, she said on RTE radio this Thursday morning. The appetite for change that was evident in 2020 is still there, its alive. I think at this juncture the appropriate and democratic thing to do is go back to the people, put the people in the driving seat and ask them who they believe should be in government and consequently, leader of the country. While the appointment of a Taoiseach is approved the Dail and always has been, Ms McDonald, on behalf of Sinn Fein, has said that in these unforeseen circumstances, the Irish population should be given the opportunity to vote. The candidacy has opened for those in Fine Gael who wish to put their names forward to succeed Leo Varadkar following his shock exit as Taoiseach. So far, Minister Simon Harris has been dubbed the frontrunner for the role and has been publicly backed by members of the party. Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe has also been touted as a possible successor. Deputy party leader Simon Coveney, who lost the last leadership contest in 2017, was quick to exit the race for the next Taoiseach, while Minister Helen McEntee has also ruled herself out. While the Fine Gael term only lasts one more year with a general election naturally occurring in 2025, opposition parties are calling for it to be brought forward. Contenders have until the end of next week to get their name into the hat, as Mr Varadkar said a new party leader would be in place ahead of the annual conference (Ard Fheis) on April 6 paving the way for the new Taoiseach to be formally elected on April 9 - when the Dail returns after the Easter recess. Simon Harris has confirmed his candidacy to take over leadership of Fine Gael. Speaking on RTE News, Harris said: "I'm in. I want to be the next leader of Fine Gael and I'm ready to serve." After Leo Varadkars whirlwind resignation, Simon Harris is set to become the new leader of Fine Gael and Irelands next premier. In a matter of hours, the Wicklow TD garnered a plethora of parliamentarians, MEPs and councillors to back him as the partys next leader following Mr Varadkars shock decision. The 37-year-old father of two has been described by his party colleagues as energetic, a great communicator and as having a vision for Ireland that is about equality of opportunity. A media-savvy and personable politician who is well-versed on social media sites Instagram and TikTok, he has been at the helm of three departments over an eight-year period. His visibility during his tenure as justice minister covering for minister Helen McEntee while she was on maternity leave fuelled speculation on his interest in a leadership bid for the so-called law and order party. A student of journalism at DIT at one point, he has quickly gone from writing about headlines to making them. About 10,000 cheap air tickets are expected to be offered at the Vietnam International Travel Mart (VITM) 2024 which is slated to take place from April 11-14 in Hanoi, according to the Vietnam Tourism Association (VTA). The association announced the event on March 20, that VITM 2024 themed "Vietnam Tourism Green Transition for Sustainable Development" is hoped to attract over 450 booths and about 80,000 visitors. About 3,500 Vietnamese and international enterprises are expected to take part in the event. VTA Chairman Vu The Binh said that VITM 2024 aims to jointly promote a new tourism trend a combination of responsible tourism and environmental protection for development. Tourism businesses, local authorities and tourists are called on to pay more attention to environmental protection through specific activities. The fair focuses on activities to contribute to turning tourism into a green economic sector, based on building green destinations, and green products, and developing tourism human resources with proper knowledge of green tourism. The moves aim to enhance the image of Vietnamese tourism in the international arena. Binh said that the fair will create opportunities for Vietnamese and international tourism businesses to promote their brands, introduce products, develop business relations, and promote growth in all three types - outbound, inbound and domestic tourism. Visitors to the event can enjoy interesting experiences with promotional tours, discounted air tickets, cheap hotel rooms and One Commune - One Product (OCOP) products from localities across Vietnam. Within the framework of VITM 2024, a forum entitled "Vietnam Tourism - Green Transition for Sustainable Development" will be held on April 12, seeking green transformation solutions for Vietnamese tourism. Localities, destinations, and businesses in the province of Kien Giang, Thai Nguyen, Ninh Binh, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, and Ha Tinh also planned to organize tourism promotion conferences at VITM 2024. Tourists at a bar on the Soi Cowboy touristic street in Bangkok, Thailand. Photo by AFP Thailand is intensifying efforts to tackle the notable rise in criminal activities by foreigners, which has negatively impacted the Southeast Asian nation's tourism reputation. Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has instructed the Royal Thai Police (RTP) to devise strategies and enforce measures to monitor and arrest foreign lawbreakers. The RTP recently convened meetings to strategise and execute initiatives against foreign offenders. Since October 1, 2023, Thai police have made 614 arrests for a variety of crimes, including thefts in tourism areas, illegal employment, traffic violations and offences related to sex. Addressing crimes committed by foreigners is of paramount importance to the RTP, with significant cases being referred to the Immigration Bureau for potential visa cancellation. Furthermore, comprehensive operations have been launched to eradicate such criminal activities, aiming to refurbish the tourism sector's image and bolster the security perception among visitors to Thailand. The pro-Beijing legislature in Hong Kong has passed new security laws under Article 23 of the Basic Law. International observers charge the new legislation will further silence opposition voices and further erode the autonomy Hong Kong was promised in 1997, when Britain handed over Hong Kongs governance to China. State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said the United Sates is alarmed by the sweeping and what we interpret as vaguely defined provisions laid out in the Article 23 legislation. The new laws were passed twenty years after similar legislation was attempted by pro-PRC authorities. But that attempt caused hundreds of thousands of Hong Kongers to take to the streets in protest, and the legislation was withdrawn. In 2020, the PRC imposed the National Security Law, or NSL, on Hong Kong, resulting in the arrest and imprisonment of scores of democracy advocates, civil society activists, opposition political figures, as well as to the closure of independent media outlets. Estimates are that some 500,000 people have left Hong Kong since the NSL was imposed. The U.S. Consulate General in Hong Kong keeps a tally it calls Bearing Witness. According to the Consulate, since the NSL went into effect, 237 people have been arrested for national security offenses; 135 people and organizations have been formally charged with national security crimes; and 90 people have been found guilty, as of February 29, 2024. Now, with the new Article 23 legislation, authorities have another, even more wide-ranging weapon to wield against dissent. Principal Deputy Secretary Patel told reporters, This was fast-tracked through the nondemocratically elected legislative council after a truncated public comment period: We also believe that a lot of the phrasing and crimes that are outlined are poorly defined and incredibly vague. They use phrases such as external interference, which is incredibly vague. So we are analyzing the legislation and we are taking a look at what the potential risk could be to not just U.S. citizens, but other American interests that we might have. Were not going to hesitate to call out those responsible for the erosion of Hong Kongs promised autonomy, Spokesperson Patel declared. And the United States, he added, will not hesitate to use other actions at its disposal, should circumstances require it. The allegations of urban women in the Dotte who claim to have endured years of sexual assault at the hands of a detective on the KCK police force could prove disastrous for the organization and might even lead to a "decommission" of this law enforcement agency. On the other hand . . . It's important for critical news readers to remember that many of these claims will NEVER be confirmed by a court of law because the defendant is dying and will likely be gone long before a trial is ever completed. Check-it . . . "The women who have said that Golubski abused and terrified them have grown less and less hopeful as this case has dragged on without any trial date being set. But this ruling expanding the testimony the jury will be able to hear at last gave them the good news they so desperately needed." Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . . Golubski judge rules other women can testify former cop sexually assaulted them, too | Opinion The ex-Kansas City, Kansas, police detective's trial will be delayed, but seven additional victims of sexual assault and attempted sexual assault will be heard. The reviews are in and it seems that the vast majority of Kansas City denizens of the discourse aren't impressed with financial incentives offered by the Chiefs & Royals. Even fans of the team have criticized the offer, transparency along with a dearth of checks & balances. Amongst the oceans of chatter from competing urban special interests and political hacks funded by dark money . . . This passage from a fan blog resonates louder and more accurately than most: "Basically, there are still no concrete details about how the money will be used to better the lives of Jackson County citizens, the Royals will still largely be policing themselves, and even in the best-case scenario, the team appears to believe that the countys people are worth less than one Adam Frazier late-offseason signing per year. "Based on my reading of these documents, the Royals could feasibly pay themselves $3.5 million to send players out on speaking engagements to raise awareness for mental health and that would meet the incredibly loose guidelines for their obligations to the CBA for that year. Seriously, with absolutely no details and no oversight, there will be no way of knowing if or how the Royals money is used to help people. Based on the secretive nature and vague statements the team has thrived on since John Shermans purchase, I cant imagine theyll even pretend to tell us, either. I expect this to fade completely into the background once they secure their yes votes." Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . . The Royals' new Community Benefits Agreement lacks one important element: the community benefits The Royals may have been negotiating on both sides of the agreement and have provided only the vaguest promises which they will enforce themselves. KC Tenants, Stand Up KC react to proposed community benefits agreements from Royals, Chiefs Activists criticized proposals in the community benefits agreements revealed Wednesday by the Chiefs and Royals AFL-CIO responds to $260 million community benefits proposal outlined by Royals, Chiefs Labor union leaders in Kansas City are reacting to the community benefits proposal outlined by the Kansas City Royals and Kansas City Chiefs. Chiefs Mark Donovan: 'We're committed to doing even more good' The Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas City Royals continued to make their pitch this week in favor of a yes vote on April 2 to extend a 3/8 cent sales tax for stadium projects. Chiefs and Royals Pledge an Unprecedented $266 Million to Jackson County The Chiefs and Royals announced the largest Community Benefits Agreements package in Kansas City history on Wednesday Developing . . . North Korea fired several ballistic missiles as South Korea was hosting the recent Summit for Democracy in Seoul. The launches came only days after the end of annual U.S.-South Korean military drills in the region. The United States condemns these launches and calls on the [Democratic Republic of North Korea] to refrain from any further destabilizing acts, said the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command in a statement. A significant concern regarding North Korea is its increasing alignment with Russia over the past couple of years, including weapons transfers, said Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Jung Pak in a recent interview with Voice of America: We know that there have been at least 10,000 containers that have gone from DPRK to Russia and DPRK is not doing this for free. There's almost certainly things that DPRK wants in return, and we're concerned about what might be going on to the other side. We also worry about what the DPRK could be learning from Russia's use of these weapons and ballistic missiles on the battlefield and how that might embolden or and help the DPRK even further advance their weapons program. The U.S. has confirmed that ballistic missiles provided by North Korea to Russia have been fired at targets in Ukraine. This is of grave concern to the United States, said Deputy Assistant Secretary Pak: We have a known proliferator in the DPRK selling weapons to Russia and to be able to conduct their unlawful brutal attack on Ukraine, killing Ukrainian people, destroying Ukraine infrastructure and just destroying lives. ... There have been at least 10 instances where the DPRK missiles have been used on the battlefield. The United States remains committed to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, said Deputy Assistant Secretary Pak: And so that goal has not wavered for us at all. And we are very much lashed up with all of our allies and partners on that goal. In the meantime, said Deputy Assistant Secretary Pak, we'll continue to press forward on sanctions designations, on export controls, as well as extended deterrence ... to make sure that our allies are safe, our troops are safe, and then we continue to choke the ways that (the) DPRK is able to fund their weapons program. No matter how this vote works out . . . It's important to notice an unprecedented fact of local life: KANSAS CITY ROYALS & CHIEFS ARE NOW OPENLY ATTACKING THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE!!! As far as local politics is concerned, this is unprecedented . . . KC's "politeness" typically rules the political discourse and this outright criticism of the courthouse leader signals a stunning breakdown of communication between pro-sports leaders and politicos. The bright side here is that the home team seem to be finding some middle-ground amongst the Legislature. Here's the word: Royals Executive Vice President Sarah Tourville mentioned White's opposition as a roadblock to the Royals' plans for years, hoping voters would recognize and vote yes. "I would tell you that it's unfortunate that he's slowed this process down," she said. "He has been an impediment to the progress moving forward. But we're also grateful for the legislature. They allowed the voters to come out on April 2nd and make a decision for themselves." She added she hopes "the voters recognize that whatever Frank's animosity is to the teams and to seeing this city continue to be transformed, that the voters go and vote yes." Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . Lady Codebreaker By K.D. Alden Forever, 432 pages, $25.99 A chance meeting in 1917 at the Newberry Library in Chicago leads Grace Smith to a position at Riverbank Laboratories to work on a project that intends to prove that Francis Bacon was the legitimate author of Shakespeares plays and sonnets. There she is introduced to cryptology and meets other geniuses including Robert Feldman with whom she collaborates on leading a decoding unit. By 1921 they are seconded to Washington and the War Department. Soon Grace is hired to head the U.S. Coast Guard Cryptanalytic unit where she works with Eliot Ness to capture smugglers, bootleggers and mobsters during prohibition. As America becomes embroiled in WWII, Grace decodes messages that lead to derailing Nazi spy networks in South America, while Robert now her husband is broken by the attack on Pearl Harbour. Based on the life of legendary cryptanalyst Elizebeth Smith Friedman, Aldens novel is fascinating, full of compassion and emotionally true. Where They Lie By Claire Coghlan Harper Perennial, 304 pages, $23.99 Secrets drive the narrative in this gripping debut that opens during Christmas week in 1968 Dublin. Twenty-something journalist Nicoletta Sarto, in line for editor of the newly established womens pages with the Irish Sentinel, chases the story of discovered remains which may well be those of Julia Bridges, an actress who vanished in 1943. The skeleton is found in Sandycove, near the Martello Tower where James Joyce had lived, on the property of businessman Charles Creighton. When a second corpse is found nearby, locals are reminded of midwife Gloria Fitzpatrick who had been sentenced to hang in 1956 for inducing a miscarriage, a charge later commuted to life imprisonment on the grounds of insanity. As the narrative threads dovetail, one issue is clear: women must fight for agency over their own bodies. Monday Rent Boy By Susan Doherty Random House Canada, 360 pages, $36.00 Schoolmates Arthur Barnes and Ernie Castlefrank have been altar boys for Father Ziperto in Glastonbury since they were eight. Now, in 1986, they are adolescents bonded by the shame and secrecy of being groomed by the priest for sexual abuse, and rewarded for their ongoing silence with much-needed money and small gifts. To amuse themselves, they become adept at petty theft until theyre caught; Ernie takes the fall, telling Arthur that hes the one worth saving, as no ones counting on me for anything. When Arthur slices a page out of "The Prophet" at his local bookshop, the proprietor gives him a chance at redemption. In exchange for writing one review per week, Arthur may borrow any book. Ernie, too, gets a chance to prove himself with a pawnshop owner his older brother Nathan introduces him to: computer whiz Casper Fontaine. That connection leads to criminal work exploiting children for sexual predators in the emerging nefarious community of the dark web. An unflinching exploration of the traumatic legacy of childhood sexual abuse that is rife with anger, but also offers hope of a way forward. The Swans Nest By Laura McNeal Algonquin Books, 320 pages, $38.00 Victorian poets Elizabeth Barrett and Robert Browning seem destined to meet in 1845 London after his sister Sarianna receives volumes of Barrett's poetry. Shes been an invalid in her controlling fathers home for decades, treated with opiates for mysterious ailments, yet when the two poets meet she is determined to get well to live a life on her own terms. In his first letter to Barrett, Browning writes unabashedly, I do, as I say, love these books with all my heart and I love you too. Elizabeth is pleased about her words in his mouth, his mind caring what her mind made. By the time they secretly wed and leave London for Pisa in September 1846, theyve exchanged 573 letters (they remain in print today). An irresistible page-turner and an exquisite tribute to true love. In recent months, the cost of air travel to and from Israel has more than doubled. This increase comes as a few international airlines begin to fly to Israel again, after stopping their flights due to a conflict with Hamas in Gaza. These flights are starting up slowly, with fewer schedules, while the demand for tickets is growing. The situation has caused a big rise in ticket prices. Air Travel Prices Jump as Flights to Israel Start to Come Back Since the conflict began on Oct. 7, after an attack by Hamas in southern Israel, almost all big airlines stopped flying to Tel Aviv. This led to a big drop in people traveling by air. But, starting this year, with fewer attacks from Gaza, some airlines have slowly started their Israel routes again. Yet, the number of flights is still much lower than before the conflict, leading to higher prices for air travel. The increase in air travel costs is due to several reasons. According to The Times of Israel, there are fewer flights available, less competition among airlines, higher insurance costs because of the war, and more people wanting to fly. This situation is tough for travelers and the tourism industry in Israel. Tourism experts and airline industry leaders are asking the Israeli government for help. They want a plan to encourage more airlines to fly to Israel and to increase the number of flights. This could help lower ticket prices and bring more tourists to the country. Such efforts are seen as important for helping Israel's economy and tourism sector recover after the conflict. The war has also affected the economy in Israel, with a big drop in the last part of 2023. Now, as air travel to Israel slowly starts to come back, there's hope for a recovery in tourism and the overall economy. However, with ongoing fighting, getting back to normal is challenging. The situation calls for a strategic approach to boost air travel and support the economy. Related Article: United States DOT Plans to Make Air Travel Easier for Passengers with Disabilities Air Travel Safety in Focus After Recent Incidents Recent incidents involving air travel have raised concerns. A Boeing 737 MAX 9 plane had a door issue in midair, and other scary events followed, like a wheel coming off a plane and engines catching fire. Despite these issues, experts say flying is very safe. Daniel Kwasi Adjekum, a safety professor, says while these events might alarm the public, air travel remains extremely safe. As shared by Wired, millions of flights happen globally without problems, showing the effectiveness of aviation safety measures. The US hasn't had a fatal air travel accident since 2018, highlighting the industry's safety. The Flight Safety Foundation notes that air travel was the safest way to get around in 2023. This safety record is due to a culture of openness in aviation, where workers can report mistakes without fear. However, experts caution against complacency. The Flight Safety Foundation's 2023 report warns of a slipping safety culture in air travel, which could lead to issues. Close calls on runways are a particular concern, signaling potential problems. The industry's focus is on fixing these issues to maintain the US's excellent air travel safety record. Continuous improvement and addressing technology and staffing needs are vital for keeping flying safe for everyone. Read Also: Air Travel Set for Big Rise in 2024, Surpassing Pre-Pandemic Levels Australia is known for whale watching along its coasts, where the ocean turns into a bustling route for majestic whales on their seasonal journey. Every year, from April to November, the waters become a stage for one of nature's most breathtaking shows. Tens of thousands of humpback whales, along with southern rights, blues, and orcas, make their way from the cold Antarctic to the warmer northern waters. They come here to give birth and nurture their young, turning spots along the coast into must-see destinations for anyone after a glimpse of these gentle giants. So, if you are keen to ride along with the whales on Australia's very own humpback highway, you are in for a treat. Get ready to fill your travel diary with unforgettable whale tales and oceanic adventures that you will want to relive over and over. Hervey Bay, Queensland In Hervey Bay, Queensland, the calm waters become a playground for humpback whales from July to November. This place has earned its title as a whale watching capital in Australia. Here, the whales stop to rest, play, and socialize, making it perfect for up-close encounters. Tours leave daily, offering chances to see these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. After a day on the water, enjoy the laid-back vibe of the town with its beachside cafes and serene esplanade. Hervey Bay promises memories filled with the sight of whales breaching under the warm Queensland sun. Albany, Western Australia Albany, on the southwest coast of Australia, offers a different perspective on whale watching. From June to early October, southern right whales and humpbacks come to the sheltered waters to breed. The historic whaling station, now a museum, provides insight into the area's past and the importance of conservation. Lookouts from the coast give spectators a chance to spot whales without even getting on a boat. Albany's rugged coastline and clear waters make every sighting a breathtaking experience. Plus, the town's rich history and natural beauty add layers to your visit. Related Article: Humpback Whale Hits Couple's Canoe on Whale Watching Adventure in Hawaii [VIDEO] Port Lincoln, South Australia Port Lincoln is not just about its famous seafood. It is also a gateway to exceptional whale watching in Australia. Between May and October, southern right whales gather along the coast to calve in the protected bays. Head to the Head of Bight for spectacular clifftop views of these gentle giants. On land, explore the Eyre Peninsula's national parks, where the natural wonders continue. Port Lincoln blends thrilling wildlife encounters with the charm of a coastal town, offering an authentic Australian adventure. Jervis Bay, New South Wales Jervis Bay is a gem on the coast of New South Wales, renowned for its clear blue waters and white sandy beaches. It becomes a haven for whales from May to November. The protected marine park offers safe passage for mothers and their newborn calves. Boat tours in Jervis Bay are intimate, ensuring a respectful distance that allows for peaceful observation. On land, the Booderee National Park offers hikes with scenic lookouts over the bay. Jervis Bay combines pristine natural beauty with the gentle majesty of the whales, making it a must-visit spot on Australia's east coast. Read Also: What You Should Know Before Visiting the WA Shipwrecks Museum in Perth, Australia The Royal Cliff Hotels Group proudly announces that all of our esteemed four hotels Royal Cliff Beach Hotel, Royal Cliff Beach Terrace, Royal Grand Hotel, and Royal Wing Suites and Spa have clinched top honors at the prestigious Booking.com Traveller Review Awards 2024. (TRAVPR.COM) THAILAND - March 20th, 2024 - Pattaya, Thailand The Royal Cliff Hotels Group proudly announces that all of our esteemed four hotels Royal Cliff Beach Hotel, Royal Cliff Beach Terrace, Royal Grand Hotel, and Royal Wing Suites and Spa have clinched top honors at the prestigious Booking.com Traveller Review Awards 2024. This accolade is a testament to our unwavering commitment to providing unparalleled experiences for our guests. Earning a remarkable review top score of 9/10, the Royal Cliff Hotels Group stands out as a beacon of excellence in hospitality. The review score, based on the average of all guest reviews worldwide, reflects the consistent high quality and excellence that define the Royal Cliff experience offered to each guest. The Traveller Review Awards are a way for Booking.com to give recognition to accommodation and transportation providers who consistently exceed guest expectations, offering an indicator to other customers of the high-quality experience they can expect when booking. These awards help travellers identify and book properties and services that have a proven track record of excellent hospitality. The scorings are based on a based on a pool of over 308 million verified customer reviews on Booking.com. Perched atop a 64-acre private estate with breathtaking views of the Gulf of Thailand, the Royal Cliff Hotels Group boasts four award-winning hotels, charming travellers from all corners of the world. Unlock a world of magical experiences with Royal Cliffs curated promotions and packages at the ultimate luxury destination. Ensure your exceptional holiday by booking directly with Royal Cliff. Not only do we guarantee the best prices, but we also offer exclusive value-added extras to elevate your hotel stay. To secure the premium experience you deserve, visit www.royalcliff.com, call our Reservations at (+66) 38 250 421 ext: 2732, or drop an email to reservations@royalcliff.com. ### WELLS Elko County School District trustees have decided to begin negotiations with Superintendent Clayton Anderson for a new contract. The decision followed their evaluations of his job performance that averaged 2.92 points out of a possible 4 points. His two-year contract expires June 30. Trustee Teresa Dastrup said she thought there were some areas for Anderson to work on improving, but, I think he is doing a great job in other areas, and I really dont want to look for another superintendent. He is providing a lot of value to our district, and I move to accept his evaluation [and] move into negotiating a new contract with him. Trustee Jeff Durham said he thought the evaluations hit on very important points and things we need to work on and some areas where we are doing great, where Superintendent Anderson is doing great, and I will echo the fact that he represents the district very well in all functions and in all areas and am happy with his performance overall. Durham told trustees on Tuesday in Wells his comments were shorter in the evaluation than those written by other trustees, so he appreciated what they covered. The evaluation summary doesnt put a trustee name with comments, however. Anderson also did a self-evaluation using the same four topics and questions under each topic, and he gave himself an overall score of 3 out of 4 points while writing about his strengths and areas of focus for improvement. Topics The first topic for the school board was Andersons relationship with the board, with five subtopics, such as keeping the board informed on issues, needs and operations. His overall score was 3 out of 4, and trustee recommendations included better communications with trustees and providing trustees with more balanced information. The second topic was administration of the school district, with four subtopics that included overseeing financial health of the district, and Andersons overall score in this category was 2.82 points out of 4, with an area of focus to be increasing the school districts ending fund balance in its budget. ECSDs ending fund balance has been an issue in the current fiscal year because when the ending fund balance drops below a certain level, the Nevada Department of Education steps into the picture, and one comment in the evaluation was that the financial situation in the district is not acceptable. When the school board approved 11% pay hikes for teachers and support staff in November, the increase in pay threatened to put the ending fund balance below the state-required 4%, although the school district is now receiving funding through the Nevada Legislature under SB231 that helps with pay. Community relations was the third topic, with three subtopics and a category average of 2.95. The questions, or subtopics, included supporting school and community activities, reaches out to community and assists families with learning at home. One trustee comment was that more be done to convince the public that the district needs more money for school projects, but others said he is very visible in the community. The final topic was educational leadership, with the category average score of 2.91 out of 4 points, and there were seven subtopics with separate scores, including systemwide education expectations, champions board goals and drives the establishment of programs that support social and emotional learning and wellness needs. The evaluation summary on Anderson is available online in the March 19 agenda. Never Miss the News with the CCN TV6 App! Here's what you can get with the CCN TV6 App: Watch the TV6 Livestream anywhere, anytime Get updates on our top news stories Get notifications about breaking news and live press conferences Get alerts for new uploads to chosen categories (e.g. 7PMNews, Morning Edition, etc.) Watch 7PM News clips, and past episodes of TV6 Originals like Morning Edition and Beyond The Tape Find what youre looking for with the fast and easy search feature Favourite articles for later viewing Share articles from within the app to your desired social platforms Read articles at varying text sizes, for improved visibility/accessibility Listen to articles with the text-to-speech function Watch past episodes of TV6 Originals like Morning Edition and Beyond The Tape Participate in the latest TV6 Promotions Browse the app in light or dark mode, or depending on your system preferences Download the FREE CCNTV6 App today! Frequently Asked Questions 1. Do you have to pay a fee to use the CCN TV6 App? 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This is said in an article published by The Washington Post on Wednesday, Ukrinform reports. Production tripled in 2023 and is expected to increase sixfold this year, the publication reported, referring to Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal. According to Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, for certain crucial items, such as the drones that have transformed how the war is fought, Ukraine is already making 90 percent of what it needs. Among these items are the long-distance unmanned aerial. Ukraine also builds its own mortar rounds and Soviet-standard 122mm and 152mm artillery shells. Ukrainian defense companies are also moving to fill the militarys greatest need by building their own NATO-standard 155mm shells, which are necessary for the artillery systems supplied by Ukraines Western backers. Minister for Strategic Industries Oleksandr Kamyshyn stated in February that Ukraine had deployed a locally made missile with a range of about 650 km. Air defense systems and high-precision missiles similar to the U.S.-made High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) are also being developed, officials said. This year, Ukraine will spend about $5 billion on domestic arms production, officials said, but everyone agrees that is not enough. However, the publication stresses that local production is not sufficient to make up for a loss of international support, especially weapons from the United States. As Ukrinform reported, German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall plans to set up at least four factories in Ukraine, Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger said at the presentation of the company's 2023 results. Photo: Oksana Parafeniuk for The Washington Post The Nevada Secretary of States Office is delaying its rollout of a long-anticipated, centralized voter registration and election system from April to July amid concerns raised by more than a dozen county clerks who were uncertain the system could be fully vetted ahead of the June primary. The decision on the project which seeks to unify a fragmented system that relies on 17 individual counties maintaining unique records, and then reporting them to the state follows a request from the Nevada Association of County Clerks and Election Officials on Monday to delay the projects implementation. The counties top election officials wrote that the projects narrow window of time allocated to review, fix and check updates resulting from a test run is too short given the existing demands on their offices and the imminent June primary elections. This request is not made lightly. We need this system. More importantly, we need this system to be successful, officials wrote. We all are charged with ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and security of elections. We must be able to guarantee that we have a final product that will best serve the needs of the voters in Nevada. Two counties did not sign onto the letter: Clark County, which already uses the new software, and Lyon County, which submitted a separate request to delay the projects launch date. In a response letter on Monday, Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar said that project development will continue based on the existing timeline with the hopes of resolving any issues ahead of a July go-live date. This means the system will not be live for the state primary elections in June as originally intended, but should be operational for the November general election. The confidence of the voters, our constituents, must be our top priority, and I understand that you made this request with them in mind, Aguilar wrote in a response letter to the county clerks on Monday. I am grateful that you recognize the importance of moving to a top-down system and are looking forward to going live before the 2024 presidential election. In Nevada, individual counties maintain their own voter registration databases and transmit that data to state officials every night. A 2017 report from the U.S. Election Assistance Commission identified Nevada as one of six states with a bottom-up voter registration system. Under the new system, voter registration data would be uploaded to a statewide database in real time generally considered to be more effective in maintaining voter rolls and easing logistical hurdles associated with things like same-day voter registration. State elections officials have touted the new system as a way to allow for comprehensive maintenance of voter history, reduce time needed to validate voter registration applications, have standardized training among election officials and allow for more election transparency. The delay comes one month after Aguilar told The Nevada Independent that the new system was still set for an April 1 launch date, adding that the new system would have prevented last months voter history glitch, which erroneously showed that some Nevadans had participated in the presidential preference primary when they hadnt. The mishap did not affect the results of the presidential primary, which took place before the glitch occurred. The April 1 rollout date was only for the first phase of the project and applied to all counties except Clark County. The county already used the new system for the presidential primary but will not be immediately included in the initial rollout. The entire project was expected to be fully operational by the summer of 2025. The highly anticipated system overhaul has been in the works for years. In 2021, the Legislature passed AB422, which called for creating the new system and established a January 2024 deadline. A year later, a top state elections official asked lawmakers for an extension until 2026 and said that elections officials wanted to build the new system properly, not quickly. Last year, the Legislature approved $30.5 million, including $25 million in state dollars, to support one-time costs for the project. The project had previously been funded through federal Help America Vote Act grant dollars. In their Monday letter, the county elections officials said they eagerly anticipate the benefits of the new system, but acknowledged that they have struggled to meet the workload demanded by the project on top of their existing responsibilities. Our combined resources are stretched too thin to do the required election activities along with demands from our other offices while simultaneously testing the system upgrades and integrations, and conducting additional mock election exercises required to confirm data conversion, the letter read. Beef stew (Bo kho) is one of Top 4 Vietnamese beef dishes. (Photo courtesy of Taste Atlas) Beef in vinegar hot pot (Bo nhung dam) is a Vietnamese version of a hot pot that is traditionally served in a communal style. In its basic form, the dish consists of a vinegar-flavored broth that may also include coconut milk or coconut water, lemongrass, onions, or other additions. It typically comes with thinly sliced raw beef and an assortment of fresh vegetables and herbs such as bean sprouts, daikon, lettuce, cucumbers, mint, basil, and perilla leaves. Beef stew (Bo kho) is a popular Vietnamese beef stew that can be consumed on its own or accompanied by a baguette on the side. It can also be served over noodles, whilst it is customary to serve a variety of fresh herbs on the side. The website suggested that the dish is consumed for breakfast, garnished with chopped green onions, coriander, and onions. Taste Atlas also recommended shaking beef (Bo luc lac). The main star of bo luc lac is diced marinated beef. The meat is shortly seared before it is then served on a bed of watercress and sliced tomatoes. Additional toppings may include pickled onions and a dipping sauce resembling lime-based vinaigrette which can be drizzled over the meat or served on the side. The food website added that steak and eggs (Bo ne) is a traditional Vietnamese delicacy that's especially popular in Nha Trang. It's made with cuts of beef such as skirt steak that's marinated in spices and comes served on a sizzling hot cast iron plate with fried eggs, onions, chili sauce, and a dollop of pate. About 10,000 cheap air tickets to be offered at VITM 2024 About 10,000 cheap air tickets are expected to be offered at the Vietnam International Travel Mart (VITM) 2024 which is slated to take place from April 11-14 in Hanoi, VNA reported the data of the Vietnam Tourism Association (VTA). At the 17th International Travel Expo Ho Chi Minh City 2023. (Photo: VNA) At a press conference to announce the event on March 20, the association said that VITM 2024 themed Vietnam Tourism Green Transition for Sustainable Development is hoped to attract over 450 booths and about 80,000 visitors. About 3,500 Vietnamese and international enterprises are expected to take part in the event. VTA Chairman Vu The Binh said that VITM 2024 aims to jointly promote a new tourism trend a combination of responsible tourism and environmental protection for development. Tourism businesses, local authorities and tourists are called on to pay more attention to environmental protection through specific activities. The fair focuses on activities to contribute to turning tourism into a green economic sector, based on building green destinations, and green products, and developing tourism human resources with proper knowledge of green tourism. The moves aim to enhance the image of Vietnamese tourism in the international arena. Binh said that the fair will create opportunities for Vietnamese and international tourism businesses to promote their brands, introduce products, develop business relations, and promote growth in all three types - outbound, inbound and domestic tourism. Visitors to the event can enjoy interesting experiences with promotional tours, discounted air tickets, cheap hotel rooms and One Commune - One Product (OCOP) products from localities across Vietnam. Within the framework of VITM 2024, a forum entitled "Vietnam Tourism - Green Transition for Sustainable Development" will be held on April 12, seeking green transformation solutions for Vietnamese tourism. Localities, destinations, and businesses in the province of Kien Giang, Thai Nguyen, Ninh Binh, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, and Ha Tinh also planned to organise tourism promotion conferences at VITM 2024. International cruise ships dock at Tien Sa port in Da Nang Cruise ship Zuiderdam docked at Tien Sa port in the central coastal city of Da Nang on March 19, with the vessel carrying more than 700 tourists of various nationalities onboard, reported VOV. Foreign tourists take a city tour around Da Nang. (Photo: baochinhphu.vn) The ships one-day stay allowed foreign travelers to visit popular tourist attractions throughout Da Nang, including the Marble Mountains, the Cham sculpture museum, Han market, as well as taking a city tour around Linh Ung pagoda and My Khe beach. On March 20, Da Nang continued to welcome cruise liner Resorts World One, with the vessel bringing over 2,000 tourists of American, British, French, Australian, and Canadian nationality to the central city. The Da Nang Department of Tourism and other localities such as Son Tra, Hai Chau, Ngu Hanh Son, and Hoa Vang have all arranged forces in order to maintain security in a bid to ensure that foreign tourists enjoy a safe tour and have exciting experiences during their stay in the area. Last year witnessed the central coastal city receive 22 international cruise liners with 18,000 arrivals on board. This figure is expected to rise to 45 ships and 40,000 foreigners over the course of this year, double compared to last year. Vietjet opens a new route to Australia Vietjet has opened a new direct route connecting the capital city of Hanoi with the beautiful port city of Sydney, bringing the total number of routes connecting Vietnam and Australia to seven, reported VNS. The Sydney Opera House (Photo courtesy of Vietjet) The route will start operations on June 8, 2024, with two return flights per week, and a flight time of around 10 hours per leg, Vietjet said in a statement. The flights from Hanoi to Sydney depart on Wednesday and Saturday every week at 17:10 and arrive in Sydney at 06:10 the following day. The flights from Sydney to Hanoi leave on Thursdays and Sundays at 8:30 and land in Hanoi at 16:00 on the same day (All local time). To celebrate the newest route, Vietjet launches a big promotion party for Eco tickets priced from only zero ong on www.vietjetair.com and the Vietjet Air mobile app for all flight routes connecting Vietnam and Australia from now until March 25, 202. These promotional tickets will have a flight period from now to October 31, 2024. Furthermore, up to 500 Skypoints will be gifted to passengers flying on the inaugural flights of Hanoi-Sydney and Hanoi-Melbourne routes. Nha Trang capitalising on advantages for cruise tourism Leveraging existing advantages of an attractive destination for cruise tourism, the coastal city of Nha Trang in the central province of Khanh Hoa is continuing to refine related mechanisms and offer a variety of services meeting demand of those who come by sea, reported VNA. The Seven Seas Explorer cruise ship docks in Nha Trang port. (Image: laodong.vn) According to the provincial Department of Tourism, the beach city offers the holidaymakers a short travel from the port to the central areas as well as numerous options for sightseeing and hands-on activities. Tour operators noted that cruise tourism comes with a high-end customer segment with significant spending power. It also has very high expectations for services and tourism products. This reality necessitates ongoing efforts from Nha Trang authorities and businesses to improve infrastructure and service quality. However, there is still much to be done in the future. For instance, most of these travellers only visit for the day without overnight stays. Additionally, local souvenirs and specialties remain lacking in distinctiveness and creativity. Nguyen Thi Le Thanh, Director of the provincial Department of Tourism, stated that Khanh Hoa identifies this group as one of the main sources for the industry in the future. The authority has so far directed its units to intensify promotion campaigns, enhance the workforce quality, encourage localities and businesses to develop distinctive products, and promote eco-tourism models and local cultural experiences./. Vietnam exports over 9.38 million tonnes of wood chips to the Chinese market last year. (Photo: vnbusiness.vn) Notably, China became Vietnam's largest wood chip export market last year. The country exported over 9.38 million tonnes of wood chips to the Chinese market in 2023, reaching over 1.43 billion USD, accounting for 65.1% in volume and 64.7 in value. In the Chinese market, the average export price of wood chips decreased from 183 - 185 USD per tonne at the beginning of last year to less than 140 USD per tonne in the middle of the year, then rose slightly in the last months of the year but remained below 150 USD per tonne. Ranking second is the Japanese market. The price of wood chips declined by up to 36 USD per tonne last year. Specifically, the price of wood chips exported to this market was 181 USD per tonne in January last year but fell to 145 USD by December. Wood chip exports to the Korean market reached 548,590 tonnes, reaching 91.88 million USD, accounting for 3.8% in volume and 4.1% in value. Similar to the Japanese and Chinese markets, export prices to the Korean market have decreased by 27 USD per tonne last year with strong fluctuations during the year. The market recorded an average export price of 200 USD per tonne in January, 2023, but the price decreased continuously to bottom out at 136 USD, but bounced back to 172 USD in the last months of the year. The Vietnam Timber and Forest Product Association said that the demand for imported wood chips in the Chinese market would tend to continue to decline in the near future, leading to a decline in chip export prices in this market. In general, the export market structure of wood chips will not change significantly in the near future. However, the wood chip industry will continue to compete in raw materials with the pellet industry, especially in northern provinces because planted forest wood is the main input for both industries in this area. Therefore, businesses and management agencies need to consider investing in building up raw material sources to ensure a stable supply for production and export. Super international cruise ship returns to Thua Thien - Hue On March 19, the cruise ship Celebrity Solstice carrying 3,000 international tourists docked at Chan May Port in the central coastal province of Thua Thien - Hue. The cruise ship Celebrity Solstice returned to Thua Thien - Hue for the second time in March. (Photo: hanoimoi.vn) This is the second time in March this super cruise ship has returned to Hue, proving the attraction of the ancient capital to cruise tourists, well known for their selectivity and high demands in spite of short-day tours. Before arriving at Thua Thien - Hue, Celebrity Solstice docked at Ha Long Port of the northern province of Quang Ninh on March 17. In Thua Thien - Hue, international tourists will tour historical relics, famous destinations in Hue city and some rural places in this province. At the end of a day of exploration, tourists will return to the ship and continue their journey to Cai Mep - Thi Vai Port of the southern province of Ba Ria - Vung Tau. International tourists get off the train to participate in exploration and experience tours. (Photo: hanoimoi.vn) Mr. Nguyen Van Phuc, Director of the Thua Thien - Hue Department of Tourism, said that in 2024, Chan May Port plans to welcome 32 cruise ships with 60,000 international tourists. Through organizing tours to explore the locality, the tourism industry has contributed to introducing high-quality characteristics of the ancient capital of Hue to tourists. In the near future, the Department of Tourism will coordinate with the Hue Monuments Conservation Center to carry out a number of highly interactive and good quality cultural experience services, helping tourists have more impressive experiences. Since the beginning of the year, this super cruise ship has come to Vietnam three times, with voyages from North to South. Nearly 100 tourists take night tour War Zone Moon The War Zone Moon night tour is one of the typical night tourism products of Cu Chi district in Ho Chi Minh City. Visitors visit the rice planting scene during the night tour. (Photo: sggp.org.vn) On March 18, the Cu Chi Tunnels Relic Site in Cu Chi District, Ho Chi Minh City, organized and welcomed nearly 100 visitors to the War Zone Moon night tour. This is the first night tour to welcome tourists after being launched in August 2023. The night tour War Zone Moon takes the image of moonlight as the main theme, recreating the life and activities at night of Cu Chi people living in the liberated area in 1961 - 1964. The tour takes place from 18h00 to 20h40. Visitors can watch a 3D movie recreating the battle of Cedar Falls and experience scenes of people participating in tunnel digging and weaving under the moonlight, young people registering to join the army to fight the enemy, and mill and pound rice. According to Mr. Nguyen Minh Tam, Deputy Director of the Cu Chi Tunnels Relic Site, this special night tour product aims to promote the heroic land of Cu Chi, contributing to enriching night tour products in the southern city as well as attracting more domestic and foreign tourists. It is estimated that dozens of tour groups have registered for the tour at the end of March as well as the April 30 and May 1 holiday. We expect that, with the launch of the night tour and typical culinary products of Cu Chi land, the number of visitors to Cu Chi Tunnels this year will increase by about 20% compared to last year, said Mr. Nguyen Minh Tam. Vietnam Airlines increases flights to Con Dao From mid-March 2024, the national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines increased the frequency of flights to Con Dao to meet the increasing travel demand of passengers. Vietnam Airlines operates an average of 26 to 30 daily flights between HCM City and Con Dao from March 2024. (Photo: nhandan.vn) Accordingly, Vietnam Airlines will operate an average of 26 to 30 daily flights between HCM City and Con Dao from March 2024. The number of flights increased nearly 50% compared to February 2024. This route is currently operated by Vietnam Airlines using ATR-72 aircraft with two classes of service: Premium Economy and Economy. With high flight frequency, passengers can conveniently book seats to meet their travel needs from HCM City to Con Dao or from Northern provinces and cities such as Hanoi, Hai Phong, Thanh Hoa or Vinh to this island, with a stop at Tan Son Nhat Airport. In addition, the national flag carrier chose Con Dao as the first locality to implement the Sustainable Flight Route project with environmental protection activities, contributing to preserving the landscape and living environment. From March 15, all plastic waste and plastic bags on flights will be collected and brought back to the mainland for processing. Flight attendants also sent out a message calling on passengers to join hands with Con Dao in an environmental protection campaign, limiting single-use plastic products during their stay on the island. In 2023, the market share of transporting tourists by air accounts for about 72% of the total number of visitors to Con Dao./. The U.S. Education Department's Office for Civil Rights has expanded its scrutiny to include three additional universities for possible violations of federal laws prohibiting discrimination based on shared ancestry. The latest additions to the list of investigated institutions are the University of Hawaii at Manoa, Western University of Health Sciences, and Eastern Washington University. Background The Education Department's Office for Civil Rights has been inundated with complaints alleging instances of antisemitism or Islamophobia, particularly since the outbreak of the conflict between Israel and Hamas in early October. Responding to this surge in complaints, the department commenced publicly identifying institutions under investigation in mid-November. These investigations primarily focus on potential breaches of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This statute mandates that federally funded educational institutions safeguard students against discrimination based on race, color, or national origin. According to the Education Department, this protection extends to individuals belonging to ethnic or religious groups with shared ancestry, including Jews, Muslims, and others. READ ALSO: U.S. Investigates Alleged Shared-Ancestry Discrimination at 5 More HEIS, Including UC Berkeley Implications and Response The addition of these three universities to the list underscores the intensifying efforts by federal authorities to address allegations of discrimination within educational settings. While the specific nature of the allegations against each institution remains undisclosed, the investigations indicate a broader concern regarding potential bias related to shared ancestry. The universities under scrutiny are obligated to cooperate fully with the Education Department's inquiries. Failure to address any substantiated violations could lead to repercussions, including the loss of federal funding or the implementation of corrective measures to rectify discriminatory practices. In response to the investigations, university officials have reiterated their commitment to fostering inclusive and equitable environments for all students, faculty, and staff. Many institutions have emphasized their ongoing efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives on campus, including educational programs, cultural awareness events, and sensitivity training. However, critics argue that these investigations raise questions about the prevalence of discriminatory behavior within higher education institutions and the adequacy of existing measures to address such issues. They urge universities to take proactive steps to address systemic biases and ensure that all members of their communities are treated fairly and respectfully. Looking Ahead As the investigations progress, stakeholders, including students, faculty, and advocacy groups, will be closely monitoring developments and advocating for accountability and transparency in the resolution of these cases. The outcomes of these investigations are likely to have broader implications for educational policies and practices, influencing efforts to combat discrimination and promote inclusivity in academic settings nationwide. Additionally, the Education Department's actions may prompt universities to reassess their diversity and inclusion policies and make necessary adjustments to ensure compliance with federal regulations. Ultimately, the goal is to create educational environments that are welcoming and supportive for students of all backgrounds, fostering a culture of respect and equity. RELATED ARTICLE: Harvard University Faces Dual Investigations into Ancestry Discrimination The Alabama Legislature, dominated by Republicans, approved a bill targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in public higher education institutions. The bill, known as Senate Bill 129, aims to restrict discussions on what it terms "divisive concepts" and regulate transgender individuals' access to campus facilities. Controversial Provisions One of the most contentious aspects of Senate Bill 129 is its potential impact on free speech within academic settings. The bill could potentially prevent faculty members from teaching certain topics, including discussions on the notion that meritocracy is inherently racist, even if presented critically. Jeremy Young, the program director for Freedom to Learn at PEN America, criticized the bill, stating that it would impose severe restrictions on academic freedom, possibly making it "the most restrictive educational gag order in the country." READ ALSO: Alabama GOP's Proposed Bill Raises Concerns of Silencing Faculty in DEI Discussions Legislative Approval and Next Steps Although the final vote tally had not been posted on the state Legislature's website as of Tuesday night, reports indicate that the bill received approval from the state Senate by a vote of 25 to 4 after amendments were made by the state House of Representatives. The amended version of Senate Bill 129 now awaits the signature or veto of Governor Kay Ivey, a Republican. The bill had previously passed the Senate in a party-line vote of 26 to 7, just two days after its introduction. While the House amendments removed certain provisions related to the protection of free speech, critics argue that the changes do not effectively address the concerns regarding academic freedom and intellectual diversity. In summary, the passage of Senate Bill 129 represents a significant development in Alabama's legislative landscape, sparking debates over the balance between academic freedom and legislative intervention in higher education. Response and Criticism Following the passage of Senate Bill 129, there has been a mixed response from various stakeholders. Supporters of the bill argue that it is necessary to protect students from being exposed to what they perceive as divisive ideologies in educational settings. They contend that the legislation upholds traditional values and prevents indoctrination on college campuses. However, opponents of the bill, including civil rights groups and academic organizations, have raised concerns about its potential chilling effect on free speech and academic inquiry. They argue that restricting discussions on certain topics could stifle open dialogue and critical thinking, undermining the educational mission of universities. Critics also point out that Senate Bill 129 may disproportionately impact marginalized communities, including LGBTQ+ individuals and people of color, by limiting their access to resources and support services aimed at promoting diversity and inclusion. Implications for Higher Education The passage of Senate Bill 129 raises significant concerns about the future of higher education in Alabama and beyond. If signed into law, the bill could set a precedent for other states considering similar legislation, potentially undermining efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion on college campuses nationwide. Furthermore, the potential erosion of academic freedom could have far-reaching consequences for faculty members and students alike, limiting their ability to explore controversial topics and engage in meaningful dialogue. This could hinder the pursuit of knowledge and intellectual growth within academic institutions, ultimately impacting the quality of education provided to students. RELATED ARTICLE: Civil Rights Groups Resist Anti-DEI Legislation in Several States Southeast Asia journalists launch anti-corruption network backed by UNODC Manila (The Philippines), 21 March 2024 To boost reporting on corruption issues in Southeast Asia, journalists from across the region have formed the Journalists Against Corruption (JAC) network this week, with support from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The new JAC network will serve as a platform for interested journalists to investigate and expose corruption issues through national and regional investigative collaboration and training opportunities. The 35 journalists gathered in Manila this week to launch it represented media organizations such as: Tempo and Project Multatuli in Indonesia; The Nation and Green News in Thailand; Sinar Project in Malaysia; Camboja News in Cambodia; the National Radio and TV of Timor-Leste; plus reporters from Lao PDR and Philippines outlets including Rappler, GMA News and ABS-CBN. Other regional journalists from Viet Nam and Singapore also made online commitments to participate in the JAC network. JAC is a network that unites media practitioners dedicated to investigating and exposing corruption issues. It is a platform to upscale national and regional collaborative investigations and provide training that meets the needs of local journalists, said Carmela Fonbuena, executive director of the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ). Building on its experience in developing the Pacific Anti-Corruption Journalists Network (PACJN) and in supporting national media throughout Southeast Asia and Mongolia, UNODC has partnered with PCIJ to form the network, with support from the Government of Sweden and the US International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL). The creation of the JAC network marks a significant step forward in our shared mission to tackle corruption as a whole-of-society issue, UNODC Country Manager for the Philippines Daniele Marchesi told journalists at the launch. He also acknowledged UNODCs role as the guardian of the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), the only legally binding universal anti-corruption instrument. Investigative journalists shine a light on hidden corruption, holding those in power accountable and bringing injustices to the forefront of the public discourse. In regions like Southeast Asia, your stories can bring about change, influence policies, and inspire collective action against corruption, Marchesi added. Beyond the 2024 pilot period, JAC is designed to be a self-sustaining network, with devolved national focal points bringing the benefits of regional collaboration to the national level. We can see the important role that free and independent media plays in the fight against corruption. Sweden will continue to be a clear voice in supporting an independent and free media and the fight against corruption, said Erica Villborg, Programme Specialist in Human Rights, Democracy and Gender Equality Development Cooperation at the Swedish Embassy in Bangkok. Click here to learn more about UNODCs anti-corruption efforts in Southeast Asia and the Pacific. Click here to learn more about the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC). The government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is mulling over bringing technical and vocational training in the province at international standard and launching a scheme of work place-based training to the under-training students in industrial and technical sectors to utilize the skilled manpower in domestic and foreign market PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Mar, 2024) The government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is mulling over bringing technical and vocational training in the province at international standard and launching a scheme of work place-based training to the under-training students in industrial and technical sectors to utilize the skilled manpower in domestic and foreign markets. The model of this training project instead of teaching theory will consist of practical in technical and vocational institutions while the graduated students and skilled workers under the project will also be given a reasonable stipend during their practical training. In this regard, a meeting regarding Technical education and Vocational Training Authority was held under the chairmanship of Special Assistant to Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for Technical Education and Industries and Commerce, Abdul Karim Tordhirs here on Thursday. Besides, the Managing Director (MD) TEVTA Aamir Afaq and Director Finance Munir Gul, other officials also attended the meeting. The Special Assistant was briefed regarding the basic outline of the plan of the said proposed project and given details regarding its usefulness and importance. Speaking in the occasion, the Special Assistant instructed that in order to equip the youth in the province with employment and to take advantage of the abundant opportunities available for manpower in technical and professional fields in the country and abroad, he said equipping youth with market-oriented skills is essential. He said that for this purpose, acquiring a paper degree is not enough, but the students under the training of technical institutions in the industry and all other technical fields must be exposed to practical training, for which the new proposed project is very important. He directed implementation of the project to make it fruitful and useful in all aspects and it should be placed in the board of TEVTA for its approval and courses with demand and industries and technical fields should be included while a reasonable and transparent procedure should be devised for the selection and classification of students to benefit all the districts of the province. He also directed the TEVTA authorities to generate income from their institutions and machinery to utilize them usefully and also introduce various models in this regard. APP/aqk (@Abdulla99267510) Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi delegates this critical responsibility to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), forming specialized teams dedicated to combating electricity and gas theft. ISLAMABAD: UrduPoint/UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News-March 21st, 2024) Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Thursday ordered a comprehensive crackdown on electricity and gas theft nationwide, emphasizing the need for strict enforcement against offenders. Naqvi delegated this critical responsibility to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), forming specialized teams dedicated to combating electricity and gas theft. He underscored the importance of taking legal action against individuals engaged in these illegal activities. These directives were issued during a meeting chaired by Mohsin Naqvi in Islamabad on Thursday, where FIA officials presented a comprehensive report on a recent boat accident in Greece. Additionally, it was highlighted that the government's vigorous measures against "Hundi" and "Hawala" transactions have bolstered the stability of the Pakistani rupee. Naqvi also emphasized the necessity of prosecuting those involved in human trafficking, urging stringent measures against individuals conducting "Hundi" and "Hawala" businesses. Furthermore, in a statement on social media platform X, the Interior Minister assured that the crackdown on electricity and gas theft would be impartial, with all culpable parties held accountable and subjected to legal action. He reiterated that these proactive measures aim to curb the widespread theft of essential utilities, ensuring equitable access for all citizens while upholding the rule of law. (@FahadShabbir) BRUSSELS, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Mar, 2024) Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has arrived here to attend the First Nuclear Energy Summit on Thursday. He was received by Ambassador of Pakistan to the European Union, Belgium and Luxembourg Amna Baloch. Besides participating in the Summit, Foreign Minister Dar will hold bilateral meetings with leaders and foreign ministers of participating countries, a press release issued by Foreign Office said. The foreign ministers participation in the Summit will contribute to further strengthening of Pakistans collaboration with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and developing a shared perspective on peaceful uses of nuclear energy. (@Abdulla99267510) Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch says Pakistan has also conveyed to the US authorities the importance of this project for its energy security. ISLAMABAD: (UrduPoint/UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News-March 21st, 2024) Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said it is the sovereign decision of Pakistani government to move forward on Pakistan and Iran gas pipeline project. Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that Pakistan has also conveyed to the US authorities the importance of this project for its energy security. She also made it clear that at this point there is no room for any discussion or waiver from any third party for the construction of the pipeline inside Pakistan's territory. She gave these remarks while addressing weekly briefing at the Foreing Office in Islamabad on Thursday (today). When asked about the concerns raised at the US congressional hearing over the alleged rigging in the general elections, the spokesperson said some statements made there reflected misunderstanding of Pakistan's domestic situation and electoral laws. She hoped to engage in meaningful discussion with the US to address these misunderstandings. She said Pakistan values its close relations with the US and believes in constructive engagement with it. She said Pakistan respects the prerogative of legislative bodies to discuss international issues. She, however, said the deliberations of these legislative bodies should contribute promoting positive dynamics in bilateral ties based on mutual respect and understanding. Responding to volley of questions regarding Pakistan's recent targeted and intelligence based operation inside Afghanistan, the spokesperson clarified it was not directed against the government and the institutions or people of Afghanistan but it was against terrorist hideouts and sanctuaries. She said Pakistan has on multiple occasions shared concrete evidence and intelligence with the Afghan authorities about the presence of terrorist sanctuaries inside Afghanistan. She said it is a reality that terrorists especially the TTP have their basis in Afghanistan. This is not just Pakistan's assertion but also confirmed by the international observers including reports by the United Nations. The spokesperson said Pakistan respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Afghanistan and looking forward to work together to find joint solutions in countering terrorism and preventing any terrorist entity from sabotaging bilateral relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan. She emphasized we should be partners in peace and partner against terrorism. To a question, the spokesperson said Pakistan is committed to protecting CPEC related projects including Gwadar port. When asked about the Indian Home Minister Amit Shah recent remarks that Azad Kashmir is part of India, the spokesperson said these are unwarranted and based on fallacy. She said Jammu and Kashmir is an internationally recognized dispute whose final disposition is to be made by the Kashmiri people in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions. She emphasized that instead of staking claim on Azad Kashmir, it is important for India to respect the rights of the people of illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir. ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Mar, 2024) The full dress rehearsal of the Armed Forces for Pakistan Day Parade left numerous spectators spellbound along the Expressway while observing the aerial acrobats of the fighter aircraft of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and the Sherdil's T-37 aircraft that painted the sky with multicolors. The Shakarparian Parade Ground has become the center of attraction of every commuter entering the Federal capital for their daily chores and employment purposes that pause and rest at the road sides to observe the thundering fighter jets hovering over scenic Parade Ground surrounded by thick green cover. Absa Alam, a female entrepreneur told APP that she was heading towards her office when she heard the roaring sounds of the JF-17 Thunder. "I can assume that its the pride of the nation JF-17 thunder because it had the loudest engine sound that deafened everyone's ears. But, I must say that there is an unexplainable motivation and pleasure to witnesses the armed forces troops and PAF fighter jets doing aerial acrobats," she said. Alam said it took a great deal of motivation to join this sacred duty of defending your motherland in khaki as it was a noble yet thrilling and daring task. "I captured many spectacular views of the F-16, J-17 and the team Sherdil of PAF that left the sky painted with different colours during the acrobats," she added. Nasir Ali, a tourist said he was going to Blue Area for his office work but the roars of fighter jets glued him to the roadside to stay and witness the aerial acrobats. "I really found it motivating and energizing as I got goosebumps on my skin. My daughter admires Shaheed PAF fighter pilot Marium Mukhtiar and wants to become a fighter pilot too. I captured a few visuals to show that she would really love to watch on my mobile phone," he added. Tayyab and Muttayab, twin brothers said that they had bunked their college to see the aerial acrobats. "It is one of the rare occasions as it will again take place after an year near next Pakistan Day. We really loved the Team Sherdil acrobats and other fighter jets. We find every fighter jet one of the best but its hard to differentiate or identify between any because for us every jet is F-16 or JF-17 Thunder," he added. The twins also captured visuals and pictures of the aircraft performing aerial acrobats and drills over the Parade Ground and claimed that it would be great memory for them. Akram Abbas, an elderly who was standing on the overhead bridge told that he was going to cross the road to catch Metro Bus but waited to witness the fighter jets. "Every passing aircraft sound warms your blood because it reminds us of our brave sons of the soil who had sacrificed for the defence of our motherland. Our prayers, regards, emotions and love always remain with every soldier, sailor and pilot who takes up his or her task in the field to protect the country," he added. /395 Chairman WAPDA, Engineer Lieutenant General Sajjad Ghani (Retd), announced Thursday that eight under-construction WAPDA projects will contribute 9.7 Million Acre Feet (MAF) of water to irrigate 3.9 MA of land ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Mar, 2024) Chairman WAPDA, Engineer Lieutenant General Sajjad Ghani (Retd), announced Thursday that eight under-construction WAPDA projects will contribute 9.7 Million Acre Feet (MAF) of water to irrigate 3.9 MA of land. In his statement on the occasion of World Water Day, the Chairman stated, WAPDAs ongoing projects encompass the Diamer Basha Dam, Mohmand Dam, Dasu Hydropower Project, Tarbela 5th Extension, Kurram Tangi Dam Stage 1, Nai Gaj Million Acre Feet Dam, Kachhi Canal Extension, and Greater Karachi Bulk Water Supply Scheme (K-IV). These projects are slated for completion in phases from 2024 to 2029. Upon completion, they will augment the country's gross water storage by 9.7 MAF, adequately catering to an additional 3.9 million acres of land for irrigation purposes, and providing 950 million gallons per day for drinking purposes in Karachi and Peshawar. Furthermore, he highlighted that these initiatives will also elevate WAPDA's hydel generation capacity within the next four to five years, increasing it from 9,500 MW to 19,500 MW, thereby adding approximately 10,000 MW of clean, green, and low-cost hydel electricity. He emphasized the critical importance of water, stating that it is indispensable not only for sustaining life but also for fostering human development on Earth. Pakistan is fortunate to be endowed with abundant water resources. It is incumbent upon us to efficiently utilize these resources for the betterment of our populace and the nation, remarked the Chairman. He underscored WAPDA's pivotal role in national development since its establishment in 1958, asserting its unwavering commitment to ensuring Pakistan's water, food, and energy security. PM Pham Minh Chinh (R) and RoK Ambassador Choi Young Sam (Photo: VNA) At the reception for RoK Ambassador Choi Young Sam, PM Pham Minh Chinh said both sides need to strengthen political ties and cooperation across various development sectors to match the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership. He called for promoting sustainable and balanced growth in trade and encouraged Korean firms to expand their operations in Vietnam, with a focus on areas where the RoK excels such as cultural industry, electronics, shipbuilding, and emerging fields like semiconductors and artificial intelligence. The PM also proposed that the RoK continue expanding people-to-people exchanges and tourism cooperation, and receive more Vietnamese skilled workers. He suggested that both sides enhance coordination at global and regional forums, with a specific request for the RoKs assistance for Vietnam in hosting the Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030 summit in 2025. Choi, for his part, affirmed that the RoK Government considers Vietnam a priority in its current foreign policy and wishes to foster bilateral relations with Vietnam. He agreed with the cooperation directions outlined by PM Pham Minh Chinh, particularly in maintaining the exchange of all-level delegations and increasing all-around collaboration. The diplomat also committed his utmost efforts to contribute to Vietnam-RoK comprehensive strategic partnership throughout his tenure in Vietnam. At a reception for Lao Ambassador to Vietnam, Khamphao Ernthavanh (Photo: VNA) Hosting the new Lao Ambassador to Vietnam, Khamphao Ernthavanh the same day, PM Pham Minh Chinh highlighted the need for both nations to effectively carry out high-level agreements and existing cooperation mechanisms, especially the outcomes of the recent meeting between the two Parties and the 46th session of the Vietnam-Laos Inter-Governmental Committee. He wished that relevant agencies of both countries would better coordinate to tackle obstacles to develop economic, trade and investment ties to a level that matches the close political relations between Vietnam and Laos, with a focus on strategic and locality-to-locality cooperation; infrastructure connectivity, energy and workforce training projects; and mutual support at global and regional forums. The Vietnamese Government will continue assisting Laos in performing its role as ASEAN Chair 2024 and Chair of the 45th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), he said, adding that together, they will strive to maintain ASEAN's unity and centrality, step up the building of the ASEAN Community while effectively addressing common challenges./. (@ChaudhryMAli88) Sofia, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Mar, 2024) A rising tide of anti-migrant misinformation has flooded Bulgaria, stoking rallies and xenophobia ahead of Sofia's partial accession to the European Union's visa-free Schengen zone. After more than a decade of talks, EU members Bulgaria and Romania finally got the green signal in December to join the Schengen zone, but only for air and sea travel, from the end of this month. The move came after Austria lifted its veto. But in exchange, Vienna insisted that Bulgaria and Romania take back asylum seekers who entered Europe through those countries. The bloc's so-called Dublin regulation stipulates that migrants must apply for asylum in their first European port of call. The pro-Western government in the EU's poorest country has consequently faced attacks both from the left and the far-right. In January, the leader of the pro-Russian Vazrazhdane party Kostadin Kostadinov, said Bulgaria could become "the world's biggest refugee camp". Some far-right politicians posted videos on social media they said showed "migrants beating up young Bulgarians" in Sofia. Police, however, described the incident as an altercation between two rival Bulgarian groups. Security has been stepped up in the capital and at refugee centres after several incidents targeting foreigners and anti-refugee rallies. "There is no migration crisis, but a crisis narrative that poses a real threat to security," said Idliko Otoya, a migration expert and lecturer at Sofia University. Unlike most Western countries, the majority of Bulgarian politicians were choosing to get involved, she added. An Israeli strike on Wednesday killed three Palestinians in a car in the occupied West Bank, including a senior Islamic Jihad militant, the Palestinian health ministry said Jenin, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Mar, 2024) An Israeli strike on Wednesday killed three Palestinians in a car in the occupied West Bank, including a senior Islamic Jihad militant, the Palestinian health ministry said. AFP journalists saw a crowd gathered around the charred remains of a vehicle and blood on the pavement in the northern West Bank city of Jenin after the army said "an aircraft struck two senior Islamic Jihad operatives". The military said it had "eliminated" Ahmed Barakat, whom it accused of a May 2023 attack that killed an Israeli settler. Three other militants were also "struck" in the attack, according to a military statement. According to the Palestinian ministry, the strike killed three people including Barakat, and wounded one. Islamic Jihad's armed wing confirmed in a statement that Barakat, whom it said headed its military operations in Jenin, had been killed. Witness Amir al-Sabah, 30, said: "Suddenly there was an explosion near my car. Because of the force of the blast, my car caught fire, so I had to get out." Emergency workers sprayed blood off the street with a hose after the strike, while a drone could be heard buzzing overhead. Jenin and its adjacent refugee camp are a stronghold of armed Palestinian groups opposing Israel, which has occupied the West Bank since 1967. Israeli troops regularly carry out incursions into Palestinian communities but until several months ago had rarely struck the West Bank from the air. Violence in the territory has intensified since war broke out between Israel and Hamas, sparked by the Gaza militants' October attack on southern Israel. According to the Ramallah-based health ministry, Israeli troops and settlers have killed at least 435 Palestinians in the West Bank since the Gaza war began. A new French cafe is hoping to break into New York's notoriously competitive food scene while also offering opportunity to people with mental and cognitive disabilities New York, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Mar, 2024) A new French cafe is hoping to break into New York's notoriously competitive food scene while also offering opportunity to people with mental and cognitive disabilities. Cafe Joyeux is an "inclusive" chain of restaurants staffed by workers with autism and Down syndrome that has made a mark in France and other European countries and is now targeting the Big Apple. The company's newest branch, Cafe Joyeux Lexington, has picked a cheery corner in the bustling Midtown business district for the company's American debut. Officially inaugurated on Thursday in parallel with World Down Syndrome Day, founder Yann Bucaille-Lanrezac told AFP he is "arriving very humbly" to Manhattan. The social entrepreneur from Brittany opened the first Cafe Joyeux in Rennes, in the west of France, in 2017 with his wife Lydwine Bucaille. Since then, the company has opened 14 other restaurants in France, four in Portugal and one in Belgium. The chain has hosted some high-profile visitors. The Parisian restaurant on the Champs-Elysees was inaugurated in 2020 by President Emmanuel Macron, while the Lisbon branch opened in 2022 with a visit from Macron's Portuguese counterpart, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. Thursday's Manhattan opening is not expected to feature comparable luminaries, but the 21st Cafe Joyeux is hoping to leave a mark. - Nonprofit model - Though his company currently employs a total of 169 team members in Europe with disabilities, Bucaille-Lanrezac is clear about not wanting to "lecture the Americans." He described the New York offshoot of Cafe Joyeux as "an American project" established in a very American setting: among the businesses, banks, law firms, insurers and hotels located about 10 blocks north of Grand Central Station. "We got help from specialists in inclusion, neurodivergence and cognitive disability, in particular AHRC and Autism Speaks, which have been active in New York for decades, and are helping us to support our employees," explained the Frenchman. It took more than two years to set up a local nonprofit organization to receive philanthropic support through tax-exempt donations, a model typically employed in the United States. In one of the most expensive cities in the world, Cafe Joyeux has been "loaned" a retail unit for ten years at no cost by the real estate developer Boston Property Group. The space, with capacity for about 30 guests, was decorated by French designer Sarah Lavoine and is now a place to enjoy Italian coffees and simple dishes created by chef Thierry Marx -- at New York prices, of course. To gain a foothold in the fast-casual food market, which is still experiencing a labor shortage in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, Bucaille-Lanrezac recruited a non-disabled director and supervisors who will manage a team of 14 staff members with autism, Down syndrome and cognitive disabilities. These include Peter Anderson Jr., a waiter, dishwasher and barista in his twenties who pointed out that "in a lot of places, you don't have any jobs that can support people with those types of disabilities." But "we have equal rights as (any other) person should be treated in working a job," he added. - Many excluded from employment - According to official statistics, there are seven million adults in the United States with mental and cognitive disabilities. Some 80 percent are excluded from the job market. While describing herself as autistic, Rachel Barcellona holds a university degree and won the Miss Florida pageant in 2023. Nonetheless, "it's very hard for us to find a job," Barcellona told AFP. "Usually people won't hire us no matter how qualified or over-qualified we are. If you just say 'I have autism' or 'I have Down syndrome' people won't hire (us) ... we are just seen as a burden and that's not fair." Bucaille-Lanrezac said his team in New York "has a chance to progress, to demonstrate that in the heart of a city with a very demanding and very busy clientele, they can create value and bring a good product and a high quality service." Early supporters include customer Giovana Mullins. The 30-year-old, who works in the disability sector, complained about impersonal service at large coffee chains dominant in New York. Cafe Joyeux has a different vibe, she said. "As a customer walking in, even if you don't know what this coffee shop is all about, you come in and you feel the energy and you feel the joy" she said. Barcelona, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Mar, 2024) Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont is to unveil Thursday his plans for Catalonia's snap May election, a move that could bring forward his return home after years of self-imposed exile. A European Parliament lawmaker who fled Spain for Belgium to avoid prosecution over the botched 2017 Catalan independence bid, Puigdemont plans to announce whether he is running in the vote at a 7:00 pm (1800 GMT) press conference in southern France. "We went into exile for the same reasons that we will return, the future of our nation," Puigdemont, who was Catalan regional leader at the time of the secession bid, wrote on X. Last week, Pere Aragones, the current leader, called a May 12 snap election in the wealthy northeastern region, on the eve of a key parliamentary vote in which Spanish lawmakers approved an amnesty law for Catalan separatists. The bill, which aims to draw a line under years of efforts to prosecute those linked to the independence bid, is currently before the Senate but will return to the lower house for a final green light in around two months. At the time, a smiling Puigdemont, 61, had told reporters it could mean he would be back in Spain to welcome the new Catalan leader into office. But his hardline separatist JxCat party did little to hide their enthusiasm to see him run in the high-stakes election, even if he would not be back in time to campaign in person. "With the amnesty bill, his outlook is no longer exile but return," JxCat's secretary general Jordi Turull told El Pais newspaper. Named Catalan leader in 2016, Puigdemont led the independence bid the following year that sparked Spain's worst political crisis in decades before fleeing to Brussels, where he was elected a eurodeputy in 2019. (UroToday.com) The 2024 Southeastern Section of the AUA (SESAUA) annual meeting featured a Health Services Research and Socioeconomics session and a presentation by Avani Desai discussing the feasibility and outcomes of interventions to reduce cystoscopy discomfort. Each year, over a million individuals undergo office cystoscopy for bladder cancer diagnosis and surveillance.1 Approximately one-third of patients experience major discomfort during office cystoscopy, and over 40% of bladder cancer patients have substantial anxiety associated with cystoscopy.2 Thus, reducing cystoscopy discomfort is among the highest areas of importance for bladder cancer patients and their caregivers.3 A previously published meta-analysis evaluated studies for reducing this discomfort through medical or environmental methods, with these interventions having evidence of efficacy, but not yet being widely implemented or compared with each other.4 As such, Avani Desai and colleagues initiated a quality improvement project that explored interventions to decrease pain and anxiety among cystoscopy patients. The objectives of this study were to assess efficacy of interventions to decrease pain and anxiety during cystoscopy and to understand implementation challenges to inform design of a future comparative effectiveness trial. In this study, 110 adults underwent office cystoscopy at the University of North Carolina. Participants were offered 20 mL intraurethral 2% lidocaine with a dwell time of 10 or >10 minutes and either listening to music on headphones or real-time visualization of cystoscopy: If a patient declined the offered intervention, their requested intervention was provided and recorded. After the procedure, patients recorded pain during cystoscopy on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS; range 0-10), pain intensity (PROMIS; range 1-5), and emotional distress-anxiety. The majority of patients received cystoscopy for bladder cancer surveillance (57.3%) or hematuria evaluation (26.4%), with patients averaging 3.91 prior cystoscopies (SD 6.16). Each intervention was offered to 23-27% of patients: Overall, 30 patients declined their offered inventions, 25 of whom were offered music and instead requested visualization: Most declining patients presented for bladder cancer surveillance (67%) or hematuria (20%) and had undergone cystoscopy previously (73%). Multiple regression analysis controlling for age, number of prior cystoscopies, and cystoscopy indication showed that visualization (t = -3.21, p = 0.002) and music (t = -2.25, p = 0.027) were independently associated with decreased VAS, whereas increased lidocaine dwell time was not (t = -1.62, p = 0.109). Similarly, visualization (t = -3.79, p < 0.001) and music (t = -3.72, p < 0.001) were independently associated with reduced PROMIS Pain, measuring pain intensity, whereas increased lidocaine dwell time was not (t = -0.24, p = 0.813): No intervention was significantly associated with reduced emotional distress-anxiety. Avani Desai concluded her presentation discussing the feasibility and outcomes of interventions to reduce cystoscopy discomfort with the following summary statements: Visualizing office cystoscopy in real-time or listen to music during the procedure are simple, accessible, and efficacious means of significantly reducing pain and discomfort related to cystoscopy Visualization may be particularly valuable for patients presenting for bladder cancer surveillance, for potential bladder cancer diagnosis, or those who have had a cystoscopy before, as these individuals tended to reject alternate environmental interventions in favor of visualization Defining the effectiveness of patient-centered interventions to reduce cystoscopy discomfort can increase tolerance of an invasive procedure, and improve adherence to recommended follow-up cystoscopy procedures Future directions include evaluation of these interventions in a large, multi-institutional, randomized trial to further compare efficacy and assess which interventions work best for different patient subgroups, allowing for the implementation of more tailored approaches. Presented by: Avani Desai, MD Candidate, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC Written by: Zachary Klaassen, MD, MSc Urologic Oncologist, Associate Professor of Urology, Georgia Cancer Center, Wellstar MCG Health, @zklaassen_md on Twitter during the 2024 Southeastern Section of the American Urological Association (SESAUA) Annual Meeting, Austin, TX, Wed, Mar 20 Sat, Mar 23, 2024. References: (UroToday.com) The 2024 American Urological Association (AUA) Southeastern Section annual meeting held in Austin, TX between March 20th and 23rd hosted a prostate cancer poster session. Dr. Zachary Klaassen presented the results of a real-world analysis (DEAR) comparing darolutamide, enzalutamide, and apalutamide for non-metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC) patients in the United States. Currently, there are three androgen receptor pathway inhibitors (darolutamide, enzalutamide, and apalutamide) approved for the treatment of patients with nmCRPC.1-3 To date, there are no head-to-head trials comparing these agents in the nmCRPC setting. As such, real-world comparative evidence is needed to inform practice in this setting. DEAR is the first study to compare real-world utilization, outcomes, and occurrence of adverse events between these agents in men with nmCRPC. In this study, patients were classified into one of three treatment cohorts, based on the androgen receptor pathway inhibitor first prescribed at the nmCRPC stage: The study inclusion criteria were as follows: Men aged 18 years at the index date Diagnosed with nmCRPC before their first ever androgen receptor treatment initiation Minimum 6-months baseline period and a 6-month follow-up period, unless the patient died earlier The study exclusion criteria were as follows: Evidence of metastatic disease before or 30 days after the index date Prior history of other primary cancers, except non-melanoma skin cancer, in the 5 years before the index date Prior use of a novel antihormonal agent (darolutamide, enzalutamide, apalutamide, or abiraterone acetate) Initiation of multiple androgen receptor pathway inhibitors recorded on the same date Evidence of inclusion in clinical trials during the study period For each androgen receptor pathway inhibitor cohort, the overall proportion of patients who discontinued initial treatment and who progressed to mCRPC during the study, the reasons for discontinuation, and the proportion of patients with adverse events were described. Kaplan-Meier estimates of time to discontinuation of initial treatment and time to progression were calculated. Cox proportional hazards models were used to compare time to treatment discontinuation and time to progression to mCRPC between treatment cohorts, before and after adjusting for baseline factors, which included: age, race, insurance coverage, index year, PSA, PSA doubling time, time from nmCRPC diagnosis to index date, and Gleason score. The observed baseline characteristics and duration of follow-up were similar across the three treatment cohorts: Compared to nmCRPC patients receiving enzalutamide and apalutamide, those receiving darolutamide had 27.4% and 39.1% lower rates of discontinuation of initial androgen receptor pathway inhibitor treatment, respectively. Summarized below are the reasons for treatment discontinuation, most commonly adverse events-related across all three treatment groups: Compared to nmCRPC patients receiving enzalutamide and apalutamide, those receiving darolutamide had 40.6% and 35.3% lower rates of progression to mCRPC, respectively. Patients receiving darolutamide had a lower incidence of adverse events, compared with those receiving enzalutamide or apalutamide. Dr. Klaassen noted the following limitations to this analysis: While the analysis adjusts for observed differences in baseline characteristics between the 3 treatment cohorts, unobserved confounding factors may also influence treatment duration and clinical outcomes in the absence of randomization. Other limitations may include the ability to generalize results to other patient populations, although limitations related to the mismeasurement or missingness of study variables would affect results only to the extent that cohorts were affected differently He concluded that: This is the first real-world analysis assessing treatment discontinuation and underlying reasons for discontinuation, progression to mCRPC, and incidence of adverse events for the 3 androgen receptor pathway inhibitors approved for nmCRPC (darolutamide, enzalutamide, and apalutamide). Observed baseline characteristics and median duration of follow-up (~2 years) were similar across the 3 treatment cohorts Results suggest that treatment with darolutamide was associated with lower rates of treatment discontinuation and progression to mCRPC, compared with enzalutamide and apalutamide In addition, a lower proportion of patients had adverse events on darolutamide, compared with enzalutamide and apalutamide Future studies are needed to confirm these results in other populations or using other data sources Presented by: Zachary Klaassen, MD, MSc, Associate Professor, Department of Urology, Wellstar MCG Health, Augusta, GA Written by: Rashid Sayyid, MD, MSc Society of Urologic Oncology (SUO) Clinical Fellow at The University of Toronto, @rksayyid on Twitter during the 2024 Southeastern Section of the American Urological Association (SESAUA) Annual Meeting, Austin, TX, Wed, Mar 20 Sat, Mar 23, 2024. References: (UroToday.com) The 2024 Southeastern Section of the AUA (SESAUA) annual meeting featured a State of the Art Lecture by Dr. Ruchika Talwar discussing online tools to decrease out-of-pocket prescription costs for our urology patients. Dr. Talwar started by emphasizing that the objectives of this presentation are not to solve Americas problem of unaffordable prescription medication, nor is it to discuss why treatment prices are so high in America and figure out who is to blame, but rather to be able to provide guidance for when patients ask their provider Doc, what will this prescription cost me? The scope of the problem is that prescription medications cost $348.4 billion annually. Only 20% of physicians can accurately estimate patient out-of-pocket costs, yet 9 in 10 patients over the age of 65 want their physician to do so. The main barrier is that it is a convoluted and complicated system, and often, no two patients pay the same out-of-pocket costs. Most patients purchase prescription drugs via an insurance benefit or purely pay cash for medications. Moreover, cost sharing varies significantly based on (i) deductibles/high deductible health plans, (ii) co-insurance charging and fixed percentages, (iii) out-of-pocket caps, and (iv) many other models. Dr. Talwar then highlighted several avenues for providers to assist their patients with affordable prescription drugs. The first she discussed is the Medicare Part D Plan Finder. Prior to 2006, Medicare did not cover any drug costs, so the Part D program was created as a voluntary prescription drug benefit, but run by insurance companies. By 2022, 49 million of 65 million Medicare patients were enrolled in Part D plans. Within Medicare Part D, over 25 different plans are available with consistent premiums ($328/month in 2023), but deductible and co-insurance varies leading to variation in out-of-pocket prescription costs. For example, for abiraterone, there was up to $10,000 variation between two different 2022 plans, and for mirabegron, one year of treatment varies between $1,330 to $3,090 in 2024. Going to http://www.medicare.gov/plan-compare patients can find the following prompts/displays: Dr. Talwar concludes that the Medicare Part D Plan Finder is a resource for Medicare patients that allows them to review insurance benefits before renewing plans. Also, it provides transparency regarding prescription costs and annual estimates allowing for proactive financial planning. Secondly, Dr. Talwar discussed the Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company (www.costplusdrugs.com), which is a direct-to-consumer, online, mail delivery pharmacy that does not accept insurance. The price for drugs is equal to the manufacturing cost + 15% markup + 3% pharmacy cost + a $5 shipping fee. This program is different in that it is transparent, has consistent pricing by removing insurance, has pharmacy benefit managers, and also has rebates. This is a good solution for patients with high cost-sharing plans on oral prescription drugs, offering 30-, 60-, and 90-day prescriptions. Providers can send prescriptions directly to the Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company via electronic medical records, with delivery taking 5-7 business days. Of note, this is not a good option for acute issues, such as a urinary tract infection, but can provide low-cost access to quality of life improving medications such as for lower urinary tract symptoms, erectile dysfunction, or chronic conditions. Work from Dr. Talwars group demonstrates significant savings for our patients:1-2 $1.29 billion in taxpayer savings for urological drugs prescribed within Medicare Up to $2 billion in taxpayer savings for Medicare beneficiaries on oral cancer therapy In her groups Journal of Urology article, they compared three direct-to-consumer pharmacies to the Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company for an annual supply of tadalafil [1], with the following costs: Direct-to-consumer pharmacy #1: $1,500 (9 mg, 28/mo, $4.46/pill) Direct-to-consumer pharmacy #2: $1,140 (20 mg, 10/mo, $9.50/pill) Direct-to-consumer pharmacy #3: $5,220 (20 mg, 10/mo, $44.50/pill) Schloegel and colleagues recently assessed the potential urologic prescription drug savings with the Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company.3 They found that a 90 day treatment via the Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company led to savings for 9 of 12 drugs, purchases outside of health insurance: Additionally, the Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company conferred a cost savings for 5 of 12 drugs even compared to those utilizing an insurance benefit. There were significant variations noted, thus underscoring the benefit of pharmacy shopping. Next, Dr. Talwar discussed patients using the Amazon pharmacy (www.amazon.pharmacy.com). This was launched in November 2020 and requires an Amazon Prime membership for discounted offers (and 2 day Prime delivery versus standard 4-5 day shipping). There is no acceptance of insurance and it does have a cash-pay comparison tool. Additionally, the RxPass is $5/month, and refills common generic medications at no additional cost, with no proof of insurance or prescription needed. Amazon pharmacy has partnered with PillPack for organizational packaging of prescriptions by date and time and offers faster shipping than the Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company. Dr. Talwar highlighted that the PillPack + RxPass is helpful for patients with multiple chronic conditions requiring daily medications. Lalani and colleagues recently performed a cross-sectional analysis of five direct-to-consumer pharmacies assessing availability and cost of expensive and common generic prescription drugs.4 The expensive drugs were defined as the 100 generic drugs with the highest cost-per-patient and the common drugs were defined as the 50 generic drugs with the highest number of patients. Among expensive drugs, 80% were available at one or more direct-to-consumer pharmacy, which was 98% for common drugs. For expensive drugs, 47% had the lowest cost at Amazon, 26% at Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company, 14% at Health Warehouse, and 13% at Costco. For common drugs, 31% had the lowest cost at Costco, 27% at Amazon, 20% at Walmart, 12% at Health Warehouse, and 10% at Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company The following figure highlights the frequency of the lowest cost generic drugs available by pharmacy: Finally, Dr. Talwar discussed the option of GoodRx for prescription medications (www.goodrx.com). GoodRx was founded in 2011 by former Facebook engineers. It is free to use and compares the generic/brand prescription drug prices at local pharmacies and cash-pay versus co-pay. Additionally, GoodRx provides patients with coupons to present for discounts, which are only valid at specific locations, over specific time periods. The interface for GoodRx is as follows: GoodRx allows patients to receive discounts on in-person prescription pick-ups and is good for immediate and acute treatment needs (ie. urinary tract infection, pain, etc). In Provider Mode, it allows prescribers to compare local pharmacy out-of-pocket costs for medications and can be used as a decision tool: For additional resources, Dr. Talwar discussed the integrated electronic medical record real time benefit tools at point-of-prescribing. Importantly, in 2021, CMS mandated that all MPD Plan sponsors incorporate real time benefit checks into the electronic medical record software, but implementation has to date been limited. Dr. Talwar concluded her presentation discussing online tools to decrease out-of-pocket prescription costs for our urology patients by highlighting that Online Tools to Decrease Out-of-Pocket Prescription Costs for Patients: A Practical Guide for Urologists has been accepted for publication to Urology Practice: Presented by: Ruchika Talwar, MD, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN Written by: Zachary Klaassen, MD, MSc Urologic Oncologist, Associate Professor of Urology, Georgia Cancer Center, Wellstar MCG Health, @zklaassen_md on Twitter during the 2024 Southeastern Section of the American Urological Association (SESAUA) Annual Meeting, Austin, TX, Wed, Mar 20 Sat, Mar 23, 2024. References: Small-business owners will have the opportunity to learn how to get a first small-business loan request approved Thursday, March 28. Rob Condie will lead a Wyoming Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network workshop titled The Inside Scoop: How to Get Your First Small Business Loan Request Approved from 11:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m. in the Lincoln County Library, located at 519 Emerald St. in Kemmerer. To register, go here. Registration is free, and attendees are encouraged to bring a lunch. The Wyoming SBDC Network offers business expertise to help Wyoming residents think about, launch, grow, reinvent or exit their business. The Wyoming SBDC Network is hosted by the University of Wyoming with state funds from the Wyoming Business Council and funded, in part, through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The workshop, co-sponsored by the U.S. SBA, will take small-business owners behind the scenes and share what it will take to get ready to approach a lender and how small-business owners can increase their chances of getting an approval for their loan requests. The workshop will cover preparing a personal financial statement; checking your credit score; what your safety net looks like if it takes longer than you expect to achieve the revenues youre projecting; and a hands-on case study to review cash flow projections for a loan application to better understand how to evaluate a potential deal from a lenders perspective. Condie is the Wyoming SBDC Network regional director for Lincoln, Sublette, Sweetwater and Uinta counties and a former banking industry professional. Workshop attendees also will have an opportunity to schedule a free one-on-one appointment with Condie to assist with developing cash flow projections for their businesses to help explain to their lenders where the money to repay their loans will come from -- in a format they will understand. For more information, call Maureen Johnson, marketing, communication and database manager for the Wyoming SBDC Network, at (307) 343-0925 or email mjohn125@uwyo.edu. The Wyoming Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network podcast this month features an interview with Steve Shalosky, the organizations new associate state director. The podcast features small-business success stories, educational topics from experts and interviews with staff and leadership. Episodes are typically released twice per month. The Wyoming SBDC Network offers business expertise to help Wyoming residents think about, launch, grow, reinvent or exit their business. The Wyoming SBDC Network is hosted by the University of Wyoming with state funds from the Wyoming Business Council and funded, in part, through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. In the episode, Shalosky discussed his career road in business that led him to his current position. Before joining the Wyoming SBDC Network, Shalosky was the owner of small manufacturing businesses. His experience also includes six years as a business adviser in the North Texas SBDC Network; with his startup; and a long corporate career, working in most aspects of business for some of the best companies in the world. Shalosky also is an Army veteran, where he served as a logistics officer. He is looking forward to visiting other parts of Wyoming. This Wyoming SBDC Network podcast episode and others can be found on Spotify and Google podcasts. Episodes are available at no cost, as are all Wyoming SBDC Network services. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) receives Argentinas Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship Diana Elena Mondino (Photo: VNA) PM Pham Minh Chinh affirmed to his guest that Vietnam always attaches importance to the traditional friendship and comprehensive partnership with Argentina. He expressed satisfaction at the outcomes of the talks between the Argentinean minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son on March 19, saying that the ministers visit will help bolster bilateral relations in the time ahead, with a focus on areas meeting both sides potential and needs such as industry and agriculture. The PM suggested that the two countries continue to exchange delegations, particularly those at high levels, and accelerate talks towards the signing of cooperative documents facilitating business and investment activities, thus further raising bilateral trade value, which has been staying stable and reached 3.45 billion USD in 2023. He asked Argentina to support and push negotiations on a free trade agreement between Vietnam and MERCUSUR, thus contributing to economic development of each country. The government leader also requested that ministries and agencies of both countries to coordinate to promote cooperation in other fields such as culture, sports, tourism, education-training, and security-defence, while exploring collaboration in new realms like climate change adaptation, green growth, digital transformation, circular economy and clean agriculture. In addition, the two countries should enhance mutual support and consultation at multilateral forums and international organisations, PM Chinh said. Minister Mondino affirmed that the Argentinean government attaches importance to Vietnams increasing role and position in the region and the world. She proposed that the two countries promote cooperation in finance, taxation and aviation, which are priorities of Argentina. The minister also asked PM Pham Minh Chinh to push collaboration with Argentina in agriculture and trade, towards the early establishment of a bilateral strategic partnership in industry and agriculture. Mondino briefed the PM on the outcomes of her talks with FM Bui Thanh Son and meetings with Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien and a deputy minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, saying that they have reached agreement on specific measures and a programme on cooperation in agriculture and trade in the time ahead. The minister conveyed an invitation from President Javier Milei to PM Pham Minh Chinh to visit Argentina. The PM accepted the invitation and asked the foreign ministries of the two countries to arrange the visit at a suitable time./. Italy vs Venezuela will be streamed on the Blue To Go app. If you want to watch Italy vs Venezuela online in real time, VAVEL Mexico is your best option. Lamp lighting ceremony to open the course according to Indian tradition (Photo: CPV) The two-week training program (from March 18 to 30) is sponsored by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Program to provide Vietnamese reporters and editors with knowledge of modern media and journalism. 26 reporters and journalists from Vietnamese press agencies are awarded scholarships to attend the course. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Dr. Shashank Goel, General Director of Dr Marri Channa Reddy Human Resource Development Institute and Secretary to the Government in the State of Telangana, said that the training program is based on the long-term friendly cooperation between the two Governments of Vietnam and India. Dr. Shashank Goel, General Director of the Dr. Marri Chenna Reddy Human Resource Development Institute, speaking at the opening ceremony of the course. (Photo: CPV) According to Dr. Shashank Goel, the press serves as a voice of the people, playing an important part in stabilizing a democratic society. Therefore, journalists should perform their functions well. He also emphasized that the emergence of social media platforms (Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, etc) have brought about a profound transformation in the world of media. Thus it is important that the press uphold the principles of accuracy, impartiality and ethical conduct in their pursuit of truth. Vietnamese journalists with professors and experts participating in teaching during the course. (Photo: CPV) Dr. Shashank Goel also affirmed that Vietnam is a country with colorful cultural heritage, a fast-growing economy and strong global integration. In particular, Vietnam and India have many similarities in politics, society and history, so he believes that this course will offer useful knowledge to Vietnamese journalists. He expressed his hope that this course will contribute to further strengthening the communication capacity of Vietnamese reporters and journalists, while promoting the growing bilateral relationship between Vietnam and India. Dr. Madhavi Ravulapati, Director of the course, said the course will focus on new types of journalism, modern journalism skills and content production for social media. The training program is guided and taught by many famous Indian media and press experts./. Against the backdrop of dark early morning Temecula skies at 5:30 a.m., Retired Marine Sergeant Major Emilio Hernandez embarked on a 26-mile journey commemorating The Bataan Memorial Death March from Capt. Aaron J. Contreras Memorial Park in Temecula. The march is to give honor and tribute to the veterans both alive and deceased who braved the events of 1942, and in particular the Bataan Death March that took place in the Philippines during World War II. This is the 13th annual march for Hernandez who marches locally each year for the virtual event, while thousands march at White Sands, New Mexico. Last year the Las Cruces Sun newspaper reported that about 5,000 arrived for the annual march. In 2019, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, there were 10,000 participants reported. In 2019, former POW Valdemar De Herrera, age 103, reported to be the last survivor of the Bataan Death March, was present at the opening ceremony and was recognized by WSMR Commander Brig. Gen. Eric Little. "While you're marching through the high desert this morning, likely into the afternoon, remember those who were forced to participate in a very different march 81 years ago, many to the death. When your feet hurt, knees, hips, whatever the body part, think about them. Use that as fuel to reinforce your remembrance of these great heroes. We, everyone marching, really are privileged with the opportunity to honor sacrifice today," Little said. Why does Hernandez do this every year? He said, "For many reasons, but the main one, because I have the privilege to do it." He shared the importance of remembering the sacrifices of those who paved the way before us. He recounted the brutal conditions of the Bataan Death March. "The rain today reminds us of the unpredictable and harsh conditions faced by those who marched through Bataan," he remarked, acknowledging the rain as both a physical challenge and a poignant reminder of the hardships endured by the prisoners of war. Hernandez continued, "If you read about the Bataan Death March, I mean, that's exactly what it was. It was a march where the Japanese moved U.S. Marines and Army prisoners of war, Filipino Marines as well as thousands of Filipino civilian prisoners of war and some Air National Guard. They moved them for about 60 miles through a triple canopy jungle. Some were very malnourished, some were sick, had malaria, you name it. They literally were marching them to death. It got to the point where they were very, very slow as I was, here in some of the hills, but what happened to them is that the Japanese would stack them in three and use a bayonet to kill three in one stroke so that they could save bullets." The American and Filipino forces had surrendered after seven months of fighting. There were reported to be as many as 75,000. "So I do this because I can, because of men like them," Hernandez said, while pointing to his neighbor, veteran Michael Higgins, who made the trek with him that day, carrying a flag as well. "Men like him who paved the road for our freedoms and our liberty. So my pains don't come close to their families - the Gold Star families and also law enforcement." Marching with Hernandez and Higgins was Higgins' guide dog, two other neighbors Lily and Djan Stekovic, as well as an unnamed person who joined somewhere en route with their dog. Hernandez's wife Nary Hernandez, is a nurse. She provided support and encouragement throughout the day and refreshments and a cake at the end of the march. Hernandez spoke of supportive members in the community being crucial as well. "You have nurses, you have doctors that put others before themselves. I would like to bring the community together because again, everybody's important. I would like to one day get to where we come together and do something bigger than us." He shared how gratifying it is, during the march, for people to be waving at him from their cars or maybe walking alongside for a little while in a show of support. He hopes to grow the march into a community event that transcends individual participation, bringing together civilians, veterans and active-duty military personnel in a shared act of remembrance and respect. He expressed a desire to bring the community together, to do something bigger than oneself, and to honor not just the military but also those in public service who put others before themselves. The interview revealed Hernandez's deep military background and his extensive service, which has shaped his views on leadership, duty, and the importance of remembering the sacrifices of others. His early years started at Camp Pendleton for 11 years to his challenging but rewarding time at Twenty-Nine Palms, and his service as a drill instructor back at Pendleton as well as the chief instructor for the pre-Sniper School. During the march, Hernandez carries a 35-lb rucksack filled with personal items and symbols of remembrance, including a flag flown in Iraq to honor Marines he knew and lost, and bullet casings to represent their service. "It's got a story, and it's my story, and I show that story," he said. "So I take her (the flag) everywhere that I go. I have three casings of bullets in there to represent their service near and dear to me." His conversation also touched on the broader experiences of those who serve in the military, from the places they've been stationed to the challenges and triumphs of their service. The importance of connection, whether through a honk of support from a passerby or the shared experiences of service, was a recurring theme, highlighting the human aspect of military service and the enduring bonds it creates, as opposed to just connection through a phone or electronic device. In sharing his story and the reasons behind his annual march, Retired Marine Sergeant Major Emilio Hernandez illustrates the power of remembrance and the impact of individual actions to honor the past. His dedication to commemorating the Bataan Death March and ensuring that the sacrifices of those who suffered are never forgotten serves as a poignant reminder of the costs of freedom and the resilience of the human spirit. For more information, visit https://bataanmarch.com. The Wacken Open Air heavy metal festival in Germany includes local bands who qualify for the metal festival through local and national contests. Woods Witch, which features Fallbrook native Stuart Reeder, qualified for the San Diego regional final. Six San Diego area bands qualified for the regional final through the initial Wacken Metal Battle concerts March 8 and 9 at Brick by Brick. Three bands from each night qualified for the regional final. Woods Witch placed second among the March 9 bands. "It felt good," Reeder said. "We're all doing a good job." Reeder was a lifelong Fallbrook resident before graduating from Fallbrook High School in 2009 and attending college at the University of California, Berkeley. He majored in biology at UC Berkeley, returned to San Diego after his 2013 college graduation, and obtained a job with a biological sciences company. Working full-time in a scientific field convinced Reeder that he would rather have a career in music, although the path into science helped Reeder assemble his band. Keith Schreiber worked with Reeder at a San Diego scientific firm before Schreiber was laid off, and Schreiber volunteered to join Woods Witch as the band's drummer. Schreiber also recommended bassist Adrian Holtz, who became part of the band. Reeder met Woods Witch guitar player James Curatalo, who currently lives in Santa Barbara, while at Cal. Curatalo was unable to participate in the March 9 qualifier, but Dan Cohen and Schreiber had previously been in a band and Cohen was the second guitar player for the Wacken Metal Battle concert. Reeder began working on songs in 2019. The first Woods Witch album, Warmth and Comfort, was released in June 2023. Reeder recruited the other three band members after he had enough songs for a performance. Each of the six bands March 9 played 25-minute sets. "That was a fun challenge, too, to streamline our sets," Reeder said. In an effort to ensure that Woods Witch did not exceed the 25-minute limit Reeder targeted a 23 1/2-minute set during rehearsals. The panel of four judges was allowed to deduct points for a set exceeding the time limit. The judges ranked the bands based on overall performance, originality, musicianship, image and representation, crowd reaction and interaction, and time efficiency on stage. Cascade Effect took first place in the March 9 judging. "They did have a great performance," Reeder said. "No shame in taking second to them." Maskeratt was awarded third place. Faerie Qveene was the fourth-place band. Although Woods Witch qualified for the regional final, a change in date for the national final created a schedule conflict. Woods Witch dropped out of the April 13 regional final so that Faerie Qveene would have the opportunity to compete at that Wacken Metal Battle level. "We were super bummed that we couldn't go all the way," Reeder said. The national final will take place in June. The original date was in mid-June, but the event was changed to late June. "It was a week that most of the band was going to be out of town," Reeder said. This year's metal festival in Wacken, Germany, will take place July 31 through Aug. 3. "It was a bummer that we had to bow out," Reeder said. However, not advancing to the Wacken Open Air metal festival itself makes those days available for Woods Witch. "We can just stay home and plan a tour for the West Coast," Reeder said. Woods Witch had already been billed for March 9 at Brick by Brick, so Reeder and his band members chose to honor that commitment even after deciding not to participate in the San Diego region final. "It was so much fun. Even though we couldn't advance that show was such a good time," Reeder said. "It was just a really good atmosphere." Although Woods Witch will not be performing at the April 13 regional final, the band is booked at Brick by Brick as part of a March 28 concert. "We're looking forward to that show," Reeder said. TEMECULA Have you ever thought: if this event had not happened, what would this now be like? Historian Edward Channing ponders this question regarding the American Revolution. Had the South been conquered in the first half of 1776, it is entirely conceivable that rebellion would never have turned into revolution. At Moores Creek and Sullivans Island, the Carolinians turned aside the one combination of circumstances that might have made British conquest possible. (National Park Service, Moores Creek Park) This month the America250 Committee of Luiseno Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, looks at that combination of circumstances, and how it might have been experienced by Revolutionary War veteran Benjamin Liddon. North Carolina was divided; some citizens opposed the Loyalists (Tories) and the English Kings policies, while others sided with the British. Royal Governor Josiah Martin had lost control of the colony, and in May 1775, he fled to Fort Johnston at the mouth of the Cape Fear River. Pulling his thoughts together, Martin put forth a plan to the King who approved it in late 1775. The Governor then issued a proclamation on Jan. 10, 1776, in which he called on all Loyalists to join together and put down a most daring, horrid, and unnatural rebellion. (National Park Service, Moores Creek Park) For those who joined him, he offered promises of free land and a 20 year tax exemption; by February, Loyalists had organized at Cross Creek. Meanwhile, the Patriots and Whigs set up their own government in September 1775, raised two regiments for the Continental Army and several battalions of minutemen, and organized militia districts. Colonel Joseph Moore became their strategist and commander. Both sides were headed for Widow Moores Creek bridge, but the Loyalists led by Brigadier General Donald McDonald realized he had lost the race to the bridge, yet he knew that the Patriots led by Colonel Richard Caswell were entrenched on his side of the bridge. McDonalds plan included an early morning attack on the patriots position, and began with the six-mile march to the bridge. During the night, Caswell and his army abandoned their camp and moved to the other side of the creek where Colonel Alexander Lillingtons 150 Minutemen had thrown up additional earthworks. The bridge floor was then partly removed and the girders greased. The Loyalists discovered the deserted camp, and waited for daybreak at which time they heard musket fire. The attack began on Feb. 27, 1776 with broadswords drawn and bagpipes playing, the Loyalists rushed the bridge and found the slippery girders difficult to cross. The Patriots held their fire until several of the Loyalists had crossed the bridge and approached the earthworks. Suddenly, the Patriots opened with a withering fire from muskets and cannon. (National Park Service, Moores Creek Park) The few who made it across the bridge were caught by gunfire. With their leaders dead, the Loyalists retreated, leaving 50 killed, wounded, and missing. The Patriots suffered one fatality and two wounded. Within two weeks of the battle at Moores Creek Bridge, all Loyalist men who were in the battle were captured along with 1,600 rifles, 350 guns and shot bags, 150 swords, and 15,000 in gold. On April 12 as a result of the Patriot success at Moores Creek Bridge North Carolina sent delegates to the Continental Congress to support independence from England. Born in Wilmington, North Carolina, Benjamin Liddon bore arms for his country during the Revolution. He served at the rank of colonel of a North Carolina regiment. It is very likely that Colonel Liddon was knowledgeable of the battle at Moores Creek bridge, if not a part of the actual battle. He was awarded a tract of land on Stone River in Rutherford County, Tennessee, for special service. Liddons personal life included his marriage to Sarah Rutledge. One son was born in 1793, and their three children were William, Sarah Jane, and Benjamin Franklin Liddon. Benjamin Liddon eventually removed to the Tennessee land, and in 1830, he sold that land and moved to Alabama. This month, Luiseno Chapter and America250 honor Benjamin Liddon for his service. Men like Liddon are rarely in our history books, but without their beliefs and actions the rebellion might not have turned into the revolution. The Luiseno Chapter meets the fourth Tuesday of each month at the Assistance League in Temecula. The focus of the chapter is patriotism, historic preservation, and education. For more information, visit the public FACEBOOK page Luiseno Chapter DAR - Temecula Valley, CA. Submitted by the Luiseno Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution. Mission Veteran Expedition: Honoring Vietnam Veterans in the Transportation Industry returns to Vietnam with ten veterans, documenting their personal experiences of historic events and healing COLUMBIA FALLS, Maine In November 2023, ten Vietnam veterans embarked on a journey they never thought possible, returning to Vietnam, and exploring the locations and memories that for 50 years have held deep significance for each of them. Mission Veteran Expedition, a collaborative venture between CDLLife, FASTPORT, and nonprofits Waypoint Vets and Wreaths Across America, made this journey possible and, together, they announce the upcoming release of a new documentary of the trip, Mission Veteran Expedition: Honoring Vietnam Veterans in the Transportation Industry. The documentary, captured and produced by U.S. Army veteran Nicholas Mott, owner of Seven Five Media, will be released and available at no cost on Wreaths Across Americas YouTube channel on Friday, March 29 National Vietnam War Veterans Day. To view a short preview of the documentary, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_042A8wjv8. The documentary offers an intimate and compelling look at the journey of these veterans, said videographer Nicholas Mott. Capturing the essence of their experiences and the profound impact of the Mission Veteran Expedition was truly an honor. I hope other Vietnam veterans will watch it and find it healing. The trip offered 10 veterans, each of whom has made a living in the transportation industry, an extraordinary opportunity to revisit Vietnam and reflect on their service there. The documentary explores this impactful journey, which combines travel, camaraderie, and history. Waypoint Vets, a non-profit organization dedicated to uniting and empowering veterans through camaraderie and adventure, led the expedition, ensuring each participant experienced a meaningful and lasting journey. The itinerary included a variety of experiences, including: Grounds Tour of the Former Saigon Embassy Walking Street Food Tour through Ho Chi Minh City Cu Chi Tunnels & Mekong Delta Luxury Tour War Remnants Museum Halong Bay Cruise Defense POW / MIA Accounting Agency Tour A Welcome Home ceremony hosted at SiriusXM studios in Hollywood, with interviews on Radio Nemo The Mission Veteran Expedition successfully commemorated these veterans valiant contributions while allowing them to experience the beauty of Vietnams landscapes and the richness of its culture, said Sarah Lee, Army combat veteran and founder of Waypoint Vets. For many veterans, the memories associated with Vietnam are often intertwined with the challenges of war. This expedition redefined these associations and replaced them with new, healing memories. By engaging with Vietnam on a deep, personal level, the trip forged lasting connections and helped veterans find solace in the beauty of a nation at peace As commemorative partners of The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration, FASTPORT and Wreaths Across America have had the honor of Welcoming Home more than 7,500 Vietnam veterans. I feel the trips culmination was an important piece of closure for the participants journey, said Brad Bentley, president of FASTPORT, who traveled to Vietnam with the group. These men returned to the United States to a heros welcome, and for millions who never received this show of gratitude for answering the call of duty, it was truly an honor to say, Welcome Home. The Inside Story - Haiti in Crisis | Episode 136 Transcript The Inside Story: Haiti in Crisis Episode 136 March 21, 2024 Show Open: Unidentified Narrator: This week on The Inside Story... A Caribbean nation descends deeper into chaos. The State Department pledges increased support to resolve the crisis. A Kenyan-led multinational armed force in doubt as disagreement swells in Nairobi. And hip hop star Wyclef Jean weighs in on his embattled home country's future. Now... on The Inside Story... Haiti In Crisis. The Inside Story: ELIZABETH LEE, VOA Correspondent: Im Elizabeth Lee in Washington. Today we focus on the situation in Haiti as that island nation descends further into chaos. National Police are working to regain some control of the capitol Port Au Prince as rival gangs fight amongst themselves and civilians cower in their homes. How did we get here, and is there hope the world could come together to stop the violence? All this on todays Inside story. Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry recently announced his resignation one day after the United States pledged another $100 million to a United Nations-backed multinational security force. The money is for assisting the countrys police in combating gangs. The U.S. pledged an additional $33 million in humanitarian aid. VOA State Department Bureau Chief Nike Ching starts us off this week from Washington. NIKE CHING, VOA State Department Bureau Chief: A political crisis and rising violence have created an untenable situation for the Haitian people. Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry has agreed to step down after a transitional authority is established that will govern the violence-plagued nation until new elections are held. The United States is urging him to expedite this transition. Amid the ongoing crisis that threatens Haiti's stability, the U.S. on Monday increased its commitment for the Caribbean countrys security and humanitarian support. Antony Blinken, US Secretary of State: The United States Department of Defense is doubling its approved support for the mission from $100 million to $200 million. And that brings the total U.S. support to $300 million for this effort. I'm also announcing additional humanitarian assistance for the people of Haiti: $33 million to further support their health and food security. NIKE CHING: At the United Nations, diplomats hope the deployment of the U.N.-endorsed multinational security support mission to Haiti will help the country stop the violence. Some analysts believe the mission can create the security conditions necessary for upcoming elections. Georges Fauriol, United States Institute of Peace: Some of it is financial support to actually support this mission. The United States Southern Command is already on record as indicating that they are in process of providing planning assistance, information sharing and intelligence relating to the situation on the ground in Haiti. NIKE CHING: Others are skeptical of foreign forces pouring into Haiti. Ana Rosa Quintana-Lovett, The Vandenberg Coalition: You've seen members of Haitian civil society come to testify before Congress have said: 'We don't want additional forces in our country, because forces have come in here, they've raped our women. They've spread disease. They've, you know, collaborated with criminal elements. NIKE CHING: The Caribbean Community said the transitional council for Haiti would consist of seven members representing political coalitions and the private sector, plus two non-voting civil society members. This council will appoint a new prime minister and initiate preparations for upcoming presidential elections. Nike Ching, VOA News, Washington. ELIZABETH LEE: The United States relationship with Haiti dates back nearly a century to 1934. Its been at times -- a troubling history marred by corruption and ever-changing dynamics between the two nations. For more on how we got here, VOAs Arash Arabasadi brings us this timeline of events. ARASH ARABASADI, VOA Correspondent: The United States occupies Haiti from 1915 to 1934. 1934. Following the U.S. military withdrawal in 1934, a new Haitian military force was created. 1957-1986: Francois "Papa Doc" Duvalier elected president in 1957. He rules Haiti until his death in 1971. His Son Jean-Claude Baby Doc Duvalier then rules the country until ousted in 1986. 1972: The Number of Haitian refugees rises as thousands flee the homeland. 1980: Influxes of 18,000 Haitian and 125,000 Cuban refugees onto U.S. soil result in the Carter Administration creating a new immigration classification called 'entrants' neither refugees nor asylum seekers without any real legal status. 1981: The Reagan Administration establishes an interdiction-at-sea program. Hundreds of boats intercepted. Tens of Thousands of Haitians are returned to Port-au-Prince from 1981 to 1991. 1991: Jean-Bertrand Aristide is elected president in February 1991. Ousted by a coup in September. President George H.W. Bush establishes a 12,000-person refugee camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba & when the camp fills up, he orders the return of all Haitians picked up at sea. 1994: President Bill Clinton commits the U.S. to restoring a democratic government in Haiti. President Aristide returns to power in November and remains in office through end of term in 1996. 2004: Reelected Aristide returns to presidency in 2001 only to be ousted again in a 2004 coup, remaining in exile until 2011. 2009: President Barack Obamas administration adopts a metering policy limiting the number of migrants entering U.S. territory. 2010: A Massive magnitude 7.0 earthquake strikes Haiti in January 2010. More than 300,000 people killed. More than 1.5 million homeless. That 2010 earthquake was the worst in 200 years. 2016: Hurricane Matthew makes landfall in October 2016. 500 deaths and widespread destruction. 2017: In December 2018, President Donald Trumps administration announces the creation of a Migrant Protection Policy (MPP) that requires asylum-seekers to await their proceedings in Mexico. July 2021: Acting Prime Minister Ariel Henry assumes office following the assassination of President Jovenel Moise. August 2021: A Magnitude 7.2 earthquake strikes Haiti August 14, 2021. Two days later, Haiti suffers a direct hit from Tropical Depression Grace. Present Day: Today, Haiti is a country marred by gang violence with some estimates placing nearly 80-perecent of the capital under the control of warring gangs. In just the first eight months of 2023 more than 24-hundred people in Haiti were reported killed, nearly a thousand kidnapped and more than 900 injured according to recent UN statistics. In October 2023, the UN Security Council approves the deployment to Haiti of a multinational armed force led by Kenya to restore order. The United States pledged as much as 200-million-dollars to the effort. Arash Arabasadi, VOA News ELIZABETH LEE: Garry Pierre-Pierre is a journalist who previously worked for the New York Times and later founded The Haitian Times, a publication focused on Haiti and the Haitian diaspora. Cristina Caicedo Smit sat down with the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist for his take on the situation both in and out of Haiti. CRISTINA CAICEDO SMIT, VOA Correspondent: Garry Pierre-Pierre, can you please explain an historical reference how Haiti initially got into this impasse? Garry Pierre-Pierre, Journalist: Well, first of all Cristina, thanks for having me. Haiti got where it is since the day after it became an independent nation essentially. This is a country at the dawn of its independence was isolated because you have to remember it was because not too long ago it was a slave they were slaves. It was a French slave colony. And so they were able to defeat Napoleons army. And after the end of the war and Haiti gets independent, then it was isolated. CRISTINA CAICEDO SMIT: Now in recent weeks or months, why do you think the situation has worsened? Garry Pierre-Pierre: Well, its just a continuation into the abyss headed to the bottom because the police have really been weak. And so it has emboldened the gangs. So therefore, theres a leadership vacuum. And the opposition, if you will, in this case, criminal gangs, they just go from one extreme to another. And the political void has really created that to me as much as anything else. Because when you are unable to come to any sort of political consensus, then you have these gangs who are heavily armed and wandering rampant with very little pushback from the police, then you get to where we are now. I would imagine that in the this is not the end of it. CRISTINA CAICEDO SMIT: Now, for the players involved in the Haitian conflict, and why are the players involved? Garry Pierre-Pierre: Well, first of all, obviously, Ariel Henri was the Prime Minister and his cabinet. Then you have the gang leaders. Chiefly, most Americans will know of Jimmy Cherizier, known colorfully as Barbecue and then you have a whole host of other gang leaders who are equally powerful. Then you have some of the political opposition principally the Montana accord people which is the opposition. You have the international community, of course, the UN the US and you have another element that just recently developed is the arrival of Guy Philipe, who was a former soldier, officer and police officer just recently came back and was deported from the United States after spending years in jail for money laundering and other illicit activities. And so this guy he also was part of he led a coup rebellion against Chavez for Aristide in 22,004. And so now he's back and is a major player and a destabilizing force in the country right now. CRISTINA CAICEDO SMIT: Mr. Pierre-Pierre, we have noticed in the last couple of days how the international community and the international media also is interested on finding a solution but what is the role that the international community is doing right now in Haiti and do you think it may have success? Garry Pierre-Pierre: Well, right now the US and the UN are trying to get as Kenyan led force into Haiti to civilize the security situation and thats the extent of it. What they should be doing is that and then some. There should be a comprehensive plan of action how fo we move Haiti forward with some key sectors, with people from Haiti themselves. The Haitian diaspora in the case of America Haitian Americans and then the international community itself. The US should have a strong partnership, Bring those of us in the diaspora an people in Haiti then come up with a plan that will address the social economic issues and the security issues and development issues. Haiti needs a reset button. This is a moment where Im hoping we can seize a moment of opportunity and move forward. ELIZABETH LEE: Like most matters of international cooperation, nuance exists between what leaders say they will do and what their citizens want them to do. While some Kenyans support President William Ruto's insistence on sending a police mission to Haiti, many others wonder -- why they should lead a multinational force when other, more powerful and better equipped nations have not stepped forward. For more, let's go to VOA Nairobi Bureau Chief Mariama Diallo. MARIAMA DIALLO, VOA Nairobi Bureau Chief: Passions are running high in the streets of Nairobi over possibly deploying the country's police to Haiti. Stephen Ng'a Ng'a, Nairobi Resident: Why are we sending police instead of the military for such a thing? That's my question. Damaicline Masaki, Nairobi Resident: It does nothing because we are going to lose our beloved ones. Kenya, we don't have that power like the other countries such as the United States. Joseph Mule, Nairobi Resident: I think it's a noble idea because we are all human beings, although people are complaining about the procedure, which has been used. Henry Mutreru, Nairobi Resident: We should urge the government to at least follow the court orders. MARIAMA DIALLO: President William Ruto, who recently signed a long-awaited bilateral accord with visiting Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry to pave the way for 1,000 Kenyan police officers to lead a proposed multinational, U.N.-backed force that would help restore security in Haiti, insists its the right thing to do. William Ruto, Kenyan President: It is a mission for humanity. It is a mission in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Haiti. MARIAMA DIALLO: However, signing that accord was immediately followed by a fierce battle between Haitian police and armed gangs who blocked Henry's return to the Caribbean nation, and eventually pushed the prime minister to say he will resign as soon as a transitional council is put in place. Attorney Ekuru Aukot was among a group that filed a petition before Kenyas High Court that argued sending the country's police to Haiti was unconstitutional. He says the recent signing was "misleading." Ekuru Aukot, Lawyer: First of all, it's a bogus agreement because it has no legitimacy both in law or even on the person representing [it]. Ariel Henry, for you to be able to enter into a contract, you must have capacity to enter into a contract. MARIAMA DIALLO: And there are still problems whether this mission will go on or not because all the legal benchmarks have still not been satisfied, he says. Ekuru Aukot, Lawyer: When Jovenal Moise was killed in 2021, Henry was only supposed to be in power for 120 days. For him to take over the role of prime minister under the constitution of Haiti, he must be ratified, vetted, and approved by parliament. He never was. So really the question then, coming to the agreement, who is this, who actually signed this agreement with the republic of Kenya. MARIAMA DIALLO: George Musamali, a security consultant based in Nairobi, says it's time to rethink the Haitian issue. George Musamali, Security Expert: What people have not focused on is the reason for this turmoil. To date, Haiti has not seen peace. Basically, the solutions we've been putting on the table, are they working? MARIAMA DIALLO: There have been several unsuccessful interventions, including efforts by the United States and the United Nations. It's time to try something new, he says. George Musamali, Security Expert: Basically, what they are going to do is to deal with the same same people they are calling gangs that the American intervention tried. It tried again in 1994, it did not work. We tried again under the U.N. in 2004, but it still did not work. MARIAMA DIALLO With such a hostile and volatile situation now in Haiti, Musamali says it's hard to envision that a military or police intervention will work. Mariama Diallo Voanews Nairobi. ELIZABETH LEE: Despite doubt that any peacekeeping body could be effective given the chaotic situation, outgoing Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry has been calling for the UN to intervene since the General Assembly in October. Speaking back then he urged Article 7 of the UN Convention to be invoked. That would allow the UN to deploy peacekeeping forces in Haiti. Ariel Henry, Haitian Prime Minister: Haitians' daily life is painful. That is why the (U.N.) Security Council, which has the power and the authority, must act urgently under Chapter 7 (of the U.N. Charter) to authorize the deployment of a multinational mission to re-establish security, comprised of police and military personnel to help us combat the gangs and establish order. ELIZABETH LEE President Joe Biden also urged the Security Council to act quickly. President Joe Biden: I call on the Security Council to authorize this mission now! The people of Haiti cannot wait much longer. ELIZABETH LEE: But they are still waiting. The UN has passed some targeted sanctions on at least one gang leader but remains reluctant to put UN troops on the ground. VOAs Creole service has several of its own reporters reporting from Haiti. They are experiencing the same dangers as the citizens who call the island home. For more on the challenges our reporters and their team back in Washington face, Robin Guess from our Press Freedom desk spoke with the chief of VOAs Creole Service, Sandra Lemaire. ROBIN GUESS, VOA Press Freedom Correspondent: Given the crisis in Haiti, how dangerous is for journalists with boots on the ground? Sandra Lemaire, VOA Creole Service Chief: It is extremely, extremely dangerous right now. It's actually a concern that I have every single day. ROBIN GUESS We have documented in 2023 that journalists in Haiti have been killed in Haiti. They have been kidnapped and they have been the victims of just extraordinary violence. At this point. To what degree would you say it is an act of courage for reporters to keep doing what they're doing? Sandra Lemaire, VOA Creole Service Chief: It is, absolutely. They are very passionate about reporting. And so that's what gets them out onto the streets. Not only obviously the gangs are a huge threat, but law enforcement also has really no respect for reporters. Just recently, last week or the week before,one reporter just about lost his eye he lost the division in an eye because they were shooting tear gas, one of those tear gas canisters hit him in the eye, and he ended up you know, in the hospital, and to them, it's just collateral damage. They don't care that you're there to report so Haiti is a country that on paper has freedom of the press. But the press has been abused for many, many years in Haiti. My biggest fear is that they'll be killed while reporting which I would be beyond heartbroken about because you know, I care a lot about all of them. I've known them for many years before I became a leader of the service We just in January of this year towards the end of January had training for them on hostile environment training. So my Haiti reporters who are in the biggest danger they all attended this training. And you know, they've by the grace of God had been saved except for the one reporter I mentioned he was reporting on the situation in prison where inmates had died because they weren't being fed and poor conditions in the jail in the north of Haiti, and he was threatened by a police National Police Officer at gunpoint, threatening him to say don't publish this because it makes us look bad. And it's a lie and he said, No, I talked to him officially officially in progress. So we're gonna go with it. And he pointed the gun in his head and said, You know, I could kill you right now if I wanted to. So of course, we complained to the police. The person was reassigned so they actually did act. But it's not like I have a lot of faith. My second biggest fear is that they are kidnapped and abused and tortured. Because that also, you know, it would be heartbreaking for me and nerve racking and, you know, to me, there was no story that's worth losing your life over. I value life over, you know, reporting. I mean, of course, the story is important, but not more important. than their lives so that's really my biggest concern. ELIZABETH LEE He was one of the music worlds biggest stars in the 1990s as a founding member of the Fugees. Since then, Wyclef Jean has become a seven-time platinum selling artist with three Grammy Awards to his credit. Nine albums and 78 million records sold; he is an internationally recognized name. He has also not been shy about his presidential aspirations. VOA recently spoke with Jean. Wyclef Jean: I'm, I'm talking from experience I was in Haiti when the entire UN force was there. VALERIO ST. LOUIS, VOA Creole Service Correspondent: What has it done since then? Wyclef Jean: I was there in Berlin(?) , but that's then people will tell you, that's then. VALERIO ST. LOUIS: Now we're talking about a Kenyan force that has a specific mission now going into Haiti and fighting by gangs, stabilizing Wyclef Jean: Again, you see all this energy that's being used now in Aerial Henri, why don't you take that money and put it in Haitian, institutions? VALERIO ST. LOUIS: Which institution? Wyclef Jean: I would put the money in the police force. VALERIO ST. LOUIS: The police force is corrupted, according to the US government and the reports Wyclef Jean: Again again, not all the police forces corrupted, It's like you talking to me right now and we talk about the US and I say, oh, the police forces are corrupted, right? We know this is partly true , so I know that there's parts, right. The National Army might restore that, right, you have a real organization, a base set up. All I'm, saying, is, in, conjunction, why are the Haitian institutes never included as part of that, and the number? One thing is corruption, then why, don't, you, vest fighting in an anti corruption unit, right, I do believe in, remember, I do say this, I do believe that, our Kenya, Africa, brothers, and sisters going into Haiti, a thousand people and going against the gangs. Remember I told you I just see a forecast again of just, disaster. I don't agree with that policy. VALERIO ST. LOUIS: No, you don't agree. So you dont agree with the the Kenya going to Haiti? Wyclef Jean: And then people say to me, all right, take Ariel out and then what? VALERIO ST. LOUIS: Right, that's the question, but I always wanna come to this big question, right, this question. So take them out, and then what? Wyclef Jean: The people say to me, leave him in and what do you see thats happening? ELIZABETH LEE: Thank you for being with us on The Inside Story. Stay up to date with all the latest news at VOANews.com. Catch up on past episodes at our free streaming service, VOA Plus. For all of those behind the scenes who brought you todays show, Im Elizabeth Lee. Well see you next week for The Inside Story. ### Ambassador Hoang Sy Cuong (R) presents his credential letter to Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa. (Photo: baoquocte.vn) During a reception for the diplomat after the presentation ceremony, President Mnangagwa congratulated Vietnam on its impressive achievements in socio-economic development, and its increasing international role and position. He showed his admiration for Vietnam's historical struggle for national liberation and reunification. He urged Ambassador Cuong to continue efforts to nurture the good political relations between the two countries and the two ruling parties, as well as promote economic co-operation and investment activities. The President also introduced areas and products of Zimbabwe's strength, such as mining, cotton, and tobacco, while outlining his hope at attracting Vietnamese partners to invest in and do business in the Southern African nation. For his part, the Vietnamese diplomat suggested that both sides move to intensify the exchange of all-level delegations through party and state channels, as well as promoting people-to-people exchanges to deepen mutual understanding and lay the foundation for all-around co-operation. He stressed that with a foundation of friendly political relations and trust between the two sides needs to continue as they collaborate and support each other in multilateral forums, particularly at the UN. The host agreed that the two countries should further bolster co-operation in multilateral forums. On March 13 14, the Vietnamese diplomat held working sessions with and paid courtesy calls to Secretary for Foreign Relations of the Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front (ZANUPF) Simbarashe Mumbengegwi and Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Zimbabwe Amon Murwira. The ambassador also had close meetings with a number of Vietnamese community members in Zimbabwe, ambassadors and Charge d'Affaires of ASEAN countries in Zimbabwe (Indonesia and Malaysia) to learn and exchange information./. The U.N. General Assembly adopted by consensus Thursday a first-of-its-kind resolution addressing the potential of artificial intelligence to accelerate progress toward sustainable development, while emphasizing the need for safe, secure and trustworthy AI systems. The initiative, led by the United States, seeks to manage AIs risks while utilizing its benefits. Today as the U.N. and AI finally intersect, we have the opportunity and the responsibility to choose as one united global community to govern this technology rather than to let it govern us, said U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield. So let us reaffirm that AI will be created and deployed through the lens of humanity and dignity, safety and security, human rights and fundamental freedoms. The Biden administration said it took more than three months to negotiate what it characterized as a baseline set of principles around AI, engaging with 120 countries and incorporating feedback from many of them, including China, which was one of the 123 co-sponsors of the text. While General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding, they reflect the political consensus of the international community. The resolution recognizes the disparities in technological development between developed and developing countries and stresses the need to bridge the digital divide so everyone can equitably access the benefits of AI. It also outlines measures for responsible AI governance, including the development of regulatory frameworks, capacity building initiatives and support for research and innovation. The resolution encourages international collaboration to address the evolving challenges and opportunities AI technologies pose, with a focus on advancing sustainable development goals. U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris welcomed adoption of the resolution, saying all nations must be guided by a common set of understandings on the use of AI systems. Too often, in past technological revolutions, the benefits have not been shared equitably, and the harms have been felt by a disproportionate few, she said in a statement. This resolution establishes a path forward on AI where every country can both seize the promise and manage the risks of AI. At the World Economic Forum meetings in Davos, Switzerland, in January, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed concern about the risk of unintended consequences with every new iteration of generative AI. He said it has enormous potential for sustainable development but also the potential to worsen inequality. And some powerful tech companies are already pursuing profits with a clear disregard for human rights, personal privacy and social impact, he said at the time. The U.N. chief created an AI advisory body last year, and it will publish its final report ahead of the U.N.s Summit of the Future in September. Australia and the United Kingdom signed a new defense and security cooperation agreement Thursday that deepens the strategic relationship between the two nations, makes it easier for their defense forces to operate together in each other's countries, and boosts a fledgling nuclear-powered submarine program with the United States. Australia has said the new security and defense treaty updates its longstanding relationship with Britain to meet contemporary challenges. Australia Defense Minister Richard Marles said in a statement that as the world becomes more complex and uncertain, we must modernize our most important relationships. The new accord signed Thursday builds on the 2021 AUKUS alliance, which is designed to allow Australia to build a new multibillion-dollar fleet of nuclear-powered submarines with help from the United States and Britain. Marles later told reporters in Canberra that a far-reaching pact with Britain was fundamental to Australias national security. It does reflect a relationship that has become much more strategic, a relationship which has a much bigger national security dimension," he said. "To that end, the U.K. has a much greater presence in the Indo-Pacific than we have seen in a very long time. We also spoke today about AUKUS, which is, perhaps, at the heart of the contemporary strategic relationship between our two countries. Britains defense minister, Grant Shapps, is in Australia for the annual Australia-U.K. Ministerial (AUKMIN) meetings, which were first held in 2006. Officials said bilateral talks would also include support for Ukraine, peace in the Middle East, gender-based violence in the Pacific, climate change and trade. The defense treaty signed Thursday includes provisions to make it easier for Australian and British forces to work together in each others countries, much like the joint training of Ukrainian troops in Britain. There will also be closer collaboration on undersea warfare, intelligence and military exercises. Shapps told a news conference in Canberra that the treaty would enhance global efforts to maintain peace. We stand shoulder-to-shoulder in all of these many, many different ways, and the thing which has struck me most in my first few hours with you here today is the extent to which distance is absolutely no object to us at all because we stand united in our view of the world and what needs to be done and we are proactive nations that are prepared to stand up and make sure that we do maintain the world order, he said. The announcement of the new defense accord between Canberra and London comes a day after Australia hosted a visit by Chinas most senior diplomat, the foreign minister Wang Yi. Analysts have said that Chinas increasing assertiveness is a key motivation behind the trilateral AUKUS agreement, but China has accused Australia, Britain and the United States of a Cold War mentality, saying the alliance was embarking on a path of error and danger. Thursday, the Canberra government has also announced a new multi-million-dollar deal to send army vehicles to Germany. In one of the biggest defense export deals in Australian history, 100 Boxer armored vehicles will be sent to the German army. The United States is still pushing for a cease-fire deal between Israel and the militant group Hamas, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday at a press conference in Cairo ahead of a high-stakes trip to Israel. "There's a clear consensus around a number of shared priorities," Blinken said about his discussions in the Egyptian capital. "First: the need for an immediate sustained cease-fire, with release of hostages." A cease-fire would create space for more humanitarian aid, he added. Blinken was in Egypt for talks Thursday focused on efforts to secure a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war, gain release of hostages held in Gaza, and move more humanitarian aid into Gaza to help Palestinian civilians badly in need of assistance. Negotiators are continuing to work on a cease-fire agreement, Blinken said. "The gaps are narrowing, and we're continuing to push for an agreement in Doha. There's still difficult work to get there, but I continue to believe it's possible," Blinken said at the press conference. "We've closed the gaps, but there are still gaps. So, I can't put a timeline on it. I can just say that we're committed to doing everything possible to reaching an agreement," he said. The main point of contention in negotiations has been that Hamas says it will release the remaining hostages only as part of a deal that would end the war, whereas Israel says it will consider only a temporary pause. While in Cairo, the State Department said Blinken discussed a potential halt in fighting lasting at least six weeks, as well as the release of all remaining hostages, as he met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi. The top U.S. diplomat also met with representatives from Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Multiple countries have been involved in weeks of talks trying to come up with a proposal acceptable to both Israel and the Hamas militant group. Blinken will update Israeli leaders about the latest developments when he travels to Israel for talks on Friday. In Israel, Blinken will "discuss the need to ensure the defeat of Hamas, including in Rafah, in a way that protects the civilian population, does not hinder the delivery of humanitarian assistance, and advances Israel's overall security," according to a statement from the U.S. State Department. The U.S. has raised opposition to Israel's plan to carry out a ground offensive in Rafah, located along the Gaza-Egypt border, which Israel says is necessary to achieve its goal of defeating Hamas and ensuring the U.S. designated terror group cannot carry out another attack like the October 7 assault on Israel. More than 1 million Palestinians are sheltering in Rafah, many of them after fleeing other parts of Gaza to try to find safety amid the war. Aside from the number of people killed in the war 1,200 in the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel and nearly 32,000 in Israel's subsequent counteroffensive in Gaza the delivery of humanitarian aid into the war zone to help famished Palestinians has become one of the most contentious points of conflict between Israel and its Western allies. The United States has conducted several rounds of air drops of aid into Gaza, and efforts are in progress to make deliveries by sea. International aid organizations have highlighted the difficulty of getting aid into Gaza through limited ground crossings and a lack of access to many areas of Gaza due to the ongoing violence and the devastation left behind by the war. Blinken began his visit to the region in Saudi Arabia, where he met Wednesday with Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman and Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan. Blinken and his Saudi counterpart "discussed the urgent need to protect all civilians in Gaza and immediately increase humanitarian assistance to those in need," the State Department said. The Saudis announced a $40 million donation to the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees to support its "humanitarian relief efforts in the Gaza Strip." In addition, a U.S. official reported that Blinken made significant progress in talks with Saudi officials about their possible normalization of relations with Israel, with only a handful of issues remaining to be resolved in a deal that also envisions agreement on a Saudi-U.S. security pact. U.S. President Joe Biden had initiated discussions about Israeli-Saudi recognition of each other before the October Hamas attack. But now, any diplomatic relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia would likely be a key part of a broader Middle East peace pact at the end of the war. Washington is pushing for approval of a two-state Israeli-Palestinian solution, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains opposed to an independent Palestinian state. The fighting in Gaza continued Thursday, with Israel saying it was conducting airstrikes and ground operations in the area near the Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. The Israeli military said its forces killed more than 50 militants during the past day. Fighting was also ongoing in central Gaza and in the Khan Younis area in the southern part of the Gaza Strip. VOA's State Department bureau chief Nike Ching contributed to this report. Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. A China-funded international airport in Nepal opened more than a year ago but still hasnt received international flights. With loan repayments for the Pokhara airport due to start soon, many worry Nepal has fallen into a debt trap. Henry Wilkins reports. The California Legislature on Thursday voted to give prospective college students more time to apply for two of the state's largest financial aid programs after a glitch in the federal government's application system threatened to block up to 100,000 people from getting help. California had already extended the deadline for its financial aid programs from March 2 to April 2. On Thursday, the state Senate gave final approval to a bill that would extend it again until May 2. The bill now heads to Governor Gavin Newsom. "Clearly, our students need our help," Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes, a Democrat from Riverside who authored the bill, told lawmakers during a public hearing earlier this week. California has multiple programs to help people pay for college. The biggest is the Cal Grant program, which gives money to people who meet certain income requirements. The state also has a Middle Class Scholarship for people with slightly higher incomes. Students can apply for these state aid programs only if they first complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly known as FAFSA. This year, a computer glitch prevented parents from filling out the form if they did not have a Social Security number. That meant many students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents but whose parents are not were blocked from completing the form and thus could not apply for California's aid programs. California has a large population of adults who are living in the country without legal permission. The California Student Aid Commission, the state agency in charge of California's financial aid programs, estimates as many as 100,000 students could be affected by this glitch. The U.S. Department of Education says it fixed the problem last week, but those families are now a step behind. Democrats in Congress raised alarms last month, noting that the delay could particularly hurt students in states where financial aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, including Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, Oregon and Texas. Advocates fear that the chaos of this year's process could deter students from going to college at all, especially those for whom finances are a key part of the decision. The computer glitch is just one part of larger problems affecting FAFSA. The notoriously time-consuming form was overhauled in 2020 through a bipartisan bill in Congress. It promised to simplify the form, going from 100 questions to fewer than 40, and it also changed the underlying formula for student aid, promising to expand it to more low-income students. But the update has been marred by delays, leaving families across the country in limbo as they figure out how much college will cost. The form is typically available to fill out in October, but the Education Department didn't have it ready until late December. Even then, the agency wasn't ready to begin processing the forms and sending them to states and colleges, which only started to happen this month. The problems appear to have already reduced California's application numbers. Through March 8, the number of California students who had completed FAFSA was 43% lower than it was at the same time last year. "The data most concerning me seems to suggest that these drops are more acute at the schools that serve low-income students or large populations of students of color," Jake Brymner, deputy chief of policy and public affairs for the California Student Aid Commission, told lawmakers in a public hearing earlier this week. The issue has caused problems for colleges and universities, too. The University of California and California State University systems both delayed their admissions deadlines because so many prospective students were having trouble with FAFSA. A fourth former Mississippi sheriff's deputy was sentenced Wednesday to 40 years in federal prison for his part in the racist torture of two Black men by a group of white officers who called themselves the "Goon Squad." Christian Dedmon, 29, did not look at the victims as he apologized and said he'd never forgive himself for the pain he caused. All six former officers charged in the case pleaded guilty last year, admitting that they subjected Michael Corey Jenkins and Eddie Terrell Parker to numerous acts of racist torture in January 2023 after a neighbor complained the men were staying in a home with a white woman. Prosecutors said Dedmon slapped the men with a sex toy and threatened to brutalize them with it. U.S. District Judge Tom Lee said Wednesday that Dedmon carried out the most "shocking, brutal and cruel attacks imaginable" against Jenkins and Parker and against a white man during a traffic stop weeks earlier. Jenkins, who still has trouble speaking because of his injuries, said in a statement read by his lawyer that Dedmon's actions were the most depraved of any of those who attacked him. "Deputy Dedmon is the worst example of a police officer in the United States," Jenkins said. "Deputy Dedmon was the most aggressive, sickest and the most wicked." Hours before Dedmon's sentencing, former Officer Daniel Opdyke, 28, cried profusely as he spoke before the judge announced his sentence of 17.5 years. Turning to look at the two victims, Opdyke said isolation behind bars has given him time to reflect on "how I transformed into the monster I became that night." "The weight of my actions and the harm I've caused will haunt me every day," Opdyke told them. "I wish I could take away your suffering." Parker rested his head in his hands and closed his eyes, then stood and left the courtroom before Opdyke finished speaking. Jenkins said he was "broken" and left "ashamed" by the cruel acts inflicted upon him. The judge said Opdyke might not have been fully aware of what being a member of the Goon Squad entailed when Lieutenant Jeffrey Middleton asked him to join, but he did know it involved using excessive force. "You were not a passive observer," Lee said. "You actively participated in that brutal attack." All six former officers pleaded guilty last year of breaking into a home without a warrant and torturing the Black men with a stun gun, a sex toy and other objects. On Tuesday, Lee gave a nearly 20-year prison sentence to Hunter Elward, 31, and a 17.5-year sentence to Middleton, 46, calling their actions "egregious and despicable." They, like Opdyke and Dedmon, worked as Rankin County sheriff's deputies during the attack. Another former deputy, Brett McAlpin, 53, and a former Richland police officer, Joshua Hartfield, 32, are set for sentencing Thursday. Last March, months before federal prosecutors announced charges in August, an investigation by The Associated Press linked some of the deputies to at least four violent encounters with Black men since 2019 that left two dead and another with lasting injuries. The former officers stuck to their cover story for months until finally admitting that they tortured Michael Corey Jenkins and Parker. Elward admitted to shoving a gun into Jenkins' mouth and firing it in a "mock execution" that went awry. After Elward shot Jenkins in the mouth, lacerating his tongue and breaking his jaw, the officers devised a cover-up that included planting drugs and a gun. False charges stood against Jenkins and Parker for months. When the Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a complaint last month for forfeiture of a Russian businessmans U.S. real estate, it was taking action against an alleged violator of U.S. sanctions. In the crosshairs were two condominiums in a wealthy enclave outside Miami, Florida, that officially were registered to a Delaware company. In fact, prosecutors say Russian tycoon Viktor Perevalov was using the firm to conceal his ownership. But Perevalov wasnt the only one dodging sanctions. His business partner, Valery Abramov, whose bank accounts are mentioned in the complaint, also owned property in Florida and simply transferred it to his wife after being added to the U.S. economic blacklist, a Voice of America investigation has found. That likely violated the sanctions. Brian OToole, a former U.S. Department of Treasury official and an expert on sanctions, believes that Abramovs transaction with his wife should not have been possible and the transfer should not remove blockable interest in the property. But when malign actors routinely create new firms and find new ways to evade restrictions, enforcing sanctions can sometimes seem like a gigantic game of whack-a-mole, he said. Abramov and Perevalov did not respond to requests for comment from Voice of America. The DOJ also declined to comment. Kings of State Procurement Abramov and Perevalov are co-founders of VAD, AO, a Russian company that has earned billions of dollars building roads for the Russian state. According to media reports, the businessmen met while university students in St. Petersburg, Russia and decided to go into business together. They registered VAD an abbreviation for High-Quality Roads in 1994. Abramov serves as the companys CEO, while Perevalov is his deputy. Their first job was repairing the grounds of a vegetable warehouse. Since then, VAD has experienced a meteoric rise, winning tenders to construct federal highways across northwestern Russia. They were so successful that the Russian version of Forbes magazine regularly listed the men on an annual Kings of State Procurement list. Since the late 1990s, both men have also owned real estate in southern Florida. At least one of Perevalovs children, his youngest daughter, is a United States citizen who lists her hometown as Miami on her Facebook page. The two men and their company were sanctioned by the United States in 2018 after VAD received a contract worth $2.3 billion at the time to construct the Tavrida highway in Crimea, which Russia illegally annexed from Ukraine in 2014. But that initially did little in practice to freeze their American assets. According to the confiscation complaint, in 2008, Perevalov and his wife had purchased two condos as investment properties at One Bal Harbour, an elite residential complex in Bal Harbour, Florida. After Perevalov was sanctioned, he transferred the condos to 1616 Collins, LLC, a newly incorporated company in Delaware, a state favored by many U.S. businesses because of its tax benefits, privacy, expediency, simplified structure and the corporation court, according to Forbes. Miami Dade County property records show that the company paid $1.4 million for each condo. On paper, the firms only beneficiary was Perevalovs U.S. citizen daughter, a minor at the time. Despite that, Perevalov remained the actual owner of the property, the forfeiture complaint states. After the transfer, a local real estate professional continued to rent out the apartments for Perevalov and deposit rental income into 1616 Collins bank account. Between December 2018 and February 2023, the firms account received more than $288,000 in deposits from the realtors company, prosecutors allege. Beyond covering taxes and utilities, the rental income was also used to promote the existing plan of transactions with the Defendants Properties and to conceal the fact that Perevalov was the true beneficial owner of the Defendants Properties, the complaint states. Although the complaint does not name the realtor, property records make his identity clear: Roman Sinyavsky, the owner of Miami VIP Properties, a company specializing in luxury real estate. Sinyavsky received power of attorney for Perevalov and Abramov, allowing him to carry out financial transactions on their behalf. The realtor was also listed as a manager of 1616 Collins LLC, prosecutors say. Sinyavsky signed the warranty deed transferring the condos to 1616 Collins as Perevalovs attorney-in-fact. There are no indications Sinyavsky has been charged with a crime. He declined to comment for this story. Beyond the Complaint The VAD executives investments in Florida extended beyond Perevalovs One Bal Harbour condos. So did their alleged evasion of sanctions. Searching the Miami Dade County Property records, VOA found that Perevalov had disposed of another condo just months before being sanctioned, while Abramov transferred one five months after. Neither of these properties was mentioned in the forfeiture complaint and its not clear whether the DOJ will be able to do anything about it. Property records show that, in 1998, the Perevalovs purchased a condo in the elite Bella Vista Mid Rise North building in Aventura, Florida for $840,000. In November 2017, two months before Viktor Perevalov was sanctioned, they sold it for $1.2 million. Its unclear whether Perevalov anticipated that he would soon be blacklisted, although prosecutors have suggested that media reports of impending U.S. sanctions against Russia influenced a Russian oligarch, VTB Bank Chairman Andrei Kostin, to allegedly conceal his U.S. real estate. In 1998, Abramov and his wife Elena bought a condo for $1.11 million in the 2600 Island Boulevard Residence du Cap building, located in Aventura not far from the Perevalovs apartment. In June 2018, four months after he was placed under sanctions, Abramov transferred his share in this property to his wife, according to property records. That transfer likely should not have been allowed under sanctions. At no time were the Defendant Properties, the Abramov Accounts, or any other property belonging to Perevalov and Abramov, exempted from the sanctions. OFAC never issued a license for anyone to transact with, or on behalf of Perevalov and Abramov," prosecutors wrote in the complaint. Nine months later, Elena Abramova sold the apartment for $1.24 million, according to property records. How did Abramov manage to transfer the property despite being on the economic blacklist? According to OToole, the former Treasury official, not everything is cut and dried in the world of sanctions. Compliance works more effectively in highly regulated areas of the economy for example, in the banking sector. So-called non-banking financial institutions do not always carefully vet their clients. The OFAC regulations simply say do not violate sanctions, OToole told Voice of America. They don't say you must check every day. They don't say you must check when a transaction is occurring. Unlike in the case of Perevalovs Bal Harbour condos, this time the DOJ likely wont be able to file for forfeiture of the real estate. On a technical level, if Abramovs transfer of the condo to his wife violated the sanctions, then all further transactions with the property may be legally void, said sanctions expert OToole. In practice, it gets more complicated. The condos current owners appear not to have any connections with the Abramovs and probably were unaware that the property was frozen under sanctions. It is unlikely the DOJ would want to seize it from them. Its hard to imagine the U.S. government would go all in on that, OToole said. Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, who made history as his country's first gay and first biracial leader, announced Wednesday that he is stepping down for reasons that he said were both personal and political. Varadkar announced Wednesday he is quitting immediately as head of the center-right Fine Gael party, part of Ireland's coalition government. He'll be replaced as prime minister in April after a party leadership contest. "My reasons for stepping down now are personal and political, but mainly political," Varadkar said, without elaborating. He said he plans to remain in parliament as a backbench lawmaker and has "definite" future plans. Varadkar, 45, has had two spells as taoiseach, or prime minister between 2017 and 2020, and again since December 2022 as part of a job-share with Micheal Martin, head of coalition partner Fianna Fail. He was the country's youngest-ever leader when first elected, as well as Ireland's first openly gay prime minister. Varadkar, whose mother is Irish and father is Indian, was also Ireland's first biracial taoiseach. He played a leading role in campaigns to legalize same-sex marriage, approved in a 2015 referendum, and to repeal a ban on abortion, which passed in a vote in 2018. "I'm proud that we have made the country a more equal and more modern place," Varadkar said in a resignation statement in Dublin. Varadkar was first elected to parliament in 2007 and once said he'd quit politics by the age of 50. He led Ireland during the years after Britain's 2016 decision to leave the European Union. Brexit had huge implications for Ireland, an EU member that shares a border with the U.K.'s Northern Ireland. U.K.-Ireland relations were strained while hardcore Brexit-backer Boris Johnson was U.K. leader but have steadied since the arrival of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Varadkar recently returned from Washington, where he met President Joe Biden and other political leaders as part of the Irish prime minister's traditional St. Patrick's Day visit to the United States. Varadkar also has expressed frustration at how polarized politics has become in Ireland, as in other countries. There have been reports of discontent within Fine Gael, and 10 of the party's lawmakers, almost a third of the total, have announced they will not run for reelection. Earlier this month, voters rejected the government's position in referendums on two constitutional amendments. Changes backed by Varadkar that would have broadened the definition of family and removed language about a woman's role in the home were resoundingly defeated. The result sparked criticism that the pro-change campaign had been lackluster and confusing. Even so, his resignation was not widely expected. Martin, the current deputy prime minister, said he'd been "surprised, obviously, when I heard what he was going to do." "But I want to take the opportunity to thank him sincerely," Martin said. "We got on very well." Transport Minister Eamon Ryan said he didn't think the referendum results were "the key factor" in Varadkar's decision. "I think there is a gap before the local and European elections (in June) and that timing probably influenced him more than the referendum," Ryan said. Martin said Varadkar's resignation should not trigger an early election, and the three-party coalition government that also includes the Green Party would continue. Varadkar said he knew his departure would "come as a surprise to many people and a disappointment to some." "I know that others will, how shall I put it, cope with the news just fine that is the great thing about living in a democracy," he said. "There's never a right time to resign high office. However, this is as good a time as any." Representatives of 30 nations meeting in Brussels vowed to beef up nuclear energy Thursday as one solution to meet climate-fighting targets and guarantee reliable energy supplies. But the issue of nuclear power is divisive, and critics say it shouldnt be part of the worlds approach to energy challenges. The summit was the first of its kind, drawing leaders and delegates from the United States, Brazil, China and France, among others. The International Atomic Energy Agency, or IAEA, co-hosted the meeting and is promoting nuclear energy as a key way to reduce skyrocketing climate emissions. IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said, The heads of government, presidents, they believe that in the current context energywise, securitywise, nuclear has a very important contribution to make. Over 400 nuclear plants operate in about 30 countries, with another 500 planned or under construction. But overall, nuclear represents 10% of global electricity generation. In a statement, countries attending the meeting committed to increasing nuclear power's potential, including by building new plants. White House climate advisor John Podesta said, I think what this summit will do, will put a marker down ... that expansion of nuclear power is critical for tackling the climate crisis that is really beginning to disturb everyone across the globe. European Union countries such as France, which gets about 70% of its electricity from nuclear power, believe it can help meet ambitious European climate goals. But the EU itself is divided. Some member states, including Germany, Austria and Spain, have safety and environmental concerns about nuclear energy, including the waste it generates. So do groups such as Greenpeace, whose activists protested the Brussels summit. Lorelei Limousin, the climate and energy campaigner for Greenpeace EU in Brussels, said, Nuclear power is too slow to tackle the climate emergency. Nuclear energy is also very expensive, and much more expensive than renewables today. Finally nuclear power remains dangerous today with risks to health, environment, safety. Supporters say those risks can be managed and they say that for now, increasing nuclear's share of the power mix is essential if the world is to turn around a dangerous climate trajectory. Experts and activists are voicing concern over a purported internal Vietnamese Politburo directive, which they say could worsen already deteriorating human rights and the toll on the economy caused by increased scrutiny of foreign companies. The 88 Project, a U.S.-based nonprofit focusing on human rights in Vietnam, disclosed the document, entitled Directive 24, which it said orders government agencies to increase media censorship, crack down on civil society, increase surveillance of Vietnamese citizens, and quell the influence of outside powers and foreign businesses operating in the country. The rights group published its analysis along with the English translation of the directive on March 1. Vietnams Foreign Affairs Ministry, in a March 19 response to a query from VOAs Vietnamese service, did not address the document specifically, but expressed its opposition to false information aimed maliciously at Vietnam, which it called interference in internal Vietnamese affairs. The document is dated July 13, 2023, and its stated goal is to ensure "national security in the context of comprehensive and deep international integration." It orders government ministries to closely monitor Vietnamese who travel and study abroad, and to stop the formation of independent political movements, labor organizations, and protests. It also states the need for heightened surveillance and awareness to prevent national security threats, including ideological shifts and cultural erosion that it asserts could be caused by closer ties with outside nations. Tran Anh Quan, a Ho Chi Minh City-based social activist, told VOA March 13 that he believes the directive will further degrade the rights of Vietnamese citizens. Directive 24 is a springboard for the police force to use force to suppress people more strongly, he wrote in Vietnamese via the messaging app Telegram. The Communist Party is determined to eliminate human rights in Vietnam. Zachary Abuza, Southeast Asia expert and professor at the National War College in Washington, told VOA the same day that the crackdown on civil society is not novel for the regime. But, he said, portraying foreign enterprises and the tens of thousands of Vietnamese studying abroad as a threat is a turn for Hanoi. While the governments ability to closely monitor Vietnamese traveling and living abroad is limited, Abuza said he worries the increased surveillance of foreign businesses could hinder the economy. Vietnam's security and economic growth is completely dependent on internationalization, he said. "They really, really need to be doing whatever they can to make foreign investments. Yet they're sending completely the wrong signal. Moving toward Beijings treatment of enterprises Abuza said he sees the message in the directive as moving closer to Beijing's treatment of foreign enterprises, which could be a hindrance to the flow of capital into Vietnam as corporations look to "de-risk" from China. "For them to put into writing and say these firms need to be carefully watched and managed, so that they do not foment any color revolution to me that is something that clearly shows China's influence. I've never seen that in a Vietnamese document," he said. The directive orders government entities to be wary of foreign investors that 'hide in the shadows,' take over domestic markets and businesses and occupy vital economic sectors, while holding influential positions in defense and security that adversely affects our independence, economic autonomy and political stability." Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Quynh, a Vietnamese activist known by her pen name Mother Mushroom, told VOA March 14 that it is not a coincidence that Hanoi issued Directive 24 in July, roughly three months before it upgraded ties with Washington to the highest level in its diplomatic hierarchy. She said Hanoi sees closer ties with the United States and other countries as the best means to improve the economy but also as the potential downfall of the Communist Party. "Directive 24 is just to protect the communists," she said from Texas, where she has been living since she was allowed to travel to the United States in 2018 after being jailed in Vietnam on anti-state charges. "The government is very afraid of civil society, especially when the connection between Vietnam and the U.S. changed." Human rights Phil Robertson, deputy director of Human Rights Watch's Asia Division, told VOA in a March 13 email that implementation of the directive is well underway and is the clearest evidence to date that the Communist Party sees human rights as a threat to its hold on power. "The human rights and democracy activist movement has been essentially wiped out, leaving only the relatives of those imprisoned to commiserate and organize solidarity for one another, and even those actions are coming under hostile scrutiny by the state," Robertson wrote. He added that individuals with no history of political activism are being arrested for complaining online about local government. Quynh, the activist, also stated that people in Vietnam are fearful and the government is going after people she knows who were involved in early civil society movements approximately a decade ago but have not been open critics of the government. "People now are more scared," she said. "It looks like we are back to zero on the steps to democracy." Despite the clampdown, Ho Chi Minh City-based Quan said the worsening environment for human rights may lead to future political movements. "When people are oppressed to the extreme, there will inevitably be resistance," he said. "People may not talk about politics in the short term, but in the long term there will be many protests that the authorities cannot predict." False and fabricated information In its statement to VOA, Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson said the ministry opposes false and fabricated information with malicious intentions aimed at Viet Nam, which it called "an interference in Viet Nams internal affairs, plotting to sabotage Viet Nams socio-economic development and separating Viet Nam from the international community. The consistent line of Vietnam and its Communist Party, the statement said, is that Vietnam continues to proactively engage in a comprehensive and extensive international integration as a responsible member of the international community" and is committed to its international commitments, including those in trade and human rights. Taking account of the complicated developments of the world and the region, Viet Nam has issued various documents and conducted different measures to strengthen its national security, including close coordination with other countries with a view to safeguarding national security, human security, and to ensuring the peaceful and happy life of the people, the statement said. VOAs Vietnamese Service contributed to this report. Delegates at the event (Photo: baoquocte.vn) The meeting took place in the context of Dr. Phan Kieu Thu, Vietnamese Consul General in Vancouver, Canada, having just arrived to take up her duties. Consul General Thu informed overseas Vietnamese about news in the homeland as well as the achievements that Vietnam has made in recent times. At the same time, the Consul General informed about the content of the informal meeting with the Provincial Governor, Provincial Premier and Consul General delegation in Vancouver, as well as the priorities that the Vietnamese Consulate General in Vancouver will focus on implementation in many fields of economics, culture, import and export. Consul General Phan Kieu Thu said that there are many opportunities to continue promoting Vietnam's, and Vietnamese businesses cooperative relationship with Canada and British Colombia. On this occasion, Consul General Phan Kieu Thu thanked the Vietnam - Canada Business Association (VCBA) for wholeheartedly helping prepare to welcome the delegation of leaders of Ha Tinh, Yen Bai, and Thua Thien Hue provinces, and 73 members of domestic businesses to Vancouver to attend a seminar on trade and investment promotion in from April 25-27. Thanking people for their contributions, Ms. Thu said that the opinions expressed are very profound and substantive, and hoped that in the near future, the embassy will continue to receive comments from overseas Vietnamese. She affirmed that she will cooperate with overseas Vietnamese to remove obstacles as well as organize many effective activities to tighten solidarity between the Vietnamese community and promote the image of Vietnam to Canadian friends and the world, and at the same time join hands to build a beautiful and powerful Vietnam. Responding to comments related to Vietnam's laws, the Consul General promised to forward people's comments to relevant domestic agencies, ministries and sectors. At the end of the meeting, on the occasion of the beginning of Lunar New Year of the Dragon, Consul General Phan Kieu Thu sang songs about spring for overseas Vietnamese and received enthusiastic response from overseas Vietnamese./. As the United Nations observes World Water Day on Friday, there is a growing risk of conflict over water resources as climate change takes hold, the international body said. Meanwhile, nongovernmental aid agency Oxfam accused global corporations of "grabbing" water from poorer countries to boost profits. Declaring this year's theme Water for Peace, the U.N. warned that "when water is scarce or polluted, or when people have unequal or no access, tensions can rise between communities and countries." "More than 3 billion people worldwide depend on water that crosses national borders. Yet only 24 countries have cooperation agreements for all their shared water," the U.N. said. "As climate change impacts increase and populations grow, there is an urgent need within and between countries to unite around protecting and conserving our most precious resource." In South Africa's largest city, Johannesburg, the taps have been running dry for several weeks, affecting millions of people. On the outskirts of the city in Soweto, thousands of people have been lining up to collect water in bottles and buckets from tankers that bring in water from outside the city. "It has been a serious challenge, a very challenging time for my age that I have to be here carrying these 20-liter buckets," Thabisile Mchunu, an older Soweto resident, told The Associated Press on Monday. "And the sad thing is that we don't know when our taps are going to be wet again." Crumbling infrastructure is partly to blame for the water shortages in Johannesburg. But scientists say worsening climate change is causing reservoirs to dry up in South Africa and many other parts of the world. The United Nations estimates that 2.2 billion people live without safely managed drinking water. Scientists from the U.N.'s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change say roughly half of the world's population experiences severe water scarcity for at least part of the year, with poorer nations in the Global South the worst affected. Water grabbing In a report published Thursday, Oxfam accused major global corporations of "grabbing" vital water resources. "The private sector is grabbing and polluting this resource at the expense of local populations in order to make profits, further increasing inequalities. Droughts exacerbated by climate change affect agriculture and therefore the economies of the countries that depend on it, contributing to increased poverty, food insecurity and health problems for the inhabitants, particularly in the Global South," the report said. Oxfam accuses richer countries and multinational corporations of shifting water shortages to poorer regions by importing water-intensive products such as fruit, vegetables, meat, flowers and bottled water from overseas. The report says agriculture accounts for 70% of water withdrawals, including through irrigation systems, to support the meat industry and biofuels. "It is part of a neocolonial logic aimed at satisfying the consumption needs of the countries of the North at the expense of the countries of the South," Oxfam said. Its analysis suggests the private sector is failing to reduce its impact on water resources. Of the "350 corporations that have been analyzed through the database which account for half of the world's agricultural revenue only one in four of them are declaring they are reducing water use and pollution," Quentin Ghesquiere, an agriculture and food safety adviser at Oxfam France, told VOA. Government regulation Oxfam also noted that large corporations are permitted to withdraw water, even when local populations face restrictions. It highlighted the activities of the French-owned multinational food products company Danone. "Danone, in May 2023, continued to extract water from aquifers [in France] despite the restrictions that applied to local populations, in full legality. In the same year, the company made profits of almost 900 million euros and paid out 1.2 billion euros in dividends to its shareholders," the Oxfam report said. In a statement to VOA, Danone said that managing water sustainably is a priority, adding that "we have accelerated our innovations and investments to reduce, on a voluntary basis, water withdrawals from our bottling site. Since 2017, we have invested 30 million euros to modernize our production lines, which allowed us to reduce our withdrawals by 17% over the period 2017-2023, maintaining volumes sold," the Danone statement said. The Oxfam report recommends stronger regulation and calls for "ambitious funding for adaptation in developing countries and universal access to water." Russian authorities have refused to renew the visa of a Spanish journalist, forcing the reporter to leave the country within 24 hours at a time when analysts say it's growing harder for foreign media to cover Russia. A Russian official told Xavier Colas, a Moscow correspondent for the Spanish newspaper El Mundo, that his visa would not be renewed, the paper reported on Thursday. Colas has since left the country, according to El Mundo, which is one of Spain's largest newspapers. It's illegal for foreign correspondents to work inside Russia without a visa and accreditation from the Foreign Ministry. "After 12 years reporting from Moscow, the Russian authorities have refused at the last minute to renew my journalist visa," Colas said in a Wednesday post on the social media platform X. "I have only 24 hours to leave the country, leaving too much behind. I don't regret anything,' Colas said. "I've simply done my job: I've told what was going on." Colas told El Mundo that he had been warned of repercussions for covering protests by Russian women calling for the return of their husbands fighting in the war in Ukraine. Russia's embassy in Washington and El Mundo did not immediately reply to VOA's emails requesting comment. The incident highlights how risky it has become for foreign reporters to continue working inside Russia in the two years following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Two American journalists Evan Gershkovich and Alsu Kurmasheva are jailed in Russia on charges that are widely viewed as baseless and politically motivated. Their cases also underscore the dangerous reporting climate inside Russia. It's unclear how many foreign correspondents remain inside the country. Some information in this report came from Reuters. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged European Union leaders on Thursday to use billions of euros in profits from frozen Russian financial assets to purchase arms for Ukraine in its fight against Russia. "Russia must feel the real cost of war and the need for a just peace," Zelenskyy, via video link, told the EU leaders who were holding a two-day summit in Brussels. The European Commission, the EU's executive body, this week proposed moving 90% of profits from the frozen Russian assets to an EU-run fund used to finance arms for Ukraine. The profits made from the assets are estimated to be between 2.5 billion euros, or $2.73 billion, and 3 billion euros annually. Some European leaders, including those from Belgium and Germany, support the proposal, but others, including Austria's, expressed concern about the plan. Some Western banks have also come out against the proposal, citing concerns that redistributing the interest earned from frozen Russian assets could lead to litigation against them. The proposal came as Russia's defense minister said Thursday that Russian artillery shell production had increased by almost 2.5 times over the past year. In Zelenskyy's comments to the EU leaders, he said it was "humiliating for Europe" that Ukraine did not have enough arms in its war against Russia. Those remarks came after Russian aerial attacks targeted Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, on Thursday, with the Ukrainian air force saying it had shot down all 31 Russian missiles involved. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said on Telegram that rocket fragments fell in multiple districts of the city, hitting residential buildings and causing several fires. Klitschko said at least 10 people were injured. "Such terror continues every day and night," Zelenskyy said on social media Thursday. Later in the afternoon, a Russian missile attack on Ukraine's southern city of Mykolaiv killed at least one person and wounded four others, officials said. Zelenskyy called on the support of Ukraines partners, particularly in providing air defense systems. "Russian terrorists do not have missiles capable of bypassing Patriot and other leading world systems," Zelenskyy said. "This protection is required in Ukraine now. From Kyiv to Kharkiv, Sumy to Kherson, and Odesa to the Donetsk region. This is entirely possible if our partners demonstrate sufficient political will." The attack on Kyiv came a day after Zelenskyy hosted White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan for talks. Sullivan sought to reassure Ukrainians that the United States continues to support Ukraine and that despite a delay in Congress, billions in aid will get to the country. "We will get a strong bipartisan vote in Congress," Sullivan said during a press conference, calling it Plan A. "We will get that money to you as we should, so I don't think we need to speak about Plan B today." He also acknowledged that the process had "taken too long." Sullivan met with Andriy Yermak, Ukraines presidential chief of staff. They talked about what Ukraine needs on the battlefield and two upcoming summits: the NATO summit in July in Washington and a peace summit in Switzerland that is not yet scheduled but may happen this spring. Yermak said that China, an ally of Russia, could attend, but Ukraine will not invite Russia. Climate of fear In a new report, the United Nations human rights office said Russia has created a climate of fear in areas of Ukraine it is occupying. Based on more than 2,300 interviews with victims and witnesses, the report said Moscows forces had imposed use of the Russian language and basic Russian governance, while suppressing expressions of Ukrainian culture and identity. The actions of the Russian Federation have ruptured the social fabric of communities and left individuals isolated, with profound and long-lasting consequences for Ukrainian society as a whole, said Volker Turk, the U.N. high commissioner for human rights. The report said, The occupying authorities shut down Ukrainian internet and mobile networks, TV and radio channels, with traffic re-routed through Russian networks, which allowed control over information accessible online and prevented the population from freely receiving information from independent news sources, families or friends. People were encouraged to inform on one another, leaving them afraid even of their own friends and neighbors. A coalition of Russians fighting for Ukraine, meanwhile, said Thursday that they would continue their cross-border raids into Russia. "Our struggle continues," the fighters said in a statement. "Soon we will go to other cities." Some information for this report came from Reuters and Agence France-Presse. A Russian court has rejected a lawsuit filed by the mother of Alexey Navalny, the Russian opposition stalwart who died in prison in February, that claimed he received inadequate medical care, a close Navalny colleague said Thursday. Ivan Zhdanov, head of the Anti-Corruption Foundation that was started by Navalny, said the court in the town of Labytnangi, near the Arctic prison where he died, turned down the suit because it said only Navalny himself could be the plaintiff. "Alexei filed claims against the colonies many times for failure to provide medical care. The claims were denied. Now that he was killed, his family's claim is being denied with mocking wording," Zhdanov said on the Telegram messaging app. Navalny, the most persistent foe of President Vladimir Putin, was serving a 19-year sentence. He had been behind bars since January 2021 after returning to Russia from Germany where he had been recovering from nerve-agent poisoning that he blamed on the Kremlin. The cause of his February 16 death has been described by officials only as due to natural causes. A report by the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights accuses the government of Belarus of running a campaign of violence and repression to crush political dissent and maintain its grip on power. Considering the range of human rights violations committed against the population of real or perceived political opponents in discriminatory fashion, the offices report describes reasonable grounds to believe that the crime against humanity of persecution may have been committed, said Christian Salazar Volkmann, director of the field operations and technical cooperation division at the OHCHR. The report Volkmann presented to the United Nations Human Rights Council Wednesday examines all alleged human rights violations committed in Belarus related to the run-up to the 2020 presidential elections and its aftermath. The report is based on information and evidence from first-hand interviews with 657 people supported by more than 5,400 items, as well as 229 written submissions from victims, witnesses and nongovernmental organizations. Volkmann said information gathered last year substantiates the scale and patterns of the violations identified in previous reports and finds that since May 1, 2020, Belarus has effectively deprived people in Belarus of their ability to exercise their civic rights. The 2020 election of incumbent Alexander Lukashenko to a sixth term in office was decried by international monitors as neither free nor fair. Lukashenko denied this. In his presentation to the council, Volkmann said that opposition parties had been barred from participating in last months parliamentary elections, putting into question their ability to participate in next years presidential elections. He said laws adopted or amended by Belarus since 2021 have been used to oppress and punish real or perceived opponents. In the course of 2023, several prominent human rights defenders, journalists and trade unionists were sentenced to long prison terms, he said, noting that thousands of people continue to be arbitrarily arrested and detained for having exercised their freedom of expression and/or assembly. Since 2020, thousands of Belarusians have been subjected to cruel, inhumane, or degrading treatment or punishment in detention facilities across Belarus, he said. The report documents cases in which torture has resulted in severe injuries and instances of sexual and gender-based violence, adding that death and rape threats were widespread. It describes the horrific, punitive treatment and conditions under which political prisoners are subjected in state-run penal colonies. Authors of the report say, Information gathered regarding the lack of adequate medical care in the penal colonies is particularly alarming, adding that at least two people died in the custody of Belarusian authorities in 2023 due to medical negligence and two additional prisoners have died this year. The U.N. human rights office found widespread arbitrary arrests of children took place in 2020 and 2021, resulting in more than 50 politically motivated criminal trials in which the children lacked protections guaranteed under international law. OHCHR also found instances of ill-treatment and possibly torture of children, it said. Volkmann told the U.N. council that Belarusian authorities have removed children in supposedly dangerous situations from their parents in ways that seemed more focused on pressuring and punishing parents than safeguarding the best interest of the child. He said children sometimes were left without care, taken to orphanages, or parents were forced under duress to transfer the custody of their children to a relative or friend. He said the campaign of violence and repression has driven an estimated 300,000 Belarusians into exile since May 2020. It is currently not safe for those in exile to return to Belarus, Volkmann said. I therefore recommend that other member states continue to facilitate access to international refugee protection. He called on the government of Belarus to immediately release all individuals arbitrarily detained and sentenced on politically motivated grounds. To that, Belarus Ambassador to the U.N. in Geneva Larysa Belskaya indignantly responded that there are no political prisoners in Belarus. Persons serving sentences have been convicted of specific crimes, including against national security, she said. The Belarus lawbreakers are treated equally regardless of whether they are favorites of foreign politicians or act in their interests. The ambassador accused Western governments of supporting activists who fled the country, who failed to undermine the Belarusian state through an attempt at a covert revolution and participated in illegal anti-government actions and clashes with law enforcement officers in 2020. Now, they broadcast extremist calls and plans to overthrow the legitimate authorities in an armed conflict in Belarus, she said. The real situation in Belarus is radically different from the false picture painted by the report of the so-called group of OHCHR experts, she said. The focus of the state policy of Belarus will always be the strengthening of the well-being of the people and the protection of the interest of the Belarus state. Volkmann ended his presentation by calling for prompt, effective, transparent and independent investigations into all past violations of international law occurring since May 2020 and for an end to impunity and accountability for perpetrators of crimes in Belarus. The U.S. Treasury Department imposed new sanctions Wednesday on procurement networks supporting Iran's ballistic missile, nuclear and defense programs. The networks are based in Iran, Turkey, Oman and Germany, according to the Treasury Department's statement, and acquired carbon fiber, epoxy resins and other materials used in missiles. According to Brian Nelson, the Treasury Department's under secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, the "complex covert procurement networks" enable Iran to perpetuate conflict and risk lives. Iran is rife with sanctions regarding its nuclear program and missile production capabilities. Last month, the Treasury announced measures aimed at Iran's ballistic missile and drone procurement programs. The International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations' nuclear watchdog, has accused Iran of stonewalling its oversight attempts. For years, Iran has refuted allegations that it is developing nuclear weapons, maintaining that its nuclear activities are solely geared toward peaceful endeavors such as energy generation and medicine. However, the IAEA's director-general warned last year that Iran has enough enriched uranium and materials for several nuclear bombs. The U.S. is particularly focused on Iran because of its connection and military support of its proxies in Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and the Gaza Strip who have attacked U.S. and Israeli targets. In a statement about the new sanctions, the U.S. Department of State said, "the United States is committed to using all available tools to expose and disrupt the networks supporting Iran's reckless proliferation of weapons that destabilizes the Middle East and enables Russia's continued aggression against Ukraine." Some information for this report came from Reuters. Venezuela's top prosecutor on Wednesday announced arrest warrants for the presidential campaign manager of opposition powerhouse Maria Corina Machado and eight other staffers, accusing them in a violent anti-government conspiracy. Attorney General Tarek William Saab said in a nationally televised news conference that campaign manager Magalli Meda and the other Machado staffers were accused of being part of a "destabilizing" plot that included demonstrations, a media campaign and plans to attack military barracks. Two of the staffers, including political coordinator Dignora Hernandez, already were arrested Wednesday, Saab said, but Meda had not yet been detained. A person familiar with Hernandez identified her as the woman seen in a video circulating on social media in Venezuela in which she screams "Help! Help, please! No!" while at least three uniformed officers try to wrestle her into the back of an SUV. The person asked not to be identified for fear of retribution. Saab said the warrants stemmed from what he called a confession by another Machado staff member, Emill Brandt, who was detained earlier this month and whose attorney, Omar Mora, told The Associated Press he has been denied legal counsel of his choice. Machado, who has insisted on pressing forward with her campaign despite an administrative ban on her holding office, accused the government of unleashing "brutal repression against my campaign teams." The announcement of the arrest warrants came hours after an independent panel of experts investigating human rights violations in Venezuela told the U.N. Human Rights Council that the government of President Nicolas Maduro had increased repression efforts against real or perceived opponents ahead of this year's presidential election. "The mission confirms that, as has happened in the past, the authorities invoke real or fictitious conspiracies to intimidate, detain and prosecute people who oppose or criticize the government," panel head Marta Valinas told the council, which authorized the investigative mission. "At the same time, the Attorney General's Office continues to operate as part of the government's repressive machinery to grant the appearance of legality to the persecution of critical voices," Valinas said in Geneva. Machado last year overwhelmingly won a primary election held by an opposition faction. But the country's Supreme Tribunal of Justice in January affirmed an administrative order barring the former lawmaker from holding public office for 15 years. Machado, however, has continued her campaign, rejecting calls from inside and outside Venezuela to exit the race in time for another candidate to build up a viable campaign. At a news conference Wednesday, she again sidestepped questions about her next steps, only broadly saying her campaign will keep organizing and expects "much more than just well wishes" from the international community." "This is not a sign of strength but of profound weakness because ... they know that we are stronger with each passing day," Machado said, referring to the government. "If the regime believes that with these actions they are going to isolate me and leave me alone, let me be clear, my team is Venezuela." She called Saab "the prosecutor of terror" and said all the allegations against her staffers are false. The election is scheduled for July 28. The candidate registration period runs from March 21 to 25. The World Health Organization on Wednesday called for immediate action to combat a worldwide spike in cholera cases amid a global vaccine shortage. "Immediate action is needed to stem an unprecedented multiyear upsurge in cholera cases worldwide," WHO's International Coordinating Group on Vaccine Provision said in a statement. "The severe gap in the number of available vaccine doses, compared with the level of current need, puts unprecedented pressure on the global stockpile of vaccines." The group manages the global cholera vaccine stockpile. It predicts vaccine shortages to continue for at least two years. Cholera is an acute diarrheal disease caused by ingesting contaminated food or water. If untreated, cholera can kill within hours. The WHO reports that, worldwide, as many as 143,000 people die each year because of cholera. The main cause of cholera is a lack of clean water, soap and adequate sanitation. Proposed actions to mitigate the spread of cholera include investing in safe water access and increasing sanitation and hygiene measures. Improving testing to detect outbreaks more quickly and supporting overall accessible and quality health care is also imperative. Fast-tracking production of affordable oral cholera vaccine is a way to further prevent further increasing cases. The only organization that produces the cholera vaccine is the South Korean EuBiologics Company, which is unable to keep up with the demand. There are no new manufacturers expected to produce the vaccine before 2025, perpetuating fears about shortages. In 2022, to combat shortages, the ICG lowered the recommended dosage from two vaccinations to just one. In 2022, cases doubled from previous years to 473,000. In 2023, that number rose to around 700,000. The expected global vaccine production for 2024 is between 17 million and 50 million doses. However, the ICG said it "will likely continue to be inadequate to serve the needs of millions of people directly affected by cholera." Some information for this report came from Agence France-Presse. Traditional medicine, or "muti," is an important part of Eswatini's culture. However, an increasing demand for muti has placed some of the southern African kingdoms animal species at risk of extinction. Thats something conservationists and molecular biologists want to change. Molecular biologist Zamekile Bhembe, who works for the USAID-funded EWild Laboratory at the University of Eswatini, is fighting poachers and trying to get them convicted for their crimes. She said poaching for traditional medicinal purposes is a leading cause of biodiversity decline, and she wants stronger regulations to protect wildlife. "Every time you see biodiversity declines, there will be some sort of poaching involved," she said. "As a country, we cannot deny that we are using these resources as our traditional medicine. Its just that we need a way of regulating." For generations, the people of Eswatini have held traditional beliefs and values close to their hearts. This is reflected in the fact that more than 80% of the population still consults traditional healers, or "witchdoctors," for advice and healing. These healers use a wide range of plant and animal species to create traditional medicine, drawing on knowledge passed down through generations. However, excessive hunting has endangered the local populations of pangolins, crocodiles, vultures and owls, leading to calls for more sustainable practices. Makhanya Makhanya, president of the Witchdoctors Association, is a widely renowned traditional healing practitioner in his own right. He said the role of traditional healers needs to be protected. Such healers, he said, have served Eswatini for generations, providing healing and support to those in need. But he said current laws do not reflect the reality of their work. He wants to see regulations that recognize the traditional healers role in society and allow them to continue their work. Patrick Maduna, a South African citizen, said he travels from neighboring South Africa to Eswatini to seek traditional medicinal solutions. His preference for traditional healing shows the complex relationship between modern and traditional medicine in Eswatini. "I came all the way from South Africa to Swaziland for traditional attention, he said. I have been using the same traditional doctor since 2006, I have been coming to the same place. For me to come and get traditional attention, for me, its like therapy. I have never, ever gone to the hospital." Maduna said if there were laws in Eswatini to limit the poaching of animals for traditional medicine, he believes the so-called witchdoctors would comply with the rules. Facing potential budget cuts this year, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) the world's leading humanitarian donor says it may need to curtail its response to global crises. President Joe Biden's proposed budget for the current fiscal year asks for $10.6 billion in humanitarian aid as part of its overall foreign assistance spending, much less than was actually disbursed in each of the past two years. Congress has yet to finalize a budget for the fiscal year, which began last October. U.S. spending on humanitarian aid reached a record $17 billion in 2022, largely in response to Russias invasion of Ukraine, and stood at $15 billion in 2023. Both years, the disbursed amounts were significantly higher than originally budgeted, due to supplemental authorizations from Congress. In FY 2024, we expect total humanitarian assistance obligations to be less than last year, which would require USAID to reduce funding for nearly all of our crisis responses compared to 2023, a USAID spokesperson told VOA this week in written comments. USAID is responsible for managing most of the governments humanitarian assistance. Despite projections, the budget figures can and sometimes do change during the course of the year. For example, the Biden administration requested $10.5 billion for humanitarian aid in fiscal 2023, and Congress approved only $8.6 billion. Nevertheless, supplemental appropriations during the year pushed the total up to nearly $15 billion, with a large share going to Ukraine. The USAID spokesperson said the agency is still hoping that Congress will agree on a national security supplemental appropriation for fiscal 2024. Otherwise, USAID will have no choice but to make critical cuts to lifesaving programs. UNRWA funding suspension In January, the U.S. and some of its Western allies suspended funding to the U.N. Relief and World Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). Historically, the U.S. has been UNRWA's largest contributor, donating between $300 million and $400 million annually. This decision came after Israeli officials alleged that several UNRWA employees were involved in a Hamas terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. UNRWA fired the accused employees and initiated an investigation into the allegations. With 13,000 employees in Gaza, UNRWA is the largest and best-equipped agency to deliver aid to the enclave, where the U.N. says hundreds of thousands of people face catastrophic levels of hunger. However, some U.S. lawmakers have warned they will block any resumption of aid to UNRWA. A dollar for UNRWA is a dollar for Hamas terrorism, Republican Representative Brian Mast wrote on X last week. However, the USAID spokesperson said the American agency has a great deal of latitude in how it spends the money allotted to it. "USAIDs humanitarian funding from Congress is fully flexible, allowing USAID to direct it to the countries and sectors that need it the most in any given fiscal year, the spokesperson said. Humanitarian concerns In 2022 when U.S. humanitarian funding surged, the U.N. World Food Program received $12.7 billion, enabling it to deliver lifesaving food aid to hundreds of millions of people across the world. Last year, the organization secured only $8.5 billion from various contributors, falling short of its $23.5 billion need by 64% and forcing it to cut food and nutrition assistance in more than half of its global operations. Acute hunger remains at record levels in todays post-pandemic world, a WFP spokesperson told VOA. Across the board, the gulf between humanitarian needs and funding available to respond has grown steadily, and our humanitarian dollar is stretched to breaking point. Funding for other humanitarian operations also suffered significant gaps last year. Across 33 countries globally, only 36% of requests for water-related funding programs were filled, said Michelle Brown, associate director of advocacy at Action Against Hunger, an international humanitarian organization. An estimated 3.6 billion people worldwide lack access to safe drinking water and hygiene, resulting in thousands of deaths from waterborne diseases. Inability to provide lifesaving aid is one of the most critical consequences of limited humanitarian funding, said Brown. While the U.S. has given more than $66 billion in humanitarian assistance over the last decade, other large economies such as China and Russia have contributed far less. Last year, Russia contributed just $16.5 million and China $4.5 million to the U.N.-led global humanitarian funding appeal. The major export products included fresh coconut, dragon fruit, grapefruit, banana, passion fruit, mango and durian. Among them, durian is still the dominant product, especially making a breakthrough after the official export protocol to China. According to the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, Vietnams durian output increases by 15-20% each year. Regarding the market, China continues to be Vietnam's largest fruit and vegetable import market, accounting for 65% of the market share. Fruit and vegetable exports in the first two months of the year grew strongly. (Photo: vneconomy.vn) In particular, 4 products will be officially exported to China in the near future, including: medicinal herbs, coconuts, frozen fruits and watermelons, contributing to bringing this years fruit and vegetable export turnover to more than 6 .5 billion USD. In addition, fruit and vegetable exports to selective markets such as the US, the Republic of Korea and Japan also grew strongly, opening up many opportunities for this industry./. As head of the World Uyghur Congress, Dolkun Isa runs one of the most prominent organizations in the world advocating for the rights of Uyghurs. In his recently released book, The China Freedom Trap, subtitled My Life on the Run, Isa recounts key events that have dotted his journey and time since he left China in 1994. To learn more about what it was like for him in China, VOAs Natalie Liu spoke to Isa on the sidelines of a Washington event held by the U.S. National Endowment for Democracy on March 14. In the following interview, edited for clarity and brevity, Isa talks about his early years in what China calls the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region but he and other Uyghur activists prefer to call East Turkestan his move to Beijing in the 1990s and his hope for the future. VOA: You were born in 1967. What was it like growing up in Xinjiang in those years? Dolkun Isa: That was around the time the Chinese Cultural Revolution started, which lasted [officially] 10 years [until 1976]. I entered primary school in Aksu. We had two or three Chinese [language] class each week, which we [studied] as a foreign language at that time. By the time I went to high school, I think we had six Chinese language classes every week. It was Uyghur teachers who taught us Chinese. In 1984, I enrolled in university to study physics. At that time, teaching language was Uyghur Uyghur professor, teaching Uyghur students, in Uyghur language. This policy was changed in 2004. Until 2004, from primary school all the way to university, for Uyghur students, the teaching language was Uyghur. In 2004, Uyghur professors had to [become proficient] in Mandarin Chinese to keep their jobs. VOA: You attended but did not graduate from Xinjiang University? Isa: Thats right. I was not able to graduate because in 1987, I established one of the student cultural groups ... In 1988, we held a big demonstration to protest against [daily] discrimination we felt that happened during my last semester, I was kicked out of the university; thats why I wasnt able to graduate. VOA: You said earlier that at that time, there was no discrimination in terms of the teaching language in the schools. What were the other types of discrimination? Isa: At that time, the language of instruction was Uyghur, but there were very few textbooks in the Uyghur language, for example. VOA: Why did you decide to go to Beijing to continue your studies? Which year was that? Isa: I went to Beijing in 1990, I stayed in Beijing 1990 to 1994. For two years, I studied English and Turkish languages, the [next] two years, I ran a restaurant in Beijing. VOA: What made you want to study English and Turkish? Isa: Because I wanted to continue my university studies but I couldnt. I studied at the Number 1 Foreign Languages Institute, now Beijing Foreign Languages University. VOA: Thats a difficult school to get into. Isa: I didnt go for a diploma, but just a [language] certificate; I paid my own tuition, was there four semesters. VOA: How much did you have to pay each semester? Isa: At that time, I remember it was 800 yuan per semester; big money that time. VOA: And authorities allowed you to go to Beijing to study, instead of saying: Youre not going anywhere, for the rest of your life [due to your having led the demonstrations in Xinjiang]. Isa: At that time, they didnt have such [stringent] restrictions. Even ID cards were not that common back then. At the university, you pay, register, and next day, you start [your classes]. VOA: You didnt go to Beijing [from Xinjiang] in 1989? Isa: No. At that time, I was in East Turkestan. VOA: That year, a lot of college students in Beijing were sent to military-style disciplinary training (in the aftermath of that years students-led protests). Isa: We also had that at Xinjiang University; [newly admitted] students would first go through military exercises, then [Chinese] language classes [before moving on to other subjects]. VOA: How do you feel [in general] about Han Chinese? Isa: I only became aware of our rights when I entered the university; before, I thought as Uyghurs, were second [class] citizens, Chinese people being first [class] citizens; this was natural, it was due to [the Chinese Communist Party]s policies. Later when I went to Beijing, I also could feel the discrimination. At hotels, they often would welcome us at first because we looked like foreigners, but when we show them our ID which say were Uyghurs, we were turned away because there were instructions from the police saying no Uyghurs. Also, the Uyghur people were seen [derogatorily] merely as 'those who sell kababs.' VOA: Are you able to see the Uyghur people and Han Chinese co-existing peacefully in the future? Isa: The Chinese Communist Party has already done so much brainwashing of the Chinese people; a genocide is being carried out directed at the Uyghur people, but we havent seen a lot of support from Chinese people both inside China and among the exiles. When Xi Jinping comes to the United States or Germany, there are many Chinese students in these countries who are enjoying democracy, rule of law and freedom of expression that show support of the dictator. VOA: Theyre said to be paid by the Chinese Embassy. Isa: Yes, but still, they call the Uyghurs terrorists and the Tibetans 'separatists.' VOA: The [December 2022] White Paper protests were started because of the tragic incident that happened in Urumqi, a lot of Chinese were saying: If it could happen in Urumqi, it could happen to us. They showed a lot of solidarity [with the Uyghur people]. Isa: Yes, this is a good point, this gives us some hope. [Its important for this to] continue. VOA: Do you see other signs of hope? Isa: I intend to stay an optimist. I keep asking members of the Chinese democratic movement to educate Chinese people living in exile against the 'Great Han Race' [prejudice indoctrinated] by the Chinese Communist Party. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken landed in Saudi Arabia Wednesday on the first stop of his new Mideast effort to secure a cease-fire in the Israeli-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip and said he was adding a stop in Israel on Friday to meet with officials there. The U.S. State Department said in a statement that in Israel, Blinken will discuss the need to ensure the defeat of Hamas, including in Rafah, in a way that protects the civilian population, does not hinder the delivery of humanitarian assistance, and advances Israels overall security. Blinken is also stopping in Egypt on his latest foray so far unsuccessful to end the Israel-Hamas conflict, now in its sixth month. The State Department said Blinken would brief Israeli officials on his talks with Arab leaders. Aside from the number of people killed in the war 1,200 in the shock October 7 Hamas attack on Israel and nearly 32,000 in Israels subsequent counteroffensive in Gaza the delivery of humanitarian aid into the war zone to help famished Palestinians has become one of the most contentious points of conflict between the Jewish state and its Western allies. Britain on Wednesday announced a new delivery of food aid into Gaza, while U.S. officials pushed for an increase in humanitarian assistance and a new cease-fire ahead of Blinkens visit and planned talks with Israeli officials in Washington next week. Britains foreign ministry said 2,000 tons of food crossed into Gaza with the help of Jordan and was being distributed by the World Food Program. Its crucial that we keep the flow of aid moving into Gaza to end the suffering, and thats why this latest delivery of aid by WFP is so vitally important, British Foreign Secretary David Cameron said in a statement. As the fighting goes on, U.S. officials have expressed repeated concern about Israels plan to carry out an offensive in Rafah, located along the Gaza-Egypt border, where more than 1 million Palestinians are sheltering. That concern, echoed by U.N. officials, is focused on a potential humanitarian catastrophe with Rafah being a main entry point for what little aid is making it into the Gaza and there being no explicit plan for a safe place for Palestinian civilians to go to find safety from any impending Israeli military operation. The U.S. Defense Department announced late Tuesday that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will host Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant next week for talks at the Pentagon about plans to ensure the safety of the people in Rafah. Other topics on the agenda include efforts to secure the release of the remaining 100 or so hostages held by U.S. designated terror group Hamas and the need for more humanitarian aid to reach Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Israeli lawmakers Tuesday that he made it clear in a phone call with U.S. President Joe Biden that Israel is determined to complete the elimination of these battalions in Rafah, and there's no way to do that except by going in on the ground. Separately, senior White House officials are set to host senior Israeli military, intelligence and humanitarian officials for meetings in Washington. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said those meetings are expected to take place early next week. Jean-Pierre told reporters Tuesday that the United States is constantly working on achieving a deal for a temporary six-week cease-fire and release of about 40 of the hostages in exchange for dozens of Palestinians jailed by Israel. She said Israel needs to do more to provide unimpeded access for humanitarian aid to enter northern and southern Gaza. Much of Gazas infrastructure and homes has been leveled as Israel pursued its campaign to eliminate any Hamas control in Gaza. Blinken on Tuesday described what he called the horrific humanitarian situation in Gaza, citing United Nations reports that the entire population needs humanitarian aid. According to the most respected measure of these things, 100% of the population of Gaza is at severe level of acute food insecurity, Blinken said. Thats the first time an entire population has been so classified. Qatari officials said they are cautiously optimistic that Israel and Hamas can reach a new cease-fire in the war in Gaza and the release of more hostages held by the militants, a Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman said Tuesday. Majed al-Ansari offered the favorable assessment after talks in Doha that included Israeli intelligence chief David Barnea. But Ansari said it was too early to announce any successes. Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. EU leaders will grapple at a summit on Thursday with how to get more weapons to Ukraine's outgunned forces while also re-arming their own countries to face Russia's Vladimir Putin -- aggressive and newly emboldened after cementing his grip on power. Over two years into Moscow's all-out war against its neighbour, Kyiv's troops are struggling to hold back the Russian army as Western support fails to keep pace with the fighting. "If Ukraine had to surrender, then a puppet regime will be installed in Kyiv, the Ukrainian people will be crushed," EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell warned ahead of the Brussels meeting. "The Russian army will be at our borders and we could be sure that they will not be stopping there." Following his weekend presidential election success, a bullish Putin on Wednesday described it as a "prologue" to victory in Ukraine. Kyiv desperately needs more weapons and ammunition to fend off Putin's troops, who have made recent battlefield gains. As a $60-billion package remains stalled in Washington, the EU's 27 leaders will debate a plan to spend profits from 200 billion euros in frozen Russian central bank assets on weapons for Ukraine. Officials said that the proposal could unlock some three billion euros a year for Kyiv and that if EU countries agree quickly, the money could start flowing by July. That would come on top of more than 33 billion euros that the EU says it has provided towards arming Ukraine since the Kremlin invaded in February 2022. Alongside the efforts to get more weapons to Kyiv, the EU is also frantically working on ways to boost Europe's defence industry to be able to arm Ukraine and build up its own forces. Brussels has put forward a raft of proposals aimed at ramping up capacity but there are complaints that Europe is still not moving fast enough. While Russia has put its economy on a war footing, the EU has fallen well short of a promise made last year to supply Ukraine with a million artillery shells by this month. Meanwhile, the Czech Republic has spearheaded its own initiative aimed at hoovering up hundreds of thousands of shells available around the world to send to Kyiv. - Defence bonds? - "At this crucial moment in global history, we must be defence-ready, matching the urgency of the threat," European Council chief Charles Michel wrote in an editorial. "If we want peace, we must prepare for war." France, Estonia and Poland have pitched the idea of using joint borrowing similar to the massive package of support the EU came up with during the Covid pandemic to now fund defence spending. But a majority of member states -- led by the so-called "frugal" countries such as Germany -- are unwilling to go anywhere near that far. Instead, the discussion will likely focus on getting the EU's lending arm, the European Investment Bank, to expand its funding for the sector. At the moment, the bank is limited to investing in only a small number of "dual-use products" that can have both military and civilian functions. While the response to the conflict in Ukraine will dominate much of the summit, EU leaders will also push for a united stance on the war in Gaza, with United Nations chief Antonio Guterres in attendance. Diplomats say that an overwhelming majority of countries support a call for an "immediate humanitarian pause" in Israel's offensive and a warning for it not to launch a ground operation in Rafah. But staunch Israeli ally Hungary has repeatedly blocked efforts to take a tougher line and could veto a consensus this time as well. Closer home, EU leaders look set to give the green light to opening membership negotiations with Bosnia as Russia's war has sparked a push to expand the bloc. Diplomats said that the Balkan state would likely get an agreement on launching talks, but they could only start in earnest when the country has passed more reforms. del/ec/bc/ach Photo: Emilio Madrid This article originally appeared in the Stage Whisperer newsletter. To receive the newsletter each week in your inbox, sign up below. Stage Whisperer Weekly theater news, delivered a little louder for the people in the back. 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 biggest theatrical event of the past week happened inside of another piece of theater. On the evening of Thursday, March 14, three protesters from the climate-activist group Extinction Rebellion stood up during a town-meeting scene in a press preview of An Enemy of the People to interrupt the play with speeches of their own about the climate crisis imploring the audience to believe scientists, calling attention to the harsh sentences for activists Timothy Martin and Joanna Smith (arrested for smearing paint on a Degas in the National Gallery), and repeating the phrase No theater on a dead planet. This play highlights that climate activists are not the enemy, Laura Robinson, a spokesperson for the group, said in a statement. But why are we being treated as such? Watching the events play out, you might have initially assumed, as I did in the audience, that this was a meta-theatrical intrusion within the production. In that scene in the play, Jeremy Strongs character, Dr. Stockmann, is arguing that his Norwegian towns spas need to be shut down because their waters are contaminated, but hes being blocked by the towns political elite, led by their mayor, who is his brother (played by Michael Imperioli). The town meeting comes after a brief intermissionlike pause during which An Enemy of the People serves Linie aquavit from a (heavily branded) onstage bar and invites some audience members to sit onstage as the ensemble sings Norwegian folk songs. The lights stay up during the ensuing scene, and when the activists started to speak, the cast appeared to respond in character. Imperioli, seemingly acting like the mayor, heckled and forcibly pushed one of the activists up the stairs of the theater. Strong, acting like Dr. Stockmann, responded to one protester by saying, Hes right. As the action continued, however, it became very clear that this was an unplanned intrusion. Ushers pulled the activists up the stairs, and later on an NYPD officer appeared in the back of the theater. Once the activists were removed, the audience, somewhat disconcertingly, erupted in applause. One of the activists, Nate Smith, spoke with Time Out New York about their approach, and I recommend reading that story. (Theater has a long history of answering to social times, but I dont want there to be confusion of were attacking the art, he said.) But I was also curious about what was going through the actors heads during the event, so I went to the opening-night party for the production which, yes, had gallons of Linie at the bar to ask. Imperioli told me that he, too, initially thought that his director might have planted the protesters. We kept trying to make that intermission more chaotic, he said, so I thought maybe this is that, and I was just like, All right, Im the mayor now. The actor insisted that his actions pushing a protester up the stairs; shouting Go back to drama school! at another stemmed from being in character and that he felt as if the mayor might take charge to try to get rid of a protester. If I wasnt playing the mayor, I would not have done that, Imperioli said, and he added that he got in touch with the activists and patched things up afterward. Looking into their faces, they were very passionate about something that was extremely important, he said. I thought it was kind of beautiful. Strong, for his part, told me his response didnt come as much from trying to stay in character as remaining consistent with his own beliefs. Im doing a play about a character who is trying to awaken people to an imminent ecological catastrophe, he said, so I personally felt I wouldnt have the right to finish the play if I had tried to stifle or silence what they had to say, which I think is correct and deserved to be heard. He pointed out that interruptions are not ideal, comparing his experience to being knocked off while walking a tightrope. But he felt that the intrusion ultimately magnified what the play is about. If anything, it maybe taught me the what of the play and the why of the play, he said. They chose us for a reason, and I feel honored that they chose us, although I hope they dont do it again. Page Six obtained the restraining order Quinn filed against Dumontet, in which she says that Dumontet threw a number of objects at her after she expressed dissatisfaction with their marriage. Allegedly, Dumontet threw several decorative floral arrangements at Quinn. He narrowly missed hitting me with one of the metal rods, but I was struck by one of boxes he threw, the order reads. He then opened a can of Red Bull and threw that across the room as well, making more of a mess and returned a short time later, and threw dog feces at me, which he pulled out of the trash. Quinn said he also urinated on the floor. The following day, Quinn says she and Dumontet argued over the mess made the previous night. She says she felt the rush of air from an object hurtling towards me and our son, and that she then saw broken glass in our sons hair and on the floor. Quinn asked their nanny to call the police, and Dumontet was arrested for the first time. In the same filing, Quinn detailed a time she believed Dumontet faked an overdose to test her. I was terrified that [Dumontet] had poisoned and endangered himself. After what felt like an hour of [Dumontet] apparently falling in and out of consciousness and me being terrified, he suddenly appeared sober again and said you passed the test, you really do love me, the statement reads. When I realized that he had faked the whole thing, I became very afraid of [Dumontet], and what else he could potentially do. Photo: Heidi Gutman/Peacock This list was originally published on June 30, 2022. It has been updated to include songs from Girls5evas third season. Now that weve gotten to the end of Girls5eva season three, theres just 6 much weve seen the girl group sing about: the hotness of boys in space, UTIs, knee surgery. But in the quest to be famous 5eva, one song has to be No. 1. Using a highly scientific process known as listening to my own taste, I ranked the output of Girls5eva thus far, focusing both on whether the songs are good as stand-alone songs and whether they are actually funny. For the sake of clarity, I stuck to the music available on the shows official cast recordings, which does leave off several gems we only hear for a few seconds onscreen. (Why didnt we get a studio version of Dawns song where she uses every possible definition of the word set? This is a question I can only yell fruitlessly at the screen and hope for a response.) Until then, we will make do with this list of the excellent Girls5eva material that is available on a music-streaming service near you. 32) U Ready? A filler song that is itself a joke about filler songs, you have to admire the number of ways the Girls5eva writers have the group stall for time. The delivery is very funny, and we get all the girls (including Ashley Park) doing their best ready-for-MTV voices to confirm they are, indeed, in the house and ready. However, the concept is better as an elaborate joke than a song, per se. Best line: If youre ready, could you say ready? Because you could be in the house and not ready. 31) Home Alone Doorknob This is barely a song, but man, its a funny metaphor for what happens to your clitoris when you get horny. Best line: Its gonna get sexy, so watch out, Joe Pesci! 30) The Splingee Another exercise in specific girl-group humor, Girls5eva describes how to do a dope dance move that is supposedly taking the world by storm. It involves whipping your hair, doing figure eights with your waist, blinking with two eyes, and getting all shy like you want to cry. The instructions end with the note that the only thing left to do is repeat it two more times to make one complete splingee. Honestly, it sounds like a home workout I should try. Best line: Grind up on a ghost, then shake it out. 29) Who U Know A solo performance by Jeremiah Crafts Lil Stinker (who later gets canceled and rebrands as a country act), this is a send-up of name-dropping rap singles, with Stinker just listing everyone he knows, from his mom to his friends mom to Alfre Woodard. Best line: From Zendaya to Zen-die-a! 28) No Strings Gloria spends season three trying to hook up with every type of woman, but realizes that shes a romantic after all. Here, shes trying to embrace a no-strings-attached dynamic through a nonsensical folk tune thats about a couple chasing the moon in an airplane powered by love. Best line: A morning that never came until the coroner said to the wizard time of death, the same. 27) Line Up This is the song that launches Girls5evas comeback, since Lil Stinker samples Famous 5eva on it. Well get to their original hit later on, but the Stinker side of it is pretty generic as a placeholder for the kind of song that might sample something from the early 2000s. Best line: I know you wanna light up, forever 5eva enough. 26) Thinking About Myself One of Dawns stabs at songwriting early in season two, this is a fairly direct ballad about self-involvement. It does have some great zealous grandstanding vocals from Renee Elise Goldsberry, though. Best line: Crying harder than anyone at a funeral for a great-uncle I barely knew. 25) Space Boys In the chronicles of Girls5evas adventures in dating, here we have them going on an interstellar boy-kissing mission. Sadly they dont have a TARS to keep them company, but after checking every planet they can (including the stars) they find some space boys (more exotic than a waiter from France!). On the show, the song accompanies some flashbacks to a young Gloria trying to avoid making out with actual boys, but solely as music, its just a low-key sci-fi jam. Best line: We found a planet full of girls, but we left! 24) Later An empowerment song in the genre of Brave, sung of course by Sara Bareilles, but about procrastination. The drum and piano orchestrations are so inspiring its easy to ignore that the message is that you really dont need to do anything right now. Best line: Nows the not the right time, lets aim for next year when well have no fear, maybe by then the problems got solved by themselves all on their own. 23) Boyz Next Door (Puber-Dude) To match the queasy sexualization of the Girls5eva, this number offers up the chance to objectify the just-recently pubescent members of Boyz Next Door, who have become the hottest boys in the cul-de-sac with a Backstreets Backstyle anthem of their own. Who could resist their thin little mustaches, awkward growth spurts, and bland conversation? Best line: Floppy hair, greasy brow, Adams apple going pow-pow-pow. 22) SweetN Low Daddy Another vault track: In season three, the adult members of Girls5eva are pretty embarrassed by the message of their old hit about the benefits of dating an older man, but man, its pretty catchy, so you can understand why Cat Cohens character took it as gospel. Their ideal daddy has parents you never need to meet because they died during Nixon, and, of course, the song ends with the crucial question: Real talk, when are you going to die? Best line: Dont need to graduate, because were elder bait! 21) Cant Wait 2 Wait Back in the day, Busy Phillipss Summer and Andrew Rannellss Kev collabed on this break-out Christian-pop single about the joys of not having sex yet. Its fun hook and a peppy atmosphere bely the sheer grossness of the overall message. Best line: Premarital urges arent itches to be scratched, so look up medical oddities until those feelings pass. 20) Daughter Hero Renee Elise Goldsberry gets to do a groovy 90s ballad with Wickie in celebration of her own generosity to her mother, never mind the fact that she comes from a solidly upper-middle-class family. She buys her mom a house, a house thats significantly less nice than the one she already has! Best line: Daughter hero, like if Jesus had a sister! 19) New York City Moms An obvious sequel to New York Lonely Boy (more on that below), this song brings on Ingrid Michaelson(!) to perform an ode to the women of the city who have chosen to wait to have kids. A celebration of the moms who have bumps poking out of Eileen Fisher and are judged by their husbands out-of-town sister, the Girls5eva writers can riff endlessly on very niche New York micro-communities, and bless them for that. Best line: Spent their 20s in a disco, still younger than moms in San Francisco. 18) Summer Brings the Fall Kevs best attempt at a torch song involves an increasingly convoluted series of attempts at wordplay that I cant help but respect. It starts out with thought you were for ev, thought you were for Kev, you were like whatev, now I pray to heav for strength and just gets more forced from there. Best line: Thought I was your male, cause youre my holy grail. 17) Is There a Me? Season three brought Busy Philipps a short but sweet bit of soul-searching in which Summer questions if she has any identity of her own, or if her personality has just been a series of attempts to please guys. Points for Philipps showing off some vocal training, deductions for the amount of Netflix cross-marketing involved. Best line: Do I even like The Witcher, or is it just to please a mister? And what is The Witcher? I watched 40 minutes and Im still not sure! 16) Inside My Sweater Girls5evas music industry gets awfully specific with its parody of a Harry Stylestype sensitive boy hounded by mobs of fans named Gray Holland, played by Gossip Girl alum Thomas Doherty (he also played a similar role on the late, lamented High Fidelity Hulu reboot). As far as sound-alikes go, this HarryslashShawn Mendes low-key bob is eerily accurate but also somehow a successful earworm, especially in the way Doherty refuses to ever pronounce the r in sweater. Best line: Come dance and cook and make sweet love with me, inside my sweater! 15) Welcome to Now Dohertys soft-boy star Gray Holland returns, against his own will, in a pop hit constructed by his label because Clause 46B, Paragraph Q of the artists contract grants the company use of postmortem generative voice cloning. Its the funnier of the two Gray Holland songs, and the beats so sensual you may miss that it quickly becomes an ad for the deals available at Best Buy. Best line: Best Buy, Best Buy, Gray Holland loves Best Buy. Tablets, projectors, and more. Youre the best, bye! 14) Larrys Song The girls get their Taylors Version moment with this kiss off to their former manager that references many of the shows recurring jokes about the indignities of early aughts fame, including him promising a steak knife to whoever seduces Carson Daly. The twist by the end is that theyve finally gotten some financial and personal control, and thus, everything we do belongs to us. Best line: Only let us eat crab, cause you cant get fat from food thats so damn hard to get at. 13) At the Beep No, youre tearing up thinking about a fictional character who died in an infinity-pool accident. In this episode, Gloria finally gives up on her conspiracy theories about Ashleys death and accepts that she might really be gone. (I do wonder if Ashley Park wouldve been available for a longer run in season two if Emily in Paris hadnt gotten so big.) This results in a somber number where girls say good-bye to Ashley through her still-active (because Gloria has been paying) answering-machine service. Best line: It should have been me. I did a lot of cocaine, so much cocaine. 12) Get It Off Your Chest In a moment of confession and healing in season three, the women of Girls5eva share their darker secrets with each other and their audience. The result is a series of tightly written jokes from the shows writing staff: Wickie only likes people who like me, but be careful, if you like me too much, it has the opposite effect and I find you desperate, Gloria doesnt trust stand-up comics who are too in shape, Summer hasnt listened to a voice-mail since 2015, and finally, Dawn delivers my favorite Best line: Every year when my sons school sends out the class list with parents names, the first thing I do is Google them to see what they paid for their apartments. 11) Momentum Starting off season two, the girls have got momentum, yeah, um, its their moment (bless you, Jeff Richmond) with a song thats relatively straightforward within the Girls5eva canon but is also a solid earworm. I have to respect that groovy baseline, too. Best line: Unstoppable, this unst-unst aint toppable. 10) Tap Into Your (Fort) Worth A canny marketing move: The girls of 5Eva plot a way to secure a captive audience by writing a song about an American city nobody else has written a song about. The result is a clever ode to Dallass overlooked sister, declaring that cow town is a wild town with a walkable downtown and trumpeting the fact that the Trinity River is, in some places, now actually swimmable. Its enough to make you want to consider booking a flight to DFW, maybe just as a connection, but still. Best line: Some say Omaha Zoo is second-best, but thats a lie because their red panda is always inside. Its never out on the tree, yeah! 9) Im Afraid (Dawns Song of Fears) Sometimes you just have to let Sara Bareilles loose with a piano and sing like shes performing Gravity. Here, Dawns attempt to write a song on her own ends with her just listing things shes afraid of, from the fact that she might thrive under Scientology to her fear that shell text a pic of her vagina to her dad. Theres something very funny to me about the way Bareilles says my hummus is fungus and I have to own that. Best line: Im afraid that the second I leave town Ill get a UTI. Why cant they sell those pills over the counter? I dont need a doctor, I know exactly what it is. 8) Yesternights Finally, a full taste of Wickies solo album, a work absolutely choked by melisma and sung impeccably by Renee Elise Goldsberry. Its, as she sings, gorgeous and sensual and also life fancy, and also dancing, yearning. You could probably slip it on a sex playlist and nobody would notice, and frankly, we need an eight-minute version. Best line: But tonight, there is no night or tomorrow night / Or any future night / Cause youre only in my yesternight of nights. 7) The Medium Time Sara Bareilles wrote the Girls5evas season-three finale hit song, which is about being inspired not to aim for immense fame, but a reasonable, medium level of attention. Bareilles is so good at selling the earnest, heartfelt feeling behind the song that you may forget that the wise man who told her this advice, in the universe of the show, was actually Richard Kind. Best line: The middle is the riddle of it all, and the medium time is just fine for now. 6) Dream Girlfriends The satire of Girls5eva cuts deepest here, in this song from their original run about all the ways theyd be willing to debase themselves to appeal to men. The list includes the fact that their dads are dead, that their moms are overtired so therell be no pushback, that they want to watch you play darts and love watching stand-up (but not by women). Dream Girlfriends cuts both ways, managing to make the men its supposed to appeal to sound pathetic as well. The girls are short so they dont know youre bald! Best line: Tell me again why Tarantinos a genius. 5) Bend Not Break Near the end of season two, the women of Girls5eva realize their best song is actually about Glorias knee surgery. Metaphorically, its really about how they have to learn to compromise and acknowledge each others weaknesses to support their success, but there is also literally a joke about how she uses a cane. Anyway, its got a groove thats hard to shake and does really make you want to dance (carefully, in a way that doesnt risk further knee injury). Best line: We got our secret weapon already, and its got eight legs, four smiles, and a cane. 4) Famous 5eva Perhaps the best theme song in the vast universe of television today, here Girls5eva embraces the joys of counting by promising theyll be famous 5eva cuz 4evas too short. Those synths have an addictive crunch, and theres something about the way they describe the series of cars theyre driving in (first a Lexus, then a Mercedes and then a Maserati) thats gleefully ridiculous. The show has to make you believe the girls really are talented, and that theres something joyful about watching them perform. This does both. Best line: Were Girls5eva, could we get a high SIX? 3) B.P.E. Put your hands together for a We Are the Championsstyle celebration of big pussy energy. Girl5evas absurdist answer to WAP celebrates their Vitamin P with some gospel-choir-esque harmonies. And the remix, which outdoes the original, adds in some church bells to heighten the energy. It will make you tap into whatever B.P.E. you have of your own. Best line: Square feet, Im going for miles, upgrade, taking up the aisles, open up those classified files from the Department of Treasury. 2) New York Lonely Boy The best of the Girls5eva songs in terms of straight joke-writing, New York Lonely Boy applies a Simon and Garfunkel sensibility to the tales of hyperarticulate soft boys who know too much about mixing plaids and the dangers of restaurants on the corner (they just try too hard). Its comedy is sort of tangential from Girls5evas overall focus on the music industry, but its so perfectly realized that it doesnt matter. Any show that can deliver such a specific encapsulation of a type to the extent that I now think of various former St. Annes students whove became indie celebrities (okay, just Lucas Hedges) as New York Lonely Boys deserves to run forever. Best line: His playground is the lobby, has a palate for wasabi. 1) Four Stars If Famous 5eva had to establish Girls5eva as it was, then Four Stars has to do the work of making you believe the second iteration of the group has come into its own. It does this delightfully well, with an anthem about embracing your imperfections that includes plenty of tossed-off jokes from each of the band members. (Im particularly fond of women are an ocean of secrets!) Plus theres something great about the harmonies of everyone singing four stars together. I have put this on exercise playlists, and it works! Best line: The best things in life are free, thats why rich people never carry wallets. Photo: FX Allow me to recall the precise moment that elevated Cosmo Jarviss John Blackthorne into my personal canon of all-time great TV characters. It comes about a half-hour into the first episode of Shogun, Anjin, when Blackthorne is dragged before local lord Yabushige after his crew is extracted from their ship. Scraggled and presumably scurvied after months stranded at sea, Blackthorne bursts into rage when a stationed Portuguese Catholic priest disingenuously translates their conversation with the intent of having him executed. Blackthorne, an English Protestant sailor whose empire is at war with the Portuguese, rips the priests cross off his robe, throws it into the dirt, and stomps on it, yelling, I WILL NOT. BE SPOKEN FOR. BY CatHoLiCS!!! Its an utterly ridiculous moment, not just because Blackthornes screaming at a group of men who cannot understand him, but because Jarvis looks funny as hell flailing in the mud. As will become standard throughout the series, the man is giving 1,000 percent in this scene. His neck veins bulge. His body rattles as he pounds the cross. His matted hair whips rainwater in every direction. Yabushige, who lacks the context for these two idiots, cant help but crack a smile. Im smitten. It should go without saying that the white guy in the Japans of it all presents Shogun with a challenge. The FX series adapting James Clavells best-selling 1975 historical novel about the political machinations of feuding Japanese lords and the English sailor stuck in the middle, itself already adapted into an acclaimed 1980 TV miniseries, tackles source material naturally vulnerable to claims of being a white-savior narrative. While I havent read the novel, I broadly agree with my colleague Matt Zoller Seitzs review that the 1980 TV iteration doesnt fully lend itself to that critique without spoiling things, how the story resolves fundamentally challenges this reading though it does primarily run the narrative through the eyes of its European protagonist, a kind of failing in its own right. Similar charges can be levied at Ed Zwicks The Last Samurai, in which Tom Cruise plays an American army general swept up in 19th-century Japanese politics and becomes a samurai in the process. I also found that film to be more complicated than the white-savior critique suggests, though the nature of Cruises star power back then makes it hard to think of the 2003 movie much beyond the central white guys story. The new Shogun heads off this critique entirely by portraying Blackthorne as the unambiguous fool. This adaptation ultimately belongs to its political players, in particular Hiroyuki Sanadas Lord Toranaga, who starts the series from a precarious position after the death of the previous ruler kicks off a power struggle that places him in the crosshairs of Takehiro Hiras Lord Ishido. (Its great to see Hira on my television again after his turn on the excellent Giri/Haji.). Blackthorne enters the stage at a pivotal moment in the growing conflict and stays alive due to simple political expediency. Yabushige doesnt execute Blackthorne after identifying his value as a bargaining chip. Later, when Blackthorne enters Toranagas orbit, his presence becomes a handy force of destabilization in the latters mortal chess game against Ishido and the Council of Regents. In this Sengoku-era Game of Thrones, Blackthorne is neither a Jon Snow, Daenerys Targaryen, nor even a Tyrion Lannister. At best, hes a Gendry and a buffoonish Gendry at that. Every single choice Jarvis makes as Blackthorne is pitch-perfect. Theres more than a bit of Venom Tom Hardy in his performance, which swings wildly, but precisely, between gruff and unhinged. The guy oozes unkempt comicality. When garbed in a yukata, he cuts an unflattering silhouette. His gait isnt so much a walk as a trundle. His speech cadence is punctuated by grunts. (Mm. Mm.) And that voice its reedy and trained, like a dude whos been smoking a pack a day since grade school but went on to dish out sonnets at the Globe Theatre. Compounded by a fascinatingly incongruous pearl-clutching affect (you can practically hear him walk into a casino and cry, Gambling? In this establishment!?), Jarviss performance produces a kind of mythical being: ye olde Englishman as sensitive blowhard. I could listen to this man speak, and yell, for hours. Blackthorne may be a fool, but he isnt a moron. In fact, its his naval prowess that becomes a form of currency in his struggle for agency within the larger political game around him. Hes smart enough to know how to internalize his new environment; Blackthorne might start out the series with the air of an unbending American tourist who barges into situations and thinks yelling loud enough might produce cross-lingual comprehension, but as the episodes roll on, he comes to acknowledge, and occasionally honor, the rules and structures of his captors. He even becomes something of a proto-Bourdainean traveler in the process, as reflected in a little beat when hes served natto, the notorious Japanese dish of overly fermented soybeans: Mm. Mm. A bit like cheese. Very stinky, possibly spoiled cheese. But quite enjoyable. FXs Shogun sticks to its complex texture by never truly playing down the distance between Blackthorne and the world hes moving through. He may seem to drift toward the beginnings of assimilation at times, but he still very much possesses the programming of his time and background. In the fifth episode, Broken to the Fist, Buntaros violent treatment of his wife Mariko, while emblematic of Japans gender politics in the era, fully clashes with Blackthornes own era-specific values. Shogun is particularly smart in how it capitalizes on the mechanics of these cross-cultural moments, often using that clash to draw out beats of comedy and character while never quite surrendering to placing either culture too high up on a pedestal. These are also the occasional instances where Blackthorne gets to buck against his positioning as a fool by playing the fool. Im still chuckling over the bit in the third episode, Tomorrow Is Tomorrow, when he aids in a plot to smuggle Toranaga out of Osaka. As a guard comes close to spot-checking a carrier containing Toranaga, hiding inside and posing as a woman, Blackthorne, feigning moral hysteria, wails, A womans virtue is her glory! Am I the only man present who treasures the purity of a woman? Incredible stuff. This is what a white ally looks like, you know? Blackthorne still has a ways to go in his quest to survive the political intrigue around him, but part of whats so interesting about Shogun so far is its subtle insistence that his survival is ultimately secondary to everything else going on. Theres a much larger game at play in which Blackthorne has been rendered little more than a pawn, and theres only so much he can do about that aside from being entertaining. When Yabushige decides not to have him executed in the first episode, its not just because he identifies Blackthorne as a bargaining chip. He also seems genuinely amused by the guy. Why not keep him around? Who knows what hell do next? Watching Jarvis onscreen, that stance is hella relatable. Would you care for a steep overhead shot of the judges that shows us more of the table than their faces? Photo: Bravo Top Chef is back, and its in reinvention mode. Season-ten winner Kristen Kish is our new host. Quickfire challenges no longer win cheftestants immunity. Theres a cheese case in the kitchen. And once the chefs start cooking, it all looks a little off, the composed camerawork and patient editing of previous seasons giving way to a jittery visual style that is more irritating than immersive. In honor of the shows new setting, allow me to be Midwest Nice here: Why? The only thing a Top Chef premiere needs to do effectively is introduce us to the latest competitors and to their food. But the newly hyperactive and discombobulating visuals in Chefs Test actively prevent this. Top Chef uses Kishs arrival to suggest the show is entering a funkier, fresher era, both in terms of gameplay for contestants and episode structure for viewers. But the growing pains are awkward. The premiere episode skips a Quickfire, meaning viewers only get one opportunity to get a sense of the chefs cooking preferences and creative processes, and isnt consistent in identifying contestants by name via chyrons. Dividing the chefs into three groups that must individually tackle the elimination challenge set by each judge Kish wants soup, Gail Simmons wants stuffed pasta, and Tom Colicchio wants roast chicken gives the episode a disjointed feeling, especially as the contestants talk about their dishes not in the familiar talking-head segments, but mainly by yelling random details about them to each other as they cook in the cramped kitchen of Milwaukees Lupi & Iris. Chefs Test becomes actively unpleasant to watch in these scenes, as the camerawork abandons the polished feel of previous seasons and leans into a distracting voyeuristic approach. The overall effect is like Top Chefs creative team watched The Bear and decided to mimic the camerawork in the virtuosic Review and Fishes, overlooking that the technical precision of those episodes is more impressive than their sense of frenzy. Or maybe they binged Mr. Robot (something I normally would not object to!) and got so hyped about that series experimentation with the rule of thirds and Dutch angles that they decided to do all of it, too all at once. Both of those shows work visually because their camerawork and cinematography serve the themes of their stories (isolation, conflict) and help develop characters internal lives and dramatic tensions within those abstract environs. But Top Chef has always been a dramatic environment by virtue of its reality. Tension naturally bubbles up in how the chefs race around the Top Chef kitchen, Whole Foods, and whatever event theyre catering or restaurant theyre cooking in; how they deal with screaming-hot stovetops, oil-splattering deep fryers, and ultrasharp knives; and how they butt heads during team challenges or criticize each other in front of the judges. The series cinematography has never really needed to add to the inherently agitated atmosphere, and the look of Top Chef has been a grounding constant amid ever-changing locations and challenges. Quickfires rely on semi-wide shots to show everyone prepping at their stations, and on planting the camera in front of the grills or in the pantry to capture contestants running to and from those places. During eliminations, we get talking-head interviews where chefs walk us through their dishes, in-kitchen scenes where they gab with Colicchio, and static close-ups of knifework or plate assembly. Judges Table switches between head-on shots of the judges and the contestants for an unfettered presentation of what the judges thought about the food and how the chefs explain themselves. Until now, the shows visual style has changed only when necessary, like when Top Chef: Portland switched to a chefs-table Restaurant Wars concept during COVID and incorporated more elevated shots to show both the chefs in the background, either collaborating effusively or in awkward silence, and the judges in the foreground, assessing how the team worked. Otherwise, Top Chef has looked fairly predictable because it doesnt need manufactured spectacle until Chefs Test. The off vibes start at Whole Foods, where certain moments in the shopping montage are blurry before dramatically coming into focus a few seconds into the shot, as if contestants dashing around wasnt already fevered enough. They get drastically worse when the chefs start pouring into the kitchen of Lupi & Iris, which Chefs Test treats as an obstacle course for its camera operators. Nearly every other shot here has an obstruction in its foreground (stacks of plates, pots and pans, wire shelving, hotel pan lids, prep tables): Or is shot through an impediment (the frame of pass-through windows, glass partitions separating portions of the kitchen from the dining area): The frames are composed with some kind of extreme angle (around a corner, over peoples shoulders, a fish-eye above the competitors, a steep overhead shot of the judges that shows us more of the table than their faces, an angled shot from underneath a competitor so we practically look up their nose) Or in context-less close-ups (a food processor, a blender, a cutting board), or with a super-shallow depth of field (chopping hands, a line of miniature ovens sitting on a counter, a ticking clock twice). Would you like a shot of a competitors head turned away from the camera, with little else in the frame? You can have that twice, too! Im not trying to say that Top Chef should never play around with how it looks, but change, like a soup, a pasta sauce, or a roast chicken, needs time to simmer, to develop flavor. Chefs Test feels rushed like an underdone risotto, removing a challenge that would help to personify its contestants, cramming everyone into a compact space, sporadically jumping around from person to person, and unleashing an ocular assault that is more about flash than a focus on these competitors and their dishes. And I cannot say yes, chef to that. People pose for a group photo at a BRI-themed symposium in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on March 20, 2024. Officials and scholars from Ethiopia and China on Wednesday praised the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) for its significant role in promoting socioeconomic development in Ethiopia and beyond. (Xinhua/Liu Fangqiang) ADDIS ABABA, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Officials and scholars from Ethiopia and China on Wednesday praised the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) for its significant role in promoting socioeconomic development in Ethiopia and beyond. They made the remarks at a BRI-themed symposium held in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa, attended by about 50 senior Ethiopian and Chinese officials, former Ethiopian students who had studied in China, as well as academia and other stakeholders. Gebeyehu Ganga, director-general of the Middle East, Asia and Pacific Affairs at the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, highlighted the evolution of the BRI since its inception in 2013 into a global platform for open, inclusive, and mutually beneficial international cooperation. "As we enter its second decade, the BRI continues to drive socioeconomic development in participating countries, including Ethiopia. Ethiopia, as a gateway to Africa, stands as a pioneer in China-Africa cooperation, serving as a vital connecting hub on the continent and a steadfast partner of China in promoting collaboration through common platforms," he said. Ganga pointed out the tangible benefits of BRI infrastructure and connectivity projects in Ethiopia, particularly citing the Ethiopia-Djibouti standard gauge railway line, which has significantly improved Ethiopia's import-export channels. He said the BRI played an important role in catalyzing Ethiopia's development aspirations by supporting the establishment of industrial parks and laying the groundwork for the growth of manufacturing industries in the East African country. "In the realm of people-to-people exchanges, a cornerstone of the BRI, China has been instrumental in supporting Ethiopia's educational and cultural development. Scholarships offered by the Chinese government underscore the depth of cooperation between our two nations," Ganga added. The symposium reflected on the achievements of the BRI over the past decade and discussed strategies for advancing a high-quality and more innovative BRI agenda in the future, aiming to foster practical and beneficial development towards a community of shared future between the two countries. Xu Jianping, director-general of the Department of Regional Opening-up at the National Development and Reform Commission of China, emphasized the results of cooperation with China under the BRI in Ethiopia. He reiterated China's commitment to implementing high-quality BRI cooperation as the initiative enters its second decade. The symposium was held at the headquarters of China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) Ethiopia, a company that has undertaken various BRI projects in Ethiopia, including the Ethiopia-Djibouti railway, Hawassa Industrial Park, and the headquarters of the Africa CDC. Wu Jiuyi, a representative from CCECC, expressed gratitude for the support received from the Ethiopian government and expressed a desire to make even greater contributions to the country by building more infrastructure and employing more locals. Experts and policymakers attending the symposium emphasized the paramount importance of the BRI in advancing Sino-Ethiopian cooperation and development. They called for further enhancing high-quality BRI cooperation between China and Ethiopia as part of the BRI's second-decade implementation. The participants highlighted that the symposium presented an opportune moment to capitalize on the enduring ties between China and Ethiopia, especially following the elevation of their bilateral relations to an all-weather strategic partnership in October last year. Gebeyehu Ganga, director-general of the Middle East, Asia and Pacific Affairs at the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, speaks at a BRI-themed symposium in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on March 20, 2024. Officials and scholars from Ethiopia and China on Wednesday praised the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) for its significant role in promoting socioeconomic development in Ethiopia and beyond. (Photo by Zheng Lihao/Xinhua) Officials and scholars from Ethiopia and China attend a BRI-themed symposium in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on March 20, 2024. Officials and scholars from Ethiopia and China on Wednesday praised the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) for its significant role in promoting socioeconomic development in Ethiopia and beyond. (Xinhua/Liu Fangqiang) Photo taken on March 20, 2024 shows Vaughan Gething (C, Front) in the Senedd, the Welsh parliament, in Cardiff, Wales, Britain. Vaughan Gething was confirmed as Wales' new first minister by the Welsh parliament on Wednesday. (Welsh Parliament/Handout via Xinhua) Editor: GSY Number of victims of missile attack on Kyiv increases to 13 people, child among them The number of victims as a result of the Russian missile attack on Kyiv has increased to 13 people, including one child, four were hospitalized, the press service of the Kyiv city military administration reported. "Clarifying the data on the victims. As a result of the missile strike in Kyiv, 13 people were injured. Six people in Sviatoshynsky district and seven in Shevchenkivsky district," the message says. The city military administration noted that four people were hospitalized. No dead. The Ministry of Internal Affairs also reports that one child was among the victims. As reported, the Russian Federation once again launched a massive missile attack on Ukraine, in particular, firing more than 30 missiles. Dan Zak is a reporter for The Washington Post and author of Almighty: Courage, Resistance and Existential Peril in the Nuclear Age, a book about nuclear weapons and anti-nuclear activism. Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump agreed on one thing at this past Mondays presidential debate: Nuclear weapons are the single greatest threat to U.S. security. The candidates concerns diverged from there. Clinton praised the controversial nuclear deal with Iran and worried about nuclear terrorism. Trump said that the U.S. nuclear arsenal is not keeping pace with Russias. Nukes have been shrouded in myth since they were credited improperly, many say for ending World War II by destroying two Japanese cities. Seventy-one years later, and decades after the end of the Cold War, these weapons continue to bedevil diplomacy, discourse and the planet itself. Myth No. 1 Nuclear weapons havent been used since Nagasaki. In 2008 Cambridge University Press published a book titled "The Nuclear Taboo: The United States and the Non-Use of Nuclear Weapons since 1945" by international relations scholar Nina Tannenwald. The suggestion that nuclear weapons haven't been used whatsoever since the bombing of Nagasaki has made its way into textbooks and magazines, with one 2014 Boston Review article wondering "nuclear weapons haven't been used since 1945. Is the persistence of the arsenal really a problem?" Advertisement Although nuclear weapons have not been used again in combat, they've been detonated 2,055 times since Aug. 9, 1945, mostly by the United States and the Soviet Union. These tests have been both demonstrations of force, and experiments with weapon design and effectiveness. From 1946 to 1958, for example, the United States exploded the equivalent of 1.6 Hiroshima bombs every day in the Marshall Islands to study the weaponry and intimidate Moscow; the USSR wrought similar devastation near the Arctic Circle and in present-day Kazakhstan. In September, North Korea the only nation to test nuclear devices in the 21st century conducted its fifth underground detonation to assert its position in geopolitics and to coerce its enemies. And although the United States doesn't conduct full-scale testing, Pentagon officials like to say that American nukes are used every second of every day, as a deterrent. Across the Atlantic, were refreshing NATOs nuclear playbook to deter Russia from thinking it can benefit from nuclear use in a conflict, Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said Thursday. Myth No. 2 Nuclear weapons keep the peace. "The sensible path to peace starts with the realization that peace can be secured only through strength," Robert Spalding, a military fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, wrote in The Washington Post in 2013, adding that "nuclear weapons represent that strength." In 2009, Jonathan Tepperman, then deputy editor of Newsweek International,argued that nuclear weapons ensure peace by "making the costs of war obvious, inevitable, and unacceptable." Advertisement Yet Richard Nixon's madman theory that he should be viewed as crazy enough to unleash nuclear weapons in the Vietnam War neither curbed bloodshed nor cowed Moscow and the Viet Cong. The Cuban Missile Crisis did not result in nuclear war, but John F. Kennedy made decisions that might've led to one: "If fear of nuclear war prevents leaders from taking steps that might lead to nuclear war, and if Kennedy knew that blockading Cuba might result in nuclear war, then why wasn't Kennedy deterred?" Ward Wilson wrote in his book "5 Myths about Nuclear Weapons." Indeed, nuclear weapons have helped instigate conflict without even existing. The mere rumor of a nuclear program in Iraq and the thought of Saddam Hussein supplying his nukes to terrorists was enough to send the United States into a costly war, now in its 14th year, that has upended the Middle East. Myth No. 3 Nuclear terrorism is likely to happen. President Obama calls nuclear terrorism the most serious threat to global security and peace. Former defense secretary William Perry says we are closer to nuclear catastrophe today than at any point during the Cold War, in large part because of terrorist ambitions. At a 2015 security conference the State Department's top arms-control official, Rose Gottemoeller, proposed that"nuclear terrorism is the most immediate and extreme danger facing our nation." Advertisement In reality, though, that's a "high-consequence, low-probability event," retired Los Alamos chemist Cheryl Rofer told the Arms Control Association earlier this year. "There have been a number of articles that talk about a market in nuclear materials. Now in order to have a market, you need a seller and a buyer. And as far as I am aware, there are not any buyers out there. . . . In any case, if a terrorist group could get, say, sufficient enriched uranium to make a bomb, would they be able to make it? There are lots of things that can go wrong." Share this article Share A non-nuclear explosion laced with radioactive materials (a dirty bomb) is a more likely and far less destructive scenario: Since 1995 there have been 2,889 confirmed cases of lost, stolen or misused nuclear or radioactive material, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency. Also more likely: a major nuclear accident. From 1950 to 1968, at least 1,200 nuclear weapons were involved in "significant" incidents in the United States, according to Eric Schlosser's book "Command and Control," which details a 1980 explosion at an Arkansas missile silo that threw a thermonuclear warhead into the sky. And from 2009 to 2013 there were 1,500 reportable incidents involving U.S. nukes or the systems that manage them, according to the anti-nuclear nonprofit Global Zero. Advertisement Regardless of the odds, Harvard's Project on Managing the Atom still sounded an alarm in March: "Terrorist use of nuclear weapons may not be a high probabilitybut the global economic, political, and social consequences would be so severe that even a low probability should be enough to motivate an intense focus on steps such as nuclear security to reduce the risk." Myth No. 4 The United States is not modernizing its nuclear forces like Russia and other countries are. Russia has a much newer capability than we do, Trump said of Americas nuclear arsenal during Mondays debate, adding that we have not been updating and we are not keeping up with other countries. This is not true. There are nine nuclear-armed nations Israel has not acknowledged its arsenal but is alleged to have 80 warheads and each one is modernizing its nuclear forces in some fashion. North Korea is testing missiles that could deliver a warhead to the United States. China, India and Pakistan are actually enlarging their arsenals. Russia and the United States have embarked on major modernization plans of their nuclear triad: the aircraft, submarines and missiles that launch or carry warheads to their target. Advertisement Russia did start its modernization effort earlier than the United States, but that's because Russia builds warheads and delivery systems that don't last as long as their U.S. counterparts, says Kingston Reif, director for disarmament and threat reduction policy at the Arms Control Association. Washington's current and planned investment in nuclear forces is unrivaled, and is estimated to cost $1 trillion over the next 30 years, according to the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies. No U.S. military commander would trade the U.S. nuclear arsenal for Russias, Reif says. Myth No. 5 Nuclear proliferation can only continue. During a CNN town hall in March, Trump suggested that "it's only a question of time" before countries like Japan, South Korea and Saudi Arabia obtain nuclear weapons. Trump's position is that since "so many countries" already have nuclear weapons, it's more or less impossible to turn back their spread. Advertisement Yes, the number of countries with nuclear arsenals has grown over time, but the volume of warheads has been slashed over the past 30 years through intense negotiation by diplomats and hard work by nonproliferation experts. There are around 15,000 nuclear warheads on the planet right now, down from a historical peak of 60,000-plus in the mid-1980s. Material for nuclear weapons has been eliminated from 30 countries. An entire category of nuclear weapon was banned by a 1987 treaty signed by Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev. After the dissolution of the USSR, Russians and Americans worked together to secure and dispose of loose fissile material and warheads. Last year's Iran deal has at least delayed the entry of a 10th member into the nuclear club. Last week, the Obama administration backed a UN resolution that reaffirms the ban on nuclear tests a move to badger North Korea back into compliance. So progress is possible. Obama, though, has eliminated fewer warheads than his three predecessors did. This slowdown in disarmament, coupled with nuclear modernization plans, has spurred activists and nations to advocate for a new treaty to ban nukes outright. Just this past Wednesday, six countries submitted a resolution to the UN that calls for the negotiation of a ban treaty next year an attempt to turbocharge nonproliferation. As you might guess, the U.S. government whose nuclear arsenal is the bedrock of its national security policy is not in favor of the ban, viewing it as both unrealistic and potentially harmful to the long, grinding process of disarmament. As Secretary Carter said Sept. 7 in Oxford: "We're going to have nuclear weapons as far into the future as I can see." zakd@washpost.com Slovenia is expelling the Russian diplomat over activities incompatible with the diplomatic status, the ministry said in a statement. It provided no further details. LJUBLJANA, Slovenia A Russian diplomat has been declared persona non grata in Slovenia and ordered to leave the European Union country within seven days, its Foreign Ministry said Thursday. Slovenia and Russia already have reduced the number of staff working at their embassies in Ljubljana and Moscow. A number of other EU countries have expelled Russian diplomats since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. Advertisement Review Eating outPerth Bangkok street food party continues to rage at Perths Long Chim Uptempo service, a polished drinks offering plus high-definition cooking keeps things buoyant at David Thompsons Perth outpost. Max Veenhuyzen March 22, 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 1 / 5 Glass noodle salad. Shot by Thom 2 / 5 Long Chims half duck. Shot by Thom 3 / 5 Crunchy prawns. Shot by Thom 4 / 5 Pork and greens. Shot by Thom 5 / 5 Twelfth child cocktail. Shot by Thom Previous Slide Next Slide 14 / 20 How we score Thai$$$ I first went to Thailand by mistake, writes Sydney-born chef David Thompson in his sophomore cookbook, Thai Food. But it was a mistake that I have never regretted. Eaters have never regretted Thompsons misstep either. In addition to writing one of historys most authoritative Thai food compendiums, Thompson has also opened equally influential restaurants. After announcing his arrival with landmark Sydney and some could argue Australian restaurants Darley Street Thai and Sailors Thai, Thompson joined forces with the Singaporean-based Como Hotels group and started exporting his rigorous, uncompromising Thai cooking globally. Advertisement The partnership started in 2001 with Nahm at The Halkin hotel in London before a second Nahm followed at Como The Metropolitan in Bangkok in 2010. In 2015, the Thompson story went full circle with the opening of Long Chim at Como The Treasury in the State Buildings: a real double coup for Perth. The hotel was Comos first (and only) hotel in Australia, while Long Chim marked Thompsons Australian homecoming. Long Chim, which turns 10 next year, has been a standout in Perths dining scene. Shot by Thom Next year, Long Chim (and the rest of the State Buildings) turns 10. Im not sure what the current conversion rate is for restaurant years to human years, but its safe to say that, in the current climate, an innings like this is not to be sneezed at. Part of this longevity, I think, comes down to consistency. The 170-seat, mess-hall-style dining room in the State Buildings basement still throbs with brio and vim during big services. The bar remains a bona fide destination for both eaters and drinkers. Sharp cocktails, slippery white wines, thirst-crushing beers and other spice-sympathetic libations continue to anchor the drinks program. While Long Chims mission statement remains unchanged, a new generation has been tasked with keeping the party going. Advertisement So the mixed drinks are now the responsibility of Matt Bodycote, a barman whose handiwork I first tasted at William Streets dearly departed The Hummus Club. The bracing negroni-adjacent Young Prince ($24) suggests the bars reputation for great cocktails remains intact. For the past three years, the kitchen has been run by Welly Yuan: a native of Nanjing in Chinas Jiangsu province. For anyone who still subscribes to the belief that chefs can or should only cook the food of their ethnicity, Id like to point out two things (in addition to the widely held belief that Sydney-born Thompson is one of the worlds best interpreters of Thai cooking.) 14 / 20 Review East meets west at this suburban bowls club with delicious, wallet-friendly results Firstly: Yuan comes to Perth via Melbourne where he cooked at, among other places, the Victorian capitals short-lived Long Chim at the casino. And secondly: whereas Thompson made his name cooking the refined, often-times laborious food of the Thai royal court, Long Chim is all about the as Thompson is often wont to say rude street food flavours of Bangkok: a style of cooking migrant Chinese workers helped shape. Advertisement It was the Chinese, for instance, who brought stir-frying to Thailand and laid the foundation for the countrys famous stir-fried rice noodle pad thai ($34) to become one of its best-known exports. (Noodles, incidentally, were also introduced by the Chinese.) A fragrant Malay-leaning curry powder is the performance-enhancing spice that soft shell crab ($34) never knew it needed. Cooks in Phuket and throughout southern Thailand, however, seem to have been in on this secret for decades, and like many dishes, was soon absorbed into the broader Thai cooking and eating curriculums. ...Long Chim remains one of the few restaurants and bars delivering the complete package. In some instances, though, local cooks and eaters had little need to radically alter the Chinese original, largely because the OGs were already pretty damn good. Chinese broccoli stir-fried with Southern Chinese-style roast pork ($29) is a menu stalwart for good reason, as is watercress rendered bold and savoury with fermented yellow bean ($18): still one of Perths most underrated sleeper vegetable dishes. Its not on the current menu, but if the stewed five-spice pork (the beloved office worker lunchtime favourite known as khao kha moo in the Thai capital) ever resurfaces, Id be grateful if you let me know. The Chinese werent the only group to influence Siamese food culture. Neighbouring nations to Thailands north have also made notable contributions. Miang ($22) a two-bite snack consisting of toppings wrapped in a betel leaf can trace its origin story back to Laos. Long Chims prawn version looks the part, although it leans a little too sweet. More freshness wouldnt go astray. Food historians also believe that Lao know-how was crucial in developing the blueprint for som tum ($24) Northern Thailands famous crunchy, zesty and potentially hot papaya salad all those centuries ago. I suspect those early Lao cooks might be surprised to find corn in Long Chims version. They might also prefer those strips of green papaya to be a little more bruised in the mortar so that they absorbed more of the salad dressings all-important lime and chilli components, too. Advertisement 14.5 / 20 Review Busseltons newest pub is set to get tongues wagging (and eaten) But despite the occasional missteps in execution, the kitchens grasp and understanding of flavours is on point and flavour profiles are distinct from dish to dish. The boiled sour orange mackerel curry ($34) is heady with the funk of fermented shrimp paste. The Chiang Mai chicken larp with its weapons grade-chilli ($24) burns and intimidates because thats how Thompson wants (and likes) it. Despite the differences between Australian and Thai mangoes, the mango sticky rice ($16) still manages to nail the soft-hard, sour-sweet balancing act. (Pre-plating coupes of Thai coffee ice, $16, and storing them in the freezer isnt something Id expect from an outfit like Long Chim, though.) Perths Thai food scene has gently grown over the past decade with more regional options for eaters to consider. Princess and Art of Rym Tarng have brought sharp Thai cooking to lucky, lucky Bicton. (The couple, incidentally, are both Long Chim alum.) Bangkok Street Grill in Victoria Park remains the citys sole champion of northern Thai-style grilled chicken. Yet Long Chim remains one of the few restaurants and bars delivering the complete package. The flavours are on-point, as are the drinks, service and the space. And despite some dropped stitches on this recent visit, regrets dont enter the discussion when eating at Long Chim. The low-down Vibe: a colourful, high-energy romp through the flavours of Bangkok Go-to dish: stir-fried soft-shell crab with curry powder Drinks: excellent Asian-inspired cocktails, slippery white wines, crisp beers and other spice-sympathetic libations Cost: about $165 for two, excluding drinks What in the World, a free weekly newsletter from our foreign correspondents, is sent every Thursday. Below is an excerpt. Sign up to get the whole newsletter delivered to your inbox. Singapore: As politicians in Canberra argue the merits of the Albanese governments proposed ban on the manufacture and sale of vapes without a prescription, Singapore is struggling to enforce its own hardline stance against e-cigarettes. Take a walk through the centre of the island-nation on any given weekday, and you will see not just smokers outside for a break, but a smattering of office workers puffing on nicotine lolly juice on Raffles Place or Robertson Quay. Singapore has not had a lot of luck weeding out vapes. Credit: Getty In most other countries, including Australia, this sight would be unsurprising. But Singapore has some of the worlds toughest anti-vaping laws. Zelenskyy: We working as actively as possible with partners on domestic production of weapons to give our military necessary weapons President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting on Wednesday with the leadership of the army on the situation at the front, as well as the supply and own production of weapons for the Ukrainian Defense Forces. "The day began with a report by Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi and Chief of the General Staff Anatoliy Barhylevych. Our main actions the situation now, key directions, planned steps," he said in a video massage. "We are working as actively as possible with our partners and on domestic production of weapons to provide more necessary means for our warriors," the president said. The ABC is receiving a lot of flak, particularly from Ukrainians, for on Monday airing a British documentary showing a journalist on or near the Russian side of the front lines. The Ukrainian ambassador to Australia called the Four Corners episode the journalistic equivalent of a bowl of vomit It unquestioningly repeated and aired countless blatant lies, historical distortions, racist claims and propaganda narratives emanating from the Kremlin. A scene from the Sean Langan documentary Ukraines War: The Other Side, which was aired in Australia on the ABCs Four Corners program. Credit: ABC In response, an ABC spokesperson said The Ukraine War: the Other Side adds to our understanding of this tragic conflict and shows the full, horrific impact of the war Australian audiences have the right to watch it and make up their own minds. Indeed, you might ask, what is wrong with talking to Russian soldiers and people in the occupied Ukrainian city of Donetsk during a conflict that has frequently been shrouded in the fog of war? U.S. Presidential National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan considers it a victory for Ukraine if it emerges from the war as a sovereign, democratic, free country. "I said here, today, Ukraine should prevail. And what does that mean? That means that Ukraine emerges from this war sovereign, independent, and free, able to deter future aggression with a strong, vibrant democracy; with deep democratic institutions; with an economy thats growing, not just in traditional industries but in high technology and the areas where you are innovating. Even in the face of Russian attacks, you are innovating. That's what winning means," Sullivan said on Wednesday at a briefing in Kyiv. Now, he said, "here's a critical military dimension to that, meaning providing the necessary support, supplies, and weapons for Ukraine's brave soldiers to be able to effectively do what they need to do on the battlefield." "There is the intelligence cooperation we have. There is the economic cooperation we have. There is the diplomacy that we do together to work on democratic reforms and economic reforms. So this is a comprehensive, across-the-board, all-hands-on-deck effort for the U.S. government, directed by our President as a key priority of the United States to see Ukraine not just win, but succeed - succeed over the long term and thrive," the U.S. Presidential National Security Advisor said. Australia has joined the drone coalition for Ukraine - together with the UK and Latvia, Canberra will provide drones for the Ukrainian Armed Forces as part of the drone coalition agreement, Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles said. "Today we also announce that Australia will participate in the drone coalition which is being led by both the United Kingdom and Latvia," Marles said at a joint press conference with UK secretary of state for defense Grant Shapps. "This is a really important opportunity for us to continue making our contribution to the effort to have Ukraine stay the course and be able to resolve this conflict on its terms," the Australian Defense Minister said. Missile attack on Kyiv could be Russian response to meeting of security advisers to discuss peace formula U.S. Embassy U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink suggested that the Russian night missile attack on Kyiv could be the Russian Federation's reaction to the holding in Kyiv of a meeting of security advisers from around the world to discuss the peace formula of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. "Russia's answer to yesterday's gathering in Kyiv of NSAs from countries around the world to discuss President Zelenskyy's peace formula? A Khinzhal hypersonic missile to Kyiv at 5:00 a.m., injuring 10 civilians including a child. Thank you to Ukraine's brave air defenders," Brink said in a message published on the embassy's Telegram channel on Thursday morning. In the morning missile attack on Kyiv on March 21, a number of food industry enterprises that ensure the food security of the capital were damaged, in particular, Stolychny Mlyn LLC, Kyivtranslogistic LLC, which supply raw materials and carry out transportation to strategic production enterprises, including the leading supplier of bread in the city of Kyiv and Kyiv region PrJSC Kyivkhlib, the press service of the company Stolychny Mlyn told Interfax-Ukraine. According to the report, the elevator complex, as well as the territory, buildings and more than 50 units of motor transport were affected. "Currently, the damage is estimated at no less than UAH 40 million. The final amount of damage can be assessed based on the results of the work of an ad hoc commission. Fortunately, there were no casualties among the company's employees," the press service said. Work to eliminate the consequences of the attack with the participation of city rescue and utility services and company divisions continues. Production has been partially suspended. At the same time, thanks to the correct organization of the accumulation of warehouse stocks during the period of martial law, Stolychny Mlyn continues to fully fulfill its obligations to supply products, the comapny said. 96% Of 371 Survey Respondents Like The Idea The Kimball High School senior civics class was assigned a project by teacher Jeri Ferguson to create a presentation about a community recreational center, an idea that has been discussed for years in the Kimball area. This project was divided into different groups. Each group was responsible for researching a specific aspect of the recreation center, such as the programs offered, funding sources or potential locations. The students worked collaboratively to compile their findings and create a comprehensive presentation for the City Council. The presentation is on how a recreation center in Kimball would help the community. The seniors worked diligently to ensure that all aspects of the proposal were thoroughly researched and thoughtfully presented. They created a survey, which 371 community members responded to, in order to gather feedback and support for the project. The survey included different activities and how often community members would go to them. Out of the 371 people who responded, 96% were in favor of having a community center. The community center has been an idea that has been discussed for years, and the seniors were determined to try and make it a reality. When asked on the survey if a recreational center would benefit the community's mental and physical health, 92% of the respondents said it would. Funding for the project has always been a big question. The civics students learned of funding opportunities that are available. These different funding options that they learned about could be used to help build, run, and get equipment for the recreational center through grants and low interest loans. They talked to Jamie Bright, Extension educator-Rural Nebraska Prosperity, about many different grants. They also contacted USDA community program specialist, Sarah Peirce about low interest loans. They tried to explore every possible avenue for funding. In the survey, 77% of the respondents said they would pay a special tax to make this project a reality. "This project has provided these young people with first hand experience at real life situations," Ferguson said. "Some of them are interested in returning to Kimball after college and would love to see Kimball grow and provide a place to have something to do." Delay In State Funding A Problem For Transit Service Kimball County commissioners Rich Flores, and Carl Stander voted to approve, if necessary, on Tuesday, March 19, the transfer of $210,000 from the inheritance fund to the general fund to pay KCTS payroll and bills due to a holdup in state funding. The discussion prior to the vote focused on cutting transit services, such as shutting routes down. Administrator Christy Warner said, Everything is connected, and a public hearing must be held in order to shut services down. The financial operation of the KCTS has been crippled because reimbursements from the Nebraska Department of Transportation are outstanding, Warner said. The KCTS has more than $440,000 in spending dating back to December that has yet to be reimbursed. Decembers reimbursement has been approved but not received in the amount of $34,747. NDOT has changed procedures for the 62 transits across Nebraska to prove their expenses. Warner said that most transits are 6-12 months behind on reimbursements and KCTS has a little more than two months outstanding. Additional steps have been immediately implemented and are required from NDOT, such as making the transits produce bank statements, cleared checks, financial plans and many more documents. Transits must also proved how merit raises are determined, and how health insurance and retirement are charged and paid. This change in the reimbursement policy is partially the result of a situation in Norfolk, where the theft of $740,000 occurred from North Fork Area Transit, along with many other violations. Warner said that a reimbursement from December of $34,747 has been approved, and she is confident that almost $210,000 will arrive before the end of the month, but if it doesnt the transit fund would be operating in the red and that is not a sound practice for the county treasurer to have a fund in the red at the end of the month. Warner said she talked with state Sen. Brian Hardin, who said he planned to speak with Gov. Jim Pillen about the crippling reimbursement process and how devastating it is to the transit system. Scotts Bluff County and Alliance are both awaiting more than $500,000 in reimbursements. Lukassen was called away before the start of the commissioners meeting for a family matter. She was absent and not available to vote on the motion. In other business on Tuesday, the Kimball County Commissioners held a public hearing on the One and Six Year Road plan for the county. Highway superintendent Randy Bymer said that the One Year plan includes three projects. Two culverts will be installed one, 4 miles south of Bushnell, east on Road 26 and south on Road 25, and the other culvert will complete a project on Road 54. The final project is to widen and gravel south of Bushnell. In updating the board on the department, Bymer said that they will go to four-10 hour days beginning the first Monday in April. As spring arrived, Rick Wrangler, Kimball County weed superintendent, told the two commissioners that he was getting ready for the spraying season and looking for another person to help spray. Aaron Berger, UNL Extension educator, presented the annual Nebraska Extension Impact Report. Others having business in front of the commissioners were: Deb Diemoz, clerk of the District Court, who received approval to purchase two cell phones for the court; Monica Todorov interim buildings and ground superintendent; and Valerio Jansante from U.S. Rep. Adrian Smiths office, who talked about the North Platte postal service closing. County Government Day has been scheduled for March 26, and students from civics classes in Kimball and Potter-Dix will attend, The next commissioners meeting will be held on April 2 at 9 a.m. Inmate Charged With Assaulting County Jailer Inmate Jordan Crews has a new set of charges to contend with from an incident on March 13 in the Kimball County Jail. The new charges include a 3A felony assault by a confined person-no weapon and misdemeanor criminal mischief. Crews was transferred to the Lincoln County Detention Center and is being held on a bond of $25,000. He is scheduled to appear March 27 for a Kimball County Court status of waiver of preliminary hearing. Crews is represented by Stacy Bach. Crews, 27, was arrested on March 9 during a Kimball drug bust and charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of stolen property. Crews remained at that time in jail on a $5,000 bond. The March 13 incident began after inmates were returning to their cells from exercising at about 2:30 p.m. According to the affidavit filed by Kimball County Sheriff Dave Hottell, jailer William Butler was putting the inmates back in their cell. Hottell said Crews made comments about finding dead bodies in the cell and other comments referencing suicide. The affidavit continues to state that jailer Butler told Crews to go to the Special Purpose Cell so he could be watched due to the comments that he made. The affidavit says that Crews came out of the cell and got into Butlers face. Then Butler moved Crews into the cell. When Crews began fighting Butler, Crews swung and hit Butler, the affidavit states. Trainee Nate Lousberg went to assist Butler, and they were able to get Crews under control. Crews was put in the Special Purpose Cell. Crews continued to attempt to get out, and Butler and Lousberg once again subdued him, the affidavit states. By Rebecca Black and Jonathan McCambridge, PA Britain's Queen Camilla has said King Charles is doing very well as she completed a visit to Northern Ireland. During her first engagement in Belfast on Thursday morning, Camilla was handed a get-well card for her husband, who is undergoing treatment for cancer. Later in the day, Northern Irelands First Minister Michelle ONeill sent her regards to Charles as she shook hands with Camilla at an event in Hillsborough Castle. Camilla also met deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly ahead of a literary event hosted by her Reading Room charity. The ministers took up office earlier this year following the resurrection of devolved government in Northern Ireland after a two-year political impasse. It is the latest royal encounter for Sinn Feins Ms ONeill, who previously attended the funeral of the late Queen Elizabeth in 2022 and the coronation of Charles in 2023. As she shook hands with Ms ONeill, Camilla said that her husband sent his very, very best wishes, adding that he was disappointed not to make the trip. The First Minister responded: I send him my regards too. Queen Camilla (centre) with First Minister Michelle ONeill (left) and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly (Liam McBurney/PA) Speaking later, Ms ONeill said: I sent my regards to the King in terms of his health, and wished him well and also to the Princess of Wales. Ms Little-Pengelly added: It was fantastic to see the Queen, and we passed on our regards to His Majesty The King in terms of his health, and our best wishes in terms of his recovery. During the event at the castle, Camilla marked World Poetry Day by watching spoken-word performances and met authors, actors and performers. Hosted by poet Paul Muldoon, Camilla watched performances by Derry Girls actor Ian McElhinney, actress Frances Tomelty, and contemporary poet Michael Longley celebrating the poetry and literature of Northern Ireland. Earlier, Camilla arrived to crowds of well-wishers on the bustling Lisburn Road in south Belfast. She met owners and staff at Coffeys Butchers, The Arcadia deli and Knotts Bakery before doing an impromptu meet and greet with well-wishers. Camilla was presented with a gift of some local favourites at Coffeys, including vegetable rolls and beef sausages, and responded saying: I shall take these back for my husband, he will make the most of them. Camilla with Lord-Lieutenant Dame Fionnuala Jay-OBoyle during a visit to Lisburn Road in Belfast (Liam McBurney/PA) During her visit to The Arcadia, shop assistant Brenda Robb asked after Charles, and handed her a get-well card for him, extending her best wishes. Camilla accepted the card and thanked her, adding: Hes doing very well . he was very disappointed he couldnt come. Responding to quips about men not being the best patients, Camilla said: I try to keep him in order. Ms Robb told the PA news agency: She was beautiful, a real lady. She accepted a get-well card that I got for her husband and she said she was sorry her husband wasnt here. It was a very appropriate card. It had a wee saying from Belfast, basically rest up, take care, and on the back of it, it said from Ireland. It was picked with love. People say maybe hell not get the card, but I think he will. Camilla meets the owner of Knotts Bakery, William Corrie, his wife Zoe Salmon and their son Fitz during the visit to Belfast (Liam McBurney/PA) Meanwhile, at Knotts, Camilla met owner William Corrie, as well as his wife, former Miss Northern Ireland and Blue Peter presenter Zoe Salmon, and their one-year-old son Fitz. Camilla chuckled as a joke was made that the young boy, dressed in a tux, had stolen her thunder, and smiled down at him. She left Knotts with a gift of their fruit loaf and iced madeira cake, adding she hoped to snack on it later. Camilla also visited an army base in her role as Colonel-in-Chief of The Rifles, and took the salute at a pass-off parade for junior non-commissioned officers. Camilla left Northern Ireland following her final engagement at Hillsborough Castle. Camilla was last in Northern Ireland in May 2023 when she and Charles undertook engagements on their first visit to the North following the coronation. She is travelling alone this week after Charles stepped back from his public duties while receiving treatment for cancer. By PA reporter A funeral has been held for convicted garda killer Pearse McAuley. McAuley, who was in his late 50s, was found dead in his home in Strabane on Monday. His death is not being treated as suspicious. He was sentenced to 14 years in jail for the manslaughter of Detective Garda Jerry McCabe, who was shot dead by an IRA gang during a raid on the post office in Adare, Co Limerick, in June 1996. McAuleys coffin was draped in an Irish flag with a black beret and gloves placed on top as it was brought to the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Strabane on Thursday. Pearse McAuley being led away from the High Court in Dublin after a failed bail bid in the 1990s. Photo: PA The items were removed as his remains were taken into the church for the funeral service. Addressing mourners, Father Declan Boland spoke of the loss felt by McAuleys family. Wherever we go in life and wherever our journey may bring us, we all come back to the place where it all began, at the foot of the altar, bringing with us all the content and happenings of our lives, all that has shaped us to be the people that we are, to be surrendered in all his detail to the one who gave us life in the first place, he said. This God is a God of mercy and love that has to be preached because all of us have sinned greatly and Pearse was no exception. We have to ask the mercy of God and seek pardon, fully confident that our pleas and our prayers will be heard and our petitions answered. Let us not forget primarily that Pearse was a father, a brother, a partner, and a friend of many. His loss is being felt deeply by those who love him. The sense of suffering, emptiness and pain that death brings to those who are left behind to mourn is a heavy burden to bear and this family bear it this morning. After the service, McAuleys remains were taken for burial in Strabane cemetery. He was jailed after an IRA gang shot dead Mr McCabe during the post office raid in Adare. Mr McCabe was in an unmarked garda patrol car, escorting a van delivering 80,000 (102,000) to local post offices in Adare when the IRA gang struck. He was shot about 15 times with a Kalashnikov assault rifle. His colleague, Detective Garda Ben OSullivan, was seriously injured in the shooting but survived. McAuley was convicted of manslaughter in 1999 and was released from prison after serving 10 years. Years before the killing, McAuley and his cellmate, Nessan Quinlivan, shot their way out of Brixton Prison in London as they awaited trial for conspiracy to murder brewery boss Charles Tidbury and for firearms and explosives offences. Jail-breaker McAuley and IRA killer Kevin Walsh were the last of the five men jailed for the robbery to be released. They had served three-quarters of their 14-year sentences. While McAuley was serving his sentence, Sinn Fein made an unsuccessful attempt to have him and others jailed for the garda killing to be released under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement. The move was resisted by the Irish Government. In 2015, McAuley was sentenced to 12 years for stabbing his estranged wife, Pauline Tully, now a Sinn Fein TD, with a steak knife at her home on Christmas Eve in 2014. The pair had married while McAuley was serving his 14-year sentence for the garda killing. They met when Ms Tully, who was elected as a Sinn Fein councillor in 1999, visited McAuley at Castlerea Prison in Co Roscommon. They became engaged in 2000. He was temporarily released in 2003 to marry Ms Tully, a teacher at the time, in her home village of Kilnaleck, Co Cavan. McAuley was finally freed in 2020. More than 1,600 second-level students from schools across Mayo are signed up to attend an upcoming road safety show, the first of its kind in the county since before the Covid-19 pandemic and the only one being held in Ireland. Road safety officer with Mayo County Council Gary Smyth told last weeks meeting of Mayo Co Council's Roads and Transportation Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) that the AXA Roadsafe Roadshow will take place in the TF Royal Hotel and Theatre in Castlebar on Thursday, April 11. The AXA Roadsafe Roadshow mixes theatre, video and first-hand accounts from Gardai and emergency services to highlight the dangers of driving. Family members of victims of road accidents also share their stories. Among the special guests at this years AXA Roadsafe Roadshow is Stevo Timothy, who is also known as online comedian Farmer Michael, who became wheelchair-bound after being involved in a motorcycle accident in which his passenger and friend died in 2005. Mr Timothy will tell students of the impact this incident had on his life. Mr Smyth said Mayo was successful in securing the event ahead of several other counties and it is currently the only such event set to take place in Ireland. It is also the first such event to take place in Mayo for four years and more than 1,600 second-level students have signed up to attend the roadshow. It is our main event for the year at engaging younger drivers who are preparing to or have just started driving, he said. So, the Government is to blame for the fact that the people of the country voted No-No in the referendum. No to the removal of mothers from Devs constitution and No to a somewhat nebulous proposal that instead of the mother playing a predominant role of care within the family that this should be left to members of the family with a promise of support from the State (the State will strive to support). At this point, it is not necessary to delve into the many promises made by successive governments that proved to be just that promises. Whether we like it or not and whether we admit to it or not, there are few enough families on this little island of ours who have not benefited and thrived because of the mothers role in the household... a role that, in most cases, extended well beyond the family and into society as a whole. The mothers that I know, housebound or not, have contributed as much, if not more, to the well-being of society, than many of the males who are supposed to have chained them to the kitchen sink. Perhaps, as a society, we have not recognised that contribution as much as we should. In the absence of such recognition, it was easy to dismiss, as has been the case, in our newly liberal, secular and materialistic society of recent times, the mothers who opted to stay at home to nurture and care for and yes, lay down the law, as occasion demanded, to those within their care. We have become somewhat intoxicated and self-satisfied with the huge strides we have made in pursuit of the liberal agenda. We have got rid of the influence of the Catholic Church (what about the other churches that have sprung up and are tolerated as an indication of how liberal and liberated we are?). We have adopted feminism and the LGBT agenda with the same enthusiasm as one reserves for the delightful sighting of a genuine rainbow. Here, I have to admit to an early and immature revulsion of queers. That was probably down to a Catholic education but would also have been a generic part of my DNA. However, I am happy to record that I was cured of my prejudice following a meeting with Senator David Norris in 2011 when he was a presidential candidate. He treated me to lunch in the Dail restaurant not that that was a contributory factor in my conversion, as I am not that cheaply bought! No. The man who almost singlehandedly changed the Irish view of LGBT issues proved to be such an intelligent, entertaining, clear-thinking, direct and honest person that it would be a complete fool who would fail to recognise the sincerity of his queerness. It is, in one sense - no disrespect to Michael D - a shame that he did not make it to the Aras. He was the out-and-out favourite until a letter emerged, or probably more correct to say it was planted, that connected the Senator to a plea for leniency for a convicted rapist in Israel. He was not, of course, the only Irish figure to be waylaid by a letter, we have only to think of Parnell and Casement to arouse suspicions about how the Norris letter so conveniently came to light. But, I digress. To get back to the referendum result. Blame it on the Government and whatever you do, do not give credit to the electorate for having sufficient intelligence to vote down both proposals. The intelligentsia, the bright liberals, the shapers and shakers, the opinion-formers, the trendsetters and the politicians concluded that a liberal and secular society would see sense and leave behind the outdated view of the mother in the home and the carers coming from, well God knows where, to keep society on the straight and narrow. Without doubt the wording of the two amendments was a cause of concern especially when the legal eagles decided to differ. Former attorney general Michael McDowell took the No side and proved to be an industrious and articulate advocate. There were more and diverse members of the legal profession advocating for a Yes vote and putting forward solid grounds in favour. Now, imagine if the Yes campaign had won, the fun there would be in the courts as the verdict of the people was parsed and dissected while the lawyers, both for and against, laughed all the way to the bank and poor auld Devs constitution was threshed and blackguarded. It goes without saying that the wording of the Constitution is out of date. Thats to be expected, it was written 87 years ago. But if the language of the Constitution is archaic, it is not just the wording of some sections of Article 41 that needs to be corrected, it is the entire Constitution. The fairly obvious answer then is to introduce a new constitution that brings the language up to date and more fairly reflects the customs, the mores and the outlook of this wonderful new secular and free-wheeling society we have created. Even Dev, I suspect, would be delighted to welcome a new Constitution, rather than have the piecemeal dissection of the document that has been going on since 1937. Indeed, it could be argued that the flawed and much-derided Constitution that he left the country has served us well. There have been 39 referendums seeking to change and improve the Constitution and thats not a huge degree of interference over quite a long period of time. But, the time has come to move on and the question then becomes who is to be entrusted with the job. We can rule out the Government as too divisive. Any suggestion that the Government might be involved would drive Boyd Barrett over the edge - and we couldnt have that. So we have to look elsewhere and the first step on the journey would, of course, be the establishment of a Citizens Assembly. This august body of 100 just and responsible citizens would select their own chairperson (leaving it to the Government to nominate a chairperson is fraught with danger and would only attract the hostility and ire of the Opposition). This leaves us with the problem of the 99 other citizens. Where would they come from? Who would nominate? Who would do the Garda vetting? Who would decide the diversity balance? How many females versus males? How many LGBT people? How many people of colour? What proportion of black versus brown? How many atheists versus god-fearing (do any exist?) Catholics? How many politically correct versus ignoramuses and nerds? I could go on and on and on but if we cant get agreement on the composition of the Assembly what hope is there of getting a wording for a new constitution? Perhaps we should look around for a new modern, up-to-date Dev, with or without a John Charles McQuaid as counsellor. Or perhaps we should look to the stars. I dont see any political colossus when I look to the East from whence came the Wise Men in the past. We could look to the West, to Connemara where there remains a scion of the creator of the 1937 Constitution who has moved, up to a point, with the times and who considers himself a guardian of the Constitution. In his day, Dev looked into his own heart and decided what was best for the Irish people. At the time, they were not as confused and bewildered as todays population and even he might have despaired at trying to produce a document that would satisfy the many and diverse appetites of society in 2024. Id write it myself for a modest fee! NATO Military Committee Head: There is every reason to be confident in Ukraine's ability to succeed, but even more support needed Chairman of the NATO Military Committee Rob Bauer said that in 2024 one should not be too pessimistic, because pessimists do not win wars and there is every reason to be confident in Ukraine's ability to succeed on the battlefield. "Despite all its sufferings, despite all the destruction, Ukraine remains a sovereign state. You are incredibly strong. The world sees it. Russia knows it. This is by no means an easy fight. You don't need me to tell you that. But while the world may have been overly optimistic in 2023, we should not make the same mistake by becoming overly pessimistic in 2024. Pessimists don't win wars," Bauer said during the 16th annual Kyiv Security Forum, founded by Arseniy Yatsenyuk's Open Ukraine Foundation. He stressed that "if you look at the facts: there is every reason to be confident in Ukraine's ability to achieve success." Bauer recalled the latest attack on Kyiv on Thursday night, noting that all missiles were intercepted by Ukrainian forces. "There is nothing you cannot do. The only thing you need is our help. NATO Allies, and many other nations around the world, are providing unprecedented support to Ukraine and it has made a real difference. But Ukraine needs even more support. And you need it now," the head of the NATO military committee said. He emphasized that time in Ukraine is not measured in days, weeks or months, but "is measured in human lives." "In Allied nations, a week is a week. In Ukraine, a week is a motherfather child friend lover lost forever," Bauer said. He also recalled the words of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Munich Security Conference, who said: "Don't ask Ukraine when the war will end, ask yourself why Putin is able to continue it." Bauer stressed that it would be a serious historical mistake to allow Putin to gain the upper hand. "It will be dangerous for all of us. Because the outcome of this war will shape the fate of the world," he said. Today The nicest day of the forecast, with an egg-cellent Easter Sunday expected with partly sunny skies and mild highs near the 60-degree mark. Tonight Clouding up with a bit of rain arriving late...after midnight. Tomorrow Mainly cloudy with a few showers or some drizzle, especially the first half of the day. JACKSON, Miss. (AP) A federal judge on Thursday finished handing down prison terms of about 10 to 40 years to six white former Mississippi law enforcement officers who pleaded guilty to breaking into a home without a warrant and torturing two Black men in an hourslong attack that included beatings, repeated uses of stun guns and assaults with a sex toy before one of the victims was shot in the mouth. U.S. District Judge Tom Lee called the culprits' actions egregious and despicable" and gave sentences near the top of federal guidelines to five of the six men who attacked Michael Corey Jenkins and Eddie Terrell Parker in January 2023. The case drew condemnation from top law enforcement officials in the country, including Attorney General Merrick Garland. In its grisly details, local residents saw echoes of Mississippis history of racist atrocities by people in authority. The difference this time is that those who abused their power paid a steep price for their crimes, the victims' attorneys said. The depravity of the crimes committed by these defendants cannot be overstated, Garland said Thursday. Brett McAlpin, 53, who was the fourth highest-ranking officer in the Rankin County Sheriff's Office, received a sentence of about 27 years on Thursday. McAlpin nodded to his family in the courtroom. He offered an apology before he was sentenced but did not look at the victims as he spoke. This was all wrong, very wrong. Its not how people should treat each other and even more so, its not how law enforcement should treat people, McAlpin said. Im really sorry for being a part of something that made law enforcement look so bad. The only defendant who didn't receive a prison term at the top of the sentencing guidelines was Joshua Hartfield, 32, a former Richland police officer who did not work in a sheriffs department with the others and was not a member of a Goon Squad. He was the last of the six former officers sentenced over three days this week, months after they all pleaded guilty. Before giving Hartfield a 10-year sentence Thursday, Lee said Hartfield did not have a history of using excessive force and was roped into the brutal episode by one of the former deputies, Christian Dedmon. Lee said, however, that Hartfield failed to intervene in the violence and participated in a cover-up. Lee sentenced Dedmon, 29, to 40 years and Daniel Opdyke, 28, to 17.5 years on Wednesday. He gave about 20 years to Hunter Elward, 31, and 17.5 years to Jeffrey Middleton, 46, on Tuesday. Arguing for a lengthy sentence, federal prosecutor Christopher Perras said McAlpin was not technically a member of the Goon Squad but molded the men into the goons they became. Parker told investigators that McAlpin functioned like a mafia don" as he instructed the officers throughout the evening. Prosecutors said other deputies often tried to impress McAlpin, and Opdyke's attorney said Wednesday that his client saw McAlpin as a father figure. The younger deputies tried to wrap their heads around how they had started off wanting to be good law enforcement officers and turned into monsters, Perras said Thursday. How did these deputies learn to treat another human being this way? Your honor, the answer is sitting right there," Perras said, pointing at McAlpin. In March 2023, months before federal prosecutors announced charges in August, an investigation by The Associated Press linked some of the deputies to at least four violent encounters with Black men since 2019 that left two dead and another with lasting injuries. The officers invented false charges against the victims, planting a gun and drugs at the scene of their crime, and stuck to their cover story for months until finally admitting that they tortured Jenkins and Parker. Elward admitted to shoving a gun into Jenkins mouth and firing it in what federal prosecutors said was meant to be a mock execution. The terror began Jan. 24, 2023, with a racist call for extrajudicial violence when a white person complained to McAlpin that two Black men were staying with a white woman at a house in Braxton. McAlpin told Dedmon, who texted a group of white deputies asking if they were available for a mission. No bad mugshots, Dedmon texted a green light, according to prosecutors, to use excessive force on parts of the body that wouldnt appear in a booking photo. Dedmon also brought Hartfield, who was instructed to cover the back door of the property during their illegal entry. Once inside, the officers mocked the victims with racial slurs and shocked them with stun guns. They handcuffed them and poured milk, alcohol and chocolate syrup over their faces. Dedmon and Opdyke assaulted them with a sex toy. They forced them to strip naked and shower together to conceal the mess. After Elward shot Jenkins in the mouth, lacerating his tongue and breaking his jaw, they devised a coverup. The deputies agreed to plant drugs, and false charges stood against Jenkins and Parker for months. McAlpin and Middleton, the oldest in the group, threatened to kill other officers if they spoke up, prosecutors said. In court Thursday, McAlpin's attorney Aafram Sellers said only Middleton threatened to kill them. Sellers also questioned a probation officer about details submitted to the judge. When federal investigators interviewed the neighbor who called McAlpin, that person reported seeing trashy people at the house who were both white and Black, Sellers said. That called into question whether the episode started on the basis of race, he argued. Federal prosecutors said the neighbor referred to people at the home as those people and thugs. The information included in the charging documents, which the officers did not dispute when they pleaded guilty, revealed some of them used racial taunts and epithets throughout the episode. Majority-white Rankin County is just east of Jackson, home to one of the highest percentages of Black residents of any major U.S. city. The officers shouted at Jenkins and Parker to stay out of Rankin County and go back to Jackson or their side of the Pearl River, court documents say. Attorneys for several of the deputies said their clients became ensnared in a culture of corruption that was encouraged by leaders in the sheriff's office. Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey revealed no details about his deputies actions when he announced they had been fired last June. After they pleaded guilty in August, Bailey said the officers had gone rogue and promised changes. Jenkins and Parker called for his resignation and filed a $400 million civil lawsuit against the department. Bailey, who was reelected without opposition in November, said in a statement Thursday that he is committed to the betterment of this county and will work with the honest, hard-working men and women currently with this department" to make Rankin County safer. In a statement read by his attorney Thursday, Jenkins said he felt like a slave and was left to die like a dog. If those who are in charge of the Rankin County Sheriffs Office can participate in these kinds of torture, God help us all," Jenkins said. And God help Rankin County. Michael Goldberg 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. Follow him at @mikergoldberg. ALLENTOWN, Pa. Allentown City Council voted 6-0 Wednesday to adopt two ordinances amending the 2024 general fund to provide for supplemental appropriations from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. The first bill authorizes a $385,000 grant to the city's police department to be used for the purchase of integrated fingerprint technology, license plate readers and integrated gunshot technology. The second bill authorizes a $1.18 million grant, also for the police, with funds to be used for the purchase of new city cameras, new in-car cameras and new body-worn cameras. Using the newest technology, the Axom cameras are designed to be lighter, sharper and more stable. Several other grants were also authorized through separate ordinances: $1.3 million from the Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside grant to be used for the rehabilitation of the historic Bogert's Bridge in the Lehigh Parkway. $500,000 from the state's 2023 Distressed Area Recompete pilot program, phase one strategy development grant. An appropriation of $100,000 from the Trexler fund to the Works Progress Administration structures capital projects account to be used to repair the stage and columns at Union Terrace Park. $350,000 from the state's multimodal transportation fund of the Department of Community and Economic Development to be used to replace existing rusted streetlights with 24 new LED luminaries and street light poles on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. $25,000 from the U.S. Department of Justice Edwyne Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant to the city police for the purpose of funding overtime pay of patrol presence to suppress violent crimes and drug investigations in the Keystone Opportunity Zone in Allentown. $23,915 from the 2023 U.S. Department of Justice Edwyne Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant, being passed through Lehigh County to the city's police department for the purchase of traffic equipment. $16,000 to be included into the 2024 fire department budget from the Norfolk Southern Rail Safety First grant to be used for the purchase of hazardous materials-related equipment for incidents that may occur because of a railway incident along the Norfolk Southern railway that runs through the city. In other business, council voted to adopt an ordinance to amend its retail pet shop ordinance to prohibit the sale of guinea pigs. L. SAUCON TWP., Pa. Lower Saucon Township Council on Wednesday denied an application for a controversial cell tower proposed for property at 4235 Lewis Ave. The denial is the result of a tied 2-2 vote. The vote came after a long and contentious conditional use hearing regarding the tower that included public comments, closing arguments, accusations and remarks from councilmembers. "We're probably going to get sued in federal court," Councilmember Jason Banonis said of the denial. The applicant, Allentown SMSA Limited Partnership which does business as Verizon Wireless was seeking to install the tower in the township's Rural Agricultural zone. Verizon proposes constructing a galvanized steel monopole rising 145 feet tall. It plans to attach panel antennas at the 142-foot elevation and place accessory equipment cabinets and a standby generator on concrete pads at the base within a 50-foot by 50-foot fenced compound. The facility will be unmanned and require only visits for maintenance and repairs by a sport utility-type vehicle roughly every four to six weeks, with site access over the existing gravel road off Randolph Avenue. Verizon plans to exceed the access to the compound by constructing a 12-foot-wide gravel within a 20-foot-wide access and utility easement. Access to the site would be via the driveway of property owner Rocco Viscito. According to a letter from township engineer Brien Kocher of Hanover Engineering, "The use is permitted by zoning ordinance when authorized as a conditional use by the council, site plan review by the planning commission and approval by the township council is required." As with the previous hearings on the tower, council President Priscilla deLeon's bias was questioned, and she was asked to recuse herself from the proceedings. DeLeon is an adjoining property owner and outspoken opponent of the cell tower; Councilmembers Banonis and Tom Carocci raised concerns about her potential bias. According to Carocci via documents received through a lengthy right-to-know request he submitted to the township administration, deLeon has previously recused herself from related votes. "Twice before for this property, she abstained," Carocci said. "What's changed in the past 15-20 years? "I don't know; maybe she's lost some integrity and some ethical ability," he said. To this, deLeon responded, "He's out of order." "It's a slippery slope for Ms. deLeon," Carocci added. Banonis offered his opinion about deLeon's recusal. "This pattern of conduct is highly troubling and outrageous, and I think it exposes the township to litigation," he said. "If you refuse to recuse yourself and willfully participate in a process that you have such conflicts on and have such bias on, the township deserves to get sued, and you're going to own that and I hope the taxpayers are outraged by it," Banonis continued. Following Carocci and Banonis, it was deLeon's turn to comment. "After careful consideration, I made a decision to recuse myself," deLeon began. She went on to read a letter of recusal into the official record. "While I personally do not believe a recusal is required or necessary, to avoid any issue, any potential issue and to avoid any appearance of any potential issue I have made the decision to recuse myself and to not vote on the conditional use hearing, she continued. "She had to be guilted into it," Carroci said. At the hearing's close, Carroci asked for additional items to be added to the record, including the right-to-know records submitted to the township, some of which were emails and minutes from previous meetings related to deLeon's alleged bias. Some of the materials he requested were missing, he said. "She's clearly putting the township in jeopardy and the taxpayers in jeopardy by not responding properly to these right-to-know requests," Carocci said. Banonis also wanted to add items to the hearing's record. He presented a campaign flyer mailed to constituents on behalf of Councilmembers Laura Ray, Victoria Opthof-Cordaro and deLeon. Banonis said the flyer contained the words "respect," "cooperation" and "transparency." He said the words were "meaningful to show the lack of respect, lack of cooperation and obstruction that has taken place through this hearing." The item was not approved by council. "I don't think this flyer has anything to do with this hearing," Ray said. Following the hearing's close, council had 45 days to act, but Banonis did not want to wait; he called for a vote on the conditional use application on Wednesday. Ray and Opthof-Cordaro felt it was too soon to decide, given that additional items that were introduced, such as minutes from a Lehigh Valley Planning Commission meeting, where the project's site plan was reviewed. "It's irresponsible to make a shotgun decision without hearing from our counselor," Opthof-Cordaro said. "I think we're being pinned into a corner," said Ray. With deLeon's abstention, the vote was tied with Ray and Opthof-Cordaro voting "no" and Carocci and Banonis voting "yes." In the event of a tie, the application is denied. A member of the public gave their opinion on the vote. "Some of you on this council are not basing your judgments on the facts," a resident said. Contention among councilmembers is not uncommon at Lower Saucon meetings. Wednesday, the governing body had to take a two-minute break when things got too heated with audience members aggressively addressing council. During a public comment, a resident denounced the behavior on display. "We don't act like this here. It's embarrassing," she said. "There has to be some way to stop these meetings from turning into clown shows," another resident said. Resident Atom Kallen said, "Carocci and Banonis are absurd." Gaga ball pit In other news, council voted to approve $1,500 to go towards constructing a gaga ball pit at Polk Valley Park. The gaga ball pit is part of prospective Eagle Scout Sebastian Jaramillo-Zamora's project. Zamora is currently working with township staff to complete the project. He hopes for it to be finished by April. Police recognition The council meeting also hosted a ceremony in which the FBI-LEEDA Agency Trilogy Award was presented to the Lower Saucon Township Police Department by FBI-LEEDA COO Michael Robinson. The Trilogy Award is provided to police departments where all members have completed the FBI-LEEDA. The command staff completed the leadership series of supervisory, command and executive leadership institute courses. Robinson presented the award to Police Chief Thomas Barndt, Sgt. Christopher Leidy, Det. Cpl. Eric Marth, Cpl. Timothy Connell, Cpl. Chuck Werkheiser, Cpl. Thomas Louder, Cpl. Kyle Haggerty and staff. "Congratulations, chief," Robinson said. "It's a true honor to receive this. You guys are the best," said deLeon. Barndt said career development and rank structure have been his goal since joining the force in 2018. Proper training, he said, works "to move us forward and that's what I continue to do." "It wouldn't be possible without any of you and our training budget," Barndt said to council. According to FBI-LEEDA's website, the organization's mission is "to advance the science and art of law enforcement leadership and promote the exchange of information to improve law enforcement management practices through training, education, and networking among police professionals across the United States and beyond." LOWER SAUCON TWP., Pa. - The FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Association (FBI-LEEDA) announced that the Lower Saucon Police Department has been awarded the FBI-LEEDA Agency Trilogy Award. The department was recognized for successful completion of an innovative training program aimed at developing strong leadership skills in law enforcement agencies around the world. Lower Saucon PD is the first award recipient in Pennsylvania this year, officials say. The departments entire command staff has completed the highly interactive three-part leadership series that educates officers on topics such as diversity and inclusion, bias, public trust, transformational leadership, social and emotional intelligence and more. Officials say the Agency Trilogy Award equips law enforcement agencies with skills to evolve their departments and the communities they serve. Our department prioritizes the continuous education of our officers, and we are thrilled to earn the FBI-LEEDA Agency Trilogy Award, said Chief Thomas Barndt. The Lower Saucon Police Department is looking forward to applying the knowledge learned during this training in our daily service to the community. Officials say the seminar is instructed by seasoned law enforcement leaders from across the country who bring their strong expertise to each course. Since the inception of the award, 125 law enforcement organizations have been recognized for completion of the course. A man who once called the Lehigh Valley home, and held a leadership position at Lehigh Valley International Airport, has died after police say he was involved in a shootout with federal agents. Bryan Malinowski was most recently the Executive Director of Clinton National Airport. "With a heavy heart, we announce the passing of our executive director Bryan Malinowski. Bryan was a 16-year employee of the airport," according to Bill Walker, chair of the Little Rock Municipal Airport Commission. "Under his leadership, our airport has experienced significant growth and success, expanding services and offerings to our community and state. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Bryan's wife, Maer, loved ones and friends. Police said it happened during a raid on the home of 53-year-old Malinowski in Little Rock, Arkansas. Agents of the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives attempted to serve a search warrant, but things quickly turned violent. In a statement Wednesday, LVIA spokesman Colin Riccobon told us "On behalf of the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority, we are saddened by the event in Little Rock, Arkansas on Tuesday. Our thoughts and prayers are with all involved." EASTON, Pa. Northampton County's total compensation for non-union county workers is competitive with similar counties, according to a consultant's report presented Wednesday. "After a 3.5% raise went through, we would be paying 99% of the market," Stephen J. Barron Jr., the county's director of fiscal affairs, told County Council's Personnel Committee. Barron also addressed the counties used for comparisons. Northampton County is a third-class county, a standard that is based on population. The county has about 318,000 residents, placing it at the lower end of the third-class range of 210,000 to 499,999 residents. The county has given raises higher than some peers, Barron said, noting again the population standard. "Per capita, we're probably the best-paying third-class county," he said. Barron also cited the county's pension and benefits package, and noted that Lehigh County employees are charged for parking. Northampton County employees are not. "We believe we pay a fair wage," Barron said. In 2023, County Council agreed to pay $64,000 to Bolton Rewards, a Maryland-based company, to review how Northampton County government pays its non-union employees relative to the market and similar organizations. The Saucon Valley School District is planning to reopen Friday. This comes after bomb threats closed schools two days in a row. Lower Saucon Police say they will have an increased presence at the school campus Friday. "It was just like, not again. What's going on?" said Pam Jones, who was home watching her two grandchildren who couldn't go to Saucon Valley Elementary Thursday. Police still don't know if the two threats are connected. "It's scary, it's just scary. You don't know, I mean, especially nowadays. You don't know what could happen," said Jones. An expert we spoke with said what usually happens is that the threats are fake. "I don't know of a case in recent history regarding a school in particular where someone has made a bomb threat and there has actually been a device," said Mo Canady, the Executive Director of the National Association of School Resource Officers. Canady said the threats are often just meant to cause a disruption in the school day, creating a major burden for parents who don't have a grandparent like Jones to watch the kids. "What do you do in that case? You can't just call a daycare that you haven't been associated with before and say take my kids," said Jones. Canady said that burden on parents is why, even when a suspect hasn't been identified, many school districts choose to eventually reopen. "At some point, we have to maybe get comfortable with being uncomfortable, and to at least say we've done everything I know humanly possible to do. We've got to have school," said Canady. This isn't the first time Saucon Valley has dealt with threats. In February of last year, a shooting threat closed school and the suspect was later identified as a 20-year-old man in North Carolina. Canady said those scenarios can help school districts prepare for possible incidents in the future. "Have a plan, and stick to it in terms of what's going to happen if a bomb threat is called in during the school day?" said Canady. Lower Saucon Police told us they searched the school buildings on Wednesday and Thursday and found no evidence of any explosive device. S. WHITHEALL TWP., Pa. At its bimonthly meeting Wednesday evening, the South Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners accepted the resignation of Police Chief Glen Dorney. A man with nearly three decades of experience in law enforcement, Dorney served as South Whitehall's top cop from 2018 until Wednesday night. He previously served for 21 years with the Allentown Police Department, including a one-year tenure as chief. "To the community here in South Whitehall Township, you've been phenomenal," said Dorney, who received the township's distinguished service award. "I was the outsider from the city of Allentown, and everybody welcomed me with open arms... It was not just us and you, it was us together." Wishing the best for the outgoing chief, board of commissioners President Diane Kelly commended Dorney's leadership of the South Whitehall Township Police Department (SWTPD). His officers were always well-trained, and community initiatives such as the youth academy and citizens' police academy were created during his tenure, Kelly said. Dorney led a department of 43 officers in South Whitehall, many of whom attended Wednesday night's meeting to celebrate the career of their outgoing chief. Dorney left his officers with a message of gratitude and admiration. "I challenge you to continue that work ethic, that integrity," he told them. "Don't ever taint your badge. I may not wear it anymore, but I take pride in it." Residents say they will miss Dorney's honesty and accessibility. "Really a cut above because of how involved his officers were in the community," said Stephanie Kobal, a South Whitehall resident. "Not just policing the community but really being active citizens in the community." Dorney's resignation is effective Friday, March 22. The chief said Wednesday that he has accepted a local private sector position that is unrelated to law enforcement, but did not elaborate further. While Dorney is leaving behind the responsibility of leading the department, he's never leaving behind "172," his badge number. "Came here as badge No. 172, and I had the opportunity to hire up to badge 195 now," Dorney said. "So to me, it's the last badge I'll wear. I'm looking forward to the private sector." Commissioners passed a resolution to accept Dorney's resignation by a 5-0 vote before appointing his successor, Capt. Stephen G. Brown, to the position of interim chief. The resolution approving Brown's appointment also passed by a 5-0 vote an action that township manager Thomas Petrucci called "appropriate, prudent and necessary." A military veteran with a law and society degree from Penn State, Brown has served with SWTPD since 2007. He has served as captain since February 2023. Dorney expressed full confidence in Brown as his successor, saying he had "done a fantastic job as my No. 2" during the latter's time as captain. Brown said he hopes to build upon the department's community service programs. "I like how the police force is in with the community," he said. "We have a lot more community programs. Residents wave to us when we are patrolling the streets." Police equipment In other police matters, commissioners unanimously passed three total motions Wednesday related to the purchasing of new equipment for SWTPD. The first motion authorized $466,904 for the purchase of body cameras and in-car cameras for the department's patrol officers. Of these funds, $400,099 came from grants and the remaining $66,805 came was taken from the township's American Rescue Plan Act reserves. According to Petrucci, the cameras come with a five-year warranty and are fitted with anti-virus protection. The other two motions were related to the replacement of handguns and other associated equipment for the department. The first motion authorized the township to transfer $41,216.30 into a new capital reserve fund, while the second motion formally approved the use of these funds to purchase the equipment. According to Brown, SWTPD had planned to upgrade its handguns in 2025, but the current weapons have become inadequate. Replacing the equipment now would allow SWTPD officers to continue their high level of training while saving the township money in the long term, Brown said. The South Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners will next meet on Wednesday, April 3. On the second anniversary of the liberation of Kyiv region from Russian occupiers, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy honored the memory of the defenders who died during the defense and liberation of the village of Moschun and presented state awards, the press service of the President's Office reported on Thursday. "Today we remember the battle that took place two years ago, but which should never be forgotten. At that time, it largely determined the fate of the Ukrainian state. It was here, in the battles for Moschun, and nearby, in the battles for Hostomel, Irpin, and other cities and villages of Kyiv region, where the fate of Ukraine and the Ukrainian capital was determined. Then it was possible not only to prevent the Russian army from entering Kyiv. Then it became obvious to everyone in the world what kind Ukrainians are of and what Putin's Russia is," the president emphasized. Zelenskyy noted that two years ago the world did not believe in Ukraine and did not understand the sinister essence of Russia, but saw the strength of the unity of our people, the courage and efficiency of Ukrainian soldiers. "Everything changed then - in February - March 2022, precisely in such battles, in such manifestations of the heroism of our people and the meanness of our enemy. At that time we did not yet have such powerful weapons as we have now, but even then we had the main thing - the courage of people and the ability of Ukrainians to make the right choice. A choice for the sake of Ukraine, for the sake of humanity, victories in the fight against Russian evil. I thank everyone who defended Kyiv back then. Thanks to everyone who fights for our state, our independence, our people," he said. HUNTERDON COUNTY, N.J. - Hunterdon County, New Jersey's effort to build a new administration building is getting a big financial boost from the federal government. At the March 19 board meeting, County Commissioner John Lanza, who serves as the liaison to the Department of Public Safety, said the county was awarded a $3.192 million federal grant which was included as part of six Fiscal Year 2024 appropriations bills that were recently signed into law. Commissioner John Lanza noted, I would like to thank Congressman Tom Kean and U.S. Senator Cory Booker for their bipartisan work on securing this important money for Hunterdon County, Lanza said. The next phase of the Hunterdon County Emergency Services Training Complex includes construction of a new administration building complete with classroom training space, a backup 911 Center, and bathroom facilities, according to a news release from the county commissioners. The county says a new vehicle storage building will also be constructed at the site to protect expensive training props and other equipment from the elements. Hunterdon County expects that Spiezle Architectural Group will have the final plans completed for the next phase of the project sometime next month and at that point the Commissioner Board will need to authorize the project going out to bid, according to the news release. Police on Thursday arrested two white supremacist gang members an Idaho prison inmate and the accomplice who helped him escape following an attack on corrections officers at a Boise hospital, and investigators are looking into whether they killed two people while on the run. Skylar Meade, the escaped inmate, and Nicholas Umphenour, the man who police say shot two Idaho corrections officers early Wednesday to break Meade out of custody, were arrested after a brief car chase Thursday afternoon in Twin Falls, about 130 miles (209 kilometers) from the hospital. Authorities said during a news conference Thursday that they were investigating two homicides, in Clearwater County and Nez Perce County, which borders Washington state. Both victims were men. Police found shackles at the scene of one of the killings and thats one of the ways we tied them together, Idaho State Police Lt. Colonel Sheldon Kelley said. The Clearwater County Sheriff's Office said via Facebook that it received a request for a welfare check Wednesday evening and deputies found a man who had died. The suspects were several hours out of the county when the call came in, according to the office. No further details were released. Meade, 31, was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2017 for shooting at a sheriffs sergeant during a high-speed chase. Umphenour was released from the same prison the Idaho Maximum Security Institution in Kuna, south of Boise in January. The two had at times been housed together, were both members of the Aryan Knights prison gang, and had mutual friends in and out of prison, officials said. No shots were fired during the arrest, police said. The attack on the Idaho Department of Correction officers came just after 2 a.m. Wednesday in the ambulance bay of Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center, as they were preparing to return Meade to the prison. He had been brought to the hospital earlier in the night because he injured himself, officials said. After the ambush, one officer shot by Umphenour was in critical but stable condition, police said, while the second wounded officer had serious but non-life-threatening injuries. A third corrections officer also sustained non-life-threatening injuries when a responding police officer mistakenly believing the shooter was still in the emergency room and seeing an armed person near the entrance opened fire. Correction Director Josh Tewalt said Thursday one guard had been released from the hospital, and the other two are stable and improving. The department is reviewing its policies and practices in light of the escape, he said. "Were channeling every resource we have to trying to understand exactly how they went about planning it, Tewalt said. The Aryan Knights is a gang that formed in the mid-1990s in Idaho's prison system to organize criminal activity for a select group of white people in custody as well as outside prison walls, according to the U.S. attorneys office in the district of Idaho. In 2021, Harlan Hale, described as a leader in the group, was sentenced to life in prison for his role in a plot to traffic drugs behind bars and use violence to collect unpaid debts. In a court document, federal prosecutors described the Aryan Knights as a scourge within the state's prison system. The hate-fueled gang engages in many types of criminal activity and casts shadows of intimidation, addiction, and violence over prison life, prosecutors wrote. In 2022, the Anti-Defamation League counted 75 different white supremacist prison gangs in federal or local facilities in at least 38 states. The ADL said two of the largest such groups, the Aryan Circle and Aryan Brotherhood of Texas, had at least 1,500 members. Mark Pitcavage, a senior research fellow for the ADLs Center on Extremism, estimates that the Aryan Knights has approximately 150 members behind bars and roughly 100 more on the streets. He said the group operates in other states, including Washington and Oregon. With all white supremacist prison gangs, the ideology takes a backseat to the organized crime. Thats just a given, he said. They use that as a sort of a glue to help keep them together and help keep them loyal to the gang. Pitcavage said white supremacist prison gangs are a very different phenomenon from neo-Nazi groups like Aryan Nations, which had a compound in north Idaho at its peak in the 1980s and 1990s. Recently, Meade had been held in a type of solitary confinement called administrative segregation because officials deemed him a severe security risk, Tewalt said. Meade had been escorted in the ambulance and at the hospital by a uniformed, unarmed officer wearing a ballistic vest, tailed by two armed officers, Correction officials said. Security for transporting Meade to the hospital from prison was enhanced because of his violent history, but the department will review their overall policies for transporting inmates to hospitals, Tewalt said. The attack came amid a wave of gun violence at hospitals and medical centers, which have struggled to adapt to the rise of threats. Johnson reported from Seattle and Thiessen from Anchorage, Alaska. Associated Press writer Lisa Baumann in Bellingham, Washington; Associated Press researcher Rhonda Schafner in New York; and Michael Kunzelman in Silver Spring, Maryland, contributed to this report. DALLAS (AP) With inflatable tanks, radio trickery, costume uniforms and acting, the American military units that became known as the Ghost Army outwitted the enemy during World War II. Their mission was kept secret for decades, but on Thursday the group stepped out of the shadows as they were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal at a ceremony in Washington. The actions of the Ghost Army helped change the course of the war for thousands of American and Allied troops and contributed to the liberation of a continent from a terrible evil, Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth said during the ceremony at the U.S. Capitol. She said that many of the techniques the Ghost Army pioneered are still used on the battlefield. Even though technology has changed quite a bit since 1944, our modern techniques build on a lot of what the Ghost Army did and we are still learning from your legacy, she said. Three of the seven known surviving members attended the ceremony: Bernard Bluestein, 100, of Hoffman Estates, Illinois; John Christman, 99, of Leesburg, New Jersey; and Seymour Nussenbaum, 100, of Monroe Township, New Jersey. Their work during the war "was like putting on a big production, Nussenbaum said in an interview before the ceremony. We have had in some cases people impersonating generals, putting on a general's uniform and walking around the streets," he said. Nussenbaum, who grew up in New York City, was studying art at the Pratt Institute before he joined the Army. Eventually, he joined a unit specializing in camouflage that was part of the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops. Our mission was to fool the enemy, to put on a big act, said Nussenbaum, a painter who went on to a career in commercial art. Sen. Edward Markey of Massachusetts said during the ceremony that the Ghost Army members were creative, original thinkers, who used engineering, art, architecture and advertising to wage battle with the enemy. Their weapons were unconventional but their patriotism was unquestionable, he said. House Speaker Mike Johnson said during the ceremony that its estimated that between 15,000 to 30,000 lives were saved because of the Ghost Armys work. The legislation to honor the military units with the Congressional Gold Medal Congress' highest honor was signed into law by President Joe Biden in 2022. That came after almost a decade of work by family members of the soldiers and Rick Beyer, a filmmaker and author who has who helped bring their story to light after their mission was declassified in 1996. Beyer, president of the Ghost Army Legacy Project, produced and directed the 2013 documentary The Ghost Army" and co-authored the 2015 book The Ghost Army of World War II. They put themselves in harms way wielding imagination, bravado and creativity in order that other soldiers might be able to fight and live, Beyer told those gathered Thursday. This is a day that has been a long time coming but it has been well worth the wait, Beyer said. The Ghost Army included about 1,100 soldiers in the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops, which carried out about 20 battlefield deceptions in France, Luxembourg, Belgium and Germany, and around 200 soldiers in the 3133rd Signal Company Special, which carried out two deceptions in Italy. One of the biggest missions, called Operation Viersen, came in March 1945 when the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops' deception drew German units away from the point on the Rhine River where the 9th Army was actually crossing. They had hundreds of inflatables set up," Beyer said in an interview before the ceremony. They had their sound trucks operating for multiple nights. They had other units attached to them. They had set up multiple phony headquarters and staffed them with officers who were pretending to be colonels. This was an all-hands-on-deck affair and it was completely successful," Beyer said. It fooled the Germans. They moved their troops to the river opposite where the deception was. In September 1944, the Ghost Army helped fill a gap in Gen. George Patton's line during an attack on the Germans in the French city of Metz. They end up holding this part of the line for eight days, which is really long in terms of doing a deception, trying to keep up appearances, Beyer said. Kim Seale of Dallas said that his father's work in the Ghost Army came as a surprise to him. Only about six months after his father's death at the age of 84 in 2001, he was told of the connection by a past member of the Ghost Army who was putting together a reunion. I said, What do you mean, Ghost Army? Seale said. My Dad never talked about it," Seale said. He kept the oath. He said his father, Oscar Seale, who was a captain, had told him that at one point during the war that he had transitioned from a tank division to a position as a courier. Seale said he now thinks that's when his father joined the Ghost Army. Its been a 20-plus year journey of learning about the Ghost Army, learning about what my Dad did, learning about what the men did and just being amazed at that story, he said. NEW YORK (AP) Former President Donald Trump's fundraising picked up last month, but his political operation is still struggling to catch up to President Joe Biden and the Democratic Party in money coming in. Trump's campaign and his Save America political action committee, two key committees in his political operation, reported raising a combined $15.9 million in February and ended the month with more than $37 million on hand, according to filings with the Federal Election Commission Wednesday night. That's up from January, when the committees raised only $13.8 million. As Trump in February handily won primary contests in Nevada and New Hampshire, the prospects of any Republican challenger overtaking him in the presidential race dimmed significantly. Americans know that they were better off with President Trump four years ago than with Crooked Joe Biden and his disastrous policies. We need a return to America First policies that successfully kept our country safe and supercharged the economy for all Americans," Trump's campaign Communications Director Steven Cheung said in a statement. Unimpressed, Biden campaign Communications Director Michael Tyler said in a statement, If Donald Trump put up these kinds of numbers on The Apprentice, hed fire himself,." But heres why he aint got it: his extreme, toxic agenda of banning abortion, slashing Social Security, and promoting political violence is repelling donors and doing exactly (asterisk)nothing(asterisk) to earn support from the voters who will decide this election. Biden's campaign, meanwhile, said his political operation raised $53 million last month and ended February with $155 million on hand. That includes Biden's joint fundraising with the Democratic National Committee. The full picture will not be available until April when some of the committees in his political operation are due to file reports. His main campaign account raised $21 million in February, according to its latest filing with the FEC, and ended the month with $71 million on hand. The monthly numbers reported by the two Trump committees are key to his fundraising operation but only a portion of the full picture, with other committees scheduled to report their latest numbers in April. The Save America committee has been paying the bulk of Trumps legal fees in his various court cases. Legal spending made up 85% of its total operating expenses during the first two months of this year, roughly the same as 2023, when such expenses were about 89%. It has spent $8.5 million on legal fees so far this year. Trump's February numbers did not include any fundraising with the Republican National Committee. Earlier this month, days after his last major opponent Nikki Haley dropped out of the GOP primary, Trump's political team took over the cash-strapped RNC and installed a new leadership team. The campaign this week set up joint fundraising operations with the RNC. Kessler reported from Washington. One dead, four injured as result of missile attack on Mykolaiv local authorities One civilian woman was killed and four people were injured as a result of Russia's ballistic missile attack on Mykolaiv on Thursday afternoon. "Four people injured (three women, one man) plus one woman dead. The rescue operation continues," Head of Mykolaiv Regional Military Administration Vitaliy Kim said on the Telegram channel. Earlier, Mykolaiv Mayor Oleksandr Senkevych reported a loud sound of explosion in the city from a ballistic missile strike. Whitecap Resources (TSE:WCP Get Free Report) has been given a C$13.00 target price by stock analysts at BMO Capital Markets in a research report issued on Thursday, BayStreet.CA reports. The firm currently has an outperform rating on the stock. BMO Capital Markets price target suggests a potential upside of 27.45% from the companys previous close. Other analysts also recently issued research reports about the stock. Desjardins upped their price target on shares of Whitecap Resources from C$11.00 to C$11.50 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, February 23rd. National Bankshares reduced their price objective on shares of Whitecap Resources from C$18.50 to C$15.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, January 10th. Raymond James reduced their price objective on shares of Whitecap Resources from C$15.50 to C$13.00 and set a strong-buy rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, January 19th. Stifel Nicolaus upped their price objective on shares of Whitecap Resources from C$12.25 to C$12.75 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, February 22nd. Finally, ATB Capital dropped their price target on shares of Whitecap Resources from C$15.50 to C$15.00 in a research report on Thursday, February 22nd. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Buy and an average target price of C$13.44. Get Whitecap Resources alerts: View Our Latest Analysis on Whitecap Resources Whitecap Resources Stock Performance Shares of Whitecap Resources stock traded up C$0.09 on Thursday, reaching C$10.20. 946,858 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,547,981. Whitecap Resources has a 1-year low of C$8.15 and a 1-year high of C$11.91. The company has a current ratio of 0.90, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 25.25. The business has a fifty day moving average price of C$9.05 and a two-hundred day moving average price of C$9.81. The firm has a market capitalization of C$6.10 billion, a PE ratio of 6.98, a PEG ratio of -0.33 and a beta of 2.81. Whitecap Resources (TSE:WCP Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 21st. The company reported C$0.49 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of C$0.30 by C$0.19. Whitecap Resources had a net margin of 27.52% and a return on equity of 16.89%. The business had revenue of C$914.10 million for the quarter. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Whitecap Resources will post 1.1399317 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Insider Buying and Selling at Whitecap Resources In related news, Director Grant Bradley Fagerheim acquired 3,723 shares of Whitecap Resources stock in a transaction on Monday, February 5th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of C$8.17 per share, for a total transaction of C$30,416.91. 0.74% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. About Whitecap Resources (Get Free Report) Whitecap Resources Inc, an oil and gas company, focuses on the acquisition, development, and production of oil and gas assets in Western Canada. The company's primary areas of focus of its development programs are in Northern Alberta and British Columbia, Central Alberta, and Saskatchewan. The company was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Whitecap Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Whitecap Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Brookstone Capital Management boosted its holdings in American Express (NYSE:AXP) by 34.6% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 54,942 shares of the payment services companys stock after purchasing an additional 14,134 shares during the quarter. Brookstone Capital Managements holdings in American Express were worth $10,293,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Orion Portfolio Solutions LLC grew its holdings in American Express by 1.2% during the 1st quarter. Orion Portfolio Solutions LLC now owns 5,566 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $1,041,000 after buying an additional 65 shares in the last quarter. Strategy Asset Managers LLC grew its holdings in American Express by 3.7% during the 2nd quarter. Strategy Asset Managers LLC now owns 1,818 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $317,000 after buying an additional 65 shares in the last quarter. Cozad Asset Management Inc. grew its holdings in American Express by 4.1% during the 3rd quarter. Cozad Asset Management Inc. now owns 1,713 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $256,000 after buying an additional 67 shares in the last quarter. Summit Financial LLC grew its holdings in American Express by 1.7% during the 3rd quarter. Summit Financial LLC now owns 4,044 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $603,000 after buying an additional 67 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Sunburst Financial Group LLC grew its holdings in American Express by 3.0% during the 4th quarter. Sunburst Financial Group LLC now owns 2,279 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $427,000 after buying an additional 67 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 83.08% of the companys stock. Get American Express alerts: American Express Stock Performance American Express stock traded up $2.38 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $230.29. 1,206,013 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,202,402. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.71, a current ratio of 1.63 and a quick ratio of 1.63. The firms 50 day moving average price is $206.55 and its 200-day moving average price is $177.91. The stock has a market capitalization of $166.70 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.33, a P/E/G ratio of 1.24 and a beta of 1.23. American Express has a 1 year low of $140.91 and a 1 year high of $231.69. American Express Cuts Dividend American Express ( NYSE:AXP Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Friday, January 26th. The payment services company reported $2.62 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.64 by ($0.02). The company had revenue of $15.80 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $16 billion. American Express had a return on equity of 30.99% and a net margin of 13.84%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 11.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $2.07 EPS. As a group, equities analysts expect that American Express will post 12.83 EPS for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 10th. Investors of record on Friday, April 5th will be issued a $0.10 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 4th. This represents a $0.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.17%. American Expresss payout ratio is 21.41%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities analysts have recently commented on AXP shares. UBS Group lifted their target price on American Express from $188.00 to $206.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Monday, January 29th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded American Express from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and boosted their price objective for the company from $167.00 to $205.00 in a report on Thursday, January 4th. Oppenheimer boosted their price objective on American Express from $208.00 to $219.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Monday, January 29th. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their target price on American Express from $220.00 to $226.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, January 29th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their target price on American Express from $186.00 to $205.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, December 18th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $189.00. Read Our Latest Analysis on American Express Insider Buying and Selling In other American Express news, insider Laureen Seeger sold 84,420 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $212.98, for a total transaction of $17,979,771.60. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 57,512 shares of the companys stock, valued at $12,248,905.76. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In related news, insider Monique Herena sold 11,242 shares of American Express stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $208.41, for a total transaction of $2,342,945.22. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 13,874 shares in the company, valued at $2,891,480.34. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, insider Laureen Seeger sold 84,420 shares of American Express stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $212.98, for a total value of $17,979,771.60. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 57,512 shares in the company, valued at approximately $12,248,905.76. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 172,047 shares of company stock valued at $36,528,388. 0.12% of the stock is owned by company insiders. American Express Profile (Free Report) American Express Company, together with its subsidiaries, operates as integrated payments company in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the Asia Pacific, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America, Canada, the Caribbean, and Internationally. It operates through four segments: U.S. Consumer Services, Commercial Services, International Card Services, and Global Merchant and Network Services. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AXP? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for American Express (NYSE:AXP Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for American Express Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for American Express and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. China ramps up efforts to attract foreign investment across diverse industries Xinhua) 08:09, March 21, 2024 A drone photo shows a view of Qingdao Port in east China's Shandong Province, March 13, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng) BEIJING, March 20 (Xinhua) -- China has started revising the industry catalog of sectors encouraging foreign investment, the country's top economic planner said on Wednesday. During the revision process, the National Development and Reform Commission will engage in extensive communication with foreign chambers of commerce and enterprises through field investigations and seminars, said Hua Zhong, an official of the commission. The revision will maintain a focus on the manufacturing sector as one of the priorities for attracting foreign investment, Hua said, adding that China will step up support to advanced manufacturing, modern services, advanced technology, energy conservation and environmental protection to attract more foreign investment in these areas. The revision will be tailored according to local resources and industrial foundations in central and western regions to encourage multinationals to develop businesses there, Hua said. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Ukraine, together with the UN World Food Programme, are planning new routes for the Grain from Ukraine program to tackle famine in Gaza and Malawi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo and other nations, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his address to the 3rd Summit for Democracy "When Russia had blocked our ports and began to destroy our agricultural infrastructure, our determination and global cooperation gave enormous results We have restored the stability of the global food market, lifted the Russian blockade of some of our ports and renewed supplies of agricultural production. Dozens of millions of tons of Ukrainian food have already been delivered to Africa, Asia, and Europe. Our humanitarian food program Grain from Ukraine is also working and has delivered dozen thousands of tons of grain and wheat to Yemen, Somalia, Nigeria, Sudan, Ethiopia And I am grateful to all contributing donor countries," he said. The head of state noted that in a few days a new cargo from Ukraine will arrive in Sudan. "We have proven that we can restore food security, and I invite all of you to join this and other points of our Peace Formula," Zelenskyy said. Brookstone Capital Management grew its holdings in shares of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Free Report) by 5.1% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 23,918 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 1,170 shares during the quarter. Brookstone Capital Managements holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $13,942,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Fairfield Bush & CO. bought a new stake in Eli Lilly and Company in the first quarter valued at approximately $107,000. Roundview Capital LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 2.6% during the 1st quarter. Roundview Capital LLC now owns 2,056 shares of the companys stock worth $589,000 after buying an additional 53 shares in the last quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company during the 1st quarter worth approximately $210,000. NewEdge Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 9.9% during the 1st quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 53,052 shares of the companys stock worth $15,193,000 after buying an additional 4,774 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Barometer Capital Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company during the 1st quarter worth approximately $561,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.38% of the companys stock. Get Eli Lilly and Company alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In LLY has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. DZ Bank cut Eli Lilly and Company from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $820.00 price target on the stock. in a report on Wednesday, February 21st. Truist Financial increased their price target 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. BMO Capital Markets increased their price target on Eli Lilly and Company from $710.00 to $865.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 7th. TheStreet raised Eli Lilly and Company from a c+ rating to a b rating in a research report on Friday, March 8th. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised their target price on Eli Lilly and Company from $805.00 to $950.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, February 16th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seventeen have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $689.52. Insider Activity at Eli Lilly and Company In related news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 34,538 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $631.81, for a total transaction of $21,821,453.78. Following the transaction, 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 legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In the last three months, insiders have sold 195,055 shares of company stock valued at $125,254,657. Corporate insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock. Eli Lilly and Company Price Performance Shares of NYSE:LLY traded up $1.93 on Thursday, hitting $774.79. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,544,181 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,292,820. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $714.46 and a 200 day simple moving average of $628.78. Eli Lilly and Company has a 1 year low of $323.26 and a 1 year high of $800.78. The company has a market capitalization of $736.17 billion, a PE ratio of 132.59, a PEG ratio of 1.70 and a beta of 0.34. 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 (NYSE:LLY Get Free Report) last released 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 firm had revenue of $9.35 billion for 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%. The companys revenue was up 28.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $2.09 EPS. Sell-side analysts forecast that Eli Lilly and Company will post 12.42 EPS for the current fiscal year. Eli Lilly and Company Profile (Free Report) Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. The company 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; Jardiance, Mounjaro, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes; and Zepbound for obesity. Featured Stories 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. The Charles Schwab Co. (NYSE:SCHW Get Free Report) shares shot up 0.6% during mid-day trading on Tuesday after Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their price target on the stock from $75.00 to $77.00. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft currently has a buy rating on the stock. Charles Schwab traded as high as $67.92 and last traded at $67.78. 1,480,021 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 81% from the average session volume of 7,768,904 shares. The stock had previously closed at $67.40. Several other equities analysts have also commented on SCHW. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a neutral rating and set a $71.00 price target (up previously from $70.00) on shares of Charles Schwab in a research note on Wednesday, January 3rd. StockNews.com upgraded Charles Schwab from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, March 15th. UBS Group lifted their target price on Charles Schwab from $72.00 to $82.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, December 15th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lowered Charles Schwab from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and cut their target price for the company from $75.00 to $70.00 in a research note on Thursday, January 18th. Finally, Raymond James cut their target price on Charles Schwab from $78.00 to $75.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, January 18th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $70.53. Get Charles Schwab alerts: Get Our Latest Analysis on SCHW Insider Transactions at Charles Schwab Hedge Funds Weigh In On Charles Schwab In related news, Chairman Charles R. Schwab sold 16,390 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, January 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $63.94, for a total value of $1,047,976.60. Following the completion of the transaction, the chairman now directly owns 61,331,688 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,921,548,130.72. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website . In other Charles Schwab news, CFO Peter B. Crawford sold 4,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, January 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $64.49, for a total value of $257,960.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 37,611 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,425,533.39. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink . Also, Chairman Charles R. Schwab sold 16,390 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, January 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $63.94, for a total value of $1,047,976.60. Following the transaction, the chairman now owns 61,331,688 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,921,548,130.72. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders sold a total of 202,607 shares of company stock valued at $13,214,499 in the last three months. 6.60% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Beacon Pointe Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Charles Schwab by 54.2% in the 2nd quarter. Beacon Pointe Advisors LLC now owns 135,940 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $7,705,000 after buying an additional 47,792 shares during the period. Bamco Inc. NY increased its position in Charles Schwab by 0.5% during the third quarter. Bamco Inc. NY now owns 8,102,475 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $444,826,000 after buying an additional 42,588 shares during the period. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Charles Schwab by 43.2% in the third quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 551,682 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $30,287,000 after purchasing an additional 166,316 shares during the period. Act Two Investors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Charles Schwab in the second quarter valued at approximately $13,488,000. Finally, 180 Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Charles Schwab by 6.1% in the third quarter. 180 Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 32,214 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,769,000 after buying an additional 1,843 shares in the last quarter. 81.61% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Charles Schwab Stock Performance The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 0.43 and a quick ratio of 0.43. The stock has a market capitalization of $124.14 billion, a PE ratio of 27.43, a P/E/G ratio of 1.33 and a beta of 1.00. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $64.84 and a two-hundred day moving average of $60.76. Charles Schwab (NYSE:SCHW Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 17th. The financial services provider reported $0.68 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.64 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $4.46 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.49 billion. Charles Schwab had a return on equity of 21.33% and a net margin of 26.90%. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 18.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.07 earnings per share. Research analysts expect that The Charles Schwab Co. will post 3.34 EPS for the current fiscal year. Charles Schwab Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 23rd. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 9th were given a dividend of $0.25 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 8th. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.43%. Charles Schwabs payout ratio is 39.37%. Charles Schwab Company Profile (Get Free Report) The Charles Schwab Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a savings and loan holding company that provides wealth management, securities brokerage, banking, asset management, custody, and financial advisory services in the United States and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Investor Services and Advisor Services. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Charles Schwab Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Charles Schwab and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. CIC Wealth LLC reduced its stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH Free Report) by 15.3% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 4,023 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock after selling 727 shares during the period. CIC Wealth LLCs holdings in UnitedHealth Group were worth $2,118,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Robbins Farley acquired a new stake in UnitedHealth Group in the third quarter valued at approximately $25,000. NewSquare Capital LLC grew its position 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 in the last quarter. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL acquired a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group during the first quarter worth approximately $35,000. WFA of San Diego LLC acquired a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group during the second quarter worth approximately $39,000. Finally, Annapolis Financial Services LLC grew its position 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 in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 85.69% of the companys stock. Get UnitedHealth Group alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In UNH has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Truist Financial restated a buy rating and set a $610.00 price objective on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research note on Thursday, November 30th. HSBC reiterated a reduce rating and issued a $480.00 target price (down from $550.00) on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research note on Monday, December 18th. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $596.00 target price on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research note on Thursday, February 29th. Bank of America reissued a buy rating and set a $675.00 price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a report on Thursday, March 7th. Finally, Stephens reissued an overweight rating and set a $605.00 price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a report on Thursday, February 8th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating, fifteen have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong 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 $579.33. UnitedHealth Group Stock Down 0.3 % NYSE UNH traded down $1.54 during trading on Thursday, reaching $492.69. 1,787,411 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,156,122. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated has a fifty-two week low of $445.68 and a fifty-two week high of $554.70. The firm has a market capitalization of $454.23 billion, a PE ratio of 20.67, a P/E/G ratio of 1.34 and a beta of 0.54. The company has a current ratio of 0.79, a quick ratio of 0.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $507.45 and its 200-day simple moving average is $518.41. UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH Get Free Report) last announced 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. UnitedHealth Group had a return on equity of 26.39% and a net margin of 6.02%. The firm had revenue of $94.43 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $92.13 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $5.34 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 14.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts predict that UnitedHealth Group Incorporated will post 27.79 EPS for the current year. UnitedHealth Group Dividend Announcement The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, March 19th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 11th were issued a dividend of $1.88 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, March 8th. This represents a $7.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.53%. UnitedHealth Groups dividend payout ratio is 31.54%. Insider Activity In related news, EVP Erin Mcsweeney sold 1,236 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $483.48, for a total value of $597,581.28. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 9,364 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,527,306.72. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, EVP Erin Mcsweeney sold 1,236 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $483.48, for a total value of $597,581.28. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 9,364 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,527,306.72. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CAO Thomas E. Roos sold 858 shares of UnitedHealth Group stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $525.79, for a total value of $451,127.82. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 32,289 shares in the company, valued at $16,977,233.31. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.35% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. About UnitedHealth Group (Free Report) UnitedHealth Group Incorporated operates as a diversified health care company in the United States. The company 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. Read More 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. Cobram Estate Olives Limited (ASX:CBO Get Free Report) insider Leandro Ravetti sold 2,000,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of A$1.75 ($1.15), for a total value of A$3,500,000.00 ($2,302,631.58). Cobram Estate Olives Stock Performance The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 81.34, a quick ratio of 0.39 and a current ratio of 1.74. Get Cobram Estate Olives alerts: About Cobram Estate Olives (Get Free Report) Read More Cobram Estate Olives Limited operates as a food and agribusiness company with olive farming and milling operations in Australia and the United States. Its olive farming assets include various olive trees of freehold farmland in Australia and long-term leased and freehold properties in California. The company also owns olive tree nursery, olive mills, olive oil bottling and storage facilities, and olives laboratory. Receive News & Ratings for Cobram Estate Olives Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cobram Estate Olives and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Contango Ore, Inc. (NYSEAMERICAN:CTGO Get Free Report) Director Joseph S. Compofelice sold 5,826 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $22.00, for a total transaction of $128,172.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 163,878 shares in the company, valued at $3,605,316. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Contango Ore Stock Down 1.0 % Shares of CTGO stock traded down $0.20 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $20.43. The stock had a trading volume of 24,153 shares, compared to its average volume of 22,169. Contango Ore, Inc. has a twelve month low of $14.03 and a twelve month high of $33.67. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.98, a current ratio of 4.02 and a quick ratio of 4.02. Get Contango Ore alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Separately, Fundamental Research set a $23.22 target price on shares of Contango Ore and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 13th. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of CTGO. UBS Group AG boosted its stake in Contango Ore by 5,168.2% in the 3rd quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 1,159 shares of the companys stock worth $35,000 after buying an additional 1,137 shares during the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Contango Ore in the 3rd quarter valued at about $647,000. Vanguard Group Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Contango Ore in the 3rd quarter valued at about $879,000. Sprott Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Contango Ore by 38.0% in the 4th quarter. Sprott Inc. now owns 363,200 shares of the companys stock valued at $8,325,000 after purchasing an additional 100,000 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp acquired a new position in shares of Contango Ore in the 2nd quarter valued at about $269,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 12.91% of the companys stock. Contango Ore Company Profile (Get Free Report) Contango Ore, Inc, an exploration stage company, engages in the exploration of gold and associated minerals in the United States. It also explores for copper and silver deposits. The company, through its subsidiaries, leases approximately 675,000 acres from the Tetlin Tribal Council and holds approximately 13,000 State of Alaska mining claims for exploration and development; leases mineral rights approximately 8,600 acres of State of Alaska and patented mining claims for exploration from Alaska Hard Rock, Inc; and owns 100% interest in the mineral rights to approximately 154,000 acres of State of Alaska mining claims for exploration located north and northwest of the Manh Choh Project. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Contango Ore Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Contango Ore and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Squarespace, Inc. (NYSE:SQSP Get Free Report) General Counsel Courtenay Oconnor sold 20,622 shares of Squarespace stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $32.02, for a total value of $660,316.44. Following the completion of the transaction, the general counsel now owns 44,189 shares in the company, valued at $1,414,931.78. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Squarespace Trading Down 0.8 % Squarespace stock opened at $34.25 on Thursday. Squarespace, Inc. has a 52 week low of $25.59 and a 52 week high of $34.83. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $32.17 and its 200-day simple moving average is $30.47. Get Squarespace alerts: Squarespace (NYSE:SQSP Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 28th. The company reported $0.04 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.16 by ($0.12). The company had revenue of $270.72 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $263.41 million. Squarespace had a negative net margin of 0.70% and a negative return on equity of 2.24%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 18.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted ($0.07) earnings per share. As a group, research analysts predict that Squarespace, Inc. will post 0.52 earnings per share for the current year. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In SQSP has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Robert W. Baird upgraded Squarespace from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and lifted their target price for the stock from $30.00 to $39.00 in a report on Monday, March 4th. Citigroup lifted their price objective on Squarespace from $40.00 to $42.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, February 29th. JMP Securities lifted their price objective on Squarespace from $40.00 to $45.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Monday. Mizuho raised their target price on Squarespace from $32.00 to $34.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, February 29th. Finally, B. Riley raised their target price on Squarespace from $41.00 to $43.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, February 29th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $38.42. Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on SQSP Institutional Investors Weigh In On Squarespace A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in Squarespace by 8.2% during the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 6,345,007 shares of the companys stock worth $209,449,000 after acquiring an additional 479,712 shares during the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its position in Squarespace by 18.1% in the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 8,284,051 shares of the companys stock valued at $273,457,000 after buying an additional 1,268,698 shares during the last quarter. American International Group Inc. boosted its position in Squarespace by 12.6% in the 4th quarter. American International Group Inc. now owns 25,108 shares of the companys stock valued at $829,000 after buying an additional 2,800 shares during the last quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky boosted its position in Squarespace by 7.5% in the 4th quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky now owns 56,955 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,880,000 after buying an additional 3,961 shares during the last quarter. Finally, GSA Capital Partners LLP boosted its position in Squarespace by 2.1% in the 4th quarter. GSA Capital Partners LLP now owns 32,250 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,065,000 after buying an additional 652 shares during the last quarter. 43.73% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Squarespace Company Profile (Get 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 Articles 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. Rockland Trust Co. raised its stake in Danaher Co. (NYSE:DHR Free Report) by 7.3% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 105,025 shares of the conglomerates stock after buying an additional 7,180 shares during the period. Danaher makes up about 1.3% of Rockland Trust Co.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 25th largest holding. Rockland Trust Co.s holdings in Danaher were worth $24,296,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Several other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in DHR. Fairfield Bush & CO. raised its stake in Danaher by 10.9% during the 1st quarter. Fairfield Bush & CO. now owns 4,840 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $1,420,000 after purchasing an additional 475 shares during the period. Zions Bancorporation N.A. grew its holdings in shares of Danaher by 19.3% during the 1st quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. now owns 2,468 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $724,000 after acquiring an additional 400 shares in the last quarter. Covestor Ltd grew its holdings in shares of Danaher by 76.8% during the 1st quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 495 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $145,000 after acquiring an additional 215 shares in the last quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Danaher by 14.1% during the 1st quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 31,530 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $9,248,000 after acquiring an additional 3,897 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bridgewater Associates LP grew its holdings in shares of Danaher by 135.9% during the 1st quarter. Bridgewater Associates LP now owns 35,270 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $10,346,000 after acquiring an additional 20,320 shares in the last quarter. 76.71% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Danaher alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities analysts have recently commented on DHR shares. Citigroup boosted their price target on shares of Danaher from $255.00 to $280.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, January 31st. HSBC assumed coverage on shares of Danaher in a report on Monday, December 18th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Royal Bank of Canada upped their price objective on shares of Danaher from $254.00 to $282.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, January 31st. TheStreet upgraded shares of Danaher from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a report on Friday, December 8th. Finally, Wolfe Research began coverage on shares of Danaher in a research report on Wednesday, December 13th. They set a peer perform rating for the company. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Danaher currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $266.00. Insider Activity In other news, Director Walter G. Lohr sold 3,289 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $251.15, for a total transaction of $826,032.35. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 14,129 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,548,498.35. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available 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 shares were 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 legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Walter G. Lohr sold 3,289 shares of Danaher stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $251.15, for a total transaction of $826,032.35. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 14,129 shares in the company, valued at $3,548,498.35. 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 three months. 11.10% of the stock is owned by insiders. Danaher Stock Performance NYSE:DHR opened at $251.68 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.37, a current ratio of 1.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31. The firm has a market capitalization of $186.17 billion, a PE ratio of 39.39, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.85 and a beta of 0.84. Danaher Co. has a 12-month low of $182.09 and a 12-month high of $259.00. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $244.24 and a 200 day moving average price of $230.61. Danaher (NYSE:DHR Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data 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. The firm had revenue of $6.41 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.10 billion. Danaher had a net margin of 17.26% and a return on equity of 12.25%. The companys quarterly revenue was down 10.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $2.87 earnings per share. Research analysts anticipate that Danaher Co. will post 7.63 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Danaher Increases Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 26th. Shareholders 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 yield of 0.43%. This is a boost from Danahers previous quarterly dividend of $0.24. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 27th. Danahers dividend payout ratio is currently 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. EOG Resources (NYSE:EOG Free Report) had its price target lifted by Citigroup from $120.00 to $124.00 in a research report sent to investors on Monday, Benzinga reports. They currently have a neutral rating on the energy exploration companys stock. A number of other equities analysts have also weighed in on EOG. Piper Sandler dropped their target price on shares of EOG Resources from $153.00 to $141.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, March 7th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered shares of EOG Resources from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and dropped their target price for the stock from $150.00 to $130.00 in a research report on Thursday, December 14th. Susquehanna dropped their target price on shares of EOG Resources from $164.00 to $147.00 and set a positive rating for the company in a research report on Friday, January 26th. Truist Financial lowered their price objective on shares of EOG Resources from $172.00 to $165.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Monday, February 26th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered shares of EOG Resources from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and lowered their price objective for the company from $156.00 to $150.00 in a research report on Wednesday, December 6th. Eleven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $141.25. Get EOG Resources alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Report on EOG Resources EOG Resources Price Performance Shares of NYSE:EOG opened at $125.72 on Monday. 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 has a 1-year low of $101.56 and a 1-year high of $136.79. The company has a market capitalization of $72.92 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.66, a P/E/G ratio of 0.38 and a beta of 1.39. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $114.89 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $121.63. EOG Resources (NYSE:EOG Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, February 23rd. The energy exploration company reported $3.07 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.14 by ($0.07). EOG Resources had a net margin of 31.40% and a return on equity of 25.38%. The firm had revenue of $6.36 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.18 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $3.30 EPS. EOG Resourcess revenue for the quarter was down 5.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts expect that EOG Resources will post 11.4 EPS for the current fiscal year. EOG Resources Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 30th. Investors of record on Tuesday, April 16th will be paid a $0.91 dividend. This represents a $3.64 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.90%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, April 15th. EOG Resourcess dividend payout ratio is presently 27.98%. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in EOG. Capital World Investors increased its stake in EOG Resources by 59.2% in the 4th quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 25,420,916 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $3,074,660,000 after buying an additional 9,455,621 shares during the period. Tejara Capital Ltd purchased a new position in EOG Resources during the 4th quarter valued at about $106,000. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its position in EOG Resources by 196.1% during the 1st quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 9,859,925 shares of the energy exploration companys stock valued at $1,175,599,000 after purchasing an additional 6,529,464 shares during the period. Morgan Stanley increased its position in EOG Resources by 87.8% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 7,787,281 shares of the energy exploration companys stock valued at $1,008,609,000 after purchasing an additional 3,641,504 shares during the period. Finally, Capital Research Global Investors increased its position in EOG Resources by 11.0% during 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 period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.21% of the companys stock. EOG Resources Company Profile (Get Free Report) EOG Resources, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, explores for, develops, produces, and markets crude oil, natural gas liquids, and natural gas primarily in producing basins in the United States, the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and internationally. 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. FORVIS Wealth Advisors LLC decreased its position in The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TRV Free Report) by 4.9% in the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 14,518 shares of the insurance providers stock after selling 743 shares during the period. FORVIS Wealth Advisors LLCs holdings in Travelers Companies were worth $2,766,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Several other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in TRV. Fairfield Bush & CO. acquired a new position in shares of Travelers Companies in the 1st quarter worth approximately $160,000. Cibc World Market Inc. grew its position in shares of Travelers Companies by 28.8% in the 1st quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 5,934 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $1,084,000 after acquiring an additional 1,327 shares in the last quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. lifted its holdings in shares of Travelers Companies by 1.0% in the 1st quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. now owns 11,905 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $2,210,000 after purchasing an additional 115 shares during the last quarter. Blair William & Co. IL lifted its holdings in shares of Travelers Companies by 40.6% in the 1st quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 51,551 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $9,420,000 after purchasing an additional 14,873 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Sei Investments Co. lifted its holdings in shares of Travelers Companies by 5.0% in the 1st quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 27,212 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $4,952,000 after purchasing an additional 1,286 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.12% of the companys stock. Get Travelers Companies alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at Travelers Companies In other Travelers Companies news, EVP Michael Frederick Klein sold 12,287 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $210.68, for a total value of $2,588,625.16. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 14,080 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,966,374.40. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In other Travelers Companies news, EVP Michael Frederick Klein sold 12,287 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $210.68, for a total value of $2,588,625.16. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 14,080 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,966,374.40. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, Vice Chairman William H. Heyman sold 4,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $215.06, for a total value of $967,770.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 255,178 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $54,878,580.68. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 109,775 shares of company stock worth $23,343,903 over the last 90 days. 1.29% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Travelers Companies Stock Performance Shares of NYSE TRV opened at $224.98 on Thursday. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $214.16 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $187.44. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a current ratio of 0.34 and a quick ratio of 0.34. The Travelers Companies, Inc. has a one year low of $157.33 and a one year high of $226.39. The company has a market capitalization of $51.55 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.59, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.16 and a beta of 0.58. Travelers Companies (NYSE:TRV Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Friday, January 19th. The insurance provider reported $7.01 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $5.10 by $1.91. Travelers Companies had a return on equity of 13.68% and a net margin of 7.23%. The firm had revenue of $10.93 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.18 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $3.40 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 13.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts anticipate that The Travelers Companies, Inc. will post 17.67 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Travelers Companies Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 29th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 8th will be paid a $1.00 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 7th. This represents a $4.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.78%. Travelers Companiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 31.27%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth TRV has been the topic of several recent research reports. UBS Group raised their price target on Travelers Companies from $205.00 to $225.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, January 23rd. Royal Bank of Canada raised their price target on Travelers Companies from $185.00 to $210.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a report on Monday, January 22nd. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price target on Travelers Companies from $166.00 to $186.00 and gave the stock a sell rating in a report on Monday, January 22nd. Raymond James lifted their target price on Travelers Companies from $220.00 to $245.00 and gave the company a strong-buy rating in a research note on Monday, January 22nd. Finally, StockNews.com downgraded Travelers Companies from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have given a hold rating, four have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $201.38. Get Our Latest Report on Travelers Companies Travelers Companies Company Profile (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. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TRV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TRV Free Report). 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. IFM Investors Pty Ltd decreased its holdings in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO Free Report) by 0.7% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 304,525 shares of the companys stock after selling 2,153 shares during the quarter. IFM Investors Pty Ltds holdings in Altria Group were worth $12,285,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC raised its position in Altria Group by 108,222.5% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 18,590,308 shares of the companys stock worth $849,763,000 after buying an additional 18,573,146 shares during the last quarter. Capital World Investors increased its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 8.5% in the 2nd quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 96,401,945 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,367,008,000 after purchasing an additional 7,546,851 shares in the last quarter. Barclays PLC increased its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 84.1% in the 2nd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 5,426,522 shares of the companys stock valued at $245,823,000 after purchasing an additional 2,478,576 shares in the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 6.4% in the 1st quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 36,302,349 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,896,798,000 after purchasing an additional 2,178,596 shares in the last quarter. Finally, AQR Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 54.1% in the 3rd quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 4,710,670 shares of the companys stock valued at $198,084,000 after purchasing an additional 1,653,455 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 58.94% of the companys stock. Get Altria Group alerts: Altria Group Stock Performance Shares of MO stock traded up $0.05 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $44.84. 4,882,446 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 11,263,365. Altria Group, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $39.06 and a fifty-two week high of $48.04. The company has a market capitalization of $79.07 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.82, a P/E/G ratio of 2.69 and a beta of 0.65. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $41.09 and its 200 day simple moving average is $41.53. Altria Group Announces Dividend Altria Group ( NYSE:MO Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 1st. The company reported $1.18 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.17 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $5.02 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.06 billion. Altria Group had a net margin of 33.21% and a negative return on equity of 244.55%. The firms revenue was down 1.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.18 earnings per share. On average, analysts forecast that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.08 EPS for the current year. The business also recently disclosed 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 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 8.74%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 22nd. Altria Groups dividend payout ratio is currently 85.78%. Altria Group announced that its board has initiated a stock buyback program on Thursday, February 1st that authorizes the company to buyback $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the company to buy up to 1.4% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are often an indication that the companys management believes its shares are undervalued. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of brokerages recently commented on MO. UBS Group reissued a sell rating and issued a $36.10 price objective on shares of Altria Group in a research note on Tuesday, January 23rd. StockNews.com lowered shares of Altria Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, February 23rd. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Altria Group currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $47.22. Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on MO About Altria Group (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. Kuleba calls on chief of NATO Military Committee to return to practice of training Ukrainian military in Ukraine Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba has held a meeting with Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, Admiral Rob Bauer, who is paying a visit to Ukraine. According to the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Kuleba noted the important role of NATO member states in providing Ukraine with comprehensive assistance to repel the armed aggression of the Russian Federation. "He separately stressed the importance of continuing support for Ukraine, in particular, providing our state with critically important types of weapons and military equipment. The interlocutors discussed the prospects of providing combat training for Ukrainian servicemen and close cooperation between the defense industries of Ukraine and allies," the message reads. The Foreign Minister called for increased NATO support for Ukraine, primarily with lethal weapons, a return to the practice of training in Ukraine, and the deployment of repair bases in Ukraine. The interlocutors also discussed expectations from the Washington NATO summit in July. Dell Technologies Inc. (NYSE:DELL Get Free Report) Director V (Gp) L.L.C. Slta sold 720,112 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $107.54, for a total transaction of $77,440,844.48. Following the sale, the director now owns 435,849 shares in the company, valued at approximately $46,871,201.46. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. V (Gp) L.L.C. Slta also recently made the following trade(s): Get Dell Technologies alerts: On Tuesday, March 19th, V (Gp) L.L.C. Slta sold 560,052 shares of Dell Technologies stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $107.95, for a total transaction of $60,457,613.40. On Wednesday, March 13th, V (Gp) L.L.C. Slta sold 77,070 shares of Dell Technologies stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $110.17, for a total transaction of $8,490,801.90. On Monday, March 4th, V (Gp) L.L.C. Slta sold 373,375 shares of Dell Technologies stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $126.32, for a total transaction of $47,164,730.00. Dell Technologies Stock Performance DELL opened at $111.06 on Thursday. The company has a 50-day moving average of $92.74 and a 200-day moving average of $78.64. The company has a market capitalization of $79.03 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.41, a PEG ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.91. Dell Technologies Inc. has a 1-year low of $36.81 and a 1-year high of $131.06. Dell Technologies Increases Dividend Dell Technologies ( NYSE:DELL Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Thursday, February 29th. The technology company reported $2.20 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.73 by $0.47. Dell Technologies had a net margin of 3.63% and a negative return on equity of 165.52%. The company had revenue of $22.32 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $22.17 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.55 EPS. The companys revenue was down 10.9% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Dell Technologies Inc. will post 6.27 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The firm 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. The ex-dividend date is Monday, April 22nd. This is a positive change from Dell Technologiess previous quarterly dividend of $0.37. This represents a $1.78 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.60%. Dell Technologiess payout ratio is 33.87%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities analysts have weighed in on the stock. UBS Group lifted their price target on shares of Dell Technologies from $99.00 to $113.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, March 1st. Loop Capital assumed coverage on shares of Dell Technologies in a report on Wednesday, February 28th. They issued a buy rating and a $125.00 price target on the stock. Raymond James lifted their price target on shares of Dell Technologies from $68.00 to $82.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday, December 1st. Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on shares of Dell Technologies from $100.00 to $128.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday, March 1st. Finally, Evercore ISI lifted their target price on shares of Dell Technologies from $95.00 to $125.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday, March 1st. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating and twelve have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Dell Technologies has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $102.88. View Our Latest Research Report on DELL Institutional Inflows and Outflows Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Rise Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Dell Technologies by 200.0% in the 3rd quarter. Rise Advisors LLC now owns 357 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 238 shares during the period. Jones Financial Companies Lllp acquired a new position in Dell Technologies during the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Anchor Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in Dell Technologies during the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. acquired a new position in Dell Technologies during the 1st quarter valued at about $27,000. Finally, Compass Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Dell Technologies during the 4th quarter valued at about $28,000. 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). Recommended Stories 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. iShares U.S. Small Cap Equity Factor ETF (NYSEARCA:SMLF Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $63.04 and last traded at $63.04, with a volume of 5716 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $62.38. iShares U.S. Small Cap Equity Factor ETF Stock Performance The business has a 50 day moving average of $59.60 and a 200-day moving average of $55.45. The company has a market capitalization of $909.65 million, a P/E ratio of 9.77 and a beta of 1.10. Get iShares U.S. Small Cap Equity Factor ETF alerts: Institutional Investors Weigh In On iShares U.S. Small Cap Equity Factor ETF A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of SMLF. Ullmann Wealth Partners Group LLC increased its holdings in iShares U.S. Small Cap Equity Factor ETF by 5.8% during the 4th quarter. Ullmann Wealth Partners Group LLC now owns 493,027 shares of the companys stock worth $29,000,000 after acquiring an additional 27,187 shares during the period. Mariner LLC bought a new position in shares of iShares U.S. Small Cap Equity Factor ETF in the third quarter worth $530,000. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC raised its position in shares of iShares U.S. Small Cap Equity Factor ETF by 8.1% in the third quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 68,674 shares of the companys stock worth $3,553,000 after buying an additional 5,169 shares in the last quarter. Cozad Asset Management Inc. boosted its stake in iShares U.S. Small Cap Equity Factor ETF by 6.2% during the third quarter. Cozad Asset Management Inc. now owns 34,433 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,781,000 after buying an additional 2,010 shares during the period. Finally, Executive Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in iShares U.S. Small Cap Equity Factor ETF during the third quarter worth about $317,000. iShares U.S. Small Cap Equity Factor ETF Company Profile The iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Multifactor ETF (SMLF) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the STOXX U.S. SmallCap Equity Factor index. The fund tracks an index of small-cap US equities. Stocks are selected and weighted to increase exposure to four factors (quality, value, momentum, and low volatility). Read More Receive News & Ratings for iShares U.S. Small Cap Equity Factor ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares U.S. Small Cap Equity Factor ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Lassonde Industries (TSE:LAS Get Free Report) will release its earnings data before the market opens on Friday, March 22nd. Analysts expect Lassonde Industries to post earnings of C$3.35 per share for the quarter. Lassonde Industries Stock Performance Lassonde Industries has a 12-month low of C$209.50 and a 12-month high of C$269.18. Get Lassonde Industries alerts: Lassonde Industries Increases Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, February 26th were issued a $1.00 dividend. This represents a $4.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of . This is a boost from Lassonde Industriess previous quarterly dividend of $0.50. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 23rd. About Lassonde Industries Lassonde Industries Inc is a Canada-based company, which develops, manufactures and markets a range of ready-to-drink fruit and vegetable juices and drinks. The Company is a producer of store brand shelf-stable fruit juices and drinks in the United States and a producer of cranberry sauces. The Company operates in two market segments: the retail segment and the food service segment. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Lassonde Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Lassonde Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. LVM Capital Management Ltd. MI lifted its holdings in shares of Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Free Report) by 13.6% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 33,325 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after acquiring an additional 3,996 shares during the quarter. LVM Capital Management Ltd. MIs holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $3,668,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the business. BlackRock Inc. boosted its stake in Abbott Laboratories by 1.2% in the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 137,153,545 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $14,952,480,000 after purchasing an additional 1,584,552 shares during the period. Capital Research Global Investors boosted its stake in Abbott Laboratories by 1.1% in the 2nd quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 77,225,258 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $8,419,032,000 after purchasing an additional 820,369 shares during the period. State Street Corp raised its holdings in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 1.9% during the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 74,817,109 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $8,156,561,000 after buying an additional 1,362,889 shares in the last quarter. Capital International Investors raised its holdings in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 4.9% during the 2nd quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 59,178,607 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $6,451,127,000 after buying an additional 2,747,652 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised its holdings in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 14.3% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 38,966,499 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $4,278,132,000 after buying an additional 4,886,954 shares in the last quarter. 73.70% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Abbott Laboratories alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of equities analysts have issued reports on ABT shares. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an outperform rating and issued a $128.00 target price on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a report on Wednesday, February 14th. TheStreet upgraded Abbott Laboratories from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a research report on Thursday, December 21st. Barclays upped their price target on Abbott Laboratories from $133.00 to $141.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, January 26th. Raymond James upped their price target on Abbott Laboratories from $124.00 to $127.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, January 25th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on Abbott Laboratories from $116.00 to $121.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 13th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Abbott Laboratories has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $120.00. Abbott Laboratories Stock Performance NYSE:ABT traded up $0.01 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $111.51. The stock had a trading volume of 9,715,791 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,635,624. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a quick ratio of 1.16 and a current ratio of 1.64. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $115.37 and a 200 day simple moving average of $106.07. Abbott Laboratories has a 12-month low of $89.67 and a 12-month high of $121.64. The stock has a market cap of $193.49 billion, a P/E ratio of 34.21, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.72 and a beta of 0.75. Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 24th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.19 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $1.19. The company had revenue of $10.24 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $10.19 billion. Abbott Laboratories had a return on equity of 20.65% and a net margin of 14.27%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 1.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.03 earnings per share. On average, research analysts forecast that Abbott Laboratories will post 4.62 EPS for the current fiscal year. Abbott Laboratories Dividend Announcement The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 15th. Investors of record on Monday, April 15th will be given a dividend of $0.55 per share. This represents a $2.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.97%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, April 12th. Abbott Laboratoriess payout ratio is 67.48%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 12,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $120.00, for a total value of $1,500,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 78,704 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $9,444,480. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In related news, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 12,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $120.00, for a total value of $1,500,000.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 78,704 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,444,480. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 42,500 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, January 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $112.50, for a total value of $4,781,250.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 65,027 shares in the company, valued at $7,315,537.50. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 56,435 shares of company stock valued at $6,451,298 over the last 90 days. Insiders own 1.10% of the companys stock. Abbott Laboratories 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. Featured Articles 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. Entergy Co. (NYSE:ETR Get Free Report) EVP Marcus V. Brown sold 8,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $102.84, for a total value of $874,140.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 9,911 shares in the company, valued at $1,019,247.24. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Entergy Price Performance Shares of NYSE ETR opened at $103.02 on Thursday. Entergy Co. has a fifty-two week low of $87.10 and a fifty-two week high of $111.90. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $100.76 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $98.80. 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 firm has a market cap of $21.97 billion, a PE ratio of 9.29, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.03 and a beta of 0.70. Get Entergy alerts: Entergy (NYSE:ETR Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 22nd. The utilities provider reported $0.52 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting 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 analyst estimates of $3.27 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.51 EPS. Sell-side analysts expect that Entergy Co. will post 7.22 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Entergy Dividend Announcement Analysts Set New Price Targets The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 9th were paid a dividend of $1.13 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 8th. This represents a $4.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.39%. Entergys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 40.76%. ETR has been the topic of a number of research reports. BMO Capital Markets raised their price objective on Entergy from $110.00 to $113.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Monday, February 26th. Barclays raised their price objective on Entergy from $105.00 to $108.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Thursday, March 14th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on Entergy from $117.00 to $121.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Friday, December 1st. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and issued a $117.00 price objective on shares of Entergy in a report on Monday, February 26th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $111.09. View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Entergy Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in ETR. FMR LLC grew its position in shares of Entergy by 64.4% in the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 4,562,369 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $422,019,000 after acquiring an additional 1,787,977 shares in the last quarter. Zimmer Partners LP grew its position in shares of Entergy by 16,815.8% in the 2nd quarter. Zimmer Partners LP now owns 1,319,436 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $128,473,000 after acquiring an additional 1,311,636 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of Entergy in the 4th quarter worth approximately $127,675,000. State Street Corp grew its position in shares of Entergy by 8.1% in the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 12,122,596 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,415,313,000 after acquiring an additional 908,932 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Franklin Resources Inc. grew its position in shares of Entergy by 25.2% in the 4th quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 3,961,859 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $400,901,000 after acquiring an additional 796,316 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.52% of the companys stock. About Entergy (Get Free Report) Entergy Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the production and retail distribution of electricity in the United States. It 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. Featured Stories 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. Moody National Bank Trust Division lessened its holdings in Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE:STZ Free Report) by 26.7% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 6,771 shares of the companys stock after selling 2,461 shares during the period. Moody National Bank Trust Divisions holdings in Constellation Brands were worth $1,637,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Radnor Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Constellation Brands in the 4th quarter worth approximately $1,463,000. BKM Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Constellation Brands in the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. City Holding Co. increased its holdings in Constellation Brands by 6.9% in the 4th quarter. City Holding Co. now owns 12,324 shares of the companys stock worth $2,979,000 after acquiring an additional 792 shares in the last quarter. Dynamic Advisor Solutions LLC increased its holdings in Constellation Brands by 21.7% in the 4th quarter. Dynamic Advisor Solutions LLC now owns 8,764 shares of the companys stock worth $2,169,000 after acquiring an additional 1,562 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Rise Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Constellation Brands by 22.2% in the 4th quarter. Rise Advisors LLC now owns 1,112 shares of the companys stock worth $269,000 after acquiring an additional 202 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 88.99% of the companys stock. Get Constellation Brands alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at Constellation Brands In other Constellation Brands news, major shareholder Family Foundation Sands sold 354,616 shares of Constellation Brands stock in a transaction dated Monday, January 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $250.26, for a total value of $88,746,200.16. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 54,461 shares in the company, valued at $13,629,409.86. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 16.19% of the stock is owned by insiders. Analyst Ratings Changes STZ has been the subject of several analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their target price on shares of Constellation Brands from $309.00 to $301.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Thursday, December 21st. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $295.00 price objective on shares of Constellation Brands in a report on Thursday, March 7th. TheStreet lowered shares of Constellation Brands from a b rating to a c+ rating in a report on Friday, January 5th. Bank of America increased their price objective on shares of Constellation Brands from $290.00 to $300.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday. Finally, Argus lowered shares of Constellation Brands from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, January 10th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and sixteen have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Constellation Brands has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $289.83. Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on STZ Constellation Brands Stock Up 0.5 % Shares of Constellation Brands stock traded up $1.47 during trading on Thursday, hitting $269.97. 104,251 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,203,704. The firm has a market cap of $49.36 billion, a P/E ratio of 31.81, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.87 and a beta of 0.96. The company has a current ratio of 1.05, a quick ratio of 0.46 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.05. Constellation Brands, Inc. has a 52-week low of $213.67 and a 52-week high of $273.65. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $251.38 and its 200 day simple moving average is $245.81. Constellation Brands (NYSE:STZ Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, January 5th. The company reported $3.19 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.03 by $0.16. The firm had revenue of $2.47 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.54 billion. Constellation Brands had a return on equity of 23.35% and a net margin of 14.76%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 1.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $2.83 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts predict that Constellation Brands, Inc. will post 11.84 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Constellation Brands Announces Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 22nd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 8th were paid a $0.89 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, February 7th. This represents a $3.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.32%. Constellation Brandss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 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. Read More 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. OneAscent Wealth Management LLC decreased its position in shares of Mettler-Toledo International Inc. (NYSE:MTD Free Report) by 6.6% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 271 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock after selling 19 shares during the period. OneAscent Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Mettler-Toledo International were worth $329,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in MTD. OneAscent Financial Services LLC increased its position in shares of Mettler-Toledo International by 3.6% in the 4th quarter. OneAscent Financial Services LLC now owns 343 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $416,000 after purchasing an additional 12 shares during the last quarter. Legacy Wealth Asset Management LLC increased its position in shares of Mettler-Toledo International by 2.0% in the 4th quarter. Legacy Wealth Asset Management LLC now owns 568 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $689,000 after purchasing an additional 11 shares during the last quarter. Diversified Trust Co increased its position in shares of Mettler-Toledo International by 21.3% in the 4th quarter. Diversified Trust Co now owns 3,286 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $3,986,000 after purchasing an additional 577 shares during the last quarter. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC increased its position in shares of Mettler-Toledo International by 72.3% in the 4th quarter. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC now owns 503 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $610,000 after purchasing an additional 211 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Fulton Bank N.A. increased its position in shares of Mettler-Toledo International by 6.7% in the 4th quarter. Fulton Bank N.A. now owns 1,375 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $1,668,000 after purchasing an additional 86 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 93.11% of the companys stock. Get Mettler-Toledo International alerts: Mettler-Toledo International Trading Up 2.0 % Mettler-Toledo International stock traded up $25.80 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $1,328.66. 14,879 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 150,752. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $1,229.71 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $1,146.97. The firm has a market cap of $28.54 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 36.30, a PEG ratio of 3.56 and a beta of 1.15. Mettler-Toledo International Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $928.49 and a fifty-two week high of $1,615.97. Insider Buying and Selling at Mettler-Toledo International Mettler-Toledo International ( NYSE:MTD Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Friday, February 9th. The medical instruments supplier reported $9.40 earnings per share (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 analyst estimates of $959.45 million. Mettler-Toledo International had a net margin of 20.82% and a negative return on equity of 904.59%. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 11.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $12.10 earnings per share. Analysts anticipate that Mettler-Toledo International Inc. will post 39.9 earnings per share for the current year. In other news, insider Christian Magloth sold 400 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $1,278.73, for a total value of $511,492.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 734 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $938,587.82. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In related 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 in the company, valued at approximately $5,950,018.62. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, insider Christian Magloth sold 400 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $1,278.73, for a total transaction of $511,492.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 734 shares in the company, valued at $938,587.82. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 951 shares of company stock valued at $1,170,256 in the last ninety days. Company insiders own 2.40% of the companys stock. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of brokerages recently weighed in on MTD. StockNews.com raised shares of Mettler-Toledo International from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Friday, March 15th. Citigroup reaffirmed a sell rating and set a $975.00 price objective (down previously from $1,050.00) on shares of Mettler-Toledo International in a research report on Monday, December 11th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Mettler-Toledo International currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $1,223.71. Get Our Latest Research Report on Mettler-Toledo International Mettler-Toledo International 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. Featured Stories 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. Oracle Co. (NYSE:ORCL Get Free Report)s share price traded down 0.2% during trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as low as $126.49 and last traded at $127.49. 2,050,170 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 77% from the average session volume of 9,103,183 shares. The stock had previously closed at $127.80. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several equities analysts recently commented on the company. UBS Group reduced their target price on Oracle from $135.00 to $125.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, December 12th. HSBC lifted their price target on Oracle from $144.00 to $155.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 13th. Argus raised Oracle from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, March 14th. Erste Group Bank reissued a hold rating on shares of Oracle in a research note on Friday, December 22nd. Finally, KeyCorp began coverage on Oracle in a research note on Thursday. They issued an overweight rating and a $150.00 target price for the company. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fifteen have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $130.76. Get Oracle alerts: Check Out Our Latest Report on Oracle Oracle Stock Up 0.9 % The companys fifty day simple moving average is $113.80 and its 200-day simple moving average is $111.24. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 13.34, a current ratio of 0.85 and a quick ratio of 0.85. The firm has a market capitalization of $358.46 billion, a PE ratio of 34.10, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.50 and a beta of 1.00. Oracle (NYSE:ORCL Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, March 11th. The enterprise software provider reported $1.41 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.37 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $13.28 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $13.29 billion. Oracle had a net margin of 20.27% and a return on equity of 336.11%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 7.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $0.96 earnings per share. On average, analysts forecast that Oracle Co. will post 4.44 EPS for the current year. Oracle Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 24th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, April 10th will be issued a dividend of $0.40 per share. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.23%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, April 9th. Oracles dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 42.22%. Insider Activity at Oracle In other Oracle news, Director Naomi O. Seligman sold 16,300 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, December 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $106.02, for a total value of $1,728,126.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 34,771 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,686,421.42. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. 42.80% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Oracle Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Norges Bank purchased a new position in Oracle in the 4th quarter valued at about $1,409,896,000. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Oracle by 112,785.9% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 10,832,530 shares of the enterprise software providers stock valued at $885,451,000 after acquiring an additional 10,822,934 shares during the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP raised its holdings in Oracle by 9,299.3% in the 3rd quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 8,170,999 shares of the enterprise software providers stock valued at $865,472,000 after acquiring an additional 8,084,067 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in Oracle by 5.7% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 147,273,413 shares of the enterprise software providers stock valued at $15,599,200,000 after acquiring an additional 7,883,515 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Capital World Investors raised its holdings in Oracle by 83.8% in the 2nd quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 15,057,067 shares of the enterprise software providers stock valued at $1,793,146,000 after acquiring an additional 6,863,334 shares during the last quarter. 42.44% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About Oracle (Get Free Report) Oracle Corporation offers products and services that address enterprise information technology environments worldwide. Its Oracle cloud software as a service offering include various cloud software applications, including Oracle Fusion cloud enterprise resource planning (ERP), Oracle Fusion cloud enterprise performance management, Oracle Fusion cloud supply chain and manufacturing management, Oracle Fusion cloud human capital management, Oracle Cerner healthcare, Oracle Advertising, and NetSuite applications suite, as well as Oracle Fusion Sales, Service, and Marketing. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Oracle Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Oracle and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Park Hotels & Resorts (NYSE:PK Get Free Report) had its price objective raised by analysts at Wells Fargo & Company from $17.00 to $18.00 in a research report issued on Thursday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has an equal weight rating on the financial services providers stock. Wells Fargo & Companys target price suggests a potential upside of 3.15% from the companys previous close. Several other research analysts have also commented on the company. Barclays raised their price target on Park Hotels & Resorts from $19.00 to $21.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, March 1st. StockNews.com cut Park Hotels & Resorts from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 28th. Truist Financial raised their price target on Park Hotels & Resorts from $20.00 to $21.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, March 14th. UBS Group raised their price target on Park Hotels & Resorts from $14.00 to $18.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 6th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded Park Hotels & Resorts from an underweight rating to a neutral rating and raised their price target for the company from $11.00 to $16.00 in a research note on Thursday, December 14th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $17.36. Get Park Hotels & Resorts alerts: View Our Latest Research Report on PK Park Hotels & Resorts Price Performance PK stock opened at $17.45 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.19, a current ratio of 1.30 and a quick ratio of 1.30. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $16.06 and a 200-day simple moving average of $14.55. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.67 billion, a PE ratio of 37.93, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.66 and a beta of 2.02. Park Hotels & Resorts has a 1 year low of $10.70 and a 1 year high of $17.78. Park Hotels & Resorts (NYSE:PK Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 27th. The financial services provider reported $0.88 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.49 by $0.39. The business had revenue of $657.00 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $665.16 million. Park Hotels & Resorts had a return on equity of 2.44% and a net margin of 3.60%. Equities research analysts anticipate that Park Hotels & Resorts will post 2.04 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. First Trust Advisors LP raised its position in shares of Park Hotels & Resorts by 1.5% during the 1st quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 47,964 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $937,000 after purchasing an additional 686 shares during the last quarter. Cascade Investment Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in Park Hotels & Resorts by 1.1% in the 4th quarter. Cascade Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 66,222 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,013,000 after acquiring an additional 725 shares during the last quarter. Signaturefd LLC raised its holdings in Park Hotels & Resorts by 12.7% in the 4th quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 6,437 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $98,000 after acquiring an additional 727 shares during the last quarter. Truist Financial Corp raised its holdings in Park Hotels & Resorts by 3.8% in the 4th quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 22,335 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $342,000 after acquiring an additional 816 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Spire Wealth Management raised its holdings in Park Hotels & Resorts by 20.1% in the 3rd quarter. Spire Wealth Management now owns 5,145 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $63,000 after acquiring an additional 860 shares during the last quarter. 91.40% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Park Hotels & Resorts Company Profile (Get Free Report) Park is one of the largest publicly traded lodging REITs with a diverse portfolio of market-leading hotels and resorts with significant underlying real estate value. Park's portfolio currently consists of 43 premium-branded hotels and resorts with over 26,000 rooms primarily located in prime city center and resort locations. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Park Hotels & Resorts Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Park Hotels & Resorts and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. RDA Financial Network lessened its stake in shares of iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (NYSEARCA:IJR Free Report) by 1.0% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 19,611 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 193 shares during the period. RDA Financial Networks holdings in iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF were worth $2,123,000 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. Ironwood Wealth Management LLC. increased its position in iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF by 8.3% in the first quarter. Ironwood Wealth Management LLC. now owns 78,641 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $8,484,000 after purchasing an additional 6,036 shares during the period. United Bank increased its position in shares of iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF by 5.6% during the 1st quarter. United Bank now owns 27,546 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $2,972,000 after purchasing an additional 1,456 shares during the last quarter. Rhumbline Advisers increased its holdings in shares of iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF by 67.2% during the 1st quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 52,705 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $5,686,000 after acquiring an additional 21,177 shares during the last quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. increased its holdings in shares of iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF by 4.8% during the 1st quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 24,791 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $2,674,000 after acquiring an additional 1,128 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Vontobel Holding Ltd. grew its holdings in iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF by 19.7% in the 1st quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. now owns 8,847 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $954,000 after buying an additional 1,455 shares in the last quarter. Get iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF alerts: iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF Price Performance NYSEARCA IJR traded up $1.54 on Thursday, reaching $109.43. The stock had a trading volume of 4,913,915 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,572,850. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $105.91 and a two-hundred day moving average of $100.31. iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF has a 1-year low of $87.32 and a 1-year high of $110.55. The company has a market cap of $76.44 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.11 and a beta of 1.15. iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF Company Profile iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF, formerly iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Index Fund, seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Standard & Poors SmallCap 600 Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of publicly traded securities in the small-capitalization sector of the United States equity market. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IJR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (NYSEARCA:IJR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The Russian occupation forces shelled the town of Novohrodivka in the Pokrovsk district, Donetsk region, one man was killed and two women were injured and hospitalized as a result of the attack, Head of Donetsk Regional Military Administration Vadym Filashkin has said. "At least one person was killed and two people were injured as a result of an attack on Novohradivka. The Russian forces shelled the town today at around 15:30. As of now, we know that one man, born in 1963, was killed. Two women were injured and taken to hospital," he said on the Telegram channel on Thursday. The search and rescue operations continue at the scene of the strike. RDA Financial Network increased its position in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO Free Report) by 6.1% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 3,026 shares of the medical research companys stock after purchasing an additional 173 shares during the period. RDA Financial Networks holdings in Thermo Fisher Scientific were worth $1,606,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Phoenix Holdings Ltd. grew its stake in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific by 21.4% in the 3rd quarter. Phoenix Holdings Ltd. now owns 9,366 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $4,750,000 after buying an additional 1,654 shares in the last quarter. DMC Group LLC raised its holdings in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific by 16.5% in the 3rd quarter. DMC Group LLC now owns 592 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $300,000 after purchasing an additional 84 shares in the last quarter. Montchanin Asset Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific by 1.1% in the 2nd quarter. Montchanin Asset Management LLC now owns 4,550 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $2,374,000 after purchasing an additional 50 shares in the last quarter. Check Capital Management Inc. CA bought a new stake in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific in the 3rd quarter valued at about $219,000. Finally, Tower Bridge Advisors raised its stake in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific by 0.5% during the 3rd quarter. Tower Bridge Advisors now owns 33,046 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $16,727,000 after acquiring an additional 155 shares in the last quarter. 87.06% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Thermo Fisher Scientific alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several research firms recently commented on TMO. TheStreet upgraded shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a research note on Friday, December 22nd. Wolfe Research began coverage on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific in a research report on Wednesday, December 13th. They set an outperform rating and a $575.00 target price on the stock. HSBC began coverage on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific in a report on Monday, December 18th. They issued a buy rating and a $610.00 price objective on the stock. Sanford C. Bernstein reaffirmed a market perform rating on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific in a report on Monday, January 8th. Finally, Robert W. Baird reissued an outperform rating and set a $670.00 price target on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific in a report on Thursday, December 14th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $599.00. Thermo Fisher Scientific Price Performance Shares of NYSE TMO traded up $5.95 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $586.00. The companys stock had a trading volume of 609,937 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,631,591. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $560.93 and a two-hundred day moving average of $518.37. The stock has a market capitalization of $223.45 billion, a P/E ratio of 37.56, a P/E/G ratio of 2.45 and a beta of 0.80. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67, a quick ratio of 1.39 and a current ratio of 1.75. Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. has a 1-year low of $415.60 and a 1-year high of $603.82. Thermo Fisher Scientific (NYSE:TMO Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 31st. The medical research company reported $5.67 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $5.64 by $0.03. The firm had revenue of $10.89 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $10.73 billion. Thermo Fisher Scientific had a net margin of 13.99% and a return on equity of 18.78%. Thermo Fisher Scientifics revenue was down 4.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business earned $5.40 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. will post 21.52 EPS for the current fiscal year. Thermo Fisher Scientific Increases Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 15th will be paid a $0.39 dividend. This is a positive change from Thermo Fisher Scientifics previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 14th. This represents a $1.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.27%. Thermo Fisher Scientifics dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 10.10%. Insider Activity In related news, SVP Michael A. Boxer sold 14,566 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $562.00, for a total value of $8,186,092.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 12,901 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,250,362. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other news, SVP Michael A. Boxer sold 14,566 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $562.00, for a total transaction of $8,186,092.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 12,901 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,250,362. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CEO Marc N. Casper sold 10,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $555.63, for a total transaction of $5,556,300.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 49,155 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $27,311,992.65. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 50,277 shares of company stock valued at $28,513,384. 0.32% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. About Thermo Fisher Scientific (Free Report) Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc provides life sciences solutions, analytical instruments, specialty diagnostics, and laboratory products and biopharma services in the North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and internationally. The company's Life Sciences Solutions segment offers reagents, instruments, and consumables for biological and medical research, discovery, and production of drugs and vaccines, as well as diagnosis of infections and diseases; and solutions include biosciences, genetic sciences, and bio production to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, agricultural, clinical, healthcare, academic, and government markets. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Thermo Fisher Scientific Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Thermo Fisher Scientific and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Boot Barn (NYSE:BOOT Get Free Report) had its price target increased by equities research analysts at Robert W. Baird from $70.00 to $90.00 in a research note issued to investors on Thursday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has a neutral rating on the stock. Robert W. Bairds price target would suggest a potential upside of 3.62% from the companys previous close. Other research analysts have also issued reports about the company. Williams Trading reaffirmed a hold rating on shares of Boot Barn in a research report on Tuesday, January 16th. B. Riley lowered their target price on Boot Barn from $92.00 to $83.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, February 1st. Piper Sandler lowered their price objective on Boot Barn from $99.00 to $94.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, February 1st. KeyCorp initiated coverage on Boot Barn in a research report on Wednesday, February 7th. They issued a sector weight rating for the company. Finally, StockNews.com lowered Boot Barn from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Friday, January 19th. 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 companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $103.78. Get Boot Barn alerts: Read Our Latest Analysis on BOOT Boot Barn Price Performance Shares of NYSE BOOT traded down $0.60 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $86.86. 242,288 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 840,901. Boot Barn has a twelve month low of $64.33 and a twelve month high of $104.91. The company has a market cap of $2.63 billion, a PE ratio of 16.19 and a beta of 2.20. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $83.19 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $79.24. Boot Barn (NYSE:BOOT Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 31st. The company reported $1.81 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.80 by $0.01. Boot Barn had a return on equity of 19.52% and a net margin of 9.62%. The company had revenue of $520.40 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $520.34 million. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Boot Barn will post 4.72 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Insider Activity In other Boot Barn news, Director Gene Eddie Burt sold 1,000 shares of Boot Barn stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $85.03, for a total transaction of $85,030.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 1,542 shares in the company, valued at approximately $131,116.26. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, insider Laurie Marie Grijalva sold 5,861 shares of Boot Barn stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $90.31, for a total value of $529,306.91. Following the sale, the insider now owns 5,861 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $529,306.91. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Gene Eddie Burt sold 1,000 shares of Boot Barn stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $85.03, for a total transaction of $85,030.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 1,542 shares in the company, valued at approximately $131,116.26. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 26,339 shares of company stock worth $2,413,715 in the last three months. Company insiders own 2.20% of the companys stock. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Boot Barn A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of BOOT. Creative Planning raised its holdings in Boot Barn by 4.3% during the 4th quarter. Creative Planning now owns 3,091 shares of the companys stock valued at $237,000 after acquiring an additional 127 shares during the period. Ameritas Investment Partners Inc. raised its position in Boot Barn by 5.8% during the second quarter. Ameritas Investment Partners Inc. now owns 2,458 shares of the companys stock valued at $208,000 after purchasing an additional 135 shares in the last quarter. Arizona State Retirement System lifted its stake in Boot Barn by 1.7% during the third quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 8,516 shares of the companys stock worth $691,000 after purchasing an additional 142 shares during the last quarter. Natixis Advisors L.P. boosted its holdings in shares of Boot Barn by 0.5% in the 4th quarter. Natixis Advisors L.P. now owns 32,608 shares of the companys stock worth $2,502,000 after purchasing an additional 149 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Janney Montgomery Scott LLC lifted its position in Boot Barn by 3.4% in the 4th quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 4,637 shares of the companys stock worth $356,000 after buying an additional 153 shares during the last quarter. About Boot Barn (Get Free Report) Boot Barn Holdings, Inc, a lifestyle retail chain, operates specialty retail stores in the United States. The company's specialty retail stores offer western and work-related footwear, apparel, and accessories for men, women, and kids. It offers boots, shirts, jackets, hats, belts and belt buckles, handbags, western-style jewelry, rugged footwear, outerwear, overalls, denim, and flame-resistant and high-visibility clothing. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Boot Barn Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Boot Barn and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Rockland Trust Co. lifted its holdings in shares of General Mills, Inc. (NYSE:GIS Free Report) by 42.5% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 155,351 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 46,331 shares during the period. Rockland Trust Co.s holdings in General Mills were worth $10,120,000 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. IHT Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in shares of General Mills by 2.2% in the 1st quarter. IHT Wealth Management LLC now owns 5,817 shares of the companys stock worth $497,000 after purchasing an additional 126 shares during the period. Atlas Capital Advisors LLC lifted its position in General Mills by 2.1% during the 4th quarter. Atlas Capital Advisors LLC now owns 6,575 shares of the companys stock valued at $551,000 after acquiring an additional 136 shares during the period. L.M. Kohn & Company lifted its position in General Mills by 2.6% during the 3rd quarter. L.M. Kohn & Company now owns 6,034 shares of the companys stock valued at $386,000 after acquiring an additional 155 shares during the period. Traverso Chambers Private Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in General Mills by 1.0% during the 4th quarter. Traverso Chambers Private Wealth Management LLC now owns 16,156 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,052,000 after acquiring an additional 156 shares during the period. Finally, TrueWealth Advisors LLC increased its stake in General Mills by 4.3% during the 3rd quarter. TrueWealth Advisors LLC now owns 3,837 shares of the companys stock valued at $246,000 after purchasing an additional 158 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 75.31% of the companys stock. Get General Mills alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes A number of analysts have weighed in on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their price objective on shares of General Mills from $74.00 to $72.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, December 21st. Mizuho reduced their price objective on shares of General Mills from $70.00 to $65.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Friday, December 22nd. Stifel Nicolaus reduced their price objective on shares of General Mills from $72.00 to $68.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, December 21st. Piper Sandler reduced their price objective on shares of General Mills from $77.00 to $76.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Friday, December 15th. Finally, Bank of America reduced their price objective on shares of General Mills from $72.00 to $68.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, December 21st. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, twelve have issued a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, General Mills has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $72.67. Insider Buying and Selling at General Mills In other General Mills news, insider Jonathon Nudi sold 7,671 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, January 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $64.15, for a total transaction of $492,094.65. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 102,924 shares in the company, valued at $6,602,574.60. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In related news, CEO Jeffrey L. Harmening sold 60,056 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, January 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $64.44, for a total value of $3,870,008.64. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 318,483 shares of the companys stock, valued at $20,523,044.52. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, insider Jonathon Nudi sold 7,671 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, January 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $64.15, for a total transaction of $492,094.65. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 102,924 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,602,574.60. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 0.24% of the companys stock. General Mills Price Performance GIS stock opened at $69.40 on Thursday. General Mills, Inc. has a one year low of $60.33 and a one year high of $90.89. The companys fifty day moving average price is $64.56 and its 200-day moving average price is $64.71. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.09, a quick ratio of 0.36 and a current ratio of 0.64. The company has a market capitalization of $39.41 billion, a PE ratio of 16.89, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.41 and a beta of 0.15. General Mills (NYSE:GIS Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, March 20th. The company reported $1.17 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.05 by $0.12. General Mills had a net margin of 12.06% and a return on equity of 25.44%. The company had revenue of $5.10 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.97 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $0.97 earnings per share. General Millss quarterly revenue was down .5% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts anticipate that General Mills, Inc. will post 4.49 EPS for the current fiscal year. General Mills Announces Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 1st. Investors of record on Wednesday, April 10th will be given a $0.59 dividend. This represents a $2.36 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.40%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, April 9th. General Millss dividend payout ratio is presently 57.42%. General Mills Profile (Free Report) General Mills, Inc manufactures and markets branded consumer foods worldwide. The company operates through four segments: North America Retail; International; Pet; and North America Foodservice. It offers grain, ready-to-eat cereals, refrigerated yogurt, soup, meal kits, refrigerated and frozen dough products, dessert and baking mixes, bakery flour, frozen pizza and pizza snacks, snack bars, fruit and salty snacks, ice cream and frozen desserts, nutrition bars, and savory snacks, as well as various organic products, including frozen and shelf-stable vegetables. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GIS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for General Mills, Inc. (NYSE:GIS Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for General Mills Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for General Mills and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Science Applications International (NYSE:SAIC Get Free Report) updated its FY 2025 earnings guidance on Monday. The company provided earnings per share guidance of 8.000-8.200 for the period, compared to the consensus earnings per share estimate of 8.150. The company issued revenue guidance of $7.4 billion-$7.5 billion, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $7.4 billion. Science Applications International also updated its FY25 guidance to $8.00-8.20 EPS. Science Applications International Trading Up 0.2 % NYSE SAIC opened at $127.00 on Thursday. Science Applications International has a 52 week low of $95.43 and a 52 week high of $145.17. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.13, a quick ratio of 1.08 and a current ratio of 0.98. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $133.87 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $122.11. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.61 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.06 and a beta of 0.71. Get Science Applications International alerts: Science Applications International (NYSE:SAIC Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, March 18th. The information technology services provider reported $1.43 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.44 by ($0.01). The company had revenue of $1.74 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.64 billion. Science Applications International had a net margin of 6.41% and a return on equity of 23.73%. The companys quarterly revenue was down 11.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $2.04 EPS. As a group, analysts anticipate that Science Applications International will post 8.14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Science Applications International Announces Dividend Wall Street Analyst Weigh In The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 26th. Shareholders of record on Friday, April 12th will be given a dividend of $0.37 per share. This represents a $1.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.17%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 11th. Science Applications Internationals payout ratio is 16.72%. Several analysts recently weighed in on SAIC shares. Truist Financial raised their price objective on Science Applications International from $115.00 to $130.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 5th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price objective on Science Applications International from $142.00 to $140.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Tuesday. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on Science Applications International from $141.00 to $143.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Tuesday. The Goldman Sachs Group dropped their price target on Science Applications International from $113.00 to $110.00 and set a sell rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, February 29th. Finally, StockNews.com cut Science Applications International from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $127.50. Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Science Applications International Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, Director Donna S. Morea sold 1,209 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, January 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $125.11, for a total value of $151,257.99. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 31,834 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,982,751.74. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, Director Donna S. Morea sold 1,209 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, January 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $125.11, for a total transaction of $151,257.99. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 31,834 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,982,751.74. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Michelle A. Ohara sold 4,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, January 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $127.45, for a total value of $509,800.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 26,238 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,344,033.10. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 1.29% of the companys stock. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Quarry LP increased its position in Science Applications International by 100.0% during the 2nd quarter. Quarry LP now owns 218 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 109 shares in the last quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Science Applications International in the 3rd quarter worth $37,000. Atlas Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Science Applications International in the 2nd quarter worth $66,000. KBC Group NV purchased a new position in shares of Science Applications International in the 4th quarter worth $105,000. Finally, Belpointe Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Science Applications International by 511.5% in the 1st quarter. Belpointe Asset Management LLC now owns 1,064 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $114,000 after buying an additional 890 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 75.31% of the companys stock. Science Applications International Company Profile (Get Free Report) Science Applications International Corporation provides technical, engineering, and enterprise information technology (IT) services primarily in the United States. The company's offerings include engineering; technology integration; IT modernization; maintenance of ground and maritime systems; logistics; training and simulation; operation and program support services; and end-to-end services, such as design, development, integration, deployment, management and operations, sustainment, and security of its customers' IT infrastructure, as well as cloud migration, managed services, infrastructure modernization, and enterprise IT-as-a-service solutions; and data management platform solutions. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Science Applications International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Science Applications International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. grew its position in The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TRV Free Report) by 2.1% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 22,031 shares of the insurance providers stock after acquiring an additional 449 shares during the quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc.s holdings in Travelers Companies were worth $4,197,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. VisionPoint Advisory Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Travelers Companies in the second quarter valued at $26,000. FWL Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in Travelers Companies in the 4th quarter worth about $28,000. First Command Advisory Services Inc. purchased a new position in Travelers Companies in the 3rd quarter worth about $26,000. Arlington Trust Co LLC purchased a new position in Travelers Companies in the 3rd quarter worth about $27,000. Finally, Country Trust Bank increased its stake in Travelers Companies by 548.1% in the 3rd quarter. Country Trust Bank now owns 175 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 148 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.12% of the companys stock. Get Travelers Companies alerts: Travelers Companies Price Performance NYSE:TRV traded up $0.74 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $225.73. 183,083 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,530,553. The company has a current ratio of 0.34, a quick ratio of 0.34 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32. The stocks 50-day moving average is $214.16 and its 200-day moving average is $187.44. The firm has a market cap of $51.72 billion, a PE ratio of 17.59, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.16 and a beta of 0.58. The Travelers Companies, Inc. has a twelve month low of $157.33 and a twelve month high of $226.39. Travelers Companies Announces Dividend Travelers Companies ( NYSE:TRV Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Friday, January 19th. The insurance provider reported $7.01 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $5.10 by $1.91. Travelers Companies had a net margin of 7.23% and a return on equity of 13.68%. The business had revenue of $10.93 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $10.18 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $3.40 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 13.4% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that The Travelers Companies, Inc. will post 17.67 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 29th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 8th will be paid a dividend of $1.00 per share. This represents a $4.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.77%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 7th. Travelers Companiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 31.27%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, EVP Michael Frederick Klein sold 12,287 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $210.68, for a total transaction of $2,588,625.16. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 14,080 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,966,374.40. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, EVP Michael Frederick Klein sold 12,287 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, January 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $210.68, for a total value of $2,588,625.16. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 14,080 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,966,374.40. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Daniel S. Frey sold 38,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $212.55, for a total transaction of $8,076,900.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 14,810 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,147,865.50. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 109,775 shares of company stock valued at $23,343,903 over the last 90 days. 1.29% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In TRV has been the topic of a number of research reports. Citigroup raised their target price on shares of Travelers Companies from $185.00 to $204.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 17th. HSBC initiated coverage on shares of Travelers Companies in a research report on Thursday, December 28th. They set a hold rating and a $203.00 target price on the stock. Janney Montgomery Scott initiated coverage on shares of Travelers Companies in a research report on Wednesday, December 20th. They set a buy rating and a $215.00 target price on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their target price on shares of Travelers Companies from $166.00 to $186.00 and gave the company a sell rating in a research report on Monday, January 22nd. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their price target on shares of Travelers Companies from $194.00 to $215.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a report on Monday, January 22nd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have given a hold rating, four have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $201.38. Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Travelers Companies Travelers Companies Profile (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. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TRV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TRV Free Report). 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. Theres info that Russia could buy satellite images from US companies to launch attacks on Ukraine GUR Ukraine has information that the Russian Federation could buy satellite images of objects in Ukraine from American companies to strike them, said Andriy Yusov, a representative of the Main Intelligence Agency (GUR) of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. Yes, there is specific information. We will not make it public yet. Of course, the enemy does not give up trying in various ways to compensate for the lack of information that it can receive through, in particular, space exploration and other modern means that allow it to receive more information," he said on the telethon. Yusov pointed out that the enemy's agent networks and front companies are working, and they often try to buy dual-use information, allegedly for non-military purposes. "The enemy has a lot of resources involved in this. This requires a serious response from both Ukraine and its partners. Such work is underway," the GUR added. Earlier, The Atlantic reported that the Russian Federation probably uses satellite images of American companies to launch missile strikes on Ukraine. UNITED NATIONS, March 16 (Xinhua) A Chinese official has expressed support for the United Nations' efforts to empower women and youth. "Against the turbulent international situation, it is necessary to further support the empowerment of women and youth, help them better respond to the changing world, and tap their wisdom and potential in furthering peace and development," Huang Xiaowei, Minister and Deputy Head of the National Working Committee on Children and Women of the State Council, said recently at the UN Security Council open debate on "Promoting Conflict Prevention Empowering All Actors Including Women and Youth." Huang underscored that supporting the economic empowerment and capacity-building of women and youth, as well as ensuring their education and employment opportunities, will help lay a solid foundation for maintaining stability, promoting development, and achieving lasting peace. Noting that China has always been a firm advocate and an active practitioner for the empowerment and development of women and youth, Huang said China is committed to ensuring that women can share the benefits of economic and social development by adopting legislation, policies and measures. "We have lifted more than 44 million Chinese rural women from absolute poverty. Currently, women account for over 40 percent of the Chinese workforce, about 45.8 percent of the tech workers and about one-third of operators of new business models such as digital trade, e-commerce, and live-streaming," she said. Huang said China attaches great importance to the advancement of youth and has enacted and implemented national plans dedicated to their all-around growth, with more than 240 pro-youth policies regarding education and employment. "Over 187 cities nationwide have taken the initiative to explore youth-geared urban development. More and more young people are becoming the leading force for scientific and technological innovation, rural revitalization and international cooperation," said the minister. Huang is leading a Chinese delegation to attend the 68th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, which concludes on March 22 at the UN headquarters in New York. (Source: Xinhua) Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, chairs a symposium on further energizing the central region in the new era in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, March 20, 2024. [Xinhua/Ju Peng] CHANGSHA, March 20 (Xinhua) Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday called for solid efforts to further energize the central region at a higher starting point. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks while chairing a symposium on further energizing the central region in the new era. In his speech, Xi highlighted the central region's pivotal role as the country's important grain production base, energy and raw material base, modern equipment manufacturing and high-tech industry base, and comprehensive transportation hub. Xi called for synergy in promoting high-quality development and writing new chapters of energizing the central region in the process of advancing Chinese modernization. Li Qiang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Chinese premier, Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, and Ding Xuexiang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Chinese vice premier, attended the symposium. Since the previous symposium on energizing the central region was held five years ago, the region's development has reached a higher level, Xi said. Xi also noted that further energizing the central region still faces many difficulties and challenges that require practical research to solve them. More efforts should be made to push forward industrial innovation led by scientific and technological innovation, and actively cultivate new quality productive forces, he said. Xi called for forward-looking plans for future industries and a faster pace in modernizing the industrial system underpinned by advanced manufacturing. The campaign to energize the central region should be better linked with the nation's other major development strategies to help the region better integrate into and support the country's new development pattern, he said. Xi urged the region to promote deep reforms and high-level opening up in a coordinated manner in its efforts to grow into a more competitive inland pacesetter for opening up. He also called for efforts to coordinate ecological environment protection and green and low-carbon development, and accelerate the building of a beautiful central region. Xi highlighted the need to pursue integrated development of urban and rural areas and take solid steps to advance rural revitalization across the board. Efforts should be made to make high-quality development and high-level security reinforce each other, and enhance the capabilities of ensuring food and energy security, Xi said. Xi urged the related central authorities to conduct research and propose policies to further energize the central region in the new era. At the symposium, Li Qiang called for efforts to faithfully study and implement the guiding principles of Xi's important speech, and turn the region's geographical and resource advantages into development advantages. Ding Xuexiang stressed sticking to the requirements of high-quality development to secure new achievements in further energizing the central region. Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, chairs a symposium on further energizing the central region in the new era in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, March 20, 2024. [Xinhua/Wang Ye] (Source: Xinhua) Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits a campus of Hunan First Normal University, and learns about the university's efforts in putting resources related to the Party's heritage to great use and its adherence to fostering virtue through education, in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, March 18, 2024. Xi inspected Changsha, capital city of central China's Hunan Province, on Monday. [Xinhua/Xie Huanchi] CHANGSHA, March 20 (Xinhua) Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, has stressed that the purpose of running a school is not only to raise the students' level of cultural attainment, but also to guide them to serve the country. Xi made the remarks when he visited one of Hunan First Normal University's campuses on Monday during an inspection tour in Changsha, capital city of central China's Hunan Province. Xi learned about how Mao Zedong and other older generation revolutionaries had studied and worked at the university, as well as the university's history and teaching characteristics. Xi also chatted with students and faculty members. Xi stressed that as China strives to build itself into a strong country and achieve national rejuvenation through advancing Chinese modernization, it is imperative that talented students are cultivated and that they are provided with quality education. Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits a campus of Hunan First Normal University, and learns about the university's efforts in putting resources related to the Party's heritage to great use and its adherence to fostering virtue through education, in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, March 18, 2024. Xi inspected Changsha, capital city of central China's Hunan Province, on Monday. [Xinhua/Ju Peng] Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits a campus of Hunan First Normal University, and learns about the university's efforts in putting resources related to the Party's heritage to great use and its adherence to fostering virtue through education, in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, March 18, 2024. Xi inspected Changsha, capital city of central China's Hunan Province, on Monday. [Xinhua/Xie Huanchi] Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, talks with teachers and students while visiting a campus of Hunan First Normal University in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, March 18, 2024. Xi inspected Changsha, capital city of central China's Hunan Province, on Monday. [Xinhua/Ju Peng] Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, talks with teachers and students while visiting a campus of Hunan First Normal University in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, March 18, 2024. Xi inspected Changsha, capital city of central China's Hunan Province, on Monday. [Xinhua/Wang Ye] Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits a campus of Hunan First Normal University, and learns about the university's efforts in putting resources related to the Party's heritage to great use and its adherence to fostering virtue through education, in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, March 18, 2024. Xi inspected Changsha, capital city of central China's Hunan Province, on Monday. [Xinhua/Xie Huanchi] (Source: Xinhua) The railway being built by the enemy in the temporarily occupied territory to Crimea is a significant target for the Ukrainian forces, said Andriy Yusov, a representative of the Main Intelligence Agency (GUR) of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. "This is a serious challenge, a serious threat. Accordingly, this is a significant goal for the Ukrainian Defense Forces. There are plans, but they do not always correspond to reality. In the Russian case, too. In general, the Russian Federation continues to use the railway as the main element of logistics for the supply of its forces and the occupation corps. They are not satisfied with what is happening with the so-called Crimean bridge, it is not operating in full today. Therefore, they are trying to strengthen the railway communication," he said on the air of the telethon. Yusov added that "accordingly, these plans are being opposed." Answering the question of whether the enemy will be able to complete the construction of the railway to Crimea through the occupied south of Ukraine, the GUR said that "this is a task." "The question is, what if they either fail or fail to meet the deadlines. If it does succeed, then how long and how effectively it will be able to work," Yusov added. Sen. Joe Manchin talks to reporters as he leaves the Senate floor following a vote on January 23 in Washington, DC. Minister challenged over claims of North Wales health board improvements Wales health minister has been challenged after claiming that delivering improvements to a troubled health board is one of her greatest achievements. Eluned Morgan made her comments amid uncertainty over her future in the role following the appointment of Vaughan Gething as First Minister. Ms Morgan has faced a number of issues as Health Minister, including the performance of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and lengthy waiting lists for patients in Wales. The north Wales health board was placed into special measures for the second time in February 2023 due to serious concerns about performance, leadership and culture. With questions remaining over how long Ms Morgan will remain as Health Minister, she was asked yesterday (Wednesday, 20 March) by Clwyd West MS Gareth Davies how she would assess her own record. Speaking in the Senedd, the Welsh Conservative politician said: We are a year on from the minister narrowly missing a vote of no confidence, due to her mismanagement of failings in the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board in north Wales. (Its) a health board that was pulled from special measures for reasons of political expediency and then placed back into special measures by this Labour government after the election. The ministers legacy will be of having presided over a health service in which every single health board is in some sort of enhanced monitoring or special measures, A&E targets missed, cancer waiting targets missed, two-year waits on elimination targets missed twice. Can the minister tell me, when she looks back over her time in the portfolio, does she agree with me that the health service in Wales is in much worse shape today than when you first assumed office? Ms Morgan was interviewed by ITV Wales in December about whether she wished to continue in her ministerial role. At the time, she said she would not necessarily want to remain in her post, describing it as very, very tough. During yesterdays plenary session, Ms Morgan remained non-committal, stating well have to see what happens. Responding to Mr Davies, she said she believed there had been improvements at Betsi Cadwaladr. She said: Actually, I think theres been a huge amount of change during my term in this office. We have obviously seen a change in Betsi, from a very difficult situation to a change that everybody on the ground has recognised. Even you, Gareth, have recognised that there is a change in Betsi, and its for the good. Obviously, theres a long way to go, but stabilising a board that was in tremendous difficulties, I think, is actually one of the greatest achievements. An update was provided last month on progress made by the health board to address the issues raised by ministers. Ms Morgan said there had been a focus on rebuilding and stabilising the board, with a permanent chair, chief executive and vice chair now in place. She said Audit Wales had also recognised a marked improvement in terms of the boards stability. However, Mr Davies said he did not agree with her assessment that the health board had improved. He said: I dont think Id start claiming successes over Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. Whereas I have recognised changes in the past, I think there is still a long way to go. The proof is in the pudding, especially after a decade of these false promises and warm words, where the issues still exist. Its a case for people in north Wales that theyll believe it when they see it, sadly. By Liam Randall BBC Local Democracy Reporter [email protected] Daytime in the Pavilion launched at Llangollen Eisteddfod The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod has launched its daytime pavilion programme for this years core festival. Tickets are now available to see over 3,000 participants from choirs, dance groups, ensembles and soloists from 34 countries including Australia, Burundi, Canada, China, Japan, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, and Zimbabwe. They will all head to North East Wales for the Core Eisteddfod Week, which runs from Tuesday 2 to Sunday 7 July. This years competitions include the Pendine International Voice of the Future, and Choir of the World, when the worlds best choirs will compete for the Pavarotti trophy. The festival, which has existed since 1947 to promote peace and reconciliation through music and dance, has a track record of promoting excellence in the arts. In 2024, its coveted competitions in the Llangollen Pavilion have attracted more countries and competitors than for many years. Artistic Director of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod Dave Danford said, This is the most exciting daytime line-up weve had in our Pavilion for many years. We cant wait to welcome the World to Wales yet again in July. We will also be bringing the finals of some of our daytime competitions into our evening concerts this year, such as the Voice of Musical Theatre on Thursday evening. This means winners will be sharing the stage with the likes of folk superstars Calan, Royal Harpist Alis Huws, Britains Got Talent Semi-Finalists Johns Boys Male Chorus, and West End stars Kerry Ellis and John Owen-Jones. The fact that 34 nations will be represented means that Llangollen will be the cultural capital of the world this summer. With international artists such Bryan Adams, Simple Minds, Paloma Faith and Nile Rodgers & Chic set to appear before and after the Core Eisteddfod Week, organisers are keen to point out that they remain true to their ethos of promoting peace through musical excellence. Tickets for the Daytime in the Pavilion can be bought from www.llangollen.net. There will also be outside stage performances, and a whole host of activities planned for what organisers say will be the biggest Llangollen Eisteddfod for a generation. Chair of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, Professor Chris Adams said, We are delighted to announce our exciting Daytime in the Llangollen Pavilion competitions and more events for this years festival. Everything will be built around musical excellence and we still have some amazing announcements. This year, weve partnered with Cuffe and Taylor to bring some of the Worlds biggest artists to Llangollen, but are staying true to the ethos of our founders, and thats why this Summer, as well as welcoming people like Tom Jones, Gregory Porter and Katherine Jenkins to Llangollen, we will be seeing more countries, more competitors and more diverse culture at the Llangollen Eisteddfod than for a generation. [email protected] Emergency services have now stood down following Plas Madoc incident UPDATE: Police have issued the below statement following the incident response. North Wales Police said, Shortly before 5pm today (Wednesday, March 20th) we responded to an incident in the Plas Madoc area in Wrexham following a report of suspicious material. A joint investigation between North Wales Police and North Wales Fire and Rescue Service found no ongoing concerns. Chief Inspector David Cust said: This was an isolated incident and emergency services have now stood down following joint enquiries that found there are no wider concerns for the community. I would like thank residents in the area for their understanding and patience while we carried out our investigations. Original information below from earlier article: There is a large emergency service response in Plas Madoc this evening. Three sources familiar with the incident have detailed a serious incident in the council estate office, that resulted in individuals suffering breathing difficulties. There is no update to the condition of the people affected. It has not been confirmed by police as of yet, but multiple sources report one person was arrested in the immediate police response. Plas Madoc Leisure Centre have issued a short statement this evening, Following an incident this evening unrelated to the leisure centre we would like to apologise to those customers who were unable to gain access to our facility. The emergency services have now left and there is full access to our car park. Original information The fire and rescue service, along with the police are still attending the area. Cordons are in place, with one resident relating there were three bags or items close to the leisure centre car park that appeared to be of concern, with the car park area close to the Pharmacy / Estate Office end being the focus of the investigation. North Wales Police are leading on the incident response. More shortly. [email protected] Wrexhams future Mayors sorted out in simple and quick vote as normality returns to process One process at Wrexham Council appears to have returned to normal how the Mayor and Deputy Mayor is appointed for the coming year. As it was the final scheduled council meeting before the annual meeting of the Council, current Mayor Andy Williams gave a very brief speech as part of his notices, thanking everyone for their support. The Chair of the Constitution Working Group presented their findings, that noted as is usual, The main objective is to reach agreement between all Members of the Council to ensure that the formal decision at the Annual Meeting of the Council is unanimous. The dignity of the Office of Mayor and of the Council generally would be impaired by any public disagreement on such a matter at the Councils Annual Meeting. As is tradition, current Deputy Mayor Cllr Beryl Blackmore will be formally nominated as the next Mayor of Wrexham it has been confirmed. The vote was unanimous. After a nominations agenda item Cllr Tina Mannering emerged as the likely future Mayor as she was nominated as Deputy Mayor for Cllr Blackmores term. The vote passed by a majority, with just one abstaining, Cllr Bryan Apsley which we believe is due a gripe around process rather than personalities. There were no speeches, debate and the widespread support was in great contrast to a year ago where one of the worst council meetings we have witnessed took place, where in following meetings Cllr Andy Williams effectively stepped up and in to inject some normality to mayoral proceedings. Last year saw an ugly split between the administration and opposition groups over who should be the next mayor and how a person is selected. The only interesting part of proceedings was the Welcome To Wrexham documentary crew, who are following Mayor Andy Williams to highlight the charitable and wide ranging civic work the role undertakes. Today they were covering the civic role inside the Full Council process where the Mayor chairs the meeting, and filmed him entering the chamber and undertaking the formal business of the meeting. The audio quality for those trying to follow via the councils web stream was reportedly dalek-esque for the Mayors words, so those wishing to discover what was said could look into a Disney+ subscription. (Top pic: Emmy award winning videographer capturing the Mayor making an award) [email protected] The Freedom of Russia Legion, the Russian Volunteer Corps (RVC) and the Siberian Battalion in their joint statement informed about the results of the limited military operation in Belgorod and Kursk regions. "The Russian militia liberated two settlements from the Putin regime in a few days. Putin's army lost a huge amount of equipment and over a thousand of its soldiers, who were thrown to slaughter under our guns in a panic. But as a result, even at a critical moment for his power - the days of the presidential election - the entire Putin army could not resist us," the Telegram channel says. The statement says that the Kremlin failed to hold elections in the regions where the real war was taking place. "Citizens of Belgorod and Kursk regions did not go to the polling stations under the bombs of Putin's aviation and artillery fire. No one in their right mind can then claim that Putin was elected legitimately. Vladimir Putin has lost the remnants of his legitimacy, and power is slipping out of his hands. He controls fewer and fewer processes in Russia, Russians see this and more and more compatriots join our ranks," the volunteers note. The Liberation Movement also stated: "We're going to other cities soon." "We call on Russians from all countries, people of all nationalities to join us and fight together against Putin's dictatorship. Only with arms in our hands, being together, we will definitely win and create a new Russia: a strong, peaceful and respected country, of which it is not a shame to be a citizen," the statement says. On March 9, a lawsuit was filed by two University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) professors and a faculty organization over the witch-hunt that has been occurring at the school since Israel launched its genocide in Gaza following Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. A University of Pennsylvania sign in Philadelphia [AP Photo/Matt Rourke] The affidavit named the main plaintiffs as Professor Huda Fakhreddine, Professor Troutt Powell and UPenn Faculty for Justice in Palestine. Professor Fakhreddine is an Arabic literature scholar and has been a major target of the far right and by the Democratic Biden administration for her vocal opposition to the genocide of Palestinians. Professor Powell teaches history and African studies and was the president of the Middle East Studies Association. The lawsuit accuses both the trustees and billionaire backers of UPenn alongside US Congress members of McCarthyite attacks on universities and academic staff. This nation is seeing a new form of McCarthyism, it reads. It declares accusations of anti-Semitism are substituted for the insinuations of Communist leanings which were the tool of oppression in the 1950s. The complaint also says that UPenns silencing of speech on campus has threatened academic freedom and also put faculty and professors at the university in danger of potentially losing their positions due to pro-Palestine sympathies. Concerns were also raised over the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, a committee in the US House of Representatives which has been leading the witch-hunt. In December, the committee interrogated UPenns then-president Elizabeth Magill as well as the presidents from Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) about the colleges supposed permissiveness toward anti-genocide protests at their campuses. The hearing was the basis of Magills resignation shortly afterward and the eventual ouster of Harvard President Claudine Gay. Deepening its attack on democratic rights, the committee sent a letter to UPenn in January that directed them to hand over any documents related to discussion on the Israeli genocide of Palestinians. This demand included any posts by student groups at UPenn that are critical of Israel, their funding sources, activities of specific students on campus and other requests in gross violation of the right to privacy. UPenn administrators publicly complied with this order on February 7, and announced that they would be handing over documents to the committee for their investigation into UPenn students and faculty. Professor Fakhreddine was named multiple times in the committees letter as being an example of those promoting antisemitic tropes on college campuses. According to the letter, her antisemitism included social media posts supportive of Palestinian resistance to the state of Israel and the declaration that Israel is the epitome of antisemitism [and] desecrates the memory of the Holocaust victims. Fakhreddine said in a press release accompanying the lawsuit that UPenns actions against student groups and faculty with pro-Palestine sympathies has created hostility and silenced any intellectual discussions on the matter over fears of potentially ruining ones career. UPenn, in particular, had seen a number of incidents which demonstrates the trustees hostility towards pro-Palestinian demonstrations. In September 2023, just weeks before Israel began its genocidal campaign, former bassist of Pink Floyd and prominent anti-war activist Roger Waters was banned from attending a Palestinian literature event on the campus of UPenn. Waters has been an outspoken defender of the rights of Palestinians and has been falsely accused of being antisemitic because of this. Two months later, leaders of a Jewish student group at UPenn called Chavurah were threatened with disciplinary action after they showed an anti-Zionist film, Israelism, to an audience of Jewish and Muslim students. The event was met with positive feedback from those in attendance, but UPenn claimed the showing of the film could cause a potential negative response. In February, UPenn lecturer Dwayne Booth, who produces art under the name Mr. Fish, was denounced by the Interim President of UPenn, Larry Jameson, for his antisemitic political cartoons about the atrocities occurring in Israel against the Palestinians. Of major focus was a cartoon depicting businessmen drinking glasses of blood labeled Gaza while one of the men looks at a dove in the distance and says, Who invited that lousy anti-semite? While the lawsuit accuses a number of guilty parties of suppressing freedom of speech, it notably fails to indict the Biden administration. In fact, the actions by the trustees and by the boards of countless other colleges and universities across the United States have occurred under the direction of the White House with an alliance of far-right forces. In January, the World Socialist Web Site reported that the US Department of Education had opened over 100 Title VI inquiries into supposed acts of antisemitism on US campuses at the instigation of far-right provocateurs known for publishing hit pieces on college faculty members, accusing them of leftist sympathies. Many of these groups have funding sources and leadership tied directly to the previous Republican Trump administrations efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election. Efforts to appeal to the Biden administration to have a change of heart will only fall on deaf ears. The only solution to the endless wars and anti-democratic actions of the US government and other imperialist powers is to mobilize the working class in an international and unified struggle against the capitalist system and its replacement with international socialism. Mehring Verlag, the publishing house of the Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei (Socialist Equality Party) in Germany, will be presenting its new titles at the upcoming Leipzig Book Fair. The highlight will be the book launch of Leon Trotsky and the Struggle for Socialism in the Twenty-First Century by David North. North has been active as a revolutionary journalist, historian and political leader in the international Trotskyist movement for more than half a century. He is chairman of the International Editorial Board of the World Socialist Web Site and chairman of the Socialist Equality Party (SEP) in the US. David North speaking at Humboldt University in Berlin in December 2023 North is the author of many important Marxist writings and books, including The Heritage We Defend: A Contribution to the History of the Fourth International; The Crisis of American Democracy; In Defense of Leon Trotsky; The Russian Revolution and the Unfinished Twentieth Century; The Frankfurt School, Postmodernism and the Politics of the Pseudo-Left and A Quarter Century of War: The US Drive for Global Hegemony 19902016. In May, Mehring Verlag will publish Norths latest book The Logic of Zionism: From nationalist myth to the Gaza genocide. The work is highly topical and can be pre-ordered at the Mehring Verlag stall at the Leipzig book fair. It contains several lectures dealing with the historical background and causes of the Gaza genocide by the Israeli regime and military. The ideological and political foundations of Zionism, which emerged at the end of the 19th century in opposition to the socialist labour movement, are examined. The virulent nationalism of Zionist ideology was the basis on which the expulsion of the Palestinians began in 1948 and the state of Israel was created. The book Leon Trotsky and the Struggle for Socialism in the Twenty-First Century, which North is presenting on Saturday, comprises texts that he has written over the last 40 years. The foreword states: Despite the many years that separate the first and last document, they are connected by a central argument: that Leon Trotsky was the most significant figure in the history of socialism during the first four decades of the twentieth century, and that his legacy remains the critical and indispensable theoretical and political foundation of the ongoing contemporary struggle for the victory of world socialism. Trotsky is a historical figure whose active influence upon contemporary events has extended far beyond his lifetime, argues North. His writings are studied not only for the insight they provide into the events of the first four decades of the last century, but also as analyses essential for understanding and intervening in present-day events. And further: The present world situation bears more than just a disturbing resemblance to that described so acutely by Trotsky eighty-five years ago. As in 1914 and 1939, the imperialist countries are once again launching a world war, which began in Ukraine with NATOs war against Russia, is continuing in the Middle East with the genocide against the Palestinians and provocations against Iran and is leading to a war against China. German Defence Minister Pistorius demands that Germany must once again become fit for war, meaning the subordination of all human and material reserves to the pro-war course. It means social cutbacks, an increase in the levels of exploitation, compulsory labour service for the unemployed and the obliteration of young people as cannon fodder. Trotsky fought against imperialist violence and mass slaughter during the First World War. Only the 1917 October Revolution in Russia, which he led alongside Vladimir Lenin, put an end to the carnage. In his writings of the 1920s and 1930s, Trotsky warned that humanity was heading for a new world war if capitalism were not overthrown. After the coming to power of the Nazis in 1933, thanks to the policies of Stalin and the German Communist Party (KPD), he intensified these warnings. The lessons of that time, which Trotsky drew out like no other, are of paramount significance in the current situation. Anyone horrified by the escalation of the war in Ukraine and the genocide in Gaza must ask him or herself how these bloody wars can be stopped. Trotsky insisted this was only possible through the mobilisation of the working class against capitalism. A correct policy against war consisted of two elements, he wrote in 1938, in the founding programme of the Fourth International: Irreconcilability towards imperialism and its wars, and the ability to draw on the experience of the masses themselves. Appeals to governments, futile hopes for a multipolar world and the like will not bring about any change today either. Last year, the Fourth International, which Trotsky founded following the betrayal of Stalinism, celebrated its centenary. In 1923, the Left Opposition emerged under Trotskys leadership to oppose the degeneration of the first workers state in Russia. To mark the occasion, Mehring Verlag published three works by Leon Trotsky in German, which are among his most important works: Whither France?, Portrait of National Socialism (Portrat des Nationalsozialismus) and History of the Russian Revolution (in two volumes). Whither France?, published for the first time by Mehring Verlag, contains Trotskys articles from 1934 to 1938 on convulsive political developments in France. These were decisive years for the fate of France and Europe, explains Peter Schwarz in the foreword. Under the pressure of the Great Depression, which led to mass unemployment, widespread poverty and fierce class struggles worldwide, bourgeois democracy collapsed. The preface continues: Leon Trotskys writings reproduced here are the key to understanding the events of that time and the lessons learnt from them, which are of burning relevance todayin the face of escalating wars, fierce class struggles and the resurgence of fascist parties. Trotsky did not write as a passive observer, but as a revolutionary Marxist. He fought against the Stalinists popular front policy, which paralysed and politically disarmed the working class, and provided perspectives with which the working class could break through this paralysis and conquer political power. Together with his French comrades, Trotsky developed political initiatives and an Action Programme for France to break the stranglehold of the bureaucratic apparatus. The latter is published as an appendix, as is Trotskys Letter to the French Workers of June 10, 1935, at which time he was expelled from the country by the French government and forced to find asylum in Norway. The texts have been thoroughly revised and checked against the French and Russian editions. The volume is supplemented by a chronology, a list of organisations and publications, a list of persons and an index. Trotskys work Portrait of National Socialism, published in a second edition, now contains additional articles on the national and world economy, centrism and the participation of the German Communist Party in the Nazi referendum to overthrow the Social Democratic government of Prussia in 1931. In the foreword to this new edition, chairman of the Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei Christoph Vandreier writes: The Nazi seizure of power on 30 January 1933 marked a terrible turning point in the history of the 20th century and led to the worst crimes in human history: the Nazi terror, the extermination of six million Jews, organised down to the last detail, and the barbaric war of extermination against Eastern and South-Eastern Europe. Leon Trotskys writings on Germany offer an unrivalled understanding of the events and dynamics that led to this catastrophe. The famous anti-war activist and writer Kurt Tucholsky expressed his admiration that Trotsky, in his exile on Prinkipo, 2,000 kilometres from Berlin, had a clearer view of events in Germany than any of his contemporaries. Renowned German journalist and satirist Kurt Tucholsky described Portrait of National Socialism as splendid and a masterpiece that contained everything, absolutely everything. The third work by Trotsky from the current Mehring publishing programme is the History of the Russian Revolution. First published in 1930, it is one of the most important and brilliant historical works of the 20th century. Mehring is publishing the work in Alexandra Ramms very good translation, which was approved by Trotsky. Obvious errors have been corrected, pictures and maps have been added and a detailed list of individuals has been compiled. David North, in his book mentioned above, The Logic of Zionism: From nationalist myth to the Gaza genocide, poses the question: What will it take to put an end to all this? And he answers: Not individual acts of revenge, not personal acts of self-sacrifice, but a turn to the working class, the only social force that has the capacity to bring capitalism to its knees and thus destroy the foundations of militarism, because of its objective role in the capitalist production process, its position in relation to the productive forces, its potential economic power and its global character. North continues: So turn your anger and indignation into effective political action, into a determination to master Marxist theory, to appropriate the lessons of history and to familiarise yourselves with the great revolutionary struggles of the last century. This begins with studying the books published by Mehring Verlag. You can visit the Mehring Verlag stand (Hall 5, Stand F111) at the Leipzig Book Fair, March 21-24. David North will present his new book Leon Trotsky and the Struggle for Socialism in the Twenty-First Century on Saturday, March 23 from 12:00 to 12:30 pm in the Non-Fiction Forum in Hall 5 (A100). On Wednesday, lawyers for the deceased Boeing whistleblower John Barnett released the full 32-page complaint filed by Barnett against the major aerospace and military contractor. The complaint was at the center of Barnetts civil suit against the corporation and alleges years of criminality and abuse on the part of the corporation. John Barnett in the 2022 Netflix documentary "Downfall: The Case Against Boeing." [Photo: Netflix] Barnett, a 32-year employee of Boeing, was providing a detailed deposition in his civil suit against the company in Charleston, South Carolina, earlier this month when he was found dead in his truck. Police say that he was found with a gunshot wound to his head in a hotel parking lot Saturday morning, March 9. In the complaint, Barnetts lawyers Robert M. Turkewitz and Brian M. Knowles allege that during his seven years at Boeing South Carolina (BSC), located in North Charleston, South Carolina, Barnett made numerous ethics complaints about a deep-rooted and persistent culture of concealment. BSC is one of two facilities in the US where the Boeing 787 Dreamliner is assembled. Barnett charged in his lawsuit that he was forced to retire 10 years earlier than he had planned because he was getting harassed at work for refusing to work in the grey area and not document defects. Barnett claimed he was getting passed over for promotions because his bosses were angered that he resisted their efforts to put production and profitability above safety and quality. Barnett said the abuse from upper management reached the point where he was suffering from PTSD and panic attacks due to work. Barnett claimed he, and others, were pressured by Boeing upper management to violate Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Standards and Regulations. This included failing to document remedies and defects on the 787 resulting in an incomplete build record, which constitutes a criminal felony offense and has the potential to adversely impact the safety of the flying public. For refusing to pencil whip lost part documentation and sign off on illegal procedures that violate FAA, Boeing and criminal statutes, the complaint states: Barnett was given Low Performance Management (PM) scores, he was separated from his team and moved to other areas in the plant, and blacklisted and blocked from transferring to other Boeing divisions outside of BSC. In addition, he was subjected to a gaslighting campaign in which he was harassed, denigrated, humiliated, and treated with scorn and contempt by upper management, which was calculated to discourage him and others from raising such issues and complying with the law. Among the major issues raised by Barnett was the lack of documentation of work done on 787 aircraft at the assembly plant. Boeing has a proprietary software system for the 787 Dreamliner called Velocity. All work and inspections, including defects and remedies, are supposed to be logged into the Velocity system. Failing to log or falsifying such records is a federal felony known as Fraud involving aircraft or space vehicle parts in interstate or foreign commerce. Instead of documenting repairs, Barnetts complaint alleged that records were not kept, or were improperly documented. Barnett alleged there were countless instances in which parts from one plane were being stolen and installed on an incomplete airplane without any documentation, traceability or engineering review. In most cases, the mechanic would come to work to find that the parts s/he installed the day before were gone. Barnett claimed that upper management, instead of addressing the issue, ignored the stolen parts problem and scolded him for documenting it in emails and on corrective action forms. Years of Performance Management (PM) reviews cited in the lawsuit show Barnett was frequently being scolded for documenting issues on paper and in emails, and even, it seems, being too knowledgeable. In a July 2014 PM, cited in the lawsuit, a senior quality manager allegedly wrote, John is very knowledgeable almost to a fault. This knowledge, the manager wrote, gets in the way at times when issues arise. John likes to be right and at times rechallenges issues that appear to [be] resolved at a round table. In the same review, under the heading Delivers Results, Barnett, who prior to being transferred to South Carolina only received perfect scores, had received a 2 out of 5 score. This Opportunity for Improvement was because of his habit of documenting issues in writing. The PM noted that John still needs to learn the art of F2F (face to face) engagement to address and follow up on issues instead of using e-mail to express process violations. If just a fraction of the harassment, abuse and criminality alleged by Barnett in his whistleblower complaint, known as an AIR-21 is accurateand there is no reason to doubt its veracitythen there is certainly ample motive for the Boeing corporation to silence this vocal critic. There are many questions remaining surrounding the death of Barnett. Police have claimed they found him dead in his vehicle with a pistol in his hand and his finger still on the trigger. Next to him was allegedly a white piece of paper resembling a note, but they have yet to state what was written on the note, if anything. Police, so far, have also refused to release the security camera footage from the Holiday Inn where Barnett was staying. In the original police report, the cops acknowledged that the hotel had security cameras installed and facing the parking lot where Barnetts vehicle and body were located. Following the discovery of Barnetts body on March 9, officials quickly labeled the 62-year-old mans death a suicide, with the Charleston County Coroners Office saying Barnett suffered an apparent self-inflicted wound. Lawyers and friends and Barnett immediately disputed this assertion. Jennifer, a family friend of Barnett, recounted to ABC News 4 that Barnett told her prior to his death, I aint scared but if anything happens to me its not suicide. Jennifer added, somebody didnt like what he had to say and wanted to shut him up. In interviews with Fortune published this past weekend, Barnetts lawyers, Turkewitz and Knowles, recounted their last days with their client. On Friday, March 8, John testified for four hours in questioning by my co-counsel Brian, Turkewitz said. This was following seven hours of cross-examination by Boeings lawyers on Thursday. He was really happy to be telling his side of the story, excited to be fielding our questions, doing a great job. It was explosive stuff. As Im sitting there, Im thinking, This is the best witness Ive ever seen. At one point during his testimony, Turkewitz said the Boeing lawyer objected, claiming that Barnett, without looking at documents, could not have recalled details from specific incidents that had occurred a decade ago. Turkewitz recalled Barnett retorting, I know these documents inside out. Ive had to live it. Barnetts testimony ended Friday at about 5 p.m. and about an hour later, Turkewitz said Barnett told them he was really tired and didnt want to testify any more that day, and instead, wanted to drive home to Louisiana starting that evening, as he had planned. Hed told his mom that hed be home on Sunday, and it took him two days to drive home. I suggested that we break for a week or two. However, Turkewitz said, the Boeing lawyers took the position that no more depositions could be taken until Barnett completed his testimony. While Turkewitz didnt think the judge would agree with the Boeing lawyers, Barnett relented and told his lawyers, Lets just get it done. Ive already been waiting for seven years. Less than 17 hours later, Turkewitz called the Holiday Inn looking for Barnett after he failed to show up to the Saturday deposition. Workers at the hotel searched Barnetts room and noticed that all of his luggage was packed up, but hes not there. After Turkewitz provided the workers with a description of Barnetts Clemson Orange Dodge Ram truck, the hotel manager told Turkewitz that the truck was Still there, and we called EMS. I cant tell you anything more. A hotel worker at the Holiday Inn told the New York Post last week they had witnessed Barnett eating a quesadilla, drinking a Coke and scrolling on his phone the night before he was found dead. I didnt think of him at all until I heard the news the next day. He didnt seem upset at all, the worker told the paper. Bob Emery, a friend of Barnetts, told the Post last week that he had spoken to Barnett about two weeks before he died and that Barnett seemed too focused on what he was doing with the lawsuit and that he didnt seem depressed. Emery told the Post that he and Barnett commiserated over the fact that they had both lost their wives in the last year, with Barnett calling Emery frequently to provide emotional support. I lost my wife last year and he checked on me a lot, Emery told the paper. The Post, citing unnamed sources, claimed that even though the coroner ruled Barnetts death self-inflicted, more tests were being done, including dusting Barnetts vehicle for fingerprints. Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) management is stepping up its victimisation of workers who participated in a three-day protest earlier this year against the privatisation of the state-owned enterprise. Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera announced last week he is intensifying his efforts to sell-off the CEB. Ceylon Electricity Board workers protesting against privatisation in Colombo on January 4, 2024. In January 35, tens of thousands of workers participated in a national sick-note protest to oppose the privatisation of the CEB. Management responded by suspending 66 employees, only exempting four because they had applied for leave prior to the industrial action. It has now initiated inquiries into 15 of the 62 targeted workers. These workers have been charged with violating President Ranil Wickremesinghes proclamation of the Essential Public Services Act (EPSA) on the CEB and managements cancellation of leave for all company employees. Following trade union advice, the 62 interdicted workers wrote to CEBs general manager rejecting all charges and demanding an inquiry conducted according to the countrys labour laws. Their letters call for the process to be non-political, transparent and independent, and that all 62 workers be reinstated during the inquiry. While several victimised employees have now been ordered by CEB management to attend the inquiry, the union leadership have told these workers not to provide any information to outsiders. The CEB unions claim that that outsiders are seeking to politicise the issue. This is directly aimed against World Socialist Web Site reporters and the Socialist Equality Party, the only party and media outlet in Sri Lanka closely following developments in the CEB and opposing the escalating government and management attacks. We alone have defended the witch-hunted CEB employees and sought to alert and mobilise workers across the island to oppose and defeat these anti-democratic measures. By contrast, the trade union bureaucracy continues its isolation of the victimised CEB workers, further exposing them to managements bullying actions and opening the way for the government advance its reactionary privatisation agenda. We urge workers to denounce this union censorship and to come forward to defend all victims of the governments repression. On March 8, Power and Energy Minister Wijesekera told the media that he had made 46 revisions to the previously published Electricity Bill and sent it to the legal draftsman to prepare a new version. He plans to present the revised version to cabinet and then the parliament for approval in April. Amendments were being made, he said, in response to feedback from stakeholders, political parties, and trade unions. The main purpose of these changes is to allow competitive bidding in the tender process and therefore benefit investors. The trade unions have declared that they support the restructuring of the CEBi.e., attacks on jobs, and hard-won working conditionsand that the privatisation of the enterprise is unnecessary. In reality, the restructuring of the CEB is in preparation for its sale. Minister Wijesekera wrote on his X account on March 13 that he and other government officials had held discussions with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) team currently in Sri Lanka about the CEB and Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC). The IMF team, he said, discussed the recent electricity tariff cut, and reviewed the progress on commitment on CEB and CPC and their balance sheets. The IMF wants both these enterprises privatised. On Tuesday, cabinet approved the power and energy ministers proposal to separate the Sapugaskanda Oil refinery from the CPC, and to run it as a separate entity so necessary investments could be made by both local and foreign private sectors. The CEB unions falsely claim that the IMFs privatisation demands and the victimisation of CEB workers can be halted by pressuring the government. To this end, the unions held discussions on March 11 with the opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and the fake-left Frontline Socialist Party and have called a public protest in Colombo. The unions have also filed court action opposing the victimisation of CEB employees, and presented a petition to the Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission over managements breach of workers rights. The unions have declared that workers must wait until the JVP-led National Peoples Power (NPP) wins government after this years scheduled elections and that this will resolve all problems. The JVP-controlled All-Ceylon Electricity Employees Union (ACEEU) and several other unions are widely promoting this political dead end. At a February 20 protest rally, ACEEU leader and JVP central committee member Ranjan Jayalal declared: The people of this country will bring a peoples victory to this country and called on workers to wait seven months until the NPP/JVP regime comes to power in the presidential election. The JVP, however, is publicly committed to the IMF program. Last week an ACEEU branch leader and JVP member intervened to stop an SEP team distributing copies of a Collective of Workers Action Committees statement entitled Mobilise the working class to stop the witch hunt of electricity workers! at the companys Homagama office. The same branch leader also claimed that interventions by Buddhist prelates and consumers, had compelled the government to indefinitely postpone introduction of the CEB restructuring bill to parliament. There was no urgency, he claimed, to call for protests that would only see workers roaming the streets and burning under the hot sun. This is a blatant lie. The Wickremesinghe government has not indefinitely postponed the CEB bill but, as the Power and Energy Minister Wijesekera publicly stated last week, is rapidly moving to implement a new version of its privatisation program. Privatisation or commercialisation of state-owned ventures is a key component of the IMFs demands, which are reviewed by a specialised team every six months. Regular evaluations of the IMF savage austerity program determine whether installments of the IMFs $US3 billion bailout loan are provided to the government. In opposition to the reactionary efforts of the trade union bureaucracies to politically tie the CEB and other state sector workers to the NPP and other bourgeois opposition parties, the SEP and Collective of Workers Action Committees urges workers to organise independently of these pro-capitalist formations. In order to defeat the Wickremesinghe governments austerity measures and its antidemocratic attacks, workers must take matters into their own hands. This means forming democratically controlled action committees in every workplace, the plantations and other major economic centres. Trade union bureaucrats, capitalist parties and their hangers-on will not be admitted. The working class and the oppressed masses can only defend their democratic and social rights in a political and industrial struggle to bring down the Wickremesinghe government and its IMF measures. What is required is a workers and peasants government that implements socialist policies. This includes the repudiation of all foreign debts and the nationalising of the banks, big companies and plantations, placing them under democratic control. The SEP urges workers and young people join our party and take forward this struggle for socialist internationalism. Over the past two weeks, campaigners for the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) club at the University of Melbourne in Australia were harassed on two occasions by pro-Zionist students. The IYSSE members were distributing leaflets to students on campus opposing the Israeli states genocide of Palestinians in Gaza and the support it has been given by all the imperialist governments, including the Albanese Labor administration. The IYSSE stall at the University of Melbourne 2024 orientation week. On March 6, IYSSE members campaigning outside the Baillieu Library were approached by a group of three students, appearing to come from a nearby event organised by the Melbourne University Jewish Students Society (MUJSS), an affiliated club on campus. They began by asking the IYSSE a series of questions, including: Do you condemn the October 7 terrorist attacks? So you support Hamas? What about the women who were raped by Hamas? Why arent you calling for the hostages to be released? The students identified themselves as Jewish and claimed to be offended by the IYSSEs opposition to the Gaza genocide, accusing it of spreading false information. They disputed that it was a genocide, instead describing it as a legitimate war between Israel and Hamas terrorists. The IYSSE members responded by saying that Israel is bombing innocent civilians, hospitals, and refugee camps, to which the Zionists replied that this was unfortunate but justified. They regurgitated the Israeli government narrative that Hamas had constructed underground tunnel networks and converted hospitals into military outposts, making attacks on the civilian infrastructure necessary to defeat Hamas forever and prevent future October 7s. They said the Arabs had brought this upon themselves, and that we have tried to offer them a state several times and they refused. They went on to vehemently object to the IYSSEs answer to these lies and the statement that the Zionist state does not represent the interests of all Jewish people. They argued that Jews who oppose Israel are a tiny fringe minority and that Zionism and Judaism are the same thing. One IYSSE member told the World Socialist Web Site: They didnt allow us to answer their questions fully but constantly talked over us. I told them they could read our leaflet if they wanted to understand our perspective but that I was not interested in pursuing any further discussion with them. I said we were socialists and internationalists. We fight for the unity of Jewish and Arab workers and youth against nationalism. However, they kept trying to bait us and refused to leave, saying that they just wanted to have a debate. It was clear that they did not want a political discussion about the situation in Gaza but were intent on preventing the IYSSE campaign team from being able to speak to students on campus. Despite being told repeatedly to leave, the three students continued to provocatively harass the campaigners for around 15 minutes. At one point, they raised their voices while one turned to students passing by and shouted loudly, F*** Hamas! The group eventually began to move away, saying as they left that they were sorry to learn the IYSSE was a club on campus. The following week, on March 13, two of the same students harassed IYSSE members who were handing out leaflets at the same location. A concerned passerby asked what was occurring and suggested that security be called. The Zionist students, both male, approached a young female member of the IYSSE. According to the IYSSE members, they demanded to know what she would think if New Zealand invaded Australia and began raping and killing women. She responded that this was an absurd hypothesis, that Palestinians were resisting a 75-year long military occupation, and that it was Zionists who invaded Palestine and expelled people from their homes, and killed people. MUJSS is an affiliated student club. As such, they have the formal right and the means to conduct political activities on campus. They do not have the right, however, to harass and intimidate the IYSSE or anyone else campaigning on campus against Israels historic war crimes. The IYSSE demands that the MUJSS and its members desist from such conduct, which is clearly aimed at suppressing political discussion on campus in an intimidatory attack on basic democratic rights. We call on all defenders of civil liberties to support that demand, and for the relevant bodies of the University of Melbourne Student Union to take action if the harassment continues. The MUJSS is the University of Melbourne chapter of the Australasian Union of Jewish Students (AUJS). While professing to represent Jewish students, AUJS, in fact, operates as an aggressive Zionist lobby group on campus. Its chapters have repeatedly engaged in offensive campaigns vilifying and attempting to silence students and academics who speak out against Israels criminality. AUJS, like the major Zionist groups that it collaborates with, specialises in the fraudulent conflation of any opposition to the Israeli state with antisemitism. This line, falsely identifying the Jewish people as a whole with a right-wing militarist outpost of imperialism, is itself antisemitic and denies the reality that a growing number of Jewish people are deeply opposed to the Gaza genocide and the broader oppression of Palestinians. The incidents at the University of Melbourne are politically revealing. Throughout the genocide, the corporate media, together with the Labor government and the entire political establishment, has presented an inverted picture of reality. What is presented is that the most ardent Zionists among the Jewish community are living in fear, under siege from rampant antisemitism, which is identified with any opposition to Israel. A typical AUJS article posted in February, summed up the official line. Jewish university students across the country are uneasy about returning to campus and fear confrontations with well-organised pro-Palestinian student groups could increase this year, it darkly warned. But, the reality is very different. As the encounters of the IYSSE demonstrate, the most aggressive Zionist students operate as a law unto themselves, harassing, intimidating and seeking to provoke confrontations with students opposed to the Israeli war crimes. Far from hiding in fear, they proudly and obnoxiously announce their support for the Israeli military as it massacres tens of thousands of Palestinians and ethnically cleanses the Gaza Strip. The reason that there is such a glaring contradiction between the official narrative and reality is not a mystery. The statements of the government, the media, official institutions and their Zionist allies are cynical lies aimed at delegitimising opposition to an unfolding genocide. The official line has undoubtedly emboldened Zionists, such as the MUJSS activists who harassed the IYSSE. These layers can conduct themselves in the most provocative and outrageous manner, confident that the major publications and even the government will continue to present them as embattled victims. But there is mass opposition to the Israeli onslaught. That has been registered in the mass protests internationally, in the further collapse in support for Labor and all political parties supporting these historic crimes and in the sentiments of the vast mass of students and young people. Undoubtedly, this ongoing and deepening hostility to the genocide accounts for the rather desperate conduct of the MUJSS members. The IYSSE will not be intimidated. It will continue its fight against the Gaza genocide, explaining to students that this is a crime of capitalism and imperialism, which can only be fought through a turn to the working class and a fight to build an international anti-war movement based on a socialist program. Approving security package for Ukraine by the U.S. Congress is the way to reinstate the U.S. leadership of the free world, emphasized Arseniy Yatsenyuk, the Head of the Kyiv Security Forum (KSF), Prime Minister of Ukraine in 2014-2016 at the 16th Kyiv Security Forum in the capital city on 21st of March, 2024. During the 16th annual KSF in Kyiv, he stressed that receiving this assistance is "one of the most important issues now for the Ukrainian people: for their survival." My message to the U.S. Congress and personally to its Speaker Mike Johnson is as follows. I have been the Speaker myself. So, Mr. Speaker, you are now in the spotlight for the whole world. Being a faithful Christian, Mr. Speaker, please be sure that the God Almighty watches you as well. In the same vein, the whole Ukrainian nation also watches you, especially the ones who give their lives now at the battlefield, said Yatsenyuk. This is the way to reinstate the U.S. leadership of the free world. And this is the way to assist Ukraine and save it, Yatsenyuk emphasized. The 16th annual Kyiv Security Forum, organized to mobilize transatlantic support for Ukraine, is taking place on March 21-22. The slogan of the current forum is "Ukraine tells the world: let's win together!" The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) engaged in summary mass executions of civilians during a raid on Al-Shifa Hospital in northern Gaza this week, the Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor said Wednesday. IDF troops detain and torture people at Shifa hospital in Gaza. The raid has killed at least 100 people, many of whom were victims of extrajudicial executions after their arrest, the human rights group said. Dozens more were detained, beaten and tortured. Based on interviews with survivors who were detained and tortured at the hospital, Euro-Med said that Israeli forces had been carrying out executions for three days in a row. One detainee, identified as MK, told Euro-Med, The soldiers detained me and handcuffed me in the hospital courtyard; I was left undressed for more than nine hours. He reported that soldiers repeatedly took prisoners into the morgue, then gunshots were heard, and the soldiers returned without the prisoners. About four times during that period, I saw soldiers lead groups of detainees[always] at least three people and [never] more than 10into the hospital buildings, particularly the morgue building where bodies had previously been kept, he said. Gunshots were heard, with the soldiers then leaving the area to bring another group there. Another witness, who asked to remain completely anonymous, said, according to Euro-Med, that he witnessed Israeli forces taking eight or 10 Palestinian civilians at a time towards the morgue area. He then heard heavy gunfire, and the Israeli forces later left without the civilians. Commenting on the victims account, Euro-Med said, These civilians were likely subjected to unlawful killings and executions. The Israeli military claimed to have eliminated 90 terrorists during the raid on Al-Shifa Hospital, the Gaza Strips largest medical facility. Over the past day, the troops have eliminated terrorists and located weapons in the hospital area, the IDF said in a statement. Among those detained, tortured, and stripped naked were medical personnel at the hospital. Emergency surgeon Mads Gilbert, who previously worked at Gazas Al-Shifa Hospital, said colleagues described torture by Israeli forces. Medical staff have been arrested and left for hours in the cold, Gilbert said. Some were forced to leave the hospital and taken to unknown places. Others were displaced to the south half naked. He concluded, One doctor was shot in the chest when he followed the orders to leave the hospital and later went into surgery at Al-Ahli Arab Hospital. He added that the Israeli military does not differentiate between fighters and medical staff, patients and refugees. As a result of the raid, Al-Shifa Hospital was again taken out of commission, further threatening the lives of the population of northern Gaza, where epidemic disease is running rampant amid the absence of food and drinking water, which is being blocked by Israel. Journalists were also tortured at the hospital. CNN reported that IDF forces detained, blindfolded and stripped journalists from Al Jazeera and left them in the hospital yard in the cold. Al Jazeera Arabic correspondent Ismail al-Ghoul and his team were arrested for 12 hours and severely beaten by Israeli forces. Al Jazeera journalist Hani Mahmoud, reporting from Rafah, said al-Ghoul was tortured, beaten and detained by the Israeli military along with his crew member on the ground. Since October 7, there have been 410 attacks on healthcare facilities in Gaza, according to the World Health Organization. Attacks have resulted in 685 fatalities, 902 injuries, damage to 99 facilities and affected 104 ambulances, the WHO said in a statement on Twitter. Meanwhile, famine continues to spread throughout the Gaza Strip. A report by the World Bank published Wednesday found that 1.1 million people in Gaza are at the highest risk of famineclassified as a catastrophewhile another 854,000 are facing an emergency. The situation in the Gaza Strip has reached catastrophic levels, according to the World Banks report. None of the population of Gaza falls into the lower two categories of food insecurity. Household surveys reveal alarming trends, with virtually all households skipping meals daily and a significant portion of children under two suffering from acute malnutrition, the report concluded. In a statement Wednesday, Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of UNRWA, the UN Agency for Palestine Refugees, said, Siege, hunger & diseases will soon become the main killer in #Gaza. Between March 19 and March 20, 104 Palestinians were killed in Gaza, bringing the official death toll to 31,923. Once the missing are added, the effective death toll since October exceeds 40,000. A critical element of Israels deliberate mass starvation of the population of Gaza has been the deliberate targeting of aid workers. Gazas government media office said Wednesday that over 100 aid workers had been killed over the past week in eight separate attacks. The aim of these attacks was, according to Gazas government media office, to perpetuate the policy of starvation and deepen famine on a broader scale. Meanwhile, the Israeli government continues to openly advocate for the ethnic cleansing of Gaza. In a statement to the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Israeli parliament, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speculated that the port being constructed by the United States in Gaza, nominally to provide food aid, could be used to deport Palestinians. There is no obstacle for the Gazans to leave, maybe even the port they are building could be used for this, but there are no countries in the world that are ready to receive them, Netanyahu said, according to a report by a journalist for the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation. Despite verbal criticism of Netanyahu by President Joe Biden, the United States continues to insist that there are no red lines for the types of war crimes that Israel is allowed to commit, and continues to provide funding and weapons for the ongoing genocide as part of its broader military offensive throughout the region targeting Iran. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis pledged this week to continue the brutal crackdown on students, youth and workers fighting new university legislation. The bill opens university education to the private sector and is aimed at dismantling the right to free universal higher education. It was passed by 159 to 129 votes in the 300-seat parliament in which New Democracy holds a clear majority. Greece has 24 accredited public universities, as well as several private colleges. More than 650,000 students are currently enrolled at state-run universities. Riots police clash with students in front of the Parliament during a demonstration in Athens, Greece, March 8, 2024 [AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis] The new measures allow private universities to operate as Greek branches of foreign educational institutions and offer degrees equivalent to those offered by public universities. Although operating under a nonprofit status, they would be able to charge tuition fees. The law will favour wealthy families able to pay exorbitant fees. By eroding public provision, it will harm young peoples job prospects in a country where youth unemployment has been at record levels for over a decade. Passing the law was unconstitutional as private institutions have been prohibited from operating as independent universities for almost 50 years. Following the fall of the military junta in 1973, Article 16 of the 1975 Constitution stipulated that tertiary education is exclusively public and free of charge. Greeces ruling elite, with many ties to those in power during the junta era, wants to restore private sector control over campuses and quell an area of society that has long been a bastion of left-wing ideology and activity. Tens of thousands of students have protested nationwide over the last months, with riot police brutally attacking demonstrations. By the third week of January, around 250 out of Greeces 450 faculties and departments were under occupation, with hundreds of academics signing petitions opposing the private university plans. The conservative daily Kathimerini referred to student assemblies as battlefields and occupations as a virus that had also spread to secondary education. On March 9, tens of thousands protested in Athens Syntagma Square, with the participation of nearly 200 student groups from universities nationwide, alongside others protesting Israels genocide in Gaza. Riot police attacked demonstrators with tear gas and stun grenades and waded into them with batons and shields. Anna Adamidi, a philosophy student on the protest, told Associated Press, This government wants to privatise everything ... but at the same time, the cost of living is going up and up and our wages remain pitiful. The private sector comes in and dismantles public education, making use of resources that they will pay nothing for. On March 16, riot police smashed into Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and arrested 49 students involved in the occupation of several departments at the School of Applied Sciences. The arrested, aged between 19 and 30, were charged with obstruction of justice and serious disruption of the smooth operation of a legal entity under public law. At the same time, police raided the University of Athens Zografou campus, making two arrests. On Tuesday, Mitsotakis vowed to continue the crackdown, saying, I want to again repeat that illegal acts will not be tolerated; the government and Greek Police will be at the forefront in rendering university institutions to those who really belong there, students and professors, so that universities remain centres of knowledge and not a refuge for those who seek to turn them into dens of violence and a space for barren conflicts. Every previous attempt by right-wing conservative-led governments to allow private universities was prevented by mass protests. Almost 20 years agoin 2006 and prior to the onset of mass austerity imposed in Greece by successive governments from 2010students and academic staff held months of mass demonstrations, rallies and occupations of universities. The movement against the Karamanlis ND government saw 350 of Greeces 456 faculties under occupation by students, with more than 100,000 students participating in rallies and protests. The ability of ND to sweep into office last year, pursue its class war agenda, and finally pass the laws, is entirely the responsibility of Syriza (Coalition of the Radical Left-Progressive Alliance.) Taking power in 2015 under Alexis Tsipras, Syriza, with staunch backing from pseudo-left groups internationallywho hailed it as the wave of the futuredeepened an austerity offensive in alliance with the trade unions, without precedent on the European continent. Tsipras authorised the use of police units to break up a student occupation at the Technical University of Athens within months of taking office. In July 2019, Syriza was booted out of office as millions of workers deserted this rotten party. Routed again in the 2023 election, though still the main opposition party in parliament, Syriza now reaches barely 10 percent in the polls. Greece's Prime Minister and New Democracy leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis, right, and leader of the main opposition Syriza party, Alexis Tsipras, laugh before a debate at the premises of public broadcaster ERT in Athens, Greece, Wednesday, May 10, 2023. Heads of Greece's political parties participate in a televised debate ahead of the country's May 21 elections. [AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis] The ruling class seized on this opportunity. In 2021 ND passed its authoritarian Education Bill, again in the face of large protests, establishing a special campus police force for the surveillance of universities. The force is not only allowed on campus but empowered to arrest those deemed troublemakers by the authorities. It is answerable to the Hellenic Police rather than to the education institutions they patrol. Since 2019 there have been around 45 police operations in occupied university premises. These moves built on the abolition in 2011 of the Academic Asylum law by the social democratic PASOK government. The 1982 law, under which police could only enter university campuses with permission, and which guaranteed students sanctuary from arrest or state brutality, was born from the bloody legacy of the junta. It was enacted in response to popular anger over the brutal state murder of students who took part in the uprising at the Polytechnic in Athens on November 17, 1973. On that day students had launched strike action under the slogan of bread, education, freedom against the military, which had taken power in 1967. In November 2011, Lucas Papademoss coalition governmentincluding PASOK, ND and the far-right Popular Orthodox Rallyauthorised police entry into a public university, at Thessaloniki, for the first time since 1982. The abolition of the 1982 law was demanded by the United States. Among the huge haul of diplomatic cables published by WikiLeaks in 2010 was one from Daniel V. Speckhard, then US ambassador in Athens. Calling for its scrapping, Speckhard described the law as nothing more than a legal cover for hoodlums to wreak destruction with impunity. Syriza is duplicitous. Its 36 deputies voted against the new university legislation, but its new leader, Stefanos Kasselakisa former trader at Goldman Sachs in the US as well as the owner of several shipping companieshas been a long-time advocate of private universities operating in Greece. Kasselakis wrote a series of anti-working-class screeds for the right-wing Greek-American National Herald newspaper between 2007 and 2015. In 2007, he expressed support for the attempts of Karamanlis to establish private universities. These proposals were also shelved in the face of massive student opposition. Stefanos Kasselakis, newly elected leader of main opposition party Syriza, speaks to supporters outside the party's headquarters in Athens, Greece, September 25, 2023. [AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis] Attacking PASOK for opposing the measures after having initially supported them, Kasselakis wrote, If [PASOK] had the political courage to support the change, with which [it] initially agreed, students would still have been beaten up by the riot police, but at least the state of education would have been radically challenged and would have changed. Students, youth, academics, and the entire working class must take stock of the situation. The lurch of the ruling class, and its political parties, including Syriza, to the right must be answered by a politically independent movement of the working class and youth. Fighters for that movement must base themselves on the record of political struggle set down by the International Committee of the Fourth International. EU rep: Its important for Ukraine to build stable democracy and institutions, pluralism of opinions is important component of this process The system of checks and balances is important for building democracy even in war conditions, said Charge d'affaires, Adviser-envoy and Deputy head of the EU Delegation to Ukraine Remy Duflot. During the 16th annual Kyiv Security Forum (KSF), founded by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk Open Ukraine Foundation, Duflot pointed out that democracy means stable institutions, the rule of law, respect and protection of minorities. "I think every word in this sentence has a meaning. Ukraine has demonstrated its democratic DNA and the signing of the Association Agreement with the EU was part of this manifestation. That is why Russia hates Ukraine. Not only because of the Maidan, but also because of the Association Agreement," he said. According to the EU representative, when we talk about the permanence of institutions and democracy in the country, "first of all, we are talking about powerful systems of checks and balances, regardless of the period: whether we are in peacetime or in a time of war." "They remain the guiding principles that need to be adopted, which should be adhered to as we carry out the process of joining the EU during the war," Duflot stressed. According to him, today there is no way that the assessment of the process of Ukraine's accession to the EU can be changed due to certain circumstances. "Of course, we can talk in detail about how to ensure the proper functioning of these institutions in very exceptional and incorrect circumstances. But the main thing now is to maintain the polarity and pluralism of opinions. This is a dialogue, an internal political discussion," the envoy said. The 16th annual Kyiv Security Forum, organized to mobilize transatlantic support for Ukraine, is taking place on March 21-22. The slogan of the current forum is Ukraines call to the World: Together We Prevail! During a meeting in Kyiv with Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, Admiral Robert Bauer, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed opportunities to strengthen the Alliance's coordinating role in supporting Ukraine. In particular, according to Zelenskyy's press service, the parties discussed strengthening existing Ukrainian defense capabilities, as well as developing Ukraine's future military potential in accordance with NATO standards and compatibility requirements. The President of Ukraine informed the Chairman of the Military Committee about the priority defense needs of the Defense Forces and separately noted the urgent need for additional air defense systems to reliably protect Ukrainians from constant missile and drone attacks by Russia. The Head of State also outlined the expectations of the Ukrainian side from the current NATO summit in Washington. "We count on fair assessments of our country's achievements and the decisions of the Washington summit, which will bring Ukraine closer to membership in the Alliance," he said. In addition, Zelenskyy thanked Bauer for his visit to Ukraine and a signal of support for Ukrainians. "Thank you for your first visit to Ukraine since the beginning of a full-scale war. This is a serious signal of support for our society. The support from NATO and the member states of the Alliance is, first of all, very important for the morale of our fighters and civilian Ukrainians. We really appreciate that we can count on you," the head of state said. ReBuild Ukraine: Health & Rehabilitation, a large-scale medical rehabilitation forum, will take place in Warsaw Ukraine's medical projects have united to demonstrate to the world the needs and possibilities of restoring the health of people affected by the war, raising additional funds to build modern medical infrastructure and rehabilitation. In order to create an effective platform for attracting additional funding for projects to restore Ukraines human capital the international forum ReBuild Ukraine: Health & Rehabilitation will be held on 24-25 June in Warsaw (exhibition center EXPO XXI). Over two years of its aggressive war, russia has caused significant damage to Ukraine's medical infrastructure and inflicted physical and mental trauma on a large number of military and civilians who are now in need of treatment and rehabilitation. In particular, 1537 medical facilities were damaged, 203 were completely destroyed. More than 150,000 adults and children have lost limbs. According to the World Bank, the damage is estimated at $1.4 billion, and the need to restore and reconstruct the medical system is $14.2 billion over the next 10 years. The event will be a continuation of ReBuild Ukraine, a successful international forum for rebuilding of Ukraine. In 2023, 2 events on infrastructure and energy recovery were held and received significant support from governments of many countries, world-renowned manufacturers, Ukrainian communities, financial and donor organisations. In turn, ReBuild Ukraine: Health & Rehabilitation will gather three components of healthcare recovery: the first - about 30 Ukrainian medical projects and communities, the second - more than 100 medical equipment manufacturers and designers of medical facilities, and the third - more than 300 international financial institutions (public and private), which mainly offer donor financing for medical projects, as well as representatives of government agencies, doctors, distribution companies and other stakeholders. The national stand Ukraine and its medical rehabilitation projects will bring together leading rehabilitation projects and medical institutions such as Superhumans, Unbroken, the Centre for Comprehensive Rehabilitation Galicia, Lviv NOVA Clinic, Kremenchuk Regional Clinical Hospital for War Veterans; representatives of communities, owners of medical institutions in Kyiv, Poltava, Vinnytsia, Odesa and other regions. Participants will also present their fundraising projects on the big stage of ReBuild Ukraine: Health & Rehabilitation. The exhibition will include the Human Capital Recovery conference and a series of events on global experience in restoring human capital, establishing a rehabilitation system, cooperation between medical institutions, organising assistance and support in times of war, and creating a barrier-free society. Organiser of ReBuild Ukraine: Health & Rehabilitation: Premier Expo the largest Ukrainian organizer of the exhibitions and conferences such as Public Health, ReBuild Ukraine and more than 15 international exhibition projects More about exhibition: rebuildukraine-health.in.ua Contacts of the organisers: Premier Expo, Tel.: 380 044 496 86 45, [email protected] Ae Watan Mere Watan is an evocative Hindi-language historical biopic released in 2024. The narrative delves into Indias fervent struggle for independence in 1942, centering on the courageous endeavors of Usha Mehta. She becomes a symbol of rebellion, starting a secret radio station to spread messages of coming together during the Quit India movements chaos. Crafted with finesse by writer-director Kannan Iyer and backed by producer Karan Johar, the film showcases Sara Ali Khans compelling portrayal of Mehta. Premiering on March 21, 2024, exclusively on Amazon Prime Video, the film promises a riveting exploration of patriotism and resistance. What made Usha resent the British Rule? Ae Watan Mere Watan begins with a young Usha witnessing British authorities brutalization of her teacher during the Salt March. Despite her attempt to intervene, Usha is met with violence from the police. Since then, Usha has developed a resentment against colonial oppressors. This does not sit well with her father, who supports the British rule. Now a college student, Usha secretly engages in the freedom movement alongside her comrades Fahad and Kaushik. Kaushik and Usha start developing feelings for each other. However, she conceals her involvement from her father. Usha finds solace in Gandhis teachings and the principles of the Congress despite her fathers disapproval. Despite her reassurances to him, she secretly commits herself to the cause. In August 1942, Gandhi urged people to join the Quit India Movement. The British government got angry and called it rebellion, especially since World War II was happening. As a result, Usha and her friends faced harsh treatment from the police. But instead of giving up, this made them even more determined to keep fighting. Determined to make a difference, Usha embarks on a daring venture: launching her own radio station. Despite the risks, Fahad and Kaushik stand by her side. Their station, Congress Radio, aims to defy government censorship by broadcasting speeches of imprisoned leaders. Their efforts bear fruit as listeners across the nation tune in, drawing inspiration from the voices of their incarcerated leaders. However, Ushas defiance does not go unnoticed by her father, who confines her to her room. Who was Ram Manohar Lohia? Realizing that her fathers love has become a barrier to her cause, Usha makes a difficult decision to leave home. On their journey, she and her friends encounter Ram Manohar Lohia, a prominent political figure who has managed to evade capture. Operating from the shadows, Ram Manohar Lohia has been tirelessly working to keep the flame of the Quit India Movement burning. When he learns of Usha, Fahad, and Kaushiks role in Congress Radio, he joins forces with them. As tensions escalated, the British authorities identified Congress Radios base in Bombay and assigned Inspector John Lyre, known for his ruthlessness and efficiency, to shut it down. Realizing that the key to dismantling Congress Radio lies in locating its engineers, Lyre interrogates every skilled technician in Bombay. Ae Watan Mere Watan: Why was Balbir killed? A loyal policeman, sympathetic to the freedom movement, tips off Balbir, a close ally of Usha, Fahad, and Kaushik, about Lyres plan. Together, they rush to protect Firdaus, but their efforts are in vain as Lyre arrives on the scene. Tragically, Balbir sacrifices his life to shield Usha and Firdaus from harm. Following Balbirs death, Lohia entrusts Usha, Fahad, and Kaushik to acquire a crucial component for their radio. Despite Ushas caution, she ventures out alone, risking capture by the waiting police. Through quick thinking and cunning, she manages to evade capture. Despite the ongoing pursuit, Congress Radio inspires the masses, fueling the flames of the Quit India Movement nationwide. Yet, as Lyre closes in, the stakes grow higher for Usha and her comrades. To counter Lyres triangulation technique, Usha and Fahad propose a daring plan involving multiple transmitters. With Lohias approval, they enlist Firdaus to construct an additional transmitter, but their hopes are dashed when Lyre apprehends Firdaus during a meeting with his wife. The capture of Firdaus and the seizure of the new transmitter leave Usha and Fahad with limited options. Lyres network of informants also leads him to Lohias hiding place, forcing the influential leader to flee for his safety. As the risk of broadcasting escalates, Usha and Fahad are prepared to sacrifice everything to ensure Lohias message reaches the masses. However, Lohia refuses to allow both of them to endanger themselves. Faced with a difficult decision, Usha manipulates Fahad into accepting her as the one to take the risk. Ae Watan Mere Watan ending: What happened to Usha? With determination and resolve, Usha prepares to broadcast Lohias speech, fully aware of the danger posed by Lyres relentless pursuit. Unexpectedly, Kaushik arrives, refusing to let Usha face the danger alone. Together, they brace themselves for the inevitable confrontation with Lyre and his forces. When Lyre inevitably discovers them, Usha and Kaushik stand their ground, holding off the authorities until the broadcast concludes. Their courage and sacrifice inspire those listening, strengthening the peoples resolve as they prepare to revolt against British oppression. Lohias impassioned call to action ignites a wave of protests across the nation, met with brutal suppression by the British authorities. Undeterred, Usha defiantly joins the demonstrations, courageously chanting slogans as she is apprehended and taken to prison alongside Kaushik. Behind bars, Usha and Kaushik endure the harrowing torment inflicted by Inspector Lyre. While Kaushik succumbs to the pressure, signing coerced confessions, Usha remains steadfast, refusing to betray Lohias whereabouts at any cost. Her resilience earns her a four-year sentence, a testament to her unwavering commitment to the cause. During her imprisonment, Usha finds solace and strength in her fathers newfound admiration for her courage. His letters become a source of comfort and encouragement for Usha, sustaining her spirit throughout her incarceration. Upon her release, she is welcomed back into the embrace of her transformed family, including her proud father and supportive allies like Fahad. The post Ae Watan Mere Watan Ending Explained & Spoilers: How Did Sara Ali Khans Movie End? appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. Disclaimer: This article contains mentions of murder. Reader discretion is advised. In 1997, authorities started discovering dead bodies of young men in the southern part of Louisiana. For more than eight years, police kept on finding bodies in remote sugarcane fields and other places. However, in 2006, the slayings stopped when a man named Ronald Dominique was arrested for the slayings. As per reports, Dominique, popularly known as The Bayou Strangler, killed 23 men over eight years. According to The Seattle Times, Ronald Dominique committed his first crime in 1996. Authorities arrested him on the charge of forcible rape. The victim survived and went to the police. However, the case didnt go to trial because investigators couldnt find the survivor. Thats when he decided that he would kill his victims because he didnt want to go to jail. As per the investigators, all the victims were homeless men, ages between 16 and 46, per The Seattle Times. The publication also noted the killer murdered all its victims by strangling them. Additionally, the killer threw the bodies in remote places. According to Oxygen, Ronald Dominique confessed to killing 23 men and provided details about how he committed those murders. Ronald Dominiques murder case explored As mentioned above, authorities apprehended Ronald Dominique in 2006 and interrogated him. Citing the investigators, NBC News reported that Dominique used to charm his victims before killing them. The publication also stated that the killer would meet them on the street, walking or riding their bikes, and just start talking to them. Hed offer them a ride or talk them into sex and theyd go with him. During the interrogation, investigators also believed that he raped his victims before strangling them. The interrogation also helped authorities understand why Ronald Dominique killed his victims. As per NBC News, his incarceration in 1996 had instilled in him a strong resolve to avoid returning to jail. The investigators said, He said he killed them because he didnt want to get caught. But I would think he discovered somewhere on the way to killing 23 that it was not just because of that. I think he discovered he liked it. Additionally, Ronald Dominique told the police how he used a seat belt and extension cord to strangle victims, per Oxygen. However, during the interrogation, the accused kept on reiterating that his victims had raped him. Finally, in 2007, the authorities presented Dominique in court for the gruesome murders. Shockingly, he pleaded not guilty to nine counts of murder, per NBC News. Eventually, he took a plea deal and pleaded guilty to eight murders. As a result, the court sentenced The Bayou Strangler to eight consecutive life terms in prison. The post Bayou Strangler: How Many Victims Did Ronald Dominique Have? appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. Broken English (1996) New Zealand romantic drama film directed by Gregor Nicholas. It follows Nina, whose family fled to Auckland, New Zealand when their hometown was in a war. After coming to this new city, she takes up a job as a waitress and falls for a Maori chef Eddie, while also being in a green-card marriage with a Chinese co-worker. Heres how you can watch and stream Broken English (1996) via streaming services such as Amazon Prime Video. Is Broken English (1996) available to watch via streaming? Yes, Broken English (1996) is available to watch via streaming on Amazon Prime Video. Nina was in love with Eddie, but she knew this wouldnt be acceptable to her father, Ivan a fierce Croatian patriarch. Thats the reason she makes a compromise by marrying a Chinese co-worker while also dating Eddie. The money from this arrangement allows her to leave her parents house and move in with Eddie. However, complications arise when Eddie realizes the depth of her fathers fury and the strength of Ninas family ties. The cast members are Aleksandra Vujcic as Nina, Julian Arahanga as Eddie, Rade Serbedzija as Ivan, Marton Csokas as Darko, Madeline McNamara as Mira, Jing Zhao as Clara, Li Yang as Wu, and Elizabeth Mavric as Vanya. Watch Broken English (1996) streaming via Amazon Prime Video Broken English (1996) is available to watch on Amazon Prime Video. Amazon Prime Video is a top-notch streaming platform consisting of numerous award-winning movies and series, along with content produced by Amazon MGM Studios. You can also stream critically acclaimed Amazon Prime Originals like The Boys, Gen V and Fleabag. You can watch the film via Amazon Prime Video by following these steps: Go to Amazon Prime Video Select Sign in and Create your Amazon account Sign up for a Prime Video membership: $8.99 per month for a standalone Prime Video membership Amazon Prime is the online retailers paid service that provides fast shipping and exclusive sales on products, so the membership that includes both this service and Prime Video is the companys most popular offering. However, you can also opt to subscribe to Prime Video separately. Broken English (1996) synopsis is as follows: Ivan is the fierce patriarch of a family of Croatian refugees living in Auckland during the Yugoslav wars. Nina is his daughter, ready to live on her own, despite his angry objections. Eddie is the Maori she takes as her lover. Nina works at the restaurant where Eddie cooks. For a price, she agrees to marry another restaurant employee, a Chinese man, so that he can establish permanent residency. The money gives her the independence she needs to leave her parents house and move in with Eddie. Complications arise when Eddie realizes the depth of her fathers fury and the strength of Ninas family ties. NOTE: The streaming services listed above are subject to change. The information provided was correct at the time of writing. The Office showrunner Greg Daniels and Nathan for You co-creator Michael Koman have teamed up for a new series set TV Spencer Legacy 14 hours ago Director Fede Alvarez recently opened up about receiving notes from two legendary figures in the Alien franchise. Speaking to The Movies Anthony Nash 14 hours ago Former Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat has announced his return to the popular franchise, confirming that he is writing an TV Ryan Louis Mantilla 15 hours ago Ahead of its debut next week, the first batch of Godzilla x Kong clips from the latest installment to the Movies Maggie Dela Paz 15 hours ago Read more The post Broken English (1996) Streaming: Watch & Stream Online Via Amazon Prime Video appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. Detectives uncovered evidence the father met with the men he hired and provided them information about the victim, a press release read Riverside Police Samuel Pasillas and Juan Manuel Cebreros A Riverside, Calif. father and pastor has been arrested on multiple charges for allegedly hiring a hitman to kill his daughters boyfriend. On the evening of Oct. 21, 2023, an unidentified male was shot several times but has since recovered from his injuries. An investigation found that 47-year-old Samuel Pasillas had conducted a murder-for-hire plot to kill the man, according to a Riverside County Police Department press release. The male adult victim stated he was driving on Grove Community Drive approaching Plainview Street when another vehicle pulled up alongside him, the press release read. Gunfire came from this other vehicle and he was struck several times. The victim drove himself to the hospital and was treated for his injuries, and officers located evidence of a shooting on Grove Community Drive and Plainview Street. Related: Florida Dentist Convicted of Murder After Hiring Hitman to Kill Brother-in-Law During Sister's Custody Battle Riverside Police Samuel Pasillas At the time, Pasillas was known to be a pastor at a local Spanish-speaking church in Victorville, Calif. and the father of the victims girlfriend. Detectives uncovered evidence the father met with the men he hired and provided them information about the victim, including his location the evening of the shooting, a press release read. Detectives also determined these men were paid almost $40,000 by the father and had conducted surveillance on the victim in the weeks leading up to when they shot him. Police also conducted search warrants for Victorville, Long Beach, and Lynwood homes relating to the crime. On March 13, Pasillas was booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center for solicitation for murder, conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder, and assault with a deadly weapon. Related: Beverly Hills Man Pleads Guilty to Hiring Hitman on the Dark Web to Kill Woman He Briefly Dated Riverside Police Juan Manuel Cebreros One of the alleged hitmen, 55-year-old Juan Manuel Cebreros, who was also booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center for conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder, and assault with a deadly weapon. Both men are being held on $1 million bond, and it is unclear if more arrests are going to be made. The investigation is still ongoing. 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. Anyone with additional information on the ongoing investigation can contact Detective Nic Cantino at (951) 353-7104 or NCantino@RiversideCA.gov. Those who wish to remain anonymous can email RPDTips@RiversideCA.gov. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Chicago officials are taking aim at Glock Inc. According to legal documents obtained by Reuters, the city is suing the Austrian-based weapons manufacturer over the controversial Glock switch, a relatively cheap mechanism that converts the lightweight pistol into an illegal machine gun that can fire up to 1,200 rounds per minute. The 41-page complaintwhich was filed Tuesday in the Circuit Court of Cook Countystates Chicago police have recovered over 1,100 Glocks that have been converted into illegal machine guns in the last two years alone in connection with a wide variety of crimes. The switches, aka auto sears, are about the size of a quarter and can be illegally purchased for around $20 or produced with a 3D printer. The devices are commonly referenced in rap songs, including Kanye West and Ty Dolla Signs Vultures, Lil Durks Ahhh Ha, NLE Choppa and BigXthaPlugs Pistol Paccin, and Moneybagg Yos Switches & Dracs. Chicago officials say Glock has known about the switch problem for years but has refused to alter its guns and make them less susceptible to easy modification. Anyone with $20$25 to spare and a desire to circumvent long-standing federal and state prohibitions on possessing fully automatic machine guns can do so by buying an auto sear and affixing it to a Glock pistol, the lawsuit read. The task can be accomplished with a common household tool, like a screwdriver, and it typically takes less than five minutes with instructions readily available online. Chicago officials say Glock has the resources to correct the problem but is putting profits over public safety. While Chicago has long struggled with an epidemic of gun violence, it is unquestionable that the ease of modification of Glocks and the resulting prevalence of Modified Glocks have made the situation worse, the lawsuit continued. Criminals armed with Modified Glocks are emboldened because of their military-grade firepower, and they kill and injure more people, increasing the terror felt by ordinary Chicagoans. According to one ATF agent, the use of guns equipped with auto sears is one of the scariest things the agency has dealt with in decades. The complaint, which was filed by Chicagos law department and the gun reform group Everytown Law, is the first suit to use the states 2023 Firearms Industry Responsibility Act, which holds gun companies accountable for knowingly creat[ing], maintain[ing] or contribut[ing] to a condition in Illinois that endangers the safety or health of the public. The city is seeking monetary damages as well as a court order to stop the sales of Glock handguns to Illinois residents. More on this The San Jose, sunk by British warships in 1708, has a cargo full of treasure, including 11 million gold coins and 200 tons of silver and emeralds. Colombian Presidency/AFP via Getty The San Jose, which was sunk by British warships in 1708 Colombian authorities will begin the recovery of a 316-year-old shipwreck which is valued at $17 billion Several agencies in Colombia will work to recover the San Jose, a 150-foot-long Spanish galleon ship, which was sunk by British warships in 1708 The vessel carried 200 tons of silver and emeralds, 11 million gold coins and porcelain pottery, Colombian Navy divers have said Colombian authorities are moving forward with recovering the $17 billion shipwrecked San Jose nearly a decade after it was first discovered. The Spanish galleon ship, which sank off the coast near the port city of Cartagena in 1708, will be recovered in a partnership with the Ministry of Cultures, Arts and Knowledge; the National Navy's General Maritime Directorate and the Colombian Institute of Anthropology and History, according to a press release from the Colombian government. With a cargo full of treasure, the 150-foot-long, 64-gun, three-masted ship sank with 600 men aboard. It carried 200 tons of silver and emeralds, 11 million gold coins, and porcelain pottery, Colombian Navy divers said in June 2022, according to ABC News. Only 11 individuals survived the incident. Spain, the United States, Bolivian indigenous groups and Colombia have all claimed rights to the shipwreck in past years. Related: Centuries-Old Shipwrecks Found Near Colombia Carrying Treasure That Could Be Worth Billions But in 2011, a U.S. court determined that the ship was the property of the Colombian state, per ABC News. In 2015, then-Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos spoke at a news conference about the discovery, telling attendees, "This is the most valuable treasure that has been found in the history of humanity." 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. Since it was sunk by British warships some 316 years ago, the vessel has been remarkably untouched, officials said. Related: Mysterious 230-Ft Shipwreck Found at Bottom of Baltic Sea Raises Questions: How Did It Get There? "So far, the entire discovery of the Galeon San Jose Asset of Cultural Interest and its archaeological evidence have been deposited without any variation, other than that produced by the marine dynamics themselves (currents and fauna), with no evidence of external interventions," Colombian officials said in the release. The Colombian government will invest $1,073,646 (17,962 million pesos) in the recovery, officials noted. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 21. The EuroNest PA (Parliamentary Assembly) serves to re-germinate the enmity seeds, Azerbaijani delegation member Soltan Mammadov said at the second working session of the PA's 11th extraordinary session, Trend reports. "The voting results on the report presented by the social committee serve to sow seeds of hostility rather than peace and cooperation among the participants in the Eastern Partnership program. One of the main principles of the EuroNest PA's establishment act was to stimulate cooperation, but today we can see the contrary," he noted. Mammadov pointed out that disputes and issues brought on by climate change are among the primary issues that the entire globe is attempting to resolve. "Azerbaijan is making a significant contribution to the energy security of the world at this juncture in history by moving successfully toward a green energy transition. There may never have been as many issues facing the world as there are right now. The argument pertains to a series of intricate problems that pose a threat to all of humanity, including present and future generations. The EuroNest PA report doesn't reflect realities. The proposals and amendments we have presented were not accepted, although all proposals are based on international law and documents adopted by the UN, the Council of Europe, and other authoritative organizations," emphasized the MP. He also emphasized that the EuroNest PA should maintain objectivity and handle each member's rights equally. "We suggested that the topic of Azerbaijani refugees be included in the paper. What distinguishes them from other refugees receiving aid from other Eastern Partnership countries?" Mammadov said. The MP added that the report goes beyond a peaceful setting and conflicts with efforts to maintain security and stability in the South Caucasus, hence the delegation from Azerbaijan will vote against it. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp Down Home Fab is an HGTV home renovation series that premiered on January 16, 2023. It follows Chelsea and Cole DeBoer, who previously appeared in MTVs Teen Mom 2, as they take on various projects as part of their growing home renovation business in the city of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The second season debuted on March 21, 2024. Wondering about the Down Home Fab Season 3 Release Date? This is what we have found out. Heres all the release date information we know so far, and all the details on when it is coming out. Is there a Down Home Fab Season 3 release date? Down Home Fab Season 3 does not have an official release date, but it will likely be announced in the future. As of March 2024, HGTV has not greenlit Down Home Fab for the third season. This is not unusual as season 2 just came out, and the network will probably assess how it performs with the audience before deciding the shows future. The DeBoers came to this show with an in-built audience base because of their tenure on Teen Mom 2, and it likely contributed to the success of the first season. If Season 2 manages to replicate that success, Season 3 will probably happen. Where is Down Home Fab Season 3 coming out? Down Home Fab Season 3 could come out on HGTV. This is because the previous seasons of the series debuted on the same network. ComingSoon will provide an update if and when HGTV announces the third season of Down Home Fab. The official synopsis for Down Home Fab reads: Chelsea and Cole DeBoer of Teen Mom 2 fame flex their renovation and home design skills as they convert homes to meet the needs of clients, and spotlight their burgeoning business in their hometown of Sioux Falls, AD. The Office showrunner Greg Daniels and Nathan for You co-creator Michael Koman have teamed up for a new series set TV Spencer Legacy 11 hours ago Director Fede Alvarez recently opened up about receiving notes from two legendary figures in the Alien franchise. Speaking to The Movies Anthony Nash 11 hours ago Former Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat has announced his return to the popular franchise, confirming that he is writing an TV Ryan Louis Mantilla 12 hours ago Ahead of its debut next week, the first batch of Godzilla x Kong clips from the latest installment to the Movies Maggie Dela Paz 12 hours ago The post Will There Be a Down Home Fab Season 3 Release Date & Is It Coming Out? appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. Newsmax As House Republicans struggled to maintain any remaining momentum they might have had in their impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden during another committee hearing Wednesday, even hosts on Fox News and Newsmax seemed to be losing patience with it. Prior to the hearing, House Oversight Committee member Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) appeared on Newmaxs Wake Up America where host Rob Finnerty compared the committee's actions to a dog chasing its own tail. After noting that House Republicans have their slimmest majority yet of the current Congress, Finnerty told Jordan that unless some Democrats cross the aisle, an impeachment vote is going to be real tough. It kind of seems like youre chasing your tail at this point, because this is not going to go anywhere, he said. Fair question, Jordan replied. You know, weve got a small majority. Everybody understands thatnot just on this issue but on a host of issues. Our job, under the Constitution, is to do oversight of the executive branch. Were doing that. Were going to continue to do that. Jordan didnt indicate that his committees work would be wrapping up anytime soon, saying, Theres no time limit in the Constitution on how long you can do an investigation. We dont have a timeline, he added. Theres no specific outcome were trying to get to. Finnerty responded by stressing that the time frame is, in fact, key, because if Joe Biden gets re-elected on Nov. 5, its all for naught. Yet Jordan wouldnt commit to a vote. Again, well have to see where the conference is. In the next hour on Fox News, anchor Dana Perino was similarly skeptical. At the end of this week, Congress is set to go into recess for another two weeks, and I do think that in some ways it just feels like they keep doing the same hearing over and over again, she said. And people are starting to wonder: At some point, do you fish or cut bait, and do something about a vote or not, and move on to the general election? Fox News's Dana Perino on the GOP impeachment push: "It just feels like they keep doing the same hearing over and over again, and people are starting to wonder, at some point, do you fish or cut bait?" pic.twitter.com/JHpJGARYYe Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 20, 2024 Wednesdays hearing included testimony from Lev Parnas, a former associate of Rudy Giuliani, who said Republicans impeachment push is predicated on a bunch of false information that is being spread by the Kremlin. Eventually youve brainwashed yourself [in]to believing certain things that are not true, Parnas said of his work with the longtime Trump ally ahead of the 2020 election. I started thinking [to] myself that this cant be true. And we were doing something wrong. Last month, one of the GOPs key impeachment witnesseswho said he has ties to Russian intelligence assetswas arrested by the FBI for allegedly lying to the bureau about Biden and his son, Hunter. Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) then tried to claimdespite his past commentsthat Alexander Smirnov actually wasnt an important part of his investigation. During a break in Wednesdays hearing, committee member Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) was pressed about next steps on both Newsmax and Fox. On the former, reporter Kilmeny Duchardt asked him what the committee needs in order to fill in these holes, considering how a lot of this evidence is situational [and] circumstantial. A few hours later, Fox anchor John Roberts told Donalds that the needle hasnt appreciably moved on this case in some time, and followed up by asking how long the investigation can continue without evidence of wrongdoing on the presidents part. Also on Fox, the networks legal editor, Kerri Urbahn, seemed to sum up the day: I do think that people are maybe becoming a little bit tired of all of this. 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. Delphine Ernotte-Cunci, the CEO of France Televisions, has called the collapse of the French broadcaster-backed streamer Salto a strategic mistake. Salto a subscription streaming venture between France Televisions, TF1 and M6 dissolved last year after failing to attract subscribers amid fierce competition in France, but Ernotte-Cunci wants to see another version developed. More from Deadline During a keynote at Series Mania, she praised the upcoming British streaming service Freely, which is backed by all of the main terrestrial networks, and called on her French counterparts to explore a similar initiative. I can say we missed an opportunity, said Ernotte-Cunci. We killed Salto, but from my point of view this was a strategic mistake and I hope we can overcome it and reconsider it. A common platform is the right thing to do. Earlier today, the outgoing boss of M6, Nicolas de Tavernost, called for collective measures to expand streaming services in France. He also referenced the soon-to-launch UK offering Freely, saying: British people showed us the way but we missed a step there. Quizzed about the upcoming TF1 free streaming service, Ernotte-Cunci replied that you can go it alone or be more the merrier and stronger together, adding the discoverability was becoming harder and harder and collective platform would address this issue. We need to understand this is not the 1990s. We are in 2024 and the competition is fierce. For national media to have its voice and create information that adds to national culture, this is the way to go. I am very passionate about this. Elsewhere in the keynote speech, Ernotte-Cunci said she would consider a third term at the top of France Televisions. She joined the national broadcaster in 2015 and was reappointed for a second term in 2020. Ill ask myself the question when we know more what France Televisions will look like in the future. What I can say is Im very happy. Ernotte-Cunci, who is in her second term at the European Broadcasting Union, also talked about the benefits of France Televisions commissioning club initiative The Alliance with Germany ZDF and Rai in Italy. She noted The Alliance was inspired by the work of Nordic networks and producers, who have often pooled resources to increase the scale and scope of productions. It would be in our best interests to create a cluster [in Europe] and join forces to create programs together, she added. France Televisions is not currently part of the New 8 commissioning group, which launched in October last year and comprises ZDF (Germany), NPO (the Netherlands), VRT (Belgium), SVT (Sweden), DR (Denmark), YLE (Finland), RUV (Iceland) and NRK (Norway). Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Governor Gavin Newsom and politicians in Sacramento may still have a long way to go to conquering Californias budget deficit, but they now finally have the go-ahead from voters to get $6.4 billion to revamp the states busted mental health system and combat homelessness. Almost two weeks after Golden State voters went to the polls on March 5, the bitter battle of the bipartisan Proposition 1 is over with 50.2% of ballots approving the measure. While not uncommon for votes to take a while to be tallied in California elections, Prop 1 was on the razors edge the past two weeks in part to a stranger bedfellows coalition of civil rights groups and the grassroots conservative GOP, and in part to lower than expected voter turnout. More from Deadline This is a huge victory for doing things radically different when it comes to tackling homelessness, the governor said this afternoon on social media not long after the AP called it for Prop 1. Now its time to get to work repairing the damage caused by decades of broken promises and neglect to those suffering from severe mental illness. Thank you, California. Proposition 1 PASSES. This is a huge victory for doing things radically different when it comes to tackling homelessness. The biggest change CA has seen in DECADES. Now it's time to get to work repairing the damage caused by decades of broken promises and neglect to those https://t.co/NYNujP8Iwk Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) March 21, 2024 Even though the vote wont receive final certification until April 12, getting over the 50% line puts the measure in the winners circle. Now, counties and local officials must match the ambition of California voters, Gov. Newsom added of Prop 1s victory in a separate statement. This historic reform will only succeed if we all kick into action immediately state government and local leaders, together. As is often the case in benignly divided California, data shows that LA and the Bay Area (two big centers of the nation-wide homelessness crisis) were strongholds of Prop 1 support, while the likes of the Inland Empire and Orange County were against the measure. A mix of two bills passed by the legislature last year, the Behavioral Health Services Program and Bond Measure, as it is formally known, was the only statewide measure before Golden State voters this year. In essence, Proposition 1 will allow California to raise over $6.4 billion in bonds for housing for the tens of thousands of people in the state living on the streets. Anticipated to bulk up as it is implemented, Prop 1s big bucks will also be used to fund at least 10,000 new beds and create facilities for those with mental health and substance abuse issues. Having put a lot of his political capital into Prop 1, Gov. Newsom keeps his national profile shining going into the general election as one of President Joe Bidens top surrogates. To avoid embarrassment if Prop 1 failed and with ongoing budget talks, the governor last week postponed his State of the State speech. Originally set to be delivered today, there is no new date for the SOTS on the books as of yet. The success of the measure also came on the same day that the two-term governor, state Senate President pro Tempore Mike McGuire, and Speaker of the Assembly Robert Rivas made public their deal for unspecified solutions of up to $18 billion to address the states ballooning deficit. Due to lower tax collection revenues than projected (of which the blast radius of the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes last year certainly played a role) the deficit is estimated to be at $73 billion right now. To bring that down, the Democrat dominated legislature and Newsom are seeking to fine tune the budget with such so-called solutions plus Rainy Day Fund reserves of around $12 billion and more. One program that doesnt look like it will be trimmed is the states annual $330 million film and TV tax incentive initiative. Though last years WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes shut most production down for several long months, the revenues from the tax credit program, which was dramatically revamped in 2014 and saw some big short term bumps coming out of the pandemic, are pretty solid for the state. In that vein, LA Mayor Karen Bass told Deadline at the Shirley premiere earlier this week that she couldnt wait until the economy takes another upturn, so we can have more tax credits. as you can see below: Mayor Karen Bass (@MayorOfLA) tells @DeadlineDominic at the 'Shirley' premiere in Hollywood tonight about the state of California tax incentive programs under Gov. Gavin Newsom and the importance of tax credits | #ElectionLine pic.twitter.com/0XtBHTvcx5 Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) March 20, 2024 Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. When Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner packed up their Washington, D.C. home in January 2021 and moved to Miami, Florida, it wasnt a temporary relocation. They, and their three kids daughter Arabella, 13, and sons Joseph, 9, and Theodore, 7, arent budging from their beachside community if Donald Trump wins a second term in office. Lets just say theyve quit politics for good. A source close to Ivanka updated People on whats happening behind the scenes with Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican Party nominee for president. She is very happy, living her best life, they revealed. She left politics totally in the rearview mirror and so this time around, even if her dad is the leading Republican candidate, she basically doesnt care. The former first daughter was firm in her November 2022 statement that another presidential campaign was not part of her and Kushners long-term plans. She told him when he said he was going to run again that she didnt want to be involved, the insider added. More from SheKnows WASHINGTON, DC JANUARY 31: US President Donald Trump and Senior Advisor to President Trump, Ivanka Trump participate in the White House Summit on Human Trafficking: The 20th Anniversary of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 event in the East Room of the White House on January 31, 2020 in Washington, DC. The pals insight reflects what Ivanka told voters when her dad announced his third run for president. I love my father very much, her statement read. This time around, I am choosing to prioritize my young children and the private life we are creating as a family. Ivanka and Kushners participation in Donald Trumps 2016 campaign, and his subsequent administration, left them on the outs with their Manhattan socialite circle. In Miami, they can make a fresh start with other South Florida elites, who are welcoming them to the fold. After being a good daughter and supporting her father, Ivanka has reportedly had enough. The insider added, Shes never going to be in politics again. Its a hard position for her: she doesnt agree with everything [President Trump] says, but she doesnt want to publicly disagree with him, so she just wants to stay out of it at this stage. Ivanka was roped into several of Donald Trumps criminal and civil cases she was able to get out of the $250 million New York business fraud suit, but will likely have to testify in his Jan. 6, 2021, election interference case, which is on indefinite hold, per NBC News. Ivanka is keeping her schedule busy on the social scene and doing her best to separate herself from his scandals, according to a second People source. Shes doing that by taking a page out of stepmother Melania Trumps playbook, preferring to pick and choose the family gatherings she attends, like Melania does. That means that Ivanka, Kushner, and their children will stay away from most 2024 Donald Trump events if they involve even the slightest hint of politics. Before you go, click here to see every time Ivanka Trump has tried to distance herself from the Trump family: Ivanka Trump Best of SheKnows Sign up for SheKnows' Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Jonathan Majors has reacted to the lawsuit filed against him by his ex-girlfriend, Grace Jabbari. The British dancer earlier in the week filed new claims of battery, assault, and malicious prosecution, among others, against him in a New York federal court. While the move surprised many, Majors has revealed that he "knew it was coming from the beginning." Jonathan Majors Wasn't 'Surprised' By Grace Jabbari's Lawsuit MEGA After meeting Jabbari on the set of a Marvel movie, Majors and the British dancer dated for two years, however, their relationship hit the rocks in March 2023 following an incident of domestic violence. Majors has since been found guilty of some charges filed by state prosecutors related to that incident and is awaiting his sentence hearing. But just earlier in the week, Jabbari surprisingly filed a new set of charges against him. In an interview with TMZ, Majors shared his thoughts about the lawsuit, saying that he was "not surprised" that his ex made such a move. "I knew it was coming from the beginning, really," Majors told the publication while leaving a workout facility in Los Angeles with fitness expert Jason Best. When questioned further for additional information, the actor told the outlet that he "can't say much else about it," adding that the "law" restricts him from doing so. The Reason Why The Former Marvel Star's Ex Is Suing Him MEGA Jabbari's charges against Majors include claims of battery, assault, and malicious prosecution, among others. As part of her filing, she claimed that Majors subjected her to a "pattern of pervasive domestic abuse that began in 2021 and extended through 2023." She also alleged that Majors went about defaming and "publicly abusing her reputation" after he was charged in court for the earlier case. "Following his arrest, Majors immediately implemented an extensive media campaign smearing Grace, claiming that he was "completely innocent," "is probably the victim," Jabbari's suit read, per The Hollywood Reporter. It further read that "[Majors] did not assault her whatsoever" and that "this woman was having an emotional crisis, for which she was taken to a hospital." Experts Warned About Jonathan Majors' Post-Trial Interviews MEGA After his trial concluded, Majors went on multiple interviews expressing surprise at the jury's guilty verdict. In one of the interviews he had on ABC's "Good Morning America," Majors opened up about his assault trial and revealed that he was "shocked" at the jury's decision. He said, "I shouldn't have been in the car. I shouldn't have stepped out of the relationship. I shouldn't have been in the relationship. If I'm not in the car, none of this is happening." When the interviewer asked him if he was taking responsibility for what happened but not the injuries, Majors replied, "Can't say that. None of her injuries." The "Creed III" actor shared how stunned he was by the verdict, implying that the evidence was in his favor. "I was absolutely shocked and afraid," he said. "How is that possible? Based off the evidence, based off the prosecution's evidence, let alone our evidence." MEGA Majors' interviews raised eyebrows, with legal experts warning that it could negatively affect his sentencing. Cary London, a lawyer unaffiliated with the case, shared his thoughts on the actor's interview with THR. London stated it was a "very unusual" move from a defendant awaiting sentencing. He noted that while Majors was most likely not serving jail time, the judge might be swayed to punish him with jail time due to the interview. He said, "The judge has a wide variety of tools at his disposal at sentencing, including anger management, community service, other programming and jail time. If the defendant says anything to piss off the judge, or insults the integrity of the judicial system, I could easily see the judge giving him a taste of jail." The Actor Was Recently Accused Of Abuse By Two Ex-girlfriends MEGA Jabbari's suit comes in the wake of more abuse allegations from two women whom Majors was involved with in the past. The women named Emma Duncan and Maura Hooper opened up about their relationship with the former Marvel star in a report from the New York Times. Duncan claimed that she suffered both physical and emotional abuse during her relationship with the actor from 2015 to 2019. Similarly, Hooper alleged that Majors subjected her to emotional abuse during their relationship from 2013 to 2015. However, Majors' lawyer, Priya Chaudhry, denied the claims of physical abuse but admitted that the relationships were "toxic" and that Majors "did say hurtful things." "These relationships were between young drama students, and all began with mutual intensity," Chaudhry told People magazine. Jonathan Majors' Sentencing Hearing Was Recently Postponed MEGA Majors was scheduled to be sentenced on February 6 after a jury found him guilty of two out of the charges stemming from the domestic violence incident with Jabbari. However, it was recently postponed to April 8 after the "Creed III" actor's lawyers filed several post-conviction motions. According to reports, the actor could face up to a year in jail when his sentencing date finally arrives. The possible jail term comes in addition to a series of career losses the actor has faced before and after the guilty verdict. The actor was dropped from his enigmatic role as Kang the Conqueror in the MCU, which he was expected to reprise in the MCU's next phase projects, "Avengers: The Kang Dynasty" and "Avengers: Secret Wars." He was also removed from a Searchlight project, a biopic about Otis Redding, and two upcoming movies, "48 Hours in Vegas" and "The Man in My Basement." A new podcast unpacks the specifics of Donald Trump's charges, relying on the A-list actors to emphasize their gravity Karwai Tang/WireImage; Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty; Scott Olson/Getty Liam Neeson and Glenn Close read excerpts from Donald Trump's indictments in a new political podcasts in Liam Neeson and Glenn Close are using their award-winning voices to help Americans understand why former President Donald Trump is under criminal indictment. In a new bonus episode of MSNBC's podcast Prosecuting Donald Trump, the A-listers read excerpts from two of Trump's indictments the federal indictment over his behavior after the 2020 election, and the New York indictment over alleged hush money payments while legal analysts Andrew Weissmann and Melissa Murray unpack exactly what they mean. Related: The Cases Against Trump: What to Know About the Various Investigations Surrounding the 45th U.S. President Neeson's voice begins the episode as he reads directly from the federal indictment, pulling phrases such as, "Despite having lost, the defendant [Trump] was determined to remain in power. So for more than two months following election day on November 3, 2020, the defendant spread lies that there had been outcome determinative fraud in the election and that he had actually won. These claims were false, and the defendant knew that they were false." Per the indictment, Trump was charged with one count each of conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding, and conspiracy against rights. He pleaded not guilty to the charges in August 2023. As the podcast hosts note, Trump has claimed his words about election fraud and false claims about winning the election should be protected as free speech. But, notes Weissmann, "Words can be used to commit crimes ... it is just a bogus argument." Elaborating on her co-host's point, Murray said that the indictment itself details that it's fine for someone engaged in a contested election to make statements, but they cannot "tip over past that point and ... encourage people to take lawless action by feeding them lies that they believe." "Donald Trump knew that the election had not been stolen, he continued to perpetuate the lie that it had, and it had really violent consequences on Jan. 6," Murray added. Samuel Corum/Getty The Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol, as Donald Trump's supporters attempted to stop the certification of the 2020 election Elsewhere in the podcast, Close can be heard reading from the New York indictment. "On the hush money payments, the defendant, Donald J. Trump, repeatedly and fraudulently falsified New York business records to conceal criminal conduct that damaging information from the voting public during the 2016 presidential election," Close reads from the indictment. According to prosecutors in that case, Trump orchestrated a hush money scheme that lasted from August 2015 just two months after he formally announced his run for the presidency to December 2017, after he took office. The scheme, they allege, saw Trump ask his attorney to pay off those who were trying to sell negative stories about him, such as women with whom he'd had affairs. In April 2023, Trump faced a Manhattan judge and pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts involving the alleged hush money payments to two women, believed to be (though not named by prosecutors) adult film star Stormy Daniels and former Playboy Playmate Karen McDougal. Related: Donald Trump Sues George Stephanopoulos for Defamation Following Viral ABC News Interview A second episode, which airs Friday, includes takeaways from two other criminal indictments: the Florida classified documents case brought by Special Counsel Jack Smith and the Georgia election interference case brought by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. The podcast's special episodes center around Weissmann and Murray's new book, The Trump Indictments: The Historic Charging Documents with Commentary, which examine all four indictments filed against the former president. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Police say Skylar Meade is on the run with his alleged accomplice, Nicholas Umphenour Boise Police Department/Facebook Syklar Meade Idaho police are on an urgent search for an inmate and his alleged accomplice, who authorities say carried out a pre-planned prison break early Wednesday morning that left three officers injured. Skylar Meade, 31 who was serving nearly 8 years of a 20-year sentence for having shot at a deputy in 2016 during a high speed chase and Nicholas Umphenour, 28, were last seen fleeing in a gray 2020 Honda Civic with Idaho license plates. The incident, according to the Boise Police Department, began Tuesday evening when Meade was transported to the Saint Alhponsus Regional Medical Center for self-inflicted injuries. Hours later, around 2:15 a.m. local time Wednesday, officers from the Idaho Department of Corrections (IDOC) began to transport Meade back behind bars. But they were quickly ambushed by a man later identified by Umphenour, who allegedly opened fire at them in the ambulance bay. Boise Police Department/Facebook Skylar Meade "We believe that this was a coordinated attack on the Department of Corrections officers, and certainly a planned endeavor to free him from custody," Chief Ron Winegar of the Boise Police Department told reporters in a press conference Wednesday afternoon. Two corrections officers were shot during the gunfight. A third correction officer, in the chaos of the incident, was mistakenly shot at the emergency room entrance police say by a guard responding to the scene who believed the officer was the shooter. All three officers survived, with one in critical but stable condition. The hospital was placed under lockdown as police searched for the suspects. "All patients and staff are safe, the medical center campus is safe and secure, and has resumed normal operations," Leticia Ramirez said Wednesday morning in a statement. Boise Police Department/Facebook Nicholas Umphenour Meade, according to police, is a member of White supremacist group called the Aryan Knights. The 5-foot-6, 150-pound. man has A and K tattooed on his abdomen as well as the numbers 1 and 11 for A and K, the first and 11th letters of the alphabet inked on his face. He has prior convictions including felony possession of a controlled substance, grand theft, and introduction of contraband into a correctional facility, authorities said. He was set to be released in October 2036, and was eligible for parole in 2026. Umphenour is said to be 5-foot-11 and 160 pounds. A warrant for his arrest has been issued on two charges of aggravated battery against law enforcement and one charge of aiding and abetting an escape. It comes with a $2 million bond. Both men have shaved heads, with brown facial hair and hazel eyes. Idaho State Police A release in the Idaho missing persons case The FBI is now involved in the manhunt. "I want to make sure that the public knows these folks are dangerous," Chief Winegar said. "They are dangerous, they are armed and they have shown a propensity for violence." "They could be anywhere at this point," he added. "We are following every lead and accepting every possibility." Anyone who spots the suspects are warned not to approach and immediately call 911 or Ada County Dispatch at 208-377-6790. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. An Idaho inmate escaped custody Wednesday, prompting a massive manhunt. He is considered dangerous and is still on the run as of Thursday morning. Skylar Meade, 31, was transported to Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise, Idaho for self-inflicted injuries on Wednesday. He was set to be transported back to the corrections facility around 2:15 a.m., however, instead of going back to prison, he escaped custody, with the help of another individual. Police Believe This To Be A Coordinated Attack Boise Police Department Meade, pictured above, had an accomplice, later identified as Nicholas Umphenour, who surprise attacked multiple corrections officers after he opened fire, according to police. Two officers were shot -- one with non-life-threatening injuries and the other who was stable in critical condition. The third sustained non-life-threatening injuries during crossfire with Boise Police, according to police. "Boise Police officers responded to the hospital to reports of an active shooter, with one officer firing his duty weapon at an armed individual near the entrance," the police department confirmed. "That individual was later determined to be an IDOC employee. He was not seriously injured and is receiving treatment for his injuries." Adding, "The hospital was locked down as officers searched the area for the suspect. A preliminary investigation indicates Meade and the shooting suspect got into a grey four-door sedan and fled the area just prior to Boise Police officers arriving." Boise Police Chief Ron Winegar said in a press conference that they "believe that this was a coordinated attack, ambush on the department of corrections officers and certainly a planned endeavor to free him from custody." Both Meade and Umphenour fled in a gray four-door sedan. Officers Have Secured The Scene (1/3) An officer-involved shooting investigation is underway after an incident at Saint Alphonsus early this morning. Officers have secured the scene. Boise Police are looking for two outstanding suspects traveling in a grey four-door sedan, possibly a Honda Civic with ID plates. pic.twitter.com/Km3mdKw7XP Boise PD (@BoisePD) March 20, 2024 Police confirmed the vehicle to be a Grey 2020 Honda Civic with license plate 2-T-D-F-4-3-U. "One suspect, pictured in the tweet above, is escaped IDOC inmate Skylar Meade," police confirmed. "Both suspects are known to be armed and dangerous." At 7:28 a.m. on Thursday, Boise police confirmed, "The hospital was placed on a temporary modified lockdown but has since resumed normal operations. More information will be released shortly. The Ada County Sheriff's Office is leading the CITF investigation." Details Surrounding The Prison Break Pexels This brazen, violent, and apparently coordinated attack on Idaho Department of Corrections personnel, to facilitate an escape of a dangerous inmate, was carried out right in front of the Emergency Department, where people come for medical help, often in the direst circumstances," Chief Ron Winegar stated in a social media post. Adding, "When BPD officers responded, they believed the shooter was inside the Emergency Department. They immediately entered to address any potential continued threat to Emergency Room staff. I am grateful this harrowing incident did not result in loss of life, and we are monitoring the wounded IDOC officers with great hope for a full and speedy recovery of all involved." Winegar is cautioning "anyone who may have contact with the suspects involved in this violent attack and escape to call 911 immediately and not confront them personally. They are armed, dangerous, and have shown they are willing to use extreme violence in furtherance of their criminal activity. Officers have since obtained a warrant for Nicholas Umphenour's arrest on two charges of aggravated battery against law enforcement and one charge of aiding and abetting an escape of IDOC inmate Skylar Meade of Twin Falls. The warrant has a $2 million bond. Police Issue A Blue Alert MEGA BPD Chief Rone Winegar confirmed that police issued a blue alert, with the intention of providing as much info as we could as quickly as possible because Meade and the shooting suspect and anybody else who might be involved in this brazen attempt to get Meade out of custody." He added that both individuals "are dangerous, they are armed, and they have shown a propensity for violence. I would call it unprecedented and unthinkable. Were certainly as part of routine policy and practice, well do everything we can to try to learn for this event, said IDOC Director Josh Tewalt. For today, our hearts are with our staff, and everyone involved, and our attention is on apprehending those responsible. Meade was arrested in 2016 for aggravated battery on a Twin Falls officer. He was set to be released in 2036. Suspect And Inmate Are Considered Armed & Dangerous MEGA Nicholas Umphenour is described as being 511, about 160 lbs, with brown hair and hazel eyes. Skylar Meade is approximately 506, 150 lbs. Officers continue to warn that the suspect, Nicholas Umphenour, and the escaped inmate, Skylar Meade, are considered armed and dangerous, so if you come in contact with them, do not approach them. At this time, it is unknown exactly where they are or where they are headed. Anyone with information is asked to call Ada County Dispatch at 208-377-6790. Donald Trump is warming to the idea of Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) being his running mate, according to NBC News. The network reported Wednesday that Rubio is moving up the list of candidates to be Trumps vice president pick, citing six sources familiar with the search. Rubio, 52, is young and telegenic, could influence Latino voters as the son of Cuban immigrants and would be the first minority to appear on a GOP presidential ticket, NBC noted. He also has a record of Trump allegiance. Rubio recently endorsed the idea of the Republican National Committee helping Trump pay his mounting legal bills. The senator also downplayed Trumps incendiary remark that he would encourage Russia to do whatever the hell they want to other NATO countries. He doesnt talk like a traditional politician, Rubio rationalized last month. You think people would have figured it out. Sen. Marco Rubio speaks to reporters as he leaves the TikTok briefing in the U.S. Capitol on March 20. Bill Clark via Getty Images Its pretty clear from Trumps orbit that Rubio is in play, a Florida GOP operative told NBC. It makes sense because he checks almost every box if they can get past both being from Florida. There are constitutional obstacles to a presidential ticket being from the same state (remember Trump changed his residence to Florida), but a workaround might be possible. In 2000 Dick Cheney changed his voter registration from Texas to Wyoming to remove a possible impediment to his sharing the ticket with eventual President (and fellow Texas homeowner) George W. Bush. A court later ruled that Cheney, a former Wyoming congressman who moved to Dallas to be chair of Halliburton Co. in the 1990s, was a Wyoming resident. Other possibilities for Trump include Sen. Tim Scott (S.C.), South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem and Rep. Elise Stefanik (N.Y.). Someone in Trumps camp told NBC the search was far from over. The list is long, and its extremely early in any kind of process, the adviser said. No one has been directly reached out to yet, and I do not expect that for some time. HuffPost reached out to Rubio for comment but did not immediately receive a response. Related... BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 21. Azerbaijan and China have strong determination to comprehensively develop the partnership, Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Head of the Foreign Policy Department of the Presidential Administration Hikmet Hajiyev said in an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Trend reports. China has always been friendly to Azerbaijan. Since independence of Azerbaijan we have seen the support of China. Azerbaijan has achieved its own success story where we see the active engagement, cooperation and partnership of our Chinese friends and Chinese companies were the part of this success story. We have strong determination to comprehensively develop Azerbaijan-Chinese partnership and cooperation, he said. Hajiyev went on to add that political relations between the two countries have always been perfect. There has been mutual understanding and dialogue. Particularly, Azerbaijan has always supported One China policy. In terms of economic relations, Azerbaijan has identified green growth and digital transformation as one of its national priorities. Azerbaijan is also the host country of COP29. The Middle Corridor is gaining additional importance and significance. In all of these areas, including the cultural sphere, cooperation in international institutions, the views and visions of China and Azerbaijan are concurrent. Based on the traditional bonds, cooperation and friendship, we simply look forward, he added. A group of British public figures, including Prince Harry and Hugh Grant, on Wednesday sought to amend their phone-hacking lawsuit against Rupert Murdochs News Group Newspapers (NGN) and rope in some of the companys current and former top executivesincluding Murdoch himself and Will Lewis, the new publisher of The Washington Post. Lawyers for the Duke of Sussex, Grant, and the other claimants alleged on Wednesday that Murdoch, along with Lewis and News U.K. CEO Rebekah Brooks were personally aware of efforts to cover up the companys yearslong phone-hacking scandal at News of the World and The Sun. The amendments sought to include them in the lawsuit, along with numerous former journalists, executives, and private investigators. The group raised their allegations as part of their lawsuit against the company over the alleged phone hackings between the late 1990s and 2016. The case is expected to go to trial in January 2025, nearly a year after Harry settled a similar lawsuit against the Daily Mirrors publisher. The decision to name Lewis in the lawsuit was first reported by Byline Investigates. Prince Harry May Deliver the Next Huge Blow to Murdochs Empire In Wednesdays hearing, claimant lawyer David Sherborne alleged that NGNs assertion that one rogue reporter was responsible for the phone-hacking scandal was false, according to Reuters. Sherborne sought to introduce evidence from a former IT engineer that would show Brooks hard drive may have been deliberately destroyed to cover up her knowledge of the companys actions. The lawyers had accused Lewis in court documents of similarly working to help cover up the companys knowledge of the scandal upon his News U.K. hiring in 2010. NGN lawyer Anthony Hudson pushed back against the proposed amendment, arguing the plaintiffs sought to use the civil lawsuit as a proxy for a public trial over allegations that had already been investigated. It has become increasingly clear that at least some members of the claimant group appear to be using this document as a vehicle for wider campaigning interests against the tabloid press," Hudson said. News U.K. also pushed back against the proposed amendment in a statement, saying that Prince Harry and his fellow claimants sought to relitigate issues irrelevant to the lawsuit and distract from the fact that the Crown Prosecution Service, the English equivalent of a district attorneys office, declined in 2015 to bring charges against the company. The attempt to add the amendments now has nothing to do with seeking compensation for victims of phone hacking or unlawful information gathering, a spokesperson wrote in a statement to The Daily Beast. They are irrelevant to the fair and just determination of claims. New Washington Post Publisher Infuriated His Old News Corp Staff During Phone Hacking Crisis Murdochs alleged knowledge of the companys phone-hacking scandal has been speculated on for years, but Lewis alleged knowledge has faced increased scrutiny since his appointment as The Washington Posts publisher late last year. NPR examined Lewis role within News U.K. and reported last year how lawyers for Harry and Grant argued he was instrumental in approving efforts to cover up alleged executive knowledge of the companys efforts. The Daily Beast later reported how Lewis role on News Corps Management and Standards Committee between 2010 and 2012 often left British journalists angered at how he had them thrown to the wolves after they were accused of wrongdoing in the scandal. (Twenty-two Sun journalists were arrested and one was convicted, though that conviction was overturned on appeal.) Lewis, for his part, has declined to address the scandal in detail, and the Post declined to comment. In an interview with the Post upon accepting the publisher role, he downplayed his involvement on the committee and said he would not discuss the saga further. I took a view very early on that Im never going to talk about it, he said. And its either right or wrong that Ive done that. 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. M. Emmet Walsh, who appeared in more than 1oo films in his decades-long careerincluding alongside Harrison Ford in Blade Runner and Dustin Hoffman in Little Big Mandied in Vermont at the age of 88, his manager confirmed. Speaking to the Associated Press, Sandy Joseph confirmed the news of the actors death from cardiac arrest on Tuesday at a hospital in St. Albans in Vermont, but did not provide further details. Walshs tremendous body of work includes 119 feature films and more than 250 television productions, a statement to the New York Post added. Born in 1935, Walsh began his film career as an uncredited bus passenger in the 1969 Oscar-winning film Midnight Cowboy, with Jon Voight and Hoffman. He followed with Alices Restaurant the same year. His face was splashed across movie screens ever since, alongside Hoffman again in the 1970 flick Little Big Man as well as Escape from the Planet of the Apes in 1971 and 2004s Christmas with the Cranks. He will be remembered for his role as Harrison Fords boss in Blade Runner and as the brutal private detective Loren Visser in Blood Simple, the Coen brothers directing debut. Other notable credits include Whats Up, Doc? with Barbra Streisand, Slap Shot alongside Paul Newman, and The Jerk with Steve Martin in 1979. More recently, he played a small role in 2019 murder-mystery Knives Out. I saw it three or four days later when it opened in LA, and I was, like: Wow! he told The Guardian in 2017 of his role in Blood Simple. Suddenly my price went up five times. I was the guy everybody wanted. He also appeared in a number of TV series across his lengthy career, including All in the Family in 1971, Little House on the Prairie in 1981, Frasier in 2001, NYPD Blue in 2000 and American Gigolo in 2022. He also appeared in four episodes voicing the character of the Cosmic Own in Adventure Time. 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 Queen even made a joke at her husband's expense Chris Jackson - Pool/Getty Queen Camilla smiles as she attends the "Northern Ireland: Poets and Their Place" at Hillsborough Castle during her visit to Northern Ireland on March 21, 2024. Queen Camilla offered a new comment on how King Charles is doing while receiving cancer treatment during her solo trip to Northern Ireland. On Thursday, the Queen, 76, stepped out in Belfast to check out some of the citys artisan and family-run food shops, where she briefly spoke about her husbands health at the Arcadia Delicatessen. "He's doing very well. He was very disappointed he couldn't come," Queen Camilla said after shop assistant Brenda Robb gave her a get-well card for the King, 75, and shared well-wishes, Hello! magazine reported. According to the outlet, the royal had something playful to say when someone cracked a joke about men "not being the best patients." "I try to keep him in order," Queen Camilla replied about her husband of 18 years. Samir Hussein - Pool/Getty Queen Camilla visits the Arcadia food store on March 21, 2024 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Related: Queen Camilla Calls Her Grandson Louis a 'Handful,' But She Didn't Mean Prince Louis The Queen spoke about King Charles again during a stop at the family-run Coffey's Butcher, which has been in business since 1929, when she accepted a gift of the stores specialties including vegetable rolls, beef sausages and Belfast pickle. "I shall take these back to my husband. He will really make the most of them," Queen Camilla said of the treats, Hello! reported. Chris Jackson - Pool/Getty Queen Camilla smiles as she attends the "Northern Ireland: Poets and Their Place" at Hillsborough Castle during her visit to Northern Ireland on March 21, 2024. The Queen also popped into Knotts Bakery, where she made no promises that the fruit loaf and iced madeira they gave her would make it home for the King to sample. "She said she'd eat some of them on the way home," family bakery co-owner William Corrie the outlet. Samir Hussein - Pool/Getty Queen Camilla visits Knotts Bakery on March 21, 2024 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Related: King Charles Meets with Korean War Veterans as Royal Family Conspiracy Theories Continue Online The Queen then traveled back to Hillsborough Castle, which is the official royal residence for members of the British royal family while in Northern Ireland, where her charity The Queens Reading Room hosted the event "Northern Ireland: Poets and Their Place" on World Poetry Day. Queen Camillas trip to Northern Ireland followed her day on the Isle of Man and was announced with a video of her arrival at Hillsborough Castle on Thursday shared to X by the royal family's official social media handle. According to the Feb. 5 statement from Buckingham Palace that announced that the King had been diagnosed with cancer, the monarch has postponed public-facing duties on the advice of his doctors while receiving treatment. Her Majesty The Queen has arrived at Hillsborough Castle, ahead of a day of engagements in Northern Ireland tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/jk1mrYQhJS The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) March 20, 2024 Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! The palace has not specified the type of cancer (though a spokesperson confirmed it is not prostate cancer following the Kings treatment for benign prostate enlargement in January), and King Charles has continued to work behind the scenes. A source close to the royal household previously told PEOPLE says that the monarch is "coping well" with his treatment. The sovereign appeared in good spirits on Tuesday when he met Korean War veterans to mark the 70th anniversary of the conflict (which was in July 2023) at Buckingham Palace. Jonathan Brady - WPA Pool/Getty Images King Charles meets Korean War veterans on March 19, 2024. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. For more than a decade, a slew of posts on Reddit and across social media have made the claim that in the early 1990s, the then-heir apparent for the leadership of North Korea, Kim Jong Il who is still known today, even after his death, as the eternal chairman of the National Defense Commission of the republic used fake passports to take his young son, future Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un, to visit Disneyland. For example, on Jan. 20, 2024, the Instagram account @modernnotoriety posted the following image: (modernnotoriety/Instagram) Meanwhile, another post on X by the account @VisionaryVoid stated the same claim this way: The story goes that Kim Jong-Il and Kim Jong-Un, in an attempt to keep their identities concealed, acquired counterfeit Brazilian passports to gain access to international destinations, including the famous Disneyland theme park in the United States. This purported escapade was seen as an unusual and somewhat ironic move for the leaders of a secretive and isolated regime like North Korea. Due to the various confirmed reports about members of the Kim ruling family using fraudulent passports to travel internationally, and with some, but not all, family members reportedly having visited Tokyo Disney Resort (but not Disneyland in the U.S.), this story could do with separating fact from falsehood. Articles on the Tokyo Disney story published by U.K. news outlets Express and Telegraph, and by Al Jazeera, cited Japanese news outlets NHK and the widely read newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun. In 2011, Yomiuri Shimbun reported that on May 12, 1991 (the same year Kim Jong Il was elevated to supreme commander of the Korean People's Army), Kim Jong Un and another boy thought to be his older brother Kim Jong-Chul entered Japan using fake Brazilian passports. They were reported to have stayed in the country for more than a week, visiting Tokyo Disney on multiple occasions during that trip. According to Express: The future leader was eight years old when he made the trip from the rogue state to Tokyo's Walt Disney inspired resort, according to Japanese broadcaster NHK. They alleged that a number of covert tricks, illegal actions and steps were taken to ensure Kim's safety. Reports stated that Kim Jong-un and another boy, believed to be his older brother, Kim Jong-Chul, visited the attraction "a number of times" in 1991. The siblings were said to have entered Japan on May 12, 1991, using Brazilian passports and left more than a week later, according to newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun. The reports said that although NHK claimed the two boys were accompanied by up to 10 adult officials from North Korea, there was no evidence that the boys' father Kim Jong Il who ascended to North Korean leadership in 1994 and died in 2011 at age 70 was among those adults, nor is there any evidence to suggest the family visited any Disney theme park located in the U.S. or any other Disney location throughout the world, aside from the Tokyo Disney theme park. Separately, Reuters reported that in the late 1990s, Kim Jong Il and then-teenaged Kim Jong Un used fraudulent Brazilian passports. Both passports carried the stamp "Embassy of Brazil in Prague," and were issued Feb. 26, 1996. The subjects in the photographs used for the faked documents were confirmed as Kim Jong Un and his father, of whose birthplaces were listed as Sao Paulo, Brazil. Per Reuters: "They used these Brazilian passports, which clearly show the photographs of Kim Jong Un and Kim Jong Il, to attempt to obtain visas from foreign embassies," one senior Western security source said on condition of anonymity. Kim Jong Un's older half-brother, Kim Jong-Nam, entered Japan illegally in 2001 along with his wife, then-4-year-old son, and another woman who was believed to be either a relative or nanny, according to The Guardian and multiple outlets. They were headed to Tokyo Disney, with Jong-Nam traveling on a fake passport from the Dominican Republic. The family was detained by immigration officials at Tokyo's Narita International Airport for attempting to enter the country on false documents before being deported to Beijing. Kim Jong-Nam reportedly never made it to Tokyo Disney on that trip. An article published by The Japan Times in May, 2001, said: A man detained by immigration officials at Narita airport on suspicion of trying to enter Japan illegally has admitted he is the oldest son of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, Japanese public security officials said Thursday. The officials quoted the man, who confirmed that he is Kim Jong Nam, as saying he wanted to visit Tokyo Disneyland. ... South Korean sources in Japan said it was "highly likely" that the detained man was Kim, adding that Kim has entered Japan before on a fake passport. As the eldest son of Supreme Leader Kim Jong Il, Jong Nam was considered the heir apparent before reportedly being exiled to China due to the incident at Narita Airport, which is said to have embarrassed his father, thus leading to Jong Nam's swift replacement by his younger sibling Jong Un in the line of succession. On Feb. 13, 2017, Jong Nam was assassinated at Malaysia's Kuala Lumpur International Airport at the behest of his younger brother Jong Un. The Wall Street Journal showed security footage from the airport, in which two females could be seen carrying out the attack on Jong-Nam, after he had his face swiped with a cloth said to be soaked in the deadly nerve agent VX. Sources: Author, No. "Son of North Korean Leader Detained at Narita Airport." The Japan Times, 4 May 2001, https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2001/05/04/national/son-of-north-korean-leader-detained-at-narita-airport/. Berlinger, Joshua. "VX Nerve Agent Used to Kill Kim Jong Nam, Police Say." CNN, 24 Feb. 2017, https://www.cnn.com/2017/02/23/asia/kim-jong-nam-vx-nerve-agent/index.html. Faulconbridge, Guy. "Exclusive - North Korean Leaders Used Brazilian Passports to Apply for Western Visas: Sources." Reuters, 27 Feb. 2018. www.reuters.com, https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKCN1GB2AZ/. "Https://Twitter.Com/Historyinmemes/Status/1656426885637632003." X (Formerly Twitter), https://twitter.com/historyinmemes/status/1656426885637632003. Accessed 7 Mar. 2024. "Https://Twitter.Com/VisionaryVoid/Status/1761445343860809900." X (Formerly Twitter), https://twitter.com/VisionaryVoid/status/1761445343860809900. Accessed 7 Mar. 2024. "Japan Expels North Korean Leader's Son." Washington Post, 17 Jan. 2024. www.washingtonpost.com, https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2001/05/04/japan-expels-north-korean-leaders-son/ed6c37be-aa3c-4081-9ebe-663e99632675/. Kim Jong-Un: North Korean Leader's Secret Visit to Disneyland under False Identity Exposed | World | News | Express.Co.Uk. 3 May 2020, https://web.archive.org/web/20200503030350/https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1276988/kim-jon-un-news-dead-secret-visit-disneyland-false-identity-north-korea-asia-undead-spt. "Kim Jong-Un 'Secretly Visited Tokyo Disneyland as a Child.'" The Telegraph, 22 Dec. 2011, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/northkorea/8972975/Kim-Jong-un-secretly-visited-Tokyo-Disneyland-as-a-child.html. North Korea and the Brazil Passports: Why Were They Used by the Kims? 1 Mar. 2018. www.bbc.com, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-43242596. Park, Ju-Min. "Five Years Ago, North Korean Leader's Brother Pleaded for His Life." Reuters, 15 Feb. 2017. www.reuters.com, https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN15U1OR/. "The Moment Kim Jong Nam Was Attacked: CCTV Footage." WSJ, https://www.wsj.com/video/the-moment-kim-jong-nam-was-attacked-cctv-footage/D4AAC6B7-60BE-4457-8B20-093F3F063197. Accessed 7 Mar. 2024. The Seoul Times. https://theseoultimes.com/ST/?url=/ST/db/read.php?idx=3052. Accessed 7 Mar. 2024. Watts, Jonathan, and John Gittings. "Little General Gets Marching Orders on Trip to Disneyland." The Guardian, 5 May 2001. The Guardian, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2001/may/05/northkorea. "Rust" prosecutors are attempting to stop armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed from getting a new trial. Earlier this month, the rookie armorer, who had only served on one movie set before "Rust," was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. It only took a jury less than three hours to get it overturned; however, prosecutors for the state of New Mexico are attempting to stop her from obtaining a new trial and a release from jail. 'Rust' Armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed May Not Be Able To Obtain A New Trial MEGA On October 21, 2021, a gun held by actor Alec Baldwin went off, striking both cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and director Joel Souza, who was standing directly behind her. Souza was hospitalized as a result of the incident; Hutchins was fatally wounded and passed away en route to a medical treatment center in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In January 2023, both Alec Baldwin and armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed were charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection with the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. In April 2023, charges against Baldwin were dropped without prejudice pending further review of the gun. After a FBI report concluded that the trigger had to be pulled for the gun to go off, charges were refiled against the "30 Rock" actor in January 2024, to which he entered a plea of not guilty. Hannah Gutierrez-Reed Was Charged With Tampering With Evidence MEGA While deliberating whether or not to charge Baldwin in the summer of 2023, prosecutors slapped Hannah Gutierrez-Reed with a new charge of tampering with evidence. During her trial, a witness from the "Rust" set came forward to say that Gutierrez-Reed gave her a bag of white powder on the day that Hutchins was killed. The woman, who described herself as a recovered addict, said that she identified the white powder of cocaine and threw it away. She told the jury she never brought up the white powder because she did not want to get involved with the police investigation. Despite allegations that the white powder was cocaine and might have left the rookie armorer "impaired" on set, the bag of white powder was never found or tested. As such, a jury acquitted her of a single charge of tampering with evidence. 'Rust' Lawyers Argue That Jury Instructions Were Unclear MEGA Attorneys for former "Rust" armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, Jason Bowles, and Monica Barreras, argued last week that the armorer deserves a new trial because the jury instructions were unclear, citing a New Mexico Supreme Court decision that involved two daycare workers. The hiccup hangs on the "and/or" conjunction, which lawyer Jason Bowles argues might not have been clear to a jury during their deliberation. The jury was asked to find that the armorer loaded live ammunition into the gun, and/or that she failed to properly check the ammunition. However, in new court documents obtained by The Blast, Santa Fe prosecutors noted that the daycare death lawsuit where the jury was instructed "A, B, and/or C" which was confusing and got thrown out. They note that Gutierrez-Reed's case was simpler: "A and/or B" and either A, B, or a combination of A and B was enough to convict. New Mexico Prosecutors Reject Attempt At A New Trial Due To Grammar MEGA According to the new court documents, the prosecutors note that "The instruction at issue states, 'Hannah Gutierrez loaded live ammunition into a firearm intended to contain only inert ammunition, and/or Hannah Gutierrez failed to perform an adequate safety check of the ammunition she loaded into the firearm[.]'" "This simple instruction did not require much effort for the jury to understand," the filing states. "The jury could have found that the defendant committed one act or the other, both, or neither. The inquiry was straightforward and did not require complicated parsing of syntax, such as requiring the jury to decide between multiple permutations of several acts, as was the case in Taylor," referring to the daycare lawsuit. "This instruction on its face is clear and concise. It would not result in a reasonable juror or jury being confused as to which acts are necessary to convict the defendant," the filing adds. "There are but two options and the instructions make clear the jury could have selected one or the other, both, or neither. This instruction is not confusing and not remotely similar to the complex instruction the Taylor court found to be unlawful." Hannah Gutierrez-Reed Faces 18 Months Behind Bars MEGA The filing goes on to state, "The instructions used at defendant's trial were neither confusing nor legally insufficient," noting that while "the Court makes clear that the use of 'and/or' should be avoided in jury instructions, the test for determining whether instructions are legally insufficient is far more complex." As such, they are requesting that the court deny Hannah Gutierrez-Reed's emergency motion for a new trial and release. It is clear what the judge will decide, but it seems unlikely that the rookie armorer will be granted a new trial given the delay from its original December 2023 scheduled date. Hannah Gutierrez-Reed is currently being held in the Santa Fe County Detention Center and faces up to 18 months behind bars at her sentencing, which is scheduled to be held on April 9, 2024, if a judge does not accept her bid for a new trial. A new microbrewery specializing in craft beer, meat and cheese three things that go very well together is expected to open later this spring in Troy. Stumblebum Beer Co., founded by Troy native Eli Green, is setting up shop at 1965 West Maple Road, in the former Bailey's Pub space across from Troy Motor Mall, with "a novel approach to pairing beer, meat, and cheese." Green plans to serve not just a smorgasbord of beers on tap in the 5,546-square-foot taproom, but also charcuterie boards utilizing a rotating selection of meats and cheeses. It'll also serve house-made sodas. "It's not a radical idea to have a charcuterie board at a brewery," Green said. "To me, what is lacking is this focus on it." Eli Green, founder of Stumblebum Beer Co. The inspiration for Stumblebum came from Green's time in New York City. While he was pursuing a theater career in the 2010s, Green "became obsessed" with novel food pairings after attending a lecture on beer and cheese at the Museum of Food and Drink Laboratory. There, he met Garret Oliver, the renowned brewmaster at Brooklyn Brewery, who taught him about beer-and-cheese pairings and why he argues they work much better than wine-and-cheese pairings (in short, the protein content and hops acidity of beer). Amid this obsession, Green realized very few breweries specialize in beer and charcuterie in this way. One of them is Astoria Bier and Cheese in Queens, New York, where Green happened to take his wife on their first date. He sought to bring the pairing back to his home state. More: Detroit Free Press, Batch Brewing Co. collaborate to release On Guard, a new lager "There's a way to bring that (combination) to people, say, in a flight-and-charcuterie board pairing where they're actually being encouraged to try different things," Green said. "You may not have chosen, necessarily, the meats and the cheeses and the beers, but we have, and we think you're really going to like this combination. "It ends up pushing you to try a beer style you might not like. It gives you a chance to appreciate something about a style that might not be in your wheelhouse, but when you have it with a piece of cheese ... best-case scenario, you're completely converted to a style you didn't think you were a fan of." Though Green brings 10 years of his own brewing experience to Stumblebum, he tapped Chris Coburn, previously of Batch Brewing Co. in Detroit and Woodward Avenue Brewers in Ferndale, as head brewer. Utilizing a five-barrel brewing system and 24 available taps, they plan to offer a wide variety of beer styles, from European lagers to IPAs to stouts. A conceptual rendering of the interior of Stumblebum Beer Co. Birmingham-based DesignTeam Plus which has designed taprooms for several other Michigan breweries such as Heights Brewing in Farmington, Draught Horse Brewing Co. in New Hudson and Rustic Leaf Brewing Co. in Waterford is designing the Stumblebum taproom with three adjectives in mind: Familiar, hygge ("comfortable contentment" in Danish) and mysterious, all chosen by Green. The environment is meant to be cozy and relaxed, with visuals and interior finishes to reflect the brewery name, a "nod to those with a sense of wanderlust, who find comfort in themselves wherever they roam, be it the open road or by hopping a train to an unknown destination." The bar face, for example, is designed as an old wooden box car that utilizes reclaimed wood from the former Bailey's Pub. "If somebody looks at it and is familiar with it, they'll gather it," said Harold Remlinger, principal architect at DesignTeam Plus. "Otherwise, it could be very mysterious because somebody may go, 'I don't understand this, where is this coming from?' Obviously, we always look at durability and cleanliness, but we like to try and give some identity to a brewery based on the client's marketing and branding. And there will be other things Eli will incorporate into (the design)." Stumblebum's food menu will include charcuterie boards with rotating selections of meat and cheese, as well as "French Fry Flights" inspired pairings of seasonings such as parmesan garlic, Swiss onion and cheddar pepper, and dips such as truffle aioli, malt vinegar mayo and cucumber wasabi. It'll also serve warm paninis featuring a variety of meats and cheeses. Stumblebum's opening comes during a rocky time in the craft beer industry, with "all signs" pointing to a down year in production in 2023, according to the Brewers Association. The Michigan craft beer industry is especially feeling it in recent days; North Center Brewing Co. in Northville and Guardian Brewing Co. in Saugatuck each closed on Sunday, and Dragon's Landing, a St. Clair Shores brewpub operated by Dragonmead Brewery, announced it will close this Sunday. Stumblebum will join one other microbrewery in Troy: Loaded Dice Brewery, though owner Jef Smith plans to move the business to nearby Clawson later this year. Green said he understands the reality of the business and hopes to develop loyalty within the Troy community with Stumblebum. "My guiding light is sort of like, 'What is your reason for being here?' It's not just because I like beer and making beer," Green said. "It's because I love beer and meat and cheese, and not enough people are talking about it." Brian Manzullo covers craft alcohol for the Free Press. Contact him: bmanzullo@freepress.com and on Untappd, bmanzullo and Twitter, @BrianManzullo. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Stumblebum Beer Co. to bring beer, meats and cheeses to Troy Susan Sarandon believes Hollywood hasnt fully reckoned with the #MeToo movement. The Oscar winner joined fellow actors Mira Sorvino and Geena Davis for a panel event Sunday in Hartford, Connecticut, where she spoke candidly about disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein, according to reporting this week by People. In 2020, Weinstein was sentenced to 23 years in prison for committing a criminal sex act against a production assistant and for raping an aspiring actor in a hotel. In 2023, he was sentenced to an additional 16 years for the rape and sexual assault of an actor and model in a hotel. The often outspoken Sarandon said on Sunday that in the wake of the Weinstein scandal, those whove enabled abusers continue to work in show business. I dont think weve done the cleanup afterwards that we should be doing, she said. I dont think people talk enough about the people who facilitated the Harvey Weinsteins of the world that are still functioning that are equally responsible. Sarandon added that these industry insiders remain employed even though they knew when they were sending people to a hotel or didnt pay attention when someone complained. Sarandon also noted that its very confusing to be, you know, a young girl in Hollywood and realize that executives are checking on your viability according to how sexy you are. Susan Sarandon on Sunday spoke about the aftermath of the Harvey Weinstein scandal. Left: Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images; Right: Etienne Laurent/Pool/AFP/Getty Images You know that right? You do know that theres something going on, she said. They call it a chemistry thing or whatever they want to call it. But that is part of what youre bringing to the table. Meanwhile, Sorvino said at the event that she stopped doing [major] studio movies after Weinstein stifled her career, tearfully saying that she had rejected him the third time in 1998. But then, I got married. I became a mother, Sorvino said. My family is my everything and I dont see my worth as being a famous actress. I see my worth as being a good person. Read more on Sarandon and Sorvino at People. Need help? Visit RAINNs National Sexual Assault Online Hotline or the National Sexual Violence Resource Centers website. Related... Jonathan Glazer has found strong support for his public stance on the Israel-Gaza conflict. The Zone of Interest director visibly trembled earlier this month as he accepted the Oscar for Best International Film and called out Israels bombardment of Gaza. While hundreds of Jews in Hollywood denounced him for it, screenwriter Tony Kushner isnt one of them. When asked Wednesday on the Haaretz Podcast if he could identify with Glazer who delivered the only Oscars speech that directly acknowledged the war in Gaza Kushner answered with palpable bewilderment: Of course. I mean, who doesnt? What hes saying is so simple, the Tony Award winner added. Hes saying: Jewishness, Jewish identity, Jewish history, the history of the Holocaust of Jewish suffering must not be used as an excuse for a project of dehumanizing or slaughtering other people. This is a misappropriation of what it means to be a Jew, what the Holocaust meant, and [Glazer] rejects that, Kushner, who is himself Jewish, continued. Who doesnt agree with that? What kind of person thinks that whats going on now in Gaza is acceptable. The Zone of Interest depicts the lives of Auschwitz concentration camp commandant Rudolf Hoss and his family. Intended to explore Nazi Germanys banality of evil with no escape for the viewer, it was widely acclaimed before Glazer gave his speech. Our film shows where dehumanization leads at its worst, he said at the podium, adding: Right now, we stand here as men who refute their Jewishness and the Holocaust being hijacked by an occupation which has led to conflict for so many innocent people. Glazer, who asked how the victims of Oct. 7 in Israel and those of the ongoing attack in Gaza could resist such dehumanization, has since been condemned by more than 1,000 Jewish Hollywood figures including Debra Messing, Eli Roth and Amy Pascal. Glazer visibly trembled while reading his acceptance speech at the Oscars earlier this month. Rich Polk/Variety/Getty Images Kushner, whose Oscar-nominated script for Steven Spielbergs Munich (2005) notably wrestled with ideas of revenge and identity, said Glazers words were an unimpeachable, irrefutable statement and rejected the conflation of antisemitism with criticism of Israel. The people that I know who are passionately involved in calls for a ceasefire, these are not people who are anti-Semites, Kushner said Wednesday, their interest is not in destroying Israel and certainly their interest is not in pogroms against Jews elsewhere. Kushner argued the pushback against Glazer stems from the rage of those fearing for the millions of lives affected by this conflict but, as a longtime critic of Israels policies and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, notably included Palestinians in that equation. Because before our eyes, what really looks a lot like ethnic cleansing, to me, is going on, Kushner said on the podcast. I mean, I tend to believe the people on the extreme right in Netanyahus cabinet who say, Yeah its ours now, how is that not ethnic cleansing? Around 1,200 Israelis were killed in the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas. The Israeli military has since killed more than 30,000 Palestinians mostly women and children, according to Gazas health ministry and is currently laying siege to Gazas biggest hospital. Related... Kristen Kish is the host of season 21 of "Top Chef," which premiered on Bravo on March 20. In her first season as "Top Chef" host, Season 10 winner Kristen Kish is pulling double duty. In addition to hosting the Emmy-, James Beard- and Critics Choice Award-winning series, she's hosting a weekly digital companion to it, according to Bravo TV. And, with Season 21 filmed in Wisconsin, the more the merrier. Each week after "Top Chef," "Top Chef: The Dish with Kish" will air on Peacock, BravoTV.com or the Bravo app. On the new, digital show Kish will be joined by "Top Chef" all stars, winners and fan favorites to "dish about each episodes most memorable moments and answer behind-the-scenes questions about the series." And, they'll be cooking while doing it. If you didn't watch the "Top Chef" Season 21 premiere, which aired Wednesday or you need a refresher check out dining critic Rachel Bernhard's recap here. Otherwise, if you're all caught up, here's a look at the first installment of "The Dish with Kish": Who were Kristen Kish's special guests? Kish's friend Stephanie Izard, "Top Chef" Chicago Season 4 winner and fan favorite; and, Kish's best friend Stephanie Cmar from "Top Chef" Seattle Season 10, New Orleans Season 11 and "All-Stars" Season 17. Cmar is a culinary producer for the show. On Season 10, Kish and Cmar had to compete against each other, making soup for Emeril Lagasse. They told the tale on Kish's new show. Kish "hit it out of the park," Lagasse said, while Cmar "missed the mark" and was eliminated. While there was no hard feelings, it was awkward/weird between them for a couple weeks, they shared. Kristen Kish challenged Stephanie Izard to make a good plate of food with scraps On "Top Chef" Season 21's premiere, the bottom three cheftestants competed in a last-chance cook-off to determine who would go home. The challenge: Make a good plate of food. They had 20 minutes to make that good plate, using only the ingredients leftover in the kitchen after the main challenge. While this seemed right in contestant David's wheelhouse using leftover ingredients is the concept of the restaurant he runs in San Francisco he ultimately was the one asked to leave. His dish? A poached shrimp with tomatoes over a green curry and coconut cilantro sauce. David will head to "Last Chance Kitchen," where hell face off with the next eliminated chef for a chance to return to the competition. Kish had a similar challenge for Izard on the first episode of "The Dish with Kish." Izard was tasked with making something good out of whatever was in Kish's kitchen ... well, set kitchen. "I think you want to get a lot of flavor in a short amount of time as possible," Izard told Kish. Izard was thinking a pozole-inspired dish, which is what Manny made to become this season's first elimination challenge winner. Kish told Izard that Manny's pozole a green pozole with chicken and charred salsa verde was as "perfect as perfect can be." Kish got to making broth out of bones while Izard started on salsa matcha, which Kish loves. While discarded ingredients are strewn about the "Top Chef" kitchen after an elimination challenge, Kish asked Izard if she thinks there's "opportunity in the mess and the chaos?" "I think so," Izard said. "I mean, I think in restaurants, realistically, we have to use all of our scraps." Leftover flavored chicken can be made into a sauce or broth, Izard said. And, "little bits of anything" can go into stocks, sauces, fillings or another dish. So, what did Izard end up making for Kish? A seared snapper with green pozole and hazelnut salsa macha. "There's so much flavor," Izard said. "I love that texture of the hominy. The smokiness from the bacon, I think, is really nice with the smoky notes from the chilies in the salsa macha. The spice in the broth is so nice with the fish." While "leftovers are not great ingredients," Kish agreed it was "a very delicious dish." How 'Top Chef' gets those beautiful shots of cheftestants' dishes Cmar joined Izard and Kish to help with the fish, but mostly to reveal the mystery behind the show's "beauties." When a cheftestant is finished making their dishes, one of them is taken for beauties, the perfectly lit, individually filmed shots of each dish made on the show. The magic happens in a black tent with perfect lighting where the dish is going to be placed. The chef is always asked which way they want the plate to face, Cmar noted. "This process happens because we want to make sure that everything that the chef's done is represented 100%" Cmar said. "We also want to capture the food when it's still warm and not coagulated and congealed and stuff. We want to make sure it looks as fresh and as appetizing for the viewers as possible." The hardest dish to photograph? Ice cream, Cmar shared. Does hosting 'Top Chef' make Kristen Kish miss being on the cooking side of it? With Kish hosting instead of competing this time around, Izard asked her if she misses the cooking side of it. "It makes me want to cook, but not to be confused with going on and competing again," Kish said. "Because that is a hard no." Izard actually judged one of Kish's proudest quickfires: An almond and chocolate sponge cake with a sabayon. A look ahead to the next episode of 'Top Chef: The Dish with Kish' On the next episode of "The Dish with Kish," "Top Chef" alum Amar Santana will join Kish to do a "deep dive" into Season 21's first quickfire. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Top Chef host Kristen Kish hosting The Dish with Kish after-show Humanitarian organizations are sounding alarm over the crisis in Sudan, warning the conflict has created "one of the worst humanitarian crises in recent memory." Speaking at a briefing to the security council on the humanitarian situation in Sudan, Edem Wosornu, Director of Operations and Advocacy at the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) warned of a fast-reaching and fast-deteriorating situation of food insecurity in Sudan following 11 months of conflict. It is truly the stuff of nightmares, said Wosronu. In Khartoum, Darfur, and Kordofan -- which are home to 90% of people facing emergency levels of acute food insecurity -- there has been no respite from the fierce fighting for 340 days. "Now, as the conflict rages on, Sudan is on course to become the world's worst hunger crisis. Already, 18 million people -- more than one third of the countrys population -- are facing acute food insecurity." By all measures, the sheer scale of humanitarian needs, the numbers of people displaced and facing hunger, Sudan is one of the worst humanitarian disasters in recent memory. The U.N. warns that that by May, parts of Darfur could face IPC Phase 5 level acute food insecurity, the highest stage on the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification scale. We call this stage catastrophe, said the U.N. Hostilities in Sudans breadbasket state, Al Jazirah -- which is responsible for almost half of Sudans wheat production -- has further jeopardized the food security situation in the country. Humanitarian organizations tell ABC News that farmers have been unable to tend to their crops and the conflict has been driving up the prices of basic commodities, some items by almost 300%. The U.N. says natural cereal production and supply of animal-sourced food like milk has also plummeted. PHOTO: Sudanese women who fled the conflict in Sudan's Darfur region, and were previously internally displaced in Sudan, carry jerrycans of water, near the border between Sudan and Chad, while taking refuge in Borota, Chad, May 13, 2023. (Zohra Bensemra/Reuters, FILE) Hostilities have resulted in extensive damage, looting and widespread destruction of critical infrastructure, including food and nutrition manufacturing facilities -- once the pride of Sudan, said Wosronu. Without "urgent" action, childrens charity Save the Children warns almost 230,000 children, pregnant women and new mothers could die from hunger in the coming months. Over 2.9 million children are already "acutely malnourished" warns the charity, and an additional 729,000 under the age of 5 are also facing severe acute malnutrition. Fighting erupted in Sudan on April 15, 2023, after a culmination of weeks of tensions linked to a planned transition to civilian rule. General Abdel-Fattah Burhan, commander of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and General Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, head of the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group (RSF) -- once allies who jointly orchestrated a military coup in 2021 -- are now engaged in a vicious and ongoing power struggle. As fighting continues between the warring parties, at least 14,000 people have been killed according to verified figures. However, local groups warn that the toll is likely to be much higher as the true scale of the conflict continues to be uncovered. A State Department spokesperson told ABC News in February that the United States is gravely concerned about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Sudan. We already have reports of people starving to death in Sudan and babies dying every day at IDP camps in Sudan. More than half of Sudans population, nearly 25 million, are experiencing severe protection concerns, widespread shortages of essential items and limited access to services across the country, exacerbating food, health and other humanitarian needs. Millions of Sudanese face the risk of famine in the coming months due to this devastating conflict. Both warring parties have been found to have restricted delivery, access and distribution of humanitarian aid since the conflict broke out in April 15, 2023, and the World Food Program (WFP) says it has been unable to get sufficient emergency assistance to communities in need due to "relentless violence and interference by the warring parties." We cannot explain in greater terms the catastrophic situation, said Wosronu. And we cannot underscore more the need for Council action. Sudan now one of the worst humanitarian crises in recent memory': UN originally appeared on abcnews.go.com BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 21. Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry has urged French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal to put an end to provocative statements, Trend reports via the ministry. Aykhan Hajizada, spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs commented on the remarks made by Attal during the meeting with Armenian community. "We strongly condemn the unfounded anti-Azerbaijani allegations which unilaterally defend Armenia, made by Gabriel Attal, Prime Minister of the French Republic during the annual event of the Coordinating Council of Armenian Organizations of France dated 20 March 2024. We remind Prime Minister of France, who condemns the counter-terrorism measures taken against the remnants of the armed forces of Armenia stationed in the sovereign territories of Azerbaijan and accuses Azerbaijan of allegedly occupying territories of Armenia, that the measures taken by Azerbaijan are fully consistent with the norms and principles of international law, as well as the resolutions concerning former Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict of the UN Security Council, of which France is a permanent member," he said. Hajizada pointed out that it is outrageous that France, which did not object Armenia's almost 30-year aggression and occupation of Azerbaijani territories, as well as the fact that Armenia still continues to keep 8 Azerbaijani villages under occupation, accuses Azerbaijan of using force without any apparent cause. "Once again, we call on the French side to learn from its history, not to interfere in the internal affairs of Azerbaijan and to put an end to such provocative statements," he concluded. This restored 1949 home designed by architect Herbert Burns features horizontal-laid sandstone and terrazzo floors. The home received recognition on May 12, 2022, as a Designated Class 1 Historic Site in Palm Springs, California. Palm Springs is known as a mecca of mid-century modern homes designed by prominent architects such as Albert Frey, William Krisel and Hugh Kaptor, so it's no surprise that restoration is in vogue. There are plenty of ways to restore a modern home that won't diminish its authenticity, sacrifice comfort or create a dull setting. A mid-century modern home is a blank canvas with endless possibilities, but it requires access to the right materials and a bigger budget than the average homeowner can afford. Here are five steps to restoring a mid-century modern home in true Palm Springs style, regardless of where you live in the valley. Step 1: Do your research Thomboy Properties owners Jackie Thomas and DeAnn McCoy have restored many mid-century modern homes in Palm Springs, and the first thing they suggest is find out who the architect was and find a local organization focused on restoring properties through usmodernist.org It does require some time, but it's a labor of love, and you can get information from around the country and the U.S. Historical Society," said Thomas. Understanding the architect's original vision and intention can help in contemporizing the interior, designing an open kitchen or customizing other spaces in the home. McCoy also suggested another valuable resource for archival material: city hall. "Often times, we go down to the city to pull the original permits and find out when additions were done. There's a lot of pockets you can mine for information," said McCoy. Examining the exterior, interior and materials of your home also provides essential information for restoration, especially with historic authenticity in mind. Scraping the layers of paint might provide the original color to build a palette or help select a mid-century inspired tone. Step 2: Consider the period of construction This restored 1949 home designed by architect Herbert Burns features horizontal-laid sandstone and terrazzo floors. The home received recognition on May 12, 2022, as a Designated Class 1 Historic Site in Palm Springs, California. There's a good chance the home you've purchased might retain its original structure that has never been renovated. Before you decide to take on any projects or hire a contractor, Hanson Remodels & Landscapes owner Anders Hanson said it's important to test for asbestos, a natural mineral and carcinogen that causes mesothelioma and was used before 1980 in building materials such as cement, vinyl flooring and insulation. This can be done by contacting a environmental consulting company or industrial hygienist. Hanson said it's also important to have an evaluation done on the air ducts, HVAC system, plumbing and the insulation effectiveness of windows and sliding doors. "You have to treat (mid-century modern) homes individually because some of them have been restored before and maybe it wasn't done properly and you'll have to start all over," Hanson said. Restoration also means you'll find features inside and out that are damaged and no longer in production. Thomas and McCoy used an example from a 1948 Palm Springs home designed by architect Herbert Burns, who was prominent for using an exterior block known as "Arizona Sandstone." During the restoration, the couple found it was no longer made as a veneer and only available in a slab, which required a mason to cut it by hand. "(Restoration) doesn't always work for everyone, but if that's what you want, there's always a way if you have a budget. There's also almost always a way to find the materials, it might just take a little bit longer. But if that's your aim, then there's always a path to getting it done," Thomas said. This restored 1949 home designed by architect Herbert Burns features horizontal-laid sandstone and terrazzo floors. The home received recognition on May 12, 2022, as a Designated Class 1 Historic Site in Palm Springs, California. Step 3: Find the right materials With materials and budget in mind, Thomas said it's best to "value engineer" a property. If restoring a terrazzo floor at $50 to $70 a square foot is too costly, porcelain tiles are a cheaper alternative and will look just as good. Too expensive to replace the original kitchen countertop? Use formica to match the original countertop color. "You can select areas that are going to have the most impact. Maybe you don't build out your primary closet because you've taken some of that money to put someplace else that will have more of an impact. You can balance the budget, but overall if you want to do a restoration, it's probably going to cost you more money." There are many options for creating a kitchen in a mid-century home with modern appliances and cabinetry on the market. Manufacturers have stainless steel appliances that blend in with counters and wall spaces. For the purists who want a '50s theme, Big Chill has retro designed refrigerators, stoves, ovens, dishwashers, toasters and more. Step 4: Pair furnishings and decor to create unique interiors One of the bedrooms in the Wexler designed home at 1177 E. Mesquite Ave in Palm Springs, Calif., Feb. 16, 2024. There's no shortage of mid-century modern interior and furniture retailers in Palm Springs. Whether your preferred interior decor is minimalist or eclectic, you'll find what you need. According to Hanson and H3K Home+Design Co-owner Howard Hawkes, one of the remodeling and restoration trends is the return of wallpaper. Hawkes said his preference for all four walls in a bedroom would be something conservative, such as a warm-toned grass cloth with gray, beige and taupe to blend with artwork, furnishings and headboards. "If you're going to go with a bright color, harlequin pattern or some kind of organic scene palm frawns, I would do that type of wallpaper on just one featured wall in a room because too much of a good thing kind of spoils the whole look," Hawkes said. But for a mid-century home, it's best to have a theme. Hawkes said previous clients have approached him with themes such as the 1968 film "Barbarella," Marilyn Monroe and James Bond. For a 1954 home designed by architect Donald Wexler featured during Modernism Week in February, H3K installed a theme in each of the four bedrooms. One room featured a mawkish '50s science fiction theme with toy robots on the dresser, another room was decorated with mid-century modern patterned wallpaper with abstract portraits of artists such as Salvador Dali, Frida Kahlo, Andy Warhol and Pablo Picasso above the headboard. "I would say make a room your own first by having a portrait of an actor, movie poster or something over the bed (that) can really dictate the whole vibe of the room. Oftentimes, people will call the room like 'The Marilyn Room.' If it's a color, a lot of different greens or yellows, you call it the 'Yellow Room' or the 'Green Room.' Sometimes color itself can be a theme," Hawkes said. For those with a minimalist theme, a large piece of artwork such as an abstract painting with lighting, a long sofa or an Eames chair can highlight the architecture of a space complimenting ceilings, large glass sliding doors, windows and more. "If you make a room too minimal, you have a boring room," Hawkes said. Step 5: Don't forget the exteriors For all of the Thomas and McCoy's restorations, the element that defines the home is the exterior and where they focus the most on authenticity. The couple will seek old photos or study a neighborhood to determine how it was intended to look to restore exteriors. For the patio, Thomas said "ask yourself how you plan to use the space." Mid-century modern often blends the indoors with the outdoors, so integrate spots for sitting, entertaining and relaxing by the pool into your plan. "You see more concrete in the desert, whereas in Los Angeles you see more wood decks," McCoy said. "For utilizing that space, ask yourself questions like 'Which direction does the house face?' and 'What's the direction of the pool?' You need to have shaded spaces while having the notion of being able to lay back in the chaise lounge and relax while facing the sun." Hawkes suggests taking advantage of any unique views when considering seating areas such as a pergola or seating with sun umbrellas. "Not everyone has a pool, but it's nice to have poolside dining and make it a nice experience. If you have furniture that has mesh, it's a lot easier to take care of than a lot of fabric and cushions, so you want to be mindful of how much you want to maintain your outdoor furniture if you're going to leave it as is for a season. Instead of dusting cushions, consider things you can hose off." Desert Sun reporter Brian Blueskye covers arts and entertainment. He can be reached at brian.blueskye@desertsun.com or on Twitter at @bblueskye. This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: 5 tips for restoring a mid-century modern home in Palm Springs 'This one is perfect.' KARWAI TANG / WIREIMAGE / GETTY IMAGES Cardi B started a recent TikTok video by noting that she doesnt love the food in Los Angeles, admitting that the citys offerings are not [her] favorite. Despite all of that, she said she was willing to give the burgers from Easy Street a chance, because shed gotten a good recommendation from someone about the restaurant. But Cardi wasnt scrolling through Google Reviews or reading what strangers had written on TripAdvisor: she was referring to Keith Lee, the wildly popular TikTok restaurant reviewer who had given Easy Street his highest rating during a previous visit. Lee, who has over 16 million followers on TikTok, usually films his reviews from the front seat of his car, but he climbed out of his vehicle to share a couple of cheeseburgers with Cardi B and the two of them dug into a takeout order from Easy Street. Shortly after Lee strolled into view, they sampled the Jalapeno Monster Burger and Bacon Monster Burger together. Im a real big burger expert, Cardi B said. So if I dont like it, Im going to tell it [to] your face. They started with the Jalapeno version, and Cardi B said that the presentation reminded her of a fancier Shake Shack. Related: McDonald's Makes Cardi B and Offset's Regular Date-Night Order an Official Meal She was impressed all-around, rating the burger a 9 out of 10 and noting that it seemed like Easy Street made it with love. She wasnt quite as enamored with the bacon-stacked version, just because she felt overwhelmed by the amount of bacon. She gave it a score of 7 out of 10, before turning her attention back to the Jalapeno Monster. This one is perfect, she said. I got no complaints about this one. Seeing Lee and Cardi B digging into a takeout order together mightve seemed random, but they connected last fall over their shared criticism of some aspects of Atlantas restaurant scene. Lee made a visit to the Georgia capital in October and he went to at least eight different restaurants. On TikToks he said that the customer service was interesting at one spot that charged him $1 for butter, and was disappointed that another place said they would be closed early for deep cleaning and wouldnt seat his family. When he went into the restaurant, though, the staff recognized him and offered to give him a table. He declined. I pay for my food like everybody else. I walk up in spots like everybody else. We are all normal people, he said. Respectfully, if youre not going to do it then, dont do it now [when I walk in.] Related: Cardi B Partners With a Vodka-Infused Whipped Cream Brand After hearing about Lees experiences, Cardi B said she agreed with him. I feel like Atlanta restaurants, they dont like to make money, she said during an Instagram Live video. I feel like they dont like people, they dont like their customers, they just dont fking like it. You could barely order in Atlanta restaurants. She added that she has even asked whoever picks up her orders from restaurants in the city to name-drop [her] name because otherwise, some establishments may not offer takeout or delivery orders. With some Atlanta restaurants, Ive been noticing that its either they open too late or they close too early, she said. Motherfkers be closing at 6:00 [...] I feel bad for Atlanta residents. Last October, Lee made his first visit to Easy Street, and he gave two of the restaurants burgers a perfect score of 10, even calling one of them the best burger hes ever had. Earlier this week, Lee went back to Easy Street without Cardi B to see if the burgers were still as good as he remembered. In a TikTok that has already been viewed more than three million times, he re-ordered the Double Jalapeno Monster Burger, a Double Burger with Bacon and Grilled Onions, and a Classic Double Burger. For the second time, he rated the Double Burger with Bacon and the Classic Double both as 10s. (He gave the Jalapeno Monster a 9. Although he praised the soft potato bun and the crispy burger patties, he said the heat of the jalapenos overwhelmed the other flavors.) Im impressed, he said. I think impressed is an understatement. Easy Street shared Lees most recent review on their own Instagram page, writing that they were grateful for Lees positive comments. They also added that Lee left $2,500 with the restaurant to cover the cost of burgers for the next guests who arrived, and he also tipped all of Easy Streets workers $200. An incredible human act, they wrote. Were blown away. For more Food & Wine news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Food & Wine. If you're at all familiar with piri piri chicken, there's a chance you may have tried it at Nando's. This global fast-food chain makes Portuguese-style piri piri chicken by marinating birdie bits in a sauce seasoned with incendiary piri piri peppers (albeit using the alternate spelling peri peri) and then grilling it, Mashed developer Patterson Watkins, however, re-envisions the dish as a mildly spicy slow cooker stew flavored with a different kind of pepper since fresh piri piri can be kind of hard to come by in the U.S. If you want a pepper that comes the closest to piri piris, both in flavor and heat level, your best bets include Thai bird chiles and habaneros. Watkins prefers to use the much milder Fresnos ("red chile peppers" in the ingredients list), which have a similar heat level to the jalapeno. Jalapenos themselves would also work in this dish, or you could also use Anaheims or even bell peppers if you want a milder stew. As Watkins says, "You control the heat" by picking your preferred pepper. Read more: The Best And Worst Grocery Store Fried Chicken You Can Also Go With Piri Piris In A Different Form chicken vegetables and spices - Patterson Watkins/Mashed If you have your heart set on making piri piri chicken with the proper peppers, you can still do so even if the fresh kind aren't available. Dried piri piris are available to purchase online and as these are shelf-stable, a small bag ought to last you a while. One thing to note, though, when you are swapping out dried peppers for fresh ones, is that the former have a much more concentrated flavor so you'll generally only use about the amount. For this recipe, that means that one dried piri piri should yield a fairly fiery stew, although you could start with just half a pepper if you prefer to err on the side of caution. Yet another way to add spice to this stew is with a piri piri seasoning mix, although be aware these may contain other spices such as cardamom, cinnamon, and oregano. Some mixes will also include salt, so you should adjust the amount used in the recipe accordingly. Piri piri sauces, too, are another option, and Nando's itself features a line of these ranging from mild lemon-herb to XX-hot. As hot sauces vary in heat level and consistency, there's no general rule of thumb for substituting them for fresh peppers, but you can start by stirring a teaspoon or two into the stew before it begins cooking and then adding more at the end if you feel it needs a bit more kick. Read the original article on Mashed. Crumbl Cookies, the increasingly popular national bakery chain, will celebrate the grand opening of its second Delaware store in Dovers Capital Station on Friday. The chain opened its first Delaware store in late June at Christiana Fashion Center, and a "coming soon" sign has been posted on the door of the new Dover location since last year. The business is known for its gourmet cookies, which come in a rotating variety of flavors and are delivered in pink packaging. Leo and Carolyn Campero, the new owners of Crumbl Dover, said they fell in love with Crumbl Cookies while stationed in Phoenix, Arizona. So when Leo Campero was transferred to Dover Air Force Base in 2022 in the then Crumbl Cookie-less state of Delaware, the couple "decided to share the Crumbl love with Kent County." The Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the upcoming opening of Crumbl Cookies in Dover on March 20, 2024. The Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting ceremony for Crumbl Dover on Wednesday afternoon along with the Campero family to celebrate the new store. We are excited to get involved in the community, sponsoring and supporting organizations that are making a difference in our area, Carolyn Campero said at the ceremony. The cookies offered on opening day at Crumbl Cookies. From left to right: snickerdoodle, red velvet cupcake, fried ice cream, waffle, classic pink sugar, chocolate chip, chocolate cookies and cream. The store is located at 50 N. Dupont Highway, Unit 10, next to Veronicas Brick Oven Pizzeria and behind Starbucks. Once it opens, Crumbl Dover will be open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and from 8 a.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday. Send story tips or ideas to Hannah Edelman at hedelman@delawareonline.com. For more reporting, follow them on X at @h_edelman. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Crumbl Cookies Dover store cuts ribbon, will open Friday March 19, 2008. A momentous day in New Mexico. And a momentous day in snowboarding. Free Taos Day. On March 19, 2008, the efforts of George Medina, Michael Johnstone, and Brandon Peterson paid off when previously ski-only resort, Taos, opened its lifts to snowboarders. George was the first snowboarder to make turns down Taos' slopes. The three guys created Experience Snowboards, a local shop in Northern New Mexico that was instrumental in the growth of snowboarding in the region. Through the shop, the movement to Free Taos grew, culminating in the resort welcoming snowboarders to its trails. Sixteen years later, the New Mexico snow community still feels the resonance of the work of these three men who were so passionate about their home and sharing snowboarding with everyone. This year, George, Michael, and Brandon will be inducted into the New Mexico Ski Hall of Fame, a huge deal not only for New Mexico's boarding community, but for snowboarding, as a whole. To honor the George, Michael, and Brandon's impact, Taos just released a short film. Watch it below. We are always on the lookout for amusing, interesting, and engaging snow related videos to feature on our channels. Whether you are a professional rider or just an amateur, we want to see your best footage and help you share it with the world. Submit your video for a chance to be featured on SNOWBOARDER and our social channels. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch high quality snowboarding videos. Do not miss another headline from SNOWBOARDER! Subscribe to our newsletter and stay connected with the latest happenings in the world of snowboarding. MILAN As it looks to grow beyond Italy, Italian Design Brands has changed its name to Dexelance, an amalgamation of the words design and excellence. With the birth of Dexelance, we are not only strengthening our position at the national level, but we also set the ambition to accelerate growth, both organically and by external lines, by playing a leading role in the global reference market, Dexelance chief executive officer Andrea Sasso said Thursday. A video reel shared at a presentation at Milans Triennale di Milano museum Thursday revealed the brands new ethos, built on Italian craftsmanship and values with an eye on integrating international brands. More from WWD The announcement follows statements made by Dexelances top management earlier this month, revealing it was eyeing new acquisitions and was in talks with potential companies. At the time, Sasso said the companys initial public offering raised its profile. We are working on it and are very strong with regard to our M&A agendathe stock exchange increased communication with more brands, Sasso added, noting that they were not ready to reveal anything definitive. Dexelance managing director Giorgio Gobbi stressed, however, that the company is not planning a transformational acquisition in 2024. We hope that at least one will come on board, but that can occur at the earliest in 2025, not now. The first Italian design firm to list its shares on the Milan Stock Exchange, Dexelance is home to 11 Italian companies and 14 Italian brands, and counts North America as its second most important market in terms of sales. Italian Design Brands is the parent company of upscale brands Gervasoni, Meridiani, Saba Italia, Gamma Arredamenti International, Turri, Binova and Cubo Design kitchens, and modern lighting brands Davide Groppi, Flexalighting and Axolight. The company opened its first U.S. flagship in New York City last October that hosts dedicated showrooms for Meridiani and Davide Groppi. The move was part of the companys long-term plan to expand in the U.S. and the group continues to scout investors and partners to open doors in cities like Chicago; Miami; Dallas; Washington, D.C., and Boston, which are considered key to the growth of the group. From left: Giorgio Gobbi, Dexelance managing director; Andrea Sasso, Dexelance CEO, and Giovanni Tamburi, founder, chairman and CEO of Tamburi Investment Partners. Earlier this year, Tamburi Investment Partners, or TIP SpA, bought a majority stake in IDBs parent company. TIP, which is helmed by Giovanni Tamburi, founder, chairman and CEO. I am convinced that the current times are particularly well suited to consolidate, Tamburi said adding that the sector has enormous potential but is too fragmented to cope with the current global market challenges. In 2023, the company outperformed the performance of the furniture sector with revenues of 310.8 million euros, up 16.6 percent compared to 2022, as it posted strong performances across all of its brands. Sasso said the company would continue to grow in 2024. FederlegnoArredo, the Italian federation of woodworking and furniture industries, said the year 2023 was expected to close with a steep drop, with the value of the wood furnishing supply chain seen posting a 7 percent decline in terms of revenue, with exports falling 7.2 percent. Best of WWD Italy has welcomed visitors since time immemorial. But not all of Italy: some regions have remained impervious to the Grand Tourists of the past and the Instagrammers of today. Who, for example, visits Abruzzo, a region east of Rome and south of the Marche? Very few is the answer but why so secret? Poverty, for one thing, and the sheer wilderness of the mountains for another. The region was too high and too isolated for vines and olives, and the medieval trade and rich history that fostered the cities and art of Tuscany, Umbria and Sicily. And yet things are now changing, albeit slowly (houses here can still be had for under 10,000). Travellers are finally learning that its mountains, still the haunt of wolves and bears, are the finest in Italy outside the Alps, that its coast is gloriously wild in places, and that many of its ancient villages are timeless and traditional in the best sense. And if visitor infrastructure is still in its infancy part of the regions charm, of course newer destination hotels are gradually opening, and the food, as ever in Italy, is superlative. The new Tuscany? The new Umbria? Not quite. But a place to visit now before everyone else? Definitely. The landscapes Glorious mountain landscapes are Abruzzos principle lure. The Apennines the Italian peninsulas rocky spine reach their highest point here in the peak of the Gran Sasso (9,553ft/2,912m), still home just to one of Europes most southerly glaciers. The vast upland plains of the Campo Imperatore are known locally as Little Tibet - Getty Gran Sasso is also the name given to one of three immense massifs in the region, the other two being the Monti della Laga to the north and the Maiella to the south. All three have national park status, as does a fourth enclave, the Parco Nazionale dAbruzzo on the regions western flanks. For those who only know the more benign aspect of the Apennines in Tuscany, Umbria or Liguria, it is hard to appreciate the sheer scale of Abruzzos mountains or their wild impenetrability. Wolves and even bears still roam here and vast, beautiful tracts of the region are accessible only on foot, following ancient transhumance trails, or with a patient but hugely rewarding odyssey on high mountain roads. Wolves and even bears still roam here - Getty Most people visit the Parco Nazionale dAbruzzo, partly because it is closest to Rome (81 miles/130km via the A2 motorway and the towns of Frosinone and Sora) and partly because it is among the best administered of Italys national parks. Youll also find more in the way of hotels, facilities and marked biking and hiking trails here, notably in the main centres of Pescasseroli and smaller Opi, plus pretty, medieval Scanno just outside the park borders. In the Monti della Laga, travel the beautiful road between Acquasanta Terme (just in the Marche) and Teramo, and consider the village of Pietracamela as a base. From here you could easily head south and take one of the finest drives in Europe, never mind Italy: the road that runs west to east under the Gran Sasso across the vast upland plains of the Campo Imperatore, known locally as Little Tibet after its remarkable scenery. Castel del Monte - Getty Visit Castel del Monte, one of the regions loveliest villages and situated at well over 4,000ft. This is also a good place to stay, but drive on a few miles and tiny Santo Stefano boasts one of central Italys most interesting hotels, the Sextantio (doubles from around 150 including breakfast). Alternatively, if you are heading for the coast (see below), continue east to Farindola, a classic little Abruzzese village with superb views and a great dining option (see below). Be sure to devote an hour or so to Loreto Aprutino to the east, one of the regions most appealing medieval villages. Loreto Aprutino - Getty Explore the third of Abruzzos massifs, the Maiella, and youll be venturing into one of western Europes last great wildernesses. There are few places to stay in the heart of the mountains, with Caramanico Terme your best bet, but Sulmona just to the west is the Abruzzos most interesting larger town, birthplace of Ovid and of sugared almonds, or confetti (Sulmona almonds were served at Harry and Meghans wedding). Its a town worth visiting in its own right, especially if you can be here on Wednesday or Saturday morning, when Piazza Garibaldi hosts a wonderful market. Its also on a railway line and there arent many of those in this mountain area: the ride here from Rieti via LAquila, and especially on to Castel di Sangro and beyond, is one of Italys most scenic. Sulmona, birthplace of Ovid - Getty The resorts and beaches Mountains take the most plaudits in Abruzzo but the regions long coast provides another compelling attraction. Many of the beaches and resorts are typical of Italys eastern, Adriatic coast, which is to say they are small, family-friendly affairs, often close to the coasts main rail and road links, and with decent if unspectacular sand and hotels. While some some spots in the north are fairly workaday, there are two notable exceptions: the wild, glorious stretches of sand in the Riserva Naturale del Borsacchio, north of Roseto degli Abruzzo, and Torre del Cerrano near Pineto, named after the adjacent historic defensive tower. South of Pescara, head for Punta Ferruccio near Ortona the scene of bitter fighting in 1943: its not easily reached, but is worth the effort, and has clothes-optional stretches. Equally wild and lovely are the nearby Calata or Spiaggia del Turchino close to San Vito Chietino, where the contemporary hotel Le Chiave dei Trabocchi makes a fine base (doubles from around 60). This part of the coast takes its name from the eerily beautiful trabocchi, spindly wooden walkways and fishing shacks built on stilts which are unique to the region. Trabocchi are unique to the region - Getty A few miles farther south still, the Lido di Casalbordino is another point of pilgrimage for beach aficionados, with the simple Finis Terrae bar a favoured spot to watch the sunset. Two more beaches stand out close to Vasto, the Abruzzos last hurrah before the border with Molise: Punta Penna and Punta Aderci. Both are wild places in part protected by nature reserves. Abruzzo also has several family-friendly Green Flag beaches. The coast near Vasto - Getty The food and wine Like much else in the Abruzzo, the regions food is barely known but often exceptional. The coast has predictably good fish and seafood, notably the mussels (cozze) from Vasto, often served with saffron (itself a regional speciality) or stuffed with breadcrumbs, lemon, parsley, garlic and tomato sauce. The classic pasta is maccheroni alla chitarra, a spaghetti-like creation made by pressing sheets of pasta through wires (hence chitarra, or guitar). When alls said and done, however, the Abruzzo is a mountain region, and its the mountains, and centuries where poverty was the culinary mother of invention, that most colour the regions cuisine. Mushrooms and truffles abound, along with pulses and beans, but lamb and mutton were and are the mainstay of mountain cooking. One of the regions great meals one of Italys great meals is to be had up on the high plains of the Campo Imperatore and elsewhere (see above). Windblown, remote shepherds shacks will sell you a hunk of bread, several rough-cut chunks of pecorino (sheeps cheese) and a fistful of arrosticini skewers loaded with tiny pieces of lamb and mutton that you (or they) grill on open fires. Eat with your fingers and want for nothing more. The mountains colour the regions cuisine - Getty Arrosticini are a mainstay of many mountain villages, too make a pilgrimage to Farindola and Lu Strego, a trattoria whose version has more than once been acclaimed the best in the Abruzzo. Wine-wise, no-one is going to Abruzzo to tour the regions vineyards for the most part the mountains arent conducive to growing vines but wherever you go youll be able to drink Montepulciano dAbruzzo, a more-than-decent red that youll probably have come across at home. Trebbiano is the standard white, while Cerasuolo is a lighter red also made from the Montepulciano grape. But there is quality. As elsewhere in lesser Italian wine regions such as Umbria, the post-war period saw newer, dynamic producers pioneering some now top-notch wines. In particular look for bottles from Pepe and Valentini, along with CantinArte, Annona, Italo Pietrantoj, Cataldi Madonna and Valle Reale. For more unusual regional drinks, risk a glass of ratafia, a black cherry liqueur; Aurum, a branded orange-scented brandy made in Pescara since 1925; centerbe (literally one hundred herbs), made from the mountain herbs of the Maiella; and genziano, made from the root of the gentian. Getting there Ryanair flies to Pescara Airport from Stansted. A far greater of options exist if you fly to Rome, from which regional capital LAquila is a 90-minute drive. Staying there Villa companies on the whole are still feeling their way into Abruzzo typically a company might only one or two properties in the region but look at the dedicated Abruzzo Turismo page or properties on the owner-listed Vrbo (formerly HomeAway) site. For more ideas on where to stay, see our guide to the best hotels in Abruzzo. This story was first published in March 2022 and has been revised and updated. 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. After pulling out of Milano-Torino last week due to illness, Mark Cavendish (Astana Qazaqstan) decided not to start the Classic Brugge-De Panne Wednesday morning. He has yet to confirm when his next scheduled race will be. Its disappointing to see Cavendish absent from the excitement of the spring races, but we are hoping that hes just got his eyes set on Grand Tour season. After all, the 34-time Tour de France stage winner will have another shot at glory starting on June 29 in Florence, Italy. Until then, hes concentrating on getting healthy. Hes sick, so it was not possible to take to the start, Astana Qazaqstan director Stefano Zanini told GCN at the start of the race in Bruges. Its not easy riding Milano-Torino when you are sick, but here its impossible. The Belgian races are very different. They are hard when you are in 100% condition. For sure, it was impossible to take the start here. Though there have been rumors of gastrointestinal discomfort, respiratory illness, and cold-like symptoms, it hasnt been made explicitly clear. In a Eurosport interview at Milano-Torino, Cavendish said, Like many people, Im a little bit sick now. Its okay, and hopefully, I can hang on today and in the next few days with the sickness. You know, when you have a sore throat and stuff like that. The cold is coming, thats for sure. But is this bigger than just some bad luck with germs in the air? Cavendish seemed pretty down about having to drop out in Italy. He won Milano-Torino in 2022 and could certainly use some momentum to take him into one last summer of racing. Given that Cavendish has had a history of chronic fatigue brought on by the Epstein-Barr virus, its easy to wonder if its more serious than a sore throat. The Escape Collective reported that the next chance to see Cavendish perform possibly is at Scheldeprijs, the sprinters classic that sits between the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. Its an event that holds a particular resonance for him: his second career victory, it marked the start of his rise as the sports top sprinter for the next six seasons. In eight starts, hes finished on the podium seven times. You Might Also Like "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." The humble decimal point may have been invented about 150 years before we previously thought. Experts had previously credited German mathematician Christopher Clavius for the innovation, but according to a new study, the credit actually belongs to Italian merchant and mathematician Giovanni Bianchini. Bianchinis work as a merchant likely inspired the mathematical leap, which then bled into his work as an astronomer. Theres been a mystery lurking in one of the most unassuming parts of mathematics for centuries. When German mathematician Christopher Clavius introduced the world to the humble decimal point in 1593, he used it in one table, and never mentioned it or used it again in any of the rest of his writings. Clearly, the decimal point is incredibly important to the way we do math today. So, why did Clavius abandon such a monumental discovery so soon after making it? Because he stole it. Well, stole may imply a bit more malice than is necessary. Lets not read motive into 14th century mathematicians. But according to a recent paper published in Historia Mathematica, Clavius actually likely imported the decimal point into his own work when referencing the work of Italian merchant and mathematician Giovanni Bianchini from the 1440s. Work that had been done almost 150 years earlier. In order to understand what Bianchini was doing, Glen Van Brummelen, a math historian at Trinity Western University in Canada and the author of this new paper, told Nature, you had to learn a completely new system of arithmetic. Thats because, back in the 1400s, astronomers and mathematicians used an entirely different numerical system to do astronomical calculations than we use now. Our number system today is built around the number 10. As such, its called a base 10 system. Every number is made of a combination of 10 single digits 0-9, and every new place in a number represents 10 of the place before it. For example, a thousand is 10 hundreds, a hundred is 10 tens, and 10 is ten ones. It all comes back to ten, and it makes things pretty straightforward when it comes to operations like multiplication and division. Easy, at least, compared to other systems. Because in the 1400s, astronomers and mathematicians used a base 60 number system, or a sexagesimal system, to do astronomical calculations. We can still see remnants of this system in things like time (1 hour is 60 minutes and 1 minute is 60 seconds) and degrees of a circle (one circle is 360 degrees around, one degree is 60 minutes, and one minute is 60 seconds). But instead of relegating the base 60 system to just a few oddball mathematical areas, all astronomical calculations were done this way. And that made things very messy. Look at it this way: in a base 10 system, you divide 104 by 2 the exact same way you divide 10.4 by 2. Just cut all the numbers in half. But in a sexagesimal system, 10.4 doesnt read like 10.4. It has to be converted into a very complicated fraction, dealt with, and then convert it back out to get an answer that we can understand. Messy. But messy is the driving force behind innovation. And Bianchini had one sneaky advantage that had him poised to be the one to make this particular innovation: he wasnt just an astronomer. He was a merchant. Merchants, in their day to day lives, didnt need to worry about base 60-style numbers. They just needed to deal with numbers that we would interact with in tradessmall quantities and partial pieces. For his merchant work, Bianchini invented a system where he divided measurements into ten parts and noted those parts with a decimal point. And he ported them over into his astronomy. When poring over some of Bianchinis work, Van Brummelen came across the number 10.4, written with the decimal point and an explanation of how to multiply the number by 8. Further on in his text, Bianchini wrote out a trigonometric table of sines in which he uses his decimal system liberally. He also leaves instructions for what the point means and how to use it in the context of the table. I realized that hes using this just as we do, and he knows how to do calculations with it, Van Brummelen told Nature. I remember running up and down the hallways of the dorm with my computer trying to find anybody who was awake, shouting look at this, this guy is doing decimal points in the 1440s! Over the course of his lifetime, Bianchini wrote at least five major works. These were substantial, and would have survived long past his deatheasily to the time when Clavius was working on his own astronomical calculations. [Clavius] had access to Bianchini's Sine table (or to someone who himself had borrowed from Bianchini), and he copied the structure of that table in his own work, Van Brummelen wrote in his study. While Clavius was composing the Astrolabium, a sophisticated work in spherical astronomy, Bianchini and Regiomontanus would have been very familiar names to him and his colleagues. The decimal point may still not have caught on for some time, but it has now become absolutely fundamental in the world of mathematics. Without it, our current monetary system wouldnt work as it does, and we couldnt make calculations to the degree of accuracy we need to puzzle out the secrets of our universe. And it turns out that phenomenal contribution can be traced back a lot further than we thought. Hats off to you, Giovanni Bianchini. Thanks for the math. You Might Also Like PARIS Annie Leibovitz has a new title, and a fancy sword to go with it. The U.S. photographer was inducted to the Academie des Beaux-Arts in Paris on Wednesday in a star-studded ceremony filled with pageantry, earning her the title of Immortal, as the French refer to members of the illustrious institution. More from WWD Anna Wintour, wearing her signature dark sunglasses, handed over the ceremonial sword at the outcome of the ritual staged under the imposing dome of the Institut de France, under the watchful eye of infantry officers of the French Republican Guard. Dressed in an embroidered uniform designed by Louis Vuittons Nicolas Ghesquiere, Leibovitz brandished the gnarly sword resembling a prop from a Tolkien saga as she received a standing ovation from guests including designers Giambattista Valli, Guillaume Henry and Harris Reed, fashion editor Carine Roitfeld, and Miren Arzalluz, director of the Palais Galliera fashion museum. In a speech punctuated by lengthy silences, the 74-year-old photographer paid a moving tribute to her late partner Susan Sontag. Susan Sontag shaped my relationship to Paris and to French culture and art. I wouldnt be in this room if it werent for Susan. She loved France, she said. Leibovitz was introduced by renowned Brazilian photographer Sebastiao Salgado, who wiped away tears at the end of his speech, and was followed on the podium by Patti Smith, who gave a stirring rendition of Peacable Kingdom, accompanied by her daughter Jesse Paris Smith on keyboard. Patti Smith In a special section reserved for fellow Academy members sat choreographer Blanca Li, in her uniform designed by Chanel, photographer Dominique Issermann, wearing a bandana on her head, and artist Jean-Michel Othoniel, whose suit was made by Dior. The only thing more daunting than a French fashion show is a French academy, and by a similar principle, the only thing more intimidating than Annie Leibovitz is Annie Leibovitz brandishing a sword, so I stand before you today in awe and some degree of terror, Wintour said when it was her turn to speak. The global editorial director of Vogue and chief content officer of Conde Nast has worked with Leibovitz for close to three decades, and suggested a fair amount of sparring was involved. Annie can parry, be playfully evasive, especially in any attempt to get inside her defenses, Wintour said. Now with a sword in your hand you may not be dArtagnan, its true, but with a camera, Annie is as dextrous and, better, a formidable and unstoppable force. The thousands of photographs she has published in her life are not just a testament to her imagination and the way it will survive the future, they are her vision and a plea for a better world, she continued. In that way Annie is the most essential thing any artist can be: She is generous. So Annie we salute you, you have become Immortal, Wintour concluded, her voice cracking. Annie Leibovitz and Anna Wintour at the Academie des Beaux-Arts. Leibovitz was flanked by four generations of relatives, including her aunt Sally Jane, her sisters Susan and Barbara, her brother Philip and her daughter Susan. My oldest daughter, Sarah, is somewhere in the Appenine Mountains, studying limestone outcroppings. She is a young earth scientist, said Leibovitz, who has a third daughter called Samuelle. She paused frequently as screens displayed images from her book A Photographers Life: 1990-2005, which mixes her portraits of luminaries including Johnny Cash, Nicole Kidman, Keith Richards, Michael Jordan and Nelson Mandela with reportage from the siege of Sarajevo in the early 90s, landscapes and intimate photos of her family and friends. A Photographers Life is the closest thing to who I am that Ive ever done. It made me understand that my work is not one thing or another. It is one thing, she explained. Salgado recounted how Leibovitz started taking pictures in the late 1960s when she was studying painting at the San Francisco Art Institute, before working for Rolling Stone and subsequently Vanity Fair and Vogue, portraying a roll call of international figures ranging from John Lennon to Queen Elizabeth II. Annie Leibovitz in her ceremonial uniform designed by Louis Vuittons Nicolas Ghesquiere. He suggested that her images were frequently more powerful that the words that accompanied them, a comment she echoed in her speech. Im not a journalist. A journalist doesnt take sides and I dont want to go through life like that. I have a more powerful voice as a photographer if I express a point of view. Portraiture gave me the latitude to pick a side, have an opinion, be conceptual and still tell stories, she said. She hinted that photography has also helped her process the most difficult periods in her life. Susans last illness was harrowing. I didnt take any pictures of her at all until the end. I forced myself to take pictures of her last days. I didnt analyze it. I just knew I had to do it, she said. After the ceremony, Leibovitz and guests headed to the courtyard of the 17th-century building, where she showed off her sword to Antoine Arnault, head of communication, image and environment at LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton, the parent company of Louis Vuitton. Annie Leibovitz with Anna Wintour and members of the Academie des Beaux-Arts. She explained that the custom-made object was created from branches and a mushroom collected at her property in Rhinebeck, N.Y., that were then dipped in copper by florist Ariel Dearie, using a process inspired by French sculptor Claude Lalanne. You look so elegant, Arnault said. Leibovitz said she was pleased with the Vuitton suit, which took 400 hours to complete, though she added jokingly: But I like my baggy clothes more. The photographer joins the ranks of foreign associate members of the Academie des Beaux-Arts alongside the likes of British architect Sir Norman Foster, U.S. director Woody Allen and German artist Georg Baselitz. She fills the seat previously held by Chinese-born U.S. architect I.M. Pei. It was the latest in a long series of honors for Leibovitz. In 2006, she was made a Commander of the French Order of Arts and Letters. She has received the International Center of Photographys Lifetime Achievement Award, and has been designated a Living Legend by the U.S. Library of Congress. The ceremony at the Academie des Beaux-Arts in Paris. Best of WWD BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 21. During the Nuclear Energy Summit in Brussels, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov met with Pakistani Foreign Minister Mohammed Ishaq Dar, Trend reports citing the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry. The ministers deliberated on the robust bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Pakistan, grounded on mutual trust, solidarity, and respect, along with exploring avenues for collaboration and assessing the current regional dynamics. Minister Bayramov extended warm congratulations to his counterpart on assuming the role of Foreign Minister and conveyed his best wishes for success in this pivotal position. Both parties expressed contentment with the ongoing collaboration between their nations, highlighting the significance of high-level visits and comprehensive engagement across various sectors. They underscored the ample potential for cooperation in economics, transportation, trade, and other sectors between Azerbaijan and Pakistan. During the meeting, Bayramov provided a comprehensive update on the preparations for the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), as well as the restoration and reconstruction efforts in Azerbaijan's liberated territories, initiatives in smart city development and green energy, ongoing challenges posed by landmines, and the process of normalizing relations with Armenia. Additionally, the ministers exchanged perspectives on other regional and international issues of mutual concern. 18:03 (GMT+4) Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and his Pakistani colleague Ishaq Dar explored the post-conflict regional situation, the Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan wrote on its page on X (Twitter), Trend reports. The discussions took place during the officials' meeting on the sidelines of the Nuclear Energy Summit in Brussels. "The parties exchanged views on the prospects for cooperation between the countries in the fields of economics, transport, and communications. At the same time, preparatory work in connection with COP29 was discussed," the ministry added. Meanwhile, Bayramov departed on a working visit to Belgium on March 20. During his visit, he is slated to attend and speak at the Nuclear Energy Summit in Brussels today. The inaugural Nuclear Energy Summit in Brussels will highlight nuclear energy's critical role in addressing global concerns such as lowering fossil fuel dependency, enhancing energy security, and promoting economic growth. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Thoughtful details: Oldfield added leaf-like velvet applique patches to the coat dress - Getty The Queen upheld the royal tradition of clever diplomatic dressing during a visit to Belfast on Thursday, donning two outfits which paid tribute to her hosts in both subtle and unmissable ways. For the first part of her day in Northern Ireland, the Queen debuted an elegant new coat dress by one of her most trusted couturiers, Bruce Oldfield the designer of last years Coronation gown. Significantly, Camilla had commissioned a new outfit for the visit rather than wearing any of the many other Emerald Isle green items in her wardrobe. Oldfield gave the coat a special twist, adding leaf-like velvet applique patches. This outfit was originally intended for Christmas Day, but it was a bit too dressy for that family gathering so it came out for the St Patricks visit instead, Oldfield tells the Telegraph. The applique details are, he explains, a stylised modern interpretation of a classic Rococo leaf motif that I offered Her Majesty in a variety of placements. Im pleased she wore it. Camilla accessorised her new coat with a diamond and turquoise clover brooch, a nod to the shamrock symbol which unites Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The brooch was given to the Queen by the late Queen Elizabeth, who received it as a wedding gift in 1947. She also added a silk scarf in pale green, another accessory loved by Queen Elizabeth. Lucky charms: Queen Camilla accessorised her new coat with a turquoise clover brooch and a green silk scarf - Getty Later, Camilla changed into a second diplomatically sensitive ensemble. For a World Poetry Day event attended by politicians including Michelle ONeill, the First Minister, she wore a bottle-green dress by Anna Valentine, another of her favoured designers, with an Art Deco-style emerald brooch which was a gift from the King. Aside from the obvious Irish green connection and her alignment to the Irish people, I would say that green is giving Camilla strength in her role as she is carrying out her commitments alone, says author and colour expert Jules Standish. It is a supportive colour, helping her to stay feeling calm and balanced. Its a colour that projects an image of friendliness and approachability, and a sense that she is truly coming from the heart. It could also echo Charless love of the environment and nature. Later on, the Queen wore a bottle-green dress by Anna Valentine - Reuters Bruce Oldfield was a natural choice for Camilla to turn to for her new coat and may have been responsible for coaxing her into a slightly more daring design than usual. I design in quite a classical way. I design to flatter the body, Oldfield told The Telegraph in an interview after the Coronation. The great thing about this particular commission was that we do have a great knowledge of her figure and her body. And also I can tell when she doesnt like something. By wearing two looks in the same hue, along with carefully chosen jewellery, the Queen emphasised her commitment to the diplomatic dressing custom which has been made into a fine art by the modern members of the Royal family. Queen Elizabeth used the custom of deploying fashion to make a bold gesture of solidarity and respect numerous times in visits to both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland during her reign. Pictures from a 1977 visit to Northern Ireland show her in an elegant emerald green silk outfit. And for a historic tour of the Republic of Ireland in 2011, she wore a gown adorned with more than 1,000 silk shamrocks and a diamond harp brooch, both symbols which carry meaning across the entire island of Ireland. Queen Elizabeth II in Northern Ireland, 1977 - Getty The Princess of Wales reserved her most boldly Ireland-themed looks for a visit to the Republic in 2020 when she debuted two new vivid green outfits which were a playful take on diplomatic dressing: a swirl-printed Alessandra Rich dress was teamed with a tailored Catherine Walker coat for her arrival, while the tinsel-green Vampires Wife dress she wore to visit the Guinness Storehouse that evening is still considered one of her most stylish looks in history. She also wore a coat by Galway-based Dubarry for a more casual moment of the tour. The Princess of Wales's Vampire's Wife dress, worn to the Guinness Storehouse in 2020, is 'still considered one of her most stylish looks in history', writes Holt - Getty In 2019, the Princess wore a sparkly Missoni dress in a pale mint shade - Getty This blue look, worn in Belfast, 'was thought to have been chosen to pay tribute to the city's flag' - Getty In Northern Ireland, the Princesss past choices have been more understated. An all-blue look she wore in Belfast in 2022 was thought to have been chosen to pay tribute to the citys flag, while a sparkly Missoni dress in pale mint referenced the traditional Irish shade in a more modern way. Even the Duchess of Sussex got the green in Ireland memo, wearing a bottle-green pencil skirt by Canadian label Greta Constantine for a visit to Belfast in 2018. Even the Duchess of Sussex got the green memo: seen here in Ireland, 2018, wearing a bottle-green pencil skirt by Canadian label Greta Constantine - Getty Of course, Ireland isnt the only place to have enjoyed the members of the Royal familys diplomatic fashion statements. From cherry blossom dresses in Japan to red and white flag dressing in Canada and yellow in Australia, there are dozens of examples of the practice in play. In November last year, the Queen and the Princess of Wales co-ordinated the colours of their outfits to honour the South Korean presidents state visit. At a time when the members of the Royal family are making headlines for so many other reasons, its reassuring to see this style continuity in action. 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. Queen Camilla visited Knotts Bakery in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on Thursday wearing her favorite Russell & Bromley suede boots. A closer look at Queen Camillas shoes. Queen Camilla has been seen wearing the silhouette many times before. When it comes to footwear, she tends to favor neutral silhouettes for royal appearances. Over the last couple of months, she has gravitated mostly towards this pair of black boots. Since the start of the year, shes also been seen in satin and suede kitten heels. More from Footwear News Queen Camilla visits Knotts Bakery on March 21, 2024 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Getty Images Queen Camilla visited several businesses in Northern Ireland. She started her day visiting the bakery to learn about how the bakers continue to use traditional Ulster baking methods with no machinery involved. Afterward, she made an appearance at other businesses like Coffeys Butchers and Arcadia Delicatessen. About the shoes Russell & Bromleys Dressage Boot. Russell & Bromley Queen Camillas current favorite pair are Russell & Bromleys black Dressage boots. The knee-high boots featured a suede upper with an almond toe and side zipper closure. The sleeve created a ruched look around the ankle. The set was completed by a short block heel that gave about 2 of height to the look. Camilla has been seen wearing the boots on several occasions over the last year, including QIPCO British Champions Day back in October. Her daughter-in-law Kate Middleton is also a fan of the set. Queen Camilla visits Knotts Bakery on March 21, 2024 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Getty Images Russell & Bromleys History Russell & Bromley has specialized in luxury footwear and handbags since 1880. Its sophisticated silhouettes are now easily recognized because of their craftsmanship and innovative design. While the British brand has expanded throughout the U.K., it is still run and owned by the Bromley family, specifically led by Roger Bromley, great-grandson of the founder. Queen Camillas Shoe Style When it comes to footwear, the queen favors block-heeled pumps for formal occasions. In colder months, shell favor knee-high or riding boots. Just like her consistent rotation through the same silhouettes, the queen tends to gravitate towards footwear hailing from Chanel and U.K.s Sole Bliss. Camilla, Queen Consort, Queen, Queen Consort Camilla, coat, tweed coat, bleu coat, women's coat, fascinator, hat, boots, black boots, tall boots, womens boots, flat boots Queen Camillas Style Through the Years View Gallery22 Images Launch Gallery: Queen Camilla's Style Through the Years Best of Footwear News Sign up for FN's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. My sister Theda had been bedridden for seven years when she first decided she wanted to die. She was 32 then, and a mysterious chronic illness had diminished her will to live. Though it wasnt legal in Australia at the time, she wanted to die by euthanasia. Technically, this would classify the death she wished for as a suicide. But ethicallyand within the familywe understood it differently. Theda was 24 when her symptoms began. The fatigue came on first. A few years later, she developed chronic nerve pain, light and sound sensitivity, and multiple food intolerances. Our mother cared for her at home, and Theda only left the house for medical appointments. She lost any semblance of a social life, and eventually, she could no longer read, watch TV, or use a computer without getting migraines. Conversing with her became difficult because she couldnt concentrate enough to construct sentences. Her suffering was physical, but it was also socialit affected our family and community. Nothing helped. The only change, despite so much effort, was that it got worse. I was backpacking around India when she initially broached the topic of euthanasia. My mom had called to explain the situation, and I talked to Theda the next day from a public phone on a dirt path atop a cliff overlooking the coast. I remember some backpackers haggling with a street vendor nearby, and feeling anxious because I wasnt sure what I would say. Her voice came wispy and weak over a crackling connection, but it was clear enough. At first, I did most of the talking. I spoke of India and made some jokes about backpacking culture. Then she told me how things were at home. She had almost run out of treatment options. Her doctors were scratching their heads. One had diagnosed her with chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia. Others argued her problem was a mental illness with psychosomatic symptoms. Theda had chosen to follow the doctor claiming it was chronic fatigue. This doctors treatments were slowly bankrupting our family, and we hadnt seen any improvements. Our father had checked out and moved away, so it was just Theda, Mom, and me. Khin, she said. Ive read some chapters of a book about euthanasia, and it suggests asking your loved ones permission before you start making plans. This was in 2006. The book she was talking about was by Derek Humphry, a controversial figure who advocated for extending medically assisted dying to the chronicallynot just terminallyill. He offers an ethical framework and practical advice to those wishing to pursue a peaceful death, even when doing so may be illegal where they live. Theda as a young woman. Photo courtesy Khin Myint. I accepted my sisters request over the phone that day. I realized as we were speaking that I couldnt refuse her the right to die. Here I was exploring the world with a backpack and a healthy life while shed been in bed for seven years. It was deeply troubling: Part of me resisted her wish, but another part knew that shed proceed regardless without my blessing, which meant shed potentially face a lonelier and more distressing death. She assured me she wasnt ready to give up living yetshe was just setting her ducks in a row. Enjoy India, she said. Ill see you when you get back. Theda didnt follow through until six years later. In that time, her symptoms worsened. New doctors appeared, and with them came new treatments and cycles of hope and disappointment. Mom suffered two stress-related strokes, and my mental health declined. We tried mainstream medicine, and dipped into the outer reaches of alternative therapies. We got scammed by questionable people promising impossible cures. Mom lost all her retirement savings, and Theda began to experience regular psychotic breaks. Then, in 2013, Theda found a website that sent euthanasia drugs internationally using a process called hushmail. For years she had followed the work of Philip Nitschke, whose organization Exit International helps people seek euthanasia in places where its illegal. She worried the drugs she saw online might not be real, but with advice from Nitschkes website at her fingertips, she felt confident enough to proceed without getting scammed. The drugs arrived in a nondescript cardboard box postmarked from Mexico. Inside were two vials of sodium pentobarbitala clear liquid used in animal euthanasia and death row executions. She locked the vials in a petty cash box under her bed. Im not going to take it yet, she told me. Its just comforting to know its there. I can go on longer knowing an escape hatch exists. But she would use them soon enough. She took the drugs a few months later. I had told Theda in no uncertain terms that I didnt want her to die. My mother was hit hardest, but we both had to accept it. Its only because of these thingsour familys embrace of Thedas choice and the medical method she used to diethat our story is about euthanasia, not suicide. Euthanasia involves loved ones, dignity, and a peaceful method. Suicide usually is decided alone. Its generally performed haphazardly, with uncertain and often traumatic results. The complex ethics of euthanasia are tackled differently across the globe. Some of the most permissive assisted dying laws can be found in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Switzerland, which offer people with chronic nonterminal conditionsincluding mental illnessesthe right to die. These conditions can range from severe autoimmune diseases and nonterminal cancers to treatment-resistant forms of depression and schizophrenia. In Belgium and the Netherlands two doctors must deem a persons suffering as incurable and intolerable, and they must also agree that the patient is mentally equipped to make such a request. In the United States, the debate is complicated by a lack of universal access to health care; experts point out that suffering from a chronic condition may be exacerbated or even caused by an inability to get treatment, making euthanasia a grim option. Currently, euthanasia is allowed in a small number of states, each of which has slightly different laws. In those states, only people with a terminal illness like ALS/Lou Gehrigs disease or some forms of cancer may access the drugs, and in some cases, the patient must have been given a prognosis of having six months or less to live. This is, perhaps, the option that is easiest for the general public to get on board with: the right to dictate when ones impending death will happen, and that it will proceed in a predictable manner. Canada currently offers medically assisted deaths to people with terminal illnesses and chronic illnesses. The debate about whether that should extend to chronic mental illness has caused a stir. The current Canadian government has a plan to offer medically assisted death to mental illness patients on a case-by-case basis, but it hasnt yet put it into action. A process for assessing these patients was originally slated to begin in March of this year, but it has recently been pushed back to 2027, after Canadas next federal election. My family tackled euthanasia from an especially troubling angle, one that falls far outside firm categories of illness. The question of whether Thedas condition was mental or physical was constantly debated, and it initially weighed heavily on me when thinking about her right to die. Doctors who believed mental illness was at the core of her problem argued that her physical symptoms were psychosomatic. This is known as conversion disorder, where people experience physical and sensory problems because of psychological distress. Others who diagnosed her with physical conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and Lyme disease eschewed psychiatric explanations and treatments altogether. The tension between these two camps was never resolved. Even after her death and an autopsy, the nature of her illness remains uncertain. That uncertainty highlights the way our culture ranks suffering in conversations about who deserves the right to die. Were socialized to see some types of suffering with less sympathy. Wellcome Prizewinning neurologist Suzanne OSullivan discusses this prejudice in her 2016 book Its All In Your Head, which focuses on psychosomatic illnesses. I have come to realize that not all suffering is the same, she writes. It is not necessarily the greater suffering that receives the greatest consideration and sympathy. Illness is not scored in that way. Deadly disease obviously scores higher than others. After that there is an unofficial ranking system for illness in which psychiatric disorders are the out-and-out losers. Psychiatric disorders manifesting as physical disease are at the very bottom of that pile. This distinction between physical, psychological, and hybrid suffering didnt matter much to Theda in the end. After 13 years of being unable to get out of bed, suffering was suffering. What we called itor what her diagnosis waswas beside the point. All of the diagnoses she was given, whether mental or physical, relied on clinical assessments. No blood tests or scan-based technologies were capable of definitively proving what was causing her sickness. For each possible diagnosis, a doctor would interview her about her symptoms, and she could only describe them. The symptoms she described were on lists for multiple diseases. Definitively proving any diagnosis was impossible, so she had to choose among those on offer, and then commit to a treatment plan. Over the years, I tended to believe the doctors who attributed my sisters condition to mental illness. I felt this way for a number of reasons, but I learned to keep my mouth shut about it because I soon realized that evoking mental illness upset her immensely. I started to think about why we stigmatize some diseases, especially those linked to mental health. Stigma affects a sick persons life profoundly. It adds to their suffering. And it affects their family. Importantly, it can perpetuate their resistance to a diagnosis that involves the mind, keeping them from trying treatments that might help. Part of the reason I believed Thedas physical symptoms were connected to a deeper psychological issue was that she started to have regular psychotic breaks at the age of 26. Looking back, I see that these psychotic breaks could have been caused by her ongoing physical pain and social isolationbut psychiatrists often told us that it was the reverse. They believed her physical symptoms were hallucinations caused by an underlying psychiatric issue. I privately agreed with them, though I didnt judge my sister for it as she feared some people might. Im not crazy! she told me when mental illness causing physical symptoms came up once. She neednt have worried, because I never saw her as crazy. I loved her and only wanted her to get better. When she was psychotic, she talked to me a lot. I would be her confidant in the locked psychiatric wards in which she was sometimes committed. In these wards, she was stripped of her rights and unable to leave, so I would visit her daily. Her personality was completely transformed. Usually mild-mannered, polite, and cautious, she became melodramatic, forthright, and charismatic when a psychosis hit. She could be violent and irrational, too. We usually had to call the police to get her from my mothers house to the hospital. These breaks with reality came about once every nine months. She would barely recognize me as her brother during those times. She preferred to categorize people according to archetypes. I was often the brother or sometimes Neo; Mom and our father were the mother and the father. She even spoke about herself in the third person, as if commenting on a troubled twin with whom she occasionally shared a body. Shed also talk to people who werent there, babbling about gods and demons. It was during these times that I first heard her talk about our childhood traumas. The author and his sister as children. Photo courtesy Khin Myint. Theda and I grew up in a broken household with ethnic tensions. Dad was a Burmese refugee, and Mom was a working-class Englishwoman who couldnt afford to get back to the Northern Hemisphere. Cut off from any extended family, one parent wanted us to identify as Asian, and the other as Western. Throughout adolescence, we were bullied for being dark-skinned in a predominantly white neighborhood. We lived in a suburb adjacent to where the Australian Nationalist MovementPerths active white supremacy grouphad set up its headquarters. We went through adolescence in a backwater part of the worlds most isolated city in the 1980s, and when I was 12, nearly half a million posters appeared around town stating that our kind were not welcome. Anti-Asian immigration had been the government policy in my country until just before Theda was born, so the bigotry in our city was still strong. Racism came at us from teachers, peers, and adults. It was implied in stories we read and the television we watched. That made for a tough and confusing childhood, leaving both Theda and me with a sense that something was intrinsically wrong with us. We internalized racism because we werent empowered with a language to describe what we were experiencing. We blamed ourselves. For me, that manifested as major depression from the ages of 13 to 24. For Theda, I believe it contributed to her getting sick. I later discovered research that links poor adult health to the particular kinds of developmental stress minorities often face as children. When Theda was sane, she never talked about our childhood. Only psychotic Theda did that. During a psychosis, it was like she became another person. Her speech patterns changedshe had what psychiatrists call pressured speech, which is the constant need to talk (somewhat incoherently). She also clanged, which is a tendency to fill silence with simple rhyming speech patterns. She trusted me during these times in a way she didnt seem to trust anyone else. She tried to communicate with me, and there were narratives in the content of her speech that I recognized. She talked a lot about her physical condition, calling it the sickness Theda has. She believed that her illness existed because our family was in the wrong realm. She mythologized our migration and ethnic experience when speaking like this, saying our parents had migrated from more agreeable realms in their past lives. She also commonly linked her physical illness to trauma from a past life in which shed been raped and buried alive for attempting to move freely in a single-ethnicity culture while being a half-caste. It was my sisters personality to repress painful childhood memories, but they came tumbling out when her sanity was compromised. Most importantly, all her physical symptoms would temporarily vanish as that occurred. This is one reason I always felt her illness had psychological rootsher physical symptoms seemed capable of transforming into mythic narratives about trauma. It was remarkable to witness. Her food intolerances would stop, light and sound would no longer give her migraines, she didnt experience any fatigue or pain, and her short-sightedness improved, quite dramatically. The abatement of symptoms would last for the duration of each psychosis, usually around 10 days. After that, her symptoms would return. This tracks with theories about how repressed trauma can drive psychosomatic illnesses. These theories, which began with Freud in the late 1800s, revolve around the idea that when people cannot consciously process trauma, their brains manifest perceptions of physical symptoms instead. When they find a way to face the trauma consciously, those physical symptoms tend to abate. The world of psychogenic research is fascinating, sometimes counterintuitive, and often deeply resonant. Functional neurologic disorderanother name for conversion disorderappears in the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and it can include symptoms like blindness, paralysis, allergies, seizures, fatigue, and pain. Once known as hysteria and attributed mostly to women, it still gets some bad press. Many people, including some doctors, equate it with faking or hypochondria, whereas others imagine that it simply doesnt exist, citing sexist ignorance in past eras as the only reason such things were ever diagnosed. But psychogenic diseases do exist, and much research confirms that they arent the same as faking. These conditions have been recorded since ancient Egypt, and they happen to both men and women. They have been cured in some people, and they remain incurable in others. Diagnosing them is difficult, but proof often appears when a psychological treatment eliminates otherwise inexplicable physical symptoms. Research estimates that 20 percent of all neurology consultations include patients with some conversion disorder symptoms. For many years I believed that my sister had severe conversion disorder. But as I learned more about medically inexplicable conditions, I also began to consider other possibilities. Emotional distress can change our cells, which is quite different from conversion disorder and explains why my sisters hormone levels were often out of whack when tested. Chronic teen bullying victims, for example, can have higher levels of disease-indicating C-reactive proteins that can last a lifetime. Women who have been physically or psychologically abused by a partner show altered neurological and gastrointestinal function. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a strikingly illustrative example of how emotional and social distress can potentially alter our physical health through our hormones. It is a heart disease that shows up on echocardiograms as a deformation in a patients left ventricle, caused by spikes in their stress hormone levels. It can kill, and it occurs in in people who are struggling with grief, financial stress, or social isolation. Crohns disease and endometriosis are two more well-known physical conditions that have also been partially linked to psychological trauma. Like many people, I once classified mental and physical diseases as quite distinct from each other. In my mind, a key difference involved their cause and cure. My perception was that mental illnesses were generally caused by social and familial distress, and that they could be cured with medication and/or therapy. The reality is that mental illnesses can be, for some, a lifelong burden. They have genetic factors too. And social and familial distress can cause physical illnesses just as they can cause mental illness. When we recognize that mental and physical illnesses are not so cleanly divided, we can also question the usefulness of that divide for deciding on someones right to die. Should a person experiencing a temporary mental health episode be considered a euthanasia candidate? Everyone would agree the answer is no. Just like someone experiencing a bad case of mononucleosis shouldnt be given the right to a medically assisted death, nor should someone experiencing an episode of depression. But should someones right to die be explicitly about their diagnosis? When someones suffering is intolerable and without an end in sight, that should be enough of a reason to consider their right to a peaceful death, on a case-by-case basis. We should listen to people in that situation when they ask for more rights, no matter the cause of their illness, as a cause may not be able to be neatly untangled. Stigmatizing some types of diagnosesand seeing some terrible chronic conditions as worthy of the right to die and not othersis a form of collective victim-blaming. Social psychologist Melvin Lerner can give us insight there. He hypothesized in the 1970s that victim-blaming is driven by the blamers desire for an illusion of safety. When we imagine that someones misfortune is caused by their own folly, we can strike that misfortune from our own list of personal concerns. Consider how that plays into the ways we stigmatize some illnesses. Blaming the patient alleviates our anxiety about that particular sickness. Hence, mental illnesses get stigmatized because many people wish to imagine themselves immune. As noted by OSullivan, psychosomatic conditions attract the intense victim-blaming because they challenge the very framework separating mental and physical illnesses. This challenges our illusion of invulnerability in a significant way. I learned to see beyond that as I went through this story with my family. My big sisters illness was not her fault. It was an illness as real as any other, and beyond her control regardless of whether it was mental or physical in origin. It was likely caused by social trauma, but it proved untreatable. And her suffering was terrible. In a 2023 essay for the Atlantic, David Brooks argues that the right to die should be afforded narrowly, only for people with terminal physical conditions. You dont have the right to make a choice you will never be able to revisit, he writes. Banish the question from your mind, because the answer is a simple no. He believes sick people owe it to their ancestors and society to continue living despite their suffering. He blames modern liberal culture for prioritizing individual well-being over our responsibility to others. Our individual choices take place within the framework of the gifts we have received, and the responsibilities to others that those gifts entail, he continues. I agree with Brooks that tackling the rights of chronically ill patients involves thinking about responsibility. But instead of putting the emphasis on the individual, as he does, we must think about responsibility more broadly. We need to examine how we rank illness-related suffering as a culture. Thats our responsibility. We also need to consider how social injustice plays a role in causing chronic and mental illnesses. In the final month of my sisters life, I traveled to America because of pressing concerns in New York. Meanwhile, Theda was back in Australia with pentobarbital under her bed. She had promised me she wouldnt end her life without first calling me back to Australia. I knew it was a risk leaving, but I took it. The night I arrived in New York, George Zimmermans trial was on a TV in the reception area of my accommodation.* It was mainstream news, and two anchors were orchestrating a conversation between talking heads in live feeds. The topic turned to growing up Black in America and how it could affect the long-term psychological well-being of people like Trayvon Martin. They argued about the impact of racial inferiority complexes. I remember watching that debate with awe. Theda and I hadnt grown up in a society debating such ideas. We never encountered those thoughts in our social circles or on national news. Some of our ignorance came from growing up working class, and the rest was colonial Australias tendency to sweep discomfort under the rug rather than discussing it on TV. Id never heard the term racial inferiority complex until that year, but it resonated. I remember being affected by how my sister would perceive and react to what I was seeing. Witnessing a nation discuss such things makes thinking about them possible. A robust public discourse on racism would have helped her to shine a light on the childhood experiences that she seemed to understand in her head when psychotic, and in her body when she was sane. I realized that night in New York that I was witnessing one of the ways a society can speak to the sick. A month later, Theda euthanized herself while I was still abroad. It happened after shed attended a medical appointment with a neurologist who implied her suffering was her fault becausethat neurologist believedit had a mental health component at its core. I was staying at an Airbnb in Ithaca at the time. I hadnt truly imagined Theda ending her life without calling me home. That day, Mum phoned while I was at a cafe getting ready to catch a bus to Albany. After the call, I remember walking down the main street toward the bus station on autopilot, unsure where I was going. Mums voice was playing over in my head, telling me that my sister was gone. It felt like I was watching myself from outside my own flesh. I wasnt mad at Theda for ending her life. She had chosen euthanasia after reaching the end of what she could tolerate. I knew that it no longer mattered whether her illness had been in her body or mind. All I knew is that she was no longer suffering. If you need to talk, or if you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, text the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Make your eclipse experience complete with this treat. Sonic On April 8, a large section of the United States, stretching from Texas to Maine, will experience a full solar eclipse. To say people are excited would be an understatement. Luckily, all kinds of hotels, restaurants, and brands are leaning into the eclipse mania and celebrating alongside astronomy fans including Sonic. On Wednesday, Sonic unveiled its Blackout Slush Float, which will be available nationwide starting March 25. The all-black slush has what Sonic describes as a "sweet, cotton candy and dragon fruit flavor," all blended together to represent the "temporary darkness from the solar eclipse." It comes topped with soft serve and blue and purple galaxy-themed sprinkles to give it a true "out of this world" look. There are over 400 Sonic locations in areas where the total solar eclipse will be visible, and we thought, what better way to create some fun for our fans as they experience this unique event than by introducing a new treat thats as awe-inspiring as the eclipse itself? Mackenzie Gibson, the vice president of culinary and menu innovation at Sonic, shared in a statement. Related: Jeni's Is Launching 4 Intergalactic Ice Cream Flavors Just in Time for the Solar Eclipse Beyond offering the new drink, Sonic is also helping people prepare for the eclipse by partnering with Terry Virts, a former NASA astronaut and International Space Station commander. Ive been a longtime fan of SONIC and even tried to make slushes, shakes, and burgers in space and the new Blackout Slush Float creates a fun and tasty way for fans to get excited for this rare scientific phenomenon, Virts said. Related: The Best Ice Cream Scoops, According to Our Tests As for his best tip, Virts reiterated the importance of specific eclipse-viewing glasses. No, they are not the same as sunglasses, but they are specially designed to comply with international standards and protect your eyes. As the American Astronomical Society notes, the glasses "reduce visible sunlight to safe and comfortable levels but also block all but a tiny fraction of solar UV and IR radiation." So go ahead and get a pair along with the Blackout Slush Float from March 25 through May 5. But remember, like the solar eclipse, this too is a limited-time event. Maybe we can just ask Sonic to bring back the slushie when the next eclipse rolls around to the U.S. in 2044. For More Eclipse Coverage, Visit: 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." The box holding Neroli Plein SudGuerlains latest fragranceis a passport to adventurethe fragrance serving as the journey. The box resembles a sunset featuring a desert orange shade melding into the white and blue skyline. The artwork on the box holds a historical touch and is courtesy of author and adventurer Antoine de Saint Exupery, a good friend of Guerlain. The sketches depict a journey through Morocco, a tale told at a dinner between the two friends, and that voyage serves as the inspiration for the fragrance. On one side of the perfume box, a sketch of a single-engine plane sits next to an illustration of Morocco with an outlined journey from the North to the Souththe same travels that de Saint Exupery shared with Guerlain. Courtesy of Danielle James Neroli Plein Sud is a spicy floral with a citrusy brightness from the neroli and the orange blossom. Despite visiting the North African country frequently, Delphine Jelk, an in-house perfumer at Guerlain, never imagined creating a perfume inspired by Morocco. Once I smelled this organic neroli from Khessimet, I really fell in love, she says. Jelk went straight to the source, traveling to Khemisset, a city known for its fields of orange flowers, which are extracted to create the neroli scent. In a master class with Jelk, I get to smell the depth of neroli. I close my eyes and listen to Jelk talk about scent creation as the Agafay Desert breeze carries the orange blossom, its bitter leaves, and a surprising hint of honey across my nose. Shop Now Neroli Plein Sud Selfridges $325.00 Guerlain As I trudge across the Moroccan desert, I notice that the fragrance gets spicier when mixed with the extreme heat. I pick up the ginger and turmeric in a delicious way. When I return to New York City, I wear it on a cool February day and notice that the fragrance smells more fresh and green. No matter where I wear it, one thing remains true: This scent has an incredibly long-lasting trail. The orange absolut, Jelk says and smiles, reminding me of the ingredient from our master class, which gifts the perfume its trail. Whats interesting with this fragrance is that its very fresh and, at the same time, very long-lasting, like a luxury cologne. Jelk explains how cologne, a type of citrusy fragrance, was one of the first fragrances at Guerlain. Created in 1853, Eau de Cologne Imperiale was made for Empress Eugenie, wife of Napolean III. Neroli Plein Sud is like a contemporary, more mischievous version of the historical fragrance. Its interesting this [eau de parfum] has this cologne feeling: a big freshness that makes you feel good and healthy and at the same time those warmer and richer notes that help the fragrance to last, says Jelk. Unlike other fragrances where I need to reapply with a midday spritz, once I apply, this beautiful scent lasts me all day, making it worth its $345 price tag. Ive had it for three months and wear this scent about 2 to 3 times a week, and Im not even a quarter of the way through the bottle. Jelk not only traveled to Morocco to create this fragrance, but she also kept a travel diary for the product. This furthers the intimacy of the fragrance, which was birthed from friendship and adventure. Terracotta, clay, and yellow color swatches as well as plucked orange blossom flowers are taped to the page and intertwined amongst Jelks personal notes and thoughts. In our master class, Jelk admits to being a visual individual, which is apparent as I look through her diary. I do a lot of mood boards and I use a lot of colors and textures, she says before admitting that she had once attended fashion design school. I create fragrances exactly like I would create dresses. Its really the same process. Its creation! I build a story in my mind, which leads to an emotion, and that gives me inspiration, Jelk explains. For Jelk, the story was held in the Guerlain archives and she was able to mix her deep love of Morocco into the creation of Neroli Plein Sud. I call this fragrance a power floral because of the spice. Jelk shares that the spice gives the scent its sensuality and brings out its masculine side. The ginger, turmeric, and cinnamon transport her to the Moroccan spice markets, where she can get lost for hours. This is a genderless fragrance for an individual who wants to make a statement through scent. At first spritz, it wakes you up with a citrusy effervescence that dries down to a sweet and spicy woody aroma. Its androgynous. In fact, Jelk describes it for the woman who is very free and loves to wear mens fragrance. If youre looking for a new signature scent, Neroli Plein Sud could be for you. This sensual yet playful scent combines orange blossom with ginger, cinnamon, and turmeric to create an unforgettable spicy floral you will want to wear again and again. You Might Also Like Jared Kushner's firm, Affinity Partners, is investing in billion-dollar real estate deals in the Balkans. Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of former President Donald Trump and a prominent figure in American politics, has set his sights on the Balkans with plans for three transformative property developments across Albania and Serbia. Kushners foray into the region comes as his Miami-based private equity firm, Affinity Partners, engages in advanced discussions for investments exceeding $1 billion, in the hopes of reshaping the landscape of tourism and real estate in Southeast Europe. Among the ambitious projects is the conversion of Albanias Sazan Island, once a military stronghold, into a luxurious Aman-branded eco-resort community. The ability to develop 3 miles of beautiful coastline and a 1400-acre island in the middle of the heart of the Mediterranean is unique, Kushner shared with The Post. A rendering of the Sazan Sea Villas in Albania. Studio Genesis Affinity Partners is developing the space into a luxury resort. Studio Genesis The water is crystal blue like the Maldives. Its beautiful. The beaches are incredible and its just one of these special places. Teaming up with friends Ric Grenell, former US Ambassador to Germany, and NYC developer Asher Abehsera, Kushner is drawn to Albanias burgeoning tourism sector, buoyed by its rapid growth and international acclaim. Notably, Albanias Ksamil ranks among the top global destinations on Airbnb, reflecting the countrys emergence from its communist past to become a hotspot for travelers seeking unspoiled beauty and historical intrigue. Albania was ranked as the fastest-growing tourist destination in Europe in 2023. Studio Genesis Once dubbed the North Korea of Europe, Albania has undergone an evolution and now boasts macroeconomic stability, a burgeoning tourist industry and a growing appeal to international investors. Data from the UNWTO (United Nations World Tourism Organization) underscores Albanias ascent as the fastest-growing tourist destination in Europe, positioning it alongside global heavyweights like Qatar and Saudi Arabia. The allure of the Balkans extends beyond Albania, with Affinity eyeing another venture in Serbias capital, Belgrade. Here, Kushner plans to revitalize a historic area left vacant since the NATO bombing in 1999, envisioning a luxury hotel, commercial spaces, and over 1,500 residences. A man walks past the building of former federal military headquarters in Belgrade on March 24, 2010, destroyed during the 1999 NATO air campaign against Yugoslavia. AFP via Getty Images And its not hard to understand why Kushner would want a piece of that pie. A New York Times story highlighted Belgrade as the new cocktail capital of Europe. There is also the historical significance of the building, Kushner explained. Transforming it from an eyesore into a landmark that will create jobs and revenue for the city is something exciting to be involved in. Kushners ventures align with the broader economic transformation of the region. But its not just about the allure of sandy beaches and azure waters. As Affinity undertakes these bold initiatives, Kushner is aware of their potential to catalyze further development in the region, possibly birthing the next hotbed of tourism and investment. Its not going to be a secret for much longer, Kushner said. A rendering of the Belgrade location that is set to be turned into a luxury hotel, commercial spaces and over 1,500 residences. Studio Genesis The area has been left vacant since the NATO bombing in 1999. Studio Genesis Still in the early stages of development, it is unknown when these projects are set to be completed. A draft outline of the agreement provided to The Times revealed that the Serbian government would grant Kushner a 99-year lease at no charge, and access to build a luxury hotel, an apartment complex and a museum at the historic site. But Kushners decision to develop in Belgrade did not exactly come out of nowhere. In 2013, two years before he began running for president, Trump told a top Serbian government official of his vision to build a luxury hotel on the site. Representatives from the Trump Organization journeyed to Belgrade to assess the site. However, the project failed to materialize before Trumps election in 2016. After his inauguration, he pledged to abstain from initiating any new international business ventures. Kushner will develop 3 miles off the coast of Albania. Studio Genesis Following his departure from government, Kushner founded Affinity, a private equity firm that has amassed assets totaling $3.1 billion. The firm secured substantial backing from Middle Eastern state-backed investors, notably receiving approximately $2 billion from Saudi Arabias Public Investment Fund. Though the sprawling investment has raised eyebrows, Kushner defended the funding during a Miami summit sponsored by media company Axios last month saying he followed every law and ethics rule. If you ask me about the work that that we did in the White House, for my critics, what I say is point to a single decision we made that wasnt in the interest of America, Kushner said. Additionally, Affinity is exploring opportunities for investment in sectors such as renewable energy, data centers, and artificial intelligence. Renowned for his pivotal involvement in the Abraham Accords, which facilitated the normalization of relations between Israel and several Arab nations in 2020, Kushner has signaled his intention not to return to a potential Trump administration in the event of the presumptive Republican nominee winning the upcoming presidential election in November. Women in New York no longer need a doctors prescription to get birth control. Pharmacists throughout the state can now dispense birth control without a prescription to anyone, according to an order signed March 19 by the state health commissioner. The order pertains to three types of self-administered hormonal contraceptives approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration: oral hormonal pills, hormonal vaginal rings, and hormonal contraceptive patches. PAU BARRENA - Getty Images Pharmacists who choose to participate can give individuals up to a 12-month supply of the customers contraception of choice. Out-of-state visitors can also obtain birth control in New Yorka major step forward in womens ongoing fight for reproductive rights in the United States. Anybody canyoure welcome to get a years supply, state health commissioner James McDonald said at a news conference after signing the order. You want to come to New York and get your birth control pill, youre welcome. Barbara Alper - Getty Images For years, it has been incredibly difficult for American women to access birth control. In conservative-run states, anti-abortion groups have raided reproductive clinics while state leaders pass laws to ensure women have no say when it comes to their bodies. And while those issues are far less common for them, women in liberal states do still struggle with high out-of-pocket costs for birth control, long wait times at fertility and OB-GYN clinics, a dearth of appointments due to high demand, and getting prescriptions through video appointments. picture alliance - Getty Images The birth control order comes as part of a major push by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and other state leaders to expand the availability of reproductive health care amid dwindling access to it elsewhere in the country. (Just last month, the Alabama Supreme Court threatened the future of egg-freezing and IVF treatment.) Since the Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in 2022, Hochul has moved to protect abortion access in New Yorksigning laws to protect patients and providers, investing millions in providers across the state, and purchasing a five-year supply of the abortion medication misoprostol. This year, she also allocated $100.7 million in new funding to support abortion providers and reproductive health care. ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS - Getty Images Hochul joined McDonald at College Parkside Pharmacy in Albany to sign the standing order. At a time when reproductive rights are under attack, New York State will continue to fight for every individuals right to access the health care they need, she said. Starting a family is a deeply personal decision, and New York State will always be a place where people can access safe and effective contraceptives. Spencer Platt - Getty Images You Might Also Like You can listen to our podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify each week. Follow this link if you're listening on Apple News. This week, Lale chats with author Chantha Nguonalong with her daughter Clara and co-author Kim Greenabout her new memoir Slow Noodles: A Cambodian Memoir of Love, Loss, and Family Recipes. Listen to hear the trio share stories of their travels across Cambodia and collaborations in the kitchen, while Chantha reflects on life as a Cambodian refugee, life in 1960s Battambang, and the dishes that have always kept her connected to home. This embedded content is not available in your region. Lale Arikoglu: Hi there. I'm Lale Arikoglu, and this is Women Who Travel. I'm so excited today to be sharing a story about food, memory, and storytelling from Cambodia. We'll be diving into making noodles rolled by hand, the way our guest mother and sister used to make them. Chantha Nguon: This is how my mother rolled the noodles. You can look at your watch and you see each noodle take about half minute. It's a piece of dough, like a little finger. And when you roll it like this, you make the noodle tougher. LA: Chantha Nguon has written Slow Noodles: A Cambodian Memoir of Love, Loss, and Family Recipes. She tells the story of her escape from Cambodia in 1970 as a nine-year-old, fleeing the dictatorship of Pol Pot, and moving to Saigon, and then a refugee camp in Thailand. After two decades of exile, she returns to a very different Cambodia. CN: You can ask me, and I go out with you, and whatever you eat, I can explain to you what it is. We can go to the Khmer restaurant, and eat Khmer food. Yeah. That's what we like from Cambodia. The world doesn't know about Cambodian food. I don't know what is the reason. We are too small abroad, or we don't have anybody to help us to bring it out. Kim Green: These are busy street markets like the kind you would see all over Cambodia, all over Southeast Asia, with really crowded scooters and bicycles, going through people cheek by jowl, and fresh ingredients and bounty everywhere, like fish jumping out of buckets, and sometimes live chickens, and lots and lots of vendors. LA: That's audio of Chantha, recorded by reporter Kim Green, as Chantha takes her on trips to different markets all over Cambodia and Chantha walks her through dishes that trigger her own memories. Kim Green is co-author of the book. She and Chantha are pretty much like family now. Right now, I'm talking to Chantha, with her daughter Clara. They've traveled a long way to meet at Kim's home in Nashville before going on the book tour. First, Clara. Clara Kim: I flew in from London on Saturday. I think it took me about 11 hours, so I'm slightly jet-lagged. My mom flew in from Cambodia. Quite a 13-hour difference, so I think she's having some jet-lagged as well. LA: I know that London jet-lag very well, but the Cambodia time difference I'm not familiar with. How have you been beating the jet lag so far? CK: We did have a bowl of rice porridge, or also known as congee, yesterday and today, and I think that helped cure a big part of it. LA: Where did you find the congee? CK: We made it. LA: I guess I now have my new cure for jet lag. Growing up, Clara spent many hours learning her mother's recipes. CK: A lot of the stories I heard growing up, and I think it was the same way that Kim heard the stories, are mostly through meals and times I spent in the kitchen with my mom. Her memories are often triggered by food, and it can be really difficult to guess which kind of story you are going to hear that day. It could be a wonderful story, a funny story about her time in the kitchen with her sister and her mom, or it could be a really, really sad story about her time in the forest, or in the refugee camp, or in Vietnam. To be honest with you, I hated some of those moments, because as a child it can be really difficult to figure out a way to help your mother feel better. I didn't know how to help her feel better, and I hated seeing her cry. I didn't quite understand how painful those memories can be. LA: Kim, what's it been like to hear all these stories from Chantha? How did you go about honoring them? KG: Before you said the word honor just now, I was thinking the word honor because I felt like it was an honor to hear the stories, and a big responsibility, because asking her to share the stories, it was a heavy ask. Every time she told the most painful parts of her history, it hurt her. The responsibility that goes along with asking someone to do that is huge, but also it is an incredible honor to be trusted like that. I met Chantha in 2011. She was in Nashville meeting with a longtime donor, who had supported her women's weaving center in Cambodia for years. I did a story about that, and we hit it off. A year later, there I was in Cambodia, and spent two weeks with her, talking about whether we should write a book. She wasn't sure whether anyone would care about her story, which shocked me, because I certainly cared about it, and I thought her story was really important. But I listened, and we talked about her reluctance. The biggest thing, I think, is that she didn't want to tell just a tragedy story. We talked about how to tell her story in a way that was threaded with hope and with her resilience. But also, I have realized during the course of that two weeks, I saw that whenever we were talking about her life, and she was cooking, or we were eating together, the stories just flowed out so naturally. I could see that cooking was her artistry, and she loved remembering her mother's recipes and the meals of her childhood. CN: We wrap the banh xeo piece by piece in lettuce, and sliced cucumber, and some mint or Thai basil, and dip in sweet and sour sauce. But it's always fun together, because we need many people to eat the banh xeo. Once you make it, you have to make it a lot. You cannot make one or two for yourself. It's always the meaning of family togetherness for banh xeo still there. KG: I propose this to her, "What if we tell your story through those remembered meals and the recipes that your mother taught you? In that way, your book could share your culture with people. It could pay tribute to your mother and sister, and their artistry in the kitchen. CN: The more time you put in to prepare it, the better dish you produce. For me, putting more time mean putting more love. The more care you put in, it shows that the time we spend together to prepare that food is we stay with you for the rest of your life. You remember the story, you remember the time you spend with your family, especially me. The slow noodles takes many hours, and during those times, she told the stories of everything that just made me love the dish because of the story and the time we spent together. That's the memory brought, back the best time of my life, and that's how I tried to recreate it when I was able to for my children and for my friends. That's the memory I had when I didn't have anything to cook, and I didn't have anybody to cook for me. KG: When we were talking about ideas for the cover with the designer, of course the title is Slow Noodles, and there is an actual dish that is the titular slow noodles dish. It's hand-rolled rice noodles, and you can actually see those in the design, the border. It's these irregular shaped short noodles, banh canh noodles. People ask about Cambodian cooking, or Khmer cooking, but not all Cambodian cooking is Khmer, especially if you come from a family that is of Vietnamese heritage, or of Chinese heritage. Because Chantha's mother was Vietnamese, she cooked a lot of Vietnamese dishes. She also cooked a lot of French dishes, in fact. Chantha's Cambodian food includes lots of different kinds of dishes from French, Vietnamese, to Khmer. LA: Some of Chantha's fondest memories are sneaking out to buy street food snacks in Battambang, a town known for its culinary traditions, especially from one particular Chinese vendor. CN: That's a sound of his music, bamboo, and his wife sells fruit, select what you call it. She put the fruit in the glass and then grated ice, and then the syrup on the top. That's my favorite place I spend money on, any time of day or night, and whatever the money I can get. I asked from my mother, after every day, I came from school, I asked for two riels, because that jackfruit in ice and syrup was my favorite. Every day after school, I asked my mother for two riels and runs straight there. A while later, when my father finished his work, and he had his desk, so he emptied his pocket and he had showers. While he was in shower, my mother was in the kitchen. I just borrowed two riels more from his pile, and run straight to the jackfruit salad. That's my favorite. I never had enough. LA: I love that sort of thing when you're a kid, because you think that you're totally getting away with it and that no one knows. I'm sure both your parents knew you were going for seconds. Battambang is a hub in the northwest of Cambodia. Could you explain a little bit about where it is in? Kim and Clara, I'm interested to know if you've gone there? CK: Yes, I can talk about that. I actually grew up in Northeastern, bordering Laos. I have been to Battambang a few times, because it's actually the second-biggest city in Cambodia. It's wonderful. The food is very, very good. I remember the first time I went there with my mom. It was actually a very emotional trip, because she talked a lot about her childhood, the church, and the school she went to. We ate a lot of really delicious food there. My mom's amok, for example, is one of a very well-known dish from Battambang, and it's very different than any version of amok in the country. It's a steamed fish marinated in curry paste, or we call it Kroeung paste, with coconut milk, and you steam it in a banana bowl. It's probably the best version you can find in the country. It's from Battambang. Kim, maybe you can talk a little bit more about your trip to Battambang with my mom. KG: Here we are arriving at the grounds of the compound where Chantha's childhood church and the Catholic school she attended as a kid. The church compound was actually part of a functioning Catholic parish again, and it looked like it was really thriving; a beautiful lush, serene compound. There's some kind of a funeral song playing in the distance, which is beautiful and ethereal. CN: This is the bell of the church when I was kid. KG: It's a hot, beautiful, sunny day, birds singing. We find, on one of the buildings, a photograph of the old church, a group photo of some of the nuns and priests who had been there when Chantha was a little girl. She remembered them, she recognized them, and then she spotted a man. He seemed to have an injury, a limp. He was there with a bicycle. He was sitting there, and she walked up to him to ask him about the picture. They're speaking in Khmer, but I see both of their faces lighting up, and they start to speak in this animated way. After they talked, she comes back, and she says, "He was one of the orphans in the orphanage here when I was a student, and he remembers a lot of the same people." After so much loss and destruction, for her to have found evidence of her lost world in that moment, it just felt magical, and it felt hopeful. LA: Coming up, trying to recreate dishes under conditions of extreme rationing became an act of resistance. In the years she spent in exile in Vietnam, Chantha survived by cooking in a brothel, serving drinks in a nightclub, weaving silk, and making street food and producing tofu with her sister. CN: We had a few years when my sister, selling tofu in the market, and that's how it came. To make the good tofu, you have to bring it hot to the market, the same with the rice noodle. She started at 12 midnight to be able to have the tofu sells in the market at six in the morning. So that's how we met the tofu. LA: The audiobook version of Slow Noodles is read by Clara. CK: This is actually an excerpt from the book. It's during the time when my mom was in Vietnam. I quickly deduced that this new rationing math wasn't as simple as the slogan implied. The rules were in constant flux. Initially, we were to receive nine kilos of rice per month. That sounded reasonable to us, but the next month we were only allotted three kilos of rice. Three kilos of potato equals one kilo of rice, we were told. We received two of our three kilos of rice in the form of six kilos of potatoes. The following month, the authorities declared, triumphantly, "Now you will receive, not merely rice and potato, but also cassava," as if by deducting rice, and adding cassava, we had been granted a wealth of options, instead of being deprived of the one thing we actually wanted. The month after that, it was announced that the potato ration would again decrease. Initially, an exciting prospect, as we had consumed quite enough potato, but the party replaced the potato deficit with a stone hard whole wheat bread, made from bad Soviet flour and fortified with small black insects. LA: When you ended up in Thailand, eventually, were there moments when food brought you joy? CN: No. In the refugee camp, it was even worse than Vietnam. There is no way food can bring me any joy, but the memory of food was useful by then, thinking about the good food, and to swallow the very bad taste food we had in the refugee camp. LA: What food did you think about? CN: Of course, I always refer to my first nine years of life. LA: After the break, the return to Cambodia. Clara, I'd love you to do a second reading. Here's when Chantha finally returns to a Cambodia she doesn't recognize. CK: When the bus stopped in a village, hollow-faced vendors surrounded us and stared into the windows. I bought num ansom, a sticky rice cake usually filled with pork and mung beans, and asked the seller, "Is there a coconut in this?" She shook her head without smiling or speaking. This num ansom was nothing like the street food of my childhood. It not only lacked coconut, it lacked everything. There were no mung beans or meat in it at all. My first bite of Cambodian food since I was a little girl was just plain sticky rice, with a few lonesome white beans, wrapped in a palm leaf. It tasted like nothing I remembered. Slowly, I began to grasp the magnitude of what had changed. I saw no children riding to school or playing in the field. Just a few old people with faces of crumpled paper, solemnly selling meager fare by the road. A high percentage of the remaining population seemed to be wearing a Vietnamese army uniform. I didn't know this place at all. I had kept nothing from my past. No photos or artifacts, only memory. Cambodia has changed so much in the last 20, 30 years. I don't think my mother's story was the only story that I've heard about. I hear those stories a lot from my neighbors, from my teachers who lived through that time. Growing up in Stung Treng, a northeastern part of Cambodia, Stung Treng was not that much different when my mother had returned. There were mass graves everywhere, landmines that we were taught about in school to be careful. I remember learning it in first grade. On our textbook, there were pictures of signs of skull marks that we were supposed to look out for when we play outside. A friend around my age, at the time, who had stepped on a mine while they were playing or working. Cambodia has a very complicated past and history, and I'm so incredibly proud of the resilience of our people. LA: When people visit now, in 2024, how should they seek to learn about this complex history, and this complex past 50 years, and be sensitive in doing so? Kim, your understanding of Cambodia, as well, a place that, correct me if I'm wrong, you probably didn't know that well before embarking on this project. KG: On my three trips to Cambodia, I'm seeing modern Cambodia, but also, in my mind, I'm seeing Chantha's Cambodia, which is her pre-war memories, stories she heard from survivors of the Khmer Rouge era, and then her memories of the immediate post-war country that was so devastated. I see all those layers in my travels, but I think a traveler would just basically see the thriving modern Cambodia, with the fun and lovely bar scene in the river promenade, right there in bustling downtown Phnom Penh. On a food tour in Battambang, Chantha's hometown, you're going to see this thriving country that has remade itself after the wars, but under the surface, the past is always there. And if you look for it, you can find it. I think it's possible for travelers to go to Cambodia without really realizing what happened there, that their civilization almost was destroyed, that the cities were emptied. The whole country was turned into a huge forced labor camp. There's evidence of that everywhere, but you would have to be paying attention to know it was there. There's the Genocide Museum in Phnom Penh, and I did go there. The day I went, I had the strangest experience, and I can't explain it. It's irrational, but I remember being in there and watching a short documentary, and thinking suddenly, "I have to get out of here. I feel like I'm going to be locked in." I just suddenly felt bizarrely afraid, for no reason. I walked out the front door of that place, and I kept walking until I'd put several miles between myself and there. You can't see mass graves at the corner of the village, at the edge of the village. You would have to know they were there. You can't see that there's a former Khmer Rouge cadre living down the street, and that people are afraid of him and they don't talk about him. But those things are everywhere, and you can only really know that by knowing people who tell you, or by doing the reading. Even when I'm there, even when I'm in a normal situation in the capitol, and I'm in a bar, and we're having a nice meal and music is playing, I still just think about what Cambodians endured. It's unimaginable, and it always fills me with awe and deep sadness. People are interested in her story, and not in all lurid, fascinated, tell-me-your-pain terrible way, but in a reverential, respectful way. Last night, we had a bookstore signing, and several young Cambodian Americans from Nashville came to the signing, and one young woman said, "My mother's name is Chantha, and she's from Battambang, and now I feel like you've given her a voice," and she cried, and the two of them hugged each other. LA: Today, Chantha cooks often, just like the feast she's preparing right now in Nashville. CN: It's a food for poor people, but it's also a side dish that everyone enjoy it. But also, the taste of my grandmother's pickles, it tastes different. The description is it just good. It just nowhere else we can find the pickles like this. KG: Chantha has been working on this giant, giant bowl of spicy green papaya pickles, which are part of... We're doing a pop-up for a restaurant. Our friends has this wonderful restaurant, and he is letting us run a Cambodian pop-up on Sundays. We're going to be prepping for that, and I think we're going to have to sample a lot of the food as we prep. Amok is one of the dishes, the green papaya pickles. What else are we having? CK: Grilled pork rib, some stir-fry greens, which I think every single dish is from the book- KG: Yeah. Yeah. CK: ... and the banana and coconut cream dessert. KG: Yeah, and we'll make up some kind of a cocktail, with Cambodian-inspired flavors. LA: God, I want to eat all of it. I'm fuming that I'm not in Nashville. That sounds fantastic. KG: We wish you were here. CK: Yeah. LA: I'm already dreaming of getting over to Cambodia, to slurp some noodles and eat many versions of fish amok. This episode was brought to life by audio that Kim recorded in Cambodia. Next week, in Women's History Month, we go to the skies and explore the conspiracies behind Amelia Earhart's celebrity, and discover more about her peer, pilot Bessie Coleman, who also died tragically young. I'm Lale Arikoglu, and you can find me on Instagram, @lalehannah. Our engineers are Jake Lummus, Nick Pitman, and James Yost. The show's mixed by Amar Lal. Jude Kampfner, from Corporation for Independent Media, is our producer. Chris Bannon is Conde Nast head of Global Audio. See you next week. Originally Appeared on Conde Nast Traveler BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 21. Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and his colleague from Turkiye Hakan Fidan, discussed areas of strategic bilateral and multilateral cooperation between the countries, a source in the Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan told Trend. According to the source, the meeting focused on the development of fraternal and strategic alliance relations between the countries. The meeting highlighted that the ongoing successful cooperation between the countries in bilateral and multilateral formats has made an important contribution to regional development, particularly in deepening cooperation in trade, energy, security, transportation, science and education, and many other areas. Besides, the meeting emphasized the importance of joint development of transportation corridors in the region. Bayramov also informed his colleague about the process of normalizing relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia. The meeting involved a broad exchange of views on other regional and global issues of mutual interest. 17:38 Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and his colleague from Turkiye Hakan Fidan, discussed areas of strategic bilateral and multilateral cooperation between the countries, the Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan wrote on its page on X (Twitter). The discussions took place during the officials' meeting on the sidelines of the Nuclear Energy Summit in Brussels. The parties also mentioned peace efforts in the region. Meanwhile, Bayramov departed on a working visit to Belgium on March 20. During his visit, he is slated to attend and speak at the Nuclear Energy Summit in Brussels today. The inaugural Nuclear Energy Summit in Brussels will highlight nuclear energy's critical role in addressing global concerns such as lowering fossil fuel dependency, enhancing energy security, and promoting economic growth. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel An exhibition on Yves Saint Laurent is coming to Southern Californias Orange County Museum of Art, opening June 28. Titled Yves Saint Laurent: Line and Expression, the show dives into the design drawings of the French couturier, born in Algeria in 1936. Featuring his original sketches works on paper in black ink or pencil, enriched with colors the display will include a collection of photographs, jewelry accessories and haute couture garments from 1963 to 2001. More from WWD Yves Saint Laurents sketches differed from the fashion drawings of his contemporaries and are a substantial body of artistic work in their own right. Every December 1 and June 1, before each haute couture collection, and whether in Marrakech or in Paris, the couturiers working method entailed detaching himself from the world to imagine his future collections. On scattered papers, loose sheets or in spiral notebooks, Saint Laurent would begin each collection with a barrage of sketches. Serving as working, preparatory documents for the inhouse workshops, who were tasked with interpreting the garment from the drawing and transforming it into three dimensions, these sketches reveal the couturiers true artistic intentions, notes the museum, adding, Passionate about the arts, and in particular painting, his palette of natural and exotic hues would encompass Goya pink, Picasso red and Chagall blue. Certain color combinations, which others would consider incongruent, became a signature in the hands of Saint Laurent: green against blue, orange alongside pink. Curated by Olivier Saillard and Gael Mamine, the exhibition is organized by the Musee Yves Saint Laurent Marrakech and Musee Yves Saint Laurent Paris, with a loan from the collection of the Fondation Pierre Berge Yves Saint Laurent in Paris. Yves Saint Laurent: Line and Expression will showcase the couturiers original sketches with a collection of photographs, jewelry accessories and haute couture garments. Yves Saint Laurent: Line and Expression will open alongside Color Is the First Revelation of the World, exploring the intersection of color hues of blue and form. It takes inspiration from Brazilian artist Helio Oiticica and features more than 20 artists including Cy Twombly, Yves Klein, Felix Gonzalez-Torres, Chris Burden and Agnes Martin. The two shows will be on view from June 28 to Oct. 27, following the current Joan Brown retrospective, which is available until June 2. This suite of exhibitions celebrates a breadth of extraordinary creative vision from sculpture to drawing to fashion to painting. From the intimate drawings of Yves Saint Laurent inspired by his beloved city of Marrakech through to a constellation of artists exploring blue as a medium for understanding the world, these shows offer embodied sensory experiences that expand our understanding of color, material, and process. It is an honor to present the U.S. premiere of Line and Expression and to create new moments of wonder, awe, and encounter for audiences here in Orange County, said Heidi Zuckerman, chief executive officer and director of the Orange County Museum of Art, in a statement. In 2022, OCMA unveiled its new home in Costa Mesa, Calif., at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts campus, announcing free admission to the public for the first 10 years. The museum was first known as the Balboa Pavilion Gallery, founded in 1962 by 13 women looking to exhibit modern and contemporary art. It became the Newport Harbor Art Museum before being renamed the Orange County Museum of Art in the 90s. Curated by Olivier Saillard and Gael Mamine, the exhibition is organized by the Musee Yves Saint Laurent Marrakech and Musee Yves Saint Laurent Paris, with a loan from the collection of the Fondation Pierre Berge Yves Saint Laurent in Paris. Best of WWD About one in every 12 stars may have swallowed a planet, a new study finds. Previous research had discovered that some distant stars possess unusual levels of elements, such as iron, which one would expect to make up rocky worlds such as Earth . This and other evidence suggested that stars may sometimes ingest planets, but much remained uncertain about how often that might happen. One way to uncover more about planetary ingestion is to look at two stars born at the same time . Such twins should have a virtually identical composition, as they are both born from the same parent cloud of gas and dust. Any major chemical differences between these so-called "co-natal" stars may thus be a sign that one devoured a world. Related: Scientists catch real-life Death Star devouring a planet in 1st-of-its-kind discovery In the new study, the researchers used the European Space Agency 's Gaia satellite to identify 91 pairs of stars. Within each traveling pair, the stars sit relatively close to one another less than a million astronomical units apart and are likely co-natal. An astronomical unit , or AU, is the average distance between the sun and Earth, or about 93 million miles (150 million kilometers). When molecules are heated, they give off unique spectrums of light wavelengths corresponding to the elements they're made of. Scientists analyzing light coming from distant stars can therefore deduce the stars' elemental compositions as stellar molecules are exposed to very high temperatures. The scientists used the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope in Chile, the Magellan Telescope, also found in Chile, and the Keck Telescope in Hawaii to analyze the light from these co-natal stars. They found about 8 percent of these pairs about one in 12 had one star that displayed signs it had engulfed a planet. In other words, its chemical makeup differed when compared with its twin. "What's truly surprising is the frequency at which it seems to happen," study co-author Yuan-Sen Ting, an astronomer at the Australian National University in Canberra, told Space.com. "It implies that stable planetary systems like our own solar system might not be the norm. This gives us a deeper perspective on our place in the universe ." About 6 billion years from now, when our sun begins exhausting its primary source of fuel, it will swell to become a red giant star, likely swallowing closely orbiting planets. However, this new study examined stars that were in the prime of their lives. This suggests that planetary ingestion apparently happens during the normal lifetime of a star system, too perhaps when a rogue planet gets hurled away from its parent star to collide with another star? Related Stories: Doomed egg-shaped exoplanet is death-spiraling into its star Some exoplanets are shrinking. Here's why Star blows giant exoplanet's atmosphere away, leaving massive tail in its wake "The results suggest many planetary systems may be unstable, with some planets being ejected at random," Ting said. However, "while we found that many planetary systems might not be dynamically stable, our solar system, at least on a human timescale, is more than fine don't worry!" It remains uncertain whether the stars are swallowing planets, or engulfing the building blocks of planets left over from the births of star systems. Both may be possible, the researchers said. The scientists detailed their findings online on March 20 in the journal Nature. Paul Nelson is no Donald Trump Republican. At his polling place for Floridas presidential preference primary Tuesday, the 64-year-old from St. Petersburg called the former president narcissistic and dangerous to our democracy. So the registered Republican cast a protest vote for a candidate who had already exited the race: Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley. Nelson was part of a small minority. Trump snagged 81% of the GOP Florida electorate Tuesday a week after hed already clinched the Republican nomination for president. (Florida has closed primaries, meaning only Republicans could vote in Tuesdays presidential contest.) The former president is the early favorite to defeat President Joe Biden in November in what has become a more reliably red state. At the same time, however, nearly 1 in 5 Republican primary votes in Florida more than 200,000 in all went to someone no longer actively running. For a former president who routinely scored approval ratings above 90% among GOPers when he was in office and who got nearly 94% of Floridas primary vote as an incumbent in 2020 the anti-Trump vote could be indicative of a fractured party. And in a close election, where swing states can be decided by razor-thin margins, that could make a real difference. Id be a little concerned if I were Trump, said Brad Coker, the managing director at the Florida firm Mason-Dixon Polling and Strategy. Centrists feeling left out What does Trump have to do to win over the skeptical members of his own party? Nicole Mossbacher of Clearwater is one such Republican. And she isnt sure. In years past, shes supported candidates ranging from Republican John Kasich to Democrats Amy Klobuchar and Pete Buttigieg. Shes dreading the choice shes been left with in 2024: Biden or Trump. I cannot believe were in a situation where were having to choose between two candidates, none of which I like, both of which are octogenarians, said Mossbacher, who voted for Haley by mail before she ended her campaign. I still dont know who Im going to vote for in the general election. Mossbacher voted in Pinellas, often a bellwether in presidential contests. Trump lost it by less than a percentage point in 2020. It proved to be Trumps second-worst county on Tuesday. Tuesday didnt tell the entire story about the Republican electorate. For example, not every vote for Haley was a pure act of protest; she was still in the race when mail-in ballots went out in February. And the presence of DeSantis on the ballot likely ate into Trumps margins; many of those voters could be expected to vote for Trump over Biden in November. Matthew Shelter, the co-founder of Boston-based Beacon Research, said that the anti-Trump primary vote shouldnt worry the former president. Skeptical Republicans were never a part of his competitive 2016 and 2020 coalitions, and he doesnt need them to win in 2024. Theyre not a group that hes going to win back or needs to win back, Shelter said. The way Shelter sees it, Trumps coalition of supporters is fairly solid. Hes got a low ceiling of popular support, but a high floor as well. Everybodys got an opinion on Trump, and its not likely to change. Trump seems to know this. When former Vice President Mike Pence told CBS Face the Nation last week that he cannot in good conscience support his former running mate, Trump responded by saying it didnt matter. I couldnt care less, Trump told reporters after voting in Palm Beach County. We need patriots. We need strong people in our country. Our countrys going downhill very fast, very rapidly. Bud Risser of St. Petersburg, who donated to former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie but did not vote in Tuesdays primary because he is a registered Democrat, said he hasnt heard anything from Trump that would suggest the former president is trying to win over centrists like himself. (Risser said he switches his registration between Republican and Democrat regularly.) Its degraded down to a place where I dont see any way out, said Risser, 82, who has misgivings about Biden, but says he wont vote for Trump in the general. Its still a binary world. Kimball Adams of Largo also struggles to imagine what Trump or Biden, for that matter could do to sway him in either direction. Adams said he was unaffiliated before changing his status to Republican so he could cast a ballot Tuesday. He donated to both Christie and Sen. Tim Scott before they ended their campaigns, then switched to Haley, whom he called my last, best hope for something different. I know I wasted my vote but I dont think so, because I sent a message, said Adams, 69. He wants to hear how Trump and Biden plan to unite the country and avoid fanning the flames of partisanship further. How they respond could decide the election, Adams said. Ten thousand people switch their vote, and that switches the whole result of the election, he said. Whos going to bring us together? For some, begrudging support for Trump Just as Trump may have work left to win over moderates and independents, a lot can happen before November that could cost him their vote. A Politico/Ipsos poll this month found that more than a third of independent voters would be less likely to support Trump were he to be convicted on charges related to business fraud in New York, or to efforts to undermine the 2020 election in Georgia. A February NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll found that while Trump and Biden were running close to even, Biden would open a wider lead if Trump were convicted of a crime. In such a case, nearly 1 in 10 Republicans said theyd vote for Biden. That hesitancy was on display even among those who voted for Trump on Tuesday in Tampa Bay. At the Polish Center in Clearwater, Karen Wohlers said she wanted to see DeSantis as president, but conceded that he didnt have a chance against Trump. Still, the criminal cases hanging over Trump concern her. Hes got so much going on, she said. And his involvement in the Jan. 6 insurrection was also troubling, she said. I still dont believe he incited it, but I dont know, she said. The economy still drove Wohlers to put aside her reservations. The spending, oh my God, she said. (Biden) is spending so much money and its coming from us. Clearwater resident Tina Peters, 60, thought the economy and country were much better off under Trump. She didnt approve of everything Trump has said or done, but still saw him as the best candidate. Did I agree with every last word that came out of the mans mouth? No, she said. But I dont always agree with my husband, either. Carren Hudson, 81, also said she wished Trump could keep his mouth shut. But she saw nothing he could do that would turn her against him. Unless he shot somebody, Hudson said with a laugh. For some, even that wouldnt be enough. Bernie Pella, a registered Republican who calls himself a constitutionalist, said he believes Trump won in 2020, and worried this years election will be rigged. After voting for Trump at First Baptist Church of St. Petersburg, he said he doesnt see a way Trump will lose his vote by November. If he were to die, he would lose my vote, Pella, 66, said. Times staff writers Justin Garcia, Tracey McManus and Jack Prator contributed to this report. STEWART COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) One person has died and three others were injured in a Stewart County crash involving a correctional officer. Stewart County Sheriff Frankie Gray told News 2 the crash involved a Houston County patrol car and a truck and happened at around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 20 near the intersection of Cumberland City Road and Elk Harbor Road. Have breaking come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts According to Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis who is working in tandem with the Houston County Sheriffs Office on the crash one person in the truck was killed. The three people who were injured, including a correctional officer and an inmate, were flown to Nashville hospitals. Their conditions are unknown at this time. No other information was released. Download the News 2 app to stay updated on the go. Sign up for WKRN email alerts to have breaking news sent to your inbox. Find todays top stories on WKRN.com for Nashville, TN and all of Middle Tennessee. This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. YORKTOWN, Va. (WAVY) A lawsuit filed by multiple plaintiffs connected to a deadly collision involving a tractor-trailer and a party shuttle bus states that the trucker was impaired and that the drivers company, Triton, was reckless and negligent. The plaintiffs are suing for $10 million in compensatory damages and another $350,000 in punitive damages. The incident happened in the early morning hours of Dec. 16, 2022 in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 64 not far from the interchange with Humelsine Parkway. The Triton Logistics Freightliner rear-ended the party bus. Three bus passengers were killed brothers Jontae Russell and Xzavier Evans, along with Montia Tia Bouie. Bouies estate is one of the eight named plaintiffs. As we reported Monday, Tritons driver Daniel Cramer told federal investigators that he was given a cover story that he told State Police that he had just dropped off his co-driver. But Cramer eventually told the National Transportation Safety Board that there never was a co-driver. Cramer also described how he could call Tritons data center in Lithuania and have them digitally alter his logs to make it appear he had more time for rest. A former Triton driver corroborated Cramers cover story claim as well as the log book manipulation. After seeing our reports on what Triton drivers were doing, the great-grandmother of Tia Bouie likened it to Russian Roulette. They are ruining peoples lives, she said. One of the key grounds of the lawsuit is the allegation that truck driver Cramer was impaired. The stricter legal limit for a truck driver in Virginia is just .04, or half of the limit for a regular driver. The lawsuit alleges that Cramer was beyond the legal limit. But according to the NTSB report, the truck driver was treated at Riverside Regional Medical Center, blood was drawn, the State Police acquired the sample and no ethanol or other tested-for drug or drug classes were detected. 10 On Your Side has reached out to the National Transportation Safety Board to see whether this case will expand beyond a lawsuit and into federal criminal charges. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. A Pennsylvania girl is safe after police say she was abducted at gunpoint. On March 20, police in Adams County were called for reports of a child abduction, according to a news release from the Pennsylvania State Police. Authorities learned James Lee Kopp Jr., 53, abducted a 12-year-old girl at gunpoint from her home and took off, police said. Within minutes, and while an Amber Alert was being initiated, police spotted Kopps vehicle and a chase began, according to police. After about two miles, Kopp traveled off the road and into a field, police said. While still in his vehicle, he took his life, according to authorities. The girl was not injured and returned to her family. Court records show Kopp was out on bail for charges of rape, statutory sexual assault, unlawful contact with a minor and other sex crimes. He was released from jail March 13, records show. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by calling or texting 988. Missing mom, child found dead in ditch on eve of custody hearing, Texas officials say 9-year-old breaks free from masked man grabbing her in backyard, Massachusetts cops say Hostage held in basement for days escapes when man comes to kill her, TN officials say BRISTOL, Va. (WJHL) A 12-year-old boy faces multiple charges after allegedly making threats to Virginia Middle School that disrupted operations Wednesday. According to the Bristol Virginia Police Department (BVPD), before students were dropped off at school Wednesday morning, school district leaders were informed of threats to Virginia Middle. Bristol Virginia Public Schools Superintendent David D. Scott wrote in a social media post that the district was made aware of the threats only minutes before the school doors opened. Marion mayor passes away after brief illness BVPD officers responded to the school and began assisting staff with security measures. Scott wrote that the Bristol Virginia Sheriffs Office also arrived, and students were monitored, physically checked and belongings examined upon arriving at the school. According to Scott, the students were brought to the gymnasium where they remained under supervision while the threat was investigated. Some students were checked out by parents, and the remainder returned to classes after no weapons were found and the threat investigated. The BVPD reports that later Wednesday afternoon, detectives developed a suspect. A 12-year-old boy was charged with seven Class 6 felony charges of threats to kill or do bodily harm using an electronic device. The juvenile suspect was being held at the Highlands Juvenile Detention Center as of Thursday. Scott thanked law enforcement for their assistance Wednesday. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. Consequences of the Russian attack on Kyiv Thirteen people were injured after Russia launched another mass missile attack on Kyiv, ending a 44-day hiatus in attacks on the city, on the night of March 21. Read also: Russian army strikes Kharkiv: 3 dead, more feared trapped under rubble; large fire erupts The Russians utilized Kinzhal ballistic missiles such as the X-101, X-555, and X-55. Each Kinzhal missile is expected to cost between $13 to $15 million USD, meaning the salvo is estimated to have cost the aggressors more than $400 million. Thirteen people were injured after about 30 Russian cruise missiles were used to strike Kyiv and its surroundings, the Kyiv City Military Administration (KCMA) reported. Read also: Casualty toll rises to 40 injured and 4 killed in massive Russian missile attack on Ukrainian capital A multi-story apartment building suffered damage in the Shevchenkivskyi district. Debris fell on non-residential buildings and the roof of a residential building, leading to several fires. A fire was also reported on the roof of a two-story non-residential building in the Podilskyi district. A multi-story apartment building was damaged by an explosion that sent debris falling onto the fourth floor and blew out windows with its explosive wave in the Sviatoshynskyi district. Read also: Consequences of the Russian attack: 4 dead and 40 injured in Kyiv, destruction in Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, Drohobych Kyiv City Military Administration (KMVA) Kyiv City Military Administration (KMVA) Kyiv Regional Military Civil Administration via Telegram/Handout via REUTERS REUTERS/Alina Smutko REUTERS/Alina Smutko REUTERS/Alina Smutko REUTERS/Alina Smutko REUTERS/Alina Smutko REUTERS/Gleb Garanich REUTERS/Gleb Garanich REUTERS/Alina Smutko REUTERS/Viacheslav Ratynskyi REUTERS/Viacheslav Ratynskyi REUTERS/Viacheslav Ratynskyi REUTERS/Viacheslav Ratynskyi REUTERS/Viacheslav Ratynskyi REUTERS/Viacheslav Ratynskyi REUTERS/Viacheslav Ratynskyi Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine MEMPHIS, Tenn. A 13-year old has died and another 13-year-old has been charged as an adult after an accidental shooting in Coahoma County, Mississippi. On March 15, Coahoma County deputies responded to a call about a shooting at 449 Amber Cove in Lyon, Miss. Upon arrival, deputies discovered the 13-year-old who had been shot once in the upper torso. The first deputy at the scene administered CPR until an ambulance arrived and transported the victim to the Northwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center, where he tragically succumbed to his injuries. My wife came to the door and said, what the ambulance doing there? And I said, I dont know, neighbor Thomas Brown said. And the next thing I know, I hear a young man had got shot. I see the young man out here all the time, they be playing basketball at that goal there. And I said, Man, where he get a gun from? So that was shocking, yes. Throughout their investigation, deputies learned that a second 13-year-old and the victim were playing with a handgun. At some point, the second juvenile accidentally pulled the trigger and shot the victim. A family member who spoke with WREG, but asked to remain anonymous, said that the boys were best friends and describes the incident as a terrible accident. The investigation also revealed that the two juveniles were the only two people inside the residence when the shooting occurred. We have to get rid of the guns, thats the main thing, Brown said. Get rid of the guns and talk to your children. Help them understand that guns is dangerous. Once you kill somebody, thats it. You cant bring them back. The second male juvenile has been charged as an adult with manslaughter culpable negligence. He is currently in the custody of the Coahoma County Sheriffs Office. His bond has been set at $15,000. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. In October 2023, nearly seven years after the deadly Unite the Right white supremacist rally, the statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee in Charlottesville, Virginia, was melted down. Since then, two more major Confederate monuments have been removed: the Confederate Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery and the Monument to the Women of the Confederacy in Jacksonville, Florida. Defenders of Confederate monuments have argued that the statues should be left standing to educate future generations. One such defender is former President Donald Trump, the likely GOP presidential nominee in 2024. Sad to see the history and culture of our great country being ripped apart with the removal of our beautiful statues and monuments, Trump tweeted in 2017. The beauty that is being taken out of our cities, towns and parks will be greatly missed and never able to be comparably replaced! But since the end of the Civil War, journalists at Black newspapers have told a different story. Despite meager financing and constant threats, these newspapers represented the views of Black Americans and documented the nations shortcomings in achieving racial equality. According to many of these writers, the statues were never designed to tell the truth about the Civil War. Instead, the monuments were built to enshrine the myth of the Lost Cause, the false claim that white Southerners nobly fought for states rights and not to preserve slavery. In 1921, for instance, the Chicago Defender published an article under the headline Tear the Spirit of the Confederacy from the South and called for the removal of the statues from across the country because they lend inspiration to the heart of the lyncher. Lost Cause propaganda For the last several years, Ive studied the history of Confederate monuments by poring over the letters and records of the organizations that campaigned for their construction. My research students and I have also reviewed countless reactions to the monuments published in real time in Black newspapers. What is clear is that from the late nineteenth century until today, Confederate monuments were part of a relentless propaganda campaign to restore the Souths reputation at dedication ceremonies, parades, reunions and Memorial Day events. The dedication in Charlottesville of the Lee monument in 1924 100 years ago this May was one such event. Timed to coincide with a reunion of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, the speakers openly bragged about how they were sweeping Northern-authored textbooks out of Southern schools and replacing them with friendlier accounts of the Civil War. Ku Klux Klan members march under a burning cross near Washington in 1925. Bettmann Archive/Getty Images In the weeks leading up to the dedication, members of the Ku Klux Klan paraded down Charlottesvilles Main Street in daylight and burned crosses in the hills at night. The master of ceremonies of that unveiling was R.T.W. Duke, Jr., the son of a Confederate colonel who was a popular orator at events like these. A few years earlier, Duke made his own views of the Civil War plain. He told a crowd gathered at a Confederate cemetery in Richmond, Virginia, that he was still a believer in the righteousness of what some of our own people now call the rebellion. Duke further said that slavery was right and emancipation a violation of the Constitution, a wrong and a robbery. A critical Black press Contrary to the claims of todays defenders of Confederate monuments, a review of Black newspapers going back to the 1870s conducted by my research team shows that Black journalists criticism of these memorials had already begun by the late nineteenth century. The first truly national Confederate monument was the statue of Robert E. Lee in Richmond. It was unveiled before an audience of as many as 150,000 attendees on May 29, 1890, and provoked sharp alarm among Black commentators across the country. In a May 31, 1890, article, Richmond Planet editor John Mitchell, Jr. pointed out that Confederate flags and emblems far outnumbered U.S. flags at the unveiling. John Mitchell Jr. at the Richmond Planet in 1917. Encyclopedia Virginia This glorification of States Rights Doctrine, the right of secession and the honoring of men who represented that cause, fosters in this Republic the spirit of Rebellion and will ultimately result in handing down to generations unborn a legacy of treason and blood, Mitchell wrote. Mitchell further detailed the enthusiasm of the crowd assembled in Richmond. Cheer after cheer rang out upon the air as fair women waved handkerchiefs and screamed to do honor, Mitchell wrote. But the Souths insistence on celebrating Lee serves to retard its progress in the country and forges heavier chains with which to be bound. By reprinting articles from other Black publications, the Planet in 1890 effectively created a forum for commentary on the Richmond Lee statue from around the country. The statue of Robert E. Lee in Richmond, Va., in 1905. Library of Congress/Getty Images An article republished from the National Home Protector, a Baltimore-based Black newspaper, also took aim at the statue. When the unveiling of the monument is used as an opportunity to justify the southern people in rebelling against the U.S. government and to flaunt the Confederate flag in the faces of the loyal people of the nation the occasion calls for serious reflection, the article said. The editors of the newspaper accused white Southerners of trying to use the glorification of Lee to resurrect the corpse of rebellion. Writing truth to power No one knows what the Black-owned Charlottesville Messenger said about the unveiling of the Lee monument in its city in 1924. Only one copy of a single issue still exists. In fact, one of the only things known about the Messenger is that in 1921, the white-dominated Charlottesville Daily Progress reprinted a Messenger article that called for Black civil rights. The Black newspaper later retracted the story after receiving threats from white supremacists. But we do know what other Black newspapers of this period were saying about Confederate monuments. For many Black editors, the monuments had become symbols of the violent backlash against Black citizenship by white Southerners. In 1925, the Pittsburgh Courier, criticized the Confederate carving on Stone Mountain in Georgia, the site of the rebirth of the Ku Klux Klan. Taking square aim at the Lost Cause myth, the newspaper called Stone Mountain a living monument of the cause to which white Southerners have dedicated their lives: human slavery and color selfishness. The Confederate monument on the side of Stone Mountain still stands today. Telling the truth about American history requires transforming these memorials into true reflections of the seemingly never-ending battles initially fought during the Civil War. 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: Donovan Schaefer, University of Pennsylvania Read more: Donovan Schaefer 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. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 21. Azerbaijan's e-commerce platform Epoint is actively moving into new markets, targeting the expansion of its presence in Georgia, the company's co-founder Hasan Hasanov told Trend. "We have started the process of entering the Georgian market. The company is currently in the process of securing the required license from Georgia's Central Bank, which is a crucial step before beginning operations in this country," he stressed. The co-founder of Epoint expressed optimism that they will be allowed to formally begin operating in the Georgian market by the end of the second quarter. Hasanov also noted that the choice of Georgia as a destination for expansion is not accidental. "The market's resemblance to the Azerbaijani market, along with the Georgian acceleration program's successful completion, enhanced Epoint's standing and gave the business access to useful relationships with regional entrepreneurs. These elements foster an environment that is conducive to Epoint's continued expansion and improvement in the region," he added. To note, Epoint is a platform designed to provide e-commerce services. The company specializes in technological solutions, business optimization systems, e-commerce, and cashless payments. The company develops business and business process management systems to optimize the operation of small and medium-sized businesses. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel An undercover sting in Rowan County led to the rescue of a 16-year-old girl being forced to sell herself for sex. Only Channel 9s Hannah Goetz was with those undercover detectives every step of the way, spending late nights and several days with them during the investigation. >> 9 Investigates: The Rescued Rowan County Sheriffs Office deputies said their undercover operation investigated human trafficking and prostitution in Salisbury. They said on March 13, they found a 16-year-old girl who was reported missing from Charlotte after running away from home on March 4. The goal of the operation was to look into sex trafficking and help anyone in danger, but deputies had no idea they would come across a minor. RESOURCES: Eradicating human trafficking from our community I remember I asked her what her birthday was and thats what she told me the year was 2007, Det. Daniel Fero said. And I had to make her repeat it because I didnt believe it. The girl told deputies she met 33-year-old Kadeem Williams who took her in. Hes accused of taking advantage of her before trafficking her, forcing her into the sex trade. A 16-year-old girl told Rowan County deputies she met 33-year-old Kadeem Williams who took her in. Hes accused of taking advantage of her before trafficking her, forcing her into the sex trade. The signs of trafficking Williams is a convicted felon on parole. Investigators confirmed he was living at a Charlotte hotel. The girl told investigators she met him at a train station. Everything that she makes through these visits, she has to put in his banking account. She never has any money of her own, and if she refuses any services, he threatens to beat her up and this, that, and the other, said Rowan County Det. Amber Weaver. She said he choked her last night ... She said theyve had sex once ... I believe she is probably having sex with him more than just the one time. Weaver is part of the Special Victims Unit at the Rowan County Sheriffs Office. Goetz was undercover with detectives on the night of March 13, when the teen arrived at a Salisbury hotel by rideshare. Its where Williams is accused of setting up an appointment for her to be paid $250 for sex. Its concerning that we only spent about an hour trying to lure somebody here online and, in basically in one hour of doing this, we have a [16-year-old] show up, Chief Deputy Jason Owens said. So to me, that sounds like a huge problem. Detectives made sure the teen was safe, took her to get help, and contacted her family. She said she wants to go home, Weaver said. Then, they turned their focus to the man accused of putting her in this position to begin with. We were all prepared for it. But none of us wanted it to be true, Det. Fero told Goetz. I dont think anyone in this world wants it to be true, that kids are getting trafficked. Investigators believe Williams was doing all of the communicating. He sets the amounts. Everything she makes, she has to give to him to put in his account, Weaver said. I said do you have any money in your pocket? Shes like no, but if I need something, he buys the things that I have to have. But he never gives me any money. She said yesterday he choked her because she kept wanting to walk out of the room, said she needed some air, this, that, and the other, and he kept cussing her. Shes basically not free to leave, Weaver added. The teen said in addition to buying her things she needed, Williams had bought her cookies the night before. Det. Ryan Dangerfield with the Special Victims Unit told Goetz facts like that make the case a lot like a domestic violence situation. We see a lot of things like that just, in even domestic cases that weve worked on in the past where, these people, theyre, theyre almost brainwashed. Where theyre so used to getting the bare minimum that just one step up from the bare minimum ... its just lifechanging to them, he said. And it was just a matter of just him buying her cookies ... It made her world just so much brighter, apparently. >> Learn more about how the sting was set up by clicking here. I dont want to do it no more Investigators asked the girl if she would be willing to call her alleged trafficker. They said her contacting him would help deputies get her away from Williams. We are just trying to get information about the things going on between the two of you, investigators explained to her. She called Williams to tell him she wanted out. If Im being honest, I dont think I want to do this anymore, she told him. So youre not coming back? he asked. No, Im not coming back, she said. Is it because of the amount of money you got? Are you good now, thats the reason? he said. No, like, no, she said. Im just curious as to the reason why, cause you went from saying you love me, you want to be with me, to youre not coming back, he said. Dangerfield explained that Williams reaction was likely a way to get the teenager to change her mind. Hes grooming her. I mean, it seemed like from that phone call, it was his last-ditch effort trying to reel her back in, where she probably felt like she needed to get away, Dangerfield said. But he more than likely just thought that if he can try to salvage what he had left -- why not throw a Hail Mary. Williams also brought up the Uber ride the 16-year-old had called to get there, saying it put his account in the negative. He asked her for $50, but when she refused, he demanded an explanation. Oh wow OK, I know I didnt deserve you to play me like this so ... whats the reason? he asked. All I said is I dont want to do this no more, I dont want to do the ads no more. I dont want to do it no more. Thats no problem, Im asking what youre doing next? Like whats youre next move? Dont worry about it, just no. The teen told deputies she typically has at least two clients per day, and it was her first time going outside of Charlotte for them. She said the only reason she was in this situation was to have somewhere to stay and food to eat. Her friends and mother wouldnt allow her to stay there any longer so thats when she left and met him [at the train station], and hes the one who told her about the app and how the ads work and how she could make money, Det. Weaver said. From the story she gave us, she just seemed like she was in a really bad situation. It seemed like she latched on to the first person that she found that seemed like they seemed like they cared, Dangerfield told Goetz. But at the end of the day, she kind of realized that they didnt really care as much as she thought. I dont feel like she knew she was, in fact, a victim of human trafficking. I know that, at times, she felt that she was loved, Weaver said. The arrest Next, police determined whose jurisdiction the case fell into and how they could get the district attorney to make a case. Now what will you guys do? Goetz asked. This is pretty much a milestone for this county because nobodys charged it before, Lt. Ryan Barkley said. The detectives arrested Williams that night. Barkley spoke to Goetz about the emotions running through the room when detectives realized the teen was a juvenile. When we when we actually did find a juvenile that was missing, and is the definition of human trafficking based on the state law, it was emotional, he said. And I know that the some of the stuff that isnt recorded, you know, some of the officers did get emotional. And its because we care, you know? I wasnt going to let her slip through the cracks, he added. Det. Dangerfield spoke to Goetz about Williams attitude when he was arrested. I dont think he really understood how serious the situation was. He seemed more concerned about being pegged as an abusive individual, or what time he was looking at. I really dont think that either he knew or cared, Dangerfield said. He claimed he didnt know how old she was. But just from talking to him, he had a suspicion, so I feel like he more than likely knew. He just didnt want to come to terms with it, he added. Goetz asked Barkley what it was like making the arrest. Oh, yeah, definitely feels good, especially to be able to find him that night ... But it does feel good to actually make sure that, like I said, when we go to bed, shes safe, and hes in jail, Barkley said. I just dont see how these people sleep at night doing what theyre doing, other than just through motivation of money and greed, Dangerfield said. Williams is charged with felony promoting prostitution of a minor in Rowan County. He also faces a charge of assault by strangulation in Mecklenburg County. [The teenager] was taken to a hospital that specializes in the treatment and protection of juveniles for victims of this type crime, Sheriff Travis Allen said in a news conference. Shes in protective custody as Rowan County deputies continue to build the case against her accused trafficker. Cranes are seen near the construction site of the Venture Global LNG plant next to the Mississippi River in Plaquemines Parish south of New Orleans, Louisiana (ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS) Texas and 15 other US states filed a lawsuit on Thursday challenging the Biden administration's freeze on new liquefied natural gas exports. Citing the climate crisis, Democratic President Joe Biden in January paused the granting of new permits to ship LNG abroad. "This pause on new LNG approvals sees the climate crisis for what it is: the existential threat of our time," Biden said at the time. The United States only began exporting LNG in 2016 but rapidly became the world's biggest supplier, driven in part by Europe turning away from Russian gas following its invasion of Ukraine. Texas, the leading US producer of crude oil and natural gas, and 15 other Republican-led states filed a lawsuit in a federal court in Louisiana on Thursday opposing the move. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton denounced what he called the Biden Administration's "unlawful and indefinite ban on approving applications to export liquified natural gas." "Biden's unilateral decree disregards statutory mandates, flouts the legal process, upends the oil and gas industry, disrupts the Texas economy, and subverts our constitutional structure," Paxton said in a statement. The ban on new LNG export approvals comes as Biden looks to shore up youth voters energized by environmental issues in a tough White House rematch. He will likely face Republican candidate Donald Trump, who calls human-caused global warming a "hoax" and has vowed to torpedo his Democratic opponent's climate agenda. Under the Biden plan, new LNG export applications would be subject to a review of unspecified length that considers climate and wider environmental and economic impacts. It would imperil the future of more than a dozen planned export facilities. Scientists and environmental activists welcomed the review -- which excludes plants already approved but not yet built, and has exceptions for national security emergencies. cl/tjj A Johnson County judge sentenced a 19-year-old to more than 33 years in prison Wednesday in the 2022 shooting death of a Shawnee man. Fernando Reyes-Lara, of Olathe, received 285 months in prison for second-degree intentional murder and 61 months for aggravated robbery, according to a news release from the Johnson County district attorneys office. Reyes-Lara entered a plea deal with prosecutors in January. He admitted to one count of second-degree murder and two counts of armed criminal action in the killing of 25-year-old Jarod Rogers. Prosecutors dismissed 13 other pending felony charges against Reyes-Lara. Shawnee police responded on Nov. 30, 2022 to the 11000 block of Johnson Drive, where Rogers was found with a gunshot wound to the head. He was pronounced dead at a hospital two days later. A witness told police that Rogers had met with someone to sell them marijuana. Police obtained text and social media messages that outlined an arrangement to purchase the marijuana near the place where Rogers was killed. According to an affidavit filed in Johnson County District Court, an armed Reyes-Lara was one of two people who met with Rogers. Reyes-Lara and four other teens were accused in the killing of Rogers. Sabrina Clark, 17, Kylie Guzman, 17, Roger Hernandez, 17, and Fernando Gonzalez-Prado were also charged in connection to Rogers death, court records show. In August 2023, Clark pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated robbery in the case. In November 2023, she was sentenced to 95 consecutive months in a juvenile correctional facility, court records show. Two counts of aggravated robbery and one count of first-degree murder against Guzman were dismissed by a Johnson County judge in July 2023. Cases against Hernandez and Gonzalez-Prato are pending in Johnson County District Court. The Stars Bill Lukitsch contributed to this report. The Benton Franklin Health District gave 19 failing grades in food safety inspections of restaurants and other establishments selling food in the Tri-Cities area March 9 to 15. The worst score was 135 of the more serious red points at a Tri-Cities restaurant. A school district also failed its inspection. The health districts food safety team gave passing grades on 38 inspections, with 19 of those awarded perfect scores. In the districts routine inspections, businesses or organizations that receive at least 35 points for the more serious red violations are required to have additional inspections and must meet a tougher standard on those. To pass followup inspections, they must have fewer than 25 red points and fewer than 10 repeat red points for previous issues. Scores of 85 or more red points result in establishments remaining on probation until they pass two follow-up inspections, the first one within 72 hours. Red violations are those most likely to cause food-borne illnesses, such as improper temperature control of food, lack of adequate handwashing or bare-hand contact with foods. Blue violations are low risk factors related to the cleanliness and physical condition of an establishment. No notice is given before the inspections. Businesses may have separate inspections of business lines with different health safety risks, such as grocery sales and a deli that prepares food. Inspection results are posted online so residents can look up the status and the details of any violations of individual restaurants or check other businesses. Go to bit.ly/BFHDinspections. Click on the business name and then on the date of the inspection on the right half of the next page. Look for the Violations tab. Failed inspections 3 Pueblos Meat Market (Food Service, Meat, Store), 1212 N. 4th Ave., Pasco, Routine March 14 (80 Red, 0 Blue) Notes: Lack of active managerial control (too many red points), food worker cards not 100%, inadequate handwashing facilities (no warm water in one employee restroom), improper cooling procedures, improper hot holding (<130F), improper cold holding (>45F). Black Corn Street, 3616 W. Court St., Pasco, Routine March 13 (50 Red, 0 Blue) Notes: Improper hand washing, inadequate handwashing facilities (no paper towels at handwashing sink), improper reheating procedures for hot holding. Boiada Brazilian Grill, 8418 W. Gage Blvd., Kennewick, Follow-up March 12 (50 Red, 0 Blue) Notes: Inadequate handwashing facilities (bar sink water not hot), raw meat improperly stored, improper hot holding (<130F), improper cold holding (>45F some items on buffet not cold enough). Carniceria El Sol, 623 Ninth St., Benton City, Follow-up March 14 (35 Red, 0 Blue) Notes: Inadequate handwashing facilities (no paper towels or dispenser at handwashing sink), improper hot holding (<130F). CoffeeNow, 2504 Manufacturing Lane, Richland, Routine March 15 (60 Red, 0 Blue) Notes: Improper hand washing (water heater heater not turned on), inadequate handwashing facilities, improper hot holding (<130F). Donitas Restaurant, 1107 W. Lewis St., Pasco, Follow-up March 12 (25 Red, 0 Blue) Notes: Improper cooling procedures. El Laguneros (Mobile), 312 N. 20th Ave., Pasco, Routine March 10 (50 Red, 0 Blue) Notes: Lack of active managerial control (no certified food protection manager), improper hand washing, inadequate handwashing facilities (cart was at a temporary event with inadequate temporary handwash setup operations halted until issue fixed), lack of conformance with approved procedures. Flight Tap & Table, 502 Swift Blvd., Richland, Routine March 15 (135 Red, 0 Blue) Notes: Lack of active managerial control (no certified food protection manager on staff), improper hand washing, bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods (lime for drink garnish), inadequate handwashing facilities (no handwashing sink in upstairs bar area), improper hot holding (<130F), room temperature storage or improper use of time as a control, improper cold holding (>45F), lack of conformance with approved procedures. Fresh Juice Me, 7425 W. Clearwater Ave., Kennewick, Routine March 13 (35 Red, 0 Blue) Notes: Lack of active managerial control (no certified food protection manager on staff), inadequate handwashing facilities (sink temporarily blocked), not properly disposing of potentially unsafe food (small amount of too warm milk on counter that employee said they intended to discard), lack of conformance with approved procedures. Fresh Leaf Co., 1080 George Washington Way, Richland, Routine March 14 (35 Red, 5 Blue) Notes: Food worker cards not 100%, not properly disposing of potentially unsafe food (deli meats date marked passed seven days), improper hot holding (130F-134F), improper cold holding (>45F), lacking a proper consumer advisory (no written advisory for undercooked eggs). Hedges Family Estate, 53511 N. Sunset Road, Benton City, Routine March 14 (35 Red, 0 Blue) Notes: Lack of active managerial control (no certified food protection manager on staff), inadequate handwashing facilities (no soap at one sink), lack of conformance with approved procedures, variance not obtained for specialized processing methods (brewing kambucha). Homewood Suites, 1060 George Washington Way, Richland, Routine March 14 (70 Red, 0 Blue) Notes: Improper hand washing, not properly disposing of potentially unsafe food (expired deli meat), room temperature storage or improper use of time as a control, improper cold holding (>45F). Kahlotus School District, 100 W. Martin St., Kahlotus, Routine March 12 (60 Red, 5 Blue) Notes: Lack of active managerial control (no certified food protection manager on staff), improper ill worker and conditional employee practices (workers unaware of illness reporting procedures), improper cooling procedures, accurate thermometer not provided or used. Lucky Bao (Commissary use), 1415 George Washington Way, Richland, Routine March 15 (35 Red, 0 Blue) Notes: Improper hand washing (worker used no soap), inadequate handwashing facilities. Rancho Meat Market, 4903 Robert Wayne Drive, Pasco, Routine March 14 (40 Red, 0 Blue) Notes: Not properly disposing of potentially unsafe food, improper hot holding (<130F), lacking a proper consumer advisory. Sandovals Market, 6930 Road 170 Mesa, Routine March 12 (80 Red, 15 Blue) Notes: Lack of active managerial control (too many red violations), food worker cards not 100%, improper hand washing,inadequate handwashing facilities (handwashing sink 25 feet from some food handling areas), improper shellstock identification or parasite destruction procedures (no shellstock tags found for oysters), raw meat improperly stored, improper cooling procedures. Tacos Mi Casita, 1208 20th Ave., Pasco, Routine March 14 (35 Red, 0 Blue) Notes: Improper cooling procedures, lack of conformance with approved procedures. Thai Co. The Iron Wok (Mobile), 7425 W. Clearwater Ave., Kennewick, Routine March 13 (45 Red, 0 Blue) Notes: Lack of active managerial control (no certified food protection manager on staff), not properly disposing of potentially unsafe food (curry sauces kept longer than seven days), raw meat improperly stored, room temperature storage or improper use of time as a control. Uptown Bar & Grill, 1373 George Washington Way, Richland, Routine March 15 (35 Red, 6 Blue) Notes: Lack of active managerial control (no certified food protection manager on staff), food worker cards not 100%, inadequate handwashing facilities, raw meat improperly stored, improper chemical use (dish soap not labeled). Passed inspections AFC Sushi at Safeway, 1803 George Washington Way, Richland, Routine March 15 (0 Red, 0 Blue) Amariliss Meat Market, 1825 W. Court St., Pasco, Routine March 14 (30 Red, 0 Blue) Andys North, 3321 W. Court St., Pasco, Follow-up March 14 (0 Red, 0 Blue) Anelare Winery, 19205 N. McBee Road, N.W. Benton City, Routine March 14 (20 Red, 0 Blue) Basin City Child Development Center, 281 First Ave., Mesa, Routine March 15 (15 Red, 0 Blue) Basin City Elementary School, 303 Bailie Blvd., Mesa, Routine March 15 (0 Red, 0 Blue) Basin City Hot Spot, 7380 Road 170 Mesa, Routine March 12 (30 Red, 0 Blue) Burger King, 2205 E. Hillsboro St., Pasco, Routine March 13 (30 Red, 2 Blue) Chandler Reach Winery, 9506 W. Chandler Road, Benton City, Routine March 14 (5 Red, 5 Blue) Chills Froyo, 2909 S. Quillan St., Kennewick, Routine March 12 (5 Red, 5 Blue) Circle K, 5301 W. Canal Drive, Kennewick, Routine March 12 (25 Red, 3 Blue) Connell Child Development Center, 600 E. Adams St., Connell, Routine March 15 (0 Red, 0 Blue) Connell Elementary School, 1001 W. Clark St., Connell, Routine March 12 (0 Red, 2 Blue) Connell High School, 1100 W. Clark St., Connell, Routine March 15 (0 Red, 0 Blue) Desert Food Mart, 10806 Kennedy Road, Benton City, Routine March 14 (0 Red, 0 Blue) Desserts By Kelly, 1312 Jadwin Ave., Richland, Routine March 14 (10 Red, 2 Blue) Eastside Market, 335 Wine Country Road, Prosser, Follow-up March 12 (0 Red, 0 Blue) El Rincon De Mi Tierra, 528 W. Clark St., Pasco, Routine March 12 (25 Red, 5 Blue) Extreme Blendz/Kia Ora, 2008 N. Pittsburgh St., Kennewick, Routine March 13 (5 Red, 0 Blue) Hanford High School, 450 Hanford St., Richland, Routine March 15 (0 Red, 3 Blue) Hot Tamales, 608 Williams Blvd., Richland, Routine March 15 (25 Red, 0 Blue) Jason Lee Elementary School, 1750 McMurray Ave., Richland, Routine March 15 (0 Red, 0 Blue) Lone Crow Meat Processing, 133 N. Columbia Ave., Connell, Routine March 15 (20 Red, 0 Blue) Mesa Elementary School, 200 E. Pepiot Road, Mesa Ave., Routine March 15 (0 Red, 0 Blue) Monarca, 1408 N. 20th Ave., Pasco, Follow-up March 12 (0 Red, 0 Blue) Mr. Qwiks Country, 13101 N. Glade Road, Eltopia, Follow-up March 12 (0 Red, 0 Blue) Nuevo Amanecer, 1411 N. Fourth Ave., Pasco, Routine March 14 (30 Red, 0 Blue) Rite Aid (Store), 1901 N. Steptoe St., Kennewick, Routine March 13 (0 Red, 3 Blue) Rite Aid (Store), 101 N. Ely St., Kennewick, Routine March 12 (0 Red, 0 Blue) Robert Olds Junior High School, 1051 W. Clark St., Connell, Routine March 12 (10 Red, 0 Blue) Salsamix, 212 W. Kennewick Ave., Kennewick, Routine March 14 (0 Red, 0 Blue) (Demo in Stanfield, Ore., 0 Red, 0 Blue) St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank, 215 S. Sixth Ave., Pasco, Routine March 13 (0 Red, 0 Blue) Subway, 2045 W. Court St., Pasco, Routine March 14 (5 Red, 0 Blue) Super Quesadilla Gigante, 220 N. 18th Ave., Pasco, Routine March 13 (0 Red, 0 Blue) Taco Bell, 2404 W. Court St., Pasco, Routine March 12 (0 Red, 0 Blue) Three Rivers Home Link, 1710 Van Giesen St., Richland, Routine March 15 (0 Red, 0 Blue) Walgreens (Store), 2800 W. Clearwater Ave., Kennewick, Routine March 12 (0 Red, 0 Blue) 2 British Airways flight attendants were fired after a video of them appearing to mock Asian passengers circulated on social media Two British Airways flight attendants were fired after a racism incident. A viral TikTok showed Holly Walton making a racist gesture and mocking the Chinese accent. Coworkers told The Sun they were mocking a family who spoke little English on a flight between London and the Caribbean. Two British Airways flight attendants have lost their jobs for mocking Asian passengers, an airline spokesperson told Business Insider in a statement. The Sun first reported that Holly Walton and Lauren Bray were fired on Monday. It came after a TikTok user posted a recording of an Instagram story that has reached one million views. The clip is dated from 2022 but was posted five days ago. It shows Walton making a racist gesture, and appearing to imitate a Chinese accent, saying the phrase: "Give me wine." The newspaper reported the video was filmed between flights while Bray and Walton had drinks at a hotel on the island of Antigua in the Caribbean. Airline coworkers told The Sun they were mocking a Chinese family who spoke little English on a British Airways flight from London. "These two women were deliberately laughing at a family who struggled to make themselves understood on a busy flight. This sends out the worst message possible," a BA staffer born in Asia told The Sun. The pair were fired when coworkers complained to management after seeing the TikTok, per The Sun. It reported Walton was ordered to fly home as a passenger from Cancun, Mexico in the middle of a roundtrip for the airline. "All forms of racism are completely unacceptable, and we take allegations of this nature very seriously," a British Airways spokesperson told BI. "These two individuals are no longer employed by us." A friend of Bray told the Daily Mail that she is appealing against her dismissal. She added that Bray had been with the airline for six years, and Walton had worked for BA for 10 years. Read the original article on Business Insider Two people face charges after being caught with guns at UNC Charlotte. Ryan Briones was allegedly trespassing on campus Tuesday when he ran into the woods before police arrested him and found a gun on him. UNC Charlotte was paid tens of thousands to host Famous Toastery Bowl Hes charged with having a gun on an education property, trespassing, and resisting a public officer. Destiny Carr is accused of carrying a gun while she chased after someone driving away from her in a campus parking deck on March 15. Shes charged with going armed to the terror of people, having a gun on an education property, and carrying a concealed weapon. She was later arrested. The incidents were not connected and no injuries were reported. Hear from students about the alarming arrests, in the video at the top of this webpage. VIDEO: UNC Charlotte false call: Treat every threat like its the real thing JACKSON, Miss. A judge sentenced two former Mississippi sheriff's deputies from a self-described "Goon Squad" to federal prison Thursday for the torture and abuse of two Black men in a racist attack. Brett Morris McAlpin, 53, was ordered to serve 327 months, which is more than 27 years. And Joshua Hartfield, 32, the final former deputy to be sentenced, was ordered to serve 121 months, or about 10 years. McAlpin and Hartfield are two of the six former Rankin County sheriffs deputies who admitted to subjecting two Black men, Michael Corey Jenkins and Eddie Terrell Parker, to acts of racist torture. The depravity of the crimes committed by these defendants cannot be overstated, and they will now spend between 10 and 40 years in prison for their heinous attack on citizens they had sworn to protect, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement Thursday. McAlpin pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including conspiracy against rights, obstructions of justice, deprivation of rights under color of law and conspiracy to obstruct justice. McAlpin was brought into the courtroom of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi wearing handcuffs and leg shackles, offering a nod to his family members in attendance. In January 2023, McAlpin received a call from a white person who complained that Jenkins and Parker were residing with a white woman at a house in Braxton, Mississippi. McAlpin then texted a group that self-described as "The Goon Squad" a group that the Justice Department said were known "for using excessive force and not reporting it." The "Goon Squad" consisted of McAlpin, Hartfield, Christian Dedmon, 29, Jeffrey Middleton, 46, Hunter Elward, 31, and Daniel Opdyke, 28. The group then went to the home without a warrant, The Associated Press reported, and assaulted the two Black men with stun guns, forced them to ingest liquids, punched and kicked them and called them racial slurs. The Justice Department said the two men were also assaulted with a dildo. Dedmon also fired his gun twice in an effort to intimidate the men, the department said. Elward removed a bullet from the chamber of his gun and forced the gun into Jenkins' mouth before pulling the trigger. No bullet was fired the first time, but he pulled the trigger a second time and lacerated tongue, broke his jaw and a bullet exited out of his neck, according to the Justice Department. Image: Michael Corey Jenkins, Eddie Terrell Parker (Rogelio V. Solis / AP) The judge sentenced Dedmon to 40 years and Opdyke to 17.5 years on Wednesday. He gave nearly 20 years to Elward and 17.5 years to Middleton on Tuesday. Jenkins attorney read a victim statement on his behalf ahead of the sentencing, describing McAlpin as the highest man in charge. Brett McAlpin said he would pour gasoline on this house and set it on fire, the statement said. I felt like a slave. Parker read his own victim impact statement, saying that McAlpin thought himself to be "the mob" and asked the judge to sentence him to "years and years" so that McAlpin could think about what he did. "Sick, sick, sick. ... Seems like I have a little more respect, a little more dignity than the chief investigator if Rankin County," Parker said. McAlpin was able to address the court and his voice wavered several times as he spoke. Although he apologized to both men for his actions, he stared ahead, never turning back to look at them or their families. "This was all wrong very, very wrong," McAlpin said. "This is not how people should treat each other. I hope your families can move on and have a better life. For Hartfield's sentencing, an attorney read victim impact statements on behalf of both Jenkins and Parker. Jenkins described Hartfield as a "thug" and said the group of former deputies was "no better than a street gang with badges." Im hurt, Im broken, Im ashamed and embarrassed by the entire situation," Jenkins said in his statement. "They tried to take away my manhood. Parker's statement described a constant fear that someone would break into his home and terrorize him all over again. They should be given what they gave me and Michael Jenkins, which is no mercy," Parker said. Hartfield sobbed at some points during his apology in court, saying he should have stepped in to stop what was happening and protect both men. I allowed others to influence me. I am taking full responsibility," he said, adding that he has lost countless hours of sleep over the attack. He added that he knows words will never be enough for either Parker or Jenkins but that he is "so sorry. I really am." U.S. District Judge Tom S. Lee noted that while Hartfield participated in a lesser manner than the other five men, he still made bad choices. Hartfield was the "least involved and the least culpable," said Lee, who said he was conflicted over the sentence. "You seemed to have landed in the middle of something you did not intend and didnt anticipate," Lee said. "You actively participated on a much more limited basis but you participated nonetheless. Tom Junod reported from Jackson, Mississippi, and Doha Madani reported from New York City. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Two pieces of legislation in the Georgia General Assembly aimed at lowering taxes for residents and corporations passed the state senate, getting one step further to becoming law. The first piece, House Bill 1015, passed the Georgia Senate 40-12. It passed a House vote 165-0-7 in February, meaning it could very well get approval by Gov. Brian Kemp soon, lowering income taxes for Georgians from 5.49% to 5.39%. The other legislation, HB 1023, passed the House 138-28-6. With state senators approving it 34-17, corporations in the state would have the same tax rate as everyday Georgians, which with the passage of HB 1015, would be 5.39% as well. While its not a guarantee that Kemp will sign both bills, HB 1015 makes good on a priority for the governor announced during his State of the State address in January. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: DENVER (KDVR) Two people were injured by a horse at the Denver St. Patricks Day parade over the weekend. The Denver St. Patricks Day Parade Committee President, Dave Anderson, issued a statement Wednesday confirming that the parade was not without incident. At some point before step-off, during the lineup activities, a horse was spooked in the staging area resulting in two injuries, Anderson said. Police previously told FOX31 that the incident happened around 9:30 a.m. Photos: Denver St. Patricks Day parade marches on despite recent snow Bicycle paramedics from Denver Health attended to them on the scene before both were taken to a local hospital. We are grateful for the quick and professional action of the paramedics and the parade marshals on duty, Anderson said. Their status was unknown on Wednesday. Anderson said the parade committee hopes both injured parties recover soon and wants to assure Denverites that the safety of attendees and participants is a top priority. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. Two residents of McKees Rocks were indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge related to the sexual exploitation of a minor. The one-count indictment named Vincent Pappaterra, 49, and Amber Bond, 37, as defendants. According to the indictment, on or about Aug. 24, 2023, Pappaterra and Bond coerced and enticed a minor to engage in sexual activity, said United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan in a news release. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than 10 years and up to life imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. The Department of Homeland Security and Allegheny County Police Department conducted the investigation. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: 4 children, 1 adult killed in Westmoreland County house fire PHOTOS: 5 people, including 4 children, killed in Westmoreland County house fire Woman dead, man critically injured in shooting at Blawnox manufacturing plant VIDEO: Man who murdered missing McKeesport man takes plea deal, will serve up to 44 years DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 21. Azerbaijan will do its utmost to bring together the views of Global North and Global South at COP29, Head of the Foreign Policy Department of the Presidential Administration Hikmet Hajiyev said in an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Trend reports. I would like to take this opportunity and to congratulate UAE for their achievement in COP28. We are also working very closely with them and their experience is also very important for us. Azerbaijan has also initiated COP Troika concept so that to ensure consistency and synchronization of our actions, he said. Hajiyev noted that Azerbaijans COP29 agenda will be climate finance. We know that it is one of very difficult topics. But we need consensus of everybody. Azerbaijan will do its utmost to bring together views of the Global North and Global South. I would like to highlight that the views of the Global South should also be heard. The Global South, developing countries or least developed countries have particular challenges and difficulties. Funding and financial resources are they key. We think that we have strategic advantage for that. Because, Azerbaijan is a developing country and has successfully chaired the Non-Alignment Movement and is a member of G77 and China Group. Azerbaijan is also a member of certain European institutions. I think that these different platforms will provide us with instruments to build consensus and understanding and achieve more solidarity between the Global North and Global South, he said. Hajiyev pointed out that COP negotiations are considered diplomatically as one of the difficult ones. Here we should be guided by inclusive approach, he added. The decision to hold COP29 in Azerbaijan was officially announced in Dubai on December 11, 2023, enabling Azerbaijan to host the event in November. Two Georgia men are accused of stealing thousands of dollars from a dementia patient. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The investigation began on Feb. 7 at the Etowah Landing nursing home in Rome. According to Floyd County investigators, David Berman, a licensed notary public, notarized a document giving Russell Eugene Smith, a power of attorney over the finances and resources of the victim. Berman admitted to deputies that he was not there when the documents were signed and did not witness the signature. TRENDING STORIES: The sheriffs office said Berman and Smith notarized legal documents and received over $25,000 belonging to the victim. The duo used deceitful means and artful practice by convincing the victim who suffers from dementia to sign a power of attorney in order to access said funds, the report states. Both men are charged with theft by deception, exploitation of a disabled adult and violation of notary duties. The suspects were booked into the Floyd County Jail. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: A 2-year-old boy accidentally shot himself at a family party after stumbling upon a deputys unsecured gun, Missouri cops say. The toddler wandered off at the party into his uncles room, finding the St. Louis sheriffs deputys gun under a pillow, Ferguson police told McClatchy News. He suffered a gunshot wound to his abdomen, according to police. The 2-year-old was taken to a nearby urgent care and then a hospital. As of March 21, Ferguson police say the toddler is recovering and expected to be home soon. The deputy, who was not named by police, was arrested on suspicion of endangering the welfare of a child, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. He was then released. Police say they are currently in the process of completing paperwork to charge the deputy with endangering the welfare of a child. The case is expected to be filed on March 21. We are praying for (the childs) complete recovery, St. Louis Sheriff Vernon Betts said in a statement to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. This tragic accident is exactly why I mandate weapons safety training and safe storage including gun locks. Ferguson police stressed the importance of securing firearms and adopting gun safety practices. In the wake of the distressing incident where a two-year-old child accidentally shot himself with an unsecured firearm, our community is reminded of the urgent necessity for stringent gun safety, police said in a Facebook post. We are all saddened by this tragic incident and our thoughts and prayers are certainly with this family. Thankfully, the child survived, but the emotional scars of this event will linger. Ferguson is about a 10-mile drive northwest from downtown St. Louis. Gun violence in the US Thousands of people die every year from firearm injuries in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Firearm injuries are a serious public health problem, officials said. In 2020, there were 45,222 firearm-related deaths in the United States thats about 124 people dying from a firearm-related injury each day. Firearm-related injuries were one of the top leading causes of death for people ages 1 to 44 in 2020, the CDC reported. More than half of firearm-related deaths were suicides and more than 4 out of every 10 were firearm homicides, the CDC says. The impact of gun violence, however, goes beyond the death toll. The effects of firearm violence extend beyond victims and their families, according to the CDC. Shooting incidents, including those in homes, schools, houses of worship, workplaces, shopping areas, on the street or at community events can affect the sense of safety and security of entire communities and impact everyday decisions. Woman stabs man she says was texting another woman but he says its his aunt, cops say Cop fatally shoots 4-year-old and man holding knife to childs neck, Illinois cops say Teen unknowingly robs undercover cop, threatens to blow his brains out, IL cops say FILE - Ales Bialiatski, the head of Belarusian Viasna rights group, stands in a defendants' cage during a court session in Minsk, Belarus, on Nov. 2, 2011. In an open letter, 27 Nobel laureates have demanded the release of all political prisoners in Belarus including Ales Bialiatski, the winner of the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize. The Nobel laureates said the situation in Belarus is a humanitarian catastrophe and called for an immediate end to political repression in the country of 9.5 million people. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits, File) TALLINN, Estonia (AP) In an open letter, 27 Nobel laureates have demanded the release of all political prisoners in Belarus including Ales Bialiatski, the winner of the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize. The Nobel laureates said the situation in Belarus is a humanitarian catastrophe and called for an immediate end to political repression in the country of 9.5 million people, which is isolated in Europe but a close ally of neighboring Russia. Over the past four years, more than 50,000 people have been subjected to political repression in Belarus, hundreds of thousands of citizens have been forced to leave the country, and thousands of people have been tortured, the open letter signed by the laureates and published online says. They include journalists, academics, doctors, musicians, students and defenders of human rights. Bialiatski, 61, was arrested after an unprecedented wave of mass demonstrations against the disputed result of a presidential election in 2020. In 2022, while in custody awaiting trial, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The following year he was convicted of financing actions violating public order and smuggling and sentenced to 10 years in prison. His wife, Natalia Pinchuk, told The Associated Press that Bialiatski has been in solitary confinement for more than six months in conditions she described as torture. The letter was signed by four Nobel peace laureates including Dmitry Muratov from Russia and Alexandra Matviichuk from Ukraine. It was also signed by literature laureates including Svetlana Alexievich from Belarus as well as 19 others who hold prizes in the fields of physics, chemistry, medicine and economics. In recent decades, Europe has not seen a humanitarian catastrophe related to political repression on such a per capita scale as in Belarus, activist Dmitry Bolkunets said in a letter posted on his website. He is in exile in Warsaw. Today there are 1,411 political prisoners behind bars in Belarus, says the human rights group Viasna. The prisoners families' and rights groups say they are kept in conditions akin to torture and are deprived of medical care. Belarusian authorities have been accused of keeping opposition leaders in complete isolation and of depriving them of communication with their lawyers and relatives. Exiled Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya told AP she has not heard from her imprisoned husband Siarhei Tsikhanouski for more than a year, a form of torture for both of them, she said. For more than a year there also has been no information from opposition activists Viktar Babaryka, Maria Kolesnikova, Maxim Znak and Mikola Statkevich. There are reports on almost a daily basis from human rights activists about the arrest of activists, journalists, and lawyers as well as police raids inside Belarus. The Nobel laureates are calling on all European Union governments to take immediate action to pressure the government of President Alexander Lukashenko to stop the brutal repression in Belarus and release all political prisoners. The letter calls on Poland, as Belaruss largest western neighbor, to exert its influence by suspending the rail transport of goods to the EU from Belarus, including shipments in transit from Russia and China. The commercial interests that European countries have cannot outweigh the issues of their national security and their duty to save innocent people being victimized in Belarus, the letter says. A school bus driver in New Orleans is being praised as a hero for saving the lives of eight children after a malfunction caused the bus to catch fire. Kia Rousseve, 28, told NOLA.com that the incident happened after 7 a.m. Wednesday morning while driving along her route. Rousseve noticed the bus began losing power and started to smoke, prompting her to pull over and call her supervisor. She grabbed her purse and quickly ushered the eight children off the bus before the fire began. My instinct is like No, this is not normal. My instinct was like Pull the bus over,' Rousseve told the outlet. Rousseve said she had been a school bus driver for three years and started working for Community Academies in February. She had six more stops on her Uptown route that morning, which was headed to Lafayette Academy, when the bus started having mechanical issues, WWL-TV reported. Despite never having faced such a harrowing ordeal before, Rousseve expresses gratitude that she and everyone else were safe and unharmed. This was something that I never experienced, Rousseve said. For me to save my life and them kids lives, that was a real good thing that I did. Rousseves supervisor issued a statement commending her quick thinking amid the incident. Her ability to stay calm in the face of danger, ensuring not a single child came to harm is nothing short of heroic, her supervisor said in the statement, per NOLA.com. Its a poignant reminder of the crucial role bus drivers play in our childrens lives, often going unnoticed until a moment of crisis thrusts [them] into the spotlight. The terrifying experience has instilled fear in Rousseve, making her hesitant to drive again. Im really not sleeping. Its just been a lot going on, she said. Malik Sutherland (far left), Victor Ponce (middle left), Jervon Whitaker (middle right), Byron Moore (far right) CHICAGO - Four people were arrested within 24 hours in connection to Chicago area expressway shootings. Malik Sutherland and Victor Ponce, both 20 and from Buffalo Grove, were charged with attempted murder stemming from a road rage shooting in Palatine. Jervon Whitaker, 26, of Chicago, has also been charged with attempted murder for a shooting in Chicago. Byron Moore, 28, of Chicago, has been charged with aggravated battery following a two-year investigation into a shooting on Interstate 94. On Jan. 17, Illinois State Police (ISP) troopers responded to a report of shots fired on Illinois Route 53 and Lake Cook Road in Palatine. The victim's vehicle was shot by the occupants of a charcoal Honda after a road rage incident that started on Interstate 290. The victim was not injured in the shooting. During the investigation, ISP agents identified Sutherland and Ponce as the suspects. Both were arrested on Tuesday and charged accordingly. On Jan. 26, ISP troopers responded to a road rage-related expressway shooting on Interstate 94 southbound at 47th Street in Chicago. While investigating the shooting, Whitaker was identified as the suspect and taken into custody on Tuesday. On April 29, 2022, ISP troopers responded to an expressway shooting on I-94 northbound at Archer Avenue in Chicago. After a two-year investigation, Moore was taken into custody on Tuesday and charged accordingly. SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) A San Francisco man was convicted of sexually assaulting a sleeping elderly woman who was his relative, the San Francisco District Attorneys Office announced. Mohamad Alajtal, 40, was convicted following a trial by jury the DA said Thursday. Alajtal was convicted of assault with intent to commit sexual penetration of an unconscious person, and two counts of sexual penetration of an unconscious person. The assault took place on Oct. 24, 2018, the DA said. According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, the victim, a 70-year-old woman, believed she was having a vivid dream in which someone was digitally penetrating her. Realizing it was not a dream, she awoke and sat upright in bed. Thats when she saw Alajtal, who was her relative, kneeling on the floor beside her. Infant dies after crash at SF West Portal bus stop The victim screamed and the defendant said he had not done anything and was looking for his phone. The victim called 911 and officers arrived within minutes. The victim was evaluated at the San Francisco General Hospital Rape Trauma Center. The evaluation showed evidence of digital penetration. The victims DNA was also found on the defendants fingers, evidence indicated. I would like to thank the jury for their service in this case, said District Attorney Brooke Jenkins. The jurys verdict holds Mr. Alajtal accountable for his reprehensible violation and assault of the victim in this case who bravely came forward to report this crime. My office will always stand with victims of crime and do everything we can to fight for justice and ensure there is accountability. Alajtal was remanded into custody following the reading of the verdict. He now faces up to 10 years in state prison and must register as a sex offender for life. He is due to be sentenced on May 21, 2024. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. WORCESTER A 100-plus-page equity audit of the Worcester Police Department recently released by the city contains nearly three dozen findings and corresponding recommendations on a broad range of topics. The auditors, in addition to finding that police collect insufficient demographic data and arrest people of color at disparate rates, made suggestions ranging from ideas to improve officers' mental health and morale to suggestions for better training and community engagement. What follows is a summary of the scope of the audit and its recommendations, with emphasis on those the auditors labeled as highest priority. Who audited the department? The audit was conducted by the Center for Naval Analyses, a large research and analysis nonprofit funded by the federal government and based in Arlington, Virginia. The city hired CNA two years ago after former City Manager Edward M. Augustus Jr. ordered the equity audit and a similar audit of City Hall as part of a slate of executive actions in response to protests over racism following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Former City Manager Edward M. Augustus Jr. ordered the equity audit in response to protests following the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. According to its website, CNA has audited many departments nationwide, including police in Minneapolis and Philadelphia. What did the auditors do? According to the audit, the six authors of the report spoke to Police Department staff, conducted an anonymous internal survey with a response rate of about 25%, held two public input sessions that had 25 attendees and spoke with a number of outside community groups. The authors said they conducted 31 semi structured interviews with WPD leadership, line staff, City of Worcester leadership, as well as local advocacy groups, nongovernmental organization members, and community members. They also reviewed a host of documents, from policy and training manuals to administrative crime data including arrests and citations. The auditors focused their review on six main areas: diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI); recruitment, hiring and promotions; policies and practices; community-oriented policing; use of force; and complaint processes. The researchers made 35 findings and 43 related recommendations, which they grouped in an appendix and prioritized into level 1, 2 or 3. What were the level 1 recommendations? Consider establishing a civilian review board Auditors wrote that Police Department survey respondents and community members perceived bias and favoritism in how complaints and disciplinary actions are handled by the departments internal affairs division. The WPD should engage in formal conversations with the City of Worcester to discuss the establishment of a civilian oversight body, they recommended. A number of community organizations requested the city create a civilian review board with subpoena powers following the death of Floyd. Police union leaders opposed the idea, and it has not been implemented. Asked Wednesday if he had a position on the topic, City Manager Eric D. Batista said through an email from a spokesman that he continues to have conversations regarding CRBs with community partners. Establish a citizens advisory council Finding that there are no active formal mechanisms to regularly gather community input on WPD policing strategies, priorities, operations, and current practices, the auditors said the city and the department should establish a citizens advisory council at the commander level to address specific local issues in the community. Acknowledge past incidents The auditors wrote that interviews with community members revealed tensions surrounding comments former Chief Steven Sargent made denying that he had seen racism in the department. They suggested the department publicly recognize the findings of this audit's data analysis that identify disparities, and it should take steps to acknowledge past incidents involving communities of color, including at community meetings. Former Police Chief Steven Sargent, at a national night out event in 2023. Increase use of force data Auditors found the Police Department collects relatively little information about use-of-force incidents and does not collect data on the race of involved community members. This hinders useful analysis of these data and does not allow for developing an understanding of any disparities in use-of-force incidents, they wrote. Researchers said the department should update its use-of-force database to add additional fields, capturing demographic data about the involved community member (age, sex, and race), a unique identifier (e.g., name) for each involved community member, and additional details about the incident. Expand police training in fairness and impartiality The auditors wrote that they frequently heard from community members of color that officers have been discourteous, unhelpful, or aggressive in interactions. The feedback, they noted, contrasted with police survey responses, in which 40% agreed the Police Department has a positive relationship with the community. Auditors said that while they couldnt conclude to what extent the concerns are accurate, the opposing views highlight a potential disconnect between the community and the Police Department, and the allegations call attention to the pressing need for enhanced accountability and supervision in the department. Auditors wrote the Police Department should expand its fair and impartial and community-oriented policing training curriculum for all officers in collaboration with the community. Develop a community policing plan Finding that the Police Department does not have a clear plan to guide its community policing strategy, auditors suggested that its neighborhood response team, which serves as one of its primary means of community policing, should, in collaboration with other department members, develop a formal plan for improving community engagement for the department. Additionally, auditors suggested the Police Department develop a structured plan for its engagement with at-risk youth, expand the roles of its diversity and LGBTQ+ officers, and get all officers on the force involved in community engagement efforts. Improve field training The auditors said the departments field training program could be characterized as ad hoc in nature, lacking a cohesive and strategic approach, and said this could lead to variability in the training process, potentially hindering the development of officers and the adoption of best practices in areas that can impact fair and impartial policing. The auditors recommended the department continue to revamp its field-training program using nationally recognized self-evaluation approaches and formalize the program in WPD policy. Develop a robust DEI plan Auditors found that while the department does have a recruitment plan aimed at diversifying the department, it doesnt have a strategic plan focused on improving DEI, and recommended it develop a robust and specific DEI plan. They also said the department should consider getting more feedback from officers on DEI policies, procedures and practices, such as in the form of surveys or focus groups. Amend recruitment policy The auditors suggested the department amend its recruitment policy to articulate its commitment to actively diversifying its workforce through targeted outreach efforts. They found the department has limited diversity and does not have a robust or specific plan to hire for diversity within the department. They said the department is trying to increase diversity, but hasnt had enough success noting many other departments are also struggling and suggested more specific policies or consideration of hiring an organization that specializes in recruitment. Amend social media policy Auditors said many community members expressed concerns about posts officers or officer groups have made on Facebook. They suggested the department strengthen its policy around social media in multiple areas. Body-worn camera review Auditors said police should continue efforts toward conducting a thorough community review of its BWC policy and program that includes community stakeholders. It should also establish a structured framework for conducting mandatory annual assessments of the BWC program. Worcester Police Department body cameras in their charging port. What were the level 2 recommendations? Prioritize enhancing collaboration and communication with the Human Rights Commission Enhance the Police Department's ability to gather data that identifies racial or ethnic disparities in such areas as use of force, traffic stops, pedestrian stops and field contacts Collaborate with local stakeholders to establish new arrest diversion strategies for youth Post draft policies on the Police Department website for public comment Integrate community feedback into the expansion of the crisis intervention training curriculum Commit to improving language translation services to enhance communication with all immigrant groups living in Worcester Post racial demographic information online regarding use of force incidents Internal affairs should expand on the data that it collects related to racial disparities, enabling it to conduct more extensive analyses and address problems Mental health, wellness services critiqued Another level 2 priority was a recommendation that the Police Department should conduct a comprehensive review of its officer wellness support and develop a plan to expand the availability of support services for its rank and file. Auditors said interviews with Police Department staff revealed that many staff members are not fully satisfied with the wellness support that is available to them, and they would like to see this improved, with various options available to access mental health assistance. They noted that 65% of officers who took the survey reported experiencing traumatic events very often in the past year, which they said underscores a need for mental health services being prioritized. There is a growing awareness of the impact of ongoing trauma experienced by officers on the streets leading to potential behavioral challenges that can affect their performance and well-being over time, researchers wrote. Researchers included in the report a number of survey responses they deemed concerning including one in which 48% of officers disagreed that they would recommend the Police Department as a workplace to others. "In response to a question about recommendations for improving the WPD, staff expressed a need for improved overall training, increased representation of minority groups in the department, and measures to address the perceived 'toxic' culture of the department," they wrote. "Some WPD officers believe that the departments culture and atmosphere have become deeply corrupted." The researchers added that some officers "raised concerns about the potential for accusations of racism to tarnish officers reputations. "They held the belief that police are susceptible to being unfairly labeled as racist, resulting in a lasting stain on their reputation, even after a claim has been proven false. Respondents claimed that this has led to lowered morale among officers, who feel a lack of genuine concern from both the City and its leaders regarding their well-being and reputation." The department is currently facing a separate civil pattern-or-practice probe from the U.S. Department of Justice, which said in November 2022 it found significant justification" to investigate whether police engage in a pattern or practice of racially discriminatory and gender-biased policing," and use excessive force. While the auditors touched upon racial disparities in arrests and identified deficiencies in the department's use-of-force reporting mechanisms, they did not adopt the same scope of inquiry or reference the looming federal probe in their report. The auditors also did not specifically mention many of the court cases or settlements involving police that have brought scrutiny on the department in recent years. Auditors also listed many recommendations they labeled as level 3 including considering withdrawing the department from civil service requirements, posting demographic data about arrests and disparities online, expanding critical incident training to all officers and analyzing use-of-force data for racial disparities annually. What are city and police officials saying about the audit? City councilors Tuesday authorized Batista to petition lawmakers to allow Worcester to exempt the chief and district chief positions from civil service, which would allow a nationwide search for a police chief. The police union that represents lieutenants, sergeants and captains is opposed to its members being removed from civil service and that isnt on the table at present. The union that represents rank-and-file officers agreed to study the issue with the city as part of its recent contract agreement. The T&G has reached out to both unions to offer comment on the audit. Councilors put a larger discussion of the audit on hold Tuesday and Interim Police Chief Paul B. Saucier will not be commenting publicly on the audit until after that discussion, a spokesman said. Interim Police Chief Paul B. Saucier does not plan to comment on the audit until after a City Council discussion. Batista's spokesman, Tom Matthews, provided answers to questions from the T&G in an email, saying Batista did not have time for an interview. Asked what the process will be for evaluating the audit's recommendations, Matthews said the administration has and will continue to evaluate the recommendations internally, along with Interim Police Chief Saucier, and engage community members and employees. He said none of the recommendations have explicitly been decided against and that there are recommendations the department is already following, such as sharing additional data publicly. Matthews wrote that arrest figures make it clear that youth are overrepresented in arrests, and said the department is committed to helping lower the numbers and to use arrest as a last resort for juveniles. Matthews said the Police Department has committed to reviewing all its policies for potential improvement including suggestions from the Center for Naval Analyses regarding juvenile arrests and social media. In October, the department launched the Police Review Committee with a member from every division and its two DEI officers, he wrote. The committee is working in conjunction with the Human Rights Commission to review the policies which are also online for the public to review. The public can submit their comments to the committee via email. Asked whether hed push back on any of the audits findings, Matthews said Batista recognizes that it was clear in the report that some members of the community are looking for better engagement with the police department. The department has recognized that as an area for improvement itself and in addition to existing community policing programs is launching new community policing initiatives including park and walks and additional attendance at community meetings. Matthews noted that most police employees who took the survey had generally positive sentiments regarding the departments treatment of employees, irrespective of race, gender, or ethnicity, and that the auditors applauded the City for its comprehensive range of training courses that promote fairness and impartiality and establishing positions dedicated to improving DEI. Matthews said the audit did highlight an issue the department was already aware of minority groups are underrepresented in the police departments ranks, with 80 to 84 percent of personnel being white from 2015 to 2021. He said the department is working to increase diversity in several ways including meeting with community groups like the NAACP and Black Families Together, developing a mentorship program for officers and coordinating with Batistas office to contact the Massachusetts Civil Service Commission about expanding the departments residency and age requirements. Asked about Batistas discussions with Saucier on the audit, Matthews wrote the chief was responsive to the report and shared actionable ideas of ways the department can respond to some of the findings and detailed much of the work the department is already doing. Interim Chief Saucier recognizes that allowing the community to engage in the policy review process is critical for the department. Both Interim Chief Saucier and City Manager Batista know that developing an open dialogue with the community builds better relationships between the community and police, which ultimately leads to safer communities. Racial equity audit by Michael Elfland on Scribd This embedded content is not available in your region. This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Worcester Police Department equity audit: Here's what to know Five Bronx men were arrested on federal murder and robbery charges in the botched heist at a Mount Vernon cannabis warehouse that ended in a shootout in which a robber and employee were killed - a brazen early morning robbery that authorities said involved as many as 10 other people. Ilario Contreras, one of five Bronx men charged in a botched robbery at a Mount Vernon cannabis warehouse that left an employee and a robber dead. Jerpi Diaz-Feliz, one of five Bronx men charged in federal court in the cannabis warehouse robbery in Mount Vernon that left an employee and a robber dead. Joseph Perez, one of five Bronx men facing federal charges in a botched cannabis warehouse robbery that left a robber and an employee dead. Jhoan Diaz-Feliz, one of five men charged in the botched robbery that left an employee and a robber dead at a cannabis warehouse in Mount Vernon. A confidential informant who took part told authorities that the robbers had hoped to steal as much as $8 million and six kilograms of cocaine at the warehouse, where illegal marijuana and other vaping products were sold to customers and smoke shops around the region. The defendants, Ilario Contreras, 23, Jerpi Diaz-Feliz, 25, Jhoan Diaz-Feliz, 23, Victor Jimenez, 35, and Joseph Perez, 26, appeared late Wednesday afternoon in U.S. District Court in White Plains where they were ordered held without bail. The most serious charge, murder with a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking conspiracy, would make the defendants eligible for the death penalty if federal prosecutors decide to seek it. The robbery at 137 South Fifth Ave. began shortly before 12:15 am Tuesday when more than 10 men, many carrying guns, exited a van parked outside the warehouse and confronted customers and employees who were loading a large order of products into the customers' vehicle, according to FBI Special Agent Justin Gray in a criminal complaint detailing the charges. The gunmen forced the customers and employees back into the warehouse and a gunfight between the robbers and warehouse employees ensued. When police arrived a short time later they found one man - believed to be one of the robbers - on the floor with a gunshot wound to the head. He was pronounced dead at the scene. A warehouse employee was located under some shelves with multiple gunshot wounds to the torso, upper chest and lower abdomen. He was taken to Montefiore Mount Vernon Hospital, where he died a short time later. Neither man has been publicly identified. Police recovered an AR-15 rifle and spent shell casings from it and from a 9mm handgun. The rifle was owned by the warehouse and kept behind the counter, according to the complaint. The FBI and Mount Vernon police identified the dead robber through his fingerprints and learned that he lived at a Bronx housing complex. According to the complaint, surveillance video there showed seven men getting into the van on Monday afternoon and six returning just over four hours after the robbery. Police and the FBI had the van under surveillance at the complex Tuesday evening when seven men and two women approached it. Soon the seven men split up into three other cars, which were stopped a short distance away and the occupants searched. The five defendants were among those searched, and one, Jimenez, had the dead robber's identification card, according to the complaint. Surveillance video purportedly showing Victor Jimenez outside a Mount Vernon cannabis warehouse where a robbery ended with a robber and warehouse employee fatally shot. Jimenez is among five Bronx men charged in the case. Later Tuesday night the FBI released a picture of a man believed to be named Marcos who they were searching for in connection to the killings. That search was still underway Wednesday afternoon. FBI New York is seeking information as to the whereabouts of this individual, possibly known as Marcos, wanted for questioning in connection with a robbery and homicide this morning in Mount Vernon. pic.twitter.com/4VN0qYqCmm FBI New York (@NewYorkFBI) March 20, 2024 On Wednesday the state Office of Cannabis Management was on scene as FBI agents removed boxes of evidence from the warehouse. An OCM spokesman did not respond to queries Wednesday and on Tuesday declined to say whether the location had been on the agency's radar before the robbery. Federal and Mount Vernon law enforcement officials commended the partnership between the FBI Westchester Safe Streets Task Force, Mount Vernon police, the Westchester District Attorney's Office, Westchester police, the NYPD and the Westchester Real Time Crime Center with what U.S. Attorney Damian Williams called "the swift arrest of this dangerous crew." "The defendants' alleged brazen actions demonstrated extreme disregard for public safety and posed a significant threat to the community," FBI Assistant Director in Charge James Smith said in a statement. This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Five charged in Mt. Vernon cannabis warehouse robbery that left 2 dead BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 21. Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, is hosting a conference to discuss the priorities of COP29 (the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change) on March 2122, COP28's X (Twitter) publication said, Trend reports. The conference, chaired by Danish Minister for Development Cooperation and Global Climate Policy Dan Jorgensen, will also be attended by COP28 President Sultan Al-Jabir and COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev. To note, the conference is not only the first major meeting after COP28, but also a platform for discussing expectations for the COP29 conference, which Azerbaijan will host in 2024. The decision to host COP29 in Azerbaijan was officially announced in Dubai on December 11, 2023. On January 4, 2024, Mukhtar Babayev, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan, was appointed as President of COP29. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel A man was convicted after being accused of sexually assaulting his 70-year-old relative, California officials said. The man, 40, was convicted of assault with intent to commit sexual penetration of an unconscious person and sexual penetration of an unconscious person, according to a March 21 news release by the San Francisco District Attorneys Office. McClatchy News is not identifying the suspect to protect the identity of the victim. In October 2018, the victim said in her testimony that she thought she was having a very vivid dream but when she woke up, it was not a dream, officials said. Instead, she saw her relative kneeling on the floor beside her, prosecutors said. The victim screamed, and the man told her he didnt do anything and was only looking for his phone, officials said. After the woman called 911, personnel at the San Francisco General Hospitals Rape Trauma Center found evidence of digital penetration and the womans DNA on the mans fingers, officials said. The man faces up to 10 years in prison and must register as a sex offender for life, officials said. He is scheduled to reappear in court in May for his sentencing, officials said. 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. Woman escapes man raping her, then jumps out window and runs to neighbors, NM cops say Man tricks hotel clerk into giving him key card, then rapes ex-girlfriend, NY cops say Nurse sexually abuses unconscious patient at hospital in California, officials say As votes go, it should have been a slam dunk. And it sort of was. House members were asked Tuesday night if the chamber should formally condemn Russias practice of abducting Ukrainian children as part of its ongoing, unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. And they agreed, approving a nonbinding resolution with a whopping 390 votes. But nine House Republicans voted against it, citing a variety of reasons, such as the notion that the bill was meant as a distraction from the U.S. southern border, to fears that it was meant to build support for more Ukraine aid, to vague concerns it would obligate the United States in some other way. Our country is under frickin siege. Our borders are wide open and were going to go run a messaging resolution, a Democrat messaging resolution? asked Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) Wednesday. Roy said Democrats were MIA on Laken Riley, referring to the Georgia nursing student killed recently, allegedly by an undocumented immigrant. Or the children getting sold in the sex trafficking trade right here in America, he added. You want to talk about genocide? Lets talk about whats happening here! The resolution was approved by the House Foreign Affairs Committee in November on a unanimous 44-0 vote. It was brought to the floor Tuesday under a procedure specifically used for noncontroversial legislation, which requires a two-thirds majority vote instead of a simple majority for approval. The resolution listed the number of Ukrainian children that have been transferred to Russia so far an estimated 200,000 to 260,000, according to Ukrainian and U.S. officials. It also said the House held Russian President Vladimir Putin responsible or the abductions; that facilitating Russian adoptions of Ukrainian children amounts to genocide; that Russia is trying to wipe out a generation of Ukrainian children and that the invasion raised the risk of Ukrainian children being exposed to trafficking, violence and child labor. These statements went too far for nine Republicans. Rep. Warren Davidson (R-Ohio), one no vote, said he worried about the resolutions veiled references to international tribunals like the International Criminal Court, sometimes referred to by its location, The Hague. The ICC has issued arrest warrants for Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova, Russias childrens rights commissioner, who has helped facilitate adoptions of Ukrainian children. This is trying to insert the United States and the International Criminal Court into a dispute that Ukraine and Russia are still [having] its not like theyve reached some kind of treaty agreement, Davidson said. It creates a hook to expand the war instead of a path to resolve it. What is happening in the Ukraine-Russia conflict is tragic, as all wars are but every war is not a genocide, and declaring one after 40 minutes of debate under the same legislative process we use to name post offices isnt just irresponsible, its reckless, said Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-Wis.), another no vote, in a statement. Under the 1948 Genocide Convention, an international treaty signed by Russia and the U.S. as well as 151 other nations, genocide is defined as the intent to destroy a group, wholly or partially, based on their national, ethnic, religious or racial makeup, and committing acts to that end. Those acts can include killing or causing serious bodily harm to group members, deliberately inflicting conditions of life to destroy the group; preventing births within the group or forcibly transferring children of the group to another group. In the House resolution, introduced by Rep. Susan Wild (D-Penn.), the House declared the facilitation of illegal adoptions is contrary to Russias obligations under the Genocide Convention and amounts to genocide. My issue with this legislation was the language that referred to the Russian-Ukrainian war as a genocide, said Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.) in a statement to HuffPost. Calling it genocide is not accurate and only escalates conflict in the region even the White House and the U.N. have shied away from using this language so far. A spokesman for Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) said, Congressman Massie opposed the resolution because it is little more than a cynical attempt to build public support for foreign aid spending he does not support. Roy echoed that suspicion, saying, This isnt just like oh, lets do this for the children. This is, were trying to make a point. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), a vocal opponent of aid to Ukraine, did not explain why she voted against the resolution. Ive got to tell you, your publication is literally trash. I mean true garbage. Thats my statement to you, she told HuffPost. The offices of three other no votes Reps. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), Eric Burlison (R-Mo.) and Clay Higgins (R-La.) did not respond to requests for comment left late in the day. What a tragedy that is, Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), who has been among the most vocal Ukraine supporters in Congress, said of the no votes. I hope that when this horrible war is over and Ukraine wins, I hope were able to make sure that the free world, and any country with any merit, would condemn Russia for what she has done to innocent people. Davidson and others said they condemned the kidnappings, despite their votes. Obviously, dont hurt kids if that was all the resolution said, I cant see anyone who would vote against that. I certainly wouldnt, he said. A mid-March Economist/YouGov poll found 56% of respondents favored maintaining or increasing aid supplies to Ukraine, compared to 30% who want to see them cut. But Democrats were far more likely to be in favor than Republicans. The polls also found about 40% of respondents think former president Donald Trumps sympathies lie with Russia, compared to only 16% who thought he favored Ukraine. Asked if he worried the votes would play into the Democratic political narrative that Republicans are soft on Putin and Russia, Davidson said, I know theyre going to say it, but that doesnt mean its true. Related... FILE PHOTO: Special Counsel Hur testifies before a House Judiciary Committee on his inquiry into President Biden's handling of classified documents in Washington FILE PHOTO: Special Counsel Hur testifies before a House Judiciary Committee on his inquiry into President Biden's handling of classified documents in Washington By Andrew Goudsward WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland on Thursday defended himself against White House and Democratic criticism that he should have stopped a special counsel from discussing President Joe Biden's memory in a report on the president's handling of classified documents. Special Counsel Robert Hur wrote that Biden, 81, might appear to any jury as a "well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory" in report last month that explained the decision not to bring charges against him for holding onto classified documents after leaving the vice presidency. "The idea that an attorney general would edit, or redact or censor the special counsel's explanation for why the special counsel reached the decision the special counsel did - that's absurd," Garland told reporters at a press conference about a Justice Department antitrust lawsuit against Apple. Garland declined to say whether he thought Hur should have included an assessment of Biden's memory, but noted that he committed to publicly releasing all reports by special counsels during his tenure. Hur found some evidence that Biden willfully retained sensitive government records after ending his eight years as vice president in 2017, but opted not to bring charges. The report ignited a political firestorm as it touched upon a core voter concern about the president's memory as Biden seeks re-election. The White House and Democratic lawmakers blasted it as inappropriate from a prosecutor who declined to bring criminal charges. The White House declined to comment on Garland's remarks. Donald Trump, the Republican candidate challenging Biden in the Nov. 5 U.S. election, has criticized the Justice Department for not charging Biden over the documents. Trump faces a federal indictment from a different special counsel for retaining classified documents, including some involving sensitive national security matters, after leaving office in 2021. Hur noted that Trump refused to hand them over, while Biden cooperated with investigators. Garland appointed Hur last year to lead an investigation after classified documents were found at Biden's Delaware home and a former office in Washington. Special counsels, who are appointed to give sensitive investigations a degree of independence from the Justice Department leadership, typically release a report on their findings. Asked about the blowback from the White House, Garland noted that when Biden nominated him as attorney general, the president committed to the Justice Department's independence and said the attorney general should not be "the lawyer for the president." "I sincerely believe that that's what he intended then, and I sincerely believe that's what he intends now," Garland said. (Reporting by Andrew Goudsward; Additional reporting by Steve Holland and Doina Chiacu; Editing by Will Dunham and Scott Malone) CHARLOTTE, N.C. The ACC has filed a lawsuit against Clemson University asking a court to uphold the conferences media rights provision and fees to exit the conference. The lawsuit was filed Wednesday in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. The lawsuit comes just one day after Clemson filed suit against the Atlantic Coast Conference challenging the validity of the grant of rights, which transfers the schools media rights to the conference through 2036. Under the deal, the ACC retains media rights to Clemson University sporting events even if they were to leave the conference. The ACCs suit also seeks to have a court declare that the withdrawal payment, which a school must pay to leave the conference, is valid and enforceable. PREVIOUS: Clemson joins Florida State, becomes second school to sue ACC as it seeks to exit conference According to Clemsons lawsuit, the fee to leave the conference is about $140 million, an amount equal to three times the ACCs operating budget. Clemson called the fee a punitive measure aimed at discouraging and preventing Member Institutions from withdrawing from the ACC. The ACCs position regarding the Grant of Rights, the exit penalty, and obligations owed by members to the conference, as detailed in its public statements and other court filings, leaves Clemson with no choice but to move forward with this lawsuit, the university said in a statement Tuesday. After Clemsons lawsuit was filed, the ACC said their legal counsel will vigorously enforce the agreement and bylaws in the best interests of the ACCs current and incoming members. Read the full lawsuit below: ACC-Clemson-lawsuit-March-20-2024 For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. Two school board members went back-and-forth at a Tuesday meeting over a proposed disciplinary school by the superintendent and the coverage of the school in The Gainesville Sun. The Sun reported last week that on June 1, Superintendent Shane Andrew filed and signed a Master School Identification (MSID) application with the Florida Department of Education that requested a new school be added to the state management system. Scholars for Success is listed as an active elementary school by the FLDOE, and is located at 2802 NE Eighth Ave., the same location listed for Alachua eSchool. The new school was originally floated by school board Chair Diyonne McGraw early into her term as a board member, but was submitted to the state without board approval. The board has had limited discussion on the topic except for support from McGraw and pushback from member Tina Certain. On Tuesday, McGraw said the story in The Sun was a politically-motivated attack on her character, but failed to address why the board was skipped over. The way it was written was as if Mr. Andrew and I had gotten together to create or do something under the table. Those who truly know me, they know that thats not in my repertoire. I wouldnt do that, she said. And theres no new school. A screengrab of the Alachua County School Board during a board meeting on Feb. 6, 2024. More: School District proposed creating an alternative disciplinary school. How did that happen? More: Divided Alachua County School Board finalizes superintendent's contract McGraw took issue with the idea in the article that the application was submitted to the state without board approval, although it was. Typically, MSID numbers and major budgeting decisions go before the board before being sent to the state. The application, which Andrew signed saying all the information included was true, listed the opening date for the school as Aug. 10, 2023. The school has been listed as active on a state website since August. McGraw also incorrectly stated that The Sun never reached out to the district for comment. The newspaper sent an email to the district spokesperson on Tuesday, March 12, three days before the story was published. No response was sent to The Sun until a week later on March 19. District spokesperson Jackie Johnson said in an email that the application was sent to the state with the off-chance that the board approves the school in the future. It still remains unclear why Andrew was under the impression the school would potentially open within a year given the lack of discussion and support for it by the board. Certain said that the prior discussions about the school were about sharing ideas rather than presenting items to be voted on. She said the school would have to come to the board for a vote because it is a budget decision. If we're going to have a school or different learning locations, those are things that the board should be consulted on and I don't think we were, Certain said. I think it seems to be that there's a lot of planning and moving forward without board alignment. Certain also pointed out that the board previously voted on matters related to MSIDs. For example, the board voted to pause the MSID for Duval Early Learning Academy. In another case, Prairie View Elementary Academy is not listed as an active school, despite the fact it has been discussed at length and Andrew has the authority to move forward on it. During the meeting, McGraw also seemed to be concerned with how the information about her proposed school was obtained, suggesting a district employee provided documents to The Sun in an attempt to undermine her and the superintendent. The Sun obtained the signed copy from FLDOE via public records request. If I don't agree with Mr. Andrew, or anything, we do that behind closed doors, she said, referencing social media comments made by Certain. But for us to go on Facebook and undermine because this information that gets to the newspaper, incorrect, somebody's feeding it. Certain pushed back on this point by McGraw, saying that open records are available to anyone who wants them and the district shouldnt question who is requesting information and why. Certain said that she herself has considered submitting records requests to get her questions answered due to a lack of response from Andrew. The Sun also has had issues obtaining public records from the district during Andrews tenure and has had to involve attorneys for the districts reluctance to supply information. I think now the tenor of how we treat citizens when they ask for information, when they ask questions, I dont like that, Certain said. McGraws Scholars for Success proposal is not the first time the district has denied information being accurate that was later proven true. In November, the district administration for the first time in six months acknowledged that Andrew brought a Bible into an executive leadership meeting and used biblical references when discussing his employment with the district. Andrew had previously and emphatically denied the incident ever occurred, despite conflicting accounts from people in the room and records obtained by The Sun that cited scripture and him accusing people of backstabbing him. This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: ACPS Board members spar over proposed disciplinary school Supporters of a bill that would make retroactive a 2017 ban on judicial override in death penalty cases walk from the Alabama Statehouse to the Alabama State Capitol on Thursday, March 21, 2024 to deliver a petition to Gov. Kay Ivey asking her to grant clemency to Alabama death row inmate Robin Myers. (Ralph Chapoco/Alabama Reflector) Criminal justice reform groups hosted a rally Thursday at the Alabama Statehouse urging lawmakers to pass a bill that could resentence more than 30 people on Alabamas death row to life without parole. HB 27, sponsored by Rep. Chris England, D-Tuscaloosa, would retroactively apply a 2017 law that ended judges abilities to override a jurys sentencing recommendations in capital murder cases. I had the honor of carrying legislation several years ago that ultimately ended judicial override in Alabama, England said at the rally. Before 2017, jury verdicts in capital cases amounted to recommendations that judges had to consider. That 2017 legislation, sponsored by Rep. Dick Brewbaker, R-Pike Road, passed through the Legislature but didnt include the provisions in a similar bill sponsored by England, which would have required a jury to be unanimous in imposing a death sentence. As this process has been known to do, it whittles away some of the edges and we end up with legislation that we didnt want the perfect to be the enemy of the good, England said. There are 33 people currently on Alabamas death row who were sentenced to death by a judge even though a jury had recommended they be sentenced to life in prison, according to Alison Mollman, senior legal counsel of ACLU of Alabama. For the next several years since, England and criminal justice reform groups have been pushing to reintroduce the provisions from Englands 2017 bill. The same bill received consideration in the House Judiciary Committee during last years session, receiving a public hearing, but didnt go any further. HB 27 would allow people to be resentenced if the judge levied a penalty different from what the jury recommended. While the purpose of the rally was to highlight the proposed legislation, advocates at the rally focused on those who remain on death row because of judicial override, such as Robin Rocky Myers. Myers was convicted in 1994 for the 1991 stabbing death of Ludie Mae Tucker in Decatur. According to al.com, there was no physical evidence that could link a perpetrator to the crime. There is also evidence that Myers is intellectually disabled. A jury convicted Myers of Tuckers death and sentenced him to life without parole. The judge in the case, however, sentenced him to death. During his appeals process, his attorney abandoned him in 2003 and allowed a deadline to lapse, effectively ending his right to an appeal and with it, the chance to return to court. He is currently awaiting execution. His final chance rests with receiving clemency from Gov. Kay Ivey or by having HB 27 passed into law. I dont think I could be in there for as long as he has been in there and still have the mindset that he has, said LeAndrew Hood, Myers son, who attended Thursdays rally.He told me he still sees the light at the end of the tunnel. He has been there for a while. I probably would have given up by now. The rally was set against the backdrop of the Jan. 25 execution of Kenneth Eugene Smith with nitrogen gas. Smith, who was sentenced to death for the 1988 murder-for-hire of Elizabeth Sennett, was originally sentenced to life without parole. A judge imposed the death sentence. Media witnesses said Smith gasped and convulsed during the execution. Eleven people on the jury said that he should still be here today, Deanna Smith, Kenneth Eugene Smiths widow, said at the rally. One judge was all it took to override that decision. One person decided that was not good enough and decided to take it into his own hands. England acknowledged criminal justice reform efforts face long odds in the current session. We have to be honest; we have to speak from the heart here, these have been some tough weeks in the Alabama Legislature, England said. We have passed some absolute trash legislation. Bad bills. But there are times in our history when an idea whose time has come crosses that threshold, and becomes the law. I think, considering where we are, there is no time like the present to pass this bill. For some at the rally, there was a sense of urgency. We have all made choices that we are not proud of, and we have likely hurt the people around us, said TJ Riggs, Alabama state death penalty abolition coordinator for Amnesty International USA. But our most damaging decisions do not define us. We are not the sum or our worst moments, and our character is not marked by the pain we have caused others. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Advocates hold rally for bill allowing resentencing for some Alabama death row inmates appeared first on Alabama Reflector. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) Columbus stock of available affordable housing has shrunk to its lowest level in at least five years, according to a new report. An annual report of rental housing availability conducted by the National Low Income Housing Coalition shows that while Ohios supply of affordable housing has rebounded slightly from pandemic lows, fewer affordable units are available for Columbus poorest residents. The study also found that the vast majority of the citys lowest-earning residents spend more than half of their monthly income on rent. School levies failed across central Ohio in primary election. Whats next? Using 2022 data from the U.S. Census Bureaus annual American Community Survey, the Gap Report found that no state or major metropolitan area has enough affordable rental units for those considered extremely low-income. Ohio needs more than 267,000 more rental units to close its affordable housing gap, while Columbus needs nearly 52,700. This is no time to rest on our laurels. Evictions and homelessness are still increasing in Ohio, Amy Riegel, executive director of the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio, said in a news release. To reverse these troubling trends, we need Congress and the Statehouse to be more assertive in addressing affordability for our most vulnerable residents. The ratio of available affordable units to the lowest-earning renters in Columbus has worsened since 2017, as have most other metrics of affordable housing supply. While Columbus shortage in raw numbers is relatively close to the shortages in Cincinnati and Cleveland 49,510 and 56,560, respectively there is significantly higher demand for the units in Ohios capital city. Most supporters of Ohio House Speaker defeat primary challengers as Republican infighting continues In 2022, the median income in Columbus was $65,625 for a single-person household. Those designated as extremely low-income made up to 30% of the area median income, or $19,700. Units are considered affordable if they cost no more than 30% of a persons income, and theyre considered available if theyre vacant or not occupied by those in higher income categories. In 2022, an affordable unit for one extremely low-income person living in Columbus cost about $547 per month. In Columbus, there were 26 available affordable rental units for every 100 extremely low-income renters in 2022, falling from the 30 units per 100 such renters the year before. There were 38 units available per 100 extremely low-income renters in Cleveland and 41 units per 100 such renters in Cincinnati, both more than the national average of 34. The affordable housing ratio in Columbus improves when looking at units available for those making up to 50% of the area median income, but the group still faces a shortage of more than 48,000 units. Meanwhile, there were 104 units available for every 100 renters earning up to $65,625. And the true need for housing affordable at the lowest income levels is likely greater; as the report notes, the American Community Survey does not capture homelessness. Ohio mother and daughter reunited after 54 years Those who spend more than 30% of their income on housing are at significantly higher risk of becoming homeless. And those earning the least in Columbus and statewide spend the highest portions of their income on rent. Three quarters of Columbus extremely low-income renters spend more than half of their monthly income on rent, compared to just 2% of renters earning 81% to 100% of the area median income. Up to 70% of Ohios lowest earners spend more than half their income on rent the highest percentage since 2016, according to the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. RIO RANCHO, N.M. (KRQE) A groundbreaking ceremony was held for a new affordable senior housing complex in Rio Rancho on Thursday. The Felician Villa II will be a three-story, 66-unit housing complex, located at 1301 Stephanie Road SE, for residents aged 55 and older. The project is funded by a $1.5 million grant from the affordable housing program created by Congress as part of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989. Story continues below The funds, which were awarded through the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas and Wells Fargo, are part of $28.4 million in AHP grants provided by FHLB Dallas through its member financial institutions in 2023. Representatives from the City of Rio Rancho, FHLB Dallas, and CC Housing, a division of Catholic Charities, attended the ceremony along with others. Felician Sisters of Rio Ranch donated the land for the housing, according to Delores Nunez, CEO of Catholic Charities and president of CC Housing. Nunez said a second affordable housing complex is also expected to be built. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. At least 21 people have been killed in a suicide bombing in the southern Afghan city of Kandahar, a hospital doctor has told the BBC. The Taliban government says a suicide attack took place at a city centre bank at about 08:00 (03:30 GMT). It puts the death toll at three. Police said a number of others were wounded. The Islamic State (IS) group has claimed responsibility, and says it was targeting the Taliban. According to a report issued by IS's "news agency" Amaq, the group claimed the attacker detonated his suicide belt among the crowd of "around 150" Taliban members. The blast, believed to be the biggest in Afghanistan this year, took place at a branch where Afghan government employees were queueing to collect their salaries. A doctor from Mirwais hospital, the region's largest, spoke to the BBC on condition of anonymity. "So far 21 dead and at least 50 people injured from the explosion have been brought in," he said. Kandahar is the seat of power of the Taliban, the base of their supreme commander. While the overall security situation in Afghanistan has improved since the Taliban gained complete control with the full withdrawal of foreign troops in 2021, there continue to be dozens of bombings and suicide attacks in the country each year. Many of them have targeted Afghanistan's Hazara ethnic minority and have been claimed by Islamic State Khorasan Province, or ISKP, the regional affiliate of the so-called Islamic State group, a major rival of the Taliban. Ukraine shot down all of the missiles launched by Russia overnight on March 21, the Air Force said in its morning update. According to the report, Russian forces fired two ballistic missiles, as well as 29 Kh-101/Kh-555 cruise missiles launched by 11 Tu-95MS strategic bombers from the Volgodonsk area in Rostov Oblast and Saratov Oblast's Engels. Kyiv remained the main target of the attack. Anti-aircraft missile units of the Air Force and mobile fire units were engaged in repelling the aerial assault. The missiles targeting the capital were intercepted in Kyiv Oblast. According to Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko, at least 10 residents sustained injuries in the assault, with two requiring hospitalization. Among the victims, six were from Kyiv's Shevchenkivskyi district, while the remaining four were from the Svyatoshynsky district. The attack damaged several residential buildings, a kindergarten, commercial establishments, infrastructure, and vehicles. Emergency services have been working at the impacted sites, and assessments are underway to ascertain the full extent of the destruction. Read also: Russia attacks 12 communities in Sumy Oblast, injuring 2 Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 21. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov discussed preparations for the upcoming COP29 (the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change) with UK Minister of State for Nuclear and Alternative Energy Andrew Bowie, a source in the Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan told Trend. According to the source, the discussions took place during a meeting between the ministers participating in the Nuclear Energy Summit in Brussels. The meeting also discussed Azerbaijan's contribution to energy security, cooperation between the two countries in this direction, as well as measures and projects within the framework of COP29. "The development of bilateral partnership relations between Azerbaijan and the UK, founded on reciprocal respect and mutually beneficial cooperation, was stressed, as was the need of combining efforts to further expand these strategic connections. The parties underscored that alongside long-term strategic cooperation in the field of oil and gas production and export, there are broad prospects for cooperation in the field of alternative energy between the two countries. The discussion covered Azerbaijan's vast potential for producing solar and wind energy, ongoing projects, and initiatives to establish green energy zones. The work on the 240 MW solar power plant project, being implemented jointly with bp, was considered. During the meeting, Bayramov provided detailed information on Azerbaijan's plans and priorities for chairing COP29. The importance of joint efforts in combating climate change was emphasized. The meeting also included an exchange of views on other bilateral and regional issues of mutual interest," added the source. To note, COP29 will be held in Baku on November 11-24. The decision to host COP29 in Azerbaijan was officially announced in Dubai on December 11, 2023. On January 4, 2024, Mukhtar Babayev, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan, was appointed as President of COP29. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel The 12 zodiac signs of astrology are subdivided into four elements: Fire, earth, air and water. Though each sign is unique, signs within elemental categories have definitely qualities in common. Gemini, Libra and Aquarius are considered air signs. The three are constantly in motion, inciting a whirlwind of change and excitement. You might suspect you'e with an air sign if they're fun, bubbly person who can effortlessly keep a conversation going. Here's what else to know about air signs. What are the qualities of air signs? Air signs are known for their curiosity. They seek to understand different perspectives before making up their mind. They are crave connection and genuinely want to get to know others on a deeper level. After all that synthesizing, they'll be able to offer ideas. Always socializing, air signs tend to be the first to know things and are sometimes the first to pass them on. They typically prioritize accuracy and reliability in their communication, avoiding the spread of unverified rumors or gossip. But they sometimes cant help but spill the tea if rumors are juicy enough. The three signs can be excellent sources of advice when it comes to relationships, as well. They tend to see situations from a clear perspective and offer insights that help people understand their emotions better. What to know about Gemini, Libra and Aquarius Gemini Gemini season arrives from spring moving into summer. (TODAY Illustration / Getty Images) Dates: May 20 to June 20 Modality: Mutable Ruling planet: Mercury Representation: The twins Geminis are thought to be intellectual, adaptable and mischievous. Represented by the twins, Geminis wish they could be in more than one place at the same time. Those born under this sign often have a thirst for knowledge and a positive attitude towards life, which means they're happiest working on multiple projects at once. As a challenge for this sign, Geminis can be indecisive and unreliable. One day they'll be quiet and introverted, while the next day they're a chatterbox and rather extroverted. You never know what youll get with a Gemini, which is why life with them is thrilling and exciting. Libra Libra season arrives at the start of fall. (TODAY Illustration / Getty Images) Dates: Sept. 22 to Oct. 22 Modality: Cardinal Ruling planet: Venus Representation: The scales Libra is one of two signs ruled by Venus. Whereas Venus-ruled Taurus is more sensual, Libra loves all things beautiful. This also translates to a talent for critique and a mastery of verbal expression. Libras are often considered to be one of the most artistic signs of the zodiac, known for their sense of style and diplomatic nature. For Libras, keeping peace is an art, too. They value fairness and take great care to see situations from multiple perspectives. People born under this sign define themselves through relationships, often forming bonds that last a lifetime with intellectuals and creatives. Aquarius Aquarius season happens in the middle of winter at the start of the year. (TODAY Illustration / Getty Images) Dates: Jan. 20 to Feb. 18 Modality: Fixed Ruling planet: Saturn and Uranus Representation: The water bearer Aquarius are known for their their independent streak, in terms of how they think and how they act. Their ability to see things from a distance, combined with their refusal to go with the flow just because it's easier, makes them great problem-solvers and humanitarians. Those born under Aquarius are passionate about beliefs and will not easily back down from a fight but the world needs people who are dedicated to making change. Aquarians are at their best when they can show off their true selves, since they dont like hiding behind a false facade. They are known for speaking the truth and want to fully embrace life on their own terms. This article was originally published on TODAY.com Airport worker lashes out at Tampa-bound passengers after delays: I will call the police TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) Passengers on a Tampa-bound flight were scolded by an airport worker after their Frontier Airlines flight from Denver International Airport in Colorado was delayed on St. Patricks Day. A video captured by one of the passengers shows the worker yelling and lashing out, repeatedly telling passengers that the workers are busy. Woman who vanished on trip to Florida a month ago found safe, sheriff says The flight was scheduled to depart at 1:18 p.m. on Sunday, March 17, and land in Tampa shortly before 7 p.m., but was delayed by more than two hours, flight data shows. A passenger on the Frontier flight, Daniel Lemon, told Storyful that 25 passengers faced delays and were bumped from their flights. [They were] in line at the customer service desk for 15 minutes with nobody there and no word if anybody is coming. After knocking on the door behind the counter, this interaction ensued, Lemon told Storyful. Lemon filmed the staff member responding to customers, saying, I will call the police. We are busy! the worker yelled as people asked him where the other staff were. Busy! he repeated. Then come tell us youre busy, Lemon can be heard telling the worker. The Frontier employee angrily responded, telling Lemon that no one was available to come out to the service counter. This isnt even my job! Im in operations! Everyone who works here is busy! he shouted. Any Frontier employee could come tell us, Lemon replied. Body with toes sticking out of the ground identified as missing Florida man: police In a statement to Storyful, Frontier Airlines said the Tampa-bound flight from Denver required an aircraft swap prior to departure that resulted in a smaller plane than originally scheduled, necessitating that several customers be moved from a different flight. While waiting for assistance at the service counter, a verbal exchange ensued between customers and an employee of a third-party business partner who is no part of Frontiers customer service team. That individual has been removed from his duties associated with Fronter. We extend our sincere apologies to our customers involved in this matter, the airline said. On St. Patricks Day, 219 out of 639 flights were delayed, and three were canceled out of Tampa International Airport. In a statement to WFLA.com, a spokesperson for TPA said: Earlier today, the FAA initiated a departure delay program due to heavy aircraft traffic volume over North Florida. That has now ended, however, an airspace constraint flow program still exists over Jacksonville which could result in some additional delays. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. Akron Public Schools will offer 16 full-day prekindergarten classes this fall, the district announced Wednesday night in the first overview of the plan to help support early literacy. The district will also continue to offer 17 classrooms of half-day pre-K for parents who prefer that option. "Literacy is something that we have to take very seriously," Superintendent Michael Robinson said in the meeting. "And data shows that when we focus on what children are doing in pre-K, early childhood, it certainly helps them to strengthen their academic performance, and they become a better scholar or a better reader." Akron Public Schools will offer 16 full-day pre-Kindergarten classes this fall. The total number of pre-K classrooms will increase by two, from 31 currently to 33 in the fall. Because half of those will be full-day classes now, that will drop the total number of individual pre-K classes in the district from 62 to 50. But Chief of Staff Angela Carter said the district hasn't utilized all its existing seats well, leaving many seats open, so the expectation is enrollment will still increase. The district currently has about 400 students in pre-K classes. Another 300 are in preschool. Pre-K is for 4-year-olds the year before kindergarten. Preschool is for 3-year-olds. There is not an exact number of seats available, Carter said, because it will depend on who registers. The district has to offer seats to children with disabilities, and children with multiple or significant disabilities require smaller class environments that will limit the number of seats available in that class. The maximum number of seats in a pre-K class would be 18. Right now, the district averages just under seven students per class. Carter said the plan is for the district to move entirely to full-day pre-K in the following years. The district will spend about $270,000 for the four additional staff members and two extra classrooms. It will also cost about $90,000 to continue to keep Essex Early Learning Center open, which the board voted Wednesday night to do. The full-day classes will be spread out across the district at community learning centers in each cluster. Currently, 12 locations offer pre-K, but the goal is to get to 18, the district said in an announcement after Wednesday's meeting. Research has shown having students in prekindergarten for a full school day instead of just a morning or afternoon can have a substantial academic and social impact. One study from Denver of 600 students in half-day and full-day classes showed that the longer day "produced substantial, positive effects on childrens receptive vocabulary skills." "Among children enrolled in district schools, full-day participants also outperformed their peers on teacher-reported measures of cognition, literacy, math, physical, and socioemotional development," the study said. "At kindergarten entry, children offered full day still outperformed peers on a widely used measure of basic literacy." Akron made significant strides in early literacy last year, as shown on the district's report card. The district improved from having just 40% of third graders testing proficient to almost 45%. The district also adopted two new reading curriculums last year that focus on the science of reading, a philosophy of teaching that focuses on how the human brain learns to read. The science of reading has a structured, building-block approach, starting with awareness of sounds and letters, and explicit, direct instruction from the teacher to students about how to break down a word to figure out how it sounds and then what it means. Registration for pre-K will open March 25 with the district's regular registration process. More information can be found at akronschools.com/enrollment. Contact education reporter Jennifer Pignolet at jpignolet@thebeaconjournal.com, at 330-996-3216 or on Twitter @JenPignolet. This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: APS releases plan for 16 full-day pre-K classrooms this fall Alabama became the latest state on Wednesday to pass a measure targeting diversity, equity and inclusion programs. Authored by Republican state Sen. Will Barfoot, the bill prohibits certain public agencies from maintaining offices of diversity, equity and inclusion, sponsoring DEI programs and promoting, endorsing and affirming certain "divisive concepts" in certain public settings. It also requires higher education institutions to "designate restrooms on the basis of biological sex." At least six other states have signed anti-DEI bills into law, the Chronicle of Higher Education reported, and over a dozen states are considering similar measures. Republican Gov. Kay Ivey signed the Alabama bill into law Wednesday. My Administration has and will continue to value Alabamas rich diversity, however, I refuse to allow a few bad actors on college campuses or wherever else for that matter to go under the acronym of DEI, using taxpayer funds, to push their liberal political movement counter to what the majority of Alabamians believe," Ivey said. Alabama bill The Alabama Senate gave final approval to SB129 on Tuesday, a bill restricting the teaching and funding of topics deemed "divisive concepts" in workplaces and educational settings. It also allows for penalties for violations, but specific penalties were not listed. The bill does not prohibit institutions of higher education from "performing research, collecting data, engaging in recruiting and outreach programs, offering academic support services, engaging in clinical trials, or providing medical or mental health care targeted to support individuals of any specific demographic." Sen. Will Barfoot, left, talks with Sen. Greg Reed in the senate chamber at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Ala., on Wednesday March 6, 2024. Students, advocates decry new measure Students from universities across the state have opposed the legislation, even holding a rally against the bill March 6 outside of the Statehouse. They say the bill was anti-DEI and went against progress in the state. The American Civil Liberties Union of Alabama denounced the bill in a statement Tuesday. This is a blow for the civic groups, students, and everyday Alabamians who showed up to oppose these bills, but our work doesn't stop here, said JaTaune Bosby Gilchrist, executive director of ACLU of Alabama. Whether it's in the courts, through community action, or continued lobbying, we won't stop fighting for the rights and freedoms of ALL Alabamians. We hope you stay in the fight with us for the long haul. Dr. Melvin J. Brown, superintendent of Montgomery Public Schools, and other state educators also spoke out against the bill earlier this month. "Diversity and inclusion provides an educational experience that allows students to explore a range of perspectives and cultures worldwide. We must create a culture of belonging for every student, no matter their background, preferences, or socioeconomic status. As educators, it is our job to ensure we cultivate environments that allow students to feel safe and prepare them for an evolving world. Introducing a bill that limits this interaction is detrimental to the success of our students futures, Brown said in a statement. Similar measures in other states have drawn sharp rebuke from advocates. Last week, the NAACP urged Black student-athletes to reconsider attending Florida colleges after some state schools slashed DEI programs. In February, students in Nebraska voiced support for DEI initiatives at a committee hearing as the state considered legislation to cut funding for such programs to public universities. A coalition of students in Texas also condemned a bill prohibiting DEI offices in the state's public colleges and universities that Gov. Greg Abbott signed in June. Victor Hagan is the Alabama Election Reporting Fellow for the USA TODAY Network. He can be reached at vhagan@gannett.com or on X @TheVictorHagan. To support his work, subscribe to the Advertiser. This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Alabama becomes latest state to pass measure restricting DEI programs Alabama has shamefully become the latest state to ban diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. On Wednesday, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey signed a bill that forbids those programs in public colleges and offices. The bill, SB 129, mandates that DEI offices and initiatives that are funded by public colleges or government agencies be dramatically changed or removed altogether. In addition, it aims to stifle academic lessons that center gender, race, or identity (the bill refers to them as divisive concepts). In a statement, Gov. Ivey said that her administration does appreciate diversitybut only on their terms. She explained: My Administration has and will continue to value Alabamas rich diversity, however, I refuse to allow a few bad actors on college campuses or wherever else for that matter to go under the acronym of DEI, using taxpayer funds, to push their liberal political movement counter to what the majority of Alabamians believe. We have already taken action to prevent this in our K-12 classrooms, and I am pleased to sign SB129 to protect our college campuses. Supporting academic freedom, embracing diversity of cultures and backgrounds and treating people fairly are all key components of what we believe in Alabama, and I am more than confident that will continue. Furthermore, these forbidden concepts are categorized as teachings that administer fault, blame or bias and imply that certain groups of people are inherently responsible for actions committed in the past. The bill also bans transgender people from using public bathrooms that align with their gender identities. The American Civil Liberties Union of Alabama said SB 129 will have a chilling effect on discourse regarding race, class, sexuality, and national origin, and seeks to characterize these discussions and accurate teachings, assignments, and trainings that also supplement them as divisive. Alabama joins states like Florida and Texas in enacting such harmful legislation. The law goes into effect on October 1. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. ALABAMA (WHNT) Alabama Governor Kay Ivey has signed a bill that will ban diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs in state agencies, local boards of education and institutions of higher learning. Ivey signed the bill around noon on Wednesday after lawmakers gave it final approval Tuesday. Efforts to include Space Camp in bill barring sexual orientation, gender identity instruction defeated in committee meeting The bill, introduced as SB129, prohibits the use of state funds for state agencies, school boards and colleges and universities maintaining DEI programs or offices, though it does offer some limited exceptions. The bill defines DEI programs as Any program, class, training, seminar or other event where attendance is based on an individuals race, sex, gender identity, ethnicity national origin or sexual orientation or that otherwise violates this act. The bill said this does not include programs that are necessary to comply with related state or federal laws. The bill also blocks schools and institutions of higher learning from using funding for programs involving divisive concepts. As described in the bill, divisive concepts include the idea that one race is superior or inferior to another; that a persons moral character is defined by their race or ethnicity, religion, national origin or color. The bill also says a persons race does not mean they inherently racist and the bill also addresses the idea that a persons race does not assign them responsibility for historical injustices. That portion says: That individuals, by virtue of race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin, are inherently responsible for actions committed in the past by other members of the same race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin. SB129 also requires state colleges and universities to designate bathrooms on the basis of biological sex. News 19 has reached out to Governor Kay Iveys office for a statement on the bill. The governor said today: My Administration has and will continue to value Alabamas rich diversity, however, I refuse to allow a few bad actors on college campuses or wherever else for that matter to go under the acronym of DEI, using taxpayer funds, to push their liberal political movement counter to what the majority of Alabamians believe. We have already taken action to prevent this in our K-12 classrooms, and I am pleased to sign SB129 to protect our college campuses. Supporting academic freedom, embracing diversity of cultures and backgrounds and treating people fairly are all key components of what we believe in Alabama, and I am more than confident that will continue. Alabama House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels said he was deeply disappointed in the governors decision to sign the bill. This regressive measure undermines the strides weve made in cultivating an inclusive society in Alabama by stifling essential discussions and programs that are key to improving our state. Moreover, it detrimentally impacts the educational experience of college students by removing programs in which they can receive support, build communities, and learn how to be prosperous and inclusive citizens. Alabama House Democrats will continue to promote diversity and inclusion, and safeguard equity in our state. A similar bill in Florida was described by the 11th Circuit Court as a sin to the first amendment, we expect for Alabama to reckon with this sin in court Alabama House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels Alabama Republican Party Chairman John Wahl however said the bill is meant to ensure responsible use of tax dollars. Government is charged with ensuring responsible use of taxpayer dollars. SB129 does exactly that, while pushing back on the woke agenda. Governor Kay Ivey, bill sponsor Senator Will Barfoot, and members of the Alabama Legislature stand united in upholding the principles that matter most to the people of Alabama. Their work reinforces Alabamas reputation as a beacon of family values. I thank them for their unwavering dedication, service, and leadership. Its time we stop indoctrinating children with a social agenda and let parents decide what their families believe concerning divisive concepts. Alabama Republican Party Chairman John Wahl You read the full text of the bill here. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com. A House committee Wednesday held a public hearing on Wednesday on bills related to sex and gender education. (Getty Images) The Alabama House Education Policy Committee Wednesday approved an expansion of Alabamas Dont Say Gay bill despite pushback from some Democrats. HB 130, sponsored by Mack Butler, R-Rainbow City, would expand the limitations on teachers addressing sexual orientation and gender identity from kindergarten through fifth grade to kindergarten through twelfth grade. An amendment was added that would also limit pride flags in the classroom. The bill passed on a voice vote. The committee also approved HB 195 sponsored by Rep. Susan DuBose, R-Hoover, that would require any sexual education in public schools to exclusively teach sexual risk avoidance, or abstinence. The bill passed on a voice vote after little discussion. A committee amendment was added to remove language around a cause for action: the parent or guardian of any student at a public K-12 school may bring a cause of action against any local board of education and any of its agents or employees, including, but not limited to, a superintendent, principal, assistant principal, teacher, or teachers aide to seek compliance with this section in a court of competent jurisdiction. Available remedies include injunctive relief, attorney fees, and litigation expenses, including witness fees and court costs. The original Dont Say Gay law was added to a bathroom bill on the last day of the 2022 regular session. Florida settled a lawsuit over its Dont Say Gay law earlier this month which said that teachers are allowed to mark their classrooms as LGBTQ+ safe spaces and programs aimed at preventing LGBTQ+ bullying can return, according to the Associated Press. The Alabama legislation states that an individual or group of individuals providing classroom instruction to students in kindergarten through the twelfth grade at a public K-12 school shall not engage in classroom discussion or provide classroom instruction regarding sexual orientation or gender identity. Rep. Mark Gidley, R-Hokes Bluff, brought two amendments Wednesday. The first said that no teacher or employee in a public school may display a flag or other insignia, relating to or representing sexual orientation or gender identity in a classroom or on the property of a public K-12 school. Rep. Barbara Drummond, D-Mobile, asked who was going to police it. Butler said there were no penalties built in and that the school would. I think we all know what were getting at is some schools that are displaying the pride flag, some of the educators, he said. House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels, D-Huntsville, asked about the moms that Butler said brought him the bill, and no moms had approached him about a flag. Daniels asked if Butler had any other context on the flag, which Butler said he did not. Daniels said the Legislature needs to stop addressing isolated incidents when theres a local school board. Just today, when I was in Rep. Gidleys office, we had a lady sharing with us about her grandson that was literally indoctrinated and became a girl, that hes identifying as a girl and she felt like it was the teacher that did it and that was just today, said Butler. Man, give me a break, said Daniels. Well talk offline because what I want to say here, there are too many cameras in here for me to say what I want to say, so well talk offline. The amendment was adopted on a voice vote. Gidley proposed a second amendment that would extend the Dont Say Gay bill to Space Camp in northern Alabama, by including the Alabama Space Science Exhibit Commission in the bill. Members of Alabamas congressional delegation targeted a transgender individual for being employed there. Rep. Terri Collins, R-Decatur, the chair of the committee, said that she had concerns about the amendment as it would be calling out one institution. When we have camps and things all over, I will say that, she said. Drummond echoed Collins concerns and asked when it would stop. Will we just patchwork and keep doing it over and over again and Im using your word from the last public hearing until you purify the state of Alabama? she said. This bill is going to run people away rather than bring people to Alabama and I just dont understand why you are picking on this one organization. Are you going to take a scope and go throughout the state of Alabama and any of these organizations anywhere that you may see somebody who may gender identity you will then come back and say, Okay, we need to pass another bill? Butler said he hoped this bill would send the message that instructors should not teach sexual orientation and gender identity. But what does that person, you talked about the person turning the child into being a girl I believe it was, said Drummond. What if that is who she is and mentally thats who she is? What is she to do? Is she to cease from existing? Absolutely not, were to said Butler. Well then, I mean, what kind of message are we sending here? she said. Butler said he thinks they have been sending the wrong message. He said that transgender identity used to be perceived as a mental disorder. Transgender medical care is individualized to each patient. While it used to be treated as a pathology, care is now provided on a spectrum, which may or may not include surgery or medicine. Gender dysphoria can cause distress, such as depression or anxiety, in individuals. Daniels returned to the question of consequences for the bill, which Butler said there were none. Butler said that he is not sure they stop anything, and people still rob banks. Daniels said that a caught bank robber has consequences. Daniels asked why they were targeting only public schools and not all schools. I will accept that amendment, thats a friendly amendment, said Butler. Daniels said that he is not offering the amendment. Butler said that he has not heard any parent who wants this instruction and compared it to a teacher teaching whatever religion. People would have a come apart, he said. Daniels again asked about expanding it to all schools, and Butler repeated that he would accept the amendment. I dont like the bill, period, Daniels said. Butler said he would look into that if it made it to the floor. I just want us to start thinking about ways to solve problems instead of creating additional divisions and isolating groups that are not as in the appearance of being as strong as others, Daniels said. Its almost like bullying, to be honest with you. Were bullying a certain class or group of people because they dont have the representation to fight back. Both bills move to the full House of Representatives. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Alabama House committee approves sex ed, Dont Say Gay bills appeared first on Alabama Reflector. Rep. Ginny Shaver, R-Leesburg, describes a bill to extend parental leave to state employees on March 21, 2024 in the Alabama House of Representatives at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector) The Alabama House of Representatives Thursday approved a bill that would extend up to eight weeks of parental leave to state employees. HB 309, sponsored by Rep. Ginny Shaver, R-Leesburg, would provide up to eight weeks for parents for the birth of a child or adoption of a child under the age of three. Shaver said Thursday the legislation aims to address the states 20-year high turnover rate in state employees and attract workforce. Weve been hearing lately and heard it again this morning about how low Alabama workforce participation rate is, and how hard it is for employers to find good quality employees and hire employees, she said. In the state of Alabama, hiring employees is no different. The bill passed the House 98-0. Currently, state employees can take sick leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), which allows employees to take unpaid leave for specified family and medical reasons. Parents would receive 100% of their pay under the bill, and they would continue to receive benefits, such as health insurance and retirement. An amendment was added on the House floor that would make the bill effective immediately after the governors signature. The previous version would have made the bill effective on January 1, 2025. Im glad youre doing this, said Rep. Steve Clouse, R-Ozark, who offered the amendment. This is something we should have done a long time ago. Shaver warned the State of Alabama Personnel Department may need time to develop forms and rules after the bill becomes effective. It might be a little bit difficult for Personnel. Theyre going to really have to hustle to get things in place, but I think we do need to get this benefit in place, Shaver said. Parental leave would not roll over; could not be donated, and employees wouldnt be able to be paid for unused parental leave if they leave the job. Employees would be able to use parental leave before tapping into their sick leave or FMLA. A fiscal note with the legislation said that the bill could increase costs by up to $8,600 for each employee who takes eight weeks of parental leave. It would also potentially increase spending by an undetermined amount if the agency has to backfill any positions for employees using leave, according to the bill. The bill has the support of the Retirement Systems of Alabama (RSA). Rep. Debbie Wood, R-Valley, who spoke in favor of the bill, said she is working on a similar bill to give teachers parental leave as well. She said the state also has issues retaining teachers, and shes glad that they are starting the conversation. I want this to be something that we pass for our educators as well, so I hope everybodys listening to that because we are working on it, Wood said. The legislation moves to the Senate. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Alabama House votes to give paid parental leave to state employees appeared first on Alabama Reflector. Justice scales, books and wooden gavel. Multiple law enforcement agencies Wednesday unveiled a revamped victim notification system allowing people to get notices of parole hearings and pending releases for those convicted of violent crimes. We want the public to know about this project, and for victims and interested parties to sign up in the victim notification system, said Darlene Hutchinson Biehl, one of the commissioners that oversees the Alabama Crime Victims Compensation Commission. The new system launched earlier this month in what officials called a soft opening that allowed nearly 2,000 people in the state to use the newly developed website and enroll to be notified. The Automated Victim Notification System and Implementation Task Force was established by the Legislature in 2011 after passing a bill by former Sen. Cam Ward, R-Alabaster, now in charge of the Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles. It has been a long time coming, Ward said. This has been worked on for several years, and I am proud to see the collaboration between multiple state agencies in accomplishing this goal. For too long, too many victims have been forgotten about in the criminal justice system. This is an opportunity to make sure their voices are heard. The revamped model syncs information about people convicted of an offense from the Alabama Department of Corrections, Pardons and Paroles as well as the court. In 2015, legislators passed a bill that granted early release for some who have been incarcerated based on different levels according to time served. Those sentenced to no more than 5 years in prison could be released between 3 and 5 months before their scheduled release date, while those who were sentenced to more than 10 years in prison could be released between 10 to 12 months before they were to be released. The bill sought to strike a balance between public safety and the problems of prison overcrowding. People would be released early, but be subject to monitoring and parole requirements, and forbidden to own firearms. Sex offenders did not qualify for early release. The 2015 bill applied to only future sentences, and lawmakers passed a 2021 bill, sponsored by Rep. Jim Hill, R-Odenville, chair of the House Judiciary Committee, to make the 2015 retroactive. Many people incarcerated were not released in a timely manner after the Alabama Attorney Generals Office filed a lawsuit against the ADOC Commissioner John Hamm seeking to delay early release until victims could be notified. Rep. Chris England, D-Tuscaloosa, was frustrated that DOC had more than a year to notify victims but didnt. As far as deciding blame, honestly, the system itself is broken, he said in February 2023. To assign blame to individuals who were handed a responsibility that they couldnt do because they were not given the tools to do it, it is probably shortsighted. DOC Counsel Mary-Coleman Roberts said a short time afterwards that Corrections was not to blame for the delay. The victim notification system that was contemplated under the victim notification statute was supposed to be developed by Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, she said. It was never developed. People can sign up for the notifications by visiting the website. They will be instructed to provide their credentials, search for the individual who has been incarcerated, and sign up to be notified. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Alabama law enforcement agencies unveil new victim notification system appeared first on Alabama Reflector. Rep. Matt Simpson, R-Daphne, in the chamber of the Alabama House of Representatives on Tuesday, June 6, 2023. (Stew Milne/Alabama Reflector) The Alabama House of Representatives Thursday approved a bill that would allow Alabamians who suffered sexual abuse while in the Boys Scouts of America to press claims against the organization. SB 18, sponsored by Sen. Merika Coleman, D-Pleasant Grove, and carried in the House by Rep. Matt Simpson, R-Daphne, a former Baldwin County child victims prosecutor, would lift the states statute of limitations for civil claims on sexual abuse to allow those abused in the Boy Scouts of America to file claims with The Scouting Settlement Trust. There was a fund that was created for assets for members with a settlement trust from people in the boy scouts who were affected by sexual abuse. This would allow Alabama citizens to be able to recover from that fund, Simpson said in introducing the bill. Claims would come from a $2.7 billion fund established after the Boy Scouts filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2020 amid several lawsuits. The trust allows victims of sexual abuse to claim between $3,500 and $2.7 million. The bill passed 100-0 without discussion on the House floor. The provisions of the bill expire on Dec. 31, 2026. Alabama law requires victims of sexual abuse as children to bring civil claims before they turn 25. A March 2020 Child USA report said the average age of disclosure for child sexual abuse is 52. After the bill passed the Senate, survivors, like Gill Gayle and Stuart Vance, voiced support for both bills, emphasizing the urgent need for justice. We knew that it would be a challenge to get it passed, especially passed by the end of March, which is pretty much our deadline for getting a bill to help out our scouting brethren here, Vance said in early March. Leigh Corfman, who accused former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore of initiating a sexual encounter when she was 14 and he was 32, which Moore denies, said victims face financial and emotional challenges when seeking legal recourse, particularly when the abuse occurs when young. At age 25, your brains just now getting to where its all grown up, Corfman said then. At the age 25, most people are not financially set to be able to take a court case. Opposition came from Sen. Greg Albritton, R-Atmore in early March, who cited concerns about evidence degradation. Simpson stressed the need to prioritize victims rights over time constraints. Its always best the closer you have to time frame as to the evidence, but thats going to have to be something thats left up to the attorneys for that case and for the people that file that suit, he said in early March. The bill goes to the governor. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Alabama Legislature sends Scouts Honor bill to Gov. Kay Ivey appeared first on Alabama Reflector. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 21. The main purpose of the identification fund is to minimize the risks associated with the investment, the Head of the Innovation Ecosystem Department of IRIA under the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport of Azerbaijan Yevgeniya Bikmurzina, told Trend. "The main purpose of the Identification Fund is to improve the investment climate in Azerbaijan. In other words, our objective is to assist individual investors and business angels with their investments. The primary goal is to reduce the risks associated with investment, particularly in the startup sector, which has a 90 percent failure rate. The government is taking extreme steps to mitigate and share the risks encountered by private investors, allowing companies in the early stages of development to obtain more funding to develop their ideas. On the other side, investors must be confident that their initial investment will be sustained by their partners. Thus, Identity Fund serves as a mediator, giving assistance to both businesses and investors in the early stages of investment. This promotes innovation and creates a favorable environment for investment in the country," she noted. Bikmurzina emphasized that IRIA is currently trying to find business angels (private venture capital investors) for this fund. "At the present, we are looking for a group of business angels willing to invest more than $500,000 within two years. The Agency for Innovation and Digital Development is willing to contribute the same amount to a joint microfinance fund but will not own a stake in the financed firms. This will spread the risk for business angels while increasing the number of investments. At the same time, half of the funding should go to Azerbaijani-founded enterprises. An investment committee, made up of representatives from our agency and other active business angels, will help make decisions," she added. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel A Russian court has rejected legal action brought by the mother of Alexei Navalny, his foundation says. Lyudmila Navalnaya had filed a claim of improper provision of medical care against the Arctic penal colony where her son was imprisoned when he died. After his death last month, prison officials said he had gone for a walk, said he felt unwell, then collapsed and never regained consciousness. His widow said he was killed on the orders of President Vladimir Putin. For years, Navalny was Russia's most high-profile critic of Mr Putin. In 2022, he was sentenced to 19 years on charges that were widely seen as politically motivated. His team said Navalny had filed his own lawsuits for failure to provide medical care many times during the three years he spent in prison, but all were denied. Nicknamed Polar Wolf, the penal colony is known for a culture of collective punishment. The director of Navalny's foundation claimed the letter received by Ms Navalnaya suggested that only Navalny himself could be a plaintiff in the claim. "I wonder how?" Ivan Zhdanov said in a post on Telegram. The Kremlin denied allegations that Navalny was murdered by Russian authorities, calling Western reaction to his death "hysterical". For more than a decade, Mr Putin refused to refer to his political opponent by name, but this changed after his death. "As for Navalny, yes he passed away, this is always a sad event," Mr Putin said after claiming his fifth term as president. On Earth, co-operation and goodwill between Russia and the West has reached ground zero. But 250 miles up into space, its a different story. So could astronauts teach us a valuable lesson about how to get along? Last week, a fresh crew of three American astronauts and one Russian cosmonaut arrived at the International Space Station (ISS) in a SpaceX rocket. Nasas Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt and Jeanette Eppsor and Roscosmoss Alexander Grebenkin will spend a six-month stint working together on scientific research. They will replace a crew from the United States, Denmark, Japan and Russia, who have been on board the ISS since August. It has been two years since Russia invaded Ukraine. But aboard the ISS, which hurtles above us at 17,100 miles per hour, it is business as usual, and astronauts and cosmonauts (their Russian counterparts) must overcome political strife to work together in close quarters for months at a time. That includes living together, sharing meals, celebrating Christmas, and even conversing in a Russian/English dialect the astronauts fondly refer to as Runglish. Todays astronauts follow in the footsteps of Thomas Stafford, the late Nasa astronaut whose famed 1975 handshake with his Soviet counterpart (the first handshake in space between an astronaut and a cosmonaut) helped thaw the Cold War and laid the foundations for collaborative space missions to come. Stafford died earlier this month, aged 93. Robert L Gibson (left) clasps the hand of Vladimir N Dezhurov after the Atlantis space shuttle docked with the Mir space station in 1995 - Nasa Nick Kanas is a professor emeritus of psychiatry at the University of California and the author of a new book, Behavioral Health and Human Interactions in Space. Back in the late 1990s, Nasa assigned Kanas to research the psychosocial wellbeing of astronauts in the Shuttle-Mir programme, where American astronauts spent three to six months working alongside cosmonauts on a Russian space station. Space, Kanas says, is a nice model for international co-operation, which we certainly need these days. Dinner party rules ban conversations about politics, sex and religion. So is the key to getting on in space simply not mentioning war on Earth? I cant imagine that it doesnt come up sometimes, says Kanas. But I dont believe they dwell on that or make that an issue causing any strife between them. Nasa's SpaceX crew train for their upcoming mission to the International Space Station, October 2023 - SpaceX Scott Kelly, an American astronaut, spent a year aboard the ISS with Russian cosmonaut Mikhail Kornienko. You feel like a representative of the whole planet, especially when you have an international crew. You work for all the different partner agencies: Ill do a Japanese experiment. Ill be fixing something in the European module. Ive launched on the Russian Soyuz, he said in a 2017 interview with Harvard Business Review. Theres potential for conflict and challenges, particularly with the Russians; were not always the friendliest with them. But in space you set all that aside, because we rely on those cosmonauts, and they rely on us. Occasionally someone will do something to get on your nerves, but then you realise youre probably doing stuff to get on their nerves, too. So you just move on. Ive seen two cosmonauts who didnt talk to each other for months. Thats not an ideal situation. Kelly says he dealt with interpersonal conflict on his year-long mission by exercising which astronauts do daily, sometimes for two hours at a time and by having a sounding board at home. It can be a challenge to get along with colleagues at the best of times. But in space, youre in far closer proximity than in an open-plan office and for far longer durations. Kanas refers to Soviet cosmonaut Valentin Lebedevs memoir, Diary of a Cosmonaut, where Lebedev cites examples of his irritation at colleagues. But rather than cause a scene, Lebedev would simply ignore it or retreat to a different part of the spacecraft the extraterrestrial equivalent of an office coffee break. The biggest psychological challenge of working in space is being together with the same group of people for such a long period of time, says Kanas. The astronauts can be in space for six months to a year, or even longer now on orbit. They have to learn how to get along with each other and to deal with [interpersonal] issues as they come up. The Nasa crew inside the SpaceX 'Endeavour' capsule after it docked with the ISS earlier this month - Jasmin Moghbeli Astronauts must undergo a psychological profile before they are selected, so those who make it will be fairly confident that they can already navigate conflict and get along. But all astronauts are still encouraged to speak to friends and family, which they can do pretty much 24/7, says Kanas. There is also access to a dedicated counselling staff available on the ground. So what happens if a colleague is being infuriating, tetchy, or just slurping their noodles in an annoying way? Kanas says you just deal with this how you would on Earth ignore it. Stay professional, and then complain to friends and family later. Prep for potential cross-cultural problems starts a year beforehand. Training is sometimes taught in the other partys language and astronauts also spend some time on the ground discussing different cultural factors, says Kanas. But these differences are eased by a strong group identity: Astronauts are a special group, and they often identify strongly with each other, perhaps even more than the specifics of their national origin, he adds. There are Russian, American and European living segments on the ISS, but coming together for (freeze-dried) meals is key to extraterrestrial harmony. (The ISS has 13,696 cubic feet of living space in total, including two bathrooms, a gym, and a 360-degree viewing bay called the cupola.) They are encouraged to eat meals together as a way of socialising, and they do have parties, Kanas says. For example, Christmas, or they might celebrate a Russian holiday workers day I think was one that was celebrated so they do acknowledge each others culture through little ceremonies and parties. Astronauts celebrate Christmas on board the ISS in 2011 Astronaut Nicole Stott, who served as an engineer on two ISS missions, says shared dinners were a daily highlight. Youre all floating around the dinner table, youre sharing food, you have food from all the different countries [represented]. I dont know what the secret sauce is, she says, but astronauts have a wonderful way of co-operating no matter what is happening down below. The next frontier is Mars, where missions are predicted to take around two and a half years. The support strategies that work really well in orbit [such as regular contact with friends and family] will not be as available to a crew going to Mars, Kanas says. But above all, astronauts draw strength from recognising that a successful mission is for the greater good. Its in the interests of both America and Russia right now to have the ISS continue, and to finish it you need everybody to properly operate the facility, says Kanas. I think theyre both getting enough out of it that they will excuse some of the political differences. Kelly previously wrote that, the [ISS] is a great symbol of co-operation between formerly warring countries. But it is also a real place where people live, work and form unbreakable friendships. Misha [a Russian cosmonaut colleague] and I often joked that if we wanted our countries to get along, we should send our leaders to the space station, where they must co-operate and rely on each other for their lives, he added. Maybe we need only recognise that we already do. 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. Following Taylor Swift "2 fans of Taylor Swift couldn't afford the ticket, so they climbed on the roof just to watch the concert," says a Tagalog-language Facebook post that shared the picture on March 11. The image, shared by a page with 6.9 million followers, appears to show two people dangling from the roof of a concert hall. The post surfaced after the US megastar performed six sold-out shows in Singapore, with fans splashing out on flights and hotels to see their idol on the sole Southeast Asia stop of her Eras World Tour. Swift-mania reached fever pitch after the 34-year old scooped her fourth Album of the Year prize at the Grammys in February. Screenshot of false post, taken March 20, 2024 Dozens of other Facebook posts shared the same picture, including here, here and here. The picture was hyperlinked to online shopping websites selling Swift-related products by non-official accounts. Some Facebook users appeared to believe the image genuinely showed a pair of "Swifties" climbing the stadium roof. "Technically the concert should have stopped. Because they endangered themselves and others," one person commented. "Wah best views ever," another wrote. Altered photo Reverse image searches and keyword searches on Google found a similar photo published by Mexican news site Periodico AM on January 18, 2022 (archived link). The photo shows the same two people in the altered image -- one wearing a white top and the other in red -- but climbing scaffolding, not a stadium roof. Below is a screenshot comparison of the altered photo (left) and the original photo, with similarities highlighted (right): Screenshot comparison of the altered photo (left) and the original photo According to the Periodico AM article, fans of Mexican rapper Santa Fe Klan tried desperately to access the Velaria de la Feria concert hall in Leon, Mexico to watch his show, despite the venue reaching maximum capacity. "Things got out of control and people did anything they could to get a place," the photo caption says in Spanish. The chaos was widely reported in Mexican media, including by Milenio and Excelsior newspapers (archived links here and here). The edited photo appears to have surfaced online a few days after the Santa Fe Klan concert. A Facebook user called "Barquera" posted the fabricated image on January 21, 2022 and wrote in the comments section that he had edited it. The concert hall in the altered photo (left) matches with geotagged images (right) on Google Maps of Velaria de la Feria in Leon (archived links here and here), as shown below. Screenshot comparison of the altered photo (left) and the geotagged image of the venue (right) Last year, Taylor Swift performed her Eras Tour shows in Mexico but at the Foro Sol stadium in Mexico City (archived link). AFP has previously fact-checked misinformation about Swift here. An Alva woman missing for six days is also wanted on seven warrants linked to drunken driving, including manslaughter, officials say. Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers reports that Anne Lang, 41, is on the run trying to avoid the warrants with her trial set to begin. Anne Lang She has a failure to appear warrant for her arrest. The Florida Highway Patrol said Lang's BMW crashed into 42-year-old Enedino Galindo, 42, Keanna Galindo, 13, and Aryana Galindo, 15, on State Road 80 approaching Fort Denaud Road in LaBelle as they were backing out of a drive. Enedino Galindo and Aryana Galindo were flung from the car and died, while Keanna Galindo died at Lee Memorial Hospital in Fort Myers. Lang is accused of exceeding 100 mph in the January 20, 2021, crash. Troopers said her blood-alcohol level was 0.22. In Florida, the legal limit is 0.08. More: Two LaBelle residents, including 15-year-old girl, die in crash; two others critical, troopers say Jail records indicate Lang was released from Hendry County Jail on $212,000 bond in June 2021. She spent nearly three months in jail. Although she is considered a missing person, she's also a wanted fugitive, Crime Stoppers reports. If you have any information on her whereabouts, please call1-800-780-TIPS (8477), online at www.southwestfloridacrimestoppers.com or on the P3 Tips app. Stacey Henson is the live breaking news and visuals editor for The Naples Daily News and Fort Myers News-Press. You may reach her at shenson@gannett.com This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Anne Lang of Alva wanted on arrest warrants in 2021 deaths of family After Julia Davo and Alyssa Raghus American Idol auditions went viral, Alyssa is speaking out after receiving criticism on the internet. In her explanation, Raghu expressed disappointment in the editors at Idol, accusing them of editing the episode to look more nefarious than it really was. An American Idol representative did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Fans are up in arms after some say the former American Idol contestant seemingly stole her best friends audition, USA Today reported. As the viral clip revealed, a 20-year-old woman named Julia appeared in the audition room where judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie waited. She told the famous panel that she had dreams of becoming Americas next female rock star. Julia chose David Bowies Life on Mars as her audition song. The judges had good things to say about Julia but ultimately decided not to send her to Hollywood. As Julia left the room, her best friend Alyssa Raghu waited for her outside the door. If youre a die hard American Idol fan, then Alyssa may look familiar to you. WATCH: Five years ago, Alyssa was a contestant on the show when she was 15 years old. In fact, Alyssa made it all the way to the Top 8 before being voted off. During her time on the show, Alyssa said she was told to continue nurturing her voice as it continue to grow until she was 21. I know you said my voice was going to grow until it was 21, and you said that when I was 15, Alyssa explained to the judges after Julias audition. But just for giggles, Id love to sing you something. Alyssa then continued to sing My All by Mariah Carey. Her performance garnered praise from Katy Perry, who told Alyssa, You have grown! And thats when Alyssa told the judges that if theyll have her, shed love to compete on the show again this season. Wait, what are you telling me? Are you telling me you want to audition for this season, like six years later, Perry, with her head in her hands, asked Alyssa. I know its in your hands, but its like why not? Alyssa responded. Perry called the experience a really weird plot twist, before adding that she didnt see Alyssa winning. But Bryan and Richie had other plans and voted Alyssa through, exacerbating the situation for Perry, who nearly walked off the set. Julia, on camera, was a good sport, telling Alyssa she deserved it. After the audition caused clear discourse among American Idol fans, Alyssa took to Instagram to clarify the situation. Definitely a bittersweet moment. What they didnt show was me constantly begging Julia to come on the show with me, but unfortunately the judges said no, Alyssa said. Being able to grow up on this show is something so special to my heart, I want to thank the @americanidol family for teaching me so much throughout the years and showcasing me at my realest moments. She then shared a huge thank you to @juliadavz for true friendship and incredible memories. Thank you all for watching, stay tuned for the next episode! Opal Lee, the 97-year-old grandmother of Juneteenth, is getting a new home on the exact spot where a racist white mob trashed her familys house more than 80 years ago. On Thursday morning, about 80 people gathered on East Annie Street in the Historic Southside neighborhood for a ceremony where the home will be built. Lee, whose relentless advocacy work was instrumental in getting Congress to make Juneteenth a federal holiday in 2021, cut a 2-by-6 wood stud and helped raise a wall. Opal Lee, center, cuts a wood board for the construction of her new home with the help of Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker, right, and Trinity Habitat of Humanity CEO Gage Yager, left, on Thursday, March 21, 2024, in Fort Worth. Texas Capital, Habitat for Humanity and HistoryMaker Homes joined together to help Lee rebuild a home on the same lot that her family had a home on. In 1939 a white mob drove her family from the home and set fire to it. I wanted to raise that thing by myself, Lee said with a laugh. The home is being funded by Texas Capital Bank, Trinity Habitat for Humanity and HistoryMaker Homes. Opal Lee and others raise the first wall to her new home on Thursday, March 21, 2024, in Fort Worth. Texas Capital, Habitat for Humanity and HistoryMaker Homes joined together to help Lee rebuild a home on the same lot that her family had a home on. In 1939 a white mob drove her family from the home and set fire to it. In 1939, when Lee was 12, her family moved into what was then a white neighborhood. Four days later on Juneteenth hundreds of rioters showed up. Police showed up but did not control the mob. My dad came from work and he had a gun, Lee told the Star-Telegram in 2022. Police told him, If you bust a cap, we will let this mob have you. Our parents sent us to friends several blocks away, and they left on the cusp of darkness. Those people went ahead and pulled our furniture and burned it. They did despicable things. Her parents never discussed it afterwards, and Lee spent the rest of her life trying to forget the painful memory. Today's top stories: Doctors outraged after Texas bans health departments from promoting COVID vaccines Man sentenced for stealing $2.6 million worth of food stamps FBI investigates bomb threats against teacher who supports LGBTQ students Get free alerts when news breaks. Lee worked for years for national recognition of Juneteenth, which commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865, Union soldiers arrived in Texas to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation, which President Lincoln had signed more than two years earlier. Juneteenth had long been commemorated in Texas becoming a state holiday in 1980. In Fort Worth, more than 30,000 people celebrated Juneteenth in 1975 in Sycamore Park. Organizers for the 1975 Juneteenth festivities to be held in Sycamore Park are seen posing with a Juneteenth Festival sign. In 2016, Lee symbolically walked 1,400 miles from Fort Worth to Washington, D.C., to bring attention to the importance of Juneteenth. She was in attendance in 2021 when President Joe Biden signed legislation to make Juneteenth a federal holiday. President Joe Biden talks with Opal Lee after signing the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act Bill, Thursday, June 17, 2021, in the East Room of the White House. Opal Lee, 94, and hundreds of others walk towards downtown Fort Worth from Evans Avenue Plaza during the first national Juneteenth holiday on June 19, 2021. Lee makes the 2.5-mile walk to symbolize the two and a half years it took for slaves in Texas to realize they had been freed. The Historic Southside neighborhood is also the future home of a National Juneteenth Museum. Lee had kept hope that she would one day own the land where her childhood home once stood. In 2020, when she was a board member of Trinity Habitat for Humanity, she inquired about purchasing the lot from the organization. Gage Yager, chief executive of Trinity Habitat for Humanity, sold it to Lee for $10. Opal Lee, center, holds onto the framework of what will be her new home during a wall raising ceremony on Thursday, March 21, 2024, in Fort Worth. Texas Capital, Habitat for Humanity and HistoryMaker Homes joined together to help Lee rebuild a home on the same lot that her family had a home on. In 1939 a white mob drove her family from the home and set fire to it. Texas Capital will provide funding for furnishings for the home, and HistoryMaker Homes will build it at no cost to Lee. Part of the beautiful story here is that there are a lot of different organizations that have wanted to have an impact in the community and not one of us could have done it on our own, said Nelson Mitchell, CEO of HistoryMaker Homes. And it shows the power of dealing with a common cause and wanting to have a positive impact in the community that really big and cool things can happen. Opal Lee is escorted to the concrete slab of what will be her new home for the beginning of ceremony to mark the occasion on Thursday, March 21, 2024, in Fort Worth. Mitchell says the target move-in date for Lee is June 19. Mayor Mattie Parker, who attended Thursdays ceremony, said it was a time to celebrate what it really means to work with love, forgiveness and inspiration. If youd heard her speak about her familys story and the tragedies that shes lived through and the racism that shes faced in this city, Parker said. This is our chance to completely start over and give her the home that she so deserves to be proud of in her community. Opal Lee reacts as dignitaries speak prior to raising the first wall on her new home on Thursday, March 21, 2024, in Fort Worth. Lee wants to continue to spread the message that Juneteenth means unity and freedom for everyone. Until we address and take responsibility for the homeless crisis, unemployment, climate change and health in our communities, she said, everyone cant be free. Its amazing, when we were here, there were whites that didnt want us here and now there are all nationalities in this neighborhood, Lee said. Times have changed, and Im just so glad that I could be a part of that change. Opal Lee is surrounded by well-wishers as she sits in an armchair adjacent to the slab that will become her new home on Annie Street in Fort Worth on Thursday, March 21, 2024. An American Airlines flight was forced to return to Logan Airport on Wednesday night after a suspected bird strike. The plane was headed towards its destination when it had to return to Logan Airport, American Airlines said. The A321 was taken out of service, and passengers were put on another plane that later took off. It is not known what part of the plane was hit. 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 "Its getting worse, its getting worse, its getting worse," one man told Fox News Digital regarding the complete chaos that has unfolded in Haiti. Scenes of young men running through the capital of Port-au-Prince with rifles, cars ablaze and dead bodies in the streets have plagued media reports for weeks as gang violence continues to escalate. "Were in a war zone," a Haitian man under the pseudonym Jonathan told Fox News Digital. The security situation in Port-au-Prince has become so dire that Haitians and Americans alike are running out of places to seek safe haven from gang violence. People walk past a damaged car in the Carrefour Feuilles neighborhood, which was deserted due to gang violence, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on March 19, 2024. US NATIONAL SECURITY FACES MAJOR RISKS AS GANGS BATTLE FOR CONTROL OVER HAITI Gangs have long preyed on private residences to loot and exercise control over certain communities, often through the use of extreme violence, rape and murder. But now, explained Jonathan, no community is safe under a recent truce established by the gangs. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP In eerie detail, Jonathan described how he and a neighbor learned on Monday morning that a group of gangs under a temporary truce might descend on their gated community to not only ransack the homes but to use the neighborhood roads to bypass a highway controlled by competing gangs. Together they waited, bunkered down with their families. "There were at least 100 guys going up and down [the street]," Jonathan said. "All with rifles." He and his neighbor watched as gang members forced themselves into neighboring homes to steal cars, jewelry and whatever else they could. "When they came to my gate, I said, Im going to be next. I put my kids and my wife in a safe room with his kids," Jonathan said. "We were carrying guns," he said. "So, I told him anyone who comes through that wall, were going to have to defend ourselves." Jonathan said he and his neighbor engaged in a three-hour struggle with what he believed were 30 men trying to enter his home before Haitian authorities arrived at the scene. "Its the population that are doing their own security now," Jonathan said, noting that the police forces are outnumbered and that vigilante justice is on the rise. "The Haitian police are doing everything to control the area." DOMINICAN REPUBLIC RAMPS UP BORDER SECURITY AMID HAITI CRISIS, SHOWS OFF NEW BORDER WALL Haiti is overloaded with a reported 200 gangs, largely residing in Port-au-Prince, and though many of these gangs are made up of a few dozen men, the larger gangs like G-Pep and the G9 Family and Allies dominate the deadly sphere with thousands of members and hierarchical networks. Last year, four gang leaders, including G-9 leader Jimmy Cherizier, who recently grabbed headlines under the name "Barbecue," signed a truce to bring an end to the extreme violence and "bring peace and security to the island." But under the supposed truce, violence has only escalated. For years, gang violence was centered around the Cite Soleil neighborhood, but the attack on two upscale gated communities this week showed that the violence has extended to all corners of Port-au-Prince. "We arent going to hold more than one week," Jonathan warned, saying Haitis only hope for overturning the gang violence is international boots on the ground. Kenya has pledged a 1,000-strong police force under a Multinational Security Support Mission to help stop the gangs. A woman is comforted by others at a crime scene where the bodies of several people, who were shot dead earlier in the morning amid an escalation in gang violence, were being removed by an ambulance in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on March 18, 2024. But following the abrupt resignation of interim Prime Minister Ariel Henry last week, the African nation hit a pause on the deployment until a new government is established. Jonathan, whose wife and children are American, has a U.S. visa. He said his sole focus is on getting his family out of Haiti. The State Department said Wednesday it has begun utilizing government-chartered helicopter flights from Port-au-Prince to Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. Spokesperson Vedant Patel said the number of Americans who have filled out a form on the State Departments website seeking assistance in Haiti is "approaching 1,600" after saying that number was around 1,000 earlier in the week. All Americans in Haiti have been told to complete the crisis intake form so the State Department can arrange for their evacuation. Original article source: American family in Haiti describes war zone, believes it will fall to gangs in a week In an industry climate where movies that arent superhero franchises have a tougher time making it to the forefront, American Fiction is a celebration of original Black stories getting a chance. Based on the 2001 novel Erasure by Percival Everett, the film follows Thelonious Monk Ellison, played by Jeffrey Wright, a Black upper-class author whose novels receive academic praise but sell poorly due to not being Black enough. When he writes an offensively stereotypical novel that accidentally becomes a best-seller, we follow Ellison on a winding journey of identity, grief, and defining Blackness, blurring the lines between satire and reality. The film is star-studded, featuring acts like Tracee Ellis Ross, Issa Rae, Sterling K. Brown, John Ortiz, and Erika Alexander, amongst others. Named one of the top 10 films of 2023 by the American Film Institute, American Fiction earned five Oscar nominations at the 96th Academy Awards, including Best Picture; it won Best Adapted Screenplay. American Fiction Plot Explained A writer and professor at a Los Angeles university, Thelonious Monk Ellison is sent on temporary leave due to his brashness with students over racial issues, forcing him to retreat home to the city of Boston. There, he deals with his mothers progressing Alzheimers disease, the sudden death of his sister Lisa and reconnecting with his estranged brother, Cliff. Amidst this all, he meets Coraline, a lawyer living across the street from his mothers beach house whom he begins dating. As a middle finger to an industry failing him and deliriously succumbing to the overwhelm of life, Monk writes My Pafology, a satirical novel that employs all the literary stereotypes expected from Black writers: a melodramatic plot of deadbeat dads, gang violence and drugs. Jokingly submitting it to his publisher, hes shocked to be offered a $750,000 advance, reluctantly accepting the deal under the persona of a convict on the run named Stagg R. Leigh. Monk receives much critical praise from the book and is offered a movie deal from a big-time producer. Meanwhile, under his true identity, Monk is invited to help judge the New England Book Associations Literary Award as part of a diversity push. His satirical novel, now named F*ck, is submitted for the Literary Award, forcing him to judge it. With everyone in his life unaware that he is Stagg, Monk struggles with upkeeping both identities, eventually breaking up with Coraline during an argument over her enjoying the novel and emotionally confronting the impact of his fathers suicide with his brother, Cliff. American Fiction Ending Explained The ending of the film is pretty meta, with many wondering, What happens at the end of American Fiction? During the Literary Awards ceremony, F*ck is announced as winner. When Monk goes onstage, he claims that he has a confession to make, yet the film cuts to black. Suddenly on a movie set, its revealed that the events wed been following were Monks screenplay based on his experiences, written for the production company as an alternative to the F*ck film adaptation. In true reality, Monk has not revealed his identity to the public and is still separated from Coraline. After discussing a few alternative endings to the screenplay, including Monk running away from the ceremony to apologize to Coraline, the producer is only enthused about a much wilder ending, where police, believing Monk to be a wanted criminal holding a gun, fatally shoot him at the ceremony. Much to Monks dismay, the film moves into production and he drives away from set with his brother, subtly yet consciously acknowledging a Black actor playing a slave on the studio lot. So what does it all mean? Truthfully, whatever you take away emotionally. The ending of the film cleverly acknowledges that even after this entire journey of racial stereotype and identity reclamation, we will always end up back at square one. The white film producer, knowing Monks entire story, pushed for a violent ending rather than a soft one. This speaks to peoples affinity for violent narratives from the Black community, and the more they become desensitized to it, the more it will be normalized and sought out. Critically, the ending struck a nerve with many, igniting a polarizing discourse American Fiction inherently aims to platform. An American woman who previously posed as heiress to a fortune faces extradition to Northern Ireland to face charges in connection with alleged schemes in which she is accused of duping investors out of over $150,000. She was previously convicted in a scam in Los Angeles that was detailed on the "Queen of Con" podcast. Marianne Smyth, 54, is accused of defrauding five customers by enticing them to invest with her while she worked as a mortgage advisor in Northern Ireland from March 2008 to October 2010, British and U.S. officials said. She is accused of scamming five people out of 135,570 (US$172,000), money that she said would be invested but instead kept for herself, the officials said. An arrest warrant in Maine was signed and issued Feb. 23 for her arrest and extradition to Northern Ireland, where she is charged with four counts of fraud by abuse of position and four counts of theft. An extradition hearing is set for April 17 in Bangor. An attorney listed for Smyth did not reply to a request for comment. Smyth could face up to 10 years in prison for each of the charges, prosecutors have said in court, according to The Guardian. Marianne Smyth. (Police Service of Northern Ireland) Alleged Northern Ireland schemes Smyth is accused of defrauding the five people while working as an independent mortgage adviser for An Independent Mortgage Solution Ltd. In that role, she was supposed to "safeguard the financial interests of her clients," a complaint filed in the U.S. District Court of Maine said. Instead, she stole her clients' money, U.S. prosecutors said on behalf of British officials seeking her extradition. Police in Northern Ireland received reports about Smyth's fraud and theft in July 2009. But by then, she had left the U.K. and returned to the U.S., prosecutors said. One victim, identified in court documents as J.S., told police he met Smyth in 2009 when she arranged a mortgage on his home. He said Smyth offered him the opportunity to invest in a high interest-bearing account held with the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, the complaint said. On June 15, 2009, J.S. and his wife met with Smyth and gave her a check for 20,000 to be invested, the complaint said. But the couple never saw or heard from her again, it said. Officials said a police investigation determined that the check was deposited into Smyths bank account the day after it was issued and that there was no evidence that the funds were ever invested or returned to the couple. That account was closed Oct. 4, 2010, according to court documents. Police said they received similar accounts from other alleged victims. One person, identified in court documents as S.S., told police he was offered the opportunity to invest in a high interest-bearing account with the Commonwealth Bank of Australia with a return of 400 a month if he invested 20,000. He gave Smyth a check on Oct. 28, 2008, according to officials. From November 2008 until April 2009, and again in June 2009, S.S. received 400 a month, which he believed to be the return on his investment, the court documents said. But after June 2009, the payments stopped, officials said. Prosecutors say that when he contacted the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, a representative informed him the bank had no record of an account associated with his name and that the account number did not exist. S.S.'s attempts to contact Smyth were unsuccessful, according to court documents. Smyth last arrived in the U.S. on June 25, 2013, on a U.S. passport and hasnt left the country since, the complaint said. The British Embassy requested her extradition in 2021 and again in October. Surveillance was conducted by the U.S. Marshals Service; Smyth was located in Bingham, Maine, in January; and the complaint and warrant were signed and sealed on Feb. 23. Guilty of fraud in California Years after she disappeared from Northern Ireland in 2009, Smyth was convicted in Los Angeles of defrauding podcaster Johnathan Walton, who has said that at one time he considered her his best friend. Smyth was convicted in January 2019 of grand theft in California and sentenced to five years. In an essay for HuffPost in 2019, Walton detailed "a four-year nightmare" involving Smyth, who he called "an immensely lovable woman who inserted herself into my life and became my best friend." "Unfortunately, she was also an international con artist on the run from the authorities and I was about to become one of her many 'marks,'" Walton wrote. Walton wrote that Smyth conned him out of nearly $100,000, forcing him into bankruptcy, while "she was also scamming dozens of others around the world by impersonating psychics, mortgage brokers, psychologists, lawyers, travel agents, and even pretending to be a cancer victim." Before Smyth was convicted, Walton started a blog about his situation with Smyth after he filed a police report in 2017. He said in the essay that others began coming forward with allegations against Smyth. As the story gained traction, he wrote, police in Northern Ireland reached out and said they had been searching for Smyth for years in connection with a number of other alleged scams. In 2018, Los Angeles police arrested Smyth. During her grand theft trial in Los Angeles, Walton said four other people testified to show a pattern of her behavior. Smyth was found guilty of scamming Walton out of $91,784 in January 2019 and sentenced to five years. She was released from prison early on Dec. 12, 2020, at a time when California was freeing thousands of nonviolent prisoners to curb the spread of Covid. Walton then turned his story into a podcast series, "Queen of the Con," in early 2021. As a result, The Guardian reported, listeners contacted Walton with Smyth's most recent address in Maine. He said he then shared the address with Northern Irish authorities, according to The Guardian, which led to Smyth's arrest in Bingham. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 21. Azerbaijan is working on providing visa-free system for Chinese tourists, Head of the Foreign Policy Department of the Presidential Administration Hikmet Hajiyev said in an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Trend reports. Chinese citizens can obtain their visas upon arrival to Baku. But there will be more even in a sense that Azerbaijan is looking forward to completely ensure visa-free system to Chinese citizens. We are working on that and hopefully, within a short period of time, such good news will come. We are very much pleased to see Chinese tourists, businessmen, partners and investors in Azerbaijan. There is a historical linkage between our countries, he said. Hajiyev pointed out that tourism is also a part of the people-to-people contact. We also see it as part of the global development initiative that China has put forward. It is also a part of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), as BRI is also about people-to-people contacts and tourism is one of the key components of that, he said. Hajiyev noted that there are direct flights between Beijing and Baku and Azerbaijan is looking forward to open more flights to different Chinese cities. People-to-people contacts are also about business opportunities, he added. The Dispatchs recent editorial The American People Should Demand Better aptly captured the sense of dread among Americas dissident majoritythe 70 percent who dont want a Trump-Biden rematch. But it raises further questions: What should we do? What does better look like and how do we get there? Some are responding to this challenge with variations of the fatalistic binary choice argument that says we have no hope but to submit to the options our partisan overlords have bestowed upon us. In the New York Times, David French attempts to persuade Haley voters like me that we should get on with endorsing Biden to stop Trump. Not only are these endorsement pleas premature, they miss an opportunity to help the dissident majority discover its agency and bring about the change our country needs. Im defiantly optimistic because I spent so many years in politics and saw firsthand the possibilities and limitations of life in the arena. Let me share three lessons. First, our political system has never been more open and malleable, and its only going to become more so. Politicians love to weave tales about the system being rigged and beleaguered masses being marginalized by hidden dark forces like the deep state because it absolves them of the hard work of legislating. Yes, the administrative state desperately needs to be downsized and reformed, but most of what the public is told about the impenetrable establishment just isnt true. The wonderful and terrifying reality (depending on your perspective) is that there is no one behind the curtain. Washington, D.C., isnt House of Cards as much as its House of Chaos. Dysfunction isnt the result of some clever plot or intricate web of deceit as much as inertia, neglect, and congressional underreach. Ironically, Trumps ascension proves this. If the deep state that MAGA movement despises was really that powerful, wouldnt it have stopped Trump by now? Now, Ive argued that to the extent that there is an establishment, its at Mar-a-Lago. Jonah Goldberg also makes the case that Trump is now the GOP establishment and that its silly to think otherwise. But the more important point for the dissident majority is that weve probably been living in an era with a decentralized establishment and weak parties for quite some time without fully realizing it. Second, politics is downstream from culture and there is no shortage of opportunities for the dissident majority to be builders and renovators. The toxic polarization and chaos were seeing in our politics is the manifestation of cultural problems that cant be solved solely within the political arena. The common thread that runs through the big political stories of 2024 is a war on compromise, coalition building, American pluralism, and the American Idea itself. The mainstream media loves to write the story about the Party of Reagan becoming the Party of Trump, but the trend that matters most is deeper than party or ideology. The most important news on Super Tuesday didnt relate to Trump, Biden, or Haley but rather with Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema. After leaving the Democratic Party to become an independent in 2022, Sinema announced on March 5 that she wouldnt seek reelection. In a short speech that diagnosed our cultural malady, she said: Its all or nothing. 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 at that crossroad, and we chose anger and division. I believe in my approach. But, its not what America wants right now. Because I choose civility, understanding, listening, working together to get stuff done, I will leave the Senate at the end of this year. The pathology is the same on both the left and the right. There is an Axis of Illiberalism in our politics that demonizes Sinema, punishes GOP Sen. James Lankford for working with Democrats on border security, encourages Trump to permanently ban Haley voters, and encourages serious legislators like Reps. Ken Buck and Mike Gallagher to head for the exits. Our Founders saw this coming, which is why Alexander Hamilton warned in Federalist 65 that a body politic that insisted on perfection and raged against compromise would become a desert. Near the end of his life, an 81-year-old Thomas Jefferson doubled down on compromise: A government held together by bands of reason only, requires much compromise of opinion, that things even salutary not be crammed down the throats of dissenting brethren, especially when they may be put into form to be willingly swallowed, and that a great deal of indulgence is necessary to strengthen habits of harmony and fraternity. Focusing on culture, education, and strengthening civil society isnt a cop out; its the main event that makes success in lesson three possible. And that lesson is: If minority factions can wreak havoc on the status quo in American politics, imagine what a dissident majority can do. The best guide to thinking about factions comes from George Washingtons Farewell Address, in which he warned, You cannot shield yourselves too much against the jealousies and heartburnings which spring from these misrepresentations [from parties]; they tend to render alien to each other those who ought to be bound together by fraternal affection. Washington surely understood that factions (and probably parties) would inevitably emerge in a free, pluralistic society. He was obviously supportive of the Constitution that assumed the presence of factions and was written to constrain factions through the rule of law, separation of powers, and checks and balances. The most important element in Washingtons Farewell Address wasnt his words but his actionhis farewell. By relinquishing power when could have remained, he helped launch the American experiment. Would Washington support factional hardball and engage in war by peaceful means? I believe he would as long as we maintained an attitude of fraternal affection and warmheartedness toward our fellow America, which is why a culture that fosters true civility, pluralism, healthy conflict, and social connection with viewpoint diversity is essential. Its very hard to demonize someone you have to look at in the eye. Healthy factions are not only possible in 2024; they are essential, especially considering that the Axis of Illiberalism wants to purge the public square of dissent. Healthy factions do two things well: They persuade and they project power. Healthy factions make a case for a set of policies or solutions and invite others to join the cause. The Freedom Conservative movement is an example of a healthy faction focused on persuasion. The Freedom Conservative statement of principles includes almost 250 signatories (including a number of Dispatch writers and contributors). Healthy factions also create permission structures that empower policymakers and citizens to support politically risky reforms as well as punishment or accountability structures that marginalize and thwart anti-American ideas and actors peacefully. One example of a successful permission structure is the Conservative Climate Caucus, led by Rep. John Curtis and an ecosystem of groups around it (including one I helped establish called C3 SolutionsConservative Coalition for Climate Solutions). This new movement gives center-right legislators permission to say they care about environmental stewardship and that climate change is not a hoax while advancing policies rooted in economic freedom, which is demonstrably better for our natural and economic environment. An effective accountability structure was the ecosystem of organizations in the Tea Party era like the Club for Growth that crossed the Rubicon of primarying big-spending incumbent Republicans. The Pat Toomey vs. Arlen Specter battlethe Club for Growth backed Toomey against Specter, GOP incumbent, in 2004 and eventually ousted Specter in 2010feels like a different era, but it was only 15 years ago. Toomeys path from GOP insurgent in 2004 to Tea Party conservative to MAGA pariah who voted to convict Trump for his role in the January 6 attack represents the arc of recent, and tortured, GOP history. Whether the dissident majority likes the Tea Party or not, it was effective. During the Tea Party era (2008-2016) Republicans brought about the first year-to-year reduction in spending since the end of the Korean War, shut down earmarks (for a time), passed landmark transparency legislation, forced the Government Accountability Office to annually catalog duplication, proposed serious entitlement reform, and the party as a whole gained 69 House seats after proposing entitlement reform. During the Trump era, the GOP did produce some wins (almost exclusively thanks to Trump, Mitch McConnell, and Paul Ryan adhering to Reagan conservatism) but lost 19 House seats. Thats an 88-seat delta. In 2024, America would benefit from a new ecosystem of organizations designed to hold Constitution-flouting policymakers accountable through the ruthless application of peaceful political force. Trump can purge MAGA of Haley voters and others who demonstrate insufficient fealty, but hes creating a new generation of ronin who will gladly fight for a new master. The dissident majority shouldnt be constrained in its ambition and scope, and it should embrace an all of the above approach to tactics, institution building, and reform. If you have a vision for a new party, go build one. Heath Mayo, who founded Principles First, and Liz Cheney could make great partners. If you want to run independent campaigns to subvert and undermine bad candidates propped up by corrupt parties, give em hell. If you want to help elect Republicans who stand for freedom rather than fealty, help those candidates survive and achieve primacy in a toxic environment. If you want to focus on electoral reforms, fight to get rid of primaries, lower barriers to new parties and non-affiliated candidates, explore proportional voting, or pass term limits, youll find allies. We face a binary choice only if we accept a corrupt status quo. The outdated system that created Trump-Biden is out of step and its up to us to provide a correction. Were facing a new frontier and new era of citizen led, bottom-up engagement unlike anything weve seen in centuries. Bad actors always rush to fill new frontiers first. Pirates were quite a problem for the new era of maritime trade. The Wild West was, well, wild during westward expansion. Today, its no surprise that outrage merchants are flooding the zone by exploiting emergent small dollar power. But when the normies find their footing, nothing will be able to stop them. 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. The Alaska State Capitol is seen on Wednesday, March 7, 2024. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon) Two days after the Alaska Legislature failed to override Gov. Mike Dunleavys veto of a wide-ranging education bill, the effects of that failure continued to reverberate across the state. In a newsletter published late Tuesday, Rep. Zack Fields, D-Anchorage, said the governor threatened to campaign and spend $70,000 per race against any Republicans who voted to override the veto. Hours after Fields newsletter was released electronically, the president of the Fairbanks school board repeated a modified version of Fields claim at a meeting where the board, citing inadequate state funding, voted to close a high school. Naming three Fairbanks-area legislators who voted to sustain the veto, board president Brandy Harty said, Ive heard rumors. And mind you, they are rumors, so newspapers in the audience Im fully aware dont quote me on it that you might have sold us down the river for a $70,000 campaign donation. I hope it was worth it. Hartys comment was repeated Wednesday morning by Must Read Alaska, the Alaska Republican Partys favored in-state website, which took it as an insinuation of bribery. That depiction incensed Sen. Robert Myers, R-North Pole, and Reps. Mike Cronk, R-Tok and Frank Tomaszewski, R-Fairbanks, all of whom Harty called out by name. Nobody contacted me in any way, or shape or form, Tomaszewski said when asked whether he was offered money for his vote. Cronk and Myers each said no one had offered them an incentive to vote, either. Myers said the accusation doesnt even make sense in his case hes not up for election this year. Im very I dont even know the word because Im so concerned that somebody would accuse me of taking a bribe, Cronk said. That is a very, very serious accusation. I dont know if its slanderous or defamation of character. Thats not who I am. After Hartys comments circulated in the Capitol, Fields said her words werent an accurate depiction of his statement. He wrote only about threatened spending against legislators, not a cash payment to them, he said. Fields did not provide evidence of his claim, which he said was from one or more (House Majority) members. By text message, he wrote: Obviously, Im not disclosing which one(s), but suffice to say reliable source(s) who were subject(s) of such threats. He declined to elaborate when questioned in person. The governors office did not answer a question asking whether such threats took place. Four Republicans in the Houses majority caucus Reps. Justin Ruffridge of Soldotna, Will Stapp of Fairbanks, Jesse Sumner of Wasilla and Stanley Wright of Anchorage voted to override the veto on Monday. Ruffridge, Stapp and Wright said they hadnt received any such threat. No comment, Sumner said when asked whether he had received a threat like the one Fields described. In Fairbanks, Harty said she trusts Fields account. I thought that an elected official in Juneau, publishing that in a newsletter, is a pretty reliable source, she said. Breaking down in tears over the phone, she said that the board is having to make terrible decisions because state funding has failed to keep up with needs. Fairbanks is cutting all the things that made my life here as a child better. Were closing schools. Were talking about cutting activity budgets. Were cutting so much and were hurting our kids, she said. I went to school to be a teacher. And Ive watched for years as our state has failed our students in our schools, and it forced me to get involved. I seriously thought running for school board would help fix the problem, but the problems so much bigger than our local districts. We have to fix the problem, and the problems in Juneau. Correction: The description of the votes to override the veto has been corrected. The post Anchorage Democrat alleges governor threatened Republicans before veto vote, prompting denials appeared first on Alaska Beacon. Angela Chao pictured in 2022 with her husband Jim Breyer, a billionaire in his own right Shipping tycoon Angela Chao was drunk when she inadvertently reversed her Tesla into a pond and drowned last month at a Texas ranch, police say. Blanco County Sheriff's Office found her blood alcohol level was nearly three times the state's legal limit. The 50-year-old died after dinner on 10 February with a group of friends at the estate near Johnson City. Her brother-in-law, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, cited the tragedy in his resignation speech. On Wednesday, Blanco County Sheriff's Office released the findings of its investigation concluding Ms Chao's death was an "unfortunate accident". She had invited seven girlfriends from her days at Harvard Business School to spend the weekend at the 900-acre ranch. They had attended a concert by rapper Pitbull in Austin the night beforehand, according to the police report. After dinner at the guest lodge on the night of her death she headed back to the main house. Ms Chao's older sister, Elaine Chao (pictured), was US transportation secretary But during a three-point turn she accidentally reversed the Model X SUV into a pond. A friend, Amber Keinan, told detectives Ms Chao had called her at 23:42 and said the car was in the water and she was trapped inside. "Chao told Keinan the water was rising and she was going to die and said 'I love you,'" the report says. "Chao then said her good byes to Keinan." The conversation lasted eight minutes. The police report describes how friends and police tried to save her. Some of the friends were "screaming frantically" at the deputies from the pondside. Officers eventually smashed the driver's side window of the submerged car, pulling Ms Chao from the vehicle. She was pronounced dead at 01:40 on 11 February. A toxicology test found she had a blood alcohol concentration level of 0.233g per 100ml. The legal limit in Texas is 0.08g per 100ml. Ms Chao was chairwoman and chief executive of her family's shipping business, the Foremost Group, which operates a global fleet of bulk carrier ships. The Chaos have a net worth of $14.2bn (11bn), according to Forbes. She was married to Jim Breyer, a billionaire venture capitalist. Her older sister, Elaine Chao, is married to Mr McConnell and was transportation secretary under President Donald Trump and labour secretary under President George W Bush. When he announced last month that he was stepping down as Senate minority leader, Mr McConnell suggested the tragedy's impact on his family was a factor in his decision. "When you lose a loved one, particularly at a young age, there's a certain introspection that accompanies the grieving process," the Kentucky senator said on the floor of the chamber. Ms Chao's father, Dr James Chao, said in a statement provided to the Austin American-Statesman newspaper: "Angela's passing was a terrible tragedy, and words cannot describe the family's profound grief." The investigation into Angela Chao, the CEO of a global shipping company who died at a private Central Texas ranch last month, found she inadvertently reversed her Tesla SUV into a stock pond and drowned as rescue attempts faltered, according to an incident report obtained Wednesday by the Austin American-Statesman, part of the USA TODAY Network. A toxicology screening ordered as part of the month-long investigation indicated Chao, 50, had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.233. The legal limit to drive in Texas is 0.08. The findings released Wednesday are the most detailed account to date by officials in Blanco County. The ranch is located outside Johnson City, about 40 miles west of Austin. The release comes after the sheriff's office repeatedly declined to provide information about the incident other than a brief statement characterizing the death as an "unfortunate accident." Chao's older sister, Elaine Chao, served as U.S. labor secretary in the George W. Bush administration and U.S. transportation secretary in the Trump administration and is married to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. Angela Chao is shown with husband Jim Breyer in January, a few weeks before her death in an accident in Blanco County. In a statement Wednesday, Robert Woodring, chief deputy for the sheriff's office, said the report's release signals the end of its investigation into her death. Chao had invited seven friends to the ranch for a weekend getaway, according to the report. They had attended a Pitbull concert in Austin the night before. On Feb. 10 at 11:53 p.m., a sheriff's deputy received a 911 call describing how a woman later identified as Chao had driven into a stock pond located between the ranch's main house and a guest house. The deputy arrived at the ranch about 17 minutes later and saw a man standing on top of a submerged vehicle about 25 yards from the pond's bank, according to the report. The report says deputies, who jumped into the pond after stripping off some of their gear, struggled to extract Chao from the vehicle. The deputies attempted to find her by swimming through an opened back passenger door but were "unable to," according to the report. The report describes a hectic scene. As the rescue effort continued, a group of Chao's friends were "screaming frantically" at the deputies from the pond's back. They told deputies they knew Chao was inside the vehicle because she had called one of them as the Tesla was sinking. The phone call lasted eight minutes, according to the report. During the call, Chao told her friend she was unable to get out, the water was rising and that she was going to die. She told the friend, "I love you," before the vehicle went under water. The friend Chao called had entered the pond with a kayak to attempt a rescue, according to the report. Once additional emergency responders arrived, an emergency medical responder and a firefighter joined the deputies in the pond with tools, including a pike pole and a Halligan bar, a multipurpose tool used by firefighters, to force an entry. They managed to break a side window and extract Chao, according to the report. Chao was removed from the vehicle at about 12:56 a.m., according to Benjamin Oakley, the emergency medical services chief for Blanco County. EMS responders delivered "advanced life support" for 43 minutes to try to resuscitate her. She was pronounced dead. Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace Randy Brodbeck, who did not respond to multiple requests for comment in the weeks after the incident, requested Chao's blood be drawn so a toxicology screening could be performed, according to the report. He did not order an autopsy. Surveillance video reviewed by a sheriff's office investigator showed the Tesla, driven by Chao, "lurch" forward and then reverse over the top of a limestone block wall, entering the pond at about 11:38 p.m., according to the report. Investigators with the FBI and the Texas Rangers, the investigative arm of the Department of Public Safety, reviewed the evidence collected by sheriff's deputies on Feb. 15, four days after the incident. After inspecting evidence obtained by sheriff's deputies, the federal and state investigators "felt this incident was nothing more than an unfortunate accident," according to the report. In the days and weeks after Chao's death, authorities with the Blanco County sheriff's office repeatedly declined to provide information about the incident. The slow trickle of information in the weeks after Chao's death, already under a national spotlight given her status and connections, gave rise to conspiracy theories online. Chao's father addressed the incident in a statement provided to the Statesman through a spokesperson for the family. Angelas passing was a terrible tragedy, and words cannot describe the family's profound grief. The family is grateful for the friends and first responders who tried so hard to save her," Dr. James S.C. Chao said. Chao was married to Jim Breyer, a billionaire venture capitalist and chief executive of Austin-based Breyer Capital. The 900-acre ranch in Blanco County is owned by a trust with the same Chicago address as a Breyer-owned investment and public equity firm, public records show. I am heartbroken by the terrible tragedy," Breyer said in a written statement Wednesday. "I am so appreciative for the remarkable efforts of the many first responders in Blanco County who did everything possible to save my wonderful wifes life. On Feb. 28, McConnell said during a speech on the US Senate floor that the death of his sister-in-law informed his decision to step down as minority leader. "As some of you may know, this has been a particularly difficult time for my family. We tragically lost Elaine's younger sister, Angela, just a few weeks ago," McConnell said during the opening remarks of his announcement. "When you lose a loved one, particularly at a young age, there's a certain introspection that accompanies the grieving process." This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Mitch McConnell sister-in-law Angela Chao cause of death Two men have been arrested on suspicion of murdering a man near a Tube station nearly 40 years ago. Anthony Littler, 45, was attacked after leaving East Finchley Underground in north London in May 1984, the Met said. The executive officer, who worked for Customs and Excise, who lived locally, was found with head injuries in an alleyway. The Met Police said a 56-year-old man and another aged 57 were arrested on Thursday and remained in custody. Two men previously arrested in December 2023 have been re-bailed until late-April. In December 2023 the force renewed an appeal for information surrounding Mr Littler's death. The Met said detectives believed Mr Littler was murdered in a random attack but "despite an extensive investigation, no-one has been charged". The force added the motive for the attack remained unknown. Det Ch Insp Neil John, who is leading the investigation, previously thanked "everyone who has already come forward with information." Police say anyone with information should contact Crimestoppers. 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 Editor's note: The story was updated with comments from Ukraine's military intelligence agency. Following over a week of cross-border raids, the Ukrainian-equipped anti-Kremlin militias held a joint press conference in downtown Kyiv to have their voices heard. With the recent incursions, the Ukraine-led militants say their goal was to "open a second front" and ease pressure on Ukrainian troops on the Kupiansk axis. Russian nationalist Denis Kapustin, commander of the right-wing Russian Volunteer Corps, said that the fighters of the units "stabilized the front" and "eased the pressure of Russian troops in certain areas." Kapustin, a controversial figure banned from entering the EU, was joined by Alexei Baranovsky, the Freedom of Russia Legion volunteer and a soldier of the brand-new Siberian Battalion known only by his call sign "Kholod." Read also: What do we know about the Siberian Battalion that reportedly crossed into Russia? Their units' raids, which they call "a limited military operation," are still reportedly underway in Belgorod and Kursk oblasts. Baranovsky claimed that anti-Kremlin forces had received intelligence about Russia's alleged plans to advance further into Kharkiv Oblast. "Our operation in the military sense disrupted the plans of the Russian army and caused significant damage to it. They were forced to move significant forces from the Kupiansk sector in order to hold their Belgorod Oblast," Baranovsky alleged. The Kyiv Independent couldn't verify these claims. Russian troops intensified their attacks in the Kupiansk sector in January and captured the village of Krokhmalne, Kharkiv Oblast. As of mid-February, Ukrainian intelligence said that Moscow did not have enough resources for a new large-scale offensive in the region. Andriy Yusov, spokesperson of Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR), said that Ukraine "helped volunteer groups," who, according to him, "act absolutely autonomously" once in Russia. Russian volunteer fighters from the Siberian Battalion claimed to have entered the Gorkovsky settlement on March 17, 2024 in Russia's Belgorod Oblast and taken control of the local administration building. (Siberian Battalion/Telegram) When asked by the Kyiv Independent about the scale of such help to anti-Kremlin militias, Kapustin answered that the Russian Volunteer Corps could rely on logistics, intelligence, and evacuation of wounded soldiers from the Ukrainian side. All the "military infrastructure" of the unit is interconnected with the infrastructure of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, he said. "Therefore, we receive the necessary amount of support from the Ukrainian side in order to carry out our combat missions on Russia's territory," Kapustin told the Kyiv Independent. Yusov confirmed to the Kyiv Independent that militias' raids on Russian territory made Moscow "change plans for the northern sector of Ukraine." Recently, Kyiv has recorded an increase in the threat in this area, including from Russian sabotage and reconnaissance groups, according to HURs spokesperson. After last year's raids, the media reported that Russian volunteers allegedly used tactical vehicles provided to Ukraine by the U.S. and Poland and had rifles made in Belgium and the Czech Republic. Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Croo said back then that Brussels was investigating the reports. This time, the Russian Defense Ministry published footage depicting several disabled pieces of hardware, including a tank and a U.S.-made Bradley Fighting Vehicle. The videos couldn't be independently verified. Western samples are the weapons that the enemy captured once, and they were later taken back from the Russian forces, Yusov told the Kyiv Independent, when asked about the weapons used by the units. The spokesmen denied saying whether they used Western-provided weapons. "When we are on Ukraine's territory, we are servicemen of the Ukrainian army, equal in all rights and duties to Ukrainian servicemen. When we enter Russia's territory, we are not Ukraine's soldiers, we are citizens of Russia who have taken up arms," Baranovsky said. According to him, the militias have weapons in their arsenal issued to them as a structural unit of the International Legion of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Read also: What we know about anti-Kremlin militias raids into Russia They also have trophy weapons, recaptured weapons which Russian troops once captured from Ukrainian fighters and anti-Kremlin forces took them back and "various Ukrainian-made equipment," Baranovsky told journalists. According to the anti-Kremlin fighters, the scale of the breakthrough into Russian territory, along with the amount of equipment and the number of personnel used, was much larger than previous such attacks in the spring and summer of 2023. According to the fighters, Russia has lost over 1,500 soldiers killed and wounded and more than 100 pieces of equipment. The number is questioned by experts and believed to be significantly exaggerated. Oleksiy Baranovsky, Freedom of Russia Legion volunteer (L), a masked fighter with the Siberian Battalion (C), and the commander and founder of the Russian Volunteer Corps, Denis Kapustin (R), take part in the press conference on behalf of the Russian Liberation Forces fighting on the Ukrainian side, in Kyiv on March 21, 2024, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Anatolii Stepanov/AFP via Getty Images) Another 37 Russian servicemen were reportedly captured. Some of them, according to Kapustin, wanted to join the Russian Volunteer Corps. This may happen after background checks, otherwise, the prisoners of war will be handed over to Ukraine. They added that the units taking part in the operation will disclose their own losses when the operation is over. "The primary task is to help Ukraine's Armed Forces win this war and defend the territorial integrity of Ukraine," Kapustin said. "Our ultimate goal is to keep on our liberation campaign, to deconstruct the regime that has been strangling our homeland for decades. Even after Ukraine's victory for the Russian Volunteer Corps, this war will continue," he added. Read also: Ukrainian soldiers near Kupiansk prepare for potential Russian offensive Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, March 21. The volume of manufacturing production in Kazakhstan amounted to 21.6 trillion tenge (about $48 billion) in 2023, Trend reports. Such data were presented at a meeting of the board of the Ministry of Industry and Construction of Kazakhstan. Thus, production volume increased by 4.1 percent compared to 2022 (20.7 trillion tenge, or about $46 billion). It was achieved due to growth in mechanical engineering (an increase of 25.4 percent), woodworking (an increase of 38 percent), the light industry (an increase of 12.2 percent), and the construction industry (an increase of 6.1 percent). At the same time, the volume of investments increased by 11.2 percent and amounted to 1.7 trillion tenge (about $3.77 billion). The growth was achieved through investments in the production of other vehicles by 7 times, clothing by 5.6 times, furniture by 4 times, and in the automotive industry by 3.5 times. At the end of 2023, 170 investment projects totaling 928 billion tenge (about $2 billion) were launched and more than 12,000 jobs were created. Exports of manufacturing products amounted to $25.3 billion. In addition to this, this year, the implementation of about 180 projects worth about 1.3 trillion tenge (about $2.9 billion) is planned in the manufacturing industry, with the creation of about 17,800 new jobs. Progressives slammed the bipartisan spending bill that would keep the government open for the rest of the year for its proposal to halt direct US funding for the primary humanitarian agency operating in Gaza until 2025. The leaders of the Appropriations Committees on the House and Senate released the text for six spending bills to keep the government open for the rest of the fiscal year which ends on 30 September. But progressives immediately criticised the bills for cutting off aid to Palestinians amid a humanitarian crisis. Progressive Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez told The Independent that further halting direct funding to the organization would be unconscionable. Its also not sound, not grounded in sound facts, she said. We have intelligence assessments that speak to this. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has been the main provider of food, water and shelter in Gaza since the war began on 7 October, when Hamas militants launched an attack on Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking another 250 people hostage. Since then, attacks by the Israel Defense Forces on Gaza have killed more than 30,000 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. Now, a new spending bill that could pass Congress in the coming days would stop US funds from going towards a contribution, grant, or other payment to UNRWA until March 2025. UNRWA fell under heavy scrutiny after Israeli officials alleged that some staffers in Gaza participated in the 7 October attack by Hamas militants. Earlier this month, Israel claimed some 450 UNRWA employees were members of Gaza militant groups but provided no evidence, the Associated Press reports. Displaced Palestinians wait to receive UNRWA aid in Rafah (REUTERS) Due to these reports, in January President Joe Biden put a temporary pause on US funding to UNRWA pending the outcome of a United Nations (UN) investigation. That pause is ongoing. Several countries declared they would halt funding in response, but many have already reversed their decision, including Australia, Sweden and Canada. The European Union also pledged to pay $54m to UNRWA earlier this month after the agency agreed to allow EU-appointed experts to audit the way it screens staff to identify extremists. Fellow progressive Ro Khanna echoed Ms Ocasio-Cortezs same concerns. It restricts funding for kids who are dying in Gaza. Its unconscionable, the congressman told The Independent. Representative Delia Ramirez of Illinois told The Independent she would be briefed on the legislation but she worried about the consequences of restricting aid to UNRWRA. We should not be restricting, we should be restoring, I've been saying that on public record, she said. The idea that people are literally starving to death and we are contributing to that is a problem. On top of supporting those in Gaza, UNRWA also supports millions of Palestinian refugees across the Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and the West Bank. An UNRWA worker prepares to distribute aid (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) Democrats like Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia oppose the provision on the grounds that UNRWA provides essential support outside of Gaza. Set aside Gaza for a second: UNRWA does really important work in Jordan and other countries where we dont necessarily have others, so that in my view is a real weakness of the bill, Mr Kaine told The Independent. Others expressed concerns that no one could fill the gap that UNRWA would leave in Gaza. I dont know that theres another organization that can step in and do the job, Democratic Senator Dick Durbin told The Independent. Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, who supports a ceasefire, has in the past defended UNRWA and criticised the provision on Thursday. I'm very disappointed in a time when UNRWA is the primary system for delivering aid to starving people that funding would be turned off, he told The Independent. However, Republican leadership has hailed the provision as positive. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson praised the move, echoing Israels claims. Importantly, it halts funding for the UN agency which employed terrorists who participated in the October 7 attacks against Israel, Mr Johnson said in a statement. Mike Johnson and other members of the GOP have long supported halting funding to UNRWA (Getty Images) But even pro-Israel Democrats worry about cutting off spending for UNRWA. Senator Ben Cardin--the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, who is a major supporter of Israel--said it was a mistake type of prohibition. So I think we obviously have suspension in regards to Gaza, Mr Cardin, who is Jewish, told The Independent. The UNRWA operates in other countries besides Gaza. Halting UNRWA funding comes as part of a much larger $1.2 trillion spending bill just days ahead of the government shutdown deadline. The so-called minibus spending bill will fund the State Department; the Pentagon; the Department of Homeland Security; Congress; the Department of Health and Human Services; the Department of Education; financial services and the general government. If the bill passes, Congress will have finally completed the appropriations process for the current fiscal year following several failed spending bills and continuing resolutions. Given Republican opposition to the spending bill and the razor-thin Republican majority, the legislation will likely be subjected to a suspension of the rules vote, which would require a two-thirds majority vote in the House. But if progressives oppose the spending bill, the legislation might not survive. This bill would not be the first time the US has halted or cut funding to the UNRWA. In 2018, then-President Donald Trump cut all funding before President Joe Biden restored it in 2021. Should the minibus pass, Mr Biden has already committed to signing it immediately. AOC and Tony Bobulinski got into a heated exchange in which the progressive congresswoman claimed RICO is not a crime. RICO IS NOT A CRIME Social media lashes out at AOC following clash with ex-Hunter Biden business associate. Continue reading TEEN TARGET Former TV executive ignites firestorm after he suggests Barron Trump fair game. 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See video KRISTI NOEM TikTok's number one desire is to destroy America. See video Whats it looking like in your neighborhood? 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 Friday. Original article source: AOC ripped after Bobulinski clash, remark about Trump's son triggers outrage and more top headlines Democrats on Capitol Hill don't have much sympathy for former President Trump as he struggles to come up with a $464 million appeal bond due in less than a week. "He's broke, and he's willing to sell the country for a dollar in order to make whatever he needs for himself," New York Democrat Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez told Fox News Wednesday. Former President Trump has until Monday to secure a nearly half billion dollar appeal bond after a New York judge found him liable of civil fraud. Judge Arthur Engorond ruled that Trump and the Trump Organization deceived banks, insurers and others by overvaluing assets and exaggerating his net worth on paperwork used to deals and secure financing. LEGAL EXPERTS WEIGH IN ON TRUMPS OPTIONS AFTER FAILURE TO SECURE $464M APPEAL BOND: UNCHARTED TERRITORY A New York Appeals Court judge late last month denied the 2024 GOP front-runner's request to delay payment of the $464 million owed as a result of Attorney General Letitia James civil fraud lawsuit. Trump has until Monday to secure an appeal bond. If he doesn't, James previously warned that she would move to seize his assets. Those could include prominent New York City properties like Trump Tower and 40 Wall Street. "A jury of his peers has decided on this case," said Rep. Jahana Hayes, although there was no jury involved in the trial. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "It's not in the hands of Congress," Hayes, a Connecticut Democrat, added. "So I think that people should obey the law." WATCH MORE FOX NEWS DIGITAL ORIGINALS HERE "If he didn't want to get his property seized, if he didn't want to be fined, he shouldn't have committed crimes," Rep. Sean Casten, a Democrat from Illinois, said of the civil case. Trump's attorneys said in a court filing this week that obtaining a bond "of this enormous magnitude" is "unprecedented for a private company" and a "practical impossibility." "It seems very punitive, directed in a political way, and it's something that seems overwhelming," Rep. John Moolenaar said. "I don't know anyone that could put up that kind of money," the Michigan Republican added. New York Attorney General Letitia James vowed to seize Trump's assets if he doesn't pay the $464 million judgment. Rep. Michael Cloud said that although he had not read all the details of the former president's case, the potential seizures rang alarm bells. "We are seeing a [Department of Justice] that is weaponized, in many ways, against the American people, President Trump being a key target of that," the Texas Republican said. To hear more from lawmakers, click here. Original article source: AOC says Trump willing to sell the country for a dollar as lawmakers react to potential property seizures Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., grilled Hunter Biden ex-associate Tony Bobulinski about "exactly" what crimes President Biden is guilty of committing in a heated exchange at an impeachment hearing on Wednesday. "Is it your testimony today that you personally witnessed President Joe Biden commit a crime?" AOC asked while staring down Bobulinski. However, before Bobulinski could even answer, he was cut off by the animated progressive representative, repeating the same question to him. "How much time do I have to go through it?" Bobulinski shot back, listing off a number of crimes and alleging the president committed a RICO violation and was involved in financial corruption regarding his business dealings with his son Hunter. RICO refers to the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, which targets dishonest business activities such as money laundering as well as organized crime. HUNTER BIDEN'S EX-BUSINESS PARTNER TONY BOBULINSKI SLAMS HIM FOR 'RUNNING AWAY' FROM HOUSE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP AOC and Tony Bobulinski got into a heated exchange in which the progressive congresswoman claimed "RICO is not a crime." "What is the crime sir, specifically," AOC demanded. "You asked me to answer the question. I answered the question. RICO, youre obviously not familiar with. Corruption statutes. FARA," Bobulinski replied. "Excuse me, sir. Excuse me, sir. RICO is not a crime. It is a category," AOC defiantly exclaimed. "It's a category of crimes that you are then charged under," Bobulinski said before AOC began talking over him. JOE BIDEN IS 'THE BIG GUY,' TONY BOBULINSKI SAID DURING 'UNSHAKEABLE' TESTIMONY AMID IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY Former Hunter Biden business partner Tony Bobulinski, center, testified before the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday about the Biden family's alleged "influence peddling." "Its funny, in this committee room everyones not here there are over 18 lawyers that went to law school. Ill leave it up to you guys to define the statute," Bobulinski fired back before being cut off again. AOC continued to talk over Bobulinski, exclaiming "I reclaim my time!" She then went on to scold Republicans over the impeachment inquiry, accusing them of spending 15 months "lost in the desert" without proof that President Biden committed "a high crime or misdemeanor." TONY BOBULINSKI ATTORNEY ACCUSES OVERSIGHT DEMS OF 'GASLIGHTING,' FALSE SMEARS AGAINST HUNTER BIDEN ASSOCIATE Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., got into a heated exchange with ex-Biden family business associate Tony Bobulinski in which she claimed "RICO is not a crime." AOC's claim that RICO is not a crime quickly became a hot topic on social media, with Republicans needling the congresswoman for her comment. "And, of course AOC's favorite network has her back after she completely and totally embarrassed herself by arguing that RICO is not a crime," Fox News contributor Joe Concha wrote on X. "AOC broken in Hunter Biden hearing. So broken in fact, she claims RICO isnt a crime. Well empty the jails! Oh and for the record, all the defendants in the Georgia case brought by Fani Willis falls under RICO. Ooops," Rep. Wesley Hunt, R-Texas, wrote on X. AOC SAYS TRUMP WILLING TO SELL THE COUNTRY FOR A DOLLAR AS LAWMAKERS REACT TO POTENTIAL PROPERTY SEIZURES Former President Donald Trump currently faces a RICO case in Georgia over the 2020 election. The Republican-led House Oversight Committee took to X to disprove AOC's claim, writing, "(HINT: RICO is a federal law codified at 18 U.S.C. 1961-68)." Bobulinski has criticized the presidents son for "running away" from the American people after he declined to appear for the congressional hearing. Bobulinski has also previously testified that President Biden "enabled" Hunter Biden to sell access to America's "most dangerous adversaries," including China and Russia. In his statement, Hunter Bidens former business partner called for "truth and transparency" to prevail. WALL STREET VETERAN MARTY DOLAN EXPLAINS WHY HE'S RUNNING TO UNSEAT AOC: 'ENOUGH IS ENOUGH' "Joe Biden and Hunter Biden, along with countless members of Congress, keep claiming that they are 'fighting for our Democracy.' Why don't we as a nation agree to fight for the truth!" Bobulinski said. "Nearly three-quarters of the American people believe the country is headed in the wrong direction, and I cant blame them. Truth and transparency would help expose the rot at the center of our political system and begin to fix what ails us." President Biden has continued to ask Congress to close the impeachment investigation and denied allegations of any wrongdoing. Fox News' Brooke Singman, David Spunt and Lawrence Richard contributed to this report. Original article source: AOC takes heat over 'RICO is not a crime' comment in Biden impeachment probe hearing Republicans have been privately admitting defeat on their whole bogus impeachment inquiry for some time now. Last week, the New York Times reported that House GOPers have begun plotting a new strategy to save face: sending criminal referrals to the Justice Department against President Biden and those close to him. House Republicans have reportedly been acknowledging privately that they dont have the evidence or even the votes within their own ranks to charge President Biden with high crimes and misdemeanors, according to the Times. So, theyve been considering sending letters to the DOJ, requesting that prosecutors investigate crimes they think have been committed by Biden, his family and/or his associates. Per the Times: The move would be largely symbolic, but it would allow Republicans in Congress to try to save face while ending their so far struggling impeachment inquiry. It has the added appeal for the G.O.P. of aligning with former President Donald J. Trumps vow to prosecute Mr. Biden if he wins the election. House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer hinted that Republicans may be moving in this direction during a recent interview with Fox News Sean Hannity. At the end of the day, what does accountability look like? It looks like criminal referrals. It looks like referring people to the Department of Justice, he said. If Merrick Garlands Department of Justice wont take any potential criminal referrals seriously, then maybe the next president, with a new attorney general, will. Today, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), a member of the House Oversight Committee, dared her Republican colleagues to admit to the emptiness of their crusade during an actual impeachment inquiry hearing. Ocasio-Cortez brought up the fact that the former FBI informant, whose information has served as a basis for the Trump retribution crusade guised as an impeachment inquiry, was arrested for lying to the FBI about supposed bribes Biden accepted as vice president to benefit his son, Hunter Biden. She then pressured her colleagues to actually name a crime for which they want to impeach Biden. At this point, the story isnt the fact that the basis of this impeachment inquiry is wrong. The story is, Why it is proceeding anyway? she asked, adding that her Republican colleagues have no charges. I have yet to hear in the chairmans opening the allegation that they are specifically charging the president of the United States with. I am hearing about the Biden family. I am hearing about this and that. I am not hearing the specific allegation by this committee. What is it? It is not here. And that is the problem, she said. The story is when this committee knew they were working with falsified evidence? That is the story. The Best Of TPM Today Election Officials Get Pointers On How To Appear More Human To Extremists Khaya Himmelman Yesterdays Most Read Story Trump Invited Boat With Massive QAnon Flag To Dock At Mar-a-Lago For Refreshments Hunter Walker What We Are Reading Andrew Crispo, Disgraced Manhattan Gallery Owner, Dies at 78 NYT Part of My Core: How Schumer Decided to Speak Out Against Netanyahu NYT DoorDash, delivery apps remove tipping prompt at checkout in NYC ABC News Apple CEO Tim Cook, left, joins Craig Federighi, senior vice president of software engineering, on stage during an announcement of new products on the Apple campus on June 5, 2023, in Cupertino, Calif. The Justice Department and 16 state and district attorneys general filed a suit against Apple accusing the smartphone giant of breaking federal antitrust law. | Jeff Chiu The Justice Department and 16 state and district attorneys general filed a suit against Apple accusing the smartphone giant of breaking federal antitrust law. The complaint was filed Thursday in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. Apple is accused of unlawfully monopolizing the smartphone market. No matter how powerful, no matter how prominent, no matter how popular no company is above the law, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said in a release announcing the suit. Through todays action, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to that principle. This case is about freeing smartphone markets from Apples anticompetitive and exclusionary conduct and restoring competition to lower smartphone prices or consumers, reducing fees for developers, and preserving innovation for the future, the suit said. At Apple, we innovate every day to make technology people love designing products that work seamlessly together, protect peoples privacy and security, and create a magical experience for our users, an Apple spokesperson told the Deseret News in an emailed statement. This lawsuit threatens who we are and the principles that set Apple products apart in fiercely competitive markets. If successful, it would hinder our ability to create the kind of technology people expect from Apple where hardware, software, and services intersect. It would also set a dangerous precedent, empowering government to take a heavy hand in designing peoples technology. We believe this lawsuit is wrong on the facts and the law, and we will vigorously defend against it, the statement continued. The suit identifies ways Apple allegedly unlawfully monopolizes the smartphone market, including: 1) enforcing rules that prevent or delay developers from innovating, 2) driving iPhone users away from services and products in competition with Apple and 3) employing app fees and revenue-share requirements for third parties. Due to these and other measures Apple takes, the suit claims, As a result, Apple faces less competition from rival smartphones and less competitive pressure from innovative, cross-platform technologies not because Apple makes its own products better but because it makes other products worse. This in turn, the complaint alleges, leaves all smartphone users worse off, with fewer choices, higher prices and fees, lower quality smartphones, apps and accessories, and less innovation from Apple and others. The plaintiffs are requesting that the court prevent Apple from engaging in anticompetitive practices described in the suit. For years, Apple responded to competitive threats by imposing a series of Whac-A-Mole contractual rules and restrictions that have allowed Apple to extract higher prices from consumers, impose higher fees on developers and creators, and to throttle competitive alternatives from rival technologies, said Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter, who is part of the Justice Departments Antitrust Division. Todays lawsuit seeks to hold Apple accountable and ensure it cannot deploy the same, unlawful playbook in other vital markets, Kanter continued in his statement. Consumers should not have to pay higher prices because companies violate the antitrust laws, said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland in a statement. We allege that Apple has maintained monopoly power in the smartphone market, not simply by staying ahead of the competition on the merits, but by violating federal antitrust law. If left unchallenged, Apple will only continue to strengthen its smartphone monopoly. The Justice Department will vigorously enforce antitrust laws that protect consumers from higher prices and fewer choices. That is the Justice Departments legal obligation and what the American people expect and deserve, Garland said. The 16 state and district attorneys general who filed the suit include New Jersey, Arizona, California, District of Columbia, Connecticut, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Vermont and Wisconsin. Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes said, Holding Apple accountable is critical to ensuring a competitive market where innovation can flourish and consumers can access a wide range of affordable products and services. An Arizona rancher charged with murder in the death of a Mexican national found shot on his border property is scheduled to face trial on Thursday after several delays. The case of the State of Arizona v. George Alan Kelly is scheduled to begin jury selection at 8:30 a.m. local time on Thursday in Santa Cruz Superior Court, according to court records. The parties most recently had a pre-trial conference on Monday, in which they went over jury instructions. Kelly, who is in his 70s, is charged with second-degree murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in connection to the Jan. 30, 2023, shooting death of 48-year-old Gabriel Cuen Buitimea, of Nogales, Mexico. Law enforcement found the man, later identified as Buitimea, shot to death on Kelly's property near the U.S.-Mexico border. Kelly, who called 911 several times that day for help, made national headlines after being charged with first-degree, premeditated murder and being held on $1 million bond for weeks. BORDER PATROL AGENT CLAIMS ARIZONA RANCHER GEORGE ALAN KELLY BEING 'INTENTIONALLY VAGUE' IN 911 CALLS: REPORT That bond amount was upheld by Judge Emilio Velasquez. Kelly was eventually released, and the most serious charge was downgraded to second-degree murder. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP In January, Kelly rejected a plea agreement offered by prosecutors that would have carried a maximum sentence of eight years, FOX 10 Phoenix reported at the time. The rancher's defense attorney, Brenna Larkin, detailed in court documents how Kelly allegedly spotted a group of men armed with AK-47 rifles and dressed in camouflage moving through the trees around his home and carrying large backpacks. The rancher claimed he told his wife to stay inside and went out to his porch with his rifle. That's when the leader of the armed group of men saw Kelly and allegedly "pointed an AK-47 right at him," Larkin wrote. The defense attorney argued that Kelly then fired several "warning shots" into the air and witnessed the group of men run toward the desert. Kelly called the Border Patrol ranch liaison, assigned to assist those living in the borderlands, to report what happened. Hours later, the rancher went to check on his horses around sunset and called law enforcement again upon finding the man's body on his property, the defense argued. Prosecutors have painted a different account of events. The state argued that Kelly recklessly fired an AK-47 rifle toward a group of unarmed migrants who were walking through his nearly 170-acre cattle ranch in the Kino Springs area from about 100 yards away when Buitimea was struck and killed. ARIZONA RANCHER'S DEFENSE MAKES CONTRAST TO ALEC BALDWIN CASE, SUGGESTS DRUG TRAFFICKERS BUYING TESTIMONY Last year, Larkin also told a courtroom that authorities "jumped the gun" in proceeding with the premeditated first-degree murder charge first without conducting a thorough investigation including forensics, ballistics, autopsy results, cell phone forensics, fingerprints and DNA. In allegedly mishandling the probe, the court-appointed attorney said authorities "lit a match over a very intense political powder keg" and "predictably, there was an explosion." Larkin contended that the state's case relied heavily on testimony from two alleged witnesses who came forward after the investigation was "compromised by publicity." "Theres a very large incentive structure for people to come forward and to have claimed to have been witnesses. People can possibly obtain immigration benefits for doing so, or at least have the expectation of that, and people can succumb to pressure from traffickers who have an interest in blaming this event on Mr. Kelly," Larkin said. George Alan Kelly, 73, appears for a preliminary hearing on Feb. 22, 2023. "Testimony is something that is bought and sold by drug traffickers the same way that drugs and people are bought and sold," she added. "It is a valuable commodity, and it is used by these traffickers to obtain what they want. In this case, the benefit theyre getting is security for their smuggling route through Mr. Kellys property, and theyre sending a message to anybody else defending his or her own property that if you defend your property against us, you will be arrested and there will be witnesses who come to stand against you." U.S. court records show Buitimea was convicted of illegal entry and deported back to Mexico several times, most recently in 2016, the Associated Press previously reported. Fox News Digital reached out to Larkin and the Santa Cruz County District Attorney's Office for additional comment on Wednesday. Jury selection is expected to go through Friday, with opening statements set for Tuesday in the trial that is scheduled to last three weeks. Original article source: Arizona rancher faces long-awaited murder trial in border shooting of Mexican man after rejecting plea deal Arkansas airport exec wounded in gunfight with federal agents at home, likely won't survive, brother says The executive director of the Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport in Arkansas, who was wounded during a firefight at his home Tuesday morning, allegedly shot at federal agents as they were attempting to serve a search warrant, authorities said. Bryan Malinowski, 53, was struck during the gunfire exchange just after 6 a.m., as agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) arrived, the agency said. "The subject of the investigation was injured with gunshot wounds and treated on scene by paramedics before being transported to a local hospital," the ATF said in a statement. DUTCH GOVERNMENT DITCHES PLAN TO REDUCE TRAFFIC AT AMSTERDAM'S SCHIPHOL AIRPORT The wounded agent had non-life-threatening injuries, the ATF said. On Wednesday, Malinowski's older brother, Matthew Malinowski, 55, told Fox News Digital that his brother was shot in the head and that doctors didn't expect him to survive. He was unconscious as of Wednesday, he said. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP The ATF declined to say what the search warrant was in relation to, and Matthew Malinowski, a Pennsylvania resident, said he hadn't been told anything about the circumstances of the case. He noted that his brother was an avid collector of firearms. "It's all speculation at this point," he said. "I got a feeling that he bought something he shouldn't have. That's the only thing I can think of." The shooting came as a shock to the elder Malinowski, who said his brother was in Washington D.C., a few days ago meeting with Arkansas senators. "That's the circle he ran in," he said. The ATF declined to say what the search warrant for Bryan Malinowski's West Little Rock home was in relation to. Bryan Malinowski also owned five properties, made somewhere between $270,000 to $280,000 annually, and was responsible for around 2,000 employees under him at the airport in Little Rock, his brother said. CLINTON JABS AT TRUMP LEGAL WOES: HE'S THE ONLY PERSON WHO WAS BETTER OFF FOUR YEARS AGO "When you're in that position, life is great. Why would you screw it up with a small infraction?" Matthew Malinowski said. "He always kept his nose clean. He had no enemies that I know of." Bryan Malinowski's mother, Barbara Haigh, expressed grief at the situation. "That's my baby. That's one of my babies," she said. Arkansas State Police are investigating the case. Shane Carter, public affairs director for the Clinton National Airport, previously told Fox News Digital that Bryan Malinowski is the airport's executive director. He declined to comment further. Hours after the shooting, however, Airport Commission Chairman Bill Walker named Tom Clarke as acting airport executive director. "Today's incident saddens us, and we pray for everyone involved," he said Tuesday. "As the chairman of the Little Rock Municipal Airport Commission, I have named Tom Clarke, the airport's deputy executive director, as acting executive director. The airport's day-to-day operations continue as normal." Bryan Malinowski joined Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport in 2008 as director of Properties, Planning and Development and was promoted to deputy director in 2009, according to his biography on the airport website. He became executive director in 2019, according to a profile on the airport's website. He brought more than 30 years of airport leadership experience when he was hired, holding positions with the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, El Paso International Airport and Lehigh Valley International Airport. Shea De Bruyn, who lives next to Bryan Malinowski, told FOX 16 that she woke up to gunfire across the street. "I heard about five or six, like, loud bangs," De Bruyn said. "My heart was racing and the dogs were barking. Im just really curious as to what was going on just a few houses down." Original article source: Arkansas airport exec wounded in gunfight with federal agents at home, likely won't survive, brother says ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. (KSNW) An Arkansas City police officer has received a Medal of Valor from the department. Lieutenant Detective Jason Legleiter received the award from Police Chief Jim Holloway at Tuesdays Arkansas City Commission meeting. The award was presented to Lt. Legleiter for responding to a standoff situation that began with a shooting on April 22, 2023. It began near 111th Road and 72nd Road northeast of Winfield when a woman reportedly got out of a vehicle and fired a shot at another vehicle that was behind them. The vehicle was later found parked outside a home in the 1300 block of North A Street in Arkansas City. Augusta man pleads guilty to 2007 rape, sodomy cold case Lt. Det. Legleiter arrived first on the scene. He quickly located a female armed with a pistol, a machete, and, at one point, a hammer. Lt. Det. Legleiter approached her and initiated a conversation to resolve this volatile situation quickly and peacefully. The female was swinging the weapons around and making various threats as she pointed the pistol at Lt. Det. Legleiter, said Chief Holloway. Lt. Det. Legleiter later stated that he felt he was going to be shot or would have been forced to shoot the female, but he stood firm and attempted to talk her down. The department says he was unsuccessful, so he retreated and coordinated setting up a perimeter and the emergency response. The two women involved were taken into custody without anyone being hurt. On behalf of the Arkansas City Police Department, I sincerely thank Lt. Det. Jason Legleiter, said Holloway. We owe him a debt of gratitude for his courageous and outstanding bravery in serving the citizens of Arkansas City. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. A lab tech uses equipment employed for in vitro fertilization in this undated photo. (Getty Images) Arkansas doctors have joined a nationwide network of health care professionals working to protect in vitro fertilization access in the wake of last months Alabama Supreme Court ruling that paused IVF services in the state. Healthcare Workers for Reproductive Freedom formally launched its Save IVF campaign last week with the release of a letter signed by more than 2,100 healthcare workers urging policymakers to safeguard IVF. This ruling is an attempt to set a legal precedent of fetal personhoodEstablishing this precedent will not only lead to the end of abortion access entirely, but it will make in vitro fertilization (IVF) an impossibility and could even deem some contraceptive options illegal, the letter states. The Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos are children and if destroyed, a wrongful death lawsuit could be filed under an 1872 law. IVF providers in the state temporarily halted operations in response to the decision. Little Rock gynecologist Dr. Chad Taylor said he signed the letter because he believes there should be no legislative interference in the patient-physician relationship. Taylor, a board-certified OBGYN, is also part of an advisory group of health care workers that supports a ballot initiative that would guarantee a limited right to abortion in the Arkansas Constitution. We want lawmakers to stay out of doctors offices; theres no place for them in this kind of decision-making, he said. These decisions belong to patients and they belong to experts in health care. Earlier this month, the Alabama Legislature passed a bill to restart IVF services, but one clinic said it falls short of providing sufficient protection for health care providers. Taylor said he welcomes legislation like this to protect gray areas, but ultimately wants a commitment to let doctors and patients govern ourselves when it comes to these important medical decisions. These are real people trying to grow their family in a very difficult way, and they share their fears and their concerns with their doctorsits the doctors and the health care workers that are in those offices holding the tissues with the patients while they cry and were not able to provide our best because were limited, and nature throws people challenges all the time, he said. Healthcare Workers for Reproductive Freedom co-founder Dr. Marcela Azevedo said lawmakers do not understand the medicine behind the policies theyre passing and how these can have unintended consequences that can cause patients a lot of harm. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US Azevedo has fought for reproductive rights in recent years as the founder and president of Ohio Physicians for Reproductive Rights, a group that supported a ballot initiative to enshrine abortion in Ohios constitution. Last November, 57% of voters approved the measure, and through that work, Azevedo said they connected with health care workers around the country facing similar challenges. Healthcare Workers for Reproductive Freedom naturally grew out of that effort, and Azevedo said the Alabama IVF ruling spurred the group to speak out more formally. We all felt that together we had to show that we are here, we are in the background still connecting and still discussing and still fighting to just elevate the rights of our patients nationwide, she said. And we thought it was time to make that known and that were certainly not going anywhere. Bipartisan support U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson said last week that it should be left up to the states, not Congress, to preserve IVF access. Arkansas state Rep. Aaron Pilkington, R-Knoxville, agreed because government thats closer to the people is always the best way to do it. Pilkington said hes not aware of any discussion about IVF legislation in Arkansas, but he wouldnt be shocked to see it in next years legislative session. For now, he said Arkansas pro-life movement is more focused on the fight against the proposed abortion amendment, which is taking up the oxygen of other issues. The proposed Arkansas Abortion Amendment of 2024 would allow abortion within 18 weeks of fertilization and in cases of rape, incest, fatal fetal anomaly or to protect a pregnant females life or to protect a pregnant female from a physical disorder, physical illness, or physical injury. Arkansas law only allows abortion to save the life of a pregnant person in a medical emergency, making it one of the strictest bans in the nation. More than a half dozen ballot question committees have formed in opposition to the proposed ballot initiative, including one led by the governors campaign manager. As a Catholic, Pilkington said he wouldnt personally use IVF because its not permitted by the church. However, the Republican state rep has family and friends whove used IVF, and Pilkington said he would likely support legislation to protect it, though hed want to read the bill first. I would guess a large majority of my colleagues would be in favor of protecting IVF in Arkansas, he said. I havent heard a single person talk about getting rid of IVF. If anything, its been on the opposite about well, we need to make sure that its protected. Pilkington said this issue provides an opportunity for unity in the Legislature, noting that there is a lot of working across the aisle and synergies that exist in Arkansas that maybe people dont see as much. As an example, Pilkington points to his work with Little Rock Democrat Rep. Ashley Hudson on a new law that creates support systems for pregnant and parenting teenagers in public schools. Hudson said she would of course support legislation to protect IVF access in Arkansas because when it comes to sensitive choices that women are making with their physicians, lawmakers shouldnt be legislating away their ability to do that. We have some really great IVF clinics here in Arkansas that allow women who have struggled with fertility issues and other medical issues to fulfill a dream of being able to start their own family, and I think that trying to create obstacles to those desires is not a very pro-life position, she said. Hudson said she may be an optimist, but she believes there are aspects of reproductive rights that are negotiable and have room for bipartisan support. Even with the divisive nature of abortion, she said people on either side of the issue have similar aims of keeping people healthy and protecting women and families. With IVF, there are several overlapping interests, including medical freedom, family building and increasing womens abilities to have children, Hudson said. Theres a lot of appeal on both sides of the aisle for issues surrounding those things, so I do think that theres room for that discussion, that theres room for that discussion to be productive, she said. Im not saying its going to be a slam dunk, but I think that theres room for it. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Arkansas health care workers support national call to protect IVF appeared first on Arkansas Advocate. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, March 21. Kazakhstan will sign an agreement on expanding alliance with Kyrgyzstan, Trend reports. The relevant draft decree of the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, "On signing an agreement on deepening and expanding allied relations between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Kyrgyz Republic" has been published on the "Open Legal Acts" portal. The draft treaty states that the contracting sides will promptly hold appropriate consultations with each other, both bilaterally and within the framework of international organizations to which they are parties, with a view to taking measures conducive to its peaceful settlement, in the event that a situation 'poses a threat of armed attack by third states'. The document notes that Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan 'confirm their commitment not to participate in any blocs or alliances, and also refrain from participating in any actions directed against the other contracting party'. The territories and resources of both countries should not be used 'for the purpose of preparing or carrying out aggression or other hostile actions against the other contracting party, as well as to the detriment of the state sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity of the other contracting party.' The agreement also specifies that Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan promise not to permit third parties to utilize 'communications systems and other infrastructure' on their soil 'in order to prepare or carry out armed actions against the other contracting party'. Furthermore, the draft agreement also calls for enhancing the two nations' economic ties, specifically 'by creating favorable conditions for mutual access of goods, services, and investments, their protection on the territories of their states, and the implementation of joint investment projects'. Meanwhile, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan are striving to deepen their partnership through increased trade, economic cooperation, and the exchange of experience in various fields, taking into account their common interests, historical and cultural ties, as well as geographical proximity, in order to promote mutual development and prosperity. A review into the use of force was ordered after an officer was charged with murder - NURPHOTO Armed officers investigated over shootings still fear being treated unfairly, despite the Government revamping the rules on police accountability. An urgent review into police use of force was ordered last year by Suella Braverman, the former home secretary, in the wake of a decision to charge a Scotland Yard firearms officer with murder. Police officers hoped it would remove some of the uncertainty they currently have when exercising their powers to tackle dangerous criminals. On Thursday the Government announced that as a result of the review the threshold used to determine whether the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) refers a case to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) would be raised. Other changes have also been introduced to speed up disciplinary investigations and further, more substantial moves are being consulted on. James Cleverly, the Home Secretary, said it was vital police officers had the confidence to use their powers effectively to keep the public safe. But the changes have received a lukewarm response from policing authorities, with Sir Mark Rowley, commissioner of the Metropolitan police, and other chiefs warning they do not go far enough. Its smoke and mirrors Armed officers also said the Government announcement had done little to convince them they would be treated fairly in future. One police firearms source said: This feels like smoke and mirrors. We had hoped the review would provide some much-needed reassurance to those who put themselves in the face of danger, but we are feeling rather let down. Chief Constable Charlie Hall, of the National Police Chiefs Council, said officers would still be worried about unfair treatment. He said: While we acknowledge and welcome the progress with changes inserted into the Criminal Justice Bill, we do not yet believe these go far enough or act quickly enough to reassure officers that they will be treated fairly when carrying out their roles protecting the public. Officers should rightly be held to account for our actions, but we have consistently heard of the devastating and disproportionate impact the existing processes and timelines have had on them, their families and police careers. The accountability mechanism must be swift, balanced and fair, giving our officers confidence to act and the public confidence in their professionalism and decision making. Limited progress Sir Mark also believes the Government needs to go further to reassure officers on the frontline. He said: The measures announced today are a step in the right direction towards putting that right, but they deliver only very limited tangible progress for officers in the short term. The commitment to consult on substantial further change is positive, but officers across the country will now be looking to government to ensure that it happens swiftly and is followed by implementation. It is only then that they will begin to have the reassurance they need. The Police Accountability Review was ordered in the wake of a backlash over the decision last year to charge a Met firearms officer with murder, following the shooting of Chris Kaba in south London. Hundreds of firearms officers refused to carry their weapons, resulting in the Army being put on standby. Sir Mark also expressed outrage over the decision to prosecute an armed officer for dangerous driving, after he crashed while responding to a terror attack. After the officer, Paul Fisher, was cleared by a jury, the commissioner called for the system of police accountability to be urgently reviewed. Speaking at the time, Sir Mark said: No other country in the world would haul one of its most highly trained officers before a court for responding to one of the most serious incidents we can deal with and doing their utmost to preserve life. 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. Celebrated by 350 million people around the world and marking the start of the spring equinox, Nowruz is here, and many locals are keeping the tradition alive. Especially living in Seattle, we go through a few months of darkness and a lot of rain, so its definitely a positive feeling, a good feeling, going through that renewal. I, myself, as a member of the Iranian diaspora community find connection to my roots and to my ancestors, through traditions like these that are beyond borders, and beyond time, and continue to connect us, Seattle Isfahan Sister City Advocacy (SISCA) Board Member, Danyal Lotfi said. Cathia and Danyal believe Nowruzs message is what resonates with so many people, and this year there will be a celebration at Seattle City Hall bringing hundreds of people from different cultures together. Were really excited that weve been able to forego the borders between all these communities and bring everyone together under a tradition that we all observe, SISCA Board President, Cathia Geller said. One of the longstanding traditions is a haftsin, something youll find in every home celebrating the new year. There are 7 elements starting with the letter S, each symbolic element carrying a meaning behind it. I think the moment of spring equinox, the moment of Nowruz when spring begins, I think the distance of me and my home country is at a minimum. I feel the closest because its a reminder of the thousands of years-old traditions that continue to connect us, Lotfi said. With so many customs and traditions, SISCA organizers hope more people can participate in Nowruz. We decided to expand to all the other celebrant communities that call Seattle home, so well be joined by Afghans, Uzbeks from Uzbekistan, and Turks, there will be dancing and a fashion show of ethnic costumes, activities for kids, haftsin tables to visit, an art gallery, Geller said. Head to the Seattle City Hall this Sunday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. for your chance to take part in this thousands of years-old tradition. A second full winter of full-scale war in Ukraine has passed, culminating with yet another Russian missile strike on Kyiv in the early morning of March 21. The latest attack injured at least 13 people, according to the latest information. In total, at least 45 people were killed in the capital, and more than 130 were wounded by Russian attacks over the winter of 2023-2024. Yet, the nature of Russia's attack strategy vis-a-vis Kyiv and Ukraine's defensive capabilities has changed significantly since the previous winter. Moscow set out on a prolonged campaign of strikes against Ukraine's energy infrastructure throughout the country that began in October 2022 and extended until the present day. While the strategy failed in its goal of knocking out the grid, it caused considerable damage to critical infrastructure and inflicted dozens of casualties. Winter's deadliest strikes on Kyiv By a considerable margin, the deadliest Russian attack on the capital was on Dec. 29, 2023, in which scores of missiles and drones struck Kyiv and other cities around the country. At least 33 people were killed and more than 35 injured in what Mayor Vitali Klitschko called the deadliest attack on civilians in Kyiv since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. The aftermath of a Russian missile attack against Kyiv on Feb. 7, 2024. (State Emergency Service) After the death of an injured man in the hospital, the death toll of another Russian strike on Kyiv on Feb. 7 rose to six. More than 50 people were wounded in the attack. The majority of the casualties was caused by a missile that hit a highrise apartment building in Holosiivskyi district, which subsequently started a fire. Russia launched almost a hundred missiles and at least 35 Shahed-type drones against Kyiv and Kharkiv on Jan. 2, killing at least three people and wounding more than 50. These Russian strikes on the capital were among countless attacks on civilian targets throughout the country over the past winter, such as the March 15 missile strike on Odesa that killed at least 21 people and injured more than 7o. Front-line towns and cities are particularly vulnerable to Russian strikes; less protected by advanced air defense systems and within range of a wider variety of Russian weapons. Eleven people, including five children, were killed after a barrage of S-300 missiles hit the town of Pokrovsk and the Myrnohrad community in Donetsk Oblast on Jan. 6. Read also: My hatred only grows: Kyiv residents lament over their homes destroyed by Russian attack A change in strategy? As the winter of 2023 approached, there was concern among Ukrainian and foreign officials about a potential repeat of Russia's strategy from the previous year, in which around half of the country's energy infrastructure was damaged. President Volodymyr Zelensky urged Ukrainians to remain resilient in December 2023 ahead of the anticipated uptick in attacks on energy infrastructure. While Russian strikes continued unabated, Ukrainian military intelligence and the U.K.'s Defense Ministry said a month later that Russia's attack strategy had most likely shifted toward targeting Ukraine's military-industrial capacity. But as Zelensky and others told Ukrainians to prepare for another winter of Russian attacks, it was clear that Ukraine's defensive capacity had increased from the previous year. Ukraine received advanced air defense systems from its Western allies, such as the Patriot, IRIS-T, and Skynex. The systems have contributed to Ukraine's ability to intercept equally advanced Russian weapons, such as the vaunted Kinzhal missile. The launcher of a Patriot air defense system on Oct. 14, 2020, in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. (Thomas Frey/picture alliance via Getty Images) Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said at the end of January 2024 that Ukraine's energy sector was stable and that Russian attacks had largely failed to disrupt the electrical grid. Yet, the U.N. said in January that civilian casualties had actually increased amid the apparent shift in Russian strategy. The uptick in deaths and injuries reversed the downward trend that had begun in early 2023, the U.N. said. The Patriot and other advanced systems had successfully changed the nature of Ukraine's air defense and helped protect the skies over Kyiv and other cities. Despite the attacks listed above, countless Russian missiles and drones were prevented from getting through. However, a Patriot interceptor missile can cost between $2-4 million. Ukraine is currently in the midst of perhaps its biggest foreign funding crisis since the beginning of the full-scale war as the impasse on U.S. aid stretches into its sixth month. Deadlock in Congress, dwindling stocks With the U.S. presidential election coming up in November, American politics have been increasingly focused on domestic issues. Aid for Ukraine has been stuck since the fall of 2023, either by design or as unfortunate collateral damage. The lack of U.S. aid, particularly felt in the lack of artillery shells, has contributed to Ukraine's loss of the key frontline city of Avdiivka in February. Ukraine's advanced air defense systems, with their expensive munitions, have also been impacted. White House and Pentagon officials told the New York Times in January that the U.S. would likely be unable to keep Ukraine's Patriot systems supplied with missiles without further aid approved by Congress. In the intervening months, the situation has only worsened. The Washington Post reported on March 15, citing unnamed Western officials, that the shortage of air defense munitions may soon force Ukraine to adjust its strategy regarding Russian missiles. Currently, Ukraine's air defense aims to shoot down four out of every five Russian missiles aimed at its cities, but the target may have to drop to one out of every five if further aid is not approved. Despite hopeful predictions in late 2022 and early 2023 that Russia had used up much of its stockpile of missiles, the attacks have continued. Russia has moved its economy onto a war footing and bolstered its arsenal with weapons deliveries from Iran and North Korea. Even with advanced air defense, Kyiv is still vulnerable. Other cities are even less protected. While Ukraine's track record of air defense over the last winter demonstrates an increased ability to stop Russian attacks, Russia has also changed its strategy and continued to inflict civilian casualties in the capital and beyond. Read also: 5 things to know about the latest weapons being sent to Ukraine Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. After a reported arson fire on Sunday, shown here, caused extensive damage to a Ravenna apartment building, a second, unexplained, fire Tuesday night caused even more damage and the structure was condemned. After firefighters were forced to return twice in less than 12 hours to a Ravenna apartment building heavily damaged in an arson fire Sunday evening, the structure will be demolished. Ravenna Fire Chief Mark Chapple said Wednesday that a second fire at the building at 629 Hazen Ave. late Tuesday night burned off the remainder of the structure's roof. "The building is considered to be condemned to the point where it's going to be (demolished Thursday) morning, starting at nine o'clock," said Chapple. Firefighters first responded after fire was reported a little before 7 p.m. Sunday. Chapple said the fire began in a second-floor apartment. Ravenna Police also responded and helped residents in a dozen units leave the building. No serious injuries were reported. Firefighters fight a reported arson fire at a Ravenna apartment building Sunday. A 64-year-old female resident is charged with first-degree aggravated arson in Portage County Municipal Court. Police said the woman allegedly admitted to starting a fire in the middle of her living room, opening a sliding glass door and watching the fire spread throughout the building. Police said that when they first saw the woman while helping residents leave the building, they noticed she had burns and cuts on her arms. The woman then made statements to officers about Trump and Biden sending people to kill her," according to police. EMS treated the woman at the scene and she was taken to University Hospitals Portage Medical Center. The Record-Courier is not identifying the woman who is being treated for a mental health crisis. Chapple said firefighters were called to a second fire on the building's third, top floor about 11:30 p.m. Tuesday. Due to the extensive damage from the first fire, the cause of the second fire cannot be determined, he said. "An investigation would be impossible to conduct, so to make a determination of what caused the fire to light the second time was next to impossible," he said. Firefighters from Ravenna and Rootstown then responded a third time about 9 a.m. Wednesday. This time, Chapple said, there was no fire, only smoke. Chapple said it is believed this was due to hot spots that still smoldered in large piles of debris inside the building. Foam was sprayed through the structure until firefighters were confident it was entirely out. Residents lose home, belongings GoFundMe pages have been set up for at least two residents who lost most or all of their belongings in the fire. They can be found at these shortened links, tinyurl.com/ycydkavr and tinyurl.com/5e6xhzet. One of the residents, Jazmine Green, told the Record-Courier on Wednesday that she escaped from her third-floor apartment with just her dog and the clothes she was wearing. "I think what happened to all of us, all the victims, was really traumatic and horrifying," the 23-year-old Green said. Green said she had gotten home about a half hour before the fire after eating dinner at her grandmother's home. She took her dog, an 8-year-old male American Bully named Menace, outside and then went to lie down in her bedroom. "I was just dozing off to sleep when I heard my neighbor pound on my door," she said. Green said she also began to hear what she thought was a car alarm outside. It actually was the fire alarm downstairs. "And then I realized that smoke was pouring in under my bedroom door," said Green. "So I was frantically calling my dog, looking for my dog, and he came to me. He led me out my apartment and he dragged me outside." Green said that because the fire was an arson, she does not think the building's insurance will pay for residents' lost property. She added that she had no renters' insurance, and doubts other residents did either. She said she is hopeful they'll get back their security deposits. "I'm bouncing around from family members' basements right now and my top priority right now is getting a temporary foster [home] for my dog," said Green. "I'm not going to get rid of him, I can't lose him. I'm trying to foster him just for about two or three weeks so I can try to get another apartment." Green estimated that she spoke briefly with the suspect a few times over about a year that she lived in the apartment building, adding that police had spoken with her before Wednesday's incident. The State Fire Marshall and Ravenna Police are investigating the incident. Anyone with additional information about the incident is encouraged to contact the detective bureau of the Ravenna Police Department at 330-296-6486, or the Ravenna Fire Department at 330-297-5738. Reporter Jeff Saunders can be reached at jsaunders@recordpub.com. This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Arson-damaged Ravenna apartment to be razed after second fire Police surrounded Arvind Kejriwal's home as it was searched Prominent opposition politician and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has been arrested by India's financial crime agency, his party said. The arrest is in connection with corruption allegations relating to the city's policies over alcohol sales. Mr Kejriwal and his party, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), deny any wrongdoing and say the case is politically motivated. His arrest comes weeks before voting begins in India's general election. Police surrounded Mr Kejriwal's home on Thursday as it was searched by members of the Enforcement Directorate agency. The case is over allegations that an alcohol sale policy implemented by the Delhi government in 2022 - which ended the government monopoly - gave undue advantages to private retailers. Mr Kejriwal has ignored numerous summonses in the case. The AAP has accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of playing "dirty politics" and says it will seek an urgent hearing at the Supreme Court to secure Mr Kejriwal's release. India's general election will take place in seven phases over April and May, with the results to be announced on 4 June. Ahead of the vote, opposition parties have accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi's BJP government of misusing government agencies for political ends. Mr Kejriwal (seated in the back in white shirt) was arrested from his home in Delhi on Thursday night Dilip Pandey, AAP lawmaker and chief whip in the Delhi assembly, told the BBC the arrest shows that Mr Modi "is scared of Kejriwal". "They can arrest Kejriwal but not his thoughts. We will continue to fight his arrest and the unjust policies of Mr Modi's government," Mr Pandey said. Two other AAP leaders, Sanjay Singh and Manish Sisodia, were arrested last year in the same case. They are among several prominent opposition leaders subject to criminal investigations many say are politically motivated. Rahul Gandhi, the most prominent member of the opposition Congress party, was convicted of criminal libel last year after a complaint by a member of the BJP. His two year prison sentence saw him disqualified from parliament for a time until the verdict was suspended by a higher court, but this has raised concerns over the state of democracy in India. ASCENSION PARISH, La. (BRPROUD) Law enforcement in Ascension Parish is investigating a potential bomb threat at Dutchtown High School Thursday morning. Matthew Monceaux, the principal, said in a letter to parents that a social media post suggested that a bomb could go off in the band room at 12:34 p.m. today. We immediately contacted law enforcement and removed all students and personnel from the gym, band room and t-buildings located on that side of campus, Monceaux said. School officials conducted an organized dismissal of students so that the Ascension Parish Sheriffs Office could do a thorough search of the campus. Monceaux said the school was cleared to resume activities including practices and athletic events scheduled for Thursday. The high school will open for classes Friday. I would like to thank our students, teachers, staff, and parents for staying calm during this unusual situation. It is not easy to orchestrate an unplanned dismissal of over 2,400 students, Monceaux said. Police investigating after man shot in Baton Rouge on Wednesday night This is a developing story. Latest News For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to BRProud.com. ASCENSION PARISH, La. (BRPROUD) An Ascension Parish middle school teacher will return to the classroom after the district attorneys office declined to prosecute her charges due to a lack of evidence. Michelle Degroat, a Central Middle School teacher, was charged with principal cruelty to juveniles after school administrators contacted police when they suspected two of their students were beaten by their foster parents. The Gonzales Police Department identified the foster parents as Michelle and her husband Frank Degroat. Frank was charged with cruelty to juveniles. Ascension Parish middle school teacher, husband arrested on cruelty charges Twenty-third Judicial District Attorney Ricky Babin confirmed Thursday that the office did refuse charges on her due to lack of evidence on her. Should additional evidence be uncovered we can proceed at that time against her, he said. Ascension Parish Schools said in a statement that Michelle would be returning to the classroom. Michelle Degroat, a teacher at Central Middle School, will be returning to the classroom following the dismissal of criminal charges by the District Attorneys office, school officials said. We are grateful for the diligent work of law enforcement and legal authorities. Throughout this challenging time, the well-being and integrity of our educational community have remained our top priority. Babin said his office plans to prosecute the charge against Frank Degroat will be prosecuted. Latest News For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to BRProud.com. ASHEVILLE - As the historic Community Reparations Commission works toward its final report, it has a new slate of 108 potential recommendations to consider from Florida-based Carter Development Group, intended to "cease the harm" done by local municipalities against Black residents. A final presentation of the equity audit was heard by the reparations commission March 18, and by Buncombe County commissioners the following evening. The Carter Group's "high impact" recommendations included designating legacy Black communities as historic districts in response to urban renewal an attempt to guard against gentrification, though county commissioners questioned if that would be the outcome and the establishment of a Black Chamber of Commerce. The $174,375 contract cost for the Carter Group's work was shared between the city and county. The consultant called it the first known audit of its nature funded by a municipal and county government. Scenes from the Oct. 7 Community Reparations Summit. Extension calls continue Meanwhile, the commission hurdles toward its June deadline. As they do, some members continue to express the need for an extension. "If we are trying to squeeze in more meetings to finish ... there is clearly more to be done within these next couple months," said commission alternate Osondu McPeters. He said there should be "heavy consideration" of more time. It's not the first extension request made by the commission. An eight-month extension to their two-year timeline was proposed in October 2023, which would have prolonged the process until December 2024. Both city and county agreed only to a June extension. The historic 25-member board is tasked with making short-, medium- and long-term recommendations to repair damage caused by public and private systemic racism. A resolution in support of reparations was first passed by Asheville City Council July 14, 2020. Asheville and Buncombe County are among the first locales in the country to undertake such an effort. No timeline was established in the resolution. Members were appointed to the commission in March 2022. No term limits were included. Sala Menaya-Merritt, the city's new Equity and Inclusion director, who began in January, said if the commission reaches June and needs more time, they can present a plan, which she dubbed a "checkpoint,' to City Council. Dewana Little attends a Communuty Reparations Committee meeting on June 6, 2022. It is a sense of urgency that were all feeling given our timeline and our time constraints, said Reparations Commission Vice Chair Dewana Little at the March 18 meeting. This work will not be done by June. We already know that. If we dont, were not being realistic. This work took hundreds of years to get to this place, the trauma, everything were trying to address. And now (with) community engagement and all of the things, its going to take longer. What were results of the 'equity audit?' After the initial Jan. 22 presentation from the Carter Group, boasting a slate of 70 preliminary recommendations, which have now grown to more than 100, commission members and local activists told the Citizen Times that the report's recommendations, even those that seem to duplicate ongoing efforts, are vital to ensuring the work actually happens. The Carter Group's March presentation to both the reparations commission and county, led by project lead and founder Adrian Carter, highlighted five "high impact" recommendations: Designate legacy communities as historic districts in response to urban renewal, a program of the 1970s and '80s that devastated Black neighborhoods and businesses. Increase jurisdiction linked to school district funding. Develop a procurement industry and utilization dashboard. Create a community led Black Chamber of Commerce. Conduct a Buncombe County disparity study. The city of Asheville has conducted disparity studies since 2018. The audit's recommendations will be evaluated by the reparations commission for possible inclusion in its final report. While some recommendations, like including public health notifications in the BCAlert text messages from Buncombe County, may be immediately actionable, said a March 19 news release from the county, others such as pursuing legislative changes in education may be more aspirational in nature. The county is planning its next five-year strategic plan, and many recommendations from this audit may be incorporated into that plan. In creating its recommendations, Carter said they considered comparable best-practices in other localities, information gathered from county and city staff and the review of more than 1,000 documents, including policies, procedures and reports. The study looked at information from July 2020 to June 2023. Their process did not include community engagement with Asheville residents. A pro-reparations mural painted on the side of Desoto Lounge on Haywood street by local muralist IanThePainter. In its 168-page report, still identified as a "draft," it says the assessment "unveiled racially disparate practices harming African America residents within various sectors," including criminal justice, economic development, education, health and wellness, and housing. A "significant harm," said the report, was the lack of data-drive practices in key government functions. The full draft of the audit can be read online at the county's website. The reparations commission is in the midst of hearing its own Impact Focus Area reports. Most recently, the health and wellness IFA gave a March 18 presentation that offered an overview of its recommendations, which included the establishment of Black healing and birthing centers, no-cost insurance and development and funding for a Black mental health network. Learn more The Community Reparations Commission will next meet at 6 p.m. April 15 in the banquet hall of the Harrah's Cherokee Center. Meetings are open to the public. An intermediate virtual meeting may be announced before then. More: Asheville reparations commission hears 1st results of city, county equity audit More: Asheville Downtown Association pushes hard for Business Improvement District Sarah Honosky is the city government reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. News Tips? Email shonosky@citizentimes.com or message on Twitter at @slhonosky. Please support local, daily journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times. This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Asheville, Buncombe reparations work continues as deadline looms Businesses and people from countries deemed enemies of the U.S. could have a harder time buying farmland under a proposed law. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder A bill aiming to prevent agents of foreign countries deemed hostile to the United States from buying farmland in Georgia is set to go to Gov. Brian Kemps desk after passing the House along party lines Thursday. In a heated floor debate, Democrats and Asian-American lawmakers said the bill would do little to defend U.S. interests but could increase unfair scrutiny of and racism against Asian-Americans and others. Businesses housed in countries with governments designated as a foreign adversary by the United States Secretary of Commerce China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia and Venezuela would be banned from purchasing agricultural land under Senate Bill 420. So would any non-U.S. citizen or legal resident who is an agent of one of those governments, provided they have either been absent from the U.S. for six months out of the last year before the purchase or absent from Georgia for two months out of the year. The proposed law would not apply to residential property, and businesses leasing land from an owner for agricultural research and development or experimental purposes would also be exempt. Rep. David Clark. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder Any such foreign agent would have until July 2027 to get rid of their property. Republicans said the measure is a common-sense way to protect the nations food supply. There are two things that are vital to every countrys national security: a water supply and a food supply, said Buford Republican David Clark. This bill simply protects our valuable agricultural land that produces our food supply. GOP lawmakers pointed to a February drug bust in Pierce County, where investigators arrested four Chinese nationals after turning up a major cannabis operation with more than 11,000 marijuana plants as evidence of the countries ill intent inside the Peach State. Dallas Republican Rep. Martin Momtahan described how his father emigrated from Iran before that countrys Islamic revolution and said both sides should come together and support the measure. According to the last three FBI directors in this country, the last three, including the current sitting FBI director, FBI director Christopher Wray, he said that China was the number one national security threat to this country. Thats bipartisan. I dont care if you voted for red or you voted blue. I can tell you today that both agree that China is the number one threat. This bill is not about xenophobia or racism, these catch words that continue to be thrown around, he said. Im deeply offended. Its about taking action where Congress has failed our state. Reps. Sam Park and Michelle Au. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder Johns Creek Democratic Rep. Michelle Au, whose parents came to the U.S. from China, said regardless of intent, the bill would be perceived as racist and xenophobic by the people it could affect most. This bill does not target intent, it restricts rights based on national origin, which is illegal, she said. Legality aside, put that aside for a moment, this bill, whether its supposed to be or not, paints a picture that residents from certain parts of this world cannot be trusted. They are essentially suspect and potentially traitors simply by dint of their nationality. Think about the message this sends to the international community. Think about the message this sends to business partners whove been proud to welcome and cultivate in the state, bringing vehicle and battery plants, manufacturing, huge technology, and export industries, and thousands of jobs that come with them. Minority Whip Sam Park, a Lawrenceville Democrat whose grandparents were refugees from the Korean War, criticized the exemption for companies doing agricultural research. He said the bill could cast a shadow of suspicion on any Asian-American looking to buy farmland and echoes past examples of anti-Asian racism. From the Chinese Exclusion Act that banned immigration from Asia and prevented all Americans of Asian descent from becoming citizens, to the forced relocation and internment of more than 120,000 Japanese Americans, to the rise in hate crimes and discrimination against Asian-Americans fueled by racist rhetoric and disinformation amidst the COVID -19 pandemic, it seems we have not come as far as we thought with respect to living up to our highest American principles and values of ensuring freedom, equality, and justice for all, he said. Park and other Democrats referenced a Florida law similar to Georgias bill that was put on hold by a federal judge as a case moves forward into its constitutionality. Republicans took exception to charges of racist intent. The bills sponsor in the House, Ashburn Republican Rep. Clay Pirkle, said the bill is more narrowly tailored than Floridas and will survive any potential challenge. Let me first say that theres nothing, there is nothing in this bill that impacts someone that looks like my friends who have spoken earlier, he said, nor does it impact anyone who is living here let me say it again, because this does not impact anyone who is living here, as long as theyre not an agent of a country that is openly hostile to the United States. Rep. Clay Pirkle. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder This bill is about protecting national security and our nations food supply, he added. It ensures our farming community has the ability to feed and clothe Georgians and the world. It ensures those who wish to come here legally and pursue the American dream can do so. It ensures that the pastor who has experienced religious oppression in a country labeled as a foreign adversary can come to the great state of Georgia and work, farm, and raise their family just as I have chosen to. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Asian-American lawmakers decry bill to ban agents of hostile countries from buying Georgia farmland appeared first on Georgia Recorder. A woman who felt she had no choice but to end her life at Dignitas left behind a video message calling on people to help change the law on assisted dying. Paola Marra, who had terminal bowel cancer, died on Wednesday at the Swiss clinic - where people with illnesses leading to death, or unendurable pain or disability, can end their life. The 53-year-old, from London, spoke out in a video published after her death. Currently, UK law prevents people from asking for medical help to die. Assisted dying has been the subject of intense debate recently, particularly after broadcaster Dame Esther Rantzen said in December that she had joined Dignitas as she lives with stage four cancer. The concerns of opponents include fears that vulnerable people could be coerced into assisted dying. In two videos released on Thursday, Ms Marra said she was travelling to Switzerland "to die by choice because there aren't any options in this country". She said: "When you watch this, I will be dead. I'm choosing to seek assisted dying because I refuse to let a terminal illness dictate the terms of my existence. "The pain and suffering can become unbearable. It's a slow erosion of dignity, the loss of independence, the stripping away of everything that makes life worth living. "Assisted dying is not about giving up. In fact, it's about reclaiming control. It's not about death. It's about dignity." In an accompanying open letter, she urged leaders of political parties to listen to the voices of dying people like her and to debate assisted dying in Parliament as a matter of urgency. "I could have had more time with my friends and people who love me [if assisted dying was legal]," she said. "But instead, I will have to go to Dignitas on my own because I don't want them to be questioned by the police or get into trouble." She added: "I resent that I don't have a choice. I think it's unfair and cruel. And for so many dying people who can't afford to pay an average of 15,000 to travel to Dignitas, this cruel law will force them to endure a painful death, or drive them to take their own lives." Dignitas arranges accompanied suicide for people who have an illness leading "inevitably to death, unendurable pain or an unendurable disability", and want to voluntarily end their life. Canadian-born Ms Marra was speaking in a video filmed by prominent photographer Rankin and promoted by the Dignity in Dying campaign group, which believes assisted dying for terminally ill, mentally competent adults should be legal in the UK. Dame Esther Rantzen, who has stage four cancer, has also called for MPs to debate assisted dying Earlier this month, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer pledged on a phone call to Dame Esther that he was "committed" to allowing a vote on legalising assisted dying if Labour won the next general election. Downing Street has previously said it would be up to Parliament to decide whether or not to again debate legalising assisted dying. Laws throughout the UK prevent people from asking for medical help to die. An inquiry by the House of Commons Health and Social Care Committee found evidence assisted dying has led to better end-of-life care in some countries where it is allowed. Both the British Medical Association and Royal College of Nursing have neutral positions on assisted dying, but others argue the current legal position should remain the same. Dr Gordon Macdonald, of anti-assisted dying campaign group Care Not Killing, said he was worried criteria for assisted dying could in time be extended beyond terminally ill people to include those with disabilities, and conditions such as dementia and depression. Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, a leading critic of legalising assisted dying, said there are concerns vulnerable people could be coerced into pursuing assisted dying. She previously said it was not always the "Hollywood death" that some might imagine and that complications could arise once lethal drugs enter the body. Meanwhile, Baroness Ilora Findlay, a crossbench member of the Lords and former president of the Royal Society of Medicine, said evidence from countries where assisted dying laws had changed showed it was difficult to regulate properly. At the time of Dame Esther's announcement, she told the Today programme that the situation in Canada, where assisted dying became legal for those with terminal illnesses in 2016 and was expanded to those with serious and chronic physical conditions in 2021, was "out of control". If you've been affected by issues in this article, help and support is available via the BBC Action Line. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, March 21. Uzbekneftegaz, a state-owned holding company in Uzbekistan's oil and gas industry, aims to generate 29.3 billion cubic meters of gas this year, which is lower than earlier predictions, Trend reports. According to the 2024 state program, the country intends to provide the population and sectors of the economy with uninterrupted access to energy resources. Uzbekneftegaz intends to take a number of geological and technological initiatives to accomplish this goal. Among these are 95 gas wells being drilled, 81 gas wells being restored to function following a full overhaul, and 42 technological measures being implemented. Uzbekneftegaz is to invest more than $320 million in gas well drilling, $45 million in well maintenance, and $79.6 million in geological exploration for these activities. Meanwhile, as per data of Uzbekistan's Statistics Agency, gas production in the country amounted to 3.99 billion cubic meters in January, which is 9.4 percent less compared to January 2023. Furthermore, Condor Energies Inc. (Canada) has signed a contract with Uzbekistan to increase production and overall recovery rates of eight natural gas condensate fields in the country. Condor, through a local subsidiary, will provide production enhancement services under an agreement with Uzbekneftegaz. ATLANTA - Inspired by the sit-ins in Greensboro, North Carolina, a group of Atlanta university students from Clark, Morehouse, Spelman and Morris Brown set out to use non-violent tactics to change America. More than 60 years later, historical markers went up commemorating the work of the Atlanta Student Movement. Atlanta Student Movement historic marker unveiled A historical marker was unveiled to the 60-year legacy of the Atlanta Student Movement on March 20, 2024. (FOX 5) There is a quadrant on Clark Atlanta University's campus that was considered sacred grounds. It is where hundreds of Atlanta University students would gather to pray and organize before marching into Downtown Atlanta to protest white-only businesses and restaurants. "It was probably the first and maybe the only time that you had that cross collegiate unity for any major cause," Morehouse College 1962 graduate Charles Black revealed. Black was a courageous student back in the 1960s who had a burning passion for equality.] Black said it was student leader, Lonnie King, who convinced the students that they could force change in Atlanta. Black recalled the first meeting. "We talked about this non-violent approach. This idea whose time had come," Atlanta Student Movement leader Charles Black recalled. Black said most college presidents in the AUC tried to talk the students out of protesting and boycotting, but they were insistent. "One of them suggested If you are going to do this, you should let the city know, let the world know why you are doing it. And that led to the publication called the Appeal for Human Rights'" Black reflected. A historical marker was unveiled to the 60-year legacy of the Atlanta Student Movement on March 20, 2024. (FOX 5) Legacy of the Atlanta Student Movement Civil rights activist and politician Julian Bond was one of the organizers back then, his son, Atlanta City Council member Michael Julian Bond has been instrumental in ensuring that the story of the Atlanta Student Movement is told. The councilman said it started with a conversation at Yates and Milton Drugstore. "Lonnie King, Dr., Lonnie King approached Joe Pierce and Julian Bond to talk about the Greensboro sit-ins. That is the genesis of the Atlanta Student Movement," Michael Julian Bond shared. A historical marker was unveiled to the 60-year legacy of the Atlanta Student Movement on March 20, 2024. (FOX 5) About 10 of the original students were present as history markers were erected to commemorate their courageous work of desegregation. "These former students not only had to fight against racial injustice from the other side, but they also had to fight the administration. So, we celebrate you," CAU President Dr. George French proclaimed. One of the leaders of the Atlanta Student Movement said the battle is not won and challenged everyone to keep fighting racial injustice in the 21st century. States members voted 18-20 to reject plans to limit the increase to mooring fees An attempt to limit the increase in mooring fees at Guernsey's harbours has failed. An increase for boat owners of 17% and 45% - based on the size of the vessel - will begin on 1 April. The proposal to limit the increase to 10% was lost by 18 votes to 20. Nick Guillemette the president of Guernsey Boatowners Association said he was "incredibly disappointed" by the decision. Deputies Jonathan Le Tocq and John Gollop had argued a flat 24.5% increase across the board should be considered as an option by States members. But their plans were rejected by 11-26 votes. Boat owner John Falla watched the debate from the public gallery and said: "If the Guernsey way of life is to be preserved, boating needs to be affordable for all." John Falla owns a 11m (36ft) yacht David Mahoney, former Policy and Resources member, said the States needed to show some financial responsibility. "This is going to be a long and unproductive 15 months through to the election if this assembly is just going to be driven by what's popular and what isn't." But former Chief Minister Peter Ferbrache said the States had bigger issues to deal with than boat owners. Follow BBC Guernsey on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook. Send your story ideas to channel.islands@bbc.co.uk. More on this story Related internet links LONDON The AUKUS trilateral program to equip Australia with nuclear submarines moved ahead on March 21 with an announcement that BAE Systems and ASC Pty will lead the industrial team being formed to build the boats. The mega deal involving the two companies is slated to produce a BAE-designed fleet of nuclear attack submarines for Australia by the early 2040s under the Australian-British-U.S. initiative. Per the AUKUS agreement, Australia and the U.K. will eventually operate a common class of nuclear submarines, incorporating technology from all three nations. The boats will be based on Britains next-generation design, now in its its early stages at BAE. The U.S. Navy will supply Australia with three Virginia-class submarines, maybe more, as an interim measure ahead of delivery of any Anglo-Australian boats. The announcement of the industrial tie-up was made by Richard Marles, Australian deputy prime minister and defense minister, during a visit by British Defence Secretary Grant Shapps. The two ministers signed a new defense and security pact on the previous day, which among other things will make it easier to facilitate U.K. submarine crews visiting Australia as part of the AUKUS partnership. BAE Systems and ASC, Canberras builder and maintainer of conventional submarines, will initially work together under a collaborative arrangement in Australia before formalizing to a more long-term joint venture. BAE Systems chief executive Charles Woodburn said work on delivering the new class of submarine, known as the SSN-AUKUS, was already well underway in the UK. Were already making good progress on the design and development of the next-generation submarine in the UK where we have more than 1,000 people working on the SSN-AUKUS program and major infrastructure investment underway, said Woodburn. The British shipbuilder already has experience working with the Australian maritime industry and navy. The company is currently building a fleet of anti-submarine frigates for the Australian sea service based on its Type 26 design. SSN-AUKUS will start to replace the Astute class, which BAE is currently building at its site in Barrow-in-Furness in the northwest of England, from the late 2030s. The industrial tie-up announcement follows a nearly 4 billion ($5 billion) contract award to BAE by the British government for the next phase of the joint submarine program last October. The funding covers development work through to 2028, enabling BAE to progress the detailed design phase of the program and procure long-lead items. The award also funds significant infrastructure investment in Barrow, which will see the sites facilities double in size from 80,000 to 160,000 square meters by the late 2030s. The MoD termed the arrangement a monumental success for British industry. BAE has already increased its U.K. submarines workforce to 13,500, and there are plans to grow to that number to around 17,000 at its peak to support SSN-AUKUS and other nuclear vessels. AUSTIN (KXAN) Thursday, Austin City Council approved the purchase of more than 100 acres of land off of East Riverside and Montopolis, home to the former Tokyo Electron Campus. Mayor Kirk Watson said he hopes the City of Austin can build at least 1,100 housing units there right on the proposed light rail line. Council Member Jose Velasquez, who oversees the district this property is in, said he hopes it provides more opportunity for housing in an area that has been ravaged by displacement and gentrification. The vote passed with only Council Member Mackenzie Kelly abstaining. She said she chose not to vote on the item because she thinks its important for the Council and the community to have more time to evaluate a complex project of this size. Go Austin/Vamos Austin (GAVA) a group that focuses on Austins Eastern Crescent showed up Thursday to express concerns about just how affordable the units built on that land will actually be. The groups executive director is also a candidate for mayor. Im uncomfortable with this decision, like a lot of decisions I think were made very quickly. I am concerned about the amount of public investment for what were actually getting, particularly because this is an anti-displacement fund that were pulling from, said Carmen Llanes Pulido, executive director of GAVA and mayoral candidate. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Austin eyes 107-acre affordable housing investment near future light rail line According to council documents, the property will cost the City of Austin roughly $87 million if the sale goes through. Of that, more than $27 million will come from Project Connect anti-displacement funds. The council also voted to allocate those dollars Thursday during its Austin Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) Board of Directors meeting. Its still very preliminary, we just approved purchasing the property. But we want to ensure because were using anti-displacement funds that we are ensuring that there are affordable and deeply affordable units on site, said Velasquez. We asked Mayor Kirk Watson about that earlier this week too. He said because the city is acting as a developer, it will have the ability to make units deeply affordable. He also wants to create workforce housing for people like teachers and first responders. This is too good an opportunity to pass up and we need to move fast, he said. Mayoral candidates chime in The project will likely fall into the lap of the person you select to be mayor in November. Former Austin City Council Member and mayoral candidate Kathie Tovo also brought up the importance of affordable housing, alongside community resources like childcare, but also touched on the environment and how the units should be built. LIST: Whos running for Austin City Council, mayor in 2024? That the project really becomes an example of high-quality, sustainable design. So I would expect to see some really strong environmental provisions here to really set an example as a city for how sustainable development can be, Tovo said. Meanwhile, candidate Doug Greco wrote: 87 Million DOLLARS is a lot of taxpayer money, so if the purchase goes through there needs to be a heck of a lot of conversations with taxpayers about how they want their money spent. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. AUSTIN (KXAN) During an event Wednesday, the Austin ISD Police Department announced the creation of its new motorcycle unit. AISD Police said the motorcycle division would be mainly used for elementary schools starting with 35 officers. Our team of Austin ISD police officers are responsible for supporting more than 73,000 students and 113 of our campuses, the district said. AISD police announce new unit expansion (KXAN photo/Frank Martinez) AISD police announce new unit expansion (KXAN photo/Frank Martinez) AISD police announce new unit expansion (KXAN photo/Frank Martinez) Dozens of additional officers were expected to join the district in response to a new law that requires an armed officer on every school campus. PAST COVERAGE: Austin ISD police to add more officers, motorcycle division Upon the passing of Texas HB3 in 2023, the Austin ISD school board voted to hire additional district police officers to support campuses and comply with the law, the district said. The event also served as a launch for the recruitment efforts for the unit, according to the department. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles speaks to the media during a press conference with UK Secretary of State for Defence Grant Shapps at Parliament House in Canberra. Lukas Coch/AAP/dpa Australia signed a deal on Thursday to export more than 100 armoured vehicles to Germany, in an agreement being touted as the Australian defence industry's biggest contract ever. Under the agreement, German arms maker Rheinmetall will build the Boxer heavy weapon carrier vehicles at its factory in the eastern Australian state of Queensland. The vehicles will then be exported for use by the German Army. The agreement has now been passed through the German parliament, after Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese witnessed the signing of the in-principle agreement between Germany and Australia during his visit to Berlin in July. The agreement, worth over 1 billion Australian dollars ($662 million US) to the Australian economy, will secure more than 600 direct jobs, with even more through the supply chain, Albanese said. Australia's Minister for Defence Richard Marles said the deal was the the biggest defence export agreement in the country's history. The build and export of Boxer Heavy Weapon Carrier vehicles to the German Army highlights a strengthening of the relationship between our two countries," he said in a statement. FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Biden meets with Australian PM Albanese and British PM Sunak at Naval Base Point Loma in San Diego By Lewis Jackson SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia said Thursday it would spend billions on docks, shipyards and factories at home and in Britain for nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS security pact, and named Britain's BAE Systems to help build the boats. The AUKUS agreement among Australia, Britain and the United States will see Australia buy up to five nuclear submarines from Washington in the early 2030s before jointly building and operating a new class, SSN-AUKUS, with Britain, roughly a decade later. The pact, which will see Australia become the seventh nation to operate nuclear-powered submarines, will stress shipyards in Britain and the United States that are already beset by delays and cost overruns. To help alleviate the strain, Australia will give Britain 2.4 billion pounds ($3.1 billion) toward design work on the conventionally armed SSN-AUKUS and expanding a Rolls-Royce plant that builds nuclear reactors for submarines. Australia has already agreed to invest $3 billion in U.S. shipyards, which build the Virginia-class nuclear submarines it will be sold early next decade amid concerns that a backlog of orders could jeopardize the deal. "What AUKUS is doing is allowing Australian industry to further invest here, but there are opportunities also opening up with our UK and US partners," Defence Minister Richard Marles said in a statement on Thursday. Australia will also invest A$1.5 billion ($993 million) to prepare a naval base in Western Australia for nuclear submarines, in particular a U.S. and British force set to be based there part of each year starting in 2027. The total cost of the work is expected to be about A$8 billion. The Australian and British foreign and defence ministers will officially launch the investments on Friday at a joint news conference at shipyards in South Australia, where Australia will build its AUKUS fleet. Australia said BAE Systems had been selected to build the submarines in South Australia in partnership with local naval firm ASC. Work is expected to start in the late 2020s, after at least A$2 billion worth of new shipbuilding facilities are completed. Once the submarines are in the water, ASC will handle maintenance and logistics. The firm, which builds and maintains Australia's diesel-powered Collins-class fleet, will work with unspecified U.S. and British companies. SSN-AUKUS submarines will also be built in Britain, and BAE won a 4 billion pound ($5.1 billion) contract in October 2023 to start design work and infrastructure at the shipyard at Barrow-in-Furness. Nuclear submarines require a specialised workforce and BAE and ASC will set up a joint skills centre in South Australia to begin training workers. Australia plans to send roughly 100 ASC workers to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, next year to train at the U.S. naval facility there. ($1 = 0.7816 pounds) ($1 = 1.5110 Australian dollars) (Reporting by Lewis Jackson. Editing by Gerry Doyle) Secretary of State for Defence of the UK Shapps and Australian Defence Minister Marles exchange Defence Treaty documents during a meeting in Canberra Secretary of State for Defence of the UK Shapps and Australian Defence Minister Marles exchange Defence Treaty documents during a meeting in Canberra By Kirsty Needham and Renju Jose SYDNEY (Reuters) -Australia and Britain have signed a new defence and security agreement that makes it easier for their defence forces to operate together in each other's countries and Australia chose BAE Systems to help build new submarines. British Foreign Secretary David Cameron and Defence Secretary Grant Shapps were in Australia for annual talks on Friday with their counterparts in Adelaide. The treaty signed on Thursday requires the two nations to consult each other if they come under threat, Shapps told reporters in Canberra. "The need to act together [has] never been more pressing than it is today," said Shapps. Under the AUKUS agreement, a security pact between Australia, Britain and the United States launched in 2021, Australia also named BAE, Britain's biggest defence company, to build nuclear submarines in partnership with Australia-based naval firm ASC. Shapps said the enhanced cooperation between the countries reflected a shift from a post-war world to a pre-war world. "Not because we are about to go to war tomorrow, I hope, but because we need to be more prepared than ever before. Our stance needs to change," he said, pointing to the conflict in Ukraine as being relevant to the Indo-Pacific region. Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles said the treaty added a strategic dimension to one of Australia's oldest partnerships, noting that Britain had a much bigger presence in the Indo-Pacific region than it has in a long time and would send a carrier strike group to the region next year. Marles said Britain would contribute to a submarine rotational force in Australia, and that the treaty would strengthen the ability of the two militaries to work together. Britain will also contribute to a Combined Intelligence Centre in Australia, within Australia's Defence Intelligence Organisation. Under AUKUS, Australia will buy several U.S. Virginia-class submarines in the next decade, and build a new AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine at Adelaide shipyards by 2040. Australia is boosting defence interoperability and military exercises with the United States and regional partners after a defence review last year said China was undertaking the largest military build-up of any country since the end of World War Two. (Reporting by Kirsty Needham and Renju Jose in Sydney; additional reporting by Sarah Young in London, Editing by Tom Hogue, Cynthia Osterman, Gerry Doyle and Alex Richardson) Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer said that Vienna opposes the idea of using the profits from Russia's frozen assets to provide weapons for Ukraine. Source: European Pravda; Karl Nehammer in an interview with the media before the summit of EU leaders, commenting on the proposal of the European Commission to transfer profits from Russias frozen assets in the EU to weapons for Ukraine. Nehammer said that Vienna supports using these funds to restore Ukraine but is against using them to finance military assistance. "We, as a neutral state, want to be sure that the money we allow to be used [to support Ukraine] is not going to weapons and ammunition. Initially, it was discussed that the funds would be invested in the reconstruction of Ukraine. I consider this proposal reasonable," the Austrian Chancellor said. At the same time, Olaf Scholz, the Chancellor of Germany, and Alexander De Croo, the Prime Minister of Belgium, supported using the proceeds from Russian assets for military assistance to Ukraine. According to the proposal of the European Commission, 90% of the profit from immobilised sovereign assets of the Russian Federation are to be sent through the European Peace Facility to purchase weapons for Ukraine. The rest will be used for restoration and reconstruction. The leaders of the 27 EU countries will discuss the proposal at a summit on Thursday, however, according to media reports, it is unlikely that a final decision will be made because of the position of some countries. Support UP or become our patron! Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer said on March 21 that he is opposed to the idea that profits from frozen Russian assets be used to buy weapons for Ukraine. The European Commission has proposed to use 90% of the profits to purchase weapons for Kyiv and allocate the remaining 10% to the EU budget to support Ukraine's defense industry. The proposed measure would allocate around 3 billion euros ($3.3 billion) to Ukraine per year. Ukraine's Western partners and other allies froze around $300 billion in Russian assets at the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022, with roughly two-thirds held at the Belgium-based financial services company Euroclear. While some leaders, such as German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, backed the idea, Nehammer publicly voiced opposition to the proposal. "For us neutral (countries), it must be ensured that money, for which we give our approval, is not spent on weapons and ammunition," he said. Vienna has denounced Russian aggression against Ukraine and provided Kyiv with economic and humanitarian aid but refused to donate lethal military assistance due to its neutrality policy. Austria also has close and long-standing economic ties with Russia. The Austrian Raiffeisen Bank International has not left Russia despite sanctions and is one of two foreign banks classified as "systemically important" by the Russian central bank. Read also: Reuters: Ukraine refuses to remove Austrian Raiffeisen bank from sponsors of war list Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, March 21. Belarusian brands plan to expand their presence in the Uzbek market by starting production of their products locally, Trend reports. The official source claims that Ibrokhim Abdurakhmonov, the Uzbek minister of agriculture, and Sergei Bartosh, the Belarusian minister of agriculture and food, engaged on this subject during a video conference. During the meeting, the parties agreed to launch food production facilities in different regions of Uzbekistan; they specifically decided to start producing meat and dairy goods under Belarusian brands. Furthermore, they discussed the implementation of projects for the production and processing of poultry with the participation of the Belarusian Servolux company in the Tashkent region, as well as the production of dairy products under the Savushkin Product brand in the Samarkand region. The parties also announced plans to test elite seed potato types selected in Belarus in Uzbekistan and to introduce a technique for growing plants under controlled environments. Meanwhile, following the visit of Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko to Uzbekistan in February this year, the presidents of the two countries signed 14 agreements on cooperation in various fields. The head of the Grayvoronsky District in Russia's Belgorod Oblast has called on fellow Russians to leave nearby settlements in the region bordering Ukraine. Source: Gennady Bondarev, the Head of the Grayvoronsky District, on his Telegram channel A few hours after posting this message, Bondarev deleted it. Quote: "I appeal to those who remain in the border settlements of the district. The situation remains tense. I ask you to make the right decision and temporarily leave the border areas... Once again, this applies only to border settlements." Details: Bondarev also said that residents of Yaroslavl Oblast are ready to accept those temporarily forced to leave their homes. They also suggest organising an evacuation from Belgorod Oblast to Yaroslavl Oblast: "We will try to deliver food to residents [of border settlements], but this depends on the operational situation." Recently, Viacheslav Gladkov, the governor of Belgorod Oblast, said that roadblocks would be set up at the entrances to seven border settlements in the oblast, where Russian border guards, employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and local administrative officials will be on duty. Among these seven settlements was the city of Grayvoron. Previously: Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) reports that the authorities of Belgorod Oblast of the Russian Federation decided to evacuate local residents due to a military operation carried out by anti-regime Russian volunteer soldiers. DIU intercepted a conversation between a local resident and the police, which confirmed that the population of the town of Grayvoron was being evacuated. Gladkov stated that 9,000 children were being evacuated from Belgorod and the border areas of the oblast. Background: Fighting has been underway between the Russian military and armed Russian volunteers who are fighting on the side of Ukraine, namely the Freedom of Russia Legion, the Russian Volunteer Corps and the Sibir Battalion. The faceoffs began on 12 March 2024 in the border areas of the Belgorod and Kursk oblasts. On 13 March, Russian volunteer soldiers issued a joint statement announcing attacks on Russian military positions in Belgorod and Kursk and calling on local residents to evacuate. Later, the Russian Volunteer Corps called on all residents in Kursk and Bryansk oblasts who did not have time or could not evacuate to head for shelters immediately. Support UP or become our patron! North Carolina has proudly held the title of Americas Top State for Business for the past two years, thanks to pro-business policies that have driven job growth and unprecedented investments across the state. Recent news about the federal Department of Transportations (USDOT) tentative decision to terminate approval of the Joint Cooperation Agreement (JCA) between Delta Air Lines and Aeromexico raises concerns about the impact on N.C. consumers and our business environment. Termination of this strategic partnership could result in the loss of up to 23 flights between the U.S. and Mexico, including the route from Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) to Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX). As a member of the RDU board, I understand the importance of these flights for North Carolina businesses. Last year, more than 125,000 passengers traveled from North Carolina to Mexico on various flights. Patrick Hannah Whether for business or leisure, all who wish to travel from North Carolina to Mexico and vice versa will be adversely affected should the federal transportation department move forward with terminating the JCA. The loss of these routes will reduce service and market competition, which could in turn force travelers to pay higher airfare. Our business community will also be impacted. Several of North Carolinas leading companies, including TE Connectivity, Volvo Group and Trane Technologies, conduct business in Mexico and travel there frequently using the route from RDU to MEX. Its worth noting that trade between North Carolina and Mexico continues to flourish. According to the Mexican Embassy, in 2022, trade between the two exceeded $15.8 billion and supported more than 150,000 jobs in the Tar Heel state. If travel to Mexico becomes more costly and more challenging, it could put thousands of jobs at risk. While I understand the USDOTs intent to ensure Mexico honors the U.S.-Mexico Air Services agreement, terminating the JCA seems excessively punitive. This tentative decision is counterproductive and will not resolve concerns with Mexicos aviation policies. It will only harm American communities, including those in North Carolina. Instead of rushing into this decision, I urge the transportation department to pause and allow for negotiations between both governments to continue. Alternatively, it could explore other regulatory actions to uphold the air services agreement without adversely affecting American consumers and businesses. North Carolinas success has been built on pro-business policies. The transportation departments abrupt proposal to end the JCA has not been finalized, so there is still time for the department to reconsider and reverse its decision. It is in the best interest of North Carolina and the broader American economy for the transportation department to preserve this strategic partnership. Patrick Hannah is a member of the Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) Airport Authority Board and former chairman of the Durham Area Transit Authority. Bald eagles Liberty and Guardian have been protecting two eggs for over a month in their Northern California nest. Now one egg is on hatch watch also called pip watch as of Thursday, March 21, according to the Facebook page Friends of the Redding Eagles. Eagle eggs typically hatch after 35 to 40 days of incubation, so its possible Libertys first egg that was laid Feb. 15 at Turtle Bay could start the hatching process in the coming days. But we might not see an eaglet immediately. Bald eagle dad Guardian incubates two eggs on March 20 after giving Liberty a break from the nest. Whats the eagle hatching process? First, a pip is created when a baby eagle uses a tooth on its beak to crack a hole on the membrane of the egg, according to the Friends of Big Bear Valley. Then the eaglet can take its first breath and can be heard peeping, the group said. From there, the eaglet will slowly start to use its beak to scratch the inside of the shell until it pecks a hole through the external part of the shell. Then it will crack completely, according to Journey North, a nonprofit science program affiliated with the University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum. The process may take a day or two, the group said. One of three eggs broke Liberty laid her second egg Feb. 18, followed by her third egg three days later. One of the three eggs was seen cracked Feb. 29 in the nest, after the area was hit with blustery winds, McClatchy News reported. Because of this, the group doesnt know which egg broke apart. If it was egg #1 then that would delay things for a few more days, the groups founder and director Terri Lhuillier told McClatchy News. What are the signs an eagle is hatching? Viewers can watch Liberty and Guardian tend to their eggs on a live camera on YouTube. Although the eggs arent typically visible on the camera like they have been in Jackie and Shadows nest in Big Bear. Thats because the nest bole where Liberty and Guardian keep their eggs is very deep, according to the group. One of the eagle parents looking down toward the eggs that are deep in the nest on March 20. As you can see we cant see eggs even when Liberty and Guardian are off the nest, the group said in a post. We have gotten glimpses of those eggs and they are absolutely perfect!! But there will be many signs the eggs have hatched. The group said Liberty will look down when they begin to chirp inside the egg. The two parents will also keep their bodies further above the nest so theres room for the eaglets, and they will eventually bring food for the baby eagles. Group is hopeful for eaglets Although Liberty and Guardian werent lucky last year when both of their eggs cracked, Lhuillier said everything seems to be right on track for a successful hatch this year! Lhuillier also said the two parents have been paying close attention to eggs this year as theyve taken turns incubating the eggs. Plus she said Liberty, who is 25 years old, has raised 26 eagles over the past 18 years, six of which have been with Guardian. Anything can happen in nature of course, but I have a really good feeling that we will see 2 little gray, fuzzy bobbleheads in this next week! Lhuillier said. Bald eagle eggs wont hatch after parents abandon them in Virginia nest. Sad day Bald eagle dad Shadow defends nest from intruder in California. Bring it! Bald eagle mom protects eggs for 62 hours during CA snowstorm. See photos Beale Air Force Base, California, will soon bring on a new mission to replace two fleets of reconnaissance aircraft that have defined the installation since the 1970s. The Air Force announced Tuesday that Beale will add a new battle management control squadron, bringing 140 personnel to the base in the coming years. Squadron staff are expected to begin arriving this summer. Air Force prepares to retire U-2 spy planes in 2026 The service called the move a vital step in its effort to modernize battle management, the enterprise that handles data on potential threats, troop movements and other information the military needs to plan and direct operations. The Air Force hopes it can leverage an array of sensors and new artificial intelligence tools to provide that data, rather than relying on fleets of purpose-built aircraft and manual analysis. While the Air Force declined to provide specifics of what Beales new squadron will do, it said the unit will integrate with the bases Common Mission Control Center, run by the 427th Reconnaissance Squadron. The center consolidates information like images, target-tracking data and other communications collected around the clock by the militarys network of aircraft, satellites, ships, ground radars and more, then analyzes and shares it with other units and decisionmakers. The squadron will perform battle management of manned and unmanned new and legacy aircraft, and allow greater collaboration between information systems, the Air Force said in a release. Its unclear whether the new squadron will absorb airmen who operate Beales fleet of U-2 Dragon Lady aircraft, which are slated to retire starting in fiscal year 2026. The announcement follows the stand-up of the 728th Battle Management Control Squadron at Robins AFB, Georgia, in February 2023. That squadron is tasked with helping to deconflict airspace, set rendezvous points for aerial refueling and provide tactical reconnaissance in U.S. Central Command. It was established as Robins prepared to retire its E-8 Joint STARS ground target-tracking fleet, the last of which left the base late last year. The 728th absorbed airmen from the 116th and 461st Air Control Wings, which flew JSTARS, and took over duties from the 727th Expeditionary Air Control Squadron, which is now based at Shaw AFB, South Carolina. Pizza through a straw? How U-2 pilots snack at 70,000 feet Like Robins, Beale will pivot to a larger battle management role as it phases out multiple legacy aircraft: the U-2 and the RQ-4 Global Hawk reconnaissance drone. Beales 27 Cold War-era U-2 spy planes rotate through military installations around the globe on high-altitude reconnaissance missions that require their pilots wear astronaut-like suits to breathe at the edge of Earths atmosphere. But service officials argue there are more reliable, cost-effective ways to photograph enemy compounds and military buildups. Air Force fiscal 2025 budget documents include plans to scale back the planes maintenance funding by more than $85 million. One of Beales U-2 trainers took its final flight earlier this year as the base prepares to downsize the rest of the fleet. Beale retired its last RQ-4, the high-flying drone that was meant to replace the U-2, in 2022. Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo endorsed a European Union proposal to utilize profits from frozen Russian financial assets to procure arms for Ukraine, as EU leaders prepare to discuss the plan at an upcoming summit, Reuters reported on March 21. "It's a good proposal," De Croo said. "I think it's a sensible way of doing it. I think the idea to allocate it predominantly to the purchase of weapons makes total sense." Under the Commission's proposal, 90% of the profits will be channelled through the European Peace Facility fund to buy weapons for Ukraine. The rest will be used for recovery and reconstruction. Read also: Russia summons Swiss ambassador over countrys decision to support confiscation of Russian assets for reparations to Ukraine Ukraine would also receive the tax that the Belgian government puts on the profits. For 2024, this is expected to amount to 1.7 billion euros ($1.85 billion), of which 1.5 billion euros ($1.63) will be paid this year. On March 20, Josep Borrell said that the amount that could be received from the proceeds of frozen Russian assets could total to about 3 billion ($3.25 billion) a year, which would be used for military and civilian support for Ukraine. Earlier it was reported that on Feb. 12, Council of the European Union approved a resolution that allows to use profits from frozen Russian assets for Ukraine. Read also: US should provide aid to Ukraine via interest-free loan Senator Graham On Jan. 29, EU ambassadors agreed on a proposal to use profits from Russian assets frozen in the EU to support Ukraine's recovery. On Jan. 23, Josep Borrell, said that a decision on the use of frozen Russian assets would be made before the next meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council, by March 18. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the outlines of the decisions necessary for the transfer of frozen Russian assets to Ukraine are already being prepared. Read also: UK spearheads confiscating Russian assets He called for the transfer of frozen Russian assets abroad, which amount to about $300 billion, to Ukraine. On March 13, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that there are frozen assets that can ensure Ukraine's victory over the aggressor, but they are in no hurry to transfer them to the Ukrainian side. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine A Washington County judge has declared a Belleville man unfit to stand trial for his alleged role in a shooting death. Milton Robinson, 58, was charged with first-degree murder along with two others in the July 2023 shooting death of 44-year-old Montez Pearson, of East St. Louis. A hearing to determine his fitness to stand trial was scheduled for June 18, but without objection from the county prosecutor, the judge on Tuesday cited a mental evaluation report presented by defense attorney Paige Clark Strawn and made the early ruling. Parties stipulate that if Dr. (Daniel) Cuneo were called to testify that he would testify substantially as contained in his report, according to court records. Based on that, the Court finds that the Defendant is unfit to stand trial and that there is a substantial probability that if provided with a course of inpatient (treatment), the Defendant would attain fitness within the course of one year. Strawn raised concern about Robinsons fitness for trial in February, based on her conversations with him and his demeanor, according to court records. With Tuesdays ruling on his fitness, Robinson was turned over to custody of the Illinois Department of Human Services. In an interview Thursday, Strawn said she could not be specific about her clients multiple conditions other than to say his medical records reflect a lengthy history of issues. She said Robinson likely will be sent to Alton Mental Health Center for treatment. When he gets fit, God willing, hell come back and stand trial, she said. Right now, he cannot communicate to help me with his defense. I think itll be a matter of getting him back to taking his medication regularly. Im surprised it took him this long to disintegrate, for lack of a better word, because hes been off his medications for some time. Robinsons progress will be assessed in place of the previously scheduled fitness hearing in June, Strawn said. According to charging documents, Pearson was shot in the head with a shotgun. His body was found on July 19 west of Nashville in the area of Lunte Creek Road, according to Illinois State Police. Kevin Loucks, 44, also of Belleville, already has been convicted of murder in connection with Persons death. Loucks was arrested July 23 after a search warrant was executed at his residence in Belleville. Robinson and Sanders were arrested shortly after. A third suspect, Arrion Sanders, 46, is scheduled on April 2. According to Washington County court records, Sanders has filed an affirmative defense, meaning he admits his involvement in Pearsons death, but will present evidence in a trial intended to legally justify his actions. During the investigation, Illinois State Police received assistance from the Washington County Sheriffs Office and the Belleville Police Department. At last, some bold decision-making from Unilever, a company that has become synonymous with corporate drift and turned mediocrity into an art form. Not only that, but a move that could provide a much-needed boost to Londons dwindling status as a global financial centre. The consumer goods goliath has decided to hive off its ice cream operations, paving the way for an entirely new listed company to emerge on the London Stock Exchange at a time when the City is reeling from an exodus of top names. With a predicted value of 15bn for a business that includes big brands such as Walls and Magnum, the FTSE 100 should get a new constituent that resonates strongly with investors. There are suggestions that the Unilever board could choose to float the division in New York or Amsterdam instead but that shouldnt even be a consideration. Nothing about Unilever is American, and a previous attempt to deepen its presence in the Netherlands at the expense of the UK ended in a humiliating about-turn and the swift exit of chief executive Paul Polman. Still, it may not even get to that, thanks to a potentially gigantic poison pill in the form of the noisy folk at Ben & Jerrys, who have a disproportionate amount to say about world affairs given that its primary contribution to the planet is ice cream. As the Home Office sources reportedly remarked after the company felt compelled to comment on Britains immigration policy, this is an outfit that makes overpriced junk food. So what gives it the right to be so high and mighty? On that occasion its comments werent just nauseating, they were hypocritical, too. It took years of migrant dairy workers on its Vermont farms complaining of low wages, punishing hours and poor housing before a company that thinks its products can change the world signed up to an initiative guaranteeing better treatment. It says something that Ben & Jerrys persistent outspokenness has been a constant thorn in the side of Unilever, an organisation that has repeatedly prioritised woolly causes above the more mundane day-to-day business of making a profit. At times its hard to tell whether Unilever is a commercial concern or an NGO but Ben & Jerrys takes the muddled do-goodery to the absolute extreme. It is somewhat baffling that Unilever has failed to cast adrift a brand that has always possessed the potential to go off the deep end. A big part of the problem is that Unilever agreed to allow Ben & Jerrys to have its own independent board when it bought the business in 2000 making it impossible to rein in. Its a decision that looks horribly naive with hindsight. Yet most other companies would be quick to rid themselves of any rogue elements. Unilever owns a portfolio of 400 different products, which it has slimmed down on numerous occasions in recent years. Why hasnt Ben & Jerrys been among those jettisoned? It is just another example of a poorly-managed corporation failing to take decisive action when a major issue presents itself. Unilever had the perfect opportunity to cut ties with Ben & Jerrys under previous chief executive Alan Jope after it felt compelled to speak out against American foreign policy after Russia invaded Ukraine. Alan Jope, former chief executive officer of Unilever, missed an opportunity to jettison Ben & Jerry's in 2022 - Bridget Bennett/Bloomberg Ben & Jerrys concern? Not Vladimir Putins slaughter of thousands of innocent Ukrainians, nor solidarity with the people of Ukraine but Washingtons decision to bolster security in the region by sending more troops to Eastern Europe. Joe Biden was fanning the flames of war. It wasnt just an outrageous claim, it was also terribly timed. Jope was under serious pressure to restore credibility after an ill-judged blockbuster takeover bid for half of GSK was emphatically rejected by shareholders. The distraction of a public relations fiasco caused by insensitive and ill-informed colleagues thousands of miles away threatened to be hugely undermining. That was the moment to set Ben & Jerrys free. Yet Unilevers ability to act was constrained by its own shoddy decisions over the war in Ukraine. By choosing to keep doing business in Russia, it is hardly in a position to take the moral high ground when it comes to the stance of others. In principle, a stand-alone company housing some of the best known ice cream brands on the planet is a tasty proposition. It has steady turnover of nearly 7bn and with a whopping 20pc of the market, is the industrys number one player. Unilever would also finally get to offload a perennial problem child in the process in theory, at least. However, given Ben & Jerrys track record of woefully misplaced activism and a promise from the chairman to continue its campaigning under new ownership, would it be such a shock if potential investors considered the brand too toxic and gave it a wide berth? As proven by the rapid retreat from UK equities, fund managers are a risk averse bunch these days. At the very least, the business might be given a woke discount that depresses the share price. Spin-offs usually invite takeover interest, too, which might melt Unilevers ice cream dreams once and for all. CVC bought Unilevers tea division for 4.5bn (3.9bn) in 2021 and KKR forked out 6bn for its margarine business in 2017. There are reports that Unilever is trying to drum up interest among private equity buyers precisely the kind of owner that is likely to leave the self-righteous souls on Ben & Jerrys independent board choking on all that chocolate fudge brownie. 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. BENSENVILLE, Ill. Bensenville Village President Frank DeSimone is asking for Fenton School District 100s superintendent to resign. This comes after a teacher was fired over alleged sexual abuse allegations. Fenton families demand resignation of superintendent, school board over staff member sexual abuse allegations In order for our community to begin to heal, I am calling for Fenton District 100s superintendent to step down, DeSimone said in the letter. In addition, I am also calling for the Fenton School Board to investigate and remove anyone who knew of these allegations and chose to do nothing. You can read the full letter below. Letter-to-the-Fenton-High-Board-of-Education-Download On Monday, the teacher accused of sexual abuse that went on for years was fired. Sources told WGN News that staff member had been on paid leave. WGN News is not naming the teacher because he has not been charged with a crime. The Bensenville Police Department is investigating. Earlier this month, what appeared to be a police report of the alleged sexual abuse was published on social media, but the police department hasnt confirmed its authenticity. The report details sexual abuse allegations with at least one student that dates back decades. On Wednesday, the school board meeting was explosive and packed with people who were upset. They too were calling for the resignation of Superintendent James Ongtengco and other administrators. When asked if he would resign, Ongtengco said no comment. School Board President Cary Lewis said absolutely not. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 21. The international community must follow principles consistent with the UN Charter and international humanitarian law and avoid double standards in the conflicts in Ukraine and the Gaza Strip, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at the EU summit in Brussels, Trend reports. The UN Secretary General noted the unprecedented number of victims in the Gaza Strip. "While we condemn the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7, we also condemn what we are seeing now: an unprecedented number of victims in the Gaza Strip. We must adhere to the principles both in Ukraine and in the Gaza Strip, without double standards," he added. Anxiety levels among influential Democrats over Joe Bidens place atop the ticket have begun to ebb, with even some of the partys loudest fretters saying that hes taken the steps needed to calm their nerves. A combination of a more vigorous campaign schedule and a rousing State of the Union address has left top party operatives more comfortable with the current state of the campaign, even if it has yet to produce a more meaningful bump in the polls. The State of the Union rarely provides much of a bounce, said David Axelrod, a former senior adviser to then-President Barack Obama. What was absolutely essential was that Biden show enough spark to quell the panic among his supporters, and he certainly did that. Axelrod has been among the most vocal in his concerns about Bidens electoral prospects, even calling on the president to consider dropping out of the race after a series of polls emerged showing him trailing Donald Trump in critical battleground states. But he said he believed Biden had begun making a good contrast with Trump. Doubts from leading Democrats over Bidens prospects have long rankled the White House and the president himself, according to two aides not authorized to speak publicly about private conversations. Among Biden advisers, there was a recognition that they needed to address the fears being expressed from operatives like Axelrod and influential journalists like Ezra Klein, who penned a widely-read essay calling for Biden to step aside. That became especially true after former special counsel Robert Hur issued a report on Bidens handling of classified documents that portrayed the president as a forgetful old man. But Biden aides expressed confidence they could quiet the skepticism by ramping up campaign activities and performing well in the primaries. We were right before and well be right again, said one of the Biden advisers who was granted anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. Were staying the course. Aides say they now feel vindicated as they watched the partys boldface names do an about-face to praise the State of the Union and quiet their worries. It was very clear that the State of the Union was geared toward one audience: calming the fears of Democrats who are nervous about this election, and the president hit a home run, said Morgan Jackson, a senior adviser to Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper of North Carolina. Youll ultimately see poll numbers rebound, but you wont see them go up until theres sustained paid communications around it. Thats how you move numbers. To get those numbers up, the Biden team is dumping $30 million in TV and digital ads over the next month across seven swing states, drilling into the contrast between Biden and Trump. One Democrat close to the campaign who is not authorized to speak publicly acknowledged that while they dont think we need to see massive movement by the end of April, we do need to see that we can move people when we have the audience and were spending significant money. Where numbers are in five weeks thats what Im watching, the person added. The presidents campaign schedule has also ramped up significantly in March. Biden headlined events in New Hampshire, Wisconsin and Michigan last week and then zipped through Nevada and Arizona on Tuesday and Wednesday. He swung through Texas for several campaign fundraisers on Wednesday and Thursday. Comparatively, Trumps travel schedule has been light as his campaign tries to conserve resources. Would we love Biden to be up in the polls in Arizona? Of course. But were still at the point where voters havent fully tuned in yet, said DJ Quinlan, a Democratic strategist in Arizona who worked on Sen. Mark Kellys recent campaigns. Its going to come down to who executes better in the state because its so closely divided, and weve got infrastructure weve built from winning statewide campaigns for years now. Few, if any, Democrats say that the stretch Biden has had since the State of the Union foreshadows an easy election. While he has emerged ahead in some national polls in recent days, his job approval ratings havent budged much over the last two weeks, and battleground surveys show him often trailing Trump by 1 to 5 percentage points. But he has picked up the lead in a few national polls following his annual address. You always want to raise your numbers, said James Carville, the longtime Democratic operative who has bemoaned a lethargy among the Biden campaign. "For the life of me I think they should jump all over Trump right now. He doesn't have any money, and the Democrats have a huge advantage in money." But even Carville conceded that Biden has had a good week and that he felt marginally less panicked about the campaign. "Maybe a little bit, he said. Bidens fundraising and campaign infrastructure has benefited from the fact that he has only had nominal primary challenges. In March, the campaign is expected to open 100 offices and hire hundreds of new staffers. But there are warning signs nonetheless. Progressives upset by his handling of the Israel-Hamas war have voted uncommitted in significant numbers in several primary elections. And there are few remaining opportunities to make direct appeals to such a large swath of the country that Biden was afforded in his State of the Union. Trump spokesperson Danielle Alvarez said Biden is a failure and the American people know it. She added that voters are ready to elect President Trump and return to America First policies that prioritize American citizens over illegal immigrants. On average, presidents dont see a significant change in their approval ratings after the State of the Union, according to Gallup. But there are a handful of notable exceptions in recent years, including Obama, who saw a 4-point and 3-point jump in 2016 and 2015 respectively. Trump, too, saw a bump from 38 percent to 40 percent after his address in 2018, though he still went on to preside over serious midterm losses that fall. In 2022, Biden also saw a 4-point uptick in voters view of him after his speech. Biden himself pushed back on polling during a campaign stop in Reno, Nevada, on Tuesday, where he greeted volunteers and supporters at the Washoe County Democratic Party headquarters. None of these polls mean a damn thing this early on, he said. Rep. Steven Horsford, who appeared alongside the president at an event in Las Vegas on Tuesday, dismissed current presidential polling, arguing that even though surveys can be the dominating issue, it can also be a distraction. Instead, he said, what Biden is focusing on talking to voters about what the administration has done, particularly on housing makes him confident that he will be reelected as president. Biden aides, for their part, continue to express the belief that the president will benefit as the year moves on and more Americans who have tuned out Trump since 2020 are exposed to his incendiary rhetoric again. Kevin Munoz, a Biden campaign spokesperson, contrasted the presidents campaign travel with Trump, who cant seem to find his way out of Mar-a-Lago, and on the rare occasions he does, either finds himself attacking Nikki Haley voters, bragging about his support for a national abortion ban, or in the courtroom. For all the good that the State of the Union may have had in quelling Democratic anxiety, aides privately admit that the presidents age will likely remain a campaign issue, particularly if Biden stumbles again either mentally or physically. But they also believe their attacks on Trumps own age and mental acuity have begun to sink in with a voting public just now starting to pay attention to the race. People have pretty solidified pictures of both men and one speech won't fix Biden's age problem, said Mike Noble, an Arizona-based pollster, whose recent survey found Biden trailing Trump by 5 points in Nevada. Democrats should be very worried. Trump is ahead nationally, and we know from his last two runs that he tends to perform better in the Electoral College than in the popular vote, so his real lead is probably stronger than the 1-to-3 point national lead we so often see now. The Biden campaign took a victory lap Wednesday over its major fundraising and cash advantage compared to the Trump campaign. Election filings made public Wednesday showed former President Trumps 2024 campaign brought in $10.9 million last month, while his joint fundraising committee raised nearly $11 million. His operation overall had about $42 million in cash on hand entering March. Those figured lagged far behind President Bidens campaign operation, which raised roughly $53 million in February, giving it $155 million in cash on hand entering March. If Donald Trump put up these kinds of numbers on The Apprentice, hed fire himself, Biden campaign communications director Michael Tyler said in a statement. But heres why he aint got it: his extreme, toxic agenda of banning abortion, slashing Social Security, and promoting political violence is repelling donors and doing exactly *nothing* to earn support from the voters who will decide this election. Even if he had the money, its not a message the voters would buy, Tyler added. Ammar Moussa, another Biden campaign spokesperson, wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, Im not a mathematician but I think we have A LOT more cash. Trump, who became the GOPs presumptive nominee earlier this month, could see a fundraising boost as he merges his operations with the Republican National Committee. The RNC reported Wednesday it had about $11 million in cash on hand at the end of February, trailing the Democratic National Committees $26 million cash on hand. Top Stories from The Hill Further compounding Trumps problems, the former president has been burning through cash to pay his legal fees as he faces four separate criminal trials. He is also facing a looming deadline to pay a $454 million judgment after a New York judge determined he conspired to inflate his assets for tax and insurance benefits and was liable for fraud. With interest piling on an additional $112,000 each day Trump doesnt pay, the former president owes the state about $457 million as of Wednesday. Biden on Thursday will wrap up a three-day trip to Nevada, Arizona and Texas, which included three fundraisers. He will attend a major fundraiser in New York City next week alongside former Presidents Obama and Clinton. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Mr Biden's larger plan to address student debt was struck down by the Supreme Court President Joe Biden has announced he is cancelling nearly $6bn (4.7bn) in student debt for 78,000 public service workers. Teachers, nurses and firefighters are among those eligible for the relief, the White House said. To date, Mr Biden has cancelled $143bn in debt for nearly 4 million people. Republicans have slammed the Democratic president's debt forgiveness, saying US taxpayers ultimately foot the bill and it stokes rising university fees. In this latest move, 78,000 public service workers will see an average of about $77,000 of student loan debt cancelled. "These public service workers have dedicated their careers to serving their communities, but because of past administrative failures, never got the relief they were entitled to under the law," Mr Biden said in a statement. Around 43 million people in the US have student loan debt, with federal loans making up the vast majority. Since the Biden administration's wider plan for student debt relief was struck down by the Supreme Court last year, the president has been trying to use old and new loan repayment plans to help relieve debt. The White House's initial plan would have forgiven up to $20,000 in debt per person, which would amount to more than $400bn in student loans. The US Supreme Court ruled that Mr Biden did not have the authority to cancel that debt without congressional approval, however. The issue has galvanised young voters in particular, a key bloc Mr Biden is trying to win over before he faces former President Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election. Many young Americans were furious after the Supreme Court ruling and criticised the Biden administration for not doing more to address student loans. Since then, the White House has been eager to highlight that Mr Biden has cancelled more student debt than any other president and has found further avenues to nix more. The latest debt relief plan applies to government and nonprofit organisation workers in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. The plan allows some of these full-time workers to see their debt cancelled after 120 monthly payments. President Biden canceled $5.8 billion in student loan debt for 77,700 public service workers Thursday through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program (PSLF). The workers who will receive the debt include teachers, nurses and firefighters, among others. The Biden administration overall has canceled student debt for more than 870,000 public service workers, eclipsing $62.5 billion in debt forgiven, according to the White Houses announcement. The public service workers receiving loans are set to receive an emailed message with the news, signed by Biden. Because youve pursued a career in public service, youre on track to get your eligible student loans forgiven in less than a year through Public Service Loan Forgiveness, the message reads. The relief is a result of fixes that the Biden administration made to the PSLF program. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said in a statement that the PSLF previously had logistical troubles and trap doors. Today, more than 100 times more borrowers are eligible for PSLF than there were at the beginning of the Administration. The Biden Administration is turning a promise broken under our predecessor into a promise kept, Cardona said. In January, the Biden administration announced it would forgive $3.2 billion for those on the PSLF program. At the time, it had forgiven $56.7 billion for 793,400 PSLF borrowers. Overall, as of January, it had forgiven the debt held by more than 3.7 million student loan borrowers through either PSLF or other avenues, such as fixes in income-driven repayment options. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. President Joe Bidens reelection campaign expanded its fundraising advantage in February, with plans to unload a barrage of ads against former President Donald Trump. The Democratic presidents campaign account officially reported taking in $21 million in February, according to its report filed with the Federal Election Commission late Wednesday, ending the month with $71 million cash on hand. That left the Biden campaign and the Democratic National Committee with a combined $97.5 million cash on hand as of the end of February, more than double the $44.8 million in the bank between Trumps campaign and the Republican National Committee. Those totals dont include either sides joint fundraising committees. While Biden is running behind Trump in early general election polling averages, his widening cash lead is an advantage. Trumps fundraising has lagged this cycle compared to 2020, and he has diverted millions of dollars to a leadership PAC that is helping cover his legal expenses. (Bidens campaign, by comparison, reported spending just $122,000 on legal services.) That financial disparity is a key part of Bidens strategy to swamp Trump in early and intense ad spending, which has already started this spring with a $30 million TV and digital ad buy. But Bidens fundraising still lags behind the prior incumbent during the same period in 2020. When touting his own small-dollar totals at a Dallas fundraiser Wednesday night, Biden also mocked his opponent's financial situation. Donald, I'm sorry I can't help you," Biden said, according to a pool report. While Bidens campaign spent just $6.3 million in February, that number should be much larger in March. Since the presidents State of the Union address earlier this month, his campaign launched a new swing-state ad campaign and spent $1.9 million last week alone on television and digital advertising, according to AdImpact. Bidens campaign also touted $10 million raised in the 24 hours after the State of the Union earlier this month. Bidens campaign showed some ramp-up in February. Payroll grew slightly last month, from a bit shy of $1.2 million in January to more than $1.6 million in February. But that number is expected to balloon in March, when the campaign will onboard more than 300 staffers and build out its once-skeletal staff in swing states. Other major expense categories included $1.6 million on media production and buys, $700,000 on travel and $261,000 on text messaging. The campaign also spent nearly $2,000 at Capriotti's Sandwich Shop, the Delaware-based chain and longtime Biden favorite that has a location near his Wilmington campaign headquarters. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) on Thursday said he would not vote for one of President Bidens judicial nominees, becoming the second Democratic senator to do so and likely dooming the nomination. Manchin said he would not support Adeel Mangi, who would be the first Muslim American judge to serve on the federal appeals court if confirmed. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) previously announced her opposition to Mangi. Manchin, who is retiring at the end of the year, told Politico this week he would not back any Biden judicial picks who didnt garner at least one GOP vote. Democrats hold a 51-49 majority in the Senate. With at least two Democrats opposing Mangis nomination, Mangi would need Republican support to be confirmed to the bench. Biden nominated Mangi to the federal bench in November, but he has come under intense criticism from some Republicans. In particular, Republican Sens. Ted Cruz (Texas), Josh Hawley (Mo.) and Tom Cotton (Ark.) have questioned Mangis views on Hamass attack on Israel last October, as well as his ties to Rutgers Universitys Center for Security, Race and Rights. Cruz has highlighted the Rutgers centers comments in support of Palestinians and has argued Mangi is opposed by certain police groups. The White House has argued the attacks on Mangi are a result of Islamophobia. Seven law enforcement groups backed Mangis confirmation, and the Anti-Defamation League also voiced its support. Mr. Mangi, who has lived the American Dream and proven his integrity, is being targeted by a malicious and debunked smear campaign solely because he would make history as the first Muslim to serve as a federal appellate judge, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters on Wednesday. Senate Democrats should side with the qualities that make America exceptional, which Mr. Mangi embodies, not the hateful forces trying to force America into the past. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. (Bloomberg) -- Texas, Louisiana and more than a dozen other US states challenged the Biden administrations suspension of new licenses to export natural gas via ocean-going tankers. Most Read from Bloomberg A lawsuit filed against President Joe Biden and the US Department of Energy in Louisiana federal court on Thursday asks a judge to overturn the temporary pause. The action supported by 16 state attorneys general, argues the administration runs counter to Congressional intent and decades of policy. The ban will drive billions of dollars in investment away from Texas, hinder our ability to maximize revenue for public schools, force Texas producers to flare excess natural gas instead of taking it to market, and annihilate critical jobs, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton wrote in a statement. The Energy Department didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. LNG is gas that has been super-cooled to transform it into a liquid so it can be loaded onto tankers and shipped around the world. Read More: Biden Freezes Licenses to Export Gas, Imperiling Projects The Biden administration announced in late January it was halting new licenses to export LNG so it could study how the shipments affect climate change, the economy and national security. The White Houses move struck at the heart of the debate over the future of energy. While advocates contend gas is crucial for discouraging coal use in developing nations, environmentalists warn that building the enormous infrastructure required to facilitate the LNG trade ensures it will be burned for generations to come. The pause will disrupt the development and production of natural gas and gives us no choice but to turn to the courts to enforce the law, Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill wrote in a statement after the filing. (Updates with Louisiana attorney generals comment in final paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Brian Murphy President Joe Biden announced Wednesday that he has selected Brian E. Murphy, a Worcester-based criminal defense attorney, as judge of the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts. Born in Columbia, Maryland, Murphy received his bachelor's degree at College of the Holy Cross in 2002 and graduated from Columbia Law School in 2006. Murphy started his legal career as a public defender in Worcester. He is a founding partner at Murphy & Rudolf LLP in Worcester, which he has run since 2011. The firm is headquartered in the downtown office building known as the Glass Tower at 446 Main St. Before founding his firm, Murphy was an associate at the Boston firm Todd & Weld LLP from 2009 to 2011. Murphy's focus was on criminal defense in state and federal courts. He also supervises on civil and criminal matters. In addition to his legal practice, Murphy previously served as a bar advocate supervisor for the Worcester County Bar Advocates and as an officer of the Massachusetts Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. According to his biography at the Murphy & Rudolf website, Murphy has a special focus on white-collar offenses, drunken-driving allegations, violent crimes, postconviction and appellate advocacy and some civil matters. Murphy is married to Lynsey Heffernan, a Shrewsbury School Committee member. Murphy's nomination requires approval from the U.S. Senate. If approved, Murphy would succeed Judge Patti B. Saris, who announced in November she would be taking senior status on the court upon her successor's appointment. U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Edward J. Markey of Massachusetts said Murphy came highly recommended to the senators by the Advisory Committee on Massachusetts Judicial Nominations, which solicits applications for Massachusetts federal district court vacancies and makes recommendations to senators. In a statement, Warren and Markey praised Murphy's commitment to protecting constitutional rights. Brian Murphy has fought throughout his career to protect and uphold fundamental constitutional rights of all Americans. Its a testament to Murphys respect for our system of justice that he got his start as a public defender in Worcester, giving him a critical perspective in the courtroom," the statement read. "His extensive experience as a public defender, as an attorney leading a small firm, and as an active member of bar associations across the commonwealth make him an extraordinarily well-qualified nominee. We are confident that his years of experience and commitment to working towards justice for all will make him a valuable addition to the Massachusetts District Court, and we strongly support his nomination. Michael Hussey, an attorney at Tansley Halloran and former head of the Committee for Public Counsel Service who previously worked at Murphy & Rudolf, said he was happy with Murphy's selection. "He's a hard-working lawyer, he's a very smart guy, he has a good head on his shoulders," Hussey said. "He's got a understanding at least in the criminal context of the people who would come before him as a judge, whether that be the victims of crime of those individuals accused of crime." Hussey said Murphy has varied legal experience covering both state and federal cases. In addition to Murphy's qualifications for the positions, Hussey said the selection reflects well on the Worcester legal community. "Sometimes people who are in the justice system out in the middle or the west of this state sometimes think we are overlooked when it comes to being appointed appellate positions in the state, or federal judgeships," Hussey said. Shira Diner, president of the Massachusetts Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, has worked with Murphy for years. She said he has an understanding of representing underserved communities. Diner said many judges are former prosecutors, and Murphy brings the perspective of someone who has sat on the other side of a case. "What I think he brings is a real understanding of what it means to represent people from marginalized communities, communities that have been underserved," Diner said. "The ability to take that experience and the lived experience that his clients have and bring that to the bench is really going to fill a hole that is missing on all of the benches, federal and state." Courtney Mayo, an attorney at Hassett and Donnelly PC and past president of the Worcester County Bar Association, also praised Murphy's selection. "Brian has been a very active and engaged member of our Bar Association and our Worcester Community. He has a great temperament for the bench," Mayo said, via email. "Hes even-tempered, thoughtful, a great listener and an even better problem solver. We are all very excited for him." Murphy could not immediately be reached for comment. This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Biden nominates Worcester attorney Brian Murphy to be federal judge in Mass. Last June, Barack Obama slipped into the White House to deliver a warning to Joe Biden. The state of Bidens re-election campaign was shaky, Obama told him over a private lunch, according to a Democrat briefed about the meeting. Defeating Donald Trump would be harder in 2024. The mood of the country was sour. Persuading unhappy voters was going to be difficult. Biden needed to move more aggressively to make the race a referendum on Trump, Obama advised. The former President left believing the current one had gotten the memo. But over the next six months, Obama saw few signs of improvement. In December, he returned to the White House at Bidens invitation. This time, Obamas message was more urgent. He expressed concern the re-election campaign was behind schedule in building out its field operations, and bottlenecked by Bidens insistence on relying upon an insular group of advisers clustered in the West Wing, according to the same Democratic insider. Biden needed to get it together, or Trump would sweep the seven key battleground states in November, six of which Biden carried in 2020. Three months later, the 2024 general election is under way, and Biden is indeed in trouble. His stubbornly low approval ratings have sunk into the high 30s, worse than those of any other recent President seeking re-election. Hes trailed or tied Trump in most head-to-head matchups for months. Voters express concerns about his policies, his leadership, his age, and his competency. The coalition that carried Biden to victory in 2020 has splintered; the Democrats historic advantage with Black, Latino, and Asian American voters has dwindled to lows not seen since the civil rights movement. Despite an attempted insurrection, 88 felony charges, and a record that prompts former aides to warn of the dangers of reinstalling him in office, Trump has never, in three campaigns for the presidency, been in as strong a position to win the White House as he is now. If the election were held tomorrow, more than 30 pollsters, strategists, and campaign veterans from both parties tell TIME, Biden would likely lose. Read more: Why Bidens Age Has Become a Bigger Deal Than Trumps. As a fog of dread descends on Democrats, Bidens inner circle is defiantly sanguine. They see a candidate with a strong economy, a sizable cash advantage, and a record of accomplishments on infrastructure, climate change, industrial policy, and consumer protections that will register for more voters as the campaign ramps up. They see a pattern of Democrats overperforming their polling in recent years, from the 2022 midterms to a spate of special elections and abortion referendums. Most of all, they see a historically unpopular opponent. And in the end, they believe, voters dissatisfied with the President will tally the stakesfrom reproductive rights to the prospect of mass immigration roundups to the future of U.S. democracyand pull the lever for Biden again. Our biggest strength is that 80 million people sent him to the White House before, says Quentin Fulks, Bidens principal deputy campaign manager, who notes that Trump needs to find new voters to win. Our challenge is winning people who have already cast a ballot for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris once. Yet that may be a tall order in whats shaping up to be a contest of which candidate America dislikes less. After a slow start, Bidens campaign is charging forward, opening field offices, hiring staff, and launching an ad blitz painting Trump as a dangerous autocrat. But even if the Presidents sputtering bid finds a new gear, allies say, the country is so bitterly divided that his ability to affect the outcome in November may be limited. Both sides are digging in for a gloomy slugfest, marked by depressed turnout and apocalyptic warnings about the fate that awaits the nation should the other guy win. Publicly, Bidens brain trust is confident in their turnaround plan. Privately, even some White House insiders admit that theyre scared. Illustration by Tim O'Brien for TIME A lot has changed for Aidan Kohn-Murphy in four years, but at 20 years old, he looks the same as he did in 2020a round smiling face beneath a mop of dark hair. Though he wasnt old enough to vote in that election, Kohn-Murphy was the main organizer of #TikTokforBiden, the largest and most effective Gen Z social media campaign in support of the Democratic nominee. In the years since, #TikTokforBiden has transformed into the youth activist collective Gen Z for Change. And Kohn-Murphy has cooled on the President he worked tirelessly to elect. It has nothing to do, as many assume, with the Presidents age. With palpable frustration, Kohn-Murphy enumerates the list of perceived policy betrayals as though they were tattooed on the back of my hand. Hes upset about Bidens inability to block construction of sections of Trumps border wall. Hes upset about the Willow project, an oil-drilling operation that is proceeding on Alaskas North Slope despite Bidens campaign pledge to ban drilling on federal lands. And hes upset about Bidens sustained support of Israel amid its military campaign in Gaza, a position that has incensed legions of young progressives. In 2020, Biden clobbered Trump by 24 points with voters under 30. A New York Times/Siena poll conducted in December showed Biden trailing Trump by 6 points among the youngest cohort of voters, although subsequent polls have shown modest improvement. Gen Z voters dont understand why they should be compelled to cast their ballot for a candidate who has done so many things that are against their values, says Kohn-Murphy. While he plans to cast a grudging vote for Biden, hes worried that the threat of another Trump term wont be enough to change the minds of his peers. Read more: Young Progressive Activists Lay Out Roadmap For Biden To Win Back Gen Z. Young voters are not the only collapsing pillar of the partys electoral coalition. Biden claims just 63% of Black voters, a sharp drop from the 87% he carried in 2020, according to polling by the Roper Center for Public Opinion Research at Cornell University. After winning Hispanic votes by a ratio of 2 to 1 four years ago, he now trails Trump among that voting bloc. Bidens position on Israel amid the war in Gaza has tanked his standing with Muslim and Arab voters, particularly in must-win Michigan. Overall, Bidens advantage over Trump among nonwhite Americans has shrunk from almost 50 points in 2020 to 12, according to the latest Times/Siena poll. It boils down to voters of color, and those voters are pissed, says one former Biden campaign and White House official, who, like others interviewed for this story, was granted anonymity to make candid appraisals about the Presidents campaign. I think its very likely hell lose. Incumbent Presidents are typically considered favorites for re-election, particularly those who have overseen a solid economy, as Biden has. Biden has a record to run on, beyond the bipartisan infrastructure bill and historic investment addressing climate change: billions of dollars of student-debt forgiveness; lowering drug costs; passing bipartisan gun-safety legislation; and much more. To some allies, theres an obvious explanation for the gulf between the Presidents performance and political predicament: a White House and campaign team tasked with selling his success have fumbled the job. In the key battleground state of Arizona, for example, at least two major semiconductor plants are being built thanks to the CHIPS Act, historic legislation Biden signed to invest more than $52 billion in U.S. semiconductor manufacturing. Intel and Taiwans TSMC announced plans to create thousands of local tech and construction jobs, and the Greater Phoenix Economic Council estimates the investments will boost the regional economic output by billions. Yet only 25% of Arizona voters credit Biden for the new plants, according to polling from Noble Predictive Insights provided exclusively to TIME; 29% credit the companies, while 34% say theyre not sure whos responsible. Biden isnt getting credit for his wins because his message has been too academic, argues Representative Bennie Thompson, the Mississippi Democrat who chaired the House select committee that investigated the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. So much of whats been said is going over the heads of the average American citizen. It doesnt need to be a dissertation. It just has to be a clear message. Hes going to have to work on that. Nearly two dozen senior Democratic sources tell TIME that Bidens campaign mechanics, structure, and staffing over most of the past year are partly to blame as well. While Obama was marching to re-election over the summer of 2012, his campaign head count topped 900. Despite plans to hire 350 new staffers, the Biden campaign ended 2023 with only around 70 paid employees, according to campaign finance filings. His team says it is relying heavily on the network of staff that the Democratic National Committee has been bolstering for state races since 2021. (Trump also reported around 70 people on his campaign payroll, although that tally fails to account for the fact that much of his brain trust is spread across nominally independent super PACs and a think tank.) As Biden defenders point out, bigger is not always better. On the Kerry campaign, they had a Noahs Arktwo of everything, says a Democratic consultant involved in that losing 2004 team. Hillary Clintons ill-fated 2016 campaign had about 800 staffers, with an additional 400 at the Democratic National Committee and subsidies for almost 3,000 more within state parties. The overhead kept Clinton and her inner circle busy wooing donors rather than meeting with voters in crucial states. Read more: How Biden Is Reviving His Midterm Playbook for 2024. For the critical role of campaign manager, Biden installed Julie Chavez Rodriguez, a White House senior adviser, who has never before run even a statewide race. Biden was slow to dispatch the architects of his 2020 victory over to the current effort; in January, he finally reassigned top aides Jen OMalley Dillon and Mike Donilon from the White House to the campaign after a delay that left top Democrats, including Obama, bewildered. But major strategy decisions are still routinely held up waiting for West Wing approval, a half dozen Democrats say. The campaign has also been slow to build a field operation in key battlegrounds. In Georgia, a state he carried by fewer than 12,000 votes, Biden has one staffer. In North Carolina, where he came about 75,000 votes short of winning in 2020 and which now may present a pickup opportunity, the campaign has hired just three. The result is a winnable race that risks being frittered away, some allies say. This isnt that complicated. Call [Pennsylvania Governor] Josh Shapiro, [Michigan Governor] Gretchen Whitmer. Ask them who should be hired and what 20 things need to be done to win those states, laments a veteran Democratic consultant with experience guiding presidential nominees. Dont assume what worked last time will work this one. This complaint is echoed by scores of Democratic strategists, who see Biden as a politician captive to the past and content reprising a strategy that worked in the last election but looks increasingly ill-suited to the current one. This is just who Joe Biden is, says another top Democratic strategist who worked for Biden and has grown frustrated by the candidates reliance on longtime aides who deride outside critics. This is how hes always run his campaigns. He and his insiders know better. Last time, it worked, so he didnt learn any of the lessons, and thinks he can run 2020 again. A protest in Michigan, where critics delivered a symbolic rebuke in the states primary over Bidens handling of the war in Gaza Nic AntayaBloomberg/Getty Images As Air Force One flew through turbulence on the way back from a March 9 campaign rally in Atlanta, Chavez Rodriguez was upbeat. Sitting in a high-backed leather chair, a blue Biden-Harris T-shirt peeking from under her gray blazer, Chavez Rodriguez rattled off the reasons for optimism. A big one is money. The Biden machine has built a formidable war chest, with $155 million on hand. Trumps team hasnt released comparable numbers yet, but his campaign and the Republican National Committee had about $40 million in January. Chavez Rodriguez and her team viewed Bidens fiery State of the Union speech as the starting gun of the campaign. Up next: a six-week, $30 million blitz of TV ads in battleground states that aim to define Trump as a threat to democracy and reproductive rights, while tackling the delicate issue of Bidens age. The campaign has also begun rolling out its field operation; in addition to the new staffers, it plans to open 100 campaign offices in states like Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Its about getting the boots on the ground, Chavez Rodriguez says, and building the ground game that we need to in all of our battleground states. A constellation of outside groups are also bringing cash and organizational clout to the fight. The 400,000-member-strong United Auto Workers has endorsed Biden, as have 18 other labor unions. At the Atlanta event, political action committees for Asian American, Black, and Latino votersthe AAPI Victory Fund, The Collective, and the Latino Victory Fundtogether pledged $30 million toward boosting turnout for Biden. And a pro-Biden super PAC, Future Forward, has $250 million in fall advertising teed up in seven key states, which strategists say is the biggest single super PAC ad play in history. The campaign is recruiting thousands of volunteers to connect with voters in their communities about Bidens record, including through a digital platform called Mobilize.us that helps volunteers set up online events with friends. That multimillion-dollar push, which began in March, will run through the summer. In September, Fulks says, the campaign will shift gears to deliver supporters to the polls, employing everything from door-to-door canvassing to targeted social media, as well as the robust ground games of labor unions and abortion-rights groups. Read more: The Inside Story of How Biden Cleared the Field for His Re-Election Bid. The campaign is moving advertising dollars away from traditional broadcast channels and toward digital platforms like YouTube, Google search, Facebook, and online sports-streaming sites, where more voters spend their time, says Rob Flaherty, who oversees the campaigns digital strategy. Despite Bidens vowing to sign legislation that could ban TikTok if it doesnt divest from Chinese ownership, his campaign joined the platform in February, churning out clips with titles like 4 insane policies in a 2nd Trump term and What is Trump saying lol. As it works to court bold-faced names like Taylor Swift, Bidens digital staff plans to tap local influencers in key voting districts who may have only a few thousand followers, but can carry the message to targeted communities. When it comes to the Presidents dismal numbers with young and nonwhite voters, the Biden brain trust recognizes the challenge but doesnt share the panic of the party brass. To their mind, people who have cast a ballot for Biden before can be persuaded to do so again. Weve reached out to this group of nonwhite and young voters earlier than any presidential campaign ever has, says senior adviser Becca Siegel. The campaigns internal polling has found that young and minority voters have not tuned in to the election yet and havent thought about Trump in a while. In the meantime, Bidens team has devised strategies to engage key voting blocs in different ways. To reach Black voters in Georgia, the campaign plans to deploy surrogates like Senator Raphael Warnock, a pastor who preaches from Martin Luther King Jr.s former pulpit, to juice turnout. Despite the sharp criticism of Biden coming from some voters of color, operatives predict Black voters in particular will stick with the President. Black voters never loved Biden, says Nse Ufot, an organizer who helped deliver Georgia in 2020 by driving up Black turnout. As the pragmatic political actors they have proven themselves to be, they will make the best decision based on the choices they have. Indeed, the biggest reason for optimism in Biden World may be the weakness of his opponent. As Election Day nears and Trumps speeches and ideas garner the kind of attention they havent had since he left office, advisers expect fair-weather Biden supporters will remember how much they dislike his predecessor. We know the work that we need to do to consolidate our base, says the campaigns communications director Michael Tyler. The campaign is geared toward those efforts, while our opponent is still screaming into an echo chamber of MAGA extremism. The cornerstones of the case against Trump will be the dual threat he presents to democracy and reproductive rights. Since the Supreme Courts Dobbs decision, 21 states have stricter abortion restrictions than they had under Roe v. Wade. Democrats see an opportunity to pummel Trump on abortion access, as well as concerns about access to in vitro fertilization after the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos are legally children. That push is designed to target women like Kelsey Lawrence, a 30-year-old mother of four living in Front Royal, Va. Lawrence thought of herself as having conservative and libertarian views before Dobbs. I think every woman should have autonomy over her body, Lawrence explained as she waited for Biden and Harris to take the stage at a January rally in the Northern Virginia exurb of Manassas. Democrats plan to continue tying unpopular abortion restrictions to the GOP; in January, the Biden campaign released an ad featuring a Texas doctor who was forced to leave the state to abort a nonviable pregnancy. In March, Harris became the first sitting Vice President to visit an abortion clinic. The campaign is gaming out different paths to the 270 Electoral College votes it needs to win. One is to rebuild the Blue Wall, which includes the traditional Democratic strongholds of Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin, and then capture another toss-up state. A second route cuts through the Sun BeltNevada, Arizona, Georgia, and North Carolina. Democrats are pushing to add an abortion-access measure to the ballot in Arizona that they believe would drive up turnout for Biden. The same may be said for a polarizing GOP nominee for governor in North Carolina. Some Democrats arent ready to abandon hopes of Bidens putting Trumps current home state of Florida within reach. The paths to a win are varied enough that a major Democratic PAC is spending almost $4 million in the Omaha TV ad market, where Harris husband Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff hosted political events in March in hopes of shaving off a single Electoral College vote in Nebraskas Second District. Julie Chavez Rodriguez at campaign headquarters in Wilmington on Feb. 3. Roberto SchmidtAFP/Getty Images From left: Senators applaud Bidens State of the Union speech; Biden supporters at a March 8 rally in Philadelphia Shawn ThewEPA/Bloomberg/Getty Images; Jim WatsonAFP/Getty Images For all their meticulous planning, Bidens team knows the race could hinge on factors outside their control. Four years ago this March, the sudden spread of COVID-19 in the U.S. shut down the economy and paralyzed the presidential campaigns. Without the pandemic, Trump could well have won. Any number of unpredictable eventsthe state of the war in the Middle East, foreign election interference, gas prices, persuasive AI-enabled deepfakes, the uncertain schedule of Trumps trialscould shape the outcome to a greater degree than what the candidates do between now and November. Allies are still hopeful for a more forceful performance from the President himself. Its no secret that Biden, 81, is the oldest Commander in Chief in U.S. history, or that broad swaths of the country believe hes no longer up to the job. The White House has tried everything it canperhaps to a faultto cosset him. Aides tend to avoid scheduling events in the early morning and evenings, limit his interviews and press conferences, and have him ascend the short stairs when boarding Air Force One to avoid any more embarrassing stumbles arising from his stiff gait. But for Biden to beat the 77-year-old Trump, some allies believe its time to remove the bubble wrap. After campaigning successfully in 2020 on promises to restore the soul of the nation, Biden still clings to a self-image as a champion of comity. It is a pitch calibrated for an idealized electorate, not the one he has to win over. People say, Im not going to vote for Trump, but I dont know if I can vote for Biden. And everything they say has to do with his style: He doesnt seem to be fighting for us, says Representative Jim Clyburn, the former House Democratic whip, who has stepped away from his caucus leadership role to help Biden sharpen his message, urging the campaign to underscore the direct economic benefits of the Biden presidency. Michael LaRosa, a former press secretary to First Lady Jill Biden, says the President has the capacity to author a comeback if he starts throwing punches. He can talk about all of the accomplishments, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and economic-growth reports he wants, LaRosa says. Trump is talking about illegal migrants killing gorgeous young students jogging on campus, or the price of groceries, and placing the blame for both at Bidens doorstep. Does he want to win the argument, or win the election? Recent flashes of fight have cheered the Presidents supporters. After the boisterous State of the Union speech, he hit the road for a two-week swing through seven battleground states. The first event was at a middle-school gym in the Philadelphia suburbs, where Biden said Trump got his wish when the Supreme Court overturned Roe and states installed abortion restrictions. The President ticked through highlights of his record: limiting monthly insulin costs for seniors to $35; capping all Medicare prescription-drug costs at $2,000 a year; cutting credit-card late fees from $32 to $8; requiring corporations to pay a minimum of 15% in tax. When Biden called for an assault-weapons ban and stripping liability protections for gunmakers, the room erupted in cheers. After stepping off the stage, he shook hands and posed for selfies for 30 minutes, ignoring multiple announcements from his staff that it was time to leave. When he finally did, the scene greeting him outside was a reminder of the challenge ahead. On the street in front of the school, dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters, holding signs reading Cease-Fire Now, erupted in chants of Genocide Joe. The protesters had camped there for hours as the sun set, waiting for their chance to get Bidens attention. As his limousine pulled away, the crowd increased the volume of their chants, hoping the President would hear them from inside his armored car. With reporting by Leslie Dickstein, Simmone Shah, and Julia Zorthian Allies remain hopeful that Biden, in the Oval Office on March 1, can deliver a more forceful performance. Evan VucciAP Write to Charlotte Alter at charlotte.alter@time.com and Philip Elliott at philip.elliott@time.com. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 21. The Turkish army has detained two terrorists who fled northern Iraq, Turkiye's Ministry of National Defense said on its social media account, Trend reports. As a result of decisive actions by the Turkish military, two PKK terrorists who fled from their hideouts in northern Iraq were detained at our Habur border crossing point, the ministry explained. To note, earlier, Turkish Armed Forces neutralized two PKK terrorists in the area of the anti-terrorist operation Pence-Kilit in northern Iraq. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp A police car behind crime scene tape. (Getty Images) The House Judiciary Committee Wednesday rejected a bill that would have prevented a person from being charged with murder if the victim was involved in a crime. We are still going to continue to work, Rep. Chris England, D-Tuscaloosa, the sponsor of the bill, said in an interview after the meeting. I think there is some, as reflected in the amendment and discussion, the ability to find a compromise, and we are just going to continue to work towards that. I think more of a traditional definition of what accomplice liability looks like will create a more just result. The committee hosted a special hearing on the bill, HB 32, two weeks ago. Akiesha Anderson, policy and advocacy director for Alabama Arise, said the prevailing criminal justice concept in Alabama is that people can be charged with felony murder when they are simply getting placed at the scene of the crime and not for being directly involved in the criminal act. Currently, Alabama is one of 14 states that subscribe to the proximate cause theory when applying the felony murder rule, she said during the public hearing. This is the minority approach across the country as a vast majority of states subscribe to an agency theory instead. Anderson said that can lead to racial disparities in the criminal justice system, with Black Americans more likely to be killed by police than whites. The proximate cause theory too often leads to absurd and racially disparate results, Anderson said. Matt Casey, the district attorney for Shelby County, opposed the bill. He said if two people attempt to rob a bank, and one of the individuals shoots a teller, prosecutors are not able to charge the other perpetrator with murder. We are armed, we go in together to commit a robbery, and when you have guns, you rob people, bad things can happen, Casey said. He shoots someone, I cant be held accountable for that. Casey said the statute is a tool for prosecutors to use to hold people accountable for the underlying crime of robbing an establishment even if they are not directly connected in the death of the individual. Rep. Ontario Tillman, D-Birmingham, presented another scenario, with the bank teller killing one of the two assailants during the crime. In that case, the surviving perpetrator could be charged in the death of the co-conspirator as well. In that scenario, who is the true victim? Tillman asked. We see many times when there is an older person, or a more experienced person in the criminal world, convincing a younger person to get involved in something like this, Casey said. That is why we believe it should stay the way it is. Rep. Ben Robbins, R-Sylacauga, proposed an amendment that allows the defendant to request immunity from the court if the person did not present a weapon and if the person did not understand what was happening. The judge would then decide whether to grant it. In the end it was not enough to convince members of the committee to move forward with the legislation. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Bill to overhaul felony murder charges rejected by Alabama House committee appeared first on Alabama Reflector. DENVER (KDVR) Hundreds of Colorado defendants each year are found incompetent to stand trial, and remain incarcerated while waiting for competency restoration services that would allow them to proceed to trial. But while waiting, these individuals might not receive treatment, depending on where theyve been incarcerated. To be considered restored under Colorado law does not mean treatment has restored the individuals mental health, but just that they can express they have an adequate understanding of the justice system. Colorado has no office to help residents with disabilities, but a new bill aims to remedy that Rep. Judy Amabile, a Democrat representing Boulder, is sponsoring a bill, titled Measures to Reduce the Competency Wait List, to create a diversion program that allows eligible individuals to receive wraparound, community-based services to support their well-being and decrease the states competency waitlist. The bill sponsors say this could save state resources by reducing the waitlist to access Colorados overburdened mental health hospitals. The criminal justice system is not, nor is it meant to be, a replacement for competent, compassionate mental health care, said Amabile in a release. For too long, Coloradans living with serious mental health conditions have been left to languish in our jails instead of receiving the treatment they need, resulting in a revolving door for many individuals that simply need help. This legislation will ensure people get access to the care they need, while reducing our competency backlog. Specifically, the bill would: Create wraparound programming with case management and support from Bridges of Colorado, a state resource. Provide individualized support for mental health, recovery services and housing assistance. Require the district attorney and defendant to opt-in or approve the programming use Require the court to dismiss charges for defendants who satisfactorily comply with their individualized care plan within 91 days. Stop routing people through the competency system for class two misdemeanor offenses and below. Only defendants whose highest charged offense is a class one misdemeanor, level 3 or 5 drug felony, or a class five or six felony are eligible for referral into the program, according to the current bill text. Colorado has relatively few state mental health resources According to a report released in January by the Treatment Advocacy Center, a nonprofit that seeks to change laws surrounding mental health, Colorado has the third-longest waitlist nationally for people being held in jail awaiting a state hospital bed. That means it takes an average of 7.7 months for an inmate to be admitted to a state hospital forensic bed in Colorado. Hours of testimony heard on new Colorado bill to ban assault weapons The state also has a relatively low number of beds in psychiatric state hospitals just 482 in 2023, down from 543 total beds in 2016. That amounts to just over eight beds per 100,000 people, according to the TAC report. Our states criminal justice system is tragically and unjustly holding hundreds of Coloradans living with mental illness who are awaiting competency services to stand trial, said Rep. Javier Mabrey, a Democrat representing Denver and one of the bills prime sponsors. During this time many individuals are being retraumatized and see their conditions worsen, while the state is spending countless dollars. Our bill will work to end this backlog in our jails and reduce the strain on state resources, while most importantly providing the support and treatment that these individuals need, Mabrey said. On average, the bill sponsors said, it costs $138,700 to restore one person in a private psychiatric inpatient bed, and each bed only serves about three patients per year, according to state data. Download the FOX31 App: Breaking news alerts & Pinpoint Weather The diversion program created by the bill would likely serve hundreds of individuals per year and cost just $1.7M in the first year, according to the bill sponsors. The sponsors also said that similar programs in other states have reduced long-term reliance on the criminal justice system and improved recidivism rates. This allows the population to live healthier lives and saves tax dollars, according to Mabrey and Amabile. The bill has its first hearing in the House Judiciary Committee on March 26. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. In reading the recent column by Emory Rowdy Howard, I share in the belief of leading by example and if you do it right, others will follow. Thats why its important to set the record straight. Jim Spratt Senate Bill 1082 supports a legal workforce for Florida agriculture. Sponsored by Senator Jay Collins, this legislation garnered overwhelming support and passed both chambers this session. SB 1082: Housing for Legally Verified Agricultural Workers bolsters Florida's legal workforce and improves access to safe housing on land used for agricultural operations. The bill clearly defines agricultural workers and focuses on supporting authorized legal H-2A workers not illegal workers. The federal H-2A visa program and the E-Verify program supplement our domestic workforce with temporary, legal, foreign workers authorized to perform seasonal agricultural work like planting, cultivating, harvesting and more. Florida farmers, ranchers and growers have faced significant challenges in recent years. Key among them is the shortage of a stable and legal workforce to support the industry that grows, harvests and transports our safe and wholesome domestic food supply. Without available and affordable housing options, farmers cannot qualify for H-2A workers, as a result, legal farm workers are unable to support Floridas critical harvest season. According to the recent USDA census, Hendry County is home to 392 farms. Agriculture generates $88 million in gross regional product and accounts for over 61% of the jobs in the county. SB 1082 is essential to supporting the livelihood of local farmers, growers and ranchers and their families. On a broader scale, SB 1082 helps protect the sustainability of our domestic food supply to enhance our nations security. Last year, Governor Ron DeSantis championed the strongest anti-illegal immigration legislation in Florida. Now Florida statute, Senate Bill 1718 makes using E-Verify mandatory for any employer with 25 or more employees, imposes enforceable penalties for those employing illegal aliens and enhances penalties for human smuggling. SB 1082 builds upon the governors accomplishment and is consistent with our efforts to secure our nations borders. The bill lessens the burdensome process for Florida farmers to construct or install safe housing for seasonal agricultural workers who are legal and verified on agricultural properties. This measure is a simple way to alleviate a major pain point when navigating the complex and expensive federal H-2A program and helps ensure Florida farmers, growers and ranchers have access to this essential workforce. Were grateful to Commissioner Wilton Simpson, Senator Jay Collins and Representative Kaylee Tuck for leading the charge to help Floridas agriculture industry expand safe housing, strengthen our legal workforce and provide the food, fiber and foliage our nation relies upon. Jim Spratt is the chairman of the Florida Ag Coalition, which represents farmers, growers and ranchers in Florida. This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Bill supports a legal workforce for Florida agriculture PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Amazon co-founder and novelist Mackenzie Scott has donated another $640 million to small organizations in the U.S., with $7 million dedicated to nonprofits in Oregon and Southwest Washington. The billionaire, and ex-wife of Jeff Bezos, announced the donations through her philanthropic initiative Yield Giving. According to Lever for Change, the organization that accepted the donation applications, Scott initially pledged to distribute $250 million across 250 nonprofits. Portland family asking for citys help after receiving $17,000 water bill Earlier this week, it was unveiled that she more than doubled her pledge. From a pool of over 6,000 applicants, each of these 361 community-led non-profits was elevated by peer organizations and a round-2 evaluation panel for their outstanding work advancing the voices and opportunities of individuals and families of meager or modest means, and groups who have met with discrimination and other systemic obstacles, Scott said on the Yield Giving website. With a $2 million award, Portlands Raphael House was one of four regional nonprofits to benefit from the donation. The organization serves victims of abuse by providing emergency shelter, prevention education, peer support groups and more. Some community members dont have trust in Portlands newly-minted crowd control cop team The Portland-based Familias En Accion also received $2 million toward its goal of improving the health and well-being of Oregons Latino community. The nonprofits programs focus on sexual health, climate equity programs and nutritrition. Jackson Street Youth Services, which serves homeless youth between the ages of 10 and 24 in Linn, Benton, Lincoln counties, was awarded $1 million. This money will immediately help us pay off our new Youth Service Center in Albany, and expand our staff benefits, JSYS wrote on Instagram. Well be strategizing with our leadership team and Board of Directors to ensure that additional funds get put to good use in a sustainable way that aligns with our current Strategic Plan. Vancouver resident wins Jeopardy! Tournament of Champions Council for the Homeless in Clark County was donated $2 million that will help advance its homeless response system. According to Lever for Change, award amounts were dependent on the score that organizations received in the review process. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. Photo via Getty Images Arizona lawmakers are weighing their options for how to best protect Arizona children from online pornography. During the Senate Finance and Commerce committee meeting on Mar. 18, two bills aimed at limiting underage access to obscene online materials were the center of discussion. One option, House Bill 2661, requires manufacturers to equip devices like phones and tablets with an obscene materials filter that would be automatically enabled if the device is activated in Arizona for a minor. The filters would be controlled by a password, and if anyone over the age of 18 is found to have used that password to disable the filters for a minor, they could be subject to legal punishment. House Speaker Ben Toma, who sponsored the bill, said its main goal is to prevent minors from being able to access obscene materials online by utilizing filters that are already on devices. These filters do exist, because they can be turned on by parents after activation, but its a really intense process, Toma said. There is really no reason why they shouldnt be automatically turned on once that user inputs their age and its determined that they are a minor. Since its latest operating system update in September, Apple now automatically turns on safety filters on all new devices to protect younger users. Current users can enable these filters for their childs device or their own through their device settings. Google and Android devices have similar capabilities through Family Link, which allows parents to activate filters to monitor and regulate their childs device usage. Last week, Utah passed a nearly identical bill that would require filters to be embedded into devices manufactured on or after Jan. 1, 2025, and enabled for all devices activated for minors. HB2661 would go into effect at the start of 2026, leaving time for manufacturers to work out the kinks in Utah before they would have to do the same in Arizona. They are going to have to comply with Utahs laws, and I think they are going to have to comply with ours, as well, Toma said The filters would only pertain to applications integrated into the device, which means that they would not apply to any browsers or apps downloaded onto the phone. Virtual Private Networks, or VPNs, can also be used to work around the filters. Another key point of Tomas bill is that the filters would only be required on devices activated within Arizona, unless other states move to pass the same law. If a phone or tablet is bought in another state, and brought to Arizona, it would not have to comply with the bill. Chris McKenna, an advocate for internet safety for families, said that he supports the bill due to its intentionally narrow scope and technical feasibility. Whats true about every smartphone in this room right now is three things: Number one, it knows your birthday, number two, it knows where you are, and it has a filter on it that complies with its legislation, he said. Were simply saying, Turn it on for all of Arizonas minors. He addressed concerns raised by Senate Minority Leader Mitzi Epstein as to what would be considered obscene and filtered out, and who would be making such decisions. My concern with the bill would be with freedom of speech. We all can agree that we want to protect children, but weve also seen that .. sometimes people will call it obscene just to see a same-sex kiss on TV, and thats not obscene to many other people, Epstein said. In response, McKenna said that the understanding of what is obscenity and what is not is very clear to those that are making these decisions, assuring that software is reliable in its classifications. These decisions categorizing websites happen millions of times, all day long. Search engines are crawling and identifying new sites and categorizing them as pornographic or not pornographic all day long, every day, he said. The intelligence around obscenitydoes that extremely well. However, Vice President of NetChoice Carl Szabo argued that the way the bill defines obscene material leaves plenty of room for error and misjudgment. The bill utilizes the subjective Miller Test in its definition, which requires the content to be judged by applying contemporary community standards as to whether or not it is offensive or overtly sexual. The fundamental problem with that is that community standards waver very differently, Szabo said. What cant be done is somebody sitting in Silicon Valley figuring out what the community standards are for what is obscene or not obscene in Mesa, Arizona. They just arent going to have access to that. Szabo said that the bill does not do enough to accomplish its intended purpose and could instead make it harder for parents to monitor their childrens browsing. The definition of the word filter in this legislation says the filters must be on the device. One of the ways that can be interpreted is to say off-device filters are not allowed, he said. Another speaker, former Florida legislator Justin Hill, said that HB2661 could lead to a slippery slope into other things that can be deemed as too obscene for public consumption, and other content to which the government can control our access. Sen. Brian Fernandez, D-Yuma, expressed concerns about how the bill would be implemented and enforced if passed, citing support from prominent pornographic sites as an indicator of a measure that may not have the impact it intends to. Pornhub is supportive of these types of bills, and they actually are very much against what Rep. (Tim) Dunn is doing they see that as infringement on their market, but they like this idea, he said. Part of the reason why I think they like this idea is because its not workable, and I think they know its not workable. The other approach to this matter, Dunns House Bill 2586, takes a different approach, by placing the responsibility on obscene websites to verify the age of users wishing to access their sites content. Users would do so by either entering information into a third-party system that would compare the reported information with public data or by providing information that otherwise would confirm their age. Szabo called HB2586 the better approach to the matter. Much in the same way we would expect a supermarket, when they are selling alcohol, to collect ID, we would not expect a supermarket to collect ID at the door for somebody just going in to buy shampoo, he said. A similar law recently passed by the Texas legislature was recently upheld by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, after a lower court judge blocked the bill from going into effect last August. As a result, Pornhub has blocked all access from Texas based users. Texas is one of the 9 states that now have similar laws requiring stricter age verification for porn sites, including Indiana, Virginia, Montana and others. Toma, who is also a co-sponsor for Dunns HB2586, said that he is equally supportive of that measure. Utah has found a way to incorporate both approaches, as it has recently passed laws similar to both HB2661 and HB2586. HB2661 passed through committee with a vote of 4-3 and now heads to the Senate floor. Currently, HB2586 awaits consideration by the full Senate. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Bills to protect Arizona kids from online porn advance with GOP support appeared first on Arizona Mirror. A Philadelphia man has opened the first-of-its-kind gelato shop that offers customers a unique retail experience. On March 19, Galen Thomas held the grand opening of his Kensington flagship location for Cloud Cups, an artisan gelato and sorbet storefront, according to Eater. The 2,000-square-foot location at Maken Studios North offers customers a place to enjoy delicious desserts, along with merchandise from other small business owners residing in the Philly area. The establishment can host 50 patrons in its lounge seating area and they can also enjoy the intricate wall paintings by graphic artist Justin Richburg and sky-like artwork painted on the floors by Raheem Spataccino. Although the Northwest Philly native earned his education at Frozen Dessert University and Carpigiani Gelato University didnt expect his business to transition from an idea into a brick-and-mortar. When he launched Cloud Cups in 2019, the dessert shop was on wheels as he started in a scoop truck. To help spread the word about his brand, he would host pop-up shops in different locations in his community. This has been a journey that started as an experiment in trying to make gelato a CBD edible to now a brick-and-mortar with over 150 tested flavors, he told Eater. To now see this become a flagship location that will host tastings, events, parties, retail, and more is a dream come true. Earlier this year, one of Thomas supporters, Charisse McGill who was the beloved founder of Lokal Artisan Foods (of French Toast Bites fame) and executive director of the Farmers Market Coalition, passed away unexpectedly. He credits her with helping him take his small business to new heights. Im so grateful for so many people whove helped me along the way, especially Charisse, he said. She helped expand my business at a time when we were trying to grow, and Im making several flavors at my shop in honor of her legacy. Cloud Cups serves up 104 custom-made flavors of gelato and sorbet options that are housed under different flavors and seasons, including banana pudding, mint chocolate chip, beet ginger, wheatgrass lemon coconut, key lime pie, peach cobbler and candy cane. Some non-dairy and vegan options are available like mango, honey lavender and strawberry beet. To honor McGills impact in his life and the Philadelphia food scene he crafted French Toast Bites gelato strawberry and French Toast Bites gelato strawberry stracciatella since she founded French Toast Bites. In addition, Thomas wants to uplift fellow restauranteurs by partnering to infuse their special treats into gelato or sorbet. Hes already collaborated with the Cheesecake Lady and Bean 2 Bean Coffee Company. Furthermore, hes also working with local clothing designers to sell their brands such as Troy Shirts and gelato-scented candles inspired by Cloud Cups that are made by his fiancee Victoria Pickens. He aims to help not only the Black community but others who he feels are underrepresented and deserve a platform. Next month, Cloud Cups will be providing a fun and immersive experience for residents in the area with their new gelato-making workshops. At this time, the hours of operation for Thomas shop are Wednesdays to Sundays from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. As the weather gets warmer, more days will be added and the stores hours will likely change. Cloud Cups can also be ordered and delivered through Uber Eats, DoorDash and via its website. Thank you to everyone who came out last night for our friends + influencer soft opening!! Thank you to our business partners, PR team, interns, photographers, videographers + vendors for helping make it such a great event, Thomas captioned an Instagram post following the grand opening event. HUGE special thank you to @shepardheff + @dopeski_mcghee for holding us down and taking care of all our guests. Not all heroes wear capes!!! We couldnt have done it without yall and appreciate you so much. Copley High School junior Adrian Rehill stood outside his high school auditorium, like he has after every theater performance of his high school career, and took in the congratulatory comments of numerous audience members. But it wasn't a musical or a play Adrian had just performed. In the eyes of many who congratulated him, it was an act of bravery. Copley High School junior Adrian Rehill, 17, right, receives congratulatory comments in the high school's atrium following a speech to the school board about being transgender. In front of the Copley-Fairlawn City Schools board and a couple hundred audience members, Adrian spoke about his right to an education and a safe environment as a student and a person who is transgender. "We all deserve to feel safe and welcome in our place of education," Adrian said in his speech. "Do I not deserve that?" Being a transgender teen is not easy, Adrian said. "It sucks. Constantly feeling out of place, uncomfortable in your own skin, and ostracized in your communities," he said. "High school is supposed to be the best years of my life, thinking about my future and working hard to achieve my goals, but here I am today, sharing my story on why I should be able to feel safe in my learning environment instead of doing homework or spending time with my family." Adrian was at Tuesday night's school board meeting because word had quickly spread about comments one new school board member, Trevor Chuna, made at the board's previous work session, which is a public meeting of the board where no votes are taken. Minutes from that March 11 meeting show Chuna had asked the administration for information on several topics related to LGBTQ issues and advocated for the district to adopt a policy that would require staff to tell a student's parents if they express any sentiment of questioning their gender. He also asked about a policy around bathroom usage, for an approved literature list, and about high school clubs that have an LGBTQ purpose. "Mr. Chuna believes parental consent should be required for these types of clubs because he's aware that some students got involved and started questioning their sexuality and the parents were not aware," the minutes state. The minutes also state he issued concern about books on racism. "Mr. Chuna explained that the extra credit books being offered at the high school English class all deal with racism and you wonder if a certain ideology is being pressed," the minutes said. "He said the books should be ideologically neutral." Chuna, who was elected in November and started on the board in January, said after Tuesday's meeting that "at the end of the day, it's just asking questions" that other members of the community have but are "afraid to say anything." He encouraged people to listen to his personal recording of the work session, which he posted on his website. "I'm not here to discount anyone's experiences," he said. But he said his questions come from "personal experiences" of his children and of others in the district. He cited the possibility his fifth grade daughter could be in a locker room with an "eighth grade man." The minutes from March 11 indicate Superintendent Brian Poe answered many of Chuna's questions with information about how situations have been handled thus far, but also pushed back on several of Chuna's suggestions, including limiting pride flags. "Mr. Poe said that the legal advice he received is in public education that you don't check your First Amendment right at the door," the minutes said. Chuna's comments in that March 11 work session prompted what Board President Jim Borchik called the "second-biggest" crowd he's seen in his decades with the district at Tuesday's regular board meeting. There was nothing on the agenda dealing with LGBTQ issues, but about a dozen people spoke during public comment. The majority were in support of LGBTQ students and spoke of the need for their basic existence in schools not to be questioned. School board meetings becoming battlegrounds for LGBTQ issues Transgender people remain one of the most vulnerable populations, with one recent survey showing nearly half of transgender youth had seriously considered suicide. LGBTQ issues, especially transgender issues, have become a lightening rod for conservatives in recent years, with legislatures, including Ohio's, passing several anti-trans bills that limit everything from bathroom usage to medical care doctors can provide for their young transgender patients, even though such care would require parental consent. School boards have also become the new home for these issues to be debated, especially in suburban districts, and especially around issues of bathroom and locker room usage, approved curriculum materials and other books made available to students. Copley hadn't needed to grapple with these issues at the school board level, Borchik said, with cases of need or accommodations made for students on an individual level. "I know the problems that exist elsewhere," he said. "I'm appreciative of what we have." He said he doesn't mind Chuna asking questions but believes "there's no 'there' there." Parent says bullying of transgender child 'flies under the radar' In Tuesday's meeting, Adrian pushed back on reported questions Chuna asked about transgender students using school bathrooms. "If you're so worried about what goes on in the school bathrooms, why don't you address the current issues vaping, sex," Adrian said. "Because that's a continuous issue, not trans people trying to actually use the bathroom for the intended purpose." One woman spoke tearfully about rates of suicide and attempted suicide among LGBTQ youth. For her, she said, it was personal, citing a "close call" in her family and gratitude for Copley staff who helped her child. Speakers explained that not all parents are a safe place for LGBTQ kids and teens to be themselves or talk about their sexuality or gender identity. In some cases, their school counselor may be a lifeline of acceptance and listening. Parent Bobbi Beale, who is a clinical child psychologist and a parent of a transgender child, said her daughter has attended Copley schools for five years and "we have felt welcomed and supported here." But Beale said her daughter is constantly bullied at school, and it sometimes "flies under the radar." "As the political environment has shifted, the student body itself seems to have been given permission to be crueler and bully and to get away with it," Beale said. "When they hear that they don't have to respect all students, they act out on that. "I want you to understand there's harm being done already and work to be done to make it safer." Student Karmyn Allen was one of the few to call out Chuna directly, calling his comments a "blatant show of transphobia." Copley parent Tammy Buser said if she wanted religion to dictate her children's education, she would send them to parochial school, but she chose public schools. "It is critically important that my child and your children's freedom of speech is protected, that their mental health is the top priority, that my students understand multiple points of view from a myriad of staff and students and that no misplaced sense of religious entitlement is able to find it its way into the Copley-Fairlawn curriculum," Buser said. Copley board member: There's been a 'coordinated effort to intimidate me' While the majority of the crowd stood to cheer for speakers like Adrian, a portion did applaud the two speakers who had differing views. A woman who identified herself as a local chapter president for Moms for Liberty, a right-wing "parents rights" group that the Southern Poverty Law Center designated an "anti-government extremist group," spoke briefly to encourage board members to sign a pledge for a "Parents Bill of Rights." One speaker, Jody Nichols, spoke out of concern for seeing more transgender and pride flags in the school system. She said her heart breaks for those with gender dysphoria, but said "I believe it is a misplaced compassion" to "encourage" students to transition. "We can genuinely listen and affirm them that they are beautiful and perfect just the way they are," Nichols said. "We can reassure them that they're not alone." Borchik spoke briefly at the end of the comments, telling the crowd "we did take it all in" and thanking everyone who spoke. Chuna spoke at the end of the meeting, saying there had been a "coordinated effort to intimidate me" at the March 11 board meeting by those in the audience. He said he was advocating for transparency and encouraged parents to talk to their children about what they are learning, and not just what's in the curriculum. He said the minutes from the work session were accurate but did not include the full context of why he was asking the questions. "As a deeply ingrained member of this community, I have heard from countless people about what is most important as the school stewards, what is most precious to them, their children," he said. "I am one of five board members. I have no power to do anything on my own. I am simply a voice of the people who do have the power." 'I just wanted to say I'm proud of you' After the meeting, as dozens of people walked past Adrian in the atrium, several took the time to say congratulations, but also to thank him. One person said they had a transgender child and hoped they could see someone like Adrian a transgender boy who still wears his hair long and in ponytails because he likes it stand up for themselves. "I just wanted to say I'm proud of you," another person said. "Keep up the good work." Adrian said he wrote the speech during statistics class Tuesday as soon as he heard about Chuna's comments and learned there was a board meeting later that night. "I was honestly shocked," Adrian said. "That's not what our school itself represents." Contact education reporter Jennifer Pignolet at jpignolet@thebeaconjournal.com, at 330-996-3216 or on Twitter @JenPignolet. If you or someone you know needs mental health support, contact the national Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988. Support is also available for the LGBTQ community through The Trevor Project by texting "start" to 678-678 or calling 1-866-488-7386. This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Copley pushes back on school board member's 'show of transphobia' CAIRO (AP) U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday a major Israeli ground assault on the southern Gaza town of Rafah would be a mistake and unnecessary to defeating Hamas, underscoring the further souring of relations between the United States and Israel. Blinken, on his sixth urgent Mideast mission since the war began in October, spoke after huddling with top Arab diplomats in Cairo for discussions on efforts for a cease-fire and Gaza's post-conflict future. He said an immediate, sustained cease-fire with the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas was urgently needed and that gaps were narrowing in indirect negotiations that U.S., Egypt and Qatar have spent weeks mediating. Those negotiations are to continue at a senior level in Qatar on Friday. Blinken heads to Israel on Friday to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his War Cabinet. The growing disagreements between Netanyahu and President Joe Biden over the prosecution of the war will likely overshadow those talks particularly over Netanyahu's determination to launch a ground assault on Rafah, where more than a million Palestinians have sought refuge from devastating Israeli ground and air strikes further north. Netanyahu has said that without an invasion of Rafah, Israel can't achieve its goal of destroying Hamas after its deadly Oct. 7 attack and taking of hostages that triggered Israel's bombardment and offensive in Gaza. A major military operation in Rafah would be a mistake, something we dont support. And, its also not necessary to deal with Hamas, which is necessary, Blinken told a news conference in Cairo with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry. A major offensive would mean more civilian deaths and worsen Gaza's humanitarian crisis, Blinken said, adding that his talks on Rafah in Israel on Friday and discussions between senior U.S. and Israeli officials next week in Washington will be to share ideas for alternative action. The U.S. position on a Rafah operation has shifted significantly in recent days. Initially, U.S. officials said they could not support a major incursion into the city unless there was a clear and credible plan for getting civilians out of harm's way. Now, U.S. officials said they have concluded there is no credible way to do that, given the density of the population of more than a million people. They say now that other options, including specifically targeted operations against known Hamas fighters and commanders, are the only way to avoid a civilian catastrophe. But Netanyahu, on a roughly 45-minute call with GOP senators on Wednesday, pledged to ignore warnings about a Rafah operation. He also took aim at Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumers condemnation last week of the civilian death toll in Gaza and his call for new elections in Israel in a speech that Biden later said was good. Netanyahu stressed that Israel would move ahead in Rafah, according to senators who participated in the meeting. Sen. John Kennedy, a Louisiana Republican, said Netanyahu made it very clear that he and the people of Israel intend to prosecute the war to the full extent of their power and that he would not be dictated to by Senator Schumer or President Biden. Netanyahu has been accused by Israeli critics of undermining bipartisan American support by cultivating close ties with Republican leaders. As Blinken and the Arab ministers met, Gazas Health Ministry raised the territorys death toll to nearly 32,000 Palestinians since the war began on its soil. Also, U.N. officials stepped up warnings that famine is imminent in northern Gaza. The Cairo talks gathered Blinken with the foreign ministers of Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, as well as a top official from the Palestine Liberation Organization, the internationally recognized body representing the Palestinian people. They also discussed ways to increase urgent humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza by land, air and sea. In an earlier meeting with Blinken, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi stressed the need for an immediate cease-fire and warned against the dangerous repercussions of any Israeli offensive in Rafah, according to a statement issued by el-Sissis spokesperson. Both parties renewed their rejection of the forced displacement of Gazans and agreed on the importance of taking all necessary measures to ensure the arrival of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, the statement said. Blinken said gaps are narrowing in talks over a cease-fire but that more work was needed. There are still real challenges, he said. "Weve closed some gaps but there are still gaps. Netanyahus office said Thursday that the head of the Mossad spy agency will return to Qatar on Friday to meet with CIA chief William Burns and other key mediators in the talks. The office said Thursday that Qatars prime minister and Egypts intelligence chief would also join the talks. Meanwhile, the United States said it would seek a vote Friday on a revised and tougher U.N. resolution demanding an immediate and sustained cease-fire to protect civilians and enable humanitarian aid to be delivered. The resolution is notable because it does not directly tie the release of the hostages to the need for a cease-fire. Still, Blinken said the two must go hand-in-hand. There is an urgent need for an immediate, sustained cease-fire with the release of hostages, he said. Netanyahu has also rejected the Biden administration's repeated remonstrations that Israel's long-term security cannot be assured without the creation of an independent Palestinian state. A clear path and deadline for the formation of a Palestinian state are key requirements for Saudi Arabia and other Arab nations to normalize relations with Israel, something Netanyahu is keen to achieve. Blinken spent much of his time in Jeddah with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussing the normalization process, which would also include U.S.-Saudi agreements. With tensions running high after not speaking for a month, Biden and Netanyahu held a phone call on Monday during which Netanyahu agreed to send a team of experts to Washington to discuss the Rafah plans. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant will also visit Washington separately next week. The war began after Palestinian militants killed some 1,200 people in the surprise Oct. 7 attack out of Gaza that triggered the war, and abducted another 250 people. Hamas is still believed to be holding some 100 people hostage, as well as the remains of 30 others. ___ Associated Press writers Josef Federman in Jerusalem and Noha ElHennawy in Cairo contributed to this report. ___ Find more of AP's war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday the path towards normalisation between Israel and Saudi Arabia, delayed by the war in Gaza, was seeing "very good progress". Blinken said at a press conference in Cairo that his visit to the Gulf kingdom on Wednesday had yielded "a very good discussion" with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan. The talks had focused both on the war in Gaza and on relations between the United States and Saudi Arabia, where Blinken had made three visits since the start of the war on October 7. The US top diplomat said he could not "put a time frame" on normalisation, but that discussions were "getting close to a point where we'll have agreements". According to a senior state department official who spoke to AFP on condition of anonymity, further progress is contingent on the resolution of a handful of issues. Blinken said it would be a "historic opportunity for the two nations and for the region as a whole". Washington has sought to rally Arab countries around long-term plans for post-war governance in the Gaza Strip, and further normalisation deals with Israel. The United States, Israel's main backer, has long sought to broker an eventual agreement between Saudi Arabia and Israel, which would entail US security guarantees for the kingdom. Riyadh, however, had conditioned any such agreement on the recognition of an independent Palestinian state -- a prospect rejected by Israel. An agreement had nevertheless seemed on the horizon last year, before the outbreak of the deadliest ever war in Gaza. The war was sparked by Hamas's October 7 attack that resulted in about 1,160 deaths, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of official Israeli figures. The kingdom has been highly critical of Israel's retaliatory military campaign in Hamas-run Gaza, which has killed nearly 32,000 people, mostly women and children, according to the territory's health ministry. Riyadh has said it would not establish ties with Israel until Israeli forces leave Gaza and an agreement is reached towards the creation of a Palestinian state. The regional heavyweight has never recognised Israel and did not join the 2020 US-brokered Abraham Accords that saw its Gulf neighbours Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates as well as Morocco establish formal ties with Israel. lb/bha/jsa US Secretary of State Antony Blinken delivered a stern message to Qatar earlier this month: Tell Hamas that they must deliver on a hostage and ceasefire deal that would halt the war in Gaza or risk getting kicked out of the Qatari capital of Doha where senior members of the terror group are based, two US officials told CNN. The pressure from the US came at a time when negotiations between Hamas and Israel had stalled, before Hamas came back to the table with a new set of demands which were discussed this week in Doha. The indirect talks, held between Israel and Hamas under Qatari and Egyptian mediation, were the first to be held in Doha at that level in weeks and are set to resume on Friday. The message was delivered by Blinken to Qatars Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani in a meeting in Washington on March 5, sources familiar with the matter said. US officials said that Qatar, which has been a critical partner to the US in efforts to reach a ceasefire deal, understood the message and received it without major pushback. Qatari officials did not comment on the specific meeting but said that they are exerting immense pressure on Hamas. It is unclear if Qatar delivered the warning to Hamas leaders. Hamas established a political office in Doha in 2012, with senior members of the group based there permanently. As a result, Qatar plays a crucial role in the region between Hamas and other nations. While Blinkens message this month was tough, the Biden administration has been actively discussing with Qatar its relationship with Hamas since the terror group carried out its brutal attack on Israel on October 7. A week after the October 7 attack, Blinken met with Qatars Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani in Doha and publicly said there can be no more business as usual with Hamas. During that meeting, the Emir suggested that the country would be willing to expel Hamas leaders from Doha if they were asked to do so by the US, according to sources familiar with the meeting. But the Emir also told Blinken that Hamas was willing to turn over some hostages and Blinken agreed that it would be good to pursue the opportunity to get out the hostages, which kicked off the entire negotiating process, separate sources familiar with the meeting told CNN. The talks have gone on for months and brought about a temporary pause in fighting and a limited hostage release in November. The message from Blinken earlier this month was prompted by US frustrations over the slow pace of progress in the negotiations, US officials said. I would have liked to have seen it done even earlier. I cant be sure that it wasnt done, but their behavior suggests to me that they werent feeling pressure from us over there, said Dennis Ross, a former US envoy to the Middle East. My guess is early on, there was a difference in assessment from the administration, they thought they would get more responsiveness by not putting pressure on that [Hamas]. I think as time went on, theyve become somewhat more frustrated. While some US officials noted that it is unclear exactly how much leverage Hamass political wing Doha has over the groups militant faction in Gaza, they also pointed to forward movement this week with the parties finally meeting again in Doha. Blinken struck an optimistic tone this week, saying on Wednesday that the negotiations are getting closer to a deal. I think the gaps are narrowing, and I think an agreement is very much possible, Blinken said. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Princess Kate Middleton of Wales, while on sick leave after undergoing abdominal surgery, was unable to perform her duties but worked on her "life's work." Last year, she launched the Royal Early Childhood Center's Shaping Us project, which she was able to devote a lot of time to during her rehabilitation. ADVERTISIMENT Earlier, Kensington Palace reported that the princess was unlikely to go out in public until Easter. According to the Daily Mail, the possible resumption of work on the early childhood development project indicates her readiness to return to duty. Despite the difficult rehabilitation after a complex surgery, the royal's commitment to the project remained unwavering. Middleton personally proposed the introduction of a new tool for monitoring children after seeing a similar system in Denmark during one of her royal visits. This tool, known as the Alarm Distress Baby Scale, records a variety of indicators, from eye contact to activity levels. It helps parents and medical staff to better understand the behavior and development of babies, which can save lives and improve health. ADVERTISIMENT Middleton has been actively collaborating with experts and observing the results of the research. Her efforts and contributions have already led to positive change, as those who have agreed to participate have said that ADBS has helped them understand infant behavior and development. Thanks to the use of this specialized tool, it is possible to detect any problems with a baby's development at an early stage. "The princess was constantly making changes throughout the process," said a representative of Kensington Palace. "The campaign is basically aimed at drawing attention to the critical importance of early childhood and how it shapes adulthood. During this time, we lay the foundations and building blocks for life. And this is when we learn to perceive ourselves, others and the world we live in. That's why it's important not only to understand the unique importance of our early years, but also to know what we can all do to help raise future generations of happy and healthy adults," the princess explained the concept of the project at its launch. ADVERTISIMENT Earlier, OBOZ.UA reported that the reason why Kate Middleton underwent surgery is still unknown. Due to her long absence from the public eye, fans of the royal family began to worry about the princess's physical condition, and some even tried to gain access to confidential medical records from the Private London Clinic. The hospital's management has now launched an urgent investigation, and Middleton has already been informed of the incident. We have only verified information on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! US Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks during a joint press conference with Egypt's foreign minister (Khaled DESOUKI) US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday a major military operation by Israel in Gaza's southernmost city of Rafah would be "a mistake", adding that a truce agreement was "possible". Blinken said "gaps are narrowing" in ongoing ceasefire and hostage release talks in Qatar, where the head of Israel's spy agency was due to meet his American and Egyptian counterparts Friday. "It's difficult to get there, but I believe it is still possible," Blinken said in a joint press conference with his Egyptian counterpart in Cairo. Blinken also said there is "a better way to deal with the ongoing threat posed by Hamas" than Israel's plans for a major military operation in Rafah. Global concern has surged over a looming Israeli ground offensive on Rafah, where 1.5 million mostly displaced Palestinians are sheltering, hemmed in by the Egyptian border. He said the ground offensive would be "unnecessary" and that "there is no place for the civilians amassed in Rafah to get out of harm's way". "There is a false choice involved here ... Hamas can be effectively dealt with without a major ground operation in Rafah," Blinken continued. Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry echoed the call for a "ceasefire and release of hostages and detainees" and an urgent "intensifying of aid operations in light of an unprecedented situation". The United Nations has repeatedly warned of imminent famine facing 2.4 million people in the besieged Palestinian territory, where over five months of war have largely destroyed civilian infrastructure and left most of the population displaced. The bloodiest ever Gaza war broke out on October 7 after Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on Israel, resulting in about 1,160 deaths, according to an AFP tally of official figures. Militants also seized about 250 hostages, of whom Israel believes 130 remain in Gaza, including 33 who are presumed dead. Israel's retaliatory military campaign in Hamas-ruled Gaza has killed nearly 32,000 people, mostly women and children, according to the territory's health ministry. "Israel must not carry out any military operation in Rafah, to avoid even more civilian victims and displacement," Shoukry said, reiterating Cairo's previous warnings against the forced displacement of Palestinians. Blinken and Shoukry had earlier on Thursday held meetings with government ministers from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates, as well as a representative of the Palestinian Authority, which governs the occupied West Bank. In a joint statement, the Arab ministers called for "a comprehensive and immediate ceasefire" and the "opening of all crossings between Israel and the Gaza Strip." Blinken also confirmed the United States had circulated a draft UN resolution calling for an "immediate" ceasefire in Gaza, after months of Security Council vetoes objecting to the phrasing. A version of the resolution seen by AFP stressed "the need for an immediate and durable ceasefire" to protect civilians and allow aid into the territory. Blinken stressed any immediate truce must be linked to the release of hostages taken by Palestinian militants during the October 7 attack. lb/jsa Sam Phillips is due to appear at Harrow Crown Court on April 13 - Facebook A boarding school has written to parents warning them pupils may have been victims of a teacher accused of child abuse. Sam Phillips, 27, who taught at Belmont School in Mill Hill, north London, where fees are 23,400 a year, was arrested and charged last week with 11 sexual offences against teenage children. Mill Hill School, a 43,590-a-year boarding school that Belmont feeds to, wrote to parents on Wednesday to inform them that some of the alleged victims were pupils of Mill Hill. Notable alumni of Mill Hill include Richard Dimbleby, the BBC war correspondent, Patrick Troughton, the Doctor Who actor, and Lord Lebedev, the media owner. Mr Phillips, from Sutton, south London, taught at Belmont from Sept 2017 to Mar 2021. He is accused of one charge of causing a girl aged 13 to engage in sexual activity, one charge of attempting to meet a 14-year-old girl following grooming, and four charges of making indecent images of a child. Mr Phillips also faces two charges of attempting to cause a girl aged 13 to engage in sexual activity and three charges of engaging in sexual communication with a child. Parents offered support David Benson, the Mill Hill headteacher, told parents that all pupils would be offered support during a series of house meetings taking place on Thursday. I am writing to share some distressing news regarding a former foundation member of staff, Mr Sam Phillips, Mr Benson wrote in the letter, according to The Times. We have been informed by the police that Mr Phillips was arrested and charged last week with recent online sexual offences involving teenage children. The allegations relate to a period after Mr Phillips left Belmont. We are fully cooperating with the police and local authority safeguarding teams and taking their guidance regarding the information we can share. The charges are deeply concerning, and our thoughts are with the victims and their families. According to the letter, Mr Phillips was suspended and then resigned from Belmont in March 2021 after matters concerning activities outside of school were raised. Parents were told in a newsletter that he had left for personal reasons at the time. However, many are said to be furious they were not informed about the real circumstances of his departure in 2021. They told The Times: Every one of the parents is furious and angry. [Mr Phillips] was my daughters form tutor and had one-to-one mentor meetings with her every week but neither her nor her mother and I have been spoken to by the school. He was my daughters favourite teacher and you would think the school would have spoken to us. A spokesman for the Mill Hill School Foundation said: We have been shocked to learn of the charges against a former Belmont member of staff Sam Phillips, who worked as a teacher at our prep school from September 2017 until March 2021. These relate to alleged online offences committed between December 2023 and February 2024. Given the ongoing criminal proceedings, we cannot comment further. The wellbeing of our pupils remains our absolute priority and we are committed to maintaining the safety of all the children in our care. The school has robust safeguarding procedures in place which are regularly reviewed. Mr Phillips is due to appear at Harrow Crown Court on April 13. 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. Congress is eyeing more government oversight of Boeing after a series of high-profile accidents have launched multiple investigations into the companys practices and temporarily barred the airplane manufacturer from increasing production. Boeing has been under intense scrutiny after a panel blew off one of the companys 737 Max 9 jetliners in midflight on Jan. 5. An investigation found no bolts had been installed to secure the plug, which blew out shortly after the Alaska Airlines flight took off. The Justice Department launched a criminal investigation into Boeing last week after the company admitted that it couldnt find records that the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) sought for work done on the panel at its factory. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is also investigating Boeing, and FAA Administrator Michael Whitaker has cited issues around the safety culture. Their priorities have been on production, and not on safety and quality. So what we really are focused on now is shifting that focus from production to safety and quality, Whitaker told NBCs Nightly News in an interview that aired Tuesday. Lawmakers have made it clear that they want to see those changes and soon, with possible legislation on the way to make sure it happens. Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, which oversees Boeing and the FAA, said there will absolutely be further congressional action on the matter. Senators must first hammer out a long-term reauthorization of the FAA, due by May 10, which would stipulate more aviation safety inspectors and more direction to the FAA on oversight, Cantwell told The Hill. After that, the committee will have FAA officials and manufacturers come and talk to us about what additional change is needed, she said. And Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), ranking member on the panel, said the FAA unquestionably needs to exert more oversight over Boeing given the recent safety problems. This is an ongoing issue. Obviously, what has happened with Boeing in recent months is deeply concerning. The NTSB is engaged in investigation dealing with the Alaska Airlines incident. That investigation needs to proceed to conclusion, he told The Hill. The challenges weve seen recently have raised real and material concerns and concerns that need to be addressed. Asked whether the FAA needs to step up oversight of Boeing, Cruz replied, absolutely, though he did not say whether he or his colleagues would propose any legislation or resolution to ensure that. And Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.), who also sits on the committee, said he and his fellow panel members believe there needs to be more FAA oversight of the plane-maker and Congress should push the agency to do that, noting, Boeings a mess. A Boeing spokesperson told The Hill on Wednesday the company is taking significant action to strengthen safety and quality at Boeing. We are focused on demonstrating change and building trust one airplane at a time. This increased scrutiny whether from ourselves, from the FAA or from others will make us better. After an FAA audit found multiple non-compliance issues in Boeings manufacturing process control, parts handling and storage, and product control earlier this month, the regulator gave Boeing 90 days to come up with a plan to fix the issues. In the meantime, the FAA has barred Boeing from increasing production until it demonstrates it has improved its safety standards, according to Whitaker. A separate report by federal aviation experts released last month identified gaps in the companys safety culture. The review, which began before the Alaskan Airlines blowout, included several safety recommendations, including calls to beef up employees understanding of safety culture and protocols, establishing an autonomous investigation process, ensuring anonymity of Boeings Speak Up program and create a process to capture informal safety-related reports to supervisors and managers. Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun said the audit and review provided a clear picture of what needs to be done. Calhoun also promised to come up with a plan that would provide the profound change the FAA has demanded. Boeing said it has already implemented steps to enhance safety, including weekly compliance checks for all 737 work cells and deploying a Safety Management System to review and reduce traveled work, when the manufacturer notes a part is unavailable during final assembly but continues production. But Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, whose department includes the FAA, on Tuesday said there are real concerns with quality control at Boeing. Every time I get on a plane, I know that Im participating in the safest mode of transportation in America. And I know the people who work very hard to keep it that way. And thats part of why were pressing Boeing so hard, Buttigieg said at an Axios event in Washington. Boeing said the company has taken important steps to foster a safety culture that empowers and encourages all employees to share their voice. But there is more work to do. We will carefully review the panels assessment and learn from their findings, as we continue our comprehensive efforts to improve our safety and quality programs, a spokesperson said. The company has taken responsibility for the accident and prioritized transparency with lawmakers and regulators, a Boeing spokesperson told The Hill, who noted Boeings in-house lobbying team had been in contact with offices for every member of Congress since the Jan. 5 incident. Boeings sprawling network of lobbyists plays a key role as the company communicates with lawmakers and policymakers amid the ongoing investigations. Boeing is one of the worlds largest aviation and defense companies, and it operates one of Washingtons biggest lobbying operations. Boeing spent more than $14.4 million on federal lobbying in 2023, making it the 15th largest spender among myriad organizations engaging with policymakers and the policymaking process, according to federal lobbying disclosures analyzed by the nonpartisan money-in-politics research nonprofit OpenSecrets. Of the 109 lobbyists that registered to work on behalf of Boeing in 2023, 78 nearly three-quarters had previously worked in the federal government, including five former members of Congress, according to OpenSecrets. Last year, 17 firms registered to lobby for Boeing on issues including FAA reauthorization, defense appropriations, NASA aeronautics programs funding and health care and employee benefit issues. Boeing has revamped its lobbying operation in the years following fatal 737 Max 8 jet crashes in 2018 and 2019. The airline giant brought on Ziad Ojakli as its executive vice president of government operations in October 2021, and three firms that had been longtime lobbyists for Boeing stopped lobbying for them at the end of that year. We were very proud of the work we had done for Boeing for almost a decade. We were surprised when we were let go and Im sure theres others that feel the same way. Sam Geduldig, partner at CGCN, told The Hill. A former Boeing consultant told The Hill there was a danger in just firing a bunch of really well-connected people that worked on very sensitive issues. They created a bunch of enemies and its probably not helpful right now to have all those angry consultants floating around, they said. Boeing has already made one big change to its lobbying operation this year: Cornerstone Government Affairs stopped lobbying for Boeing at the end of February after working together in Washington for more than 14 years. The firm has reported receiving more than $3.2 million in lobbying fees from Boeing since it first registered to lobby for the airline giant in 2010, including $320,000 last year. A Boeing spokesperson said the company regularly reviews contracts with consultants and the two amicably parted ways. The Hill reached out to Cornerstone for comment. Our focus is on the issue at hand on safety and on quality and on being as transparent as possible with all of our stakeholders. Our government relations team will continue to communicate transparently and effectively with government officials and policy makers as we move forward, a Boeing spokesperson said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) High-profile errors including downright scary and terrorizing in-flight incidents have put Boeing under intense scrutiny. The aircraft giant, accused of putting production and profits over safety is under investigation for alleged quality control failures. Now, the federal aviation administrator is speaking out. Boeing doesnt have a choice but to improve its safety standards. Thats what FAA Chief Mike Whitaker told NBC News in an interview this week. A recent series of stunning safety issues, the most shocking involving the mid-air door blow-out on that Boeing 737 Max 9 Alaska Airlines flight, prompted an audit with disturbing revelations. According to Whitaker, Boeings company culture placed more emphasis on mass production than safety standards. An initial investigation into the door blow-out found no bolts had been installed to secure the door plug to the plane. This led to heightened scrutiny of the already blistered Boeing 737 Max fleet. PREVIOUS: Boeing whistleblower who raised production concerns found dead at 62 In 2018 and 2019, two Max 8 crashes took the lives of 346 people in separate accidents attributed to a flight control software design flaw. After a nearly two-year grounding before being released to return to the skies, the Max fleet has been struggling to regain public confidence. This latest public relations nightmare has inspired t-shirts with the slogan, If its Boeing, Im not going. Whitaker described the door blow-out incident as a production failure, calling for Boeing to make changes ASAP. The aircraft maker said it will cooperate despite reportedly not being able to find the maintenance records documenting who, if anyone at Boeing, inspected the door with missing bolts, allowing the plane to sail through the production line. PREVIOUS: DOJ opens criminal investigation into the Boeing plane door plug blowout, report says Whitaker is pressing Boeing to encourage its employees to feel free to speak up, if they see something, say something, without fear of retaliation. Just last week, whistleblower John Barnett, a former quality control manager for Boeing, was found shot to death in his truck after not showing up for his third day of testimony in a bombshell lawsuit alleging Boeing of serious safety missteps. Authorities said it appeared to be a suicide. Barnetts family and attorneys are not buying it. According to reports, before his mysterious death, Barnett told family members if anything happened to him, it was not suicide. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. The bomb disposal experts of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine have removed and destroyed the warhead of a Kh-101 missile found near a residential building in Kyivs Shevchenkivskyi district. Source: Ukraines State Emergency Service on Facebook Quote: "After the morning large-scale Russian attack, the warhead of a Kh-101 missile was found near a residential building in the Shevchenkivskyi district of Kyiv. The law enforcement officers blocked traffic and evacuated the residents jointly with the rescue workers." Details: The bomb disposal experts of the Mobile Rescue Centre of Rapid Response of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine transported the part of the missile to its demolition site and destroyed it. The rescue workers specify that the warhead was destroyed using a PM-V heavy bomb disposal machine. Photo: The State Emergency Service of Ukraine Photo: The State Emergency Service of Ukraine Photo: The State Emergency Service of Ukraine Photo: The State Emergency Service of Ukraine Support UP or become our patron! House columnist Jay Bookman writes that the push by Georgia lawmakers for school vouchers is a tacit admission that GOP leadership has failed public schools during the two decades the party held power in Georgia. Getty Images In its attempt to shove school vouchers down the throat of reluctant voters, Georgia Republicans have argued that the states existing structure of public schools is not capable of providing an adequate education to many students, especially to those in failing schools. If thats true, its basically an admission of failure by the GOP, since that party has dominated Georgia politics, and Georgia education policy, for more than two decades now. But it also creates a problem of a different sort. You see, in the words of the Georgia Constitution: The provision of an adequate public education for the citizens shall be a primary obligation of the State of Georgia. Note the terms primary obligation and, even more importantly, adequate public education. Not private. Public. Thats the duty that the constitution confers upon those in charge. By telling us that the state is not providing an adequate public education, Georgias current political leadership, including Gov. Brian Kemp, is telling us that in its own judgment it is failing to perform its constitutional duties. That puts them in a bit of a pickle. In Senate Bill 233, the private-school voucher program that now stands on the precipice of passage, the General Assembly attempts to hand-wave its way out of that dilemma. The bill states that creation of a voucher program a program supposedly justified because our schools are inadequate shall not be construed to imply that a public school did not provide a free and appropriate public education or constitute a waiver or admission by the state. So we are supposed to believe that our public school system is simultaneously failing and not failing. Heres what we do know. We know that schools in lower-income areas are usually those most likely to face challenges, and we know that Georgia is one of only six states in the country that does not provide additional state funding to school systems serving large numbers of children from low-income families. The General Assembly could fund such a program, but instead is choosing to fund private-school vouchers. Under SB 233, it is allocating up to $141 million a year to help students in lower-performing schools escape into supposedly better-performing private schools. (Based on years of research, most of those private schools will not be better-performing.) And based on the trajectory of voucher programs in other states, that $141 million is a mere down payment on whats to come. Next year theyll come back for more, and then more, and then much much more. It happens every time, in every state. Initially, the Georgia voucher is limited to a maximum of $6,000, plus a $500 transportation subsidy. That $6,000 is nowhere near enough to allow poor families to cover tuition for a quality private-school education, which costs two to five times that much. But its a nice subsidy for upper middle-class families already paying for a private-school education, which is how most vouchers will be used. Under the provisions of SB 233, the only students eligible for vouchers are those who live in school districts ranked in the bottom 25% of Georgia school districts. That provision may seem like a good-faith attempt to limit vouchers to where they would supposedly do the most good, but again, based on the trajectory of other states, the limitation will be only temporary. It will be eliminated as soon as it is politically feasible to do so. All across the country, its the same pattern. What were witnessing is the gradual, persistent, conscious erosion of the public education system. And once we allow that foundation to crumble, it will be extremely difficult if not impossible to rebuild. In some states that are farther down that road, were already seeing calls to use public tax money to build the physical infrastructure for private schools, which would then be owned not by the taxpayers who paid for them, but by the non-profit or in some cases for-profit private schools. And heres whats most galling: This campaign to deconstruct our public education system a system described in our state constitution as a primary obligation of state government is not driven by popular demand. In every state that vouchers have been put on the ballot, they have been thoroughly rejected. Even Georgia Republicans, with an overwhelming advantage in both the House and Senate, can barely scrape together legislative majorities to pass vouchers. Instead, the campaign is being driven by a relative handful of extremely rich, extremely ideological campaign donors around the country. Their message has been clear in every state that has adopted vouchers: If you want their campaign money, you must do their bidding. And Gov. Brian Kemp wants their campaign money. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Bookman: Georgias $141M voucher program likely mere down payment on whats to come appeared first on Georgia Recorder. Polish protesters have completely lifted their blockade at the Medyka-Shehyni crossing at the Polish-Ukrainian border, Ukraine's Border Guard Service spokesperson Andrii Demchenko told Hromadske on March 21. Polish farmers began blocking trucks at six border crossings, including Medyka-Shehyni, in February in protest of Ukrainian agricultural imports and EU's Green Deal. A blockade at one of the checkpoints Korczowa-Krakovets was lifted earlier this month. Protests are ongoing at the remaining four crossings: Hrebenne-Rava-Ruska, Dorohusk-Yahodyn, Zosin-Ustyluh, and Uhryniv-Dolhobychuv. Protesters at the Medyka-Shehyni crossing initially announced shortly before noon on March 20 that they would start restricting the passage of buses, in addition to trucks. At around 9 p.m. Kyiv time, Ukrainian border guards received information that the blockade at this crossing would be lifted completely, Demchenko said. As of the morning of March 21, 850 trucks are waiting in lines in Poland at the four blocked crossings, with the most problematic being Hrebenne-Rava-Ruska and Dorohusk-Yahodyn. The ongoing blockade has led to deteriorating relations between Kyiv and Warsaw. Protestors spilled Ukrainian grain on several occasions, sparking outrage in Ukraine. Polish farmers also launched large-scale protests across Poland on March 20, with the Polish police reporting hundreds of protest events across all regions of the country. Similar protests were held in Warsaw on March 6 and on Feb. 27. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. U.S. Border Patrol agents pick up asylum seekers from an aid camp at the U.S.-Mexico border in Arizona earlier this month. (Justin Hamel / Bloomberg via Getty Images) For the record: 2:37 p.m. March 25, 2024: An earlier version of this post said that Josh Harder resides in Turlock, Calif. He resides in Tracy. The Republican effort to solidify immigration as a decisive issue in the November election promises to influence the rematch between President Biden and former President Trump, and has already intensified the pressure on swing-district Democrats as their party fights to win control of Congress. Seeking a political advantage, Trump continues to hammer Biden over his administrations border policies and stoke anti-immigrant sentiment vowing mass deportations of people residing in the country illegally, dehumanizing them as animals and accusing them of poisoning communities. Biden has adopted a stricter tone in recent months as he urges House Republicans to pass a bipartisan border security bill, saying he would shut down the border immediately if given the chance. The bill itself marks the first time most Democrats in Congress have supported immigration legislation without a provision for people to seek legal status. Read more: What will Biden say on immigration? Border agent and 'Dreamers' expected at State of the Union The same theme is playing out down the ballot, as some Democrats grow more outspoken about their support for stronger border security and harsher immigration policies. Thirty-seven Democrats voted this month for the Laken Riley Act, which would require the Homeland Security Department to detain immigrants who are arrested on suspicion of theft-related crimes. A week later, 14 Democrats voted for a resolution denouncing the Biden administrations open-borders policies. The votes could reflect how Democrats in vulnerable congressional seats might stave off attacks from opponents who say theyre soft on the issues of immigration and the border. Chris Tausanovitch, a political science professor at UCLA who studies Congress, said Republicans had designed recent immigration-related bills to win over politically vulnerable Democrats forcing some to condemn a president from their own party. We know the situation at the border has changed massively, he said. Border security has always been popular among the American public. Politically, that is a smart swing-seat stance. Senate Democrats, who hold a slim majority, immediately blocked the Laken Riley Act from moving forward. Tausanovitch said that some House Democrats who voted for it might have voted differently if the measure had stood a chance of becoming law. The fact that these bills do not have a chance of passing makes it a political win-win for a moderate Democrat who wants to show that they really have a harsh stance on immigration, he said. But House Republicans, who last month blocked a bipartisan Senate border security bill at Trumps behest, have put forward bills that are tangentially related but not exactly about border security, and that are unpalatable to most of those to their left. Tausanovitch said thats because Republicans want to show voters they are trying while still remaining loyal to their presidential candidates wishes. Reps. Mike Levin of San Juan Capistrano and Josh Harder of Tracy were among the California Democrats who voted for the Laken Riley Act. Though both incumbents are favored to win reelection in November, Levin's district in Orange and San Diego counties is almost evenly divided among Democratic and Republican voters, and Harder faces a challenge from Stockton's Republican mayor, Kevin Lincoln, in his Central Valley district. The Laken Riley Act was named for a Georgia college student who was slain last month. Police have arrested a suspect in her death who reportedly entered the U.S. unlawfully in 2022 and was released inside the country by Border Patrol. The bill would also allow states to sue the federal government over alleged failures related to immigration enforcement. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) immediately condemned the 170 Democrats who voted against the bill. Sadly, if these Democrats have their way, there will be more victims like Laken Riley, he said on the social media platform X . Rileys father said this week that it angers him to see her death being exploited for political gain. After casting his vote in favor of the GOP measure, Levin released a statement saying he believes everyone should abide by the rule of law. While I voted for this bill, I do not agree with its language that injects politics into legislative text and wrongfully singles out the Biden administration for Ms. Rileys murder, he wrote. Levin is among a group of 26 House Democrats who formed the Democrats for Border Security Task Force this month. Led by Reps. Henry Cuellar of Texas and Tom Suozzi of New York, the group aims to address a surge in illicit narcotics and irregular migration at the southern border. Suozzi, who replaced the expelled former Republican Rep. George Santos last month, campaigned on tightening border security and pushing for bipartisan immigration reform that will treat people like human beings. Sen. Christopher S. Murphy of Connecticut urged his Democratic colleagues in a memo last month to emphasize the border and immigration, saying Suozzis win could serve as a roadmap for Democrats. Rep. Susie Lee of Nevada, who also voted for the resolution condemning Bidens policies and for the Laken Riley Act, said she had always been strong on border security, a top issue in her district. But local advocates slammed her vote for the resolution on border policies, calling it a disappointing misstep. Do these resolutions have language that I dont 100% support? Absolutely, Lee said in response. But the fact of the matter is its not just our border security. We obviously need to have a border and respect that border, but more importantly we need to reform our immigration system. This is something that Congress has failed to do for the last 30 years. Lee said she disliked that the Riley act was written in such a partisan way. But she said bipartisanship means neither side gets exactly what it wants. You should start and negotiate from where you can find common ground, she said. But too often, especially when it comes to immigration reform, so many times the conversation starts at the red line. Whether or not a bill will pass, Lee said, she always votes based on what is in front of her. Democratic strategist Maria Cardona said Democrats have reached a turning point. Republicans turning their back on the border bill gave Democrats an opening to go on the offensive, she said. A bipartisan group of senators had worked for months to craft the $118-billion border security and foreign aid bill. Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, furious they were left out of the negotiations, opposed its wishlist of GOP immigration priorities, including raising the threshold for asylum seekers and curbing presidential authority to parole migrants who face persecution in their home countries. But the legislation fell apart after Trump told Republicans not to support it. Read more: California Sen. Padilla splits with Biden on proposed immigration, foreign aid package Instead of playing on Republican turf, Cardona said, Democrats need to use this moment to define, in detail, their immigration solutions broadly speaking, a balanced approach coupling increased security measures with expanded legal pathways for immigrants. Democrats previously left a vacuum open by not talking about the issue enough, she said. Now theyre speaking out. When theres a vacuum, its going to be filled with misinformation, she said. If you dont define yourself, your opponent is going to define you. Its the first rule of politics. Kerri Talbot, executive director of the advocacy group Immigration Hub who works with Congress to develop policy, said it was disappointing to see Democrats vote with Republicans for the Laken Riley Act. Theres a cost to Trump focusing all of his energy on this issue, she said. Hes got a big bully pulpit. Get the best of the Los Angeles Times politics coverage with the Essential Politics newsletter. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. When my wife and I went to vote last Tuesday, the polling station was nearly empty. One of the election workers told me it was the least busy election shed ever seen, and as a political junkie, that did make me a little sad. Not sad enough to wish things had been entirely different, though. Not that the results of the first state-wide presidential primary held in more than 30 years covered Kansas voters with glory. Overall, barely over 8% of all registered Democrats in the whole state participated, with the Republicans doing only slightly better, with not quite 11% turning out. Cleary, Kansas voters werent fired up by the choices available to them. But then, no one expected them to be. President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump had already secured more than enough delegates to win their parties presidential nominations. So what substantive reason was there to participate, anyway? Why did my wife and I, along with thousands of others? First, because the substantive results arent the whole story; sometimes, voters have symbolic goals in mind. Some Republicans wanted to run up Trumps totals as show of support in the midst of all his legal penalties and controversies. (He received 75% of the Republican vote, which wasnt a record.) And some Democrats cast protest votes as a way of communicating their disapproval of some of Bidens policy choices. (About 10% of Democrats chose None of these names; Biden won 84%.) But second, there is also the civic value of the procedure itself. True, the civic process of this primary election was pretty tame. Some, including Gov. Laura Kelly, have talked wistfully about how they prefer the energy and excitement of the caucus system of selecting presidential delegates, with voters and activists and party leaders crowding into rooms at an appointed date and time, arguing and yelling, sometimes literally pulling on one another as supporters of different candidates line up and get counted. I attended the Democratic presidential caucuses in Kansas in 2008 and 2016, and the Kansas Republican caucus in 2012, and I agreethe level of engagement on display there is appealing. But with blocs of voters shouting down their opponents, making the rented caucus spaces confusing and cacophonous, the process is alienating as well and not good for those who are in the minority, yet still have a symbolic stand they wish to take. In truth, caucuses emerged in the context of a more rural and spatially intact political environment; for all the direct democracy caucuses supposedly provide, in our more divided and urban social contexts, allowing for simple voting in a statewide primary makes more sense. Except, of course, that if it comes down to just casting a ballot for a preferred candidate, youre only going to get a large turnout if the results are expected to have an impact. Moving the Kansas primary earlier in the election year calendar would make some difference; adding our state to the 16 others that vote on Super Tuesday, inching the country closer to an unofficial nation-wide presidential primary, might make even more. Either way, though, I was glad for this primary, and I hope the Legislature will organize it again in four years time. True, a straight-up primary vote isnt an exciting, participatory democratic process, and this year was especially predictable. But giving citizens broadly the chance to democratically express themselves doesnt have to be exciting; sometimes, it just needs to be. Dr. Russell Arben Fox teaches politics at Friends University in Wichita, KS This week's betting odds rankings, while not revealing a new leader to Eurovision fans, did change. No one dropped out of the top five performers, but their chances of winning were slightly adjusted. ADVERTISIMENT For example, the Eurovision favorite Baby Lasagna from Croatia has consolidated its good result, but for Ukraine, the situation has started to look a little worse. The current rating can be tracked on the Eurovision World website. Less than a week ago, Baby Lasagna with his incendiary contest track Rim Tim Tagi Dim, according to bookmakers, could win the crystal microphone with a 15% probability. Although this gave him the lead, it did not guarantee a landslide victory, as Ukraine had 14%. The same week, the Croatian's chances increased to 20%, while his main competitors alyona alyona & Jerry Heil have 12%. This is almost the first time in many months that one of the participants of this year's contest has achieved such a large gap from the Ukrainians. ADVERTISIMENT It is also disappointing that Italy is "breathing down the neck" of the Ukrainian contestants with the current result of 10%. The top five also includes Switzerland, which will be represented by Nemo with the song The Code, and the Netherlands, which will be represented by Joost Klein with the track Europapa. It is worth reminding that the Croatian participant was not announced as one of the 25 finalists of the National Selection in his country, but he was offered the role of an understudy in case one of the main contestants is unable to perform. And so it happened. Imagine the jury's surprise when Baby Lasagna became the undisputed winner, receiving the highest scores from the audience and international judges. ADVERTISIMENT As OBOZ.UA previously reported, Eurovision 2024 will take place in May in the Swedish city of Malmo. Ukraine will perform in the first semifinal with the song Teresa & Maria. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! By Nette Noestlinger, Daria Sito-Sucic and Andrew Gray BRUSSELS/SARAJEVO (Reuters) -European Union leaders agreed on Thursday to invite Bosnia to open EU membership negotiations, while also stressing the Balkan country would have to undertake more reforms before the talks could begin. "Congratulations! Your place is in our European family," Charles Michel, the president of the European Council of EU leaders, told Bosnians in a post on X after announcing the decision, taken at a summit in Brussels. "Todays decision is a key step forward on your EU path. Now the hard work needs to continue so Bosnia and Herzegovina steadily advances, as your people want." The decision is widely seen as a historic step for Bosnia, raising hopes that the country could move beyond instability marked by ethnic rivalries and secession threats, nearly three decades after the end of a devastating war. "Today is one of the best days in the history of Bosnia and Herzegovina," Foreign Minister Elvedin Konakovic told N1 TV, while Sarajevo's main street was decorated with hundreds of EU flags. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also hailed the decision. "The European peace project is growing - a clear sign in favour of a strong Europe," he posted on X. Bosnia has taken advantage of a new openness to EU enlargement among EU officials, who have said Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine showed the dangers of having "grey zones" destabilised by foreign powers on the EU's borders. In recent months, Bosnia has adopted laws related to 14 priorities set out in 2019 by the European Commission, focusing on democracy and the functioning of the state, the rule of law, fundamental rights and reform of public administration. The Commission last week recommended the EU open membership talks with Bosnia, noting significant progress on several issues. But the country has yet to adopt laws on courts and election reform, both priorities set out by the Commission. At the summit, the EU leaders agreed that the bloc would take the next step toward membership talks - the adoption of a negotiating framework - as soon as Bosnia took "all relevant steps" recommended by the Commission in October. Negotiations would likely take many years with many more political and economic reforms necessary to achieve membership. Elvira Habota, the chief Bosnian official for European integration, said Thursday's decision "carries with it a wave of optimism for citizens, institutions, authorities and the whole Bosnian society". (Reporting Nette Nostlinger, Daria Sito-Sucic, Bart H. Meijer and Andrew Gray; Editing by Bill Berkrot) Police in Boston are turning to the public for help tracking down missing 12-year-old twins. Jakiel Shakur and Jaliel Shakur, of Hyde Park, were last seen around 5 p.m. on Tuesday in the area of 8 Damon Place, according to the Boston Police Department. The twins are described as light-skinned Black males with dreadlocks and about 5 feet, 3 inches tall. Police noted that they might be in the area of Homestead Street. There were no additional details immediately available. Anyone with information on their whereabouts is urged to contact 911 or District E-18 Detectives at 617-343-5607. 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 TAYLORSVILLE, Utah (ABC4) Taylorsville Police confirmed that they arrested a juvenile male who was reportedly shooting a gun in close proximity to a school early on Wednesday. According to a social media post from Granite School District, West Lake STEM Jr. High entered into a lockout protocol Wednesday morning because of police activity near the school. READ NEXT: Two teenagers arrested in connection to possible abduction-turned-homicide of 21-year-old Officials with the Taylorsville Police Department told ABC4.com that the juvenile male suspect was across the street from West Lake STEM Jr. High. To be clear, no threat was made to the school or students, the school district said on social media. The school district reported that two suspects were taken into custody, but Taylorsville Police said one juvenile male was taken into custody with a handgun. There is no further information at this time. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. A 9-year-old boy was struck by a vehicle as he and his brother walked in a crosswalk on their way to school, Ohio police said. Video shared Tuesday, March 19, by the Medina Police Department shows the brothers quickly moving through the crosswalk when they had the right-of-way. Meanwhile, the driver of a car began turning left toward the boys. The car struck the second of the two boys in the crosswalk, causing him to go airborne and land about 10 feet in front of the vehicle. I have never been that terrified in my life, the boys father, John McKay, told WEWS of when he learned of the incident. Police said the boy had scrapes and bruises but was otherwise OK. His mom, Shannon Estremera, shared a photo of the 9-year-old in the hospital, but said the family was back home the same night. The second boy shown in the video was the 9-year-olds brother, Estremera said in a second Facebook post. She commended the brother for his actions after the incident. His brother sat there and didnt move a muscle, watching over him until their grandpa came and got him, the mother said. In fact, he was the one who called and informed us of what had happened before any police officer called us or any paramedic showed up. If it werent for his brother, we would have been unaware of the situation, and he would have been alone in the hospital. He did everything he was supposed to do, and then some. Charges are pending against the driver, police said, adding that the crash remained under investigation. Police said in their Facebook post the accident could have been much worse. It was one of the scariest things Ive had to deal with, McKay told WOIO. Medina is about a 35-mile drive southwest of Cleveland. Dog attacks 2 kids walking to school, then bystander rushes to help, California cops say 11-year-old with great sense of humor hit and killed by car in Louisiana, cops say 10-year-old, 5-year-old walking to school are hit and killed by van, Maryland cops say Citizens packed into Boyne City City Hall on March 18 to hear housing proposal details at the Boyne City Planning Commission meeting. Editor's Note: The online version of this story has been updated with the correct name for Boyne City Planning Director Scott McPherson. BOYNE CITY Overcrowding, lack of parking and a negative impact on community character were all concerns cited by Boyne City residents regarding proposed housing developments during Monday's planning commission meeting. The developments including dozens of affordable year-round rental units, first-floor commercial space and a new community building for the Boyne District Library are being proposed by Michigan Community Capital (MCC), a nonprofit with a history of creating housing for working residents through various partnerships. Specifically, two separate four-story projects are being pitched. One would be located on Lake Street across from Veterans Park, including over 7,000 square feet of first-floor commercial space and a total of 57 residential units on the upper three floors. The other is planned on the corner of Ray and Park streets in the empty parking lot next to the library. It is designed to include 24 residential units, a new library community room to replace the current "red building" and first-floor commercial space. Over 60 community members were in attendance at the March 18 meeting, with an equal number of people speaking both for and against the projects. On the pro side, people said the projects would address the need for affordable housing for local employees, such as teachers, health care professionals and service industry workers. Some also pointed to the potential for enhancing Boyne Citys economic stability and how residents of the properties would support local retailers, restaurants and other services. The Ray and Park portion of the redevelopment proposal focuses on the "red building" property adjacent to the library, acquired by the library in 2013 with the intention of trading it to the City of Boyne City for additional land to expand the library's footprint. More: Boyne City library embraces redevelopment plans for community growth Subscribe: Check out our offers and read the local news that matters to you "There seems to be a lot of opposition and a lot of misinformation," said planning commission chair Aaron Place. "I'm worried about the future of Boyne City if we don't do something to create more housing," he added, citing the decreasing workforce, aging population and dwindling numbers of student enrollment. One of the proposed housing developments, located on Lake Street across from the F. Grant Moore Municipal Marina, proposed over 7,000 square feet of commercial space on the first floor and 57 residential units on the second, third and fourth floors. The Ray and Park development site near the Boyne District Library, with a total building area of 26,464 square feet, proposes 24 residential units, commercial space and a new community room for the library. More: Two affordable housing developments proposed in Boyne City The proposed apartments in Boyne City would be year-round, 12-month minimum rentals, made up of studios, one-bedroom units, two-bedroom units and three-bedroom units. Short-term rentals or subleases would not be allowed. In total, 55 percent of the apartments will be affordable to household incomes ranging from $35,050-$60,080, 35 percent of the apartments will be affordable to household incomes ranging from $46,720-$75,100 and 10 percent of the apartments, as well as the live-work units, will be market rate. In coordination with the city and library, MCC has hosted several public information sessions over the last two months. After making adjustments based on citizen feedback, they are now seeking formal approval from the Boyne City City Commission. "If we can't work with an organization that is bending over backwards to work with us, then we can't work with anyone," said Boyne City Planning Director Scott McPherson regarding MCC's willingness to incorporate public input into their plans. The next step in the process is to get the go-ahead from the city commission, which includes creating a contract with details for the purchase of the library property and any tax incentives the city may want to offer. But the commission must first vote to approve the project. The next city commission meeting is scheduled for noon on March 26 at Boyne City City Hall. Meeting agendas and more detailed information about the housing proposals can be found at cityofboynecity.com and housingforboyne.com. Contact reporter Annie Doyle at (231) 675-0099 or adoyle@charlevoixcourier.com. This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Boyne City divided over proposed housing projects Pope John Paul II -- once a beloved national hero -- is nothing more than a subject of memes (Sergei GAPON) With empty pews and seminaries and its moral authority in free fall, Poland's Catholic church is on the brink of the abyss, a reality analysts say it is choosing to ignore. The election last week of Tadeusz Wojda -- known solely for his anti-LGBTQ statements -- as head of the Polish church promises no change, observers told AFP. Moreover, the selection of the archbishop considered "a man of continuity" comes soon after two of the country's bishops resigned amid accusations of covering up child sexual abuse by priests. "It's a sign that Poland's bishops aren't aware of the situation that the church is in," Catholic commentator Ignacy Dudkiewicz told AFP. Yet, alarm bells are ringing. Only 71 percent of Poles describe themselves as Catholic, down from 88 percent a decade ago, according to the latest national census, from 2021. Less than a third of the faithful went to Sunday mass that year, the lowest figure since 1980, according to Poland's Institute for Catholic Church Statistics. The number of baptisms fell by 40 percent between 2017 and 2022, and families have been taking their children out of religion class in droves, especially in big cities. Faced with a lack of interest, three seminaries recently closed their doors. The roughly 200 priests ordained last year were half that of a decade ago, prompting some bishops to recruit priests from Africa to fill the gap. Among young Poles, the late homegrown Pope John Paul II -- once a beloved national hero whose likeness graces hundreds of statues across the country -- is nothing more than a subject of memes. The church's moral authority, which it earned as a bastion of resistance during the communist era, is something of the past. A church spokesperson did not respond to AFP's request for comment. - 'In ruins' - The previous head of the episcopate left Poland's church "in ruins" after a decade of governance, according to theologian Stanislaw Obirek. "The church has been abandoned by the Catholics themselves," said the former Jesuit, adding that it is "on the brink of the abyss" and its new head guarantees no reform. The list of the church's failings is long, beginning with the paedophilia scandals and the institution's inability to manage them. Fourteen bishops have been punished by the Vatican for sexual assault scandals in recent years. "The matter of sex crimes is not over. It's just the beginning," theologian Zuzanna Radzik told AFP, explaining that cases of harassment at seminaries and religious orders had yet to be examined. The church's alliance with the former government has also not helped its reputation. "For years, Poland's bishops blackmailed successive governments in order to obtain gains for the church or themselves," Dudkiewicz said. They notably backed a massive campaign against "LGBTQ ideology" waged by the previous right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) government. The new head of the episcopate personally played a role in the crusade. In 2019, he publicly opposed a gay pride parade in the eastern city of Bialystok, saying it "mocked faith and corrupted the youngest" members of society. Thanks to the alliance, the church benefited from financial privileges, political influence and also a certain impunity, as the judiciary was often reluctant to prosecute paedophilia. But that power and influence is now in the past. - 'Less' - A 2022 survey by Ipsos found that just two percent of Poles saw bishops as a moral authority. In elections last October, the majority of Poles backed a pro-European coalition that promised, among other things, to separate church and state, liberalise access to the morning-after pill and reduce the number of hours of religion in schools. "Poles decided they had enough of the church as an institution acting as a supervisor... of society," Dominican friar Pawel Guzynski told the Gazeta Wyborcza daily. Analysts agree, with Dudkiewicz affirming that "the new government holds all the cards" rather than the bishops, whom the faithful see as "disconnected from reality". He said the bishops should get used to the notion of less: "fewer priests, less money, less influence, less authority". "And for now they don't seem to know how to respond." bo-amj/mmp/giv/cw Gregor Fleming moved to the US in 2013 and had been training to be a plumber - UNPIXS A British expat has been shot dead by police after pointing a gun at them outside his home in Pennsylvania. Officers opened fire on Gregor Fleming, 44, after he displayed a firearm and moved towards them on March 7 in Hampden Township. He died immediately, with his American fiancee, Kelly Thompson, 47, a medical assistant, witnessing the shooting. Pennsylvania State Police have begun an investigation but Ms Thompson refused to criticise their handling of the incident. She told the Daily Record: I watched everything happen. He left the police with no choice. They told him to drop the gun several times and he refused. He started walking towards them with the gun and they had no choice but to do what they did. Its an image burned in my mind that I will never forget. I watched the love of my life die right in front of me. Originally from Thornliebank, near Glasgow, Mr Fleming was described as a beacon of strength, resilience and warmth by Ms Thompson. Suicidal over fears of throat cancer She told the Daily Record how he had been depressed and drinking heavily around the time of his death after a medical scan indicated he may have throat cancer. Ms Thompson said: He has been in severe pain since February after breaking his back and on top of that the imaging found a mass on his oesophagus that was likely cancer. He spiralled out of control and started drinking heavily and became suicidal. He was depressed and scared about possible cancer and the alcohol and medications he was on for pain didnt help. Mr Fleming moved to the US in 2013 and had been training to be a plumber. He planned to return to Scotland after he and Ms Thompson were married. The couple met when they were both living in Virginia. She described the Rangers fan as a selfless, kind, generous and loving person who was an amazing stepfather to her four children. A Pennsylvania State Police spokesman said: On 7 March, 2024, Hampden Township Police were dispatched to the area of the 5000 block of Erbs Bridge Road, Hampden Township, Cumberland County, for a disturbance. During the course of the investigation, the subject of the disturbance displayed a firearm. At that time, the officers discharged their firearms, striking the subject. The subject was pronounced deceased at the scene. A spokesman for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: We are providing consular assistance to the family of a British man who has died in the USA. 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 military personnel could be stationed in Australia under a new defence deal struck between London and Canberra on Thursday. The agreement signed by Grant Shapps, the Defence Secretary, and Richard Marles, his counterpart, will make it easier to share military intelligence and ensure both countries consult each other if they come under threat. It stops short of a full mutual defence pact, which would place a binding requirement on one side to intervene if the other was attacked. However, it does establish a status of forces agreement, which makes it easier for both defence forces to operate in each others countries and strengthens their ability to work more closely together. The need to act together [has] never been more pressing than it is today, said Mr Shapps at the announcement of the deal in Canberra, adding that it was extraordinary that the two countries did not already have a defence cooperation treaty in place. Not going to war tomorrow Mr Shapps said the step-up in strategic ties between Britain and Australia reflected a shift from a post-war world to a pre-war world. Not because we are about to go to war tomorrow, I hope, but because we need to be more prepared than ever before. Our stance needs to change, he said, pointing to the conflict in Ukraine as being relevant to the Indo-Pacific. The region has been increasingly on edge over Chinas threats to forcibly seize Taiwan at an as yet undetermined point in the future, as well as its assertive sovereignty claims in the South China Sea. Against a backdrop of growing competition between Washington and Beijing for regional influence, the Aukus agreement, a fledgling defence alliance, was signed between the United States, Australia and the UK in 2021. The pact, which includes a pledge to help Australia build and acquire a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines, is aimed at curbing Chinese military expansion across the Pacific. An Australian defence review last year said China was undertaking the largest military build-up of any country since the end of World War Two. The latest deal signed between Canberra and London on Thursday would make it easier for Australian sailors to train on UK nuclear submarines or for British crews to be based in Australia. Both ministers were keen to play down doubts about delivering the multi-billion-dollar Aukus programme, although Mr Marles conceded that the timeline was challenging. Australia also named BAE, Britains biggest defence company, to build nuclear submarines in partnership with Australia-based naval firm ASC. 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. VIENNA TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) The brother of a Michigan congressman was shot and killed early Tuesday by a family member after a confrontation at the victims home, authorities said. Tim Kildee was shot in Vienna Township, north of Flint, after getting into a yelling match with his 27-year-old son, Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson said. Kildee, 57, is the brother of U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee, a Democrat who represents the area in Congress. Tim Kildees son was under police watch at a hospital where he was taken with serious injuries from a subsequent vehicle crash, Swanson said. Potential charges were being reviewed, prosecutor David Leyton said. Our family is grieving and heartbroken, Dan Kildee said. There are no words to describe the loss of a beloved brother and family member, especially in such a terrible tragedy. The sheriff said Tim Kildees son showed up at his fathers house after he had been involved in a domestic incident around 3 a.m. in Burton, another Genesee County community. Another family member reported a loud confrontation and demands that Tim Kildee give up his wallet and the key to his vehicle, Swanson said. A gunshot then took the life of Timothy Kildee, the sheriff said. There was some type of breakdown and or other entanglements that caused him to be so violent, Swanson said of the suspect. Tim Kildee and his ex-wife had been looking for their son following the domestic incident, the sheriff said. Were going to continue bringing not only answers to questions but comfort to the family, Swanson told reporters. The Kildee family is well-known in the Flint area. Dale Kildee, the uncle of Tim and Dan, was a member of Congress for more than 30 years. He died in 2021. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJMN - UPMatters.com. Bruce Willis wife Emma Heming Willis is opening up about standing by the actor amid his battle with frontotemporal dementia and aphasia as she honors their crystal anniversary. The model, 45, shared a sweet snap on Instagram Thursday of the Die Hard star giving her a smooch. Today marks our 15th wedding anniversary! And today, I can make a choice. I can wallow in sorrow or I can celebrate it, said Heming Willis. I call this the remarkable reframe. What I know is there is so much to celebrate. Our union and connection is probably stronger than ever. She also pointed to the couples bright, fun and healthy daughters Evelyn, 9, and Mabel, 11 and their family unit that is built on mutual respect and admiration. Simply, I just love and adore the man I married, added Heming Willis, who tied the knot with the actor in 2009. Im so proud of what we have and continue to create. So, happy crystal anniversary to us! Earlier this week, Heming Willis, along with Willis ex-wife Demi Moore with whom he shares adult daughters Rumer, Tallulah and Scout commemorated the Pulp Fiction stars 69th birthday. What you might not know, but maybe you could imagine, [is] that being wrapped in his arms is the safest place in this whole wide world, Heming Willis said of the true gentle-man. This month also marks the two-year anniversary since the family announced that the Sixth Sense star had been diagnosed with aphasia and, as a result, would be stepping away from acting. In February of last year, they announced his condition had progressed into frontotemporal dementia. The disorder affects parts of the brain that are generally associated with personality, behavior and language, according to the Mayo Clinic, while aphasia affects a persons ability to communicate. The Russian military began to forcibly evict residents of the Belgorod district. They are given 5 minutes to leave. ADVERTISIMENT This is stated in the audio interception, which OBOZ.UA received from its sources. The Russians are discussing that residents of border villages have begun to take out appliances and other things from their homes. The interception referred, in particular, to the village of Hraivoron. "You can see that people are taking everything out, even from Holovchyno. Household appliances," one intercept reads. "My parents were forcibly evicted from their home yesterday by the military. In the evening, they came with machine guns and said to get out, move out, leave. 5 minutes to get ready, so that you are not here," said another Russian woman. ADVERTISIMENT As a reminder, residents of Belgorod also complain that the situation has become much worse than before. The city is empty, there is constant shelling, and residents leave their homes only to buy medicine or food. At the same time, local authorities and propagandists keep silent about the scale of the shelling, while not providing full protection to the population. As reported by OBOZ.UA: On March 19, the Belgorod region of the Russian Federation announced an evacuation from the frontline areas. About 9 thousand children are to be evacuated. The governor of the Belgorod region, Vyacheslav Gladkov, said that entry to the villages of Kozynka, Glotovo, Gora Podol, Bezimeno, Novostroyevka I, and Novostroyevka II, as well as the city of Graivoron, would be restricted. The restrictions will take effect on March 20. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Galloway Road in Brunswick County could soon be home to an outdoor music venue. Rural Brunswick County could soon see an outdoor music venue. Cumberland Woods hopes to be the areas newest outdoor music and event venue, looking to open near Bolivia this year, according to its webpage. Aiming to bring an outdoor events space between Wilmington and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Bolivia sits some 20 miles south of downtown Wilmington and 40 miles east of Myrtle Beach. This embedded content is not available in your region. Along Galloway Road NE, in unincorporated Brunswick County and near Bolivia, Cumberland Woods says it would sit on 350 acres of woodlands and lakes, offering music venues, camping, event facilities, hiking trails and other outdoor activities. The businesss webpage lists 1101 Galloway Road NE in Bolivia as its address. The StarNews reached out to Cumberland Woods for an interview but had not heard back by the time of publication. News of the planned venue sparked concern from some area residents. An online petition began circulating in late February titled, Halt the Cumberland Woods Outdoor Event Venue in Bolivia, NC! Ash Ramos, a Brunswick County resident, created the petition on change.org, an online petition platform. The petition argues demand for such a space is lacking. There is zero demand for and outdoor event venue, Ramos wrote in the petition description. Nearby outdoor music venues include the Live Oak Bank Pavilion at Riverfront Park in downtown Wilmington and Greenfield Lake Ampitheater at Greenfield Park, also in Wilmington. Live Nation manages both Wilmington venues. Nearby Myrtle Beach also offers several live music venues, including the House of Blues, the Carolina Opry Theater and many others. In addition to the lack of demand for a space Cumberland Woods is proposing, Ramos added the development of the land would be detrimental to the surrounding environment and wildlife. The noise pollution from loud music and increased traffic will not only be a nuisance but will also significantly degrade the quality of life for local residents and wildlife alike, Ramos continued. STAY CONNECTED: Keep up with the areas latest Brunswick County news by signing up for the Brunswick Today newsletter and following us on Facebook and Instagram. The petition has garnered over 70 signatures in recent weeks, with a goal of 100 signatures. Jamey Cross covers Brunswick County for the StarNews. Reach her at jbcross@gannett.com or message her on Twitter/X @jameybcross. This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Music venue planned for rural Brunswick County, NC Will Ukraine continue to attack Russian oil infrastructure, and how could this affect the war? With each passing day, the intensity and frequency of Ukrainian drone attacks against Russian oil refineries increases. Since the beginning of this year (2024) alone, more than ten major oil refineries and depots have been damaged, some of them enduring multiple strikes. The main goal of these attacks is to reduce the capability of the military, as fuel from Russian oil refineries is transported to Ukraine where it powers hostile tanks, infantry fighting vehicles and aircraft. This also causes the Russian economy to suffer, which reduces the ability of the Kremlin war machine to conduct attacks on residential buildings and kill civilians. According to Ekonomichna Pravda, it is highly likely that mysterious drones will continue to attack Russia's oil infrastructure in the future, causing further destruction and damage to the aggressor. How does this affect Russia's economy and oil industry? Where are the drones hitting? Russia has about 30 large oil refineries and dozens of small ones. The aggressor country produces more than 530 million tonnes of oil per year, about 280 million tonnes of which are processed at domestic facilities. "Ironically, Putin was the one who, during his time as prime minister, contributed to the development of the oil refining sector and scaled it up significantly - all of which he has now undone with his invasion of Ukraine, nullifying his past economic achievements. First, Western sanctions were imposed upon Russian oil refining, and now the industry is a legitimate target for Ukraine's Defence and Security Forces," says Oleksandr Sirenko, an analyst at the Naftorynok consulting company. Since the beginning of 2024 alone, dozens of Russian refineries and oil depots have been attacked by drones. "In some places, they struck fuel tanks, and in other cases, the refineries were shut down for several months due to the destruction," says the source in the Ukrainian parliament. Large-scale attacks on Russian oil refineries began in 2023. In May, drones attacked the Ilsky oil refinery in Krasnodar Krai and the Afipsky oil refinery in Kuban Oblast, and in July, an "explosive device" detonated at the Kuibyshev oil refinery in the city of Samara. Fuel storage facilities were also frequently targeted. Since the beginning of 2024, the intensity of attacks on Russian oil refineries has increased. Damage was reported at refineries and oil depots in the Yaroslavl, Oryol, Volgograd, Tuapse, Klintsy, Ust-Luga, Ryazan, Bryansk, Belgorod, Rostov, Nizhny Novgorod and Leningrad oblasts and the city of St Petersburg. Attack objectives The first objective of the attacks on Russia's oil refining infrastructure is strategic in nature. "Russian oil refineries are a legitimate target of the Security Service of Ukraine and Defence Intelligence of Ukraine," says a source in Ukraine's Defence and Security Forces. Attacks target military facilities or those contributing to Russia's defence, such as ones that supply fuel to Russian military equipment: tanks, infantry fighting vehicles and aircraft that fire missiles at Ukrainians. "War is about provision and supply. Seeing the aggressor's oil refining industry being hit directly affects their ability to wage war," says Andrii Yusov, a representative of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine. "Russians cannot protect all facilities from drones. At the same time, every powerful strike deep into Russian territory gives the country a reason to pull back air defence systems from the front and helps the Ukrainian military," explains a source in Ukraine's Defence and Security Forces. Read also: Sanctions targeting Russian oil are falling apart. What will the West do? The second objective is economic. "The oil refineries not only provide fuel for Russian troops, but are also a key source of income for the nation, which has at times been described as a gas station masquerading as a country. Russia uses the money from oil and gas sales to fight and kill Ukrainians," said an Ekonomichna Pravda source in one of the defence departments. According to him, the attacks affect both the volume of oil products exported by the Russian Federation and the cost of fuel on the domestic market, as we will elaborate upon later. The third objective is psychological, and morale, or the lack thereof, can be the deciding factor between victory and defeat. The military and media effects of the attacks are obvious, but what about the economic impact? How strikes affect Russian refining The nature of Russian media coverage of the attacks on oil refineries and depots can vary, from reports of "damage caused by falling UAV wreckage" to frank admissions that critical infrastructure has been taken offline. The consequences for the Kremlin's oil refining industry depend on the actual extent of the damage. "Oil refineries are large industrial facilities that are difficult to completely disable with a single strike, even a well-targeted one. They include several production lines and crude oil can be rerouted to still-functional lines when others are disabled. Therefore, it is still difficult to accurately assess the consequences of the attacks," says Serhii Kuiun, Director of A-95 Consulting Group. Earlier, Bloomberg reported that the oil refineries attacked in recent days account for 12% of Russia's refining capacity. Market participants interviewed by Ekonomichna Pravda emphasise that in this case, the figure refers to the theoretical production capacity of these facilities, and the share of actual refining stopped by the strikes may differ. "There is currently not enough information to definitively evaluate the extent of the damage and predict when the affected facilities will resume operations. We can say that the latest attacks will affect the total refining volume in Russia by a few percent at most," says an Ekonomichna Pravda source in one of the energy companies. Energy expert Hennadii Rabtsev said that the latest attacks have slightly reduced refining volumes, but their weight in the balance sheet should not be overestimated. "These are spot strikes; they are painful and affect logistics, but they do not significantly impact annual total refining volumes," he says. The good news is that most Russian refineries were built using Western equipment. This equipment was purchased before sanctions were imposed, which makes it much more difficult and time-consuming to repair the attacked facilities. Another positive development is that following the strikes on oil refineries, petrol prices in Russia have reached RUB 60,000 [approx. US$650.40] per tonne, the highest in six months. The value of non-diesel fuels on the stock market is also rising. If strikes continue at their current rate, Russia will be forced to follow up its ban on the export of refined petrol with a similar prohibition on shipping diesel overseas. This rise in fuel prices was triggered by reports of damage at oil refineries alone. If these reports turn out to be true, with severely damaged equipment forcing refineries into a prolonged shutdown, prices will head for new highs. "Attacks on primary oil refineries would have the biggest effect, as it is impossible to produce petrol, diesel or jet fuel without them," Riabtsev said. According to him, the attacks have not had a critical impact on the industry so far, but if they continue to be launched and accurately hit their targets, everything could change. Are new attacks on Russian refineries possible? "We cannot disclose all the details of our special operations, but we can say that we consider enemy military facilities, military infrastructure and war criminals to be legitimate targets. We are not going to stop. Our objective is the victory of Ukraine, so the 'cotton' in Russia has been burning, is burning and will continue to burn," Vasyl Maliuk, Head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU), said in a comment to Ekonomichna Pravda. ("Cotton" is a humorous reference to Russian propagandists refusal to use the usual word for an explosion, "vzryv", in media reports, instead euphemistically using the term "khlopok", which can mean either "thunderclap" or "cotton".) Translation: Nikol Tomyshch, Alina Us Editing: Ben McBride Security has been stepped up outside the embassy in recent weeks (Laurens van PUTTEN) Dutch police said Thursday they had arrested someone suspected of throwing a burning object at Israel's embassy in The Hague, which is under heavy security amid the war in Gaza. "Around 10:50 am someone threw a burning object... towards the Israeli embassy," police said. "We have arrested one suspect. No-one was injured. We are investigating and there is a large barrier around the embassy." Security has been stepped up around Israeli embassies across the world as the country's military presses an offensive in Gaza following the October 7 attacks by Palestinian militant group Hamas. The Hamas attacks resulted in about 1,160 deaths in Israel, mostly of civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures. Israel's military has since waged a relentless ground and air offensive in Gaza that has killed 31,988 people, most of them women and children, according to the Hamas-run health ministry in the densely populated Palestinian territory. "It is unacceptable that such an attack can take place in the Netherlands. Fortunately, no injuries were reported," said the embassy in a statement on X, formerly Twitter. "This shows the dangerous consequences of the worrying trend of increasing hatred and incitement. This hatred cannot be tolerated." Outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte also described the attack as "unacceptable". "Criticism is allowed in the Netherlands but this should never lead to violence. I am grateful to the authorities, who are taking this very seriously," added Rutte. In February, there was a bomb scare at the official residence of the Israeli ambassador in The Hague. Police cordoned off the area but found no explosives. At the time, authorities in The Hague had imposed emergency security measures around the Israeli embassy in response to an unspecified threat. In January, the bomb squad in Sweden destroyed a "live" device at Israel's embassy in Stockholm, something authorities described as a potential "terrorist crime". The CIDI association, which fights against anti-Semitism in The Netherlands, described Thursday's attack as "another step in a sliding scale of hatred and violence against the Jewish state". ric/ People thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover on Wednesday after a record day of small boat crossings for the year - Gareth Fuller/PA A record number of migrants crossed the Channel on Wednesday as Downing Street warned of a migration emergency amid a three-week delay to its Rwanda Bill. More than 500 migrants arrived on Wednesday a daily high for this year taking the total since the turn of the year past 4,000 with small boat arrivals reaching the UK at a rate 10 per cent greater than 2023. The surge came as the Government tried to head off criticism of its decision to delay the return of its Rwanda Bill to the Commons until April 15, after the Easter recess, rather than try to force it through Parliament next week. It followed Wednesdays votes in the Lords that saw peers reinstate seven amendments in a series of heavy defeats for Rishi Sunaks flagship Bill. Last year, he pledged to fast-track it through Parliament as emergency legislation. The defeats mean deportation flights are unlikely to set off until June rather than May as the legal and logistical process to pave the way for them will take six to 10 weeks from the middle of April. Responding to questions over the three-week delay, the Prime Ministers official spokesman said: The legislation is dealing with a migration emergency, and we are introducing that legislation as soon as we possibly can to reduce the number of people taking the perilous journey across the Channel. He said it was frustrating that the Lords had not passed the Bill which is central to Mr Sunaks pledge to stop the boats by getting deportation flights off to Rwanda in the spring. It is exactly because we are still seeing people making this perilous journey across the Channel, including people in the last few days, that the Prime Minister wants parliamentarians across the House to get behind this Bill and to stop the boats, said the spokesman. The 504 migrants who crossed on Wednesday bring the total for 2024 so far to 4,043, 10 per cent above this time last year (3,683) and 25 per cent above the 3,229 at the same stage in 2022. If the 2023 figures are replicated in the next three weeks, a further 1,400 migrants will have arrived by the time the Bill returns to the Commons. Tory MPs reacted angrily to the delay. This has been an emergency consistently for the past four years or so. It hasnt only just become one, said one backbencher. Id be happy to vote for measures to stop the boats at any point, at any time of the day or night, recess or not. Sir John Hayes, a former security minister and the chairman of the Common Sense group of MPs, said: If I would speak directly to the peers, I would say every day that they continue to consider this is a day of more dangerous crossings, and every crossing risks lives. A right-wing Tory source said: Privately the Government knows [former immigration minister Robert] Jenrick and his supporters were right that this Bill wont work so theyre delaying judgment day for as long as possible. However, Lord Carlile, crossbench peer and a former independent reviewer of terror legislation, one of the leading opponents of the Bill in the Upper House, warned the Government that it faced being voted down again if it tried to bulldoze the legislation through the Lords unamended and without offering any concessions. He suggested ministers should at least concede ground on an amendment by Lord Hope requiring assurances over the safety of Rwanda the key criticism by the Supreme Court, which blocked the scheme last year. If the Government doesnt budge, or doesnt see reason and at least move to Lord Hopes amendments, there will be a third round of ping-pong and no one can predict what happens after that, he said. Parliamentary convention dictates that the unelected House of Lords does not block legislation, but Lord Carlile said: The conventions only apply to manifesto Bills, and this is not a manifesto Bill. The Lords can stand in the way of this Bill, particularly as many believe it is damaging Britains reputation on international law. Number 10 said the plan for spring flights remained on track and was not affected by a delay until after Easter. A Home Office spokesman said: The unacceptable number of people who continue to cross the Channel demonstrates exactly why we must get flights to Rwanda off the ground as soon as possible. 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 the beating heart of New York business, Cafe Joyeux, an "inclusive" French chain of restaurants staffed by people with autism and Down's Syndrome, is setting up shop in the US (TIMOTHY A. CLARY) A new French cafe is hoping to break into New York's notoriously competitive food scene while also offering opportunity to people with mental and cognitive disabilities. Cafe Joyeux is an "inclusive" chain of restaurants staffed by workers with autism and Down syndrome that has made a mark in France and other European countries and is now targeting the Big Apple. The company's newest branch, Cafe Joyeux Lexington, has picked a cheery corner in the bustling Midtown business district for the company's American debut. Officially inaugurated on Thursday in parallel with World Down Syndrome Day, founder Yann Bucaille-Lanrezac told AFP he is "arriving very humbly" to Manhattan. The social entrepreneur from Brittany opened the first Cafe Joyeux in Rennes, in the west of France, in 2017 with his wife Lydwine Bucaille. Since then, the company has opened 14 other restaurants in France, four in Portugal and one in Belgium. The chain has hosted some high-profile visitors. The Parisian restaurant on the Champs-Elysees was inaugurated in 2020 by President Emmanuel Macron, while the Lisbon branch opened in 2022 with a visit from Macron's Portuguese counterpart, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. Thursday's Manhattan opening is not expected to feature comparable luminaries, but the 21st Cafe Joyeux is hoping to leave a mark. - Nonprofit model - Though his company currently employs a total of 169 team members in Europe with disabilities, Bucaille-Lanrezac is clear about not wanting to "lecture the Americans." He described the New York offshoot of Cafe Joyeux as "an American project" established in a very American setting: among the businesses, banks, law firms, insurers and hotels located about 10 blocks north of Grand Central Station. "We got help from specialists in inclusion, neurodivergence and cognitive disability, in particular AHRC and Autism Speaks, which have been active in New York for decades, and are helping us to support our employees," explained the Frenchman. It took more than two years to set up a local nonprofit organization to receive philanthropic support through tax-exempt donations, a model typically employed in the United States. In one of the most expensive cities in the world, Cafe Joyeux has been "loaned" a retail unit for ten years at no cost by the real estate developer Boston Property Group. The space, with capacity for about 30 guests, was decorated by French designer Sarah Lavoine and is now a place to enjoy Italian coffees and simple dishes created by chef Thierry Marx -- at New York prices, of course. To gain a foothold in the fast-casual food market, which is still experiencing a labor shortage in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, Bucaille-Lanrezac recruited a non-disabled director and supervisors who will manage a team of 14 staff members with autism, Down syndrome and cognitive disabilities. These include Peter Anderson Jr., a waiter, dishwasher and barista in his twenties who pointed out that "in a lot of places, you don't have any jobs that can support people with those types of disabilities." But "we have equal rights as (any other) person should be treated in working a job," he added. - Many excluded from employment - According to official statistics, there are seven million adults in the United States with mental and cognitive disabilities. Some 80 percent are excluded from the job market. While describing herself as autistic, Rachel Barcellona holds a university degree and won the Miss Florida pageant in 2023. Nonetheless, "it's very hard for us to find a job," Barcellona told AFP. "Usually people won't hire us no matter how qualified or over-qualified we are. If you just say 'I have autism' or 'I have Down syndrome' people won't hire (us) ... we are just seen as a burden and that's not fair." Bucaille-Lanrezac said his team in New York "has a chance to progress, to demonstrate that in the heart of a city with a very demanding and very busy clientele, they can create value and bring a good product and a high quality service." Early supporters include customer Giovana Mullins. The 30-year-old, who works in the disability sector, complained about impersonal service at large coffee chains dominant in New York. Cafe Joyeux has a different vibe, she said. "As a customer walking in, even if you don't know what this coffee shop is all about, you come in and you feel the energy and you feel the joy" she said. nr-jmb/bgs (KTLA) A pastor in Californias San Bernardino County is facing charges after detectives said he allegedly paid several suspects thousands of dollars to kill a man his daughter was romantically involved with, authorities announced this week. The investigation began in October 2023 after officers with the Riverside Police Department responded to a local hospital on reports that an adult male victim suffering from gunshot wounds had just arrived. The man told police that hed been shot at around 7 p.m. in the Orangecrest neighborhood of Riverside. A church pastor in Southern California was arrested this week in connection with an alleged murder-for-hire plot. (Riverside Police Department) The male adult victim stated he was driving on Grove Community Drive approaching Plainview Street when another vehicle pulled up alongside him, RPD said in a news release. Gunfire came from this other vehicle, and he was struck several times. These U.S. crimes fell the most in 2023, new FBI data shows The victim was able to drive himself to the hospital where he was treated for injuries, authorities said. Police said that evidence later collected at Grove Community Drive and Plainview Street confirmed the shooting had occurred. Detectives with the departments robbery-homicide and crime analysis units conducted the follow-up investigation and learned that the suspects who fired on the victim were hired by 47-year-old Victorville resident Samuel Pasillias, the pastor at a local Spanish-speaking church and the father of the woman the victim had been dating. Samuel Pasillias, 47, of Victorville, is pictured in a booking photo released by Californias Riverside Police Department. (RPD) During their investigation, detectives uncovered evidence the father met with the men he hired and provided them information about the victim, including his location the evening of the shooting, the release stated. Authorities also said they were able to determine that the shooters, who conducted surveillance on the victim in the weeks leading up to the shooting, were paid nearly $40,000 by the Victorville pastor to kill the man. On March 13, Pasillias was arrested after police executed search warrants at homes in Victorville, Long Beach and Lynwood. Another man, 55-year-old Long Beach resident Juan Manuel Cebreros, was also arrested in connection with the alleged murder-for-hire scheme. Juan Manuel Cebreros, a 55-year-old Long Beach resident, was also arrested in connection with the alleged scheme. (RPD) The Spanish-speaking church that Pasillias was affiliated with may have used another facility, Turning Point Church, to hold services. Ron Folkner, a pastor at that church, told Nexstars KTLA that Turning Point Church in no way wants to be affiliated with the alleged crimes. We host services and people come in for special events, he said. So, we have no idea whos speaking or whos singing. I have never heard the mans name before, know nothing about him. It has nothing to do with our church. When asked about a possible motive for wanting his daughters boyfriend killed, authorities believe it may have been his religion and beliefs that compelled him to hire the hitmen. 6th grade girl brutally attacked by classmate at Southern California school Pasillias was booked at the Robert Presley Detention Center where he faces charges of solicitation of and conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder, and assault with a deadly weapon. The pastor is being held on $1 million bail. Cebreros was also booked at the Robert Presley Detention Center where he faces charges of conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder, and assault with a deadly weapon. Bail for the 55-year-old was set at $1 million. Investigators have yet to release information on any additional suspects. Anyone with additional information about this ongoing investigation is urged to contact Detective Nic Cantino at 951-353-7104, or via email at NCantino@riversideca.gov. Anonymous tips can also be sumbitted to RPDTips@riversideca.gov. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. A young man was standing by a folding table with a pen and a stack of paper when Claudia Wilde emerged from the Target store in Fairfield, California, last week. He says, I have a petition I need you to sign for better roads, she told The Daily Beast. And I said, Thats the name of the petition? He goes, Yeah. Although the countys roads do need work, Wilde had not heard any clamoring for improvement. She was aware, however, that a group of Silicon Valley billionaires who bought up more than $800 million of farmland in surrounding Solano County to build a new city were seeking to get a zoning initiative on the ballot in November. The billionaires, who call their venture California Forever, hope to get 17,500 acres rezoned from Agriculture to New Community Special Purpose Area so they can develop 40,000 to 160,000 residential units for 100,000 to 400,000 residents. But to get on the ballot, they need to collect 13,062 verified signatures by registered county voters such as Wilde. She, like many Solano residents, had been put off by the billionaires initial tactic of remaining anonymous while purchasing huge tracts of land and pressuring farmers who were reluctant to sell even at above market prices. I said, This isn't a California Forever thing? the 70-year-old retired school teacher asked the man with the petition. And he goes, No, no, it's for better roads. I said, Let me see. She took a look. I said, This is California Forever, she recalled. And he goes, Well, you don't have to sign it. I said, This is a scam! You should be ashamed of yourself! And he says, Well, I still love you. Her outrage was compounded by what she took to be a condescending tone. Im pissed, she recalled. Billionaires Turn to Legal Bribery in Quest to Build Utopia She remained incensed when she arrived home and posted about the encounter on the Solano County Community Awareness Facebook page. I was furious that he lied about the real initiative, she wrote. Her post in the early afternoon of March 13 quickly received more than 140 comments. A half dozen people reported a similar experience at other locations, involving different pitches. Yes! They lied to me, too! a resident named Lisa Talivaa wrote in her comment. By Talivaas account, a person at a table outside the same Target had said he was soliciting signatures for a petition against defunding benefits. She presumed he meant Medicare, which she definitely does not want cut. I walked up to the table and he started pushing paperwork in front of me and said, Sign here, and I was like wtf? I dont sign anything unless I read it first, she wrote. She later told The Daily Beast that when she did read it, she saw nothing about defunding benefits, but something at the bottom of the petition caught her eye. It says, Paid for by California Forever, she recalled. The man had a number of other petitions on the table, but the one he was pressing her to sign was in support of the ballot initiative. And I said, I cant believe that youre telling me that I'm signing something about defunding Medicare and youre pushing that on me, she remembered. Im like, Do you realize what this is? He goes, Yes, I know exactly what it is. I said, Well, then why? Why would you push that on me after I came here under the understanding that I was signing a petition for defunding Medicare? Not this shit. The man said she should sign the California Forever petition so she would have the ability to vote on the rezoning. I said, Do you hear what youre saying to me? Youre telling me to put something on a ballot that I dont want to begin with? she said. And so hes just like, Thats not the point Everybodys got a right to vote. I said, Well, everybodys got a right to say no to something. One of the parcels of land purchased by the California Forever backers. Justin Sullivan/Getty Others who responded to Wildes post included Gina Vasquez, who said she encountered a table with several petitions outside the Walmart in Suisun City. She said a man handed her one and told her it was to say no to the California Forever proposal. And I was like, Really?... Are you telling me the truth? Because I've been seeing that you guys are lying, she told The Daily Beast. He kind of just looked at me and looked away and started asking other people for their signatures. I said, Well, Im gonna read this. She said the verbiage was like word puzzles and it was hard to decipher what the goal of the petition was. But she had no difficulty understanding the words at the end saying who had paid for it. It said, California Forever, she recalled. And I was like, Youre kidding me. She told the man she was not signing. If they pay for it, its not to say no against it, she reasoned. In another response to Wildes post, Anita Montalbano of Vacaville said that she was leaving a Walmart there when a man asked if she was a California voter and presented her with a petition for legal measures against smash-and-grab robberies. I quickly scanned the information and was able to read that it was regarding smash and grab and changing the laws, she wrote. So I signed it and just as I finished signing and was handing him the pen, he quickly slipped another clipboard in front of that and asked me, can you sign here, please? I asked him what is this for? He said we need signatures to help with housing. She examined this second petition. I could clearly see that it said California forever, she recalled. I told him I dont know and have enough information about California forever so Im not going to sign it. In a very forceful and stern voice he looked at me and said, you dont have to worry about asking any questions, just sign and leave the asking to us. She continued, I said, again I dont have enough information or knowledge about California forever and the planning so Im not gonna sign and he got closer to me and then a real forceful voice said to me and I said you dont have to worry about asking questions we will ask all the questions. She told the man that he was not going to pressure her into signing . He looked at me like I had done something to really upset him, he quickly took the clipboards out of my hands and gave me the dirtiest look. Gail Zick posted that she had encountered petition gatherers outside a Luckys supermarket in Vacaville for what they called an affordable housing initiative. A barn stands on a parcel of land that was recently purchased near Travis Air Force Base on Aug. 29, 2023 near Rio Vista, California Justin Sullivan/Getty Images I read the first paragraph & its clearly the CA forever! she wrote. I told them its NOT an affordable housing petition & explained it to them while about a dozen other people were listening. Sadly many voters are signing this petition without knowing what it really is! The affordable housing pretext is particularly outrageous when you consider something that California Forever chief executive Jan Sramek said at an American Dynamism Summit put on by Andreessen Horowitz, the venture capital firm. According to a transcript of a conversation with one of the firms general partners, Sramek talked about the residences that will be available in California Forevers new city. And then imagine that instead of paying 4 or 5 million dollars for a mediocre home in Palo Alto or San Francisco, your employees would be able to buy a nice house for a million dollars, he said. When The Daily Beast told her of Srameks estimation, Zick replied, Hilarious if accurate. The Daily Beast was not able to contact Montalbano or several other Solano residents who reported shady encounters with people collecting signatures for the California Forever petitions. California Forever did not respond to a request for comment or to a query regarding how it fields petitions. John Gardner, the Solano County assistant registrar of voters, whose office oversees ballot initiatives there, told The Daily Beast he was unaware of problems with the California Forever petitions, but would refer any complaints to the California secretary of state for investigation. A spokesman for the secretary of state told The Daily Beast that it had not received complaints regarding the California Forever petition. The spokesman noted, It is a crime to misrepresent the contents or impact of an initiative measure, adding, Any person may file a complaint with local law enforcement authorities or our office. Solano Together, a coalition formed to oppose California Forever, posted online how to rescind a petition signature. Gardner confirmed that it can be done though the Voting Registrars office by post or email. Its pretty straightforward, Gardner said. 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. In 2016, Californians voted to legalize cannabis products, limiting the buzz factor of products like edible gummies down to the milligram and restricting their sales to adults-only dispensaries. But so much for regulation: These days, across the state, a shadow industry of similar hemp-based products is fast emerging with no state regulations on how potent the product may be, how old the buyer must be or where these products can be sold. Previous state legislation intended to advance a non-intoxicating hemp industry did not set hard limits on the intoxicating potency of actual products or mandate regulations by the California Department of Public Health. The subsequent proliferation of intoxicating hemp is prompting the author to advance a new bill this year to tighten controls. The bottom line is if it gets you high, it should not be sold outside of a (cannabis) dispensary, said Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters). It shouldnt be sold on a corner store. Opinion While hemp and cannabis as plants are closely related cousins to one another in the same botanical family, California and the U.S. have tried to regulate them quite differently. But the real-world market, legal or not, is defying the distinction. There are multiple reasons for this, from loopholes in laws to regulations never written to cities not clamping down on their own. There was bipartisan support in Congress back in 2018 to advance a hemp industry featuring non-intoxicating products or so Congress thought. It passed a farm bill legalizing hemp while limiting its THC by weight to 0.3%. THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the psychoactive ingredient naturally inside these plants. Aguiar-Curry said she became concerned that the federal legislation could lead to hemp products in California that back a psychoactive wallop. So, in 2021, she authored Assembly Bill 45 to seek limits on the THC contents of hemp products. We considered it one of the tightest bills in the entire nation, she said. AB 45 said the states public health department may adopt regulations on age requirements or THC potency for specific products. Inside Sacramentos legislative process, there is a huge difference between may and shall. A legislative directive to an agency that is discretionary with the verb may can make it easier to pass. Asked why it has not imposed THC potency or age limits on hemp products, a health department spokesperson said via email that the California Department of Public Health continues to monitor industrial hemp products to protect the public. Aguiar-Currys followup legislation this year, AB 2223, would require Gov. Gavin Newsoms administration to do more than monitor. It would direct them to regulate hemp products advanced by her first legislation. I need them to be an active player in this as well, she said of the health department. For opponents of marijuana legalization and mind-bending THC products, the California hemp landscape is a nightmare come true. This is the most extreme thing I have ever seen, said Jim Keddy, executive director of Youth Forward, a group that promotes youth training and empowerment programs with tax revenues from cannabis sales. Keddy and his team do scouting trips to see where they can buy hemp that can get them high. Keddy recently purchased hemp gummies with THC at a store within eyesight of Sacramentos Inderkum High School in Natomas. Later, I did as well. His jar of tropical-tasting fruits looked like a knock-off of Hawaiian Punch. My blue gummies were shaped like an ear. They all mimic popular candy and snack brands, he said. Legally, stores can be selling them to kids. And they are. The public health department said that industrial hemp products with high levels of THC can only happen with the addition of illegal synthetic cannabinoids and urges reports to be submitted to the department by email, at FDBIH@cdph.ca.gov. Pediatrician Lynn Silver, whose Public Health Institute has tracked the cannabis and hemp industries, contends that Californias hemp bill legalized some pretty powerful products. How? The active THC ingredients in legal cannabis gummie weigh next to nothing no more than 10 milligrams. An ounce of water, by comparison, is more than 23,000 milligrams. So even if a teaspoon of hemp extract has only 0.3% of THC in it, that is more than enough to create a mind-bending gummy, Silver said. A hemp edible can have more THC in it than a cannabis edible, she said. The state public health department has the authority to regulate appropriately. They didnt use it for whatever reason. Which is why we need a fast legislative fix now. Aguiar-Curry said she is trying to work with the legal hemp industry as well as critics like Silver and Keddy. Everybody has an agenda when they walk in here, she said. Stirring up the pot and not trying to work with us is not the best. I count my blessings to have two children who are now adults. I cant imagine being a parent navigating this modern-day minefield of intoxicants for sale these days throughout California. Changing this would require a lot of effort by state and local governments that so far hasnt happened. Its never been so easy in the Golden State to get so stoned. Welcome to our under-regulated Wild West of Weed. Oliver Buchanan, a 10th grader at Fresno High, is using his first bathroom privilege for the day. He inputs his student ID number into an app and if the system detects fewer than 25 students campus-wide are on bathroom trips, the screen turns green and the countdown begins. He now has seven minutes for the bathroom trip. He goes down the stairs - Fresno High only allows students to use the two bathrooms on the ground floor located on the south and north sides of the campus. He might find some kids smoking in the bathroom. He might find some doors locked due to maintenance or the school might be investigating a bathroom incident. He might need to wait for the line. But hed better come back to the classroom soon and put in the code again to stop the timer. If it goes over time, he would lose his bathroom privileges. If you have the tendency to take eight minutes in the bathroom, instead of the seven that youre getting, Were gonna take away your bathroom, Buchanan said. Teachers are starting to get strict with it, because the app also helps the school realize what teachers are letting students go out longer. Fresno High is the latest school in the district to roll out the 5 Star Students app to regulate student trips outside classrooms during instructional periods. Students are limited to two seven-minute bathroom breaks during the day, and the app keeps track of the time they spend outside of classrooms. The app was piloted in several middle schools in earlier years and has now been adopted by Fresno Unified School Districts safety and security department to impose on all middle and high schools this year. It aims to promote campus safety and learning engagement. Some teachers find it effective, while students generally dislike it. I gotta admit, I was a little skeptical, but there are not as many students out there wandering around, theres not as much socializing going on (outside of class), said Peter Beck, Fresno Highs social studies teacher. I think partially thats because theyve kind of worried about what happens if a campus assistant notices and goes looking for them. There are objections to managing bathroom breaks via an app, because it might involve emergencies or medical reasons. Some also argue against the technologys downside of data collection and privacy invasion. But those who support it say the app is nothing more than a timer and they point out that its not an actual location tracker. The app acts like a digital ID and every student in each participating school has a profile that includes a headshot. Fresno High mandates that students with smartphones download the free app. Its also used to timestamp student attendance, in general, in addition to monitoring time spent on bathroom breaks. The app registers when a student enters the campus in the morning, as well as when and for how long a student might leave the classroom. Fresno High students said they can download the app on their phones or tablets, but its handy on the phones because they can scan the digital ID instead of manually filling out the information to record a tardy for school in the morning. During instructional periods, students apply their bathroom passes through the app. If the student sees the screen turn green and the countdown starts, the student is allowed out of the classroom and can pass through patrolling campus assistants, who closely monitor all students timers and check students hall passes. When returning to the classroom, students reenter their ID codes so the app can record the time they spent outside of the classroom. Beck said his classroom is close to restrooms, so kids come back with an average of two to three minutes left. He hasnt seen anyone miss the time, but he heard that the app could revoke the bathroom privilege or not allow the student to apply for bathroom trips for a certain duration of time. Overall, he sees the app as positive because it teaches students to be punctual and responsible. A large part of the schools job is to prepare students for work, we want you to be in class on time because if you show up late all the time to work, theyre not going to hire you, Beck said. Beck added that his only doubt is whether the app can be customized on a case-by-case basis. For various reasons, some students might need longer in the bathroom. Cirene Cruz, a junior at Fresno High, said the policy is inflexible. Today, you know, its girls menstrual cycles, I went to the bathroom and I came back two minutes late, she said. Some teachers are more strict. For example, my math teacher, if we go past a certain amount of time then we just cant go for the rest of the month. She added that teachers have different policies and may have a final say on approving bathroom requests, while the app serves as a tool to record the data. Buchanan, the Fresno High sophomore, said the school gave a one-week notice to enforce the new hall passes rule with the app. He said his parents didnt receive any notifications and he told them about it. According to Fresno Highs bell schedule, the first period starts at 8:30 a.m. on a regular school day. Each class lasts for 53 minutes with six-minute breaks for students to get to their next class. Students usually have six periods a day. Lunch is 35 minutes, and students are dismissed from school at 3:20 p.m. When Fresno High demonstrated the app and announced the new rule earlier this month, said Buchanan, he and his peers raised questions about the rationale behind allowing only two seven-minute bathroom trips, but the school didnt respond, he said. Students felt they were left without answers, Buchanan said. Everybody was against it, he said. When we ask questions, that teacher said I dont run the school, I cant answer your questions, Im not in charge. The Fresno Bee contacted Fresno Highs principal Amy Smith asking for an interview about the app and student concerns. The districts chief communications officer Nikki Henry replied to the Bee reporter that staff are not authorized to speak to media without authorization. Henry denied access to Fresno High, saying that the app rollout was still new and she arranged instead for The Bee to talk to the principal of Hoover High, which has been using the app to its full extent, including rewarding points to students who engage actively in class and participate in activities. The districts safety and security team funded the tool this year and will again next year, said A.J. Kato, general manager of the districts communications team. Each school determines the specifics and the rules based on their needs. Sites like Tioga and Gaston were finding it extremely useful in tracking student engagements with activities and clubs, as well as the hall pass element, which reduced the number of students roaming hallways or congregating in bathrooms during instructional time, said an email reply from the districts communications team. Each site may use it differently, but one way it helps reduce these concerns is by limiting how many students on campus can be out of class at a time for bathroom breaks. A power outage in August 2023 forced the evacuation of hundreds of patients from Adventist Health White Memorial Hospital in Boyle Heights. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times) A power outage that forced hundreds of patients to be evacuated at a Boyle Heights hospital last summer was the result of lapses in maintaining the facility, a "deficient practice" that could put patients at risk of not getting needed care, state investigators found. In August, Adventist Health White Memorial lost power hours after Southern California was pummeled by a storm named Hilary. Babies and critical care patients were among those who had to be moved after power went out in part of the hospital, including a building that housed neonatal intensive care. Some patients were moved elsewhere on the hospital campus, while others were relocated to other hospitals. The L.A. Fire Department said that firefighters had to bring patients down stairwells when elevators were not working and helped some breathe with mask ventilators that rely on squeezing inflatable bags. A baby was born during the outage, assisted by staff shining flashlights, an Adventist Health spokesperson said. Hospital officials told reporters that they had emergency generators but that generator power had faltered hours after its normal power went out. Investigators from the California Department of Public Health found that hospital staff charged with maintaining the Boyle Heights facility had failed to keep humidity levels under control in an indoor tunnel, causing electrical equipment that connects an emergency generator to the hospital to malfunction. That led to the total loss of power at two buildings that hold patients the East Tower and the Specialty Care Tower "potentially placing patients at risk of not receiving necessary care and treatments," investigators found in their report. Read more: 'Scandalous': L.A. General again among highest in U.S. in restraining psychiatric patients Hospital staff told the investigators that days before the outage, they had detected a leak from a steam pipe in a tunnel between the Central Plant which funnels chilled water and steam to heating and cooling systems and the facility, according to the state report. Facility staff tried to cover electrical equipment in plastic to protect it from the high humidity, a hospital official told the state investigators. Hospital employees had planned to shut down the steam system and repair it on Aug. 23, the state report noted but the storm hit and power went out on Aug. 21. "Patient safety is our top priority," Adventist Health White Memorial said in a written statement. "Since the power outage, we have worked with the city and regulatory agencies to confirm that our processes were solid and ensure that our equipment is in top working order," the hospital said. "Our hospital has available generator power beyond the regulatory requirements, providing an added layer of security for all who rely on us." The hospital added that it had immediately begun repairs of the damaged equipment. Adventist Health White Memorial said the electrical equipment that failed was "designed to withstand harsh conditions." But after the outage, the hospital installed a humidity monitoring device, which was not a regulatory requirement but "a suggestion after this incident," the hospital said, adding that its technicians are monitoring it daily. The Boyle Heights hospital has not been fined over the state findings. In November, state investigators returned to follow up and found that the problems cited in their earlier report had been addressed. "Thankfully, due to the heroic efforts of our caregivers, we were able to keep all our patients and staff safe and rebound successfully" from the power outage, the hospital said in its statement. Read more: 11% of high school seniors report using delta-8 THC, advertised as 'legal' form of cannabis 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. Press Release March 21, 2024 EDCOM 2 to visit, look for best practices in Vietnam The Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) will conduct a study visit to Vietnam from March 21-24, 2024. The Commission seeks to learn from Vietnam's education sector in the following key areas: Improving access, equity, and opportunity Attracting and supporting qualified teachers Strategic use of assessments Effective governance and efficient financing of education EDCOM 2, the Congressional body created through RA11899, is tasked to undertake a comprehensive national assessment and evaluation of the performance of the Philippine education sector. In the next three years, it will also recommend legislation that aims to address the education crisis in the country. As part of this mandate, the Commission conducts study visits around the country, as well as abroad, in an effort to learn best practices and key strategies to pursue in order to uplift the quality of education in the Philippines. "We want to learn from Vietnam because its stage of economic development and level of education spending are not far from ours, and yet their learners are way ahead of ours. Looking at Vietnam's example, we particularly want to learn how we can be efficient with our spending to improve learner outcomes," Senator Win Gatchalian, Co-Chairperson of EDCOM II said. While Vietnam is in a similar economic phase as the Philippines, it performed better in the 2022 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). Vietnam's average score (468) was way above the Philippines' (353), despite the former spending roughly the same amount in education as a proportion of GDP. The Philippines spends an equivalent of around P55,000 on average per learner every year from Kindergarten until the age of 15. The same factor in Vietnam is P69,000. "We want to learn from our Vietnamese neighbors to find answers to questions such as: "How do we invest better in teacher development?', 'What are possible solutions to delivering timely learning resources and learner assessments?' and 'How could we more strategically invest in improving learning outcomes?'", said EDCOM 2 Executive Director Dr. Karol Mark Yee. "Learning from our neighbors first-hand is essential in ensuring that we find realistic and implemetable solutions to address the learning crisis in the Philippines". The Commission also hopes that this visit will lead to increased collaboration and exchanges between the Philippines and Vietnam, especially in the realm of education. The Philippine delegation to Vietnam will include EDCOM 2 Co-Chairpersons Senator Sherwin Gatchahlian and Representative Mark Go, as well as Commissioner Rep. Jose Francisco "Kiko" Benitez. Traveling with them are Advisory Council member Mr. Alfredo Ayala, and Standing Committee members Dr. Jennie Jocson, Dr. Marie Therese Angeline P. Bustos, Mr. Elvin Ivan Uy, and Mr. John P. Sevilla. EDCOM 2 will meet with key officials on education reform, including the Vietnam National Assembly Committee of Culture and Education, and Vice-Chair of the National Assembly, Mr. Nguyen Duc Hai. The Commission will also conduct a roundtable discussion on Vietnam's education system with the Ministry of Education and Training's officials and specialists, led by Deputy Minister Nguyen Van Phuc. EDCOM 2 will also visit public pre-primary, primary, secondary, and high schools in Hanoi. It will also conduct a focus group discussion with Filipino teachers in Vietnam, and meet with RMIT University Vietnam. The Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) opened a branch of the Australian university in Ho Chi Minh, Hanoi, and Da Nang - the first completely foreign-owned university granted permission to operate in the country. Recent discussions about changes to the 1987 Constitution also dealt with foreign ownership of educational institutions - particularly higher education institutions. EDCOM II Executive Director Dr. Karol Mark Yee previously underscored the need to clearly set the government's vision and targets in opening up education to full foreign ownership, citing other ASEAN countries as examples where generous government incentives were rolled out and adjusted policies to attract the best international institutions. On Thursday, March 21, the terrorist country of Russia attacked Kyiv with cruise and ballistic missiles. All enemy targets were destroyed by air defense forces, however, in several districts of the capital, debris damaged houses, buildings and cars. ADVERTISIMENT This was reported by the press service of the Kyiv City State Administration. Unfortunately, there are some wounded. Thus, in the morning, the terrorist country of the Russian Federation attacked the capital of Ukraine with cruise and ballistic missiles. Thanks to the incredible work of the air defense forces, all enemy targets were destroyed. However, unfortunately, as a result of the falling debris of downed ammunition in the Shevchenkivskyi district, an apartment in a six-story building was on fire, and 15 residents were evacuated. At other addresses, windows of a high-rise building were damaged and several cars were destroyed by fire. A part of a rocket was found, and sappers were engaged to neutralize it. ADVERTISIMENT In Svyatoshinsky district, window glazing in two nine-story buildings and a pre-school building were damaged, and cars were also on fire. In Podilsky district, debris fell on the roof of a residential building, causing a fire and significant damage, and a transformer substation and warehouse buildings were also on fire. ADVERTISIMENT ADVERTISIMENT The enemy attack preliminarily injured more than 10 people. Fortunately, no one was killed. As reported by OBOZ.UA, on the morning of March 21, Ukrainian air defenders repelled a massive Russian air attack, destroying all missiles over Kyiv region. In particular, 29 cruise missiles and two aerial ballistic missiles were shot down. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! SACRAMENTO, California Proposition 1 was a major victory for Gov. Gavin Newsom. It was also a lesson and a warning. The $6.4 billion bond measure which overhauls how the state addresses the overlapping crises of homelessness, drug addiction and untreated mental illness passed late Wednesday by the thinnest of margins, barely 30,000 votes in a state of nearly 40 million people. Newsom, who made Prop 1 the centerpiece of his political agenda this year, celebrated the win Thursday but acknowledged the obvious message from voters. People want results. People are exhausted with the time delay, the Democratic governor said at a news conference in Los Angeles hours after a painstaking, two-week count to settle the race. Theyre exhausted with the promises. They want to see results. The unexpectedly close result, in a campaign that featured only token opposition, shows that Californians are deeply divided over whether to spend more money on homelessness, and to deal with the cost of housing more broadly, which voters consistently say is the No. 1 issue in a state with more people living on the streets than any other. It also raises questions about Newsom, and whether he can execute on major policy proposals. Californians Against Prop 1, the ragtag group of volunteers who were the sole voices against Newsoms campaign, said in a statement that the measure could constitute a humanitarian disaster. Prop. 1 is not a 'huge' win for Gov. Newsom. It's an embarrassing squeaker of a victory that contains a strong warning, the group said after the race was called. A map of the election results illustrates the point vividly, with Prop 1 winning along the liberal coast and losing just about everywhere else especially in the more conservative inland parts of the state. Homelessness, which surged during the pandemic, is most visible in cities such as Los Angeles and San Francisco but is at record levels across California. The state has spent more than $12 billion over the last five years to address the problem, clearing thousands of encampments and moving people into housing, but the close Prop 1 vote suggests a deep reluctance to spend more. I get why people said Im not going to support another bond, Newsom said Thursday. Prop 1 was Newsoms big swing at housing and homelessness a sweeping measure that could help define his legacy, or tarnish it, if he seeks higher office. The measure is more than an anti-homelessness effort. It redistributes spending from a tax on incomes over $1 million, which was adopted by voters in 2004, to focus more on treating severe mental health problems in part by building facilities to replace those closed decades ago by then Gov. Ronald Reagan. Critics charged that this overhaul would short-change existing programs for less severe mental health the kinds of conditions that can lead to more serious problems, and homelessness. They also raised concerns about compulsory treatment but the opposition raised almost no money to counter the governor and his allies. As the Prop 1 funding rolls out, starting later this year, the counties that fund the bulk of mental health treatment in the state will face new mandates to direct more services toward housing and to treating people experiencing homelessness. Thats a feature, not a bug, in Newsoms mind. He has reasoned that forcing counties to focus more on people on the street, and only on programs that really work, will help deliver the results voters are demanding. Going to the voters with a bond measure is always risky and especially so during a primary, when the electorate tends to be older and more conservative. That lesson was driven home hard in recent days. Ahead of the March 5 primary, the campaign predicted the measure would pass with around 55 percent of the vote. Passing with 50.2 percent, it underperformed even those low expectations. It spent the past two weeks in limbo, though it faced almost no paid opposition. Ten days after the election, the yes campaign sent out a plea for supporters to help fix rejected ballots to push the measure over the finish line. Thats all despite the fact that Newsom marshaled an unprecedented coalition of supporters featuring Republican and Democratic leaders from across the state, along with police and fire officials and mental health organizations. The yes campaign raised $20 million, compared to just $2,000 by the opposition. Newsom endured post-election criticism for risking the measure by placing it on the March ballot. His response is that he had no choice, addressing an urgent matter in a way that will start channeling money into the issue by October. In the end, even a narrow victory is a win. Newsom acknowledges that voters sent a flashing yellow warning sign with the results and that they may not be willing to spend more money on homelessness any time soon. I've never been associated with something I'm more proud of, Newsom said. I recognize now the imperative of delivering on this vision. A ballot measure that would require California counties to address the homelessness crisis narrowly clinched enough votes to pass Wednesday night. About 50.2 percent of California voters backed Proposition 1, according to the states unofficial election results from March 5. If passed, the measure will authorize $6.38 billion in bonds to build mental health facilities and more housing for those with mental health, drug or alcohol challenges. California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) had backed the measure and raised more than $13 million to promote it, according to The Associated Press. The AP noted the state accounts for nearly one-third of the homeless population in the United States, and about 181,000 Californians are in need of housing. This is a huge victory for doing things radically different when it comes to tackling homelessness. The biggest change CA has seen in DECADES. Now its time to get to work repairing the damage caused by decades of broken promises and neglect to those suffering from severe mental illness. Thank you, California, Newsom wrote on X, formerly Twitter. Proposition 1, promoted as Treatment Not Tents, would build enough housing to shelter more than 11,000 residents. It will also target veterans experiencing homelessness by directing $1 billion to address the issue. It will also provide funding to hire more professionals to help those with mental health issues. To pay for the additional funding, it would not raise takes, but would require counties to spend two-thirds of the funds from a 2004 tax enacted on millionaires for mental health services on housing and other programs for those who are homeless and have mental health issues. Critics of the proposition have said it could make the problem worse, with rural counties needing to spend the same percentage of funds as urban areas like San Francisco, according to the AP. Critics say they would need to divert money from existing programs to fall in line with the new requirements. It took more than two weeks for the measure to pass in the heavy Democratic state. The Associated Press contributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. FILE - California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks in support of Proposition 1, a $6.38 billion bond ballot measure, during a news conference at the Los Angeles General Medical Center in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024. California voters have passed the measure that will impose strict requirements on counties to spend on housing and drug treatment programs to tackle the states homelessness crisis. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass listens at left. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) California voters have approved a measure that will impose strict requirements on counties to spend on housing and drug treatment programs to tackle the states homelessness crisis, in a tissue-thin win for Gov. Gavin Newsom, who personally campaigned for the measure's passage. Democrats outnumber Republicans by a staggering 2-to-1 in California, and the borderline vote coming more than two weeks after election day signaled unease with the states homeless policies after Newsoms administration invested billions of dollars to get people off the street but no dramatic change has been seen in Los Angeles and other large cities. The state accounts for nearly a third of the homeless population in the United States; roughly 181,000 Californians are in need of housing. Newsom, who made the measure a signature proposal, spent significant time and money campaigning on its behalf. He raised more than $13 million to promote it with the support of law enforcement, first responders, hospitals and mayors of major cities. Opponents raised just $1,000. Proposition 1 marks the first update to the states mental health system in 20 years. This is the biggest change in decades in how California tackles homelessness, and a victory for doing things radically different, Newsom said in a statement after the borderline vote. Now, counties and local officials must match the ambition of California voters. This historic reform will only succeed if we all kick into action immediately state government and local leaders, together. Counties will now be required to spend about two-thirds of the money from a voter-approved tax enacted in 2004 on millionaires for mental health services on housing and programs for homeless people with serious mental illnesses or substance abuse problems. The state, with a current inventory of 5,500 beds, needs some 8,000 more units to treat mental health and addiction issues. The initiative also allows the state to borrow $6.38 billion to build 4,350 housing units, half of which will be reserved for veterans, and add 6,800 mental health and addiction treatment beds. Opponents, including social service providers and county officials, said the change will threaten programs that are not solely focused on housing or drug treatment but keep people from becoming homeless in the first place. Critics said the single formula could mean rural counties such as Butte, with a homeless population of fewer than 1,300 people, would be required to divert the same percentage of funds to housing as urban counties such as San Francisco, which has a homeless population six times bigger. With makeshift tents lining streets and disrupting businesses in communities across the state, homelessness has become one of the most frustrating issues in California and one sure to dog Newsom should he ever mount a national campaign. Newsom touted the proposition as the final piece in his plan to reform Californias mental health system. He has already pushed for laws that make it easier to force people with behavioral health issues into treatment. William Elias, a television producer in Sacramento, said he was on the fence about Proposition 1 but decided to vote in favor of it because of the pervasive homelessness problem. Thats something thats all around us right now, he said. We got all these tents out here in front of City Hall. Estrellita Vivirito, a Palm Springs resident, also voted yes on the measure. Its only logical, you know, we have to do something, she said. Katherine Wolf, a doctoral student at the University of California, Berkeley, said she voted no on the measure out of concerns it would result in more people being locked up against their will. I was appalled of the system of laws that he has been building to kind of erode the rights of people with mental disabilities, Wolf said of Newsom. Griffin Bovee, a Republican state worker in Sacramento, also voted against the proposition and said the state has been wasting taxpayer money. Sacramento really shouldnt get another dime until they actually figure out why what theyre doing is not working, he said of the states handling of the homelessness crisis. They spent $20 billion over the past few years trying to fix that problem and it got worse. Revenue from the tax on millionaires, now between $2 billion and $3 billion a year, provides about one-third of the states total mental health budget. Opponents, including some county officials, mental health service providers and some Republicans, said the ballot measure would cut funding from cultural centers, peer-support programs and vocational services and would pit those programs against services for homeless people. Newsoms administration has already spent at least $22 billion on various programs to address the crisis, including $3.5 billion to convert rundown motels into homeless housing. California is also giving out $2 billion in grants to build more treatment facilities. ___ Associated Press writer Michael R. Blood in Los Angeles contributed to this report. A camera found hidden beneath a sink in a Starbucks restroom recorded at least 91 visitors, including young children, California police reported. The extremely graphic videos show people from ages 4 to 85 using the restroom from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Jan. 30, San Jose police said in a March 20 news release. The Starbucks is in the 600 block of Coleman Avenue in San Jose. Someone discovered the camera the next day and notified police, the release said. In a statement to McClatchy News, Starbucks called the incident deeply disturbing and pledged to continue working with authorities. Following an investigation, police arrested Louie Juarez Jr., 35, of San Jose, on March 15 on charges of possessing child pornography, installment of a hidden surveillance camera with audio, possessing high capacity magazines, possessing an assault rifle and possessing an unregistered firearm. A search prior to the arrest found 20 firearms, high capacity magazines and other micro-cameras, police said. Police ask anyone with information or who may have been a victim to contact detectives at 4583@sanjoseca.gov or 408-277-4102. Anonymous tips can be left at 408-947-7807. Car of missing California woman found abandoned in Arizona desert, cops say Pastor pays two hit men $40,000 to kill daughters boyfriend, California police say Chaos erupts in court as accused killer stabs attorney with pen, California cops say Canada is planning to set limits on the number of temporary residents it lets in for the first time in its history. Immigration minister Marc Miller said on Thursday that the number will be reduced over the next three years, with the first cap to be set in September. It will apply to international students, as well as foreign workers and asylum claimants. The minister has previously spoken about revising immigration targets due to an affordability and housing crisis. In his announcement, Mr Miller said that Canada plans to reduce the number of temporary residents to 5% of the population, down from the current 6.2%. He added that the move is to ensure "sustainable" growth in the number of temporary residents coming into Canada. In recent years, Mr Miller said Canada has seen a "sharp increase" of temporary residents admitted to the country. As of 2024, the minister said there are a total of 2.5 million temporary residents in Canada. This is up from nearly one million in 2021, according to figures by national data collection agency Statistics Canada. The country relies heavily on temporary foreign workers to fill labour shortages, Mr Miller noted, but said "changes are needed to make the system more efficient". It also has international obligations to let in those who are fleeing war and political prosecution. "To be clear, these are important global commitments to Canadians," Mr Miller said. "At the same time, there should be an honest conversation about what the rise of international migration means for Canada as we plan ahead." As part of the new policy, officials said some Canadian businesses will have to reduce the number of temporary foreign workers they rely on by 1 May, and will have a shorter window to prove that these jobs could not be filled by a permanent resident or a Canadian citizen. Two exceptions to the rule will be workers in the construction and healthcare sectors - both of which are facing labour shortages in Canada. These workers will be allowed to enter the country at current levels until at least 31 August. According to Statistics Canada, a majority of temporary residents - around 54% - in 2021 had a work permit. International students with a permit solely to study in Canada represented 22% of temporary residents, and asylum claimants accounted for 15%. Others had a combination of permits, or are family members of temporary residents. Thursday's announcement was criticised by advocates for temporary foreign workers, who told Canadian news outlet Global News that migrants work under precarious conditions and have been "scapegoated for the affordability and housing crisis". It comes as Canada reinstated visa requirements for Mexican nationals due to a surge of asylum seekers from Mexico. Earlier this year, Mr Miller also set a limit on the number of international students admitted to Canada for the next two years, resulting in a planned decrease of 35% in approved study permits. Over 800,000 foreign students were in Canada in 2022, up from 214,000 a decade earlier. That move has also been criticised, namely by some post-secondary institutions across the country, who said they worry that it will deter students from coming to Canada and drive them to study elsewhere. Some universities said a cap would mean a loss of revenue for their institutions. The caps represent a significant shift in policy for Canada, which has historically relied on open immigration to fill job vacancies and address its rapidly-aging workforce. They come as the Trudeau government faces growing pressure to address an increasingly unaffordable housing market. Home prices in Canada now average C$700,000 ($517,400; 408,750) and rent for Canadians has risen 22% in the last two years. Social media posts say Ottawa's planned open banking framework paves the way for a "social credit" system where citizens would be monitored and penalized for certain behaviors. This is false; Canada's plan mirrors those in other countries giving consumers a more secure way to link bank accounts and third-party apps and would be limited to financial data, policy and privacy experts said. "The wholly captured and penetrated technocommunist nation of Canada is leading the way in implementing the dystopian social credit score system," says the text of a March 19, 2024 Substack post. Screenshots and links to the blog were shared on X, where similar claims about an imminent social score system in Canada proliferated while also being shared on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok in English and French. Armstrong Economics -- which has previously shared misinformation fact-checked by AFP -- appears to be one of the earliest publishers of the claim, purporting in a March 14 blog post that Canada's anticipated framework for an open banking system would provide information to determine "if a person is fit to participate in the global economy based on their personal views." Screenshot of an X post, taken March 20, 2024 Screenshot of a Facebook post, taken March 20, 2024 These claims were the latest to warn that social credit scores are on the cusp of being adopted in their jurisdiction, often referencing periodic stories from China about systems that enforce standards by deterring or rewarding certain behaviors. China's system has raised concerns around the world about governments deploying technology to step up surveillance, including through the monitoring of financial transactions. Federal Canadian intelligence, immigration and trade departments have penned reports on social credit scores in China (archived here, here and here), but the Department of Finance Canada told AFP there are no plans to adopt such a system. "Any allegation that the Government of Canada is trying to introduce social credit scores is categorically false," the department said in a March 20 email. Marc-Andre Pigeon, an assistant professor at the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy at the University of Saskatchewan (archived here), said open banking has nothing to do with tracking personal views as claimed in the posts. Rather, the system refers to a framework that governments adopt to securely facilitate the flow of financial information between banking institutions and third-party applications, such as budgeting and wealth management tools. How open banking works Open banking, or consumer-driven banking (archived here), is not yet available in Canada. According to the Department of Finance Canada website (archived here), the federal government will submit framework legislation for open banking to be introduced in 2025 with the next budget (archived here). It is aimed at making it easier for consumers to link their accounts with apps for financial management without having to input passwords, which can pose security risks. "An estimated 9 million Canadians currently share their financial data by providing confidential banking credentials to service providers," the Department of Finance says. "This process, known as screen-scraping, is unsecure and raises security, liability, and privacy risks to consumers and the financial system." Countries including Australia and the United Kingdom (archived here and here) have already adopted open banking frameworks. Pigeon said open banking "is meant to make the sharing of data and ultimately the automation of transactions, safe and secure with clear attributions of liability, clear notions of consent, and clear protection from kind of cybersecurity threats and hacking that we don't have absent of that policy framework." He also noted that the system in Canada would be opt-in and users would have to consent to share information. Screenshot of a graphic on Department of Finance Canada website, taken March 20, 2024 The claim from Armstrong Economics that open banking would lead to social credit scores hinged on a phrase from a Canadian Press article covering the anticipated new framework which said lenders could look "beyond credit scores" that assess customers' financial health. Pigeon said that under an open banking system, a financial institution would have access to information outside of the calculated credit score and be able to use data points such as transaction data -- with permission -- to assess lending risk. "So, they'll have a richer picture of what kind of person you are from a transaction-debt-payment perspective, and how much they should charge you for your loan," he said. He explained that open banking would not change the level of access the government has to financial data -- unless a citizen is applying for a government loan and chooses to share their information. Privacy in banking Some users spreading the claim said the government wanted more surveillance powers and alluded to the freezing of protesters' bank accounts during the 2022 trucker convoy in Ottawa, by invoking the Emergencies Act (archived here). In January 2024, a federal court ruled the use of the law was an overreach, but the government said it would appeal the decision. Robbie Grant, a privacy lawyer at McMillan LLP in Toronto, said the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act (archived here) requires banks to report and monitor suspicious activity to the government. He said open banking would not change the amount of information currently available to the government, nor would users be required to present more personal data. "There's no indication that banks would have any more access to your information through the open banking framework," he told AFP on March 19. Read more of AFP's reporting on misinformation in Canada here. A Mississippi boy recovering from cancer had a dream of one day seeing the ocean and playing on the beach something he had never done before. This week that dream was fulfilled in a big way. The Make-A-Wish Foundation, which fulfills wishes of children with critical illnesses, sponsored a trip for Weston Brown, 6, of Ellisville, Mississippi, and his parents, four siblings and grandmother to visit the Mississippi Coast. The foundation helped the family plan an itinerary highlighting the different water-related activities around the Coast including Westons favorite activity, fishing and even got local city officials from Gulfport, Biloxi and others involved to help Weston and his family feel welcomed. Weston Brown, 6, of Ellisville, and his family watch a dolphin jump during a dolphin encounter at the Mississippi Aquarium in Gulfport on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, as a part of his Make-A-Wish trip to the Mississippi Coast. On Monday, Weston and his family got to arrive in a classic car at the Margaritaville resort, where they were given a VIP welcome by mayors of different Coast cities, before spending the day at the arcade. On Tuesday, the family went deep-sea fishing and spent Wednesday interacting with penguins and dolphins at the Mississippi Aquarium. We are very grateful for this, for sure, because we dont get to do a lot of this. At home were constantly at the doctors even though hes in remission, Westons mom, Nicole Holly, said as she watched her kids eat lunch at the aquarium, enjoying the sun and the sea life. Weston Brown, 6, of Ellisville, and his siblings Caleb Holly, center, and Cayden Brown play catch with a dolphin during a dolphin encounter at the Mississippi Aquarium in Gulfport on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, as a part of Westons Make-A-Wish trip to the Mississippi Coast. Weston is in remission from a rare cancer and wanted to see the ocean for his trip. In January 2023, Weston was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare soft tissue cancer that is most often seen in children. According to Nicole, around that time she started noticing Westons eye was swelling. She said a few doctors dismissed it, saying it was just allergies or a possible cyst. But that cyst was in fact a tumor growing behind Westons eye. Weston had emergency surgery to remove the tumor, and then underwent months of chemotherapy and radiation treatments to make sure the cancer was gone. We were lucky and caught it so early, she said. He was always sick, he handled it well though. Hes better than me, Id be crying but he was just like, throw up and go about his way. He was bald and everything, but he didnt care. Weston is now in remission, but Nicole says its been tough. She says she cant even look at photos of Weston when he was bald, but the trip has really helped give them a moment to relax as a family. I dont get a break, I dont get to be a mom and just enjoy everything. Its all stress all the time. So this is a nice little stress-relief vacation, she said. Weston Brown, 6, center right, and his siblings stand in a hurricane simulator at the Mississippi Aquarium in Gulfport on Wednesday, March 20, 2024. Weston, who is in remission from cancer, chose to come to the Mississippi Coast for a trip provided by Make-A-Wish. Nicole said Make-A-Wish asked the family if theyd like to do a trip. The foundation came to their home and spoke to Weston about what he might possibly like to do. Weston turned down any idea that didnt involve his favorite activity of fishing, which he would not stop thinking about and talking about all throughout his treatment. Out of all the ideas Make-A-Wish gave him, it quickly became clear the Mississippi Coast was the best option he could fish, see the beach and the ocean and not be too far from his doctors. The family still has two more days on the Mississippi Coast. On Thursday, the family will help participate in releasing sea turtles rehabbed by the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies back into the Mississippi Sound before going on a dolphin watching cruise with Ship Island Excursions. On Friday, they will get to swim with dolphins and stingrays at Ocean Adventures Marine Park. Weston Brown, 6, of Ellisville, right, and his siblings wave to two dolphins at the Mississippi Aquarium in Gulfport on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, during a dolphin encounter experience. Weston, who is in remission from cancer, chose to come to the Mississippi Coast for his Make-A-Wish trip because he had never been to the ocean before and loves to fish. Weston Brown, 6, right, and his siblings watch dolphins swim past at the Mississippi Aquarium in Gulfport on Wednesday, March 20, 2024. Weston, who is in remission from cancer, toured the aquarium as a part of his trip to the Mississippi Coast provided by Make-A-Wish. Weston Brown, 6, of Ellisville, pets a penguin named Pumpkin during a special tour at the Mississippi Aquarium in Gulfport on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, as a part of his Make-A-Wish trip to the Mississippi Coast. Weston, who is in remission from cancer, chose to come to the coast because he had never been to the ocean before and loves to fish. Weston Brown, 6, center, watches fish with his siblings Remington and Riley, right, at the Mississippi Aquarium in Gulfport on Wednesday, March 20, 2024. Weston, who is in remission from cancer, chose to come to the Mississippi Coast for a trip provided by Make-A-Wish. Weston Brown, 6, walks through the aviary with his siblings at the Mississippi Aquarium in Gulfport on Wednesday, March 20, 2024. Weston, who is in remission from cancer, chose to come to the Mississippi Coast for a trip provided by Make-A-Wish. HOOVER, Ala. (WFLA) Alabama woman Carlee Russell, who confessed to lying about being kidnapped, setting off a national search last summer, pleaded guilty to criminal charges related to the hoax Thursday afternoon. Russell pleaded guilty in Jefferson County Circuit Court to two misdemeanor counts for filing a false police report, NBC News reported. She will be under supervised probation for 12 months, must repay over $17,000 in restitution to the City of Hoover, and must complete 100 hours of community service. Woman who vanished on trip to Florida a month ago found safe, sheriff says Russell spoke in court for the first time after the incident, apologizing to the community. She previously apologized in an attorney statement last summer, admitting that the kidnapping was faked and asked for forgiveness. I want to genuinely apologize for my actions, and the resulting negative impact inflicted onto others. I made a grave mistake while trying to fight through various emotional issues and stress, Russell said. Im extremely remorseful for the panic, fear and various range of negative emotions that were experienced across the nation. I want to specifically acknowledge and take accountability for the pain and embarrassment that I inflicted upon my family, my church family, friends, neighbors, community, and all of those who were directly involved in search efforts for me, she continued. According to NBC, Russell will attend a review hearing on Oct. 16 for a check on the amount of restitution thats been paid and completion of community service. Chunky alligator spotted lounging in Temple Terrace causing concern among residents Russell, a nursing student, called 911 on July 13, 2023, reporting that she had seen a child on the interstate in Hoover, Alabama. However, when authorities arrived at the location, she vanished. Shortly after the call, police found items belonging to her and her car. Around 48 hours after Russell vanished, she reappeared on July 15. Her family members told police she had walked home. When she was taken to a hospital for treatment, she told officials she had been abducted. Throughout the Hoover Police Departments investigation, officials said theyve been unable to locate any child that Russell reported seeing. Authorities have also theyve found discrepancies between what Russell said happened and what their investigation revealed had transpired. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. An Alabama woman who confessed to lying about being kidnapped has pleaded guilty to criminal charges related to the hoax that set off a national search last summer. Carlee Russell pleaded guilty in Jefferson County Circuit Court on Thursday afternoon to two misdemeanor counts for filing a false police report. She will be under supervised probation for 12 months and she must repay almost $18,000 in restitution to the city of Hoover and complete 100 hours of community service. Russell must also continue receiving mental health counseling as a condition for probation. Judge David Carpenter suspended Russells two six-month sentences, saying, It would be a waste of government resources to put you in jail. Russell spoke in court for the first time, acknowledging her actions. "I want to genuinely apologize for my actions and the resulting negative impact inflicted onto others. I made a grave mistake while trying to fight through various emotional issues and stress," she said. "Im extremely remorseful for the panic, fear and various range of negative emotions that were experienced across the nation." "I want to specifically acknowledge and take accountability for the pain and embarrassment that I inflicted upon my family, my church family, friends, neighbors, community and all of those who were directly involved in search efforts for me," she added. A review hearing is scheduled for Oct. 16 to check on the paid amount of restitution and the completed hours of community service. "We want to thank Judge Carpenter for doing what we think all judges should do with a Class A misdemeanor first offense," attorney Emory Anthony said after the hearing. "Carlee apologized to the communities, to Hoover, to the volunteers for her actions. I hope that we will accept that and move on and allow her to live her live." Carlethia Carlee Nichole Russell (Courtesy Hoover Police Department via Facebook) On July 13, Russell, a nursing student, called 911 and reported seeing a child on the interstate in Hoover, which is about 10 miles south of Birmingham. She disappeared after the call. Police found her car and items belonging to her shortly afterward. Russell showed up at her house after nearly two days of search efforts and headlines about her case. She told police she had been forced into a vehicle and abducted but had escaped her captors and walked home. Days later, police said they were unable to verify most of Russell's details about the alleged kidnapping, including claims that she had been taken to a house where a man and a woman forced her to undress while they took nude photos of her. Police discovered internet searches on Russell's phone for "if you have to pay for an Amber Alert," for a one-way ticket from Birmingham to Nashville, Tennessee, and for the movie "Taken," which is about an abduction. On July 24, Russell admitted that she had not seen a toddler walking on the side of a highway and that she lied about being kidnapped, her attorney said in a statement. Russell was found guilty of misdemeanor counts in municipal court in October. The judge recommended a one-year prison sentence, but her attorneys stipulated an appeal before the verdict. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com At 28-years-old, Plaid Cymru activist Carmen Smith is about to become the youngest member of the House of Lords. The upper chamber has an average age of 71 - but it's not just this which makes her an unusual appointment. As a member of the Welsh nationalist party, Baroness Smith believes in an independent Wales and wants to see the House of Lords abolished. Speaking to the BBC ahead of being formally introduced as a peer, she acknowledged she would be one of very few members campaigning to put herself out of a job. "I fundamentally disagree with an unelected chamber," she says. "However, while it exists, we must have voices there that are standing up for the people of Wales because decisions are made there that impact them." Baroness Smith admits the public attention following her appointment has been harder to deal with than she had anticipated. Some critics claimed she only got the job because she was a woman - pointing to the party's internal process, which ensured its first nomination for a new peer was female. This meant that while she came second to a man in a vote of party members, it was her who ended up in the Lords. "I knew I'd be targeted for my age and being a woman. However, I didn't know how it would feel until it actually happened," she says. "I take fair criticism, I'm always happy to have a debate. But when it's about something personal it is difficult." Baroness Smith defends the process by which she was nominated, arguing it helps to improve the representation of women in a chamber that is 70% male. Plaid Cymru is one of only two parties - along with the Greens - who elect their nominees for the Lords. Under the party's nomination system, after five years Baroness Smith will also be subject to a reselection process to see if members want her to continue in the role. She says this makes the selection of representatives for what is an unelected chamber more democratic. Baroness Smith believes the fact she is a woman has fuelled negative reactions to her appointment. She draws parallels with Conservative peer Baroness Owen who also prompted criticism when she became the new youngest member of the Lords at 30 years old, after being nominated by Boris Johnson. Baroness Smith argues a man appointed at the same time who was just one year older - Lord Kempsell - received far less negative coverage, despite both having similar experience as former advisers to the prime minister. Baroness Owen was the previous youngest member of the Lords Working in politics since her early 20s, Baroness Smith says being singled out as young is "nothing new". As chief of staff for the Plaid Cymru group in the Senedd she says there were times when people presumed she was doing an admin role. Despite her rapid rise through the party, a political career was not always on the cards. Growing up on a council estate in Llanfaes, a small village in north Wales, she didn't have any interest in politics until she was about 15. It was meeting Leanne Wood, who was Plaid's leader at the time and knocked on her door while canvassing for local elections, that inspired her to start following the party. "She was very down to earth and easy to talk with," she says. "Different to the others that you see in politics stereotypically." Baroness Smith served as chief of staff for Plaid Cymru in the Senedd when Adam Price (right) was party leader The youngest of seven siblings, Baroness Smith was the first in her family to go to university, studying law at Bangor. After her first year she was elected as deputy president of the National Union of Students in Wales and dropped out of her studies to take up the position full time in Cardiff. The role was her first taste of campaigning, as she successfully secured a change to the system for student carers claiming financial support so it was no longer means tested. From the age of around 14, she had helped to care for her father, who had dementia. "I know what it feels like to be passed round the houses, to need to explain your situation to someone and how emotionally exhausting that is to try and get access to the support you might need," she says. "The obstacles were actually quite easy to remove, but unless you have people in the room that have experienced that, then how are you going to actually change it or realise why something's an issue?" Baroness Smith unsuccessfully stood to be a member of the European Parliament in 2019 Since then she has worked in the charity sector as well as for a Plaid MEP in the European Parliament and standing as a candidate herself in 2019. Most recently she has worked in communications for a renewable energy company, although she's giving up her job to be a peer. As Baroness Smith of Llanfaes she hopes to bring a fresh perspective to the chamber. "I'm not going there to be part of the establishment or the club," she says. "I'm going there to shake things up." She'll start by wearing one of the fake fur robes on offer for her introduction ceremony, rather than a traditional ermine robe, and she will take her oath in Welsh. After taking her seat, she says she wants to be a voice for groups who are less likely to be heard when laws are being shaped - whether that's young people or Welsh rural communities. "Where decisions are made on legislation that affects people across the UK, it must be people that are representative of them that are part of making those decisions," she says. Among the issues she hopes to focus on is coal tip safety, pointing out that this is paid for by the Welsh government, despite the contribution of mining communities to the whole of the UK. As a life peer, Baroness Smith is entitled to sit in the Lords until she dies but she has no plans to do so. "I don't see it as a job for life," she says. "I want to bring in new voices and hand over that baton to someone else." On Thursday, March 21, a house built in the late 1930s was damaged in Kyiv during a missile attack by the terrorist country of Russia. A fragment of a Russian missile hit one of the apartments, causing a fire. ADVERTISIMENT This was reported by an OBOZ.UA correspondent. Unfortunately, people were injured as a result of the enemy attack. Thus, on the morning of Thursday, March 21, a fragment of a downed Russian missile hit a residential building in the Shevchenkivskyi district of the capital. As a result, a fire broke out, which was quickly extinguished by rescuers. ADVERTISIMENT According to residents, the damaged building was constructed in the late 1930s one of the fragments hit an apartment, which, fortunately, was unoccupied at the time. The owners of the apartment are outside the city and may not even be aware of the extent of the damage. ADVERTISIMENT Unfortunately, all floors were flooded with water while extinguishing the fire. Experts will determine the condition of the building and its suitability for restoration and further use. ADVERTISIMENT ADVERTISIMENT ADVERTISIMENT Another piece of debris caused a large crater in the yard of the house, and also damaged the OCU church, several cars, and shattered windows with an explosive wave. As a reminder, on Thursday, March 21, a Russian missile attack damaged houses in the Kyiv region. Unfortunately, there were casualties civilians suffered shrapnel wounds to their limbs and faces. As reported by OBOZ.UA, on the morning of March 21, Ukrainian air defenders repelled a massive Russian air attack, destroying all missiles over Kyiv region. In particular, 29 cruise missiles and two aerial ballistic missiles were shot down. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Former President Donald Trump profoundly distorted what happened at his 2023 sexual abuse and defamation trial against E. Jean Carroll in his plea to get the jury's verdict tossed out, advice columnist E. Jean Carroll's legal team told an appeals court late-Wednesday. The jury in the civil case found Trump liable for sexually abusing Carroll as well as defaming her in 2022, when he called her assault allegations a "con job." They awarded Carroll $5 million. In November, Trump's legal team attacked the trial judge's rulings on evidence and urged the New York-based federal appeals court to throw out the verdict. They said in a brief that Trump should have been able to tell the jury about "politically motivated bias" in the case, that two other women shouldn't have been able to testify that he also assaulted them, and the jury shouldn't have heard his infamous "Access Hollywood" tape comments that he kisses women without their consent and that stars "can do anything" to women, including grabbing their genitals. In a court filing responding to Trump's brief, Carroll's lawyers said "[t]his case was not close" and she "presented overwhelming evidence" to support her sexual abuse and defamation claims. Carroll herself testified for three days, and two of her friends also described hearing her story of Trump's assault soon after it happened. "That transformed the case from 'he said / she said' into 'he said / they said,'" according to the filing. E. Jean Carroll, center, walks out of Manhattan federal court, Tuesday, May 9, 2023, in New York. A jury has found Donald Trump liable for sexually abusing the advice columnist in 1996, awarding her $5 million in a judgment that could haunt the former president as he campaigns to regain the White House. E. Jean Carroll, a New York-based advice columnist, sued Donald Trump in civil trial alleging Trump raped her in a luxury New York department store dressing room in the 1990s. The $5 million Carroll victory in May of 2023 sizable as it is pales in comparison to Carroll's $83.3 million January victory in a defamation lawsuit tied to 2019 statements by Trump after Carroll first went public with her story, including that "people should pay dearly for such false accusations." Trump has also filed an appeal in that case. More: Did Donald Trump rape E. Jean Carroll? Here's what a jury and judge said. Assault stories from other women In Trump's brief asking the appeals court to toss out the $5 million verdict, the former president's lawyers said the two women who testified about their own experiences with Trump weren't sufficiently reliable to be allowed into the trial because they described brief events from long ago. One of the women said she was seated next to Trump on a plane decades ago when he suddenly tried to kiss and grope her, including grabbing her breasts and reaching up her skirt in a "tussling match," until she jolted out of the seat and stormed away. The other, who was interviewing Trump for a magazine article in the mid 2000s, described him pushing her against a wall and forcibly kissing her. Magazine Columnist E. Jean Carroll arrives for her civil trial against former President Donald Trump at Manhattan Federal Court on May 02, 2023 in New York City. Carroll testified that she was raped by former President Trump, giving details about the alleged attack in the mid-1990s. Trump has stated that the attack never happened and has denied meeting her. He is not expected to take the stand during the trial. Trump's lawyers told the appeals court that his 2016 presidential election victory "apparently infuriated" the two women, and Carroll contacted both of them while he was campaigning for the 2020 election. Those election-related events "reduced the reliability" of what the women had to say, he argued. Carroll's lawyers shot back Wednesday that the other women's testimony was relevant to her case because, if believed by the jury, it showed Trump had a propensity to sexually assault women "in markedly similar ways across time." At least 19 women have accused Trump of sexual misconduct, including 13 who have accused him of sexual assault or non-consensual physical contact. Trump has denied the allegations. "As their testimony shows, Trump engaged in a pattern of abruptly lunging at a woman in a semi-public place, pressing his body against her, kissing her, and sexually touching her without consent, and later categorically denying the allegations and declaring that the accuser was too unattractive for him to have assaulted her," Carroll's team said. Access Hollywood: 'You can do anything' Trump's team also attacked the trial judge's decision to allow the jury to hear a portion of the infamous Access Hollywood tape in which Trump said he just starts kissing beautiful women. "Its like a magnet. Just kiss. I dont even wait. And when youre a star they let you do it. You can do anything. ... Grab them by the p---y. You can do anything," Trump said on the recording. The jury shouldn't have heard the tape because his statements "involved abstract speculation" about things a person "can do," Trump's lawyers argued. "There was no statement attributed to President Trump on the recording indicating that he 'had done' any of those things." That's "just a lawyerly way of dismissing the tape as 'locker-room talk,'" Carroll's team shot back Wednesday, a possible reference to Trump's explanation during a 2016 presidential debate. Trump's statements on the tape don't reflect "how people usually recount consensual sexual interactions," they added. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: E. Jean Carroll fights Trump effort to overthrow sexual abuse verdict A year after being permanently protected as part of Castner Range National Monument, our beloved Mexican Gold Poppies are popping up once again on the eastern slope of the Franklin Mountains. This year more than ever, their delicate deep green leaves and diminutive yellow-orange blossoms represent something far bigger, which is taking root not just in Northeast El Paso but across the country. Rather than simply focusing on protecting the biggest, the tallest, and the greenest spaces, frontline communities are tirelessly working to ensure conservation efforts focus on places with the most profound community connections. El Pasoans have long known that for Castner Range National Monument community connections span cultures and generations from a Tigua homeland to a U.S. Army training facility to a quintessential backdrop for family photos celebrating the arrival of spring. Angel Pena is a native El Pasoan and the Executive Director of Nuestra Tierra Conservation Project, a Las Cruces-based organization working across the country to to ensure that historically and deliberately excluded communities have access to the outdoors and that their history, values, and people are authentically reflected in public land and water management decisions. More: See photos of the unveiling of the Castner Range National Monument mural Our communitys decades-long pursuit of national monument status centered on elevating a diverse chorus of voices to federal partners, including President Joe Biden and Congresswoman Veronica Escobar, who were eagerly listening. Hundreds of thousands of signatures, dozens of community events, and dauntless champions were the formula for success. This new focus on community connection, which the Biden administration has embraced, signals an important shift in the national conversation about conservation. Spurred on by the simultaneous declarations of Castner Range National Monument in El Paso and Avi Kwa Ame National Monument in Nevada on March 21, 2023, communities across the country are reimagining what conservation can and should look like. While this emerging approach, central to the Biden administrations America the Beautiful for All initiative, focuses on people, its buttressed by the following important numbers-driven approaches from the administration: one which seeks to ensure that 40 percent of the benefits from certain federal initiatives are realized by marginalized communities and another which seeks to conserve 30 percent of U.S. lands and water by 2030. Over the next week, keep your eyes out for billboards, advertisements, and other messages thanking our federal partners, President Biden and U.S. Rep. Escobar, D-El Paso, for their unwavering commitment to hearing communities like ours. But also keep your eyes out for the poppies that are back on Castner Range. As beautiful as they are, know that the designation of Castner Range National Monument wasnt powered by poppies; it was powered by El Pasoans, Las Crucens, Juarenses, and others who demanded a seat at the table and helped rewrite the playbook for communities seeking to conserve the spaces they care about most. Angel Pena is a native El Pasoan and the Executive Director of Nuestra Tierra Conservation Project, a Las Cruces-based organization working across the country to to ensure that historically and deliberately excluded communities have access to the outdoors and that their history, values, and people are authentically reflected in public land and water management decisions. This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Castner Range National Monument reimagining what conservation can look like United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres and President of the European Council Charles Michel, arrive to attend a round table meeting at the EU summit in Brussels. -/European Council/dpa EU leaders are in Brussels on Thursday to explore new ways to support Ukraine against the full-scale Russian invasion with a plan to fund arms purchases with the proceeds of frozen Russian assets under scrutiny. Multiple European Union leaders stressed their commitment to supporting Ukraine upon arrival to the summit but caution surrounds the plan. Neutral Austria's Chancellor Karl Nehammer said he wants reassurances that if neutral countries endorse using the seized profits, the money will be used to rebuild Ukraine and not to arm it. "There was originally discussion that it should be invested in reconstruction in Ukraine," Nehammer said. "That seems like a reasonable suggestion to me." The plan, prepared by EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell, would see 90% of the appropriated revenue from frozen Russian assets go to an off-budget EU military aid fund. The other 10% would be added to the EU budget and used to strengthen Ukraines industrial capacity to produce armaments of its own, according to Borrell. Lithuanian president Gitanas Nauseda said that both the profits and the assets themselves "should contribute not only to reconstruction of Ukraine but also to the defence needs of Ukraine." However Luxembourg's Prime Minister Luc Frieden warned the financial stability and the credibility of the EU needs to be protected. You cannot just take away somebody's asset, he said, adding we need to be extremely sure [of] what we are doing. Pressure is also building for the bloc to take a stronger stance on the Israel-Hamas war. A ceasefire should have happened a long time ago, Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said. EU leaders are expected to repeat a call made by foreign ministers in February for "an immediate humanitarian pause leading to a sustainable ceasefire" in Gaza, according to a draft statement seen by dpa. Hungary previously abstained. Now, Austria and the Czech Republic are preventing the EU from making a joint call for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, Varadkar said. Varadkar - who announced on Wednesday that he will step down when a successor is in place - said he hopes to convince both countries to agree to call "for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire leading to a two state solution." Nehammer countered that the EU must recognize the sexual violence carried out by Hamas during the October 7 attacks on Israel. "There is still a discussion that I honestly cannot understand," he said. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called again for a ceasefire to allow more humanitarian aid and the release of hostages held by Hamas. He also repeated warnings to Israel against a planned ground offensive in the city of Rafah on the Egyptian border, where 1.5 million Palestinians have sought refuge. "We need a longer-lasting ceasefire," said the chancellor. "And we always assume that in its military activities in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli government will abide by what is enshrined in international law." United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres joined talks in Brussels and urged the EU to support a ceasefire. He warned that civilian casualties in Gaza like in Ukraine must be condemned "without double standards." A proposal from the commission to strengthen the EU's armaments industry by allocating 1.5 billion ($1.6 billion) to joint procurement of military equipment is also set for scrutiny. Belgian Prime Minister Alexandre de Croo said there would be a debate on how to finance the plan. It will need to be national contributions, it might be defence bonds, it might be financing by the EIB, de Croo, referring to the European Investment Bank, Finnish prime minister Petteri Orpo said every EU country will have to do their share and we will have to use all the instruments we have." He noted that Finland and 13 other member states had signed a letter calling for EIB financing. Multiple EU leaders backed opening EU membership talks with Bosnia-Herzegovina, following a commission recommendation on March 12. A formal announcement is expected later. Large farmers protests did not materialize. The last summit in February saw Brussels EU quarter brought to a standstill by convoys of tractors. United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres and President of the European Council Charles Michel, speak to media as they arrive to attend a round table meeting at the EU summit in Brussels. -/European Council/dpa A general view during the the EU summit in Brussels. -/European Council/dpa There has been an outpouring of grief in New York City ever since the beloved Eurasian eagle-owl Flaco died on Feb. 23, 2024, after striking a building. In 2023, after escaping from Central Park Zoo, Flaco survived for over a year on his own, captivating New Yorkers. Mourners are leaving notes and flowers at the base of an old oak tree in Central Park, reportedly a favorite roost of his. Thousands have signed a petition for a statue in his honor. Figure skaters honored him with a show called Fly. Be Free. This reaction to Flacos death would be mystifying for many people around the world. I have spent a decade studying the history of ornithology in Sri Lanka, including local beliefs in the owl as a bird that foretells deaths. Meanwhile, in some societies, owls were (and are) seen as a symbol of wisdom or even a sign of good luck. But, by far, the most widespread belief about owls is that they are associated with witchcraft and death. In much of the world in African societies, among African Americans in the U.S. South and the Indigenous people of the Americas, and throughout South and Southeast Asia as well as in Europe owls are seen as harbingers of death. The Cajuns, French-speaking refugees who settled in Louisianas bayou country after being driven out of Nova Scotia by the British, feared the screech of an owl. The American philosopher Henry David Thoreau wrote in his book Walden that owls represent the stark twilight and unsatisfied thoughts which all have. Nineteenth and early 20th century Americans were more likely to shoot an owl as an undesirable predator than leave flowers at a memorial for one. But Flacos year of fame shows the sea change in the way Western cultures have come to regard owls since Thoreaus time. Birds of ill-omen During the Tang dynasty, which ruled China from the seventh to the 10th century, owls were thought to bring bad luck; they were despised for supposedly eating their mothers. The Aztec god of death, Mictlantecuhtli, is accompanied by an owl. Jahangir, one of the Mughal emperors of India, sought to control the sale of owl meat in his empire because it was believed to be an ingredient for sorcery. Such beliefs also prevailed in Europe. The Roman philosopher Pliny the Elder, who died in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, said the owl was a monster of the night [and] a direful omen. In the European Middle Ages, owls were thought to accompany witches. No wonder, then, that J.K. Rowling has Harry Potters mail delivered by an owl. The French call the barn owl chouette effraie des clochers, literally, the scary owl of the bell towers. Shakespeare made use of the idea that owls foretold death in many of his plays. For instance, Lady Macbeth says, It was the owl that shrieked, foretelling the murder of Duncan by her husband. These beliefs lingered in England until World War II, when they began to disappear. The legend from Sri Lanka For centuries, people living in rural areas in Sri Lanka have believed in a devil bird, or ulama in the local Sinhala language, that foretold a death. The basis of this belief was a legend that told of a man who, to punish his wife, gave her the flesh of her murdered child to cook. On discovering the truth, she fled screaming into the jungle. As the legend goes, she was turned into the ulama by the gods. In some versions of the tale, she was reborn as the devil bird. Ever since, she is believed to haunt the jungle, her terrible cries foretelling a death in the community of whoever happens to hear them. Such beliefs made sense to British colonizers, including planters carving out coffee estates in remote, forested areas during the 19th century. They would have heard strange, blood-curdling cries from the forests that surrounded their houses. The local villagers explanations for these cries would have made sense to them. The British, after all, also came from a society where superstitions concerning owls the definitive birds of the night were a part of folk belief. The identity of the ulama was extensively debated throughout the 19th and early 20th century by ornithologists, who attributed these night sounds to some species of owl. Colonial British ornithologists eventually determined that the ulama was a species of large owl, probably the spot-bellied eagle-owl. The identification is said to have been clinched when an eagle-owl was shot one moonlit night by a planter while it was making the ulamas cry. Celebration of owls today The development of both scientific knowledge of birds and the popular hobby of birding has given people who live in the U.S. and Britain a decidedly different take on owls. Urbanization may also have something to do with it. Sri Lankan beliefs in the ulama, for example, are much less prevalent in urban areas than in the countryside. An antique postcard showing Winnie-the-Pooh and Owl. Igor Golovniov/Universal Images Group via Getty Images In popular literature and culture in North America and Britain, owls have had their reputations rehabilitated. In A.A. Milnes Winnie-the-Pooh, Owl is a likable bird who does his best to be intelligent and erudite. The National Audubon Society, one of the oldest bird conservation organizations in the U.S., sells cuddly owl toys that will hoot when squeezed. Theres even an annual International Festival of Owls in Houston, Minnesota, where owls are celebrated. That New Yorkers want to erect a memorial to Flaco is a remarkable instance of the ongoing rehabilitation of a group of birds that are charismatic, fascinating and quite undeserving of the bad rap theyve been given over thousands of years. 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: Arjun Guneratne, Macalester College Read more: Arjun Guneratne receives funding from American Council of Learned Societies and Council of American Overseas Research Centers for work on the history of ornithology. The head of Channel 4 has apologised to a former employee after admitting that the broadcaster failed to properly investigate a serious and concerning complaint about Russell Brand. Alex Mahon, the channels chief executive, said the 2009 allegation was not referred to senior management nor investigated as it ought to have been. The allegation was uncovered during an internal investigation launched in response to the broadcast of Channel 4s Dispatches. That documentary featured accusations of rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse made by a number of different women. Brand has denied any wrongdoing. The internal investigation found no evidence to suggest that there was knowledge within the channel of the allegations contained in the Dispatches programme, which covered a time when Brand was a presenter on Big Brothers Big Mouth and Kings of Comedy between 2004 and 2007. However, it found that a staff member made an allegation about Brands conduct in 2009 but it was not passed up the channels senior management chain. There were also delays in ongoing communication with the complainant last year. The complainant no longer works for Channel 4, but contacted the broadcaster after the Dispatches programme aired to draw attention to their original complaint. Ms Mahon said: Whilst the investigation did not find any evidence to suggest that any Channel 4 employees were aware of Russell Brands alleged behaviour contained in the programme, it did find that one former Channel 4 employee made a serious and concerning allegation about Russell Brand in 2009. This was not escalated to Channel 4s then-senior management team, nor investigated as it should have been. I have apologised on behalf of the organisation to the individual for this breakdown, and for the distress this matter has caused. Russell Brand: In Plain Sight was named winner of the best documentary category at this years Broadcasting Press Guild awards. The internal investigation also looked into Brands appearance on a celebrity version of The Great British Bake Off, which was recorded in 2018 and broadcast the following year. It found that recollections varied about when concerns around Brand began to circulate within the commissioning team for that programme, but there was no record of concerns being raised with Channel 4 management. Brand was questioned by police in December in connection with six historic sex offences following the accusations of rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse. Following the claims, which appeared after a joint investigation by The Times, The Sunday Times and Channel 4s Dispatches, it is understood other alleged victims came forward to police. 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. What did you miss? The Real Serpent: Investigating a Serial Killer concluded that Charles Sobhraj can still be investigated for the killing of Henk Bintanja and Cornelia Hemker (Channel 4) Charles Sobhraj, known as The Serpent, could still be investigated for the murders of Henk Bintanja and Cornelia Hemker which he is believed to have committed in 1975, despite the statute of limitations passing in Thailand. The convicted murderer appears in Channel 4 documentary The Real Serpent: Investigating a Serial Killer, where he denied allegations he has murdered anyone. He is a suspected serial killer and is believed to have committed 20 murders, 14 of which were in Thailand. Sobhraj previously confessed to ten murders for a book written by Richard Neville and Julie Clarke in 1979, but retracted his statement and has since said he has never killed anyone. In the documentary, two retired detectives have re-examined the evidence against him around the deaths of five people: Bintanja, Hemker, Teresa Knowlton, Vitali Hakim, and Stephanie Parry. What, how, and why? The Real Serpent: Investigating a Serial Killer revealed Dutch authorities can investigate the killings of Dutch citizens without being hindered by a statute of limitations. (Channel 4) Sobhraj was convicted of the murders of Connie Jo Bronzich and Laurent Carriere in Nepal in 2002, and he served a 19-year prison sentence from 2002 to 2023. He was also imprisoned in India between 1976 to 1997 for poisoning several people, and during this prison stint the statute of limitations for the killings in Thailand for which he would have faced the death penalty had expired. The Channel 4 documentary saw Sobhraj face interrogation about the five aforementioned murders he is believed to have committed in Thailand, he continued to deny any involvement in the murders even when faced with evidence of having connections to them. At the end of the three-part docu-series it was revealed that Sobhraj could still be investigated for the killings of Bintanja and Hemker. Gary Copson, one of the retired detectives investigating Sobhraj for the documentary, called the filmmakers to inform him of this. The conversation was included at the end of the third episode, Copson said: "It's about the Thai murders and the fact our subject has evaded justice in Thailand as a result of the statute of limitations, and it occurred to me that the Dutch can pursue the murder of Dutch citizens anywhere in the world. Charles Sobhraj is a suspected serial killer and is believed to have committed 20 murders, 14 of which were in Thailand. He previously confessed to ten murders but retracted his statement. (Channel 4) "Also [there's] no statute of limitation but a public interest test, the murders of Cornelia and Henk are simply atrocious, so they could get these murders that were committed in Thailand into court. It feels really important to me, I'm not suggesting we should do this but we must do this." The documentary concludes with the revelation that the show's experts will be giving a "file containing details of their findings to the Dutch authorities and international criminal justice agencies", which means Sobhraj could potentially be tried for Bintanja and Hemker's deaths. As of right now, Sobhraj remains a free citizen and has not been charged with their murders and he has denied killing anyone. What else happened on The Real Serpent: Investigating a Serial Killer? Charles Sobhraj also spoke with forensic psychologist Paul Britton, who said he still believes the criminal is a danger to society. (Channel 4) Sobhraj faced a six-hour interrogation with detectives Copson and Jackie Malton, who presented him with evidence that showed his links to the five murders they investigated, including property that was found in his former accommodation in Thailand. The interrogation ended with Sobhraj saying he would sue the detectives and "see [them] in court". He said after: "They had nothing, they wanted to make something out of nothing. And I believe that they had no facts to rely on, and they were courting the people making money with my name." Sobhraj also spoke with forensic psychologist Paul Britton, who concluded that the convicted murderer was still a danger to society and he felt he had "a personalty characterised by the dark triad" of narcissism, machiavellianism, and psychopathy. He added: "I think you were a dangerous person, I think you still are, I haven't seen anything that shows to me that you changed." The Real Serpent: Investigating a Serial Killer is available on Channel 4 now. Read more: A lawmaker in Chicago is accusing Mayor Brandon Johnsons ongoing migrant shelter evictions of adding to the citys homeless count as Democrat-led cities around the U.S. are facing increasing financial strain from dealing with an influx of new arrivals. Chicago began evicting migrants from shelters on Sunday as a 60-day stay limit came into effect, with Johnson arguing the citys "limited resources cannot meet the full scale of need." The mayors office said 34 of Chicagos 11,210 shelter residents would depart over the weekend, but as of Wednesday, only eight migrants have left, according to the Chicago-Sun Times. "At this point we have thousands of homeless," Andre Vasquez, a Democratic Socialist and alderperson for Chicagos northern 40th Ward, was quoted by the newspaper as saying at City Hall. "Mayor Johnsons plan will add to those numbers." "We know its unprecedented. We know the president should do more," Vasquez added, calling out President Biden. "But when it comes to people being kicked out on the street, thats solely the decision of our mayor." CHICAGO MAYOR SAYS MIGRANT SHELTER EVICTION IS A PATHWAY TO STABLITY AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY' Johnson later said "Local municipalities are not designed to deal with an international crisis" and "The reality is that we have restraints," the Chicago Sun-Times reported, noting that City Council members were informed by him in September 2023 that the migrant crisis will have cost Chicago taxpayers more than $250 million by the end of last year. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "Our city is committed to compassion," Johnson said earlier in a press release announcing the evictions. "By encouraging resettlement while also providing case-specific extensions with a focus on health and safety, we are advancing a pathway to stability and self-sufficiency." His office did not immediately respond Thursday to a request for comment from Fox News Digital. On its website, the Democratic Party says "We honor our fundamental values by treating all people who come to the United States with dignity and respect, and we always seek to embrace -- not to attack -- immigrants." However, that message appears to be wavering in cities led by Democrats who also are grappling with how to handle the influx of migrants that show up, often by bus, after coming across the U.S.-Mexico border. MORE LIBERAL CITIES, STATES ASK PRIVATE RESIDENCES TO HOUSE MIGRANTS DUE TO OVERWHELMING NUMBERS Immigrants who cannot find work are seen selling clothes and other used goods on the streets of Queens in New York City on March 18. Denver officials recently told media outlets that the city is looking for alternative ways to house migrants. Fox 31 reported that the city recently emailed Denver rental property owners asking if they would be interested in renting to migrants who need housing. It comes as Denver is scaling back its migrant services in an attempt to reduce the budget deficit by nearly $60 million and consolidate shelters. During a press conference in late February, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston said that over the next month, one shelter will close each week. He added that with shelters closing, no one will be kicked out. People will simply be moved to another shelter, FOX 31 reported. New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced Friday that the city's infamous "right to shelter" policy, which mandates a bed be provided for any individual who requires it, would be significantly rolled back. Under the new terms, individuals would have a right to 30 days of housing services upon entry into the city's aid system. Following the 30-day window, the city can refuse individuals' re-entry into the system, "unless the individual has demonstrated they have some sort of extenuating circumstance necessitating a short additional amount of time in shelter or have received a reasonable accommodation due to a disability," according to Adams' office. A migrant lies on the sleeping pad at a makeshift shelter in Denver. "This new agreement acknowledges the realities of where we are today, affirms our shared mission to help those in need and grants us additional flexibility to navigate this ongoing crisis," Adams said in a video statement. Fox News Adam Shaw, Timothy Nerozzi and Stepheny Price contributed to this report. Original article source: Chicago migrant evictions will add to homelessness, lawmaker says, as Democrat-led cities scale back aid SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) A child was injured in a crash in Salt Lake City Wednesday afternoon. At approximately 2:45 p.m. on Wednesday, March 20, the Salt Lake City Police Department said they responded to a crash involving a juvenile at 750 West 200 North. The child had a minor injury that paramedics checked out at the scene, but police said no care was required. How to background your local nursing home No arrests have been made, although the case remains under investigation. There is no further information available at this time. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. About 240,000 children are living in relative poverty in Scotland The number of children in Scotland living in poverty has shown little change in the past 12 months, according to new figures. A Scottish government report said the numbers were "broadly stable" on all four measures of child poverty. It is estimated that, on average, about 240,000 children (24%) were living in relative poverty after housing costs, over the period from 2020 to 2023. This means they are in a household which has an income less than 60% of the median average for families of the same size across the UK. Figures released for the UK as a whole show 30% - 4.3 million children - are living in low income households. The Scottish poverty report uses a three-year average, estimating the rate of child poverty to be 24% but single-year statistics showed an increase. Additional tables in the report put the figure for the last year at 26% of children living in relative poverty in Scotland, up approximately 30,000 from the previous year. The latest Scottish poverty stats also show: An estimated 21% of Scotlands population (1,110,000 people each year) were living in relative poverty after housing costs. This is similar to last year but slightly higher than levels in the last decade. 15% of pensioners were living in relative poverty after housing costs. Pensioner poverty has been stable in recent years. The Scottish government has set a target of reducing the child poverty figure to 10% by 2030. There is an interim target of 18% when this year's figures come out in 12 months' time. Campaigners said there was a grave danger of missing both targets. Philip Whyte, director of IPPR Scotland, said the figures must be a wake-up call. He said: "Meeting the government's legally-binding interim child poverty target will require 80,000 children being lifted out of poverty this year. "We can't give up hope for those children that the target can be met - but the evidence shows that we're going in the wrong direction and significant action is needed, now." The Scottish Child Payment, the Scottish government's flagship policy in this area, currently pays 25 a week for every child in households which claim certain benefits or tax credits, with more than 400,000 families eligible. Working households The Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) said rising child poverty across the rest of UK suggested Scottish policies were helping families but they said the new figures were a stark reminder that more action was needed. CPAG's John Dickie said the payment needed to be increased to 30 a week and he urged the government to rethink cuts to affordable housing and to ensure childcare and employment support were adequately funded. Ruth Boyle, from The Poverty Alliance, called for the Scottish Child Payment to increase to 40 a week, saying it had been a lifeline for families in poverty. She also called on the UK government to increase Universal Credit. "The number of people of working age in poverty has actually gone up, and more than two-thirds of children living in poverty are now in working households," she said. Claire Telfer, from Save the Children, said she was disappointed that progress had stalled. "Families are walking a financial tightrope every day - food is too expensive, bills remain high, and it can be hard to provide even the basics for their children," she said. "There are 240,000 children locked in poverty across Scotland and that shames us all." She said the Scottish Child Payment was making a difference but it had not yet "shifted the dial downwards on the numbers of children living in poverty". Limited budget Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said the Scottish government was doing "everything in our power and limited budget" to tackle poverty, adding that the latest statistics "reinforce the urgency of that mission". She added: "Modelling published last month estimates that Scottish government policies will keep 100,000 children out of relative poverty in 2024-25." The minister said the Scottish Child Payment would increase to 26.70 a week from 1 April - making the value almost 1,400 per eligible child per year. "An estimated 40,000 children could be lifted out of poverty in Scotland immediately if the UK government made key changes to Universal Credit," she said. "That includes abolishing the two-child limit and introducing an 'essentials guarantee' to ensure payments cover the cost of food, household bills and transport." China launched a satellite toward the moon this week to help support the country's lunar ambitions. On Tuesday (March 19), a Long March 8 rocket took off from the Wenchang Satellite Launch Center on the southern Chinese island of Hainan carrying the Queqiao-2 satellite. The spacecraft is what's known as a relay satellite, meaning it will help pass messages back and forth between China's Chang'e moon spacecraft, as well as other vehicles on the lunar surface, and mission controllers on Earth. Queqiao-2 is intended for a highly elliptical orbit around the moon that will enable it to support missions both at the lunar south pole and on the moon's far side, SpaceNews reports. Related: China to launch 1st-ever sample return mission to moon's far side in 2024 a white rocket lifts off through a greyish-blue sky Earlier this month, on March 14, China launched two other spacecraft toward the moon in an unannounced launch. In fact, the launch was first made public when China's Xinhua news agency announced that the pair of spacecraft had not reached their intended orbit. "The first and second stages of the rocket operated normally, while the upper stage encountered an abnormality during flight, causing the satellites to fail to accurately enter the preset orbit," Xinhua's statement reads. "The relevant disposal work is currently underway." Little is known about the two spacecraft, which are called DRO-A and DRO-B, but their names imply they were intended for distant retrograde orbit (DRO). DRO is a lunar orbit located high above the moon that moves opposite the moon's rotational direction around Earth. The spacecraft also appear to be part of a technology demonstration meant to help establish lunar infrastructure as opposed to part of China's moon exploration program, SpaceNews reports. a white rocket lifts off through a greyish-blue sky Even as NASA races to put astronauts, scientific payloads and lunar landers on the moon and as the U.S. Space Force seeks to establish a presence in cislunar space (the area around the moon) the American military is growingly increasingly concerned with China's lunar ambitions. Space Force leaders have stated that China's moon exploration plans and the new lunar orbits into which the country is lofting satellites could be "potential attack vectors," DefenseOne reports. RELATED STORIES: How China will land astronauts on the moon by 2030 China names the spacecraft that will put its astronauts on the moon (video) China working on new moon rover for 2026 mission to lunar south pole "These are terrestrial conflicts that we hope we can deter and we also don't want them, although it's more and more likely, [to] extend into space or even start in space, but theyre terrestrial conflicts. Now someday in the future that may change, but for now I'd be more concerned just about what these new orbits, a moon presence what that does for potential attack vectors to our traditional operating orbits," Brig. Gen. Anthony Mastalir, commander of U.S. Space Forces Indo-Pacific said during an Aerospace Testing Seminar hosted by the Aerospace Corporation this week. Even NASA chief Bill Nelson has made hand-wringing comments about China's moon plans. "It is a fact: we're in a space race," the NASA administrator said in 2022. "And it is true that we better watch out that they don't get to a place on the moon under the guise of scientific research. And it is not beyond the realm of possibility that they say, 'Keep out, we're here, this is our territory.'" China intends to land astronauts on the moon by 2030. Along with Russia, the nation i currently working on an International Lunar Research Station, which it plans to begin building with the Chang'e 7 and 8 missions around 2026 and 2028. The civilized world does not welcome tourists from a terrorist state, so Russians are coming up with "worthy" alternatives. One of these was Venezuela, a country with the highest crime rate, which makes it the most dangerous in the world. ADVERTISIMENT Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro wanted to expand air traffic with Russia. The Minister of Tourism of the most dangerous country in the world, Ali Ernesto Padron Paredes, told Russian propaganda media about his decision. It turned out that the leader of the Latin American state initiated an increase in the number of flights between Venezuela and the aggressor country. This should allow Russians to fly to the Bolivarian Republic not only from Moscow but also from Kazan and St. Petersburg. Venezuela's Minister of Tourism emphasized that the authorities are betting on a significant increase in tourist traffic from Russia. In order to get acquainted with the crime and danger of the country, Russians will have to spend a considerable amount of money. It is reported that this spring, the cost of an 11-night tour to Venezuela with accommodation in a 3-star hotel and breakfast will cost 211,000 rubles for two people, or about 90 thousand hryvnias, for holders of a shameful red passport. ADVERTISIMENT It should be noted that Venezuela has a crime index of 83.76, which is the highest among all countries in the world. The high crime rate is attributed to corruption in the government, a flawed judicial system, and a breakdown in the rule of law. The U.S. State Department has issued a Level 4 travel advisory for Venezuela, which indicates that it is unsafe to travel to the country and travelers should not go there. As OBOZ.UA wrote, Russian tourists have been offered another "worthy" alternative - the DPRK. The government of the Primorsky Krai of the Russian Federation has announced the sale of five-day tours to the North Korean capital Pyongyang. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! (Bloomberg) -- The Philippines said a Chinese Navy ship shadowed its coast guard vessel en route to a Philippines-occupied island in the South China Sea in the latest incident between the two nations asserting overlapping maritime claims. Most Read from Bloomberg The Philippine Coast Guard issued radio challenges to the Chinese Navy vessel that followed its ship on Tuesday, but didnt get any response, spokesman Commodore Jay Tarriela said Thursday from Thitu island in the Spratlys. Apart from the navy ship, 13 Chinese militia vessels and two Chinese coast guard boats were also visible from Thitu an island with about 250 Filipino residents as the Philippine ships approached the area, Tarriela told a group of journalists who joined this weeks maritime mission. On this trip, Philippine authorities will also assess the status of marine resources in the area, the spokesman said. The Philippine coast guards remarks came after the nations military on Wednesday said at least 30 Chinese vessels, including a Peoples Liberation Army Navy ship, were spotted around areas in the South China Sea that the Philippines claims as part of its territory. The back-to-back statements underscore an intensifying maritime surveillance operations, as tensions between Manila and Beijing have ratcheted up. The Chinese vessels were seen on Tuesday, the same day President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. told Bloomberg that the threat to his nation from Beijings sweeping claims in the South China Sea is growing and that the Philippines must do more to defend our territory. In Scarborough Shoal, a traditional Filipino fishing ground, the military spotted six Chinese coast guard vessels and eight Chinese militia ships, the military said. In the Second Thomas Shoal, where the Philippines maintains a grounded World War-II era ship, there were six Chinese fishing boats and a coast guard vessel. Tensions between Manila and Beijing escalated anew this month following a collision between their coast guard ships during a Philippines resupply operation to its military outpost in Second Thomas Shoal. Manila said then that two Chinese coast guard vessels also deployed water cannons against a Philippines-chartered supply boat, prompting the two nations to trade diplomatic complaints over the situation. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, on a visit to Manila this week, criticized Chinas provocative actions in the contested waters as he reaffirmed the US security commitment to the Philippines. (Recasts, updates with Philippine coast guards remarks from Thursday briefing.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. In a two-month seminar for Taiwans navy, facing imminent Chinese invasion, Ukraines 18-foot, explosives-laden drone boats have wreaked havoc on the Russias Black Sea Fleet, ramming and sinking three large warships: two patrol boats and an amphibious landing vessel. It would seem that Taiwan has taken the lesson on board. Now so-called unmanned surface vessels, or USVs, are set to become a core element of Taiwans strategy for defeating China. Its clear, however, that the Taiwanese military will need a lot more drones than it apparently is planning for and advanced tactics for deploying them. The Ukrainian navy developed its USVs in the first year after Russia widened its war on Ukraine starting in February 2022. The first drones or Sea Babies, as the Ukrainians have nicknamed them were little more than commercial speedboats with GPS navigation, a satellite radio connection, day and night cameras and a nose full of explosives. Steered via satellite by a human controller potentially hundreds of miles away, the USVs mostly hunt by night, and in packs. The Sea Baby raid targeting the Russian patrol boat Sergei Kotov off Feodosiya in occupied Crimea on March 5 seems to be typical of the robotic assaults. Under the cover of darkness, perhaps half a dozen drones swarmed Sergei Kotov at her anchorage. The Russian crew spotted some of the Sea Babies speeding in from astern of their vessel, and opened fire. But according to one analysis of a video depicting the attack, a second pack of drones USVs took advantage of the Russian gunners distraction and attacked from the unprotected opposite side. These flanking drones didnt actually strike Sergei Kotov, it seems. Rather, they herded the Russian vessel into open water just outside Feodosiya. There, another pack of Sea Babies lay in wait. Its that group of drones that apparently hit and sank the Russian vessel. Clearly impressed by the Ukrainian USVs effectiveness, Taiwanese officials signaled to Taipei Times earlier this month that they would acquire 200 drone boats for the Taiwanese army as well as an unspecified number of the drones for the navy. The Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology will begin mass production of the USVs in 2026, the newspaper reported. That swarms of USVs can defeat manned warships isnt in doubt. But scale is a factor. The Ukrainian navy has built potentially hundreds of USVs and deployed them to sink, so far, just three of the Black Sea Fleets dozens of large warships. The Chinese navy could muster hundreds of big ships for an invasion of Taiwan. While other Taiwanese and allied forces submarines, fighter squadrons and ground-based missiles could contribute to a defensive campaign, its still apparent that hundreds of USVs isnt nearly enough USVs to make much a difference in a naval campaign that could be an order of magnitude bigger and more violent than the current battle for the Black Sea. Especially considering the problem of time. Kyivs fleet is patient, apparently spending weeks plotting courses and planning maneuvers before deploying a swarm of Sea Babies to attack a single Russian vessel. A manned Taiwanese warship keeps an eye on a Chinese aircraft carrier. China would be able to deploy a large amount of naval power rapidly in an invasion attempt, meaning that Taiwanese USVs would need to be resent in large numbers - Taiwan Defense Ministry/AFP via Getty A Chinese invasion of Taiwan, by contrast, could play out in just a single day as Beijings massed fleet steams across the 100-mile-wide Taiwan Strait and lands potentially tens of thousands of troops on Taiwanese beaches. Taiwanese USVs might get just one shot at the attacking Chinese. It shouldnt be too difficult for Taipei, with its extensive high-tech industry, to scale up its prospective robotic fleet. The California think-tank RAND estimated Taiwan could buy 1,000 USVs for a little over one percent of the $20 billion the country spends annually for defense. And then there are the Americans. In the era of Donald Trump and his isolationist or, worse, pro-authoritarian movement, no country can just assume the United States will fight on its behalf. Consider that a handful of Trump-aligned Republican lawmakers have, for six months now, blocked US aid to Ukraine. But if American voters continue to keep Trump out of power and manage to blunt the power of his legislative acolytes, the United States might still honor its pledge to defend Taiwan from China. In that case, the US Navy could lend its own planned drone fleet potentially thousands strong to the war effort. The Taiwanese and Americans would need to coordinate their USVs. After all, the synchronization of multiple groups of drone boats has been instrumental in the Ukrainians recent success with their Sea Babies. Its for that reason that experimentation is critical. The US Navy is already testing out drone-swarm tactics. It should invite the Taiwanese military to join the trials. Even if Trump becomes president again and withholds American support during some future Chinese attack on Taiwan, the experience the Taiwanese gain now could help them deploy their own USVs to the greatest effect in the future. 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. U.S. Adm. John Aquilino, head of Indo-Pacific Command, said all indications point to the Chinese military being ready for a potential invasion of Taiwan by 2027, the date Chinas leader Xi Jinping has set for a possible military operation. Aquilino testified in front of the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday that Chinas Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) continues an aggressive military buildup and modernization effort. All indications point to the PLA meeting President Xi Jinpings directive to be ready to invade Taiwan by 2027, the admiral said in a statement released ahead of his testimony. Furthermore, the PLAs actions indicate their ability to meet Xis preferred timeline to unify Taiwan with mainland China by force if directed. China increased its defense budget by 7.2 percent this year, the third year in a row that Beijing has boosted the budget, Aquilino told lawmakers during the Senate hearing. My assessment is they are actually spending more on defense than they articulate, he said, adding later that we havent faced a threat like this since World War II. Aquilino said at the hearing that the trend is going in the wrong direction for the U.S. and pushed for more resources to counter the Chinese buildup. While China is pursuing the 2027 objective to prepare for an invasion, a military invasion of the island is not assured. Aquilino said China will seek to unify with Taiwan through other means by force, but he stressed Beijing has not ruled out military force if those efforts fail. Although the PRC claims it prefers to achieve unification through peaceful means, Xi will not renounce the use of force, he said in the statement. Still, China has grown increasingly aggressive against Taiwan in recent years, conducting frequent military drills and airspace violations around the island nation, which has self-ruled since 1949 after breaking off from communist rule on the mainland. China has also floated spy balloons around the island. The democratic island nation has moved further from China and closer to the U.S., with January elections empowering another pro-Washington administration. The U.S. has informal relations with Taiwan but commits to arming and supporting the country. American troops in the Indo-Pacific are also bolstering alliances with countries like the Philippines and Australia as the potential for a Chinese military invasion of Taiwan looms. Aquilino said in the statement that the PLA is pursuing an integrated, joint, high-tech, network-centric military force. Modernization has remained aggressive, he said, and China remains committed to delivering the capabilities needed to achieve its objective by 2027. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. MOSCOW (Reuters) - Beijing is under unprecedented U.S. and EU pressure to be tough on Moscow, the Kremlin said on Thursday, commenting on the refusal of some Chinese banks to accept payments from Russia. Russian business people in January drew attention to problems with settlements with Chinese banks. The United States has been threatening banks in countries such as Turkey and China with secondary sanctions for facilitating trade with Russia. The Izvestia newspaper, citing market sources, said on Thursday that Chinese banks Ping An Bank and Bank of Ningbo had halted processing payments in Chinese currency from Russia. The newspaper also said that DBS Bank, Great Wall West China Bank and China Zheshang Bank had introduced some restrictions on operations with Russia. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the situation with Chinese banks had caused problems, but said they could be overcome. "Of course, unprecedented pressure from the United States and the European Union on the People's Republic of China continues, including in the context of relations with us," Peskov told a daily conference call with reporters. "This, of course, creates certain problems, but cannot become an obstacle to the further development of our trade and economic relations (with China)," Peskov said, adding that Russia and China could overcome such obstacles. Russia has become a top exporter of oil to China as it shifts trade away from Europe, which imposed wide-ranging sanctions against Moscow following the start of what the Kremlin called a special military operation in Ukraine in February 2022. (Reporting by Reuters; Writing by Alexander Marrow and Vladimir Soldatkin; Editing by Andrew Osborn) Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit France and Italy in May in a bid to improve faltering relations with the European Union, which are impacting EU trade with the world's second-largest economy. Analysts say European companies in China are facing more uncertain business conditions, forcing them to devote more resources to managing ballooning risks. Trade will be high on the agenda when French President Emmanuel Macron meets his Chinese counterpart in Paris in May, diplomatic sources say. It will be Xi's first Europe trip in five years amid mounting EU-China tensions. It comes after Macron visited China in April last year. During that trip, Macron took a softer line with Beijing compared to his EU partners, suggesting in one controversial interview that Brussels should interfere less in Chinese policy. France is increasingly wary of Beijing's growing assertiveness, especially in the Pacific, where Paris has its own interests in the shape of its overseas territories New Caledonia, Wallis and Futuna and French Polynesia. Its 2023 Indo-Pacific Strategy warns against "Chinas increasing power and territorial claims" in the region. But Macron's remarks diverged from the general EU line that China is a "systemic rival". Impact on business Xi's visit to France in two months' time may help break the ice. Read more on RFI English Read also: China says West's economic de-risking is a 'false proposition' EU unveils plans to avoid economic risks when dealing with Russia, China What is Europe's billion-euro plan to rival China's Belt & Road project? Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi attends a press conference on the sidelines of the NPC, in Beijing By Kirsty Needham and Liz Lee SYDNEY (Reuters) - Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met former Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating on Thursday and highlighted Beijing's desire for U.S. ally Australia to have an independent foreign policy, Beijing said. The last time a Chinese foreign minister visited Australia was in 2017. Wang's visit, during which he met counterpart Penny Wong and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Canberra on Wednesday to discuss trade and differences over regional security, signals a thaw in diplomatic ties. China's request for Wang to also meet Keating stirred domestic political controversy, because of Keating's past attacks on Australia's intelligence agencies and his opposition to the AUKUS defence agreement, through which the U.S. and Britain will assist Australia to build nuclear powered submarines. Keating, a member of the ruling Labor party, was prime minister from 1991 to 1996. He met Wang at China's consulate in Sydney on Thursday morning, and later said they had "a big picture discussion about the geostrategic balances and influences in the world". China's foreign ministry said in a statement that Wang thanked Keating for his long-term interest in relations between China and Australia. "Australia is an ally of the United States, a partner of China and a sovereign country. The Australian side is welcome to formulate policies independently and autonomously in its own fundamental interests," Wang said, according to a Chinese foreign ministry statement. China's foreign ministry said Keating told Wang that China's economic development "does not pose a threat to other countries". Wang outlined China's capacity for continued economic growth, Keating said in a statement emailed to Reuters. "The foreign minister was very positive about putting bilateral difficulties behind us as he was encouraged by the government's efforts in restoring appropriate equilibrium between our two countries," Keating said. Australia and China, its largest trading partner, are rebuilding ties after a period of strained relations which hit a low in 2020 after Canberra called for an independent investigation into the origin of COVID-19, and Beijing responded with trade blocks. (Reporting by Kirsty Needham in Sydney and Liz Lee in Beijing) Semafor Signals The News Scientists have successfully transplanted a genetically engineered pig liver into a human for the first time Chinese researchers inserted the liver, which was taken from a pig that had been genetically edited to remove proteins that can cause organ rejection, into the body of a clinically dead patient whose brain had stopped functioning. After 96 hours the patient showed no sign of organ rejection, and the transplanted livers blood and bile flow were both working appropriately, the researchers said. The transplant was the first of its kind in the world, Chinas Air Force Medical University said in a post on the social media platform WeChat. Researchers in the United States have previously carried out xenogenic transplants where an organ from one species is transferred to another of gene-edited pig kidneys and hearts into clinically dead human patients. SIGNALS Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories. Xenotransplantation could help address the global organ shortage Sources: South China Morning Post, CNN Each year in China alone more than 500,000 people face liver failure, which can only be treated with a transplant. With a global shortage of viable livers for patients, scientists hope xenotransplantation can help fill the gap, with the South China Morning Post calling the Chinese transplant a breakthrough that could help alleviate organ shortages. In the U.S., an estimated 17 people die every day while waiting for an organ transplant. That someone has to die for someone to live is a broken paradigm, a New York University doctor who has been researching xenotransplantation told CNN. I think animals are the answer. Animal rights activists say xenotransplantation is unethical Sources: The New York Times, The National Library of Medicine Animal rights activists argue that harvesting organs from animals to transfer to people is morally wrong and could unintentionally transfer animal-borne diseases to humans. Using pigs as a source of spare parts is dangerous to the human patients, deadly for the animals and may bring about the next pandemic, Kathy Guillermo, senior vice president at People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, told The New York Times. Researchers need to focus on cleaning up the organ donation system and leave the animals alone. A 2020 study from the National Library of Medicine outlined these concerns and more, including the conditions animals raised for xenotransplantation would have to live in and questions about how to distribute the organs fairly once theyre harvested. Animal liver transplants could offer a temporary detox or buy time Sources: Nature, South China Morning Post Despite recent progress, scientists have cautioned that liver transplants might only be a short-term fix for people with liver failure, according to the scientific journal Nature. While heart and kidney transplants could offer longer-term solutions, livers are difficult to transplant for extended periods. Unlike the heart, which essentially functions as a pump, the liver performs many complex tasks that are hard to replicate, including waste disposal and producing a wide range of proteins, the journal stated. In trials on animals, SCMP reported, those that receive xenogenic liver transplants survive for a shorter time than those that receive hearts and kidneys. The Chinese researchers said that currently, xenogenic liver transplants are a good temporary alternative while patients wait for a human organ. And as the human liver is able to regenerate, a pig liver transplant could also provide a temporary detox after damage caused by alcohol or drug consumption, Nature reported. Dwelaniyah Robinson was fatally injured at his home near Durham in 2022 A woman has been found guilty of murdering her three-year-old son who she had severely scalded and caned. Dwelaniyah Robinson was killed by a fatal head injury caused by a forceful shaking at his home near Durham in November 2022. Christina Robinson, 30, had denied murder and child cruelty but was found guilty after a 17-day trial at Newcastle Crown Court. She will be sentenced for her "sadistic cruelty" on a later date. Warning - this article contains distressing content Prosecutors said Dwelaniyah, who had more than 60 injuries, was regularly and "violently" punished by his mother, including being forced into scalding hot water 18 days before he died. Robinson said her son had been burned accidentally but admitted striking him with a cane an hour before he collapsed at their home in Ushaw Moor on 5 November 2022. She said she was following the Bible-based teachings of her religion, the Black Hebrew Israelites, which preached using a rod to correct a child. Christina Robinson was found guilty of murder and four counts of child cruelty Robinson, who grew up in Tamworth, Staffordshire, and Bulgaria before moving to the North East in 2020, said she believed she was "right" at the time but now realised she had been "misguided". She admitted she did not seek medical help for Dwelaniyah's burns because she was "ashamed" and knew it would "look bad" for her. Prosecutor Richard Wright KC said she killed Dwelaniyah after the injuries she had inflicted made her son an "inconvenience" or "irritant", but Robinson claimed the alleged motive made "no sense". She represented herself for the final two days of her trial after sacking her legal team. Robinson had said she wanted at least 10 children and was pregnant through a sperm donor at the time of Dwelaniyah's death, a secret she kept from her husband Gabriel Adu-Appau who was stationed with the RAF near Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. She was also having an affair with a man from Middlesbrough who she met online. After a day and a half of deliberations, jurors found Robinson guilty of murder and four counts of child cruelty. These covered the inflicting of the burns, failure to get medical help, striking him with a cane and abandoning him, the court having heard she would regularly leave her young son home alone while she went out to run errands or get her nails done. Follow BBC North East on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram. Send your story ideas to northeastandcumbria@bbc.co.uk. Curtavion Saunders exits a Greyhound bus at the Longview transit facility on March 13. The stop at Longview's updated bus depot concluded his 19-hour journey from Iowa where he attended his grandmothers funeral. Credit: Michael Cavazos for The Texas Tribune LONGVIEW Michelle Smith never learned to drive. The 54-year-old East Texas woman has relied upon public transportation for most of her life. She fondly remembers long trips across the state with her grandmother on Greyhound buses. After she married, her husband drove her until he died six years ago. Thats when she returned to the bus station. Which is why, on a recent Wednesday afternoon, she was sitting in the Longview bus station, a trash bag of clothes in the seat beside her, a purse and a water bottle from the hospital in her lap. Smith, who was recovering from surgery, was debating whether to use the local bus system to take care of errands or jump on a Greyhound to Tyler. Either way, she could go anywhere she wanted from Longviews renovated bus depot a central hub for the towns carless population and other travelers. Scenes like this are becoming rare in the U.S. Nationwide bus station are closing in cities like Richmond, Philadelphia, and Dallas. A major shakeup in the mass transit industry, coupled with a shift in ridership following the COVID-19 pandemic, is driving the closures, experts say. FlixBus, a Germany-based company, bought Greyhounds massive fleet of buses in 2021. At the same time, Twenty Lake Holdings, a subsidiary of Alden Global Capital, bought Greyhounds property and other assets. All the while, bus companies are shifting to pick up and drop off passengers at hotels, shopping centers and on roadsides instead. Longview transportation officials were surprised to learn Greyhound planned to close its station in June 2022. Scott Lewis, the Longview Transit general manager, said he saw Greyhound as a piece of a much larger transit system. To suddenly just lose that part of it, it just didnt make sense, he said. Longview went to work and reached a deal with Greyhound months later to reboot services. The deal included a small amount of new revenue for the city. The city also opted to renovate the bus station, which concluded with a ceremonial ribbon cutting in May 2023. Nearly a year into its investment, Longview officials are pleased with their decision. As is Flixbus, Courtney Castaneda, a spokesperson for the company, said this is an ideal solution for communities as Greyhound loses access to its bus stations. Given that intercity bus travel frequently involves transfers to reach destinations, these connections, whether within a single carrier or between interlined carriers, underscore the necessity for robust public-private partnerships, she said. Longview Transit director of operations Tequita Dudley Dudleys team manages a ticket counter to combat mass confusion among bus riders after Greyhound closed its terminal at the bus depot. Credit: Michael Cavazos for The Texas Tribune Michelle Smith waits for the next round of Longview Transit buses to arrive at Longview's multi-modal transportation center. Smith never learned to drive and has relied upon public transportation most of her life. Credit: Michael Cavazos for The Texas Tribune Scott Lewis, the Longview Transit general manager speaks about the local transit system and Greyhound Bus Lines running out of the transit facility. Credit: Michael Cavazos for The Texas Tribune Earlier this month, passengers reclined on benches just outside the terminal doors, enjoying the breeze even as clouds brought intermittent sprinkles of rain. The flow of people inside the terminal, a few blocks outside of downtown Longview, ebbed as buses pulled in and out. Among the mass transit companies that operate at the depot: Amtrak, Longview Transit, the local bus service, and Go Bus, a regional line. Greyhound also picks up and drops off passengers at this location as part of the deal the city struck with the company two years ago. Tequita Dudley, the Longview Transit director of operations, said the bus station is busy for a city of Longviews size. In a community of 82,531 people, Longviews transit system provided more than 135,000 trips in 2022, the latest agency profile shows. Our depot is very well alive and used in the city, she said. We get hundreds of people every day. People come through and they see its empty and think nothing is happening here, but when the train comes in and the buses come in, this depot is busy. As part of the deal the city struck with Greyhound, Longview transportation employees on Dudleys team manage a ticket counter. This was important to city officials who saw mass confusion among bus riders after Greyhound closed its terminal at the bus depot. Longview also won a $96,000 grant from the Federal Transit Administration to expand the dispatch and customer service desk, install new lighting and flooring, and to paint the facility. Because the Federal Transit Authority requires matching grant funds, the Texas Department of Transportation stepped in for the initial grant. And as part of the contract with Greyhound, Longview receives a small commission for selling tickets which the city is using to bolster the grant funds account for future projects. The facelift was noticeable to Curtavion Saunders. The 24-year-old, stepped off the Greyhound from Shreveport in a hoodie and sweatpants, a pillow thrown over his shoulder, and immediately began looking for his baggage in the bus undercarriage. The trip from Shreveport was the last leg of his 19-hour journey from Iowa where he attended his grandmothers funeral. He took four different buses with layovers in four different cities, the first two of which he couldnt remember the names of, to get back to Longview and was ready for a friend to drive him home. Ill never travel like that again, he said. The midwest bus stops were garbage. Saunders was grateful to be back in the south, where the Longview and Shreveport stations were easily the best ones he stopped in. Where the midwest bus stations were run down, the Longview and Shreveport stations were cleaner and well maintained, he said. Longivew Transit buses arrive at Longview's transportation center. Credit: Michael Cavazos for The Texas Tribune Crime and blight are also central to the debate over what to do with bus stations. In Houston, Greyhound relocated its main terminal from downtown as it lost access to the land. Residents in Magnolia Park, where the new pick-up point is, told the Houston Landing they worried the crime in the citys old Greyhound bus station would take root in the new station now located closer to their homes. Likewise, city leaders in Dallas are searching for solutions to the pending closure of the downtown Greyhound station. One of which is the establishment of a hub where a proposed high-speed rail line would stop in the city. This proposal was met with both celebration and criticism. Community developers worry about how it would impact real-estate development while city leaders see this as a way to support people who wouldnt be mobile otherwise. Michael Walk, a research scientist at the Texas A&M Transportation Institute, said he saw value in cities taking over bus depots like Longview. Transportation, he said, is a fundamental need for every person, and it's an economic engine for communities. Even if I don't use those services, they still have value, he said. Other people that I rely on, other people I know, need those services. They need those bus stations and need to be able to do inter regional trips. And it supports the local economy and the Texas economy. It supports the things that I rely on, day in and day out. Travel within and between cities on buses dropped significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Both long bus rides between states and shorter stints between cities, such as Dallas to Houston, have regained popularity following the steep decline in 2020. Researchers at The Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan Development at DePaul University in Chicago found travel will return to pre-pandemic levels by 2026, according to the annual Intercity Bus Review. Luxury bus services in Texas have expanded operations in recent years, but their more economical counterparts are cutting back. Greyhound stations have closed in Texas and other U.S. regions, leaving travelers to instead rely upon roadside bus stops, the report states. Meanwhile, intracity transit has been slow to return in cities like Houston or Austin. But it has returned in full force in smaller metropolitan areas, Walk said in a podcast interview for the transportation institute. This results from the type of riders who rely upon these services in smaller urban areas compared to their counterparts. In big cities, there is a mixture of riders who need the bus and those who take transit by choice; the working professionals who could drive if they wish or college students. In places like Longview, bus riders often have no other option. Having a station is a necessity, not a luxury, for those who use these services, Walk said. We don't have those choice riders we have more of the [riders] that have to have it, Lewis said. That's the only way they're gonna get to the grocery store, to the Social Security office, to get to their many times minimum wage to low end jobs. Deandra Johnson waits for a Longview Transit bus to arrive at the bus station. Credit: Michael Cavazos for The Texas Tribune Curtavion Saunders waits for a friend to pick him up after his 19-hour journey from Iowa. Credit: Michael Cavazos for The Texas Tribune Shannon Jackson, a certified medical assistant, at an intra city bus to take her to her doctors appointment. She says the drivers know her and she knows them. Credit: Michael Cavazos for The Texas Tribune People need the opportunity to move around, whether its between cities, or within them, Walk said. As much of East Texas still goes without broadband, many of the riders dont have access to the internet to purchase tickets online, or they need help navigating the system anyway. And they can be stuck waiting hours between rides, depending on which services they need to use. This type of setup is ideal for Flixbus, Castaneda said. When a station is set to close, the company said it prefers to work with cities to find an alternative option to continue providing those services. Given that intercity bus travel frequently involves transfers to reach destinations, these connections, whether within a single carrier or between interlined carriers, underscore the necessity for robust public-private partnerships, necessitating cooperation from municipalities and the public sector to facilitate access to transit infrastructure supporting the national intercity bus network, she said. Shannon Jackson, a 62-year-old certified medical assistant, was waiting at the outside terminal for an intra city bus to take her to her doctors appointment. She moved to Longview about a year and a half ago from Tyler and said she appreciates the small town feel, especially how peaceful and quiet the community is. I feel safe here, she said. Rather than in Chicago or New York where the bullets are flying or theres carjacking. I want to be safe in my old age, to live somewhere peaceful and quiet. She uses the bus for everything, from shopping, to the pharmacy, the doctor, the library and the post office. At this point, the drivers know her and she knows them. She knows who will be grumpy and who will be more lenient if shes running a few minutes late. And she appreciates the changes made to Longviews terminal. Disclosure: Texas A&M Transportation Institute 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. Correction, March 21, 2024 at 11:59 a.m. : This story has been corrected to accurately reflect who said one quote. An earlier version of this story misattributed one quote to Michael Walk. It was said by Scott Lewis. How long has it been since you last saw a comet in the night sky? This year, we will have such an opportunity. An extremely interesting celestial object called 12P/Ponce-Brooks is heading toward Earth, which has already made a splash among astronomers last year, earning the nickname "the devil's comet". ADVERTISIMENT Space.com reports that the comet will reach its perihelion on April 21 and will delight amateur astronomers with its characteristic flashes of brightness. But you will have to use binoculars or a telescope to observe it. Where to look for the comet The object can already be observed in the Pisces constellation. As it approaches the Sun, 12P/Pons Brooks becomes brighter and can be freely viewed through good binoculars. By the end of the month, the brightness of the object should increase to 5th magnitude. This means that under good conditions it will be visible to the naked eye against the background of the zodiacal constellation Aries. It may also form a short tail at this time. On April 21, the object will pass perihelion, the closest point of its orbit to the Sun at a distance of 116.8 million km from the star. 12P/Ponce-Brooks will pass 22 degrees northeast of the Sun in mid-April, but then will quickly disappear from the view of the Northern Hemisphere, but will become visible in the Southern Hemisphere. It is likely to dim to 6th or 7th magnitude by the end of May, and to 8th or 9th magnitude by the end of June. ADVERTISIMENT Astronomers using special equipment will be able to record periodic flares characteristic of 12P/Pons-Brooks during this time. But they are unlikely to be available to amateurs, because the brightness of the Sun, which the comet is approaching, will be much higher. It is also not expected that the comet will be visible during the total solar eclipse on April 8. At that time, its predicted brightness will be about 4.5, which is too dim. Even if there is an outburst at this time, it will not be enough. What is known about the celestial object The comet was discovered back in the 19th century by two astronomers who observed it with rather primitive telescopes. The Frenchman Jean-Louis Pons (1761-1831), who discovered 37 comets, noticed this object through a telescope of his design, which he called the "Grand Chercheur" ("Great Seeker"). It happened on July 12, 1812. During that visit to the Sun, the comet reached the fourth magnitude at its peak, meaning it was very bright. According to Pons' calculations, it took the comet somewhere between 65 and 75 years to make a revolution around the Sun. ADVERTISIMENT The British-born American astronomer William R. Brooks (1844-1921) accidentally spotted the same object on September 2, 1883. After making certain calculations, he was convinced that he was observing the same comet that Pons had observed more than half a century earlier. In astronomical catalogs, the object is named after both scientists. What makes Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks special Comet Pons-Brooks has an orbital period of about 71 years and is considered to be the same type of object as Halley's Comet. That is, a person can see it only once or twice in their lifetime. Since it was the twelfth comet for which the orbital period was accurately calculated, it was given the catalog name 12P/Pons-Brooks. ADVERTISIMENT The history of science knows of earlier evidence of this comet. Thus, in 2020, German astronomer Mike Meyer demonstrated that it was most likely observed by Chinese astronomers in November 1385 and Italian scientists in January 1457. There is also evidence to suggest that ancient records of a bright comet dating back to 245 AD could also have been the result of observations of the same comet. Of particular interest in 1883-1884 was the fact that in several cases this comet was prone to sudden outbursts or a sharp increase in brightness. This feature could be observed on July 20 last year. Then, an unexpected burst of brightness caused it to briefly become about 100 times brighter, and the shell of gas around its nucleus expanded and began to resemble a horseshoe, for which the object was nicknamed the "devil's comet." Other outbreaks occurred on October 5, November 1 and 14, December 14, and the last time on January 18. The next time the Earth's inhabitants will be able to see 12P/Ponce Brooks is in 2095. ADVERTISIMENT Subscribe to OBOZ.UA channels in Telegram and Viber to keep up with the latest events. Question: What do Black Terns, Upland Sandpipers and Piping Plovers have in common? Answer: All are birds that are threatened or endangered according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Currently, there are 42 threatened species of birds in Michigan, with nine listed as endangered. As a member of the Great Lakes Audubon Club, I appreciate the significance of these DNR listings. I am also well aware of the importance of birds to our environment not just in our Great Lakes region, but across the world too. Birds are involved in nearly every ecosystem on the planet. They serve these planetary systems as pollinators, scavengers, seed dispersers, predators, and prey. Birds are vital to the network of connections within an ecosystem. They also function as early indicators of the earths environmental health. What is good for birds is good for entire ecological systems which includes us. This is the main reason that I proudly display an Audubon bumper sticker that states, Protect the Birds, We Protect the Earth. Nancy Berg I know I am not alone. Many people actively appreciate and support birds. Birds provide us with inspirational beauty. Birds provide for the health of our earth by eating over 500 tons of insects yearly. Crows, vultures and Ravens are important scavengers keeping down the spread of disease. Pollinators, like the hummingbirds are vital to the diversity of the floral kingdom. In the United States alone birders, numbering in the tens of millions, will spend over twenty billion dollars per year on seed, travel and birding equipment. Protecting birds from the effects of climate change is essential to our survival. According to a recent article from Great Lakes Audubon, the growing climate concern is right here in Michigan and our feathered friends are on the front lines. The Common Loon, for example, is affected by poor water quality and warming water temperatures. The Red-Headed Woodpecker is losing habitat due to climatic conditions. Even the hardy Black-capped Chickadees food availability is altered due to changes in our winter temperatures. Scientific studies have shown that two-thirds of North American bird species are at risk of extinction due to planet warming. For example, many migratory birds are arriving earlier than usual. When they do arrive, theyre out of sync with their preferred food sources. This negatively impacts the success of their breeding schedules and consequently, their survival. To protect both the birds and ourselves, it is imperative that we reduce the discharge of planet-warming greenhouse gasses, such as methane and CO2. Michigan has taken a big step towards this aim. Last November, the Michigan legislature created, and Gov. Whitmer signed into law, The Clean Energy Future Package. Michigan is now on the path to 100% renewable energy and a carbon pollution-free future. Thats good news for the birds but we can do even more to help. There are other non-climate ways to strengthen bird populations. First, adjust your own behaviors: avoid waterway nesting areas and observe wild birds from a safe distance, place protective decals on windows, stop the practice of spreading pesticides on plantings around your home, and keep house cats indoors. Second, improve bird habitat by planting carbon-absorbing trees. One tree will store one half metric ton of CO2 in its 100-year lifetime. Some forestry organizations, like the National Forestry Foundation, will plant two trees for every $2 donation. Lastly, reduce your own carbon footprint by making smart decisions when traveling and going about your daily life. There are websites that will help you calculate your carbon footprint and follow up with tips on how to reduce carbon emissions. Explore carbon offset options like our own local Community Carbon Fund which is managed in partnership by the Outdoor Discovery Center and the Holland/Zeeland Community Foundation. Tackling climate change requires bold action. I encourage you to join the thousands across Michigan who urge lawmakers to support carbon elimination legislation and to fully support the efforts of organizations like The Great Lakes Audubon and their Restoration Initiative. Remember, protecting the birds protects the Earth. Nancy Berg is a member of the Holland Area Citizens Climate Lobby. She lives in Holland. This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Citizens' Climate Lobby: Climate change a real threat to Michigan birds Video above: Citizens CEO on US Senate probe, Never heard of anyone suggesting fed bailout (12/06/2023) TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) The U.S. Senate Budget Committee doubled down on its quest for answers from Citizens Property Insurance, the insurer of last resort for Florida property owners dumped by other companies. In Nov. 2023, committee Chairman Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-Rhode Island) wrote a letter to Citizens CEO, Floridas insurance commissioner and Gov. Ron DeSantis, urging the officials to send the committee information about its underwriting policies and losses from natural disasters. Florida lawmakers move to push Citizens customers off on unregulated insurers As part of the probe, federal lawmakers want to gauge the possibility that Florida may ask for a bailout, which Whitehouse said is grounded in history. Both state and federal lawmakers have previously moved to create a mechanism forcing the federal government to help shoulder the burden of property losses from disasters. A comment from DeSantis last month didnt do much to quell the panels concerns. In an interview with CNBC, DeSantis said Citizens is not solvent. We cant have millions of people on that because if a storm hits, its going to cause problems for the state, DeSantis said. In a March 18 follow-up letter to Citizens CEO Timothy Cerio, Whitehouse said the comment was difficult to reconcile with Citizens response to the probe. The company assured the committee that Florida law would prevent Citizens from going under. The letter alleged that Citizens did not provide adequate answers to the committees questions and skipped some entirely. The chairman said the insurer didnt send the panel any documents to back up their claims. FILE Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., speaks during a hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, May 16, 2023. Whitehouse also said the officials did not address his concerns that a major storm could severely destabilize the insurance market and Citizens, passing on the unpaid claims to residents (who) might be unwilling or unable to pay them. Your December 15, 2023, letter did little to address my questions and concerns. In noting that Florida law provides a framework to ensure that Citizens remains solvent, Whitehouse wrote. You simply explained what I already understood to be true: if Citizens were to pay out all reserves and reinsurance following a major storm or series of disasters and there is a deficit, Citizens would be required by Florida law to levy surcharges on its policyholders and assessments on other Florida insurance consumers until the deficit is eliminated. When an insurance company fails, its more than just their customers on the hook. The Florida Insurance Guaranty Association (FIGA) takes over the remaining claims, and if it cant pay, the remaining cost gets passed on to homeowners in the form of an assessment. As 8 On Your Side reported last year, FIGA is an important indicator of the markets health and all regulated insurers are required to pay into the pot. The letter states two requests for Citizens to participate in a committee hearing went unanswered. Citizens ignored both emails. I renew my request for cooperation, Whitehouse wrote, urging the company to revisit and completely answer questions from the Nov. 30 letter. Citizens CEO on US Senate probe: Never heard of anyone suggesting fed bailout Citizens was urged to schedule a briefing with committee staff by Friday. When reached for comment on Whitehouses first letter, Cerio told 8 On Your Side that he hadnt heard of anyone at the company suggesting a bailout. According to Cerio, the Senate probe demonstrates again a misunderstanding of our structure. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) When it rains, it pours in Abilene. It also floods. So, the city says its taking strides in implementing a drainage plan that will last the long haul. The Drainage plan for the city recognizes more than 40 choke points of flooding, and have taken those points to combined them into to nine projects which each focuses on a different region. The entirety of the project will span over 25 years, costing around $25 million dollars. City of Abilene could fix high priority drainage problem area For funding, design costs ($259,000) are already covered by taxpayers through the Stormwater Utility fee. That fee will also be used to partially cover construction costs ($850,000). Other funding sources come from Regional Flood Plan (RFP) by the Texas Statewide Regional Flood Planning Group (RFPG), and a big hope to secure more than $725,000 through FEMA. The plan originally started in 2017, surveying residents and stakeholders on the issue. After completing the logistics of the plan in 2020, the city had to hold off on taking the next steps due to funding and the COVID-19 pandemic. It was reintroduced last December. The first project planned to start within the next year is along Catclaw Creek, which has the most issues having 15 choke hold points. Srinivi Valavala, Stormwater Project Manager for Abilene, told the city on Tuesday, that the main goal of the project is to reduce the amount of flooding experienced by residents nearby. The project itself starts from South 7th to South 11th Street, and its a flood control, flood improvement. Its a drainage improvement project primarily, Valavala said. With plans to create three detention ponds, and improve one, to help the flow of water slow down, this would give the runoff some relief. Valavala told KTAB/KRBC the plan is made to work around the infrastructure already in place. We are looking to upgrade the lower crossing into a box culvert where you can pretty much drive through and, like, no water crossing detention, explained Valavala. We are trying to enhance because the creek already flows through the Oscar Rose Park. That whole area creates like an open space. Were going to dig a little bit deeper and wider to make it more in line. Terrell Carters house sits along one of the potential detention ponds. He said flooding has always been a problem and concern when he feels a drop of rain. A couple years ago, when it was flooded real bad and we got 13 inches of rain in like 24 hours, Carter recalled. I think its about time Its been happening for years, and its been an ongoing problem for not just this, you know, neighborhood, but all neighborhoods, especially down Barrow Street. Plans for the first phase of the drainage project have been approved and now await an investigation of Oscar Rose Park before beginning construction. Follow this link for additional details. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com. New Life Village, 1300 E Ayers in Edmond, is the subject of a petition filed in district court this week that asks for an abatement order requiring the current owners to sell the property to cure repeated problems the city has documented with the building. Edmond is asking an Oklahoma County judge to hang a for-sale sign on an eastside apartment building labeled a public nuisance. An attorney representing the city filed a petition in district court this week that asks for an abatement order that would require the current owners of New Life Village, 1300 E Ayers, to sell the property to cure repeated problems the city has documented with the building. Edmond's city council on Feb. 26 unanimously declared the 90-unit, three-story building a public nuisance "due to the existence of a building which is dangerous to public health or safety because of damage, decay or other conditions, including the existence of fire or explosion hazards which endanger public safety and the existence of activities which endanger public peace, health, safety, morals or welfare," its petition states. Edmond's code and fire inspectors repeatedly identified violations of building, fire, property maintenance, health and nuisance codes at the building, while reported criminal acts at the property required Edmond to respond with "an extraordinary amount of law enforcement resources," the petition also states. More: Edmond voters will decide on a lodging tax increase: Here's what to know about the proposal The property is owned, operated and managed by Edmond Medical Complex LLC, Rayesh K. Narula, Rajesh K. Narula and Raj Kumari Narula, the petition states. It also reveals BMA 451 LLC, believed to be a domestic limited liability company, holds a real estate mortgage with power of sale on the property. DW Investors LLC, a foreign limited liability company licensed to transact business in Oklahoma, could also hold interests in the property. In an amended petition, it was dropped from the lawsuit. An entrance to New Life Village is shown March 6 at 1300 E Ayers in Edmond. A forced sale is one of several fixes Edmond could have sought to abate nuisance While its owners may fight Edmond's request for the judge to order the property's sale, it might be their cheapest way out. Edmond could have requested the judge to force them to spend cash to either make needed repairs to bring the property up to code or to demolish the brick building entirely. If the judge forces a sale, it would be up to the new owner to bring the property into compliance with health, safety, fire and building code standards or take the 5.72 acres it sits upon back to bare earth so the site could be redeveloped into something new. Elected Edmond leaders threatened to condemn the property as early as 2018. By then, it already had been cited for numerous health and safety violations since 2014, including once when Oklahoma City-County's Health Department investigated complaints of raw sewage filling bath tubs and running out into the building's hallways. Its owner avoided having the property condemned in 2019 after making ordered repairs and obtaining the council's approval to change its zoning so that the complex could be operated exclusively as a hotel. New Life Village at 1300 E Ayers has operated under several names in the past, including OYO Hotel Edmond. Later, they obtained another zoning change allowing it to continue to operate as a combination hotel/apartments building, and renamed it New Life Village. Built in 1984 as an apartment building, the 77,000-square-foot, three-story building already had been owned by multiple parties and was operating as a nursing home when the Narulas purchased it in late 2003. Before deciding to take the Narulas to court on March 11, current members of Edmond's city council ordered them to bring the 90-unit structure into compliance with Edmond, health, building and public safety codes, to bring aboard around-the-clock, CLEET-certified security officers to patrol the property and to install a continuously operating video security system. Court records show the petition, filed March 19, was assigned to Oklahoma County District Court Judge Natalie Mai. A hearing has not yet been scheduled. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Edmond officials ask judge to force sale of New Life Village Editor's note: City Hall Insider is a roundup of items the Austin City Council is set to vote on other local government news and an inside look at my reporting process. This story has been updated after the Austin City Council voted. Y'all, there has been a LOT going on at Austin City Hall these past few weeks, and there is a whole lot more coming up. In fact, I expect it to be so busy for the foreseeable future I preemptively took a minivacation last week side note, if you haven't already, carve some time into your schedule to go see the Texas wildflowers. It's my first spring here in Austin, and it was great to spend my time off outside and see the bluebonnets. But back to politics. Leading the news out of City Hall recently has been the search for a new city manager. The names of three finalists were released a few weeks ago. One has already dropped out of the running, and two remain vying for the top spot in Austin. My days have been filled with reviewing application records for the potential candidates and learning about their backgrounds as executive city leaders in their respective cities. I'm continuing to prepare for the community town hall set for Monday and the Austin City Council's subsequent vote on the next city manager. In other news, the city is looking to make a large real estate acquisition and is looking to ask the state for a hefty investment in a transportation project. Let's get into it. City manager finalists Choosing a new city manager is one of the most important decisions the City Council makes. The city manager is the top city official who oversees the daily operations of thousands of city employees, dozens of departments and the implementation of the policy decisions approved by the City Council. Austin has been without a permanent city manager since Spencer Cronk was fired by the City Council last February, in part due to the city's response to the 2023 winter storm. Read more: Austin is getting close to hiring a new city manager. Here's everything you need to know. The city hired a search firm and initially selected three finalists from a pool of 39 applicants: the city managers of Denton, Dallas and Kansas City, Missouri. The city manager of Kansas City dropped out of the running a few days after the announcement. T.C. Broadnax of Dallas and Sara Hensley of Denton remain in the running. I wrote last week about Broadnax's background in Dallas and his planned exit from his current job in June. My colleague Chase Rogers wrote about Hensley's time in Denton, and her time as a city leader in Austin. Read more: Who is T.C. Broadnax? Here's what we know about the Austin city manager finalist. More: Read more: Who is Sara Hensley? Here's why Denton's city manager is a finalist for the role in Austin The candidates are to meet with city staffers on Monday and have a public town hall that evening. They will be interviewed by the City Council in executive session Tuesday. The plan is to have a selection made by early April. Tokyo Electron campus On Thursday, the City Council approved the $87 million purchase of the Tokyo Electron campus in Southeast Austin. Read more: City of Austin to consider shelling out $87 million for former Tokyo Electron headquarters The property is near the city's future planned light rail line along East Riverside Drive, my colleague Shonda Novak reported earlier this week. Austin Mayor Kirk Watson said he envisions a large, mixed-use development centered around mass transit and affordable housing. A city spokesperson told Novak that the site also could accommodate a second emergency communications center and future office space. The 107-acre campus has been on the market since late last year. I-35 caps & stitches The City Council gave the green light for the city to apply for a $191 million loan from the Texas Department of Transportation-managed state infrastructure bank for the city's "cap and stitch" program. The program aims to build decks called caps or stitches over sections of a sunken Interstate 35. TxDOT will start construction to expand, widen and lower I-35 through Central Austin later this year. The construction, which might take more than a decade, could cost $4.5 billion. More: City of Austin seeks $191M state loan, mulls 2026 bond election to build decks over I-35 My colleague Chase Rogers will have more on what the loan could mean soon. If you've made it this far, thank you for following along! I hope you'll continue reading "City Hall Insider," published the day of every Austin City Council meeting, which is usually bi-weekly. In the meantime, I will continue my coverage of local government and politics. To share additional tips or insight, email me at emccarthy@statesman.com. You can also find me on X, formerly Twitter, @byEllaMcCarthy. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: City Hall Insider: City manager search, Tokyo Electron campus purchase The City of Taunton is suing the operators of the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center for nonpayment of fines due to code violations for housing too many migrants at the property. Mayor Shaunna OConnell said city officials received no advance notice when they learned in April 2023 that the hotel at 700 Myles Standish Boulevard began housing 18 migrant families. A short time later, the entire hotel became occupied by more than 100 families and ceased operating as a hotel, and city regulators quickly became concerned that the hotel was operating greatly above its occupancy limits, OConnell said. Within a couple of months, the hotel had converted entirely to an emergency shelter and housed approximately 445 people at any given time, the mayor said in a statement Thursday. We later discovered that the Clarion Hotel had signed a contract with the state to utilize the hotel as an emergency shelter for upwards of 9 years. As this was a contract between the state and a private business (the hotel), the city was given no advance notice nor an opportunity to express our concerns about this contract, OConnell said. When the citys Building Commissioner became concerned that the occupancy of the guest suites had exceeded the design occupant load, hotel management failed to address these concerns, OConnell said. The city began issuing a daily fine, pursuant to state law, to prompt the hotel to comply with safety requirements, she said. Ultimately, the hotel was fined $114,600 from May 26, 2023 to September 18, 2023, OConnell said. No fines have been paid to date. The lawsuit, filed on Dec. 11, 2023 in Bristol Superior Court, seeks payment of the fines. In a statement, a Choice Hotels spokesperson said, Choice Hotels does not own or operate this property. The franchised property left the Choice Hotels system on May 19, 2023. The Clarion Hotel in Taunton is owned and operated by six different limited liability companies, according to the lawsuit: 700 Taunton LLC of Lexington; BJT Hotel LLC of Canton; MOKSHA2009 LLC of San Antonio, Texas, which has an office in Quincy; Ekta Meshva Hospitality of Taunton LLC of Quincy; Dhruva & Dil Investment LLC of Taunton; and Shivani Inc., a New Hampshire corporation with an office in Lexington. Boston 25 is reaching out for comment. The hotel owners architect eventually provided some documentation that the building may be compliant with elements of life safety despite the increased occupancy numbers. That documentation prompted the Building Department to cease issuance of daily fines. However, when the hotel delayed in applying for a building permit and submitting a code review to alter the occupancy certificate, the fines resumed, the mayor said. The city ceased issuing fines related to overcapacity when the hotel finally complied with the building code and submitted the required documentation. OConnell said the influx of migrants has impacted our city in a variety of ways, including putting a strain on emergency municipal services. We lost the only hotel available in our city (located in our Industrial Park) which has impacted business travel to our area, the mayor said. We have seen an increase in the number of emergency calls and we have had to accommodate an increased number of students in our schools. We have also not received approximately $63,000 in meals and hotel taxes, which we hope the state will reimburse, OConnell said. While we are not unsympathetic to migrants fleeing unstable conditions in other countries, we have limited resources available and many residents in need, including seniors and veterans, who require services and housing. We continue to call upon the federal government to provide assistance to our state and our city. 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 LAS VEGAS (KLAS) When the 2024-2025 school year begins, some Clark County School District students will be required to use non-locking, signal-blocking pouches for their phones during class time, according to CCSD. The district started providing the pouches at certain schools in February. Approximately 10% of schools piloted their use during the current school year, CCSD said. The policy will start on August 12, for all students in sixth grade through 12th grade, and is being put into place to prevent and reduce distractions in the classroom, according to CCSD. Online resource helps CCSD parents unplug kids from social media for better mental health The non-locking pouches will be in classroom areas for student accessibility in emergencies. Parents, guardians, and students will get additional information when pouches are introduced at school sites, according to CCSD. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. Senegal is one of the West African coastal countries on the front lines of climate change (JOHN WESSELS) Surrounded by lush mangrove forests, Julien Arfang Diatta shows the flooded road leading to his village on Senegal's tiny island of Kailo. Encroaching water levels caused by climate change drive fears that Kailo and surrounding islands in southern Senegal could disappear in a matter of years. Yet the 18 candidates running for president on Sunday have largely ignored the country's pressing environmental situation. During the rainy season from July to November, "the sea gets bigger and bigger and you can't get through," Diatta said. "And we can no longer farm the rice fields because of the salt water." Diatta's family has lived on the surrounding Kafountine islands for centuries, but they now fear being forced from their homes. "The water is advancing and threatening the village. The trees are dying. If this continues, we'll have no choice but to leave, but where will we go?" said Louise Diatta, in her 40s, who wants her children to grow up on her native island. Like many countries along the West African coast, Senegal is on the front lines of climate change. Coastal erosion linked to rising sea levels, drought, desertification and flooding have affected large swathes of the population, with some communities in the north already displaced. Most presidential candidates made some mention of the environment in their manifestos, a marked change from previous years. But concrete measures to tackle global warming and reduce greenhouse gas emissions were relegated far behind issues such as justice, employment and the renegotiation of hydrocarbon contracts. Recently discovered reserves of oil and gas have raised hopes of future industrialisation, with production due to begin this year. - 'Urgent action' - Senegal's coastline is receding by an average of between one and 1.3 metres a year, according to official figures from 2020. At this rate, around 6,000 square kilometres (2,300 square miles) of low-lying areas would be flooded by 2100, with a sea level rise of one metre. But the mayor of the southern town of Kafountine, David Diatta, said the phenomenon in his locality was happening much faster than these projections. Rising waters are already making startling inroads in the town, which is home to around 40,000 people. Even at the height of the dry season, the road linking the centre with the quays to reach the Kafountine islands is submerged. Formerly buried electricity cables and pipes supplying drinking water are now exposed to the rising waves. A half-collapsed petrol station and a former tourist site have also fallen prey to the advancing sea. And the dock where hundreds of fishermen, fishmongers and vendors work has begun its descent into the water. "The situation is very worrying and requires urgent action," the mayor told AFP. - High stakes - "If the fishing dock disappears, thousands of jobs will be lost. If the tourist infrastructure disappears, hundreds and thousands of jobs will disappear," Diatta added. This is a worrying prospect at a local level, in a country where unemployment already stands at 20 percent. In the historic northern city of Saint-Louis, the government aided by foreign partners in 2019 began constructing a 3.6-kilometre seawall to combat rising water levels. But further south in Kafountine, Diatta said that local authorities did not have the means to cope, with the thousands of sandbags placed along the coastline offering little protection from the ocean. "We need real political will on the part of the central government. We're going to take our concerns to whoever is elected president to find solutions," Diatta said. He decried the government's slow response to the situation and the lack of interest shown by the majority of presidential candidates. Aissatou Diouf, head of advocacy at the NGO Enda Energie, said that most hopefuls in the race only mentioned environmental issues in an "abstract" way. "We need to go beyond 'we have to protect the environment,'" she said. "How can we do this? With what technology? What kind of investment? What kind of financing? What kind of vision?" she said, listing the pressing issues. "How will the programme fit in with Senegal's international commitments to help limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius?" Economic and development projects should also include an environmental dimension, Diouf added, given the urgency of the situation and the "enormous" stakes for the Senegalese people. amt/lal/acc/kjm A video clip of an Indian Muslim politician was manipulated to make it appear he chanted a Hindu hymn during a speech. The clip, repeatedly shared in posts targeting Asaduddin Owaisi The doctored clip was shared here on Facebook on March 10, 2024. It appeared to show politician Asaduddin Owaisi, who is Muslim, chanting a prayer dedicated to Hindu deity Shiva. Owaisi -- a prominent critic of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist politics -- is seeking a seat in parliament in southern Hyderabad city (archived link). He is facing Kompella Madhavi Latha from Modi's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in elections starting from April 19 (archived link). "BJP candidate Dr. Kompelle Madhavi Lata's Effect. Listen to the Shiva hymn from Asaduddin Owaisi," reads part of the caption to the doctored clip, written in the Telugu language widely spoken in southern India. "Hindus, if you want to see a change in Hyderabad then make BJP win," the caption adds. Screenshot of the Facebook post with the doctored clip, taken March 21, 2024 The doctored clip was also shared in similar posts on social media platform X here and here. Digitally altered video A reverse image search of keyframes on Google found Owaisi's original speech uploaded here on the verified YouTube channel of Indian media outlet News 18 Urdu on October 26, 2022 (archived link). According to the video's description, Owaisi was addressing a public meeting in Bijapur city in southern Karnataka state during municipal body elections at the time. Nowhere in the video did Owaisi recite a Hindu hymn. Instead, he is heard asking voters to help his party win the local elections. The portion of his speech that had been manipulated corresponds to the 48:20 to 48:37 mark of the YouTube video. Below is a screenshot comparison of corresponding frames in the manipulated clip circulating online (left) and from Owaisi's full speech uploaded on News 18 Urdu's YouTube channel (right): The same speech was also uploaded here on Owaisi's official Facebook on October 26, 2022 (archived link). A separate search on Google, using keywords from the Hindu hymn, found the audio that had been inserted onto Owaisi's speech was published here on YouTube on April 20, 2020 (archived link). The video's title reads, "Shiv Tandav Stotram by Arvind Trivedi -- Lankesh who Played Ravan in Ramayan TV Serial". It shows Arvind Trivedi, an actor-turned-BJP politician who died in 2021, chanting the "Shiva Tandava Strotam" Sanskrit language prayer to Hindu deity Shiva. Sayed Asim Waqar, the spokesman for Owaisi's party All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, told AFP on March 14 the video was "fake". "We will deal with such matters legally in future," he said. Polish farmers have stopped blocking truck traffic at the Medyka-Shehyni checkpoint. At the same time, as of Thursday morning, March 21, 4 directions remain blocked for truck traffic: Yahodyn, Ustyluh, Uhryniv, and Rava-Ruska. ADVERTISIMENT This was announced by the State Border Guard Service spokesman Andriy Demchenko during a telethon. According to him, Ukrainian border guards received information about the unblocking of the Medik-Shehyni border crossing yesterday, Wednesday, March 20, at about 21:30. It was reported by Polish border guards. They informed the State Border Guard Service that Polish farmers had completed blocking the movement of trucks entering and leaving Poland. "Therefore, the registration of this transport category began to be carried out in the usual manner," Demchenko said. As OBOZ.UA previously reported, Polish farmers during large-scale protests across the country began to block the movement of passenger buses on the border with Ukraine at the Medyka-Shehyni checkpoint. In this regard, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure of Ukraine Oleksandr Kubrakov appealed to Polish Interior Minister Marcin Kierwinski. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! This article was originally published in South Carolina Daily Gazette. CONWAY Coastal Carolina students are working to send a satellite into space as part of South Carolinas first university-run space program. Around 80 science and engineering students are involved in the planning stages for a satellite expected to cost $1.5 million to build and launch. The faculty members leading the effort since last March are hoping to send the shoebox-sized satellite into space by 2027. The satellite, which will circle the planet 15 times a day from roughly 1,200 miles up, will offer hands-on learning opportunities across a variety of academic programs. Get stories like these delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter For example, cameras on the satellite will be able to detect changes in sea levels, flooding from hurricanes and erosion along coastlines. Students and researchers can use that data to find solutions to climate problems and natural disasters, said Wes Hitt, head of the universitys physics and engineering science department, whos leading the effort. Other students can get involved in promoting the program, developing a website or finding donors, Hitt said. Plus, the satellite should offer students a new, extraterrestrial way to take a selfie. People will be able to submit photos and text to be displayed on the side of the satellite, which will feature a selfie stick to snap a picture of their image with the satellite and outer space as the background to send back down to Earth. Exactly how that would work is yet to be decided. There may be a cost to the cosmic selfies, which could be a fundraiser to support the program, Hitt said. Its going to function almost like a billboard in space, he told the SC Daily Gazette. These types of small satellites, called CubeSats, are often used for educational programs because they are relatively cheap and quick to build, according to NASA. The CubeSat the university plans to launch, called ChantSat-1, is 10-by-10-by-30 centimeters. Faculty mentors will head groups of students each working on a different aspect of the satellite. Groups will write flight software, create heating and cooling systems, and find ways to communicate with the satellite once its in orbit, Hitt said. Working on Coastals small satellite design has been an engaging and eye-opening experience, Charis Williams, a junior engineering major, said in a release from the university. Its a whole world that I never knew existed, but its both amazing and scary to work on a project that goes far beyond a purely conceptual dream. Research uses Once in orbit, the satellite will use cameras to see changes in drinking water that are difficult to detect from the ground. Near-infrared cameras able to see colors beyond the spectrum visible to humans will make it easier to tell how much sediment is in drinking water supplies or whether algae is blooming in a nearby river. Thats going to allow end-users to have that data to monitor the health and the quality of some of the Grand Strand and South Carolinas most valuable water resources, Hitt said. Students studying marine science and oceanography will be able to monitor coastal erosion and sea-level rise, Hitt said. And intelligence and security students can use the images to practice geospatial intelligence, which is a method of analyzing photographs and data from a specific location, said Bob Vipperman, chair of the universitys board overseeing its intelligence department. The project is going to be a place where students from diverse backgrounds and with very varied skill sets are going to learn to communicate with each other, learn to collaborate effectively with each other and solve those tough, complex problems that come with trying to get into space, Hitt said. The next step will be finding enough donors to fund the program, whether through grants, companies or individual supporters, Vipperman said. The program has enough money to get started but not the full amount necessary, Vipperman said, declining to be specific. He did say it could take $750,000 to launch the satellite into space. CubeSats typically hitch a ride on a rocket already going into space for one reason or another, a bit like a ride share, he said. Most often, the tiny satellites join SpaceX rockets carrying other cargo or people, but other services are designed just to launch the CubeSats. As the launch date grows closer, the teams will have to decide which rocket will carry their satellite. In the meantime, Vipperman and Hitt said theyre hoping the program will act as a boon for the 10,000-student university. Having the only space program in the state could help boost its image for science and technology degrees, Hitt said. Plus, the selfie stick and social media campaigns can educate people beyond the universitys campus, he added. We see this project as making space and space technology and interaction with space technology more broadly accessible, Hitt said. SC Daily Gazette is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. SC Daily Gazette maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Seanna Adcox for questions: info@scdailygazette.com. Follow SC Daily Gazette on Facebook and Twitter. More than three centuries after the legendary San Jose galleon sank off the coast of Colombia while laden with gold, silver and emeralds, the nation has officially approved a plan to recover the wreck and its treasures, officials announced this week. Dubbed the "holy grail" of shipwrecks, the 316-year-old wreck has been controversial since it was discovered in 2015, because it is both an archaeological and economic treasure -- estimated to be worth billions of dollars. "For the first time in history, a model of comprehensive public management of the archaeological site and asset of cultural interest, protected by regulations and public missionality, is advanced," the Colombian government said in a news release Tuesday. Colombian will invest more than $1 million in the recovery process, which is expected to get underway next month, officials said. Last month, Culture Minister Juan David Correa told Agence France-Presse that an underwater robot would be sent to recover some of its bounty. The Spanish San Jose Galleon sunk in the Caribbean in 1708 after a battle with the British. New data suggests such shipwrecks could reveal the history of hurricanes in the region. / Credit: Samuel Scott Between April and May, the robot would extract some items from "the surface of the galleon" to see "how they materialize when they come out (of the water) and to understand what we can do" to recover the rest of the treasures, said Correa. The robot will work at a depth of 600 meters to remove items such as ceramics, pieces of wood and shells "without modifying or damaging the wreck," Correa told AFP aboard a large naval ship. The location of the expedition is being kept secret to protect what is considered one of the greatest archaeological finds in history from malicious treasure hunters. The San Jose galleon was owned by the Spanish crown when it was sunk by the British navy near Cartagena in 1708. Only a handful of its 600-strong crew survived. The ship had been heading back from the New World to the court of King Philip V of Spain, laden with treasures such as chests of emeralds and some 200 tons of gold coins. Before Colombia announced the discovery in 2015, it was long sought after by treasure hunters. The expedition to start recovering the shipwreck's trove comes as a case is underway at the UN's Permanent Court of Arbitration between Colombia and the U.S.-based salvage company Sea Search Armada -- which claims it found the wreck first over 40 years ago. In June 2022, Colombia said that a remotely operated vehicle reached 900 meters below the surface of the ocean, showing new images of the wreckage. The video showed the best-yet view of the treasure that was aboard the San Jose including gold ingots and coins, cannons made in Seville in 1655 and an intact Chinese dinner service. At the time, Reuters reported the remotely operated vehicle also discovered two other shipwrecks in the area, including a schooner thought to be from about two centuries ago. The Right To Be Wrong I Sunday on 60 Minutes As Ukraine aid languishes, some House members work on end run to approve funds Where Biden and Trump stand on labor issues DENVER (KDVR) Its hard to imagine Colorado not being called Colorado, but that was almost the case once upon a time. Even though the land that eventually became the Centennial State has gone by countless names during the many millennia it has been inhabited it is now known as Colorado. However, it just as easily could have been called Idaho. This Colorado city was planned as a utopia FOX31 spoke with Jeremy Morton, an exhibit developer and historian with History Colorado, to get the story of how Colorado almost had a completely different name. How Colorado was almost named Idaho The story goes that in the mid-1800s when Congress was creating what would become the Colorado Territory and eventually the State of Colorado, a lobbyist named George Wheeling suggested it be called Idaho, instead of Colorado. Wheeling claimed it was a Native American word for gem of the mountains. This was very close to being accepted as the name for the new territory before the truth was revealed. Which is right: Coloradan or Coloradoan? Im not sure how it was exposed, but apparently, he made up that word, Morton said. It was discovered that the word had no Native American origin at all, so the original choice Colorado was chosen instead. How did Colorado get its name? That didnt stop another territory and eventual state from taking on the name later on. It is also worth noting that Colorado still has at least one reference to Idaho left within its boundaries. The largest city in Clear Creek County went through several names Jacksons Diggings, Spanish Bar, Sacramento City and even Idahoe before settling on Idaho Springs. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. Election workers process ballots for the presidential primaries on Super Tuesday at the Denver Elections Division in Denver, March 5, 2024. (Kevin Mohatt for Colorado Newsline) The wealthy donor behind a proposal to dramatically change the way Colorado elects candidates to public office told a state panel this week that he and his fellow proponents believe intensely that their favored system can help cure what ails American politics. Its clear the credibility of our democracy is suffering from the status quo, Kent Thiry, the former CEO of Denver-based dialysis company DaVita, told the Initiative Title Setting Review Board during a hearing Wednesday. We all talk about it at cocktail parties. This is our opportunity to do something about it. Thirys plan an electoral model championed by Unite America, the nonprofit he co-chairs would replace Colorados party primary and assembly system with an open all-candidate primary, from which the top four vote-getters would advance. The general election between the top four candidates would be decided through ranked choice voting, also known as instant runoff voting, a method that allows voters to rank as many candidates as they wish in order of preference. The fact is democracy over the last 200 years has consistently been modified in ways that we now take take for granted, Thiry added. Whether its having women vote, whether its having Blacks vote, whether its having primaries, period these were all changes made. For now, though, the proposal is once again in limbo, after the Title Board a three-member panel composed of officials designated by the secretary of state, the attorney general and the legislative branch ruled against a comprehensive ballot measure that would establish the integrated system Thiry is proposing. Combining the changes to party nominating procedures and the general election into one measure, the board found, violates a state constitutional requirement that ballot questions only address a single subject. The board has see-sawed between approving and denying the proponents draft initiatives at its biweekly meetings in recent months, as Thirys camp has filed dozens of different versions of its proposal amid opposition from both sides of the political spectrum. Ranked choice voting has been bitterly opposed by right-wing Republicans nationwide, especially after the results of the 2022 election in Alaska, the first to be held there after the state voted in 2020 to adopt the system backed by Thiry and Unite America. The system was credited with helping to elect Democratic U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola, who defeated former Gov. Sarah Palin to become the first Democrat to represent the state in the House in 50 years, as well as with moderate Republican Lisa Murkowskis defeat of a more conservative challenger. Kent Thiry, the former CEO of DaVita and a wealthy centrist political donor, speaks in favor of a Colorado ballot measure he has backed to overhaul Colorados elections at the state Title Board on March 20, 2024. (Screenshot) Others, including some Colorado Democrats, have faulted the systems all-candidate, or jungle, primary, which would allow candidates to qualify for the primary ballot only by gathering enough voter signatures. Eliminating the option to qualify through the party assembly process, critics say, would privilege wealthy candidates who can afford to hire firms that specialize in petition drives. Members of both parties have speculated that a possible motive behind the reforms is to make it easier for Thiry who publicly mulled a run for governor as a Republican in 2017, then formally switched his registration to unaffiliated later that year to mount a gubernatorial bid in 2026. Proponents withdrew several additional versions of their measure following the Title Boards vote Wednesday. The panels next hearing is scheduled for April 3. Thiry and his fellow proponents are represented at the Title Board by attorneys from the powerful lobbying firm Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck. Theyve also retained 76 Group, an influential consulting firm with a long list of Republican and corporate clients, which registered the Colorado Voters First committee on Feb. 8, according to campaign finance records. Party insiders relentless efforts to protect the status quo and limit voter choice will not stop our efforts to deliver elections that better serve the interests of Colorado by letting all voters vote for any candidate in any election, Curtis Hubbard, a spokesperson for Colorado Voters First, said in a statement Wednesday. Distinctly separate Opponents of the ballot measure have leveled charges of logrolling the practice of lumping together multiple policies that wouldnt win approval from voters on their own. The state Constitutions single-subject rule was adopted by voters in 1994 to guard against such efforts. Ballot access is a really big deal, and the mechanics of voting is another really big deal, said Scott Gessler, a Republican attorney and former Colorado secretary of state, who spoke against the measures approval at Wednesdays hearing. And the two are distinctly separate. Ed Ramey, an attorney representing a group of Democrats that has objected to the proposal, agreed. What they want to do in the general election may work and be a vast improvement, but it matters what the rule is to get there, he said. Instead of trying to load two disparate subjects, the access and the actual election, into one measure, they can certainly run two, and make the adoption of one dependent on the other. Thats exactly what proponents have signaled theyll do, if necessary. They face an April 17 deadline to win approval for a ballot measure or set of measures from the Title Board, though an additional rehearing and possible court challenges could follow after that. Once approved for a title an official one-sentence description of the measure that will appear on petitions and ballots an initiative must gather 124,238 signatures from registered voters to qualify for the ballot. Thiry said Wednesday that adopting only part of his proposed model would destroy the multiple positive outcomes he believes would result from the full set of reforms, hindering his stated goal of expanding voter choice and candidate diversity. It is the integrated system that makes this happen, Thiry told the board. To do otherwise could be like changing how the pitcher pitches but not moving the catcher. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Colorado election overhaul could be broken in two as ballot-measure deadline looms appeared first on Colorado Newsline. Rep. Joe Neguse was unanimously elected as the assistant Democratic leader of the U.S. House of Representatives. After Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-South Carolina, stepped down from the role, Neguse will take over the position to help shape the legislative agenda and promote the Democratic Party's priorities. Congressman Neguse has committed his life to public service and helped move Colorado and our country forward, whether its helping create new jobs in the region, expanding broadband access or fighting to protect our public lands and more," Colorado Gov. Jared Polis said in a statement. Neguse is the second Coloradan in state history to serve as a senior member of House leadership. Rep. Joe Neguse speaks during a 2013 flood 10-year commemoration event at the Glen Haven Town Hall on Sept. 9, 2023. Dozens of people, including a full congressional delegation, attended. Each and every day Im deeply honored and humbled to serve the people of the great state of Colorado," Neguse said in a statement. "As a proud Westerner, Im committed to ensuring that the people of Colorado and throughout the Rocky Mountain West have a seat at the table and will work in my new role to ensure the voices of folks across our country and from every corner of the Democratic Caucus are elevated, included, and heard. More: Fort Collins, Boulder net nearly $24 million for bike, pedestrian safety improvements $11 million in funding secured for Colorado programs Most recently, Neguse finalized over $11 million in federal funding for local projects in Colorado's 2nd Congressional District. The funds allocated include: $1,616,279 for Clear Creek Schools Foundation Child Care Center. $1,000,000 for city of Longmont Micro Transit System. $1,000,000 for Steamboat Springs Workforce Housing Pedestrian and Bicycle Connection Project. $1,000,000 for Yampa Valley wastewater infrastructure. $959,752 for town of Gypsum for wastewater infrastructure. $950,000 for University of Colorado Boulder watershed monitoring. $908,279 for Timberline Fire Protection District Fire Station. $850,000 for Edwards Early Learning Center. $640,000 for Food Bank for Larimer County refrigeration upgrades. $500,000 for Colorado State University Multiuse UAS Airfield Project. $500,000 for Eagle County Regional Airport Federal Inspection Station. $500,000 for town of Erie transportation improvements. $472,000 for Interstate 70 Mountain Corridor public safety and trafficking prevention. $254,000 for Jackson County Sheriff's Office modernization. This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Colorado Rep. Joe Neguse elected to leadership role in Congress We hear about bank robberies occurring all the time in this country, but never about banks being robbed by little kids. Enter the Little Rascals, a trio of boys who were all arrested for robbing a local Wells Fargo bank in Houston, Texas. Each one of them has been charged with robbery by threat, a second-degree felony, according to FBI Houston. The age of these juveniles may be the most shocking as they are 11, 12, and 16 years old respectively. #BREAKING All three bank robbery suspects known as the 'little rascals' are in custody. They are 11, 12, and 16 year-old boys charged locally with robbery by threat. Because they are juveniles, their names and no additional details will be released. #HouNews pic.twitter.com/n10Zm1vcuo FBI Houston (@FBIHouston) March 19, 2024 The trio allegedly robbed the Houston-area bank on March 14. They walked right into the bank and passed a threatening note to one of the bank tellers. Although it was unclear if the rascals were armed, its suspected that they were. The crew then walked away with an unknown amount of money. According to the Houston County Sheriffs Office, two boys parents came forward to law enforcement after security footage was released to the public. Police discovered the other after he was recognized as the culprit after being involved in a fight. More from ABC13 Houston: The age of the younger two, thats unusual for a bank robbery, Mike Schneider, a retired juvenile district court judge, told ABC13. Its one of the first times Ive seen that I was thinking either this was very low in sophistication or maybe an adult had something to do with this. That is not uncommon. Because kids have a punishment that is less severe, it is not uncommon for adult offenders to get them to commit crimes, Schneider said. If the trio is found guilty, they could go to juvenile prison until they are 19 or face probation until they are 18. The 16-year-old could be tried as an adult. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Two men have been arrested after officials said they robbed a comic book store and assaulted the owner. On Sept. 18, 2022, two men, later identified as Caleb James-Lorenze Simpson, 35, and Zackery Maximus Tucker, 22, entered a comic book store in Feasterville, Pennsylvania, according to a news release from the Bucks County District Attorneys Office. The men acted as if they were customers and asked the store owner to help them get an item from a high shelf. While the owner was on a ladder, one of the men violently knocked him off and he fell to the ground, officials said. The two males began to beat the victim, then tied him up and held a knife to his face threatening to kill him if he did not cooperate, officials said. Simpson and Tucker then pulled out two duffel bags and filled them with a laptop, the owners keys, cash, comic books, Pokemon cards, action figures and other items from the store, officials said. Officials said that while police were pursuing the men, they left the bags nearby in the woods. While searching the area, police found clothing believed to belong to one of the men, according to officials. The store owner suffered from numerous contusions, lacerations, and broken ribs, officials said. On Dec. 19. 2023, officers received a tip that two truckers were responsible for the attack and robbery. Authorities identified Tucker and Simpson as the two men seen in surveillance footage, officials said. DNA collected at the scene also came back as a match to Simpson, according to investigators. McClatchy News reached out to Tuckers attorney for comment March 21 but did not immediately hear back. An attorney for Simpson was not listed in court records. Tucker was arraigned March 18 on charges of robbery, aggravated assault, unlawful restraint, possession of an instrument of crime, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person. Simpson was also charged and is in custody in Michigan awaiting extradition to Pennsylvania, officials said. Feasterville is a 20-mile drive northeast from Philadelphia. Teen unknowingly robs undercover cop, threatens to blow his brains out, IL cops say Store clerk died in senseless shooting, feds say. Ex-UGA football player sentenced Accused robber killed in shootout with man carrying concealed gun, Illinois cops say DENVER (KDVR) A Commerce City man was arrested during a sting operation last week and accused of attempting to purchase sexual services from a child. According to the Larimer County Sheriffs Office, Daniel Goodfield, 36, was arrested on March 14 during an operation targeting child predators. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox Goodfield was arrested on three felonies: patronizing a prostituted child, soliciting for child prostitution and cybercrime soliciting/attempt. Protecting children is our highest priority in public safety, Larimer County Sheriff John Feyen said in a release. Abusing or exploiting innocent victims is never acceptable. LCSO will always stand between children and those who want to harm them. Goodfield was identified by deputies when they set up a sting operation. Investigators posed as underage sex workers on online forums and were contacted by dozens of men soliciting services. The investigators proposed times to meet, and one man arrived at an agreed-upon location and was met by law enforcement, according to the sheriffs office. Download the FOX31 App: Breaking news alerts & Pinpoint Weather That man was Goodfield. He was booked into the Larimer County Jail and given a $20,000 cash or surety bond, which he posted on March 16. He is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday. Court records did not show an attorney listed for him. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. Observers along a track from Mexico through Texas to Maine will see a total solar eclipse on April 8. Statement: Emergency officials warn to stock up on food, water, and fuel ahead of the eclipse. When the moons shadow briefly darkens cities across the U.S. on April 8, it wont deplete fuel and food supplies or knock out cellphone service. Before the total solar eclipse, officials in states and towns along the eclipses path of totality are encouraging residents to prepare for large crowds; some social media users have shared the guidance without critical context. Emergency officials warn to "stock up on food, water, and fuel ahead of the eclipse," read the text in a March 14 Facebook reel. "Cell phone service could be a problem too." This post was flagged as part of Metas efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram.) The reels caption said "the EMA," which appears to refer to the Emergency Management Agency, encouraged people to stock up on supplies before the eclipse and warned that cellphone signals might be lost due to activity overload. The posts language is similar to more ominous claims we have checked warning people of alleged emergencies and doomsday scenarios. The posts caption also linked to a March 13 IFLScience article, which included important context that the Facebook post lacked. In the articles first sentence, it said that Emergency Management Agency officials in Lorain County, Ohio, in the path of totality, encouraged residents "to stock up on food, water, and fuel ahead of the total eclipse on April 8, with an influx of visitors to the area expected." The information was provided in anticipation of large crowds, not because of complications from the eclipse. Lorain County officials posted "resident preparation tips" focused on ways to avoid problems caused by a visitor spike. Because the eclipse will come on a Monday, "it is likely that many visitors will come in over the weekend and stay in the area," Lorain County officials wrote. Visitors could cause "difficulty accessing food, gas, and supplies due to traffic issues" and "possible loss of cell phone signal due to system overload," officials wrote. They advised residents to buy gasoline and to stock up on food and drinks before April 6 and also said residents should avoid traveling that weekend. PolitiFact found other examples of state and local officials in cities along the eclipses path of totality warning residents to prepare for crowds of visitors. Similar warnings were issued in 2017, before the Aug. 21 total solar eclipse that year. In 2017, the Federal Emergency Management Agency warned of "gridlocked traffic conditions," "travelers stopped on roadways," "distracted driving during the event," and "limited cell phone service" or "limited gasoline availability" because of the large gatherings along the path of totality. News organizations at the time reported possible phone service outages because crowds might overtax networks, not because the eclipse would affect phone service. In 2017 and now, suggestions to buy food and fuel early focused on complications from large crowds not from the rare solar event itself. For people living outside the path of totality, we did not find similar eclipse guidance then or now. PolitiFact's ruling A Facebook reels text said emergency officials warn to "stock up on food, water, and fuel ahead of the eclipse." The reels lack of specificity could have had people thinking that national emergency management officials were warning the April eclipse might cause complications on its own. We found that some local and state officials are encouraging people living along the eclipses path of totality to brace for complications caused by crowds of out-of-town eclipse viewers. The posts claim is partially accurate, but it omits important details. We rate it Half True. PolitiFact Researcher Caryn Baird contributed to this report. Our sources This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: PolitiFact: Inaccurate social media posts spread panic about April eclipse India's main opposition Congress party has accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government of using the tax department to starve them of finances ahead of elections starting next month. Congress leader Sonia Gandhi said they had made "a systematic effort to cripple the party financially". The party said freezing its accounts, which have 2.1bn rupees ($25m; 20m), was "unprecedented and undemocratic". The BJP is yet to respond to the allegations. Congress made the accusations on Thursday at a press conference attended by party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, top leaders Sonia and Rahul Gandhi and treasurer Ajay Maken. India's general election will take place in seven phases over April and May. Opinion polls predict a win for Mr Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies, which is eyeing a record consecutive third term in power. Last month, the Congress said its bank accounts had been frozen by the income tax (IT) department. On Thursday, Mr Maken said 11 party accounts were frozen and the 2.1bn rupees in them was put under lien - which means that they cannot be withdrawn or transferred. "This is not the freezing of the India National Congress' bank accounts," Mr Gandhi said. "This is the freezing of Indian democracy." Mr Maken said the "unprecedented action" was because the tax authorities were owed 1.4m rupees. "All political parties are exempt from income tax. Then why is only the Congress being penalised?" he asked. In a statement to the BBC, the income tax department declined to disclose details regarding the Congress party's bank account. It, however, said the decision to impose lien had been upheld by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal and the Delhi High Court. Mrs Gandhi said the party was unable to access the funds it had collected from the public and its workers. "Money from our accounts is being taken away forcibly," she said. These actions were affecting the level-playing field necessary to hold the 2024 general elections, Mr Kharge said, adding that it amounted to destroying democracy in India. "We are unable to spend money on our election campaign, on advertisements and publicity, and to pay our party workers and to print campaign materials," he said. "There are institutions in the country that are supposed to protect the democratic framework," Mr Gandhi said. "However, no court is saying anything. The Election Commission is silent, no other institution is speaking out, and the media is not addressing the issue." Congress party leaders also pointed out that their party was being crippled financially at a time when it had just been revealed that the BJP had benefited "hugely" from the now-illegal electoral bonds scheme. Mr Modi's government launched electoral bonds in 2018 saying it would make political funding more transparent. But the scheme allowed people and companies to donate money to parties anonymously. Last month, India's Supreme Court banned the scheme, calling it "unconstitutional", and ordered the Election Commission to disclose donation details to the public. This data showed that the ruling BJP was the biggest beneficiary of the scheme, securing almost half of the bonds worth 120bn rupees donated between 2018 and 2024. Read more India stories from the BBC: On the morning of Thursday, March 21, during a large-scale Russian missile attack, powerful explosions were heard in Kyiv and nearby in the region. Air defense forces worked to destroy the enemy targets, but the falling debris caused damage and injuries. ADVERTISIMENT In particular, a kindergarten, houses, non-residential buildings, and cars were hit in three districts of the capital. This was reported by Mayor Vitali Klitschko and the Kyiv City Military Administration, who urged citizens to take shelter. Consequences of the Russian attack on Kyiv According to the Kyiv City Military Administration and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, a flat in the Shevchenkivsky district of Kyiv burned down as a result of a Russian missile attack: - an apartment in a six-story building in the Shevchenkivsky district was on fire, and 15 residents were evacuated. At other addresses, windows of a high-rise building were damaged and several cars were destroyed by fire. A part of a missile was found, and pyrotechnic crews were engaged to neutralize it; ADVERTISIMENT - In Svyatoshynsky district, the glazing of windows in two nine-story buildings and a preschool building were damaged, and cars were also burning; - in Podilsky district, debris fell on the roof of a residential building, causing a fire and significant damage, and a transformer substation and warehouse buildings were also destroyed. "All emergency services are working on the ground. The information is being updated and clarified," said Serhiy Popko, head of the KCMA. ADVERTISIMENT The mayor of Kyiv reported ten people injured : six in Shevchenkivsky district and four in Sviatoshynsky district. Two people were hospitalized, the rest were treated on the spot. It is known that among the injured are an 11-year-old girl and a 38-year-old man. Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko also noted that 10 people, including a child, were injured in the capital as a result of the enemy shelling. 79 people were evacuated. Rescuers, police, and psychologists are working on the ground. ADVERTISIMENT Under the procedural supervision of the Kyiv Regional Prosecutor's Office, a pre-trial investigation has been initiated in criminal proceedings on violation of the laws and customs of war (Part 1 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). The department added that prosecutors, investigators and expert services continue to record all the consequences of another attack by the aggressor country of Russia. ADVERTISIMENT "Two people received shrapnel wounds to the limbs and face. Information about the victims is being clarified. The fragments of enemy air targets in several districts of the region damaged private houses, outbuildings, and vehicles. Fires broke out at the sites of the impacts, which were localized by the State Emergency Service," the statement said. What is known about the Russian missile attack It should be noted that the air alert covered all regions of the country from 03:30 on Thursday. The enemy was warned about the launch of cruise missiles, Kh-59 and aerial ballistic Kh-47M2 "Kinzhal". In Kyiv and the region, explosions began to be heard at 05:00, and air defense was reported to be operating. ADVERTISIMENT The Ukrainian Air Force added that the aggressor had repeatedly launched "Kinzhals" in the direction of Kyiv. At 06:10, a large-scale air alert was announced. According to the head of the KCMA, the enemy launched another missile attack on Kyiv after a pause of 44 days, this time launching Kh-101/Kh-555/Kh-55 cruise missiles from aircraft and ballistic missiles from the territory of the Russian Federation. The alert in the capital region lasted almost three hours. During the enemy attack, the air defense forces neutralized about three dozen missiles over Kyiv and on the approach to the city, including ballistic missiles. ADVERTISIMENT The Ukrainian Air Force clarified that the defenders of the sky shot down all the missiles: two Iskander-M (KN-23)/Kh-47M2 Kinzhal aerial ballistic missiles, as well as 29 Kh-101/Kh-555 cruise missiles. As reported by OBOZ.UA, on the evening of March 17, when the enemy attacked Ukraine with kamikaze drones, air defense was activated in the Kyiv region. That time, the defenders of the sky shot down 17 out of 22 Shaheds in nine regions. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! After years of conflict over attempts to add anchorages for barges in the Hudson, Congress is on track to pass legislation that would effectively ban additional anchorages in the river. A legislative fix was sought last year after the U.S. Coast Guard took a step that could have cleared the way for a seemingly unlimited number of barges to pop up in the river from below the Tappan Zee to the Port of Albany. The Hudson River Protection Act passed the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on Wednesday as part of the Coast Guard Reauthorization Act. Never again will big corporations be able to turn our Hudson River into a parking lot for dangerous barges," said U.S. Rep. Pat Ryan, a Democrat who represents the 18th District. "This victory proves that when our community stands up with one voice to demand change, we can accomplish anything. The Port Ewen water treatment plant on the Hudson River in Port Ewen, just south of Kingston, Oct. 25, 2023. This area would be affected by the Coast Guard's decision to redefine the restricted "Port of New York" region for the placement of anchorages for barges in the Hudson. This plan was fought and legislated against earlier. Ryan crafted the legislation. Republican Reps. Marc Molinaro of the 19th District and Mike Lawler of the 17th District are co-sponsors. Passing any legislation is tough in a gridlocked Congress, Ryan said. But because the bill is part of the larger reauthorization, its now on track to pass the House and then get passed in the Senate. The impacted stretch of the fragile estuary houses endangered species and supplies water for seven mid-Hudson municipalities home to more than 100,000 people. The Rondout Lighthouse on the Hudson River in Kingston Oct. 25, 2023. This area would be affected by the Coast Guard's decision to redefine the restricted "Port of New York" region for the placement of anchorages for barges in the Hudson. This plan was fought and legislated against earlier. This critical legislation will protect the inspirational beauty, health, and safety of the Hudson and communities along the river, said Ned Sullivan, President of Scenic Hudson. We remain committed to working with our Congressional delegation and Riverkeeper to safeguard the Hudson Valley's drinking water, wildlife, and people now and for generations to come." Past expansion attempts stalled Back in 2016, the U.S. Coast Guard cleared the way for 10 new fixed anchorage sites from Yonkers to Kingston. Local communities rallied against it. The Coast Guard tabled the plan in 2019. Hudson: How a Coast Guard move could allow barges to anchor in the river after all Then in July 2023, the Coast Guard issued a Marine Safety Information Bulletin asserting that earlier anchorage limitations didnt apply to the Hudson Valley. In an unexpected move, the memo re-examined the boundaries of the Port of New York and New Jersey, deciding the area where barges could not be added stopped around Irvington on the east bank of the river and Piermont to the west. The regulatory area had previously stretched to around the busy ports of Albany and Coeymans. Amid public and political outcry, the Coast Guard in November 2023 tabled the expansion while it did more research. With the passage the Hudson River Protection Act, the additional anchorage ban would become permanent. Lawler said the regulation would help preserve the natural beauty of Hudson Valley communities. Im going to continue working with my Hudson Valley neighbors and colleagues Pat Ryan and Marc Molinaro to make sure our crucial legislation becomes law. Nancy Cutler writes about People & Policy for lohud.com and the USA Today Network New York. Email her at ncutler@lohud.com; follow her on Twitter (X), Instagram and Threads at @nancyrockland. This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Hudson River barge ban legislation takes key step Congress (Bloomberg) -- Congressional leaders released details of a $1.2 trillion deal to keep open most US government agencies through Sept. 30, acting just days before a Saturday deadline for a partial government shutdown. Most Read from Bloomberg The House will vote on the package on Friday, according to a person familiar with the timing. Defense spending would rise more than 3% to $886 billion under the agreement while domestic spending remains largely flat. Border and immigration agencies would see a funding boost. The package, backed by President Joe Biden and leaders of both parties, imposes a 6% funding cut on the State Department and foreign operations and bans US embassies from flying LGBTQ Pride flags or other non-US official flags. Many US embassies have displayed the rainbow-themed flag during LGBTQ Pride month in June and on other occasions. Republicans fell far short of the 22% domestic spending cut demanded by hardliners. Congressional approval of the leaders deal is virtually assured, though opponents could use procedural maneuvers to delay passage, possibly forcing a brief US government shutdown beginning Saturday. A short weekend lapse wouldnt likely have significant impact on the US economy or financial markets. Read: How Looming US Government Shutdowns Became Routine: QuickTake House Speaker Mike Johnson promoted what he portrayed as conservative victories in the agreement at a closed-door meeting with Republican lawmakers Wednesday morning, according to a person familiar with the presentation. Johnson pointed to funding to expand migration detention beds from 34,000 to 42,000 and provide for 22,000 border patrol agents. While these changes are welcome, only a significant reversal in policy by the president to enforce the law can ultimately secure our border, Johnson said in a statement. Republican leaders also cited rejection of a Biden request to increase Pentagon climate funding. The defense increase allows for a 5.2% pay raise for US troops, the largest in decades. Democrats said they fended off hundreds of policy demands from Republicans including new restrictions on abortion and migrants asylum rights. Democrats claimed as victories 12,000 new visas for Afghans who helped the US during the Afghanistan War and a $1 billion increase for child care and Head Start pre-school programs. Democrats also secured increases to funding for low-income schools, cancer research and Alzheimers research and a one-year extension of international HIV/AIDS prevention efforts. Read: Pentagons $850 Billion Plan Would Tap Stockpiles for Taiwan These are not the bills Democrats would have written on our own they are the result of very tough negotiations, Senate Appropriations Chair Patty Murray, a Washington Democrat, told reporters. The spending bill funds roughly three-quarters of US agency budgets, including the departments of Treasury, Defense and Homeland Security, as well as the Securities and Exchange Commission, for the remainder of the federal fiscal year. Congress approved funding for the other agencies earlier this month. Among other key provisions, it doubles security funding for Taiwan, prohibits any effort to ban gas stoves in the US, claws back $20 billion in funding for tax collection from Bidens signature inflation law and continues a longstanding freeze on lawmaker pay. The bill provides $200 million for a new FBI headquarters in suburban Maryland despite GOP attempts to kill the project. The bill blocks all taxpayer funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency in Gaza, as well as automatic pay raises for members of Congress. Leaders of the ultra-conservative House Freedom Caucus oppose the legislation and have been pressing to delay a vote on the measure past the shutdown deadline to give lawmakers time to read the giant bill. (Adds details on timing in second paragraph) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Lawmakers want to hear more from the Department of the Air Force about its plans for its biggest reorganization in decades. The department in February announced a sweeping shake-up of the Air Force and Space Force to better prepare them for a potential conflict with China, which the department calls a reoptimization for great power competition. The changes would include the creation of an Integrated Capabilities Command, led by a three-star general, which would take charge of identifying the Air Forces future requirements. The Air Force would also revamp some existing organizations such as Air Combat Command as well as Air Education and Training Command; shift how airmen, units and equipment deploy; and improve training. But in a summary of the compromise version of the fiscal 2024 Defense Appropriations Act, publicly released Thursday, lawmakers said the Air Force hasnt thoroughly explained why the reorganization is necessary, how the service would implement it and what budget is required. Lawmakers say they need such information to properly assess the departments plans. The bill would require Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall to explain any organizational changes to congressional defense committees, 30 days before they go into effect. Lawmakers would also want Kendall to explain how such a change would differ from the existing structure; a breakdown of the phases of the reorganization; what each phase would cost; a description of the new offices, commands or centers it would require; how this would affect service members and civilian employees; and the programmatic effects of the planned change. When asked for comment, the Air Force said it plans to keep lawmakers informed about its reorganization. As the Department of the Air Force develops implementation plans, leaders will continue to share information with congressional staffs, Air Force spokeswoman Ann Stefanek said in an email to Defense News. The Government Accountability Office would also have send the House and Senate defense appropriations subcommittees a report within six months on the Air Forces planned reorganization. This report would have to detail factors and analysis the service considered for the revamp, what feedback combatant commanders offered, how much it might cost, how long it might take to put into place and how the reorganization might be deemed a success. GAO would also have to describe how recommendations from the Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution Commission were taken into account, and how the reorganization might affect joint and coalition forces. Kendall told reporters at a budget briefing earlier this month that the revamp would likely not cost a great deal of money. What were talking about with the re-optimization is creating some new organizations, but they will be created out of pieces that we already have, Kendall said. Were not talking about big manpower increases, and were going to minimize, [to] the extent we can, the movement of people ... the acquisition of real estate, and so on. The first thing many people see when they drive into Livingston County from metro Detroit is a large billboard with the American flag and an eagle staring proudly down at them. Its easy to assume that this image sums up politics in the county, but the reality is more complicated. The political attitudes in Livingston County seem unambiguous in the 2020 presidential election 61% of people voted for President Donald Trump, who won in all townships. But beneath the surface-level numbers, a geographic split materializes regarding just how conservative these communities really are. In Conway Township, located in the northwest, Trump won 72% of the vote, while in the city of Brighton, in the countys southeast, the vote was nearly even with 49.5% of voters supporting Trump and 48.7% for Joe Biden. This division is also visible in certain social and demographic patterns. Originally consisting primarily of small villages and rural areas with family farms, in recent decades the countys southeastern area has seen an influx of people settling and commuting to the urban and suburban areas of metro Detroit. Its now a comparatively wealthy area, with a median household income of $96,135 compared with Michigans $68,505. Charlie John, of 4 Tech Signs, works to install a new sign at the Brighton Yoga Center in Brighton on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. Steve MacDarmaid, 51, a financial adviser at Edward Jones, moved to Brighton with his parents in 1976. "There are vast differences between Brighton, Howell and Fowlerville," he said. Although Brighton and Howell are melting pots that host a wide range of people, he says he believes that the county is both deeply Republican and conservative. "They don't want Joe Biden to be president. Although I don't know how much they actually want Trump," MacDarmaid said. Steve Horton, 72, owns a local paper in the rural northwestern corner. Born on a dairy farm near Fowlerville, he has seen many changes. "Most people migrated from western Detroit or Livonia to get away from development in the 1960s or '70s," he said. Some moved to avoid school desegregation, others to find affordable housing. "The farther west you go, the more traditional the people are, and the more Trump flags you see." Horton said that local attitudes are driven primarily by national issues. People here are polarized because of what they read online. "Politics isn't local anymore," Horton said. George Moses, 81, grew up in Detroit but has lived in Livingston County since 1966. He owns the Marketeer, a local marketing publication in its 50th year. He appreciates the scenic beauty of the area. An avid bicyclist, he meets friends a few times a week at sunrise to complete a 10-mile loop around Kent Lake in Kensington Metropark in neighboring Oakland County before heading to work. Its a privilege to get up in the morning and drive less than 10 minutes, he said. Its a whole different world as the sun is coming up over the lake. George Moses, 81, owner of The Marketeer, sits in his wife's office in Brighton on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. Moses has owned the local marketing publication for 50 years. Regarding this years election, he said, I just want to make sure every vote counts. He said he had concerns about people voting in 2020 who shouldnt have because of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Note: a 2021 report by a Republican-led Michigan state Senate committee found no evidence of widespread voter fraud.) But, he added, Im pretty excited about this year, I think things are going to be a lot better. George Moses son, Ray Moses, 56, is a farmer who sells grass-fed beef and hay in the countys southeastern area. Most of the political issues in the county are pretty much local, Ray Moses said. In this county, you can call your government officials and have interactions with them and get responses, he said, adding that in adjacent Oakland County its more difficult to get local officials attention. Ray Moses says hes concerned about urban sprawl he feels his farm is on borrowed time. I rent all the acreage I farm, he said. Ill have a nice hay field and somebody buys it and puts a huge house right in the middle. Ray Moses, 56, a beef cattle farmer, rips the rope wrapping around a large hay bale before feeding his brood cows early in the morning on his Livingston County farm on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. Conservative values run deep here. All nine members of the countys Board of Commissioners are Republican. In the 2023 State of the County address then-board Chair Dave Domas expressed pride in its strong business sector, the wonderful schools and the Constitutional County designation by the board. However, Judy Daubenmier, 74, the county Democratic Party chair, says that people from elsewhere see us as a lot more red than we are. Daubenmier, a resident of the county since the late 1980s, loves living on a lake. She and her husband are retired and have no family nearby. They stayed because Michigan summers are beautiful. Livingston County Democratic Party Chair Judy Daubenmier talks about President Joe Biden's visit to Howell on Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021. But she expresses concern about the lack of affordable housing. Two-thirds of people commute to a different county. Its hard to live here if you have a job in the county, the cost of housing is too high." Sara Thomas, 64, is a longtime resident whose grandparents had a farm in the southwest corner of the county. She grew up in Detroit but has lived here since the mid-1980s and works in conservation. Thomas said shes worried about recent proposals to build solar farms in the area. I think solar panels are great, she said. But they should be on warehouses or brownfields, not farm fields. However, Thomas noted that for farmers their land is their retirement, as they get older its a good way for them to make money for retirement. She sees a division of opinions about the solar farms. Some in the farming community are very happy with that opportunity," she said, "and others arent especially maybe residents who are nonfarming. Despite the political differences, many residents appreciate the small-town feeling and the community pulling together when it counts. A bronze statue of World War II veteran and professional photographer Duane Zemper is dressed in a winter hat and scarf outside the Howell Carnegie District Library on Feb. 6, 2024. Paul Harmon, a Realtor in Fowlerville, describes the community as comfortable. "There's nothing crazy going on." With good schools and a low crime rate, people have little to worry about. "People know each other," he said. "Families rally behind each other here." George Moses also appreciates the pride in the community. There is a lot of volunteerism here. Its a great community feeling. People just come out of the woodwork to help. This article is part of a collaboration between The Free Press, an MSU course and the American Communities Project to tell the stories of voters, their experiences, and their political motivations in communities across Michigan. Connect with us at votervoices@freepress.com. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: In conservative Livingston County, suburbia and Trump country collide A photo of a large group of Muslims praying in an open square in central Athens in 2010 was shared on social networks in March 2024 to promote anti-migrant and anti-Muslim statements. The posts omit to say that the photograph was taken more than a dozen years ago, before the city's first mosque opened in 2020. An online search finds no reports of similar mass prayers being held in this part of Athens in early 2024. "Islamic caliphate of Athens! Kotzia Square - City Hall! Turgut Ozal has finally succeeded!!!!" writes a Facebook post from March 10, 2024 that was shared over 370 times. It includes a photo of a crowd of men praying in Kotzia Square. The post seems to be referring to alleged statements attributed to former Turkish prime minister and president between the 1980s and 1990s that Greece would be overcome by a wave of Muslim immigration. However, it has not been proven that Turgut Ozal ever made such remarks, as the fact-checking media Ellinika Hoaxes writes. This Facebook post shares the same photo with another from March 2024 of a pink Greek flag projected onto the Athens City Hall near Kotzias Square. "WITHIN 24 HOURS... Kotzia Square Athens City Hall. The politicians and their unseen principals pretend not to see and not to hear," the post says. The pink flag was displayed on International Women's Day on March 8, 2024. Screenshots of the misleading Facebook post and article. Images captured on 20/03/2024 Online articles, such as here and here, share a post on X, from March 9, 2024 which states: "ND (New Democracy) said that it will allow them to build a mosque because they pray in illegal places of worship. Finally, they built a big mosque, and they did not close the illegal ones, and they pray in the squares." There are several comments to these posts, many expressing disagreement with public prayers, and also expressing anti-Muslim and anti-migrant sentiment. However, some do point out that the photo of the prayers is old. One post was retweeted by Thanos Tzimeros, founder of the far-right political anti-immigration party "Dimiourgheia, Ksana!" (Creation, again!) which is expected to announce candidates for the European elections in June 2024. However, this photo is shared out of its original context. While it does show a mass prayer by Muslim worshippers, it dates back to 2010 before the Athens mosque was opened in 2020. A mass prayer in 2010 in Athens A reverse image search found the same photo in a 2019 article from a blog called "Equal Society". It includes several photos of mass prayers in Athens. Some of these photos contain dates. The file title of this particular photo reads "2010-1-1024", an indication of the location and date it was taken. An advanced online search using the keywords "mass prayer + Kotzia Square" revealed several Greek media articles, such as here and here, dated September 9 and 10, 2010. They report on a mass prayer of Muslims in Kotzia Square, in front of Athens Town Hall for Eid al-Fitr, the three-day festival marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. One of these articles, from the online media Newsbeast, displays a screenshot of a TV broadcast from the time, showing the same mass of worshippers praying in the square. A closer look at this screenshot reveals the same people visible in the photo shared on social networks, as shown in the image comparison below. Comparison of screenshots between the image published on Newsbeast and the image shared on social networks. The yellow, red and orange squares were added by AFP. Images captured on 20/03/2024 Three men can be seen in the two images: the first, framed in yellow, is wearing a pink-purple T-shirt; the second, framed in red, is wearing a checked shirt; and the third, framed in orange, is wearing a black T-shirt. An online search for a Muslim mass prayer during February and March 2024 in Athens yielded no results. An AFP photographer also covered this event on September 9, 2010, as shown in the AFP photo below. Muslim immigrants living in Athens attend morning prayers at a central Athens square on September 10, 2010 LOUISA GOULIAMAKI AFP The photo caption reads in English: "Muslim immigrants living in Athens attend morning prayers at a central Athens square on September 10, 2010. Muslims across the world are celebrating the first day of Eid al-Fitr, the three-day holiday that marks the end of the month of fasting, Ramadan." This mass prayer took place at a time when the Greek capital did not yet have a mosque. Greece's first state-approved mosque opened in November 2020, after a delay of more than 10 years. The project was launched in 2007. AFP has in the past verified misleading claims about migrants or Muslims, such as a video purporting to show a Muslim immigrant man urinating on pork in a Dutch supermarket, or misleading reports that migrants were behind the forest fires that devastated northern Greece in the summer of 2023. Photo by iStock / Getty Images Plus As Womens History Month heralds our strides in womens rights, its juxtaposed with the present-day challenges that cast a shadow over these achievements. The onslaught of restrictive measures by far-right courts exemplified by the Alabama Supreme Courts IVF ruling and looming legislation aimed at banning essential contraceptives like IUDs and Plan B poses a grave national threat. These measures undermine not just womens rights, but the operational readiness of our military, where the right to contraception is a linchpin of medical and combat preparedness. The Department of Defenses 2022 report highlights a stark reality: 8,942 reported sexual assaults, a slight increase from the previous year. This statistic underscores a crucial but often overlooked aspect of military readiness the well-being and autonomy of our service members, particularly women, who constitute 17.3% of the active-duty force. My personal journey through two decades in the Marine Corps punctuates this issue. As a young U.S. Marine lance corporal, I encountered a nightmare I never could have imagined. The assault came from my platoon sergeant, a figure of authority and trust, and it shattered my foundational sense of safety within the ranks. Reporting the incident required every ounce of courage I had, only to be met with a barrage of shaming and disbelief. My assailant denied everything, leaving me isolated within a system I believed would protect me. The legal process that ensued was grueling. My assailant was eventually found guilty and separated from the Marine Corps, but the toll on me was unforgettable. I consider myself fortunate, in a sense, to have immediate access to emergency contraception and medical care, which played a crucial role in my physical recovery. But the scars were more profound than the bruises and tearing that my body endured. My resolve to protect others from similar fates led me to mentor young female Marines, cautioning them of the dangers within the ranks. This commitment followed me throughout my career, influencing my role as a drill instructor and advocacy for reproductive health as an essential element to operational readiness. Even while deployed to combat zones like Iraq and Afghanistan, I took on the role of Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Staff Non-Commissioned Officer. Years later, as a senior and established leader in the Marine Corps, I thought I was safe. I was wrong. It happened again, underscoring the threat and the importance of emergency contraception in safeguarding my autonomy and well-being. My departure from the military after two decades was a complex decision, shaped by my experiences of sexual assault, the sacrifices Id made and the birth of my son. It marked the end of a chapter defined by service and survival. The personal battles I faced highlight not just individual hardships but systemic neglect impacting servicewomen across the board. This reality becomes even starker with the Dobbs decision exacerbating existing barriers, severely restricting access to necessary reproductive services for 40% of active-duty servicewomen. The campaign against reproductive freedoms and contraception by MAGA Republicans, marked by misinformation and vehement opposition to protective legislation, highlights a profound disconnect with societal demands. This is particularly true in states like Arizona, where extremist right-wing lawmakers blocked the advancement of the Right to Contraception Act legislation favored by 81% of the public to protect the right to contraception amidst growing threats. Our states GOP Senate Majority Leader Sonny Borrelli, himself a retired Marine, trivialized the issue by suggesting women could just put aspirin between the knees as a form of birth control. House and Senate Republicans have since used their rules to block a vote or even a debate on the bill to enshrine the right to contraceptives in Arizona law. Such obstructive and similar dismissive actions not only disrespect women and the publics overwhelming support for the right to contraception, but they also neglect the universal importance of reproductive health care. What right-wing extremists fail to recognize is that reproductive health care and the right to contraception transcend partisanship and resonate equally with various genders, ages, and racial groups. The right to contraception is foundational not only for individual health and autonomy, but also for our militarys operational readiness. It enables service members to manage family planning, maintain readiness and recover from sexual assault trauma. Through my advocacy and mentoring of young female Marines, Ive seen firsthand the difference that accessible, comprehensive reproductive health care can make. Its time for policymakers to also recognize the paramount importance of safeguarding our reproductive freedoms and right to contraception as an essential component of our national defense. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Contraception access is important to all women. And its vital to military readiness. appeared first on Arizona Mirror. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A convicted pimp who was expected to spend the rest of his life in prison is now a free man. Raymond Sharpe, 59, originally received 18 convictions after he was accused of being a violent pimp. All of those convictions were vacated in February after Sharpe agreed to a new deal that reduced the charges to three felonies. I spent almost 13 years for something I didnt do, Sharpe said in an exclusive interview with the 8 News Now Investigators. Its crazy. A jury in Clark County found Sharpe guilty of 13 charges in 2011. He was sentenced to life with the possibility of parole after 10 years for all of the counts. However, eleven of the counts were to run concurrently, while two were to run consecutively. Raymond Sharpe, 59, originally received 18 convictions after he was accused of being a violent pimp. All of those convictions were vacated in February after Sharpe agreed to a new deal that reduced the charges to three felonies. (KLAS) The charges included coercion, first-degree kidnapping with use of a deadly weapon, battery constituting domestic violence resulting in substantial bodily harm, battery constituting domestic violence with use of a deadly weapon resulting in substantial bodily harm, burglary, living with a prostitute, living from the earnings of a prostitute, pandering with force, assault with use of a deadly weapon, operate premises to alter, destroy or disassemble motor vehicles, possession of stolen vehicle, possession of stolen property, and deface, destroy or alter identification number or mark. In 2013, Sharpe was convicted of five additional charges of possession of a firearm by an ex-felon. He entered an Alford plea on Feb. 15 for three felony charges including possession of a firearm by an ex-felon, second-degree kidnapping, and coercion with force. The aggregate total sentence was eight to 20 years in the Nevada Department of Corrections, according to court documents. Sharpe received credit for 4,596 days already served and was released from prison on Feb. 27. Clark County District Court Judge Crystal Eller vacated Sharpes original 18 convictions on Feb. 22. Sharpe told the 8 News Now Investigations he was not satisfied with the deal because he wanted more problems with his criminal case to be exposed. I was being released on their terms and not the way it should have been, Sharpe said. He fought his case from prison and told the 8 News Now Investigators he frequently went to the prisons library to educate himself about the law. In court filings, Sharpes attorneys pointed to ineffective counsel during his 2011 jury trial. He was represented by Steve Stein who has since passed away. Sharpe claimed there was faulty evidence in the case against him, the jury trial should never have happened four days after a grand jury indicted him for an additional four charges, and that text messages between the lead detective and victim in the case should have been exposed. In text messages to Alisha Grundy, Las Vegas Metro Police Detective Chris Baughman referred to her as honey, angel, princess, sweetheart, babe and beautiful. He also texted her a link to a song as he referred to it as our song. Baughman texted Grundy I love you, and said he missed her and asked when he could see her. In an exclusive interview with the 8 News Now Investigators, Alisha Grundy said she believes Baughman was hitting on her but she played along to manipulate him. I learned from Sharpe, manipulation, Grundy said. In text messages to Alisha Grundy, Las Vegas Metro Police Detective Chris Baughman referred to her as honey, angel, princess, sweetheart, babe and beautiful. He also texted her a link to a song as he referred to it as our song. Baughman texted Grundy I love you, and said he missed her and asked when he could see her. (KLAS) It was Grundy who turned over the text messages to help Sharpe. Grundy had recanted her original story and wrote Sharpe letters apologizing to him. Now she points to Stockholm Syndrome, which is a coping mechanism to a captive or abusive situation, according to the Cleveland Clinic. You feel sorry for the person thats abused you and you try to protect them, Grundy said. Im thinking oh this guy is gonna get out and hes really gonna kill me this time. Grundy said she was concerned she would never see her son again. Sharpe is the father of her son. Once Grundy believed Sharpe exhausted his appeals, she said she began to publicly share her story about what unfolded on July 2, 2011, which led to Sharpes arrest. In an exclusive interview with the 8 News Now Investigators, Alisha Grundy said she believes Las Vegas Metro Police Detective Chris Baughman was hitting on her but she played along to manipulate him. (KLAS) He pistol-whipped me and he beat me for about 20 minutes up and down the stairs. I pretended like he knocked me out, Grundy said. Heard him like loading guns and so I jumped up and ran out of the house with just my underwear on. Sharpe denied the allegations. Did I kick her? Yes, I kicked her, Sharpe said. Was that for a life sentence? No. Sharpe was previously convicted of three felonies in California including assault with a deadly weapon in 1983, pimping in 1989, and unlawful sex with a minor in 1992. All three I did, Sharpe told the 8 News Now Investigators. If I did something Ill tell you. Yes, I did. Sharpes case is not the first sex trafficking case that appeared to unravel. In 2016, 8 News Now Chief Investigator George Knapp reported about an FBI investigation into Las Vegas Metros vice unit. That same year, Arman Izadi who had been accused of running a prostitution ring and faced 20 felony charges and a potential life sentence was offered a plea deal resulting in one count of pandering. In 2020, convicted pimp Ocean Fleming who was serving a potential life sentence since 2012 was released from prison. It appeared Baughman had also worked on their cases. Baughman later married the prosecutor who handled sex trafficking cases, Liz Mercer. For Sharpes appeal, special prosecutor Joshua Tomsheck was appointed. Tomsheck declined to comment on the case. The 8 News Now Investigators also made attempts to reach Baughman and Mercer. Mercer remains a prosecutor. Baughman no longer works at Metro. Its corruption to the highest and they need to be held accountable for it, Sharpe said. Grundy told the 8 News Now Investigators she was never officially notified about Sharpes release. Marsys Law which passed in Nevada in 2018 is aimed at protecting victims. It requires notification about postconviction proceedings, but the notification is upon request. How could I reach out to them when he was supposed to be serving his next life sentence in 2086? Grundy asked. Like I didnt think I had to. Grundy said after Sharpe sued her from prison, she countersued and was awarded a $2.5 million judgment plus property previously owned by Sharpe and another $24.5 million which she believes she will never see. She said the case is the first of its kind as a victim of sex trafficking successfully won a civil case against their pimp. Grundy said that she fears that Sharpe will seek revenge, while Sharpe insists he is not dangerous. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. Tonight features mostly clear skies and its a COLD night on the way with temperatures dropping into the low to mid 20s. With a breeze switching to coming out of the north that will weaken but still persist overnight, wind chill values will drop into the teens and single digits definitely a night to bring any plant you happen to have outside inside. Gusts up to 25 mph are still possible. Thursday features more sunshine but with an area of high pressure moving into the Great Lakes from Canada, well pick up a northwest breeze. That breeze will push temperatures down into the mid to upper 40s for highs, so its a colder day but at least the wind wont be quite as bad, with wind gusts no higher than 15 mph expected. With very dry conditions still in place, please do not burn period until this weekend. Clouds will begin to populate late in the day, with partly cloudy skies expected overnight as signs from our next approaching system begin to show. The clouds and a southeast breeze will keep temperatures from falling quite as much, with lows around freezing. Friday brings rain showers back to the region, especially for the afternoon, as a trough crosses. Although a good setup for cold air damming is expected with high pressure to our northeast over Canada, temperatures even in the highest mountain spots should remain just warm enough for showers to remain as rain, however highs on the eastern side of the mountains will struggle to reach into the 40s. For the lowlands, we wont be affected by cold air damming, with highs making a run deep into the 50s a few 60s in our western counties is a good bet! We will see a big variety in temperatures for highs, ranging from near 60 in the lowlands down to the low to mid 40s in the highlands. Showers will continue into the overnight hours, with lows around 40. Saturday keeps rain showers likely through the morning in what will begin as a dreary, gloomy and cold day with a northwest breeze in place. Rain shower chances will become more isolated in the afternoon, though a sprinkle or two cant still be ruled out. High temperatures will be in the upper 40s in the lowlands and low 40s in the mountains but with a northwest breeze that could gust to 25 mph, wind chill values in the 30s will make for a chilly afternoon. Sunday brings mostly sunny skies into the region with high pressure overhead shifting to our east by the afternoon, which will warm us up as a return flow shapes with a southwest breeze. This will push high temperatures into the upper 50s with hardly a cloud in the sky. At least the wind will relax! Monday provides mostly sunny skies once again and high temperatures pushing into the 60s its going to feel great outside! Our next system will begin to approach late in the day, with clouds on the increase and showers will then be likely heading into the next day. Tuesday sees mostly cloudy skies and a few showers by the afternoon. Rain chances will be greatest overnight into Wednesday, with high temperatures warm once again with a stout southerly breeze around 60 degrees. Wednesday continues the mild but unsettled pattern, with a few showers continuing. Showers will be less numerous and high temperatures will make a run once again at 60 degrees. Looking ahead in your extended forecast, well see rain showers on Thursday with a coastal low riding up the east coast providing ample chances for showers. High temperatures will be seasonal Thursday in the 50s. High pressure returns on Friday with highs back up into the 60s under mostly sunny skies with more chances for rain arriving on Saturday. Well see high temperatures dip back into the 50s as a result. 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 in spring forest fire season in West Virginia this means dont burn between 7 AM and 5 PM through May 31st. 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! In Virginia, the spring fire season continues through April 30th dont burn before 4 PM. TONIGHT Mostly clear, breezy & cold! Lows in the low 20s with wind chill values in the teens and single digits. THURSDAY Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid to upper 40s. Not nearly as breezy! FRIDAY Rain showers likely by the late afternoon. Quite a variance in temperature, with highs in the upper 50s in the lowlands but only in the low to mid 40s in the highlands. SATURDAY Gloomy start with showers likely. Afternoon clearing. Highs in the upper 40s. SUNDAY Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 50s. MONDAY Mostly sunny. Highs in the low to mid 60s. TUESDAY Rain showers likely, especially for the afternoon. Highs near 60. WEDNESDAY Showers likely once again. Highs near 60. THURSDAY Rain likely. Highs in the 50s. GOOD FRIDAY Sunny. Highs in the 50s. SATURDAY Rain chances return. Highs in the 50s. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS. A state corrections officer who worked at the the former Ventura Youth Correctional Facility near Camarillo, shown in 2020, allegedly abused a 15-year-old girl housed at the facility, prosecutors say. A state correctional officer has been charged with nine felony counts for alleged sexual abuse of a 15-year-old girl who was incarcerated at the former Ventura Youth Correctional Facility outside Camarillo, authorities said Wednesday. The officer reportedly supervised minors at the site, including the victim. The facility was previously part of the state Division of Juvenile Justice. Azzan Sandhu, 28, of Fullerton, is charged with seven counts of committing a lewd act on a child, one count of using a child for the creation of child sexual abuse material and one count of communicating with a minor with the intent to commit a sex offense, the Ventura County District Attorney's Office said in a news release. Each count has a special allegation that Sandhu took advantage of a position of trust or confidence. Such allegations can impact sentencing if a defendant is convicted. On Wednesday, Sandhu pleaded not guilty to all charges and denied the special allegations. Sandhu allegedly committed the acts between December 2022 and February 2023 while employed as a peace officer by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. He supervised minors housed at the Camarillo facility, prosecutors said. A spokesman for the District Attorney's office didn't immediately know the defendant's employment status with the state agency. The DA's office said Sandhu used his cell phone to make child sexual abuse material, or CSAM, involving the victim. The facility at 3100 Wright Road outside Camarillo closed on June 30 as the state phased out its youth prison system and shuttered the Division of Juvenile Justice. Youths housed at such facilities were transferred to county care. Sandhu will appear in Ventura County Superior Court on Friday for bail review and on April 25 for an early disposition conference. He was released on a $1 million bail from Ventura County's main jail Wednesday evening, jail records show. This story may be updated. Brian J. Varela covers Oxnard, Port Hueneme and Camarillo. He can be reached at brian.varela@vcstar.com or 805-477-8014. You can also find him on Twitter @BrianVarela805. This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Corrections officer charged with abusing teen at Camarillo facility When talking or writing about corruption, the names of officials accused or already convicted of certain official abuses or bribes often come to mind. But we forget about the other sidepeople who are demanded money, or enterprises (both public and private), which suffer multimillion losses due to embezzlement. These participants can expect to be compensated for the damage. For the entire period of the HACC's operation until February 8, 2024, we found that 112 criminal proceedings involved victims. Of these, in 104 cases, the victims were legal entities; in 6 casesindividuals, and in 2 cases, both individuals and legal entities were victims. In 2023, the HACC ordered to compensate UAH 6,163,781 in material losses. Let's try to figure out whether corruption victims always obtain compensation, and what's so special about these cases. Is corruption about abstract or specific damage? Damage always entails certain losses, omissions, or deficiencies caused to people or an enterprise. Their size is determined depending on the type of damage. Corruption and related illicit financial flows divert state revenues and cause damage to the national budget, which is to provide health care, housing, education, and other basic services. In addition, corruption undermines the ability of states to ensure respect for human rights. This is reflected in the work of international institutions. For example, the UN Human Rights Committee in 2018, in its opinion on Bulgaria, mentioned the problem of impunity, which is associated with corruption of high-ranking officials. In addition, corruption undermines the credibility of relevant bodies and contributes significantly to instabilitythis was emphasized by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues. However, when committing corruption offenses, one can also talk about specific damage moral, material, and physical. For example, moral damage may entail worries, strong emotional reactions, and even mental disorders. It is quite difficult to prove the infliction of this damage, and even more so to measure it. Mostly, this takes into account the nature and amount of suffering (physical, psychological, mental, etc.) suffered by the plaintiff, as well as the nature of non-property losses (their duration, recovery opportunities, etc.). For example, in one case, a former head of a village council in Kyiv Oblast and an ex-MP were accused of extorting EUR 300,000 and receiving a bribe of USD 10,000 from local entrepreneurs for a long-term land lease. The victims justified the damage caused to them as psychological suffering and humiliation of the honor, and dignity and business reputation of their enterprise, but the court found this damage unconfirmed and paid only material damage. But there are also opposite examples when the court confirmed the fact of causing moral damage. An ex-MP of the Khmelnytskyi Regional Council was convicted for inciting the acting director of the Kamianets-Podilskyi boarding school Slavutynka to transfer a bribe of USD 50,000 to preserve his position. Then the victim explained that moral damage was manifested in "daily thoughts and memories of those events, feelings of fear, negative experiences, alertness, anxiety, emotional and bodily reactions, sleep disturbances, nervousness, experiencing psychological discomfort, fears about the future... her life plans were undermined, the possibility of building and implementing new prospects and work-related achievements, productive self-realization worsened, her health and therefore the quality of life as a whole deteriorated." The court found these arguments substantiated and ordered to compensate her with UAH 50,000 in moral damages. Material damage entails monetary or property damage suffered by a person. In this case, it is quite easy to prove the damage and determine its monetary equivalent. For example, it may be money embezzled or misappropriated by a convicted person. For instance, Andrii Rachkov, the former deputy general director of the Titanium Institute, was accused of embezzling UAH 10 million. He transferred it to the accounts of an offshore company for services that had not been actually provided and performed. PJSC Titanium Institute filed a civil lawsuit in court and obtained full compensation for the damage caused based on the guilty verdict against Rachkov. It was similar to the case in which the ex-director of the Chornobyl Special Combine was accused of concluding contracts and purchasing diesel fuel and A-92 gasoline at inflated prices. The enterprise suffered UAH 1 million in losses, which were fully compensated under the civil lawsuit. What about the physical damage caused by corruption? In the four years of the HACC's operation, there have been no such cases in the court's decisions, but corruption can cause physical harm indirectly: corruption in the health care sector can lead to death, in particular due to the difference in the quality of services; corruption in the construction sector can lead to injuries because there was no proper scaffolding, or the work was of poor quality. Who are the victims, and what are their rights? If you have been caused damage by a crime, you can "get" the status of a victim in criminal proceedings by filing a report for a criminal offense. However, not always the victim is the complainant and not every complainant is the victim because anyone can report a crime. Therefore, such a status can be acquired later in the process by submitting an appropriate application for recognition as a victim. The rights and interests of the victim are protected by law, so they have the right to a representative, can review case materials, submit evidence and testimony, participate in court hearings, express their opinion on the imposition of punishment, conclude reconciliation agreements, appeal court decisions, etc. Most importantly, the victim has the right to compensation. How can I get compensation for a corruption crime? There are three options: to obtain compensation voluntarily, to obtain it following a civil lawsuit, or to get compensation from the national budget. The first option is possible mainly when approving agreements. Often, in such cases, a civil lawsuit is not even filed. For example, in one of the cases, Ukrzaliznytsia suffered UAH 200 million in losses. The parties reached an agreement on the voluntary reimbursement of UAH 2 million to the company. Such a significant difference in the amounts is due to the property status of the accused, who was supposed to pay the money. A similar situation occurred when the State Enterprise Derzhinformyust was compensated only UAH 500,000 out of UAH 6.7 million of damage. Defendants who agree to a voluntary payment of compensation may use such leniency to mitigate their punishment. The most common way to get reimbursed is to file a civil lawsuit. This is a statement in which the victim justifies the amount of damage, the fact of its infliction by the accused and asks to reimburse it. The lawsuit can be filed before the start of the trial. The civil plaintiff can be both the victim and the stateeither represented by the SAPO prosecutor (in cases specified by law), or by a separate institution. As of February 8, the HACC completed the consideration of 34 lawsuits in criminal proceedings. Of these, 18 civil lawsuits were granted (including in part), and only one was dismissed due to unproven damages. There were four cases when the court closed the consideration of civil lawsuits because the plaintiffs renounced them. Another 11 civil lawsuits were left without consideration (quite often because of the acquittal of the accused). The fate of a civil lawsuit depends on whether the court will convict the accused or acquit them. There were also cases when the civil lawsuit was left without consideration since the statute of limitations had expired in the case against the accused. For example, in the case of causing UAH 13 million of damage to the Department of Health Care of the Zaporizhzhia Regional State Administration, the HACC indicated that it was impossible to establish the circumstances of the offense because the accused was exempted from criminal liability, which is why the civil lawsuit was not subject to resolution, and it was left without consideration. If the court left the civil lawsuit without consideration, or a person did not file it before the beginning of the consideration, this can be done separately, in civil proceedings. However, we did not find such cases in the practice of the HACC. Sometimes the plaintiffs renounce their civil lawsuit for some reason. For example, in the case of the criminal organization of Yanukovych-Kurchenko and the seizure of the stabilization loan of the NBU, the victimNational Banksubsequently renounced the lawsuit, although it had suffered losses of more than UAH 700 million. Therefore, the HACC was forced to leave this claim without consideration. There is also a hypothetical possibility of receiving compensation from the national budget. After all, the state is obliged to compensate for damage caused by injury, other damage to health, or death (Article 1207 of the Civil Code of Ukraine). Such compensation is awarded when it is unknown who committed the crime or if this person is insolvent. Unfortunately, a special law that would establish the procedure for such reimbursements has not yet been adopted. As there is no law that would determine the procedure for implementing the state's obligation to compensate for damage to individuals, which is mentioned in Art. 1177 of the Civil Code of Ukraine. Therefore, there have been no such cases within the NABU jurisdiction. How to improve the situation of corruption victims? The practice of compensation for corruption crimes is not as large-scale as we would like. Therefore, it is necessary to solve the main problems that exist at the level of legislation and practice of its application. We have analyzed the reports and publications of the UNCAC Coalitions Victims of Corruption aimed at improving the legal situation of victims of corruption and found such opportunities. First of all, the rules on compensation should be simple, transparent, and clear in application. Victims should be fully informed about the right to claim compensation. Law enforcement agencies and the anti-corruption court should make every effort to ensure and facilitate the participation of victims at all stages of the proceedings, taking into account their position in the consideration of the case. Certain responsibilities may be entrusted to the state. Proceedings should not cause a financial burden on victims that would prevent or demotivate them from claiming compensation. Therefore, the state should provide assistance and support should victims require them. It is also proposed to consider the possibility of creating special funds and mechanisms from which victims can receive compensation in advance, without waiting for the completion of lengthy civil or criminal proceedings. This is not always possible, given the requirements of national legislation. Therefore, if compensation can be obtained only after a trial, and there are no proceedings or its consideration is delayed, then the state does not fulfill its obligations. Non-governmental organizations can play an important role in protecting the rights of victims of corruption. Fabiano Angelico, a representative of Transparency International Brazil, during a speech at the 10th resumed session of the Implementation Review Group for the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), spoke about a case where a company pledged to pay USD 700 million in compensation over 25 years. Prosecutors then agreed that TI Brazil would offer a management system for the fund formed from that company's payments. The fund would be managed by both the company itself and members of the public, and its goal would be to prevent corruption. In the EU countries, the draft Anti-Corruption Directive is now widely discussed. Our colleagues from Transparency International have provided their opinion on this draft and offer sound recommendations regarding the status of victims of corruption: promptly identify and engage victims (state and non-state) in criminal proceedings; provide an opportunity to non-governmental organizations to represent the interests of victims; organize the activities of coordinators of work with victims; ensure in cases against corruption the recognition by victims and the application of the provisions of the EU Directive, which sets minimum standards for the rights, support, and protection of crime victims. The European Commission in its report on Ukraine also mentioned the need to bring the legislation of Ukraine on the rights of victims in line with Directive 2012/29/EU and Directive 2004/80/EU on compensation to crime victims. *** As we can see, respecting the rights of victims and providing them with opportunities to protect these rights can reduce the level of corruption in the country. After all, victims, having a private interest, can protect their rights more actively than public authorities and enterprises. To make this happen, it is necessary to raise people's awareness about obtaining compensation for corruption crimes, to form a clear judicial practice on how to determine the amount of moral damage. Equally important is the quality of legal assistance to victimsin the case of damage caused to enterprises, it is about the effective work of their legal services. This, as well as quality interaction of pre-trial investigation bodies with victims (or potential victims) of corruption criminal offenses, will allow for the establishment of a consistent judicial practice on compensation for damage to victims. Of course, new practices to protect the interests of victims of corruption should be constantly explored, for example, establishing special compensation funds. However, eventually, Ukraine will need to adopt special legislation on state compensation for losses to victims in cases where an offender has not been identified. The material was prepared jointly with Yulia Poltorak, a lawyer for monitoring HACC cases at Transparency International Ukraine Lithuania has tightened control over grain imports from the terrorist countries of Russia and Belarus. An investigation is currently underway into the origin of the grain imported into the country. ADVERTISIMENT The Ministry of Agriculture of Lithuania initiated this investigation. This is stated on the website of the Lithuanian Ministry. This was preceded by information from the Minister of Agrarian Policy of Ukraine that Russia was profiting from the export of grain from the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine to third countries. Therefore, from now on, grain for feeding livestock and feed products from high-risk areas will be inspected. These areas include, in particular, Russia, Belarus, and the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. Samples will be taken from every wagon or vehicle that imports grain from these territories. "Russia should not have the opportunity to use Lithuania's infrastructure and profit from the sale of Ukrainian grain," the Lithuanian Minister of Agriculture said. ADVERTISIMENT As previously reported by OBOZ.UA, France will demand that the European Union (EU) impose common restrictions on imports from Ukraine. Even with the continued liberalization of trade, it is proposed to introduce quotas on Ukrainian grain, in particular wheat and barley. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Simon Harris has confirmed that he is "ready to step up, ready to serve" and will run for the leadership of Fine Gael. Mr Harris, who is currently the minister for further and higher education, confirmed to Irish broadcaster RTE that he was running for the party leadership. Leo Varadkar announced on Thursday he was stepping down as party leader immediately and resign as taoiseach as soon as his Fine Gael successor is selected. Other ministers who were viewed as potential competitors have ruled themselves out of the top job. Nominations for a new leader opened at 10:00 local time on Thursday and will close on Monday at 13:00. If there is to be a contest the winner will be announced on 5 April. Leo Varadkar announced his decision to step down on Wednesday Mr Harris was the early favourite with many bookmakers. He had garnered a healthy roster of backers before nominations even opened. Mr Harris said he was "humbled and honoured to have received the support from so many members of the parliamentary party, councillors and members. "I want to thank them for placing their trust in me and I am confirming that I will be seeking to become the next leader of Fine Gael." "If given the opportunity, I will give this my all," he added. Before announcing his intention to run for the leadership, Mr Harris praised outgoing Leo Varadkar for his leadership of the party over the past seven years, and for his leadership of the country. Mr Harris said that if appointed leader of the party, he wants to bring "energy and an enthusiasm" to the role. "I also want to bring my practical life experience," he added. "I want to work with colleagues, I want to listen, I want to really reconnect with our party right across the country. I want to get back to core principles," Mr Harris said. Mr Harris was the youngest member of the 31st Dail (lower house of Irish parliament) at the age of 24 and became health minister in 2016. There he led the department during a change in Ireland's abortion law and at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic as emergency lockdown measures were introduced. Analysis He was the boy wonder who dropped out of college to become a TD - he now stands a real chance of becoming taoiseach. Wicklows Simon Harris says he was inspired by former Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny to get involved in politics. Harris was distressed by the lack of services for his younger autistic brother when Kenny told him that joining politics was the only way to make real change. A go-getter, he went for it. He went on to nominate Mr Kenny for taoiseach at the age of 24 in his maiden speech in 2011. The one-time baby of the house has had a meteoric rise. His career highpoint was overseeing the Repeal the Eighth referendum and subsequent abortion legislation as minister for health. He grew in popularity during his tenure during the first half of the Covid-19 pandemic. Post 2020, some suspected his demotion to minister for higher education was due to how ambitious he had become and perhaps Mr Varadkar sensed a threat. Mr Harris was one of the first Irish politicians to embrace TikTok with some now dubbing him the first TikTok taoiseach. It is all to play for with nominations open till next week, but in this racing season, Mr Harris is an odds-on favourite. Potential rivals stand aside Paschal Donohoe is among ministers who will not contest the race Paschal Donohoe, the current minister for public expenditure, national development plan delivery and reform, had been seen as a potential rival. The 49-year-old Dubliner is a former finance and transport minister. He has also been president of the Eurogroup since 2020, and informal body which brings together ministers from the eurozone area to discuss currency issues. Speaking on Thursday he said: "I have long said that my focus is on the two jobs that I am privileged to hold; that of government minister and as president of the Eurogroup. "That remains to be the case. It is with a huge honour that I undertake my work on the domestic and international stage." Heather Humphreys 'considered' entering race Ulsterwoman Heather Humphreys is the minister for social protection Heather Humphreys had been viewed as a potential taoiseach and would have been be the first Protestant to hold the post. She has served in various cabinet positions since 2014 and is currently the minister for rural and community development as well as minister for social protection. Born in the village of Drum, County Monaghan, in 1963, Ms Humphreys was manager of a credit union before she entered politics. She said she had given serious consideration to contending the leadership contest, but on Thursday she confirmed she would instead back Mr Harris. "I just want to thank everybody who contacted me in the last 24 hours and have asked me to put my name forward and have offered me their support," she told RTE. 'Not the right time' for Helen McEntee Helen McEntee was also on the prospective list for taoiseach but confirmed on Thursday that she will not stand for the leadership of Fine Gael. She told LMFM Radio on Thursday morning that it was "not the right time" for her. Ms McEntee also said that she will not rule out running for the leadership role again in the future, and that she wanted to see a contest for the next leader. The 37-year-old Navan native has been a TD since 2013 and is currently the justice minister. She became a TD at the age of 26, succeeding her father after he took his own life. Last year she survived a motion of no confidence following the Dublin riots in November, while there has also been a heated debate about hate speech legislation. Writing on X, formerly known as Twitter on Thursday, she confirmed she was supporting Mr Harris for leader. "A great colleague, a great communicator, I know he will bring huge energy to this important role," she wrote. As it happened: Varadkar steps down MORRIS COUNTY, N.J. (PIX11)A federal lawsuit could decide the structure of New Jerseys primary ballot before June 4, the day of the primary. State legislative leaders are also committing to making changes to part of the ballot that many say is flawed. Everybody seems to acknowledge that theres a problem here, said Micah Rasmussen, Rider University political professor and director of the Rebovich Institute of New Jersey Politics. The county line is the preferential spot on New Jerseys primary ballot that goes to the candidate of each race endorsed and supported by that Countys political party. More New Jersey News On the other hand, candidates vying for the same office who the County party does not endorse are relegated to a place some political experts call ballot Siberia, which sometimes appears a few spaces away. New Jersey is the only state with this, and it is used by all Counties except Salem and Sussex. In some forms, other states primary ballots have all the candidates for each race appear in the same group together. You may already know who you are voting for when you enter the voting booth, but thats not necessarily the case with everybody. Political experts say thats where the line can come into play. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now PIX11 News Headlines Really, the complaint is, youre not treating everybody on the ballot the same, said Rasmussen. A lawsuit contesting the county line was filed by Congressman Andy Kim, who is facing off against New Jersey First Lady Tammy Murphy in the U.S. Senate Democratic Primary. Rasmussen said it is possible the federal judge presiding over the case could decide the ballots future before Primary Day. What that change could look like, however, is unknown. Thats the issue that the court is grappling with, said Rasmussen. Now the Legislature is saying, We know that theres an issue, we ought to be the ones to deal with it. Theyre saying, Let us deal with it, but everybody seems to recognize that some change needs to happen here. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. The former Hoffman School on Durrell Avenue in the Evanston neighborhood of Cincinnati on Tuesday, March 21, 2023. The Christ Temple Baptist Church currently resides in the building, but church leader, pastor Peterson Mingo, and the congregation have said the maintenance and repairs required to keep the building safe and operational are beyond their means. Cincinnati is facing a basic math problem: The population is growing faster than the housing stock. Decades of government regulation have put down so many layers of red tape that just building a four-story apartment building has become an overly expensive, years-long endeavor where housing is stopped by countless roadblocks. I saw these roadblocks in action at a March 12 housing meeting at City Hall. A developer, Kingsley + Company, is attempting to build a 240-unit apartment in Evanston at the former site of the Christ Temple Baptist Church, which sold the building to the developer for a fair market value. The church no longer could use the site due to the building falling into disrepair and becoming unsafe for the congregation. More: The Mingo: 240-unit apartment complex in Evanston gets zoning approval from city planners Despite being the lawful owners of the land, Kingsley + Company is facing delay after delay from the city. First, some residents attempted to designate the building as a historic landmark, which would have greatly limited the alterations they could make to the building and significantly drive up the cost of the apartments. Cincinnati City Council and the citys Planning Commission both voted against a historic designation, which should have cleared the way for construction. However, at the March 12 meeting, a divided council voted 4-5 against a zoning change to allow the construction of the apartment, and instead requested a report from the city on the feasibility of the project. A big developer may be able to afford these costly delays, but that is not the case with a small developer. At a time when we are trying to promote new development and the growth of minority business enterprises and women's business enterprises, this is counterproductive. An artist's rendering of The Mingo, a planned 240-unit apartment complex in Evanston on the site of the old Hoffman School building. This vote was done after a small number of community members came out against the project, claiming they did not support the development. Some of the complaints may have been legitimate, but many were based on misinformation. Many said that the developer did not respond to community feedback; this is false. After multiple community engagement hearings, the developer reduced the height of the building and the total number of units by 20% and increased the amount of parking. One person brought up a previous historic designation vote from council, which was the Schulte Mansion in Price Hill. Council voted against historic designation, and the Schulte Mansion was demolished to make way for a youth training center for the Boys and Girls Club. The person then said that it is now just a vacant lot, which is misleading. The Boys and Girls Club is currently getting permits for the building and soon it will be the Workforce Training Center, where local teens will be set up for success. This is a great example of why we need to prioritize people over buildings, not an example of why we should block projects. Some said that the apartment would be "towering over" the rest of the neighborhood. This is also incorrect. It would be just four stories tall, and only six feet taller than a neighboring building. The Rev. Peterson Mingo describes the extent of water damage inside the building at the former Hoffman School on Durrell Avenue in the Evanston neighborhood of Cincinnati on Tuesday, March 21, 2023. The Christ Temple Baptist Church currently resides in the building, but church leader, pastor Peterson Mingo, and the congregation have said the maintenance and repairs required to keep the building safe and operational are beyond their means. Others said that the apartments were too expensive, and there were too many of them. This is a contradictory complaint. For every unit they remove, the cost of each remaining unit will increase. Every parking space they add costs thousands of dollars and takes up valuable space. Cincinnati needs to build tall, dense and fast. Council voted against all three of those on March 12. Because of the 30-day delay, council has made this development even more expensive and further discouraged developers from building housing in the city at a time we desperately need it. Council should not stand in the way of housing. Victoria Parks is a member of Cincinnati City Council. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati blocking housing at a time when its desperately needed Court throws out letter in Edmond Public Schools vs. OSDE lawsuit due to lack of credibility OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) A mystery letter from a so-called Edmond Public Schools parent to the Oklahoma Supreme Court defending the State Department of Educations actions has been stricken from the record due to a lack of credibility. Edmond Public Schools officials are asking for the Oklahoma State Supreme Court to rule on whether or not the Oklahoma State Department of Education has the authority to decide which books public schools can have in libraries, and to punish districts for violating their rules. Edmond Public Schools (EPS) filed multiple legal challenges on February 20. One of the challenges asks the Oklahoma State Supreme Court to rule whether the power to choose school library books lies with local school districts, or with the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE). EPS also petitioned the court to file an injunction to stop the OSDE from taking any action against EPS until the court decides on the first challenge over OSDEs jurisdiction. EPS leaders saylegallythe OSDE has them between a rock and a hard place. EPS is in a Catch-22 situation, said Edmond Public Schools Superintendent Angela Grunewald in February. Also in February, she announced the EPS board voted unanimously to file those legal challenges, after the district received a letter from the OSDE on January 19. News 4 obtained a copy of that letter. It ordered EPS to remove two booksthe Kite Runner and the Glass Castlefrom its high school libraries, claiming the OSDEs Library Media Advisory Committee determined the books qualified as sexualized content under OSDEs rule defining sexualized content. The letter did not cite specific excerpts within the books it deemed as violating the rule, but claimed both books include descriptions of certain sexual encounters. OKCPS in support of Edmond Public Schools after challenge to OSDE rules Neither book contains pictures or illustrations of any kind. Both are text-only. This is an ongoing subversion of accountability. Edmond Public Schools not only allows kids to access porn in schools, they are doubling down to keep pornography on the bookshelves. Parents and kids should have the confidence of going to schools to learn. Instead of focusing on education, EPS has chosen to peddle porn and is leading the charge to undermine parents in Oklahoma. State Superintendent Ryan Walters (R) The Oklahoma State Department of Education has been relatively silent in the lawsuit, but attorneys for the agency have now filed a response. One of the attorneys representing OSDE and State Supt. Walters is the daughter-in-law of former State Superintendent Janet Beressi. [Edmond Public Schools] has brought the wrong action at the wrong time in the wrong court, reads OSDEs response to the lawsuit. [Edmond Public Schools] attempts to turn the Oklahoma Supreme Court into a trial court, and administrative tribunal, and a library committee. The filing further argues the district hasnt met the burden for the Oklahoma Supreme Court to assume original jurisdiction in the case. They argued OSDE acted legally within its right to set the rules. OSDEs attorneys state the school district seeks to introduce hearsay and slanted news coverage to distract from the State Board of Educations established authority to promulgate rules at issue. The filing adds the district is engaging in a slippery slope. OSDE strongly holds its acting in accordance with the Administrative Procedures Act, which states the procedure for proposed rules to be sent to the Governor and the Legislature. Attorney General Gentner Drummond released an Opinion last year which said no state agency has the authority to create administrative rules unless the Legislature first enacts a related law. OSDEs attorneys in this case claim that Opinon misconstrues relevant statutes and precedents. The filing states the Board has passed an administrative rule at least 22 separate times in the last two years either alone or in concert with another statute without specific rule-making authority. Books OSDE want pulled from EPS contain no images, also available at private schools Another filing, now adding to the fiery twists and turns of this case, is a letter submitted directly to the Oklahoma Supreme Court by a Randy Santosa claiming to be an Edmond School Parent. On February 21, a letter was filed with the Oklahoma Supreme Court Clerk signed by a Randy Santosa, Edmond School Parent. However, Edmond Public Schools claims district records do not show any district parent by that name, and the phone number provided in the letter is registered under a different name. The school district explains in a court filing how the letter does not seek to address the pure question of law at issue and attempts to insert the writers opinion of age-appropriate books as an additional issue for consideration by the Court. The letter confuses the issues and is not helpful to the Court or either party, court records say. The Oklahoma Supreme Court dropped the letter from evidence on February 26. News 4 tried to retrieve a copy of the letter from the Supreme Court on Wednesday, but because its been stricken from the record, a copy wasnt able to be provided. News 4 attempted to find Randy Santosa through the Oklahoma State Courts Network, Oklahoma voter registration records, and social media but theres no evidence a Randy Santosa exists. The Oklahoma State Schools Boards Association and Cooperative Council for Oklahoma School Administration have also filed records in the lawsuit that support Edmond Public Schools claims. The issue of local control is important to the Oklahoma State School Boards Association. We believe that decisions are best made at the local level by the people elected by the community to their school board. The issues in the lawsuit are governed by state laws providing control to local board members and their communities, Julie Miller, an attorney for OSSBA, told KFOR on Wednesday. Oral arguments have been requested in this lawsuit, but a date has not been set yet. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. Kyle Rittenhouse abruptly exited the platform during his appearance at the University of Memphis on Wednesday following a confrontation regarding remarks made by Charlie Kirk, founder and president of Turning Point USA, the organization behind his college speaking tour, according to footage circulating on the social media platform X. Rittenhouse was invited by the university's Turning Point USA chapter to address the campus, which drew outrage from several students. College communities pushed back against his invitation to their campuses, noting his status as a controversial figure. Rittenhouse gained infamy after he was cleared of any wrongdoing for fatally shooting two men with an AR-15-style rifle during a protest in Kenosha, Wisconsin, against the police shooting of Jacob Blake in 2020. He fatally shot Joseph Rosenbaum, 36, and Anthony Huber, 26, and injured Gaige Grosskreutz, 26, claiming self-defense. Kyle Rittenhouse reacts as he is found not guilty on all counts at the Kenosha County Courthouse on Nov. 19, 2021, in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Rittenhouse was found not guilty of all charges in the shooting of three demonstrators, killing two of them, during a night of unrest that erupted in Kenosha after a police officer shot Jacob Blake seven times in the back while being arrested in August 2020. Rittenhouse, from Antioch, Illinois, claimed self-defense who at the time of the shooting was armed with an assault rifle. (Photo: Sean Krajacic - Pool/Getty Images) In the video, Rittenhouse stood onstage at the University of Memphis as students confronted him about Kirk's previous statements. "Charlie Kirk has said a lot of racist things," said a student addressing Rittenhouse from the audience. "What racist things has Charlie Kirk said?" Rittenhouse snapped back. "We're gonna have a little bit of a dialogue of what racist things that Charlie Kirk said. The student replied: "He says that we shouldn't celebrate Juneteenth, we shouldn't celebrate Martin Luther King daywe should be working those dayshe called Ketanji Brown Jackson an affirmative action hire, he said all this nonsense about George Floyd, and he said he'd be scared if a Black pilot was on a plane. Does that not seem racist?" Kirk has been known for his outrageous rhetoric that toes the line of hatred and white supremacy. "I don't know anything about that," Rittenhouse said from the stage, prompting jeers among the audience. "Does that seem racist is a yes or no question, Kyle," yelled another attendee. "Well, after all the things I just told you, would you consider that hate speech," the student asked Rittenhouse, who had a dog with him onstage. "I'm not gonna comment on that," Rittenhouse replied, eliciting further reaction from the crowd. Moments later, Rittenhouse abruptly left the stage to cheers from the audience, and attendees were instructed to vacate the venue promptly, a longer video shows. Rittenhouse is supposed to speak on the tour about the importance of the Second Amendment and the lies of (Black Lives Matter)," according to the event website. In addition to the University of Memphis, Rittenhouse will be making appearances at Kent State University and Western Kentucky University for the tour titled "Rittenhouse Recap." The universities made it clear that Rittenhouse was not invited by the schools' administrations but by student organizations. Turning Point Memphis announcement defended their invite, stating, Rittenhouse is an advocate for our Second Amendment in the Constitution. He was proven innocent in trial. He was attacked, he defended himself and he was acquitted. Now he plans to share his story for all to hear his point of view aside from how the media framed him. Despite the calls to cancel the events, the institutions pointed to the First Amendment and the free exchange of ideas to support Rittenhouse's appearances, moving forward with the events despite student demands to cancel them. While WKUs commitment to free speech includes allowing groups to invite guests to campus, that does not mean that the university supports, endorses or agrees with the views of those individuals, a spokesperson for Western Kentucky University stated. At Kent State, an online petition was launched calling for the school to cancel Rittenhouse's event, citing that inviting someone with a history of gun violence to a campus where 13 student protesters were shot is a poor decision. A registered student organization is bringing this speaker to campus. Kent State University upholds the First Amendment rights of free speech and peaceful assembly for all. As a state university, we permit groups and individuals to speak and share their views on our campus about topics they feel are important, Kent State said in a statement. Kent State has a long history of allowing peaceful dialogue from all points of view, including those whom some may feel are offering different and/or sometimes controversial opinions. The Black Student Association at the University of Memphis called on students who object to Rittenhouse's event to join them in securing tickets and filling up seats to stage a mass walkout. Black students could be seen in the audience of the event, along with several empty seats. Later, Rittenhouse himself posted a follow-up video captioned on X: "Quick update. We made it back safely!" "Hi everyone, we've just returned from Memphis University. Byron here assisted with my security today," Rittenhouse introduced the clip. "It's interesting seeing the videos and reading media reports claiming we arrived at 4 o'clock." Disputing the timeline, Rittenhouse shared a positive review of the event, stating, "Anyway, it was a fantastic event, and it's amusing how the media reports we were booed offstage. In reality, we adhered to a strict time limit and left accordingly. It was a great event with intriguing people, to say the least." He also responded to Tennessee-based civil rights activist and former Shelby County Commissioner Tami Sawyer's post on X. "Kyle Rittenhouse stormed offstage like the coward he is. I commend the University of Memphis students who organized resistance tonight, along with the Black Student Association, the U of M NAACP, alumni, and faculty who spoke out. I am not proud of @uofmemphis administration," Sawyer wrote. "Hey Tami, why didn't you have the courage to ask me any questions?" Rittenhouse responded. The civil rights activist has not responded as of Thursday morning. Like the Coward He Is: Kyle Rittenhouse Storms Off Stage After Black Students Hijack College Tour, Video Shows A female coyote at an enclosure at a wildlife rehabilitation center in Los Olivos. Spring coincides with coyote pup season. Pet owners should be extra cautious. (Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times) The start of spring, a time when outdoor enthusiasts and their furry sidekicks hit the trails, coincides with coyote pupping season and experts say dog owners should take precautions on their next outdoor trek to avoid confrontations with overly protective coyotes. In California, coyotes breed January through March and their pups are born between March and May, according to the U.S. Forest Service. Coyote pupping season stretches from the time when coyotes give birth to when the pups become juveniles and leave their parents, said Niamh Quinn, human-wildlife interactions advisor for the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. The average litter is between five and six pups. Once the pups are born they tend to emerge from the den three weeks later, Quinn said. "Pups will stay with their parents for about six months, spring to summer, and will be taught how to hunt and behave in their environment by their parents," Quinn said. "In the fall, which is when food becomes scarce, the parents will consider keeping their juveniles or have them disperse to be on their own." Read more: Column: P-22, P-41, and the future of L.A.'s mountain lions Similar to any parent, coyotes become protective around their den and could even become aggressive during this time. Dens can be a steep bank, rock crevices, sinkholes or underbrush, according to the Forest Service. During puppy season, Quinn said there is an increased potential for dog-coyote interactions when coyotes become very protective of their young. If a dog unknowingly wonders near a den it could be attacked. Dogs and cats are also vulnerable during this time because coyote parents will be looking for more food to bring back to their young, and this could result in domestic pets becoming prey. In some outdoor spaces such as San Francisco's Presidio, a national park site, park managers will put signs near den areas alerting hikers and walkers to stay away from the area. Presidio's precautionary measures include closing sections of Park Trail and Bridge Area Ridge Trail to dog walking, all of the park's 24 miles of hiking trails continue to be open to people. Read more: Joshua Trees famed three-legged coyote Tripod is in danger of being loved to death Coyotes are part of the Southern California ecosystem, so sightings in the Santa Monica Mountains, San Gabriel Mountains and San Fernando Valley are common. Last May, a Woodland Hills resident was visited by a coyote that walked into their home through a dog door. In the same month, a retired couple's dog in Mission Viejo was attacked by a coyote. The University of California Cooperative Extension operates a coyote encounter website that allows visitors to input their ZIP Code to see when the last coyote sighting was recorded. Some precautionary measures hikers and their pets can take are researching a trail ahead of visiting it for any information on possible closures or warnings of frequent coyote sightings. When a hiker decides to bring along their pet on a trail, keep the dog on a leash and be aware of your surroundings. If the hiker and dog encounter a coyote, leave quickly by walking backward but do not run. Quinn said coyotes have the instinct to chase after moving targets. "If a coyote approaches you, haze [or] yell and throw things like rocks [at] the coyote," she said. Call 9-1-1 if a coyote or other wild animal attacks or threatens to attack a human. 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. Smoke fills the sky from a wildfire in Shenandoah National Park near Luray, Va. on Thursday, March 21, 2024. Officials say crews are battling scores of wildfires around Virginia, including a fire affecting hundreds of acres at Shenandoah National Park. (WJLA via AP) LURAY, Va. (AP) Crews were battling scores of wildfires around Virginia on Thursday, including a fire affecting hundreds of acres at Shenandoah National Park, amid an elevated fire risk, officials said. More than 100 new fires popped up Wednesday amid gusty winds and low relative humidity, affecting more than 2 1/2 square miles (6.47 square kilometers) across the state, many of them in the central part of the state, Virginia Department of Forestry spokesperson Cory Swift said by telephone. Shenandoah County officials announced Thursday that five homes were lost due to a fire northwest of Strasburg, noting that the number may change as the area is assessed. Residents of homes that were not affected who evacuated may return, officials said in a news release. That fire and another large fire near Basye have been contained, and there are no known fatalities, officials said. At least 16 fires were contained and hundreds of firefighters worked overnight to contain the others, Swift said. Amid high winds, officials were seeing some downed powerlines causing fires, he said. A fire that started on private land in the Luray area of Page County spread very quickly into Shenandoah National Park, reaching about 450 acres (182.11 hectares) by Thursday morning, park spokesperson Claire Comer said by telephone. The majority of the fire is inside the 200,000-acre (80,937-hectare) park and is about 10% contained, she said. Officials are hoping for additional resources to arrive Thursday. Smoke from a wildfire closed about 9 miles (14.5 kilometers) of Skyline Drive, the park announced Wednesday. Fire also closed sections of the Appalachian Trail and a fire ban was in effect for all of Shenandoah National Park. Page County officials declared a state of emergency Wednesday evening as several communities were asked to evacuate and county schools were closed Thursday. Louisa County also declared a state of emergency and recommended evacuations in some communities, but by evening the fires were contained, officials said. The National Weather Services Baltimore-Washington said in a social media post Wednesday that if people smelled smoke outdoors numerous wildfires in the Shenandoah Valley and surrounding areas were the likely source. Wildfires were also reported in neighboring Maryland and West Virginia on Wednesday. Crews contained a 60-acre fire in a wooded area in Barnesville, Maryland, in northwestern Montgomery County, that was believed to have been started by a downed power line, county Fire & Rescue Service spokesperson Pete Piringer said in a social media post. Another fire that broke out in a wooded area in Silver Spring on Wednesday night was visible from the Capital Beltway, he said. Conditions were expected to be less elevated Thursday and precipitation expected in the region Friday could help dampen fuels and soak the ground, Swift said. In West Virginia, Gov. Jim Justice declared a state of emergency Thursday in the northeastern counties of Grant, Hampshire, Hardy, and Pendleton. The move was meant to ensure the allocation of necessary resources and to expedite emergency response efforts, the governor's office said in a statement. In Hardy County, an undetermined number of structures have burned from wind-whipped flames, according to a Facebook post from the Bruceton Brandonville Volunteer Fire Department. The department, located in Preston County, has sent a small crew to Hardy County to assist. ***Video above: What grocery chain is most popular?*** MEDINA, Ohio (WJW) Construction crews started demolishing the old Super Kmart building in Medina on Thursday, making room for the new Meijer supercenter coming to the city. Medina city officials shared photos with FOX 8, showing crews tearing down the 158,000-square-foot building on North Court Street that has remained vacant for years. Courtesy of Medina city officials Courtesy of Medina city officials Courtesy of Medina city officials For over a decade, the building has sat vacant, was condemned by the city, was repeatedly cited for various issues and the current owners [were] eventually fined for various building code violations, city officials said in a press release. How the total solar eclipse will affect animals in Northeast Ohio Officials say Meijer took an interest in the site. With redevelopment now underway, officials say the project will breathe new life into the area. The City of Medina is pleased and thankful to see the demolition of the old Kmart begin today, said Mayor Dennis Hanwell in the release. This has been an eyesore in our community for over a decade and we look forward to the new building and parking lot that the Meijer store is investing in our community. Cedar Points Top Thrill 2 testing continues ahead of May opening This will be the grocery store chains second location in Medina County. This first is located in Brunswick. Medinas Super Kmart, the first of its kind in the country, opened in July 1991. The store announced it was closing in late 2011. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) said in a Wednesday interview that users would benefit from the controversial bill to force TikToks Chinese-based parent company, ByteDance, to sell the popular app or face a ban in the United States. Following a classified intelligence briefing for senators on TikTok, Cruz made the case that blocking the Chinese Communist Party from exerting influence over the apps content would be in users best interest and would improve the experience on the app. For the people who use TikTok and enjoy it: This is not about getting rid of that, Cruz said in an interview on Fox News with Brett Baier. What it is about is forcing China to divest, getting TikTok out of control of the Chinese Communist Party, getting it in the hands of an American company, getting it in the hands of anyone other than China or an enemy of America. I think it is very important, Cruz continued. And will benefit the users of TikTok and everyone else, too. Cruz described his concerns about Chinas connection to the app as two-fold: He is concerned about the threat it poses of espionage and surveillance of the Chinese Communist Party monitoring the 170 million Americans who use TikTok. They have the ability to monitor what theyre saying, what theyre doing on their phones, where they are. I think its a real privacy risk to Americans, who may not realize that the Chinese government has that ability, Cruz said. Secondly, Cruz said, hes concerned about the propaganda push both for Chinas own benefit, for example, in suppressing information about Tiananmen Square, about Hong Kong, about Tibet and in ways that are damaging to children. Theyre pushing all sorts of harmful garbage to our kids. Self-harm, cutting, Cruz said, adding, Here, theyre pushing our kids to chew tide pods. Cruzs remarks echo the sentiment of many of his fellow senators, who are trying to reshape the narrative around the bipartisan House-passed TikTok bill which critics have branded as a ban, but which lawmakers point out still gives ByteDance 165 days to divest TikTok and allow the app to continue running in the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee Chair Mark Warner (D-Va.) said on Wednesday that the top priority for him and Vice Chair Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) is to make clear to the public, especially the roughly 170 million TikTok users in the U.S., that the bill isnt about taking away the creativity or ability to make money from using the platform. Its about the ability to make sure this creativity thats happening on this platform cant be manipulated. To make sure this creativity thats happening on this platform cant be manipulated by the Chinese Communist Party, Warner said. Their effort to change the narrative comes after the company, ahead of the House vote, led a campaign on its app, urging users to call their lawmakers to ask them to block the bill, calling it a TikTok shutdown. The Protecting Americans From Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act still moved swiftly through the House. It advanced out of the House committee in a unanimous vote earlier this month, just days after it was first introduced, and less than a week later it passed in a 352-65 vote on the floor. Cruz said he expects the Commerce Committee, at some point, to consider the bill in a markup and hopefully have an open amendment process. Im not convinced the language the House passed is exactly what it will be in law, but Im glad the House is acting to address this very serious threat, he said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The three men charged in connection with Bardstown mother Crystal Rogers' murder will not face trial in Nelson County, a judge said Thursday afternoon. The decision by Judge Charles Simms came after attorneys for Brooks Houck, Steve Lawson and Joseph Lawson argued that the nearly decade-long public fervor around the case is too massive to host court proceedings in Nelson County or even central Kentucky. Rogers, a 35-year-old mother of five children, went missing around July 3, 2015, from Bardstown. Her car was soon found abandoned on the Bluegrass Parkway with her keys, phone and purse inside. She was not known to go anywhere without her kids, according to an FBI report. While Rogers' body has never been found, she is presumed dead by investigators, with Houck, her then-boyfriend, facing a criminal charge in connection with her murder. The Lawsons, whose relationships with either Houck or Rogers have yet to be shared by investigators, have also been charged. At Thursday's hearing, Houck and Steve Lawson appeared in-person while Joseph Lawson attended via Zoom. All three defendants filed motions to move the trial, arguing they could not have a fair trial. Prosecutor Shane Young agreed with the venue change request. Thursday, Young said he would speak with the defense attorneys in the next month to propose a different trial venue. If all attorneys cannot agree on a location, Simms said he could propose one. Judge Charles Simms was part of pretrial conferences for the murder of Crystal Rogers in Nelson Circuit Court Thursday. Feb. 8, 2024 The judge said he would request the new venue be large in size and have a separate entrance for jurors. Willie Downs, a friend of the Rogers family, was skeptical whether moving the trial outside of Nelson County would have any meaningful difference in the case, given the national spotlight on the investigation. "I have people out in Oklahoma, Texas, Florida always calling, 'What about that trial up there?' It's nationally known," Downs said. Despite this, Downs said the family is glad to see the case progressing. "Right now, they're happy it's moving. It ain't sitting there in the back room somewhere," Downs said. A hearing on a proposed venue will be held May 1. Attorneys from all sides have filed a flurry of motions, including a demand for a witness list and a request to make the men stand trial together. Simms is expected to rule on each in the coming weeks, with his decisions potentially having big implications for how the future trial will proceed. Will three men indicted in Rogers' murder stand trial together? Young's request to consolidate the three defendants into a joint trial, citing the grounds that each indictment is centered around Rogers' murder, was objected by defense attorneys for all three men. The legal teams have asked for more time to respond in writing. A hearing review date is scheduled for June 13. Last month, Simms scheduled trial dates for Houck and the Lawsons to begin Feb. 10, 2025. Will the judge dismiss one defendant's charges completely? Steve Lawson's defense has filed a few motions, including one to dismiss his charges. According to the motion, Lawson was promised immunity by state investigators in exchange for his cooperation. He is now asking for either a dismissal or for statements made last year to Kentucky State Police and a Nelson County Grand Jury be suppressed. The motion includes excerpts of a transcription of an interview between Lawson and investigators, where Young allegedly said "I'm giving you blanket immunity." A video of the interview excerpts cited in the motion was not provided in available court records. After the hearing, defense attorney Theodore Lavit said Lawson was verbally promised immunity if he told the truth to investigators. Lavit declined to share the content of Lawson's testimony to police. The 2015 disappearance of Crystal Rogers of Bardstown, Ky. is the topic of the season premiere of HLN's "Real Life Nightmare" airing Nov. 14, 2021. When asked whether Lawson's potential immunity would compel him to testify against his son, Lavit said, "he's willing to tell the truth." Among the other motions, Joseph Lawson's counsel requested disclosure of expert witnesses that state prosecutors are planning to call for testimony in addition to "the subject matter of the testimony of the witness(es) (and) the substance of the facts and opinions to which the witness(es) are expected to testify." These motions will be discussed and ruled on at a later date. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Crystal Rogers: Brooks Houck, Lawsons trial to move from Nelson County Mstyslav Chernov's Oscar-winning documentary 20 Days in Mariupol is now available for purchase on a number of official platforms. The online premiere of the film on Ukrainian services took place on March 21. ADVERTISIMENT You can buy the movie on Sweet.TV, Megogo, Kyivstar TV, Takflix and Volia TV. This was reported to OBOZ.UA by the press service of the Ukrainian film distributor Arthouse Traffic. The film was created by members of the Associated Press team, who became the last international journalists in the besieged Mariupol. They continued to work under siege and captured footage that later became the defining images of the war: the deaths of children, mass graves, a bombed-out maternity hospital, and other horrors of the Russians. ADVERTISIMENT Film critics and audiences alike have been positive about the film: Rotten Tomatoes has given it a 100% rating and the Certified Fresh award, which is given to films with the best reviews. The rating on the IMDb platform is 8.6 out of 10, and on Metacritic, it is 83 points out of 100 with a "Must See" mark. The film is being shown on big screens in selected cinemas across the country. For the current list, see our material. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Welcome to the Daily Weather Update from FOX Weather. Its Thursday, March 21, 2024, and National Memory Day. Start your day with everything you need to know about today's weather. You can also get a quick briefing of national, regional and local weather whenever you like with the FOX Weather Update podcast. A storm system in Texas is expected to produce severe weather in the Houston area on Thursday. The system will further develop as it crosses the Gulf of Mexico before arriving in Florida on Friday. The Sunshine State will have anything but nice weather for spring breakers headed there this weekend. A storm racing across the northern tier of the U.S. is bringing snow to parts of the country that saw very little of it during the winter. Winter weather alerts have been issued from Montana to Wisconsin, including the cities of Bismarck in North Dakota and Minneapolis. A low-pressure system is expected to develop near the coast of South Carolina this weekend before racing north and meeting up with the storm bringing snow to the Midwest this week. Itll be rain for the mid-Atlantic and Northeast, but snow is expected in upstate New York and across much of New England. The combination of a cold front draped across the mid-Atlantic and low relative humidity values helped dozens of fires explode during a wildfire outbreak on Wednesday. Wildfires were reported from Maryland to North Carolina, with the greatest concentration appearing to be in West Virginia and Virginia. At least one of the fires is burning in Shenandoah National Park, forcing nearby evacuations and the closure of parts of the historic Appalachian Trail. There are just 18 days until a total solar eclipse crosses the U.S. Weve put together a helpful guide that gives you everything you need to know about the April 8th event. Dont forget to use Futureview in the FOX Weather app to track the forecast for the big day. The pastor of an Indiana church destroyed by a tornado last week says they plan to rebuild. Here are a few other stories we think might interest you. Need more weather? Check your local forecast plus 3D radar in the FOX Weather app. You can also watch FOX Weather wherever you go using the FOX Weather app, at foxweather.com/live or on your favorite streaming service . Its easy to share your weather photos and videos with us. Email them to weather@fox.com or add the hashtag #FOXWeather to your post on your favorite social media platform. Original article source: The Daily Weather Update from FOX Weather: Severe weather likely in Texas before storm heads for Florida Steven Q. Troyer, who was murdered outside his southwest Canton home on March 10, 2023. CANTON The man who gunned down her brother, Dawn Troyer said, became what he wanted to be: a "gangsta." Her brother was Steven Q. Troyer of Canton, a 55-year-old husband and a father. He was a guy who worked at Shearer's Foods; a man who'd phoned his mom, Edna, on his lunch break every day. "You're a coward, a drug abuser ... a thug," Dawn Troyer told 21-year-old Damon Mitchell during Mitchell's sentencing hearing Thursday morning before Stark County Common Pleas Judge Frank Forchione. More: Police chase through parts of Stark County leaves Perry Township cruiser damaged More: Widow, son testified they watched Canton man's shooting death outside his home Shortly after, the judge sent Mitchell to prison until at least the year 2062 and perhaps the rest of his life, the most allowed by law. A jury last week found the Toledo man guilty of three crimes, including murder. Mitchell not only killed Steven Q. Troyer, he fired a dozen more times at Troyer's son, Steven A. Troyer. Dawn Troyer said she'd looked up background on her brother's killer. What she found, she said, were lots of social media postings of Mitchell with firearms and references to a gangsta lifestyle, Dawn Troyer, sister of murder victim Steven Q, Troyer, lashes out against his killer, Damon Mitchell, during Mitchell's sentencing hearing Thursday in Stark County Common Pleas Court. Mitchell was sentenced to life in prison. "I congratulate you on reaching your dream," she told him, adding that he's a monster. "You are the worst kind of criminal. You don't need a motive to gun someone down." Damon Mitchell's 'drug-induced' trip to Canton and murder No one was sure why Mitchell was in Canton, 160 miles from his home, on that morning of March 10, 2023, or why he was near Steven Q. Troyer's house in the 1300 block of Greenfield Avenue SW. And no one had a clue why Mitchell said he was there to get parts off a nearby Ford Taurus owned by Steven A. Troyer. After all, the Troyers and Mitchell had never met. Toledo resident Damon Mitchell speaks on his behalf before his sentencing Thursday for the murder of Steven Q. Troyer in Canton. "I am innocent," he said. "Justice will be served at appeal." "My guess is this was drug-induced by (methamphetamine)," Forchione told Mitchell. Stark County Chief Criminal Prosecutor Dennis Barr said it had been a normal day for the father and son Troyers. They were shopping at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore when Steven Q. Troyer's wife, Glenda, phoned to alert them someone was messing with the Taurus. Trial testimony indicated the Troyers drove to the scene in a truck a short time later. They asked Mitchell what he was doing; told him the Taurus was theirs; they asked him to leave. Barr said MItchell didn't listen. Instead he pulled a gun. Barr said Mitchell could have fired a warning shot into the air. Better yet, he could have driven away in his Chevy Malibu. Family photo of Steven Q. Troyer, and Bernard, a dog who died a few years ago. Instead, Mitchell shot Steven Q. Troyer in the face as he sat in the truck. Mitchell then opened fire on Troyer's son, who fled in his car. "Callous indifference for human life," Barr said. The judge had earlier received a pair of letters from Mitchell's family. And one of Mitchell's brothers, Christopher Mitchell, told Forchione his brother had tried to overcome a hard life, adding that he cared deeply for family and friends. Damon Mitchell cries as his brother, Christopher Mitchell, reads a prepared statement Thursday before Damon Mitchell's sentencing for the murder of Canton resident Steven Q. Troyer. "Damon has tried to be the perfect uncle to my children," he said. Forchione didn't buy it. The judge said he couldn't comprehend any reason why someone would shoot a stranger in the face, fire at another stranger, then speed away, only to be caught by the Ohio State Highway Patrol on U.S. Route 30 near Bucyrus while driving 97 miles per hour. "It was cruel, vile, heartbreaking," Forchione said. Convicted killer says he's innocent During the trial, Mitchell's attorney Anthony Koukoutas said prosecutors had the wrong man. Mitchell maintained that same stance during the sentencing hearing. Koukoutas had told his client not to speak because it could ultimately damage his appeals. Mitchell didn't listen. He wanted to talk, even after the judge had already sentenced him to a minimum of 38 to 43 years behind bars and a maximum of a life sentence. The sentence, Forchione noted, was confusing because it was for murder, felonious assault and discharge of a firearm near prohibited premises (across a road), along with gun specification penalties in state law. In fact, the judge added, he'd contacted the Ohio Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation the day before to verify details of the sentencing package. Stark County Common Pleas Judge Frank Forchione sentences Damon Mitchell for the murder of Steven Q. Troyer. Mitchell got a life sentence for fatally shooting Troyer last year and wounding Troyer's son. Seated next to his attorney, Mitchell spoke. "I am innocent," he said. "Justice will be served at appeal." He told the Troyer family he was sorry for their loss. He told Koukoutas he did an "OK," job, but added his attorney "didn't care to help" him. He commended other attorneys and said, "God Bless the Judge." Reach Tim at 330-580-8333 or tim.botos@cantonrep.com.On X: @tbotosREP This article originally appeared on The Repository: Damon Mitchell's life prison term for killing Steven Troyer of Canton (WHTM) It sounds like the title of a Jules Verne novel from the 19th century, but its been described as the last great adventure of the 20th century-and it used a balloon design from the 18th century. DAKHLA, EGYPT MARCH 21: The Breitling Orbiter III balloon flies over the dunes of the desert of western Egypt 21 March 1999 before landing. Bertrand Piccard of Switzerland and Brian Jones of Britain landed safely, becoming the first to fly non-stop round the world in a hot-air balloon. (RUBEN SPRICH/AFP via Getty Images) Pilots Bertrand Piccard of Switzerland, left, and Wim Verstraeten of Belgium wave as they prepare to test the gondola of the Breitling Orbiter 2 balloon in an hyperbaric chamber outside Paris Wednesday Nov. 19, 1997. Four other balloons will join the Breitling Orbiter 2 in attempting the first circumnavigation of the world by balloon. No date has been set yet for the start of the race. (AP Photo/Michel Lipchitz) Flight director Alan Noble of Britain, left, sprays champagne at meteorologist Pierre Eckert and other team members in the control room for the Breitling Orbiter 3 balloon mission at Geneva airport Saturday, March 20, 1999. The party began after electronic equipment recorded the silvery Breitling Orbiter 3 floated past longitude 9 degrees west at 4:54 EST. After 19 days aloft, Bertrand Piccard and Brian Jones became the first men ever to fly round the world non-stop in a hot air balloon. (AP Photo/Keystone, Patrick Aviolat) Workers lower a rack on to a replica of the Breitling Orbiter 3, the first manned balloon to circumnavigate the globe, at the Anderson-Abruzzo International Balloon Museum in Albuquerque, N.M., Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2005. The museum, scheduled to open Oct. 1, coinciding with the Albuquerques annual Balloon Fiesta, will have interactive computer exhibits, an expansive display of ballooning memorabilia and displays of record-setting balloons. (AP Photo/Jake Schoellkopf) WASHINGTON, : Balloonists Bertrand Piccard (L) and Brian Jones participate in ceremonies 23 September, 1999 in which the gondola from their historic non-stop around-the-world flight will be put on display at the Smithsonians Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC. On 20 March,1999 the Breitling Orbiter 3 became the first balloon to achieve an around-the-world flight when Piccard and Jones flew 29,000 miles in 19 days, 21hours and 47 minutes.( CHRIS KLEPONIS/AFP via Getty Images) On March 1, 1999, Swiss psychiatrist Bertrand Piccard (son of Jaques Piccard, grandson of Auguste Piccard) and English balloonist Brian Jones took off from the Swiss Alpine village of Chateau-dOex aboard the Breitling Orbiter 3. Their goal? Become the first people to circle the world in a balloon nonstop and without replenishing supplies, and win the Budweiser Cup, a one million dollar prize offered by Anheuser-Busch. Get daily news, weather, breaking news and alerts straight to your inbox! Sign up for the abc27 newsletters here In a way, this journey began 21 years earlier, when a three-man crew became the first balloonists to cross the Atlantic aboard the Double Eagle II. Over the next two decades balloon technology improved, and new distance records were set. The behavior of the jet stream, the bands of high winds in the upper atmosphere, were better understood; riding the streams to make better time figured in the planning of most long-distance ballooning. By the 1990s, circumnavigating the globe in a balloon was less a matter of if than when. On this date: Americas first balloon flight The Breitling Orbiter 3 used a Roziere balloon, a hybrid design built by the Cameron Balloon Company in England. It had two chambers, one for a lighter-than-air gas like helium or hydrogen, and another larger chamber for heated air. The hybrid design was the creation of Jean-Francois Pilatre de Rozier, the first man to make a manned balloon flight in the 1700s. (Piccard and Jones balloon was named after Breitling SA, a Swiss precision watch company.) Propane to fuel six burners was stored in tanks on the outside of the gondola. Solar panels charged batteries which provided electricity for radios and GPS. On this date: the deepest dive After drifting southwest, Piccard and Jones picked up a jet stream over Mauritania. For the next 19 days, as their balloon traveled east, Piccard and Jones maintained a rotating shift, with one sleeping while the other manned the ship, and then eight hours working together. They traveled 25,361 miles, reaching altitudes of up to 38,507 feet, and speeds of up to 123 knots. They crossed the official finish line of the circumnavigation over Mauritania at 4:54 AM, EST on March 19. Then they kept going. On this date: First nonstop flight around the world They hoped to finish their journey with a landing near the pyramids in Egypt, but high winds forced them to stop short of their target. They landed in the desert of western Egypt on March 21. The Gondola of the Breitling Orbiter 3 was later donated to the Smithsonian Institute, and can now be seen at their Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center at Washington Dulles International Airport. To view a documentary about the flight, click here. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. A jury found David Marshall Murdock guilty of first-degree murder Tuesday for the 2019 killing of Lisa Bunce in Haines City. The jury of 11 women and one man found Murdock guilty of the most serious charge against him after deliberating for about eight hours. They had begun deliberations Tuesday afternoon at the Bartow courthouse and then resumed on Wednesday morning. Murdock, 65, of Lake Wales killed Bunce, 56, on Jan. 5, 2019, while she was in Haines City visiting her friend Sanda Andrews, 71, according to evidence at his trial. The best friends had often traveled back and forth like snowbirds from the Midwest to Florida and stayed at Andrews' place at 373 Melbourn Drive in the Sweetwater Golf and Tennis Community. The prosecution presented evidence to show Murdock shot Bunce, his ex-girlfriend, with a 9-mm Glock handgun, after also wounding Andrews with a gunshot to the face as the women sat in the Florida room of Andrews home. Three 9-mm shell casings were found just outside the screened in porch of the home. Bunce had fled from the front of the home and tried to hide in a master bedroom closet. But because she had also been wounded by one of the initial three bullets fired, she had left a trail of blood down a hallway and a door knob. Murdock then entered an unlocked side door, followed the trail of blood down the hallway to find her and shot her two more times, evidence showed. One of those shots hit Bunce's vital internal organs after first passing through her arm and entering her chest. That bullet killed her within minutes and before first responders could arrive. David Marshall Murdock sits at the defense table in Bartow with attorneys Debra Tuomey, left, and Daniel Hernandez after a jury found him guilty Wednesday of first-degree murder for the shooting death of ex-girlfriend Lisa Lorraine Bunce. He was also convicted of second-degree attempted murder for shooting Sanda Andrews. The jury also found Murdock guilty of three other charges, including a lesser charge of second-degree attempted murder for the shooting of Andrews as well as charges of armed burglary of a dwelling and shooting into a building. In the original indictment against Murdock, he had faced a first-degree attempted murder charge for the shooting of Andrews. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for Murdock. "We respect the jury's decision," defense attorney Debra Tuomey said after the verdict. "David Murdock is not beyond redemption, and we hope that his life is spared." Premeditated or not? Before beginning to deliberate on Tuesday, the jury had heard competing versions of what led up to the 2019 murder. The prosecution called the homicide premeditated murder, and the defense said several circumstances showed Murdocks actions were not premeditated. Defense Attorney Debra Toumey asked the jury to find Murdock not guilty of premeditated murder. She said premeditation is a fully formed, conscious intent to kill someone. And with that intent, a defendant would have to also have time for reflection. This is not a case of premeditated murder, she said. Nor is it felony murder, which would be a death that occurred during the commission of a felony, Tuomey said. The circumstances do not add up to premeditation, she said. At age 60 at the time of the crime, her client was on the last stretch of life wanting what all Americans want, a place to call home to share with someone they love. Murdock sold a home he had when he met Bunce to buy another home with Bunce so Murdock and she could spend the rest of their lives together, Tuomey said. So that, I submit to you, is still true as I stand here today, Tuomey said. But I also submit to you that when the prosecutor wants you to believe that Mr. Murdock just drove up to Ms. Andrews residence and just got out of the truck and just started shooting, that makes absolutely no sense. The evidence does not support it and Ms. Andrews' testimony does not support it. Judge J. Kevin Abdoney reads the jury's guilty verdict for David Marshall Murdock during his first-degree murder trial in Bartow on Wednesday. The prosecution is seeking the death penalty, and the sentencing phase of the trial will begin Tuesday. Andrews and Bunce had returned from a bar, and Ms. Andrews was too close to being impaired by alcohol to drive, so Bunce drove the pair home the night of the shootings. Murdock, who took the witness stand earlier in the trial, testified how Bunce acted when he saw her drinking alcohol during their relationship. When Mr. Murdock arrived at Ms. Andrews residence, there was an exchange, Tuomey said. There was yelling, there was screaming. Maybe it started out with a few comments. But it ended up with yelling and screaming. That is more reasonable to believe than Mr. Murdock getting outside of his truck and immediately starting shooting, she said, adding thats why shell casings were found closer to the house than his pickup truck. Further, testimony from the defendant and Andrews showed that Murdock took his gun everywhere he went, she said. So he had not taken his gun to the house with any intention. Tuomey said the prosecution's narrative that Murdock grabbed his gun, drove about 30 minutes to reach Andrews house all while thinking about killing Bunce and Andrews "doesn't make any sense." She said the video the jury saw of Murdock being interviewed after his arrest shows his visible emotional trauma as investigators photographed him and swabbed his mouth and body for evidence. Nor did he have to call 911 after the shootings, she said, asking: He planned the murders, but he did not plan his escape? During the call, he said emergency twice, then told the call taker, I just shot two people, and repeated the address twice, Tuomey said. Murdock remained at the scene even though his truck was parked nearby. David Marshall Murdock leaves the courtroom after hearing his guilty verdict Wednesday. Tuomey also said Murdock was taking medication because of the severe emotional distress from the issues he was going through with Bunce. A toxicologist had testified earlier in the trial that clonidine, which Murdock was taking, had two side effects on him: confusion and hallucinations. What we didnt hear is that not only was he taking clonidine, this specific medication, but he was also taking other medications, Tuomey said. Who knows what the combination of those substances and the effects of those substances have on a 60-year-old man with one kidney. Tuomey also asked the jury to consider that Bunce was toying with Mr. Murdock. She did not put any money into the house that Murdock bought, but the house was in both of their names. Why didnt she sign over the deed once she broke off the engagement, Tuomey asked. She could have just taken her name off the deed. 2020 Lake Morton double murder Jury says Marcelle Waldon should die for killing Edie and David Henderson Murdock and Bunce had lived in the home for a brief period before Bunce told him she was moving back to Ohio and took his and her things with her, evidence showed. Murdock had expected to join her later, but Bunce texted him saying she was ending their relationship. The Ohio resident further provoked Murdock by telling him she was going to snowbird at the house they owned together, Tuomey said. I submit to you that Mr. Murdock loved Lisa Bunce, as he testified on the stand, as I said in my opening statement, Tuomey said. He did not want her dead. He told you that. He did not want her dead. He also told you that he did not want any harm to come of Sanda Andrews, she said. He also told you he didnt remember the events of that night, she said, Tuomey added, Was that the result of the medication, confusion, possible hallucinations. He did say he had to get rid of the devil on that 911 call. Assistant State Attorney Bonde Johnson told the jury that Murdocks actions speak louder than words. He was at the place, Johnson said. It was his gun. It was him. He keyed in the gate code. He drove his truck. Johnson also said the toxicology expert testified that if someone had taken all the medications the defense contends Murdock was prescribed, all the actions that led to the crimes could not have been possible. He said Murdock had made phone calls after midnight before he had arrived at Andrews' home and finally called 911 at 1:12 a.m. immediately after the shootings. Death Penalty Phase The trial will resume for a penalty phase on Tuesday. The jury could deliberate again by Wednesday on whether they recommend Murdock should be put to death for his crimes. Medical Examiner Stephen Nelson, who also testified earlier in the trial, and victim impact statements are expected during the prosecution's case for a death penalty. In court filings, the defense submitted a list of witnesses who could be called, including a psychiatrist and Murdocks family members. In Florida, a jury can recommend a death sentence by an 8-4 margin. By state law, the judge must then weigh the jury recommendation before imposing the sentence, which is usually handed down several months later. This article originally appeared on The Ledger: David Murdock guilty of 1st-degree murder for killing ex-girlfriend T-Shirt shops in tourist areas of Daytona Beach have sparked some controversy this spring break season. Visitors have told Eyewitness News the obscene material displayed outside of some stores isnt sending the right message. For years, Daytona Beach has been known for its wild spring break parties, NASCAR and Bike Week. But tourism officials have been working hard to rebrand the area as a family-friendly beach town. We spotted shirts plastered on the outside of storefronts with insensitive slogans and inappropriate language. We blurred the images to block the words. It screams more party beach town to me. I dont want to have to explain that to her and I dont want her repeating that, said tourist Taylor Deconzo as she pointed at her daughter. Read: Madeline Soto: Kissimmee police chief says detectives cant be rushed in their investigation Just be mindful of the kids. Save a spot in the back of the shop for that, said visitor Keith Allen. In a statement to Eyewitness News, the city explained regulating these stores comes with a lot of red tape. This issue has been raised previously in Daytona Beach. While most reasonable adults agree those t-shirts are crude and in poor taste, the citys ability to regulate their display and sales is limited by the First Amendments protection of freedom of speech. The U.S. Supreme Court has set a high bar for what qualifies as obscene material, requiring it to meet three criteria: appealing to prurient interests, depicting or describing sexual conduct in a patently offensive way, and lacking serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value. The display of the F word on a T-shirt does not meet all elements of the obscenity test. Read: Girl, 12, vanishes from apartment complex near Disney World Owner of Ocean Ave Gallery Louie Louizes sells the shirts, but said he has a specific location in the back of his store where they are on display. There is a freedom of speech but there has to be some common sense too. They do sell, people laugh at them. This isnt the 30s and 40s, little kids are cussing unfortunately, said Louizes. Florida does have some obscenity laws that specifically prohibit the sale or display of obscene materials to minors. However, this still falls under First Amendment protection. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Read: When to expect scattered rain, isolated storms in Central Florida WASHINGTON (DC News Now) The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrested a man accused of robbing two businesses in D.C. The suspect, identified as 37-year-old Anthony Maurice Smith, was arrested and charged with armed robbery, according to MPD. Significant gas leak in Northeast DC Police said the first robbery happened on March 17 around 11:40 p.m., when Smith entered a business located in the 1300 block of North Capitol St. in Northwest D.C. He walked behind the counter and took out a knife, demanding that the employees open the register. He took the cash from the register and then left. MPD said that the second robbery happened on March 18 around 5:20 a.m. Smith went into a business in the unit block of New York Ave. in Northeast D.C. and just as he did in the first incident took out a knife, demanded the employees open the register and then took the cash before leaving. Two hours later, MPD officers patrolling the North Capitol St. area saw Smith, who was wearing the same clothes detailed in a robbery report. Officers arrested him without incident. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. Faviola Valenzuela wasnt supposed to be in jail when she died in a Franklin County cell two years ago. The day before the 42-year-old Pasco womans death, a Tri-Cities judge decided she could be released on her own recognizance. But that didnt happen and she was still being held in the Pasco facility when she died on March 15, 2022. Someone, its not clear who, had raised concerns about her mental health and whether she needed to be involuntarily committed to be evaluated, according to a new federal lawsuit filed by her father and son. The U.S. District Court lawsuit claims there was no sign that Franklin County officials took any steps to have her transferred to a mental health facility. That allegation is among several failures by Franklin County jail staff, the countys medical contractor and its parent company that led to Valenzuelas death, claims the lawsuit. Her family asked for $25 million in damages when it filed a claim against the county before filing the federal lawsuit. Valenzuela had developmental disabilities and the cognitive capacity of a 12-year-old, according to the suit. Throughout her life she frequently found herself at odds with the law, though all of her arrests were for misdemeanor crimes, such as trespassing and misdemeanor assault, public records show. According to jail medical records, she suffered from anxiety, depression and diabetes. A GoFundMe was created to help with funeral expenses for Faviola Valenzuela after she died in the Franklin County jail. An autopsy showed she died from methamphetamine intoxication and an acute kidney injury. The familys attorneys Bret Uhrich and Edwardo Morfin claim Franklin County corrections officers and medical contractors hired by the county left Valenzuela suffering in a holding cell for four days after her initial arrest. She was left in the cell, where she soiled herself and cried out in distress, all the while she refused to eat and barely drank water, they said. Ms. Valenzuela was not in multiple organ failure at the time of her booking. Had Ms. Valenzuela been subject to proper medical treatment, her acute kidney injury consistent with myoglobin nephropathy and hepatic necrosis were treatable conditions, says the lawsuit. They argue that Valenzuelas condition was completely treatable if she had received adequate medical help. Franklin County has a demonstrated pattern of practice of inadequate policies and practices and has placed the lives and safety of incarcerated individuals at risk, says the lawsuit. Valenzuelas death was one of four in the jail between November 2021 and July 2022. Malpractice and negligence claims The lawsuit names Franklin County, medical contractor Western Medical Resources and its parent company, as well as Sheriff Jim Raymond and two jail employees. It claims the medical staff engaged in malpractice, that the county was negligent, that Valenzuelas 14th Amendment rights were violated. The lawsuit asks a judge to award compensation for Valenzuelas pain and suffering, funeral expenses and more. Sheriff Raymond told the Herald he couldnt comment on the pending litigation. The Franklin County Corrections Center is on North Fourth Avenue in Pasco. Develop mental disabilities Pasco police arrested Valenzuela on March 12, 2022, for throwing a flowerpot through the window of a door, according to court documents. As she was being booked into jail, Valenzuela reportedly appeared disoriented and wasnt responding to questions, said her familys attorneys. Western Medical Resources staff decided she needed to be medically cleared before being booked in, but she was not taken to any area hospitals, says the lawsuit. Officials noted that her heart rate was unusually high after she was arrested, but it was never checked in the next four days. Beyond the initial medical screening, no medical or mental health encounters occurred during the duration of the time Ms. Valenzuela was in custody, the complaint said. In addition, jail staff allegedly didnt supply her with any of her medications while she was in jail. Because she had an extreme mental disability and a previous use of force incident, jailers placed her in a segregated observation cell measuring 6-feet by 12-feet. The cell didnt have a toilet, sink, bed or any other fixtures other than a drain in the floor, the lawyers said The Franklin County Jail control room in Pasco. According to images included with the complaint, she had some bedding on the floor. Faviola Valenzuela was placed in solitary isolation for several days in a cell with only one window on the door that was covered by a screen, and the only means of observing the inside of the cell was a camera placed in the corner of the ceiling of the cell, or by physically walking to the cell and moving the screen from the window on the door or opening the door, says the lawsuit. Jail logs dont show whether Valenzuela ever left the holding cell during the four days at the jail. Last 33 hours The corrections deputy who monitored her told the attorneys that she was told not to let Valenzuela out of the cell because she had a history of not following instructions and returning to her room. The attorneys obtained video from the last 33 hours of Valenzuelas detention as part of a Washington Public Records Act request. Throughout the video, she never stands up or rarely gets in a sitting position, according to the complaint. Pictures included in the documents show her lying on the floor with some bedding. For the entire time 33-hour stretch, she never ate any food and only took three sips of water, the video shows. Inside the Franklin County jail in Pasco. Throughout the video, she shows signs she is distressed and rolls around on the floor. Jail logs show mental and medial evaluators visited her cell twice during the period of time shown on the video. The first time, the medical provider opens the door but never goes into the cell. The second time, the provider looks into the cell through the window but doesnt open the door. The day after a judge agreed to release her without bail, Valenzuela stopped moving in her cell about 11:10 a.m., the video shows. About 15 minutes later, an inmate working in the hallway noticed through the window that Valenzuela appeared to be blue. Franklin County jail officials tried to revive her, but werent successful. In addition to the meth and kidney injury, she was suffering from extreme dehydration, said the lawsuit. The attorneys contend she died because of the lack of water which allowed the meth to stay in her system longer than it normally would have. Failed to follow policy The suit claims that jail staff failed to follow the countys policies on how Valenzuela should have been cared for. County policy says that the jail is supposed to provide access to medical treatment to mitigate the effects of detoxification, and they are supposed to be evaluated by medical and mental health staff within 24 hours. After an internal investigation found that no misconduct took place, the attorneys allege the county made no attempt to ensure that the policies were being enforced. FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. Three Fort Lauderdale police officers investigating a possible homicide exchanged gunfire with the suspect in a hotel room near Port Everglades Thursday. When it was over, one officer was wounded by gunfire, the suspect was dead, and there was no sign of the homicide that drew police to the Holiday Inn Express Fort Lauderdale Cruise Airport in the first place. Fort Lauderdale Police identified the man who died Thursday as Karl Chludinsky, 46, of Margate. The investigation halted traffic east of U.S. 1 on Southeast 17th Street to the causeway bridge for most of Thursday morning. The north entrance to Port Everglades was sealed off for most of that time, but with two other entrances and only one cruise ship, port activity was largely unaffected. There also appeared to be minimal impact on a Call of Duty tournament taking place at the Broward Convention Center, which drew competitors from across the country, some of whom were staying at the Holiday Inn Express. Fort Lauderdale Police Chief Bill Schultz provided few details about the fatal encounter at a news conference late Thursday morning. He said the suspect called police at 7:39 a.m. to report that he had killed someone in his room, but he did not cooperate when police arrived to question him. After the shooting, the suspect barricaded himself in the room and the officers withdrew, Schultz said. A SWAT team re-entered the room and found the suspect alone and dead. The wounded officer was taken to Broward Health Medical Center for treatment of an injury that was not considered life-threatening. Casey Liening, a spokesperson for the police department, said about 5 p.m. that the officer had been released from the hospital and is expected to recover. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement will handle the investigation, which is standard for police-involved shootings. The three officers who fired their weapons will be placed on administrative leave, which also is standard procedure. Immediately after the gunfire, guests at the hotel described the chaos. Were moving down here. We were waking up to have breakfast at the hotel, and staff pushed everyone into an event room, said hotel guest Alexis Boettcher, of Cleveland Ohio. I came downstairs. They told me there was an active shooter and I couldnt go back in the building. Bullet holes could be seen clearly in some windows above the pool deck. Boettcher and her boyfriend, Luis Castanedo, had noticed streams of police cars arriving when they got up Thursday morning. He went down to get breakfast while she went outside to see what was going on. Then Castanedo heard a gunshot and the couple was separated. Castanedo was put into a conference room with about 15 other hotel guests, including families with children, he said, the lights shut off. Hotel staff told them there was an active shooter. Quietly, they went on their phones to try to find out what was going on. The two finally reunited outside the hotel later Thursday morning. Castanedo said hotel staff seemed to know what they were doing, and it was clearly a drill they had practiced before. Alejandro Morales, 23, had just arrived in Fort Lauderdale from New Orleans Thursday morning for the Call of Duty tournament, which would get underway at 12:30 p.m., when his Uber got stuck and he saw the caution tape and dozens of police cars out front. I was going to leave my bag and go to the event but I dont think thats going to happen, Morales said. Six Spring Breakers visiting from Boston said they were two doors down from the room where the situation unfolded. Luke Loffler was still in his swim trunks and towel as he stood in the parking lot across the street. He said he had gone down to use the hotel pool and was in the elevator when the doors opened on six police officers with guns telling him to get downstairs. His friends, meanwhile, were back in the room, where Bryce Winter and Nick Morrissey said they heard somewhere around 15 shots. Pro-Call of Duty players continued to arrive as the morning went on, unsure what to do. Some had traveled from as far as London for the event and are professional players with large followings online. Two players, Sam Zanchelli and Austin Kalchbrenner, had arrived at the hotel Wednesday night from New York and Panama City, respectively, said they were awakened by gunfire near their room on the sixth floor. Police officers then knocked on the door, told them to grab whatever they had and escorted them outside of the hotel, where they gave witness statements. ------- (Sun Sentinel photojournalist Joe Cavaretta contributed to this report.) For months, students attending some of the citys most selective schools have traversed Chicago, taking buses, trains and carpools sometimes as early as 5 a.m., to show up on time for school and the district is telling parents they may have to continue to find their own transportation into next school year. Faced with continuous pleas from parents upset with the districts lack of busing for students, Chicago Public Schools is giving families an additional week to decide whether to enroll in magnet and selective enrollment schools for next school year. But families dont have time to wait to see if the district will provide much-needed and previously promised busing said Laura Leon, who has a grandchild attending Inter-American Magnet School in Lakeview. We need to know what were going to do for next year, Leon said. We cant wait until a week before school starts. Leons grandchild is one of thousands of district students in general education classrooms who lost busing in August and had to find alternative methods to get to school from their home neighborhoods, often miles away. CPS CEO Pedro Martinez warned Thursday that busing may not be possible for students next year. This means that after a rigorous application process, some students might have to pass on attending some of the top-performing public schools because of where they live. We cannot afford to live in Lincoln Park or Lakeview, Leon told the board. Martinez said CPS is extending the deadline for students to accept magnet or selective enrollment school placements for the 2024-25 academic year by one week to be upfront to families as the district continues to grapple with a lack of bus drivers. We need (parents) to understand (busing) might not be available, he said at the monthly Board of Education meeting Thursday. Students will have until April 19 at 5 p.m. to accept placements, instead of the previous deadline of April 12. Invitations to high schools were released last month, and elementary school selective enrollment placements will be released to families Friday. Martinez said the districts goal is to provide the most busing possible and the school system is exploring all options to hire more drivers and reinstate previous service. As of Thursday, the district is transporting around 8,700 students with special needs or living in temporary housing across about 1,100 bus routes, Martinez said. That number is up from 8,200 in January, as the district accommodates transportation requests as they receive them. For more than seven months, the district has not provided busing services for roughly 5,500 general education students across the magnet and selective enrollment schools. Some of their parents have repeatedly told the district they are commuting for up to four hours a day to get children to their classrooms, risking their jobs and tiring out their kids in the process. As of last school year, more than 75% of high school students and about 44% of elementary students attended schools outside of their neighborhood boundaries. Historically, students at magnet and selective enrollment schools have received busing regardless of the distance between their home and school. Members of the parent volunteer group say the loss of busing disproportionately impacts low-income and minority students, particularly those who have working parents and cannot afford pricey third-party ride-share services to school. District data shows that white and Asian students disproportionately attended CPS selective enrollment schools as of last year. Meanwhile, Black students disproportionately attend neighborhood schools long starved of investments, officials and community organizers said at a board meeting in December. Students attending their neighborhood schools are also not receiving busing but typically have shorter commutes or can walk to school. On Wednesday, roughly half of the City Council signed a letter calling on the Chicago Board of Education to provide transportation stipends and take steps to reinstate transportation. CPS Parents for Busing, a parent volunteer group formed in the fall, sent the letter to the board on behalf of the aldermen. Ald. Nicole Lee, 11th, who represents the Bridgeport area, said many students in her ward attend neighborhood elementary schools before testing into selective high schools. Lee said she signed the letter after consulting with parents in her ward and hearing stories of some families who moved out of the community to try to be closer to their childrens school. We know that schools are anchors in childrens lives, so choosing a childs education because theres no more transportation, its a really big decision, said Lee, whose son attends Whitney M. Young Magnet High School, on the Near West Side. In the near future, Lee said she hopes the letter can be a starting point for a longer conversation between City Council and CPS. Last month, hundreds of parents and their children protested downtown outside City Hall wearing school bus-yellow shirts to call attention to the issue and using the symbolism of the traditional yellow bus to drive home their message. The district has for months cited an ongoing bus driver shortage since its initial August letter to parents about the decision to halt busing, leaving parents scrambling for transportation. Despite increased wages and hiring fairs offered by the district, drivers were still in short supply in December, leading to discontinued busing into the 2024 spring semester. At Thursdays board meeting, parents criticized the low number of students riding buses to school, with the average bus transporting fewer than 10 students. There are enough seats, Kenwood Academy parent Paul Wargaski said to the board at Thursdays meeting. 8,700 students across 1,100 routes average out to eight students per route. One of the solutions parents propose in the letter signed by aldermen is to create hubs for general education students to be picked up on bus routes with seats available before picking up special education students, who must be transported to school in less than 60 minutes under state law. The district said it has faced logistical and equity issues with the suggestion. Hubs would work for some but not all routes, thus not serving all families and schools in an equitable manner, but, again, we will continue to explore all options for the coming school year, district spokesperson Mary Ann Fergus said in a statement. The district is providing stipends to more than 3,700 families with students with disabilities but has said providing stipends to general education families is not sustainable, citing a projected $391 million budget shortfall. aguffey@chicagotribune.com The House and Senate on Thursday released the compromise text of their fiscal 2024 defense spending bill, nearly halfway through the fiscal year that began in October. Congress is expected to begin votes on the $825 billion defense spending bill on Friday; Pentagon funding via a stopgap measure is slated to expire at the end of that same day. The bipartisan bill adheres to the spending caps imposed by last years debt ceiling deal. It funds the procurement of eight battle ships and dozens of new aircraft, provides a small amount of Ukraine military aid and offers multiyear procurement for six critical munitions. As chairman of the House Appropriations defense subcommittee, I have prioritized five areas that are reflected in this act: countering China and staying ahead of our adversaries; prioritizing innovation of military superiority, achieving a more efficient and effective Pentagon; enhancing the militarys role in countering efforts and supporting our servicemembers and their families, Rep. Ken Calvert, R-Calif., said in a statement. The bill includes $33.5 billion to build eight ships and allocates funds for 86 F-35 and 24 F-15 EX fighter jets as well as 15 KC-46A tankers. Theres also a combined $2.1 billion for the Armys Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon and the Navys Conventional Prompt Strike hypersonic weapons system. The bill retains $300 million for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which allows the Pentagon to place contracts for equipment to send Kyiv. House Republican leaders had initially removed the $300 million in Ukraine aid amid opposition from the right flank of their caucus when they narrowly passed their version of the defense spending bill 218-210 in September. But even with the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative funds back in the bill, the $300 million is far less than the $60 billion in security and economic support for Kyiv provided in the Senates foreign aid bill. The Senate passed the aid bill for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan 70-29 in February but House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has so far refused to put it on the floor amid opposition from former President Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee. Separately, the compromise defense spending bill includes funding for multiyear contracts to procure six critical munitions: the Naval Strike Missile, the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System, the PATRIOT Advanced Capability-3, the Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile, the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile and the Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile. Multiyear contracts are usually reserved for big-ticket purchases like ships and aircraft, but the Pentagon hopes using them for munitions will ensure demand stability to encourage defense contractors to ramp up production capacity. Defense appropriators granted the Pentagons request to use multiyear contracts for all but one munition: the Standard Missile-6. The defense-industrial base has struggled to quickly replenish the billions of dollars worth of munitions drawn down from U.S. stockpiles for Ukraine. The FY24 defense policy bill, which Congress passed in December, authorizes multiyear contracts for six additional munitions outside the Pentagons request. But the FY24 defense spending bill does not fund those additional multiyear contracts. War games hosted by the House China Committee in April found the U.S. would rapidly run out of munitions including the SM-6, Naval Strike Missile and Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile in a war with Beijing in the Pacific. That committee endorsed multiyear munitions buys as part of a series of 10 bipartisan recommendations on Taiwan it drafted in May. Additionally, the bill provides an $800 million boost to the Pentagons Defense Innovation Unit, for a total budget of $983 million in FY24. It also provides $200 million for Replicator, the Pentagons effort to buy and field thousands of drones by next August. Finally, the legislation cuts funding for the Defense Department civilian workforce by $1 billion. The compromise bill eliminates many of the amendments Republicans introduced when they passed their version of the bill in September. That includes an amendment from Rep. Marjorie Taylor-Greene, R-Ga., that would have reduced Defense Secretary Lloyd Austins salary to $1. The bill also drops a priority a proposal championed by Calvert that would have moved Mexico from U.S. Northern Command to Southern Command. Calvert argued last year this would prioritize combatting the trafficking of fentanyl by Mexican drug cartels. Although Mexico will remain in Northern Command, the bill includes a $50 million increase to counter illicit fentanyl and synthetic opioids. On Thursday, March 21, the Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, Admiral Rob Bauer of the Netherlands, visited the Ukrainian capital. On the day of Russia's massive missile attack on Kyiv region, the highest-ranking military official of the North Atlantic Alliance spoke at the Kyiv Security Forum. ADVERTISIMENT He thanked for the opportunity to personally visit Ukraine and meet with the Ukrainian political and military leadership. This was reported by the European Pravda media outlet. "My visit the first NATO military delegation to visit Ukraine since Russia's large-scale invasion is evidence that NATO and Ukraine are closer than ever," Bauer said. According to him, this visit allows him to express his "deep respect" for the courage and strength of Ukrainians, which they have demonstrated both on and off the battlefield. "Every day we are getting closer, more compatible. Together we are doing everything to ensure that Ukraine becomes a member of our Alliance. The Swedish flag will not be the only blue and yellow flag at NATO Headquarters," he assured. The Dutch admiral once again noted the successes of the Ukrainian Defense Forces, which have changed the nature of modern warfare and are moving towards victory. ADVERTISIMENT "You are fighting for civilization itself. The Ukrainian people and the Ukrainian Armed Forces are doing it in a way we have never seen before. You have radically changed many aspects of modern warfare," Bauer reiterated at the forum in Kyiv. He noted that faced with trench warfare and constant artillery shelling from the First World War, combined with drones and 21st-century artificial intelligence, the Ukrainian Armed Forces quickly adapted and repelled the aggressor. "You are pioneers in innovation, using a combination of Soviet equipment with modern Western weapons," ArmyInform quoted the NATO official as saying. Speaking at the security forum, Bauer emphasized that despite the incredible suffering and losses, Ukraine has made significant progress on the battlefield. "Ukraine has experienced the unbearable: it has lost people and things that can never be replaced. And yet... To call you a victim would not be fair to your immeasurable strength. It would not be fair to the successes you have achieved on the battlefield," the Chairman of the NATO Military Committee emphasized. ADVERTISIMENT As OBOZ.UA reported, earlier Rob Bauer warned that civilians in the West should prepare for a possible conflict with Russia. He noted that the armed forces are already prepared in case of war. Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! The News A prominent Indian opposition politician serving as the chief minister of the territory of Delhi was arrested Thursday on corruption allegations related to the capital citys liquor policy. The arrest of Arvind Kejriwal was seen as a setback for the countrys opposition less than a month before national elections are scheduled to begin in the worlds biggest democracy. As chief minister, Kejriwal serves as the head of government for Delhi, home to more than 16 million people, including the countrys capital. Kejriwals party is part of the opposition coalition to the Indias ruling Hindu nationalist government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modis Bharatiya Janata Party. His partys leadership sought to quash the charges and said Kejriwal would continue to run the government from jail, according to The Times of India. Indias financial crime agency is looking into allegations that the territorys liquor policy implemented in 2022, which has since been withdrawn, gave advantages to private retailers by ending the governments control over the sale of liquor. Earlier on Thursday, Indias main opposition party, separate from Kejriwals, accused Modi of suppressing democracy by freezing its bank accounts over a tax dispute. Delta pilot gets 10 months in jail for drinking before overseas flight Related video: Delta passenger gets stuck in airplane toilet for 35 minutes. (NBC News) An American Delta Airlines pilot has been sentenced to 10 months in jail in Scotland after reporting for work intoxicated when he was scheduled to fly to New York last year. Lawrence Barbiers Russell Jr, 63, was supposed to captain a flight from Edinburgh, Scotland, to New York City on June 16, 2023, but he was arrested after a half-empty bottle of Jagermeister was found in his bag, and his blood alcohol content exceeded the legal limit, the court said in a statement Tuesday. Body with toes sticking out of the ground identified as missing Florida man: police Russell, of Georgia, was sentenced Tuesday after pleading guilty on March 5 in Edinburgh Sheriff Court to a charge of reporting for duty as a pilot while exceeding the prescribed blood alcohol limit. His blood alcohol reading that day was found to be at least 49 milligrams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood which exceeds Scotlands prescribed limit for pilots of 20 milligrams. The court noted the limit for car drivers is 50 milligrams. According to the statement, the flight was scheduled to depart Scotland at 10:35 a.m. Russell showed up at 9:15 a.m. and went through security, where he was stopped due to liquids being detected in his bag. Security found two bottles of Jagermeister, one full and one half-empty. Russell was arrested at 10:12 a.m. after failing a breath sample. The statement also said he was taken to a nearby police station, where a blood sample was taken. The pilot was initially given a 15-month sentence, but since he pled guilty at the earliest opportunity, his sentence was reduced by five months. Read the full story on NBCNews.com. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. A month after an Alabama Supreme Court ruling thrust in vitro fertilization treatment into the national spotlight, Democrats are looking at a special state House election here on Tuesday for signs of how strong abortion rights resonate with voters in a red state with some of the most restrictive laws in the country. Marilyn Lands, a Democrat who lost by nearly 7 points when she ran in 2022, is an eager test case: she has made reproductive rights a central issue in her campaign, particularly in her ads. In one clip, Lands and a young woman, Alyssa Gonzales, share the stories of the abortions they received after learning their fetuses tested positive for severe genetic conditions. About 20 years ago, under Roe v. Wade, Lands was able to be treated in-state by her doctor. But months after the Supreme Courts Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization decision, Gonzales had to seek the help of an abortion fund to travel out of state. As a woman, weve seen so much over the years. Weve seen things change with pay becoming somewhat more equal, with the kind of harassment that we used to deal with being not so common, Lands said. But to see us now take a giant step backwards? I just cant understand. The race will not change control of the Alabama state House: Republicans hold super majorities in both chambers of the legislature. Teddy Powell, the Republican candidate and a two-term Madison city councilmember, is betting voters will choose a candidate who has emphasized local issues like infrastructure spending over sending a message to Montgomery on abortion. But if Lands wins, it would be another data point for national Democrats who hope the backlash over draconian abortion laws will help them flip control of the US House, hold the US Senate and reelect President Joe Biden. Alabama became one of just over a dozen states that bans abortion in nearly all circumstances, with no exceptions for victims of rape or incest, when its trigger law went into effect after Roe v. Wade was overturned. A rare competitive seat Located just outside downtown Huntsville, House District 10 is a suburban seat that is home to the Redstone Arsenal US Army base and the NASAs Marshall Space Flight Center. Voters there embraced both Republicans and Democrats in recent years, and both campaigns see the seat as competitive. The seat was held by Republican former state Rep. David Cole, who resigned last year after he pleaded guilty to committing election fraud by voting in the district he represented despite not living there. The special election took a turn last month, when the Alabama state Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos stored in a lab are considered people. The ruling came after families whose embryos were destroyed by accident filed a wrongful death of a minor suit against their clinic. Though the ruling didnt prohibit IVF, it made clinics liable in wrongful death lawsuits involving embryos, which led several to stop treatments of patients. The state legislature moved quickly to pass legislation to shield providers and patients from criminal or civil liability, and Republican Gov. Kay Ivey signed the bill earlier this month. Abortion rights advocates say that the legal battle over IVF is just one way that restrictive abortion laws, including those that state life begins at conception or grant personhood to fetuses, can have broad consequences. On a national level, Democrats have gone after Republicans in purple districts who co-sponsored the US House version of the Life at Conception Act, which doesnt include a carve out for IVF treatment. Marilyn Lands - From Marilyn Lands for State House District 10 We see this as a race that will help show where the electorate is after this really horrific IVF ruling, even in GOP controlled states like Alabama, and how IVF is resonating as an issue across all states as we move into November, said Heather Williams, the president of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, which works to elect Democrats to statehouse seats. The DLCC named Lands as one of its spotlight candidates in January and has been providing fundraising and organizational support to her campaign. The Republican State Leadership Committee, which helps elect GOP candidates in state level races, has been in contact with the Powell campaign, said his campaign consultant Dalton Dismukes. The RSLC did not respond to requests for comment. A focus on the economy Powells campaign has argued voters wont cast their ballots solely based on abortion, which they view as a separate issue from IVF. I dont think that this is a one issue district, Dismukes said. I dont think any district in Alabama is a one issue district. Powell, who has focused his campaign on education, infrastructure and economic development, told CNN he believes the state legislature took care of the concerns around IVF with the legislation enacted earlier this month. On abortion, Powell said the states laws were an issue and he might be open to looking at laws that added exceptions for rape and incest. I understand thats not something that Republicans are comfortable talking about, he said of abortion. And quite honestly, its not something Im greatly comfortable talking about, because Im not a woman, and I am a man, and I understand that that, it is a womans issue, or its been turned into that. He added, The reality is its something that we need to address. Still, Powell maintained that the special election is ultimately a race about local issues, despite Lands efforts to reflect national trends, and that most voters are not primarily motivated or affected by abortion or reproductive issues. Teddy Powell - From Teddy Powell Campaign At some point, she has to recognize that shes running in this district and representing these people, he said. Shes running for the state house of Alabama, not Congress, and she needs to focus on those issues. Lands platform also addresses health care and education, and she has acknowledged voters care about multiple issues. But reproductive rights issues are a major motivator, she said. There are other issues that are on peoples minds and that they want to talk about, she said. But this issue, I think, is whats going to propel people out to vote. Lands has also tapped her roots in the community to reach across the aisle. Two of her former neighbors, self-described Reagan Republicans Rosemary and Earl Finley, have appeared on a postcard backing her. While they disagree with Lands on some issues, the states abortion law isnt one of them. As a Republican voter, I disagree with the Supreme Court and this state outlawing abortion under any circumstances, Earl said. When you talk about particularly rape, incest and basically the health of the mother those are important things to me. As with any special election, turnout will be low and the result will come down to which candidates supporters show up. Both campaigns spent time knocking on doors ahead of the vote Tuesday. After Powell knocked on his door, Anthony Franks, a voter in the district, said he plans to support him because he represents his conservative values. Franks said the Democratic strategy of running on abortion is a flawed strategy, and said he would only support someone seeking treatment in cases of rape or incest. The entire reproductive rights shouldnt be politicized like this, he said. I think everybody has a right to choose, but we also have to think about the moral issues with it as well. Teresa Terrell said she plans to vote for Lands because of her focus on womens issues, and the direct approach shes taken to talking about reproductive rights. I have granddaughters, Terrell said. Im concerned about their future and Id like to see someone whos caring about not only the present generation but future generations. CNNs Maxine Tamsett contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Democrats in both chambers suggest theyre willing to support Ukraine aid in the form of a loan, an idea thats gaining steam with Kyivs GOP champions as they scramble to end Congresss deadlock and help Ukraine battle Russian forces. The loan design is not the Democrats preference. Theyre urging the adoption of an emergency foreign aid package the Senate passed last month, which includes $60 billion in aid for Ukraine, while hammering Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) for his refusal to put it on the House floor. But if the loan strategy which Johnson floated to Republican senators last week can break the impasse, a number of Democrats say theyre all for it. Democrats support aid to Ukraine. Whether you call it a loan, or whatever, get em some resources, said Rep. Bennie Thompson (Miss.), the senior Democrat on the Homeland Security Committee. Youve got to get them some help. So if it comes in a loan, its help; if it comes as an aid package with no requirements, its still help. The loan strategy has gained traction among Republicans in recent weeks, not least because former President Trump is using the campaign trail to promote the idea that all U.S. foreign aid should take the form of loans. Few believe that Ukraine would ever pay back the loans, given the trillions of dollars in reconstruction costs Kyiv is sure to face whenever the Russian conflict ends. But the loan design might provide some political cover to leery Republicans, who could pitch the idea to their constituents as a strategy for easing the financial burden on U.S. taxpayers. Over the weekend, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) raised the proposal to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, arguing that the current politics on Capitol Hill suggest that turning aid from the United States into a no-interest, waivable loan is the most likely path forward. And Democrats are increasingly open to that concept if its seen as the last best chance for securing Ukraine aid before Novembers elections. Ukraine desperately needs money, and were trying to find any way possible to get that money out the door. I dont know what kind of ransom the Republicans are going to demand, but I do understand the urgency of this moment, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) said. If theres a way to structure money to Ukraine in a way that gets Republican votes, then Id sure take a hard look at that. Conversations in recent weeks have centered in the House, as Johnson weighs how he can move funds for Ukraine despite growing opposition within his ranks and from Trump. No action on the subject is expected until mid-April at the earliest; both chambers will leave for a two-week recess in the coming days. Speaking to reporters Wednesday, Johnson said Ukraine aid remains a priority We understand the importance of sending a strong signal to the world that we stand by our allies but emphasized that he hasnt landed on a set plan for moving it. Ive not specifically talked about the mechanism of funding Ukraine, he said. Theres talk about what we call the Repo Act where you could use the seized assets of Russian oligarchs in some manner to pay for the support of Ukraine. And then the loan concept is being discussed. The House will address the issue immediately after Congress has funded the government, he said. But the sentiment among Republicans is that a loan would have to be the avenue to get Ukraine funds across the finish line, one Senate Republican told The Hill, and that the level of bipartisan support will depend on what else is in the overall package. The emergency supplemental the Senate passed last month included aid for Israel, the Indo-Pacific and for humanitarian purposes. If the House did something like that that was the form that they sent it back, I cant imagine it would be rejected over here because it became a loan, said Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), who voted for the aid bill last month and argued that GOP support for the aid could increase if it is framed as a loan. There are also political issues at hand, as the 2024 general election campaign is already in full bloom, but the desire among Democrats for the aid package is expected to override those considerations, including that Trump has blessed the loan idea. Its hard to see why [Democrats] would object, other than it was Donald Trumps idea, and hopefully were over that, Cramer said. The aid is necessary. Ukraine needs it. Israel needs it. Frankly, we need it. Not everyone, however, is on board. Keep in mind that both Israel and Ukraine but especially Ukraine have got to borrow a lot of money in order to deal with this war, said Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.), a senior member of the Foreign Affairs Committee. So if youre going to impair their credit-worthiness and even Israels credit rating has gone down thats hurting your ally while pretending to help your ally. So these are not good changes. The wide belief is that of the $60 billion bookmarked in aid for Ukraine, only $12 billion is slated to be handed over to Kyiv directly, while the other $48 billion would go into the U.S. industrial complex for weapons. Its that $12 billion that Republicans are eyeing for loans. Leading Ukraine advocates on both sides of the aisle, however, have pooh-poohed the idea and have cited the need to move quickly to greenlight this aid to help the war-torn nation. Were running out of time, and the best way to get Ukraine the help they need is for the House to pass the Senate bill. The problem with changing it is it can take you three days to do the simplest thing here in the Senate. We dont have the time, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) told reporters. Others indicated that they simply do not trust what could emerge from the House GOP in what they considered a half-baked idea on a subject that has international consequences. It just sort of feels like a back-of-the-napkin idea that no ones really fleshed out, said Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), who led Democrats in negotiations on the bipartisan Ukraine-border bill that was ultimately tanked by conservatives. Pass the Senate bill. Lets get this done. Stop fing around, he added. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Democrats on Wednesday pressured Republicans to identify the criminal conduct underlying their probe into President Biden in a hearing scheduled amid rising GOP doubts about the future of their impeachment investigation. Wednesdays Oversight Committee hearing was relatively fireworks-free, for a panel known for dishing up some of Congresss most eyebrow raising moments, and proceeded even as Hunter Biden declined to participate. Republicans left an empty seat and placard on the table for Hunter Biden, but the presidents son managed to largely skirt attention in a hearing that was ostensibly crafted to review his business dealings and connect them to his father. House Oversight Chair James Comer (R-Ky.) at one point stressed that this hearing is not about Hunter Biden. This investigation is not about Hunter Biden. It is about Joe Biden and the lies he continues to tell the American people. But two GOP-invited witnesses failed to advance any new claims, while Lev Parnas, a former operative for Rudy Giulani who was invited by Democrats, recanted his past work and testified he never found any evidence of wrongdoing by President Biden. Democrats were quick to point to statements from a growing roster of Republican skeptics of the probe, asking the GOP to name the high crime or misdemeanor that underlies their impeachment investigation. It was also the first hearing in the GOP impeachment inquiry since an FBI informant was arrested on charges related to lying to agency in fabricating claims President Biden accepted a bribe while vice president to take actions to benefit the Ukrainian energy company where his son served on the board. At this point the story isnt the fact that the basis of this impeachment inquiry is wrong. The story is why it is proceeding anyway? Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) said, adding the GOP has no charges. I have yet to hear in the chairmans opening the allegation that they are specifically charging the president of the United States with. I am hearing about the Biden family. I am hearing about this and that. I am not hearing the specific allegation by this committee. What is it? It is not here. And that is the problem. The story is when this committee knew they were working with falsified evidence? That is the story. Hunter Biden declined to appear at the hearing after previously requesting to appear publicly. A letter from his lawyer he said GOP leaders provided no prior outreach when setting a hearing date, staging the hearing the day before he is due in court in California. Republicans instead relied on two witnesses with little connection to Hunter Biden or his father. Tony Bobulinski briefly worked with Hunter Biden on a Chinese investment deal never came to fruition. He later became aligned with allies of former President Trump, attending a presidential debate at his invitation and being currently represented by an attorney who helped Trump White House aides before the Jan. 6 committee through funds supplied through entities connected with the former president. Jason Galanis, who is currently incarcerated on fraud charges brought in an indictment alongside Hunter Bidens former business partner, has said he worked with the presidents son, but that is in dispute. Hunter Biden said he only recalled that 10 years ago for 30 minutes I was introduced to Jason Galanis, and thats the only time I ever recall meeting him. Democrats accused Republicans of selecting two witnesses whose testimony has been countered by nearly 20 other witnesses. Bobulinskis main draw for the GOP stems from his claims that a 2017 email chain he was on suggesting business partners set aside money in a deal for the big guy was a reference to President Biden, who had just left office. The idea was not further discussed on the chain. Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.) pointed to an interview with another former partner, James Gilliar, who said President Biden was never involved in the discussion and had nothing to do with the deal. You and James Gilliar wanted Joe Biden involved and that is why Hunter Biden dumped you and did the business on his own, Goldman said. Hunter Biden has called for an investigation into Bobulinski, casting him as a spurned business partner who was not even present at a meeting in which payment structures were discussed, questioning whether he lied about the matter to the FBI. Democrats on Wednesday also moved to subpoena Bobulinskis phone records, noting the committee only has screenshots from his phone, something the witness said was due to an FBI inability to mirror the data from an old blackberry. But Republicans voted down the measure, as they did in a prior hearing when Democrats sought to subpoena Giuliani. Parnass appearance was one of his most public since leaving prison in September after serving time on charges related to fraud and campaign finance crimes. The close associate of Giuliani lobbed bombs at his former boss, as well as other Trump officials, including former Attorney General Bill Barr. While tasked with investigating the Bidens, Parnas said he came up short, accusing Giuliani and others of falsely smearing the Biden family dispute a lack of evidence. In nearly a year traveling the world and interviewing officials in different countries, I found precisely zero evidence of the Bidens corruption in Ukraine. No credible sources ever provided proof of criminal activity, Parnas said. But Republicans jumped on Democrats for calling Parnas as a witness. The Democrats could have sent anyone. They could have sent Hunter Biden, they could have sent Joe Biden. The Democrats could have sought any person to come a refute the direct evidence backed up by bank statements, backed up calendar entries, backed up by e-mails, backed up by text messages. But who did democrats send to clear the name of Joe and Hunter Biden? They sent Lev Parnas. Lev Parnas who was charged with enough crimes and violating our campaign finance laws to, like, serve 50 years, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) said. The hearing comes at a critical juncture for the GOP probe. Leaders have been weighing forgoing any formal vote on their impeachment inquiry, and are now instead weighing making a criminal referral to the Justice Department, another potentially fraught pathway. More Republicans are openly questioning the inquiry, including its evidentiary basis, and whether it will ever come to a vote on the House floor. Conservative media have also been increasingly skeptical, with a Newsmax anchor telling House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), Unless you get Democratic votes, this is going to be real tough. So, it kind of seems like youre chasing your tail at this point because this is not going to go anywhere. Comer defended the probe at the close of the hearing. Mr. Bobulinski, Mr. Galanis have delivered testimony directly implicating Mr. Biden and his family influence peddling schemes, schemes that brought over $24 million into the Biden family and their business associates pockets, Comer said. A Washington Post fact check found that the bulk of that money went to other business associates, not the Biden family. For what? Ive never heard the minority say what they did or what business they were in, Comer added. But Democrats took turns making light of the GOP progress. Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) crafted a Top 10 list of the reasons the GOP impeachment inquiry is dead, complete with a chart showing a flatlining heartbeat. At what point are you going to fish or cut bait? So I just have to tell you, its over. Impeachment is over. Donezo, bye bye, rigor mortis, lights out, curtain drop, mic drop, peace, adios, sayonara, do svidaniya, a language yall know, Swalwell said, seeking to connect to GOP to Russia And Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) jokingly moved to kick off an impeachment vote during the hearing, suggesting that Republicans were reticent to do so. They are never going to impeach Joe Biden. It is never going to happen. They dont have the evidence. This is a show. It is all fake, Moskowitz said. If these hearings were a success, if what we have been doing the last 15 months had convinced the American people that Joe Biden committed a high crime and misdemeanor, you can be sure they wouldve called the vote by now. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The killing of two police officers and a paramedic in Burnsville last month have made "straw purchases" of firearms a critical issue for Minnesota lawmakers in both parties. Rep. Kaela Berg, DFL-Burnsville, said she wanted to craft a bill to address the specific circumstances of those shootings. The gunman was not legally allowed to own firearms, and federal prosecutors said in an indictment that his girlfriend purchased the weapons. "The AR-15-style weapons that were used against the first responders should not have been in the possession of the assailant," Berg said. Berg's bill would make it a state felony to buy guns for someone barred from owning them. Under state law, that offense is a gross misdemeanor, though it is already a felony at the federal level. The bill would also outlaw binary triggers, devices that effectively speed up the rate of semiautomatic gunfire.. Rep. Jamie Becker-Finn, DFL-Roseville, noted that the gunman who killed a Minnesota-born police officer in Fargo last year also used a binary trigger. Berg's bill had a hearing in a House committee Thursday, and a Senate committee will hear a bill Friday to make it a state felony to buy a gun for someone else. Republican legislators support stiffer state penalties for someone who makes a straw purchase, but some charge Democrats with delaying a vote on them. Sen. Julia Coleman, R-Waconia, said the Senate bill replicates one she sponsored last year that never made it to the Senate floor. "This could have passed last year and Democrats held it up," Coleman said. In a news conference and an impassioned floor speech on Thursday, Coleman said she "firmly believe[d]" the woman alleged to have purchased guns for the Burnsville gunman, Ashley Dyrdahl, would not have done so, had straw purchasing been a felony under state law. Dyrdahl faces federal charges, including straw buying. Coleman said Sen. Heather Gustafson, DFL-Vadnais Heights, "told me she would be cloning my bill with the exact same language," adding that Gustafson explained to her that "Republicans can't be the ones to pass this bill." Gustafson responded in an emailed statement. "Ultimately, I valued the starting point of Senator Coleman's bill," Gustafson said, adding, "I believe there is more work to be done." Gustafson said she planned to amend her bill Friday. In the House, Republicans raised similar concerns, pointing to a bill by Rep. Peggy Scott, R-Andover, that would also have made straw purchases a felony. Berg said it was "likely a mistake on my part" not to reach out to Scott to work together on a bill, but she said she wanted to craft something quickly that dealt with the specific circumstances of the Burnsville shooting after the federal indictment against Dyrdahl was released. There are key distinctions between the Republican and Democratic bills in the House, Becker-Finn said. Namely, the DFL bill makes it a felony to buy guns for someone the purchaser "reasonably should know" is not allowed to possess firearms, while the Republican bill makes it a felony if the purchaser "knows" someone is not allowed to own guns. The DFL bill also requires the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to produce a report on gun trafficking in Minnesota. In Thursday's House hearing, GOP legislators said they agree with tougher penalties for straw purchases. "I am supportive of the straw buyer part of this," said Rep. Jeff Witte, R-Lakeville, and a retired Burnsville police officer. But some House Republicans chafed at the idea of banning binary triggers in the same bill. "The straw purchaser bill should have been done by itself," said Rep. Matt Grossell, R-Clearbrook. "I don't know why you had to muck it up." Rep. Paul Novotny, R-Elk River, suggested some wording changes to make sure the binary trigger ban did not inadvertently ban other kinds of semiautomatic firearms. Democrats said they were open to his suggestions. Seven Democratic Senators and independent allies introduced a bill Thursday that would increase the authority of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), allowing the agency to obtain judicial warrants to arrest immigrants who entered the country illegally and were charged with violent crimes. The bill comes as Democrats increase tough-on-immigration rhetoric amid a GOP focus on the policy for the 2024 election. Three of the bills sponsors, Democratic Sens. Sherrod Brown (Ohio), Tammy Baldwin (Wis.) and Bob Casey (Pa.), face tough reelection fights. Sens. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Angus King (I-Maine) and Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.) also sponsored the measure. Even though we know immigrants are less likely to commit crimes than Americans, it is also true that there are times when ICE needs to take custody of a noncitizen accused or convicted of a serious crime, Murphy said in a statement. This proposal is a narrowly-tailored, commonsense solution to address that serious gap, while also preserving the due process rights of noncitizens. Under current law, ICE makes detainer requests in local jurisdictions to detain undocumented people who are arrested by local police. Not all jurisdictions follow the requests. Enabling ICE to request judicial warrants for those charged with violent crimes ensures that they will be detained by federal authorities. Murphy, however, made clear that the Democrats proposal is far different from those made by Republicans to ban sanctuary cities jurisdictions that ignore the detainer requests or enable local police to detain any person suspected of being an undocumented immigrant. The most prominent House GOP attempt, the Laken Riley Act, specifically targets undocumented people charged with theft, named for a Georgia student killed by one such undocumented migrant last month. Unlike the bills proposed by House Republicans, this legislation would actually fix one of the problems facing our immigration system, rather than serve as a messaging tool to demonize immigrants, Murphy said. If Republicans are interested in anything other than political theater they should support this bill. The National Republican Senatorial Committee [NRSC] shrugged off the measure, denouncing it as a political stunt to shift focus away from what the GOP has criticized as weak border policy. Its an election year, so they are trying to fool voters by rewriting their records, and it will not work, NRSC spokesperson Mike Berg said in a statement to The Associated Press. Some Democrats, especially those in tight 2024 races, have criticized President Biden for his border policy. Just more than a dozen House Democrats signed off on a resolution denouncing Biden last week, and more than 20 launched a border policy task force earlier this month. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The House Democratic whip said Thursday that Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is free to invite the Israeli prime minister to address Congress, but argued the greater show of support for Israel would be to vote on a foreign-aid package awaiting action in the House. There is one group in Congress that is holding up that national security supplement that is needed, desperately, by the people of Ukraine and so many of our other allies. And that is the House GOP, Rep. Katherine Clark (Mass.) told reporters in the Capitol. That bill needs to come to the floor, she continued. So you can invite whomever you like to come and address Congress. But do the work that needs to be done. Republicans are pressing to have Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu address a joint session of Congress, largely in response to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumers (D-N.Y.) recent denouncement of Netanyahu over his handling of the Israel-Hamas war. Johnson said Thursday that hes ready to make the invitation official. I would love to have him come in and address a joint session of Congress, Johnson said in an interview on CNBCs Squawk Box. Well certainly extend that invitation. The visit would come at a fraught moment in U.S.-Israel relations, as President Biden and many Democrats on Capitol Hill have become increasingly critical of Netanyahus response to the Hamas terrorist attacks of Oct. 7. The Democrats have been virtually united in supporting Israels right to defend itself in the wake of those attacks, which left roughly 1,200 dead. But Israels retaliatory operations in the Gaza Strip have led to the death of more than 30,000 people many of them women and children sparking growing concerns from even some of Israels closest allies. Schumer, one of those allies, stirred a firestorm of controversy last week when he denounced Netanyahu both for his domestic policies and his conduct in Gaza. Schumer accused Netanyahu of undermining Israels security and global standing, largely to distract from a series of corruption charges he faces. Netanyahu has lost his way by allowing his political survival to take precedence over the best interests of Israel, Schumer said from the Senate floor. He called for new elections to replace Netanyahu. The remarks triggered an outcry from Republicans on Capitol Hill, many of whom want Netanyahu to provide his own defense in an address to Congress. While liberal Democrats would likely boycott such a speech, Democratic leaders say theyd welcome Netanyahu to the Capitol a list that includes Schumer. I will always welcome the opportunity for the prime minister of Israel to speak to Congress in a bipartisan way, Schumer said. Yet House Democratic leaders are also arguing that the more practical show of support for Israel would be for GOP leaders to take up the Senate-passed foreign-aid package that combines military assistance for Ukraine and Israel with humanitarian help for Gaza. That legislation passed through the Senate last month with 70 supporters, including 22 Republicans, but Johnson has declined to consider it in the House. Hes vowing to alter the Senate bill and send it back to the upper chamber at some point when the House returns from its long holiday recess next month. Its unclear, however, what changes the Speaker will make, or how he intends to pass them through a deeply divided House. For those reasons, Democrats are amping up their calls for Johnson simply to put the Senate bill on the House floor, where they say it would receive more than 300 votes. The Republicans, what theyve done over the course of the last few months wasting time is shameful, said Rep. Joe Neguse (Colo.), the assistant Democratic leader. And they ought to put that bill on the floor for an up-or down-vote. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Coweta County officials are searching for a man accused in connection to a string of business burglaries. On March 13, Coweta deputies responded to the Golden Krust located at 1400 E Highway. Deputies also discovered that Oriental Marketplace had also been burglarized. Police walked us through a video of what they are looking for LIVE on Channel 2 Action News at 5:00 p.m. The following stores in Newnan were also believed to have also been burglarized by the man: Marcos Pizza Big Joes Captain Ds Sweet Krunch Attempted burglary at Car Wash Junction [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] In all, between $700 and $800 was stolen. Officials said the man was shown on video walking with a distinctive gait. Anyone with information on the man is asked to contact Investigator Crook at 770.253.1502 or jcrook@coweta.ga.us , Investigator Mullis (cmullis@coweta.ga.us) or Detective Godfrey at dgodfrey@newnaga.gov TRENDING STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: LAUDERDALE COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) The Lauderdale County Sheriffs Office (LCSO) says it has located a woman previously reported missing. LCSO says that 34-year-old Jessica Dundee was last seen at a campground site in the Waterloo area. According to deputies, Dundee may travel to an area around Mobile, Alabama. Huntsville police locate man missing since December Dundee is described as 52 and weighs 120 pounds. She also has brown eyes, black hair, and tattoos of stars on her right shoulder. If anyone has information regarding the whereabouts of Jessica Dundee, please call the Lauderdale County Sheriffs Office at (256)-760-5757. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com. Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur has announced that his country will provide a new military aid package worth 20 million. The package will include, among other things, artillery ammunition and smaller caliber ammunition. ADVERTISIMENT Pevcur made the statement during a visit to the Ukrainian capital Kyiv. This was reported by the press service of the Estonian Ministry of Defense. "The package includes anti-tank guns, explosives, various types of artillery ammunition, gas masks, sniper equipment, smaller caliber ammunition, and much more. We have put together this package with a focus on bringing maximum benefit to Ukraine without reducing Estonia's defense readiness," Pevkur said. In particular, the package includes 155 mm caliber shells, which is an additional contribution from Estonia to the European Union's initiative to send one million shells to Ukraine. The cost of this contribution will be partially covered by Denmark. However, the exact amount of ammunition is not disclosed for security reasons. Pevkur also noted that with the arrival of summer, Ukraine especially needs ammunition, all components of air defense, as well as spare parts and electronic warfare equipment. ADVERTISIMENT "The review of the situation on the battlefield provided by Defense Minister Umerov confirmed that this package is very much needed. However, it also clearly showed what Ukraine needs before the summer: ammunition, all air defense elements, as well as spare parts and electronic warfare equipment," he said. As OBOZ.UA previously reported, Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said she could not guarantee that Tallinn would not send its military to Ukraine. She emphasized that "circumstances can change," so she would not make any promises. Commenting on the possibility of sending troops to Ukraine, Kallas noted that Kyiv had not asked for it. At the same time, Ukraine has asked Estonia to help the Defense Forces with ammunition and air defense equipment to repel Russian missile and drone attacks. ADVERTISIMENT In March, undercover detectives with the Rowan County Sheriffs Office led a sex trafficking sting that they allowed Channel 9s Hannah Goetz to be a part of. As part of the operation, deputies found dozens of local prostitution advertisements online. Many of the women in the ads agreed to meet them at the hotel, thinking they would be performing sex acts for money. >> 9 Investigates: The Rescued Instead, deputies interviewed them to gather information about possible trafficking situations. Afterward, each woman was offered help and was free to leave with no charges filed. RESOURCES: Eradicating human trafficking from our community Its designed to be research-based, and victim-centered. This is not something that we were looking to make a bunch of arrests out of, Lt. Ryan Barkley said. Do we have a trafficking issue and can we help some people? said Sheriff Travis Allen. Couldnt believe that it was this easy In one instance, two women from one ad and one more from another all arrived at the hotel at the same time. I just couldnt believe that it was this easy, Chief Deputy Jason Owens said. You get online and youre chatting and within a few minutes, you have communication with someone just on a random site. And then in an hour, theyre showing up to your location. In that situation, Owens told the three women that law enforcement was there to offer help if they chose, especially if they were being forced into their line of work. But he told Goetz the three did not appear to be victims of trafficking. So none of these three appear to be being trafficked by anybody, they just appear to be doing it because they want to do it, Owens said. Some women, though they werent being trafficked, asked deputies to connect them with resources that could help them. You kind of can see that some of this isnt by their choice. Theyre in a position or in a situation where this is -- for them -- they see this as the only way to make a mean or have income or just survive, Det. Christopher Rooster Greer said. And the whole picture, it is sad. Because many of these women, they only see this as I have to do this to get [by], day by day. Det. Amber Weaver told Goetz the deputies were very careful in the way they approached the conversations they had with the women. Ive experienced some things throughout life and encountered some great law enforcement officers and some not-so-great. And so at times, I feel like its necessary for there to be officers out there that can respect you, and you can trust in them and kind of reflect on the same level, at times, of things that they may be going through, Weaver said. And you can kind of communicate with them effectively in a different way, knowing that youve experienced some of the things that they may have experienced. It was a way to make money One of the women told detectives she struggles with drug addiction and that prostitution helps to support her habit. She agreed to tell Goetz her story. The woman said she has been doing it for a year and her friend has been for six years. Is that how you got into it, was with your friend? Goetz asked. No, she said. A guy made me -- introduced me to it. He made the page for me, this certain person said it was a way to make money. And if I didnt do it, I would get hit, she added. If you could leave here today and do something that you wanted to do, what would that be? Goetz asked. Go get clean ... get my kids back, she said. >> Learn more about who detectives were able to rescue by clicking here. DERBY, Kan. (KSNW) Tanglewood Elementary, a Derby Public School, revealed its book vending machine to its students on Wednesday. The idea was Kara Sumners, the schools media clerk. Sumner, among others, repurposed an older vending machine to be able to vend books. When the opportunity came, and we could make those connections, it just snowballed. It became a project that so many people in the building became involved in, said Sumner. The schools Parent-Teacher Organization, which supports and funds the vending machine, gets books to put in the vending machine from the schools Scholastic book fair. The books are funded through PTO, and we order them through Scholastic. So our PTO actually has Scholastic book fairs that we do very regularly and they use their funding and earnings from that to be able to purchase books for the vending machine. So, everything goes back to our Tigers, said Tanglewood Elementary Principal Amy Steadman. Students are incentivized to do great things to earn a coin and get a book. They are earning tokens through civic engagement, inclusion with their friends, making good choices, being good, caring, empathetic people, said Sumner. Also, their academic and maybe even personal goals, because you know, what is a mountain for one person is a tiny little hill for another and we need to be able to acknowledge when somebody reaches their mountain top. Two students were able to get the first books out of the vending machine on Wednesday. We had two kiddos today who actually wrote a grant with me to get funding for music and art and get a few extra supplies and were awarded that grant, and so they got the first two coins and were able to take and get books out of our vending machine, said Steadman. Wild Side: Baby African penguin visits from Tanganyika Wildlife Park Some of our students may not have an opportunity to have books at home that they own and being able to purchase a book and getting to keep it, and it be a part of your life is, is a treasure that youll get to keep with you always, said Sumner. The book vending machine is the first of its kind in the district. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. Maybe youve noticed the part in your hair has widened, or youve spotted more strands than usual circling the drain. Whatever tipped you off, youre not alone in the realization that you're losing hair. In fact, hair loss affects an estimated 80 million Americans, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association. While the condition can be distressing, in some cases its treatable. But to learn how to regrow hair, youll have to pinpoint the reason you're losing it in the first place, Dr. Farah Moustafa, dermatologist and director of laser and cosmetics at Tufts Medical Center, tells TODAY.com. Theres alopecia, hormonal imbalances, vitamin deficiencies, and treatments such as chemotherapy, but two causes stand out among the rest because they're the most prevalent. The most common cause of hair loss is usually female pattern and male pattern hair loss, aka androgenic alopecia, says Moustafa. While pattern baldness happens as we age, Moustafa says you might notice a change in hair thickness as early as your 20s. I like to tell patients its kind of like getting wrinkles on your face, she explains. "Its a slowly progressive process. And while you might not be able to completely reverse your hair loss, the sooner you intervene, the better your chances of going back a few stages. The other common reason is stress-related hair loss, called telogen effluvium. Instead of a gradual thinning, your hair will come out in clumps. You may notice this kind of excessive shedding following surgery, starting or stopping a medication, childbirth, psychological trauma or contracting an illness, including COVID. When triggered, the body will stop the hair growth cycle, instead prioritizing other functions to get you through the stressful period. After dedicating all of its energy to your recovery, after about six months, Moustafa says, your body will hit the on switch and your hair cycle should typically resume. If it doesnt, youve got options. Below, find both at-home and in-office solutions to regrow your hair. At home Minoxidil: Most of us lose between 100 and 150 hairs per day. If you notice youre losing more than that due to female or male pattern baldness, or telogen effluvium, Moustafa recommends topical minoxidil, aka Rogaine. For women, she recommends the 2% or 5% options. And for men, the 5% option works best. Apply it twice a day to the affected areas, Moustafa says. If you have long hair, the application process might be a bit more involved: Part your hair in intervals along the length of your head and apply the solution directly to your scalp making sure you cover as much surface area as you can. It typically takes about six months to see results, Moustafa points out. Hair growth supplements While Moustafa isnt typically a fan of supplements, there are a few out there that she recommends to patients because they're clinically tested and have been shown to work. A December 2022 study looked at specific brands of hair loss supplements and pointed to a few that appeared to be effective, as well as ingredients that seemed to lead to more improvement. Talk to your dermatologist about which hair growth supplements may be right for you. Red light therapy caps and combs Studies have deemed red light therapy a potentially effective treatment for patients who have female or male pattern baldness. The data is still emerging, but Moustafa says a red light therapy cap or comb can help. Exposing the scalp to low levels of infrared light can stimulate collagen production, strengthen the connective tissue that builds the skin, increase blood circulation and reduce inflammation, according to the Mayo Clinic. However, Moustafa warns: (These products) are not all created equal, thats for sure. Instead of adding the first cap or comb you see to your cart, Moustafa urges patients to read consumer reviews and make sure the tool theyre purchasing is an FDA-cleared device. In addition, Moustafa says to take note of the devices return policy. Some of them will say you can use it, and then if you dont see an improvement, you can return it after a year, says Moustafa. So usually a good company will stand by their products in that way. In office Oral minoxidil Unlike the liquid or foam topical minoxidil, your dermatologist might recommend the oral version if your skin is sensitive or the topical kind didnt work after six months of use, says Moustafa. Spironolactone For women of childbearing age dealing with female pattern hair loss, Moustafa might recommend spironolactone, a medication typically prescribed for acne. Finasteride Finasteride is a prescription treatment for male pattern baldness. But it only works for as long as you take it, so stop and youll continue to lose hair. As long as youre consistent, you should notice a difference within three months, according to the Mayo Clinic. Moustafa notes that while finasteride is typically prescribed to men, it can be an option for some post-menopausal women. Platelet-rich plasma injections Platelet-rich plasma injections, or PRP injections, involve taking the patients blood, which contains platelets that have growth factors, Moustafa explains. Your doctor will concentrate the platelets in your blood and inject it back into the affected areas where youre experiencing hair loss. Its basically like fertilizer for your scalp, Moustafa adds. You can expect about 16 injections to stimulate the scalp and regrow hair. This article was originally published on TODAY.com Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed a bill Wednesday that bans homeless people from camping in the states public spaces. Florida will not allow homeless encampments to intrude on its citizens or undermine their quality of life like we see in states like New York and California, DeSantis said in a statement. The legislation I signed today upholds our commitment to law and order while also ensuring homeless individuals have the resources they need to get back on their feet. The bill, H.B. 1365, will take effect Oct. 1. Under the legislation, homeless people are prohibited from camping on city streets, sidewalks and in parks. The shelters they will instead be placed in will be monitored by law enforcement agencies, DeSantiss release said. It requires municipalities to create designated spaces for camping and sleeping if homeless shelters are full. The spaces must have access to clean and operable restrooms and running water. The sites also must have security present at all times and access to behavioral health services, including substance abuse and mental health resources, according to the legislation. Drug and alcohol use on the properties will not be tolerated, and officials will enforce this prohibition. In a post online, DeSantis released facts about the states homeless population. It said that even though Florida is the third most populous state in the country, it does not have a city on the top 10 of homeless populations. The release also said while Floridas total population has increased, the state has experienced one of the largest decreases in the homelessness rate since 2019. Democrat lawmakers said the bill was proposed despite there being no studies or data to support it, the Tampa Bay Times reported. The lawlessness seen in progressive citiessprawling encampments, open-air drug markets, and homeless people endangering themselves and othersis entirely preventable, DeSantis posted on X, formerly Twitter. We wont stand for it in Florida, and our action today is one of many steps were taking to keep our cities clean and safe for everyone. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Gov. Ron DeSantis signed on Thursday the first four of six bills from a $1.1 billion package that improves healthcare for most Floridians who already have insurance but does little to provide treatment for the states quarter-of-a-million-plus uninsured patients, many of whom live in South Florida. The legislative package, Live Healthy, invests in growing Floridas healthcare workforce so that patients can get care faster and more easily; improves services for disabled, mental- and maternal-health patients; and makes it easier to shop around for care and harder for hospitals to sue patients over medical debt. Weve done a lot in Florida to really lead on healthcare, DeSantis said at the Bonita Springs bill signing on Thursday, highlighting the Live Healthy provisions focused on building up the number of healthcare workers in the state and improving access to mental health treatment. Youre talking about underserved areas, youre talking about low-income areas, youre talking about having more flexibility for healthcare providers to be able to come and serve our residents, DeSantis said. Tampa General Hospital President and CEO John Couris said the legislative package would improve access to healthcare in a reliable, reproducible, sustainable kind of way. But while the Live Healthy package aims to modernize Floridas understaffed and overburdened healthcare system, it does little for the uninsured, with Floridas state leaders focusing largely on improvements for those who already have coverage and rejecting the one move that many advocates say would dramatically improve healthcare for hundreds of thousands of Floridians: expanding Medicaid. Making Medicaid more widely available by raising the income threshold for government-provided health insurance largely remains anathema among Florida Republicans, though some experts say their legislative agenda this session would be helped by expanding the program and drawing down billions in federal assistance. I detect no appetite in the Florida House to revisit that conversation, incoming House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, told the Herald/Times Tallahassee Bureau in a statement. We need to focus on expanding opportunities for people to improve their economic circumstances and access quality, affordable health care. Adding able bodied adults without dependents to the Medicaid rolls is a band aid not a solution. Though Perezs Republican counterpart in the Senate has said hes open-minded to the discussion of expanding Medicaid, Perez told the Herald/Times during the final week of this years legislative session that he believed the Medicaid expansion debate was fully litigated by the Legislature several years ago. READ MORE: These Miami cities love Trump and lead the U.S. in Obamacare enrollment. Heres why Perezs position has been status quo in Florida for nearly a decade. Medicaid expansion was once a red versus blue war, with most liberal states expanding after the 2012 Supreme Courts ruling that the Affordable Care Act would stand but expansion would be up to states discretion. Most conservative states, like Florida, declined. Since then, holdouts have slowly come aboard, leaving Florida as one of just 10 states where income restrictions leave a combined 1.5 million people 19% of them in Florida ineligible for both Medicaid and Affordable Care Act marketplace subsidies that would enable them to afford health insurance on their own. Floridas insistence on not expanding access to Medicaid despite proof of its positive impacts reflects an evolving war over who deserves to have healthcare the people who can afford to pay for it or everyone, said Joan Alker, the executive director for the Center for Children and Families at Georgetown University. This is a fight within the Republican party, said Alker, where ideological extremists are going to keep fighting this. They are in a fight with the more pragmatic Republicans, she said. THE COVERAGE GAP: UNSUBSIDIZED, UNABLE TO BUY There are 570,000 Floridians who would qualify for Medicaid if Florida lawmakers expanded the government-subsidized health insurance program to those who make up to 138% of the federal poverty level, which translates to $20,783 for an individual. Of these, roughly half dont qualify for federal subsidies to purchase their own health insurance in the Affordable Care Act marketplace. They make less than the federal poverty level, but not so little that they are eligible for Medicaid in Florida without expansion. A family of three must make less than $7,746 a year, for instance, for non-pregnant parents to qualify for Medicaid in Florida. They are in what is called the coverage gap. READ MORE: Georgia Republicans reject Democrats final push for Medicaid expansion While Live Healthy expands access to free and low-cost primary healthcare and testing clinics, it leaves those in the coverage gap without treatment options if they find they have something, like cancer, at one of those clinics. Having health insurance is the top indicator of whether somebody survives cancer, said Susan Harbin, Florida lobbyist for American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, in an interview. While there are some pieces of this bill that will benefit uninsured cancer patients, theres definitely solutions out there on the table that we would love for the Florida Legislature to start talking about again in earnest: Medicaid expansion, closing the coverage gap, doing a Florida-style solution. Harbin added: Were really hopeful that theyll start to have those conversations again next session. The Florida Senate in 2015 passed a Medicaid expansion bill including conservative policies like work requirements, but it was defeated in the House. The debate has gone nowhere since. Currently, people eligible in the state for Medicaid include those who have met the low-income requirement and are either pregnant, have kids under 18, are blind, have or live with someone who has a disability or are at least 65. (Pregnant women have a higher income threshold). Expanding Medicaid would make Medicaid eligibility based on income alone, and would raise the income threshold in general, allowing more people, including adults who dont have children, to be eligible for the insurance. Though state leaders have dismissed its effectiveness, healthcare experts widely say that states that have expanded Medicaid with most the cost picked up by the federal government have found it to benefit low-income patients as well as workers in and outside of healthcare. Overall, it would really make a dent in helping reduce the number of people in Florida without health insurance, help save the state money and potentially lead to the creation of more jobs in healthcare to meet demand for care, Dr. Olveen Carrasquillo, a University of Miami Miller School of Medicine professor, told the Miami Herald. Professor John McDonough at Harvards T.H. Chan School of Public Health said people with insurance are more likely to go to their regular doctor instead of the emergency room. He also said Medicaid expansion invigorates the healthcare workforce and increases workers across the economy because uninsured people suffering from chronic health conditions could now tend to them and return to work. Thats not made up. Thats whats been found in all of the states that have expanded already, said McDonough. So, if the concern is we need more workers, we need more people working, we need more people working in the healthcare workforce and outside of the healthcare workforce, Medicaid expansion is a proven-tested formula to advance that goal, which is why no state thats expanded has even looked at going back. McDonough summarized: Medicaid expansion could actually be an important asset in helping to make the Senate presidents agenda successful. But Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, a Naples Republican who championed Live Healthy, said prior to the end of the legislative session that she didnt believe experts like McDonough about Medicaid expansion increasing the workforce or helping to divert patients from emergency rooms, two main goals for her healthcare package. There are a lot of experts all over the place, Passidomo said. Whether you have insurance or not, at two oclock in the morning, your primary care doctor is not available. Nobodys available Therell just be more people showing up in the emergency room. RESISTING THE WAVE: A CONSERVATIVE REPORT Floridas senior Republicans have their own medical experts, with a Paragon Health Institute report floating around the Florida Capitol backing up many of their policy arguments. Titled Resisting the Wave of Medicaid Expansion: Why Florida is Right, the report largely cites as its evidence an October 2023 study regarding Medicaid expansion by the actuarial consulting firm Milliman that was created for the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, which regulates Medicaid. The Milliman study found that Medicaid expansion in Florida would cost between $78 billion and $176.2 billion over 10 years, with Florida paying up to $17.2 billion of that. The report also estimates that expansion enrollment would be much higher than anticipated, up to 2.5 million people by 2027. Medicaid expansion would have harmful health care effects in addition to the deleterious fiscal effects. Expansion would lead to great health care access challenges for existing enrollees, states the report, written by Paragon President Brian Blase, a healthcare adviser to former President Donald Trump, according to Stat News, and former right-leaning Heritage Foundation data analyst Drew Gonshorowski. Recent research demonstrates that expansion has resulted in states shifting resources from traditional Medicaid enrollees, such as children and people with disabilities, and toward able-bodied, working-aged adults while creating a disincentive to work. But Holly Bullard, chief strategy and development officer for Florida Policy Institute, one of the groups leading the effort to get Medicaid expansion on the 2026 ballot as a state constitutional amendment, told the Herald the Milliman study was incomplete and misleading. The Milliman report excluded hundreds of millions in savings, Bullard said. She said her organization estimated that Medicaid expansion would in fact save Florida $200 million per year. Its very concerning that a report commissioned by the state of Florida using taxpayer dollars would be so glaring in omitting so many of the well-known budget savings categories that the 40 states that have expanded Medicaid have benefited from. Floridas budget spending on mental health services, corrections, substance abuse, people who have cancer or AIDs, and many other programs would see budget savings under expansion, said Bullard in a statement. This is Medicaid finance 101. Herald/Times staff writer Romy Ellenbogen contributed to this report. Medical personnel in hospital. (Photo by Don Murray/Getty Images) Quality Journalism for Critical Times Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Thursday a package of bills aimed at increasing the number of health care workers and promoting innovation in the industry. Over the next 10 years, the laws, which state lawmakers prioritized during this years legislative session, will cost the state $1.5 billion. The four pieces of legislation (SB 7016, SB 7018, SB 330, and SB 1758) DeSantis signed during a press conference in southwest Florida make up the Live Healthy initiative spearheaded by Senate President Kathleen Passidomo. The plan focuses on retaining and attracting health care workers to the state, creating a loan program for innovative health care projects, establishing behavioral health teaching hospitals, and providing at-home and community-based services to Floridians with disabilities. Gov. Ron DeSantis signs the Live Healthy bill package on March 21, 2024. (Photo credit: Florida Channel) Weve recognized the need to have a really good health care workforce. We started by putting a lot into expanding nursing training in the state of Florida, DeSantis said during the bill signing. So, you have way more resources than you did four or five years ago. Part of that is to keep up with the growth, but also just understanding that thats an issue nationwide, even in states that are not growing. To see nurses, especially as more nurses retire, you need to have more, so weve been really leaning in on that, and were excited to do that. Now, theres a series of bills that Im going to sign up today, and I think it builds off a lot of the success. The governor also signed SB 322, which is a public-records exception for identifying information for practitioners taking part in interstate licensure compacts established in SB 7016. Passidomo and other state lawmakers who shaped the initiative, such as Republican Sens. Gayle Harrell and Colleen Burton, attended the bill signing ceremony. Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo and Taylor Hatch, director of the Florida Agency for Persons with Disabilities, were also in attendance. Still no Medicaid expansion in Florida During her remarks, Passidomo emphasized the need to increase the number of health care workers in Florida as the population increases and ages. We need more primary-care providers who play a vital role as the main point of contact in the health care system for families and seniors, she said. Access to health care is important at every phase of life. Insurance including Medicaid and Medicare does not guarantee access. Even Floridians with great insurance face barriers to care. Through Live Healthy Florida will grow the health care workforce we need to serve our communities. Her expectations for the initiative are lofty, as she called it a game-changer during the ceremony. As DeSantis exited the venue, Passidomo gave him a hug. Our state will forever be changed in a really good way, Passidomo said. Although Live Healthy bills received near-unanimous approval in the Legislature, Passidomos reference to Medicaid, health care coverage for low-income people, stems from criticism from Democrats and advocacy groups that the state is one of 10 that hasnt expanded the program. Its commendable that the Legislature has put together such a robust package that invests in the health care workforce as a means to increase access to care, said Erica Monet Li, a policy analyst at Florida Policy Institute, in a statement to Florida Phoenix when the Legislature passed SB 7016 and SB 7018. We recognize that this workforce investment will likely have a positive impact. At the same time, we know that the most effective way to increase access to health care in our state would be to close the coverage gap by expanding Medicaid, as 40 other states have done. Heres a summary on what the laws do SB 7016, the most extensive and expensive bill in the package, pours $717 million into a variety of things, such as increasing the number of residencies so medical school graduates can finish their training in the state, and expanding the telehealth minority maternity care program and tuition reimbursement programs for health care workers. But most of the funds earmarked in SB 7016 go toward increasing the reimbursement rate service providers receive for Medicaid patients, meaning the amount of money Florida pays for taking patients covered by Medicaid. SB 7018 establishes a 10-year loan program for projects that implement innovative technology, create workforce pathways, and increase public access to health care. Until the fiscal year 2033-2034, the Florida Legislature must deposit $50 million each year into the loan fund. Both SB 7016 and SB 7018 became effective once DeSantis signed them. However, certain provisions of SB 7016 have specified dates for when they go into effect. SB 330 establishes a behavioral-health teaching hospital designation for facilities to train mental health service providers, such as psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric nurses, social workers, and family and marriage counselors. SB 1758 addresses the 8.6-year waiting period some Floridians with disabilities go through to access state-subsidized services that help them live on their own or with their families. Those two bills go into effect on July 1. The post DeSantis signs Live Healthy package spending $1.5 billion to bolster health care programs appeared first on Florida Phoenix. Efforts to repeal the free kill provision of Floridas Wrongful Death Act saw progress during this years legislative session but ultimately failed, leaving advocates disappointed that millions of Floridians still have no pathway to sue if their loved ones are killed by medical malpractice. The 1990 statute states that if a doctors mistake kills someone whos over 25, unmarried, and without children under 25, no one can sue for noneconomic damages, also known as pain and suffering. This bars loved ones from pursuing suits because the payout for economic damages often is so small that no lawyer will take the case. The law applies to people including widowed seniors and unmarried adults without children. Critics call these people free kills. Defenders say the law is necessary to cut down on medical malpractice insurance premiums and, by extension, consumer health care costs. Floridas malpractice insurance rates are among the highest in the country, despite having the free-kill law on the books. Five total or partial repeal bills were proposed. All failed to gain traction before Floridas 2024 legislative session ended March 8. This legislative session was terribly disappointing in the fact that there were so many bills, and then nothing happened, said Marcia Scheppler of Lakeland. Her son Joseph JoJo Thompson died of septic shock in 2019 at age 29, shortly after being turned away from the first Florida hospital where his mom took him. He had severe intellectual and developmental disabilities and the mental age of a 2-year-old. He could not marry or have children, making him a free kill as soon as he turned 25. Changing the law now wouldnt bring him justice, but Scheppler is determined to improve things for others. I miss my son every day. He made me a better person, Scheppler said. This should never happen to anyone. State Sen. Clay Yarborough, R-Jacksonville, said he plans to refile his bill to undo free kill next year. His measure, SB 248, had a single hearing in the Senate before the legislative session ended. I do believe it is an unjust law, Yarborough said. It is now 34 years on the books. There have undoubtedly been instances of medical negligence covered over because of that law. One controversial sticking point with Yarboroughs proposal was an amendment that would have put a cap on all malpractice lawsuits. Yarborough proposed limiting noneconomic damages to $500,000 for a suit involving a doctor and $750,000 for nonpractitioners. He said he is open to negotiating the amounts. This amendment won support from leading industry groups such as the Florida Osteopathic Medical Association and Florida Hospital Association, which have historically defended free kill as necessary to reduce malpractice insurance premiums. Yarborough called those caps an acceptable compromise that would allow families to get justice while balancing rising health-care costs. About 30 states have such caps. The Florida Supreme Court struck down medical malpractice caps as unconstitutional in 2014 and 2017. Yarborough said its possible the court with its present makeup could rule differently. But the cap proposal has turned off some advocates of the repeal. Melody Page, who in 2017 co-founded a grass-roots working group aiming to change the law called the Florida Medical Rights Association, said shes grateful for the awareness that the Senate hearing brought but is relieved SB 248 didnt pass. That bill, had it gone through, would have affected a lot of living people who suffered malpractice and you know, it wasnt worth the trade, Page said. I dont think we should be compromising on peoples lives. Page said she has zero confidence the current Legislature will pass a reform given their failure to do so over the last several years. She added that she feels many current legislators are on the side of big corporations rather than the people. Others, like Sabrina Davis, were willing to accept restricted malpractice payouts if it led to a repeal. Davis, from Gainesville, lost her father in 2020. The Florida Department of Health ruled his doctor committed malpractice, and gave the doctor a small fine and a letter of concern. Barred from pursuing a lawsuit on behalf of her dad, Davis says she doesnt feel she got justice. One of the proposed repeals this session was named after her dad: the Keith Davis Family Protection Act, SB 442/HB 129. Though that bill didnt gain traction, Davis said it was huge that Yarboroughs bill got a Senate hearing. The Senate has historically been less receptive to repealing the statute than the House, which passed repeal bills in 2021 and 2022 by overwhelming margins. Davis said she is optimistic the added awareness increases the odds of a repeal next session. This law being talked about in the Senate was record-breaking, Davis said. To hear some senators refer to it as an injustice thats a huge step, just to have that on record. That somebody admitted that, that the Legislature acknowledged that, is super powerful. Grass-roots advocates such as Scheppler, Page and Davis have spotlighted the free-kill law by writing lawmakers and traveling to Tallahassee to share their stories. Those activists should keep working, said state Rep. Spencer Roach. My message to the families is youve been heard, said the North Fort Myers Republican. Youve been heard not just by me but many of my colleagues in the House. This is a good example of how grass-roots activism and engagement still matters. Roach sponsored a bill this session, HB 77, that would have partially repealed free kill by allowing parents to pursue damages on behalf of their adult children. Roach, who has sponsored a bill seeking to walk back the free-kill law for four consecutive years, said he plans to reintroduce it again if he wins reelection in November. He said bundling a repeal with a cap on noneconomic damages is a nonstarter for him. I am going to continue to file it every year in the hopes we can repeal this absolutely draconian law, Roach said. Ccatherman@orlandosentinel.com; Sswisher@orlandosentinel.com The Scoop Nairobi-based alcohol startup African Originals faces regulatory hurdles that threaten to push it out of the Kenyan market following a dirty tricks campaign it alleges has been waged by Diageo subsidiary East African Breweries Limited (EABL). The seven-year old startup is known for its Kenyan Originals range of ciders, gins, and iced teas. EABL, the regions largest brewer, launched a competing range of ciders in December last year. Since then, African Originals claims to have faced a barrage of challenges it blames on EABL, prompting it to hire a team of U.K.-based legal advisors this year. A letter seen by Semafor Africa dated Feb. 19, sent by African Originals to Diageos general counsel in London, laid out the allegations in their dispute. African Originals described EABLs new range of fruit ciders as a direct copy of its products. It also claimed EABL staff had maligned their products, and incentivized supermarket workers not to display their products, citing specific incidents at two supermarkets in Nairobi. African Originals also questioned the origins of viral tweets in January from users that alleged they became ill after consuming their products. The company claims the tweets are linked to Wowzi, a Nairobi-based platform which connects companies with social media influencers. EABL has previously worked with Wowzi to partner with nano-creators to effectively connect to consumers in an authentic way, according to a testimonial on the Wowzi website. Wowzi was selected for Diageos inaugural cohort of its growth acceleration program in January. We are ready and willing to compete with EABL on merit through the quality and prices of our products but we are not prepared to suffer serious commercial harm as a result of their smear campaign, African Originals chairman Henry Rudd wrote in the letter. EABL did not immediately respond to emails or phone calls from Semafor Africa requesting their comments on the allegations. A legal firm representing Wowzi, in a letter to Semafor Africa, said the claims made about the company were egregiously false and untrue. Know More The companys problems were compounded two weeks ago when the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) suspended its production license and sealed its spirits line, rendering it unable to produce or sell some products. The company said it was informed that the decision was tied to a wider ongoing government crackdown on illicit liquor. KRA did not immediately respond to queries from Semafor Africa. African Originals was founded by British executive Alexandra Chappatte in 2017 after she left her job as head of marketing for alcoholic beverages giant Pernod Ricard in West Africa. It has attracted investors including Phoenix Beverages, Mauritius largest brewer which acquired a 28.15% stake in the company in February. Courtesy: African Originals EABL is the third-largest company on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) by market cap and employs around 1,500 people. Its brands include the iconic beer Tusker, and it also sells other global Diageo brands including Guinness, Johnnie Walker and Smirnoff. The company has previously been accused by competitors in Kenya of abusing its dominance. In 2020, multiple senators accused the company of engaging in restrictive trade practices. The company has consistently denied these allegations. Martins view The handling of African Originals by KRA and the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) is what will ultimately determine the companys future in the country. Major regulatory hurdles would make it impossible for the startup to effectively compete with EABL. African Originals CEO Alexandra Chappatte told Semafor Africa that the stripping of its production license is one of the only scenarios that could see the company exit the Kenyan market. This wouldnt be ideal for Kenya for multiple reasons the company sources all its fruit from local farmers, creates jobs and has a brand that is heavily tied to the country. Even if it does survive, it will have to compete with a far larger player in EABL, which has historically dominated emerging competitors including Keroche, Kenyas second-largest brewer. Keroche co-founder Nakuru Senator Tabitha Karanja has repeatedly accused EABL of illegal and unethical practices. Most recently, Keroche was among beer distributors and makers that took legal action against EABL for allegedly buying up beer bottles on the market and embossing them to limit rival beer makers access to bottles. EABL won the dispute on a legal technicality. Chappatte told me Kenya remains the focus of African Originals for the next three years with over 90% of our revenues planned to derive from Kenya should we be able to operate freely. Room for Disagreement EABL developed an internal competition compliance policy to ensure it does not engage in restrictive trade practices in a deal struck with Kenyas Competition Authority in 2019. The brewer has also been on the winning side of disputes over alleged restrictive trade practices, including in 2021 when the High Court dismissed the case by beer distributors who accused it of violating the Competitions Act. The View From the KRA The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) disclosed on Mar. 7 that it had intensified surveillance of alcohol manufacturers as part of a new government crackdown on illicit liquor. KRA Commissioner General Humphrey Wattanga told the Senate that its officers would be deployed to alcohol manufacturing plants to support compliance and enforcement efforts including disclosing any irregularities and discrepancies. The Excise Duty regulations allow us to station our officers at factories producing excise tax-covered goods such as beer, wines and spirits, cigarettes, mineral water, soft drinks, juices among others, he noted. President William Ruto has directed KRA to pull licenses of importers of illicit alcohol in Kenya as part of his administrations plan to combat alcoholism in the country. The Open Arms maritime vessel that set sail from Larnaca in Cyprus carrying humanitarian aid approaches the coast of Gaza City. Omar Ashtawy/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa Experts and diplomats from 36 countries along with representatives of international aid organizations met in Cyprus on Thursday to discuss further aid deliveries by sea for the war-torn Gaza Strip. Cypriot Foreign Minister Konstantinos Kombos said the focus was on logistical issues for transport by freighter from the Cypriot port of Larnaca to Gaza. A fund is to be set up for this purpose, Kombos told journalists. "The aim is to increase aid deliveries to Gaza as much as possible," he said. However, no specific decisions were made during the consultations, according to official Cypriot sources. The participants would inform their governments about the discussions in the coming days, and there will be another meeting soon. A freighter with around 500 tons of relief supplies is currently in the port of Larnaca ready for departure. It will leave in the next few days, a Cypriot government spokesman told dpa. This would be the second aid delivery by sea. On Saturday, a ship belonging to an aid organization delivered around 200 tons of aid. Larnaca is about 400 kilometres from the Gaza Strip. FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) Following the discovery that the CEO of Valley Childrens Hospital earned a bonus of $2 million in 2020, Fresno City Councilmembers Miguel Arias and Garry Bredefeld branded the salaries of both hospital CEO Todd Suntrapak and the wider board excessive. The councilmembers detailed what they called disturbing revelations Wednesday morning inside Fresno City Hall. Who is Todd Suntrapak, CEO of Valley Childrens Hospital? There is a clear culture of enriching themselves at the expense of sick and poor children, said Bredefeld. Bredefeld specifically called for a state investigation into the executive salary structure at Valley Childrens Hospital. Im calling for California Attorney General Rob Bonta to investigate how these state dollars are being spent and to determine what changes need to take place to ensure money is being spent appropriately on sick and poor children and no longer misused to enrich the CEO and his executives, Bredefeld says. Bredefeld said comparing the total salary for the CEO of Valley Childrens Hospital Todd Suntrapak with the CEO salaries of similar childrens hospitals across California and the United States showed Suntrapak was receiving an exorbitant and unjustifiable compensation package. Tax documents available on the IRSs website and on ProPublicas Nonprofit Explorer show the CEO salaries of similar hospitals across the country which can be compared with Valley Childrens CEO Todd Suntrapaks combined salary of $5.5 million in fiscal year 2020. The combined salary figure reported includes base compensation, bonus, other reportable compensation, retirement or other deferred compensation and nontaxable benefits. The CEOs salaries as reported on the tax documents are: Nowhere near consistent with the industry standardsit is an absolute outrage and its a disgrace that this CEO and his executives are enriching themselves on the backs of sick and poor children, said Bredefeld. Tax documents for the fiscal year 2021 submitted to the IRS by Valley Childrens Hospital also show a loan to CEO Todd Suntrapak for residence as a retention incentive in lieu of other compensation totaling $5 million. The tax document shows the loan was approved by the board or committee. Clovis mayor is a paid member of the Valley Childrens team: what does she do? Bredefeld highlighted how he helped raise money for Valley Childrens Hospital as part of their annual Kids Day fundraiser. I stood in the rain on Kids Day with hundreds of other people asking people to buy newspapers for $2 in order to support the hospital, said Bredefeld. So it saddens me to have to address what is evident. Councilmember Miguel Arias described it as his responsibility to hold a local healthcare nonprofit organization accountable when it receives billions of dollars of public funds but fails to serve its community. Im asking for the Joint Legislative Audit Committee and will be submitting this in writing to its member of the Central Valley Assemblymember Jim Patterson, to launch an audit of Valley Childrens Hospital and its expenditures of Medi-Cal funds, said Arias. In a statement in response to that request, Assemblymember Jim Patterson said that the state has no authority to demand information on the executive salary and compensation of a private, non-profit, adding that any audit would only focus on programs and funding the Hospital receives from the state. In response to the revelations about the salary structure itself, Valley Childrens Hospital said the Central Valley has built one of the nations premier childrens hospitals and retained some of Americas best executives. The Central Valley has built one of the nations premier childrens hospitals. In doing so, we have recruited and retained some of Americas best executives, caregivers and team members. As such, the quality of our care and the fiscal management of our organization is and continues to be best in class. Michael Hanson, Chair, Valley Childrens Healthcare Board of Trustees The document provided to YourCentralValley.com showing how Valley Childrens Hospital CEO Todd Suntrapaks salary and bonus was calculated can be viewed by clicking here. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47. Press Release March 21, 2024 Bong Go backs Mountain Province infrastructure upgrades; Governor Lacwasan thanks him for continuous support Senator Christopher "Bong" Go emphasized the critical need for enhanced infrastructure and services across the country, highlighting his support for multiple initiatives in the Mountain Province. This includes his efforts as vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance for funding the initial three phases of a project to upgrade roads, pathways, and drainage systems within Bauko town. Governor Bonifacio Lacwasan Jr. expressed his gratitude in a post on social media to Go for his substantial support to the province. The governor highlighted Go's support for funding Phases 1 to 3 of the improved roads, pathways, and drainage systems extending from Sitio Cotcot in Poblacion Bauko to Barangays Abatan and Bagnen. "This project is a big help to the people of Mountain Province, especially here in Bauko. I hope that more projects will come from your office. Again, thank you and Matago-tago ka!" Lacwasan added. The infrastructure project is seen as a strategic initiative aimed at enhancing economic activities, improving accessibility to essential services, and ultimately uplifting the standard of living in the Mountain Province. In response, Go, known as Mr. Malasakit, emphasized the importance of collaboration and compassionate service to improve public service delivery particularly in far-flung localities. "Our collective goal is to ensure that every Filipino has access to better infrastructure and services. The partnership with Mountain Province, particularly the project in Bauko, is a step towards realizing this vision," said Go. "Collaboration is key. Together with the local government units, we can make a significant difference in the lives of our kababayans," the senator added. Meanwhile, as chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, the senator encouraged those with health concerns to visit any Malasakit Centers in the province at Luis Hora Memorial Regional Hospital and Bontoc General Hospital. Currently, 161 Malasakit Centers nationwide have assisted more than ten million indigent Filipinos. Republic Act No. 11463 was principally authored and sponsored by Go to ensure Filipinos have convenient access to medical assistance programs by concerned agencies. To bring primary healthcare services closer to communities, Go also pushed for the construction of five Super Health Centers to help improve healthcare accessibility in Mountain Province. Meanwhile, he also supported other infrastructure projects and initiatives in Mountain Province. In Bauko, Go also supported the construction of the Chico River Flood Control Tamog-o Section, enhancement of the Mema Local Access Footbridge, procurement of a mini dump truck and an emergency vehicle, and improvement of the Sinto-Boas Road. In Besao, he supported the improvement and rehabilitation of the Sadsadan-Bacalinao-Salin Access Road, the enhancement of the Kin-away-Besao West Road; the improvement of the Gueday Access Road; and the concreting of farm-to-market roads. The senator likewise supported the funding for the construction of the Besao District Hospital. In Natonin, the senator also supported the construction of an independent water system and rehabilitation of a public market. The community also benefits from an ultrasound machine for the Natonin Community Hospital that was funded through Go's efforts. In Paracelis, Go supported the construction of a multipurpose building at Brgy. Bananao, alongside the installation of street lights. While in Tadian, Go also supported the improvement of the Masla-Wakes Farm-to-Market Road, an ambulance, a Multipurpose Center, among others. In Sabangan, he also supported the installation of solar lights while in Sadanga, he pushed for a multipurpose building and construction of the Betwagan Bridge. Lastly, in Sagada, he supported the improvement of the Sagada-Payeo Provincial Road, a multipurpose vehicle, medical equipment, and solar street lights. Ukraine will receive F-16 fighters in the first half of this year. First, the planes will arrive from Denmark. ADVERTISIMENT This was stated by Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren at a briefing after a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. She specified that the Dutch planes would arrive before the end of 2024. "We will start delivering F-16s this summer. I am sure of it," she said. Ollongren emphasized that the first aircraft will be from Denmark, as there is already an approved schedule. And in the second half of 2024, Ukraine will receive fighters from the Netherlands. As reported by OBOZ.UA, the Netherlands announced a 350 million euros military aid package for Ukraine. In particular, Amsterdam will buy ammunition for Ukrainian F-16 aircraft worth 150 million euros directly from its industry. Earlier, Western partners promised to provide Ukraine with F-16 fighters at the end of 2023, but the delivery date was constantly postponed. Now it is already July 2024. At the same time, the Ukrainian army can only count on 6 out of 45 promised aircraft by the middle of this year. ADVERTISIMENT It is worth noting that Pentagon spokesman Major General Patrick Ryder named "red lines" in Ukraine's use of F-16 fighters. He noted that the West believes that these aircraft can only be used within the sovereign territory of Ukraine to protect its borders. As a reminder, Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Yuriy Ihnat said that Ukrainian pilots and engineers continue training on American F-16 fighters. The pilots are already practicing tactical techniques, including striking targets. The process of transitioning to new combat aircraft cannot be quick, but Ukraine is doing everything to speed it up. Danish Prime Minister Matt Frederiksen said that Ukraine has not yet received the promised American-made F-16 fighters solely because of technical issues. At the same time, she assured that the planes to be provided by Denmark would appear in the Ukrainian sky before the beginning of this summer. ADVERTISIMENT Multiple states across the country reported that services were disrupted at their department of motor vehicles (DMV) offices Thursday. According to the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA), an organization that provides software to DMV offices nationwide, there was an issue with the network that connects the countrys various agencies. The outage was due to a loss in cloud connectivity, the organization said in an emailed statement. The outage lasted from approximately 9:50 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. EDT Thursday. During that time, there was no ability to process messages that support transactions of driver licenses and motor vehicle titles, AAMVA said in its statement. This prevented a number of motor vehicle agencies from issuing driver licenses and vehicle titles during the outage. The organization said it is working internally and with its cloud providers to determine the root cause of the outage. The Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles released a statement advising people who have appointments Thursday to reschedule due to the outage. The Colorado office said most of its services, except its drivers license and permit tests, had been impacted by the outage. Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias also reported an outage. Giannoulias asked residents to call before they visit a DMV office because the outage may impact operating hours or services. The New York DMV posted on X, formerly Twitter, that it was aware of the ongoing issues affecting the departments offices and online services. We are working diligently to get everything back up and running and will let you know when we do, the post said. The Virginia DMV posted a similar message, alerting the public that its services were unavailable at all in-person locations. The account later said the system is back up and running after the third-party outage. Transactions are once again processing. We appreciate your patience while this issue was resolved, the Virginia DMV posted. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The gray house stands commandingly along Perry Street and the entrance to downtown, hiding its history in plain sight. Nichole Thompson, a Montgomery doctor, converted the Gaitway House, built in 1874 by Jim Hale, into luxurious office spaces and has big plans for a speakeasy on the bottom floor. Its going to be a game changer, especially for downtown," Thompson said. She hopes to open it in May. This takes a community," Thompson said at the grand opening of the building. "You dont do this without people with you, people praying for you." Ron Simmons looked on the building with great pride. When I walked in the space, I was not surprised because I know Nicole," said Simmons, the chief officer for destination and community development at the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce. Dr. Nichole Thompson introduces the Gaitway Building office space in Montgomery, Ala., on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024. Hale was initially enslaved by William Baldwin. Baldwin eventually freed Hale and sent him to school to become a carpenter. Hale later built the Gaitway House along with three other houses for Baldwin's daughters. The two became business partners and great friends. Hale went on to design Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church and the first Black infirmary in Montgomery. Hale became a multi-millionaire and the wealthiest Black man in the city, Thompson said. Hale also worked with Baldwin to bring Alabama State University to Montgomery. Painting of Jim Hale, the builder of the home, at the Gaitway Building office space in Montgomery, Ala., on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024. Only one photo exists of Hale. Thompson commissioned Nathaniel Henderson, an art professor at Alabama State, to create a Hale portrait that hangs in the building's gallery based on that lone photo. The gallery will rotate every three to six months, depending on how quickly the art sells, Thompson said. In the spirt of Hale's legacy, the building is dedicated to artists and entrepreneurs, Thompson said. Mr. Hale was an entrepreneur," Thompson said. Dr. Nichole Thompson poses with Mayor Steven Reed in the Gaitway Building office space in Montgomery, Ala., on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024. Dr. Nichole Thompson introduces the Gaitway Building office space in Montgomery, Ala., on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024. Alex Gladden is the Montgomery Advertiser's public safety reporter. She can be reached at agladden@gannett.com or on Twitter @gladlyalex. This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Doctor opens newly renovated home built in 1874 by ex-slave Jim Hale Kenyan doctors are striking to demand improved pay and better working conditions (Tony KARUMBA) A nationwide doctors' strike in Kenya on Thursday paralysed health services at some government-run hospitals which are already suffering due to a lack of medicines and equipment. The medics are taking the action, now in its second week, to demand an increase in pay and better working conditions, their union said. Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU), an umbrella body with over 7,000 members, said the strike would continue until their demands are accepted. "The government has not shown any interest in sorting out the mess," KMPDU deputy secretary general Dennis Miskellah told AFP. "As a union, we shall not go back to work until our demands are met." The affected hospitals are currently staffed by nurses and clinical officers who are limited in the services they can offer. A court order issued last week suspended the strike and urged negotiations but the union vowed to soldier on with the industrial action, which began on March 13. "It is clear that a well-intentioned individual cannot repeatedly reopen negotiations that lead to an endless cycle of meetings without progress," KMPDU said in a statement on Saturday, terming the court decision "unjust". At the centre of the row is a move by the government to slash the salaries of medical interns and delay employing them on permanent and pensionable terms. The doctors have planned a peaceful demonstration on Friday and a march to the health ministry's headquarters, parliament, treasury building and to the county governors' offices. The government has threatened to recruit unemployed doctors to fill in for those on strike. "We will not allow a crisis to happen," Health Minister Susan Nakhumicha told the KTN broadcaster on Wednesday, adding that she had instructed two major referral hospitals to hire locums to address the crisis. "We cannot have a gap, we have patients in intensive care units, we have patients in critical care, we have babies in the neonatal units." ho/amu/kjm TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) Republican lawmakers in Kansas have joined their GOP counterparts in other states in trying to restrict diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives on university campuses, but the proposals theyve advanced are written to avoid having to agree on how to define DEI. The Kansas House on Thursday approved a bill aimed at preventing universities, community colleges or technical colleges from basing a students admission or an employees hiring or promotion on any statement or pledge about diversity, equity or inclusion. While the bill includes those words, it also says universities cannot require a statement about any political ideology or movement. The Houses 81-39 vote, mostly along party lines, came a week after the Senate approved a proposed $25 billion state budget with a provision designed to force universities to eliminate such requirements and mandatory DEI training. The provision would withhold $35.7 million from the states six universities until they report to Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly and the Republican-controlled Legislatures leaders that they have done so. Republicans in at least 20 states have sought to limit DEI initiatives, arguing that they are discriminatory and enforce a liberal political orthodoxy. Alabamas governor signed into law an anti-DEI bill on Wednesday; Utah enacted a law earlier this year; and proposals in Kentucky and South Carolina advanced this week. Universities have chosen to embrace ideologies that discriminate against people who do not hew to their orthodoxy, state Rep. Steve Howe, a central Kansas Republican and the chair of a committee on higher education, said during a House debate Wednesday. The House measure now goes to the Senate. As for the anti-DEI budget provision, negotiators for the two chambers expect to discuss it as they draft the final version of the annual budget. Paulette Granberry Russell, president and CEO of the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education, called the Kansas proposals mean-spirited and said they attempt to force universities to turn back the clock on all the progress made in the past 70 years to support students, faculty, and staff. The backlash against diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and programs is rooted in ignorance and prejudice, Granberry Russell said in an email responding to questions. The ability to support, educate, and provide services that address the diverse needs of students should be an expectation. The Kansas House bill sets up a process for hearing DEI complaints, giving universities time to reverse contested actions. But it also allows the attorney general to file civil lawsuits against the universities and colleges and seek fines of up to $10,000. A legislative audit released last month said 1.6% of the spending by Kansas six state universities, or $45 million, went to DEI initiatives but noted that each university defined DEI differently. Besides initiatives traditionally seen as DEI, such as training and recruiting, they also included food pantries for poor students and services for military veterans and disabled students. But neither Kansas measure defines DEI. Its hard for me to pass a bill to punish a university for doing something that we dont define, said Democratic state Rep. Tom Sawyer of Wichita. The words diversity, equity and inclusion to me, in themselves, are positive words. Kansas House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican, said his chambers bill creates a simple test whether a university requires ideological statements from students, job applicants or employees that doesnt require everyone to agree how to define DEI. Everybodys got a different definition, Hawkins said. To get everybody to aspire to one definition is pretty difficult. In statehouses across the U.S., Republicans and Democrats have been pushing opposite definitions of fairness and opportunity in education and state workplaces. Democratic lawmakers in more than a dozen states are promoting more than 30 measures this year to require greater consideration of diversity, equity and inclusion. Republican state lawmakers have countered with more 60 measures to prohibit or restrict it, according to an Associated Press analysis using the bill tracking software Plural. Five of those GOP bills have won final approval. The new Utah law prohibits government agencies, universities and K-12 schools from having diversity, equity and inclusion offices. Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb, a Republican, signed legislation last week barring higher education institutions from considering statements about diversity, equity and inclusion in decisions about employment, benefits or student admissions. That legislation also specifies that any diversity programming must address both cultural and intellectual diversity. Republican lawmakers in Idaho and Wisconsin last week passed bills barring higher education institutions from conditioning employment and admission decisions on diversity statements. In Wisconsin, Democratic Gov. Tony Evers is expected to veto his states legislation. In Kansas, Kelly hasnt said what she would do if either GOP proposal passed, but she vetoed an anti-DEI provision included in budget legislation last year. The measure approved by Alabama lawmakers would prohibit state agencies, universities and K-12 school systems from sponsoring DEI programs. It also would prohibit them from forcing students or employees to adhere to a divisive concept, a term that covers concepts such as white privilege, systemic discrimination and the idea that merit-based systems actually are racist or sexist. The new Alabama law, which takes effect Oct. 1, would prohibit universities, K-12 school systems and state agencies from sponsoring DEI programs, defined under the bill as classes, training, programs and events where attendance is based on a persons race, sex, gender identity, ethnicity, national origin or sexual orientation. Legislation that passed the Kentucky House this week includes similar language in its definition of discriminatory concepts that state universities would be barred in using in training programs or course requirements. In the Kansas House, the higher education committee wrestled with drafting a definition. Republican Rep. Clark Sanders, another central Kansas Republican, initially expressed misgivings about the lack of one but later came around. I may not be able to give you an explanation or a definition, but Id know it when I saw it, he said. ___ Lieb reported from Jefferson City, Missouri. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. Former President Donald Trump took aim at Gen. Mark Milley on Wednesday after the ex-chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff recently testified about the chaotic U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan. Mark Milley is a loser who shamed us in Afghanistan and elsewhere! the presumptive GOP presidential nominee wrote on his Truth Social platform. The remarks add to Trumps public insults and attacks toward the former top U.S. general, whom Trump suggested should be punished to DEATH for treason in September. Milley, who has been frequently at odds with Trump, later declared that he wouldnt take an oath to a wannabe dictator in an apparent jab at the former president during his retirement ceremony last year. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), during a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing Tuesday, asked Milley about slander, such as Trumps comments. I dont agree with the comments, but its a free country and people can say what they want, said Milley before discussing the families of the 13 U.S. troops killed outside Kabuls international airport in 2021. With all due respect, Im here for the families of Abbey Gate, and Im here for the families of those that served in Afghanistan. Related... Jennifer Ruiz never anticipated that her birthday trip to the Mediterranean with her partner would end in a breakup. The Florida-based travel writer and her partner had planned the January 2023 cruise around destinations like Greece and Turkey for six months. That wasnt their first trip. The pair had previously traveled together and sometimes argued, but that didnt deter her excitement. As a seasoned traveler, Ruiz was used to navigating airports, but her partner struggled with flying. We saw air travel as a tense thing because of his preferences and my preferences, she said. Suffering from tinnitus, he didnt like flying and would want to isolate while she was more relaxed. They didnt necessarily mesh with the way we traveled, especially because youre stuck in a tube for however long. Ruiz felt like the disunity between her and her partners travel styles escalated other issues they had in the relationship. Theyre aggravated by the setting, she said, despite no one really being right or wrong. He had a strict diet and felt uncomfortable asking for specific requests, while she just wanted to enjoy all the food on board. On board the cruise ship together, Ruiz said the lack of space that element of being stuck (in a cabin) and being on the water continued to add to the tension throughout the trip. It was her partners first time on a cruise, and as someone who liked to stick to his routine, he ended up being edgy, which, in turn, made her defensive. Breakups are hard enough at home. Add hundreds or thousands of miles and a time difference, and they get even more complicated. For some couples, it may have been a long time coming, while for others, traveling itself can play a role. The small things began to add up and finally, in Santorini, the couple had a big argument and she said her partner took off and disappeared in the middle of Santorini. Ruiz remembered feeling resentful because this was how the two were spending their one day in the most romantic place on Earth. Jennifer Ruiz and her partner broke up during a trip celebrating her birthday. Back on the ship, Ruiz learned her Facebook profile vital for her job as a content creator was hacked. Instead of consoling her during the crisis, her partner took space outside on the balcony with the door closed. It was a really horrible birthday, she said. They broke up shortly after that and had to spend the last two days of the cruise together. It was really tough, she said. He went home and she went to Egypt, as planned. From the experience, Ruiz realizes that she should have let the relationship go sooner and she was forcing things through this trip. Its like trying to fit a square into a peg hole. Travel is definitely a test of your compatibility, she said. Its important to know the other person and really not think you can just bypass certain things. Theyre not going to get better just because youre in a vacation setting. Learn more: The best travel insurance Tips for navigating travel during and after breakups Kiaundra Jackson, a licensed marriage and family therapist, said breakups are often caused by a build-up or combination of factors. However, travel can add new variables and stressors. Even before the trip begins, some travelers are planners while others need a little bit more assistance with that, Jackson said. I think that that can be frustrating for some couples where there is a mismatch in getting tasks done, Jackson added. And that could cause friction. Travelers may also have more time on their hands and fewer responsibilities when theyre away from daily life. And sometimes that can get you in trouble, she said. You might be drinking or you might be hanging out with people that you've met there, and there may be some attraction or some cheating or a breach of trust. She recommended that couples thinking about traveling together do a lower-stakes test run, like a staycation or road trip somewhere close to home. Consider talking about your vacation styles, as well. Do you want to be lazy and just lie in the bed all day and be by the pool, or do you want to do something more adventurous? she recommended asking. And just have those conversations so you can at least get an idea of what they would be like on an actual vacation versus you being completely surprised when you're in the thick of it. If couples decide to go, Jackson recommends making sure they have access to their own money in case something happens and they need to get separate accommodations or book new transportation home. Its also a good idea to have a support person who is familiar with their relationship. You just want to at least have one person who knows where you are, knows that you're safe, and not just physically safe, but emotionally safe, she said. When it comes to traveling with an ex, Jackson said its important to prioritize your mental and emotional health. If going on this trip is going to send you in a downward spiral and make things worse, and now you're completely away from all of your loved ones, it's probably not the best idea to go on that trip, she added. Though some couples may be able to depending on the circumstances of their split. Alyssa Mezas ex-boyfriend Nick asked her to go to Thailand with him on their first date. It started as a joke, but less than a month later, she flew to Bangkok where Nick was working to visit. The Nashville, Tennessee-based pair bonded over their love of travel. So even after they broke up their nearly five-year relationship last June, they decided not to cancel a planned trip to Europe for her birthday. They were still living together while Nick looked for his own place by the time the August vacation rolled around, and the breakup was amicable, with Meza feeling like the relationship had simply run its course. They also still co-parent their Mini Bernedoodle, Pavlov. And then I was like, Let's just go on (the trip), the 33-year-old said. We travel really well together. It wouldnt be weird. (Plus, their plane tickets were nonrefundable.) It wasnt weird. If anything, Meza said, it was freeing. We can be very different types of people on vacation, she said. While Meza said Nick enjoys sightseeing and snapping lots of photos, she likes to move slower perhaps ducking into a coffee shop where she can feel like a local. Alyssa Meza and her boyfriend broke up but stayed travel buddies. Now that theyre broken up, Meza, who works in brand marketing, said theres less pressure to do everything together or do what the other person wants. Now it's like, OK, can we compromise? Like, is there a way that we could do both? she said, even if that means splitting up for stretches of time. It's just a different dynamic, but it still works. They also meet at the airport rather than going together and have scrubbed romantic dinners from the itinerary. And you know, we don't hook up, so theres also that, she said. Meza said she feels lucky that there is no bad blood, and they have since taken another trip to Canada. Meza echoed that. I have exes I definitely would never go on vacation with, she said. She encouraged travelers to adjust any expectations they might have had when traveling as a couple and respect their companions boundaries. It wasn't like when we showed up (in Croatia) there was gonna be rose petals and Champagne waiting for us, she said. They are both single at the moment, but Meza said they understand theyd have to be respectful of future partners, too. It truly is just like going on vacation with my best friend, she said. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Breaking point: Tips for navigating travel during and after breakups Whenever I get to thinking Ive seen every single shameless thing an elected official can do to betray the public trust, I am once again proven wrong, in this case by Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez. What has she done now, you ask? Never content to coast on her past errors of judgment, Valdez has topped herself again by reopening or more likely, only pretending to reopen her offices investigation into the 2016 death of 9-month-old Ollie Ortiz. Why would she do that, after dismissing the case when her own expert found that the child had died of natural causes, as the result of a congenital heart defect? Valdezs office did not respond to my message asking about her decision. Her attorney, Holly Dyer, said in a recent filing that the case had been reopened because theres new evidence. The District Attorneys Office considers the matter of this childs tragic death to be an open investigation with the potential for new charges. Im beyond skeptical about that potential. They dont have any new evidence because there isnt any, Carrody Buchhorn, the former Eudora day care worker found guilty of first-degree murder in the babys death, told me. But they didnt have anything last time, either. Buchhorn has filed a wrongful conviction suit against the state, and her attorney, William Skepnek, told me that Dyer said twice in a hearing last week that the case had been reopened in response to that suit. When I heard that in court last week, that the investigation had been reopened, he said, I didnt think, Oh gosh, now Carrody is in jeopardy. Theyre gaming the thing. I dont think they have any intention of prosecuting her. Instead, Skepnek said, theyre reopening the case simply to deny her claim of innocence, and to avoid answering those questions about the case that they might be able to duck if the investigation were ongoing. Conviction overturned, dubious medical expert That the childs death was tragic is of course beyond question, which only makes the likelihood that this is some kind of strategic charade even more appalling. Valdez and her deputy, Joshua Seiden, will still have to give depositions in the wrongful conviction case in May, but only after the judge rules on the scope of what can be asked about an active investigation. Buchhorns 2018 conviction was overturned on appeal in 2021 because her original defense attorneys, former Kansas Attorney General Paul Morrison and Veronica Dersch, did not more energetically challenge the key testimony of controversial medical examiner Erik K. Mitchell. Mitchell invented a cause of death for Ortiz, depolarization of neurons in the base of the brain, that no one else had ever heard of. And when he demonstrated for the jury how Buchhorn must have stomped on the babys head by hopping on a demonstration doll, defense counsel did not object. Even Mitchell said the child showed none of the usual signs of a brain injury, as did four other doctors who looked at the Ortiz case. Yet Buchhorn, an Army wife and mother with no criminal record who went on trial while her husband was on active duty in Kuwait, spent 3 1/2 years behind bars and another 2 1/2 years on house arrest for a murder that never happened. Valdez only dismissed the charges after failing to find an expert less radioactive than Mitchell who would still, as he had done, rule Ortizs death a homicide caused by child abuse. Valdezs office unfamiliar with case file? Now, though, that the attorney generals office has named Valdez as a witness in the states effort to avoid compensating Buchhorn for the years she served in prison for something she didnt do, Valdezs position is that neither she nor anybody else in her office knows enough about the case to testify. At a February hearing in the wrongful conviction case before Chief Judge James McCabria, assistant attorney general Shon Qualseth also said there is new evidence in the case that gives pause as to what happened. There really isnt any new evidence, though there is a new expert, Dr. Amy Sheil, a forensic pathologist in the Waukesha County Medical Examiners Office west of Milwaukee. Ortiz did have a skull fracture that two previous experts said was at least a week old at the time of his death, because it showed signs of healing. But Sheil disagrees. Like Mitchell, she says that Ortiz died of blunt force trauma to the head, but unlike him and the others, she said she detected evidence of significant bleeding and swelling in the brain. She also said that the liver laceration that other doctors said was the result of CPR was caused by blunt force trauma and that Ortiz may have bled to death. Her opinion, Qualseth told the court, is that this was a death caused by homicide and this was not natural causes, so that is our evidence that we have that maybe Mrs. Buchhorn cannot bear her burden under the statute of proving that she was wrongfully convicted. Counsel for Valdez told the judge that it really should be the original prosecutors, who are no longer in her office, who should be answering any questions about the case. Specifically, Buchhorns team has been trying to learn what other than Mitchells testimony in the 51,008-page case file prosecutors relied on in convicting her. The answer Skepnek keeps getting is that they relied on all of it. Buchhorn had no motive or history of harm to anyone McCabria seemed slightly astonished by some of the states claims: To say that there are no current members of the district attorneys office who have knowledge of the case file, I dont know what to say about that, he said in court. I dont know how anybody could make a decision to dismiss an alleged murder case and not have any knowledge of the case file. He also said this: Just as a matter of an ethical obligation of a prosecutor, its hard for me to accept that that decision was made to not prosecute a highly publicized, a highly controversial murder case that had been sent back overturned and to make that decision without being familiar with the case file. There was never any plausible reason that a woman in her 40s with no history of either mental illness or lawbreaking of any kind would intentionally harm a baby in her care, and that hasnt changed, either. If Valdez really does not have any intention of recharging Buchhorn in a case she knows she cant win, putting both Buchhorn and Ortizs family through the pain of watching her pretend otherwise is almost unimaginably cruel. Its also costing taxpayers plenty to fight Buchhorns $400,000 claim. But then, the state might gladly spend more than that to avoid having to admit it was wrong. All of which is in keeping with Valdezs record of high-profile losses, constant office turnover and unprofessional behavior. Possible 1-year suspension of law license Just recently, her office lost yet another big case. The defendant, 18-year-old Derrick Del Reed, who is white, spent the March 2023 day that a Black 14-year-old, Kamarjay Shaw, was fatally shot in the back messaging people that he wanted to end the problems between his group of friends and Shaws by getting a gun and using it. He was fantasizing, he kept saying, about a whole lot of dead n------s. Police said theyd found gunshot residue on Reeds hand, and a friend of the dead boy testified that Reed was the shooter. But a neighbor of the defendant said a different teenager was responsible, and the all-white jury acquitted Reed of not only murder, but even involuntary manslaughter. Valdez is also still facing the possible one-year suspension of her law license from the state disciplinary office or would be, if that sloooow bunch of intrafamilial hand-slappers ever got serious about punishing the misconduct of their fellow prosecutors. At the December hearing of an ethics complaint against her from Judge McCabria, another judge testified that no one wants to meet with Valdez alone, for fear of being misrepresented later. McCabria filed the complaint after Valdez publicly accused him of lying about having consulted her on how to return to in-person court proceedings during the COVID-19 pandemic. When he showed that yes, he had communicated with her office, she texted him: The only reason you commented is because I am a Hispanic female (in) a position of power. She also put out a public statement, Unfortunately, this is yet another example of how an outspoken and honest woman is mischaracterized as untruthful by a male in power. Then she posted, Women of the world - be prepared! If you are hardworking, outspoken, honest, AND in a position of authority, the INSECURE MAN will try to tear you down. Not me, says I!! Yet yes, she is still running for reelection this year. One Democratic challenger, Tonda Hill, currently a prosecutor in Wyandotte County, has already filed to take her on in the August primary, and others are expected to do so. While I am proud of the many accomplishments and strides my office has made during my first term, I know that the work has just begun, Valdez said in announcing her campaign. Lets hope not. While Norwich has a walkable urban form, only 2% to 3% of trips downtown are taken by foot or bike, according to a presentation given Monday. Draft plans from the downtown mobility study aim to change this. VHB, an engineering firm, and the Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments presented an Overview of the Chelsea Harbor/ Downtown Norwich Mobility Study to the Norwich City Council, along with potential plans to make downtown more walkable. The study aims to improve mobility, livability and access to essential services, develop alternatives to current road configurations and traffic flows, and create safe routes to places of interest, the presentation states. The work presented has had some study, and was guided by community input, VHB Director of Transportation Systems Joe Balskus said. Though potential costs are yet to be determined, tremendous amounts of funding are available, as Stamford recently got $17 million in federal funding for similar work, Balskus said. Theres so much money available, he said. The iron is hot now. What a walkable Norwich could look like The potential plans looked at the eastern and western sides of downtown separately. For the downtown Norwich project area, Chelsea Harbor Drive would become a local street that doesnt connect to Water Street, and Water Street becomes two-way. Thered be a simplified signal at Water Street and Courthouse Square, and a signal added to Water and Market Streets. Bumpouts and a median island would be added for Courthouse Square, Main Street and Broadway, and Talman and Summer Streets would be one way, going away from downtown, the presentation stated. There were three different sets of potential plans presented for the bridges between Downtown and West Side. The first option converts West Side Boulevard into a biking and walking Bridge of Roses. It would feature some event space, plantings, and a potential pedestrian connection to the transportation center. The West Main Street Bridge becomes a two-way road, with a roundabout on Washington Street, the presentation states. The second option, which Balskus said was inspired by input from Norwich Police Chief Pat Daley, has West Side Boulevard become a two-way road. West Main Street would also be two-way, but is a dead end after reaching the Thayers Marine and Norwich Harbor properties. That area will be a pedestrian plaza, the presentation states. Changing West Side Boulevard to a two-way street, or even a pedestrian- and cyclist-only area, were some of the possibilities presented to the Norwich City Council from the Chelsea Harbor and Downtown Norwich Mobility Study Overview. The third option converts both West Main Street and West Main Boulevards into two-way roads, the presentation states. The second and third options feature roundabouts on Washington Street intersecting West Side Boulevard and West Main Street. The first and third options include a signal intersecting West Main Street and Falls Ave, the presentation states. All three options include one roundabout on West Main Street by the Norwich Fire Department, a public art wall, cutting off North Thames Street with a cul-de-sac, and the creation of open space which could be used as a park, and fewer lanes of traffic, the presentation states. Dangerous drivers Norwich City Manager John Salomone said during the meeting people currently drive in that part of downtown as if its Monte Carlo. Even if the city doesnt do anything to change the bridges, Chelsea Harbor Drive is flexible enough to be changed, he said. The intersection where Main Street feeds into Washington Street and Chelsea Harbor Drive is currently a dangerous area because of the potential for drivers to run lights or misinterpret the lights and get stranded in the intersection. Changing Main Street to an eastbound flow may help, City Councilmember Shiela Hayes said during the meeting. While the change in flow can be considered, measures already in the options, including a roundabout at that intersection, helps alleviate that problem, Balskus said. The next steps in development include a meeting or tactical engagement event in April or May, a second public information meeting in June, and a draft and final study report ready for June or July, the prestation states. This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Presentation shows how Norwich can improve downtown for pedestrians WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Nearly 70 former U.S. officials, diplomats and military officers on Wednesday urged President Joe Biden to warn Israel of serious consequences if it denies civil rights and basic necessities to Palestinians and expands settlement activity in the occupied West Bank. "The United States must be willing to take concrete action to oppose" such practices, the group said in an open letter to Biden, "including restrictions on provision of (U.S.) assistance (to Israel) consistent with U.S. law and policy." Among the signatories were more than a dozen former ambassadors, as well as other retired State Department officials and former Pentagon, intelligence and White House officials, including Anthony Lake, a national security adviser to former President Bill Clinton. The letter underscored rising dismay in the United States over Israeli operations against the Gaza Strip's ruling Hamas militants ignited by their Oct. 7 rampage into southern Israel in which they killed some 1,200 people and took 253 hostages. Much of Gaza has been destroyed and nearly 32,000 Palestinians killed, according to Gaza health authorities. The United Nations says the population of 2.3 million has little food, water and shelter, and food shortages in parts exceed famine levels. In its letter, the group said that an Israeli military operation against Hamas was "necessary and justified." But Israel's operations "have been marked by repeated violations" of international law banning indiscriminate killing and the use of weapons that do not permit discrimination between combatants and civilians, the group said. "Tens of thousands of Gazan civilians have been killed, the majority of whom are women and children," the group said. "Civilian killings of this nature and magnitude cannot be justified." Israel denies that its operations breach international law. The group said that it strongly backs Biden's call for an immediate truce of at least six weeks, the establishment of a reliable humanitarian aid delivery system, and the release of hostages. The signatories also called on the Israeli military to implement rules of engagement consistent with international law. (Reporting by Jonathan Landay; Editing by Stephen Coates) The terrorist country Russia continues to prepare for a large-scale conflict with NATO. This is evidenced, in particular, by several financial, economic and military indicators of the Russian Federation. ADVERTISIMENT At the same time, analysts have noted that the confrontation between Russia and NATO will not take place soon, but probably in a shorter time than expected in the West. This was reported by the Institute for the Study of War. European politicians warn that Russia may attack NATO countries in the near future. Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said that new intelligence indicates that Russia may try to attack the North Atlantic Alliance within three to five years. He also added that this is an accelerated timetable compared to NATO's 2023 estimate. In turn, Polish President Andrzej Duda emphasized that dictator Vladimir Putin is stepping up efforts to transform Russia into a military economy with the intention of being able to attack NATO as early as 2026 or 2027. The analysts explained that the timetable for the resumption of Russia's military threat largely depends on the financial resources that Putin is willing to allocate to the army. ADVERTISIMENT The ISW also emphasized that Russia continues to carry out structural reforms to simultaneously support the war against Ukraine and expand its capabilities in the long term in preparation for a potential large-scale conflict with NATO. In particular, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has described several ongoing efforts to strengthen Russia's military capabilities, likely as part of a long-term effort to prepare for a potential war with NATO. Analysts continue to believe that Russia currently lacks the manpower, military infrastructure, and training capabilities to adequately man the several new divisions to full strength in the near future. However, such reforms are likely aimed at building long-term military capabilities against NATO, rather than at immediately creating and manning new formations at the army level. ADVERTISIMENT Earlier, it was reported that Russian aggression may not be limited to Ukraine, and the Baltic states will soon be under threat. The Kremlin dictator Vladimir Putin will try to use the Donbas scenario, saying that Russian speakers are "oppressed in the Baltic States." As a reminder, Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said that dictator Vladimir Putin fears being at war with NATO. However, NATO member states also do not want to fight Russia. Californias high-speed rail train could feature an indoor play area for children and seating options that would allow people to meet as a group or cocoon in a reading nook. Recently released drawings of the imagined interior, station platforms and a video walk-through of a model train car offered a glimpse into the future of the transit system and its promise to transform the state. But how and if it will ever live up to that promise to connect Los Angeles to San Francisco by train in less than three hours still remains unknown. While some progress has been made in the last 15 years, the timeline for completion has moved back by more than a decade and cost estimates have grown by the billions. Transit experts and state policy advisers have continued to question how the lofty project will be paid for as the proposed cost has increased without guaranteed funding sources. Projected ridership has also dipped since the pandemic. Schedules are stretching out, demand estimates have fallen and financing is inadequate and unstable, said high-speed rail peer-review group chair Louis Thompson at a recent state legislative hearing. The state-appointed panel advises the California High-Speed Rail Authority. Rail Authority Chief Executive Brian Kelly, who plans to step down this year, and other rail officials have also acknowledged the questionable funding of a rail system with less than a quarter of its length under construction three years after the the first phase was supposed to be completed. Heres where things stand: When will the train start running and where will it go? Voters first approved a high-speed rail proposal in 2008 that would connect Los Angeles to San Francisco by 2020. That end date has changed considerably over time. There is no set timeline for when anyone will be able to ride the entire 494-stretch from Anaheim to San Francisco. The current focus centers on the Central Valley, where officials estimate the 171-mile line from Merced to Bakersfield will be finished between 2030 and 2033. Read more: High-speed rail is coming to the Central Valley. Residents see a new life in the fast lane There are currently 119 miles under construction stretching from Madera to Shafter. An environmental review cleared the expansion to Merced and Bakersfield, but the authority has not yet fully secured funding to do so. While construction has been a boon for the area that was hard-hit by the Great Recession when the rail system was passed, bringing in more than 12,000 jobs to the Central Valley, the train has been out of sight for much of the state. We're starting in the most underpopulated portion of the route, said Ethan Elkind, director of the climate program at UC Berkeley Law's Center for Law, Energy and the Environment. The voters and the taxpayers in the [more] populated areas see no benefit from the system. Theres economic and social advantages for connecting areas in the Central Valley to thriving coastal economies because we have a very unequal society in California, Elkind said. But no one knows when that will definitively happen. Officials expect that the 463-mile stretch between Los Angeles and San Francisco will be environmentally cleared by May, pending approval of a key section between Palmdale and Burbank. Funding for that additional construction has not been locked down. The high-speed rail peer-review group has recommended the Legislature commission an independent review of the economic and financial justification for the project before recommitting to the first phase. How much will the project cost? Officials estimate it could cost about $35 billion to finish the first line from Bakersfield to Merced and roughly $100 billion more to complete the route from Los Angeles to San Francisco about $100 billion more than what was originally proposed years ago. And the source of most funds is unclear. High-speed rail development relies on state and federal funding and Californias cap-and-trade incentive, which is set to expire in 2030. The authority hopes to secure private investments in the future, according to its most recent business plan, but currently uses none. Read more: New high-speed train from Vegas to SoCal will be a model for the nation if it succeeds The outcome of the November election could have an effect on future funding. We want a federal partner that celebrates California and that celebrates what high-speed rail not only brings to our state, but really, to our nation, state assembly Transportation Chair Lori D. Wilson (D-Suisun City) said. The Trump administration previously tried to pull back funding for the project, while the Biden administration has been more supportive. It recently awarded the state more than $3 billion for the project, which will go toward the completion of the Central Valley line. The authority is still about $7 billion short for what's needed to finish the Central Valley line, in addition to the tens of billions of dollars needed to fund the rest of the route. There is no source of that money right now, Thompson told The Times. If and when they reach the point where they want to get out of the Central Valley, then the state itself is going to have to find a lot more money. Once the first line is complete, a second phase is supposed to connect Merced to Sacramento and Los Angeles to San Diego, expanding the line to about 800 miles. Why the delay? Transit experts have said the mega-project launched before it was ready to. As Thompson told the Legislature in 2019, we got the cart before the horse. Kelly acknowledged the misstep at a recent hearing. It got federal monies to start in a specific location and those dollars had to be spent under an unrealistic timeline, he said. The authority wanted to advance work to keep the federal dollars which was understandable, but in so doing, it got into construction before some of the pre-construction activities were done. The rail authority essentially tried to learn how to develop the country's first high-speed rail system in real time. They were hiring consultants, they were getting sued, they were spending a lot of money and nothing was getting built, Elkind said. Environmental reviews and lawsuits over the authoritys plans to disrupt housing complexes and developments have caused other setbacks. So has political jockeying and the projects need for buy-in from voters across the states 58 counties. Over the years, local leaders have opined about where the train should go and which communities should directly benefit, leading to shifts in strategy that have prolonged the process. Instead of taking a direct route up Interstate 5, for example, the train's route veered through the eastern cities of the Central Valley to get support from county leaders and the federal government. "That takes the route out of the most direct path and opens up a lot of land-use controversies, a lot of expense and hassle," Elkind said. Work continues on California's high-speed rail project. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) How has the project affected communities? The project has posed benefits and challenges for some communities. Thousands of construction jobs have been created in the Central Valley and some areas have seen a rise in businesses and redeveloped downtown areas in anticipation of the future rail. It becomes an equalizer, Merced's deputy city manager Frank Quintero said about the systems ability to connect the Central Valley with other metropolitan areas. Now we're going to be as desirable as the Bay Area as a whole and Southern California. Construction and the possibility of construction has also brought some issues. In downtown Fresno, for example, a thoroughfare road has been closed for eight years. In Bakersfield, business owners have sought clarity about when theyll have to move, and where they will relocate to, making planning difficult. There are some logistical questions that have yet to be answered too, including how people will ultimately get to future stations in areas that have limited public transit. Will the high-speed rail work with the Brightline rail? The federal government has awarded a $3-billion grant to private railroad Brightline for the development of a high-speed rail line between Rancho Cucamonga and Las Vegas. It is a much more simple venture, not crossing though cities and farmlands, running down the wide median of Interstate 15 in the desert. The project is aiming to open by the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Kelly recently said that the hope is that the states high-speed rail will eventually integrate with the Brightline rail, potentially filling a transit gap between stations. 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. Nearly half of American prisons are located downstream from water sources that are likely contaminated with cancer-linked forever chemicals, a new study has found. Due to insufficient water quality testing in and around such sites, officials have only found that 5 percent of U.S. carceral institutions are situated in watersheds that definitively contain these toxic compounds, according to the study, published in the American Journal of Public Health. But tens of thousands of people are incarcerated at those facilities and presumptive sources of exposure were found near many more sites. When it comes to toxins like forever chemicals, also known as PFAS, incarcerated populations are of particular concern because they have minimal ability to reduce their exposures and are therefore especially vulnerable to acute health effects, the researchers stressed. If you think of the incarcerated population as a city spread out over this vast archipelago of carceral facilities, it would be the fifth largest city in the country, senior author Nicholas Shapiro, a medical anthropologist the University of California, Los Angeles, said in a statement. That figurative city, he continued, has potentially very high levels of toxicants in its water and no ability to mitigate exposure. Notorious for their ability to persist in both the human body and in the environment, PFAS have been connected to a variety of illnesses including kidney cancer, thyroid disease and testicular cancer. There are thousands of types of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), found in industrial waste, certain types of firefighting foam and household products, such as nonstick pans, waterproof apparel and many cosmetics. To draw their conclusions about prisons potential exposure to the substances, the researchers assembled a list of the countrys 6,118 carceral facilities from the Department of Homeland Security and conducted a geospatial data analysis to pinpoint which sites were situated in watersheds with known or likely PFAS pollution. They also considered whether watershed boundaries were at higher elevations with respect to the carceral institutions, as such positioning increases the likelihood that pollutants are infiltrating the facilitys water supply. Ultimately, they identified 310 sites or 5 percent of the total facilities situated in such watersheds, at a lower elevation than at least one known source of PFAS contamination. At least 150,000 people, of which at least 2,200 are juveniles, live in these facilities, according to the study. But the reality may be far worse. The authors found that nearly half of all U.S. carceral institutions 47 percent have at least one presumptive source of PFAS pollution at a higher elevation than the facilities and within their watershed boundaries. More than half of U.S. juvenile facilities 56 percent meet that description, per the findings. These potentially polluted prisons, jails and detention centers the majority of which are state- and county-run institutions house about 990,000 people, including at least 12,800 juveniles, the authors noted. Many carceral facilities may be contending with multiple PFAS exposures, with 31 percent of U.S. institutions located in areas with more than one presumptive source of contamination, according to the study. About 13 percent have more than five presumptive sources. Because about a third of the carceral facilities were missing complete population data, however, the total number of individuals exposed could be much higher, the researchers warned. Co-author Lindsay Poirier, an assistant professor of statistical and data sciences at Smith College, emphasized the challenges the researchers faced in conducting the study due to the substantial data gaps in water quality monitoring and population numbers. Were trying to draw attention to areas that have been underassessed, Poirier said in a statement. In addition to the lack of transparent information available, the authors pointed to potential environmental justice issues, as the residents of U.S. prisons are disproportionately Black, Latinx, Indigenous, low-income, and LGBTQ+. Incarcerated youths are also disproportionately adolescents of color, with Black youths more than four times more likely than white youths to be held in a juvenile institution, per the study. U.S. prisons, they explained, are therefore an important window into how the justice system advances public health inequities, the researchers stated. Although the authors could not test whether the polluted water was for sure entering the prisons, they stressed a need for further research, as these toxins can have lifelong health impacts. The most rigorous and consistent water testing is done in well-resourced or particularly engaged communities, Shapiro said, noting that these same communities are best equipped to reduce their exposure. Incarcerated populations have a lot in common with marginalized populations elsewhere in the country that lack the resources and political clout to get their water cleaned up, Shapiro added. That needs to change. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The Great Port of St. Petersburg has stopped transshipment of nitrate since February due to drone attacks, the Russian newspaper Kommersant reported on March 21. Local authorities are planning to move the transshipment of nitrate outside the city, presumably to Ust-Luga. According to the newspaper, this means the loss of 3 million tons of cargo per year for the port of St. Petersburg. "For the port, which is already in a difficult position due to the loss of trade operations with Europe, this is a rather significant blow," Kommersant writes. Ust-Luga is being considered as a new site for the transshipment of nitrate. According to the newspaper, the town is, however, not ready to receive nitrate at the moment, as the port needs to modernize its infrastructure. Oil refineries NV Attacks on Russian refineries Recently, Ukraines SBU security service has successfully attacked at least 12 oil refineries in Russia, Reuters reported on March 17, citing a source in the intelligence service. This figure does not take into account the operations of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry (HUR), which also carries out strikes on Russian refineries using drones. According to the CEO of Gunvor Group Ltd. Torbjorn Tornqvist, Russia has lost about 600,000 barrels of daily refining capacity as a result of Ukrainian drone strikes. A fire broke out at one of the plants in the city of Slaviansk-na-Kubani in Krasnodar Krai of the Russian Federation as a result of a drone attack overnight on March 16-17. Several Russian refineries in different regions have been attacked by drones over the past week. Ukrainian intelligence and the SBU confirmed their involvement in some of these attacks in comments to NV. Read also: Ukraines strategic strikes aim to undermine Russia's economy and cut petrodollar flow to war effort A fire broke out at two refineries in Russias Samara Oblast overnight on March 15-16, and Russian media reported that it was a drone attack. Drones attacked the Voronezh, Kursk, Belgorod, Bryansk, Leningrad, and Lipetsk oblasts of Russia overnight on March 12-13, as well as an oil refinery in Ryazan, where a serious fire broke out. Drones attacked the Kursk, Belgorod, Tula, Voronezh, Nizhny Novgorod, Bryansk, Leningrad, Oryol oblasts of Russia overnight on March 11-12, as well as Moscow. In the city of Oryol, explosions were heard near an oil depot where a fire broke out. A Lukoil oil depot in the Nizhny Novgorod Oblast was also ablaze. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Duke Energy is asking North Carolina regulators to allow it to replace two coal-fired units with a pair of natural gas turbines at its Marshall power plant in Catawba County. The utility says it needs the project, which was first proposed in its 2023 update to its carbon dioxide reduction plan, to maintain reliability while eliminating coal generation. Critics of the project say that by turning to natural gas, Duke is releasing unnecessary greenhouses gases and imperiling its ability to meet the states carbon reduction targets by 2050. Dukes plans at the Marshall plant are indicative of a broader shift from coal to natural gas at existing power generation sites, a move company officials say will allow them to meet an anticipated spike in demand and ramp up power generation when necessary while saving on transmission infrastructure and boosting local economies. The utility is also planning to build new natural gas plants to burn a blend of hydrogen and natural gas, with the possibility of future upgrades so they solely burn carbon dioxide-free hydrogen. The proposed addition of two hydrogen-capable combustion turbines at Duke Energys Marshall Steam Station reflects our focus on delivering a path to cleaner energy that protects grid reliability and affordability while meeting the energy demands of a growing and economically vibrant region, Bill Norton, a Duke spokesman, said in an email. The N.C. Utilities Commission regulators would need to approve a certificate of public convenience and necessity for the new Marshall combustion turbines. Duke will also need to obtain an air quality permit from the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality. What do critics of Dukes plans say? Dukes shift from coal to natural gas, particularly in the short-term, has drawn criticism from many environmental groups. They have argued that Duke is simply swapping out one fossil fuel for another and note that the methane burned at gas plants is a potent greenhouse gas that still generates some carbon dioxide emissions. Duke claims that they support an all of the above strategy, but actions speak louder than words, Mikaela Curry, a Sierra Club field manager for the Carolinas and Tennessee, said in a written statement. Dukes actions suggest that they are mostly interested in building expensive methane gas infrastructure, as quickly as possible, while dragging their feet on clean, renewable energy. Duke has also announced plans to build two new natural gas plants on the site of its Roxboro coal-fired power plant in Person County. Both the Marshall and Roxboro projects were originally announced as part of the update to Dukes carbon dioxide reduction plan that the utility submitted to the Utilities Commission last year. How does this project fit with NCs carbon reduction laws? In 2021, the N.C. General Assembly passed a bipartisan bill requiring Duke to reduce carbon dioxide emissions 70% from 2005 levels by 2030. It can ask the N.C. Utilities Commission to delay that target if Duke can prove that building an offshore wind farm or small modular nuclear reactor can achieve deeper carbon reductions. Duke must consider affordability and reliability, in addition to carbon dioxide reductions. The state law also says that Duke must meet carbon neutrality by 2050. Duke filed an updated version of its resource plan in August 2023, but amended it in January 2024. That amendment came after new demand forecasts found that additional manufacturing facilities and other demand for electricity in the Carolinas mean Duke needs to add 44.5 gigawatts across the Carolinas by 2038, an increase from the 36.5 gigawatts it expected just months before. In a video posted to Dukes website, Kendal Bowman, the companys North Carolina president, said, This additional growth is unprecedented historic in both size and speed.. So to meet customers needs, were proposing to accelerate every resource available to us: solar, storage, natural gas, nuclear and wind as we maintain our diverse, all-of-the-above approach to protect reliability and affordability. Coal releases the most carbon dioxide of anything Duke uses to generate power. They also generate significant amounts of nitrous oxides and sulfur dioxide, potent air pollutants. If Marshall builds the planned natural gas turbines to replace the coal units, they would reduce annual sulfur dioxide emissions by an anticipated 92% and nitrous oxide emissions by 82%, Norton said. Duke also expects carbon dioxide emissions to decline by about 40%. But the new plants would come online in late 2028 and are expected to remain operational until 2064, well past the 2050 carbon neutral deadline. NC told Duke Energy to cut carbon emissions. Whats happened and whats supposed to. Could burning hydrogen help? Thats where Dukes hydrogen plans come in. The utility is planning to build the new gas plants so they can burn a blend of hydrogen and natural gas, eventually upgrading them over time to burn 100% hydrogen. Some environmental advocates question that plan. They wonder if planning for a hydrogen infrastructure that doesnt yet exist in North Carolina to materialize is more affordable than switching over to solar and wind energy now. Will Scott, the Environmental Defense Funds Southeast climate and clean energy director, is among those critics. If you cant convert to hydrogen, then youre only going to get half of the anticipated lifetime out of these plants but youre still going to be paying for them the entire time, Scott said, referencing the 2050 deadline for Duke to reach carbon neutrality. In its August 2023 resource plan filing, Duke officials said they are planning for new combustion turbines like those proposed at Marshall to burn a blend containing 1% hydrogen by 2035, 2% by 2038 and 3% by 2041. Duke could convert the units to operate solely on hydrogen by 2050 in order to meet the carbon neutrality requirement Duke is planning to build new combustion turbines with piping inlets and a combustion system that can support a blend containing up to 30% hydrogen, with other upgrades including room for equipment that injects hydrogen into natural gas, an ammonia control system and a fire suppression system designed for hydrogen. The utility expects to be able to further modify those turbines to operate on 100% hydrogen. Would solar, battery storage work instead? Scott suggested that Duke could have better taken advantage of existing power lines, transformers and other transmission infrastructure that exist at Marshall by putting batteries on the site and charging them via solar or on-shore wind. Planning to switch the plants from a blend of natural gas and hydrogen to solely hydrogen, Scott said, leaves Duke dependent on an industry that doesnt yet exist at scale quickly emerging. Generating green hydrogen would require Duke to build solar or wind to generate power, electrolyzers to convert the raw energy into hydrogen, storage capacity to store the hydrogen and transmission pipes to transport it. Duke has announced a green hydrogen pilot at one of its Florida plants. Its making a bet that a whole hydrogen infrastructure is going to materialize in a cost-effective way and the counterpoint to that would be we have existing clean technologies and storage now, Scott said. Scott also warned that higher levels of hydrogen could leave pipes brittle, a challenge Duke acknowledges in its 2023 resource plan. Duke officials maintain that building natural gas now actually helps it add renewables to the grid, maintaining reliability when cloud cover limits energy from solar panels or batteries are emptied. At the same time, Norton wrote, the manufacturing projects and technological users coming to the Carolinas need energy about 90% of the time. Thats where Duke sees a technology like the combustion turbine, which they can turn on or off more quickly than the existing coal fleet, playing a role. While renewables have a key role to play, they are insufficient to power our regions economy alone, without the addition of more 24/7 natural gas and nuclear. A diverse resource mix is absolutely critical to maintaining North Carolinas competitive edge, Norton wrote in an email. When would the Marshall construction happen and what would it cost? If the N.C. Utilities Commission approves the project, Duke would start construction in 2026 and start operating the new combustion turbines in late 2028, before retiring two of the four coal units at the facility. The cost of the project is confidential because Duke plans to take bids for the construction. The company anticipates that the project will cost customers $104 million in 2029, the first full year they are operational, resulting in a 2.2% rate increase for Duke Energy Carolinas customers that would decline over time. The Utilities Commission would need to approve any such increase in a future rate case. the new natural gas facilities would be built on Dukes existing Marshall Steam Station property. Their footprint will be on 20 acres, about a mile northeast of the coal-fired plants theyre replacing, Norton, the Duke spokesman, wrote in an email. Dispatchable and flexible generation is increasingly critical to maintain reliability and energy adequacy as the Companies fleet transitions toward more variable energy and energy-limited resources, Norton wrote. How much power would these generate and when would they be used? The new units are what are known as peakers because they are ramped up and used when demand is the highest. The new plants will be capable of generating 850 megawatts of power, more than the 760 megawatts the two coal units they are replacing are capable of. What about Marshalls remaining coal plants? Duke expects to continue operating two additional plants that co-fire coal and natural gas at the Marshall site until 2031, when it plans to retire them, as well. The utility has said it plans to fully exit coal by 2035. NC Reality Check is an N&O series holding those in power accountable and shining a light on public issues that affect the Triangle or North Carolina. Have a suggestion for a future story? Email realitycheck@newsobserver.com This story was produced with financial support from the Hartfield Foundation and Green South Foundation, in partnership with Journalism Funding Partners, as part of an independent journalism fellowship program. The N&O maintains full editorial control of the work. If you would like to help support local journalism, please consider signing up for a digital subscription, which you can do here. Russian citizens were the most active participants of the international charity fundraiser for the purchase of the next batch of Sych attack and reconnaissance drones for Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU). Source: DIU Press Service Details: In four days, almost 3,000 people joined the volunteer action organised by the Freedom TV channel. Among them were 1,538 Russians, including 200 Muscovites, who scanned the QR-code from their TV screens and devices. Quote: "It is symbolic that the peak of donations for drones for Ukrainian intelligence officers from citizens of the aggressor state coincided with the so-called 'Putin's elections'. Instead of participating in the Kremlin's farce, conscious Russians decided to vote with dollars and euros for the freedom of their country. This is the best investment in Russia's free future, which can only come if the terrorist regime in the Kremlin is completely destroyed and dismantled." Details: It is noted that Ukrainians living abroad, citizens of Latvia, Germany, Poland, Moldova and other countries have also joined the international fundraising for the Sych UAV for military intelligence. The required amount is 25 million hryvnias (about US$636,000). The fundraising is ongoing. Details can be found here. Support UP or become our patron! Jersey Zoo is the headquarters of the charity Concerns have been raised about how Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust in Jersey is run. A group, including former employees and current members of the trust, said it intended to call for an "extraordinary general meeting". Jersey Zoo is the headquarters of the charity which was founded by the late author and naturalist Gerald Durrell. Rebecca Brewer, interim chief executive officer, said concerns included staff and animal welfare at Jersey Zoo. 'Balancing act' The trust said it took staff and animal welfare "incredibly seriously" and had been working with the group for several months to "address concerns". Following an increase in staff numbers in recent years, Ms Brewer said she recognised "rapid growth could be unsettling" and decision-making processes needed be made "clearer". She said: "I have been working closely with Lee Durrell and I know she is saddened by how a small number of people have used her late husband's name to further the debate. "Lee sits on the Board of Trustees and we are working together on the trust's next chapter and building on Gerald Durrell's legacy as we look to the future." Other concerns raised by the group related to the governance of the trust and species choices at the zoo, the latter of which Ms Brewer described as "a balancing act". She said the zoo's current "Rewild our World" strategy aimed to inspire responsibility for the natural world and support conservation through breeding programmes. Ms Brewer said: "As newly-appointed interim CEO, I am dedicated to finding a way forward that reassures everyone that the charity they know and love is still dedicated to Gerald Durrell's original mission statement 'saving species from extinction'." 'Dire consequences' Honorary Director Lee Durrell said "healthy debate" about management decisions and strategic direction was welcomed. She said: "In recent months, however, the concerns raised, albeit well-intentioned, have infused the debates with diverse agendas and unyielding opinions which have had a negative impact on stability and morale at Jersey Zoo and could result in dire consequences for the Durrell we all love. "Durrell is run by a team of dedicated professionals supported by a highly-committed Board of Trustees. "Together, we are developing Gerry's legacy to the world: his unique approach to wildlife conservation, integrating animal husbandry skills, scientific expertise and a long-term commitment to the animals, people and places we focus on, including Jersey Zoo." Follow BBC Jersey on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook. Send your story ideas to channel.islands@bbc.co.uk. Europe needs to make great strides in increasing the capacity of its defense industry, and can only do this by working together within the EU and with Ukraine, Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren told the Kyiv Independent on March 20. The ammunition initiative, launched by Czechia in February amid increasingly dire reports concerning Ukraine's munitions shortages on the front and involving the Netherlands, is an example of such cooperation. It's not the first time the Dutch have joined forces with other European countries to provide support to Ukraine. As a leading member of the fighter jet coalition, and now a member of the Latvian-led drone coalition for Ukraine, the Netherlands is utilizing its edge in technology to help Ukraine. A month on from an interview at the Munich Security Conference, the Kyiv Independent sat down with Ollongren in Kyiv to discuss the Netherlands' contributions to Ukraine's fight in the air, on the ground, and at an EU level. The Kyiv Independent: One of the reasons why we can have this interview in Kyiv is because of the air defense systems around the city, but there are reports that with the aid from the U.S. drying up, Ukraine could be unable to shoot down most Russian missiles within weeks. What contribution is the Netherlands making to air defense in Ukraine? Kajsa Ollongren: Air defense is crucial. I know because this is my fourth time in Kyiv and the reason that you can feel safe in Kyiv is because of the air defense. We also know that Ukraine is a big country with many big cities, so it's difficult to have enough air defense, but we know it's vital for Ukraine. It's always very high on our list. We were also part of the countries that stepped forward to provide Patriots and other types of air defense, so we know how important it is, and we, and all other countries, are aware of that. It's also a question of adapting the production levels. That is what we will keep pushing for. The Kyiv Independent: One year ago today, the EU promised Ukraine one million artillery shells. As we know, they were not delivered within the year that was aimed for. When do you expect the EU to reach the one million mark, and what is the main bottleneck preventing this from happening? Kajsa Ollongren: We are working now on what we call the Czech initiative. This is a large number of shells, and we have the funding now. The Netherlands is contributing 250 million euros ($270 million). We're working very hard with the Czechs to ensure the ammunition is shipped as soon as possible to arrive in Ukraine and at the front line. We want the soldiers on the front to feel that there is a steady flow of ammunition. After that, we will have to ensure that we are on the right level of production. The level of production in the EU at the end of the year will be much, much higher than it was before Feb. 24, 2022. That is what we need, and we need it long-term. We need it long-term, we need it for Ukraine. We know also that Ukraine itself has production facilities that will be able to increase. We will have to increase and we will have to keep it on this high level. The Kyiv Independent: With the current level and speed of weapons and military aid coming to Ukraine, do you think its possible for Ukraine to win the war? Kajsa Ollongren: We are confident that Ukraine can win the war. We support Ukraine in every possible way because we are very impressed by your achievements so far. We must not forget that the Russian Federation and (Russian President Vladimir) Putin have not achieved a single goal they set themselves at the beginning and they have achieved a lot of the opposites. They have achieved the enlargement of NATO. They achieved that Ukraine is also at the table with NATO and has prospects for EU membership. There is unity among European countries in the support for Ukraine. So Ukraine has many friends, which is the opposite of what the Russian Federation wanted. So, yes, we are confident. It may take time, but we will be there and we will continue to support Ukraine for as long as it takes. Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren poses for a portrait before an interview for the Kyiv Independent on March 20, 2024, in Kyiv. (Oleh Tymoshenko / The Kyiv Independent) The Kyiv Independent: There were some reports last year that F-16 pilots, in an optimistic scenario, could be ready by the end of May-beginning of June this year. Do you have any updates on the timeline, on how the training is going, and when we can expect F-16s in Ukrainian airspace? Kajsa Ollongren: I think that we are on track. This is not something that you can do overnight. It is a complex capability, but it's an important capability and so we have to do everything right. And so that means you need trained pilots and technicians to have the infrastructure in place. We are also working on preparing the platforms and the aircraft itself to make sure they have the right ammunition and are ready for use. It's going to start phasing in this summer. Then, we will be working toward scaling up the number of planes, and also the number of people who can use the planes. Read also: Our reserves will run out: Ukrainian artillery sounds alarm on Western shell shortage The Kyiv Independent: The Netherlands has also joined the drone coalition for Ukraine, and drones have become a key element on the battlefield. Has the Dutch military learned anything from the use of drones in Ukraine, and is the front line in Ukraine seen as a testing ground for these new military technologies in Western Europe? Kajsa Ollongren: We're eager to learn from your experiences with every capability you use, but especially the new techniques, which are drones and unmanned systems. We do not see it as a testing line because it's very serious business. People are dying while fighting at the front. But what is important also for Ukraine is that the techniques used there, you have to know which ones are successful and which ones are not successful, and also, what the enemy is doing, because they're also developing their techniques. That will enable us to adapt to that reality, to adapt our techniques, and to use new techniques that are better than what the opposite side uses. Therefore, we need to have this feedback loop. I always say it's a two-way street. It's not just us sending things to Ukraine, we also get knowledge back, and experience back, and we use that to improve. That is also why our industries have to work together to get the very best for the soldiers who are fighting The Kyiv Independent: The European Commission recently presented the first European Defense Industrial Strategy. You are a supporter of this, and you've said that the EU needs to be "fit to fight." I wonder what you think the Dutch contribution could be to the European defense industry. Are there any particular parts of the Dutch economy that could contribute to this plan? Kajsa Ollongren: I think so. We have to work together and do that within the European Union, and we have to invite Ukraine also to be part of that. That is exactly what the Commission is now proposing. Together we are stronger. In the Netherlands, we have a very strong maritime sector and have a very strong high-tech sector. This is what we should develop and contribute to the industries that are also located in other countries, and then, you create European strengths. If everybody is doing the same in their own country, then you're not producing at scale, and you're not getting stronger. I think also, as I said at the maintenance facility, we are exporting our own fragmentation. Ukraine has to fight with all kinds of infantry, fighting vehicles, tanks, etc. Also there, we have to have interoperability standardization or even interchangeability by using the same product to have user groups of countries that use the same. If you use the same, you can also fight together. Therefore, we also have to learn from the Ukrainian experience, but the European Commission is taking a step in the right direction. Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren poses for a portrait before an interview for The Kyiv Independent on March 20, 2024, in Kyiv. (Oleh Tymoshenko / The Kyiv Independent) The Kyiv Independent: Why do you think it's important that a new role be created for an EU defense commissioner? And what should be the number one priority if this position is created? Kajsa Ollongren: I think it's very important because what the war in Ukraine has taught us is that we have to be ready in Europe to take care of our own security, to be able to defend ourselves. Also, inside of NATO. So, supporting Ukraine and, at the same time, building up our defense industries and our armed forces is the only way to be efficient in your deterrence if we are actually "fit to fight." Take the Netherlands, we are a medium-sized country with 17 million people. That's quite substantial but look at our geography. We are close to the sea, and we have a big German neighbor. So we have to work together with industries and other armed forces, and we have to have joint forces to be strong. Read also: Why is Russia intensifying attacks on Ukraines Sumy Oblast? The Kyiv Independent: Some of the Netherlands' military troops are integrated with Germans. What are your thoughts on further integration between European armies or the creation of a European army? Kajsa Ollongren: I'm very practical. So, we have NATO for our collective defense. We also have other tasks that we have to perform. If you work together, you can be stronger. For instance, our army is integrated with the German army. That means that our brigades are training on division levels, which makes us stronger, and it makes Germany stronger. If the Netherlands and Germany are stronger, then NATO is also stronger. This makes sense, and I hope other neighboring countries are looking at our example because it will make all of NATO stronger. The Kyiv Independent: Speaking of NATO - Donald Trump recently said that as long as European countries pay their share in terms of defense spending, the U.S. won't leave NATO. Do you think the U.S. is a reliable partner as part of the alliance, particularly given that the Netherlands is one of the countries that did not reach the 2% of the defense spending for many years? Kajsa Ollongren: The people that have this debate forget one thing - for a long time, the 2% was not a floor. It was a target. It was a target to be reached this year - 2024. And we reached that target because this government decided that in 2024 and 2025, we would spend 2% on defense. Last year in Vilnius, we agreed with all NATO countries that 2% is the floor - its a minimum. As a minister of defense, I say that is very important, that it is the minimum, it's not enough. We have to do more than that, and we're working on that. NATO is more than just looking at the funding. NATO is about trust. Its about Article Five. It's about agreeing that this is what we do as an alliance and as allies, and if that trust is in doubt, then NATO becomes weaker. I will resist the simplicity of just translating it into "is everybody under or just over 2%"? It is about whether you are ready to step in if Article Five is triggered. It's only been triggered once by the U.S. It is our duty now to ensure that our deterrence is in order and that Article Five is not triggered. I think that is what NATO is all about. The Kyiv Independent: About $60 billion in funding patterns for Ukraine remains stuck in the U.S. Congress. Does this have a knock-on effect on how people perceive peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, and does this push Ukraine into an unfavorable position? Kajsa Ollongren: We've always said it's up to Ukraine to decide when you want to start negotiations. I completely understand that you don't start negotiations when you have a gun pointed at your head. You want to be in a strong position. That is why we will continue to support Ukraine, to resist this Russian aggression, to fight against this illegal annexation of part of your country. You're completely within your rights, and you have our full support. You can see that European countries are doing a lot. The U.S. is an important partner and a very big country. So, regarding what they can contribute, it is difficult for us to compensate for that. I hope that there will be a solution. I think many people in the U.S. agree with that. Many members of Congress who are bipartisan agree that this has to be done. But we all know that it is still stuck because of political reasons that have nothing to do with the war in Ukraine. Note from the author: Hi, this is Elsa Court, the author of this article. With every day that passes, Ukrainians face more Russian onslaughts with less ammunition and equipment to defend themselves. Assistance from around the world is key to helping Ukraine and its people survive. If you would like to support our reporting at the crucial point in the war, consider becoming a member of the Kyiv Independent community. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren and Ukraine's Deputy Defense Minister Yurii Dzhyhyr visited the positions of the Khortytsia group of forces and the combat units of Ukraine's Armed Forces in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Ukraine's Defense Ministry's press service reported on March 21. This is the second visit by a high-ranking Dutch official to Ukrainian regions close to the front this spring, as Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte came on March 1 to Kharkiv to sign a 10-year agreement on security cooperation between Ukraine and the Netherlands. Before the visit to Ukraine, Ollongren announced the procurement of 150 million euros ($164 million) worth of munitions for Ukraine's incoming F-16 jets. Later on, the Dutch defense minister met President Volodymyr Zelensky on March 20 and discussed further military assistance for Ukraine. While Ollongren was visiting military training units in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, she met the commanders and listened to their reports on the current situation on the contact line. "While at a military maintenance facility in the Dnipro region, I saw how donated military equipment is maintained. It requires technical ingenuity and more spare parts. Here, I once again saw Ukraine's tremendous resilience," Ollongren wrote on X. Read also: Netherlands to procure $164 million in F-16 munitions for Ukraine Dzhyhyr thanked the Dutch defense minister for visiting Ukrainian troops, stressing that it is a testament to unity between Ukraine and the Netherlands in resisting Russia. During the visit to Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Ollongren also came to Dnipro and laid flowers at the monument of fallen soldiers and spoke with the emergency services about the consequences of the latest Russian attacks on the city. Russian forces regularly attack Dnipropetrovsk Oblast due to its proximity to the front line. The local military administration reported on March 20 that over the past day, one person was wounded as Russia attacked the Nikopol district, damaging a shop and industrial and municipal enterprises. Russian troops also launched drones at Dnipro overnight on Feb. 23, killing one civilian, injuring eight, and causing damage to a nine-story apartment building. Read also: Opinion: How many planes does Russia have? Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The King of the Netherlands attended military training of the Armed Forces of Ukraine King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands talked with Ukrainian servicemen undergoing training during his visit to Operation Interflex in the United Kingdom, the Dutch Royal House reported on X on March 20. Read also: Some 30,000 Ukrainian troops trained in UK, seven weeks ahead of schedule Willem-Alexander visited a training operation in England and engaged with instructors and Ukrainian soldiers. "The Netherlands are contributing, for example, to shooting training, medical assistance, and law of war," the statement said. Read also: New video released of Ukrainian soldiers training in United Kingdom UK Defense Ministry The training ground is located in northern England. The Netherlands has been participating in this training program since September 2022. Operation Interflex is an international partnership involving several countries. Besides the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, training is provided by Norway, Canada, Denmark, Finland, and Sweden. Read also: Uniforms and equipment meant for training of Ukrainian soldiers in UK stolen during transportation The UK leads in the training of Ukrainian servicemen. The United Kingdom has completed training 30,000 Ukrainian soldiers, seven weeks ahead of schedule, UK Defense Secretary Grant Shapps said on Nov. 10. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine In order to access the EU's 50 billion financial assistance program through the Ukraine Facility, the country must fulfill 27 reform indicators, including 7 this year, the Economy Ministry announced on March 20. The plan provides for the implementation of reforms that will lay the foundation for further economic recovery and development as well as Ukraines integration into the EU. Full details, including a list of planned reforms, can be found on the dedicated online resource. The main focus for 2024 is the development and approval of the Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan. Other goals for the Economy Ministry include optimizing the management of state property, improving the overall business environment, and developing priority industries, along with the following indicators to be achieved this year: The State Property Policy adoption in accordance with the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Developments (OECD) principles and ESU standards Adoption of the Law on Corporate Governance of state-owned enterprises in accordance with OECD recommendations (achieved) The Business Deregulation Action Plan update and implementation Support for the industrial parks program implementation to attract investment to the de-occupied territories Resume market surveillance and control of non-food products, including product safety inspections Demining Strategy approval for the period up to 2033. Read also: Cabinet of Ministers approves plan helping Ukraine receive 50 billion aid The Ukraine Facility Plan reforms in 2025-2027 will aim to improve the management of state property, as well as the legislation adoption to deregulate and simplify the business environment, including the licensing procedures digitalization, aligning public procurement with EU standards, integrating Prozorro public procurement into the DREAM system, and the separation of the non-military and defense related procurement. The Ukraine Facility Plan is a technical document required to implement the European Unions financial support program for Ukraine. The 69 reforms in the Plan are supported by more than 150 quarterly implementation indicators. Read also: EU provides Ukraine with almost $5 billion aid tranche Borrell Over the period of 2024-2027, 50 billion euros from the EU will be allocated to finance the state budget, stimulate investment, and provide technical assistance in the implementation of the program. Earlier on Feb. 1, all 27 EU members unanimously agreed to establish the Ukraine Facility, a four-year aid fund for Ukraine worth EUR 50 billion ($54 billion). Initially approved in late 2023, the program was previously blocked by Hungary. At a summit on Dec. 14, 2023, Hungarys PM Viktor Orban vetoed the proposal. "Most of the money from the plan 39 billion euros ($42.4 billion) is the 'Ukraine Plan'," Ukrainian MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak wrote on Telegram on Feb. 1. Another 8 billion euros ($8.7 billion) is the Investment Fund and 3 billion euros ($3.3 billion) is Technical and Administrative Support (compensation for the loan rate). So, these 39 billion euros will be macro-financial assistance. Conditionally, as an IMF tranche. Read also: Ukraine officials outline ambitious reform agenda, development targets required to get 50B from EU "We expect to receive the first payment of 4.5 billion euros ($4.9 billion) in March," the First Vice Prime Minister and Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said. On Feb. 27, the European Parliament approved "long-term funding for Ukraine" in the amount of EUR 50 billion. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine The Ukrainian Defense Forces have stabilized the situation on the battlefield in eastern Ukraine. In particular, this is due to the merit of the government and the people of France, who have consistently supported Ukraine in its fight against the Russian army. ADVERTISIMENT The head of the Armed Forces of Ukraine spoke about this with the Chief of the Joint Staff of the Armed Forces of the French Republic, Army General Thierry Bourcart. Syrskyi reported the details of the conversation on his Telegram. "I also expressed my gratitude for the assistance provided in the training of Ukrainian servicemen in France," he added. As a reminder, the Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff reported on March 20 that the Avdiivka and Novopavlivka sectors remain the hottest areas of the frontline. In addition, the occupants have intensified their activities in the Liman sector: our soldiers repelled 10 enemy attacks there yesterday. ADVERTISIMENT Earlier, the Ukrainian Armed Forces said that on March 15, in the Avdiivka sector, Russian troops tried to drive tanks and armored vehicles into the village of Orlivka in the Ocheretynska community. This enemy attack was unsuccessful three tanks were destroyed. As reported by OBOZ.UA: The Armed Forces of Ukraine said that in the Liman direction, the Russians alternate between small-group assaults and larger-scale breakthrough attempts with the support of armored vehicles. The occupiers are constantly using poisonous substances and cluster munitions to attack the defenders. On March 21, Syrskyi met with a NATO delegation led by Admiral Rob Bauer, head of the North Atlantic Military Committee. The military held talks. Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! A version of this story appeared in CNNs What Matters newsletter. To get it in your inbox, sign up for free here. The search for accountability in the unending era of American mass shootings is turning to novel legal tactics against the parents who raise shooters, the gun manufacturers that appeal to them and the social media platforms where they might learn radical behavior. Suing gun manufacturers. This week, Everytown Law and the city of Chicago, making use of a new firearm responsibility law in Illinois, filed a lawsuit against the manufacturer Glock arguing that Glock is helping spread illegal machine guns. They argue that Glock is responsible because its handguns can easily be refashioned into automatic weapons using a so-called Glock switch, even though it is not manufactured by the company. RELATED: CNN Investigates filed this report in 2022 about a device that can turn a semi-automatic weapon into a machine gun. Prosecuting parents. Twin guilty verdicts for the parents of Ethan Crumbley suggest juries are willing to look beyond a mass shooter in placing blame. Crumbley is the Michigan teen who in 2021 killed four fellow students the same day that his mother and father were warned by a counselor about his behavior. The facts in that case may have been particularly damning in terms of how they implicated the parents for negligence. But the precedent could be used by prosecutors in cases that do not make national headlines. Were living in a new world now, and that new world is a prosecutor saying, If were not going to have legislation, if were not going to have significant protections, were going to take it upon ourselves to use the law in a way that gets accountability to everyone and anyone who could have potentially been involved, CNN legal analyst Joey Jackson told CNNs Erin Burnett last week. Karen McDonald, the Oakland County prosecutor who oversaw the Crumbley parent prosecutions, told CNNs Jean Casarez she did not know when she brought the charges that the case would be the first of its kind, but she was always intent on finding a way to prosecute the parents. I said, we have to find that but I know it exists, because I know that our set of laws are based on whats right and wrong. And I know that we have a duty to other children and other people to protect them, McDonald said. The facts were particularly bad for the parents in this case, according to Stephen Gutowski, a CNN analyst and founder of The Reload, a website the covers the gun rights and safety debate. I think that the success of it by itself is going to encourage more prosecutors to try this, Gutowski told me by phone. He also pointed me to one argument complicating the prosecutions in this case: that Ethan Crumbley faced charges as an adult, but his parents faced charges as parents. But that distinction may not matter to many people who want justice for the four killed students. Testing immunity for gun manufacturers, social media companies While prosecutors are inventing new avenues of prosecution based on old laws, activist groups led by Everytown for Gun Safety have launched a wave of new lawsuits around the country. These civil cases are being filed in spite of a 2005 federal law that gives gun manufacturers immunity from lawsuits resulting from the misuse of their products by others. Supporters say they have crafted the lawsuits to respect that law while still seeking accountability. They were buoyed by the $73 million settlement in 2022 of a lawsuit brought by the families of children and adults killed in 2012 at Sandy Hook Elementary School against the bankrupt gun manufacturer Remington and its insurers. The suit argued that Remington contributed to the killing with its marketing strategy. An image of the weapon used during the Sandy Hook school shooting is displayed while attorney Josh Koskoff speaks during a news conference in Trumbull, Connecticut, on February 15, 2022. - Seth Wenig/AP The fact that the US Supreme Court allowed the lawsuit to proceed suggests the immunity of manufacturers is not ironclad. A bonus for gun safety activists is the message the settlement sends to insurers and bankers behind manufacturers. Now, Everytown is partnering with victims and survivors across the country. Our view of gun violence in the country requires accountability at multiple levels, Nick Suplina, Everytowns senior vice president for law and policy, told me in a phone call. In his view, that includes the need for accountability from lawmakers who refuse to pass new gun laws and lobbyists who fight them. Recently, weve really expanded the need to hold others accountable for their role in gun violence in the country, Suplina said, adding that Everytown now has expanded its effort to bring lawsuits. Lawsuits all over the map Social media companies In Buffalo, New York, where a racist gunman killed 10 people at a grocery store in 2022, lawsuits on behalf of victims families and survivors target social media companies. A judge ruled this week that the lawsuits can proceed, setting up a challenge to the portion of US telecom law known as Section 230, by which social media companies have enjoyed immunity from responsibility for whats posted on their sites. The suits claim social media companies like Meta, Alphabet, Reddit and 4chan profit from the racist, antisemitic, and violent material displayed on their platforms to maximize user engagement, including the time then 18-year-old Payton Gendron spent on their platforms viewing that material. The suits also target the manufacturer of a gun lock, a gun store and the manufacturer of body armor used by Gendron. Gun manufacturers In Uvalde, Texas, lawsuits allege that firearm manufacturer Daniel Defense is partially responsible for the deadly shooting at Robb Elementary School in 2022 because the companys marketing targeted young, disaffected men and encouraged them to use weapons in a military fashion. The lawsuits also target the gun store that sold the murder weapon and the officers who failed to enter the elementary school as the shooting occurred. A memorial dedicated to the 19 children and two adults murdered during the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School is seen on April 27, 2023, in Uvalde, Texas. - Brandon Bell/Getty Images Gun shops - The lawsuit against a gun shop that supplied a shooter who killed five coworkers in Louisville, Kentucky, in 2023, alleges the gun store upsold the shooter, directing him toward deadlier gear. It remains to be seen if these lawsuits will build on the success of the Sandy Hook families settlement with Remington. Theyve adopted this tactic, but it hasnt so far born out into success, Gutowski said. Theres no lack of trying. New state laws tested California has passed multiple gun-related laws that have a mixed record so far in court. Giving people the ability to sue manufacturers of abnormally dangerous firearms has so far been blocked. An effort to ban guns in most public places is currently blocked. Restrictions that prohibit defendants awaiting trial from possessing guns have been allowed to proceed. The law has not kept up with low-tech, after-market ways to alter or even build so-called ghost guns with kits bought online and assembled at home. The Biden administration had sought to regulate ghost guns, but those efforts were declared unlawful by a federal appeals court. The administration last month asked the Supreme Court to weigh in. Meanwhile, a Michigan teen is suing a major ghost gun kit seller after he was accidentally shot in 2021 by a friend who had bought the kit despite being under age. The Supreme Court is already considering the action taken by former President Donald Trump, and continued by President Joe Biden, to ban bump stocks, another after-market product that makes rifles more deadly. Conservative justices were skeptical of the bump stocks ban in oral arguments last month. This headline and story have been updated. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry (R) met US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken privately in Cairo ahead of broader talks with Arab envoys to discuss ways of securing a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza (Khaled DESOUKI) Government ministers from five Arab countries met Thursday in Cairo with a Palestinian official to discuss the Gaza war, Egypt's foreign ministry said, ahead of talks with the US top diplomat. In a joint statement released by Egypt's foreign ministry, the ministers called for "a comprehensive and immediate ceasefire" and the "opening of all crossings between Israel and the Gaza Strip," where aid has only trickled in and the United Nations has repeatedly warned of imminent famine. The meeting was attended by the foreign ministers of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Jordan, as well as the Emirati minister of international cooperation and the Palestinian Authority minister for civilian affairs, the ministry said. The Arab officials also reiterated their "rejection of any attempt to displace the Palestinians from their lands," as a looming Israeli ground invasion of Gaza's southernmost city of Rafah has raised fears for the 1.5 million mostly displaced Palestinians sheltering in the city, penned in by the Egyptian border. Later Thursday, the ministers were due to hold talks with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken who is visiting Egypt as part of his sixth tour of the region since the Israel-Hamas war started on October 7. Blinken also had separate meetings with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry to discuss "ongoing efforts to protect Palestinian civilians and humanitarian workers in Gaza" and "secure an immediate ceasefire that includes the release of hostages", according to the state department. Egypt is the main entry point for aid deliveries to Gaza and a key mediator in talks underway in Qatar to secure a six-week truce in the war that would allow hostages to be exchanged for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel and increased aid deliveries to Gaza. The bloodiest ever Gaza war broke out on October 7 after Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on Israel, resulting in about 1,160 deaths, according to an AFP tally of official figures. Militants also seized about 250 hostages, of whom Israel believes 130 remain in Gaza, including 33 who are presumed dead. Israel has waged a relentless offensive against Hamas that has killed nearly 32,000 people, mostly women and children, according to the health ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza. UN agencies have warned that Gaza's 2.4 million people are on the brink of famine, and UN rights chief Volker Turk said Israel may be using "starvation as a method of war". During a visit Wednesday to Saudi Arabia, Blinken unveiled a draft US resolution for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. The United States, Israel's main backer, has previously used its UN Security Council veto to block the world body from calling for an "immediate" ceasefire in the Palestinian territory. sbh-lb/bha/jsa To get to Italy Oumar braved the world's largest desert and showed bravery beyond his years - Angela Nocioni As the Libyan coast guard ship inched closer, eight-year-old Oumar trembled in fear. He had already been picked up once from a dinghy while trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea by the so-called fezzan, only to be thrown into a notoriously brutal prison back in Tripoli. Smuggled out in a garbage bin by two adults, he eventually made it back to the coast to board a second dinghy, joining 23 other children and 60-plus adults on a desperately dangerous sea voyage to Europe. It is just one part of Oumars remarkable journey from a tiny village in Mali to an Italian port city in the hopes of going to school. Just four months ago, he was living happily with his family near Tambaga, western Mali. But when a jihadist group attacked the area, he fled on foot and became separated from them. Instead of going back, Oumar kept walking, right across the Sahara desert. He joined different groups of weary travellers along the way and eventually ended up in Libya. But once there he was captured by a Libyan gang that forced him to work as a welder and a painter. He eventually broke free from his captors, but ended up in Ain Zara jail after his first attempt to sail to Europe was unsuccessful. Hidden in a bin, he escaped again and made his way to Zawiya, just outside of Tripoli. There he joined another dinghy along with a bigger boy also named Oumar who recognised him from the Tripoli prison and acted like a big brother for the rest of his trip. The journey on a dinghy across the Mediterranean is a perilous one and one that has seen many lives lost - Johanna De Tessieres After days adrift in the Mediterranean Sea, the two Oumars thought they would be taken back to Libya when they spotted the coast guard boat. But the boys and the rest of the boats crew were finally safely rescued by the NGO lifeboat Ocean Viking. The boat had just responded to another drifting migrant vessel from Libya, one that saw some 60-100 people die. Oumar was lucky. He is an incredible child. When he told me his story, I did everything I could to confirm all the details, Angela Nocioni, an Italian journalist on board the lifeboat at the time, told the Telegraph. Every survivor on the dinghy told me, Its true, he is all alone. Dehydrated, hungry and suffering from hypothermia, Oumar didnt want to leave Angelas side once aboard the Ocean Viking. She gave him some chalk and found he could write the first picture he drew was of a person with a sad face. Oumar drew a picture of a sad face having made it to Italy - Angela Nocioni The older Oumar told her: I saw this boy in Ain Zara prison. He was there, not very long, but I remember him, because he was just a child I saw him again when getting into the dinghy. When the Ocean Viking finally docked in Ancona, northeastern Italy, the two Oumars held hands as they walked off the boat. They hugged and then parted ways. Now I can go to school, Papa? The younger Oumar was sent to a local leisure centre for processing, where a mediator from Mali was waiting, Ancona migrant centre director Alessandro Fucili told the Telegraph. Where is your mama? the mediator asked in his local Bambara dialect. In Mali, Oumar replied. Where is your papa? In Mali, he said again. Oumar said he could remember his fathers phone number by heart. So I took out my mobile phone and called the number, said Mr Fucili. And his father answered. He was absolutely incredulous. After not seeing Oumar for four months, his family feared the worst. Im sorry Papa, that I did not tell you, Oumar said. But I am over here. I made it. Over where? asked his father. Over here. On the other side In Europe. Now can I go to school, Papa? When doctors checked him over, it was clear he had been mistreated, with scars on his body and a broken bone in his heel that has been treated with a cast. Oumar with a cast on his right leg due to breaking a bone in his heel having been mistreated - Alessandro Fucili Mr Fucili called him a very intelligent, a very brave child and said the centre was trying to find a place for him in a local elementary school with other migrant children. Every morning as the centres children have breakfast and prepare to head out, Mr Fucili said Oumar asks the same question: Am I going to school? 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) Ready to strap into some fun? The El Paso Comic Con is back at the Convention Center from Friday, April 12 through Sunday, April 14. The pop culture event will feature a variety of vendors, panels for guests to attend, and workshops hosted by creative professionals. Image: El Paso Comic Con This years line up of celebrities will include but not limited to voice actor Patirck Warburton, WWE wrestler Tatanka and actor Michael Ornstein. For the full list of celebrities and guests, ticket prices, and more, head on over to their website at www.elpasocomiccon.com. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. Idaho Power says its customers could pay more money for electricity if a new piece of legislation is approved. And an out-of-state company stands to benefit. The bill aims to circumvent a ruling by a state agency that created a new customer class for speculative, high-density loads, charging those users higher rates for electricity. The bill would prevent the Idaho Public Utilities Commission, or PUC, from creating and enforcing rates for separate customer classes. It was brought forth this legislative session after the PUC approved a new customer class for large-scale cryptocurrency miners in June 2022 at the request of Idaho Power. The case centered around the burden that digital mining places on the entire electrical grid. Miners solve mathematical problems and receive crypto, such as bitcoin, as a reward. Their funds are secured on a digital ledger known as blockchain. Solving the puzzles requires enormous energy for computing. Idaho Power told the PUC that increased demand from crypto-mining companies could require new substations, lines, transmission resources and power plants that would ultimately raise rates for everyone. Its unclear what such an increase would look like. Idaho Power told the Statesman its hard to estimate an impact without speculating. House Bill 585 defines a crypto-mining business as a group of computers working at a single site that consumes more than 1 megawatt of energy a year for the purpose of generating digital assets by securing a blockchain network. One megawatt is enough to power a typical Walmart or Costco, according to a letter from Idaho Power, Avista Utilities and Rocky Mountain Power that opposed the bill. Backing the legislation is GeoBitmine, whose business model melds cryptocurrency mining with indoor-farming technology. GeoBitmine and other crypto companies have flocked to Idaho in recent years for the states relatively cheap power. Legislation would usurp PUCs authority GeoBitmine appealed the PUCs ruling in 2022 to create a new customer class for crypto generators, calling the classification discriminatory. GeoBitmine said the change would halt its plans to develop a crypto-mining operation at an idled J. R. Simplot Co. potato processing plant in Aberdeen. The site would use waste heat from digital mining to power a year-round greenhouse that the University of Idaho Research and Extension Center hoped to use for research, according to the companys petition. The PUC separates all its customers into classes based on the way they use power, including residential users, small businesses, larger commercial businesses, irrigators and farmers. Im a farmer. Im in a situation where I have a particular rate schedule that gets used for the purposes of power I draw related to irrigation, said Rep. Britt Raybould, a Republican from Rexburg, during a March 8 debate on the House floor. Theres a process and precedent in place that allows for the specific designation of rate schedules based on industry. Yet here we have a piece of legislation that is saying this particular industry is so special it deserves a carve-out. The classification the PUC approved in 2022, called Schedule 20, applies to industrial and commercial crypto-mining operations drawing less than 20 megawatts of electricity per year. Thats enough to power about 15,000 homes, an Idaho Power spokesperson previously told the Statesman. Anything larger falls into another category. The PUC comprises three governor-appointed commissioners. The agency regulates investor-owned or privately owned utility companies that provide gas, water, electricity or some telephone services in Idaho for a profit. What separates crypto mining from data centers? Rep. Vito Barbieri, a Republican from the Coeur dAlene area, said the legislation would undermine the lengthy process the PUC already went through, which functioned similar to a court case, to establish the new customer class. Another legislator, Rep. John Gannon, a Democrat from Boise, criticized the bill for conflating crypto-mining operations with data centers. Data centers in Idaho can get a sales tax exemption if they invest $250 million or more and create at least 30 jobs, such as Metas data center coming online in Kuna, which invests $800 million and is expected to bring about 100 jobs. While both data centers and cryptocurrency mining operations rely heavily on the electrical grid, crypto mining is more volatile, because its tied to cryptocurrency prices. Idaho Power spokesperson Jordan Rodriguez told the Statesman that Idaho Power is concerned that adding new infrastructure or purchasing new assets to shore up energy for the crypto miners would increase electricity rates for the rest of its customers. Should the crypto miners pack up and leave the state, the remaining customers would be left to foot the bill, he said. In Idaho Powers experience, few prospective cryptocurrency projects in Idaho have been willing to fund infrastructure upgrades to support their own interconnection, Rodriguez said by email. Bill wont move forward Rep. Elaine Price, a Republican from Coeur dAlene, and one of the bills sponsors, told the Statesman an amendment to the bill was made Friday that removed several lines related to rate-making and unduly discriminatory rates. Rep. Dustin Manwaring from Pocatello also sponsored the bill. Nonetheless, the bill was voted down at a second reading on the House floor Tuesday. That means the bill obviously isnt going to go anywhere in what remains of the 2024 legislative session, Price said, though it may be brought back next year in pieces. I really feel that digital assets are the future, and we need to be out ahead of it instead of trying to come up with policy after its already out there, Price said by phone. We want to be a state that makes it easy to come here, instead of putting up barriers to entry. This issue is not going to go away. Idaho Power said in an email to the Statesman that GeoBitmine was pushing for the legislation. Price disagreed but said she was approached by someone in the crypto industry that asked if she was interested in carrying a digital-asset bill. She declined to say who that person was. She said GeoBitmine supported the bill once the company heard about it, and later testified on behalf of it. What happened to that Idaho bill? Stay updated on latest with this 2024 tracker Idaho Republicans could change how future elections are run. Here are 5 issues to watch Unbeknownst to a group of California elementary school students, what started out as a field trip to the mountains would soon turn into the discovery of a lifetime. Last spring, as the Tara Redwood School students were playing in the Santa Cruz Mountains, they found a strange object, the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History said in a March 20 news release. Bryn Evans, the teacher chaperoning the students, told KSBW Action News 8 the kids were building a dam, looking for crawdads. Theyre just in the mud pulling things out and then one of them comes up and is like, This isnt a stick, this is a bone! Evans told the outlet. The children thought it was a bone of a large animal, the museum said. That object, it turns out, was a bit more unique. The students brought their find to Wayne Thompson, a paleontologist with the museum, who confirmed it was the fossil of an ancient sloth. Wayne Thompson, a paleontologist with the museum, poses for a photo with one of the students who discovered the ancient floth fossil. Photo from Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History Megalonyx jeffersonii is one of the very first fossils documented in North America, Melissa Macias, a paleontologist and ground sloth expert, said in the release. Its just one of those iconic animals that more people should know about. This is the first time a fossil for this species has ever been found in Santa Cruz County, the museum said. Fossils are a great way to engage people with the deep past, Felicia Van Stolk, the museums executive director, said in the release, and were so excited that young students made this important discovery that will continue to inspire generations of museum visitors and scientists. Jeffersons ground sloths went extinct about 11,000 years ago, the museum said. Photo from Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History While the museum is working to date the fossil, the museum said it knows the specimen was found in an Ice Age sediment deposit, placing it in a ballpark of between 11,500 years and 300,000 years old. This fossil find follows the discovery of a mastodon tooth on Rio Del Mar Beach last June. Both of these fossils are from the same era and their discoveries increase our understanding of what this region would have looked like in the Pleistocene, the museum said. A rare find Though the species remains are commonly found in the western United States, the museum said it is rare they are discovered in California. Wayne Thompson, a paleontologist with the museum, onsite in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Photo from Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History If the mammals fossils are found in the state, the museum said they are typically unearthed in Shasta and Los Angeles counties. In addition to being the first fossil of the species found in Santa Cruz County, the museum said it is one of the few confirmed specimens in the state. What to know about Jeffersons ground sloths Jeffersons ground sloths went extinct about 11,000 years ago, the museum said, adding that scientists are still investigating the cause. Megalonyx belongs to a family group of sloths that are believed to have emerged in South America about 30 million years ago, the museum said. From there, the museum said the species migrated to North America as early as 8 million years ago by crossing the Isthmus of Panama Land Bridge. Jeffersons ground sloths were comparable to an ox in size, growing up to 3 meters long and weighing between 2,200 and 2,425 pounds, the museum said. Artwork from Mason Schratter / Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History During the Ice Age, the museum said different species of sloths resided across North and South America and were hunted by Indigenous people. The herbivores were comparable to an ox in size, growing up to 3 meters long and weighing between 2,200 and 2,425 pounds, the museum said. The creatures could grow to be nearly 10 feet tall, according to the University of Iowa Museum of Natural History. The creatures lived in woodlands and forests near rivers and lakes and used caves for shelter, the museum said. They used their sharp claws, foraging for food, the museum said. Jeffersons ground sloths are a distant cousin to todays sloths that live in Central and South America, according to the museum. The species is named after the countrys third president, Thomas Jefferson, who was the first to identify the sloth in North America, according to the Houston Museum of Natural History. Jefferson initially thought the bone was that of a tiger or large cat. Fossil on exhibit The fossil, along with a Mason Schratter illustration of the mammal amidst the Santa Cruz landscape in the Pleistocene era, will be on display during the museums annual exhibit of science illustration, The Art of Nature, from March 23 to May 26. Following the exhibit, the museum said the fossil will be stored among the museums collections and be available for future research. Runner didnt know he nabbed invaluable find on CA beach until turning on the news 9-year-old thought he found a plastic container. It was actually a mammoth tooth Once in a lifetime find, Boy finds massive, extinct shark tooth on SC vacation. Check it out The fire in Mount Sidney has been mostly contained as of 5:20 p.m., according to a Facebook post from Jeff Ishee. The wildfire is near the intersection of Todd Road and Liberty School Road. County firefighters are on the scene (Weyers Cave and New Hope) The National Weather Service issued a special weather statement in effect through 8 p.m. Thursday for portions of Virginia, Maryland, and Eastern West Virginia. Elevated fire weather conditions are expected through this evening across portions of Maryland, eastern West Virginia, and Virginia. Dry conditions continue with relative humidity values expected to drop between 15-20 percent, with some areas of the southern Shenandoah Valley and the central VA Piedmont possibly seeing relative humidity values below 15 percent for a couple of hours. DATA: Fires in the Staunton area While winds will be much less than yesterday, northwest wind gusts of 10 to 15 mph are expected in the valleys, with 20 mph on the ridges. This will result in the continued drying of fine fuels. Residents and visitors are urged to exercise caution if handling open flames or equipment that creates sparks. Also, dispose of cigarette butts, matches, and other flammable items in appropriate containers. Keep vehicles off of dry grass and obey local burn bans. Most dry grasses, dead leaves, and other tree litter could easily ignite and spread fire quickly. For more information about wildfire danger, burn restrictions, and wildfire prevention and education, please visit your state's forestry or environmental protection website. #Breaking Large brush fire just outside of Luray, VA near Shenandoah National Park. pic.twitter.com/i7uBKsEsdR Allison Papson (@AllisonPapson) March 21, 2024 More: Three-vehicle crash sparks fire in Augusta County, one dead More: Thousands without power as winds whip the Valley More: Chalkboard: Free lunches at Augusta County Schools; Draft students win EV race; in-school vaccine clinics This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Elevated fire weather conditions continue in Shenandoah Valley TWO RIVERS Two Rivers has reallocated funds to ensure the Two Rivers Police Department can continue to investigate 3-year-old Elijah Vue's disappearance. March 18, city council members voted to move funds from several departments to create a $310,000 contingency fund for the police department. "It's hardly a surprise to anyone that the city is incurring extraordinary costs in our police department with the ongoing search and investigation," City Manager Greg Buckley said at the meeting. Greg Buckley Elijah has been missing since Feb. 20. Since that day, the Two Rivers Police Department has been using all the resources it has, which has racked up a steep bill. Buckley said in the past four weeks the police department has spent more than $71,000 in overtime alone, which is more than half of the department's yearly allotment. The city manager told the council there has already been a hold on hiring for two new positions that had been planned for 2024, in case the city needs to siphon that money to the police department. He also gave a full accounting of the departments that would be contributing to the contingency fund, such as the Streets Department, which has some money left over from how little snow plowing was needed this winter season. The resolution to amend the budget and create the contingency fund was unanimously passed by the council. Missing Wisconsin children: Elijah Vue is one of more than 30 missing children in Wisconsin In the same meeting, Police Chief Ben Meinnert updated the council members on the investigation into Elijah's disappearance and said the department had just received confirmation a red-and-white plaid blanket found by Goodwin Road earlier in the investigation belonged to Elijah. The police chief also said the department deeply appreciates the level of community support the department and the Vue family have received. March 20 marked one month since Elijah was reported missing, and law enforcement continues to search for him. 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. 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. There is a combined $40,000 reward from the city of Two Rivers, Manitowoc County Crime Stoppers and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for any information that leads to finding Elijah or to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for his disappearance. Vigil: Elijah Vue vigil in Two Rivers sends message of positivity and hope for the missing 3-year-old Wisconsin boy 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: Two Rivers extends funds in search for missing 3-year-old For much of the last week, Elon Musks mighty Twitter feedsorry, his X feedfeatured as its pinned tweet a video that purports to lay bare a vast conspiracy among Democrats to flood the country with illegals to lock in a permanent voting majority. Many people have picked apart the videos numerous lies. It is a strikingly crafted piece of great replacement theory propaganda, and it illustrates the growing sophistication of far-right information spaces. Musks heavy promotion of this video, however, also does something else: It blows apart the elaborate self-defense he offered in an interview with Don Lemon that went viral earlier this week. Musk offered numerous claims to justify his widely criticized trafficking in great replacement conspiraciesbut his own X feed shows that these claims are nonsense. In that interview, which triggered a public feud between the two men, Lemon confronted Musk over his embrace of great replacement theory. That prompted Musk to insist: I dont subscribe to that. He continued: Im simply saying that theres an incentive here and noted that illegal immigrants have a strong bias toward Democrats, incentivizing the partys lawmakers to increase Democratic voters. Musk also said undocumented immigrants gravitate toward Democratic cities and states, inflating numbers counted in the U.S. census, boosting the partys number of House members and Electoral College voters. Musk insisted: You dont need a conspiracy when you have basic incentives. Musk is playing a sleazy game. Hes drawing a largely artificial distinction between saying Democrats are conspiring to let in illegals and saying they merely have an incentive to do so. But even if you accept this bogus distinction, the video Musk is actively endorsinghis pinned tweet said, This is actually happening!absolutely does allege a vast conspiracy. It describes an open borders plan to entrench single party rule, in which congressional Democrats and the White House deliberately allow in millions and keep them in the country at all costs, all for the purpose of ensuring their loyalty to the political party that imported them. The conspiracy also involves localities that use sanctuary policies to draw migrants to blue states, inflating those census numbers. And it implicates untold numbers of elections officials who deliberately overlook voter fraud, presumably to allow illegals to vote. Heres the reality, Elon. Yes, President Biden stopped Trumps policy of forcing asylum-seekers to await hearings in Mexicobecause it produced horrific humanitarian outcomes. Biden has been somewhat more tolerant of migrant kids than Trump was, and has deprioritized removals of migrants who are not serious criminals and have longtime ties to communities herebut the administration has in fact deported immense numbers of people. Whats more, if many asylum-seekers are released into the United States, its because they must be given a hearing by law, and Congress doesnt appropriate anything close to the resources for detaining them all in the court-backlogged interim. Trump failed to get that requirement changed or weakened with full control in Washington. This is why Trump also released huge numbers of migrants into the U.S. Why did Trump do this dastardly, conspiratorial thing? Because all presidents do it. They have no choice. Biden also recently sought expanded funding to detain and process migrants quickly, including faster removala strange way of executing the conspiracy alleged in Musks favorite new video. Republicans killed that funding because Trump wanted to wield border chaos against Biden. Heck, that Trump-GOP inaction is closer to a political conspiracy involving immigration than anything Democrats have done. Finally, while Democrats do support more generous immigration policies on humanitarian and pragmatic groundstheyve driven the economic boom and would mitigate long-term demographic problemsthey dont have a political incentive to let in illegals. Voter fraud by illegals is made up. And even if some migrants might eventually become citizens after many, many yearsif at allwhy do Musk and company assume theyd ultimately vote Democratic? They shouldnt. As Jon Favreau notes, Demographics have not been destiny for Democrats. Denizens of the red-pilled set sometimes treat that idea as given: They regularly insist their populist ideology appeals to nonwhite working people (including Latinos) alienated by liberal elites. So why arent Musk and his pals eager for populist Republicans to compete for migrant turned citizen voters? In his interview with Lemon, Musk rehashed the idea that migration is being engineered to rig congressional representation and the Electoral College. If anything, the malapportioned Senate and Electoral College inflate the power of red state and rural white voterssomething Musk sort of concedes. That aside, the Constitution is what requires the counting of all persons, and anyway, if noncitizens were removed from the census, it would also shave House seats in GOP states like Texas and Florida. Indeed, recent noncitizen population growth has overwhelmingly been in red states, as the Cato Institute shows. All those ideas from Musk are great replacement tropes. When Musk piously denies believing that theory, he likely means only that he doesnt embrace the specific idea that Jewish elites are engineering mass migration to extinguish the white race (he did endorse that notion in a tweet and then apologized). But there are different versions of great replacement theory. Many Republicans offer a veiled one, in which immigrants are being imported to replace native-born voters, not white peoplesupposedly only making a political point, not a racial one. Yet even purveyors of this softer version know exactly what theyre insinuating. And Musks feed pushes it relentlessly. He regularly promotes the notion of a migrant invasion and frequently elevates the idea that migrants should be conflated as a class with violent criminals. That video hes promoting depicts enormous, swarthy, teeming, invading hordesand we all know exactly what thats supposed to convey. Musk can deny embracing great replacement theory all he wants. But its a scam. In addition to pushing it himself, hes used X to create a far-right information safe space where an extraordinary outpouring of great replacement and white genocide propaganda is absolutely flourishing. The evidence for this is right at the top of his X feed. Last we checked, it had 134,000 retweets and counting. U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) attends a Senate Finance Committee hearing on the 2025 budget on Capitol Hill in Washington WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Embattled U.S. Democratic Senator Bob Menendez said on Thursday he would not run for reelection as a Democrat, but suggested he could run as an independent. Prosecutors have charged Menendez with taking bribes from New Jersey businessmen to impede law enforcement probes into them, illegally acting as an agent of the Egyptian government and obstruction of justice. Menendez has pleaded not guilty to all the charges. The senator has faced calls to resign, including from members of his own party, but has resisted. Menendez's seat is up for reelection in November and more than a dozen people have filed to run, including Representative Andy Kim and Tammy Murphy, the wife of the state's governor. Democrats and the independents who caucus with them hold a narrow 51-49 majority in the Senate that they are hoping to hold onto amid a half-dozen competitive races. "I will not file for the Democratic primary this June. I am hopeful that my exoneration will take place this summer and allow me to pursue my candidacy as an independent Democrat in the general election," Menendez said in a video posted online. New Jersey has not elected a Republican to the Senate since 1972. Menendez's trial is set to begin May 6. (Reporting by Makini Brice; Editing by Daniel Wallis) The massive attack on Ukraine by the occupiers on March 21 cost Russia $390 million. The main target was Kyiv, but all the missiles were shot down by Ukrainian defenders. ADVERTISIMENT According to the Ukrainian Air Force, the enemy attacked with two types of missiles. These included two Iskander-M ballistic/aeroballistic missiles and 29 X-101/X-555 cruise missiles. According to Forbes, the X-101 missile is estimated at about $13 million per unit. The occupiers have fired 29 such missiles at the territory of Ukraine, which means their total cost is approximately $377 million. The X-47 "Kinzhal" hypersonic missile can cost from $10 million per unit, but this price can be even higher. In addition, Iskander-M ballistic missiles, although less expensive than other types, can cost up to $3 million per unit. Given all these factors, the massive attack on Kyiv on the night of March 21 cost Russia at least $390 million. Earlier it was reported that on the morning of Thursday, March 21, during a large-scale Russian missile attack, powerful explosions were heard in Kyiv and nearby in the region. Air defense forces were working to destroy enemy targets, but the falling debris caused damage and injured more than 10 people. ADVERTISIMENT Also, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reacted to the new Russian attack and called for more air defense systems to be provided to Ukraine. He said that Ukrainians and the country's partners must show that Russian terror is always a loser. Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Sing Out On the morning of March 15, workers at The Virginia Zoo in Norfolk arrived to find that one of the facility's endangered siamang gibbons had given birth and soon, the primates were heard literally singing the baby's praises. In a Facebook post about the new addition, the zoo announced that mother Malana and father Bali welcomed the new baby, whose sex is not yet confirmed, earlier this month. "While [zookeepers] suspected Malana could be pregnant due to recent behavioral and physical changes," the post reads, "they were not able to know for certain without extensive testing." Siamangs are known both for their extremely close-knit familial ties and for their song-like vocalizations that occur when they inflate their bulbous, pinkish throats. As The Virginia Zoo wrote in its post, both of those behaviors were on display following the birth of the as-yet-unnamed baby. "The whole family has been heard 'singing' together," the post continued, "a behavior which helps solidify family and social bonds." Malana and her new baby. Image via The Virginia Zoo/Facebook. Destructive Habitat Native to the tropical rain forests of Malaysia, Thailand, and Sumatra, the global siamang population has, as the Los Angeles Zoo explains, decreased 50 percent over the past half-century as humans wiped out an estimated 80 percent of their natural habitats for logging, mining, and the construction of coffee, palm oil, and rubber tree plantations. Although there are still some left in the wild, many siamangs are also born in captivity as conservationist groups like the Gibbon Species Survival Plan, which according to Richmond's WTVR coordinated with The Virginia Zoo, work with accredited facilities to give repopulation recommendations. As zookeepers told the CBS affiliate station, this is Malana's fourth birth and also the fourth time a siamang has been born at the facility, meaning that at the age of 35, she is considered an experienced but aging mother. Unlike some other species, fathers play an important role in raising baby siamangs, and zookeepers noted that Bali and the new baby's older brother Lovejoy "have been calm and curious around mom and baby, taking turns grooming Malana." "The birth of any endangered species is always a cause for celebration," Emily Snicker, the zoo's director of communications, told the local broadcaster. "We are thrilled to see the group bonding and supporting each other, and we feel privileged to have a front-row seat as this baby grows into an energetic young siamang." More on interesting animals: Antarctic Base Seeks Penguin Counter The rainbow flag flies over a building next to Nelson's Column monument, right, in Trafalgar Square, central London, Britain, Friday, March 28, 2014. | Lefteris Pitarakis Englands National Health Service announced it will no longer prescribe puberty blockers to children under the age of 18. We have concluded that there is not enough evidence to support the safety or clinical effectiveness of (Puberty suppressing hormones) to make the treatment routinely available at this time, the NHS said about the decision, announced on March 12. In January 2020, the NHS commissioned a Policy Working Group to conduct a review of the existing evidence on puberty blockers, medication that prevents the body from releasing hormones and delays the development of secondary sex characteristics. Currently, fewer than 100 young people were prescribed this treatment by the British NHS and will be able to stay on it, per BBC. The nine observational studies found no statistically significant difference in gender dysphoria, mental health, body image and psychosocial functioning in children and adolescents being treated with puberty blockers, according to a document on the NHS website. The health agency said it plans to review the long-term effects of puberty blockers by December. Children and young adults can become a part of a clinical trial to seek this treatment on a case-by-case basis. It will also be available through a select few private gender identity clinics. Maria Caulfield, the U.K. health minister, in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, said, I welcome this groundbreaking change as childrens safety and wellbeing are paramount. LGBTQ+ activist groups have criticized the health ministrys decision. According to CNN, Mermaids, a charity that supports trans and non-binary youth, said that the NHS announcement is deeply disappointing, and a further restriction of support offered to trans children and young people through the NHS, which is failing trans youth. Caulfield also received backlash and wrote another post in response, saying, Thanks for the overnight threats and abuse but I wont apologize for stopping the use of puberty blockers in children, adding, This is the right thing for the Government to do. John Stewart, national director of specialized commissioning at NHS England, said, Given that the debate is often very polarized, so too were the responses to the consultation, as BBC reported. Many people said the policy didnt go far enough in terms of still allowing potential access (to puberty blockers) through research, and others saying clearly they disagreed fundamentally and that these should be routinely available to everyone who believes they need it, he said. The move by NHS comes amid an uptick of cases referred to the Gender Identity Development Service, a national health clinic, from 1,683 referrals from 2011 to 2015 to more than 14,000 between 2017 and 2022. In the U.S., several states, including Utah, have prohibited transgender surgery and hormone treatment. These bans have been opposed by the American Medical Association and American Academy of Pediatrics, which argue that medical interventions, often referred to as gender-affirming care, help teens with gender dysmorphia, as the Deseret News previously reported. But opponents of the treatments, including medical doctors, say there is evidence they may have serious side effects, such as sterility, decreased sexual function and osteoporosis. There is a sharp divide between U.S. and Europe, where many countries like Norway, Sweden, Denmark, France and Finland, have restricted access to puberty blockers, which are still available in many U.S. states, according to Forbes. One of Hollywoods biggest stars is getting a makeover. The Walk of Fame is the subject of Los Angeles Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinezs Access to Hollywood plan to revitalize perhaps the most famous street in Los Angeles. Planned transportation improvements include bike lanes and better public transit, as well as tweaks to help drivers. The Access to Hollywood plan would introduce bike lanes along Hollywood Blvd, extending from La Brea Ave on the border of West Hollywood to Fountain Ave in Silver Lake, Soto-Martinezs office said in a news release. Bus lanes would also be implemented from Orange Dr to Gower St, improving public transit efficiency, reliability, and giving Angelenos more options for how to get around. A center turn lane will be introduced along the majority of the stretch to help mitigate delays caused by turning movements and to facilitate quicker emergency response times. The bright lights of Hollywood Boulevard at night. (Getty Images) Hollywood is seen in an undated image. (Getty Images) Billboards and landmark theatres, Hollywood and Highland, Los Angeles, California, USA (Getty Images) Hollywood is seen in an undated image. (Getty Images) Soto-Martinez said the $8 million project, which is funded primarily by Metro, will improve safety and prioritize people. We know that if people come here, they will eat here, they will shop here, and they will spend their money here, he said. By building Hollywood around people instead of cars, we can revitalize this iconic destination. Soto-Martinez isnt alone in wanting to improve the experience on the Walk of Fame, which has been described by some as the worst tourist attraction in the world. His predecessor, former Councilmember Mitch OFarrell, had his own HEART of Hollywood plan to fix up the area. Also in favor of Walk of Fame improvements is Hollywoods other representative on the L.A. City Council, Councilmember Nithya Raman, who noted that the iconic Hollywood Boulevard ties the two council districts together. With the rollout of the Access to Hollywood project which combined bus and bike lanes in central Hollywood and the Hollywood Boulevard Safety and Mobility Project, we are delivering the kind of transformative investments that Angelenos have been asking for, helping us improve transit travel times and creating a safer environment for all, whether they are walking, biking, or driving, she said. And the transportation improvements anticipated early next year are just the beginning of planned upgrades. Also on the docket are addressing homelessness with more shelter beds, improving the CIRCLE unarmed response program, building the first public bathrooms in Hollywood, and bringing in new businesses to the area, the councilmans office said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. Known widely as the enlisted Marines Commandant and by some as Papa Bear, Gen. Al Gray served in a Corps that had to rapidly change through major conflicts, the end of the draft, the rise of terrorism and advanced technology. But at the center of those decades of change and in retirement, Gray continued his focus on taking care of Marines and challenging them to take risks and innovate. Gray, the 29th Commandant of the Marine Corps, died Wednesday in his home following an extended period of hospice care, confirmed retired Lt. Gen. George Flynn, who serves as his power of attorney. Flynn met Gray in 1989 when he served as the commandants junior aide. He taught me how to truly love the Marine Corps and to understand what it is to truly be a Marine and I think he tried to teach everybody that, Flynn told Marine Corps Times. The current Commandant Gen. Eric Smith shared a message Wednesday on Grays passing. He was a Marines Marinea giant who walked among us during his career and after, remaining one of the Corps dearest friends and advocates even into his twilight, Smith said. His contributions are many, including the development of our maneuver warfare doctrine, Warfighting, which remains, to this day, the philosophic bedrock of how we fight as Marines. Although he will be missed by all, his legacy will endure and his spirit will continue to live among us. All Marine Corps installations will half-mast the National Ensign, the designation of the American flag when flown on maritime vessels or facilities, until sunset March 27. The 7-day period is in honor of Grays service as the 29th commandant. The flag will also be lowered to half-mast on the day of interment. A quote attributed to Gray during his time as 2nd Marine Division commanding general in the 2015 book Grayisms, published by the Potomac Institute Press sums up the balance of drive and care he had for his Marines. I dont run a democracy. I train troops to defend democracy and I happen to be their surrogate father and mother as well as their commanding general, Gray said. The inside story of why Marine MEUs are 'special operations capable' The 95-year-old New Jersey native rose from private to four-star general, leading the Corps during the fall of the Soviet Union and the Persian Gulf War. Gray served as commandant from 19871991, retiring after 41 years of military service. Retired Lt. Gen. Paul Van Riper, who served with Gray and retired as head of Combat Development Command, said, Behind Gen. Grays hard-bitten exterior and his plain speech were a brilliant and well-informed mind and a deep love for the Marines he served. The Corps has lost a Marine for the ages. Retired U.S. Marine Corps General Alfred M. Gray, 29th Commandant of the Marine Corps, and U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Ahmed T. Williamson pose for a photo after a ribbon cutting ceremony at Gray Research Center, Virginia, January 15, 2022. (Cpl. Eric Huynh/Marine Corps) Secretary of the Navy James Webb, a Marine veteran, had advocated in 1988 for Grays to take the top post, which sparked controversy. Gray had not served in Washington, D.C., posts as a general officer, having spent his time in operational commands. In a 1988 60 Minutes interview, Webb said he saw Grays service and tough demeanor as crucial to the Corps, which had seen its funding, training and ranks dwindle along with the other services in the 1970s. I think at this point in the history of the Marine Corps they needed someone who was what we call a warrior, a warfighter, Webb said. Gray inherited a Marine Corps that had seen its share of struggles in recent years. Top Marine officials had undergone withering criticism over the 1983 Marine Barracks bombing in Beirut that killed 241. In 1987, Marine embassy security guards in Russia had been charged with espionage, Marine Lt. Col. Oliver North faced criminal charges for his involvement in the Iran-Contra affair. Gray had earned his no-nonsense reputation many decades earlier. Retired Gen. John Sheehan commanded Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, under Grays leadership as the battalion commander in the early 1970s. Sheehan told Marine Corps Times those were difficult days for the Corps at the end of the Vietnam War. Rampant drug use, discipline, morale and racial issues plagued units. There were two schools of thought in the Marine Corps, at least from my perspective as a captain, those who wanted to make excuses for Marines who were not performing and those who said they needed leadership, Sheehan said. Gray quickly showed his perspective. Gen. Al Gray, retired 29th Commandant of the Marine Corps, speaks during the Marine park presentation ceremony at the Lejeune Memorial Gardens, Jacksonville, North Carolina, in 2016. (Lance Cpl. Austin M. Livingston/Marine Corps) Gray took over the battalion and immediately instituted stricter standards and discipline. He would hold office hours in the field, sometimes reducing Marines in rank over infractions in front of battalion formations. Which obviously made an impression, Sheehan said. At the same time, he would give his Marines tremendous latitude in training and missions. Company commanders would organize training; hed sit down with us and say, what do you want to do? Sheehan said. Then Gray would push them to the edge of the envelope in that training. Sheehan would become Grays battalion operations officer. Gray would stop by Sheehans off-base housing to sit at his dining room table and sketch out maneuver warfare ideas and ways to change Marine Corps training post-Vietnam. He created this environment where you could experiment, Sheehan said. Retired Gen. Anthony Zinni was a fellow captain and friend of Sheehans when he started hearing about this battalion commander. In 1971, he had dinner with Sheehan and Gray at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, officers club. He had this most remarkable ability to connect, from privates all the way up to generals, Zinni said. A personal touch and charisma that was incredible. Official Portrait: Retired Commandant of The Marine Corps, Gen Alfred M. Gray, camouflage utility uniform. (Marine Corps) Van Riper, Zinni and others noted that Gray was a voracious reader who studied various texts, especially Sun Tzus Art of War, often pushing books on fellow Marines and encouraging them to write papers and debate their ideas. In 1989, during his tenure as commandant, the Corps published Warfighting, the foundational volume on the Corps shift to maneuver warfare. At Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, the Alfred M. Gray Marine Corps Research Center bears his name. Gray officially established the Commandants Professional Reading List in 1988. He directed the creation of Marine Corps University in 1989. In addition to his intense focus on tactics and ambitious standards, Gray had a softer side, friends said. Years after Gray retired, Flynn was on duty in Okinawa, Japan, when he got news that his mother had died. He flew home to New Jersey for the service. When I walked out of the church, I walked into Gen. Gray, Flynn said. If there was something to show up for, he would be there. The general rarely turned down an invitation to a Marine mess night, birthday ball or awards ceremony. He spoke repeatedly at commemorations of the Beirut barracks bombing over the years. Official portrait of the 29th Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Alfred M. Gray. (Marine Corps) Gray married Jan Goss in 1980, as a 52-year-old major general. Goss died in 2020. There were three things that Gray loved, Flynn said Jan, the Marine Corps and his dogs. Gray was fond of black Labradors, but also owned poodles and Portuguese water dogs. His wife was known to carry a teacup poodle in her purse to Marine events. Sheehan remembered getting calls from Jan Gray about the dogs when Al Gray was busy. Jack, the labs have escaped, shed tell him. So (Zinni) and I would go chase the labs down. Gray enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1950 at age 22 and commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1952, according to his official biography. His early tours were with 11th and 7th Marine Regiments, 1st Marine Division in Korea. He later saw service in Vietnam where his actions on May 14, 1967, resulted in his being awarded the Silver Star Medal. Gray was serving as the commanding officer of the Composite Artillery Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, according to his Silver Star citation. That night three Marines on their way to a listening post entered a heavily mined area by mistake. One of the Marines was killed when he detonated a mine, which also injured his fellow Marines. Maj. Gray and another Marine rushed to the mined area, cleared a 40 m path through the unmarked field. Gray guided stretcher-bearers in as he moved one of the injured Marines and began rendering first aid. While serving as deputy commander of 9th Marine Amphibious Brigade, Gray directed evacuations of U.S. personnel from Vietnam in 1975. He later commanded 2nd Marine Division, Fleet Marine Forces, Atlantic and Fleet Marine Forces, Europe. Even in retirement, the former commandant remained closely tied to Marine initiatives, programs and organizations such as the Marine Corps Association and Foundation, the Potomac Institute and various Marine unit functions and events. His entire focus, his entire life was the Marine Corps, Sheehan said. Editors note: The Marine Corps updated the dates which it will lower flags on installations to half-mast after this article originally published. Police and prosecutors repeatedly used informants who traded their testimony for plea deals that cut years off their own sentences. Locked up on a murder charge, Quincy Jones wanted to make a deal. Jones, known as Q-Ball on the street, was a heavyset 31-year-old with a gold tooth and a penchant for big talk. Hed been connected for years to a violent Cincinnati gang and his criminal record included robbery, assault and drug charges. This time, in late 2008, Jones was in the kind of trouble that could send him to prison for the rest of his life. He decided to use the only bargaining chip he had left. He started talking. Jones told police and prosecutors in Cincinnati that he knew details about at least a dozen homicides and could help put the suspects behind bars. He would do this, Jones said at the time, because he expected something in return: A plea deal that cut years off his own prison sentence. I know how to work this system, Jones wrote to a fellow inmate at the Hamilton County Justice Center, explaining his strategy. Im going to make it work for you too. Before his violent death in 2012 prosecutors say he was shot for being a snitch Jones became a prolific police informant, joining a network of informants and cooperating witnesses who for years helped Cincinnati law enforcement close homicide cases. The informants sometimes testified in multiple cases and, like Jones, worked with detectives and prosecutors who vouched for their reliability. But an Enquirer investigation found several of those cases later unraveled, raising the possibility that unreliable informants helped send innocent people to prison and allowed others to get away with murder. Judges overturned murder convictions and ordered new trials in two cases in which informants provided critical testimony. Another homicide case involving an informant ended in a mistrial, three others with acquittals. Defense attorneys say prosecutors shouldve seen the problems coming. Instead of being skeptical of ulterior motives, they say, law enforcement embraced informants who made questionable claims in exchange for plea deals and shorter prison sentences. In some cases, prosecutors agreed to those deals after telling judges and juries during murder trials that the informants got nothing in return for their testimony. Years later, much about the informants relationship with law enforcement remains hidden from public view. Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Jody Luebbers, who is overseeing a case coming back for a new trial, expressed frustration in November when prosecutors struggled to provide basic details about Jones work as an informant. This case is a boondoggle, Luebbers said during a court hearing. Hamilton County Prosecutor Melissa Powers acknowledged that informants and cooperating witnesses sometimes help law enforcement because they also hope to help themselves. But she said her office does its best to corroborate the information they provide and uses them only when necessary to keep dangerous criminals off the street. It is not an option to decline prosecution of all cases simply because the witnesses involved are unlikable or unsavory, Powers said in a written response to questions from The Enquirer. The ultimate goal of prosecutors is to obtain truthful testimony. Hamilton County Prosecutor Melissa Powers said law enforcement sometimes has no choice but to rely on informants to help with hard-to-solve cases. Because theres no database that tracks prosecutors use of informants in trials, The Enquirer spent more than a year analyzing individual cases, looking for instances in which such testimony was relied upon. The review of thousands of pages of court documents revealed how informants convinced law enforcement they deserved a deal in exchange for their cooperation. The Enquirer's investigation found one informant claimed to have heard a fellow inmate admit to a murder while eavesdropping on him through air vents at the Justice Center. Another informants fingerprint was discovered at the scene of a homicide that he blamed on someone else. Another recanted his accusation on the witness stand, saying hed been fed details about the crime by a fellow inmate. And another claimed he witnessed a fatal shooting that occurred while he was miles from the crime scene, locked in his prison cell. Its so unlikely that they were actually hearing so many confessions or incriminatory statements, said Donald Caster, an attorney with the Ohio Innocence Project who represents a man accused by one of the informants. It just casts even more doubt on their veracity. Yet police and prosecutors kept using the informants. The Enquirer found Jones testified or assisted police in at least 12 homicide cases, including the one in which he was charged. How much Jones really knew about those homicides is disputed by prosecutors and defense attorneys. But in the letter he wrote while in jail, sometime in 2010, Jones made clear he saw being an informant as an opportunity to help himself. He advised others to follow his example. Do what you gotta do, he wrote, to save your neck. Trading testimony for a plea deal Informants are part of the American criminal justice system because they can, in theory, reveal details about a crime that others cant. They know something, or claim to know something, that can bring a guilty person to justice. Police and federal agents use informants all the time, often behind the scenes, to solve tough cases and to infiltrate and dismantle criminal organizations. These prosecutions make our community safer by removing these criminals from our streets, often breaking cycles of violence and retaliation that wreck our communities, Powers said. But relying on informants also can be risky. Unlike other witnesses, informants and cooperating witnesses often have criminal records and personal history with the suspects they implicate in crimes. Sometimes, they also are directly or indirectly involved in the crimes they help solve, giving them motive to say what police and prosecutors want to hear while minimizing their own roles in those very cases. The result, experts say, is a greater danger of false testimony. Nationwide, informants played a role in almost 20% of convictions that later were overturned because of DNA evidence and 15% of overturned murder convictions, according to the Innocence Project and the National Registry of Exonerations. Theyre unreliable, said Alexandra Natapoff, a Harvard Law School professor who has extensively studied the use of informants in the criminal justice system. It is known in the prosecutorial community that they are risky. So why risk it? One reason is that informant testimony is the most useful in cases with the weakest evidence, said Natapoff, author of Snitching: Criminal Informants and the Erosion of American Justice." If prosecutors can rely on clear evidence of DNA, fingerprints or unrewarded eyewitness testimony, they can avoid using informants. The weaker the case, the more valuable an informant, Natapoff said. For defendants and their lawyers, challenging an informants credibility can be difficult. They can ask in court whether prosecutors promised a deal in exchange for testimony, but those deals often are confidential or dont spell out terms in writing, allowing informants to say they havent been promised anything. That lack of transparency makes it difficult to connect informants to cases. The Enquirer made those connections by interviewing attorneys and defendants in homicide cases and then reviewing court documents, subpoena records, transcripts and other sources to find out how Jones and other informants operated and how often they worked with law enforcement. For Jones, the pursuit of a deal began with his arrest on murder charges in 2008. Prosecutors accused him and three others of killing two men, including Cleveland Parker, a 57-year-old grandfather who died in 2005 after a stray bullet struck him in the chest as he watched TV in the living room of his Walnut Hills home. Even before his arrest, Jones was no stranger to police and prosecutors. His rap sheet was long, and hed been connected for years to a violent street gang known as the Grimmie Network. Hamilton County Assistant Prosecutor Allison Oswall last year described Jones this way: He murdered people. But Jones had something police and prosecutors wanted. His ties to other violent people made him a potential resource to detectives trying to close hard-to-solve homicide cases. Cincinnati Police Detective John Horn checks for a bullet slug at the scene of a fatal shooting in 2005 that led to the arrest of suspect Quincy Jones. Afterward, Jones worked as a police informant for Horn and helped authorities investigate at least a dozen homicides in exchange for a plea deal. So when Jones was arrested in Seattle, where hed fled because of the murder charges, he met with Cincinnati Police Detective John Horn, who specialized in cold cases. He told the detective he could provide information about unsolved homicides. He talked about many different cases, Horn said. In return, Jones wanted a deal. 'You are going to get a benefit' Not long after he returned from Seattle, in December 2008, Jones signed his first cooperation agreement with Hamilton County prosecutors. The deal, which remained confidential until a judge unsealed it last year, required Jones to testify truthfully, completely, and accurately in any legal proceeding and said he must tell authorities whatever he knew about the Grimmie Network. On the day Jones signed the deal, prosecutors dropped one of the murder charges against him and reduced the other to involuntary manslaughter. Common Pleas Judge Beth Myers then sentenced him to four years in prison, far less than the 20 years to life he would have faced with a murder conviction. After making the deal with Jones, Powers said, prosecutors didnt just take him at his word. She said they tried to corroborate the information he provided through other sources and found he knew things about cases that had not been made public. She said prosecutors never lost sight of who they were dealing with. Jones was a career criminal who was clearly motivated by a self-serving desire to reduce the amount of time he was to spend incarcerated, Powers said. Jones wasnt satisfied with his first agreement with prosecutors. He wanted a better deal, and he did a lot of talking over the next 18 months in hopes of getting one. Hes playing a game, said Eric Eckes, a lawyer who represents Marcus Sapp, one of the men Jones accused of murder after signing his cooperation agreement. The rules are, keep pointing at the people that the government thinks did it. As long as your story matches their story, then you are going to get a benefit. Eric Eckes represents Marcus Sapp, one of the men Quincy Jones accused of murder after signing a cooperation agreement with the Hamilton County Prosecutor's Office. Eckes is pictured Jan. 15, 2024. Because the deal was confidential, defense attorneys, judges and juries in future cases wouldnt know its terms. They also wouldnt know that if Jones went back on the deal, all the original charges, including a possible life sentence, could be reinstated. Of the 12 homicide cases Jones cooperated on, The Enquirer found, he testified in court about at least five. Each time, Jones said hed been promised nothing in exchange for his testimony. According to his written plea deal, that was true. Because the agreement didnt identify specific cases, Jones could say his testimony in those cases wasnt connected to his plea deal. Horn, who is now retired, said thats a common arrangement. You havent done anything for me until, you know, you do something for me, Horn said. Theres never been any promises made. But defense attorneys say prosecutors knew which cases Jones would help them with and that claiming otherwise in court was a convenient and disingenuous sleight of hand. One of those cases was Marcus Sapps. Eric Eckes, a Cincinnati attorney representing Marcus Sapp, sifts through annotated pages of court records, one of which he labeled Kaboom because it refers to police disclosure that Quincy Jones helped law enforcement close multiple homicide cases. Prosecutors said Sapp, who had previous drug-related convictions, killed Andrew Cunningham in 2008 and two other men, Todd Oliver and Robert Lane, in 2007. The crimes were similar: Two men armed with assault rifles broke into homes, then robbed and shot the occupants. The evidence against Sapp, the only person charged, included testimony from Cunninghams roommate, who identified Sapp as one of the shooters, and from Jones, who claimed Sapp bragged about the murders to him on the phone. At Sapps trial in May 2010, defense attorney Thomas Koustmer portrayed Jones as a jailhouse snitch who lied about Sapp to get his plea deal. But Jones denied it. I dont get anything from this case, he told jurors. The jury acquitted Sapp of killing Oliver and Lane but convicted him of killing Cunningham. Judge Luebbers sentenced Sapp to life in prison. Two months later, Jones got a new plea deal and walked out of jail a free man. To Sapps lawyers, it sure looked like Jones got something for testifying. I have never, ever seen anything quite like this case, said Martin Pinales, one of the lawyers who convinced Luebbers last year that Sapp deserved a new trial after more than a decade in prison. Martin Pinales, one of Marcus Sapp's lawyers, helped convince a Hamilton County judge to order a new trial for Sapp, who spent a decade in prison for a murder conviction. Prolific police informant Quincy Jones had testified that Sapp confessed the murder to him. Sapp's new trial is scheduled for late 2024. After a 'favorable resolution,' problems arise Jones got his new, improved plea deal after a brief hearing before Judge Myers in July 2010. Assistant Prosecutor David Prem, who also prosecuted Sapp, said Jones had cooperated on something that was completely unanticipated and that Horn, the detective, recommended a further reduction in his sentence. The new deal, which Myers approved, reduced Jones prison time from four years to two, allowing him to go free days after the hearing. Mr. Jones obviously is getting a resolution here that is obviously something thats very favorable, Prem told the judge. What did Jones do to earn the better deal? Neither prosecutors nor Jones lawyer, Perry Ancona, would say. But court records indicate Jones did more in the months before his new deal than testify against Sapp and offer himself up as an informant in other cases. He also tried to recruit inmates at the Justice Center to cooperate with police and prosecutors. In the letter he wrote in jail in 2010, Jones urged fellow inmate Donte Jones to talk to Horn and Prem, saying he had information about Sapp that could help him get a good plea deal. I will see you face to face once Sapp goes to trial. And Ill tell you more then, Quincy Jones wrote. I got s--- you can use. While that recruitment effort apparently failed, another inmate, Gerald Wilson, said he did talk to Horn at Jones urging about a murder case in Butler County. With encouragement from Jones, Wilson said, he told Horn hed heard Calvin McKelton admit to the murder. But Wilson recanted when he testified at McKeltons murder trial in October 2010. He said Jones gave him details about the case, which hed passed along to Horn as though it was his own information. He ran down what he wanted me to say to Detective Horn so they could get Calvin indicted, Wilson testified. But I aint about to sit here and lie. According to Wilson, Jones believed recruiting a witness for prosecutors would help him get an early release. Horn did not respond to questions about Wilson or McKelton. The jury convicted McKelton despite Wilsons recantation, but his claim that Jones asked him to lie wouldnt be the last challenge to Jones credibility. More questions about Jones emerged a decade later, this time in the Marcus Sapp case. Marcus Sapp, center, sits in court with his attorneys, Eric Eckes, left, and Martin Pinales during a hearing at the Hamilton County Courthouse in January. Sapp spent more than a decade in prison for murder after informant Quincy Jones testified against him. A judge granted him a new trial. Eckes said police investigative notes show Jones changed his story about how he knew Sapp was involved, first saying hed heard about it on the street and later saying Sapp called him personally to confess. Sapp declined an interview, but Eckes questioned why Jones wouldnt have mentioned the confession at the outset, if the claim were true. And he said the notion that Sapp would confess to Jones under any circumstances was absurd because the two men couldnt stand each other. I dont even know how you convince yourself that Quincy is actually telling the truth that Marcus confessed to him, Eckes said. Additionally, Sapps appellate lawyers learned that the only eyewitness, Cunninghams roommate, had identified another man as the shooter from a photo array before picking Sapp, something prosecutors didnt disclose before the trial. Sapp is free now, awaiting his new trial, and Jones again is a central figure in the case. This time, though, Jones wont be on the stand testifying against Sapp. Two years after he got his new plea deal, on Sept. 29, 2012, someone shot Jones once in the chest as he walked down Euclid Avenue in Cincinnati, killing him. His homicide still is unsolved, but at a court hearing last year, Oswall, the assistant prosecutor, said authorities believe they know the motive. He was murdered in the street for being a snitch, she said. An informant blames a neighbor Like Jones, Marcus Tennessee Fleetwood worked as an informant before becoming a star witness in a Cincinnati homicide case. And, like Jones, Fleetwoods involvement began after a conversation with Detective Horn. The victim this time was Tammy Wiley, a 54-year-old woman with stage 4 cancer. Police found her body July 4, 2016, in her apartment on Section Road, with duct tape wrapped around her head. Fleetwood, who sold drugs out of Wileys apartment, would later say he discovered her body before police arrived but left because he feared theyd blame him for her death. He returned to the apartment, however, after Horn called his cell phone and told him to come back to help homicide detectives. Fleetwood said Horn had his number because hed previously worked with the detective as an informant. He told police at the time that he and Horn had a lot of s--- going on. Horn wouldnt discuss his relationship with Fleetwood, other than to say he knew him and that detectives at the scene asked him to make the call. After arriving at the apartment, Fleetwood was permitted to enter the crime scene. He was photographed there wearing protective gloves and a T-shirt bearing an image from the 1986 movie Stand By Me. A crime scene photo taken by police shows Marcus Fleetwood wearing protective gloves in murder victim Tammy Wiley's apartment in 2016. Police allowed him to enter the crime scene during their investigation. Fleetwood, who admitted he sold drugs from Wiley's apartment, later implicated Kayle Taylor in Wiley's death. At some point, he told police he knew who killed Wiley: Her upstairs neighbor and the buildings part-time handyman, Kayle Taylor. Two years later, Fleetwood testified for the prosecution at Taylors trial. He said he stopped by Wileys apartment the evening of July 3 to bring her food, but he said Taylor intercepted him in the parking lot and told him police took her to a hospital because shed been behaving erratically on drugs. He said Taylor must have lied to him to keep him out of Wileys apartment after he killed her. Taylor said that encounter never happened. He said hed spent the weekend before Wileys body was found either working or hanging out with his kids and girlfriend. He told The Enquirer his interactions with Wiley consisted mostly of him calling police to complain about noise coming from her apartment. She was annoying, he said, but I aint gonna hurt her. Taylor said Fleetwood frequently came and went from Wileys apartment and he suspected he was dealing drugs. I never talked to that guy, he said. Aside from Fleetwoods testimony, the evidence tying Taylor to the killing was a small pile of random items a mostly-depleted roll of duct tape, a Pringles can of loose change and a few bottles of cologne found immediately inside of Taylors apartment door. Prosecutors said Fleetwood told police those items had been pilfered from Wileys apartment. Taylor said that wasnt true. A better suspect than a witness? Taylors lawyers said Fleetwood should have been treated as a suspect, not a witness. Thats because Fleetwood was an admitted drug dealer and Wiley died of some combination of a fentanyl overdose and asphyxiation caused by the duct tape. The drug dealer who deals drugs out of her apartment, and therefore puts her at risk and provides her with drugs, is much more likely to be a culprit, said John Kennedy, one of Taylors lawyers. Kennedy and his partner on the case, Jay Clark, said Fleetwoods previous work as an informant gave him unearned credibility with police. By implicating Taylor, they say, Fleetwood might have gotten away with murder. Kennedy said physical evidence gathered at the scene also implicates Fleetwood, who could not be reached to comment. In a front closet inside of Wileys apartment, police found a piece of duct tape containing head hairs consistent with Wileys, as well as fibers consistent with the clothes shed been wearing when she died. The tape was found next to a piece of tissue paper containing fecal matter and a fingerprint that forensic analysts said belonged to Fleetwood. But the defense team didnt know all that before Taylors 2018 trial. Despite filing the standard requests for discovery from the prosecutors office, Kennedy said, several items were initially withheld including cell phone records and text messages. Kennedy and Clark didnt learn until the trial that police, whod previously said Wileys phone was inoperable, had retrieved text messages months earlier that showed Wiley asked Fleetwood for drugs just before she overdosed. The defense lawyers were furious. At one point, Clark sent an email accusing Assistant Prosecutor Jeffrey Heile of withholding the evidence, calling him a dishonest asshole. Prosecutors said they did nothing wrong and that defense lawyers couldve hired their own expert to examine the phone. Taylors lawyers asked for a mistrial, but the judge denied the request. Then Kennedy and Clark did something neither had done before. They said they could not effectively represent their client because of the withheld evidence. On that basis, Judge Steven Martin granted a mistrial. Taylor could have been tried again, but the new evidence weakened the case against him. Prosecutors offered him a deal: If he pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of involuntary manslaughter, he would be sentenced to probation and would go free. Taylor, who had spent four years in jail awaiting his first trial, said he agreed to the plea not because he was guilty but because he wanted to end the ordeal. He didnt trust the system, he said, and needed to get home to his kids and his girlfriend, who was having health problems. He said hed already missed too many milestones. My son riding his bike. My daughter growing up, Taylor said. When I first came home, my daughter didnt even know how to really feel. Shes so used to seeing me behind glass. I missed out on time Ill never get back, he said. That time is gone. Hearing confessions through air vents Informants claim to get their information in a variety of ways. But defense attorneys say few scenarios are as unlikely as the one claimed by Robert Bobby Taylor no relation to Kayle who testified in 2009 against two men charged with murder. Taylor, locked up at the Justice Center on a homicide charge of his own, said he overheard the men talking about the crime through the jails air vents. Taylor, then 19, became an informant after going to jail in August 2007 on charges of killing 16-year-old Kendall Dudley, who was stabbed to death in a street fight involving several people. The judge raised Taylors bond to $250,000 after he exploded in anger in court, screaming F--- you all! At the Justice Center, Taylor encountered David Johnson and Marty Levingston, who were charged in the shooting death of 19-year-old Michael Grace in December 2007. Police said Grace, who died in a Mount Airy parking lot, belonged to a Cincinnati gang known as the Northside Taliband, while Johnson and Levingston, both 23, belonged to a rival gang called the Hawaiian Terrace Bloods. Two witnesses, including one who was with Grace the night of the shooting, identified Johnson as one of the assailants. The evidence against Levingston was shakier, because one witness did not identify him and the other later said she had doubts about her initial identification. Levingston told The Enquirer he sometimes dealt drugs in Hawaiian Terrace but was at his parents house in Western Hills when Grace was shot. He said he turned down a plea deal from prosecutors because he was innocent. He said thats where Robert Taylor came in. Taylor claimed at Levingston and Johnsons trials in 2009 that Levingston confessed to him and that he later listened through the vents as the two men talked about the shooting. Jail records provided by Greg Cohen, Johnsons initial defense lawyer, showed the three men were on separate floors, with Johnson beneath Levingston, who in turn was beneath Taylor. While incarcerated at the Hamilton County Justice Center, Robert Taylor claimed to have listened through air vents in his cell as Marty Levingston talked about a fatal shooting. Prosecutors said in court filings that inmates could speak through vents or between nearby cells, but floor plans show Taylors cell not only was on a different floor, it also was behind a wall of concrete and steel separating him from the other two men. Its not possible, said Cohen, who called the jails facilities maintenance manager as a witness to refute Taylors claim. Levingston said inmates did sometimes use the vents to talk, but he said his cell didnt share a vent with Taylors. He said he never talked to Taylor through the vents or otherwise because Taylor had a reputation for using any information he could against other inmates. I knew he was a snake, Levingston said. Cohen, who described Taylor in court as a snitch rat bastard, said Taylor got most of his information by scouring listings in the Court Index, a daily publication of court cases, and then asking other inmates for details that he could later claim he learned on his own. In March 2008, Taylor cut a plea deal with prosecutors, who dropped the murder charges against him and let him plead guilty to the lesser charge of involuntary manslaughter. Taylors sentencing, however, was delayed for more than a year, until after juries convicted both Levingston and Johnson of murder. Taylor explained the reason for the delay when he was questioned about it at Levingstons trial. If your testimony satisfies the prosecutor, its your hope that youre going to get some leniency in your sentence. Is that correct? asked Levingstons lawyer, Hal Arenstein. Thats right, Taylor said. Months later, his hope was realized. On May 22, 2009, after both Levingston and Johnson had been sentenced to life in prison, Taylor received a five-year sentence for his role in Dudleys death. Trying to 'jump' on more cases Caster, the lawyer with the Ohio Innocence Project, took up Levingstons case on appeal, arguing the evidence against him hinged on an unreliable witness and Taylor, a man who admitted to informing on four different homicide suspects in hopes of getting leniency. Taylor didnt always get his facts right. He claimed, for example, that Levingston told him hed shot Grace in the head, when, in fact, hed been shot in the chest and back. But Taylor, who could not be reached to comment, knew enough to convince prosecutors to put him on the stand. Another informant, Michael Hubbard, later said that was a mistake. In an October 2009 affidavit, Hubbard said he connected with Taylor in jail while they awaited trial in separate murder cases. Neither wanted to spend the rest of their lives in prison, Hubbard said, so Taylor suggested they jump on somebodys case in hopes of pleading to lesser charges in their own. Robert "Bobby" Taylor became an informant after being jailed on homicide charges in 2007. Taylor got a plea deal after he testified he heard two fellow inmates make incriminating statements in a separate murder case. Hubbard said in his affidavit that he and Taylor learned as much as they could about other cases through hearsay and media reports. He said they then fabricated additional details to feed police and rehearsed their testimony together. Hubbard was skeptical of the plan at first, he said, but soon detectives were asking to speak with him at Taylors behest. Thats when I began to think, Hey, this just might work, he wrote. I am no saint but Robert Taylor would jump on anyones Case to free himself. Levingston said Taylor wasnt alone. He said several Justice Center inmates, including Quincy Jones, who was there at the same time, wanted to trade information about other cases for leniency in their own. They had a little ring down there, Levingston told The Enquirer. They was, like, jumping on everybodys cases. Prosecutors argued in court filings that the information Taylor gleaned at the Justice Center was reliable, and that Hubbards change of heart was highly questionable. Johnson lost his bid for a new trial. But last year, more than a decade after he went to prison, Judge Wende Cross granted Levingston a new trial. Prosecutors agreed on one condition: that Levingston plead guilty to involuntary manslaughter and be sentenced to the prison time hed already served. Powers said prosecutors believed Levingston was guilty but that trying the case after so many years would be extraordinarily difficult. Levingston said he took the plea because he saw no other way to get back home to his family, including his four children. Hes been free since February 2023. Caster said he and the team from the Ohio Innocence Project are still convinced that Marty is innocent. Cohen, Johnsons lawyer, said hes also certain Levingston had nothing to do with Graces slaying. There were two people charged in that case. I represented one of them, Cohen said. I can tell you that based on knowledge that I have, Marty Levingston was nowhere near that homicide. 'He couldn't have seen what he said he saw' Informant testimony carries risks not just for defendants but also for the prosecutors who put them on the stand. Sometimes cooperating witnesses change their stories, as Hubbard did months after his testimony, and sometimes they make critical errors on the stand, raising questions in the minds of jurors and judges about their credibility. When that happens, cases can fall apart fast. One such case was Rashid Lattimores murder trial in 2013. After struggling for years to solve the September 2007 shooting death of Gary Johnson, prosecutors built a case against Lattimore with two cooperating witnesses who claimed to have seen him do it. One of them, Quincy Richardson, gave Cincinnati police a statement saying Lattimore, who was 20 at the time, fired several shots at Johnson during an encounter on Ridgeway Avenue just after nightfall. The other, Charles Black, told detectives he also witnessed Lattimore fire the shots. But on the eve of the trial, Richardson and Black refused to testify about what theyd told police. Prosecutors suggested to Judge Charles Kubicki they may have been threatened. The two eyewitnesses we have, what theyve done is theyve refused to testify on direct and actually give evidence to the jury about what they observed, Assistant Prosecutor Brian Goodyear told the judge. The Hamilton County Courthouse in downtown Cincinnati on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024. Things got worse for the prosecution when Lattimores attorney, Mary Jill Donovan, did some digging. A quick check of prison records revealed that Black couldnt have witnessed the shooting on Ridgeway in September 2007 because he was in prison at the time. Police and prosecutors missed that detail when they questioned him. The next day, Kubicki met with lawyers for both sides and summed up the problem: He had to have been locked up, Kubicki said of Black. So he couldnt have seen what he said he saw. Kubicki then did something that rarely happens in Hamilton County murder trials. He granted Donovans request to dismiss the case because of insufficient evidence. In an exchange of messages from prison with The Enquirer, Black acknowledged he was in prison when hed claimed to be a witness. He said hed been offered a deal if he testified against Lattimore. The police came and asked me when I was locked up and offered me time off my case if I did, Black said. He blamed his discredited statement for the severity of the 55-year sentence he received three months after Lattimores trial. Instead of leniency, Black said, that case got me more time. [ Get daily news, in-depth investigations and more delivered straight to your inbox. Consider signing up for an Enquirer newsletter. ] Using informants is risky. Could transparency prevent mistakes? How do informants with credibility problems, such as Black, end up playing such crucial roles in a prosecutions case? They use them because they need them, said Clyde Bennett, a Cincinnati lawyer who frequently defends homicide suspects. Bennett said prosecutors know the risks associated with informant testimony, and they know jurors might be skeptical of someone with something to gain from cooperating. But he said they put them on the stand anyway if they think their other evidence is lackluster. He said that happened last year when he defended GQuan Palmer, whom prosecutors accused of fatally shooting Vincent McGrady, 57, on Gilsey Avenue in West Price Hill in October 2020. Melvin Jackson, then 42, was a crucial prosecution witness because he named Palmer as the man who pulled the trigger. He did so, however, after police caught him picking up shell casings on the street, prompting them to arrest him for obstructing justice. Bennett said he couldnt prove it, but he suspected prosecutors used the charges against Jackson to secure his cooperation in their case against Palmer. Prosecutors said they neither threatened Jackson nor promised him anything in return for testifying. Whatever happened before he took the stand, Jacksons testimony did not go as planned. He changed his story several times. He also claimed that Palmer intimidated him and that police threatened to charge him with the murder if he didnt testify against Palmer. When the jury acquitted Palmer, the defense and prosecution agreed Jacksons testimony was a big reason why. It also was a reminder of the risks, for both sides, when informants take the stand. But prosecutors and police say informants remain an essential part of their work, especially in a time when witnesses who have nothing to gain from cooperating hesitate because they fear retribution. In some cases, Powers said, the only people left for police and prosecutors to consider as witnesses are individuals with pending criminal matters of their own. Horn, the police detective, said juries should be trusted to sort out the relationships between informants and defendants, and to weigh how much a plea deal might influence testimony. Do they want something out of it? Almost always, yes, Horn said of informants. I think a reasonable jury would understand that that person up there is facing a serious charge sometimes themselves and that they are doing this for some benefit. But what if judges and juries dont have all the information? What if they dont know how much informants like Quincy Jones or Robert Taylor stand to gain from testifying, or how much they stand to lose if they dont? Thats where the system breaks down, defense attorneys say. Thats when mistakes are made. Natapoff, the expert in informant testimony, has proposed new laws that would require prosecutors to disclose more details about how they use and reward informants and to participate in pretrial "reliability hearings," which would allow courts to test the credibility of informants before they testify in front of a jury. She and others also support statewide tracking of jailhouse informants so those who testify in multiple cases can be better monitored. Oklahoma passed such a law in 2020 after judges overturned convictions in four cases involving informants. Natapoff said more transparency is needed because deals that happen behind closed doors are nearly impossible to track. That, in turn, allows informants free rein to dip in and out of cases, working to find and fabricate information to offer law enforcement in hopes of benefiting themselves. Natapoff called it the commodification of guilt. When you turn the criminal system into a market, she said, you devalue its legitimacy in everyones eyes. Youve announced to everyone that justice is for sale. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati homicide cases unravel after deals with informants The Environmental Integrity Project, an anti-pollution nonprofit, released a report last week on the plastics industry, noting how the industry has benefited from government subsidies while violating air pollution control permits. Highlighted in the report is Gulf Coast Growth Ventures, noted as having the highest 2021 benzene emissions among U.S. plastics plants included in the report. The report looks specifically at plants built or expanded in the U.S. since 2012 that manufacture chemical ingredients for plastic products. According to the report, 64% of 50 plastics plants received taxpayer subsidies worth nearly $9 billion, while 84% of plants violated air pollution control permits at least once in the past three years. Gulf Coast Growth Ventures, a joint project of ExxonMobil and the Saudi Arabian government located in Gregory in San Patricio County, manufactures ethylene and polyethylene, which is used to make packaging materials. By 2031, Gulf Coast Growth Ventures will have shaved $249 million off its local property tax bills. But, in less than two years, the plant had 63 environmental violations, releasing half a million pounds of air pollutants, according to the Environmental Integrity Project report. Ground flares at Gulf Coast Growth Ventures, an ethylene cracker plant, light up the sky around 9 p.m. on May 2, 2022, in San Patricio County, Texas. How do companies get tax subsidies? In Texas, companies can apply for a property tax limitation. Until recently, the state of Texas tasked local school districts with approving 10-year property value limitations through the Chapter 313 of the tax code, which allowed school districts to approve abatements for school property taxes. In return, the state made up any lost local school tax revenues and districts could also negotiate additional payments from companies receiving these beneficial tax agreements. Chapter 313 expired at the end of 2022, but any agreements approved before 2023 will remain in effect. In some cases, agreements approved just weeks or days before Chapter 313 expired guarantee future tax benefits that arent slated to begin for years. The Texas Legislature also approved a replacement program in 2023, Chapter 403. This new program excludes renewable energy projects and electric energy storage facilities, focusing instead on manufacturing, critical infrastructure and natural resource projects. It also limits the tax break to half a projects market value for most projects and 25% of market value in certain low-income census tracts. But the new program allows for a 100% abatement during the construction phase of a project, while Chapter 313 taxed projects at their full value until complete. But one of the most significant changes in the new program is it ends supplemental payments to school districts. Previously, school districts that approved an agreement could negotiate and collect extra funds from companies of up to $100 per student per year for the full 10-year abatement period, as well as three additional years after the tax incentives end. Critics of Chapter 313 claimed these payments incentivized school districts to approve agreements. That financial incentive no longer exists for new agreements. In 2017, Gregory-Portland ISD approved three agreements for the Gulf Coast Ventures project. The company will continue to receive tax benefits through 2032 worth $249 million. But Gregory-Portland ISD would not have been able to keep those additional tax proceeds. Under Texas recapture policy, commonly known as Robin Hood, any tax revenues in addition to the amount the state has determined Gregory-Portland ISD needs to educate its students would have been recaptured by the state to fill in funding gaps in schools where local tax revenues arent enough to educate students. Because of this, Gregory-Portland ISD did not face negative financial impacts when it approved a Chapter 313 agreement with Gulf Coast Growth Ventures. In fact, Chapter 313 agreements have represented a significant financial boon to the district, which for years has outpaced other local districts in staff raises, boasting the highest-paid teachers in the region. The district has approved 16 Chapter 313 agreements, including eight with Corpus Christi Liquefaction. Between 2016-17 and 2022-23, Gregory-Portland ISD received $77.5 million in revenue protection and supplemental payments. According to the districts website, these funds have contributed to teacher salaries, instructional materials and facility improvements. The districts agreements with Gulf Coast Growth Ventures only went into effect last year. It will receive millions in supplemental payments from the company through 2034-35. "Tax abatement programs spur new jobs, investments and long-term additional tax revenue, and the abatement program our GCGV project qualified for did just that for the Coastal Bend," according to a statement on behalf of Gulf Coast Growth Ventures shared by public and government affairs advisor Callie Walker. New housing is constructed near Gulf Coast Growth Ventures, an ethylene cracker plant, on April 30, 2022, in San Patricio County, Texas. Environmental impact of the plastics industry in the Coastal Bend The Environmental Integrity Project report examines the environmental impact of plastics plants that have received tax subsidies, highlighting Gulf Coast Growth Ventures. Gulf Coast Growth Ventures started operations in late 2021. Through agreements with Gregory-Portland ISD, Gulf Coast Growth Ventures and Cheniere Energy sponsored the establishment of three air-monitoring stations in the Gregory-Portland area The stations recorded consistent air quality between 2020 and 2022. Gulf Coast Growth Ventures also boasted of its financial contributions to the Coastal Bend community in its 2022 Community Report, including contributions to a new municipal complex for the city of Gregory, the Texas State Aquarium Wildlife Rescue Center, University of Texas Marine Science Institute and the Harte Research Institute, a fire safety trailer for the San Patricio County community, the United Way of the Coastal Bend, the city of Portlands renovation of Indian Point Park and the Corpus Christi Symphony Orchestra. The companys 2023 sustainability report also mentions that the plant will be powered by solar energy starting in the second half of 2024. The company report also states the plant reduced operational waste and flaring in 2023, emitting less than 50% of permitted criteria emissions quantities. "Our focus is on reducing emissions because being a good neighbor is our priority," according to the Gulf Coast Growth Ventures statement. "GCGV has donated more than $20 million to the community, including local enrichment projects, environmental preservation, STEM programs, city infrastructure and air monitoring, which have shown no change in air quality since 2019." But the Environmental Integrity Project report highlights environmental concerns. According to the report, Gulf Coast Growth Ventures was the highest emitter of benzene among the plastics facilities studied in 2021. According to the Environmental Integrity Project report, the Gulf Coast Growth Ventures facility experienced 10 unpermitted emissions incidents between December 2021 and April 2023 due to equipment failures, emergency flaring and unplanned shutdowns. This includes an emissions event in 2022. The Caller-Times reported at the time that flaring was visible from 20 miles away during the two-day event. The plants environmental violations include failure to comply with limits for pollutants such as nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide, failure to properly sample and analyze discharges of storm-water and fairly to properly operate and monitor flares, according to the Environmental Integrity Project report. The Occidental/Mexichem plant in Ingleside also received subsidies from Ingleside ISD. It had emissions events between 2018 and June 2023. In 2021, it emitted 2,506 pounds of chlorine, according the report. In Corpus Christi, the Corpus Christi Polymers plant is expected to be completed by 2025. A LyondellBasell plant expansion is also proposed. Another Coastal Bend plant, LyondellBasells Equistar plant, emitted 22,614 pounds of emissions according to the 2021 Texas emissions inventory, though this does not include an additional 1,626 pounds emitted during startups, shutdowns or upset emission events. Calallen ISD has approved two tax abatement agreements with Equistar Chemicals. LyondellBasell was also ordered to pay a $3.4 million civil penalty in 2021 due to Clean Air Act violations, including at its Corpus Christi facility. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, flares at LyondellBasell plants in Channelview, Corpus Christi and La Porte, Texas and Clinton, Iowa resulted in excess emissions of pollutants including volatile organic compounds, hazardous air pollutants like benzene and climate-change causing greenhouse gases. Other industries The report from the Environmental Integrity Project focused specifically on the plastics industry, but the Coastal Bend has also seen growth in other industries. A 2022 study by the Coastal Alliance to Protect Our Environment of tax abatement agreements in Nueces and San Patricio counties estimated that schools, cities and counties have forgone over $2 billion in tax payments from industrial entities. A tug boat travels down the ship channel in the Port of Corpus Christi on April 24, 2022, in Texas. Refineries line the channel in an area dubbed Refinery Row. At the same time, state and national government environmental regulators have face criticism for failing to enforce pollution limits. A 2023 EPA report found that 25 refineries that submitted benzene monitoring data to the EPA exceeded benzene pollution limits at least once between January 2018 and September 2021. Included in that list were five Corpus Christi refineries, including CITGO Corpus Christi Refinery East Plant, Flint Hills Resources Corpus Christi LLC East Refinery and Flint Hills Resources Corpus Christi LLC West Refinery, Valero Corpus Christi East and Calero Corpus Christi West. A January article by the Texas Tribune and Inside Climate News found that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality repeatedly characterized major pollution sources as minor, including at Enbridge Energys Ingleside Energy Center and Flint Hills Ingleside Terminal. What actions does the report call for? The Environmental Integrity Project report points to a national pattern, with large plastics companies benefiting from government tax subsidies while failing to meet environmental regulations. The report identifies several policy recommendations, including that state and federal regulators should deny permits that make the ingredients for single-use, disposable plastics and that Clean Air Act permits that are issued should impose strict, legally required pollution limits based on an accurate accounting of emissions. The report also calls for better monitoring through fence-line monitoring systems and accountability through meaningful enforcement actions. Another recommended action is public access to pollution data through easy to use public, online databases. Finally, the report calls for local entities to reject subsidies and tax exemptions for plants that expose communities to air pollution or are prone to accidents, especially if they violate environmental permits. We dont need taxpayer support for private companies that essentially manufacture pollution: single-use plastics that end up as litter, and toxic air pollution that disproportionately hurts communities of color, EIP research manager and report author Alexandra Shaykevich said in a news release. The plastics industry deserves penalties and more oversight not more government handouts for the environmental harm it is causing. Correction: In an earlier version of this article the following sentence dropped the word "million" from the sentence: By 2031, Gulf Coast Growth Ventures will have shaved $249 million off its local property tax bills. B State grant would support more city air quality planning City considers water plant expansion and potential groundwater purchase Esperanza de Tejas expands mobile clinic with Driscoll Health Plan support This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Environmental report looks at tax breaks and air emissions EP Water: Water smelling like chlorine in far East El Paso is safe to drink EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) El Paso Water told media outlets on Wednesday that the heavy chlorine smell being reported by residents in the far East El Paso area is an indicator that river water is finally reaching their homes and nothing to be concerned about. The occurrence of chlorine smell in the distribution system is actually a good thing, that means that the water is fully disinfected and is safe to drink. We are transitioning from groundwater to river water right now, said EP Water Vice President of Operations and Technical Services Gilbert Trejo. On Monday, KTSM began receiving calls and emails from concerned viewers, who shared that their water had a strong chlorine smell. Those reports came from homes in the far East El Paso area. With the start of the river water season, the Borderlands river water supply began flowing in over a week ago from the Caballo Dam, just south of Elephant Butte. On Wednesday, March 13, EP Water told KTSM that the river water was officially being processed at both of their water treatment plants, where they were beginning to disinfect it before distributing it to customers. Trejo explained that river water requires higher concentrations of chlorine than water to be disinfected. Regarding the reports coming mainly from residents in the further areas of East El Paso, Trejo said that their water distribution system in that region is much larger, therefore, they have to pump more chlorine into the water to ensure that it reaches the homes in their furthest service areas. Give it a couple of weeks and as our pipes and the tanks get accustomed to this new water chemistry that we have in the system, that chlorine smell will dissipate, said Trejo. EP Water expects to have 30 weeks of river water supply this year, amounting to nearly 20 billion gallons of water, which is nearly half of EP Waters annual water supply. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla. (WKRG) Escambia County Animal Welfare officers rescued an injured juvenile bald eagle Tuesday morning in West Pensacola. The county animal welfare team received a call Tuesday morning about a large bird or hawk that appeared to be unresponsive after flying into a window at a Pinewood Lane home. Judge grants bond for Baldwin County hit-and-run suspect LOCATION: This embedded content is not available in your region. The caller was concerned because a hawk had hit her window, and it was on the ground and didnt appear it was going to live, Lead Animal Welfare Officer Sgt. Merideth Roberson, who responded to the call and recognized the bird as a juvenile bald eagle, said. The bird was super disoriented when we got there panting heavily, which is not normal for birds, and it was on its back. Escambia County Animal Welfare officials said the bald eagle hit the window hard enough to leave an imprint and needed immediate care. Mobile man arrested after forcing himself into business, threatening ex: Police Sgt. Robertson and Animal Welfare Officer Johnathan Harrington put the bird in their truck and brought it to the Wildlife Sanctuary of Northwest Florida for treatment, where staff members confirmed the bird was a juvenile bald eagle. An injured juvenile bald eagle at the Wildlife Sanctuary of Northwest Florida, where they hope to rehabilitate the bird and release her back into the wild. (Photo courtesy of Escambia County) Escambia County Animal Welfare Officer Johnathan Harrington and Lead Animal Welfare Officer Sgt. Merideth Roberson with an injured juvenile bald eagle they rescued from a residence. (Photo courtesy of Escambia County) Officials said there is high confidence the bird is a female because of how large it is. Theyre hoping to rehab it, Sgt. Roberson said. When we got to the Wildlife Sanctuary, it appeared more alert than it was when we first got it, so that was a good sign. Shoppes at Bel Air expanding dining, entertainment The Escambia County Animal Welfare team and the Wildlife Sanctuary of Northwest Florida partner in helping animals get back to their natural habitats. Our Escambia County Animal Welfare team is so dedicated to serving our community every day, and this is just one of many examples of how much they care for animals, Escambia County Animal Welfare Director John Robinson said. I appreciate the concerned resident who alerted us to this situation, Sgt. Roberson and Officer Harrington for their quick action, and the Wildlife Sanctuary for caring for this young bald eagle and giving it the best chance of getting back into the wild. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5. Sheriff Alfonzo Williams and the Burke County Sheriffs Office would like to extend its deepest gratitude and appreciation to all participating law enforcement agencies and the community for their unwavering support and assistance in the recent incident involving two teenage escapees. On Thursday, March 21, 2024 two teenage escapees, Brandon Davis and Corinthian Newton, overpowered a Jenkins County Deputy while being transported and managed to escape into the woods of north Burke. It was initially reported that the suspects had shot the officer; however, subsequent investigations revealed that the officers injuries were sustained during their physical attack. Brandon Davis, a 14-year-old black male, stands 52 tall and weighs 98lbs. Corinthian Newton, a 15-year-old black male, stands 511 tall and weighs 170lbs. Both suspects were considered armed and dangerous. Since the incident, nearly 3 dozen law enforcement units tirelessly searched for the escapees, with the ultimate goal of ensuring the safety and security of our community. We deeply appreciate the dedication, professionalism, and cooperation demonstrated by all participating law enforcement agencies in this joint effort. We would also like to express our gratitude to the community for their invaluable support and vigilance during this challenging time. Your assistance, cooperation, and willingness to provide information was instrumental in locating and apprehending the suspects. Thank you everyone for remaining vigilant and reporting any suspicious activities or sightings. The safety of our community was of utmost importance, and we were confident that together, we would bring these individuals to justice. We extend our sincere gratitude to all participating law enforcement agencies and the community for their unwavering support and collaboration. Together, we prevailed in safeguarding our community. The deputy is safely recovering. The juvenile suspects are unharmed and in custody. Today, the collective experience of law enforcement and our resources across the state brought about a successful resolution. The aggressor country Russia is launching a powerful campaign to discredit the Ukrainian leadership. This "special operation" of the Kremlin will concern elections during the war and will last for three to four months. And this time will be quite difficult for Ukraine. ADVERTISIMENT This was stated by Oleksiy Danilov, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, during a telethon. He emphasized that Ukrainians are ready for any challenges. According to Danilov, the enemy will rely on the issue of wartime elections in its discrediting campaign, and Russia has already started saying "that they held elections during the war, and we are not." "The next three to four months will be very difficult for us, because Russia is now launching a very powerful campaign to discredit our leadership. They are starting to say that they are holding elections during the war, and why we are not. This is the kind of nonsense they will rely on. But we are ready for any challenges," the NSDC Secretary said. He also answered a question about arms supplies to Russia from Iran and the DPRK. ADVERTISIMENT "As for the aid from dictatorial regimes, it will definitely not help them," Danilov said. As a reminder, the Russian Federation held the so-called presidential elections on March 15-17, 2024, which only the same dictatorial regimes have no questions about. Vladimir Putin was painted an "absolute" victory, including in the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine. There, in violation of international law, the occupiers also staged a cynical farce against the backdrop of the houses they destroyed. As OBOZ.UA previously reported, the aggressor country Russia has launched an active disinformation campaign against Ukraine in the Middle East. For this purpose, Moscow is intensively using its agent network, propaganda tools and diplomatic missions. The main objectives are to justify Russia's war against Ukraine, discredit our country and Western countries, and impose unacceptable terms of negotiations. ADVERTISIMENT You can find only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and in Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur said during a visit to Kyiv on Thursday that his country will send Ukraine the next package of military assistance worth 20 million. Source: Ministry of Defense of Estonia; European Pravda Pevkur met with Defence Minister Rustem Umierov in Kyiv. The new package will include, in particular, artillery ammunition, anti-tank guns, explosives, gas masks, sniper equipment, and smaller-calibre ammunition. "We put this package together focusing on providing the maximum benefit to Ukraine while making sure to not diminish Estonian defence readiness," Hanno Pevkur said. The aid package includes 155-mm shells, an additional contribution of Estonia to the European Union's initiative to send one million shells to Ukraine. Denmark will partially fund Estonia's contribution. The exact amount of ammunition was not disclosed for security reasons. Pevkur noted that with the approach of summer, Ukraine needs, first of all, ammunition, all elements of air defene, spare parts and electronic warfare equipment. Earlier, the European Commission reported that by the end of March 2024, the number of shells delivered to Ukraine within the framework of the EU initiative to supply one million rounds of artillery ammunition will reach about 500,000. In January, Thierry Breton, the European commissioner for internal market, said that the European defence industry will be able to make at least 1.3 million shells by the end of 2024. Support UP or become our patron! Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur announced a new military aid package worth EUR 20 million ($22 million) during his visit to Kyiv, the Estonian Defense Ministry said on March 21, detailing Pevkur's communication with his Ukrainian counterpart Rustem Umerov. The package includes: critically needed artillery installations to be deployed immediately anti-tank grenades explosives various types of mortars gas masks sniper equipment small-caliber ammunition and more. "We put together the aid package to be maximally beneficial to Ukraine without compromising the combat readiness of the Estonian Defense Forces," said Pevkur. The latest aid package includes 155-millimeter projectiles, serving as Estonia's additional contribution to the European Union's initiative to provide Ukraine with one million pieces of ammunition. Part of the contribution will be financed by Denmark, with the exact amount undisclosed for security reasons, the Ministry said. "The battlefield briefing we received from Defense Minister Umerov confirmed the necessity of our package but also sent a clear signal that Ukraine needs ammunition, all types of air defense elements, as well as spare parts for equipment and electronic warfare equipment to survive the summer," said Pevkur. Read also: Estonia proposes $130 billion annual plan to give Ukraine what it needs to win Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas has also stressed her support for Ukraine's efforts, saying that Russia's defeat in Ukraine is necessary to avoid the onset of a Third World War, EUobserver reported on March 21. "[If] Russia [were to] lose this war, then we don't have to worry about the Third World War," said Kallas. She emphasized that she is not advocating for war. "We want to have peace, but we want to have sustainable peace, and peace on Russia's terms is not sustainable," she said. Read also: Estonia to sign security deal with Ukraine Reflecting on Europe's history, Kallas said that the difference between the start of the Second World War and what was happening now was that Ukraine was "fighting and standing". "That's why the war hasn't progressed any further," she said. "[But] if Ukraine falls, it's going to be all over Europe," she added. Kallas earlier called on the European Union to brace itself for Russia's protracted war against Ukraine, asserting that the EU needs to devise a comprehensive strategy for "long-term resistance," particularly against the Kremlin's disinformation efforts. Estonia delivered a EUR 80 million ($86 million) military aid package to Ukraine in February, featuring Javelin anti-tank missiles. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur announced a defense aid package for Ukraine worth 20 million euros ($22 million) during his visit to Kyiv on March 21, the Estonian Defense Ministry announced. "The package includes recoilless anti-tank guns, explosives, various types of artillery ammunition, gas masks, sniper equipment, smaller caliber ammunition, and more," Pevkur said. Artillery shells are a crucial capability for Ukraine as the country faces critical ammunition shortages, namely due to delays in U.S. assistance. "We put this package together, focussing on providing the maximum benefit to Ukraine while making sure not to diminish Estonian defense readiness," the Estonian defense minister said. The tranche includes 155 mm shells, donated as Tallinn's contribution to the EU's plan to supply Kyiv with 1 million rounds. Their exact number is confidential. According to the Estonian Defense Ministry, Denmark will partially finance the replenishment of this donation. 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. Subscribe to newsletter War Notes Subscribe In a separate initiative, Czechia is collecting funds for the purchase of 800,000 artillery shells for Ukraine from suppliers outside the EU. Pevkur said that during his visit to Ukraine's capital, he met his Ukrainian counterpart, Rustem Umerov. "The overview that Defense Minister Umerov gave us about the situation on the battlefield confirmed that this package is very much needed," Pevkur noted. The Baltic country, with a population of 1.3 million, is one of the leading military donors to Ukraine in terms of gross domestic product (GDP) shares, according to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy. Over the next four years, Tallinn plans to allocate 0.25% of its GDP to military assistance for Kyiv. The country's previous aid included Javelin anti-tank missiles, howitzers, artillery ammunition, anti-tank mines, anti-tank grenade launchers, and more. Read also: Estonian FM announces imminent signing of security agreement with Ukraine Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Getty Images The ex-husband of the slain art executive Brent Sikkema was arrested in New York on Wednesday, but not on charges related to his partners grisly murder in Rio de Janeirodespite Brazilian authorities linking him to the crime. Daniel Sikkema instead faces a charge of passport fraud, an offense that U.S. prosecutors hoped would keep him detained without bail ahead of trial, reported the Inner City Press, who first noted the arrest. Prosecutors reportedly argued Wednesday that Daniel Sikkema, a Cuban national, could be a flight risk if he was released on bail. A district judge didnt accept those pleas, however, saying his alleged crime in the U.S. wasnt serious enough for him to be detained ahead of trial, so he set a $1 million bond for his release that was secured by property he owns in Queens. Instead, Daniel was ordered to house detention and to have his location monitored by a GPS device. A Southern District of New York spokesperson told The Daily Beast on Thursday, however, that Daniel still remained in custody by the early afternoon because he was yet to be fitted with a GPS monitor. Arrest Made After New York Art Dealer Stabbed to Death in Brazil In Brazil, authorities have alleged that Brents alleged killer, the Cuban national Alejandro Triana Prevez, confessed to the slaying and claimed Daniel paid him roughly $200,000 to carry it out. Despite that alleged confession, it remains unclear if Brazilian authorities have issued an extradition order for Daniel, who has continued living in New York City with the 13-year-old son he shared with Brent. A criminal complaint in the U.S. for Daniel makes no mention of the allegations in Brazil, but does note that Brent was killed before his divorce was finalized with Daniel. Daniel is accused of lying on a passport application for him and the son he shared with Brent, claiming his sons passport was lost despite him allegedly knowing he merely didnt have access to it. Brent, who founded Manhattans Sikkema Jenkins & Company gallery, was stabbed 18 times inside his Rio residence on Jan. 14. The slaying was initially believed to have been part of a violent robbery, but, days later, Brazilian authorities arrested Prevez and insinuated the case was a targeted homicide. Brazilian authorities said there is substantial evidence linking Prevez to the crime, including a selfie of him in Brents kitchen, security footage showing him outside the residence for 14 hours, and $3,000 that allegedly belonged to Sikkema being found in his possession. Famed New York Art Dealer Reportedly Stabbed to Death in Rio Home Prevez worked for Daniel and Brent as security in Cuba previously, furthering rumors Brents slaying was the act of a hired hitman. Brazilian authorities added that it uncovered phone calls between Prevez and Daniel that were made through a burner cellphone. An order for Daniels arrest was ordered on Feb. 10 and sent to Interpol by a Brazilian court, but hes yet to be arrested in connection to the murder. Gregorio Andrade, one of Prevezs lawyers, complained in a message to Hyperallergic magazine that its absurd that Daniel has remained free for so long and that he may soon be released from U.S. custody. Its absurd that a man for whom a judge in Rio de Janeiro ordered an arrest warrant could be freed, Andrade said, according to Hyperallergic. Its unthinkable that the arrest was carried out in this way, given the gravity of the crime, and given that the suspect might even be trying to leave the country. 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. Allegheny County police have charged an Etna woman in the drowning death of her one-year-old son. On the afternoon of July 13, County 911 was notified of an unresponsive one-year-old child in the 30 block of Sycamore Street in Etna. First responders performed life-saving measures and transported the child to an area hospital in critical condition. On July 27, the child was pronounced dead at the hospital. Detectives interviewed the childs mother, Brittany Garrison, 28, and learned Garrison had taken the child and a sibling outside to swim in an above-ground pool. Garrison left the child alone in a flotation device inside the pool and went inside the residence with the sibling, according to a police report. A short time later, the child was found unresponsive outside of the flotation device in the pool. Police determined the child was not wearing any additional flotation device or life jacket. Police have filed charges against Garrison including involuntary manslaughter, endangering the welfare of children and recklessly endangering another person. She was taken into custody Thursday morning and released on nonmonetary bond. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: Deadly Jeannette fire: How you can help surviving mom, 2 kids I wish this was a dream: Grandfather of children killed in Jeannette fire speaks to Channel 11 Local funeral director found guilty of abuse of a corpse VIDEO: Local mom who lost son to gun violence bakes birthday cakes for families of other victims DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts German Chancellor Olaf Scholz arrives to attend a round table meeting at the EU summit in Brussels. Alexandros Michailidis/European Council/dpa EU leaders issued their first joint demand for a humanitarian ceasefire and the release of all hostages in Gaza in joint summit statement on Thursday. The statement called for "an immediate humanitarian pause leading to a sustainable ceasefire" and repeated condemnations of the Hamas attacks on October 7 against Israel. In the aftermath of the Hamas attacks, EU leaders managed in October to only call together for "humanitarian corridors and pauses" in Gaza to allow aid to reach Palestinian civilians. Ireland, Spain, and Belgium pushed for the ceasefire at the summit in Brussels. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz agreed to the calls after previously opposing ceasefire in October, citing Israel's right to defence against attacks from Hamas. A general view during the the EU summit in Brussels. -/European Council/dpa United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres and President of the European Council Charles Michel, arrive to attend a round table meeting at the EU summit in Brussels. -/European Council/dpa EU leaders issued their first joint demand for a humanitarian ceasefire and the release of all hostages in Gaza in joint summit statement on Thursday. The statement called for "an immediate humanitarian pause leading to a sustainable ceasefire" and repeated condemnations of the Hamas attacks against Israel on October 7. In the aftermath of the Hamas attacks, EU leaders managed in October to only call together for "humanitarian corridors and pauses" in Gaza to allow aid to reach Palestinian civilians. European Council President Charles Michel called the statement "strong and unified" on X, formerly known as Twitter. Ireland, Spain and Belgium pushed for the ceasefire at the summit in Brussels. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz agreed to the calls after previously opposing a ceasefire in October, citing Israel's right to defence against attacks from Hamas. Pressure was building for the bloc to take a stronger stance on the Israel-Hamas war. "A ceasefire should have happened a long time ago," said Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar who announced on Wednesday that he will step down when a successor is in place. The EU leaders' demand for a ceasefire in Gaza repeated a call from their foreign ministers that Hungary, viewed as sympathetic to the Israeli government, abstained on. Varadkar said at the start of the summit that Austria and the Czech Republic were preventing the EU from making a joint call for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war. Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer countered that the EU must recognize the sexual violence carried out by Hamas during the October 7 attacks on Israel. The statement from EU leaders later said it was "appalled by the sexual violence" during the October 7 attacks, noting UN reports on the issue and supported independent investigations. EU leaders also called on Israel not to go ahead with a planned ground offensive in the city of Rafah on the Egyptian border, where 1.5 million Palestinians have sought refuge. United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres joined talks in Brussels and urged the EU to support a ceasefire. He warned that civilian casualties in Gaza like in Ukraine must be condemned "without double standards." EU leaders also explored new ways to support Ukraine against the full-scale Russian invasion with a plan to fund arms purchases with the proceeds of frozen Russian assets under scrutiny. Multiple European leaders stressed their commitment to supporting Ukraine upon arrival to the summit but caution surrounds the plan. Neutral Austria's Chancellor Nehammer said he wanted reassurances that if neutral countries endorse using the seized profits, the money will be used to rebuild Ukraine and not to arm it. "There was originally discussion that it should be invested in reconstruction in Ukraine," Nehammer said. "That seems like a reasonable suggestion to me." The plan, prepared by EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell, would see 90% of the appropriated revenue from frozen Russian assets go to an off-budget EU military aid fund. The other 10% would be added to the EU budget and used to strengthen Ukraines industrial capacity to produce armaments of its own, according to Borrell. Lithuanian president Gitanas Nauseda said that both the profits and the assets themselves "should contribute not only to reconstruction of Ukraine but also to the defence needs of Ukraine." However Luxembourg's Prime Minister Luc Frieden warned "the financial stability and the credibility" of the EU needs to be protected. "You cannot just take away somebody's asset," he said, adding "we need to be extremely sure [of] what we are doing." A proposal from the commission to strengthen the EU's armaments industry by allocating 1.5 billion ($1.6 billion) to joint procurement of military equipment is also set for scrutiny. Belgian Prime Minister Alexandre de Croo said there would be a debate on how to finance the plan. "It will need to be national contributions, it might be defence bonds, it might be financing by the EIB," de Croo added, referring to the European Investment Bank, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said every EU country will have to do their share and we will have to use all the instruments we have." He noted that Finland and 13 other member states had signed a letter calling for EIB financing. EU leaders also backed the conditional opening of EU membership talks with Bosnia-Herzegovina. United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres and President of the European Council Charles Michel, speak to media as they arrive to attend a round table meeting at the EU summit in Brussels. -/European Council/dpa A general view during the the EU summit in Brussels. -/European Council/dpa European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (L) and President of the European Council Charles Michel speak during a press conference after the EU summit in Brussels. Alexandros Michailidis/European Council/dpa EU leaders issued their first joint demand for a humanitarian ceasefire and the release of all hostages in Gaza in joint summit statement on Thursday. The statement called for "an immediate humanitarian pause leading to a sustainable ceasefire" and repeated condemnations of the attacks by Palestinian militant movement Hamas against Israel on October 7. In the aftermath of the Hamas attacks, EU leaders managed in October to only call together for "humanitarian corridors and pauses" in Gaza to allow aid to reach Palestinian civilians. European Council President Charles Michel called the statement "strong and unified" on X, formerly Twitter. Ireland, Spain and Belgium pushed for the ceasefire at the summit in Brussels. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz agreed to the calls after previously opposing a ceasefire in October, citing Israel's right to defend itself against attacks from Hamas. Pressure was building for the bloc to take a stronger stance on the Israel-Hamas war. "A ceasefire should have happened a long time ago," said Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, who announced on Wednesday that he will step down when a successor is in place. The EU leaders' demand for a ceasefire in Gaza repeated a call from their foreign ministers that Hungary, viewed as sympathetic to the Israeli government, abstained on. Varadkar said at the start of the summit that Austria and the Czech Republic were preventing the EU from making a joint call for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war. Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer countered that the EU must recognize the sexual violence carried out by Hamas during the October 7 attacks on Israel. The statement from EU leaders later said it was "appalled by the sexual violence" during the October 7 attacks, noting UN reports on the issue and declared support for independent investigations. EU leaders also called on Israel not to go ahead with a planned ground offensive in the southern city of Rafah on the Egyptian border, where 1.5 million Palestinians have sought refuge. United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres joined talks in Brussels and urged the EU to support a ceasefire. He warned that civilian casualties in Gaza like in Ukraine must be condemned "without double standards." EU leaders also agreed that the revenues of Russian assets frozen in the EU should be used for the benefit of Ukraine as it resists the Russian invasion. Their declaration provides for "the possibility of funding military support" using the seized revenues. But ahead of the meeting, Nehammer had said he wanted reassurances that if neutral countries like Austria endorse using the seized profits, the money will be used to rebuild Ukraine and not to arm it. Every EU leader has the power to veto such declarations. "There was originally discussion that it should be invested in reconstruction in Ukraine," Nehammer said earlier on Thursday. "That seems like a reasonable suggestion to me." At a press conference after the decision was announced, Michel said the declaration left room for the "specificities" of neutral countries. EU leaders' declaration on the use of the seized revenues is essentially a political green-light. But the legal details still need to be agreed by foreign ministers, based on a plan prepared by EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell. "I am confident that we can act very quickly and put in place this mechanism," Michel said. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen added: "if we are swift now in concluding the proposal, we could disburse the first billion on the 1 July." Borrell's plan would see 90% of the appropriated revenue from frozen Russian assets go to an off-budget EU military aid fund. The other 10% would be added to the EU budget and used to strengthen Ukraine's industrial capacity to produce armaments of its own, according to Borrell. Leaders also endorsed a proposal from the commission to strengthen the EU's armaments industry by allocating 1.5 billion ($1.6 billion) to joint procurement of military equipment is also set for scrutiny. Michel said there was "broad support" among EU leaders for working with the independent European Investment Bank to maximise investment. EU leaders also backed the conditional opening of EU membership talks with Bosnia-Herzegovina. Von der Leyen said that the commission has "prepared a proposal to increase tariffs on Russian and Belarussian imports of cereals, oil, seeds and derived products." European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (L) and President of the European Council Charles Michel speak during a press conference after the EU summit in Brussels. Alexandros Michailidis/European Council/dpa BRUSSELS (Reuters) - EU leaders will call for a sustainable ceasefire in Gaza at their summit in Brussels on Thursday, the EU's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said. "Today the Council goes much further," than in previous months, Borrell said before the summit. "Asking for a sustainable ceasefire, certainly asking also for the freedom of hostages, but showing a strong concern for the situation of the people in Gaza, which is unacceptable." Borrell called on Israel to make sure more aid reaches Gaza and said he hoped EU leaders would do the same. "They are starving. So I hope that the council will send a strong message to Israel, stop blocking, stop preventing the food to come into Gaza and take care of the civilians," he said. "Certainly Israel has the right to defend, (but) not to revenge." (Reporting by Bart Meijer; editing by Christina Fincher) United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres and President of the European Council Charles Michel, arrive to attend a round table meeting at the EU summit in Brussels. -/European Council/dpa EU leaders on Thursday conditionally agreed to open formal talks with Bosnia-Herzegovina on joining the European Union, European Council President Charles Michel said on X, formerly known as Twitter. The decision by prime ministers and presidents of the 27 EU countries means membership negotiations with Bosnia are officially open, but their unanimous agreement does not allow Brussels and Sarajevo to actually start talking just yet, diplomats told dpa. Bosnia-Herzegovina will first need to demonstrate further progress on matters such as judicial reform and tackling corruption. It will then fall to the European Commission to propose a plan for the talks - called a negotiating framework - which will need the unanimous approval of member states' EU affairs ministers. EU leaders' declaration calls on the commission to prepare the framework for approval by member states "the moment all relevant steps" have been taken, according to a copy of the declaration posted to X by Michel's spokeswoman. "It's a bit of a mixed message," explained Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte as he arrived at the EU summit in Brussels on Thursday, before the decision had been finalized. "Yes, we will support the commission proposal to open negotiations," he said. The commission proposed opening talks on March 12. However, "before the negotiating framework can be agreed upon, it's crucial that Bosnia will fulfil all the necessary actions," Rutte said. In a March 12 speech in Strasbourg announcing that the EU executive would recommend opening talks with Bosnia-Herzegovina, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said: "Bosnia and Herzegovina has taken impressive steps forward. More progress has been achieved in just over a year than in a whole decade." She added that the country had passed "important laws" on matters such as preventing conflicts of interest, money laundering and terrorist financing. Bosnia's management of migration "continues to improve," von der Leyen said. She also lauded progress "on dialogue and reconciliation" over the 1992-1995 Bosnian War, and noted that "the Ministry of Justice has agreed to include in the domestic criminal records the judgements of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia." Bosnia and Kosovo are the only Western Balkan countries that have not yet entered into formal accession talks with the EU. "We have shifted gear in our approach to the region. We have realised that this is not enough to just wait for the western Balkans to move closer to us," von der Leyen said on March 12. "It is not enough to say that the door is open. We must also take responsibility and support their path towards our union in any possible way," she said. "This is why we have opened accession negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia. And this is why we have committed to doing the same with Bosnia and Herzegovina." The first Western Balkan country to join the EU, Slovenia, was one of 10 new members that acceded in 2004. Croatia joined in 2013. The EU opened negotiations with Serbia and Montenegro in 2012, and with Albania and North Macedonia in 2022. Kosovo applied to join the EU in 2022. However, five EU countries - Cyprus, Greece, Romania, Slovakia and Spain - do not recognize Kosovo, which declared independence from Serbia in 2008. Outside the Western Balkans, Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia and Turkey are also official candidates for EU membership. In December, the EU decided to open accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova, and to grant formal candidate status to Georgia. The commission proposed negotiating frameworks for Ukraine and Moldova on March 12, the same day it recommended opening talks with Bosnia-Herzegovina. Turkey has been a candidate for EU membership since 1999 and accession talks opened in 2005, but have stalled due to concerns about authoritarianism under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres and President of the European Council Charles Michel, arrive to attend a round table meeting at the EU summit in Brussels. -/European Council/dpa Ukraine's air defense forces neutralized about three dozen missiles over Kyiv and on the approach to the city that Russian troops had used to attack the region. Among them were ballistic "Kinzhals". ADVERTISIMENT This was reported by the head of the Kyiv City Military Administration Serhiy Popko. He described the consequences of the falling debris in the capital. "After a pause of 44 days, the enemy launched another missile attack on Kyiv: they used X-101/X-555/X-55 cruise missiles from Tu-95MS strategic bombers and ballistic missiles from the territory of the Russian Federation. The air alert in the capital lasted almost three hours," the official said. According to him, after complicated maneuvers in adjacent regions, the missiles were fired at the capital simultaneously from different directions. The air defense forces and means hit about three dozen enemy targets, including ballistic missiles, over Kyiv and in the vicinity of the capital. ADVERTISIMENT The Ukrainian Air Force clarified that during this attack, the defenders of the sky shot down all the missiles: two Iskander-M (KN-23)/Kh-47M2 Kinzhal aerial ballistic missiles, as well as 29 X-101/X-555 cruise missiles. The falling debris damaged houses in Shevchenkivskyi district, a kindergarten, and a high-rise building in Sviatoshynskyi district, and cars were on fire in both locations. In Podilskyi district, the debris fell on the territory of non-residential buildings and the roof of a residential building, which then caught fire, and the roof of another non-residential two-story building was also on fire. All emergency services were working on the spot to eliminate the consequences of the missile attack. ADVERTISIMENT According to the updated data, 13 people were injured, including one child. Some of the injured were treated on the spot. Fortunately, no one was killed in the attack. Information on the consequences of the attack is still being clarified and updated. Local authorities once again urged Kyiv residents and visitors not to ignore air raid warnings and to always follow safety precautions. "The bitter experience of Odesa and Mykolaiv proves that the enemy can launch repeated missile strikes during the aftermath. And do not forget to support and help the soldiers of the Defense Forces. They need your support and a reliable rear. Our victory depends on each of us!" said the head of the Kyiv City Military Administration. ADVERTISIMENT We would like to add that damage to houses and cars was also recorded in the districts of Kyiv region, where four people were injured as a result of the attack. As reported by OBOZ.UA, on the night of March 21, the Russian occupation forces launched various types of missiles, including ballistic missiles, at Ukraine. All regions were at risk of attacks. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres and President of the European Council Charles Michel, speak to media as they arrive to attend a round table meeting at the EU summit in Brussels. -/European Council/dpa EU leaders on Thursday conditionally agreed to open formal talks with Bosnia-Herzegovina on joining the European Union, European Council President Charles Michel said on X, formerly known as Twitter. "Todays decision is a key step forward on your EU path," Michel wrote, addressing the Western Balkan nation. "Now the hard work needs to continue so Bosnia and Herzegovina steadily advances, as your people want," he said. The decision means membership negotiations with Bosnia-Herzegovina are officially open, but it does not allow Brussels and Sarajevo to actually start talking yet, diplomats told dpa. Bosnia-Herzegovina will first need to demonstrate further progress on matters such as judicial reform and tackling corruption. It will then fall to the European Commission to propose a plan or for the talks - called a negotiating framework - which will need the unanimous approval of member states' EU affairs ministers. "It's a bit of a mixed message," explained Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte as he arrived at the EU summit in Brussels on Thursday. "Yes, we will support the commission proposal to open negotiations," he said. However, "before the negotiating framework can be agreed upon, it's crucial that Bosnia will fulfil all the necessary actions," Rutte said. United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres and President of the European Council Charles Michel, speak to media as they arrive to attend a round table meeting at the EU summit in Brussels. -/European Council/dpa By Gabriela Baczynska and Andreas Rinke BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union could use proceeds from frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine within a few months under a plan that includes buying arms for Kyiv, EU leaders said on Thursday. Leaders of the bloc's 27 member countries agreed at a summit in Brussels to move ahead with work on the plan, presented this week by the EU's executive body, the European Commission. "I am confident that we can act very quickly," Charles Michel, president of the European Council of EU leaders, told reporters. The leaders' desire for urgency reflects increasing alarm about the war in Ukraine, with Kyiv's ammunition-starved forces struggling to hold back Russian troops and a $60 billion military aid package for Kyiv stuck in the U.S. Congress. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the first 1 billion euros ($1.09 billion) from the scheme could be disbursed as soon as July 1. The Commission has proposed transferring 90% of profits from the frozen Russian assets to an EU-run fund used to finance arms for Kyiv. The other 10% would go to budget aid for Kyiv. The Commission estimated the profits on the assets - various Russian central bank securities and cash - could be between 2.5 billion euros ($2.73 billion) and 3 billion euros per year. The idea of using the proceeds of frozen Russian assets to benefit Ukraine - which Moscow says would be theft - has broad support among EU governments, Michel and von der Leyen said. EU heavyweights Germany and France voiced strong backing to the plan. "These (proceeds) should first of all be used to buy those weapons and ammunition that Ukraine needs to defend itself," German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said. But using the money to buy weapons is more problematic for some countries, including neutral militarily non-aligned countries such as Malta, Austria and Ireland. "For us neutrals it must be ensured that money, for which we give our approval, is not spent on weapons and ammunition," Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer said. Michel said the EU could find ways to take into account their concerns as part of the scheme. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy urged the EU to go even further and use the assets themselves as well - something the bloc is not considering. "Russia must feel the real cost of war and the need for a just peace," Zelenskiy told the EU leaders via video link. Zelenskiy said it was "humiliating for Europe" that Ukraine did not have enough artillery in its fight against Russia, which invaded its neighbour in February 2022. Russia said on Thursday its artillery shell production had soared over the past year. MORE DEFENCE FUNDING Meanwhile, some Western banks are lobbying against the EU proposal, fearing it could lead to costly litigation, industry sources said. The bloc's 27 national leaders also debated how Europe can do more to defend itself and boost its arms industry, reflecting fears that Russia will not stop at Ukraine and the United States may not be such a staunch protector of Europe in future. French President Emmanuel Macron and others have embraced a proposal by Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas for European defence bonds. Other countries, including fiscally cautious Germany, Austria, the Netherlands and Sweden, are sceptical. In their summit declaration, the leaders instructed officials to "explore all options for mobilising funding and report back by June". They also called on the European Investment Bank, the bloc's lending arm, to "adapt its policy for lending to the defence industry" - a nudge to get the bank to embrace investing in military technology. ($1 = 0.9208 euros) (Reporting by Andrew Gray, Jan Strupczewski, Kate Abnett, Julia Payne, Gabriela Baczynska, Philip Blenkinsop, John Irish, Nette Noestlinger and Andreas Rinke; Writing by Ingrid Melander and Andrew Gray; Editing by Alison Williams, Alex Richardson, Sharon Singleton, Timothy Heritage and Daniel Wallis) (Bloomberg) -- Farmers have a history of discontent with the European Union, whether over how to tackle climate change or bureaucracy. Now another target for their anger risks escalating into a bigger political confrontation. Most Read from Bloomberg A move by the EU this week to extend free trade measures with Ukraine has poured fuel on the already growing frustration among grain producers from Poland to France. A provisional deal early on March 20 to suspend duties and quotas for another year means Ukraine would be able to continue to sell wheat in the common market of 27 European countries. Ukraine is only one of the worries for European farmers, and the country isnt to blame for the tumble in wheat prices. Imports, though, have become a rallying point. The disquiet presents a challenge for politicians as they balance priorities at home with support for Kyiv against Russias invasion. Poland, where farmers blocked more than 500 roads again this week, threatened to extend its grain ban and even halt flows of wheat to other countries in the EU. We are flooded by Ukrainian grains, and the government needs to find a solution, said OPZZ farming union leader Slawomir Izdebski. In France, President Emmanuel Macron has made support for Ukraine central to his campaign to thwart the rise of the far right at European elections in June. His government has been working to appease farmers, rolling out concessions ranging from fuel costs to pesticides and green rules. The feeling that prevails is that the European farmers are footing the bill for the war in Ukraine, said Benoit Pietrement, chair of the grains council at national agriculture and fisheries agency FranceAgriMer. Supporting Ukraine against Russia is absolutely important for Europe and the Western countries. But we should not be the only ones paying the price. Read More: Farmers Revolt Threatens Election Year Upsets Around the World French Foreign Trade Minister Franck Riester said in Paris on Wednesday that France and its EU partners were keen to protect the Ukrainian wheat industry given its importance to the countrys economy as it faces the Russian invasion. Farmers in France are also getting some help. In a year when the government is cutting 10 billion ($10.9 billion) of spending, it announced more than 2.2 billion for agriculture so far. Prime Minister Gabriel Attal also promised more negotiations with the EU to limit grain shipments from Ukraine, a move also advocated by Poland. The anger has been palpable for weeks. The stand at the Paris agriculture fair at the end of last month looked like a scene out of Wall Street, just without the suits. Young farmers in dusty rubber boots frenetically argued about live wheat prices blinking red on their smartphones. How do you want us to continue? Unfair competition from Ukraine is affecting us all, said Julien Caillard, a 34-year-old fifth generation wheat grower from the Yonne region southeast of Paris. It was first impacting Ukraines neighbors, now its all the way to France. Introduced in June 2022 following Russias invasion of Ukraine, the so-called Autonomous Trade Measures give Kyiv almost unfettered access to the EU market. The latest plan in Brussels is to ensure tariffs on Ukrainian produce are restored in the event of a surge in imports on such things as corn, poultry, sugar and eggs. Grains are excluded, though, something that makes the proposals unacceptable, according to Copa-Cogeca, a lobby group that says it represents 22 million farmers. The measures are still to be approved by the European Parliament in a vote in April and then by member states, and EU ambassadors have asked for more time to scrutinize the text. Along with the pain from depressed global prices driven by record shipments from Russia, the farmers are feeling the indirect effects of grain arriving in the EU via Ukraines neighbors. The EU imported more than 17 times the amount of soft wheat from Ukraine in the 2022-2023 season compared with the previous year, before the war, according to French agency Intercereales. France, meanwhile, has been reducing every month its forecast for grains exports to the rest of the EU, where traditional buyers like Spain have been purchasing significant volumes from Ukraine, FranceAgriMer said. French crops havent been able to be as competitive as Ukrainian wheat so Ukraine is taking that share of the market, said Delphine Drignon, head of the Europe desk at Intercereales. Spain, which has suffered from a drought, bought 73% of the soft wheat imported from Ukraine this season as of March 4, she said. Farmers in the EU say the problem is that Ukrainian rivals can sell at cheaper rates and with less stringent environmental checks, and they also regained the ability to ship through the Black Sea. They also have the edge in terms of lower labor costs and much larger farms, according to Eric Thirouin, president of French grains growers group AGPB. That's despite having to confront the war. Solidarity with Ukraine was real when they were not able to export through the Black Sea, said Thirouin, who also manages a farm that has been in the family since 1560. But it makes no sense to keep giving them free access. The French have joined their Eastern European counterparts who have been protesting for longer. Angry farmers have been testing support for Ukraine elsewhere, converging on Brussels earlier this year. And its the Poles who say they have most to lose. We are the most pro-Ukrainian state and nation, but we are facing the biggest problems related to the war, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said at a press conference in Warsaw on Feb. 28. We pay too high a price for the decision to launch free trade with Ukraine. We cannot afford it. EU Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski said recently the best way to resolve the situation was to help Ukraine move its crops to countries that traditionally bought Ukrainian products. Farmers say the EU is more willing to listen on Ukrainian exports of poultry, sugar and eggs, but grain is more of a financial lifeblood for Ukraine. The EU is determined to keep supporting the Ukrainian economy, said Arnold Puech dAlissac, who runs a family farm near Rouen and heads the Rome-based World Farmers Organisation. And grains are just the easiest way for them to earn money. --With assistance from Agnieszka Barteczko and Aine Quinn. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Proposed laws to crack down on sober living fraud in Arizona are targeting the wrong problem and could have dire consequences for legitimate providers, leaving people in recovery without the help they need, some critics say. A "Call to Action" circulating among providers in the Arizona recovery community is trying to shore up opposition to three sober living bills moving through the Legislature this session. Critics say the bills would add excessive regulation that could cause some law-abiding homes to close while not doing enough to deter unscrupulous homes from operating. One of the bills would require licensed sober living homes to add 24/7 staffing that could cripple the entire industry, the Call To Action email says. The three legislative bills under attack are: Senate Bill 1655 sponsored by Sen. Theresa Hatathlie, D-Coal Mine Mesa, which has passed the Senate and must now move through the House; Senate Bill 1361 sponsored by Sen. Frank Carroll, which has passed the Senate and is on its way to the House; and House Bill 2317 sponsored by Rep. Matt Gress, R-Phoenix, which has passed the House. The Hatathlie and Carroll bills are on Thursday's House Health and Human Services Committee agenda. Critics acknowledge the bills have good intentions and are an attempt to crack down on and prevent massive Medicaid fraud in Arizona that has made national headlines and bilked taxpayers of an estimated $2 billion. But opponents say the proposed laws ignore the fact that the fraud in Arizona was about Medicaid billing schemes and sober living homes can't bill insurers, including Medicaid. Most significantly, the bills don't do anything to reform the deficits in Arizona's Medicaid program that allowed the fraud to happen, said Tom Fay, the owner of Gambit Recovery, which operates sober living homes in four states, including eight homes in Arizona. At the same time, they would put unreasonable burdens and expenses on home operators, he said. Canal on Baseline, along Recker and Baseline roads, was built in 2021 as a for-sale townhome complex that was later bought by one owner and became a rental housing complex. Since then it has had a constant police presence. "It's almost like sober living is the scapegoat. What about the billions of dollars that were fraudulently billed? Sober living homes weren't doing that," Fay said. "None of these three bills addresses the genesis of the fraud and the genesis of the fraud begins with whoever is billing Medicaid. ... The language in all three bills just shows they don't know the difference between sober living and behavioral health entities." Sponsors of the bills have said they are trying to curb a problem that has caused havoc in numerous Valley neighborhoods, where people with drug and alcohol dependence have been essentially warehoused with promises of recovery treatment they didn't receive. The Arizona Attorney General's Office has issued more than 70 criminal indictments related to the cases. "This deterrent will make sure bad actors are not taking advantage of the state," Hatathlie told the Senate Health and Human Services Committee Feb. 13 when summarizing her bill. So-called "bad actors" affiliated with behavioral health treatment facilities were using patients in purported sober living homes as currency to submit claims for services to Arizona's Medicaid program that were upwards of $1,000 per patient per day, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes' office has said. And Arizona's Medicaid program, known as the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, was paying those claims. That means a clinic with 20 patients billing for treatment five days a week could get paid $400,000 or more per month from AHCCCS. Two federal indictments connected with the case accuse fraudulent providers of bilking millions and using the money to buy homes, luxury cars and expensive jewelry. 'Every sober living home would shut down' Hatathlie's bill, which has undergone numerous amendments, would have the most severe consequences for legitimate sober living home providers, Fay said. Among other things, it would require homes to have two paid staff per every six residents, 24/7, which is "not a sustainable model," Fay said. "You are going to have to staff the house 24/7 so that's a minimum of six or seven employees per house. There is not one sober living in America that has the funding to staff a house 24/7," he said. "Every sober living home would shut down." Hatathlie's bill also calls for fingerprint clearance cards and federal criminal background checks for sober living home managers, contractors, employees and owners. That background clearance in Hatathlie's bill would pose a problem for sober living staffing, critics say. Most house managers are in recovery and as a result of having lived a life involving addiction and quite a few of them have criminal histories, Fay said. Carroll and Gress' bills are nearly identical and require the Arizona Department of Health Services to contact local jurisdictions to make sure the home is compliance with all local zoning, building, fire and licensing ordinances before it could issue a sober living home license or license renewal. But critics from the recovery community say that while the Carroll and Gress bills do a lot to address licensed sober living homes, they don't go far enough to call out bad actors who are brokering patients and operating unlicensed homes. "We need to stop calling them 'unlicensed sober living homes' and call them what they are they are flop houses, and they are changing the very fabric of our communities," the recovery community's Call To Action alert says. "Remember, the bad guys don't get a license ... This is a law enforcement issue." Schemes victimized Indigenous people seeking recovery Investigators have said that bad actors improperly used sober living homes to find the people with drug and alcohol problems that were necessary to carry out patient brokering scams. Sober living homes can't provide treatment and can't induce patients to seek treatment at any particular treatment facility, per state law, but investigators have cited numerous instances of patient-brokering. Indictments and search warrant affidavits connected with the Arizona fraud describe schemes where alleged providers were giving patients free room and board because they formed alliances with outpatient behavioral health clinics that overbilled Medicaid, though that's not how sober living homes usually work. Most legitimate sober living homes charge residents a weekly fee and help residents find jobs to pay the bills. Hatathlie and other advocates for the Indigenous people who were preyed upon in the more recent schemes say that cracking down on sober living homes will not fix the fraud. But it will be a sign of the state's commitment to acknowledging a problem that for some tribal members ended in death, she said. At least two wrongful death lawsuits have already been filed against the state in connection with the fraud, both involving Indigenous people. Hatathlie spoke out against Carroll's bill on Feb. 28 when it was considered by the Senate Committee of the Whole. Carroll's bill would raise the state fine for sober living home violations from $500 per violation to $1,000. Hatathlie wants it to be between $5,000 and $10,000 per violation, which some critics have said is too steep, particularly for smaller operators, since a violation can include problems such as not having a lid on a trash can. "People have died," Hatathlie told the Senate on Feb. 28. "Can you put a price on that?" Reach health care reporter Stephanie Innes at Stephanie.Innes@gannett.com or at 602-444-8369. Follow her on X @stephanieinnes. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Proposed laws targeting sober living fraud in Arizona slammed by critics NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) To find new information into what led up to the disappearance of 22-year-old University of Missouri student Riley Strain, volunteers put up flyers across downtown Nashville with Strains face, information, and the number to call with any tips. Lets break out some flyers. And lets just paint the city with them. And lets hope for some news, said Jennifer Ward as she was putting up missing person flyers. For many like Ward, Strains case has felt personal. They can see their children, siblings, friends, or themselves in his situation. Ward has spent every day since learning about Strains disappearance searching for the missing student. Officials focusing Riley Strain search efforts on Cheatham Dam I have seven kids of my own. One that is Rileys age. And I just cant imagine being in their shoes at all, said Ward. Its people like us that, you know, come together to help this family so they can bring him home. Ward learned about Strains case on Facebook and immediately reached out to his father, Ryan Gilbert, to offer any assistance. Not being from here, I could imagine being in their shoes and losing my child, she said. Ward offered the Strain family her camper to sleep in, food, and any connections she had in the area. She said after talking to Strains parents and relatives daily for nearly two weeks, she feels like she is a part of the family. Ive gotten to know them very well. Theyre great people. Theyre going through a lot. Tearful mother of Riley Strain says family focused on bringing him home Gilbert said Ward and others who have come to their aid have gone above and beyond to help find his son and keep Strains case top of mind. I want them to bring him home. Im praying for positive. But Im praying for answers. Mostly everybody deserves answers. And thats what were looking for. And closure is like something. And Im emotional, because like I said, What if it were me? What if nobody came to help?' she said. Ward put up about 200 posters on Wednesday and hopes to put up more than a thousand more on Thursday. Riley Strain Continuing Coverage | The latest in the search for the missing Missouri student Strain is 6-feet, 5-inches tall, with a slender build, blonde hair, and blue eyes, according to his family. If you see Strain or have any information about where he may be, you are asked to call the MNPD at 615-862-8600. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. The Minnesota State Trooper charged with killing motorist Ricky Cobb II during a traffic stop last summer appeared in court Thursday for arguments over what information his attorneys are entitled to from an independent use-of-force expert as they build their defense. District Judge Tamara Garcia heard arguments amid escalating tensions between the defense and prosecutors in Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty's office. Recent developments in the murder case show that Moriarty's independent use-of-force expert gave a preliminary opinion that Trooper Ryan Londregan acted reasonably when he shot Cobb as he attempted to flee. And the state patrol's own use-of-force trainer said in a new affidavit that Londregan didn't violate policy and his statements to prosecutors were taken out of context and prosecutors "lied by omission." Defense attorneys have subpoenaed the expert, Jeffrey Noble, to hand over any records or communications on Londregan. Noble is a former police chief from California who has provided expert testimony in previous police killing cases in Minnesota, including George Floyd and Philando Castile. Chris Madel, one of Londregan's attorneys, told Garcia that he wants the information directly from Noble because the county attorney's office has made "multiple misrepresentations of fact, including the criminal complaint itself." "We're supposed to take their word for what Noble said?" Madel said in court. "[Prosecutors] say its all innocuous. If it's innocuous, why not just produce it to shut me up?" Madel said. "The reason they are not doing this is plain." Madel said that Noble agreed to comply with the subpoena, but Garcia has put the subpoena on pause until she makes a final ruling. Prosecutors say they handed over required information already to defense. Assistant County Attorney Joshua Larson said the court should consider the relevance of the materials and whether the defense's request was "made in good faith and not merely a fishing expedition." Larson disputed Madel's assertion that Noble's initial written thoughts on the case amounted to a final conclusion. He also insisted the criminal complaint issued by Moriarty's office was "fair and accurate" as written. Moriarty charged Londregan, 27, with second-degree murder, manslaughter and assault in the fatal shooting of Cobb last summer during a traffic stop on Interstate 94 in north Minneapolis. Charges were filed without the full report from Noble, who opined that Londregan acted like a reasonable officer would to protect their partner who was being dragged by Cobb's vehicle. A state patrol use-of-force training coordinator, Sgt. Jason Halvorson, also opined in a newly-filed affidavit that Londregan followed his training and did not violate policy. Moriarty based her charges on the legal analysis that Londregan violated trooper policy by firing at a moving vehicle. But Halvorson disagreed. When the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) handed over it's investigation to prosecutors, Moriarty announced that an expert opinion was critical to making her charging decision, but she stopped working with Noble. Madel accused Moriarty's office of shopping for another expert that more aligns with her "ideology rather than the facts of the case." Noble was consulted as an expert witness in a 2023 St. Paul deadly use of force case, in which he concluded that the officers were in "imminent danger of death or serious bodily injury" when they shot and killed 65-year-old Yia Xiong as he wielded a knife. That analysis helped inform Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and Ramsey County Attorney John Choi's decision Wednesday to rule the shooting justified and not to seek charges against St. Paul officer Abdirahmin Dahir. In court Thursday, Londregan sat between his counsel, eyes fixed ahead, and did not speak during the hourlong hearing. Behind him in the courtroom gallery sat his wife and rows of supporters. His next scheduled court appearance is April 29. Garcia lightly admonished the parties, reiterating her desire that they stop filing so many affidavits, exhibits and motions without an express purpose ahead of scheduled court hearings. "We all want a fair and orderly trial," she said, noting that the case should be prosecuted "only in this courtroom, not the court of public of public opinion or the media." Calls for reassignment Recent developments in the case are drawing concern from the state's top elected officials on both sides of the political aisle. Gov. Tim Walz openly questioned Moriarty's handling of the case and Ellison said he is studying the situation. Walz has the authority to intervene and reassign the case to Ellison, like what happened last year with another controversial murder case in Moriarty's office. While executing that statutory authority is extremely rare, and Ellison said he wouldn't ask Walz to give him a county attorney's case again, six of Minnesota's eight-member U.S. House delegation have now called for Ellison to take the case. Walz said he would know more by Thursday when the judge weighed in, but Garcia didn't make any officials rulings and the expert remains in limbo. Law enforcement groups and Minnesota House Republicans have called for Moriarty to be taken off the case. Moriarty's office issued a statement after Thursday's hearing encouraging elected officials and others not involved in the case " to take the judge's comments to heart and refrain from creating more confusion by commenting on the ongoing case." "Their comments disregard the established legal process, politicize the case, threaten the possibility of a fair trial, and ignore that there is a grieving family that is watching this unfold in the press," the statement said. Meanwhile, a group of criminal justice reform advocates and longtime Moriarty supporters issued their own press releases defending the progressive county attorney, arguing that intervention by state leaders would threaten the autonomy of her office to make prosecutorial decisions and hold law enforcement accountable. "Mary has been a staunch ally in our fight for justice, especially for families shattered by police violence," said Michelle Gross, president of Communities United Against Police Brutality. "It's imperative that she be allowed to continue without state interference that would undermine the progress made in the wake of George Floyd's murder." Tulsi Gabbard wanted to be president. Now she wants to be vice president. And while thats hardly unusual, the paths plural shes considering to get there are. Neither involve the Democratic Party, which Gabbard used to represent until she left it in 2022. The four-term former member of Congress from Hawaii is now getting consideration for both former President Donald Trumps and independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s tickets, two sources familiar with the candidates deliberations told NBC News. Its a remarkable turnaround for the onetime progressive rising star, who within the span of eight years has gone from supporting Sen. Bernie Sanders 2016 presidential campaign to running for the Democratic presidential nomination herself in 2020, eventually endorsing President Joe Biden, before then gravitating to the right and becoming a regular conservative media personality and conference speaker. More so, its exceedingly rare for a politician to attract interest from more than one presidential ticket or party. (Ahead of the 1952 election, Democrats and Republicans led dueling efforts to draft another politically ambiguous veteran, Dwight Eisenhower, the former supreme Allied commander in Europe during World War II, for the presidential race.) But Gabbards 2024 possibilities are not fully in her control, nor are they both equally likely. As one source said, Gabbard would be more likely to seriously consider running as Kennedys vice presidential nominee had she not been swept up by the possibility of serving with Trump. This person said Gabbard was enticed by the chance of serving on Kennedys ticket but is now focused on the possibility that Trump will select her. My understanding is that Tulsi is convinced that Trump is going to pick her, this person said. Had that not been the case, she probably would have gone with Kennedy. Trump allies and insiders say that while she may be getting a look from the former president, shes an unlikely choice at best, though she could still land another role in the campaign or in a potential future administration. Some on the right have floated her for defense secretary or another national security post. She was one of the only Democrats who met with Trump during his transition in 2016, as he was interviewing people for posts in his administration. I think most people on team Trump view her as someone who ultimately wont be picked as VP, but could end up with a different role when all is said and done, a Trump-world adviser said. While Gabbard does have some positives that would appeal to Trump on a prospective ticket including having taken positions on both sides of the abortion rights battle and generated a viral debate moment against then-Sen. Kamala Harris a person familiar with Trumps private discussions said a major strike against her is that shes previously sought the presidency herself. That person said theres a very specific calculus thats going into the vice presidential selection process, noting Trump doesnt want to anoint someone with their own presidential ambitions who might be seen as his successor. On the possibility Gabbard is picked, this person said: Everyone is trying to get their PR right now. Quite a leap Both Trump and Kennedy have made public their interest in Gabbard, 42, within the past month. And it comes as Gabbard raises her own profile. She has a brand-new book subtitle: Leave the Democrat Party Behind with Kennedys book publisher, who is also the chairman of the main super PAC supporting him. And she created a new leadership PAC, registered using a GOP treasurer and bank. A person familiar with the event told NBC News that Kennedy met with Gabbard while campaigning in Hawaii in mid-January, and she has been on the public list of names the campaign has put forward of possible running mates. Meanwhile, during a Fox News town hall in South Carolina in late February, host Laura Ingraham rattled off a list of possible VP picks that included Gabbard. All of those people are good theyre all solid, Trump said. Mark Longabaugh, a former top Sanders strategist who worked with Gabbard when she was a leading surrogate for his 2016 presidential campaign Sanders gave her the honor of being the one to formally nominate him at the Democratic National Convention said Gabbards political evolution is quite a leap. He believes shed be a better fit ideologically for Kennedy than for Trump, though he noted both Gabbard and Trump have taken contradictory positions on multiple issues over their careers. Maybe she is a perfect match for Trump, he said. Trump has no convictions. So itd be the no convictions ticket. The former congresswoman has expressed in multiple interviews that she would be interested in serving as Trumps vice president, including on Donald Trump Jr.s podcast. I would be open to that, she told Fox News host Jesse Watters when asked this month about serving as Trumps running mate. Gabbard has fielded the question in recent interviews with conservative media personalities, but responding to a request for comment from NBC News, a Gabbard spokesperson described questions about her interest in serving as a running mate for either Trump or Kennedy as based on speculation, gossip and hypotheticals. Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard believes these questions to be premature, said Erika Tsuji, who was also the communications director for Gabbards 2020 campaign. Shed be happy to take a rain check if things move from speculation into reality. Trumps campaign declined to comment. Kennedys campaign did not respond to requests for comment. Gabbard has also kept a toe in Libertarian politics, appearing at New Hampshire Liberty Forum over the weekend. The partys national chairwoman, Angela McArdle, said there have been no talks about her running for president or vice president via that party. We hope to maintain a good relationship with her, though, McArdle added. Gabbards evolution Gabbard fit in well with the Democratic Partys anti-war left flank and was enough of a team player with its mainstream to be called a role model by party elders and earn a position as a vice chair of the Democratic National Committee. She resigned that position in 2016 to endorse Sanders and his claims that the DNC had rigged the primary against him. But since her 2020 Democratic presidential run, Gabbard has veered. She now calls herself a political independent but otherwise sounds more and more like a Trump supporter, as Boston conservative radio host Jeff Kuhner put it approvingly in an interview with Gabbard last week. Now, Gabbard gives speeches at Mar-a-Lago and the Conservative Political Action Conference and has guest hosted for Tucker Carlson. Shes a regular on conservative and anti-establishment media, from the Fox News prime-time lineup to Joe Rogans podcast, and she has hosted her own podcast, with episode titles like Woke Gender Lies, Child Abuse, and Mutilation and 2nd Amendment: Why our right shall not be infringed. And Gabbard has spoken with Trump and top advisers on foreign and military affairs, The Washington Post reported in February. Shes long been known as an outspoken critic of U.S. foreign policy, military intervention overseas and aid to Ukraine. Years ago, her opposition to U.S. involvement in the Syrian civil war that saw her meet with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Trump has even publicly defended her from critics in her former party: Shes not a Russian agent, he said in 2019. Still, Gabbard who has been criticized for ties to Hindu nationalists and using allegedly Islamophobic rhetoric supports Israels war in the Gaza Strip and opposes a cease-fire, saying last month, You cannot achieve peace without the defeat of Hamas. Gabbard is so recently removed from the Democratic Party that she was still on Harris Christmas card mailing list last year, she said in a recent interview. But she now says her old party is under the control of this elite cabal of woke warmongers and is unrecognizable from the one she knew. We cannot allow Joe Biden to be re-elected. Period, she told Kuhner. Otherwise, I am sincerely and deeply concerned, if the Biden-Harris administration or any of the other Democrats are allowed to remain in power, we will not be able to get these freedoms back. She has downplayed the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, telling Carlson it had been politicized and sensationalized by the media and Democrats to achieve their own political interests. Matt Kibbe, a libertarian activist and president of Free the People, said Gabbards political evolution is authentic and shows shes a political disrupter. Some of the most interesting people in politics today are people who come from the left who have been sort of shocked by fights over disinformation and censorship online as well as Covid lockdowns, he added. While she wont say if she plans to vote for Trump, she clearly thinks he would be preferable to Biden. Often pressed on her wholesale political conversion, Gabbards explanation is almost always the same: The Democrats lost their way and overreached, which led her to realize she was on the wrong team. Her father, Mike Gabbard, is a longtime state senator in Hawaii who switched parties himself, moving from the GOP to the Democratic side of the aisle, and rose to prominence for his opposition to same-sex marriage. She has made big shifts before: The younger Gabbard supported his efforts closely before apologizing for her anti-gay advocacy in 2012 and again amid her presidential campaign. Her shift has concerned some new ideological allies, and her critics on the right have been resurfacing old comments, including when she said it would be a disaster for Trump and Republicans to control Washington; called Trump, who was president at the time, Saudi Arabias b----; and touted her 100% rating on abortion rights from Planned Parenthood Action Fund. But theres a reason Gabbard is seen as a star by various people across the political spectrum, Longabaugh said. Shes articulate, shes a good public speaker, she showed at that moment in that [Democratic presidential] debate that she could do a takedown whether she made a good case for herself is another matter, Longabaugh said. Takedowns are kind of Trumps brand. So if he was just looking for an aggressive negative campaigner, I suppose she could fill that bill. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) ripped weak, tiny and scared former President Donald Trump for trying to look tough to cover the weakness with fascist cosplay. Presumptive GOP nominee Trump has in recent days turned up the volume on his authoritarian message, Kinzinger wrote in the latest edition of his Substack email newsletter, titled Trump Stumps With Fascist Cosplay. Trump is doing all the things that would-be autocrats do as they campaign for power, and this should scare the hell out of us, acknowledged the former lawmaker, who retired from Congress this year and is now a CNN political commentator. Presumptive GOP nominee Trump has in recent days turned up the volume on his authoritarian message," said former Rep. Adam Kinzinger. Joe Raedle via Getty Images However, he is also doing it in a style that echoes with weakness and looks a little like cosplay, added Kinzinger, who drew fierce blowback from MAGA Republicans when he became one of only two Republicans to sit on the House committee probing the Trump-incited U.S. Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021. Kinzinger, though, argued Trumps defeat to President Joe Biden is not a given because he still reaches his supporters with a promise of one-man rule that will ease their fears and make a mythical past real today. He added that the four-times-indicted ex-POTUS plan to stock a potential second administration with loyalists and bring every government agency under his control remains a very real threat. Read Kinzingers full analysis here. Related... Former federal prosecutor Andrew Weissmann said he highly doubts former President Donald Trumps claim that hes been unable to obtain a $464 million bond to appeal his civil fraud conviction. It just doesnt make any sense at all, Weissmann told MSNBCs Alicia Menendez on Wednesdays broadcast of Deadline: White House. In a filing to the New York State Supreme Court, Trump called it a practical impossibility that hell get the money together, and said that 30 bond companies had turned him down. But New York Attorney General Letitia James, who brought the civil case against Trump, fired back in a separate filing by suggesting Trump hadnt offered appropriate evidence to back up his claims. James also argued that the total required could be split up into smaller sums between multiple companies. Weissmann agreed, adding that the former president could also mortgage his assets. Trump could do all that, but the real issue here is that he may be just too leveraged, Weissmann said. He says hes worth so much, but all of these properties are used to back loans from other institutions, he added. He may not actually have all that much money either cash on hand or property that isnt already pledged for other loans. So the reason hes having so much trouble, and the reason he might be having this meltdown, is he cant post the money himself, and he needs to find a lifeline through some third party who is going to be able to bail him out. Watch the video here: Related... The foreign ministers of the Visegrad Four (V4) countries have stated that Russia's aggression against Ukraine violates international law and that Ukraine's territory should remain within its internationally recognized borders. However, they disagreed on military assistance to Ukraine. ADVERTISIMENT This was discussed at a press conference after the meeting on Thursday, March 21. Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky emphasized the need to increase support for Ukraine in all areas, including the military. He noted that it is important for the entire region to keep the Russian army away from its borders. "Europe is in danger today, and we need to respond to this," Lipavsky said. He also thanked the countries that have joined the Czech initiative to purchase ammunition for Ukraine outside the EU, in particular Poland, which has promised financial support and logistical support. Earlier, Lipavsky and his Polish counterpart Radoslaw Sikorski discussed this issue in bilateral talks. However, the Foreign Ministers of Slovakia and Hungary, Juraj Blanar and Peter Szijjarto, said that their countries would not supply weapons to Ukraine. ADVERTISIMENT "We will no longer make military supplies to Ukraine because we believe that this conflict has no military solution," Blanar said. Asked about possible talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, he replied: "We are very pragmatic, we are by no means apologists for Russia. But what will we do with Russia if it does not stop? Will we create a new Iron Curtain?" At the same time, the Hungarian Foreign Minister said that his country "has not and will not supply any weapons to Ukraine." In addition, he considers statements about sending troops to Ukraine "dangerous". As OBOZ.UA previously reported, Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said she could not guarantee that Tallinn would not send its military to Ukraine. She emphasized that "circumstances can change," so she would not make any promises. ADVERTISIMENT Commenting on the possibility of sending troops to Ukraine, Kallas noted that Kyiv had not asked for it. At the same time, Ukraine has asked Estonia to help the Defense Forces with ammunition and air defense equipment to repel Russian missile and drone attacks. By Aditya Kalra, David Lawder and Shivangi Acharya NEW DELHI/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - India reversed a laptop licensing policy after behind-the-scenes lobbying by U.S. officials, who however remain concerned about New Delhi's compliance with WTO obligations and new rules it may issue, according to U.S. trade officials and government emails seen by Reuters. In August, India imposed rules requiring firms like Apple, Dell and HP to obtain licences for all shipments of imported laptops, tablets, personal computers and servers, raising fears that the process could slow down sales. But New Delhi rolled back the policy within weeks, saying it will only monitor the imports and decide on next steps a year later. The U.S. government emails - obtained under a U.S. open records request - underline the level of alarm the Indian curbs caused in Washington, and how the U.S. scored a rare lobbying win by persuading Prime Minister Narendra Modi's usually inflexible government to reverse policy. U.S. officials have often been concerned about India's sudden policy changes which they say create an uncertain business environment. India maintains it announces policies in the interest of all stakeholders and encourages foreign investments, even though it often promotes local players over foreign ones. Some of the language in the documents was blunt, despite the bonhomie often displayed by both sides in public. U.S. officials were upset India's changes to laptop imports came "out of the blue", without notice or consultation, and were "incredibly problematic" for the business climate and $500 million worth of annual U.S. exports, the documents and emails showed. Research firm Counterpoint estimates India's laptop and personal computer market to be worth $8 billion annually. U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai met Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal in New Delhi on Aug. 26, soon after the policy was announced. Although the USTR's public readout said Tai "raised concerns" about the policy and "noted" that stakeholders needed to be consulted, she privately told Goyal during the meeting that the U.S. wanted India to "rescind the requirement", a USTR briefing paper showed. India's "surprise" announcement "prompts U.S. and other firms to think twice about doing business in India," stated the "talking points" of her briefing paper. Around the same time, a U.S. diplomat for trade in New Delhi, Travis Coberly, told his USTR colleagues that Indian officials had conceded the sudden rollout of the laptop licensing policy was a mistake. India's IT ministry "understands they (India) screwed up. They admitted as much. American companies here have been hammering them about this," he wrote. Coberly did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The U.S. Embassy in New Delhi declined to comment on "private diplomatic communications", redirecting queries to the Indian government. India's IT ministry did not respond to a request for comment. TRACKING INDIA'S POLICY In response to Reuters queries, Brendan Lynch, acting Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for South and Central Asia, said the USTR was satisfied that the current monitoring system so far had a minimal impact on trade but it was still closely tracking India's scrutiny of imported devices to make sure it was implemented in line with WTO obligations and was "not having a real negative impact on the trade relationship." Goyal's Commerce Ministry said in a statement to Reuters that Tai "did raise some concerns" during their August meeting and New Delhi had "conveyed India's security concerns" at the time. It did not elaborate on why it reversed its decision or on the U.S. emails. Three Indian officials, including two from the Commerce Ministry who spoke on condition of anonymity since they were not authorised to comment, said New Delhi did not reverse its policy under any U.S. pressure and took the call as it realized local manufacturing of laptops and tablets wasn't significant at this stage. While Tai was on her New Delhi visit, a U.S. embassy press officer in New Delhi wrote an email to colleagues flagging caution when U.S officials speak to the press - another sign of how sensitive New Delhi can be. If asked about the laptops move, the U.S. government's line is: "The (Indian) government has the right, and the responsibility, to design a trade policy that is responsive to the needs of the people of India", the email said. The U.S. State Department also expressed concerns about the policy. "U.S. firms perceived the move as highly protectionist and out of sync with the progress India has made in improving the investment environment," State Department official Timothy Wiley wrote in an email to USTR colleagues containing "talking points". "Some U.S. companies in India told us that they have been pushing their headquarters for greater manufacturing in India but were embarrassed by this unexpected measure." The State Department declined to comment. Modi has taken several decisions that have hit American firms - like forcing Mastercard and Visa to store data locally and forcing Amazon to comply with stringent rules for e-commerce which once disrupted its operations. But Indian authorities did not back off on such policies despite push back. The emails reviewed by Reuters show HP told the USTR the laptop licensing "policy (and its goal)" is "very problematic". "Despite our very wide Made in India portfolio, this would have significant impact on HP sales in India," its head of global policy and strategy, Amy Burke, wrote in an email. HP did not respond to Reuters queries. (Reporting by Aditya Kalra and Shivangi Acharaya in New Delhi and David Lawder in Washington; Additional reporting by Munsif Vengattil and Aftab Ahmed; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan) By Joan Faus ELNE, France (Reuters) -Exiled Catalan separatist Carles Puigdemont will seek to lead the northeastern region in elections in May, he said on Thursday, and would return to Spain should he regain the region's leadership even if an arrest warrant issued for him remains in force. "Let it be clear that my objective is to complete the process of independence we began in October 2017," Puigdemont said in a speech in the French town of Elne, about 30 kilometres (19 miles) from the Spanish border. "If theres a (parliamentary) majority that proposes me to be sworn in as leader, I will finish my exile that day to attend the parliamentary session." He said he intended to return even if a judge had not yet cleared his arrest warrant under an amnesty law for separatists currently moving through parliament. Puigdemont, who is the founder of hardline separatist party Junts, has been facing prosecution over his role as president of Catalonia during a 2017 vote to break away from Spain, and a subsequent declaration of independence that courts declared illegal. The independence bid prompted Madrid to impose direct rule in Spain's biggest political crisis in decades. The 61-year-old former journalist fled Spain to avoid charges of disobedience and embezzlement and lives in Belgium where he serves as a member of the European Parliament. The charges against him could be dropped under an amnesty announced by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's Socialists in return for the votes of separatists to prop up their minority national government. Timing will be critical. While Puigdemont can campaign from Belgium, he must return to Spain to be sworn in as early as June should his bid succeed. The amnesty bill is expected to come into force by May or June. A victory for Puigdemont would be a blow for the Sanchez government, which is already under fire for approving the amnesty, and the independence drive would be reinvigorated. Puigdemont said he would ask Spain for a referendum on independence and did not rule out acting unilaterally again if the negotiations were unsuccessful. "We would have to do it better (than in 2017) now that we know much better the ways, strengths, and weaknesses," he said. At present, the Socialists are leading the polls to take over regional leadership of Catalonia from the separatists, while Junts is in second or third place. Prime Minister Sanchez said on Thursday he did not believe Puigdemont running would dent his party's chances of introducing "a new scenario" in Catalonia. A Junts official told Reuters that the party believes it could overtake the Socialists in the polls with Puigdemont as its candidate. Spain's Conservative opposition leader Albert Nunez Feijoo said the scenario shaping up for the Catalan election indicated a poll that had "no precedent in any European democracy". "A person will present themselves as a candidate...who faces very serious judicial charges and will not campaign in Spain but via video link from outside and that party and that candidate is the central government's ally," he said. CATALONIA HAS CHANGED Puigdemont made his announcement in an hour-long speech at Elnes city hall before 1,400 attendees, organisers said. The choice of Elne was highly symbolic as the area has close cultural and historic ties with Catalonia, and in the run-up to the 2017 referendum ballot boxes and ballots were reportedly hidden in the town to avoid detection by Spanish police. "Puigdemont has a lot of vitality.. he can push Catalonia to move forward with more freedom," said Guillem Villar, 83, who travelled from Girona, where Puigdemont served as mayor, to follow his announcement. Puigdemont said he would not run again in the European Parliament's June election, and that the Catalan election was his "main goal". He acknowledged that separatist voters felt disenchantment after their leaders failed to achieve independence in 2017, but added: "Catalonia today is different than it was in 2017." In the upcoming election, he said, there is a "decisive choice" between those who want to turn Catalonia into just another Spanish region or make a push for independence. The Catalans who would vote for him are those "who want to finish the task that we started so that Catalonia is recognized among the world's nations," he said. (Reporting by Joan Faus in Elne, FranceWriting by Aislinn Laing and Charlie DevereuxEditing by Barbara Lewis, Matthew Lewis and Deepa Babington) Alabama state lawmakers advanced legislation Wednesday that would prohibit classroom discussions or instruction related to gender identity or sexual orientation in public schools through 12th grade, expanding the existing law that extends through 5th grade. The House Education Policy Committee advanced the legislation, which now heads to the Alabama House of Representatives for a full vote. The legislation tightens the language of the existing law. The proposal strikes from current legislation the line specifying that such discussions may not be provided in a manner that is not age or developmentally appropriate or is not in accordance with state standards. The advancement of the measure comes amid a wave of similar bills, often referred to as Dont Say Gay bills, have been introduced across the country. An amendment to the bill also bans the displaying of the pride flag in classrooms. Teachers are also restricted from displaying any LGBTQ+ signs on the school property. No teacher, or other public K-12 employee, may display a flag or other insignia relating to or representing sexual orientation or gender identity in a classroom or on the property of a public K-12 school, the amendment reads. The sponsor of the bill, Rep. Mack Butler (R), said, Hopefully, this will send the message that its inappropriate for the instructors, the teachers, to teach sexual orientation and gender identity, The Associated Press reported. House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels (D) said the measure is almost like bullying to be honest with you, AP reported. Were bullying a certain class or group of people because they dont have the representation to fight back, Daniels said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. HANOI (Reuters) - Vietnam's once-staid political scene has erupted into turmoil with the forced resignation of a second president in just over a year amid constant political intrigue. The political upheaval is making foreign investors nervous in a country where they have committed hundreds of billions of dollars, mostly in factories that export to America and Europe. No major change is expected in key policies, such as foreign affairs or the openness to trade and foreign investment, but the new normal of unpredicted reshuffles may dent leaders' credibility and slows an already cumbersome bureaucracy, several analysts said. A CURSED JOB Vo Van Thuong, 53, was effectively dismissed by the ruling Communist Party for unspecified wrongdoing, after he had spent just a year on the job. He was seen as a rising star, the youngest member of the party's mighty Politburo, and a protege of the party chief Nguyen Phu Trong. His fall was as sudden as his rise from a relatively low position within the party ranks. Before him, Nguyen Xuan Phuc was also unexpectedly forced to leave last year for "violations and wrongdoing", after less than two years on the presidential job. He had been credited with supporting pro-business reforms in his previous position as prime minister. In 2018, the then president Tran Dai Quang suddenly passed away at the age of 61, prompting Trong to assume the presidency for a couple of years alongside his top job at the party. THE BIG FOUR Vietnam has no paramount ruler and is officially led by the four "pillars" - the party chief, the president, the prime minister and the parliament chairman. The Party's General Secretary is the most powerful figure in Vietnam. Trong, the current chief, is a 79-year-old Marxist-Leninist ideologue who took office in 2011 and is recently mostly known for his "burning furnace" anti-graft campaign that has seen hundreds of senior officials and corporate executives prosecuted. His third term is scheduled to end in 2026. The president holds a five-year largely ceremonial role, but can build personal relations with foreign leaders, signs international agreements and represents the nation in high-level meetings. The prime minister has executive powers and plays an important role in shaping legislation. Current prime minister Pham Minh Chinh, 65, is a career security officer who has presided over an average annual growth of 5.2% since he took office in 2021. The Chairman of the National Assembly is Vuong Dinh Hue, 67, a trained economist and former deputy prime minister, who has been touted as a possible candidate for the party secretary position. The parliament often rubber-stamps party's decisions, but it can significantly tweak proposed legislation and even block it. WHO COULD BE THE NEXT PRESIDENT? The parliament on Thursday named Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan as acting president, a job she shortly held last year when the former president quit. The presidential term, like all top jobs, expires in 2026, but the party is likely to prefer electing a permanent president for the next two years. The election may take place in May when parliament holds its next regular plenary session, unless a special meeting is convened earlier. Leading candidates for the permanent position include the powerful minister of public security, To Lam, and party veteran Truong Thi Mai, according to multiple analysts. However, the former may be interested in the much more powerful position of party chief. Mai's job had been seen at risk amid the latest leadership reshuffle, but no decision was announced about her on Wednesday. Other names that circulate among analysts, diplomats and officials are defence minister Phan Van Giang and Ho Chi Minh City Party Secretary Nguyen Van Nen. Nen and Mai have the possible advantage of hailing from the country's south, Thuong having being the only southerner among the big four. A larger reshuffle is not ruled out either, whereby the prime minister or the head of the parliament would take over the presidency, relinquishing one of their respective positions. (Reporting by Francesco Guarascio @fraguarascio, Khanh Vu and Phuong Nguyen; Editing by Lincoln Feast.) Working in extreme heat can double the risk of stillbirth and miscarriage for pregnant women, according to new research from India. The study found that the risks to mothers-to-be are significantly higher than previously thought. Researchers say hotter summers can affect not only women in tropical climates, but also in countries such as the UK. They want specific health advice for working pregnant women globally. Eight hundred pregnant women in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu took part in the study, which was started in 2017 by the Faculty of Public Health at the Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (SRIHER) in Chennai. About half of those who took part worked in jobs where they were exposed to high levels of heat, such as agriculture, brick kilns and salt flats. The others worked in cooler environments, such as schools and hospitals, although some workers were also exposed to very high levels of heat in those jobs too. There is no universal threshold for what level of heat is considered to be too hot for the human body. "[The impact of heat] is relative to what you're used to and what your body's used to," says Prof Jane Hirst, one of the scientists who contributed to the study. Working in extreme high temperatures in India could double pregnancy risks In the lush green fields of Tiruvannamalai, I meet Sumathy, one of the pregnant women who took part. She removes her thick gloves and stretches out her fingers. She has been picking cucumbers for the past two hours. "My hands burn in this heat," she tells me, gently caressing her fingertips. Summer hasn't even started yet, but already it is about 30 degrees here today and feeling hotter with the humidity. Sumathy has to protect her hands from the constant stabbing of the tiny spikes on the cucumbers, but the gloves make her sweat profusely. "My face burns too," she says. She comes to the cucumber farm before and after her main job, working as a cook in a school, and is paid about 200 rupees or just under 2 for her efforts. BBC iPlayer India's Mothers: Bearing the Heat The BBC's global health correspondent Tulip Mazumdar reports from southern India on new research suggesting heat can double the risk of stillbirth and miscarriage. Watch on BBC iPlayer (UK only) BBC iPlayer Sumathy was one of the first recruits. Her baby was also one of the first in the study to die. "I used to feel so exhausted being pregnant and working in the heat," she says. One day, as Sumathy was dropping off her husband's lunch, she suddenly started feeling very unwell. That evening, she went to see a doctor who told her she had suffered a miscarriage 12 weeks into her pregnancy. "My husband would lay me down on his lap and console me. I don't know what I would have done without him," she says. Sumathy talks about her husband with so much love but has had to learn to live without him. He recently died, and she is now the main breadwinner for the family. Sumathy will never know for sure if working in the heat during her pregnancy had anything to do with her losing her first child. But overall, the study found that women who worked in similar conditions as her were twice as likely to suffer a stillbirth or miscarriage than those working in cooler environments. Important for women all over the world The pregnant women in the study in India really are "at the forefront of experiencing climate change," says Prof Hirst, who is a UK-based consultant obstetrician, and Professor of Global Women's Health at medical research organisation The George Institute. Earth's average temperature is projected to rise by nearly three degrees by the end of the century, compared with pre-industrial times, and the World Health Organization (WHO) is warning of "an existential threat to all of us" with pregnant women facing "some of the gravest consequences". Rekha Shanmugam measures the daytime heat in sugar cane fields in Tiruvannamalai Previous studies have shown about a 15% rise in the risk of premature birth and stillbirth during heatwaves, but these have generally been conducted in high-income countries such as the US and Australia. The latest findings from India are particularly stark and worrying, says Prof Hirst, and have wider implications. "The UK is getting hotter summers, and while it's not as hot as India, these adverse effects [on pregnancies] can be seen at much lower temperatures in more temperate climates, such as the UK." However, she adds, they do need to be "kept in perspective". Even with a doubling of risk, experiencing baby loss is still going to be a "rare event for most women". How does extreme heat affect pregnant women? Listen to The Climate Question podcast on BBC Sounds now There is currently no official international advice for pregnant working women in the heat. The main guidance that does exist for hot-weather working, is based on studies involving a man in the US military in the 1960s and 70s, weighing 70-75kg and with 20% body fat. Prof Hirst hopes this study, and further research, will change that. In the meantime, Prof Vidhya Venugopal, from the Faculty of Public Health at SRIHER, who led the research on India, says pregnant women working in the heat can protect themselves by: Avoiding prolonged periods in the heat Taking regular shade breaks if working outdoors on hot days Avoiding exercising or sunbathing for long periods in the hottest part of the day Keeping hydrated with water For this study - funded by the Indian government - researchers used what is called the wet-bulb-globe-temperature (WBGT), which measures the effects of temperature, humidity, wind speed and radiant heat on human bodies. WBGT readings are often lower than the temperatures you might see forecast on the TV or a weather app. The safe heat threshold for people doing heavy work is 27.5C WBGT, according to the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration. 'No choice but to work out in the sun' India is predicted to become one of the first countries in the world where temperatures will top the safe limit for healthy people who are simply resting in the shade, according to a recent study from the University of Cambridge. The number of hot days and hot nights (when the body struggles to recover from daytime heat) is also projected to double or even quadruple in India by 2050. In the sugarcane fields of Tiruvannamalai, Rekha Shanmugam, a former nurse and one of the SRIHER study's researchers, is measuring the daytime heat. Around us, a couple of dozen workers - about half of them women - hack down thick stems of cane with small machetes. "These women often have no choice but to work out in the sun - they need the money," says Ms Shanmugam. She pours water into a gauge and presses various buttons. It shows a WBGT temperature of 29.5C - that's above the safe threshold for doing this type of physically demanding work in the heat. "If the workers continue for prolonged periods in this level of heat, they are more prone to heat-related illnesses, and it's especially concerning for pregnant women," she tells me. Women like Sandhiya make up the backbone of India's informal workforce Sandhiya, 28, tells me she has no choice but to do this type of back-breaking work for which she gets paid about 600 rupees, just under 6 a day. She has two young children and an extended family to feed. Sandhiya also took part in the study - and lost her first child six months into her pregnancy. She had to take several months off work to recover and says she is still paying off the debts she racked up during that time. "All my desires centre around my children," Sandhiya tells me. "I want them to study well and get good jobs. They shouldn't end up toiling here in the fields like me." The problem of peeing The mechanisms around how and why heat impacts pregnant women and their growing babies in this troubling way are not well understood. A previous study in The Gambia found high temperatures could raise foetal heart rate and slow blood flow through the umbilical cord. One theory is that when the mother gets too hot, blood could be diverted away from the foetus, to help cool the mother down. Ms Shanmugam thinks a lack of toilets may also be playing a part. She says a previous study found many women didn't want to squat in an open field to relieve themselves and so would avoid drinking water, developing urinary problems as a result. "They worry about insects and snakes in the bushes, or men peeping to look at them," she says. "They often don't feel safe, so they'll just hold it in for the whole day and then finally go to the toilet when they get home." Finding solutions India has made huge improvements to maternal and baby health in recent years, but the stillbirth rate is still 12.2 per 1,000 births, according to data from the World Bank Group. In the UK the rate is 2.7. The findings of the study in Tamil Nadu are being taken very seriously, says Dr TS Selbavinayagam, the state's director for public health. "We already offer financial compensation to pregnant women, but maybe we need to look at options for giving alternative employment too," he says. The state government offers poorer women 18,000 rupees (170) when they reach 12 weeks of pregnancy, to try to ease some of their financial pressures. However, much of the power to protect these low-paid workers rests with workplace bosses. Thillai Bhasker has erected steel roofs to provide much-needed shade for his brick kiln workers On the outskirts of Chennai, Thillai Bhasker - a brick-kiln owner - has erected giant steel roofs with special heat-protective coatings on them, to provide his workers with much-needed shade. He's been taking advice on better protecting workers from researchers at SRIHER. "Business owners should be smart enough to know how to retain the employees," he says. "If you take care of them, they will take care of you." He also told us he was planning to build women-only toilets. Some organisations are also offering education sessions on the simple steps women can take to better protect themselves in the heat. Insulated bottles are also being made available to keep drinking water cool. Sumathy had no choice but to continue to work in extreme heat when she became pregnant again within a couple of years of her miscarriage. But she got specific advice from doctors and the SRIHER researchers on how to better protect herself. Sumathy gave birth to a healthy daughter and son. Tonight - after her long shift - she will return home to them. Exhausted, anxious, but so grateful they are there. Follow @TulipMazumdar on X If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this story, support and advice isavailable via the BBC Action Line. Get in touch banner What questions do you have about this story? We'll be answering them later today. In some cases your question will be published, displaying your name, age and location as you provide it, unless you state otherwise. Your contact details will never be published. Please ensure you have read our terms & conditions and privacy policy. Use this form to ask your question: If you are reading this page and can't see the form you will need to visit the mobile version of the BBC website to submit your question or send them via email to YourQuestions@bbc.co.uk. Please include your name, age and location with any question you send in. With mail-in ballots pouring in after Election Day, the Democratic primary race for Cook County states attorney remained razor-thin Wednesday as both candidates eschewed declaring victory or conceding defeat and called for restraint as election officials continued to tabulate votes. Both retired Appellate Judge Eileen ONeill Burke and Clayton Harris III stayed out of the public eye hours after both greeted supporters at their election night parties to acknowledge the day had ended without a clear resolution. Both are vying to replace outgoing top prosecutor Kim Foxx. ONeill Burke began Wednesday with a narrow lead of roughly 9,400 votes over Harris as tens of thousands of mail-in ballots remained to be counted across the city and suburbs and results from roughly 20 city precincts were still outstanding. By Wednesday evening, her lead had dropped to 8,800 votes as nine of those 20 precincts reported their results. It aint over! Harris campaign said in an email to supporters Wednesday morning. The margin between us has been consistently shrinking. Were still parsing the data and waiting for updates from the (Chicago) Board of Elections on the outstanding ballots, and we will keep you updated as we know more. Were going to make sure every single vote is counted, and that your voices are heard. ONeill Burke shared a similar message. It was a long night, and were still waiting for final precincts and mail ballots to come in, she said in her email to backers. We carried the lead in votes all night, and were cautiously optimistic that will remain. Its critical that we allow our democratic process to continue. The 20 precincts in Chicago were unable to report their results from in-person voting on Tuesday, Chicago elections spokesman Max Bever said. Ballot scanner cards from those precincts were being retrieved Wednesday and would be counted later in the evening or possibly Thursday morning, he said. The 11 remaining missing precincts were scattered across the city but most were in wards that leaned heavily for Harris. Hover over the map to see the vote share for each candidate in precincts throughout the city. Whoever wins in heavily Democratic Cook County will have a major advantage in Novembers general election. The winner will face former Chicago Ald. Bob Fioretti, an attorney who previously ran for the post as a Democrat but this year is running as a Republican. Cook County voters have not elected a Republican as states attorney since 1992. How much could outstanding mail-in votes swing things? In Chicago, 176,195 mail-in ballots were sent out to registered voters, Bever said. Of those, 66,399 were sent back by Monday and counted as part of Tuesday nights results. That left just shy of 110,000 ballots that had not been mailed back. Bever said he does not expect all of those ballots to be returned, but estimated, based on returns of mail-in ballots in previous elections, somewhere between 60,000 and 70,000 will arrive over the next two weeks. However, some of those ballots will not be Democratic primary ballots and those that are may not have votes cast in the states attorneys race. Processing of mail ballots will begin Thursday, and scanning and counting kicks off Friday. The first updated unofficial election results should be available by Friday evening, Bever said. Between 40% and 60% of outstanding mail ballots have been returned in the two most recent Chicago elections, according to a Tribune analysis, so it is possible the return rate is closer to about 55,000 for Chicago alone. However, given the historically low voter turnout in this election, that number could be even lower. In suburban Cook County, 46,000 mail-in ballots were still outstanding on Wednesday and not all of those are expected to be returned, either. How did the vote break down across the city? Generally, Harris progressive campaign captured more votes in Chicago, while ONeill Burkes tougher-on-crime approach resonated with suburban Cook County voters. But even throughout the city, there were some considerable margins between the two candidates. Harris won big on the South and West sides, with his widest lead in the 8th Ward and 21st Ward, both on the South Side. In those areas, which encompass parts of Burnside, Avalon Park, Chatham, Washington Heights, Roseland and Auburn Gresham, Harris secured close to 80% of the vote. ONeill Burke, meanwhile, performed better on the Far Northwest Side, Southwest Side and Near North Side. A native Northwest Sider who grew up in a family of police officers, ONeill Burke received nearly 85% of the vote in the Far Northwest Sides 41st Ward, which covers Norwood Park and Edison Park. In the 13th Ward, the onetime Southwest Side base of power for now-indicted former House Speaker Michael Madigan, she secured 77% of the vote. In two wards the 1st, which includes Wicker Park, Bucktown and parts of Logan Square, and the 46th, which includes Uptown the vote was split about evenly. Search by ward or hover over the map to see which candidate won each region of Chicago and their respective vote share. The breakdown of voting preferences in the race for suburban Cook County is expected to be released later this week. The primary vote between ONeill Burke and Harris is not only a referendum on Foxxs tenure over the last two terms but also for the countys Democratic Party, which endorsed Harris. He has tried to balance Foxxs focus on reversing wrongful convictions and deprioritizing low-level offenses with demands from some in the criminal justice system to more forcefully prosecute carjackings, thefts and gun crimes. Throughout this campaign you have heard me talk a lot about safety and justice. Thats what this campaign has been about. This is not an either-or proposition, this is an and proposition, Harris told supporters Tuesday night. Harris will continue the effort to be sure that those who come into the courtroom, whether theyre alleged perpetrators or victims, will be treated fairly, county Democratic Party chair and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle told reporters Tuesday night. Theres a lot at stake in this race. Thats why we took a strong position. ONeill Burke has tacked toward a tougher-on-crime approach that criticized Foxxs leadership, often pointing to attrition and low morale in the office. She promoted creating a felony prosecution bureau to attract hard-charging trial attorneys alongside a separate restorative justice bureau for juvenile, drug and mental health-related cases. We want illegal guns and assault weapons off of our streets. We want less crime and safer communities, not by locking everybody up, but by turning people around, ONeill Burke told supporters Tuesday night. The states attorneys office has a noble mission: a mission to represent victims, a mission to uphold the law. Tribune reporters Megan Crepeau and Sam Charles contributed. PARIS Delivery disruptions for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter are creating a headache for European buyers, as some countries face a potential capacity gap and delays in training pilots and maintenance engineers. Denmark is exploring how to deal with a slipping delivery schedule, including possibly borrowing or buying aircraft from other F-35 users. Norway said theres a risk full operational capacity of its F-35 fleet will be pushed back. F-35 deliveries are on hold as Lockheed Martin wrestles to complete an upgrade known as Technology Refresh 3, initially planned for summer 2023. While the company still aims for the second quarter for TR-3 software acceptance, the third quarter is a more likely scenario , Lockheed Martin CEO Jim Taiclet said in January. The delays threaten to frustrate plans by Denmark and Belgium to replace their fleets of more than 40-year old F-16 fighters. Denmark has four F-35s in country, of 27 ordered, while Belgium is scheduled to receive the first of 34 stealth fighters in 2024, a milestone already delayed from last year. We are making progress toward delivering the first TR-3 configured aircraft, Lockheed Martin said in a statement, declining to say when European buyers will get their next planes. Customer deliveries will be informed based on the remaining TR-3 test schedule. Denmark said last week that Lockheed Martin targets TR-3 for around July, but risks delays. Its too early to say what delays would mean, the countrys defense minister said. For now, Denmark still conducts operational tasks with F-16 aircraft, but if the delay in F-35 delivery continues, there can be consequences, said Hans Peter Michaelsen, an independent military analyst and former Royal Danish Air Force major. The snag comes at a time of high tension in Europe, following Russias 2022 invasion of Ukraine. NATO fighter jets scrambled more than 300 times last year to intercept Russian military flights, mostly over the Baltic Sea, after 570 intercepts in 2022. The U.K., Norway, the Netherlands and Italy have deployed their F-35s for air-policing missions over the Baltic and the northern Atlantic. The Danish Ministry of Defence has asked the joint military command and its procurement organization to explore a number of options that could mitigate the implications to the Danish F-35 implementation timeline in case a delay should occur, it said in a statement. Options include repatriating some of Denmarks six F-35s now stationed at Luke Air Force Base in the U.S. for training, possibly with support from other nations so Danish pilot instruction can continue. Another would be buying or borrowing aircraft from other F-35 operators. If the planned F-35 deliveries slip to 2025 and Danish F-35s cannot be temporarily withdrawn from Luke AFB, I foresee operational and training consequences, Michaelsen said. While he doesnt expect Quick Reaction Alert tasks to be affected, having only four aircraft in Denmark could complicate maintaining operational status for pilots and technicians. The defense ministry has investigated whether the U.S. can provide additional F-35s for training, which would allow Denmark to withdraw planes from Luke AFB to avoid a delay building up its F-35 capacity, according to the analyst. Norway and the Netherlands face less urgency, as they already operate most of their F-35 fleet. The Royal Norwegian Air Force retired its F-16s in 2022, and the Royal Dutch Air Force plans to do the same by October. Norway has enough aircraft available to meet current operational and training requirements, said Endre Lunde, an adviser at the Norwegian Defense Materiel Agency. Like the U.S. and other partners in the JSF program we will not be taking delivery of any further aircraft until a solution has been found to current issues related to the TR-3 upgrades. Norway has 34 F-35s in country and six in the U.S. for training, of a total 52 planes ordered. Delivery of the remaining aircraft, originally scheduled for 2023 and 2024, remains to be confirmed. The Netherlands meanwhile has received 39 of its 52 F-35s, with eight aircraft in the U.S. for training. The Dutch Ministry of Defence declined to comment ahead of a progress report to parliament toward the end of this month. For Norway and Netherlands I do not foresee large consequences, as both countries have already achieved limited operational status with their F-35s, but the full operational date will probably slip to the right, Michaelsen said. A delay in delivery for other European customers Belgium, Finland, Poland and Germany will probably mean that these countries will have to operate their legacy fighters for a prolonged time. The U.S. Air Force conducted the first flight of an F-35 in TR-3 configuration in January 2023. The upgrade provides the F-35 with more computing power as the basis for modernized Block 4 capabilities, including new sensors and improved electronic warfare capabilities. Even after TR-3 completion we expect that it will take some time to clear the backlog of undelivered aircraft, Lunde said. Our current expectation however is that we will be able to take delivery of all Norwegian aircraft by the end of this year, or during the first half of 2025 at the very latest. Theres a knock-on effect on planned upgrades of Norways TR-2 configuration aircraft, with the impact on the schedule still unclear, Lunde said. The delays pose a risk to reaching full operational capability in 2025, though the main risk to that milestone is a lack of trained maintenance personnel, he said. To reach full operational capability, Norway requires both a sufficient number of air frames, as well as the capabilities of TR-3, including integration of the Joint Strike Missile, according to Lunde. The JSM is a cruise missile being developed by Kongsberg and RTX, designed to be launched from the F-35s internal weapons bay. Belgium, which had expected to receive its first two F-35s in 2023, said in December it now counts on eight jets to be delivered for training of Belgian pilots and engineers starting this summer. Poland is also scheduled to receive its first F-35 this year, after ordering 32 planes in 2020. The U.K. has received 35 aircraft of 48 expected by the end of 2025, and in December formed its second squadron to operate the F-35 Lightning II. The 13 aircraft due by the end of next year are in the TR-3 configuration, and the U.K. is working with the F-35 joint program office to understand the impact of the delay. We do not currently anticipate a shortfall in the ability to build the U.K. Lightning force to full operational capability, the Ministry of Defence said. The Danish defense ministry has said it doesnt expect the issues to affect the planned donation of F-16 aircraft to Ukraine, while Norway said F-35 delays wont impact delivery of F-16s to international partners, either through sale or donation. F-35 customers Delivered as of March 18, 2024 (source: Lockheed Martin) Program of record Belgium 0 34 Denmark 10 27 Italy 24 90 Netherlands 39 52 Norway 40 52 U.K. 35 138 Andrew Chuter in London contributed to this story. A newly engaged couple received threatening and racist messages from a stranger on Facebook shortly after they announced their engagement, according to federal prosecutors. Stephen M. DeBerardinis messages turned violent once the Massachusetts couple, a white woman and a Black man, warned theyd report him to the police, court documents show. Now DeBerardinis, a 46-year-old resident of Boston and Dedham, has pleaded guilty in connection with the harassment after he previously entered a plea of not guilty in October 2021, according to court records. McClatchy News contacted DeBerardinis court-appointed defense attorney, Mark W. Shea, for comment March 21 and didnt receive an immediate response. Violent threats and a photo of brass knuckles After the woman shared she was engaged to her fiance on Facebook in late December 2020, she discovered a Facebook Messenger chat from DeBerardinis, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Massachusetts. She wasnt friends with DeBerardinis on Facebook, but he was friends with one of her or her fiances friends, prosecutors said. Because of this, he could view the engagement post. In the first message DeBerardinis sent about the couples interracial relationship, he wrote EWWWWWWWW, used a racial slur and called the woman white trash on Jan. 6, 2021, according to court documents. More menacing messages followed after the womans fiance used her Facebook account to respond to him, an indictment says. When the couple said theyd report DeBerardinis to police, DeBerardinis threatened to hurt the woman and sent a photo of brass knuckles, according to an indictment. The photo displayed a large warning: SNITCHES GET STITCHES, the indictment shows. DeBerardinis renewed his threats of violence and warned that the woman would be raped and killed after he realized they were searching for information about him online, according to the indictment. Read up more on me lol you will see how me and my crew burn (racial slur) aliveAnd white (expletive) like you well (sic). get rape and killed THAN (sic) we cut off body parts and mail them to your family lol, DeBerardinis wrote within an hour of his first message, the indictment says. This will be reported to the cops. I promise you, the womans fiance responded on her account, according to the indictment. DeBerardinis messaged back, using a racial slur, and then said: The COPS hahahaha, the indictment says. The couple reported him to police as promised, then federal authorities took over the case, according to the indictment. Possible prison time On March 20, the attorneys office announced DeBerardinis pleaded guilty to: One count of transmitting in interstate commerce threats to injure a person One count of tampering with a witness and victim by intimidation, threats and corrupt persuasion One count of tampering with a witness and victim by harassment You cant just threaten people online with racially motivated, violent physical harm and not face repercussions, Jodi Cohen, the special agent in charge of the FBIs Boston division, said in a statement. What Stephen DeBerardinis put this couple through is despicable, Cohen added. DeBerardinis was indicted in the case in September 2021, prosecutors said. A few months later, his fiance wrote a letter to a federal judge, saying he was suddenly detained on Sept. 29, 2021, and that Sept. 28 was the last day he held their newborn baby. She wrote Bernardinis is a very sentimental family man and a sweet soul and promised to keep Stephen home and out of trouble if he could be with his family, the November 2021 letter says. He is scheduled to be sentenced on June 10, the attorneys office said. For the charge of transmitting in interstate commerce threats to injure a person, DeBerardinis could be sentenced to up to five years in prison, according to prosecutors. He could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison for the charge of tampering with a witness and victim by intimidation, threats and corrupt persuasion, the attorneys office said. Additionally, he could be sentenced to up to three years in prison on the charge of tampering with a witness and victim by harassment, according to prosecutors. This case demonstrates that you cannot cowardly hide behind a keyboard and spread bigotry, intimidation and fear, U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy said in a statement. Dad warns hes more committed to killing judge than being a present father, feds say Severed pigs head left at work to threaten employee who asked about pay, feds say Man calls 911 threatening to blow up school, then calls back asking for a ride, feds say Host of interracial dating podcast stalked Black women who turned him down, feds say An offshore wind farm is planned for the Celtic Sea The government has announced Cornwall will miss out on money to prepare ports for handling turbines for a wind farm in the Celtic Sea. The move, which will see funding go to ports in Scotland and Wales rather than Falmouth as had been hoped, was described as "a great disappointment". The project is estimated to be worth 1.5b to the economy and generate thousands of jobs. North Devon MP Selaine Saxby said it was "frustrating". "I don't think we should lose sight of the innovation that's going on in Cornwall," she said. The Conservative MP said she would call on the government to reconsider and added: "If you don't ask, you don't get." Floating wind farms can be placed in deeper water where there is often higher wind and out of sight from land. Money has been earmarked for Port Talbot The wind turbines are floated on massive steel structures and tethered or anchored to the seabed. Professor Deborah Greaves, who specialises in ocean engineering at the University of Plymouth, said: "There's a huge benefit we could have and we might lose it and it's a great disappointment it's not going to Falmouth." Follow BBC Cornwall on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@bbc.co.uk. A former Walgreens at 670 Thurston Road is being turned into a Family Dollar store. A former Walgreens store at 670 Thurston Road in the citys 19th Ward will soon be replaced by a Family Dollar. A representative of the chain owned by Virginia-based Dollar Tree did not immediately respond to a request for information about an opening date, although a buildout of the space near the corner of Brooks Avenue was well underway March 18. Originally, the hope was that another pharmacy would take the place of Walgreens because it was a walkable for neighborhood residents, especially older ones, who lack transportation. Residents also supported a grocery store moving in, said Josie McClary, president of the 19th Ward Community Association. At one point, it appeared that a Dollar Tree would fill the vacancy. When McClary and her group learned those plans had changed and a Family Dollar was on the way, they lobbied the property owner to stick with Dollar Tree. In their experience, those stores are better maintained and offer a higher level of customer service and an overall better shopping experience. Plus, We already have three (Family Dollar stores) in a mile and a half radius, she said at 460 West Ave., 715 W. Main St., and 773 Genesee St. Well, she said of the organization's efforts, that didnt work. On the flip side, When I sit back I and really think about it logically, number one, its better to have something than nothing, said McClary, who has lived in the 19th Ward for more than 25 years. And number two, its a pretty sizable space, so theyre going to have coolers where you can get eggs and milk and butter and things of that nature. So, a Family Dollar in that corridor will suffice. Plus, Right now, its dark, she said of the property. And since going dark, Its been a dumping site, a drug site and an everything else site. If theres some movement, if theres store lights, if theres parking lot lights, the corridor will have some life to it. In an emailed statement, Dana Miller, city commissioner of neighborhood and business development, said: "The City worked diligently to attract a local grocer to the old Walgreens site so the property wouldnt remain vacant and the building owner could receive a return on their investment. The City did provide the property owner with three potential businesses. However, the City does not have the ability to control whom a property owner chooses to lease to, as long as they meet all zoning requirements. Family Dollar is a familiar and established franchise in Rochester, and the company was able to move fairly quickly to secure the Thurston Road location. The City continues to actively seek grocers to service the residents of the 19th Ward." Oddly, it was only last week when Dollar Tree announced that in a cost-cutting move, it will close 1,000 underperforming Family Dollar stores nationwide. It hasnt yet revealed which ones. A Family Dollar at 176 E. Main St. downtown closed last year. A year and a half ago, news that the Thurston Road Walgreens would close was delivered abruptly. Many 19th Ward residents learned about it from a sign posted at the stores entrance or while picking up prescriptions. New York state Sen. Jeremy Cooney, state Assembly member Demond Meeks and Rochester Mayor Malik Evans advocated for Walgreens to reverse course on the location, but to no avail. It was one of hundreds shut down in 2022 as the company sought to save $1.5 billion. So, We didnt get exactly what we want, McClary said of the forthcoming Family Dollar. Fine, but were getting something. However, she said shes put the property owner on notice: I told them, I will be your worst enemy if I see any trash out there. Reporter Marcia Greenwood covers general assignments. Send story tips to mgreenwood@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @MarciaGreenwood. This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: New Family Dollar coming to former Walgreens site in Rochester NY Russian State Duma Deputy Speaker Pyotr Tolstoy threatened to kill French troops if they arrived in Ukraine. A representative of the Russian terrorist country also said that he did not care about the opinion of French President Emmanuel Macron. ADVERTISIMENT The official said that Russian terrorists would not be deterred by France's nuclear status. He said this in an interview with the French TV channel BFMTV, a fragment of which was published by Russian Telegram channels. The official revealed that the Russian occupiers were going to kill all French soldiers who arrived on the territory of Ukraine. The State Duma representative also said that Russia does not care about French President Emmanuel Macron. "We will kill all French soldiers who arrive on Ukrainian soil. All of them! We don't care about his [Macron's] opinion. We don't care about his restrictions. We don't give a damn about Macron, about what Macron says. We will kill all French soldiers who come to Ukraine," the Russian State Duma deputy speaker said. Moreover, he repeated the hackneyed propaganda narrative that foreign mercenaries are allegedly fighting in Ukraine. According to the official legend, thousands of foreign soldiers are taking part in the war against the occupiers on the side of Ukraine. ADVERTISIMENT Tolstoy also said that Russian terrorists have already killed 147 French soldiers on the territory of Ukraine and once again threatened that Russia would kill everyone in a row. "Today, 13 thousand mercenaries are already involved in the conflict. Of these, 367 are French, of whom 147 have already been killed. To date, 147 French citizens have been killed in Ukraine. And we will kill all of them. You can be sure of that," Tolstoy said. As a reminder, Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said that dictator Vladimir Putin fears being at war with NATO. However, NATO member states also do not want to fight Russia. Earlier, Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said that NATO members should not make it impossible to send troops to Ukraine. In her opinion, Western countries, including the United States, should not be completely against this idea. ADVERTISIMENT As reported by OBOZ.UA, earlier the White House commented on the information that the EU countries are discussing the possibility of sending their troops to Ukraine. They said that they would not object to the proposal of other NATO countries to deploy their troops in Ukraine and emphasized that this is a sovereign decision of each country. This weekend, thousands will take part in the Fight for Air Climb at the Bank of America building in downtown Jacksonville. Its like a family, Donny Kwon said. You get to know everybody. You recruit new people and then they become family. Kwon has been participating in the event for eight years. While he originally was recruited by a friend, he now has his own reason for participating. Probably last two or three years, mainly because my familysome family got lung cancer, Kwon said. Its given me some more personal reasons to do it. The 16th annual event raises money for the American Lung Association. Its estimated that 19,000 Floridians will be impacted by lung cancer, just this year. The goal for Saturdays event is to raise $165,000. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Action News Jax is a proud sponsor of the event that will raise money for lung cancer research and support for clean air and healthy lungs for all. Our very own First Alert Weather Meteorologist Garrett Bedenbaugh will be emcee at the event. You can still sign up or donate to the cause by clicking here. Registration is $35 and $50 on the date of the event. It starts at 8 A.M. on Saturday, March 23 at the Bank of America Tower. [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. Family members flew to Washington from Mexico to attend a prayer vigil in Renton for their loved one, whose body was found in Mexico. Renton Police said detectives were able to confirm a body found in Mexicali, Mexico is 54-year-old Reyna Hernandez. Her friends reported her missing two days after Hernandez had disappeared from a home in South Renton on Fe b. 26. #NEW: I spoke with the older sister and best friend of Reyna Hernandez, of Renton, whose body was found in Mexico. They explain how Hernandez ended up in Mexico and why the older sister flew from Mexico to Washington as loved ones search for answers on @KIRO7Seattle at 5:30 p.m. pic.twitter.com/6POhvKutYC Louie Tran (@louie_tran) March 20, 2024 Hernandez did not return home after running errands and did not open up her hair salon business in the Renton Highlands, police said. KIRO 7 News stopped by her business located on Sunset Boulevard. A large makeshift memorial with flowers, photos and messages were seen in front of her business. A large makeshift memorial with flowers, photos and messages were seen in front of the Renton salon owned by 54-year-old Reyna Hernandez, whose body was found in Mexicali, Mexico. Hernandez disappeared from a home in South Renton on Feb. 26, 2024. A large makeshift memorial with flowers, photos and messages were seen in front of the Renton salon owned by 54-year-old Reyna Hernandez, whose body was found in Mexicali, Mexico. Hernandez disappeared from a home in South Renton on Feb. 26, 2024. A large makeshift memorial with flowers, photos and messages were seen in front of the Renton salon owned by 54-year-old Reyna Hernandez, whose body was found in Mexicali, Mexico. Hernandez disappeared from a home in South Renton on Feb. 26, 2024. A large makeshift memorial with flowers, photos and messages were seen in front of the Renton salon owned by 54-year-old Reyna Hernandez, whose body was found in Mexicali, Mexico. Hernandez disappeared from a home in South Renton on Feb. 26, 2024. On Mar. 8, Renton detectives saw a news article in Mexicali about an unidentified body that was found in a local cemetery on the Tijuana Highway. After speaking with Mexican authorities, Renton investigators were able to identify the body as Hernandez. Authorities also found her vehicle in Mexico. Mexican law enforcement arrested a suspect on unrelated charges, Renton Police said. On Tuesday, Renton police told KIRO 7 News the 61-year-old Renton man is a suspect in Hernandezs case. Hes currently being held in custody in Mexico. At this time, its not clear who the man is and what his relationship was with Hernandez; however, Renton detectives said this was a domestic violence crime. Reyna Hernandez KIRO 7 News asked Renton Police if they had any updated information, including the suspect. A spokesperson said detectives are still working with the FBI and Mexican authorities to determine who has jurisdiction in this case. This is the worst possible outcome, and our hearts go out to Reynas family and friends, said Investigations Commander Chandler Swain. We are working closely with Mexicali police and our U.S. Federal partners to determine when and where Reyna was killed. Its not clear at this time if Reyna Hernandez was killed in the United States or in Mexico. If it happened in the U.S., authorities would seek to extradite the suspect to face charges in the appropriate jurisdiction. FAMILY: KIRO 7 News spoke with Hernandezs friend and older sister, who flew from Mexico to Washington to attend her sisters prayer vigil in Renton. Family members flew to Washington from Mexico to attend a prayer vigil in Renton for their loved one, whose body was found in Mexico. The vigil is open to family, loved ones and anyone who knew Reyna and would like to pray for her and the family. Both do not speak English; however, Mercedes Cuebas, the daughter of Hernandezs friend, translated for KIRO 7 News. The prayer vigil is scheduled to take place at St. Anthonys Catholic Church, located on S 4th Street and Morris Avenue S in Renton, Tuesday at 7 p.m. Hernandez has 11 brothers and sisters and shes from Monterrey, Mexico, Ivonne Carillo, the victims older sister, said. She was shocked when she heard the news about her sisters disappearance. Family members flew to Washington from Mexico to attend a prayer vigil in Renton for their loved one, whose body was found in Mexico. She wouldnt be able to believe it, because it was something they had the faith of actually finding her, and be able to see her again, and hug her again, Carillo said through Cuebas. But once authorities found her sisters body, Carillo said the entire family was heartbroken and devastated. Her (Hernandez) not being here affected her throughout the past weeks. Knowing that her sister is not here, she knows that she left a big love for everybody who met her, such as friends or family, said Carillo. So, it hurts a lot because you dont get to see her anymore. She feels that shes here, but not being able to see her at the hair salon or in person affects her throughout the week. It affects her a lot being one of the sisters of her. She knows that shes not alone because of the friends that Reyna has made throughout the past time are with them, so she doesnt feel too alone, but she knows shes feeling really upset knowing shes not here, said Carillo. KIRO 7 News also spoke with the victims friend, Mercedes Jimenez, who knew Hernandez for eight years. When she found out, it was something she also could not believe. Its a pain that she felt that she was not able to control it. It hurt her the most because as her friend that shes known for years, it affected her in ways she couldnt imagine. They counted on each other for the longest time. Knowing her she was not coming back, it affected her life more than anything, Cuebas translated for Jimenez. Family members flew to Washington from Mexico to attend a prayer vigil in Renton for their loved one, whose body was found in Mexico. She was not only her best friend, but she was a like a sister to my mom, said Jimenez. Her not being here affects her in a way that she knows, whenever she would have called, she waits for her calls, even though it was here and there, or a daily basis. She misses when she calls her just to talk about how Reyna felt, whether she was happy, or upset or angry. Carillo and Jimenez said the family does not know the suspect in this case. Hernandez was taken to Mexico against her will, they added. Reyna was not visiting Mexico at all. She was running her errands as normal. She was taken basically and kidnapped, and taken down to Mexico from here in Washington, said Jimenez. Jimenez told KIRO 7 News that Hernandezs hair salon was considered a second home to her because it created a safe environment for Hernandez to be her authentic self. Every time she would go to her hair salon, she would see her dancing being happy, listening to her old favorite music. She would talk and make you laugh. She would make you happy. For her, it was a safety place where she could go and express herself. And being able to connect with Reyna, she misses her saying her famous phrase that she would tell her, I love you manna. It was something super special for her knowing they werent only best friends, but they were sisters. They care for each other, she said. Loved ones created a GoFundMe to help the victims family during this difficult time. If youd like to help, please click here. FLINT, Mich. (AP) A family member in a hospital recovering from a vehicle crash was arraigned Thursday on murder and other charges in the fatal shooting of a Michigan congressmans brother. Timothy J. Kildee is accused of killing his father, Timothy E. Kildee, at a Flint-area home Tuesday. The 57-year-old victim was the brother of U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee, a Democrat who represents the region in Congress. Congressman Dan Kildees brother killed, sheriff says The younger Kildee, 27, heard the 16 charges filed against him while in a bed at Hurley Medical Center. He did not have a lawyer present. Most of them I didnt do. Id like to exercise my right to remain silent, Timothy J. Kildee told a judge over video conference, according to MLive.com. He was under police watch and will be taken to jail without bond if released from the hospital. Investigators said Timothy E. Kildee, 57, was shot during an argument with his son, who demanded his wallet and car key. Timothy J. Kildee, who was involved in an earlier domestic incident elsewhere, was injured in a vehicle crash after the shooting. Our family is grieving and heartbroken, Dan Kildee said. Dozens of lawmakers gathered Wednesday on the steps of the U.S. Capitol for a photo to show support for the congressman. Some held signs that said, We love you, Dan. The Kildee family is well-known in the Flint area. Dale Kildee, the uncle of Dan and Timothy E., was a member of Congress for more than 30 years. He died in 2021. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. From the The Collision on The Dispatch Welcome back to The Collision, where well dig into the fallout surrounding the decision to keep Fani Willis on the criminal case in Georgia against Donald Trump. Well also look at an interesting new public opinion poll on the four criminal cases facing Trump. The Docket Its official: Trumps Manhattan criminal trial is delayed for at least a month. Scheduled to begin on March 25, the trial wont start until at least mid-April after Judge Juan Merchan granted prosecutors motion to postpone the trial following the emergence of new documents. The former presidents team is seeking a longer delay or outright dismissal of the case, and Merchan will hold a hearing to consider this motion on March 25. That date looms for Trump for another reason: Its his deadline to secure a bond to cover the nearly half-billion-dollar judgment against him in a civil fraud trial that ended earlier this year. After Trump struggled but successfully posted a $91.6 million bond from the E. Jean Carroll defamation suit, he is struggling to find bond companies willing to help him with the much larger amount. Its possible the state could seize Trumps assets if he is unable to meet the deadline next week. A House Oversight Committee hearing examining Hunter Bidens business operations devolved into a bit of a circus on Wednesday. There was Democratic Rep. Jared Moskowitz, who arrived at the hearing wearing a rubber Vladimir Putin mask. A Republican-called witness, former Hunter Biden associate Tony Bobulinski, called out two Democratic members of the committee by name and said they would continue to lie. And Chairman James Comer claimed Democrats were beclowning themselves. Despite being invited, neither Hunter Biden nor his former business partner Devon Archer appeared at the Oversight hearing. In a letter to the committee, Archers lawyer said his client did not have the time to prepare for the hearing since the March 7 invitation and called the request from Comer patently unreasonable. Comer ended the hearing by saying he would invite Joe Biden himself to testify at a future hearing, where the president could be expected to get questions from Republican members about his alleged involvement in his sons foreign influence business. The announcement comes as Comer and House Republicans continue to struggle at making a convincing case of wrongdoing in their impeachment inquiry. Its unlikely the president would ever voluntarily appear before the committee, and its unclear whether Comer would pursue an actual subpoena. Fani Willis Pyrrhic Victory Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis listens during the final arguments in her disqualification hearing at the Fulton County Courthouse on March 1, 2024, in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by ALEX SLITZ/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) In the end, the judge overseeing the Georgia criminal conspiracy case against Donald Trump did not dismiss the case or remove Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. But the damage to the prosecution is done. In his opinion issued last Friday, Judge Scott McAfee held that the defendants had failed to prove that there was a financial conflict caused by the personal relationship between Willis and special prosecutor Nathan Wade. But, borrowing a line from playwright Tennessee Williams, he wrote that an odor of mendacity remains. He held that there were reasonable questions about whether Willis lied under oath during her testimony, that a speech in which she claimed her critics were playing the race card was legally improper, and that she had shown a tremendous lapse in judgment. Despite all that, he held that making bad choiceseven repeatedly was not enough to remove her from the case. The result is everything Trump could want. He gets to complain that Willis wasnt removed and yet faces no threat of a new prosecutorwithout the partisan affiliation or personal baggage that now hangs over Willistaking the case over quickly. Instead, Trump will be able to appeal the judges decision not to remove Willis. So the whole sideshow remains relevant in the media, and the case could be further delayed. Whats more, Willis reputation is so badly damaged thatfairly or unfairlya guilty verdict in this case would now come with an asterisk. Anything she says during the trial will be followed by a back-of-the-mind, Yeah, but is she telling the truth? from even fair-minded people. It has given Trump an additional layer of teflon. If the judges ruling that Fani T. Willis can remain in charge of the Georgia election interference case against Donald Trump was a win for the Fulton County district attorney, and it was, I shudder to imagine what a loss would look like, the Washington Posts Ruth Marcus wrote. Once again, Trumps enemies are his best friends. Even Georgia Republicans who resisted Trumps efforts to overturn the 2020 election in the state seem to have put little stock in the case. Both Gov. Brian Kemp and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger testified before the grand jury investigating the case, taking questions from prosecutors about their conversations and interactions with Trump in the weeks after Joe Biden won Georgia. Neither has had much to say about the case publicly, though last month Kemp cast doubt on Willis approach after she had admitted to the relationship with Wade. But people close to both Republicans tell The Dispatch neither has spent much time focused on the criminal case. Its hard to believe that a process that I think many peopleincluding myselfbelieve is very political, regardless of the merits behind the case, has gotten even more political now because of her actions and those of Mr. Wade and others, Kemp said last month during an interview on NewsNation. Sarahs View If the four pending criminal cases against Donald Trump were backcountry hikers, this one just sprained an ankle. The federal January 6 case repeatedly has to bend over to retie its shoelaces. The federal classified documents case in Florida keeps getting confused by the signs and wandering off the trail. And the Manhattan falsification of business records (aka hush money) case told everyone the end of the trail was in sight, but a hiking buddy just pushed a huge boulder off a cliff above them and blocked the trail. Americans (Un)Changing Views of Donald Trumps Prosecutions Will Donald Trumps criminal trials matter this November? Its perhaps the central question we grapple with here at The Collision. A new poll released this week from Ipsos, in partnership with Politico, doesnt exactly give us a definitive answer, but it does suggest most Americans want to see the cases play out in the courts. First, lets go through the toplines on all four cases, where we see some remarkably consistent numbers across the American adults polled. On the Fulton County election-interference case, 49 percent said they believe Trump is guilty, 27 percent said they do not believe he is guilty, and 23 percent said they dont know. Thats roughly on par with what Ipsos found in its August 2023 poll, when 51 percent said they believed Trump is guilty, 26 percent said not guilty, and 23 percent said they did not know. On the federal election interference case in the District of Columbia, 49 percent said they believe he is guilty, 27 percent said not guilty, and 22 percent said they did not know. Compare that to the August poll that found 51 percent said guilty, 26 percent said not guilty, and 22 percent said they did not know. On the New York hush money case, 50 percent said they believe he is guilty, 24 percent said not guilty, and 25 percent said they did not know. Compare that to the August poll that found 48 percent said guilty, 23 percent said not guilty, and 29 percent said they did not know. Finally, on the Florida classified documents case, 52 percent said they believe he is guilty, 24 percent said not guilty, and 23 percent said they did not know. Compare that to the August poll that found 52 percent said guilty, 25 percent said not guilty, and 22 percent said they did not know. Of course, our justice system is based on evidence and rules, not public opinion, so this polling tells us little about how Trumps legal fortunes have changed as each of these cases has progressed through the courts. But it does tell us one important thing: Americans havent changed their view of the cases since these indictments were first brought last year. Perhaps we shouldnt be surprised. Few of Trumps opponents in the Republican presidential primaries sustained any kind of argument about his criminal cases. Neither has President Joe Biden, understandably so given that its his Justice Department prosecuting two of the four cases. On top of this reticence from Trumps political opponents, each of the cases has been mired in pretrial motions and questions about presidential immunity, meaning nothing of consequence has happened that might cause Americans casually paying attention to reassess their thinking. (Though its worth noting that 64 percent of those polled said they are either very or somewhat familiar with both of the federal cases, and 61 percent said the same about both the New York and Georgia cases.) And even real movement in any of these cases might not shift most partisans. How many of the 87 percent of Democrats polled by Ipsos will change their minds about Trumps guilt in the federal election interference case if special counsel Jack Smiths case falls apart at trial? How many of the 61 percent of Republicans who say Trump is not guilty of mishandling classified documents and obstructing justice will accept it if the former president is convicted? The views of independents may be more variable if any of the cases go to trial. For each of the four criminal cases, slightly more than 50 percent of independents say they believe Trump is guilty, with about a quarter of independents saying they dont know. In truth, Ipsos found that a plurality of Americans say their vote for president wont change if Trump is convicted in either the Manhattan hush money case (44 percent) or the federal election interference case (42 percent). For both, just 32 percent said a conviction would make them less likely to support Trump. And yet, 59 percent of those polled said they want the federal election interference case to go to trial before the November election. Most interesting, perhaps, was the finding that a vast majority of Americans70 percentdont seem to buy Trumps argument, which will be considered by the Supreme Court next month, that presidents are immune from prosecution for actions they take in office. Just 11 percent said a president should be immune. Mikes View Lets not overread one poll, which asks the broadest possible group (American adults, not registered voters or likely voters) questions about court cases that most people may not be following as closely as they claim. Its one thing to ask people what they believe about Trumps guilt right now, but its another thing to know how theyll think or react if and when the trials actually begin. But there is an interestingeven if obviouspolitical lesson reflected in this Ipsos poll: Trumps political opponents refusal to criticize him for being under criminal indictment has resulted in static public opinion about the cases. As I was told by multiple campaign sources over the last six months, Republican presidential candidates (Chris Christie excluded) avoided targeting Trump for any one of these cases because doing so would be commiting political suicide with the GOP base. But the result was that the dynamics of the Republican primary never shifted. Whether the fortunes of any of the other candidates would have changed if, say, Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley, Tim Scott, and Mike Pence had directed their fire at Trump is a counterfactual well never have the answer tobut doing nothing made no difference. Will this all change now that Trump is the presumptive nominee? Democrats will have no problems crossing the GOP base, but if public opinion showed independents and Americans overall were exhausted by the Trump cases, it would be understandable that Democrats would be wary of prosecuting Trump in the political arena as hes being prosecuted in the courts. This poll indicates the opportunity for Democratic groupsagain, its unlikely that the Biden campaign will directly engage in these argumentsto make political hay out of his trials. About half of Americans think hes guilty, after all, with another quarter saying theyre unsure. Viewed another way, though, the Ipsos poll shows how divisive and damaging a political campaign centered on arguing for Trumps criminality could be. Such a sustained argument could backfire if independents who are unsure about Trumps culpability begin to see these cases in the way Republicans do: as lawfare designed to subvert the electorate. Even if Democrats successfully took advantage of the Trump cases to help Biden win reelection, would doing so further tear the country apart and undermine trust in the justice system? Its a possibility well need to grapple with. 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. This article was originally published in Honolulu Civil Beat. Over the last 13 years, 10 teachers and public school employees in Hawaii have sought restraining orders against a single parent they say has repeatedly harassed and threatened them. According to court documents, the parent has called school employees a pregnant dog in heat and a Fucken Micronesian Idiot, told a principal he had hired a private investigator to investigate them, made shooting and throat-slitting motions at another teacher while driving past them, joined his sons online class without warning and insulted the principal, and threatened to find a DOE employee on a hiking trail to confront her and her family. Yet very few of the restraining orders filed against the parent have been approved. While police have struggled to serve him papers for a court hearing, judges and state officials have also been wary of infringing on the right of a parent to participate in their childrens education. Get stories like these delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter The parent is an individual with a belligerent personality who communicates with verbal intimidation and swearing in order to control and overpower any attempt to having a civil conversation with him, James Halvorson, a supervising deputy attorney general, wrote in a letter to a former Department of Education worker in 2021. But, the letter added, the Hawaii Department of Education has an obligation to communicate with him regarding the education of his children. The parent, Jerome Costa, declined to comment for this story. DOEs 13-year struggle to curb Costas behavior illustrates the difficult balance schools must strike between protecting teachers and respecting parents say in their childrens education. The Covid-19 pandemic only exacerbated this dilemma, with parents losing trust in the public school system and teachers taking the brunt of families frustrations with online learning, said Amy Klinger, director of programs for the Educators School Safety Network. In an American Psychological Association survey conducted in 2020 and 2021, nearly half of teachers said they wished to or planned to quit their jobs because they felt unsafe, threatened or unsupported at work. Hawaii lawmakers are now considering a bill that would increase protections for school workers. By requiring DOE to develop additional procedures for responding to harassment claims, advocates say the bill establishes clear expectations for the protections and support teachers should expect to receive when dealing with unreasonable parents. But separating unwanted parent behavior from harassment can be a difficult task, Klinger said, adding that she doesnt know of any states or districts that have developed the perfect policy response. Clearly we want to protect teachers. 100%, Klinger said. But also, we have to not treat parents as though they are the enemy. The legal limitations of harassment In Hawaii, harassing an individual is considered a petty misdemeanor, punishable by up to 30 days in jail and a fine of $1,000. But charging a parent with harassment can be a difficult task for teachers. Under state law, harassment includes repeated calls which intend to harass, annoy, or alarm the recipient and have no legitimate purpose. Families often have legitimate reasons for contacting schools, even if employees feel that their communication is unwanted or overly-aggressive, said attorney Megan Kau. Even if a parent repeatedly contacts a school directing calls at a specific teacher, Kau added, the courts may not consider these calls a form of direct communication that constitutes harassment. Teachers can also file temporary restraining orders which, if granted, can lead to a court hearing granting them a restraining order for a maximum of three years. It can be easier to make a case of harassment when filing a temporary restraining order, but teachers would still need to prove that a parent is contacting them unnecessarily, Kau said. Lindsay Chambers, DOEs former communications director, sought criminal harassment charges against Costa in late 2020. Chambers said she received threatening phone calls and voicemails from Costa that began in 2019 and continued until 2021. Mrs. Lindsay Chambers, that female genital, that female dog yes, Im using definitions of what she is, Costa said in one voicemail, according to an internal complaint Chambers filed while working in the DOE. Anytime your husband wants to shake my hand and talk to me like a man we can do so. I would love to have this conversation with him about how his wife is such an evil person. Chambers said she interpreted this voicemail as a threat that Costa would fight her husband and harm her family, adding that his calls constituted intense psychological harassment over three years. But the Honolulu Prosecutors Office declined to press harassment charges against Costa. In a 2020 call with Chambers, deputy prosecutor Dwane Tegman said it would be difficult to pursue her case because Costa was consistently contacting DOEs communications branch, rather than communicating with Chambers directly. While Costas calls were inappropriate, Tegman added, they also served the purpose of communicating his concerns about his childrens education. He does have a partial legitimate purpose, at least, in complaining about his kids education, Tegman said in the call, which Chambers recorded and shared with Civil Beat. Chambers ultimately received a restraining order against Costa in January 2021. At that point, Chambers had moved from DOEs communications branch to the departments Covid-19 response team, and said Costa had no reason to contact her. Chambers left DOE a year later. Uncertainty Around Internal Policies When it comes to employee harassment, DOE has limited legal options, said Ken Kakesako, who serves as the director of the departments policy, innovation, planning and evaluation branch. We are not law enforcement, Kakesako said in a legislative hearing last month. DOE isnt able to file TROs or press harassment charges on teachers behalf. If administrators receive harassment reports, they can pursue solutions such as developing safety plans for employees or reporting incidents to the police, said Deputy Superintendent Heidi Armstrong. DOE is also able to ban individuals from entering school campuses for a year. If the harasser is also a parent, the department will develop a plan explaining how an individual can remain involved in their childs education, Armstrong said. In spring 2022, DOE issued a letter to Costa banning him from entering all school campuses and department offices. While Costas spouse was allowed to attend in-person meetings and contact schools on the familys behalf, Costas communications with DOE were supposed to be limited to speaking with a department official over the phone for an hour every Friday. But school workers filed nine more TROs against Costa after DOE issued its letter. According to the TROs, Costa continued to repeatedly call school lines to criticize and threaten employees. Principals and administrators have a responsibility to remedy situations making teachers feel harassed or threatened, said Andrea Eshelman, deputy executive director of the Hawaii State Teachers Association. But, she said, DOE typically handles harassment incidents on a case-by-case basis, leaving educators unsure what protections theyre entitled to. Thats just a general obligation of an employer, you need to make sure that your employees are feeling safe, Eshelman said. Its not super clear on what steps those administrators have to do. A new provision in HSTAs contract explicitly requires principals to take appropriate action when responding to harassment reports, including developing safety plans, initiating internal investigations or supporting employees in pursuing restraining orders. If teachers believe their administration hasnt appropriately responded to their harassment claims, Eshelman said, HSTA can initiate a grievance process. The union filed three harassment-related grievances against DOE within the first two months of the school year. Eshelman said the three cases were not related to one another but would not share more in order to protect teachers privacy. DOE communications director Nanea Kalani said the department doesnt consistently track statewide harassment reports from employees. The search for legislative solutions Other states and school districts have also searched for ways to protect teachers without discouraging parents from participating in their childrens education. A California bill introduced last year would have made it a misdemeanor for parents to interfere with teachers lives by harassing or threatening them outside of school. The bill passed the Legislature but was vetoed by Gov. Gavin Newsom. The tenor of our countrys political conversations is alarming, Newsom said in his veto message. Nevertheless, we need to be cautious about exacerbating tensions by implementing additional laws that can be perceived as stifling parents voices in the decision-making process. Now, Hawaii lawmakers are grappling with similar concerns. Drafted by Chambers and two teachers, House Bill 1651 requires DOE to develop more standardized policies to address employee complaints of harassment. Under the bill, procedures include reporting all harassment incidents involving physical threats to the police within 48 hours and providing workers with paid leave to attend court proceedings relating to TROs and harassment charges. Its clear that the status quo is not sufficient to protect the employees, said Rep. David Tarnas, chair of the House Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs Committee. A similar bill introduced in 2022 included similar provisions but also proposed to create a new crime, the harassment of an educational worker, which would be a misdemeanor. Under the bill, harassment would cover any acts which aimed to impede the government operations of an educational worker and would disrupt or interfere with a schools functions. Punishment for a misdemeanor includes up to one year in prison and $2,000 in fines. The 2022 bill failed to pass, with advocates and parents submitting hundreds of pages of testimony against the proposed policy. Many argued the bills definition of harassment was overly broad and would target parents who frustrated or annoyed teachers. In particular, parents of special education students argued that the bill would punish them as they advocated for better services and accommodations for their children. HB 2125 chills parents (from) accessing skills and educational success. It would affect parents in their communications with the DOE and BOE and intimidate them, Cynthia Bartlett, a member of the Hawaii Autism Foundation, said in written testimony. An early version of HB 1651 also included a provision raising the harassment of school employees to a misdemeanor but that part was removed after legislators decided existing state laws on harassment provided enough protection to teachers. The bill has passed through the House and is now awaiting a hearing in the Senate. Even with these changes, Chambers said she believes the bill will establish important accountability measures for DOE. By requiring DOE to track and document all harassment claims, the bill can help the department identify parents with a history of harassment and aid employees in making a stronger case for restraining orders and other legal protections in the future, she added. This is a service that cannot turn people away, cannot turn children away, Chambers said. This story was published originally on Honolulu Civil Beat. Nigel Farage predicted that the judiciary and legal system would block deportation flights even if the Commons succeeded in pushing through the legislation - Celal Gunes/Anadolu Rwanda flights are unlikely to ever take off, Nigel Farage has said after the House of Lords inflicted seven defeats on Rishi Sunaks legislation. Mr Farage, the honorary president of Reform UK, predicted that the judiciary and legal system would block deportation flights to Rwanda even if the Commons succeeded in pushing through the Rwanda Bill. His comments came after peers refused to pass the legislation and voted by majorities of between 30 and 55 to reinstate seven amendments. The defeats for the Government will delay the legislation until after the Easter recess, when MPs will seek to overturn the fresh Lords amendments on April 15. It means the flights are unlikely to begin until June rather than May because the legal and logistical process to pave the way for them will take six to 10 weeks. As we speak, there is a game of parliamentary ping-pong going on in Westminster, where the House of Lords again are rejecting much of the Governments Rwanda Bill, and this debate within the House of Commons is really coming to a head, Mr Farage said on GB News. But even when and I say when, because ultimately, the House of Commons can overrule the House of Lords even when the Rwanda Bill becomes the Rwanda Act, I still dont think were going to see flights going to Rwanda. And I say that because the judiciary and the legal system are signatory to overseas conventions and treaties, which is going to make it, I think, legally all but impossible. Maybe Im wrong. Maybe there is an end in sight to the migrant crisis. I dont think there is, I think therell be tens of thousands more that will cross the English Channel this year. The French undoubtedly have geared up their operations. Theyre using drones in the riverways, theyre stopping a lot of boats on the beaches. But theres over 100 miles of French coast that theyve got to protect against very, very determined traffickers. A number will always get through. The Bill is central to the Prime Ministers pledge to stop the boats and his electoral fortunes by getting the first deportation flights off to Rwanda in spring after almost two years of delays from legal challenges. The Home Office has identified 150 migrants for the first two deportation flights, who would be detained within days of the Bill gaining Royal Assent. They could be flown to Rwanda in six to 10 weeks following the appeals process required by law. Ministers are aiming to deport 5,000 people in the first year. Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, the former leader of the Commons, accused the Lords of supporting people traffickers by voting against the Rwanda Bill and said they prefer decisions to be made by their unelected chums in the ECHR [European Court of Human Rights]. He added: Democracy must assert itself. Id like the Chief Whip to change Commons business so that we send these proposals back to the House of Lords tomorrow, and that we sit, if necessary, through Easter until the House of Lords backs down. Bim Afolami, the Economic Secretary to the Treasury, said that the Lords should yield to the will of the Commons and pass the Rwanda Bill. 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 fuming over a bipartisan government funding deal that includes dollars for construction of a new headquarters for the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The proposal was inside the sweeping $1.2 trillion government funding package congressional leaders rolled out on early Thursday, as Congress works to avert a shutdown this weekend. The bill would put $200 million toward construction of a new FBI headquarters, angering conservatives who have targeted the funding over the past year while accusing the agency of being weaponized against the right. The $1.2 trillion, 1000-page swamp-bus released in the dead of night includes $200 MILLION for a new FBI Headquarters So much for those cuts to FBI, Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) wrote on X, formerly Twitter. Conservatives have turned to a number of claims all contested by the bureau in targeting its funding. The issues range from abortion rights to pandemic-era efforts that the conservative lawmakers say targeted anti-abortion people or parents. The FBI labels parents as domestic terrorists, targets pro-lifers, and wages a war against conservative Americans, Rep. Eric Burlison (R-Mo.) wrote on X. Their punishment? $200 MILLION for a new headquarters in this minibus Vote NO #KillTheBill. Conservatives argue parents were targeted by the FBI when it offered a coordinated response with local school board members who had received violent threats over COVID policies at schools. Claims the FBI was biased against people who oppose abortion rights is related to threats in the wake of the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade. Republicans previously had praised a $654 million cut to the FBIs operating budget in the initial batch of full-year funding bills that passed Congress earlier this month. Now the FBI is getting $200 million to pay for the new headquarters as part of the full-year funding for the General Services Administration (GSA), which constructs and manages federal buildings. That bill is part of the minibus package agreed to this week. Its expected to get a vote as soon as Friday. The relocation of the FBIs headquarters has been controversial from the start. Former President Trump tried to block its relocation to the suburbs, instead preferring the existing downtown location blocks away from his then-hotel. But GOP interest in the headquarters shifted after Trump left office and the bureau played a key role in searching his Florida home for classified documents. At one point conservatives floated moving its headquarters to Alabama, and over the summer some GOP members suggested rescinding funding from the agency over the matter. Moving the FBI has also led to a feud among Democrats representing districts in the Virginia and Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C. Both states had hoped to attract the FBI project. Virginia lawmakers have requested an investigation into the rationale for choosing a Maryland site for the headquarters, suggesting it may have been improperly chosen. In a statement Thursday, Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), head of the subcommittee that crafts funding for the GSA, said the larger bill not only will provide key resources to tackle the opioid epidemic, but also the necessary funding to build the new FBI headquarters in Greenbelt, Maryland. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. At the Sweet Co coffee shop in downtown Brownsville, the last city at the eastern end of the Texas border before you reach the ocean and Elon Musks SpaceX rocket base or cross into Mexico, the vibe was chill but the mood was chilly. Customers were as downcast as the wet weather outside on Wednesday, the day of a court hearing after contrasting legal rulings were made about a new law that will affect people in Brownsville, whether new migrants, US citizens, undocumented residents or others. Local drag queen and activist Kween Beatrix, also known as Joe Colon-Uvalles, happened to be there, out of drag and sipping coffee. The exuberance of her shows was absent, but her defiance against encroachments on civil and human rights was as present as ever. My role has been to inform other drag queens about this law. Oftentimes, these are not the things normal drag queens do, but thats just part of my commitment to the community, she told the Guardian. People are going to misinterpret this law because of the constant changes both at the police level and the community level. All it takes is one bad cop and one person within law enforcement to misinterpret the law to cause havoc and harm in communities, she added. The new state law, known as SB4, would allow local police and judges throughout Texas to arrest and deport anyone they suspect of entering the country illegally. Consequences could include jailing them or expelling them to Mexico, or both, no matter what country they originated from much to the chagrin of, among others, the Mexican president. SB4 is at the center of a constitutional power struggle between Texas and the federal government, with the states hard-right leaders claiming there is an invasion of migrants tantamount to putting the state on a war footing and vying to take the power to enforce immigration law the jurisdiction of the federal government, which is battling to stop them. The law was frozen by an appeals court late on Tuesday night, just hours after the US supreme court had decided it could come into force while the appeals process played out, having previously been blocked last month. The judge in the appeals hearing on Wednesday has yet to rule. As one Texas county judge pointed out, even legal experts are feeling whiplash. Kween B, whose TikTok bio says: Quirky dragtivist from the 956, the area code for that part of the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) on the US-Mexico border, warned that if SB4 went ahead, no one was secure. She also lamented that when Joe Biden came to Brownsville last month, the US president only met politicians and senior law-enforcement officers, not community groups deeply involved in advocacy and aid services for migrants and asylum seekers, many of which oppose the expensive Operation Lone Star border security program of Texass governor, Greg Abbott. Elsewhere in the city, Michelle Serrano, a local activist and co-director at Voces Unidas RGV, said that if SB4 goes into effect, she expects a lot of civil rights violations. If you dont think that this law is going to come for you, then youre kidding yourself Kween Beatrix Migrants who have made their way to the southern border and crossed without authorization, hoping to turn themselves in to federal border patrol agents and enter the asylum system or bypass the authorities altogether will be vulnerable to arrest by local law enforcement, such as police, state troopers or Texas national guard troops. But so will any members of the public that law enforcement deems suspect. Its very disordered lawmaking to focus on taking down community members. These are people who are providing resources to the rest of the community. To put them at risk and in a position where they dont feel safe here any longer undermines the fabric of our society, Serrano said. She fears a new reality where locals are jailed and drained of their resources fighting a case even if they are citizens and especially if exercising their right to remain silent and request an attorney. Whether and how to enforce the law, if it is given the green light again after an expected trip all the way back to the US supreme court, would involve choice. Some sheriffs and police departments are eager to take the power from the feds, others wary. A Brownsville police department spokeswoman, Abril Luna, said that whether SB4 goes into effect or not, it would not change the departments daily operations. Its going to be enforced like any other Texas law, but at the end of the day, it comes down to officer discretion, just like an officer has the right to either give you a citation for a broken tail-light or let you off with a warning, she told the Guardian. Luna said the department would not create a special team designated for that specific type of enforcement. Border patrol agents, under the authority of the Department of Homeland Security, are specially trained. Jenn Budd, a former senior border patrol agent in California turned immigration and enforcement accountability activist, is concerned. I would want Texans to know, regardless of the color of their skin, that this allows their local peace officers and their state peace officers to pull you over when they havent even seen you commit, or suspect you have committed, a crime, Budd said, using a common term for law enforcement officials. In immigration law, it is not upon me to prove that youre guilty. It is upon you to prove that you are a citizen, which can take hours, she added. Budd said due process is guaranteed to persons and people, not [just]citizens and when you label somebody as illegal, they technically have zero rights and that is actually not what our constitution states. She also fears that laws like SB4 offer a multitude of powers and questions whether they would open the door to police setting up checkpoints anywhere to ask people for their documents or even ask someone who appears pregnant if they are trying to leave the state for an abortion, amid a virtual state ban. The majority of residents in the Rio Grande Valley along the US-Mexico border are Hispanic, many bilingual, some only speaking Spanish. Examples of what can arise from racial profiling under the guise of a law like SB4 can be found in different instances around the US. In 2019, two American citizens from Texas and California were detained by a border patrol agent because they were speaking Spanish in the checkout line at a convenience store. Back at the Sweet Co cafe as the rain continued to keep the downtown streets quiet on Wednesday, Kween Beatrix had a warning. Last year, Latinos became the majority in the state of Texas for the first time, she said. The fact that our elected officials in Texas dont look like Latinos is a huge red flag. If you dont think that this law is going to come for you, then youre kidding yourself. Mississippi waters arent exactly a hotspot for great white sharks, but a massive 14-footer has been recorded just 20 miles south of Biloxi and Gulfport. LeeBeth is a great white shark that has been making headlines in recent months as her movements are tracked by a GPS tag. Shes traveled from South Carolina to the western Gulf of Mexico and her last tracking signal came Sunday off the Mississippi Coast. I caught her on December 8 out of Hilton Head, South Carolina, said Outcast Sport Fishing charter guide Chip Michalove. Its the fourth largest Ive caught here, so shes up there. Shes about 2,600 pounds and a little over 14 feet. Shes definitely on the upper end of the totem pole as far as weight and size. And shes also quite the traveler. Michalove, who estimated the shark to be about 30 years old, said shes covered well over 2,600 miles in the past three months. Massive great white shark off Mississippi Coast Because she covers so much ground, he said its hard to tell where she is at any given time. Her location is only documented when the GPS unit attached to her dorsal fin breaches water. However, in her case, thats relatively often. Shes a good pinging shark, Michalove said. Shes pinged the most out of all the ones weve tagged. According to the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy, she gave locations twice on Saturday and another on Sunday. If she stays on track, shes even closer to the Mississippi coastline now. It looks like shes going to Gulfport, Michalove said. As a charter fishing guide, Michalove said he puts clients on typical gamefish species in the warmer months. In winter he wears another hat. He targets great white sharks which are caught, tagged and released. LeeBeth, who was caught by client Ed Young of Texas, is one of them. He said the work is done through a partnership with the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy. Megan Winton with the AWSC said LeeBeth is opening eyes into the world of white sharks as she swam all the way to Mexico just south of the Texas border. LeeBeth is teaching researchers about great white sharks She has been an individual that is breaking shark-record history, Winton said. She is the first white shark to travel that far west in the Gulf of Mexico. Once LeeBeth reached Mexico, she turned north and then east, which is what brought her to Mississippi. Shes in close to shore, Winton said. She was roughly 20 miles from Gulfport based on the last ping. The Atlantic White Shark Conservancy studies the protected sharks. Winton said decades ago, the great white population was down about 80% from historic levels. Through protections, the population appears to be rebounding. Winton said the group mainly focuses on the Cape Cod area. She said thats because rebounding seal populations in that area are attracting the sharks in summer to feed on them and place the sharks near people. With Cape Cod becoming a hotspot for white shark activity, Winton said the data collected from tagged sharks helps the group with out reach and education on managing interactions between humans and sharks. Where will LeeBeth go next? Thats a big question, but you can follow her travels on the AWSC website or on their Sharktivity app along with other tagged great white sharks. Rare great white shark was swimming off the Mississippi Coast. See where it pinged Second great white shark makes rare, mysterious journey through waters off Mississippi Kimberley is worried Joshua will not get the support he needs at a mainstream school Kimberley, from Edinburgh, is one of an increasing number of parents who think mainstream schools cannot provide enough support for their child with additional support needs (ASN). She is currently looking after her 11-year-old son Joshua at home because he has been having problems at school. The primary seven pupil, who has anxiety, dyslexia and dyspraxia, is awaiting an autism assessment. Kimberley says he has always struggled and now she is worried about how he will cope in high school. In recent years, the number of specialist teachers has dropped at the same time as demand has soared. The number of pupils with an ASN has risen sevenfold since 2007 to more than a quarter of a million. That is more than one third of the total school population. Across all school sectors, there are 500 fewer additional needs teachers than there were in 2010. Biggest fear Kimberley believes the support on offer at her local secondary will not be enough for her son, who suffers with anxiety and expressing his emotions. She says bullying has had a massive impact on his life at primary school and worries high school could be even worse. "To think about him going into mainstream secondary, it's the biggest fear," she says. "It makes me ill thinking about it." Kimberley applied for Joshua to go out of his catchment area to a school which has an enhanced support base (ESB) but there were no spaces available. ESBs have been created in some Edinburgh secondaries to teach pupils with significant additional needs in smaller group settings. "An ESB is a lot smaller, more one-to-one and that's where I feel he will progress a lot more and his needs will be met fully," Kimberley says. "He's not got a chance in mainstream school. He'll just get lost." Andrea Bradley from the EIS says the situation is at crisis point for teachers as well as parents Andrea Bradley, general secretary of Scotland's largest teaching union, the EIS, says the situation is at crisis point for teachers as well as parents. She says teachers are trying to respond to the growing range of complex additional support needs, sometimes single-handedly without the assistance of specialist staff. "We're now at 37% of young people in Scotland with a recognised additional need," Ms Bradley says. "It's very difficult for teachers to respond to that in a meaningful timely way." The union leader says teachers need support from specialists such as educational psychologists, speech and language therapists and behavioural psychologists. But she says more is being left to schools and teachers to cope with in the absence of specialist input. She adds that it is a massive driver of workload and stress for teachers who carry a sense of responsibility for the failings of the system. Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth there is now more willingness to identify additional support needs Stephen McGhee, from the Scottish Children's Services Coalition, says the situation is storing up problems for the future when they will need mental health and employment support. "A little bit of appropriate resourcing now will stop a tidal wave of children becoming a lost generation," he says. Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth says she is waiting for the results of a detailed inquiry into the issue by Holyrood's education committee, before updating the government's additional support for learning action plan. She says the aim is to complete its implementation by March 2026. In the meantime, she says there are a number of mechanisms parents and carers can turn to if they feel their child is not getting the support they need. The education secretary said: "There is now more willingness to identify additional support needs that in the past might have gone undiagnosed or unsupported, and that's a strength of Scotland's inclusive education system. "We need to work with carers, parents, schools and the broader community to make sure that support is there for our young people." Pope Francis has made another statement about Russia's war against Ukraine he called for the start of peace talks. However, this time the pontiff did not mention the "white flag". ADVERTISIMENT On March 20, the Pope's words were quoted by the official news portal of the Holy See, Vatican News. "This was Pope Francis' latest call to end the wars that have engulfed the world," it said. Francis emphasized that every effort should be made to start negotiations to end the war. "Let us never forget that war is always a defeat. We cannot continue the war," he said in his speech the day after the feast of St. Joseph and invited everyone to pray for this intention. It is worth noting that the Pope's statement referred not only to the war in Ukraine but also to the conflict between Palestine and Israel. He mentioned the peoples who "suffer so much from the horror of war." Earlier, Pope Francis called for negotiations in Russia's war in Ukraine. He did not say which side, but noted that one of the parties must show "the courage to raise the white flag." After the scandal, the Vatican explained that the pontiff was not referring to Ukraine's surrender, but to the need to start negotiations. ADVERTISIMENT Many world leaders reacted to the pontiff's words. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy advised the pope not to engage in virtual mediation between the victim and the murderer. Meanwhile, Russia claimed that Vladimir Putin had also repeatedly spoken in favor of negotiations and tried to accuse Ukraine of refusing them. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry summoned a representative of the Vatican because of the Pope's statement about the "white flag". As reported by OBOZ.UA, after the scandal, the Pope said that too many young people are dying to defeat the madness of war, which always leads to defeat. He called for prayer for the population affected by conflicts. Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Rob Bevan said the last three months have been "pretty horrendous" for shoplifting in the city Shoplifting in a Somerset city is the worst it has ever been with staff fearing for their safety, local businesses have said. Shops, as well as market traders, in Wells have said that shoplifters are becoming more aggressive and, in some cases, violent. More than 200 businesses have joined a local Whatsapp group to share information on suspicious shoppers in their stores. Avon and Somerset Police said it is encouraging people to report incidents of shoplifting - especially where violence is used. More than 200 businesses have joined a local WhatsApp group Protec, in the city centre, sells kitchenware, electronics and gifts. Shop owner, Rob Bevan, said: "The last three months have been pretty horrendous really." He has multiple state-of-the-art cameras but said that has not stopped people putting things in their coat or bag, even when stood next to store staff. Mr Bevan shares information on the WhatsApp group and said it has been helping. But he said there have been more assaults and his staff are scared. On 15 February a shop on Broad Street was attacked by a a motorcyclist, who failed to get through the store's toughened glass and security system. The police are still appealing for information related to the incident, which happened in the early hours of the morning. Shopkeepers told the BBC that it is attacks like this that are making their staff worried. Polly Gamble wears a whistle for her protection And it is not only shops that are being affected. It is also a problem for market traders. Polly Gamble sells her jewellery in the city and wears a whistle to alert others if someone becomes aggressive. Speaking about the shoplifters, she said: "You have to be very vigilant with every customer you have. You can't trust anyone. "You don't know if it's going to be the little old lady or the person who you think, 'oh they look a bit dodgy'. " Loaye Agabani said that shoplifters show "no regard for anyone's safety or property" A recent survey by the British Retail Consortium showed a 50% increase in levels of retail violence and abuse, with 1,300 incidents a day nationally. These figures do not surprise Loaye Agabani, a cafe/bar owner and the chair of Wells Chamber of Commerce. "Shoplifters used to be more opportunistic. "Now they are more violent, they're more prolific, they're more brazen," he said. Avon and Somerset Police said it is working with local shopkeepers to come up with ways to support them. It said this includes a radio link scheme, which joins the shops with police and council CCTV staff. A bag of 4-fluoro isobutyryl fentanyl which was seized in a drug raid is displayed at the Drug Enforcement Administration Special Testing and Research Laboratory in Sterling, Va., on Aug. 9, 2016. | Cliff Owen The U.S. and the state of Utah has seen a disturbing uptick in fentanyl-related deaths in recent years. And the question is what can we do, said Utahs Sen. Mitt Romney, the top Republican at a hearing Wednesday held by the subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Spending Oversight, alongside Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 150 people die every day of an overdose related to drugs like fentanyl. In 2022, it was responsible for taking around 83,000 lives in the U.S. The federal government views it as a deadly drug crisis. In her opening remarks, Hassan, chairwoman of the subcommittee, noted her trip to China last fall alongside a bipartisan congressional delegation. The New Hampshire senator said she pressed Chinese President Xi Jinping to do more to stop the manufacturing and exploitation of fentanyl precursor chemicals. She noted that President Joe Biden during a summit a month later asked Xi to do the same. At the time, the Chinese government showed a willingness to crack down on drug trafficking. I dont believe (China) fully lived up to those commitments, said Romney. Has there been the same kind of concern about fentanyl in China as there is here in the U.S.? My expectation is that there has been a much tougher approach taken there. He also said the government of Mexico has not done what it should to fight organized crime and the cartels, while suggesting the new Mexican leadership could make a difference. Ending organized crime is something weve been trying to do since the 1930s or probably before that, said Romney. T A single piece of legislation cant fix this multilayered problem, Romney said. Curbing demand for narcotics and fentanyl strikes me as a very difficult task, he said, But thats one possibility. Securing the border through monitoring systems is another option, but its tough to completely seal it against deadly drugs since traffickers can get individuals to smuggle the product on their person, send it through mail, or via aircrafts and ships, the GOP senator noted. Tackling the financial system behind the trafficking is also tough because if someones willing to pay you money, and someones willing to get paid that money, theyre going to find a way to launder it. He asked one of the three witnesses what lawmakers should focus on to minimize the scourge of fentanyl. Celina Realuyo, professor of practice at the William J. Perry Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies, National Defense University, pointed to the biggest challenge: fentanyls highly addictive nature and low production cost, which is roughly 30 cents when produced in a Mexican lab, then sold for between $10 to $20 in the Washington, D.C., area. This price point has encouraged many traffickers to switch to synthetic drugs, replacing other plant-based drugs like heroin, marijuana or cocaine, which the Drug Enforcement Administration has an easier time tracking. Were about to enter prom season here in the United States, she said, noting DEA campaigns like One Pill Can Kill are crucial for the safety of todays youth from deadly substances that can be bought online. Realuyo said criminal networks have established parallel markets on the internet, promoting them through social media platforms, where young people use only emojis and numbers for transactions. We as parents and as educators are not watching what our kids are doing online, said Realuyo. Then the drug gets sent or gets physically exchanged at the parking lot or the McDonalds next to the high school. When aiming to restrain supply, legislation can focus on technology platforms, like WeChat, Zelle, PayPal and Venmo, that are used to buy and sell fentanyl as well as other drugs. Traffickers also ask young people to set up cryptocurrency wallets, she added. All of these methods fall under the cyber-physical world, allowing traffickers to circumvent law enforcement and regulation, while policies in this area could be used to reduce demand and supply, Realuyo added. A fifth former Rankin County deputy, Brett McAlpin, was sentenced Thursday morning to 27.25 years in federal prison for participating in the abuse and torture of two Black men. This sentence was handed down by U.S. District Court Judge Tom Lee. McAlpin was chief investigator at the time of the January 2023 incident, which made him the highest-ranking deputy at the scene, court testimony revealed. His rank provided control over his co-conspirators, Lee said. He directed the actions of various people. Inside the federal courtroom, defense attorney Aafram Y. Sellers stated McAlpin did not racial taunt Parker nor did McAlpin physical assault Parker. Former Rankin County Deputy Brett McAlpin Prosecutor Christopher Perras countered this claim by describing McAlpin as the mafia don of the group who set the assault in motion after he took a phone call from a resident, who reported suspicious activity. Perras stated McAlpin did not need to be extremely hands on in the incident because McAlpin had a bunch of dirty officers to do his work for him. While the victims were screaming in pain, he was urinating in a closet to further degrade the occupants of the house, Perras said. On Jan. 24, 2023, six former police officers connected to the "Goon Squad" burst into a home without a warrant, then handcuffed and used a stun gun on Michael Jenkins and Eddie Parker. McAlpin and five other officers were involved in the incident. The other former Rankin County Sheriff's deputies were Hunter Elward, Christian Dedmon, Jeffrey Middleton and Daniel Opdyke. The sixth former police officer was Joshua Hartfield from the city of Richland. The judge sentenced Elward to 20 years in federal prison and Middleton, the alleged ringleader, to 17.5 years on Tuesday. On Wednesday, Dedmon was handed the longest sentence of 40 years, while his fellow "Goon Squad" member Opdyke got a 17.5-year sentence. Hartfield, an ex-Richland police officer, received the shortest sentence of 10 years in federal prison. Rankin County 'You decided to join,' Judge says: Lawyer of third ex-MS 'Goon Squad' officer pushes for low sentence. Victim exits courtroom Based on Associated Press reporting, the court records state the officers assaulted the men with a sex object, beat them and used their stun guns repeatedly over a roughly 90-minute period. The episode culminated with one deputy placing a gun in Jenkins mouth and firing, which cut his tongue, broke his jaw and exited out of his neck. The officers did not give him medical attention, instead discussing a false cover story to cover up their misconduct, as well as planting and tampering with evidence, the Associated Press reported. Parker, who spoke for the first time in court Wednesday, said when he saw the officers walk through the door, he saw the devil. I knew what it was when I saw them walk through the door but that night, I saw the devil come to me, in my face, in my home, where I was supposed to be safe. I was there helping a friend who was paralyzed, Parker said. But you know, when you do good thats when the devil comes. Maybe I was doing too good. 'Your days are numbered': Rankin Co. NAACP, attorneys call for the resignation of Sheriff Bryan Bailey Attorney Malik Shabazz calls for the resignation of Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey during a town hall meeting about police brutality hosted by the Rankin County NAACP at the Brandon Public Library in Brandon, Miss., on Tuesday, Mar. 19, 2024. "Your days are numbered," Shabazz said. Jenkins, via a statement read by his lawyer Malik Shabazz, told the court Wednesday that the incident will be forever engraved in his mind and heart. Every time I try to take a bite of food, the pain reminds me of what happened that night. I want all of them to remain behind bars and to be off the streets, Jenkins statement said. During the sentencing hearing, McAlpin apologized to Jenkins and Parker stating he is sorry for what they have gone through. This was all wrong, very wrong. Its not how people should treat each other much so its not how law enforcement should treat people. Michael and Eddie, I hope you and your families can move on and have a better life, McAlpin said. Im sorry. I truly am. This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Goon Squad Mississippi: Brett McAlpin sentenced to 27 years in prison ROYAL, Florida The calmness of the wind reverberated across the burial ground as Beverly Steele motioned to her mothers grave in Oak Hill Cemetery. Three months ago, they buried her here, just 12 days shy of her 102nd birthday. Its not uncommon for residents in the majority-Black, unincorporated community of Royal, Florida, to live past 100 years old. The Rev. Matthew Beard, the oldest resident in the communitys history, lived to be 115. On a recent February afternoon, Steele, dressed in her Sunday best, peered out at the acres and acres of land surrounding Oak Hill Cemetery, also known as the Royal Cemetery. As she reminisces about her mother, she also remembered her aunt, who was called on as the communitys local historian. She could recall who had the first brick house, the first postmaster, and the three founding families Hollies, Picketts, and Andersons of the community. The sounds of large trucks chugging down the narrow road near the cemetery snap Steele back to todays reality. Mere miles away from the site is Interstate 75, which split the community of Royal in half 50 years ago. A few miles from there is the old Monarch Road cemetery, or old slave cemetery as the locals call it. It, too, is split in half by a paved road. A family lives on the primary site where most of the headstones can be seen. It is the cemetery where Steeles great-great-great-grandfather and one of the communitys co-founders is buried. Tucked away, 55 miles north of Orlando, Royals estimated 1,200 Black residents still live on the inherited 40-acre plots from the Homestead Act of 1862. The close-knit community is located in the city of Wildwood, which in the past two decades has grown in population to 150,000. The 77-year-old Steele and other Royal residents say the rapid growth of The Villages, a retirement community that borders Wildwood, is part of the constant development efforts upending their lives. Recent plans for highways, affordable housing units, and industrial use projects are disrupting their peace and comfort. In some cases, residents have been pressured to sell their land. Several community members raised concerns to Capital B that these attacks are attempts to erase its history and gentrify its neighborhoods. They also fear the increased traffic and industrial pollution from the projects will cause detrimental health effects in its community of mostly elders. Steele is also fighting for Royal to get national recognition. Beyond its unique, rural and historical landscape, it is one of the few surviving historic communities, despite the history of Black towns being destroyed or violently displaced. Royal is one of two remaining Black homesteading communities left in the nation. The other is Nicodemus, Kansas. The Homestead Act allowed citizens to own land given by the U.S. government after five years of living on and improving it. The historic preservation and continued existence of Royal is even more paramount in a state like Florida, where the NAACP issued a travel advisory for Black folks in lieu of the laws banning Black history courses and dismantling diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. Read more: A Florida Community Faces Erasure. Residents Are Honoring Its History. Steeles battle is arduous, but too important to give up. New homeowners in the Highland Hills complex will live directly across the street from Oak Hill, where Steeles mother was laid to rest. She also fears Royal residents will eventually be displaced. A historical marker for the Royal School, the site where the former segregated school was, sits in front of the Alonzo A. Young Sr. Enrichment & Historical Center where Beverly Steele hosts her youth programming. (Aallyah Wright/Capital B) Through her nonprofit, Young Performing Artists Inc., Steele began sharing the communitys history with youth more than 25 years ago. In turn, the kids shared the history with their parents and grandparents. People knew that they had land passed down, but they didnt have any idea of how we got the land, why the 40 acres, and the significance of Royal and African Americans being able to get the land at the time that they did, the local historian told Capital B. Its tremendous to us because they were able to take the message even further than we were. This history led Steele on a decades-long pursuit to get the history documented, verified, and listed on the National Park Services National Register of Historic Places. Its been no small feat. After submitting its application for nomination, Steele says state officials redrew the communitys boundaries to exclude historically Black properties. White landowners also objected: they didnt want their properties included in the listing. Last fall, Steele secured legal help and guidance from the Southern Poverty Law Center. Being listed on the National Register wont stop developers from encroaching on their community. Their hope, though, is that the historic designation will protect its boundaries and lead to more restrictions that make it harder for development that isnt culturally or historically appropriate, they say. Land is an asset, and we want our generations to be able to benefit from that, Steele said. The threats were facing, whats so empowering about it is that everyone supports Royal being recognized, but they want to diminish the boundaries diminish the value of this land and our intergenerational wealth that we have gained. Steele said the locals arent afraid of development, but they want development thats more characteristic of the historic community, and they want county officials to start recognizing the communitys historic value. For seven generations now, land in Royal has passed from one generation to the next in spite of centuries of racial violence and economic displacement. Today, land can be used as a powerful tool for growing generational wealth but can just as easily be used to strip communities of their wealth, said Malissa Williams, senior attorney for the Southern Poverty Law Center. Surrounded by development This isnt the first time Royal citizens have come up against efforts to build in their community. Residents, along with Sumter County commissioners, rejected a plan in 1988 to construct a turnpike through Royal. In 2019, state lawmakers approved a bill to construct the Northern Florida Extension, or turnpike project, to build three roads across rural central Florida, including Royal. Although the bill was repealed, it was given new life in 2022. Community outrage led the Florida Department of Transportation to halt the extension project, which wouldve destroyed homes, a community center, and two churches in Royal. A spokesperson from the Florida Department of Transportation wrote in an email statement to Capital B that the agency is focused on improving I-75 instead of the turnpike extension. Its a direct result of the meaningful engagement from communities, including Royal. [In November], FDOT District Five Secretary John Tyler and other representatives with the Department met with interested residents and community leaders of Royal to discuss the proposed I-75 improvements, plans for the County Road 462 bridge, and retention pond locations, the statement said. We will continue to keep Royal and other surrounding communities engaged and informed as the project progresses. That win for the community was short-lived. After that, the county commissioners amended its comprehensive plan and approved rezoning requests for developers, despite fierce opposition from residents. Royal isnt even included in the countys comprehensive plan, which is a guide for growth and development for their jurisdictions. In front of the entrance of the Oak Hill burial site will be Highland Homes Family Housing, a 532-home development on less than 200 acres, which goes along County Road 229 and State Road 44. The area borders a 400-acre farm owned by David Cuthers, who also spoke out against it, according to the local Villages News. Beverly Steele (left) and resident Gwendolyn Roach look at the location where the 532-family homes will be built as they stand in the Oak Hill Cemetery in Royal, Florida. (Aallyah Wright/Capital B) On the other side of the cemetery, where Steele and other Black families have lived since the founding of Royal in 1865, sits 60 acres owned by Werner Enterprises Inc., which wants to develop a truck stop near I-75 and State Road 44. The development is expected to generate an estimated 5,000 daily trips, which concerns some residents. The rezoning request for this project included nine requirements, including setbacks from adjacent property and restrictions on noise and truck idling. Commissioners also approved 8G Farm Inc.s request to rezone 136 acres along County Road 475 for industrial development. Steele and Nathaniel Williams, a fellow Royal resident, challenged it, but were unsuccessful. Some companies have even approached residents like 90-year-old Maitland Keiler and 98-year-old Annie Johnson to sell their land. Each letter is thrown into the garbage can because the land is not for sale, they told Capital B. Keiler, along with his nieces and nephews, still lives on land his family inherited. They had a total of 80 acres, but have only 56 acres today. Some of the land was used to build I-75 and his family didnt receive a fair price, he said. [The interstate] is right across the edge of my relatives land. And you know what? They just took that from us mostly. There were two prices. One for the Black one and one for white one, Keiler said. [One of the white owners] told my uncles before they died how much money they got [from the state] for their land. It was much more than what they gave us. Johnson believes that because Royal is an unincorporated, Black and older community, it makes them more vulnerable to such threats. Because they dont have direct representation, their concerns go unheard. A few months ago, her home mailbox got destroyed. Since Royal no longer has a post office, she now has to travel to Wildwood to get her mail, which is difficult because she doesnt have transportation. They bleed the same blood that I bleed. They eat the same things I eat. They have to live on and live like me, and just because of the color of our skin, why are we different? Johnson asked. Royal residents wont back down One of the biggest battles of contention stem from getting national recognition for Royal, which has been in the works long before the heightened development threats. In 2016, Steele hired Edward Gonzalez-Tennant, historian and digital archaeologist, to conduct a Cultural Resources Assessment Survey, or CRAS, to document the historical resources in the community. Aside from documentation, this allowed Gonzalez-Tennant to solidify Royal as a local, state, and national treasure, he said, especially with the demise of similar communities in Florida. He pointed to Rosewood, which was a thriving Black community less than 100 miles from Royal, until a racist and violent mob of white men destroyed the town and forced residents out in 1923. Steele believes the fate for Rosewood could have been the same for Royal, if it werent for Jesse Woods. Every year, Beverly Steele hosts a presentation on Jesse Woods, Royals local hero. (Courtesy of Young Performing Artists) In 1956, Woods, a Black farmer from Royal, was arrested for allegedly saying Hello there, baby to a white school teacher in Wildwood. Wood was thrown in jail, kidnapped, and almost beaten to death by a group of white Ku Klux Klan members. With the help from the NAACP, a trial was held. During the trial, Woods refused to identify the men who tortured him. Steele believes this is what saved Royal from being another Rosewood, she said. These are places that faced violence and for little more than just existing as places where African Americans could pursue the American dream of having jobs and owning property and sending their kids to school and so forth, Gonzalez-Tennant said. [Places like Rosewood] never had that opportunity to see what intergenerational wealth might be like for its descendants a century later. With Royal, you have a Black community that can sort of explore those things. He prepared an application and submitted it to the states historic preservation officer, the first step in the process. The proposal included 3,500 acres of land, but after white property owners contested the decision, they revised the boundaries to 2,500 acres. The state historic preservation officer redrew the boundaries to 1,945 acres, which Steele and Gonzalez-Tennant say excluded about 24 Black families who have had land for generations. One of those people: Mother Lily Soloman who was the first lady of the local Baptist church and second midwife in the community, Steele said. The state went forward and sent their nomination to the Keeper of the National Register of Historic Places. Last summer, the SPLC and Gonzalez-Tennant sent separate petitions to the keeper to conduct a review and reconsider Royals national significance. The keeper agreed in a recent opinion that the Royal community district met the criteria to be listed on the registry. It returned the nomination and asked the state to better document its boundaries and make technical edits to the nomination. Beverly Steele hopes their battle inspires other communities to get involved. (Aallyah Wright/Capital B) A spokesperson for the state denied the agency changed any boundaries. In an email statement to Capital B, the spokesperson confirmed that the revisions have been made and resubmitted for a final determination by the National Park Service. If the National Park Service approves the nomination, Royal would become the park services first rural district in Florida. In the meantime, Steele and other community organizers are petitioning Sumter County officials to get Royal added in its comprehensive plan. They are also looking for other ways to work with the county to pass ordinances or laws to aid in the protection of their land. Steele described her love to Royal by referencing the Bee Gees 1970s hit How Deep Is Your Love. And its that love that motivates her to keep fighting, in spite of the roadblocks. Were not trying to hurt anyone. Were not trying to stop development. Were not trying to stop people from helping their families with what they have preserved as well, Steele said. But in our not trying to hurt our neighbors, we just cant sit down and let our neighbors hurt us. When we can come together and talk together and get some of these things together, all of us would have benefited. But since that didnt happen, we just cant sit and let it just come in on us. The post The Fight to Protect One of Americas Last Historic Black Communities appeared first on Capital B News. PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) Every tenant has the legal right to fair and safe housing, but that doesnt mean they always get it. 10 On Your Side spoke with two women who noticed a problem and shared how they fought back. A Tale of Two Tenants Cierra Owens Lees Landing Our first story takes us to Lees Landing in Newport News. Cierra Owens has lived there for two years. Shes now on her way out, but as she tells us, not without a fight. Owens was injured in a car accident last year and lost her job after she maxed out her time off to recover. This past summer she got a new job, but had to wait 30 days before receiving her first paycheck, putting her behind on rent. I reached out via email to say, Hey, listen, theres going to be 30 days where Im not going to have a paycheck and I was piecing things together with DoorDash,' she said. Once that happened they never responded so I was like, OK, well, maybe theyre working with me. That was in July 2023. Owens said three months later, in October, she was contacted regarding the missed payment. Every time I would try to go pay it in the portal, my portal would be turned off, unbeknownst to me, Owens said, and they only accept cashiers check at that point. Owens works 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in another city. The rental office at her complex is open from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Many times, she said, she doesnt make it home in time to stop by the office and has been forced to either take off work or have a family member drop off payments, which at times, she said, the rental office has been hesitant to take. Then, she told us, the complex started tacking on fees so she took them to court. Originally it was a $150 fee that they couldnt explain to me or the judge which is why the judge dismissed it, Owens said. She showed us the court documents from that day, along with receipts showing she was current in rent payments. The unexplained fees kept coming, so Owens kept a paper trail with all receipts and correspondence from the property manager. She tacked on a $75 fee for a Writ of Eviction although they received every payment they were supposed to Jan. 2, Owens said. That notice to vacate, she said, was canceled, but another one was put on her door giving her 30 days to leave and stated that her lease would not be renewed. By law, renters in Virginia who have a signed agreement must be given a 60-day notice to vacate. Owens said she told the property manager she was entitled to a 60-day notice and was given an additional 30 days. She must vacate her apartment by April 13. The alternative, she said, was to sign a new lease which would increase her $924 monthly rent to more than $1,400. This has taken a toll on my mental health, Owens said. This has been incredibly stressful for an incredibly long time. Taylor Bagnick with COVA Collective has this advice for prospective renters in Hampton Roads. When it comes to late rental payments, open lines of communication is always going to be the best option, Bagnick said. Anything that is agreed upon, you are putting in writing. Meanwhile, as Owens looks for a new place to live, she encourages others to speak up. You dont have to just sit back and take it, Owens said. What theyre doing is not fair, and if you can prove its not fair, speak up. Dont be silent. 10 On Your Side reached out to Lees Landing for comment. We have not heard back. Stephanie Vann Aqua on 25th From Newport News, we head 50 miles down the road to the Virginia Beach oceanfront with another renters experience and what happened when she started asking questions. Renters rights are universal, said Stephanie Vann of Virginia Beach. Vann lives steps from the beach and rents a luxury unit at Aqua on 25th. Vann has a background in construction real estate and upon moving into her home, made several observations. Birds flying in and out of dryer vents, nesting in dryer vents, Vann said. Birds in dryer vents are a major fire hazard. They can block the dryer vent causing major carbon monoxide poisoning. She told us she put in multiple maintenance requests. Was initially met with a lot of excuses, maybe delays and eventually, just hostility, animosity, threats, Vann said. Vann said the delay of action empowered her to contact city code enforcement herself. When the city came out, she was given copies of eight fire code violations and building code violations. Documents from an annual fire inspection were dated Feb. 13, 2024. Vann has a binder full of the reports and hired an attorney regarding the findings. And this is directly from the fire marshal, Vann read aloud. The third floor fire doors should be repaired so they open and shut. The second floor fire doors will not shut. they should be repaired. Thats half our fire doors. This is one of eight fire code violations and one of 90 pages of false fire alarms. Theres five floors in the building. The trash chutes that dont work are 5, 4, 3 and 2. 1 doesnt have one. Fire resistance-rated construction, the opening in the first floor electrical room should be covered. The Breeden Company refused an on-camera interview, but gave us a walkthrough of the property. The Breeden Company denies the violations. Vann says otherwise. The first floor below me, the deck is actually being supported, in excess of six months now, by 2 by 4s, Vann said. 10 On Your Side observed the beams. Breeden told us the balconies are sound, but moisture was discovered and engineers are testing solutions to change the structures of the balconies. Breeden is working with the city to correct the issue. In the meantime, Vann said she was given an eviction notice due to disturbing the peace. The Breeden Company would neither confirm nor deny this claim. My intention in all of this was to have a safe home for me and my mother because this is where she wants to live out her days and its where weve invested in, Vann said, and now I dont have a home because Ive asked for repairs. When looking at apartment homes, Bagnick highly suggests doing your research. Make sure youre looking at their websites, their reviews, that they are a credible company, Bagnick said. Google is an amazing resource. A lot of people are going to put the raving reviews or the not-so-raving. Vann plans to find another place to live and doesnt regret fighting back if it keeps future tenants safe. It just lit a fire in me, Vann said. The Breeden Companys Official Statement: For more than 60 years, The Breeden Company has offered and maintained standards of excellence in residential living. To this end, we always work to ensure we are doing our best and offering our best to residents. Aqua on 25th Street is a resort-inspired luxury apartment community. We have taken all claims made by this resident seriously, as we do with all our residents. Yet through thorough investigations, complete with City of Virginia Beach involvement, Aqua on 25th Street has been found to be in full compliance regarding the health and safety of its tenants. We whole-heartedly support residents rights and take all necessary actions to investigate, and when necessary, rectify, any perceived violations. This situation, however, does not illustrate [any such] violation nor legitimate claims. Vanns claim: Birds are nesting in the dryer vents. This is an ongoing problem. The Breeden Company: Upon recent inspection, no birds were observed as nesting in the dryer vents and no violations were cited. Vents are inspected on a weekly basis, and more often as needed, to ensure proper function and clearing. This is necessary because if a vent is blocked for any length of time, it can quickly result in a larger and more costly issue. Vanns claim: The fire marshal found eight code violations including trash chutes not latching and fire doors not functioning properly. Vann showed us the documents dated Feb. 13, 2024 as part of an annual fire inspection. The Breeden Company: This claim is untrue. The fire marshal did respond and found no violations. The Breeden Company provided a fire inspection report dated Feb. 9, 2024 regarding a complaint about birds in the dryer vents. None were observed that day and no violation was made. We requested a copy of the annual fire inspection that took place on Feb. 13, 2024. The Breeden Company: Under the advisement of their lawyers, The Breeden Company has decided not to forward copies of the annual inspection report for Aqua on 25th Street but assure that this property is up to date on its standard annual inspections and any minor issues found have been addressed and will be re-inspected next week. Vanns claim: The first floor balcony is being held up by 24s. 10 On Your Side observed the beams in person. The Breeden Company: The balconies at Aqua on 25th are structurally sound. However, there was moisture discovered, and we are in the process of evaluating changes to the structure of the balconies. Our engineers are testing solutions on one balcony rather than all balconies on site, and the wood observed is a part of their testing. They will be removed immediately once testing is completed, and the moisture solution will be implemented once we have permits to perform the work from the City of Virginia Beach. Any balcony work being completed falls within the timeframe allotted. Vanns claim: Breeden was given 30 days to correct the violations. The Breeden Company: No violations have been found by the fire marshal. The City of Virginia Beach has also been involved with the balcony issue and is aware of our progress in implementing a solution. Upon inspection, the City agreed that we should correct the issue and is working with us regarding the timing and permits. Vanns claim: She was given an eviction notice for disturbing the peace. The Breeden Company: As a result of multiple complaints made from other residents about the tenant in question, the tenant in question was provided a notice to correct the issues within 21 days. Resources for VA Renters: Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act: https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacodepopularnames/virginia-residential-landlord-and-tenant-act/ Virginia Dept. of Housing Tenant and Landlord resources: https://www.dhcd.virginia.gov/landlord-tenant-resources Virginia Legal Aid for Landlord and Tenant Issues: https://www.valegalaid.org/issues/housing/landlord-and-tenant-issues Eviction Helpline: 1-833-NOEVICT For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. By Humeyra Pamuk and Nidal al-Mughrabi CAIRO (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Thursday he believed talks in Qatar could still reach a Gaza ceasefire agreement while Israel attacked Hamas gunmen in the enclave's Al Shifa hospital and evacuated patients. In Cairo, Blinken met Arab foreign ministers and Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi as talks in Qatar centred on a truce of around six weeks that would allow the release of 40 Israeli hostages in return for hundreds of Palestinians detained in Israeli jails. "Negotiators continue to work. The gaps are narrowing, and we're continuing to push for an agreement in Doha. Theres still difficult work to get there. But I continue to believe it's possible," Blinken said. "We've closed the gaps, but there are still gaps. So I can't put a timeline on it. I can just say that we're committed to doing everything possible to reaching an agreement." The main sticking point in ceasefire talks has been that Hamas says it will release hostages only as part of a deal that would end the war, while Israel says it will discuss only a temporary pause. A statement by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said Israel's spy chief David Barnea would travel to Qatar on Friday to meet mediators. In Gaza itself, Israel continued its raid of Al Shifa hospital, the only partially working medical facility in the north of the strip, for a fourth day. Residents said buildings inside the complex were in flames and others reported they saw gunfire and people shot in the complex. An Israeli military spokesperson said Hamas and Islamic Jihad gunmen were holed up in the building housing the hospital's emergency room and expected the army raid to continue for a few more days. Hamas has denied that the hospital harbours fighters and said those killed were wounded patients and displaced people. "We are evacuating the patients, around 220 patients, to another building," Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said in a televised statement, "with appropriate medical equipment so that all the patients and doctors can be safe. We continue to call on all the gunmen in the building to surrender." Hagari added some "very important" Hamas commanders have been captured but he could not disclose their identities yet because they were providing valuable intelligence. A local journalist, Osama Al-Ashi, who lives near the Al Shifa hospital wrote on his Facebook page he was unable to leave the area because it was surrounded by tanks. "I could die at any moment... I'm afraid of everything around me and of everything," he said. HUNGER AT RAMADAN With hunger worsening in the densely populated enclave, where five months of war have created critical food shortages, the head of the World Health Organization said only opening more border crossings for trucks carrying aid could prevent famine in Gaza. Israel's offensive has now killed almost 32,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities. The war was triggered by militants from Hamas, which governs Gaza, storming into southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing around 1,200 people and taking 253 hostages, by Israeli tallies. The Egyptian president stressed the need for a truce to address the escalating humanitarian crisis and warned of the dangers from Israel's promised military operation in Rafah, echoing growing international concern. The southern Gaza city is the last zone of relative safety for civilians and more than half the enclave's population is now sheltering there, pressed against the Egyptian border. An Israeli official insisted Israel would take control of Rafah even if it caused a rift with the United States, saying that a quarter of Hamas' original fighting force was there. "It's going to happen. And it will happen even if Israel is forced to fight alone," Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer said in a podcast. Blinken said a major military operation in Rafah would be a mistake, and that it was not necessary. Officials from 36 countries and U.N. agencies gathered in Cyprus to discuss ways to expedite humanitarian deliveries. "Recent efforts to deliver food by air and sea are welcome, but only the expansion of land crossings will enable large-scale deliveries to prevent famine," WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said. "Once again, we ask Israel to open more crossings and accelerate the entry and delivery of water, food, medical supplies and other humanitarian aid into and within Gaza." NO RAMADAN FEASTS Gaza's Palestinians despaired at observing Ramadan, a month-long Islamic observance that includes daytime fasting for adults, without relatives who have been killed and lacking adequate food for their children. At a Gaza school run by the U.N. Palestinian refugee agency, thousands of people who have fled Israeli airstrikes barely had enough food to break the daily fast, unlike fellow Muslims around the world. Basel al-Soueidi, sheltering in the Jabalia refugee camp, was cooking a few red lentils for the surviving members of his family, 17 of whom have been killed in the war. "There is no food or water, there is nothing. All my cousins died, there's no one left. We used to all gather during Ramadan, with my uncle," he said, close to tears. Israel said its troops had killed more than 50 Hamas gunmen over the previous day, taking the number of fighters killed around Al-Shifa hospital to 140, along with two Israeli soldiers. It added 358 Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants had been captured during the raid at the hospital complex. (Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk and Nidal al-Mughrabi in Cairo; Writing by Sharon Singleton, Alexandra Hudson; Editing by Kevin Liffey, Frances Kerry and Cynthia Osterman) Of all the many ways the literary nonprofit O, Miami has brought poetry to the citys residents, founder and executive director P. Scott Cunningham recalls one in particular: the resurrection of Jose Marti. O, Miami bombards Miamians with poetry in April, be it with airplane banners, fake parking tickets or downtown billboards. In 2014, actor Ivan Lopez suggested a fun idea to bring a dead poet to life. He dressed as Marti, the Cuban poet and revolutionary. He recited Martis poems as he rode a horse down Calle Ocho, trailed by staff and volunteers handing out white roses. Cunningham loved the idea and thought it would be funny. But The Last Ride of Jose Marti meant much more than that, he said. Cuban community members were touched to see and hear their homelands idol, and Cunningham recognized the projects impact. One of the things I love about the festival is that I think an event is gonna go one way and then it goes a completely different way, Cunningham said. And its actually way better and way more meaningful than I ever realized. After leading the organization for 17 years, Cunningham is stepping down as executive director as of June 30. O, Miami announced Thursday that it will conduct a search to fill the role. The announcement came just a week away from the groups annual O, Miami Poetry Festival, from April 1 to 30. Cunningham will remain involved in the organization as a member of the Board of Directors. Its been a joy to see O, Miami grow under Scotts creative leadership into one of Miamis most beloved institutions, Tom Healy, the O, Miami Board Chair, said in a statement. Scott has built a strong organization that is well-prepared to keep growing along with our great city. Were excited for him and for O, Miamis next chapter. While organizing community events has been an incredible creative outlet for him, Cunningham said he is ready to hand over the reins. Cunningham, a writer, plans on pursuing projects he had left on the backburner while running the nonprofit and festival. Though the decision is bittersweet, he said hes excited that the nonprofit has a strong future. I wanted this to be a thing that outlasted me, he said. Over the last year and a half, I slowly started to realize that I had given it all that I had creatively, he said. It was time for me to step aside and let it be someone elses creative engine and have them push it in a direction that I would have never been able to do. Thats a healthy thing for any organization. P. Scott Cunningham, the O, Miami founder and executive director, speaks in front of a billboard the organization purchased for its poetry contest. Lily Mora/Courtesy of O, Miami Cunningham grew up in Boca Raton, which he described as 45 minutes and a world away from Miami. He visited Miami often as a child so when he moved here in 2005 to attend graduate school at Florida International University, he thought he knew what he was getting himself into. He was wrong. Unlike other cities he had lived in, like Boston or San Francisco, Miami was hard to figure out. There had to be more than the tourist traps and Club Space. He learned more about Miami when he connected with the local arts community, and he fell madly in love with the city. Cunningham didnt plan on starting a nonprofit. Frankly, I didnt want to be lonely as a poet in Miami, he said, chuckling. This place is so fascinating. Ill never get to the bottom of it, he said. So how can I create a job for myself where every day Im exploring Miami? In 2008, he began organizing a lecture series with interesting people talking about what they do. At the time, he was writing his senior thesis and renting a desk at a coworking space in Wynwood that no longer exists. These were the early days of Wynwood as an up-and-coming arts hub. He held the first series of lectures at the coworking space, dubbing it the University of Wynwood. (Despite the tongue-in-cheek name, several people thought it was a real university, Cunningham said.) He secured funding from the Knight Foundation to organize a poetry festival to bring visiting poets to Miami. Thats when he changed the name to O, Miami, referencing how a poet may begin an ode to a beloved person or place. By 2022, O, Miami received a $2.5 million award from the Knight Foundation. The festival is known for its mission to make sure every person in Miami-Dade County encounters a poem during the month of April, or National Poetry Month. Since the first festival in 2011, the organizations efforts expanded to education, hosting poetry workshops and events at schools and community centers. Earlier this month, the group published its first photo book on Miamis ventanitas featuring poems from residents of all ages. Last year, the group worked with Spanish art collective Boa Mistura to paint the water tanks overlooking Miami Beach Senior High. A line from a students poem, the first she ever wrote, stretches across the murals. Valentina Mena, a sophomore at Miami Beach Senior High School, in front of the My Home, Mi Hogar mural on Friday, May 5, 2023. A line from her poem is featured on the two water tanks. Chantal Lawrie/O, Miami Cunningham said the biggest requirement for the executive director job is to love the city of Miami. Thats the heart of what we do, he said. I mean, poetry is honestly secondary to that. This story was produced with financial support from individuals and Berkowitz Contemporary Arts in partnership with Journalism Funding Partners, as part of an independent journalism fellowship program. The Miami Herald maintains full editorial control of this work. Joshua Hartfield, the last of six White former Mississippi law enforcement officers sentenced in the torture of two Black men in January 2023, received a 10-year prison term in federal court Thursday afternoon. The hearing capped an emotional three days during which vivid accounts of the horrifying brutality of a self-styled Goon Squad of deputies gripped a packed courtroom, where the highest-ranking officer on the scene Brett McAlpin was sentenced to more than 27 years in prison earlier Thursday. This a momentous day, Melvin Jenkins, the father of one of the victims, said after the final sentencing. US Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a release: The depravity of the crimes committed by these defendants cannot be overstated, and they will now spend between 10 and 40 years in prison for their heinous attack on citizens they had sworn to protect. A former Richland Police Department officer, Hartfield was the only defendant who was not a member of the Rankin County Sheriffs Department. All six defendants pleaded guilty in August to federal charges of conspiracy against rights, deprivation of rights under color of law, conspiracy to obstruct justice, and obstruction of justice. In addition to their federal charges, the six defendants also pleaded guilty last year to a bevy of state charges for which they await sentencing in connection with the incident. Hartfield, who used a Taser on the two Black men Eddie Parker and Michael Jenkins while they were handcuffed, also tried to dispose of evidence in the case, prosecutors said. Youre not here by accident, US District Judge Tom Lee told the defendant before imposing his sentence. You made some choices. Some bad choices. But I do look at you (in) a different light, I suppose, compared to the other defendants. You were not a member of the Goon Squad. You were not even a member of the Rankin County Sheriffs Department. Still, the judge told Hartfield he didnt just fail to intervene, you actively participated in a much more limited basis than your codefendants, but you participated, nonetheless. For that, you deserve to be punished. Hartfields attorneys asked for a lesser sentence, but prosecutors told the court the officer wanted to join the sheriffs office and applied for work there. Prosecutors said Hartfield listened and did nothing as the victims screamed in pain and agony, and he participated in the cover-up of the crime. Shackled around his waist and hands, Hartfield choked up and sobbed when he began to address the court. All I wanted to do was help people. I failed to help the two people who needed me the most. The defendants raided a home in Braxton in January 2023 without a warrant, subjected the two Black men to racist vitriol, used Tasers on them after they had already been handcuffed, beat them with various objects and shot Jenkins in the mouth, prosecutors said. Mr. Jenkins and Mr. Parker, I would like to apologize to you both, Hartfield said. The officers went to the home after a neighbor reported several Black men were staying at a White womans home and reported seeing suspicious behavior. The officers kicked in the door of a home where two Black men were staying and subjected them to an hour and a half of hell, FBI Director Christopher Wray has said. Parker was a long-time friend of the homeowner, according to federal prosecutors. He was living at the home and helping take care of her. Jenkins was living at the home temporarily. At least several of the defendants then-deputies Hunter Elward, Jeffrey Middleton and Daniel Opdyke were part of a group of deputies that called themselves the Goon Squad because of their willingness to use excessive force and not report it, federal prosecutors said in court documents. Cop calling the shots gets 27-plus years Federal prosecutors earlier Thursday described McAlpin, a former deputy with the Rankin County Sheriffs Office, as the one calling the shots and as a mafia don among the six rogue cops who tortured citizens acts associated with another time in the state of Mississippi. McAlpin, his voice shaking, addressed the court but did not look at the victims. Eddie Parker and Michael Jenkins, I want you to know Im sorry for what you went through, he said. Im sorry to your families because I have three boys and I know I would feel the very same, no different than you did, for what happened to Michael and Eddie. What happened was wrong. Parker, in his victim impact statement, said he has been waiting to come face-to-face with McAlpin. This man right here has given so much grief. Hes taken so many people away from their families. Throughout the hearing, McAlpin made no eye contact with the victims or their families. He mostly looked down or straight ahead, occasionally shaking his head. Parker said he watched the defendant walk around that house like he was the man. He mocked McAlpin at one point, saying he could do a better job in law enforcement. Your honor do you think I could be deputized? Do you think I could be a sheriff? Parker said, eliciting laughter from spectators in the courtroom. McAlpins attorneys said the former officer was not directly involved in the assaults or the shooting. They said he was in plain clothes the night of the incident and did not have his gun or Taser. But the judge agreed with prosecutors, determining the ex-deputy qualified for an aggravating role enhancement in his sentence because he had decision-making authority and recruited accomplices. Without McAlpin, the Goon Squad would not exist, a prosecutor said. McAlpin also urinated in a closet during the raid on the Braxton home to further degrade the victims in the house and to send the message he wanted them gone, a prosecutor said. Prosecutors said McAlpin inflicted trauma on the citizens of Rankin County for decades, and that they identified nine incidents over the past five years in which he brutalized people with impunity. McAlpin, who lived in the neighborhood where Parker and Jenkins were tortured, made the initial call to another officer and directed him to go to the home in Braxton after White neighbors complained about two Black men staying there. Jenkins father, Melvin Jenkins, told the court McAlpin made his son angrier than the man who shot him. He sat there like he was some king, sat in the chair and watched them brutalize them. That man right there is a tyrant, Melvin Jenkins said. Melvin Jenkins thanked the judge for not being a good ol boy and for giving these guys what they deserve. The judge also ordered McAlpin to undergo mental health treatment, including anger management. Malik Shabazz, the victims attorney, told reporters Thursday: A new day has come in a state that was hopeless. Atrocious acts of pure hell Descriptions of a nightmare of racially motivated beatings, torture, sexual assaults and even a mock execution played out over the three days of sentencing hearings as victims came face-to-face with their tormentors. The rogue former officers got prison terms for what the FBI director described as atrocious acts of pure hell. The judge on Wednesday imposed the harshest sentence so far 40 years in prison on former Rankin County sheriffs deputy Christian Dedmon, saying he committed the most shocking, brutal and cruel acts imaginable. Michael Corey Jenkins, left, and Eddie Terrell Parker walk toward the Thad Cochran United States Courthouse in Jackson, Mississippi, on Thursday. - Rogelio V. Solis/AP Another former deputy, Opdyke, was sentenced to more than 17 years in prison earlier Wednesday. Two former Rankin County sheriffs deputies, Elward and Middleton, were sentenced on Tuesday. Elward, who shot Michael Jenkins in the mouth, was sentenced to 20 years in prison and gave an emotional apology to the victims in court. Middleton was sentenced to 17 1/2 years in prison. Besides the other federal charges, Elward also pleaded guilty to discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence. The former officers left Jenkins on the floor to bleed as they planted a gun on the victims and plotted their cover story, officials said. This is a remarkable and historic moment for the state of Mississippi and the United States of America and victims of police brutality and police abuse, Shabazz told reporters Wednesday. Ex-cop did not address his victims directly Former Rankin County deputy Christian Dedmon at the Rankin County Circuit Court in Brandon, Mississippi on August 14, 2023. - Rogelio V. Solis/AP Shabazz has described Dedmon as oppressive and sick. Federal prosecutors said Dedmon is the most sexually perverted of the former officers and subjected victims to the most egregious sexual acts. Prosecutors said Dedmon, 29, organized and participated in countless missions in which he was not at all afraid to use excessive force. Despite his relatively young age, Dedmon had the experience not to do what he was doing and hid behind his badge and gun, one prosecutor said. (Dedmons) acts are egregious, serious, lawless, the prosecutor said. The disgraced former deputy addressed the court before sentencing but unlike the three ex-cops before him he did not address the victims directly or make eye contact. The lies, the pain I caused them, I will never forgive myself for. If I could take everything back, I promise that I would. I got into law enforcement not as a devil. I really wanted to make a difference, Dedmon said. Melvin Jenkins said after Dedmon was sentenced: Ive lived in Mississippi 68 years, and Ive never seen justice like this. He thanked federal Judge Tom Lee and said the prison term was something unheard of in the state. Dedmon was also sentenced Wednesday on a different charge to which hed pleaded guilty a federal charge of deprivation of rights under the color of law and discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence related to a separate incident in December 2022. In August, the US Justice Department said the 2022 charges stemmed from an incident on Dec. 4, 2022, in which Dedmon beat and tased a white man and fired a gun near his head to coerce a confession. Take full responsibility for my actions From top left, former Rankin County sheriff's deputies Hunter Elward, Christian Dedmon, Brett McAlpin, Jeffrey Middleton, Daniel Opdyke and former Richland police officer Joshua Hartfield. - Rogelio V. Solis/AP Before his 17-year prison term was imposed Wednesday, a visibly emotional Opdyke addressed the court and the victims directly as he sobbed, wiped away tears and paused throughout his statement to them. I cannot fathom how I fell so easily in line, going along with and actively participating in the use of excessive force against Mr. Parker and Mr. Jenkins, Opdyke said. He then turned to Parker, who was crying with his head between his legs. Nothing I say can undo the harm that I caused you, Opdyke told Parker during his testimony in court. I can only take full responsibility for my actions, and I deeply regret all the pain and suffering Ive caused you. Parker, in tears, stood up and walked out of the courtroom with his aunt. The judge also ordered Opdyke to undergo mental health treatment, including anger management, as well as alcohol and drug treatment. The ex-deputy was also ordered to pay $79,500 in restitution to the victims. Opdykes attorneys argued for a seven-year sentence because of extensive sexual and physical abuse they say he endured as a child at the hands of his father. His history of abandonment by both parents, his own father raped him until he was 8 years old. Daniel has no memory before he was 8 years old, one of Opdykes attorneys said. It was revealed during Wednesdays hearing that Opdyke was the officer who turned over the text messages from the Goon Squad group chat, which was on the encrypted messaging service WhatsApp, to the federal government on April 12, 2023. Opdykes attorney said that information substantially assisted the investigation and directly contributed to the defendants decision to plead guilty. Moments after Parker walked out of the courtroom, the former officer looked at Jenkins and spoke to him directly: Mr. Jenkins, I also failed you. I hit you and tried to force a sex toy in your mouth, he said. I know that after that night, you will never be the same. I couldve tried to stop it, but I didnt, he continued. Jenkins stared ahead as Opdyke broke down in tears. He showed no emotion. The victims attorney wrapped his arm around him. Opdyke asked his victims for forgiveness. I regret my actions wholeheartedly, and I hope each of you can find it in your hearts to forgive me, Opdyke said. Mr. Jenkins and Mr. Parker were innocent victims, and I was the perpetrator. The ex-deputy walked away sobbing, red in the face and looking down, shackles around his waist and wrists. An hour and a half of hell On Tuesday, two former Rankin County sheriffs deputies, Hunter Elward and Jeffrey Middleton, were sentenced. Elward, who shot Jenkins in the mouth, was sentenced to 20 years in prison and gave an emotional apology to the victims in court. Middleton was sentenced to 17 1/2 years in prison. Mr. Jenkins, I see you every day and every night. Im so doggone sorry, Elward said. Theres no telling what youve seen. Im so sorry that I caused that. I hate myself for it. I hate that I gave you that. I accept all responsibility. Jenkins nodded. Parker stood up and replied: We forgive you, man. After the hearing, however, Jenkins told CNN that Elwards apology meant nothing to him. Middleton, at sentencing, told the court he accepted responsibility for his actions. I made some very poor, life-changing decisions. They were morally and legally wrong, he said, apologizing to Jenkins, Parker and their families, as well as his family and the people of Rankin County. He was the supervisor on the night of the attacks. In his victim impact statement, read by Shabazz, Parker said he didnt think Middleton was sorry. After all six sentencings, the Rankin County sheriff said Thursday the defendants had undermined the reputation of the Rankin County Sheriffs Department. The former officer are being held accountable because, in part, the department cooperated with all investigative and prosecutorial efforts, Sheriff Bryan Bailey said. Violations of established rules and regulations will not be tolerated by this department, and anyone who violates the law will be brought to justice, Bailey said. This story has been updated with additional information. CNNs Holly Yan contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com LOUDOUN COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now) More than a month after a house explosion in Sterling killed a firefighter an injured man others, the final firefighter who was hurt in the incident left the hospital, surrounded by people. The Sterling Volunteer Fire Company posted about Brian Diamonds release from a burn center on Facebook on Wednesday. Loudoun County community raises money for firefighters impacted by Sterling home explosion Diamond was among the 11 firefighters who were hurt on Feb. 16 when a house in the 300 block of Silver Ridge Dr. exploded following a reported gas leak. Two other people were hurt. Firefighter Trevor Brown, 45, died in the explosion. The fire marshals office determined the reported leak, which came from an underground propane tank, was , in fact, responsible for the explosion. As a result of what happened, fire officials restricted Southern States Cooperative, Inc.s delivery and transfers less than a month later. Loudoun County Fire and Rescue Fire Marshals Office (LCFR-FMO) said that it was working with representatives from the company to review and update the companys fire code related information. In its post about Diamond leaving the burn center on Wednesday, Sterling Volunteer Fire Company said: He still has many challenges ahead, but this is such an important milestone! There will be an increased law enforcement presence at Station 18, and probably helicopters, as we welcome Brian home. Please be patient, and please keep Brian, his family, and the first responder family in your thoughts. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. A Navy SEAL commodore was relieved of command of Naval Special Warfare Group 8 Wednesday after being charged with a DWI in January and not reporting it to superiors until last week, according to Virginia court records and a defense official with knowledge of the case. Capt. Richard A. Zaszewski was arrested by police on Jan. 19 and charged with misdemeanor DWI, according to court records. Online records only indicate that he was arrested in Virginia, but the case was filed in Virginia Beach General District Court. And while he did not initially report the alleged infraction to his bosses, Zaszewski self-reported the incident last week, which led to his relief, according to a defense official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss personnel matters. Court records show it was Zaszewskis first offense, and that his blood alcohol content was between 0.15% and 0.2%, above the legal limit of .08%. He was released on his own recognizance the same day of his arrest, according to court records. Navy fires SEAL unit commodore Robert Morecock, the attorney listed as representing Zaszewski in court records, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Zaszewski could not be reached for comment. He took command of the unit in August 2022, and was scheduled to hand over the reins of command this summer, according to the defense official. The Navy has not initiated its own investigation into Zaszewski, and the defense official said it remains unclear as of Wednesday whether he would face discipline within the military system. The next hearing in his case is scheduled for May 15, according to court records. Correction: An earlier version of this story misstated the location of Zaszewskis arrest. He was arrested in Virginia. Hungary is ready to openly discuss cooperation with Russia in areas that are not subject to EU sanctions. However, this must be in line with national interests. ADVERTISIMENT This was stated by Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto at a briefing in Prague following a meeting of Visegrad foreign ministers. He clarified that some countries do this covertly. "In those sectors where there are no sanctions, yes, on a pragmatic basis, where it is in our national interests, we would like to develop cooperation with the Russians, as many European and transatlantic countries do," Szijjarto said. He noted that Russian gas supplies to Europe, Russian oil imports from India, and nuclear fuel supplies from Russia to non-European NATO countries have increased. "I think you will not raise this issue only with those who are ready to discuss it openly," Sijjarto told reporters. It should be noted that since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the European Union has reduced Russian gas imports by 71%, but Budapest didn't do this but also signed a new contract with Moscow for additional volumes of Russian gas. ADVERTISIMENT Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto have consistently shown their favor for the Kremlin. Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, the Hungarian authorities have been making statements that contradict the EU's common position of support for Kyiv. In particular, according to media reports, Viktor Orban wrote in a letter to Putin congratulating the Russian dictator on his "election victory." In the letter, the Hungarian prime minister called support for dialogue a prerequisite for a speedy resolution of the conflict in Ukraine. He emphasized that Hungary is ready to expand cooperation with Russia in areas where it is possible under international law. As OBOZ.UA previously reported, Hungary will block the transfer of profits from seized Russian assets to Ukraine. The European Commission's proposal to transfer 90% of the proceeds from Russian assets to Ukraine is supported by most EU countries, but one vote from Hungary is enough to stop the transfer. Therefore, it will not be possible to decide at the Summit. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Joseph Kuilema figures that a place of privilege was a good place to fight for LGBTQ+ rights. Kuilema lost his job teaching at Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Mich., after he officiated a wedding for two women in 2021. Calvin is affiliated with the Christian Reformed Church, which opposes same-sex relationships. Kuilema says his treatment was unjust, and hes taken the university to court. As a straight cisgender white Christian man with a supportive partner, I felt that I was in a position to fight back, Kuilema tells The Advocate. He conducted the wedding in October 2021 for a former student, Cole Sweda, and their fiancee, Annica Steen. Sweda is a transgender man, but in the legal documents for the marriage, both were listed as female. The authorities at Calvin also considered it a wedding for two women. Kuilema, in addition to having taught at Calvin, is a member of the Christian Reformed faith, so he was well aware of the denominations stance on same-sex relationships and LGBTQ+ issues in general. But he was and is a supporter of LGBTQ+ equality, was part of an affirming congregation, and had often spoken out about his disagreements with the church. His job as an assistant professor in the social work and global studies programs did not entail teaching the churchs religious beliefs. Before officiating the wedding, he checked with his pastor, his church council, and his department chair and colleagues, and they unanimously agreed that he could conduct it, Kuilema says, and this is noted in his lawsuit as well. And he officiated the wedding as a private citizen, not in any official capacity as a university employee, he points out. He was not a tenured professor, having been denied tenure in 2018 because of what the board of trustees called the tone of his LGBTQ+ advocacy, according to the lawsuit he's filed. The denial had come even though colleagues, deans, and committee members considering the matter had recommended tenure for him. He had gone through a series of temporary appointments, and in June 2021, he was told he again would not be considered for tenure but was reappointed for a two-year term, his suit notes. But in December 2021, Calvin leaders became aware of the wedding and began an investigation. In the new year, the universitys Professional Status Committee informed him that his contract would be terminated as of August 2022. He appealed, but to no avail. He filed suit in Kent County Circuit Court in Michigan in April 2023, alleging discrimination in violation of Michigan law. He was terminated because of his association with people who are gay or transgender, or perceived to be, and that is illegal under the states Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, his suit says. Cole Sweda queer couple lgbtq family Calvin University controversy From left: Cole Sweda and Annica Steen Hannah Terwin The Christian Reformed Church is conservative, based on the beliefs of John Calvin, the famously stern, influential 16th-century French theologian for whom the university is named. The university, known as Calvin College until 2020, is noted for its academic rigor, and it has many famous alumni, ranging from well-regarded filmmakers Paul Schrader and Patricia Rozema (she is a lesbian) to right-wing activists such as Betsy DeVos, who was secretary of education when Donald Trump was president. But the school wasnt always homophobic, at least in Kuilemas experience. He attended Calvin from 2000 to 2004, and one of his dormitory mates was an out gay man who was largely accepted. The college I went to was willing to push back against the denomination, Kuilema recalls. He joined Calvin as a professor of social work in 2008, and during that time he often spoke of his differences with the Reformed Churchs position on LGBTQ+ issues, mostly without negative consequences until the past few years. The school took a rightward turn during the 2016 election cycle, he says. After that came the objections to his outspokenness, the denial of tenure, and his dismissal. Several former Calvin students recall experiencing homophobia at the school and in the Christian Reformed Church, even before that rightward turn that Kuilema cites. Ricardo Tavarez, a friend of Kuilemas, was a student at Calvin Theological Seminary, a sibling institution to the university, from 2011 to 2016, earning a masters degree. Hes a gay man in a same-sex marriage, and, he says, he wasnt accepted into the seminarys doctoral program because of that even though theres no formal policy excluding people who are in same-sex relationships. A letter he received from the seminary said it had to pause his application while dealing with the issue. Tavarez has had other differences with the church. Despite not being accepted into the doctoral program, he was still an ordained Christian Reformed minister. He started a congregation in Grand Rapids, and it was initially Christian Reformed. He came out to some people in the denomination, and it wasnt well received, he says. So he left the Christian Reformed Church and took his congregation with him. It was nondenominational for a while, then joined the United Church of Christ, a very LGBTQ- friendly denomination. Hes in the process of changing his ordination to the UCC. As to whether its worth fighting for change from within, he says, There are some institutions that will come around I do not believe that the CRC is one of them. You can say that you are welcoming or that you want to hear other peoples opinions, but then theyll turn around and do things like they did to Kuilema, he says. I think he was just being a friend to that happy couple and trying to be supportive, and it just blew up in his face, Tavarez adds. Tavarez also had a confrontation with a denomination that holds similar beliefs, the Reformed Church in America (the Christian Reformed Church split from the Reformed Church in America in the 19th century). In 2019, he was hired as executive director of New City Neighbors, a nonprofit that runs an urban farm in Grand Rapids that provides experience for teens, supplies produce to food pantries and other clients, and runs a pop-up cafe. It was affiliated with an RCA congregation and leased space from the church. But because of objections to a gay executive director, the church told New City Neighbors in 2020 that the farm would have to find a new home which, Tavarez is happy to report, it did. Weve come out on top, he says. D. Hollowell, who is agender and Black, attended what was then Calvin College in the 2013-2014 academic year after a gap year. They grew up in Grand Rapids in a family that attended a Baptist church; they werent familiar with the Christian Reformed faith but had a friend from that faith who was liberal and accepting of LGBTQ+ people. So they gave Calvin a try. I realized during orientation how far removed I was from any semblance of comfort and safety, Hollowell recalls. There were very few Black or Latino students, also few LGBTQ+ ones who werent encouraged to be out. There was a great emphasis on regular church attendance, courtship, avoiding the temptations of carnal desires, and getting into a heterosexual marriage. Bible study was required. People could be put on academic probation if suspected to be LGBTQ+ and possibly expelled, Hollowell says. One of their friends was stripped of the title of manager of one of the on-campus places of employment after coming out, Hollowell notes, and that was just the tip of the iceberg. Some administrators were held up as sources of support for LGBTQ+ students but were not really supportive, they say. Kuilema, they say, was one of the few truly safe people. As he taught upper-level classes, Hollowell, as a freshman, didnt have him as a teacher but got to know him and was impressed. Joe and the other social work professors were such massive points of support, Hollowell says. Theres no question about Kuilema's commitment to his faith -- he was devoted to Calvin, and he was supporting marriage, Hollowell points out. He has been so much of a light-bearer for folks, they say. What happened to him was reprehensible, Hollowell adds. I wouldnt wish that on anybody such a brutal and underhanded attack. Even if he didnt put himself up as a martyr, [Calvin] made him an example, Hollowell says. Hollowell left Calvin after that one tumultuous year, transferring to another college. They had made friends among some queer and trans students of color, but most of them left too. I really wanted it to work at Calvin [but] I had no choice but to choose myself, they say. Black queer woman Danah Montgomery, a 2018 graduate of Calvin, did have Kuilema as a professor and calls his firing a real loss for the institution. Shes disappointed but not surprised at what happened to him, she says. Montgomery, who wasnt out as a Calvin student, found her years at the school a traumatic experience, marked by a love the sinner, hate the sin philosophy that wasnt really loving. The message was you cant be a practicing homosexual, she says. While shes proud of her educational record and glad to have had certain professors, including Kuilema, she wouldnt recommend Calvin, she says. She also doesnt see it changing. I dont really believe in the power to change that from within anymore, she notes. Last July, the Kent County court denied Calvins motion to dismiss Kuilemas suit. The university is now seeking permission to appeal that decision. Asked for comment, university spokesman Matt Kucinski emailed this statement to The Advocate: The Calvin University community has been well served throughout its 150-year history by having diverse viewpoints among its faculty. The universitys denomination, the Christian Reformed Church (CRC), has recognized and supported this diversity of viewpoints, endorsing the universitys approach to confessional commitment and academic freedom. While there is room for personal disagreement with CRC doctrine, the university has clear expectations for employees regarding teaching, scholarship, and personal conduct, and follows established processes to review alleged violations of those expectations and to determine appropriate responses. We are confident those processes were followed in this case and plan to defend this lawsuit in court. At this time, the university has no further comment on active litigation. Kuilema has landed on his feet. He is now an assistant professor, a tenure-track position, at Grand Valley State University, a public university in Allendale, Mich., just outside Grand Rapids. And he is as committed as ever to fighting for LGBTQ+ equality. The semester after I was terminated at Calvin, a trans student at Redeemer, a Canadian school affiliated with the same denomination, committed suicide, he says. Thats whats at stake here. This is about peoples lives and about basic human rights. Im more convinced than ever that we cannot allow schools like Calvin to take public money [in the form of student aid and other funds] and use it to discriminate against queer people and their allies. As a religious person, I am disgusted that they do so in the name of God. Firefighters in Brockton worked Thursday morning to extinguish a third-alar fire. The fire burned on Otis Street in Brockton. Video and photos show heavy smoke coming out of the home. Boston 25 News reporter Ryan Breslin was there as firefighters used ladders to attack the homes upper floors. There are no injuries to report. The cause of the fire is under investigation. NOW: Brockton firefighters are working to put out a house fire on Otis Street. @boston25 pic.twitter.com/hb05ZiVC5a Ryan Breslin (@ryanjbreslin) March 21, 2024 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 Households will receive the first 5,000 council tax bills next week as it emerged the levy has soared by 50 per cent since David Cameron came to power in 2010. For the first time, bills for the typical band D home will exceed 2,500 in four local authorities from April 2024. People living in the most expensive band H homes in these areas will pay more than 5,000 next year. The most expensive council tax is in Englands smallest county of Rutland, where Band D households will pay 2,543 up five per cent on the previous year. Those living in band H homes will pay double that at 5,087. People in Nottingham, Dorset and Lewes, East Sussex, will also pay more than 2,500 in band D and more than 5,000 in band H. Overall, across England the average band D council tax bill will be 2,171 up 51 per cent since 2010. Then, the average council tax bill was just 1,439. It has risen in recent years because of adult social care costs. Annual council tax increases remained below one per cent between 2010 and 2015, but rose to five per cent for the first time in 2018/19. Across the country, average bills in April 2024 will be 5.1 per cent higher than 2023 or 106 more for band D households. It is the largest increase since 2003/04, when bills went up by an average 126, and is the second-largest increase in cash terms since council tax was introduced. The highest increase is in Birmingham, where bills will rise by 9.3 per cent, adding 178 to the typical bill. The Labour-run council, which had to declare effective bankruptcy last year, was given special dispensation by the Government to put its section of the bill up by 10 per cent. The rest of the bill comes from police and fire authorities. Benjamin Elks, the grassroots development manager of the TaxPayers Alliance, said: Local residents up and down the country are taking yet another hit to dwindling household budgets. With bright spots few and far between, the vast majority of taxpayers face a further increase to already sky-high bills. Councils should learn from the rare examples where rates were frozen to find out how they can achieve similar results next time round. The band H bill in Rutland will be 5,086.58. In Nottingham, it will be 5,059.38, in Dorset 5,007.26, and in Lewes 5,006.96. The 5.1 per cent average increase is the joint largest percentage rise since 2004-05, when council tax bills rose by an average 5.9 per cent for band D taxpayers. Just five councils, all district ones, froze or cut council tax. These were Fenland, East Cambridgeshire, Harlow, Harborough and Castle Point. As well as Birmingham, Slough and Thurrock were allowed to increase bills by more than five per cent. The rises will be 159 and 142 respectively. Council bills are sent out by unitary authorities and district councils. They also include precepts for fire brigades, police forces, parish councils and county councils if there is one. In London and metropolitan areas, there is a precept for bodies such as the Greater London Authority. Upper-tier authorities are allowed to put up bills by five per cent a year, including two per cent for social care. If they want more, they have to hold a local referendum. There are different rules for district councils and police forces. Councils that have gone effectively bankrupt can ask for power to put up their bills by even more. Local authorities have warned they face difficult trade-offs because of a prolonged funding squeeze across local government, despite the Government recently boosting available funding by 600 million. Shaun Davies, the Labour chairman of the Local Government Association, said councils were starting the financial year in a precarious position and scaling back or closing a wide range of services. This means many are again left facing the difficult choice about raising bills to bring in desperately needed funding, he said. It is unsustainable to expect them to keep doing more for less in the face of unprecedented cost and demand pressures. Keeping councils on a financial drip feed has led to the steady weakening of local services. Local government needs greater funding certainty through multi-year settlements to prevent this ongoing decline. 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. EXCLUSIVE The lawyer for alleged squatter Brett Flores has tried to reclaim the narrative about his client, telling Fox News Digital that Flores was part of a deal to help the Landa family severely undercut the price on their New York City dream home. "The Landas were buying the property from the estate of Bernie Fernandez," Dennis OSullivan, the lawyer representing Flores in the civil court case, told Fox News Digital. "The Landas were in bed with Brett, and they asked Brett to remain on the property so that the estate selling the property would have to offer a discount to anybody buying." "After getting an incredible discount, they turned on Brett and said were not giving you any money, and they picked up where the estate was in the middle of evicting Brett," he added. OSullivan said the Landa family agreed to pay Flores $140,000 if he could stay in the home and help drag the price down for them. The home was originally listed for $2.69 million but closed at $2 million on Oct. 13, 2023, according to real estate site Redfin. MEDICAID OFFICES SUE FOR DEAD PEOPLE'S HOMES TO COVER HEALTH CARE COSTS WITHOUT WARNING, CRITICS SAY The Landa Family bought the waterfront home with the intention that their sons live there and help take care of their brother who has Down syndrome, especially once their parents die, according to ABC 7. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Flores lived and worked in the home caring for Bernard Fernandez, 80, until Fernandez died on Jan. 12, 2023. Flores refused to leave, alleging Fernandez gave him permission to remain, according to Anthony Mordente, the lawyer for the Landa family. OSullivan revealed that he had an hour-long video of a conversation between the Landa family and Flores explicitly discussing the deal and congratulating him on "delivering the property for such a low amount." Fox News Digital has not heard the recording and so could not verify the content of the conversation. When asked why the recording had not surfaced sooner, OSullivan said it had been held back as part of "strategic decisions," likely to be heard in subsequent court appearances the next of which is scheduled for April. WHAT IS SQUATTING? ATTORNEY BATTLING PHENOMENON PLAGUING AMERICAN HOUSING EXPLAINS HOW TO FIGHT BACK "The first conversation, he was at [Joseph Landas] headquarters in Astoria, Queens, where the guy is decorator. Brett was in his company for an hour after January, obviously, after Bernie passed away he got a tour of the guys business, and they discussed this concept of where Brett sits tight, and then the Landas negotiate this incredible discount," OSullivan said. OSullivan said that this information initially came out in court last week during a hearing for a harassment case between Flores and the Landa family, with the lawyer representing Flores in that case blurting out the information in a moment of frustration. Joseph and Susana Landa spoke with Fox News Digital via Zoom after news broke about their struggle to evict Brett Flores. When asked to respond to the fresh allegations, Daniel Landa, who has liaised with the news media on behalf of his family to arrange interviews and respond to questions, told Fox News Digital, "Hopefully, all of this will be settled at our next court date." When pursued for a follow-up as to which, if any, of the allegations they wished to refute, Daniel Landa replied, "We are in litigation." CHICAGO TO START EVICTING ILLEGAL MIGRANTS FROM SHELTERS SATURDAY The Landa family previously told Fox News Digital that they took over the home with the understanding they would also have to take over the legal proceedings to evict Flores. Fernandez left his estate to his nephew, and he went to court several times with no final remedy for the issue and eventually put the home up for sale on July 24, 2023. The final closing price for the home is also listed as $2 million on Zillow. The realtors involved in the sale of the home did not respond to a Fox News Digital inquiry about the property. Brett Flores speaks on the phone at Queens Criminal Court in New York City on March 18, 2024. OSullivan does not dispute those facts of the case, but he has revealed that the new twist in the story which he repeatedly promised would "turn the narrative on its head" is that the Landa family used Flores to undercut the price and reneged on a $140,000 payment for his efforts, initially claiming he didn't get the house down to $2 million and trying to push him to take less than originally agreed. The Landa family previously told Fox News Digital that they had offered to pay Flores the money, going to court with checkbook in hand which OSullivan confirmed but that Flores refused to accept the money. LAWLESSNESS CONTINUES TO PLAGUE NYC TRAINS AS DA BRAGG PUSHES MANSLAUGHTER CASE AGAINST DANIEL PENNY OSullivan said that by the time the family had caved and tried to pay the money, the situation had taken on a "defamation element" that exceeded the original fee, describing how even representing Flores has brought him personal trouble and that "people look at me differently." "They said a lot of bad things about him, broadcast throughout the United States, broadcast in England even [former HUD Secretary] Ben Carson was discussing the case on TV," OSullivan said. He also revealed that the Landa family may own at least three homes other than the one in question and all in the same Douglaston neighborhood in Queens, having moved to another home in the neighborhood after handing over their previous home to their son. OSullivan is still mulling if and when to allow his client to speak with the media directly. When Fox News Digital caught up with Flores after the dismissal of an assault charge brought against him, he did not make any comment or even respond to questions. Flores filed for bankruptcy in January, but as he does not own the house, it does not factor into his estate and he can continue to live there while the stay of action remains in place. "Were in the process of having the automatic bankruptcy stay lifted so that we can go back to court and proceed with a trial," Anthony Mordente, the lawyer for the Landa family, told Fox News Digital this month. "I think well be successful. I dont have any reason why the bankruptcy judge would have any reason to keep the stay in effect." Original article source: EXCLUSIVE: Alleged NYC squatter 'in bed' with 'victim' family as part of real estate deal, lawyer reveals Last Saturday, Richard Slayman made history: He became the first living person to receive a genetically modified kidney from a pig, surgeons at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston said Thursday. Slayman, 62, whose kidneys had failed and who had been on dialysis, underwent the four-hour operation Saturday to receive the pig kidney, said his nephrologist, Dr. Winfred Williams, the associate chief of the nephrology division at Mass General. It really is a groundbreaking milestone, William said. Should the kidney continue to work well and this is a success, I think it represents a breakthrough in a number of different areas. The first successful pig kidney transplant in a living recipient a milestone in the field of so-called xenotransplantation, or animal-to-human transplant could offer hope to the tens of thousands of people in the U.S. on the waiting list for organ transplants, as well as countless others worldwide. More than 100,000 people in the U.S. are on transplant waiting lists, including about 90,000 who need kidneys, according to the United Network for Organ Sharing, a nonprofit group that manages the U.S. organ transplant system. But xenotransplantation still comes with significant risks. There have been two pig-to-human heart transplants in the U.S.; in both cases, the patients lived for no more than two months. Slaymans operation was five days ago. Hes still recovering at Mass General, but Williams said his doctors hope to send him home this weekend, as long as no complications come up. So far, there have been no signs that his bodys immune system is rejecting the kidney, Williams said. animal to human transplant genetically modified organ (Michelle Rose / Mass General) His blood pressure, his vital signs are very stable, he said. He looks almost completely on the way to full recovery. Still, doctors are collecting samples of Slaymans blood around the clock, looking for signs of a dangerous virus, which is believed to have killed the man who received the first genetically modified heart from a pig in 2022. The question of how long the kidney will last remains. It will be really interesting to learn whether or not the xenograft is ultimately a bridge, meaning it lasts for a short period of time until a human allograft can be found, or if its going to be what we call destination, meaning it will last this individual the rest of his life, said Dr. Jayme Locke, a transplant surgeon at the University of Alabama Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine. Even so, "it's game-changing," Locke said. A one-off, for now Xenotransplantation isnt approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Though its been touted as a potential solution to the worldwide organ shortage, it could be years before the procedure is widely used, as much more data is needed. "What we really want to do is get to the initial clinical trials, where you have multiple patients that are receiving xenografts and several centers that are participating where you can really test a hypothesis and see how safe this is and how well it works," said Dr. Robert Montgomery, the director of the NYU Langone Transplant Institute. Surgeons prepare to transplant the pig kidney, seen here on ice, into the patient's body. (Michelle Rose / Mass General) Slaymans transplant was performed under the FDAs compassionate use program, which lets patients with serious, life-threatening conditions access experimental treatments when nothing else is available. Its a one-off transplant, said Karen Maschke, a researcher at the Hastings Center, a bioethics research institute, who studies the ethical, regulatory and policy issues involving the use of new biomedical technologies. While Slayman was unique in that he was chosen for a pig kidney transplant, his condition was far from rare: About 800,000 people in the U.S. have kidney failure and require dialysis, often a time-consuming process for patients. Slayman had previously received a kidney transplant from a deceased human donor in 2018 after having been on dialysis for seven years. The transplant, however, showed signs of failure last year, and he resumed dialysis. Williams said putting Slayman back on the waiting list for a new kidney was an option, although that would have entailed a wait of six to seven years, a time frame Williams doubted Slayman would have survived. He was in dire straits, Williams said. So Dr. Leonardo Riella, the medical director of kidney transplantation at Mass General, proposed another option: a pig kidney transplant, which, Williams said, Slayman agreed to, adding that he was frustrated with dialysis. "Our hope is that dialysis will become obsolete," Riella said at a press conference Thursday. The transplant surgery took four hours to complete. The operating room erupted in applause when they realized the operation had been a success. (Michelle Rose / Mass General) The hospital got the genetically modified kidney from the Cambridge, Massachusetts-based drugmaker eGenesis, Riella said. The kidney contained a total of 69 gene edits, he said, 10 of which were made to reduce the risk of rejection. The 59 other edits were made to lower the risk of infection from viruses. The pig kidney was roughly the same size as a human kidney, and "when you look at it microscopically, looks exactly like a human kidney," Riella said. "But based on the divergence 80 million years ago between humans and pigs that are different, the genetic edits that have been made allow us to have a much more compatible kidney." Dr. Tatsuo Kawai, the surgeon who performed the operation, said the operating room erupted in applause when people realized the transplant was successful. Right after the restoration of the blood flow to the kidney, the kidney pinked up immediately and started to make urine, Kawai said. It was the most beautiful kidney I had ever seen. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com A Mississippi teenager with a love of fishing combined that passion with his enjoyment of painting and the outcome was hand-painted fishing lures that are not only catching fish, they're catching customers. "I've been fishing my whole life, basically," said Peyton Copeland, 14, of Barlow. "I like fishing for bass. "I just enjoy it. It's just being in the outdoors." At an early age, Copeland decided to take his love of fishing to another level. "When I was little, I used to watch YouTube a lot," Copeland said. "There was a YouTuber named Marling Baits. "I watched him a lot. I got inspired to make my own wood lures. It looked like it was fun and a good idea. I like making stuff and painting." Copeland carved the lure bodies from wood and outfitted them with hooks and custom paint designs. The baits caught fish, but it was a long process to produce them. Then Copeland discovered he could buy molded lure bodies that could serve as the canvas for his painting. "It's a lot easier and less time consuming," Copeland said. Peyton Copeland of Barlow combined his love of fishing and enjoyment of painting to create unique, hand-painted lures for bass fishing. 'She would have starved to death': MS wildlife department saves abandoned bear cub Teen turns unique fishing lures into a business Copeland used the baits to catch fish in his grandfather's pond and began perfecting his craft. He made baits for friends, too. Last year, it became a business; Copeland's Lures. "My dad, he's really the main supporter," Copeland said. "He said, 'Since you're so good at it, you should start selling them and make your own lure company.'" At 13 years old, he did. Copeland began selling them on his Facebook page and offers several types such as swim baits and crank baits as well as topwater frog and duck patterns. Prices range from $10 to $20. The fact that they're painted by hand makes each one unique. Copeland said that's a part of the appeal for his customers. "I think they're more creative and stand out from other lures," Copeland said. "They're more creative than other brands." He said they're more realistic than some on the market, too. "On my bluegill, I try to give them a natural look," Copeland said. "I normally try to use natural colors." Of course, there's some deviation from scales and natural colors. "I've been working on some with a skull pattern on them," Copeland said. Peyton Copeland, 14, of Barlow poses by a display case of his hand-painted fishing lures he sells under the brand Copeland's Lures. More: Here are 10 bucket list trips you should take in Mississippi this year Custom fish baits produce bites Jarred Scott of Madison said he likes the baits because not only are they something he can't find elsewhere, he can have them painted to his preference. "The fish love them," Scott said. "I live on Lake Lorman in Madison and that's about the only thing they'll bite. "The fish tore them up. I've bought 10 to 20 baits from him. I like the colors and patterns because they're not something you'll see in Bass Pro. He paints any color I want and any pattern. He gives you what you ask for." Harris Nix of Brookhaven has also been using them. "I've probably bought six or seven crank baits from him," Nix said. "They're top-notch, honestly. "I've used them throughout the summer and fall and they worked. They've got good movement in the water and the paints on them hold up really well." Copeland's Lures are hand-painted by 14-year-old Peyton Copeland of Barlow and sell for $10 to $20. Lure-maker wants to keep the small in small business In addition to online sales, Copeland recently got his lures in a brick and mortar store, The Heirloom in Crystal Springs. Jennifer Willett, who works there, said shoppers see the lures and ask questions which gives her an opportunity to talk about the young artist and entrepreneur. "What we like is we get to tell a story," Willett said. "We tell them Peyton is a 14-year-old artist from the area. "He does a great job. One of the reasons we carry them is because he's a young man with a vision." Willett said the lures also give the store an opportunity to offer something that can't be found elsewhere. "I bought one for my dad's birthday," Willett said. "It's special. He can't go just anywhere in Florida and get that." Copeland said he hopes to grow the business to the point his lures are offered in a few more stores, but only on a local level. He said it's currently a small, home-based business and he doesn't want that to change. "I'd like to keep it more of a hobby," Copeland said. "It's really too much to do if it was a full-blown business." Do you have a story idea? Contact Brian Broom at 601-961-7225 or bbroom@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: MS teen combines painting and fishing to create custom lure company It's nearly time to grab an Easter basket and find some eggs. Easter falls on March 31 and the Tuscaloosa area has several events where families can hunt for Easter eggs. Here's a look at five egg hunts coming up soon: Alabama Panhellenic Association The Alabama Panhellenic Association's annual Easter egg hunt will return on Sunday. The event will be held at 2 p.m. March 24 on the front lawn of the President's Mansion across from the Quad on the University of Alabama campus. Liam Mitchell finds eggs in the monkey grass at the Panhellenic Association's annual Easter egg hunt on the lawn of the President's Mansion on the campus of the University of Alabama on April 2, 2023. The egg hunt will feature more than 10,000 candy-filled plastic eggs and a visit from the Easter Bunny. The free event is for children 12 years old and younger. Parents should bring one bag, basket or bucket per child to collect the eggs. The hunt will last until the last egg is found. Northport Bunny Trail Northport will host an egg hunt Sunday as part of the Northport Bunny Trail, hosted by the the Junior League of Tuscaloosa. The egg hunt will be held from 2-4 p.m. March 24 in downtown Northport and will include prizes, activities and a visit from the Easter Bunny. The Northport Bunny Trail, shown in this April 6, 2023 photo, features decorated Easter eggs from businesses and organizations around the area. The trail, presented by Alabama Power and Premier Service Co., opened to the public March 2 and will conclude on Easter Sunday, March 31. The Bunny Trail was modeled after the Tinsel Trail, which is sponsored by Tuscaloosa's One Place. It features about 120 wooden eggs, each about 5 feet tall. Each egg is sponsored and decorated by local businesses, organizations and people. The Tuscaloosa Cameo Guild The Tuscaloosa Cameo Guild of Historic Tuscaloosa will host its 14th annual Easter egg hunt Sunday. The event will be held from 2-4 p.m. March 24 at the historic Battle-Friedman House, 1010 Greensboro Ave. The family-friendly egg hunt will include games, a petting zoo, prizes and refreshments inside the Battle-Friedman House. Children should bring their own Easter basket. Admission is $3 per child and $5 per adult. Children's Hands-on Museum The Children's Hands-on Museum will host an "Egg-citing Hunt" from 9:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. March 30. Children can collect egg tokens and visit the Bunny Store for prizes. Admission is $12. The museum is at 2213 University Blvd. For more information, visit https://www.chomonline.org/events.html Tuscaloosa County Park and Recreation Authority The Tuscaloosa Park and Recreation Authority will have an Easter EGG-travaganza on March 30. The event will be held from 9 a.m. until noon at the Mason's Place Playground in Sokol Park. The event will feature an egg hunt, food, music and more. Reach Jasmine Hollie at JHollie@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Looking for Easter eggs? Here are five egg hunts in Tuscaloosa Agriculture ministers of Poland, Czechia, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia have called on the European Commission to ban grain imports from Russia and Belarus to the EU, Lithuanian broadcaster LRT reported on March 20. The ministers who signed the appeal said Russia is using profits from its grain exports to the EU to finance its war against Ukraine. Read also: Polish farmers blockade railway near Ukraine border, dump grain in protest "As EU member countries, we believe it is our moral duty to stop any trade activity that could strengthen the ability of Russia and Belarus to continue the war in Ukraine," the statement reads. Read also: Latvia becomes first EU country to ban grain imports from Russia and Belarus They argued that the primary reason for the proposed ban is the grain stolen by Russia from occupied Ukrainian territories, which is included in the imports. The ministers also mentioned that imported Russian grain distorts EUs domestic agricultural markets, putting additional pressure on European farmers. Lithuania's Agriculture Minister Kestutis Navickas believes that current EU sanctions against Russia are insufficient and that "additional measures to limit access of Russian goods to the European market are necessary." Read also: Polish farmers look for Ukrainian grain at Lithuania border Navickas urged the European Commission to consider limiting the import of food products from Russia and Belarus to the EU, adding that it should be done collectively, by the entire European Union. According to him, in 2023, the EU imported 1.53 million tons of Russian grain worth EUR 437.5 million ($477 million). Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine FLORENCE COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) A Florence County EMS worker remembered 52-year-old Pee Dee paramedic Phonesia Machado-Fore, whose body was found in Dillon County last Friday. Machado-Fore was last seen March 12 and was later reported missing on March 15. Her body was found later that night in the Lake View area of Dillon County. Jaremy Smith, a Marion man suspected of shooting and killing a New Mexico State Police officer, is also considered a person of interest in her disappearance and death. Her death was ruled a homicide by Dillon County Coroner Donnie Grimsley on Tuesday. Timeline: Whats happened so far in the case of slain Pee Dee paramedic Phonesia Machado-Fore Maj. Kate Smith is a training officer for Florence County EMS who knew Machado-Fore for many years. She met Machado-Fore when she was still in paramedic school. Machado-Fore started working full-time with Florence EMS in 2017 while also working part-time with Marion County EMS. Smith explained the kind of person she was. She was dedicated, you know, she would come to work, and she was happy to be at work, she was smiling, Smith said. She would meet new people when they would come in and, well, you knew that she had decided that she liked them . . . yep, she was going to show them the ropes. Machado-Fore was a mother of two as well as a grandmother and loved her children and grandchildren very much. Smith explained how people at work are dealing with her loss. This has just been, its been really hard, she said. Not just for the people that were on shift with her, its across all of the shifts. Theres a heaviness right now. I would venture to say that theres a lot of folks who are just stunned. This was so quick, and so sudden, and so horrific, Smith continued. She dedicated her life to taking care of others, she was such a sweet person and so kind and would go out of her way to help others, that you know, for her to lose her life like this, you cant put it into words how unbelievably senseless that is. Smith said Machado-Fore was always happy, smiling and was committed to her work and loved what she did. Shes a force of nature . . . just really dedicated, she said. She loved people and it was really obvious, not just because it was what she did for a living, she just genuinely loved people. Authorities in Dillon and Marion County are jointly investigating her death. A funeral service is set for Machado-Fore on Saturday at 2 p.m. at the CD Joyner Auditorium in Marion. * * * 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. A Florida Christian school teacher was arrested this week after allegedly creating child sexual abuse materials using photos from the school yearbook and artificial intelligence (AI), according to authorities. The Pasco County SheriffsOffice said 67-year-old Steven Houser of New Port Richey faces charges for possession of child pornography. Deputies initiated an investigation after receiving an unspecified tip about Houser. FLORIDA MAN SHOT HIS ROOMMATE 10 TIMES OVER ARGUMENT OVER CATS: POLICE Steven Guy Houser, a third-grade science teacher at a Christian school in New Port Richey, Florida, was allegedly found to be in possession of child pornography he created using yearbook photos and artificial intelligence. The investigation discovered that Beacon, a third-grade science teacher at Beacon Christian Academy, allegedly possessed two photos and three videos depicting child pornography. None of the images featured students at the school in which he worked, authorities said. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP He was also allegedly in possession of child erotic material generated using an AI computer program. COUPLE VACATIONING IN FLORIDA ARRESTED AFTER BEING FOUND PASSED OUT ON BEACH, CHILDREN GONE Friendswood Police Department is asking for victims of what they call the "viral TikTok Door Knock challenge" to come forward. Houser allegedly admitted to investigators he used yearbook photos of three students when generating content with AI. Court records show Houser was charged with five counts of felony possession of child pornography. He was held at the Land O' Lakes jail on $100,000 for each count. The Beacon County Christian Academy did not immediately respond to inquiries from Fox News Digital. The sheriffs office said there were no reports of any additional victims, though anyone who believes they may be a victim is encouraged to contact the tip line at 1-800-706-2488 or visit pascosheriff.com/tips. Original article source: Florida Christian school teacher accused of using AI to produce erotic content from yearbook photos Press Release March 21, 2024 Villanueva: 3000 OFWs in HK received government aid, support through Action Center Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva said that the government must exhaust all efforts in ensuring that aid and support are provided for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). Villanueva made the remark after attending an OFW gathering at the International Center in Sham Shui Po, Kowloon, Hong Kong last Sunday, March 17, 2024 wherein more than 3,000 OFWs were able to receive medical, educational and other forms of assistance through the Tesdaman Action Center as part of his advocacy to closely reach out to Filipinos abroad. "Dapat ilapit po ang serbisyo ng gobyerno sa bawat Pilipino saan man sila sa mundo. No Filipino should be left behind when it comes to providing immediate and adequate government services", Villanueva, the principal sponsor and author of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Act, said. The Philippine Consulate and the Migrant Workers Office (PCG-MWO) headed by Consul General Germinia V. Aguilar-Usudan was also invited to provide consular and migrant workers-related services for OFWs in Hong Kong. According to the Overseas Workers' Welfare Administration (OWWA), 173,123 OFWs are working in Hong Kong, most of whom are domestic workers. "Mahalaga pong gawing prayoridad ng pamahalaan ang kapakanan at proteksyon ng ating mga bagong bayani na lubos na nagsasakripisyo para sa kani-kanilang mga pamilyang naiwan sa Pilipinas," he stressed. Villanueva was among the lawmakers who advocated for the inclusion in the 2024 National Budget of P 1 billion for the Agarang Kalinga at Saklolo para sa mga OFW na Nangangailangan (AKSYON) Fund under the budget of the DMW, P 1 billion for the Assistance to Nationals (ATN) fund and P 200 million for the Legal Assistance fund under the budget of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for the provision of for legal, medical, financial and other forms of assistance, including repatriation, evacuation, rescue and other necessary interventions to protect Filipinos abroad. The Senate Majority Leader also pushed for the increase in the budget of the Medical Assistance Program of the Department of Health to ensure that funding is available to almost 900 hospitals in the country, including the OFW hospital which caters specifically to OFWs and their families. "Being there for our OFWs is our way of recognizing their hardships and deeds, not only for their families, but for the country and economy as well," he said. According to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, personal remittances from OFWs amounted to USD 37.2 billion, accounting for 8.5 % of the country's Gross Domestic Product in 2023. Villanueva: 3,000 OFWs sa HK nakatanggap ng gov't aid sa pamamagitan ng Action Center Binigyang-din ni Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva na dapat pagsikapan ng pamahalaan na masigurong naibibigay ang kinakailangang tulong at suporta para sa lahat ng Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). Ito ang pahayag ni Villanueva matapos dumalo sa pagtitipon ng mga OFW sa International Center sa Sham Shui Po, Kowloon, Hong Kong noong Linggo, Marso 17, kung saan mahigit 3,000 OFWs ang nakatanggap ng medical, educational at iba pang uri ng tulong sa pamamagitan ng Tesdaman Action Center bilang bahagi ng kanyang adbokasiya na maabot ang mga Pinoy sa ibang bansa. "Dapat ilapit po ang serbisyo ng gobyerno sa bawat Pilipino saan man sila sa mundo. No Filipino should be left behind when it comes to providing immediate and adequate government services", sabi ni Villanueva, principal sponsor at author ng Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Act. Naimbitahan din sa pagtitipon ang Philippine Consulate at Migrant Workers Office (PCG-MWO) na pinamumunuan ni Consul General Germinia V. Aguilar-Usudan para magbigay ng consular at migrant workers-related services para sa mga OFW sa Hong Kong. Ayon sa Overseas Workers' Welfare Administration (OWWA), 173,123 OFWs na karamihan ay domestic workers ang nagtatrabaho sa Hongkong sa kasalukuyan. "Mahalaga pong gawing prayoridad ng pamahalaan ang kapakanan at proteksyon ng ating mga bagong bayani na lubos na nagsasakripisyo para sa kani-kanilang mga pamilyang naiwan sa Pilipinas," diin ng senador. Isa si Villanueva sa mga mambabatas na nagsulong na mapasama sa 2024 National Budget ang P1 bilyon para sa Agarang Kalinga at Saklolo para sa mga OFW na Nangangailangan (AKSYON) Fund sa ilalim ng pondo ng DMW, P1 bilyon para sa Assistance to Nationals (ATN) fund at P200 milyon para sa Legal Assistance fund sa ilalim ng badyet ng Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) para sa pagbibigay ng legal, medical, financial at iba pang uri ng tulong kabilang ang repatriation, evacuation, rescue at iba pang kinakailangang intervention para maprotektahan ang mga Pinoy abroad. "Being there for our OFWs is our way of recognizing their hardships and deeds, not only for their families, but for the country and economy as well," ayon sa Majority Leader. Sa talaan ng Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, umabot sa USD 37.2 bilyon ang personal remittances ng mga OFW, na katumbas ng 8.5% ng Gross Domestic Product ng bansa noong 2023. The first flight of Floridians fleeing from Haiti touched down in Central Florida Wednesday evening. This comes as attacks by armed groups catapult the island nation into chaos. Right now, rescue operations are underway and Florida is stepping in to speed up the effort. The state began chartering flights to get Floridians and American Citizens out of the unsafe conditions. Read: Orange County pushes fentanyl testing strips to prevent overdoses 14 people, eight children and six adults, landed at Orlando-Sanford International Airport. Were finally reunited with Julien, our 2-year-old son, said Philippe Armand. Armand and Olivia Turnier can finally sleep soundly knowing their son and other family members are now back home and safe. Read: Orange County approves permit to demolish Lake Downey Mobile Home Park Were very grateful to everyone who made this possible, said Armand. Their plane touched down before 7 p.m. Wednesday night with 12 Floridians and two visa holders who do business in the state. But getting them here was not easy. The very difficult part was getting around and making it to the airport to fly out, said Armand. Theres a lot of challenges in Haiti right now. I would say its worse than a war zone, said Florida Division of Emergency Management Executive Director Kevin Guthrie. It was easier getting people in and out of Israel than it is in Haiti. Read: New law makes it illegal for homeless to camp out on streets, sidewalks & parks Were committed to rescuing Floridians from this situation, said Governor Ron DeSantis, who spoke with reporters as soon as the flight took off from Haiti. He said they had planned to fly Floridians home Tuesday, but ran into hurdles given the nature of the situation. The goal is to keep working to bring people back with another four flights hopefully happening Thursday. We understand that there are people that are really in danger right now that are our fellow Floridians, said DeSantis. So I think this is the appropriate thing for us to do. As of 6 p.m. Wednesday, officials said 554 people had contacted Florida for help getting out of Haiti. 378 are Floridians. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Florida has initiated flights to evacuate Americans from the tumultuous situation in Haiti, with Governor Ron DeSantis and state Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie confirming the departure of a flight carrying 14 people, including children, to Orlando Sanford International Airport on Wednesday. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< There are people that are in parts of Haiti that are dangerous, DeSantis said during an appearance at the Central Florida airport. We have personnel on the ground that are helping them get where they need to be. The Division of Emergency Management had previously launched an online portal to facilitate evacuations for Floridians and Americans in Haiti, with approximately 500 Americans and 360 Floridians reaching out for assistance. Since Saturday, the U.S. government has arranged charter flights from Haiti to the U.S. for people with valid passports. Unlike the federal charter flights, Florida is covering peoples costs, DeSantis stated. Guthrie added that the state is also working to transport individuals from their current locations in Haiti to an undisclosed airfield for evacuation. These evacuation efforts coincide with heightened deployments of law-enforcement officers, National Guard members, and State Guard members to South Florida in anticipation of an influx of migrants from Haiti. [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. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) A Fort Lauderdale police officer was injured during a shooting Thursday morning, according to NBC affiliate WTVJ. At 7:39 a.m., Fort Lauderdale police said they responded to a caller saying they had killed someone inside a hotel room at a Holiday Inn Express. After attempting to contact the caller over the phone, officers responded to the room and attempted to make contact again, the department said. Failing to make contact again, officers tried to force their way into the room and gunfire was exchanged between the suspect and three officers. The suspect then barricaded himself inside the room, according to police. One officer was shot during the exchange of gunfire and was taken to Broward Health Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. Another officer suffered minor injuries but was not shot and was treated on-site. A SWAT team managed to breech the barricade but found the suspect dead inside, according to the department. Footage from WTVJs Chooper 6 shows a massive police presence near the hotel where the shooting took place. An armored truck could be seen parked outside the hotel with an ambulance nearby. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating. All three officers involved in the shooting will be placed on administrative leave per the departments policy This is a developing story. Stay up to date on the latest from News Channel 8 on-air and on the go with the free WFLA News Channel 8 mobile app. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. As a domestic abuse survivor, I (Jessy Correa) dont take for granted the peace of mind that comes with having a safe place to call home. After bouncing from hotel to hotel, I thought a sense of security would come when my children and I got the keys to our first apartment. However, erratic rent hikes have kept us vulnerable to instability. Since moving into our 1,100-square-foot apartment in Orange County in Central Florida two years ago, our monthly rent has risen from $1800 to $2590 and what was once a safe haven has now become a financial burden, forcing us to downsize significantly just to keep a roof over our heads. Even though housing is a fundamental human right and need, Ive learned firsthand that a sense of security is a luxury not provided to Florida renters. In many states, local governments can ensure housing stability in their communities by enacting tenant protection ordinances. These ordinances traditionally address power imbalances between renters and landlords and prevent unfair practices by protecting tenants from discrimination, rent hikes, and unfair eviction notices. Although Florida is widely regarded as the epicenter of the housing crisis, local governments are unable to provide housing security to their residents because of HB 1417, which Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law last summer. This law eradicated an estimated 46 tenant protection ordinances in 35 cities across Florida and prevents local officials from making housing decisions for their own communities. The trend of state government officials taking power away from local governments is not unique to Florida or to the issue of housing. This is an issue of state lawmakers abusing the legislative tool of preemption. Traditional preemption emphasized balance between state and local levels of government and often addressed equity issues, but policymakers across the country are now abusing preemption to prohibit local governments from advancing policies meant to address equity, housing justice, worker protections and more. While abusive preemption and bills like HB 1417 are designed to scare us into inaction, we must keep speaking up against the bullies in Tallahassee. We know how discouraging it is to feel that the state has taken away our power, but we cant give up the fight. Frankly, we dont have a choice. We are seeing more families on the streets because we dont have the protections to help them. For many, especially more vulnerable populations, securing tenant protections is the difference between staying housed or being forced into homelessness. Our challenge to local elected officials? Lets get creative. Weve seen what can happen when we think outside the box, like when Miami-Dade County agreed to Miami Workers Centers demands in 2022 to fund legal representation in eviction court and ensure tenants were informed of available anti-displacement resources. Whether its through extending local dollars to protect tenants, holding the line on ordinances not impacted by preemption or pushing state officials to hold their colleagues accountable for the onslaught of bills harming our communities, we must explore every possible avenue to keep people housed. Even in the face of the challenges brought about by HB 1417, our collective determination as Floridians is strong. The fight against preemption stretches beyond party lines; this is about making sure all communities can thrive. In addition to advancing local solutions, we must also come together to demand that our legislators introduce a statewide Tenant Bill of Rights in the 2025 legislative session. Together, we can and will create a future where the right to a safe and secure home is a reality for all. Jessy Correa is a program manager with Cornerstone Connections in Orange County, and is a survivor of domestic violence who advocates for women. Santra Denis is the executive director of the Miami Workers Center, a member-led organization organizing towards dignity, power, and self-determination with domestic workers, tenants and families in Miami. FOLEY, Ala. (WKRG) The City of Foley is working to reduce the risks of storm-related flooding in the Bon Scour River area. Gulf Shores police crack down on spring breakers, make over 100 arrests According to a press release from the city, Foley is working to expand its existing stormwater management program. Wed like to apply for some funding to start with the Bon Secour River, Foley Environmental Director Leslie Gahagan said. This would be a stormwater management plan working with our existing infrastructure, seeing where we might have priority projects to fund in the future. A stormwater management plan would allow Foley to improve drainage and reduce flooding on the Bon Secour River, a city news release said. The city is applying for a state grant to develop the plan. (Courtesy: City of Foley) Stormwater management programs help to decrease the negative effects of storms in other parts of the city, officials said. Specifically, they pointed to how strategically rebuilding a portion of South Pecan Street prevented it from being damaged in later storms, including the heavy rains from Hurricane Sally in 2020. A portion of the Beulah Heights area has a stormwater plan, Gahagan said, adding, Were underway with the Magnolia River. The Foley City Council voted on March 18 to apply for a grant from the Alabama Coastal Management Program. If approved for the grant, Foley could be eligible for $50,000 in funding, which would help pay for some of the Bon Secour stormwater management plan development costs, according to the release. Theres a bonus benefit for proper planning. According to Mayor Ralph Hellmich, the plan could help Foley to receive more funding in the future. Efforts to change Mobile police policy blocked by city council Having these types of plans helps us with grants, Hellmich said., Its really imperative to have this. If you dont have a plan, theyre not going to give you anything. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5. ATLANTA - A long problematic apartment complex on Atlanta's southeast side is about to be history. Crews began demolishing the old Forest Cove apartments in the Thomasville Heights neighborhood on Wednesday afternoon. For more than a decade, Kecia McNease has run the 1st Appearance Barber and Beauty Salon on McDonough Boulevard right across from the infamous Forest Cove apartments. For years she had to look out her door and see it, but Wednesday was the beginning of a new chapter as demolition got underway. "A long time coming, it was an eyesore," she said. "Them having to live the way that they lived, so I know they are ecstatic to be gone from there." Demolition of the Forest Cove apartments in the Thomasville Heights neighborhood in southeast Atlanta on March 20, 2024. (FOX 5) Troubled Atlanta apartments demolished Over the years, residents told FOX 5 the apartment complex was in poor condition and was a hotbed for crime and violence. All of those issues led to demolition. "This is the end of multiple decades of dilapidation," said Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens. Mayor Dickens and members of the city council have helped lead the charge to first get the residents relocated then get this place cleaned up. On Wednesday, Mayor Dickens blasted Millennia Housing Management, which ran the complex for several years. "We are putting on notice any landlord, any bad operator in the City of Atlanta that we mean business," Mayor Dickens said. Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens is overseeing the demolition of the old Forest Cove apartments in the Thomasville Heights neighborhood in southeast Atlanta on March 20, 2024. (FOX 5) Demolition should take about five months. Eventually, the piles of rubble will turn into something new. Mayor Dickens hopes to have a contract with a developer this year. "We have plans of a whole community, including fresh food, services as well as a park and for, of course, households," he said. PREVIOUS STORIES Forest Cove apartment owner responds Millennia Housing Management owned the complex through a separate organization called Phoenix Ridge. Phoenix Ridge released a statement blasting the city: "Today the City is not only celebrating the demolition of Forest Cove but also the success of its plan to steal Forest Cove from its former residents and Phoenix Ridge, in order to hand it over to a developer of their choosing for their vision, which notably excludes the subsidized housing crucial to those residents. The decades of deterioration impacting Forest Cove came under the watch of the City of Atlanta and Forest Cove's previous owner. Phoenix Ridge purchased the property in 2021 with the expressed goal of relocating residents to complete a $58M renovation. Had the City not blocked Phoenix Ridge from doing so, all rightful Forest Cove residents would be living in transformed, subsidized homes today. The City's demolition of this community is not a result of management by Phoenix Ridge, but the City's actions to block the planned rehabilitation in breach of its obligations under the Consent Agreement so that it could build a park and unsubsidized housing with a developer hand-picked by the Mayor. Despite what Mayor Dickens may claim, today is a sad day for Atlanta and the Forest Cove residents who will never return to their community and continue to languish in temporary housing across the Metro area." Demolition of the Forest Cove apartments in the Thomasville Heights neighborhood in southeast Atlanta on March 20, 2024. (FOX 5) HUD takes action against Millennia Housing Management The U.S. Housing and Urban Development is taking action against Millennia. Ethan Handelman, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Multifamily Housing Programs sent FOX 5 this statement: "At the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), we are committed to ensuring that people living in HUD-assisted housing have safe, decent homes and that our property owners manage assets responsibly and in accordance with our rules. That includes both financial management and property conditions. HUD has issued an official debarment order to Millennia CEO Frank T. Sinito and Millennia Housing Management Ltd. (Millennia), immediately prohibiting them from participating in any new business with HUD, its Office of Multifamily Housing Programs, including the Section 8 program, and with any federal government agency or federal programs for five years, ending on December 13, 2028. The debarment action is now final agency action. It does not affect Millenias existing properties or contracts with HUD. HUD is pursuing separate enforcement actions and will take further action as appropriate and necessary. HUD reiterated in its final debarment order that the agency expects Millennia Housing Management to continue performing any necessary repairs or maintenance at properties currently owned by Millenia. This action does not affect tenants and residents living in properties currently owned by Millennia Housing Management. HUD will continue to monitor the Millennia properties and address instances of noncompliance. Residents are encouraged to contact their states Performance-Based Contract Administrator (PBCA) with any questions or concerns that they believe are not being adequately addressed by management. If the PBCA cannot address their concerns, they should contact the assigned HUD Account Executive or HUDs Multifamily Housing Complaint Line (1-800-685-8470) for further assistance in English or Spanish." Veterans who served during the Vietnam era will be honored again this weekend in Forest Lake thanks to Diane Finnemann. This will be Finnemanns last year organizing the Vietnam Veterans Day celebration after founding it 17 years ago. Finnemann, a resident of Forest Lake, started the celebration in 2007 and pushed for the Minnesota Legislature to pass a bill in 2008 declaring March 29 Vietnam Veterans Day in Minnesota. She also was a state volunteer for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, a nonprofit organization that oversaw the construction of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. This all started when I saw an opportunity for our society to make up for the wrong that was done and show our respect and gratitude to our Vietnam veterans, said Finnemann, whose brother Wallace Skip Schmidt died by suicide in 1972, four years after returning from Vietnam. It still amazes me that with zero budget, we were able to pull together some very interesting and moving programs. We found out that people really do care. Hundreds of people have attended the celebration through the years, and Finnemann said the response from veterans kept my passion alive. I witnessed first-hand veterans letting their guard down and opening up about their service, she said. They went from not talking at all to being proud of their service. One year, a Vietnam veteran from southern Minnesota approached Finnemann to tell her that hearing Schmidts story had affected him so deeply that he finally went for help for his own PTSD, she said. He told me that he believed Skips story saved his life. Shannon Monahan, Finnemanns and Schmidts youngest sister, will be taking over the organizing of the event, she said. This years celebration will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at American Legion Post No. 225. Retired Col. Wilbur Joseph Latham Jr., recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross and Silver Star medals, will be the featured speaker. Latham, of Marshalltown, Iowa, flew more than 100 missions over North Vietnam in 1966 as an Air Force fighter pilot. The winner of a $500 scholarship also will be announced on Sunday; the scholarship fund, sponsored by Minnesota Vietnam Veterans Charities, has given out $7,500 to graduating senior high school students since 2008. This years scholarship will be given in memory of U.S. Army veteran David Guerrette, 76, of Hinckley, Minn., who died on Oct. 16, 2023. Guerrette was a longtime supporter of Vietnam Veterans Day and a member of the Forest Lake American Legion and Forest Lake VFW, where he actively participated in the Honor Guard and Color Guard, paying tribute to fallen comrades, Finnemann said. The program is free and open to the public; doors will open at 1 p.m. For more information, contact Finnemann at 651-464-4721 or dfinnemann@msn.com. Suicide prevention information If you need help: If you are in crisis, call 988 or text Hello to 741-741 for free, 24/7 support from the Crisis Text Line. Or, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). If you want to help: Five steps to help others as well as yourself at Take5tosavelives.org. Please stay: Read survivor stories at Livethroughthis.org: Our stories can save lives. You are not alone. Please stay. Local resources: More local resources at Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE) at Save.org. Related Articles AUSTIN (KXAN) A former Austin Police Department officer was sentenced March 13 in connection to an April 2020 sexual assault case. According to Travis County court records, 38-year-old Walter Dodds was charged with unlawful restraint with the exposure to serious bodily injury a third-degree felony. Dodds pleaded guilty to the charge prior to sentencing, according to records. Dodds was previously charged with sexual assault and official oppression, according to county records. PAST COVERAGE: Former APD officer indicted related to April 2020 sexual assault Documents showed Dodds was given a five-year deferred adjudication sentence. In Texas, deferred adjudication is a type of probation that allows the person sentenced to keep the conviction off their criminal record. In addition to the five years deferred adjudication, Dodds must also stay away and have no contact with the complaining witness, as well as cover court costs. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) The man fired by the Lansing Board of Water and Light for misusing a utility credit card will not face criminal charges for his actions. The BWL hired former Internal Auditor Frank Macciocca in April 2022. He began work at the publicly owned utility in early May 2022 with a salary of $190,000 a year. He was fired in April 2023, after months of investigation into his alleged misuse of the credit card. Maccioca was issued a company credit card, referred to as a Purchasing Card or P-Card. He used that card until Feb. 21, 2023, to purchase thousands of dollars in what the board considered unauthorized food, travel and educational expenses. 9_AddendumMay52022EmploymentOfferLetter_attachment-to-3_7-email-FMDownload An investigation revealed Maccioca used the card to pay for his tuition at MSU violating the tuition reimbursement policies of the utility. The policy requires an employee to pay for tuition out of pocket, and then submit those charges for reimbursement. The memo also points out Macciocca used the card to pay for hundreds of dollars of parking expenses and food while attending classes at MSU. Documents obtained exclusively by 6 News show the man hired to review spending for the BWL charged ratepayers $31,407.09 with a total of 243 transactions over just 8 months, including $3,561.18 for food mostly at area restaurants. While not all of the purchases violated BWLs policies, documents show many of them did. Previous Reporting BWL fired internal auditor for misusing credit card Lansing leaders call for changes at BWL after credit card misuse Macciocca charged multiple meals to his P-Card when he dined alone and with his assistant, Dusty Horwitt, then-Chair of the Boards Finance Committee, wrote in preparation for an April 20 meeting of the Commissioners. These expenditures were unnecessary to conduct BWL business and appear to be little more than personal expenditures. He suggested on P-Card receipts that some meals were with Commissioners when no Commissioners were present. He charged travel expenses to his P-Card multiple times without prior authorization of travel that is required by BWL rules. 1_P-CardReviewInternalAuditor4.20.2023-Redacted-per-MCL-15.243m-frank-communicationsDownload But the Ingham County prosecutor says his office would be hard-pressed to prove that Macciocca committed a crime. Our office was presented with an investigative report regarding disputed business transactions, wrote Ingham County Prosecutor John Dewane in a statement to 6 News. The assistant prosecutors who reviewed this case all came to the conclusion that this dispute was not provable as a criminal charge, although the employer may attempt to resolve it in civil court. I concur with this decision. With the issue back in the hands of the BWL to pursue potential civil action against Macciocca, 6 News reached out to the utility. The organization issued the following statement in response to the inquiry: "The BWL thanks the Ingham County Prosecutors Office for their investigation into the matter, and we respect their expertise and decision. The BWL is also awaiting a decision as to insurance coverage." Lansing Board of Water and Light statement, March 21, 2024 An addendum to Maccioccas contract included a stipulation the BWL would cover educational expenses to brush up on auditing, continuing education classes to keep up his licenses and the membership and licensing fees associated with his professional work. The addendum also included $20,000 in transition costs to Lansing from Lancaster, PA where he worked as an attorney. The contract addendum also paid his professional association memberships and fees, including his bar memberships in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wyoming. Macciocca has since returned to Pennsylvania, where he worked before coming to Lansing. He did not comment on previous stories on this topic. Reached by phone Thursday afternoon, Macciocca declined to comment. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News. Former Education and Science Minister, Dmytro Tabachnyk, and former State Registration Service head, Dmytro Vorona, were sentenced in absentia to 15 and 12 years in prison, respectively, Ukraines Security Service reported on Telegram on March 21. The convicts' property, valued at more than UAH 200 million ($5.1 million), was confiscated. According to the SBU, Tabachnyk and Vorona are hiding in Russia and the temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories, where they are continuing their subversive activities. Read also: Ukrainian professor leaked government plans to Yanukovych-era minister in 2020 report The investigation revealed that Tabachnyk provided Oleg Kozlov, an FSB officer of the 9th Directorate of the 5th Operational Information Department, with his forecasts of the socio-political situation in Ukraine during the war. He also advised the Russian-appointed heads of the occupied parts of Kherson and Zaporizhzhya oblasts, Volodymyr Saldo and Yevhen Balytsky, on holding pseudo-referendums. Read also: Zelenskyy sanctions Yanukovych-era PM Azarov along with other pro-Russian figures Tabachnyk also helped "reform" the Ukrainian education sector to Russian standards. He was appointed an "advisor" to Balytskyi and was accepted into the local branch of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin's United Russia party. Vorona, who also served as an advisor to Balytskyi, helped the invaders create the occupation authorities and was behind the proposal to Putin to reward Russian military and collaborators involved in the seizure of southern Ukrainian territory. Later he became a so-called "Russian senator from Zaporizhzhya Oblast" and moved to Moscow. Read also: SBU establishes direct connection between former Yanukovych-era minister and Kadyrovs associate Both traitors were involved in looting and confiscating the property of farmers on the occupied territories. The court found Tabachnyk and Vorona guilty under three articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine: Read also: How Ukraine plans to prosecute those collaborating with Russia P. 2 of Article 111 (treason committed under martial law) P. 1 of Article 111-2 (aiding the aggressor state) P. 2 Article 28, part 1 Art. 438 (violation of the laws and customs of war). The SBU is actively working to apprehend the convicts and bring them to justice. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine A Milwaukee jury has found a former election official guilty of fraud and misconduct in office after she obtained fake absentee ballots in the 2022 election. Kimberly Zapata, 47, was charged in November of that year with one felony count of misconduct in public office and three misdemeanor counts of election fraud. The jury found her guilty of all four counts Wednesday, The Associated Press reported. Zapata faces up to five years in prison. She will be sentenced on May 2, the AP noted. In October of 2022, Zapata served as the deputy director at the Milwaukee Election Commission. She used her work-issued laptop to get three military absentee ballots using fake names and Social Security numbers. As part of her job, she oversaw the counting of absentee ballots in Milwaukee. Zapata had the extra ballots sent to the home of state Rep. Janel Brandtjen (R), who chairs the Assembly elections committee and has voiced support for overturning the 2020 presidential election results. Zapata was fired after the mayor found she had requested the extra ballots. Brandtjen filed a lawsuit in early November 2022 to block the counting of military ballots in the state after Zapata was fired. Zapatas attorney argued during the two-day trial that she saw herself as a whistleblower and didnt mean to hurt anyone. Assistant District Attorney Matthew Westphal argued that she wasnt a whistleblower, shes committing election fraud. Wisconsin, one of a few key swing states, elected President Biden in 2020 by less than 21,000 votes. The state has been a target of former President Trump, who made attempts to challenge the results. It will be a critical battleground state in this falls presidential election. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. WATSEKA, Ill. (WCIA) The former Administrator of the Iroquois County Public Health District has been arrested and charged with over 30 felony counts following an Illinois State Police investigation. Dee Ann Schippert, 57, was arrested by the Illinois State Police on Wednesday and was booked into the Iroquois County Jail on the following charges: Two Class X felony counts of theft of government property Six Class 1 felony counts of theft of government property Eight Class 3 felony counts of forgery 17 Class 3 felony counts of official misconduct The ISPs investigation started more than a year ago. Chad McGinnis, an Iroquois County Board Member, said he and other board members had received complaints about Schippert from her employees, claiming there was mistreatment of workers, gambling during the workday or simply not showing up to work. The biggest concern was overtime pay, McGinnis said, with nearly $100,000 being paid to her over two years. Schippert will remain in custody pending a court appearance on Thursday. WCIA has reached out to the Illinois State Police for further information. We are waiting to hear back. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com. Following a hurried two weeks of campaigning, Senegal's delayed presidential election is set for this Sunday with more than 7 million people registered to vote for a record 20 then 17 candidates. Voters will head out to more than 16,000 polling stations across the West African country and its diaspora. Ballots will be counted after voting ends at 6pm. Vote tallies will be sent to the Constitutional Council, and then the National Election Commission will announce provisional results by the evening or early Monday morning. Majority and opposition Election coverage has highlighted polarisation between two main camps the first led by the former prime minister Amadou Ba. Born in Dakar in 1961, Ba studied in Paris and the US and returned to Senegal to work in higher administration. Named economy minister by President Macky Sall in 2013, the wealthy individual was prime minister until the campaign was launched earlier this month. The second dominant camp is a coalition brought together by Ousmane Sonko former mayor of Ziguinchor in Casamance and his official candidate, Bassirou Diomaye Faye. Seventeen other candidates have also been running, two leaving the race in recent weeks. Habib Sy and Cheikh Tidiane Dieye have been defending Bassirou's programme, with the latter even abandoning the race on Wednesday to support Faye fully. Sy did the same on Thursday. Fifteen other are now left in the race. Read more on RFI English Read also: Senegal's opposition hopes promise of new national currency will win votes Thousands celebrate release of Senegalese opposition leaders ahead of election Young Senegalese forced abroad by dual economic and political crises FILE PHOTO: Steinhoff's former Chief Executive Markus Jooste appears in parliament to face a panel investigating an accounting scandal that rocked the retailer in Cape Town By Nqobile Dludla JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - A 63-year-old man whom police in South Africa on Thursday said apparently died by suicide was identified by local media as former Steinhoff chief executive Markus Jooste. Jooste, who was instrumental in transforming Steinhoff from a small Johannesburg furniture outfit into a multinational retailer, had been handed a hefty fine for accounting fraud on Wednesday. Police said an inquest case docket had been registered following the death of a 63-year-old man. They did not name the deceased. "It is alleged that the victim sustained a gunshot wound at around 1520 (local time) at Kwaaiwater and succumbed to death on his way to hospital," Western Cape police spokesperson Colonel Andre Traut said in a statement, referring to a suburb of the coastal town of Hermanus near Cape Town. Traut said police were investigating the circumstances, adding that no foul play was suspected. Citing sources, South African broadcaster Newzroom Afrika said Jooste shot himself during an arrest. The Financial Times said Jooste had died of a gunshot wound, according to people with knowledge of the matter. Reuters could not independently verify the reports. South Africa's Financial Sector Conduct Authority fined Jooste 475 million rand ($25.2 million) on Wednesday for publishing false and misleading Steinhoff annual financial statements and annual reports for the 2014 to 2016 years and the 2017 half-year. Steinhoff revealed holes in its accounts in December 2017, the first sign of an accounting fraud that led to the near-collapse of the retail group, which is the majority owner of South African and European discount retailers Pepkor and Pepco. Steinhoff has suffered hefty losses and a stream of lawsuits since then. Jooste told a South African parliamentary inquiry in 2018 that he was not aware of any accounting irregularities when he left the retailer in December 2017. He had also been under fraud investigation by South African police. ($1 = 18.8497 rand) (Additional reporting by Wendell Roelf in Cape Town; Editing by Olivia Kumwenda-Mtambo and Rosalba O'Brien) BARRINGTON HILLS, Ill. The torso of a man discovered 44 years ago in Barrington Hills has been identified thanks to new technology from a private company. The torso was found on Aug. 5, 1979, in a quiet neighborhood by a boy horseback riding in a wooded area about a mile down from Route 59 and Dundee Road. Officers found the decapitated body, of a man who was 27 at the time, had been burned. His head and arms were missing. It was on a Sunday, former Barrington Hill Police Chief Al Schuld said. I was cutting my lawn at the time when I got the call and I come out and it was just chaos right after that. Schuld was police chief at the time of the discovery. It was hard to recognize for one thing because it was burnt, Schuld said. I can still remember the smell. The upper torso, then the bottom part of the torso and then the legs were there but there were no hands or head or nothing like that. The whole area was checked but we never did find that. After an examination, the Cook County Medical Examiners Office estimated the man was around 30 years old and about 5 feet 8 inches tall. It was like, oh my god, why would, how could somebody do that to a human being? Schuld said. Police at the time combed through missing persons reports trying to find a match. Cause of detectives, they worked constantly on it, Schuld said. Lead after lead after lead, and youve got to check every lead you get. But without any identifying characteristics, the body remained a John Doe. It turned out this wasnt the first time investigators unearthed remains like this. News articles included in the Barrington Hills police investigation showed this was the fifth torso found in Cook County over the span of 16 months. This embedded content is not available in your region. Barrington Hills Police Department Evidence/Provided Barrington Hills Police Department Evidence/Provided Barrington Hills Police Department Evidence/Provided Barrington Hills Police Department Evidence/Provided Barrington Hills Police Department Evidence/Provided Barrington Hills Police Department Evidence/Provided Barrington Hills Police Department Evidence/Provided Of the five remains, only one person was ever identified. Barrington Hills police kept going back to an evidence box filled with things collected back in 1979. Last year, officers turned to Othram, a private company that uses genetic genealogy to try to find a match. The first private lab in North America that exclusively generates human ID from forensic evidence, Michael Voegn, director of account management for Othram, said. So we specialize in taking crime scene evidence, be it DNA from unidentified human remains like this case, or suspect DNA from criminal cases. Voegn said Barrington Hills police sent some items containing genetic material to their Dallas lab. While the FBI utilizes the Combined DNA Index System, known as CODIS, the system only contains profiles from convicted offenders, unsolved crimes and missing person cases. A lot of folks, particularly unidentified human remains, are not going to be in CODIS, unless you have a very close relative in CODIS, like a parent, child or sibling, Vogen said. Those 24 markers, thats what theyre going to pick up are very close relationships. Vogen said scientists successfully extracted enough DNA to build a genetic profile. Using larger databases with public profiles, genetic genealogists were able to build a family tree. They traced relatives to narrow down a possible identity for John Doe. Not too long after, Linda Gressicks phone rang. And all my husband said was Its the Barrington Hills Police Department. I just got a chill. Gressick said she knew right away why they were calling. I said right away to the detective, You found my brother, didnt you?' Gressick said. For the past 45 years, Gressick held on to her memories and the small hope shed find out what happened to her half-brother. Joseph Caliva disappeared in August 1979. At the time, he worked for Chicago Streets and Sanitation. He was gone for about four days when we started to realize something was wrong, my dad started to realize something was wrong because he didnt show up at work, Gressick said. It was four days past his paycheck, which would have been on the first. Gressick said her family searched for her brother and didnt immediately fear the worst. I would say at least two or three weeks after he disappeared, they probably were holding out hope that he was staying with a friend or something like that because that was his nature, she said. He might have stayed at a cousins house, or something. They probably held off and then finally filed a missing persons report. She now lives in western Michigan but spent most of her life in Chicago. We grew up in the City of Chicago, Gressick said. We were around Diversey and California. We all grew up together. Caliva attended Gordon Tech for a few years and later enlisted in the Marines. Gressick said her brother enjoyed playing guitar as a member of garage bands. Joey was very good looking and he had a great personality, she said. He could sell you anything. He was pretty sharp. Investigators asked Gressick to submit her DNA to Othram to confirm their suspicions. The results were a match. Like in this case, they were able to confirm who this DNA belonged to and give answers to a family thats been waiting a while, Vogen said. It helped provide some closure more than four decades later, but not a full conclusion. Its very unsettling, Gressick said. I thought I was ok with him being gone and I know everybodys goal was closure. It seems like less closure now than when there was before I found out. Im hoping to find out more about what happened and everything. Detectives are hoping since they now have a name, they can continue working on this case. Anyone who knew him and remembers anything from that time period is asked to call detectives at 847-551-3006 and reference case number 1979-2050. So much of traditional police work comes from questioning victims associates to try and piece together a timeline. But without a name, detectives couldnt ask those questions. Now that they do, this changes things. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. A Russian missile attack on Kyiv Oblast injured four people and damaged houses, agricultural buildings, and vehicles, regional governor, Ruslan Kravchenko, reported on Telegram on March 21. Individuals sustained shrapnel wounds to their limbs and faces, with one person hospitalized, Kravchenko reported. Destruction and fires occurred in six settlements across four districts of the Oblast at the missile impact sites, contained by emergency services. /Telegram Russian attack damaged over 40 private residential buildings, two multi-story buildings, 12 cars, a lyceum, and power lines, he said. /Telegram Investigators have launched a pre-trial investigation into violations of laws and customs of war (Part 1 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine), carrying a possible penalty of 12 years' imprisonment. /Telegram Read also: US Ambassador Brink condemns Kyiv attack following Sullivan's visit to Ukrainian capital /Telegram Russian forces attacked Kyiv for the first time in 44 days on March 21. Ukraine's Air Force confirmed that the Russians deployed two ballistic missiles (Iskander-M and Kh-47M2 Kinzhal) and 29 cruise missiles from 11 Tu-95MS bombers. The missiles approached from the north, with most intercepted in the Kyiv Oblast. Thirteen people were injured in the Russian attack, Serhiy Popko, the head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, said. No fatalities were reported. Read also: At least 12 injured and fires city-wide after UA intercepts 30+ Russian ballistic missiles over Kyiv Read also: Ukraine rushes to develop domestic HIMARS equivalent report Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Farmers gather Tuesday, March 12, 2024 outside the European Parliament in Strasbourg, eastern France. For several months, farmers throughout Europe have been mobilizing to address local, national, and European concerns (AP Photo/Jean-Francois Badias) PARIS (AP) France's Senate voted overwhelmingly Thursday to reject legislation to ratify a 2017 trade deal between the European Union and Canada that has been criticized by farmers as bringing unfair competition from abroad. The EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, or CETA, provisionally went into effect in September 2017 after all EU governments agreed to it, but its full implementation requires approval by each national parliament. Thursday's 211-44 vote in the Senate does not necessarily mean that France ultimately will reject ratification. The vote sends the bill back to the powerful National Assembly, which had approved it in 2019 and can still move to override the Senate rejection and give final approval to the measure. But Macron's centrist alliance, which has advocated for the adoption of the CETA agreement, lost its majority at the lower house in 2022, making the outcome of a new vote uncertain. If the Assembly should reject the legislation during its second vote, that would signal Frances failure to ratify and could unravel the EU trade deal. In the Senate, opposition from both the conservative majority and leftist legislators centered on concerns about shielding local farmers from what they consider unfair competition and protecting France's food sovereignty. The Assembly has not yet set a date to consider the legislation. The ratification process across the European Union has been slow, with France and nine other EU countries, including Italy and Belgium, not yet giving their approval. There have been significant increases in trade volume between the EU and Canada since the trade deal provisionally went into effect. From 2017 to 2023, trade between the two jumped by 51%, with French exports to Canada rising by 33%. Despite these economic gains, CETA has faced criticism, including over its impact on European farmers and the environment. Critics argue it could undermine local agriculture and increase greenhouse gas emissions due to more transport of goods. CETA aims to eventually eliminate nearly 99% of tariffs. It includes special recognition for certain European products like Agen prunes and Savoie reblochon. The Senates rejection pressures the National Assembly, which only narrowly passed CETA in 2019. If France or any other EU member state definitively rejects the treaty, it could unravel, affecting the parts of the agreement already in operation. French senators vote comes after farmers across France and Europe demonstrated on their tractors earlier this year in protests over low earnings, heavy regulation and what they call unfair competition from abroad, often criticizing free-trade agreements, including the CETA. - AP Writer Sylvie Corbet contributed to the story Shayla Favor defeated two other candidates Tuesday to win the Democratic primary race for Franklin County prosecutor. If she defeats Republican John Rutan in the November general election, she would be one of the few Black women prosecutors in the nation. A county prosecutors office traditionally has a mandate to react to crime and to pursue punishment. Columbus City Councilmember Shayla Favor acknowledged this during an interview with The Dispatch after winning the Democratic primary race Tuesday for Franklin County prosecutor. But Favor said there's opportunity for the office to be more "proactive" and reduce violent crime with evidence-based programs that minimize incarceration. She's part of a nationwide movement of more progressive prosecutor candidates running in recent years on a platform of reducing mass incarceration. Favor sat down with The Dispatch Wednesday to discuss what this would look like if she can defeat unopposed Republican nominee John Rutan in November. Her plans include implementing more diversion programs in juvenile and adult court and connecting defendants with existing resources in the community when possible. Favor, a vocal proponent of holding law enforcement officers who commit crimes accountable, said it was too early to comment on how she would handle some high-profile cases involving law enforcement officers. She also acknowledged a potential conflict of interest in a pending lawsuit involving an officer shooting. According to unofficial vote totals, Favor won the Democratic party nomination to replace retiring Franklin County Prosecutor Gary Tyack with 41% of the vote to Anthony Piersons 35% and Natalia Harris 24%. Pierson is deputy chief counsel in Tyacks office and had Tyack's endorsement. Harris, a Columbus resident and Delaware City Attorney, was never really in the race. In the November general election, Favor will seemingly have an advantage over Rutan as Franklin County has become a place where it's difficult for Republicans to win countywide office, so much so that some county judges and judicial candidates have switched parties from GOP to Democrat in recent years. More: John Rutan, GOP county prosecutor nominee, slams 'stolen' elections, Dem opponent and more How Favor would handle police officer cases On the campaign trail, Favor has criticized a lack of transparency in the prosecutors office on cases involving police officers and how long it takes for some cases to be resolved. Favor did not definitively say if Pierson would be shown the door. I have always had the greatest respect for both of the opponents in this race. I believe that the work that they do, that we all do, is some of the most important work that folks can engage in in our community, Favor said. Pierson is the lead attorney prosecuting ex-Columbus police officer Adam Coy for the 2020 fatal shooting of Andre Hill. He had the case when he worked at the Ohio Attorney Generals Office and then Attorney General Yost sent it back with Pierson to the Franklin County Prosecutors office. Piersons departure from the Franklin County office could mean further delays in the Coy case. Asked about this and if she would allow Pierson to continue working on the case, Favor said it was too early to comment on active cases, especially high-profile ones. Favor said she does not have a definitive policy yet on how she would handle police cases, specifically whether she would send them to the Ohio Attorney Generals office, another county prosecutors office or bring in private attorneys. She said she wants to have more conversations in the community about how to handle these cases and was open to a suggestion from a local attorney at a candidate forum that an independent committee select the list of potential special prosecutors. A potential conflict of interest in Casey Goodson Jr. lawsuit Among the supporters surrounding Shayla Favor on Tuesday at a Near East Side watch party where she declared victory was attorney Sean Walton. Walton is representing Tamla Payne, the mother of the late Casey Goodson Jr., in a lawsuit against Franklin County. Payne and the family of Goodson, who was fatally shot by then-Franklin County Sheriff's deputy Jason Meade in December 2020, endorsed Favor for prosecutor. Charges against Meade are still pending after a mistrial last month. As a City Council member, Favor sponsored a scholarship in Goodsons name after his death. Shayla Favor offers a heartfelt thank you to attorney Sean Walton and his wife, Jennifer, at her election night watch party Tuesday night at Ground X Grnd event space on the Near East Side after Favor won the Democratic primary for Franklin County prosecutor. A civil lawsuit case Payne and Walton have brought against Meade and the county is also pending in federal court. If elected county prosecutor, Favors office would represent the county in that civil case. It is possible that it could be a conflict of interest, Favor acknowledged in her interview with The Dispatch. Asked how she would deal with the potential conflict, Favor said she would need to get up to speed on where the ongoing civil case stands before commenting. Favor talks juvenile court diversion Juvenile crime has come up frequently during this race, including concerns about surges in car thefts and young shooters. Favor said just as it is important for the City Council to support community programs that give young people productive and safe ways to spend their time, the prosecutors office has an opportunity to engage young people who are justice-involved. Currently, there is a pilot program run jointly by the prosecutors office and the juvenile court that diverts a handful of young teens from the Linden neighborhood who get caught as passengers in stolen cars to programs in Linden. Favor said she wants to expand that pilot and for the office to do more of that type of work in partnership with community groups. A lot of the solutions, I believe, to some of the problems that we are grappling with, they exist in our community as it is, Favor said. Evidence-based justice programs In discussing how Favor would apply evidence-based justice programs to adult court, Favor discussed, for example, central Ohios high rate of human trafficking and prostitution. There's a need to not to criminalize behavior that either someone was forced into or is relegated to because they've come under hard times, she said. That looks like us working with the judges that are on the bench to create new specialty dockets. It looks like us working with agencies like 1DivineLine2Health that are based in community. Holding criminals accountable and utilizing attorneys in the office Yet Favor also said that if elected prosecutor, she would still hold violent criminals accountable. And to do that, she said she would support the attorneys already in the office. I have said all along that there are some phenomenal attorneys that currently exist in this office that are doing their due diligence every day to ensure that Franklin County residents are safe. I want to be able to come in and support them, ensure that they have the proper resources so they can continue to do their job effectively and efficiently, Favor said. Favor said she has no plans at this time to remove all of the offices leadership, joking that she's "not a dictator." Over the coming months," Favor said, "I will begin to have conversations with trusted advisers and leader starting to think through what a strong transition team looks like," so she is prepared if she wins election in November. When theres any administration change, Favor said the reality is some staff will leave, but she hopes she'll have the opportunity to get to engage every staff member. Favor could make history as county's first Black female prosecutor Favor said on election night her campaign was for the next generation of little Black and brown girls. Favor reiterated Wednesday to The Dispatch this campaign was not about her. I realized early on, actually after the party vote in January (not to endorse any candidate in the primary), that this whole experience was no longer about me. That it truly was a movement about empowering the next generation of young women to break barriers, Favor said. If Favor wins in November, she would make history: she would become the county's first Black prosecutor and the county's first female prosecutor. Less than 2% of the more than 2,000 elected prosecutors nationwide are Black women, according to the Reflective Democracy Campaign. Out of 135 attorneys in the Franklin County Prosecutors Office, 14 attorneys or about 10% are not white. One of Favors goals is to increase the offices diversity by creating a stronger pipeline in the community. How is Favor feeling about the November general election? Asked about how shes feeling about November running against Rutan, Favor said shes excited to continue building relationships countywide and to help the entire Democratic ticket get elected, including President Joe Biden and Senator Sherrod Brown. jlaird@dispatch.com @LairdWrites This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Franklin County prosecutor Democrat nominee Shayla Favor talks policy EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) A new free two-day festival, the El Paso Science Festival, is coming to the Borderland from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 6-7 at the El Paso Convention Center. The festival seeks to inspire the scientist of the future by featuring over 70 interactive exhibits that cater to all ages, making a fun and engaging educational experience, according to a press release sent by the El Paso Community Foundation. Festival highlights include the following: Hands-on exhibits : Attendees can immerse themselves in interactive exhibits that explore various STEM fields, including robotics, physics, astronomy, chemistry, geology and more. Experts will be on hand to guide visitors through exciting experiments and demonstrations. Main stage demonstrations : Engaging performances and presentations will enthrall audiences, bringing science to life through captivating displays and discussions. Speaker series : Renowned scientists from the greater El Paso area will share their insights and experiences, inspiring the next generation of STEM enthusiasts. Special guest and Astronaut Jose Hernandez will share his inspiring story, from migrant farm worker to astronaut. For more information visit elpasosciencefestival.org. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. Russian President Vladimir Putin needs to understand that Western support for Ukraine could extend to troops on the ground, the chief of Frances Armed Forces, General Thierry Burkhard, said on March 21, as reported by AFP. Putin has built his operation on the idea that the West will never go into Ukraine but will simply supply arms, Burkhard said. "We have to show him that he will not be able to use this logic to go all the way, because this idea is not right," he added. "The war in Ukraine concerns us because we are involved in its consequences. Europeans must therefore be capable of taking risks to ensure the security of Europe in the decade to come." Burkhards comments come after French President Emmanuel Macron said in February that deploying Western troops to Ukraine was not ruled out, marking a significant shift in his countrys stance on the war. He again refused to rule out the possibility in a March 14 interview, though said today's situation does not call for it. The remarks sparked a lively discussion among allies, with many NATO members, including Germany and the U.S., rejecting the possibility. Other countries, such as Estonia or Czechia, said that the deployment of troops, for example for non-combat tasks, should not be completely ruled out. The president's (Macrons) intention is to make Vladimir Putin understand that we are aware of what is at stake in Ukraine, Burkhard said. In an interview published on March 16, Macron promised to come to Kyiv and bring "specific solutions" for the war though he did not give a timeline for a visit. Read also: Russias war effort may not be as formidable as it looks Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. LONDON (AP) On Friday, Kate, the Princess of Wales, said she is undergoing chemotherapy for cancer an announcement that comes amid what hasn't been a good year for Britain's royals so far. First came the royal health shock headlines when palace officials announced that King Charles III and Kate both had health troubles. An absence of information about Kate's health and whereabouts then fueled an increasingly frenzied rumor mill that made its way from the fringes of social media to front pages around the world. Distrust of the monarchy only intensified after Kate admitted that she edited an official family photo, and palace officials have struggled to regain control of the narrative as conjecture and conspiracy theories persist. Here is a timeline of recent events relating to the royal family: Dec. 25, 2023: Kate attends Christmas service at Sandringham, the royal estate on the eastern English coast, alongside Prince William, their children and other members of the royal family. This is the princess's last public appearance. Jan. 16, 2024: Kate, 42, is admitted to the London Clinic and undergoes abdominal surgery. The news isn't announced until the next day. Jan. 17: Kensington Palace reveals that Kate is recovering from a planned operation. Officials say her condition isn't cancer-related but did not specify what surgery it was, only saying it was successful. They say she will remain in the private hospital for 10-14 days and be away from public view until after Easter. Buckingham Palace announces on the same day that King Charles will be treated for a benign enlarged prostate. Jan. 21: Prince Andrew's ex-wife, Sarah, Duchess of York, says she has malignant melanoma, a form of skin cancer. Jan. 26: King Charles is admitted to a London hospital for a three-day stay for his prostate treatment. Jan. 29: Kate and Charles are both discharged from the hospital. Charles is photographed leaving the hospital with Camilla and waving at well-wishers. Kate is not pictured leaving the hospital, but officials say she is making good progress" and will continue her recovery at home. Feb. 5: Buckingham Palace announces that Charles has cancer and will receive treatment. Officials did not say what form of cancer the king has. Feb. 7: Prince Harry arrives in the U.K. from California to visit his father. He departs the next day. Feb. 27: William pulls out of a memorial service for his godfather, the late King Constantine of Greece, at the last minute, due to a personal matter. The palace declined to elaborate but said Kate continues to do well. Later on the same day, Buckingham Palace says Thomas Kingston, the son-in-law of Prince Michael of Kent, has died at the age of 45. Prince Michael is a cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth II. March 1: An inquest hears that Thomas Kingston died from a traumatic head wound" on Feb. 25. A gun was found near his body at his parents' home. March 4: A photo reportedly showing Kate riding in a car with her mother Carole Middleton in Windsor circulates on social media. It is published by some international news outlets but not in any of Britain's newspapers. March 6: People magazine cites a royal spokesman as saying that William's focus is on his work and not on social media. March 10: Kensington Palace releases a photo of Kate surrounded by her three children to mark Mother's Day in Britain. The photo, the first official one since the princess underwent surgery, was retracted hours later by The Associated Press and other news agencies over concerns it had been digitally manipulated. March 11: Amid a new round of speculation about her health sparked by the edited family photo, Kate issues an apology on social media for the confusion caused. She says she occasionally experiments with editing like many amateur photographers. March 16: The Sun newspaper publishes a video reportedly showing a smiling and relaxed Kate shopping with William at a farm shop near their Windsor home. March 20: The Information Commissioner's Office says it is investigating a report that at least one member of staff at the London Clinic tried to snoop on Kate's medical records while she was a patient at the hospital. March 22: In a video address, Kate announces she is undergoing treatment for cancer, including preventive chemotherapy. She says she is well and getting stronger every day, but needs to focus on her recovery. DENVER (KDVR) Tuesday marked the first day of spring, and with the change in seasons comes warmer weather and the start of farmers markets. Whether youre looking for fresh produce, artisan crafts or live music, these farmers markets are bringing back the vendor classics starting as soon as early April. When will Colorado see full coverage of a total solar eclipse? Farmers market opening dates Note: A few of the opening dates mark the start of the market, but some dont open continuously every week until a later date. Check the website before attending the farmers market. Arvada Arvada Farmers Market: June 2, Sundays 9 a.m. 1:30 p.m. Aurora Southlands Farmers Market: May 12, Saturdays 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Rebel Marketplace: May 11, Saturdays 9 a.m. 1 p.m. Boulder Boulder County Farmers Markets: April 6, Saturdays 8 a.m. 2 p.m. Boulder County Farmers Markets: May 1, Wednesdays 3:30 p.m. 7 p.m. Broomfield Holy Comforter: June 11, Tuesdays 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Castle Rock Denver Evergreen El Rancho Colorado: May 28, Tuesdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Golden Golden Farmers Market: June 1, Saturdays 8 a.m. 1 p.m. Highlands Ranch Spring Merchant Markets: Highlands Ranch: April 7, Sundays 10 a.m. 2 p.m. Lakewood Spring Merchant Markets: Lakewood: June 15, Saturdays 10 a.m. 2 p.m. Littleton Spring Merchant Markets: Littleton: April 6, Saturdays 10 a.m. 2 p.m. Longmont Boulder County Farmers Markets: April 6, Saturday 8 a.m. 1 p.m. Louisville Real Farmers Market: May 11, Saturdays 9 a.m. 1 p.m. Loveland Parker Parker Farmers Market: May 13, Sundays 8 a.m. 1 p.m. Fort Collins Westminster Orchard Farmers Market: June 2, Sundays 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Most of these farmers markets run throughout the summer. Many close around September and October, and some close as late as November. Did FOX31 forget something? Submit a form. Send FOX31 an email with the farmers market and its webpage and we will add it to the list. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. "Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga", the latest instalment of the post-apocalyptic franchise, will get its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival on May 15, organisers said Thursday. The fifth film in the series stars Anya Taylor-Joy as Furiosa -- a character played by Charlize Theron in 2015's "Mad Max: Fury Road", which also premiered at Cannes in 2015. She stars alongside Chris Hemsworth as the villain, Warlord Dementus, as Furiosa battles hostile gangs to make her way home. The latest entry, which is playing out-of-competition at Cannes, is again directed by the franchise's creator, Australia's George Miller. It all began with an ultra-low-budget action film in 1979 that also launched the career of Mel Gibson, about a near-future Australia facing societal collapse and oil shortages. There were two sequels starring Gibson in the 1980s, before the franchise returned in 2015 with "Fury Road", a critically lauded blast of pure spectacle starring Tom Hardy that won six Academy Awards. Miller has had a very varied career, directing children's hits like "Babe" and "Happy Feet", as well as the mythological tale "Three Thousand Years of Longing", which debuted at Cannes in 2022. The Cannes Film Festival runs from May 14 to 25, with Greta Gerwig as the head of its jury. The full line-up is due to be announced on April 11. er/cw For generations, Americas success has been underwritten by its military strength. That strength has deterred aggression and countered the forces of evil that threaten freedom and our way of life. This run of prosperity, however, cannot lead us to complacency. The past two years of heightened global unrest are evidence that the end of the Cold War did not mark the end of great power competition. Russias invasion of Ukraine, global aggression by the Peoples Republic of China, the brutality of Hamas and other Iranian proxies, and the unending antagonism of North Korea are reminders of this sobering truth. In the face of these challenges, American military strength is needed now more than ever. But we cannot rely on our legacy arsenal to retain military advantage and deter these threats. We must prepare for a modern fight to preserve Americas superiority. The fiscal 2024 Defense Appropriations Act funds these preparations. The approximately $824.5 billion provided in the bill, which accounts for a $27 billion increase over the FY23 enacted level, is directed to the highest national defense priorities, in particular countering the Peoples Republic of China, prioritizing innovation at the Pentagon, and investing in quality-of-life initiatives for service members and their families. To deter Chinese aggression in the Indo-Pacific region, the bill maxes out the production of critical munitions, doubles security cooperation funding for Taiwan, and prioritizes the delivery of defense articles and services to Taiwan. It rejects the Biden administrations inadequate procurement and divestment suggestions, and instead funds eight battle ships while retaining four others; increases investments in fifth- and sixth-generation aircraft; and provides over $66 billion in Indo-Pacific-relevant capabilities. These decisions demonstrate Americas capacity and intent to stand with Taiwan as well as our allies and partners in the region. Todays Department of Defense is an overburdened and antiquated bureaucracy confronted with the realities of the 21st century. The bill recognizes that the military will only achieve the modernization it needs by tapping into Americas entrepreneurial spirit, and it provides an unprecedented investment in innovation. Included in that investment is $1 billion for the Defense Innovation Unit and military services to accelerate acquisition and fielding as well as $300 million for the successful Accelerate the Procurement and Fielding of Innovative Technologies program, which will work to overcome the infamous valley of death. The most cutting-edge military technologies still rely on the ingenuity of American service members. At the core of our military might are the men and women who serve the nation so bravely. The bill recognizes that and honors them, funding the largest increase in basic military pay in more than 20 years (5.2%) and providing $123 million for recruiting and retention incentives and service member cost-of-living adjustments. The bill also resources across-the-board investments in our military families with funding to address out-of-pocket family costs such as child care; to expand spouse employment opportunities; and to conduct medical research on areas of significance to the military community. Undoubtedly, the bill invests in a more modern, innovative and ready fighting force. In the midst of unparalleled threats to the United States and its interests, this sends a strong message that we are prepared to meet and defeat any adversary. Rep. Kay Granger, R-Texas, chairs the House Appropriations Committee, where Rep. Ken Calvert, R-Calif., chairs the Defense Subcommittee. A gang whose "slick" drug operation ended in one the UK's largest seizures of heroin and cocaine has been jailed. The class A drugs were smuggled through the Channel Tunnel before being taken to a farm in North Wales that was used as a distribution centre. Cocaine and heroin with an estimated street value of 64m was recovered in a police raid on the farm, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said. The four men involved in the gang were sentenced at Chester Crown Court. Guy Remington, 48, from Hereford, Luke Hirst, 37, of Deeside, Thomas Smith, 41, from Liverpool and Morgan Towner, 47, of Leatherhead, Surrey, all pleaded guilty to a range of offences and were jailed for a combined total of 55 years. Police in the north-west of England estimate two tonnes of drugs with a potential street value of more than 250m were imported by the gang. The gang's operation between May and September 2023 saw Remington make nine trips to Europe via the Eurotunnel, through which he smuggled the drugs back in a trailer with secret compartments, the CPS said. From there, they were taken to Hirst's farm at Tirlas Goch in Deeside, where they were repackaged to be distributed across the UK. Senior crown prosecutor Nicola Wyn Williams said the operation was "possibly the last thing that you could imagine happening at a farm in rural North Wales" But the rural location "provided privacy for the group to unload the huge quantities of heroin and cocaine", and was connected to the nearby A55 and motorway network to allow the drugs to be easily distributed across the country, she added. Smith, a drug dealer based in Liverpool, arranged to move the drugs onto to his own network of supplier, while Towner used a van with hidden compartments to take the drugs to the south of England. Police raided the farm in September and arrested Remington and Hirst, with officers later arresting Smith at his home in Liverpool and Towner at an address in Surrey. Remington was sentenced to 18 years in jail for conspiracy to import and supply class A drugs, while Smith was also given 18 years for conspiracy to supply, and for possession with intent to supply MDMA and possession of cannabis. Hirst was jailed for 12 years, and Towner for 7 years, both for conspiracy to supply class A drugs. Why not follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X and Instagram? You can also send story ideas to northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk MACON, Ga. - Two key figures associated with the notorious Gangster Disciples were handed down prison sentences on Wednesday for their involvement in a deadly conspiracy which led to the tragic deaths of three men in Athens. Philmon Deshawn Chambers, 35, of Atlanta, known within gang circles as "Dolla Phil" received two consecutive life sentences plus an additional 120 months, followed by five years of supervised release. Chambers, a high-ranking member of the Gangster Disciples, was convicted on multiple charges, including RICO Conspiracy, violent crime in aid of racketeering - murder, and the use of a firearm resulting in death. Andrea Paige Browner, 29, of Athens, known as "Drea" and a leader of the Sisters of the Struggle, the female counterpart to the Gangster Disciples, was sentenced to 30 years in prison, to be served concurrently, followed by five years of supervised release. Browner's conviction on similar charges highlighted the critical role she played in the gang's violent activities. The federal jury's decision on August 17, 2023, followed a detailed examination of the events leading to the December 2018 murders. "Philmon Chambers and his co-conspirators murderous crimes caused intense pain and suffering for three Georgia families whose loved ones were taken from them in a heinous manner," said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. "While no court can restore the lives that were lost, we hope these sentences provide some measure of justice and underscore our offices commitment working alongside our law enforcement partners to combatting violent crime." "While these sentences wont ease the pain felt by the victims families and friends, this does send a message of hope to our community that we will fight for the rights of those targeted by violent street gangs," said Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. "Dismantling violent criminal organizations is a priority for the FBI, and a goal we share with our law enforcement and prosecution partners across the country." "While these sentences will never undo the loss of the affected families, it sends a message that justice will prevail," said Athens-Clarke County Police Chief Jerry Saulters. "We are grateful to our officers for their continued support of this case and those involved in the prosecution. Our community is safer because of your efforts." Fate for 2 Gangster Disciples to be determined next week The case, prosecuted as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative, brought to light the extensive criminal activities of the Gangster Disciples, including the calculated murder of Walter Brown and the subsequent killings of two individuals mistakenly believed to be informants. These actions were part of a broader pattern of violence and intimidation employed by the gang to maintain its power and influence. Two co-defendants are still awaiting sentencing after taking plea deals. Robert Maurice Carlisle, 37, of Lithonia, and Shabazz Larry Guidry, 29, of Decatur, both of whom have entered guilty pleas to RICO charges, will be sentenced on March 27. Previous Gangster Disciples sentencings This follows the recent sentencing of Lesley Chappell Green, 35, of Stone Mountain, to life in prison on February 20, after his conviction on similar charges. Green, known within the gang as "Grip," played a significant role in the gang's enforcement team, a group tasked with disciplining members through violent means. The case centers around the murder of Walter Brown, a Gangster Disciples member, in Athens, Georgia, on December 10, 2018. Following Brown's death, Philmon Deshawn Chambers and Andrea Paige Browner sought retribution against those they believed responsible, leading to a series of events that culminated in additional murders and a widespread law enforcement investigation. Evidence presented at trial showed the elaborate conspiracy and the gang's attempts to cover up their crimes, including the murder of Derrick Ruff and Joshua Jackson, who were lured under false pretenses and killed. The bodies were concealed until discovered by police with the assistance of cadaver dogs in March 2019. Attorney General Merrick Garland dismissed as absurd the idea that he should have edited or withheld a special counsel report slamming President Joe Bidens memory. In his first remarks responding to criticism of his decision to release special counsel Robert Hurs report last month referring to Biden as an elderly man with a poor memory, Garland said Thursday that publishing the full report on Bidens handling of classified information was consistent with the tradition of transparency for such reports. The idea that an attorney general would edit or redact or censor the special counsels explanation for why the special counsel reached the decision the special counsel did that's absurd, Garland told reporters. Hur concluded no criminal charges were warranted against Biden relating to mishandling of classified material he obtained before he became president. But many Biden supporters and some former prosecutors slammed Hurs report for including gratuitous language about Biden that his political opponents were sure to leverage to underscore perceptions that Biden, 81, is fading mentally and physically even as he runs for reelection. Biden responded angrily to aspects of the report, including the shot at his memory. Im well meaning, and Im an elderly man, and I know what the hell Im doing. Ive been president and I put this country back on its feet, he said shortly after its release. Bidens lawyers complained in writing to Garland about the substance and tone of the report before it was released, but a senior career official wrote back saying the language was appropriate. Speaking Thursday at a press conference to announce an antitrust suit against Apple, Garland addressed the controversy over Hurs report for the first time. The attorney general noted the presidents promise to respect the independence of the Justice Department and said neither Biden nor his aides had reached out to him to say he should have altered the report or kept it from being released. No one from the White House has said that to me, Garland said. Asked whether Garlands denial was in tension with the Biden lawyers letter, a Justice Department official who was granted anonymity to discuss the sensitive matter noted that the letter from the presidents attorneys never asked directly for changes to the report or that it be kept from the public. Garland also defended the move, which produced days of negative headlines about the presidents memory, as in keeping with a long tradition of making such reports from independent prosecutors public. It's consistent with the precedents, the full disclosure of all special counsel reports in the entire 25 years in which the regulation has been in effect, the attorney general said. Justice Department veterans largely agreed that Garland had no choice but to release the full report, particularly after the White House, too, opted against asserting executive privilege or seeking any redactions. Not only had Garland previously pledged to release the report in full, anything less would have drawn suspicion, not to mention fury from Capitol Hill. Bidens attorneys also sharply disputed Hurs characterizations in letters exchanged with the special counsels team prior to the release of the report, calling it a bad-faith representation that they didnt apply to other witnesses who failed to recall minute details of events that occurred years earlier. Hur was appointed by President Donald Trump as the U.S. attorney for Maryland and worked at a law firm before being tapped by Garland to head the Biden classified-documents probe. He spent hours fielding questions from Republicans and Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee earlier this month. BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) The Genesee County Sheriffs Office is investigating an apparent homicide where a 59-year-old man is dead, they said Wednesday. The man, identified as Michael G. Poole of the Olcott area, was found on Tuesday in the town of Alabama during an investigation into a missing person report out of Niagara County. Authorities said a preliminary investigation shows that it appears to be an isolated incident and there is not a threat to the public. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Genesee County Sheriffs Office at 585-343-5000. 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. GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) The Georgetown Police Department said it was investigating an incident where a woman was abducted and sexually assaulted overnight Tuesday into Wednesday. According to police, the incident occurred between 12:30 a.m. and 1:30 a.m., and the initial abduction occurred in the 100 block of West Valley near North Main Street. Police said the victim was then taken to an unidentified location and sexually assaulted. Police said the victim was a 36-year-old woman and Georgetown resident. [The victim] stated she was walking to a convenience store when the vehicle stopped, the male driver exited the vehicle, threatened her with a large knife, used zip-ties to bind her wrists, and then forced her into the vehicle, police said in a release. She further provided the assailant drove her to a secluded area, sexually assaulted her, and then drove her back to the location he abducted her and left her. Police described the suspect as a white man with long red hair, a long red beard and a slender build, and the vehicle was described as a metallic silver hatchback, smaller than an SUV. Georgetown police encouraged anyone with possible information that could assist in this investigation to contact the department at CID@georgetown.org. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. The Georgia Senate approved SB 233, which would grant a $6,500 voucher for students at low-performing schools who want to transfer to private schools. The bill now heads to Gov. Brian Kemps desk. With his signature, the voucher program, also known as the Georgia Promise Scholarship Act, would start in Fall 2025 and last 10 years. I firmly believe we can take an all-of-the-above approach to education options, Kemp said in a statement Wednesday. Im thankful to the General Assembly for giving final passage to SB 233 today to give students and families greater choice. Here are three things to know about the voucher program. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Who qualifies for the voucher? The student must attend a public school that ranks in Georgias bottom 25% for academics. The student must also have attended the public school for at least two consecutive semesters or entering kindergarten. The students parent or parents must have been a Georgia resident for at least a year unless they are on active duty in the military. The bill states that priority goes to families who earn less than four times the federal property level. In 2023, the Department of Health and Human Services said $120,000 a year for a family of four. What can the voucher be used on? Where does the money come from? The student granted the voucher would have the choice to attend another public school, a private school, or use the funds for a homeschooling curriculum. The money can also be spent on therapy, tutoring or certain college courses for high school students. Where is the funding coming from? The bill states that the program wont spend more than 1% of the states school funding formula, which would be around $141 million. The bills sponsors estimate that the program could support more than 21,000 scholarships. TRENDING STORIES What do supporters and critics of the program have to say? The public school would lose that money, but supporters like Rep. Todd Jones, (R-South Forsyth), told Channel 2s Courtney Francisco that the school would have one less student. We gave a toolbox to each family in this state to make sure their child is empowered, educated, and were going to make this the great equalizer, said Jones. Were not saying its forever, but for the past 50 years, something has not been going right, said Rep. Mesha Mainor (R-Atlanta), who switched parties over the topic of school choice. Critics said parents would like to use the tax dollars differently and vouchers do not work. They want after-school care, summer enrichment, and they need help with childcare, Rep. Beck Adams (D-DeKalb County) told Channel 2 Action News. They dont work for poor people. They dont work for [the] underserved. They dont work for Title One schools, Paris said. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] The Associated Press contributed to this report. IN OTHER NEWS A Black disabled Georgia man who was convicted nearly three decades ago for murdering his ex-girlfriend, among other crimes, was executed on Wednesday despite evidence that he was intellectually disabled. In 2002, the Supreme Court ruled in Atkins v. Virginia that it is unconstitutional to execute intellectually disabled people. Despite evidence that Willie Pye, 59, is intellectually disabled, he was still scheduled for execution, which his lawyers claim is because his public defender during his trial three decades ago was insufficient in proving his disability to the jury. Pye was convicted and sentenced to death in 1996 for the kidnapping, robbery, rape and murder of his ex-girlfriend, Alicia Lynn Yarbrough, in November 1993. He was also sentenced to three terms of life imprisonment for kidnapping with bodily injury, armed robbery and rape, and 20 years imprisonment for burglary, according to court documents. In late February, Spalding County Superior Courtannounced the scheduled date of Pyes lethal injection. In the weeks leading up to the execution, attorneys representing Pye attempted to delay or halt his execution through a series of court filings, according to the Union-Bulletin. On Tuesday, they asked Georgias Board of Pardons and Parole to grant clemency and issue a life sentence instead, stating that Pyes public defender, Johnny Mostiler, during the trial effectively abandoned his post, leaving no one and nothing, to stand between his client and death. Had defense counsel not abdicated his role, the jurors would have learned that Mr. Pye is intellectually disabled and has an IQ of 68, the lawyers wrote in a clemency application to the board. They also would have learned the challenges he faced from birthprofound poverty, neglect, constant violence and chaos in his family homeforeclosed the possibility of healthy development. This is precisely the kind of evidence that supports a life sentence verdict. The board held a meeting a day before Pyes scheduled execution to receive information for or against clemency. We just feel that there should be mercy granted. We have parole boards so that they have the opportunity to grant mercy when the law fails. And for Willie, the law has failed, Cathy Harmon-Christian, executive director of Georgians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (GFADP), told HuffPost. She continued: Were trying to stop it on the grounds that he is an intellectually disabled man, that there was tremendous racism and deprivation [in his life] [and] there are too many procedural errors and problems in the original trial and beyond. GFADP delivered a petition, which received over 5,000 signatures, to the parole board on Tuesday in a last minute attempt to spare Pyes life. But the efforts werent enough to alter his death sentence. Following the meeting Tuesday, the parole board decided not to grant clemency. In a last ditch effort on the day the execution, Pyes lawyers requested a stay, which was deniedby both the Georgia Supreme Court and U.S. Supreme Court later that evening. Pye appealed his death sentence multiple times in state and federal court, with his lawyers citing failures from Pyes trial attorney during his trial in the mid-1990s and, more recently, claims that the execution was a violation of an agreement for the state to temporarily halt executions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Witness testimonies and evidence presented in the mid-1990s trial led the jury to find that Pye and two others broke into the house of a man whom Yarbrough and her baby were living with at the time. The three stole Yarbroughs ring and necklace, kidnapped her and drove off, leaving the baby behind. They pulled onto a dirt road, where Pye forced Yarbrough to lay on the ground face down and shot her three times. Theres one thing that I fear more than anything else in this case, that if you give him life without parole, if he killed a woman on a dirt lonely, dirt road, that he loved, hell for sure kill a guard to get out, the prosecutor told the jury, according to court documents. He is going to be a danger to everybody around him until the day he is executed. According to court documents, Pyes lawyers claimed that Mostiler failed to sufficiently investigate and present evidence of Pyes traumatic childhood and adolescence, mental health problems and low intellectual functioning during the trial, as well as evidence to refute claims of possible future dangerousness that Pye poses. Billing records were also cited to show that Mostiler spent just over 150 hours preparing Pyes case.. Investigator Dewey Yarbrough, who assisted Mostiler in Pyes trial, testified that Mostiler did not obtain a psychological evaluation of Pye, according to court documents. But undisputed evidence was still provided to show that Pye has low intellectual functioning, bordering on intellectual disability. Dewey Yarbrough also said that he and Mostiler spent more time working on Pyes case than what is reflected in the billing records. Dewey Yarbrough added that Pyes family members who were called to testify didnt put any effort forth on any of the contacts I made with them and were unhelpful in proving Pyes innocence. But some witnesses say they were called to testify for Pye on short notice, that they werent asked specific questions about Pye or his background, and were only told to say nice things about him, according to court documents. A judge on Feb. 29 signed the order for the execution of Willie James Pye, who was convicted of murder and other crimes in the November 1993 killing of Alicia Lynn Yarbrough. Georgia Department of Corrections via Associated Press In April 2021, a three-judge panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals decided that Pyes trial attorney failed to present sufficient evidence of Pyes low intellectual functioning and traumatic childhood, and agreed to reverse his death sentence. But last year, the case was reheard by the full federal appeals court and was overturned, effectively reinstating the original death sentence, according to Amnesty International. The appeals court acknowledged that Pyes attorney was insufficient in providing evidence about his low intellect and traumatic childhood, but said that they had to defer to the state courts finding that the trial attorney did not prejudice Pye, per a requirement of a 1996 federal law. While Pyes lawyers had shown that he has an intellectual disability, Amnesty International states that Georgias strict standard for proving an intellectual disability meant that Pyes death sentence would remain. In October, the U.S. Supreme Court denied Pyes request to appeal, according to the Georgia attorney generals office. The law is not good at dealing with complicated cases, particularly once the death penalty has been issued, Harmon-Christian said. Its hard to pull that back, and a lot of that depends on the quality of the judges, and whos appointed them and what their backgrounds are. After the execution date was scheduled, capital punishment opponents and disability advocates began advocating for Pye clemency, echoing arguments that were brought up in his appeals about his intellectual disability and other factors as reason for his life to be spared. In a petition created on March 5 by GFADP, the organization pointed out how Pyes life would have been spared if he were in any other state since the requirements for proving an intellectual disability are different in Georgia. Despite being the first state to outlaw the execution of intellectually disabled people before the 2002 Supreme Court ruling, Georgias threshold for determining intellectual disabilities is hard to reach, meaning that executions of intellectually disabled people can still easily occur. According to The New York Times, nearly every state in the U.S. proves an intellectual disability using preponderance of evidence, which requires a demonstration that it is more likely true than not true that the person is intellectually disabled. But Georgia law has a requirement to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that they are intellectually disabled before someone can be declared ineligible for the death penalty. This requires that the person prove that there is a greater than 50% chance that the claim is true, according to Cornell Universitys Legal Information Institute. The states juries determine whether a person is intellectually disabled at the time of sentencing, rather than in two separate processes like in other states. Disability experts and death penalty opponents believe that Pye would have been ineligible for the death penalty if he had been tried in another state. Research shows that no death penalty juries in Georgia have ever found a person who was convicted of murder to be intellectually disabled and therefore ineligible for execution because of this high standard. Dom Kelly, president of New Disabled South, explained to HuffPost that intellectual disabilities need to be considered thoroughly when deciding consequences for crimes, especially since people fundamentally dont understand intellectual disabilities or the realities of intellectually disabled people who might not fully understand the ramifications of their choice. It doesnt excuse what happened, it doesnt excuse the life lost. But it definitely is something that needs to be considered when were thinking about what a consequence for an action looks like, Kelly said. Activists have been trying to push for legislation to change Georgias standard for proving an intellectual disability through HB 1014, which also calls for the addition of pretrial proceedings for determining an intellectual disability, but the bill has not advanced through this legislative session. The First Georgia Execution In Four Years Pyes execution marks the first in Georgia in four years. In January 2020, the state issued a judicial emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which temporarily halted executions. During this time, people on death row could still become eligible for execution after exhausting their appeals. Executions could only resume if three conditions were met: the states COVID-19 judicial emergency was lifted, normal visitation at state prisons resumed, and COVID vaccines were available to all members of the public, as outlined in an agreement reached by lawyers for people on death row and the states attorney general office April 2021. The agreement would remain in place through Aug. 1, 2022, or a year after all of the three conditions were met, whichever came later. Last year, the state was accused of violating the contract after it obtained an execution order for a person on death row while the three conditions had not been met, The Associated Press reported. In late February, the state obtained an execution order for Pye, whose lawyers filed a motion for him to join the litigation. We are beyond shocked and outraged by the fact that, in the midst of settlement discussions, the Attorney Generals office was simultaneously acting to pursue the execution of Willie Pye, one of our clients included in those talks, and doing so without informing us or the Court, Nathan Potek, who represents death row prisoners for the Federal Defender Program, said, according to AP. The state argued that Pye wasnt exempt from execution while litigation over the agreement is pending since the agreement was expressly limited to a small subgroup of death eligible inmates that Pye was not a part of. A judge agreed with the state that Pye is not ineligible for execution. Black People Are Disproportionately Sentenced To Death Capital punishment has been criticized by many opponents for racial bias when it comes to who is sentenced to death. A 2020 report from the Death Penalty Information Center found that people of color have been overrepresented on death row. According to the report, 52% of death row inmates in 2019 were Black. Racial discrimination has also been found to be present in jury selections of some capital cases. In the petition to spare Pyes life, death penalty opponents brought up his trial attorneys notorious history involving claims of racial bias in the cases he represented, and how that may have impacted Pyes sentencing. According to the Death Penalty Information Center,a national nonprofit that provides data and analysis on issues concerning capital punishment, Mostiler, who died in 2000, has been accused of having ineffective representation or a racial bias in multiple cases involving Black defendants, which raised alarm among activists who sought to spare Pyes life. Data shows that in Spalding County, Georgia, where Pye was tried and convicted, the death penalty was sought at a much higher rate than counties of comparable sizes and disproportionately against Black people. We unfortunately have seen more usage of the death penalty in that county in Georgia because of the dehumanization of Black lives, Kelly said. And thats not unique to Spalding County, but it is a statewide issue. The death penalty was reinstated in 1976, and in 1983 Georgia resumed executions, WRDW reported. There were 30 people executed in Georgia between 2010 and 2020. The death penalty is still used in 27 U.S. states, and the Legal Defense Fund found that about 1,582 people have been executed nationwide since 1976. According to the Legal Defense Fund, there is no credible evidence that shows the death penalty deters crime. In the case of Pye, death penalty opponents and disability activists point out that he could remain in prison as part of his retribution. How does society heal from violence? How do we prevent violence and what is public safety really about? Execution does not answer any of that, Harmon-Christian said. She continued: Executions can use the entire budget of a small community that could be used for many other things. That money could go towards victims. It could go towards their familiesit could go towards so many other [things] other than just killing a person. Related... A Georgia man said it all happened in a flash. Doyle Moye, his wife, and their Jack Russell Terrier were flying from St. Simons Island on Saturday and the next thing they knew, their plane was crashing near Reidsville. It was disbelief, Moye told WSAV-TV. You hear about this kind of stuff, and they teach you that it could happen and sort of what to do. Of course, the people that are teaching you have never had it happen to them either. First thing is shock. The Reidsville Fire Department posted pictures of the crashed plane, sitting nose-end down in a bunch of trees in Tattnall County. Moye said they escaped with only a few scrapes and bruises. Between the engine blowing and five minutes later, were where the plane is, Moye said. Im glad God decided it wasnt his time to take us home with him. When he knew the plane was going down, Moye said all he could see was trees and a creek, neither of which were good spots to make an emergency landing. TRENDING STORIES: I got away from the river. I had a feeling we were going to drown if we landed in that overflowing river right now, Moye told the TV station. Then I flew over a small creek, and the plane had descended a little lower than youre supposed to about 1,800 feet. I looked down, saw the pines, and I pulled the shoot. Once they crash-landed, Moye said he, his wife and their dog walked the woods for a couple of hours before finding first responders. The couple was found in a very heavy brush and planted pines, walking out, the Reidsville Fire Department said. I sprained my ankle when I got out of the airplane, Moye said. I sprained it a little bit. I didnt feel it. I walked about a mile and a half through all that junk. I didnt get even remotely tired. Emergency responders said they eventually found the plane using a drone and are still working to remove it from the remote area where it crashed. IN OTHER NEWS: Georgia States decision means that around 60 current students, according to numbers provided by faculty, at two state prisons and one federal facility may have to postpone their dreams of earning a degree inside. (Courtesy Georgia Department of Corrections) Georgia State University is blaming federal rules for the return of Pell Grants as a primary reason for its decision to close its prison education program this summer. The program wont admit any new students but the university said it has a plan to help currently enrolled students at two state prisons finish their programs, which could take up to two years. Officials cited the administrative challenges of securing federal financial aid, as well as a $24 million budget shortfall, as factors leading to the universitys decision to halt classes at three correctional facilities, according to a statement sent to Open Campus. The program has been operating since 2016. Pell Grants are the federal financial aid for low-income students. In July 2023, incarcerated students became widely eligible for the grants for the first time since the 1994 crime bill, which banned federal financial aid for prison education. More than 750,000 students are now eligible for aid, but they must be at a correctional facility that offers a college program approved by the federal Education Department. Georgia States decision means that around 60 current students, according to numbers provided by faculty, at two state prisons and one federal facility may have to postpone their dreams of earning a degree inside. Incarcerated college students already face significant challenges in completing their degrees because of course disruptions and other interruptions outside of their control. These students have been disappointed in their lives over and over and over again, said Katherine Perry, an English professor at Perimeter College, which is part of Georgia State. She was one of the three faculty members who co-founded the prison education program in 2016. For me, its so important that they not put education in that bucket of things that let them down because thats why most of them didnt get their education before. Perry felt blindsided when faculty and staff received an email at the end of November from Cynthia Lester, interim dean of Perimeter College, announcing the decision. The email cited financial constraints and the substantial administrative demands of seeking Pell approval from the federal Education Department. The decision was not made lightly, but it does reflect the universitys commitment to responsible fiscal management and ensuring existing educational initiatives receive the necessary support and resources, Lester wrote in the email. Perry said the program has faced financial challenges in the past but they have always been allowed to fundraise. In this case, when we went back to say, Can we just raise the difference? they said no, she said. And that makes me scratch my head. The program has received at least $700,000 in grants since 2022, which may help fund the program for continuing students. In 2023, Georgia State also received a $669,000 grant from the Mellon Foundation to fund a literary journal through the prison education program. Students at the two state prisons have also been able to use Pell Grants since 2020. According to the statement, Georgia State faced a substantial budget cut of $24.4 million in fiscal year 2024 and anticipates another shortfall next year. The university estimated that the instructional and administrative costs of operating its prison education program across three correctional facilities would be around $180,000 in addition to money that they have received from donors. The university also noted the challenges of meeting the complex requirements and ongoing commitments of the Pell application process, including navigating the paperwork for the federal Education Department, the accreditation process, and meeting key indicators such as job placement, expected earnings, recidivism rates, and completion rates. The spokesperson also expressed concerns about Georgia States ability to commit to providing services such as tutoring, counseling, and career guidance to incarcerated students. Georgia State is exploring alternative avenues to recognize the importance of supporting the educational needs of individuals impacted by incarceration, including discussions with donors to establish a new program catering to students who have a personal experience with incarceration, according to the statement. Big questions about the future Last week, Georgia State students launched a campaign calling on the university to reverse the decision. As of Wednesday, 46 faculty members had also signed a letter of support asking Provost Nicolle Parsons-Pollard to continue the program. Some experts in the field are also concerned about what Georgia States decision to shutter its program might foreshadow for other college-in-prison programs across the state and country. We have the fourth largest prison system in the country and we have a really underserved population here, said Stacy Bell, an English professor at Emory University and board member of the Georgia Coalition for Higher Education in Prison. And without Georgia State, it raises really big questions about whats happening to the higher education-in-prison movement here in Georgia. There are currently around 50,000 people incarcerated in the state. The Georgia Department of Corrections did not respond to a request for comment. Ruth Delaney, director of the Unlocking Potential initiative at the Vera Institute, a nonprofit that provides technical assistance to prison education programs, expressed disappointment at the decision. The federal regulations for Pell-funded prison education program require colleges to deliver postsecondary educational programming that is of comparable quality to that which the students at the other location of the college receive, she wrote in an email. Many of the services, reporting, and processes GSU describes are standard practices that accredited colleges already follow to serve their non-incarcerated student bodies. Last May, nine men at Walker State Prison in Rock Springs earned their associates degrees from Georgia State, becoming the universitys first class to graduate inside. Three more incarcerated students at Phillips State Prison in Buford graduated in December. Around 19 students at the federal United States Penitentiary Atlanta started their associates degree in September through Georgia State. In January, university officials announced they would no longer be continuing to offer classes at the penitentiary. Georgia State then asked the University of West Georgia, which is planning to launch a Pell-funded bachelors program at the federal facility in the fall, if they would accept the associates students, according to Tiffany Parsons, a sociologist and director of West Georgias prison education program. West Georgia currently offers classes toward a bachelors degree to one cohort at Hays State Prison, a maximum security mens prison. Its one of two prison bachelors programs in the state, Parsons said. The other four-year program is offered at Lee Arrendale, a womens prison, through Life University. That program is also in flux after corrections officials announced last year they were downsizing the prison. Faculty have been working with the students at the penitentiary to help with the transition, Parsons said. She will be going into the federal facility to better understand what the students needs are and what kinds of support services West Georgia can provide going forward. We will have to be there a while and earn those students trust, she said. The incarcerated students were informed about the decision in mid-February. Perry, the English professor, said her students at Walker seemed fearful that they wouldnt be able to finish their degrees, despite assurances that Georgia State had a teachout plan, including the possibility of another college picking up the program in the state prisons. Maybe its because theyre so used to systems letting them down, Perry said. A teachout plan outlines how an institution will help its students graduate if it stops operating before all students have completed their programs. Georgia State did not respond to follow-up questions about the details of its plan. Many of the students who graduated in 2023 began their associates program when the program started in 2016, so its unclear how the current students, most of whom started last fall, will finish within two years. Perry said the students asked her to quantify the odds that theyd be able to finish with Georgia State. One student felt particularly strongly about graduating from the same college because his kids were also enrolled at the university. Just like on the outside, incarcerated students feel that being at a particular college is part of their identity as a student. Thats what it means to be a proud Panther, Perry said. This story is published in partnership with Open Campus, a nonprofit newsroom focused on higher education. Subscribe to College Inside, an Open Campus newsletter on the future of postsecondary education in prison. The post Georgia State University pulls the plug on prison education appeared first on Georgia Recorder. (Bloomberg) -- Investors in Germanys cannabis sector are holding back and some startups risk running out of cash amid uncertainty over whether a partial legalization of the drug for recreational use will take effect as planned on April 1. Most Read from Bloomberg After the ruling coalitions bill passed Germanys lower house of parliament last month, lawmakers in the upper house, where the 16 regions are represented, have threatened to block it by sending it to mediation when they meet on Friday in Berlin. That would likely delay the legislation potentially a first step toward commercial sales by at least several months. It could even kill it completely, as its main proponent, Health Minister Karl Lauterbach, warned last weekend in a post on X. We are already highly unsettled, so it is very important to have clarity now, said Niklas Kouparanis, chief executive officer and co-founder of Bloomwell Group, a Frankfurt-based holding company for medical cannabis firms. The industry needs to prepare now, it needs capital, Kouparanis said. He estimates about 70% of the investors he has recently spoken with are delaying injecting cash. Germany has grown into Europes largest medical-cannabis market since the government legalized the drug for patients in 2017. If the ruling alliance is successful in getting the new law through, it could help open up business for producers like Tilray Brands Inc. and Curaleaf Holdings Inc. worth almost $250 billion across Europe, according to Bloomberg Intelligence. Read More: Germany Cannabis Legalization May Ignite $248 Billion EU Market Under the new rules, adults would be allowed to possess as much as 25 grams (0.88 ounces) of cannabis for use in public and grow a maximum of three plants for private consumption. From July 1, cultivation in nonprofit clubs each limited to 500 members would also be permitted. A second stage of legalization would create regional pilot programs for commercial supply chains. We view these developments as important steps toward normalized cannabis use, which could lead other European countries to soon follow, Kenneth Shea, BI senior industry analyst for consumer products, wrote last month in a note. Legal cannabis sales in Germany might surpass $500 million by 2027, Shea added, citing data from market-tracker BDSA. For the time being, however, executives in the cannabis sector are staying cautious as lawmakers in Berlin wrangle over the new rules. We have been in a little bit of a doldrum state right now for fresh capital coming into cannabis, it has brought valuations down, said William Muecke, co-founder and managing member of Artemis Growth Partners, which invests in cannabis firms globally. With an estimated 4.5 million regular users of the drug in Germany, the government has said its main motivations for pushing ahead with a legalization are to curb the black market, tackle drug-related crime and ensure safe, high-quality, regulated product. Opposition to the law has centered around the health impact of rising use among young people, as well as fears about an increased burden on police and the health care system. If the law does not go through, we will see a lot of players fail in the industry, said David Henn, chief executive officer of Cannamedical Pharma GmbH, a Cologne-based cannabis wholesaler. A lot of companies are heavily under pressure at this point, a lot of these companies are desperately trying to raise funds, added Henn, who said he has seen no investment in the German medical cannabis space in the last year. One of Henns major investors has a more positive take. Orkila Capital has injected 50 million into Semdor Pharma Group GmbH, which owns Cannamedical, since 2019 and Jesse Du Bey, founder and managing partner of the US private equity firm, said it doesnt need the law to pass for that to be a good investment. But it could make it a potentially spectacular one, Du Bey told Bloomberg. I think 10 years of medical market growth could happen in the next several years, he added. It could make Semdor one of our best ever investments. Developments in Germany could also impact neighboring countries, with Europes largest economy seen as a trailblazer, according to BIs Shea. Malta already permits limited cannabis cultivation at home. Orkila Capital is not planning to invest in additional cannabis companies, but instead focus on continuing to fund Cannamedicals expansion across Europe, Du Bey said. The scale of that European market is largely dependent on the outcome in the upper house on Friday, according to Henn. For now investors are betting on significant industry growth when legalization comes into effect sooner or later. Some 75% of Artemis Growth Partners investment focus is on Europe, according to Muecke, with cheap valuations offering buying opportunity. He views Germany as the engine on the train to deregulatory change in Europe. While current choppiness from delays caused by German lawmakers is pushing out the timeline for the market reaching scale, Muecke said, the genie is already out of the bottle. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock speaks during the current affairs debate on the situation in Israel and the Palestinian territories during a plenary session of the German Bundestag. Jonathan Penschek/dpa German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock reiterated her concerns about a planned Israeli attack on Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip in comments to parliament on Thursday. Rafah has become packed with an estimated 1.5 million people who have fled Israeli bombing and ground operations elsewhere in Gaza, and Baerbock expressed doubts that Israeli forces could attack the city without terrible consequences for the civilian population. The 1.5 million people in Rafah "cannot simply vanish into thin air," Baerbock said. She expressed scepticism that it would be possible for Israeli forces to protect civilians during an offensive there. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to move forward with the assault on Rafah despite international concerns. Baerbock on Thursday once again called for a humanitarian ceasefire in the conflict. She argued that a ceasefire is necessary to secure the release of Israeli hostages being held by Palestinian militants in Gaza, as well as to allow desperately needed humanitarian aid to be delivered. "We must ensure that this drama is finally over for both sides," Baerbock said. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock speaks during the current affairs debate on the situation in Israel and the Palestinian territories during a plenary session of the German Bundestag. Jonathan Penschek/dpa By Ludwig Burger and Andreas Rinke FRANKFURT (Reuters) -Large volumes of diabetes drug Ozempic are not being exported from Germany, its health ministry said on Thursday, quashing a suggestion by its drugs regulator that outbound trade in the drug, coveted for its weight-loss effect, may have to be banned. The head of drugs regulator BfArM, which is subordinate to the ministry, in November suggested banning exports of Novo Nordisk's Ozempic if other steps fail, as Europe's health systems grapple with a shortage of the drug. The ministry said in a statement there was "currently no evidence that larger volumes of diabetes medicines are being exported". "Shortages of certain pharmaceuticals, GLP-1 analogues in particular, exist in a number of EU countries because of high demand and limited production volumes," a ministry spokesperson added, responding to a query by Reuters about any plans to restrict trade. GLP-1 analogues are a class of drugs that include Ozempic and its high-dose version Wegovy, which is approved for weight loss. A BfArM spokesperson said the ministry's statement reflected the current situation and declined to comment further. BfArM has had an Ozempic shortage declaration in place for about a year, saying that swings in availability are hard to predict, according to its website. Among measures by manufacturer Novo to ease the shortage, it said in November it would ration starter kits of Ozempic in Europe and reduce supplies of another diabetes drug, Victoza, to prioritise Ozempic production. Novo's launch of Wegovy in Germany, as well as the introduction of rival weight-loss drug Mounjaro by Eli Lilly, has so far done little to temper the craze for Ozempic, partly because many users who have to pay for treatment themselves regard it as the most affordable weight-loss option. Ozempic is approved to treat type 2 diabetes when more established therapies have failed, but has been increasingly prescribed "off-label" to treat weight loss. In an interview with Spiegel magazine in November, BfArM President Karl Broich said the agency was in talks with lawmakers about imposing an export ban if other measures, such as cracking down on off-label use, don't show an effect. Affordable Medicines Europe, a lobby group of drug wholesale companies that run parallel trades of pharmaceuticals within the EU, said that member states Austria, France, Greece and the Czech Republic have imposed Ozempic export bans. Other EU members have rules in place that likely make it impossible to export the drug, it added. (Editing by Madeline Chambers, Mark Potter and Deepa Babington) German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock speaks during the current affairs debate on the situation in Israel and the Palestinian territories during a plenary session of the German Bundestag. Jonathan Penschek/dpa The German Armed Forces will participate in NATO's Sea Guardian mission to monitor the Mediterranean for another year. The Bundestag, Germany's lower house of parliament, voted on Thursday by a large majority in favour of extending the mandate. The surveillance mission with ships and boats is intended to contribute to the fight against terrorism and arms smuggling. As with the mandate extension last year, the upper limit is 550 armed forces personnel. The Bundestag was also due to extend the mandate for the military mission in South Sudan on Thursday. Up to 50 German soldiers can then continue to support the peace process as UN blue helmets and ensure the protection of civilians. Although the civil war in the East African country was formally ended by a peace agreement in 2018, various armed groups are still fighting for influence there. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock speaks during the current affairs debate on the situation in Israel and the Palestinian territories during a plenary session of the German Bundestag. Jonathan Penschek/dpa Lawmaker Heike Heubach, front center, the first deaf member of the Bundestag, sits between members of the faction of the German Social Democrats (SPD) at the start of a meeting of the German federal parliament, Bundestag, at the Reichstag building in Berlin, Germany, Thursday, March 21, 2024. The German parliament on Thursday welcomed its first deaf lawmaker, who took her place in a development that the house's speaker described as historic. Heike Heubach narrowly missed out on a seat in the Bundestag, in Germany's 2021 election. But she joined the house this week as a replacement for Uli Groetsch. (Kay Nietfeld/dpa via AP) BERLIN (AP) The German parliament on Thursday welcomed its first deaf lawmaker, who took her place in a moment that the house's speaker described as historic. Heike Heubach, 44, narrowly missed out on a seat in parliament's lower house, or Bundestag, in Germany's 2021 election. But she joined the house this week as the replacement for Uli Grotsch, a fellow member of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's center-left Social Democrats from Bavaria, who took a newly created job as an independent commissioner for police issues. Heubach, who has a background as an industrial manager, was welcomed with applause and with raised, waving hands by her fellow lawmakers. Today we are actually writing history, if I may say so, speaker Barbel Bas told parliament. We have the first deaf lawmaker who will work here for her constituency. A sign language interpreter stood next to the podium to interpret for Heubach when she initially took a place in the front row, German news agency dpa reported. She later moved to a row farther back, with two interpreters sitting in front of her to convey speeches. Heubach will have a fixed place in the plenary hall, unlike most other lawmakers, according to the Bundestag's administration, with interpreters located near her to interpret speeches and her questions. When she makes speeches herself, an interpreter with a microphone will have a place next to the Bundestag's stenographers to interpret for other lawmakers. German perfume and cosmetics retail chain Douglas logo seen at a Douglas store on Jungfernstieg. Daniel Reinhardt/dpa German perfume and cosmetics retail chain Douglas made its return to the public markets on Thursday with its shares again traded on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. Top Douglas executives Sander van der Laan and Mark Langer rang the traditional opening bell at the Frankfurt exchange on Thursday morning to cheers from Douglas employees. Shares in Douglas, listed under BEAU7Y, an allusion to "beauty," began trading on Thursday morning slightly below the issue price of 26 ($28) and fell further to 23.14 by midday, down 11%. Douglas, a long-time fixture on the shopping streets of cities across Germany, traces its roots to a soap factory founded in 1821 by the Scottish immigrant John Sharp Douglas in Hamburg. The first Douglas perfumery opened in 1890 on Hamburg's fashionable Jungfernstieg street. It is now Germany's largest perfumery chain, with around 18,000 employees, and operates 1,850 stores in 22 countries across Europe. The company was previously listed on the stock exchange from 1966 to 2013, when the investment firm Advent and the founding Kreke family took Douglas private in order to restructure the company. The Keke family remain significant shareholders in Douglas, alongside the investment firm CVC, but have reduced their stake in the company. CVC became majority owner in 2015. In total, just under 32% of the company will be floated on the stock exchange, with the initial public offering (IPO) expected to raise around 850 million. Douglas plans to use the proceed to pay down debt burdens, which amounted to about 3 billion at the end of 2023, said van der Laan, the chief executive officer of the company. He said the company plans to refinance the remaining debt at more favourable conditions. (Bloomberg) -- Germany will have to loosen its debt restrictions if it wants to maintain defense spending above NATOs target in coming years, according to the co-leader of Chancellor Olaf Scholzs Social Democratic Party. Most Read from Bloomberg After Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Scholz unveiled a 100 billion ($109 billion) special fund for the military and promised that Germany will meet the military alliances goal of spending at least 2% of gross domestic product on defense even after the fund is exhausted in 2027. However, restrictions on net new borrowing, known as the debt brake, mean its unclear where the additional cash would come from. The debt brake prevents important investments in our future, SPD Co-Chair Lars Klingbeil told Bloomberg. As the SPD, we are committed to a fundamental reform of the debt rules so that we can respond appropriately to the new challenges of the 21st century, he added, outlining one of the key pledges in the partys campaign for the next election due in the fall of next year. Those challenges, he said, include ensuring security on the one hand, but also a strong economy and a strong welfare state for the people. This is difficult to reconcile with the current debt rules. Under the mechanism now in place created in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis annual net new borrowing is limited to 0.35% of GDP, with exceptions only permitted to deal with natural disasters and other emergencies. The rules are enshrined in Germanys constitution and any push to change them would need the support of a two-thirds majority in parliament, making it highly unlikely in the current environment. Friedrich Merz, the leader of the main opposition conservatives, has ruled it out, while the SPDs fiscally hawkish Free Democrat coalition partners, under Finance Minister Christian Lindner, are also against it. The Greens, the other party in the three-pronged ruling alliance, have a similar stance to the SPD. Economy Minister Robert Habeck, who is also the vice chancellor, on Wednesday reiterated his view that Germany can afford to borrow more because its debt to GDP ratio is relatively low at around 63%. Read More: NATO Chief Urges Allies to Ramp Up Military Supplies to Ukraine Perhaps a joint approach with the opposition will allow for more pragmatism in the solution of problems, Habeck said at the Europe 2024 forum in Berlin. Raising the debt ratio by one percentage point would equate to borrowing of about 40 billion, he added, arguing that it makes no difference whether we have a debt ratio of 63% or 64%. Two thirds of the cash in special military fund have already been allocated, enabling Germany to meet NATOs spending goal this year for the first time since it was agreed by the alliances defense ministers in 2006. Merz, who is hoping to challenge Scholz for the chancellery in the 2025 vote, has categorically ruled out working together with the SPD to reform the borrowing restrictions. Instead, he has proposed cutting welfare spending in order to keep defense spending permanently high while sticking to the existing debt rules. Klingbeil said its important for the SPD to avoid a situation in which it has to explain to voters why the government is still spending billions of euros on support for Ukraine while at the same time cutting pensions, child benefit or investment in jobs and infrastructure. We will not accept that, Klingbeil said. We must not play off military support for Ukraine against our promise of a strong welfare state. --With assistance from Kamil Kowalcze and Natalia Drozdiak. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (C) joins Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte (L) and Prime Minister of Flanders Jan Jambon, attend the official opening event of the Leipzig Book Fair in the Gewandhaus. Exhibitors from around 40 countries present their new products at the spring meeting of the book industry. The Netherlands and Flanders are represented as guest countries this year. Hendrik Schmidt/dpa The Leipzig Book Fair opened its doors to visitors on Thursday, with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on hand to tour the halls and discuss democracy with noted German writers Ingo Schulze and Anne Rabe. The book fair in the east of the country is Germany's second-largest, after the Frankfurt Book Fair. Chancellor Olaf Scholz gave remarks on Wednesday evening at a ceremony to mark the opening of the fair, which will run through Sunday. A total of around 100 events are planned as part of the book fair, with 41 authors scheduled to join as guests, including fiction writers Marc-Uwe Kling, Ingrid Noll and Arne Dahl. There is also a comic and manga event, as well as an antiquarian book fair, taking place on the Leipzig Book Fair exhibition grounds. This year's fair is the first under the leadership of new director Astrid Bohmisch. Oliver Zille, who had headed the fair for many years, unexpectedly retired last year. This year, the Netherlands and the neighbouring Belgian region of Flanders are presenting their common linguistic and cultural area as joint guest "country," under the motto "everything but flat." At the opening ceremony on Wednesday night, the Leipzig Book Prize for European Understanding 2024 was awarded to the German-Israeli philosopher Omri Boehm. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaks at the official opening event of the Leipzig Book Fair in the Gewandhaus. Exhibitors from around 40 countries present their new products at the spring meeting of the book industry. The Netherlands and Flanders are represented as guest countries this year. Hendrik Schmidt/dpa Erroll Southers, president of the Los Angeles Police Commission, the civilian agency charged with oversight of the LAPD. (Susan Walsh / Associated Press) Since taking over as president of the Los Angeles Police Commission in August, Erroll Southers has drawn praise and some criticism for his stewardship of the civilian agency charged with oversight of the city's Police Department. A career law enforcement official and former FBI agent, Southers is now an associate senior vice president at USC, where he is responsible for three departments and 400 employees. He sat down with The Times in his office on the first floor of LAPD headquarters earlier this month to reflect on his first year with the Commission, former Chief Michel Moore's legacy, officer recruitment and the need to explore alternatives to armed police for certain emergencies. The interview has been edited for length and clarity. LAT: Now that you've kind of dipped your toes into the water and have some experience, what do you see your role as or the Commission's role in general? Southers: I'm only the second former police officer in the history of the commission, so I come to this with a very different lens. In fact, many of these folks in this building were my graduate students over the last 20 years. So with that, there's a relationship. I've known and been around the LAPD for 44 years. But now I've got people upstairs that have been in my classroom [at USC]. And that's a different relationship. I think there's a comfort level perhaps with me, more so than others because I, quite frankly, don't need to go on a ride-along. They know that I've been in their shoes, radio calls, challenging times. When I was in the [FBI], SWAT, field training officer, gangs and all those other things, I've worked those details. When I sit in closed sessions on categorical uses of force, I can ask questions from a perspective of experience that perhaps my colleagues can't. Read more: LAPD cant get rid of their bad cops. Heres what they want to do about it LAT: The commission has long held this policy-making role inside the department and a watchdog oversight sort of role, but has it evolved, and do you think that it needs to evolve? Southers: I think it needs to evolve and I think we can be part of that evolution. I don't know that we could prompt the evolution that's necessary, with all due respect, without the George Floyd death happening. This, to me, stimulated some reform. The unfortunate thing is we live in a zero-sum America. It's unfortunate that ... you say "police reform," and they hear "defund the police." You say "DEI" [diversity, equity and inclusion] and someone hears, "white genocide." That's not what this is about, and that needs to change. And that's just not about policing, that's about America. LAT: What do you see as the biggest issues, problems, concerns facing the department today? Southers: Number one has to be I would have to go along with the mayor recruitment and retention. We're getting the interest. People still want to be with LAPD. And I'm going to be very candid with you: that room [at recruitment events] has its share of women, that room has its share of African Americans, Hispanics, Asians, young [people]; there are people there in their 50s, I mean, we're having no problem getting people in the room. It's the standard that we're maintaining. And I say this to push back on the folks out there who believe that we've compromised in some way: No, we haven't. That's the reason we only get five to 10 out of 100. So that would be my number one item, would be recruitment and retention. The other is, I'm always going to say community engagement and community building. We need to do a better job. We need to improve our image. Read more: Top LAPD oversight official may leave one troubled police department for another LAT: You've heard the criticism about the Police Commission being a lapdog or rubber-stamp body for the LAPD what do you make of that? And how do you walk that fine line between working with the department to improve it where necessary, but also being responsive to community feedback or criticism? Southers: That's fair. I'm one of those people that's trying to walk the walk on educating people. I have shared, to the extent that I can without compromising personnel issues, that every categorical use of force that we adjudicate every Tuesday is examined to the level of a homicide. We have officers statements, suspect statements, witness statements, body-worn video, dashcam video, any buildings in the area whether they're residences' or businesses' video we look at drawings. We have videos slowed down, which is a criticism from our officers sometimes, because we're looking at incidents slowed down, where they don't get to slow down. All that to say with all that information, when we come back and say [a shooting is] in policy we can say without any reservation, it's in policy. I'm in this position now because I grew up getting stopped by the police for nothing other than walking down the street. And I'm not the stereotype. With all due respect, I had some great parents I wouldn't be where I am right now if it wasnt for them both educated. Me and my brother went to Ivy League schools and came out with no debt because my parents did the right thing. They knew what they were doing. Nobody in my family has ever been in jail. None of my friends, who were all black, nobody in their families, ever been in jail. All my friends' parents were married. So I killed that stereotype that people have out there about us. But I say all that to say I still got jacked up. And then finally after it happened enough, I was complaining to my dad one day, and he said, Well, you can't change the castle from outside the moat. So here I am. I feel like now I'm inside the castle. Now I can affect policy. Now I can affect officers. Now I can say, You know that officer definitely shouldn't be here. I started a registry at USC. It was originally called the LEWIS Registry and now it's called the Police Misconduct Registry, where we started documenting officers who have been fired across the country, because my opinion is once they've been fired and you know what it takes to fire an officer they shouldn't get hired by someone else. I feel that, felt that way then, I feel that way now. So when I hear the criticisms from people out there who think I don't know, all of a sudden I'm not Black I just take it and move on. If they only knew how much we care and how much we can affect what's happening here. I think they probably say it anyway because they have to. Read more: Who will be L.A.'s next police chief? City hires headhunter firm to lead search LAT: Obviously one of the most monumental tasks before you right now is the search for a new chief. Can you talk about where you see it going? How has the job of chief of police of LAPD changed? Southers: I can say without any reservation: Im part of a group of people that this is going to be the most important professional decision Im gonna make in my life. Were gonna select the chief of police for the Los Angeles Police Department. And for at least a five-year period, thats going affect 3.8 million people for part of a generation. So I and my fellow commissioners take that very seriously. Ill say the same thing that Ive said [to] people whove asked me so far: [we're searching for] nothing short of the best person in this country. And if that persons in this building, thatll play out. I did the same thing for a search a little over a year ago at USC; I think when I brought [Department of Public Safety Chief] Lauretta Hill to USC, I think I got the best person in America; brought her from Dallas. LAT: When you consider Chief Michel Moores tenure or his legacy, where do you think hes going to fit into the pantheon of LAPD chiefs? Southers: There were a couple of chiefs throughout the years that youre always going to remember for something. Daryl Gates will always be remembered for, if nothing else, LAPD invented SWAT when he was here. Thats a biggie. I mean theres a number of things he did, but thats a biggie. When Bratton came in, the consent decree that changed the department Bratton changed the department. I think Chief Moore is gonna be remembered in the same sentence with Gates and Bratton, because he had two monumental shifts most chiefs will never have any but he had two. He had the death of George Floyd, which in my opinion changed policing across this country, and he had a pandemic. And those factors alone, to still be standing when its done; regardless of what people say about what he should do, what he didnt do, about how he did it he was still standing. 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. (Bloomberg) -- The speaker of Ghanas parliament has said that President Nana Akufo-Addos neglect of an anti-LGBTQ bill that requires his assent to become law is unlawful. Most Read from Bloomberg Parliament has received a communication from the presidency to not transmit the bill for consideration until an ongoing legal challenge to the new law at the nations highest court is determined, Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin said during proceedings Wednesday. The presidents action is unconstitutional because he has the option to either sign, refuse to sign or refer the bill to the Council of State for advise, he said. Where a bill passed by parliament is presented to the president for assent, he shall signify within seven days after the presentation, to the Speaker that he assents to the bill or that he refuses to assent to the bill, unless the bill has been referred by the President to the Council of State, Bagbin said. Read More: Ghana Anti-LGBTQ Bill Risks $3.8 Billion of World Bank Support Ghanas lawmakers unanimously approved the so-called Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill 21 days ago, which among others prescribes up to three years jail-term for people identifying as LGBTQ. The country has faced criticism from some of its development partners since the passage. If its endorsed by the president, it could jeopardize $3.8 billion of World Bank funding, according to the finance ministry. The anti-LGBTQ law could also derail an International Monetary Fund program secured in May, it said. The West African nation agreed to a $3 billion bailout from the IMF after defaulting on its debt, which it is restructuring. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Three of the seven known surviving members of a secret group during World War II are set to accept Congressional Gold Medals on Thursday. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) will host the three members of the Ghost Army for the ceremony at the Capitol, more than 75 years after they served. Heres what you need to know about the Ghost Army: What was the Ghost Army? The Ghost Army included about 1,100 soldiers in the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops and the 3133rd Signal Company Special. The group carried out 25 different battlefield deceptions in France, Luxembourg, Belgium, Germany and Italy during World War II, according to the Ghost Army Legacy Project website. The soldiers mission included using inflatable tanks, trucks and planes, as well as sound effects, radio trickery, costume uniforms and acting, to trick the Germans on the battlefield. For decades, their mission was kept secret. The Ghost Army Legacy Project called the troops unsung heroes, because the details of their work were not known until they were declassified in 1996. Operation Viersen was one of the Ghost Armys biggest missions. In March 1945, the group drew German units away from a point on the Rhine River using hundreds of inflatables and sound trucks that operated for multiple nights. Fake headquarters were set up with officers who were pretending to be colonels, The Associated Press reported. This was an all-hand-on-deck affair, and it was completely successful, Rick Beyer, a filmmaker who made a documentary about the operations, told The AP. It fooled the Germans. They moved their troops to the river opposite where the deception was. Why are they receiving the award? President Biden signed the bipartisan, bicameral Ghost Army Congressional Gold Medal Act into law in February 2022. He said it would be an honor to recognize the Ghost Army for their unique and highly distinguished service conducting deception operations in Europe during World War II. The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest distinction Congress can bestow. Three of the seven known surviving members of the Ghost Army will attend the ceremony. Seymour Nussenbaum, of Monroe Township, N.J.; and Bernard Bluestein, of Hoffman Estates, Ill.; both 100, will attend. John Christman, of Leesburg, N.J., is 99 years old and will also attend. Want to learn more about the Ghost Army? Beyer, a filmmaker and author, has helped highlight the Ghost Armys story through his work as president of the Ghost Army Legacy Project, a nonprofit dedicating to preserving and honoring the soldiers work. He produced and directed documentary The Ghost Army, in 2013, and wrote the 2015 book, The Ghost Army of World War II, The AP reported. I just want to make sure its not forgotten, he said. I think its a great use of ingenuity, creativity on the battlefield. Beyer said the Ghost Armys operations likely saved thousands of lives. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. With inflatable tanks, radio trickery, costume uniforms and acting, the American military units that became known as the Ghost Army outwitted the enemy during World War II. Their mission was kept secret for decades, but on Thursday the group stepped out of the shadows as they were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal at a ceremony in Washington. The actions of the Ghost Army helped change the course of the war for thousands of American and Allied troops and contributed to the liberation of a continent from a terrible evil, Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth said during the ceremony at the U.S. Capitol. She said that many of the techniques the Ghost Army pioneered are still used on the battlefield. Even though technology has changed quite a bit since 1944, our modern techniques build on a lot of what the Ghost Army did and we are still learning from your legacy, she said. Three of the seven known surviving members attended the ceremony at the U.S. Capitol: Bernard Bluestein, 100, of Hoffman Estates, Illinois; John Christman, 99, of Leesburg, New Jersey; and Seymour Nussenbaum, 100, of Monroe Township, New Jersey. Their work during the war was like putting on a big production, Nussenbaum said in an interview before the ceremony. We have had in some cases people impersonating generals, putting on a generals uniform and walking around the streets, he said. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., right, presents Ghost Army member Bernard Bluestein, of Hoffman Estates, Ill., with a medal during a ceremony to honor members of the secretive WWII-era unit with the Congressional Gold Medal during a ceremony on Capitol Hill, Thursday, March 21, 2024, in Washington. (Mark Schiefelbein/AP) Nussenbaum, who grew up in New York City, was studying art at the Pratt Institute before he joined the Army. Eventually, he joined a unit specializing in camouflage that was part of the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops. Our mission was to fool the enemy, to put on a big act, said Nussenbaum, a painter who went on to a career in commercial art. Sen. Edward Markey of Massachusetts said during the ceremony that the Ghost Army members were creative, original thinkers, who used engineering, art, architecture and advertising to wage battle with the enemy. Their weapons were unconventional but their patriotism was unquestionable, he said. Members of the Ghost Army, a secret unit devoted to subterfuge and deception, were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal on March 21, 2024. (National Archives/Ghost Army Legacy Project via AP) House Speaker Mike Johnson said during the ceremony that its estimated that between 15,000 to 30,000 lives were saved because of the Ghost Armys work. The legislation to honor the military units with the Congressional Gold Medal Congress highest honor was signed into law by President Joe Biden in 2022. That came after almost a decade of work by family members of the soldiers and Rick Beyer, a filmmaker and author who has who helped bring their story to light after their mission was declassified in 1996. Beyer, president of the Ghost Army Legacy Project, produced and directed the 2013 documentary The Ghost Army and co-authored the 2015 book The Ghost Army of World War II. They put themselves in harms way wielding imagination, bravado and creativity in order that other soldiers might be able to fight and live, Beyer told those gathered Thursday. This is a day that has been a long time coming but it has been well worth the wait, Beyer said. The Ghost Army included about 1,100 soldiers in the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops, which carried out about 20 battlefield deceptions in France, Luxembourg, Belgium and Germany, and around 200 soldiers in the 3133rd Signal Company Special, which carried out two deceptions in Italy. One of the biggest missions, called Operation Viersen, came in March 1945 when the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops deception drew German units away from the point on the Rhine River where the 9th Army was actually crossing. They had hundreds of inflatables set up, Beyer said in an interview before the ceremony. They had their sound trucks operating for multiple nights. They had other units attached to them. They had set up multiple phony headquarters and staffed them with officers who were pretending to be colonels. This was an all-hands-on-deck affair and it was completely successful, Beyer said. It fooled the Germans. They moved their troops to the river opposite where the deception was. With inflatable tanks, trucks and planes, combined with sound effects, radio trickery, costume uniforms and acting, the American military units that became known as the Ghost Army helped outwit the enemy. (National Archives/Ghost Army Legacy Project via AP) In September 1944, the Ghost Army helped fill a gap in Gen. George Pattons line during an attack on the Germans in the French city of Metz. They end up holding this part of the line for eight days, which is really long in terms of doing a deception, trying to keep up appearances, Beyer said. Kim Seale of Dallas said that his fathers work in the Ghost Army came as a surprise to him. Only about six months after his fathers death at the age of 84 in 2001, he was told of the connection by a past member of the Ghost Army who was putting together a reunion. I said, What do you mean, Ghost Army? Seale said. My Dad never talked about it, Seale said. He kept the oath. He said his father, Oscar Seale, who was a captain, had told him that at one point during the war that he had transitioned from a tank division to a position as a courier. Seale said he now thinks thats when his father joined the Ghost Army. Its been a 20-plus year journey of learning about the Ghost Army, learning about what my Dad did, learning about what the men did and just being amazed at that story, he said. A significant step in Fresnos longstanding battle with poverty has just been taken, with participants of a new program set to receive monthly $500 payments for a year to help them pay for rent, food and other expenses. The outreach is called Advancing Fresno County Guaranteed Income, and the application process opened last week. About 150 households with young children will get the payments via debit card each month, and the money can be spent however the participants choose. That seems like it could be rife for abuse. But, time and again in guaranteed-income projects around the nation, results show that those benefiting use the money for living expenses, or get enough of a financial cushion to be able to go back to school and develop skills that lead to landing better jobs. The goal is that participants are able to move themselves out of poverty. One in five people in Fresno County is at poverty level, according to Dr. Amber Crowell, associate professor of sociology and co-director of the Center for Community Voices at Fresno State. Fresno County has one of the highest rates of poverty in the state, with concentrated poverty in both its rural and urban communities, she said in an email response to questions from The Bee Editorial Board. Opinion To take part, applicants must live in either west Fresnos 93706 zip code or Hurons 93234 zip code. Adult participants must have at least one child under age 5, or be pregnant. Applicants must also meet income standards. For west Fresno, participants can earn up to $30,615 annually or less; in Huron, the level is $35,103 or below. Both income levels reflect 80% of the median income for their zip codes. In other words, living at a poverty existence. Fresnos Economic Opportunities Commission is handling applications and will administer the program. Amanda Venegas of the EOC said applications in the first week were strong, particularly from west Fresno. Credit local income advocates Fresnos leaders have known for years that a key to moving the city upward is improving the wage base of the area. To do that, Fresno must have a better educated workforce that attracts companies like technology firms. Until that higher education level develops, government intervention and philanthropic efforts are needed to help people struggling in poverty. The Advancing Fresno County program makes use of donors. Just over $1 million was raised from a host of foundations, including the California Wellness Foundation. Credit Crowell and fellow Fresno State instructor Andy Levine, who is also a Fresno Unified school board member, for working to make the guaranteed income project a reality. They acted with doggedness after the local application for a state guaranteed-income program was denied. In fact, no San Joaquin Valley project got state funding. This new Fresno effort is only the second such income project to occur in the region, the first being a pilot launched in Stockton several years ago. The Advancing Fresno County program is intriguing in how it has an urban component west Fresno and a rural one in Huron, a city of 7,000 on the countys west side. Crowell said Advancing Fresno County will have a control group, as well as focus groups, to measure the impact of the income aid. We are also going to have a storytelling cohort to develop narratives on poverty and anti-poverty measures, she said. Combined, this work will support advocacy and action to create a more effective and efficient social safety net locally and on a larger scale. The states denial of Fresnos application for an income project should never have occurred, given the longstanding generational poverty of this region. Thankfully, some committed local advocates did not give up, and now a Fresno-grown guaranteed-income program will benefit 150 households who need help. The assistance will certainly result in major benefit to those taking part, so here is hoping efforts can be expanded to benefit even more county residents in the future. Republicans are looking to capitalize on heightening tensions between Democrats and the Israeli government, which spilled into the public view after Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) denounced longtime Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and called for new elections in the country. Senate Republicans hosted Netanyahu for a virtual address during their weekly lunch on Wednesday days after Schumers striking floor speech an unusual gathering of a foreign leader with lawmakers from just one party. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) said Netanyahu called Schumers remarks wholly inappropriate during the huddle. Schumer, meanwhile, declined a request from Netanyahu to meet with Senate Democrats, intensifying the feud between the Democratic leader and the Israeli prime minister. A Schumer spokesperson said the senator made it clear that he does not think these discussions should happen in a partisan manner. The tit for tat spilled into the House on Wednesday when Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said he was considering inviting Netanyahu to address lawmakers on Capitol Hill, which could take the form of a joint address to Congress. House Republicans discussed the possibility during their weekly closed-door meeting that morning, according to a source familiar with the matter, as part of a conversation about a range of options that are predicated on Schumers remarks last week. The remarkable series of events reflect the changing dynamics surrounding Israel on Capitol Hill, where Democrats are growing increasingly fractured on the matter amid mounting deaths in Gaza, and Republicans are quick to highlight those divisions. Youve seen this leadership team stand strongly with our friends in Israel in their right to defend themselves, and we will not waver regardless of what Chuck Schumer or Joe Biden continue to do, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) said Wednesday. Schumer the highest-ranking Jewish elected official in U.S. history sent shock waves throughout Washington and Jerusalem last week when he delivered a high-profile speech on the Senate floor and denounced Netanyahu as having lost his way, claimed that the Netanyahu coalition no longer fits the needs of Israel after Oct. 7, and, subsequently, called for a new election in the country. The remarks prompted immediate criticism from Republicans in both chambers, who blasted the comments as anti-Israel, unprecedented and wrong. But they were also welcomed by some progressive lawmakers, who have not shied away from condemning the Netanyahu government and consistently sound the alarm about the soaring number of civilian deaths at the hands of Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip. Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) called Schumers speech important, while former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) billed it as an act of courage and an act of love for Israel. The reaction is a microcosm of the shifting attitudes toward Israel on Capitol Hill, where support for the U.S. ally a policy once embraced on both sides of the aisle has become a politically charged matter that pits Democrats against Republicans and, simultaneously, Democrats against Democrats. The tensions between liberal Democrats and the conservative Netanyahu are nothing new. Many Democrats boycotted his 2015 speech to a joint session of Congress, where Netanyahu used the platform to bash then-President Obama over a budding Iran nuclear deal. But the frictions have become much more pronounced following Hamass terrorist attack of Oct. 7, which left more than 1,200 dead, and Israels response to the assault, which has killed more than 30,000 people in the Gaza Strip. Democrats, including Schumer, have sought to carve a distinction between Israels right to self-defense, which they broadly support, and Netanyahus handling of the war, which they say does too little to prevent civilian casualties. Yet Republicans have used any criticism of Netanyahu to paint Democrats as anti-Israel, a message promoted by former President Trump who this week said any Jewish individual who votes for Democrats hates their religion and one that GOP congressional leaders are also hoping to exploit. I made it clear to him that its not the business of the United States to be giving a Democratic ally advice over when to have an election or what kind of military campaign they may be conducting, Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) said Wednesday. We obviously have a lot in common, but it seems to me the bipartisan support for Israel seems to be cracking on the political left in this country, he added. Democrats have rejected those charges, accusing Republicans of politicizing Israel solely for the purpose of attacking Democrats. Leadership, no matter whether its Republican or Democrat, must remain committed to the fact that this is a bipartisan issue, said Rep. Greg Landsman (D-Ohio), a Jewish lawmaker. To use it for any political gain is not at all in our national security interests. Its certainly not in the interest of Israel or stability and peace in the Middle East. The highly charged discourse is sure to spread from Capitol Hill to the campaign trail, as Trump hammers Democrats for their criticism of Israel and Biden embraces some progressive positions amid the war in the Middle East, including a call for a six-week pause in fighting to allow the release of hostages and to move more aid into Gaza. Democrats were quick to pounce on Trumps comments Wednesday. The comments are divisive and so reprehensible, Landsman said. As a Jew its frustrating because he and others are taking this issue, my identity, and using it to their political advantage. Its disgusting. Schumer called Trumps comments utterly disgusting and a textbook example of the kind of antisemitism facing Jews, pushing the dangerous antisemitic trope of dual loyalty. Netanyahu spoke with Senate Republicans for roughly 45 minutes during their weekly lunch on Wednesday, a gathering that came to fruition after the Israeli leader called McConnell last week and asked if he could speak with the conference. The conversation focused in part on the widely expected Israeli invasion of Rafah, a city located in southern Gaza. Netanyahu told senators they are going to undertake it, according to Hawley. The discussion also touched on Schumers radioactive remarks. Hawley said the comments were brought up during a question-and-answer session, and that Netanyahu was very direct. He said that he thought that Schumers remarks were wholly inappropriate, and then he said, you know, if you want me to be more frank, I thought they were outrageous, Hawley said. And he said Israel would never, never purport to tell the United States how to run our elections, who to elect, and no sovereign state would brook that kind of interference, and he thought it was totally inappropriate. Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) said Netanyahu made it clear that he would not be dictated to, by Senator Schumer or President Biden. Johnson, meanwhile, leaned into the Israel debate on Wednesday, revealing to reporters that he spoke with Netanyahu that morning and reiterated to him the House Republicans strong support for Israel and their efforts there and expressed his strong disagreement with Schumers comments. We think it is not only foolhardy, its dangerous for him to be trying to suggest how Israel should run its domestic affairs in the midst of their conflict, he continued. So youll see the House Republicans continue to stand forward and reiterate our support for Israel at this very critical time. He took it a step further minutes later when he told reporters he was considering inviting the controversial Israeli leader to address Congress, arguing, Its very important for us to show solidarity and support with Israel right now in their time of great struggle. Democrats, however, see the potential invitation as an attempt to politicize the U.S.s changing relationship with Israel, slamming Republicans for trying to score a political win on the long-standing relationship between the U.S. and its closest ally in the Middle East. Its a shame that we would play politics with that relationship when the focus should be ending the war, Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) said. Al Weaver and Filip Timotija contributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Hunter Biden's no-show at a congressional hearing wasn't shocking to some House Republicans who joked his whereabouts should be made into a game, but several Democrats told Fox News that President Joe Biden's son has already answered enough questions and the impeachment inquiry should end. The House Oversight and Judiciary Committees held a joint hearing on Wednesday regarding foreign business dealings and allegations of influence peddling within Biden's family, but Hunter declined to appear. The Republican-led impeachment inquiry into Biden instead heard from the younger Biden's former business associates, Tony Bobulinski and Jason Galanis, along with House Democrats' witness and former Rudy Guiliani associate, Lev Parnas. WATCH MORE FOX NEWS DIGITAL ORIGINALS HERE "It's [Hunter's] history, isn't it?" Pennsylvania Republican Rep. Mike Kelly said. "He's always MIA." A seat reserved for Hunter Biden remained empty during a nearly eight-hour proceeding regarding allegations of influence peddling within President Biden's family on Wednesday. HUNTER BIDEN'S EX-BUSINESS PARTNER TONY BOBULINSKI SLAMS HIM FOR RUNNING AWAY FROM HOUSE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE But Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez called the inquiry a "joke" ahead of the hearing. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "I think the fact that Republicans' core theory here and their main source turned out to be working with Russian spies is kind of the reason to not show up to this joke," the New York Democrat said. Former FBI informant Alexander Smirnov was charged in February with two counts related to "false derogatory information" regarding the Biden family's business dealings, according to court documents. Prosecutors accused Smirnov of "actively peddling new lies that could impact U.S. elections after meeting with Russian intelligence officials," the detention memo states. "Maybe we should have a game. Where in the world is Hunter Biden?" Rep. Carlos Gimenez told Fox News. "He probably didn't show because he didn't want to testify, didn't want to probably lie under oath as to what his activities and his family's activities are." BIDEN MET WITH CHAIRMAN OF CHINESE ENERGY FIRM HUNTER DID BUSINESS WITH IN 2017, EX-ASSOCIATE TESTIFIES "Why are people giving millions and millions and companies and adversary nations giving millions and millions of dollars to the Biden family when there's no product to sell or to buy except Joe Biden's influence?" the Florida Republican continued. Hunter's lawyer, Abbe Lowell, told House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer last week Hunter would be absent because of a court hearing in California the next day and called Republicans' request "hasty." Hunter rejected a November subpoena but unexpectedly showed up to a January congressional committee hearing and testified behind closed doors in February. AOC SAYS TRUMP WILLING TO SELL THE COUNTRY FOR A DOLLAR AS LAWMAKERS REACT TO POTENTIAL PROPERTY SEIZURES Congressional lawmakers react to Hunter Biden skipping a House hearing about allegations of influence peddling within President Biden's family on Wednesday. New York Democrat Rep. Dan Goldman told Fox News ahead of Wednesday's hearing that the president's son has already answered Republicans' questions. "He debunked all the conspiracy theories and made a really good point, which is that the witness who should be here on this purported hearing about influence peddling is Jared Kushner, who used his position in the government, unlike Hunter Biden, to solicit and obtain $2 billion from the Saudi Arabians," Goldman said. HUNTER BIDENS FEDERAL GUN CHARGES TRIAL SLATED FOR EARLY JUNE Kushner, former President Trump's son-in-law and an adviser during his administration, reportedly received the hefty investment from Saudi Arabias sovereign wealth fund for his private equity firm after he left the White House. Comer said his committee would look into whether Kushner has a "real business" after Democrats urged further investigation during the Wednesday hearing, but noted that Hunter's businesses appeared illegitimate. Some House Republicans accused Hunter of continuing to avoid transparency about his business dealings and his father's involvement. They also pointed to Hunter's earlier plea for public testimony. Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, departs a House Oversight Committee meeting at Capitol Hill on January 10, 2024 in Washington, DC. Hunter "actually said he wanted to testify in public and then, given that opportunity, declined to do so," California Republican Rep. Tom McClintock said. "What does that say about him?" Michigan Republican Rep. John Moolenaar said "it would be best if [Hunter] would simply be transparent and open about his business dealings and cooperate in a way that assures the American people." Original article source: GOP lawmaker asks Where in the world is Hunter Biden, after Cap Hill ghosting as AOC calls hearing a joke GOP lawmaker: Im not sure we ever had votes for impeachment Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) said Wednesday evening that he was not sure the House GOP ever had enough votes for an impeachment inquiry into President Biden. Burchett is a member of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, which held a hearing yesterday with two Republican witnesses who had little connection to Hunter Bidens business dealings. The lawmaker suggested they should just put the impeachment up for a vote and move onto something new. Were not gonna have the votes thats clearly the case, he told NewsNations Dan Abrams. And I dont think we ever did. I think you had a lot of Republicans, a few Republicans that would have pulled out. And now that weve a bunch have just left us in the middle of their terms, or the end, or the end of their terms, I think itd be very questionable whether we could get the votes, Burchett added. The White House has been pushing House Republicans to drop the impeachment inquiry for months, calling the most recent hearing embarrassing for Republicans and a total waste of time. Other conservative media personalities have also questioned whether it is time for House Republicans to move past impeachment, with Newsmax host Rob Finnerty telling Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) earlier this week that it is not going anywhere. Burchett said even if the House Republicans had sufficient evidence, he did not think the Justice Department would take action against the president. Ive said all along, even if we had the smoking gun, as you called it, I dont think the Justice Department is going to do anything, he added. NewsNation is owned by Nexstar Media Group, which also owns The Hill. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. WASHINGTON Donald Trump is in a huge bind. He cant scrounge up enough cash to post a bond in his New York civil fraud case, where he faces a penalty of more than $454 million. And in even more bad news for the former president, some of the wealthiest people in the country members of an elite club known as the United States Senate arent coming to his rescue. Multiple Republican senators on Wednesday laughed off the suggestion they contribute to Trumps accounts so he could post a bond in the case, which they roundly criticized as unfair. Ive got about $12, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), one of Trumps closest allies on Capitol Hill, chuckled when asked by HuffPost if hed be willing to open up his wallet. Im optimistic hell figure it out. Hes a pretty resourceful guy, Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) said. Scott, whose net worth is in the hundreds of millions, is one of the wealthiest senators and one of the few who could meaningfully contribute to Trumps cause. Trump was convicted of civil fraud last month for falsifying Trump Organization business records for decades. He was ordered by a New York judge to pay $355 million the amount gained from the fraud plus interest. But the self-described billionaire has failed to convince 30 insurance companies to secure a bond needed to appeal the case, and now hes facing the possibility that state authorities seize his properties in New York to cover the bill instead. Trump raged about the decision in a post on his Truth Social website on Thursday and said it is not possible for bonding companies to secure the funds before this weeks deadline. That is CRAZY! If I sold assets, and then won the Appeal, the assets would be forever gone, Trump wrote. Also, putting up money before an Appeal is VERY EXPENSIVE. When I win the Appeal, all of that money is gone, and I would have done nothing wrong. The presumptive GOP presidential nominee is fundraising for his 2024 campaign in response to the threat of losing his real estate properties and sent out a memo titled Keep your filthy hands off Trump Tower! to supporters on Thursday. Some commentators on the right have even urged wealthy GOP donors to step in and help bail Trump out. Why are there no Republican multi-billionaires offering to lend President Trump the funds to file his appeal in the outrageous case in NY state? Fox News pundit Mark Levin asked this week on X, formerly Twitter. Are none of them liquid enough to help or join with others to help? This is an outrage. No billionaire GOP donors have publicly committed to fighting Trumps legal woes yet, and though some Republicans have suggested the cash-strapped Republican National Committee should help pay Trumps legal bills, no GOP lawmakers have personally stepped up to give funds. This job has been a very expensive hobby. Im afraid Im not very liquid myself, Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) said Wednesday. Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), meanwhile, seemed taken aback by the mere notion of senators personally contributing to the man theyve backed for president, laughing repeatedly before walking into a Senate elevator. Are you trolling? he asked HuffPost without answering the question. And Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), who owns a private plane he sometimes uses to fly to work, said, Ive contributed enough to this whole process, when asked if hed be willing to give to Trump, suggesting he crowdfund for his legal defense instead. I have no problem in him going to the public and saying, Im doing this for the country, and Im being attacked for it unfairly. I have no problem in him trying to do that, Johnson said. Sen. Mike Braun (R-Ind.), who is wealthy enough to spend $11 million of his own money winning his Senate seat in the first place, said he wasnt approached to give to the former president but that he couldnt even if he was asked. Im very illiquid, he told HuffPost. A few Trump-supporting Republicans did say they would be willing to chip in a few dollars, but they noted, accurately, that Trump would need far more to post a bond totaling hundreds of millions of dollars. I could throw in a couple of bucks in it, Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) said before adding, I mean, its like spitting in the ocean. And Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) said that itd be my honor to contribute if Trump called him and asked for financial support. I mean, it would take a lot of couple of bucks, he said. Democrats were similarly amused when asked if they would be willing to help Trump come up with enough money to post a bond. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) smiled and quipped that he couldnt afford it. I am not that wealthy, Schumer told HuffPost. But one Democratic senator appeared to be game for contributing to Trumps cause at least on the margins. Taking out a wad of cash from his pocket after walking out of the Senate chamber on Thursday, Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia, the second wealthiest member of the Senate, handed HuffPost two single-dollar bills and warned, Dont spend it all at once. HuffPost reached out to the Trump campaign to see if theyd be willing to accept the senators generous donation. Well update this story if we hear back. Related... Several sources, and what detectives describe as two witnesses, led authorities to close a 34-year-old cold case of a woman who was raped and murdered in southwest Missouri. McDonald County Detective Lorie Howard said Thursday that for years a local man was the suspect in the death of Shauna Beth Garber known for more than a decade as Grace Doe. But it was only recently, Howard said, that her agency had enough information to say that Talfey Reeves, of Pineville, killed the 22-year-old woman in 1990. We are 100 percent certain we got the guy, Howard said in a news conference Thursday afternoon announcing closure of the 1990 cold case. What breaks my heart is hes not alive. I know he has a family and people who love him, but he should have had to pay for what he did. Maybe he is, I dont know. But we do have the right guy. Reeves, who had a lengthy criminal history in southwest Missouri, died Nov. 15, 2021 in a traffic crash. He was 58. Media reports say he attempted to make a U-turn on a scooter and traveled into the path of a car. Garbers siblings who became separated from Shauna when they all were put in Kansas foster care in the 1970s have been looking for her for decades. They only learned in March 2021, after DNA linked her to them, that she was killed. And they hoped that someday they would learn who killed her and watch the suspect be held accountable. I guess karma got him, you know, said Rob Ringwald, Garbers brother, after learning that Reeves had died in 2021, just months after his sister was identified. Id prefer to see him in prison, but you reap what you sow. ... I guess in the grand scheme of things, its poetic justice. He ended up getting killed himself. For years, Howard and Wise couldnt figure out why Grace Doe was in McDonald County. But during their investigation they eventually learned why. A news release by the McDonald County Sheriffs Department elaborated on the whereabouts of Garber who after being adopted, her legal name was Shauna Robin Harvey. It was determined through a statement made by her case worker that once Shauna aged out (of foster care), she went to the Vinita (and) Claremore, Oklahoma area to find family, the release said. Detectives were made aware that she was living in the area and being transported to and from work via a work program. It is believed that this is what brought her to McDonald County. Howard, along with Detective Rhonda Wise, said Reeves was on the radar for many years. But after the pair interviewed Kansas serial killer Dennis Rader, known as BTK, last year and ruled him out as a suspect they looked at their case with fresh eyes. This time around it was much more successful because I didnt have people that were afraid to talk about our local suspect, Howard said. And rest assured, I still have people today that are afraid to talk about this man who is no longer with us because theres other people who are still around. They feel like theyre in danger. Never enough information until now The detectives would build their case against Reeves based on information from six sources, Howard and Wise said in the Thursday news conference. Six corroborating individual sources that are not related to Talfey, Howard said, have given us statements that we have been able to verify that he is responsible for Shaunas death. In addition, there are the two witnesses, one who said she heard everything he did and then saw what he did. Though authorities have spoken to many of these people over the years, it wasnt until recently that they provided more details. The problem youd run up against in years passed, Howard said, is nobody really wanted to go on the record when he was alive. They werent comfortable saying what he did. ... They would give us information but never enough to go forward with the prosecution. It was only after Reeves died that detectives said they could gather enough information. The detectives had one other piece of information that further solidified Reeves as the one who killed Shauna Beth, Howard said. In 2004, four years before she was even told about the 1990s cold case, the sheriff back then put a letter the department had received on her desk. Back then, the words didnt have the meaning they do now. It starts with, I want to tell you about something Talfey Reeves did, Howard recalled of the letter that gave details of what happened to a young woman. And it was absolutely the details of what happened to Shauna. The letter was signed. As Howard put it: The letter itself is extremely important, but it doesnt stand alone. Its the letter, its the sources, its the facts, its the left-out information, its the corroboration, its the witnesses, its the vehicle, its finally Wise picked up her thought: All the pieces of the puzzle had come together. In front of reporters at Thursdays news conference, Howard described what she and Wise believe happened after Reeves picked up Garber as she was walking along the road. He took her in an old black Ford truck that is consistent with what we know went up that hill that night, Howard said. A loud truck with no muffler, we have a witness to that. We know who the truck belonged to. We know it went up the hill that night and two doors slammed. We know he bound her with the chords that were in the back of this truck because that was convenient. Thats what was in the truck, it was an old farm truck. Reeves raped Garber, Howard said. And we know that because we have a witness who was terrified in 2010, 2015, 2017 to talk, the detective said. But eventually, authorities said all sources came forward and no one knew what the other was saying. Together they told a story of what happened to Grace Doe. Howard said Reeves raped her, he bound her and he overdosed her to shut her up, because she was screaming so loudly that it began to scare him in that valley, because it echoed. We know thats how she passed. My witness left and saw Shauna within hours of what she knew happened. Angry that (Reeves) died Though for detectives the case is closed, Howard said I still have holes. I want a picture of her, the detective said. Her siblings do, too. Sister Danielle Pixler, of Topeka, Kansas, said she needs more than the small snapshot from when Shauna Beth was a little girl. And more than the forensic drawing of what she may have looked like. And Ringwald said he needs an image to picture in his mind when he thinks of his little sister. Which he often does. I havent seen her since she was five years old, said Ringwald, of Bucklin, Kansas. Its been a long time and its hard for me to remember what she looked like. And last time I saw her, I do remember bandages. So I would like to see what she looked like when she grew up. Garber and her siblings were removed from their home after the unthinking happened in 1973. Rob was seven and Shauna Beth was five. The childrens mother put lighter fluid on Shauna Beth and lit her on fire. The little girl was badly burned. Like her siblings, she ended up in foster care and family and detectives learned over the years that she was adopted at some point only for that to fail. She then went back into the system and aged out of foster care. Never knowing that her siblings were looking for her. Howard and Wise feel as if they know the woman theyve spent years identifying and then finding who killed her. She was only 22 years old and I dont think she ever had an ounce of joy in her life, Howard said. She was somebody, she was important to me, she was important to us. Thats why they say its hard to not see charges file and the suspect go to trial. Im not going to lie about it, Howard said. It makes me angry that (Reeves) died. Its like he got off. I wanted to see him charged. Added Wise: It would have been nice to see him face the consequences of his actions. ABINGDON, Va. (WJHL) Governor Glenn Youngkin called for a back to the basics approach to economic development during a visit to Southwest Virginia on Wednesday. One of the priorities for all of us is to unleash economic opportunity through Virginia, especially Southwest Virginia, Youngkin said. Youngkin participated in several listening sessions across the region, ending the day with one focused on economic development at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center in Abingdon. Youngkin was joined by members of the Southwest Virginia delegation, including Delegate Israel OQuinn (R- Bristol, VA), Senator Todd PiIlion (R-Abingdon), Senator Travis Hackworth (R-Richlands), Delegate Terry Kilgore (R-Gate City) and Delegate Jonathan Jed Arnold (R-Marion). Youngkin kicked off the event by recounting the conditions when he was electedwith Virginia third in the nation in job growth and 150,000 people leaving the workforce, the governor said. Youngkin said hes focused on making conditions more favorable for businesses, investing in education and making Virginia a desirable place to live. Tennessee First Lady Maria Lee attends service project in Kingsport The basics work, and we just have to continue to stay focused on them, Youngkin said. Youngkin encouraged local leaders to take the initiative in capturing manufacturing opportunities as companies move back into the United States. We gotta go grab it, Youngkin said. The governors visit comes after the LENOWISCO planning district released a study that would guide local governments as they consider adding small modular reactors. The report noted the regions potential to benefit from the growing nuclear sector by leveraging the workforce and industrial sites formerly used by the coal mining industry. Youngkin continued to support SMRs and investment in clean coal, renewables, and gas. Weve done some really great work on the all of the above approach to energy, Youngkin said. Lawmakers highlighted projects they say will transform the region economically, including the effort to bring passenger rail service back to Bristol, VA and the inland port. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. Protesting farmers run from tear gas shells used by the police in February about 120 miles from New Delhi, India. | Rohit Lohia/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom Thousands of Indian farmers continue to protest and demand legislation that would guarantee minimum crop prices for their yields, reinvigorating a 2020 debate that led the country to repeal several agricultural laws that farmers unions claimed were hostile to their livelihoods. Core to the protesters' long list of demands is the push to enshrine into law a minimum support price (MSP), a staple of Indian economics where the federal government recommends price floors in an attempt to safeguard profit. It is currently advisory, not binding. The protesterswhich the government has sought to stymie with displays of force, restrictions on the right to assembly, and online censorshipare also urging legislators to extend the MSP to all crops, not just the ones deemed essential. But while it's true that farmers in India are legitimately struggling, their demands are divorced from certain unfortunate economic realities. From August 2020 to December 2021, the Indian central government faced off against a coalition of farmers unionsmostly from the state of Punjabover three contentious farm bills, drawn up with the goal of agricultural market reform and modernization. The bills would have broadly advanced steps to reduce government intervention in India's agricultural industry, which, as of 2022, makes up 43 percent of Indian labor. In essence, the farm bills aimed to make it easier for customers and contractors to directly purchase from producers, rather than through a public mechanism. Many farmers feared those bills would get rid of the MSP and that the modernization of agriculture would empower corporations to control their livelihoods. Hundreds of thousands of farmers participated in demonstrations that involved sit-ins, traffic obstruction, and even suicides. Amid sustained pressure, the bills were ultimately repealed. Narendra Modi, the prime minister of India, stood by the bills but apologized for failing to convince farmers of their utility. "Whatever I did was for farmers," Modi said in a statement. "What I am doing is for the country." But as the debate over market reform ramps up again, an important point is flying under the radar: Despite employing nearly half of the country's work force, the agricultural industry in Indiathe world's fastest-growing G20 economyhas consistently contributed less than 20 percent of the nation's gross domestic product (GDP) since 2002. Though India's economy has expanded rapidly, many farmers have resisted changing occupations, and some have struggled to afford educational opportunitiesleaving the profession oversaturated and other job markets undersaturated. It gets worse: Though its agricultural industry is bloated with labor, India ranked 111th in the 2023 Global Hunger Index. The Public Distribution System in the country, which primarily supports the MSP, has been unable to efficiently distribute food and is riddled with corruption, undermining the very reason it exists. Many farmers in India produce low yields due to circumstances mostly beyond their control: unreliable weather, a lack of diversity in crops, poor infrastructure, growing farmer debts, and antiquated agriculture practices. To put it plainly, Indian farmers rely on government aid because agriculture is simply not a sustainable market in the country. Enshrining the MSP into law would officially subsidize a struggling, overfilled sector with no end in sight. Farmers' other demands include axing a 2020 bill that made room for private investment in electricity to withdrawing from free market agreements with the World Trade Organization. It is increasingly clear that the farmers' demands, while stemming from a place of real suffering, are fundamentally opposed to any semblance of a free market. That's no secret. The New York Times explicitly referred to MSP as "social insurance," while a BBC article said the farm bills would relax laws that "have protected farmers from the free market for decades." In February, the government offered a five-year plan to guarantee income for certain crops through the MSP, but it wasn't enough. The farmers declined. "After the discussion of both forums, it has been decided that if you analyze, there is nothing in the government's proposal," said Jagjit Singh Dallewal, one of the major protest leaders. "This is not in the favor of farmers." But contra Dallewal, it is highly questionable that the MSP, which was introduced in the 1960s to address food shortages, is helping farmers consequentially. "MSP as currently implemented may not play a significant role in reducing agricultural commodity price market volatility," according to an analysis by researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. "If MSP does not significantly decrease price volatility, then the benefits of the MSP program for farmers are unclear." There is little to gain and much to lose when considering the government buying crops at fixed rates cannot possibly provide farmers a long-term solution to their very concrete poverty. Those much-maligned, erstwhile farm bills would have taken conservative steps toward liberalizing India's agricultural economy. Enacting the MSP as law, on the other hand, would be a massive step back for one of the world's major economies on the rise. The post The Government Can't Save India's Suffering Farmers appeared first on Reason.com. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) A Multnomah County grand jury has ruled a Portland police officer was justified when he shot and killed a man involved in a shots fired incident at a downtown Portland apartment building back in January. The Multnomah County District Attorneys Office announced Thursday that the grand jury returned a not true bill, finding Officer Joshua Howerys use of force resulting in the death of Matthew Lee Holland not criminal under Oregon law. Convenience store theft suspect arrested after attempting to flee According to Portland police, Howery, a 23-year veteran of the bureau and member of the Special Emergency Reaction Team (SERT), shot and killed Holland while responding with PPB, SERT and the Crisis Negotiation Team to the report of shots fired on the 8th floor of the Portland Astoria on January 14, at the height of the arctic blast and ice storm that crippled the region. Around two hours after the initial 911 calls, a neighbor reported bullets piercing their walls, prompting Howery to use deadly force, according to PPB. Officers say found an AR-15 style rifle lying next to Holland. No other injuries were reported, police said. Howery had been placed on administrative leave following the shooting, per standard protocol, officials said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. A BND series focused on bringing transparency and accountability to local news coverage. Our reporters dig deeper to deliver fast facts about issues that matter to southwest Illinois. Read more. Story idea? The superintendent of a metro-east school district that was certified as being in financial difficulty by the Illinois State Board of Education last week says the situation was caused by turnover in the districts bookkeeper position and not its financial footing. The union that represents the districts teachers, however, has issued a statement saying they have been sounding the alarm about the districts finances for years and calling for the removal of the superintendent. Last Wednesday, Grant Community Consolidated School District 110 became the second Illinois district in the past decade to be certified as having financial difficulty by the state board of education. It now has until April 29 to submit a financial plan to the state board that addresses its deficits as well as shortcomings in its internal controls, grant management and financial reporting. In an interview with the BND Friday, Superintendent Matt Stines said he fully respects the state board of educations decision, adding that the state board is following its policies and procedures and providing support to the district to get things corrected. Theyre doing what they have to do, and Id expect nothing less from them, he said. According to Stines, certain financial documents were submitted to the state board of education late because of repeated turnover of the districts bookkeeper. If you want to count myself, I had four bookkeepers handling the books during FY23, and that doesnt bode well for anybody, he said. There just wasnt the consistency in the accounting that needed to be there. Meanwhile, the Grant-Illini Federation of Teachers which represents 76 teachers and non-certified staff in Grant District 110 called on the administration to address the districts financial irresponsibility and for the removal of Superintendent Stines in a statement released Monday. We have been sounding this alarm about our districts financial position for years now, the statement reads. Our students and community deserve transparency and accountability when it comes to how public education dollars are being spent, but we havent had that in years. Financial difficulty The Fairview Heights district has been on the state boards financial early warning list for fiscal years 2021 and 2022, and its preliminary designation for fiscal year 2023 is financial watch, according to a memo from the state board of education. Financial watch is the lowest designation an Illinois school district can receive on its annual financial profile from the state. The memo also says the district has regularly had a deficit in its operating funds, relies on regular working cash bond issues to supplement revenue in those funds and failed to apply for federal grants dating back to fiscal year 2020 in some program years. Stines said the district has received the guidelines from the state board of education for its financial plan and that two consultants from the state have been assigned to help. The money is there, and its not that were in financial peril, he emphasized. This is a bookkeeping issue on how we show the expenditures to the state, and thats why were doing a plan with them. The bookkeeper Stines had for the majority of his years at Grant 110 retired in December 2021, and he hired a replacement who then resigned in December 2022, he said. He wasnt able to find a replacement until late February 2023, so for the time in-between, he filled in to make sure payroll was met and bills got paid. The bookkeeper hired in late February resigned in May, and the current bookkeeper started in July. Stines said he realized there was a problem when he was closing the books at the end of fiscal year 2023 last June. Bank reconciliations hadnt been done correctly, which created a snowball effect of delaying budget submission and other documents. With cooperation with the state, I have no doubt that we will get the corrections made, and well move forward and things will be back to good, Stines said. Teachers response to certification The statement from Grant District 110s teachers union continues by saying the money the district gets isnt being spent on teacher and staff salaries, highlighting that starting teacher salaries are average and veteran teachers are paid significantly lower compared to nearby districts. Additionally, non-certified staff dont receive insurance benefits, it says. Teachers at District 110 made an average salary of $50.8K during the 2022-23 school year, down from $55.8K in the 2013-14 school year, according to the Illinois Report Card. At Pontiac-William Holliday School District 105 to the east of Grant 110, teachers made an average of $59.2K, and at East St. Louis School District 189 to the west, teachers made an average of $84K. Part of our role as educators is to advocate for our students, the statement continues. They deserve well-resourced classrooms and responsible school leadership. They deserve teachers who are respected and given a supportive teaching environment, not a district characterized by administrative bloat and inconsistent accounting. And their parents deserve clear answers not excuses from Superintendent Stines as to why we are at this point. Our union members have had enough, and to us, the solution is clear. We recently held a vote on the issue, and an overwhelming number of teachers and staff agree that Superintendent Stines must be removed from his position if we want to turn this district around. We need new leadership that will prioritize fiscal accountability. We need district funding to be used to increase resources for students and invest in teachers and staff, and doing that requires immediate change in management. The statement concluded by calling on the Board of Education to address the situation and inviting parents and community members to attend the March board meeting. Stines had no comment on the statement from the teachers union. Working cash fund In addition to the districts failure to submit financial information in a timely manner, the state board of educations memo highlighted that Grant 110 has regularly had a deficit in its operating funds and relies on working cash bond issues to supplement revenue in them. Like other districts in Illinois, District 110s budget is broken up into nine separate funds. The operating funds the educational, operations and maintenance, transportation and working cash funds make up the bulk of the budget, and money can be transferred between them by board resolution. According to Grant 110s annual financial reports, the district has had a deficit in its operating funds for 19 of the past 20 fiscal years. For fiscal year 2023, it had a deficit of about $1.8 million in its operating funds and a negative fund balance of about $290,000 as of June 30. The purpose of the working cash fund is to allow school boards to have sufficient funds in their treasury to pay for educational expenditures, functioning like an internal bank. Districts sell working cash bonds, and then that money in the working cash fund can be temporarily loaned to other funds in the budget with board approval. Grant 110s deficits and annual financial reports dont account for loans from the working cash fund since those funds have to be repaid, Stines said. He said the districts deficit spending goes back over 30 years, predating his tenure as superintendent. The district has used working cash to supplement revenue for a very, very long time, he added. School districts get their revenue from local property taxes, state funding and federal grant programs. On average, Illinois school districts got about 63.4% of their revenue locally during the 2022-23 school year, according to the Illinois Report Card. In order to provide everything we need to for our kids, the local dollars and the state dollars dont quite make enough of the money up, and we sell working cash bonds in order to supplement the education fund to cover our expenses, Stines said. The district has sold the bonds about every five years, he added. It was the way they operated before. Its the way weve operated since Ive been here. It has worked, he said, adding that the district has had what its needed to provide for the kids. Its a process well still have to do unless there is some drastic increase in local property values or unless theres a drastic increase in state funding, Stines said. But at the end of the day, despite all the things with the state and the action they took and the reporting aspect, our districts getting enough money to operate, and we will continue to operate. On the Illinois Report Card for school year 2022-23, Illini Elementary received an exemplary designation, indicating it is in the top 10% of schools statewide in terms of overall performance. Grant Middle School was deemed commendable, the second-highest designation. Federal grants Another factor mentioned in the state board of educations memo is that Grant District 110 has failed to apply for several federal grant programs. Those programs include Titles I, II and IV of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Part B and the third wave of federal COVID-19 relief funds for public schools referred to as ARP ESSER or ESSER III. District 110 has been allocated about $1.54 million in ESSER III funds but has yet to spend any of it, according to the state board of educations ESSER spending dashboard. The district received about $11K for ESSER I and $648K for ESSER II, which it has spent. Stines said the district hasnt expended the funds and submitted expenditure reports for ESSER III yet because there are still expenses this year hes going to use the money for, like a training slated for staff this summer. School districts get reimbursed for the funds after theyre spent, he said. Hes waited to access those funds because there were dollars flowing through in other areas of the budget, he added. The deadline for school districts to obligate their ESSER III funds is Sept. 30, 2024. The relevant federal legislation requires districts to solicit local community input to inform their spending and make spending plans publicly available. A Great Dane with a heart as big as her stature was rescued and now, she needs a home. Suzy the 6-year-old dog is ready for a second chance after she was found starving and sick in her former owners backyard, the Northwest Florida Great Dane Rescue wrote on social media and in an email to McClatchy News. With energy that defies her age, Suzy is ready for adventures and long walks with her forever family, the rescue wrote March 19 on Facebook. The resilient dog came to the rescue in October as she and several other pups reportedly were taken from a home due to neglect. Suzys journey began with a family who unfortunately couldnt provide her with the care, food, and attention she deserved, the rescue wrote. Left to live outside, Suzy quickly mastered the art of escapades and became somewhat of a legend in the community for escaping the backyard to roam a busy highway intersection in Pensacola. Even though Suzy has left the dangers of that intersection in the Florida Panhandle, the animal organization wants her new owner to have a home with a fence. Her escapades have taught us that she requires a fenced yard and cannot be left unattended, as her Houdini-like skills may lead her to explore beyond the confines of safety, the rescue wrote. Suzy is picky about other dogs that she spends time with, so she has been living at a boarding facility. She is described in an online adoption profile as a friendly pet with boundless resilience and affection. Once she forms a bond of trust, she transforms into a cuddle enthusiast, eager to shower her chosen humans with affection and devotion, the animal organization wrote, adding that she loves doing zoomies around her people when shes excited. Suzy also is known for having a heart as big as her stature. She is roughly 120 or 130 pounds, and female Great Danes can weigh up to 140 pounds, according to the American Kennel Cub. As of March 20, Suzy was still in need of a new owner. More information about the rescues adoption process can be found at nwflgdr.com. 15-year-old dog thrown out like trash. Now, Florida shelter hopes for a miracle Rescued dog is a talented escape artist. The Great Dane needs a home with a fence Desmond Plunkett was one of the inspirations for Donald Pleasence's character, Colin Bythe (second left), in the film The Great Escape - Getty Images Great Escape prisoners of war were betrayed by English informants, according to claims in newly unearthed intelligence documents. The 1944 mass breakout from Stalag Luft III, immortalised in the 1963 war film, led to the arrest and execution of 50 Allied escapers, on the direct order of a vengeful Adolf Hitler. A new document has been unearthed by a surviving PoW which claims that his murdered comrades were betrayed by English informants. The claims were made by RAF pilot Flt Lt Desmond Plunkett, who escaped along with 75 other prisoners, only to be recaptured and detained for the rest of the war. He was the basis for Donald Pleasences expert forger character Colin Blythe, who discovers in the Great Escape film that he is slowly going blind. Plunkett was eventually released in 1945, and made to fill in a questionnaire about his imprisonment which has now been unearthed in the National Archives. The questionnaire suggests that there were two individuals whose activities impacted the fates of the executed PoWs. Claims of informants come ahead of the 80th anniversary of the Stalag Luft III breakout on the night of March 24, 1944. There is no evidence Plunketts claims were pursued, as no informants have ever been recorded in relation to the mass escape. On the snowy evening when the breakout took place, the escape itself was detected when a German sentry spotted one of the escaping airmen. The breakout had been planned meticulously for months, and Plunkett had prepared maps for those attempting the escape, making him one of the inspirations for the forger played by Pleasence. He had served only eight days with No 218, his first operational squadron, when his Stirling heavy bomber was shot down over the Netherlands in June 1942. He was taken to Stalag Luft III near Sagan, modern-day Poland, where escape leader Roger Bushell, played by Richard Attenborough in the film, asked him to lead a team employed in mapmaking. Plunkett was the 13th man out of the Harry tunnel, having volunteered for the unlucky placement that nobody else wanted, and once he escaped he made straight for a train where he bumped into the escaping Bushell and other officers. While on the run, 50 of his comrades, including Bushell, were arrested. On the orders of an infuriated Hitler, they were all shot by the Gestapo. Plunkett, alongside a Czech airman, succeeded in getting into Czechoslovakia where, after several days in the relative luxury of a hotel, they hid in a barn. They eventually got as far as the Austrian border before being arrested. He endured seven months at the Gestapos headquarters in Prague, where he was subjected to torture, frequent beatings, and a mock execution. In a questionnaire he filled out following release, something all PoWs were required by the War Office Directorate of Military Intelligence to do, Plunkett made the claims about his comrades being betrayed by informants. Desmond Plunkett seen here on the left with his brother and their wives in India escaped Stalag Luft III only to be recaptured and interrogated for seven months by the Gestapo It is unclear how the two individuals accused by Plunkett of collaborating activities betrayed their fellow Englishmen. Of the 76 airmen to escape, 73 were recaptured, most within a few days of the breakout. In 2021, the National Archives unearthed different documents which suggested the Nazis wanted the break-out to go ahead, so escaping airmen could be hunted down and made an example of. A research project revealed Camp Commandant Colonel Friedrich Wilhelm von Lindeiner-Wildau feared an escape was imminent but the SS ignored his requests for extra security. But the statement from Plunkett suggests for the first time that English collaborators worked with the Nazis in some way to aid in the recapture of escapers, leading many to their deaths. The existence of this document appears to have been forgotten, until it was rediscovered by the National Archives. Second World War The 'ghost army' who fooled Nazis with inflatable tanks Read more Dr William Butler, the National Archives military expert and head of modern collections, said: When Plunkett was returned to a PoW camp he was hospitalised because of the mental toll his experience in Gestapo prisons took on him. Theres a suggestion that he blamed himself for the executions of the 50 by accidentally saying something in interrogation. After the war, Plunkett remained in the RAF for two years. He was posted to India with 10 Squadron, where he turned down the chance to become Lord Mountbattens personal pilot. Plunkett died in 2002, aged 86, after co-writing a book about his experiences called The Man Who Would not Die. 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. Great Falls city commissioners voted Tuesday to award $2.2 million in a contract to convert the Civic Centers Missouri Room into two new municipal courtrooms. The project is broadly supported by city officials but criticized by preservationists who argue the renovation will forever compromise the historical integrity of the 1940s era ballroom. For decades Great Falls Municipal Court has been confined to a sub-ground level courtroom and a small cluster of offices which once served as a mens locker room for an adjacent ice rink. The court has flooded four times in the past 10 years, and there are persistent concerns about the presence of mold and asbestos. What was once a ice rink locker room is now used by the Municipal Court as a document storage area. However, a lack of space has been the greatest concern for the citys municipal court. Great Falls Municipal Court is the third busiest in Montana, processing upwards of 10,000 citations, complaints, and defendants each year. At the beginning of the year the court added a second judge, Mark Dunn, to attend to the burgeoning caseload. With no additional space available, Dunn and his colleague on the bench, Judge Steven Bolstad, are currently forced to share a single chamber. For several years the city has considered alternatives to expand space for its municipal court. These have included remodeling the Montana Childrens Museum building, which is a city owned property, expanding the Great Falls Police Department building to create a larger law and justice building, moving into the old Federal Courthouse above the downtown post office, and leasing space from some other privately-owned building. Each of these alternatives came with their own set of problems. More: C.M. Russell paintings worth millions highlight March in Montana art show The primary consideration has been money. The city received $19.5 million in ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) to combat the public health and economic impact of the COVID pandemic. The city allocated $3.5 million of that one-time-only federal money to finding solutions to the problems at the municipal court. The allocation will also pay for upgrades to the Civic Centers heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. Great Falls City Commissioners awarded a $2.2 million contract Tuesday to convert the Civic Center's Missouri Room into two new municipal court chambers. Opposition to the proposal has been based upon the Missouri Rooms historical significance. Built within the Civic Center in 1939 as a banquet hall/ballroom, the Missouri Room was once one of the largest public gathering spaces in Great Falls. The room currently includes a high ceiling, numerous windows, and ornate details of the art deco style that was popular in the 1920s. More: State-of-the-art helicopters ensure Malmstrom's position in the decades ahead The remodeling will fundamentally transform the space, adding additional walls, platforms, and hallways. The Missouri Room will no longer be a space managed by the Mansfield Center for the Performing Arts, which currently rents the space for events throughout the year, adding roughly $20,000 annually to the performing art centers budget. Construction will begin this summer to convert the Civic Center's Missouri Room into two new municipal courtrooms (blue) with office space and meeting rooms. This medium-size room is in high demand for public meeting and private events, reads a statement from the Historic Preservation Advisory Committee. Much effort was expended to create this excellent space. Lack of space has been an issue for city government for many years and departmental musical chairs has proven to not solve the problem. We urge commissioners to seriously consider alternatives to chopping up the Missouri Room. However, the immediate needs of the citys justice system prompted city commissioners to decide in favor of the Missouri Room renovation. Bolstad, a longtime municipal judge, said the conversion will represent the best needs of Great Falls citizens in the decades ahead. Great Falls Municipal Court Judge Steven Bolstad will be joined by a second municipal court judge in January, 2024 We attended an Historical Preservation Committee meeting and they referred to this room as the peoples space, Bolstad commented. My response to that is what better peoples space to have up there than the city court? We see every type of person in our community, and I cant think of a better community space as that room. More: New Cascade County Election Administrator hopes to turn page on office controversy Its still going to be the peoples space, Bolstad added. As far as the beauty, theyre going to keep the sconces (ornamental brackets), theyre going to keep the ceiling and were trying to use the same light fixtures. Were going to stay with the same decor as the rest of the civic center. The architect said he wants it to look as if its always been here. Work to transform the Missouri Room is expected to start this summer, with a completion date expected before the end of the year. This article originally appeared on Great Falls Tribune: Great Falls OKs $2.2M to turn Missouri Room into municipal courtrooms Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect that pilots from the F-16 were the ones who ejected. A few days into the spring of 1994, paratroopers waited for an airborne training operation on the tarmac at then-Pope Air Force Base. It was March 23, and the skies above the airfield of then-Fort Bragg were filled with pilots trying to get in a few hours of flight time. A little after 2 p.m., however, the once blissful Carolina blue sky was darkened by black smoke, and the airfield runway and Fort Braggs Green Ramp were ablaze. An F-16D Fighting Falcon collided mid-air with a C-130E Hercules cargo plane. The jet plummeted into a C-141 Starlifter on the ground, puncturing its fuel tank and feeding a deadly inferno that claimed lives and injured others. Sidebar: Reporters, investigations and crash at Pope Air Base: 30 years after the Green Ramp Disaster When the debris rained down and the ruptured fuel tank exploded into a fireball, those 120 paratroopers, mostly from the 18th Airborne Corps and the 525th Military Intelligence Brigade, were behind a Green Ramp shed waiting to board the C-141 for the scheduled jump. Another 120 soldiers, mostly members of the 82nd Airborne Division's 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, were nearby in mock planes practicing jumps. Paratroopers rushed to escape the inferno or shield others. In the coming days, weeks, months and years, stories came forth from witnesses, survivors and family members of the 24 paratroopers killed. Heres a look at what happened, as told to The Fayetteville Observer over the past 30 years. Gold Star Family Charles Gollas son Capt. Kenneth Golla, 29, was one of the soldiers killed. Two days after the accident, the grieving father from northern Virginia said that Capt. Golla was a new father whod recently moved to Fort Bragg with his family and was excited about being part of the 82nd Airborne Division. His son was preparing to jump with a division that he was proud to be a part of, the elder Golla said. Its a crushing blow, he said. A year after the crash, Gollas widow, Monica Golla, told the Observer their daughter, Alexandra, had her fathers personality. It hurts because he's gone, but it hurts every day, she said. What soldiers saw Capt. Michael Taylor, an intelligence officer for the 18th Aviation Brigade, said he was unable to outrun the fireball. So I laid down in the sand and started rolling, Taylor said a day after the crash; his burned hands in bandages. There were kids whose cammies (camouflage uniforms) were still on fire that didn't know to get down on the ground,'' Taylor said. People knocked them on the ground and rolled them in the sand. Other people (were) grabbing canteens and hosing people down. Sgt. Mark Dedmon said other soldiers were taking injured paratroopers to Womack Army Medical Center in personal vehicles. Anything with wheels became an evacuation vehicle,'' Dedmon said. Presidential visit Three days after the crash, then-President Bill Clinton met with the injured soldiers. Many told Clinton they couldnt wait to get back to work, the president said. Clinton told reporters he was moved by the story of an injured soldier who was putting out the fire on his wife. A few days later, The Fayetteville Observer identified the couple as Sgt. Lorellei Houghton and 1st Lt. Kenneth Altfather. Houghton was standing with a group of soldiers under a tree near the runway when she noticed the outline of the F-16. Altfather said he dashed toward his wife to try to shield her but her clothing caught fire. He said he beat the flames out with his bare hands, then pulled her about 20 feet from where she'd been hit. The F-16's engine came to rest some 15 feet from where they rested. Ammunition from the F-16 started to fire off, Altfather said. He said he managed to find a shed, where medics started to treat his wife and waited for a vehicle to take her to the hospital. Altfather said he didnt want attention and that helping his wife was an easy decision. There are a lot of guys up there that are hurt a lot worse. There are 23 who are dead. They're the heroes,'' he said. A C-141 transport plane is shown on March 23, 1994, after an F-16 fighter jet crashed into the plane as it was parked on the Pope Air Force Base flight line. Burn victims Sgt. Christopher Burson said in an interview on Jan. 29, 1995, that he was being treated in the hospital for charring on his hands and legs and gashes on his head and face when his wife told him his friend Sgt. Mark Gibson was among those who died. Gibsons widow wanted to visit Burson, and Bursons wife broke the news to him so that he wouldn't ask how Gibson was doing. I can't remember how she told me,'' Burson said. That was the worst part the realization that all those people got killed.'' Burson said that when the planes collided, he was waiting to participate in a low-altitude jump. His next memory was waking up to his family in the hospital two weeks later. Burson didnt remember the metal that hit his head or the flames that burned nearly half his body. In the 10 months after the crash, he struggled to walk and underwent three skin grafts and six surgeries. ''Just living is therapy,'' he said Spc. Tony Davis, who lost part of his leg in the blast, considered himself in better shape than the guys that got burned," he told the Observer on January 1995. Davis and two other burned soldiers were in the first Humvee to arrive at Womack Army Medical Center. Davis said he inched his way toward the back of the truck, carrying his leg in his hand. Then-Maj. Patricia Horoho, the emergency room head nurse who would go on to become a lieutenant general and the 43rd Surgeon General of the Army, grabbed Davis and helped him out of the truck. Horoho said Davis was frantic and yelled, Theres hundreds of us, to let the hospital staff know more injured were coming. She said that when she looked up from helping Davis, she saw truckloads of injured soldiers streaming in behind him. Davis leg was amputated that afternoon, and he was sent to Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington D.C. to learn how to walk again. Sgt. Jason Harper recalled he wasnt supposed to be at Green Ramp that March afternoon. He said he had just returned from leave that morning and had begged another soldier for his spot in the jump. The crash sent metal flying into Harper and others, snapping Harper's pelvis, hips and left femur. Harper said his breaks were clean and didnt require surgery, but he felt guilty he survived. 'Our finest moment:' Fort Bragg hospital looks back on response to 1994 Green Ramp disaster I had that feeling of, Why did I make it? Why did a guy married with two kids not make it?'' he said. Burns from the blast covered 43% of Lt. Jay Nelsons body. Nelson spent the first 10 weeks at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, where doctors said he was suffering from "ICU psychosis" when, at times, he thought he was in a fancy hotel, train, submarine or courtroom, according to a January 1995 article. Nelson said that after seeing the F-16 slam into the ground, skid and explode, his back, legs and hands were on fire. On the 10th anniversary of the crash, Nelson told The Fayetteville Observer that each anniversary he looks at his watch as it turns 2 p.m., the time of the accident. Nelson was part of D Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, and said he was listening to a prejump briefing on the day of the crash when he heard two popping noises. He later learned the noises were the pilots ejecting from the F-16. ''The fireball swept over me,'' Nelson said. ''The whole world turned orange. The air was literally sucked out of my lungs, it was so hot.'' Amid the fire and debris, ammunition from the jet's machine gun started exploding from the heat. Nelson said a staff sergeant guided him to a Humvee heading to the hospital with other burn victims. We were afraid we would stick to each other and afraid we would stick to the vehicle, he said. After being taken to Womack Army Medical Center, he was sent to the Fort Sam Houston burn center in San Antonio, Texas, where he spent 63 days recovering before heading back to Fort Bragg for six months of physical therapy and four months of occupational therapy for his hands. Nelsons goal was to get back to work as soon as possible. ''It made me feel like I was part of the team, he said. I wasn't just some pitiful guy over there.'' The Green Ramp Disaster, 24 years later Soldier recognitions In the immediate aftermath of the disaster, the Air Force did not formally recognize the airmen who rushed to the scene. In 2003, retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Bobby O. Floyd, who was commander of Pope's 23rd Wing when the crash happened, said that at the time, the Air Force felt it was not appropriate to present any awards due to its role in crash. It would be more than a decade later, before officials would finally recognize 11 airmen for heroism in response to the crash. A year after the crash, the Army also started recognizing soldiers for their response. Staff Sgt. Thomas White was one of those recognized. He recalled one of the injured soldiers who had run up to him screaming. My first reaction was, My God, where's this guy's clothes.' It took a minute for it to register that his clothes had been burned off, White said. White used his bare hands to put out fires on bodies, dragged soldiers to safety and loaded them in vehicles. The Army posthumously awarded the Soldier's Medal to Staff Sgt. Daniel Price, who died in the crash, for his actions in protecting a fellow soldier from the blast 19 years after Green Ramp disaster Remembering the fallen The following are those lost 30 years ago: Sgt. Alexander P. Bolz, Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment Pfc. Tommy Caldwell, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment Staff Sgt. Daniel Camargo, Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment Spc. Bee Jay Cearley, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment Spc. Sean M. Dixon, Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment Capt. Christopher D. Dunaway, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment Staff Sgt. Charles W. Elliott, Delta Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment Pfc. Paul B. Finnegan, Delta Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment Pvt. Mark E. Fritsch, Delta Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment Staff Sgt. Mark G. Gibson, Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment Capt. Kenneth J. Golla, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment Sgt. Gustavo Gallardo, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment Pvt. Phillip J. Harvey, Delta Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment Staff Sgt. James C. Howard, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment Pfc. Andrew J. Jones, Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment Staff Sgt. Alan D. Miller, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment Staff Sgt. Harry L. Momoa Jr., Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment Sgt. Gregory D. Nunes, Delta Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment Staff Sgt. Daniel E. Price, Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment Staff Sgt. Waddington Sanchez, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment Sgt. Vincent S. Strayhorn, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment Sgt. James M. Walters Jr., Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment Spc. Martin R. Lumbert, Delta Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment Spc. Matthew J. Zegan, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment Staff writer Rachael Riley can be reached at rriley@fayobserver.com or 910-486-3528. This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: How soldiers and survivors saw Green Ramp disaster 30 years ago Plenty of major corporations have announced net-zero emissions targets. And while that alone wont be enough to move the needle on climate change, these targets have gotten the ball rolling. Those net-zero goals are trickling down, too, influencing companies throughout the supply chain. Well-capitalized companies can track these carbon emissions throughout their operations by employing a dedicated team. Smaller companies, though, may not have the headcount for that. Enter Greenly, a five-year-old, Paris-based outfit whose main product is carbon accounting software, which pulls in customer data, including utility data, freight bills, cloud computing usage, and financial records. It takes that information and, coupled with its own data and algorithms, calculates carbon emissions by category and scope for customers. We have built a business on helping these SMBs and mid-market companies cope with those new obligations at a lower price, said co-founder and CEO Alexis Normand. The startups business has been growing at a reasonable clip. Greenly last year recorded over $10 million in annual recurring revenue. Normand hopes to double ARR annually for the next several years. To help hit those targets, Greenly is looking to expand beyond company-level carbon accounting and into life cycle assessments for individual products. When undertaken manually, these assessments can take weeks to months to complete, requiring companies to tally their materials and energy usage along with that of their suppliers to arrive at a carbon footprint figure for a single item. Greenly is hoping its automation-heavy approach will help smaller companies tackle those assessments more quickly and comprehensively by drawing on its carbon accounting expertise. In some industries, it is more and more of a requirement. Like in the manufacturing space, you cant sell to General Motors or Ford without giving the carbon footprint of every single spare part. In the garment industry and the construction industry, its becoming the same thing, Normand said. To fund those new initiatives, Greenly recently raised a $52 million Series B, TechCrunch has exclusively learned. The round was led by Fidelity International Strategic Ventures with participation by Benhamou Global Ventures, Energy Impact Partners, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, HSBC, Move Capital and XAnge. The company's fundraising was well underway before the recent SEC rules were approved, and while the then-proposed regulations were not the main driving force behind the round, they were a "booster." The fact that the fundraise is a sizable Series B helps it stand out among climate tech companies, which tend to encounter hurdles after the early stages before growth equity can step in, the so-called missing middle. Thats in part because Greenly is not a stereotypical hard-tech climate startup. It came into the round with an advantage: Its applying SaaS to climate tech, and SaaS is a business model thats well understood. Nobody asked us different metrics than they would have expected from another SaaS company, Normand said. Investors were not nicer to us because we were climate tech. They looked at things that everybody else looks at, like annual recurring revenue, retention and stickiness of the solution engagement, and so on. Greenlys Series B isnt necessarily a sign that its getting easier for climate tech startups to bridge the middle rounds. But it does suggest that venture investors are warming to climate tech more broadly, proving that theres a market for businesses focused on sustainability. Its a shift that may end up benefiting the entire sector. The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum settled a lawsuit Monday with students at a Greenville area Catholic school after an incident one year ago where the students were asked to remove their pro-life hats. When students from Our Lady of the Rosary visited the museum in Washington D.C. in January 2023, museum security personnel asked students to remove blue beanies they were wearing with Rosary Pro-Life" lettering, according to a federal lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court in Washington D.C. The fifteen plaintiffs and six potential plaintiffs, students or parents of minor children who are students at the school, as well as at least one chaperone for the trip, will receive a collective $50,000 settlement. This includes attorneys fees. The school and associated church itself are not plaintiffs in the lawsuit. Hat worn by students at Our Lady of the Rosary, a Catholic school in Greenville, on a trip to the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum. Museum personnel asked the students to remove the hats. A lawsuit filed by the students was settled on Mar. 18, 2024, for $50,000. The American Center for Law and Justice, a faith-based legal institution, represented the students in the lawsuit. The complaint, filed Feb. 6, 2023, lists the museum, museum director Christopher Browne, the Smithsonians Office of Protection Services, the OPS director and five anonymous police or security officers as defendants. According to the settlement, the plaintiffs allege they were subject to a pattern of ongoing misconduct when museum staff and security intentionally chilled their religious speech and expression by requiring the students to remove or cover their attire because of its pro-life messaging. The settlement also stipulates that Browne must give the students a tour of the museum on a date to be determined. For those Plaintiffs or Potential Plaintiffs who are unable to attend (the tour), Director Browne or his successor will provide an apology via...(a) video calling software platform, the settlement reads. Smithsonians OPS director must also issue the students an apology. The defendants in the settlement maintained they did not receive any verbal or written instruction, memorandum, or notice of any kind from the U.S. government instructing Smithsonian or Smithsonian contractor security officers to be on the look-out for and/or prohibit any visitor from displaying political or religious messaging, including anti-abortion or pro-life messaging. However, the Smithsonian agreed to distribute information to their facilities on current museum policy regarding the wearing of hats or other types of clothing with messages, including religious and political speech. A spokesperson for the National Air and Space Museum declined to comment further on the settlement. A representative with Our Lady of the Rosary church also had no comment for the Greenville News. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Charleston sent the Greenville News a statement Thursday afternoon. "We have always supported our students when they stand up for the rights of the unborn, the weak and vulnerable members of our human family, but also one of our first freedoms: the freedom of religion. Closely held beliefs are to be welcome in public places without fear of intimidation or persecution. We are proud of these young men and women and their holy courage to stand for all people, including the unborn." OLR Smithsonian Settlement by Chalmers Rogland on Scribd This embedded content is not available in your region. Chalmers Rogland covers public safety for the Spartanburg Herald-Journal and USA Today Network. Reach him via email at crogland@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Herald-Journal: Greenville students settle lawsuit with Smithsonian over 'pro-life' hats The headlines from Texass primary election earlier this month did not seem to hold much in the way of banner news for progressives. Representative Colin Allred won the dubious privilege of being the latest Democratic hopeful to bang his head against the iron wall of Ted Cruzs incumbency; like Beto ORourke, he will likely raise Democrats hopes and money in equal supply even as Cruz barely deigns to campaign and wins anyway. Beyond that, well, this is not supposed to be a surprise: Texas is full of right-wing Republicans, no? As it turns out, there are not enough of themor at the very least, those on hand were not far-right enough, according to many Republican primary voters. Rallied by separate and occasionally competing revenge tours by Governor Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton, many of the partys most dedicated voters followed their urging to oust a slew of objectively conservative politicians who did not fully embrace their particular agendas. Abbott targeted lawmakers who foiled his well-funded push to institute a school voucher program. One could claim here that Abbotts motivation related vaguely to some sort of political principle. Granted, the urgency Abbott brought to his payback scheme might have been juiced by the $6 million donation he received from Pennsylvania billionaire Jeff Yass. Yass is a school choice enthusiast and big-time ByteDance investor whose campaign finance largesse may also have been the fulcrum that moved Donald Trump on TikToks presence on American phones. Bloomberg has reported that Trump has deemed Yass in the mix for Treasury secretary should Trump be elected in November. Abbott needed only 11 more supporters in the legislature to complete his errand for Yass; he was able to pick up nine pro-voucher challengers outright; hes managed to push another four into runoff elections. Meanwhile, Paxtons vengeance crusade stems from one policy-adjacent concern and another incident whose tenuous relationship to policy is rooted more in pure self-interest. As to the former, Paxton barnstormed the state for candidates to replace the eight members of the state Court of Criminal Appeals who blocked Paxton from pursuing a minor voter fraud case (17 votes in an election won by fewer than 100) over three years ago (Paxton is nothing if not patient). He succeeded in upsetting three of them. His other vendetta stemmed from those House members who voted for his impeachment last year. This might seem like a matter of simple ideological alignment, but votes ultimately turned on whether legislators believed Paxton accepted a bribe from an Austin real estate investor to help shield that investor from an FBI investigation. Most of them didincluding Dean Phelan, the Republican House speaker. Paxton campaigned against more than 30 incumbents who voted for his impeachment. Eight challengers won, and nine are now in runoffs, including Phelan, who came in second to the Paxton-backed David Covey. Phelan will become the first House Speaker in 52 years to lose his primary reelection race. Of the two revenge tours, Abbotts had the most success, while Paxtons was the most aggressively self-centered. In some races, the two mens interests aligned. Across the state, insurgents benefited from these twin calls for vengeance. The spectacle of state leaders in the same party dueling with each other via local primaries broke with decades of precedent. Some outlets described the contest as one between conservatives and the ultraright, and its perhaps tempting to think Texas voters showed some measure of restraint. In any case, these elections were not a contest for the soul of the party or some kind of referendum on its direction. Aside from the specific points on which Paxton and Abbott judged candidates acceptabilitytheir unique allegiancethere is almost no ideological daylight between any of them. They are uniformly anti-abortion and, with one exception, against any form of gun control (the one guy who voted a gun control bill out of committee has been forced into a runoff). Phelan once seemed less committed than the rest of his party to terrorizing queer people but, mayhap due to the pressures of this campaign, has since come out in favor of bills targeting trans athletes. Indeed, Paxton and Abbott took pains to paint their preferred candidates as further to the right than the incumbents; what matters is that Texas has seen a mass mobilization of resources on the state and local level to move the party in line with the whims of two specific people. And while its indisputably true that relationships have always greased the skids of politics, whats new here is that Texas Republicans are policing their party membership based on the personal animosity of a few soi-disant kingpins. This is the true legacy of Trumpism and a blow to the democratic process as troubling as any specific legislative agenda. If the GOP is truly becoming something that marches under the banner of a con man with a bevy of criminal charges nipping at his heelsthat is to say, a crime cartelits all but inevitable that hell be followed not just by those aping his neofascistic policies but would-be kingpins bent on recruiting their own army of made guysall without much thought to ideology beyond the broadest strokes. This new Republican Party seems much less beholden to an absolute fealty to shareholder capitalism, to say nothing of the old purity tests that party machers such as Grover Norquist and the doughty free-market musketeers of the American Enterprise Institute once forced Republicans to pass. This old guard has begun to give way to more uncanny fellows: Christian nationalists, civil rights griefers, and Proud Boys patrolling our racial and gender divisions. Above all, this party seems less and less concerned with the ideals that have traditionally defined conservatism: a fealty to founders and institutions and a desire to safeguard the hearty foundations upon which the nation was built against the abrasive winds of change. In place of these duties, todays GOP is seeking out new figures around which personality cults might be built. To the extent there may one day be a Trump-size hole in that firmament, Texans Abbott and Paxton have gotten a head start in this race into the abyss. MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11) The owner and manager of well-known New York City pizza shop Grimaldis in Manhattan stole thousands of dollars worth of wages from at least seven workers, District Attorney Alvin Bragg announced Thursday. Owner Anthony Piscina, 63, and manager Frank Santora, 71, face charges for allegedly stealing up to $30,000 in wages from workers at Grimaldis Limelight Original Coal Fired Brick Oven Pizza on Sixth Avenue, authorities said. NYCHA residents without power, heat and hot water at Stapleton Houses for 2 days The owner and manager allegedly paid workers well under minimum wage one busboy was promised $10 per hour and was never paid, Bragg said. Piscina and Santora stand accused of giving employees paychecks that bounced, paying small sums over apps and making appointments to settle wages but never showing up, Bragg said. Bragg announced the charges Thursday while standing in front of text messages sent from Grimaldis workers pleading for their payment. I sure need money to pay my rent please, one text read. Photos show texts sent from employees at Grimaldis asking for their pay, according to District Attorney Alvin Bragg. (PIX11 News) According to the criminal indictment, Piscina allegedly told one employee who threatened to hire an attorney: Ive got three complaints on me. The state is not gonna do a thing. [These are] wages that they were entitled to for doing honest days work, Bragg said. In text messages to the defendants, the victims made it devastatingly clear how desperately they needed these funds. Both men were charged with scheming to defraud and failing to pay wages in accordance with labor law, according to Bragg. An initial phoned-in complaint, made last year to Braggs Worker Protection Hotline, kicked off the criminal investigation. Prosecutors dont think the scheme stops at these seven workers. Bragg on Thursday solicited any workers who believe they were cheated at Grimaldis to contact the unit at 646-712-0298. If convicted, they face up to four years in prison and restitution of unpaid wages. Theyre due back in court on May 1. A worker in 2014 accused Grimaldis of cheating them out of over $5,400 in wages, according to a wage theft monitor provided by Documented. A Grimaldis pizzeria in Brooklyn, which is tied to a slew of Grimaldis locations across the country, has also been accused of wage theft totaling $59,463 from seven workers, according to the wage theft monitor. The Manhattan location, meanwhile, has also bumped against city authorities for outstanding tax bills ranging from $14,445 to $35,660 at a time, New York Eater reported. The debt briefly shuttered the Sixth Avenue shop in 2018 owing over $117,000, Eater reported. A study by Documented and ProPublica found that from 2017 to 2021, over $203 million in wages had been stolen from about 127,000 New York workers. Emily Rahhal is a digital reporter from Los Angeles who has covered local news for years. She has been with PIX11 since 2024. See more of her work here and follow her on Twitter. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. Editors Note: If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or mental health matters, please call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 800-273-8255 to connect with a trained counselor, or visit 988lifeline.org. The alleged murder of a 13-year-old boy by his classmates in rural northern China has shocked the nation, igniting heated debates about school bullying, juvenile crime and the plight of tens of millions of children raised in the absence of their migrant worker parents. Three teenagers have been detained by police on suspicion of killing the boy at their junior high school in a village on the outskirts of Handan city in Hebei province, after his disfigured body was found buried in an abandoned greenhouse, state media reported last week. Authorities in Handan said the boy, identified by his surname Wang, was killed on March 10, and that all suspects were taken into police custody the following day. The crime had apparently been planned, as investigators had found the suspects started digging Wangs shallow grave a day before he was killed, according to police. Wangs family and their lawyer said on social media the boy had long been bullied by the three classmates, who are all under age 14. Their young ages, the accusations of bullying and the gruesome nature of the allegedly premeditated murder drew wide attention and outrage. Discussions about the incident have dominated Chinese social media in the days since, drawing hundreds of millions of views, with many calling for severe punishment of the perpetrators, including the death penalty. The tragedy also put the spotlight on Chinas generation of left behind children, living in rural areas often in the care of relatives, as their parents seek work in cities. Wang and the three suspects were all children of rural migrant workers, state media reported. The welfare of left behind children has become a hidden sacrifice of Chinas rapid economic rise, propelled by hundreds of millions of rural migrant workers who spent years toiling away from home to provide for their family. More than one in five children in China nearly 67 million under age 17 are left behind by their parents, according to the countrys latest population census in 2020. Numerous studies and surveys have shown that such children are more vulnerable to mental health problems like depression and anxiety, and to abuse and bullying. Wangs death is the latest in a string of tragic incidents involving left behind children that have caused public uproar in China in recent years. These children were often victims, but in some cases also perpetrators, of violent crimes. I think this incident may be just the tip of the iceberg. The entire group of left behind children needs more mental health support, said Shuang Lu, an assistant professor in social work at the University of Central Florida, who has studied the well-being of these children. The alleged murder Wang, who was living with his grandparents while his father worked in a coastal province, went missing on the afternoon of March 10 after leaving home to meet his classmates, the state-run Beijing News reported. He was last seen on security camera footage taken from a store by the school gate, sitting at the back of a scooter around three of his classmates. Before he vanished and his phone became unresponsive, all his money on WeChat, Chinas super app, totaling 191 yuan ($26) was transferred to one of the classmates, according to his father, who rushed home upon learning he was missing and logged in to his sons social media account in search of clues to his whereabouts. The next morning at the school, police questioned the three classmates, who had previously denied to Wangs family that they had seen the boy. One of them eventually told the police Wang had been killed and revealed where he was buried, according to the Beijing News. The overgrown greenhouse surrounded by dry weeds was only about 100 meters (330 feet) from the home of one of the suspects, according to the Beijing News. The boys uncle, who identified the body, told the outlet that Wangs face was severely damaged. Wangs father wrote on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, that his son was beaten to death and his body disfigured beyond recognition. (I) hope the government will be fair, open and just, impose severe punishment, and that the murderers will pay with their lives! he wrote underneath a video showing screenshots of the security camera footage that captured his sons final appearance in public. Wangs father did not respond to CNNs request for comment. The familys lawyer, Zang Fanqing, said in a video posted on social media site Weibo Monday that Wang had suffered long-term bullying from three of his classmates. The post has since been deleted. Another classmate told state broadcaster CCTV the three suspects had repeatedly locked Wang in a shed when they went to the bathroom during class breaks. (Wang) once wrote a note to the classmate sitting in front of him, saying he didnt want to go to class, he wanted to die, she told the broadcaster. Wangs aunt told told CCTV the boy had recently been reluctant to go to school and would often ask his grandfather for cash before he went. We thought the kid just wanted to buy some yummy food, so we didnt think much of it. Now thinking back, it all feels a little strange, she said. She blamed herself for not noticing the signs, recalling a post Wang had written on social media saying he had suicidal thoughts. I thought he was under academic pressure, so I told him: Dont feel any pressure about your studies. It doesnt matter whether you study well or not, the aunt said. Left behind children Concerns over bullying and violence among school children have been rising across China, as a growing number of incidents have been filmed on cellphones and spread on short-video platforms. Left behind children are particularly vulnerable. In a study published in 2021, nearly one in three of them reported recurrent bullying and victimization, compared with one in four rural children who live with their parents. A 2019 survey on left behind kids by a Beijing-based NGO found 90% of them suffered emotional abuse, 65% experienced physical violence and 30% said they had been sexually abused. Juvenile crime has also risen in China in recent years. Between 2020 and 2023, prosecutors charged 243,000 minors, with an average increase of 5% per year, CCTV reported earlier this month. In 2021, China lowered the age of criminal responsibility from 14 to 12 in an amendment to its criminal law, though it mandated that such prosecution must be approved by the Supreme Peoples Procuratorate, the countrys top body for investigation and prosecution. Lu, the US based academic, said the law is only one aspect of dealing with the problem after it has occurred, but the key to prevention lies in better care for childrens mental health. There must be some deep-seated family or social reasons behind a childs behavior. If their mental health problems are not fundamentally addressed, (this kind of tragedy) could happen again in the future, she said, citing the need to improve mental health awareness, prevention and intervention among children in Chinas vast countryside, where the topic is still often stigmatized. In the long run, the plight of millions of left behind children can only be addressed by narrowing the yawning inequality between the countryside and cities, Lu said. For decades, Chinas booming cities and factories have relied on the cheap labor of countless migrants without granting them access to urban social welfare benefits, including education for their children. Many left behind children only get to see their parents during holidays, not more than a few times a year. On Douyin, Wangs father posted a video of his son playing by the sea and looking back at the camera with a smile. Dad took you to see the ocean for the first time and asked you if you liked it? You said you did, and since then every summer break I would bring you here. Even now, I feel like Im in a dream, he wrote. Dad will never take you to see the ocean again, my poor child. CNNs Hassan Tayir and Wayne Chang contributed to this story. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Lancaster County has seen a growth in its population, but will voters approve of a big bond to build more schools? At $588 million, its the largest bond package the county has ever requested. Channel 9s Tina Terry spoke with board members and parents about the cost and the impact that it will have. RELATED: Committee discusses proposed $585 million schools bond referendum in Lancaster County The board voted to put the bond question on the ballot in November. If voters pass it, theyll pay more in taxes, but itll go to improvements that some say are long overdue. As a board, were focused on how do we respond to growth in the panhandle, and how do we respond to growth south of Highway 5 as it begins to grow in to Lancaster and into the Kershaw areas? said Melvin Stroble. The money would pay for renovations to Buford High School and Middle School, a new elementary school and high school in Indian Land, a new elementary school and renovations in Kershaw, and a new elementary school and renovations in Lancaster. If it passes, leaders say the mill rate would go up by 14 mills - that equates to a homeowner of a $100,000 home paying an extra $56 in taxes every year. ALSO READ: Capacity concerns could lead to more classrooms in Indian Land For some voters, the decision isnt entirely clear. Im undecided, Rose Kenne told Terry. I would, in the past, do anything for the schools. Lately, Im not sure about that. School leaders are encouraging people to study the full list of improvements that will be made to all four communities in Lancaster County. You can see that list by clicking this link. (WATCH: Lancaster High School sees success with vape detectors) Police in Orlando are investigating a deadly overnight shooting near Pine Hills. Officers said they were called around 3:49 a.m. for reports of a shooting on Sebastian Way. Police said they found Robert George Bowen, 50, with multiple gunshot wounds on Watch Hill Road. Photos: Gunman at large after person shot multiple times near Pine Hills, police say Read: Justice for DJ: Family of young man shot, killed speaks to WFTV one month after his death Bowen was taken to a hospital in critical condition and later died, officials said. Orlando police said they are actively investigating the shooting and do not have any information they can share on the gunman. Read: Construction worker dies after falling down 20-foot shaft in Orange County Channel 9 will provide updates on Eyewitness News. See a map of the scene below: This embedded content is not available in your region. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. The public is invited to celebrate the groundbreaking for Habitat for Humanity homes #140 and #141 this Saturday, March 23. This first groundbreaking ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. at 408 East 8th Street, Davenport, and the second will take place shortly after at 11 a.m. at 1436 West 8th Street, Davenport. These two home build projects, plus one more home build currently in progress at 2123 W. 6th St., Davenport, are being supported, in whole or in part, by federal funding to the state of Iowa by the American Rescue Plan Act. Each home build has received $172,724 in ARPA funds for its construction. Habitat for Humanity executive director Tom Fisher-King speaks at a meeting of a new advisory committee. This was a unique opportunity provided to Habitat for Humanity affiliates across the state of Iowa, thanks to the work of Habitat of Iowa, the state support organization for local affiliates, according to a Thursday release from Habitat Quad Cities. What a gift for the Quad Cities, Habitat executive director Tom Fisher-King said Thursday, noting his nonprofit has never received federal funding like this. Were not going to be able to have funds like this ever again. Habitat QC has a total of six home builds under way in Davenport as well as one home renovation that is nearing completion. The organization hopes to break ground on five additional home builds later this year, the release said. Habitats affordable homeownership program is a long-term solution to the current affordable housing crisis. Habitat partner families must complete a minimum of 250 volunteer hours of sweat equity and attend mandatory homeownership preparation classes with the support of a volunteer mentor. When their home build is finished, partner families purchase the home from Habitat with affordable monthly payments on a zero-interest mortgage. For more information, visit the Habitat website HERE. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. By Ralph Tedy Erol and Sarah Morland (Reuters) -Suspected gang members were killed during an attack on the Petion-Ville neighborhood on the southern outskirts of Haiti's capital, as a clash with police and locals pointed to a resurgence of vigilante justice while the state remains absent. The latest outburst of violence comes as the political future of the crisis-racked Caribbean island nation hangs in limbo. A Reuters reporter saw two suspected gang members including a leader known as Makandal killed and set on fire. Footage seen by Reuters earlier showed the bodies lying and being dragged on the street, one man with his hands cut off. Makandal's family home was also set on fire. Radio RFM reported citing police sources that the local population had been involved in a shootout in Petion-Ville, located on the southern edge of the capital Port-au-Prince. Almost a year ago, a group of Port-au-Prince residents lynched and set fire to around a dozen men believed to be gang members launching what became known as the Bwa Kale movement, a vigilante justice movement which rights groups say has sometimes been carried out with members of Haiti's police. POLITICAL VACUUM Earlier on Wednesday, Le Nouvelliste reported at least 15 people had been killed in attacks around Petion-Ville, home to several upscale hotels as well as around a dozen embassies. Residents there barricaded themselves inside their homes while armed men had carried out fresh attacks east of the city. Petion-Ville is close to hotels that gang leader Jimmy "Barbeque" Cherizier threatened last week, saying he would go after hotel owners hiding old-guard politicians. Despite Prime Minister Ariel Henry saying he would step down last week - a demand of the increasingly powerful gangs that control most of Port-au-Prince - violence has continued as Henry remains stranded outside the country. Meanwhile, the acting prime minister has extended a nightly curfew launched earlier this month. In a bid to tame the lawlessness that has increasingly gripped the country since its former president was assassinated in 2021, a presidential transition council has been brokered by international leaders but its makeup remains unclear and gangs have threatened politicians who take part. U.S. officials said last week they expected the council's makeup to be defined within a couple of days, but some factions tapped for representation rejected the plan or were unable to unite behind one leader. Those left out have criticized the council as empowering members of groups they considered to be corrupt. Meanwhile, security has been bolstered at embassies, while some nations have launched evacuations of foreign nationals. On Tuesday, the neighboring Dominican Republic said it had evacuated close to 300 people, including personnel from the European Union, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. With the airport closed, the U.S. said it was evacuating its citizens by helicopter. Across the city in Carrefour Feuilles, an alleged gang leader on Tuesday rallied supporters in a bid to retake control of the zone after heavy fighting forced thousands from their homes last August. Hundreds of thousands have been displaced within Haiti and thousands killed amid widespread reports of rape, arson and ransom kidnappings, while food prices soar and hospitals run short of key supplies such as blood and oxygen. (Reporting by Ralph Tedy Erol in Port-au-Prince and Sarah Morland in Mexico City; Editing by Rosalba O'Brien, David Alire Garcia and Lincoln Feast.) Sarah Molin's family are dependent on scarce donations and aid on the days they cannot raise $6 for food [BBC] Sarah Molin's life reflects the depth of Haiti's problems. A year ago, the 20-year-old was a computer science student living in a suburb of the capital, Port-au-Prince. But the failed state that Haiti is rapidly becoming has failed its young people most of all. Months of turmoil and political instability following the murder of President Jovenel Moise in July 2021 have culminated in the current spate of extreme gang violence. The fighting has already claimed many thousands of victims, from those whose bodies lie strewn in the streets, to others like Sarah and her family who were forced from their home last August and now live inside an abandoned cinema. Around 100 families have set up a makeshift camp inside the condemned building which, under normal circumstances, would not be deemed fit for human habitation. There is no sewerage or running water, and Sarah says their daily struggles to find food are becoming critical. "Sometimes we find food, sometimes we don't," she explains in a weary voice. Juggling her baby godson on her knee - her extended family is all in the camp at the disused Rex Cinema - she gives the appearance of a much older woman. "I go to school with no food, spend the day hungry and then go to bed still with nothing in my stomach," she explains. Many in the camp are suffering from illnesses. Sarah says disease is now spreading through their squatter community. Drugs and medicines are often prohibitively expensive given their food budget rarely stretches to the basics. "With six dollars we can provide for the family of four people (all adults) for a day," she says. On the days they can't raise those funds, they're dependent on scarce donations and aid. Even that can compound Sarah's sense of loss instead of bringing her some much-needed compassion. "Sometimes the staff act like they're doing us a favour when they give out the aid, and we feel humiliated," she says, "as though we were taking their food instead of donations." Sarah is just one of more than 360,000 internally displaced people in Haiti. Helicopter flights bringing aid in from the Dominican Republic have begun to arrive. But with the airport in Port-au-Prince and the port both still closed, far more is needed each week. Six-month-old Jeselin Joseph was dangerously malnourished a few weeks ago [BBC] The political impasse which followed the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry continues. Haitians are constantly told that a US-backed transitional council comprised of seven members is close to becoming a reality. But the interim administration has still not taken power or brought about any kind of stability on the ground in Haiti. The longer the power vacuum continues, the more the security situation descends into anarchy. It leaves millions caught in a perfect storm of politics, violence, homelessness and hunger. In search of a port in that storm, many to head to Cap-Haitien, a northern coastal city that has received thousands of people fleeing the capital. Cap-Haitien is comparatively calm in security terms. Whenever gangs tried to take root in a neighbourhood, they were forced out by swift police operations with the backing of the people, a senior city official told me. Nevertheless, the port city was already struggling to cope with the infrastructure needs of its own population, particularly in water and power, before it became the country's main safe haven. Children seemingly have more of a chance in Cap-Haitien, though. Six-month-old Jeselin Joseph was dangerously malnourished a few weeks ago. Fortunately, when I met him, he was happily draining a bottle of baby formula, his weight beginning to return. He still had the slightly distended belly and sagging skin which indicate malnutrition in children. But his grandmother Elvire Desir chuckled as he hungrily gulped down his meal. Jeselin was lucky. He was being cared for in the residential malnutrition centre of Second Mile, a local Haitian-run NGO. His mother has been ill and unable to care for him. Once his need was identified as critical based on a series of indicators including arm circumference, the team was able to transfer him to a hospital where he was put on a drip. The instructor at a nutrition class offered simple, potentially life-saving lessons that could be applicable to families across Haiti [BBC] "We have space to support 22 families," cofounder Jenn Schenk told me as we walked around their peaceful facility just outside Cap-Haitien. "Typically, mothers stay with us for around four weeks. But we also do follow-up visits in their communities to keep reinforcing the programme and help make sure the children don't fall back into severe hunger." It seems to be working. Only 1% of the kids who leave Second Mile need to be readmitted for malnutrition in the future. As we walked, a nutrition class was being held outdoors under a corrugated iron roof. In Creole, the instructor spoke about ways to provide foods with a high nutritional value on a low income, tips on how to identify malnutrition in children and how to treat diarrhoea in babies - simple, potentially life-saving lessons that could be applicable to families across Haiti. With next to no aid getting in and the gangs controlling the main arterial roads in and out of Port-au-Prince, the team at Second Mile have stocked up on emergency supplies while they're still available. With the international community pledging millions of dollars in aid, co-founder Jenn Schenk has concerns that the lessons of Haiti's past haven't been learned - particularly the chequered history of aid agencies and international organisations during the disaster response to the 2010 earthquake, which killed an estimated 200,000. "A lot of these larger NGOs fly in and fly out," she says. "They're handed all of these supplies and aid and suddenly all these funds to hire all these people to distribute it." Jenn Schenk says the mistakes of the disaster response to the 2010 earthquake should not be repeated [BBC] There is a real danger, Jenn Schenk suggests, that offers of lucrative but short-term contracts could undo years of hard work and teambuilding in smaller, locally run organisations like hers. "They're actually hiring from all these local NGOs when they could just help, you know, by paying their staff members and giving them the aid to distribute themselves." At this stage, neither donations nor human resources are getting into Haiti in any meaningful way. The response is still agonisingly slow for people like Sarah Molin, stuck living under a tarpaulin in the capital. Haiti's gang violence has already taken so much from Sarah. It has denied her a home, a steady source of income and food: all the basic tenets of her previous life. Now the chaos threatens to take her prospects too. Sarah says she has to give up her studies in computing to help the family find enough to eat, her education just one more casualty in a nation sinking into the abyss. Additional reporting by Jeremy Dupin, in Port-au-Prince MUSKEGON COUNTY Despite reaching a settlement that doesn't call for a monetary award, the year-long lawsuit between the Ottawa County Board and Health Officer Adeline Hambley could still cost taxpayers upwards of $370,000. Thirteen months after the board, led by a new far-right majority, attempted to fire Hambley, officials agreed she would remain in her role following a nearly 12-hour closed session Feb. 26. The vote to retain Hambley and her deputy, Marcia Mansaray, was unanimous. More: Ottawa County Board votes unanimously to retain Hambley as health officer As part of the settlement agreement, all litigation was dropped and a multi-session termination hearing ended with no determination. A judge must now decide how much, if any, of Hambley's attorney fees will be covered. Hambley's attorney, Sarah Riley-Howard, filed a motion with 14th Circuit Court Judge Jenny McNeill on Wednesday, March 20, requesting the county cover her fees and costs at $188,179.24. This embedded content is not available in your region. McNeill oversaw the case after all Ottawa County judges recused themselves. Howard believes the county should cover all of her costs, but county representatives argued in February she shouldn't be compensated for "motions we won." In her filing Wednesday, Howard said circuit courts have previously ordered Ottawa County to pay legal fees in litigation, even when the board largely prevailed. Judge Jenny McNeill speaks to Sarah Riley-Howard on Friday, March 31, 2023. "The respective trial courts held that those cases were necessary to resolve legal controversies relevant to their official positions in relation to the board," she wrote. The county's attorneys must respond to Howard's request by April 10. Howard's cost are only a portion of what the county will pay as a consequence of the lengthy litigation. As of Oct. 23, $178,834.74 in invoices were paid to the county's corporation counsel, as well as a handful of outside legal firms, to defend the county and individual officials against the lawsuit. The invoices were the most recent records available as of publication. Additional costs were likely incurred in December, January and February, with more court hearings and the 12-hour mediation session. Members of Ottawa Impact, founded by Board Chair Joes Moss and Vice Chair Sylvia Rhodea, attempted to demote Hambley to interim health officer shortly after they were sworn in Jan. 3, 2023. They intended to replace her with a candidate with no prior experience in public health. Hambley sued in February, kicking off a year of unprecedented strain between the board and the county's health department. In a Nov. 6 session, the board voted 7-3 to accept counsels recommendation regarding litigation and settlement activities in the case of Hambley v. Ottawa County. Following the meeting, multiple sources close to the matter told The Sentinel the agreement included paying Hambley $4 million to resign, plus the resignation of Mansaray. After reports of the settlement amount, Ottawa Impact commissioners attempted to walk back the agreement. As recently as Feb. 22, Moss referred to the settlement and dollar figure as a false narrative. Hambley filed a motion in court to see the settlement enforced, but during an evidentiary hearing in January, McNeil said, although an agreement was discussed, the public vote wasn't clear enough to be legally binding. Howard and representatives from Kallman have since disputed what was actually said in the hearing which was closed to the public. The Sentinel filed a motion Feb. 7 to have the transcript of the hearing released to the public. McNeill closed the courtroom after county attorney David Kallman sought to keep testimony by Clerk Justin Roebuck and Commissioners Moss, Jacob Bonnema, Roger Bergman and Doug Zylstra private arguing it was inappropriate for the public and media to be privy to discussions that took place during a closed session. In the end, only Roebuck testified. Joseph Richotte, attorney for The Sentinel, wrote in a filing that McNeill erred when she closed the courtroom. "Courtroom[s] cannot be closed and records cannot be sealed except on a written motion showing that a partys protectable interest outweighs the publics right of access," Richotte wrote. On Feb. 28, McNeill denied The Sentinel's motion. More: Judge denies request to release closed courtroom transcript In that decision, McNeill said she "struggled" with the decision, but concluded she "had no other choice" in order to keep potentially sensitive information private. The Sentinel appealed that decision Wednesday, March 20, in a filing with the Michigan Court of Appeals. This embedded content is not available in your region. "(The county) made an oral motion, the circuit court did not perform the required balancing test, and the scope and duration of the closure and sealing of records was not narrowly tailored," Richotte wrote in the new filing. Subscribe: Get all your breaking news and unlimited access to our local coverage "The (Court of Appeals) should vacate the circuit courts order, release any courtroom video recordings of the closed proceedings, and release the transcript of the proceedings to vindicate the publics right of access to judicial proceedings." A response from the court could take months. Sarah Leach is the executive editor of The Holland Sentinel. Contact her at sarahleach@hollandsentinel.com. Find her on Twitter @SentinelLeach. This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Hambley lawsuit could cost taxpayers more than $370K A woman from Milton Mills, New Hampshire was ejected from her truck during a crash amid a sudden snow squall early Thursday morning, New Hampshire State Police say. Rachel Maschino, 44, was driving her 2004 Chevrolet Silverado near Exit 15 in Rochester around 5:25 a.m. when she came upon slow-moving traffic due to the wintery conditions, an initial investigation by New Hampshire State Police said. To avoid crashing, she swerved, losing control of her vehicle and striking a guardrail along the Exit 15 off-ramp. The vehicle rolled over, ejectecting Maschino from the pickup truck. Maschino was rushed to a nearby hospital to be treated for serious life-threatening injuries. Her passenger, 25-year-old Timothy Yeaton, also suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Due to this crash, the Exit 15 southbound off ramp was closed for several hours to allow for treatment of the injured by emergency personnel and investigation of the crash scene by Troopers, NH State Police wrote on Facebook. Members of the Rochester Fire Department, Rochester Police Department, the New Hampshire Department of Transportation, and Bobs Automotive & Wrecker Service responded to the crash. The crash is under investigation by Trooper Daniel Bourque of New Hampshire State Police Troop A Barracks. Anyone with information pertaining to this crash is asked to contact Trooper Bourque at Daniel.J.Bourque@dos.nh.gov. 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 Kissimmee police Chief Betty Holland held a news conference Thursday afternoon to discuss her agencys investigation into the death of 13-year-old Madeline Soto -- almost one month after her initial disappearance. But Holland provided no major updates on the case during that news conference. Instead, she recounted a timeline of the case, outlining details that have already been made public. She said that she understands the immense public interest in the case and is committed to keeping the public informed of developments as new details come to light. But Holland stressed the importance of not rushing detectives in their meticulous investigation. Read: Madeline Soto: A timeline of her disappearance & death She said detectives have been relentless in investigating what has proven to be a complex case. Our questions are being answered, Holland said. Slowly but surely. Sotos mother reported her missing in late February after she never made it to Hunters Creek Middle School. Read: Madeline Soto: Story Jennifer Soto gave law enforcement doesnt line up with what investigators know 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 missing girls body was found March 1 in a wooded area near St. Cloud. No one has been charged in Sotos death, but investigators said Stephan Sterns -- the boyfriend of Sotos mother -- was the prime suspect in her disappearance and the last person to see her alive. On March 12, he was charged with 60 counts of child sex crimes after police said they discovered graphic photos and videos on his cellphone. Read: Madeline Soto case: Stephan Sterns faces 60 new charges Mr. Sterns is not going anywhere, Holland said Thursday. Hes in jail, and hes going to be there for a while. Sterns is being held at the Osceola County Jail. Watch updates to this developing story live on Channel 9 Eyewitness News. See Thursdays full news conference below: Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Mississippi Coast authorities have captured one of two men who were on the loose Thursday morning one who escaped a Harrison County work center and another who fled police in Ocean Springs, authorities said. Alex Daniel, who police said has several felony warrants, fled Ocean Springs police on foot and remains on the loose, authorities said Thursday morning. He was last seen at Clarks gas station on Bienville Boulevard, police said. His warrant is for felony eluding, Deputy Chief Steven Dye said. Police tried to stop Daniel in traffic early Thursday on U.S. 90 near the Ocean Springs Hospital but he fled in his vehicle, Dye said. Police deployed spike strips near Iberville Drive and Vermont Avenue, Dye said. Daniel continued across U.S. 90 and down Martin Luther King Jr Avenue, Dye said. He turned on Government Street and fled on foot near Forest Hill Drive near the YMCA, Dye said. A female passenger and child in the vehicle were not injured, Dye said. Police called in K9 units to search but had not located Daniel by 11:20 a.m. Thursday. Dye said Daniel does not appear to pose danger to the public. Police asked anyone with information to call the Ocean Springs Police Department at 228-875-2211. Authorities earlier recaptured an inmate who escaped a work center in Harrison County on Thursday morning, announcing by 10:30 a.m. that the inmate was in custody. Deputies had been searching in the area of Lorraine Road for 25-year-old Chase Lizana. Authorities arrested Lizana in January on several burglary charges, Harrison County jail dockets show. He faces one count of grand larceny, two counts of commercial burglary and two counts of burglary of a storage shed, the jail docket shows. He was off bond for the shed burglary charges and bound to a grand jury on his other charges, according to jail records. This is a developing story and may be updated. The council leader said she was "extremely disappointed" the meeting had to be adjourned A Hastings Borough Council meeting was cancelled moments after it was started due to a protest within the chamber. The full council meeting on Wednesday was the last before local elections in May. It is understood protesters had called for the meeting to hear the Green and Independent administrations motion on a ceasefire in Gaza, which was not granted. A council spokesperson said: "The meeting was adjourned due to the disruption. We won't be making any further comment." Green council leader Julia Hilton said she was extremely disappointed. Labour described the evenings events as a disgrace. A video of the council meeting shows it being closed within a minute of being declared open at around 18:00 GMT. Ms Hilton said it was the last opportunity for full council business to be carried out ahead of the pre-election period. "We were therefore extremely disappointed that the meeting was adjourned," she said. The event was adjourned by Labour mayor Margi O'Callaghan, who chairs council meetings. "Members of the public can't come and just shout over councillors," Ms O'Callaghan told BBC Radio Sussex. "They can ask any questions they like and they can do that in writing." 'No order' She said the protesters had been asked to leave, but "nobody went anywhere" and that the meeting was adjourned because she "didn't want to continue with no order". Katy Colley, who was among those in the public gallery, said "concerned local residents" were not seeking to prevent the meeting taking place. She added that the group had not been asked to leave the chamber, but had voluntarily left by 18:30. Local activist Gabriel Carlyle stood to speak when the meeting was declared open, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. He had been asking why the motion was not to be discussed by councillors. "There were a number of important items on the agenda for tonight, including debating a motion to support the Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill," said Ms Hilton. "These will now have to wait until the next full council in June." 'Valid speech' Labour said that while it "wholeheartedly" recognised the right of individuals to protest, the action taken at the meeting was not "legitimate". Councillor Heather Bishop, leader of the Labour group, said: "When such protests prevent the ability of democratically-elected councillors to meet to discuss and make decisions on important issues that matter to local residents, they move beyond legitimate protest and into mob rule." She added that actions by protesters at the meeting had been a "disgrace". But Independent councillor Andy Batsford said members of the public were making a "valid speech". "It's a disgrace. That motion needed to be heard. And also, the rest of the business needed to be heard as well." 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. More on this story Related Internet Links Lin-Manuel Mirandas smash hit musical Hamilton vs. dozens of DJs including Armin Van Buuren at Ultra? Hundreds of thousands will know what that throbbing, pulsating sound is for three days this weekend thats booming for blocks from downtown Miamis Biscayne Boulevard. These masses seek the source of that sound Friday through Sunday and to absorb the grooves and flashing lights. But for the many others stuck in traffic gridlock who may be in the area for a show at the Arsht, like Hamilton, or two Miami Heat home games Friday and Sunday at the Kaseya Center or who just are passing through may grumble and think of another old song while idling and fuming. ... Stop! Hey, whats that sound? Everybody look, whats going down? This is whats going down. The Ultra Music Festival, three days of electronic music spun by the worlds top DJs. Theater and basketball games along the same street. This means a lot of traffic. March in Miami means one thing: Ultra Music Festival is back. It has never been easier to get to and from the festival, with plenty of transportation options including public transportation, rail, the Freebee downtown circulator, ride sharing and even parking if you choose to drive, an optimistic Kim Hills told the Miami Herald in a statement. Shes the head of marketing and communications for the Miami Downtown Development Authority. Hopefully, this guide will make the easier comment ring true. Or keep you away just for a few days if you arent going to any of these big happenings this weekend in downtown Miami. When is Ultra in Miami? Ultra Music Festival 2022. The electronic music event returns to Miamis Bayfront Park March 22-24, 2024. Ultra Music Festival The general details for the 2024 Ultra Music Festival: When: The Ultra Music Festival runs Friday-Sunday, March 22-24, at Bayfront Park in downtown Miami. The majority of Bayfront Park will be closed until Monday, except the childrens park and dog park will stay open. Friday: Gates open at 4 p.m. until midnight. Saturday: Gates open at noon until midnight. Sunday: Gates open at noon until 10 p.m. MORE: Miami Music Week returns with techno-fueled line ups at events all around the county AfterLife Rickenbacker traffic Ultra isnt only about the main event at Bayfront. There are many other electronica events as a part of Miami Music Week. AfterLife Music Festival is one of these events on Thursday and Friday nights, March 20-21, on the open lot of the old Miami Marine Stadium as you head toward Key Biscayne. AfterLife is expected to draw 15,000 people each night and will create intermittent traffic delays between 9 p.m.-3 a.m. Thursday night to Friday morning and Friday night to Saturday morning on the Rickenbacker Causeway and surrounding areas, according to Miami police. Gates open from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Thursday and Friday. Peak arrivals are 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. each night and peak departures are 1:30 a.m. to 3 a.m. each night Road closures The road closures and detours will begin about 9 p.m. Thursday to prepare and continue until about 7 a.m. Monday, when barriers should be removed, according to the Miami Police Department. Biscayne Boulevard northbound traffic will be re-routed to the southbound lanes at Southeast First Street and return to the normal traffic flow at Northeast Fourth Street. Biscayne Boulevard southbound traffic will be re-routed westbound at Northeast Sixth Street and detoured to Northeast Second Avenue and/or North Miami Avenue. There will be no southbound traffic on Biscayne Boulevard from Northeast Sixth Street. Access to PortMiami will always remain open on Northeast Fifth Street. Police recommend that drivers use the Port of Miami Tunnel, which can be accessed from I-395. Public transportation Metromover and Metrorail are expecting 200,000 riders throughout the weekend. Service on Friday, March 22, and Saturday, March 23, will run until 2 a.m. the following morning and on Sunday, March 24 until midnight. Parking at any Metrorail garage or surface lot is $4.50 for the day and remains open into the following day given the long hours of Ultra. Cost and where to disembark: Metrorail is $2.25 for a one-way trip or $5.65 for a one-day pass to the Government Center station. From there, transfer to Metromovers Inner Loop (free) and disembark at the College/Bayside, First Street or Bayfront Park Metromover station. Tri-Rail and Brightline will also be running on extended hours. Final Brightline late-night trains from MiamiCentral Station depart at 1 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday mornings and 11 p.m. on Sunday night. Tri-Rail special late-night trains depart from the MiamiCentral Station around 1 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday mornings and 11 p.m. on Sunday night. Rideshares like Uber and Lyft. There will be a rideshare geo-fence for drop off on East First Avenue, but will allow people to be picked up as far east as East Second Avenue. Freebee downtown circulator will be running a special route during the Ultra weekend: Friday: 7:30 a.m.- 11:30 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m.- 11:30 p.m. Sunday: 10 a.m. -9 p.m. Parking All Miami Parking Authority parking garages will be open. The College Station garage at 190 Northeast Third Street has about 600 spaces. Parking is a $30 flat rate all day, no in and out. Lot 92 at 233 Northeast Fifth Street the Miami Dade College lot has 225 spaces. Parking is also $30 flat rate all day, no in and out. Lot 92 is across the street from Ultras stages. Safety Walk Feel uneasy walking alone during Ultra? Miamis Downtown Development Authority has extended its hours for its Safety Walk program. DDAs ambassadors in bright orange will offer free safety walks between noon and 2 a.m. from Friday through Sunday, March 22-24. Call 305-415-3896 to request accompaniment by a DDA ambassador. Miami Heat games Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) drives toward the basket on Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) during the second half of an NBA game at Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida, on Wednesday, March 13, 2024. D.A. Varela/dvarela@miamiherald.com Ultra has competition in the same downtown Miami neighborhood. There are two at-home Miami Heat games scheduled at nearby Kaseya Center on Biscayne Boulevard. 8 p.m. Friday: the Heat vs. New Orleans Pelicans. 6 p.m. Sunday: the Heat vs. Cleveland Cavaliers. Arsht Center events A scene from Hamilton which is being staged at the Adrienne Arsht Center in Miami through March 24, which coincides with Ultra in downtown Miami. Joan Marcus The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts is far from dark during Ultra. For one, Hamilton is in the house. Parking: Our No. 1 tip for guests coming to the Arsht Center is to secure their parking in advance, said spokeswoman Suzette Espinosa Fuentes. An official Arsht Center lot is $10-$25 and you can pre-pay up to two hours ahead of the performance. Parking information is at arshtcenter.org/parking. Valet may also be purchased ahead of time, no less than 24 hours ahead of showtime, she said. Arrive early: Espinosa encourages guests to arrive early to the area. Lobbies at the Arsht open 90 minutes before each show, including concessions and the Accent Cafe in the Carnival Tower. Events during Ultra weekend at the Arshts concert hall and opera house: Grupo Niche, 8:30 p.m. Friday. Cabaret. The musical has performances at 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Hamilton. The musical has performances at 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday and also a 2 p.m. Saturday matinee and a 1 p.m. Sunday matinee and an additional 7 p.m. evening show. Family Fest/Jazz at Lincoln Centers Let Freedom Swing at 1:30 p.m. Saturday. Information and Ultra 25 Ultra will also have a community hotline for any questions regarding the event at 786-767-7272. The line is open now and is available beyond the event through April 2. Also visit https://ultramusicfestival.com When is the next Ultra? Ultra 2024 is sold out. The 25th anniversary edition is March 28-30, 2025, in downtown Miami. A person is hurt after an explosion at an oil refinery in Ohio. >>I lost everything; Couple shares story of survival after deadly tornado hits mobile home park Defiance firefighters were dispatched around 4 p.m. after an explosion caused a fire at Glycerin Traders, according to CBS affiliate WTOL in Toledo. The Defiance Police Department posted a warning on social media Wednesday afternoon asking the public to avoid the area due to an emergency situation. Fire Chief Bill Wilkins said the property has extensive damage, but no indication of what happened. >>Police asking for help in finding man who tried to use bad check in Kettering Businesses and residents also told WANE-TV that they heard and felt the explosion. I thought somebody actually like hit our house and I was like, Oh, what the heck? said Robert Clark. And so I turned around and hes like, No way, and when you turn around you saw a big metal thing go about 10-20 feet in the air. Aaron Johnson lives across the street from the facility and thought it was thunder at first, WTOL reports. We heard a loud bang, he said. I see the buildings start to collapse, the roof caved in and yeah, it was just real crazy. There was a lot of smoke. I just was worried that there were people in there and if anybody got hurt. Glycerin Traders processes raw glycerin to produce crude glycerin, reclaimed methanol, and fatty acids, and provides other services, according to its website. The extent of that persons injuries is unknown currently. VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) In our Children of Change segments, WAVY.com features children in the area who are working hard to make our community a better place to live. In March 2021, we featured Keira Lozada. At the time, she was an 8th grader at St. Gregory the Great Catholic School in Virginia Beach. She helped create a fundraiser for the Heartbeat Bear Project at Childrens Hospital of the Kings Daughters. Now, Lozada is a junior at Catholic High School. As a member of the National Honor Society, she created a fundraiser to once again raise funds for this program. The Heartbeat Bear Project provides families with a recording of the last heartbeats of their child before they pass away. That heartbeat is forever memorialized inside a teddy bear. Anything that we can do to help them is just so important, and we have to work together as a community to help these people that are in so much pain, said Lozada. This year, as part of a community service project, students at Catholic High had the opportunity to donate to the Heartbeat Bear Project. We offered a Christe service opportunity for kids who donated five or more dollars, and thats what drove people to donate. Not getting something, but giving something. So, theyre giving twice fold money in their time and service, said Lozada. She says the Heartbeat Bear Project helps families understand their child will never be forgotten. This child, although their body has passed on, their soul stays with them and their memory lives on forever. Thats what this is. Its legacy building, and this child, although physically is gone, will stay mentally and emotionally and will never really leave them, said Lozada. Mary Katherine Kit Tate is a chaplain at CHKD. She is with the families when a childs final heartbeat is recorded, and the bear is put into their arms. Sometimes, to be honest, when they get the bear, its one of the few smiles that we see and they hug the bears and they hold on to them and they smile, and its just that almost like a visceral connection to their child, said Tate. The students of Catholic High School raised more than $2,300 dollars for the Heartbeat Bear Project. That will help create more than 200 bears for families. We can only do this because of the work and the generosity of Saint Gregorys and now Catholic. We dont have a budget item for (the Heartbeat Bears). As Keira so articulately said, so much of the difficulty with people when we lose patients are because parents are worried that folks are going to forget their children and their identity changes, especially if they only have one child. Am I still a parent? Are people going to remember that Im a mom? Are they going to remember that Im a dad? But also, are people going to remember my child, the most precious thing in your life and you lose them? So, we do a lot of legacy building. I feel like the Heartbeat Bears are the most important, because its such a physical and emotional connection, said Tate. The chaplain said she is in awe of Keira and her efforts to help fund Heartbeat Bears over the years. She found out about it because her mom happens to be a cardiologist at CHKD, and she knew that they did this. When Keira found out that we had done them for a few people, but it wasnt something that we could do for everyone, she took it upon herself to go to school and raise the money and to be able to fund this. So, were in our fifth year now of of doing this. So, because of their fundraising, we are not only able to give one to a family, we have families that are blended. Families and parents that dont reside together. Were able to give one to mom and to dad. If you are interested in donating to the Heartbeat Bear Program at CHKD, Tate says you can send a donation to the hospital. They would just need to specify for the Heartbeat Bear program, and they can actually go to make it easier for some folks, go on the website and theres a way to donate money on the website and they would just specify that its for the heartbeat. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. The U.S. federal government has its eyes on the monopolistic practices of the major technology companies. After the lawsuits filed by the Department of Justice against Google and by the Federal Communications Commission against Amazon and Meta, it is now Apples turn. The Department of Justice is finalizing a lawsuit against the company headed by Tim Cook for monopolistic practices that it considers illegal, according to Bloomberg, which notes that the legal action could be filed this Thursday. The promotion of competition and the fight against monopolies are some of the banner policies of President Joe Biden. His government has not only sued technology giants, but has also shown its opposition to mergers and acquisitions that it believed could reduce competition in the market. Microsoft managed to get its purchase of Activision through the courts despite opposition from the authorities, but other operations have been derailed. The Department of Justice filed two lawsuits against Google, one for alleged abuse of its dominant position in the search engine market which has gone to trial and is awaiting judgment and another for its monopolistic behavior in the digital advertising market, which is still pending. Now, the same Department, headed by Attorney General Merrick Garland, has targeted Apple, a company it had already targeted in two other minor cases. The new lawsuit accuses the tech giant of violating antitrust laws by blocking rivals from accessing hardware and software features of its iPhone, Bloomberg reported. The publication of the news by the financial agency caused an immediate 1% drop in Apples share price in post-market trading. For a company worth $2.7 trillion on the stock market, that represents a loss in value of about $27 billion. The offensive against Apple is not only being waged in Washington. Earlier this month, the European Commission imposed a fine of almost $2 billion on the company for abuse of a dominant position in the streaming music market. This breach of European competition laws, according to the European Commission, is based on the U.S. technology company preventing its competitors for example Spotify from reaching potential customers who use iPhones or iPads and offering them alternative services to Apple Music, or cheaper offers. In addition, Apple is also facing demands from its competitors. The pressure intensified Wednesday when Meta Platforms, Microsoft, the social network X and the firm Match Group allied themselves to a complaint by Epic Games the maker of the video game Fortnite that Apple has breached a court order regulating payments in its app store. The tech companies, which have developed some of the App Stores most popular apps, claim Apple has clearly breached the 2021 court order by making it harder for consumers to pay for digital content more cheaply. Epic sued Apple in 2020, alleging it violated antitrust law by forcing consumers to obtain apps through the App Store and charging developers up to 30% commission on purchases. The injunction required Apple to allow developers to provide links and buttons to direct consumers to alternative payment options. Last week, Epic demanded that Apple be held in contempt, claiming that the new rules and a new 27% fee imposed on developers rendered the links effectively useless. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Long-time state representative Bill Herbkersman of Bluffton has filed for re-election even though he bought a house outside his district in 2021 and no longer owns the home he lived in when he last was elected. Herbkersman sold his previous May River Road home in 2022 for $3.54 million. Two years before that, he paid $2.15 million for a home in the Myrtle Island neighborhood of Bluffton. Beaufort County property records show that Herbkersman then sold the new home in 2021 to his daughter Shelby for $10. That home is on land in the district of fellow Republican Weston Newton, who also lives in Myrtle Island. South Carolina state law requires that legislators live in the district they represent on the day they file paperwork to run. Herbkersmans filing paperwork shows he is claiming his residence as an apartment in Blufftons Promenade, in a building owned by his development company, State of Mind Street Partners. In an interview with The Island Packet, Herbkersman confirmed the transactions and reaffirmed the Promenade apartment as his legal address and the Myrtle Island home as his daughters primary home. He said he keeps his cars at the Myrtle Island home because he does spend time there and is redoing the property for her. Herbkersmans decision to run again and his interpretation of the legality of his eligibility could become an election season issue for him and potentially draw legal challenges from opponents or other interested parties. My guess is that some challenger is considering whether or not theyre going to file a lawsuit and ask for a declaratory judgment on the issue of where this man, in fact, lives, said John Crangle, a Columbia attorney and longtime government ethics watchdog. Crangle said pursuing a case in the courts wouldnt be cheap but noted that campaign money can be used to pay for litigation. You may have a party that put some money up, he said. You may have a political action committee that put some money behind them, (or) the candidate might have personal money. If an opponent were able to prove that Herbkersman had misrepresented the address of his primary residence, that would likely be the end of his political career, according to Crangle. A check of Beaufort County property tax rolls shows Herbkersmans car tax bill is being sent to the Myrtle Island address, but there is no rule that the address on record be his official residence. The rolls also show Shelby Herbkersman as the person responsible for tax payments on the home. Herbkersman has mostly been unopposed when seeking re-election. Only three people have challenged him since 2008. Herbkersman beat former County Council member Mike Covert in the 2020 Republican primary with a little more than 60 percent of the vote, then went on to beat Democrat Mitchell Siegel in the general election. Herbkersmans District 118 encompasses central and western Bluffton as well as Sun City and parts of Okatie. Newtons District 120 includes the rest of Bluffton, including Myrtle Island, a small portion of Jasper County and Habersham. Leaders of several state universities reacted this week to Alabama's new "divisive concepts" restrictions and shared their vision for the path ahead after the legislation was signed Wednesday by Gov. Kay Ivey. The newly passed law restricts the implementation of diversity, equity and inclusion programs certain public entities, including public institutions of higher education. The University of Alabama System released a statement signed by Chancellor Finis St. John and the three universities' respective presidents addressing how the institutions will adapt to the new law once it takes effect in October. The system consists of the University of Alabama, the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the University of Alabama at Huntsville. "The University of Alabama System and each of its institutions are dedicated to our mission of providing exceptional educational, research and patient care experiences to all people, of all backgrounds, in welcoming and supportive environments that foster open thought, academic freedom and free expression. This priority will remain," the statement said. "We recognize differences strengthen our campuses and help us successfully prepare students to live and work in a global society. We remain committed to recruiting and retaining outstanding students, faculty and staff from all backgrounds, providing open and equal access to resources and opportunities, and equipping all campus community members for success at our universities and beyond." Students walk to and from classes in front of Denny Chimes on the Quad at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. Ken Kitts, president of the University of North Alabama, said that the university had "been monitoring SB 129 since it was first introduced" and that UNA "moved away from the divisional structure and embraced a decentralized model for campus diversity efforts" in 2022. "The new model also allows UNA to be well-positioned to adapt to changes that may be required under the new law. We will continue to work with campus stakeholders to ensure UNA maintains its welcoming environment for all students, faculty and staff," Kitts said in an email to UNA's students, faculty and staff. More: Alabama lawmakers give final approval to restrictions on 'divisive concepts' in education Since the bill's passing, other organizations also have voiced their stances on the matter. The constant barrage of divisive concepts that have been pushed onto students at The University of Alabama over the past several years is incredibly alarming, and there is a strong sense of fear among students who quietly question the narratives that are imposed on them every day on campus. That must come to an end, said Riley McArdle, Chairman of University of Alabama College Republicans. We applaud the Alabama State Senate for passing this legislation, and we are particularly grateful to Senator Barfoot for leading the charge on this issue." The Southern Poverty Law Center, expressed its disappointment in the bill, saying it goes against social justice in the state. This unjust and inhumane bill ignores the will of the people and threatens years of progress toward racial and social justice and LGBTQ+ rights for generations to come, said Jerome Dees, Alabama policy director of the SPLC Action Fund. Students and workers value diversity, equity and inclusion in their schools and workplaces because it makes us all safer." Victor Hagan is the Alabama Election Reporting Fellow for the USA TODAY Network. He can be reached at vhagan@gannett.com or on X @TheVictorHagan. To support his work, subscribe to the Advertiser. This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Alabama universities react to the state's new 'divisive concepts' law It was the photo seen, and questioned, round the world. In early March 2024, amid questions of Kate Middletons whereabouts and well being following her January surgery, Kensington Palace issued a photo of the Princess of Wales with her three children. The photo, according to a March 10 statement, was taken the week prior by Prince William. Within 24 hours, major news agencies issued a kill order for the photo for manipulation issues. TODAY.com spoke with experts about what they said were evidence of photoshop fails, like the sleeve of Charlottes maroon sweater not connecting completely. In an official apology shared to Kensington Palaces X account, the Princess of Wales apologized for her hand in the controversy. Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing. I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused. I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mothers Day. C, Kate wrote in the post at the time. Manipulation of royal photos came under the spotlight again a week later, when the photo agency Getty Images said a photo showing the late Queen Elizabeth surrounded by several of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren was digitally enhanced. The photo was shared in April 2023 on what would have been the late monarchs 97th birthday. The palace said Kate, who is a known amateur photographer, took the photo. A visual analysis of the photo by NBC News found evidence of editing inconsistencies in the picture that suggested manipulation. NBC News analysis also found that the jaw and neck areas of both Prince Louis and Prince George appeared to have been altered, possibly to hide the appearance of a lens flare or to clean up their face lines. Buckingham Palace declined to comment on the photo in an email to NBC News. These examples are not the first time the royals have been suspected of editing images shared on their social media pages. In other instances, photos of royals in magazines were also suspected of being altered, though magazines are known to retouch photos. Photographs play an important role for the royal family, as the public figures use them to convey a visual narrative of their lives, legacies and endeavors. Beyond marking and celebrating milestones, visuals have been known throughout the history of the British monarchy to evoke a favorable image to the public that is both authentic and transparent. But that means they come under extra scrutiny. Here are past instances the royal family has been thought to edit photos. Will and Kate's family Christmas card (2023) Our family Christmas card for 2023 Josh Shinner pic.twitter.com/X9du9EkpaI The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) December 9, 2023 Kensington Palace celebrated the holiday season by releasing a black-and-white photograph of William, Kate and their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. At the time, users accused the palace of editing the photo when they pointed out the look of Louiss middle finger, which appeared to be missing or oddly positioned. Why is your son missing a finger? one user asked in the posts X comments. And whose legs are those? You should get a new Photoshop person. The royal family never publicly issued a response to the edit accusations. Portrait of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip (2020) This new photograph of The Duke of Edinburgh and The Queen was taken last week in the quadrangle at Windsor Castle to mark His Royal Highnesss 99th birthday tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/RCAZeioUjq The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) June 9, 2020 An official social media account for the British Royal family released a portrait of the late Queen Elizabeth II and her late husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, for his 99th birthday, which he celebrated at Windsor Castle. Users on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, were quick to point out different aspects of the photo that appeared to have been edited, including the queens hands. Meghan Markle and Prince Harrys birth announcement (2019) Harry, Williams younger brother, and his wife Meghan Markle announced they were expecting their second child, Princess Lilibet, on Valentines Day in 2019. The black-and-white photograph that they attached to the announcement showed the couple lying in the grass with Meghans pregnant stomach in view. Three years after the image was shared, the pictures photographer, Misan Harriman, made it clear that the photo was not digitally manipulated. Harriman, in a video posted March 13, accused Daily Mail of misreporting an interview he had with Michael Berkeley on the BBCs Private Passions podcast in 2022. Unfortunately, theres been an article on the Daily Mail, saying that I have admitted to doctoring the pregnancy announcement portrait I took of Harry and Meghan, Harriman said. Apparently, I was switching out trees and meadows. This is crazy. He shared the original photo, in color, along with a screenshot of its metadata to his Instagram page on March 13. Meghan and Harry's Christmas card (2019) So proud to have taken the Christmas photo for one of my best friends and her family. Heres the original that was sent out. pic.twitter.com/75aGNPR88X janina gavankar (@Janina) December 25, 2019 Not long after Harry and Meghan released an e-card featuring a black-and-white photograph of their 7-month-old son, Archie, the Daily Mail accused the couple of editing the image. Janina Gavanka, an actor and friend of Meghan's who photographed the picture, took to X, the platform then known as Twitter, to debunk the theory. Gavanka suggests the Daily Mail had edited her original image. I am so proud to have taken the Christmas photo for one of my best friends and her family, she wrote at the time before adding in a follow-up message: ...and to The Mail, I see your campaign against my friend continues. Nice Photoshop of my non-photoshopped image. Now, may we all get back to the spirit of Christmas and not the spirit of maliciousness. Meghan's Elle magazine cover (2019) When Meghan Markle posed for the cover of Elle France in 2017, fans accused the magazine of covering her freckles. The photo edit happened in spite of Meghans previous comments that to this day, my pet peeve is when my skin tone is changed, and my freckles are airbrushed out of a photo shoot. The photos appear from a photoshop conducted by Gritty Pretty magazine two years before, in 2015. William's Vanity Fair cover (2014) Vanity Fair faced accusations of digital alteration when Prince William appeared on the magazines cover with Kate and newborn George. People zeroed in on his hairline. Vanity Fair later denied that the photo of the royal was altered, telling E! News at the time: We did not Photoshop the cover to make Prince William appear to have more hair ... We gave the image a poster-like palette. We added some shadow to Prince William to make the white type more legible and to place more emphasis on Prince George. This article was originally published on TODAY.com The Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust in Hull has been taking part in the study funded by The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood The Princess of Wales has been working from home on her early years project to improve the lives of babies, as she eases back into normal life after her abdominal surgery. Kensington Palace confirmed that she had been kept up to date with her campaign and the overwhelmingly positive results of a study she inspired. It comes after a security breach emerged this week in which members of staff at the private hospital where the Princess was treated allegedly attempted to access her medical records. Three workers have reportedly been placed under investigation by the London Clinic. The Princesss Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood has funded a trial of a baby observation tool, which is to be used by health visitors to improve how they spot signs of social and emotional development in young children, with the results being published today. Having personally suggested that the tool could be used in Britain after seeing a similar system during a royal visit to Denmark, the Princess has been particularly invested in the four-month trial. A spokesman for Kensington Palace said: The Princess has been kept updated throughout the process. On Tuesday, other members of the Royal family were seen carrying out public duties as normal despite the continued social media storm over the Princesss edited Mothering Sunday photo. The Prince of Wales made a visit to Combermere Barracks in Windsor, as the Colonel of the Welsh Guards, while the Queen represented the monarch on a public engagement in the Isle of Man. The King, meanwhile, was pictured leaving his London residence in a separate car ahead of his wife as royal well-wishers lined the Mall to wave to Their Majesties. The comment from Kensington Palace is the first official update on the Princesss early years work since her recovery from surgery in January, during which she has been taken off public duties. Ordinarily, she would have been expected to undertake engagements relating to the studys publication. Instead, she has been at home recovering and is just starting to get back on her feet for small outings, including to a Windsor Farm Shop at the weekend. NHS staff in Hull have been trained on how to use the Alarm Distress Baby Scale model to help support families in their care The Princess of Waless Centre for Early Childhood will today report the results of a study conducted in two NHS trusts by the Institute of Health Visiting and the University of Oxford. It asked health visitors to use a version of a tool known as the Alarm Distress Baby Scale (ADBB), which focuses on a babys social behaviours such as eye contact, facial expression, vocalisation and activity levels, to help experts and families better understand the ways babies express their feelings. Those who used it reported an increase in their knowledge and skills in interpreting baby behaviour, which left them better able to support families. The report recommends expanding the use of the tool to health visiting teams in more areas of the UK. Hugely beneficial The trial was inspired by the Princess of Waless trip to Denmark in 2022, where she met families who had benefited from the ADBB system and returned home wanting to see if it would translate to Britain. It has been funded by the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood. Health visitors from South Warwickshire described the training as hugely beneficial and of great importance to their practice, requiring minimal additional time during appointments. They also reported that it allowed them to have more meaningful conversations with parents about their babys emotional wellbeing, boosting positive parent-infant attachment and identifying families in greater need of support. They identified behavioural concerns in 10 per cent of the babies during the study as a result of using the tool. Staff at the Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust in Hull Christian Guy, executive director of the Centre for Early Childhood, said: The results of the initial phase of testing are so encouraging. We now want to move quickly to ensure we build on this work, bringing the benefits of this model to more health visitors across the country so that, ultimately, more babies and their families get the support they need to thrive. Dr Jane Barlow, professor of evidence-based intervention and policy evaluation at the University of Oxford, who oversaw the evaluation of the trial, said: It is truly exciting to think about [the] impact this could have on families right across the country as we enter the next phase of this research. The Princess has regularly spoken of the importance of the first five years of life, as well as her hopes for prioritising the social and emotional development of all children. The Centre for Early Childhood was established in 2021 and is part of The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales. 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. DENVER (KDVR) Housekeys Action Network Denver recorded a video showing an encounter with Denvers director of encampment response about a sweep on Jan. 23. That video was provided to FOX31 in a news release. In the video, a member of the group can be seen and heard questioning the director about the number of shelter spaces available during a sweep of a migrant encampment. Denver metro has some of the worst grocery stores in the US: report The group HAND for short said the encampment was housing about 10 people in a field near the corner of 51st Avenue and Emerson Street when the sweep took place on Jan. 23. The group alleges the sweep took place hours before its scheduled time when all shelters were full. FOX31 was told the encampment was in a field on park property. Park Rangers followed city guidelines required for camping ban enforcement on Parks property, which does not require any prior notice for an encampment near 51st and Emerson, Deputy Director of Communications Jose Salas said. And if you look at that day January 23rd shelters were over capacity, HAND organizer Terese Howard said. But a spokesperson for the city of Denver said 107 beds were available that day. An encampment at 51st and Emerson can be seen on Jan. 23 from SkyFOX. Is Denvers shelter tracking system accurate? HAND members said migrants should not have been moved from the encampment near 51st and Emerson, where they had found a safe place. The group alleges the director of encampment response did not give accurate information regarding shelter space saying there was room. In the video, the director can be heard saying there were more than 80 beds available when the sweep was taking place. A city spokesperson said the director was correct and that personnel acted according to city policy and offered migrants at the encampment services, storage and shelter. Another housing advocate Amy Beck of Together Denver, whose name was mentioned in the video said the citys shelter bed count system is unreliable and puts people at risk. So we need a dashboard. We need a public view of the shelter space that is available so that we can pull that website up at any time and see where the beds are so we can take someone there, Beck said. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox Housing advocates continue to call for more and clearer transparency when it comes to how many beds are available and where at any time. The city spokesperson said the director of encampment enforcement was on track with how the city is getting people off the streets during frigid temperatures. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. HOPEWELL The citys treasurer is responding to allegations of not cooperating with City Council and the firm it hired to reboot the citys financial-reporting system, saying that the roles are reversed in that it was the city and the firm rejecting her overtures of assistance. Shannon Foskey accused the advisory firm of violating Virginia state code governing the separation of duties between her constitutionally elected office and the city by pushing Hopewell to change its charter that would move some accounting assignments into Hopewells finance department. She also said some city departments and Hopewell Public Schools were taking liberties with their money responsibilities to sign and send checks without her offices knowledge, and that was escalating the crisis issue. In a lengthy statement released late Wednesday afternoon, Foskey focused on points that she said were at the core of Hopewells current fiscal crisis city employees lack of familiarity with and training on the MUNIS system Hopewell uses as its ledger, employees using workarounds to cover that lack of MUNIS experience, and an overall lack of communication among all departments on paying bills and collecting money. In response, the founder of the advisory firm said that he was a bit surprised by Foskeys statement and added that he would address the majority of those concerns with her privately. Robert Bobb did say, however, that the lack of communication Foskey cited was a two-way street, and simply ignoring the issues based on past performances was not best for business. We cant bury our heads in the sand and not address those issues, Bobb said. A job 'lending' agreement The crux of the Foskey-RBG disagreement focuses on a Memorandum of Agreement the group drafted where Foskey would lend her offices accountant to the city finance department to assist in the system reboot until the city can hire its own. At its meeting on March 12, council adopted the agreement after hearing from RBG that Foskey was reticent to accept it. Foskey said she saw that original agreement as an attempt to blur the division of money-handling duties between the treasurers office and the city. Foskey The treasurer is a constitutional officer elected directly by their localitys voters. While on the surface a city employee, that position and staff are a separate entity who are paid through the Virginia Compensation Board. According to the state constitution, treasurers duties include: managing the banking and investment relationships of the locality; reconciling bank and investment accounts; reporting financial information to the City Council and Virginia Auditor of Public Accounts; and performing all phases of public accounting in compliance with state and federal requirements. The office, Foskey said, runs on the authority of the Constitution of Virginia, the Code of Virginia, case law, court decisions and opinions of the Attorney General. As such, she added, her office is well-equipped to handle whatever happens. The Treasurer and her staff are quite capable of performing their duties, Foskey said, and are eager to accept any necessary assistance/guidance. She claimed she offered to fine-tune the MOA, but council and RBG rejected that offer. Instead, Foskey said, RBG recommended on March 12 that Hopewell ask the Virginia General Assembly to change the city charter shifting the accounting duties permanently from her office. It is important to note that, the Bobb Group, which has charged the city $2,300,000 for their services to date, recommended an outright transfer of a State Compensation Board funded employee in the independently elected constitutional office of the Treasurer to the Citys finance department, which violates Virginia law (VA Code 15.2-1600), Foskey wrote in her statement. She added, Virginia law is very clear regarding the authority of the independently elected constitutional office of the City Treasurer. Bobb said his firms recommendations about the use of the treasurers account are not unique for Hopewell. Other jurisdictions, including Colonial Heights and Prince George County, have similar setups to what was brought up in the MOA, and they are not having any issues. Missing internal controls Foskey also took issue with having part of the blame for Hopewells money mess placed at her offices doorstep, saying she inherited the problems from her predecessor, who in turn inherited them from her predecessor. She said there had been an historical lack of communication between the treasurer and the city that only started to turn around last November when the finance department agreed to meet with her once a month. Internal controls are lacking outside of the treasurers office, Foskey said. That, she added, was discovered by an audit the Virginia Treasurers Association did of Foskeys office at her request to identify needs. Treasurers from Chesterfield and Wise counties both certified public accountants, she noted came in at no cost to Hopewell and helped her get the office on track. During that visit, which she claimed her colleagues were very impressed with what they saw, Foskey said she learned that some city departments and the Hopewell school system were acting independently from her office on some transactions. She said the departments and the school system are not confirming with her office that there are enough funds in the city accounts before issuing checks. She also said they were using a mechanical signature of the treasurer to process the checks without her authorization. Recently, the Treasurer of Chesterfield County received two checks from the City of Hopewell schools division that were mechanically signed with the previous Treasurers signature, not with the signature of the current Treasurer," Foskey said. When inquiring about it, the schools division told the Chesterfield Treasurer that they saw no problem with using an outdated signature and that the checks should be deposited. In his interview with The Progress-Index, Bobb said he was aware of that claim. He said he told Foskey he would be more than happy to convene a meeting with Foskey and the VTA to pursue that further. According to Bobb, Foskey never followed up on that. Bobb said Foskey needs to stop bringing up the past as the reasons for the current state and focus on the present and future. Foskey, he noted, has been on the job for almost two years and has had some successes. He said Foskey had many opportunities to bring up MOA concerns before council both in closed and open sessions, so he was surprised to read her allegations. Bobb Were here to solve problems, not sweep them under the table, Bobb said. We dont have a lot of time for conversations about what happened before. Foskey said she ultimately signed the original MOA drafted by RBG despite considering it to be at odds with general law and without legal effect. She said she did so because it was in the best interest of the city. I intend to work with the finance department towards the implementation of needed changes for the betterment of the city, she said. Bill Atkinson (he/him/his) is an award-winning journalist who covers breaking news, government and politics. Reach him at batkinson@progress-index.com or on X (formerly known as Twitter) at @BAtkinson_PI. This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Hopewell treasurer responds to criticism of office in report A hospital administrator was arrested and charged Wednesday with a sex crime against a minor, Gulfport Police said. David Patrick Burkart, 64, was booked Wednesday at the Harrison County jail, records show. He faces one count of sexual battery. An investigation found he had sexual relations with a victim under 18, police said. Burkart was working as a hospital administrator for Beacon Behavioral Health, Gulfport Police confirmed Thursday. The system offers mental health services at several locations across Louisiana, including New Orleans and Slidell, according to its website. His bond is set at $500,000. Police did not release further information. Administrators at Beacon Behavioral Health did not immediately return messages Thursday afternoon. The United States is continuing its crusade against big tech. Be it via the Department of Justice (DOJ) or the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Joe Bidens government has launched an offensive against what it considers illegal monopolistic practices by companies such as Alphabet (Google), Amazon and Microsoft. The latest chapter of this battle is a major lawsuit against Apple for the digital fortress it has built around its flagship product, the iPhone. The 88-page lawsuit announced by Attorney General Merrick Garland on Thursday was filed in a federal court in New Jersey by the Department of Justice and the attorneys general of 16 states. The suit accuses the technology giant of violating antitrust laws by blocking rivals from accessing the hardware and software functions of its smartphone, thereby hindering their ability to offer alternative products and services to those of the company led by Tim Cook. Consumers should not have to pay higher prices because companies violate the antitrust laws, Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement. If left unchallenged, Apple will only continue to strengthen its smartphone monopoly. Apple has employed a strategy that relies on exclusionary, anticompetitive conduct that hurts both consumers and developers, he continued. For consumers, that has meant fewer choices; higher prices and fees; lower quality smartphones, apps, and accessories; and less innovation from Apple and its competitors. For developers, that has meant being forced to play by rules that insulate Apple from competition. And as outlined in our complaint, we allege that Apple has consolidated its monopoly power not by making its own products better but by making other products worse. According to the DOJ, Apple anticompetitive course of conduct has taken several forms. First, Apple imposes contractual restrictions and fees that limit the features and functionality that developers can offer iPhone users. Second, Apple selectively restricts access to points of connection between third-party apps and the iPhones operating system, degrading the functionality of non-Apple apps and accessories. As a result, for most of the past 15 years, Apple has collected what Garland called a tax in the form of a 30% commission on the price of any app downloaded from the App Store. Apple has also suppressed the emergence of programs such as cloud streaming apps including gaming apps as well as super apps that could reduce the users dependence on Apples own operating system and expensive phones, which, as Garland pointed out, cost as much as $1,600. And, as any iPhone user who has ever seen a green text message, or received a tiny, grainy video can attest, Apples anticompetitive conduct also includes making it more difficult for iPhone users to message with users of non-Apple products, said Garland. It does this by diminishing the functionality of its own messaging app and by diminishing the functionality of third-party messaging apps. By doing so, Apple knowingly and deliberately degrades quality, privacy, and security for its users. If an iPhone user sends a message to a non-iPhone user via their messaging app, that text appears not only as a green bubble, but incorporates limited functionality. The conversation is not encrypted. Videos appear pixelated and grainy, and users cannot edit messages. As a result, iPhone users perceive rival smartphones as being lower quality because the experience of messaging friends and family who do not own iPhones is worse even though Apple is the one responsible for breaking cross-platform messaging. And it does so intentionally, said Garland, who also pointed out that a smartwatch or a digital wallet also has difficulties communicating with Apples operating system. Each step in Apples course of conduct built and reinforced the moat around its smartphone monopoly, the government said in the lawsuit, which accuses the company of using its monopoly to charge more from consumers, developers, content creators, artists, publishers, small businesses and retailers. The lawsuit begins by exposing an internal email in which an Apple senior executive warns Steve Jobs about an ad for the new Kindle e-reader, which shows that it can be used even if a person switches from an iPhone to an Android smartphone. Not fun to watch, the message read. Over many years, Apple has repeatedly responded to competitive threats like this one by making it harder or more expensive for its users and developers to leave than by making it more attractive for them to stay, the complaint states. It continues: For many years, Apple has built a dominant iPhone platform and ecosystem that has driven the companys astronomical valuation. At the same time, it has long understood that disruptive technologies and innovative apps, products, and services threatened that dominance by making users less reliant on the iPhone or making it easier to switch to a non-Apple smartphone. Rather than respond to competitive threats by offering lower smartphone prices to consumers or better monetization for developers, Apple would meet competitive threats by imposing a series of shapeshifting rules and restrictions in its App Store guidelines and developer agreements that would allow Apple to extract higher fees, thwart innovation, offer a less secure or degraded user experience, and throttle competitive alternatives, it adds. This is the third time in the last 14 years that the Department of Justice has sued Apple for antitrust violations. This lawsuit, however, is the largest. In 2010, the company agreed to settle a lawsuit over its illegal deals not to hire staff from Google, Adobe or Disney subsidiary Pixar. Two years later, the Justice Department sued Apple and book publishers for illegally fixing the price of e-books sold on the iPad. After the DOJ won the lawsuit, Apple was forced to change certain practices to improve its antitrust compliance. In addition, Apple is also facing demands from its competitors. The pressure intensified Wednesday when Meta Platforms, Microsoft, the social network X and the firm Match Group allied themselves to a complaint by Epic Games the maker of the video game Fortnite that Apple has breached a court order regulating payments in its app store. Epic sued Apple in 2020, alleging it violated antitrust law by forcing consumers to obtain apps through the App Store and charging developers up to 30% commission on purchases. The injunction required Apple to allow developers to provide links and buttons to direct consumers to alternative payment options. Last week, Epic demanded that Apple be held in contempt, claiming that the new rules and a new 27% fee imposed on developers rendered the links effectively useless. The Department of Justice filed two lawsuits against Google, one for alleged abuse of its dominant position in the search engine market which has gone to trial and is awaiting judgment and another for its monopolistic behavior in the digital advertising market, which is still pending. Now, the same Department, headed by Attorney General Merrick Garland, has targeted Apple, a company it had already targeted in two other minor cases. The FCC unsuccessfully tried to stop Microsofts purchase of the video game company Activision with another legal action. In addition, last September, it sued Amazon, arguing the company wielded monopoly power to inflate prices, degrade quality, and stifle innovation for consumers and businesses. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition A group of House Democrats is pushing the Biden administration to make improvements to CBP One, the mobile app available to migrants through U.S. Customs and Border Protection [CBP] to secure appointments to legally enter the United States to claim asylum. In a letter led by Democratic Reps. Raul Grijalva (Ariz.), Jesus Chuy Garcia (Ill.) and Joaquin Castro (Texas), the lawmakers listed a series of flaws in the app they say worsen conditions at the border. While CBP has implemented minor changes to address serious glitches within the app, there are still several critical issues that require immediate attention and resolution. As asylum seekers remain in danger, CBP must address these access issues to ensure safe and humane asylum processing and relief for those at risk, they wrote. In 2023, CBP One, an app originally launched in 2020, started taking asylum appointments, becoming a cornerstone of the Biden administrations efforts to channel migrants through ports of entry. Though the app had some initial success, it has since proven insufficient to process the number of migrants presenting at the border and has been criticized for lacking essential features to effectively process those who do use it. First and foremost, CBPs decision to require asylum seekers to use the still-faulty CBP One app fundamentally undermines the accessibility of the asylum process. Because individuals seeking asylum at our southern border are required to pre-schedule an appointment through the app, the current process obstructs the right to seek asylum by forcing individuals to remain in Mexico while waiting for their asylum cases to be heard, wrote the lawmakers. The most-often heard complaint about the app and the improvement request at the top of the Democrats list is its language accessibility. Other than English, the app is available in Spanish and Haitian Creole, but even in those two languages, the apps translations can be lacking. Even for individuals who do speak one of the three main operating languages, the app can be difficult to understand. For example, accessing the Haitian Creole version of the app requires navigating initial questions in English or Spanish, and there are poor translations for critical and contextual words like Customs. Moreover, the Spanish version of the app is not fully or accurately translated, the Democrats wrote. Beyond the Spanish and Creole translations, some resources are available in Portuguese and Russian, but speakers of other languages for instance, African Francophones or speakers of Mayan dialects have few accessibility options. And many migrants face a different kind of language barrier: digital literacy. Those who are unable to schedule appointments on the app and present at the U.S.-Mexico border nonetheless are subject to a rebuttal presumption of asylum ineligibility, meaning the federal government assumes anyone who did not use the administrations pathways to entry is ineligible for asylum. The systems reliance on exceptions, which appear neither meaningful nor accessible, arbitrarily excludes people from accessing the asylum system because of the language they speak or their limited technological literacy, the lawmakers wrote in the letter. The presumption of ineligibility has had little success in discouraging migrants from entering the country without prior authorization, but its likely to negatively impact asylum applications when they are reviewed by immigration courts years later, regardless of individual applicants eligibility. Structural flaws in the system, the Democrats wrote, are only working to benefit smugglers and criminals who prey on migrants in Mexico. The difficulties with CBP One increase the likelihood that migrants will rely on cartel-backed smugglers to enter the United States instead of applying through legal pathways. If these challenges continue, our country could see more tragedies like the June 2022 mass death incident in San Antonio, Texas, where 53 people died after being trapped in the back of a sweltering tractor-trailer, they wrote. And organized crime including smugglers is taking full advantage of the flaws in the system. There is also strong evidence that smugglers themselves have been actively spreading misinformation to capitalize on CBP Ones faulty implementation. Multiple organizations have reported that smugglers falsely claim that the app will soon be discontinued and suggest that crossing between ports of entry is quicker and more straightforward than waiting for an appointment, according to the letter. Thats put more pressure on nongovernmental organizations that operate at the border with scant resources to help migrants navigate the system, including the CBP One app, sometimes to the point of providing internet access and phones for migrants to schedule appointments. In their letter, the lawmakers called on the Department of Homeland Security to implement seven steps to address the failings they listed by expanding transparency, increasing the number of appointment slots and removing the rebuttal presumption of asylum ineligibility policy. We believe these measures are essential to ensure that CBP One meets the balance between efficiency, access, and transparency while also addressing language access issues for asylum-seekers. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, speaks during the House Oversight and Accountability Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, March 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana) House Republicans filed a lawsuit Thursday seeking to force two Justice Department lawyers to testify about the criminal investigation of Hunter Biden as part of the chamber's impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden. The lawsuit filed in Washington's federal court comes as the impeachment inquiry is all but winding down, with the Republican ranks lacking the political appetite to go forward with an actual impeachment after producing no hard evidence of presidential wrongdoing. The Republican-led House Judiciary Committee wants the court to order two rank-and-file Justice Department tax division attorneys to comply with subpoenas demanding that they answer questions about Hunter Biden. The lawsuit says their failure to testify is impeding the Committee's inquiry into claims that the Justice Department mishandled and slow walked the investigation into the president's son. To craft effective legislative reforms and to determine whether President Biden has committed an impeachable offense, it must have all the facts, the lawsuit says. A Justice Department spokesperson said Thursday that it is committed to working with Congress in good faith," adding that the department already took the "extraordinary step of making six senior officials available to testify. It is unfortunate that despite this extraordinary cooperation from senior DOJ officials, the Committee has decided, after waiting for months, to continue seeking to depose line prosecutors about sensitive information from ongoing criminal investigations and prosecutions, the Justice Department said. We will continue to protect our line personnel and the integrity of their work. We will review the filings and respond in court. Hunter Biden has pleaded not guilty to gun and tax charges filed after the implosion of a plea deal that would have spared him jail time. The tax charges stem from what federal prosecutors say was a four-year scheme to skip out on paying the $1.4 million he owed to the IRS and instead use the money to fund an extravagant lifestyle that by his own admission included drugs and alcohol. In a recent letter to House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan pushing back against the subpoenas, the Justice Department said it had already gone to great lengths to answer concerns about the probe, including first-of-its-kind testimony from the special counsel overseeing the Hunter Biden prosecutions. Special counsel David Weiss testified last year that no one at the Justice Department blocked or prevented him from pursuing charges or taking other necessary steps in the investigation. Its rare for the Justice Department to have rank-and-file attorneys give congressional testimony. Assistant Attorney General Carlos Uriarte, the Justice Department's head of congressional affairs, said in the letter to Jordan that forcing witnesses to answer questions related to ongoing investigations or prosecutions would also pose serious risks to the integrity" of the probe and the fairness of court proceedings. Hunter Biden testified behind closed doors last month in a deposition that filled more than 200 pages but left the House Oversight and Accountability Committee without evidence rising to high crimes and misdemeanors that would be expected to impeach a president. Rather than drawing up articles of impeachment against the president, James Comer, the chairman of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, is eyeing potential criminal referrals of the family to the Justice Department, a largely symbolic move. ____ Richer reported from Boston. A caucus representing most House Republican lawmakers endorsed a 15-week national abortion ban on Wednesday. The announcement came one day after former President Donald Trump indicated that he could support a 15-week abortion ban. The Republican Study Committee (RSC), which includes nearly 80 percent of all House Republicans, released its 2025 budget proposal on Wednesday, titled Fiscal Sanity to Save America. Despite being billed as a budget plan, it is a highly ideological document. The gift of life is precious and should be protected, the document states, adding that the RSC celebrates the Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization decision. In that case, the Supreme Court overturned federal protections for abortion rights, using the 6-3 conservative supermajority that Trump helped create. The RSC document goes further: It endorses a 15-week national abortion ban, as well as legislation that could eliminate access to in vitro fertilization, or IVF. In an email to reporters Wednesday night, the Biden White House tied the document to Trump, saying that the Trump Republican budget would ban abortion nationwide [and] rip away IVF access. The RSC budget applauds a series of measures designed to advance the cause of life, including the Protecting Pain-Capable Unborn Children from Late-Term Abortions Act, which would prohibit abortions after 15 weeks. The proposal meshes with comments Trump made Tuesday suggesting he could back a 15-week national abortion ban. The number of weeks, now, people are agreeing on 15, and Im thinking in terms of that, and itll come out to something thats very reasonable, he said. But people are really even hard-liners are agreeing, seems to be 15 weeks, seems to be a number that people are agreeing at. But Ill make that announcement at the appropriate time. The budget plan from the RSC also applauds the Life at Conception Act, which would provide 14th amendment protections at all stages of life. As CNN reported last month, the bill does not include a carveout for IVF, and reproductive rights activists worry the legislation if ever passed would have a chilling effect on IVF clinics. The RSCs support for the Life at Conception Act comes in the wake of a controversial Alabama Supreme Court decision finding that embryos created using IVF are people in the eyes of the law and covered under the states wrongful death statute. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone There were 33 passengers on the bus when it got stuck at the side of New Templeton Road. HUBBARDSTON A school bus with more than 30 students got stuck on the side of New Templeton Road after the driver pulled over to deal with misbehaving passengers, according to police. The bus sunk into the soft, swampy shoulder, tipping the vehicle and making it impossible to move. A tow truck and backup bus were summoned, as were police and firefighters. The children, students at Hubbardston Center School, were evacuated through the rear of the bus, aided by a passerby who stopped to lend a hand. "I ran to see if something happened to the bus driver," said Omar Soffan of Paxton, a piano-delivery driver who was behind the bus when he saw it pull off the road and soon tip to one side. "We were like, 'She's gonna flip over.'" Soffan and his son, Kaya, 16, stopped to help. "The kids were screaming and crying, saying, 'Please help us,'" Omar Soffan said Thursday, recalling how he assisted the children off the bus through the rear emergency door. The driver and an adult bus monitor were the last ones out. Some children boarded a second bus that completed the route; others were picked up by parents, who were notified of the incident by the school. Bus driver Loida Delgado told police that she was prompted to pull to the side of the road because a few of the children were "acting up." The bus soon tipped, its right-side sinking into the soft earth. The bus was towed by TJ and Sons in Gardner. The incident occurred about noon Wednesday. Meantime, Omar Soffan, owner of All Pro Piano Movers, continued on his way to Vermont, where he was a bit late to two piano deliveries. He downplayed his role in Hubbardston, saying it was something anyone would do. This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Hubbardston school bus drives off road when kids act up; tow needed A prolific fossil hunter who is putting his private museum up for sale wants the collection to stay in the UK. Wolfgang Grulke has amassed several thousand specimens that span 500 million years of evolution and represent every continent. His private museum, tucked away in a converted barn in Dorset, has been visited and lauded by academics and scientists from all over the world. But at the age of 76, Mr Grulke is searching for a new home for his labour of love and, although he has had expressions of interest from museums in China and the Middle East, he wants the collection to stay in the UK. He became interested in fossils 50 years ago on his first trip to Lyme Regis, the home of Mary Anning, a pioneering palaeontologist, after helping a friend carry a large ammonite that to him looked like a rock. As he watched him cut the fossil from the rock, his interest grew. The self-taught palaeontologist found about a third of his collection himself, and acquired the rest by in trades or purchases from other collectors. He travelled extensively in his professional life, giving him the opportunity to scuba dive and hunt for fossils worldwide and to network with other enthusiasts. Wolfgang Grulke's collection, which he displays in a barn in Dorset, has been lauded and visited by academics and scientists from around the world - Zachary Culpin/BNPS He has displayed his collection in chronological order in cabinets that line the walls of the barn he and his wife Terri bought from a descendant of Annings brother, Joseph. Among the highlights are his rare heteromorph ammonites and a kamikaze ichthyosaur a three-metre long dolphin-like predator that died 160 million years ago when it smashed head first into a rock wall while diving at high speed. Every bone of the sea creature has been fossilised and perfectly preserved. It has a broken and concertinaed jaw and profoundly displaced vertebrae that indicate to experts exactly how it died. It would have been killed instantly, sinking to the bottom of the tropical sea where it became covered in anoxic mud that perfectly preserved it. Ammonites are typically simple spiral shells made by cephalopod animals. They became extinct along with dinosaurs 66 million years ago. But three times over the previous 300 million years they uncoiled and created unusual shapes known as heteromorphs, which have been identified in the past 20 years with the emergence of sophisticated tools that enabled them to be dug out and presented intact. Mr Grulkes collection of heteromorph ammonites is considered the largest and best in the world. 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 Mexican national facing up to 20 years in prison for traveling to Florida from Georgia with passengers who were undocumented is going to trial on criminal human-smuggling charges, after a judge late on Wednesday rejected an argument that the state law behind his arrest is unconstitutional. The criminal case against Raquel Lopez Aguilar an undocumented father of two from the state of Chiapas living in Tampa and working as a roofer will be one of the first tests for a state law championed by Gov. Ron DeSantis as he seeks to combat illegal immigration. Lopez Aguilar, 41, was arrested in August for allegedly driving a van on I-75 with six passengers that were all found to have entered the country illegally, according to a police report. His arrest is part of a broader effort by the DeSantis administration to crack down on undocumented immigrants who seek to travel or live in Florida making Lopez Aguilars case just one example of the impact the governors policies could have on the hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants living in the state and on the organizations and companies that interact with them. Opponents of the human-smuggling provision have worried the state law, passed last year, could lead to the prosecution of individuals who are driving family members or groups such as churches for transporting immigrants into the state. READ MORE: Floridas arrest of undocumented van driver escalates Mexicos tensions with DeSantis Lopez Aguilars attorney, paid for by the Mexican government at the request of Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, tried to dismiss the human smuggling charges. The defense argued the state law is written too broadly and vaguely, leaving citizens of ordinary intelligence and law enforcement officers charged with enforcing the law with no hope of understanding what the [state law] prohibits and to whom it applies. They also argued the state law is preempted by federal immigration law. A Hernando County circuit judge disagreed with those arguments, saying in part that because the state law did not deal with addressing removal proceedings or any other aspect of immigration, the state has the authority to enforce a law targeting individuals who transport undocumented immigrants into the state. Furthermore, the judge disagreed with the defenses argument that the state law is discriminatory. The statute is clear that it does not discriminate; citizen, non-citizen, state resident, or out-of-state resident all are affected equally under the statute, Judge Stephen Toner wrote in his ruling. Lopez Aguilar has been in jail for seven months as he awaits his trial, scheduled for April 8. He was arrested after a Florida Highway Patrol trooper pulled him over, noting that the van had dark window tints and large cracks on the windshield, according to the police report. When authorities stopped Lopez Aguilar, he was in the drivers seat, according to Florida Highway Patrol arrest report documents obtained by the Miami Herald. The six passengers, including a 7-year-old, were all Mexican nationals, according to the FHP document. Under Florida law a person cant transport into Florida an individual whom the person knows, or reasonably knows, has entered the United States in violation of the law and had not been inspected by the federal government since his or her unlawful entry. The law, which took effect last June, strengthened a version of a previous human smuggling law. Lopez Aguilar is accused of knowingly and willfully transporting undocumented immigrants into the state and is facing four separate third-degree felony human smuggling charges, each of which could be punishable by up to five years in prison. He was also charged with a misdemeanor for driving without a license. The state determined that Lopez Aguilar had traveled from Georgia because he had several receipts for money transfers in his pocket that indicated he had been there. The vehicle, a 1997 van registered in Georgia and processed as evidence, belonged to a construction firm there, according to the Mexican consul in Orlando. Public records from the neighboring state show the vans owner also has a roofing company registered to the same address as the vehicle. But Mexicos consul has argued that there is no proof that Lopez Aguilar was the driver when he crossed the Georgia state line into Florida. Conservative commentator Charlie Sykes said Republicans completely embarrassed themselves Wednesday as they continued to push their floundering impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden. It is one thing to say that this thing is falling apart, but that actually understates how horrifically bad this is, the MSNBC columnist said on the network Wednesday. I mean, this was dumb and dumber. Lev Parnas coming out and just humiliating this committee. He was referring to testimony from Parnas, a Ukrainian businessman and former Rudy Giuliani associate, who appeared at Wednesdays House Oversight Committee impeachment hearing. Parnas said in his opening statement that the American people have been lied to by former President Donald Trump, Giuliani, and other Republican allies in Congress, accusing them of spreading misinformation about the Biden family. He said there was no evidence Biden was involved in corruption tied to Ukraine, and said the Republican allegations against the president were predicated on Russian disinformation. In one day, you encapsulated how absurd this was, Sykes said. And then juxtapose it with the actual serious business in front of Congress. Were a few days away from a shutdown. And yet we have this incredibly inept circus going on. He encouraged viewers to watch footage of the testimony, and watch the way in which the Republican members of this committee were humiliated, how they are flailing here. This was a very bad day, after many, many bad days for this committee, he added. House Republicans have been unable to produce evidence substantiating their allegations about the president, and support for the effort has flagged within their own ranks after several setbacks. Lawmakers leading the inquiry have vowed, nonetheless, to push ahead with the investigation and potentially pursue criminal referrals instead of impeachment. Related... The death of Wanys R. has sparked tensions in the town of La Courneuve near major venues for this summer's Paris Olympics (Bertrand GUAY) Several hundred marched peacefully in a Paris suburb Thursday to demand justice for a teenager killed last week in a collision with a police car. The death of Wanys R. has sparked tensions in the town of La Courneuve near major venues for this summer's Paris Olympics. Police on March 13 chased a moped that the 18-year-old was driving in the nearby town of Aubervilliers after it said he refused to comply with a traffic stop. A video widely shared online showed a police car striking his scooter, killing him and injuring his passenger. Police and the investigation so far say it was an accident, but his family have accused them of "voluntarily" hitting the scooter. His older brother, who did not wish to give his name, spoke to the press on the steps of the La Courneuve townhall. "My little brother was killed by the police. They decided to take his life unfairly," he said, his face covered with a black face mask and sunglasses. "We are only seeking justice. No violence, no excess," he said, before the march set off. Seventeen-year-old Taif went to the same school as Wanys R. "The police have made it normal to kill people like him, young people," she said, not wishing to give her full name. On Sunday evening, people fired a barrage of fireworks at the La Courneuve police station, according to footage posted on social media. Police said the attackers also threw stones and Molotov cocktails. Police responded with sting-ball grenades, teargas and flash-ball projectiles, it said. The police station suffered no damaged. La Courneuve is located in Paris's northern suburbs, in the Seine-Saint-Denis department that hosts Olympic venues including the flagship Stade de France stadium. In June, a video of a police officer shooting dead 17-year-old Nahel M. triggered nights of riots in the Paris suburbs and other deprived areas. The policeman who fired the fatal shot has been charged with voluntary homicide. amd-amb/ah/giv The European Commission's proposal to confiscate income from frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine is unlikely to be approved at the summit of European Union leaders, which will begin in Brussels on Thursday, 21 March. Source: DW with reference to a high-ranking European diplomat speaking on condition of anonymity The source said there is a common understanding among most EU member states that confiscated funds should be used for the purchase of weapons and ammunition for Ukraine's Armed Forces, "Ukraine needs more money for weapons, unfortunately, not for reconstruction. And we are striving to do everything to avoid further destruction in Ukraine". The European Commission's proposal states that 90 percent of the income from frozen Russian assets should be used to buy weapons for Ukraine's Armed Forces. However, the source speaking to DW revealed that Hungary opposed this, stating that this money should be used for anything but weapons for Ukrainians. As the source noted, another "controversial issue" on the summit agenda will be the discussion on EU enlargement. EU leaders supported the beginning of negotiations for Ukraine and Moldova's accession in December 2023. For negotiations to begin, EU member states must approve the negotiating frameworks submitted by the European Commission, which serve as a roadmap for the accession process. They also need to hold a meeting of the intergovernmental conference, a specially created body that will directly conduct the negotiations. Both of these decisions require unanimous support from all 27 EU leaders. However, the odds are high that these two decisions will not be adopted during the summit. The source stated: "There are member states that oppose the beginning of negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova under the Belgian presidency of the EU." Belgium's presidency of the EU will last until 1 July, after which Hungary is set to take over this role. Background: Josep Borrell, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said on Tuesday that he would propose that the EU should use 90% of the revenues from Russian frozen assets in Europe to purchase weapons for Ukraine through the European Peace Facility. Earlier, Bloomberg reported that the EU had prepared a legislative proposal, according to which Ukraine will start receiving income from frozen Russian sovereign assets as early as July. Polish Foreign Minister Radosaw Sikorski said it would be better if Russian money in the EU was used to defend Ukraine rather than to rebuild it. Support UP or become our patron! Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban congratulated Vladimir Putin on his presidential election win in a letter lauding their countries cooperation based on mutual respect. Describing the letter in a post on X on March 21, Orbans spokesperson, Zoltan Kovacs, said: After the official election results, Orban congratulated Vladimir Putin on his re-election, noting that the cooperation between Hungary and Russia, based on mutual respect, enables important discussions even in challenging geopolitical contexts. Orban affirmed Hungary's commitment to peace and readiness to intensify cooperation in sectors not restricted by international law, underlining the importance of dialogue in fostering peaceful relations. Hungary is the only EU country to have maintained close ties with the Kremlin since the launch of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Budapest has repeatedly opposed sanctions against Moscow and obstructed EU support for Kyiv. Orbans warm words are in stark contrast to those offered by other European leaders following the Russian presidential election held on March 15-17. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier described the vote as a pseudo-election, while the Polish Foreign Ministry said they were neither 'legal, free or fair. Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said the election was a special nomination operation. Putin won with 87.2% of the vote in an election that was widely seen as tightly controlled and without the participation of any meaningful opposition. Orban has previously said the Russian invasion of Ukraine is not a war, adding that when Russia declares war then there will be war. He has instead described it as a "military operation," echoing the term the Kremlin uses to refer to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Read also: Putin wins rigged Russian election; Ukrainians in occupied territories vote at gunpoint Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Members of civil society responded to the statement made by Georgian Dream regarding vetting and emphasized that the issue of verifying the integrity of judges cannot be dismissed. They stated that the mandate from the Georgian people, which is to enhance the judiciary and pursue membership of the European Union, supports this stance. 47 organizations have signed this statement."Today, there are fundamental questions about the integrity of the persons in leading positions in the judicial system and their possession of property incompatible with official duties. Additionally, it is significant that several influential judges are sanctioned by Georgia's strategic partner, the United States of America.We think, first of all, it should be in the interest of the government and the judges themselves to remove all the questions in the society that are related to the problems of justice and the integrity of the judges. It is not clear to us, if there is no problem with the integrity of the judges, why the political and judicial authorities oppose this process," the statement reads.Civil organizations assert that by closing this issue against the will of the Georgian people, the government puts the European integration process at risk. According to their assessment, verifying the integrity of high-ranking court officials will remain relevant to society until the goal of establishing an independent judiciary and securing Georgia's accession to the European Union is achieved.7.5 million GEL was allocated to finance the restoration, reconstruction, and conservation works of the Gelati monastery complex.Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze signed the government's decree, which was issued on March 18.According to the same decree, the transfer of this amount to the Orthodox Church is entrusted to the National Agency for the Protection of Cultural Heritage."In order to finance the expenses related to the restoration, reconstruction, and conservation works of the Gelati monastery complex, the Ministry of Finance shall allocate 7,500,000 GEL from the fund of projects to be implemented in the regions of Georgia, as provided for by the Law 'On the State Budget of 2024', to the Agency for the Protection of Cultural Heritage operating within the sphere of governance of the Ministry of Culture," the decree reads. Are you pregnant? Do you feel trapped and want to escape reality? Theres a solution: call us. Absolute discretion. The phrase printed on stickers that were displayed in the streets was used by Mexicos extreme-right for more than two decades, as they operated secretly in opposition to womens rights. Behind the stickers were ultra-conservative organizations, which sought to deceive women and girls who wanted to get an abortion. When they called looking for help to terminate their pregnancy, those who answered would harass them, until they gave up. Nowadays, these organizations no longer need to pretend. Years ago, the clandestine groups discovered that raising their voices publicly could be more profitable. They began demonstrating in public. Last year, they went as far as trying (unsuccessfully) to register a presidential candidate who would represent them someone from beyond the traditional parties. While the far-right still have limited support in a country of 126 million inhabitants, theyve become emboldened, operating openly in political spaces, as they attempt to implement their agenda: the prohibition of abortion, denial of equal marriage rights and opposition to LGBTQ+ rights. The discussion about whether to operate openly or to keep a low profile began in the far-right several decades ago. The debate strained the relationship between the founders of the National Front for the Family the historic, ultra-conservative organization that agitates against abortion and equal marriage , according to one of them, who prefers to remain anonymous. The argument dragged on for years, without reaching a clear conclusion. In recent times, however, and in the shadow of the new right-wing wave sweeping across Latin America, new groups have emerged, formed mainly by dedicated young people who campaign for the same decades-old ideas. Theyre now fearlessly advocating for their views with a loudspeaker in-hand, certain that the more attention they attract, the more support theyll get. The past: The papers from El Yunque Five decades ago, a faction of Mexicos extreme-right took refuge in secret sects, such as El Yunque (in English: The Anvil). Founded in the city of Puebla in 1953, its members who were forbidden from speaking about their organization in public swore loyalty to each other in extravagant rituals, which involved self-flagellation. They used false names, while the strongest became combat warrior monks, who clashed in the streets with Freemasons and members of Opus Dei. They infiltrated civil society organizations and political parties, attacking those who were considered enemies, including socialists, pro-choice activists and members of the LGBTQ+ community, according to what a former member of the sect told EL PAIS. In their strongest era during the presidency of Vicente Fox (2000-2006) members of El Yunque held positions in the federal government and opened their own universities. Under the wings of El Yunque, several civil associations were created, which were used as fronts by the group. EL PAIS has managed to access dozens of internal documents from El Yunque, which explain the doctrine of the secret sect in detail. One of these papers notes how they had to operate outside the order, either via lobbying or action groups, as well as by infiltrating or creating journalistic publications and institutions. And, from there, they worked in favor of the cause (referring to the imposition of the kingdom of Jesus Christ on Earth). The objective, according to one of the documents, was to participate in temporal [affairs] according to Evangelical principles, by carrying out a political vocation. That same guide indicates that, as part of the national strategy, El Yunque should create four (supposedly) civil organizations. One was the historic Provida, which received money from the Fox administration and whose leader ended up in prison for embezzlement. Two other organizations the APN Citizen Coordinator and the Testimony and Hope Movement are currently defunct. The last one, Accion Juvenil (in English, Youth Action), remains active and has openly supported opposition candidate Xochitl Galvezs presidential campaign. The four groups were all active in conducting operations against womens rights. Diego Gil the fictitious name given to him in the sect joined El Yunque in 2002. He eventually became secretary of the Interior, a mid-level position in the groups structure. He handled secret information, was in charge of part of the instruction that was given, and organized initiation ceremonies. Now a former member, he tells EL PAIS that he was one of the people who posted those infamous stickers in public, to deceive pregnant women. [The building we directed them to] looked like an abortion clinic. The girls came and we told them: Look, this isnt an abortion clinic were going to show you your baby and youre going to see the alternatives you have, he recalls. In the illustration, the woman is shouting "legal abortion!" The man is pictured holding a sign that reads: "Let's save both lives." Another sign says "no abortion." Claudel Estrella One of the documents accessed by this newspaper, called the Leadership Manual, details the ultra-conservative doctrine behind this issue: The defenders of abortion have attempted to cover up its criminal nature through confusing or evasive terminology, hiding the murder with jargon such as voluntary interruption of pregnancy or under concepts such as the right to choose or the right to reproductive health. Along these lines, the manual prepared the heads of the secret order to face societal discussions and to convince the public that terminating a pregnancy was wrong, even when it endangered the life of the mother or was the result of rape. To attack womens rights, the doctrine circulated the false narrative that it was extremely rare for women and girls to become pregnant after rape due to the extremely high rates of sexual dysfunction that rapists supposedly have. Its obvious that the horrific crime of rape is used to raise public [opinion] in favor of abortion, by presenting the innocent fruit of a possibly brutal conception as an aggressor, the document reads. Its clear that the woman has suffered a horrible attack, that of rape. Presenting abortion as a solution is saying that one poison must be combated by applying another, it adds. All of this information has been rejected by scientific studies and human rights organizations that operate in Mexico, one of the countries with the highest level of pregnant minors. In fact, all such cases in Mexico are considered to be rape, because girls and adolescents cannot give consent, according to federal law. Additionally, abortion in cases of rape is legal throughout the country. El Yunque instructed its followers to combat what it described as lies pushed by society, such as the right to make decisions about ones own body, or the idea that legalizing abortion reduces unsafe clandestine abortions. The arguments that El Yunques leadership made were unusual, based on ideas far from science. For example, when faced with the argument that each woman can make decisions about her own body, they maintained that, if the fetus in a mothers womb eventually developed into a female, according to the logic, the woman would have no right to choose (one cancelled out the other). Or they claimed that someone who violated nature with an abortion increased their own potential for violence and spread it to society. They also claimed, without any evidence, that in countries where abortion is legalized, parental violence against children increases especially that of the mother against her children even when theyre [conceived via] planned [pregnancies]. Lies pushed by society, according to El Yunque "LIE" Its inhumane not to legalize therapeutic abortion, which should be performed when a pregnancy puts the woman in danger of death or serious harm. The truth," according to El Yunque: The term "therapeutic" is used in order to confuse the public. Therapy means to cure and, in this case, abortion doesnt cure anything. Currently, medical science guarantees that there are practically no circumstances in which one should choose between the life of the mother or the life of the child. "LIE" Its brutal and inhumane to allow a woman to have a child resulting from rape; therefore, in these cases, so-called sentimental abortion should be legalized (El Yunque created this term to replace the correct term: elective abortion). The truth," according to El Yunque: First of all, pregnancies that follow rape are extremely rare. For example, theres an extremely high rate of sexual dysfunctions in rapists. The victim may be naturally sterile; she may be very young or very old, she may already be pregnant, or there may be other natural reasons. The menstrual cycle controlled by hormones is easily distorted by emotional stress and can act to delay ovulation. Or, if the woman has already ovulated, menstruation can occur prematurely... "LIE" Abortion must be legal because every child must be wanted. The truth," according to El Yunque:This is an absurd argument. The desire or non-desire [to have a child] does not in any way affect the dignity and intrinsic value of a person. The child is not a thing whose value can be decided according to [a womans] mood. On the other hand, the fact that a woman isnt happy with her pregnancy during the first months doesnt indicate that this same woman wont love her baby once its born. "LIE" Abortion should be legal because a woman has the right to make decisions about her own body. The truth," according to El Yunque: It shouldnt be legal when common sense and modern science recognize that, in a pregnancy, there are two lives and two bodies. A woman according to the dictionary definition is a female human being. Since sex is determined chromosomally at conception and since about half of those who are aborted are female human beings obviously NOT EVERY WOMAN HAS THE RIGHT TO CONTROL HER OWN BODY. "LIE" With the legalization of abortion, clandestine abortions would end. The truth," according to El Yunque: Statistics in developed countries show that this isnt the case. On the contrary, the legalization of abortion makes it a method that seems morally acceptable and, therefore, it becomes a possible option one that isnt equally considered in jurisdictions where it isnt legal. The present: The new far right The new far right in Mexico has taken over the loudspeaker, holding public rallies and making noise to appear stronger than it really is. In 2022, various far-right groups gathered at the Conservative Action Political Conference (CPAC) in Mexico City, where they invited important figures from the global far-right movement. The following year, conservatives tried to promote the independent presidential campaign of Eduardo Verastegui, but he was ultimately left off the 2024 presidential ballot, due to a failure to collect sufficient signatures. Since President Andres Manuel Lopez Obradors term began in 2018, Mexicos far right has held public demonstrations against his administration. Far-right groups have tried to gain space on the political scene, by latching on to current social movements. The extreme-right uses opposition issues to present themselves as having greater strength than what they actually have, says Reynaldo Ortega, a researcher at the College of Mexico. Thats why theyve been seen joining an array of demonstrations, such as the marches in defense of the National Electoral Institute, or the protests against the new school textbooks, which teach about feminism and present various types of families, such as single-parent families. Along these lines, one of the groups that agitated most vehemently against the school textbooks introduced by the Lopez Obrador administration was the National Front for the Family. Far-right groups have tried to gain space on the political scene, by latching on to current social movements Speaking out loud about the defense of life has yielded some fruits. Small armies of young people dressed in light blue have taken to the streets to condemn abortion in Mexico, after the Supreme Court decriminalized the medical procedure in September 2021. One of those young people is Jorge Luis Pimentel, a law student at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and director of ProLife Army in Mexico City. Catholic, anti-feminist and anti-choice, Pimentel joined the organization back in 2021. In an interview with this newspaper, the young man says that ProLife Army was born to handle the political aspect that pro-lifers hadnt covered until then. The idea was that they could occupy spaces on the political stage. Much of ProLife Armys work has been to approach local and federal legislators, in order to lobby to prevent the advance of progressive policies in Mexico. The approach is focused on trying to collaborate with [policymakers], to try to stop these initiatives or seek to repeal them, Pimentel notes. The new far-right groups have whitewashed their strategies like never before. On its website, one of the associations that participated in the CPAC in Mexico details what its three principal goals are: conquering spaces and voices in the media; approaching people who influence the political life of the country to promote initiatives that seek the common good; and offering workshops and seminars to reach the public. In this illustration, a woman is seen holding a sign with the female gender symbol and a man holding a sign that reads: "No abortions!" CLAUDEL ESTRELLA The traditional right-wing party in Mexico the National Action Party (PAN) failed to accommodate many of the far rights ambitions when it was in power (2000-2012). In a study published in November 2023 by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation (FES) associated with the Social Democratic Party of Germany , researcher Rodrigo Castro explained that from the perspective of the radical right, the PAN didnt decisively channel its programmatic agenda into sociocultural issues. He points out how the party limited itself to opposing abortion and defending traditional marriage. Hence, the extremist currents moved away from the PAN, first shifting towards the National Front for the Family, before the emergence of todays independent cells. Alice Galvan was one of the people who moved away. A former advisor to a PAN senator, Galvan was the one who put the conservative party in contact with Vox, a far-right Spanish party. This opened the door to Vox leader Santiago Abascal visiting the Mexican Congress, where he took photos with leaders of the PAN and got some factions to sign the Madrid Charter. This document circulated by a foundation associated with Vox warns against the rise of communism. The controversy that the photos unleashed eventually pushed the PAN to rectify its position and distance itself from the global far-right movement. Disillusioned, Galvan ended up leaving the party. She now directs the conservative think tank Patria Unida (in English, United Homeland), which she created after taking some courses in Spain offered by Vox. On its website, the organization has attacked Mexicos new school textbooks and has defended the idea of marriage being between a man and a woman. When Galvan left her party, she told her boss: The PAN doesnt realize that its been affected by moving away from its principles. [The party is] trying to enter a terrain where it wont get any votes, because there are eight other political parties that have always defended [the same ideas]. Shes not the only one who believes this. Many actors from the Mexican extreme-right have complained about the fact that the PAN chose to enter into a coalition which is fielding Xochitl Galvez as a candidate. The former senator who is in favor of abortion rights has positioned herself as a feminist in the 2024 presidential elections. In politics, Galvan emphasizes, spaces arent left empty. The PAN has left the right [vacant], so today, there are people working to occupy that space. Family, before everything Ultraconservative gatherings in Mexico now take place in broad daylight. During the first weekend of March, the far-right lobby met in Guadalajara, to celebrate what it considers to be its main value the nuclear family at the International Congress of Families. One weekend every year, in the same place where some of the brightest minds in literature from around the world attend the Guadalajara International Book Fair rubber fetuses are proudly displayed to impress visitors of a different sort. Dont let anyone tell you that its not a life, a promoter warns. Dolls resembling fetuses on display at the International Congress of Families in Guadalajara, Mexico, in March 2024. Ernesto Mena Around 8,000 people walked through the halls of Expo Guadalajara that weekend, including officials from the state governments of Aguascalientes and Jalisco. There were also numerous members of the Catholic Church especially the Legionaries of Christ and academics focused on rescuing traditional marriage as an institution. There were even those who cited Agustin Laje, a writer from the Argentine extreme-right known for his homophobic and anti-choice views. All those present shared the same objectives: attack gender ideology and feminism, discredit the rights of the LGBTQ+ community, apply religious morality to womens bodies and combat sexual education. Instead of being educated, children are being sexualized, one of the speakers roared, generating hysteria in the audience. Rodrigo Ivan Cortes president of the National Front for the Family and a former federal legislator for the PAN gave one of the most-applauded talks. After giving a tragic and off-the-cuff diagnosis of what Mexico is going through, he said that a state of political correctness had been established in the country which is utterly anti-human and anti-Christian and that an ideology of confusion had been imposed on the subject of gender. Not long ago, these ideas werent discussed in public. But all of a sudden, they were the focus of long, explicit speeches on stage. A culture of death is growing, which seeks to normalize the murder of the most vulnerable with abortion. This is nothing other than promoting [the idea that] mothers can kill their children, Cortes claimed. Among the stands at the International Congress of Families, you could find everything from major media outlets to publishing houses. There were also nationally recognized anti-abortion groups, or associations dedicated to lobbying for conservative policies. One platform Saber Votar (in English: Know how to vote) runs a website about how to make informed decisions in this years elections. Operating in all corners Away from the spotlight of politics, some parts of the country continue to live in the heat of the far-right misinformation campaigns and harassment operations conducted against women who want to have an abortion. EL PAIS has been reporting on this since 2021. A feminist group in the state of Veracruz Marea Verde-Altas Montanas has been able to document how this operation works in the city of Orizaba. Two associations, both of which hid behind feminist slogans on social media, were working out of a house downtown. In a strategy similar to the one that El Yunque applied for decades, they made the women who approached them believe that they were going to receive help in getting an abortion, but they ultimately did the opposite. Two feminist activists who prefer to remain anonymous for safety reasons managed to sneak into the house, posing as young pregnant women who wanted to end their pregnancies. They scheduled appointments via WhatsApp and showed up at the property, which, at first glance, resembles an ordinary house. A supposed doctor was waiting for them. The episode that they both experienced lasted at least an hour, in which they were subjected to pressure to not terminate their pregnancies. They were even shown videos with macabre images of what would happen if they opted for abortions. They make you sign a sheet and write down all of your personal information; thats where the manipulation begins, one of the young women says, in an interview with EL PAIS. Two young activists in front of the house where false feminist organizations operated, in Orizaba, Mexico, in December 2023. Victoria Razo Do you know that youre going to bleed to death? If you abort, your parents will notice. Youre going to commit murder. These are just some of the phrases that the two young women remember hearing at the house Do you know that youre going to bleed to death? If you abort, your parents will notice. Youre going to commit murder. These are just some of the phrases that the two young women remember hearing at the house words that sound unreal in a country that decriminalized abortion in July 2021. They were also offered transportation to another state, to put the baby up for adoption after giving birth. You leave [the center] in a state of trauma, because its all very gory. They put you in a position as if youre a murderer, stupid, crazy, selfish, one of the activists recalls. Plans for the future Mexicos extreme-right is divided into cells, each with its own objectives and projects. For instance, not even all of the groups agreed to support Verasteguis candidacy. Some far-right blocs chose to join the broad-based opposition coalition, which is principally made up of three traditional Mexican parties. Division has been one of the far rights biggest obstacles. The electoral system has also been a challenge for their aspirations. In order for a person to run as an independent presidential candidate, they must collect enough signatures equivalent to 1% of the total number of citizens who have the right to vote which means close to a million. And those who sign must be distributed equally between at least 17 of Mexicos states, which presents obstacles for a candidate who doesnt have the infrastructure of a traditional party. In the end, Verastegui hit the wall, only managing to collect a tenth of the signatures that he needed to register. I do believe that there's a possiblity in the future, but not anytime soon, says Galvan, maybe by 2030 there could be a big push to have a right-wing political party, or at least we could pressure the PAN to return to this side I do believe that theres a possibility in the future, but certainly not anytime soon, Galvan affirms. Maybe by 2030 there could be a big push to have a right-wing political party, or at least [we could] pressure the PAN to return to this side (the hard right). The extremists who opted to stick with the opposition coalition have ended up better off. Historical members of El Yunque hold important places in the Broad Front for Mexico in states such as Puebla. There, they will accompany the candidate for governor, Eduardo Rivera, who has often been identified as a member of the ultra-conservative sect. For Monica Silva a state legislator from Puebla, affiliated with the Labor Party El Yunque and the far right have managed to infiltrate all the political parties in the state, putting pressure on Congress of Puebla to stop pro-choice initiatives. As an example, she notes, it hasnt been enough for half of the state legislature to be female and leftist to prevent the groups influence. In this illustration, a woman holds a sign that reads: "Safe and legal abortion." Claudel Estrella The extreme-right has permeated MORENA (the National Regeneration Movement, the ruling party), Silva laments, and the agenda for women has become uncomfortable. The Congress of Puebla has recently seen the tabling of a bill for the unborn and another for the regulation of educational content by parents, both initiatives promoted by the PAN. However, despite the fact that pro-choice legislation has been held up at the local level, Governor Sergio Salomon was forced to open seven reproductive healthcare clinics in December 2023. Among other duties, these clinics will help carry out the termination of pregnancies, in compliance with a ruling made by Mexicos Supreme Court. This measure has caused disputes within the state administration, especially since members of the extreme-right have infiltrated the Governors Office, according to local feminist activist Socorro Quezada. The entire conservative wing holds key positions. This report was produced with the support of the International Womens Media Foundation (IWMF) as part of its Reproductive Health, Rights and Justice in the Americas initiative. Creditos Text and investigation: Georgina Zerega Visual editing: Hector Guerrero Illustrations: Claudel Estrella Design and layout: Monica Juarez and Luis V. Guillen Translation: Avik Jain Chatlani Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Czech Republic's Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky, 2nd left, welcomes his counterparts from Poland Radoslaw Sikorski, left, from Slovakia Juraj Blanar, right, and Hungary Peter Szijjarto, second right, as they meet in Prague, Czech Republic, Thursday, March 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek) PRAGUE (AP) Four Central European countries remain deeply divided over how to resolve Russia's war against Ukraine, their foreign ministers said Thursday. The foreign ministers from the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary and Slovakia met Thursday and discussed a Czech plan to acquire ammunition that Ukraine badly needs from third countries outside the European Union. Its necessary to boost support for Ukraine in all areas including military assistance, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky said. Under the plan, the Czechs seek to obtain 800,000 artillery shells for Ukraine. Czech leaders previously said the first shells should be delivered to Ukraine no later than June. At least 18 countries have joined the initiative, Czech leaders have previously said. Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski called the Czech plan an excellent idea. Were very happy to contribute, he said. Sikorski said Poland would contribute funds as well as help deliver the ammunition to the front. But the foreign ministers of Hungary and Slovakia said they are not ready to change their strict refusal to provide arms to Ukraine. Hungary has not and will not send any weapons to Ukraine, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said. Slovakias view has not changed because the conflict doesnt have a military solution, its foreign minister, Juraj Blanar, said. ___ Follow the APs coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban (L) and French President Emmanuel Macron (R) talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz during the EU summit in Brussels. Nicolas Maeterlinck/Belga/dpa Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban has congratulated Russian President Vladimir Putin on his re-election. Orban's spokesman Bertalan Havasi released the message on Thursday, the Hungarian state news agency MTI reported. Orban wrote that it was gratifying that "the cooperation between Hungary and Russia is based on mutual respect, which makes it possible to discuss important issues in the current difficult geopolitical situation." Referring to Russia's war against Ukraine, Orban wrote that Hungary is "on the side of peace" and is convinced that maintaining dialogue is a prerequisite for its early establishment. Hungary wants to strengthen cooperation with Russia in areas where this "does not infringe international law." Brussels was quick to criticize the message. The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, said at the current EU summit that she would "not join in the congratulations," insisting that the election in Russia was neither free nor fair. "We are talking about a country that illegally invaded another country, a country whose leader did not stop in 2008, did not stop in 2014 and definitely shows no signs of stopping now," Metsola continued. Even before the summit began, Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas also voiced criticism. "I refuse to call it elections. I call it a special nomination operation." Kallas was alluding to the fact that the war against Ukraine is not referred to as such in Russia - officially, the Kremlin refers to it as a "special military operation". Kallas emphasized that Russia's aim was to undermine European elections and make people believe "that everything is the same." Former "Selling Sunset" star Christine Quinn's husband, Christian Dumontet, known on the show as Christian Richard, is facing charges after allegedly being involved in a domestic dispute at their Los Angeles home. According to Los Angeles Police Department public information officer Jeff Lee, officers responded to their Hollywood Hills home on March 19 at 2 p.m. Lee said Dumontet allegedly threw a bag with a glass bottle inside of it at Quinn but missed and the bag hit a child at the home. Lee did not specify if the child injured was Dumontet and Quinn's 2-year-old son, Christian Georges Dumontet. Police arrested Dumontet at the scene for assault with a deadly weapon. In photos, Dumontet is wearing a white robe and no shoes. According to Los Angeles inmate records, Dumontet is currently being held on $30,000 bail. Quinn left "Selling Sunset" after the Netflix reality show's fifth season. Before her departure, both she and her husband were featured in the series, including their 2019 wedding. Quinn departed the show after facing accusations from fellow Oppenheim Group colleague Emma Hernan that Quinn had tried to bribe a client to work with her instead of Hernan. Quinn has denied the accusation. Quinn did not immediately respond to TODAY.com's March 20 request for comment. It was not immediately clear if Dumontet had secured legal representation and could not be reached for comment. Who is Christian Dumontet? Dumontet is a former software engineer for Cisco, according to his LinkedIn page. In 2007, he and two others founded the Boston-based company Foodler, which was an online food ordering service. Grubhub bought Foodler in 2017, according to a Boston Globe story at the time. Quinn and Dumontet launched RealOpen, a brokerage that allows people to buy real estate using crypto, in April 2022. Both are listed on the company's website as founders, with Dumontet as CEO and Quinn as CMO. This article was originally published on TODAY.com The manhunt for an escaped, dangerous convict and his alleged accomplice ended Thursday afternoon after Boise police announced they took both men into custody. Skylar Meade and Nicholas Umphenour were both arrested after being accused of a brazen ambush and shooting at an Idaho hospital that left three law enforcement officers injured, Boise police announced during a news conference Thursday. "We believe that this was a coordinated attack, ambush on Department of Correction officers," Boise Police Department Chief Ron Winegar said during a news conference. "Certainly a planned endeavor to free (Meade) from custody." Meade, a violent felon and prisoner, fled Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center after his accomplice opened fire in front of the emergency room early Wednesday morning, as two Idaho Department of Corrections officers prepared to transport Meade back to prison, the Boise Police Department reported. The hospital is about three miles west of the state capital's downtown area, and less than 50 miles east of the Oregon state line. On Wednesday night, police identified Umphenour as the suspected shooter and said both he and Meade, 31, are considered armed and dangerous. Police said they obtained a warrant for Umphenours arrest on charges of aggravated battery against law enforcement and aiding and abetting an escape. The men were apprehended around 2 p.m. in Twin Falls, Idaho after a short car chase," Winegar said Thursday. No shots were fired and no "extensive use of force" was used during the arrests, he said. View of downtown Boise, Idaho from the top of Table Rock. Skylar Meade, Nicholas Umphenour allegedly committed two murders during manhunt, police say Meade and Umphenour are being looked at as suspects in two northern Idaho homicides, the chief said. He said the two deceased men were found in "rural Idaho, not inside of city limits. Police officers found the vehicle the duo used to escape, a gray 2020 Honda Civic, in northern Idaho, Winegar said. Authorities believe the two got a different vehicle and fled the area, he said. The handcuffs Meade escaped in were also found at the scene of the murders, according to Winegar. "The motive and why they did what they did, I don't know," the chief said. Idaho manhunt: Escaped Idaho inmate's handcuffs tie him to double-murder scene, police say Who is Skylar Meade? At the time of his escape, Mead was serving a 20-year prison sentence after being convicted of assault or battery with an enhancement for use of a deadly weapon, IDOC records show. The conviction stemmed from a shooting in 2017 in which he fired several shots at a law enforcement officer as he fled from a traffic stop during a police chase. "Our policies were followed and security was actually augmented as a result of Meade's history so they did in fact go above and beyond," Josh Tewalt, Idaho Department of Correction (IDOC) Director, said about the initial escape during the news conference Thursday. Police said Meade has prior convictions including felony possession of a controlled substance, grand theft, and introduction of contraband into a correctional facility. He has been incarcerated since October 2016 and his most recent sentence was set to end in 2036. Prison officials described Meade as a white male with brown hair and hazel eyes, 5-feet 6-inches tall, and weighing 150 pounds. He has tattoos on his arms, chest, calf, abdomen and face. Sentenced to death in Georgia: Atlanta man gets life in death of longtime friend over $35; victim's wife speaks out Officials described Meade as a white supremacist gang member, The Press Democrat reported. During a news conference Wednesday, Tewalt said Meade was taken to the hospital mid-Tuesday morning "after he engaged in self-injurious behavior and medical staff determined he needed emergency care," the outlet reported. Tewalt told reporters Meade's face tattoos include the numbers 1 and 11 for A and K, the first and 11th letters of the alphabet, representing the Aryan Knights, a gang he is allegedly affiliated with. The Aryan Knights are one of the multiple security threats we monitor, Tewalt said during the news conference Thursday. Their gang involvement does not necessarily mean that this was some gang-sanctioned event. Who is Nicholas Umphenour? Police described Umphenour as being 5-feet 11-inches tall, weighing about 160 pounds, with brown hair and hazel eyes. A photo provided by the department shows his head either bald or shaved. According to detectives, Umphenour is an associate of Meade, police wrote in a news release. Police did not release Umphenour's age or say whether he has a local criminal history. The hospital shooting and escape In a news release, police wrote, that during the 2:15 a.m. melee, two officers were struck by gunfire. One of them suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries and another officer was reportedly taken to a hospital in critical condition. A third officer was also hit during an exchange of gunfire after Boise police officers arrived at the hospital but officials said that officer suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Their conditions were not immediately known Thursday. "This brazen, violent, and apparently coordinated attack on Idaho Department of Corrections personnel, to facilitate an escape of a dangerous inmate, was carried out right in front of the emergency department, where people come for medical help, often in the direst circumstances," Boise Police Chief Ron Winegar said in a news release. The chief said his agency is "monitoring the wounded IDOC officers with great hope for a full and speedy recovery of all involved." The Ada County Sheriff's Office, the agency investigating the officer-involved shooting, could not immediately be reached by USA TODAY Thursday. Anyone with information about the suspects is asked to call 911. 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: Skylar Meade, Nicholas Umphenour arrested, in custody in Boise ambush Schools in Illinois can now use asthma inhalers to treat students with respiratory distress on campuses. The inhalers dont need to be specifically prescribed to a student. The Illinois Department of Public Health signed the order, so schools will get general prescriptions for inhalers to treat asthma attacks on campus. A school nurse or other trained employees can administer the treatment. Schools must notify parents immediately after the incidents happen. Schools needed individual orders from doctors in their area until now. For more information, click here. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. FILE PHOTO: The IMF logo is seen outside the headquarters building in Washington By Uditha Jayasinghe COLOMBO (Reuters) -The International Monetary Fund and Sri Lanka have reached a staff-level agreement on economic policies to conclude the second review of a four-year bailout programme, the global lender said on Thursday. The review, once approved by the IMF's board, will release $337 million in funding for the island nation. Sri Lanka defaulted on its overseas debt in May 2022 after a severe shortage of foreign exchange reserves triggered the worst financial crisis since independence from Britain in 1948. It has since made progress on about $11 billion of bilateral debt restructuring and hopes to have agreements in place with all key creditors, including bondholders, by May at the latest, Foreign Minister Ali Sabry told Reuters last month. "Macroeconomic policy reforms are starting to bear fruit," the IMF said in the statement. "Sustaining the reform momentum and addressing governance weaknesses and corruption vulnerabilities are critical to put the economy on a path towards lasting recovery and stable and inclusive growth." The IMF said Sri Lanka had made progress on implementing its reform agenda with commendable outcomes including rapid disinflation, robust reserve accumulation and initial signs of economic growth. It said the next steps were to finalise agreements with the official creditors and reach Agreements in Principle with the main external private creditors. "We look to see swift progress with the outstanding items, in particular reaching an agreement with international creditors, including private bondholders and China EXIM Bank to cement the path to debt sustainability," Peter Breuer, Senior Mission Chief for Sri Lanka told reporters. Sri Lanka has yet to reach an agreement in principle with bondholders and individual bilateral creditors that include China, Japan, and India. The country said it had shared a fresh debt restructuring proposal with private creditors in mid-February. Other reforms in the pipeline include reforming state-owned enterprises, increasing public revenue and implementing property taxes. Sri Lanka's international bonds rallied sharply on Thursday, with the 2028 up more than 2 cents in the dollar at 56.5 cents, Tradeweb data showed. The bonds were buoyed after the U.S. Federal Reserve indicated it would stick to its plan for rate cuts this year and by a report that Sri Lanka bondholders and the government would kick off restructuring talks next week. (Reporting by Uditha Jayasinghe, Additional reporting by Karin Strohecker, writing by Swati Bhat, editing by Sudipto Ganguly and Christina Fincher) The campaign of strikes on Russian assets shows Ukraine's ability to achieve asymmetric effects in the war, even if it is inferior in weapons, according to the latest report by the U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War released on March 20. The UAV strike on a Russian air base in Russias Saratov Oblast, which involved the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine (HUR), is an additional sign that Ukrainian drone strikes against Russia "achieve limited asymmetric effects against Russian military assets and economic output." Satellite imagery indicates that there were 11 Russian aircraft at Engels airbase on March 19 ahead of the strike, although ISW has no visual evidence that Ukrainian forces have damaged Russian aircraft at the airfield. The geolocated video footage from Engels contains the sound of loud explosions in the vicinity, but it is unclear whether they are coming from targets in Engels or from Russian air defense systems engaging air targets. The Russian Defense Ministry reported the alleged destruction of four Ukrainian UAVs over Saratov Oblast, while Governor Roman Busargin claimed that the strikes did not cause any damage. Read also: Drone attacks halt nitrate transshipment at large St Petersburg port, causing significant cargo loss ISW views these efforts by Ukraine as part of a broader campaign, recalling that recent Ukrainian drone strikes on oil refineries in Russia could have significantly undermined Russia's refining capacity. In particular, Bloomberg reported on March 20 that the UAV strikes could have disabled up to 11% of Russia's total refining capacity. In particular, Torbjorn Tornqvist, CEO of the multinational energy trading company Guvnor, believes that the Ukrainian strikes have deprived Russia of at least 600,000 barrels of daily refining capacity, while the American JPMorgan Chase and Co. estimates this figure even higher, at 900,000 barrels of daily refining capacity. The drop in Russia's refining capacity appears to have caused a sharp rise in gasoline and diesel prices on the St. Petersburg International Mercantile Exchange, but only a slight increase in the cost of domestic fuel in Russia, ISW adds. Tornqvist believes that this loss of refining capacity is likely to have an immediate impact on Russia's exports of distillates (oil products, called light fractions of crude oil, with a boiling point of less than 350 degrees, including gasoline). ISW has not yet seen evidence of a decline in Russian exports of crude oil and petroleum products following the Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries. However, analysts note that in 2023, Russia relied on oil revenues to support the federal budget amid the rising costs of the war in Ukraine, so significant restrictions on oil exports could have a significant impact on Russia's ability to balance record defense spending in 2024 with social spending commitments. ISW experts also believe that Ukrainian drone strikes on targets in Russia are likely to increase pressure on Russian air defense capabilities. On March 19, Director of the Gas Industry Development Department of the Russian Ministry of Energy and Coal Industry Artem Verkhov said that his department, together with the Russian Guard, is working on the idea of deploying Pantsir-S1 air defense systems at Russia's strategic energy facilities. At the same time, HUR spokesman Andriy Yusov said that Russia has already deployed Pantsir systems at energy facilities, and such statements about the alleged planned deployment are intended to reassure the Russian public. Previous strikes by Ukrainian drones on strategic targets in the Moscow and Leningrad oblasts may have constrained Russian short-range air defense assets along these likely UAV flight routes. This comes amid Russian ultra-nationalists recently complaining about the lack of air defense capabilities in other Russian regions deep in the rear. Thus, Ukraine's ability to target Russian military infrastructure, threaten Russian oil refining and exports, and increase pressure on Russia's air defense umbrella demonstrates that Ukraine can achieve an asymmetric effect even with strikes from a limited number of mostly domestically produced drones. Oil refineries NV Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Semafor Signals Insights from the BBC, Foreign Policy, Semafor, and the New Security Beat The News India has applied for two new permits from the U.N.s International Seabed Authority that would allow it to mine the Indian Ocean for precious minerals crucial to the green transition. Massive deposits of cobalt, copper, manganese, and nickel are found on the sea floor but there are widespread fears about the environmental impact of mining these materials. SIGNALS Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories. India trying to establish itself as powerhouse Source: BBC If the new permits are granted, India will secure as many mining licenses as Russia, and one less than China. India is motivated to stay ahead in the race to mine for crucial minerals, and the Indian Ocean hosts a huge reserve of potential deposits. The country is also motivated to show that it can be a leading player in the field: India may be ultimately seeking to project that it is a powerhouse in its own right, one that is not to be outrivalled in its own backyard, as well as to give the impression that it is not lagging behind the Chinese when it comes to the deep sea, Pradeep Singh, who works on ocean governance at the Research Institute for Sustainability in Germany, told the BBC. China leads race to mine sea floor Sources: Foreign Policy, Semafor, New Security Beat China has already cornered the minerals market, meaning countries around the world rely on it to procure crucial metals used in batteries and the production of electric vehicles. Beijing has also set its sights on deep-sea mineral extractions, and is hoping to prevent an expansion of mining that could threaten its grip on the sector, Foreign Policy noted last year. Chinas near monopoly of critical mineral processing gives it the ability to rock western supply chains, the New Security Beat has argued. Finding and extracting them could further solidify Chinas lead in accessing the reserves. In a bid to head off Chinas dominance in the sector, lawmakers in the U.S. are increasingly pushing for Washington to mine the sea floor, Semafors Net Zero reported this week. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, a leader in the opposition alliance challenging Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in April 2024 elections, has been arrested in a graft probe his supporters blasted as a 'political conspiracy' (Narinder NANU) The top politician in India's capital New Delhi was arrested Thursday in a graft probe his supporters say is aimed at sidelining opponents to Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of national elections. Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi's chief minister and a key leader in an opposition alliance challenging Modi in next month's polls, was detained after several hours of questioning by the Enforcement Directorate, India's main financial crimes agency. Kejriwal's government has been accused of corruption in the allocation of private liquor licenses and a probe in the matter has already seen two of his top allies jailed. Delhi education minister Atishi Marlena Singh confirmed the arrest and said Kejriwal remained the state's chief minister. "We made it clear from the beginning that if needed, Arvind Kejriwal will run the government from jail," she said. She described his arrest as a "political conspiracy" orchestrated by Modi's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). "I want to tell Prime Minister Modi that Arvind Kejriwal is not just a human but an idea," Singh said. "If you think that by arresting one Arvind Kejriwal you can finish that idea, you are wrong." She also said Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) was seeking a court intervention to quash the arrest. "We have asked for an urgent hearing by the Supreme Court tonight itself," Singh posted Thursday on X, formerly Twitter. Several angry supporters gathered in front of Kejriwal's home and shouted slogans, as security forces looked on. Kejriwal's administration introduced a controversial policy to liberalise the sale of liquor in 2021 by inviting private players to set up stores, ending a government monopoly. The policy was withdrawn in 2022 and the resulting probe into the alleged corrupt allocation of licences saw the jailing of two senior members of the AAP. Kejriwal, 55, who has been chief minister for nearly a decade and first came to office as a staunch anti-corruption crusader, had resisted multiple summons from the Enforcement Directorate to be interrogated as part of the probe. Virendra Sachdeva, the head of the BJP's Delhi office, said Kejriwal had been "making excuses" to avoid explaining his role in the case. "The kind of political theatrics he was doing has been put to an end today," Sachdeva said. "Today finally the truth has won." - 'Our ability to fight' - Kejriwal is among several prominent opposition leaders subject to criminal investigations that supporters say are aimed at hobbling opponents of the BJP. Rahul Gandhi, the most prominent member of the opposition Congress party and scion of a dynasty that dominated Indian politics for decades, was convicted of criminal libel last year after a complaint by a member of Modi's party. His two-year prison sentence saw him disqualified from parliament for a time until the verdict was suspended by a higher court, but raised concerns over democratic norms in the world's most populous country. Congress leaders called a press conference Thursday to announce that an ongoing investigation into its tax filings had left its bank accounts frozen and the party bereft of funds. "We have no money to campaign, we cannot support our candidates," Gandhi told reporters. "Our ability to fight elections has been damaged." Gandhi also took to social media to blast the arrest of Kejriwal, taking a veiled swipe at the country's leadership. "A scared dictator wants to create a dead democracy," he posted on X. Kejriwal's party and Congress are members of a broad opposition alliance aimed at jointly contesting national elections running between April and June. But even without the criminal investigations targeting its most prominent leaders, few expect the bloc to make inroads against Modi, who remains roundly popular a decade after first taking office. Many analysts have treated Modi's reelection as a foregone conclusion, partly due to the resonance of his assertive Hindu-nationalist politics with the members of the country's majority faith. bur-gle/mlm/tjj Congress party treasurer Ajay Maken, left, speaks and displays the notice from Indian taxation authority as party president Mallikarjun Kharge, second right, and senior party leaders Sonia Gandhi, second left, and Rahul Gandhi listen during a press conference at their party headquarters in New Delhi, India, Thursday, March 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup) NEW DELHI (AP) The Congress party, Indias main opposition political group, accused Prime Minister Narendra Modis government on Thursday of stifling democracy and crippling the party by freezing its bank accounts in a tax dispute ahead of national elections. India has announced that a 6-week-long general election will start April 19, with most polls predicting a victory for Modi and his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party. Rahul Gandhi, a former Congress party chief, said it is unable to campaign properly with its accounts frozen. "We cant support our workers, and our candidates and leaders cant travel by air or train he told reporters. "This is a criminal action on the Congress party done by the prime minister and the home minister. The idea that India is a democracy is a lie. There is no democracy in India today, he said. The BJP rejected the allegations, saying the Congress party's bank accounts were partially frozen because it had failed to file an income tax return for cash donations it received in 2017-18 and had therefore lost the tax exemption available to political parties. Congress party treasurer Ajay Maken said in a statement that the party had received 1.9 billion rupees ($24 million) in donations in 2017-18. He said income tax authorities imposed a 2.1 billion rupee ($25 million) lien on Feb. 13, virtually sealed its bank accounts, and then confiscated 1.1 billion rupees ($14 million). BJP President Jagat Prakash Nadda said the Congress party was making the accusations against Indian democracy and institutions because it feared an historic defeat in the elections. India's Supreme Court is scheduled to take up the Congress party's complaint early next month after it was rejected by tax appeal authorities, BJP spokesman Ravi Shankar Prasad told reporters. Voting in India, the worlds largest democracy, will stretch over seven phases, with different states voting at different times. Results are to be announced on June 4. Ronnie Lessa is escorted by a police officer after testifying at the homicide department in Rio de Janeiro, in 2019. The man accused of the 2018 murder of Marielle Franco, 38, a leftist city councilor of Rio de Janeiro, has confessed to the police in exchange for having his prison sentence reduced, as revealed on Tuesday night by the Brazilian government. He is a former military police officer turned hitman named Ronnie Lessa, who has been behind bars due to the case for five years. The content of the confession is still under seal, but authorities claim it is crucial to discovering who ordered Francos murder. Resolving the case is one of the top priorities for Brazils political left. Justice Minister Ricardo Lewandowski appeared in a hurry on Tuesday to announce that the alleged murderers confession had been approved by the judge. In other words, details of Lessas testimony have been cross-referenced with other sources and the story fits. We know that this confession, which is a means of obtaining evidence, provides very important elements, which leads us to believe that we will soon have an answer to the murder of Councilwoman Marielle Franco, he stated. Since its first day in office, the government of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has been under pressure to solve the case. There was little hope of such an outcome during the government of the far-right Jair Bolsonaro, whose family had a relationship with Lessa. The hitman hopes that in exchange for confessing who commissioned him to kill Franco, he will be able to combine several sentences and receive between 20 and 30 years in prison, according to the Brazilian newspaper O Globo. There is pressure on Lula from civil society and also from the Cabinet, as the president appointed Anielle Franco, the councilors younger sister, to the position of Minister of Racial Equality. Since the murder, many police commissioners, prosecutors and judges have taken up the case. There are numerous theories and multiple suspects have been identified as the masterminds, but the only truly relevant development was the arrest, in 2019, of the alleged shooter and another military police officer, Elcio Queiroz, who was accused of driving the car used in the attack. Marielle was murdered on the night of March 14, 2018, while in a car in the center of Rio. The driver was killed too. The politicians press officer was sitting next to her in the back seat, but miraculously survived. They were shot from a car that pulled up next to them. Lessa was considered one of the best shooters in the Rio Military Police. It was surprising for the minister to call a press conference to report on an important but still procedural matter, in a case that is under seal. But the Cabinet is under pressure from President Lula to provide good news to Brazilians after the latest polls found that the governments approval rate is slipping. Lessa is imprisoned in Campo Grande, in a maximum security prison 870 miles from Rio. The man accused of carrying out the murder with him was also imprisoned there, but he was transferred to Rio after offering to collaborate with the police and confessing. Now he is set to be followed by Lessa, who is accused of pulling the trigger. After the justice ministers press conference, Francos widow, Monica Benicio who followed her wifes example and is now a councilor in Rio posted: We want concrete answers. I hope that the next press conference will be to make a concrete statement that is truly committed to justice. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Congress claim the sanctions are politically motivated to hobble it from mounting a challenge to Modi's BJP - MAHESH KUMAR A/AP Indias main opposition party on Thursday said the government had frozen its bank accounts, leaving it with no money to compete with the ruling party in next months elections. Our entire financial identity has been erased, said Congress Party leader Rahul Gandhi, 53, the scion of the family that dominated Indian politics for decades after independence. We have no money to campaign, we cannot support our candidates. Our ability to fight elections has been damaged. Several of the partys bank accounts were frozen in February because of the alleged late filing of tax returns. Congress claim the tax departments sanctions are politically motivated, to hobble it from mounting a challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modis ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Last week, we received another notice from the tax authorities that dates back to our filings from 1995-96, Gandhi told reporters in New Delhi. We dont even have money to print publicity material. In a rare public appearance, former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, 77, Rahuls mother, said the tax penalty was part of the systemic efforts to cripple the party. Nearly a billion Indians will vote to elect a new government in a month-and-a-half-long election starting on April 19, the largest democratic exercise in the world. Under scrutiny Indias democratic credentials have come under scrutiny, with critics accusing the government of politicising the justice system. The countrys main financial investigation agency, the enforcement directorate, has launched probes into at least five state chief ministers or their families, all belonging to the BJPs political opponents. Rahul Gandhi criticised institutions which are supposed to protect the framework of democracy for not speaking up, singling out the election commission for not intervening. There is no democracy in India today. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, 81, said the lack of funds had made it helpless ahead of the elections. There is no level playing field, According to the latest official financial disclosures, BJP funds are nearly 10 times that of Congress. The gulf dramatically widened after Modis government introduced contentious electoral bonds in 2017, allowing unlimited anonymous donations. Last month, the Supreme Court outlawed the scheme as unconstitutional and asked for donor and receiver details to be made public. Released details showed BJP was by far the single-largest beneficiary, with just under half of all donations, totalling around $730 million. 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. India is taking another step in its quest to find valuable minerals hidden in the depths of the ocean which could hold the key to a cleaner future. The country, which already has two deep-sea exploration licences in the Indian Ocean, has applied for two more amid increasing competition between major global powers to secure critical minerals. Countries including China, Russia and India are vying to reach the huge deposits of mineral resources - cobalt, nickel, copper, manganese - that lie thousands of metres below the surface of oceans. These are used to produce renewable energy such as solar and wind power, electric vehicles and battery technology needed to battle against climate change. The UN-affiliated International Seabed Authority (ISA) has issued 31 exploration licences so far, of which 30 are active. Its member countries are meeting in Jamaica this week to discuss regulations around giving out mining licences. If the ISA approves India's new applications, its licence count will be equal to that of Russia and one less than China. One of India's applications seeks to explore polymetallic sulphides - chimney-like mounds near hydrothermal vents containing copper, zinc, gold and silver - in the Carlsberg Ridge of the Central Indian Ocean. The ISA's legal and technical commission has sent a list of comments and questions about this to the Indian government, according to a document seen by the BBC. In response to the other application - to explore the cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts of the Afanasy-Nikitin Seamount in the Central Indian Ocean - the commission has noted that another unnamed country has claimed the seabed area (that India has applied for) as part of their extended continental shelf and asked India for a response. Whatever the outcome of the applications, one thing is clear: India does not want to fall behind in the race to secure critical minerals from the bottom of the oceans. "The Indian Ocean promises tremendous potential reserves and that expanse has motivated the government of India to increase its scientific exploration of the ocean's depths," says Nathan Picarsic, co-founder of Horizon Advisory, a US-based geopolitical and supply chain intelligence provider. In 2022, India collected some polymetallic nodules from the Indian Ocean as part of a trial India, China, Germany and South Korea already have exploration licences for polymetallic sulphides in the Indian Ocean ridge area. In 2022, India's National Institute of Ocean Technology conducted trials of its mining machine at a depth of 5,270m in the central Indian Ocean basin and collected some polymetallic nodules (potato-shaped rocks that lie on the seafloor and are rich in manganese, cobalt, nickel, and copper). India's earth sciences ministry did not respond to the BBC's questions on the country's deep-sea mining plans. "India may be ultimately seeking to project that it is a powerhouse in its own right, one that is not to be outrivalled in its own backyard, as well as to give the impression that it is not lagging behind the Chinese when it comes to the deep sea," says Pradeep Singh, who works on ocean governance at the Research Institute for Sustainability in Potsdam, Germany. The US is not part of the race to mine international waters as it has not ratified the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, the agreement which led to the creation of the ISA. Instead, it aims to source minerals from its domestic seabed and process ones mined by its allies from international waters. Supporters of deep seabed exploration say that mining on land has almost reached a saturation point, resulting in low-quality production, and that many of the mineral source-areas are plagued by conflict or environmental issues. But environmental campaigners say the deep seabed is the last frontier in the planet that remains largely unstudied and untouched by humanity and mining there could cause irreparable damage, no matter how pressing the need. Around two dozen countries - including the UK, Germany, Brazil and Canada - are also demanding either a halt or a temporary pause on deep-sea mining, given what they say is a lack of information about the marine ecosystems in those depths. The UN-affiliated International Seabed Authority (ISA) has issued 31 exploration licences so far, of which 30 are active. The World Bank has projected that extraction of critical minerals will need to increase fivefold by 2050 to meet the demand for clean energy technologies. India has a short-term target of increasing its renewables capacity to 500 gigawatts by 2030, and meeting 50% of its energy requirements from renewables by then, with the long-term goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2070. To meet these targets, experts say India will need to secure critical minerals from all possible sources including the deep seabed. Currently, a few countries dominate the production of critical minerals on land. Australia is a major producer of lithium, while Chile is the top provider of copper. China predominantly produces graphite and rare earths (used in smartphones and computers). But there are geopolitical concerns about China's dominance in processing these minerals before they enter the supply chain. China - which has honed processing technologies and expertise over decades - currently controls 100% of the refined supply of natural graphite and dysprosium, 70% of cobalt and almost 60% of all processed lithium and manganese, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency. Moreover, Beijing has banned the export of some of its processing technologies. "We are up against a dominant supplier that is willing to weaponise market power for political gain," US energy secretary Jennifer Granholm said at a critical minerals and clean energy summit in August 2023. It's to counter China that the US and several western countries launched the Minerals Security Partnership - to catalyse "investment in responsible critical minerals supply chains" - in 2022. India is now a member. India has also signed an agreement with Russia to develop deep-sea mining technologies. "The confluence of rising geopolitical tensions and the energy transition is speeding up the scramble to extract, process and utilise critical minerals," Mr Picarsic says. Read more India stories from the BBC: An Indiana man who shot himself in the Court Street parking ramp after a brief standoff with police has pleaded guilty and could face more than 40 years in prison. Carldale Hunter, 34, was charged with six crimes following a December 2022 standoff when he took his wife, hostage, held a gun to her head, and threatened to kill her. Hunter's guilty plea is on six counts which include: Third-degree Kidnapping, a Class "C" felony Going Armed with Intent as a Felon, a Class "D" felony Felon in Possession of a Firearm, a Class "D" felony Domestic Abuse or Assault Causing Bodily Injury or Mental Illness, a serious misdemeanor Child Endangerment, an aggravated misdemeanor Second-degree Robbery, a Class "C" felony As part of his plea deal, Hunter will not be eligible for parole for at least a decade. His sentencing is set for March 25. More: A victim is in critical condition after an Iowa City man allegedly stabbed and pushed them into a river University Heights Police and University of Iowa Police squad cars block traffic on East Burlington Street at 2:46 p.m. while law enforcement responded to a hostage situation in a parking ramp and bus depot on Court Street in Iowa City on Dec. 12, 2022. Hunter tried to take family to Chicago The charges stem from a December 2022 standoff in which police say Hunter took his wife and children from Cedar Rapids to Iowa City the night prior. He planned to eventually take them to Chicago before he was confronted by police at the Trailways Bus Station. Hunter's wife had managed to text someone about the kidnapping and said he had a gun that person reported the incident, police said in their report. Police say Hunter grabbed his wife after police approached him, pointed a gun at her, and fled on foot into the Court Street Transportation Center Parking Ramp. Hunter eventually let go of his wife and shot himself after negotiations with the police. Authorities did not specify the nature of Hunter's injury in the wake of the incident. The University of Iowa Department of Public Safety alerted students via a HawkAlert of a man with a gun and to avoid the area around the parking ramp. UI and Iowa City police closed off portions of East Burlington Street, South Dubuque Street, and East Court Street near the parking lot, redirecting traffic. Together, Hunter's six charges could amount to 43 years in prison and more than $6,000 in fines. Police say Hunter violated a no-contact order more than 20 times by speaking with protected individuals while serving time in the Johnson County Jail. More: Paula Scanlan, former teammate of trans swimmer Lia Thomas, to speak at UI on March 25 Ryan Hansen covers local government and crime for the Press-Citizen. He can be reached at rhansen@press-citizen.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ryanhansen01. This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Indiana man pleads guilty to kidnapping, robbery after 2022 shooting Earlier in March, 17-year-old Cameron Blasek reported to the principal's office at his high school in St. Leon, where he received what he called a "shocking" demand. His East Central High School counselor and vice principal, he said, told him to remove the American flag fastened on the back of his blue Dodge pickup, or be written up for insubordination. Blasek, who spoke with CBS-affiliated TV station WKRC Local 12 news, told reporters the flag hadn't been a problem all year. It was properly secured to his vehicle and followed the U.S. flag code. Blasek said he wanted to show pride for his country and pay respect to fallen American soldiers. A school administrator asked Blasek, twice, to remove the flag or be disciplined, according to WKRC. Student refused to remove flag from his vehicle Blasek refused and stood his ground. The 17-year-old read to administrators from East Central High School's own student handbook, he said, arguing there were no rules against displaying the U.S. flag. "The word 'flag' isn't even in there, aside from the flag twirling section," Blasek told WKRC. News of the encounter spread quickly and by next morning, not only did Blasek arrive for school with the American flag attached to his vehicle but so did roughly two dozen other students, WKRC reports. The school has since been on damage control after a social media post by Libs of TikTok describing Blasek's encounter went viral, receiving as much as 8.4 million views since March 8. SCOOP: A student at @EastCentralHS in Indiana drove to school with an American flag on the back of his truck. The school reportedly responded by threatening to punish him if he didn't remove it. After hearing what happened, nearly 2 dozen other students flew American flags on pic.twitter.com/6EIOTzPlzn Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) March 8, 2024 According to the social media post, administrators told Blasek the American flag might be considered "offensive" or "controversial" after the 17-year-old questioned school officials on why they wanted it removed an accusation East Central High School principal Tom Black strongly denies, according to WKRC, telling reporters "no high school staff member or administrator insinuated that the flag of the United States was offensive." School administrator addresses controversy A letter from Black to parents, later shared by St. Lawrenceburg radio station Eagle Country 99.3 FM, addressed the controversy, calling it "a misunderstanding" and emphasized that the school encouraged "expressions of patriotism and pride." "After careful consideration and in recognition of the importance of the U.S. flag as a symbol of unity and national identity, I am pleased to inform you that we are allowing the display of the U.S. flag by students in the East Central High School parking lot," the letter states. Black later told ABC-affiliated TV station WCPO 9 in Cincinnati that the district was "deeply sorry for the misunderstandings and confusion that social media was creating" and that the school "would allow the U.S. Flag to be displayed, and would prohibit other flags if they were determined to be offensive." Today, the American flag on Blasek's pickup is even louder than before after the owner of a Cincinnati sign shop, GCI Digital Imagaing, offered to custom vinyl wrap the 17-year-old's vehicle in red, white and blue. A second company in Seymour Indiana added a flagpole. The addition "looks sweet" Blasek said on Facebook, who thanked the growing list of companies, friends, family and strangers showing him support. My Facebook Post Others are reading: Pub crawls are nice, but this book crawl around Indianapolis sounds amazing John Tufts covers trending news for the Indianapolis Star. Send him a news tip at JTufts@Gannett.com. Follow him on X at @JTuftsReports. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana teen gets pickup wrapped in American flag after going viral MUMBAI (Reuters) -India's main opposition Congress party accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday of crippling it before the upcoming general election by freezing its accounts in an income tax case. A part of the Congress' bank accounts was frozen last month pending a tax case that dates back to 2018-19, the party has said previously. Earlier this month, a tax tribunal dismissed its appeal to pause recovery of 1.35 billion rupees ($16.32 million) in income tax from its bank accounts. On Thursday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said all accounts belonging to the party had been frozen, leaving it with no access to funds for campaigning. "20 percent of India votes for us and we can't even pay two rupees for anything. It has been orchestrated to cripple us in the elections," Gandhi said at a press conference. A spokesperson for the Income Tax department, in its response to Reuters queries, said it cannot disclose information of taxpayers, and cited a tax tribunal and a court order in its favour. General elections are scheduled to be held in seven phases starting next month, with most opinion polls predicting an easy win for Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The Congress, which leads a rag-tag bunch of bickering opposition parties in alliance for the general elections, is seen as Modi's main challenger. "We can do no campaign work. Our leaders cannot fly from one part of the country to the other. Forget about flying, they cannot even buy a rail ticket," Gandhi said about the tax case, which he said had caused all the party's bank accounts to be frozen. The BJP was quick to deny Gandhi's charges, saying the Congress was guilty of tax evasion and had to face action because of that. The Congress has said that the frozen accounts had funds including those collected by the party through crowd-funding and membership drives. The party, which has ruled India for 54 of its 76 years since independence from Britain, has sunk to record low numbers in parliament after Modi swept to power in 2014 and is struggling to revive support. (Reporting by Shilpa Jamkhandikar and Nikunj Ohri; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan) Mr Prabowo, a retired general, cast himself as a cuddly grandpa during the campaign Indonesia's defence minister Prabowo Subianto has been declared the winner of last month's presidential election in the world's third largest democracy. Mr Prabowo appealed for unity as his two rivals, Anies Baswedan and Ganjar Pranowo, vowed to contest the result. The former general, who had been dogged by allegations of human rights abuse for decades, won 58.59% of the votes. He had endeared himself to social media-savvy voters with TikTok videos that cast him as a cuddly grandpa. "For those who didn't vote for us, give us a chance," the 72-year-old said after the elections commission announced the official count on Wednesday night. "We will prove that we are a president and vice president who will work as hard as possible for all the Indonesian people," he said. He will assume office in October, taking over from President Joko Widodo, who is more popularly known as Jokowi. Eighty percent of 205 million registered voters across 17,000 islands and three time zones trooped to polling centres last 14 February, making it the world's largest single-day election. Mr Prabowo's votes exceeded the majority required to avoid a runoff. Mr Anies and Mr Ganjar got 25% and 16%, respectively. Mr Prabowo thanked the popular Jokowi, whose tacit backing is widely believed to have helped him win. The former general lost two presidential elections to Mr Jokowi in 2014 and 2019. His running mate - now the vice president-elect - is Mr Jokowi's eldest son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, who was only able to run only after a last-minute lowering of a minimum age requirement. Mr Prabowo claimed victory after the election on 14 February when unofficial tallies showed he had a strong lead over his rivals. World leaders have also congratulated him over the past weeks. On Wednesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken extended his "sincere congratulations" and applauded Indonesians for "their robust turnout and commitment to democracy and the rule of law". German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said in a statement that he looked forward "to deepening our strategic partnership even further", a view echoed by the French foreign ministry. Anticipating protests from Mr Anies' and Mr Ganjar's supporters, police deployed more than 3,000 officers to stand guard across the capital city Jakarta before official results were announced. Demonstrators have taken to the streets in the past weeks alleging widespread election fraud. Among other things, Mr Anies and Mr Ganjar had earlier alleged that Mr Gibran's candidacy was a part of behind-the-scenes manoeuvring that showed Mr Jokowi's partiality for the Prabowo-Gibran camp. Mr Anies said on Wednesday that there had been election irregularities and that his legal team would take it to court. "A leadership born out of a sullied process, with deviations, fraud, will produce a regime with unjust policies," Reuters news agency cited him as saying. The head of Mr Ganjar's legal team had also told BBC Indonesia they would challenge the result in court. They have to do so within the next three days, according to the country's laws. "There have been a lot of complaints about irregularities. This election in the Reformasi era is considered [by many] to be less free and fair than previous elections in the post-Suharto period," Indonesian professor Dewi Fortuna Anwar told the BBC's Newsday programme on Thursday. The Reformasi, also known as the Reform era, began with the fall of Indonesia's authoritarian president Suharto in May 1998. "Academics and civil society organisations throughout the country have been expressing concerns over [alleged] ethical and legal violations, and improper, or you might even say illegal, use of state resources," said Ms Dewi, a professor at the National Research and Innovation Agency in Indonesia. Additional reporting by BBC Indonesia Former Jakarta Governor and presidential candidate Anies Baswedan gestures during his campaign in Ciamis By Kate Lamb and Fransiska Nangoy JAKARTA (Reuters) -The legal team of Indonesian losing presidential candidate Anies Baswedan called on the Constitutional Court on Thursday to order an election re-run that excludes President Joko Widodo's son, alleging his last-minute inclusion for the vice president's post unfairly swayed the vote. The call came just hours after official election results late on Wednesday showed a thumping victory for defence minister and ex-special forces commander Prabowo Subianto, who won almost 60% of the vote, buoyed by the tacit backing of the hugely popular Widodo, better known as Jokowi. Former Jakarta governor Anies, who took 25% of votes, filed the case with the court on Thursday and rival Ganjar Pranowo, who won 16%, said he too would contest the result in the same court. Such challenges are commonplace in Indonesia's elections. The legal team of Anies said Prabowo's victory had come as a result of interference by the administration. A decision last year by the Constitutional Court to change eligibility rules allowed Jokowi's son Gibran Rakabuming Raka to become Prabowo's running mate. "We requested a voting re-run without that vice-presidential candidate so there will be no more meddling," a lawyer for Anies, Ari Yusuf Amir, told reporters. CONTENTIOUS RULING The Constitutional Court ruling was highly controversial, as the court's chief justice at the time, Anwar Usman, is Jokowi's brother-in-law and was later reprimanded by an ethics panel for failing to recuse himself. Anwar is still on the bench but is barred from taking part in any election disputes. Allies of the president have denied he interfered in the decision. A spokesperson for the president's office did not immediately respond to request for comment on the call for an election re-run. Prabowo, a fiery-tempered military man turned Tik Tok sensation, swept the election at his third attempt at the top job, appealing to young voters, buoyed by the implied endorsement of former rival Jokowi and his promise of continuity of his policies. Responding to the results on Wednesday, Prabowo thanked his supporters, and Jokowi, and pledged to be a leader for all Indonesians. His team has said it has more than 30 lawyers ready to face any legal challenges. Mahfud MD, the running mate of third-placed Ganjar, said on Thursday the Feb. 14 vote was "the most brutal" since Indonesia started holding direct presidential elections two decades ago, due to meddling by state officials. The team of Anies has refused to concede. "From the start the process has been problematic and that has led to extraordinary problems," lawyer Ari said. "Because the vice presidential candidate is the son of a president, that has carried a tremendous impact." "Let's fight honestly, fairly and freely," he added. Anies' team also alleged widespread allocation of social assistance to influence voting, presenting stacks of paperwork to the court that they said contained evidence of the mobilisation of state agencies and officials to swing the election in favour of Prabowo. The government has previously rejected such claims. Ganjar said the challenge was necessary to "restore the credibility of our democracy". Anies said the electoral process was as important as the result, and his case sought to ensure democracy was protected and upheld. "There were many problems and we want those corrected so they are not repeated," he said. (Reporting by Kate Lamb, Fransiska Nangoy, Gayatri Suroyo and Stefanno Sulaiman; Editing by Martin Petty and Raju Gopalakrishnan) In a bid to impose heavier penalties on repeat criminal offenders, top Southern California law enforcement officials announced a new initiative Wednesday to target and try more suspects under federal guidelines. The initiative, dubbed Operation Safe Cities, was born out of frustration with violent criminals carrying out brazen robberies with firearms and seeks to build on existing partnerships to secure additional resources and more readily flag relevant offenses for federal authorities who have access to stricter sentencing statutes. "This effort is to ensure the most violent people out there on the streets are prosecuted and spend the time in jail that they need to," interim Los Angeles Police Department Chief Dominic Choi said during a press conference in downtown Los Angeles. Read more: A troubling California trend: More violent crimes with guns even as restrictions tighten The goal, officials said, is to train local police detectives to prepare cases that could be elevated to the federal level. Representatives from the LAPD, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and Ventura County Sheriff's Office will review potential cases with their counterparts in the FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, according to U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada. "We see individuals using guns to commit extortion, and individuals using guns to commit kidnappings and assaults," Estrada said during the news conference. "This increase in violent gun crime is unacceptable." The push to more widely leverage the federal judicial system likely would sidestep local and state prosecutors. Estrada said he has had conversations about Operation Safe Cities with Ventura County Dist. Atty. Erik Nasarenko and L.A. County Dist. Atty. George Gascon. "We feel it's our place to use the powerful sentencing tools we have to address this," Estrada said. "We are being collaborative in this and are working with our state [and] local partners to make this a success." Neither Gascon whose policies critics have condemned as overly lenient nor Nasarenko was among the cadre of top criminal justice officials in attendance at Wednesday's press conference. But in a statement, the L.A. County district attorney's office applauded the initiative, welcoming "the introduction of additional effective tools and resources in combating violent crimes." "Operation Safe Cities complements our broader strategy of ensuring that violent perpetrators face accountability for their actions," the statement continued. "We look forward to continuing our work alongside our federal partners to ensure that every available resource and strategy is used to make L.A. County a safer place for all." As to whether this initiative would preclude the district attorney from taking on these types of cases, Gascon "rejects any assertion that this is an attempt to sidestep his jurisdiction or thwart his discretion," his office added in a separate statement. Read more: Crime is down, but fear is up: Why is L.A. still perceived as dangerous? Authorities will take care to ensure the emphasis on stricter penalties for convicted individuals will not repeat the mass incarceration of Black and brown residents seen during previous "tough on crime" initiatives, Estrada said. "We take a thoughtful approach to who we prosecute and the cases we prosecute," he said. In 2022, 32% of those sentenced to state or federal prison were Black, while 31% were white and 23% were Hispanic, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics. The latest U.S. Census data show that residents identifying as Black or African American alone make up a little over 13% of the U.S. population, while those identifying as Hispanic or Latino make up 19%. Following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, law enforcement agencies across the nation grappled with a significant spike in violent crime. In California in 2020, homicides using firearms increased by 40.6% and assaults with firearms went up by 29% from the previous year, according to a Times analysis of Department of Justice data. The trend continued in 2021, with each category of crimes increasing 8% before dropping off by about as much in 2022, the most recent year for which data were available. But the rate for 2022 remains noticeably higher than pre-pandemic figures. Guns were used in 71.2% of homicides and 21.8% of assaults in 2022, compared with 68% and 16.9%, respectively, in 2019. Read more: L.A. officials tout double-digit drop in violent crime in 2023 In Los Angeles, LAPD data showed a double-digit drop in violent crimes last year compared to 2022. Killings and shootings in 2023 were down 17% and 10%, respectively, compared to the previous year. Overall, the homicide rate dropped 16% and there were 127 fewer gunshot victims than the previous year. But the total number of gunshot victims in 2023, 1,206, was still 260 more than in 2019, according to the LAPD. Still, authorities say they hope Operation Safe Cities will offer law enforcement agencies more tools to prosecute criminals. Officers from specialized divisions within the LAPD have worked with federal partners before, but more desk detectives will be able to review those offenses that could become federal cases, Choi said. "These agency partnerships are force multipliers in preventing crime and finding justice for victims," said Ted Docks, FBI special agent in charge of the criminal division in L.A., citing existing collaborative efforts focused on gang violence, narcotics and bank robberies. Read more: Violent crime decreases to pre-pandemic levels, FBI report says L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna pointed to an investigation into a pair of people suspected of robbing more than 20 Trader Joe's across multiple California counties in 2020. Law enforcement agencies worked together to apprehend the suspects, and one was sentenced to more than 20 years in prison after being tried in federal court. But law enforcement is just one piece of the puzzle. Authorities also rely on watchful residents and forthcoming witnesses to combat violent crime. "We recognize that we do not do this alone. We can't be successful alone. Addressing violent crime is not just a law enforcement issue," Luna said. Times staff writers Sonja Sharp, Libor Jany and Terry Castleman 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. On New Years Eve 2022, Russian air strikes hit the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, the largest university in Ukraine. The explosions blew out the windows of several buildings, including the laboratory of geologist Natalia Gerasimenko. There were no injuries, but no one could remedy the fact that pollen released by flowers and plants thousands or even millions of years ago was scattered everywhere and lost forever. Recent times have been very difficult, says Gerasimenko, 70, from Kyiv in a teleconference conversation. Neither her perfectly coiffed hair, nor her impeccable yellow sweater, nor her relaxed smile, give the impression she is speaking from a country that has been at war for over two years. Thanks to Western countries we have the Patriot system in Kyiv and far fewer shells are falling. Even so, air raid alarms are very frequent. Sometimes they go off in the middle of class and students have to run to bomb shelters. Its not pleasant, but we survive, she adds. Raised and educated in the Soviet Union, Gerasimenko decided to become a geologist against the advice of her parents, who were both forestry engineers and saw little future in the profession. In those days it was not possible to travel overseas, but in her early university years her professors were very well connected and she received visits from some of the most significant researchers of the time. Among them was George Kukla, a geologist born in the former Czechoslovakia and who immigrated to the United States and was one of the first scientists to demonstrate that, over the course of the previous millions of years, the Earth and all the creatures that inhabited it lived at the mercy of climatic cycles that every 100,000 years or so covered a large part of Europe and America with impenetrable glaciers. Between cycles, a window of climatic bonanza allowed life to flourish and facilitated the first human migrations. Pollen is an exceptional marker to investigate these periods. After the 2022 bombing, it was crucial to prevent the volatile sex cells of todays plants from sneaking into the building and contaminating the few samples that had survived the attack, Gerasimenko explains. Her small victory in this war, and that of her students, is that the lab is now fully shored up and has been back in operation since May. Workers repairing the damage in Natalia Gerasimenko's laboratory. N. G. A few days ago, Gerasimenko was one of the members of the team that uncovered the oldest human artifacts in Europe: stone tools carved by Homo erectus 1.4 million years ago in western Ukraine. Gerasimenkos work in sediment dating and her reconstruction of past ecosystems was an important contribution to the discovery, which was published in the prestigious journal Nature. This triumph for Ukrainian science was published almost at the same time as the most detailed report to date on the impact of the war on the countrys scientific system. Economic losses amount to some $1.26 billion, according to the study carried out by the United Nations. Thousands of buildings have been destroyed or damaged and the employees of 18 universities and research centers have been evacuated to the west because they are too close to the front line or have fallen to Russian forces. This is the case of the Institute of Safety Problems of Nuclear Power Plants, located in Chernobyl, which was occupied by Putins troops in March 2022. The entire surveillance system of the Ukrainian nuclear industry, including the Zaporizhzhia power plant, has been occupied or destroyed by the Russians. The loss of this equipment could endanger the health of more than two billion inhabitants of Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia, the report highlights. According to the paper, 208 members of the Ukrainian National Academy of Sciences enlisted in the military and 11 have died in combat. Overall, 1,518 scientists have volunteered for duty in combat regiments. Around 5,500 Ukrainian researchers have left the country to work in other countries, mainly Germany and Poland. A few days after the Russian invasion, on February 24, 2022, Gerasimenko fled to the south of the country. She spent a few months there until her university helped her to leave Ukraine. There was a lot of solidarity. I was invited to universities in Sweden, Poland, Germany, Romania and Italy. Finally, I went to La Sapienza University in Rome. But after a few months it was time to return to my country; especially as my daughter and granddaughter had done so as well. Her son-in-law, who is 55, could not leave Ukraine under martial law. After the stabilization of the front and a relative return to normality, the university forced the resumption of on-site classes. Anyone who did not want to return to face-to-face work would lose their job, says Gerasimenko, who now teaches undergraduate and graduate classes every day and supervises eight doctoral theses. My job is to study the past to understand the present and forecast the future, says Gerasimenko, an expert in paleogeography and geoarchaeology. One of the things we see is that all past cultures relied heavily on nature: 7,000 years ago, for example, in the Neolithic, pollen shows us that the climate of the planet became very benign. But about 2,000 years later it got worse and these proto-civilizations disappeared from Ukraine. Thanks to this science we can see all these connections. It is very interesting and important. Artifacts at the paleontological site near Kostiantynivka, Ukraine. N. G. There are many sites in Ukraine that researchers have not been able to return to. Some have been mined and some are too close to the front lines. The one that worries Gerasimenko the most is near Kostiantynivka, in the east of the country, just a few miles from the front lines of Donetsk. Real tragedies have been experienced there, such as the shelling of a market that left 16 people dead. In 2017, paleontologist Alexander Filippov discovered the almost complete skeleton of a mammoth in the vicinity and, in more superficial strata, stone tools made by humans. It was an exceptional find, as it is possibly a Mammuthus meridionalis that lived between 1.8 million and 700,000 years ago, explains the scientist. The tools are about 500,000 years old. The presence in eastern Ukraine of an animal characteristic of warmer climates than today, and the subsequent appearance of humans, shows that there may have been one of those windows of time in which the huge glaciers retreated and allowed a few millennia of prosperity. This is very similar to what has been seen at Korolevo, the site where the oldest tools in Europe were found. These bones are extremely valuable, unique in all of eastern Ukraine. They need to be excavated very carefully and following strict paleontological procedures, which is impossible at the moment, Gerasimenko explains. Last Friday, the geologist was able to talk to her colleague, archaeologist Yuri Koval, who was working in the area. His entire department has been moved to Lviv and he has been evacuated with his wife and infant child to a safer place. Along with Filippov, Koval has covered the excavation with earth to protect it from bombs, but shells are constantly falling, sometimes less than 10 meters away. If the worst happens, scientists have an ace up their sleeve. Before covering the site, Koval extracted the mammoths teeth and took them to Lviv, explains Gerasimenko. They still retain the enamel, making them the best sample for good geochemical dating or even extracting DNA. In fact, before the war started, we were planning to invite international experts to carry out that work. Gerasimenko has blind faith that she will one day be able to resume the project. I am convinced that this war will end with Ukraines victory. When? I dont know. Russia is a monster with lots and lots of resources; but we will win. And I have no intention of retiring. I love my work. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition A man who recently got out of prison will head back to jail after police say he drank Fireball and led officers on a chase where he intended for police to kill him. The chase happened Wednesday along Interstate 24 in Sequatchie and Marion Counties just a few miles north of the Tennessee-Georgia border. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Whitwell police said Jacob Seth Finley sped away from a traffic stop in a Chevy S-10 pickup truck with a woman in the passenger seat. Police tried to use spike strips to stop Finley, but the chase continued and Finley hit a Drug Task Force agency car. An officer said he spotted Finley drinking Fireball and that the passenger was visibly distressed as she held onto a bar inside the truck. As the chase got onto the westbound lanes, police said a tire on Finleys truck popped and the truck hit the median near the eastbound lanes. TRENDING STORIES: Police said Finley got out of the truck with a kitchen knife is his hand. One of the officers said that Finley told them that he intended for police to kill him. Officers were able to take him into custody. The woman who was in the passenger seat told investigators that she told him at least six or seven times to stop and pull over. Finley faces the following charges: two counts of aggravated assault, reckless endangerment, false imprisonment, felony evading arrest and resisting arrest. He will also face driving under the influence and opener container charges for the Fireball that was found in his truck. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS NEENAH - Construction is set to begin April 1 on a $16.25 million project to rehabilitate Interstate 41 between Breezewood Lane and Wisconsin Avenue. The 9-mile stretch will undergo replacement of the pavement, bridge approaches, median inlets, guardrails and the northbound bridge deck over Green Bay Road in Neenah. Construction crews will start prepping for construction next week and will work on the project until November, according to a release from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. This project is separate from the I-41 expansion project between Grand Chute and De Pere. Drivers can expect multiple lane restrictions and interchange closures along I-41 throughout the seven-month-long project. Here's where traffic will be impacted. I-41 will go down to two lanes in each direction Drivers can expect both directions of I-41 in the 9-mile stretch to reduce down from three to two lanes for a significant portion of the project, according to the DOT. While the bridge deck over Green Bay Road is being replaced, the northbound lanes will be reduced to two lanes for the duration of that project. The replacement project is expected to last from May until September. During pavement replacement, a single or multiple lanes will be closed in either direction at night or during off-peak hours throughout the seven-month project. Multiple entrance and exit ramps will be closed during the project The DOT plans to close multiple exit and entrance ramps along I-41 for the duration of the project. Crews will disperse work between the interchanges so multiple ones aren't closed at once. Exact times for some closures haven't been determined yet. The northbound entrance ramp off Winchester Road in Neenah will be closed throughout the project while crews replace its bridge deck. The southbound exit ramp to Winchester Road will be closed for two weeks in late spring, early summer and another one week in early fall. U.S. 10's westbound interchanges along I-41 will close for three weeks. The southbound entrance ramp from Winneconne Avenue will close for two weeks. The northbound exit ramp to Winneconne Avenue will close for two weeks. The southbound exit ramp to Main Street in Neenah will close for two weeks. The northbound exit ramp to College Avenue in Grand Chute will close for two weeks. The southbound entrance ramp from College Avenue in Grand Chute will close for two weeks. The DOT said all other exit ramps may be closed at night along the 9-mile stretch during the project. Local streets to close during nearby I-41 construction Green Bay Road will be closed at I-41 between May and September while the bridge deck is being replacement. Jacobsen Road in Neenah will be closed at I-41 for a week to rehabilitate the bridge over the interstate. A single lane of Cold Spring Road under U.S. 10 will be closed for a month. Sophia Voight covers local government and politics in the Fox Valley for The Post-Crescent. She can be reached with feedback and story tips at svoight@postcrescent.com. This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Road closures expected during I-41 work between Neenah and Grand Chute International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach speaks at the opening of the executive board meeting of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), at the Olympic House, in Lausanne, Switzerland, Tuesday, March 19, 2024. (Laurent Gillieron/Keystone via AP) LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) The International Olympic Committee believes its president Thomas Bach fell prey to a prank telephone call amid rising tensions with Russia over restrictions on its athletes competing at the Paris Games. The IOC on Thursday detailed a call from people claiming to be from the African Union a similar trick to one played by Russian callers on Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni in September. In Melonis call, she acknowledged fatigue with the war in Ukraine believing she was talking with officials of the African Union. The IOC said it had calls with a person pretending to be the chair of the African Union Commission wanting to discuss a statement on the politicization of sport. The IOC and Bach have publicly criticized the Russian state including over plans to organize an international multi-sports event in September, weeks after the Paris Olympics close. Russian athletes who pass vetting to compete in Paris also will not take part in the opening ceremony parade of boats on the River Seine, the IOC decided this week. There appears to have been a new incident in the Russian disinformation and defamation campaign against the International Olympic Committee and its president, the Olympic body said in a statement. Fake calls purporting to be from the African Union Commission appear to have been made by the very same group that has already attacked a number of global political leaders and other high-ranking personalities in the same way, the IOC said. Russian pranksters Vladimir Kuznetsov and Alexei Stolyarov, known as Vovan and Lexus, also tricked the president of Poland, Andrzej Duda, in November 2022. Duda believed he was talking to Frances President Emmanuel Macron. Russia is on track to have about 35 athletes qualify for the Paris Olympics about 10% of its usual team for a Summer Games. ___ AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games Iowa bill could allow arrests of undocumented immigrants A bill headed to Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds could allow Iowa law enforcement to arrest undocumented immigrants in the state. As Our Quad Cities News reporter Zach Fisher discovered, a police department in central Iowa is worried about the policys impact and the logistics of training officers for the new law. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. Copyright 2024, Des Moines Register and Tribune Co. Iowas likely voters prefer a Republican candidate over a Democrat in three of the states four congressional districts as the November elections approach, the latest Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll shows. Republicans hold a wide, double-digit lead in the 2nd Congressional District, in northeastern Iowa, and the 4th District, in western Iowa, and a slight edge in the 3rd District, which includes Des Moines and south central Iowa. But a Democratic candidate holds a narrow advantage in the 1st District, in southeast Iowa. The results come as candidates gear up for a slate of primary elections in June and then the November general election. In 2022, Republicans delivered a red wave of results in Iowa, sending a full slate of Republicans to Congress for the first time in decades. Now, Democrats are hoping to wrest back some measure of influence in what could be an unpredictable election year. Former Republican President Donald Trump, who is facing dozens of felony charges across four criminal cases, is again challenging Democratic President Joe Biden, who remains deeply unpopular in Iowa, at the top of the ticket potentially creating unusual ripple effects for candidates running down the ballot. Overall, Iowas likely voters say theyd prefer a Republican congressional candidate to a Democrat by a 17-percentage point margin, 54% to 37%. In each of the congressional districts, the results are: 1 st District: 45% Republican, 49% Democrat 2 nd District: 61% Republican, 33% Democrat 3 rd District: 47% Republican, 44% Democrat 4th District: 63% Republican, 24% Democrat This will be the second time Iowans will cast votes for candidates using the current congressional maps, which were redrawn in the redistricting process in 2020. Selzer & Co. conducted the poll of 804 Iowa adults from Feb. 25-28, and it has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points. The questions of 640 likely voters have a margin of error of plus or minus 3.9 percentage points. For the congressional districts, the margin of error ranges from plus or minus 6.7 to 7.1 percentage points. Competitive races could materialize in Iowas 1st and 3rd districts Competitive races could be brewing in the 1st District, which includes Davenport, and the 3rd District, which includes Des Moines. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has identified both seats for its first wave of endorsements in the groups Red to Blue program targeting key pickup opportunities. Republican U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn won the 3rd District by less than a percentage point in 2022. The Iowa Poll gives a Republican candidate a 3-point lead. Elections analysts have identified the 3rd District as Democrats best pickup opportunity in Iowa, saying it is not a true tossup race, but it leans Republican. U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn is being challenged by two Democrats in his reelection bid. Two Democrats Lanon Baccam, a former U.S. Department of Agriculture official, and Melissa Vine, a nonprofit leader and small business owner are seeking their partys nomination for a chance to take on Nunn in November. Bruce Heilman, a 74-year-old poll respondent from Urbandale who agreed to a follow-up interview, said he plans to vote for the Republican candidate. Early on from when I started voting for maybe 15, 20 years I really studied each candidate, and I don't think I voted a straight-party ticket ever in major elections, he said. I really did try and choose the person whose message resonated with me. And then that started to change. Heilman, a Republican, said that beginning with the Bill Clinton administration in the 1990s, hes seen a two-tiered system of justice that he believes unfairly targets conservatives. Today, hes worried about transgender athletes competing in womens sports, and he questions whether U.S. elections are being run fairly. He researched Nunn before voting for him in 2022, and he thinks Nunn has voted reliably with Republicans throughout his first term. To me, it's become pretty much a black and white issue, he said. I have been voting straight party ticket for some time now. Probably at least six or eight years as things, I think, in my opinion, have just continued to go over the cliff. Analysts have pushed the 1st District, which Republican U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks won by nearly 7 points in 2022, into the likely Republican category, arguing it will be harder for Democrats to flip. But the Iowa Poll suggests the 1st District could also be competitive for Democrats. There, the poll shows that likely voters prefer a Democratic candidate by 4 percentage points which would be a big swing from 2022. U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa, could be in for a tight race, according to the new Iowa Poll. Democratic candidate Christina Bohannan, an Iowa City law professor and former state legislator who also challenged Miller-Meeks in 2022, raised more money in the most recently reported fundraising quarter than the incumbent. She has nearly as much money in the bank: about $1.12 million compared with Miller-Meeks $1.6 million. Neola Soto, a 76-year-old poll respondent from Davenport, said she doesnt know much about the Democratic candidate running, but she knows she doesnt like Miller-Meeks. She appears arrogant, Soto said. She appears that she knows everything. And there seems to be no question marks in her life. And no, 'What do you think?' in her life. She just is, and you can take it or leave it. Like Heilman, Soto used to put a lot of energy into deciphering the best candidate for the job, regardless of party affiliation. But now, she plans to defer to whichever candidates are running as Democrats. My heart and my mind are independent, but I am voting a straight ticket, she said. I don't see a Republican out there that I can vote for. Republicans lead big in Iowas 2nd and 4th districts Republican U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra won the dark red 4th Congressional District by 37 percentage points in 2022. The poll puts a Republican candidates current advantage at a similar margin: 39 percentage points. Iowa's 4th Congressional District, represented by Randy Feenstra, remains solidly red. And the poll shows that the 2nd District, which Republican U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson won by about 8 percentage points in 2022, favors a Republican candidate by 28 percentage points. The district includes Cedar Rapids. The lead by a generic congressional Republican in the 4th and 2nd districts is stronger than Trumps lead over Biden in those same districts, the poll shows. In the 2nd District, a Republican congressional candidate leads a Democratic candidate by 28 points, whereas Trump leads Biden by 23 points. U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa, represents the 2nd Congressional District, where voters prefer a Republican candidate, the Iowa Poll shows. And in the 4th District, a Republican lead by 39 points, whereas Trump leads by 30 points. Editor's note: A previously published version of this story incorrectly stated when Rep. Zach Nunn was elected to Congress. He was elected in 2022. Brianne Pfannenstiel is the chief politics reporter for the Des Moines Register. She is also covering the 2024 presidential race for USA TODAY as a senior national campaign correspondent. Reach her at bpfann@dmreg.com or 515-284-8244. Follow her on Twitter at @brianneDMR. About the Iowa Poll The Iowa Poll, conducted Feb. 25-28, 2024, for The Des Moines Register and Mediacom by Selzer & Co. of Des Moines, is based on telephone interviews with 804 Iowans ages 18 or older. Interviewers with Quantel Research contacted households with randomly selected landline and cell phone numbers supplied by Dynata. Interviews were administered in English. Responses were adjusted by age, sex and congressional district to reflect the general population based on recent American Community Survey estimates. Questions based on the sample of 804 Iowa adults have a maximum margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points. This means that if this survey were repeated using the same questions and the same methodology, 19 times out of 20, the findings would not vary from the true population value by more than plus or minus 3.5 percentage points. Results based on smaller samples of respondents such as by gender or age have a larger margin of error. Republishing the copyright Iowa Poll without credit and, on digital platforms, links to originating content on The Des Moines Register and Mediacom is prohibited. This embedded content is not available in your region. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa Poll: GOP candidates preferred in 3 of 4 Iowa congressional races The White House is warning of the risk of cyber attacks to water and sewer plants. This photo shows the South Beaches Wastewater facility. Your water is safe, but the White House is warning that cyber attacks could contaminate it, on behalf of Iran and China. Here's what you need to know about the White House warning and what it means. FLORIDA TODAY turned to an expert to explain. What happened to prompt White House cyber attack warning letter? The White House sent out a warning letter Monday to American governors that China and Iran are hacking water and sewer systems. What's the upshot of the White House warning letter? "Disabling cyberattacks are striking water and wastewater systems throughout the United States," the White House's March 18 letter says. "These attacks have the potential to disrupt the critical lifeline of clean and safe drinking water, as well as impose significant costs on affected communities." Why is White House warning coming now? The White House points to recent and ongoing threats that show the risk of cyberattacks to water plants: "Threat actors affiliated with the Iranian Government Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) have carried out malicious cyberattacks against United States critical infrastructure entities, including drinking water systems. In these attacks, IRGC-affiliated cyber actors targeted and disabled a common type of operational technology used at water facilities where the facility had neglected to change a default manufacturer password." A China state-sponsored cyber group known as Volt Typhoon compromised information technology of multiple critical infrastructure systems, including drinking water. The targets/patterns don't jibe with traditional cyber espionage, the letter states. "Federal departments and agencies assess with high confidence that Volt Typhoon actors are pre-positioning themselves to disrupt critical infrastructure operations in the event of geopolitical tensions and/or military conflicts." Brevard County's response to the cyber attack warnings "We dont talk about security measures, but we acknowledge that we are aware of the warnings from the federal government and that safety and security of our water system whether cyberattacks or otherwise is always paramount," Don Walker, a Brevard County spokesman, said via email. How real is this sort of cyber attack threat? Here's what TJ O'Connor, assistant professor at Florida Institute of Technology's college of engineering, had to say about the threat: "I think there is cause for concern. Ms. Anne Neuberger (deputy national security advisor) has alerted the public to a very specific actor and target," said O'Connor who is also Cybersecurity Program Chair at the university. TJ O'Connor, assistant professor at Florida Tech's College of Engineering and Science, is also Cybersecurity Program Chair. "The Volton Typhoon state-sponsor actor in question is a talented group of attackers who gained recognition around 2021 for a series of attacks that entered networks through FortiNet Fortiguard devices, and then exhibited stealthy tradecraft indicative of an espionage group," O'Connor said. "However, the current reporting has them targeting water treatment plants. CISAs (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency) alert even identifies a very specific device: an Unitronics Vision Series PLC (Programmable Logic Controllers industrial computers that control manufacturing processes) with a default password. "I quickly queried the open source database, Shodan, and identified at least 34 of these devices internet-forward facing (directly accessible from the internet) in the U.S." What's potential fallout for places not prepared? Water systems have multiple checks that so far have kept consumers safe. In the Oldsmar Water Plant breach in Florida in 2021, the hacker added sodium hydroxide, O'Connor noted. "Although the breach was quickly identified, the city officials shared that it typically takes 24 hours for the poisoned water to reach the stream and an additional control was in place in the form of automated pH level testing that would have caught and contained the infected water." Are victims of cyber attacks able to pinpoint who's behind it? "Attribution is a hard problem in cyber. We can attribute attacks to specific indicators of compromise. However, a malicious attacker can always repurpose another hackers tools for their malicious purpose," O'Connor said. "Often, we must observe their tradecraft to understand their tactics. Its notable that Volton Typhoon used more espionage-type tradecraft in the past, living off the land and trying to remain hidden. "Throwing default credentials and logging into PLC controllers is extremely noisy and a different direction for this group. Noisy, kinetic attacks like this are more indicative of state-sponsored Iranian groups. "We saw these types of attacks in November with the Iranians gaining access to a Pennsylvania water treatment plant. "At the end of the day this is not a hard problem," O'Connor added. "We hope that they (the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency) have taken the time since the earlier attacks to get boots on the ground and alert vulnerable organizations." Jim Waymer is the environment reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact him at 321-242-3663 or jwaymer@floridatoday.com Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @JWayEnviro This article originally appeared on Florida Today: White House warns of cyber attacks on drinking water, sewer plants (Bloomberg) -- The sudden exit of Prime Minister Leo Varadkar leaves Ireland at a crossroads. Unaffordable housing, inequality and political pressures linked to immigration give the nationalist Sinn Fein party an opportunity to take power for the first time in 2025, or sooner. Most Read from Bloomberg In his emotional announcement in Dublin on Wednesday, Varadkar gave little away as to why he chose this moment to step down. The reasons were personal and political, he said, adding he wanted to give his successor the best chance to compete at an election that must be held by March next year. But after he listed his achievements, such as navigating the fallout from Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic, a pause before acknowledging areas in which we have gone backward spoke volumes. The dominant political theme in Ireland is younger voters being drawn to Sinn Feins language on soaring rents and squeezed public services that Varadkars Fine Gael and coalition partner Fianna Fail have struggled to counter. A Sunday Independent/Ireland Thinks poll this month put Sinn Fein at 27%, with Fine Gael at 20% and Fianna Fail at 18%. While that shows a slight drop, it still puts Sinn Fein on track to form the next government, though it would likely need a coalition partner to do so. That would have potentially seismic implications. Sinn Feins core tenet is the reunification of Ireland. It was part of the struggle for independence from the British in what is now the Republic, and in Northern Ireland, it had links with the Irish Republican Army during the sectarian violence known as The Troubles. Its just weeks since Sinn Feins Michelle ONeill was appointed Northern Irelands First Minister. Party leader Mary Lou McDonald said the historical milestone put united Ireland within touching distance. Still, its success in Irelands election will hinge on which issues dominate the campaign, according to Mary Murphy, senior lecturer in politics at University College Cork. What voters are most concerned with are housing and health and climate change and these kinds of issues, and their judgment will be about whether political parties are able to deliver, she said. Whether a leadership change will help Fine Gael is very hard to measure, she added, though one thing is certain: Sinn Fein will try to exploit this upheaval. A new prime minister is set to be in place by April 5, with two weeks set aside for a potential leadership contest. The current front runner is government minister Simon Harris, although the race could heat up if Paschal Donohoe, who is also Eurogroup president, puts his hat in the ring. About 10 Fine Gael politicians have already announced they are stepping down at the election, almost a third of the partys total in Irelands parliament, the Dail. There was definitely some rumblings within Fine Gael, Murphy said, though nothing that would indicate Varadkar was about to go as well. Viewed from afar, the sources of voter discontent are not immediately obvious. With a population of just over 5 million, Ireland is among the richest countries in the world measured on a per capita basis. That is down to the large number of multinational companies including Apple, Meta, Microsoft and Google who have made it their European base. Warnings that a rise in corporation tax under new OECD rules would lead to an exodus have proved unfounded. Though impacted by global headwinds, the tax windfall was so great that the government set up a sovereign wealth fund. In many ways, Varadkar was the poster child for this rapid progress. The first out gay man and person of color to lead the country, he has been at the forefront of some of the biggest legal and social changes in decades. He was health minister when same-sex marriage was legalized via referendum in 2015, coming out publicly ahead of the vote, and his government legalized abortion during his first stint as premier in 2018. In late 2019, it was Varadkar who persuaded then UK premier Boris Johnson to agree to a Brexit compromise to avoid a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic. Johnson had been threatening a no-deal split from the European Union that was politically advantageous for his standing in his Conservative Party, but would have wreaked havoc on the island of Ireland by ending frictionless travel and trade on the island of Ireland. The governments response to Covid-19 had its critics, but ultimately the coalition emerged with some credit. Ireland has had relatively stable economic growth, unlike many eurozone nations, with almost full employment. But a persistent and acute housing crisis and creaking health system has led to frustration, and Varadkars administration has faced accusations of being disconnected from the underlying issues facing the electorate. Its less than two weeks since the government suffered surprise defeats in two referendums to change outdated language on women and the family, with Varadkar taking much of the flak for misjudging the public mood. In the run up to the vote, the prime minister triggered a backlash online when he appeared to downplay the states responsibility for social care. Fine Gael has long been puzzled by the ungratefulness of the electorate. All the macro economic indicators are good, said Gary Murphy, professor of politics at Dublin City University. They are in significant trouble with the electorate and I dont think that this is going to be a sort of a salve to that, he added, referring to Varadkars resignation. As in many Western nations, tensions have risen in Ireland over the strain on public services after the pandemic. While Ireland had appeared to escape right-wing rhetoric seen in other European countries, there has been a rise in far-right activism and finger pointing at immigration. Protests have broken out where accommodation is allocated to asylum seekers, and the riots in Dublin that took police off guard last year had a strong anti-immigration undertone. The next electoral test for the countrys politics, and the next Taoiseach, come in June when Ireland holds votes for the European Parliament representatives as well as local councils. Both Fine Gael and Fianna Fail are expected to see a drop in support. But the immediate question is whether the coalition government can withstand opposition pressure for an early national vote. Deputy Prime Minister Micheal Martin, Fianna Fails leader, said he expects the government to complete a full term. For Varadkar, his legacy will depend on what happens next, according to Murphy at Dublin City University. There had been a feeling that he would lead his party to greater heights, which apparently hasnt happened. (Updates with leadership timing in the ninth paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar speaks to the media upon his arrival to attend the European Council meeting. Gaetan Claessens/European Council /dpa Austria and the Czech Republic are preventing the European Union from calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar has said. Varadkar - who announced his resignation on Wednesday and is staying on as premier only until a successor is in place - said he hopes to convince both countries to agree to a united call from from the EU "for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire leading to a two state solution." Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer countered that the EU must recognize the sexual violence carried out by Hamas during the October 7 attacks on Israel. "There is still a discussion that I honestly cannot understand," he said. United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres urged the EU to support a ceasefire, and warned that civilian casualties in Gaza like in Ukraine must be condemned "without double standards." Palestinians break their fast amid the rubble of their destroyed home during Ramadan, in Rafah By Dan Williams JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel will take control of Rafah even if it causes a rift with the United States, a senior Israeli official said on Thursday, describing the Gazan city packed with refugees as a final Hamas bastion harbouring a quarter of the group's fighters. The prospect of tanks and troops storming Rafah worries Washington in the absence of a plan to move more than a million Palestinians who have sheltered there since being displaced elsewhere in the Gaza Strip during the five-month-old war. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to ensure a civilian evacuation and humanitarian aid - measures that top Israeli aides are due to discuss in the White House in the coming days, at the behest of U.S. President Joe Biden. "We're quite confident that we can do this in a way that would be effective - not only militarily, but also on the humanitarian side. And they have less confidence that we can do it," one of those Israeli envoys, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, said on the "Call Me Back with Dan Senor" podcast. Dermer, a former ambassador to the United States, said Israel would hear out American ideas for Rafah, but the city on Gaza's border with Egypt would be taken whether or not the allies reach agreement: "It will happen even if Israel is forced to fight alone. Even if the entire world turns on Israel, including the United States, we're going to fight until the battle's won." As fighting raged in northern Gaza, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Cairo for talks with Arab officials about a proposed ceasefire. Israel is open to a truce, but has ruled out ending the war with Hamas in power. Dermer said leaving the Iran-backed Islamists standing would invite open-ended attacks against Israel from across the region: "And that's why the determination to take them out is so strong, even if it leads to a potential breach with the United States." While backing Israel's war goals, the Biden administration has been shaken by the soaring toll on Palestinian civilians. The offensive has killed almost 32,000 Palestinians, the Gaza health ministry said, without providing a breakdown of civilians and fighters. Hamas killed 1,200 people in Israel on Oct. 7 and abducted 253, according to Israeli tallies. Israel says it has killed, captured or scattered enough Hamas fighters to dismantle 18 of its 24 battalions, while 252 Israeli soldiers have been killed in the operation. Hamas does not detail its losses or deployments and has dismissed Israel's assessments as exaggerations. Yet Palestinian rocket salvoes have tapered off dramatically as most of Gaza has been overrun by Israeli forces. So have Israeli military losses. Dermer said there were four intact Hamas battalions in Rafah, bolstered by fighters who had retreated from other parts of Gaza, amounting to 25% of the group's pre-war strength. "We're not going to leave a quarter of them in place," he said. "We're going into Rafah because we have to ... And I think what people don't understand is that Oct. 7 is an existential moment for Israel." (Writing by Dan Williams; Editing by Kevin Liffey) The latest Israeli raid on Nur Shams refugee camp comes amid surging violence across the occupied West Bank (Jaafar ASHTIYEH) An Israeli air strike and gunfire have killed four Palestinians at the Nur Shams refugee camp in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian Red Crescent said Thursday in an updated toll. Israeli forces withdrew from Nur Shams in the morning, AFP correspondents said, hours after the military announced around midnight (2200 GMT on Wednesday) it had launched a "counter-terrorism" operation. The Palestinian Red Crescent said on social media platform X that its "ambulance teams have just transported an 18-year-old man who was killed by the Israeli occupation forces in Nur Shams camp", bringing the death toll in the raid to four people. Two were killed by air strike and two by live bullets, the Red Crescent said. The Israeli army said "an aircraft struck two terrorists who posed an immediate threat to the forces", and troops "eliminated two" militants in an exchange of fire during the operation. One of the fatalities was identified by his family as Nidal Ali Abu Abeid, a vegetable seller at the northern West Bank camp, near the Palestinian town of Tulkarm. His uncle, Ziad Ali Abu Abeid, 52, told AFP at the morgue that Nidal "wanted to build a future". "He wanted to make a living for himself," the uncle said. "The (Israeli) occupation came and killed all the ambition he had, like for any other person in the camp." According to a military statement, the troops who shot dead Abu Abeid and another presumed militant "found an M-4 rifle" on one of them, without elaborating. Israeli forces regularly carry out incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank but until several months ago had rarely struck the territory -- occupied since 1967 -- from the air. The Nur Shams raid came amid intensifying violence in the West Bank since the start of the Israel-Hamas war, triggered by the Gaza militant group's October 7 attack. Including the latest deaths, at least eight Palestinians were killed in less than 24 hours in the West Bank, authorities and medics said. Three Palestinians, including an Islamic Jihad commander, were killed Wednesday in an Israeli strike on a car in Jenin, a stronghold of Palestinian armed factions in the northern West Bank. One Palestinian was killed by gunfire in the Al-Amari refugee camp near Ramallah. At least 443 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces or settlers across the West Bank since October 7, according to the Palestinian health ministry. Thousands more have been arrested by Israel in the West Bank and annexed east Jerusalem, the Palestinian Authority says. bur-jm/lba/ami In the European Union, more and more warnings are being sounded about the threat of Russia. But two years after Vladimir Putin launched the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the countrys prime minister, Denys Shmyhal, 48, argues that the Kremlin is already carrying out a hybrid war in EU countries, with cyber attacks and other actions. On a visit to Brussels, where he met with the leaders of EU institutions, he also warned that this year is crucial for the EU the European Parliament is holding elections in June and also for Ukraine, which hopes to maintain the support of the United States. With French President Emmanuel Macrons statements that sending soldiers to Ukraine cannot be ruled out still being discussed, Shmyhal clarifies that Ukraine has not asked Europe for troops, but for instructors. It would be more practical than training somewhere in Europe, he says in an interview given this Wednesday at the headquarters of the Ukrainian Representation to the EU. Question. Intelligence reports warn that Russia is preparing a new offensive at the end of spring. In the EU there is currently a lot of talk about defense, about the Russian threat, there is a sense of alarm. What has changed in recent months to reach this point? Answer. The mindset of many European politicians has changed dramatically. And French President [Emmanuel] Macron, rhetorically, has demonstrated this tendency to be very clear and more radical in the sense of European security and the defense capacities of the European Union. Actually Ukraine is just an example of how Russia will move ahead. Since 2008, Russia has been waging this large-scale hybrid war against European countries. And Ukraine was the first in which this hybrid war went into the physical and military scale. For European politicians now comes this moment of realizing that Russia is a cruel, barbaric, aggressor and terrorist country, which will not stop in Ukraine; Europe is part of their strategy. The sooner we understand this and take it as reality, the sooner we will be ready to protect Europe from Russian aggression. Q. The war has been going on for two years, why are alarms sounding now? Is it due to the situation in Ukraine? A. This delay with the supply of financial aid and ammunition from the United States has acted as a catalyst for European countries and leaders to realize that this is a crucial moment when Europe should protect itself together with Ukraine. This is a turning point when we all understand that we should increase military and weaponry production, create this joint venture and invest more in high technologies. Q. The French president and the Polish president have said that they do not rule out sending soldiers to Ukraine. Have you asked for troops? Is seeing soldiers from European countries in Ukraine a real possibility? A. We didnt ask for troops. We have our own military and defense forces. And we have enough troops. We are very grateful to the European Union and partners for training tens of thousands of our soldiers in Europe. We propose to our European partners to send instructors to Ukrainian territory, to make this process faster, since it would facilitate logistics and communication. I am sure that President Macron is referring to this type of cooperation. No European country agrees to send soldiers to the battlefield, because that would mean entering the war and we are all absolutely clear that thats impossible right now. But the support of our Western partners is crucial. Q. Meanwhile, Ukraine is continuing to demand precision Taurus missiles from Germany. The EU has also not fulfilled its commitment to send one million artillery rounds... A. We are waiting and asking our partners to send us long- and medium-range missiles. They are crucial, no less important than the supply of artillery shells. We gave guarantees that we will not use these missiles to strike Russian territory, but rather to cut logistics in the occupied Ukrainian territories, to cut off logistical routes, railways, bridges, and stop Russia from continuing to supply more and more material and troops to the front. We hope these decisions are made this year because it will be crucial. And a turning point in our fight against Russian aggression. We are very careful with communication, strategy, and negotiations, because we have learned the lessons of last years counteroffensive, when we were very public; and that worked against us. Q. Now that the U.S. elections are approaching and its supplemental $50 billion aid package is still blocked, are you afraid of losing Washingtons support? A. We have bipartisan support in Congress, we understand that this is not about Ukraine, but about internal challenges related to, for example, the presidential election. We are patient. We have communication and cooperation with senators, with congressmen from both parties Democrats and Republicans and they gave us very cautious optimism that the decision on the funds will be made in April of this year and that Ukraine will have that support. Mostly we count on military support of $50 billion and budget support of $7.5 billion for this year. It is less than we expected at the beginning of the year, but it is essential for Ukraine, for all partners and for the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Q. It would be a bad sign for Ukraines allies if the United States did not come through with this support or if it withdrew backing if Republican Donald Trump were to win the White House. A. I dont believe that the United States will stop supporting Ukraine financially and militarily, because that will mean they have stopped playing their global role. For me, thats impossible. Q. We are already hearing voices that now say Ukraine should negotiate with Russia to end the war. A. There are many voices that mention fatigue, or say that European leaders or citizens are exhausted because of this war. But we in Ukraine are not exhausted. We will continue fighting for our lives, homes and families, and liberate our land. There are several factors in all this noise about the negotiation: Russian propaganda, influences. Whats more, the wish of many people and many politicians to stop this war is playing a crucial role in those voices that say we must negotiate. No one else wants to stop this war as much as Ukraine. Our children, women, young people, Ukrainians are dying every day. But we have a very bad experience when Russia asks for a ceasefire. As in 2014, in the war in Donbas, they ask for a ceasefire and then use our allies to pressure us to negotiate. But this supposed ceasefire will be only used by Russia to empower its army and get back into action. We did not start this war, we cannot stop it. That is the decision of only one person: Putin. If he decides to stop the war, he will stop attacking Ukraine. Q. Has any ally asked you to negotiate? A. No, right now, there are no direct requests to negotiate with the Russians. Ukraine received the special representative sent by China and they proposed their view and the Russian proposal to negotiate. But they dont pressure us, they just put it on the table. There is no pressure because all our partners and allies understand that we are fighting for our lives. We support President Volodymyr Zelenskiys peace formula, and we will hold a peace forum in Switzerland. More than 100 countries are participating and it will create a global coalition to pressure Russia to stop the war, to get out of our sovereign, internationally recognized territories, and thus end this war at the diplomatic table, with guarantees, with documents. Ending it militarily is impossible, because Russia is a nuclear country. Ukraine should be a member of the European Union, NATO. This is our strategy, our existential view, and we will follow that path. Q. The president of the European Commission warned that the elections to the European Parliament could delay the negotiating framework for Ukraines accession to the EU. Do you think everything will go as planned? A. The sooner we start, the sooner we will do our homework. We have finished our self-sceening, implemented the recommendations of the EU institutions and are ready to begin negotiations. We hope that this decision will be made no later than the first half of the year. And we are ready to do our homework, it will not take us more than two years. At that point, although we understand there are many challenges, Ukrainian membership will be a political decision. Q. Ukraines future membership has already caused some friction. We have seen this with the farmers protests, for example, in Poland. Do these demonstrations undermine the EUs unity on Ukraine? A. Looking around us we see how Russia is manipulating social networks and the global situation, it has direct influence on Poland and the European Union and wants to undermine the unity of Ukraine and the EU. We understand the nature of these protests in Poland, that they occuring for the same reasons all around Europe. Russia is using this protest to increase political pressure on the Polish government, on Ukraine, and on European institutions. We should be very careful and very clear and open with our statistics and our communication. It is one of the points why in the process of negotiating our accession to the EU we have agreed to open the agricultural chapters first. It is not usual, but for us it is important to demonstrate to our neighboring countries, such as Poland, clear statistics, clear understanding of Ukraines role in the EU agricultural sector and that there is no harmful influence. Q. You mention Russian actions to undermine unity. In view of the European elections, the EU has also warned about this. Do you think Russia will use Ukraine to cause divisions? A. We should be aware that everyone, the European Union and any member state, is under the influence of Russian hybrid aggression and propaganda. Russia has used cyber attacks and is trying to attack through disinformation and special psychological and information operations by creating points of tension. This is actually a hybrid war against concrete European countries and the EU. We see examples of Russian hybrid attacks in the migration crisis on the border with Lithuania, Latvia, and Poland. And there is more: cyber attacks, crises, and interference. All these methods and activities are actually a form of war. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Smoke rises as displaced Palestinians take shelter at Al Shifa hospital, amid the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel, in Gaza City JERUSALEM (Reuters) - The Israeli military said on Thursday that it killed more than 50 Palestinian gunmen over the past day in fighting around the Gaza Strip's Shifa hospital. The military said it was continuing with its "precise operational activity in the Shifa hospital." "Over the past day, more than 50 terrorists were eliminated during exchanges of fire, and terrorist infrastructure and weapons storage facilities were located. Since the start of the operation, over 140 terrorists have been eliminated in the area of the hospital," it said. (Reporting by Ari Rabinovitch; Editing by Kim Coghill) RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) -Israeli forces killed three Palestinians in separate incidents in the occupied West Bank on Thursday, increasing to 10 the number of Palestinians killed in the territory over 24 hours, the Palestinian news agency WAFA reported. Since the Gaza war began, Israel has stepped up military raids in the West Bank, where violence had already been surging for over a year. U.N. records show that Israeli forces or settlers have killed hundreds of Palestinians in West Bank clashes since Hamas's Oct. 7 attack on Israel that triggered the Gaza war. A 19-year-old Palestinian died after being shot by Israeli forces in El Bireh near Ramallah on Thursday morning, the Palestinian health ministry said, and another man died after being shot in the area of Jericho. WAFA said they were wounded during confrontations with Israeli forces. Israel police said it was carrying out an operation in the Jericho area against a man planning to carry out a suicide attack. During the raid, officers exchanged fire with Palestinian gunmen there, police said. South of Bethlehem, Israeli forces shot dead a 63-year-old Palestinian near the settlement of El'azar, WAFA reported. The Israeli military said soldiers had fired shots towards "a Palestinian who aroused their suspicion at the El'azar Junction." "A hit was identified and he was later pronounced dead," it said, adding that military police had opened an investigation into the incident. Citing Hebrew-language media, the Times of Israel reported that the 63 year-old man had his hands in the air when he was shot but there was no immediate confirmation from the military. Israel captured both the West Bank and the Gaza Strip in the 1967 war. Palestinians have long aimed to establish an independent state in the territories occupied in 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital. Israeli forces also killed four Palestinians in the Nur Shams refugee camp in the West Bank city of Tulkarm overnight, the Palestinian Red Crescent said, adding that two of them were shot and the other two killed in an Israeli strike. Residents said Israeli forces bulldozed roads in the area. Israel said it had struck militants firing rifles and throwing explosives at its troops during a counter-terrorism operation there. Israeli forces also killed three Palestinians in the city of Jenin on Wednesday night, WAFA and the Palestine health ministry said, in what Israel's military said was an operation targeting Palestinian militants. The militant group Islamic Jihad said three of its fighters had been killed, calling it an assassination operation. Following the incident, local sources said Palestinian militants shot dead a Palestinian man in Jenin accused of spying for Israel. Militants also clashed in Jenin with security forces from the Palestinian Authority (PA), the body led by President Mahmoud Abbas that exercises limited self-rule over patches of the West Bank, angered at the arrest of one of their members, local sources said. HAMAS SUPPORT DIPS BUT ABOVE PRE-WAR LEVEL Tensions have long simmered in the West Bank between militants and the PA, established under interim peace agreements with Israel three decades ago. The PA lost control of Gaza in 2007 to Hamas, the militant group behind the Oct. 7 attack that killed 1,200 people in Israel and resulted in another 253 being abducted, according to Israeli tallies. Some 32,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza Strip by Israel's devastating retaliatory offensive, according to health authorities in the territory. A poll conducted by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Research in the West Bank and Gaza Strip in March found that support for Hamas had dropped in recent months, with 34% of people saying they supported the group when asked which faction they backed, compared with 43% in December. Six months ago - before the Gaza war - support for Hamas was at 22%. Support for Abbas' Fatah party was unchanged from December's level at 17%. The poll found that 84% want Abbas to resign, down from 88% three months ago. A vast majority across the West Bank and Gaza - 71% - said Hamas' decision to launch the Oct. 7 attack was correct, virtually unchanged from 72% in December. The Palestinians last held a presidential election in 2005, won by Abbas, while Hamas won the last parliamentary polls, held in 2006. (Reporting by Ali Sawafta; Writing by Tom Perry; Editing by Timothy Heritage, Hugh Lawson, Deepa Babington and David Gregorio) Some economic and military indicators suggest that Russia may be preparing for a large-scale conventional war with NATO, "likely on a shorter timeline than what some Western analysts have initially posited," the Institute for the Study of War assessed in its daily report on March 20. Although not an imminent threat, the ISW assesses that Russian President Vladimir Putin's emphasis on growing Russia's economic and military capabilities is an indication that Russia is gearing up for conflict beyond "a protracted war in Ukraine." Following Putin's rigged "victory" in the 2024 Russian presidential election, the Russian leader met with party faction leaders in the Russian State Duma, Russia's lower house, to emphasize Russia's priorities in growing the economy. According to a readout released by the Kremlin, Putin emphasized the need to grow the "new elite" that will "will mature on the front," as opposed to supporting Russian oligarchs who have "lined their pockets" in amassing wealth through privatization and corruption after the fall of the Soviet Union. The ISW suggests that by outlining a mandate to Russian political elites, Putin is likely seeking to "stabilize Russia's long-term financial position with increased government expenditure." Putin's willingness to risk his relationships with the wealthy strongmen who support him points to more expansive military ambitions. Despite opposition from some Russian oligarchs at the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, a shift to a war-time economy will reportedly grow Russia's gross domestic product (GDP) by 2.6 percent this year, with 3.6 percent growth in 2023. Read also: Opinion: The global consequences of Russias war in Ukraine The ISW also assessed that an expansion of Russia's military capabilities, as well as military restructuring, are indicators that Russia is setting conditions for the possibility of future direct conflict with NATO. The ISW gave no timeline as to when they believe a direct conflict with NATO may play out, noting that a timeline for Russia's preparedness to launch an attack against NATO is heavily reliant "on the financial resources Putin is willing to put against military efforts." Putin on Dec. 17, 2023 denied having ambitions to attack any NATO member states. These denials stand in contrast to his escalating nuclear rhetoric. A number of Western leaders have warned of the long-term threat Russia's expansionism poses to NATO countries. Polish President Andrzej Duda said on March 19 that Russia may attack NATO as early as 2026 or 2027. Poland's national security agency has previously estimated that Russia could attack NATO in less than 36 months. Polish assessments fall in line with assessments made Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen, who estimated on Feb. 9 that Russia may attack NATO within three to five years. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has warned that NATO must prepare itself for a confrontation against Russia "that could last decades." An armed attack on a NATO state triggers the Alliance's Article 5, requiring allies to consider an attack against one member as an attack against the collective and render any military assistance necesssary. Read also: Stoltenberg: West must be prepared for decades-long confrontation with Russia Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The Jacksonville Sheriffs Office is seeking the publics assistance in identifying an individual suspected of auto burglary. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< On March 14, patrol officers responded to a report of a vehicle burglary at the 6000 block of Toyota Drive. The victim reported that an unidentified person had unlawfully entered their unlocked vehicle and stolen a brown handbag. Investigators believe that the same individual may be responsible for similar crimes in the surrounding area. Efforts are underway to identify the suspect pictured in the attached image. Anyone with information regarding the pictured individual is urged to contact the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office at 904-630-0500 or via email at JSOCrimeTips@jaxsheriff.org. Those wishing to remain anonymous and potentially qualify for a reward of up to $3,000 can contact First Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS. The Jacksonville Sheriffs Office encourages community members to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity promptly to aid in maintaining public safety. Here is a reason and a reminder as to why the #9PMRoutine has become the #AnytimeRoutine. On March 14, 2024, Patrol Officers responded to a vehicle burglary report at the 6000 block of Toyota Drive. The victim advised officers that an unknown individual (pictured) entered his pic.twitter.com/vK6Z8CXWAi Jax Sheriff's Office (@JSOPIO) March 20, 2024 [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. The El Paso County Attorney's Office has permanently closed Jaguars Gold Club as part of the settlement of a lawsuit against the longtime strip club accused of being a magnet for violence and criminal activity. As part of the settlement, the property owners may open a new business at the site. However, it can't be sexually oriented, must apply for a Texas alcoholic beverage license and must close at 2:15 a.m. daily, the county attorney's office said. Jaguars, at 11377 Gateway West Blvd., was notoriously open until the early morning as a BYOB club that, over two decades, was the scene of repeat gun violence and reputed gang activity. Jaguars strip club at 11377 Gateway West Blvd. in East El Paso has been permanently closed as part of a lawsuit settlement with the El Paso County Attorney's Office, which accused the strip club of being a nuisance and a haven for crime. Last month, the county temporarily closed Jaguars during a law enforcement operation enforcing a temporary injunction, eventually leading to the settlement and the closure. "This settlement is a clear message that we will not tolerate businesses that operate as havens for crime and nuisance," El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal said in a statement. "We are committed to protecting the safety and well-being of our community, and we will use all available legal tools to achieve that goal." More: 3rd arrest made in El Paso police shooting outside Jaguars strip club The closure is the result of a lawsuit brought through the Nuisance Abatement Team of the County Attorney's Office and follows years of work by the El Paso Police Department, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission and other agencies. The locale opened as a strip club named the Parthenon in 1997. Jaguars Gold Club opened in 2002 and had different owners over the years, according to newspaper archives and county business records. The lawsuit had been filed by the county against Jaguars' owner RCI Hospitality Holdings, Inc., and the club's managers Angel Richard "Ricco" Torres, Donnell Lee James and Javier Diaz. The settlement resolves allegations the business was a nuisance. Jaguars, an after-hours club Jaguars was a "Bring Your Own Beverage" (BYOB) "gentlemen's club" that was not registered with the city as a sexually oriented business, did not have a state alcohol license and was open from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., seven days a week. During police inspections, club managers would claim the establishment was not a strip club, claiming that dancers wore bikinis. But authorities accused Jaguars of fragrantly breaking the law. A patrol car with the El Paso Police Department Gang Unit stands outside Jaguars when the strip club was closed down by a court order on Feb. 22. Jaguars faced allegations of featuring nude and topless women, prostitution and employees selling alcohol and cocaine, according to documentation as part of the county's restraining order. Club management was accused of not being cooperative with police. Jaguars: A reputation for criminal activity Jaguars' advertisements stated "military welcome" and offered service members specials even though the club was on the "off-limits" list for Fort Bliss, Holloman Air Force Base and White Sands Missile Range. A 2018 Fort Bliss memo stated that members of the Bloods, Crips, Chuco Tango and Gangster Disciples gangs congregated at the club. Since 2018, Jaguars was the scene of 13 gunfire cases, 22 aggravated assaults, 57 drug possession cases, 26 violations of the city's sexually oriented business ordinance, 22 alcohol-permit violations, 13 prostitution-related violations and 12 cases involving gang members, according to police statistics provided by the county attorney's office. Archives 2022: El Paso man accused in Jaguars strip club gunfight indicted on federal gun charge As recently as Feb. 15, undercover agents with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission witnessed nude dancers and club staffers selling bottles of vodka and champagne and an agent purchased $40 worth of cocaine in the club, documents stated. Jaguars had a reputation in the community as a "strip club," and its reputation among law enforcement was "much darker than that of the community," an El Paso police lieutenant noted in an affidavit filed last month as part of the county's documentation. Violence, drugs and gun-related incidents were common, police said. Strict restrictions in Jaguars lawsuit settlement The lawsuit settlement comes with restrictions intended to end criminal activity at the white Parthenon-style building next to Interstate 10 near Lee Trevino Drive. As part of the settlement, Torres, James and Diaz will no longer be employed and the business must hire new managers. Closed: El Paso strip club The Cabaret closed down permanently amid prostitution complaints The new business cannot use "Jaguars Gold Club," or a variation of that name, and cannot use the word "strip" or sexually-oriented images in its advertising, according to the settlement document. Employees must be clothed. The business cannot "knowingly use a promoter that is a gang member or has a gang affiliation." Street gang colors and "1%" outlaw biker insignias will be prohibited. Jaguars strip club has been permanently closed after it was shut down following a temporary court order carried out by investigators with El Paso County Attorney's Office, the El Paso Police Gang Unit, Homeland Security Investigations and other agencies on Feb. 22. The company must pay a $5,000 bond to the county and a $446 court fee. It must also hire off-duty peace officers for security, which will include a metal-detector wand and bag checks at the entrance and increased lighting inside the club. Archives: 1995: El Pasoans rub elbows with Bruce Willis at city topless club The business also agreed to cooperate with law enforcement, including preserving security video for 30 days, obey the city's noise ordinance and have quarterly meetings with representatives of the El Paso Police Pebble Hills Regional Command Center. The nuisance lawsuit that resulted in Jaguars' closure stemmed from evidence collected over several years by El Paso police, including Pebble Hills patrol officers, the Vice, Narcotics, and Gang units, and the Texas Anti-Gang Center. "The settlement is a major victory for the El Paso community and will help make our neighborhoods and responding (police) officers safer," the County Attorney's Office said in a statement. This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Jaguars El Paso strip club closed in crime, nuisance settlement JAMES CITY COUNTY, Va. (WAVY) The officer involved in a January shooting incident in James City County will not face charges, James City County Police said. Previously: JCC officer fires weapon during domestic dispute call; 1 in custody The investigation by Virginia State Police and the Williamsburg/James City County Commonwealths Attorney determined the officer did not commit a crime. The incident happened at 6:55 p.m. Jan. 6 in the 5200 block of Pierside Reach in the Lake Powell Pointe subdivision, and no one was injured. Police had said that a James City County police officer fired their gun after a man allegedly came toward them with a shotgun. Paul Baker, 83, of James City County, is scheduled for a 7:59 a.m. hearing Aug. 8 in Williamsburg/James City County General District Court on a felony charge of assault on a law enforcement officer, and misdemeanor charges of pointing and brandishing a firearm and reckless handling of a firearm. The officer, who had ben placed on a non-enforcement assignment, has returned to normal duties. I commend the bravery and professionalism exhibited by our officers involved in the Jan. 6 incident, said James City County Police Chief Mark Jamison. Policing is inherently dangerous, and our officers put their lives on the line daily to protect our community. I would like to thank the Virginia State Police for conducting a thorough and impartial investigation into the incident, the Commonwealth Attorneys office for diligently examining the findings and providing a fair and just assessment of the situation, and the public for their patience as an independent review was conducted. Check with WAVY.com for more updates. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. The United States Department of Justice is studying the possibility of reducing the charges against Julian Assange in exchange for the co-founder of WikiLeaks admitting his guilt, according to The Wall Street Journal, which cites people familiar with the matter. The purpose of such a deal would be to avoid the extradition of the Australian editor and publisher, who has been held in the Belmarsh maximum-security prison on the outskirts of London for five years. Joe Bidens administration maintains formal charges against Assange promoted by his predecessor, Donald Trump, for 17 crimes under the Espionage Act and one of conspiracy to commit computer intrusion. The former hacker could face 175 years in prison in the United States for the leak of more than 250,000 classified documents from the U.S. State Department in November 2010. Assanges lawyer in the United States, Barry J. Pollack, responded to The Wall Street Journal report with a brief statement: It is inappropriate for Mr. Assanges lawyers to comment while his case is before the U.K. High Court other than to say we have been given no indication that the Department of Justice intends to resolve the case and the United States is continuing with as much determination as ever to seek his extradition on all 18 charges, exposing him to 175 years in prison. The warning that it is inappropriate to make any comment puts a precautionary cushion on the subsequent denial of any agreement, as it is possible it is an extrajudicial negotiation. Two British judges, Victoria Sharp and Jeremy Johnson, will decide in the coming weeks whether to grant the co-founder of WikiLeaks one last chance to legally argue his case before the U.K. justice system, or whether to give the final green light to his extradition to the United States. The hearing to resolve this prior request for the possibility of appeal presented by Assanges legal team held over two sessions in mid-February once again raised global attention over his situation and generated a widespread campaign in defense of press freedom. The growing pressure in favor of Assanges release is not so much directed towards the magistrates who have been passing a hot potato between them, but towards the American and British governments. If the Department of Justice and Assanges lawyers reach the agreement posited by The Wall Street Journal, his hypothetical admission of the less serious crime of mishandling classified information would result in his immediate release as the five years he has spent in Belmarsh prison would count as time already served. In an interview with EL PAIS at the end of the hearing in London, Stella Assange explained that her husbands health has deteriorated and that she feared for his life if he is handed over to the United States. He could die because they could impose the death penalty [...] or he may die because he is subjected to prison conditions so brutal that they lead him to commit suicide, she said. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Jason Carter, acquitted of murdering his mother in a highly publicized 2019 trail, has failed to show Iowa investigators were malicious or reckless in bringing the charge against him, a federal judge has ruled. Shirley Carter was shot to death in her Marion County home in June 2015, and police accused her son in her killing. The case followed an unusual path through the courts. Jason Carter believes he was the primary suspect from early in the investigation, but the first legal action came from his father and brother, who sued him in civil court, alleging wrongful death. The lawsuit went to trial in 2017, resulting in a $10 million judgment against Carter, and only after that did prosecutors file the criminal case. Jason Carter speaks with the media after a jury found him not guilty of his mother's murder on March 21, 2019. In a 2019 trial moved to Council Bluffs because of the extensive pretrial publicity, Carter was found not guilty. The murder and subsequent civil and criminal cases drew attention from true crime fans and were featured by A&E Network and "Dateline NBC," among others. Carter subsequently filed lawsuits in state and federal court accusing investigators of ignoring alternative suspects, withholding evidence from his attorneys, and even working to turn his own family against him and use their civil lawsuit to advance their criminal investigation. The Iowa Supreme Court later dismissed the state case. The federal case also was dismissed at one point, then revived by a federal appellate court in 2021. Now the case has been tossed out again after Chief District Judge Stephanie Rose found none of Carter's allegations, even if true, rose to the level of reckless or deliberate violation of his rights. The court handed down the 73-page decision Tuesday, more than a year after lawyers for the state and Marion County had filed their motions to dismiss and one day shy of five years since the not-guilty verdict. Attorneys for Carter and Marion County did not respond to messages seeking comment. The Iowa Attorney General's Office declined to comment. Allegations of sloppy, dishonest work by detectives In court filings, Carter has described numerous tips, witnesses and pieces of evidence that DCI agent Mark Ludwick and Marion County sheriff's Deputy Reed Kious allegedly failed to pursue, disregarded or misrepresented, many of which reportedly pointed the blame at several other Marion County residents, some of whom were supposedly overheard admitting to being involved in Shirley Carter's slaying. Jason Carter also alleged Ludwick was dishonest on multiple points, including claiming under oath to have pursued some investigative avenues when he had not, and that Ludwick failed to pursue evidence that would have disproven the theory that Carter killed his mother because of her knowledge that he had been involved in an extramarital affair. From 2019: 'I dont know how much more complicated you can make life?' Carter family on life after slaying, acquittal More broadly, Carter claimed Ludwick engineered his family's civil suit and used it to unconstitutionally gather evidence for his criminal investigation. His father and brother came to believe he had committed the murder, Carter said, only because Ludwick falsely told them Carter had planted evidence at the scene. Carter accused investigators of feeding his family's lawyers questions to ask in depositions, and of providing evidence from the murder case that supported guilt, but none that would have helped clear him. When Ludwick was compelled to turn over evidence to Carter's attorneys just before the criminal trial, the material handed over was incomplete, with some digital records missing or damaged, and did not include many emails and other materials Ludwick had pertaining to the case, Carter claimed. Judge finds no 'clearly established' constitutional wrong The defendants denied violating Carter's rights, and argued they were additionally protected by qualified immunity, a doctrine holding that government officials cannot be liable, even if they violate someone's constitutional rights, unless that violation was "clearly established" by prior case law at the time they did so. Rose, in her order, found that the investigators had legal probable cause to arrest and charge Carter, and that they did not violate his rights by failing to include the many tips pointing toward other suspects in their warrant application. While Carter argued several prior cases established his right to insist police conduct a "reasonably thorough investigation," Rose found those cases involved widely different claims and circumstances and that evaluating which witnesses police do or do not choose to interview is, like prosecutorial discretion, "ill-suited to judicial review." From 2021: Iowa Supreme Court upholds $10 million civil verdict against Jason Carter for his mother's death Rose also found many of the tips that Carter described as pointing to his innocence, totaling 17 people with supposed direct involvement in the murder, are contradictory, implausible or rely on multiple levels of hearsay and rumor. None was borne out under further investigation, she said. "Shirley was murdered in a town of less than 500 people. That many rumors about that murder have cropped up over the years, and that the murder has been fodder for gossip around the town is not surprising," Rose wrote. "... Shirley's murder remains unsolved to this day and aggravating though it is to Jason no stronger suspect than him has ever emerged." As for claiming investigators took advantage of Carter's prior civil case, Rose rejected the "entirely novel claim" that police subpoenaed in a civil dispute are obligated to "provide evenhanded discovery" to both sides. Carter could have sought the same evidence from investigators for himself, both Rose and the Iowa Supreme Court have noted, but did not. She also rejected his claims against Kious, the deputy, of malicious prosecution and abuse of process. "At best, the allegations contained in the (complaint) make out a claim for a negligent and subpar investigation," Rose wrote. "They do not support a deliberate intent or recklessness standard." William Morris covers courts for the Des Moines Register. He can be contacted at wrmorris2@registermedia.com or 715-573-8166. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Jason Carter, cleared of killing mother, loses suit vs. Iowa detectives Jenna Bush Hager and Henry Hager's relationship spans nearly two decades. Sparks first flew between the pair back in 2004, when Henry was working for Jennas dad, former President George W. Bush. It wasnt long before Jenna knew Henry was the one and the rest, as they say, was history. Today, Jenna and Henry share three children, and they recently celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary. Jenna Bush Hager Family (@jennbhager via Instagram) In February 2019, Jenna expressed her continued love for Henry in a sweet letter to her husband, which she shared as part of a series called Share Love TODAY." Your love is like the Post-it note with stick figure drawings of ships passing you left for me on the bathroom mirror when I returned home late, Jenna wrote. Id been flying most of the day and I was dehydrated, and thirsty for home, for you," her letter continued. "Your love is like that note. It is simple and solid and thoughtful. Heres what to know about Jenna Bush Hager and Henry Hagers relationship through the years. Jenna met Henry when he was working for former President Bush in 2004 Jenna met Henry through mutual friends while he was working on former President Bushs 2004 re-election campaign. He worked for my dad, Jenna said on TODAY with Hoda & Jenna in 2019. A friend of mine from college was like, his intern at work, and we were going to watch the Texas game, and they were like, Can we bring Henry? A few years ago, Jenna shared a throwback photo in her Instagram story of the first picture she and Henry ever took together, dating back to December 2004, when she was 23 and Henry was 26. We have been together 1 million years, she joked in the caption. The couple's worst first date involved the Secret Service As the presidents daughter, Jenna had to deal with some extra complications when dating such as the presence of the Secret Service. She recalled one awkward moment when Henry accidentally crashed into a Secret Service car in Arlington, Virginia, as he was driving up a hill to reach a gas station before running out of fuel. My worst first date involved the Secret Service, lets just leave it at that," Jenna said on TODAY with Hoda & Jenna in 2021. It was with Henry, and his car ran out of gas and went backwards and hit the Secret Service. Were you scared or laughing? Hoda Kotb asked her. I was laughing, but he was horrified, Jenna recalled. Henry once snuck out of the White House 'walking as fast as he could' At one point while they were dating, Jenna said Henry had to sneak out of the White House the morning after their relationship reached a certain level." Henry said he woke up (the next morning) and he looked around and he was, like, Aaaaaaaah because he worked for my dad, Jenna recalled with a laugh on TODAY with Hoda & Jenna in 2022. She said Henry was walking as fast as he could to get out of the White House while trying to play it cool. He said to get out of the White House was as hard to get in, Jenna told Hoda. The people that guard the White House are looking to see whos running (inside). Usually, people dont run out. Jenna added that Henry was wearing his clothes from the night before, pulling on the gate. When she shared the funny story on-air on TODAY, Jenna revealed this was this first time she was telling her parents about the incident, too. Do you think my parents are going to enjoy that? I mean, Im 41 almost and we have three children! she said. Jenna knew Henry was the one for her early on: 'I was completely myself' Jenna knew Henry was the perfect person for her pretty early on. I do think one of the reasons why I knew really soon Henry was the one is I was completely myself, and he loved it, she told Hoda on TODAY in 2020. She explained that with previous boyfriends, she had pretended to be somebody she wasnt to impress them like when she told a high school boyfriend she was an avid skier, even though she had never skied in her life. And then comes Christmas and he said, Well, my familys going on a ski trip and since you love it, too, Id love for you to go, she recalled of the little white lie she told her high school beau. And I went into my parents and I was like, Mom and Dad' ... it finally caught up with me." But with Henry, she could just be herself. I do think you reach a certain point where you kind of are who you are, right? she added. Jenna proposed to Henry first, months after they started dating: 'What are we waiting for?' Jenna was so sure of her feelings early on, she proposed to Henry after just three months of dating. After three months of dating I mightve had a Christmas cocktail and we were dancing, and I said, This is it, I know it, lets just get married, what are we waiting for? Jenna shared on TODAY in February 2020. He smiled, and he was like, Im crazy about you, but youre young." Jenna shared more details on the proposal on TODAY in August 2023, and revealed her sister Barbara was there when the moment happened. I was 22 years old. My sister was standing with us, we were dancing, and Barbara started shuffling backwards. She was like, What is happening here? She recalled Henry saying he loved her, too, and she said, Me too: Lets get married! However, Henry didnt take her tipsy proposal completely seriously. He said no, but then five years later we got married, Jenna recalled. He didnt say no, he just was like (laughing). Henry asked President Bush for his daughters hand in marriage in 2007 Henry asked Jennas father for his blessing during a Fourth of July weekend retreat in 2007 at Camp David in Maryland. Henry was so nervous about asking former President Bush for his permission to marry Jenna that he read the Bible in preparation, Jenna told TODAY guest host Justin Sylvester in August 2023. To make the situation even more nerve-wracking, Henry had trouble grabbing a moment alone with the president. He called my dad. Hes like, Id like to come speak to you. Hes like, Im taking a nap. Come in a couple hours, Jenna said on TODAY. So (Henry) had to sit and stew. When Henry did finally speak to Jenna's father, he came prepared. And then he had like a seven-point plan of why he wanted to marry me and how he was going to take care of me, and my dad goes, Henry, I said yes. You dont need to go through anything else, Jenna recalled, adding that he said to her mother: Laura, Henrys proposing, and that was that. Good thing he did it. Jenna and Henry got married in 2008 Jenna wed Henry on May 10, 2008, at her parents Prairie Chapel Ranch in Crawford, Texas. Image: Henry Hager And Jenna Bush Wedding (The White House / Getty Images) She remembers a sweet moment she shared with her dad on their special day. I think my dad picked me up in a pickup truck, in his pickup truck, and he said, You look beautiful, baby, and then we both just wept, she told Hoda on TODAY with Hoda & Jenna in 2021. She also shared that on their wedding day, Henry stood at a cross that her dad had helped build. Its still there, so we have our Christmas services there that we put together, our kids have gotten to stand on it, she said. The couple welcomed their first child, Mila, in 2013 Jenna and Henry welcomed their first child, Margaret Laura Mila Hager, on April 13, 2013. Mila is named after both of her grandmothers: former first lady Laura Bush and Henrys mother, Margaret. Baby Mila had been due in May, but she came early in April after Jenna went into labor at her baby shower. I felt like my stomach was going 'blop blop,' and somebody across me goes, Girl, youre going to have that baby right now. And then it was like, three, two, water break, she recalled on TODAY in April 2023. She said Henry went into panic mode when he heard her water had broken although at first, Henry thought Jenna was pranking him. Henry thought we were playing a joke on him, because Barbara and I have ganged up on him, Jenna said. The couple welcomed a second daughter, Poppy, in 2015 Jenna and Henrys second daughter, Poppy Louise Hager, was born on Aug. 13, 2015. Poppy was named after Jennas grandfather, former President George H.W. Bush, whose nickname growing up was Poppy. We are proud to name her after a man we so adore, Henry told TODAY in 2015. Henry also shared that Poppys middle name was inspired by the middle names of his and Jennas grandmothers, Louise and Lewis. Poppy, Mila and Henry have joined Jenna before at TODAY. (Nathan Congleton / TODAY) Jenna and Henry's third child, Hal, was born in 2019 Jenna and Henry welcomed their third child and first boy, Henry Harold Hal Hager, on Aug 2., 2019. On Hals recent fourth birthday, Jenna shared his birth story on TODAY. She revealed that she wasnt allowed to enjoy celebratory treats immediately after Hals birth because she'd had a C-section. I had Hal for an hour, and my sister arrived with tacos and doughnuts, Jenna told Hoda, and the nurse said I wasnt allowed to eat breakfast tacos and doughnuts. Jenna says she also recently told Hal about the details of his birth. I FaceTimed him this morning and said, Hal, did you know that in one hour, four years ago, you were cut out of my tummy? Jenna shared on TODAY. Hal was apparently not expecting this news. He goes, Cut out of your tummy? Jenna said. Youre so literal, Hoda told Jenna, laughing. Henry celebrated Jennas 40th birthday with a hilarious prank on TODAY When Jenna celebrated her 40th birthday in 2021, Henry gave her an unforgettable on-air surprise. In honor of his wifes milestone birthday, Henry went undercover as an NBC page and asked people on the street what they knew about Jenna including asking people to guess her age. One person guessed she was 32, while another person scolded Henry for asking the question in the first place, because youre not supposed to ask a lady how old she is. That was tough, Henry said afterwards of his brief time as an NBC page. Im going to get a coffee, warm up and never try this again. He also added a sweet message to his wife. Jenna, youre an amazing anchor. Youre so good at this job, he said. I dont know how you do it. I love you. Happy birthday! The couple celebrated their 15th anniversary: 'I love him. A lot.' Jenna and Henrys love is as strong as ever. In May, Jenna celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary with a sweet Instagram post. Jenna Bush Hager, Henry Hager (@jennbhager via Instagram) She shared photos from their wedding day, as well as a candid pic of her and Henry riding the subway together, and another cute photo showing them smiling during a boat ride. 15 years with HHs hand in mine, she wrote in the caption. I love him. A lot. Jenna talked about Henry's loving gift during the pandemic: 'It's the little things' During TODAY with Hoda & Jenna on March 21, Jenna opened up about how Henry surprised her with a thoughtful gesture during the COVID-19 pandemic. "During COVID, it was one of those days that was everlasting: doing the show from our kitchen, feeling a little isolated, having no child care, immediately going from the show to getting the kids on Zoom, then cooking for the millionth time," Jenna told Hoda. But then, Jenna walked into her and Henry's room to find a candle lit and a letter written by her husband. "I came into our room, Henry had lit a candle, thats it, and wrote a lovely letter about how even though this was a scary, kind of fraught time, that there would be no better partner hed rather do it with," Jenna continued. At this, Hoda let out a surprised laugh and wiped her eye from getting emotional. Jenna then explained what she thought the loving gifts meant to "lay down and chill." "'I see you and I know youre tired and I know youve picked up a lot, and just chill for a minute,'" Jenna explained of the Henry's message behind the two gestures. "It is the little things, right? I think thats the most beautiful sentiment, and its a tiny, little thing," Hoda answered. This article was originally published on TODAY.com JetBlue to discontinue Austin nonstop to Florida in May AUSTIN (KXAN) JetBlue Airways will discontinue its nonstop route between Austin and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in May. An airline statement to KXAN said the flight would end May 1. Nonstop service from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport will continue to both New York JFK and Boston. Fort Lauderdale is also served by Southwest Airlines and Spirit Airlines. The route cancellation is part of a wider cut back by the airline, less than a month after it announced it would no longer pursue a merger with low-cost Spirit Airlines after a federal judge blocked the deal. Data Hub: Which airlines carry the most passengers at AUS? JetBlue is constantly evaluating our routes to best serve our customers, return our airline to profitability, and find ways to improve our reliability, an airline spokesperson said. As part of that process, we have decided to end some routes, make others seasonal and exit five cities. All service to Kansas City and Newburgh, New York, will be canceled, along with international routes to Bogota, Colombia, Quito, Ecuador, and Lima, Peru. These decisions are never easy, however, these markets have recently fallen short of our expectations, the spokesperson said. The airline said the changes will allow JetBlue to increase frequency on well-performing routes from its focus cities and will help during times when aircraft availability is limited. Some of JetBlues fleet is currently grounded due to engine inspections. Passenger traffic for the airline at AUS has been decreasing in recent years. In 2019, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, JetBlue flew almost 600,000 passengers in and out of Austin. That halved to roughly 285,000 passengers last year. JetBlue previously canceled nonstop routes from Austin to both Newark and Los Angeles in February 2023. Twenty-one other nonstop routes have been canceled from AUS this year, mostly by American Airlines. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. Jewish high schoolers in New York City were warned against applying to Cornell University over the school's reported failure to protect Jewish students from repeated instances of antisemitism, Fox News Digital has learned. "As a national network of alumni dedicated to countering antisemitism on campus, we felt an obligation to warn prospective Jewish students and their families about Cornells failure to protect our community," Avi Gordon, executive director of Alums for Campus Fairness, said in a statement to Fox News Digital. Alums for Campus Fairness sent brochures to all high schools in the New York City metro area this month, arguing "Cornell refuses to enforce the student code of conduct, fostering a hostile climate that endangers Jewish students." "Considering Cornell? Cornell is not a safe place for Jewish students," the groups brochure added. The brochures were styled to look like promotional materials sent by the university to prospective students, according to Alums for Campus Fairness. Cornell is located in Ithaca, New York, roughly 200 miles from the Big Apple. CORNELL UNIVERSITY SLAMMED FOR 'WINDOW DRESSING' STATEMENT AFTER ANTISEMITISM ON CAMPUS READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Last year, the Department of Education opened investigations into a handful of colleges over claims of discrimination on campus, including three Ivy Leagues: Cornell, the University of Pennsylvania and Columbia University. The House Ways and Means Committee also announced a probe into four elite universities in January over their handling of campus antisemitism, including: Cornell, Penn, Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. On Cornells campus, Fox News Digital reported last year that professor of history and self-identified "secular Marxist" Russell Rickford was accused of "justifying terror" after describing the war in Israel as "exhilarating." CORNELL PROFESSOR BLAMES CRITICAL RACE THEORY INDOCTRINATION BEHIND STUDENT SUSPECT'S THREATS A Cornell student, 21-year-old Patrick Dai, was also arrested in October after allegedly posting threatening messages on a Greek life message board. Alums for Campus Fairness sent brochures to NYC Jewish high schoolers warning them against applying to Cornell. "Watch out pig jews. jihad is coming. nowhere is safe. your synagogue will become graveyards. your women will be raped and your children will be beheaded. glory to Allah," Dai allegedly wrote Oct. 28, according to a criminal complaint. JEWISH ACTIVISTS BLAST 'SQUAD' DEM FOR 'APPALLING' DEFENSE OF FARRAKHAN MURAL: 'LACK OF FITNESS TO LEAD' A mugshot of Patrick Dai, who was arrested on Tuesday, October 31, 2023. Dai, a junior at Cornell University, was arrested for posting threats to kill or injure another using interstate communications. The school has also seen protests against Israel, and graffiti on campus reading "Israel is fascist," "Fk Israel" and "Zionism = Racism." A Jewish activist in New York City, Lizzy Savetsky, told Fox News Digital that Cornell is obligated to protect Jewish students from discrimination under Title XI. "As a mother, the safety and well-being of Jewish students on college campuses are of paramount importance. Universities like Cornell have an obligation, not just ethically but under Title XI, to ensure that Jewish students and those who support Israel are protected from discrimination and harassment," she said. "If these institutions fail to create a secure environment, they send a clear message to the Jewish community that our children are not welcome. It's imperative for colleges and universities to take decisive action against antisemitism, ensuring that all students can pursue their education without fear for their Jewish and Zionist identities." Alums for Campus Fairness calls on Cornell to fire Rockford, enforce the student code of conduct, and define and denounce antisemitism. MAJOR DONOR CALLING ON CORNELL PRESIDENT TO RESIGN OVER DEI SEES OUTPOURING OF SUPPORT Governor Kathy Hochul joins Cornell University President Martha Pollack for a visit with students at the Center for Jewish Living at Cornell in Ithaca, New York on Monday, October 30, 2023. MAJOR 'POLITICAL SHIFT' AMONG JEWISH CORNELL STUDENTS AS THEY QUESTION TIES TO PROGRESSIVE GROUPS The group also calls on the Ivy League to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliances statement on antisemitism, which outlines: "Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities." Following the outbreak of war in Israel, Penn and Harvard both saw their former presidents resign amid national and campus outrage after they appeared before Congress in December and were grilled about their handling of antisemitism on their respective campuses. This year, Cornell University President Martha E. Pollack wrote a letter to the school community following another alleged instance of antisemitism, condemning the student for an alleged social media post calling for the deaths of "Zionists." CORNELL STUDENT ACCUSED OF THREATENING TO BEHEAD JEWISH BABIES TO REMAIN IN JAIL "This morning we learned of a post on social media allegedly from a Cornell student explicitly stating that Zionists must die. Cornell Police and the Office of Student Conduct are investigating and if we determine that it was posted by a member of the Cornell community, they will be held fully accountable and appropriately sanctioned," Pollack wrote in January. "This post is heinous, and I condemn it in the strongest terms." The letter was soon slammed by prominent Cornell Law School professor William Jacobson as "window dressing" after the school received a letter from the House Ways and Means Committee in January indicating Cornell could lose its tax-exempt status over its handling of antisemitism on campus. "Coming a day after a congressional letter putting Cornell's federal funding at risk, the Cornell administration's reaction seems like window dressing, to make it seem they are doing something," William Jacobson, who joined the faculty in 2007, said in a statement to Fox News Digital that month. Cornells media team told Fox News Digital on Monday morning that the school does not have a comment on the brochures sent to high schoolers. Original article source: Jewish NYC high schoolers warned against applying to Ivy League over antisemitism: not 'safe' Jimmy Kimmel went after former President Trump on his show Wednesday night, mocking Trumps legal challenges and money problems. The great white supremacist has until Monday to come up with a $464 million bond, or the state may seize and sell his property, Kimmel said on his late-night show, referring to the crunch the former president faces over a bond due next week related to his loss in a civil fraud case in New York. Trumps lawyers this week said he does not have the cash to pay the bond, which is growing by the day because of interest, and Trump argued in a Truth Social post this week that the state was effectively forcing him to do a fire sale of his properties to come up with the money. Kimmel offered some jokes on the matter. Something tells me over the weekend, Trumps going to start talking about how strong Vladimir Putin is, and suddenly a dump truck full of rubles will pull up and cover this for him, Kimmel joked, referring to the Russian president. But of course the real loser here is Melania, he said of Trumps wife, former first lady Melania Trump. She may end up with half of the nothing he owns now. I hope she got an advance on that prenup, because if you think she hates him now, wait until hes poor, Kimmel said. Kimmel and Trump have repeatedly feuded over the years, but the current battle hit a new high during this months Oscars ceremony, which the ABC late-night personality hosted. Kimmel read a quote from Trump criticizing his performance as host live on-air, before laying into the ex-president in front of the room of Hollywood luminaries. The Hill has reached out to a spokesperson for Trump. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Scotland the brave? More like Scotland, the Orwellian dystopia. This week, in between churning out some of the best-selling books on the planet, JK Rowling has exposed the country in which she lives as authoritarian, misogynistic, and downright bonkers. At a hate crime youth engagement event last month run by Police Scotland, delegates were given a hypothetical scenario in which a person named Jo is described as a passionate gender-critical campaigner because this person believes that individuals cannot change sex. This fictional Jo has a large social media following. Jo thinks that sex is binary and calls for transgender people to be sent to gas chambers, one of the craziest things I have heard about feminists resisting gender ideology. How could we know whether this Jo is intended to be Rowling, or one of the other countless women (and growing numbers of men) that dare to speak out? The tsunami of abuse and threats we face are horrendous. I have been called a Nazi more times than I can count. Rowling refuses to keep quiet about the threats to the rights and safety of her fellow females. She railed against Nicola Sturgeons desperate efforts to introduce a law that would allow men to self-identify as women and gain access to womens refuges, changing rooms and prisons. The bill effectively proposed a system of self-identification or declaration for trans identified people, which, had it not been blocked by Westminster, would have allowed any person over the age of 16, born or living in Scotland, to change their sex in law, within a period as short as six months and without any need for an official diagnosis of gender dysphoria. For speaking out and refusing to be cowed by the bullies, despite valiant efforts by misogynists, Rolwing has been accused of being an actual fascist on numerous occasions, despite her extraordinary track record in standing up for impoverished, disadvantaged people worldwide. Earlier this month, when Rowling was discussing transwomen using female changing rooms on X, she was sent a video of India Willoughby and asked if he should be allowed to use female changing rooms, Rowling replied, Youve sent me the wrong video. There isnt a lady in this one, just a man revelling in his misogynistic performance of what he thinks woman means: narcissistic, shallow and exhibitionist. Willoughby subsequently announced that Rowling had definitely committed a [hate] crime, saying, Im legally a woman. She knows Im a woman and she calls me a man. Its a protected characteristic. Police took no action against Rowling, because, of course, she had broken no law. But on April 1st, Scotland is set to introduce new hate crime legislation that would render it a criminal offence to call a man, a man if he identifies as a woman. The law will make it an offence to stir up hatred against protected characteristics, including age, disability, religion, sexual orientation and gender identity. Not, you may notice, biological sex. When the new law was announced, some trans activists posted on X that Rowling should take down her comments in which she stated that Willoughby is male, or she could be prosecuted for misgendering. Her response? If you genuinely imagine Id delete posts calling a man a man, so as not to be prosecuted under this ludicrous law, stand by for the mother of all April Fools jokes. All women should be grateful to Rowling for the way she has stood firm against gender ideology, and for exposing how far down the Orwellian rabbit hole Scotland has gone. When this crazed gender war ends, we will have Rowling to thank for shining a spotlight on one of the bleakest times for women and girls in recent history and being instrumental in bringing us back to earth. 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. WASHINGTON Just three weeks after he traveled to the U.S.-Mexico border, President Joe Biden is back in Texas - not to draw attention to immigration issues but to raise money for his re-election campaign. But the battle over border security is once again hijacking the presidents plans. Hours before Biden landed in Dallas on Wednesday night to attend a pair of political fundraisers, a federal appeals court heard arguments on whether a controversial new Texas law that could upend U.S. border policy should be allowed to take effect. The law could have significant ramifications not only on the question of who gets to police the nations borders, but also on this years presidential race. On the flight to Texas, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre slammed the new Texas statute as an extreme, unconstitutional law that will burden law enforcement and make communities less safe. It is part of a political stunt that we continue to see from the governor of Texas, she said. Jean-Pierre added that congressional Republicans could fix problems on the border by passing a bipartisan border security bill that they blocked at the urging of former President Donald Trump. Polls show that immigration and border security are key issues for voters as Biden gears up for what is expected to be a brutal rematch this fall with Trump, who is running on a tough-on-immigration platform and has blamed Biden for an influx of illegal crossings at the border. Biden and Trump held dueling visits to the border in Texas on the same day last month - but 325 miles apart. Biden walked along a section of the border in Brownsville and received a briefing from federal immigration agents. Trump traveled to Eagle Pass, where he viewed razor wire the Texas National Guard erected along a 29-mile stretch of border upon the orders of Republican Gov. Greg Abbott. Border wars: Texas gov transforms immigration from a border issue to a backyard one. Dems aren't happy. President Joe Biden The razor wire and the state border law that is tied up in the courts are part of a larger ongoing battle between Abbot and the Biden administration over how to secure the U.S.-Mexico border. Texas officials have blamed Biden for an increase in illegal border crossings that they say has drained state resources and threatened public safety. The Republican-backed law, known as S.B. 4, would empower state officials to detain and deport migrants entering or living in the United States illegally. Entering Texas illegally or re-entering the state from a foreign country would become a state crime under the law, and state judges would be allowed to order violators to leave the United States. Those who refuse to comply could face prison sentences of up to 20 years. The Justice Department sued, arguing that immigration policy and the management of U.S. borders are the domain of the federal government and that the Texas law, which was opposed by Democrats and civil rights groups, is a constitutional infringement on that power. The law was scheduled to take effect on March 5, but has been on hold while the Justice Department challenges it in court. In a decision that caused chaos and confusion, the U.S. Supreme Court allowed the law to take effect for a few hours on Tuesday when it sent the case back to a federal appeals court to decide whether the hold should stand while the Biden administrations appeal works its way through the courts. A three-judge panel of the New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals put the law back on hold a few hours later and held a hearing Wednesday on whether it should remain in place during the appeal. The hearing ended without a decision, leaving Texas unable to enforce the law for now. Drownings: Mexican family's death at border looms over ongoing Justice Department standoff with Texas At his first campaign fundraiser Wednesday night, border security was one of several issues that Biden brought up in front of 100 guests gathered in the back yard of a private residence. Trump has Biden to tried to pin the crisis at the border on Biden, arguing that he is solely responsible for it and is unable to deal with it effectively. Biden, however, said it was Trump who has caused turmoil at the border by persuading Republicans to ditch the bipartisan border bill. Trump didnt just bring chaos to Americans," he said, "he also brought chaos to the American border. "Unlike Trump," Biden added, "I'm not gonna demonize immigrants." At another fundraiser in Houston on Thursday, Biden again blamed Trump for bringing chaos to the border. "You know this in Texas better than anybody," he said. Michael Collins covers the White House. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, @mcollinsNEWS. Taking heat: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott denies he's advocating shooting migrants crossing Texas-Mexico border This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Joe Biden campaigns in Texas in middle of chaotic border mess Semafor Signals Insights from Bloomberg, Hydrogeology Journal, Ground Up The News Millions of people in Johannesburg have been left without consistent access to clean water over the past two weeks, in the latest crisis to highlight the precariousness of South Africas water supply. A large swath of South Africas biggest city was left without water for 11 days, Bloomberg reported, while residents from both affluent and poorer neighborhoods have been forced to line up for hours to get water from municipal tankers. Rand Water, the bulk supplier for the citys residents, has been under severe pressure, city authorities announced, adding that the entire water supply system is strained to the point of collapse. SIGNALS Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories. Johannesburgs water pipes are crumbling and relief is unlikely to come soon Sources: Bloomberg, University of the Witwatersrand, The Daily Maverick Aging infrastructure means as much as 44% of the water distributed to Johannesburgs supply system is lost due to leaks and theft, Bloomberg reported. The more that Rand Water pumps into this leaking sieve, the more they are depleting their reservoirs. The system is now starting to self-destruct, one environmental studies professor from South Africas University of the Free State said. Dam and hydro-electricity projects such as the Lesotho Highlands Scheme, which would increase the supply of water to Johannesburg and other residents of the Gauteng region, are eight years behind schedule, and wont be completed until 2028, according to the University of the Witwatersrand. Meanwhile, elected officials continue to deny the extent of the problem, with the mayor of Johannesburg insisting that there is no water crisis, according to South African news site the Daily Maverick. Poorer residents in informal settlements face extreme challenges in obtaining water Sources: Ground Up, The Washington Post Inequality plays out in water the social contract breaks down, if the rich find their solution and leave the rest to fend for themselves, the water managing director for The Nature Conservancy, a global environmental organization, told The Washington Post. In 2018, when Cape Town faced an impending Day Zero when the citys taps would be shut off because of acutely low reservoir levels economic disparities were laid bare as residents in wealthier neighborhoods ordered the digging of wells and desalination machines, while informal settlements struggled to access water. According to Cape Town-based news outlet Ground Up, more than 40 informal settlements south of Johannesburg rely upon a single contractor to fill their water tanks. Because of a shortage of access, residents have resorted to gathering water from dirty streams. Because we are desperate, we have no choice but to use that water, one said. Cape Town authorities knew of likely water crises for years, but failed to build out supply Sources: TIME, Hydrogeology Journal Water managers discussed the possibility of Cape Town running out of water as far back as 1990, yet authorities ignored the problem and the situation was never properly addressed, hydrologists said. During the regions regular droughts, the city relied too much on managing demand imposing restrictions and relying on people to curb their water use because it is far less expensive and nimbler than the costly, time-consuming process of building out supply, Hydrogeology Journal reported. As Cape Towns water levels hit crisis point in 2018, residents found ingenious ways to stick to their allotted 13 gallons per person per day, sharing tips such as lining plates with layers of plastic wrap to avoid washing, baking food rather than boiling it, and using laundry water to flush the toilet, one Capetonian wrote for TIME. But while residents efforts had an impact, conserving water has its limits, and there are few ways to cut off profligate users in wealthier neighborhoods, she said. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said Thursday that he would extend an invitation to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address Congress, after indicating Wednesday that he was considering the move. I would love to have him come and address a joint session of Congress. Well certainly extend that invitation, Johnson said in an interview on CNBCs Squawk Box. The interview comes after Netanyahu virtually addressed Senate Republicans on Wednesday, but was reportedly denied when he requested the same opportunity to address Senate Democrats. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer cited concerns about making Israel a partisan issue. Sen. Schumer made it clear that he does not think these discussions should happen in a partisan manner. Thats not helpful to Israel, Schumers spokesperson said. For a joint session, Schumer would need to consent to Johnsons extending of the invitation. Johnson said he did not know whether Schumer would agree to a joint session, but, if he didnt, the Speaker said he would invite Netanyahu to address the House. Well, I guess well find out, Johnson said on whether Schumer would agree to a joint session. I mean, look, Im the one that extends the invitations to speak in the House. And if we just have the House, thats fine, too, but I think a big majority of that Senate would want to come and stand in support of Netanyahu and Israel. I think its a really, really critical time for that nation. Theyre fighting for their very existence. We need to stand strong with them, he added. Schumer said in a statement on Thursday that Israel has no stronger ally than the United States and our relationship transcends any one president or any one Prime Minister. I will always welcome the opportunity for the Prime Minister of Israel to speak to Congress in a bipartisan way, Schumer added. The developments come after Schumer issued a scathing rebuke of Netanyahus leadership in a nearly 45-minute speech on Israel last week. The longtime supporter of Israel said Netanyahu had lost his way as he called for new elections. Schumer faced fierce backlash from conservatives and from Netanyahu, who called his remarks totally inappropriate. Updated at 11:54 a.m. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. An Ohio judge has barred incriminating statements from a man who police have said confessed to killing his three young sons, ruling that authorities violated his constitutional rights after they took him into custody. Chad Doerman, 33, was arrested last summer after his three young sons were shot and a young girl was seen running in the street screaming that her father was killing everyone, authorities said. Clermont County Common Pleas Judge Richard Ferenc wrote in a ruling that investigators did not properly advise Doerman of his right against self-incrimination and his right to an attorney before his "Custodial Interrogation." Nor did investigators stop the interrogation after he unequivocally and unambiguously invoked his right to counsel, Ferenc wrote. Ferenc added that all statements obtained from the interview will be barred from the case. Doerman's trial is expected to begin in July. At a hearing last month, defense lawyers had asked the judge to throw out statements Doerman made during the interrogation over the apparent violations and other issues, NBC affiliate WLWT of Cincinnati reported. Prosecutor Lara Baron Allen denied the claim at the hearing, telling the judge that authorities did everything properly and upheld the defendants constitutional rights from beginning to end, the station reported. Michael Ross, the Clermont County sheriffs detective who conducted the interview, recalled at the hearing that Doerman said: The Bible says you kill your first born, you kill your second born, you kill your third born. Bur first youre supposed to kill your wife. I didnt kill my wife. Court records reviewed by WLWT showed that authorities alleged that Doerman confessed to planning and carrying out the deaths of the victims for several months. Authorities charged Doerman with multiple counts of aggravated murder and other crimes in the June 15 killings of the three boys, ages 3, 4 and 7. The Clermont County Sheriffs Office accused him of lining the children up and fatally shooting them with a rifle. Their mother was shot in the hand. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com On Thursday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that his country has submitted a draft resolution to the U.N. Security Council for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza tied to the release of the 134 hostages still held by Palestinian militias in the Gaza Strip. The top U.S. diplomat has stated that the Israeli team that will travel to the United States next week led by Defense Minister Yoav Gallant is studying another way to eliminate Hamas without launching a major ground invasion in the Rafah area, which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu now admits will take some time to begin. Meanwhile, the Israeli army puts the number of militiamen killed at 140 (50 in the last day), along with 600 arrests, in four days of raids on the Al Shifa hospital in Gazas capital; there has been hardly any information about those raids. In the five and a half months of war, Washington has vetoed all of the ceasefire proposals submitted to the U.N. Security Council, where the United States has a permanent seat. The scheme that the Secretary of State is now promoting would not automatically mean an end to the conflict. Washington is not asking for that from Israel, to which the United States has been providing financing and weaponry. Instead, the U.S. is focusing its strategy on an agreement to a ceasefire for a month and a half in its first phase (six times longer than the first ceasefire in November), seeking to reduce tensions and have a domino effect: alleviating the serious humanitarian crisis in Gaza, avoiding the spread of more violence to the West Bank and calming Israels hot border with Lebanon, where the country exchanges fire with Hezbollah and other militias daily. Blinken was optimistic about a second ceasefire agreement, which the parties have been negotiating in Qatar. He has described it as very much possible because the gaps have narrowed between the parties. That would bring immediate relief to so many people who are suffering in Gaza the children, the women, the men. It would allow a much greater expansion of humanitarian assistance getting to them, and it could create the conditions to have a lasting, enduring ceasefire, which is also what we want to see. So thats the urgency in this moment. Thats what were pressing, with Qatar and Egypt working closely with us to try to get an agreement, he said in an interview with the Arabic-language Al Arabiya network in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. We hope very much that countries will support that. I think that would send a strong message, a strong signal, he added. He also considered it imperative that more aid enter Gaza and pointed out that it will be the main focus of his visit to Israel this Friday, which was not part of the initial agenda. According to the draft resolution, which the U.S. delegation to the U.N. intends to put to a vote this week not before noon this Friday, according to diplomatic sources the Security Council unequivocally supports international diplomatic efforts to establish an immediate and sustained ceasefire as part of a deal that releases the hostages, and that allows the basis for a more durable peace to alleviate humanitarian suffering. The text also emphasizes that the window of opportunity created by any ceasefire should redouble diplomacy to establish the conditions for a sustainable cessation of hostilities and lasting peace [as set out in resolution 2720]. Resolution 2720 addresses the protection of civilians and the provision of immediate humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in Gaza, which the Security Council adopted in December. The U.S. draft resolution which has taken over a month to prepare and has had six successive versions, even though its final terms do not differ greatly from the formulations in other proposed resolutions also reiterates the call for all parties to the conflict to respect international law, including humanitarian law; and the full, immediate, safe, sustained and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance at scale directly to the Palestinian civilian population throughout the Gaza Strip in line with resolutions 2712 (on the creation of humanitarian pauses and corridors) and 2720. The announcement comes at a time of heightened tension between the U.S. and Benjamin Netanyahus government, primarily over the announced invasion of Rafah and Israeli obstacles to humanitarian aid, which have made Gazans the population with the fastest deteriorating food security at an unheard-of rate anywhere in the world. Hundreds of thousands are on the brink of starvation. Disagreement Blinken also referred to the incursion in Rafah, which has become a touchstone in the relationship and the red line that the international community including its closest allies is drawing with Israel after almost half a year of war. As of Thursday, the conflict has caused nearly 32,000 deaths, as well as scenes of malnutrition, battles over food and the destruction of entire neighborhoods. What we dont want to see is a major ground operation because we dont see how that can be done without doing terrible harm to civilians. But at the same time, it is imperative to do something about Hamas, because Hamas has brought nothing but death and destruction to Palestinians, he said. On Wednesday, Netanyahu addressed the issue in a statement about a conversation he had two days earlier with U.S. President Joe Biden, their first talk in a month. I told him: It is impossible to complete the victory without the IDF entering Rafah in order to eliminate the remnants of Hamass battalions. [...] There have been times when we have agreed with our friends, and there have been times when we have not agreed with them. In the end, we have always done what is vital for our security, and this is what we will do this time as well, he said, recalling that he has already approved the operational plans for the incursion and will do so soon with those for the evacuation i.e., the forced displacement of the 1.4 million Gazans displaced there, mainly because of his order at the beginning of the war that they vacate the north and head south. The incursion itself will still take some time, he said. The word alternative is increasingly being used in conjunction with the word Rafah. According to the Pentagon, in a telephone conversation U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin expressed to the Israeli Defense Minister the need to consider alternatives to a major ground operation in Rafah. Meanwhile, Israel has increased the number of militiamen it has killed to 140 (50 in the last day), along with 600 arrests in its Monday raid on the Al Shifa hospital, a large compound in the capital where Israel has positioned armored vehicles and sharpshooters. Israel claims that members of Hamas were hiding in Gazas largest medical center, which is now home to thousands of displaced people, patients and medical staff, while Hamas claims that it is fighting in the surrounding area. Two Israeli soldiers were killed in the clashes. The operation in Al Shifa surprised the terrorists half a year ago [it] took us a month to reach [Shifa]; now we did it in a flash, the Israeli defense minister boasted on Thursday. WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit that three former Wichita Police Department deputy chiefs filed against the City of Wichita last year. Former Deputy Chiefs Wanda Givens, Chester Pinkston and Jose Salcido sued nine defendants: the City of Wichita, City Manager Robert Layton, former Human Resources Director Chris Bezruki, former interim Police Chief Troy Livingston, former police Captains Kevin Kochenderfer and Wendell Nicholson, the Fraternal Order of Police, and FOP officers Dave Inkelaar and Paul Zamorano. Former Deputy Chief Wanda Givens (Courtesy Wichita Police Department) Former Deputy Chief Chester Pinkston (Courtesy Wichita Police Department) Former Deputy Chief Jose Salcido (Courtesy Wichita Police Department) The former deputy chiefs alleged that the defendants created an environment of racism, sexism, harassment, and corruption and that they suffered from retaliation when they spoke out against this environment. The nine defendants asked the judge to dismiss the lawsuit. And on Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Holly Teeter did: Plaintiffs claims are dismissed. This case is closed, the judgment says. In a 44-page document, the judge explained her decision. Police identify Wichita woman who died after being hit by a car Resolution of these motions has been difficult, Teeter wrote. The difficulty largely stems from Plaintiffs pleading style. Plaintiffs complain of wide-ranging conduct. But they rarely tie those complaints to specific Defendants. She said the lawsuit makes many allegations against people who are not in the lawsuit. Complex pleadings are not unheard of in federal court, Teeter wrote. But it is not the job of the Court or the opposing parties to sort through a pleading to try to construct a plaintiffs claims. She went on to describe the complaint as a press release masquerading as a complaint. She also said accusing people of unconstitutional conduct requires specifics. Plaintiffs try to paint a picture of the WPD, the City of Wichita, and the FOP as a single-minded, power-hungry machine that barrels over anyone in its way, she wrote. But they repeatedly rely on broad and conclusory allegations instead of individualizing their claims by Plaintiff and Defendant. Teeter dismissed some of the claims with prejudice, meaning the dismissal is permanent. She dismissed other claims without prejudice, meaning they could be refiled at some point. But she had advice for the plaintiffs. In any future pleadings, it should not be so difficult to ascertain which claims are brought by and against which parties, and for what conduct, she said. James Thompson, the attorney for the former deputy chiefs, sent KSN News this response. Obviously, we disagree with Judge Teeters decision and are disappointed, but we respect the process, he said. In the face of adversity, Deputy Chiefs Salcido, Pinkston, and Givens did what they had always done throughout their long careers and stood up for what they believed was right. KSN News asked the City of Wichita for a response from the city or the city manager. We will let the judges ruling speak for itself, Communications Manager Megan Lovely said. Thank you for asking and reaching out. Sheriff identifies victim of fatal crash east of Whitewater KSN also reached out to the FOP. FOP President Jeremy Diaz said the FOP appreciates the judges careful analysis of all the plaintiffs claims. Even with Judge Teeter accepting the plaintiffs allegations as true, which she was required to do, she found that the plaintiffs had failed to identify a valid legal claim against the FOP and its officers, Diaz said. That is not to say that we believe the plaintiffs allegations are true. They are not. We agree wholeheartedly with Judge Teeters statement that the plaintiffs pleading was a press release disguised as a complaint. He went on to say that the FOP is happy to be able to fully devote its time to representing its members instead of defending against baseless claims. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) An Horry County judge has granted a temporary injunction to shutter the property where a couple allegedly set a cross on fire in their yard last Thanksgiving to intimate their Black neighbors. The ruling follows a hearing on Wednesday on the 15th Circuit Solicitors Offices efforts to have the Corbett Drive property where Alexis Hartnett lived declared a public nuisance. The solicitors office filed the request in January, asking for a temporary injunction or restraining order that could remove Butler and Hartnett from the property. Monica Williams, one of the victims in the cross-burning, was excited to hear the judges ruling. Were just elated, like, we were just excited, she said. We really want the whole state of South Carolina to learn from the situation that you cannot terrorize and harm people and terrorize the neighborhood. So, we are very, very excited. We are happy that the judge ruled the way he did and we are grateful. Worden Butler, left, and Alexis Hartnett Photo: J. Reuben Long Detention Center A spokesman for the solicitors office said Thursday afternoon that the judge will file a formal order in the case at a later date. Williams once again expressed the need for South Carolina to pass a hate crimes law. This culture of racism is real, and it needs to be discussed. We hope to keep up the momentum, she said. We hope to educate the children and educate everyone as to the importance of inclusion and the importance of knowing history. You dont know where youre going, if you dont know where youve been, and that is just very, very important. Butler and Hartnett, who are facing harassment charges in connection with the cross-burning, are not currently living in the home. Hartnett is also facing an unrelated assault charge in Conway Municipal Court, where her attorney on Thursday requested a jury trial, and a more-recent more-recent obscenity charge that followed an arrest earlier this month that led to her being placed on home detention. The injunction means that Horry County police would take possession of all the furniture, equipment, fixtures and other property used on the premises, documents show. Despite the ruling, Williams said her and her husband still arent ready to go back to the home. We still are not mentally, you know, feeling going back to the house after everything that has happened, she said. We will definitely be back and forth for maintenance and, you know, checking utilities and things of that nature, but actually, you know, living and vacationing there mentally, were just not there yet. Christopher Helms, a Murrells Inlet-based lawyer, filed a motion on Feb. 21 in Horry County Common Pleas Court asking a judge to toss Richardsons order, calling it a government overreach. The case has spurred calls for South Carolina lawmakers to adopt a hate crimes bill. Wyoming is the only other state without such a law. News13 reached out to the attorney for Janet Butler, the property owner, but have not heard back as of this writing. * * * Savannah Denton joined News 13 in July 2023 as a reporter and producer. Savannah is from Atlanta, Georgia, and is a graduate of the University of Alabama. Follow Savannah on X, formerly Twitter, and read more of her work here. Dennis Bright is a Digital Producer at News13. He joined the team in May 2021. Dennis is a West Virginia native and a graduate of Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. Follow Dennis on, Facebook, X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. A federal judge has indicated that former Trump fixer Michael Cohen may have committed perjury. In a written order rejecting Cohens request for early release from the Manhattan court, Judge Jesse Furman appeared to doubt that Cohen had been telling the truth ahead of former President Donald Trumps criminal trial in the hush money case in New York. Cohen was previously sentenced to three years in prison for tax evasion, lying to Congress and banks, and campaign finance violations. Judge Furman pointed to Cohens testimony at Mr Trumps civil fraud trial in October last year. While Cohen pleaded guilty in 2018, he has argued that he didnt commit tax evasion. When he was asked if he had lied to the judge in that case, the late William Pauley III, Cohen said he had. Cohen repeatedly and unambiguously testified at the state court trial that he was not guilty of tax evasion and that he had lied under oath, Judge Furman said in his written order, adding that it means that there are two possibilities: One, Cohen committed perjury when he pleaded guilty before Judge Pauley or, two, Cohen committed perjury in his October 2023 testimony. At a minimum, Cohens ongoing and escalating efforts to walk away from his prior acceptance of responsibility for his crimes are manifest evidence of the ongoing need for specific deterrence, Judge Furman added in his order. He decided not to release Cohen from court supervision set to come to a close later this year. Cohen issued a statement from his lawyer to the press, in which attorney Danya Perry said Judge Furmans conclusion was inaccurate on the facts and incorrect on the law. Judge Furman did not have a front seat to the testimony at the lengthy trial, the attorney added, noting that the judge in the case later said that Cohen had been truthful. And Judge Furman ignores that Mr Cohen has never disputed the underlying facts of his conduct, and also what many of Judge Furmans own colleagues on the bench have long noted: that defendants often feel compelled to agree to coercive plea deals under severe pressure, Ms Perry argued. Trump attorney Alina Habba said on Wednesday that Judge Furman confirmed what we already know: that Michael Cohen committed perjury and should be prosecuted. Cohen pled guilty to federal charges in 2018, noting that Mr Trump instructed him to make a hush money payment to adult actor Stormy Daniels and to former Playboy model Karen McDougal to avoid stories of their alleged affairs coming to light during the 2016 campaign. Mr Trump wasnt charged at the time. Mr Trump pled not guilty last year to 34 felony counts that he falsified business records to conceal the hush money payments. The hush money trial, in which Cohen is a top witness, has been delayed to at least the middle of next month. The Associated Press contributed to this report Judge says Ohio dad's confession to killing 3 young sons cannot be used in court The statement from an Ohio man, who confessed to police that he killed his family, can no longer be used in court following a judges ruling that his constitutional rights were violated. Clermont County Common Pleas Judge Richard Ferenc wrote in a ruling that authorities failed to appropriately notify Chad Doerman, 33, of his Miranda rights, including his right against self-incrimination and his right to an attorney, before investigators interrogated him. The ruling comes as Doerman stands trial for the alleged murder of his three three sons: 7-year-old Clayton, 4-year-old Hunter and 3-year-old Chase. Doerman was arrested on June 15 after police said he used a rifle to kill all three sons, allegedly shooting one in his bedroom, then chasing the other two throughout the home and yard, before shooting them each several times. His wife and daughter, who later flagged down a neighbor for help, both told authorities they witnessed the shootings. FAMILY OF 4, INCLUDING TWIN BOYS, FOUND DEAD IN CALIFORNIA MURDER-SUICIDE Police body cam footage shows the arrest of Chad Doerman after he allegedly shot and killed his three sons. In Ferencs ruling, which was made public last week, he said Doerman's Miranda rights "were violated" because detectives "failed to properly and fully advise Doerman of them prior to initiating the Custodial Interrogation and all statements obtained from Doerman during the Custodial Interrogation shall be suppressed and the State shall not adduce any of these statements in their case-in-chief," WLWT reported. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP The judge continued: "The Defendants Miranda rights were violated when the Custodial Interrogation continued after the Defendant had unequivocally and unambiguously invoked his right to counsel." Ferenc ruled all statements obtained from the interrogation are to be barred from the case. FAMILY OF 5, INCLUDING 3 CHILDREN, FOUND DEAD AFTER REPORTED MURDER-SUICIDE IN HAWAII In June, Doerman was arrested after police responded to the home in Monroe Township and found him sitting outside with a rifle. According to court documents, Doerman was watching the mother, who was shot in the hand during the frantic situation, attempting life-saving aid to one of the boys in the yard. Doerman was arrested on June 15 after police said he used a rifle to kill all three sons, allegedly shooting one in his bedroom, then chasing the other two throughout the home and yard. During the arrest, Doerman repeatedly confessed to fatally shooting the boys, court documents show. "The defendant made multiple statements to law enforcement, such as 'I did it. Take me to jail.', 'I shouldn't have done that. I shouldn't have shot [redacted] and them.' The defendant also gave a statement during an audio and video recorded interview, during which he admitted to having been thinking about shooting his sons since October," the documents said, WCPO reported. When officers responded to the scene, body cam footage caught the boys' mother saying: "They're dead, aren't they? He took my life from me. He shot them all." Clermont County Sheriff's Office deputies arrested Doerman at his home on June 15. Doerman was subsequently charged with aggravated murder, kidnapping and felonious assault. Doerman first appeared in court on June 16, one day after the murders. During the hearing, David Gast, assistant Clermont County prosecutor, told the judge that the alleged crimes were "the most serious offense that we have on the books." Doerman stands accused of murdering his three sons: 7-year-old Clayton, 4-year-old Hunter and 3-year-old Chase. "This is it. You can't commit a more serious offense," Gast added, per WCPO. Doerman later pleaded not guilty to the murders on June 23 and the judge ordered he be held in the Clermont County jail on a $20 million cash bond. His trial is expected to begin in July. Original article source: Judge says Ohio dad's confession to killing 3 young sons cannot be used in court A judge announced Wednesday that the former Marine who put a Black homeless man in a fatal chokehold on a New York City subway last year will be put to trial in October. On May 1, Daniel Penny, 24, held Jordan Neely, 30, in a chokehold on the floor of a subway until his body went limp. Two others also helped restrain Neely, who was pronounced dead on scene. The encounter was captured in a three-minute video by witness and journalist Juan Alberto Vazquez, who said that Neely had been yelling about not having food or water just prior to Penny placing him in a chokehold for close to 15 minutes. The man got on the subway car and began to say a somewhat aggressive speech, saying he was hungry, he was thirsty, that he didnt care about anything, he didnt care about going to jail, he didnt care that he gets a big life sentence, Vazquez told NBC New York. That It doesnt even matter if I died. Neely was well known by locals for his Michael Jackson impersonation and dancing, which he would perform on subways, The New York Times reported. The incident sparked outrage from the public, with many linking his death to a reflection of larger issues involving race, homelessness, crime and mental illness. The New York Office of Chief Medical Examiner ruled that Neelys death was a homicide caused by compression of neck (chokehold). Protests erupted in a subway station and on the streets of New York shortly after Neelys killing, with people demanding justice and accountability. In a statement last year, Pennys lawyers claimed that Neely had been aggressively threatening Penny and others on the subway, and that Penny acted in self-defense. Vazquez said that Neely was being aggressive, but not specifically threatening and did not appear to want to attack anyone. When Mr. Neely began aggressively threatening Daniel Penny and the other passengers, Daniel, with the help of others, acted to protect themselves, until help arrived. Daniel never intended to harm Mr. Neely and could not have foreseen his untimely death, the attorneys said. Penny was later charged with manslaughter in the second degree, and pleaded not guilty. His trial will begin on Oct. 8 and will go on for four to six weeks, Judge Max Wiley said, according to ABC News. If found guilty for the second-degree manslaughter charges, Penny could face up to 25 years in prison. Attorneys for Neelys family appeared to suggest that the manslaughter charges were not severe enough, and called for Penny to be charged with murder. Is that enough for someone who choked somebody out on a train and took their life? Lennon Edwards, one of the Neely family attorneys, said at the news conference last year after the charges were announced. Justice looks like a conviction for murder. We need a full cup of justice here, and were asking for us to continue to press forward until that happens. Related... If youve been paying attention to the legal system recently, youve probably heard the term forum shopping. Its usually invoked to criticize plaintiffs who file cases in places that dont have a strong connection to the dispute: say, a lawsuit filed in Philadelphia by a railroad worker who was exposed to asbestos in Ohio and Virginia. But defendants forum shop too. By raising objections under technical doctrines of jurisdiction and venue, they can try to move cases to courts where theyll have a better chance of winning. Think: Apple or Google seeking to move a patent infringement lawsuit filed in the Texas cities of Waco and Marshall, where, combined, over a third of the nations patent cases are filed, to their home base of Northern California. Hold on. Did we just say that a third of all patent cases are filed in two small cities in Texas? We did, and its true. Why do patent owners forum shop into those Texas federal courts? Because, as weve explained in a series of law review articles, the rules for assigning cases there allow plaintiffs to judge shop. Specifically, all cases filed in Waco were, before a recent change, assigned to a single judgeAlan Albright. Ditto for Marshall, where 90 percent of cases went to Judge Rodney Gilstrap. Judges like Albright and Gilstrap have advertised to anyone who will listen that they want to bring patent cases to their courtrooms. (In contrast to forum shopping, judicial efforts to attract cases might be thought of as forum selling.) To bring cases in, the judges slant procedures and rulings to blatantly favor patent owners. Many of the infringement lawsuits filed in Texas are weak on the merits; if the Texas courts werent so favorable for patent owners, many of the suits probably wouldnt be filed at all. And the patent owners filing cases in Texas are primarily nonpracticing entities (pejoratively, patent trolls)entities that dont make anything and exist only to assert patents. Bankruptcy is another area in which judge shopping has caused problems: courts with predictable case assignments in Delaware, Texas, and New York have openly appealed to what legal scholar Lynn LoPucki calls case placersthe executives and lawyers of the bankrupt company who hope the judge will reward them with a sweetheart compensation deal and high professional fees. More recently, Republican state attorneys general and far-right advocacy groups have been shopping for judges in cases challenging the actions of the Biden administration. High-profile lawsuits about the Food and Drug Administrations approval of the abortion drug mifepristone, the rescission of the Trump administrations Remain in Mexico immigration policy, protections for transgender workers, and many more have all been filed in federal court in Amarillo, Texas, because a single judge hears nearly every case filed there. That judge is Matthew Kacsmaryk. Before his appointment by former President Donald Trump, Kacsmaryk worked for a right-wing organization, the First Liberty Institute, that purports to help protect religious freedom. Judge shopping has caused mayhem in all of these cases in all of these courts. Fortunately, last week, the Judicial Conference of the United States (a group of judges that oversees the operation of the federal courts) issued a press release and guidance document touting the conferences strengthen[ing of] the policy governing random case assignment, limiting the ability of litigants to effectively choose judges in certain cases by where they file a lawsuit. Under the strengthened policy, certain cases will now be randomly assigned among all the judges of a district, not simply the subset of judges (or a single judge) sitting in the specific place the case was filed. But there are two crucial problems with the policy. First, the randomization policy applies only to civil actions that seek to bar or mandate state or federal actions. That is, the politically charged cases that are landing before Kacsmaryknot patent cases and certainly not bankruptcy cases. Second, the policy is just that: a policy, not a rule. In fact, a group of Republican senators, including Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, has written a letter to district court judges suggesting that they ignore the policy. That seems like a real possibility, particularly in courts that have benefited from judge shopping and forum selling, such as Kacsmaryks district, the Northern District of Texas, in which 10 of its 11 active judges were appointed by Republican presidents (and six were appointed by Trump). The Judicial Conference itself seems to doubt whether it has the authority to mandate how district courts assign cases, citing a federal statute giving the power of case assignment to the district courts themselves and noting the wide latitude and flexibility courts have in designing case assignment systems. Indeed, Judge James Ho of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit (the court that hears appeals arising from cases in Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi) has suggested that the conferences policy conflicts with that federal statute and, like McConnell and other Republicans, has urged judges to ignore the policy. The exclusion of patent cases from the policy is also odd and disappointing. After all, the issue of judge shopping was first brought to the Judicial Conferences attention in a letter, written by Sens. Patrick Leahy and Thom Tillis, specifically about patent cases. (That letter relied heavily on our scholarship identifying and criticizing the judge shopping phenomenon.) The Judicial Conferences guidance document does encourage district courts to avoid case assignment practices that result in the likelihood that a case will be assigned to a particular judge in all civil cases, including patent cases. But again, that guidance isnt binding. Basically, the Judicial Conference seems to be saying: Judge shopping is bad, district courts shouldnt assign cases in ways that allow it, but theres nothing we can really do about it. Thats an unfortunately toothless approach to a serious problem. Its also a crabbed view of the groups statutory authority to prescribe general rules of practice and procedure in the United States district courts. All that said, its encouraging that the conference has judge shopping in its sights. Its possible future reform will come. And it should. The federal courts are facing a crisis of legitimacy, largely because of the radical political agenda pursued by Trump-appointed judges from the district courts all the way up to the Supreme Court. Ending judge shopping would restore at least some semblance of neutrality to the court system. STUART Harry Joe Maser enjoyed meeting people, sharing stories and making others laugh. Maser, 74, weathered challenges in life, including cerebral palsy, and the deaths of two wives and a daughter, but was charismatic and knew how to uplift people. Thats how Masers family described him this week after Stuart police said he died following a March 16 hit-and-run crash on Northwest Federal Highway on the north side of the intersection with Northwest Wright Boulevard. The location is just north of the Roosevelt Bridge. Harry "Joe" Maser Police stated a vehicle traveling north on Northwest Federal Highway struck Maser, who was crossing Northwest Federal Highway using a motorized scooter. Jeff Maser, 63, of Fort Lauderdale, is one of Joe Masers five siblings. He really enjoyed getting on his scooter, and just exploring, Jeff Maser said. I can't believe how far he's gone on that scooter. Jeff Maser said he thought Joe Maser was traveling to his apartment at The Sovana at Stuart, just north of the crash site, where he moved March 1. His whole life, you would never keep that man down. Never, Jeff Maser said. He was a free spirit. Another sibling, Michael Maser, 70, of Canton, Ohio, said he spoke to Joe before the crash. He thought Joe Maser had left Flanigans Seafood Bar and Grill, about 2 miles south of the crash site. Michael Maser said Joe Maser was in good spirits and happy about his new apartment. Unfortunately, if I could have been clairvoyant, I could have said do not go on over that bridge and cross Federal Highway and all that, but I'm not, Michael Maser said. I did tell him, though, to be careful. The two Maser siblings said Joe Maser had a positive personality, and Jeff Maser said Joe Maser was very gifted with the way that he can speak, and his wit. They said he loved watching movies, such as Tombstone with Val Kilmer, vintage films and actors including Al Pacino and Paul Newman. Joe Maser had worked two jobs in Canton, Ohio, including at a water treatment plant and as a telemarketer. Michael Maser said Joe Maser never shied away from anything, never took pity on himself. He never complained. He knew how to uplift people, Michael Maser said. He just had that charisma. Jeff Maser said Joe Maser had a severe back injury and had to have surgery on his back, including his spine, which exacerbated the cerebral palsy. Joe was a tough guy, Jeff Maser said. He also loved dogs, and had them much of his life, Jeff Maser said. He remarked about a television news story years ago about his brother. Harry "Joe" Maser I come home from work, and I get on the TV and there's my brother Joe on the news station in his scooter with a blind dog named Ollie, Jeff Maser said. The news story reported Joe Maser adopted the pooch from a shelter, Jeff Maser said. We're like, what an act of kindness for this disabled man, to pick up a dog like this and take care of it, Jeff Maser recalled. Jeff Maser said Joe Maser said, I fell in love with this dog. And he's kind of my sidekick, because we're both disabled. Jeff Maser said his brother would go to a cigar shop and restaurants. That's his favorite thing to do is meet people and share stories and laugh and make people laugh, and that's how he's wired, Jeff Maser said. Jeff Maser said what hurts the most is that the driver did not remain at the scene. "How do you leave somebody in the road?" Jeff Maser said. Police ask anyone with information about the incident to e-mail intel@stuartfl.gov or call Detective Joe Calderone at 772-220-3943. Friends remembered: Police ID three who died in late Friday crash in Port St. Lucie 'Traffic blitz': Port St. Lucie Police announce stepped up traffic enforcement operation during spring break Will Greenlee is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Will on X @OffTheBeatTweet or reach him by phone at 772-267-7926. E-mail him at will.greenlee@tcpalm.com. This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Harry 'Joe' Maser, dead after hit-and-run crash, 'had that charisma' The federal government is suing Apple. The landmark civil suit, filed Thursday in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, accuses the Big Tech behemoth of violating antitrust laws through its alleged monopolization of the smartphone market. The DOJ alleges Apple has met competitive threats by imposing a series of shapeshifting rules and restrictions in its App Store guidelines and developer agreements that would allow Apple to extract higher fees, thwart innovation, offer a less secure or degraded user experience, and throttle competitive alternatives. The company has essentially locked in users and developers, the government argues, by reinforc[ing] and deepen[ing] the competitive moat around the iPhone. One example of Apples anti-competitive conduct, Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a press conference on Thursday, is how it makes it more difficult to message users with non-Apple phones. iPhone users who have tried to include Android users on a group text are well aware of this struggle. The complaint goes into detail about the issue. If an iPhone user messages a non-iPhone user in Apple messages, the text appears not only as a green bubble, but incorporates limited functionality, it reads. The conversation is not encrypted. Videos are pixelated and grainy and users cannot edit messages or see typing indicators. The DOJ also notes that in 2022 when Apple CEO Tim Cook was asked if the company would fix iPhone-to-Android messaging, with the questioner complaining that they cant send their mom certain videos, Cook responded: Buy your mom and iPhone. big news for the non-iPhone users we all hate having in our group chats pic.twitter.com/MnWNlLvHAW Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 21, 2024 If left unchallenged, Apple will only continue to strengthen its smartphone monopoly, Garland added in a statement. The Justice Department will vigorously enforce antitrust laws that protect consumers from higher prices and fewer choices. That is the Justice Departments legal obligation and what the American people expect and deserve. Apple responded on Thursday by claiming the lawsuit is wrong on the facts and the law. This lawsuit threatens who we are and the principles that set Apple products apart in fiercely competitive markets, company spokesman Fred Sainz said in a statement. If successful, it would hinder our ability to create the kind of technology people expect from Apple where hardware, software, and services intersect. Apple has long been under government scrutiny over monopoly issues. The company was fined nearly $2 billion by the European Union just a few weeks ago for its efforts to stifle music streaming competition. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone The Justice Department sued tech giant Apple on Thursday, kicking off a potentially historic antitrust battle. The lawsuit alleges that Apple's ecosystem of products are designed to limit competition and put consumers at a disadvantage. Each step in Apples course of conduct built and reinforced the moat around its smartphone monopoly, the authors write. Later in the filing they add that "this case is about freeing smartphone markets from Apples anticompetitive and exclusionary conduct and restoring competition to lower smartphone prices for consumers, reducing fees for developers, and preserving innovation for the future." If the Justice Department decides to break up Apple, it will be the first time they have done this to a large company since they broke up the Bell System in 1982. Yet this is also the third antitrust lawsuit that the Justice Department has filed against Apple since 2010. Apple settled a lawsuit that alleged they had colluded to suppress workers' salaries, and they won a trial in which they were accused of conspiracy to fix the prices of e-books. This new lawsuit, however, is much wider in scope, with prosecutors claiming the company's "astronomical valuation" is due to anticompetitive practices in its iPhone, Apple Watch advertising, browser, FaceTime and news businesses. Attorney General Merrick Garland said at a news conference that the Supreme Court defines monopoly power as the power to control prices or exclude competition," adding that "as set out in our complaint, Apple has that power in the smartphone market. If left unchallenged. Apple will only continue to strengthen its smartphone monopoly. Outside observers seem to agree on only one thing: The upcoming legal battle will play out over a very long time. "Apples fiery response makes it clear that the company has every intention of defending itself," writes Chris Welch of The Verge. "Were on day one of a lawsuit thats sure to drag on long into the future. It took over three years for the government and Microsoft to reach a settlement in that high-profile antitrust case (and another four years for dissatisfied state attorneys general to run through the appeals courts)." Jason Snell of Six Colors, a website devoted to covering Apple and other technology companies, criticized the lawsuit and predicted that "this will be a long, drawn-out process that will end up with Apple changing some of its policies. Some of those changes will be substantial and will alter how the company operates; others will be pointless and cause no appreciable effect; and still others will degrade the experience of iPhone users without increasing competition." As for Apple practices that allegedly stifle competition and harm consumers, they "will just go on as usual, unchanged and unchallenged." Catherine, Princess of Wales, has reportedly resumed her charity work amid speculation about her whereabouts. (Kin Cheung / Associated Press) Catherine, Princess of Wales, has reportedly resumed her charity work and "has been working from home," months after she underwent abdominal surgery in January and sparked speculation about her whereabouts. A spokesperson for Kensington Palace confirmed to the Telegraph on Thursday that King Charles III's daughter-in-law, formerly Kate Middleton, is slowly returning to her Royal Foundation Centre of Early Childhood commitments. The charity seeks to improve the lives of babies and young children. Catherine, who is married to Prince William, has reportedly received updates about her campaign amid her recovery. Kensington Palace also said a study that she inspired has garnered "overwhelmingly positive" results, the Telegraph added. Read more: Kate's portrait of queen and great-grandkids was 'digitally enhanced,' Getty Images says The Times could not reach a representative for Kensington Palace on Thursday. Kensington Palace provided its update as the Princess of Wales' time away from the public eye continues to spark conspiracy theories about her health, whereabouts and her relationship with Prince William, with whom she shares three children. Recently, bungled photos of the princess only fueled the conjectures. Earlier this month, a person identified only as "C" tweeted an apology on the Prince and Princess of Wales' official X (formerly Twitter) account claiming responsibility for a doctored Mother's Day photo. "Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing," the social media message said. "I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday has caused." Read more: Princess Catherine hospitalized after surgery; King Charles set for prostate procedure Since the debacle, internet sleuths, royal fanatics and others have scrutinized "new" pictures and videos of and allegedly from the Princess of Wales. Earlier this week, Getty Images announced that it would review a recently shared photo of the British royal, noting that it was "digitally enhanced." On Saturday, the Sun reported that Catherine was spotted in public for the first time since December, taking a casual shopping trip about a mile from her Adelaide Cottage home . The video raised red flags among fans, but TMZ, which shared a video of the same stroll, reported that the clip was taken on Saturday, and not anytime prior. Amid the buzz surrounding photo and video of Catherine's latest public moves, the hospital where she underwent surgery was reportedly a target of a medical record breach. Multiple outlets reported Wednesday that "up to three people" could be involved in allegedly accessing the princess' medical records. Read more: Doctored photo of Kate Middleton is credibility blow for royal family in crisis We take enormous pride in the outstanding care and discretion we aim to deliver for all our patients that put their trust in us every day, the London Clinic chief executive, Al Russell, said in a Wednesday statement to The Times. We have systems in place to monitor management of patient information and, in the case of any breach, all appropriate investigatory, regulatory and disciplinary steps will be taken. There is no place at our hospital for those who intentionally breach the trust of any of our patients or colleagues. Times staff writer Nardine Saad contributed to this report. 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. Opinion articles written in the style of their author. These texts are to be based on verified facts and must be respectful towards people, even though their actions may be criticized. All opinion articles written by individuals from outside the staff of EL PAIS shall feature, along with the authors name (regardless of their greater or lesser renown), a footer stating their office, academic title, political affiliation (if any) and main occupation, or the occupation related to the topic being assessed Gaza is sinking into a pit of death, insalubrity and hunger, which particularly affects the most vulnerable. The famine has already begun. The blockade and invasion mix the visible horror of medieval sieges with the stealth of digital warfare, in which bombing targets are precisely calculated and supplies are carefully meted out to increase pressure on Hamas. Only an immediate and definitive ceasefire, allowing for the massive delivery of supplies, could save Gazans from disaster. Is there any sincere friend of Israel left in the White House who has not remonstrated with Benjamin Netanyahu? President Joe Biden has done so with more or less discretion; so has Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, and the top Democrat in Congress and himself Jewish, Chuck Schumer. They join the chorus of European voices, humanitarian organizations and international institutions, the WHO, the FAO, UNICEF and, of course, the United Nations Assembly and its secretary general, who have called for a ceasefire and denounced the planned catastrophe. It is famine as a weapon of war, as EU foreign policy representative Josep Borrell accurately described it. Only the voice of Donald Trump, the most suspicious and extremist voice of all, unconditionally supports Netanyahu and denounces as antisemitic any Democrats who criticize Israel, even and most especially those who are Jewish. All in vain. Netanyahu listens to no one. He wants to enter Rafah at all costs. For now, the current negotiation for the release of the hostages is holding him back in a ceasefire that he does not want in any case to be definitive. If the guns fall silent, the pressure will increase on him to give up invading the last corner of Gaza, but if the ceasefire fails, the new offensive will begin immediately. Everything is prepared for the attack according to Netanyahu, including measures to avoid the catastrophic consequences of a military entry into such a populated area. Although it does not follow from the events of the last five months of war that the protection of the civilian population demanded by the White House is anywhere among his greatest concerns. Bidens discomfort is increasingly explicit. With an increasingly sensitized public opinion, his second presidential term hangs in the balance. He knows that the Israeli prime minister only has military plans and does not have a political exit strategy. Netanyahus known ideas about the future are all negative. He does not want the Palestinian Authority to administer the Gaza Strip. Nor do the United Nations and UNRWA play a role, in his view of things. He rejects the two-state solution. There are many who fear that his silences are just the prelude to the extremist purposes of his government partners, who are willing to drive out the Palestinians and keep all of Gaza. Israels specialty, which Netanyahu masters like a virtuoso, is buying time. Thus, the occupation of Palestinian territories has advanced relentlessly, waiting for favorable circumstances. A Trump presidency, for example. For Biden, on the other hand, it is urgent to stop the war, safeguard Gaza for the Palestinians and get something on track that at least looks like a peace process, with the two states at the end of it. It is a decisive moment that coincides with the end of his presidential term. All will be lost if the war continues and Gaza sinks into the abyss of famine. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition BROCKTON - Ward 1 Brockton School Committee member and former committee Vice Chair Kathy Ehlers has resigned from her position on the board effective March 20. Ehlers was half way through her second term on the board, which was due to expire in 2025. Ehlers chair was sitting empty at Tuesday nights committee meeting where Brockton Mayor Robert Sullivan, who also serves as School Committee chair, announced Ehlers departure. Ehlers told The Enterprise on Monday shes starting a new job in Vermont, leading her to resign from her role on the board. She could not be reached for further comment on her resignation. From left, Brockton School Committee member Claudio Gomes and Vice Chair Kathleen Ehlers at a School Committee meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024 How long has Ehlers served? In her third year on the board, Ehlers was reelected to her seat on the School Committee, running unopposed, in November. She joined the committee after running unopposed in 2021. Brockton School Committee Vice-Chair Kathleen Ehlers at a meeting on Tuesday, May 16 at Brockton High School. She served as the committees vice chair throughout 2023 following two tied 4-4 votes at last years organizational meeting. Outside of the committee, Ehlers works as the vice president of enrollment management, financial services and marketing at Urban College of Boston and has a master's in education from Southern New Hampshire University, according to her LinkedIn profile. More: Fights at Brockton High 'trending downward' what school police are doing Who will take the Ward 1 seat? According to Brockton City Clerk Timothy Cruise, the City Council and School Committee will meet for a "joint convention" to nominate and vote for Ehlers' replacement, who will serve throughout the remainder of the term. That meeting hasn't been planned yet but Cruise said it'll likely take place in the next two and a half weeks. Brockton city Mayor and School Committee Chairman Robert Sullivan, along with fellow committee member Kathleen Ehlers, listen to the students of Brockton High School and their parents as they all weigh in on issues concerning the school such as dressing standards, cell phone use, and safety, at a meeting of the Brockton School Committee Open Forum held at the high school cafeteria on Tuesday, July 11, 2023. Once City Council President Moises Rodrigues calls the meeting, the 18 total members of both boards will nominate any duly qualified voters residing in Ward 1, Cruise said. The first nominee to receive a majority of the votes, in this case 10 of the 18 electors, will take Ehlers' seat. This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: Kathy Ehlers resigns from Brockton School Committee, takes Vermont job KINGSPORT, Tenn. (WJHL) The National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) has named Dr. Melissa Seaver of Sevier Middle School the 2024 Tennessee National Outstanding Assistant Principal, Kingsport City Schools announced on its website Wednesday. Seavers peers nominated her due to her commitment to the assistant principal role. NAESP honors assistant principals who make stellar contributions to their leadership team, Kingsport City Schools said. This program promotes excellence in educational leadership and calls attention to the fundamental importance of the assistant principal. Seaver stated she is filled with gratitude after receiving this tremendous state-wide honor. I am deeply humbled and immensely grateful to be recognized as the recipient of the NAESP Tennessee National Outstanding Assistant Principal Award, said Seaver. My journey in Kingsport City Schools has been nothing short of transformative and I am honored to have the opportunity to contribute to Sevier Middle School and our school community Kingsport Public Library kicks off $1.5 million fundraiser for renovations Others at Sevier Middle School said they are fortunate to have Seaver. Dr. Seaver is not only a wonderful asset to the administrative team at Sevier Middle School but also an exemplary leader whose dedication and passion shine brightly in her support for students and educators, said Kyle Loudermilk, Sevier Middle School Principal. Her commitment to fostering a positive learning environment and promoting academic success has earned her the utmost respect from her colleagues. We proudly celebrate Dr. Seavers deserved recognition as a National Outstanding Assistant Principal, a testament to her remarkable contributions to our school community. For more information on the NAESP, visit naesp.org. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. A Kentucky House bill that would strengthen a schools ability to prevent child sexual abuse by adult staff was approved by a Senate committee Thursday. House Bill 275 was unanimously approved by the Senate Education Committee on Thursday. It now goes to the full Senate. House Bill 275 was filed by Rep. James Tipton, R-Taylorsville, the chairman of the House Education Committee. House Bill 275 would make it more difficult for teachers with multiple allegations of misconduct to move from school district to school district It would bolster disclosure requirements for teachers accused of sexual misconduct, up training requirements and require teachers and other personnel to pass criminal background checks every five years. It would also ban nondisclosure agreements between schools and teachers if they are accused of misconduct. Tipton told the committee Thursday the school district would also be required to complete an investigation into misconduct regardless if the person resigns. Tipton said the bill would apply to all school personnel not just teachers. A controversial provision of the bill that kept it from being passed in 2023 has been removed, Tipton said Thursday. Only prior substantiated allegations of sexual misconduct would be kept in a teachers file. Those unsubstantiated claims would not be kept in a teachers permanent record. Kotomi Yokokura, a University of Kentucky student and a graduate of a Kentucky high school, told the committee Thursday she was a survivor of grooming and sexual abuse by her high school teacher. She said the teacher gained her trust, then emotionally manipulated her. During tutoring sessions, he gave her massages, exposed himself and sexually abused her, she said. An anonymous adult told the principal, who notified Yokokuras parents. Yokokura contacted Kentucky State Police. Yet, the teacher continued to message and text other students, she said. It wasnt until college that she understood what had happened to her. Yokokura approached Tipton and asked to testify in support of the bill in 2023 and returned I was not the first person to experience educator sexual misconduct in Kentucky and Im not the last, she said. Since she testified in 2023, Yokokura said multiple people have approached her and told her similar stories about being sexually abused by a teacher or school personnel. A September 2022 investigation by the Herald-Leader highlighted the problem of teacher sexual misconduct in Kentucky. The newspaper obtained 194 cases of teachers who voluntarily surrendered or had their license revoked or suspended from 2016 to 2021. Of those, 118 61% lost their license due to sexual misconduct. Over the past 24 months, at least a half dozen educators have been charged on sex-related crimes involving students. Some educators have been accused of sexual misconduct more than once and then moved to a different school district, the Herald-Leader found. Its not clear when the full Senate will vote on HB 275. With lasting spring weather on the horizon and primaries already conducted across several U.S. states, the 2024 presidential election cycle is well underway. In Kentucky, voters will have their first crack at a ballot in May, when they make primary selections across a number of races. But there are several other significant milestones on the calendar this year. Here are some highlights of the 2024 election in Kentucky, including deadlines for registering to vote, requesting a ballot by mail, when you can vote early and more. Additionally, wed like to use your questions and concerns to enrich our reporting this election season. You can send tips, inquiries and more about 2024 to ask@herald-leader.com. 2024 important primary election dates in Kentucky Saturday, April 6: Kentuckys online portal to request a mail-in ballot for the 2024 primary opens. Once open, you will be able to enter basic information about your voter registration and have a ballot mailed to your residence. Monday, April 22: Its the final day to register to vote in Kentucky for the primary. The online portal to do so closes at 4 p.m. local time, and mail-in registrations must be postmarked by this date. The registration portal is already live and can be accessed now. If you are not registered or need to check or update your registration, dont wait. Additionally, 17-year-old residents who will be 18 by Nov. 5 can cast a ballot in the primary and should ensure they are correctly registered to vote. Kentucky conducts closed primaries, meaning only those registered with a party are able to vote in that partys primary. Unaffiliated voters can only vote in nonpartisan races during the primary. The deadline to change your party affiliation for the May primary has already passed. Tuesday, May 7: This is the final day to request a ballot by mail in Kentucky. You can do so through 11:59 p.m. local time online. After May 7 and through May 21, voters or their legally authorized agent can still request an absentee ballot with a notarized application to their county clerk if they are subject to a medical emergency that would prevent them from voting in person. May 8-10 and May 13-15: During these six business days, voters who meet one of several qualifying conditions can visit their clerks office to vote early. Under Kentucky law, valid excuses to vote during this period include: Those who will not be in their county of residence on Election Day and during the three-day early voting period Voters and spouses who have medical appointments that will prohibit them from participating during no-excuse early voting and Election Day Voters temporarily residing out of state Those confined to military base on Election Day and during no-excuse early voting Voters in the last trimester of pregnancy Voters who will be prohibited from visiting the polls otherwise due to age, illness or disability A student voter who will be out of town for the early voting period and Election Day A voter scheduled to work during all polling hours on Election Day and during no-excuse early voting A voter working as an election officer this cycle. Tuesday, May 14: This date is the deadline for UOCAVA voters, or those who cast their ballot in accordance to the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, to request a ballot. If a voter who requested a mail-in ballot decides they would rather vote in person, May 14 is the final day to return it. If you opt to return it, you can deliver it blank to your county clerks office. Thursday, May 16 to Saturday, May 18: This is Kentuckys no-excuse-needed early voting period for the 2024 primary. During these three days, any registered voter can visit their countys early voting site or sites to cast a ballot. You will need a photo ID, but not a qualifying excuse. Tuesday, May 21: Primary Election Day in Kentucky. Polls will be open statewide from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., and mail-in ballots must be received by your clerk by 6 p.m. that day. Friday, May 24: County boards will canvass and certify their votes with the secretary of states office no later than noon May 24. Tuesday, May 28: This is the last day to request a recanvass. 2024 important presidential election dates in Kentucky Saturday, Sept. 21: The mail-in ballot request portal for the November election reopens. Monday, Oct. 7: 4 p.m. Oct. 7 is the registration deadline for Kentucky residents to participate in the November 2024 presidential election. Tuesday, Oct. 22: This is the final day to request to a mail-in ballot for Novembers election. The commonwealths absentee request portal will close at 11:59 p.m. local time. Oct. 23-25 and Oct. 28-30: This is the six-day early voting window for those with a qualifying excuse. Thursday, Oct. 31 to Saturday, Nov. 2: This is Kentuckys three-day early voting period for Novembers General Election. During this early voting period, register voters do not need any excuse to cast an early ballot. Tuesday, Nov. 5: Election Day across the U.S. for the 2024 presidential election. Polls in Kentucky will be open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time. County clerks must have received all absentee-by-mail ballots by 6 p.m. this day. Friday, Nov. 8: Canvass day for Kentucky counties. The office must certify votes with the secretary of states office by noon. Tuesday, Nov. 12: The final day to request a recanvass of votes for the November election. Monday, Dec. 16: Meeting day for presidential electors. Tuesday, Dec. 31: This is the final day for Kentucky voters to change their party registration for any primaries in 2025. You can find the complete Kentucky State Board of Elections 2024 calendar, including important deadlines for candidates online. Do you have a question about the 2024 election in Kentucky for our service journalism team? Wed like to hear from you. Fill out our Know Your Kentucky form or email ask@herald-leader.com. The Kenyan government will be releasing some of the bodies discovered in mass graves in the Shakahola forest last year, connected to a religious cult, after they were identified using DNA. More bodies are to be exhumed in the coming weeks. Thirty four of the hundreds of bodies discovered in mass graves in the Shakahola forest are set to be released to their families next Tuesday week for burial. Government pathologist Johansen Oduor told media on Wednesday that the bodies had been identified using DNA analysis, and that the process has been slowed because "people are not coming to claim their loved ones". He urged people who suspect family members to be among the victims to come forward. Death toll could rise So far 429 bodies have been uncovered during months of exhumations across tens of thousands of acres of the Shakahola forest, near the Indian Ocean. The bodies, which autopsies revealed to have been strangled, beaten or suffocated, are those of people connected to cult leader cult leader Paul Mackenzie, who instructed members of his Good News International Church to starve themselves to meet Jesus. Oduor said about 35 mass graves have been identified and that further exhumations could drive up the death toll. He said unclaimed bodies will be buried in a way that they can be traced, if someone comes forward in the future. Cult leader remains in custody A pre-trial hearing is scheduled for 23 April. Read more on RFI English Read also: Kenya starvation cult leader charged with manslaughter over mass deaths Kenyan authorities should have prevented cult deaths, president says Kenya's Ruto vows action as religious cult death toll continues to rise By Duncan Miriri NAIROBI (Reuters) -Kenya has demanded that TikTok show it is adhering to local privacy and user verification laws, the interior minister said on Thursday, saying the platform has been used to spread propaganda, carry out fraud and distribute sexual content. TikTok and other social media companies are under pressure from regulators around the world to shield users from harmful content and criminals who take advantage of the sites. "The government, through the office of the Data Protection Commissioner, has contacted TikTok and raised concerns relating to its processing activities," Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki told a parliamentary committee. TikTok, which is owned by Chinese company ByteDance, did not respond immediately to a request for comment. In response to similar criticism in other countries, it has defended its record on user privacy. Kindiki said the platform had been used by criminals "to spread malicious propaganda, steal popular accounts through identity theft and impersonation" and to "conduct fraud by duping Kenyans into fake forex trades and fake job recruitments". "These risks have caused distress among users, exposed minors to inappropriate content and promoted discord among citizens," he said. Odanga Madung, a researcher at the nonprofit Mozilla Foundation, said the problems described by Kindiki were widespread across social media platforms. "TikTok will get the attention but the problem will not stop there," Madung told Reuters. "The government of Kenya is right to demand some transparency in regard to how TikTok carries out moderation." Last week, Italy's competition watchdog fined three units of TikTok 10 million euros ($10.91 million) in total for inadequate checks on content potentially harmful to young or vulnerable users. The company also faces a ban in the United States unless its Chinese owners sell within about six months, under the terms of a draft bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives. ($1 = 0.9166 euros) (Reporting by Duncan Miriri; Editing by Aaron Ross, Alexandra Hudson) MEMPHIS, Tenn. Kevin Ritz, currently U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, has been nominated by President Joe Biden to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Ritz, a graduate of White Station High School, was sworn in as the U.S. attorney for the area in 2022 after his nomination by President Biden. He received his his J.D. from the University of Virginia, his M.S. in Foreign Service from Georgetown University. He also clerked for Judge Julia S. Gibbons of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Memphis) praised Bidens nomination of Ritz. Kevin was a well-respected Assistant U.S. Attorney and the offices Appellate Chief for more than a decade before his appointment as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, and has shown real skill in coordinating the federal law enforcement response to crime in our region. This is a thoughtfully considered nomination for an eminently qualified candidate, Cohen said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. Viktor Brahinskyi, the former director of the Kyiv Metro, stepped down from his post as a Kyiv City Council member, where he represented Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko's Udar party, Klitschko wrote on his Telegram channel on March 21. Brahinskyi worked as Kyiv Metro head for almost 10 years and submitted his resignation on March 15 in light of a Bihus.Info investigation into his alleged financial misconduct. Bihus.Info journalists discovered suspicious land declarations and expensive Kyiv properties among Brahinskyi's relatives, including his mother, ex-wife, and sister. With Brahinskyi in charge, Kyiv Metro also signed multi-million hryvnia contracts with company owners from his inner circle, according to the investigation. Klitschko said that, in the future, law enforcement services would consider Brahinskyi's case based on the facts unveiled by Bihus.Info journalists. Kyiv Mayor added that, apart from Brahinskyi, another member of the Udar faction, Illia Kushnir, would also resign due to his low attendance at the Kyiv City Council sessions. Read also: Justice minister calls for tighter oversight over security services in wake of Bihus.Info surveillance scandal Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Opinion articles written in the style of their author. These texts are to be based on verified facts and must be respectful towards people, even though their actions may be criticized. All opinion articles written by individuals from outside the staff of EL PAIS shall feature, along with the authors name (regardless of their greater or lesser renown), a footer stating their office, academic title, political affiliation (if any) and main occupation, or the occupation related to the topic being assessed His name is Leonard Glenn Francis, but everyone called him Fat Leonard. His company, Glenn Defense Marine Asia, made him very wealthy. His business was supplying food, fuel, etc. to U.S. Navy ships in Asian ports. Fat Leonard became good friends with the American admirals and captains who went to his parties. He was a generous host, and everybody knew that his already large fortune continued to grow. Something similar happened with Alex Saab. He is a key financial operator for Nicolas Maduro and his associates worldwide. Saab started with a small trucking company in Colombia but moved to Caracas and quickly gained the trust of influential players in the Bolivarian Revolution. Relying on his new friends, he began to launch increasingly ambitious business schemes. As far as we know, Alex Saab and Fat Leonard have never met. Yet their lives are intertwined in surprising ways. Both understood that buying low and selling high to the government is a sure path to riches. Both also experienced the risks of this business model: each man ended up in jail as a result of Hollywood-worthy international schemes. But it gets even more involved: just before last Christmas, the two were exchanged by two governments with very different ways of approaching corruption. Fat Leonard, despite being Malaysian, made his fortune by weaving an extensive web of corruption within the U.S. Navy, bribing high-ranking naval officers with money, trips, meals and prostitutes. Alex Saab also succeeded. According to the U.S. government, Saab illicitly took out about $350 million by manipulating the Venezuelan foreign exchange regime. This is just one of the cases documented by the U.S. justice system. And the surprises continue: after a series of bizarre entanglements, both men ended up in custody of the rival government the man who fiddled with Venezuelas exchange rate wound up in an American jail while the man who corrupted US Navy officers was jailed in Venezuela. Saab was arrested in Cape Verde, a small island off the coast of West Africa where the private jet in which he was traveling had landed to refuel and then continue its flight from Venezuela to Iran. He never got there. The U.S. government had asked the government of Cape Verde to detain and extradite him. Washington was keen to interrogate Saab about the billions of dollars of public money that evaporated from the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Cape Verde thus became the scene of an improbable diplomatic tug-of-war between Caracas and Washington. Fat Leonard was tried in the United States and was under house arrest in San Diego, California, awaiting the start of his prison sentence. The judge had agreed to the house arrest arrangement on the condition that Fat Leonard would cover the costs of the security team that ensured that he would not escape. That, of course, was exactly what he did. He broke out and ended up in Caracas. Nicolas Maduro and his associates obviously knew how useful it could be to have Fat Leonard as a bargaining chip for a prisoner exchange with the United States. So, they threw him in jail. The U.S. government had in custody one of Maduros most notorious financial operators, while the Venezuelan strongman had in his jail the person who bribed a number of top military officers and their civilian accomplices. But that is where the parallelism ends: the U.S. wanted Fat Leonard to jail him, while Venezuela wanted Alex Saab to free him. It is not known why Saab matters so much to Maduro. But judging by the unusual efforts dedicated to getting him out, the secrets Saab keeps for Maduro and the rest of the presidential clique must be very important. In the end, the destinies of the two characters crisscrossed in the context of a diplomatic negotiation in Barbados, through which the international community dreamed, in vain, of reviving Venezuelas democracy. Talks were held in the hopes of leading to a democratic presidential election following a prisoner exchange. Maduro let it be known that Fat Leonard, along with other American hostages in exchange for Alex Saab was the condition that would make the rest of the agreement viable. The prize: a legitimate presidential election in Venezuela, was worth gambling on, U.S. President Biden decided. It did not happen. While just before last Christmas the prisoner exchange took place, in March of 2024, Maduro reneged on his promise. He anointed himself as a candidate for a forthcoming presidential election that was neither free nor fair. Also, Maria Corina Machado, an opposition leader and the countrys most popular politician was to remain arbitrarily disqualified from running. Once again, Maduro made a mockery of the State Departments diplomats that he and his partners manipulate with such ease, as well as of the White House, and of Washingtons intelligence services. The Barbados agreement failed. It will go down in history as a footnote that cost Leonard Glenn Francis many years in prison and gave Alex Saab many years of freedom. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition MOSCOW (Reuters) - The Kremlin said on Thursday that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had an open invitation to visit Russia and that a meeting with President Vladimir Putin would take place, though details were still to be worked out. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was responding to a question about a report that Putin had invited Modi to visit Russia. "This has yet to be agreed through diplomatic channels," Peskov told reporters. "In any case, meetings will take place in the first half of this year, we hope, in a multilateral format, and there will also be bilateral talks on the margins. "Of course, the prime minister of India has an open invitation to visit our country." Russia and India enjoy close ties. Moscow ramped up its oil exports to India after Western sanctions over Ukraine began to bite. (Reporting by Reuters; editing by Andrew Osborn) In a bid that could dramatically reshape Northern Californias broadcasting landscape, Sacramento State is being asked to hand over control of its Capital Public Radio operation to KVIE-TV, the PBS nonprofit affiliate. The request to California State University, Sacramento, President Luke Wood came Wednesday in a letter from the Capital Public Radio Endowment board, which provides financial support to CapRadio and contends a merger with KVIE, Ch. 6, would relieve Sac State of financial obligations and restore faith with members of the public who have donated to the troubled radio operation. We, as major donors, along with a host of other CapRadio major donors and commercial supporters, strongly believe that the best future for CapRadio lies in an integrated public media platform with KVIE, our communitys public television station, the endowment wrote to Wood in the four-page letter. But there are no signs that Sac State is willing to end its stewardship of CapRadio, the NPR affiliate that has been buffeted by what Wood called total financial mismanagement after the release of a scathing California State University audit last year. Sac State says its committed to CapRadio The endowment board complained in its letter that Sac State has refused to discuss such a plan, writing that because the CSUS leadership team has repeatedly refused to respond to our telephone calls, emails and requests for meetings, this letter became necessary. A Sac State spokesman confirmed the university had received the letter which he said contained multiple inaccuracies that he did not identify and said late Wednesday that officials were willing to meet with KVIE General Manager and President David Lowe to discuss issues of mutual interest. But spokesman Brian Blomster gave no indication the university was looking at relinquishing control of Cap Radio, saying Sac State remains committed to public broadcasting and to our auxiliary CapRadio, which is the Northern California voice of National Public Radio. The university continues to consider options as part of our overall assessment of how best to deploy CapRadio resources while serving its operational needs, and its listeners and supporters, Blomster said. Independent of debt incurred by CapRadio during the past few years, the organizations operations are sound, and we are working with CapRadio management to further ensure its financial strength. Sacramento State owns the broadcast license for CapRadio stations KXJZ-FM (90.9) and KXPR-FM (88.9). CapRadio also operates North State Public Radio, which has two stations owned by Chico State. The endowment suggests that selling the license to KVIE is a win-win-win for the campus, the station and the community. Capital Public Radios current offices on the campus of Sacramento State on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023. The NPR-affiliated broadcaster announced layoffs in September. The campus can get much of what it wants in terms of programming presence and student engagement, while shedding future station operational expenses, the endowment wrote. Further, the sale of the licenses to KVIE will bring CSUS/CSU significant funds to credit against its station subsidies since takeover in August 2023. It also releases CSUS staff from continuing to deal with the CapRadio problem and future CapRadio operating expenses. The audit released last year pinned CapRadios financial problems on lax management and an aggressive expansion plan to move CapRadios operations off campus to two buildings downtown that require monthly payments totaling nearly $125,000 by the conclusion of their 15-year leases. CapRadios troubles led to layoffs and program cutbacks last year, as well as the mass resignation of members of CapRadios board of directors, which is separate from the CapRadio endowment board. After the highly critical CSU audit was released, Sac State announced that it was assuming financial oversight of the operations, but leaving journalistic and programming decisions to station management. Since then, the station has been run by interim managers and is seeking to hire a new permanent general manager. A new board of directors has been appointed, and Wood has lauded what he said has been an increase in listeners and memberships. But members of the endowment board say they are concerned enough about the financial problems of CapRadio that they see a merger with KVIE as a way to ensure its future for Sacramento. This is an extremely important community asset, and we want to protect it, endowment board chairman Dan Brunner said in an interview. Sacramento deserves this, added endowment board member Buzz Wiesenfeld. Daniel Brunner, left, president of the Capital Public Radio Endowment Board, and board member Buzz Wiesenfeld talk on Wednesday about the proposal the board sent to Sacramento State President Luke Wood urging the radio station merge with nonprofit PBS TV station KVIE. Endowment has $4M in assets, worried about tower The activities of the Capital Public Radio Endowment have been criticized by CSU officials, who wrote in the financial audit that it was an unauthorized endowment fund that should have been run through the University Foundation, and that the endowment had failed to file timely audits of its operations. Brunner and Wiesenfeld both pushed back on that stance Wednesday, saying the endowment has worked with CapRadio for decades and provides ongoing funding for the operation. In the letter, the endowment board wrote that Sac State agreed to meet with the endowment leadership last fall and reluctantly acknowledged our legal standing. CSUS leadership insists that university rules, now, for the first time in over 20 years, prevent working with an entity such as ours, the letter said, adding that the university has never been shy about collecting support from the endowment for CapRadio. This embedded content is not available in your region. The letter says the endowment has more than $4 million in assets, including the KXJZ transmission tower and 36 acres it sits on in Elverta, and that it allows CapRadio to use the tower without charge which it values at $65,000 annually. The letter also noted that CapRadio is allowed to collect rental income of $126,000 each year from other tenants using the tower. In addition, the board letter said the endowment makes annual gifts to CapRadio averaging $75,000 for programming support, and added that last fall it provided $425,000 to solve an immediate personnel problem. (Sac State said that funding went to help hire three management positions.) CapRadio/CSUS appears happy to take CPRE funds, while refusing our longstanding history of on-air promotions and participation in this years Big Day of Giving, interfering with the shared and vital work of soliciting public donations, the letter stated. The endowment board noted that CapRadio is responsible for maintenance of the transmission tower, but said that in recent months the endowment discovered significant deferred maintenance. The list of items to be remedied includes generator replacement, guy-wire tensioning and corrosion repair, tower painting, installation of a new security system, pump repair and maintenance, weed and insect control, junk removal, radio frequency testing, and refitting a flood mitigation wall/door, the letter states. To date, the anticipated cost for these contracts is approximately $400K. We also discovered that the station/CSUS had not obtained property and flood insurance on behalf of CPRE and had not given us notice of that fact. Insurance placement was, of course, part of the multi-decade pattern and practice between CapRadio and CPRE for use of our tower. Including the cost of insurance and our consultants, we expect CPRE total expenditures on the tower to exceed $500K this calendar year. The station had the duty to maintain the tower under this arrangement, and had been doing so for years, especially since it was collecting all tower rental payments. Then, without notice to us, the station began deferring maintenance. The deferred maintenance and repairs are necessary for worker safety and for properly transmitting radio signals, the letter states. In spite of these facts, CSUS refuses to talk with us, the endowment wrote in its letter. This is a legal dilemma that will not last for much longer. KVIE: Were committed to a strong public media The endowment describes the solution as a merger with KVIE, a model that it says has been successful in markets in San Francisco, San Diego and Oregon, and one that makes particular sense in the capital of California, a strategic location, the most populous state in the union and one of the largest economies in the world ... Financial economies of scale can be achieved, with cost savings in accounting, HR, marketing, through streamlined internal operations ... the endowment wrote. The combination will be positively stimulating to the community of major donors, enhancing appeal to a combined and broader range of sponsors and ad agencies. This will also enhance attractiveness for government and private grants. Lowe, the KVIE president, said he had met with members of the endowment board and CapRadio previously to discuss the possibility of combining operations, but added that there have been no direct contacts with the Sac State president. Lowe said there are examples in other major cities of the sort of combined operation the endowment is suggesting, and that KVIE would be interested in having more discussions about the possibility. We would need to talk about what the opportunities are, Lowe said. Were committed to a strong public media, and that doesnt have to include just ourselves. Brunner and Wiesenfeld, who both said they have made six-figure contributions to support CapRadio, said there is no set deadline for Sac State to respond to their proposal. But they added that they believe it is important for talks to commence. What were interested in is encouraging a serious discussion, Brunner said. And the endowment has, in total, $4 million of assets that can be used to help facilitate the deal in some way. How thats done is yet to be determined, but that is the attitude of the endowment board, is to use what we have to support the notion of an integrated public media operation in this area. Wisconsin's fan-favorite gas station and convenience store chain Kwik Trip is expanding again. Earlier this week, Kwik Trip completed a transaction to purchase 151 acres of empty farmland in the village of DeForest in northern Dane County, DeForest village administrator Bill Chang said. The land, in the southwest quadrant of the intersection between Highways 51 and 19, was purchased for $14.1 million, the Wisconsin State Journal reported. Sixty acres will be developed into a satellite distribution center and fleet services center for Kwik Trip, Chang said. These facilities will serve about 350 Kwik Trip stores in southern Wisconsin. The distribution center and the fleet services center are each expected to bring 200 jobs to DeForest, Chang said, for a total of 400. "We're excited to see such a strong company come to DeForest," he continued. The remaining 91 acres will be set aside for future development, Chang added. The DeForest distribution center will be Kwik Trip's first outside of La Crosse, where the company is headquartered. Currently, more than 80% of the products sold in Kwik Trip stores are supplied by the company's La Crosse-based food production and distribution operations. Chang said groundbreaking on the DeForest site will likely occur this spring or summer, but the project won't be complete for at least a year and a half. The village will have a lot to do to prepare for the distribution center's arrival. "There will be improvements that will be necessary along the highways to ensure that (Kwik Trip's) traffic is addressed ... including intersection improvements and widening of the local road leading to the site," Chang said. "In the site itself, there will need to be an internal road network." When reached for comment, Kwik Trip said it's "still doing (its) due diligence on the property," and does not have any specific details to share at this time. Kwik Trip store #290, 7880 S. 10th St. in Oak Creek pictured at night. DeForest's future Kwik Trip distribution center will be less than 10 minutes from Buc-ee's Kwik Trip isn't the only hugely popular gas station and convenience store chain making a mark on DeForest in the coming years. The Texas-based chain Buc-ee's plans to build one of Wisconsin's largest gas stations in the village, northwest of the Interstate 39/90/94 and Highway V interchange. Though the Kwik Trip distribution center site is less than 10 minutes from the proposed Buc-ee's site, Chang said neither business's expansion plans will be affected by the other. Kwik Trip driver trainee Lucas Hernandez delivers milk from Kwik Trip's La Crosse dairy to Kwik Trip #290, 7880 S. 10th St., in Oak Creek. Kwik Trip continues to expand throughout Wisconsin The DeForest project is part of a $151 million business expansion Kwik Trip announced late last year that is expected to create more than 500 jobs by 2027. In La Crosse, this has included a completed expansion of Kwik Trip's burrito production line, a new 40-foot production line for Dunkers and cake doughnuts, a cooler expansion in the dairy and additional packaging automation in the sweets bakery. Kwik Trip is also renovating an office building in Onalaska, which will house training, accounting and operations support, including a 24/7 helpline for the stores. Kwik Trip operates over 800 stores in the Midwest, including more than 500 in Wisconsin. It plans to continue adding about 50 new stores every year. Journal Sentinel reporter Karl Ebert contributed to this report. More: How a DIY business strategy led to Kwik Trip's explosive growth. 11.5 million people visit the stores every week. More: Self-checkout stations are coming to Kwik Trips across Wisconsin This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: New Kwik Trip distribution center planned for 151 acres in Dane County Ukranian municipal services workers survey and repair the damage following a missile attack in Kyiv - SERGEI CHUZAVKOV/AFP Volodymyr Zelensky urged European leaders to hand over dozens more air-defence systems on Thursday after at least 17 people were injured in a Russian missile barrage against Kyiv. Ukraines air force said it had shot down all 31 hypersonic, ballistic and cruise missiles that were launched at the capital for the first time in more than a month. Residential buildings, medical facilities and businesses were damaged as the burning debris of the intercepted projectiles were rained down on the city. Moscow had vowed revenge for a recent spate of cross-border attacks on Russian border regions and also coincided with the two-year anniversary since the liberation of the Kyiv region in the early days of the war. Vitali Klitschko, Kyivs mayor, said on Thursday some missile fragments had landed on a nursery in the capital, which was empty at the time. In the residential Lukyanivka neighbourhood of Kyiv, the strikes left a deep crater in the street. Windows were smashed and cars left ruined as the shockwaves from the nearby blast reverberated outwards. Images from the Ukrainian capital later showed members of a bomb disposal unit grappling with part of a Russian missile that had crashed to the ground. A missile explosion is seen in the sky over Kyiv - GLEB GARANICH/REUTERS The missiles had rained down on the city from different directions, with air alerts lasting for nearly three hours, said Serhiy Popko, the head of the citys military administration. All the air defence provided to Ukraine, in particular by European countries, keeps our cities and villages safe, Mr Zelensky told a European Union leaders summit in Brussels via video link. But the existing air defence systems are not enough to protect our entire territory from Russian territory. And its not a matter of hundreds of systems, but of an achievable number to protect all the territory of Ukraine. You all know what steps need to be taken, he added. Kyivs European allies have supplied US-made Patriots, German Iris-T and the Franco-Italian Samp/T air defence systems. But Ukrainian officials have warned its forces will soon have to start rationing interceptor ammunition and take decisions over what Russian missiles to shoot down because of shortages. On Thursday, the governor of Russias Belgorod region said three people had been killed in massive strikes involving air attacks and ground attacks by armed groups from Ukraine. Three anti-Kremlin militias fighting for Kyiv told reporters in Kyiv that the week-long cross-border raids were continuing. Denis Nikitin, the commander of the Russian Volunteer Corps, one of the groups involved, told the new conference his forces had captured 37 Russian soldiers that now wanted to switch allegiances to oppose Vladimir Putin during the operation. A part of a missile is seen at a site near a residential building damaged during a Russian missile attack - VIACHESLAV RATYNSKYI/REUTERS Meanwhile, in Brussels, EU leaders were discussing plans to raise 3 billion a year to buy Kyiv weapons by using the earnings from frozen Russian assets. German chancellor Olaf Scholz backed the scheme, but senior EU diplomats warned opposition from a number of member states, including Hungary, Cyprus and Malta, meant an agreement would not be found immediately. EU leaders called for new sanctions against Iran, Belarus and North Korea for supplying Moscow with weapons used to target civilians on the first day of their summit in Brussels. It warned that Tehran may transfer ballistic missiles and related technology to Russia for use against Ukraine after having supplied the Russian regime with unmanned aerial vehicles, which are used in relentless attacks against the civilian population in Ukraine. It came as Russias defence ministry boasted that it had started the mass production of three-tonne high-explosive aerial bombs. Moscows air force has been using the powerful munitions, which are converted Soviet-era bombs, to devastating effect because they can be dropped outside of the range of Ukraines air-defence systems. And in a battle of their own, EU leaders clashed over their own radical plans to boost defence spending by common debt at a time when many European capitals are increasingly worried by the prospect of facing a wider conflict with Russia. Diplomats said Frances Emmanuel Macron wanted to use so-called European Defence Bonds to pay for the largest rearmament of Europe since the end of the Cold War. But Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands came out in opposition to using debts to cover for EU states not hitting defence spending targets set by Nato. 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. According to Vitaliy Portnikov, if Russia wins the war, European societies will be frightened A Russian victory in Ukraine would propel pro-Moscow political forces into power across Western liberal democracies, Ukrainian journalist Vitaliy Portnikov said at the Kyiv Security Forum on March 21. Portnikov described the ongoing war as a conflict that will determine the geopolitical shape of the world. We are dealing with an unusual war, not merely a territorial conflict or [one over] the fate of a single state in Central Europe, he said. Read also: We are facing a conflict that will determine the shape of the world for the next decade. Portnikov added that the Soviet Union's defeat in the Cold War paved the way for the development of a unipolar world where democracies protect their interests and help others to join them. Conversely, the defeat of the United States in Vietnam led to the emergence of a bipolar world. If Ukraine prevails, we will remain in a unipolar world where democracies assert their dominance, he continues. If the conflict drags on for years, weakening the West and Russia, it will create all the conditions necessary for the rise of a bipolar world. If Ukraine is defeated, its sovereignty destroyed, and international law rendered meaningless, we will live in a multipolar world. Read also: Moscow likely using US satellite imagery for missile strikes on Ukraine report In his view, if Russia were to prevail in Ukraine, European societies would be intimidated by Russian triumph and the West's helplessness. Voters in these countries will bring to power those who will negotiate with Moscow, to avoid Russian tanks, Portnikov said. This can already be seen in Hungary and Slovakia. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Moscow fired more than 30 missiles at Kyiv early on Thursday, after Vladimir Putin vowed retribution for escalating strikes on Russias border regions. Ukraines air force said that it shot down 31 Russian missiles fired towards Kyiv, with 17 people wounded by the attacks. Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, pointed to the attack as a reason why the West needs to immediately deliver air defence systems. Such terror continues every day and night, Mr Zelensky said in a post on Telegram on Thursday. It is possible to put an end to it through global unity... Russian terrorists do not have missiles capable of bypassing Patriot and other leading world systems. This protection is required in Ukraine now. From Kyiv to Kharkiv, Sumy to Kherson, and Odesa to the Donetsk region. This is entirely possible if our partners demonstrate sufficient political will. Ukraine's air force said that Russia fired two Iskander ballistic missiles and 29 cruise missiles - Vadim Ghirda/AP A vital $60 billion (47 billion) US military aid package for Ukraine is currently held up in Congress amid domestic political arguments. Ukraines air force said that Russia fired two Iskander ballistic missiles and 29 cruise missiles, launched from strategic bombers. Oleksiy Kuleba, the deputy head of Mr Zelenskys office, said: Our defenders worked successfully and shot down all the missiles. It was the first attempted missile strike on the Ukrainian capital since early February, said Serhiy Popko the, head of the Kyiv city military administration. The missiles were launched from strategic bombers, Ukraine's air force said - ANATOLII STEPANOV/AFP The attack comes after a sharp escalation in Ukrainian strikes on Russian border regions and oil refineries in the past two weeks. Speaking last week after a wave of Ukrainian drone, rocket and artillery attacks on Russia, the Russian president said: These strikes by the enemy do not and will not go unpunished. On Thursday, Vyacheslav Gladkov, the governor of Russias Belgorod region on the border with Ukraine, said that five people were injured in the latest aerial bombardment. In a post on Telegram, he wrote: In the city of Belgorod, more than 30 apartments in six residential buildings were damaged as a result of an air attack by the Ukrainian armed forces. He published photos showing damaged facades and smashed windows in multistorey apartment blocks. Residents were forced to take shelter in Kyiv's metro system during the latest Russian attack - Alina Smutko/Reuters On Wednesday, he vowed to restore security to the border areas and said that Russia had a plan to deliver victory against Kyiv. On Thursday, Russias FSB security service said it had arrested a Russian citizen in Belgorod who was preparing terrorist acts against the Russian military, Russian state media reported. It said the person was working with the Russian Volunteer Corps, one of the militia groups that claimed to be behind a string of armed attempted cross-border incursions last week. 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. Kyiv Independent Editor-in-Chief Olga Rudenko has been selected for the list of Ukrainska Pravda's Power of Women, a list of 100 Ukrainian women who are bringing "victory closer with daily work, self-sacrifice, and care for the next generations of Ukrainians." More than 2,000 women were nominated by Ukrainska Pravda readers, the editorial team, and the jury. The final 100 were selected based on their contribution to the war effort, impact on social and political processes in Ukraine, leadership, and advocacy of women's rights. The list includes 15 women serving in Ukraine's Armed Forces and volunteer battalions. Other women on the list include Leniye Umerova, a young Crimean Tatar woman who is being held prisoner in Russia, and Oleksandra Matviichuk, a human rights activist who won the 2022 Noble Peace Prize for her work leading the Center for Civil Liberties. Vasilisa Stepanenko, the field producer of the Oscar-winning documentary "20 Days in Mariupol," First Lady Olena Zelenska, Ukraine's Ambassador to the U.S. Oksana Markarova, and fencer Olha Kharlan, are also included on the list. In 2023, Olga Rudenko was also selected for Ukrainska Pravda's list of 100 leaders during wartime. Read also: Ukraine war latest: Situation near Robotyne in flux but not critical, military says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russia's war against Ukraine was never linked to a real security threat from Ukraine or NATO, said NATO Military Committee chairman, Rob Bauer, at the 16th annual Kyiv Security Forum, held to mobilize transatlantic support for Ukraine on March 21-22. This year's forum slogan is Ukraines Call to the World: Together, We Prevail. My arrival is the first NATO military delegation to visit Ukraine since the full-scale invasion and is a testament to the fact that NATO and Ukraine are closer than ever, he said. Bauer expressed his "deep respect" for the courage and strength of Ukrainians, demonstrated in the face of Russian aggression. We are getting closer, more compatible, he said. Together, we are doing everything to ensure that Ukraine becomes a member of our Alliance. The Swedish flag will not be the only blue and yellow flag at NATO Headquarters. The forum is dedicated to the tenth anniversary of the signing of the political part of the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the European Union, which was one of the most important achievements of the Revolution of Dignity. "The historical choice of Ukrainians has become a life path to our freedom, which has no alternative," said the forum organizers. The main topics to be discussed in Kyiv during the two days of the forum will include: the situation at the frontline urgent military assistance to Ukraine Ukraine's accession to the EU and NATO preparations for the European Parliament elections the NATO Summit in Washington, D.C., the U.S. presidential election the vision of the West's strategy for Ukraine. Kyiv Security Forum (KSF) online: The forum will be attended by high-ranking representatives of NATO and the European Union, defense ministers of partner countries, European and American politicians and experts, international figures, world experts on international relations and security issues, diplomats, journalists, and civil society activists. At the invitation of the Chair of the KSF, Prime Minister of Ukraine in 2014-2016 Arseniy Yatsenyuk, and his team, more than 80 foreign and Ukrainian speakers will take part in the Forum's discussions, both online and in person. Notable international figures participating include: Admiral Rob Bauer, Chair of the Military Committee President of the European Council in 2009-14 Herman Van Rompuy President of the European Commission in 2004-14 Jose Manuel Barroso First Vice-President of the European Commission in 2010-14 Baroness Catherine Ashton Members of the KSF Security Council, Prime Minister of Estonia in 2014-16 Taavi Roivas Prime Minister of Lithuania in 1999-2000 and 2008-12 Andrius Kubilius Commander of the United States Forces in Europe in 2014-17 Lieutenant General Ben Hodges U.S. General Gordon B. "Skip" Davis Jr. Commander of U.S. Central Command in 2008-10 and Director of the CIA in 2011-12 General David Petraeus. The Forum will also be attended by members of the European Parliament and a representative U.S. delegation. The forum program is available at the link. The Kyiv Security Forum, founded by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk Open Ukraine Foundation, is the main platform of our country for discussing issues of war and peace, national and global security. Forum Partners: Atlantic Council, NATO Information and Documentation Center, National Democratic Institute, Chatham House, Friedrich Ebert Foundation. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Kyle Rittenhouse stormed offstage after facing protesters jeers during an event at the University of Memphis on Wednesday night. Rittenhouse was invited to speak on the Second Amendment and the lies of Black Lives Matter by the campus chapter of conservative student group Turning Point USA, but students who spoke to local Tennessee outlet Action News 5 say Rittenhouse went directly into Q&A mode at the event, where things then descended into chaos. Video from Rittenhouses appearance shared on X showed the gun rights advocate shut down when asked about TPUSAs CEO Charlie Kirks history of race-baiting comments. The questioner listed some of Kirks comments, reminding people how the vanguard of the young MAGA movement denounced Juneteenth and Martin Luther King Jr. Day, called Supreme Court Justice Kentanji Brown Jackson an affirmative action hire, and, most recently, said he doubts the qualifications of Black airplane pilots. Proud to have been associated with the group protesting Kyle rittenhouse at the university of Memphis. A huge success in getting him to walk out in the middle of our questioning. pic.twitter.com/gYdcyZiM4M laurel (@laurel_jnf) March 21, 2024 When pressed if those statements were racist, Rittenhouse smugly responded, I dont know anything about that. The audience erupted in boos while the voice behind the video shouted, Its a yes or no question, Kyle! Pressing him for an answer, the original questioner asked Rittenhouse, After all the things I just told you, would you consider that hate speech? Im not going to comment on that, he replied, prompting the audience to shout him down. Deflection! the person behind the camera yelled repeatedly. Unwilling to endure the backlash, Rittenhouse threw a hand up and walked offstage, turning protesters heckling into cheers. While the event was said to be sold out, students told Action News 5 the auditorium was less than half-full, made up of about 50 to 60 people. Rittenhouse who was acquitted of killing two men and injuring another during a 2020 protest in Kenosha, Wisconsin, earning him the status of right-wing darling is next scheduled to speak at Western Kentucky University. Related... It hasnt started happening yet, but the trend seems unstoppable: humanity is shrinking. By 2050, over three-quarters (155 out of 204) of the worlds countries will have fertility rates so low that they will not be able to maintain their population size. And this trend will be nearly complete by 2100, when 97% of countries (198 out of 204) will be in the same situation. Deaths will outnumber births, and there will be fewer and fewer people in the world. This data comes from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation and was published in the journal The Lancet. The authors warn governments to start planning for the threats that these changes may pose to the economy, health, the environment and geopolitics. On November 15, 2022, the worlds population reached an unprecedented 8 billion people, but according to this study, that could be the peak before the curve bends and the population begins to decline. This is a global trend, but the pace differs from area to area. In rich countries, where fertility rates are already very low, rates will continue to decline. Spain is an eloquent example of this trend. According to the study, Spain had a rate of 2.47 children per woman in 1950, which fell to 2.13 in 1980 and plummeted to 1.26 in 2021. If things continue this way, the rate will be 1.23 children per woman in 2050 and 1.11 in 2100. It is one of the countries with the steepest declines; by that year France (1.49), Germany (1.40) and the European average (1.37) will all be above that rate. The trend aligns with the one reported by Spains National Institute of Statistics, which last year recorded an all-time low in births in the country. 2023 was the seventh consecutive year in which Spain recorded more deaths than births, with a difference of 113,256 people. Low-income environments follow the same trend, but start from a very different reality, with much higher birth rates. That is the only way to explain their importance in the total percentage of world births, which will nearly double in the coming years. They will go from representing 18% of the total in 2021 to 35% in 2100. In 2100, one out of every two children born in the world will be born in sub-Saharan Africa. The studys authors believe that, from a Western perspective, this trend can be seen as a way to sustain pensions, the labor force and demographic stability. And they conclude that it is a stopgap solution. International migration can only be a temporary solution, as fertility decline is becoming a universal phenomenon. Birth rates in developing countries are higher, but in the future, better access to contraceptives and female education will reduce them. The problem is not only demographic but multifactorial. Mariona Lozano Riera, a sociologist and researcher at the Centre dEstudis Demografics de Catalunya, elaborates on this idea in an editorial on the subject published by Science Media Centre Spain (SMC). It is true that the demographics are not very good for sustaining the current pension system, but that is not the reason; rather, the lack of political action and the structural conditions of the Spanish labor market are aggravating the problem, she asserts. The sociologist notes that the projected demographic trends are already causing changes. But she refrains from being alarmist. I wouldnt dare say that the welfare state is in danger in the sense that it will disappear, she says. But there will certainly be a change[...] In fact, there is already a silent transformation toward models in which everyone receives the same pension, and the extras depend on private pension plans or those established by collective agreements. This is not the only reaction SCM has published on the subject. In another paper, Teresa Castro Martin, a sociologist at the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), observes that in 2020 the team behind this study received some criticism from demographers for methodological inconsistencies. Even so, the expert recognizes that the data it offers illustrates the global trends well. Castro underscores some of the differences between that research and other analyses. This study estimates a decline in fertility worldwide, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, at a faster rate than the United Nations [study found], she says. The current study predicts that the global fertility rate will fall below replacement level (2.1 children per woman) around 2030, while the UN forecasts that this will occur around 2050. The researcher points out that births will increasingly be concentrated in the areas of the world that are most vulnerable to climate change, resource scarcity, political instability, poverty and infant mortality. Finally, she laments that the large group of experts who conducted the study did not include any specialists in the field of reproduction. The study did not involve experts like Sara Lopez, a gynecologist at the Center for Infertility and Human Reproduction (CIRH) in Barcelona, Spain, and author of the book Quiero quedarme embarazada [I Want to Get Pregnant]. Lopez confirms that the study points to macro trends that she sees daily at the micro level in her practice. In Spain, the number of women who have their first child after the age of 40 has quadrupled, she explains in a telephone conversation. That is 10% of the total and this advanced maternal age leads to a decrease in the birth rate for obvious reasons: At that age, it may be too late to have children, or you may not be able to have more than one. Of possible solutions, Lopez explains that promoting social policies, economic aid and work-life balance are conducive to higher birth rates. She also notes that science, such as freezing eggs, has helped many women and will continue to do so. But I think this is an individual solution and we should tend to look for a collective solution. In any case, she does not believe that this should be approached as a positive or negative thing and observes that the problem occurs when a persons reproductive aspirations are thwarted by extraneous causes like a lack of stability or support. In an associated editorial, the studys authors also reflect on the implications of this trend. They recommend that policymakers direct efforts toward analyzing the causes of the decline in fertility, not just its consequences, and they warn against a response that erodes womens rights: When talking about the decline in fertility, there is a risk that some countries will adopt measures that encourage childbearing and restrict rights related to sex and reproduction, including the right to choose whether or not to have a child, the timing of pregnancy, and access to sexual knowledge and assistance, the authors lament. They go on to recommend that any policy response should be based on guaranteeing rights. In recent years, different world leaders have tried to connect low birth rates to the right to abortion. The study calls for analyzing the causes of the decline in birth rate and facilitating the reproductive and family projects of those who want to have children, but that should not serve as an excuse to limit the rights of anyone else. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Kyle Rittenhouse, who became a darling of the right after shooting three protesters in 2020, hightailed it off a stage at the University of Memphis on Wednesday night as a crowd of demonstrators booed him. Video from the event showed several protesters in black T-shirts in attendance. One of them stood up and questioned Rittenhouse about Charlie Kirk, the far-right conservative activist whose youth organization, Turning Point U.S.A., sponsored Rittenhouses appearance. The only person to have a worse day yesterday than James Comer was Kyle Rittenhouse. And I'm here for it. pic.twitter.com/OS8d9PmX3W Derrick #BLM (@Spawn_03) March 21, 2024 When the protester alleged that Kirk has said a lot of racist things, Rittenhouse immediately grew defensive. Like what? What racist things has Charlie Kirk said? he fired back from the podium. Were gonna have a bit of a dialogue of what racist things Charlie Kirk said. The protester was unfazed. He says that we shouldn't celebrate Juneteenth, we shouldnt celebrate Martin Luther King Daywe should be working those days. He called Ketanji Brown Jackson an affirmative action hire, he said all this nonsense about George Floyd, and he said hed be scared if a Black pilot was on a plane. Does that not seem racist? I dont know anything about that, Rittenhouse said, prompting jeers from the room. After all the things I just told you, would you consider that hate speech? the protester asked. Im not gonna comment on that, Rittenhouse answered, as the room once again erupted in boos. Rittenhouse waited on stage for a beat, but stormed off after he was approached by one of the events organizers. He did not look back or make any other comments as he left the stage. The boos turned to cheers as he walked off. Before the event, about 200 people turned out to protest Rittenhouses appearance, far outnumbering the amount of people who attended in support of him. They brought signs bearing slogans like Put Rittenhouse behind bars not a podium and No killers on my campus. Rittenhouse was acquitted of all charges in 2021 after a Wisconsin jury determined he had killed the two protesters in self-defense, a controversial decision that many saw as an evasion of justice. After his acquittal, he became even more of a celebrity within the GOP, which auctioned off gun-range time with him last spring. Rittenhouse posted from the safety of a hotel room after his abrupt Memphis exit Wednesday night, claiming he wasnt booed off stage but simply had a hard cut-off time and decided to end the event there. 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. Kyle Rittenhouse during a rightwing gathering known as America Fest, an event organised by Turning Point USA, in Phoenix, Arizona, in December 2022. Kyle Rittenhouse during a rightwing gathering known as America Fest, an event organised by Turning Point USA, in Phoenix, Arizona, in December 2022. Photograph: Jim Urquhart/Reuters Kyle Rittenhouse, a 21-year-old gun rights activist who was acquitted after shooting dead two people and injuring another during racial justice protests in 2020, sparked fierce outrage during a speech at the University of Memphis. Related: Fourth ex-Mississippi Goon Squad officer gets 40 years for torture of Black men On Wednesday, Rittenhouse was met with widespread student protests as he spoke at a campus event organized by the universitys chapter of Turning Point USA, a conservative student organization. Rittenhouses speech topics included the importance of the second amendment and the lies of Black Lives Matter, according to event details. Pictures posted online showed students protesting Rittenhouses appearance with signs that said Murderers dont belong here! and Wheres the tears now, lil boy? an apparent reference to Rittenhouses emotional sobs during his murder trial in 2021. In August 2020, Rittenhouse, who was 17 years old at the time, traveled from his home in Antioch, Illinois, armed with an AR-15-style rifle to aid a Kenosha-based militia that was calling for protection for businesses against protesters supporting the Black Lives Matter movement. At the protests, Rittenhouse shot and killed 36-year-old Joseph Rosenbaum before shooting and killing 26-year-old Anthony Huber. Rittenhouse also wounded Gaige Grosskreutz, a 26-year-old protester and volunteer medic at the time who carried his own gun. Following a widely watched and controversial trial in which he repeatedly claimed self-defense, Rittenhouse was acquitted in November 2021. His acquittal was largely regarded by critics as a revelation of the favorable treatment from law enforcement towards white self-styled militant vigilantes, in contrast to the treatment meted out to racial justice protestors. The University of Memphis said it was legally obligated to allow Rittenhouse to speak despite the widespread protests. The upcoming event at the University of Memphis featuring Kyle Rittenhouse is not sponsored by the university. A registered student organization, University of Memphis TPUSA, is hosting the event. Under the first amendment and Tennessees Campus Free Speech Act, the University of Memphis cannot legally prohibit such events from being hosted by a registered student organization, it said, the Commercial Appeal reported. Speaking to WREG, one student said: Theyre portraying him like this icon for the gun people We already have enough gun violence in Memphis itself, so having this guy come here and spread racist views and also talking about how we need more guns on the street I think its awful, just baffling, that they allow this. Because this is borderline free speech, but this is more toward hate speech. Another student told WMC-TV: Were also a city that is predominately Black and were also a city that is grappling with gun violence We are actively giving a platform to a white nationalist. One video posted online showed students booing and walking out of the auditorium as Rittenhouse spoke. Another video showed a student yelling to Rittenhouse: What lie? What lie? Tell me the lies of Black Lives Matter? Tell me the lies youre [going to] talk about? In a separate video, a student was seen confronting Rittenhouse, who was on stage with a dog, about comments made by Turning Point USAs founder Charlie Kirk. The CEO of Turning Point USA, Charlie Kirk, has said a lot of racist things, the student said from his seat. What racist things has Charlie Kirk said? Rittenhouse replied before repeating his question. He says that we shouldnt celebrate Juneteenth, we shouldnt celebrate Martin Luther King Day we should be working those days he called [supreme court justice] Ketanji Brown Jackson an affirmative action hire, he said all this nonsense about George Floyd and he said hed be scared if a Black pilot was on a plane. Does that not seem racist? the student said. In response, Rittenhouse said: I dont know anything about that. Well, after all the things I just told you, would you consider that hate speech? the student asked. Im not going to comment on that, Rittenhouse said, prompting cries from the audience. Following the event, Rittenhouse posted a video on X, saying: Great event! I think its funny that a lot of the media is saying that we got booed off stage. In reality we did a hard cut off time and just happened to leave at that. Editors note: This article has been updated to reflect the number of known defendants in the lawsuit. A Los Angeles man is suing several women for negative posts they allegedly wrote about him on social media, claiming the messages are false and defamatory. Stewart Lucas Murrey is suing 10 defendants for claims including defamation, sex-based discrimination, intentional infliction of emotional distress, libel, invasion of privacy, and more. Other defendants not yet named or identified could eventually be added to the suit. The lawsuit stems from posts and comments the women are accused of writing in a Facebook group called Are We Dating The Same Guy? The private group involves members sharing dating advice while warning others about men who are potentially harmful, dangerous or not to be trusted. The Are We Dating The Same Guy? group has specific, location-based pages for cities across the U.S. Murrey alleges the women posted a variety of false things about him including that he is suspected of murder or involved in a murder case, that he had several domestic violence charges against him, that he had tried to extort money from women he dated, that he had sexually-transmitted diseases and that he lied about being an attorney. Stewart Lucas Murrey seen in a personal photo. A group of defendants hold a press conference on March 20, 2024 addressing a lawsuit involving comments about a man on a Facebook group called Are We Dating The Same Guy? (KTLA) A private Facebook group called Are We Dating The Same Guy? involves women sharing dating advice while warning others about men who are potentially harmful, dangerous or not to be trusted. A private Facebook group called Are We Dating The Same Guy? involves women sharing dating advice while warning others about men who are potentially harmful, dangerous or not to be trusted. A private Facebook group called Are We Dating The Same Guy? involves women sharing dating advice while warning others about men who are potentially harmful, dangerous or not to be trusted. A group of defendants hold a press conference on March 20, 2024 addressing a lawsuit involving comments about a man on a Facebook group called Are We Dating The Same Guy? (KTLA) From left: Stewart Lucas Murrey seen in a personal photo; A group of defendants hold a press conference on March 20, 2024 addressing a lawsuit involving comments about a man on a Facebook group called Are We Dating The Same Guy? (KTLA) Murrey claims all the allegations posted by the women on the group are completely false. One of the defendants, Olivia Burger, said the majority of the women Murrey is suing had not met him in person. She claimed some defendants only made passing comments or reactions to posts about Murrey or simply just liked the post about him. Berger, however, was one of the few women who met Murrey in person for a date after matching with him on the dating app Tinder in 2021. During their date, Burger claimed Murrey ranted about conspiracy theories and other topics and appeared arrogant and smug. Overall, she felt they werent very compatible based on their differences of opinion. Teen girl dies after alleged fight with bullies at South L.A. high school It was the typical bad date behavior, Berger said. I want to emphasize that I had never had a date like this, ever. When she shared her experience with Murrey on the Facebook group, she said her statements were factual and they were based on our true experiences. He found those comments and decided to come forth with this lawsuit. According to the suit, Murrey attempted to join the Facebook group to defend himself but said he was consistently denied entry. Another defendant, Vanessa Valdes, said she connected with Murrey on the dating app Hinge. Man devoted to eliminating squatters taking over Southern California homes Right out of the gate, gave me his phone number and said, Lets hang, she recalled. I commented with one message saying, Bold move with a happy face, and then a barrage of harassing messages came afterward. So I immediately blocked him and reported him. A few years later, Valdes commented on a post in the Facebook group about her experience with Murrey. I shared my personal experience, truthful, and my opinions on his behavior and now Im being sued, Valdes said. Its unfortunate that were here, but Im happy to provide all the evidence and get through this. Hopefully, justice will prevail. In a statement to KTLA, Murrey denied all allegations and comments made by the women, saying in part: For years, key defendants obsessively tracked, stalked and incited harassment against me. These are women with whom I had little to no interaction. In every case of interaction, I rejected each one of them and cut them off, quite swiftly. Instead of going their separate ways, they went on for months and years to spread misinformation about me and countless others. Their actions were deliberate, and now they are playing the victims. A hearing was held on Tuesday where the women appeared in court, defending themselves. They are currently seeking legal representation and hope media attention on their case will bring the right attorneys to them. KTLAs legal analyst, Alison Triessl, said the women may have a case on their part depending on several elements. If the claim is defamation, and the defense is that its the truth or was simply stated as an opinion, then there is no defamatory statement, Triessl said. Explaining more about the Facebook group, Valdes said, Its not about men versus women, its about truth versus fiction. This is a community, a place where women can share their honest experiences and keep each other safe. So while were doing that, were exercising our right to free speech and we feel this is a bullying tactic to silence us. In January, a Chicago man also filed a lawsuit against members of the Are We Dating the Same Guy? Facebook group for that city. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. Labour has privately indicated to the rail industry that it plans to resurrect part of the northern leg of HS2, Whitehall sources have told The Telegraph. Louise Haigh, the shadow transport secretary, and her team are said to have suggested they want to reverse Rishi Sunaks decision to axe the high-speed route between Birmingham and Crewe. That is despite the fact that Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, has publicly said it is not possible to revive the project because the Government has blown the budget. At the Tory conference in October, the Prime Minister cancelled the HS2 line north of Birmingham to save 36 billion, pledging that the money recouped would be redirected towards improving local road, rail and bus services across the North. The Telegraph has been told that Ms Haigh wants to resurrect phase 2a of the project, between Birmingham and Crewe, which would cost around 7 billion. During a Commons debate in January, Stephen Morgan, the shadow rail minister, refused to rule out reviving the Birmingham to Crewe HS2 line. Bill Esterson, the shadow roads minister, also hinted at the ambition in a social media post after addressing an industry reception this month. HS2 was due to reduce the number of lorry movements by 500,000 a year. It was a project that was designed to increase capacity, not least for freight, he wrote. The cancellation by Rishi Sunak has left huge challenges for the industry, especially on the congested section of the network between Birmingham and Crewe. The Labour Party will work with the rail freight sector to ensure that we can grow freight capacity. Labour insiders said the party was keeping its options on the northern leg of HS2 open and would need to assess the level of damage done to the project. Mr Sunak has ordered officials to remove safeguarding measures across the axed stretches of the line and to begin selling off compulsorily purchased land. Labour has not committed to matching the Governments commitment to spend 8.3 billion of the HS2 savings on long-term road maintenance. Mark Harper, the Transport Secretary, suggested the party may be planning to use the cash to finance the Birmingham to Crewe line instead, telling the Commons: That money is available only because we made the decision to cancel the second phase of HS2. Labour cannot give a straight answer on that question, and it has not committed to spending that 8.3 billion at all. Drivers know that they will only get that investment with a Conservative government. Louise Haigh had promised to unveil Labour's blueprint for taking over the running of train services in mid-February - Maja Smiejkowska/PA It comes amid growing questions over Labours pledge to renationalise the railways, with an expected announcement having been delayed. Ms Haigh had promised to unveil the partys blueprint for taking over the running of train services in mid-February, but it has still not materialised. Sources insisted the party was still committed to the policy and said the announcement had been put back because of speculation about a May election. There have been claims, strongly denied by insiders, that Rachel Reeves, the shadow chancellor, has been blocking the plans over cost concerns. Labour has said that it will take over train routes as private contracts expire, meaning the renationalisation will not cost anything to implement. 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. Young people in the region say they are concerned about employment and the recruitment process for government jobs. In India's high-altitude Ladakh region, thousands are protesting in sub-zero temperatures. In 2019, the government fulfilled their longstanding demand for a region separate from Indian-administered Kashmir. But since 2020, they have frequently taken to streets, accusing the government of "betrayal" and unkept promises. Srinagar-based freelance journalist Auqib Javeed reports on what's changed. Ladakh, India's northern-most region, is a desert inhabited by 300,000 people from the Muslim and Buddhist communities. The Leh region is dominated by Buddhists while the Kargil region is inhabited by Shia Muslims. For decades, the Buddhist community demanded a separate region for its people, while those in Kargil wanted to be integrated with the Muslim-majority region of India-administered Kashmir. In 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government revoked Article 370 of the constitution which accorded special status to the former state of Jammu and Kashmir and gave it significant autonomy. The state was then divided into two parts - Ladakh, and Jammu and Kashmir - and both are federally administered territories. A year later, Kargil and Leh districts joined hands and formed the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), aimed at addressing people's concerns. The civil society groups have held massive rallies against the federal government. Earlier this week, shops closed and thousands took to the streets in Kargil to demand statehood. In Leh, protesters have planned a border march next week. "We were demanding a separate territory with a legislature," says Chhering Dorjey Lakrook, a veteran Buddhist leader from Leh. "But we were granted only a federally governed territory." For people in Ladakh, who depend primarily on agriculture, the move also sparked fears it would affect the region's culture and identity as it made it easier for those from outside the region to buy land in the area. According to India's home ministry, as of 5 April 2023, no Indian company had invested in Ladakh in the past three years, nor had anyone from outside purchased any land. But residents remain apprehensive about an influx like in Jammu and Kashmir where, data shows, 185 outsiders have bought land between 2020-22. Thousands of people have taken to the streets in protest against the federal government Their demands include statehood for Ladakh, jobs, protection of their land and resources, and a parliamentary seat each for Leh and Kargil districts. They also want implementation of the Sixth Schedule, a constitutional provision that protects tribal populations and allows them to set up autonomous organisations that frame laws on land, health and agriculture. Nearly 97% of Ladakh's population is tribal. "The Sixth Schedule was designed to protect the rights of indigenous and tribal groups," says Chhering Dorjey Lakrook, who until 2020 was president of the regional unit of India's governing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This, he adds, will save them from exploitation by industrialists. The federal home ministry set up a committee to discuss these demands, but locals say there has been no progress. Young people in the region are also concerned about not getting government jobs. Padma Stanzin, who heads Ladakh Students' Environmental Action Forum (Leaf), says since 2019, not a single person has been recruited in a senior government role. "We fear our jobs will be taken over by outsiders," she adds. Ladakh's BJP MP Jamyang Tsering Namgyal did not respond to BBC's request for comments. Ladakh residents remain apprehensive the region will be thrown open for investors like Jammu and Kashmir has been Ladakh holds significant geostrategic importance for India as it shares borders with both China and Pakistan, the two countries which strongly condemned India's decision to revoke Article 370. While Indian-administered Kashmir witnessed a protracted armed uprising against Delhi's rule starting in late 1980s, the militancy never spread to Ladakh. In the 1999 Kargil war with Pakistan, residents in Ladakh volunteered support by supplying food and other essentials to Indian soldiers. Residents now wonder if they are paying the price for being "loyal". "The spirit of that voluntarism will not remain if the government hurts the sentiments of the people," says Sonam Wangchuk, an engineer, innovator and climate activist, who has worked for years to address local community needs. Mr Wangchuk, who gained fame after Bollywood star Aamir Khan played a character based on him in the 2009 blockbuster Three Idiots, is on a 21-day-long fast "to remind the government of its promises to safeguard Ladakh's environment and tribal indigenous culture". People of Ladakh, he says, have offered support to Indian soldiers, including to personnel from the plains who have struggled to adapt to high altitude. "Any kind of disturbance will impact this spirit," he adds. Since 2020, the people of Ladakh have frequently taken to streets, citing "betrayal" and unkept promises Experts say China and Pakistan would watch for any sign of "weakness" in the region. "Unrest and discontent, especially if sustained, is something that Beijing and Islamabad could try to exploit," says Michael Kugelman, director of Washington-based think-tank South Asia Institute at the Wilson Centre. Beijing didn't recognise the creation of Ladakh as a federally-governed territory in 2019. The region lies along the disputed 3,440km (2,100 mile)-long de facto border along the Himalayas - called the Line of Actual Control, or LAC - which is poorly demarcated. Since 2020, tensions between India and China have been high after their forces clashed in the Galwan river valley in Ladakh, which left at least 20 Indian soldiers dead. Following the clashes, both Delhi and Beijing increased troop movement and built massive military infrastructure along the LAC. China launched incursions in Ladakh, claiming over 1,000 sq km of India-claimed territory. India has repeatedly denied China's claim. Incidents of Chinese soldiers entering Ladakh and restricting residents from grazing their herds have added to local grievances. In January, a group of local herders clashed with Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers after they were prevented from taking their cattle to traditional grazing lands near the LAC. Mr Kugelman argues that while India cannot afford an unstable Ladakh, it is also not possible to reverse the changes made in 2019. Delhi's position has always been that the repeal of Article 370 and moves associated with it were final and would bring an end to any disputes and instability within the regions affected. "Changing the status of Ladakh and giving it statehood would undermine that position and raise questions about the merits of making those moves back in 2019 and that's not the impression that Delhi would like to convey," he explains. Praveen Donthi, a senior analyst for the International Crisis Group, a Delhi think-tank, says this is most likely why India refuses to extend powers to the local government in Ladakh. "The LAC is unstable since the Galwan clash and the government probably would like to tread carefully," he says. Ladakh residents, however, hope the strength of their unity - the joint action by the Muslim and Buddhist communities - will eventually force the authorities to address their grievances. "Our unity will compel the government to hear us and address our demands," says Jigmat Paljor, a student-activist in Leh. "They can't ignore us for too long." Read more India stories from the BBC: LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A Las Vegas family is calling for change after a 17-year-old boy was hit and killed by a truck in the east valley on Monday night, according to police. Teen faces reckless driving charge following crash that killed 17-year-old crossing street I miss him so much, Ray Heath said of his son, Devin Heath. Ray and his family shared with 8 News Now what theyll miss most about the teenager, just days after he suddenly lost his life. He was just a social butterfly, Ray said of Devin. He made friends everywhere he went. According to Las Vegas Metropolitan Police, Devin was crossing Tree Line Drive, near Sahara Avenue and Hollywood Boulevard around 9:30 p.m. Monday, when he was hit by a Chevrolet Silverado truck. According to Las Vegas Metropolitan Police, Devin was crossing Tree Line Drive, near Sahara Avenue and Hollywood Boulevard around 9:30 p.m. Monday, when he was hit by a Chevrolet Silverado truck. (Credit: Ray Heath) Arrest records show 18-year-old Jesus Barraza was behind the wheel, driving over 70 miles per hour, more than double the speed limit at the time of the crash. Devin was taken to Sunrise Hospital but died shortly after he was hit, according to law enforcement. Ray described the moment he saw the scene. They had my son on the ground trying to do CPR, trying to revive him, he recalled. I ran up immediately, I grabbed his head, I started screaming his name. According to Las Vegas Metropolitan Police, 17-year-old Devin Heath was crossing Tree Line Drive, near Sahara Avenue and Hollywood Boulevard around 9:30 p.m. Monday, when he was hit by a Chevrolet Silverado truck. (Credit: Ray Heath) Ray said he, Devins mother, and their family are just starting to come to terms with what happened. You never think its going to happen to you, Ray said. They told 8 News Now they hope Devins story acts as a catalyst for what they called much-needed traffic changes. According to Las Vegas Metropolitan Police, Devin was crossing Tree Line Drive, near Sahara Avenue and Hollywood Boulevard around 9:30 p.m. Monday, when he was hit by a Chevrolet Silverado truck. (KLAS) I feel like they should put speed bumps or something over here, Ray said of the area where Devin was hit. Or dips or something like that, because there are so many children. They said they are pleading with people in the community to slow down, so something so horrible doesnt happen to anyone else. They need to do something, Ray concluded. Something needs to happen. Barraza is facing a felony charge of reckless driving resulting in death. Jesus Barraza,18, faces reckless driving charges in a fatal crash. (LVMPD) Documents show he made his initial appearance in court Tuesday and posted bail. He is due to face a judge again on April 23. A GoFundMe account has been set up to assist the Heath family at this time. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. FILE - This combination of photos shows, from top left, former Rankin County sheriff's deputies Hunter Elward, Christian Dedmon, Brett McAlpin, Jeffrey Middleton, Daniel Opdyke and former Richland police officer Joshua Hartfield appearing at the Rankin County Circuit Court in Brandon, Miss., Aug. 14, 2023. Two Black men who were tortured for hours by the six Mississippi law enforcement officers in 2023 called Monday, March 18, 2024, for a federal judge to impose the strictest possible penalties at their sentencings this week. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File) JACKSON, Miss. (AP) A federal judge on Thursday finished handing down prison terms of about 10 to 40 years to six white former Mississippi law enforcement officers who pleaded guilty to breaking into a home without a warrant and torturing two Black men in an hourslong attack that included beatings, repeated uses of stun guns and assaults with a sex toy before one of the victims was shot in the mouth. U.S. District Judge Tom Lee called the culprits' actions egregious and despicable" and gave sentences near the top of federal guidelines to five of the six men who attacked Michael Corey Jenkins and Eddie Terrell Parker in January 2023. The case drew condemnation from top law enforcement officials in the country, including Attorney General Merrick Garland. In its grisly details, local residents saw echoes of Mississippis history of racist atrocities by people in authority. The difference this time is that those who abused their power paid a steep price for their crimes, the victims' attorneys said. The depravity of the crimes committed by these defendants cannot be overstated, Garland said Thursday. Brett McAlpin, 53, who was the fourth highest-ranking officer in the Rankin County Sheriff's Office, received a sentence of about 27 years on Thursday. McAlpin nodded to his family in the courtroom. He offered an apology before he was sentenced but did not look at the victims as he spoke. This was all wrong, very wrong. Its not how people should treat each other and even more so, its not how law enforcement should treat people, McAlpin said. Im really sorry for being a part of something that made law enforcement look so bad. The only defendant who didn't receive a prison term at the top of the sentencing guidelines was Joshua Hartfield, 32, a former Richland police officer who did not work in a sheriffs department with the others and was not a member of a Goon Squad. He was the last of the six former officers sentenced over three days this week, months after they all pleaded guilty. Before giving Hartfield a 10-year sentence Thursday, Lee said Hartfield did not have a history of using excessive force and was roped into the brutal episode by one of the former deputies, Christian Dedmon. Lee said, however, that Hartfield failed to intervene in the violence and participated in a cover-up. Lee sentenced Dedmon, 29, to 40 years and Daniel Opdyke, 28, to 17.5 years on Wednesday. He gave about 20 years to Hunter Elward, 31, and 17.5 years to Jeffrey Middleton, 46, on Tuesday. Arguing for a lengthy sentence, federal prosecutor Christopher Perras said McAlpin was not technically a member of the Goon Squad but molded the men into the goons they became. Parker told investigators that McAlpin functioned like a mafia don" as he instructed the officers throughout the evening. Prosecutors said other deputies often tried to impress McAlpin, and Opdyke's attorney said Wednesday that his client saw McAlpin as a father figure. The younger deputies tried to wrap their heads around how they had started off wanting to be good law enforcement officers and turned into monsters, Perras said Thursday. How did these deputies learn to treat another human being this way? Your honor, the answer is sitting right there," Perras said, pointing at McAlpin. In March 2023, months before federal prosecutors announced charges in August, an investigation by The Associated Press linked some of the deputies to at least four violent encounters with Black men since 2019 that left two dead and another with lasting injuries. The officers invented false charges against the victims, planting a gun and drugs at the scene of their crime, and stuck to their cover story for months until finally admitting that they tortured Jenkins and Parker. Elward admitted to shoving a gun into Jenkins mouth and firing it in what federal prosecutors said was meant to be a mock execution. The terror began Jan. 24, 2023, with a racist call for extrajudicial violence when a white person complained to McAlpin that two Black men were staying with a white woman at a house in Braxton. McAlpin told Dedmon, who texted a group of white deputies asking if they were available for a mission. No bad mugshots, Dedmon texted a green light, according to prosecutors, to use excessive force on parts of the body that wouldnt appear in a booking photo. Dedmon also brought Hartfield, who was instructed to cover the back door of the property during their illegal entry. Once inside, the officers mocked the victims with racial slurs and shocked them with stun guns. They handcuffed them and poured milk, alcohol and chocolate syrup over their faces. Dedmon and Opdyke assaulted them with a sex toy. They forced them to strip naked and shower together to conceal the mess. After Elward shot Jenkins in the mouth, lacerating his tongue and breaking his jaw, they devised a coverup. The deputies agreed to plant drugs, and false charges stood against Jenkins and Parker for months. McAlpin and Middleton, the oldest in the group, threatened to kill other officers if they spoke up, prosecutors said. In court Thursday, McAlpin's attorney Aafram Sellers said only Middleton threatened to kill them. Sellers also questioned a probation officer about details submitted to the judge. When federal investigators interviewed the neighbor who called McAlpin, that person reported seeing trashy people at the house who were both white and Black, Sellers said. That called into question whether the episode started on the basis of race, he argued. Federal prosecutors said the neighbor referred to people at the home as those people and thugs. The information included in the charging documents, which the officers did not dispute when they pleaded guilty, revealed some of them used racial taunts and epithets throughout the episode. Majority-white Rankin County is just east of Jackson, home to one of the highest percentages of Black residents of any major U.S. city. The officers shouted at Jenkins and Parker to stay out of Rankin County and go back to Jackson or their side of the Pearl River, court documents say. Attorneys for several of the deputies said their clients became ensnared in a culture of corruption that was encouraged by leaders in the sheriff's office. Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey revealed no details about his deputies actions when he announced they had been fired last June. After they pleaded guilty in August, Bailey said the officers had gone rogue and promised changes. Jenkins and Parker called for his resignation and filed a $400 million civil lawsuit against the department. Bailey, who was reelected without opposition in November, said in a statement Thursday that he is committed to the betterment of this county and will work with the honest, hard-working men and women currently with this department" to make Rankin County safer. In a statement read by his attorney Thursday, Jenkins said he felt like a slave and was left to die like a dog. If those who are in charge of the Rankin County Sheriffs Office can participate in these kinds of torture, God help us all," Jenkins said. And God help Rankin County. ___ Michael Goldberg 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. Follow him at @mikergoldberg. Joshua Hartfield, the last person connected to the 'Goon Squad' and a former Richland police officer, was sentenced Thursday afternoon to 10 years in federal prison for involvement in the abuse and torture of two Black men. U.S. District Court Judge Tom Lee handed down this sentence after five minutes of deliberating outside the presence of the courtroom. This was the first time in the last five sentencings that the judge did not impose a sentence right away in connection to a January 2023 incident. Lee said he was "conflicted" on whether to impose a sentence at the top of the guidelines of 151 months for Hartfield. Lee stated that after taking into consideration all of the facts and character letters he has received about Hartfield, he looks at Hartfield "in a different light." Former Richland, Miss. police officer Joshua Allen Hartfield "You weren't a member of the Goon Squad, the Rankin County department nor the text thread. You had no knowledge of what was planned or likely to occur at the home. Christian Dedmon told you it would be a knock and talk. It's clear to me that out of everyone involved that you are the least involved and least culpable," Lee said to the courtroom. "You've acknowledged and admitted you participated. You don't have a history or demonstrated history of excessive force, and you seemed to have landed in something you didn't anticipate." Hartfield had discarded hard drive footage of the incident by throwing the hard drive into a creek. "You didn't just fail to intervene, but you actively participated. And for that you deserve to be punished," Lee added. On Jan. 24, 2023, six former officers connected to the "Goon Squad" burst into a home without a warrant, then handcuffed and used a stun gun on Michael Jenkins and Eddie Parker. McAlpin and five other officers were involved in the incident. The other former Rankin County Sheriff's deputies were Hunter Elward, Christian Dedmon, Jeffrey Middleton and Daniel Opdyke. The sixth former police officer was Hartfield from the city of Richland. On Tuesday, the judge sentenced Elward to 20 years in federal prison and Middleton, the alleged ringleader, to 17.5 years on Tuesday. On Wednesday, Dedmon was handed the longest sentence of 40 years, while his fellow "Goon Squad" member Opdyke got a 17.5-year sentence. And McAlpin, who was the highest-ranking deputy on the scene of the incident, was sentenced Thursday morning to 27.25 years in prison. 'You decided to join,' Judge says: Lawyer of third ex-MS 'Goon Squad' officer pushes for low sentence. Victim exits courtroom Based on Associated Press reporting, the court records state the officers assaulted the men with a sex object, beat them and used their stun guns repeatedly over a roughly 90-minute period. The episode culminated with one deputy placing a gun in Jenkins mouth and firing, which cut his tongue, broke his jaw and exited out of his neck. The officers did not give him medical attention, instead discussing a false cover story to cover up their misconduct, as well as planting and tampering with evidence, the Associated Press reported. Rankin County 'Bailey ... your days are numbered': Rankin Co. NAACP, attorneys call for the resignation of Sheriff Bryan Bailey Jenkins, via a statement read by his lawyer Malik Shabazz, told the court Wednesday that the incident will be forever engraved in his mind and heart. Every time I try to take a bite of food, the pain reminds me of what happened that night. I want all of them to remain behind bars and to be off the streets, Jenkins' statement said. This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Goon Squad Mississippi: Joshua Hartfield sentenced to 10 years U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says he will share alternatives to Israel's planned ground assault into the southern Gaza town of Rafah when he meets with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his War Cabinet on Friday. Blinken and Arab leaders on Thursday discussed efforts for a cease-fire and ideas for Gazas post-conflict future during his sixth visit to the region since the start of the Israel-Hamas war. Growing disagreements between Netanyahu and President Joe Biden over Israel's prosecution of the war will likely overshadow this week's talks, although the Biden administration policy of providing crucial military aid and diplomatic support for Israel remains unchanged. The Health Ministry in Gaza raised the territory's death toll Thursday to nearly 32,000 Palestinians. The ministry doesnt differentiate between civilians and combatants in its count but says women and children make up two-thirds of the dead. The international communitys authority on determining the severity of hunger crises has warned that famine is imminent in northern Gaza. Palestinian militants killed some 1,200 people in the surprise Oct. 7 attack out of Gaza that triggered the war, and abducted another 250 people. Hamas is still believed to be holding some 100 people hostage, as well as the remains of 30 others. Currently: Blinken huddles on Gaza with Arab diplomats in Cairo as U.S.-Israel relations sour Why Israel is so determined to launch an offensive in Rafah. A Palestinian boy is shot dead after he lit a firework. Israels use of deadly force is scrutinized. U.N. chief urges the EU to avoid double standards over Gaza and Ukraine. U.S. House speaker says he plans to invite Netanyahu to address the Congress. Find more of APs coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war. Here's the latest: U.S. CALLS FOR A U.N. VOTE ON A STRONGER GAZA CEASE-FIRE RESOLUTION UNITED NATIONS The United States called for a vote to be held Friday on a newly revised and tougher U.N. Security Council resolution declaring that an immediate and sustained cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza is imperative to protect civilians and enable humanitarian aid to be delivered to more than two million hungry Palestinians. In the previous draft, the Security Council did not make such a declaration. Instead, it would have supported international efforts for a cease-fire as part of a hostage deal. The new draft obtained Thursday by The Associated Press determines which is a council order the imperative of an immediate and sustained cease-fire, with no direct link to the release of hostages taken during Hamas surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7. But it would unequivocally support diplomatic efforts to secure such a cease-fire in connection with the release of all remaining hostages. After the 15 Security Council members met behind closed doors Thursday afternoon to discuss Gaza, U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said when asked if the U.S. draft will be adopted: I am optimistic. Thats why it took us so long. Russias deputy U.N. ambassador Dmitry Polyansky told reporters that U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is pressing for an immediate cease-fire, and if the resolution calls for an immediate cease-fire we will, of course, support it. But he questioned the wording of the U.S. draft, asking, Whats an imperative? I have an imperative to give you $100, but its only an imperative, not $100. So somebodys fooling around, I think, (with the) international community, Polyansky said. We are not satisfied with anything that doesnt call for immediate cease-fire. I think everybody is not satisfied with this. Even secretary Blinken is not satisfied. ISRAELS RAID ON SHIFA HOSPITAL NETS 350 MILITANT ARRESTS, ARMY SAYS JERUSALEM The Israeli military says 350 Palestinian militants were among the 500 people it has arrested in an open-ended raid on Shifa Hospital in northern Gaza, where soldiers are clearing out patients from the emergency room. Israel also says it has killed dozens of militants in the operation, however there was no way to independently confirm if the dead or detained were combatants. Israeli troops entered Gazas largest hospital complex on Monday, months after an earlier operation at the facility, claiming Hamas had regrouped there. Army spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari told a news conference Thursday that the operation will continue for a number of days. Hagari says troops have arrested over 500 suspects and identified some 358 militants from Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Hagari says many had surrendered and had given very valuable information to interrogators. The claim could not be independently verified. He also said that militants had barricaded themselves inside hospital buildings, including an area near the emergency room. He said some 220 patients were being moved to other areas of the hospital compound while troops operated. Hagari says troops are conducting sweeps throughout the sprawling compound. There will be continuing battles. This operation will go on for a number of days. The raid was a new blow to the Shifa medical complex, which had only partially resumed operations after a destructive Israeli raid in November. HEAD OF ISRAEL'S MOSSAD SPY AGENCY WILL RETURN TO QATAR FOR CEASE-FIRE TALKS JERUSALEM Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office says the head of the Mossad spy agency will return to Qatar on Friday to meet with the head of the CIA and other key mediators as part of ongoing cease-fire talks. The office said Thursday that Qatars prime minister and Egypts intelligence chief would also join the talks. The announcement came as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken was in the region pushing ahead with efforts to pause the war between Israel and Hamas, now in its sixth month. Blinken is expected in Israel on Friday. Qatar, the U.S. and Egypt have been trying to broker a deal that would pause the fighting between Israel and Hamas for at least six weeks. During that time, Hamas would release some of the more than 100 hostages it is holding in Gaza. Israel would release some of the thousands of Palestinian prisoners it is holding and it would allow more aid to enter the war-battered Gaza Strip. HEAD OF W.H.O. SAYS 60% OF GAZA KIDS UNDER AGE 5 ARE MALNOURISHED, UP FROM 1% BEFORE THE WAR GENEVA The head of the World Health Organization said so little food has been allowed into Gaza that up to 60% of children under five are now malnourished, compared with fewer than 1% before the war began. At a press briefing on Thursday, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said virtually all households are already skipping meals. The future of an entire generation is in serious peril, he said, adding that children in Gaza need therapeutic food aimed at their needs. Despite the supplies of this specialized food in the region, Tedros said it could not be allocated due to security problems. He welcomed the recent air and sea deliveries of aid, but said the only way to dramatically boost the delivery of food to Gaza was through land deliveries. Tedros said WHO was also troubled by the latest siege of Shifa Hospital in Gaza, saying reports of health workers being arrested and delayed had added to security worries. A planned UN mission there was recently cancelled, he said. Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, WHOs representative to the occupied Palestinian territory, said he had never seen so many severe trauma injuries or amputations involving children as he had during recent trips to Gaza. He said the process to evacuate patients requiring urgent medical care like cancer treatment and dialysis abroad was failing, even as countries including Egypt and members of the European Union had agreed to accept patients. We need to get them out, he said. These patients deserve better. ISRAELI MILITARY INVESTIGATES TROOPS FATAL SHOOTING OF PALESTINIAN WHO HAD CONVERTED TO JUDAISM JERUSALEM Israels military has opened an investigation after its forces in the occupied West Bank fatally shot a Palestinian man who had converted to Judaism. The military says its soldiers shot the man at an intersection Thursday after he aroused suspicion. But Israeli settlers say the man was well known and had good relations with them. Noam Arnon, a spokesman for the Jewish community in the flashpoint city of Hebron, identified the man as 62-year-old David Ben Abraham. He says Ben Abraham was a Palestinian Muslim from Hebron who had converted to Judaism in 2019. Previously his name was Sameh Zaytoun. Arnon says he and other members of Hebrons ultranationalist Jewish community supported Ben Abraham on his conversion journey and unsuccessfully tried to help him obtain Israeli citizenship. Arnon says Ben Abraham was regularly threatened by the Palestinian Authority for his religious beliefs, including being held in Palestinian jails for months at a time. Unfortunately he was a wanderer between worlds and never found his place, Arnon said. Even now, hes still between worlds, because Im not sure where we will bury him. The circumstances of the shooting remained unclear. Israeli media reported that Ben Abraham had his hands raised when he was shot. The army called it a severe incident and immediately opened an investigation. The military says it holds its soldiers accountable for violations of open-fire orders. But rights groups say that investigations into the shootings of Palestinians almost never lead to indictments, much less convictions. Since the Israel-Hamas war began on Oct. 7, violence in the West Bank has surged. The Palestinian Health Ministry says at least 440 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since the wars start. U.S. WANTS A SWIFT U.N. VOTE ON ITS NEW GAZA CEASE-FIRE RESOLUTION UNITED NATIONS The United States is seeking a swift vote on a newly revised and tougher U.N. Security Council resolution demanding an immediate and sustained cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza to protect civilians and enable humanitarian aid deliveries for more than 2 million hungry Palestinians. In the previous draft, the council would not have demanded a cease-fire. Instead, it would have supported international efforts for a cease-fire as part of a hostage deal. The new draft obtained Thursday by The Associated Press determines which is a council order the imperative of an immediate and sustained cease-fire with no direct link to the release of hostages taken during Hamas surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7. The earlier draft was not widely supported in the 15-member council where 13 members had voted in favor of an Arab-backed resolution demanding an immediate humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza that the U.S. vetoed on Feb. 20. The new U.S. draft states in strong language that the Security Council determines the imperative of an immediate and sustained cease-fire, with no direct link to the release of hostages taken during Hamas surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7. U.S. deputy ambassador Robert Wood told reporters who asked Thursday when a vote would take place, We would like to do it as soon as possible maybe before the end of the week. We think it is a good text. Everyone should be able to get behind it, Wood said. And were going to continue to work to the last minute to make sure that we get as many votes as possible. Meanwhile, the 10 elected members of the Security Council have been drafting their own resolution which would demand an immediate humanitarian cease-fire for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan which began March 10 respected by all parties leading to a permanent sustainable cease-fire. It also demands the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. ARREST WARRANTS ISSUED FOR TWO LEBANESE CITIZENS IN CONNECTION WITH TARGETED KILLING OF HAMAS OFFICIAL BEIRUT Judicial officials in Lebanon say an investigative judge has issued arrest warrants for two people on suspicion of giving information to Israel including the digital mapping of a Beirut street where a top official with the Palestinian Hamas group was killed in January. The officials said Thursday that Fadi Sawwan, the investigative judge at the military tribunal, issued the arrest warrants earlier this week for the two Lebanese citizens weeks after they were detained while using sophisticated digital mapping equipment. The Israeli military did not immediately return requests for comment. The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations, said the two men had earlier mapped streets in different parts of Lebanon including Beiruts southern suburbs that are home to the leadership of the militant Hezbollah group. They said the men said they thought they were sending the information to a U.S.-based company that does virtual tourism business. The two officials said among the streets that they mapped was the one where the deputy leader of Hamas, Saleh Arouri, was killed along with six other militants in a January strike that hit an apartment. They said the street was mapped nearly two weeks before Arouri was killed. The officials said the two are in custody and were charged with spying for a foreign country and obtaining information that should remain secret because of national security. The officials said the two could get a sentence of up to life in prison. ___ Associated Press writer Bassem Mroue contributed. U.S. HOUSE SPEAKER SAYS HE PLANS TO INVITE NETANYAHU TO GIVE SPEECH TO CONGRESS WASHINGTON House Speaker Mike Johnson says he is planning to invite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address the U.S. Congress. I would love to have him come in and address a joint session of Congress, Johnson said Thursday morning on CNBC. Well certainly extend that invitation. Johnson said it would be a great honor of mine to invite him but were just trying to work out schedules on all this. U.S. Republicans have rallied around Netanyahu after Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., called for new elections in Israel on the Senate floor last week. Schumer said he believes that the prime minister has lost his way and is an obstacle to peace in the region amid the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Johnson spoke with Netanyahu Wednesday morning. He told reporters afterward that he had a lengthy conversation with the prime minister. I reiterated to him the House Republicans strong support for Israel in their efforts there, Johnson said. Netanyahu spoke by video with Senate Republicans at their weekly caucus lunch on Wednesday, telling them that he believes he still has support in the United States and Israel and that he believes Schumers remarks were inappropriate. Johnsons invitation comes as there is an ongoing case at the top United Nations court in which South Africa accuses Netanyahus government of breaching the Genocide Convention with its war in Gaza against Hamas. The court in December ordered Israel to do all it can to prevent death, destruction and any acts of genocide in Gaza. Israel strongly denies breaching the convention. COMMERCIAL SHIPS WILL TRANSPORT AID TO GAZA, U.S. OFFICIAL SAYS LARNACA, Cyprus - A senior U.S. official says commercial ships will be employed to convey humanitarian aid from Cyprus once a U.S. built-pier and floating dock are completed by the May 1 target date. National Security Council Chief Curtis Ried told reporters Thursday the United Nations and its humanitarian agencies including world bodys relief agency for Palestinians UNRWA remain the best method that we have to deliver assistance to the territory. Speaking during a Cyprus-hosted meeting of officials from 35 nations interested to contribute in the effort, Ried said currently, theres no way to substitute the UNRWAs distribution network in Gaza quickly, but it may be replaced over time. He said U.S. troops will not be deployed to Gaza to provide security. Instead, Israeli forces will provide an outer security perimeter and that officials are currently in discussions with third nations to possibly offer troops to secure aid deliveries in the immediate vicinity of the pier. The U.N. in partnership with Cyprus will coordinate collection of goods donated by third countries to ensure the appropriate kind of help reaches those who need it most. A fund is currently being set up for that purpose. The aid will be security screened in Cyprus according to established protocols in cooperation with Israeli officials and then be shipped to a floating dock some miles off the Gaza coast before being transferred on land via the pier. The aid will then be loaded onto Palestinian trucks and distributed according to the U.N. network in Gaza. Between now and May 1, the U.S. charity World Central Kitchen founded by celebrity chef Jose Andres will continue to ship aid to Gaza through its own jetty. The charity sent its first batch of 200 tons of aid last week with a boat owned by the Spanish aid group Open Arms. A second ship is ready to depart once weather conditions off Gaza improve later this week or early next week, according to Cyprus Foreign Minister Constantinos Combos. Ried said the U.S. was primarily focused on expanding overland aid deliveries, but that changed with the new year when U.S. President Joe Biden decided to also pursue the maritime corridor alternative. DUTCH POLICE SAY A BURNING OBJECT THROWN AT ISRAELI EMBASSY, SUSPECT ARRESTED THE HAGUE, Netherlands Police in The Hague say that somebody threw a burning object at the Israeli Embassy in the Dutch city and that they arrested a suspect. The embassy said in a statement posted on its Facebook side that it is unacceptable that such an attack can happen in the Netherlands. It said that nobody was injured in the attack Thursday. We trust that the authorities will take all possible measures to prevent such attacks, it added. The embassy says that the attack demonstrates the dangerous consequences of the worrying trend of growing hate and incitement. This hate cannot be tolerated. Police did not release any information about the suspect. BLINKEN MEETS WITH EGYPT'S PRESIDENT ON HIS SIXTH MIDEAST TRIP SINCE THE ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR BEGAN CAIRO U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Cairo and met with Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi on Thursday during his sixth trip to the Middle East since the start of the Israel-Hamas war. Blinken was in Saudi Arabia the day before, where he met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. A senior State Department official traveling with Blinken said the Saudi talks focused on the bilateral portion of a larger plan in which Saudi Arabia would recognize Israel in return for credible progress on the creation of a Palestinian state. Israels current government is staunchly opposed to Palestinian statehood, which Saudis have said is an essential component to any normalization agreement. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss private diplomatic talks, says only a handful of issues remain in the U.S.-Saudi component of the plan. That part of the plan is widely believed to include U.S. defense guarantees and aid in building a civilian nuclear program in Saudi Arabia. Blinken was set to meet with Arab foreign ministers later Thursday to discuss broader security assurances for Israel another component of the broader plan and an Arab role in governing and rebuilding postwar Gaza. Blinken will travel to Israel on Friday for talks expected to focus on efforts to broker a deal on a cease-fire and the release of hostages, as well as U.S. concerns about Israels plans to expand its ground offensive to the southern Gaza city of Rafah. Those talks will also focus on increasing humanitarian aid to Gaza. ___ AP Diplomatic Writer Matthew Lee contributed. HEALTH MINISTRY RAISES DEATH TOLL IN GAZA TO NEARLY 32,000 PALESTINIANS RAFAH, Gaza Strip Gazas Health Ministry says the overall Palestinian death toll from the Israel-Hamas war has climbed to nearly 32,000. The ministry says 31,988 Palestinians have been killed since Hamas Oct. 7 attack triggered the war, and another 74,188 Palestinians have been wounded. It says 65 bodies have been brought to hospitals in the past 24 hours, as well as 92 wounded people. The ministry does not distinguish between fighters and civilians in its figures, but says women and children make up around two-thirds of those killed. Israels military says it has killed over 13,000 militants, without providing evidence. The Gaza Health Ministry, which is part of the Hamas-run government, maintains detailed casualty records. Its figures from previous wars largely matched those of United Nations bodies, independent experts and even the Israeli militarys tallies. Palestinian militants killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took around 250 hostage after storming across the border into southern Israel on Oct. 7. More than 100 hostages were freed in November in exchange for the release of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. ISRAELI ACTIVISTS LAUNCH CROWDFUNDING CAMPAIGN FOR SANCTIONED SETTLER'S BROTHER JERUSALEM Israeli activists have launched an online fundraiser that mentions the family of an extremist settler sanctioned by United States President Joe Biden's administration for alleged attacks on Palestinians and Israeli human rights activists. The campaign appears to be an effort to skirt U.S. sanctions on violent Israeli settlers and the unauthorized settlement outposts where they live. The sanctions prevent settlers from accessing the American financial system and expose them to an asset freeze. The fundraiser does not directly mention the sanctioned settler, Moshe Sharvit, nor his outpost, but says it is raising money for settlement activities in memory of his brother, who was killed in fighting in Israels war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The page says the funds are to build a synagogue, educational center and facility for Torah study in the Jordan Valley, where Sharvits sanctioned outpost is located. Hosted on the Israeli crowdfunding site Givechak, the campaign raised over $875,000 from more than 10,500 donors as of Wednesday. The site is the latest in a string of online fundraising campaigns that have collected the equivalent of hundreds of thousands of dollars for settlers sanctioned by the U.S. and Britain. At least two crowdfunding pages for sanctioned settlers have now been taken down. Sharvit and Givechak did not respond to requests for comment. ISRAEL SAYS ITS AIRSTRIKE KILLED 2 MILITANTS IN THE WEST BANK JERUSALEM The Israeli military says it launched an airstrike that killed two Palestinian militants during a raid in the West Bank. The military said in a statement early Thursday that the two posed a threat to its forces, which were operating in the built-up Nur Shams refugee camp in the West Bank town of Tulkarem. The Palestinian Health Ministry and the Palestinian Red Crescent rescue service both said four people were killed in Nur Shams, including the two killed in the airstrike, without saying whether they were civilians or combatants. Hamas later identified all four of the Palestinians killed in Nur Shams as its fighters. On Wednesday, a separate Israeli airstrike killed three Palestinian militants traveling in a car in the northern West Bank. The Islamic Jihad group claimed them as members. Violence across the Israeli-occupied West Bank has surged since the Israel-Hamas war broke out last Oct. 7. Since then, at least 435 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank by Israeli fire, according to Palestinian health officials. The Palestinians seek an independent state in the West Bank, Gaza and east Jerusalem, territories Israel captured in the 1967 Mideast war. THE GAPS ARE NARROWING IN NEGOTIATIONS FOR A NEW ISRAEL-HAMAS CEASE-FIRE DEAL, BLINKEN SAYS JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken says the gaps are narrowing in indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas over another cease-fire and hostage release. The United States, Egypt and Qatar have spent several weeks trying to broker an agreement to pause the fighting in Gaza and bring about the release of more of the scores of hostages captured by Hamas in its Oct. 7 attack that started the war. Blinkens sixth visit to the region since the start of the war began in Saudi Arabia and will take him to Egypt on Thursday and Israel on Friday. In an interview Wednesday with the Al-Hadath network in Saudi Arabia, Blinken said the gaps are narrowing, and I think an agreement is very much possible. He said the mediators worked with Israel to put a strong proposal on the table but that Hamas rejected it. But, he said, Hamas came back with other demands that the mediators are working on. Hamas has demanded guarantees that any cease-fire agreement will lead to an end to the war and the return of Palestinians to northern Gaza, from which hundreds of thousands fled following Israeli evacuation orders in October. Israel has thus far rejected those demands, saying it is determined to renew its offensive after any cease-fire and continue fighting until it destroys Hamas. Hamas is still believed to be holding around 100 hostages, as well as the remains of around 30 others. It hopes to exchange them for the release of large numbers of Palestinian prisoners, including top militants. By Junko Horiuchi, KYODO NEWS - Mar 21, 2024 - 07:36 | Feature, All, Japan For Sakie Yokota, whose daughter Megumi was abducted to North Korea in the 1970s at age 13, her "miraculous" meeting a decade ago with Megumi's own daughter in Mongolia was a delight but also a painful reminder of the separation that continues to this day. Although the 88-year-old Yokota and her husband Shigeru cherished the rare opportunity to meet Kim Eun Gyong, now 36 and "looking so much like Megumi," and her family in Ulaanbaatar in March 2014, their daughter, whom they wished to see most, was absent. Kim, who lives in North Korea, was emotional at the meeting but insisted that, as Pyongyang says, Megumi is dead. "I was thinking, we came all this way and still cannot meet (Megumi). I was imagining perhaps we were not allowed to meet her but that she was quietly watching us from somewhere in the building" of the Mongolian State Guesthouse, said Yokota in a recent interview with Kyodo News on the 10th anniversary of the Mongolia trip from March 10-14 in 2014. The meeting, which Yokota recalls as "like a scene from a drama," is the closest the Yokotas feel they have come in their decades-long search for Megumi, whose current fate is unknown after being abducted by North Korean agents on her way home from junior high school badminton practice in Niigata on the Sea of Japan coast in 1977. She is among a number of Japanese whom North Korean agents abducted in the 1970s and 1980s, and Japan has not accepted Pyongyang's official insistence that Megumi is dead. At the meeting, where political matters were off the table, Yokota chose her words carefully in how she expressed her certainty that Megumi is still alive. "I told Eun Gyong-chan that your grandmother is unwavering in believing that Megumi-chan is alive, even if it's on my own," Yokota said. "I said I am firmly waiting for the day when Japan and North Korea truly get along and can have talks and everyone, including Eun Gyong-chan...can come to Japan, all together." Although Kim, accompanied by her then 10-month-old daughter and her husband, said in her response it is only "bad people" in Japan who say her mother is alive and insisted that her mother's grave is near her house, she was in tears as she listened to what Yokota said and held her hands when bidding farewell, Yokota said. Yokota hopes that just as she was able to meet face-to-face with her North Korean granddaughter, the Japanese and North Korean leaders will also sit down together, especially as speculation has recently arisen that Pyongyang may be signaling its openness to dialogue. In what was seen as a rare friendly gesture, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un sent a message of sympathy in early January to Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, lamenting a deadly earthquake that hit central Japan on New Year's Day. While the two nations do not have official ties, cautious hopes for an improvement in the bilateral relationship mounted when the North Korean leader's powerful sister said in a statement issued in February that a visit by Kishida could happen if Japan does not make the issue of the abductions, described as "settled" by Pyongyang, an obstacle between the two countries. "I think it is extremely important that one person and another person meet and speak about their true feelings. I think that leads to having some understanding, even of a country not well known," Yokota said in the interview near her home in Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture. "Mr. Kishida needs to say directly to Kim Jong Un that North Korea should not continue to engage in crimes against humanity and also tell him that the international community will never tolerate it. That's why I am asking him to hold a summit at an early date," she said. "Although it won't be easy with a country like North Korea, if the leaders speak sincerely, I think there could be an opening," she said. "Of course it won't be successful in one go...but when people continue talking, I think they begin to have trust in each other." The case of Megumi has come to symbolize the Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea. The Japanese government officially lists a total of 17 Japanese as abductees, believing they were used by North Korea to teach Japanese language and culture to its spies or to steal their identities for its agents to conduct espionage. In 2002, five abductees were returned to Japan after then Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi met with North Korea's leader at the time, Kim Jong Il, in Pyongyang, in the first-ever summit between the two countries. Megumi was not among them, and North Korea, while apologizing for the abductions, insisted that she had committed suicide after giving birth to her daughter. When Koizumi revisited Pyongyang in 2004, North Korea handed over cremated remains it claimed were those of Megumi. However, the Japanese government said the remains were not hers, citing a DNA analysis. Yokota now lives alone at her home in Kawasaki after her husband Shigeru, with whom she spearheaded the campaign to bring back the abductees, died in 2020 at the age of 87. Yokota says her decades-long fight for Megumi's return has been a repeat of "expectations, disappointments and anticipations for what happens next." The Yokotas' visit to Mongolia became an impetus for North Korea to reopen investigations into the fate of the abduction victims. Two months after the Mongolia meeting, Japan and North Korea reached an agreement in principle in Stockholm for negotiations toward a settlement of the abduction issue. Japan relaxed its sanctions on Pyongyang, which, in turn, promised a full-scale investigation into the abductions. North Korea, however, repeatedly postponed releasing the survey results and then disbanded its investigation team and suspended its probe after Japan imposed further sanctions in February 2016 in reaction to Pyongyang's nuclear and missile tests. Related coverage: Japan PM vows strong determination in repatriating North Korea abductees Abductees' families say won't oppose Japan lifting North Korea sanctions Aging mother of North Korea abductee awaits reunion as health woes mount For most of the year, Matiss Lopsa makes sandwiches in a fashionable cafe in eastern Latvia, but for a few weeks the 21-year-old puts his apron aside and picks up a rifle to train with the national guard. His home town, Rezekne, lies 35 miles from the border with Russia and is on a direct road to Moscow. The proximity to danger is not lost on Mr Lopsa. In January, Latvia reintroduced conscription for men aged 18 to 27 even for those living abroad. Two years into Russias invasion of Ukraine, there are growing fears that Vladimir Putin could make a strike against Nato. I thought the government might bring back the draft, said Mr Lopsa. So I decided to volunteer, to choose to do this myself now, rather than be surprised if I was suddenly called up. He believes the government was right to begin training men like himself how to fight. Im all for it I think its a very, very good way to discipline young men, said Mr Lopsa, after a day spent tossing meat and vegetables onto flatbread. That way, if you are called into war, you wont be caught short on the first day not physically knowing how to do anything. Himars rocket system training in Latvia. Conscription has been reintroduced in the country for men 18 to 27 - INTS KALNINS/REUTERS It is in anticipation of that first day that the Latvian government is seeking to expand its armed forces to 61,000, between active and reserve forces. In 2024, the military will draft a total of 600 soldiers, with the goal of bringing in 4,000 per year by 2028. There are exceptions, for example men who are the sole guardians of children or elderly parents, or are studying at university. Draft-dodgers face fines and a prison sentence of up to five years during wartime. Latvia is also developing the capabilities of its military. The government has procured new weapons systems from the US, including the Himars rocket system a key part of Ukraines defence against Russia. It has also purchased German Iris-T air defence units and a naval coastal defence system produced by Kongsberg, a Norwegian firm, and US defence contractor Raytheon. The government has agreed to construct a defensive line with neighbouring Estonia and Lithuania. Together, the three Baltic nations share the longest Nato border with Russia and Belarus, running about 1,000 miles. Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia are working together to create a defensive line against Russia if it starts to advance - SEAN GALLUP/GETTY IMAGES EUROPE One concern along that stretch of land is the lack of geographical obstacles to any invading force. Tomas Jermalavicius, the head of studies at the International Centre for Defence and Security in Estonia, said: There are places where there are thick woods and rivers. But there are also places where its really wide open, and where its really close to critical points. If there are no obstacles the enemy could be standing at the capital doors in no time. Targets that could be vulnerable include Lithuanias capital, Vilinius, and Latvias second-largest city, Daugavpils both less than 20 miles from the border to Belarus. Theres also the Suwalki Gap, a roughly 60-mile land strip on the border between Poland and Lithuania. Its a choke point, flanked to the West by the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad and to the east by Belarus, an ally of Moscow. Were Moscow to seize this strip known as Natos Achilles Heel Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania would be severed from their Nato allies. Geographical obstacles are of critical concern to the three countries - SEAN GALLUP/GETTY IMAGES EUROPE Estonias new border defence plan aims to address these concerns by working to channel advancing forces into kill zones identified by the defenders for drone fire, for artillery to turn those channels into a meat grinder, said Mr Jermalavicius. While details are still being worked out, Estonia has already said it will build hundreds of bunkers that can withstand direct artillery fire. Working together is crucial. If Estonia does something Latvia does not do, and it becomes possible to launch an attack on Estonia through Latvian territory this kind of stuff needs to be co-ordinated, Mr Jermalavicius said. Already, Latvia is incorporating lessons from the battlefield in Ukraine, where the countrys military instructors have helped to train local soldiers an exchange that has boosted understanding both ways. Troops are no longer only drilling in open fields but learning how to engage enemy combatants in urban settings. But not everyone is as positive about the draft as Mr Lopsa. Two teenage boys, 16 and 17, in Zilupe, a tiny Latvian town about four miles from Russia, simply laughed off the prospect. Another boy, 17, told The Telegraph that hed simply leave the country to evade service. Konstantin Tupikins, 28, who has just aged out of the military requirement, thinks his younger brother, 15, would not make it as a soldier. Hes not really someone with this kind of bravery and courage, said Mr Tupikins, who now works in the UK, and was home to visit his mother in Zilupe. Konstantin Tupikins, 28, is over conscription age but fears for his brother - ANRIJS POZARSKIS On a wintry walk with her daughter in a pram, 28-year-old Ekaterina is quite against the idea. The government hasnt done enough for us; for people with disabilities or parents with prams, these winter sidewalks arent safe, she said, gesturing at the icy paths, and declining to give a surname. Now theyre asking us to give our children? War would especially impact border towns like Zilupe first, as a potential target given close proximity to Russia; and second, because the majority of its nearly 1,400 residents are Russian. The primary language here is Russian not Latvian, nor the local dialect, Latgalian. Experts worry that these eastern reaches of Latvia with villages populated by Russians and Belarussians could give Putin fodder to justify an invasion and to establish peoples republic, as he did in Ukraine with Donetsk and Luhansk. Many of Zilupes residents settled here before the dissolution of the Soviet Union, retaining family ties in Russia. Before war broke out in Ukraine, people travelled often between Latvia and Russia. Trips were so frequent that the train station the last stop before Russia is still plastered with signs of what travellers can bring into the EU, including a maximum of 125 grams of caviar. Some still make the trek, though far fewer do so now, as Latvia has closed many border crossings to Russia and Belarus. Cross-border trains have largely stopped, and untouched snow blankets the tracks running east. Families on both sides of conflict The towns complicated dynamics are perhaps best demonstrated by the fact that residents have sons and nephews enlisted on both sides in the Russian and Ukrainian militaries. Vladimir, 89, who lives in Zilupe and is from Ukraine, with a son in the military, said: I regret that innocent young people have to get involved in war. Latvias demographics are so old, and now we have to send our youths. In Riga, the capital, support for Ukraine remains overwhelming. Government buildings hang Ukraines flag and its blue-and-yellow colours can be found on everything from tram doors to trinkets such as coffee cups and candles. While this reflects widespread unease that Latvia could find itself in Putins path, it also reveals a deep-seated resolve to defend the countrys hard-won independence. The Freedom Monument, a 42-metre sculpture of a copper Liberty erected in 1935, stands testament to that desire. The statue, which survived decades under Soviet occupation, is guarded today by two soldiers at its stone base; police officers patrol the square. Krisjanis Karins, Latvias foreign minister, said: We simply have to do things differently than if we werent living next to Russia. And, you know, Latvia has always been next to Russia. It has never been a democratic country and this is whats troubling, he said. They wont stop of their own accord; they can only be stopped. They need to run up against the brick wall, and that brick wall needs to be Nato resolve and proven capabilities. Additional reporting by Liene Leiduma 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 Senate and House Appropriations Committees on Thursday released the text to fund major departments of the US government and avoid a shutdown. The appropriators dropped the text in the early hours of Thursday morning. The so-called minibus spending bill will fund the State Department; the Pentagon; the Department of Homeland Security; Congress; the Department of Health and Human Services; the Department of Education; financial services and the general government. In addition to various aspects of government funding, the spending bill will also include 12,000 special immigrant visas for Afghans who assisted US service members in Americas longest war. We had to work within difficult fiscal constraints but this bipartisan compromise will keep our country moving forward, and I hope all of my colleagues will work with us to get it signed into law as soon as possible, Senate Appropriations Chairwoman Patty Murray, a Democrat from Washington, said in a statement. I am really pleased weve gotten this far and we need to get across the finish line, she told The Independent. Iowa Republican Senator Chuck Grassley said his thoughts on the spending agreement were pretty darn simple I think it costs money to shut the government down, costs money to open the government up. And government is supposed to be of service to the people of this country. And I think we got to pass the bill to keep the government running. The agreement will keep the government open until the end of the fiscal year on 30 September. It is part of a bipartisan agreement wherein six spending bills passed earlier this month and the additional six spending bills would pass this week. The chair of the House Appropriations Committee, Texas Republican Representative Kay Granger, told The Independent she believes the agreement will pass. When asked about conservative critics frustrated with the process, she said, well, the process is the process adding that oftentimes it's people that are not part of that process who are frustrated with it. I always keep apprised as it goes along, I don't ever wait till the last minute and then say now, this is what we've done. I work with them all the time, she added. Republicans have long objected to the use of omnibus spending bills wherein the appropriations committees combine the 12 individual spending bills into one must-pass spending bill, typically at the end of the calendar year. Florida Republican Senator Marco Rubio told The Independent, Its full of earmarks, thats the problem I have. I think [Maine Republican Senator Susan Collins] has done an extraordinary job. It could have been a lot worse, he added. But you know, it's always problematic because people around here are pigs and they just can't help themselves and just fill it with a bunch of crap. Ms Collins, the Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, told The Independent, I think it's an achievement, which everyone can be proud of but let's not count our chickens before they hatch. Republicans had also hoped that they could use the appropriations process to include provisions restricting immigration. On Monday, the House Freedom Caucus sent a letter asking that House Republican leadership include provisions from the so-called Secure the Border Act. The spending agreement also signals the ability of House Speaker Mike Johnson who took the gavel after conservatives ejected previous speaker Kevin McCarthy to negotiate with the Democrat-controlled Senate and White House. President Joe Biden announced that he would sign the spending agreement as soon as it passes. But Congress faces a tight deadline as the government would shut down by 12.01am on Saturday morning. Typically, the House requires 72 hours once a bill drops for lawmakers to read and learn about it before a vote. But the House, where all spending legislation must first pass, will likely expedite the passage of the legislation. In addition, the overwhelming bipartisan cooperation from Democrats and Republicans on both committees likely means the bill will be able to pass under suspension of the rules, where a bill does not need to pass through the House Rules Committee and then have a rule go to the floor to set the parameters of debate. Massachusetts Representative Jim McGovern, the ranking member on the House Rules Committee, told The Independent that the agreement could have been achieved six months ago. Everything is right to the brink, everything is a nail-biter. I mean, the American people are exhausted, he added. Conservative dissenters in the House Republican conference have frequently voted down rules on the floor, meaning that legislation requires an overwhelming bipartisan majority to even have a vote given the razor-thin Republican majority. House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Kay Granger, a Republican from Texas, said the spending bill includes conservative priorities on the US-Mexico border. With the odds stacked against us, House Republicans have refocused spending on America's interests, at home and abroad, and I urge support of this bill, she said in a statement. Republicans and Democrats alike are eager to pass the bill so that they can head off to their two-week recess and begin campaigning in what will be a contentious election. Lawmakers have introduced a spending package that would prohibit funding the United Nations agency primarily responsible for supplying lifesaving aid to Palestinians in Gaza. The provision, included in the $1.2 trillion bipartisan budget plan proposed Thursday in an effort to avoid a partial U.S. government shutdown, comes as Palestinians face a starvation crisis because of Israels ongoing military offensive that began after Hamas militants launched a deadly attack Oct. 7. House Republicans promoted the spending package by citing several ways it would assist Israel in its offensive, the most notable being the prohibition of funding the U.N. Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) through March 2025. The provision is part of the proposed State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Act thats included in the spending package. The provision, however, brought criticism from some Democrats concerned about the lack of aid entering Gaza and the U.S. governments role in the humanitarian crisis. UNRWA is the primary means of distributing desperately needed assistance in Gaza so denying funding for UNRWA is tantamount to denying food to starving people and restricting medical supplies to injured civilians, Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) said in a statement Thursday.It also means cutting support for services including schooling and health care for over a million Palestinians in the West Bank, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan. I am deeply frustrated and disappointed by this ban on funding UNRWA at a time when the humanitarian support it provides is so desperately needed. Lawmakers included the provision after Israel earlier this year accused a dozen UNRWA employees 0.09% of the agencys staff of participating in the Oct. 7 attack. The accusation led to several major funders of UNRWA, including the U.S., to suspend their contributions. UNRWA immediately terminated the accused staff and has been cooperating with an investigation by the U.N. Office of Internal Oversight Services. Since then, the European Unions top humanitarian official said Israel still has not provided evidence to back up its accusations. UNRWA has also since accused Israel of detaining and torturing some of its staff to coerce false confessions of being involved in the Oct. 7 attack. Australia, Canada, Sweden and the EU have since restored funding for UNRWA, but the U.S., UNRWAs biggest donor, has continued to suspend funding. Other aid organizations that are trying to provide food, water, medicine and shelter to those in Gaza also say that UNRWA is virtually the only agency that has the proper infrastructure to bring in and distribute the kind of aid that is needed in a territory where millions are displaced, starving, wounded and ill. The U.N. and human rights advocates have warned that the lack of funding could exacerbate the massive humanitarian crisis in Gaza. In March, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini told the U.N. General Assembly that he believes his agency is facing a deliberate campaign by Israel to undermine its operations and ultimately force the agency to dissolve. Tens of thousands of people are starving. UNRWA is trying to feed them, and the Israeli government and its allies like AIPAC [the American Israel Public Affairs Committee] spend much of their time lobbying to defund UNRWA, the major organization which is feeding starving people, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said on Wednesday. Sadly, tragically, many members of Congress seem to be happy to be part of this Starvation Caucus, happy to cut funding for UNRWA, and make it harder to get aid to Palestinians in the midst of this crisis. Bernie Sanders calls members of Congress voting to cut funding for UNRWA, the U.N. agency accused of aiding Hamas, the Starvation Caucus. pic.twitter.com/wOhuJ2DtUB Jacob N. Kornbluh (@jacobkornbluh) March 21, 2024 The Biden administration has said the president would sign the spending bill but did not mention the proposed prohibition of funding UNRWA. The White House did not immediately respond to HuffPosts request or comment on whether President Joe Biden, who is facing increased domestic and international pressure to expand aid and demand a permanent cease-fire, opposes the provision or if he plans to lift his current funding suspension. In addition to the UNRWA provision, Republicans said the proposed spending package implements new conditions on any assistance to Gaza and requires unprecedented conditionality on funds to the United Nations, including new requirements on anti-Israel bias, transparency, and terrorism vetting for every U.N. entity and international organization funded in the bill. The House is expected to take up the proposal Friday. The package then would move to the upper chamber, where senators would have to agree on immediately taking it up to avoid a partial government shutdown. Such agreements usually include votes on proposed amendments to the bills in the package. I will vote no on this bill that bans aid to children in Gaza who are dying of hunger, Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) posted on X (formerly Twitter). Forget the politics & procedural jargon. This is a test of first principles. The America I believe in must never be indifferent to the man made starvation of children. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said that after Congress passes the spending package, the House will focus on a bill that would provide aid to Ukraine and Israel. The Senate has already passed a $95.3 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, but the speaker has declined to bring it up for a vote in the House. Lawrence County Superintendent Robbie Fletcher has been selected as the next Kentucky education commissioner, Kentucky Department of Education officials said Thursday. We sought a leader who embodies the qualities of an ambassador and statesperson, an expert instructional leader, a strong organizational leader and a visionary innovator. We are confident that Dr. Fletcher meets these requirements and are excited about the future of education in the Commonwealth under his leadership, said Kentucky Board of Education Chairman Sharon Porter Robinson. For the first time under a new state law backed by Republican lawmakers, the 2024 Kentucky Senate will be asked to approve the new commissioner. Fletcher replaces Jason Glass who said in August 2023 he was resigning the job and leaving the state because he didnt want to enforce the dangerous and unconstitutional Republican-sponsored Senate Bill 150 that critics called an anti-LGBTQ+ measure. GOP lawmakers and politicians had called for Glass ouster over the departments inclusive LGBTQ+ stances. Senate Majority Whip Mike Wilson, R-Bowling Green, who sponsored the new law requiring Kentuckys education commissioner to be approved by the Senate, said in a statement that he was optimistic about Fletcher being chosen as the nominee. Our previous commissioner focused far more on his personal political views than he did educational outcomes. That must not be the case moving forward, he said in a statement after the announcement. Robbie Fletcher is from right here in Kentucky and is very familiar with the needs of students across the commonwealth, Wilson said. I and the rest of the legislature hope to meet him soon and, if confirmed, to work with him and the rest of the KDE on improving Kentuckys educational achievements to secure a vibrant and working Kentucky future. In addition to Senate confirmation, the commissioner of education is subject to an annual review by the Kentucky Board of Education, and will serve an initial four-year contract that may be renewed pending Senate confirmation. The commissioner of education is the chief state school officer who oversees daily operations of the Kentucky Department of Education and acts as superintendent of the Kentucky School for the Blind, the Kentucky School for the Deaf and the 50 area technology centers. Like Fletcher, the other two finalists for commissioner, Buddy Berry and Jim Flynn, work in Kentucky. Berry is the Eminence Independent Superintendent. Flynn is the executive director of the Kentucky Association of School Superintendents and former Simpson County Superintendent. Both finalists told the Herald-Leader this week prior to the KDE announcement that they were not hired as commissioner. Fletcher has been the superintendent of Lawrence County since 2014. Prior to that, he served as principal of Sheldon Clark High School in Martin County from 2009 to 2014 and as principal of Warfield Middle School in Martin County from 2005 to 2009. Fletcher started his career in 1996 as a math and science teacher before becoming the assistant principal at Inez Middle School in Martin County in 2004. I appreciate the Kentucky Board of Education selecting me for your next commissioner of education. It was evident in the interview process that each person on the board has a profound love for every child in the Commonwealth, said Fletcher. If confirmed, I will be honored to serve all of Kentuckys kids and all those involved in our kids educational experiences alongside each Board member. He also was a part-time faculty member at Asbury University, KDE officials said. The Kentucky Board of Education on Thursday conducted a special meeting to vote on the contract and name Fletcher. Angela L. Billings, spokesperson for the Senate Majority Leadership, said the commissioner will be confirmed through a Senate resolution like all other confirmations. She said Wednesday Senate leaders had already had some contact on the matter with KDE through our policy staff. Robinson said state board members would support Fletchers state Senate confirmation any way they can and assure the Kentucky Senate they made their decision with great confidence after great due diligence. I am thankful to have a large network of people who were always willing to listen, to consult or to advise regardless of the professional title that I held, Fletcher said in a statement. I look forward to growing this network so we can collectively make the best decisions possible for our students. During his time as a school administrator, Fletcher has worked with the Kentucky Department of Education in several different ways, participating in the Kentucky Innovative Learning Network and the Local Laboratories of Learning. Fletcher currently serves as chair of the Local Superintendents Advisory Council and is a member of the Superintendents Advisory Council. He was part of the state assessment and accountability advisory committee from 2022-2023, working as part of a group to recommend accountability cut scores. He served as a member of the commissioners Kentucky Coalition for Advancing Education. Fletcher also has experience working with state lawmakers as a member of the School Funding Task Force in 2021 and with the U.S. Department of Education as chairman of the Appalachia Regional Advisory Committee, a news release said. As a department, the staff of KDE will strive daily to build relationships so we can better serve our 171 school districts and more importantly, our future leaders that are inside our classrooms every day, Fletcher said in a statement. As commissioner, I will bring the same ALL IN attitude every day as I have in Lawrence County because our 600,000-plus students deserve nothing less. Fletcher earned his doctorate and his superintendent certification from Morehead State University. He earned a masters degree in education from the University of Kentucky in 2002 and a bachelors degree in mathematics from Morehead State University in 1996. Fletcher will begin his role on July 1, pending confirmation by the Kentucky Senate. Lawrence County Schools had 2,269 students in spring 2023. In 2023, elementary and high schools received green ratings in Kentuckys school accountability system which is above average. Middle schools received a yellow rating which is average. EPSB inquiry Documents the Herald-Leader obtained under the Kentucky Open Records Act showed that in 2019, the Education Professional Standards Board voted to dismiss a case against Fletcher involving school grounds grass mowing bids. He told the EPSB in a letter that in the violation of a procurement code case, the Lawrence County school board voted to enter into a mowing contract without his recommendation. Fletcher and another district employee took model procurement training in 2018 after the Kentucky Office of Education Accountability found the violation. A separate EPSB case involving Fletcher involved the renewal of his teaching certificate, records show. As part of his state certification renewal in 2020, Fletcher had to submit character and fitness documents. In a letter, he told the board that a former employee had alleged that the non-renewal of her contract was a violation of her rights, EPSB records show. Fletcher said in the letter the district was reducing the number of special education teachers. He said that state child protection officials had substantiated a complaint against the teacher for neglect while performing her job duties as a teacher. Documents show EPSB moved forward with renewing Fletchers state certification. Fletcher did not immediately comment on either case. FOX 2 (WJBK) - Lawrence DeLisle, a man who was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his four children in 1989, is scheduled to appear before the Michigan Parole Board for a clemency plea on Thursday. Lawrence who is now 63-years-old killed 8-year-old Bryan DeLisle, 4-year-old Melissa DeLisle, 2-year-old Kathryn DeLisle, and 8-month-old Emily DeLisle by driving his vehicle into the Detroit River on Aug. 3, 1989. He was sentenced to five life terms without parole. The children of Lawrence and Suzanne DeLisle were killed in 1989 after their father drove them into the Detroit River. Lawrence told police that a cramp in his right leg forced him to accelerate his station wagon down a dead-end street in Wyandotte, right into the river. His wife, Suzanne DeLisle, claimed that she tried to grab the steering wheel from Lawrence but was unable to do so. Suzanne and Lawrence were able to escape the vehicle, but all four of their children stayed trapped inside and drowned. Suzanne divorced Lawrence after his trial and later remarried. Before he was charged, the public believed Lawrence was a victim until he confessed to police. Lawrence appealed his mandatory life sentence in 1993 and lost. His attorneys argued that his confession was coerced, and that he was not given a fair trial because of the national media attention this case received. Lawrence DeLisle (Michigan Department of Corrections) The Michigan Parole Board is holding a public hearing on Thursday, March 21 at 1:00 p.m. to consider the possible reduction of DeLisle's sentence, according to the Michigan Department of Corrections. Witnesses will testify in front of the Michigan Parole Board for or against Lawrence's plea during his clemency hearing. Then, it will go to the governor for consideration. As of March 2024, 379 prisoners have had a commuted sentence in Michigan. Cameras installed by the Lakeland Downtown Development Authority, such as this one at Kentucky Avenue and Cedar Street, have been equipped with facial-recognition software to track "people of interest." The LDDA says that means people who have caused problems downtown. The Lakeland Downtown Development Authority is using its newly installed security cameras to track "people of interest" as they travel along the city's downtown streets. Tony Davila, LDDA's clean and safe manager, told LDDA's board of directors that he has uploaded photos of various people into Verkada's software for the 14 security cameras being installed on Downtown Lakeland buildings. The cameras are equipped with a facial recognition software to detect and record when those individuals move through a camera's field. "I will receive emails when those people come through the downtown area," he said. "It's very beneficial." LDDA staff members and Lakeland police officers will receive alerts whenever one of these "people of interest" is spotted in the city's downtown area, according to Davila. He defined "people of interest" as individuals who have caused trouble or other issues downtown, but did not specify what, if any, factors are considered before deciding to track an individual. Security cameras manufactured by Verkada, a San Mateo, California-based company, have gradually been installed throughout the downtown area over the past month, according to Davila. The 360-degree cameras are active 24/7 recording 4K visual footage, but no audio. The camera footage is stored in a cloud for 30 days and can be downloaded by users for longer-term storage. LDDA staff members, the police department, the city's parking staff and building owners or managers have been provided with logins to access the cameras' video footage. LDDA's directors were able to access the cameras' software using computers and a mobile app on Thursday morning to see the list of people being tracked by LDDA. Camera users can access a series of video recordings detailing the individual's movement stamped with the date, time and location of where the person is as they move in front buildings, city streets, sidewalks and some of the buildings' back alleyways. Within an hour of installing the first security camera in front of Lakeland Loft, Davila said there was an incident involving a man who had been previously trespassed from several businesses. Lakeland police were contacted to come to the scene and address the man. Julie Townsend, LDDA's director, said a man acted threatening toward one of her staff members during Saturday's Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curb Market. A police officer was not available in time to address the situation, Townsend said, and the man was lost in the crowd. Lakeland Downtown Development Authority will purchase 13 of Verkada's AI-enabled microsensor cameras that can provide 360-degree video surveillance of a location to be installed throughout the city's downtown area in the upcoming weeks. The individual's photo has been uploaded into the Verkada's software to track him, according Townsend. "At least now we know where he is and we can follow some of his patterns of behavior," she said. "He's caused problems in other businesses as well. He's a 'person of interest' in the sense that we want to keep an eye out for him." Who would be watching? Lakeland police want to put surveillance cameras on city roads Townsend said if LDDA staff are alerted via security software that the unnamed individual is in the city's downtown area, they may notify an on-duty police officer that the person of interest is in the the area. "If we know he's in the district, we can probably ask the officer on duty like, 'This is a guy who has been causing problems. Just to make you aware he's here, we may be calling you any moment if he's causing problems again,'" she said. Townsend said at January's LDDA board meeting that the security cameras had been run by Lakeland Police Chief Sam Taylor and City Attorney Palmer Davis, who didn't have any legal concerns in terms of the recordings being a potential invasion of privacy. This map of Downtown Lakeland shows the location of the 14 security cameras being purchased by the LDDA with areas that will be under video surveillance shaded in orange and purple. There was no public mention, at that time, of Verkada's security cameras being equipped with facial recognition software and tracking. The 14 cameras, once fully installed, will provide limited video surveillance of Downtown Lakeland from East Lemon Street as far north as East Bay Street, areas from Missouri Avenue to Massachusetts Avenue. Sara-Megan Walsh can be reached at swalsh@theledger.com or 863-802-7545. Follow on X @SaraWalshFl. This article originally appeared on The Ledger: LDDA using new cameras to track 'people of interest' in downtown The consequences of the strikes on Kyiv on March 21, 2024, the debris of the downed missile At least 12 people have been injured after Russia launched its latest mass ballisitc missile attack on Kyiv, which damaged a kindergarten and residential buildings and caused fires across the city, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko and the Kyiv City Military Administration (KMDA) reported on Telegram. NV English is monitoring the aftermath of the attack and new war crimes committed by Russia. Read also: At least 9 injured as Russia unleashes new mass missile terror attack on cities across Ukraine Around 30 missiles were intercepted over Kyiv, with Russia deploying ballistic missiles and Kinzhal cruise missiles, reported KMDA head, Serhiy Popko, on Telegram. "After a 44-day pause, the enemy launched another missile strike on Kyiv, wrote Popko. The enemy employed X-101/X-555/X-55 (Kinzhal) cruise missiles from the decks of Tu-95MS strategic bombers and ballistic missiles from Russian territory. The air raid in the capital lasted almost three hours. After complex maneuvers in adjacent regions, the missiles approached the capital simultaneously from different directions." "The number of injured has risen to ten, with two hospitalized, said Klitschko. Others received medical assistance on site. That number has since risen to 12, reported Popko. Read also: Casualty toll rises to 40 injured and 4 killed in massive Russian missile attack on Ukrainian capital The Air Force confirmed the launch of Kh-47M2 Kinzhal ballistic missiles at the capital, with the following consequences from the missile debris: Podil district : a fire on the roof of a residential building, a blaze at a transformer substation and a non-residential building, and possible debris falling on the territory of an enterprise Shevchenkivskyi district : an apartment building was evacuated after a fire started, vehicles in a parking lot were ablaze Sviatoshynskyi district: shock waves from the blasts shattered windows in two nine-story buildings, and debris damaged a kindergarten REUTERS/Viacheslav Ratynskyi REUTERS/Thomas Peter REUTERS/Alina Smutko REUTERS/Viacheslav Ratynskyi REUTERS/Viacheslav Ratynskyi REUTERS/Alina Smutko REUTERS/Alina Smutko REUTERS/Alina Smutko The General Staff reported that at least eight cruise and three ballistic missiles were intercepted. "Overnight, Russian invaders carried out a massive missile strike on Ukraine, stated the morning briefing of the Ukrainian Armys General Staff. Preliminary data indicate that 8 cruise and 3 ballistic missiles were used. Ukrainian air defense forces and means destroyed all the missiles." Read also: Russia overwhelms UA air defenses with another massive missile assault causing death & destruction Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Xinhua News Agency: The Indonesian General Election Commission announced the official presidential election results on March 20. Prabowo Subianto won the elections with about 58 percent of the votes. Whats Chinas comments? Lin Jian: China congratulates Mr. Prabowo Subianto on winning the presidential election. President Xi Jinping has sent him a congratulatory message. China and Indonesia are traditional friends and neighbors. China attaches great importance to its relations with Indonesia. We stand ready to work with Indonesia to carry forward our traditional friendship, deepen our comprehensive strategic cooperation and achieve greater progress in the building of China-Indonesia community with a shared future to bring more benefits to the two countries and the two peoples. Danish Broadcasting Corporation: I would like to ask about the visa waivers that have been expanding recently for European countries. So some countries have gotten visa free entry to China. Some have not. And theres a bit of confusion among diplomats and business people about how you qualify and get this visa waiver from China. So do you help clarify whats the criteria for getting a visa waiver and also help me and the audience understand whats the difference between Netherlands, Denmark, Hungary and Sweden? Lin Jian: China has always been open to expanding people-to-people exchange. We stand ready to enhance communication with relevant countries and make cross-border travel easier. CRI: Foreign Minister Wang Yi is paying an official visit to Australia. Can you further brief us on the visit? Lin Jian: On March 20, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Australia. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met with Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Foreign Minister Wang Yi held the seventh China-Australia Foreign and Strategic Dialogue with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong. During his visit, Foreign Minister Wang Yi engaged extensively with people from various walks of life in Australia, including members of the Australia-China Parliamentary Friendship Group, the leader of the opposition Peter Dutton, former Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating and Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns. Foreign Minister Wang Yi also had discussions with those from Australian business and strategic communities. Foreign Minister Wang Yi noted under the strategic guidance of leaders of our two countries and with joint efforts from both sides, China-Australia relations thawed and set sail again, and exchanges and cooperation in various fields have gradually resumed. The relationship between China and Australia realized the second important transition, which fully serves the fundamental and long-term interests of Australia and its people and is in line with the trend of the times. The ups and downs in this bilateral relationship over the past decade have not only left both sides with lessons to learn from, but also accumulated experience worth cherishing. The most fundamental thing is to uphold mutual respect. The most crucial thing is to stay committed to seeking common ground while shelving differences. The most important thing is to pursue mutual benefit and win-win results. The most precious thing is to remain independent. Since China-Australia relations are back on the right track, both sides should have no hesitation, no yawing and no backward steps. Since the course forward has been charted, both sides should strive to make steady, good and sustained progress. China stands ready to work with Australia to take the opportunity of the 10th anniversary of President Xi Jinpings successful state visit to Australia and the establishment of the China-Australia comprehensive strategic partnership to further strengthen high-level exchanges, resume dialogue mechanisms between the two countries, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields, manage and rise above differences with the attitude of mutual respect, and jointly build a more mature, stable and fruitful comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Australia. The Australian side said that Australia and China are comprehensive strategic cooperative partners living in the same region, so differences should not define Australia-China relations. The Australian side welcomes that the bilateral relations are on the right track. The Australian side spoke highly of Chinas achievements in development and poverty alleviation, and stressed that Australia is and will remain committed to the one-China policy and Australia is willing to further strengthen dialogue and communication with China on the basis of mutual respect, wisely manage differences, leverage complementary advantages, deepen practical cooperation and strive for constructive development of Australia-China relations. The two sides agreed to resume and establish dialogue in various fields and make it play a practical role, promote more cooperation between the two countries competent authorities of foreign affairs, economy and trade, science and technology, education and law enforcement, among others and actively consider launching a dialogue on maritime affairs. The two sides agreed to take further measures to facilitate personnel exchanges between the two countries. CCTV: We noted that there were some criticisms in international media about the Chinese economy, including suspicion of Chinas ability to achieve its growth target. Some believe that the Chinese economy is in trouble with an anemic growth in 2023, and it will get worse this year. At the same time, there are more positive voice that Chinas economic growth goes beyond expectation amid rising uncertainties in the world. This shows that Chinas economic governance is effective. Whats your comment? Lin Jian: Last year, the Chinese economy grew by 5.2 percent, accounting for one third of global growth. The growth target of around 5 percent set by China this year brings more confidence to the international community amid uncertainties in the world economy. Since the beginning of this year, Chinas economic fundamentals continue to improve, and positive factors bolstering economic rebound have accumulated and increased. Figures from the National Bureau of Statistics show that in the first two months, value added of industries over the designated size grew by 7 percent year on year, total retail sales of consumer goods was up by 5.5 percent year on year, investment in the manufacturing industry increased by 9.4 percent, and the total volume of imports and exports of goods grew by 8.7 percent, ushering in a promising year. We have appropriately expanded the output of our economy and effectively upgraded its quality with solid foundation for stability and wide space for progress. We believe that the Chinese economy has the conditions and support to achieve the growth target of around 5 percent. Many international mainstream media outlets commented that the Chinese economy kicked off to a steady start this year. According to the forecast in the IMF report, China will be a major contributor to global economic growth in 2024. Executives from HSBC and other financial institutions believed that although facing challenges, the Chinese economy has entered a sound trajectory in the long term. China remains a popular destination for foreign investment. In January, there were 4,588 newly-established foreign businesses in China, up by 74.4 percent year on year, while investment from Western developed countries rose sharply. Recently, China released an action plan to steadily promote high-standard opening up and make greater efforts to attract and utilize foreign investment. China will continue to foster a market-oriented, law-based and world-class business environment, and strengthen services for foreign businesses. The Chinese government will keep advancing Chinese modernization on all fronts through high-quality development and expanding high-standard opening-up to bring more benefits to the world, contribute more driving forces to global development, and share more development opportunities with other countries. Bloomberg: According to US Admiral John Aquilino who is the leader of the Indo-Pacific Command in the address or speech given to the US House Armed Services Committee on Wednesday, China is building its military and nuclear arsenal on a scale not seen since World War II, and all signs suggest that China is sticking to its ambitions to be ready to invade Taiwan by 2027. Does the Foreign Ministry have any comment on this US Admirals testimony? Lin Jian: The Asia-Pacific region is a pacesetter of peace and development, not an arena for geopolitical games. It is the US, not China, that stokes confrontation and creates division in the Asia-Pacific. My solemn message to the US side: Taiwan is part of China and the Taiwan question is Chinas internal affair. Resolving the Taiwan question is a matter for the Chinese ourselves and brooks no foreign interference. Our policy is quite clearwe will continue to strive for peaceful reunification with greatest sincerity. Our bottom line is also quite clearwe will never allow Taiwan to be separated from the motherland. Some in the US are attempting to play up the so-called China threat, heighten the tension across the Taiwan Strait and stoke confrontation. China firmly opposes this. To ensure cross-Strait peace, it is essential to unequivocally uphold the one-China principle and oppose Taiwan independence. No one should underestimate the determination, resolve and capability of the Chinese people in safeguarding our sovereignty and territorial integrity. Dragon TV: Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare reportedly praised Chinas achievements in fueling the economy during a speech on March 20. He said that his country has been struggling to make headway in economic growth for the past several decades with the diplomatic ties with Taiwan. He added that his wise decision to break diplomatic ties with Taiwan and establish diplomatic ties with China put the Solomon Islands on the map. Whats Chinas comment? Lin Jian: Since the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Solomon Islands in September 2019, the two countries have enjoyed fast growth of bilateral relations, friendly cooperation in various fields, and fruitful results which have brought tangible benefits to the people in Solomon Islands. What has happened proves that the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries meets the expectation of the two peoples, follows the prevailing trend in the international community, and serves the common interests of the two peoples. The fast growth of the bilateral relations since the establishment of our diplomatic ties fully demonstrates that establishing and developing relations with China based on the one-China principle is a right choice that stands the test of time and history. Its never too late to welcome new friends. As long as we engage with each other, we will usher in a bright future. For a handful of countries who still maintain the so-called diplomatic ties with the Taiwan region, the example set by Solomon Islands deserves some serious thought. TASS: Russian media reported that Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine said in a TV program that Special Representative of the Chinese Government on Eurasian Affairs Li Hui cannot decide on when Kiev and Moscow will sit at the negotiation table. Whats the Foreign Ministrys comment? Lin Jian: Im not aware of that. Special Representative Li Hui recently visited Ukraine for shuttle diplomacy. He had sound communication with the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, First Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, and other principal officials. Ukraine attaches high importance to China-Ukraine relations, highly commends the mediation effort made by Special Representative Li Hui and sincerely hopes that China will continue to play its constructive role in promoting peace. On the Ukraine crisis, China will continue to act in a responsible manner to promote talks for peace and work with relevant parties for an early political settlement of the crisis. Global Times: On March 20, the US State Departments spokesperson said that the US recognizes Arunachal Pradesh (Zangnan of China) as Indian territory and strongly opposes any unilateral attempts to advance territorial claims by incursions or encroachments, military or civilian, across the Line of Actual Control. Whats your comment? Lin Jian: China strongly deplores and firmly opposes this. The China-India boundary has never been delimited. Zangnan has always been Chinas territory, a basic fact that is undeniable. The China-India boundary question is a matter between the two countries and has nothing to do with the US side. It is known to all that the US has consistently spared no efforts to provoke and take advantage of other countries conflicts to serve its selfish geopolitical interests. AFP: I have a question on Pakistan. A terrorist group launched an attack near a complex at Pakistans Gwadar Port run by a Chinese company. The attack didnt end until all terrorists were shot to death. Whats your response? Lin Jian: We noted the reports. We strongly condemn the terrorist attack and mourn for the Pakistani personnel killed in the attack. China is against all forms of terrorism and firmly supports national development and social stability in Pakistan. We firmly support Pakistans efforts to fight terrorism and defend national security and stability. Beijing Daily: The UN International Childrens Emergency Fund said that Israels military operation in Gaza has killed over 13,000 Palestinian children. Many children are suffering from severe malnutrition. A report released by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization showed that 70 percent of the population in northern Gaza is suffering from catastrophic hunger, far exceeding the famine threshold. If the cessation of hostilities doesnt take place, Gaza will face a risk of famine. High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell mentioned that hunger is used as a weapon of war and Israel is causing a manmade disaster of famine. Whats Chinas comment? Lin Jian: We are deeply grieved by the death of innocent civilians in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and heart-wrenched by the increasingly severe humanitarian disaster in Gaza. Since the escalation of the latest Palestinian-Israeli conflict nearly half a year ago, over 10,000 civilians in Gaza have been killed, most of whom are women and children. Their homeland is reduced to rubble, hospitals are frequently attacked, people are underfed and casualties are increasing every day. These scenes of human tragedy once and again cross the bottom line of human conscience and trample on the limits of fairness and justice. The extreme importance and urgency of ceasefire is all the more evident. Nothing can justify the inaction of the international community. China firmly opposes and condemns all moves against civilians and international law. The international community needs to act urgently, set the ceasefire as an overwhelming priority and humanitarian aid as a pressing moral responsibility, and hold a more broad-based, authoritative, and effective international peace conference as early as possible. China stands ready to continue working in a responsible manner to end the fighting and save lives, and implement the two-State solution for lasting peace in the Middle East. Bloomberg: The Philippines has said that a Chinese navy ship shadowed its coast guard vessel which was en route to a Philippines-occupied island in the South China Sea. The Philippine Coast Guard said that it issued radio challenges to the Chinese navy vessel that followed it, but didnt get any response. Does the Foreign Ministry have any comment on this shadowing of the Philippine Coast Guard vessel by a Chinese navy ship in the South China Sea? Lin Jian: I am not aware of that. KYODO NEWS - Mar 21, 2024 - 12:54 | All, Japan, World Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force resumed Thursday flights of its Ospreys near Tokyo, almost four months after suspending them due to a deadly crash of a U.S. military Osprey off a southwestern Japanese island. The move came a week after U.S. forces resumed Osprey operations in Japan following their lifting of a worldwide flight ban on the tilt-rotor aircraft March 8 without offering a detailed explanation about the cause of the Nov. 29 accident that killed all eight airmen on board. A V-22 transport plane took off around 11:30 a.m. from Camp Kisarazu in Chiba Prefecture near Tokyo, a temporary deployment site for the GSDF's 14 Ospreys. Amid lingering concern over the safety of the aircraft, senior GSDF officers on Monday informed the city government of Kisarazu of the resumption plan, with Defense Minister Minoru Kihara having pledged to give an advance briefing to local authorities. The crash of a U.S. Air Force CV-22 into the sea near Yakushima Island in Kagoshima Prefecture during a drill was the deadliest involving Ospreys since their combat debut in 2007. In November, shortly after the incident, the GSDF suspended Osprey flights, while the United States grounded all of its Ospreys across the world on Dec. 6. On March 14, the U.S. military started flying them again at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Okinawa Prefecture. The Japanese Defense Ministry aims to relocate the GSDF Osprey fleet from Kisarazu to Saga in southwestern Japan by 2025. Ospreys are capable of taking off and landing like a helicopter but cruising like a plane. Related coverage: U.S. forces resume Osprey flights in Japan amid local safety concerns Japan's GSDF fails to determine cause of helicopter crash in 2023 U.S. forces lift ban on Osprey flights after Nov. crash in Japan The former British Prime Minister Theresa May pictured with Leo Varadkar in Downing Street in 2017 Leo Varadkar was taoiseach during the most intense phase of Brexit, when the Irish border was central to negotiations. In January 2017, the then UK Prime Minister Theresa May said Brexit would mean the UK leaving the single market and the customs union. That had immediate implications for Ireland, raising the prospect that it would have to harden its border with Northern Ireland. The Irish government quickly decided that would be a bad idea for economic, political and security reasons. Its Brexit bottom line was that there could be no hard border and Irelands place in the EU should be undisturbed. It fell to Leo Varadkar to pursue that policy. July 2017 Enda Kenny had a different style to Leo Varakar when he was leader There is a perception among some Brexit supporters that Irelands approach hardened when Mr Varadkar became taoiseach and that his predecessor Enda Kenny would have been a friendlier, more accommodating partner for the UK. However Irelands key Brexit policy had been set months before Mr Varadkar took the top job. The EUs negotiating guidelines of April 2017 had the avoidance of a hard border in Ireland as one of its three priorities. There was certainly a stylistic contrast between Mr Kenny and Mr Varadkar. The new taoiseach could be brusque, even blunt. A month after becoming taoiseach he made clear his exasperation with some of the ideas for the border coming from Brexit supporters. "What were not going to do is to design a border for the Brexiteers because theyre the ones who want a border," he said. "Its up to them to say what it is, say how it would work and first of all convince their own people, their own voters that this is actually a good idea. "As far as this government is concerned there shouldnt be an economic border. We dont want one." This robust defence of Irelands interest set the tone for his approach over the next few years. December 2017 Throughout the second half of 2017 EU and UK negotiators laboured to find a way to square Theresa Mays hard Brexit with a soft Irish border. An interim agreement called the Joint Report saw the UK implicitly concede that an Irish Sea border, between NI and GB, could be a solution. The Joint Report laid out three possibilities: The border issue could be solved in the context of an overall trade deal There could be technological and administrative solutions Northern Ireland could continue to follow some rules of the EU internal market and the customs union - this was known as the backstop For Mr Varadkar this was effectively mission accomplished with the UK signing up to a text which ruled out a hard border. We have achieved all we set out to achieve in phase one of these negotiations, he said. We have the assurances and guarantees we need from the United Kingdom and support for them from the European Union. He went on to paraphrase Winston Churchill describing the agreement as not the end, but it is the end of the beginning. October 2018 Mr Varadkar was right to suggest that the Brexit negotiations would not be concluded quickly. Throughout 2018 it became clear that Theresa May had signed up to a deal that would not win majority support in the House of Commons. Most importantly the DUP, which was keeping her party in power, was opposed to the backstop. There was an interminable series of summits and negotiations in an attempt to finesse the deal. At a meeting of EU leaders in October 2018 Mr Varadkar sought to impress on his peers just how important it was to stand firm on the border issue. He showed them a story from that days Irish Times about the IRA bombing of a customs post in 1972 in which nine people were killed. This provoked outrage among unionists who suggested he was using the threat of violence to advance his political agenda. Mr Varadkar said this was never his intention later explaining: I have never used a threat of violence in politics. What I did was express concerns at the time that were held by the Chief Constable and the Garda Commissioner, that the reestablishment of border posts between north and south could lead to violence. "But theres a very big difference I think, between warning or expressing concern about violence, and threatening it, and I certainly didnt do that. But this episode became emblematic of the low opinion many unionists had of his approach to Brexit. October 2019 Leo Varadkar had a new UK counterpart in July 2019 when Boris Johnson replaced Theresa May Mr Varadkar had a new UK counterpart in July 2019 when Boris Johnson replaced Theresa May. He promised to ditch the backstop but by October, he was proposing an "all-island regulatory zone" which would effectively keep Northern Ireland in the EU's single market for agriculture, food and all manufactured goods. However, the Irish government and the EU were not convinced as the plan would have potentially meant a new customs border in Ireland. They were also concerned an up-front veto for the DUP could prevent the "all-island regulatory zone" from ever materialising. But then came a decisive meeting with Mr Varadkar at Thornton Manor on Merseyside. This would prove to be the engagement which unlocked a deal that would finally be approved by the UK Parliament. Mr Johnson accepted that there would be a border in the Irish Sea while Mr Varadkar conceded that Stormont would need to have some democratic oversight. A joint statement said: "Both continue to believe that a deal is in everybodys interest. They agreed that they could see a pathway to a possible deal." Just a week later, the UK and EU had agreed the Northern Ireland protocol. An amended version of the protocol, the Windsor Framework, now governs NIs post-Brexit trading arrangements. March 2024 As Mr Varadkar announced his resignation on Wednesday he counted his approach to Brexit among his key achievements. He referenced Irelands original objectives saying: "We prevented a hard border between North and South and protected our place in Europe." He also suggested that with the DUPs return to government a period of difficult relations, east-west as well as north-south, was now beginning to heal. "The institutions of the Good Friday Agreement are working again, and our trading relationship with the United Kingdom, in the post-Brexit era, is settled and stable," he concluded. What is the Windsor Framework? Leon County commissioners have decided that Wahnish Way's name will remain the same. At Tuesday's meeting, commissioners decided they will be giving tennis great and Florida A&M University graduate Althea Gibson only an honorary designation on the road through signage despite a staff recommendation to approve the name change. Born and raised in New York, Gibson was an 11-time Grand Slam champion who won the U.S. Nationals, as well as Wimbledon and French Open. The board was set to approve the renaming of Wahnish Way to Althea Gibson Way. The new name was set to span the entirety of the road from FAMU Way to Bragg Drive. This decision confused County Commissioner Bill Proctor, who said the idea came from the city. American tennis player Althea Gibson in action at the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships. But former U.S. Rep. Al Lawson had gone to the FAMU Board of Trustees with the original idea of the name change and suggested just doing a segment, from FAMU Way to Orange Avenue. The BOT then would go to the City of Tallahassee with the idea, which they would pass to the county. Proctor read the note the county received, saying the city highlighted "from Bragg Memorial Stadium south to Orange Avenue," seemingly shortening the segment. "I am completely comfortable with the language here, a section of Wahnish Way, (but) this is not what we have here, this is a complete renaming," Proctor said. He moved to rename the original segment of FAMU Way to Orange Avenue. Barry Wilcox, director of development support and environmental management, explained that county law requires renaming "the entirety" of a street, in part to ensure timely 911 responses, for instance. Althea Gibson as a sophomore at FAMU in 1951. Proctor stuck by his motion and even chided staff, supposedly for going against the wishes of commissioners. Commissioner Nick Maddox offered to solve the issue through "waiving" county law, which prompted County Attorney Chasity O'Steen to step in. "You can't get around your code," O'Steen said. Commissioners were quick to take Proctor's side but, before the item was voted down, Maddox offered up the solution of the honorary designation. That means Wahnish's name remains the same but there will be signage honoring Gibson. It also left it open for the board to revisit the ordinance. The motion passed unanimously with an amendment to look into naming a street in the county after former President Barack Obama, offered by Proctor an idea that's been around since 2021. More: Leon County pauses on renaming downtown Tallahassee street after former President Obama USA TODAY contributed. 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: Leon County: Wahnish Way won't be renamed to Althea Gibson Way Lessons have not been learned to prevent further deaths in north Wales, coroners have told the health secretary. Over the past year, coroners in Wales wrote 41 "prevention of future deaths reports" and more than half were issued to Betsi Cadwaladr health board. Eluned Morgan, who remains in her job as health secretary after new First Minister Vaughan Gething announced his new cabinet, said 27 reports issued since January 2023 was "of significant concern". Betsi Cadwaladr health board said every report was taken very seriously and work was ongoing to respond to key themes. Ms Morgan said all but three of the deaths happened before the health board was moved back into special measures in February 2023. Inquests are often held some time after a death - sometimes many years after - with one of the deaths dating back to 2016. The "systemic issues" that emerge as common themes from the coroners' reports include: the quality of investigations and effectiveness of actions a lack of integrated electronic health records impacting care the impact of delays in the system on ambulance response times In a written statement earlier this week, Ms Morgan said the health board had given assurances that it was taking the matter "extremely seriously". She said she had met with both north Wales senior coroners who "expressed their frustration about an historic lack of learning within the organisation and poor preparation for inquests". The statement added improvements had been made to the health boards inquest process, but there was still an estimated 350-400 cases waiting to be listed for inquest. Dyfed Edwards, chair of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, said: "I fully acknowledge the importance of the prevention of future death reports, and that the numbers being issued in north Wales are above the national average. "We take every report very seriously as behind these statistics are people and families who have been affected, and we are profoundly sorry for their loss. "Work is ongoing to identify and respond to the key themes and points of learning that the reports contain. We have much to improve on and ensure that we provide services with quality and patient safety at the heart." Plaid Cymru has called on new First Minister Vaughan Gething to explain why so many preventable deaths took place after the health board was taken out of special measures in 2021. North Wales MS Llyr Gruffydd said: "The level of preventable deaths is concerning enough for coroners to flag it up. "Its vital we understand why these deaths happened and what we can do to prevent them in future." In addition to the 27 reports issued to Betsi Cadwaladr, 10 were sent to the Welsh Ambulance Service, six to Aneurin Bevan health board, two to Swansea Bay health board, one to Cardiff and Vale health board and one to Health Education and Improvement Wales. The minister was also issued with six "relating to a range of NHS Wales services and public health concerns". Former President Trump speaks at a campaign rally in Vandalia, Ohio, on March 16. (Jeff Dean / Associated Press) To the editor: I find many of President Biden's policies and the progressive liberal agenda barely tolerable, but there is something about former President Trump that has gotten under my skin (and it has little to do with his inability to keep his big mouth shut). ("Former Vice President Mike Pence says hes not endorsing Trump," March 15) It all started with the vague and nebulous accusations that Trump is a threat to our democracy, something that I wanted defined much more clearly. So, I looked it up. In the simplest terms, democracy means basically two things: free and fair elections, and maintaining a balance of power between the branches of our government. If those two pillars are compromised, then our democracy is indeed lost. Trump has clearly threatened those pillars by attempting to overturn valid election results, and attempting to manipulate or sabotage the legislative and judicial branches to suit his needs. I strongly disagree with many of Biden's policies and the progressive agenda, but supporting the continuation of this president's administration is incrementally better for our country than reelecting Trump. The former is a poison we will probably survive we'll be very sick and weak, but we'll survive. We may not survive the latter. Arthur Saginian, Santa Clarita .. To the editor: During Trump's first term, those of us who saw in him strong echoes of Hitler were dismissed as extremists. His violence-provoking speeches and adoration of autocrats were just seen as hyperbolic. What about now? From saying in 2016 that many immigrants are rapists and murderers, he now says that "these are animals." His political opponents are "vermin." And it goes on and on. If you read Hitler's "Mein Kampf," you will see language like this, in some cases verbatim. And, of course, he praises even the convicted Jan. 6 rioters as heroes. This is not hyperbole. It is a direct, unprecedented attack on American democracy. As a former judge, I have believed that the courts will serve as a bulwark against this threat. But, seeing the U.S. Supreme Court's devolution into political partisanship and Trump-appointed federal judges making extremist rulings, I am less sanguine than before. Victor Kenton, Calabasas This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. People wave flags in support of former President Trump outside a federal courthouse in Miami last June. (Rebecca Blackwell / Associated Press) To the editor: People have asked if there is no bottom to former President Trump's depravity and mendacity. His recent comment that "any Jewish person that votes for Democrats hates their religion" shows we haven't reached it yet. This is the person who said there were "very fine people, on both sides," in Charlottesville, Va., in 2017. Recall that in Charlottesville, people on one side were chanting, "Jews will not replace us." He also said he would pardon the "patriots" who stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. One such patriot wore a "Camp Auschwitz" sweater. Who hates Judaism again? Robert Trebor, Los Angeles .. To the editor: It is not easy being a Jew. In 1492, Jews living in Spain were victims of the Spanish Inquisition. We were told either convert to Catholicism or die. This law, although not enforced in modern Spain, was on the books until 1968. Today in America, we are told by Trump that because we are Jewish, we must vote for him or we're disloyal to fellow Jews in Israel. This is a thinly veiled attempt to intimidate us. Further, it encourages anti-Jewish acts when we do not obey him. If Trump wins the presidency, history may record March 2024 as the beginning of a Trump Inquisition for all who disagree. Sidney Weissman, Highland Park, Ill. .. To the editor: Please tell the former president that Jews who vote for Democrats don't hate their religion and don't hate Israel. Some of us, however, are not too fond of him. Andrew E. Rubin, Los Angeles This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. HMRC announced that it is intending to close its helplines for six months of the year - iStockphoto/Getty Images SIR You report: Jeremy Hunt orders HMRC to keep their phone lines open (telegraph.co.uk, March 20). I should think so. I cant believe that civil servants proposed that a public service, paid for by the public, should be unavailable to the public for six months of the year (report, March 20). It beggars belief. Denese Molyneux Sidmouth, Devon SIR Taxpayers increasingly have good reason to doubt that HMRC is fair and accurate. Its tax demands are often confusing, menacing or plain wrong. Add to that third-party collection agencies giving very little detail of how they have reached a sum that you must pay immediately and the first inclination is to try phoning HMRC to find out if the demand is genuine. For those who can afford an accountant, there is less concern about the erratic and inconsistent way in which HMRC communicates with the public, but for the vulnerable and elderly its almost essential for their wellbeing that they can talk to someone directly. HMRCs proposal was yet another example of senior Civil Service bureaucrats treating the public with contempt and arrogance. Simon Taylor Poringland, Norfolk SIR Given the name His Majestys Revenue and Customs I would be very interested to know the Kings views on this appalling treatment of his loyal subjects. My view is that there should be an immediate reorganisation of this obviously failing body, commencing with the removal of all existing top management and their replacement by those who understand the concept of public service. Ian McNicholas Ebbw Vale, Monmouthshire SIR We are constantly reminded of the importance of inclusion by the Government and the media. It seems to mean that people feel they are valued regardless of their background and identity. Should not inclusion also be for those who are not up to date with technology, or just wish to speak to a person regarding utility matters, or to HMRC on the phone without waiting for ages only to be told to contact a website? I know many people young and old who definitely dont feel included. Pat Edgecombe Kingsbridge, Devon SIR Has the time not come for call centres to change their recorded message from Sorry, due to a very high volume of calls we are unable to answer right now, to Sorry, but despite very healthy profits, we are absolutely not prepared to employ more staff to answer your calls which are of course very important to us? Mark Lister Windsor, Berkshire Milking motorists SIR Mark Harper MP (A fair deal for drivers, Letters, March 20) wants to prevent excessive targeting of motorists by local councils. The solution is very simple: all revenue beyond the cost of enforcement should be passed to the Treasury. Easily and quickly implemented, this removes the financial incentive that encourages local councils to issue more and more penalty-charge notices without regard to the impact on traffic flow. Such a change would also remove any perception that motorists are cash cows for councils although we then need to ensure they dont become cash cows for the Treasury. Brian Barbour Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland SIR Perhaps Mark Harper can explain why the DVLA sells motorists information to just about anyone who asks, including hundreds of car park operators. This makes millions of motorists easy prey and millions of pounds for the DVLA. Michael Lowry Fareham, Hampshire SIR Your article (March 19) about local councils war on motorists does not mention one of the main reasons why the rules regarding yellow boxes are frequently not observed namely that many are so poorly maintained that they become virtually impossible to see from the drivers seat. Philip Goddard London SE19 SIR There would be no need for yellow box penalties if drivers didnt behave in an inconsiderate way. Its simple: dont go into one until the exit is clear. Of course, there will be occasions when something unexpected happens ahead to cause a stoppage, which should be taken into account. Alan Murphy East Cowton, North Yorkshire Israel in Eurovision SIR I find it ironic that, as Michael Deacon explains (Way of the World, March 19), the Rio Cinema in Dalston will not be showing the Eurovision Song Contest because of the Israeli entry. Dalston used to be a part of London with a large Jewish population, and would probably have shown films in Yiddish at some time. How things have changed not, it seems, for the better. Sidney Sands London N12 Tranquil tweets SIR What a shame that BBC Radio 4 is finding it necessary to reduce the Tweet of the Day broadcasts to once a week (report, March 19). In this traumatic, troubled world in which we live, can we not have just a few minutes of tranquility at the start of each day? Glen Peddar Coxheath, Kent Buns and crumbs SIR The best way of preparing hot cross buns (Letters, March 20) is to slice in two, toast but not burn, flip over and repeat. Then spread and melt butter copiously on both slices, before eating separately while still nicely warm. It is wise to have a damp cloth available to mop ones chin and generally for crumbs. Christopher Piggins Salisbury, Wiltshire Diversity folly SIR Pushing equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) is institutional virtue-signalling and economically ruinous (report, March 20). It is a perpetual employment and litigation machine for bureaucrats, HR staff and lawyers. In the past 12 years, HR roles in Britain have increased 10-fold. This adds cost with no real economic or social benefit. It also applies and legitimises identity politics, an ideology that works at the cultural (not political) level through the propagation of critical race theory and gender ideology by our institutions, organisations and companies. Out of this ideology, huge mistakes, injustices and false narratives are spreading. One simple measure that would increase our growth rate, improve our institutions and mend our social fabric would be to limit EDI. It is an ideological Trojan horse. R D Young Kingston, Surrey SIR Network Rail has been criticised after an Islamic hadith was displayed on the departure board at London Kings Cross as part of a diversity initiative (report, March 20). I look forward to arriving at the station on Easter Sunday to a proclamation that Christ is risen besides which the late running or cancellation of trains is a small matter. Jane Moth Stone, Staffordshire Women at the Garrick SIR I am a member of the Garrick Club. My wife approves and she is a guest there on a regular basis. There is a spirited debate going on as to whether we should admit lady members (report, March 20). I am not in favour. Many other members disagree with me, but so far we have not fallen out and are unlikely to do so. I wonder why the rest of the world is so keen to resolve this matter for us. What has happened to the old principle of live and let live? Watch with interest by all means but please let us resolve the matter in our own way and in our own good time. Philip Shorrock London SW11 Till death do us part SIR Kate Boydell (Letters, March 20) is quite right. A widow is a widow. If I told my wife that after my death she would merely be separated, I fear that her response might be, Why wait? George Acheson Fakenham, Norfolk Misguided criticism that can spoil great art Springtime, 1886 by Claude Monet, held at the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge - Alamy SIR How I agree with both Kath McArthur and Richard Cheeseman (Letters, March 18), who say that, while landscapes lack nationalistic bias, they can be important historical resources that document particular times and conditions. Some time ago you kindly printed a letter I wrote in defence of Sir Stanley Spencer, when the Fitzwilliam Museum wished to hide one of his paintings on the grounds of racial stereotyping. Spencer was one of our finest and most technically accomplished landscape painters, who, like John Constable, celebrated his locality. The French impressionists also recorded their own surroundings, and their works have given great pleasure to millions across the world for many years. What is the Fitzwilliams issue? Why is it so intent on undermining and re-interpreting works of art that have long been enjoyed by many? Like Mr Cheeseman, I have ancestors who toiled in fields, died in fishing accidents and even one who was blown up in a gunpowder mill. But I love art for what it is; looking at great works is excellent for mental health and can transport one to a kinder, gentler place, and even give a a glimpse of paradise. Isobel Greenshields Billericay, Essex SIR I wonder whether the curators of the Fitzwilliam Museums latest exhibition have ever been to Goodwood House. There one is greeted in the entrance hall by three very large paintings by the British painter George Stubbs, with landscape views, and at least three portraits by the Flemish artist Anthony van Dyck. Treasures are spread throughout the public rooms. Among these are a number of landscape paintings from the mid-18th century (about the time of the Battle of Culloden in 1746) by local artists called Smith. These are entitled Romantic Landscapes. To put it another way, 300 years ago artists were already airbrushing away the brutal realities of life in rural England. It was ever thus in artistic terms. In the days when most ordinary peoples horizons were limited to the parish or the nearest market town, nationalism dark or light did not feature in any meaningful way. Most were far more concerned with keeping a roof over their head and food on the table. If they did think in wider terms, people feared dealing with the difficult Scots and the very real threat of countrywide revolution. It seems to me that the curators of the Fitzwilliam exhibition are trying to impose upon the lives of those from earlier times the prejudices of this modern age, for purposes one can only speculate on. Martin Coakley Liphook, Hampshire Letters to the Editor We accept letters by email and post. Please include name, address, work and home telephone numbers. ADDRESS: 111 Buckingham Palace Road, London, SW1W 0DT EMAIL: dtletters@telegraph.co.uk FOLLOW: Telegraph Letters on Twitter @LettersDesk NEWSLETTER: sign up to receive Letters to the Editor 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. LEWISBURG, WV (WVNS) Lewisburg Elementary School in Greenbrier County received a therapy dog through the Friends With Paws program on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. First Lady Cathy Justice and Governor Jim Justice made an appearance at an assembly at Lewisburg Elementary School to welcome Pixie, an apricot-colored Labradoodle, as a part of the Friends With Paws program. 2024 Service Persons of the Year honored by Mercer County Schools I am so excited to see Pixie put her excellent skills to work here at Lewisburg Elementary. The Friends With Paws therapy dogs dont fall short when it comes to benefiting our childrens social and emotional well-being. Pixie will fit in just fine here at her new home. First Lady Justice Certified therapy dogs are placed at various West Virginia schools by the Friends With Paws program. These therapy dogs help students by offering comfort and companionship, as these dogs are trained to relieve anxiety, make people feel at ease, remove social barriers, and improve the mood of those around them. We are extremely excited to have Pixie join our school family. She will be an outlet for our students and provide additional support to our most vulnerable students. Therapy dogs are the embodiment of pure empathy. Sara Bennett | Lewisburg Elementary School Principal Including Pixie, 22 Friends With Paws therapy dogs have been put in West Virginia schools since February 2024. Therapy dogs are certified and specially trained to work in environments that are stressful, as well as being able to ignore any distractions. Pixie Photo Courtesy: First Lady Cathy Justice Pixie Photo Courtesy: First Lady Cathy Justice Pixie Photo Courtesy: First Lady Cathy Justice Pixie Photo Courtesy: First Lady Cathy Justice Pixie Photo Courtesy: First Lady Cathy Justice Local high school robotics team wins 2024 West Virginia Robotics Teamwork State Championship On behalf of Lewisburg Elementary School students, teachers, staff, parents and Greenbrier County Schools Board of Education, we are ecstatic with joy and grateful hearts with the arrival of Pixie who will be serving LES as their therapy dog. It is a proven fact that therapy dogs have a significant positive impact on students and staff by increasing student and staff attendance, improvement in student achievement, creating a school climate where students experience a sincere sense of a calm, care, and safety. The love that therapy dogs give unconditionally provides students with a positive self-image and inspired self-esteem. The Lewisburg Elementary School Family comprised of students, teachers, staff, parents, caregivers, and community share their love and appreciation to our Honorable Governor Jim Justice and our gracious and loving First lady Cathy Justice for blessing the school with their very own therapy dog Pixie who will win the hearts of everyone and become and immediate beloved member of the Lewisburg Elementary School Family! Jeff Bryant | Greenbrier County Schools Superintendent Aside from Pixie, the therapy dogs and the schools they have been placed at include: Coal: Male Black Labrador Welch Elementary, McDowell County River: Male Yellow Labrador Pineville Elementary School, Wyoming County Kasha: Female Yellow Labrador Green Bank Elementary-Middle School, Pocahontas County Marshal: Male Cream Labradoodle Hinton Area Elementary School, Summers County Oakley: Male Apricot and Cream Labradoodle Oakvale Elementary School, Mercer County Ruby: Female Golden Retriever Greenbrier East High School, Greenbrier County Foster: Male Golden Labradoodle Buckhannon Academy Elementary, Upshur County Jasper: Female Yellow Labrador Lewis County High School, Lewis County Shadow: Male Black Labrador Moorefield Elementary School, Hardy County Jet Male Yellow Labrador Spring Mills High School, Berkeley County Kylo: Male Black Labrador Lenore PK-8 School, Mingo County Winnie: Female Apricot and White Labradoodle Wayne Elementary School, Wayne County Louie: Male Yellow Labrador- Bridgeview Elementary School, Kanawha County Malfoy: Male Yellow Labrador Chapmanville Intermediate School, Logan County Tora: Female Yellow Labrador Elkins High School, Randolph County Skye: Female Brown Labradoodle Berkeley Springs High School, Morgan County Penny: Female Yellow Labrador Pendleton County Middle/High School, Pendleton County Nutter: Male Brown Labrador Ravenswood High School, Jackson County Meadow: Female Yellow Labrador Washington Lands Elementary School, Marshall County Clara: Female Golden Retriever Brooke Middle School, Brooke County Parker: Male Golden Retriever Wheeling Park High School, Ohio County WVU Medicine provides care and comfort to 8-year-old with spina bifida Communities In Schools (CIS) Nonprofit, the West Virginia Department of Education, and the Governors Office, West Virginia partnered together for the Friends With Paws program as a way to put therapy dogs into schools in counties in CIS areas. The schools that receive therapy dogs are in areas where students are affected by at-risk situations such as substance misuse and poverty, and where the students need the support of a four-legged friend. The dogs provide a safe way for students to handle social-emotional issues and trauma. Information about the Friends With Paws program can be found in a documentary made by West Virginia Public Broadcasting. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS. A Lexington elementary school was evacuated after receiving a bomb threat Thursday morning, according to Fayette County Public Schools spokesperson Dia Davidson-Smith. The evacuation happened at Glendover Elementary School which is located in a neighborhood just off Tates Creek Road. Davidson-Smith said officials received an anonymous call about a possible bomb threat at the school and evacuated students and staff from the building. Officials have since cleared the building and learning activities have resumed, according to Davidson-Smith. Students and staff were moved to a safe location while officials investigated the school. We take all reports of potential threats seriously and work quickly to protect our students and staff members as well as secure our buildings and property, Davidson-Smith said. A playground set at Glendover Elementary School in Lexington, Ky., on Sept. 22, 2015. Lexington Herald-Leader This embedded content is not available in your region. The Lexington Police Department assisted in clearing the building by providing a canine unit but the investigation is being handled by Fayette County Public Schools police, said Lt. Jesse Palmer with LPD. Lexington Fire Department District Major Derek Roberts said the fire department responded and assisted at the scene. Afternoon pre-school has been canceled for Thursday, Davidson-Smith said. Madison Southern High School, Kingston Elementary receive threats Madison Southern High School and Kingston Elementary School were subjected to threats as well Thursday, according to the Berea Police Department and Madison County Schools. Kingston Elementary School officials received a mysterious call and evacuated the building. Officials dont believe the school is in any danger but students and staff were sent to Church on the Rock as a precaution. The building has since been cleared and students and staff were scheduled to reenter the building at 1 p.m., according to a Facebook post from the school. We want to thank everyone for their patience and understanding as we dealt with some unusual circumstances today, Kingston elementary said in a Facebook post. We cannot brag enough on how everyone came together to keep our students and staff safe and well cared for. Berea police said they believe the threat at Madison Southern High School was also a false alarm. The school was never placed on lockdown. Berea police said federal authorities have been contacted about the multiple threats across Kentucky. Federal agencies including Homeland Security are aware of the threat calls that are occurring within the state, Berea police said in a Facebook post. The school received a threat towards students and police officers, according to Berea police. Investigators determined that the threat was a swatting incident. We will have an increased police presence at school for the remainder of the day and will continue to remain extra vigilant while following our safety procedures and protocols, Madison Southern High School said in a Facebook post. Swatting is a term used for calls to 911 about fake emergencies. In April 2022, a new bill was signed into law that made some swatting offenses a class D felony. Prison sentences for a class D felony in Kentucky range from one to five years. Offenses under the Kentucky statute for falsely reporting an incident can be considered a felony or a misdemeanor, depending on the nature of the offense. Rockcastle County elementary school also receives a threat Brodhead Elementary School in Rockcastle County was also evacuated Thursday after receiving a false threat, according to Rockcastle County Schools. Kentucky State Police investigated the school and found no credible threat, according to Rockcastle County Schools. Students and staff have since returned to the building. Katie Anderson, a spokesperson for the FBI, said the agency is aware of the hoax reports across the state. The FBI does not have information about a specific and credible threat but encouraged the public to be vigilant and report suspicious activity to police. The FBI takes hoax threats very seriously because it puts innocent people at risk, causes undue stress and fear to the public, and wastes valuable law enforcement resources, Anderson said. The original post includes a photo of an LGBTQ progress pride flag hanging on a wall at Crown Point Elementary in Matthews. Charlotte elementary school has THIS hanging in its hallway!! Sloan Rachmuth captioned the photo on X, formerly known as Twitter, Tuesday. Yet another example of the socialist indoctrination camps @MicheleMorrowNC talks about. Rachmuth, along with Mecklenburg County Moms for Liberty Chair Brooke Weiss, say the flag is an intentional attempt to flout state law prohibiting instruction of gender identity, sexual activity, or sexuality in kindergarten through fourth grade. However, when The Charlotte Observer went to the school Wednesday afternoon, the flag was hanging in a side hallway in the schools front office, lined with administrative offices and around the corner from the schools front desk not in a hallway with classrooms. Some parents who have children at the school say the picture has been deliberately taken out of context for political motives. Online outcry Rachmuth is the executive director of Pen & Shield, a nonprofit newsroom, and a spokesperson for Michele Morrows campaign. Morrow is running as the Republican nominee for North Carolina superintendent of public instruction this November. She has previously called public schools indoctrination centers, and came under national scrutiny in recent weeks for her previous calls for the executions of Joe Biden and former President Barack Obama. Rachmuth says the flag hanging at Crown Point is meant to undermine North Carolinas Senate Bill 49, also referred to as the Parents Bill of Rights. The legislation took effect in August and has several provisions outlining the kinds of school records parents have access to. It also prohibits instruction about sexual orientation, sexuality and gender identity for children in elementary school. Rachmuth urged parents Wednesday via X to contact Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools about the flag and tweeted that Morrows campaign would be bringing a town hall to Matthews in response to the incident. The Charlotte Observer was unable to get further comment from Rachmuth. She blocked an Observer reporter working on the story shortly after the reporter followed her on X. The reporter also reached out to the Morrow campaign directly and did not receive a response. Weiss also contends that the flags presence violates state law. Moms for Liberty lobbied for the passage of the Parents Bill of Rights which says that instruction on gender identity and sexuality cannot be taught or discussed in kindergarten through fourth grade; however, educators are allowed to respond to a childs question. That is why that flag is on the wall, Weiss said in a statement to The Observer. I have video recordings of CMS teachers participating in Zoom trainings where they give each other ideas on how to subvert the Parents Bill of Rights. Hanging flags like this on the wall was one of many suggestions in one of those Zoom meetings. The idea is that a teacher can respond when a child asks a question about that flag. Weiss urged parents to contact CMS about the matter. I encourage parents to let CMS administrators know how they feel about a small number of activist teachers trying to get around the Parents Bill of Rights and undermine their right to decide when is the appropriate time to discuss sexuality with their children, Weiss said. Community response Others in the Matthews community say the flag is a symbol of inclusion and its presence does not qualify as instruction. Laura Casey has a daughter who attends Crown Point. Its not an area that students are getting instruction in, said Casey, who uses they/them pronouns. Existence isnt indoctrination. For the people that need to feel affirmed by it in an administrative place, it lets them know theyre welcome. Casey says the online outcry from Rachmuth, Weiss and like-minded followers doesnt accurately reflect the views of the immediate Crown Point community. From what Ive seen ... the people who are angry about it are not members of our community, they said. It hurts that people who are not members of our community could have so much sway when it comes to things that matter to us. Renee Garner is a member of the Town of Matthews Board of Commissioners and has children in CMS. She says she hasnt heard from anyone who finds the flag problematic, and she believes the online posts are efforts at political posturing. All I can gather is its some sort of stunt to get an ultra-conservative state-level candidate some attention, Garner said. Casey agrees. To have it presented as if this is an issue of instruction is dishonest and damaging to our community, they said. Rachmuth is using it as a talking point against CMS schools. She says its a violation of SB49, and shes trying to rally parents to lash out at our school and CMS in general. Cameron Pruette is the president of LGBTQ+ Democrats of Mecklenburg County. He advocated against Senate Bill 49 before it passed. We warned that things like this would happen. Things get taken out of context and shared. The law is so vaguely written that it creates confusion about how it needs to be implemented, Pruette said. Districts now have to figure out how to comply or face a lawsuit. CMS has not responded to requests for comment, nor has it clarified whether the flag violates any of its current policies. As of Wednesday at 3 p.m., the flag still hung in the administrative office at Crown Point. CMS superintendent overrules media committee on explicit, graphic books removal The Kyoto Shimbun - Mar 21, 2024 - 13:30 | All, Japan, Travel/Tourism A council charged with conserving the local townscape in the Gion Shimbashi area in Kyoto has installed new signboards at three locations in the district that combine information about local history with messages urging appropriate behavior by visitors. The signs all feature different content. For example, the one near Tatsumi Bridge gives an explanation of the elegant "kinkakuji gaki" bamboo fences that are seen in the green spaces along the riverside. At the same time, it also warns visitors not to sit on the fences as it would be dangerous because they are not built for such purposes. Similarly, another sign calls on visitors not to smoke in the district while explaining that the area was reduced to ruins in massive fires in 1788 and 1864. "We didn't want to just list up what's prohibited," a council official said. "We hope visitors would get a proper understanding of the area and then enjoy strolling around here." The Kyoto Shimbun More stories from Kyoto Shimbun: Much-loved gibbon dies at Kyoto zoo Kyoto shrine hopes people find encouragement in auspicious white boar Peak season for making traditional dried persimmons in Kyoto's Ujitawara Attacks on Russian regions bordering Ukraine are increasingly prompting reflection on the consequences of Russia's invasion, yet this hasn't necessarily translated into widespread opposition to dictator Vladimir Putin, Bloomberg reported on March 20. Read also: Ukraine launches widespread drone attack on military facilities across Russia The Belgorod and Kursk oblasts have experienced drone and missile attacks in recent weeks as Ukraine targets infrastructure and industrial sites, including oil facilities, aiming to undermine Russia's military capabilities. These strikes are disrupting the lives of civilians, particularly in Belgorod. Following Putin's "election victory," he is confronted with growing demands to enhance air defense and bolster border security to protect residents. Ukraine threatens to intensify its campaign to damage Russia's industrial capacity and erode public morale, potentially weakening Putin's support. Read also: Widespread drone attacks target key assets deep inside Russia, damage four Il-76 military transport aircraft in Pskov "Our life has changed and turned into hell," said a 43-year-old Belgorod resident, Mikhail, expresing how his life has dramatically transformed. The increasing fear and panic among the populace is leading many to leave the area, he said. Despite the attacks, a majority in Belgorod reportedly continue to support Putin. "Among my friends, the attitude towards the war and Putin hasn't changed," Mikhail said, noting that he was aware of how the conflict started and viewed the attacks as a retaliation from Ukraine. The strikes on Belgorod are compelling Russia to reallocate forces from the frontlines, a source close to the Kremlin told Bloomberg, requesting anonymity, adding that "the war is being fought on Russian territory." Russian volunteers from the Freedom of Russia Legion, the Russian Volunteer Corps (RDK), and the Siberian Battalion announced a new operation in Russias Belgorod Oblast on March 12. The RDK claimed to have advanced several dozens of kilometers and taken prisoners. Moscow reported casualties among the Russian army. Read also: Russian partisans use tanks to move on Russian border towns in the Belgorod and Kursk oblasts Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah (ABC4) Pop violinist and dancer Lindsey Stirling will visit over 40 cities in her upcoming North American Duality 2024 tour. One of her stops will be at the Maverik Center in West Valley City on Monday, July 15. VIP and presale opened Tuesday, March 19. Public sale will begin Friday, March 22 at 10:00 a.m. local time. READ NEXT: Country Music Festival coming to Utah State Fairpark this fall VIP experiences include a Meet & Greet and Q&A with the star, as well as access to the Duality Pre-Show Experience. Poster for the North American Duality 2024 tour. Saint Motel and Walk off the Earth will join Stirling on select dates, with the latter playing at the West Valley City show. Stirling is a multi-award-winning musician, known for blending electric violin and dance on stage in her performances, integrating dynamic choreography, aerial hoop acts and costumes she designs. Stirling will be going on tour in support of her new album Duality, which comes out June 14. Her seventh studio album, Duality is expected to showcase a dozen songs, the first half pulling inspiration from Celtic music and other global influences, and the second half left-of-center pop. Earlier this month, Stirling gave listeners a preview of the album with the release of Eye of the Untold Her, which centers around the theme of following ones intuition rather than listening to fear. The music video for the song includes references to when she was voted off Americas Got Talent and an early-career Stirling seeing what accomplishments await her in the future as she still pursues her dreams. READ NEXT: Utah band Little Moon making big waves in music industry, signs with label Eye of the Untold Her cover art. The title Duality resonated with me deeply as it reflects the inner conflict I often experience, Stirling said of the album in a news release. There are moments when I feel fearless and self-assured, contrasted sharply by times when self-doubt creeps in and I question my worth. Sometimes, I cling tightly to my actions, determined to shape my destiny, while at other times, I surrender to the flow of life. Every day, I believe we engage in internal battles of duality. We strive to discern which aspects to nurture, which to release and forgive, and which originate from our soul versus those imposed upon us. Explaining inspirations for her album, Stirling said, I curated two distinct styles of music for each side of the album. Through the music, I aimed to evoke a sense of magic, for I think that at the core of our internal conflicts lies the enchanting paradox of being humans with boundless potential living, in a mortal world constrained by constructs like money, laws, and societal hierarchies. Over the past few years, Ive embarked on a journey of self-discovery, delving into the magical facets of myself my intuition, my capacity to love and it was during this exploration that I crafted this album. 2024 North American Duality Tour Dates: Friday, July 12, 2024 San Diego, CA San Diego Civic Theatre Saturday, July 13, 2024 Paso Robles, CA Vina Robles Amphitheatre Monday, July 15, 2024 Salt Lake City, UT Maverik Center Wednesday, July 17, 2024 Morrison, CO Red Rocks Amphitheatre Friday, July 19, 2024 Kansas City, MO Starlight Theatre Saturday, July 20, 2024 Tulsa, OK BOK Center Monday, July 22, 2024 Grand Prairie, TX Texas Trust CU Theatre Tuesday, July 23, 2024 San Antonio, TX Majestic Theatre Wednesday, July 24, 2024 Austin, TX Moody Center ATX Friday, July 26, 2024 Sugar Land, TX Smart Financial Centre Saturday, July 27, 2024 New Orleans, LA Saenger Theatre Monday, July 29, 2024 Rogers, AR Walmart AMP Wednesday, July 31, 2024 Clearwater, FL The Sound Thursday, August 1, 2024 Hollywood, FL Hard Rock Live Friday, August 2, 2024 Orlando, FL Walt Disney Theater Saturday, August 3, 2024 Jacksonville, FL Dailys Place Monday, August 5, 2024 Atlanta, GA Cadence Bank Amphitheatre at Chastain Park Tuesday, August 6, 2024 Franklin, TN FirstBank Amphitheater Thursday, August 8, 2024 Asheville, NC ExploreAsheville.com Arena Friday, August 9, 2024 Pittsburgh, PA Stage AE Saturday, August 10, 2024 New York, NY Radio City Music Hall Tuesday, August 13, 2024 Boston, MA MGM Music Hall at Fenway Wednesday, August 14, 2024 Philadelphia, PA The Met Philadelphia presented by Highmark Thursday, August 15, 2024 Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun Arena Friday, August 16, 2024 Gilford, NH BankNH Pavilion Saturday, August 17, 2024 Washington, DC The Anthem Monday, August 19, 2024 Huber Heights, OH The Rose Music Center at The Heights Tuesday, August 20, 2024 Sterling Heights, MI Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill Thursday, August 22, 2024 Milwaukee, WI Miller High Life Theatre Friday, August 23, 2024 Rosemont, IL Rosemont Theatre Saturday, August 24, 2024 Minneapolis, MN The Armory Monday, August 26, 2024 Omaha, NE The Astro Amphitheater Wednesday, August 28, 2024 Idaho Falls, ID Hero Arena at the Mountain America Center Thursday, August 29, 2024 Nampa, ID Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater Friday, August 30, 2024 Bonner, MT KettleHouse Amphitheater Saturday, August 31, 2024 Airway Heights, WA Northern Quest Resort & Casino Monday, September 2, 2024 Bend, OR Hayden Homes Amphitheater Tuesday, September 3, 2024 Seattle, WA WAMU Theater Wednesday, September 4, 2024 Eugene, OR Cuthbert Amphitheater Friday, September 6, 2024 Concord, CA Toyota Pavilion at Concord Saturday, September 7, 2024 Reno, NV Grand Sierra Resort and Casino Monday, September 9, 2024 Phoenix, AZ Footprint Center Tuesday, September 10, 2024 Los Angeles, CA Greek Theatre Wednesday, September 11 2024 Highland, CA Yaamava Theater For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. FILE PHOTO: A general view of the session hall of the Lithuania's Parliament in Vilnius VILNIUS (Reuters) - Lithuania's parliament on Thursday confirmed state budget guidelines which foresee an amount worth at least 3% of gross domestic product to be spent on defence from 2025 onwards. The motion was supported by two thirds of the parliament. NATO military alliance and EU member Lithuania, which borders Russia and its ally Belarus, spent 2.8% of GDP on defence in 2023 and is projected to spend the same this year. NATO members have set a defence spending target of at least 2% of GDP, but few have reached the goal. However, countries bordering Russia have been ramping up defences after it invaded Ukraine. Lithuania's neighbouring Poland projects spending over 4% of GDP on defence this year, and nearby Estonia 3.2%. Polish president Andrzej Duda proposed earlier this month all alliance countries should spend at least 3% of GDP for defence. Lithuania will partly use the additional money to prepare for permanently hosting 5,000 German troops from 2027. (Reporting by Andrius Sytas in Vilnius; Editing by Andrew Cawthormne) (NewsNation) Three boys between the ages of 11 and 16 were taken into custody in connection with the robbery of a bank in Texas. Authorities said the incident happened at a Wells Fargo in the Greenspoint area of north Houston on March 14. According to the Harris County Sheriffs Office, which was assisted by the FBIs Houston office in the investigation, the boys passed a teller a threatening note. The boys were thought to be armed, though they didnt show a weapon. The boys were dubbed the Little Rascals on account of their age, which was initially reported to be between 14 and 18 based on witness reports. The boys arrested turned out to be 11, 12 and 16 when they were apprehended. Two boys, ages 1 and 2, critically injured in Washington Heights fire: NYPD Authorities released surveillance photos of the suspects, and the parents of two of the boys identified them to law enforcement, while the third came into contact with police following a fight and was recognized by officers. Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez told the Associated Press that the boys have been charged with robbery by threat. The FBI has not released the names of the trio because of their age. The boys got away with an unknown amount of cash and authorities have not confirmed whether the money was recovered or if there were any other people involved. The Associated Press contributed to this story. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. DENVER (KDVR) A woman was injured in a shooting on Goshawk Drive in Longmont on Wednesday, and a suspect pursuit later in the day led to one person in custody near Hygiene, according to the city. Longmont police were dispatched around 1:35 p.m. to the 1300 block of Goshawk Drive for a report of a woman shot in the driveway of a residence, according to the Longmont Department of Public Safety. The location is near East Mountain View and Deerwood Drive. Man shot by police, 2 others arrested in Longmont armed robbery call The woman was transported to a local hospital, but Longmont police did not know her medical status. The victim and the suspect were known to each other, the release said. Other details about the suspects arrest and a police chase were vague in the agencys release. According to Longmont police, the male suspect fled the area, but his description alongside a description of his white Subaru Outback was circulated to area officers. Police said they located the suspect in Lyons, along with the Subaru, and a pursuit was initiated. Officers reported they deflated the cars tires, disabling the vehicle, and then took the suspect into custody with the assistance of a Longmont police K-9 outside of the town of Hygiene. No other details were provided. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox The agency is asking anyone who may have witnessed the shooting or who may have surveillance video in the area to contact the Longmont Police Department at 303-651-8501 and reference case 24-2552. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. Richard Quinn Sr., a top South Carolina political consultant whose web of influence was known as the Quinndom and whose firm was found to have made secret payments to influential lawmakers, has died. The death was confirmed Thursday morning by Bill Stern, longtime Quinn friend and political fund-raiser. A man is measured by his lifetime of achievements. Throughout his consulting career that spanned decades, Richard advised some of the most impactful politicians in our state and helped influence politics on the national stage. Beyond his work, he cared deeply for his family and friends, and I am fortunate to have been counted among them. My deepest sympathies and prayers are with his family during this difficult time, Stern said. At his height, during the 1990s and well into the 2000s, no other consultant in South Carolina could match Quinn in the range and importance of elected officials, institutions and businesses he represented, including a governor, the attorney general, members of the Legislature and Congress, as well as institutions such the University of South Carolina. His estimated fees from these clients ran into the millions over the years. As far as political consultants in South Carolina, everyone else was in the minor leagues compared to him, said David Pascoe, a special prosecutor who used a state grand jury with subpoena powers to investigate Quinn and his web of influence. But, said Pascoe, he also learned from the investigation how much Quinn loved his family and was a devoted family man to his children, grandchildren and their families. The investigation resulted in Pascoe and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division using a search warrant to uncover a trove of emails and financial information from Quinns firm, Richard Quinn & Associates. Pascoe successfully brought charges against lawmakers who accepted money from Quinn and charges against Quinns business. And Pascoes investigation resulted in a guilty plea by Quinn last year to four counts of perjury and two counts of obstruction of justice. Judge Carmen Mullen sentenced him to 18 months home detention to be followed by probation. Quinns plea was what is called an Alford plea, meaning he acknowledged the government had enough evidence to likely convict him in a trial but at the same time, he asserted his innocence. This story will be updated. KYODO NEWS - Mar 21, 2024 - 21:27 | All, World, Japan Japan will emphasize the importance of boosting collaboration with the United States and the Philippines to counter China's assertive behavior in the Indo-Pacific region, a draft of its annual foreign policy report showed Thursday. The Diplomatic Bluebook for 2024 will also underscore that Tokyo "cannot afford to waste even a moment" to solve the long-standing issue of North Korea's past abductions of Japanese nationals as the victims' families continue to age, according to the draft obtained by Kyodo News. "China has been continuing and intensifying its attempts to unilaterally change the status quo by force" and "military activities" in waters surrounding Japan, including the South and East China seas, the draft paper said. Such moves by China have put Japan in "the most severe and complex" security environment and should be addressed by collaborating with like-minded nations not only its close security ally the United States but also the Philippines, Australia and South Korea, the draft said. With Beijing's territorial claims and expanding military activities in mind, Japan, the United States and the Philippines have been strengthening security collaboration in recent years. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is set to meet with U.S. President Joe Biden and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on April 11 in Washington, the first-ever trilateral summit for the countries. They are expected to agree on deeper cooperation. In the draft, Japan also urged China to immediately lift its blanket import ban on Japanese seafood products, which was introduced following the release of treated radioactive wastewater from Japan's disaster-hit Fukushima nuclear power plant into the sea that began in August. As for the abductions by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s, Japan renewed its pledge to make efforts in realizing the return of all the victims as soon as possible, according to the draft. Related coverage: Chinese ships fire water cannons at Philippine boat, injures 4 Japan, Pacific islands oppose change of status quo amid China clout U.S. says China set to have over 1,000 nuclear warheads by 2030 FILE PHOTO: A trader works on the trading floor at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City By Laura Matthews and Sinead Cruise NEW YORK/LONDON (Reuters) - The looming introduction of a shorter settlement cycle for U.S. securities is causing headaches for international fund managers, who face staffing problems, the prospect of holding more cash and raised foreign exchange risk as they prepare to comply. Introduced to lessen the risks of unsettled trades after periods of volatility, the coming change will see securities transactions settle one business day after the trade, or T+1, rather than two. The move, which came after the 2021 plunge in GameStop, is due to take place on May 28 in the U.S. However, it places the country at odds with much of the rest of the world where the typical cycle is T+2. As a result, market participants have been rethinking their processes to avoid transaction failures and higher trading expenses, according to custodians, traders and consultants. "(The transition) is not going to be without its costs," said Ben Springett, head of European electronic and program trading at Jefferies. "You'd ... expect there to be a requirement for a greater amount of cash balances in funds to bridge any potential gaps, and cash mismatches," said Springett. "So, that will come at a detriment to fund performance." The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC), which provides securities clearing and settlement in U.S. financial markets, has been working to prepare with industry bodies including the Investment Company Institute (ICI). Tom Price, managing director and head of technology, operations and business continuity at Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association said that while T+1 was a "complicated and complex initiative" there were "risk reduction and operational benefits" for the industry. RJ Rondini, director of securities operations at ICI said that for the U.S. securities market, "the overall reduction in capital far outweighs the actual absolute value of the increases in risk in all of these other areas." DTCC declined comment. A paper it published on Feb. 28 said market participants must accelerate their preparations. TRADING HOURS The shortened cycle could cause operational challenges such as potential dislocation in FX trades. Foreign investors have to buy dollars to fund U.S. securities transactions. Nathan Vurgest, director of trading at Record Financial Group said he is looking at whether FX costs would increase if more trades are done in the late U.S. period should liquidity move away from the London morning. The European Funds and Asset Management Association (EFAMA) said earlier this month that faster U.S. settlement posed a "systemic risk" to Europe, noting the very limited window that non-U.S. market participants will have to access to CLS, the world's largest multi-currency settlement system for FX trades. According to EFAMA, asset managers trading up to the U.S. close have just two hours to confirm those trades and submit them to CLS. EFAMA members polled said they expected to have to settle $50-70 billion of daily FX trades outside the safety of CLS, leading to calls to extend the CLS cut-off time. Jefferies' Springett said some non-U.S. participants were weighing contingencies including setting up outposts in the U.S. or working U.S. hours. Shortening the cycle could have other knock-on effects such as increasing demand for short-term financing. Typically, some investors must wait to receive cash from one market before they can buy securities in another, but those who sell international securities to buy into the U.S. may find themselves with a cash shortfall for a day. This could increase the use of the overnight repurchase agreements but shift credit risk - the danger that a counterparty cannot pay its obligations on time and in full - onto banks in that space, said Adam Watson, head of commercial product for custody services at BNY Mellon. "That is going to force portfolio managers to start thinking about 'do I go to the overnight repo market, or ... are my custodians able to extend me the credit overnight?'" said Watson. Custodians, safekeepers of client assets, typically provide clients with short-term credit in the form of intraday liquidity, and on an exceptional basis overnight funding, to help settle across different systems and time zones. But this type of lending is usually limited to the processing of clients' securities or payment transactions and is not generally committed, and is therefore not a guaranteed extension of credit, Watson said. KNOCK-ON EFFECTS There could be other consequences. Global index funds such as exchange-traded funds with a significant mix of assets having mismatched settlement could also face disruption, managers said. Steve Fenty, head of currency management at State Street Global Markets, said that when there is disharmony across a fund's settlement cycle and its underlying assets, managers might consider splitting up settlement cycles between funds that have a high proportion of U.S. assets underlying versus more diversified global funds. The change could also reduce liquidity in equities markets, said Josh Galper, managing principal at capital markets consultancy Finadium, as a shortened time frame in the U.S. could decrease the time to recall securities that were loaned to short sellers. "It is often overlooked how much liquidity short selling and securities lending delivers to equity markets," Galper said. "It's the type of thing that you know it when its gone." (This story has been refiled to fix a broken hyperlink in paragraph 10) (Reporting by Laura Matthews in New York and Sinead Cruise in London; Additional reporting by Davide Barbuscia in New York; Editing by Megan Davies and Daniel Wallis) Everyone has likely heard of finders keepers, losers weepers, but that is not always true in Pennsylvania. The Keystone State offers a long list of detailed laws surrounding theft, including in circumstances involving property that someone mistakenly left behind. If you stumble upon cash or credit cards, wallets or other items that belong to someone else and choose to keep them, you might wind up in legal trouble yourself. Heres what you need to know before choosing to hold on to left-behind items in Pennsylvania. Is keeping mislaid property a crime in Pennsylvania? Yes. According to Pennsylvania law, keeping property you stumble across that belongs to another person is illegal under certain circumstances especially if you do not try to return it to its rightful owner. A person who comes into control of property of another that he knows to have been lost, mislaid or delivered under a mistake as to the nature or amount of the property or the identity of the recipient is guilty of theft if, with intent to deprive the owner of thereof, he fails to take reasonable measures to restore the property to a person entitled to have it, the law reads. The simplest way to avoid getting caught up with mislaid property is to leave left-behind items alone and untouched, the Pittsburgh-based Zuckerman Law Firm wrote on its blog. If you do locate missing property, you can take reasonable and simple steps to return it by altering nearby employees or officials or contacting law enforcement to make arrangements for the propertys return if possible. Attempting to return mislaid property is key in Pennsylvania. According to the law, you are guilty of stealing mislaid property only if you try to keep it intentionally to prevent it from returning to its rightful owner. Taking reasonable steps to find the owner or return the property should, generally, clarify your intent. How is theft punished in Pennsylvania? If you are found guilty of stealing in Pennsylvania, you can face some hefty punishments. Broadly, you could face conviction of a first-degree felony, punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a maximum $25,000 fine, if stolen items are worth $500,000 or more. A first-degree felony can also come through cases in which the stolen property that was received, retained or disposed of is a firearm and the receiver is in the business of buying or selling stolen property, Pennsylvania law reads. Thefts are considered a second-degree felony if the stolen property is valued between $100,000 and $500,000, if the stolen property is a firearm or any amount of anhydrous ammonia or if the act is committed during a man-made disaster, natural disaster or a war-caused disaster. Second-degree felonies are punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of $25,000. Thefts are considered a felony of the third degree if the amount exceeds $2,000, if the stolen property is an automobile, airplane, motorcycle or other motor-propelled vehicle or if the receiver of stolen property is in the business of buying or selling stolen property. Theft in Pennsylvania may result in misdemeanor charges under the following circumstances: A first-degree misdemeanor if the stolen items are worth more than $200, but no more than $2,000 A second-degree misdemeanor if the stolen items are worth between $50 and $200 A third-degree misdemeanor if the stolen items are worth less than $50 According to Pennsylvania law, the amount involved in a theft is usually determined by the stolen items market value or, if that is not available, the cost of replacement. Additional stipulations and punishments are written into Pennsylvania law for theft cases involving shoplifting, stealing unpublished dramatic plays or musical compositions and stealing trade secrets, among other scenarios. A Virginia womans life-changing lottery win was met with a chorus of screams. Gayla Guishard could hardly believe it when she scratched her Virginia Millions ticket to reveal a $1 million prize her second big win in three years, according to a March 20 Virginia Lottery news release. The Smithfield woman was at a Race Way station in Isle of Wight County when she asked the owners to check her ticket. Then came the raucous cheers. I just kind of screamed! Guishard told lottery officials. We were all in there screaming! The ruckus prompted some people to rush in and see what happened, but We said, Nothing! Guishard recalled, according to officials. In 2021, she won $100,000 in a New Years Millionaire Raffle game, lottery officials said. Guishard didnt say how she plans to spend her latest winnings. She chose the one-time cash option of $571,000 before taxes, officials said. The Virginia woman beat odds of 1 in 612,000 to win the jackpot, leaving one top prize in the Virginia Millions game, officials said. Smithfield is about a 70-mile drive southeast from Richmond. Many people can gamble or play games of chance without harm. However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families. If you or a loved one shows signs of gambling addiction, you can seek help by calling the national gambling hotline at 1-800-522-4700 or visiting the National Council on Problem Gambling website. Mega Millions player just misses $893 million jackpot but still wins big in Florida Big Powerball jackpot led Maryland woman to test her luck. She had to fight back tears Worker picks numbers for lottery player when he cant think of any. It pays off big A Virginia womans long wait to check her lottery ticket meant she was in for a surprise a month later, according to lottery officials. Susan Turgeon and her husband went to a Rite Aid in Chester to pick up medicine for their cat Sheba in January, according to a March 20 Virginia Lottery news release. She decided to buy a Powerball ticket with the Easy Pick option which randomly selects numbers while her husband grabbed the prescription, lottery officials said. But when she returned home, she didnt check her ticket right away. Instead, Turgeon waited almost a month after the drawing took place to check her numbers, according to lottery officials. When Turgeon scanned her ticket, she found out she had a big winner on her hands. She won $100,000in the Jan. 27 drawing, lottery officials said. She matched four numbers and the Powerball, which would normally result in $50,000, but she paid extra for the Power Play feature to double her winnings, according to lottery officials. Its surreal! she told lottery officials when she claimed her prize. She didnt share how she will spend her winnings, lottery officials said. Chester is about a 15-mile drive south from Richmond. What to know about Powerball To score a jackpot in the Powerball, a player must match all five white balls and the red Powerball. The odds of scoring the jackpot prize are 1 in 292,201,338. Tickets cost $2 and can be bought on the day of the drawing, but sales times vary by state. Drawings are broadcast Saturdays, Mondays and Wednesdays at 10:59 p.m. ET and can be streamed online. Powerball is played in 45 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Many people can gamble or play games of chance without harm. However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families. If you or a loved one shows signs of gambling addiction, you can seek help by calling the national gambling hotline at 1-800-522-4700 or visiting the National Council on Problem Gambling website. Lottery player nets life-changing prize on scratch-off game. Its not her first time Lottery player is so surprised by win, she needs friend to be a second set of eyes Big Powerball jackpot led Maryland woman to test her luck. She had to fight back tears Lunar railroad concept to put trains on Moon gets backing from US government A rail network on the Moon that connects different lunar bases could be realised within the next decade after a US government agency approved the concept for development. The US Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) will help fund the venture, which was proposed last year by aerospace firm Northrop Grumman. It forms part of a broader 10-year lunar infrastructure plan from DARPA, which aims to support a future lunar economy that is expected to form as space agencies around the world look to establish a permanent presence on the Moon. A concept for a lunar base that would allow humans to establish a permanent presence on the Moon (ESA) Both China and the US already have programs in place to set up lunar bases before the end of the decade, with Nasas Artemis mission expected to be the first to return humans to the Moons surface. The envisioned lunar railroad network could transport humans, supplies and resources for commercial ventures across the lunar surface contributing to a space economy for the United States and international partners, Northrop Grumman said in a statement. An artist impression of a moon base (ESA/P Carril) After being selected for the Lunar Architecture Capability Study (LunA-10), Northrop Grumman will now work towards building a prototype of a fully operational lunar rail system. The firm will also explore different ways of constructing, operating and repairing a train network on the Moon, which will likely involve the development of robots capable of carrying out key tasks. DARPA program manager Dr Michael Nayak said that there is a large paradigm shift coming over the next decade for the lunar economy. A lunar rail system, according to Dr Nayak, would provide a network that could support a thriving commercial economy on the Moon. This investment in key developmental research keeps our technology at the forefront of next-generation solutions, said Chris Adams, a general manager at Northrop Grumman. With our proven experience in the integration of complex systems and commercialised autonomous services, we will continue to create lasting change for a sustainable space ecosystem. M. Emmet Walsh, a US character actor whose filmography includes classics like Blood Simple and Blade Runner, has died at age 88, his manager confirmed on Wednesday (20 March). His longtime manager Sandy Joseph said Walsh died from cardiac arrest on Tuesday at a hospital in St. Albans, Vermont, his home state. Widely beloved by critics and filmgoers alike, M. Emmet Walsh received high praise from famed critic Roger Ebert, who once said that no movie featuring either Harry Dean Stanton or M. Emmet Walsh in a supporting role can be altogether bad. Walsh was often the most memorable part of any movie he starred in, playing good old boys with bad intentions like one of his rare leading roles as a crooked Texas private detective in the Coen brothers first film, the 1984 neo-noir Blood Simple. Joel and Ethan Coen said they wrote the part for Walsh, who went on to win the first Film Independent Spirit Award for best male lead for the role. Walsh played a crazed sniper in the 1979 Steve Martin comedy The Jerk and a prostate-examining doctor in the 1985 Chevy Chase film Fletch. In 1982s Blade Runner, Walsh plays a shrewd police captain who sets retired cop Harrison Ford on a hunt for cyborgs. He said the film was gruelling and difficult to make with perfectionist director Ridley Scott. A memorable character actor Born Michael Emmet Walsh in the northernmost corner of the United States, Walsh often played characters with a southern drawl. His career in film began late in life, after a long run in theatre productions, with his first appearance on screen in 1969. He began getting bigger roles nearly a decade later, by which time he was in his 40s. His breakout role came in 1978, when he played Dustin Hoffmans boorish parole officer in Straight Time. That role attracted the attention of Joel and Ethan Coen in 1982, when the brothers were still aspiring filmmakers in Austin, Texas. My agent called with a script written by some kids for a low-budget movie, Walsh told The Guardian in 2017. It was a Sydney Greenstreet kind of role, with a Panama suit and the hat. I thought it was kinda fun and interesting. They were 100 miles away in Austin, so I went down there early one day before shooting (the film Silkwood with Meryl Streep, in Dallas). Walsh said the Coens didnt even have enough money left to fly him to New York for the premiere, but that he was impressed with the quality of work the first-time filmmakers produced. I saw it three or four days later when it opened in LA and was like, Wow! Suddenly my price went up five times. I was the guy everybody wanted. Walsh worked into his late 80s, making recent appearances on the TV series The Righteous Gemstones and American Gigolo. He also starred in director Rian Johnsons 2019 family murder mystery Knives Out, and Mario Van Peebles Western Outlaw Posse, which came out this year. Johnson paid tribute to Walsh on social media after news of his death broke: Emmet came to set with 2 things: a copy of his credits, which was a small-type single spaced double column list of modern classics that filled a whole page, & two-dollar bills which he passed out to the entire crew. Dont spend it and youll never be broke. Absolute legend. Congressional leaders rolled out a sprawling $1.2 trillion legislative package to fund swaths of the government into the fall. The 1,012-page, six-bill funding package was released in the wee hours of Thursday, as lawmakers push to get the legislation quickly across the finish line to avert a shutdown this weekend. Here are just some of the highlights: Homeland Security Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) arrives for a closed-door House Republican Conference meeting on Wednesday, March 6, 2024. (Greg Nash) The package includes more than $490 million in funding for 22,000 Border Patrol agents, which Republicans are touting as the highest level ever funded. Negotiators have been highlighting funding boosts for border security technology, funding for 41,500 detention beds, and increases to Border Patrol overtime pay that had been greenlighted in the annual Defense authorization bill last year. Earlier this year, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) also increased its recruitment incentives that could climb as high as $30,000 for new Border Patrol agent applicants, as the office struggles to bring in new talent. Democrats have also seized on a lack of border wall funding after a partisan fight over Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spending. The bill comes as both sides have ramped up their messaging on the border ahead of the presidential election in November. But conservatives have already said more is needed as they press for hard-line policy changes. Having more ICE [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] beds isnt going to do crap when they have ICE memos in place that are saying dont go enforce the law, Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) told reporters after GOP leadership highlighted some DHS funding at a meeting earlier this week. Getting more Border Patrol agents just means processing more people, right? If you dont have the policy changes, you still have open borders. Defense Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) attends a Gold Medal Ceremony Honoring the Ghost Army at the Capitol on Thursday, March 21, 2024. (Allison Robbert) Defense spending overall sees a bump of more than 3 percent, in line with a deal struck between Biden and House Republican leadership last year to limit federal spending. The Defense package, the largest of the 12 annual funding bills, contains $824 billion in funding. That includes more than $176 billion for military personnel, more than $287 billion for operation and maintenance, $172 billion for munitions and other procurement, and $148.3 billion for research, development, test and evaluation. UNRWA Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) addresses reporters during a press conference to reintroduce the Green New Deal for Public Housing Act on Thursday, March 21, 2024. (Greg Nash) Republicans are touting a deal restricting funding to a key United Nations agency that provides relief for Palestinian refugees, known as UNRWA. The Biden administration said it would temporarily halt funding to the agency in light of allegations that a dozen of its staffers took part in Hamass attack on Israel last October. But Democrats had pressed for funding to be continued with new restrictions for the agency, which has more than 30,000 employees, seeing it as critical in getting out massive amounts of food and humanitarian assistance. Do they consider a win the fact that children are starving to death in Gaza and are going to be unable to get the food and medical supplies they need because of the lack of funding to UNRWA? Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) told The Hill. If thats a win, Id hate to see what a loss looks like. Republicans say the bill would also eliminate funding for the United Nations Commission of Inquiry against Israel. PEPFAR President Biden President Biden heads toward Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, March 19, 2023. Biden is heading to Nevada, Arizona and Texas for various campaign and official events. (Greg Nash) The package includes $6 billion for the presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), as well as $1.65 billion for the Global Fund. Congress previously allowed parts of the program to expire last year, as some Republicans and conservative groups targeted the funding amid debate over abortion. Election security Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) and Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) and Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) are seen during a press conference to mark the 14th-anniversary of the Affordable Care Act on Thursday, March 21, 2024. (Greg Nash) Democrats are highlighting $55 million for election security grants, after House Republicans sought to eliminate funding in the area in their initial proposal last year. Democrats say the funding will help augment state efforts to improve the security and integrity of elections for Federal office. Congressional pay Rep. Mark Amodei (R-Nev.) Rep. Mark Amodei (R-Nev.) is seen during the thirteenth ballot for Speaker on Friday, January 6, 2023. (Greg Nash) The bill includes no pay raise for members, upholding a years-long freeze on lawmakers pay. Rep. Mark Amodei (R-Nev.), chair of the subcommittee that produces the annual legislative branch funding bill, previously said he was pressing for a vote that could allow a pay raise for members. While he noted the legislative branch funding bill passed by House Republicans last year upheld a years-long prohibition on annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLA), he told The Hill that members want a chance to vote on a COLA. TSA Transportation Security Administration agents process passengers at the south security checkpoint in Denver International Airport. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) The package includes more than $10.5 billion for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), which is $1.2 billion above fiscal 2023 levels. More than $1 billion goes toward increasing funding for TSA workers for maintaining pay equity investments started last year and to invest in the expansion of protecting TSA workers rights, Democrats say. A source familiar said the funding was part of a dispute between both sides over the weekend as they negotiated the annual DHS funding bill, one of the six bills included in the package unveiled early Thursday. Child care and education SELMA, ALABAMA MARCH 3: Miguel Cardona, U.S. Secretary of Education, speaks on the 59th commemoration of the Bloody Sunday Selma bridge crossing on March 3, 2024 in Selma, Alabama. In her remarks Harris called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza but reiterated that Israel has a right to defend itself. (Photo by Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images) Democrats say early childhood education programs saw the biggest funding jump in the package, up $1 billion compared to the previous year. That includes boosts for Child Care and Development Block Grants, Head Start, and the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. The package also increases funding for the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and the Health Resources and Services Administration. Top Stories from The Hill Spending would rise for Title I grants and historically Black colleges and universities and minority-serving institutions. The increases are covered by the annual funding bill for the departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education. Its one of the six funding bills the House is expected to consider as part of the larger package Friday and key to Democrats priorities. Cuts House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) attend a Gold Medal Ceremony Honoring the Ghost Army at the Capitol on Thursday, March 21, 2024. (Allison Robbert) While House Republicans dont achieve the significant cuts to nondefense programs pursued in their initial proposed funding bills, both sides note some spending reductions. Negotiators note more modest cuts or freezes to offices across the package, as nondefense spending is overall considered to be flat-funded when compared to fiscal 2023. That includes smaller spending decreases for offices like the Federal Trade Commission, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and the Office of National Drug Control Policy. Other areas saw bigger cuts. While Democrats were able to secure $55 million in funding for election security grants, they also note the amount is $20 million less the previous year. The package also includes $947 million for the Architect of the Capitol, which is $368 million less than the year before. The IRS also saw a funding freeze, along with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, the Federal Communications Commission, Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act State grants, and Job Corps. FBI headquarters FBI Director Christopher Wray FBI Director Christopher Wray is seen at a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing to examine worldwide threats at the Capitol on Monday, March 11, 2024. (Allison Robbert) The package includes $200 million for the Federal Bureau of Investigations headquarters as part of the annual general government funding bill tucked in. The money for the FBI has already drawn backlash from hardline conservatives, as Republicans clashed over funding for construction of a new headquarters amid increased scrutiny of the FBI from some lawmakers who have accused the agency of being weaponized against former President Trump. The news comes after Republicans highlighted a $654 million cut to the FBIs operating budget in the initial batch of full-year funding bills that passed Congress earlier this month. Republicans also pointed to what they described as a 95 percent cut to the FBIs construction account, amounting to a $621.9 million reduction, at the time as part of an effort to address the weaponization of the growing bureaucracy within the FBI. The $1.2 trillion, 1000-page swamp-bus released in the dead of night includes $200 MILLION for a new FBI Headquarters So much for those cuts to FBI, Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) wrote on X on early Thursday. Updated on March 22 at 7:45 a.m. EDT For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) The Kissimmee Police Department discussed the disappearance and death of 13-year-old Madeline Soto in a news conference Thursday. Kissimmee Police Chief Betty Holland said detectives are working tirelessly to pour over evidence and follow through on every lead. Prime suspect in Madeline Soto murder case gets spring trial date, court records say Everyone close to the teenager is considered a suspect, Holland said. Stephan Sterns, 37, the man Orange County deputies called the prime suspect of the case, is in jail awaiting trial for 60 alleged child sex crimes. Holland said Sterns is not cooperating with the investigation, but other adults in her life -including her mother, who is dating Sterns have cooperated. Officials are still waiting for the Medical Examiners report to determine how Madeline died. Holland said there likely wont be new developments in the case until they receive the report. Kissimmee Police Chief Betty Holland speaks at a news conference (WESH) The police department was expected to announce an update to the case, but Holland said she doesnt want to rush her detectives. No charges have been filed against Sterns in connection to Madelines death. Mr. Sterns is not going anywhere. Hes in jail and hes going to be there for a while, Holland said. I want my detectives to be looking at every single detail to be make sure. The police department declined to disclose their timeline for the investigation. What happened to Madeline Soto? (Orange County Sheriffs Office) Madeline Soto was last seen alive on Feb. 26. Stephan Sterns, who lived with Soto and is dating her mother, was supposed to drop her off at school. Police said she didnt make it. Sterns is considered the prime suspect in her disappearance and death. According to the Orange County Sheriffs Office, Sterns was caught on camera throwing items into a dumpster around 7:35 a.m. the day she disappeared. Officials found the childs backpack and school laptop in the dumpster. Sterns was spotted again at 8:19 a.m. returning to their apartment complex with Soto in the car, according to the sheriffs office. Detectives believe she was already dead at that time. Madeline Sotos body was discovered in the woods off Old Hickory Tree Road in Osceola County. Officials claim Sterns was spotted in the area that afternoon, changing a tire. Screenshot from video (Courtesy: Osceola County Sheriffs Office) Shortly after the teenagers disappearance, disturbing images and video discovered on Sterns phone led to 60 new charges, including sexual battery of a child, lewd and lascivious molestation, and possession of child sexual abuse material, according to Kissimmee police. Madeline Soto case: 60 new charges filed against mothers boyfriend Sterns has not been charged with Sotos murder, but detectives said they found evidence of Sterns sexually abusing a child dating back to 2019, when she would have been 8 years old. He is scheduled to appear in court this spring to stand trial for the child sex crime charges. If convicted, Sterns faces the death penalty or life in prison. This is a developing story. Stay up to date on the latest from News Channel 8 on-air and on the go with the free WFLA News Channel 8 mobile app. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. Married at First Sight Australia star Domenica Calarco has debuted a shorter haircut for a good cause. Domenica, known for taking part in season 9 of the Aussie version of MAFS, took to Instagram to share her hair transformation as part of a campaign to raise funds for Australia's Leukaemia Foundation. The initiative entailed asking stars to shave, cut or colour their hair to help spread awareness and raise funds for blood cancer patients. The MAFS star opted for a shorter do, going from a blonde bob to a darker pixie cut, as documented in a video. "I DID IT!!! I still don't have worlds to describe how this feels! I am so incredibly proud of all the money we are continuing to raise for @leukaemia_foundation," she shared in the caption. "This is for all the people who don't have a choice to shave their heads." Related: MAFS Australia star quits experiment for the second time Whilst some criticised Domenica for not shaving her head fully, others were supportive of the initiative, pointing out that the goal is to raise money by either shaving, cutting or colouring one's hair. "It looks beautiful. The charity themselves are promoting cut, colour OR shave. I don't understand the hate on here," one person wrote. "My son had leukaemia and I've always found the shaving a little upsetting - choosing to go bald knowing it'll grow back isn't the same as being forcibly bald for over a year (in my son's case). But whoever and however, as long as it's raising vitally needed funds who cares?!" Leukaemia Foundation also joined the conversation, thanking those who praised the campaign regardless of the amount of hair that was cut off. "Thank you for your feedback and kindness," the charity wrote in response. "We too believe that every strand of hair changed makes a difference to those impacted with blood cancer." Nine Related: MAFS star Erica Roberts unveils hair transformation Previously explaining the decision to take part in the campaign on her social media, Domenica looked back on her I'm a Celebrity... Australia stint, revealing she was "bummed" to not win as she intended to donate the cash prize to the cause. "It's something very close to my heart," she said. "I did go all the way to the jungle in South Africa to raise funds, and now I am an ambassador [for the Leukaemia Foundation] for 2024, which is just one of the most incredible things." Married at First Sight UK airs on E4 in the UK. Married at First Sight Australia airs on Nine Network in Australia and E4 in the UK. Interested in talking about Married at First Sight? Visit our dedicated sub-forum If you would like more information or support about living with cancer or treatment, please click here for guidance from Macmillan Cancer Support, or click here to learn more from Stand Up to Cancer. You Might Also Like Seven stocks Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia and Tesla accounted for roughly 60pc of the US stock markets 26.3pc return in 2023. While the so-called Magnificent Seven rose by 107pc in 2023, the other 493 companies in the S&P500 index only gained 12.5pc for the year. Amongst the most spectacular was Nvidia which has risen by 73.6pc so far in 2024, on the back of a 239pc gain in 2023. Together these companies are worth $9.83 trillion (7.7 trillion), accounting for 22.2pc of the US stock market and have a market value bigger than the UK, France, Germany, and Italy combined. Fearful of missing out on these gains, investors are pouring money into tech funds this year. According to data from Goldman Sachs, US Technology ETFs have taken in $5.6bn in the two months of the year. But this is not the first time investors have become obsessed with a group of companies with a snappy name. So, what lessons might we learn from what became of the favoured companies of the past? The dramatic fall of the Nifty Fifty: lessons from the 1970s In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the market darlings were known as The Nifty Fifty. These were a group of high-quality stocks including Xerox, IBM, Polaroid and Coca-Cola. Most of these stocks were leaders in their industry, with strong balance sheets, high profitability, proven high growth rates and continual increases in dividends. Sounds familiar? These are the very characteristics that are in vogue today in America. With the aforementioned characteristics, the Nifty companies were considered so appealing that they were called one-decision stocks that is, their stocks should always be bought and never sold, irrespective of price. The enthusiasm for these companies saw them become more expensive relative to the market such that in late 1972, the average Nifty Fifty stock price traded at a trailing multiple of 47 times earnings, which was 2.5 times that of the wider US market. When the US stock market rolled over in 1973, however, the Nifty Fifty did dramatically worse than the average US stock. Whereas the S&P500 fell by 37pc to the 1974 trough, the Nifty Fifty basket fell by an additional 11pc. Moreover, while the market recovered to the prior highs over the following three years, the Nifty Fifty were still 30pc below peak levels. In fact, these stocks never regained their 1973 highs through the course of the decade. The dotcom crash: lessons from 2000 In the late Nineties, many investors were swept away by the potential growth of the internet and bid up the share prices of telecoms, media and technology stocks in a frenzy that would eventually become known as the dotcom bubble. Just as today, investors poured money into US technology funds the poster child of which was US asset manager, Janus, whose assets rose from $1bn at the start of the decade to over $300bn by 2000. During the 2000-02 bear market, however, the Janus Twenty Fund plunged 69pc whilst the Enterprise Fund plummeted 78pc, and Global Technology Fund lost 84pc. The fact that investors were convinced that these high rates of growth would be sustainable was exemplified in a Fortune Magazine article headlined Ten Stocks to Last the Decade which was based on their prediction of major trends that would shape the next 10 years. Just as with the Nifty Fifty, when the bubble burst these stocks fared much worse than average. The table below shows the performance of them at the end of 2012. An equally weighted portfolio of these companies would have lost 64pc during this period while the S&P500 gained 23pc over the same time. There are two lessons that investors should draw from the Nifty Fiftys bubble in the early 1970s and the technology bubble of the early 2000s. Firstly, the future is usually far less certain than you might think and secondly, even a great company can become a poor investment if you overpay for it. Recommended Why do US stocks do better than British ones? Because we gave up on capitalism Read more Ian Lance is co-head of the UK value and income team at Redwheel, and co-fund manager of Temple Bar Investment Trust 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. XI'AN, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Liu Guozhong has stressed the importance of accelerating scientific and technological innovation in agriculture, improving farmland irrigation and water conservancy, and increasing grain yields to ensure food security. Liu, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during a research trip in northwest China's Shaanxi Province that lasted from Tuesday to Thursday. The trip brought the vice premier to a high-tech agricultural industry demonstration zone and to Northwest A&F University, where he learned about progress in the breeding of high-quality crop varieties, water conservation in arid areas, and the research and development of agricultural machinery used in hilly and mountainous areas. Sci-tech advancements and innovation are key to agricultural modernization, the vice premier said, emphasizing the importance of creating innovation platforms and strategically developing agricultural science and technology. Efforts should be made to strengthen innovation synergy, improve resource-sharing and make breakthroughs in core technologies in key fields so that China can achieve greater self-reliance and strength in agricultural sci-tech at an accelerated pace, he said. During the research trip, Liu also inspected progress made in the management of a Fuping County river, the repair of Pucheng County's drainage system, and ecological restoration along the Weihe River. YORK COUNTY, Maine Town managers along the Seacoast of southern Maine reacted Thursday to the news President Joe Biden has declared the two storms in January a disaster, thus ensuring federal funds will be on the way. I would say we are relieved, said Kennebunkport Town Manager Laurie Smith. We are looking forward to working with York County EMA on our declaration requests for funding and investing these needed funds back into Kennebunkport. Gov. Janet Mills announced the news in a press release. In approving her request for the declaration, Biden has agreed to help the eight coastal Maine counties that were lashed by the heavy rain and high tides on Jan. 10 and 13. Colony Beach will be closed to vehicles through the summer of 2024 as a result of the damages caused by two storms in January. The storms flooded inland properties, damaged infrastructure, spread rocks and debris, displaced fish, and took whole dunes and parts of seawalls out to sea. No part of the coast was spared, from the parking area of Colony Beach in Kennebunkport to Marginal Way in Ogunquit. In Wells, more than a dozen homes were rendered uninhabitable by the storms. Bidens declaration will provide federal assistance to help Maine cover the cost of public repairs, which are estimated at more than $70 million, according to Mills. Marginal Way in Ogunquit, Maine, is closed until further notice, as a result of the two storms that damaged the beloved path in January 2024. Wells Town Manager Michael Pardue said he was pleased by Biden's declaration. "It opens the opportunity for the town of Wells and its residents to apply for greatly needed funds to rebuild our coastal infrastructure," Pardue said. "Equally important will be our pursuit of funds to advance our mitigation efforts. There are numerous areas along our shoreline that I believe can be protected from the impact of severe storms and enhance our resiliency, through well-engineered and implemented mitigation processes." In Kennebunk, Town Manager Heather Balser also spoke of resiliency, saying funds will be used for restoring damaged properties and also for evaluating options for mitigating such climate-related damages from recurring in the future. "The town has been reasonably successful in utilizing the funds to make some of our shoreline areas more resilient, but we are also going to be looking at possible adaptation strategies to make sure the funding is prudently applied," Balser said. More: Coastal towns, businesses contemplate whether to rebuild or retreat Homeowners, businesses can recover costs from storm damage Biden also approved the individual assistance Mills requested to provide direct relief to certain eligible people and families who experienced severe property damage. We were pleased that individual assistance was part of the declaration, so that private property owners have the opportunity to recover from these devastating events, Smith said in her email. In her press release, Mills thanked the president for his approval. My administration will continue to do everything possible to help Maine communities recover from and become more resilient to catastrophic weather events, Mills added. In the coming weeks, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, will partner with the Maine Emergency Management Agency and other state agencies to establish Disaster Recovery Centers in impacted areas. As well, FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams will also be deployed to Maine to help impacted individuals and families apply for federal assistance that may help them pay for temporary housing, home repairs, and other needs resulting from the storm, according to Mills. Also, the U.S. Small Business Administration is expected to make low-interest loans available to help impacted businesses of all sizes to repair or replace property damage resulting from the storm. Homeowners, renters, and nonprofit organizations also will be eligible to apply. Businesses may also be eligible for working capital loans, Mills added. U.S. Small Business Administration staff will be on-site at the Disaster Recovery Centers. The locations of these centers, as well as how people and businesses can apply for help, will be announced soon. At the direction of Mills, MEMA officially started taking steps toward securing the presidential declaration in January. Mills continues to urge Maine people to apply for assistance. More information on how to apply can be found at maine.gov/flood. This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Maine gets federal aid to help coastal towns with storm damage FILE - This image taken Jan. 7, 2024, and released by the National Transportation Safety Board, shows a section of the Boeing 737-9 Max that lost a panel in flight, in Portland, Ore. Boeing says the head of its 737 jetliner program is leaving the company immediately, paving the way for the aircraft maker to appoint new leadership at the troubled division. (NTSB via AP) The heads of leading U.S. airlines want to meet with Boeing and hear the aircraft manufacturers strategy for fixing quality-control problems that have gained attention since a panel blew out of an Alaska Airlines jetliner in January, people familiar with the situation said Thursday. The meeting is likely to take place next week, according to a person who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe private discussions between Boeing and the airlines. The request by airline leaders was reported first by The Wall Street Journal. The newspaper said that Boeing CEO David Calhoun is not expected to meet with the airline officials, and that Boeing has offered to send its chairman, former Continental Airlines CEO Lawrence Kellner, and other board members. Boeing declined to comment. The company's chief financial officer, Brian West, said at an investor conference Wednesday that the slowdown in aircraft production would cause Boeing to burn through $4 billion to $4.5 billion in cash flow during the first quarter, which ends March 31. We put the customers in a tight spot ... the slowdown has impacted us, and it has impacted them," West said. He said airline customers "have been supportive of everything we are trying to do to enhance safety and quality for the industry. United Airlines and American Airlines declined to comment on the airlines' request, and Alaska Airlines did not immediately respond to an inquiry. A Southwest spokesman declined to comment on specific meetings but said, We have ongoing, frequent communication with Boeing, which is not new and will continue. Airline CEOs have been outspoken in their frustration with Boeings manufacturing problems, which have slowed deliveries of planes that the carriers were counting on. Southwest, which has an all-Boeing fleet, said last week that the company told it to expect 46 new planes this year instead of 79, which will force Southwest to reduce its planned schedule. United is considering buying Airbus jets because increased scrutiny of Boeing is likely to further delay the launch of a planned new, larger Max model. Boeing shares have dropped 28% this year from fallout over the Alaska accident and production problems. State Farm plans to not renew roughly 72,000 property and commercial apartment policies in California starting this summer, the company announced Wednesday. About 30,000 of the affected policies will be for homeowner, rental, residential community association and business owner insurance. The other approximately 42,000 will be for commercial apartment policies. That will make up a little more than 2% of the companys footprint in the state, the announcement said. It was Californias largest property insurer in 2022 the most recent data available according to the Department of Insurance. The decision follows the companys announcement in May that it would stop accepting new applications for property and business policies. At the time, State Farm cited higher construction costs, a growing risk from catastrophic events, such as wildfires, and challenges related to how it insures its own business. In Wednesdays announcement, the company referenced those same challenges as well as the limitations of working within decades-old insurance regulations. Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara has announced regulatory changes that his department is rolling out this year. Michael Soller, a department spokesman, said in an emailed statement Thursday the agency was confident the actions will improve conditions for the overall market. He said the companys decision raises serious questions about its financial situation questions the company must answer to regulators. The action was taken by State Farm General Insurance Company, which sells homeowners insurance in California. The company acknowledged the departments proposed changes and vowed to continue to work with the agency to establish an environment in which insurance rates are better aligned with risk. In December, the department approved a 20% average rate hike for the companys homeowner insurance policies. On Wednesday, the insurer said it will begin taking action in July on the homeowners policies and in August for the commercial ones and that it would occur on a rolling basis over the next year. It also said it would notify people affected by the decision before their coverage expires. Indian company Reliance Industries, the owner of the world's largest oil refinery complex, refuses to accept oil delivered by tankers of the Russian company Sovcomflot (SCF), Reuters reported on March 20. The decision was made in connection with the imposition of U.S. sanctions. "SCF is a major supplier of tonnage for Russian oil," the article says. The refusal to accept its tankers may negatively affect the sale of raw materials in India, which has become the main buyer of sea oil from Russia after the withdrawal of Western companies at the end of 2022. The decision on the entry of Sovcomflot vessels and other sanctioned tankers to Indian ports will be made by the authorities. "Our preference is that refiners should not take oil in sanctioned vessels, because of our political and commercial interests and the U.S. sanctions," said one of the sources in the Indian government. "Russian oil supplies to India, which have already fallen by more than a third at the end of 2023, may decline even further as refineries are seeking to avoid any negative reaction from Washington and are being extra cautious," the article reads. Read also: India slowly shifts from Russian arms and oil, eyeing closer ties with the West India previously purchased 2.15 million barrels of Russian oil daily, about half of all marine oil exports from Russia in the summer of 2023. The United States imposed sanctions on Russia's largest shipping company, Sovcomflot, and 14 oil tankers transporting Russian oil in February. India refused to purchase Russian Sokol crude oil in February 2024. India reportedly stopped buying another grade of Russian oil in March 2024. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine A large majority of House Republicans released a budget proposal on Wednesday endorsing legislation that would threaten to make in vitro fertilization illegal nationwide. The move is a stunning turnabout after most of the party spent weeks voicing support for IVF following a controversial Alabama Supreme Court ruling that led providers in the state to halt the procedure. The Republican Study Committee, an influential group that comprises nearly 80% of House Republicans, released its budget for fiscal year 2025, and it backed the Life at Conception Act. The legislation would grant full legal rights to embryos from the moment of fertilization, the same logic employed by the Alabama justices who effectively outlawed IVF in the state. The Senate version of the bill had a carve-out to protect IVF, but the House version did not meaning access to IVF would be vulnerable to restrictions if it were enacted. Many of the 120 House Republicans who are listed as co-sponsors of the Life at Conception Act have been reticent to discuss their thoughts on IVF since the Alabama ruling and the national outrage that followed. The National Republican Senatorial Committee urged members last month to clearly state [their] support for IVF and publicly oppose any efforts to restrict access, and Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.) said the same in her response to President Joe Bidens State of the Union address. But for conservative politicians, and particularly evangelicals, IVF is still a controversial procedure. Also on Thursday, four members of the hard-right House Freedom Caucus, led by Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.), sent a letteropposing a new Biden administration policy that will expand IVF access for unmarried veterans and veterans in same-sex marriages. A surplus of embryos will be created which are likely to result in abandoned, or cruelly discarded human life, the letter reads. These surprising attacks on IVF run counter to some other House Republican efforts. This week, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said he supports access to IVF, but that he does not believe Congress needs to play a role in protecting it. And last week, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) introduced the first Republican-sponsored House bill to protect in vitro fertilization since the Alabama ruling. Luna is a member of the Republican Study Committee. The Right to Try IVF Act, which she introduced last week as HR 7669, would cut off federal funding to any states that prohibit a licensed physician from performing [IVF] for an individual experiencing medical hardship in conceiving a child. (The full text of the bill is below.) If a state were to ban IVF treatments, the Right to Try IVF Act would make the state ineligible for funds that come from the State Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant program. The program, also known as Title V, is one of the largest federal grant programs that states can apply to for funding for health service needs for parents, infants and children. In fiscal 2022, the program sent over $2.6 billion to states across the country. Currently, Rep. Brandon Williams (R-N.Y.) is the only co-sponsor of Lunas bill. Its not clear whether the bill would protect access for people in Alabama, where three of the largest fertility clinics paused IVF care immediately after the states Supreme Court ruling. What happened in Alabama was not an outright ban on IVF created by lawmakers, but a product of Alabama Supreme Court justices using fetal personhood ideology to interpret state law. That wouldnt appear to meet Lunas criteria for withholding federal funding, which applies only if states explicitly prohibit physicians from performing IVF. If the language of her bill did apply in places like Alabama, however, state lawmakers might be powerless to stop the loss of federal block grant money, because the ruling against IVF was an action taken by an independent state court, not the direct result of a state law. The Right to Try IVF Act by Alanna Vagianos on Scribd This embedded content is not available in your region. As our country continues to face increasing rates of infertility and declining birth rates, it is important that we encourage families to have children, Luna told HuffPost in an emailed statement. IVF, when done responsibly, is an amazing innovation of modern medicine, and has helped many families experience the blessing of having children, several of whom I know personally. A similar bipartisan bill has already been working its way through the House. Rep. Susan Wild (D-Pa.) introduced the Access to Family Building Act earlier this year alongside Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.). The legislation would create a statutory right to IVF and other assisted reproductive technologies for patients and providers, guaranteeing that clinics could operate without reprisal from their home state. Introduced over a month before the Alabama ruling, the bill now has 149 co-sponsors, including two Republicans from New York. Lunas bill in no way creates a right for a person who wants or needs in vitro, Wild told HuffPost. All it does is create penalties on states that are going to outlaw [IVF]. So theres a huge difference there. Luna was a co-sponsor on Wilds bill for a short period of time, but withdrew her support after the Alabama decision late last month. I was added to Rep. Wilds bill without confirmation and was unable to make amendments to get the bill to where I would be comfortable supporting it, Luna said. My bill specifically provides protections for those diagnosed by a licensed physician with infertility or are facing medical hardship in conceiving a child, she said. Wild said she and her team have received nothing but positive feedback on her bill. She believes Lunas bill is another example of Republicans running for cover in an attempt to satisfy constituents upset about the Alabama Supreme Court decision. The Alabama ruling centered on a 2020 lawsuit in which three couples sued an Alabama fertility clinic and hospital for the wrongful death of their frozen embryos, using a legal framework for bringing civil charges when a child dies. The couples frozen embryos were reportedly destroyed by a patient who wandered into the cryogenic storage area where the embryos are kept, and dropped them on the floor. The judicial decision equated destroyed frozen embryos with children whod died wrongfully inherently putting fertility providers at legal risk, because discarding embryos is a common part of the IVF process. Since the ruling, Republicans have floundered to find the right messaging on IVF. Many, including presumptive GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump, have said they support protections for IVF, but their words often havent aligned with their actions. So-called moderate House Republicans are hellbent on banning abortion nationwide. No matter how they try to talk around it, their actions speak louder than words, Viet Shelton, a spokesperson for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, told HuffPost on Thursday. Their latest far-right manifesto that rips away at womens reproductive freedom is just further proof. Earlier this month, several House Republicans introduced two symbolic measures to express support for IVF protections, but neither has any legislative power to protect the procedure. Despite Republicans claims of supporting IVF access, they twiceblocked Democrats attempt to pass legislation to safeguard fertility treatments on the federal level. I think [Republicans] recognize that, politically, IVF is a very popular issue. It creates families. It solves a huge problem for couples who are infertile, Wild said. It is one of those things that people cant believe that this right would be taken away from them. Here weve got this amazing medical science that has almost been perfected, she said. And were going to tell families that they cant use it. Related... (Bloomberg) -- Malaysias government is poised to make King Ibrahim Iskandar the honorary head of the police force, a new position that may see the monarch expanding his powers in the Southeast Asian nation. Most Read from Bloomberg Malaysias Home Ministry is seeking parliaments approval to create the role of Honorary Commissioner-in-Chief of police that the king will assume, among a slew of other proposed changes in the Police (Amendment) Bill 2024. Lawmakers are set to debate and vote on the bill before the current parliament meeting ends March 27. The move is another sign of the growing influence of Malaysias monarchy. While mostly ceremonial, the royal rulers have become increasingly important in determining who holds power in a country whose past three prime ministers lasted less than two years on the job on average. King Ibrahim, who is from the southernmost state of Johor, took the throne in late January under a unique constitutional monarchy where nine state royals take turns to serve five-year terms. Ahead of his ascension, he shared his plans to push for a revival of a high-speed rail link between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, clamp down on corruption, and serve as a check on the government, signaling a divergence from his predecessors who largely stayed out of politics and the media. The monarch on Tuesday said he would begin his real way of ruling once his reign reaches the two-month mark. Im not a statue to be worshipped or to be used as an ornament in ceremonies, nor am I forced to follow everything ministers say or want, he said in a Facebook post. Last month, King Ibrahim warned against threatening political stability under Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, asking those seeking to play politics to wait until the next general election, which isnt due until 2028. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand The Maldives government has introduced Turkish-built Bayraktar TB2 drones into service while standing up a new Air Corps tasked with monitoring the island nations maritime environs. Three unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) were inaugurated in a ceremony at Maafaru International Airport in Noonu Atoll on March 15, according to the office of President Mohamed Muizzu. That same evening, one of the drones conducted a maiden patrol from the base. The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) did not respond to a Defense News inquiry as to how many TB2s have been purchased, but the figure could be six, according to Turkish media. Turkey delivered the Bayraktar TB2s to the Maldives on Mar. 3 in a transaction valued at $37 million. The first Maldivian drone operators commenced training in Turkey in January, and a second batch is due home soon. Are the once-vaunted Bayraktar drones losing their shine in Ukraine? Defence Minister Ghassan Maumoon referred to the TB2s potential for strike missions, saying: Its a sophisticated technology platform used by developed countries worldwide. At the same time, its a weapon with firepower that can take defensive maneuvers to defend the countrys sovereignty, while focusing on surveillance and search and rescue. Lt. Gen. Abdul Raheem Abdul Latheef, Chief of Defence Force, said the creation of an Air Corps amounted to a historic day, outlining the forces envisioned role in defending the country as well as helping fishermen and marine vessels in distress. Muizzu acknowledged the Turkish governments pivotal role in the deal. After his election in September 2023, Muizzus first official visit was to Turkey last November, where he toured several defense companies. Muizzu also noted that Turkey is providing the MNDF with other unspecified military equipment free of charge. The Bayraktar TB2 is now used by 33 nations, and the global fleet achieved a cumulative 750,000 flight hours last December. Manufacturer Baykar declared exports worth a record $1.76 billion in 2023. Muizzu also announced efforts to strengthen Maldivian military capabilities, including doubling the Coast Guards capacity. He revealed an initiative to recondition older equipment, expand the Air Corps fleet, and enhance land platforms. The Maldives lie 230 nautical miles southwest of the Indian peninsula, and it possesses a 974,000km exclusive economic zone. Five major international shipping lanes traverse its territory. Muizzus India out election platform promised to remove Indian military personnel stationed in the Maldives. Around 80 uniformed Indians support a Dornier 228 maritime patrol aircraft and two Dhruv helicopters donated by India, and all will depart by May. Delhi fears losing influence in the Maldives, even as Muizzus pro-China government signed an agreement on Mar. 4 where Beijing promised unspecified gratis military assistance. Notably, in an attempt to strengthen its Indian Ocean presence, India opened a new naval base in Minicoy, within the Lakshadweep archipelago north of the Maldives, on earlier this month. Indias Lakshadweep islands lie about 130 kilometers (80 miles) north of the Maldives. The base will enhance operational reach and facilitate the Indian Navys operational effort towards anti-piracy and anti-narcotics operations in Western Arabian Sea. It will also augment Indian Navys capability as the first responder in the region and augment connectivity with the mainland, an Indian Navy statement said. The service said the base was part of a policy to incrementally augment security infrastructure at the strategically important islands. The Associated Press contributed to this report. MERCED, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) A man wanted in connection with a shooting in Merced in 2020 was arrested in El Paso, Texas, on Monday, the Merced Police Department announced. Officers say on Dec. 2, 2020, at approximately 1:30 a.m. they were called to the 1100 block of East Santa Fe Drive about shots heard in the area. As officers arrived, they located two men inside of an apartment who were both shot. Both of the men were transported to local hospitals and one was pronounced dead shortly after. Officers say as they were checking the area, they located a third person who was shot in the parking lot about one block away from the original shooting. The third person was pronounced dead at the scene. 40-year-old Anthony Perez (image courtesy of the Merced County Sheriffs Office) Police say the investigation revealed that 40-year-old Anthony Perez was one of the suspects in the shooting. An arrest warrant was issued for Perez on Dec. 17, 2020; since then, investigators have been searching for him. Merced Police worked with the U.S. Marshalls Service to help find Perez for this homicide in Merced and on several other warrants as well, including an attempted homicide in Livingston. According to police, on Monday, March 18, 2024, the U.S. Marshalls served a search warrant at a home in El Paso, Texas where they located and arrested Perez. Police say Perez is currently awaiting his extradition to Merced. Merced Police are asking anyone with any information regarding this crime to contact Sergeant Salyers at 209-388-7771 or by email at SalyersJ@CityofMerced.org. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47. UPDATE: The Lakewood Police Department said 18-year-old suspect Jaidyn Drury was taken into custody Friday morning. She is being held on suspicion of 2nd-degree assault, bias-motivated crime and harboring a minor. The Juvenile suspect remains at large. DENVER (KDVR) Lakewood police have identified two young female suspects who viciously attacked and beat a man at an RTD light rail station and say one of the suspects is expected to turn herself in on Thursday afternoon. The attack happened at the Wadsworth Boulevard station along the W Line. Investigators said the victim was waiting on the platform for a train on the night of Feb. 13, at around 9:15 p.m. Denver 13-year-old missing since December, family desperate to find him According to police, the two girls, one 15 and the second 18 years old, asked the man for a cigarette. When he said no, one of the teens started yelling at him and then began punching him, holding him down by his hair. The other suspect stood by, yelling racial slurs. Police said the attack went on for five to six minutes. The victim sustained serious injuries to his face, and some of his personal items were broken. RTD attack The Metro Denver Crime Stoppers has released images of the suspects taken by security cameras. The victim in this case is an Asian male in his 20s and from what he told us the racial part of it was a big part of this assault. Its bad enough of when you have a senseless assault but when it could be racially motivated as well that makes it even more concerning to us, said John Romero, Lakewood police public information officer. FOX31 Reporter Vicente Arenas asked if this incident would be investigated as a hate crime. All possibilities are still on the table, Romero said. Firefighter adopts cat found on I-25 hazmat scene Arenas also spoke to passengers at the Light Rail station who spoke of problems there. It (the attack) worries me; I think its something serious. Especially when you cant be walking to Colfax thinking about whats going to happen to you, transit user Julian Flores said. Flores says more needs to be done to make the area secure. Just more security often being here 24-7 seeing how things get here cause at night it gets really crazy, Flores said. RTD issued a multi-paragraph statement discussing crime at its facilities and on its transit services. RTD maintains its own police force, RTD-PD, which can be contacted by calling 303-299-2911 or texting 303-434-9100, and partners with over 40 municipalities to address crime. The police force was a shift in 2023 from the agencys typical route of contracting security forces. The increase in sworn police presence is coupled with enhanced customer communications on how to quickly report crimes supports evidence-based policing, RTD said in its statement. RTD has also redoubled its efforts to support Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) activities across the entire system. Over the last year, RTD has upgraded lights, improved landscaping, added TV monitors that display security feeds and installed smoke detectors in public restrooms across its service area. A CPTED-related pilot is also underway at three light rail stations with elevators. CPTED is a multi-pronged approach aimed at reducing crime and deterring offenders at stations, stops, and facilities, the statement concluded. If you have any information, please call Lakewood Police or the Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867. Tipsters can remain anonymous and still be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. LEAVENWORTH, Kan. A Lansing, Kansas man was arrested and is now charged in connection to the January 2023 fentanyl overdose death of 15-year-old Cruz Burris. Torin M. Baughman, 19, was arrested Wednesday morning by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation for first-degree murder and aggravated endangering a child. Chief medical examiner speaks out as fentanyl deaths rise in Jackson County Cruz was found deceased in his home by his mother on January 18, 2023 when she went to wake him for school. Paramedics attempted CPR but couldnt save him. FOX4 spoke with Cruzs father Andy Burris last year who said his son purchased the fentanyl from social media and thought it was Percocet. Download the FOX4 News app on iPhone and Android Baughman is being held in the Leavenworth County Jail on a $500,000 bond. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. BEIJING, March 21 (Xinhua) -- In response to the recent U.S. moves on the chip sector, China's Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said the United States has overstretched the concept of national security, abused export controls and disrupted the global semiconductor industry chains. The United States has been providing huge subsidies and tax incentives to its domestic chip sector, and some measures have been forcing companies to abandon China and choose the United States, which are discriminatory and have violated market laws and international economic and trade rules, distorting the global semiconductor industry chain, MOC spokesperson He Yadong said on Thursday. The semiconductor sector is highly globalized after decades of development and this is the combined effects of resources endowment of different countries and market laws, he said. China is committed to promoting high-level opening up and welcomes global semiconductor firms to invest in China and boost the healthy development of the global semiconductor industry chain, he noted. In response to the U.S. Department of Commerce considering adding several Chinese chip companies related to Huawei to the sanctions list, he said China has always opposed politicizing and weaponizing economic, trade, and technological issues, but in recent years, the United States has abused export controls, unjustly sanctioned and suppressed Chinese enterprises, and seriously disrupted the global industrial and supply chains. If the United States imposes sanctions on more Chinese companies along with persisting suppression of Huawei, citing so-called connections, this will be a typical economic bullying practice, violating international economic and trade rules, and damaging the global economic and trade order, he said. While urging the United States not to adopt wrong practices, the spokesperson said China will take necessary measures to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of its enterprises. Sexually-explicit Instagram messages from a 22-year-old man coerced 12- to 15-year-old girls into sending him videos of themselves and even meet up with him to perform sexual acts, federal officials said. Detectives uncovered dozens of sexually explicit messages and videos on Bobby Cyprus Linharts social media accounts and personal devices, according to court documents. Linhart, of Greenfield, Indiana, was charged with coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity, four counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, distribution of child sexual abuse material, and possession of child sexual abuse material, according to a March 21 news release from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of Indiana. Linharts attorney did not immediately respond to McClatchy News request for comment on March 21. Local police were tipped off to Lindharts unusual activity on Instagram, Snapchat and X, formerly known as Twitter, in May, according to court documents. Messages to the victims occurred between April and August. Lindhart, under the username maps.syb, had distributed pornographic material of a girl between 7 to 9 years old, according to court documents. He also sent messages to at least six girls, between 12 and 15 years old, asking them to send him sexually explicit photos and videos of themselves, court documents show. At times, he would send videos sent by one victim to another, according to court documents. Some of Lindharts messages also included requests to meet in-person and perform sexual acts, according to court documents. In one victims case, Lindhart brought her marijuana and a nicotine vape when they met in Indiana, according to copies of the July messages provided in court records. Lindhart met with at least one other victim in Indiana and intended to meet with another victim in Kentucky, according to court documents. In messages with another victim, he bragged about how he was able to coerce young girls into performing sexual acts with him. JUST NEED TO GO LOWER THAN 12 BUT IT GETS REALLY RISKY IF YOU GO LOWER, he said, according to court documents. Lindhart expressed that he wanted to impregnate a 13-year-old girl, one of the six victims that had sent him sexually explicit photos and videos through social media. Im easily influenced, you basically took advantage of me, the victim said in a message to Lindhart on Instagram, court documents show. Thats what grooming is, Lindhart replied. The victim later said, You(re) going to jail. Federal officials seized drugs and devices containing sexually explicit content from Lindharts home on March 19, according to officials. Investigators believe more victims were messaged and abused by Lindhart. Greenfield is about a 25-mile drive east from Indianapolis. 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 used Snapchat to sexually abuse 11-year-old and coerce her into his home, feds say Man hacked Snapchat accounts to steal and sell nude photos of women, feds say Man exposes himself to women while making TikTok videos in stores, Michigan cops say A Rhode Island man accused of robbing and assaulting a woman outside a North Providence bank this week was earlier convicted for killing Boston Police officer Thomas Rose in 1993, and in the shooting death of a Dorchester clerk in 1986. Joshua McCullough, 60, of Warwick, Rhode Island, formerly known as Terrell Muhammad, shot and killed Rose in the line of duty while in police custody and attempting to escape, police said. Rose was slain on Feb. 19, 1993 when prisoner Terrell Muhammad attempted to escape while being allowed to make a phone call in the booking area of the police district in downtown Boston, District A-1, police said. Once outside his cell, Muhammad lunged for Roses service weapon, and as the two wrestled for control of the firearm, Muhammad discharged several rounds, two of which struck the 42-year-old Rose, killing him. He was sentenced to 26-30 years in prison for the murder of Rose. He served 15 years and was released in 2009. He also earlier served prison time for approximately 6 years following another arrest for manslaughter in connection with the shooting death of a Dorchester clerk in 1986, police said. Some time later, Muhammad changed his name to Joshua McCullough. McCullough is now charged with 1st degree robbery and felony assault following his arrest on Thursday morning. On Tuesday, at approximately 9:55 a.m., North Providence Police responded to the Citizens bank at 1090 Charles St. for the report of a robbery. A female victim in the parking lot of the bank was approached by a man, who assaulted her with a punch to the chest, police said. He pulled the deposit bag from her and fled the scene in a silver colored jeep Cherokee. The victim was trying to make a deposit in the amount of $12,665 into the bank for her employer, Family Dollar in Providence, police said. Investigators later identified the suspect with the assistance of Providence detectives and the Flock camera system from the cities of Providence and Warwick, police said. Police obtained an arrest warrant for McCullough and search warrants for his home and vehicle, which was located in the driveway of his residence, police said. On Thursday morning, at approximately 6 a.m., members of the Warwick Police, Rhode Island State Police and East Providence Police SWAT teams executed the warrant. Police said McCullough was arrested and transported to North Providence Police Headquarters for booking. 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 (BCN) A motorcyclist died in a vehicle collision in Antioch on Wednesday evening, police said. At 5:39 p.m., a 20-year-old man was allegedly speeding on a dirt bike and reportedly ran a stop sign at the intersection of L and West Fourth streets when he suddenly crashed into a white van that had entered the intersection, according to police. Upon arrival, officers found the motorcyclist and the 52-year-old male driver of the white van unresponsive. Antioch officers gave them first aid but the motorcyclist succumbed to his injuries at the scene, police said. Infant dies after crash at SF West Portal bus stop The van driver was transported to a hospital where he is still in critical condition, according to police. The name of the motorcyclist who died is not yet being released. Anyone with information is asked to call the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925) 778-2441 or may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword ANTIOCH. Copyright 2024 Bay City News, Inc. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. A Colorado man charged for helping drag a law enforcement officer into a crowd during the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol was sentenced to more than five years in prison Thursday, according to prosecutors. On top of the sentence, Jeffrey Sabol, 53, was also given three years of supervised release and ordered to pay more than $32,000 in restitution, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Columbia. He has been convicted of three felony charges including obstruction of an official proceeding in relation to his conduct during the Jan. 6 riot. Sabol traveled from Colorado to Washington, D.C., to watch former President Trump speak at his Stop the Steal rally at the Ellipse on the day of the Jan. 6 riot, according to court documents. He traveled with fellow members of a self-described neighborhood watch group. Before leaving, the group members discussed what to bring with them, the press release said. On the advice of one group member, Sabol packed a helmet, a trauma kit, a buck knife, and zip ties. Following the rally, he made his way to the Capitol and joined the riot, the release said. At one point, he assisted two rioters in dragging a law enforcement officer down the steps and into a mob, where rioters beat the officer with a flagpole and a baton. Later, Sabol deleted text messages and other communications from his cell phone, prosecutors wrote. He also tried to flee the U.S. and booked a flight to Switzerland, but could not board the aircraft and rented a car and drove toward Westchester, New York, where the FBI arrested him on Jan. 11, 2021, according to the documents. Sabol acknowledged during his hearing that he is 100 percent guilty and said he would have apologized to the officers if they had been present, according to The Associated Press. I accept whatever it is you hand me, Sabol told the judge, per the AP. Ill be honest: I deserve it. More than 1,300 individuals have been charged with federal crimes related to the insurrection, according to the release. Of those charged, more than 800 have been sentenced. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. SHAWNEE, Kan. A man charged in connection to the 2022 Shawnee, Kansas deadly shooting of 25-year-old Jarod Rogers has been sentenced. Johnson County District Judge Christina Dunn Gyllenborg sentenced 19-year-old Fernando Reyes-Lara on Wednesday to 33 years and four months in prison. Reyes-Lara was sentenced to 285 months for the second-degree intentional murder charge and 61 and 115 months for the two aggravated robbery charges. The sentences in each case will run consecutively. He pleaded guilty earlier this year to the three charges. One man dead after shooting in Kansas City Wednesday morning On Nov. 30, 2022, officers responded to a parking lot near Johnson Drive and Nieman Road for a welfare check around 6:30 p.m. When officers arrived on the scene they found Rogers suffering from a gunshot wound. He was taken to a hospital where he later died from his injuries. The following day, multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Kansas Highway Patrol, Olathe Police Department, and Shawnee Police Department were involved in a chase connected to the shooting. Download the FOX4 News app on iPhone and Android On Dec. 2, 2022, Shawnee police learned that someone involved in the shooting turned themselves in at the Kansas City, Kansas, South Patrol Station and was taken into custody. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. ANKARA, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Turkish intelligence has "neutralized" a high-ranking member of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in operation in Iraq's northern region of Qandil, according to Turkiye's Anadolu Agency. Anadolu identified the PKK official as Barzan Hesenzade, who reportedly joined the PKK in 2016 and was involved in recruitment, was also said to be coordinating the group's youth activities in Iran and liaising with PKK leaders Cemil Bayik and Duran Kalkan. On Tuesday, the Turkish Defense Ministry reported that a soldier was killed and four others wounded following an attack by PKK militants in northern Iraq. In response, Turkish forces launched airstrikes against 27 PKK targets in the region. The term "neutralize" is commonly used by Turkish authorities to denote that the individuals in question have been captured, surrendered, or killed. The PKK, designated as a terrorist organization by Turkiye, the United States, and the European Union, operates from the Kurdish region in northern Iraq, where Turkiye regularly conducts military operations. Earlier this month, Turkiye and Iraq announced an agreement to address the security challenges posed by the PKK, with Baghdad declaring the group a "banned organization." PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) A Portland man was sentenced Wednesday to nine years in prison for distributing fentanyl to a teenager who later died of an overdose. Tanner Welshs 108-month sentence to federal prison will be followed by three years of supervised release, according to the Department of Justice. Some community members dont have trust in Portlands newly-minted riot cop team The 21-year-old pleaded guilty back in December in the case which was related to the fatal overdose of a 17-year-old Portland resident. The charge was one count of distributing fentanyl to a person under the age of 21. Following his arrest in Jan. 2023 by Homeland Security agents, in which officials said Welsh admitted to selling fentanyl and Xanax to the teen, a federal grand jury in Portland indicted him in Feb. 2023. The original incident occurred on Nov. 10, 2022, in which Portland Police Bureau officers responded to a fatal overdose of the teen. Police located several small blue pills near the teens body, suspected to be counterfeit Oxycodone pills laced with fentanyl. An autopsy later confirmed the teen died from fentanyl poisoning. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. (FOX40.COM) Officers in Citrus Heights were able to track down and arrest a suspected robber within two hours after the first calls came in of burglaries at local businesses, according to the Citrus Heights Police Department. Between 8 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, police received calls from three businesses describing robberies with a similar suspect. Over $30,000 seized by police after shutting down illegal gambling operation; two arrested Each of the reporting businesses said a man entered with a replica firearm and appeared desperate for cash and willing to put himself and the entire community at risk. By using various technologies police were able to identify the man by 1:30 p.m. and later located him. The 31-year-old was arrested and is facing three felony charges of robbery and a Post-Release-Community-Supervision violation, according to police. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40. The Manhattan district attorneys office prosecuting former President Trumps hush money case indicated in a court filing Thursday that no further trial delays were warranted after a trove of new documents punted what was supposed to be the start of the criminal proceeding. Trumps lawyers had asked for a minimum 90-day delay to review more than 100,000 pages of records unexpectedly turned over by federal prosecutors last week. Judge Juan Merchan, who is overseeing the case, ultimately delayed the start of Trumps hush money trial by one month after Braggs office consented to a 30-day delay out of an abundance of caution. The office of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg (D) said in a new court filing Thursday that the records obtained by the U.S. attorneys office contain only limited materials relevant to the subject matter of this case and that have not previously been disclosed to defendant. The prosecutors argue that the 30-delay is a more than reasonable amount of time to review the documents. The overwhelming majority of the production is entirely immaterial, duplicative or substantially duplicative of previously disclosed materials, or cumulative of evidence concerning Michael Cohens unrelated federal convictions that defendant has been on notice about for months, the memorandum states. Prosecutors estimated that fewer than 270 documents which are related to Trumps former fixer Michael Cohens federal criminal case are relevant and that were not previously disclosed. They argue no further adjournment is needed other than what was already ordered due to the limited amount of new information. The prosecutors also pushed back on Trumps legal argument that the district attorney failed to comply with their discovery obligations. They argue that there can be no discovery violation because the documents from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York were not part of the prosecutors disclosure obligations. The prosecutors called the allegations by Trumps team wild and untrue in their memorandum. Trump is charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records connected to reimbursements he made to Cohen for a hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election. He has pleaded not guilty. His trial was scheduled to start Monday, but it has been pushed back to at least mid-April. There will instead be a hearing on Monday to discuss the schedule and the new trove of documents. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The Manhattan district attorney prosecuting Donald Trumps hush money case is fed up with the former presidents attempts to further delay the trial, saying enough is enough in court filings Thursday calling for the trial to start next month. The filing from Manhattan DA Alvin Braggs office concerns a trove of newly disclosed records that Trumps legal team says could be integral to the case and need extensive review over the next several months. But Braggs office said Thursday that of the 170,000-plus documents which his staff disclosed after receiving them from federal prosecutors who previously investigated Trump lawyer Michael Cohen fewer than 300 are relevant to Trumps defense. The overwhelming majority of the production is entirely immaterial, duplicative or substantially duplicative of previously disclosed materials, or cumulative of evidence concerning Michael Cohens unrelated federal convictions that defendant has been on notice about for months, Braggs office argued in one of the filings. Although that review is still ongoing, the People now have good reason to believe that this production contains only limited materials relevant to the subject matter of this case, the filing reiterated. "These tactics by defendant and defense counsel should be stopped," Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said. Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images Efforts by Trumps legal team to delay the trial until this summer come after prosecutors already agreed to push its March start date to April 15. Enough is enough, Braggs office said in its filing. Bragg also responded to claims by Trumps legal team that the case should be dropped and Bragg should be sanctioned for belatedly disclosing the documents. The DAs office said that fault lies with Trumps team for waiting until the eleventh hour to subpoena the records from the Southern District of New York, where Cohen was prosecuted and found guilty in 2018. Ultimately, defendants focus on purported discovery violations is a red herring, Tuesdays filing said, calling the timing of the documents release entirely a result of defendants own inexplicable and strategic delay in identifying perceived deficiencies in the Peoples disclosures. The trial Trumps team is trying to delay concerns 34 felony charges of falsifying business records, stemming from hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels in the days leading up to the 2016 election. Daniels says Cohen, on behalf of Trump, paid her a sum of $130,000 in exchange for her silence on an affair she had with Trump in 2006. Last month, Trump alerted the Manhattan court that he plans to cite the advice of lawyers in the hush money case and will argue that he didnt commit any wrongdoing because his lawyers were involved in his conduct. Trump has pleaded not guilty on all charges in the hush money case, just as hes done in the three other criminal indictments against him. In total, he faces 91 felony charges. Related... State prosecutors in New York said Thursday that fewer than 300 of the over 170,000 documents recently turned over to lawyers for former President Donald Trump are potentially relevant to his criminal defense and that their case alleging falsified business records should proceed to trial on April 15. In a court filing, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office said the vast majority of the evidence turned over by federal prosecutors that it considers new and relevant originated from special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Trump lawyer Michael Cohen and has no bearing on the allegations against Trump. Enough is enough. These tactics by defendant and defense counsel should be stopped, the DAs filing said, referring to Trumps attempts to further delay or derail the trial. Cohen is expected to be a key witness in the trial, which was delayed until at least mid-April following the eleventh-hour disclosures by the U.S. attorney's office in Manhattan. Trump's lawyers have accused the DA's office of failing to do its due diligence by getting the records earlier, and have asked Judge Juan Merchan to dismiss the charges as a punishment. In its filing Thursday, the DA's office called their arguments "a red herring." Alvin Bragg speaks during a press conference. (Angela Weiss / AFP - Getty Images file) "Defendant has reacted to the USAOs disclosures by demanding that this Court dismiss the charges, preclude witnesses, or adjourn the trial for at least ninety days; and by leveling wild and untrue allegations of misconduct and malfeasance," the filing said. "Defendant's accusations are wholly unfounded, and the circumstances here do not come close to warranting the extreme sanctions he has sought." Bragg's office said while it's still reviewing the mountain of materials, it now has "good reason to believe that this production contains only limited materials relevant to the subject matter of this case and that have not previously been disclosed to defendant: fewer than an estimated 270 documents." It says most of the 270 documents are "corroborative of existing evidence." The "major relevant items are witness statements not previously in any partys possession, consisting of about 172 pages of notes recording Cohens meetings with the Special Counsel investigating Russian interference," the filing said. The evidence is related to Cohens 2018 guilty plea to a number of criminal charges, including making secret payments to women who claimed they had affairs with Trump and lying to Congress about his boss business dealings with Russia. The hush money payments are at the heart of the DAs case, which alleges Trump falsified business records related to Cohens $130,000 payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels in the closing days of the 2016 presidential campaign. Federal prosecutors alleged Cohen paid the women off in coordination with and at the direction of Trump, who was not charged in the federal case. The former president has pleaded not guilty in the DA's case. The DA argued the overwhelming majority of the production is entirely immaterial, duplicative or substantially duplicative of previously disclosed materials, or cumulative of evidence concerning Michael Cohens unrelated federal convictions that defendant has been on notice about for months." As it has done previously, the DA's office also blamed Trump for the late disclosures, saying his lawyers didn't raise any concerns that items were missing when it turned over the information it had obtained from the U.S. attorney's office in June of last year. Trump's team didn't seek additional documents from federal prosecutors until this past January, which eventually led to the additional documents being turned over, the filing noted. The filing also shed some light on why the U.S. attorney's office hadn't turned the documents over to the DA in June it said it didn't have the Mueller-related material at that time. An affidavit by one of the Manhattan DAs prosecutors, Christopher Conroy, said he'd been told that federal prosecutors didn't get the FBI interview records called 302s until December, when they were sent in response to a Freedom of Information Act request. The U.S. attorney's office also turned over piles of information from its own investigation into Cohen, including bank records that may or may not relate to Cohen's guilty plea to the federal election charge stemming from the hush money payments. Federal prosecutors said it would be "unreasonably burdensome" for them to sort through the relevant bank records, so they handed them all over to the DA, and the DA then shared them with the defense, according to the filing. Conroy added that other evidence turned over by federal prosecutors was duplicative, including copies of Cohens cellphones, which the DAs office already had and had shared with Trump's defense. The DA's office noted it had agreed to a delay of the trial, which had been scheduled to begin next Monday, to allow Trump's team time to review the evidence. Merchan stayed the case until April 15, which the DA argued is when the proceedings should move forward. Trumps lawyers have asked for a 90-day delay. The DA's office contended there shouldn't be any more delays. Defendant has taken every possible step to evade accountability in this case for more than a year," the filing said, and his "motion and subsequent filings are a transparent attempt to shift the focus away from his own criminal conduct." A hearing on the matter is scheduled for Monday, when the judge could set a new trial date. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com MIDTOWN, Manhattan (PIX11) A new job can change your life, and a Midtown, Manhattan-based nonprofit called Bottomless Closet is helping but desperately needs professional purses to complete the interview outfits for women in need. Rosalyn Chukwudi, 34, from the Bronx, is getting ready for an interview to become a real estate agent. Her dream job. She needs the perfect interview outfit. Chukwidi said the perfect interview outfit gives her confidence, and the perfect work purse makes it all come together. More Monica Makes It Happen Shes just one of thousands of clients who need help getting clothes and preparing for their job interviews. Thats where Bottomless Closet comes in. Melissa Norden is the executive director. The nonprofit has helped almost 50,000 New York City women since 1999. The organization provides women with free wardrobes to help them land new jobs and gives them access to free career training programs and other services to lift them out of poverty. Norden said they are in desperate need of handbags like these for women in needspecifically seeking tote-style bags that can accommodate resume folders. If you have a handbag to donate, you can give it Tuesday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1 West 34th Street, 5th floor. Click here for more information on donating. If you have a story, reach out to Monica Morales at monica@pix11.com. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. The identities of the two men who were possibly murdered in connection with an Idaho prison escape have been released by officials. The bodies of James L Mauney, 83, from the Juliaetta area and Gerald Don Henderson, 72 were found as officials searched for 31-year-old Skylar Meade and Nicholas Umphenour, an inmate and a man who had been recently released. Mr Henderson died from an apparent gunshot wound but his manner of death is pending an autopsy investigation. Mr Mauney was carjacked by the men as he was walking his dogs. His body was found near his home. Thursday afternoon, police captured Meade, who is aligned with a white supremacist group, and Umphenour near Leland, Idaho. The episode started around 2.15am on Wednesday. Meade escaped a Boise hospital where he was seeking treatment for an apparent self-inflicted injury. As officers worked to transport the man back to the prison, Umphenour pulled up to the ambulance bay and began shooting allowing Meade to escape into his car. Key Points What we know so far Who is Skylar Meade? Who is Nicholas Umphenour? Arrest warrant issued for accomplice Mugshot of Tonia Huber released 22:27 , Michelle Del Rey Tonia Huber was arrested in connection with a prison escape in Idaho this week. She was handed felony charges including harbouring a fugitive. (Twin Falls County Sheriffs Office) Charges revealed for Skylar Meade and Tonia Huber after inmate escape 21:58 , Michelle Del Rey Skylar Meade, Tonia Huber and Nicholas Umphenour appeared in court on Friday after officials arrested them the day before following Meades prison break earlier this week. Huber, 52, was found with Meade as officials took him into custody. Shes been charged with harbouring a fugitive, a felony punishable by up to five years in prison, possession of a controlled substance, another felony, and eluding police. Meade has been charged with felony escape, with his bond set at $2m. Police release photo of one of the murder victims 21:30 , Michelle Del Rey Officials with the Nez Perce County Sheriffs Office released a photo of one of the men state police said was killed in connection with the prison escape this week. James L Mauney, 83, was walking his white Jack Russell and brown Chesapeake Bay Retriever on Wednesday when he encountered Skylar Meade and Nicholas Umphenour, police said. He was wearing sweat pants, a yellow flannel, white shoes and a bucket hat. The men then carjacked the mans 2019 Silver Chrysler Pacifica. His body was found in a desolate area near Leland. James L Mauney, 83, was identified as one of the murder victims in connection with the Idaho prison escape this week. (Nez Perce County Sheriffs Office) Police believe the suspects travelled through Montana 21:00 , Michelle Del Rey Officials said in a press release that the two fugitives may have travelled through Missoula, Montana during Skylar Meades escape, which is nearly eight hours away from the hospital in Boise where he broke free from custody. Nicholas Umphenour also confirmed member of Aryan Knights gang 20:49 , Michelle Del Rey The Associated Press reports that the man that help Skylar Meade escape was also a member of the Aryan Knights gang and had recently been released from prison. Officials have also released two mugshots for the men following their capture. Hospital Shooting-Inmate (Twin Falls County Sheriffs Office) An unidentified woman was taken into custody during inmates arrest 20:30 , Michelle Del Rey According to the Idaho State Police, an unidentified 52-year-old woman was taken into custody on charges related to Meades flight from the residence. She was booked into the Twin Falls County Jail. Catch up with the story: What we know so far 20:00 , Michelle Del Rey A manhunt is underway in Idaho after a prisoner serving a 20-year sentence for shooting at a sheriff during a high-speed car chase was busted out of a hospital in a night-time raid by an armed accomplice. Michelle Del Rey reports: Prisoner escapes from custody after accomplices shooting spree. Heres what we know Watch: Manhunt underway for white supremacist prison gang member, his alleged accomplice 20:00 , Michelle Del Rey ICYMI: Escaped Idaho inmate and armed accomplice recaptured as two other men found dead 19:30 , Michelle Del Rey An escaped inmate and his armed accomplice have been located and taken into custody in Idaho, following a dramatic prison-break earlier this week. Prisoner Skylar Meade, 31, who had previously been serving a 20-year sentence for shooting at a sheriff during a high-speed chase, was busted out of hospital in a night-time raid on Wednesday. Read the full story: Escaped Idaho inmate and armed accomplice recaptured as two other men found dead Police react to capturing Skylar Meade 18:46 , Michelle Del Rey I am extremely proud of the entire Twin Falls Police Department and our partners, Twin Falls Police Chief Craig Kingsbury said in a written statement. Although one of our vehicles was damaged during the P.I.T. maneuver, there were no injuries to members of our community, our team, other law enforcement, or the suspects themselves. Police release photos of Skylar Meades arrest 18:21 , Michelle Del Rey Police release photos from the arrest of Skylar Meade, an Idaho inmate that escaped from custody this week. (Twin Falls Police Department) Skylar Meade was arrested this week after he broke free from prison custody while at a hospital in Boise, Idaho. (Twin Falls Police Department) Second suspected murder victim IDd 17:54 , Michelle Del Rey Dennis Fuller, the coroner for Clearwater County said Gerald Don Henderson, 72, died from an apparent gunshot wound but that his manner of death was still pending an autopsy. First murder victim identified in Idaho white supremacist prison break 17:01 , Michelle Del Rey The first homicide victim linked to an Idaho prison escape has been identified as a 83-year-old man, according to the Nez Pearce County Coroners Office. The body of James L Mauney was found outside of Leland, Idaho. Hes from the Juliaetta area, officials said in a news release. Read more here: First murder victim identified in Idaho white supremacist prison break Police call attack brazen, violent, and apparently coordinated 16:15 , Michelle Del Rey Boise Police Chief Ron Winegar denounced the attack coordinated by an accomplice and escaped inmate on Wednesday. This brazen, violent, and apparently coordinated attack on Idaho Department of Corrections personnel, to facilitate an escape of a dangerous inmate, was carried out right in front of the Emergency Department, where people come for medical help, often in the direst circumstances, Mr Winegar said. We caution anyone who may have contact with the suspects involved in this violent attack and escape to call 911 immediately and not confront them personally. They are armed, dangerous, and have shown they are willing to use extreme violence in furtherance of their criminal activity. Three prison officers shot as inmate dramatically broken out of Idaho hospital by gunman 15:31 , Michelle Del Rey Three Idaho Department of Corrections officers were shot as an inmate escaped from a hospital in Boise. Now, officials are looking for two suspects: The inmate and the man who attacked and fired at the officers. Police say that the incident started at 2.15am on Wednesday when officials transported inmate Skylar Meade to Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center for medical treatment. Michelle Del Rey reports: Prison officers shot as inmate breaks out of Idaho hospital with gunman Boise Police Departments last update 15:00 , Michelle Del Rey What are the Aryan Knights, the gang escaped inmate is tied to 14:35 , Michelle Del Rey Skylar Meade, the inmate who escaped from the Idaho Department of Corrections on Wednesdayand his accomplice, Nicholas Umphenour, are both affiliated with a white supremacist prison gang called the Aryan Knights, law enforcement said on Thursday. The Aryan Knights emerged in the mid-1990s to organize criminal activity for a select group of white inmates within IDOC custody, according to the Idaho District Attorneys Office. The group has white supremacist and white separatist ideologies. It is believed to have over 100 members inside and outside of IDOC. The group has used violence and threats of violence to target non-white inmates and other targeted inmates. The Anti-Defamation League says the group will identify themselves with tattoos for the number 12 as well as A and K. Police have asked people to be on the lookout for Skylar Meade, who sports a 1 and 11 tattoo as well as an A and K. Watch: Manhunt underway for white supremacist prison gang member and his alleged accomplice 14:05 , Michelle Del Rey How common are prison escapes? 13:00 , Michelle Del Rey Prison escapes are more common than people think but are rarely violent or to the level of complex escapes that trickle into the news. Bryce Peterson, a senior research scientist at The Center for Justice Research and Innovation, told CBS News in September that people leave minimum security custody all the time. Most escapes are considered AWOL or absent without leave which means an inmate is already outside of the facility and missed a court date, walks off a worksite or doesnt report back in time can be considered AWOL. Though its hard to pinpoint the exact number of escapes, most prisons do not differentiate AWOLs from maximum security escapes. So the number may be higher than expected but it does not necessarily mean the escape is dramatic. Who is Skylar Meade? 12:00 , Mike Bedigan Police in Idaho have recaptured 31-year-old Skylar Meade, an inmate at the Idaho Department of Corrections, who escaped from custody on Wednesday morning in what law enforcement described as a brazen and violent stagged attack. Meade is 56 and 150 pounds. He has face tattoos with the number one and 11 to represent the first and 11th letters of the alphabet, A and K, which stands for Aryan Knights, the gang he is affiliated with. He also has an A and K tattoo on his abdomen. The Aryan Knights are a white supremacist prison gang formed in the Idaho prison system in the 1990s, according to the Anti-Defamation League. Meade was serving time in the IDOC for aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer with a firearm enhancement. He also has prior convictions, including felony possession of a controlled substance, grand theft and introduction of contraband into a correctional facility. He was incarcerated in October 2016. Image of Skylar Meade released by Boise Police (Boise Police) Arrest warrant issued for accomplice Thursday 21 March 2024 18:10 , Ariana Baio The Boise Police Department has issued an arrest warrant for Nicholas Umphenour, the man accused of being an accomplice to Skylar Meades escape. The warrant is for two counts of aggravated battery against law enforcement and one charge of aiding and abetting an escape. It also has a $2 million bond. Police believe Umphenour and Meade are in a Grey 2020 Honda Civic with Idaho license plate 2TDF43U. Who is Nicholas Umphenour? Thursday 21 March 2024 14:00 , Ariana Baio Police are searching for Nicholas Umphenour, a man accused of helping prison inmate Skylar Meade escape, by staging a violent and brazen attack. Umphenour is described as 511 and 160 pounds. He has brown hair and hazel eyes. Police allege that Umphenour is an associate of Meade and helped him escape from police custody by firing at two correctional officers as they were transporting Meade to the hospital on Wednesday morning. He also drove Meade away in a Grey 2020 Honda Civic. A warrant and $2 million bond have been issued for Umphenours arrest. The arrest is for two counts of aggravated battery against law enforcement and one charge of aiding and abetting an escape. Nicholas Umphenour, suspected by Boise Police detectives for assisting in the escape of Idaho Department of Correction (IDOC) maximum-security prison (Boise Police Department via REUTERS) Editor's note: This is a regular feature on issues related to the Constitution and civics education written by Paul G. Summers, retired judge and state attorney general. We finished our study of Article IV of the U. S. Constitution. We shall now delve into Article V of the Constitutions seven Articles. Article V deals with the amendment process. Article V lists two ways to amend the Constitution. The first is through the Congress. With a two-thirds vote of both the House and Senate, the Congress can propose an amendment. The second way to propose an amendment is by two-thirds of the several States, which call a Convention for proposing Amendments. The first process is by far the more popular. All of the amendments to our Constitution have resulted from the congressional process rather than from an Article V Convention. Here's how the constitutional amendment process works We have had 27 Amendments to the United States Constitution since it was first ratified in 1789. The advantage of the congressional amendatory process is that the subject matter is limited to a specific right or topic, such as one of the first 10 Amendments. SCOTUS heard arguments in the case of Murthy v. Missouri discussing COVID-19 disinformation on social media and first amendment protections. A good example is the First Amendment - freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and the right to petition the Government. Under the Convention process, a convention could conceivably open up the Constitution to a number of changes, including the entire document. But the amendment proposal part is only half of the process. Once a resolution for amendments has been passed by both Houses of Congress, the resolution must then be ratified. Three-fourths of the states legislatures, or Conventions in three-fourths of the States, must ratify a proposed amendment. When the states have ratified the proposed amendment, then it becomes part of the Constitution. (O)ne or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by Congress to the states. How long does it take to ratify a proposed amendment? Thats a hard question to answer. The Bill of Rights, or first 10 Amendments, took about two years. The last amendment, the 27th, concerns the timing and compensation of Senators and Representatives. Part of the original Bill of Rights, it was not ratified until 202 years, seven months later by a vote of Michigan in May 1992. So, 10 Amendments were ratified in two years, and one in 202 years. Patience is virtue. Proposed amendment would keep Supreme Court at nine justices A 28th Amendment?There is a strong movement in Congress to propose the 28th Amendment. Over 200 members of Congress have either endorsed or sponsored such a resolution. This would be the shortest amendment in our Constitution, 13 words: The Supreme Court of the United States shall be composed of nine Justices. That is the language of the proposed Keep Nine Amendment to the U. S. Constitution. If proposed and ratified, it would set the number permanently at nine Justices. The Constitution is silent on the size of the Supreme Court. Without an amendment, a President and Congress could change the number for political advantage. Currently it just takes a bill passed by Congress and signed by the president to change the number of Justices. Our court has had nine justices since 1869, or 155 years. As the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg opined when asked about the number of nine justices on the Court: Nine seems to be a good number, and its been that way for a long time. We shall see. But be patient. Reading the Constitution is timewell spent.Article VI is our next topic. Paul G. Summers, a lawyer, is a former appellate and senior judge, district attorney general, and the attorney general of Tennessee. Raised in Fayette County, Judge Summers resides in Nashville and Holladay. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Civics education: Here's how amending the U.S. Constitution works. AUGUSTA, Kan. (KSNW) A Marine and resident of Augusta didnt see combat during Vietnam. His job was to support combat troops by making sure they had such things as power in the field, fresh food in the mess hall, air conditioning, and warm water to take showers. Jim Herron always wanted to serve. After all, his father was an Army Air Corps B-29 tail gunner during World War II. His older brother was a Marine. So, while he was a senior at Circle High School in 1972, Herron volunteered to join the Marines, thinking his call-up would be delayed. However, his draft number was called two weeks after graduation, and he was off to boot camp. A BNSF train rolls through southeast Augusta. U.S. Army veteran fired howitzers into North Vietnam Herrons home is located maybe a hundred yards away from the busy railroad line south of his property. This is the main line. This is the line going from California and down south and going back east, said Herron from his living room as another train roared by. Trains are constantly passing by as Herron recalls his days as an active U.S. Marine, beginning in 1972. Camp LeJeune (North Carolina) was where I went to 1161 school and 1142 school, which was electrical equipment repairman. I worked on refrigeration units and generators, and converters for radar units and stuff like that, he said. MOS 1161 is a Marine apprenticeship program for Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technicians. MOS 1142 is for an Engineer Equipment Electrical Systems Technician. After nine months of training at Camp LeJeune, Herron was ordered to El Toro Naval Station in California, where he was part of a Marine Air Control Group. What we were was we were a generator unit. We had generators, and there were field generators on trailers. And the other units in the base, they kind of like, you know, like, theyre gonna go out and run a field problem, which is an exercise to act like youre in a real combat situation, explained Herron. They will not do it randomly, but anyhow, theyll tell you, hey, we need this much power. So, then what we do is we send the generators with them to wherever theyre going, and with operators to run them. And thats what we did. Herron was at El Toro for 13 months before receiving orders to go overseas to Japan. And there, we were an engineering unit, and we supplied everything. We had water purification, showers, washers. We set up mess halls. Wed make a camp for people to come back to from behind the lines, he said. His unit set up home bases for various air wings while in Japan. Then, he returned to the states. I was stationed at Camp Pendleton Area 21 down in Del Mar, and I was with a motor-T unit, but I had security clearance. So, I worked in a radar and where upper crypto gear was at, said Herron. There, Herron worked on air conditioning for the radar units. Then, after that one, we went to TwentyNine Palms and set up another combat situation. And we set up everything out there. That was the whole nine yards. That was a big one. There was aircraft. We set up showers and tents and chow halls and water purification and washing your clothes. We had huge washers on trailers and stuff like that, and we had water heaters, he said. And then, I got out when I was there. That was when my time was up. That was in 1976. Herron briefly returned home to Augusta, then joined the Marine Corps Reserves in Austin, Texas, for one year. He was in the Inactive Reserves for another year before he decided it was time to step away from the Marines. Herron was never in combat, but that doesnt minimize his support role during the Vietnam War. Navy pilot flew nighttime missions during Korean War Everybody has a place. Yes, everybody has a job. You do your job. And regardless if youre in combat or not, everybody has that job. And that job supports people even if they are over in a combat situation or not, he said. That job is just like a support person supply. You know, you have a job to get stuff done, and that was it. Jims memories of his days in the Marines come and go as frequently as those trains roll by each day. I remember the camaraderie. We were always together. You were dependent on the person that was your bunkie, and you depended on the people that you are always around. They were your family so to speak, and I hate to say it, but thats true, he said. Herron has two sons. The youngest, Ryan, is also a Marine. Herrons life after the service revolved around servicing everything from restaurant equipment to air conditioning units to automobiles. He retired from Wichita States automotive physical plant in 2018. Currently, he delivers auto parts for Napa Auto Parts in Augusta. His pride and joy are his two hot rods, a 1976 Nova and a 1987 Monte Carlo. If you want to nominate a veteran for our Veteran Salute, email KSN reporter Jason Lamb at jason.lamb@ksn.com. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. In November 2022, Marines from a North Carolina helicopter squadron flew their AH-1Z Vipers and UH-1Y Venoms together for what was supposed to be the last time. A Marine in one helicopter marked the occasion by making the rock and roll hand gesture as the aircraft neared the ground, according to video of the final flight. The next month, Marines from Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 269, known as the Gunrunners, officially cased the units colors in a ceremony aboard Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina. But less than two years after the squadron was deactivated as part of an overhaul of the Marine Corps, it will get reactivated. Through the Force Design Campaign of Learning, the Service continually seeks validation of previous assumptions to ensure the [Fleet Marine Force] is effective, lethal, and combat-ready, Marine spokesman Maj. Eric Flanagan said in an emailed statement to Marine Corps Times on March 14. Marine light attack helicopter squadrons, commonly known as HMLAs, would prove useful in crisis-response missions and maritime conflicts with peer adversaries alike, said Flanagan, who noted the persistent demand for the squadrons capabilities. The Viper, which can support troops on the ground by firing at targets in the air and on the ground, and the Venom, which can perform a wide range of missions, are both Bell-made helicopters and part of the same family of aircraft, according to Naval Air Systems Command. Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 269 will get reactivated in July, according to Flanagan. The December 2022 deactivation took place as part of Force Design 2030, the Corps plan for modernizing to meet the threat of technologically sophisticated adversaries like the Chinese military. As part of the plan, the service has gotten rid of some units and assets to free up money for other capabilities. In the initial 2020 document laying out Force Design 2030, then-Commandant Gen. David Berger called for the Marine Corps to cut at least two of its seven light attack helicopter squadrons. While this capability has a certain amount of relevance to crisis and contingency missions which we must still be prepared to execute, it is operationally unsuitable for our highest-priority maritime challenges and excess to our needs with the divestment of three infantry battalions, Berger wrote. The deactivation of the squadron was based on planning assumptions which have since been further refined through the campaign of learning, Flanagan said. When the squadron was deactivated, its Marines rotated to other units, and its helicopters and equipment were moved to preservation sites in the United States to maintain a flexible ready bench for the Service and preserve the ability to make future adjustments, according to Flanagan. The California-based Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 469 also was deactivated in December 2022. The deactivations left five light attack helicopter squadrons in the active component, according to Flanagan: Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadrons 169, 267, 367 and 369 under the California-based 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, and just Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 167 under the North Carolina-based 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. The active component also has a squadron for training Venom and Viper pilots, and the Reserve has two light attack helicopter squadrons, Flanagan said. Retired Master Gunnery Sgt. Lawrence F. Reeve Jr., who was serving with the Gunrunners as a maintenance chief when it was deactivated, said he had an inkling even in 2022 that the deactivation wouldnt last. It was clear that the lone East-Coast-based light attack helicopter squadron Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 167 wasnt going to be enough to support the Corps needs. It was tough to see, Reeve said of the Gunrunners deactivation. When the Corps revives the unit, the helicopters will be brought back to operation from the sites where they had been preserved since the deactivation, according to Flanagan. The squadron will be formed with a significant contingent of Marines who had been part of the Gunrunners in the past, according to Flanagan. The rest of the squadrons people will come through the normal staffing processes. For Reeve, the reactivation of the unit where he spent much of his time in the Corps comes as good news. Combat has evolved, but Marines on the ground still benefit from having the light attack helicopters supporting them from above, he said. The retired master gunnery sergeant arrived at Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 269 as a lance corporal in 1994, returned to the squadron for long chunks of his career, deployed to Iraq with the squadron five times and held his retirement ceremony in 2023 from the squadrons hangar. In his home in Michigan, he has a host of squadron photos, patches and coins, as well as the tail-rotor blade he received as a gift in 2001 when he departed the unit for recruiting duty, he said. The pride of being a Gunrunner was always there, Reeve said. I always wanted to be a Gunrunner and never wanted to be anything other than a Gunrunner. CHENGDU, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Hope Justman, an 81-year-old American, completed her 24th trip to "Shudao," an ancient road system with a history of more than two millennia in southwest China's Sichuan Province. "I'm not a hiker, but a hiker by accident. Because the only way to see it is to hike it," she said. Spanning over 1,000 km, "Shudao," or the roads of the Shu Kingdom, winds through rugged mountains and tumultuous streams, connecting present-day Sichuan Province with the northern Guanzhong Plain, once the heartland of ancient China. Justman's connection to the ancient road system can be traced back to her college days. As part of a course on Chinese literature and art, she visited an exhibition in Boston, where a painting named Emperor Minghuang's Journey to Sichuan, captured her full attention. Huge mountains, verdant trees, mountain streams and winding plank roads made that painting look deep and gorgeous, with a certain sense of mystery. "I was particularly intrigued by the plank road skirting the sheer mountain peaks in the background," she said, adding that when she found out that the road actually existed, she knew she had to go to China to find it. In 1997, after reading almost every English book on travelling in China, she finally found "Shudao" with the help of local guides. "It was old, dignified and beautiful, just as in the painting," she said. Since then, she has made an almost annual pilgrimage to "Shudao," hiking more than 400 km so far. Justman not only shared the photos she took on the ancient road system with friends and family in her hometown Philadelphia, but also created a website and wrote a book on it. In 2015, her friend shot a documentary about "Shudao" and uploaded it to YouTube, attracting like-minded people who asked to join Justman. Last Friday, Justman brought some friends to the Cuiyunlang section of Shudao in Jian'ge County, Guangyuan City. The ancient cypress trees along this section boast an average age of 1,050 years, with the oldest tree dating back approximately 2,300 years. Presently, the Cuiyunlang section proudly harbors 7,803 ancient trees, with a staggering 7,778 being ancient cypress trees. It has become the most extensive and populous group of ancient trees lining a man-made pathway, with the longest recorded existence. "I could have been walking in the Tang Dynasty (618-907), so I kind of feel that I traveled back in time. And that was the great appeal to me. Ancient people were passing those trees, and I'm passing the same trees. It's really amazing," she said. What also amazes Justman is that the tradition of planting and protecting cypress has been passed down from generation to generation. From ancient to modern times, the Chinese people have always kept a record of the protection of ancient trees. Today, there is a QR code on each ancient tree, which can be scanned to know its growth status and age. "They're beautifully preserved. I think the Chinese love old trees, even in cities, any old tree is well-preserved. And even a tree in the middle of the highway, they don't cut it down," she said. In 2015, Justman planted a sapling at the Cuiyunlang section. This year, she and her friends planted another two, and they promised to meet again here next year. "Most of me belongs to America. But the cypress trees that I planted make me feel that a part of me still remains in this ancient place, and I'm so glad," she said. The Army promises to push recruits to be all one can be. The Air Force aims high. The Navy forges its personnel by the sea. But can any of the other branches promise to make you a king? Considering a series of unusual events in the 1920s, the Marine Corps might be able to. In a stranger than fiction, yet true turn of events, one stocky, blonde haired, blue-eyed Marine from a small coal mining town in Pennsylvania went from a simple gunnery sergeant to the king of the island of La Gonave, Haiti. Sgt. Faustin Wirkus ascent from a poor breaker boy separating coal from slate to king, is the stuff of Marine Corps legend. I had to go to work in the collieries, Wirkus later wrote. There was no escaping the sequence of that rule but there was a different idea in my mind. In the little time I had been in school, it had become foggily known to me that somewhere out beyond the dust, the rattling collieries, and the grimy shacks of Dupont [Pennsylvania], was a world full of thrill and the glory of being alive. For Wirkus, the path to that thrill and glory lay in becoming a U.S. Marine. By age 18 the teen ran away from home to become one of The Few. In 1915 he was among the first outfits of Leathernecks sent to Haiti to restore order, according to his New York Times obituary. It was during his first tour that Wirkus fell in love with the island, returning for duty on and off for several years before, in 1920, he established a fortuitous friendship while serving at the tiny outpost of Anse a Gallet. That day, according to a 1931 Time article, Wirkus witnessed a tax collector arrest a Haitian woman for voodoo offenses. The woman, the magazine wrote, claimed that she was Queen Ti Memenne of La Gonave. Although initially transferred to Port-au-Prince to stand trial, the queen was eventually freed due to Wirkus pleas for leniency. Five years later, the Haitian-obsessed Wirkus once again applied for duty on the island. His superiors, according to the Marine, thought of La Gonave as the butt-end of the world, yet granted his request. Made resident commander of La Gonave, Wirkus returned to the island in April 1925. During his tenure, he saved the Haitian government thousands of dollars by exposing graft in tax collection and ensured the island farmers were given fair tax assessments. He also oversaw the construction of the first airfield and directed the first census, according to Marine Corps records. Wirkus practical reforms quickly endeared him to the 12,000 inhabitants of La Gonave, but that endearment would go one step further. Wirkus (King Faustin II) sitting next to his queen, Ti Memenne. (USMC/Gray Research Center) According to local superstition, a previous ruler of the island had borne that name [King Faustin I] and, according to legend had vanished in 1848 with the promise that his descendant of the same name would return to take his throne, according to a New York Times report. By candlelight on the evening of July 18, 1926, Queen Ti Memenne crowned the gunnery sergeant Faustin II, the White King of La Gonave. Carried from the houmfort, or voodoo temple, a blood sacrifice was made via a rooster The New York Times story claimed it was a goat as the crowd shouted The King! Long live King Faustin! to the more than slightly confused Marine. They made me a sort of king in a ceremony I thought was just a celebration of some kind, the flabbergasted Marine recalled. I learned later they thought I was the reincarnation of a former king of the island who had taken the name of Faustin I when he came into power. The coincidence was just good luck for me. Wirkus reigned for an incredible three years while still serving in the Marines. He was eventually recalled to Port-au-Prince after Haitian officials expressed jealousy over Wirkus successes. By 1931, King Faustin II was no more, with Wirkus leaving the service and returning stateside. In 1939, he reenlisted with the Marines, serving first as a recruiter in New York before being transferred to the Navy Pre-Flight School in North Carolina. The Marine and one-time king died in October 1945, leaving behind a wife and a young son also named Faustin. "Someone threw a bottle at Mian Nawaz Sharif when he was signing in at the National Assembly," reads a post on social media platform X. The Urdu-language post, which garnered more than 56,000 views, shows a video of an object hurled at Sharif from the assembly floor. It was shared on February 29, as lawmakers were sworn in during the first sitting of Pakistan's new parliament, three weeks after an election marred by widespread allegations of rigging. The poll took place with ex-prime minister Imran Khan jailed and barred from running, and his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party targeted by a campaign of arrests and censorship. Khan's followers defied the crackdown to win more seats than any other party but the military-backed Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) shut them out of power with a coalition government headed by Shehbaz Sharif. Shehbaz's brother and three-time prime minister Nawaz Sharif is seen in the video targeted with an object. A screenshot of the misleading post on X, taken on March 14, 2024 The video was also shared on Facebook, YouTube and TikTok in posts that misleadingly claimed it showed Sharif hit with a bottle. While some social media users clarified the object thrown at Sharif was an Imran Khan mask, some appeared to believe it was a bottle. "When he was in London, he was branded a thief. Here in Pakistan, he has been hit by bottle," read one comment -- referring to Sharif's years of self-imposed exile in Britain to escape a jail sentence. "I strongly condemn the bottle missing Nawaz Sharif and demand he be hit with a bottle again," a Facebook user wrote. A search of videos on the state-run PTV Parliament's YouTube channel found footage of the incident in a three-hour broadcast of the inaugural session of parliament. The video, which is filmed at a closer angle than the clip circulating on social media, shows the object thrown at Sharif is a mask, not a bottle. The mask is seen hurling over Sharif's head at the 33:17 mark, landing on the shoulder of his brother Shehbaz, who is standing behind him (archived link). Screenshots of clip which show Imran Khan's mask flying over Sharif (right) and landing on the shoulder of his younger brother and current Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif (right): Khan's supporters wore masks depicting the jailed ex-prime minister at the inaugural session of the parliament, as shown in an AFP photo. A supporter of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party wears a mask replicating Khan, during the inaugural session of the National Assembly, outside the parliament house building in Islamabad on February 29, 2024. FAROOQ NAEEM AFP The mask-throwing stunt was widely covered by Pakistan media. The News International reported that National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervez Ashraf ordered the person who threw the mask to be identified (archived link). A bipartisan agreement on government spending for the remainder of fiscal 2024 emerged just before 3 a.m. on March 21, 2024. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt | States Newsroom) WASHINGTON Congress released the final six government funding bills early Thursday, starting off a sprint toward the Friday midnight deadline to wrap up work that was supposed to be finished nearly six months ago. The bipartisan agreement on the $1.2 trillion spending package, which emerged just before 3 a.m., came less than two weeks after the U.S. House and Senate approved the other six annual appropriations bills. This package includes the spending measures for some of the most crucial functions of the federal government the departments of Defense, Education, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Labor, State and Treasury. The bill would also fund Congress, the Executive Office of the President, the judiciary and the Social Security Administration. The 1,012-page spending package provides money for hundreds of programs, including many that lawmakers will tout on the campaign trail heading toward the November elections. Included: U.S. troops and civilian Defense Department employees will receive a 5.2% pay raise retroactive to Jan. 1, 2024. The Federal Bureau of Investigations new headquarters project which has not only divided Democrats and Republicans, but the congressional delegations from Virginia and Maryland will receive $200 million for construction on the Greenbelt, Maryland, site via the General Services Administration. States will get $55 million in new Election Security Grant funding. Customs and Border Protection as well as Immigrations and Customs Enforcement will get more than $4 billion in funding increases. Child care and early learning programs at the Department of Health and Human Services will receive a $1 billion increase in funding. The boost will go toward the Child Care and Development Block Grant, which provides grants to state, territorial and tribal agencies, and Head Start, which provides funding to local grantees. The U.S. Capitol Police will receive a 7.8% funding increase. Afghans who assisted the United States during the war would be eligible for an additional 12,000 Special Immigrant Visas. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency, or UNRWA, the primary aid organization in Gaza, would be stripped of U.S. funding after Israel accused agency employees of taking part in Oct. 7 attacks. Weekend work possible Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Thursday morning the package clears another hurdle towards our ultimate goal of funding the federal government. This funding agreement between the White House and Congressional leaders is good news that comes in the nick of time: When passed it will extinguish any more shutdown threats for the rest of the fiscal year, it will avoid the scythe of budget sequestration and it will keep the government open without cuts or poison pill riders, he said. Its now the job of the House Republican leadership to move this package ASAP. After the House votes to approve the package, likely Friday, Schumer said, the Senate will need bipartisan cooperation to pass it before Fridays deadline and avoid a shutdown. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, said Wednesday during a press conference he expected senators would be in session this weekend to take final votes on the package. My assumptions and what Ive told our members is were likely to be here this weekend. That will be determined, however, by how long it stays in the House, McConnell said. And when its over here, what we have recently done and I think hopefully will work again is that in return for a certain number of amendments, we can finish it quicker, hopefully, than putting us in the position of shutting down the government. Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, said in a written statement the package would claw back $20.2 billion from the Internal Revenue Service funding that Democrats included in their signature climate change and tax package and $6 billion in unused COVID-19 funds. On immigration, the funding package cuts funding to NGOs that incentivize illegal immigration and increases detention capacity and the number of Border Patrol Agents to match levels in the House-passed appropriations bill and the Secure the Border Act (H.R. 2), he said, referring to non-governmental organizations. The package also includes funding for the nations defense. This FY24 appropriations legislation is a serious commitment to strengthening our national defense by moving the Pentagon toward a focus on its core mission while expanding support for our brave men and women who serve in uniform, Johnson said. Importantly, it halts funding for the United Nations agency which employed terrorists who participated in the October 7 attacks against Israel. More than $1B to reduce child care costs Senate Appropriations Chairwoman Patty Murray, a Washington state Democrat, said in a written statement that she was proud to have secured $1 billion more to lower families child care costs and help them find pre-K a critical investment to help tackle the child care crisis that is holding families and our economy back. From day one of this process, I said there would be no extreme, far-right riders to restrict womens reproductive freedoms and there arent, Murray said. Democrats stood firm to protect a womans right to choose in these negotiations and focused on delivering investments that matter to working people. Democratic lawmakers, Murray said, defeated outlandish cuts that would have been a gut punch for American families and our economy and we fought off scores of extreme policies that would have restricted Americans fundamental freedoms, hurt consumers while giving giant corporations an unfair advantage, and turned back the clock on historic climate action. The House and Senate must debate and approve the measure in less than two days under the stopgap funding agreement, otherwise a weekend funding lapse would begin. If it went on beyond the brief period of the weekend, a partial government shutdown would begin. The House can easily hold a vote within that timeline, but the Senate will need to reach agreement among all 100 of its members in order to avoid casting votes past that benchmark. Heres a look at where Congress increased funding and where it cut spending on these six government funding bills for fiscal year 2024, which began back on Oct. 1. Defense Congress plans to spend $824.5 billion on the Defense spending bill, which predominantly funds the Pentagon, Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, the Central Intelligence Agency and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. That bill includes funding for a 5.2% pay raise for military and civilian defense employees that will be retroactive to Jan. 1, 2024. The basic allowance for housing will increase by 5.4% and the basic allowance for sustenance will increase by 1.7%. That total spending level would be divvied up among several core programs, including $176.2 billion for military personnel, an increase of $3.5 billion; $287.2 billion for operations and maintenance, $9.1 billion above current levels; $172 billion for procurement of military equipment, $9.8 billion more than the enacted level; and $148.3 billion for research and development, an $8.6 billion increase, according to a House GOP summary and a summary from House Democrats. The Israeli Cooperative Missile Defense Programs would get $300 million for research and testing as well as $200 million for procurement, including for the Iron Dome and Davids Sling. An additional $300 million would go toward the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative. Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Jon Tester, a Montana Democrat, said in a statement the bill will invest in our ability to stay ahead of the threat of China, defend our country from foreign adversaries while standing firm with Americas allies, and take care of our servicemembers and their families. The joint explanatory statement that accompanies the bill calls on the Department of Defense to look into why the military is having difficulty recruiting. The Military Services are in the midst of one of the greatest recruiting crises since the creation of the all-volunteer force, it says. Since retention of enlisted servicemembers remains strong, those who continue to serve will promote to more senior grades, leaving a distressing shortfall in junior enlisted servicemembers, who account for 40 percent of the total active U.S. military force. The Nation needs Americas youth to strongly consider uniformed service. The package calls on the Defense Department to conduct an independent survey to better understand the failure of recruitment efforts by the services, according to House Republicans summary of the bill. The secretary of Defense must also brief the Defense Appropriations subcommittees on a proposal to increase the pay for junior enlisted troops. Financial Services and General Government The Financial Services and General Government bill which funds the U.S. Treasury Department, Executive Office of the President, judiciary and more than two dozen smaller programs would receive $26.1 billion in funding. Thats about $1.1 billion below the current funding levels for those programs. Senate FSGG Appropriations Subcommittee Chair Chris Van Hollen, a Maryland Democrat, said in a written statement the bipartisan legislation invests in these critical priorities for our nation and more including providing key resources to tackle the opioid epidemic and the necessary funding to build the new FBI headquarters in Greenbelt, Maryland. Building an economy that works for everyday Americans requires supporting our small businesses and community-based lenders, protecting consumers, building out our broadband infrastructure, and ensuring the security of our financial system, Van Hollen said. The Department of Treasury would receive $14.2 billion, a $22.9 million reduction to its current funding levels. Of that total funding level, $12.3 billion would go to the Internal Revenue Service, equal to its current funding, and $158 million would go toward the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, according to a bill summary from House Democrats. The Judiciary would get more than $8.6 billion to operate the U.S. courts, including the District Courts, Courts of Appeals and other judicial services. That funding level is an increase of nearly $170 million. It provides $129 million for salaries and expenses of the U.S. Supreme Court and $20 million to care for the building and its grounds, according to the joint explanatory statement. The bill includes $791 million in funding for the District of Columbia, a decrease of $1 million. That includes $40 million in residential tuition support, $30 million in emergency and security costs, $8 million in upgrades to sewer and water treatment and $4 million in HIV/AIDS testing and treatment, according to a bill summary from House Democrats. The Executive Office of the President would receive about $872.5 million a $6 million decrease from the 2023 fiscal level, according to a bill summary from Democrats. That includes $114 million for the Office of Administration, $19 million for the National Security Council, $22 million for the Office of National Cyber Director and $457 million for the National Drug Control Policy. The bill would provide the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission with about $151 million in funding, a decrease of $1.5 million. The bill bars CPSC from issuing a ban on gas stoves, which would reduce consumer choice, according to a House GOP bill summary. That policy provision would prohibit CPSC from promulgating, implementing, administering, or enforcing any regulation to ban gas stoves as a class of products, according to the explanatory statement. CPSC has not made any regulatory action to ban gas stoves. Agency officials have expressed concern about indoor air quality of gas stoves and the agency is researching the impacts on human health of those indoor gas emissions. The Election Assistance Commission would receive a cut of $280,000 in funding for a total level of $27.7 million. A total of $55 million from that allocation would go toward Election Security Grants to make payments to states for activities to improve the administration of elections for Federal office, including to enhance election technology and make election security improvements, according to the explanatory statement. Homeland Security Congress plans to spend $62 billion on the Department of Homeland Security, including upgrading technology to screen for narcotics like fentanyl at U.S. ports of entry and an additional $495 million in funding to hire 22,000 border patrol agents. The bill provides U.S. Customs and Border Protection with $19 billion, a $3 billion increase above current levels, and more than $9.6 billion to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, an increase of $1.1 billion. It puts in place policy requirements for detention centers, such as barring contracts with private companies that do not meet inspection standards, and providing an additional $3 million to expand the use of ICE body cameras, according to the explanatory statement. The legislation would require the Department of Homeland Security to publish data on the 15th of every month on the total detention capacity and the number of got aways and people turned back at the southern border, according to the joint explanatory statement. DHS refers to people as got aways when an individual is observed making an unauthorized entry into the U.S. and is not turned away, or apprehended. That data is not publicly available. The Office of the Secretary and Executive Management would get $404 million, an increase of about $20 million. About $30 million of that funding would go to support the safe reunification of families who were unjustly separated at the U.S.-Mexico border by the Trump Administration, according to House Democrats summary of the bill. The bill provides $5.1 billion for Enforcement and Removal Operations, an increase of $900 million above current funding. Of that, $355 million would go toward 41,500 detention beds. The bill would appropriate $11.8 billion for the U.S. Coast Guard, a $122.7 million boost; $10.6 billion for the Transportation Security Administration, an increase of $1.2 billion; and $25.3 billion for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, a funding cut of $72.9 million. The FEMA funding would go toward several projects, with $20 billion of those funds for disaster relief. Labor-HHS-Education The bill would appropriate $13.7 billion for the Labor Department, $145 million less than current funding levels and $79 billion for the Education Department, a cut of $500 million, according to the House GOP summary. The Health and Human Services Department would get $116.8 billion, or about $3.9 billion less than the $120.7 billion provided during the last fiscal year. The House Democrats summary of the bill, however, says that when earmarks are factored into the total spending level, HHS would get a $955 million increase. Senate Labor-HHS-Education Subcommittee Chair Tammy Baldwin, a Wisconsin Democrat, said in a written statement the bill helps take on the fentanyl and opioid crisis, expand access to affordable child care, invest in critical mental health and affordable health care programs, and connect Americans with the education and workforce training they need to land good-paying jobs. Funding for HHS would go to numerous health programs, including a $300 million increase to the National Institutes of Health for a total spending level of $48.6 billion. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would get $9.2 billion, more than $4.5 million above its current funding level. Title X family planning grants would get $286 million in funding, the same amount they currently receive, despite House Republicans proposing to completely eliminate the program. The Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, a central component of the nations response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the mpox outbreak, would get $3.6 billion, a $5 million increase. Of that total spending level, $1 billion would go toward the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority and $980 million would go to the Strategic National Stockpile. That represents an increase of $65 million and $15 million, respectively. The bill includes a $1 billion increase in funding for child care and early learning programs within HHS, according to Senate Democrats summary of the legislation. The Child Care and Development Block Grant would see a $725 million, 9%, increase in funding compared to current levels, for a total appropriation of $8.8 billion. Another $12.27 billion would go toward Head Start programs, a boost of $275 million over the current level. Sustained annual increases to our federal investments in child care and Head Start are critical in tackling the child care crisis and helping to ensure more families can find and afford the quality, affordable child care and early childhood education options they need, Senate Democrats summary says. With the new investments provided in this bill, annual discretionary funding for CCDBG and Head Start over the last three fiscal years has increased by $4.4 billion. The Education Departments spending would go to numerous initiatives, including $24.6 billion for student financial aid programs. Pell Grants, which go to about 7 million lower-income college students, would continue to have a maximum award of $7,395 during the 2024-2025 academic year. The Federal Work Study program for college students would also get equal funding at $1.2 billion. The Labor-HHS-Education bill continues to include the so-called Hyde Amendment, which prohibits federal funding from being used for abortions with exceptions for rape, incest, or the life of the pregnant person. The decades-old provision, first added in the 1970s in a slightly different form, affects patients in federal health care programs like Medicaid and Medicare. Similar provisions on abortion access exist throughout many of the other government funding bills. Legislative Branch The Legislative Branch Appropriations bill includes $6.75 billion for operations in the Capitol, including funding related to the summers party conventions and the presidential inauguration in January 2025. The bill would boost funding for the U.S. Capitol Police to $792 million, a 7.8% increase from fiscal 2023. The measure includes funding for retention and recruitment programs of Capitol Police officers, including student loan payments and tuition reimbursements. Capitol Police officers, the force responsible for security at the Capitol complex, reported lower morale in the aftermath of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. This is an essential investment in democracy and oversight that bolsters the legislative branchs capacity to better serve the public, said Sen. Jack Reed, a Rhode Island Democrat who chairs the Legislative Branch Appropriations Subcommittee. This bill delivers the funding and infrastructure required for the U.S. Capitol Police to safeguard the Capitol complex and keep it accessible to the public. A joint explanatory statement accompanying the bill says the measure would allow $2 million for Capitol Police to protect members of Congress outside the Capitol complex but within the Washington, D.C., region. Members have experienced increased threats in recent years. The measure also includes funding for quadrennial events related to the presidential election. Capitol Police would receive $3.2 million for overtime to support the national political conventions Republicans in Milwaukee and Democrats in Chicago over the summer and to prepare for the inauguration in January. Inauguration Day is in the next fiscal year, which begins in October, but expenses associated with preparing for it could be incurred this year. The bill would allocate nearly $3.7 million for salaries and expenses associated with the inauguration. The bill would provide $16.6 million for Capitol grounds, House and Senate offices and the Capitol Power Plant. The measure includes a provision that would claw back unspent funds from members Representational Allowances, the accounts that reimburse senators and representatives for official expenses. Unspent funds from those accounts would be used to pay down the national debt. The measure includes a longstanding policy freezing members pay. State-Foreign Operations Congress plans to allocate just more than $58.3 billion for the Department of State, U.S. Agency for International Development and other related programs, including refugee emergency assistance and diplomatic activities. Republican lawmakers are touting an overall cut to the bill down from last years $59.7 billion total. The bill includes $11.8 billion for the U.S. State Department and USAID and $10.3 billion for international development, including a loan to the International Monetary Fund to provide economic relief for some of the worlds poorest nations. The bill allocates $10 billion for global health initiatives that focus on combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, as well as providing vaccination programs for children. Of that health funding, Democrats cheered that the bill protects longstanding funding, as highlighted by Murrays office, for family planning and reproductive health services in poor nations around the globe, for which nearly $524 million is allocated, remaining at the same level as the current spending level. Funding appropriated to the president for multilateral assistance to international organizations and programs ranging from the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change to programs for victims of torture is set to drop to $436.9 million from last years funding level of $508.6 million. That reduction, in part, reflects current political tension over the Israel-Hamas war. Absent from the bill are funds to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, or UNRWA, a primary humanitarian organization in the Palestinian Gaza Strip and West bank territories. Many Western nations cut UNRWA funding after Israel accused 13 of its employees of taking part in the Oct. 7 attacks and many more of sympathizing with Hamas and other militant groups. The agency received $75 million from the U.S. in fiscal year 2023. Another notable absence from the bill is funding for the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights, which received $17.5 million from the U.S. in last years funding bill. Republicans celebrated the elimination of funding for the agencys inquiry into human rights abuses in Palestinian territories, which the UN Human Rights Council opened after a flare up of violence in May 2021. The inquiry began to collect evidence of war crimes committed by all sides shortly after Hamas attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing some 1,200 and taking roughly 240 hostages. The bill will meet the annual U.S. $3.3 billion commitment to Israel this year among the $8.9 billion in security assistance to foreign governments. The funding roadmap for U.S. international activities extends several programs, notably authorizing an additional 12,000 Special Immigrant Visas for Afghans who assisted the U.S. during its war in Afghanistan. The post Massive $1.2 trillion spending package that would avert a shutdown released by Congress appeared first on Daily Montanan. A bipartisan agreement on government spending for the remainder of fiscal 2024 emerged just before 3 a.m. on March 21, 2024. (Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom) WASHINGTON Congress released the final six government funding bills early Thursday, starting off a sprint toward the Friday midnight deadline to wrap up work that was supposed to be finished nearly six months ago. The bipartisan agreement on the $1.2 trillion spending package, which emerged just before 3 a.m., came less than two weeks after the U.S. House and Senate approved the other six annual appropriations bills. This package includes the spending measures for some of the most crucial functions of the federal government the departments of Defense, Education, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Labor, State and Treasury. The bill would also fund Congress, the Executive Office of the President, the judiciary and the Social Security Administration. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US The 1,012-page spending package provides money for hundreds of programs, including many that lawmakers will tout on the campaign trail heading toward the November elections. Included: U.S. troops and civilian Defense Department employees will receive a 5.2% pay raise retroactive to Jan. 1, 2024. The Federal Bureau of Investigations new headquarters project which has not only divided Democrats and Republicans, but the congressional delegations from Virginia and Maryland will receive $200 million for construction on the Greenbelt, Maryland, site via the General Services Administration. States will get $55 million in new Election Security Grant funding. Customs and Border Protection as well as Immigrations and Customs Enforcement will get more than $4 billion in funding increases. Child care and early learning programs at the Department of Health and Human Services will receive a $1 billion increase in funding. The boost will go toward the Child Care and Development Block Grant, which provides grants to state, territorial and tribal agencies, and Head Start, which provides funding to local grantees. The U.S. Capitol Police will receive a 7.8% funding increase. Afghans who assisted the United States during the war would be eligible for an additional 12,000 Special Immigrant Visas. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency, or UNRWA, the primary aid organization in Gaza, would be stripped of U.S. funding after Israel accused agency employees of taking part in Oct. 7 attacks. Weekend work on spending package possible to meet tight deadline Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Thursday morning the package clears another hurdle towards our ultimate goal of funding the federal government. This funding agreement between the White House and Congressional leaders is good news that comes in the nick of time: When passed it will extinguish any more shutdown threats for the rest of the fiscal year, it will avoid the scythe of budget sequestration and it will keep the government open without cuts or poison pill riders, he said. Its now the job of the House Republican leadership to move this package ASAP. After the House votes to approve the package, likely Friday, Schumer said, the Senate will need bipartisan cooperation to pass it before Fridays deadline and avoid a shutdown. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, said Wednesday during a press conference he expected senators would be in session this weekend to take final votes on the package. My assumptions and what Ive told our members is were likely to be here this weekend. That will be determined, however, by how long it stays in the House, McConnell said. And when its over here, what we have recently done and I think hopefully will work again is that in return for a certain number of amendments, we can finish it quicker, hopefully, than putting us in the position of shutting down the government, McConnell added. U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) speaks during a news conference after a weekly Republican conference meeting in the U.S. Capitol Building on Nov. 14, 2023, in Washington, D.C. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, said in a written statement the package would claw back $20.2 billion from the Internal Revenue Service funding that Democrats included in their signature climate change and tax package and $6 billion in unused COVID-19 funds. On immigration, the funding package cuts funding to NGOs that incentivize illegal immigration and increases detention capacity and the number of Border Patrol Agents to match levels in the House-passed appropriations bill and the Secure the Border Act (H.R. 2), he said, referring to non-governmental organizations. The package also includes funding for the nations defense. This FY24 appropriations legislation is a serious commitment to strengthening our national defense by moving the Pentagon toward a focus on its core mission while expanding support for our brave men and women who serve in uniform, Johnson said. Importantly, it halts funding for the United Nations agency which employed terrorists who participated in the October 7 attacks against Israel. Appropriations include more than $1B to reduce child care costs Senate Appropriations Chair Patty Murray, a Washington state Democrat, said in a written statement that she was proud to have secured $1 billion more to lower families child care costs and help them find pre-K a critical investment to help tackle the child care crisis that is holding families and our economy back. From day one of this process, I said there would be no extreme, far-right riders to restrict womens reproductive freedoms and there arent, Murray said. Democrats stood firm to protect a womans right to choose in these negotiations and focused on delivering investments that matter to working people. Democratic lawmakers, Murray said, defeated outlandish cuts that would have been a gut punch for American families and our economy and we fought off scores of extreme policies that would have restricted Americans fundamental freedoms, hurt consumers while giving giant corporations an unfair advantage, and turned back the clock on historic climate action. The House and Senate must debate and approve the measure in less than two days under the stopgap funding agreement, otherwise a weekend funding lapse would begin. If it went on beyond the brief period of the weekend, a partial government shutdown would begin. The House can easily hold a vote within that timeline, but the Senate will need to reach agreement among all 100 of its members in order to avoid casting votes past that benchmark. Heres a look at where Congress increased funding and where it cut spending on these six government funding bills for fiscal year 2024, which began back on Oct. 1. Defense portion of the bill includes 5.2% pay raise Congress plans to spend $824.5 billion on the Defense spending bill, which predominantly funds the Pentagon, Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, the Central Intelligence Agency and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. That bill includes funding for a 5.2% pay raise for military and civilian defense employees that will be retroactive to Jan. 1, 2024. The basic allowance for housing will increase by 5.4% and the basic allowance for sustenance will increase by 1.7%. That total spending level would be divvied up among several core programs, including $176.2 billion for military personnel, an increase of $3.5 billion; $287.2 billion for operations and maintenance, $9.1 billion above current levels; $172 billion for procurement of military equipment, $9.8 billion more than the enacted level; and $148.3 billion for research and development, an $8.6 billion increase, according to a House GOP summary and a summary from House Democrats. The Israeli Cooperative Missile Defense Programs would get $300 million for research and testing as well as $200 million for procurement, including for the Iron Dome and Davids Sling. An additional $300 million would go toward the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative. Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee Chair Jon Tester, a Montana Democrat, said in a statement the bill will invest in our ability to stay ahead of the threat of China, defend our country from foreign adversaries while standing firm with Americas allies, and take care of our servicemembers and their families. The joint explanatory statement that accompanies the bill calls on the Department of Defense to look into why the military is having difficulty recruiting. The Military Services are in the midst of one of the greatest recruiting crises since the creation of the all-volunteer force, it says. Since retention of enlisted servicemembers remains strong, those who continue to serve will promote to more senior grades, leaving a distressing shortfall in junior enlisted servicemembers, who account for 40 percent of the total active U.S. military force. The nation needs Americas youth to strongly consider uniformed service. The package calls on the Defense Department to conduct an independent survey to better understand the failure of recruitment efforts by the services, according to House Republicans summary of the bill. The secretary of Defense must also brief the Defense Appropriations subcommittees on a proposal to increase the pay for junior enlisted troops. Financial Services and General Government The Financial Services and General Government bill which funds the U.S. Treasury Department, Executive Office of the President, judiciary and more than two dozen smaller programs would receive $26.1 billion in funding. Thats about $1.1 billion below the current funding levels for those programs. Senate FSGG Appropriations Subcommittee Chair Chris Van Hollen, a Maryland Democrat, said in a written statement the bipartisan legislation invests in these critical priorities for our nation and more including providing key resources to tackle the opioid epidemic and the necessary funding to build the new FBI headquarters in Greenbelt, Maryland. Building an economy that works for everyday Americans requires supporting our small businesses and community-based lenders, protecting consumers, building out our broadband infrastructure, and ensuring the security of our financial system, Van Hollen said. The Department of Treasury would receive $14.2 billion, a $22.9 million reduction to its current funding levels. Of that total funding level, $12.3 billion would go to the Internal Revenue Service, equal to its current funding, and $158 million would go toward the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, according to a bill summary from House Democrats. The Judiciary would get more than $8.6 billion to operate the U.S. courts, including the District Courts, Courts of Appeals and other judicial services. That funding level is an increase of nearly $170 million. It provides $129 million for salaries and expenses of the U.S. Supreme Court and $20 million to care for the building and its grounds, according to the joint explanatory statement. The bill includes $791 million in funding for the District of Columbia, a decrease of $1 million. That includes $40 million in residential tuition support, $30 million in emergency and security costs, $8 million in upgrades to sewer and water treatment and $4 million in HIV/AIDS testing and treatment, according to a bill summary from House Democrats. The Executive Office of the President would receive about $872.5 million a $6 million decrease from the 2023 fiscal level, according to a bill summary from Democrats. That includes $114 million for the Office of Administration, $19 million for the National Security Council, $22 million for the Office of National Cyber Director and $457 million for the National Drug Control Policy. The bill would provide the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission with about $151 million in funding, a decrease of $1.5 million. The bill bars CPSC from issuing a ban on gas stoves, which would reduce consumer choice, according to a House GOP bill summary. That policy provision would prohibit CPSC from promulgating, implementing, administering, or enforcing any regulation to ban gas stoves as a class of products, according to the explanatory statement. CPSC has not made any regulatory action to ban gas stoves. Agency officials have expressed concern about indoor air quality of gas stoves and the agency is researching the impacts on human health of those indoor gas emissions. The Election Assistance Commission would receive a cut of $280,000 in funding for a total level of $27.7 million. A total of $55 million from that allocation would go toward Election Security Grants to make payments to states for activities to improve the administration of elections for Federal office, including to enhance election technology and make election security improvements, according to the explanatory statement. Homeland Security funding includes money for tech upgrades, more border patrol agents Congress plans to spend $62 billion on the Department of Homeland Security, including upgrading technology to screen for narcotics like fentanyl at U.S. ports of entry and an additional $495 million in funding to hire 22,000 border patrol agents. The bill provides U.S. Customs and Border Protection with $19 billion, a $3 billion increase above current levels, and more than $9.6 billion to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, an increase of $1.1 billion. A Texas National Guardsman observes as Border Patrol agents pat down migrants who have surrendered themselves for processing A Texas National Guardsman observes as Border Patrol agents pat down migrants who have surrendered themselves for processing at Gate 42, some after waiting near the border wall for days, May 10, 2023. Congress is debating a new border security package. (Corrie Boudreaux for Source NM) It puts in place policy requirements for detention centers, such as barring contracts with private companies that do not meet inspection standards, and providing an additional $3 million to expand the use of ICE body cameras, according to the explanatory statement. The legislation would require the Department of Homeland Security to publish data on the 15th of every month on the total detention capacity and the number of got aways and people turned back at the southern border, according to the joint explanatory statement. DHS refers to people as got aways when an individual is observed making an unauthorized entry into the U.S. and is not turned away, or apprehended. That data is not publicly available. The Office of the Secretary and Executive Management would get $404 million, an increase of about $20 million. About $30 million of that funding would go to support the safe reunification of families who were unjustly separated at the U.S.-Mexico border by the Trump administration, according to House Democrats summary of the bill. The bill provides $5.1 billion for Enforcement and Removal Operations, an increase of $900 million above current funding. Of that, $355 million would go toward 41,500 detention beds. The bill would appropriate $11.8 billion for the U.S. Coast Guard, a $122.7 million boost; $10.6 billion for the Transportation Security Administration, an increase of $1.2 billion; and $25.3 billion for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, a funding cut of $72.9 million. The FEMA funding would go toward several projects, with $20 billion of those funds for disaster relief. Labor-HHS-Education The bill would appropriate $13.7 billion for the Labor Department, $145 million less than current funding levels and $79 billion for the Education Department, a cut of $500 million, according to the House GOP summary. The Health and Human Services Department would get $116.8 billion, or about $3.9 billion less than the $120.7 billion provided during the last fiscal year. The House Democrats summary of the bill, however, says that when earmarks are factored into the total spending level, HHS would get a $955 million increase. Senate Labor-HHS-Education Subcommittee Chair Tammy Baldwin, a Wisconsin Democrat, said in a written statement the bill helps take on the fentanyl and opioid crisis, expand access to affordable child care, invest in critical mental health and affordable health care programs, and connect Americans with the education and workforce training they need to land good-paying jobs. Funding for HHS would go to numerous health programs, including a $300 million increase to the National Institutes of Health for a total spending level of $48.6 billion. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would get $9.2 billion, more than $4.5 million above its current funding level. Title X family planning grants would get $286 million in funding, the same amount they currently receive, despite House Republicans proposing to completely eliminate the program. The Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, a central component of the nations response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the mpox outbreak, would get $3.6 billion, a $5 million increase. Of that total spending level, $1 billion would go toward the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority and $980 million would go to the Strategic National Stockpile. That represents an increase of $65 million and $15 million, respectively. The bill includes a $1 billion increase in funding for child care and early learning programs within HHS, according to Senate Democrats summary of the legislation. The Child Care and Development Block Grant would see a $725 million, 9%, increase in funding compared to current levels, for a total appropriation of $8.8 billion. Another $12.27 billion would go toward Head Start programs, a boost of $275 million over the current level. Sustained annual increases to our federal investments in child care and Head Start are critical in tackling the child care crisis and helping to ensure more families can find and afford the quality, affordable child care and early childhood education options they need, Senate Democrats summary says. With the new investments provided in this bill, annual discretionary funding for CCDBG and Head Start over the last three fiscal years has increased by $4.4 billion. The Education Departments spending would go to numerous initiatives, including $24.6 billion for student financial aid programs. Pell Grants, which go to about 7 million lower-income college students, would continue to have a maximum award of $7,395 during the 2024-2025 academic year. The Federal Work Study program for college students would also get equal funding at $1.2 billion. The Labor-HHS-Education bill continues to include the so-called Hyde Amendment, which prohibits federal funding from being used for abortions with exceptions for rape, incest, or the life of the pregnant person. The decades-old provision, first added in the 1970s in a slightly different form, affects patients in federal health care programs like Medicaid and Medicare. Similar provisions on abortion access exist throughout many of the other government funding bills. Legislative Branch The Legislative Branch Appropriations bill includes $6.75 billion for operations in the Capitol, including funding related to the summers party conventions and the presidential inauguration in January 2025. The bill would boost funding for the U.S. Capitol Police to $792 million, a 7.8% increase from fiscal 2023. The measure includes funding for retention and recruitment programs of Capitol Police officers, including student loan payments and tuition reimbursements. Capitol Police officers, the force responsible for security at the Capitol complex, reported lower morale in the aftermath of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. This is an essential investment in democracy and oversight that bolsters the legislative branchs capacity to better serve the public, said Sen. Jack Reed, a Rhode Island Democrat who chairs the Legislative Branch Appropriations Subcommittee. This bill delivers the funding and infrastructure required for the U.S. Capitol Police to safeguard the Capitol complex and keep it accessible to the public. A joint explanatory statement accompanying the bill says the measure would allow $2 million for Capitol Police to protect members of Congress outside the Capitol complex but within the Washington, D.C., region. Members have experienced increased threats in recent years. The measure also includes funding for quadrennial events related to the presidential election. Capitol Police would receive $3.2 million for overtime to support the national political conventions Republicans in Milwaukee and Democrats in Chicago over the summer and to prepare for the inauguration in January. Inauguration Day is in the next fiscal year, which begins in October, but expenses associated with preparing for it could be incurred this year. The bill would allocate nearly $3.7 million for salaries and expenses associated with the inauguration. The bill would provide $16.6 million for Capitol grounds, House and Senate offices and the Capitol Power Plant. The measure includes a provision that would claw back unspent funds from members Representational Allowances, the accounts that reimburse senators and representatives for official expenses. Unspent funds from those accounts would be used to pay down the national debt. The measure includes a longstanding policy freezing members pay. State-Foreign Operations Congress plans to allocate just over $58.3 billion for the Department of State, U.S. Agency for International Development and other related programs, including refugee emergency assistance and diplomatic activities. Republican lawmakers are touting an overall cut to the bill down from last years $59.7 billion total. The bill includes $11.8 billion for the U.S. State Department and USAID and $10.3 billion for international development, including a loan to the International Monetary Fund to provide economic relief for some of the worlds poorest nations. The bill allocates $10 billion for global health initiatives that focus on combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, as well as providing vaccination programs for children. Of that health funding, Democrats cheered that the bill protects longstanding funding, as highlighted by Murrays office, for family planning and reproductive health services in poor nations around the globe, for which nearly $524 million is allocated, remaining at the same level as the current spending level. Funding appropriated to the president for multilateral assistance to international organizations and programs ranging from the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change to programs for victims of torture is set to drop to $436.9 million from last years funding level of $508.6 million. That reduction, in part, reflects current political tension over the Israel-Hamas war. Absent from the bill are funds to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, or UNRWA, a primary humanitarian organization in the Palestinian Gaza Strip and West bank territories. Many Western nations cut UNRWA funding after Israel accused 13 of its employees of taking part in the Oct. 7 attacks and many more of sympathizing with Hamas and other militant groups. The agency received $75 million from the U.S. in fiscal year 2023. Another notable absence from the bill is funding for the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights, which received $17.5 million from the U.S. in last years funding bill. Republicans celebrated the elimination of funding for the agencys inquiry into human rights abuses in Palestinian territories, which the UN Human Rights Council opened after a flare up of violence in May 2021. The inquiry began to collect evidence of war crimes committed by all sides shortly after Hamas attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing some 1,200 and taking roughly 240 hostages. The bill will meet the annual U.S. $3.3 billion commitment to Israel this year among the $8.9 billion in security assistance to foreign governments. The funding roadmap for U.S. international activities extends several programs, notably authorizing an additional 12,000 Special Immigrant Visas for Afghans who assisted the U.S. during its war in Afghanistan. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Massive $1.2 trillion spending package that would avert a shutdown released by Congress appeared first on Idaho Capital Sun. A bipartisan agreement on government spending for the remainder of fiscal 2024 emerged just before 3 a.m. on Thursday, March 21, 2024. Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom WASHINGTON Congress released the final six government funding bills early Thursday, starting off a sprint toward the Friday midnight deadline to wrap up work that was supposed to be finished nearly six months ago. The bipartisan agreement on the $1.2 trillion spending package, which emerged just before 3 a.m., came less than two weeks after the U.S. House and Senate approved the other six annual appropriations bills. This package includes the spending measures for some of the most crucial functions of the federal government the departments of Defense, Education, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Labor, State and Treasury. The bill would also fund Congress, the Executive Office of the President, the judiciary and the Social Security Administration. The 1,012-page spending package provides money for hundreds of programs, including many that lawmakers will tout on the campaign trail heading toward the November elections. Included: U.S. troops and civilian Defense Department employees will receive a 5.2% pay raise retroactive to Jan. 1, 2024. The Federal Bureau of Investigations new headquarters project which has not only divided Democrats and Republicans, but the congressional delegations from Virginia and Maryland will receive $200 million for construction on the Greenbelt, Maryland, site via the General Services Administration. States will get $55 million in new Election Security Grant funding. Customs and Border Protection as well as Immigrations and Customs Enforcement will get more than $4 billion in funding increases. Child care and early learning programs at the Department of Health and Human Services will receive a $1 billion increase in funding. The boost will go toward the Child Care and Development Block Grant, which provides grants to state, territorial and tribal agencies, and Head Start, which provides funding to local grantees. The U.S. Capitol Police will receive a 7.8% funding increase. Afghans who assisted the United States during the war would be eligible for an additional 12,000 Special Immigrant Visas. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency, or UNRWA, the primary aid organization in Gaza, would be stripped of U.S. funding after Israel accused agency employees of taking part in Oct. 7 attacks. Weekend work possible Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Thursday morning the package clears another hurdle towards our ultimate goal of funding the federal government. This funding agreement between the White House and Congressional leaders is good news that comes in the nick of time: When passed it will extinguish any more shutdown threats for the rest of the fiscal year, it will avoid the scythe of budget sequestration and it will keep the government open without cuts or poison pill riders, he said. Its now the job of the House Republican leadership to move this package ASAP. After the House votes to approve the package, likely Friday, Schumer said, the Senate will need bipartisan cooperation to pass it before Fridays deadline and avoid a shutdown. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, said Wednesday during a press conference he expected senators would be in session this weekend to take final votes on the package. My assumptions and what Ive told our members is were likely to be here this weekend. That will be determined, however, by how long it stays in the House, McConnell said. And when its over here, what we have recently done and I think hopefully will work again is that in return for a certain number of amendments, we can finish it quicker, hopefully, than putting us in the position of shutting down the government, McConnell added. Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, said in a written statement the package would claw back $20.2 billion from the Internal Revenue Service funding that Democrats included in their signature climate change and tax package and $6 billion in unused COVID-19 funds. On immigration, the funding package cuts funding to NGOs that incentivize illegal immigration and increases detention capacity and the number of Border Patrol Agents to match levels in the House-passed appropriations bill and the Secure the Border Act (H.R. 2), he said, referring to non-governmental organizations. The package also includes funding for the nations defense. This FY24 appropriations legislation is a serious commitment to strengthening our national defense by moving the Pentagon toward a focus on its core mission while expanding support for our brave men and women who serve in uniform, Johnson said. Importantly, it halts funding for the United Nations agency which employed terrorists who participated in the October 7 attacks against Israel. More than $1B to reduce child care costs Senate Appropriations Chair Patty Murray, a Washington state Democrat, said in a written statement that she was proud to have secured $1 billion more to lower families child care costs and help them find pre-K a critical investment to help tackle the child care crisis that is holding families and our economy back. From day one of this process, I said there would be no extreme, far-right riders to restrict womens reproductive freedoms and there arent, Murray said. Democrats stood firm to protect a womans right to choose in these negotiations and focused on delivering investments that matter to working people. Democratic lawmakers, Murray said, defeated outlandish cuts that would have been a gut punch for American families and our economy and we fought off scores of extreme policies that would have restricted Americans fundamental freedoms, hurt consumers while giving giant corporations an unfair advantage, and turned back the clock on historic climate action. The House and Senate must debate and approve the measure in less than two days under the stopgap funding agreement, otherwise a weekend funding lapse would begin. If it went on beyond the brief period of the weekend, a partial government shutdown would begin. The House can easily hold a vote within that timeline, but the Senate will need to reach agreement among all 100 of its members in order to avoid casting votes past that benchmark. Heres a look at where Congress increased funding and where it cut spending on these six government funding bills for fiscal year 2024, which began back on Oct. 1. Defense Congress plans to spend $824.5 billion on the Defense spending bill, which predominantly funds the Pentagon, Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, the Central Intelligence Agency and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. That bill includes funding for a 5.2% pay raise for military and civilian defense employees that will be retroactive to Jan. 1, 2024. The basic allowance for housing will increase by 5.4% and the basic allowance for sustenance will increase by 1.7%. That total spending level would be divvied up among several core programs, including $176.2 billion for military personnel, an increase of $3.5 billion; $287.2 billion for operations and maintenance, $9.1 billion above current levels; $172 billion for procurement of military equipment, $9.8 billion more than the enacted level; and $148.3 billion for research and development, an $8.6 billion increase, according to a House GOP summary and a summary from House Democrats. The Israeli Cooperative Missile Defense Programs would get $300 million for research and testing as well as $200 million for procurement, including for the Iron Dome and Davids Sling. An additional $300 million would go toward the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative. Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee Chair Jon Tester, a Montana Democrat, said in a statement the bill will invest in our ability to stay ahead of the threat of China, defend our country from foreign adversaries while standing firm with Americas allies, and take care of our servicemembers and their families. The joint explanatory statement that accompanies the bill calls on the Department of Defense to look into why the military is having difficulty recruiting. The Military Services are in the midst of one of the greatest recruiting crises since the creation of the all-volunteer force, it says. Since retention of enlisted servicemembers remains strong, those who continue to serve will promote to more senior grades, leaving a distressing shortfall in junior enlisted servicemembers, who account for 40 percent of the total active U.S. military force. The Nation needs Americas youth to strongly consider uniformed service. The package calls on the Defense Department to conduct an independent survey to better understand the failure of recruitment efforts by the services, according to House Republicans summary of the bill. The secretary of Defense must also brief the Defense Appropriations subcommittees on a proposal to increase the pay for junior enlisted troops. Financial Services and General Government The Financial Services and General Government bill which funds the U.S. Treasury Department, Executive Office of the President, judiciary and more than two dozen smaller programs would receive $26.1 billion in funding. Thats about $1.1 billion below the current funding levels for those programs. Senate FSGG Appropriations Subcommittee Chair Chris Van Hollen, a Maryland Democrat, said in a written statement the bipartisan legislation invests in these critical priorities for our nation and more including providing key resources to tackle the opioid epidemic and the necessary funding to build the new FBI headquarters in Greenbelt, Maryland. Building an economy that works for everyday Americans requires supporting our small businesses and community-based lenders, protecting consumers, building out our broadband infrastructure, and ensuring the security of our financial system, Van Hollen said. The Department of Treasury would receive $14.2 billion, a $22.9 million reduction to its current funding levels. Of that total funding level, $12.3 billion would go to the Internal Revenue Service, equal to its current funding, and $158 million would go toward the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, according to a bill summary from House Democrats. The Judiciary would get more than $8.6 billion to operate the U.S. courts, including the District Courts, Courts of Appeals and other judicial services. That funding level is an increase of nearly $170 million. It provides $129 million for salaries and expenses of the U.S. Supreme Court and $20 million to care for the building and its grounds, according to the joint explanatory statement. The bill includes $791 million in funding for the District of Columbia, a decrease of $1 million. That includes $40 million in residential tuition support, $30 million in emergency and security costs, $8 million in upgrades to sewer and water treatment and $4 million in HIV/AIDS testing and treatment, according to a bill summary from House Democrats. The Executive Office of the President would receive about $872.5 million a $6 million decrease from the 2023 fiscal level, according to a bill summary from Democrats. That includes $114 million for the Office of Administration, $19 million for the National Security Council, $22 million for the Office of National Cyber Director and $457 million for the National Drug Control Policy. The bill would provide the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission with about $151 million in funding, a decrease of $1.5 million. The bill bars CPSC from issuing a ban on gas stoves, which would reduce consumer choice, according to a House GOP bill summary. That policy provision would prohibit CPSC from promulgating, implementing, administering, or enforcing any regulation to ban gas stoves as a class of products, according to the explanatory statement. CPSC has not made any regulatory action to ban gas stoves. Agency officials have expressed concern about indoor air quality of gas stoves and the agency is researching the impacts on human health of those indoor gas emissions. The Election Assistance Commission would receive a cut of $280,000 in funding for a total level of $27.7 million. A total of $55 million from that allocation would go toward Election Security Grants to make payments to states for activities to improve the administration of elections for Federal office, including to enhance election technology and make election security improvements, according to the explanatory statement. Homeland Security Congress plans to spend $62 billion on the Department of Homeland Security, including upgrading technology to screen for narcotics like fentanyl at U.S. ports of entry and an additional $495 million in funding to hire 22,000 border patrol agents. The bill provides U.S. Customs and Border Protection with $19 billion, a $3 billion increase above current levels, and more than $9.6 billion to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, an increase of $1.1 billion. It puts in place policy requirements for detention centers, such as barring contracts with private companies that do not meet inspection standards, and providing an additional $3 million to expand the use of ICE body cameras, according to the explanatory statement. The legislation would require the Department of Homeland Security to publish data on the 15th of every month on the total detention capacity and the number of got aways and people turned back at the southern border, according to the joint explanatory statement. DHS refers to people as got aways when an individual is observed making an unauthorized entry into the U.S. and is not turned away, or apprehended. That data is not publicly available. The Office of the Secretary and Executive Management would get $404 million, an increase of about $20 million. About $30 million of that funding would go to support the safe reunification of families who were unjustly separated at the U.S.-Mexico border by the Trump Administration, according to House Democrats summary of the bill. The bill provides $5.1 billion for Enforcement and Removal Operations, an increase of $900 million above current funding. Of that, $355 million would go toward 41,500 detention beds. The bill would appropriate $11.8 billion for the U.S. Coast Guard, a $122.7 million boost; $10.6 billion for the Transportation Security Administration, an increase of $1.2 billion; and $25.3 billion for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, a funding cut of $72.9 million. The FEMA funding would go toward several projects, with $20 billion of those funds for disaster relief. Labor-HHS-Education The bill would appropriate $13.7 billion for the Labor Department, $145 million less than current funding levels and $79 billion for the Education Department, a cut of $500 million, according to the House GOP summary. The Health and Human Services Department would get $116.8 billion, or about $3.9 billion less than the $120.7 billion provided during the last fiscal year. The House Democrats summary of the bill, however, says that when earmarks are factored into the total spending level, HHS would get a $955 million increase. Senate Labor-HHS-Education Subcommittee Chair Tammy Baldwin, a Wisconsin Democrat, said in a written statement the bill helps take on the fentanyl and opioid crisis, expand access to affordable child care, invest in critical mental health and affordable health care programs, and connect Americans with the education and workforce training they need to land good-paying jobs. Funding for HHS would go to numerous health programs, including a $300 million increase to the National Institutes of Health for a total spending level of $48.6 billion. The Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would get $9.2 billion, more than $4.5 million above its current funding level. Title X family planning grants would get $286 million in funding, the same amount they currently receive, despite House Republicans proposing to completely eliminate the program. The Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, a central component of the nations response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the mpox outbreak, would get $3.6 billion, a $5 million increase. Of that total spending level, $1 billion would go toward the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority and $980 million would go to the Strategic National Stockpile. That represents an increase of $65 million and $15 million, respectively. The bill includes a $1 billion increase in funding for child care and early learning programs within HHS, according to Senate Democrats summary of the legislation. The Child Care and Development Block Grant would see a $725 million, 9%, increase in funding compared to current levels, for a total appropriation of $8.8 billion. Another $12.27 billion would go toward Head Start programs, a boost of $275 million over the current level. Sustained annual increases to our federal investments in child care and Head Start are critical in tackling the child care crisis and helping to ensure more families can find and afford the quality, affordable child care and early childhood education options they need, Senate Democrats summary says. With the new investments provided in this bill, annual discretionary funding for CCDBG and Head Start over the last three fiscal years has increased by $4.4 billion. The Education Departments spending would go to numerous initiatives, including $24.6 billion for student financial aid programs. Pell Grants, which go to about 7 million lower-income college students, would continue to have a maximum award of $7,395 during the 2024-2025 academic year. The Federal Work Study program for college students would also get equal funding at $1.2 billion. The Labor-HHS-Education bill continues to include the so-called Hyde Amendment, which prohibits federal funding from being used for abortions with exceptions for rape, incest, or the life of the pregnant person. The decades-old provision, first added in the 1970s in a slightly different form, affects patients in federal health care programs like Medicaid and Medicare. Similar provisions on abortion access exist throughout many of the other government funding bills. Legislative Branch The Legislative Branch Appropriations bill includes $6.75 billion for operations in the Capitol, including funding related to the summers party conventions and the presidential inauguration in January 2025. The bill would boost funding for the U.S. Capitol Police to $792 million, a 7.8% increase from fiscal 2023. The measure includes funding for retention and recruitment programs of Capitol Police officers, including student loan payments and tuition reimbursements. Capitol Police officers, the force responsible for security at the Capitol complex, reported lower morale in the aftermath of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. This is an essential investment in democracy and oversight that bolsters the legislative branchs capacity to better serve the public, said Sen. Jack Reed, a Rhode Island Democrat who chairs the Legislative Branch Appropriations Subcommittee. This bill delivers the funding and infrastructure required for the U.S. Capitol Police to safeguard the Capitol complex and keep it accessible to the public. A joint explanatory statement accompanying the bill says the measure would allow $2 million for Capitol Police to protect members of Congress outside the Capitol complex but within the Washington, D.C., region. Members have experienced increased threats in recent years. The measure also includes funding for quadrennial events related to the presidential election. Capitol Police would receive $3.2 million for overtime to support the national political conventions Republicans in Milwaukee and Democrats in Chicago over the summer and to prepare for the inauguration in January. Inauguration Day is in the next fiscal year, which begins in October, but expenses associated with preparing for it could be incurred this year. The bill would allocate nearly $3.7 million for salaries and expenses associated with the inauguration. The bill would provide $16.6 million for Capitol grounds, House and Senate offices and the Capitol Power Plant. The measure includes a provision that would claw back unspent funds from members Representational Allowances, the accounts that reimburse senators and representatives for official expenses. Unspent funds from those accounts would be used to pay down the national debt. The measure includes a longstanding policy freezing members pay. State-Foreign Operations Congress plans to allocate just over $58.3 billion for the Department of State, U.S. Agency for International Development and other related programs, including refugee emergency assistance and diplomatic activities. Republican lawmakers are touting an overall cut to the bill down from last years $59.7 billion total. The bill includes $11.8 billion for the U.S. State Department and USAID and $10.3 billion for international development, including a loan to the International Monetary Fund to provide economic relief for some of the worlds poorest nations. The bill allocates $10 billion for global health initiatives that focus on combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, as well as providing vaccination programs for children. Of that health funding, Democrats cheered that the bill protects longstanding funding, as highlighted by Murrays office, for family planning and reproductive health services in poor nations around the globe, for which nearly $524 million is allocated, remaining at the same level as the current spending level. Funding appropriated to the president for multilateral assistance to international organizations and programs ranging from the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change to programs for victims of torture is set to drop to $436.9 million from last years funding level of $508.6 million. That reduction, in part, reflects current political tension over the Israel-Hamas war. Absent from the bill are funds to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, or UNRWA, a primary humanitarian organization in the Palestinian Gaza Strip and West bank territories. Many Western nations cut UNRWA funding after Israel accused 13 of its employees of taking part in the Oct. 7 attacks and many more of sympathizing with Hamas and other militant groups. The agency received $75 million from the U.S. in fiscal year 2023. Another notable absence from the bill is funding for the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights, which received $17.5 million from the U.S. in last years funding bill. Republicans celebrated the elimination of funding for the agencys inquiry into human rights abuses in Palestinian territories, which the UN Human Rights Council opened after a flare up of violence in May 2021. The inquiry began to collect evidence of war crimes committed by all sides shortly after Hamas attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing some 1,200 and taking roughly 240 hostages. The bill will meet the annual U.S. $3.3 billion commitment to Israel this year among the $8.9 billion in security assistance to foreign governments. The funding roadmap for U.S. international activities extends several programs, notably authorizing an additional 12,000 Special Immigrant Visas for Afghans who assisted the U.S. during its war in Afghanistan. The post Massive $1.2 trillion spending package that would avert a shutdown released by Congress appeared first on Georgia Recorder. PORTLAND, Ore. (PORTLAND TRIBUNE) The next time political protests break out in front of the Mark O. Hatfield U.S. Courthouse in downtown Portland, demonstrators could be facing a massive stainless-steel wall that protects the building and its occupants from anything that can be hurled at it. Work is nearing completion on seven large, hinged barricades that can be dropped down in front of the west side entrance to the building that faces Southwest Third Avenue and Lownsdale Square. That is where large groups of protesters repeatedly gathered during months of social justice protests that followed the murder of George Floyd, an unarmed Black man, by Minneapolis police in March 2020. Projectiles ranged from rocks to ball bearing fired from large slingshots to industrial-grade fireworks. Family with 3 children stranded overnight near Government Camp The protests went on for months, damaging Portlands national reputation for livability. Although many of the confrontations were fueled by the Trump Administrations decision to send additional federal forces to Portland to defend the building, funding for the current security upgrade was sought by and approved during the Biden Administration. As first reported by the Oregonian/OregonLive last September, Congress approved $112.5 million to support upgrades to harden about 100 to 150 federal courthouses against individuals or groups seeking to breach court facilities and disrupt the judicial process for fiscal year 2023. The barriers are like hinged airplane hangar doors with shielded upper view screens. The estimated cost of the local upgrade was estimated at $4.5 million, including renovations to the main west entry and to employee entrances on the north and side sides of the building. Planned construction coming to 2 dangerous SE Portland intersections These measures are a first step toward hardening facilities and can be implemented relatively quickly when compared with more significant measures to redesign and renovate entrances, perimeter spaces, and interior public spaces, which will take more funding and longer to complete, a report by the U.S. Courts administrative office said of the program. Read more at PortlandTribune.com. The Portland Tribune and its parent company Pamplin Media Group are KOIN 6 News media partners For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. Maurice Jimmerson, a Georgia man who languished in jail awaiting trial for more than a decade, has finally been released. Jimmerson has been in jail since 2013 after a series of bureaucratic hurdles prevented him from receiving a speedy trial. Jimmerson was one of five people arrested by Albany, Georgia, police on suspicion of committing a double murder in 2013. Two of Jimmerson's co-defendants were tried and acquitted in 2017, but Jimmerson himself remained behind bars. It's not entirely clear why Jimmerson spent so much time in jail. Last year, Gregory Edwards, the Dougherty County district attorney, told Atlanta News First that the delay was attributable to the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, a 2021 courthouse flood, and a previous judge's decision to try Jimmerson and his co-defendants separately. Making the situation worse, Jimmerson was left without a lawyer to represent him for over eight months after his public defender requested to be released from Jimmerson's case so he could travel frequently to seek medical care for his infant daughter. Jimmerson finally got a new lawyer last June after criminal defense attorney Andrew Fleischman saw local news coverage of Jimmerson's case and decided to step in pro bono. Jimmerson finally got a trial in July 2023, but it ended in a hung jury. "You talk about getting hostages out of other countries like North Korea or Iran," Fleischman told Reason in June. "And the average time is six years. We talk about those countries having failed puppet justice systems with no expectation of due process. And yet we have Americans in this country waiting 10 years for an opportunity to force the state to prove its case. And that to me is outrageous." With a new team of lawyers, Jimmerson negotiated his release as part of a plea deal. While Jimmerson still maintains his innocence, he pled guilty to aggravated assault and possession of a firearmand was sentenced to 30 years probation, with 11 years time served. He was released Wednesday afternoon. According to Atlanta News First, Jimmerson's pretrial detention is likely among the longest in United States history. "We should not punish people before they have been convicted of a crime," said Fleischman. "The process of indicting somebody is just telling 16 to 22 strangers a story for which there is no rebuttal.And to hold somebody for 10 years on just that storyit's a violation of due process." The post Maurice Jimmerson Was Locked Up for 10 Years Without a Trial. He's Finally Free. appeared first on Reason.com. A recent March 13 drug raid recovered $47,622 in cash, 359 grams of cocaine, 56 grams of methamphetamine, 105 grams of marijuana, 17 grams of ecstasy, two firearms, a Mercedez Benz and a Maserati. Maury County Sheriff's Department, along with Williamson County Sheriff's Department, announced at a Wednesday press conference the arrest of an accused drug dealer and gang member charged on multiple counts of possession. James Rucker, 40, was charged with possession of 300 pounds of cocaine, 56 grams of methamphetamine, possession of ecstasy for resale, possession of marijuana for resale, possession of drug paraphernalia, evading arrest and parole violation. Due to the parole violation charge, Rucker is ineligible for bond, Rowland said. He was arrested after officers issued a search warrant of his Rally Hill home. Rucker, a suspected drug dealer and confirmed Blood gang member, was apprehended March 13, according to authorities. Rucker's arrest wasn't met without some resistance, leading officers on a 500-yard pursuit by foot. "To make matters even worse, there were two small children under the age of three years old who were present that day, along with a violent dog that was successfully taken control of," Maury County Sheriff Bucky Rowland said at the Wednesday press conference. "Mr. Rucker fled out the back door, and it was about a 500-yard foot pursuit as he is throwing backpacks of money and large amounts of illegal drugs. I believe he had about an ounce of cocaine on his person as he was getting rid of it." Rowland said that Rucker destroyed some evidence during the pursuit, such as cell phones. Maury County Sheriff Bucky Rowland, right, speaks to media regarding a recent March 13, 2024 drug raid, which led to the arrest of James Rucker and recovered a large amount of narcotics, cash, firearms and more. "He's an equal-opportunity supplier and drug dealer," Rowland said. "If there was an illicit drug you were looking for, Mr. Rucker could arrange that, up until last Wednesday. He also has future grand jury indictments that will be coming down, which will probably be the icing on the cake with this, with the amount of narcotics he was tracking through our counties and communities that consisted of methamphetamine, heroin and fentanyl." Rowland said the search warrant recovered $47,622 in cash, 359 grams of cocaine, 56 grams of methamphetamine, 105 grams of marijuana, 17 grams of ecstasy, two firearms, a Mercedez Benz and a Maserati. Along with the current parole violation stemming from former weapons charges, Rucker has a history of eight prior drug convictions dating back to 2001 when he was 18. "This is a multi-jurisdictional effort with Sheriff Rowland and the Maury County Sheriffs office, as well as the [Tennessee Bureau of Investigation," Williamson County Sheriff Jeff Hughes said. "This was some great work done by our investigative units and our deputies. I think this started as a traffic stop that kind of grew to what has led to this arrest today. I want to be a sheriff that works collaboratively with our law enforcement partners across the state, and this is a perfect example of that." Tennessee Bureau of Investigation assisted in the investigation. Jay Powell is a general reporter for The Daily Herald. Get up-to-date news in your inbox by subscribing to The Daily Herald newsletter at www.ColumbiaDailyHerald.com. This article originally appeared on The Daily Herald: Maury, Williamson drug raid leads to arrest of accused gang member PHNOM PENH, March 21 (Xinhua) -- The 15th edition of Cambodia International Gems and Jewelry Fair kicked off here on Thursday, aiming to boost trade of precious stones and jewelry, a commerce official said. Ministry of Commerce's Undersecretary of State Tan Tepikanika said the five-day event would give a great opportunity to manufacturers and traders to showcase their products to national and international customers. "The gems and jewelry industry is one of potential sectors that has contributed to Cambodia's trade and economic growth," she said at the opening ceremony of the exposition. Cambodia had some 851 million U.S. dollars from export of precious stones and jewelry to the international market in 2023, an increase of 261 percent from the previous year. Tepikanika was confident that Cambodia's free trade agreements with other countries would boost the country's exports of gems and jewelry in the long term. FILE - Minnesota Lynx's Maya Moore cheers on the crowd in the closing seconds against against the Los Angeles Sparks in the WBNA basketball finals, Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2017, in Minneapolis. The Lynx announced Thursday, March 21, 2204, that they will retire the jersey of four-time WNBA champion Maya Moore, who cut short her playing career to help her now-husband's release in 2020 from a wrongful imprisonment, during the upcoming season. (AP Photo/Jim Mone, File) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) The Minnesota Lynx announced Thursday they will retire the jersey of four-time WNBA champion Maya Moore, who cut short her playing career to help with her now-husband's release in 2020 from a wrongful imprisonment, during the upcoming season. The ceremony will take place Aug. 24 prior to a game against the Indiana Fever, who are expected to take Caitlin Clark with the first pick in the draft next month. Clark has long been a superfan of Moore, who surprised the Iowa star before the Hawkeyes played their final regular-season game and she set the career NCAA scoring record. Moore (No. 23) will be the fifth player in Lynx history to have her jersey hung from the Target Center rafters, joining Lindsay Whalen (No. 13), Rebekkah Brunson (No. 32), Seimone Augustus (No. 33) and Sylvia Fowles (No. 34). Over her eight-year WNBA career, all with the Lynx, Moore won the Rookie of the Year award in 2011, the Most Valuable Player award in 2014 and was five times an All-WNBA first team selection. She won Olympic gold medals with Team USA in 2012 and 2016. Moore, who married Jonathan Irons in 2020 shortly after his release from a 22-year-old wrongful conviction in Missouri, last played in 2018. ___ AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports Mayor Brandon Johnsons chief of staff Richard Guidice is resigning at the end of the month, the mayors office announced Thursday in its biggest personnel shakeup yet. Johnsons deputy chief of staff, progressive former state Sen. Cristina Pacione-Zayas, will take over the top post after Guidice leaves, according to a source close to the administration. Guidices departure on April 1 will come less than a year after the longtime City Hall veteran was tapped by Johnson, then mayor-elect, to help steer the fledgling progressive administration. The news was first broken by Politico Illinois. For more than three decades, Rich Guidice has admirably served the city of Chicago, earning tremendous respect under four mayors and across multiple city departments, Johnson wrote in a Thursday statement. To come out of retirement to serve in my administration is a testament to his belief in our work and our vision for the city of Chicago, and for that, I am grateful. Our administration is better because of the time he spent as my chief of staff. Guidices resignation comes as the mayors rift with more moderate politicians and the citys business community has widened since Johnson assumed office last May. Some progressive mayoral allies heralded the pending departure of the most centrist figure in Johnsons inner circle, however. Guidice began in city government working in former Mayor Richard M. Daleys administration and most recently led the Office of Emergency Management and Communications. At the time of his appointment, many traditional political and business leaders felt that experience would help steer the new administration and smooth concerns over whether Johnsons nontraditional roots as a labor organizer would lead to radical changes in how City Hall was run. While picking Guidice as chief of staff allowed a semblance of Chicago politics old guard remaining in government, Pacione-Zayas presence showed the progressive movement would also have a strong champion on staff. During Guidices tenure, he served as a rare longtime bureaucrat with public safety experience among a team of mostly progressive union leaders and advocates. But theres been repeated points of instability since that time, including the recent confusion over the citys cancellation of its contract with the ShotSpotter gunfire technology company and ongoing controversy over the migrant crisis. Just this week, the mayors signature campaign pledge to raise the real estate transfer tax to fund homeless services appeared poised to fail in the March primary election, a setback for the progressive movement that a defiant Johnson on Wednesday blamed on a real estate industry he described as cowardly. Now, those business interests will believe they see an even less friendly mayors office without Guidice and ahead of the Democratic National Convention arriving in Chicago this summer. The sure-to-be rowdy event would have been in Guidices wheelhouse to help administer as the former OEMC chief. Those are all big events, and certainly the city is looking forward to those, Guidice had told the Tribune when asked about the DNC and Lollapalooza last April. Were looking forward to shining the spotlight once again on the city of Chicago and in a positive manner. So were certainly up for those opportunities. Guidice often took a more behind-the-scenes role compared to Pacione-Zayas and other top aides such as senior adviser Jason Lee, both of whom have often spoken with the press and interacted with aldermen directly. As the second deputy, Pacione-Zayas has been most involved with handling the citys response to the 37,000 asylum-seekers who have arrived in Chicago since 2022, often being on the forefront of defending Johnsons most controversial decisions to City Council and reporters. She rose up with the Northwest Side progressive apparatus before joining the Johnson administration. Guidices retirement from city government will be his second within the year. He announced his departure from OEMC shortly after the April 4 election but opted to come back to join the Johnson administration. ayin@chicagotribune.com Tuesday night, Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg learned another painful lesson that he perhaps should have already been privy to after so many years of public service: You cant make everyone happy. Steinbergs Gaza ceasefire resolution, prompted in no small part by ongoing protests at city council meetings nearly every week, was clearly supposed to be part of his swan song of peace and progress. Opinion Despite the resolutions ultimate passage 6-1, with one No from Lisa Kaplan, one absence (Mai Vang) and one missing seat (District 2) a sense of closure continues to elude nearly everyone involved. It seems that, ultimately, it was to no avail. Both sides have vowed to continue their protests. Its clear that with this gesture, the mayor wanted to regain control of city chambers from angry protesters who have swarmed the audience and disrupted city business week after week for the past several months. He could have done so weeks ago when Councilmembers Vang and Katie Valenzuela brought forward the first ceasefire resolution, but Steinberg clearly wanted his own imprint on the document. (Our) bonds have been tested, and in some ways they have been damaged, over these past months, Steinberg said to start the meeting. Only we together can change thatThis resolution has not divided our community, it has not created division in this city it has exposed the divisions that already existed and we have an obligation as leaders to try and make it better. But even such good intentions were never going to be enough for certain people on both sides of the issue. Its not a fair resolution, Noor Hariz told me from inside the sealed-off chambers. Attendees werent even allowed to leave and return to the room after using the bathrooms. Hariz was leading the pro-Palestinian side of protesters, and was eventually among those arrested for unlawful assembly and failing to disperse. The only thing we agree on (in this) resolution is ceasefire now and release the hostages now. Release the prisoners and send humanitarian aid as soon as possible. Thats what it should be and nothing else. After 79 members of the public had spoken, with many more to go, the meeting devolved into the chaos everyone had been dreading all night. After nearly three hours of presentation and public comment, at almost exactly 9 p.m., the mayor shut the meeting down and ordered the chambers cleared. Ultimately, after another two hours of chanting and debate, a dozen protesters who remained were arrested by more than 50 Sacramento Police officers who swarmed the chambers. At one point, I was even placed in handcuffs just for being there a serious violation of at least the First Amendment and several other laws concerning press freedoms. But as egregious as that was, thats not the story that merits our attention right now. Sacramentos ceasefire resolution was virtue-signaling, but it wasnt empty. Virtues are high moral standards, and we have an ethical imperative to hold ourselves to them. In a world when we are generally reduced to merely standing up for our beliefs instead of being able to actively change them, words are often all we have. Sacramento must place our name among the cities calling for peace in Gaza, and thats what our city council did last night. The arguments, the arrests and the chaos are not what will ultimately be remembered. What will be remembered is that Sacramento added its name to the list of cities calling for a ceasefire and that is no small accomplishment. I dont care how righteous your cause or how angry you are, Steinberg said after he removed protesters from the chamber. When you shout out and disrupt you not only prevent others from being heard, you create a chill in these chambers that makes it difficult for people (to) feel that its a place where they can be heard. Steinbergs legacy is sure to survive Tuesday nights antics even if he took a risk by placing the resolution on a night when a sure vote would be absent (Vang posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, that she requested the council delay the vote until her return, but Steinberg apparently refused). The mayor also took a risk when he bypassed a discussion on the matter by the councils Law and Legislation Committee; instead choosing to agendize the matter himself. This move meant that the resolution had to pass Tuesday night, or it could not be brought forward for another year, according to city procedures. Some distinguished members of Sacramentos Jewish and Muslim communities did speak in favor of this resolution in a spirit of compromise and healing. But for many, the resolution went too far; for others, not far enough. But it could, if allowed, represent a way forward together. Inside those imperfections, there was a small amount of hope for those who wanted to grasp it. I truly think the mayors heart was in the right place, but the execution of the idea was far too caught up in his signature brand of excessive bureaucracy. It took admirable courage for every person present to come to the council chambers on Tuesday night. Hundreds lined up outside for their right to be heard, slowly filtering into a packed council chamber throughout the evening to express their beliefs through anger and tears. If thats not American democracy at work, show me a better example. There is also no small amount of fear inherent in publicly identifying as a Jew, Muslim or Palestinian in this country, and it takes strength to stand up and speak what you believe is the truth while knowing a crowd of people directly behind you will vehemently and maybe physically disagree. It also takes strength to listen calmly to words you disagree with, and it takes strength to be arrested for what you believe in. As Sacramentans, we also have a personal imperative to speak up. Many people making comments at the council meeting on Tuesday have dozens of family members and friends whom they will never see again victims of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. Turning a blind eye to whats happening in Palestine merely to spare our personal discomfort is cowardly. We have the right to discuss these issues in our city chambers as much as we do sewer taxes or school bonds. But it cannot be the only topic of discussion, and we need to move on to other business now that weve officially become the 75th city in the U.S. to call for a ceasefire. The lesson here is that peace always requires compromise. The struggle inside Sacramento and by Steinberg to find our own version of compromise only reinforces how hard it must be for the rest of the world. People wait in line to donate blood for wounded Ukrainian personnel during an event in the basement of the St. Nicholas Roman Catholic Church, in Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, March 19, 2024. | Vadim Ghirda As mayor of Salt Lake County, my primary focus lies within the boundaries of our community. However, when the threads of international relations entwine with national security, it becomes essential to broaden how we view where our boundaries begin and end. Russias initial attack on Ukraine, the ongoing war and the funding stalemate in Congress are issues Utahns should care about, no matter the distance from our homes. Its only been two years since we watched Russian tanks roll into Ukraine. The events are almost too painful to comprehend. Bombs destroy villages while grandmothers hug injured grandchildren as they evacuate the only home they know. This crisis poses a threat to our standing in the world and our national security. Putin intends to expand his footprint, and the potential cost of ignoring Russian aggression grows exponentially every day that we fail to act. In an era where political leadership often seems opportunistic, the genuine leadership of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reminds the world that a nations people and sovereignty are worth fighting for. Just this past week, the governor of the Kyiv region, Ruslan Kravchenko, visited Utah. Along with businessman and philanthropist Dell Loy Hansen, I had the honor of hosting this delegation. Dell Loy and I sat next to Gov. Kravchenko as we heard the stories of Ukraines journey through pain and perseverance. Gov. Kravchenko relayed a horrifying story to us: Detached and indifferent Russian soldiers, without orders, drove tanks through Ukrainian neighborhoods, arbitrarily destroying homes as casually as one might kick over sandcastles on a beach. This one example of senseless violence illustrates a disturbing disregard for human life. Gov. Ruslan Kravchenko of the Kyiv Region presents Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson with a gift during an event Monday, March 17, 2024 in Salt Lake City. Hearing the atrocities inflicted upon the children and families in Ukraine rekindled my desire for action. Action to break the log jam in Congress, and the necessity of urging our congressional delegation to lead the way and break the stalemate in funding. The U.S. bears a moral responsibility to act swiftly in making strategic decisions to support Ukraine. The threat posed by Russia is not just a distant echo but an urgent call for solidarity. The tragedy unfolding in Ukraine, though geographically distant, brings the stories of war to our front door in Utah. One of those stories is that of Kateryna Kononenko. I read about her journey from Ukraine to Utah in the soon-to-be-released book Faces of Salt Lake County, published by my Office of New Americans. The war in Ukraine upended Katerynas life. She and her mother had to flee, leaving behind her grandparents and uncles. She is tormented by the fear that she will lose her family, her friends and her country. Thanks to support in Salt Lake County, Kateryna is now part of our community. She is yet another reason for all of us to press for action in Ukraine. The support that Kateryna is receiving in Utah does not surprise me. When tragedy strikes, no matter how far away, its aftershocks are felt here in Utah, and Utahns respond, reminding us how interconnected we are as a global community. We must stand in support of Ukraine, demonstrating through our actions that when democracy is threatened, and atrocities are inflicted, Utah responds with compassion, resilience and support. Since Russias initial attack on Ukraine, Utahns have continued to display our trademark generosity. Leading Utahs efforts is Dell Loy Hansen, who was compelled to act after watching the event play out two years ago. He has built hundreds of housing units and villages in Ukraine, offering a safe and secure home to thousands. His work is not done. Our work cannot be over, although the news clips and prominence of the story have faded. We must engage with our families, talk with our friends and call our congressional leaders. We must demand that they support aid initiatives in Ukraine. As I talked with Gov. Kravchenko that night, I was profoundly impressed by his resilience, yet the weariness in his eyes was unmistakable. He has endured war, death and uncertainty. As the evening ended, Gov. Kravchenkos spirit moved me to address the audience with a final reminder: If Utah and the United States do not stand up for democracy in Ukraine, then who are we? Jenny Wilson is the mayor of Salt Lake County. A damaged car is seen in at the site of a Russian attack in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, March 20, 2024. | Andrii Marienko MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) A prototype of the weapon detectors that the Mobile County Public School System is considering is at their central campus. This is part of their plan to enhance security at their schools after reports of guns making their way to campus. Mobile Police seek alleged Sams Club thief The device is not a metal detector but uses AI technology to scan items to detect what could be firearms. An MCPSS spokesperson said there is no timeline yet regarding when the weapon detection systems will be added to the schools. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5. Gaye Holman is the author of Decades Behind Bars: A 20-Year Conversation with Men in Americas Prisons, which was published in 2017. Beginning in 1994, Holman began recording the stories of 50 incarcerated men at Kentucky State Reformatory and Luther Luckett Correctional Complex in Oldham County. Twenty years later, 17 of them were still in prison when she reached back out to them. This is an interview between Holman and columnist Andrew Henderson, which has been edited for length and clarity. Holman reached out to Henderson after the publication of a column of his about the bill, expressing concerns she had about the Safer Kentucky Act. The state of Kentuckys prisons Andrew: We are 30 years out after your initial 1994 study. From your perspective, how has the landscape of incarceration changed, or even stayed the same, in Kentucky over these last 30 years? Gaye: I think it has disintegrated. The individuals that are in prison, theres still a number of them still there that I keep in touch with, and theres such a loss of human potential. Criminals generally age out of crime at age 40, and then theyre in their 60s, 70s, 80s [in prison] and are of no danger to anybody at all. Id be glad to have many of them, not all, most living next door to me, and its just such a waste. But theres many things within the prison that have changed and gotten worse than when I wrote about it. Andrew: What are some of those areas you would identify as having gotten worse, or degraded, over this time frame? Gaye: Well, of course, the crowding. Theyre sleeping people in the open spaces that were supposed to be kind of for recreation and gatheringMy area was education, and so Ive been very interested watching that and Im absolutely appalled. I was the coordinator of the college program, but the vocational program holds enormous hope for their future employment. The vocational part gave them a job when they got out, they are almost nonexistent. Now what theyre spending a lot of money on, a lot of time, on whats called life skills classes [anger management is an example]but many of the men say that most of these are kind of useless. They take them because they get good time for them, or because it looks good to the parole board. Andrew: Were seeing more and more that state inmates are going to these county jails, which have typically not been built to support this increasing population and are becoming overcrowded, which you touched on earlier. What does it do in terms of psychological effects to people who are incarcerated to be crammed into these spaces? Gaye: The jail situation is a money situation, the counties make money off of it, the state saves money because its cheaper to house an inmate in a county jail than it is to house them in their own institutions. So right now, theyre looking good, like theyre not overcrowded. But jails are just an impossible situation. The men were always so glad to get out of the jails, and sent to prison. It was much better for them, because theyre sleeping on the floors, theyre crowded in, theres absolutely nothing to do. Theres no treatment programs, its just sitting there being bored day after day after day, and that brings up so much anger, so much mental illness. Inmates spend time in their shared cell together on Thursday, June 30, 2022, at the Madison County Detention Center in Richmond, Kentucky. The Safer Kentucky Act, House Bill 5 Andrew: When you first reached out to me, you mentioned concern over the unintended consequences of House Bill 5, the Safer Kentucky Act. From your perspective as someone whos worked with and corresponded with inmates, many of whom have had long sentences, what do you see as some of the unintended consequences? Gaye: I think it goes two ways, and then it gets into a lot of rabbit holes. You have to consider first the human toll, and then the monetary toll. The one thing that has never been mentioned, so Ill start with that, are the children that are involved. One out of every 10 children in Kentucky have had a parent incarcerated at some point. The ones that have had parents that are incarcerated, they are living in poverty, they have less good health, they will drop out of school more often, they are far more likely to be in prison themselves eventuallybut no one ever mentions that. So when you incarcerate more and more and more, youre breaking up more and more families. Andrew: There was a part of your book which I highlighted that I think really speaks to that. This is from Ken, one of the inmates you corresponded with: As for my children, they are the ones who suffer the most, in my opinion. They have to live for the next thirteen and a half years without a father being there whenever they need meThose effects (of being incarcerated) could possibly change the course of people in a negative way, and I am the one responsible for that. That is the one thing I can never forgive myself forall the unintended consequences of my criminal activity Gaye: Thats a perfect example of it. For a while, at our church, we had a book project and we took childrens books into Luther Luckett. We helped the men choose appropriate books for their children and they read them on tape, and then we sent the tape and the books to the children. We did it for about 10 years and it was so touching; wed go back while theyre reading and tears would just be streaming down their cheeks, or they would have finished reading the book and they would just be sitting there crying because they know the things theyve done and how the children were affected. Gaye Holman Andrew: You also brought up the cost associated with this, because its costly to incarcerate people, and not only that but to incarcerate them for longer. There was an analysis I saw from the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy that said House Bill 5 would cost the state over $1 billion over the next 10 years. Gaye: If Im reading that right, Ive read that article they wrote, it looks to me like theyve only estimated the cost of increasing the crime limits, you know, like something becomes a felony or a felony becomes higher than thatThree strikes and youre out, that one drives me insane, I dont think they looked at that; you could add another billion or so on there if you just look at whats that going to cost everybody. And we need to talk about health care, thats another biggie. They said a billion dollars over 10 years, I think that is minuscule compared to what its really going to be. The Kentucky State Reformatory in Oldham County Andrew: A pretty major provision of the Safer Kentucky Act would expand the states violent offender statute to include a number of other crimes and also require people convicted of those crimes to serve at least 85% of their sentences. What does that do to a prison population? Gaye: Well you put a 20-year-old in and tell him that hes going to do 50 years, or whatever, I dont know, I may be exaggerating, but wheres the motivation? The motivation when I was there was this good time. They took classes, they got good timeI think they got a day for every day they behaved, you know it was that sort of thing, and it really cut the sentence down significantly. But if they got a write up, and were found guilty on it, then, you know, they lost that good time. That was quite a motivation. Andrew: Theres a portion in your book where you write about how theres no one size fits all mold of a prison inmate, other than perhaps that they are in prison and they have been convicted of a crime. Theyre all very different, they all have very different circumstances. If there was one thing you would want people to know about the lives of these men that you know, or people in general who have been incarcerated, what is it that you would want them to know? Gaye: These are individuals that each have their own story. The majority of them were mistreated as childrenits hair raising what theyve been through, but even taking that away, theyre still human beings just like we are with the same feelings, same emotions that we have. Cant we try to understand that rather than just trying to get rid of them? Because they have so much potential; oh, my God, some of them are just so bright. Some of them, at the end of the book, are out, theyre really good, contributing citizens; theyve had to work really hard to get good jobs, but they worked their way up. Were wasting so much human potential. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued guidance allowing for the coverage of anti-obesity medications, but only in cases they are indicated for treating conditions other than obesity. The CMS cited the recent expanded indication of the anti-obesity medication Wegovy as having informed its decision. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Wegovy approval earlier this month for reducing the risk of cardiovascular death, heart attack and stroke in patients with cardiovascular disease and obesity. With the recent change in the FDA approved use for Wegovy (semaglutide), current Medicare Part D and Medicaid coverage rules apply, a CMS spokesperson said in a statement. CMS has issued guidance to Medicare Part D plans stating that anti-obesity medications (AOMs) that receive FDA approval for an additional medically accepted indication can be considered a Part D drug for that specific use, the spokesperson added, specifying that drugs that are FDA-approved for only weight loss do not fall under this consideration. Medicare has long been barred from covering weight loss treatments for beneficiaries due to the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003. At the time, there were concerns that the weight loss drugs on the market specifically fenfluramine/phentermine carried dangerous side effects. The Treat and Reduce Obesity Act introduced in Congress would allow for more health care providers, services and drugs to be covered under Medicare. Obesity medicine groups and drugmakers such as Novo Nordisk have heavily lobbied for the bill to be passed. Wegovy falls within the newer class of drugs known as GLP-1 agonists, which mimic a hormone produced in the gut that stimulates insulin production and suppresses appetite. In a multi-national study of 17,600 participants, Wegovy was found to statistically reduce risk of a major adverse cardiovascular events by 20 percent. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Chinese Vice President Han Zheng meets with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni and Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk in Beijing, capital of China, March 21, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling) BEIJING, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President Han Zheng met with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni and Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk in Beijing on Thursday. Noting that China and Cambodia are good neighbors, good friends and good partners, Han said bilateral relations have withstood the test of the evolving international landscape and remained rock-solid for more than half a century, setting a fine example of equality and mutual benefits between countries of different sizes. He said that under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries, China and Cambodia have ushered in a new era of building a high-quality, high-level and high-standard China-Cambodia community with a shared future. "China stands ready to work with Cambodia to implement the important consensus reached between the leaders of the two countries, push for new progress in China-Cambodia comprehensive strategic cooperation and bring more benefits to the two peoples," Han added. Sihamoni and Monineath expressed appreciation for China's long-term selfless assistance to Cambodia and a series of global initiatives proposed by China, noting that Cambodia firmly abides by the one-China principle and is willing to join hands with China to build a Cambodia-China community with a shared future, deepen exchanges and cooperation in various fields and pass on the traditional friendship from generation to generation. Chinese Vice President Han Zheng meets with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni and Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk in Beijing, capital of China, March 21, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling) In this photo illustration, packages of Mifepristone tablets are displayed at a family planning clinic in Rockville, Maryland. (Photo illustration by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) Of the more than 1 million Americans who had abortions last year, 63% terminated their pregnancies using medication, according to new data analysis. The U.S. also saw the most abortions since 2012. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) Researchers found that 63% of all abortions provided in the U.S. last year were medication abortions. There were an estimated 1,026,690 abortions the most in over a decade performed in the formal health care system in 2023, according to a report released Tuesday by the Guttmacher Institute, a reproductive health research organization. The data provides a quantitative look at abortion care the first full year after the U.S. Supreme Courts Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization ruling in June 2022. Medication abortions increased by 10% from 2020 to 2023. About 642,700 medication abortions were provided in the country last year, the data shows. Improved access to medication abortion is a positive development, but it is not a panacea, said Rachel Jones, Guttmacher principal research scientist, in a news release. As abortion restrictions proliferate post-Dobbs, medication abortion may be the most viable option or the only option for some people, even if they would have preferred in-person procedural care. The findings were published one week before the U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear arguments in a pivotal lawsuit that could severely limit access to medication abortion. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, an anti-abortion rights group, and other doctors who oppose abortion are asking the court to restrict access to mifepristone, one of two drugs used to terminate pregnancies. The Biden administration is urging the justices to maintain the U.S. Food and Drug Administrations current regulations on mifepristone. As our latest data emphasize, more than three out of five abortion patients in the United States use medication abortion, said Amy Friedrich-Karnik, Guttmachers director of federal policy. Reinstating outdated and medically unnecessary restrictions on the provision of mifepristone would negatively impact peoples lives and decrease abortion access across the country, Friedrich-Karnik said. Most states without near-total bans saw upticks in abortions. Despite the patchwork of abortion laws in the nation 14 states have near-total bans, while Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Nebraska, the Carolinas and Utah restrict abortion after 18 weeks gestation or earlier Americans terminated pregnancies at the highest number and rate seen in a decade, according to a policy analysis by Isaac Maddow-Zimet, a data scientist, and Candace Gibson, director of state policy at Guttmacher. The rate was 15.7 abortions per 1,000 women of reproductive age last year. Over 160,000 people traveled out of state in 2023 to seek abortion care, the report stated. According to Maddow-Zimet and Gibson, several factors likely contributed to the increase in abortions last year, including the rise of telehealth, financial support from abortion funds and shield laws in 22 states and Washington, D.C., that protect providers and patients from out-of-state investigations or prosecutions concerning reproductive health. This increase in abortions does not diminish the impact of Dobbs on peoples lives, Maddow-Zimet and Gibson wrote. Instead, the data provide important evidence that people will continue to seek abortion care in spite of the policy barriers that anti-abortion policymakers impose. States that share borders with states that enacted bans post-Dobbs saw a 37% increase in abortions between 2020 and 2023. Illinois had the highest total surge with 38,010 more abortions than in 2020, a 72% increase over three years. New Mexico (15,090 more abortions, 257% increase) Virginia (14,190 more abortions, 76% increase) and North Carolina (12,970 more abortions, 41% increase) followed suit. The Guttmacher Institute classified the following states as border states in the current abortion policy landscape: Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, New Mexico, Ohio, South Carolina and Virginia. Almost every state without a near-total ban saw increases in abortion. But Arizona, Georgia, Indiana and Wisconsin all saw declines. Arizona has a 15-week ban, Georgia has a six-week ban, while near-total bans were in effect in Indiana and Wisconsin at certain periods in 2023. The post Medication abortion rates grew 10% over the last few years, report shows appeared first on Arkansas Advocate. Memorial to Ukrainian soldiers in forest near Moshchun. Photo: Office of the President On 21 March, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Ukraine's military leadership honoured the memory of the defenders killed in the battle for Moshchun. The Angels of Victory memorial was placed in the forest near Moshchun. Source: Office of the President; Zelenskyy on Telegram Quote: "Today [21 March ed.] we remember a battle that should never be forgotten. It was in the battles for Moshchun and the nearby battles for Hostomel, Irpin, and other towns and villages of Kyiv Oblast that the fate of Ukraine and the Ukrainian capital was determined." Details: The commemoration took place at the Angels of Victory memorial, which is being created in the forest near Moshchun, where some of the fiercest battles to defend Kyiv from Russian invaders took place in March 2022. The participants observed a moment of silence in memory of the soldiers. During the minute of silence, the names of 118 defenders who died in the battles for the village of Moshchun were read out. Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine Zelenskyy also presented state awards to servicemen of the Armed Forces, the State Border Guard Service, the National Guard and the Security Service of Ukraine. In particular, the President's Cross of Military Merit was awarded to Mykola Demianiuk, a participant in the defence of Kyiv and a lieutenant colonel of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, who organised defence in the most dangerous and difficult area of the Russian advance near Moshchun. He also took part in the fighting in Kharkiv Oblast. In addition, the President presented the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky of III degree, the Order for Courage of II and III degrees, and the medal For Military Service to Ukraine. Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine The events held at what soon will be the Angels of Victory memorial were also attended by relatives and friends of the fallen defenders. The commemoration was attended by the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the heads of Ukraines intelligence services, the Security Service of Ukraine and the State Border Guard Service, along with the minister of defence and internal affairs, the head of the Presidential Office, the secretary of the National Security and Defence Council and others. Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine Support UP or become our patron! MEMPHIS, Tenn. Thursday is World Down Syndrome Day and a local father is Walking in Memphis in hopes of raising awareness for the condition. World Down Syndrome Day is held each year on March 21. This is because those with Down Syndrome have three copies of the 21st chromosome. This is Joshua Greers seventh year walking to raise awareness. He sets out to walk 21 miles and raise $21,000. Greer says 100% of the proceeds will go to the Down Syndrome Association of Memphis and the Midsouth. During the walk, he also visits 21 Memphis landmarks. Thursday morning, Greer started off at the Big River Crossing. The other landmarks Greer will visit include the National Civil Rights Museum, Autozone Park, the Childrens Museum, LeBonheur, St. Jude, and the finale stop tonight at 6 p.m. Beale Street Landing. There will be a celebration there from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. It is free to attend. There will be a silent auction, games, music and food trucks. 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. According to the CDC, down syndrome is the most common chromosomal disorder affecting approximately one in 700 newborns each year. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) said in a video announcement Thursday that he would be opening the door to running as an independent for his seat, despite pressure from within his own party to resign over his indictments. Menendez, who has been charged with accepting bribes and acting an agent for the Egypts government, argued he was innocent against the accusations against him but said the accusations will not allow me to have that type of dialogue and debate with political opponents that have already made it the cornerstone of their campaign. Therefore, I will not file for the Democratic primary this June. I am hopeful that my exoneration will take place this summer and allow me to pursue my candidacy as an independent Democrat in the general election, he said. Menendezs announcement comes just days before the filing deadline in New Jersey. The New Jersey Democrat is facing pressure to not seek reelection after being hit with multiple indictments. He pleaded not guilty to conspiring to act as a foreign agent to Egypt and later pleaded not guilty after being hit with new charges over obstruction of justice. His wife has also been charged. One businessman has already pleaded guilty to trying to bribe the senator and his wife for political upside. Since then, several dozen Senate Democrats have urged Menendez to resign. New Jersey first lady Tammy Murphy (D) and Rep. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) have launched bids for his seat. For the majority of his announcement video, Menendez reminded viewers of his legislative track record before later acknowledging that many of his constituents were frustrated with him. I know many of you are hurt and disappointed in me with the accusations Im facing, he said. Believe me, I am disappointed at the false accusations as well. All I can ask of you is to withhold judgment until justice takes place. Menendez would have until June 4 to gather a minimum of 800 signatures to launch an independent bid. However, questions remain over his political fate amid his current prosecution. A Monmouth University poll released earlier this month found 63 percent of adults in the state believe he should step down. Updated at 6:54 p.m. ET For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A former Met Police officer has been jailed for abuse against his wife which a court heard "escalated" after he joined the force. While a serving officer, PC Isaque Rodrigues-Leite trapped his wife in a caravan and a bedroom, hit her with a car, and threatened her with a knife. The trial heard that during arguments he told her "no one will believe you because I am a police officer". Rodrigues-Leite was jailed for two years and three months. He was sentenced at Croydon Crown Court by Recorder Daniel Dyal having been found guilty of four counts of false imprisonment, two counts of common assault, one count of criminal damage, and one of coercive control in November last year. 'Paying for sex' The pair met in 2010 and then married in 2014. The early years of the relationship were described as "toxic" and the court was told the abuse "got really bad" in the months after Rodrigues-Leite joined the Met in March 2019. Mr Dyal said there was a "major escalation" in Rodrigues-Leite's behaviour between March and July that year. In April 2019 he trapped the victim in a caravan after she found messages suggesting he had been unfaithful, the court heard. Three months later, he blockaded her in their bedroom and prevented her from leaving "by pushing her back on to the bed" after she confronted him about messages on his computer revealing he was "paying for sex". On another occasion during a fight, Rodrigues-Leite raised his first at her and punched a wall, while again refusing to let her leave, the trial heard. When she then left the house to drive away she found her husband in the car already who accelerated the vehicle at her meaning she had to jump on the bonnet to get out of the way. Prosecutor Saul Herman said Rodrigues-Leite then "drove the car back and forth" until she fell on the side road, before telling her: "Look what you made me do." 'Shameful' In a witness impact statement read to the court, the victim said when she saw a police car driving near her house she still feared Rodrigues-Leite had "said something" to his colleagues. "I felt it was shameful when I had a husband who was a police officer who was abusing me," she said. "In my mind, I did the right thing - if talking about it will help someone else not be in the same situation, I will be glad about that." Det Sup Christina Jessah, from Roads and Transport Policing where Rodrigues-Leite was based, said: "The nature of this officer's offending was abhorrent. "We do not want people who commit such offences working in the Met and our professional standards investigators will continue to be relentless in their pursuit of officers who let down their colleagues and Londoners." Following the trial Rodrigues-Leite was found not guilty of two other counts of false imprisonment and two counts of making a threat to kill. In December last year the former PC was dismissed from the force by a misconduct panel and banned from re-joining. 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 Hector Flores, who tracks murder victims in Jalisco state and said he knew of about 30 people who disappeared from call centers since 2017, in Guadalajara, Mexico, on Feb. 19, 2024. (Alejandro Cegarra/The New York Times) GUADALAJARA, Mexico First the cartel cut its teeth with drug trafficking. Then avocados, real estate and construction companies. Now, a Mexican criminal group known for its brutality is moving in on seniors and their timeshares. The operation is relatively simple. Cartel employees posing as sales representatives call up timeshare owners, offering to buy their investments back for generous sums. They then demand upfront fees for anything from listing advertisements to paying government fines. The representatives persuade their victims to wire large amounts of money to Mexico sometimes as much as hundreds of thousands of dollars and then they disappear. The scheme has netted the cartel, Jalisco New Generation, hundreds of millions of dollars over the past decade, according to U.S. officials who were not authorized to speak publicly, via dozens of call centers in Mexico that relentlessly target American and Canadian timeshare owners. They even bribe employees at Mexican resorts to leak guest information, the U.S. officials say. Sign up for The Morning newsletter from the New York Times The scam represents the latest evolution of the Jalisco New Generation, which is entrenched in both illegal and legal sectors of the economy. With little more than a phone and a convincing script, cartel employees are victimizing people across multiple countries. And even those employees are vulnerable to the cartels ruthlessness. In May, the remains of eight young Mexicans who worked at a call center owned by the cartel were discovered in dozens of plastic bags in a ravine on the outskirts of Guadalajara, a city in Jalisco state. The cartel typically preys on older, retired people who want to leave as much money as they can to their family by selling off assets. Several victims interviewed by The New York Times said the money they had lost to scammers exceeded the value of their initial investment in timeshares in Jamaica, California and Mexico. Im old, just like these clients, said Michael Finn, founder of Finn Law Group in St. Petersburg, Florida, which has represented thousands of people facing various forms of timeshare fraud. We tend to be trusting when someone calls chatting us up and selling us these dreams. Finn realized how serious this type of fraud was becoming four years ago, when he received a call from a desperate woman whose mother had wired $1.2 million, her entire life savings, to Mexico to sell her timeshare. The timeshare industry is booming, with $10.5 billion in sales in 2022, a 30% jump from the year before, according to the American Resort Development Association. Nearly 10 million American households own timeshares, the association said, spending an average of about $22,000 for their investment on top of annual fees of around $2,000. Most timeshares are beach resorts. The sectors growth coincides with a 79% rise over the past four years of timeshare fraud complaints received by the FBI. But for scams that originate in Mexico, the FBI can investigate only if it gets the local authorities cooperation. And American law firms cannot file lawsuits because they do not have jurisdiction in Mexico. Over the past five years, American timeshare owners were bilked out of $288 million, according to the FBI, through various types of scams, including those run by the cartel. The real number is most likely larger, as the FBI estimates about 80% of those defrauded never register a complaint.The victims dont want to come forward because they are embarrassed and hide it from their families, Finn said. In October 2022, a retired couple James, 76, and his wife, Nicki, 72 said they received a call from a supposed real estate agent at Worry Free Vacations in Atlanta, offering to broker the sale of their timeshare in Lake Tahoe, California, to a wealthy Mexican businessman. They asked not to publish their last name as they were very embarrassed about being defrauded. As their daughters grew older, the family had stopped using the vacation spot that it bought in the 1990s for some $8,000, so the couple jumped at the opportunity to sell. The scam started with smaller fees, James said a few thousand dollars here and there meant to settle Mexican government registration costs for cross-border transactions. The fees grew heftier as he was told he was being fined by the Mexican authorities for various violations and could be extradited for breaking the law unless he paid. At one point, James said, the scammers even persuaded him to invest in a new commercial property in Mexico. About two dozen payments later, the couple have wired nearly $900,000 to various bank accounts in Mexico, according to bank records reviewed by the Times. Scams that go as far as this are not that uncommon, according to the FBI. The agency says that, typically, victims like James and Nicki are wiring the money to bank accounts held by associates of the Jalisco New Generation cartel. The couple said they had depleted their life savings and were now in debt. They said they even borrowed about $150,000 from one of their daughters and sold James childhood home, but have not seen a single cent in return. Im sure that if I were asking them, theyd say, How could you be so stupid? James said of his daughters. And I asked myself that same thing. I used to think I was fairly intelligent. The scammers identified themselves as sales representatives and an official at Mexicos Central Bank, emails reviewed by the Times show, and kept promising that if he paid only one more fee, everything would be cleared and his money released. Yet after every payment, a new fee was piled on. In a statement, the Mexican Central Bank said it was aware that timeshare fraud was being committed in its name and warned people away from falling for the scam. Late last year, James started to receive desperate messages from alleged representatives who claimed their colleague was jailed in Mexico after trying to settle James case, according to recorded calls and emails reviewed by the Times. Please, do everything that you can, to get my friend/boss back home. He misses his family so much and hearing him feels awful, youre the only hope for this to be resolved, a recent email read. The pending amount to be paid is: $157,786.61. James said he was considering taking out a second mortgage to pay the amount, until his daughters stopped him. While the scam targeting timeshare owners is financial, in Mexico it can be deadly. The eight Mexicans found dead on the outskirts of Guadalajara last year all worked at a call center in the heart of Guadalajara run by the Jalisco New Generation cartel, American officials said. Local prosecutors said when they searched the center, they found a mop with red stains, blackboards with foreign names and details of timeshare memberships. When New York Times reporters recently visited the call center, they found it was closed, with a police vehicle parked outside. The building was in an upscale neighborhood, across the street from a park. Parents walked by, taking their children to school. Hector Flores, the founder of the Light and Hope Collective, which combs through Jalisco state looking for the bodies of the disappeared, said he knew of about 30 people who had disappeared from call centers since 2017. But there are most likely more, he said, as many families do not come forward out of fear. The state prosecutors office did not respond to requests for comment. The Jalisco New Generation cartel, which was founded about 15 years ago, has grown into one of the most powerful cartels in Mexico. In recent years, it has expanded into the legal sectors of the economy, including selling avocados to the United States. In Puerto Vallarta, a cartel stronghold and popular beach town, Mexican hotel workers are routinely pressured by the criminal group to leak guest information, according to James Barnacle, the FBI deputy assistant director overseeing financial crimes. Barnacle said that hotels and timeshare companies in Mexico were aware of the leaks and that the U.S. government had warned them to start clamping down. Of particular concern to U.S. officials is the Vidanta Group, one of the worlds largest timeshare resort companies based in Mexico. Its owner, Daniel Chavez Moran, is a friend and an adviser to Mexicos president. Many of Vidantas clients have been victims of timeshare fraud, according to a U.S. official who was not authorized to speak publicly. Vidanta did not respond to requests for comment. Pete Willard said he bought his Vidanta timeshare in 2015. Six years later, he received a call from a supposed New York real estate company offering him about a half-million dollars for it. After sending various wire payments to Mexico, he has lost $100,000 with nothing in return, Willard said. Once he realized he was never going to see his money again, Willard contacted the FBI. They said there wasnt much they could do as the money was all in Mexico, he said. Willard said he tried to file complaints with the Better Business Bureau and the district attorney in New York against the companies that scammed him. I never got a response from anyone other than Im sorry, you should have been more diligent. Barnacle admits that U.S. law enforcement agencies are basically powerless to counter these frauds beyond public messaging. People exploit your data all the time, said Barnacle. The cartel doesnt have to invest in a product that they have; they just got to pick up the phone or send an email to people, and, you know, trick them into giving up their money. So far, the U.S. Treasury Department has imposed sanctions on 40 Mexican companies and about a dozen people for timeshare fraud, but few arrests have been made. And as soon as a front company or bank account is shut down, new ones are created. Mexican banks are to blame, said Spencer McMullen, an American who practices law in Chapala, Mexico, adding that they often do not check whether the accounts the cartel runs are using valid addresses and are legitimate business. They could be freezing these accounts for suspicious activity. During the two weeks that James, the timeshare owner who lost nearly $900,000, was speaking to the Times, he slowly realized he was never going to see his money again. His wife, Nicki, is livid, having warned him from the very beginning. You know, when you work for so many years and save so you can enjoy your senior years, and then have it just ripped away from you, Nicki said, its just not right. They went from starting their retirement very comfortably to now wondering if they need to apply for part-time jobs. Nicki is recovering from cancer, and their expenses are piling up. Am I going to have to go work at Walmart now? Nicki said. c.2024 The New York Times Company The fifth round of peace dialogues between Colombia's government and the National Liberation Army, in Mexico City MEXICO CITY (Reuters) -Mexico has signed an agreement with Venezuela to deport migrants and reached deals with Mexican and Venezuelan companies to employ them, Foreign Minister Alicia Barcena told a news conference on Thursday. Venezuelans have been among the largest groups of migrants arriving in Mexico on their way to the United States, as they seek to flee their country's political and economic crisis. There are 4,000-5,000 Venezuelan migrants currently stranded in Mexico, mostly in the city of Tijuana. U.S. citizens are increasingly concerned about migrants reaching their borders, with a Reuters-Ipsos poll earlier this year finding that 17% considered the issue was the most important problem facing the country, up 11% from December. Venezuela's government did not immediately reply to a request for comment. "The plan lacks legal basis," said Enrique Lucero, the municipal director of migrant care in Tijuana. Lucero called on authorities to normalize migration routes for people seeking asylum in the United States. The Mexican government said it will give migrants in the country around $110 a month, part of a program in which they will also have the opportunity to work for different companies in both countries. Venezuelan brewers Empresas Polar and state oil firm PDVSA, and Mexican breadmaker Bimbo and retailer FEMSA are among the companies participating in the program, Barcena said. The companies did not immediately reply to requests for comment. (Reporting by Ana Isabel Martinez; Additional reporting by Lizbeth Diaz and Noe Torres in Mexico City and Vivian Sequera in Caracas; Writing by Valentine Hilaire; Editing by Sarah Morland and Nia Williams) Mexico is warning a federal US court that if its judges permit a controversial Texas immigration law to take effect, the two nations would experience substantial tension that would have far-reaching consequences for US-Mexico relations. In a friend-of-the-court brief filed Thursday with the 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals, lawyers for Mexico said relations with the US would be strained. Enforcement of SB 4 would inappropriately burden the uniform and predictable sovereign-to-sovereign relations between Mexico and the United States, by criminalizing the unauthorized entry of noncitizens into Texas from outside the county and creating diverging removal requirements between and among individual states and the national government, they wrote in the brief. Enforcement of SB 4 would also interfere with Mexicos right to determine its own policies regarding entry into its territory, undermine U.S.-Mexico collaboration on a legal migration framework and border management, and hinder U.S.-Mexico trade, the attorneys told the court. Signed into law by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott in December, the law makes entering Texas illegally a state crime and allows state judges to order immigrants to be deported. US immigration enforcement, generally, is a function of the federal government. The 5th Circuit is currently considering whether to allow Texas to enforce Senate Bill 4 while it weighs the larger question of whether the law violates the US Constitution. A three-judge panel at the appeals court put the law back on hold late Tuesday after the Supreme Court cleared the way for it to go into effect for a short period earlier that day. Briefs like the one filed by Mexico, which is technically called an amicus brief, are submitted by non-parties to offer a court expertise and information on a pending case. The decision to allow for amicus briefs comes under a courts discretion. Some amici might file their briefs in support of a particular party or in support of neither party. Mexico said it was backing the laws challengers, which include the Biden administration. Its attorneys argued in Thursdays brief that the law if allowed to take effect will be applied in a discriminatory manner. Mexicos 11 consulates in Texas have been ordered to provide protection and guidance and have made legal support available for any Mexican nationals across the state who starts to have a problem, under the new law, Mexican Foreign Minister Alicia Barcena said earlier Thursday. This law is deeply unconstitutional, Barcena said, arguing that immigration issues in the US are under federal jurisdiction, just like in Mexico. So, we are not going to allow any action by the state of Texas, neither the authorities, nor the police, nor anyone who acts on immigration matters at a state level, at the county level, this is a federal matter and for us too. So we are there, the minister said. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com ORLANDO, Fla. While most casual cyclists would balk at the idea of traveling more than 30 or 40 miles in a day by bike, one woman is making a three-month trek on two wheels from Miami to Montreal, spreading awareness about climate change along the way. Heather Noreen, who was born in Wisconsin but has spent most of her adult years raising her five children in Europe, first got the spark to start her nonprofit, Climate Tours, in 2017 when she and her kids traveled by bike to Amsterdam on a family vacation. The kids absolutely loved it. We spent a lot of time together without screens, she said. Thats when I decided that I wanted to change jobs. I wanted to do something to get people to understand that this is a really fun way to travel. Its good for the environment and us. The 48-year-old nonprofit founder and workshop facilitator is joined by her son, 24-year-old Alexander Bonte, on the 3,300-mile trek using Gazelle electric bikes. Along the way, Noreen is stopping in 21 cities to host workshops and card games such as 2tonnes, Food Collage, Mobility Collage and Climate Fresk, designed to educate participants about the science behind climate change. Theres a study that says that 70 percent of Americans know that climate change exists. Only 40 percent think that one day it will impact them, she said. The cards share this common knowledge base with everyone. During a four-day stop in Orlando, Noreen met with Citizens Climate Lobby, IDEAS For Us, UCF students and others to host workshops that help people better understand our human impact on the planet and how to take action. The first thing to do is figure out how we contribute to climate change. I tell people they should calculate their carbon footprint, she said, mentioning the number of online calculators that help with this task. From that, you decide to do something and start with one thing and try to make it the most impactful thing. It could be eating less meat. It could be working from home an extra day or deciding to get a smaller car, or taking your bike. Noreen said the critical mass and social tipping point needed to create a more sustainable future is what motivates her to keep going. Just the visibility of the bikes on this Climate Tour helps start the conversation with strangers she and her son encounter on the street. People dont get it at all. Theyre like, So youre putting your bike on your car? I tell them that Im biking there, she said. Sometimes they walk away and then come back, Wait, youre going to Montreal from here?' More info Follow along with Climate Tours on Facebook Climate Tours, on Instagram @climatetours_ngo or on climatetours.org. Evangelical Christians used to care a lot about morality in politics. Christian leaders besieged Jimmy Carter for giving an interview to Playboy. They called Bill Clinton unfit for office because of his marital infidelity and other failings. Then Donald Trump carried out a hostile takeover of the Republican Party, defeated Hillary Clinton and became president. Suddenly, evangelical leaders saw fit to emphasize parts of the Bible focusing on forgiveness and imperfect leaders. Look, they rationalized, it's a modern King David! No one played a greater role than Mike Pence in anointing the grab them by the p---- president as God's chosen leader. As McKay Coppins wrote in a 2018 profile in The Atlantic, Pence's "servant leadership" astounded even those closest to Trump. President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence in 2020. He was our top surrogate by far, an anonymous senior adviser to Trump told The Atlantic. He was this mild-mannered, uber-Christian guy with a Midwestern accent telling voters, Trump is a good man; I know whats in his heart. It was very convincing you wanted to trust him. Youd be sitting there listening to him and thinking, 'Yeah, maybe Trump is a good man!' " Why evangelical voters flock to Trump: Trump's questionable morality gets a pass from evangelical voters. I decided to ask why. Now, more than three years after Trump made Pence a target for an angry mob at the U.S. Capitol capable of killing him, Pence has taken another step away from his "broad-shouldered" former boss, telling Fox News, It should come as no surprise that I will not be endorsing Donald Trump this year." Pence won't endorse Trump, but he still refuses to state the obvious The Bulwark's Jonathan V. Last wonders why Pence's non-endorsement isn't the biggest story of the upcoming election. "No American vice president has ever said that (the) president he served under is unfit to serve," Last writes. "It is the most devastating possible observation from the most credible source in existence. Pences refusal to endorse Trump should be part of the context of every single story about this campaign." Last argues that Pence acted courageously on Jan. 6, 2021. I agree. But I don't share Last's confusion over why no one cares about Pence withholding his endorsement. For one thing, Pence still refuses to state the obvious: Trump is a threat to the foundation of America, as well as everyone around him. Pence witnessed that firsthand. Nonetheless, Pence is couching his criticism in policy. "As I have watched his candidacy unfold, Ive seen him walking away from our commitment to confronting the national debt," Pence told Fox News. "Ive seen him starting to shy away from a commitment to the sanctity of human life." I ran for president as a Republican. I won't vote for Trump (or Biden). Yes, these are the main problems with Trump. Never mind Trump's proven capacity for orchestrating domestic terrorism. Pence invested his ambition and, yes, faith in Trump. He is not yet willing or able to fully cash out. Those of us who reserve respect for Pence, the person, feel compelled to search for something that isn't there in his words and actions. The temptation to ascribe meaning to Pence's non-endorsement comes from a desire to project our own rooting interests onto a good man who deserves justice for how Trump treated him. Pence is not seeking justice. 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. Pence knows who Trump is. He always has. Pence continues to serve as a character witness for Trump just as he has since 2016 when he forgave Trump for the infamous "Access Hollywood" video, in which Trump joked about groping women. Pence at the time went even further to insist all allegations of sexual assault against Trump would be proven "categorically false." Trump has since been found liable for sexually abusing and defaming E. Jean Carroll. Former Vice President Mike Pence waves over the crowd as he enters the room before speaking during the NCSL Legislative Summit at the Indiana Convention Center, Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023 in Indianapolis. No one worked harder to uphold the former president's righteousness than Pence. Consider a typical Pence stump speech from October 2020. "In President Donald Trump, youve had a leader whos kept his promises to people of faith like no other in my lifetime," Pence said in Iowa. Pence knew who Trump was when he said those words, even if it would be a few more weeks before Trump put Pence's life in danger. Pence can't speak to Trump's core rottenness now without implicitly criticizing his own judgment during the years he stood alongside him, assuring evangelicals that Trump was on their side. IndyStar Metro Columnist James Briggs Coppins writes in his Atlantic profile: "There was no talking point too preposterous, no fixed reality too plain to deny if they needed Pence to defend the boss, he was in. When, during the vice-presidential debate, he was confronted with a barrage of damning quotes and questionable positions held by his running mate, Pence responded with unnerving message discipline, dismissing documented facts as 'nonsense' and smears." Any criticism Pence, or anyone else, might level against Trump's character is irrelevant. Pence told us so himself. James Briggs is the opinion and public engagement editor for IndyStar, where this column first published. Contact him at james.briggs@indystar.com. Follow him on X and Threads at @JamesEBriggs 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 Indianapolis Star: Pence refuses to endorse Trump. Here's why that doesn't matter BEIJING, March 21 (Xinhua) -- China welcomes Australia's recent decision to suspend anti-dumping measures on Chinese wind towers, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday. China and Australia have huge room for cooperation in terms of clean energy development, spokesperson He Yadong said, adding that China is willing to strengthen cooperation with Australia to cope with global climate change. "We hope that the Australian side will keep working with China to resolve trade differences through dialogue and cooperation, and terminate other trade remedy measures against China as soon as possible," the spokesperson said. The Australian Anti-dumping Commission recently released a final ruling notice, announcing the decision to terminate anti-dumping measures on wind towers imported from China, which are due to expire on April 16, 2024. An Australian Defence photo shows residents of a a remote northern town being evacuated following Tropical Cyclone Megan (Andrew EDDIE) More than 100 Australians were evacuated from a remote northern Australian town Thursday, as severe flooding from ex-tropical cyclone Megan was expected to hit. More than 100 residents of the small town of Borroloola were airlifted by the Australian Defence Force to Darwin, more than 970 kilometres (600 miles) away. The evacuation comes after 700 residents were left stranded as the cyclone passed through on Tuesday. The storm caused minimal immediate damage, but nearby McArthur River was set to peak at 18 metres (60 feet), three metres above its 2001 record, according to the Bureau of Meteorology. "After a midnight landing into Darwin with the ADF, over 100 Borroloola residents are safe and away from floods," said Northern Territory Senator Malarndirri McCarthy. "More planes are due in Borroloola today depending on weather and water levels," she added. Northern Territory Police Commissioner Michael Murphy said while several homes will be flooded, there are areas of the community where residents who were not evacuated can safely take shelter. str/arb/cwl FIRST ON FOX: Missouri investigators say they have solved the 1990 murder of a 22-year-old woman who was last seen alive on Halloween of that year, months before police found her remains hogtied behind a barn. Dennis Rader, the BTK serial killer, had been a potential suspect, according to the McDonald County Sheriff's Office. So had Larry Hall, a suspected mass murderer who is serving a life sentence for kidnapping an Illinois girl in 1993. However, neither of them killed the victim, who was unidentified until 2021, known as "Grace Doe" rather than "Jane," because detectives Lorie Howard and Rhonda Wise believed they would only discover the truth "by the Grace of God." The cold case detectives stuck with the case for years, eventually teaming up with the Othram genealogy lab and finding estranged relatives who knew "Grace" as Shawna Garber. They later found her legal name was Shauna Harvey, the sheriff's office said Thursday. BTK CALLED PRIME SUSPECT IN COLD CASES, SERIAL KILLER SAYS SEARCH FOR MORE BODIES UNDERWAY Harvey "met the devil" on Oct. 31, 1990, in the form of a local man named Talfey Reeves, according to authorities. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Detectives believe Reeves hogtied Harvey with multiple types of bindings, sexually assaulted her and then killed her with a high dose of drugs. "Shauna had a hard life," Howard told Fox News Digital. "She was born in a car, set on fire by her mother, had a failed adoption, in and out of foster care. Then met the devil and was killed in such a horrific manner." Howard and Wise's investigation spanned multiple states as they looked for suspects, interviewing Rader in a Kansas prison, Hall in federal custody and other known killers whose victims were young women. However, Reeves was a locally known figure with a rap sheet dating back to the 1980s, the sheriff's office revealed. He died in November 2021 when a car crashed into his scooter while he was attempting a U-turn on Highway 71, Missouri State Police announced at the time. He had been arrested days before his death for driving without a license. If he were alive today, he would face charges of first-degree murder, according to McDonald County Prosecuting Attorney Maleia Cheney. Reeves' nephew, Derek Reeves, was also questioned in another unsolved death, according to authorities. Danielle Pixler, the victim's half sister, told investigators Harvey had been in foster care and state custody during her childhood and that she lost touch with her after that. She had been looking for her sister for nearly 30 years. Even photos of Harvey as an adult have proven hard to come by. Howard, the cold case detective, said she was still searching for some even after the case was cracked. "I refuse to let her be invisible," she said. Serial killer Dennis Rader stands before Sedgwick County District Court Judge Greg Waller as sentencing is read Aug. 18, 2005 in Wichita, Kansas. Rader received nine life terms and a "hard 40" for the 10 murders he committed over nearly 30 years. Rader, who is imprisoned for life in Kansas, is still under investigation in other cases in Osage County, Oklahoma, according to Sheriff Eddie Virden. Chief among them is the death of Cynthia "Cyndi" Dawn Kinney, who was last seen leaving the laundromat in Pawhuska on June 23, 1976. Across the street, Rader's then-employer, the ADT security firm, was installing an alarm system at a new bank. SIGN UP TO GET TRUE CRIME NEWSLETTER Police arrested him in 2005 after years of cat-and-mouse games in which he taunted investigators and the media with messages, ultimately leading police to his own doorstep by failing to cover his tracks. The former home of Dennis Rader "BTK" in Park City, Kansas, on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023. Detectives returned to the site decades after Rader received 10 consecutive life prison sentences to dig for clues in multiple cold case murders. Rader, now 78, confessed to 10 murders after his arrest all of which took place near his home in Park City, Kansas. He has denied involvement in any others, and continues to do so even after falling into poor health, with ailments including cancer and cellulitis. BTK BOMBSHELL: SHERIFF REVEALS PANTYHOSE LIGATURE FOUND ON SERIAL KILLER'S FORMER KANSAS PROPERTY Oklahoma investigators have shared several sketches from the notebook of serial killer Dennis Rader, also known as BTK, about his preferred method to "bind, torture, kill." Rader had a "fascination" with barns, according to investigators. Shawna Garber was found hogtied near a Missouri barn in the early 1990s. FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X Rader himself previously denied any wrongdoing in Osage County in a letter to Fox News Digital and called the investigation there a "waste of taxpayer money." Hoping they might gain a confession in exchange for sparing him the death penalty in any new cases, investigators offered him immunity earlier this year, Howard said. He waived his right to remain silent, spoke with them at length and denied involvement in any other slayings . Original article source: Missouri detectives crack cold case once linked to serial killer BTK Every major Missouri Republican candidate for governor says they want to eliminate state income taxes, an ambitious stance that Democrats warn risks a budget disaster similar to what Kansas experienced a decade ago. Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft and Sen. Bill Eigel of Weldon Spring both include calls to end the state income tax in their platforms. And Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoes campaign said he would prioritize ending the income tax. Eigel, a member of the hard-right Freedom Caucus in the Missouri Senate, also supports eliminating personal property taxes, while Ashcroft wants to repeal a recent gas tax increase. All three Republicans are fighting for position ahead of the August primary election. Missouri collects roughly $10 billion a year in personal and corporate income taxes that support the states general revenue making the revenue a key component in funding state government. Eliminating the state income tax whether gradually or at once would require a monumental shift in Missouri, causing lawmakers to confront potentially excruciating and politically difficult choices about the role and scope of government. Fewer than a dozen states lack an income tax. A sudden end to the income tax would force Missouri officials to make dramatic reductions in spending, significantly raise the sales tax and other kinds of taxes to compensate, or pursue some combination of those options. Even a more gradual reduction would likely also require tough decisions, though potentially not as quickly. Ashcroft and Eigel both say they are prepared for a budget reckoning, indicating in interviews they would take steps to control spending. Kehoes campaign also said he would seek to control spending. Republicans often campaign on reducing or eliminating taxes, and its no surprise that GOP candidates in the 2024 race are raising the issue. But the focus on ending the income tax altogether as opposed to only embracing further rate cuts is a strong signal that a new Republican governor would aggressively push the legislature to cut taxes, even if lawmakers ultimately fall short of approving a total income tax elimination. While ending the income tax would require the Republican-controlled General Assembly to pass legislation, the governor has wide latitude to prevent or slow spending by making line-item vetoes to the state budget or withholding funds already budgeted. We dont have a revenue problem, we have a spending problem, Ashcroft said. Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft speaks with reporters in Jefferson City on Jan. 23, 2024. Kacen Bayless/kbayless@kcstar.com Missouris total spending has grown from about $26.4 billion in the 2019 fiscal year to $38.2 billion in 2023. But much of that growth represents one-time federal pandemic aid that is rapidly being spent down. The growth in general revenue spending has been much smaller over the same time period, from about $9.5 billion to $12.5 billion. Eigel said that he supports spending on education, veterans services, support for elderly and residents with disabilities, and law enforcement. But, he added, theres a lot of things that are going to be on the table as far as being ready (to be made) more efficient and a few cuts to the size and scope of government. Kehoe campaign spokesperson Michael Hafner said in a statement that as governor, Kehoe will make it a priority to eliminate the income tax altogether and control state spending. A shot of adrenaline for Missouri? Democrats are watching the Republican jockeying over ending the income tax with frustration and fear. In Kansas, then-Gov. Sam Brownback, a Republican, signed into law in 2012 and 2013 a package of tax cuts that he hailed at the time as a shot of adrenaline into the state economy. The cuts to the states income tax rates, along with a tax exemption for income from limited liability companies, led to significant budget shortfalls by 2014. In 2015, Kansas lawmakers raised the state sales tax rate to help balance the budget. Statewide anger over the budget mess led to the election of a wave of moderate Republican and Democratic lawmakers the next year. And in 2017, the Kansas Legislature largely rolled back Brownbacks signature tax cuts over his objections. Missouri families need help and we should be focused on giving everyday folks more of their hard earned dollars, not more to the wealthy elites, Missouri House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, a Springfield Democrat running for governor, said in a statement. We should be eliminating the grocery tax and providing tax credits to help cover the outrageous cost of child and elder care, not repeating the failed policies of Sam Brownback that defunded Kansas public schools. Mike Hamra, a Springfield businessman who is also campaigning for governor as a Democrat, said in a statement that Brownback, along with the anti-tax activist Grover Norquist, pulled this political stunt in Kansas a decade ago with disastrous results that our neighbors are still trying to recover from, including a budget crisis, schools closing weeks early, multiple credit downgrades, and slowed economic growth. Hamra, who hasnt yet officially filed as a candidate, said that anyone who would consider replicating what Kansas did does not have Missourians best interest at heart. Asked about the Kansas experience, Ashcroft and Eigel both faulted the failure of politicians in Kansas to cut enough spending as they cut taxes. You didnt have any commitment from the Kansas Legislature over there to actually cut all the waste out of their government, Eigel said. Sen. Bill Eigel, a Weldon Spring Republican. Harrison Sweazea/Missouri Senate Communications Ashcroft acknowledged that Missouri is unlikely to end the state income tax at once. Instead, he has promised to create a task force that would make recommendations on how to replace lost revenue. He has indicated he plans to appoint both Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform, and the economist Arthur Laffer to the panel. I want to make sure as governor we statutorily put it up so theres our goal and were going to hit it and no matter what we do were going to tick down to it, Ashcroft said. For its part, Kehoes campaign said the lieutenant governor who it said voted for tax cuts valued at $2.5 billion as a state senator is already working with Laffer. Mike is actively working with conservative economist Dr. Art Laffer on a plan to lower the tax burden on Missourians, Hafner said. Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe speaks during a Senate session on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, at the state Capitol in Jefferson City, Mo. Nick Wagner/nwagner@kcstar.com Laffer helped advise Brownback on the creation of the Kansas tax plan. More recently, Laffer in 2022 met with Missouri Republican Gov. Mike Parson, who called a special session on taxes that fall. During that session, the General Assembly passed a bill that lowered the top state income tax rate from 5.3% to 4.95% in 2023. The top state income tax rate applies to Missourians who make roughly $22,000 or more a year. The bill, signed by Parson, also mandated that if Missouri experiences revenue growth, the rate would drop to 4.5% when the plan is fully implemented in five years. Parson said it was the largest income tax cut in Missouri history. Surplus fueled by federal funds Given that lawmakers have a major income tax reduction they can already point to, even some Republicans may be hesitant to push further. Sen. Lincoln Hough, a Springfield Republican who is running for lieutenant governor, said the cut was taken in a measured, responsible and conservative way. Hough, who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee, said that has allowed Missouri to avoid massive pressure on state services. Its easy for folks to say we should eliminate all taxes, but you got to remember those are the same folks who come to my office as the appropriations chair and say, we need X, Y and Z in our district, Hough said. While Missouri has budget reserves at the moment the states surplus reached a likely peak of $8 billion last year that historically hasnt been the case, Hough said. This quote-unquote surplus that we have right now is sort of an anomaly because of the federal money thats been coming in the last couple of years, he said, alluding to federal pandemic aid. Missouri already has a relatively low tax burden compared to other states, according to data from the Missouri Budget Project, a nonprofit that analyzes tax and budget policy. Missouri ranks 45th among states in the amount of state revenue it collects per person and 43rd in the amount it spends per person, a figure that includes federal funds. By contrast, Illinois and Kansas are both in the top 20 when it comes to state tax revenue per person. What I see over and over again from these ludicrous proposals is that they really are the Brownback experiment on steroids, said Rep. Maggie Nurrenbern, a Kansas City Democrat who is running for state Senate. And quite frankly, we shouldnt replicate what Kansas did. We saw how that failed really a colossal failure. MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) A local man has been arrested in connection with an October 2023 shooting in an Airport Boulevard parking lot, according to the Mobile Police Department. Drugs, AR-15 found in Mount Vernon mans home: Mobile County Sheriffs Office 27-year-old Christopher William Teague was arrested Wednesday with help from the Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force, according to an MPD news release. Christopher William Teague (MCSO) Officers were called to USA Health Providence Hospital on Oct. 15, 2023, at 11 p.m. for a report of a man who arrived with a gunshot wound. When they arrived, officers said, they found the man had been sitting in a car in an undisclosed parking lot off Airport Boulevard. The release said the car driver had argued with an unknown man while in the parking lot. As the driver was leaving, the man, now identified as Teague, allegedly fired a shot into the vehicle, injuring the victim. Prichard drug bust leads to 4 arrests: MCSO The victim was treated for non-life-threatening injuries, according to the MPD. Teague was arrested on March 20 and taken to Mobile Metro Jail. He is charged with first-degree assault and shooting into an occupied vehicle. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5. By Alexander Tanas CHISINAU (Reuters) - Moldova's Parliament on Thursday endorsed an appeal to press on with a drive to join the European Union, but the opposition walked out of the vote and separatists in the Transdniestria region urged authorities to drop their claim to the enclave. President Maia Sandu, who says Russia is the biggest threat to Moldova's security, has made EU membership the cornerstone of her administration in the ex-Soviet state, which lies between Ukraine and Romania. A vocal opponent of Russia's war in Ukraine, she has called for a referendum on EU membership to be held this year. After a debate coinciding with an EU summit in Brussels, Parliament adopted by a vote of 54-to-0 a declaration saying, "Only joining Europe can ensure the future of the country as a sovereign, neutral and full-fledged democratic state". It identified EU integration as "Moldova's top priority national project." Moldova is one of Europe's poorest countries. The opposition Bloc of Communists and Socialists, sympathetic to Moscow, walked out of the chamber. In Transdniestria, a sliver of land which broke away from Moldova as the Soviet Union was collapsing, self-styled President Vadim Krasnoselsky called on Moldovan authorities to recognise his territory and renounce all claims to it. "There is no other way out," he said on the enclave's television. "There can be no more talk of autonomy. You must walk away from these territories." His region, he said, was "not separatist," but "a normal neighbour" seeking peace and stability. Transdniestria, heavily dependent on Russia for financial support, has no international recognition, not even from Moscow. It has remained on Moldova's eastern border for 30 years with little turmoil, but tension has risen since Moldovan authorities imposed customs duties in January on all goods entering and leaving the region. Elected officials last month appealed to Moscow for diplomatic measures to protect the region. An EU summit last year gave the green light for membership talks with both Ukraine and Moldova, but no date for the start of talks has been made public, and there was no announcement on the matter at Thursday's meeting in Brussels. Moldova has been engaged in an escalating row with Russia, with the Ukraine war and Transdniestria as the focal points. Authorities summoned the Russian ambassador twice in the past week over Moscow's decision to open six polling stations in the enclave for Russia's presidential election, and a Russian diplomat was told to leave the country. Moldova faces disputes with a second region in the south, Gagauzia, whose leader met Russian President Vladimir Putin this month and is linked to a fugitive pro-Russian businessman sentenced to 15 years in absentia for mass fraud. (Reporting by Alexander Tanas; Writing by Ron Popeski; Editing by Leslie Adler) The Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC) has officially signed an agreement with TotalEnergies Renewables Distributed Generation Middle East & Africa (DG MEA), a wholly owned affiliate of French group TotalEnergies, to develop a rooftop solar photovoltaic project within its premises. The 4.6 megawatt-peak (MWp) solar rooftop is expected to produce over 7,000 megawatts-hours (MWh) providing sufficient energy to significantly cover the OCECs annual electricity consumption. As part of this initiative, supported by OMRAN Group, the OCEC aims to become one of the leading green venues in the region, enabling its events to be powered by solar energy. According to OCEC, TotalEnergies Renewable DG MEAs strong expertise and highest industry standards will deliver strong sustainable results for the group as it takes innovative steps in its sustainability journey. This new initiative is in line with OCECs commitment to reducing its carbon impact on the environment in accordance with the governments target of Net Zero emissions by 2050, it added. On the key initiative, CEO Said Al Shanfari said: "We are grateful to be working closely with Omran and TotalEnergies Renewables DG MEA on this project, enabling us to achieve our net carbon objectives and become a green venue in the region." "Thanks to this new initiative, we will not only host events, but also lead by example in the field of sustainability. This project echoes other initiatives created at the OCEC, via the OCEC Green Team, to reduce our impact on the environment," she stated. Mohamed Tribak, Middle East and North Africa Zone Director at TotalEnergies Renewables DG MEA said its collaboration with OCEC demonstrates the companys capabilities and commitment to support its valued partners in their energy transition. "This milestone reinforces our pioneering position in the development of sustainable energy sources for businesses in Oman," he added.-TradeArabia News Service QALA-E-NAW, Afghanistan, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Two persons were killed and residential houses and farmland damaged, as downpours and flash floods hit parts of west Afghanistan's Badghis province, the state-run Bakhtar news agency reported on Thursday. Heavy rains triggered flash floods in the provincial capital Qala-e-Naw, Darabom and Qadis districts of the province, Bakhtar quoted spokesman for provincial police Sadiqullah Sediqi as saying. Exact figures for damages caused by the flash floods were not known yet. Afghanistan's weather department has forecast more rains in the next two days, warning of flooding in parts of the war-torn country. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) An Oklahoma mother says she was left in the dark about her sons stabbing because police never sent him an interpreter. Angila West said no one informed her nor any other relatives that her adult son, who is deaf, had been stabbed and hospitalized. She said police never arranged for her son, Robert Bobby Osborne, to speak with an American Sign Language interpreter. West found out something had happened when she got a call late Tuesday morning from a woman working at her sons apartment building. The woman said Osborne was wandering the halls and did not seem coherent. She said, Please come and check on him,' West recalled. Hes got blood all over him. Ex-Nickelodeon producer responds to alarming allegations from child actors When she arrived, West found her son barely coherent. I thought he was going to die, she said. Osborne had suffered two stab wounds to his back, but West only learned what happened to him after hed already been released from the hospital and sent home. Using sign language, he was able to tell her bits and pieces of what happened to him. He said he was walking home late at night when he saw a fight outside a store. Next thing he knew, one of the people involved stabbed him, she said. And he said he just ran. He just took off running, West said. And I guess he got help somehow because they took him to OU Hospital. But he only spent a few hours there. The hospital called him an Uber ride home when he was discharged, West said. She also showed Nexstars KFOR pictures of a blood-soaked hospital gown and blood-soaked hospital pants she says Osborne was sent home wearing. Thats what he was wearing when he was seen wandering the halls of his apartment building. West wishes shed known what happened sooner so she could have been in the hospital with her son. I dont know, I dont even know, West said while fighting tears. Im just sitting here watching my son to make sure he wont die And I just dont understand it. US drops off list of happiest countries for first time West said Bobby was born deaf and uses American Sign Language to communicate. She said she would have at least liked to be in the hospital with her son to act as an ASL interpreter with the medical staff. West ended up calling Oklahoma City Police for an explanation of why she wasnt contacted. She said they told her they didnt have a sign language interpreter on duty, so they werent able to ask Osborne for a family contact to call. KFOR also reached out to the Oklahoma City Police Department for an explanation about why an interpreter wasnt provided. We will always do our best to communicate with anyone who is a victim or otherwise, a department spokesperson said. She also called the hospital to tell them Bobby was still bleeding hours after being released. And [the hospital] said, You can call 911 if you want to, but we wouldnt have turned him loose if it was life-threatening, West said. Texas man allegedly photographed others boarding passes to get on flight When he is responsive, he is just barely in and out, West continued. And hes telling me hes having real bad headaches. Being left in the dark isnt an entirely new experience for the family. She said her son was attacked before while living homeless in Shawnee, Oklahoma. She said she never got any calls that time either. And I think people need to know whats going on out here with these handicapped, West said. Ive done nothing but fight since Ive been here because hes handicappedI have screamed at the top of my lungs so many times thatthat Im tired. They treat [disabled people] like theyre garbage, but theyre not, West said. They have rights too. They have rights. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) An Oklahoma mother says she was left in the dark about her sons stabbing because police never sent him an interpreter. Angila West said no one informed her nor any other relatives that her adult son, who is deaf, had been stabbed and hospitalized. She said police never arranged for her son, Robert Bobby Osborne, to speak with an American Sign Language interpreter. West found out something had happened when she got a call late Tuesday morning from a woman working at her sons apartment building. The woman said Osborne was wandering the halls and did not seem coherent. She said, Please come and check on him,' West recalled. Hes got blood all over him. Ex-Nickelodeon producer responds to alarming allegations from child actors When she arrived, West found her son barely coherent. I thought he was going to die, she said. Osborne had suffered two stab wounds to his back, but West only learned what happened to him after hed already been released from the hospital and sent home. Using sign language, he was able to tell her bits and pieces of what happened to him. He said he was walking home late at night when he saw a fight outside a store. Next thing he knew, one of the people involved stabbed him, she said. And he said he just ran. He just took off running, West said. And I guess he got help somehow because they took him to OU Hospital. But he only spent a few hours there. The hospital called him an Uber ride home when he was discharged, West said. She also showed Nexstars KFOR pictures of a blood-soaked hospital gown and blood-soaked hospital pants she says Osborne was sent home wearing. Thats what he was wearing when he was seen wandering the halls of his apartment building. West wishes shed known what happened sooner so she could have been in the hospital with her son. I dont know, I dont even know, West said while fighting tears. Im just sitting here watching my son to make sure he wont die And I just dont understand it. US drops off list of happiest countries for first time West said Bobby was born deaf and uses American Sign Language to communicate. She said she would have at least liked to be in the hospital with her son to act as an ASL interpreter with the medical staff. West ended up calling Oklahoma City Police for an explanation of why she wasnt contacted. She said they told her they didnt have a sign language interpreter on duty, so they werent able to ask Osborne for a family contact to call. KFOR also reached out to the Oklahoma City Police Department for an explanation about why an interpreter wasnt provided. We will always do our best to communicate with anyone who is a victim or otherwise, a department spokesperson said. She also called the hospital to tell them Bobby was still bleeding hours after being released. And [the hospital] said, You can call 911 if you want to, but we wouldnt have turned him loose if it was life-threatening, West said. Texas man allegedly photographed others boarding passes to get on flight When he is responsive, he is just barely in and out, West continued. And hes telling me hes having real bad headaches. Being left in the dark isnt an entirely new experience for the family. She said her son was attacked before while living homeless in Shawnee, Oklahoma. She said she never got any calls that time either. And I think people need to know whats going on out here with these handicapped, West said. Ive done nothing but fight since Ive been here because hes handicappedI have screamed at the top of my lungs so many times thatthat Im tired. They treat [disabled people] like theyre garbage, but theyre not, West said. They have rights too. They have rights. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. The Ladies Lounge exhibit was introduced to Mona at the end of 2020 [Jesse Hunniford] Inside Tasmania's famous Museum of Old and New Art lies a large, emerald-draped cube. The walls are thick silk curtains. Within them, a cascading chandelier hangs over a phallus-shaped velvet couch and a chequered marble floor. Opulent gold accents everything - from the framed art on the walls to the furniture. Women are ushered in and offered champagne by male butlers "who live to serve" them. But men are otherwise noticeably absent, turned away at the entrance. This "Ladies Lounge" takes the concept of an old Australian pub and turns it on its head. It was only in 1965 that women won the right to drink in the nation's bars. Previously, they were relegated to dingy side rooms, if admitted at all, and often charged exorbitant prices for their tipple. And so, the exhibit - which contains some of the museum's most-acclaimed works, from Picasso to Sidney Nolan - was designed as a piece of interactive art, intended to provide a safe place for women to enjoy each other's company, while also highlighting the exclusion they faced for decades. Artist Kirsha Kaechele calls it an "essential space for perspective and reset from this strange and disjointed world of male domination". And it's one which could now be taken away by a man. New South Wales resident Jason Lau has complained that the museum, known as Mona, is engaging in illegal discrimination. This week, the accusation culminated in a high-stakes court hearing - rife with drama and theatrics. Reparation or discrimination? Tuesday started with a large group of women dressed in navy power suits, clad in pearls and wearing red lipstick marching into the hearing to support Ms Kaechele. Mr Lau, by contrast, dialled in without a fuss via a video link. He had visited Mona - long known for its provocative art - while on a trip to Tasmania in April last year, he said, and bought the $35 (18; $23) ticket expecting access to the whole museum. "I was quite surprised when I was told that I would not be able to see one exhibition, the Ladies Lounge," he said. Kirsha Kaechele (left) and her supporters arrive at court [Charlotte Vignau] Representing himself, Mr Lau argued it breaches the state's Anti-Discrimination Act. "Anyone who buys a ticket would expect a fair provision of goods and services in line with the law." The museum agrees the exhibit does indeed discriminate. But it argued that Mr Lau hasn't missed out on anything - he experienced the artwork exactly as intended. "Part of the experience is being denied something that is desired," said Mona's counsel, Catherine Scott, according to local paper The Mercury. Women have often been side-lined from places of power or prestige, and the exhibit was inspired to correct an imbalance which existed at Mona, says Ms Kaechele, whose husband owns the museum. "It excludes men, and I would be lying if I were to say I didn't find it titillating," she told the hearing, according to The Mercury. As the parties sparred, the museum's supporters were somewhat stealing the spotlight. They had periods of complete stillness and silence, before moving in some kind of subtle, synchronised dance - crossing their legs and resting their heads on their fists, clutching their hearts, or peering down their spectacles. One even sat there pointedly flipping through feminist texts and making notes. Mona often makes headlines for its controversial exhibits [Getty Images] Apparently unperturbed, the parties continued arguing. Ultimately, Ms Scott said Mona has a legal defence. The law - as written - allows for discrimination if "designed to promote equal opportunity for a group of people who are disadvantaged or have a special need because of a prescribed attribute". According to Nine, when asked by tribunal deputy president Richard Grueber to explain how the artwork does that, Ms Kaechele said: "I have taken something that was used to keep women down and I have repurposed it into a triumphant space for [them]." But Mr Lau argued that section of the law was designed to permit "positive discrimination" and not "negative discrimination". He wants the lounge to either be closed or for it to admit men. Alternatively, he says men should have to pay less for a ticket than women - something the museum says it will not consider. After Mr Grueber reserved his decision for a later date, which is yet to be determined, the museum's posse left as conspicuously as it came in - dancing out of the building in a conga line as one woman played 'Simply Irresistible' by Robert Palmer off her iPhone. Art imitates life A courtroom sketch of Kirsha Kaechele and her supporters [Isabella Foster] Speaking to the BBC the day after the hearing, Ms Kaechele says the case has felt like the art coming to life. The exhibit was supposed to spark debate, yes, but has the spirit of a harmless practical joke, she argues. "It brings up very serious and interesting conversations, but there's also something light hearted about it. Women delight in it and most men, I think, enjoy it. They find it funny." Ms Kaechele says she is amused - but not surprised - by the men who are genuinely upset, though she hastens to add that Mr Lau has been pleasant and impressive. "I think people might want to villainise him, but he's actually really lovely." What does his case say about the themes the Ladies Lounge invokes, like male entitlement and the patriarchy, though? "Well, I think it speaks for itself," she says. Ms Kaechele has indicated she'll fight the case all the way to the Supreme Court if needed, but she says - ironically - that perhaps nothing could drive the point of the artwork home more than having to shut it down. "If you were just looking at it from an aesthetic standpoint, being forced to close would be pretty powerful." Monster trucks, margaritas and maple syrup: What to do in West Michigan this weekend GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) An absolutely action-packed weekend is in store for much of West Michigan as we head into spring. Heres a look at what you can do the weekend of March 22: Monster Jam 2024 This Sunday, Sunday, Sunday, and Friday and Saturday, Monster Jam returns to Van Andel Arena. Several 12,000-pound monster trucks will be performing jaw-dropping stunts for the whole family to enjoy. There will also be motocross exhibitions at this years show. You can get your tickets by clicking here. Boho Bazaar at the Downtown Market The Grand Rapids Downtown Market is hosting its first-ever Boho Bazaar this Sunday. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., check out the designs and creations from vendors at the pop-up market on the second floor. Check out more information here. BabyTron at The Intersection Detroit rapper BabyTron will be performing in front of a sold-out crowd Friday night at The Intersection. The show will also feature performances from Certified Traqpper, D$M and BabyFxce E. Click here to get your tickets. Shipwreck discovery in Holland The Michigan Shipwreck Research Association is inviting the public to learn more about a few recent discoveries. The event will be held at the Knickerbocker Theatre in Holland on Saturday. Those in attendance will here from shipwreck hunters and learn more about the ships found on the Great Lakes this past year. More information on the event can be found by clicking here. Sugarbush Festival at Blandford Nature Center All things maple syrup will be celebrated this weekend at the Blandford Nature Center. Its the 54th annual Sugarbush Festival on Saturday. You will get to learn all about the process of cultivating maple syrup from Michigans trees and so enjoy some delicious treats as well. Check out the festival by clicking here. Inside woodtv.com: Storm Team 8 forecast Grand Rapids Record and CD Show The annual Grand Rapids Record and CD Show is back this Saturday. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at American Legion Post 179, you will be able to check out vendor offerings from across the Midwest. Its the perfect environment for music lovers. Details for the show can be found here. 2024 Edible Book Festival The Kalamazoo Books Art Center is bringing back a favorite event this Saturday. Its the return of the Edible Book Festival where competitors try to create food dishes from their favorite books, characters and covers. More information on the festival can be found here. Fort Myers On Tap at New Holland Brewing Head on down to New Holland Brewings Brewpub in Grand Rapids on Friday to get a taste of Fort Myers, Florida. It may not feel like it this week but spring is right around the corner and New Holland has teamed up with organizers in Fort Myers to offer you a one-of-a-kind experience. Click here to learn more. Margarita Mix Off in Grand Haven The Kirby House in Grand Haven is welcoming local businesses to see who can make the best margarita. The public is invited to sample each creation and vote for their favorites on Saturday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Additional details can be found by clicking here. Author meet and greet at Periwinkle Fog Periwinkle Fog is welcoming author Pamela Vander Ploeg and photographer Dave Thompson to a meet and greet this Thursday. Hear about Vander Ploegs new book that details Grand Rapids architectural history and check out some of Thompsons shots. Click here for more information. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. Chinese investors own just a tiny percentage of Montanas tens of millions of acres of farmland. But you wouldnt know it from the campaign ads that Democratic Sen. Jon Tester and his GOP opponent have been airing. Tester and his likely GOP challenger, businessman Tim Sheehy, are both touting their efforts to fend off what they warn is Chinas growing influence in Montanas agriculture industry and economy, as they jostle for an edge in one of the countrys most hotly contested Senate races. Their allies, meanwhile, have been bashing the opposing candidate for past investments in companies tied to China. Concerns about Chinese investors buying up U.S. farmland have skyrocketed in recent years, prompting a glut of legislation in statehouses and in Washington. On Wednesday, the House Agriculture Committee held a hearing on the dangers China poses to American agriculture. Over the past few months, several 2024 campaigns have run ads on the issue, including gubernatorial candidates in Indiana and North Carolina. But nowhere has it taken on as high a profile as in the Montana Senate race, where a few thousand votes could determine the victor and control of the Senate. And it underscores how politicians are trying to capitalize on the rising fear over Chinas economic influence, particularly in agriculture. Its something people in the state of Montana are concerned about and I think its something we all ought to be concerned about because food security is just that important, Tester said in a brief interview Tuesday. By zeroing in on foreign land ownership, specifically, politicians are combining the highly emotional issues of American farmland and fear, said Rep. Dusty Johnson, a South Dakota Republican. When you combine the fear of the Chinese Communist Party with farmland, that really means something to people, added Johnson, who has co-sponsored multiple pieces of House legislation that would restrict land purchases by investors from China and other countries. Foreign investors own just a small fraction of U.S. farmland 43.4 million acres or 3.4 percent of all privately held agricultural land as of the end of 2022, according to the Agriculture Department. Chinese investors owned less than 1 percent of that foreign-held land. In Montana, they own less than 1 percent of the states privately-owned farmland, as well. But nationally, Chinese farmland ownership jumped from the previous decade, from nearly $900 million worth of land in 2012, according to USDA records, to $1.9 billion in 2022. That increase, though small, comes at the same time that Americans view Beijing as a growing economic and security threat in the wake of the pandemic. In a state like Montana, where agriculture plays an outsized role in the culture, ownership of farmland resonates with voters, said Nicole Rolf, national affairs director for the Montana Farm Bureau. Theres general concern about competing against outside money and outside forces, especially when those are adversarial, Rolf said. Both of Montanas candidates are trying to tap into those sentiments in what is already one of the highest spending Senate races this cycle. The Tester campaigns first TV buy of the race last November was a $600,000 spot calling China the greatest threat facing our nation and touting his work with Republican colleagues on multiple pieces of legislation that would scrutinize foreign purchases of U.S. farmland. Soon after, Sheehy spent $350,000 on a television ad of his own, dismissing Testers tough talk on China. Ive actually done something about the threats we face as a Navy Seal, Sheehy continued. Then I built a Montana manufacturing business with zero supply chain dependence on China. Now Im working to strengthen Montana beef production and stop the Chinese from undercutting our ranchers. A more recent digital ad the Sheehy campaign released at the end of February claims that on Testers watch, China has stolen our jobs and Chinese ownership of Montana farm land has soared. The messaging has extended to outside spending as well. In January, the More Jobs, Less Government PAC dropped three more ads on the subject in favor of Sheehys candidacy, claiming he would crack down on Chinese currency manipulation and farmland buys. The group has spent more than $1 million on advertising so far. Both candidates have also attacked the others past investments in Chinese firms to raise questions about their commitment on the issue. Democrats point to reports that Sheehy recently sold off stock in Chinese-owned companies, while Republicans highlight donations Tester received from conglomerates that own U.S. farmland. Sheehys campaign did not respond to multiple requests for comment, and Testers campaign team declined to comment. While Congress has yet to act on Testers bills or any of the other proposals to block foreign farmland purchases, nearly half of states have passed laws in recent years to track and/or block land acquisitions from adversarial nations. Montana passed its own law in 2023 to prevent the sale or lease of agricultural land, critical infrastructure and homes near military assets to foreign adversaries which includes not just China but also Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia and Venezuela. A handful of other states are weighing such proposals in their legislative sessions this year. Rolf said in Montana, people started monitoring the issue of foreign-owned farmland in 2021, the pandemics second year. Foreign investments are important in Montana, which has a $1.2 billion agricultural export economy and borders Canada a friendly neighbor, according to Rolf. Canadians are the largest foreign land owners in Montana, as well as in the wider U.S. Sponsoring legislation to block foreign land purchases has given Tester a platform to talk about China, farming and national security in a way that could help enhance his centrist credentials and differentiate himself from other Democrats, including President Joe Biden, whose approval numbers in the deep red state are abysmal, noted Jeremy Johnson, a political analyst at Carroll College in Helena, Montana. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ryan Busse, a former firearms executive and generational rancher, said restricting foreign farmland ownership highlights the states libertarian streak, which cuts across parties. You dont need a bunch of interference, especially when from a foreign government, said Busse, who is also campaigning against Chinese influence on the states economy and agriculture. Tester is the only Democrat who holds statewide office in Montana, but Busse feels that their messaging could be the reset his party needs this cycle. There is a broad populist anger in the state about the ways in which the system has been rigged for billionaires and out-of-state interests and huge bajillionaire corporations buying up ranches here and this Chinese [issue] plays into that, Busse said. I think we are really breaking through because that populist anger does not know partisan bounds. More construction is coming to Norwood. The portion of Ohio 561 through Norwood will be available in a limited capacity from April to November because of a joint construction project between the city of Norwood and the Ohio Department of Transportation, according to a news release. The announcement Thursday comes shortly after the closure of the Norwood Lateral, also known as Ohio 562, in the eastbound direction on March 11. The eastbound lanes will be shut down for 80 days, followed by a closure of the westbound direction for another 80 days from early June to late August. Related: Eastbound Norwood Lateral closed Monday. Expect a 'tremendous' impact on traffic More: 'There's no choice.' Why Norwood Lateral is closing for construction The goal of the Ohio 561 project is to repave two sections of the state route. The first section is north of the Norwood Lateral and includes portions of Ross Avenue (from Montgomery Road to Carthage Avenue) and Carthage Avenue (from Ross Avenue to the city limits). The second section is south of the Norwood Lateral and includes portions of Williams Avenue (from Edwards Road to Smith Road), Smith Road (from Williams Avenue to Sherman Avenue) and Sherman Avenue (from Smith Road to Montgomery Road). The project will start on April 1 and is expected to be completed on Nov. 1. Portions of Ohio 561 (delineated in blue) will be undergoing construction from April 1 to November 1. Is Ohio 561 completely closed? The sections of Ohio 561 under construction will not be completely closed, says Ohio Department of Transportation spokesperson Kathleen Fuller. Instead, there will be flaggers navigating traffic through the construction. How will this affect my commute? The city of Norwood and ODOT advise drivers to avoid Ohio 561 through Norwood from April to November. Even though the roads under construction will remain open, Fuller says that taking an alternate route will likely be the preferable option. Parking will be limited in and around the construction area, the release says. More: Eastbound Norwood Lateral closes Monday. What are the best alternate routes? Commute times in the Norwood area will also be impacted due to this project and the ongoing closure of the Norwood Lateral, the release states. Fuller said it is not clear yet how much the recently announced construction will affect commute times. If the roads under construction are part of your alternative route for the Norwood Lateral, you may want to consider a new alternative route. What construction work is occurring? Fuller says she anticipates the construction workers to start with work that interferes less with traffic, like pavement repairs and work on curbs. Repaving the roads, which interferes more with traffic, will likely not occur until the Norwood Lateral reopens, she says. The Enquirer reached out to Clint Zimmerman, public works superintendent for the city of Norwood, for further comment on the construction but has yet to receive a response. Why is this construction occurring while the Norwood Lateral is closed? Fuller understands there may be some confusion as to why construction on Ohio 561 and the Norwood Lateral would occur simultaneously. "A lot of times it comes down to your funding sources," she told The Enquirer. Project schedules depend on when funding becomes available and the planning and development of the project. She said that the parties involved in the construction were aware that the Ohio 561 construction would occur at the same time as the lateral closure. "But we get it done, and come next year, [Ohio] 561 is going to be looking good, [and Ohio] 562 will be looking good," Fuller said. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Ohio 561 in Norwood to undergo construction for pavement repairs VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. Commissary customers across the country will soon be able to get groceries delivered to their doorstep, as officials prepare to expand the militarys home-delivery pilot program this summer. Grocery deliveries will start in the western United States around midsummer before rolling out nationwide, Defense Commissary Agency Director John Hall told Military Times in an interview Tuesday. Hall announced the programs expansion the same day at a meeting of the American Logistics Association, a trade association representing companies that sell to commissaries, exchanges and morale, welfare and recreation entities on bases. Where the program will become available depends on the delivery range of companies that are picked to provide the service. Hall said there are early indications that companies are interested in almost all of the commissary locations in the continental United States. Officials expect to solicit contract bids from delivery companies soon. The commissary agency has run a grocery-delivery pilot program at eight commissaries for nearly two years. Customers have logged nearly 28,000 transactions, averaging $128.70 per order, since June 1, 2022, according to the Defense Commissary Agency. When the pilot began, two companies held contracts to ferry food and other goods from stores to customers homes. One of those companies, ChowCall, took over deliveries for all eight commissaries in March 2023. About 60% of ChowCalls deliveries head off base, while 40% stay on base, according to Todd Waldemar, the companys chief executive officer. Their customers range from active duty families to troops living in barracks, retirees and disabled veterans and people who want to get a head start on shopping or grab a bite to eat while at work. Weve delivered a bunch of orders to aircraft hangars, Waldemar said. The service can be especially helpful to young families of troops who are deployed. If youre living on base, your spouse is deployed, 99.9% of the time you cant get diapers and formula delivered to your house, Waldemar said. Thats changed for those who live near a commissary that currently falls under the pilot program. Right now, those include Scott Air Force Base, Illinois; Fort Liberty South, North Carolina; MacDill AFB, Florida; Fort Belvoir and Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia; Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington; and Marine Corps Air Station Miramar and Naval Base San Diego in California. Weve had a lot of positive comments. Some people do a lot of orders, Waldemar said, noting one repeat customer has placed 98 orders. One sailor in the unaccompanied housing at NS Norfolk has placed 56 orders, the CEO said. When the pilot first launched in 2022, most delivery fees hovered around $4 per order. Those low fees made it financially difficult for companies to cover operating costs like gas prices and drivers salaries. When ChowCall took over last year, they were allowed to launch a new pricing structure with fees that change based on a customers distance from the commissary. Delivery fees now range from $10.99 to $16.70 for a trip of five miles or less, to $29.99 for a 16- to 20-mile trip. The Direct Connect 911 Smoke Detector alerts a central station whenever smoke is detected. The station in turn calls the fire department and notifies additional contacts by phone or email. A manual shut-off button lets owners alert the emergency operators to a false alarm. SOUTH BEND South Bend residents appear to be installing smoke detectors at a far greater rate since a fatal fire killed six children Jan. 21. Smoke detector installations from the South Bend Fire Department have increased from 81 in January to 131 in February amid other fire preventative measures ongoing in that time. And the number will only climb on Saturday with a slate of free installations in the neighborhood where that fire occurred. "I'm glad that number has increased," said South Bend Fire Chief Carl Buchanon, referring to the fire department's monthly statistical analysis at the March 20 Board of Public Safety meeting. "I'm glad we can help make citizens more safe in their homes." Buchanon also mentioned that the department had conducted 242 inspections by their three certified inspectors in February. He's grateful for the efforts in getting buildings, companies and even food trucks inspected. He hopes to hire more inspectors in the future. The proactive increase in smoke detector installations came due to the "uptick in the fires that we've seen through the city," Buchanon said. "We all know one that speaks out in our mind primarily," he added, referencing the Jan. 21 fatal residential fire that took the lives of six children: 10-year-old Demetris Smith, 9-year-old Davida Smith, 5-year-old Deontay Smith, 4-year-old DAngelo Smith and 17-month-old Faith Smith, who all died on the scene, and 11-year-old Faith Smith, who died five days later at Riley Children's Health in Indianapolis. Indiana State Fire Marshal investigators are still investigating the cause and origin of the fire, and according to a Feb. 15 press release from the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, investigators found "no indication of foul play." The release stated that State Fire Marshal investigators are aware of a "documented history of electrical issues within the home," but it had not been determined if those issues had been resolved prior to the fire. The Tribune previously reported that the home failed a safety inspection, in July, according to Housing Authority of South Bend Director, Marsha Parham-Green, six months before the tragic fatal fire. Since then, the community has rallied in support of the Smith family and broader fire prevention. Radio station WUBS-FM (89.7), partnering with Koorsen Fire & Security, has given out free fire extinguishers to residents and churches to disperse, aiming to reach 1,000 fire extinguishers in 1,000 homes by April 1. Free smoke detectors and installations are given to St. Joseph County residents, but now the American Red Cross and the South Bend Fire Department take it a step further by canvassing in the victims' neighborhood. South Bend Fire Inspector Barry Sebesta stands outside the house at 222 N. LaPorte Ave. Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, after Sundays fire where five children died inside the home. "Anytime we have a structure fire, we try to collaborate with the American Red Cross to make sure they're properly placed," Buchanon said. The department will collaborate with the American Red Cross from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 23 to install free smoke detectors throughout the neighborhood where the fire took place. "We've done home fire campaigns for years, said Kristin Marlow, the executive director of the Northwest American Red Cross, though she called Saturdays American Red Cross Home Fire Campaign a special circumstance. The campaign brings folks together who are devastated from the Smith Six loss, Marlow said. It brings them together after a catastrophic tragic situation and brings hope to the community." Three of the six childrens photos are in the front of the hall Monday, Feb. 5, 2024, at a visitation and memorial service at Century Center in South Bend for the six Smith children killed as a result of the Jan. 21, 2024, fatal house fire on North LaPorte Avenue. Volunteers can meet at St. Paul's Memorial Church, 1001 W. Colfax Ave., across from the location of the fatal fire at 222 N. LaPorte Ave. They will be given a 20-minute training session, learn about fire safety and be placed in small groups to install the smoke alarms. The Red Cross chose the area south of the Near Northwest neighborhood to directly affect the neighbors of the Smith family. Its neighbors helping neighbors, said Marlow, saying she wants to create a ripple effect in the area. She said neighbors could feel vulnerable or fearful after the fire. By offering free smoke alarm installations, fire safety education and talking through evacuation plans, they could help eliminate stress or emotional anxiety, she said. Based on the number of volunteers signed up so far, Marlow hopes they'll reach 400-600 homes on Saturday. Volunteers can sign up to participate at https://backthebend.nd.edu/. If residents aren't home at the time, they can call 888-684-1441 to request a free smoke alarm. The American Red Cross offers smoke alarm installations every Thursday for St. Joseph County residents. Email Tribune staff writer Camille Sarabia at csarabia@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: South Bend Fire, Red Cross to install smoke detectors free on Saturday MORGAN CITY, La. (KLFY) A Morgan City woman has died in a single-vehicle crash Wednesday morning, authorities said. The crash claimed the life of Bridget Skinner, 52, of Morgan City. Morgan City Police said officers responded at about 10 a.m. Wednesday to La. 70 near Veterans Blvd. to a report of a vehicle crash. Authorities said Skinner was traveling north bound on La. 70 in a 2018 Dodge Challenger. The vehicle began to accelerate and for reasons still under investigation left the roadway, striking a tree before coming to rest partially overturned. officials said Skinner was the sole occupant in the vehicle. Skinner was removed from the vehicle by the Morgan City Fire Department and was pronounced dead by the St. Mary Parish Coroners Office. The Louisiana State Police assisted with the investigation. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KLFY Daily Digest The investigation is ongoing, officials said. Latest news For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLFY.com. For a few hours on Tuesday night, the state of Texas had its own immigration system. The Supreme Court declined to block Senate Bill 4, the states controversial new immigration law, from going into effect for procedural reasons. After some chiding by the justices, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals then eventually lifted its order that allowed the law to take effect. At least two of the justices in the majority, however, signaled that they would not allow the procedural mischief that abounded in this case to happen again. Justice Amy Coney Barrett, joined by Justice Brett Kavanaugh, warned that they might be open to overcoming those shenanigans in the future. The time may come, in this case or another, when this court is forced to conclude that an administrative stay has effectively become a stay pending appeal and review it accordingly. But at this juncture in this case, that conclusion would be premature. The Fifth Circuit is arguably the second-most-important court in the nation right now. Not because of its size; the Ninth Circuit is much larger in both population and geography. Nor because of its jurisdiction: The D.C. Circuit is more likely to hear important cases by virtue of covering the nations capital. Instead, the Fifth Circuits importance derives from its willingness to act as a vehicle for quixotic laws and lawsuits from conservatives to change or block national policies. The justices move on Tuesday is a short-term victory for those conservativesbut it may also be a sign that their patience with this state of affairs is running out. S.B. 4 is an unusual measure by any standard. The statute allows Texas to more or less enforce its own immigration laws. Under S.B. 4, illegal entry into the United States is a state-level crime, empowering state law enforcement agencies to make arrests for potential violations of it. The law also allows Texas to theoretically carry out its own deportations for anyone found guilty of the offense. State officials argued it was necessary because the Biden administration wasnt doing enough to secure the border. The Constitution gives that power to the federal government, however, not to the states. Courts have long held that states cant carry out their own immigration priorities. In 2012, the Supreme Court struck down an Arizona law that allowed state and local police to enforce federal immigration laws and created a series of state-level offenses that would allow it to prosecute undocumented immigration. Justice Anthony Kennedy, writing for the 53 majority, held that the law intruded upon federal discretion over immigration enforcement. The national government has significant power to regulate immigration, he wrote for the court. With power comes responsibility, and the sound exercise of national power over immigration depends on the nations meeting its responsibility to base its laws on a political will informed by searching, thoughtful, rational civic discourse. Arizona may have understandable frustrations with the problems caused by illegal immigration while that process continues, but the state may not pursue policies that undermine federal law. To that end, a coalition of immigrant-aid groups and local leaders sued Texas in federal court last December, arguing that S.B. 4 violated Article 1 of the Constitution and the supremacy clause. A federal district court judge found their case plausible enough to issue a preliminary injunction in February that would block the law from going into effect while legal proceedings took place. Thats when things got procedurally weird. In response to the injunction, Texas asked the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals to stay pending appeal of the district courts injunction, which would allow the state to enforce the law while the Fifth Circuit considered the case. The Fifth Circuit did not rule on that motion. Instead, a subpanel of the court entered whats known as an administrative stay while it considered Texass motion. Administrative stays are typically used as a stopgap of sorts: Since judges on panels are human beings who need time to read briefs and talk to one another, they are supposed to freeze the status quo in place until thats done. Then, once theyve had a chance to get their ducks in a row, they are supposed to issue a ruling on the underlying motion. The problem is that the Fifth Circuit has what Justice Sonia Sotomayor described as a troubling habit of leaving administrative stays in place way, way longer than normal. In a footnote in her dissent, she identified multiple cases where the court left administrative stays in place for weeks if not months. In one instance, the Fifth Circuit left an administrative stay in place for 85 days before lifting it. This difference also matters in terms of practical effects. When appeals courts consider stays pending appeal, for example, they are supposed to use a multifactor test outlined by the Supreme Court. They are also supposed to write opinions laying out their reasoning for lifting or imposing a stay. Administrative stays require no such reasoning or effort. Crucially, administrative stays are not typically reviewed by higher courts, while stays pending appeal can be. A deeply cynical person might wonder if some of the Fifth Circuits members were abusing their docket-management discretion to affect the facts on the ground in certain high-profile cases. Sotomayor criticized the appeals court for not only issuing an indefinite administrative stay but issuing it in a way that would allow S.B. 4 to go into effect instead of preserving the status quo. In light of the consequences detailed by the district court, the Fifth Circuit should have considered the constitutionality and irreparable harm caused by S. B. 4 before allowing the law to go into effect, she wrote. Instead, it opened the door to profound disruption. This court makes the same mistake. Kagan, writing separately, also disagreed with the Supreme Courts decision to allow the law to take effect. Administrative stays surely have their uses, she wrote. But a courts unreasoned decision to impose one for more than a month, rather than answer the stay pending appeal issue before it, should not spell the difference between respecting and revoking long-settled immigration law. Barrett disagreed, arguing that the high court should not get in the business of reviewing administrative stays. One can almost sympathize with her: Given how busy the shadow docket keeps the justices nowadays, adding an entire new layer of orders to potentially review must seem daunting. So far as I know, this Court has never reviewed the decision of a court of appeals to enteror not enteran administrative stay, she wrote. I would not get into the business. But her decision was hardly an endorsement of the Fifth Circuits handling of things. Though she ultimately allowed the Fifth Circuits motion to remain in effect on procedural grounds, she warned that the justices might reconsider matters if the panel does not act quickly enough. Texass motion for a stay pending appeal was fully briefed in the Fifth Circuit by March 5, almost two weeks ago, Barrett concluded. Merits briefing on Texass challenge to the district courts injunction of S. B. 4 is currently underway. If a decision does not issue soon, the applicants may return to this court. The Fifth Circuit appears to have gotten the message, at least in this case. Just a few hours after the Supreme Courts decision, the three-judge panel that oversees the case scheduled oral arguments on the stay pending appeal for Wednesday. Two of the panels members also voted to lift the administrative stay, meaning that S.B. 4 is once again blocked from going into effect. They also appear likely to reject the stay pending appeal that Texas seeks based on the questions they asked during oral arguments. This is the second time in recent weeks that the federal judiciary has implicitly dinged the Fifth Circuit for its procedural mischief. Earlier this month, the Judicial Conference of the United States, the policymaking body for the federal courts, announced a new rule that requires courts to assign cases of national importance at random when they are filed in single-judge divisions. The conference said the change was necessary to [deter] judge-shopping and the assignment of cases based on the perceived merits or abilities of a particular judge. While some of these strategic filings happen in other contexts, they most famously occur when right-wing litigants engineer cases to appear before specific judges in federal courts in Texas. Some examples include Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, an anti-abortion lawyer turned judge who issued a ruling last year that would ban the most widely used abortion drug, or Judge Reed OConnor, who strikes down the Affordable Care Act more frequently than I change my glasses prescription. Those rulings are then reviewed by the deeply conservative Fifth Circuit bench on appeal, where they stand a better chance of being upheld than they would anywhere else. Tuesdays move by the court is another sign that the federal judiciary as a whole has lost patience with the legal legerdemain that takes place in Texas. And even though it gave the state of Texas a very short-lived victory in the S.B. 4 case, it may ultimately amount to a larger defeat on how the courts approach the lopsided litigation in the Lone Star State. Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi (R) meets with visiting U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Cairo, Egypt, on March 21, 2024. Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi met with visiting U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday to discuss the escalating situation in Gaza, the Egyptian presidency said. The talks, which included Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and intelligence chief Abbas Kamel, focused on the conflict in Gaza and efforts to mediate a ceasefire and prisoner exchange, according to the presidency's statement. (Egyptian Presidency/Handout via Xinhua) CAIRO, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi met with visiting U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday to discuss the escalating situation in Gaza, the Egyptian presidency said. The talks, which included Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and intelligence chief Abbas Kamel, focused on the conflict in Gaza and efforts to mediate a ceasefire and prisoner exchange, according to the presidency's statement. Al-Sisi emphasized the urgent need for a ceasefire, citing a humanitarian crisis and famine in the besieged coastal territory that threatens civilian lives, particularly in the city of Rafah, where nearly 1.5 million Palestinian refugees are seeking sanctuary. "The besieged seaside enclave and its residents have been exposed to a humanitarian catastrophe and famine that threaten the lives of innocent civilians," al-Sisi said, warning against the serious repercussions of any military operation in Rafah. The president called for immediate action to facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza and reaffirmed the necessity of pursuing a political solution to establish an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. Blinken commended Egypt's role in promoting peace and expressed Washington's desire for continued coordination with Cairo to enhance regional stability and security. Both parties agreed on the importance of ensuring humanitarian aid delivery to Gaza and opposed any form of Palestinian displacement, the statement concluded. Blinken's visit to Cairo follows his trip to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where discussions centered on advancing a Gaza ceasefire, securing the release of captives, and bolstering international humanitarian efforts, U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated. Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi (C) meets with visiting U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken (4th L) in Cairo, Egypt, on March 21, 2024. Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi met with visiting U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday to discuss the escalating situation in Gaza, the Egyptian presidency said. The talks, which included Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and intelligence chief Abbas Kamel, focused on the conflict in Gaza and efforts to mediate a ceasefire and prisoner exchange, according to the presidency's statement. (Egyptian Presidency/Handout via Xinhua) ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. A Spanish Lake woman is accused of threatening violent retribution against school administrators and others after bringing her child to the hospital after a school official restrained him. According to the Berkeley Police Departments probable cause statement, the incident occurred on March 14. Police claim Berkeley Elementary School called Tamika Stewart, 34, and asked she remove her son from the premises. When Stewart arrived at the school, she saw the schools vice principal restraining her son. Stewart brought her child to the hospital after he complained of trouble breathing after being restrained. While at the hospital, police claim Stewart posted a Facebook Live video in which she voiced her frustration and threatened to go up there and f*** the principal up assistant principal whoever the f*** he is. Im going to f*** him up. Im coming straight into that mother f****** school and Im tearing that b**** up. Yall gonna see me on the news. Woman kill police. Woman killwhoever. Whoever in my mother f****** way. You dont want me to do that. I swear to God, if I come back up to that school, aint nobody coming out of that motherf*****. Aint nobody coming out of that school if I come up there. Yall dont know what the f*** Im thinking. Like, for real, I see how people straight lose they mind and go up into these schools and f*** one of these teachers up and blow they motherf****** brains out. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking News The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorneys Office charged Stewart with first-degree terrorist threat and first-degree harassment. She was jailed without bond. Court records do not have an attorney listed for Stewart. If convicted, Stewart faces up to seven years in prison and a $10,000 fine on the terrorist charge, and up to four years in prison and a $10,000 fine for harassment. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) A mother now faces manslaughter charges after the death of her son in a crash Wednesday, authorities said. According to Portland police, Angelina L. Minor, 27, was driving on North Lombard Street when she was in a minor crash. However, instead of stopping, investigators said that Minor continued to drive, eventually crossing over a median and driving in the oncoming traffic until she crashed head-on with another car. Grand jury finds Portland officers use of force justified in deadly apartment shooting Minors 4-year-old son was severely injured and later died, officials said. Minor, her 3-year-old daughter, an adult male passenger, and his 4-year-old daughter were all taken to the hospital with less severe injuries. The Traffic Investigations Unit who responded to the scene said that extreme intoxication and speed were the causes of the crash and Minor was booked on charges of first-degree manslaughter, third-degree assault, driving under the influence of intoxicants, reckless driving, failure to perform duties of a driver and three counts of reckless endangerment. The incident is still under investigation and police ask anyone with information to contact them. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. MILWAUKEE - The debate over Milwaukee Public Schools' big-ticket ballot item is heating up. A referendum asks voters for $252 million over four years to bolster the school district's budget. Inside Maryland Avenue Montessori School, teachers provided a glimpse Wednesday of what the vote could mean. "Second year in a row that I have a classroom of 32 students," said teacher Christine Poser. SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News Teachers like Poser are juggling a lot. She said it takes the help of a support staff to make flow happen. "Even now, with our staffing as it is, I dont have a full-time assistant," she said. Maryland Avenue Montessori School "Without those paraprofessionals and support staff, it makes it really challenging," said Joe DiCarlo, the school's principal. DiCarlo said that is one of the potential issues on the table. FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX6 News app for iOS or Android. "If we do not have the referendum, we will be cutting staff, and not having the appropriate amount of staff to support those students," he said. This is not MPS' first request for more money in recent years. In 2020, voters approved an $87 million dollar referendum. "This is the reality we are in right now," DiCarlo said. Not everyone is on board. If the referendum passes, it would be funded through a property tax increase. "It is detrimental to ask socially economic disadvantaged families to pay more when they are barely making ends meet," said parent LaToya Woods. "I just cant afford this now, and neither can so many Milwaukeeans." The increase would cost owners of a $100,000 home an additional $216 a year. Voters will make the ultimate decision at the polls. Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) "We care about our city. We care about our children," Woods said. MPS is not the only southeast Wisconsin school district asking voters for more money. The state Department of Public Instruction said there are 91 referendums on the April ballot statewide. The MPS referendum is the highest request. The New Richmond School District, seeking more than $113 million, ranks second. The Mukwonago School District ranks third, seeking $102 million for demolition and rebuilding work. A senior leader of the MS-13 street gang who was one of the FBI's most wanted gang fugitives was quietly arrested earlier this month at the California-Mexico border on narco-terrorism charges, authorities said. Freddy Ivan Jandres-Parada, 48, also known as Lucky De Park View, was taken into custody on March 7 by federal authorities at the San Ysidro Port of Entry in San Diego County, sources told The Times. Federal officials did not disclose any details about the arrest. MS-13 gang leader Fredy Ivan Jandres-Parada was arrested at the San Ysidro Port of Entry in San Diego County on March 7 on narco-terrorism charges, authorities said. (Federal Bureau of Investigation) Jandres-Parada's apprehension, first reported by Court Watch, comes more than three years after his indictment in December 2020 on terrorism offenses relating to the direction of MS-13's criminal activities in the U.S., El Salvador, Honduras and Mexico for nearly two decades, according to federal court documents. He is a member of MS-13 s leadership council, initially known as the Twelve Apostles of the Devil and later renamed Ranfla Nacional, which controls thousands of MS-13 members worldwide, authorities said. He and 13 other MS-13 leaders were indicted in the Eastern District of New York for their roles in dozens of killings, various other acts of violence, intimidation and material support of terrorists in El Salvador and throughout the United States, according to federal court documents. The Ranfla Nacional controlled the process for recruitment of new members and advancement to higher ranks." It also issues "'green lights' to execute police officers, rivals, disloyal gang members or anyone it considers a snitch," according to the indictment. MS-13 killings are often carried out with machetes, the gang's weapon of choice, in order to send intimidating messages to enemies and those deemed to be disloyal. Jandres-Parada's rise in leadership mirrors the rise of MS-13, also known as La Mara Salvatrucha. Born in Jiquilisco, El Salvador, he became part of MS-13 as it evolved from a street gang in the Westlake area near downtown Los Angeles in the 1980s. He was convicted in 1994 of trafficking narcotics in L.A. County and sent to state prison for three years, according to court documents. In L.A., more than a dozen MS-13 cliques are based in historically immigrant neighborhoods such as Westlake, Pico-Union, Koreatown and Hollywood, authorities said. Soon after he was released, Jandres-Parada was arrested again, for possession of a firearm, and sentenced to three years in prison, authorities said. Like many in MS-13, he was sent back to El Salvador, where the gang grew into a massive force with political power. As MS-13 gang members were returned to Central America, their numbers expanded across that region, even taking control of local prisons. Some of those who immigrated to the U.S. set up new cliques, from Virginia to Tennessee to Nevada, according to the court documents. The gang structure is fueled by cash from drug trafficking, extortion and kidnappings, prosecutors said. When Jandres-Parada returned to the U.S., he was apprehended again and served time for illegal reentry before being deported again to El Salvador. There, authorities say, he continued to run MS-13's extensive transnational operations. Under the gang's power structure, bottom-rung cliques operate in regional tiers and zones, whose leaders report to street and prison bosses, who then report to the Ranfla Nacional. According to the indictment, more than 200 cliques exist in the U.S., El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala, and the gang has even expanded into Mexico, working with various drug cartels. In New York, Jandres-Parada faces charges of conspiracy to provide and conceal material support and resources to terrorists, conspiracy to commit acts of terrorism transcending national boundaries and conspiracy to finance terrorism. According to the indictment, the MS-13 hierarchy carries political influence across Central America and for a time even reached a truce with El Salvador's political leaders. By 2016, the gang was conducting militarized training operations for its members that included the use of improvised explosive devices, according to authorities. Meanwhile, Jandres-Parada is not the only MS-13 leader who has been caught in recent months. In November of 2023, Elmer Canales-Rivera, also known as Crook de Hollywood, was arrested at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston. We allege that Elmer Canales-Rivera, a founding member of MS-13s Twelve Apostles of the Devil, bears responsibility for the gangs efforts over decades to terrorize communities, target law enforcement, and sow violence here in the United States and abroad, U.S. Atty. Gen. Merrick B. Garland said in a statement after his arrest. Nearly all MS-13 inmates in federal custody are being held for their own protection at a single penitentiary in Lewisburg, Pa., according to sources who were not authorized to discuss prison security arrangements and requested anonymity. 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. Students who miss 10% or more of the school year with or without a valid excuse are considered chronically absent in Illinois, but what is considered a valid excuse? Statewide, the Land of Lincoln has a 28.3% chronic absenteeism rate across various grades, according to the Illinois Report Card, but some local schools have higher chronic absenteeism rates. While students who miss lots of school days due to excused absences are counted toward a districts chronic absenteeism rate, the days do not count against a student for potential truancy penalties. Heres what to know about Illinois state law on attendance and what automatically qualifies as an excused absence. What does Illinois state law say about attendance? As of Jan. 1, 2022, Illinois law dictates schools receiving public funds must allow each student to take up to five days off for mental or behavioral health. Students are not required to provide a doctors note to take these days, and will be allowed to make up missed work, NPR reported in September 2021. Attendance policies vary by school district, and local staff have the authority to develop their own guidelines as long as they coincide with the state law and allow students to take up to five mental health days, make accommodations for religious holidays, give students the option to take one day off for a civic event, make exceptions for students who experience a death in the immediate family or other family emergency, and meet other requirements. School districts, charter schools and any schools receiving public funds are required to provide and communicate at least annually an absence and truancy policy that must include: A definition of a valid cause for absence in accordance with Section 26-2a of the School Code. A description of diagnostic procedures to be used for identifying the causes of unexcused student absenteeism, which shall, at a minimum, include interviews with the student, his or her parent or guardian, and any school officials who may have information about the reasons for the students attendance problem. The identification of supportive services to be made available to truant or chronically truant students, which shall include, but need not be limited to, parent conferences, student counseling, family counseling, and information about existing community services that are available to truant and chronically truant students and relevant to their needs. Measures to track and address chronic absenteeism, including collecting and reviewing data to identify students who need extra support, according to the Illinois State Board of Education. At the local level, districts have some flexibility and autonomy, Illinois Department of Education spokesperson Lindsay Record wrote in a recent email to the News-Democrat. Illinois state law requires schools make certain exceptions for absences, including for religious holidays and other reasons, but local school districts may add additional exceptions to their policies, Record continued. The law says school district officials may refer a parent or guardian of a chronic truant to local public entities, such as a police department, for fines or fees only if certain requirements have been met. Those requirements include offering resources, especially for children who are experiencing homelessness or have a documented disability. An adult with custody of a child who has been given notice of their childs truancy and knowingly permits such a child to persist in his truancy within that school year can be found guilty of a Class C misdemeanor and fined up to $500 and/or 30 days of imprisonment, according to Illinois law. HARTSELLE, Ala. (WHNT) Multiple agencies in Morgan County are responding to a fire in Hartselle near Oak Ridge. The Morgan County Sheriffs Office shared in a post on social media that people should use caution near the 200 block of Northwest Lawrence Road off Norris Mill Road. Firefighters on the scene said the fire appeared to have been at a cabinet shop on the property. Crews from multiple agencies are working to put out the fire. A News 19 crew on the scene said that the Oak Ridge Volunteer Fire Department, Neel Fire and Rescue, Flint City Fire Department and Punkin Center Fire Department are all on the scene working to fight the fire. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com. The nations largest Muslim civil rights organization is demanding action and an apology from the city of San Bruno after Muslim constituents were not allowed to break fast or pray inside San Bruno City Hall while attending a City Council meeting. The San Francisco Bay Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations issued a formal complaint letter to San Bruno Mayor Rico Medina on Thursday, expressing concern over the citys actions on the night of March 12. Medina did not immediately respond to a request for a comment. Numerous Muslim constituents attended the meeting to advocate for the addition of a resolution calling for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war to an upcoming council agenda, according to a news release from the Bay Area organization. The meeting coincided with the second night of the holy month of Ramadan, during which many Muslims fast from dawn to dusk. Attendees requested accommodations in advance to break fast and pray in the City Hall lobby, said the complaint letter from Musa Tariq, policy coordinator at the Bay Area group. According to Tariq, city staff denied their request hours before the meeting, citing a policy against food in the lobby even though the space includes a vending machine, a snack kiosk and an area to congregate. Muslim constituents were forced to break fast and pray outside in the cold, surrounded by cones and police, the letter said. The actions taken at the March 12 meeting appear targeted and rooted in intimidation tactics to silence Palestinians, Muslims, Arabs, and their allies in San Bruno, Tariq wrote. Actions like these send a message that the city of San Bruno does not value or welcome these constituents. Residents have raised other concerns that the city is restricting civic engagement by placing partitions in City Hall and increasing uniformed police presence, according to the letter. The Bay Area group is calling on the city to issue a public apology, explain which city policies were used to justify the citys actions, commit to rejecting Islamophobia and participate in Islamophobia training. 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. Tree trunk road blocks, hidden booby traps and more. Attorneys for a Black foothills landowner are detailing the lengths she says her neighbor has gone to block her from accessing her Colfax property in an ongoing legal battle that will soon make its way to a Placer County courtroom. The battle over Loggers Trail, the dirt road that leads to Dorothy Buckners property near Colfax, will be decided in May. Thats when Buckner and her neighbors, trustees of the Gareth Silyn Roberts Family Trust, will face off in Placer Superior Court. The Roberts trust is using abandoned easement and adverse possession law to claim it has sole access to Loggers Trail. They claim Buckner hasnt used the road that cuts through the Roberts property in years. Claiming an abandoned easement and adverse possession publicly taking neglected or abandoned properties as ones own would block Buckner from the home and property she has owned since the 1980s, she said. Its unbelievable that my neighbor after all these years says I dont have the right to use my road, Buckner said in an earlier interview. I believe I have full rights to the road. Roberts trustees claim Buckner, now in her 80s, abandoned her easement along the foothill communitys Loggers Trail on the Roberts property and that Buckners property now draws vagrants, drug dealers and undesirable tenants. But advocates say the trust is targeting Buckner, one of the few Black landowners in that corner of Placer County, to push her off of her Cape Horn property. Buckners lawyer at the time said the trustees claims are aimed at harassing her and compelling her to be kept out of her legally owned property and preventing her from using her legally vested land. In recent weeks, Buckner said the Roberts trustees are now using whatever is at hand tree trunks dragged onto the dirt road, story-high brush piles, and hidden booby traps to waylay her workers equipment. Attorneys for the Roberts Family Trust did not return several requests for comment. Buckner and her family say the adverse possession claim is a calculated plan to strip her property rights. Buckner says this harkens back to old playbooks used to take land away from Black landowners, and local NAACP leaders agree. Tactics like discriminatory banking and lending practices and abuse of eminent domain laws by local and federal government have been used to withhold or take away Black Americans land throughout the last century. Local NAACP leaders said legal standoffs like this one are all-too-familiar (mis)characterizations that have been used for decades to legally strip land from African Americans and other people of color. Using the historic practice of adverse possession, legal claims, and tactics that are often motivated by racism has caused the dispossession of land ownership by African Americans, and therefore has also impacted African American generational wealth, Sacramento NAACP officials said in November. Ownership of Loggers Trail Buckner, a San Jose physician, has owned her Placer County property on Loggers Trail since 1985, court records show. The home has been both rental and family vacation getaway. But things began to change in 2016, according to court documents. That year, the Roberts trust gated the Loggers Trail easement. The Roberts trustees and Buckner differ over the reasons why the gate was installed. Buckner argues the 2016 decision to gate Loggers Trail was a joint one to stop trespassers from entering her property. The Roberts trust said it erected the gate to block Buckner from using the road, citing adverse possession well before the 2021 lawsuit that has the two sides in court today. Buckner acquired title to her Loggers Trail property, including the Loggers Trail easement, by grant deed, in 1985, attorneys assert in court filings. The alleged blockade also comes with potential financial consequences for Buckner. Without the access along Loggers Trail, Buckner would likely be unable to sell or rent the property and the value of her property would drop by half of what she paid for it, lawyers said in the court papers, citing testimony from a local real estate agent. Buckners property will be virtually landlocked if the Equitable Easement is not granted, rendering it almost worthless without reasonable access to a public road, the court documents continue. In recent months, the battles between the Roberts trustees and Buckner have become more heated. Representatives for Roberts attorneys last September accused a contractor working for Buckner of intimidating and assaulting a Roberts family member in an attempt to reopen the road. Roberts attorneys said the alleged September incident was a continuation of the conduct that led the family to block the road in 2016. Tree trunks, hidden traps block access Buckner filed complaints and photographs with Placer County code enforcement officials in early March noting the obstacles blocking Loggers Trail, the latest, a 14-foot high pile of brush in the center of the road. Her attorneys, in their most recent filings, are calling the latest incidents tantamount to civil rights violations along with fire and safety hazards. Towing dead tree trunks onto the road, creating dirt mounds with a tractor and setting concealed booby traps constitute not only a flagrant violation of civil rights but also a reckless disregard for communal safety and should not go unchecked, Dale McKinney, a legal redress representative at the Greater Sacramento chapter of the NAACP, said in a declaration in support of Buckner filed February in the Placer courts. McKinney is now Buckners latest attorney. The use of such unlawful methods to specifically target a Black neighbor exacerbates the offense, turning it into a civil rights matter, McKinney said. Now, Buckner says she is afraid to go to the property by herself and says its difficult to get handymen, landscapers and other workers to her property because of the access issues. At least two people have been blocked by Roberts, she said in a recent interview. Things are going along fine, then somebody throws a monkey wrench and you wonder why, she said. Naperville Mayor Scott Wehrlis announcement Tuesday that the Naperville City Council will not be adopting a resolution on a Gaza ceasefire triggered such vocal opposition from audience members that the council meeting was paused for 10 minutes. To be clear, the city council does not intend to initiate a ceasefire resolution, Wehrli said. This situation is clearly outside the scope of our local municipal government. Wehrli spoke to the matter following another public comment period packed with pleas that Naperville elected officials issue a resolution calling for a permanent ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. For three consecutive meetings, residents and nearby community members have pushed council members to take a stand on the Israel-Hamas War and chastised them for not addressing the issue locally. Tuesday was the first time a council member formally responded to the ceasefire requests. Wehrli did speak with ceasefire supporters after the councils meeting on March 5, which adjourned to chants of cease-fire now and similar shouts, but this was the first time he responded to the request during a meeting. While we all mourn the loss of human life and hope for peace to prevail soon, Wehrli said, it isnt the councils role to take a stand on an issue that has nothing to do with city government. Thanking the crowd for their comments, Wehrli assured them their remarks have been memorialized in the record. Naperville residents have entrusted the City Council with the responsibility of determining whether official city action is appropriate, responsible and in the interest of our community, he said, and the council is guided by the citys mission statement and powers and functions section of the Naperville municipal code. The Naperville mission statement reads, To provide services that ensure a high quality of life, sound fiscal management, and a dynamic business environment, while creating an inclusive community that values diversity. After Wehrli finished speaking, a chorus of ceasefire now! started. Wehrli asked for order in the chambers and then called for a 10-minute break. The crowd continued chanting long into the break but ultimately left on their own at the urging of one protestor, who encouraged the group to continue outside and allow the council meeting to continue. In an interview after Tuesdays meeting, Wehrli said, We require respect and decorum in the city council chambers so when things like that arise, we take a break, we look for calm and an opportunity for people to take their seats or leave. I think people are going to choose what they choose to do, he said, but our position has not changed. That position, however, was not apparently unanimous. Returning from the break, Councilman Ian Holzhauer questioned Wehrlis statement. Mayor, just as a point of inquiry and Im not proposing an ordinance or anything but you kind of spoke on behalf of council earlier by saying what we would or wouldnt do. Did nine council members actually tell you that? Or did all nine say that? Holzhauer said. Wehrli said he worked with city staff to draft his ceasefire statement, which was then forwarded to the council as a confidential memo last week. There wasnt much feedback from members so he proceeded with his plan to make it public, he said. Still, Holzhauer maintained he wasnt sure that qualified as justification for moving forward. I just want to make clear, I do not think that we have the consensus of nine, he said. That was never, I think, established. In a texted statement Wednesday, Holzhauer said, The mayor misspoke by proclaiming that nine council members have agreed to a position behind closed doors, which we did not, and legally could not have done. In reality, he said, there has been a lot of back and forth in one-on-one conversations between council members on this issue. It is far from accurate to say the mayors personal opinion represents a unanimous consensus on what to do. It is undemocratic, and against the spirit of governance in Naperville, to bypass the public process by formulating a position for the council through a confidential memorandum. tkenny@chicagotribune.com BEIJING, March 21 (Xinhua) -- The fourth round of negotiations on the China-Honduras Free Trade Agreement (FTA) was held in Beijing from Tuesday to Thursday, the Ministry of Commerce said Thursday. The two countries have conducted comprehensive and in-depth consultations on fields such as trade in goods, trade in services, investment and rules, and have made positive progress, according to the ministry. China and Honduras established diplomatic relations in March 2023. The two countries began discussions on the FTA on July 4, 2023 and signed an early harvest arrangement for the bilateral FTA last month. The way members can vote at the National Trust has come under scrutiny The National Trust is going in the wrong direction, a former chairman of the charity has said in an unprecedented intervention. Sir William Proby said he had been reluctant to criticise my successors but added that there were serious flaws in the way that the organisation was being run. His comments came in response to a report that accused the trust of an abuse of power and a subversion of democracy over changes to voting at its annual meeting. The report, entitled National Distrust: The End of Democracy in the National Trust, called for ministers to introduce legislation to prohibit all anti-democratic measures and for the Charity Commission to open an inquiry. It identified recent changes as areas of concern, including to the system of voting at annual meetings, which it said gave unfair advantage to the managements preferences and limited attendance. The report was written by Zewditu Gebreyohanes, a senior researcher at the Legatum Institute think tank and the former head of Restore Trust, a members campaign group, who told The Telegraph the charitys leadership had actively stifled dissent from members. Restore Trust was founded in 2021 amid anger at a woke agenda at the charity after it published a report linking its properties, including the former home of Winston Churchill, to colonialism and slavery. The campaign group accused the leadership of dumbing down history and said that in recent years it had lost its curatorial expertise and prioritised visitor experience over heritage. A report linked National Trust properties, including Chartwell, the former home of Winston Churchill, to colonialism and slavery - National Trust Images/Andrew Butler Other areas criticised in recent years included the decision to out a country squire 48 years after his death and to ask staff and volunteers to wear gay pride symbols. Writing for The Telegraph, Sir William, who was chairman of the trust between 2003 and 2008, said he believed governance changes in recent years are taking this great institution in the wrong direction. It is the first time Sir William, who has also served in senior roles at the Historic Houses Association and the National Portrait Gallery, has spoken out to criticise the leadership of the trust. It is rare for a former chairman to intervene in public debate over the charity. The National Trust has always attracted controversy, Sir William wrote. This is because of its importance in our national life and the passion which so many people feel for what it does. This is healthy and should be welcomed by the management and board of trustees. A truly democratic structure allows these issues to be debated, voted on, and the organisation can move on. Stifling dissent will only lead to a running sore of disaffected members outside the organisation, which inevitably will damage this great institution. Sir William added that he hoped the report would encourage the charity and the regulator to look again at its governance and restore democratic principles. The 'quick vote' option allows members to tick a box to agree with all the recommendations on the ballot One area of concern identified in the report was the introduction of a quick vote system, which is the first option on the annual meeting ballot paper and allows trust members to tick one box to agree with all recommendations of the charity. It was introduced without consultation in 2022, a year after Restore Trust had emerged and seen three of its suggested council members elected and one of its resolutions passed. Since then, all Restore Trusts suggested council members and resolutions have been voted down. Tens of thousands of votes against its suggestions have been cast using the quick vote system. The report said: If a nations incumbent political party were in charge of drawing up ballot forms and introduced a voting option at the top of the form with the option for members to vote in line with the Governments recommendations, the public would likely recognise this as a significant abuse of power and a subversion of democracy. It is equally undemocratic for the National Trust to resort to such tactics. It alleged that the system had made the democratic process a rubber-stamping exercise and was the single biggest erosion of democratic processes in the organisations history. The trust denied the claim, saying it needed to modernise to stay true to its purpose of protecting the nations heritage for everyone, for ever. The report warned that there was also no clear separation between the board of trustees, the charitys governing body charged with holding the management to account the council, which appoints and advises the board, and the paid senior management. It said the lack of proper separation was demonstrated by the fact that Adam Dyster, the adviser to Rene Olivieri, the chairman of the board, was also adviser and speechwriter for Hilary McGrady, the director-general. Rene Olivieri, the chairman of the National Trust - Andrew Fox Half of the 36-strong council, which holds the board to account, are elected by trust members. Ahead of the annual meeting, the charity recommends to members who they should vote for. The recommendations are made by the nominations committee, which is made up of council members. While the trusts preferred candidates are identified in the annual meeting booklet and by members of management on social media, others are not allowed to campaign in a system that has been described as unfair. The report noted that Celia Richardson, the communications director of the National Trust, plays a critical role in promoting the trusts voting recommendations on X [formerly Twitter] and thereby mobilising a not-insignificant segment of the National Trusts membership. Sally Hunt, a council member, is identified as apparent evidence of the impact of that support, having polled 19th with 9,276 votes in 2021 when not recommended but being elected the following year in fourth place with 71,358 votes when she was trust-endorsed. Celia Richardson, the Trust's communications director, promotes its voting recommendations on social media The report alleged that the fact the Trust did not interview Lord Sumption, a former Justice of the Supreme Court and a historian, as a potential candidate last year suggested it was only interested in those it was confident would not oppose any of the Trust managements actions, irrespective of the merits and qualifications of the candidates. It is not the first time that the Trust, Europes largest conservation charity, has faced concerns over its democratic processes. In 2003, the independent Blakenham Review noted deep suspicion over proxy voting and recommended restrictions. But the Legatum Institute warned that the trust had reversed some of the protections introduced and had made the system less democratic by ensuring that all proxy votes are cast by the chairman. It said the system was used to consolidate control and reduce dissent by quashing members resolutions critical of the management that would otherwise have passed. In recent years, a number of resolutions critical of the management would have passed by thousands of votes if the chairmans discretionary proxy vote had been excluded. The report recommended that Lucy Frazer, the Culture Secretary, introduce new legislation that would reverse the post-pandemic amendments [and] prohibit all anti-democratic measures. It said a new statutory instrument that could not be amended by the trustees would prevent power-grabs by the executive at the trust, which was established by an Act of Parliament. A spokesman for the trust said: The National Trust is an independent charity, regulated like all UK charities by the Charity Commission. We have open and democratic governance processes, and are accountable both to our regulators and to our members. Our members firmly rejected a resolution suggesting government oversight in our work via an ombudsman at our AGM in 2022. Quick vote was introduced following advice from our independent election services provider that it is standard practice for large membership bodies. We will continue to take advice on what is standard electoral practice from accountable, regulated institutions that are experts in this field, and which have their own transparent systems of governance. 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. Rob Bauer, Chair of the NATO Military Committee, believes additional mobilisation in Ukraine is necessary. Source: Bauer in his speech at the Kyiv Security Forum on 21 March, as reported by European Pravda The chair of the NATO Military Committee stated that Ukraine needs not only weapons but also people to continue the war effort. "We dont only need grenades and tanks and armoured vehicles, but also, unfortunately, new soldiers, because soldiers die and soldiers get wounded. And then you talk about mobilisation," Bauer said. "Its cumbersome in a democracy, its cumbersome in a liberal economy to convince people; I see there is a change," he added. The chair of the NATO Military Committee also warned against excessive pessimism regarding Ukraine's ability to win the war and called for further support for Kyiv. Background: Bauer's recent visit to Kyiv was the first since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Support UP or become our patron! The Scoop NATO may soon take on more responsibility in providing aid to Ukraine, as fears grow over the implications for the military alliance if ex-President Donald Trump were to return to the White House. The organizations headquarters is leading talks aimed at taking some of the coordination of Western military aid to Ukraine from the Pentagon and transferring it to NATO, three Western officials with knowledge of the discussions told Semafor, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not permitted to release details of the talks. NATO is aiming to conclude the discussions by July, when the bloc holds its annual summit which will be in Washington, D.C. this year, the officials said. It is unclear when if at all the tasks would be shifted across the Atlantic. The negotiations are partly driven by fears of Trumps return to office. European officials vividly recall Trumps prior term, during which he repeatedly questioned NATOs value. Since Russias 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Trump has said were he in office, he would end the conflict within 24 hours without offering details, but analysts have suggested he would be more amenable to concessions of Ukrainian territory than U.S. President Joe Biden. (After a recent meeting with Trump, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said the former president will not give a penny to Kyiv if elected.) A spokesperson for NATO did not respond to a request for comment, while the Department of Defense referred Semafor to remarks from U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. Asked by reporters on Tuesday whether the Ukraine-related tasks would be transferred to NATO, Austin replied: Were focused on making sure that we can get Ukraine the security assistance that it needs to be successful today and in the near and mid-term. Know More The talks relate to the work of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, also known as the Ramstein Group, organized in the early weeks of the Russian invasion to coordinate military aid sent to Ukraine. It brings together the defense chiefs of more than 40 nations, including all NATO members and Western allies such as Japan and South Korea, and is led by the U.S. defense secretary, ultimately becoming what Politico described as an under-the-radar yet central force in equipping the Ukrainian military. Concerns center in particular around replacing Sec. Austin, who hosts the monthly meetings, were Trump to return to power, a senior European diplomat told Semafor. Theres been talk about how to coordinate a robust setup to protect the aid and donations to Ukraine from changing political winds, the diplomat said. Another put it thus: A NATO-ification of the support for Ukraine is emerging. In an interview, Finlands Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said, We need to organize all the support that we can give to Ukraine, and I think that NATO is very well suited to do that. So we also support initiatives in this regard, but declined to elaborate further. There are certain things that only we can do, Eric Ciaramella, a former acting senior director for Europe and Russia at the National Security Council told Semafor, referring to military logistics, capabilities, and planning. But when it comes to organizing the summit-type meetings, certainly there are plenty of examples where the Europeans have run with that. Even so, Ciaramella said efforts to ramp up NATOs role in organizing Western support for Ukraine would face challenges, namely building a consensus across the 32-member alliance, which includes countries like Hungary that have regularly been holdouts in European efforts to aid Ukraine, and also figuring out how to include non-NATO allies such as Australia and Japan. Notable Foreign Policys Jack Detsch wrote that NATO is creating a war command to coordinate a joint response to a potential Russian attack on the alliances soil. As U.S. aid stalls and the Kremlin is ramping up its own defense industry, Russia is forecasting more battlefield wins, Dara Massicot wrote in Foreign Affairs. Rob Bauer, Chair of the NATO Military Committee, has commenced his visit to Kyiv. Source: European Pravda Quote from Bauer: "My arrival is the first NATO military delegation to visit Ukraine since the full-scale invasion and is a testament to the fact that NATO and Ukraine are closer than ever." Details: Bauer delivered his speech at the Kyiv Security Forum. He expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to visit Ukraine in person and meet with the Ukrainian political and military leadership. The chairman said this visit allows him to express his "deep respect" for the courage and strength Ukrainians have shown both on and off the battlefield. Quote from Bauer: "Every day, we are getting closer, more compatible. Together, we are doing everything to ensure that Ukraine becomes a member of our Alliance. The Swedish flag will not be the only blue and yellow flag at NATO Headquarters." Background: Recently, Bauer stated that the West was "too optimistic" about the outcome of Russia's war against Ukraine in 2023. The official also urged NATO to adapt its military capabilities in the era of unpredictability, in which "anything can happen". Support UP or become our patron! Rob Bauer, Chair of the NATO Military Committee, has cautioned against excessive pessimism about Ukraine's ability to win the war and urged the world to further support Kyiv. Source: Bauer in his speech at the Kyiv Security Forum on 21 March, as reported by European Pravda Details: Bauer stressed that no wars are ever won by pessimists. "But while the world may have been overly optimistic in 2023, we should not make the same mistake by becoming overly pessimistic in 2024," he said. Bauer emphasised that based on the facts, they had every reason to be confident in Ukraine's ability to succeed. "NATO Allies, and many other nations around the world, are providing unprecedented support to Ukraine and it has made a real difference. But Ukraine needs even more support," Bauer stated. The official noted that Ukrainian forces have revolutionised many aspects of modern warfare. "Confronted with a combination of World War One trenches and artillery barrages and 21st century drone warfare and artificial intelligence, you have quickly adapted and fought back. You are pioneering with innovation, using combinations of Soviet style equipment with modern Western materiel," Bauer explained. Background: Bauer's recent visit to Kyiv was the first since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Recently, Bauer said the West had been "too optimistic" about the course of Russia's war against Ukraine in 2023. Support UP or become our patron! LISBON, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa on Wednesday night announced the appointment of Luis Montenegro, leader of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), as the country's new prime minister following political consultations on forming a new government. "Since the president ... has held consultations with the parties and coalitions of parties that ran in the March 10 elections for the Assembly of the Republic and won seats, and the Democratic Alliance (AD) won the elections in terms of seats ... he decided to appoint Luis Montenegro as prime minister," the president's office said in a statement. Montenegro's AD beat the incumbent Socialist Party (PS) in the March 10 elections but won just 80 seats, far short of a majority in the 230-seat parliament. The Socialist Party won 78 seats. The new government is slated to assume office on April 2. Montenegro's political career began in the early 2000s when he joined the PSD. He quickly rose through the ranks, holding various positions within the party. In 2011, he was elected to the Portuguese Parliament as a representative for Aveiro, a city located on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean. (Reuters) -NATO Military Committee Chief Rob Bauer said during a visit to Kyiv on Thursday that Ukraine's allies should not be too pessimistic about its ability to repel Russian troops and called for important aid to be delivered quickly. Bauer led the first official visit to Kyiv by a NATO military delegation since February 2022 when Russia sent thousands of troops to Ukraine in a multi-pronged invasion. Kyiv's troops are facing shortages of ammunition shells and manpower, and are on the back foot in the east where Russian forces are inching forward. "Ukraine needs even more support. And you need it now. Time in Ukraine is not measured in days, weeks or months. It is measured in human lives. In allied nations a week is a week. In Ukraine a week is a mother, a father, child, friend, lover, lost forever," he told the Kyiv Security Forum. He hailed Ukraine's resilience and ability to adjust quickly while changing many aspects of modern warfare. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, writing on his website, said he had outlined to Bauer Ukraine's most pressing needs in terms of weapons, ammunition and drones. Zelenskiy said they discussed NATO's role in coordinating support for Ukraine and developing its defence potential. Ukraine, the president said, hoped for an assessment of Ukraine's achievements at NATO's forthcoming Washington summit that "will bring Ukraine closer to membership of the alliance". In his remarks to the security forum, Bauer also said lively debate around a bill on military mobilisation now before Ukraine's parliament was a normal part of a democratic society. "It's cumbersome in democracy, it's cumbersome in a liberal economy to convince people," he said. "I understand if you are impatient and say it's not going fast enough...But this is unfortunately the way it is. Bauer also met Ukraine's Army Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi for talks on the current combat situation. Syrskyi said on Facebook that ammunition supplies and air defences were discussed. With Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba Bauer had a talk on prospects for combat training for Ukrainian servicemen and defence industries cooperation, the ministry said. "While the world may have been overly optimistic in 2023 we should not make the same mistake becoming overly pessimistic in 2024," Bauer told the forum, expressing confidence in Ukraine's ability to succeed on the battlefield. (Reporting by Yuliia Dysa; Editing by William Maclean and Ron PopeskiEditing by Alistair Bell) Dutch Admiral Rob Bauer, the chair of the NATO Military Committee, visited Kyiv on March 21, the first time a NATO military delegation has visited Kyiv since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022. Bauer gave a speech at the Kyiv Security Forum, in which he said that his visit "is testament to the fact that NATO and Ukraine are closer than they have ever been." "The Swedish flag will not be the only blue and yellow flag at the NATO headquarters," Bauer said. Sweden joined NATO on March 7, after both Sweden and Finland applied for NATO membership in 2022, abandoning their non-alignment policy in response to Russian aggression against Ukraine. "Russias war against Ukraine has never been about any real security threat coming from either Ukraine or NATO. This war is about President (Vladimir) Putin fearing something much more powerful than any physical weapon on earth: democracy." Bauer also warned against pessimism about the state of the war, arguing that while "the world may have been overly optimistic in 2023, we should not make the same mistake by becoming overly pessimistic in 2024." "Pessimists dont win wars...with our help, Ukraine can and will prevail." Ukraine applied for a fast-track NATO accession in September 2022 after Russia claimed the illegal annexation of four Ukrainian regions. Ukraine's prospects of joining the alliance while the full-scale war is ongoing remain low. Bauer told reporters in January that civilians in NATO countries should be prepared for the prospect of an all-out war with Russia in the next 20 years. "We have to realize its not a given that we are in peace. And thats why we (NATO) are preparing for a conflict with Russia," he added. Read also: Russian missile attack on Kyiv injures at least 13, including child Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The Navy has fired the SEAL commodore for Navy Special Warfare Group Eight (NSWG-8) citing a loss of confidence in his ability to command, according to a service statement. Capt. Richard A. Zaszewski was relieved of his command Wednesday, though details surrounding the incident werent provided in the Naval Special Warfare Command (NSW) press release. Military Times earlier reported that Zaszewski was dismissed after being charged with a misdemeanor DWI on Jan. 19 and not reporting it to superiors until last week, citing Virginia court records and an unnamed defense official. An NSW spokesperson would not confirm the reason as to Zaszewskis firing, only that the decision to relieve him was made after careful consideration of the facts and the imperative to uphold the high standards of Navy leadership. The service said Deputy Commodore Capt. Stig Sanness has assumed Zaszewskis role at NSWG-8, which is headquartered at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story in Virginia Beach, Va., and focuses on undersea, cyber and electronic warfare operations. Zaszewski, a Navy SEAL, had spent nearly two decades assigned to East Coast-based Special Warfare Units with numerous military awards to his name including the Silver Star and three Bronze Stars, according to his service records. This is at least the Navys fifth firing of a high-ranking official so far this year. Earlier this month, the service fired Capt. Kurt D. Balagna, the commanding officer of the USS Ohio guided missile submarine. The Navy only offered its usual loss of confidence reasoning for the dismissal. That followed the Feb. 6 firing of Cmdr. Cameron Dennis, head of the Japan-based Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Howard a ship tasked with deterring the Chinese military. In mid-January, the service dismissed Capt. Geoffry Patterson, the commanding officer of the submarine USS Georgias blue crew. Navy leaders are held to high standards of personal and professional conduct, the NSW said in a statement. They are expected to uphold the highest standards of responsibility, reliability, and leadership, and the Navy holds them accountable when they fall short of those standards. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. BANGOR Approximately 11,890 gallons of oily water was leaked from a failed onshore discharge pipe at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor to Hood Canal between March 13 and 14, the U.S. Navy said. On March 13, the Navy found a petroleum product spilled at the Bangor waterfront and the source of the spill was later identified as a leaking onshore underground pipe. The Navy stopped the leak by the afternoon of March 14, the Kitsap Sun previously reported. A file photo of the waterfront at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor. The Navy said on Wednesday that the petroleum product spilled at the shoreline of Bangor between March 13 and 14 was an estimated of 11,890 gallons of oily water. In a statement updating the incident, Naval Base Kitsap on Wednesday said the petroleum product was identified as oily wastewater, and the volume of the spills was over 11,000 gallons. "The estimated volume of oily water leaked into the Hood Canal is 11,890 gallons, estimated to contain 595 gallons of petroleum product," Naval Base Kitsap said in the statement. The failed discharge pipe that caused the leak runs along the causeway of a Navy pier above water and the pipe was used to transport oily water off vessels, according to the statement. The cause of the pipe failure is under investigation, the Navy said. Since March 15, Washington's Department of Health has closed commercial shellfish growing area of a portion of the eastern shoreline of Hood Canal from Devils Hole Beach to Delta Pier due to the oil spill, according to the state agency. The Navy said there are no indicators of impacts to wildlife in the area. The Coast Guard, Washington State Department of Ecology, Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe, and the Navy are operating under a unified command to continue cleaning up the oily water and monitoring, according to the statement. More: Unknown volume of petroleum product spills at Bangor's shoreline A total of 9,800 feet of containment boom has been deployed, and two specialized vessels skimmers are collecting remaining product found on the water, the Navy said in the statement. "Crews continue to work on shorelines, though the amount of sheen in some areas is too thin to be recovered," the Navy said. "There is not yet an estimate for when response efforts will be completed," the Navy said in the statement. This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: 11,890 gallons of oily water leaked to Hood Canal from Bangor base The two candidates running to lead North Carolinas public schools are accusing each other of promoting radical agendas that would devastate public education in the state. Mo Green, the Democratic nominee for state superintendent, charged Thursday that GOP nominee Michele Morrow is anti-public schools and engages in violent rhetoric. Green focused on social media posts where Morrow talked about executing prominent Democrats and called public schools socialist indoctrination centers. But in a new campaign video this week, Morrow called Green a radical extremist. Shes focused on the grants that the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation gave when Green was the progressive groups executive director from 2016 to 2023. The campaign rhetoric will only heat up as Green, the former superintendent of Guilford County Schools, takes on Morrow, a registered nurse and homeschool parent. Green: Dont tolerate Morrows violent rhetoric Morrow, a Donald Trump supporter who protested outside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, upset incumbent Republican Superintendent Catherine Truitt in the March 5 GOP primary. Morrow has received national attention over the past week since CNN reported on her past social media posts, including those that talked about killing President Joe Biden, former President Barack Obama, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper and other Democrats. I prefer a Pay Per View of him in front of the firing squad, Morrow wrote in a tweet from May 2020, responding to a user sharing a conspiracy theory who suggested sending Obama to prison at Guantanamo Bay. I do not want to waste another dime on supporting his life. We could make some money back from televising his death. CNN also reported how Morrow used the #DeathtoTraitors hashtag at least 12 times on social media, including on a 2020 post on the social network Parler talking about Cooper and COVID-19 restrictions. In posts from 2010 to 2021, Morrow made anti-Islamic comments, used QAnon slogans and talked about the conspiracy theory that thousands of Chinese troops were massed on the Canadian border waiting for orders to invade, CNN reported. My opponent has a much darker view, Green said Thursday during a news conference at the North Carolina Democratic Partys headquarters in Raleigh. It is one that is fueled by dangerous conspiracies and calls for violence, including the executions of President Barack Obama, Gov. Roy Cooper and other elected officials. Green added that we cannot allow this type of violent rhetoric into our schools through the top public education leadership position of our state. Mo Green, the Democratic nominee for state superintendent, speaks during a press conference at the Democratic Partys state headquarters in Raleigh on Thursday, March 21, 2024. Morrow: Media playing gotcha games Morrow accused CNN of stalking her after reporters tried to interview her Tuesday about her social media posts outside the Wake County Republican Party Convention in Raleigh. In a post Wednesday on X, formerly called Twitter, Morrow charged that CNN is trying to interfere in the 2024 election and that CNN thinks they can choose who leads K-12 in NC by intimidating me and lying to you. People are tired of the dysfunctional media trying to create gotcha moments out of old comments taken out of context, made in jest, or never made in the first place, Morrow previously told The News & Observer in response to the CNN report. Ive pointed out that North Carolina has 800 failing schools and no plan for fixing them. Im talking about the millions of dollars misappropriated and squandered that should be put into classrooms. These issues matter more to voters than overdramatized gotcha moments ginned up by the media. Morrow calls Green a radical extremist Morrow has responded to criticisms of her social media by accusing Green of being an extremist. I am facing the most radical extremist the Democrats have ever run for superintendent in the history of North Carolina, Morrow said in her new campaign video. My opponent spent six years leading a progressive organization that funded efforts to destroy families, public schools and everyones safety in the state. The Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation is a Winston-Salem-based foundation that invests in public education and other civic issues. The group talks on its website about its commitment to using a racial equity lens and promoting diversity and inclusion around the state. Morrow accuses Green of funding groups that are trying to remove police officers from schools, groups that rioted during the 2020 George Floyd protests and groups that are responsible for bringing thousands of illegal aliens into our state. If elected, he will continue to push the extreme agendas that are currently threatening our students safety and their future, Morrow said. Green: Foundations work is far from radical Green responded Thursday to Morrows charges by focusing on the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundations work on education issues, particularly the long-running Leandro school funding case thats back before the N.C. Supreme Court. The foundation helped fund the school districts suing the the state for more money. The foundation also helped pay for the consultant who developed the plan that calls for spending at least $5.6 billion over eight years to try to provide every student with a sound basic education. Z. Smith Reynolds has done some remarkable work on behalf of all North Carolinians, particularly those who are marginalized by our society, Green said. In an interview after the news conference, Green said that the foundations work to increase public school funding is far from radical and actually whats needed in our state. There are going to be some folks who are going to say when you try to support marginalized communities and bring them to the forefront and say they should have a place at the table that thats considered radical, Green said. I would suggest to you that is what we should be doing for all North Carolinians. GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP) Preparations are underway as the North Carolina Folk Festival gets ready to celebrate its 10th anniversary. The music-filled event has a new executive director, and shes promised some new additions to the festival. Greensboro pallet homes coming down for season, leaders discuss expanding project Jodee Ruppel, the North Carolina Folk Festivals new executive director and chief development officer, said that for the festivals 10-year milestone, theyre getting bigger and expanding. Were just adding so much more to it. So it is going to feel like a true party, Ruppel said. The North Carolina Folk Festival showcases different cultural traditions through music, dance, food and crafts. This year, Sept. 6 through Sept. 8 marks its 10th anniversary. Its made an impact on downtown over the years. We brought over a million people to downtown Greensboro and had over $200 million in economic impact, Ruppel said. This years festival map will look different. Its footprint will be expanded in downtown Greensboro. Were going to be expanding across Church Street and have a whole festival alleyway. Were going to have more vendors. Were going to have more food trucks. Were going to incorporate downtown with a before and after-hours party stage, Ruppel said. As for some fan favorites, Ruppel says they will return. The big city stage is coming back, and so well have this big, huge main stage, Ruppel said. All the big acts will be on it. It will have that festival feel, Stepping into this new role, Ruppel wants to take the festival to another level. She wants it to grow and further expand its economic impact. Businesses around the country are ready for Aprils total solar eclipse with themed doughnuts and beer I have over 20 years experience Nonprofits, community development, community engagement and event logistics. So Im all about bringing connections not only across Greensboro but across the Triad, across the state and across the southeast to really be the premiere music festival in the southeast, Ruppel said. The North Carolina Folk Festival has already booked Grammy award-winning artists to headline this years festival. Those artists will be announced on April 1. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Casualties were feared as a blast rocked Afghan southern Kandahar city on Thursday, provincial government spokesperson Mawlawi Mahmoud Ezam said. The blast occurred at around 08:30 a.m. local time in Kandahar city, the provincial capital of Kandahar province, the official confirmed, adding that details would be made public after investigation. Eyewitnesses on the condition of anonymity said the blast, obviously a suicide attack, struck in front of New Kabul Bank when a number of people including military personnel were waiting to withdraw money. The Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, virtually addressed Republican senators in Washington on Wednesday, days after the chambers majority leader, the Democrat Chuck Schumer, called him an impediment to peace in an unsparing floor speech. The Senate minority leader, Mitch McConnell, told reporters, shortly after leaving the Senate Republicans policy lunch, that Netanyahu joined the gathering via video link, delivered a presentation, and answered questions. Related: Netanyahu determined to carry out Rafah assault despite pleas from Biden We asked him for an update and we got it on the war, on the release of the hostages and in the efforts to defeat Hamas, the senator John Barrasso, a Republican of Wyoming who invited Netanyahu to speak at the partys closed-door lunch, told reporters after the meeting. We told him Israel has every right to defend themselves and he said thats exactly what they continue to do. McConnell said Netanyahu called him last week and asked for an opportunity to address the members of his conference and he accepted. Netanyahu asked to address Senate Democrats at their caucus lunch on Wednesday as well, but Schumer indicated that he had declined. When you make these issues partisan, you hurt the cause of Israel, he told reporters on Capitol Hill. The dueling responses underscores the increasingly partisan divide over the USs support for Israels military campaign in Gaza that has killed more than 31,000 Palestinians and pushed the population to the brink of famine. Mike Johnson, the Republican House speaker, said in a press conference on Wednesday that he was considering a request to invite Netanyahu to address Congress. I think its very important for us to show solidarity and support for Israel right now in their time of great struggle, and we certainly stand for that position and well try to advance that in every way that we can, he said. He added that he and Netanyahu held a lengthy conversation on Wednesday morning in which he told the prime minister that Schumers speech last week was foolhardy and dangerous. Schumer, the highest-ranking Jewish official in American history, has faced intense blowback from Republicans and Israeli political leaders in recent days over his Senate floor speech, in which he said that Netanyahu had lost his way five months into a war that began when Hamas led a cross-border attack, killing roughly 1,200 people and taking another 250 hostage. Referring to Netanyahu by his nickname, McConnell said Democrats dont have an anti-Bibi problem. They have an anti-Israel problem. Its absurd enough for American senators to masquerade as duly elected members of the Knesset as if their views should have any bearing on how Israel conducts its domestic politics, McConnell said in a Wednesday floor speech. Schumer dismissed Republicans critique that his remarks amounted to foreign interference and was an attempt to strong-arm an ally for domestic political gain. I gave this speech out of a real love for Israel, the Democrat said. He has expressed concern that the conduct of Netanyahu and his far-right governing partners risk turning Israel into an international pariah. Israel has long enjoyed bipartisan support in Congress. But in recent years, Democrats have become increasingly critical of Netanyahu, who has, over the course of several US presidencies, aligned himself closely with Republicans. Tensions between Netanyahu and Joe Biden over Israels prosecution of the war in Gaza have burst into public view, with Biden endorsing Schumers speech and warning against a full-scale invasion of the southern city of Rafah, where more than half of Gazas surviving population is sheltering. Yet Netanyahu has pledged to move ahead with the offensive, in defiance of Bidens red line. The two leaders spoke by phone on Monday for the first time in more than a month. The US is pushing for a temporary ceasefire in exchange for the release of the Israeli hostages and time to allow aid groups to rush badly needed food and medicine into the besieged territory. Several top Democratic lawmakers and their supporters are urging the president to use more leverage to pressure Israel to change course. FILE - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, poses for a picture with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Feb. 15, 2017. Schumer is calling on Israel to hold new elections. Schumer says he believes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has lost his way amid the Israeli bombardment of Gaza and a growing humanitarian crisis there. Schumer is the first Jewish majority leader in the Senate and the highest-ranking Jewish official in the U.S.. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File) WASHINGTON Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel assailed Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York on Wednesday in a closed-door speech to Senate Republicans, days after the Democratic majority leader branded him an impediment to peace in the Middle East and called for a new election to replace him after the war winds down. Netanyahus virtual appearance at a weekly gathering of Republican senators and a refusal by Schumer to allow him to make a similar address to Senate Democrats dramatized the growing partisan split on Capitol Hill and in American politics over Netanyahus leadership and Israels offensive in the Gaza Strip. Sen. Schumer made it clear that he does not think these discussions should happen in a partisan manner, said Alex Nguyen, a spokesperson, explaining why the senator had declined a request by Israeli officials to have the prime minister address Democrats at their weekly closed-door lunch as well. Thats not helpful to Israel. Sign up for The Morning newsletter from the New York Times Inside the meeting with Republicans, Netanyahu called Schumers speech last week on the Senate floor wholly inappropriate and outrageous, according to Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., who attended. And many Republican senators spoke up to say they agreed with him. He was not happy, Hawley said of the prime minister. He made that very clear. In an explosive speech last week, Schumer listed Netanyahu alongside Hamas as one of the major impediments to peace, and tried to lay out the case that Americans can love and support Israel and still criticize Netanyahu and his far-right government. President Joe Biden called it a good speech and some Democrats applauded Schumer for speaking out at a moment when Israels offensive against Hamas has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths in Gaza, including civilians. But conservative Jewish groups and Republicans were stunned and dismayed, and accused Schumer of crossing a dangerous line. Former President Donald Trump went even further, saying in an interview that Jews who vote for Democrats hate Israel and their religion. It was an extreme version of a tactic many elected Republicans have long attempted, portraying Democrats who question Netanyahu or his policies as denouncing Israel itself and even being antisemitic. Netanyahus appearance at Wednesdays closed-door GOP confab was not the first time that he has waded into a bitter partisan struggle over support for Israel, allying himself with Republicans eager to showcase their backing for the Jewish state. In 2015, the prime minister accepted an invitation by House Republicans to make his case to Congress against the Iran nuclear deal, without consulting the White House then in the throes of negotiating the deal. On Wednesday, Netanyahu told Republicans on Capitol Hill that his policies reflect the consensus of Israelis and that Schumers remarks would have no bearing on how he planned to move forward with his offensive. He made it very clear that he intends to prosecute the war against Hamas to the full extent of his power, and he said the American people are behind him, Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., said. He said that even if we have to go alone, we will not stop. Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., the minority leader, said he conveyed to Netanyahu that he believed Schumer had crossed a line in giving a democratic ally advice about when to have an election or what kind of military campaign they should be conducting. It seems to me the bipartisan support for Israel seems to be cracking, McConnell said, making it clear that he thought the Democrats were responsible. Sen. Christopher Murphy, D-Conn., said Wednesday night that Netanyahu was trying to play off the parties against each other, to the detriment of the U.S.-Israel bond. If Netanyahu is upset at Schumer or other Democrats for speaking the truth, getting cozier with Republicans and infusing more partisanship into Israels relationship with America is definitely not the answer, he said. In his speech last Thursday, Schumer accused Netanyahu of pursuing policies that undermine Israels own democratic values and endanger the possibility of a two-state solution in the future. He has accused Republicans of politicizing support for Israel, which in the past was always bipartisan, and blamed Netanyahu for only catering to Republicans. In the meeting, Netanyahu asked Republicans to continue their vocal support for Israel and to allow it to finish the war, according to multiple attendees. He emphasized several times that Israel is not asking for American ground troops, not asking America to fight its war, Hawley said. Netanyahu did ask for financial help to finish the job and urged senators to support whatever bill the House sent them that included billions of dollars in aid for Israel. Hawley said Republicans asked Netanyahu directly for numbers on the civilian death toll in Gaza. He was very mindful of it, he talked about it at some length, Hawley said, noting that Netanyahu assured them the Israelis were making every effort to minimize civilian casualties. He said he estimated the death toll to be about 28,000, about 2,000 fewer than the Gaza health ministry has said. Schumer on Wednesday defended his address, amid a flood of accusations that he was interfering in the democratic process of a close ally. I gave the speech out of a real love for Israel, he said. If you read the speech, we called only for there to be an election after the hostilities have declined, after Hamas was defeated. Republicans made it clear they planned to continue to hammer Schumer and to blame Democrats for the growing partisan divide over support for Israel. Schumer doesnt have to like or dislike Benjamin Netanyahu on a personal level, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said. Schumers attack was directed at the people of Israel, because its the people of Israel who went and voted. Chuck Schumer had the arrogance and audacity to seek to instruct another nation as if it were a vassal state, a banana republic. c.2024 The New York Times Company Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu believes preparations for an offensive on the city of Rafah in the Gaza Strip will "take a little time" as the Jewish state continued to hit other Palestinian areas on Wednesday. The United States and other Western powers are worried about Israel extending its war south and into Rafah, which aid agencies say is home to 1 million people who fled from the north and central areas of Gaza because of Israeli bombardment. In a video address on Wednesday, Netanyahu said that he had told US President Joe Biden during their last phone call that it was not possible "to complete the victory without the IDF entering Rafah in order to eliminate the remnants of Hamas's battalions." Netanyahu reiterated that he had already approved the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) operational plan for Rafah, "and soon we will also approve the plan to evacuate the civilian population from the battle zones," he said. Regarding his relationship with Biden, Netanyahu added: "At the beginning, we agreed that Hamas needs to be eliminated. But during the war, it is no secret, there have been disagreements between us on the best way to achieve this goal." He said he had also agreed to Biden's request to send a delegation to Washington in the coming days. According to media reports, the US intends to present alternatives to a ground offensive. The US president had asked "to present us with the proposals from his side in the humanitarian sphere, and also on other topics," said Netanyahu. Sometimes Israel is in agreement with its allies and sometimes not, added Netanyahu. "In the end, we have always done what is vital for our security, and this is what we will do this time as well." US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is also due in Israel on Friday. He will hold talks on Rafah and on how to secure the release of over 100 Israeli hostages still held by Hamas after Islamist terrorists raided Israel on October 7 and killed over 1,200 people. Hopes of some sort of ceasefire continue to grow, with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz saying a truce is perhaps closer than it has been for a long time, but away from Rafah the fighting continued. The Israeli army said it was intensifying its assault on the al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City, the largest health facility in coastal strip. "So far, the troops have killed around 90 terrorists in the area," the military said. Two Israeli soldiers were killed in the operation. Israeli troops also arrested 160 suspects and brought them to Israel for further questioning, the army added, saying soldiers seized weapons during the operation. The information could not be independently verified. Some 50 Palestinian militants had already been killed at the hospital on Tuesday, Israel said, remarking that civilians, patients, doctors and medical equipment were not harmed. On Monday, Israeli troops once again entered al-Shifa. In a previous operations at the site, the Israeli army said it had found a tunnel complex belonging to Hamas, the Palestinian militant group which took over Gaza in 2007 after Israel withdrew two years earlier. Israel has long accused Hamas of using civilian infrastructure such as hospitals and schools as its headquarters or weapons stores. Hamas denies using hospitals for military purposes. On the other side of Israel in the Palestinian West Bank, the Israeli air force said it had targeted a vehicle in the city of Jenin which it believes was carrying militants. The Palestinian Health Ministry said the missile strike killed three people and injured another, with Palestinian media saying the dead were from the Islamic Jihad movement. The Israeli military said the missile attack was aimed at two senior members of the organization. One had carried out a fatal attack on an Israeli last year, it said, and the second was a "commander of terrorist infrastructure in the area of Jenin." Israel's air force said it had carried out another 'anti-terrorist' mission in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday. A fighter jet attacked two gunmen in the Nur Shams refugee camp in Tulkarem "who posed an immediate threat to the troops," the Israeli army announced late in the evening. The information could not initially be independently verified and no further details were initially provided. Penny Taylor says she does not know if she will get the disease like her mother Liz Neuroferritinopathy is a rare brain condition that traps people in their bodies and seems to largely affect descendants of one family. As a university launches a drugs trial in a hope of reversing its effects, the BBC spoke to the family of four sisters diagnosed with the disease. Liz Taylor was a fit 38-year-old when she found out she was going to lose her ability to walk, talk and even eat. She had pain in her hands which, after weeks of tests, doctors in Newcastle told her was a neurological disease for which there was no cure. "I remember when she ran upstairs crying," her daughter Penny, who is now also 38, recalls. Liz's husband James, 62, has had to watch helplessly as his wife's health deteriorated. Liz Taylor is unable to walk, talk or eat Now aged 59, Liz is trapped in her own body. Her mind is still fully active but James can only communicate with her by reading the expressions in her eyes. The following years brought more devastating news for the family as each of Liz's three sisters were diagnosed with the same condition. It turned out it was a genetic disease no-one in the family from Rochdale, Greater Manchester, knew anything about. James and Liz Taylor, pictured when they were younger Scientists believe there are only about 100 patients in the world with the condition, and the majority come from the same family line in Cumbria. Often misdiagnosed as Parkinson's or Huntington's disease, scientists discovered it was in fact a new condition and named it neuroferritinopathy, as it is caused by a build-up of iron in the brain. They found a genetic fault meant the iron was getting into the brain, but could not get out. 'Living in a shell' A trial at Cambridge University will test if an existing drug can be repurposed to draw out the iron, and halt, reverse or possibly even "cure" some patients. It offers a glimmer of hope for Liz and her sisters, including 61-year-old Heather Gartside. Stephen and Heather Garside, pictured when they were younger Her husband Stephen, 59, says she too can understand everything going on in the world around her, but cannot communicate. She can barely move and can no longer talk. "We'd seen Elizabeth deteriorate, and we just knew that it was going to be life-changing," says Stephen, who is now his wife's devoted carer. Heather has also been diagnosed with neuroferritinopathy He asks her if she can help him find the words to describe how hard it is, but she cannot answer. Looking at Liz, James says: "It must be frustrating to live in that shell." The disease was only discovered by scientists in Newcastle after they saw an increasing number of patients from Cumbria. Common ancestry could be shared with Fletcher Christian, known for leading the mutiny on the Bounty in 1789 Professor Sir John Burn, from Newcastle University, who named the disease, discovered almost all known cases were likely to be descended from the same ancestor. He traced it back to the 18th Century in Cockermouth, Cumbria, and families with the surname Fletcher. Investigations have also taken place to see if they could have shared common ancestry with Fletcher Christian (Fletcher being his surname), known for leading the mutiny on the Bounty in April 1789, given he was also from the region, but that evidence remains unclear. 'A potential cure' Now, nearly 25 years since the condition was recognised, neurology professor Patrick Chinnery from the University of Cambridge is about to start a year-long trial of an existing drug, deferiprone, which he hopes will be able to "pull out the iron from the brain" and halt the disease in its tracks. "Scans show where the iron is collecting in the brain, and in people who've inherited this genetic change it's really marked," Prof Chinnery says, adding: "It can take 40 years before people start to get symptoms." Sisters Liz and Heather both went on to be diagnosed with neuroferritinopathy After patients have had symptoms for 10 years, the excess iron is "clearly causing damage to the brain itself and the supporting tissue has been destroyed", Prof Chinnery explains. "Our primary aim is to stop the disease in its tracks, and it might lead to some reversing of the problems." The trial was approved by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in February. It is being supported by the LifeArc Rare Diseases Translational Challenge, which has contributed 750,000 towards it. "Drug repurposing trials are an increasingly effective way of taking treatments that have already approved and applying them to new conditions and diseases," says Dr Catriona Crombie, from LifeArc. If the trial is successful, Prof Chinnery says all doctors may be able to give it to people before they develop any symptoms at all. He says, for these patients, that means "a potential cure". The sisters are being cared for by their families He also says it could pave the way for treating other conditions linked to the build-up of iron in the brain "If we can show in this condition that reducing iron stops the nerve cells being damaged, it is not a big jump to suggest a similar approach might be helpful in Parkinson's disease or Alzheimer's disease," he adds. 'I try not to think about it' The trial of deferiprone brings hope where there was none, that an effective treatment may be possible. Liz's daughter Penny helps look after many in her family but does not know if she has the disease. "I try not to think about it," she says, adding: "If you think about it, then I believe it'll come on faster." Penny Taylor helps to look after her family members She says she worries about building her hopes up about the trial success, but adds for her and her family "it would mean everything". Heather's husband Stephen agrees, adding: "If it slows it down - that's a win, she's not going to deteriorate. If it can cure it - fantastic, absolutely wonderful. "It just means so much, doesn't it?" Stephen says, looking at his wife. Follow BBC Cumbria on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram. Send your story ideas to northeastandcumbria@bbc.co.uk. One day after declaring victory in the closely contested Proposition 1 ballot measure race, California Gov. Gavin Newsom came to Los Angeles to celebrate. Prop. 1 redirects the majority of California Mental Health Services Act funding from the counties to the state, and will see billions spent on the construction of mental health facilities and housing, with an aim toward getting the chronically homeless off the street. On-hand for the celebration were a variety of state and local politicians, including Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis, Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna and Assemblywoman Jacqui Irwin, D-Thousand Oaks. The governor himself took center stage for the celebratory press conference. If theres ever been a unity agenda, its this. If theres ever been another coalition that is more diverse and broad, I dont know of it, Newsom said Thursday. Despite that broad coalition, Prop. 1 passed by only a narrow margin, 50.2% to 49.8%. Opponents of the measure included many Republican lawmakers and conservative-leaning county boards of supervisors, but also disability rights activists and some mental health groups. Critics warned that the measure will lead to a top-down, one-size-fits-all approach to mental health care in the state and leave several crucial community behavioral health outreach programs defunded, and also that it could provide the infrastructure for involuntary detentions of the mentally ill. Newsom acknowledged that the last couple weeks, as the ballot measure squeaked by with a tiny lead, were difficult, and he conceded that not everyone was a fan of the approach. Change has its enemies, change is tough, change is hard, Newsom said. The hardest part, the governor added, is yet to come, as now comes the work of implementing those changes. I say this all the time, Program passing is not problem-solving, Newsom said. The governor spoke of how bringing Proposition 1 to the voters was a five-year process that began shortly after he first was elected. But support for the measure came from powerful state players and unions, including SEIU California and the California Hospital Association. The Yes on 1 campaign raised more than $14 million, while the opposing campaign raised just $1,000. Critics of the measure, such as supervisory boards in conservative counties across the state, say the measure defunds local services that counties are already providing to go toward funding a one-size fits all approach, and focuses too much on the most extreme cases. Disability rights advocates and some mental health groups also said that the Treatment not Tents approach may subject people with mental health issues into to involuntary detentions. He added that for critics of the ballot measure, What I would say about Proposition 1 is that you will be proud. Newsom said that Prop. 1 isnt like other bonds; it wont take years to get the money out there to make a difference. Were going to start putting out notices for funding availability in just a matter of months, he said. The news conference also came on the heels of the governor announcing that he has reached an agreement with Democratic legislative leaders to knock as much as $18 billion off of the states towering deficit, which the Legislative Analysts Office says could be as high as $73 billion. The governor spoke only briefly on the budget, though, saying were going to be moving very quickly to address those shortfalls in a matter of weeks. Gov. Gavin Newsom discusses his proposed state budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year during a news conference in Sacramento in January. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) With a budget deficit of at least $38 billion hanging over their heads, Gov. Gavin Newsom and Democratic leaders of the state Senate and Assembly announced an agreement on Wednesday to take action in April to begin to dramatically reduce California's historic shortfall. The problem: Democrats at the state Capitol couldn't actually agree on an amount offering only a range of $12 billion to $18 billion or explain what, exactly, they plan to cut. Those details, the governor's office said, will be discussed and shared next month. The head-scratching announcement of a plan to have a plan comes as pressure mounts on Democrats over the looming fiscal crisis. Newsom has urged the Legislature to take "early action" to begin to whittle away at the deficit now well before the June deadline to pass a budget by clawing back unspent funding, delaying programs and reducing planned spending. The cuts currently under discussion are largely considered the easier choices, with the hope of freeing up Democrats to focus on tougher deliberations that will come later this spring when the full scope of the budget hole becomes clearer. The Senate unveiled its own plan last week to slice off $17 billion from the deficit with early cuts, which include delaying and pulling back more than $1 billion to expand early education classrooms and support school facilities. But the Assembly, where Democrats hold 62 of 80 seats under a new speaker who has promised to give his members more input on big decisions, has been slower to rally behind a plan. The struggle to reach a real consensus on the early cuts speaks to the challenge ahead as Democrats embark on a process to correct what could be the largest fiscal deficit the state government has ever experienced. Some estimates suggest the shortfall could be nearly twice as much as Newsom's estimates, which will force lawmakers to make difficult choices in May and June about programs that affect millions of Californians. Democrats often pass an initial budget by the June 15 mandate required by state law and revise it again before the fiscal plan takes effect on July 15. "In some ways, I think this forces an earlier reckoning of the reality of what they're going to have to actually vote on," said Rob Stutzman, a longtime GOP strategist who worked for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. "And they're going to wholly own it." Read more: How Newsom plans to fix California's projected $37.9-billion budget deficit Whereas Republicans shared the pain during the budget crisis in Schwarzenegger's era, now Democrats control the governor's office and both houses of the Legislature by wide margins. Only a handful of lawmakers have experience in office during the prior budget crisis, and Newsom has never been forced to make cuts of this magnitude. His call to shave the deficit early has been met with mixed responses from the Legislature, prompting Newsom to come to the Capitol this week for meetings with Democrats in the Senate and the Assembly leader in hopes of reaching an agreement before they leave Sacramento for spring break on Thursday. Lawmakers are expected to pass one of Newsom's major budget proposals before the recess, a tax increase on managed-care organizations that allows the state to draw more federal funds for healthcare. In a statement included in the announcement of the agreement, California Senate President Pro Tem Mike McGuire (D-Healdsburg) said the Senate is ready to move quickly on tough budget decisions. The deficit is serious and its grown by billions since January, which is why we must move with speed to shrink the shortfall immediately," McGuire said. The Senate's plan to cut $17 billion, coupled with a desire to tap $12.2 billion from the rainy day fund, could leave lawmakers with $29 billion less to offset in June. Newsom's Department of Finance has said the governor's administration backs the Senate's package. But the Assembly has yet to detail how it wants to move forward. Read more: Voters say California's budget deficit is an 'extremely serious' problem, poll finds The budget chair of the lower house, Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino), held a news briefing on Friday and said the Assembly appreciated the proposals from the governor and Senate, but also needed more time. "We value process and we value time to consider all of these trade-offs," Gabriel said. Gabriel said the Assembly planned to put forth its proposal in April. He said he could foresee the Assembly taking some early action but he also saw advantages to waiting until June to have more certainty about the size of the shortfall. In a statement released Wednesday with the vague announcement of a forthcoming agreement, Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Hollister) hailed it as "an important first step" and said "the Assembly is committed to a deliberative, transparent budget process that protects hard-working Californians." But the lack of details in the announcement about the cuts that Democratic leaders are considering is an example of the complete opposite, said Sen. Roger W. Niello, a Republican from Fair Oaks and vice chair of the Senate Budget Committee, in a statement. He called it "unilateral decision-making happening behind closed doors by one political party." 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. From the The Morning Dispatch on The Dispatch Happy Thursday! The United States is now the 23rd happiest country in the world, according to the annual World Happiness Report, falling out of the top 20 in the global index for the first time due largely to discontented Americans in their twenties. But nobody bothered to talk to any members of the Morning Dispatch teamthe cheeriest 20-somethings aroundwhen they were compiling the data. Quick Hits: Todays Top Stories There Are No Winners in This Supporters of Niger's National Council for the Safeguarding of the Homeland (CNSP) display a French national flag with an X-mark during a protest outside a French airbase in Niamey demanding the departure of the French army from Niger on September 1, 2023. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images) U.S. State Department and Pentagon officials traveled to Niamey, the capital of Niger, last week for talks with the West African nations ruling military junta. The delegations stated goal was to continue ongoing discussions on the resumption of American security cooperation with the Nigerien military and putting the country back on a path toward democratic governance. We wish we could have been a fly on the wall for those conversations, because they apparently did not go very well. Fewer than four days after the trip concluded, Col. Maj. Amadou Abdramane, a spokesperson for the military government, went on state television to announce the end of Nigers security pact with the United States. The government of Niger, taking into account the aspirations and interests of its people, revokes, with immediate effect, the agreement concerning the status of United States military personnel and civilian Defense Department employees, Abdramane said Saturday. The declaration throws into limbo the status of both the remaining 1,000 American troops and military personnel in Niger and a key airbase in which the U.S. has invested more than $100 million to support counterterrorism operations across the region. Less than a year ago, Niger represented a bastion of democracy in the Sahela strip of semi-arid land south of the Sahara Desert also known as the coup belt for its frequent military takeoversand remained one of the Wests last security partner in the region. But that status came to an end in July, when a group of military officers ousted the democratically elected Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum in a classic coup. As we wrote last last summer: The new junta puts the U.S. and France in a challenging position. Both countries have bet big on Niger as a security partner to stem the tide of Islamist violence in the region. Approximately 1,100 American and 1,500 French troops are currently stationed in the country. U.S. Special Forces have trained and advised the Nigerien commandos on counterinsurgency missions, and the country hosts a large U.S. drone base that is important for U.S. intelligence gathering in the broader Sahel region, Chris Faulkner, a professor of national security affairs at the U.S. Naval War College, [told TMD] (speaking in his own personal capacity). The French forces partner even more actively, conducting combat missions alongside the Nigerien military. (The European Union, Germany, and Italy also maintain smaller military presences in the country). In eight months since they took over, the officers revoked Nigers security pact with the European Union and ousted all French troops from the country. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), a key 15-country bloc in the region, imposed sanctions on Niger in the aftermath of the coup and initially told the putschists to stand down within a week or face a military intervention. But the alliance didnt follow through on its threat to use force and eventually lifted the sanctions last month in an attempt to restart dialogue with the junta. The U.S. initially explored diplomatic options to restore democratic order in Niger, but formally declared the takeover a coup in October, legally preventing the U.S. from providing the new regime with security assistance. Still, American officials wanted to avoid the sharp break that the French experienced. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Molly Phee met with the juntadubbed the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Homeland (CNSP)late last year to discuss renewed ties. In our discussions, I confirmed the intent of the United States to resume security and development cooperation in phases, reciprocally as the CNSP takes actions, Phee said at a press conference in Niamey in December. Last weeks follow-up visitled by Phee and Gen. Michael Langley, the leader of U.S. Africa Commandappeared to backfire. Abdramane condemned what he described as U.S. officials condescending approach to the conversations, saying, This attitude is likely to undermine the quality of our centuries-old relations and undermine the trust between our two governments. Pentagon officials said earlier this week theyre still determining the implications of the decision from Nigers leaders, including whether U.S. military personnel will be forced to leave the country. We are aware of the March 16th statement by CNSP announcing an end to the status of forces agreement between Niger and the United States, Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said on Monday. We are working through diplomatic channels to seek clarification. These are ongoing discussions. We want to see our partnership continue if there is a pathway forward, she added. Singh described the conversations as direct and frank, and disclosed that the delegation raised concerns about Nigers growing ties to Russia and Iran. The Wall Street Journal had reported on Sunday that U.S. officials accused Niger of considering an agreement to sell uranium to Iran, and Abdramanes statement alluded to the discussion. The government of Niger regrets the desire of the American delegation to deny the Nigerien people the right to choose their partners and the types of partnerships capable of helping them truly fight against terrorists, he said. Some experts in the region have criticized the Biden administrations approach to the junta as bifurcated and misguided. Weve got two heads, Michael Shurkin, a former CIA analyst who specializes in African security issues, told TMD. One head is thinking about democracy and values; the other head is thinking [about] realism. Because we cant make up our mind we end up cutting the baby in half and really accomplishing nothing. Were neither promoting democracy nor doing that super realist thing, which is making friends with these juntas and winning them over. If the CNSP makes good on its announcement, the U.S. military would lose access to bases crucial for combating terrorist groups in the regionincluding the Islamic State in the Sahel and the al-Qaeda-affiliated Jamaat Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin. The U.S. maintains two air bases in Niger: one located in Niamey and another larger facility, Air Base 201, in the northern part of the country that provides drone surveillance for counterterrorism operations. Up until the coup last year, [in] the first half of 2023, Niger had the lowest level of jihadist violence that it had had since 2018, J. Peter Pham, a former U.S. Special Envoy for the Sahel, told TMD. The decline in violence, according to Pham, was because of the base, because of the intelligence, the surveillance, the reconnaissance that was taking place there, as well as the training of the Nigerien Special Forces. With both the French and American security forces no longer working with Nigers military, the country risks a resurgence in violence and terrorist activity similar to what Mali and Burkina Faso experienced after their coup leaders ousted Western forces. This decision will likely result in Russia and China being invited to fill the security void, and terrorist groups like ISIS-Sahel and Jamaat Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin will expand their territorial control, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Rep. Mike McCaul said in a statement on Sunday. And the consequences dont stop with Niger. The Office of Director of National Intelligences Annual Threat Assessment released last month warned that the instability in Niger and throughout the Sahel raises the likelihood that these crises will metastasize and spillover to neighboring countries in Coastal West Africa in 2024. Pham agreed. If Niger starts to go the way of Mali and Burkina Faso, he told TMD, then that just increases the font along which the extremists can spill over into the coast. But the Pentagon is not planning an imminent withdrawal from Niger while the diplomatic discussions remain ongoing. Hopefully, this is the opening gambit in a renegotiation of the relationship, Pham said, and that calmer heads on both sides have an opportunity to rethink what both sides would lose in a break. There are no winners in this. Worth Your Time How did critiques of late-stage capitalism replace screeds against The Man in popular discourse? And what is the actual meaning of those ubiquitous complaints? If theres one unifying theme here, its that capitalism is not an economic model in these gripesnot really, Jeremiah Johnson wrote in American Purpose. Its more of a blame-the-system impulse. People are either mad at the state of things, or they at least want to signal that they are. It feels sophisticated to blame capitalism (or America or individualism), and its less work than actually deep diving into the guts of policy and figuring out the specific steps needed to correct the issue. Easier to blame late-stage capitalism, completely blind to the irony that people have been talking about late capitalism for around 100 years. Late capitalism was a term before our grandparents were born, and there will still be people talking about it when our grandchildren are old. There are of course a few lonely souls who can actually define capitalism correctly and make coherent arguments about it. Rare as they may be, some people actually are writing detailed critiques of capitalism as an economic system. Good for them, even if I think they tend to be wrong more often than right. I hope they keep going. But thats not the typical way this argument goes. The typical way it goes is basically two words: Ugh, capitalism. Theres no escaping this, not until we have another generational shift and complaining about capitalism becomes as culturally passe as complaining about The Man Keeping You Down. Its likely that as capitalism replaced The Man, some other boogeyman-societal-force will replace capitalism a few decades from now. In the meantime, we should at least notice the pattern. Presented Without Comment New York Post: John Hinckley Jr., Who Once Tried to Kill Ronald Reagan, Claims He is a Victim of Cancel Culture After Concert Nixed Also Presented Without Comment ESPN: Dodgers Fire Shohei Ohtanis Interpreter Amid Allegation of Massive Theft The Los Angeles Dodgers interpreter for Shohei Ohtani was fired Wednesday afternoon after questions surrounding at least $4.5 million in wire transfers sent from Ohtanis bank account to a bookmaking operation set off a series of events. Ippei Mizuhara, the longtime friend and interpreter for Ohtani, incurred the gambling debts to a Southern California bookmaking operation that is under federal investigation, multiple sources told ESPN. How he came to lose his job started with reporters asking questions about the wire transfers. Initially, a spokesman for Ohtani told ESPN the slugger had transferred the funds to cover Mizuharas gambling debt. The spokesman presented Mizuhara to ESPN for a 90-minute interview Tuesday night, during which Mizuhara laid out his account in great detail. However, as ESPN prepared to publish the story Wednesday, the spokesman disavowed Mizuharas account and said Ohtanis lawyers would issue a statement. In the course of responding to recent media inquiries, we discovered that Shohei has been the victim of a massive theft, and we are turning the matter over to the authorities, read the statement from Berk Brettler LLP. Also Also Presented Without Comment Axios: Melania Trump on Future 2024 Campaign Trail Appearances: Stay Tuned Toeing the Company Line Final reminder: The deadline for entering our March Madness bracket pool is this morning! To join, click here (you will need a free ESPN account) and select Join Group. The password is TMD2K24! Anyone is invited to participate, but if you want to be eligible for prizesincluding a Lifetime Membership to The Dispatch, a TMD mug, or a gift card to The Dispatchs merch storeyou must a) be an active paying Dispatch member on or before March 21, 2024, and b) fill out this form so we can connect you with your ESPN entry. Help us push the pool size to more than 1,000 entries! Let Us Know What do you think is driving the United States downgrade in the latest global happiness index? 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. Sixteen Nigerian soldiers were killed on a mission to halt hostilities between two communities in the southern Delta state, where clashes over land ownership have left several people dead in recent weeks. Residents in the oil-rich region accused troops of burning a village in retaliation for the soldiers deaths. Social media users shared a video claiming the clip shows a reprisal attack carried out by military forces on a community in Delta state. But the claim is false: the footage shows a January blaze in neighbouring Rivers state. Nigerian soldiers still on revenge mission: another community set ablaze by Nigeria army in Delta state, reads a post published on X on February 18, 2024. The post includes a 54-second video of people filming boats on fire as large plumes of black smoke billow out over the water. A screenshot of the false post, taken on March 19, 2024 On March 18, 2024, Nigeria's army denied accusations that forces carried out revenge attacks after the killing of 16 soldiers in the southern Delta state. AFP covered the story (archived here). Liked more than 1,200 times, the X post was shared by an account that regularly features content supporting the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a separatist group pushing for independence in Nigerias southeast region. The movements supporters shared the footage alongside claims that Nigerias military unfairly targets southerners in the mainly Christian south while protecting Nigerians living in the mostly Muslim north. However, this video does not show footage from the alleged reprisal attacks in Delta state, but rather from an unrelated blaze in neighbouring Rivers state. Fire in Port Harcourt Using a reverse image search, AFP Fact Check found the same clip posted on TikTok in late January -- nearly two months before the military mission in Delta state (archived here). A screenshot of the TikTok video, taken on March 19, 2024 AFP Fact Check used several visual clues to verify this footage showed the same incident. The same burning boat is visible in both videos, as is a tree to the left of the flames. A comparison of video from the false post (left) and TikTok (right) A life ring and a person wearing a patterned outfit are also seen in both the false X post and the original TikTok footage. Another fire outbreak at nembe waterside near creek road in portharcourt (sic), reads the TikTok caption. Nembe Waterside is the name of a jetty in Port Harcourt, the capital of neighbouring Rivers state (archived here). This embedded content is not available in your region. Using a keyword search for fire port harcourt nembe waterside, AFP Fact Check found several local news reports about the blaze, including one published the same day as the TikTok video (archived here and here). Nigerian media outlet AIT Live posted a clip of the inferno on its official YouTube channel on January 31, 2024. The video shows the same two boats also visible in the TikTok footage. A comparison of the false X post and the AIT news report The reports described a "fire outbreak", with no mention of any military involvement. Meanwhile, accusations of abuse by the Nigerian military are not limited to the southern region of the country, as claimed in the X post. According to a 2020 report from Amnesty International, the military razed villages in northern Borno state in response to attacks by the armed group Boko Haram (archived here). And in 2022, the military was accused of intentionally killing children including babies fathered by insurgents in northern Nigeria (archived here). Military denial Defence spokesman Major General Edward Buba dismissed the accusations of reprisals in Delta state as "fake news" (archived here). "The military debunks all claims that the military embarked on reprisal attacks in Okuama Community after the incident. The community was deserted even before troops arrived at the scene," Buba said. But a resident from the neighbouring town Bomadi told AFP on March 18 that soldiers were still in Okuama. "As I'm talking to you right now, soldiers are there and they continue the demolition of buildings in the community," the resident said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Nigerian President Bola Tinubu came to power last year, vowing to address insecurity in Africa's most populous nation. But critics say the violence is out of control (archived here). BEIRUT, March 21 (Xinhua) -- In the Arab world, Mother's Day is celebrated on March 21. Yet, for many Lebanese women entangled in the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel along Lebanon's southern border, the day is tinged with sorrow. For Dalal Daher, a 60-year-old resident of Bint Jbeil, a town in the Nabatieh Governorate in southern Lebanon, this Mother's Day is marked by loss rather than celebration, as she mourns her son who perished in an Israeli raid approximately two months prior. "How can I celebrate when my only son was killed before my eyes?" Daher lamented, tears in her eyes. Since Oct. 8 last year, the conflict has claimed the lives of over 300 individuals and left hundreds more wounded. The military engagements have led to the displacement of roughly 83,000 people, half of whom are women and children, as reported by the Lebanese Prime Minister's Disaster Management Unit. In Nabatieh, the capital of the namesake province, Fatima Fahs, a woman in her fifties, traditionally hosts a festive gathering for her neighbors on Mother's Day. However, the recent destruction of a nearby building in an Israeli air strike, which resulted in the death of her close friend and seven family members, has cast a shadow over this year's observance. "Death has taken my dear friend and her family. We cannot enjoy this day together anymore," said Fatima, pointing to a collapsed building next to her house, where her friend used to live. In addition to the conflict, the economic downturn in Lebanon, characterized by an 80 percent poverty rate and escalating unemployment, has dampened the spirits of many. Samer Al-Laqis, a local gift shop owner, noted a significant decline in gift purchases for the occasion, attributing a 60 percent drop in sales to the war's impact on the economy and the consequent reduction in consumer purchasing power. A hostage negotiator has told the BBC that paying ransoms may be illegal, yet it is the only way families can guarantee the release of relatives kidnapped by the gangs terrorising swathes of northern Nigeria. Sulaiman, whose name has been changed to protect his identity, is from Kaduna state, where 280 children were recently abducted from a school in the town of Kuriga. He has been working informally in this controversial and risky role for several years - since some of his relatives were taken hostage. "We have to negotiate. You cannot use force to get hostages back. It would put the lives of our loved ones in danger," he tells the BBC. Sulaiman first became involved in negotiations with kidnappers, referred to locally as bandits, in 2021 - a year before the payment of ransoms became illegal in Nigeria. Over the last three years he says he has negotiated the release of more than 200 hostages - a small fraction of the thousands of people abducted over the last decade. The negotiations take patience - and courage. "The government believes I have been helping the bandits," he says, speaking from an undisclosed location. "The bandits think I have been getting money from the government, so I am also a kidnap target." His first negotiation took place as he was trying to raise a ransom of around $12,500 (9,800) for two of his relatives who had been abducted. "I did not know what I was doing. I was just speaking with the bandits - and begging them," he says. However his patient approach with the gang members worked and in the end his relatives were freed - though he had to sell his farm in his home village to cover the ransom. This student, kidnapped in July 2021, was released before the payment of ransoms became illegal When word spread about the successful release, other families who were victims of kidnapping came to him for support. Soon his phone was constantly busy. "Almost everyone in my village has had a family member kidnapped," he says, adding that he helps them out free of charge. And despite the outlawing of ransom payments, people still come to him - desperate for help. Sulaiman admits that it is a scary position for him to be in: "The government does not like negotiation with the bandits, and can send people to jail for doing that." He puts his success down to his appreciation of the root causes of Nigeria's kidnapping crisis, which he says is fuelled mainly by poverty and high levels of youth unemployment. Competition for land and resources between cattle herders and farmers has also contributed to the problem. The kidnappers tend to be former herders from the Fulani ethnic group, who target villages where mainly Hausa farmers reside. "When I speak to the bandits, I understand those people," he says, adding that the negotiations tend to take place in Hausa, the lingua franca of the mainly Muslim north - though most kidnappers' mother tongue is Fulfulde, spoken by the Fulani people. "I tell them that I know that they are living a difficult life in the bush, without electricity. I know that they feel they have been forgotten by the government." Growing up in rural Nigeria has given the ransom negotiator an understanding of the issues fuelling the kidnapping The gangs are often made up of gunmen on motorbikes who target areas and particular families on the word of paid informants. It is a huge, sophisticated money-making operation. Around 30,000 bandits in more than 100 gangs operate in north-western Nigeria, according to the Centre for Democracy and Development - a think-tank based in the capital, Abuja. Sulaiman says the success of his negotiations depends on the leader of the kidnappers: "Some bandits I have dealt with still keep hostages and want more money, even after you have paid the ransom. "But some of them release the hostages as soon as you pay." The process can be arduous, taking up to 50 days to release a hostage and anywhere between 20 and 30 phone calls. "You have to use soft language. They can be rude and they will insult you but you have to remain calm," he says. Despite a shortage of bank notes in Nigeria, the kidnappers demand that ransoms are paid in cash as bank transfers can be easily traced. Payments are usually delivered by a parent or a relative of one of the abductees, Sulaiman explains. "The bandit will call them and give them step-by-step directions on how to find them in the bush. Once they reach there, the bandit will count the money, note by note." Sulaiman feels dialogue would work better than a heavy-handed approach to solve the crisis Sometimes the bandits request motorcycles as part of the ransom payment, as well as alcohol and cigarettes. When another close contact of Sulaiman's was kidnapped from a university along with other students - before ransom payments became illegal - he says the government paid around $2,370 for each student's freedom - though there has never been any official confirmation of this. "The government will never admit on the record they paid [even then] because for them that would be admitting failure. But as insiders we know what happened and we didn't have that kind of money," he says. Sulaiman became involved in those negotiations and says the kidnappers had first demanded around $32,000 for each hostage and were eventually bargained down. These days with villagers left to foot the bill, few people can afford to raise the cash for ransoms. They often turn to crowd-funding for the money, though this is now also proving difficult given how the insecurity has devastated the economy. Bandits have been known to either kill hostages or release them when there is no hope of payment. Sulaiman thinks the spate of recent mass abductions from schools, and the threat to kill the students, may be a ploy to get the authorities to take notice: "They think the government will pay." There are reports that the authorities have continued to pay ransoms on occasion - though this is always denied. And President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been at pains to say "not a dime" will be paid for the recently abducted children of Kuriga, directing the security forces to ensure their release. Between July 2022 and June 2023, armed gangs demanded more than $6m in ransom payments, according to a report by SBM Intelligence, a security risk consulting firm. The ransom negotiator agrees with the authorities that continuing to pay up will just fuel the kidnapping business: "Ransom payments do encourage kidnapping. The bandits are just looking for money." But he is certain that the heavy-handed approach of military force is not the answer: "If I can advise the government, they should meet these people and have dialogue with them." Until then, Sulaiman fears the next time his phone rings, it will be another abduction case. Determined to keep helping his community, he is sure to answer the call. More on Nigeria's kidnapping crisis: POCONO TOWNSHIP, MONROE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) On Wednesday, the Pocono Township police arrested a New Jersey man they say was involved in a $3,500 retail theft. On December 27, 2023, officers say they were called to the Express Outlet at Pocono Premium Outlets for a reported theft. Investigators spoke with the store manager who stated two Hispanic males had stolen shirts valued at around $3,500. The manager reportedly told police they confronted the men in the store before they hurried out the front door and entered a Honda CRV with a New Jersey license plate. Two accused of drunken disturbance at Great Wolf Lodge Further investigation with the Paterson NJ Police Department discovered that 28-year-old Waly Aguirrez-Cespedes, from Paterson New Jersey, had been driving the car on the day of the theft. Police said Aguirrez-Cespedes was questioned and admitted to the theft. Authorities say Aguirrez-Cespedes was taken into custody and charged with retail theft and receiving stolen property. Aguirrez-Cespedes was arraigned and released on $10,000 unsecured bail. Investigators have not identified the second person involved in the retail theft at this time. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com. More than a year after the death of a St. Paul man at the hands of police, prosecutors have decided not to file charges against the officer who shot and killed 65-year-old Yia Xiong as he was wielding a knife. In a joint statement Wednesday, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and Ramsey County Attorney John Choi said they determined that St. Paul officer Abdirahmin Dahir was justified in using deadly force against Xiong. "Anytime deadly force is used by the government, it is a tragedy for all those involved, and it requires prosecutors to seek the truth without bias, fear, or favor and do the right thing," Choi wrote. He added that he is "deeply saddened that this legal decision may deepen the pain for Mr. Yia Xiong's family and community members who wanted something different." Multiple protests and vigils have been held over the past year to demand charges in the killing. Hmong community members and several organizations expressed outrage over the shooting and said Xiong's death could have been avoided. Snowdon Herr, head of the group Justice for Yia Xiong, said he and others in the Hmong community were "devastated" by the decision not to charge the officer. "It's totally unjustifiable and it's the darkest day for all of us, especially Yia Xiong's family," said Herr. The decision follows an investigation by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, a review of the case by the Attorney General's and County Attorney's offices, and an analysis by use-of-force expert Jeff Noble. Police were called on Feb. 11, 2023 to an apartment building on a report of a man with a knife. A 911 caller said Xiong entered a toddler's private birthday party in the complex and offered money to children before being asked to leave, according to a 39-page memorandum released Wednesday. The caller said Xiong later returned with a knife and threatened the caller's adult son. Police body camera footage shows officers entering the complex, with one person yelling "Please, hurry." The officers followed Xiong as he entered his apartment, closing the door behind him. Officer Noushue Cha pushed the door open to find Xiong walking into the hallway holding a 2-inch-long knife. Dahir then fired his gun and Cha deployed his Taser. Noble wrote in his report that he believed the officers' lives were in "imminent danger of death or serious bodily injury" when Xiong was shot. Noble added that he believed it reasonable for the officers to push into Xiong's apartment given the circumstances and to "ensure that no one was at risk of harm." Herr and others angered by Xiong's death, however, said they believed the police agitated Xiong by pushing open the apartment door, leading to him coming out armed. "He went into the safest place on Earth, his apartment, and hoped that things will get calmed down," Herr said. "Instead they kicked his door, scared him out, and provoked the situation before they shot him dead." Activists and family members have said they believe Xiong's hearing loss and inability to understand English factored into his death. Herr said police should have reached out to a bilingual Hmong speaker to help de-escalate the situation. "Call a Hmong community leader like me for us to come out and negotiate instead of shooting him to death," he said. However, one of the adults at the birthday party said Xiong was able to respond to her questions in English, according to the memorandum. Ellison wrote that the decision on whether to charge "must be based on what the law requires, and it is a responsibility we take with the greatest seriousness even as we hold the victim and his family in our hearts and minds." NOAA outlook forecasts warm spring for most of US while Southeast remains wet NOAAs Climate Prediction Center (CPC) released its spring outlook on Thursday and predicts most of the lower 48 U.S. states and Alaska will see above-average temperatures through June while wetter than average conditions are expected in the Plains and Southeast. At the same time, NOAAs National Water Center is predicting a lower-than-average flood risk across the U.S. due in part to historically low winter snow cover across the northern Plains, Upper Midwest and western U.S. "Climate change is affecting the timing, intensity and duration of weather events in the United States," NOAA Administrator Dr. Rick Spinrad said in a news release. "The Spring Outlook is one of the many tools NOAA provides to help communities prepare for whats ahead." The spring outlook shows that most of the U.S. will continue to see above-average temperatures in April, May and June. The greatest chance for above-average temperatures will be found in the Great Lakes region and parts of the Midwest, including cities such as Minneapolis and Chicago, the Pacific Northwest, including Seattle and Portland in Oregon, and in northwestern Alaska. However, most of the nation will have increased odds of experiencing warmer-than-average temperatures this spring. NOAA noted that no area of the U.S. is predicted to have a cooler-than-average spring. The CPC is also predicting that above-average precipitation is possible across portions of the central Plains through the Deep South and Southeast, as well as in southern Alaska. This includes cities such as Omaha in Nebraska; St. Louis in Missouri; Montgomery and Birmingham in Alabama; Atlanta in Georgia; New Orleans in Louisiana and Tallahassee, Tampa, Orlando and Miami in Florida. On the flip side, below-average precipitation is predicted for the Northwest, including Seattle and Portland, as well as in the Southwest, including portions of West Texas and New Mexico, including Santa Fe and Albuquerque. There has been some improvement in drought conditions in the U.S., although moderate to exceptional drought continues to exist across less than 20% of the U.S. and Puerto Rico. The CPC said this is an improvement over last year, as El Nino-fueled rain fell during the winter across the Gulf Coast region. The CPC also said that drought conditions are likely to continue to improve in the southwestern U.S., but drought is likely to persist or even expand through portions of the Rocky Mountains in the West, as well as in the northern and southern Plains. However, the CPC said while El Nino is expected to continue to impact weather patterns across the U.S. into the early spring, there is now an 83% probability that neutral conditions, meaning neither El Nino nor La Nina, will take over during the April-May-June timeframe. Long range forecasts show further change to La Nina conditions in the summer, and a La Nina Watch remains in effect. "Our scientists at the Climate Prediction Center observed one of the strongest El Nino events on record during the winter of 2023-2024," Chief of the Operational Prediction Branch from NOAAs Climate Prediction Center Jon Gottschalck said in the news release. "But a quick transition to La Nina the cool phase of ENSO is possible as early as the first part of summer." The CPC said that the overall threat of significant spring flooding in the U.S. is low due to the above-average temperatures and historically low snowpack over the winter. However, moderate flooding is expected in climatologically flood-prone areas of the Midwest and in the South. "This is the first Spring Outlook since 2021 with no population expected to be impacted by major flooding," Director of NOAAs National Water Center Ed Clark said in the news release. The lack of snowpack and significant winter precipitation, along with the spring outlook, suggests that low flow conditions may return to the Greater Mississippi River Basin later this year. "Of growing concern will be the potentially low flows on the Mississippi River this summer into fall due to well-below snowpack and precipitation in most of the northern Plains and Midwest," Clark said. "This could have potential impacts on those navigation and commercial interests that depend on water from the Mississippi River." Last year, President Joe Biden approved an emergency declaration in Louisiana due to historically low water levels of the Mississippi River that allowed for saltwater to intrude farther upstream, threatening drinking water in cities like New Orleans. Original article source: NOAA outlook forecasts warm spring for most of US while Southeast remains wet In early January, just a couple weeks before his winerys insurance was set to end, Eric Hays received an email from his broker. He opened it while at the modest business, called Chateau Davell, a few miles east of Placerville. Hays would be able to renew the winerys insurance, the email said. That is not a given for properties in the Sierra Nevada foothills, much of which is considered at high risk for wildfires. Yet there was a catch: The cost of his property coverage, including for fire, was going to double to about $16,000 a year. Whats more, liquor and liability policies were going to cost him a few thousand dollars on top of that. It felt like a gut punch. Hays had assumed his insurance for the business was already expensive enough. Never did he think it was going to rise so quickly in one year. What am I going to do? he thought as he stared at his phone. Eric Hays, owner of Chateau Davell, stands inside his wine making warehouse at his modest winery in Camino last month. The cost of property insurance for his small business recently doubled to about $16,000 a year. So much attention is put on the challenges California homeowners face with their insurance. But another group is also acutely affected by rising prices and fewer options: Small business owners. That is particularly true in El Dorado County, known for its Apple Hill farms that attract swarms of people, particularly during the latter half of the year. Those and other businesses in the region, which stretches from El Dorado Hills to South Lake Tahoe, are also struggling with the year-to-year uncertainty of who will insure them and how much it will cost. Theres the bed and breakfast thats paying roughly $5,400 just for fire insurance. Theres the Christmas tree farm that was recently not renewed by a carrier it had for more than 30 years. Theres the orchard, which has had to rely on a patchwork of policies to cover several aspects of its business because companies have decided to insure less over the years. Its kind of driving me nuts, said Tom Heflin, 81, who co-founded the fruit farm, called Rainbow Orchards. Eric Hays, owner of Chateau Davell, pours wines for visitors in the tasting room of his winery in Camino last month. Its also driving businesses in the region into financial hardship, said Laurel Brent-Bumb, CEO of the El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce. Theyre doing everything they can not just to thrive, but to survive. And thats what Hays fixated on when he saw the new insurance quote: the survival of his winery. Everything I have, he said, is invested in it. A family business Hays, 51, worked as a restaurant and club manager before moving back to the area to be closer to his parents. He became an assistant winemaker at a local winery before opening Chateau Davell, about 15 years ago. The business in Camino is only on a few acres. It includes a small vineyard, wine cellar and tasting room. He purchases grapes from other vineyards and wineries to supplement his own. The cost of property insurance for this small winery in Camino, Chateau Davell, recently doubled to about $16,000 a year, said owner Eric Hays. Eric Hays, owner of Chateau Davell, stands inside his wine making warehouse at his winery in Camino last month. Davell is his mothers name. Relatives are the inspiration behind the winerys Zander Zinfandel, and Charlottes Cuvee. And bottles feature paintings from Hays, who said he has an art degree from Sacramento State. His mother helps in the tasting room and with events and his wife leads the winerys social media accounts, cooks and handles other tasks. Although it is less known than Napa Valley, the area has rich soils and a climate that give it its own reputation as a wine growing region. Hays said the array of vegetation and trees nearby helps to create a healthy environment for his grapes. They also put Chateau Davell at risk. In 2021, the Caldor Fire torched more than 340 square miles of land in El Dorado and other neighboring counties. More than 1,000 homes and other buildings were destroyed and 21 people were injured. Hays was not forced to evacuate but the fire still hurt the business. Smoky, toxic air damages grapes and puts a damper on outdoor events and visits to its tasting room. He said the majority of his business comes from selling directly to customers. Insurance companies were already skittish about issuing policies to properties in the region. But that has only worsened since the fire, leaving people with fewer options and rising prices. Scorched grapes remain on the vines at Chateau Boswell that was destroyed in the Glass Fire near St. Helena in Napa County in 2020. Higher insurance costs In 2022, Hays said he paid roughly $1,700 for the winerys insurance costs. By 2023, his bill was about $8,500 more. After the email from his broker, Hays said he looked for other options. He wanted to just insure his mortgage, but his bank wouldnt let him. He wanted to see what fire insurance would cost from the California FAIR Plan, a private insurance association established by the state. But he wasnt eligible, because he had at least one offer. The FAIR Plan is supposed to be the insurer of last resort. So, Hays decided to pay for the property policy offered by Covington Specialty Insurance Company, the only one his broker could find. Despite being more expensive, he has also seen his coverage decrease in recent years. His inventory of wine bottles and barrels is no longer insured. He hopes the metal cellar, built in 2022, will protect it from a fire. The Chateau Boswell winery goes up in flames as the Glass Fire burns near St. Helena in the Napa Valley in 2020. Jessica Walker, a communications official for RSUI Group, Inc., the parent company of Covington Specialty Insurance Company, declined to comment. Mark Sektnan, a state government relations representative for the American Property Casualty Insurance Association, a national trade group, said insurers face the same issues with business owners in wildfire prone areas as they do with homeowners. There are higher costs to rebuild properties, an increasing severity of fires due to climate change, and many businesses are in areas with dense vegetation, Sektnan said. I think companies are starting to reflect that greater risk in their pricing. Hays total cost for insurance policies this year came out to $18,673. What happens next? Michael Ranalli, president of the El Dorado County Farm Bureau, is a former county supervisor who also owns a small vineyard. Ranalli worries about what will happen if prices keep going up for the countys agricultural businesses. My overarching concern is the cost and the viability of continuing to farm, Ranalli said. And we need the state and the insurance providers to come together with a solution. And soon. In an email, Michael Soller, a Department of Insurance spokesman, agreed the challenges small business owners are facing with their premiums are part of broader issues in the insurance market. He encouraged them to contact the agency for help and said it was working to address the situation. Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara has announced several regulatory changes he plans to roll out this year with the goal of persuading companies to reverse their recent decisions to pause or restrict new business in the state. He hopes it will lead to more options for customers and more affordable prices. Any price reductions that come from those changes may not occur soon enough for Chateau Davell. The stakes are high: The business is the only source of income for Hays and his family. In the short term, he is considering raising prices and holding more events to cover the increased cost. At the same time, his mind has wandered to what could happen next year: What will he do if the insurance price doubles again? NORTHGLENN, Colo. (KDVR) Concerns have arisen in a Northglenn neighborhood about sex offenders living close to a school and other vulnerable spots. This comes after the state recently gave the green light for transitional housing for people leaving mental health hospitals, convicted sex offenders among them. Advocates battle over cannabis social equity measure The city of Northglenn sent a letter to people who live near the facilities saying they had no control over this decision. Even a state lawmaker expressed concern about who will live in the facility blocks from an elementary school. Alex Granados has lived in his home for eight years. Soon, he could have sex offenders living just behind his backyard. Im worried because I have three sons in grade school, and anyone living there could try to talk to them, Granados said. Exterior of a house-like facility A statement from the city said in part: The City of Northglenn is concerned that we have no voice in this land use decision. Even the areas state Rep. Jenny Willford, of District 34, shared her concerns in a letter to the Office of Civil and Forensic Mental Health, which approved the land use. I do not believe the information provided was fully transparent or complete, Willford said. Playground, daycare, pool and more nearby Theres a school in the neighborhood and a church nearby, Granados said. Its a quiet area, and that kind of element has never been here before. Thats a concern Willford pointed out as well. In her letter, she noted the exact distance from this transitional home to a church, a playground, an elementary school, a home-based daycare and a pool. If its being ordered by the state, what choice do we have? Granados said. Even if it is an inconvenience to the neighborhood. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox FOX31 reached out to the Office of Civil and Forensic Mental Health for comment. As of this storys publication, the request remained unanswered. Ill tell my sons what Ive told them before, Granados said. Not to talk to strangers. Northglenn will host a meeting where the public can give their input. Thats set for Wednesday, April 3, at 6:30 p.m. at the Northglenn Recreation Center, community rooms 2 and 3, at 1 E. Memorial Pkwy. State officials are expected to be there. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) There are no streetlights, sidewalks, or traffic jams on Tee Pee Lane and neighbors say they want to keep it that way. Twelve residents and members of the Northwest Rural Preservation Association, a group dedicated to protecting and preserving the rural culture and lifestyle of the Lone Mountain area, said they have no problem with members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, just the building. The height of the 240-foot tall spire of the 19.8-acre temple site is one of many issues brought up by Brinton Marsden, a long-time resident in the community. Were talking about a three-story office building thats going to be lit up 24/7, he said. Its going to stick out like a sore thumb in the middle of a rural setting. Marsden pointed out the temples structure breaches the existing code in the Interlocal Agreement between the City of Las Vegas and Clark County created on Jan. 2, 2002, as a long-term plan to protect the area from higher-density urban planning. For instance, no home can be built on less than a half-acre, Marsden said. It has to be a single-family home no taller than two stories. Northwest RPA Treasurer Erin DeLoe said she is concerned their dark skies will disappear once the temple is lit at night. We have no streetlights, no curbs, no gutters, and no sidewalks, and thats what we like, she said. This structure will be as tall as the Durango Casino. Members of the Northwest Rural Preservation Association oppose the LDS structure because of its size, height, and the traffic it would bring to their neighborhood near Grand Drive and Lone Mountain Road. (KLAS) In a moment of brief silence Christian Salmon, a Lone Mountain resident, highlighted the absence of noise in the neighborhood amid the crowd assembled. They came here wanting us to change but really its already black and white, he said. All they need to do is follow the law. The neighborhood group strongly denied that any part of their concerns were about the religious affiliation of the building. If the Catholic Church wanted to build a basilica across the street, Id be against that too, Marsden said. This is not a religious thing at all. DeLoe gestured in agreement with the rest of the crowd saying they have no ill will towards members of the LDS faith. I value their faith, and what they have taught their people, she said. I dont want this to be taken as an affront to their beliefs because thats not it at all, its the building. The residents said they plan to speak at the Las Vegas City Council Planning Commission meeting on April 9, where they plan to show their communitys signatures of those who oppose the project. Why this location? Bud Stoddard, stake president of the Las Vegas Lone Mountain Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Saints, said when he looks at the 19.8-acre site he sees an opportunity for the community his more than 3,000 members have long wanted. Bud Stoddard said another LDS temple is needed in the valley for those who live on the west side of the Las Vegas valley. (KLAS) Since 1989 members of the LDS faith have only had the Las Vegas Nevada Temple at the foothills of Frenchman Mountain to attend, worship, and celebrate marriages. We need a location thats close to members of the church, he said. The valley has grown over the last three and a half decades and for that reason, it has become more difficult for members, such as myself, who live all the way on the west side of town out by Lone Mountain to make it over. Stoddard said the community of seven wards and congregations hes heard from in the area are tremendously excited about the possible temple. In my conversations with members of the church this is the highest priority for them, he said. They love and are excited about the fact the temple has been announced for this area. If the temple is approved and built Stoddard says he looks forward to opening the doors and letting the community in before the building is dedicated, after dedication only members of the church will be able to enter the temple. Building temples is essential for our religious beliefs, Stoddard said. What we do inside of temples is considered, by us, to be the most sacred, the most important, types of religious worship that we can dothey prepare us for the next life. 8 News Now asked Stoddard for a response to the concerns of residents and Northwest RPA members about the temples height and footprint. Those are great questions, and theyre above my pay grade, he said. I just dont have a say about the overall size of the temple. Stoddard said he believes a temple is not a terrible thing for a community looking to preserve a peaceful environment. This area is a 20-acre site and it is going to be used for something, he said. Compared to other things that could be built on that site, this project is a hole-in-one. Its going to be tranquil, peaceful, and built to the highest possible standards. A spokesperson for the LDS church said current plans for the Lone Mountain temple show it will not have an Angel Moroni statue which is typically lit overnight on the top spire at temple properties. Las Vegas City Councilwoman Francis Allen-Palenske for Ward 4, where the Lone Mountain temple is proposed, replied to questions relating to the property in a statement: I strongly believe in being engaged in the comments and feedback from area residents. The proposed LDS temple is in the early phase of the formal planning process and many phases still remain. The first phase of the project will start with the Planning Commission where the public will be invited to City Hall to make comment on April 9, 2024. Las Vegas City Councilwoman Francis Allen-Palenske For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. The Norwegian government has provided Ukraine with over US$500 million in direct budget support since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Source: a statement from the press service of Ukraine's Finance Ministry Details: During a working meeting, Ukrainian Finance Minister Serhii Marchenko and Norwegian Ambassador Helene Sand Andresen discussed the current economic situation in Ukraine, the needs of Ukraines state budget for 2024, and the development of cooperation between the two nations to expand budget support. "Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the Government of Norway has provided Ukraine with more than US$500 million in direct budget support. In particular, a grant of about US$485 million was provided as part of the World Bank's Public Expenditures for Administrative Capacity Endurance (PEACE) Project," the statement reads. The funding was used to cover public spending on priority social and humanitarian needs, including pensions, salaries for employees in the education and healthcare sectors, social welfare, and humanitarian support. In addition, Norway joined the Multi-agency Donor Coordination Platform for Ukraine at the eighth meeting of the Steering Committee. Norway is one of four new member countries of the Platform that have committed a total of over US$5.5 billion to help rebuild and develop Ukraine's economy. Background: Norway has contributed NOK 240 million (roughly US$22 million) to the Support to Ukraine's Reconstruction and Economy (SURE) Trust Fund. Support UP or become our patron! BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) Not guilty pleas were entered Wednesday on behalf of an Arvin police sergeant charged with drug and gun offenses. Defense lawyer Gabriel Godinez appeared for Delia Reyes and entered not guilty pleas on her behalf to a felony charge of drug possession while armed with a loaded gun and two misdemeanor drug possession charges. A preliminary hearing is scheduled in May. Reyes remains out on bail. She and former Bakersfield police Officer DeAngelo Sanchez were charged last month after search warrants were served in November at three Kern County homes. According to a probable cause declaration, authorities found a usable amount of cocaine on a tray in Reyes bedroom, along with rolled up bills. Reyes said she used cocaine within the past two weeks, according to the declaration. Car Seat Concierge plan event to educate parents on child safety Sanchez, who lived with Reyes on Alta Peak Court, wasnt home when the warrant was served. Authorities said there was evidence he was in possession of steroids. Hes charged with two misdemeanor drug offenses and is scheduled for a pretrial conference in June. U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration officials said the warrants were served in connection with two cases: one, the arrest of Francisco Javier Beltran on federal charges of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl; and to gather evidence in an investigation into Reyes by the Kern County Sheriffs Office. Reyes is an associate of Beltran, officials said. Beltran is due back in federal court in Fresno this month. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17. GENEVA, March 21 (Xinhua) -- In the narrative of the West, human rights often come across as mere rhetoric, but "when listening to what they say, we also need to see what they do," a human rights scholar said during the 55th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council. In an interview with Xinhua, David Lopez, a consultant from the International Association for Human Rights and Social Development, urged individuals to closely examine the situation in Gaza as this will lead to a greater understanding of the West's double standards regarding human rights. Lopez, a human rights defender with a strong focus on human rights issues in Latin America, is especially intrigued by China's efforts to promote and safeguard human rights as a developing nation. Highlighting the progress in ensuring the educational rights of children in impoverished regions in China, Lopez said the West often overlooks human rights progress in Latin America, instead it focuses on ideological concerns, which resembles its approach towards China. In an article published earlier this month, Lopez said China has made "significant progress" in poverty reduction and social development, narrowing the income gap of residents and effectively safeguarding the human rights of "the country's most vulnerable population." The West has found it difficult to understand China, "because it does not want to," he added. During the 55th session of the Human Rights Council held in Geneva, many human rights experts and scholars were of a similar mind to Lopez, affirming China's progress in promoting and protecting human rights while refuting the inherent biases of the West on human rights. As to Western bias, Alfred de Zayas, former UN independent expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order, shared his experiences. "I grew up in Chicago," and was constantly indoctrinated to oppose certain specific countries and groups, he said. De Zayas said it took him a long time to overcome this prejudice "by knowing people." Therefore, he supports China's broad dissemination of its achievements in promoting and protecting human rights. During a side event on NGO cooperation to promote human rights protection and sustainable development, Christoph Stuckelberger, chairman of the Geneva Agape Foundation, expressed his views on the weaponization and instrumentalization of human rights by some Western countries. He emphasized that every country has areas of progress and weakness concerning human rights. Mutual understanding and support should be promoted, deficiencies should be addressed, and the merits of others should be respected and learned from, rather than bluntly asserting "we have human rights, and you don't have." At a lecture on the protection of rights of ethnic minorities in China held at the University of Geneva, Andre Lacroix, a Belgian Tibetologist who has visited China multiple times, said the Chinese government has provided strong support to the Xizang Autonomous Region for years, promoting local economic and social development. "I can see clearly the inherent bias of Western society towards Xizang, because based on my personal experiences, I can feel that the living standards of residents in Xizang have improved significantly today," he said. For a few hours on Tuesday, local Texas authorities were allowed to arrest suspected migrants who crossed the border without authorization under a controversial state law, Senate Bill 4 (S.B. 4). A federal appellate court paused enforcement of the law for now, but the fight over S.B. 4 has generated national attention and panic among immigration advocates. The state claims S.B. 4 is the solution to an invasion of unauthorized migrants crossing the southern border, while opponents say the move is unconstitutional. Texas hard stance on immigration has also inspired Republican lawmakers across the country to push for similar legislation. The Daily Beast has counted at least 10 GOP-controlled states that have introduced hardline immigration bills or proposals meant to deter migrants. While the bills vary in proposed application or severity, experts say all of them could threaten the federal governments hold over immigration enforcement. Everything You Need to Know About the Texas Immigration Law The measures are almost certainly politically driven, part of a desire to confront the federal government and the Biden administration over supposedly failed policies and to score political points with an issue that seems to help Republican lawmakers, in particular, Cristina M. Rodriguez, a Yale Law School professor who has taught courses in immigration and constitutional law, told The Daily Beast. The success of these Republican-pushed bills still hinges on the fate of S.B. 4. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has not yet ruled on whether to allow a lower courts preliminary injunction to take effectwhich would continue to block local Texas authorities from enforcing S.B. 4. If the law is upheld, it could be seen as a playbook for similar bills. The Supreme Court ruled the law could take effect until the appeal is done, and itor a bill like itmay end up reaching SCOTUS again. Immigration advocates warn that these bills can exacerbate discrimination and racial profilingand may spur confusion for local law enforcers on how to actually implement them. These anti-immigrant proposals create fear and confusion and will ultimately backfire on state legislators who claim that they are trying to ensure law and order, Alina Das, a New York University clinical law professor and co-director of the Immigrant Rights Clinic, told The Daily Beast. Heres a round-up of states pushing for tougher immigration laws along the lines of S.B. 4: Iowa The Iowa House of Representatives on Tuesday passed a bill, known as Senate File 2340, that would allow state and local law enforcement to arrest and charge undocumented migrants who were previously deported from the U.S. or denied entry into the country. The bill makes an illegal re-entry an aggravated misdemeanor, which carries a sentence of up to a year in county jail. In some circumstances, like if the suspected undocumented migrant has a prior conviction, the state crime could become a Class D felony, which could result in up to five years in prison and a fine. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, who now has the bill on her desk, has already said she plans to sign it. If there is no legal pushback, the law is set to go into effect on July 1, 2024. Muzaffar Chishti, a senior fellow at the Migration Policy Institute, believes that the Iowa bill will get challenged pretty quickly and could see a Supreme Court battle. This bill is pretty close to Texas; thats why I think it will be challenged on similar grounds, Chishti told The Daily Beast. Its political theater. Michael Ian Black: When Trump Rounds Up Migrants, What Will It Look Like? Florida On March 15, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed multiple bills that increase incarceration sentences for undocumented immigrants convicted of driving without a license or committing a felony. We do not tolerate illegal immigration, let alone lawlessness committed by illegal aliens who shouldnt be here in the first place. The bills I signed further enhance Floridas capabilities to uphold the law, DeSantis said on Friday. The move is not surprising, given the failed presidential candidates vocal critique of the Biden administrations immigration policies and his decision to send Florida law enforcers to the Texas border. The state already has a law that bars undocumented immigrants from obtaining a drivers license. The new law, however, increases the maximum prison sentence to a year and bars drivers from using community IDs from some non-profits. The new bills also increase the maximum prison sentence for an undocumented immigrant who commits a felonyor who was previously deported and just caught in the stateto at least a decade in prison. The Florida laws are really very troubling because they cover a swath of things, Chishti said. Its more than a copycat measure. Missouri Missouri has introduced at least four hardline immigration bills, including one sponsored by Republican State Senator and gubernatorial candidate Bill Eigel that would make it illegal for unauthorized migrants to enter the state. The bill would also force local colleges and universities to verify if applicants are in the U.S. legally before admission and block the General Assembly from funding any program that would help the undocumented. Under the bill, known as S.B. 1372, punishment for improper entry would result in immediate deportation and a $100,000 fine. Repeat offenders could be sentenced to as much as seven years in prison, the same fine, and deportation. Im also the only candidate for governor thats gonna go after every one of the 50,000 to 70,000 illegal immigrants that are bringing crime into our community, Eigel said earlier this month. And if I have to drive the buses myself to the border of this country, were going to take our state back, folks. Another proposed bill, sponsored by GOP state Rep. Brad Hudson, would create a border security enhancement act to create a criminal trespassing offense for undocumented immigrants in the state. If arrested, an individual could face a class E felony and up to four years in prison. It would also require employers of a public company of more than 50 people to have a federal work authorization program. If they fail to do so and hire an undocumented immigrant, the state could take away its licenses for up to a year. The Missouri House just completed a hearing committee on this bill, but it is not yet scheduled for House floor action. Ron DeSantis SuedAgainOver Marthas Vineyard Migrant Flights New Hampshire While most states look to the southern border, New Hampshire lawmakers are focusing their bills on crossings from Canada. The New Hampshire Senate passed a bill earlier this month that would charge anyone suspected of illegally entering the country from its north border with trespassing. The bill, which was sponsored by Republican Rep. Jeb Bradley and now heads to the House, would allow authorities to arrest suspected undocumented migrants found on privately owned recreational land. (Punishment under this proposed bill is not immediately clear.) If this bill passes, how do we distinguish between a migrant carrying a backpack and wearing boots and any other hiker who is permitted to walk on the land? Democratic Sen. Becky Whitley said during a debate about the bill earlier this month. Chishti notes that since trespassing involves private property, he is curious to see how this bill, if passed, will be implemented. This could be problematic since residents have private property rights, he added. Kansas In February, Republican State Senator Caryn Tyson requested to introduce S.B. 522, which would make it a crime for undocumented migrants to enter Kansas and would require federal immigration authorities to be notified upon arrest. The bill, which was referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee, would make unlawful entry a Class A misdemeanor, which carries a maximum sentence of a year in jail and a $2,500 fine. Oklahoma In Oklahoma, Republican lawmakers are trying to push legislation that would make the state less attractive to undocumented immigrants. A bill introduced by Republican Rep. Neil Hays, known as House BiIll 3071, seeks to restrict state funding for undocumented residents. The bill, which passed the House last week, would still allow for tax dollars to be used for domestic violence investigations and public education. This is preemptive legislation to let illegal immigrants know that Oklahoma is not the state to come to. If other states want to create policies to attract illegals, they can do that, Hays said last week, using a derogatory term for undocumented immigrants. But we need to stop the problem before it starts. Haitian Refugees Are Treated Worse Than Latino Migrants Louisiana A Louisiana bill introduced this month by Republican State Senator Valarie Hodges seeks to make entry into the state by undocumented migrants illegal. Under this bill, which was referred to a Senate committee, undocumented immigrants could face up to a year in jail time, a $4,000 fine, or both. Georgia Following the murder of nursing student Laken Rileywho was allegedly killed by a Venezuelan man who entered the U.S. in 2022 and had several brushes with the lawRepublican lawmakers have advanced a bill that would require Georgia law enforcers to help identify undocumented migrants and detain them. Earlier this month, the State House voted on a bill that would direct local law enforcement to work directly with federal immigration authorities, including allowing jail officials to check someones immigration status based on probable cause after they have been arrested on another offense. The bill states that if an individual is convicted, the violation would be considered a misdemeanor. This bill is slightly different from the others because this [one] is working with the federal government more collaboratively, Chishti noted. Arizona Earlier this month, Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoed a Republican-sponsored bill that would allow local police to crack down on illegal immigration and would make it a state crime for undocumented migrants to cross the border. At least two bills in the House, and three others in the Senate, are strikingly similar and are making their way toward Hobbs desk. The Senate bills classify entry into Arizona outside of a legal port of entry to be a state crime and would allow local judges to decide immigration cases. The house bills seek to limit welfare programs for the undocumented. Another bill, sponsored by Republican Rep. Justin Heap, would allow a property owner to legally shoot and kill someone crossing the border onto their property. Tennessee Last week, a Republican-controlled Tennessee house pushed forward a bill that would require local authorities to work with their federal counterparts if they find an undocumented immigrant. The bill, sponsored by Republican state Rep. Rusty Grills, now making its way to the Senate floor, would also mandate cooperation between state and federal law enforcement on identifying and deporting that undocumented person. Everyone is trying to be creative here, Chishti said, adding that these states believe immigration is a fundamental problem and are trying to figure out ways to implement state laws that work around the federal ones. 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. SOUTH BEND A SpaceX launch Thursday afternoon aims to advance brain cancer scholarship by University of Notre Dame researchers by bringing an experimental study to the International Space Station. When it lifts off Thursday afternoon around 4:55 p.m. from Florida's Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, the SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft will carry the materials and methods for Notre Dame professor Meenal Datta's study on glioblastoma, an aggressive and incurable form of brain cancer. The self-contained experiment has been automated and is expected to reveal new insights because of the space station's microgravity environment. This image made from NASA TV shows the international space station, seen from the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft Saturday, April 24, 2021. There are all sorts of advantages to studying brain cancer in microgravity, Datta, a professor in Notre Dame's Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, said in a statement from the university. When you study brain tumors on Earth, that usually means studying them in a flat layer in a dish on a benchtop. But the microgravity environment of the ISS provides conditions that in some ways mimic how a tumor would form when it is suspended within the brains tissues. In microgravity, which is sometimes misleadingly called zero gravity, gravity is very weak, according to NASA. Astronauts can float in their spacecraft and move heavy objects with their fingertips. Meenal Datta is a professor at the University of Notre Dame in the Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering. In Datta's experiment, the goal is to use microgravity to grow tiny structures called organoids, which stand in for human organs in cancer research, more rapidly than they grow on Earth. The researchers will use organoids to discover how cancerous cells interact with immune cells. Other Notre Dame researchers have sent studies to the ISS. In 2021, professor Tengfei Luo conducted a groundbreaking study with Space Tango on the formation of bubbles in space. The latest study is to occur over a 30-day space expedition on the ISS, which orbits Earth roughly 250 miles above the planet's surface. The SpaceX launch is set to arrive at the station around 7:30 a.m. Saturday and will also deliver food, supplies and other research studies to the station. NASA will begin live coverage of the launch at 4:35 p.m. Thursday. Watch the launch at https://www.nasa.gov/nasatv. Email South Bend Tribune city reporter Jordan Smith at JTsmith@gannett.com. Follow him on X: @jordantsmith09 This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Notre Dame professor sends cancer research to space station European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen speaks at a press conference during the Nuclear Energy Summit in Brussels. Aurore Martignoni/European Commission/dpa European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday told world leaders that nuclear energy can help them cut carbon emissions, at a first Nuclear Energy Summit in Brussels. "In countries that are open to the technology, nuclear technology can play an important role in clean energy transitions," von der Leyen told the assembled leaders in Brussels. "After the global energy crisis caused by Russias invasion of Ukraine, many countries are giving a fresh look to [sic] the potential role that nuclear might play." Von der Leyen was speaking at the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) first ever Nuclear Energy Summit, attended by the leaders of over 30 countries. The summit's purpose is "to highlight the role of nuclear energy in reducing the use of fossil fuels," the IAEA's event page says. Nuclear energy divides EU member states. While some - such as France and Hungary - are planning new nuclear plants, others are phasing out nuclear energy entirely. Von der Leyen's native Germany shut down its last three nuclear power plants on April 15 of last year. Belgium, where von der Leyen was born to German parents, is also in the midst of a nuclear phase-out. "There are different views across the European Union on nuclear power," von der Leyen acknowledged. But she pointed out that worldwide, nuclear power is "the second-largest source of low-emission electricity after hydro-power." A protester holding a sign bearing the logo of pressure group Greenpeace, which opposes nuclear energy, was filmed abseiling from the roof of the conference venue. The sign said: "nuclear fairytale." European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen speaks at a press conference during the Nuclear Energy Summit in Brussels. Aurore Martignoni/European Commission/dpa Nuclear waste could continue to be disposed of in southeast New Mexico for another 60 years, officials said. Mark Bollinger, manager of the U.S. Department of Energys Carlsbad Field Office said Tuesday the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant could remain operational until 2083, based on the facilitys capacity and the availability of waste for disposal. WIPP is owned by the DOE and is used to bury transuranic (TRU) nuclear waste made up of clothing materials, equipment and debris irradiated during nuclear research and development at government facilities across the country. The waste is shipped to WIPP, about 30 miles east of Carlsbad, and buried in an underground salt formation. More: 'State consent' on nuclear stripped from Senate bill Those operations were initially projected to cease in 2024 since beginning in 1999, meaning the facility was expected to dispose of TRU waste for 25 years. But Bollinger, during a public forum hosted in Roswell, said WIPP will likely continue its disposal for several decades to come. The 2083 end date was previously expressed by Bollingers predecessors but was recently formalized via a planned change request (PCR) document submitted March 14 to the Environmental Protection Agency. That PCRs approval was needed for WIPP to use two new panels mined in the underground to hold more waste. Our current capacity shows we will be able to handle waste for several decades to come, Bollinger said during the meeting. We want to make the most of the investment. More: Holtec's New Mexico nuclear waste proposal questioned during federal court hearing The PCR justified adding space as replacement capacity lost in 2014 when a waste drum already emplaced ruptured, contaminating the air and leading to a three-year shutdown of WIPPs waste handling operations. When WIPP reaches the assumed 2083 closure date, the site was expected to have 19 panels total, meaning seven more will be added in addition to the two replacement panels read the document submitted by the DOE to the EPA, to meet the facilitys statutory capacity of 6.2 million cubic feet of waste. A screenshot of federal officials speaking at a virtual public meeting about the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant, March 19, 2024 at Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell. Panels 13 through 19 will need additional federal approval and were likely to be located on the west end of the mine alongside the replacement panels, records show. More: Renewable energy at nuclear waste site near Carlsbad? Here's how you can comment Bollinger said WIPP was at about 43 percent capacity, with 2.6 million cubic feet of waste disposed of so far. Tammy Hobbes, national TRU program manager at Salado Isolation Mining Contractors (SIMCO) the DOE hired contractor to conduct WIPPs operations said mining was underway on the west side of the mine. The work will create drifts to connect that area with new utility shaft being built and additional disposal panels. We are doing some mining of the west mains and getting ready to expand on the west side of our mine, she said. We dont want to finish a new panel too soon. As soon as we start mining, the salt starts moving so we are very strategic about when we are mining and when we start mining in a new room. More: Aging infrastructure could pose risks at Waste Isolation Pilot Plant nuclear waste site But the notion of expanding WIPP and keeping it open longer drew concerns from those in attendance at the meeting including Cynthia Weehler, a resident of Santa Fe area and member of the 285 Alliance, a group that frequently raises criticisms of the WIPP project and the risks posed. Weehler said her home and many others in the area are along U.S. Highway 285, a main thoroughfare connecting northern New Mexico with the southeast region and used by drivers to bring waste to WIPP. The longer waste is shipped this way to WIPP she said, the more risk it brings to locals. More: US Senate OKs funding bill for New Mexicans impacted by Trinity Site If youre talking about extending the lifetime of the facility, shipping more waste and more kinds of waste, youre putting us at more risk, Weehler said. As someone who lives in an at-risk community along the transportation routes, I cannot accept several decades to come. Hobbes countered that a longer time frame was necessary to maintain safety in WIPP operations. She said additional procedures were added after the 2014 event to prevent future incidents, meaning waste was shipped at a slower rate than before. I think the procedures were drastically changed from that event, Hobbes said. I dont like to say it slowed things down, but it does make things take a little longer. More: It's been a decade since the radiological release at WIPP. Here's what has happened since then. Don Hancock, nuclear waste program director at the Southwest Research and Information Center in Albuquerque questioned the DOEs transparency in an expansion of WIPP he said appeared indefinite. He said a public analysis should be conducted of WIPP and its plans to stay open for at least six more decades. People need to understand that that is kind of thing that is going on. Now youre saying that rather than 25 or 35 years, youre saying 85 years, Hancock said. Thats a significant change. I hope you understand why people say that is forever WIPP. There is no actual end date. 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 to receive waste until 2083, officials say of site near Carlsbad SEOUL, March 21 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's export rose in double digits in the first 20 days of this month owing to solid demand for locally-made semiconductors, customs office data showed Thursday. Outbound shipment advanced 11.2 percent from a year earlier to 34.13 billion U.S. dollars in the March 1-20 period, according to Korea Customs Service. The daily average export climbed 11.2 percent in the 20-day period. The monthly export kept an upward trend for the fifth consecutive month through February. Import went down 6.3 percent to 34.84 billion dollars in the 20-day period of March, sending the trade deficit to 711 million dollars. Semiconductor export soared 46.5 percent to 6.34 billion dollars in the cited period, while those for computers and home appliances expanded in double figures. Shipment for automobiles and oil products retreated in single digits, but those for steel products, auto parts, mobile devices and precision machinery gained ground. Import for natural gas, coal, and cars recorded a double-digit reduction in the 20-day period. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) reintroduced the Green New Deal for housing Thursday, in a push to bring attention and resources to creating affordable housing and combating climate change. The bill would invest up to $234 billion over 10 years to upgrade public housing stock to be more energy efficient and create unionized jobs. It would also include a provision repealing the Faircloth Amendment, which the lawmakers said has limited the construction of new public housing developments. What we have done together is put together a piece of legislation that addresses some of the major crises in America, Sanders said. Were gonna stand up and transform our energy system and create sustainable housing not based on fossil fuel. We all got to provide decent quality affordable housing for millions of Americans. And at the same time, were going to create good paying union jobs. That is a win-win-win situation. Ocasio-Cortez said the bill is part of a push for a different world, where public housing creates a healthier and self-sustaining community. The bill was first introduced in 2021 with a suggested $172 billion in funding, but it never passed out of committee in the House or Senate. Diane Yentel, president of the National Low Income Housing Coalition, said there is a shortage of 7.3 million affordable apartments available for the lowest-income renters. This means that for every 10 families in this bracket, there are fewer than four affordable apartments. Yentel said this is partly due to Congress divesting in public housing, which has resulted in more than $70 billion in unmet capital needs and 10,000 to 15,000 units of public housing decaying or becoming unusable every year. Jasmin Sanchez attended the press conference as a New York City Housing Authority organizer and public housing resident. She said the affordability and stability of her unit has been crucial to her and her family. The way we preserve our communities and social networks is by having a true investment in public housing so that people dont have to move, Sanchez said. And ensuring that our communities and development become resilient so that in times of crisis, we are prepared. The bill faces sure opposition in the Republican-held House and is unlikely to pass in either chamber. But Ocasio-Cortez said the legislation is part of a larger effort to encourage advocacy by Americans and accountability for lawmakers. One of the reasons public housing has been so de-capitalized for so long is because of Republicans controlled houses, or in the Senate, in one way or another, Ocasio-Cortez said. And thats why its important that Democrats center public housing and not make it the negotiable thing and the dismissed thing that it has been before. Ocasio-Cortez said she hopes more Republicans will take into account the many Americans who are struggling with housing. My message to them is that money doesnt vote, that billionaires are just a handful of votes, Ocasio-Cortez said. We are accountable to all of the American people, and all of the American people, virtually the vast majority our backs are breaking under the cost of housing and the quality of housing. So its time to come back to Earth and its time to legislate for the country. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Russian troops struck energy infrastructure in the occupied part of Kherson Oblast as a "provocation," leaving residents of the Russian-held city of Kakhovka without gas, electricity, and water supply, said Yurii Sobolevskyi, the first deputy head of the Kherson Oblast Council, on March 21. Kakhovka is a port city located on the east bank of the Dnipro River, which was home to around 34,750 citizens before the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. Russian troops have occupied Kakhovka since the all-out war started. Russian forces regularly shell Ukrainian cities and villages from the occupied part of Kherson Oblast. Sobolevskyi called the latest Russian attack "a provocation," as Russian proxies alleged that Ukraine's Armed Forces conducted the strike. "Ukrainian army strikes only military targets. And leaving people without the necessary living conditions this is namely the Russian army's habit," Sobolevskyi wrote on Facebook. After Ukraine's Armed Forces liberated Kherson and other regional settlements on the west bank in 2022, 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. As of the morning of March 21, two people were killed and four injured due to Russian attacks over the past day in Kherson Oblast. Russian troops struck 12 cities and villages, including the regional center of Kherson. Read also: With arrival of spring, a look at Russias winter strikes on Kyiv Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. On Tuesday, Facebook said that it has been redesigning its platform so that the "poke" feature is significantly more prominent. NurPhoto / Westend61 // Getty Images Facebook wants us all to start poking again. On Tuesday, the tech company said that it has been redesigning the platform to make its poke feature significantly more prominent. The new design surfaces the button alongside any name that a user has searched, making poking as easy as it was back in the olden days of 2011. For those who need a refresher, the poke feature is basically a virtual nudge you know, a poke! that you can send to another user. They get a notification and poke back, if theyre so inclined. Technically, the poke button never really disappeared; as tech reporter Katie Notopoulos wrote for Business Insider, the feature was just so hidden that youd need to type poke into the Facebook search bar to find it, or bookmark the poke pages exact URL. Here's Facebook suggesting that I "poke" my co-worker. Facebook But while the poke button accumulated dust for the rest of us, Gen Zers are apparently really into it now. Facebook said that the superficial changes to its design have caused poking to become 13 times more common in the past month, with more than 50% of pokes coming from 18- to 29-year-olds whod missed out on the earlier era of poking. As any millennial will tell you, poking was a polarizing feature among early Facebook users; while some kept their poke wars going for years, the feature was off-putting to many, especially women. To some, it felt like the digital equivalent of wheres my hug? coming from the guy youd least like to hug. At its peak in the mid-2000s 2009-2011-ish, from my recollection the poke feature was almost exclusively used by men toward women they didnt know very well, remembers 31-year-old Aly, a co-host of the Lets Get Haunted podcast. I have visceral memories of checking my social media before school and finding that my art history T.A. [teaching assistant], a random guy Id met at a party or my manager at work had poked me at 2 a.m., she told HuffPost. To this day I dont know if people thought they were being smooth or creative, but at the time it was almost always interpreted as corny or awkward by the receiver, she said. But Gen Z is good at subverting the corny and making it cool, so more power to them! Shockingly, sometimes poking-as-flirting actually worked. Ever the evangelist for his own tech, Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg acknowledged this week that he was a bit of a poke guy back in the day. In fact, its how he made one of his first moves on future wife Priscilla Chan, and she was swayed! (Girl, come on.) Other times, poke flirtation went entirely over peoples heads. I had this high school classmate who Id constantly poke back and forth with well into our college years. But being an oblivious young adult, I had no idea that she was probably flirting with me, said Azad Yakatally, the 35-year-old head of social media at Klaviyo, a software company focused on email marketing for e-commerce. A lot later in life it kind of clicked, and boy did I wish I realized that at the time, he said. To me, [poking] is so reflective of the early days of social media, when no one really knew what we were doing or what was going on. Others used the poke feature as a low-effort way to keep in touch with friends and family in far-off places a sort of digital wave hello to remind a person that you still exist. In theory, I loved the idea of a low-pressure way to say hi to my friends, said Maggie Mae Fish, a 31-year-old actor. I think thats definitely the appeal. And it makes sense that Gen Z embraces its charm, especially now that social media now includes so much pressure to perform. Jesse J. Anderson, the author of Extra Focus: The Quick Start Guide to Adult ADHD, thinks the feature probably helped him maintain friendships for years longer than he does now. Everyone made jokes about the poke button, but we all still used it, too, the 43-year-old said. So much of social media has become very self-serious or trollish and mean-spirited. I'm all for bringing back silly social.Jesse J. Anderson, the author of "Extra Focus: The Quick Start Guide to Adult ADHD" Eventually, Facebooks bloated suite of features and capabilities overshadowed the poke button, and most of us just forgot about it. Once Facebook added direct messaging, you could just reach out and connect with the people you wanted to talk to, said Lia Haberman, a Gen Xer who writes a social media marketing newsletter called ICYMI. (Its hard to believe, she said, but messaging wasnt baked into the platform when it first launched.) There was an attempt to revive the poke in 2017, but it didnt catch on. This time around, Gen Zers enthusiasm about the feature may change that. Its wild that Gen Zs rediscovered the poke and is actually using it, Haberman said. Millennials and Gen Xers may scoff at the feature boomers are too busy engaging in poke wars they began in 2011 but Anderson thinks the return of the feature is ultimately a refreshing and welcome blast from the past. Bring back the silly, carefree internet! he said. So much of social media has become very self-serious or trollish and mean-spirited. Im all for bringing back silly social. Maybe we can bring back blogrolls, Winamp skins, and Strong Bad emails while were at it? Related... Communities all over the Miami Valley are preparing for the total solar eclipse, but especially those in the path of totality. >> RELATED: Total Eclipse 2024: Whats happening in the Miami Valley? People in Auglaize County are tapping into their rich space history to prepare. We are Ohios place in space, said Logan Rex, Curator and Communications Director of the Armstrong Air and Space Museum. The Armstrong Air and Space Museum is one of the only air and space museums in the nationwide path of totality. This will be some of the longest viewing time in Ohio and coincidentally, we are a space museum so a lot of people are looking at us as one of their prime locations to go, Rex said. >> Gov DeWine signs executive order ahead of total solar eclipse Theyll have a weekend full of events leading up to the moment of totality. Ohio has been so rich in aviation and space history and having this amazing natural event is just really just a cherry on top, Rex said. Wapakoneta itself is sort of the go-to place for space with its out-of-this-world hometown hero Neil Armstrong. It was just one of those things that lined up for us in a way that we knew we had to rise to the occasion, said Jackie Martell, Executive Director of the Wapakoneta Chamber of Commerce. With their space connection, she knew the city needed to get in line with the eclipse hype. It is an entire weekend starting the Thursday before there are so many events every single day, Martell said. They are expecting as many as 100 thousand people to visit Auglaize County for the weekend. Ohios Emergency Management Association has been helping make sure the county is ready for the major influx of people. All the communities in the path of totality are pretty much working together to go through all the scenarios and prepare, Martell said. Preparing not just for the visitors, but for that once-in-a-lifetime moment. I mean this is such a beautiful experience and I think it cant be understated that that you need to really prepare for this, Rex said. For more information on the total eclipse, you can click here. If you think the races for Ohio Supreme Court this year will be boring, turn your attention to the match-up between the two incumbent justices Cleveland Democrat Melody Stewart and Cincinnati Republican Joe Deters. On day one of the general election, it got spicy. "Justice Deters decided not to run for the seat he was handed, I'm sorry, he was appointed to by the governor," Stewart said. She threw out another zinger: "I've been a jurist for 17 years. My opponent has been a jurist for 17 minutes." In a written response, Deters said "Justice Stewart is entitled to her opinion." Deters opted to run against Stewart, rather than seek election to the seat he currently holds. He might be the first justice in court history to try to knock another incumbent colleague off the bench, Stewart said in a press conference this week. The court's pecking order by seniority means Stewart and Deters sit next to one another on the bench and in conference rooms. "Being in close proximity to your opponent and seeing him every day is a constant reminder of how hard some of us have to work to get where we are and how some others don't. And so, that's a little, let's say, annoying, she said." She recounted how Deters lingered at the office one day to tell her he was going to run against her. "I said to him, 'Are you kidding me, Joe? You're going to run against a sitting colleague?' He said 'I know. I detest it, I hate it, it's terrible but I had no choice. To get the appointment, I had to run to take out one of the Democrats.'" Deters said that there was no deal made in exchange for his appointment to the court. In 2022, incumbent justices, Democrat Jennifer Brunner and Republican Sharon Kennedy, ran against each other for the chief justice post, which was an open seat. Whoever lost would retain her seat on the bench. That's not the case in the Deters-Stewart race. One of them will be bumped off the court. Stewart said as the general election fight gets underway, she hopes voters are willing to do their homework. "If you find that my opponent is the better candidate, based on that objective evaluation, by all means, vote for him," Stewart said. "I just think voters would be hard-pressed to find that." Both Stewart and Deters said that despite the campaign, the court remains collegial. Who is Joe Deters? Deters has been in the public eye for decades. He was Hamilton County Clerk of Courts from 1988 to 1992 and served two stints as Hamilton County prosecutor, including 2005 to 2022. And he served as state treasurer from 1999 to 2004. Deters is the first person in 30 years to join the court without prior judicial experience. In December 2022, Gov. Mike DeWine appointed him to serve the remainder of Sharon Kennedy's term when she moved up to be chief justice, saying "I know him. I trust him." Ohio Supreme Court Justice Joe Deters The Deters and DeWine families hold close ties. Gov. DeWine appointed Justice Deters' brother, Dennis Deters, to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio. Deters hired Justice Pat DeWine's former law clerk, Mary Stier, into the Hamilton County prosecutor's office and brought her back to the court as his clerk. Stier and Justice DeWine are in a romantic relationship. This year marks a return to campaigning statewide for Deters. He hasn't been on the statewide ballot in two decades. As state treasurer, Deters' office got caught up in a political scandal. Two of his associates, Matt Borges and Eric Sagun, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges connected to a bribery investigation. The two men, targets of a Cuyahoga County grand jury investigation, admitted funneling contributions to Deters' campaign from donors who were seeking to do business with the treasurer's office. The special prosecutor on the case said at the time there was insufficient evidence to determine whether Deters was aware of any criminal conduct. Who is Melody Stewart? Before she was a judge, she was a classically trained pianist, music teacher, health care administrator and professor. She holds a music degree from the University of Cincinnati, a law degree from Cleveland State University and a doctorate from Case Western Reserve University. From 2006 to 2018, Stewart served on the 8th District Court of Appeals before running statewide. In November 2018, she knocked off incumbent Republican Justice Mary DeGenaro, whom Gov. John Kasich appointed to the Supreme Court. Stewart became the first Black woman elected to the court, following in the footsteps of Yvette McGee Brown, the first Black woman appointed to the court. Stewart is the 161st justice, the 12th woman and the fourth Black person to serve on the Ohio Supreme Court. When do Deters, Stewart vote together? Ohio Republicans have controlled the majority of seats on the seven-member high court since 1986. The GOP currently holds four of the seven seats on the court. The partisan divide is evident in some cases, such as redistricting, criminal sentencing and bail reform. But the court isn't as divided as it seems at first glance. Since 2019, most decisions - 63.5% - are unanimous, according to research done by the court. When it comes to split decisions from the court, Stewart and Deters are on the same side about half the time. In the split decisions since 2023 - Deters' first year on the bench - he aligned with Republican Chief Justice Sharon Kennedy and Justice Pat DeWine 84% and 88%, respectively. That same year, Stewart aligned on split decisions most closely with Democrats Michael Donnelly and Jennifer Brunner, 80% and 71%, respectively. With the retirement of former Chief Justice Maureen O'Connor, the most likely swing vote on the court is now Cincinnati Republican Patrick Fischer. On split decisions, Fischer votes with the Dems a little more than a third of the time and with Republican justices about half the time. Laura Bischoff 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 Supreme Court candidates Joe Deters and Melody Stewart face off Faith Kalb, who plans to be a volunteer firefighter, holds a firehose during a training session at the Division of State Fire Marshal's Ohio Fire Academy. Concord Green Fire Chief Ralph Stegbauer and Captain Jeffrey Skaggs were doing their best to save money at their volunteer fire department in Fayette County. So they borrowed an extended lift from a local farmer on Nov. 25 to install a windsock on a 70 feet tall radio tower so medical helicopters could land in the area. Their effort to do it themselves instead of hiring help turned fatal when the lift tipped over and threw Stegbauer and Skaggs to their deaths, said Fayette County Sheriff Vernon Stanforth. The tragedy was one example of how Ohio's 668 volunteer fire departments are often forced to make difficult decisions about how to spend their money, with needs such as protective gear, training and equipment. "They were trying to save money so they could do other things," Stanforth said. "You're going to find that in every (volunteer) fire station. In their mind they were actually being a public servant and trying to retrofit the tower with what they needed for the helicopter to be able to land safely and unfortunately, it cost their lives." Students practice rolling a firehose after use during a training session at the Division of State Fire Marshal's Ohio Fire Academy. Volunteer fire departments respond to the same types of emergencies as paid, professional firefighters. About 70% of Ohio's fire departments are staffed by volunteers who play a critical role in keeping Ohioans safe. But in recent years, volunteer departments are responding to more calls with fewer volunteers; have less funding for rising costs; and are required to do more training, according to Ohio State Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon. The cost for a ladder truck without all of the necessary equipment and tools on it can run upwards of $1.5 million, he said. Ohio State Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon Reardon said volunteer firefighters have to complete at least 36 hours of initial training, get recertified by the state every three years, oftentimes have to buy their own gear and are asked to leave their family, friends and jobs at a moment's notice to go help their communities, often risking their lives to do it. And, the jobs have gotten more difficult and diverse with volunteers responding to car crashes, medical calls, hazmat incidents and natural disasters. "It's hard to make that sexy," Reardon said. 'Hanging on by a thread' It was in his first days as the state fire marshal nearly four years ago that Reardon started to realize that many of Ohios volunteer fire departments are hanging on by a thread. He said funding for volunteer departments is a "hodgepodge" of grants, state and local government funding and donations. From 2018 to 2021, the number of volunteer firefighters in Ohio decreased by 6.5%, according to the state fire marshals office, but calls increased by 9% from 2018 to 2020. This increase shows no signs of slowing. Weve done a really good job of teaching the public how to use 911 to the point where it gets overused and that can have a wear and tear on a volunteer fire department, said state Deputy Fire Marshal Rick Sluder. State Deputy Fire Marshal Rick Sluder Some volunteer departments in rural areas as well as just outside of city limits have closed because of the challenges, further straining nearby departments and increasing their response times as their coverages areas get larger. "This is a real issue, and Ohioans need to be concerned, because when these departments start to go away, they're not going to be able to call 911 as easily," Reardon said. What happens when volunteer departments close? If a volunteer department does have to close, like Newport Township's recently did in Washington County, another department, likely also volunteer, picks up their area, said Kimberly Quiros, spokeswoman with the National Volunteer Fire Council. Communities often don't have the tax base to support career departments, she said. "They really need these volunteers," she said. A helmet rests on a storage rack at the Wayne Township Fire Department, a volunteer department in Good Hope, Ohio, in Fayette County. Nationally, communities save more than $46 billion annually due to volunteer fire departments, Quiros said. Volunteers make up 65% of the nation's fire service and about 80% of all fire departments use volunteers, as some departments use a combination of volunteers and career firefighters. "They're neighbors helping neighbors," Quiros said. "If the community isn't stepping up and helping that department ... you do risk not having enough people to staff that department and that hurts the community." Volunteer fire departments work on minimal budgets, levy funding Chief Jon Bradford of the Reno Fire Department in Washington County near Marietta fears his department's funding will never be enough. He has a fire engine that is 32 years old and needs to be replaced, per federal standards, but also has to replace the fire gear for his 30 volunteer firemen every 10 years, which makes it impossible to save up for a new engine, though he's been trying for 25 years, he said. Bradford's department gets about $84,000 annually from a levy. But after worker's compensation, insurance, fuel and utility costs, he said there's only about $26,000 left to cover training, turnout gear and unexpected surprises such as a new roof for one of its buildings this year. Jakob Baxter, who hopes to become a volunteer firefighter, gathers a firehose after training at the Division of State Fire Marshal's Ohio Fire Academy. The Reno department can barely afford to cover its own area, but when Newport's department closed, Reno took over serving about 25 square miles of its previous coverage area, with no more funding. "We're asked to do more with less," he said. Similarly, with only a $43,000 budget, Chief Chris Wysong, of the Wayne Township Volunteer Fire Rescue in Fayette County, has had to get creative to serve the 2,700 residents in his coverage area. "If I can save money and my mechanic can fix something on the truck, we do that," Wysong said. That's because outfitting one firefighter in all the safety gear costs about $19,335, nearly half the department's budget. In order to keep the department running, Wysong said he applies for state and federal grants and requests funding from township trustees. The hours he puts into trying to do this while running the department means he's almost working a second full-time job on top of his primary work full-time with the Ohio Army National Guard. And his department is lucky enough to have a levy, unlike some others. Gov. Mike DeWine, Ohio Fire Marshal start task force In 2022, Gov. Mike DeWine and Reardon put together a Governors Volunteer Fire Service Task Force, which released a report and recommendations to help volunteer departments survive and thrive. Matthew Smith holds a firehose during training at the Division of State Fire Marshal's Ohio Fire Academy. The state now offers free training for volunteer departments so individuals can get the necessary 36-hour training required to become a volunteer firefighter without the potential cost of $500 to $1,000. The State Fire Marshal's Office also increased grants to departments for training, gear and equipment; updated its online training system to make it more accessible; and created ads to help with the recruitment of volunteer firefighters. It also added a volunteer coordinator to help departments find volunteers and other resources. Volunteer firefighters gather for a meeting at the Wayne Township Fire Department in Good Hope, Ohio. But much more still needs to be done, Reardon said. One of the newly created grant programs, for instance, had $4 million in funding available to replace the radio systems departments use but received $10 million in requests, he said. "We've done these little things, but this report is full of a whole lot of other things that legislators need to look at," Reardon said. "There's not a single legislator in Ohio that doesn't have at least one volunteer fire department in their district." Is everyone too busy to be volunteer firefighters? Chief Chris Wysong speaks during a meeting with volunteer firefighters at the Wayne Township Fire Department in Good Hope, Ohio. Farmers used to fill much of the ranks of volunteer departments because they could easily stop what they were doing and help, Sluder said. But times have changed, and those farmers have retired and replacing them has been difficult. "Everyone's too busy," Wysong said, of why people aren't volunteering as much as they used to. Children's sporting events, commuting to work outside of the area and other obligations make it hard for people to drop everything when someone needs help, Sluder said. Volunteer firefighters need flexibility in their full-time work so they can go out on fire runs, Sluder said. And manufacturing jobs, which have become a prevalent industry in rural areas, don't offer that kind of flexibility. When it comes to recruiting, it 'runs in the family' Jeremy Patterson and his father Ted Patterson, both volunteer firefighters for years at the Reno Fire Department in Washington County, inspired their nephew and grandson Spencer Crone, 23, to join late last year. Volunteer firefighting runs in the family for many. Five new firefighters just joined the Reno Fire Department, and all are related to current members, Chief Bradford said. Twenty-three-year-old Spencer Crone joined the department late last year. His grandfather, Ted Patterson, and uncle, Jeremy Patterson, have been on the department for a combined 77 years. Spencer Crone, 23, joined the Reno Fire Department as a volunteer late last year, after being inspired throughout his life by his uncle and grandfather's dedication to volunteer firefighting. "Just growing up seeing them always doing stuff with the fire department and hearing the stories that they tell," Crone said, was enough for him to want to do it, too. "I've always wanted to be a part of something like a brotherhood, and I always like to help people, too. That just kind of runs in the family." Though it's nice to have several new volunteers they're the first new recruits in at least six or seven years paying for their new gear has been difficult, Bradford said. Volunteer firefighters are 'all about the community' Many people may not know they are served by a volunteer department because the volunteers are so professional, Reardon said. But of the estimated 1,041,200 firefighters across the country, 676,900 or 65% are volunteers, according to the National Volunteer Fire Council. It's not a job for everyone, Reardon said. "It's high energy, exciting and dangerous," he said. It can also be rewarding to serve your community on what are often the worst days of their lives, he said. Eric Stegbauer, 47, of Greenfield, always knew his late father Ralph was a different breed and had a servant heart. "Dad was just super, super always had been all about the community," he said of his father who had volunteered with Concord Green Fire for 48 years before his death. Chief Ralph Stegbauer, a volunteer firefighter for 48 years with the Concord Green Fire Department, died in November while working with a fellow firefighter to install a windsock high up on a radio tower. He said people often ask him why he never volunteered as a fireman like his dad. "I don't have that in me," he said. "The people that do it are special." He said his dad and Skaggs fell to their deaths "trying to make the department better." "We take it for granted every day," he said, of what volunteer firefighters do. "In my mind, they should be looked upon as some of the most respected people in your community." For more information on how to join a volunteer fire department near you, visit www.makemeafirefighter.org/ dking@dispatch.com @DanaeKing This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio's volunteer firefighter shortages are a crisis for 70% of Ohioans While much of the nation was focused on the Alabama State Supreme Courts controversial decision regarding in vitro fertilization last month, Oklahoma lawmakers were engaged in an equally troubling matter, just as insidious and ominously Orwellian: a bill that would allow the state to create a database of every person who has an abortion in the state. Under the bills original language, H.B. 3216, any physician who performed a pre-viability separation procedure (translation: abortion) had to report it to the Oklahoma State Department of Health along with the date, gestational age, and reason for the abortion. Further, the bill would have required the department to establish a confidential system to identify women who had a procedure not by name, but by assigning each woman a unique patient identifier. Under the bill, a womans identity could be released to authorities via a court order if legal action is deemed necessary. By whom is not clear. The abortion police, perhaps. The bill also prohibited the distribution of any medicine, drug, or any other substance prescribed or dispensed with the intent of inducing an abortion. Physicians who knowingly violated this section of the bill could have their license suspended or revoked for a year and could be sued by the state for malpractice. A companion bill, H.B. 3013, would make delivering or possessing abortion-inducing drugs a felony, with penalties of up to $100,000 in fines or 10 years in prison. Oklahoma bans abortion except to save the life of the mother. There are no exceptions for rape or incest. It is one of several states with laws stipulating that life begins at conception, or in some cases, fertilization. But theres good news: Blowback has resulted in changes to the bill since being introduced in February. Its author, state representative Kevin West, pulled the section allowing for a statewide database, as well as another section of the bill banning contraceptives like IUDs and Plan B, the so-called morning after pill. West also added an amendment to the bill excluding IVF from any potential ban. But the original language, and the idea that some elected officials supported the language, makes you wonder how they thought such draconian measures were OK and would pass legal muster. It bolted out of committee on a 5-1 vote. A vote on the Oklahoma House floor was scheduled for this month followed by one in the Senate, but the bills revisions may delay those plans. AP Photo/Alex Brandon West says he wrote the bill with the Alliance Defending Freedom, a Christian law firm that was involved in the effort to overturn Roe v. Wade. He reportedly argued in committee that the idea was to track abortions the same way the state tracks births and deaths. I doubt that was on the minds of anyone at ADF, but if thats the kind of tracking you wanna do, Mr. West, why not make those women wear scarlet letters? Let us expand your bill and create a database for everyone who has had a heart attack. We could make them wear tracking software to monitor their food and beverage purchases, maybe with a threshold on salt or caloric intake. Violate the threshold and youre denied Medicare or Medicaid. Perhaps we can demand data from states where its still legal to obtain an abortion or abortifacient. How about this: A motorist with more than three traffic violations and the state installs a tracking device we could call it a unique vehicle identifier that monitors your speed, location, stops, and starts. We could cross-reference this will traffic light sequencing data and submit all traffic offenses to the Big Brother, regardless of future police encounters. Lets make all people the property of the state. For what its worth just as a sidebar here Congress has worked hard over the years to bar the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives from creating or maintaining a database to track gun owners or gun purchases. Well, of course. That would be government overreach, and this is America, where guns have more rights than women. Youre surely thinking of a whole host of amendments Mr. Wests original bill could have violated. Perhaps, the party of small government forgot about HIPAA, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, which stipulates that you cannot disclose protected information to anyone other than a patient and the patients authorized representatives. Its not clear how such a database might have interacted with HIPAA, but safe to say the spirit of the bill constitutes a grave invasion of a womans medical privacy. Let us expand your bill and create a database for everyone who has had a heart attack. We could make them wear tracking software to monitor their food and beverage purchases, maybe with a threshold on salt or caloric intake. Violate the threshold and youre denied Medicare or Medicaid. Denise Crosswhite Hader, another Republican legislator, said H.B. 3013, which would criminalize delivering abortifacient drugs, is intended to protect the health of women who might regret their decision to seek an abortion. I stand again to try and protect the life of women who might take these pills and not know the repercussions of what it might do for them, she said. Im not sure how being in an abortion database would help, but its a particularly rich statement considering Oklahoma consistently ranks among the states with the worst rates of maternal deaths in the U.S., according to the states own health agency, citing CDC figures from 2019. As of 2021, CDC data shows the state now has 47.5 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. The national average for that year was 33. In California, that icky blue state where abortion is legal, its 9.7. Perhaps even more embarrassingly, Oklahomas maternal death numbers are about on par with Kyrgyzstans and Panamas, according to CIA figures, and 20 percent worse than Cubas. Pointing to the CDC data, editors of the Enid News and Eagle blamed state lawmakers for failing to create better pregnancy-related policies, given the states restrictive abortion laws. I tend to avoid the subject of abortion. Its one of those subjects that fall under the heading of fools rush in where angels fear to tread. You can talk about the subject until youre blue in the face and at the end of the day, youre right back where you started. Minds do not change. People arent just adamant, theyre obstinate, and sometimes with a passion bordering on hostility. Its a bad place to be if your goal is to try and have a reasoned discussion. We find ourselves caught between salvo after salvo of name-calling: Bible-thumpers over here, baby-killers over there. Thats often what the argument is reduced to, which isnt useful. Even the language is carefully parsed to manipulate: We dont say pro-abortion, we say pro-choice; we dont say anti-abortion, we say pro-life. And after everyone is spent, after all the marches, the protesting, and all the rest of it, the same people who oppose abortion will continue to be pro-life; the same people who support the womans right to choose will continue to be pro-choice. And occasionally, each side will truck out a person that proves their point of view. For instance, Norma McCorvey, the anonymous plaintiff at the center of 1973s Roe v. Wade case, later decided that she opposed abortion. A big fuss was made and the obvious media suspects were more than happy to use her as a shill in their opposition to abortion. It wasnt until months before her death in 2017 that she confessed she was paid by anti-abortion groups to join the anti-abortion movement. This debate is not likely to end, and to engage in it, as Shakespeare once said that way lies madness. I am pro-choice. Its less about advocacy than about reality. I think it unwise to ban abortion because, like the argument itself and the circus I just described, making abortions illegal will not stop people from getting abortions if they have the means to do so, and it may also result in tragically unintended consequences of the sort Crosswhite Hader may never have considered, or perhaps never cared to. I am pro-choice because I believe in minding your own business and not forcing others to live the way I live. And so, when I get a letter from the 40 Days for Life people, an organization that campaigns against abortion, Im bothered by the writer who speaks of the gentle whisper of a little girl or boy in their mothers womb saying, Mom, please take my hand, not my life. Really? What happens after the child is born? Who takes the hand of the mother who hasnt the means to raise that child? Is this just a 40-day campaign, or are you willing to do something to help that child make it through the first 21 years of their life? These are the same people who say the nation is filled with bad parents raising children who have no guidance, and no moral compass because the childs parents are not there, or dont care, or were ill-equipped to raise a child. Well, you wanted that child born into this world. What did you expect, that all would be well after the birth? What happens after the child is born? Who takes the hand of the mother who hasnt the means to raise that child? Is this just a 40-day campaign, or are you willing to do something to help that child make it through the first 21 years of his or her life? Anyone can have a child; not anyone can raise that child. So what is your true purpose? To offer prayers? To mail out your pamphlets? To pass laws forcing women to have children they dont have the means to raise? Will you be around for that childs birthday each year? Why not? Is life only sacred for nine months? Then what? As soon as the child is born, were outta here. Good luck. Sorry, Im not feeling that kind of self-righteousness. Do you want women to feel guilty about getting an abortion? Do you think shed feel even guiltier if she brought a child into this world who she couldnt feed and shelter, and who eventually becomes pregnant at 13, or a crime statistic at 17? Perhaps those who protest would do more good if they spent their time helping women of limited means raise that child giving money, raising money you know, for all the families having children but also lacking adequate resources to raise them. The life of the child is sacred, right? Well, if it is, where are you during the life of that child? Off protesting at another Planned Parenthood clinic? Why are you protesting when you could be volunteering your time at an orphanage? Wouldnt that be a positive contribution? Why arent you adopting some of these children? You certainly seem to have the time on your hands if youre out there protesting. Why dont you become a foster parent? We have plenty of children already in need of foster homes. Make a difference to the ones that are here right now. Ive often argued that if abortion opponents used that same passion to advocate for adoption instead of prohibition, they would be far more deserving of their pro-life appellation than the nom de guerre that it currently is. Oh, but doing something productive to help unwed mothers and abandoned children, we cant have that. Lets leave that to the teachers and social workers that we refuse to pay a decent wage. Could we at least have a more concerted effort to prevent the pregnancies that result in women choosing abortions? Where are the protesters on that front? Wouldnt we be better off preventing unwanted pregnancies from occurring in the first place? Why arent pro-life people putting their time and efforts into early prevention? No, I dont mean abstinence education, an utterfailure, but information thats medically accurate, LGBTQ-inclusive, and culturally and age-appropriate so that they can make informed decisions about their sexual behavior, relationships, and reproductive choices, as the reproductive rights organization the Guttmacher Institute describes. Nope. Cant do that. Cant talk about that sort of thing in school. Not my child! Dont you know were too busy banning books? Funny how its almost always abortion opponents who oppose sex education and access to birth control for teenagers. You cannot have it both ways. We all know that young people are going to have sex no matter how many I Promise To Wait Until Im Married contracts they sign. Am I here saying abortions for everyone? Of course not. Abortions should be safe, legal and rare. But I am so tired of ultra-patriarchal, conservative religious groups that intimidate and bully women into social submission when making choices with their bodies. Men receive little to no criticism or pressure for the choices they make with their bodies, like whether to wear a condom or to take Viagra. Heres an idea. If abortion opponents are that bound and determined to reinvent The Waltons or Little House on the Prairie (where they believe that life is just peachy) they should form a posse or become bounty hunters and track down the deadbeat dads who skip town. Why is it up to the woman? What century are we in? Do we even know which end of the telescope to look through? Related... House Speaker Charles McCall at the signing ceremony for the grocery tax cut bill in the Blue Room at the Oklahoma Capitol Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024. House Speaker Charles McCall on Wednesday announced he would immediately file legislation to secure the states border against illegal immigration. Details of the legislation and expected cost of enforcement werent immediately clear. A Texas bill passed in 2023 lets state law enforcement arrest and deport migrants who enter the state illegally. The U.S. Supreme Court earlier this week refused to halt implementation of the law, but hours later, a panel of judges with the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals blocked enforcement. Oklahoma will stand ready to defend its borders from all who would enter our country illegally, McCall said. McCalls announcement in a press release came after Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued his own release asking lawmakers to quickly pass a bill allowing state law enforcement to arrest illegal immigrants. The Supreme Court may well be poised to set new precedent allowing state law enforcement to act, Drummond said. If and when that day comes, I want Oklahoma to be prepared with a robust law that empowers local law enforcement. Both McCall, R-Atoka, and Drummond, a Republican, blamed President Joe Biden, a Democrat, for the situation at the border. Oklahoma in the past has sent members of the Oklahoma National Guard to help secure the border at the request of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. Oklahoma Watch in December reported Oklahoma spent more than $544,000 to send members to the border. The money came from a disaster fund typically used for response to tornadoes and extreme weather events. Oklahoma Voice is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Oklahoma Voice maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Janelle Stecklein for questions: info@oklahomavoice.com. Follow Oklahoma Voice on Facebook and Twitter. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma to replicate Texas' SB 4 bill allowing immigrant arrests AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WFXR) Virginia State Police are investigating a deadly three-vehicle accident that occurred on Little Calf Pasture Highway in Augusta County on March 20. Details are limited; however, VSP said around 2:20 p.m., a Jeep Wrangler was headed south on the highway when it crossed the center line and hit a dump truck in the northbound lane. The truck then ran into a ditch and caught fire. Troopers said a second dump truck, was unable to avoid the scene and crashed into the first truck. VSP identifies woman killed in wrong-way crash on I-77 in Carroll County State police confirmed the driver of the Jeep died at the scene. Their body was taken to the Medical Examiners Office in Manassas for identification. The driver of the first dump truck was taken to the hospital for serious but non-life-threatening. The crash remains under investigation. WFXR News will update this story as more information is released. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv. WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (WAVY) For someone who targeted and shot a U.S. president, John Hinckley Jr. admits he wasnt a very political person then or now. Previous Coverage: Only On 10: John Hinckley Jr., released from all federal conditions, wants to perform his folk music My family, they loved President Reagan, I liked President Reagan, so it was never a sense of animosity, Hinckley said. Im just so glad that he survived my assassination attempt. But when he passed, I had a sense of sadness. For about 34 years, he spent his time at St. Elizabeths Hospital in Washington D.C. He attended numerous group and one-on-one therapy sessions. When it got to be overwhelming, Hinckley turned to a form of pet therapy. I had a lot of therapy, Hinckley said. I had a lot of time outside on the grounds. I developed a cat colony at the hospital when I was out on my grounds privileges. I took care of a bunch of cats and they helped me get through my day. He was granted unconditional release in June of 2022. I was elated, Hinckley said. After 41 years! Being on unconditional release, Hinckley is free to travel wherever he wants. This concerned Patti Davis Reagans daughter and prompted a statement from her, saying Hinckley was now free to show up on her doorstep. Hinckley responded saying Davis doesnt need to be concerned. Im not a dangerous person, Im only looking for the good things in life, Hinckley said. Patti Davis doesnt have a thing to worry about from me. Hinckley appears to want a simple life. Now, Im just so happy to have my freedom and be living here in Williamsburg, Hinckley said. And things are going very well here, people leave me alone here and Im happy, you know. Hes returned to a pastime hes clung to since he was a boy songwriting. It seemed as though this may be what gave him meaning and purpose after spending the better part of 41 years focusing on his past. Life can be difficult and trying to overcome your hard times and things will get better, Hinckley said. Never give up. Never give up. Hinckley said he still hopes a venue will book him in the future. In the meantime, the 43rd anniversary of the attempt on Reagans life is Saturday, March 30. Check with WAVY.com for more updates. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. BEIJING, March 21 (Xinhua) -- China has unveiled guidelines for the resolute enforcement of a 10-year fishing ban in the Yangtze River. The fishing ban's implementation is a key measure in the promotion of the high-quality development of the Yangtze Economic Belt, and in the restoration of the vitality of China's mother river, according to a document issued by the General Office of the State Council. Relevant government departments should consider the enforcement of the fishing ban to be a top priority, strengthen coordination and supervision, optimize law enforcement mechanisms, and improve cross-departmental and cross-regional law enforcement cooperation, the guidelines state. They also urge efforts to step up the protection of rare and endangered species found in or around the Yangtze River, as well as efforts to restore habitats, strengthen the prevention and control of exotic species, and accelerate ecological restoration. AUSTIN (KXAN) An organized criminal enterprise accused of cranking out fraudulent vehicle inspections and paper license plates in Austin was recently busted, according to authorities just as the state prepares to put the brakes on this years-long problem. Fraudulent temporary tags are often used to mask criminal activity from avoiding tolls to turning vehicles into ghost cars, allowing criminals to avoid detection and hide in plain sight. CATCH UP: KXAN investigates paper license plate fraud The location were going to come up on here in a minute thats where the investigation led us, said Cpl. Mike Bradburn with the Travis County Constables Office Pct. 3. Lets see if I can get you a better vantage point up here. Bradburn took KXAN for a drive past a blue building in Austin where he says the interconnected fraud involving two car dealerships licensed in Travis and Bastrop counties, multiple people and at least two state vehicle inspectors allegedly took place. Its the site of a recent bust by the Texas Department of Public Safety. It was very helpful to have Texas DPS assist us, Bradburn said. Because this is such a large location with so many people. The site of an alleged organized criminal enterprise involved in paper tag, inspection fraud, according to court records. (KXAN Photo/Matt Grant) KXAN could not verify everyone who works at the location is implicated in the alleged crimes, so we are not identifying the place or people involved at this time. A person who answered the phone and identified himself as the man described in court records as the owner and operator told KXAN: No comment. I need to talk to my lawyer. Firearms and fraudulent tags, inspections Court records dont say how many fraudulent paper license plates and inspections were produced related to this location but Bradburn estimates the amount to be in the hundreds. Court records show one was tied to a federal bank fraud case. The shop is also accused of undercounting the value of vehicles sold to avoid paying county taxes and bypassing or rigging required emissions tests in Travis County, Bradburn said. One of the alleged buyers was charged with tampering with a government record, a misdemeanor. The woman paid $180 for a temporary paper license plate through Cashapp with the comment, For dealers tags, according to court records. One possible reason: She was listed as a Toll Scofflaw with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles and went this route, according to the complaint, to circumvent the TxDMV hold on her vehicle registration. Her attorney told KXAN they had no comment. Illegal inspections and temporary tags were sold as a bundle for $180, according to court records. In one public Facebook post from last year, the manager of a dealership licensed in Bastrop County but accused of operating out of the lot in Austin, offered to trade a Cadillac Escalade for firearms. That, Bradburn said, caught his attention. A dealership advertising vehicles for sale for guns thats concerning, Bradburn said. Seeing some of the threads I read, that was rather concerning. In another post, inspections were offered up for sale for vehicles that cant pass otherwise. While safety inspections will go away next year, emissions testing will still be required in 13 Texas counties in to meet federal ozone standards, including Travis and Williamson. YOUR CAR WONT [sic] PASS INSPECTION WITH THE ENGINE LIGHT ON IN TRAVIS COUNTY (unless its 25 years or older), the post said, quit being a cheap a and either fix it or pay my fee to get it done. Facebook post offering to trade a Cadillac for firearms (Courtesy: Travis County Constables Office Pct. 3) Facebook post offering to trade a Cadillac for firearms (Courtesy: Travis County Constables Office Pct. 3) Facebook post offering to trade a Cadillac for firearms (Courtesy: Travis County Constables Office Pct. 3) I dont have any comment on the allegations, the manager of the dealership that was licensed in Bastrop County said when reached by phone. The state of Texas and Travis County is allowed to pursue alleged criminal activity. U-Hauls parked in front of the Austin dealership lot before the company dissolved its affiliation. (KXAN Photo/Richie Bowes) As KXAN drove past, we noticed 10 U-Hauls parked in front of the closed Austin dealership. Bradburn, who investigated this case, didnt know why they were there. After we asked U-Haul about it, the company said it was unaware of the criminal charges and immediately dissolved their affiliation with an inspector operating out of this location, who signed up to serve as a rental pick-up and drop-off location for moving equipment last August. Upon learning of the arrests and alleged illegal business practices at this independent dealer location, which are unrelated to U-Haul and our customers, we immediately dissolved their affiliation, said U-Haul spokesman Jeff Lockridge. The inspector declined to comment through an attorney. In October, the TxDMV revoked the license for the Bastrop County dealership linked to a small office space in Bastrop County allegedly operating in Austin and ordered the owner not to sell cars for five years. The reason listed is the dealership obtained an excessive number of buyer temporary tags relative to motor vehicle sales reportedly sold by the licensee, records show. The woman who owned the dealership had a participating role in the scheme and was charged with the unauthorized selling and distributing of temporary tags, a state jail felony, records show. We ask everyone to withhold judgment to her involvement, her attorney said. After thorough investigation and examination of the facts and involvement of all personnel, we fully anticipate her to be cleared of any wrongdoing. Easy way to make quick money The Austin-based dealership was closed in December due to non-renewal, the TxDMV said. Around the same time last year, a man dubbed the Used Car King of New York was sentenced to more than four years in federal prison for illegally producing and selling hundreds of thousands of Texas paper license plates in a nationwide scheme netting more than $200 million. They find the easy way to make quick money, Bradburn said about the widespread fraud that has extended far beyond Texas borders. I probably get called by New York PD three to five times a week. They still see the mostly fraudulent Texas tags in the system now. Cpl. Mike Bradburn helped take down the alleged criminal enterprise. (KXAN Photo/Matt Grant) One way he fears criminals will adapt is by shifting tactics to counterfeit metal plates. He hopes a new law to replace paper plates next year with metal ones will drive change, but he is also realistic. Criminals are going to find a workaround on the low level or theyre going to make fake plates, he said. Criminals are always going to adapt. Theyre always going to find a way to make money. Undercover sting, rejected car inspections: How emissions testing fraud impacts Austin Theyre starting to see counterfeit actual license plates in New York from various states, Bradburn added. So, I imagine when we do away with paper tags, were going to see fraudulent license plates. TxDMV on track to meet deadline to eliminate paper tags The Texas DMV says its on track to implement that new law, House Bill 718 which takes effect July 2025 sparked, in part, by years of KXAN investigations. The state agency is now working with industry and consumer advisory committees, designing three new license plates to replace certain forms of existing paper tags and drafting a plan to make sure the law is enforced and dealers have enough license plates on hand when cars are sold. The TxDMV is also procuring a new inventory management system to handle allocating, tracking and distributing the new tags. Its unclear how much this will cost taxpayers. The agency must adopt a final rule by Dec. 1 after public input. Much of the work to date has focused on the details necessary to create processes and procedures based around the bills regulatory requirements, said TxDMV Media and Communications Officer Adam Shaivitz. New training opportunities are also starting to begin transitioning many dealers from submitting sales transactions in paper form to electronic processes, he said. All work is being scheduled to meet the July 1, 2025 effective date of the legislation. Investigative Photojournalist Richie Bowes, Graphic Artist Wendy Gonzalez, Director of Investigations & Innovation Josh Hinkle and Digital Director Kate Winkle contributed to this report. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) After speaking to Oregon researchers, The Washington Post reached a conclusion that to dog people may sound like pro-cat propaganda: Cats arent jerks. Theyre just misunderstood. The national newspaper spoke to animal behaviorists across the country to determine whether there was any truth to the rumors about felines being antisocial creatures. It discovered history is partially to blame for the negative reputation, because dogs used to assist humans with hunting, while cats ancestors were solo hunters. Supreme Court allows former Portland man to continue suit against FBI over no-fly list Although the animals have since evolved into household pets, the idea that cats are standoffish still persists. But Monique Udell, director of Oregon State Universitys human-animal interaction lab, told The Washington Post that cats are more open to social interaction than many people think. According to Udell, both felines and canines have a facultative social structure, in which they determine what a normal social dynamic is based on what they see around them. She explained a cats personality can be connected to their resources, with cats performing better in large groups if they dont have to compete over things like food, space or litter boxes. How humans perceive cats also has a major influence on how they grow up. Celebrate 40 years of blooms at Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival If we believe that they dont need a lot of social interaction and we treat them that way, then they fully have the potential to become relatively socially aloof, Udell said. If theyre given the right space, environment [or] the right kinds of social experiences early in life, they also have the potential to be highly social and many cats are. OSUs human-animal interaction lab mostly monitors exchanges between pets and their owners, but it occasionally observes animals as they interact with strangers. Behaviorists will watch how the animals act in an unfamiliar setting, and how people respond when their pets seem uncomfortable in a new space. Udell said researchers havent noticed a striking difference between the behaviors of male and female cats, and the difference between young and senior cats can mostly be attributed to the different stages in their development. The lab is now working to see whether cats respond to adults differently than they respond to children. Family with 3 children stranded overnight near Government Camp OSUs findings can be found in various research publications. Occasionally, we give presentations in the community about things on this topic, like, How do you develop stronger bonds with your cat? What kinds of life experiences help them fill their cognitive or behavioral potential? What can we do to enrich their lives more? she said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. Tussey Mountain is set to host an outdoor Happy Valley Music Series this summer and, if all goes according to plan, this might only be the beginning. Three bands are already lined up for this summers monthly series, and a fourth is to be determined. The first concert will kick off 3 p.m. Sunday, June 23, with The Wailers, a reggae band formed by former members of Bob Marley and the Wailers. Opening for The Wailers will be Michael Glabicki of Rusted Root Uprooted Trio. General admission is $40, and tickets go on sale March 29. Its a return to big musical events at Tussey Mountain, Fritz Smith, CEO of The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau, which is sponsoring the series, said during a Thursday press conference. Its a great new live outdoor continuation of our mission to try to accentuate and highlight the great musical scene here in Happy Valley. Other confirmed acts include: July 28 : Jim Messina and his band (Loggins and Messina) All Hits Tour Aug. 11 : The Guess Who Alumni (all The Guess Who hits) September: TBD Rich Engler, a music promoter, talks about the new Happy Valley Music Series at Tussey Mountain during a press conference Thursday with the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau. The first few performances include The Wailers, Jim Messina and The Guess Who Alumni. Thanks to Rich Engler, a legendary manager/promoter from western Pennsylvania, Tussey Mountain once hosted national acts such as Willie Nelson, Def Leppard and The Beach Boys. Bob Dylan even performed a three-song encore during a sideways rain on April 27, 1997. Those concerts went away after an ownership change at Tussey. Engler recalled how the owners at the time told him not to call back. No, seriously, Engler added Thursday. They were almost mean. But Symmetrical Investment Group, based in West Chester, purchased the property in 2021 and managing partner Josh Lincoln, a 1998 Penn State grad who remembered that Dylan concert, was much more enthusiastic about a partnership when Engler called last year. We really want to have the concert series be a thing here in the summers, Lincoln said Thursday. I feel there is a demand for it because people want to be outside and have something to do, so thats what were going to try to commit to. Josh Lincoln from Tussey Mountain talks about the new Happy Valley Music Series that will start in June during a Thursday press conference with the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau. This summers first concert Tickets to the June 23 concert, which features The Wailers, will go on sale 10 a.m. March 29. The public can purchase the tickets on iTickets.com or by calling 800-965-9324. General admission is $40, but $50 tickets will also be made available. The prices do not include service charges. Only 100 of the $50 tickets will be sold, Rich Engler said, and those ticket-holders will be granted admission to a cordoned-off section near the front of the outdoor stage. All attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets. The concerts capacity is somewhere between 3,000 and 5,000. Josh Lincoln said more people could comfortably fit in the venue, but parking and difficulty exiting put a lower cap on the crowd. An interesting addition to the first concert will also be the display of about two dozen pieces of Bob Marley memorabilia. Engler is known for organizing Marleys last concert before his death in 1980 at the Stanley Theatre in Pittsburgh so he wanted to unveil photos and other memorabilia from that historic show. Future of the series? To understand the possible future of the series, you first have to glance at the past. Tussey Mountain once hosted national acts but, before that, it needed to forge a reputation. It took time before acts like Crosby, Stills & Nash played there. Again, I didnt start with those big shows, Rich Engler said. I had to build it. So we started with great shows, but I finally got to the epitome of those great shows and thats going to happen here. Josh Lincoln said he wants to help build this venue, and hes hoping to revitalize the property little by little over the next few years. Tussey is already trying (or about to try) different things, such as renting ebikes, hosting more weddings and making its skatepark free. Without Engler, Lincoln acknowledged he probably wouldnt have been comfortable starting an outdoor concert series at this point. But when Engler called him and Lincoln had already heard of him, due to his reputation the managing partner didnt need much convincing. Engler said he called Tussey Mountain just about every year, to check in to see if anything had changed, if the venue would allow concerts. The former owners werent interested, but Engler never stopped trying. Why I was tenacious to get back here is because I loved it, Engler said. I loved it. Also, for selfish reasons, Im a trout fisherman a fly fisherman so I love coming up here and fishing, and the venue is just great. Its second to none, Ill tell you. Tussey Mountain and The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau announce the new Happy Valley Music Series that will kick of this June with a concert from The Wailers. MONTEVIDEO, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Uruguay faces the "worst moment" in its history with a record number of indigenous dengue cases, Health Minister Karina Rando said Wednesday. "So far, historically, it's the worst time. This does not mean that we cannot get worse in the coming weeks," the minister said, after meeting with President Luis Lacalle Pou to analyze the epidemiological situation in the South American country. In its latest epidemiological report published Tuesday, the Health Ministry reported 21 cases of indigenous dengue fever and 78 imported cases, surpassing the domestic case record of the worst outbreak of the disease in 2016. The minister called on society to cooperate by implementing measures needed to curb insect breeding and recommended the use of insect repellents, especially for people traveling abroad. On March 5, Rando announced that Uruguay was registering "dengue virus circulation" after two indigenous cases were confirmed earlier this month for the first time in more than a year. The Pentagons first-ever industrial base strategy is rightly looking to address critical areas of Americas supply chain resilience, workforce readiness, flexible acquisition and economic deterrence. But rather than looking to invest in American shipbuilding and repair capacity, our military leaders are actively exploring outsourcing the U.S. maritime-industrial base, weakening our nation and undermining American sovereignty. For years, top executives in the U.S. shipyard-industrial base have repeatedly communicated to Congress and military officials the importance of a comprehensive industrial base policy. Absent a companion maritime strategy, the offshoring of American industries and jobs critical to our national security and readiness will be inevitable. Meanwhile, China our principal maritime adversary is seeking to overtake the U.S. Navy as the worlds most capable naval superpower. It has aggressively expanded its efforts to dominate global supply chains and increase capacity and capability through commercial markets as a flywheel for military size and ship count. From 2010 to 2018, China provided $132 billion in direct subsidies for shipbuilders, driving a substantial decrease in the number of shipyards globally. This volume-centered approach, subsidized by the Chinese government, saturated the market and effectively drove out global competitors. The U.S. maritime strategy should focus on building and maintaining more ships in existing U.S. shipyards. Not only is the U.S. not prioritizing shipyard capacity, but we are also imposing thousands of pages of regulation on shipbuilders that add cost and weigh down the industry while our global competitors play by a far less restrictive set of rules. The current defense acquisition strategy myopically views competition to be only among U.S. players. These strategies leave excess capacity and capability untapped and pitted against each other as opposed to working together to optimize shipyard throughput. There is more than enough capacity to accomplish all the fleets maintenance needs, and yet the Navy is looking abroad for ship maintenance, as well as the capability to build combatant and logistics ships, plus vessels for the Coast Guard and the Army. These efforts are driving layoffs to the very domestic workforce Navy leadership says it wants to preserve. This shortsighted approach creates market uncertainty and instability, complicating additional investments in the industrial base, and undermines the substantial capital investments the U.S. shipbuilding industry has made in its workforce and facilities. Japan, Korea and now China all became global shipbuilding leaders, producing for roughly 95% of the worldwide market. Each country recognized its shipbuilding industries as strategic resources and infused hundreds of billions of equivalent dollars into their industries. Meanwhile, the billions in private capital invested by major U.S. shipyards in recent years to increase efficiency and throughput is met by the U.S. government with inconsistent, multi-tranche shipbuilding plans (or none at all), canceled and deferred programs, myriad change orders, and empty promises of workforce development incentives. Many of the capabilities Navy leaders recently touted during overseas travel can be found right here at home, in American shipyards operated by an American workforce. A more strategic U.S. approach would put the maximum amount of volume through each shipyard to both build ships faster and repair ships on time. An economies of scale approach applied to the overall shipbuilding and ship repair industrial base would yield many of the results the Navy is looking for, while at the same time building strength in the U.S.s ability to compete on a global playing field. Just take the recent delivery of the first in a series of National Security Multi-Mission Vessels being built for U.S. maritime academies to train the next generation of the merchant marine. The U.S. Maritime Administration employed a Vessel Construction Manager program to use commercial ship design and construction best practices. In her February 2023 remarks to the Navy League, MARAD Administrator Ann Phillips touted the innovative approach, including $428 million in savings per ship. This program represents a model for the Pentagon. A win for the U.S. government. A win for mariners. A win for industry. And a win for taxpayers. The shipyard industrial base appreciates the continued dialogue with Navy leadership on what we all want to achieve, which is providing for the most capable, lethal and mission-ready naval fleet in the world. The time to course correct is now. We should not outsource our national and domestic security and assets. The last thing we should cede is our ability to build our own ships and defend our nation. Matthew Paxton serves as president of the Shipbuilders Council of America. More than half of the surveyed residents of Moldova consider the scenario of freezing the Russian-Ukrainian war with Russia retaining control over the occupied territories acceptable and are against increasing international military aid to Ukraine. Source: European Pravda, citing the results of a survey by Moldovan company IMAS In the section regarding the Russian-Ukrainian war, respondents were presented with five statements and asked to choose if they agree or disagree. A total of 58% of respondents disagreed with the statement that the international community should provide Ukraine with more military assistance, while 36% agreed. Source: IMAS 55% agreed that "the war should stop and Russia should keep the territories it has occupied," while 35% disagreed, and 10% remained undecided. 48% supported the assertion that Russia cannot be defeated in its war against Ukraine. 43% agreed with the statement that the Kremlin leader is getting closer to achieving the goals he set for himself in the war against Ukraine. In response to the statement that Ukraine must continue fighting until victory, 49% disagreed, while 43% agreed. Read also: One-third pro-Russian: how EU movement, the war, and support for an alliance with Russia coexist in Moldova Support UP or become our patron! A new poll has found that a majority of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AAPI) adults in the United States are highly supportive of legal abortion. The poll from AAPI Data and The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that nearly 8 in 10 of AAPI adults said they think abortion should be legal in all or most cases, and three quarters said Congress should pass a law guaranteeing access to legal abortions. The poll comes at a critical time in the battle over abortion rights. After the Supreme Courts June 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, the legislation protecting the right to abortion, 14 states have made abortion illegal in all cases. Nearly 6 in 10 AAPI adults surveyed said they dont want Congress to pass a law protecting states rights to set their laws on abortion. Only 14 percent support a nationwide abortion ban. AAPI adults support of abortion is higher than the general U.S. adult populations support for the procedure. According to a previous AP-NORC poll, 64 percent of U.S. adults said they thought abortion should be legal in all or most cases. Only 6 in 10 said Congress should pass a law guaranteeing access. The new poll also found that 55 percent of AAPI adults trust Democrats on abortion policy, compared to only 12 percent that trust Republicans. Most of the state restrictions and bans that have taken place have occurred in Republican-led legislatures. But even among party breakdown, AAPI adults are more likely to support abortion. More than half of AAPI Democrats are likely to support legal abortion without any limits in any case, compared to 40 percent of Democrats overall. Fifty-seven percent of AAPI Republicans said abortion should be legal in at least some cases, compared to only 38 percent of Republicans in general. Fifty-one percent of AAPI Republicans said Congress should pass a law guaranteeing access to legal abortion nationwide, compared to only 32 percent of Republicans overall. AP-NORCs poll of 1,172 U.S. AAPI adults was conducted from Feb. 5-14. The margin of sampling error is 3.9 percentage points. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Left-wing activist Owen Jones says he has cancelled his Labour membership and is urging voters to back Green or independent candidates instead. The Guardian columnist has been a vocal critic of Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer. In an article for the newspaper, he said a new initiative was being launched to raise money for candidates "seeking transformative policies". The Labour Party has been approached for comment. Mr Jones said "those who believe in real change from the Tories' bankrupt model should vote for Green or independent candidates". "A new initiative - We Deserve Better - is raising money to support such candidates, judged on whether they believe in, say, taxing the well-off to invest, or public ownership, or opposing war crimes, even if they differ on this or that," he wrote. Mr Jones said he had been a Labour member since he was 15 and as an adult had always campaigned for the party's candidates in local, national and European elections. "And yet, after a uniquely calamitous 14-year stretch of Tory rule, just as Labour looks set to reconquer No 10 by a landslide, I've just emailed the party cancelling my membership," he wrote. Mr Jones said his decision came after "a gradual, painful process of realising the party won't even do the bare minimum to improve people's lives, or to tackle the crises that have led Britain to catastrophe". He added that Labour had become "a hostile environment for anyone believing in the very policies Starmer relied upon to secure the leadership", including scrapping university tuition fees and promoting public ownership. Mr Jones was a strong supporter of Sir Keir's predecessor as Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn. When Sir Keir took over in 2020 the columnist said he wanted his leadership to succeed, despite not voting for him. However, more recently he has criticised him for rowing back on pledges made during his leadership campaign and for his stance on Gaza. In his article Mr Jones attacked Sir Keir for ruling out bringing back the cap on bankers' bonuses or introducing a wealth tax, as well as committing to "Tory fiscal rules that lock the country into dismal austerity policies that have delivered collapsing public services and an unprecedented decline in living standards". Labour has argued it needs to be responsible with the public finances and has said that if it wins power it would stick to the government's self-imposed rule that public debt must be falling as a share of the economy by the fifth year of an official forecast. Mr Jones also criticised the Labour leader's previous comments on the conflict in Gaza last year, when he appeared to say Israel had the "right" to cut off water and energy to the territory. A spokesman for Sir Keir later said he had meant to say only that Israel had a general right to self-defence. Labour has faced internal divisions over its position on the conflict, with some criticising the party for being too slow to call for an immediate ceasefire. The Brazilian government says it has found dozens of furniture items that were reported missing from the official presidential residence when President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva took office in January last year. At the time, he accused his predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro, of taking the 261 pieces with him. Lula then spent $40,000 (31,000) of public funds refurnishing the palace. All the items have now been found at an undisclosed location on the estate. Mr Bolsonaro said Lula should answer for falsely reporting a crime. The former first lady, Michelle Bolsonaro, said the accusations of theft from the modernist Alvorada Palace had been a smokescreen to justify spending thousands of dollars on new luxury furniture items. Left-winger Lula beat the far-right Mr Bolsonaro in a close-fought election in October 2022. Following the election, thousands who refused to accept Mr Bolsonaro's loss stormed the government district in the capital Brasilia in protest. Buildings including the presidential palace and supreme court were ransacked. Supporters of Lula said the riots were an attempted coup. Mr Bolsonaro says he has been a victim of political persecution since leaving office just over a year ago. At a rally in Sao Paulo last month, he told tens of thousands of supporters that coup allegations against him were a "lie". Mr Bolsonaro is barred from running for office for eight years for undermining the electoral system in Brazil and claiming the last election was fraudulent, despite there being no evidence of electoral fraud. The nascent Palestinian climbing community has adapted to new challenges after the Israel-Hamas war (Sonia LOGRE) As Palestinian climber Faris Abu Gosh encouraged his friend ascending a limestone cliff in the occupied West Bank, the war raging in Gaza momentarily slipped from his mind. Scaling rock faces has offered solace since the fighting erupted, but he and his friends have also had to face mounting challenges in what was already not an easy place for their budding climbing community. Yet, they have simply adapted, finding detours around new Israeli checkpoints or ways to avoid the heightened risks of confrontations with soldiers or settlers living in the surrounding hills. "For the last seven years I've been completely obsessed with climbing and developed my entire life around it", said Abu Gosh, a 22-year-old physiotherapy student. On a recent Saturday, a dozen Palestinian and Italian climbers were geared up in Wadi al-Ghul, a West Bank river valley that turns lush and green with winter rain. As much as Palestinian climbers enjoy this recently opened spot for its natural beauty, they also appreciate its location far from Israeli settlements, which are considered illegal under international law. And when Israeli troops are in the area, "we feel safer when foreigners come climb with us," said Abu Gosh. "Soldiers usually don't bother white people." - Increased military presence - At least 435 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces or settlers in the West Bank since the Israel-Hamas war began on October 7, according to Palestinian Authority data. "In the first month, it was almost impossible to leave certain towns and villages, because the Israeli army closed roads," said Heba Shaheen, president of the Palestine Climbing Association. "It was really hard, and it is still very hard," she added, describing a widespread feeling of insecurity in the West Bank. Climbers have to travel on dirt roads and make long detours, Shaheen said, noting they might have to drive 90 minutes just because they cannot cross a 50-metre (160-foot) stretch of road that is only for settlers. One of the climbers, Tariq Kaabna, told AFP an Israeli soldier had just that morning taken a water bottle from him and dumped its contents into Kaabna's backpack. At the Ein Qiniya site, near Ramallah, "there has been an increase in settlers and soldiers going into the area," said Abu Gosh, who hails from the Qalandia refugee camp. "Once the climbers were kicked out of the climbing site for military purposes. This stuff actually wasn't happening before," he added. Ein Farah, a canyon filled by a river in winter time, has been closed to all climbers by Israeli park authorities since the beginning of the war. Though located in the West Bank just 15 kilometres (9 miles) east of Jerusalem, the site was declared an Israeli nature reserve named Ein Prat, a practice that rights groups have labelled as a roundabout way of restricting Palestinian access to West Bank land. - 'Nothing could help us forget' - The West Bank's rocky topography offers massive potential for establishing or "bolting" new routes, dozens of which have been opened over the past 15 years. However, climbing's physicality brings the Palestinian sporting community further into the land struggle that has rocked the West Bank since Israel's 1967 occupation of the territory. "When we were developing we would see or hear the military but we thought it would be safe," said Tim Bruns, a US climber who bolted some of the first West Bank routes in the mid-2010s with his friend Will Harris. Bruns told AFP he was set to join a climbing trip to the West Bank in December with mountaineering star Alex Honnold, but it was cancelled at the last minute over security and access concerns. For Palestinian climbers like Shaheen and Abu Gosh, they have felt guilty at times for continuing climbing while the war rages in Gaza. "Before the war, climbing was an escape. But after the war started there was nothing that could help us forget what is going on (in Gaza)," she told AFP. Though the Palestinian climbing community is in its early days, Shaheen hopes they will one day get to compete in the Olympics. The inclusion of the Palestine Climbing Association in the International Federation of Sport Climbing in February 2024 was one step in this direction. "The ultimate goal is to sustain the climbing in Palestine by Palestinians," she said. lba/jm/ysm/ami PANAMA CITY For Commissioner Josh Street, the St. Andrews Marina is an important public amenity that should be restored. In a special meeting on Tuesday, he and other members of the Panama City Commission worked to finalize the details of a public-private partnership between the city and St. Andrews Marina Partners LLC to restore and oversee the marina, which was heavily damaged in October 2018 by Category 5 Hurricane Michael. According to Street, there still are a few hurdles that must be overcome before an official agreement can be reached. The Panama City Commission held a special meeting on Tuesday to discuss the details of a public-private partnership between the city and St. Andrews Marina Partners LLC to restore and oversee the St. Andrews Marina, which was heavily damaged by Hurricane Michael in October 2018. "Last night was an opportunity for the commission as a whole (to) talk through the issues and really try to see (if) there is a way for us to make this agreement work," he said Wednesday. "The whole reason we started on the venture was because the city couldn't financially do it by itself." One such issue is the length of the agreement. Street noted the city favors a 30-year agreement, while St. Andrews Marina Partners favors a 60-year agreement. "I think there are some things that the city is not willing to compromise on," he said. "One of those is the length of term of agreement. Another is we're not going to sacrifice public access." An additional issue is that apart from damages caused by the 2018 hurricane, all of the marina's bulkheads are outdated and need to be replaced an approximately $12.9 million project. Street said officials still are working to decide the best way to fund such a feat while using a public-private partnership. "Bulkheads typically have a 50-year lifespan, (and) we're at year 70 on these," he said. "They've really gone way beyond what the normal useful life is on a bulkhead, and they are failing. There's some that were damaged in Hurricane Michael, but there's a lot that are just damaged from the fact that they've aged out. "It's not really a question whether or not the bulkheads need to be repaired or replaced. It's really the question of who is going to pay for it." Looking back: Panama City will negotiate public-private partnership to restore for St. Andrews Marina Street hopes that by the commission's meeting on April 9, officials will be able to either approve the agreement with St. Andrews Marina Partners, or decide to go back to the drawing board. The meeting will be held at the Bay County Government Building, which is located at 840 W. 11th St., Panama City. "There are some points that if we don't work through, this agreement may not work," Street said. "My hope is that we're going to come out with an agreement that works for both parties." This article originally appeared on The News Herald: PC works to resolve issues is partnership for St. Andrews Marina CONCORD Businesswoman and socialite Paris Hilton encouraged New Hampshire lawmakers Thursday to vote in favor of a Senate bill that would revise the criteria for out-of-home placement of children under the Child Protection Act to keep them closer to their siblings and their community of origin. Senate Bill 417 "is more than a law;" Hilton posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, "it's a promise to protect New Hampshire youth and keep them close to home - not in far off troubled teen facilities. Please keep them safe." #SB417 is more than a law; it's a promise to protect New Hampshire youth and keep them close to home - not in far off troubled teen facilities. Please keep them safe by voting in favor TODAY @NHSenateDems @NHSenateGOP #NHPolitics #TTI ParisHilton (@ParisHilton) March 21, 2024 The state Senate Judiciary Committee recommended the bill, sponsored by Sen. Rebecca Whitley, D-Hopkinton, to pass 5-0, on March 14. On Thursday, it passed the full Senate on the consent calendar, which means it was approved without debate. Hilton has become an advocate for institutionalized youth and against child abuse in recent years, opening up about her own experience in youth treatment facilities. It takes all my courage to talk about it, but I couldnt stand knowing that children as young as 8 years old are being sent to these 'troubled teen' programs by parents who dont know and government agencies that dont care, she wrote in a 2022 opinion column for USA TODAY. She said she was taken from her home in the middle of the night at age 16 and placed in residential treatment facilities, where she experienced physical, emotional and sexual abuse. Paris Hilton, seen at the Grammy Awards on Los Angeles on Feb. 4, 2024, is speaking out in support of a New Hampshire bill regarding out-of-home placement of children. The bill is co-sponsored by all the Senate Democrats and Sen. Sharon Carson, R-Londonderry. At the committee hearing, 58 individuals testified in support of it and four testified against it. The bill also had the support of the states Office of the Child Advocate, with its representatives testifying it is best for children when they are served in their communities and that keeping families intact is an important priority. Last year, the office had filed a report detailing a significant lack of ethical treatment at a Tennessee facility where two boys from New Hampshire had been placed. "I'm still processing the trauma": Paris Hilton advocates for federal law to end institutional child abuse This bill is in response to recent mistreatment of youth in out-of-state facilities, and seeks to allow for easier connection between children and their families, friends and communities, Whitley wrote in a statement supporting her legislation. In response to news of the bill passing, Hilton again voiced her support. "So proud to support this important legislation," Hilton posted on X, where she has more than 16 million followers. "Loved working with @BeckyWhitleyNH on #SB417 to #StopInstitutionalChildAbuse." Next, the bill heads to the Senate Finance Committee before going back to the Senate. After that, it will move to the House. More: NH House votes to keep 'divisive concepts' law and bill that could 'out students' This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Paris Hilton supports NH Senate Bill 417 'to protect youth' The Ukrainian parliament has advanced the rights of servicemen and police officers by passing bill No. 10313 in the second reading. MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak announced on Telegram on March 21 the removal of a provision restricting media information dissemination. The bill garnered approval from 296 deputies. Read also: Effective date of new conscription bill: what's the timeline? The document establishes a monetary compensation of UAH 15 million ($385,000) to the family of a deceased serviceman. Before the second reading, a provision was added allowing servicemen to undergo continuous treatment for up to 12 months without needing a military medical examination every four months. The bill allows servicemen to take one-time leave upon the birth of a child while retaining full financial support. Read also: Parliament reviews controversial conscription bill amid scrutiny Ukrainian government registered a new conscription bill version (No. 10449) in the parliament on Jan. 30. It proposes, among other things, to introduce draft summonses through the conscript's electronic office. Other innovations include lowering the conscription age to 25, setting the demobilization period at 36 months, introducing voluntary mobilization for convicts, restrictions on draft dodgers, banning civil service without military training, and more. The bill was passed in the first reading on Feb. 7. Parliamentary National Security Committee began considering the conscription bill for the second reading on Feb. 27. Read also: Disabled Ukrainians complain of getting draft notice; military stresses need for timely data updates The second reading of the bill, inclusive of the amendments, could occur by the end of March, said the Defense Committee MP Fedir Venislavskyi. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. - Deputies in Pasco County say they are scouring thousands of images, some containing child porn, they found inside a third-grade science teachers home to see if there are any more victims. Steven Houser, 67, a teacher at Beacon Christian Academy, is accused of not only having child porn, but of using artificial intelligence to create erotic content from the yearbook photos of three students. "Youre creating sexually explicit pictures, and from his own admittance, taking pictures from a yearbook and then moving it over," Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco explained. "That face onto these pictures." Nocco said the sheriffs office began investigating after receiving a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Childrens database, "Take it Down", stating that Houser had two pictures and three videos featuring child porn. The child porn did not feature any students at the school, according to the sheriff's office. "Theres evil out there," Nocco said. "This guy is just purely evil. Theres something wrong with him. He does not need to be in society anymore." Nocco went on to state that this could have happened at any school and that Houser did not have a prior history of crime. Pictured: Steven Houser. Image is courtesy of the Pasco County Sheriff's Office. "He was going on Roblox, a kids game, talking to these kids," Nocco said. "A 60-something-year-old male should not be going online with juveniles." READ: Tampa street takeover lands 2 in handcuffs: You can run, but you cant hide "The difficult thing is that the laws cant keep up with the criminals a lot of times, especially as youre dealing with artificial intelligence, as you deal with computer crimes," Nocco added. "Theyre consistently thinking ahead to different thingsNo matter what picture you put out there, somebody can use that later on for evil purposes." Nocco says this investigation is ongoing, and that more charges could be filed. Deputies say Houser was a third-grade science teacher at Beacon Christian Academy. He said there could also be more victims out there. Anyone who believes their child may have been victimized is asked to contact the Pasco County Sheriffs Office. Houser appeared in court on Wednesday and was given a $500,000 bond. Fox 13 reached out to Beacon Christian Academy for comment and is waiting to hear back. SIGN UP: Click here to sign up for the FOX 13 daily newsletter The Liebherr Group, one of the largest construction machine manufacturers in the world, has announced that its Saudi unit has secured a major order of 55 new all-terrain cranes - the biggest order in the unit's history - from Arabian Machinery & Heavy Equipment Company (AMHEC). Unveiling the order, Liebherr said all these new mobile cranes will boast lifting capacities in the range of 100 to 800 tonnes. The first of these cranes will be shipped to the Kingdom in a few months. Since 1983, Liebherr said it has been consistently demonstrating to its customers in Saudi Arabia its reliability as a partner. This track record is the foundation upon which customers, including AMHEC, rely, and extend the partnership further. AMHEC, a major crane and heavy haulage company, had placed this extraordinary order in December last year and was likely to receive the first of the cranes within the next few months. Within the scope of this record order, AMHEC will acquire LTM 1100-5.3, LTM 1110-5.2, LTM 1160-5.2, LTM 1230 5.1, LTM 1250-5.1, LTM 1300-6.3, LTM 1450-8.1, LTM 1650-8.1 and LTM 1750-9.1 cranes. With this delivery, it will take the company's crane fleet strength to more than 400 cranes, it stated. On the mega order, CEO Abdullah Al Suwaiket said: "AMHEC's purchase decision is based on many years of positive experience with mobile cranes from Liebherr. We trust in the quality of their products and their excellent service." "We already have numerous cranes with a lifting capacity between 50 and 500 tonnes. We are now proud to also complete our fleet with a nine axle crane so that we can fulfill all orders for our customers. The cranes are a great addition to our fleet and a beneficial factor to our sustainable growth in this promising market," he added. On the big order win, Ajanthas Kumarathas, the Branch Manager and Head of Division at Saudi Liebherr Company, said: "We are proud to be able to supply AMHEC with this number of cranes. The list includes new cranes from five up to nine axles." AMHEC uses its cranes throughout the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for industrial lifting jobs and many other areas of application. "We serve a wide variety of tasks in Saudi Arabia. We depend on and trust in the reliable, high-quality medium-sized and large cranes from Liebherr," stated Al Suwaiket. To take account of these different areas of application and the requirements of its major customers, AMHEC ordered its cranes with the maximum possible number of driven axles and the Emergency Package for the highest level of safety. Confirming Liebherr's excellent reputation in the Arab country, Al Suwaiket said: It is a very well-known brand here in the kingdom and is preferred throughout the local markets. Its cranes are characterised by high quality and reliability. The local branch here also ensures excellent service. The first cranes from this order will arrive in the Kingdom in a few months, bringing the company's crane fleet to a total of more than 400 cranes, stated Al Suwaiket. We are looking forward to receiving our new cranes. Each crane is characterised by its own advantages. Some models also include great improvements," he added.-TradeArabia News Service ALGIERS, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Eight people were killed on Thursday when a taxi collided with a truck near the locality of Akbou, in the province of Bejaia, some 185 km east of the capital Algiers. According to the Civil Protection Department, the fatalities were all passengers of the taxi, including seven men and one woman. The National Gendarmerie has initiated an investigation to determine the accident's circumstances. According to the Algerian National Center for Prevention and Road Safety, more than 90 percent of traffic accidents in Algeria are caused by human error, particularly driver negligence. Other causes of road accidents include the poor state of roads and cars and environmental factors. HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) A bill requiring law enforcement to have all pertinent identification information visible at all times passed the Pennsylvania House on Wednesday. House Bill 1399, introduced by state Rep. Donna Bullock (D-Philadelphia), unanimously passed through the House by a vote of 201-0. This legislation will require all law enforcement personnel statewide to have their badge, and all pertinent identifiable information visible at all times with no exceptions. This is a really simple bill that would go a long way toward building police and community relations and ensuring that there is day-to-day law enforcement accountability, Rep. Bullock said. There is no reason to be out in the community with a badge covered or partially obstructed by tape or bands. Pennsylvanians deserve to know, and be able to identify, the officers tasked with keeping communities safe. Rep. Bullock says that this legislation was prompted by reports of badges being covered during the protests over the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police. H.B. 1399 now heads to the State Senate for consideration. abc27 news will keep you updated as more information becomes available. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. Penny Mordaunt, fresh from her day of aggressively pouting at Keir Starmer, confirmed that the Safety of Rwanda Bill will not return to the Commons until April 15. A big win for their Lordships champagne corks will pop, defibrillators will be at the ready on the red benches pre-Easter. Given that theyd had their prerogative usurped, the Commons seemed remarkably unbothered. There was a languorous, demob-happy feel to the final Business Questions before the break. Speaking of lack of enthusiasm, enter stage left, Lucy Powell, with her evergreen call for a general election. She moaned that this wasnt the last Business Questions before a change of government brave, perhaps, of her to assume that shed be the one answering the questions in that event, given Sir Keir has demoted her once before. The absent Rishi Sunak was the target of her limp ire. The PM had bottled it. Hes being buffeted by events More division, more chatter, authority ebbing away. Clearly the ski slopes beckoned for whoever writes the shadow leaders speeches. She also crowed gleefully about Mordaunts rumoured tilt at the leadership. MPs, said Powell, were actively discussing wielding the sword, or a coronation. Both things she is very accustomed to. This part was presumably written while said aide was actually mid-way down a ski slope or perhaps 10 Jagermeisters deep. Perhaps as a diversion, Mordaunt dropped the first ever mention of frottage in Hansard history via the sentence: Despite all the Armed Forces frottage that has been coming from the Opposition front bench, they are planning an EU defence pact. One wonders if her speech-writer has just won some sort of bet. Deidre Brock accused Mordaunt of repeatedly ignoring the SNPs questions. This is easier than acknowledging the roasting she gets from the Leader of the Commons every Thursday without fail. Mordaunts weekly annihilations of the SNP arent so much casting for salmon on the Spey as a regular Glencoe massacre of fish in barrels. On Thursday, Mordaunt was busy sending up the SNPs draconian new hate-crime laws, which give the police sweeping new powers to clamp down on hurty words. She identified a persistent hostility in Brocks remarks. Im getting the impression the Honourable Lady does not like me, perhaps even hates me I feel very intimidated, upset and deeply, deeply hurt. She would, in due course, be filling out a hate-related report form should Brock or any of her colleagues be similarly mean again. As ever, much of the real value came from the backbenchers. Half operatic baritone, half whopping great legal bill, erstwhile attorney general Sir Geoffrey Cox asked a rare question about the recently reopened Appledore Shipyard, which had been a picture of dereliction, its workers dispersed to the four winds. Imagine Patrick Stewart, if Patrick Stewart were calling for a debate about the revival of English shipbuilding. MP for Sefton (and hearing what you want to hear) Bill Esterton accused the Chancellor of creating a 46 billion black hole in the Budget by promising to abolish National Insurance completely, at once. We can but hope. Mordaunt raised a quizzical eyebrow and asked that he clarify these remarks. The event that the Rt Hon Gentleman might be recalling was actually a dream, perhaps after eating a large amount of cheese. A generous way of suggesting that the makers of Babybel are now lacing it with LSD. Auspicious tidings from Philip Hollobone, who announced: Mr Speaker, I bring good news from Kettering. Hold the front page Sainsburys had restored free parking in the evenings. Kettering can have its good news back: schools out for Easter. 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. ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla. (WKRG) A Pensacola man is accused of exposing himself to employees and masturbating at Palm Beach Tan, according to an Escambia County Sheriffs Office arrest report. Pensacola woman with rapidly growing portfolio shares her passion for taxidermy ShDerius Lamar Holley, 30, was arrested by ECSO deputies on March 19. A mugshot of Sh'Derius Holley The arrest report said deputies were called to the Palm Beach Tan on East 9 Mile Road for a report of an incident involving lewd behavior and indecent exposure. INCIDENT LOCATION: This embedded content is not available in your region. Deputies arrived and heard that a man, later identified as Holley, had exposed his genitalia to two employees operating the front desk, an arrest report said. Escambia County homicide house demolished One of the employees told deputies about security cameras inside the store, which she reportedly provided to deputies. Deputies said in the report that they witnessed Holley masturbating in the front of the store while employees were working. Then, employees reportedly pointed at Holley, who was standing in front of the store, and deputies arrested him. When deputies asked him his name, Holley allegedly provided a fake name. The employees told deputies that Holley entered the store and sat in the front of the store for an hour. Holley allegedly pulled out his genitalia and would masturbate periodically, the arrest report said. He would hide what he was doing any time there were customers in the store, according to the report. The release said both employees told deputies they were worried for their physical well-being at the time of the incident. Mobile Police seek alleged Sams Club thief Holley was charged with indecent exposure, impersonation and disturbing the peace. This is not the first time Holley has been arrested in connection to indecent exposure; his first related charge was in October 2016, according to the Escambia County jail log. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5. Recovered ceramic heat shield tiles, which are designed to keep SpaceX's massive Starship cool during reentry into the Earth's atmosphere, are selling for thousands of dollars on eBay a lucrative secondary market for unique souvenirs that were once attached to the some of the largest humanmade objects to ever take flight. The Elon Musk-led company has attempted to launch three fully-stacked Starship prototypes into orbit so far. The first two attempts, in April and November of last year, ended in massive explosions, sending what remained of roughly 18,000 hexagonal ceramic tiles across the nearby beaches of South Texas each time. The third and latest orbital launch attempt last week saw the latest prototype make it into space, blast past the continent of Africa, and crash into the Indian Ocean. However, it's still possible heat shields may have popped off during launch. "Got mine," one lucky redditor wrote in a post last week after stumbling upon a perfectly preserved heat shield tile on a beach six miles north of SpaceX's testing facilities in Boca Chica, Texas. "Im the latest happy owner of a fully intact Starship heat tile. Apparently mine is 'OK.'" "I was giddy as a child when I realized what it was," the user wrote. "The timing of it showing up on the beach is about right for it to have been dropped right offshore from the beach," the redditor suggested in a separate comment. "When the road opens at the launch site and people go down to Boca Chica beach, I imagine they will find many more." That appears to have been the case, with at least one other user discovering their own tile. Tiles have also been discovered after the company's first dramatic orbital launch attempt. Some owners are opting to make a buck out of their rare find, selling them on eBay from anywhere from $30 for a broken tile to well over $2,000 for a mostly intact one. Etsy is also teeming with listings for purported pieces of heat shield debris, packaged in small glass bottles. Sellers are optimistic for how much money they could make. One tile is being listed for a whopping $7,500 on eBay, though whether it'll sell for anywhere near that price remains unclear. A search of already sold items shows that one tile was sold for $3,395 on Monday. One eBay seller told Futurism that they found a tile leftover from the company's latest launch attempt "floating in the water near the end of the jetties on South Padre island." SpaceX "thanked me for the information and said I could ship the pieces to them or keep them," the user told Futurism, after notifying the company's "debris reporting hotline and email." "I chose to keep them," they added. "I counted five pieces recovered by three of us," they wrote. "There were some small pieces, but I could not reach them. We weren't really actively searching for the pieces, just trying to catch fish when they floated by." "I mean who doesnt want a tile of the biggest rocket ever to be flown," another eBay seller told us. And did any fragments fall off that weren't heat tiles? "Everyone wants a piece of history in the making," they said, "but to answer your question no that rocket is solid." Other more charitable individuals are giving pieces of the massive rocket away for free. One Reddit user claimed a nearby group of SpaceX enthusiasts that call themselves "Base Camp Zero" give away "pieces of heat tiles to kids there and have a school-type book for kids to study some of the basics of Starship." The surrounding area has become a hotspot for local relic hunters. In a January interview with the San Antonio Express-News, treasure hunter Ron Parker recalled finding small pieces of heat shield tiles on the beaches near SpaceX's testing grounds. But he hit the motherlode when he traveled to La Pesca, Mexico, some 155 miles from Starbase. "Since then, Ive made 11 trips to Mexico and drove thousands of miles on the beaches," he told the newspaper. According to the report, he's found 120 whole tiles and hundreds of pieces. "Wheres the rest of them?" he added. "Thats my question." SpaceX opted to cover one side of its behemoth Starship in charcoal-black, hexagonal tiles to help it survive the blistering trip through the Earth's atmosphere while traveling at 25 times the speed of sound. Early launch attempts saw heat shield tiles popping off prototypes. "Headed tank vent knocked off a few tiles," SpaceX CEO Elon Musk wrote following a September 2021 venting test. Last week, we really saw the tiles in action. Clips uploaded by the space company on X-formerly-Twitter show the underside of the spacecraft dubbed Ship 28 being engulfed in an orange-red glow, a "hot plasma field" that grew as it reentered the atmosphere, according to Musk. The individual hexagonal tiles have seemingly become a well-beloved artifact for staff at the space company. An image that went viral in 2022 shows SpaceX CEO Elon Musk using what appears to be a tile as a snack tray. Employees who worked on the Starship program were also given a bronze Starship tile collectible which, of course, are also being sold on eBay for over $1,000. More on Starship: Elon Musk Says Future Version of Starship Will Travel Between Star Systems Petersburg School Board chairman Ken Pritchett, left, and new school superintendent Dr. Tamara Sterling sign her employment contract during a special School Board meeting at the school administration office Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022. Sterling officially takes the reins Dec. 1. PETERSBURG After almost of month of secrecy concerning the status of her employment, the School Board made it official Wednesday night: Superintendent Dr. Tamara Sterling is out. Following a 50-minute closed session, School Board chair Kenneth Pritchett read a statement that Sterling and the board jointly announce her resignation effective April 30. Sterling, who has been on leave from the post since Feb. 23, will remain on leave for the duration of her tenure. The statement cited several portions of Sterlings resignation letter in which she said she was stepping down after a great deal of reflection and conversations with my family. As I announce my resignation, I am filled with gratitude for the time I have been able to serve in Petersburg, Sterling said in her letter. I will cherish every encounter with our students, staff members, community members, and the Petersburg School Board, as they have been the driving force behind the divisions many successes. I am confident that the dedication and hard work of the staff, faculty, and administration, with governance from the School Board, will continue to propel the district toward even greater heights in the future. Pritchett said in the statement that the School Board expresses its appreciation to Dr. Sterling for her efforts while serving as superintendent. Details about finding her successor will be forthcoming, the statement said. In the meantime, school system chief of staff Dr. John Farrelly will continue overseeing the daily operations of the system. Sterling's departure and the secrecy enveloping it have been a source of tension between the School Board and Petersburg residents. The board waited a week after Sterling left the building for the last time on Feb. 23 to make a public comment, and that came amid repeated questions and requests for comment from The Progress-Index and other local news media. There also was confusion about whether Sterling was still employed by the system. The board maintained that she was only on administrative leave and had not resigned or been fired. But she posted on her LinkedIn account that she left Petersburg in February and was now an independent education professional. The state Board of Education issued a statement offering assistance to Petersburg in the period of transition. State Sen. Lashrecse Aird, D-Petersburg, issued her own statement around the same time as the BOE statement, applauding the School Board for handling recent wrongdoing within the system. After the boards March 6 meeting, Pritchett reiterated to The Progress-Index that Sterling was still employed but on leave. To date, neither he nor anyone on the board has acknowledged the content of the statements from Aird and the state board. Sterling came to Petersburg in September 2022 from Franklin City Public Schools in southern Virginia. This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Petersburg School Board: superintendent Tamara Sterling resigns Scottsdale police were called to disturbances every three minutes on average at the peak of trouble on the weekend of the WM Phoenix Open. Police reports document dozens of medical emergencies and disturbances, along with three reports of assaults. The 16th hole, the famous party spot, was the focus of most of the calls. Such problems, especially overcrowding, prompted organizers to temporarily deny entry to the tournament. The WM Phoenix Open has refunded nearly 2,800 tickets to affected fans. The 2024 WM Phoenix Open ended with a record-high number of arrests, was overly crowded, and became so disorganized that it infuriated professional golfers and longtime fans alike some of whom questioned whether they would return next year. Beer cans and drinks sit ontop of the Waste Management trash and recycle bins during the second round at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale on Feb. 9, 2024. The chaos reached its peak on Saturday, Feb. 10 when tournament security decided to let people into the course without scanning their tickets because so many had shown up. Tournament organizers cut off alcohol sales later that day when the massive crowd inside the gates proved too much for security and began wreaking drunken havoc. The Open began giving refunds on March 7 to ticketholders who were turned away during the event. As of Saturday, 2,770 fans have received refunds. That total is expected to grow as fans can request refunds until the end of March. Under a state public records request, the Arizona Republic obtained call-for-service records from the Scottsdale Police Department. They show the dates and times of each call to the Open, the specific location of the incident, and the general type of call, but few details. Still, the records offer the most detailed glimpse to date into how the chaos evolved at this year's event. Here are some of the key findings: Scottsdale received 224 calls for service on Friday and Saturday, combined. That's nearly 60% of the total 395 calls for service the department received during the Phoenix Open week. The majority of calls for service to Scottsdale during tournament week had to do with suspicious individuals whom fans wanted police to check into. Some of the other biggest categories include 48 medical emergencies, 39 about people causing a disturbance and 28 welfare checks on individuals. Of the 184 calls that have a location attached to them in the city data, 101 were about incidents occurring at the 16th hole, which is a major draw for fans because it's the only hole with a full stadium around it. The 16th hole had nearly seven times more calls for service than the next most problematic location on the course. Things had already gotten out of hand on that Friday, with Scottdale police responding to 97 calls for service. That's more than double the daily call count for any other day earlier that week. Calls surged between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Friday, when Scottsdale received one call every four minutes on average. Saturday's call surge began far earlier. The rate of calls surpassed one every ten minutes beginning at 8 a.m. Like on Friday, calls fell below that rate by 5 p.m. There were 127 calls for service on Saturday overall. On both Friday and Saturday the peak hour for calls was between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. Scottsdale police received 20 calls during that hour timeframe on both days, which equates to one call every three minutes. The most serious incidents took place on Friday and Saturday, as well. There were 29 disturbances and 24 medical emergencies those days, including one where the injured person was not breathing. There were also three assaults, which were the only assault calls to the police during the entire tournament. Chance Cozby, the executive director of The Thunderbirds, the nonprofit group that runs the Phoenix Open, has promised the tournament runners will make changes in order to prevent future events from getting so out of hand. Anyone who used the WM Phoenix Open web page to buy a ticket and was denied entry is still eligible for a refund. They have until March 31 to submit a refund request by emailing orders@wmphoenixopen.com. 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: Phoenix Open has refunded 2,800 tickets, as police data detail chaos PARKSLEY, Va. (WAVY) On Sunday, March 17, around 9:40 p.m., units from Station 7 Parksley Volunteer Fire Company, Inc, Station 8 Tasley, Station 9 Onancock Volunteer Fire Department Inc., Station 10 Melfa and Station 6 Bloxom, were dispatched to a reported working residential structure fire in Parksley, Onancock Volunteer Fire Department said. Courtesy: Onancock Volunteer Fire Department Courtesy: Onancock Volunteer Fire Department Courtesy: Onancock Volunteer Fire Department Courtesy: Onancock Volunteer Fire Department Courtesy: Onancock Volunteer Fire Department The fire was identified as a defensive operation due to the partial collapse of the home and being fully involved, officials said. Crews operated on scene for nearly 2 hours to extinguish the fire. Virginia Department of Forestry Forestry 2 also assisted on scene due to the impingement of fire into the woods. Check with WAVY.com for more updates. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. CHANGSHA, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Ma Xiaojuan, a rural teacher from central China's Hunan Province, adeptly juggles multiple responsibilities, serving as a form teacher, while also teaching English and music, and even dedicating half an hour each day to telling bedtime stories to boarding students. Ma, 31, has worked at the Caijiagang township middle school for nine years. Her career began with a simple request from students for bedtime stories and was fueled by her determination to foster their holistic development. In addition to offering care and support to students, Ma has always shared knowledge through singing and storytelling, fostering an enthusiasm for learning among her students. Engaging with children with virtue and love brings her the utmost joy and fulfillment, Ma said. Ma credits her career choice to her time at Hunan First Normal University (HFNU). She is among the approximately 120,000 teachers who have been trained by this institution based in Changsha since the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC) in 1949. The university's history can be traced back to a classical learning academy established as early as the 1160s. In 1903, it underwent a transformation into a teachers' school, beginning to provide modern pedagogical education. Among its distinguished alumni is late Chinese leader Mao Zedong. When the PRC was founded, more than 80 percent of China's population was illiterate. Committed to "serving the cultural and educational work of the people," the institution provided about 30,000 teachers to a national campaign aimed at boosting literacy rates among the people. Through persistent efforts, China successfully achieved the widespread implementation of nine-year compulsory education and eradicated illiteracy among young and middle-aged individuals within a span of 25 years. The gross enrollment rate of high schools increased from 1.1 percent in 1949 to 88.8 percent in 2018. Today, China boasts the largest education system in the world. In January 2023, Ma was elected deputy to the 14th National People's Congress. During the annual session of the national legislature earlier this month, she put forward proposals for increased attention to the workload and mental health of teachers in rural areas. In pursuit of delivering higher-quality and more equitable education, China has provided extra support to rural areas grappling with shortages of teaching staff. In an effort to address the shortage of competent teachers in rural areas, targeted training programs were initiated on a trial basis in 2007. Statistics show that since 2012, such programs nationwide have attracted about 45,000 normal school students annually to teach at rural schools, with government subsidies benefiting around 1.3 million rural teachers in the underdeveloped central and western regions. Inspired by HFNU's commitment to serving the country's mission, successive generations of graduates from the institution have opted to devote themselves to areas where their skills are most needed. Li Jie, a junior student at the school of mathematics and statistics, said that she plans to teach in rural areas after graduation. As many children in the countryside are often left behind by parents working in urban areas, and teachers are the adults with whom they have the most contact, she sees an opportunity to make a significant difference in their lives. "I hope that I can contribute to the rural communities by not only imparting knowledge to children but also providing them with additional care and support," Li said. HFNU, evolved from a classical learning academy to a normal school, and now recognized as a prominent institution for teacher education, is embarking on a new journey towards the future of teacher training. The information and digital era, as well as the advent of artificial intelligence, has brought about profound changes in the educational requirements for future teachers, noted Luo Chengyi, secretary of the Communist Party of China committee of the university. As China is striving to build itself into a strong country and realize national rejuvenation through its modernization drive, normal schools and colleges are shouldering the responsibility of nurturing talents capable of advancing this mission. It is crucial to enhance the capability of future teachers to use artificial intelligence for optimizing their teaching methodologies, as well as improving their skills in conducting smart technology-enhanced teaching, said Liu Liqun, a professor at HFNU. Poland will provide logistical and financial support to increase the supply of ammo to Ukraine purchased under the Czech initiative in third countries, Polish FM Radoslaw Sikorski said at a press conference in Prague on March 21, Reuters reports. Ukraine is currently in dire need of ammunition. "We are happy to contribute not only financially but also to a very efficient logistics operation so that the ammunition can be delivered to where it is needed at the front," the official said. Read also: Ammunition under Pragues initiative could reach Ukrainian battlefields in June Czech PM adviser Czech initiative to purchase ammunition for Ukraine: what is known Czech President Petr Pavel first announced the possibility of buying 800,000 shells for Ukraine on Feb.17. He said he had found half a million pieces of 155-millimeter ammunition and 300,000 pieces of 122-millimeter ammunition. Pavel did not name the countries that agreed to sell the shells. A Ukrainian security official told NV that plans are in place to purchase more shells from South Korea and South Africa. The contract is estimated to cost around $2 billion. So far, more than 15 countries have pledged funding for the ammunition, including Finland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, France, Portugal, Sweden, and Norway, as well as non-European allies such as Canada. While Prague identifies available ammunition worldwide, other countries provide the necessary funding. Czechia will then coordinate delivery to Ukrainian battlefields. Media reports on March 7 indicated that the allies had raised the entire amount needed to purchase the shells. On March 11, German newspaper Bild reported that Czechia had purchased 800,000 artillery shells from third countries, which could be delivered to Ukraine within a few weeks. According to the newspaper, Czechiz could have purchased the ammunition in South Korea, South Africa and Turkiye. Czech Prime Minister's National Security Advisor Tomas Pojar said on March 12 that the ammunition could arrive in Ukraine in June. Read also: With defense production spiking, Europe will soon produce enough ammo for both Ukraine and EU Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on March 13 that about 800,000 artillery shells purchased for Ukraine under the Czech initiative will start arriving at the front in the near future. The Wall Street Journal wrote on March 18 that Prague is looking for ammunition for Ukraine around the world, with even Russia's allies among the suppliers. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine WARSAW (Reuters) - Poland will contribute logistically as well as financially to a Czech-led plan to boost ammunition supplies to Ukraine via purchases outside Europe, the Polish foreign minister said on Thursday. After more than two years of war with Russia, the most pressing need for Ukraine has become artillery ammunition, which is running low as both sides use heavy cannon fire to hold largely static, entrenched positions along the 1,000-km (620-mile) front line. "We are very happy to contribute, not only financially but to a very efficient logistical operation so that the ammunition can get to where it's needed on the front," Poland's Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski told a press conference in Prague. Poland has become a key distribution hub for supplies to Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. The Visegrad Group (V4) of central and eastern European countries is divided on the issue of military aid for Ukraine, with Slovakia's new government joining Hungary in declining to take part in such initiatives. Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala said on March 8 that the ammunition initiative had raised enough so far to purchase a first batch of 300,000 artillery shells. A Czech official said last week the first deliveries should reach Ukraine by June at the latest. (Reporting by Alan Charlish and Jason Hovet; Editing by Alex Richardson) Poland scrambled fighter jets during Russia's mass missile strike on Ukraine on March 21, saying they initiated "all necessary procedures to ensure the security of Poland's airspace," the Polish Armys operational command reported on X. The command also cautioned that Polish and allied air activity could lead to increased noise levels, particularly in the country's southeast. Read also: 13 injured in Kyiv after Russia launches $400 million worth of cruise missiles at Kyiv photos Russia launched another mass missile strike on Kyiv, ending a 44-day hiatus in attacks on the city, on the night of March 21. The strike utilized over 30 Kinzhal cruise and ballistic missiles, including the X-101, X-555, and X-55. 13 people were injured in the Russian assault on Kyiv and its surroundings, the Kyiv City Military Administration (KCMA) reported. Read also: At least 12 injured and fires city-wide after UA intercepts 30+ Russian ballistic missiles over Kyiv A high-rise apartment building suffered damage in the Shevchenkivskyi district. Debris fell on non-residential buildings and the roof of a residential building, leading to several fires. A fire was also reported on the roof of a two-story non-residential building in the Podilskyi district. A high-rise apartment building was damaged by an explosion that sent debris falling onto the fourth floor and blew out windows with its blast wave in the Sviatoshynskyi district. Read also: Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine LAS VEGAS (KLAS) As North Las Vegas ranks as one of the fastest growing cities in the country, its police department is opening another command center amidst nationwide staffing shortages it too has fallen victim to. Mayor Pamela Goynes-Brown and North Las Vegas Police Department (NLVPD) Captain Mario Perez opened the new doors to media on Wednesday, located off the 215 Beltway at Revere and Deer Springs. The 25,606 square foot facility is only the second command center in the city with over 280,000 residents since the first one, located on the opposite side of the city, opened in 2004. While the walls remain barren, Perez verbally visualized where officers will lift weights. That room was a short walk from where temperature-controlled lockers will store evidence, next to the briefing room where hundreds of personnel will receive assignments weekly. This is all behind the lobby where the general public will interact with officers on arrival. Its within the neighborhood, but theres easy access to the 215, Perez said during the tour, referring to the locations accessibility. There was not a command center in this area, and so services were difficult to get out to this part of the city, Goynes-Brown said. Its in the heart of the fastest-growing section of the city, according to the Mayor. But, even the rapidly evolving population does not immune NLVPD from staffing dilemmas 78% of American law enforcement agencies reported finding qualified candidates. Captain Perez describes current recruitment efforts as aggressive, venturing outside the state amidst increasing department retirements and a lack of local interest. $10,000 bonus incentives for entry-level hires and $40,000 bonus incentives for lateral and experienced officers are also now offered. Even so, Perez said on-the-job training inhibits new officers from being utilized by themselves for roughly a year and a half after application submittal. He added the department is still attempting to fill about 80 vacancies department-wide, which is around the same amount from six months ago. We not only need to cover our vacancies, but our future vacancies, Perez said, speaking on the decision to build the new facility while enduring lingering vacancies. Weve been hiring. Theyve been working really hard to hire new officers, but that doesnt mean that all the new officers are going to come here. The new command center is slated to open by the end of April. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Authorities have identified the man shot and killed Sunday night in what marks Portlands 18th homicide in 2024. Police report Aaron K. Beasley, 33, was murdered near the Central Library in the citys downtown area just before midnight. National loss in cloud connectivity impacts Oregon DMV with cause unknown When officers arrived at the shooting near Southwest 10th Avenue and Yamhill Street, they found Beasley and rushed him to a nearby hospital. He was pronounced dead shortly after. A medical examiner said the cause of his death was homicide by gunshot wound. With 18 homicides in Portland so far this year, the city is up from 12 at this point in 2023 and down from a record-setting year in 2022. Portland family asking for citys help after receiving $17,000 water bill The incident is still under investigation. Authorities ask anyone with information to contact police. Stay with KOIN 6 News as this story develops. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. MEXICO CITY, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Wednesday criticized a controversial new immigration law in the U.S. state of Texas as "draconian." The law, known as Senate Bill 4 (SB4), would allow U.S. state and local law enforcement to arrest and deport people suspected of crossing the U.S. southern border without authorization. Yet the law was blocked by an appeals court hours after the U.S. Supreme Court passed it. During his daily press conference, Lopez Obrador said SB4 violates human rights and his government will not accept deportations from Texas. "Of course, we are against this draconian law (that is) completely opposite and contrary to human rights," he said. "We are not going to stand by and do nothing, that is the answer," he told reporters at the National Palace in Mexico City. Several Latin American governments, non-governmental organizations, and immigration rights activists also blasted the law. The Los Angeles Police Department is seeking the publics help in identifying a man suspected of exposing himself to women in Mid-City and West Los Angeles. Police said the suspect began harassing residents living on the 800 block of North Croft Avenue shortly after midnight on Jan. 28. He made crude comments to a woman, exposed himself and returned several times to stare at her through windows. West L.A. indecent exposure suspect He allegedly repeated similar behaviors on March 2 on the 5700 block of West 6th Street and the 1200 block of Armacost Avenue. Walking the Hollywood Walk of Fame may soon get easier When youre at home, you should be thinking about comfort and relaxation, not this lewd conduct, said LAPD Detective Brent Hopkins. Theres no place for this in our neighborhoods. Police described the man as white or Hispanic, around 40 or 50 years old with dark or graying hair, a dark mustache, brown eyes, about 5-foot-10 and around 180 pounds. LAPD has increased patrols in the area. Detectives are requesting that anyone with information that could lead to the identification of additional victims or witnesses to contact the lead investigator, Detective Hopkins of the LAPDs Operations-West Bureau, Special Assault Section, at 213-473-0447 or via email at 39343@lapd.online. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. DENVER (KDVR) Westminster police are looking for more victims in an alleged sexual assault case involving psychotherapist Trinidad Ruiz, 48. Ruiz was arrested and charged with sexual assault on a client by a psychotherapist penetration or intrusion. On Monday, police announced that there may be more victims. Man beaten at light rail station, female suspects on the run The alleged assault took place on May 12, 2023, when the female victim stated she contacted a private, unlicensed, alternative therapist for her previous trauma. During this session, the victim said she was sexually assaulted. Police are asking anyone who believes, while under his care, that they had an inappropriate sexual interaction with the suspect to contact Westminster Police at 303-658-4369 (opt 2) reference case number 2023-08678. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. Baimadajie Angwang thought he would be reinstated to his dream job as a New York City police officer after federal prosecutors dropped criminal charges alleging he spied for China. Instead, he is fighting the police commissioner's decision to fire him. In a decision made public recently, Commissioner Edward Caban ordered the immediate firing of Angwang on Jan. 29, saying he disobeyed an order to submit to questioning by internal affairs investigators about the spying case. Angwang, 37, said he declined to appear before the investigators last year on the advice of his lawyers, because the NYPD refused to give them department documents ahead of the questioning that would have allowed them to prepare. Now he is considering taking the commissioner to court over his firing. It's extremely disappointing, Angwang told The Associated Press in a phone interview Wednesday. I have to continue to fight, not just for me, for anyone who were wrongfully accused in the past whos getting the wrongful treatment I just got at this moment, or any potential discrimination victims in the future. ... I will not give up until I find the justice. Police officials declined to comment and referred the AP to Caban's written decision to fire Angwang. The Department is a paramilitary organization, and failure to obey and comply with questioning under an official investigation undermines its ability to carry out its mission, Caban wrote. Angwang, who was born in Tibet and granted asylum in the U.S. in his teens, was arrested by federal agents in September 2020, charged with feeding information about New York's Tibetan community to the Chinese consulate in New York. He denied the allegations but spent six months in detention before being freed on bail awaiting trial. In a surprise move in January 2023, federal prosecutors in Brooklyn suddenly dropped the charges and did not fully explain why, saying only that they uncovered new information and were acting in the interest of justice. Prosecutors still haven't elaborated on their decision. Angwang, who also served in the U.S. Marines and was deployed to Afghanistan, said he believes he got caught up in the Trump administration's effort to root out Chinese espionage across U.S. institutions, and alleges there were shades of racism targeting people with Chinese links. In firing Angwang, Caban chose a harsher penalty than what was recommended in November by an NYPD disciplinary judge who held a hearing on the firing and listened to testimony and arguments from both sides. The administrative judge, Vanessa Facio-Lince, found that Angwang violated department rules by disobeying the order to submit to internal affairs questioning. Facio-Lince said, however, that he should not be terminated, after citing his good record as a police officer and praise by his superiors. Instead, she recommended an alternate manner of Angwang leaving the department that would allow him to negotiate some terms of his departure, including partial retirement benefits. Angwang's lawyer, Michael Bloch, said even the judge's proposal was out of line with department disciplinary guidelines. Bloch said the maximum penalty Angwang should have faced was a 20-day suspension. Bloch said there have been many other officers who committed more serious misconduct and were allowed to keep their jobs, despite administrative judges recommending their firing. For Angwang, losing the job has been painful. He said his desire to be a police officer sprouted years ago when an NYPD officer was nice enough to give him directions when he got lost riding the subway. Before his 2020 arrest, he served at a precinct in Queens as a community liaison officer. Every time I could help a person, that makes me the happiest person in the world, he said. And now, with the decision, I cannot continue to serve the community as a police officer. He said it was ironic that the NYPD was firing an officer who immigrated to the U.S. and was supported by the immigrant community, when the department is struggling to make the force more diverse. I just want people to be aware as an immigrant I served in the Marines. I went to combat. I went to Afghanistan," he said. "I was able to become a police officer. I was able to become a community affairs officer. I was able to build a bridge between the underserved community and the NYPD, which never happened in the past. I gained a lot of support. ... And now, unfortunately, NYPD terminated that opportunity between the NYPD and the community. A Long March-2D carrier rocket carrying Yunhai-2 02 satellites blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, March 21, 2024. China on Thursday sent a group of satellites into space from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China and the satellites have entered the planned orbit. These satellites will be used mainly for atmospheric environment detection, space environment monitoring, disaster prevention and reduction, and scientific experiments. (Photo by Wang Jiangbo/Xinhua) JIUQUAN, March 21 (Xinhua) -- China on Thursday sent a group of satellites into space from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China. The Yunhai-2 02 satellites were launched by a Long March-2D carrier rocket at 1:27 p.m. (Beijing Time) and have entered the planned orbit. These satellites will be used mainly for atmospheric environment detection, space environment monitoring, disaster prevention and reduction, and scientific experiments. The launch was the 513th mission of the Long March carrier rocket series. A Long March-2D carrier rocket carrying Yunhai-2 02 satellites blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, March 21, 2024. China on Thursday sent a group of satellites into space from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China and the satellites have entered the planned orbit. These satellites will be used mainly for atmospheric environment detection, space environment monitoring, disaster prevention and reduction, and scientific experiments. (Photo by Wang Jiangbo/Xinhua) A Long March-2D carrier rocket carrying Yunhai-2 02 satellites blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, March 21, 2024. China on Thursday sent a group of satellites into space from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China and the satellites have entered the planned orbit. These satellites will be used mainly for atmospheric environment detection, space environment monitoring, disaster prevention and reduction, and scientific experiments. (Photo by Wang Jiangbo/Xinhua) Polish farmers unblock one of the checkpoints on the border with Ukraine Polish protesters will temporarily stop their protest at the Zosin-Ustyluh checkpoint on March 21, the State Customs Service of Ukraine reported with reference to the Polish side. The cessation of protests near the checkpoint is expected from 8 p.m. It is expected that traffic will flow without complications. Read also: Polish farmers launch nationwide strike, block Ukrainian border The State Customs Service does not indicate for how long the protest will be suspended. Polish protesters began restricting traffic at the border with Ukraine on Feb. 20. Trucks were blocked at the Medyka-Shehyni, Dohobyczow-Uhryniv, Zosin-Ustyluh, Korczowa-Krakivets, Hrebenne-Rava-Ruska, and Dorohusk-Yahodyn checkpoints. The farmers made numerous demands, including two main ones: the abolition of duty-free trade with Ukraine and the complete closure of the Ukrainian-Polish border for trucks. The blockade of the border was accompanied by political provocations and damage to Ukrainian agricultural products. The European Parliament Committee supported on March 7 the extension of duty-free trade for Ukraine. Ukraine announced on the same day that it was ready to restrict trade with the EU, but on its own terms. Polish farmers started a major strike on March 20, with road blockades and protests taking place across the country. They completely blocked truck traffic at the Yahodyn and Rava-Ruska border crossings. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Polish farmers have completed the rally at the Zosin-Ustyluh border crossing, allowing lorries to move freely. Source: Colonel Andrii Demchenko, spokesman for the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, in a comment to Ukrainska Pravda Quote: "At 21:10, the Republic of Poland's border guards informed us that Polish farmers had completed their actions to block traffic for cargo vehicles in front of the Polish Zosin checkpoint. Currently, all vehicles can pass unhindered in both directions." Details: To Ukrainska Pravda's clarifying question about whether the State Border Guard Service has information on whether Polish farmers intend to renew the blockade in this direction, Demchenko responded: "This is all the information that is available at the moment." Background: The State Customs Service of Ukraine reported that on 21 March, the Poles would temporarily suspend their protest related to the partial restriction of vehicle traffic in front of the Zosyn-Ustyluh checkpoint. On 21 March, Polish farmers stopped blocking lorry traffic at the Medyka-Shehyni checkpoint. Thus, three checkpoints on the border with Poland remain blocked: Yahodyn, Uhryniv and Rava-Ruska. Support UP or become our patron! (Bloomberg) -- Vietnam may not have the polarizing elections that divide many democratic nations, but the ouster of a second president in just over a year shows that closed-door power struggles inside the one-party state can be just as brutal. Most Read from Bloomberg President Vo Van Thuong, 53, had been a rising star in the Communist Party, an ally and potential successor to ailing 79-year-old party chief Nguyen Phu Trong. Thuongs resignation on Wednesday a party statement vaguely said he violated regulations on what party members cannot do instead leaves a leadership vacuum in what has been one of Asias fastest-growing economies. Its another political earthquake in Vietnam, said Nguyen Khac Giang, a visiting fellow at Singapores ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute. Its not really a good sign for a country often boasted for having very strong political stability. On Thursday, the National Assembly officially approved Thuongs resignation, according to local media reports. And while the position of president in Vietnam is largely ceremonial and the turmoil shouldnt dent the countrys economic prospects, observers say it marks a new phase of political uncertainty in the Communist Partys five-decade rule particularly as various factions vie to succeed Trong, the nations longest-serving leader since the war era. A communist nation with a capitalist bent, Vietnam has benefited from an investment boom as multinational corporations including key suppliers to Apple Inc. look to diversify their supply chains away from China. The economy is forecast to expand 6.9% in the first quarter from a year earlier, according to a Bloomberg survey. Political turbulence in a frontier economy might spook investors elsewhere, but given Vietnams consensus-driven system, some analysts voiced confidence after the latest developments. So far, months of behind-the-scenes jostling for power has had a limited impact on investor perceptions of Vietnam. This does not change my positive outlook for Vietnams long term economic potential, said Ruchir Desai, a Hong Kong-based fund manager at Asia Frontier Capital Ltd. The country is the key beneficiary in Asia from the global supply chain shift and the government realizes that exports, the manufacturing sector and overall economic development is its long term priority so I do not see such political changes rocking the boat. The benchmark VN Index of Vietnamese stocks advanced as much as 1% in early trading Thursday before paring gains. The currency was little changed, hovering near a record low. The presidents position is not related to the economy that much, so investors assume there will be no change in terms of the market outlook, according to Nguyen Anh Duc, head of institutional sales at SSI Securities Corp. Yet theres no doubt that the ongoing corruption probes championed by Trong as a much-needed burning furnace have cut a broad swath across the Vietnams leadership. And more top leaders could yet fall as the gloves come off in a battle for power between factions in the Communist Party, none of which has been able to consolidate control in a way similar to Chinese President Xi Jinping across the border. Since 2021, Vietnams anti-graft drive has ensnared four Politburo members, two deputy prime ministers, two ministers and more than a dozen provincial leaders. In January, authorities detained the chief of a coffee-producing province for allegedly abusing his power and position. Earlier this month, the police arrested three senior provincial officials for allegedly receiving bribes involving property companies Phuc Son Group and Thang Long Property Co. Potential Candidate While the specific details behind Thuongs departure remain unclear, authorities announced his resignation along with the expulsion of a member of the partys Central Committee for violating regulations. That member was arrested early this month for allegedly taking bribes related to Phuc Son Group. That case was led by the Minister of Public Security To Lam, 66, who has been leading Trongs anti-corruption campaign and is seen by some analysts as an early favorite to possibly replace Thuong. Lam was mentioned as a possible favorite to become president the last time the job was vacant a year ago. I doubt that when the general secretary started it around 2016 he could have foreseen it would lead to so many senior politicians being punished like this, said Linh Nguyen, lead analyst for Vietnam at Control Risks. I have a feeling hes losing authority by delegating power to the anti-corruption committee and the Ministry of Public Security. Golden Steak Still, Lam has also been the subject of controversy: He made headlines in 2021 after footage emerged of Turkish celebrity chef Nusret Gokce, known as Salt Bae, presenting a gold-leaf encrusted steak to him at a London restaurant. The footage triggered an uproar in Vietnam, with many questioning how a top official could indulge in extravagant meals during an anti-corruption campaign at the height of the pandemic. Lam may be happy staying in his current role, said Giang, of Singapores ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute. Even though the president ranks higher than the minister of public security in Vietnamese politics, the actual power lies with the position of the minister, he said. Even so, the presidency is also seen as a possible stepping stone to the role of party chief held by Trong. One of the other top candidates for the top job, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, has been fighting to stay in his role after two of his deputies were ousted last year. Vietnam PM Fighting for Future as Economy Lags Growth Target Once the National Assembly officially backs Thuongs resignation on Thursday, the partys Central Committee currently made up of about 160 members will meet again for an extraordinary session to choose a new candidate, with Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan serving in the meantime. The National Assembly would then need to rubber-stamp the choice. The whole process may take months, as it did in 2023. Whomever emerges as the next president could offer some clarity as to who might eventually take over the countrys top job. Either way, the party infighting looks like its just getting started. The original 18-member Politburo has been much reduced, said Carl Thayer, emeritus professor at the University of New South Wales in Australia. It will be last man standing at next party National Congress. --With assistance from Ishika Mookerjee, Abhishek Vishnoi, Nguyen Dieu Tu Uyen, Nguyen Kieu Giang, Eduard Gismatullin and David Finnerty. (Adds national assemblys vote in fourth paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. A new poll found the majority of Americans surveyed support banning children from using social media until they are at least 16 years old. The poll from Grinnell College released on Wednesday found that 55% of the 1,005 adult participants favored this ban. The poll was conducted by Selzer & Company from March 11-17, 2024. When filtered for participants with children under 18 at home, the percentage in favor of the ban rose to 65%. More than half (52%) were in favor of allowing parents to sue social media platforms for content that was harmful to their children. 57% supported banning students using smartphones in schools. Senators ticked at TikTok Its striking that there is majority support for all three of these proposals, and this helps to explain why legislation to ban TikTok passed the House of Representatives so easily. Bipartisan support for suing tech companies for harm to kids is especially notable, given that Democrats and Republicans usually feel differently about corporate responsibility, said Karla Erickson, professor of sociology at Grinnell College, in a release about the poll results. 10 On Your Side wants to know what our local community thinks about banning social media from children under 16. Please vote in our poll below. The Grinnell College National Poll also asked questions pertaining to policies aimed at reducing school shootings. It also touched on the war in Gaza, March Madness in regards to gender and pay. See the complete survey results, at this link. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. (WFRV) A new Emerson College Polling/The Hill survey of Wisconsin voters finds 46% support Donald Trump and 43% support Joe Biden in the 2024 presidential election. Updated on Thursday, officials say with undecided voters support accounted for, 52% support Trump, while 48% support Biden. Independent voters in Wisconsin break for Biden 42% to 37%, with 21% undecided, Spencer Kimball, executive director of Emerson College Polling, said. The race tightens among independents when undecideds are pushed: 51% overall support Biden, 49% Trump. Sixty-three percent of voters are satisfied with the options of Biden and Trump, while 37% say they want to see a third-party candidate on the ballot. With third-party candidates on the ballot, 43% support Trump, 40% Biden, 6% Robert Kennedy, and 1% support Cornel West and Jill Stein, respectively. Ten percent are undecided. Fifty-one percent think Donald Trump deserves another chance to run for president After January 6, 49% think he does not deserve another chance. In a hypothetical matchup for the U.S. Senate, 45% support the incumbent Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin, while 42% support Republican Eric Hovde. Fourteen percent are undecided. The economy is the most important issue for 35% of voters, followed by healthcare (11%), immigration (10%), threats to democracy (10%), education (9%), housing affordability (9%), abortion access (8%), and crime (6%). President Biden holds a 38% job approval and 53% disapproval. Governor Tony Evers holds a 42% job approval and 42% disapproval. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. Could a longtime deep blue state provide Republicans a path to winning back the Senate majority in November's elections? A new poll suggests the answer may be yes. Former Republican Gov. Larry Hogan of Maryland holds double-digit leads over both of his potential Democratic rivals in his home state's Senate race, a Washington Post/University of Maryland poll released on Wednesday indicates. Hogan, whose surprise announcement last month that he would launch a Senate campaign rocked the campaign world, tops Democratic Rep. David Trone 49%-37% if the general election were held today, according to the survey. MARYLAND SHOCKER: FORMER GOVERNOR MAKES SURPRISE CAMPAIGN ANNOUNCEMENT Then-Gov. Larry Hogan, a Republican, speaks with Fox News Digital in Manchester, New Hampshire, on July 11, 2022. And the poll indicates that Hogan leads the other major Democrat running for their party's Senate nomination Prince Georges County Executive Angela Alsobrooks by a 50%-36% margin. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP TRUMP ENDORSEMENT BOOSTS MORENO TO VICTORY IN GOP SENATE PRIMARY IN OHIO But the survey, which was conducted March 5-12, also indicates that by a 20-point margin, Maryland voters say they'd prefer if the Democrats retained control of the Senate. Rep. David J. Trone, D-Md., delivers remarks at Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library in Washington, D.C., on April 24, 2023. In the race to succeed retiring Democratic Sen. Ben Cardin, the poll indicates Trone leads Alsobrooks 34%-27% in their party's primary on May 14, with nearly 4 in 10 Democratic voters undecided. SIX KEY SENATE SEATS REPUBLICANS AIM TO FLIP IN NOVEMBER Trone, the co-founder and co-owner, along with his brother, of the successful alcohol retailer Total Wine & More, has vastly outspent Alsobrooks to date in the Democratic Senate primary. Prince Georges County Executive Angela Alsobrooks delivers the State of the County Budget Address and officially unveils the fiscal year 2024 proposed budget at the Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center in College Park, Maryland, on March 15, 2023. Hogan, a vocal GOP critic of former President Donald Trump, won election and re-election in 2014 and 2018 as governor in a state where Democrats outnumber Republicans by a roughly 2-to-1 margin. Hogan, a successful business leader before entering politics, seriously mulled a run for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination and made numerous trips in 2022 to New Hampshire, the state that holds the first primary in the GOP nominating calendar. But in March of last year, Hogan announced he wouldn't seek his party's presidential nomination. During his last year as governor, Republican leaders in the nation's capital and in Maryland heavily courted Hogan to run for the Senate in the 2022 midterm elections against Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen. But Hogan declined, saying in a news conference in February of that year that "as I have repeatedly said, I don't aspire to be a United States senator." Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan practices his farewell address at the Maryland State House in Annapolis on Jan. 10, 2023. But fast-forward two years, and Hogan is now running for the open seat in a state where it's been nearly four decades since a Republican served in the Senate. Hogan, who steered Maryland in a bipartisan way, left office with high approval and favorable ratings. And the new poll indicates he remains popular, with a 64%-23% favorable/unfavorable rating. The survey also indicates that Trone and Alsobrooks are not well known among many Maryland voters. Democrats currently control the U.S. Senate with a 51-49 majority, but Republicans are looking at a favorable Senate map this year, with Democrats defending 23 of the 34 seats up for grabs. Three of those seats are in red states that Trump carried in 2020 Ohio, Montana and West Virginia, where Democrat Sen. Joe Manchin is not running for re-election. Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub. Original article source: Popular ex-GOP governor trounces two Dem rivals in blue state Senate showdown: poll PORT ALLEN, La. (BRPROUD) Three people face drug charges after deputies say drugs were being sold across the count at a local convenience store. According to the arrest documents, the West Baton Rouge Sheriffs Office was alerted to potential drug sales at Snappys Inc., 521 U.S. Hwy. 190, in January. A monthlong investigation led to three arrests. Mafoodh Ahmed, 28, was identified as the store owner. He was charged with two counts of distribution of a Schedule II drug (methamphetamine), one count of possession with intent to distribute a Schedule II drug (fentanyl), one count of distribution of a Schedule I drug (marijuana), one count of possession with intent to distribute a Schedule I drug (marijuana), one count of possession of drug paraphernalia and one count of possession of stolen property. Saleem Hadi, 26, was charged with one count of principal to distribution of a Schedule II drug (methamphetamine), one count of possession with intent to distribute a Schedule I drug (marijuana) and one count of possession of a firearm in the presence of a Controlled Dangerous Substance. Sabrina Christian, 53, was charged with one count of principal to distribution of Schedule II (methamphetamine). Former Addis police officer pleads guilty to charges after crash kills 2 teens during chase Law enforcement received a tip that illegal narcotics were being sold at the store. Undercover detectives conducted controlled purchases of methamphetamine and marijuana directly from Ahmed, WBRSO said in a news release. Deputies reportedly saw Ahmed carry out the sales at the store counter near where other people bought food. They said store employees were used a lookouts, and guns were seen during transations. Ahmed was arrested on Tuesday, March 12. The store and a home on North Riverview Drive in Port Allen were searched by authorities. The searches reportedly uncovered stolen property along with fentanyl packaged for sale, marijuana and firearms, according to the WBRSO release. In total, detectives found 5.72 ounces of methamphetamine, 8.86 ounces of marijuana, 14 grams of fentanyl, one digital scale, two guns and one DVR system containing evidence of controlled purchases, WBRSO said. Ahmed and Hadi posted bond and were released from jail. Ahmeds bond was $500,000, and Hadis bond was 275,000. Christian remains behind bars on a $35,000 bond. The Addis Police Department helped the West Baton Rouge Sheriffs Office with this investigation. Latest News For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to BRProud.com. Displaced Palestinians shelter at an UNRWA school in Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip LISBON (Reuters) - Portugal said on Thursday it would give 10 million euros ($10.89 million) to the U.N. Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA as a one-off contribution intended to provide food, medicine, and humanitarian aid to Palestinians. The amount was announced by acting Cabinet Affairs Minister Mariana Vieira da Silva following a cabinet meeting. A Foreign Ministry official described the amount as new additional aid that had not been in the state budget for 2024. The United States, UNRWA's biggest donor, and several other countries have paused their funding to the agency since January after Israel accused 12 of the agency's 13,000 employees in Gaza of participating in the Oct. 7 attacks. Portugal, which did not pause its funding, contributed four million euros directly to UNRWA in 2023, and in February this year it announced one million euros in extra aid to the agency. Caretaker Prime Minister Antonio Costa said earlier he would inform the U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, a fellow Portuguese who has repeatedly called for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, of the 10 million euro contribution. "We are all unanimous in condemning the barbaric attack that took place on Oct. 7 against Israel, but we must all also be unanimous in condemning the unacceptable way in which Israel is currently exercising its right to defence," Costa told reporters ahead of a European Council meeting in Brussels. ($1 = 0.9180 euros) (Reporting by Patricia Vicente Rua; Editing by Andrei Khalip, William Maclean) Seema Misra was wrongly accused of stealing money from the Post Office and spent four months in prison - RII SCHROER A Post Office prosecutor has been accused of advising a witness to change their testimony in a trial which led to a pregnant postmistress being wrongfully jailed. Seema Misra spent four and a half months in prison after faulty Horizon software incorrectly recorded a 70,000 shortfall at her West Byfleet branch. Her conviction would not be overturned until 2021. Documents seen by the BBC allegedly show how a Post Office barrister advised a Fujitsu engineer to rephrase parts of a report used to testify against her in the 2010 case. Draft versions of the report written by Gareth Jenkins, a former chief IT architect at the Japanese firm, appear to show how barrister Warwick Tatford advised him to take a stronger position on certain technical issues raised by an expert witness for Mrs Misras defence. The Metropolitan Police is investigating Mr Jenkins for potential perjury. In his initial draft, dated October 6 2010, Mr Jenkins reportedly wrote that he could not 10 per cent [sic] rule out screen calibration issues causing some problems. During an earlier hearing of the public inquiry, it was agreed that Mr Jenkins meant to write 100 per cent. Former subpostmasters Janet Skinner, Seema Misra and Tracy Felstead outside the Royal Courts of Justice - LUCIANA GUERRA/PA However, a note by Mr Tatford below this part of the statement read: Please rephrase. This will be taken as a damaging concession. In the final written testimony, Mr Jenkins wrote no scenario has been presented that could explain losses because of poorly calibrated touch screens, according to the broadcaster. The Telegraph understands that the different versions of the statement were first shown when Mr Tatford was questioned on them at the public inquiry in November last year. Expert witnesses who produce reports for use in trials must be independent and unbiased, according to Criminal Procedural Rules, which set out how courts in England and Wales operate. The BBC also reported that Mr Tatford had advised Mr Jenkins to use stronger wording when Mr Jenkins said elsewhere in his draft that there doesnt appear to be a thorough justification for a list of hypothetical Horizon issues raised by the defence teams IT expert. Mr Tatford wrote: There doesnt appear to be any evidential bases for the hypotheses at all. In his final report, Mr Jenkins added a line to say: I can see no evidence to support these hypotheses. When giving evidence about some of the changes at the Post Office inquiry last year, Mr Tatford apologised for mistakes in his approach. Undisclosed report The inquiry heard that the changes to Mr Jenkins expert report were not disclosed to the defence. When asked at the inquiry whether he felt it was unfair that Mrs Misras defence team was denied the opportunity to explore with Mr Jenkins how it was written, Mr Tatford told the inquiry: No, I think it is unfair and Im sorry for that. I can I think what I was doing was just trying to clarify matters and make things clear but I do agree that Ive overstepped the mark there. However, he told the inquiry that he had not been trying to materially alter the content of Mr Jenkins evidence. In a statement to The Telegraph, Mr Tatford said how he had said he was sorry Mrs Misra had not received a fair trial and that he had played an unwitting role in [the trial]. I offered an unreserved apology to her when I gave evidence [at the inquiry], he added. He described how he had submitted a 61-page witness statement to the Inquiry and had answered in good faith all the questions put to him. He added: It is important my evidence is considered in its entirety and not quoted selectively or taken out of context. It would clearly be inappropriate for me to comment further whilst the inquiry is ongoing and witnesses are still to be questioned. Regulatory action A statement released the Bar Standards Board, who regulate barristers, two months after Mr Tatford gave evidence, read: We do not consider the evidence presented at the inquiry so far, or the evidence we have received direct, indicates that any members of the bar present an ongoing risk to the public that requires the BSB to act immediately. However, should such evidence emerge then we would consider taking more immediate regulatory action. When approached by The Telegraph, a lawyer from the firm representing Mr Jenkins said that as their client would be giving evidence to the inquiry in June, it would be inappropriate for him or his lawyers to comment at this time. A Post Office spokesman said: The Horizon IT Inquiry is a statutory, judge-led inquiry set up to establish what happened and to question witnesses under oath. Its for the inquiry to reach its own independent conclusions after consideration of all the evidence on the issues it is examining. [The] Post Office fully supports this process and it would be inappropriate to comment on related issues outside of the inquiry.A Post Office prosecutor has been accused of advising a witness to change their testimony in a trial which saw a pregnant postmistress wrongfully jailed. Seema Misra spent four-and-a-half months in prison after faulty Horizon software incorrectly recorded a 70,000 shortfall at her West Byfleet branch. Her conviction would not be overturned until 2021. Yet documents seen by the BBC allegedly show how a Post Office barrister advised a Fujitsu engineer to rephrase parts of a report used to testify against her in the 2010 case. Technical issues Draft versions of the report written by Gareth Jenkins, a former chief IT architect at the Japanese firm, appear to show how barrister Warwick Tatford advised him to take a stronger position on certain technical issues raised by an expert witness for Mrs Misras defence. The Metropolitan Police are currently investigating Mr Jenkins for potential perjury. In his initial draft, dated October 6 2010, Mr Jenkins reportedly wrote that he could not 10 per cent [sic] rule out screen calibration issues causing some problems. During an earlier hearing of the public inquiry, it was agreed that Mr Jenkins meant to write 100 per cent. However, a note by Mr Tatford below this part of the statement read: Please rephrase. This will be taken as a damaging concession. In the final written testimony, Mr Jenkins wrote no scenario has been presented that could explain losses because of poorly calibrated touch screens, according to the broadcaster. The Telegraph understands that the different versions of the statement were first shown when Mr Tatford was questioned on them at the public inquiry in November last year. Expert witnesses who produce reports for use in trials must be independent and unbiased, according to Criminal Procedural Rules, which set out how courts in England and Wales operate. Stronger wording The BBC also reported that Mr Tatford had advised Mr Jenkins to use stronger wording when Mr Jenkins said elsewhere in his draft that there doesnt appear to be a thorough justification for a list of hypothetical Horizon issues raised by the defence teams IT expert. Mr Tatford wrote: There doesnt appear to be any evidential bases for the hypotheses at all. In his final report, Mr Jenkins added a line to say: I can see no evidence to support these hypotheses. When giving evidence about some of the changes at the Post Office inquiry last year, Mr Tatford apologised for mistakes in his approach. The inquiry heard that the changes to Mr Jenkins expert report were not disclosed to the defence. When asked at the inquiry whether he felt it was unfair that Mrs Misras defence team was denied the opportunity to explore with Mr Jenkins how it was written, Mr Tatford told the inquiry: No, I think it is unfair and Im sorry for that. I can I think what I was doing was just trying to clarify matters and make things clear but I do agree that Ive overstepped the mark there. However, he told the inquiry that he had been trying to materially alter the content of Mr Jenkins evidence. In a statement to The Telegraph, Mr Tatford said how he had said he was sorry Mrs Misra had not received a fair trial and that he had played an unwitting role in [the trial]. Unreserved apology I offered an unreserved apology to her when I gave evidence [at the inquiry], he added. He described how he had submitted a 61-page witness statement to the Inquiry and had answered in good faith all the questions put to him. He added: It is important my evidence is considered in its entirety and not quoted selectively or taken out of context. It would clearly be inappropriate for me to comment further whilst the inquiry is ongoing and witnesses are still to be questioned. Seema Misra pleaded guilty to six counts of false accounting and was found guilty of theft following a Crown Court trial. Speaking of how she felt watching Mr Tatford give evidence to the inquiry, she told The Telegraph: Of course it was wrong what he did, he was putting words in Mr Jenkins mouth. Had he not done that, maybe there could have been a different outcome. However, she said she accepted Mr Tatfords apology, adding: I was there and I could tell he meant what he said, I believe he has a good heart. A statement released the Bar Standards Board, which regulate barristers, two months after Mr Tatford gave evidence, read: We do not consider the evidence presented at the inquiry so far, or the evidence we have received direct, indicates that any members of the bar present an ongoing risk to the public that requires the BSB to act immediately. However, should such evidence emerge then we would consider taking more immediate regulatory action. When approached by The Telegraph, a lawyer from the firm representing Mr Jenkins said that as their client would be giving evidence to the inquiry in June, it would be inappropriate for him or his lawyers to comment at this time. A Post Office spokesman said: The Horizon IT Inquiry is a statutory, judge-led inquiry set up to establish what happened and to question witnesses under oath. Its for the inquiry to reach its own independent conclusions after consideration of all the evidence on the issues it is examining. [The] Post Office fully supports this process and it would be inappropriate to comment on related issues outside of the inquiry. 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. Song Danrong (R), chief designer of Linglong One, inspects with team members on an experimental platform for Linglong One, in Nuclear Power Institute of China in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, March 14, 2024. The construction of Linglong One in Hainan Province has gone smoothly. Linglong One is another innovative nuclear reactor developed by China with independent intellectual property rights, after Hualong One reactor. It is also the first small modular pressurized water reactor in the world to have passed the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) general safety review. Based at the Changjiang nuclear power plant in Hainan, construction on Linglong One started in July 2021, and it is expected to be in commercial use at the end of 2025. After completion, it is expected to achieve an annual power generation capacity of 1 billion kWh, which would meet the needs of about 526,000 households. It is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 880,000 tonnes per year, equivalent to the capacity of 7.5 million trees. (Xinhua/Liu Kun) This photo taken on July 26, 2023 shows the core module of Linglong One arriving at Changjiang Li Autonomous County, south China's Hainan Province. (Nuclear Power Institute of China/Handout via Xinhua) Song Danrong (R), chief designer of Linglong One, talks with team members on an experimental platform for Linglong One, in Nuclear Power Institute of China in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, March 14, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Kun) This photo taken on Aug. 10, 2023 shows the construction site of Linglong One, in Changjiang Li Autonomous County, south China's Hainan Province. (Nuclear Power Institute of China/Handout via Xinhua) Song Danrong (2nd L), chief designer of Linglong One, makes a point as team members listen in Nuclear Power Institute of China in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, March 14, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Kun) Song Danrong (R), chief designer of Linglong One, talks with team members on an experimental platform for Linglong One, in Nuclear Power Institute of China in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, March 14, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Kun) Song Danrong (2nd R), chief designer of Linglong One, walks with team members in Nuclear Power Institute of China in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, March 14, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Kun) Song Danrong (R), chief designer of Linglong One, talks with team members on an experimental platform for Linglong One, in Nuclear Power Institute of China in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, March 14, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Kun) Nearly three years after Jim Rogers, 54, died after being repeatedly tased by the police, the NAACP is demanding answers and accountability. Earlier this month, the civil rights group sent a letter to the Department of Justice urging Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Kristen Clarke, urging her to investigate his death. In October of 2021, Pittsburg police responded to a report of a stolen bike. According to the letter, when a police officer encountered Rogers, he tased him ten times and then arrested him. The letter goes on to say that Rogers repeatedly told police that he needed to go to the hospital and couldnt breathe. However, the police failed to provide any medical assistance at the scene. A police officer told him that they were going to have to roll the window up if he keeps yelling and screaming for no reason. Rogers was eventually taken to the hospital, at which point he fell unconscious. Rogers was pronounced dead the next day. While some action was taken against the officers involved, the NAACP says its simply not enough, especially in light of the decision to reinstate several of the officers allegedly responsible, including the officer who tased Rogers. Although Mr. Rogers was unarmed and did not appear to pose a threat, Officer Edmond tased Mr. Rogers ten times. Despite Mr. Rogers repeated cries for help, the police failed to provide adequate medical assistance by not promptly transporting Mr. Rogers to the nearest hospital, they wrote. Moreover, the local prosecutor has not filed criminal charges against the officers. According to news reports, the city reinstated three of the four officers involved. Without federal intervention, the police officers will not be held accountable for their actions. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. (PUEBLO, Colo.) The Pueblo Police Department (PPD) is investigating a body found near Fountain Creek north of east Highway 50. According to PPD, the body was discovered shortly before noon on Wednesday, March 20, in the 600 block of Hunter Drive, northeast of I-25 and east Highway 50. PPD said it was unclear if the body was found in or near Fountain Creek. This embedded content is not available in your region. The body has not yet been identified, though the investigation continues. Police do not believe there is any threat to the community. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado. By Michael Holden and Sam Tobin LONDON (Reuters) -Rupert Murdoch's British tabloid papers bugged Prince Harry's landline phones and accessed the messages on the pager of his late mother Princess Diana, the British royal's legal team told London's High Court on Thursday. Harry, the younger son of King Charles and the late Princess Diana, and more than 40 others are suing News Group Newspapers (NGN) over accusations of unlawful activities by journalists and private investigators on its tabloids, the Sun and the now-defunct News of the World, from the mid-1990s until 2016. In a ruling last July, Judge Timothy Fancourt said Harry could take his claims of unlawful information gathering to trial, but his allegations of decades-old mobile phone hacking were thrown out for being filed too late. In a hearing at the High Court on Thursday, Harry's lawyers sought to amend his lawsuit in light of that ruling, and to add other, new allegations. These include further claims that the Sun ordered private investigators to target his then girlfriend and now wife Meghan in 2016, and accusations of widespread bugging of his calls. "The claimant also brings a claim and seeks relief in relation to the interception of landline calls, the interception of calls from cordless phones and analogue mobile calls, and the interception of landline voicemails, as distinct from phone hacking," his lawyers' said in court documents. The claim also includes allegations relating to Diana who "was under close surveillance and her calls were being unlawfully intercepted by (NGN), which was known about by its editors and senior executives". NGN is objecting to the addition of what it called a "huge number of new allegations" for numerous reasons including that they were made too late, lacked evidence, and related to phone-hacking claims which had already been dismissed. "They cover time periods falling outside the scope of the current pleading and the generic statements of case, and in many cases relate to allegations which have been well-publicised for as long as 30 years," NGN's lawyers said in court filings. NGN's lawyer Anthony Hudson also said it was "unlikely" Harry's case could be heard at a trial expected to begin in January next year if his new allegations were included. In 2011, NGN apologised for widespread phone-hacking by journalists at the News of the World, which Murdoch shut down following a public backlash. NGN has since settled more than 1,300 claims but the group has always rejected allegations of any wrongdoing by Sun staff. On Wednesday, lawyers for Harry and the other claimants told the court that Murdoch and other senior executives were involved in the cover-up of widespread wrongdoing, and they had given false evidence to courts, parliament and a public inquiry. NGN says some claimants are simply using the lawsuits as a means to attack the tabloid press, and that allegations against its current and former staff were "a scurrilous and cynical attack on their integrity". Since stepping down from royal duties in 2020 to move to California, Harry has turned his focus onto battling the British press which he says has intruded into his private life since he was a child, spreading lies about him and those close to him. In December he won a lawsuit against Mirror Group Newspaper over allegations of phone-hacking and unlawful activities, with the judge agreeing senior figures had been aware of what had been going on. (Reporting by Michael Holden; Editing by Nick Macfie, Alexandra Hudson) Kharkiv-based Hurov&K printing house burned down as Kh-35, a Russian anti-ship missile hit the citys industrial zone on 20 March. Source: Chytomo As of the evening of 20 March, it is known that five people were killed in the strike. Another five people are considered missing. A fire started after the attack, and as of 21:00 (Kyiv time), it was still being extinguished. Many pieces of paper, cardboard, and paint were stored on the premises. Because of this, immediately after the missile attack, the fire quickly spread to all four floors of the building. While extinguishing the fire, one of the company's employees was saved. When rescue workers arrived at the fire scene, they saw a man clinging to the air conditioner near the third-floor window. The height was about 18 metres above the ground. To reach him, the rescuers deployed a retractable three-knee fire escape and climbed the last stairwell using an assault ladder. "Early reports say the victims were two women and three men. In total, there were 65 people in the building at the time of the attack. The speed of the missile at the time of the impact could have been more than 1,000 kilometres per hour," said Serhii Bolvinov, the head of the Investigative Police Department in Kharkiv Oblast. The Hurov&K printing house published books from such publishing houses as Chas Maistriv (Time of Masters) and Crocus, publishing house Shkola (School), and it also released Dodo puzzles. Earlier, the Budynok Druku (House of Printing) had previously suffered from Russian attacks on Kharkiv. During 2022, the Russian invasion affected such publishing houses as Ranok (Morning), BOOKSHA, Teza (Thesis), Zhorzh, ACAA, Folio, Blym-Blym (Blink-Blink), Zhupanskyi Publishing House, Vikhol (Blizzard), Molfar (a wiseman and a sort of oracle and sorcerer in Ukraine's west ed.), Pegas, Chas Maistriv (Time of Masters), Parasolia (Umbrella), Osnova group, 4mamas and others. Support UP or become our patron! A private U.S. advisory firm of former senior American military, CIA and humanitarian officials is proposing to operate the anticipated daily deployment of international aid ships from Cyprus to the Gaza coast, in a plan that would increase the American presence in the volatile region. The proposal, pitched by the firm Fogbow with the hope that foreign donors will sign on in meetings this week, is being pursued separately from a U.S. military effort to build a giant pier off Gaza to enable the delivery of aid. While such a plan would put more Americans operating near Gaza, Fogbow's effort calls for its team to stay offshore, providing primarily logistics and other support from nearby sites. "Right now, the plan is to have no Americans on the ground. But there will be former military and former humanitarian officials advising at each level," said the person, speaking on condition of anonymity because the effort coined the "Blue Beach Plan" -- hadn't been publicly announced. Representatives from potential donor countries were scheduled to meet Thursday and Friday in Nicosia, Cyprus, to discuss details, the person said. A leading global authority warned this week that famine was "imminent" in north Gaza in the wake of Israel's military operations against Hamas. U.S. officials have pressed the Israeli government to open up ground checkpoints and allow aid trucks to enter Gaza. But convoys are still being denied access or slowed down as Israel says they want to ensure the cargo doesn't help Hamas fighters. PHOTO: A man carries a cardboard box of food aid provided by non-profit non-governmental organization World Central Kitchen in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on March 17, 2024. (Mohammed Abed/AFP via Getty Images) MORE: Famine is 'imminent' in northern Gaza, with many facing 'catastrophic' levels of hunger: Report With few options, the U.S. in recent weeks joined other countries in air dropping aid -- pushing parachute-strapped pallets out the backs of C-130 military planes -- in an effort officials acknowledge is not nearly as efficient as a ground convoy. President Joe Biden this month announced he would try to push more aid through by opening up a maritime aid corridor and deployed some 1,000 troops to construct a pier that would help humanitarian ships off load supplies. The military pier, however, is still some two months away from becoming operational. U.S. officials said this week that the government still hasn't decided which organizations it might rely on to help move the humanitarian aid from its pier, including providing transportation to shore, security and distribution. Biden has insisted that U.S. troops not operate from the ground in Gaza, and the expectation is that Army, Navy and Marines will be working some three to five miles from the coast. PHOTO: The Trident pier rests on the shore of Fort Story, Va., during the preliminary stages of the Joint Logistics-Over-the-Shore exercise, Aug. 17, 2012. (Dvids/Files) MORE: Families of US troops in shock as they deploy to Gaza coast to build emergency pier With the U.S. pier still weeks away, international aid groups have launched their own efforts using donations. Earlier this week, a barge operated by the Spanish aid group Open Arms landed with food from World Central Kitchen, a charity founded by celebrity chef Jose Andres. According to a statement provided by the World Central Kitchen, aid workers built their own jetty in Gaza using nearby rubble from bombed buildings to unload the cargo. The group said their team is now prepared to send a second maritime shipment that will include food and heavy machinery to expedite the offloading process. The idea pitched by Fogbow would dramatically expand these kinds of operations, the person familiar with Fogbow's plan said, allowing more aid ships from the World Central Kitchen and elsewhere to access the coast weeks before the US military pier is up and running. MORE: Israel-Gaza conflict: Slideshow Private contractors operating in war zones aren't uncommon, although US military officials grew wary of the idea following deadly shootings of civilians involving security contractors in the Iraq war. Fogbow advisers, however, would not be involved in any security operations, and they would not work from the ground in Gaza. According to the plan, the group would rely on a maritime company from Cyprus to deliver supplies to the beach and United Nations organizations to distribute it. Fogbow is led by retired Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Sam Mundy and Mick Mulroy, a former Pentagon and CIA official and now an ABC News contributor, as well as by Chris Hylslop, a retired United Nations humanitarian official. ABC News' Michelle Stoddart contributed to this report. Private US firm wants to coordinate aid boats to Gaza originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Elliott Smus claimed his nephew was 'kicked out of his bay' at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital - Jon Super/AFP via Getty Images An NHS Trust is investigating accusations that pro-Palestine nurses denied correct care to a nine-year-old Jewish boy. Elliott Smus, who is based in Tel Aviv, Israel, wrote on LinkedIn on Wednesday about an alleged incident at Royal Manchester Childrens Hospital involving his young nephew, who suffers from a rare blood disorder. Mr Smus said that his nephew, who has had the condition for most of his life, requires a blood transfusion every month or two, spending days in hospital for treatment. He said that his nephew is from a religious Jewish family and wears a kippah and tzitzit, clothing typically worn by orthodox Jewish males. But he claimed that the child was kicked out of his bay by nurses wearing Free Palestine badges and forced to lie on the floor with a cannula in. As a result, Mr Smus said that his nephew is now scared that if he wears clothing that identifies him as visibly Jewish, he will not receive treatment. Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust has launched an investigation. Incident was horrendous Countdown presenter Rachel Riley, who is Jewish, described the alleged incident as horrendous and called on Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, and the NHS to investigate with urgency. I've just read an account of the horrendous discriminatory experiences of a young Jewish boy, and as seen here a fellow @ManUtd fan, receiving appalling treatment in Royal Manchester Children's Hospital. His uncle asks here, WTAF is going on?@AndyBurnhamGM @MayorofGM pic.twitter.com/VLFcXUxy4h Rachel Riley MBE (@RachelRileyRR) March 20, 2024 Mr Smus, who has been contacted for comment, said on social media: As a religious Jewish family, my nephew wears his black kippah (yamulka, religious hat whatever you want to call it) and his tzitzit [knotted fringes attached to garments] proudly. Not today. Why you ask? The nurses (NHS employees) are all walking around wearing Free Palestine pins and he was scared. Beyond that, the last few times he went in he was denied correct medical care by the same couple of nurses every time. This culminated the last time he went in, when my visibly Jewish nine-year-old nephew, with an autoimmune blood disease, was kicked out of his bay by one of the nurses who was covered in pro-Palestine badges and stickers, and had to lie on the floor with a cannula in. Now the damage is done and my proudly Jewish nephew (and his parents) is scared of not getting treatment if he wears his kippah and tzitzit. Coincidentally, today when not visibly Jewish, he received quick care. Also worth noting, prior to the conflict he received excellent care. It is terrifying to be a Jew in the world again. Anti-Semitism at all-time high The Community Security Trust, which records anti-Semitic incidents in the UK, said that anti-Semitism hit an all-time high in 2023 in an explosion of hatred following the Hamas terror attacks on Israel. The charity said the surge in anti-Jewish attacks, threats and abuse amounted to a celebration of Hamass Oct 7 massacre by anti-Semites whose own hatred was fuelled by the brutality of the attacks. Its annual report said that there were 4,103 anti-Semitic incidents in the UK in 2023, nearly double the previous record in 2021, covering all types of hate against Jewish people. Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust said: We are aware of images and very serious claims which are circulating on social media. We are rapidly investigating these to establish the situation and are discussing them with the family involved. Royal Manchester Childrens Hospital is committed to providing high-quality care to all patients. Mr Burnham said: I have seen the troubling reports shared on social media and have asked the Royal Childrens Hospital to launch an urgent investigation. No one should feel treated differently in our hospitals because of their race or religion. Ive asked the hospital management to provide regular updates as they gather the facts. 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. Maria Caulfield, the health minister, said the matter had been escalated 'due to the severity of the issues brought to our attention' - AVALON/THOMAS KRYCH A teenage mental health service funded by the NHS is being investigated by health officials, amid accusations it is promoting the trans agenda and allowing the spread of dangerous anorexia advice. The Kooth website, which is aimed at children aged 11 to 18, describes itself as an online mental wellbeing community. But officials are examining safeguarding concerns, with accusations that those working for the site have directed schoolchildren to sites that promote the use of hormones and breast binding. There are also concerns that the sites moderators have allowed dangerous advice about anorexia to be shared, and failed to prevent young people bullying each other. The website, which receives more than 3 million a year from the NHS, describes gender transition as unique and beautiful. Critics have raised concerns that the service, used by more than 145,000 schoolchildren last year, has an agenda which affirms those who believe they are born in the wrong body. Concerned parents One teacher said that a Kooth counsellor had told one of their pupils to hide the fact they wanted to change gender from their parents. Maria Caulfield, the health minister, is to hold meetings with senior NHS officials after receiving concerns from MPs and parents. In a letter, seen by the Telegraph, which was sent in November, she said: I appreciate the seriousness of the concerns raised. She added the matter had been escalated to the national and regional safeguarding and mental health teams, due to the severity of the issues brought to our attention. Ms Caulfield said that although its NHS contracts were negotiated locally, NHS England (NHSE) would raise concerns directly with the service provider, while the Department for Education, Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and NHSE would all investigate the matter. A source close to the minister said on Thursday: This is such an important area, involving the safeguarding of children and young people, so when concerns are raised we need to be completely satisfied with the response, and this matter is being investigated further. A poster for GPs advertising the company's services - KOOTH PLC Last week, health officials announced that children would be banned from receiving puberty blockers on prescription on the NHS. Under-18s will only be able to take the controversial drugs as part of a clinical trial set to start at the end of this year. But concerns remain about the use of testosterone among girls seeking to transition, with teachers and womens rights campaigners raising concerns that Kooth has directed young girls to websites encouraging such practices. There are also fears that young people have been directed towards websites that promote breast binding. Teachers, meanwhile, have expressed disquiet that counsellors are not trained to a high standard to deal with children, and only have to be accredited at a basic level, known as a Safeguarding Level 1. Visits to schools Kooth, which employs more than 200 counsellors, also has staff visiting schools and youth groups to promote its services. The company describes itself as the UKs leading digital mental health service provider, has contracts with around 32 NHS care boards and had post-tax profits of 2.5million last year. Transgender Trend, a charity that advocates evidence-based care of children struggling with their gender, highlighted concerns about Kooth in a recent report. It cited the case of a womens rights campaigner who said she was immediately directed to a website about binding when she pretended to be a 13-year-old girl who wanted to bind her breasts. Irreversible effects Shelley Charlesworth, the reports author, said that Kooth unquestionably affirms childrens claims to be born in the wrong body. She said: Kooth cannot claim to be a serious provider of mental health care for its predominantly teenage girl users, while not offering an alternative explanation about trans identification. Its content should reflect that theres been a rapid rise in girls identifying as boys, it should suggest possible reasons for this, and explain the harms of puberty blockers and the irreversible effects of cross-sex hormones and surgeries. Teachers said the sites claim that being misgendered can be a tactic for harassment and bullying is encouraging pupils to put in complaints about them. One teacher at a school in Berkshire, who wished to remain anonymous, accused Kooth of encouraging a child to go on a campaign and to keep their campaign secret from their parents. Tim Barker, chief executive at Kooth, said: We were contacted in December 2023 by NHS England to respond to queries regarding our approach to safeguarding and moderation from a small number of MPs. Kooth met with NHS England, at its request, to discuss the queries that were raised by the MPs and provided in-depth written feedback in response to the questions. We were advised by NHS England that this was not a formal investigation and that we had provided satisfactory assurance regarding both the safety and quality of our services. We share the views of both the MPs and NHSE that safeguarding is of utmost importance, never more so than when supporting the mental health of children and young people. The company said it did not support any cultural agenda and did not offer advice on practices such as breast binding. Where appropriate, we will signpost to specialist/accredited service and refer directly to other specialist service providers, if relevant, the company said. Earlier this month the DHSC confirmed that ministers had recently raised the issue with NHSE again, as concerns continued to be raised. A Government spokesperson said: We are clear that biological sex matters, and it is important that the NHS and service providers recognise the separate health and biological needs of men and women. Kooth is commissioned locally, and we expect all locally-commissioned services to ensure adequate child safeguarding measures are in place and provide value for money to the taxpayer. Ministers have already raised concerns on this issue, and we are engaging with both NHS England and Kooth to address these concerns. 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. Pro-Trump lawyer Stefanie Lambert surrendered Thursday to Michigan authorities in connection with her 2020 election tampering indictment, after a wild week where she was labeled a fugitive and spent a night in jail after being arrested in Washington, DC. The special prosecutor who charged Lambert in Michigan, DJ Hilson, confirmed that she turned herself in Thursday morning and appeared in Oakland County Circuit Court. The judge ruled that the Michigan bench warrant is now set aside, and she was taken into custody for the sole purpose of collecting her DNA and fingerprints, Hilson said. Lamberts attorney, Daniel Hartman, also confirmed that she surrendered, as she pledged to do after being released by a local DC judge earlier this week. Hartman said Lamberts fingerprints will not be entered into the system until further order of the court. Lambert has been fighting an effort by prosecutors to take her fingerprints. The surrender came days after Lamberts arrest at the federal courthouse in DC. She was taken into custody Monday by US marshals immediately after she participated in a two-hour hearing in Dominion Voting Systems defamation case against her client, ex-Overstock CEO Patrick Byrne, regarding his false claims about the 2020 election. That hearing in the DC-based defamation case was about Lamberts recent leak of internal Dominion emails, which she obtained through her representation of Byrne. But Lamberts DC arrest, and her surrender in Michigan on Thursday, were due to a warrant that was issued after she failed to appear at recent hearings in her criminal case. She was indicted last year in connection with an attempted election system breach in Michigan, which was one of several incidents in battleground states where Donald Trump supporters tried to prove their voter-fraud theories after he lost the 2020 election. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Progressive money man Alex Soros huddles with Dem candidates as 2024 campaign heats up Alex Soros, son of liberal billionaire George Soros who now leads his father's nonprofit empire, has continued huddling with Democrats leading up to the 2024 elections. Soros posted a picture "kicking off campaign season" on social media this week with likely Democrat Arizona Senate nominee Rep. Ruben Gallego, who has received thousands of dollars from Soros this cycle. "Kicking off campaign season with my co-host [Lin Manuel] for congressman Ruben Gallego's Senate run in Arizona," he wrote on Instagram. "Ruben has an impressive life story and the stakes of this year's election couldn't be higher, they're existential." GEORGE SOROS' SON BECOMES KINGMAKER WITH TOP DEMS AS HE MAKES MULTIPLE WH VISITS, MEETS WITH LAWMAKERS Gallego attended the affair alongside Soros despite previously declaring the "ultra-wealthy don't need any more advocates in Washington" and knocking the GOP for standing with "special interests and their billionaire buddies." Gallego has also attacked independent Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema for answering to "billionaires, not Arizonans," the Hill previously reported. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Soros, meanwhile, has been an ardent supporter of Gallego. Federal Election Commission records show that he maxed out $6,600 in donations to his campaign for the 2024 elections. The event comes on the heels of him routinely meeting with Democrats and boasting about it in social media posts. He continued the trend with high-ranking lawmakers shortly after taking the reins of the powerful Open Society Foundations. Days after the Open Society Foundations announced he would take over his father's network in June 2023, he hosted a New York event featuring House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and other top Empire State Democrats, including Reps. Jerry Nadler and Gregory Meeks, according to an Instagram post. ALEX SOROS' ACCESS TO BIDEN'S WHITE HOUSE CONTINUES AS HE'S NOW VISITED AT LEAST 20 TIMES, RECORDS SHOW Then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California poses with liberal billionaire donor George Soros, left, and his son, Alexander. His social media profiles have dozens of pictures of him and leading House and Senate Democrats since 2018. The two who appear the most are Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York and then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California. Alex had at least nine meetings with Schumer, whom he referred to as his "good friend." Soros had at least eight visits with Pelosi, whom he has called the "greatest Speaker of the House in American History!" He has also publicized photos with Vice President Kamala Harris while enjoying extensive access to the Biden White House, which he has visited more than 20 times since 2021. Alex Soros, chairman of Open Society Foundations, during a panel session at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Jan. 19, 2024. Soros has donated millions to Democrats over the past several years, albeit far less than his father. In 2020, he contributed over $700,000 to the Biden Victory Fund, making him among its top donors. For the 2024 cycle, he maxed out $6,600 in donations directly to Biden's campaign, federal filings show. Since the 2018 elections, he has poured more than $5 million into federal political coffers. Records show that his largest contribution was $2 million to the Schumer-aligned Senate Majority PAC during this time. He's also contributed hundreds of thousands in cash to the Nancy Pelosi Victory Fund, Democratic National Committee, and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. He has given tens of thousands more to state Democratic parties and individual campaigns, many of which were maximum contributions. Neither Open Society Foundations, which the younger Soros now oversees, nor Gallego's campaign immediately responded to a request for comment. Original article source: Progressive money man Alex Soros huddles with Dem candidates as 2024 campaign heats up CANBERRA, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Evacuations have been ordered from a remote region of Australia's Northern Territory (NT) amid warnings of a "one-in-a-hundred-year" flood. Authorities in the NT on Wednesday night began evacuating hundreds of residents from the town of Borroloola, more than 700 km southeast of Darwin, and its surrounding areas with the assistance of the Australian Defense Force (ADF). The evacuations were ordered by the NT government after updated modeling predicted water levels in the McArthur River could rise to 18 meters at Borroloola following heavy rainfall brought by ex-tropical cyclone Megan. A peak of 18 meters would be the highest water level in recorded history for the river, surpassing the 15 meters that caused significant flooding in 2001. NT Police Commissioner Michael Murphy said at a press conference that previous modeling had underestimated the impact of the rainfall, predicting a 15.3 meter peak. He said any peak exceeding 14.9 meters would represent a major flooding event. "A one-in-a-hundred-year flood is really serious," Murphy told reporters. "We're taking it incredibly seriously and we're doing everything we can to ensure the residents of Borroloola are safe." Initial plans for the ADF to evacuate approximately 700 residents from Borroloola were suspended on Monday due to deteriorating weather conditions preventing aircraft from landing safely in the area. Ex-tropical cyclone Megan made landfall on the NT mainland on Monday afternoon 50 km from Borroloola as a category 3 storm, bringing with it heavy rainfall and wind speeds of up to 200 km per hour, after causing widespread damage on islands off the northeast coast over the weekend. It caused minimal damage to buildings and infrastructure on the mainland before being downgraded to a tropical low storm on Tuesday. As of Thursday morning, the storm was approaching the NT's border with Western Australia (WA), where it was continuing to bring heavy rainfall and strong winds, prompting severe weather and flash flooding warnings from the Bureau of Meteorology. A proposed Chicago City Council ordinance to rename Columbus Drive to Barack Obama Drive in the Windy City has drawn backlash from an Italian American group. Ron Onesti, president of the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans (JCCIA), called the proposed ordinance insensitive and unvetted in a press release. The proposed ordinance, sponsored by Alderman Lamont Robinson, was introduced Wednesday. In a Wednesday post on X, formerly Twitter, with a link to a story from The Chicago Tribune about the possible renaming, Robinson said there is a need to honor more Black men, and this is one small way we can do that. Chicagos children deserve to see that they too can become Black history & cement a new tourist destination to increase Chicago tourism highlighting where Black history was made, Robinson said in the post. In the JCCIA press release, Onesti said the group commends Alderman Robinsons intent of honoring a most worthy historic, hometown figure, but questioned why must it be at the expense of one ethnic group, and why take such a noble effort and attach it to an action offensive to the over 500,000 Americans of Italian descent in and around Chicago. It would be more relevant to rename a portion of South Greenwood Avenue where the Obama residence is, or Stony Island Avenue where the Barack Obama Presidential Library sits, Onesti continued. According to The Chicago Sun-Times, Columbus Drive was previously called the Inner Drive, but was renamed in 1933 for the explorer Christopher Columbus. Columbus is often seen as an important figure among Italian Americans due to his own Italian heritage, and the holiday Columbus Day is often seen as a day for Italian Americans to celebrate their own heritage. But there are also many critics of Columbus and the Columbus Day holiday, who point to what happened to people indigenous to America after his landing, in addition to the slavery in the Americas that followed his voyage. A number of states and cities now observe Indigenous Peoples Day instead of Columbus Day. The JCCIA describes itself on its website as a congress for the Chicagoland Italian American organizations and represents the community on a local, state, national and international level. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The Oakland County Prosecutors Office on Wednesday released confidential agreements it brokered more than two years ago with two key school employees who were given assurances that their comments to investigators regarding the 2021 mass shooting at Oxford High School would not be used against them. The employees were counselor Shawn Hopkins and former dean of students Nicholas Ejak, the two school officials who made a controversial decision on the morning of the shooting to let the teenage gunman stay in school despite receiving multiple alerts about his behavior in the 24 hours prior. They never searched his backpack, which contained the murder weapon, or insisted that his parents take him home, despite summoning them over a troubling drawing he had made of a gun, a human body bleeding, and the words, "The thoughts won't stop. Help me." Hopkins and Ejak wound up testifying against both parents at their trials, which ended in convictions, though the defense did not learn until this week that the witnesses had received what's known in legal circles as "proffer agreements," which protect individuals who are meeting with investigators from having their words used against them. Oxford High School counselor Shawn Hopkins testifies as James and Jennifer Crumbley, parents of Ethan Crumbley who is accused of the deadly school shooting at Oxford High School in late November, sit in the courtroom of Judge Julie Nicholson in 52/3 District Court in Rochester Hills on Feb.24, 2022. The couple is facing involuntary manslaughter charges for allegedly buying the gun that the police say their son used in the shooting that killed four students and injured six other students and a teacher. The defense learned of those agreements after the Free Press disclosed them in an exclusive story that offered a closer look at how the prosecution built its historic case against the Crumbleys, and sought to explain why school officials had not been criminally charged despite the outcry from the victims' parents, who have long called for accountability by the school and its employees. Prosecutor's Office stresses that no one got immunity On Friday, one day after the final Crumbley family member was convicted James Crumbley, the shooter's father the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office issued a statement saying no criminal charges would be filed against any school employees because there is no evidence to support doing so. The evening before, standing with parents who repeated their calls for school accountability, Prosecutor Karen McDonald said, We want to hold everyone accountable. "Ive made a commitment to these parents, and I'm going to keep it," she said. Im going to look at the facts and work with them to get the accountability they deserve. Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald speaks to the media on Thursday, March, 14, 2024 as Nicole Beausoleil, mother of Madisyn Baldwin; Steve St. Juliana, father of Hana St. Juliana; and Craig Shilling, father of Justin Shilling; look on after James Crumbley was found guilty on four counts of involuntary manslaughter for the deaths caused in 2021 by Crumbley's son after he perpetrated a mass shooting at Oxford High School. On Saturday, in another statement to the Free Press, the Prosecutor's Office maintained that McDonald "has said from the very beginning that she has reviewed all available evidence and has not seen any evidence that would support criminal charges for anyone at the school or district." On Tuesday, the Prosecutor's Office reiterated those points in yet another statement, and elaborated about the proffer letters. On Wednesday, the office released the agreements. "Given the ongoing speculation surrounding the proffer agreements, and in the interest of transparency, the office is releasing the agreements," the office said in a statement, which also reiterated its assertion that "no one got immunity." "Those agreements were drafted by the prosecutors office, and they made crystal clear to Hopkins, Ejak and their attorneys that there was never an implicit or explicit promise of immunity, leniency or favoritism of any kind," the statement reads. "As you will see, these letters spell that out. Because there were no promises of any kind, those letters were not required to be disclosed." Defense attorneys say agreements should have been disclosed Defense experts disagree, arguing the U.S. Supreme Court has issued two key rulings that address this issue and require that the prosecution disclose to the defense both exculpatory evidence and any information that could challenge the credibility of a witness in this case, the school officials. According to the newly disclosed documents, Hopkins and Ejak each signed proffer agreements about six weeks before they testified at the Crumbleys' preliminary exam in February 2022, when their testimony helped convince a judge that there was probable cause to charge James and Jennifer Crumbley with involuntary manslaughter. Hopkins signed his agreement on Jan. 5, 2022. Ejak signed his on Dec. 30, 2021, exactly one month after the massacre that left four students dead and seven other people injured. More than two years later, prosecutors would again rely on the school employees' testimony, which helped lead two separate juries to convict the Crumbleys of involuntary manslaughter for their roles in the shooting that was carried out by their son. 'No promises of favorable consideration' The Oakland County Prosecutor's Office adamantly denies making any promises to the school officials that they wouldn't be charged in exchange for their testimony, and says the proffer agreements state just that. The agreements contain a specific section that begins: "No promises of favorable consideration." "Your client is not entitled to any consideration regarding pending or possible charges or sentence recommendations by the government just because your client participates in a proffer session. Such consideration, if any, will be unilaterally determined by the government only after your client's proffer is evaluated. The government makes no representation about the likelihood that any additional agreement will be reached as a result of the proffer." In legal circles, proffer is an offer of evidence in support of an argument in other words, the information the school employees were sharing with investigators during their interviews. The Prosecutor's Office has maintained that what Ejak and Hopkins said during their interviews with investigators matched what they said in their trial testimony. As Assistant Chief Prosecutor David Williams has previously argued: Two school employees agreed to sit down with the prosecution and truthfully provide all the information they had. ... Both witnesses subsequently testified under oath without any promises or protection, and they were given nothing for their testimony. The information they provided in that initial meeting was exactly what they testified to under oath in court. None of the information provided at the initial meeting was exculpatory to the defense, orit would have been provided." Defense attorney Shannon Smith, who represented Jennifer Crumbley, disagrees with that position and says she "absolutely" should have been provided with the proffer agreements, which would have helped her challenge the credibility of the school witnesses at trial. Mariell Lehman, who is representing James Crumbley, declined to comment. So did attorneys for Ejak and Hopkins, prominent criminal defense attorneys Steve Fishman and Mitchell Ribitwer. James Crumbley's threats against McDonald Meanwhile, the Prosecutor's Office also disclosed on Wednesday that it plans to use James Crumbley's alleged threats he made toward McDonald in jail phone calls against him at sentencing. The alleged threats came up in the middle of Crumbley's trial and cost him his communications pending the outcome of his case. What he said, to whom he said it or whom he threatened was not disclosed until the Free Press published a story Monday revealing that McDonald was the target of his alleged threats. "To be clear, those threats were directly addressed to the prosecutor by name, telling her what was going to happen to her when he is released," the Prosecutor's Office said in a statement Wednesday. "Those threats are serious, and they also reflect a lack of remorse and a continued refusal to take accountability for his part in the deaths of Hana, Madisyn, Tate and Justin." In separate trials, James and Jennifer Crumbley were convicted on four counts of involuntary manslaughter for causing the deaths of four students murdered by their son: Tate Myre, 16; Hana St. Juliana, 14; Madisyn Baldwin, 17, and Justin Shilling, 17. They are scheduled to be sentenced on April 9, with each facing up to 15 years in prison. Prosecutors argued at both trials that the Crumbleys ignored a troubled son, and instead of getting him help, they bought him a gun, which he used during his rampage. The Crumbleys say they never saw any signs that their son was mentally ill or would ever hurt anyone, had no knowledge of his plan to shoot up his school, and that the gun at issue wasn't allowed to be used freely but only under parental supervision at the shooting range. They claimed it was properly stored in their bedroom armoire, unloaded, with the bullets hidden in a separate drawer. Their son, Ethan, pleaded guilty to all his crimes and is serving life without the possibility of parole. Contact Tresa Baldas: tbaldas@freepress.com Read the agreements This embedded content is not available in your region. This embedded content is not available in your region. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Prosecutor releases agreements it made with 2 Oxford school employees KUALA LUMPUR, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia is eyeing more opportunities to cooperate with China on the platform of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, a Malaysian official said on Thursday. Not only is the government eyeing better people-to-people ties, it is also stepping up efforts to foster business-to-business ties, especially in terms of joint ventures, Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz, the minister of Investment, Trade and Industry told Xinhua. "We are participating in major trade events, (and) we are trying to improve the trade numbers that we already have. In terms of people-to-people ties, especially on the business side, we are focusing on how Malaysian companies together with Chinese companies can do a lot more joint ventures in sectors we are promoting," he said. He added that efforts are underway to facilitate and streamline investments in Malaysia. Additionally, Malaysia is enhancing transparency and improving management and monitoring of investments. The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) is expected to produce comprehensive monthly reports on both approved and realized investment values. MSNBC host and former White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Thursday that third-party candidates like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. are a huge, huge, huge problem for President Bidens reelection campaign. If you look at RFK Jr., its the name recognition issue, Psaki said on MSNBCs Morning Joe, noting that the Kennedy name was particularly loved in Georgia, which is a key battleground state in Bidens rematch with former President Trump. Psaki said too many votes may just not know a lot about the fact that he is an anti-vaxxer, whos a conspiracy theorist. And she noted the Biden campaign and Democratic National Committee were working to amplify that message. But it needs to be broad, people need to be shouting it from the rooftops because this is one of the biggest threats to Joe Biden being reelected, is these third party candidates, she said. According to a polling average from The Hill/Decision Desk HQ, Kennedy, an independent, is currently trailing Biden and Trump by around 30 points nationally, at 10.8 percent. Trump is currently sitting at 41.1 percent and Biden is at 38.6 percent. Without Kennedy as a choice, the race is closer with Trump at 44.6 percent and Biden at 43.6 percent. Kennedy is a longtime vaccine skeptic who stepped down from the Childrens Health Defense organization, the U.S.s most well-funded anti-vaccine organization, to run for the presidency. Three relatives of Kennedy penned an op-ed in 2019 denouncing his anti-vaccine advocacy, saying that it is wrong and dangerous. Many members of Kennedys family are publicly backing Biden in 2024 and are reportedly planning to step up those efforts, starting with a family visit to the White House last week. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) Oklahomas Attorney General Gentner Drummond announced on Thursday, he will join a legal brief supporting Texas while pushing for State legislation to address illegal immigration crisis. The Biden Administration refuses to secure the border, so the states must act to protect our people, Drummond said. Oklahoma suffers the consequences of our porous border every single day. A legal victory for Texas clears the way for local law enforcement in Oklahoma and throughout the country. Oklahoma immigration attorney weighs in on contentious Texas law Senate Bill 4, passed in Texas in 2023, allows Texas law enforcement to arrest and deport migrants who enter the state illegally from Mexico. If successful, Oklahoma and other states will be empowered to declare illegal immigration a state crime and authorize state officials to enforce it. House and Senate leaders already have indicated a willingness to craft similar legislation to protect Oklahoma. On Wednesday, Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, issued a statement regarding his intent to file legislation to secure the border of Oklahoma against the ongoing illegal immigration crisis. The failed policies of the Biden Administration have turned every state into a border state, McCall said. Oklahoma is a law and order state, and should be the last place illegal immigrants want to settle when they cross over the border. For those reasons, and in light of recent court rulings regarding Senate Bill 4 out of Texas, I am immediately introducing legislation to secure the borders of Oklahoma in the same fashion as our neighbors to the south. Oklahoma will stand ready to defend its borders from all who would enter our country illegally. Drummond alongside 21 other state attorneys general, argue that states have the right to enact and enforce laws that do not explicitly conflict with federal statute. Texas essentially has codified portions of federal immigration law as Texas state law, reads the brief. That renders much, if not all, of S.B. 4 complimentary to federal law, not in conflict with it. The timeline of the Senate Bill 4 passing to its rescinding started with the Biden Administration and the ACLU filed suit over the law. Next, the U.S. district court blocked the law, but the U.S. Supreme Court said Texas was free to enforce it during litigation. Currently, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has rescinded its order to allow enforcement of SB 4 this week and took no action on the constitutional challenges to the law. Texas immigration law on hold again Drummond said on Wednesday, the ongoing border crisis may lead the nations highest court to set new precedent regarding the enforcement of immigration laws. Attorney General Drummond is joined by Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia and Wyoming on the amicus brief co-led by Ohio and South Carolina. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. Miami Mayor Francis Suarez has long said that he has no conflict of interest when it comes to his public support for billionaire hedge funder Ken Griffin, a major client of the law firm where Suarez is employed. But in an interview conducted under oath in December, Suarez contradicted previous public statements and said he is one of Griffins attorneys a potential violation of ethics laws prohibiting elected officials from working for anyone who has business before their government. In his sworn statement to a state ethics investigator, Suarez said Griffin was not just a client of the law firm where he works, but his own personal client. The mayor made that point as part of a successful effort to get the Florida Commission on Ethics to dismiss an unrelated complaint against him. But in calling Griffin my client, Suarez also raised a possible conflict of interest under Florida law, given that Griffin is lobbying the city for various permissions as he moves his personal residence and company headquarters to South Florida. While Florida laws governing outside employment would not prevent the mayor from working for a firm whose clients have official business with the city of Miami, the law prohibits Suarez from doing legal work for those clients, according to a formal ethics opinion issued to Suarez in 2021. And Suarez would be in violation of state ethics laws, the letter warned, if any client for whom he is performing legal services is conducting business with [not just the City Commission, but] any subordinate city board or staff. The restriction would apply, the ethics officials wrote, regardless of whether Suarez recused himself from any related city matters. The mayors office is now walking back Suarezs sworn statement. In response to the Heralds latest questions, the mayors director of communications, Stephanie Severino, said Griffin is not and has never been a personal client of Mayor Suarez. Nor, she said, is Suarez on Griffins account at the law firm where Suarez works. As to why Suarez said otherwise while under oath during an official proceeding, Severino responded, Similar to millions of other professionals whose firms serve clients, the Mayor informally referred to [the law firms] client, Mr. Griffin as his client, as would be evident to anyone who read the full interview and context. Severino said the reporters questions exposed the Heralds biased agenda, saying if the Mayor walked on water, the Herald would report Mayor Suarez cant swim. If he lied under oath, Suarez could face a third-degree felony for perjury with maximum penalties of five years in prison and a $5,000 fine. Read the Miami Herald investigation: Shakedown City Miami mayor Francis Suarez (left) and his wife Gloria Suarez (right) pose with a social media influencer and event promoter at Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix on Saturday, May 6, wearing VIP passes to the Paddock Club. Instagram/ebay Relevance to state investigation Suarez mentioned his business relationship with Griffin on Dec. 20 during a 20-minute interview conducted by ethics investigator Tracey Maleszewski, who was looking into whether the mayor had violated separate ethics laws by accepting Griffins invitation to his luxury suite at last years Formula One Miami Grand Prix and other events on the F1 party circuit. That case was dismissed earlier this month after Griffin produced a canceled check showing the mayor had reimbursed him for the full price of high-end Sunday race track tickets and a $3,000 per-plate luxury dinner for both Suarez and his wife. The records date shows Suarez cut the $14,000 check to Griffin after the Herald first asked questions about potential ethics violations, but within the 90-day grace period for repayment to avoid penalties. The weekend was very expensive for me much more than I anticipated, Suarez told Maleszewski during his interview. Maleszewskis investigation did not account for all of Suarezs other VIP passes that weekend, which would have added thousands to the total price tag. Suarez has repeatedly declined to answer questions about who paid for at least two, yet-unaccounted-for VIP passes. Suarez told Maleszewski that Griffin was his personal client while making the case that such reimbursement was probably unnecessary, an apparent reference to legal exemptions that allow elected officials to accept expensive gifts primarily related to their private employment without being subject to the usual regulations. I did attend with my wife at the behest of or as a guest of Ken Griffin, Suarez told Maleszewski about the meals at Carbone Beach, a dinner-club the couple attended on May 6 before also joining Griffin in a luxury suite at the F1 races the following day. In an abundance of caution, and even though he was also my client, and I could have arguably justified it on that basis, I went ahead, and because hes a lobbyist, I went ahead and paid for the dinner, he said. Ethics advocate Melody Hadley advised the commission that Suarez should be cleared of any violation, in part, because the mayor received the tickets from Griffin as part of his private employment. Along with Respondent [Suarez] being routinely called upon to bring greetings on behalf of the City, he advised that Griffin is a client of his law firm which he explains is why the tickets were given to him by Griffin, not with an expectation that he take any action in his public capacity, wrote Hadley in her February recommendation. Furthermore, Respondent timely compensated Griffin for the value of the tickets. Hadley added: As such, there is no evidence of a solicitation and/or acceptance of a gift. The commission ultimately agreed during a closed-door hearing on March 8. Mr. Suarez has done no work for Mr. Griffin But Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan previously told the Herald that Suarezs attendance at F1 was unrelated to any matter the firm is handling. And the firm, where Suarez has made millions since joining in 2021, also maintains that Suarez does not work on any cases involving Griffin or Citadel. Quinn Emanuel stands by its prior statement that Mr. Suarez has done no work for Mr. Griffin or Citadel as an employee of the firm, a spokesperson told the Herald. Questions about what Mr. Suarez meant in his interview should be directed to him. Griffins company Citadel did not answer the Heralds questions about whether Griffin was Suarezs personal client, and instead sent a statement touting the cases dismissal. As we said last week and as we will keep saying every time we are asked, there is no there there, and there never was, said Citadel spokesperson Zia Ahmed. During the interview, investigator Maleszewski did not ask for clarification after Suarez said Griffin was his personal client. Nor did she mention ethics rules prohibiting business relationships between elected officials and anyone lobbying the city, despite Suarezs repeated declarations that Griffin is a lobbyist. When the Herald asked Florida Commission on Ethics spokesperson Lynn Blais about Suarezs comment and whether it presented a conflict of interest for him if Griffin were in fact his direct client, she wrote by email: We cannot give an opinion about a persons conduct. Blais said that only a public officer or public employee who is in doubt about the applicability of the standards conduct to himself or herself may seek an advisory opinion from the Commission. The Herald asked Blais what happens when a state ethics investigator discovers a potential ethics violation separate from the one they are investigating at the time, as is potentially the case with Suarez. The Commission on Ethics cannot conduct investigations of alleged violations of the Sunshine Amendment or the Code of Ethics unless a person files a sworn complaint with the Commission alleging such violation has occurred, Blais responded. The commission cannot self-initiate an investigation. Former President of the Catalonia Government and Junts MEP Carles Puigdemont speaks during a press conference, in Mairie d'Elne "Elna Town Hall". Puigdemont has announced that he will be the Junts candidate for the elections to the Catalan Parliament on May 12. Gloria Sanchez/EUROPA PRESS/dpa Separatist leader Carles Puigdemont, who fled into exile in 2017, confirmed that he wants to run as the top candidate of his Junts party in the early regional elections in Catalonia on May 12. "I have decided to run for the Catalan parliament in the next election," he told party members in the small town of Elne in southern France on Thursday evening, not far from the border with his homeland. "The most important goal we have set ourselves is to make the independence process a success," Puigdemont asserted. The 61-year-old faces being arrested in Spain for his role in the illegal 2017 independence referendum and the region's attempted secession from Spain. However, Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez had agreed to an amnesty with the separatists in order to secure his re-election last autumn with their votes. Puigdemont's lawyer Gonzalo Boye had therefore already announced that his client would return to Spain. The 61-year-old has said he will accept that he will be arrested upon entry. Because of the parliamentary deliberations, the amnesty could only come into force after the election, which regional government leader Pere Aragones from the left-wing separatist party ERC surprisingly brought forward after his budget failed in parliament in Barcelona. In Spain, the prospect that Puigdemont could win the election and once again push for a breakaway from the economically strong region in the north-east of the country has sparked great concern. In addition, the prime minister's minority government is dependent on the votes of the separatists. Catalonia is still suffering from the consequences of the chaotic 2017 separation attempt. The aftereffects include political instability as well as corporate and capital flight. Former President of the Catalonia Government and Junts MEP Carles Puigdemont speaks during a press conference, in Mairie d'Elne "Elna Town Hall". Puigdemont has announced that he will be the Junts candidate for the elections to the Catalan Parliament on May 12. Gloria Sanchez/EUROPA PRESS/dpa Juan Salazar-Diaz cross examines a witness Tuesday in court. Salazar-Diaz is acting as his own attorney in his trial for the September 2018 murder of Tyren Kinard in North Port. Standing before the jury Tuesday, a 26-year-old defendant stammered through his opening statements in a 2018 murder trial. Juan Jose Salazar-Diaz wore a white turtleneck and dark suit for his first day of trial, several tattoos visible along his head, face and back of his hands. Salazar-Diaz was adamant that the evidence would show he wasnt at the crime scene when 21-year-old Tyren Kinard, an openly gay Black man, was shot and killed inside his silver Chrysler 200 sedan. While at times hard to understand or follow along in his statements, Salazar-Diaz focused on Kinard's closest friend, who was most likely the last to speak with him before he was killed, and who told detectives the person Kinard was going to meet the night of Sept. 7, 2018, was named "Quan." About 30 minutes before his opening statement, Salazar-Diaz confirmed to Judge Thomas Krug that he would be representing himself during the trial. Latest court news: Zieglers sue to stop release of records from rape, voyeurism investigation In Manatee County court news: Bradenton man sentenced to 30 years in prison in connection to 68-year-old father's murder While uncommon, defendants have a legal right to represent themselves during criminal trials if they so choose. In Salazar-Diazs case, a couple of public defenders withdrew from representing Salazar-Diaz due to conflict of interests, and he appeared to not get along with another of his counsel who withdrew in June 2022 due to irreconcilable differences, according to court records. Defense attorney Jennifer Strouf sat next to Salazar-Diaz at the defendants table in the courtroom, appointed and available to provide legal assistance or advice, but she did not represent him. Salazar-Diaz was arrested by North Port police in December 2018 in connection to the death of Kinard, who was found dead near Red Oak Road and Sawyer Circle in North Port in September. Assistant State Attorney Steven Westphal points to Juan Salazar-Diaz during his opening statement on Tuesday. Salazar-Diaz is acting as his own attorney in his trial for the September 2018 murder of Tyren Kinard in North Port. Salazar-Diaz is charged with murder in the second degree, grand theft of a vehicle and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Several media reports following the murder identified Kinard as possibly being a Black transgender woman, due to Kinard using social media accounts linked to the name Londonn Moore. Assistant State Attorney Karen Fraivillig confirmed to a Sarasota Herald-Tribune reporter before the trial's start that Kinard was not transgender. The State is expected to rest their case by Thursday afternoon with Salazar-Diaz then presenting evidence and calling on witnesses for his case. 'I knew something was wrong' Madison Myers, 24, fought back tears as her voice hitched during her testimony Tuesday, speaking about her best friend since sixth grade and how she would never see him again. Myers, who has a young daughter, said she and Kinard spent a lot of time together, spoke over the phone every day, and Kinard would sleep over at Myers' home often. The last time Myers saw Kinard was Sept. 7, 2018. Kinard had met up with Myers and her daughter at a Dollar Tree store in Port Charlotte to shop for a school project for Myers' daughter. After, Kinard intended to come over to Myers' home later that night to stay over and help with the project in the morning. Madison Myers cries during her testimony about her friendship with Tyren Kinard. Juan Salazar-Diaz is acting as his own attorney in his trial for the September 2018 murder of Kinard in North Port. Myers testified that she called Kinard over FaceTime around 10:30 p.m. the night of the shooting and the two spoke as Kinard got ready to go hang out with someone. Myers added that Kinard didn't share details of who he was going to meet, but at one point she heard what she thought was the name "Quan" mentioned during the conversation. A fact she relayed to detectives. During her testimony, it was difficult to distinguish at times in the courtroom if the name being said was "Quan" or "Juan." When Myers woke up the next morning after the call ended and didnt see Kinard, she started reaching out through calls, texts and socials. Then, police came to her door. I knew something was wrong because he wasnt responding and he always responds, Myers said. In the early hours of Sept. 8, 2018, North Port police were alerted that an unknown individual, later identified as Kinard, was found lying in the roadway partially dressed with multiple gunshot wounds to their body and head, according to the probable cause affidavit and testimony from law enforcement during the trial. Kinard was pronounced dead at the scene. Photographs shown to the jury, taken by Christine Taylor with NPPD, showed what appeared to be two gunshot holes in the drivers side window and suspected dried blood in the car. Appeals court: No new trial in Venice discrimination case levied by Black officer More: Sarasota litigation attorney appointed to County Court position in 12th Judicial Circuit Taylor, a North Port Police Department records technician, walked the jury through more than three dozen photographs of the crime scene, the defendants home, the victims car and evidence collected during the investigation. Back in 2018, Taylor was a crime scene investigator assigned to be the lead in gathering evidence for the police department. Taylor explained that six shell casings were collected two on Sawyer Circle near where the victim was found and four within the victims silver Chrysler along with a pack of Newport cigarettes, a white latex glove found inside the car, two bullets and bullet fragments. North Port Det. Christopher Maki, the lead detective in the case, testified that limited GPS data pulled from Kinard's car placed the car in the 26000 block of Explorer Road in Punta Gorda an hour and a half after midnight, where it remained until police located it on Sept. 9. Maki also told the jury that while they checked out a lead connected to a potential suspect nicknamed Quan who attended the same high school as Kinard, he was ultimately ruled out following a DNA swab that didn't match the evidence collected. Police received a search warrant for Kinard's phone, which revealed Kinards last three phone calls were around midnight to a number police confirmed was associated with Salazar-Diaz. When police spoke with him on Nov. 11, 2018, Salazar-Diaz denied ever calling or knowing the victim, according to the affidavit. Assistant State Attorney Karen Fraivillig, right, watches as North Port Police crime scene investigator Christine Taylor, right, examines evidence she collected in 2018, during her testimony Tuesday. Juan Salazar-Diaz is on trial for the September 2018 murder of Tyren Kinard in North Port. North Port Det. Lee Wallace, a digital forensic expert, was able to recover certain key evidence in the investigation in October and November 2020 when data was extracted again from the defendants cellphone. Among some of the evidence, Wallace was able to extract included photos of someone holding what appears to be a Ruger 9 mm handgun posed above a distinctly white and blue patterned fabric the same fabric photographed by investigators as bedding on Salazar-Diazs bed in December 2018. The data extraction also revealed internet searches in November and Dec. 18, 2018, a day before Salazar-Diaz was arrested, that included what evidence does prosecution need to solve murder and homicide investigation first steps. The internet searches also revealed news headlines for the North Port murder. Det. Joseph Duke, another digital forensic expert with NPPD, walked the jury through cell phone tower data which showed which towers Salazar-Diazs phone pinged off of during the night of the shooting. In total, the defendant's phone pinged off three towers near his home and the crime scene the night of the shooting. A crime laboratory analyst with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement testified that the six cartridges found at the scene and in the car were fired from the same type of weapon. However, the analysis was inconclusive if the bullets collected were fired from the same gun or multiple ones. Salazar-Diaz confirmed in his questioning of the expert that there was a list of firearms the bullets could have potentially been fired from and that the murder weapon was not recovered in the case for the expert to be able to do testing on. A second FDLE crime laboratory analyst testified that a fingerprint lifted from the plastic sleeve around the Newport cigarette pack ended up being a match for Salazar-Diazs left thumb. The analyst did confirm that there is no knowing how long a print has been on an object and environmental factors can impact how long a print remains on an object. Gabriela Szymanowska covers the legal system for the Herald-Tribune in partnership with Report for America. You can support her work with a tax-deductible donation to Report for America. Contact Gabriela Szymanowska at gszymanowska@gannett.com, or on X: @GabrielaSzyman3. This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Trial underway: Punta Gorda man represents himself in 2018 murder trial If not for a pardon from Donald Trump in the final weeks of his presidency, Paul Manafort might still be serving a federal sentence. Instead, Trumps former campaign manager is a free man and free to help his old boss get back to the White House. Manafort is in discussions to assist the Republican National Convention this summer where Trump will officially become the partys presidential nominee once again, CNN and other outlets reported this week. His anticipated involvement would make Manafort the latest beneficiary of clemency under Trump to assist the former presidents political comeback. He is far from the first. More than a dozen people pardoned of their crimes or who had their sentences commuted by Trump have since aided the former president as he seeks a return to power. Some have donated their considerable wealth to the cause. A handful endure on the periphery of his political operation as purveyors of Trumps false conspiracies about the 2020 election, like former top adviser Steve Bannon. Others are outspoken backers with considerable followings, such as rapper Kodak Black, conservative writer and Trump biographer Conrad Black and Phil Lyman, a former US representative now running for Utah governor. One GOP consultant who received a pardon, John Tate, made more than $70,000 last year consulting for Trumps presidential campaign, federal records show. It is remarkable for a presidential candidate to benefit from the people whom he granted legal forgiveness a reality that is reflective of both the unprecedented nature of Trumps third White House bid and his norm-shattering use of presidential authority while in office. As president, Trump exercised his clemency powers unlike any of his predecessors, freeing and forgiving longtime political allies, supporters, celebrities, military figures and others with personal ties to him and his administration. Jeffrey Crouch, an expert on executive clemency at American University, called it a perfect storm of highly unusual circumstances that raise questions about favoritism and abuse of power that normally are not issues for presidential aspirants. Its yet another wrinkle in an already very complicated legal and political landscape for Trumps 2024 presidential bid, Crouch, who wrote The Presidential Pardon Power, said. Trumps campaign did not respond to a request for comment. As he seeks another four years in office, Trump is once again promising extraordinary use of his pardon powers. He has vowed to free those arrested in the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol potentially hundreds of people serving prison sentences as he makes denialism of the bloody riots central to his campaign. Trumps candidacy itself has also resurfaced debates over whether a president could pardon himself. The country may need to confront this question if the former presidents legal troubles remain unresolved before Election Day, as Trump faces 44 charges across two federal indictments. His pardon protections, though, would not extend to additional state charges he faces in separate indictments brought by prosecutors in Georgia and New York. From being pardoned to becoming key players Voting near his residence in Palm Beach on Tuesday, Trump contended he didnt have any knowledge of Manaforts potential role at his Milwaukee nominating convention, but he added: He was another person who was treated badly and he was a patriot but well see what happens with that. The Washington Post first reported the discussions to get Manafort involved. Manafort, a lobbyist who became chairman of Trumps first presidential campaign, was one of the highest-profile arrests in special prosecutor Robert Muellers investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. He was convicted in 2018 of defrauding banks and the government, and of failing to pay taxes on millions of dollars in income he had earned from Ukrainian political consulting. He later faced additional punishment for obstruction of justice. Originally sentenced to 7.5 years in prison in 2019, Manafort was granted home confinement in April 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic. In December, a month after losing reelection, Trump pardoned Manafort. Trump issued 237 acts of clemency during his four-year term the majority coming after the 2020 election, including 143 during his last hours in office. Though Trump issued fewer pardons than many of his modern predecessors, when he did, he largely operated outside the Office of the Pardon Attorney, a nonpartisan agency inside the Department of Justice that assess requests for executive clemency. The lack of protocols often led petitioners and their supporters to lobby Trump directly or make their case to his son-in-law Jared Kushner, chief of staff Mark Meadows or the White House counsel. Past presidents have certainly flexed their considerable clemency authority to benefit political allies and not without controversy. President Gerald Ford famously pardoned Richard Nixon a month after his predecessor resigned in disgrace. President George W. Bush commuted the sentence of Scooter Libby, the former chief of staff to his vice president Dick Cheney convicted of obstructing a federal investigation. President Bill Clinton issued a pardon for Marc Rich, who fled the country to avoid facing charges for tax evasion. Richs ex-wife was a donor to Clintons presidential library. But even against that history, Trumps pardons stood out, Crouch said. What is unusual is how many of Trumps clemency grants went to well-known Republicans, military figures, and celebrities rather than average, unknown people, he said. In the final months of his presidency, after losing the 2020 election to President Joe Biden, Trump frequently told his aides that he had planned to be liberal with his pardons and asked friends and loyalists who they thought he should pardon, multiple sources familiar with the conversations told CNN at the time. Trump, at the time, delighted in his ability to issue sweeping pardons and viewed it as an opportunity to further build goodwill with those who had been loyal to him throughout his time in office. Other stalwart Trump allies beside Manafort to receive a pardon included: veteran Republican operative Roger Stone, who was also indicted by Mueller and convicted of multiple crimes; Bannon, who had pleaded not guilty to charges he defrauded donors in a We Build the Wall online fundraising campaign; and Michael Flynn, Trumps former national security adviser charged with lying to the FBI. Without Trumps intervention, its possible all four could have spent the 2024 election cycle serving federal punishments. Stone in 2020 was sentenced to three years in prison and two years of supervised release. Trump pardoned Bannon before he went to trial, but his three co-defendants last year received prison sentences ranging from three to five years. Flynn pleaded guilty but was never sentenced and faced a maximum of five years in prison. Instead, theyre now key players in the effort to reelect Trump, emerging as some of his most ardent defenders to their sizable audiences. Stone remains an outspoken supporter of his longtime friend, trafficking in unsavory rumors about Trumps political opponents on social media and hosting a radio show on a conservative New York station that debuted with a Trump appearance. He is also a regular at Mar-a-Lago and walked out with Trumps campaign staff on Super Tuesday for the former presidents victory speech. Bannons War Room podcast serves as a clarion call to Trump supporters to mobilize around the 2024 election by regularly spreading misinformation about the last one. Flynn has toured the country in recent years, appearing at rallies where he, too, shares election conspiracies. Calling into one of the events last year, Trump told Flynn: Were going to bring you back. Dinesh DSouza, one of Trumps earlier pardons, has championed the former presidents causes as well through his own podcast and other media ventures. Most notably, DSouza who in 2014 pleaded guilty to making illegal campaign contributions created 2000 Mules, a misleadingly edited and conspiratorial film about the 2020 election that has animated Trumps opposition to voting by mail. Trump hosted a screening of the film at Mar-a-Lago in 2022. And then theres disgraced former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, a former contestant of Trumps Celebrity Apprentice reality television show who was freed by the former president in early 2020. Blagojevich recently defended Trumps courtroom antics in an interview with Politico, calling the former president brave while lauding his chutzpah. Many pardoned by Trump had long ago served their time and are now aiding Trump from the other side of their amnesty. Tate was convicted in 2014 along with two other senior leaders on Ron Pauls 2012 presidential campaign on charges stemming from a bribery plot to secure an Iowa state senators endorsement. His sentence, issued in 2016, included six months of home confinement, two years of probation and community service. CNN reached out to Tate through an email address on the website of his consulting firm, but he did not respond. Trump also effectively cleared the name of Charles Kushner, the father of his son-in-law who in the mid-2000s served prison time after he pleaded guilty to 16 counts of tax evasion, one count of retaliating against a federal witness his brother-in-law and another count of lying to the Federal Election Commission. Last June, Kushner gave $1 million to Make America Great Again, Inc., one of the largest single contributions to the pro-Trump super PAC so far. Meanwhile, Trump-pardoned New York real estate executive Alex Adjmi donated $100,000 to MAGA Inc., as did the son and daughter-in-law of Paul Pogue, a former construction executive from Texas included in Trumps last-minute pardons. Pogue and his wife also contributed $6,600 to a Trump-affiliated campaign committee. Already, there is intrigue around the fate of another Trump ally, Peter Navarro. An ex-White House aide for Trump, Navarro recently reported to federal prison after he refused to comply with a subpoena from the House Select Committee that investigated the January 6 attack. Trump on Tuesday wouldnt say if he intends to pardon Navarro if he returns to the White House. But his praise for his former aide echoed words he used to describe Manafort. Good man. He was treated very unfairly, Trump said. A great patriot. CNNs Alayna Treene, Kristen Holmes and Fredreka Schouten contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Now that Russian President Vladimir Putin has secured his historic fifth term in office, it is patently clear that he will devote his next six-year spell at the Kremlin to pursuing his paranoid obsession of confronting the West. Having recorded a post-Soviet era record of winning nearly 88 per cent of the votes, Putin used his victory to remind Russians that they would never be intimidated by the West. No matter who or how much they want to intimidate us, no matter who or how much they want to suppress us, our will, our consciousness no one has ever succeeded in anything like this in history, he said. It has not worked now and will not work in the future. Never. According to Putins narrative, he is fighting Western attempts to diminish Russia through a relentless effort to persuade countries, such as Ukraine, that previously fell under Moscows sphere of influence to join Nato and the European Union. This means the 71-year-old Putin will feel fully justified in exploiting his massive election victory to continue pursuing his agenda of trying to rebuild Russia into a global superpower, even if it runs the risk of provoking a major conflict with the West. The Russian president certainly did not shy away from the issue when asked a question about the possibility of becoming involved in a direct confrontation with the West during his post-election press conference. I think everything is possible in the modern world it is clear to everyone that this will be one step away from a full-scale Third World War. Putins remarks vindicate recent comments made by Nato leaders warning that the full extent of the Russian leaders territorial ambitions extend far beyond the confines of Ukraine. The US president, Joe Biden, stated back in December that Putin is planning to attack a Nato country once he has finished in Ukraine, while in January Admiral Rob Bauer, the chair of Natos military committee, called on the alliances member states to be ready to fight an all-out war with Russia within the next 20 years. Nothing Putin has said in the wake of his election success should disabuse anyone of the view that the Kremlin clearly means business in terms of escalating its confrontation with the West. It is an assessment, furthermore, that should serve as a wake-up call for Nato states like Britain that remain in a state of denial about the ability of their armed forces to meet the challenge the Kremlins bellicose mentality poses to European security. This weeks warning, for example, by Kosovos prime minister Albin Kurti that Britain needs to send more troops to help prevent Russian-backed Serbian forces from invading his country is just the latest example of Moscows expansionist designs. While ministers continue to insist that the UK military retains the means to keep the country secure, that is palpably not the view of highly-experienced former defence chiefs who, free from the restrictions of their former ranks, have laid bare the inadequacy of the Governments efforts to equip the military for the very real challenge Putin presents. In a paper published this week by the New Bletchley Network, such luminaries as Lord Robertson, the former New Labour defence secretary and Nato secretary-general, and Lord Sedwill, who served as national security adviser under Theresa May and Boris Johnson, publicly called on the Government to address the issue of rearmament with the seriousness it deserves. To be credible in deterrence terms, we need to prepare genuinely for war and communicate this to potential foes, Nato and allies, and particularly to the British public, the paper warns. A top priority, moreover, should be to rebuild the Army which, at its current strength of around 75,000 its smallest since the Napoleonic era has been reduced far below national critical mass. Coming from such distinguished and respected figures in our defence establishment as these, Downing Street would be well-advised to take heed of their sage counsel, instead of endlessly resorting to its tired refrain that it aims to increase defence expenditure to 2.5 per cent of GDP when fiscal and economic circumstances allow. The same applies to our allies in Europe, where the distinct prospect of Donald Trump winning Novembers presidential election has galvanised many European states into increasing their defence expenditure to meet Natos 2 per cent of GDP requirement. While just three Nato countries met their Nato obligation in 2014, that figure is likely to rise to 19 this year. But that still leaves another 13 countries failing to pay their dues, an omission that will not be lost on Trump who, in his GB News interview with Nigel Farage this week, said he remained committed to Nato so long as the Europeans pay their way. It is quite remarkable that, with Putin now openly threatening Europes borders, and Trump questioning Natos future, there are still countries that remain unwilling to fulfil their defence responsibilities. If Putins re-election fails to stir them from their torpor, perhaps nothing will. 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. Fitzwilliam Corrie-Salmon photobombs the Queen as she visits Knotts Bakery in Belfast - Liam McBurney/PA and Samir Hussein/WireImage The Queen has hailed a photobombing toddler as a natural in front of the cameras, as he proved the unexpected star of the show at a royal visit. Fitzwilliam Corrie-Salmon, the 23-month-old son of one of the owners of a Belfast bakery, took a shine to the cameras and television microphones that accompanied the Queen on her visit to Northern Ireland, posing in front of her. We have got a natural for the cameras, the Queen said, watching him in amusement. Asking how old he was and joking that he would be kept in order by others in the family business, she smiled indulgently as he posed. The little boy had chosen a tuxedo as his outfit for the special occasion, as the Queen visited Knotts Bakery on Lisburn Road, Belfast, as part of an engagement to showcase local businesses. His parents, William Corrie, co-owner of the bakery, and Zoe Salmon, a former Miss Northern Ireland and Blue Peter presenter, gave the Queen a tour of the shop, introducing them to staff and sending her home with a bag full of fruit loaf and iced madeira. Mr Corrie said the Queen, who has grandchildren of her own, was great with his son, adding: Weve got quite the story for him when hes older. The Queen said the King was doing very well at home despite missing out on the trip to Belfast. She said he was very disappointed he couldnt come for what was originally intended to be a joint visit. After the King was compelled to stay at home, she decided to continue with elements of her own programme for the working trip. On Thursday, that began with a visit to Lisburn Road to see three family businesses: a butcher, a baker and a delicatessen. She came away with bags full of local produce, promising she would take them home for the King after enjoying a snack herself. Fitzwilliam Corrie-Salmon wears a black tuxedo for the special occasion - Samir Hussein/WireImage Responding to quips about men not being the best patients, the Queen said: I try to keep him in order. Hes very disappointed he cant come, she added. At Coffeys Butchers, which has been operating on the Lisburn Road since 1929, she met some of the three generations of the family who run it, remarking: My gosh there are a lot of you! Inspecting the meat counter, she said: My goodness me what a great selection. Its wonderful, its all very tempting. Its lovely to see you thriving. The Queen visits Coffey's Butchers - Pool/Getty Images Europe Exclaiming over a large bunch of flowers presented to her, the Queen accepted a bag full of Northern Irish specialities including vegetable rolls, beef sausages and Belfast pickle. I shall take these back to my husband, he will really make the most of them, she said. At the next shop, Arcadia, a delicatessen that has been part of the Lisburn Road since 1933, she was also given a selection of their charcuterie, cheese, and local meats. Laura Graham-Brown, the owner, said the Queen had been particularly interested in the social aspect of the shop, which is seen as a link to the local community. We had a discussion about the impact of local independent retail in the context of loneliness and social interaction, she said. We know our customers and their families and lives. She was very interested in that. Her Majesty was particularly interested in the social aspect of delicatessen Arcadia - Pool/Getty Images Europe Outside the bakery, she was given an envelope of cards made for the King by the children of Fane Street Primary School, with 11-year-old Amaya handing them over to a smiling Queen. A small crowd of a few dozen people had gathered to see the visiting member of the Royal family, despite the trip not being announced in advance. The Queen spoke and shook hands with all of them, crossing the road to do so before departing for her next engagement. Among them was Anne-Marie Wallace and her 12-year-old son Oscar Dalzell, who has a collection of 15 letters from members of the Royal family he brought in a folder to show her. One recent letter, hand signed with best wishes Camilla R, thanks him for his latest letter and the beautiful picture of a crown. A small crowd gathers to see the Queen during her unexpected visit - Pool/Getty Images Europe The Queen told him it was lovely to put a face to the name of a correspondent, saying he writes lovely letters. She also met Kelly Andrews, chief executive of Belfast and Lisburn Womens Aid, who had hosted an engagement about domestic violence and human trafficking for a royal visit in 2020. I remember that visit well, said the Queen. How is it all going? Several members of the public told her they hoped the King was doing well, as he undergoes treatment for cancer. Later in the day, the Queen attended an event to celebrate Northern Irelands literary tradition at Hillsborough Castle, the monarchs official residence. Hosted by The Queens Reading Room and entitled Northern Ireland: Poets and Their Place, it featured some of the countrys most beautiful poetry being read out loud to a group of specially invited guests. Before the event, the Queen met with Chris Heaton-Harris, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Michelle ONeill, the First Minister, and Emma Little-Pengelly, the DUP deputy First Minister. It was the first time the Northern Irish leaders had met a member of the Royal family in their new roles. Standing the castles Red Room, the Queen thanked Mr Heaton-Harris for flying over for the event. She told Ms ONeill: Lovely to see you again. My husband sends you his very, very best wishes. I send him our very best too, she replied. Before she left she was given a posy of spring flowers from the garden by Claire Wood, the Hillsborough head gardener. Can we send these with our best wishes to The King. He so enjoys walking whenever he comes, Ms Wood said. Thank you so much, thats very kind. I will definitely take that back to him, Camilla 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 Wing Loong-2 large unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) takes off from an airport in the city of Zigong, southwest China's Sichuan Province, March 18, 2024. (Aviation Industry Corporation of China/Handout via Xinhua) BEIJING, March 21 (Xinhua) -- China has dispatched the Wing Loong-2 large unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to support teams tackling a forest fire in southwest China's Sichuan Province. The Chinese independently-developed Wing Loong-2 large civil UAV swiftly rushed to Sichuan to carry out the support mission under the dispatch of the Ministry of Emergency Management, said the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), the country's leading aircraft manufacturer. The rescue-specialized Wing Loong-2 manifests unique roles of the large UAV in sustaining emergency-rescue command and fire fighting actions in a timely and effective manner, said the AVIC. The Ministry of Emergency Management on Monday sent the Wing Loong-2 UAV to conduct aerial fire monitoring and telecommunications support missions, to contribute to the battle against the raging forest fire in Yajiang County in Sichuan. The forest fire broke out in mountainous areas with steep slopes and at high-altitudes, averaging 2,600 meters in elevation. It is extremely hard for rescuers to monitor and reach the fire sites, especially in the evening and also due to dense smoke. A Wing Loong-2 large unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is examined before taking off from an airport in the city of Zigong, southwest China's Sichuan Province, March 18, 2024. (Aviation Industry Corporation of China/Handout via Xinhua) The Wing Loong-2 took off from an airport in the city of Zigong in Sichuan at 6 p.m. Monday for the mission, and returned to the same airport on Tuesday at noon after 18 consecutive hours of flying. The large UAV carried out comprehensive monitoring of three fire sites. It also provided telecommunications support by continuously serving as an aerial telecommunications base and providing services to an area of around 1,200 square kilometers, according to the AVIC. Smooth and stable telecommunications are crucial for effective rescue work. The Wing Loong-2 effectively ensured telecommunications involving rescue command headquarters and rescuers at fire sites. Flying in complex mountainous conditions, low visibility at night and in heavy smoke, the Wing Loong-2 UAV carried out all-round aerial monitoring of fire sites via its onboard payloads such as optical equipment and synthetic aperture radar, according to the developer. Real-time data and high-definition visual images provided by the UAV made it possible for rescue commanders and firefighters to work in a more efficient and effective manner, enhancing their efforts to monitor the fire and confirm the location of fire sites. Notably, real-time information sent by the UAV is crucial for rescue commanders in making decisions such as timely dispatching and evacuation of firefighters. The Wing Loong-2 is a member of the Wing Loong large civil UAV family, which has been developed by AVIC (Chengdu) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle System Co., Ltd. (AVIC UAS), an AVIC subsidiary in southwest China's Chengdu. As an emergency-rescue specialized model, Wing Loong-2 features long range, long endurance, large payload capacity and strong environmental adaptability. It can fly in strong winds and conduct diversified missions such as monitoring disaster conditions and supporting telecommunications. A piece of modern aeronautical equipment, the Wing Loong-2 has already carried out multiple rescue missions after being dispatched by emergency-rescue authorities to assist earthquake, flood and typhoon rescue and relief efforts. It is standing by to help safeguard people's lives and property, said the AVIC. BECKLEY, WV (WVNS) A woman from Raleigh County pleaded guilty to a federal drug crime. 28-year-old Ashley N. Luster, of Sophia, pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting the distribution of methamphetamine. Lawson found guilty of First-Degree Murder in death of Fayette County teenager According to statements made in court, Luster sold around 25 grams of methamphetamine on July 13, 2022 to a confidential informant at a Beckley apartment complex with co-defendant Angelo Johnson. She revealed that after Johnson received the money, she gave the confidential informant the controlled substances. Lusters sentencing is scheduled for July 5, 2025, and she faces up to 20 years in prison, a minimum of three years of parole, and a $1 million fine. Greenbrier County man arrested after traffic stop On December 8, 2023, 28-year-old Angelo Johnson, of Beckley, was sentenced to three years and one month in prison, followed by three years of parole, after Johnson pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting the distribution of methamphetamine. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Will Thompson and praised the the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit for their work on the investigation. Officers from the Beckley Police Department, Raleigh County Sheriffs Office, and the West Virginia State Police are a part of the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS. Mick Jagger was snapped with a diamond in his tooth in 1983 An exhibition of unseen photos of The Rolling Stones from 40 years ago is going on display. Rare Stones is a collection of candid snaps of the band in the early eighties taken by Folkestone-based photographer Brian Aris. The images, many of which have never been displayed before, are on show in St Leonards, East Sussex, from Saturday. Lucy Bell, who is hosting the exhibition, said the photos "showcase the band's raw energy, unparalleled charisma, and enduring influence". Brian Aris took this image of The Rolling Stones in Boston in 1981 Brian Aris was invited to fly to Boston to photograph The Rolling Stones in 1981, where they were in secret rehearsals for their upcoming tour. He said: "I spent days photographing different band members before walking into a candlelit barn with the band around midnight for a rehearsal. "I was sitting on the floor of the barn, working with very fast film as there was such little light, thinking how privileged I was to be there with an opportunity to capture The Stones." Mr Aris added: "No fancy costumes or make up, no expensive lighting rig - just an amazing group of musicians really enjoying themselves making great music." Mick Jagger with David Bowie at Royal Albert Hall in 1983 Other sessions followed - a one-to-one with Mick Jagger in Holborn Studios in London, a trip to Paris where the band was filming the video for Undercover of the Night, and later Jagger and David Bowie in concert together. Many of these images remain unseen. Mr Aris added: "With the band going out on tour this year it felt like this was a perfect opportunity to raid my archives." Rare Stone is on display at Lucy Bell Gallery, St Leonards, from 23 March to 6 May. Mick Jagger photographed at Holborn Studios, London, in 1983 Drummer Charlie Watts on stage in Boston in 1981 Keith Richards filming the video for Undercover of the Night in 1983 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 stories Related links ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) Get2KnowNoke announced registration is now open for its Onboard/ROA regional onboarding program, which connects young professionals with community employers. Onboard/ROA is an eight-week program that provides professional development training while connecting students interns, new hires, remote workers, and young professionals ages 18 through 26 to the regions community, employers, and desirable amenities. The program is supplemental to an employer onboarding process marrying soft-skill development, social connectivity, and regional orientation to help young professionals connect with their work and their community. The program also includes career-readiness training for topics like professional communications and networking, leadership training, and critical thinking. After I graduated from Virginia Tech, I wasnt sure if I was going to stay in the Roanoke Region. I signed up for Onboard to meet more people my age, build my career, and get more engaged with the community, said Onboard|ROA 2023 participant, Madison Harris. I met so many interesting people and tried activities I never would have done on my own. Even though I grew up here, it allowed me to see the region with new eyes. The program was a great investment in my career and confirmed my decision to stay. Participating in Onboard was a great experience and I feel like a stronger member of this community now. City of Roanoke hosting annual Spring Job Fair for prospective city employees During weekends and at nights, cohorts will explore the outdoor and cultural amenities including river floats, ropes course, sporting events, live concerts, food and beverage, and so much more. These outings highlight Roanokes top assets, giving participants an idea of the lifestyle options. Weve learned that when we send our young talent away to gain entry-level experience, theres a good chance they dont return, Julia Boas, director of talent strategies at the Roanoke Regional Partnership, said Regional partners are doing their part to provide opportunity to young talent. Now, its our job to help connect these young folks to the people, places, and activities that will make them want to call our region home. Onboard/ROA kicks off June 5 with weekly programming and runs until the end of July. The program costs $320 with eight weeks of planned activities, facilitation, training, meals, and mentorship are all included in the cost. Participants can register through their employers or on their own. The deadline to sign up for the program is May 22. For more information, view the entire schedule, or register for Onboard/ROA, visit the Get2KnowNoke website. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv. Upon being liberated from Russian captivity, Ukrainians are to undergo rehabilitation based on Western techniques. Photo: Ukraine's Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War Upon being liberated from Russian captivity, Ukrainian military personnel will undergo a comprehensive course of rehabilitation and recovery, developed jointly with foreign experts using Western methods. Source: Ukraines Defence Ministry Details: "We are working jointly to establish reintegration centres, taking into account both domestic and foreign expertise in rehabilitation and psychological assistance. Ukrainian specialists have undergone NATO-assisted training. Therefore, our task is to ensure the best conditions for the liberated Ukrainian defenders and give them professional assistance," said Nataliia Kalmykova, Ukraine's Deputy Defence Minister. Recovery courses will be set up for military personnel after their release from captivity, where they will receive medical and psychological assistance, as well as undergo a rehabilitation and recovery program. Support and care from multidisciplinary specialists are also planned. All sessions will be confidential. "Such support will also be provided to family members of former prisoners of war to overcome difficult life circumstances and minimise negative consequences," added Nataliia Kalmykova. Background: Valeriia Subotina (Karpylenko), a defender of the city of Mariupol and former head of the Azov press service, who goes by the alias Nava, has published a book about her time in Russian captivity. Support UP or become our patron! LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) Dr. Rachel Harshbarger is quite simply, an over-achiever. Friends and family say thats always been the case, especially when it comes to caring for animals. As early as I can remember, says Harshbarger, I would always bring home any animal I could find, including a little mouse I found and took to school to care for. Dr. Harshbarger knew at 6 years old she wanted to be a veterinarian and then at 13, watched a National Geographic show about Kenya and vowed to visit one day. She got her chance as an undergraduate at MSU, taking part in a study abroad program there, focused on wildlife management and medicine. While there she fell in love with helping the Maasai tribal people and their sheep, goats, and cattle that are used as a form of currency. I would treat the sick animals and help teach the locals about their native diseases and how those occur, says Harshbarger, sometimes they think its from the water when its actually from a tick. Her yearly trips to Africa brought to light something else she wanted to change in the world and that being making sure girls there get an education. Its a mission thats led to her sponsoring many young women over the past two decades, who now have college degrees. I think it is really important to support girls to go to school around the world. Boys need help too, but a lot of times girls arent sent to school when the boys are, so I like to support girls education around the world. But its not just Africa its wherever theres a need. Harshbarger was heartbroken when Russia invaded Ukraine, and off she went. If we each do our own little part, it will make a small difference, so I found a dog rescue in Romania which is next door to Ukraine and they were doing work at the border. Work that involved helping animals who were brought there by displaced Ukrainians escaping the new war. She then took it a step further and risked her life by entering the country that was being attacked. We also delivered dog food inside Ukraine because there was a lot of street dogs and people in need. Of course, a lot of the focus is on what people need, but the dogs needed food so we delivered dog food up there. When shes not making a difference overseas shes teaching the tenets of Taekwondo. Dr. Harshbarger is a black belt and master instructor and has helped hundreds of people, of all ages and skill levels over the past few decades improve both their physical and mental health. We work a lot with kids that have ADHD and autism. Its a family environment where they get new friends and learn new skills and it really boosts their self-esteem. A positive impact Dr. Harshbarger tries to make every single day, whether its people, pets, or wild animals and the biggest reason why shes so remarkable. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News. LeeBeth, the great white shark that made history in the Gulf of Mexico in early March, captured the attention of marine scientists and researchers as well as the general public. We might even say she's somewhat of a shark celebrity. But do you know the story behind her name? Here's what we know. Who is LeeBeth named after? Ed Young first caught LeeBeth in an expedition with Capt. Chip Michalove of Outcast Sport Fishing near Hilton Head off the coast of South Carolina. While Michalove tagged the 14.1-foot, 2,600-pound female, Young presented her with a name: LeeBeth. The name carries emotional significance for Young, as it's the name of his late daughter. "We named this shark after our daughter LeeBeth who loved shark fishing passionately since she was little," Young shared in an Instagram post. "Im overwhelmed with emotion thinking about how she would have reacted to these moments" LeeBeth, a 14-foot, 2,600-pound great white shark, was caught in December at Hilton Head and outfitted with a GPS transmitter. Her last known location was 20 miles south of Gulfport, Mississippi on March 17. Young is a senior pastor at Fellowship Church, a megachurch in Grapevine, Texas, along with his wife Lisa Young. According to his website, Young wears many hats: pastor, speaker, author and yes, fisherman. Ed and Lisa Young's daughter, LeeBeth, passed away in 2021 at the age of 34. In a sermon, the couple recounted what had led to LeeBeth's passing. LeeBeth had struggled with mental health for several years prior to her death and had developed alcoholism as a way to cope. Where is LeeBeth now? LeeBeth is quite the traveler, according to Capt. Chip Michalove of Outcast Sport Fishing. Michalove estimated the shark to be about 30 years old and said she's covered well over 2,600 miles in the past three months. Over the last several months, she's traveled from South Carolina to the western Gulf of Mexico and her last tracking signal came Sunday in Mississippi waters. More: A great white shark is making history in the Gulf of Mexico. Where is LeeBeth now? According to the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy (AWSC), LeeBeth's travels mark the farthest west into the Gulf of Mexico a white shark has ever been recorded. More recently, she gave locations twice on Saturday and another on Sunday. If she stays on track, she's even closer to the Mississippi coastline now. The shark's last ping was recorded 20 miles south of Biloxi and Gulfport. Researchers have tracked LeeBeth's movements from Hilton Head, SC to South Padre Island, TX. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Great white shark LeeBeth pings near New Orleans, name origin revealed Replicator, the Pentagons effort to buy and field thousands of drones by next August, is closer than ever to its first round of funding. Congress just released the final text of its long-delayed fiscal year 2024 Pentagon spending bill. In it, the Replicator program would get $200 million. The number is less than half of the $500 million Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks predicted earlier this month for her trademark program, which is focused on countering China. But it would square with the amount requested in a reprogramming package sent to Congress in early February. That request, in which the Pentagon asks lawmakers to allow it to move money around for new priorities, was reportedly $300 million. This would be a two-track funding approach, somewhat in line with Hicks comments at an event hosted by the Ronald Reagan Institute this Wednesday. Hicks framed appropriations and reprogramming as two paths, but only alternative ones and not intended to work together. We need one of those two pathways to move forward, she said, noting further funding for Replicator $500 million is already written into the Pentagons FY25 budget request. At the same event, Army acquisition chief Doug Bush said that the first systems bought in Replicator mainly come from his service. Multiple outlets reported earlier this year that the AeroVironment Switchblade 600 is among those. Some in Congress are still frustrated at the lack of transparency from the Pentagon on the initiative. One Senate aide, speaking to Defense News on the condition of anonymity, said that Pentagon officials briefed on Replicator earlier this month, mentioning specific systems for the first time. Thatll have to get better over the next six to eight months, the aide said. We need to get more into the details. The new bill addresses this shortage. It would require Hicks to brief lawmakers within 60 days of its passage. That briefing would need information on how much funding Replicator will require through the rest of the decade, how its systems will be sustained and how the Pentagon plans to use them. In addition, the bill mandates a report within 90 days that would show how the Pentagon is leaning on commercial-style technology, examples of Replicator-type systems from each service and instances when such systems have become programs of record. This report will be unclassified but contain a classified portion. The budget introduced this week arrives halfway through the fiscal year. If passed, the Pentagon will have just six months to spend it, potentially risking some money not being obligated after the crash effort. Its a show me culture, Hicks said of Pentagon innovation. Show me youll put your reputation on the line to make change happen, and then maybe itll make change happen This story has been updated with further details from the legislation and comments from a Congressional aide. PHNOM PENH, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet will pay an official visit to Laos on March 25-26 at the invitation of his Lao counterpart Sonexay Siphandone, Cambodia's foreign ministry said in a statement on Thursday. The two prime ministers will hold a bilateral meeting to discuss elevating bilateral cooperation across a wide range of fields. "They will also exchange views on sub-regional, regional and international issues of common interest and concern," the statement said. The two leaders will also witness the signing of several documents after their talks, it added. By Alexandra Ulmer (Reuters) - The biggest donor in this U.S. election cycle is Jeffrey Yass, a libertarian trading firm owner who started off as a professional poker player and is now a major investor in TikTok's Chinese owner ByteDance. Philadelphia-based Yass has donated more than $46 million to Republican causes so far in the 2024 election cycle, data from political donations tracker OpenSecrets shows. The funds have gone to support former rivals of Donald Trump for the Republican presidential nomination, as well as a raft of groups supporting school choice, programs that use taxpayer dollars to send students to private and religious schools. Yass, 65, was thrust into the spotlight this month after Trump, the Republican presidential candidate, reversed course on his preference for banning TikTok, saying that a ban would hurt some children and only strengthen Meta Platforms' Facebook. Trump made the comments days after he met Yass at a gathering of the conservative Club for Growth donor group in Florida. The U-turn on TikTok amid a major cash crunch led to speculation that Trump may be trying to court Yass. Trump says the pair only met for "a few minutes," and did not discuss TikTok but instead talked about education. Trump has been significantly outraised on funding by Democratic President Joe Biden and faces hostility from many traditional Republican donors, all while scrambling for money to pay off around a half-billion dollars in legal judgments. Yass, who leads Pennsylvania-based trading firm Susquehanna International Group and whose net worth Forbes puts at around $27 billion, has not donated to Trump. He did, however, give money to support four of Trump's former opponents for the Republican presidential nomination: Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Senator Tim Scott and former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, a major Trump critic. Yass has not previously donated to Trump. A spokesperson for Yass declined to comment for this article. Yass' political contributions have soared from the levels he spent in previous elections, OpenSecrets data shows. In the entire 2016 election cycle, for example, Yass and his wife donated just over $5 million - a ninth of his donations in the current cycle, which wraps up with the Nov. 5 general election. His donations this cycle have included some $16 million to the Club for Growth Action, a super PAC funding group linked to the fiscally conservative Club for Growth non-profit. The Club for Growth is also against the TikTok ban. To be sure, Yass and the Club for Growth have over the years also donated to many members of Congress who support banning TikTok, including Republican Senator Marco Rubio. POKER, TRADING AND SCHOOLS The son of two accountants and a math major himself, Yass went to Las Vegas after college and played poker professionally, Yass says in a video posted by Susquehanna on YouTube. He later moved to Philadelphia and worked as an options trader on the floor in 1981. A passion for betting and probability seems to permeate much of what he does. "Sometimes I find myself at a race track literally trying to make $2 on an idea that I have," Yass, bespectacled and sitting in front of what appears to be a row of traders at their computers, said in the Susquehanna video. In the political sphere, Yass is laser-focused on the issue of school choice programs, according to interviews with politicians who know him and fellow donors. "He is truly a libertarian. His main interest is promoting school choice. That's what motivates Jeff," said Frayda Levin, a Republican donor who knows Yass and sees him at events at the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank. Libertarians typically support maximizing individual rights and minimizing the role of government. In addition to having poured millions into supporting school choice on a political level, Yass and his wife Janine Yass, with whom he has four children, award monetary prizes to education providers. School choice programs have gained wide appeal in recent years as some parents have become disgruntled with the state of U.S. public education, for reasons ranging from underfunding to concerns about what is taught in classrooms. However, some Democrats view the push to use state funds for private and religious schools with suspicion, saying they are attempts by Republicans to weaken public education while further enriching wealthy families. (This story has been corrected to fix the description of Jeffrey Yass to trading firm owner, not global hedge fund owner, in the headline and in paragraphs 1 and 9) (Reporting by Alexandra Ulmer, editing by Ross Colvin and Deepa Babington) David McCormick, a Republican running for Senate, with his wife, Dina, at an event announcing his candidacy in Pittsburgh, Sept. 21, 2023. (Jeff Swensen/The New York Times) Since his rise to the presidency, Donald Trump has claimed enormous wealth as proof that he is an anti-establishment ally of the working class, not beholden to corporate donors or special interests. The Republican Party, eyeing control of the Senate next year, is trying to mimic his success with a cohort of candidates who in the past might have been attacked as a bunch of rich men but this year will be sold as successful outsiders in the Trump mold. The decision by Ohio voters Tuesday to nominate Bernie Moreno to take on Sen. Sherrod Brown, a Democrat, is the capstone of a year that has crowned nominees or anointed clear front-runners with remarkable wealth in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Montana and now Ohio. Sign up for The Morning newsletter from the New York Times That might match the partys presumptive nominee, Trump, but with backgrounds in banking and hedge funds, properties in Connecticut and Laguna Beach, California, and education credentials from Princeton and the Naval Academy, some in the 2024 class feel more like the days of Mitt Romney, worth around $174 million, and John McCain, a Naval Academy graduate who married into a beer-distributing empire, than the current moment when blue-collar credibility is the currency of the realm. The intentional decision by Republicans in Washington, D.C., to get behind candidates with enormous personal fortunes will most likely give the party a boost as it struggles for campaign cash against the Democrats formidable grassroots fundraising operations. But the sheer affluence of the candidates and how they made their money is sure to be a factor in the fight for Senate control. Thats who they are, Brown, who is worth about $263,000, said in an interview Wednesday, commenting on the lineup of millionaire Republicans arrayed against Democratic incumbents. I guess Im not surprised by that. Republicans say their candidates will make the case that they are successful political outsiders, running against career politicians who used their years in Washington to raise their net worth and enrich their families. Weve recruited a roster of candidates with impressive backgrounds in business and, in many cases, military service, said Mike Berg, a spokesperson for the National Republican Senatorial Committee. Democrats have a roster of career politicians with questionable ethics. Well take that contrast any day of the week. But if a clash over net worth comes down to numbers in bank accounts, the Republicans will have the bigger figures to answer for. To call Moreno a former auto dealer, for instance, is to miss the scale of his business and investment fortune. In 2023, Moreno, a Colombian-born businessman, filed financial disclosure forms that revealed assets valued from $25.5 million to $105.7 million and an annual income nearing $6 million. Those assets include a $2.3 million Aston Martin Vulcan, one of only 24 ever made; a house listed in Ocean Reef, Florida, worth as much as $25 million; land in Zapotal, Costa Rica; condominiums in New York, Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio; and a home in Avon, Ohio, valued at up to $5 million. But like Trump, whose endorsement helped deliver his victory, Moreno is confident he can speak to the blue-collar voters who have been the backbone of Browns support since the Democrat was elected in 2006. We are not the party of the elites in big business, Moreno told reporters Tuesday. Were the party of the working class. An Unusually Wealthy Crop of Candidates Affluence has been a hallmark of the Senate perhaps since its inception, in both parties. The richest senator, Rick Scott, R-Fla., is running for reelection this fall and has shown a ready willingness to tap his fortune to ensure electoral success. The second-richest is a Democrat, Mark Warner of Virginia. But the Republican Party, wary of the Democrats fundraising prowess in recent cycles, has recruited candidates from a significantly higher economic echelon than the working-class voters it is trying to woo in swing states. With Democrats holding 51 seats, Republican control is a hairbreadth away. The retirement of Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., virtually assures the loss of one seat to that states governor, Jim Justice, whose days as a billionaire coal baron may have passed, according to Forbes, but who is still worth hundreds of millions. In Pennsylvania, David McCormick, the former CEO of Bridgewater Associates, one of the largest hedge funds in the world, is challenging Sen. Bob Casey. McCormick and his wife, Dina Powell McCormick, a Trump administration official and former partner at Goldman Sachs, reported assets in 2022 worth $116 million to $290 million. In another key swing state, Wisconsin, Republicans are banking on Eric Hovde, the chair and CEO of Sunwest Bank, a $2.8 billion commercial lender, to challenge Sen. Tammy Baldwin. Sunwest, based in Sandy, Utah, has operations in the West and in Florida. He considers his home to be Madison, Wisconsin, but has been listed as a mover and shaker in Orange County, California, business circles. Democrats have repeatedly hit him over his $7 million home in Laguna Beach, California. In Montana, Sen. Jon Tester, a Democrat, faces a reelection battle in a state that gave Trump 57% of its vote in 2020, and his opponent, Tim Sheehy, is leaning on his background as a decorated former Navy SEAL and a firefighting pilot. But there is another piece of his resume: Bridger Aerospace, an aerial firefighting company he founded, went public in 2022, valued at $869 million. So far, the candidates are leaning into their success. Hovde released an advertisement Friday saying he has worked hard, been fortunate and does not need special-interest money. He vowed to donate his Senate salary to a Wisconsin charity. On Wednesday, in a new advertisement airing statewide in Montana, Sheehy interspersed images of his combat duties with a promise to tap his own wealth: I dont need the money from lobbyists, he said. I can do the right thing in office because its the right thing for America. Democrats See Openings for Attack For Democrats, their opponents backgrounds offer them a choice: tie them to Trump and his brand of what they call extremism, or fall back on a tried-and-true strategy to portray them as out-of-touch elitists, with histories of harming employees and customers alike. The roster of Republican Senate recruits come with enough baggage to fill a bank vault, said David Bergstein, a spokesperson for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. Their finances demonstrate a wealth of vulnerabilities against them, from conflicts of interest to outsourcing to questionable financial practices. In Ohio, Morenos Republican opponents, especially the Republican establishments choice, state Sen. Matt Dolan, repeatedly went after him for a lawsuit filed by an employee of one of his car dealerships, who sued him in 2017 for failure to pay overtime. The judge in the case determined that Moreno either did not retain or shredded monthly reports on overtime hours. The Moreno campaign has countered repeatedly that the suit stemmed from a change in Massachusetts overtime law, not the actions of Morenos management. But Moreno did lose the suit and was ordered to pay $416,160 to his employees. Democrats have hinted that they have many more potentially damaging stories to tell about Moreno, one reason their leadership-aligned super political action committee, the Senate Majority PAC, spent big in the last days of the Ohio primary to boost the businesspersons chances against Dolan. Republicans will counter with Browns failure for years to disclose his wifes pension assets, worth $250,001-$500,000. Last year, he amended several years worth of disclosure forms to account for the pension. McCormick, Hovde and Sheehy will all face questions about their commitments to the states they seek to represent in the Senate. McCormicks home in Connecticut was the main point of attack in 2022 when he lost the Republican primary to Mehmet Oz for a vacant Senate seat in Pennsylvania. Hovde was raised in Wisconsin, attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison and counts Madison as his home. But his ties to California will be central to the Democratic case against him. Sheehy appears to be a dream candidate for Montana, but in facing Tester, a flat-topped farmer from Big Sandy, Montana, his recent arrival in the state could prove to be an issue. He grew up in Shoreview, Minnesota, a suburb of Minneapolis, in a multimillion-dollar lake house, went to private preparatory school and then to the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, before being discharged from the military with a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. He moved to Bozeman, Montana, in 2014 and founded Bridger Aerospace and Ascent Vision Technologies, the latter of which he sold for $350 million in 2020. Republicans involved in the general-election campaigns say they have plenty of issues to counter those charges with, at least to muddy the waters: a $1.3 million condominium in Washington, D.C., that Baldwin bought with her partner, Maria Brisbane, in 2021; the rising net worth of Tester; and family lobbying ties connected to Casey. As for their standard-bearer, Trump, his scramble to come up with hundreds of millions of dollars in the coming days to meet the judgment against him for business fraud is raising questions not over how he made his money but whether he can keep it. His campaign, facing myriad financial pressures amid mounting legal bills stemming from the criminal cases against him, is scrambling to raise cash. c.2024 The New York Times Company While progressive politicians and unions are fighting to grant Americans four-day workweeks, Republicans are looking to achieve the complete opposite. On Wednesday, the Republican Study Committee (made up of more than 170 House Republicans) proposed a 2025 budget with an eyebrow-raising revision of Social Security and Medicare, increasing the retirement age to qualify for Social Security and lowering benefits for the highest-earning beneficiaries. But dont worry, Republicans want you to know that this will not take effect immediately, and will only impact everyone who isnt already of age to acquire their earned benefits. Again, the RSC Budget does not cut or delay retirement benefits for any senior in or near retirement, the caucus underlined. Under the proposed plan, Medicare would operate as a premium support model, competing with private companies, giving subsidies to beneficiaries to pick the private plan of their choice. That stratagem is straight from former House Speaker Paul Ryans playbook, who proposed the policy while campaigning as Mitt Romneys vice presidential pick in the 2012 election. At the time, President Barack Obama argued that the plan would end Medicare as we know it. Outside of fiscal policy, the proposed budget also endorsed the controversial Life at Conception Act, which would grant rights to embryos and likely gut in vitro fertilization nationwidedespite a Republican press run last month to fake support for the procedure. The budget is unlikely to pass through Congress, but its drafting still hints at the partys follow-through on an age-old threatand offers a glimpse into what kind of future it wants if it wins reelection, and if Donald Trump retakes the White House. The whole thing is, notably, an odd choice during an election year. On the campaign trail in January, former President Donald Trump opposed raising the retirement age and pledged not to cut Social Security benefits. We dont have to do that for seniors, he told supporters. You earned it. Trumps 2024 campaign also ran TV ads criticizing his primary opponent, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, for wanting to change the retirement age, saying she would end the promise of a secured retirement. Trump has waffled on his pledge in recent weeks and now, Republican lawmakers are publicly pushing to raise the Social Security retirement age and slash benefits. The Republican Study Committee, the largest GOP caucus in the House, issued a 2025 budget proposal Wednesday calling for cuts to Social Security among other entitlement benefits. The proposal states it would make modest adjustments to the retirement age for future retirees to account for increases in life expectancy. The suggested cuts would be in service of reducing the federal governments entitlement budget, which analysts project runs the risk of insolvency in the coming years. The proposal projects reducing Social Security spending by more than $1.5 trillion dollars over the next 10 years. Trump, the presumptive nominee, lit into Haley for expressing similar sentiments during her primary campaign. However, he recently floated the idea of reducing Social Security and Medicare benefits. There is a lot you can do in terms of entitlements, in terms of cutting, and in terms of also the theft and the bad management of entitlements, Trump said during a CNBC appearance last week. The backlash to the comments caused Trump to walk back the comments, saying he will never do anything that will jeopardize or hurt Social Security or Medicare in a subsequent interview with Breitbart. Republican rollbacks to entitlement programs are nothing new, and discussion of raising the age of Social Security to cut costs has been going on for decades. The recent push by the GOP was even addressed by President Joe Biden during his latest State of the Union address, where he said: If anyone here tries to cut Social Security, Medicare or raise the retirement age, I will stop you. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone (NEXSTAR) Adding to the growing excitement surrounding the 2024 total solar eclipse is the return of Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks, also known as the Devil Comet. The comets name derives from its hornlike appearance, which some Star Wars fans have also likened to the Millennium Falcon, according to NASA. Find out more about the 2024 total solar eclipse The comet, known both for its distorted shape and recent explosive outbursts, orbits the Sun once every 71.2 years, according to Astronomy Magazine, comparable to Halleys Comet. The return of the Devil Comet is especially thrilling for many skywatchers, as experts project that it will be visible during the Great American Eclipse, thanks to the darkness of totality. Where can I get solar eclipse glasses? The comet would be located about 25 degrees away from the eclipsed sun, Dr. Paul Chodas, manager of the Center for Near-Earth Object Studies, and Davide Farnocchia, navigation engineer, at NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, told CNN in an email. The comet should be fairly easy to find during the total solar eclipse, as well as a number of planets, but the main focus during those 4 minutes should be on the eclipse itself! Why the total solar eclipse in 2024 will be different than it was in 2017 If you want to see the comet at night before it moves to the daytime sky April 2, the last 10 days of March are the best viewing window, said Chodas and Fanocchia, who also recommended traveling away from bright city lights and using binoculars to get the best view. To see the Devil Comet, make sure you have a good view of the western horizon. Despite the comets recent volatility and grim nickname, theres no need to worry about a collision with Earth, according to EarthSky. At its closest, the Devil Comet will pass harmlessly by our planet in June, 2024 at about 1.5 times the distance between the Earth and the sun. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. (Bloomberg) -- Brazil Finance Minister Fernando Haddad is on the brink of a win this week, when official data is expected to show that he is far closer to reaching his lofty goal of eliminating the countrys primary fiscal deficit than investors predicted he would be. Most Read from Bloomberg A sluggish economy and President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silvas desires to spend more to juice growth, however, have ensured the victory will be bittersweet. The governments first fiscal report of 2024, set for release Friday, will indicate that Brazils deficit is on track to finish the year within the tolerance range of 0.25% of gross domestic product required by the nations fiscal framework law, according to a person familiar with the matter. Markets last year expressed deep skepticism of Haddads plan to zero the primary deficit, which excludes interest payments, through new revenues. But the improving outlook has been driven by his success on that front: Brazil hauled in 186.5 billion reais ($37.5 billion) in February tax collections a record for the month and nearly 30 billion reais more than a year ago according to Finance Ministry data released Thursday. That followed 280 billion reais in tax collections in January, another record propelled by new levies on the wealthy. As a result, the government is likely to have to freeze less of its budget than previously expected, and Haddad will for now avoid the worst outcome the fiscal framework could have generated: Large-scale spending cuts that would have drawn Lulas ire. For most of last year, Lula stood by his protege and potential political heir even as allies barked that Haddads devotion to deficit reduction threatened their plans to expand social programs. Now, with the economy sputtering and his popularity sagging below 50%, the leftist leader has ramped up calls for additional investments and turned the revenue gains into evidence that he has room to use spending to help reverse the decline. Read More: Lula Irks Investors in Bid to Spur Brazil Growth, Boost Approval Revenue is increasing beyond what many people expected, Lula said at a recent event in Brasilia. Of course we have a spending limit, but when we have more money we will have to discuss that spending limit with the lower house and Senate, and we will see how we can use more money to deliver more benefits to the people. Preaching Patience Haddad has continued to preach caution, and wants to monitor collections in the coming months for signs that the early revenue increases are sustainable, according to two people familiar with his views who requested anonymity to discuss internal matters. That would give him and the government more time to assess whether they need to alter the zero-deficit target, the people said, even amid widespread predictions that it will eventually have to change. The better-than-expected outlook indicates that there is currently low or zero need for budget freezes, said Felipe Salto, chief economist at Warren Investimentos in Sao Paulo. But this doesnt mean that, throughout the year, it will not be necessary to cut. Lulas patience, however, appears to be wearing thin. This week, he called a cabinet meeting that forced Haddad to cancel a trip abroad, and urged his team to produce concrete proposals to jumpstart the economy. All weve done so far is just the beginning and not enough, Lula said as the meeting opened. Well have to do much more. Haddad has some space to increase spending before deciding if a change to the target is necessary: The fiscal rules allow the government to spend as much as 15 billion reais more if revenues exceed projections, according to a third person with knowledge of the situation, thanks to a one-year mechanism Haddad created to account for tax cuts and subsidies authorized by former President Jair Bolsonaro. That decision will be made in June, when the government is scheduled to release its second fiscal report of the year. Market Concern Financial markets are pricing in primary deficits of 0.75% this year and 0.6% for 2025, according to the central banks weekly survey of economists. Most now see a target change coming only later this year, rather than in mid-April, when the government has to submit its budget guidelines to congress, analysts from JPMorgan Chase & Co. wrote in a recent report. Haddads early efforts won over Brazilian investors who initially worried about his appointment, and he maintains solid approval among them: Half of analysts viewed him positively in a survey released Wednesday by Brazilian pollster Quaest Pesquisa, compared to just 12% that rated him negatively. Read More: Brazil Finance Chiefs Market-Friendly Pose Alienates the Left But nearly two-thirds now view Lulas government poorly, according to the poll, in which they also expressed fear that the presidents falling popularity could undermine Haddads efforts and the fiscal goal. Investors increasingly see the need to closely monitor the possibility of a earlier-than-expected target change, JPMorgans analysts wrote, particularly in the context of the recent decline of the governments approval rating. --With assistance from Simone Iglesias, Maria Eloisa Capurro and Josue Leonel. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. MOSCOW, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Incumbent Russian President Vladimir Putin has been re-elected for another term as the President of Russia, securing victory in the presidential election with 87.28 percent of the votes, the Central Election Commission confirmed Thursday. The following is a brief introduction to the Russian leader: Born in Leningrad (today's St. Petersburg) on Oct. 7, 1952, Putin graduated from the Law Department of Leningrad State University in 1975 and was commissioned to work in the Soviet Union's State Security Committee (KGB). From 1985 to 1990, Putin worked in East Germany. In 1990, he returned to the Soviet Union and worked as an assistant to the rector of Leningrad State University, Anatoly Sobchak. Starting in June 1991, Putin began working as chairman of the Committee for International Relations at St. Petersburg City Hall, and from 1994, concurrently held the position of deputy chairman of the St. Petersburg city government. In 1996, he moved his family to Moscow, where he was offered the post of deputy chief of Russia's Presidential Property Management Directorate. In March 1997, he was appointed deputy chief of staff of the Presidential Executive Office and chief of the Main Control Directorate. In May 1998, he was made first deputy chief of staff of the Presidential Executive Office. In March 1999, Putin was appointed secretary of the State Security Council. In August 1999, he was appointed prime minister. Upon then Russian President Boris Yeltsin's resignation on Dec. 31, 1999, Putin became acting president of Russia. Putin won the presidential election on March 26, 2000, and was re-elected to a second term on March 14, 2004, by a landslide victory. From 2008 to 2012, Putin served as Prime Minister of Russia. In March 2012, Putin won a resounding victory in the presidential election. On March 18, 2018, he was re-elected as the President of Russia. In March 2024, Putin ran as an independent candidate in the presidential election. (NEXSTAR) While Road House, released in 1989 and starring the late Patrick Swayze, has become a cult classic over time, its never been regarded as a great film. In fact, the Rowdy Herrington-directed action movie has often been considered so bad its good, though in his 1989 review Roger Ebert said it exists right on the edge between the good-bad movie and the merely bad. Strangely enough, its lack of renown is why it warrants a remake and why so much of Road House (2024), which premieres on Prime Video on Thursday, succeeds. Palm Royale review: Kristen Wiig scams, delights in social climbing comedy For his reimagining of the story, director Doug Liman (Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Edge of Tomorrow) keeps most threads from the original film while altering some of what doesnt work in the campy neo-Western. For starters, Limans film relocates the story from small-town Missouri to the Florida Keys, an aesthetic choice that feels in line with the 80s-ness of the original (theres also something a little Miami Vice about it) while opening up new location-specific possibilities, including speedboat chases, yacht shootouts, and one hungry crocodile. When we meet former UFC fighter Dalton (Academy Award nominee Jake Gyllenhaal), hes no longer fighting professionally and is flirting with the idea of ending of his life. This might seem heavier than youre expecting but Daltons brief low moment is well-calibrated. Swayzes Dalton was also haunted by his past mistakes but that films lighter atmosphere isnt conducive to too much emotionality. Since Limans film, with a script by Anthony Bagarozzi and Charles Mondry, streamlines some of the original Road House campiness, theres some atmospheric wiggle room for Gyllenhaals Dalton to show us what hes feeling and to sit in it. Daltons fortune is changed, however, after hes scouted to become the bouncer at The Road House, a troubled tropic-themed watering hole where live bands perform behind cages for their own safety. In Herringtons movie, patron rowdiness is dialed up to 100% which is both fun to watch and also gives that film a certain unreality that makes some of its script shortcomings passable. But Limans Road House tempers some of the customer violence, which helps ground the story a little more but equally makes these portions of the film much less memorable. Gyllenhaals Dalton is backed up by Road House owner Frankie (Jessica Williams, Fantastic Beasts films, The Daily Show) and bar employee Billy (Lukas Gage, The White Lotus), who begin learning Daltons tricks for dealing with rowdy patrons but one local isnt keen on a Road House takeover. Area crime boss Ben Brandt (Billy Magnussen, No Time to Die) has deep pockets and tight connections and he will stop at nothing including murder to get rid of Dalton. Played with pompous charisma by Magnussen (No Time to Die), whose penchant for playing charismatic rich jerks is unrivaled (see Ingrid Goes West), Brandts electric presence is one of the films many delights. Not to forget another of the films villains who nearly steals the show: the unexpectedly fun hulking Irish assassin Knox, played by UFC champ Conor McGregor. Any time Knox is in a scene, the over-the-top action locks in perfectly. Road House marks the 35 year-old boxers film debut and his swaggering performance hints that he could have a future film career. Beyonce says not feeling welcomed inspired her to create Cowboy Carter One element that didnt work in the original film the romance between Dalton (Swayze) and Doc (Kelly Lynch) also falls flat here, unfortunately. In both films, Dalton and Doc engage in a type of instalove, where the audience isnt privy to too much of the couple getting to know each other and growing closer. But it becomes more of a problem in the 2024 version, as female lead Daniela Melchior (Fast X, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3) delivers a slightly unexpressive and serious performance. While there are a few improvements to Docs backstory in the script and Doc is given a lot more to do Melchior seems ill-equipped to make the already abbreviated romance even slightly believable. Its not entirely upon her shoulders, however. Gyllenhaals cheekiness is misplaced next to Melchiors grounded stoicism and the two often feel like theyre in different movies. This unconvincing romance, however, is perhaps the sole element that really doesnt work with the storys tonal shift. To Liman and the screenwriters credit, the shift from cartoonish action to drama-with-moments-of-heightened-action feels modern and fresh without completely eschewing the spirit of the original film. Those behind this film clearly have affection for the original but its not the religious devotion to source material that has killed too many remakes to count. Ex-Nickelodeon producer responds to alarming allegations from child actors All of this isnt to say that the new Road House is a serious movie. Its not. Its fun and well-made and theres definitely a case to be made that it would have done well in theaters especially considering March has been pretty spare on new releases. While Road House wouldnt have dethroned Dune: Part Two, it very easily could have been a solid second-place hit for the current post-awards season/pre-summer blockbuster cinemascape. The movies theatrical potential remains a source of contention among its director, who in January said he would boycott its premiere at SXSW after claiming Amazon chose to place it on streaming instead of on the big screen. Despite contrary reports, including Gyllenhaal himself saying Amazon was always clear it was streaming, Liman ultimately attended SXSW in Austin last week, though he didnt participate in the films panel. With a runtime of just 2 hours, Road House is a breezy watch and its soft R-rating for language and violence also means it could be a good family-with-older-kids movie night pick. While the new Road House isnt a remake in the vein of Luca Guadagninos subversive and beautiful Suspiria, which is very nearly a completely different film, its a worthwhile reinvention that works. Oh, also, almost forgot to mention: Post Malone is in this. Yes, that Post Malone. SCORE: Road House (2024) premieres on Prime Video Thursday, March 21. And in case youre wanting to do a comparison watch, Road House (1989) is currently streamable with Prime Video, Max and Showtime subscriptions. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. The quintessential movie bar fight full of bodies flying, wild punches, glass shattering and furniture breaking gets a hilarious new twist in the remake of "Road House" starring Jake Gyllenhaal. Gyllenhaal reprises the role of Dalton made famous by the late Patrick Swayze in the 1989 cult classic while putting an updated spin on the bouncer with a haunted past tasked with keeping the peace in a rowdy dive bar. Early in the movie, Dalton pummels multiple goons in a parking lot after they bust up a bar in the Florida Keys. In perhaps a movie first for a bar fight, he then drives the guys to a nearby hospital to get patched up. Daltons unorthodox kindness after a brutal confrontation jumped out to Gyllenhaal, 41, when he was considering starring in the remake of the Swayze classic, which is directed by "The Bourne Identity's" Doug Liman. "It was the reason I wanted to do it," Gyllenhaal tells TODAY.com about that scene. "The first line where he says, 'Do you have insurance?' I think, to me, is a genuine question, and it really made me laugh. (That whole sequence) is the reason I wanted to play the character." Conor McGregor Jake Gyllenhaal in In the updated "Road House," which begins streaming on Amazon Prime Video on March 21, Dalton is an ex-UFC fighter recruited by a bar owner named Frankie (Jessica Williams) to work at her place in the Florida Keys. In the original, Swayze is a New York City nightclub bouncer or "cooler" hired to provide security at the seedy Double Deuce, a road house in Missouri. The new Dalton's dark past comes from a stunning moment during his UFC career, now leaving him as a loner looking to evade the spotlight. Like in the original, he develops a romantic relationship with a local doctor, played by Portuguese actor Daniela Melchior. "I would say she can smell trouble, and shes attracted to it, maybe mostly because of her daddy issues," Melchior tells TODAY.com about her character, Ellie. And of course, it wouldn't be "Road House" without some wild bar fights. Gyllenhaal says he feels there is one characteristic that defines an entertaining and cinematic bar brawl. "Chaos," he says. "Thats what the big bar fight is about. It just starts and theres no sense. "I think we had an incredible stunt team on this film thats just one of the best," he adds. "We had ex-fighters, we had just incredible professional stunt people working throughout the bar on every single scene." It's ironic considering how many bad guys he roughs up in the movie, but Dalton comes off like a nice guy, echoing Swayze's famous "be nice" speech in the original flick. As Dalton, Gyllenhaal even asks his adversaries if they have medical insurance and the whereabouts of a local hospital before knocking them out. Patrick Swayze (Aaron Rapoport / Corbis via Getty Images) "Hes definitely kind of the stillest, and most confident in his stillness, that Ive ever played," Gyllenhaal said. "One of the things I took from the original film and from Mr. Swayze was this kind of real confidence in observation. "Hes a character that stays still and watches until he cant any more, really. And I love that about him," he says. "And I also think his intention in the end always, even in that first fight, is to help people out, which I love about him." That sense of calm is offset by the maniacal henchman played by UFC star Conor McGregor, 35, in his first acting role. McGregor plays the hulking Knox, a bruiser recruited by a land developer (Billy Magnussen) to get Dalton out of the way. McGregor is used to fighting all out at full speed in the UFC, which took some adjustment when choreographing fight scenes with Gyllenhaal. "The funny part is that he had unlearn how to fight," Gyllenhaal said. "To learn how to fake fight is a whole other skill. We had to even slow it down." McGregor is known for his swaggering persona in UFC, all the way down to his trademark walk into the octagon, but he put that aside offscreen. Dalton is actually a little bit darker than Knox, so weve got a hero with a dark side, and weve got the villain with an almost playful, good side, McGregor said in a statement. Its a nice little balance. This article was originally published on TODAY.com A Rock Hill man has been sent to prison for a child sex assault where a DNA match from the defendant was on the victim, according to prosecutors and court records. The conviction where DNA was found on a child victim is the second in a week in York County court. In the case Tuesday at the Moss Justice Center, York County Judge Bill McKinnon sentenced Isaac Antwan Pride, 38, to 10 years in prison. Pride pleaded guilty to second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor, said prosecutor Hannah Woods, 16th Circuit senior solicitor. DNA was important because Prides DNA was a match to evidence found on the victim, Woods said. The maximum penalty in South Carolina for a conviction for the crime is 20 years without parole. The guilty plea means the victim does not having to testify in a public trial, Woods said. Pride knew the victim; who was 13 years old at the time of the offense, Woods said. The Herald does not identify victims of sex crimes. Pride received credit for 880 days in jail after his arrest pending trial. Pride must serve at least 85% of the 10-year sentence, then register as a sex offender upon release, Woods said. Pride is not eligible for parole, Woods said. Pride pleaded guilty under what is called an Alford plea. In an Alford plea, a defendant pleads guilty but does not have to admit guilt, yet accepts that there is a likelihood of conviction if the case went to trial, Woods said. Prides lawyer, Robert Bruce, did not return a call Thursday seeking comment on the case. DNAs role in local court cases The conviction Tuesday is the second in York County in just days where DNA was used. Last week, Judge Dan Hall sentenced a different Rock Hill man in an unrelated case to 20 years after a jury guilty verdict in a sex assault on a disabled child. That victim was found by the judge not competent to testify but DNA of the defendant was found on the victim, prosecutors said. DNA was also crucial to another recent conviction in a 30-year-old York County cold case where a dead baby was found in the Catawba River 1992. In that case a newborn was found abandoned on rocks in the river. No arrests were made for decades. DNA from the mother, who was arrested in an unrelated case in 2019, proved to match the babys DNA, prosecutors said in court. The case went to trial in August. In that case Judge McKinnon sentenced the mother to life in prison after a jurys guilty verdict of homicide by child abuse. In Charlotte, officials said in late 2023, DNA results helped identify cold case victims and suspects from cases that dated back as long as 40 years, the Charlotte Observer reported. Sarina Esmailzadeh was 16 years old when members of Irans security forces beat her to death in 2022. Her crime? Protesting the murder of Mahsa Amini, who had suffered a similar fate at the hands of Irans morality police for improperly wearing her hijab just a week prior. A gifted student at a local high school in her hometown of Karaj, Esmailzadeh was deeply conscious of the basic freedoms denied her by the Iranian regime, often lamenting her anxieties about the future on her YouTube channel. When it comes to freedom, our discussion gets dark. Because freedom is something that so many Iranian families have deprived their daughters of she says in a vlog from May 2022. Human beings naturally always look at those with the better conditions and want to get there Why should my life be so different from theirs? Just because I was born in Iran? Indeed, any number of innocent activities she documented across her videossinging along to Western music, wearing her hair down, hanging out with male friendswould be subject to intense scrutiny under the Islamic Republic. This is what bothers me. This is the freedom that is a dream in the heart of us youth. Esmailzadehs dream for a life of freedomand that of countless other Iraniansis at the heart of Arash Azizis What Iranians Want, the first major written work on the 2022-2023 Women, Life, Freedom protest movement. The book is less a wholesale discussion of the uprisings sparked by Mahsa Aminis death in September 2022 than it is a critical examination of the different social, political, and civic rights movementsdating back to the rise of the Islamic Republic in 1979that provided the foundations upon which the current movement is built. The courage of Iranians today, Azizi writes, is made possible by the thousands of small acts of resistance, predominantly by young women, which came before them. The book begins with the anti-compulsory hijab protests emanating from the early days of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeinis rule, and with each subsequent chapter explores a different fightfor labor rights, refugee rights, freedom of expression, freedom of religionand the work of ordinary Iranians who championed them. Azizis book comes at a particularly volatile time in Irans foreign policy. Since Hamas October 7 attacks on Israel, the Iranian regime has sought to capitalize on the war in Gaza by supporting proxy attacks against U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria, while the Yemen-based Houthi movement continues to endanger freedom of navigation in the Red Sea. Iran has also gained an influential bloc of allies through its growing partnerships with China and Russia, recently providing Russian President Vladimir Putin with ballistic missiles to help aid and abet his war against Ukraine. But for Azizi, Irans malign activities only pervert the worlds understanding of the Iranian people. This is not the full story, he cautions. Indeed, What Iranians Want wades through the heavy dust of international politics to provide a window into the aspirations of Iraniansoften overlooked by Western observersthat are completely antithetical to those of their government. Azizi shares the bravery of people like Mansoor Osanloo, who faced multiple jail sentences for advocating on behalf of worker unions; Mahlaqa Mallah, whose house was burned down for speaking out in support of female education; and Seyed Emami, who was found dead in connection to his wildlife conservation efforts. It would be difficult for anyone to come away from this book without a more nuanced understanding of the Iranian peoples deep disillusionment with the regime, as well as the breadth and depth of their (often life-threatening) opposition to being remade in its image. I want to make the voices of Iranians heard loud and clear throughout a world that so often ignores them, Azizi writes in his foreword to the reader. Even so, the book sometimes errs on offering more information than needed to make its point. Many names come and go throughout each chapter, making it hard to keep track of them, or at least remember the important ones when they appear. Azizi clearly loves Iran and its people, but he overindulges on certain details at times. (He spends an entire page describing efforts to get Pirouz, a Persian cheetah cub who died in captivity, impregnated, for instance.) More important, however, is Azizis broader point about the regimes efforts to wipe away all traces of dissent: Bits and pieces, fragmentsthis is all we had to go on to piece a picture together of their lives, their personalities, their aspirations. The regime wasnt keen on us knowing more than that, running a massive campaign of misinformation. Even so, many prominent voices from the Women, Life, Freedom movement have publicly defied the regimeincluding Masih Alinejad, whom Azizi briefly mentionsand the book may have been better served by offering fewer, more focused looks at their activism. Indeed, its only in the final chapter, devoted entirely to Esmailzadehs story, that the answer to the books penultimate questionwhat do Iranians want?manifests itself most clearly and remarkably to the reader. But who exactly is the reader? Its no surprise that Azizia historian at Clemson University and native Iranian who has closely followed the countrys domestic politicsmakes many detailed references to Irans political figures and institutions. Thats certainly appropriate for readers with a considerable degree of knowledge about Iran, but such detail may not mean much to those for whom this book serves as a first foray into Iranian culture and society. What is the difference between a hardliner and reformist? What are the competing power dynamics at play between the president, supreme leader, and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps? And what does all this mean in the context of the current movement? How can the Iranian people move from protest to real, tangible change? Such a top-down political history is beyond the scope of this book, as Azizi says himself. And yet it can be hard to fully paint an accurate portrait of the movementits setbacks, its successes, its future potentialwithout understanding how these domestic factors dictate the countrys outlook. Still, Azizis book is an important outlet for the many Iranian voices calling for the end of the Islamic Republic as they know it, particularly as the regime proves itself to be the most destabilizing threat to the Middle East while U.S. policy fails to rein in its worst impulses. What will ultimately come of the ongoing strife in Iran is still anyones guess, but Azizi concludes with two prognoses: The Women, Life, and Freedom movement either extinguishes too soon to secure lasting change or testifies to the beginnings of a thorough transformation. Perhaps the biggest takeaway from What Iranians Want is that the door to democracy in Iran may not be through back channel negotiations, targeted strikes, or even direct military interventionits through the Iranian people themselves. But as the regimes violent crackdowns have proven, demonstrations alone are inadequate. What Iranians need now is support creating the conditions that turn their mass movement into a real revolution. 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. Rose Hanbury, Marchioness of Cholmondeley, attends a Service of Thanksgiving for the life of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, at Westminster Abbey in London, England, on March 29, 2022. Credit - Max MumbyIndigo/Getty Images Questions surrounding the whereabouts of Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales who hasnt made an official public appearance since December 2023, have given rise to a number of conspiracy theories, including the resurrection of yearsold speculation that her husband Prince William is having an affair with British noblewoman Rose Hanbury, the Marchioness of Cholmondeley (pronounced Chumley). Hanburys lawyers told Business Insider that the illicit romance rumors are completely false, but as her profile has risen in recent weeks due to an intensification of public interest around the royal family, online sleuths have zeroed in on what they suspect are the unsavory origins of her furniture. After images were recently widely circulated anew from older stories in the Financial Times, Vanity Fair, and other media about Hanbury and Houghton Hallthe 18th-century estate in the Norfolk countryside where she lives with her husband David Rocksavage, the Marquess of Cholmondeley, and their three childrensome social media users have taken particular note of specific pieces of oriental decor, suggesting that they may have been pillaged from China during the late Qing Dynasty, toward the end of the 19th century. So, due to the #KateGate / #WhereIsKate missing Kate Middleton / Princess of Wales #Katespiracy drama, lots of people around the world have increased interest in Rose Hanbury and her mysterious connection to Prince William. Unfortunately, people in China looked a little too pic.twitter.com/sGTfoIzkro Grannybelly (@sugabelly) March 19, 2024 The luxurious life of Prince Williams mistress Rose actually came from China, reads the title of a post last week on Xiaohongshu, an Instagram-like Chinese social media platform. According to the postand similar ones spread across other Chinese social media platforms like Weibo and Douyin (the Chinese version of TikTok) and eventually also on the likes of TikTok, YouTube, and X (formerly Twitter)Hanburys husband had inherited the furniture in question from the Sassoons (of which he is a descendant through his paternal grandmother, Sybil Sassoon). The Sassoons started to accumulate their wealth by looting late Qing China, the Xiaohongshu post claims. In fact, the Sassoons, nicknamed the Rothschilds of the East, were a Jewish Baghdadi family that owned and oversaw a 19th-century trading empire, which grew much of its immense fortune dealing in commodities like textiles, tea, and notably opium across India, China, and beyond. As future generations of Sassoons gravitated toward England, they officially entered the British aristocracy when the family patriarchs son Abdallah was knighted in 1872 as Sir Albert. Since then, the Sassoons gained prominence as wealthy business owners, politicians, and friends of the royal family. Prince William (background) and Princess Kate (right) are greeted by Rose Hanbury (left) as they attend a gala at Houghton Hall on June 22, 2016. Stephen PondGetty Images While the Sassoons played a significant role in shaping China and were avid collectors of art from around the world, its unclear whether they acquired specific items through purchase or pilfering. The height of their business in the country, however, coincided with Chinas century of humiliation, which started in 1839 and ended in 1945 and was marked by the looting of millions of artifactsmost notably from the Old Summer Palace in Beijing, which was ransacked by British and French soldiers during the second Opium War. Its unclear where exactly each piece of furniture in Houghton Hall came from, though some were acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum in 2002 to be conserved in situ. The scrutiny of Hanburys home decor has reignited broader calls for the return of other potentially misappropriated foreign artifacts in the U.K. Read More: After Queen Elizabeth IIs Death, Many Indians Are Demanding the Return of the Kohinoor Diamond The British Museum, which has received donated collections from the Sassoonsalong with other museums around the worldhas been accused of housing numerous plundered Chinese artifacts and has become the target of nationalist activism in China. After around 2,000 items were reported missing from an alleged theft last year, Chinese state media demanded the museum return its Chinese cultural relics, arguing that the museum was failing to take good care of its property. This is legitimately one of my favorite unanticipated side-plots of the whole insane royal saga, posted Ellie Hall, a former royals reporter for BuzzFeed News who has been documenting each twist and turn in the ongoing story of Princess Kates absence and the global fascination with investigating every detail related to it. Contact us at letters@time.com. Forex settlement data showcases upbeat prospect of yuan assets Xinhua) 08:12, March 21, 2024 This panoramic aerial photo taken on Jan. 10, 2023 shows a view of Lujiazui area in the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone in east China's Shanghai. (Xinhua/Fang Zhe) BEIJING, March 20 (Xinhua) -- China's forex market saw a stable performance in February, with a more steady flow of cross-border capital, demonstrating the enduring allure and promising prospect of yuan-denominated assets, according to analysts. The country's commercial banks saw a net forex settlement surplus of 12 billion yuan (about 1.69 billion U.S. dollars) in February, data from the State Administration of Foreign Exchange showed. In yuan terms, forex purchases by banks stood at about 1.09 trillion yuan, while sales reached about 1.08 trillion yuan. GROWING WILLINGNESS TO INVEST IN CHINA The net inflow of cross-border funds under the goods trade and the securities investment categories both remained at a high level in February, said Wang Chunying, deputy director and spokesperson of the administration. The daily net inflow of cross-border funds under the goods trade category, deducting the Spring Festival holiday effect and other factors, rose by 3 percent year on year during the period, which continues to underpin the fundamentals of cross-border capital flow, Wang said. The net increase in foreign holdings of domestic bonds stood at a higher level at 11.1 billion U.S. dollars in February, and foreign investment in domestic stocks turned to net gain during the period, Wang added. Commenting on the expansion of foreign holdings of domestic bonds, Zhao Qingming, a specialist in international finance, said the data reflects that international financial institutions are bullish on the returns of yuan-denominated bonds in the future. ENDURING APPEAL OF CHINESE MARKET Looking ahead, Wang said China's forex market would maintain stable performance, bolstered by the country's solid economic fundamentals, consistent support policies and the market's growing resilience. She cited reasons such as China's efforts in enhancing macro-control to underpin economic recovery momentum in 2024, steadily advancing institutional opening-up, and improving the business environment to facilitate cross-border trade, investment and financing. A higher sense of risk management on forex rate fluctuations among enterprises, increased share of RMB use in cross-border trade and the potential monetary policy shifts of major developed economies, which could alleviate external liquidity squeeze, are also likely to contribute to the stability of China's foreign exchange market, Wang added. Experts believe that a positive outlook of the Chinese market presents sustaining appeal for foreign investors. The Board of the Pension Protection Fund of the United Kingdom has recently been greenlighted by the China Securities Regulatory Commission as an eligible overseas institution to invest in China's domestic securities and futures market. It is the fourth foreign institution investor to receive approval since the beginning of this year. Wen Bin, chief economist at China Minsheng Bank, said the yuan-denominated assets are revealing their hedging value and the investment value, and foreign investors are more willing to invest in the Chinese market and increase their holdings of yuan-denominated assets in their portfolio. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Serco has announced the promotion of Teren Tan to Head of Emergency Services for the Middle East, a newly created leadership role. This appointment comes as Serco continues to expand its emergency services operations, underpinning its commitment to improve citizen and resident safety, impacting a better future. In his new capacity, Tan will be responsible for overseeing and ensuring the strategic growth and compliance of Serco's full suite of emergency services operations across the Middle East, a team which encompasses more than 200 professionals currently. Top-tier emergency services Their responsibilities include delivering top-tier emergency services and resilience training, operational emergency services, as well as both resilience and crisis management advisory services. Tan will also be responsible for advising on global strategic opportunities across the Serco business. Tan brings a wealth of experience to his new position, having joined Serco in 2020 after a 14-year career with the Australian Defence Force in the emergency services domain. There he held several leadership roles, both within Australia and on international assignments, notably in his contribution to the Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group - Land Systems Division. Tan's move to Serco was driven by his dedication to emergency services, driving substantial improvement initiatives and major acquisition programmes. Five projects The creation of Tan's role within Serco marks a significant milestone in the company's successful three-year growth trajectory in emergency services. Serco currently operates emergency services across five projects in Saudi Arabias giga cities and the UAE and following its establishment of the Middle East division of its International Fire Training Centre (IFTC) in 2021, it continues to deliver ongoing FRS training for multiple international and regional airports in the Middle East. Tan said: Joining Serco has been a transformative experience for my career. The company's commitment to not only advancing public services but also fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment has been pivotal to my growth. As Head of Emergency Services, I am energised to further Serco's vision and impact a better future by enhancing our emergency services offerings and improving safety within the countries in which we work. One thing that I am particularly passionate about is the training of national talent within this space. We have brought a number of nationals through our training programmes and it makes me proud to see them move into operational roles. Tan will report into Samantha Rowles, Operations Director - Transport, for Serco Middle East. Samantha said: "Teren's promotion to Head of Emergency Services reflects his exceptional talent and the impact he has made since joining Serco. His track record of innovation and leadership in the emergency services domain has played a key role in our recent success, and I have every confidence that he will excel in his new role. Teren's expertise will be crucial as we continue to scale our operations and meet the complex needs of our clients across the Middle East region."--TradeArabia News Service MOGADISHU, March 21 (Xinhua) -- More than 7,000 people have been displaced in four days in Galmudug State, in central Somalia, after government forces withdrew from the area, the United Nations refugee agency said Thursday. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said that Somali military forces began withdrawing from locations including Bacadweyn, Camaara, Caad, and Hiinlabi on March 10 without engaging in any military actions, a move that created a security vacuum for al-Shabab to swiftly move in. "This withdrawal created a vacuum that non-state actor forces swiftly moved to fill," the UNHCR said in its "protection and return monitoring flash alert" issued in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia. "As a result, civilians living in these areas were displaced as they fled, fearing retaliatory attacks from al-Shabab, who may perceive them to have been collaborators during the government intervention," the UNHCR said. It said the displaced, including the elderly, children, women, and other vulnerable groups, fled between March 10 and March 13, seeking refuge in areas like Galkayo, Mirjicley, Wisil, and Wajeela. The Somali government initiated military operations in late 2023 aimed at recapturing several locations in the Galmudug region. These areas, including Bacadweyn, Camaara, Caad, and Hiinlabi, along with other surrounding districts near Harardheere and Hobyo, had been under government control for several months, when some regions received access to protection assistance and humanitarian aid. "The situation underscores the urgent need for humanitarian assistance and protection for those affected by the conflict, particularly vulnerable groups who are at heightened risk," the UNHCR said. It said civilians who have fled to distant locations in search of safety and security are now living in host locations without adequate shelter, with some forced to live in open spaces. Certain financial, economic and military indicators have shown that Russia is preparing for a large-scale conflict with NATO using conventional weapons. Source: Institute for the Study of War (ISW) Details: ISW analysts stated that an attack was likely to take place in a shorter timeframe than some Western analysts have suggested, but not in the near term. Russian President Vladimir Putin met with the leaders of the State Duma factions on 19 March and outlined his priorities for his fifth presidential term. He called on Duma faction leaders to act in the interests of the state, not corporations or parties, and stressed the importance of appointing people based on qualifications and competence. Putin is likely trying to create the conditions for stabilising Russia's long-term financial position at a high level of public spending and signalling that Russia's long-term financial stability will require at least some inconvenience to wealthy Russian security officials with political influence. Putin is presumably aware that financial reprisals against the siloviki [Russian security officials with political influence] could jeopardise the political relations he has built with them, and he is trying to mitigate this. In addition, the ISW stated that Russia does not seem to be facing a financial crisis, and the increase in military spending has been the biggest change in Russian budget policy. Therefore, analysts suggested that efforts to secure Russia's financial future are likely to be aimed at creating long-term conditions rather than addressing immediate financial problems. Russia continues to try to circumvent international sanctions, and the International Monetary Fund estimated that Russia's GDP would grow by 2.6% in 2024 and reported that Russia's GDP grew faster than the economies of all the G7 countries in 2023. The ISW noted that Polish President Andrzej Duda stressed in an interview with CNBC on 20 March that Putin was stepping up efforts to shift Russia's economy to a military footing to be able to attack NATO as early as 2026 or 2027, citing unspecified German studies. Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said on 9 February that new intelligence indicated that Russia could attempt to attack a NATO country within three to five years, faster than NATO's 2023 estimates said. The Russian threat is largely dependent on the financial resources that Putin is willing to devote to war. Therefore, it is clear that Putin is preparing for the risk of damaging his relations with wealthy Russian businessmen. In this context, he constantly announces plans to expand the Russian army. Putin's attempts to create conditions for the stabilisation of the Russian economy and finances are most likely part of Russia's financial and domestic preparations for a potential future large-scale conflict with NATO, not just a prolonged war in Ukraine. In addition, the Russian army continues to implement structural reforms to simultaneously support the war in Ukraine and expand Russia's armed forces in the long term in preparation for a possible future large-scale conflict with NATO. Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu addressed the board of the Russian Ministry of Defence on 20 March and brought up military reforms aimed at improving the combat capabilities of the Russian army. Shoigu reported that Russia had formed the Dnipro River Flotilla and a "brigade" of boats within the flotilla. Russian and Ukrainian sources confirmed that Russian troops were able to conduct a limited raid and temporarily land on the right (western) bank of Kherson Oblast on 13 March, and that the Dnipro River Flotilla could actually support such attempts to cross the river. Shoigu outlined several ongoing efforts to strengthen Russia's military capabilities, more likely as part of Russia's long-term efforts to prepare for a potential conventional war with NATO than as part of the ongoing war against Ukraine. He stated that Russia had formed an army corps and a motorised infantry division. Shoigu also claimed that the Russian military planned to form two combined arms armies, 14 divisions and 16 brigades by the end of 2024. The ISW continues to assess that Russia currently lacks the manpower, military infrastructure and training capacity to properly staff several entirely new divisions. Such reforms, however, are most likely aimed at building Russia's long-term military capabilities. Personnel changes in the Russian Defence Ministry may be additional indicators of Russia's preparation for a long-term conflict. Shoigu introduced Lieutenant General Andrei Bulyga as Deputy Minister of Defence for Logistics during a speech at the Defence Ministry on 20 March. To quote the ISWs Key Takeaways on 20 March: Several Russian financial, economic, and military indicators suggest that Russia is preparing for a large-scale conventional conflict with NATO, not imminently but likely on a shorter timeline than what some Western analysts have initially posited. The Russian military continues to undertake structural reforms to simultaneously support the war in Ukraine while expanding Russias conventional capabilities in the long term in preparation for a potential future large-scale conflict with NATO. Ukraines Defence Intelligence reportedly conducted a drone strike against a Russian air base in Saratov Oblast on 20 March amid further indications that Ukrainian drone strikes within Russia are achieving limited asymmetric effects against Russian military assets and economic output. Kremlin-affiliated actors in the pro-Russian Moldovan autonomous region of Gagauzia are invoking narratives that mirror previous Russian claims about Ukraine in the years leading up to Russias 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine, likely as part of the Kremlins wider hybrid efforts to destabilise Moldova. Russian forces recently made confirmed advances near Kreminna and Donetsk City on 20 March. The Russian military continues to train drone operators for operations in Ukraine. Support UP or become our patron! Ruslan Kravchenko, Head of the Kyiv Oblast Military Administration, has said that the morning missile attack on the capital damaged 69 private and five multi-storey buildings, two specialised secondary schools, and 14 vehicles in the region. Source: Kravchenko on Facebook Quote: "The number of damaged buildings has increased. As of 18:00, 69 private houses were damaged. Most of the buildings have partially broken windows, ut doors, damaged roofs and walls. There are also almost completely destroyed homes. In addition, several apartments in the region's five high-rise buildings were damaged." Details: In addition, Kravchenko reports that falling debris damaged the facades, windows, and fences of two specialised secondary schools in the region. Currently, classes will be held online. The wreckage also caused damage to 14 vehicles and 11 non-residential facilities, including a medical laboratory, fences, garages and utility rooms Kravchenko reported that four people have been injured as a result of the attack so far. One of them is a woman, 50, who was admitted to the ophthalmology department with an eye wound, multiple facial abrasions and hand injuries. The woman underwent an operation. Doctors assess her condition as stable and moderately severe. Other people who were injured in the attack were also given the necessary medical treatment. Three people refused to be hospitalised. Background: A Russian attack on Kyiv on the night of 20-21 March caused fires, and missile debris fell on a kindergarten building, a residential building and a transformer substation in three city districts. 13 people have been injured. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that the Russians attacked the capital with two Iskander-M/Kh-47M2 Kinzhal ballistic missiles and 29 cruise missiles, all of which were successfully downed by Ukrainian air defence units. In addition, four people were injured, fires broke out in various areas, and residential buildings and vehicles were damaged as a result of a Russian missile attack on Kyiv Oblast. Support UP or become our patron! Rescuers extinguish a fire in a residential building after a rocket attack in Kiev. Aleksandr Gusev/SOPA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa Thirteen people were injured in a wave of Russian bombardments on Kiev during the night, according to city authorities on Thursday, hours before EU leaders gathered in Brussels to discuss their further response to the conflict. Four people were hospitalized following the overnight shellings, Kiev's military administration said on Telegram. Russia is said to have fired a total of 31 projectiles in the attack, including cruise missiles as well as Iskander and Kinzhal hypersonic missiles. All of them were shot down, according to the Ukrainian military. Rocket parts fell in several neighbourhoods, setting buildings and cars on fire, Kiev mayor Vitali Klitschko wrote on Telegram. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later praised the US Patriot air defence system installed to protect the city. "Russian terrorists do not have missiles capable of bypassing Patriot and other leading world systems," Zelensky wrote on X, formerly Twitter. At the same time, he called for the delivery of new systems to protect the entire country, adding: "This is entirely possible if our partners demonstrate sufficient political will." Kiev has repeatedly asked Berlin to supply its long-range Taurus cruise missile system, but German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has steadfastly refused, fearing entanglement in the conflict. Ukraine is at a crucial point in the war triggered by Russia's all-out invasion in February 2022, amid reports of ammunition shortages and difficulty in recruiting new soldiers for frontline operations. Morale was dented in February when the industrial town of Avdiivka fell to the Russians after a long and devastating battle. However, Britain's Ministry of Defence reported on Thursday that Russian advances had slowed in recent weeks, "likely partially due to heavy losses sustained in the Avdiivka camapign." "The situation remainds unstable, with Ukrainian shortages of personnel and munitions likely limiting their ability to hold positions," the British ministry warned on X, formerly Twitter, in its latest intelligence update. In Brussels, EU leaders are due later on Thursday to discuss a controversial plan to buy armaments for Ukraine using the proceeds of frozen Russian assets. Meanwhile, several EU states are rallying behind a Czech initiative to procure 800,000 artillery shells for Ukraine from countries outside the European Union. Poland will join the effort, Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said on Thursday. Eighteen other countries have so far pledged funds, including Germany, France, Canada and Norway. Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur also promised Ukraine further military aid during a visit to Kiev on Thursday. The Baltic EU and NATO country - one of Kiev's staunchest supporters in its war against Russia - will support the Ukrainian army with weapons and equipment worth 20 million ($21.8 million), Pevkur told his Ukrainian counterpart Rustem Umerov. The aid package is to include anti-tank guns, explosives, various types of ammunition for artillery and smaller calibre weapons, sniper equipment and gas masks. Rescuers extinguish a fire in a residential building after a rocket attack in Kiev. Aleksandr Gusev/SOPA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa Ukrainian police and rescue workers evacuate residents from a five-story residential building after a rocket attack in Kiev. Aleksandr Gusev/SOPA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny's mother, Lyudmila Navalnaya, center left, and his mother-in-law Alla Abrosimova visit his grave at the Borisovskoye Cemetery, in Moscow (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) Russian authorities have dismissed a lawsuit from the mother of late opposition leader Alexei Navalny alleging her son was not given proper medical care in prison. Mr Navalnys wife Yulia Navalnaya claimed the refusal stemmed from the Kremlins desire to hide what she believes is incriminating footage of his death. His mother Lyudmila Navalnaya, who the day after her sons death travelled to the Arctic Circle penal colony where he was being held, was told her lawsuit had been dismissed because she was not the allegedly wronged party. It was part of yet another attempt by 69 year-old Ms Navalnaya to find out about her sons death and yet another circumvention by the Russian authorities presiding over his case. Mr Navalny died on 16 February in what his family and allies have said was a state-sponsored murder. The Kremlin maintains he died of natural causes. Their conclusion came after the Investigative Committee refused to hand over his body to Ms Navalnaya for several days after his death while they were allegedly conducting tests. Mr Navalnys team said they were using this time to cover up traces of their murder. Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, seen here via a video link from inside prison, filed multiple lawsuits alleging mistreatment, according to his allies (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) IMr Navalnys team has leaked documents purportedly from the Labytnangi court, near his former penal colony, that said the only person able to file the lawsuit alleging his mistreatment in prison was the opposition figure himself. The court wrote that only Alexei Navalny can be a plaintiff in such a claim, wrote Ivan Zhdanov, a former aide. I wonder how? While Russian penal colonies are known for their poor conditions, political prisoners, as Mr Navalny was, are often further stripped of basic human rights such as adequate medical care, according to Grigory Vaypan, a senior human rights lawyer at Memorial, Russias oldest civil rights group. Whether or not Mr Navalny was killed on 16 February, in a single act or due to years of mistreatment in prison, remains unclear. Mr Navalnys widow Yulia Navalnaya (POOL/AFP via Getty Images) Mr Zhdanov said Mr Navalny had filed multiple lawsuits against the several colonies he had been held in since his arrest in January 2020 for their failure to provide medical care, but the claims were denied. Now he was killed, the claim is being denied to his relatives with mocking wording, he said. Mr Navalnys widow suggested that the decision to refuse a hearing was another attempt by the authorities to prevent incriminating evidence coming to light. The court dismissed the case. There is only one reason, she said. At the trial they had to provide documents and videos about what happened on 16 February. Maria Pevchikh, head of investigations, suggested those documents and videos would illustrate the violent death of Mr Navalny perpetrated by the prison authorities. There is not a single explanation for this except that they are hiding the circumstances of Alexeis death, she said. Violent death. Covering their tracks. The attack of three unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in temporarily occupied Crimea was claimed by the Russian Defense Ministry on Telegram on March 21. Read also: Taurus, Storm Shadow, or ATACMS West competes to see which missile will destroy Crimean bridge The attack of three unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in temporarily occupied Crimea was claimed by the Russian Defense Ministry on Telegram on March 21. The drones were allegedly shot down. Read also: Russia's decade-long occupation of Crimea marked by severe human rights violations Amnesty International According to the Crimean Wind Telegram channel the Crimean bridge connecting the occupied peninsula to Russia was closed to traffic. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine TOKYO, March 21 (Xinhua) -- A record 6,482 people were investigated by Japanese police for cannabis-related cases in 2023, with teens and young adults in their 20s accounting for over 70 percent, police said Thursday. The figure, up 1,140 from the year before, exceeded those associated with stimulant drugs for the first time since data became available in 1958, according to the National Police Agency. Of those involved in police-handled cannabis cases, 3,545 were in their 20s, making up the largest group, followed by 1,222 people below the age of 20 and 974 people in their 30s, the data showed. "The widespread use of smartphones has led to greater exposure to incorrect information about marijuana, potentially reducing the psychological barriers to its use," an agency officer said. Meanwhile, the number of people involved in cases related to illegal "dangerous drugs," or designer drugs with effects similar to those of stimulants and cannabis, climbed to 424, up 145 from the previous year. After hitting a peak in 2015, the total of such people decreased as shops selling designer drugs were eliminated in the country, according to police. Russia's strike with an anti-ship missile, the Kh-35, on the Gurov and Co. printing house in Kharkiv sparked a fire, resulting in five fatalities and nine injuries, the publication Chytomo reported on March 20. Read also: Russian army strikes Kharkiv: 3 dead, more feared trapped under rubble; large fire erupts A total of 65 people were in the building, said regional senior investigator for Ukrainian police, Serhiy Bolvinov. Five fatalities two women and three men were confirmed as of the evening of March 20, while five others remained missing. Read also: 7 of the 9 injured in Russias deadly missile attack on Kharkiv have been hospitalized One employee of the enterprise was successfully rescued during the fire extinguishing. Upon the arrival of rescuers, the employee was found hanging from an air conditioner 18 meters above the ground. Firefighters used ladders to reach the worker and assisted him in safely descending to the ground. With a substantial amount of paper, ink, and cardboard present in the printing house, all four floors of the building quickly became engulfed in flames. As of 9 p.m. on March 20, firefighting efforts were ongoing. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine A Russian attack on Kyiv on the night of 20-21 March caused fires and missile wreckage to fall on a kindergarten building, a residential building and a transformer substation in three city districts. Eight people were injured. Source: Kyiv Mayor Vitalii Klitschko Details: The mayor said that an apartment and cars were on fire in the Shevchenkivskyi district. Drone wreckage fell on a kindergarten building and a house in the Sviatoshynskyi district. In the Podilskyi district, drone wreckage was observed falling on local business premises. Additionally, a fire broke out in a transformer substation and a two-storey non-residential building due to missile wreckage falling. Emergency services are heading to the scene. . pic.twitter.com/Le2vzAsOHq (@ukrpravda_news) March 21, 2024 Klitschkos early reports indicated that four people had been injured as a result of an attack on the morning of 21 March. Three of them were wounded in the Shevchenkivskyi district and another woman in the Sviatoshynskyi district. All of them received medical assistance on the spot. At around 06:00, Klitschko said that blast waves had smashed windows in two nine-storey buildings in Kyivs Sviatoshynskyi district. There was no fire. The number of people that were injured increased to eight, and all of them received medical assistance on the spot. Residents were evacuated in the Shevchenkivskyi district where an apartment in a residential building was on fire. Support UP or become our patron! By Mark Trevelyan and Lucy Papachristou LONDON (Reuters) - Pupils across Russia have taken part in a history quiz this month that involved watching extracts of President Vladimir Putin's interview with U.S. journalist Tucker Carlson, according to posts by numerous schools on social media. Putin began the two-hour interview in February by lecturing Carlson for about half an hour on the history of Russia from the year 862, arguing that Ukraine had no tradition of independent statehood - a notion rejected by Kyiv as false and self-serving. In posts on Russian social media platform VK, schools described the quiz as an "intellectual game" that helped children understand "the stages of development of the Russian state", and said it was both entertaining and instructive. In some cases, it appeared that children as young as six or seven had taken part. A school in Rostov, southern Russia, said pupils in classes one through 11 had watched parts of the interview and then answered questions appropriate to their age. The Domodedovskaya grammar school posted that children had been tasked after the 11-round quiz with thinking of questions to send to Putin. It said that since it was a nationwide event, "unfortunately not everyone will receive answers from the president, but we're still hopeful!" Reuters sent requests for comment to eight head teachers and teachers at schools that took part in the event. None of them have so far responded. The quiz was first reported by "Ne Norma", a volunteer association that tracks the ways in which the world view underpinning Putin's invasion of Ukraine is being instilled in Russian children. Dmitry Tsibiryov, a spokesperson for the project, said it was no surprise that the Carlson interview was being shown to children, given the "mass propaganda coverage" it had generated in state media. It was not clear which clips had been used in the quiz. Carlson was criticised after the interview for failing to push the Kremlin leader hard enough, and even Putin said he would have liked tougher questions. The multiple-choice quiz questions were designed to reinforce points that Putin had made. Children were expected, for example, to know that the word "Ukrainian" in the 13th century could denote a border guard or someone who lived in the borderlands, but not an inhabitant of a country called Ukraine. Tsibiryov said the quiz was just one example of a wider transformation of the curriculum since the start of the war, including the introduction of special lessons called "Important Conversations" that were often devoted to patriotic themes. Such lessons sometimes took the form of visits to schools by soldiers and veterans. "Ne Norma" has previously publicised cases of children making items such as trench candles and camouflage nets to send to soldiers in Ukraine. Last October it published a photograph of kindergarten children posing in soldiers' hats in front of a screen with a quotation from 18th century general Alexander Suvorov: "A warrior's appearance must instil terror in the enemy." Putin has told Russians it is important to unite at a time when the country is at war in Ukraine and facing what he says is an existential threat from the West. Last year Kremlin aide Vladimir Medinsky published four new history textbooks for 16- to 18-year-olds reflecting Putin's view of the fall of the Soviet Union and the causes of the Ukraine conflict. In a telephone interview, Tsibiryov said the education system was increasingly being used as a vehicle for propaganda aimed at "recruiting new participants, new volunteers for the war." "At best, it's a useless waste of time," Tsibiryov said. "The main harm it does is to inject this false sense of patriotism... These are probably convictions that can remain a long time with children in the future, even if they aren't directly drawn into this war." (Reporting by Mark Trevelyan and Lucy Papachristou; Editing by William Maclean) (KRON) An annual event coveted by craft beer aficionados is at hand as Russian River Brewing prepares for this years limited release of Pliny the Younger. The high-octane Triple India Pale Ale is a favorite among IPA fans and will be available for a limited time beginning Friday, March 22. Although dont go down to your local grocery store beer aisle and expect to pick up a case. The beer will be available only at Russian Rivers two pub locations in Santa Rosa and Windsor. Triple IPAs, according to the Russian River Brewing website, are higher in alcohol and have tons of hops. (Photo By Paul Chinn/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images) Pliny the Younger, not to be confused with Pliny the Elder, which is available year-round, usually comes in at around 10.25% alcohol. According to the brewery, it is remarkable dry for the amount of malt used in the recipe. Snowtorious B.I.G.: Oakland man wins Caltrans snowplow naming contest It is loaded with hop flavors, bitterness, and aromatics, the brewery states. Pliny the Younger was first brewed in 2005 as a winter seasonal brew, intended to build on the Pliny the Elder recipe, while pushing the envelope with malt, hops, and alcohol just to see how far we could go! the brewery added. The hops used in Pliny the Younger change every year based on the cream of the hop crop selected from the prior years vintage. The basic recipe, however, stays the same. Hops used in this years brew include Simcoe, Amarillo, Citra, Mosaic, Elixir, Warrior and Nectaron. The brewery describes the beers flavor as medium-bodied with tons of hop character in the aroma and mouthfeel with notes of orange, stone fruit, and citrus. If you want to try this years version of Pliny the Younger, youll only have about two weeks to do so. The beer is available at Russian River Brewings two pubs between Friday, March 22 and Thursday, April 4. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. Aftermath of Russian attack on Novohorodivka. Photo: Vadym Filashkin on Telegram Russian troops bombarded two settlements in Kherson and Donetsk oblasts on Thursday afternoon, killing three people. Two more were injured. Source: Heads of Kherson and Donetsk Oblast Military Administrations Oleksandr Prokudin and Vadym Filashkin on Telegram, Donetsk Oblast Prosecutors Office on Telegram Details: Prokudin said that the Russians attacked a residential sector in the village of Veletenske in Kherson Oblast at around 16:00. A woman, 70, who was in the yard of her house was seriously injured. She died in an ambulance. Filashkin reported that Russians bombarded the town of Novohrodivka in Donetsk Oblast on Thursday at around 15:30. The Prosecutors Office added that a man, 60, and a woman, 66, were killed in a private housing area in their own household after a direct strike by the Russians with the UMPB D-30 aerial bombs. Moreover, two women, aged 57 and 80, who were at home at the time of the attack, were injured. They received medical treatment. Photo: Vadym Filashkin on Telegram The head of the Kherson Oblast Military Administration also said that on 20 March, the Russians dropped explosives from a drone on the village of Kachkarivka. A local resident, 33, sustained fatal injuries. This news has been updated since publication. Support UP or become our patron! BEIJING, March 21 (Xinhua) -- The assets under the management of China's public offering funds reached 29.3 trillion yuan (about 4.13 trillion U.S. dollars) by the end of February, data from the Asset Management Association of China showed. Compared to the end of January, the figure saw an increase from 27.36 trillion yuan, the association said. Of the 146 fund management companies, 49 are foreign-funded and 97 are domestic firms, the data showed. The Russians bombed the town of Beryslav in Kherson Oblast using drones, wounding a civilian. Source: Kherson Oblast Military Administration on Facebook Quote: "Russian troops continue to bombard Beryslav with drones. Another attack has resulted in a casualty. A 46-year-old local resident was injured in the leg, back and head by explosives dropped from a drone." Details: Kherson Oblast Military Administration reported that the wounded man was taken to hospital, and doctors are providing him with the necessary aid. The man's condition has been assessed as satisfactory. Support UP or become our patron! Hennadiy Khazan, President of the Ukrainian Aviation Association of Pilots and Aircraft Owners (AOPA Ukraine) and aviator, told Radio NV on March 21 why large-scale missile attacks on Kyiv take place with long breaks of 44 days. "Why did this happen now?" Khazan said. Because they have problems with the A-50. And they are conducting reconnaissance by other means, and this affects the decision to fire. Read also: At least 12 injured and fires city-wide after UA intercepts 30+ Russian ballistic missiles over Kyiv This slows down the process of organizing missile attacks by Russia: "They need to collect all the intelligence, create routes, program the missiles. Why do missiles fly like this? To try to find a weakness in our air defense system. They create a different model every time, every time they fire, to try to fly this course, that course, and see if their targets are hit. Where we have air defense, where we don't have air defense." Media reports on Jan. 14 suggested that the Ukrainian military had shot down a Russian A-50 long-range radar detection aircraft and an Il-22 command and control aircraft over the Sea of Azov. The information was later confirmed by the then Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, who thanked the Ukrainian Air Force for the "perfectly planned and executed operation" in the Azov Sea. The destruction of the A-50 was the first-ever destruction of a long-range radar detection aircraft, Defense Express reported at the time. The Ukrainian Defense Forces shot down a second A-50 on Feb. 23. This was officially confirmed by the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and Defense Intelligence. According to media reports, the plane was hit by a Soviet S-200 air defense system. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Launch of a Russian Soyuz rocket carrying a cosmonaut commander, a guest flier from Belarus and NASA astronaut Tracy Dyson was aborted at the T-minus 20-second mark Thursday, delaying the crew's planned flight to the International Space Station. With veteran commander Oleg Novitskiy at the controls, flanked on the left by Belarus spaceflight participant Marina Vasilevskaya and on the right by Dyson, the countdown was ticking smoothly toward liftoff at 9:21 a.m. EDT when an unidentified controller called an abort. Access gantries are lifted back into position after launch of the Soyuz MS-25/71S spacecraft was aborted at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. / Credit: NASA TV No explanation was immediately provided, but NASA's launch commentator said the crew was safe and the vehicle was in a stable configuration. Ground crews quickly regained access to help Novitskiy, Vasilevskaya and Dyson out of the Soyuz MS-25/71S spacecraft. Based on the space station's orbit, the next launch opportunity is Saturday morning, setting up a docking at the lab complex Monday. But that will depend on exactly what went wrong and what might be required to fix it. As of Thursday afternoon, no decisions had been made. But one thing was clear. Flight controllers in Houston told the space station crew "it's going to be a few days before you guys have visitors up there." The Soyuz MS-25/71S crew (left to right): NASA astronaut Tracy Dyson, spacecraft commander Oleg Novitskiy and Belarus guest flier Marina Vasilevskaya. Dyson plans to spend six months aboard the station, replacing astronaut Loral O'Hara. Novitskiy and Vasilevskaya will spend just 12 days aboard the outpost and will return to Earth with O'Hara after about two weeks on the station. / Credit: NASA In the meantime, SpaceX engineers pressed ahead with launch of a Falcon 9 rocket from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 4:55 p.m., sending a Dragon cargo ship on a 38-hour flight to deliver 6,200 pounds of science gear, spare parts and crew supplies to the space station. The flight plan calls for the Cargo Dragon to catch up with the lab and move in for docking around 7:30 a.m. Saturday. Whether countdown clocks at the Baikonur Cosmodrome will be ticking toward a second Soyuz launch attempt is not yet know. But if the flight proceeds, liftoff would be expected at 8:36 a.m. A SpaceX Falcon 9 blasts off from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, boosting a Dragon cargo ship into orbit for a flight to deliver supplies to the International Space Station. / Credit: Spaceflight Now Whenever they arrive, Novitskiy, Vasilevskaya and Dyson will be joining ISS commander Oleg Kononenko, cosmonauts Nikolai Chub and Alexander Grebenkin and NASA astronauts Loral O'Hara, Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt and Jeanette Epps. Vasilevskaya, an accomplished ballroom dancer and flight attendant with Belavia Airlines, is the first citizen of Belarus, a staunch ally of Russia, to be named to a spaceflight since the breakup of the Soviet Union. She was selected as a "spaceflight participant" in a nationwide competition and will conduct research for scientists in Belarus. Russian Orthodox priests bless the Soyuz 2.1a rocket before launch in a long-standing tradition at the Baikonur Cosmodrome. / Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls "I'm so proud to represent our republic, I'm so proud we have this project," she said before boarding the Soyuz for launch." Dyson is making her third spaceflight and her second aboard a Soyuz. Despite tension between the United States and Russia, the crew appears to get along well together. "It's actually been a real delight working with Marina," Dyson said. "She's got a fantastic attitude, and that goes a long way when you're working together with emergency masks on your face in awful conditions trying to get through (emergency training) procedures. She's been a real delight to work with." Kononenko, Chub and O'Hara were launched to the station last Sept. 15 aboard the Soyuz MS-24/70S spacecraft. Dominick, Barratt, Epps and Grebenkin were launched on March 3 aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon ferry ship. Known as Crew 8, they replaced four other Crew Dragon fliers Crew 7 who returned to Earth on March 12 after a short handover. Novitskiy and Vasilevskaya plan to spend 12 days aboard the space station. O'Hara will replace Dyson for the trip home and the trio will return to Earth aboard the Soyuz MS-24/70S spacecraft that carried O'Hara, Kononenko and Chub into orbit last September. Kononenko and Chub are midway through a planned yearlong stay aboard the station. If all goes well, they will return to Earth next September, along with Dyson, using the Soyuz MS-25/71S ferry ship delivered by Novitskiy's crew. With O'Hara's return, the latest crew rotation sequence will be complete. The Right To Be Wrong I Sunday on 60 Minutes Where Biden and Trump stand on labor issues Reddit stock jumps by nearly 50% in first day of trading Almost all of the cruise and ballistic missiles that Russia fired at the capital on the morning of 21 March were aimed at the buildings of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU). Source: Ukrainska Pravda source in DIU Quote: "The vast majority of the missiles that were fired at Kyiv on 21 March were aimed at the facilities of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine. All missiles were shot down." Background: On the night of 20-21 March, the Russians bombarded Kyiv with 2 Iskander-M/Kinzhal ballistic missiles and 29 cruise missiles. Ukraines Air Force said that all of them were shot down. Support UP or become our patron! UNITED NATIONS, March 20 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Wednesday called on both parties to the conflict in Sudan to secure a Ramadan ceasefire without delay. "We call on both parties to the conflict to implement (Security) Council resolution 2724 by securing a Ramadan ceasefire without delay so as to minimize civilian casualties and prevent further spillover of the conflict to neighboring countries," Dai Bing, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN, told the UN Security Council briefing on the food issue in Sudan. The envoy said that the UN should step up coordination with the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, and other regional organizations to synergize their good offices with a view to achieving an early and durable solution for peace. As the briefers have noted, amid the ongoing conflict in Sudan, the humanitarian situation in the country continues to worsen with 18 million people suffering from hunger and many parts of the country facing pronounced food insecurity, the ambassador said. "China appreciates the work undertaken by UN humanitarian agencies and welcomes the Sudanese authorities opening multiple humanitarian border crossings and actively facilitating relief efforts," he said. "We call on all Sudanese parties to continue to guarantee rapid, safe, and unhindered humanitarian access. It is worth noting that funding shortfalls remain the biggest challenge to the humanitarian relief work." "Currently, the humanitarian repeal for Sudan is less than 5 percent funded with quite a few humanitarian agencies likely to see their funding drying up," the envoy said. He stressed that the international community, traditional donors in particular, need to act responsibly by scaling up financial and food aid and do all they can to mitigate the impact of the conflict on people's lives and to avert an even greater humanitarian crisis. "It must be pointed out that humanitarian relief efforts should primarily aim to save lives and aid those in need. Humanitarian issues should not be politicized." Dai underscored that in the recent past, certain countries have used humanitarian aid as a political tool to pressure and sanction and even gone so far as to directly interfere in internal affairs of Sudan and to steamroll democratic transition. "This is one of the major contributors to the prolonged turmoil in Sudan, which eventually plunged the country into a deep crisis. The tragedy unfolding in Sudan deserves in-depth reflection by the Council." The ambassador noted that a ceasefire and return to order in Sudan is the fundamental way to alleviate the humanitarian situation. "Since the outbreak of the conflict in Sudan, China has through bilateral channels provided Sudan with multiple consignments of medical supplies and food aid, doing our part to ease the humanitarian crisis on the ground," he said. China will continue to work with the international community and make unremitting efforts to end the conflict and bring about lasting peace in Sudan, he added. I live in Athens and took a short trip to Santorini. Katie Silcox I booked a deluxe cabin on an eight-hour ferry from Santorini to Athens. My upgraded cabin made it feel like I was traveling in a floating hotel room . I'd upgrade on this journey again, and I wouldn't even mind booking a cabin for a longer ride. I recently went on a short trip to Santorini from my home in Athens and decided to take a ferry both ways. On my way to Santorini, I booked an economy ticket on Blue Star Ferries for 45 euros, or about $50. But I upgraded to a 157-euro deluxe cabin for the ride back. Here's what my luxurious eight-hour trip was like. I arrived at the port in Santorini 45 minutes before my departure. I wanted to get to the port early to ensure the boarding process went smoothly. Katie Silcox My ticket stated that I should arrive at the port an hour before departure, but a few locals advised me it wasn't necessary. I decided to chance it by arriving 45 minutes early and spent most of that time scrolling on my phone, so I probably could've come even later. There were a few cafes and restaurants at the port, but not much else. Because the port was so small, I could keep an eye on my boat as it came in from its previous destination. There were no boarding benefits for having an upgraded ticket. Even though I had a deluxe cabin, I didn't get to board early. Katie Silcox All passengers were kept in a busy boarding lobby, and everyone boarded at the same time. There were no deluxe lounges or first-to-board priorities as you might find at an airport. I found the boarding process a bit chaotic, with everyone almost fighting to be at the front of the queue. But I was pleased that having a cabin meant I could take all my luggage with me. On my economy ferry, I had to leave my bags at boarding and pick them up when I disembarked. It was easy to find my cabin. The deluxe cabins were located along a long corridor. Katie Silcox Once on board, I easily found a reception desk and walked right up to ask the employee for my room key. She issued the key card and gave me instructions on how to find my cabin. The deluxe cabin was very spacious. I wasn't expecting a room on a ferry to be so big. Katie Silcox There are 192 cabins on Blue Star 1, but only two deluxe cabins with forward-facing windows. I was impressed by the size of the room and the furnishings. It was akin to a midsize hotel room. Two (slightly firm) single beds were pushed together in the middle of the room, topped with duvets and soft pillows. Around the bed was a sofa, a dining table and chairs, a desk, a mirror, and two bedside tables with lamps. The cabin also had a small but effective bathroom with a shower that had nice water pressure. My cabin came with lots of benefits. I got a few freebies with my cabin. Katie Silcox My deluxe cabin included three (European) plug points, two sets of slippers, and a tray of dishes and utensils. I received a kit, similar to bags I've gotten on airplanes, with a toothbrush and toothpaste, shaving supplies, a shower cap, two sewing kits, a nail file, cotton pads and cotton buds, and a small hairband. A shower-gel dispenser was fixed to the bathroom wall, but there wasn't any shampoo or conditioner. Wi-Fi was available for purchase, and the room had a television with 10 Greek-language channels. But during my sail, only six of them were coming through. I was glad Id planned my dinner ahead of time. I brought my own food with me. Katie Silcox Since the journey was nearly eight hours long, I brought my own dinner on board and stored it in the cabin's mini fridge which also came stocked with complimentary fruit and soft drinks. When I got hungry, I plated everything up, sat at the small table, and enjoyed my meal while listening to music on my phone. There were also two cafes and a fast-food restaurant on the deck below my cabin if I didn't bring food. I left my cabin to catch the sunset. It was beautiful to see the sun setting over the water. Katie Silcox Watching the sun set behind the Greek Island of Naxos was beautiful. I'd already left my cabin a few times to stretch my legs on the outdoor decks and take in the sea views. But after dark, I spent most of my time in the cabin. My trip passed by quickly. The eight-hour ride wasn't bad at all. Katie Silcox Considering I spent almost eight hours in a fairly confined space, I thought the journey would feel longer. But I read, worked, ate dinner, and slept for about 45 minutes the time passed quickly. As we approached Athens, I was getting tired and could've happily spent eight more hours getting some sleep in the cabin's bed. Port arrival announcements were made in the hallways outside the cabins, but if you're sleeping, I think they could be easy to miss. Thankfully, about 30 minutes before reaching Athens, a staff member knocked on my door to inform me. Disembarkation in Athens at night was easy, but finding a ride was not. I had a hard time grabbing a cab in Athens. Katie Silcox I was guided alongside the rest of the foot passengers to leave through the same door as the cars, trucks, and bikes on the boat. We docked at a remote port, away from public transportation, but I found a free bus that brought me closer to the main port gates. App-based taxis wouldn't come into the port, and the ones already inside only took cash. I didn't have any, so I had to walk down some dark, empty streets to call a cab. But other than planning my transportation in advance next time, I'd definitely book a deluxe cabin again. The ride was smooth, easy, and enjoyable I could easily do a longer journey in what was essentially a floating hotel room. Read the original article on Business Insider SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) A San Francisco Police Department officer who groped a woman inside a Marina District bar was found guilty by a jury on Wednesday. Jurors convicted Officer Michael Herrera, 31, of sexual battery, prosecutors said. An SFPD public information officer confirmed to KRON4 that Herrera is still currently a member of the San Francisco Police Department. Prosecutors said the sexual battery conviction will require Officer Herrera to register as a sex offender in California. On December 10, 2021, the victim and her husband went to a bar on Lombard Street. Herrera was off-duty and sitting at a table inside one of the bars booths. The victim asked the off-duty officer if she and her husband could share the booth with him because she wanted to place to sit down. Mr. Herrera told the victim he was an SFPD officer and then showed her photos of him and other San Francisco Police officers, the District Attorneys Office wrote. While the victim was sitting next to her husband, Herrera became sexually aggressive and grabbed the victims inner thigh, investigators said. The victim immediately pushed his hand away and she left the table, according to prosecutors. As the victim later went to pay at the bar, Mr. Herrera walked up, stroked her hair, and then groped her vaginal area. The victim then screamed at him for violating her and called 911, the DAs Office wrote. Ex-San Jose PD officer who allegedly masturbated at crime scene arrested The victim testified against the police officer during his trial. Assistant District Attorney Curtis Boyd said, I would like to thank the victim for her courageous and powerful testimony in this case. The jurys thoughtful verdict sends the message that no one is above the law. The residents of San Francisco will not tolerate sexual abuse anywhere, in any form, by anyone. District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said, My office will follow the facts and the law and apply the law equally to all, regardless of position or status. Officer Herrera is currently out of custody. He faces up to one year in county jail and must register as a sex offender for 10 years, prosecutors said. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 8. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) The San Angelo Police Officers Coalition had its Board of Directors sworn in by Rep. Drew Darby and said goodbye to two influential members on Wednesday, March 20. During the meeting, seven SAPOC members were sworn into the Board of Directors to serve a two-year term. These members are as follows: Vice President of Supervisors John Bouligny Auditor Kelsey Hernandez Secretary Porsche Callum Treasurer Jeremy Cannady Public Affairs Manager Richard Espinoza President Noel Anderson Vice President Blue Flores San Angelo Police Department Officers Hernandez and Espinoza are new inductees to the Board of Directors, while the others are returning to their roles following their previous term. The swearing-in serves as a public announcement of the individuals commitment to serving the SAPOC and the community during their term on the board. Its us getting up in front of the membership and swearing to take care of the organization, Bouligny said. Our responsibility is to run this organization while being fiscally responsible and to make sure that we guide it in the direction for the betterment of law enforcement in our area. Rep. Darby volunteered to swear in the directors after SAPOC members reached out to him. The organization supported Darby following his bid for re-election that culminated in a victory during the March 5 primaries. Our PAC Committee ended up supporting him on this last election he was involved in, and we thought it would be neat if he would be willing to come and actually swear us in, Anderson said. He volunteered, he came and he spoke to us for about two to three minutes and thanked us for our service to the community. The SAPOC also said goodbye to Sgt. Matthew Baldwin, a member retiring from the SAPOC after serving as its sole treasurer for 16 years. It also gave a farewell to Sgt. Kelly Lajoie, another long-standing member who decided to not run for re-election this year after serving as the organizations auditor. Sgt. Matthew Baldwin receives a plaque for his 16 years of service in the SAPOC following his retirement from the association. The SAPOC serves alongside the SAPD, carrying out outreach initiatives designed to benefit the community and the police department while strengthening the bond between them. We do support the community in many ways, Anderson said. Were the organization that helps do Shop With a Cop and Blue Santa in the winter, and we do the Feast of Sharing with H-E-B. We also support local causes through the community. Our organization doesnt just focus on law enforcement and our members, we do have a community outreach. With the Board of Directors locked in for the next two years, the SAPOC wants to thank the community for trusting it and supporting local law enforcement. Wed like to thank the public, especially in our area, for their support, Bouligny said. The public in the San Angelo area has been phenomenal to law enforcement, and we cant just thank them enough for that. We hope moving forward that we continue to forge good partnerships with the public. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com. OTTAWA COUNTY Satan is re-entering the chat. Satanists in West Michigan are rejoicing after the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners granted their request to give an invocation for an upcoming meeting April 23. "The Satanic Temple-West Michigan is proud to announce that our ministry has been selected to give an opening invocation at the Ottawa County Commission," Bendr Bones, an ordained minister of the Satanic Temple of West Michigan, announced on social media. "We are excited to represent our growing community by taking part in the tradition of invocation," he wrote in a Reddit post. Bones first approached the board in May 2023 when commissioners voted to make Ottawa a Constitutional County." The Satanic Temple-West Michigan will give an opening invocation before the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners on April 23. The meeting, which dragged on for nearly eight hours, culminated in the Ottawa Impact controlling majority passing a largely nonbinding declaration that encourages local law officers like the sheriff and county prosecutor not to enforce state and federal laws they deem unconstitutional. "I want to thank the county board and the Ottawa Impact organization for their declaration of intent to uphold the values enshrined in our constitution," Bones told the board in May. "Our constitutional rights are our most cherished assets as United States citizens, and even more so as Satanists. The First Amendment states that Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, nor restrict the free exercise thereof. Ottawa Impact, a far-right fundamentalist group created in 2021 by parents' rights advocates Joe Moss and Sylvia Rhodea, captured a majority of the 11-member county board in August 2022. More: 'Satan has entered the chat': One group is testing Ottawa Impact's goal of religious freedom The group and its members have been vocal about battling against what they view as leftist or Marxist ideologies in government, including diversity, equity and inclusion; promoting acceptance of the LGBTQ community in schools; and health mandates issued during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many in the public gallery seemed bemused by Bones statements last year. There was a feeling of shock and awe, Bones told The Sentinel in June. I think, overall, a lot of people were very confused about what was happening. People aren't used to hearing that Satan has entered the chat. What is The Satanic Temple? The name can be misleading, so its important to note Bones' organization isn't about literal devil worshiping. Instead, it uses Satanic imagery to promote egalitarianism, social justice, and the separation of church and state, supporting its mission "to encourage benevolence and empathy [among all people]," according to the national groups website. We are advocates for critical thinking, pluralism, compassion, empathy, conforming our beliefs to scientific understanding, the struggle for justice a lot of altruistic kind of ideals are wrapped into all of that, Bones said. The TST does not believe in a supernatural Satan; instead, it employs the literary Satan as a metaphor to promote pragmatic skepticism, rational reciprocity, personal autonomy and curiosity. The group uses the concept and symbol of Satan to represent "the eternal rebel" against arbitrary authority and social norms. The TST has utilized satire, theatrical ploys, humor and legal action in its public campaigns to generate attention and prompt people to re-evaluate fears and perceptions and to highlight religious hypocrisy and encroachment on religious freedom. Testing the First Amendment Bones, in his public comment, said he would be counting on Ottawa Countys and Ottawa Impacts commitment to speech and religious freedoms when his group eventually requests to provide a future invocation at a board meeting. I am pleased that by swearing this oath to uphold these freedoms, it opens the door to make Ottawa County a place where Satanism will grow and thrive. As a sign of support, the Satanic Temple of West Michigan would like to begin the process of becoming involved with opening prayers at these meetings, Bones said. The board is already embroiled in a religious discrimination lawsuit from Rev. Jared Cramer, of Grand Haven's St. Johns Episcopal Church, for long denying him the opportunity to provide an invocation. Cramer filed his federal lawsuit in October 2023, claiming Board Chair Moss was using his position to endorse a particular set of religious beliefs and exclude a particular set of religious beliefs. In response to the lawsuit, the board created an invocation policy, which states any religious leader or individual who wishes to be added to the speakers list must make a formal request, in writing, to the commissioner who represents the district in which they reside. The requests are then forwarded to a county-employed coordinator who curates a schedule; all requests are treated on a first-come, first-served basis. Bendr Bones, an ordained minister with the Satanic Temple, poses for a portrait Thursday, June 1, 2023, at Centennial Park in Holland. Bones confirmed Wednesday, March 20, that he won't personally be delivering the invocation, and that Rev. Luis Cypher, Minister of Satan, made the request for the organization on March 6. Cypher said he received a response to his written request on March 11, where coordinator Cindy Driesenga informed him of the tentative date of April 23. "We have not made any statements yet on which of our ministers will be participating in this," Bones wrote via email. "I will be present at the meeting though." Cramer has since given an invocation after filing his lawsuit. In his prayer Feb. 13, Cramer directly referenced previous actions of the board, including changing the motto and closing the county's Department of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. God, in particular I pray for those who have been and continue to be impacted by decisions of this board, Cramer said. I pray for families in households that are struggling because of reduced resources in the health department, especially those who will be more food insecure, those who will struggle to get the mental health support they need. I pray for people of color in our country, who, when they saw our motto of Where You Belong taken away, along with our Department of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, began to wonder once more if Ottawa County can still be a home for them, if they still belong in a place where freedom does not ring for everyone. Subscribe: Receive unlimited digital access to your local news coverage He also prayed for members of the LGBTQ+ community whose attempts to understand who they are have been maligned and increasingly dont feel safe, much less welcome, in the community. Above all, loving God, I pray that decency, love and justice would once more come to the forefront of how our county operates, how we treat one another and how those in power allocate resources and talk about vulnerable and marginalized groups, he said. I know we can do better, God, if we open our hearts to your love and let that love transform us into agents of your healing. As Cramer delivered his comments, Commissioner Roger Belknap displayed a sign reading "SaveTheChildren.com," a reference to the documentary The War on Children created by prominent right-wing activists Robby and Landon Starbuck. Cramer has since amended his complaint against the board, arguing Belknap's actions undercut the county's own stated defense that commissioners didn't take issue with Cramer or his beliefs. Sarah Leach is executive editor of The Holland Sentinel. Contact her at sarah.leach@hollandsentinel.com. Follow her on Twitter@SentinelLeach. This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Satanists set to give opening prayer for Ottawa County Board Anyone who has ridden the rapids of misfortune will attest that loyalty is a marvellous quality in a friend but, as Mark Twain observed, loyalty to petrified opinion never yet broke a chain or freed a human soul. Nor rescued a political party from extinction, we might add. Despite yesterdays poll, which put the Conservatives on a parlous 19 per cent and Reform on a fast-closing 15, despite a death-rattle net approval rating of minus 48 (lower than Boris Johnson or Jeremy Corbyn when they resigned), Rishi Sunak survives as Prime Minister. That is largely due to the misplaced loyalty of his colleagues, but also because, as one Tory MP said, the idea of a leadership challenge at this stage is utterly bonkers. It really isnt, you know. What is bonkers, truly, madly deeply delusional, in fact, is sticking with a course so calamitous, so certain to end in ruin, that it could spell the demise of a political party which celebrates its 190th birthday this year. I am not exaggerating. Cabinet ministers with majorities of 18,000-plus are facing their own Portillo Moment (a metaphor coined after the 1997 general election humiliation of then Cabinet star Michael Portillo.) Of the 348 current Tory MPs, how many do you reckon will be left standing after the Autumn Annihilation? Present polling suggests the losses of the Charge of the Light Brigade 113 killed, 134 wounded were a mere scratch compared to what lies in wait electorally for the Conservative parliamentary party. So, what?, I hear you cry. Its no more than the b------s deserve. Spitting in the face of their base with 745,000 legal net migration in a single year, outbidding normal families for scarce rental properties to get thousands of asylum seekers out of hotels (and hide them away) so Rishi can claim to have kept his promise before the general election. And they seriously think people who voted Tory in 2019 clue: immigration is our Number 1 concern are going to make that mistake again? Normally, I would agree. The sense of betrayal runs very deep, the desire to teach the Tories a lesson they wont forget is almost overwhelming. A bunch of Lib Dem cuckoos has taken over the nest built from our votes, our efforts. How dare they, those simpering Alicias and Carolines with their Let them buy heat pumps! condescension and ridiculous pronouns. So, you may not like it when I say that acting quickly now to install a true Conservative as leader of the Conservatives is well worth the gamble, but please hear me out. Do we really want 10 years of Labour supercharging Woke in our institutions, brainwashing schoolchildren to despise their country and feel guilty about its remarkable history, abolishing patriotic feeling (Bye bye Rule Britannia at the Proms, so long Union Jack!), banning parents from talking their own children out of mutilating their young bodies, giving comfort to Islamists and far Leftists who wish to destroy our way of life, repatriating Shamima Begum (Shams human rights being more important than ours, of course), pursuing a safe routes, all-barbarians-welcome immigration policy, expanding the WFH quango class and suffocating the spirit of free enterprise. Purse-lipped cultural revolutionaries making that British pastime having a laugh illegal (just you wait). To cap it all, legislating away free speech to the point where even discussing any of the above is a hate crime. Make no mistake, that is the very real danger if we, as many of the right-minded among us intend to do, either vote Reform UK or refuse to vote at all. Unfairly, Reform will end up with no seats and the Tories could hold so few that it will be the work of more than one term to get back into government. The Conservative Party may deserve that decade in the wilderness, but what about Britain? I am scared, quite frankly, hugely apprehensive. Afraid that our beloved country will be irretrievably lost under a moronocracy led by clod-hopping class warriors like Angela Tory scum Rayner. A courageous new conservative Conservative leader a Kemi, Suella, Priti, Robert committed to leaving the European Convention on Human Rights and taking back immediate control of our borders, who is elected straight after the certain bloodbath of the 2 May local elections, could do much to mitigate that awful fate, I think. There is a precedent. In May 2019, Theresa Mays government suffered the worst Tory local election performance in 24 years (Sunak is about to seize that grim title). The Conservatives lost over 1,300 seats. Three weeks later, Mrs May announced her resignation. Boris Johnson became party leader on 23 July. Five months later, the new prime minister won an 80-seat majority with 43.6 per cent of the popular vote. I am not suggesting a victory of that miraculous magnitude can be pulled off now. The rot has gone too deep. Whatever your personal frustrations, Labour does not deserve the landslide it will have pocketed by the end of the year if Conservatives dont ditch Rishi. Study the result of every recent by-election, and you detect no great enthusiasm for Sir Drear Starmer. Quite the contrary. Wellingborough saw the Lefts total go up from 13,737 in 2019 to 13,844. A mere 107 votes. It was disillusioned Conservative voters like thee and me who handed Labour the seat on a silver salver. The Tory vote plunged from 32,277 in 2019 to 7,408. With Reform hoovering up 3,919, only 11,327 Right-wing voters bothered to go to the polling station. Where were the missing Conservatives? At home, chucking darts at the Rishi Sunak dartboard. As long as Sunak remains, wild horses on their bended knees could not persuade those voters to give the Tories another chance. Hang on, Allison, wont a fourth change of leader in as many years make the Conservatives a national laughing stock? It sure will. Better to be mocked than deceased, I say. Anyway, people soon move on and I bet they will relish a feisty woman knocking seven bells out of drippy Keir. Conservatives have a reputation for ruthlessness. I say, lets play to our strengths! A leadership contest could be swift. No need for a national beauty parade. MPs whittle candidates down to two. Then, party members need to choose between the finalists. With online voting, the whole thing could be over in under a fortnight. By the end of May, the Conservatives will have themselves a brand new leader who is actually prepared to honour their manifesto pledges and Rishi Sunak will have brought forward his private-jet flight to California by six months. Ive got a question for all those Conservative MPs still insisting that the hugely unpopular PM will lead them into the general election while denigrating rebels who plot to oust him. What good is it being loyal to petrified opinion? To whom should you really owe your loyalty? To a member of the billionaire class you know full well will abandon you as soon as he has lost his party hundreds of seats or to the British people who deserve a Right-of-centre leader to stick up for them and fight the Left for the soul of our nation? Half a league, half a league, Half a league onward, All in the valley of Death rode the six hundred. The Conservative Party is not obliged to re-enact the pointless slaughter of The Charge of the Light Brigade, which appears to be the current strategy. Try another Tennyson poem, my favourite: Some work of noble note, may yet be done. Pick a Conservative leader who will restore the faith of at least some Conservatives and give them something to hope for. Faced with the alternative, its got to be worth a try. 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. CHANGSHA, March 21 (Xinhua) -- This is the rice paddy teenaged Mao Zedong had cultivated, and the gray-roofed cottage over there is his former residence, Yan Fang said while twirling her phone to show her social media followers Mao's hometown Shaoshan in Hunan Province. Yan, 35, is a Shaoshan-based tour guide and a livestreamer with 710,000 followers on Douyin, the Chinese equivalent of TikTok. She transitioned to become an online tour guide in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic when there were fewer visitors. "At its peak, I did livestreaming every day, but now I'm busy again guiding offline tour groups with the revival of tourism," Yan said. She also opened a homestay last year, bullish about the prospect of red tourism. Hunan is the home province of Chairman Mao, the late Chinese leader and a great proletarian revolutionary, and has a booming red tourism that involves visiting historical sites with a modern revolutionary legacy. Most of its 310 red tourism spots are scattered in rural areas, and have been developed by local governments to help boost villagers' income and improve their livelihood. Poverty was once a persistent issue in Hunan's mountainous countryside but is swiftly becoming a distant memory, thanks to the poverty alleviation campaign and the ongoing rural revitalization drive. A concurrent change is that more young people, who once left the countryside in exodus for better opportunities in cities, are returning to engage in tourism, modern agriculture and other thriving rural businesses. In Shibadong Village in western Hunan, 28-year-old Shi Kang regularly hosts livestreams to promote and sell local farm products as local shops have fewer clients during the tourist off-season. A decade ago, such entrepreneurship would have been unimaginable, as nearly all young locals sought employment as migrant workers in other cities, leaving behind only the elderly and children. The village had a daunting poverty incidence rate of 57 percent in 2013. It is that year when "targeted poverty alleviation" was first introduced at Shibadong. This notion that later inspired the nationwide anti-poverty fight focuses on tailoring poverty relief policies to suit different local conditions and problems. The village has since nurtured industries such as tourism, bottled mineral water and Miao embroidery, helping villagers wean off the reliance on government aid while luring back youngsters, said Long Ke, the Party chief stationed at the village. So far, more than 200 young people have settled down in Shibadong, primarily engaging in the village's burgeoning tourism sectors, Long said. However, for many young villagers, this reverse urban-rural migration is not without its challenges. Chen Shuaiyu, 30, recalls that his decision to return to farming after graduating from college in 2015 was met with frowns from his classmates and parents. Back then, farming was deemed both toilsome and unprofitable. By incorporating modern agricultural machinery, Chen has now expanded his contracted rice paddies to 190 hectares in Xiejiapu Town in Changde City, and established his own rice brand. "The countryside needs us young people. We are better at marketing and selling farm products, through avenues such as licensing and the internet," Chen said. "Helping more villagers get richer in this process also keeps me motivated." This spirit of altruism is commonly echoed by young homecoming villagers, including Deng Shuai, who will soon become a primary school teacher in his rural hometown in the city of Liuyang. Deng is in his final year at the Hunan First Normal University, Mao's alma mater. The school is known for supplying the countryside with graduate rural school teachers. "Cities boast higher pays and better career prospects, but children in the countryside are in greater need of young teachers and their state-of-the-art teaching methods," said the 21-year-old Deng. Despite the many challenges ahead, Deng acknowledges the increasing appeal of the countryside for the younger generation in recent years. "There are more asphalt roads and nicer landscape designs in my hometown," he said. "More young people are now willing to return to the countryside to enjoy a better living environment." Renata Wojno's skin changed colour and formed lumps after a botox injection under her eyes Scotland has become the worst country in Europe for unqualified beauticians injecting customers with cosmetic treatments, healthcare professionals have warned. They said growing numbers of people were coming to harm because there was no legislation to prevent anyone advertising on social media offering to inject someone with beauty treatments such as dermal fillers. Jackie Partridge of the British Association of Cosmetic Nurses said: Colleagues across the rest of the world are shocked and in disbelief that non-medically qualified persons are legally allowed to treat the public. "The UK is a joke when it comes to our colleagues in the rest of the world and Scotland is the worst in the UK." No rules Tens of thousands of people now get dermal filler treatment across Scotland each year. It is usually an injection into the face which helps to fill wrinkles and add volume to tissue. But as its popularity increases so do the complications which include the risk of infection, blocked arteries, necrosis, blindness and stroke. Trained clinicians such as doctors, nurses and dentists who work in the cosmetics field must register with the regulator and face strict oversight but there are currently no rules about who can inject people with filler, nor what training they should have had. This is the case across the UK but healthcare experts say Scotland is in a particularly severe situation because there is no ban on under-18s receiving these treatments. In 2022 the Scottish government said it would aim to ensure that all cosmetic treatments were carried out by appropriately trained professionals, but no details have been published since. Scottish ministers have given no timeframe for further regulation whereas the UK government has said it will publish its response to a licensing scheme consultation this spring. There are no rules on who can perform the injections Speaking to BBC Scotland News, Ms Partridge - who is also clinical director of Dermal Clinic in Edinburgh - said the number of unqualified personnel carrying out these procedures had ballooned in recent year. She said the rise of social media as an advertising platform had led to more procedures, with absolutely no regard for patient safety or accountability. Ms Partridge also said there had been a surge in unlicensed, counterfeit and unsafe products being passed off as botulinum toxin (Botox) in the non-medical sector. Botox injections are anti-wrinkle treatments used to relax the muscles predominantly in the forehead, between the eyebrows and around the eyes, that last between three and six months. Botox is classed as a prescription-only medicine in the UK, meaning it can only be prescribed and given to a patient by a qualified medical professional. However, doctors and nurses say beauticians are finding unlicensed Botox online and injecting patients in high street salons and in their homes. They say there is no way to know what is actually inside these products and little enforcement action to stop them. We know for a fact that people are walking into salons and getting Botox treatments without ever seeing a healthcare professional, said Dr Nestor Demosthenous, a spokesperson for the British College of Aesthetic Medicine. The extent of the damage means that Renata could need an additional surgery Renata Wojno, who lives in East Kilbride, paid about 600 for what she believed to be Botox injections under her eyes from a beautician advertising on Facebook. The injections were administered in an extension at her house rather than a clinical setting something that is currently legal. After Renatas skin changed colour and formed lumps, she sought help from a registered clinic and was told she now faces a choice between permanent damage or private surgery at a cost of at least 4,000. Ive just lost my confidence, she told BBC Scotland. Its hard to look in the mirror because all I can see is just the lumps under my eye, and I know when people look at me they just see the lumps. Thats why I need to force myself to get the surgery and spend the money. The extent of the damage means that Renata could need an additional surgery, as well as laser treatment to correct the discoloration. She says she regrets not checking to see if the beautician was registered, but had assumed from her social media posts that she was qualified. I know its my fault, she said. I was like, surely this person whos got lots of treatments advertised must be a qualified person, but I just didnt check. Frances Turner Traill said she had been pressing for more to be done for a decade Frances Turner Traill, a prescribing nurse and director of the registered clinic that helped Renata, fears that without regulation patients could die. Its a very poor situation and unfortunately Scotland is the worst in the UK, and the UK is the worst in Europe, she said. Its been 10 years that myself and colleagues have sat round the table with the Scottish government and very little has been done and its inexcusable, because the public is now injecting the public without any redress. Doctors in the field say the current lack of regulation has created a two-tier system. It is currently completely legal for a plumber or a hairdresser to inject a 16-year-old girl in the back of a van with no recourse, said Dr Demosthenous. A non-medic can pretty much do whatever they want, anywhere they want, whereas if I were to start treating patients in a premises that wasnt registered by the health board, I could be prosecuted. He said it is vital that these procedures are carried out by trained professionals because they have the medical knowledge on how to safely inject and treat complications, and advise patients when treatment is not necessary. In a statement to BBC Scotland News, Scotlands healthcare watchdog has now called for rules to ensure that only trained clinicians can carry out these procedures. A spokesperson for Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) said: We believe that the best way for the public to stay safe is for cosmetic treatments to be provided from regulated providers, by appropriately trained and qualified healthcare professionals. People should always check that a clinic is registered with HIS before undertaking treatments. Look very carefully SaveFace, a UK-government approved register for aesthetic treatments, said social media has become a catalyst for people falling into unsafe hands. Its really unfortunate whats happened in Scotland, said its director Ashton Collins. In 2021, it became illegal in England for a person under 18 to have fillers or Botox legislation that SaveFace assumed Scotland would take forward. We keep asking for an update and so far there is no agenda for them to do that, and whats happened is because of the lack of action in Scotland, were now seeing people from places like Newcastle going up to Scotland because they can get treatments under the age of 18 with no questions asked. Consistently year-on-year, nearly 90% of the people that report to us find their practitioner on social media and those people are getting younger every year. 'Nothing is off the table' A Scottish government spokesperson said: We remain focussed on engaging with stakeholders on the development of future regulation, to ensure that all non-surgical cosmetic procedures carried out in Scotland are delivered from hygienic premises by appropriately trained practitioners, applying recognised standards and using regulated products. Public Health Minister Jenny Minto added that she did not have timeframes for changes to the laws covering the beauty industry. "I think its important for me to get the right evidence to ensure that we get the right legislation, she said. When asked whether this legislation would prohibit non-health professionals from carrying out these procedures, Ms Minto said she wouldnt want to pre-empt anything. I think its fair to say that we will look at training, well look at the premises as well, and well look at age. But nothing is off the table. She added: Weve got the look very carefully at age because of course in Scotland we give 16-year-olds the vote, and I think thats important that we take into account different characteristics in different age groups. Being the last hope for a climber in trouble on a mountain is already a tough job. Add in unpredictable and severe weather events and it is clear how dangerous it is for those who risk their lives to save those in trouble. Scotland's mountain rescue teams have had a busier winter than usual. They were called out 120 times between 1 December and 20 March - a 6% increase on last year. More than a third of these jobs resulted in broken bones or fractures and the Police Scotland and mountain rescue teams were part of eight rescues which involved a death. A new BBC Scotland programme, Scotland's Weather - Our Changing Seasons, explores the impact of the weather on these incidents. The 2023/24 winter saw unusually unsettled weather on Scotland's mountains, with 10 named storms bringing wind and rain and low pressure systems bringing colder temperatures and snow. In January, police issued a warning to climbers after two avalanches, medical deaths, and "very challenging" rescues. On the first day of 2024, a seriously injured walker required evacuation near Loch Muick, with input from team members from Braemar and Tayside mountain rescue There are more than 850 mountain rescue volunteers working across Scotland. Most of them have full-time jobs elsewhere. They train and rescue in their own time. Simon Murray is lead medic with Braemar Mountain Rescue Team. He told the programme: "You're someone's last hope on the hillside. We come together for a common good, to rescue someone who's having the worst day of their life." Mr Murray spoke of a man who was lost earlier this year on Ben Macdui, Scotland's second highest mountain. Lead medic Simon Murray called it a "privilege" to take part in Braemar MRT's rescues "We had the Braemar team deploying from the south and the Cairngorm team coming in from the north. When we found him, the patient was suffering hypothermia. "He was starting to take his clothes off which is what they do when they're going through the stages of hypothermia. They don't know if they're either hot or cold so they start de-robing themselves. "Another few hours and things would've got a lot worse for that individual." There are different reasons why people need rescued. Sometime they have not checked the weather properly, have not sufficiently prepared, or the conditions on the hills are much worse than they expected. Bill Dallas, another volunteer with Braemar Mountain Rescue, said the weather could sometimes make rescue attempts take a lot longer than normal. "Last year we had some climbers stuck on a cliff face," he said. "When we got there it was thick mist. We were in the cloud and we couldn't actually see them. "We were shouting and their voices were just echoing around the crag." The Braemar team takes part in a training exercise, guiding a helicopter in to the "casualty" By the time they were located, it was going to be such a difficult rescue that the team decided to wait until daylight. "They were safe, they weren't going anywhere. At that point we just had to huddle down and wait until it got a little bit lighter to get our ropes out and start to bring them up. "It all worked out well and was safer than trying and do it in the dark where we didn't totally understand where they were." He added that the margin for error was reduced because winter days are short. It gets light late and dark early. Mr Dallas said: "It's a colder time and the winds can be stronger. You're not going to die from a broken ankle but you can very quickly die if the winds are up at fifty mile an hour and the temperature is zero degrees." The plateau conditions in the Cairngorms can be tricky for climbers and the mountain rescue volunteers. Mr Dallas said some of the worst tragedies had been caused by people who underestimated what the top of the plateau could be like in a full-on winter blizzard. Between Christmas and New Year rescuers were called to trace two climbers who had become stranded in Glen Tilt - thankfully they were traced and the rescue teams were able to escort them back to safety "Because it's so high, it's really exposed to the winds. There's nothing really stopping those winds, to slow it down at all. "The conditions up there can be absolutely life-threatening," he said. Mr Murray called it "a real privilege" to work in mountain rescue - despite the danger. "We can project ourselves forward using all the skills of the team together and get to someone when they need us. "It's so rewarding for us. Each time we save someone, we have the ability to give them their life back." Scotland's Weather: Our Changing Seasons is on the BBC Scotland Channel at 20:00 on Thursday and also on BBC iPlayer BEIJING, March 21 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Justice on Thursday unveiled a plan to deliver improved, accelerated and streamlined notary services for the public, covering areas such as contracts, donations, inheritance and property partitions. The plan outlines a March-December campaign that will reduce the time required for various notary services in accordance with local conditions, and relieve those applying for notary services of unnecessary or redundant paperwork. The plan ensures that notarization services for eligible applicants will be completed in a single visit, and requires coordinated efforts to provide one-stop services for cases involving multiple notary entities. It also specifies work to advance the digitization of notary services, provide convenient, expedited and door-to-door services for the elderly and people with disabilities, and improve outreach services for enterprises. CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) Federal officials said a Seattle man who repeatedly exposed himself on a 2020 flight to Charlotte was found guilty on Wednesday. A federal judge found Evan Thomas Carter, 46, guilty of indecent exposure on an aircraft following a bench trial. According to filed court documents and court proceedings, on August 27, 2020, Carter was traveling on American Airlines Flight 560 from Seattle to Charlotte. Queen City News is tracking CRIME in your area >> Latest stories here Trial evidence established that, throughout the flight, Carter exposed his genitalia to the passengers seated in his row and was rubbing himself. Trial evidence showed that Carter would hide his genitalia when people walked down the aisle and was exposed for at least 20 minutes until airline staff moved passengers in his row. Officials said Carter faced one count of indecent exposure on an aircraft, a misdemeanor offense punishable by no more than 90 days in prison and a $500 fine. A sentencing date has not been set. The FBI investigated this case with help from the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. SeaWorld is celebrating the start of its 60th anniversary on Thursday. The company opened its first theme park in San Diego in 1964. SeaWorlds Orlando theme park opened nine years later. See: SeaWorld Orlando announces birth of 3 smalltooth sawfish pups, an endangered species There will be a special ceremony at SeaWorld Orlando to celebrate the companys milestone. SeaWorld San Diego opened March 21, 1964. A 60th anniversary celebration will be held across all three SeaWorld parks in the U.S. SeaWorld San Diego opened March 21, 1964. A 60th anniversary celebration will be held across all three SeaWorld parks in the U.S. SeaWorld San Diego opened March 21, 1964. A 60th anniversary celebration will be held across all three SeaWorld parks in the U.S. SeaWorld San Diego opened March 21, 1964. A 60th anniversary celebration will be held across all three SeaWorld parks in the U.S. SeaWorld San Diego opened March 21, 1964. A 60th anniversary celebration will be held across all three SeaWorld parks in the U.S. SeaWorld San Diego opened March 21, 1964. A 60th anniversary celebration will be held across all three SeaWorld parks in the U.S. SeaWorld San Diego opened March 21, 1964. A 60th anniversary celebration will be held across all three SeaWorld parks in the U.S. There will also be anniversary merchandise for sale in the mornings from Thursday through Sunday. Read: Weather-or-Not: SeaWorld invites guests back for free if weather impacts their visit Guests at SeaWorld Orlando can also take a commemorative photo with Shamu. SeaWorld says it will have more anniversary celebrations throughout the year. Read: Penguin Trek: SeaWorld Orlando announces new family-friendly coaster Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) The primary election is over, and now the race for U.S. Senate is gearing up. The race will be a close match-up between Republican businessman Bernie Moreno and Democratic incumbent Sen. Sherrod Brown. The Senate is very close, and Ohio is very important when it comes to that vote, Democratic analyst Brian Rothenberg said. Most supporters of Ohio House Speaker defeat primary challengers as Republican infighting continues We are at 50/50 [in the make-up of the U.S. Senate], so what both parties are going to look at are those states where a Democrat senator is sitting in a (Donald) Trump state, Republican analyst Bob Clegg said. Theres only two: Ohio and Montana. Experts on both sides of the aisle said the Moreno-Brown match-up is expected to be close, which is why big money is going to be spent. Well over $100 million, Clegg said. Maybe a couple hundred million. It will be record spending on the Senate race, Rothenberg said. Rothenberg said the Republicans have already allocated at least $89 million for TV ad buys for Moreno, while the Democrats have nearly $70 million for Brown. Clegg said each side will waste no time getting on the airwaves. Like today, Clegg said. Sherrod Brown had no primary opposition and hes been up on the air for at least a month. Presidential results from Ohios primary election, with Biden and Trump on the ballot Rothenberg said that years ago, campaigns really did not ramp up until July or August, but that the political landscape has changed. Youre going to start seeing ads the whole way through, trying to move people and keep people engaged as they go through this, Rothenberg said. And Republican Gov. Mike DeWine, who endorsed a different candidate in the Republican primary said, now, all Republicans in the state need to rally behind Moreno. It is going to be a very close race. It is going to be a hotly contested race, DeWine said, and it may determine which party controls the United States Senate, so theres an awful lot at stake. While Novembers General Election is still months away, Clegg said Brown is facing a tough battle. Clegg said Brown has never run in an Ohio that is this red and has never run with someone like Trump on the top of the ticket. Clegg said Brown will need to get hundreds of thousands of Trump voters to split their ticket and side with him. When he first ran, yeah, that happened all the time, Clegg said. Now the party has become so polarized that that ticket-splitting just doesnt happen on that same level. But Rothenberg said Brown is no stranger to a tough race and its Moreno who is going to need to come back to the middle to win the race in November. How Bernie Moreno and Sherrod Brown will match up in Ohio race for U.S. Senate If this becomes about Donald Trump, then Sherrod has a very good chance to win by taking about the bread-and-butter issues that matter to people, and not just Donald Trump, Rothenberg said. Moreno is bending over so much to go to the far right, hes going to have trouble sort of coming back and its going to become a problem when youre trying to get independent voters as well. Moreno was endorsed by Trump. DeWine said clearly, that carried weight in the state, but he said he does not think it is an indication that what it means to be Republican in Ohio is shifting. I dont know if its changing. I mean obviously, you all can comment on this as well as I can, but the Donald Trump impact has certainly been a significant impact, DeWine said. I am a Republican, I am certainly going to support the Republican nominee for United States Senate, Im certainly going to support the Republican nominee for president. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. As a $1.9 billion franchise tax break sails through the Senate and marches toward final approval in Tennessee, the state continues to withhold information used to justify the change including a letter from a national law firm lawmakers have repeatedly referenced in public as the basis for the legislation. Nobody likes this solution. The administration doesn't like this solution. Revenue doesn't like this solution. Our AG doesn't like this solution, Senate Finance Chairman Bo Watson, R-Hixson, said Thursday. But the reality is, this is the best solution. At the end of the day, this is the best solution whether we like it or dont. Meanwhile, prior to the Senate vote Thursday, 16 of the 25 Republican Senators present Thursday declared a Rule 13 personal interest before voting in favor of the bill. Senate ethics rules require members to disclose if they have a personal interest in legislation, but do not prohibit members from voting on legislation from which they could personally benefit, nor do they require a specific disclosure of how members could benefit. One Democrat declared a personal interest, but voted against the bill. Senate session continues at Tennessee state Capitol in Nashville , Tenn., Monday, March 18, 2024. Democrats have criticized the legislation and the justification behind it and have raised questions about how Gov. Bill Lee's private business could benefit. It remains unclear how much the Lee Company could benefit financially if the legislation is passed as written. Lee has said he is unaware of whether the company could benefit, citing a blind trust that was initiated prior to his taking office. Senators approved the $1.9 billion bill along party lines on Thursday morning in a vote of 25 to 6. The House is set to take up the bill next week, though leadership has indicated there may be a significant difference in the House version. House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, declined to provide details on the House amendment, though House Majority Leader William Lamberth, R-Portland, said he planned to file it by Monday. The bill will be up in subcommittee on Tuesday. It'll be similar, but different, Sexton said. We're still working through our language and what that looks like. We feel comfortable about what we're going to propose. The uncertainty of litigation Republican proponents of the $1.9 billion solution have argued that the restructure and accompanying $1.5 billion in retroactive tax refunds over the last three years are necessary to avoid a lawsuit. This is an attempt at reducing and significantly reducing risk to Tennesseans and risk to taxpayers, Watson said, calling the measure a remedy to a potential problem that our legal team has told us will come if we dont take action. During debate, Sen. Ken Yager, R-Kingston, who sponsored the legislation, insisted that the reform proposed by the Lee administration is necessary to to avoid the uncertainty of litigation. Senate Minority Leader Raumesh Akbari, D-Memphis, noted that the body has been unafraid of the uncertainty of litigation in the past referring to lawsuits challenging the legislatures action on Nashvilles Metro Council, the states existing voucher program, the Metro Airport Authority Board, and a host of other topics. Our attorney general has suggested this to us. We need to listen to our lawyer, Yager responded indignantly, arguing that the legislation will save taxpayer money in the long term. Yager acknowledged that there is currently no lawsuit pending against the state regarding the existing franchise tax, because the action we are taking will prevent that. Sen. Jeff Yarbro, D-Nashville, argued that the $1.5 billion retroactive refund is premature, unprecedented and unnecessary. We're having this discussion as if we have to, like we are under the gun, in a way that I don't think is appropriate, Yarbro said. It is not like a court has ever found that there's a defect in this tax. We're guessing that they might this goes ahead and assumes that there's a problem and it solves it. Administration keeps legal threat letter shrouded in secrecy Multiple times as the bill has been debated in committee and on the Senate floor, Yager has referred to a communication received by the Lee administration in 2023 that basically attacked the property measure component of our franchise tax. Yager said the administration was contacted by a national law firm that was representing hundreds of clients who are paying this tax. State attorneys later advised that a legal challenge would prevail if we litigated it, Yager said, explaining that the Department of Revenue estimated legal fees alone could cost the state $180 million. But despite requests from The Tennessean to the governors office and the Department of Revenue, the administration has refused to disclose the law firms communication, claiming that it would be unlawful to make the letter public. The document you have requested is tax administration information and tax information, Revenue spokesperson Kelly Cortesi told The Tennessean in an email. Disclosing this confidential correspondence is a crime. Revenue did not respond to additional Tennessean requests on Thursday for an explanation and description of the letter, pointing to officials' testimony in committee. "It is widely known that tax experts at the Department of Revenue and Attorney Generals Office became aware of a legal risk in Tennessees franchise tax law," Cortesi told The Tennessean in an email Thursday. The department did not release a redacted copy of the letter as The Tennessean's request, nor did officials disclose the name of the law firm that communicated constitutional concerns to the department that prompted the $1.9 billion remedy. Republicans vote down effort to make refunded company list public Republicans voted down an amendment offered by Sen. Heidi Campbell, D-Nashville, which would have required the Department of Revenue to disclose the businesses receiving a refund, opting instead to keep the records secret. I believe Tennesseans have a right to know where their tax dollars are going, Campbell said. They have a right to know who is receiving the funds. That should be a public record. Yager blasted Campbells amendment as an attempt at an end run around the Senate Finance Committee on which Campbell does not sit saying that the amendment flies in the face of requirements that taxpayer information remain private. Retiring Sen. Art Swann, R-Maryville, was the only Republican that supported public disclosure of the refund recipients. Senators declaring a personal interest The following senators declared a personal interest in Senate Bill 2103, in accordance with Senate Rule 13, according to the Senate Clerk's Office, which requires members to disclose matters on which it may be considered that I have a degree of personal interest in the subject matter of this bill, but I declare that my argument and my ultimate vote answer only to my conscience and to my obligation to my constituents and the citizens of the State of Tennessee. Sen. Paul Bailey, R-Sparta Sen. Ferrell Haile, R-Gallatin Sen. Joey Hensley, R-Hohenwald Sen. Jack Johnson, R-Franklin Sen. Adam Lowe, R-Calhoun Sen. Jon Lundberg, R-Bristol Sen. Bill Powers, R-Clarksville Sen. Shane Reeves, R-Murfreesboro Sen. Kerry Roberts, R-Springfield Sen. Paul Rose, R-Covington Sen. John Stevens, R-Huntingdon Sen. Brent Taylor, R-Memphis Sen. Page Walley, Savannah Sen. Bo Watson, R-Hixson Sen. Dawn White, R-Murfreesboro Sen. Ken Yager, R-Oak Ridge Sen. Jeff Yarbro, D-Nashville Vivian Jones covers state government and politics for The Tennessean. Reach her at vjones@tennessean.com. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee franchise tax change: Senators disclose conflicts Sens. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) introduced a bipartisan measure that would ban the export or sale of oil from the United Statess oil reserves to China, Russia, Iran, Venezuela, Syria and Cuba. The measure, the Banning Oil Exports to Foreign Adversaries Act, would also prohibit the sale of oil from the countrys Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to any entity owned, controlled or influenced by the Chinese Communist Party. Our Strategic Petroleum Reserve is meant to protect the energy security of America and our allies, Fetterman said in a statement. Our adversaries should not be able to purchase oil from our SPR thats just common sense. Fetterman asked Congress to prioritize the United Statess national security and said he is proud to have overwhelming bipartisan support for the measure in both chambers of Congress. Ernst said it is essential to safeguard the countrys oil supply from benefitting our enemies. The bill would work to ensure that the SPR does not fall into the hands of those trying to harm us and ensure communist-controlled businesses profit off taxpayer-subsidized oil. We cannot put Americans last when our adversaries are seeking any opportunity to gain a foothold over us, Ernsts statement said. Sens. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Bob Casey (D-Pa.) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) joined Fetterman and Ernst as original co-sponsors of the legislation. A bill that similarly aimed to ban sales from the countrys oil reserves to China was passed by the House in January 2023. The House also approved a package of six spending bills earlier this month that included provisions to prevent the sale of oil in the SPR to China. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. COLOMBO, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's navy arrested 32 Indian fishermen who were poaching in the country's territorial waters on Wednesday night, the navy said in a statement on Thursday. The arrests were made during a special operation to chase away Indian trawlers poaching off Talaimannar and near Delft Island in northern Sri Lanka, the navy said. The navy also seized five trawlers that the Indians were traveling in, the statement said, adding that the seized trawlers and the Indian fishermen will be handed over to the local authority for onward legal proceedings. With this arrest, the navy has seized a total of 23 Indian poaching trawlers and 178 Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan waters so far in 2024, the navy said. After four years on the run, a senior leader of MS-13 one of the largest transnational criminal organizations was captured this month in Southern California on terrorism charges, court documents say. Freddy Ivan Jandres-Parada was accused by federal prosecutors in the Eastern District of New York in December 2020 of being a member of MS-13s board of directors, known as the Ranfla Nacional, along with a dozen other MS-13 members, according to his indictment. Federal authorities have been searching for him since, offering a reward for his capture on the FBIs Most Wanted list. Jandres-Parada was arrested on March 7 in San Diego by the FBI, according to federal officials. According to the detention order dated March 8, he waived his right to bail. CNN is working to identify a defense attorney for Jandres-Parada. Federal prosecutors charged the alleged gang members with material support of terrorism and narco-terrorism, alleging the group ran military-style training camps; obtained weapons, handguns, rifles, grenades, improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and rocket launchers, and directed acts of violence and murder in El Salvador, the United States and elsewhere, according to the indictment. Jandres-Parada is one of a dozen of the Ranfla Nacional leaders who are charged with conspiracy to provide and conceal material support and resources to terrorists, conspiracy to commit acts of terrorism transcending national boundaries, conspiracy to finance terrorism and narco-terrorism conspiracy, according to the indictment. As a member of the Ranfla Nacional, Jandres-Parada and others allegedly controlled the activities of MS-13 including approval of murders, assaults and kidnappings, extortion drug trafficking and other criminal activity, prosecutors say. Jandres-Parada is being held at the federal jail in San Diego, according to inmate records, and will be transferred to federal custody in New York where he was charged to await trial. CNN has reached out to the US Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of New York for comment. The MS-13 gang was established in the 1980s in the US by Central American immigrants in Southern California, according to Jandres-Paradas 2020 indictment. A 2008 FBI Threat Assessment says MS-13 members have severed the fingers of rivals with machetes, brutally killed suspected informants and committed rapes, assaults and other crimes. The members dispersed into local neighborhood groups or cliques, but many of them were deported to Central American countries where MS-13 membership expanded into tens of thousands, the indictment says. Many of those members returned to the United States, often illegally, and re-joined MS-13 cliques that had expanded to dozens of states including New York, Massachusetts, Virginia, Texas, California and Nevada, according to the indictment. In New York, at least a dozen alleged MS-13 members were indicted in 2017, charged in seven murders on Long Island spanning three years, including the deaths of three high school students in 2016, the US Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of New York said. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont said Thursday he would run in Catalonia's snap May election in a move which could bring forward his return to Spain after years of self-imposed exile. "I have decided to run in the next elections for Catalonia's parliament," he told supporters in Elne, a small town in southern France near the border with Spain. The high-stakes regional election will take place on May 12. A European Parliament lawmaker, Puigdemont has been living in self-imposed exile in Belgium since fleeing Spain following the botched Catalan independence bid of October 2017 when he was Catalan leader. "We want to finish the work we began so that Catalonia is recognised among the world's community of nations," the 61-year-old leader of the hardline separatist JxCat party said. It will be the third time Puigdemont has run as a candidate since fleeing Spain, after previously contesting the regional polls in December 2017 and February 2021. Last week, current Catalan leader Pere Aragones, who heads the more moderate separatist ERC party, called a snap election in the wealthy northeastern region. Puigdemont's announcement came a week after Spain's parliament voted through a key amnesty law that aims to draw a line under years of efforts to prosecute those linked to the independence bid. The bill, which is expected to become law in two months, means Puigdemont will be able to return home. "A week ago I didn't bank on being here," he said in Elne. "Today, that amnesty that (they said) was impossible is two months away from being approved." Named Catalan leader in 2016, Puigdemont led the independence bid the following year that sparked Spain's worst political crisis in decades before fleeing to Belgium. He was elected to the European Parliament in 2019. - Separatists divided - With the Catalan separatist movement in the doldrums, the outcome of Spain's inconclusive July election was a gift for Puigdemont, whose party was cast in the role of kingmaker. After months of uncertainty, JxCat's seven lawmakers decided to back Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, its votes enabling him to secure a new four-year term in November. In exchange, it demanded the amnesty bill. Although the bill was voted down in January after JxCat rejected it on grounds it did not go far enough, it passed this month with fresh wording that the party sees as sufficient to avoid prosecution for terrorism or treason. Just two weeks earlier, Spain's Supreme Court started investigating Puigdemont on "terror" charges over his alleged links to mass protests by a group called Democratic Tsunami. Even when the bill becomes law, there is no guarantee Puigdemont will not be arrested on return to Spain, his lawyer Gonzalo Boye told Catalonia's RAC1 radio, saying he would "accept the consequences". Polls suggest the Catalan vote will be tight. A survey published Thursday by regional polling firm CEO put the Catalan branch of Sanchez's Socialist party in the lead with 25-29 percent, the ruling ERC with 17-20 percent, and JxCat with 15-18 percent. Following the 2021 election, the two separatist parties ruled Catalonia in coalition but JxCat pulled out in 2022, exacerbating divisions within the movement. Although Aragones, who will run again as ERC's candidate, said he wanted to see Puigdemont return, he said he thought the JxCat leader's time was over. "I respect him for what he's achieved in his career but I think that Catalonia needs to look ahead," he told La Vanguardia newspaper on Sunday. Speaking in Brussels Thursday, Spain's Sanchez said the region would only move forward if it was "united". "For that, it needs an inclusive political approach, without recriminations, bitterness or grudges, one that is committed to coexistence and Catalonia's progress," he said. burs-hmw/imm SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) A man was arrested Tuesday who police say vandalized more than 20 vehicles in the citys Richmond District. San Francisco Police Department Richmond station officers responded to 12th Avenue and Anza Street on a report of a vandalism suspect whod been slashing vehicle tires. Officers arrived at the scene and located a suspect who matched the description from a nearby vandalism incident that had just occurred. The man was detained by SFPD and identified as 22-year-old Osiel Torres of San Francisco. California woman sentenced in fraud scheme that included dismembering, disposing of body in SF Bay During the course of their investigation, officers determined that Torres had vandalized more than 20 vehicles in the area. The suspect was placed under arrest and booked into San Francisco County Jail on 22 charges of felony vandalism. The actions of the 911 caller who was one of the victims in this incident, as well as the swift response and diligent investigating by Richmond station officers, led to this great arrest, said SFPD. Police say that despite an arrest having been made, the investigation remains ongoing. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. GREENVILLE, Ohio As snow threatens to fall over communities recently impacted by Marchs tornado outbreak, families are still cleaning up and recounting the night that their lives were changed forever. Heather Miller lives with her family in Greenville, Ohio one of the many communities impacted by more than two dozen twisters. "In the moment, it just felt very surreal. Just kind of like tornadoes are just something you hear about, but you never expected them to impact you directly," Miller stated. Her words are especially true during the late winter and early spring, when tornado outbreaks are considered to be rare in the Ohio Valley. The region was the recipient of several tornadoes, including two EF-3 twisters that tore through communities in Indiana and Ohio. Severe Weather Outbreak on March 14 SEVERE WEATHER OUTBREAK LEAVES 3 DEAD AS TORNADOES TEAR ACROSS MULTIPLE STATES Fortunately for the Miller family and others who live in Darke County, the supercell that impacted western Ohio was not at its maximum strength, having produced an EF-3 over the nearby Hoosier State. Despite the tornado only being at EF-2 strength, dozens of homes were either damaged or destroyed when winds reached upwards of 120 mph. One of those properties was the Miller residence, who said their home was a total loss. "We have a lot of clean-upWe lost our house, both of our barns, a good portion of our equipment, our garage and our vehicle, but we still have each other. Nobody was hurt, and all of our animals are okay," Miller stated. Like many others in the region, the family is staying in temporary residences until they determine what is next in the recovery process. "Its been overwhelming with all the help that weve received. It is just unbelievable how much the community has come together to help everybody out, said Miller. SEE IT: PAIR OF FUNNELS COMBINE TO FORM POWERFUL TORNADO THAT STRUCK PARTS OF OHIO Numerous organizations, including the United Way, American Red Cross, Second Harvest and others, have set up fundraisers for the storm victims. In addition to offering essential supplies, the Red Cross opened temporary shelters following the tornado outbreak. "[We are] providing assistance to our community partners and will continue to be working throughout the region in the days and weeks to come as the communities begin their path to recovery," the Red Cross stated. Original article source: Were shaken, but grateful to be alive: Ohio tornado survivor recounts terror Sheetz will be hosting hiring events and on-the-spot interviews at all of its Pennsylvania locations next week. The events will be held on Wednesday, March 27 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Anyone interested in attending will need to apply for a store position at www.jobs.sheetz.com online before arriving. Once you arrive at the event, you will check in at the cash register. In addition to its Pennsylvania locations, Sheetz is also holding hiring events at all of its locations across its six-state footprint and aiming to hire 2,200 employees company-wide. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: Roberto Clemente jersey worn during 1960 World Series-winning season sells at auction for over $250K Deadly Jeannette fire: How you can help surviving mom, 2 kids 4 children, father killed in Westmoreland County house fire VIDEO: Pittsburgh sports bars, hotels hoping to cash in on March Madness DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts [Source] The interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani was fired amid accusations of massive theft linked to gambling. Key points: Ippei Mizuhara , the 39-year-old MLB interpreter and longtime associate of Ohtani , is linked to an investigation involving $4.5 million from the baseball players bank account being allegedly wired to a bookie, identified as Mathew Bowyer of Orange County, for illegal gambling activities. The details: Initially, Mizuhara, who worked with the two-way superstar from 2013 to 2017 in Japan and later in Los Angeles, suggested that Ohtani was covering his gambling debts. Later, however, Ohtani's lawyers clarified that he was not. His legal team accused Mizuhara of stealing millions of dollars and placing bets with a bookmaker under investigation. In the course of responding to recent media inquiries, we discovered that Shohei has been the victim of a massive theft and we are turning the matter over to the authorities, Ohtanis law firm, Berk Brettler LLP, told CNN. After the revelation, Mizuhara retracted his statement, asserting that Ohtani had no knowledge or involvement in the gambling activities nor his efforts to repay the debt. WELLINGTON, March 21 (Xinhua) -- The New Zealand parliament on Thursday overwhelmingly voted to ratify a bill seeking to implement New Zealand's obligations under the New Zealand and European Union Free Trade Agreement (NZ-EU FTA). The European Union Free Trade Agreement Legislation Amendment Bill was passed at its second reading, which enabled the NZ-EU FTA to come into force on May 1. The EU, which is New Zealand's fourth-largest trade partner, has completed its ratification processes, and the agreement has been signed off by the European Parliament and Council. The benefits of the deal include duties removed on 91 percent of New Zealand's goods exports to the EU, rising to 97 percent after seven years, covering kiwifruit, wine, onions, apples, honey, fish, seafood and other horticultural products, according to the FTA. Tariff savings will reach 100 million NZ dollars (60.44 million U.S. dollars) per year on New Zealand exports to the EU, said Minister for Trade and Agriculture Todd McClay. Thursday's ratification process by the New Zealand parliament was months earlier than expected, which would see tariff savings of 43 million NZ dollars (26 million U.S. dollars) for kiwifruit exporters, and 3 million NZ dollars (1.81 million U.S. dollars) for onion exporters this season, McClay said, adding that the early entry into force instead of July or August would benefit much of this year's kiwifruit and onion exports. "The FTA will level the playing field for Kiwi businesses, increase the resilience of our economy, and contribute to the government's target of doubling our export value in 10 years," McClay said, adding that once in force, over 70 percent of New Zealand's exports will be covered by the FTA network, meaning free and fairer market access for New Zealand exporters. Negotiations on the NZ-EU FTA concluded on June 30, 2022, with the agreement signed on July 9, 2023 in Brussels. Richard "Biff" Williams will be back in Springfield for a visit in late April and soon after will move to the city. The 12th president of Missouri State University will officially start work July 1 but the university is taking steps now to get him up to speed and ensure a smooth transition. Williams will succeed the retiring Clif Smart and both were in a virtual meeting Wednesday of the MSU Board of Governors, which was devoted in large part to the upcoming change. The former president of Utah Tech University said it's been fun to learn "even more" about the university from a box of items sent his way by Suzanne Shaw, vice president for marking and communication. "I was excited to get the job but I'm even more excited to start now," he said. Zora Mulligan, executive vice president at Missouri State, has been designated the point of contact to manage the transition. She is finishing her second year at the university but has deep ties to higher education in the state. A goal of the transition plan is to "begin to build that trust" between the university and Williams. Missouri State University Executive Vice President Zora Mulligan on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023. "Obviously, we want to set the new president up for success and also use his first 30, 60 and 90 days on campus as an opportunity to really set the tone for his presidency. So we are excited," she said. Mulligan said part of the plan is "intentionally scheduling" ways for him to connect with the leadership team, the campus and community. "We are doing the same with topics that the incoming president will need briefings on, thinking about that sequencing and scheduling," she said. She said brainstorming has started to identify the "key people and groups" that Williams needs to connect with early on. "We are also going to be working with the incoming President Williams to prepare him for some early tasks and so that includes setting goals for his first year with the board, making sure he has the information to do that, and then making sure we're set up for a successful board retreat in early August," she said. "So there is a lot of work already underway." Lynn Parman Lynn Parman, chair of the MSU Board of Governors, said she wants the transition plan to be in place ideally, by late April before Williams is expected to engage in goal-setting with the board. The plan is to start discussing the goals during the board's June meeting in West Plains and finalize them by the July 17 meeting. An initial 90-minute transition meeting was scheduled Thursday with Williams for Smart to "start working through some of the major issues that we're dealing with now that are going to be involved in both presidencies, like we're preparing a budget." "We're going to keep working to the end but it's important that Dr. Williams is aware of the major work that is going on," Smart said. "... We're not going to stop working and then 3-1/2 months from now start again but we need to have that continuity and that momentum to continue." He added: "He needs to be involved and engaged in giving us input into things as we continue to move forward." In the meeting, David Attis, the managing director of research at the EAB consulting firm, provided an overview of "best practices" for a presidential transition. He said one of the biggest mistakes a university can make is to wait for the new president to show up before doing anything. Attis said one advantage for Missouri State is that Williams has experience running a university. But he will still be new to the institution and will need help understanding how it differs from where he worked in Utah. "He's been successful because he's been able to really work within the context of that previous institution. Now he will quickly have to get up to speed, not so much on what does it look like to be a president but what does it look like to be a president at Missouri State University," Attis said. Missouri State President Clif Smart delivers his final State of the University Address as MSU president on Oct. 2, 2023. Attis said it is critical that Williams develop a strong working relationship with the MSU board, the leadership team, the campus, and the community. He encouraged different parts of the campus to provide, in a concise way, an analysis of "what it is that is working well, where some of the challenges are, and also where they think the president needs to focus right away." "In those first 90 days on the job as a president, it can be overwhelming. There is so much information being taken in," Attis said. More: What Springfield can expect from the next MSU president and why he goes by Biff He cautioned that students, staff, and faculty at Missouri State have grown accustomed to Smart's leadership style and that creates a calming sense of predictability. "There is excitement but also anxiety when a new leader comes in," he said. He said a new president, especially one that is an "outsider" to the community, can be energizing. "A lot of stakeholders on campus are anxious, maybe pessimistic, even cynical, and so they need someone who is going to be an important cheerleader to help them feel good about their institution and where it is going," Attis said. "And this transition moment is a great time to do that." This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: A smooth transition: MSU works to prepare next president for July 1 There was an opinion survey the other day that suggested not everyone was happy with the way the 25-year-old Scottish Parliament was performing. And I noticed that some of that bodys leading lights, in the shape of former office bearers and first ministers, are chairing a panel of experts I use the word advisedly on that very subject. Why bother? Indeed, why not ask for answers on a postcard from the voting public on what they think has been the biggest benefit, if any, of Holyroods existence? But before thats allowed well have to find a way of preventing the hundreds who have been, and are still, making a nice living out of that sub-Ikea palace at the bottom of the Royal Mile. I suppose I should include myself in that number, given that without the monstrosities thrown up by Holyrood over the past two-and-a-half decades, what would the likes of me have found to write about? I plead guilty but Id happily see the back of the place. We have now reached the stage where one of the greatest talents Scotland has ever fostered she wasnt born here but developed her skills and still lives here is being subjected to a disgraceful barrage of insults, directly and indirectly, from members of the ruling SNP. All for the sin of expressing a strongly held belief on important issue of the present day. Even worse, however, is the fact that this newspaper has revealed that Police Scotland has been a party to facilitating that abuse and that its chief constable has remained silent when challenged. I refer, of course, to JK Rowling, the author who has done more than any other to promote Scotland to the wider world. JK Rowling is threatened with prosecution But because she has the audacity to insist that so-called trans women are still males, she is threatened with prosecution under the latest piece of legislative nonsense from the SNP government. Multiple complaints about her are possible using the new hate laws when they come into force on April 1, according to Fulton MacGregor, an SNP MSP who sits on Holyroods criminal justice committee. This piece of make-it-up-as-you-go-along lawmaking comes from the same stable that Nicola Sturgeon gave us with her gender reform legislation. This law, allowing people to change gender whenever they felt like it, was so bad that it never made it to the statute book. Tory leader Douglas Ross made it clear on Thursday that this measure is another example from the SNP of a bad law that quickly descends into chaos. He said legal experts predicted that it would be set aside the first time it was examined by a serious court. I hope he is right. Rank and file policemen have complained that they were given only two hours tuition on the enforcement of this measure and then only by video, while senior advocate Roddy Dunlop, said bobbies would be swamped by this legislation. This measure is another surefire example of nationalist grandstanding and a bid to placate their Greens coalition partners. What is deeply troubling, however, is that the new law is opposed only by the Conservatives when it is obvious to anyone that this is a wholly ill-judged and divisive measure. Personnel shortages are making it difficult for Police Scotland to enforce basic standards of law and order and yet it is being ordered to take on this new, and highly debatable, responsibility. Has Chief Constable Jo Farrell talked to First Minister Humza Yousaf about this issue? And if not, why not? 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 21-year-old Thousand Oaks man was sentenced to nearly two decades in state prison for sexually extorting two minors he met online. Connor Joseph Kerns was sentenced Tuesday to 19 years in prison after his Feb. 2 guilty plea to three felony charges: forcible rape, forcible oral copulation on a minor over 14 years old and forcible sexual acts on a minor under 14. The victim, a 16-year-old girl, and Kerns met through Snapchat in July 2021. Kerns and the victim had multiple conversations and Kerns, who was aware she was underage, eventually coerced her into sending him sexually provocative pictures of herself, the Ventura County District Attorneys Office said in a news release. Days later, another Snapchat user with the name Dexterwho in reality was Kernscontacted the victim, saying he had hacked Kerns Snapchat account, and threatened to post the victims provocative pictures online unless she agreed to send him nude photos/videos of herself, the release added. Scared she would get in trouble, the victim complied. Kerns then used the Dexter account to demand that the victim engage in numerous sexual acts in person with Kerns, the release said. Hoping to end the abuse, the victim again complied out of fear, officials said. Over the next several days, Dexter would make more demands of the victim, which ultimately led her to contact law enforcement. Kerns followed the same methods with another victim, a 13-year-old girl from Los Angeles County, a few months later in January 2022, though when he threatened to release the sexually explicit images if the victim did not follow additional demands, the girl told her parents, who then reported it to the Los Angeles Police Department. The severity of this sentence highlights the defendants appalling crimes while demonstrating the perils of social media, Deputy District Attorney Benjamin Moreno said in the release. The defendant sexually exploited vulnerable young girls, inflicting irreparable harm in the process. This sentence sends a clear message that such despicable acts wont be tolerated, and sexual predators will face full prosecution. We hope it serves as a reminder to parents to stay vigilant and discuss social media risks with their children. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. Good morning and welcome to the A.M. Alert! NEW SOCIAL MEDIA BILL RESURRECTS OLD CONFLICTS Once again, California lawmakers have introduced a bill aimed at holding social media companies accountable for harms inflicted on children. And once again, social media companies are pushing back. This time, the bill is AB 3172, by Assemblyman Josh Lowenthal, D-Long Beach. It would stipulate that social media platforms would be on the hook financially for online harms to minors that are proven in court. The bill amends Californias negligence law by setting statutory damages at $5,000 for each violation, up to $1 million per child affected. Like previous such attempts to go after social media companies for harms suffered by children, AB 3172 is sponsored by Common Sense Media. Common Sense Media founder James Steyer said in a statement that social media companies will not stop pushing harmful and addictive features to young people until they are held liable in court. Lawmakers in Sacramento should overwhelmingly pass AB 3172 to defend children and put an end to business practices that have resulted in tragic consequences for young people and their families in California and across the country, he said. And speaking out against the bill, as they have previous similar legislation, is the center-left Chamber of Progress, whose CEO, Adam Kovacevich, is a former Google executive. In a statement, Kovacevich warned that the bill would be used to censor what children can see online, including LGBTQ teens and users looking for information on reproductive health. By requiring that social media platforms put teens in a bubble, this legislation threatens to cut young people off from a whole world of information, he said. NEW COMMITTEE TO ADDRESS TROUBLED HOSPITALS Last year, Madera Community Hospital became the latest hospital to shutter due to financial hardship. The closure left the surrounding community without nearby medical care, and reopening the hospital has been a gradual process. A new legislative select committee seeks to prevent that from happening to any other California community. Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, D-Salinas, on Wednesday announced the creation of the Select Committee on Distressed Hospitals and tapped Assemblywoman Esmeralda Soria, D-Fresno, to run it. The closure of Madera Community Hospital is not an isolated incident, hospitals across the state have been experiencing financial challenges, which were aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic, Soria said in a statement. She added that these struggling hospitals serve a high percentage of Medi-Cal patients and often are located in rural parts of the state, where the next closest hospital may be many miles away. We must explore why hospitals are struggling to stay afloat and develop solutions to prevent more hospitals from closing and eliminating vital services to our communities, she said, adding that the select committee will look at both short- and long-term solutions to the problem. Sorias office said that the select committee will hold two informational hearings this year in parts of the state with the highest concentration of distressed hospitals. QUOTE OF THE DAY Thanks to leadership in the Assembly and Senate, California is stepping up with a balanced approach that will take a significant chunk out of the projected shortfall. Despite the uncertainty due to the federal tax deadline delay last year, historic reserves and fiscal responsibility will assure a balanced budget that meets Californias needs. - California Gov. Gavin Newsom, announcing an agreement to address the states towering fiscal deficit, in a statement. Best of The Bee: California Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders on Wednesday announced an early action budget deal to help curb the states large projected deficit by $12 billion to $18 billion, via Lindsey Holden and Andrew Sheeler . The Sacramento City Council late Tuesday night approved a Gaza cease-fire resolution proposed by leaders in the regions Jewish and Muslim communities, via Theresa Clift . One of the top four mayoral candidates has conceded following the release of another batch of votes. Steve Hansen, with 21% of the vote, trailed Richard Pan by about 338 votes on Tuesday afternoon, two weeks after the primary, via Theresa Clift . Californias most reputable source for telework data will indeed disappear from the internet soon, according to a new memo from CalHRs top brass, via Maya Miller . The Department of Insurance Monday ordered a health care company to stop selling membership plans in California saying it was not licensed to do so, via Stephen Hobbs . Early results from the special primary election in Californias 20th Congressional District suggest there will be a May runoff in the race to replace retired Rep. Kevin McCarthy, via Gillian Brassil. BEIJING, March 21 (Xinhua) -- An open and equal dialogue between the West and the Global South is required for deep and meaningful reform of the global governance system, Alexander Lomanov, an expert on international relations, told a forum on democracy held in Beijing on Wednesday. It is necessary to seek an updated model of global governance that fits the interests of all people, as getting rid of the practice of imposing political will and value standards by developed countries has become an undisputable trend in global development, noted Lomanov, head of the Center for Asia-Pacific Studies of the Institute of World Economy and International Relations of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Addressing a sub-forum of the third "International Forum on Democracy: The Shared Human Values," the Russian expert said multipolarity is at the heart of the democratization of global governance, calling on countries of the Global South to take the initiative in reforming global governance. Lomanov also referred to China's Belt and Road Initiative as having played an important role as a democratic platform for communications between the countries of the Global South. Echoing Lomanov's opinion, Chen Bo, president of the China Institute of International Studies, said the representation and voice of developing countries in international affairs should be reflected more fully, which is the essence of the democratization of global governance. The forum was hosted by the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council Information Office, and co-organized by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, China Media Group and China International Communications Group. LUANDA, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Health authorities in Lubango, the capital of Huila Province in central Angola, said that the city has been recording over 1,000 malaria cases weekly, much higher than the normal range of 100 to 150 cases a week. The numbers are expected to remain high until the first week of April, Lubango Municipal Health Director Anita Catihe said Wednesday. The surge in malaria cases is attributed to climatic factors and the water level in rivers. The health department has issued a warning and urged people to take preventive measures, Catihe said. Lubango has a population of about 1.5 million. According to the World Health Organization, malaria, which is transmitted to humans through the bite of certain types of mosquitoes, claims the lives of over 600,000 people every year, with 95 percent of the deaths occurring in Africa. In Africa, more than 80 percent of malaria fatalities are children under the age of five. The Stanislaus Animal Services Agencys shelter in Modesto is over capacity and has been all week, said its director, Vaughn Maurice. The issue has been exacerbated by a spate of dog hoarding rescues this month, but Maurice said persistent overcrowding also can be attributed to city laws on how many dogs a household can have. There is no question that contributes to the issue, Maurice said. The city of Modesto has one of the lowest (pet limits) in the state and certainly in the country: two animals. Thats really a big hindrance for people. In Turlock and Ceres, the maximum allowed is three dogs per residence. Maurice said many residents have more cats or dogs than Modesto allows. But unless a neighbor reports them, this usually goes unnoticed. Obviously, the extreme cases seen this month more than 130 dogs rescued at three Stanislaus locations are not only a detriment to the animals health and well-being, but in at least one instance to the humans living there. But Maurice feels Modesto should look at adjusting the max number to provide some relief. Stanislaus Countys pet limit is four per household, he pointed out. As of Thursday morning, the shelter housed 285 dogs. Maurice said it could comfortably fit 183, meaning its a little over 56% above capacity. The Stanislaus Animal Services Agency posted on Facebook on Wednesday, March, 20, 2024, images of dogs rescued from a Ceres home the day before. The issue in Stanislaus County appears to be following a national trend. A report by Shelter Animals County, a national database for animal rescues, says intakes of stray dogs increased by 5% compared to 2022 and increased by 23% compared to 2021. We we really need to get these dogs out pretty quick, Maurice said. We can be overcrowded for a little bit. But having large dogs sharing a small kennel is just not very healthy or very safe. Behavior problems can develop, fights can break out. Its just not a good situation. The shelter said it does everything it can to avoid euthanizing dogs. Stanislaus County has a 94% live release date, above the state average of 87%, according to Maurice. But it does happen. If animals are unhealthy or old, the shelter doesnt have the funds or resources to save them, he said. Stanislaus animal shelter flooded with rescued dogs. How the community can help Were not going to spend $20,000 to help 20-year-old dog with cancer. So those are the animals unhealthy animals, animals that have behavioral issues, that would be a danger in our community that we do put down, Maurice said. Residents can assist in a variety of ways There are ways Stanislaus residents can help mitigate the issue, though, including adoption. Maurice said a donor recently sponsored 20 of the shelters dogs that have been there the longest. Residents can adopt these dogs for free. Outside of adoption, theres also fostering. Residents can fill out a volunteer application, online or in person, and pick out a dog to take home. As this happens, the shelter said it would try to get the dog adopted out of the foster home and into a forever home. That frees up cage space. The dog is obviously much happier in a home than in a cage and a kennel shelter, said Vaughn. So its good for the dog while theyre waiting to get adopted. Something that a family can do to really help us out and its just a short-term commitment. Maurice added that it has plenty of physical donations such as beds, food and other items and whats needed now are volunteers and monetary donations. The shelter has been transporting dogs to other cities and states in an effort to free up space and said they also need volunteer drivers who can go to communities all over the West Coast and even to places like Wisconsin. If people would like to do other types of volunteering, they can also jump online and submit a volunteer form to fill out, theyre welcome to do that. We have all kinds of volunteer positions, said Maurice. The U.S. State Department has announced $47b million in assistance for Sudan and surrounding nations as fighting continues between the military government and the Rapid Support Forces. File Photo by Mohnd Awad/EPA-EFE March 21 (UPI) -- The U.S. State Department announced a $47 million humanitarian assistance package for Sudan and bordering nations. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said the aid includes "critical life-saving assistance" such as food, water and sanitation facilities, shelter, medical services such as mental health support and protection for people in Sudan fleeing the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and breakaway Rapid Support Forces. More than 8 million people have been displaced since the fighting in Sudan escalated in April and nearly 25 million people -- about half of Sudan's population -- are in need of aid, the State Department noted. The aid, announced after a meeting between y Assistant Secretary for Population, Refugees, and Migration Julieta Valls Noyes and Chadian Prime Minister Succes Masra will also support neighboring countries, including Chad and South Sudan where more than 1 million Sudanese people have sought refuge. Miller said that a cease-fire and unhindered humanitarian access will be need to prevent "a famine and long-term catastrophe" in Sudan. "The United States urges the parties to the Sudan conflict to allow unhindered humanitarian access including both cross-line and cross-border, engage in direct talks, agree to a cease-fire and end hostilities immediately," he said. Earlier this month, the Carter Center, called on all sides in the Sudan conflict to engage in a cease-fire on the one-year anniversary of the latest outbreak of hostilities. "The window to prevent the conflict in Sudan from spreading into a regional one is closing," the Carter Center said in a statement. LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) Downtown Lansing will soon have a new look. Multiple stores are set to receive mini makeovers thanks to The States Main Street Program. Danielle Hastings owns Sylvias Sudsery, one of the 4 shops chosen to get a part of the vibrancy grant from the state. I was so excited. Oh my gosh, Hastings said. (WLNS) (WLNS) (WLNS) (WLNS) Each store is working with professional consultants to figure out how they can take the look of their store to the next level. Its just really great to have the opportunity to grow and learn as a business and have it look professional, Hastings said. In total the grant is $16,500, plus the consultants. Downtown Lansing Inc.s Executive Director, Cathleen Edgerly, says DLI was the only recipient of this specific mini makeover grant. Were very excited for the future, for the services that these businesses will receive, as well as the grant funds that will support their mini makeovers, Edgerly said. Sweet Encounter Bakery and Cafe, Summit Comics and Games, and Nubian will also be getting makeovers. Nubians founder, Rihab Musa, said she just had her first meeting with the consultants and within the next few months, theyll bring her vision to life. Right now were working on the displays of the store, the window display. I kind of see it as you know, you walk in and its like a Gucci store. Thats what I have in mind and hopefully it does come to life. Im really excited about it, Musa said. Edgerly said the plan is to unveil the new store displays in May with some fun parties. Local businesses are what make our community unique. They are the people and places who really create the identity, the culture, and the character of our downtowns, Edgerly said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News. More than a dozen people are waking up in Florida after being rescued from Haiti. A rescue flight touched down Wednesday night at Orlando-Sanford International Airport. The state is helping people escape the gang violence that has spread across the nation. Watch: Florida family reunited after state officials charter emergency flights from Haiti Gov. Ron DeSantis said more flights could arrive Thursday. However, since Haitis situation is so dangerous and fluid, future flights arent promised to bring people back to the Sunshine State. Watch: Local church help gather donations to send to Haiti amid crisis Nearly 400 Floridians are hoping to flee Haiti as attacks by armed groups catapult the island nation into chaos. The flight landed around 7 p.m. in Sanford and had 14 people on board. Read: State launches online portal to help Floridians stuck in Haiti amid gang violence, political unrest DeSantis was there when they arrived and said the goal is to keep working to bring people back. We understand that there are people that are really in danger right now that are our fellow Floridians, so I think this is the appropriate thing for us to do, DeSantis said. 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 Victor Valley College student was jailed for bringing a loaded gun to school on Wednesday, officials said. Two students reported to campus police that they saw a fellow student "displaying a handgun" about 4:15 p.m. in the lake area of the campus, college spokesman Robert Sewell said. Campus officers "responded immediately and detained the individual without incident," he said. Investigation soon led to the discovery of a loaded handgun inside a book locker in the Student Activities Center, according to Sewell. The student was arrested on suspicion of carrying a loaded firearm on a college campus. Authorities did not release the suspect's identity Wednesday night. "We are grateful for the quick response of the students who reported the incident and the prompt action taken by our campus police officers," Sewell added. "No injuries were reported during this incident." Under California's Gun-Free School Zone Act, possession of a firearm at a college campus is a felony, regardless of whether the carrier possesses a concealed carry permit. This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Gun found on campus at Victor Valley College, student arrested UAE-based Mira Aerospace, a joint venture between Bayanat and UAVOS to develop and manufacture high altitude pseudo satellites (HAPS), and VEDA Aeronautics, an Indian aerospace and defence company involved in unmanned systems, have announced a collaboration to deliver the worlds most advanced high altitude pseudo satellite (HAPS) solutions designed for the Indian market. Through this collaboration, Mira Aerospace will pair its cutting-edge ApusNeo HAPS technology with VEDA Aeronautics' local development capabilities. The offering will be available to both Indian defence and civilian clients. Under this agreement, the companies have committed to deliver a HAPS platform specific to the Indian market within the first half of 2024. Mira Aerospace and VEDA Aeronautics previously performed test flights in the Indian airspace, where the technology demonstrator HAPS unit flew in the Indian stratosphere. This test continues to be the only such flight in India to date. VEDA Aeronautics has recently participated in the Make-1 project, an initiative launched and funded by the Indian Air Force, where the company looks to design and develop a HAPS solution capable of carrying a minimum 35KG payload and sustaining operations at 18,000 m altitude for minimum of 30-45 days. Under the Make-1 project, the HAPS developed through the partnership with Mira Aerospace could potentially be used for strategic persistent monitoring of the Indian borders. Hasan Al Hosani, Managing Director of Bayanat, said: We see India as an important market in Mira Aerospaces international growth strategy. Covering huge areas of diverse terrain, we see a clear opportunity to provide cutting-edge, AI-powered geospatial solutions to our partners in the region. The collaboration between Mira Aerospace and VEDA Aeronautics demonstrates the growing need for intelligent geospatial solutions, and we are excited to expand into the Indian market and showcase our world-leading, specialized solutions. Dipesh Gupta, Managing Director of VEDA Aeronautics, said: We are thrilled to announce our strategic partnership with Mira Aerospace, which marks a significant milestone in India's journey towards accelerating the deployment of HAPS technology. This endeavor underscores our unwavering commitment to innovation, heralding a new era of technological advancement and strategic prowess in the aerospace domain. Mira Aerospace is a joint venture between Bayanat and UAVOS based in Abu Dhabi. The company combines Bayanats unique Geospatial AI experience with UAVOS extensive expertise in developing unmanned solutions. The company is the global leader in high altitude pseudo satellite (HAPS) technology.TradeArabia News Service This photo taken on March 21, 2024 shows a building damaged in a missile attack in Kiev, Ukraine. At least 13 people were injured on Thursday in Russia's missile attack on the Ukrainian capital, the Kiev City Military Administration (KCMA) said in a statement. (Photo by Roman Petushkov/Xinhua) KIEV, March 21 (Xinhua) -- At least 13 people were injured on Thursday in Russia's missile attack on the Ukrainian capital, the Kiev City Military Administration (KCMA) said in a statement. The debris from intercepted missiles and blast waves damaged two high-rise apartment buildings in the central Shevchenkivskyi district and the western Svyatoshynkyi district. A transformer substation in the central Podilskyi district caught fire following the attack. The Russian military fired two ballistic missiles, Iskander-M and Kinzhal, and 29 cruise missiles from 11 Tu-95MC bombers against Ukraine overnight Wednesday, said Ukraine's Air Force, adding all missiles were shot down by Ukraine's air defense in the Kiev region. This photo taken on March 21, 2024 shows a car damaged in a missile attack in Kiev, Ukraine. At least 13 people were injured on Thursday in Russia's missile attack on the Ukrainian capital, the Kiev City Military Administration (KCMA) said in a statement. (Photo by Roman Petushkov/Xinhua) This photo taken on March 21, 2024 shows a building damaged in a missile attack in Kiev, Ukraine. At least 13 people were injured on Thursday in Russia's missile attack on the Ukrainian capital, the Kiev City Military Administration (KCMA) said in a statement. (Photo by Roman Petushkov/Xinhua) FILE - Residents displaced from a surge of violent attacks squat on blankets and in hastily made tents in the village of Masteri in west Darfur, Sudan, on July 30, 2020. Paramilitary forces and their allied militias fighting to take power in Sudan carried out widespread ethnic killings and rapes while taking control of much of western Darfur that may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity, according to a new report to the U.N. Security Council, obtained Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, by The Associated Press. (Mustafa Younes via AP, File) UNITED NATIONS (AP) The nearly year-long conflict between Sudans military and paramilitary forces has put the African nation on course to become the worlds worst hunger crisis with malnutrition soaring and already claiming childrens lives, the U.N. humanitarian office warned Wednesday. Edem Wosornu, the director of humanitarian operations, told the U.N. Security Council that already one-third of Sudans population 18 million people face acute food insecurity, and catastrophic hunger levels could be reached in some areas of the western Darfur region by the time the lean season arrives in May. A recent assessment revealed that one child is dying every two hours in Zamzam camp in El Fasher, North Darfur, she said. Our humanitarian partners estimate that in the coming weeks and months, somewhere in the region of around 222,000 children could die from malnutrition. Wosornu called the harrowing violent situation that has seen appalling accounts of ethnic-based attacks, sexual violence including gang rapes, and indiscriminate attacks in densely populated areas, the stuff of nightmares. With the global spotlight now on the Israeli-Hamas war in Gaza and to a lesser extent on the war in Ukraine, she lamented that A humanitarian travesty is playing out in Sudan under a veil of international inattention and inaction. Sudan plunged into chaos last April, when long-simmering tensions between its military led by Gen. Abdel Fattah Burhan and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces commanded by Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo broke out into street battles in the capital, Khartoum. Fighting quickly spread to other parts of the country, especially urban areas, but in Darfur it took on a different form, with brutal attacks by the Arab-dominated Rapid Support Forces on ethnic African civilians. Thousands of people have been killed. Two decades ago, Darfur became synonymous with genocide and war crimes, particularly by the notorious Janjaweed Arab militias against populations that identify as Central or East African. In late January, the International Criminal Courts prosecutor, Karim Khan, said there are grounds to believe both sides in the current conflict are committing possible war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide in Darfur. The U.N.s Wosornu said there has been no respite from fierce fighting in Khartoum, Darfur and Kordofan which are home to 90% of the people facing emergency levels of food insecurity. Farmers have been forced to abandon their fields and cereal production has dropped since hostilities moved into Sudans breadbasket, Jazeera state, in December, she said. In these circumstances, the delivery of humanitarian aid should be a lifeline, Wosornu said, but the U.N. appeal for $2.7 billion for Sudan in less than 5% funded receiving just $131 million. She expressed hope that a high-level donors conference for Sudan and its neighbors in Paris on April 15 will lead to tangible commitments to support aid operations in the face of looming famine. In addition, Wosornu said, the U.N. must have access to reach the most vulnerable people in Khartoum, Darfur, Kordofan and Jazeera states which continues to be severely obstructed by the fighting. It also needs more cross-border openings and approvals to deliver aid across conflict lines, she said. Carl Skau, the U.N. World Food Programs deputy executive director, told the council the rapidly worsening food security situation in Sudan also has profound regional implications. In addition to the 18 million people facing acute food insecurity in Sudan, he said 7 million people in neighboring South Sudan and nearly 3 million in Chad which borders Darfur also face dire hunger. Currently, Skau said, 90% of people who are a step away from the catastrophic level of food security and urgently need life-saving food are trapped in areas that are largely inaccessible to humanitarian agencies, including Khartoum, Jazeera, Kordofan and Darfur. If we are going to prevent Sudan from becoming the worlds largest hunger crisis, coordinated efforts and joined up diplomacy are urgent and critical, he said. We need all parties to provide unrestricted access: across borders and across conflict lines. Echoing Wosornus call for funding, he said WFP had to cut assistance to 3 million acutely hungry people in South Sudan and reduce rations to others in need because of a lack of money. And in Chad, he said, WFP will have to end assistance to 1.2 million refugees and nearly 3 million Chadians. Skau expressed concern that hunger will spike even higher when Sudans lean season arrives, and could reach catastrophic food insecurity unless there is sustained access and resources . Rein Paulsen, Director of the FAO Office of Emergencies and Resilience, told a news conference that an agency report on Sudan issued Tuesday demonstrates the conflicts damage to agricultural production: cereal production in 2023 dropped 46% below 2022, and up to 80% below in areas where the conflict was most intense. The outlook for food production in 2024 is bleak, he said. During his surprise visit to Kyiv on March 20, U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan vowed that the United States would deliver a $60 billion aid package to Ukraine despite its current impasse in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives. "We are confident we will get this done. We will get this aid to Ukraine," Sullivan said at a press conference in Kyiv alongside Ukraine's Presidential Office Head Andriy Yermak. The U.S. Senate approved a $95 billion funding package on Feb. 13 that contained $60 billion in aid for Ukraine, but it still faces an uphill battle in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives. House Republicans, led by Speaker Mike Johnson, have so far refused to put it to a vote in the House of Representatives. Johnson and Republican lawmakers have repeatedly insisted that Congress first address the southern border, including implementing controversial changes that are broadly unpopular with Democrats, before approving new funding for Ukraine or other U.S. allies. Addressing concerns by Western allies about Washington's wavering commitment to Ukraine, Sullivan's surprise trip sought to reinforce the Biden administration's support. "Im also here to say that you should believe in the United States. We have stood by your side since this war began. We have provided enormous support, and we will continue to do so every day in every way we know how," Sullivan said. Some House Republicans are reportedly working on another version of the bill that would treat the non-military portion of the package as a loan in hopes of winning support from more hesitant lawmakers. Johnson also considered passing a future Ukraine aid bill with Democratic votes, assuming that Ukraine and Israel aid could be split into two separate bills, according to Politico. During the press conference, Sullivan acknowledged that the funding approval process, which was first proposed in October 2023 by President Joe Biden, has taken "too long" to materialize. Although Sullivan did not provide a timeline as to when Ukraine can except to receive the aid funding, the national security advisor insisted that there was no need for the United States to consider a "plan B." "We will get a strong bipartisan vote in the House for an assistance package for Ukraine, and we will get that money out the door as we should." Read also: Politico: Speaker Johnson expects to take up Ukraine aid bill with Democratic votes Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Update: The Berkeley County Sheriffs Office says the roadway has reopened. - SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCBD) An officer with the Summerville Police Department was injured Wednesday afternoon following an altercation off North Main Street. An official with the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) confirmed to News 2 that it was investigating an officer-involved shooting but did not provide any additional information. Capt. Chris Hirsch, a spokesman for the Summerville Police Department, told News 2 that an off-duty officer was involved in an altercation in the Chick-fil-A parking lot around 1:00 p.m. He said the officer was dragged by a vehicle in the restaurants parking lot. The officer was taken to Trident Hospital. An individual involved in the incident is deceased and the coroners office is on scene. Berkeley County Coroner Darnell Hartwell said the officer suffered non-life-threatening injuries and confirmed his office was still working to identify the deceased individual. He said an autopsy will take place Thursday to determine the cause of death. Coroner Hartwell also told News 2 that the suspect was from North Carolina and was in the area on business. The ramp from I-26 at Exit 199 is closed, according to Summerville dispatch. People are asked to avoid the area of Azalea Square Boulevard and North Main Street. Keep checking counton2.com for updates. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. Sylvia Gonzalez, a former Castle Hills, Texas, city council member, plausibly alleges that she was driven from public life by a trumped-up, politically motivated arrest aimed at punishing her for engaging in advocacy protected by the First Amendment. On Wednesday, the U.S. Supreme Court considered what sort of "objective evidence" she needs to prove that claim. The case, Gonzalez v. Trevino, hinges on how to read the Court's 2019 decision in Nieves v. Bartlett, which added "a narrow qualification" to the general rule that the existence of probable cause is enough to defeat a retaliatory arrest claim. In "circumstances where officers have probable cause to make arrests, but typically exercise their discretion not to do so," Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for the majority in Nieves, "an unyielding requirement to show the absence of probable cause could pose 'a risk that some police officers may exploit the arrest power as a means of suppressing speech.'" Roberts cited jaywalking as an example. "At many intersections, jaywalking is endemic but rarely results in arrest," he wrote. "If an individual who has been vocally complaining about police conduct is arrested for jaywalking at such an intersection, it would seem insufficiently protective of First Amendment rights to dismiss the individual's retaliatory arrest claim on the ground that there was undoubted probable cause for the arrest." In such a case, Roberts noted, "probable cause does little to prove or disprove the causal connection between animus and injury." The Court therefore allowed a plaintiff who claims he was arrested in retaliation for constitutionally protected speech to present "objective evidence that he was arrested when otherwise similarly situated individuals not engaged in the same sort of protected speech had not been." That is what Gonzalez, who is represented by the Institute for Justice, says happened to her. In 2019, Gonzalez, then a 72-year-old retiree, won an upset victory in a city council election after campaigning on a promise to seek City Manager Ryan Rapelye's replacement. Toward that end, she organized a petition that a resident presented to Mayor Edward Trevino on May 21, 2019, at the first city council meeting that Gonzalez attended. The ensuing debate about Rapelye's performance continued at a meeting the next day, during which Gonzalez sat next to Trevino, who as mayor presides over city council meetings. After that meeting, according to Gonzalez's Supreme Court petition, she "picked up the papers strewn around her sitting area and put them in her binder," which she left on the table as she crossed the room to converse with a constituent. "A few minutes later," the petition says, "a police officer in charge of safety at the meeting tapped Gonzalez on her shoulder and explained that the mayor wanted to talk to her. The police officer escorted Gonzalez to the mayor," who "was still at his seat next to Gonzalez's." Trevino "then asked Gonzalez, 'Where's the petition?' Gonzalez responded, 'Don't you have it? It was turned in to you yesterday.' At the mayor's prompting, Gonzalez looked for the petition in her binder and to her surprise found it there. Gonzalez then handed the petition to the mayor," who "volunteered to Gonzalez that she 'probably picked it up by mistake.'" That was not the end of the matter. Trevino and Police Chief John Siemens, Rapelye's allies, used the briefly missing petition as the basis for a criminal investigation that took nearly two months. "Three weeks into the unfruitful investigation," Gonzalez's petition says, Siemens "deputized an attorney and his friend," Alexander Wright, "to take over as a 'special detective.'" A month later, Wright filed an arrest affidavit that charged Gonzalez with violating Section 37.10(a)(3) of the Texas Penal Code, which applies to someone who "intentionally destroys, conceals, removes, or otherwise impairs the verity, legibility, or availability of a governmental record." Contrary to Gonzalez's claim that she accidentally picked up the petition, Wright alleged that she deliberately moved it. He implied that she was worried about complaints that she had collected signatures "under false pretenses." His affidavit cited Gonzalez's agitation against Rapelye as evidence of her offense. "From her very first meeting in May of 2019," it said, Gonzalez "has been openly antagonistic to the city manager, Ryan Rapelye, wanting desperately to get him fired." That plan, Wright explained, "involved collecting signatures on several petitions." He complained that Gonzalez had visited a resident's house to "get her signature on one of the petitions under false pretenses" by "misleading her" and "telling her several fabrications regarding Ryan Rapelye." Instead of seeking a summons, the usual approach in Bexar County for nonviolent misdemeanors, Wright sought an arrest warrant. And instead of referring the matter to the district attorney's office, Wright presented his affidavit directly to a judgea procedure that Gonzalez's petition says is generally "reserved for emergencies or violent felonies." That meant the warrant "wasn't in the satellite booking system, so Gonzalez could not be booked, processed, and released without jailtime." That is why Gonzalez, who "turned herself in as soon as she learned about the warrant," ended up behind bars for a day, "handcuffed, on a cold metal bench, wearing an orange jail shirt, and avoiding the restroom, which had no doors." Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales, according to Gonzalez's petition, "dropped the charges as soon as he learned about them." Trevino et al. nevertheless achieved what Gonzalez says was their goal all along. "Gonzalez was so hurt by the experience and so embarrassed by the media coverage of her arrest," the petition says, that "she gave up her council seat and swore off organizing petitions or criticizing her government." In a September 2020 complaint that she filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, Gonzalez said Trevino, Siemens, and Wright had violated her First Amendment rights by orchestrating her arrest in retaliation for her opposition to Rapelye. She noted that "the statute has never been used to arrest a person in an analogous situation." Based on Nieves, U.S. District Judge David Alan Ezra ruled in March 2021 that Gonzalez could proceed with her lawsuit. A divided panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit disagreed, ruling in July 2022 that Gonzalez's lawsuit was doomed by her failure to cite other cases in which people had not been arrested for conduct similar to hers. "Were we writing on a blank slate," Judge Kurt D. Engelhardt wrote in the majority opinion, "we may well agree" that "the Constitution ought to provide a claim here, particularly given that Gonzalez's arrest was allegedly in response to her exercise of her right to petition." But "Nieves requires comparative evidence," he said, "because it required 'objective evidence' of 'otherwise similarly situated individuals' who engaged in the 'same' criminal conduct but were not arrested. The evidence Gonzalez provides here comes up short." Speaking for Gonzalez during Wednesday's oral arguments, Institute for Justice attorney Anya Bidwell said the 5th Circuit's understanding of "objective evidence" was too narrow. "Nieves does not blind courts to all but one type of objective evidence of causation," she said. Under the 5th Circuit's reading, she added, Trevino could have gone on TV and "announced that he was going to have Ms. Gonzalez arrested because she challenged his authority," and "the existence of probable cause would make this evidence legally irrelevant." Bidwell argued that courts should be allowed to consider "evidence of causation" such as "the fact that two police officers looked into Ms. Gonzalez and thought there was nothing warranting an arrest, that a prosecutor dismissed the charges, [and] that a special detective walked a warrant under an emergency procedure designed for fleeing suspects to put away a lady in her 70s." Unsurprisingly, Justice Neil Gorsuch seemed inclined to agree with Bidwell. Gorsuch dissented in Nieves, saying it gave police officers too much leeway. "Criminal laws have grown so exuberantly and come to cover so much previously innocent conduct that almost anyone can be arrested for something," he wrote. "If the state could use these laws not for their intended purposes but to silence those who voice unpopular ideas, little would be left of our First Amendment liberties, and little would separate us from the tyrannies of the past or the malignant fiefdoms of our own age." Gorsuch reiterated that point while questioning Lisa Blatt, the attorney representing Trevino. According to one estimate, he said, there are "over 300,000 federal crimes," and "I can't imagine how many there are at the state and local level. And you're saying they can all sit there unused, except for one person who alleges that I was the only person in America who's ever been prosecuted for this because I dared express a view protected by the First Amendment, and that's not actionable?" Justice Elena Kagan echoed Gorsuch's concern. "The 5th Circuit understood this rule to say you have to show a person within this jurisdiction who has engaged in this conduct before and was not arrested," she said. "Justice Gorsuch is sayingthat has got to be wrong. Whatever else you want to put into this bucket, you should be able to say they've never charged somebody with this kind of crime before" without having to "go find a person who has engaged in the same conduct." The point of Nieves, she said, is that if "you were arrested for something that somebody who hadn't engaged in your speech activities would not be arrested for," you can use "solid, objective evidence" of that to "get over the probable cause bar." Kagan asked Blatt to imagine a video of a meeting in which Trevino et al. talk about "how they can get back at Ms. Gonzalez" by arresting her because she "moved this piece of paper." She asked Blatt if such a video, which "seems like pretty good objective evidence to get you over the probable cause bar," would count as "objective evidence" of retaliation. Blatt resisted answering the question, but ultimately her answer seemed to be no. "I worry where you're going," she said, because a judge might then be free to consider any evidence he thinks is "pretty relevant" to the question of whether "she was picked on." Justice Sonia Sotomayorwho, like Gorsuch, dissented in Nievesalso was sympathetic to Bidwell's argument. Sotomayor noted that "the 5th Circuit is the only circuit that's demanding a specific kind of comparison-based evidence." And she suggested there was at least some evidence of that sort in this case, since Trevino "violated the same statute by taking the petition home and keeping it overnight." Sotomayor noted that the 7th and 9th circuits have taken a broader view of "objective evidence" than the 5th Circuit, and she wondered if those rulings led to "an explosion of litigation." Not according to an analysis by the National Police Accountability Project, Bidwell said: Out of 178 cases, it found, only 17 survived motions to dismiss or motions for summary judgment. Blatt argued that siding with Gonzalez would invite every arrestee to claim retaliation. "I really would advise every criminal to put a political bumper sticker on their car," she said, drawing laughter. Without the shield provided by probable cause, she said, retaliation claims would have a paralyzing effect on police officers, because they "literally could never arrest without worrying about getting sued." Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson seemed skeptical, saying, "I thought that was the point of qualified immunity," which bars federal civil rights claims unless they allege violation of a "clearly established" right. Justice Amy Coney Barrett also seemed to think Blatt's warning was overblown. "I don't think it would be the case that anybody who was arrested could make this charge and then get on to discovery," she said, "because then you'd still have to survive a motion to dismiss." Gonzalez "has all of this evidence for retaliation," Barrett said. "Not everybody who's arrested is going to have the kind of evidence she has on that score." When Blatt described Gonzalez's alleged offense as "theft," Sotomayor objected. "This wasn't charged as a theft," she noted. "The crime that was charged here was a crime of moving a document, and all it required was a general intent to move it. The defense was, 'I moved it accidentally.'There are charges brought for stealing government documents, and there are charges that are brought for moving government documents. And [the latter has] never happened in a situation like this." Speaking as "a former prosecutor," Sotomayor said "we probably wouldn't have brought the charges" in such a case "even if it was intentionalbecause 'no harm, no foul.'" In Gonzalez's case, she noted, "Two police officers wouldn't charge it; one public prosecutor didn't charge it. In the end, even with a warrant, the charges were dropped.When there's a dispute about things like this, people are not arrested in this way." Bidwell also argued that the Nieves rule was "designed for a representative case of in-the-field law enforcement," not for decisions by mayors or situations where charges are filed after lengthy investigation and consideration. Under the 5th Circuit's reading, she said, the rule "insulates all government officials," including "the thin-skinned bureaucrat scouring for a crime to pin on his critics." Kagan thought that distinction was relevant under Nieves. "I agree with you that the split-second arrest seems to be a key part of the Court's reasoning," she told Bidwell. But Kagan worried that "dividing the world into split-second arrest cases versus other cases is going to be a very difficult thing to do." Bidwell said Nieves would apply "as long as probable cause and arrest arise" within an "initial lawful encounter." Four justices seemed decidedly less receptive to overturning the 5th Circuit. Roberts emphasized that Nieves affirmed "a very strong general rule that had been well-established" while drawing "a very narrow exception." Clarence Thomas, who disagreed even with that "very narrow exception" in Nieves, said he shared Blatt's concern about giving every suspect an excuse to challenge his arrest. Samuel Alito said Nieves addressed "causal complexity" that could extend beyond "an on-the-spot arrest." Although "the fact pattern here" is "unusual," Brett Kavanaugh said, "the crime's prosecuted on occasion." He added that "the evidence suggests probable cause that someone intentionally stole a documentand did it with a motive because concerns [had] been raised about her role in getting the signatures on the petition." Bidwell closed by emphasizing that "political retaliation is dangerous." The First Amendment "has to mean something," she said. "Mayors should not be allowed to launder animus through warrants." The post Will the Supreme Court Let Sylvia Gonzalez Sue the Political Enemies Who Engineered Her Arrest? appeared first on Reason.com. (FOX40.COM) A new sushi restaurant is starting to serve customers next to the Arden Fair Mall. Pier 50 Sushi officially opened its doors Monday at Market Square, 1735 Arden Way, commercial real estate company The Edwards Company told FOX40.com in an email. The new restaurant replaces Mikuni, which relocated next to the Pavilions Shopping Center on Fair Oaks Boulevard in the Arden-Arcade area. Popular clothing retailer opening first Sacramento location at Arden Fair Mall According to Pier 50 Sushis website, the restaurant provides an all-you-can-eat sushi experience and offers a wide variety of sushi, nigiri, sashimi, and other dishes. Menu items include fresh tempura and deep-fried rolls, sushi burritos and grilled meat plates. The all-you-can-eat option begins at $47.95 per person and each person is allowed to dine for one hour and 40 minutes. Pier 50 Sushi is open 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. from Sunday through Thursday and 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Loomis Costco has new opening date The restaurant is owned by Fukumi Restaurant Group, which operates Japanese concept restaurants throughout the Sacramento area. According to the groups website, Fukumi Restaurant Group is planning to open a second Pier 50 Sushi location in Folsom. Other restaurants operated by the restaurant group include Fukumi Ramen in Roseville and Citrus Heights, Fukumi Chaya at the Palladio in Folsom and Its Sushi in Roseville. Other businesses at Market Square include Barnes and Noble, California Pizza Kitchen, The Cheesecake Factory, Peets Coffee, Party City and Crunch Fitness. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40. Yahoo Sports Jason Fitz is joined by Senior NFL Reporters Charles Robinson and Jori Epstein to go behind the scenes on the latest rumors and news around the NFL. The trio start with takeaways from the NFL owner's meetings as Jori was on the ground in Orlando. The hosts discuss the fallout of the new kickoff rule (are rosters going to change because of it?), the two Christmas Day games and what the heck Jerry Jones was doodling in his notebook. Next, it's time to pull out the crystal ball as the hosts attempt to look into the future for some key quarterbacks, starting with Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy. McCarthy's draft stock has been skyrocketing lately as some rumors emerged that he could go as high as second overall. Charles gives his thoughts and what he's hearing from GMs around the league before moving onto Brock Purdy and whether San Francisco will be willing to pay him when the time comes. Charles dives deeper into the 2024 quarterback class and why every prospect has a massive red flag, and Jori gives us the latest on the Dak Prescott contract negotiations, which seem to be heading in the wrong direction. All signs are pointing towards Dak hitting free agency next offseason. Finally, Fitz wraps things up by asking about Deion Sanders' comments about choosing where his sons get drafted and whether or not player empowerment could be ascending to a new level with the emergence of NIL. The men suspected of coordinating an attack on Idaho Department of Correction officers at a Boise hospital Wednesday are members of a prison gang known as the Aryan Knights, according to police, a group of white supremacists closely tied to Idaho. IDOC officers were preparing to transport Skylar Meade, 31, back to prison from Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center, where hed been treated for self-inflicted injuries, when another suspect, identified as 28-year-old Nicholas Umphenour, attacked the officers in the ambulance bay and shot two of them at around 2 a.m., according to Boise police and IDOC. Police said both suspects fled from the shooting in a vehicle but are now in custody. Boise Police Chief Ron Winegar described Meade at a news conference Wednesday as a documented member of the Aryan Knights gang. Photos showed Meade with AK tattooed on his stomach, as well as the number 1 on one side of his face and 11 on the other. Winegar said the numbers represent A, the first letter of the alphabet, and K, the 11th. Police at a Thursday news conference told reporters Umphenour was also a member of the gang. The Aryan Knights is a white supremacist gang founded in Idaho in the 1990s that operates primarily in Idaho prisons, according to the U.S. attorneys office in the District of Idaho. The Anti-Defamation League said the types of tattoos described on Meade are common among its members. Some of Skylar Meades tattoos relate to an Idaho prison-based gang known at the Aryan Knights, according to Boise Police Chief Ron Winegar. In 2021, the U.S. attorneys office said the Aryan Knights have expanded to more than 100 members, both in and out of IDOC custody. IDOC Director Josh Tewalt told the Idaho Statesman that specific numbers are unknown. The office said the group was founded to organize criminal activity for a select group of white prisoners by using violence and threats to target other prisoners, particularly people of color. Members shared the revenue made from the groups drug trafficking, primarily methamphetamine, extortion and gambling activities, according to the U.S. attorneys office. The gangs leader, Harlan Hale, was sentenced to life in federal prison in 2021 for racketeering charges, according to the U.S. attorneys office. Idahos current U.S. attorney, Josh Hurwit, took the lead on the federal prosecution against Hale. The life sentence imposed on this defendant recognizes the devastating effects that prison gangs, and especially white supremacist prison gangs, have on the rehabilitative mission of correctional institutions and individual inmates who sincerely hope to use their period of incarceration to successfully reenter society, said then-U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez said in a 2021 news release. Karlee Van De Venter contributed to this report. The story was updated 4:20 p.m. March 21 after a news conference Thursday. People watch festival activities in Warxidi village of Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, March 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu) Highlighting the progress in ensuring the educational rights of children in impoverished regions in China, Lopez said the West often overlooks human rights progress in Latin America, instead it focuses on ideological concerns, which resembles its approach towards China. GENEVA, March 21 (Xinhua) -- In the narrative of the West, human rights often come across as mere rhetoric, but "when listening to what they say, we also need to see what they do," a human rights scholar said during the 55th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council. In an interview with Xinhua, David Lopez, a consultant from the International Association for Human Rights and Social Development, urged individuals to closely examine the situation in Gaza as this will lead to a greater understanding of the West's double standards regarding human rights. Lopez, a human rights defender with a strong focus on human rights issues in Latin America, is especially intrigued by China's efforts to promote and safeguard human rights as a developing nation. Highlighting the progress in ensuring the educational rights of children in impoverished regions in China, Lopez said the West often overlooks human rights progress in Latin America, instead it focuses on ideological concerns, which resembles its approach towards China. In an article published earlier this month, Lopez said China has made "significant progress" in poverty reduction and social development, narrowing the income gap of residents and effectively safeguarding the human rights of "the country's most vulnerable population." The West has found it difficult to understand China, "because it does not want to," he added. During the 55th session of the Human Rights Council held in Geneva, many human rights experts and scholars were of a similar mind to Lopez, affirming China's progress in promoting and protecting human rights while refuting the inherent biases of the West on human rights. As to Western bias, Alfred de Zayas, former UN independent expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order, shared his experiences. "I grew up in Chicago," and was constantly indoctrinated to oppose certain specific countries and groups, he said. De Zayas said it took him a long time to overcome this prejudice "by knowing people." Therefore, he supports China's broad dissemination of its achievements in promoting and protecting human rights. During a side event on NGO cooperation to promote human rights protection and sustainable development, Christoph Stuckelberger, chairman of the Geneva Agape Foundation, expressed his views on the weaponization and instrumentalization of human rights by some Western countries. He emphasized that every country has areas of progress and weakness concerning human rights. Mutual understanding and support should be promoted, deficiencies should be addressed, and the merits of others should be respected and learned from, rather than bluntly asserting "we have human rights, and you don't have." At a lecture on the protection of rights of ethnic minorities in China held at the University of Geneva, Andre Lacroix, a Belgian Tibetologist who has visited China multiple times, said the Chinese government has provided strong support to the Xizang Autonomous Region for years, promoting local economic and social development. "I can see clearly the inherent bias of Western society towards Xizang, because based on my personal experiences, I can feel that the living standards of residents in Xizang have improved significantly today," he said. A student of mine was recently so upset, he nearly skipped class. He thought it a bad idea I was allowing a debate about whether the LBGTQ+ movement has been a net negative or positive. He thought it could potentially dehumanize a vulnerable community. He told me this calmly but passionately. But he also knew the standard I had set. Students could choose any topic to grapple with during an ethical debate and deliberation process, with rare exceptions. I would not allow, for instance, a debate about whether it was OK to genocide a people or demonize anyone. There are lines to be drawn even on college campuses. Our job is to enlighten and challenge, not belittle and degrade. Issac Bailey After expressing his concerns, he took his seat, listened to his classmates debate, participated in the question-and-answer session, then showed up in the next class as one of the debaters on the utility of affirmative action. Despite his discomfort, even anger, he engaged. I didnt for a second expect anything less of him. Ive seen him demonstrate time and again that thirst for knowledge and a skillset that would equip him to better discern truth on tough and complex topics. Ive seen many students do it, not only at Davidson College, where I teach, but at Coastal Carolina University in Conway, S.C. where I taught journalism, and at Duke University, American University and Nevada, among other institutions, where Ive spoken with students and faculty about the importance of free expression to a healthy educational environment. Thats why it angers me when laws are passed suggesting students cant handle or shouldnt be exposed to uncomfortable subjects. Its why the claim that educators are using indoctrination techniques to eliminate racism couldnt be further from the truth. The biggest threat to an admittedly-flawed educational system but one that has helped create the most prosperous nation on Earth isnt the students. Its those who are using the rhetoric of free expression and ideological diversity while using legal and other formal structures to impose their wants upon those who hold a different worldview. Their false allegations about supposed indoctrination are making it harder for parents, educators and voters to fully grasp the dangers of anti-tenure laws, like the one recently passed in Indiana, laws that try to restrict the true teaching of our history, like that in South Carolina, and extremists who are trying to take over the educational system in North Carolina. While we were being distracted, Republican Party voters in North Carolina nominated Michele Morrow to run the states public school system. In the past, she has publicly called for the execution of former President Barack Obama and President Joe Biden, said public schools are indoctrination centers, and shared anti-Islamic comments and the claim tens of thousands of Chinese troops were ready to invade the U.S. to help Biden become president. Michele Morrow, candidate for Superintendent of Public Instruction. Michele Morrow If she wins in November, she will oversee an $11 billion budget. Her views are not harmless. They are the kind that led to thousands of Americans attacking the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. And she shared conspiracy theories like the one that convinced a Salisbury man, Edgar Welch, to drive to Washington, D.C. in 2016 with an AR-15 rifle to rescue children supposedly being held for sex trafficking by Democrats in the basement of a pizza parlor that had no basement. Welch served four years in prison after shooting inside that restaurant while finding none of the imaginary sex-trafficked children he had become convinced were there. Its why Republican North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis is unlikely to support Morrow during the general election. Thats why we cant afford to let these groups distract us any longer. They dont simply want to debate or have input in the educational system. They want to dictate their preferences upon us all. And those dictates arent just discomforting. They are dangerous. Issac Bailey is a Carolinas opinion writer for McClatchy. Tallahassee and Leon County's elected leadership is taking a wait-and-see approach to the state's new homeless camping law, according to comments at a Wednesday night town hall. "I'm hoping that once we see rules promulgated, so that this particular legislation can be carried out, I believe we will be able to make provisions for our homeless population within the confines that we have prepared," Leon County Commission chair Carolyn Cummings said at the annual Village Square Town Hall, sponsored by the Tallahassee Democrat. But, she added, "I think by and large it is going to require more funding. ... We're talking about 67 counties within the state of Florida, (and) I don't believe that funding is sufficient," she added. "I also know that here in Leon County we have a homeless issue but it's not as bad as some of the other cities in Florida." Lawmakers set aside $30 million $10 million more than the previous year for what are known as "continuums of care" to prepare for the law. Continuums of care are the regional bodies coordinating housing and services for homeless people. The bill (HB 1365) was a key focus during this year's legislative session. It bans homeless people from sleeping or setting up camp in public spaces. It also says cities must create designated encampments for those people, while providing minimal infrastructure such as running water and restrooms. DeSantis signed off on the legislation earlier Wednesday; it will go into effect Oct. 1. The event, held this week at the WFSU Public Media studios, aims to let the community to hear from their elected leaders outside of their usual chambers. The only ones missing were City Commissioner Jeremy Matlow and County Commissioners Christian Caban, Bill Proctor and Nick Maddox. Those present touched upon several pressing topics such as economic growth, Blueprint funding, decorum at meetings, and their ongoing fight against gun violence. Tallahassee and Leon County leadership get questioned by WFSU's Tom Flanigan at the annual Village Square Town Hall, sponsored by the Tallahassee Democrat. Leon County's homelessness not as bad as other counties, officials say WFSU's Tom Flanigan, who moderated the discussion, asked the electeds what they are looking to do as governing bodies to comply with the new law. Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey addressed the encampment portion of the legislation by explaining the steps the city will need to take to comply. Mayor John Dailey participates in a Blueprint meeting at City Hall on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024. Ultimately, however, "we're going to get together with the nonprofit community under the auspices of the new legislation and we'll put our heads together," he said. County Commissioner Rick Minor brought up part of the new law that allows local governments to be sued. The bill analysis explains it "authorizes a resident of the county (or) owner of a business located in the county ... to bring a civil action" against a "county or municipality" if it allows "public camping or sleeping without designating property for that use" in other words, without setting up an official camp. "If successful, the petitioner may recover reasonable expenses." "The Kearney Center right now has an average of about 320 people there every single night and the capacity is 425," Minor said. "I don't think we're going to be in (a place) where we have to think or discuss whether or not we have a public encampment in Leon County or Tallahassee." Leon County Commissioners approve multiple initiatives to fight homelessness. Eleven intersections will be decorated with new blue signs encouraging organizational donations. The county has been confronting the homelessness crisis in varying ways. Just last year, it added signs in the medians of roadways to deter panhandling and last month they passed an ordinance to target solicitation on private property. "We need to have compassion for people that are on the street as many of them have suffered some type of some type of trauma in their childhood or ... as adults, and they are just struggling from day to day," Minor said. City Commissioner Curtis Richardson reemphasized that point, saying whatever local governments do must be a "humane approach." "This is not news that they put unfunded mandates on local governments, and this is one of those ... so we will have to get together as local governments, the city and the county, and come up with solutions," Richardson said. He continued by discussing the funding allocated, "and if it takes going back to the Legislature because what they allocated is not (enough). ... It may take care of the needs in downtown Miami alone, but certainly not the 67 counties and 400 municipalities across the state." Missed out? Re-watch it To see the other items that city and county leaders talked about, you can watch the entire town hall at the Village Square Tallahassee's Facebook page. 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: Local leaders talk homelessness and more at Village Square Town Hall Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (2nd R), also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Premier of the Australian state of New South Wales Chris Minns (2nd L) in Sydney, Australia, on March 21, 2024. (Xinhua/Ma Ping) SYDNEY, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Thursday that China-Australia relations have its foundation among people of the two countries, always enjoying broad public support. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with Premier of the Australian state of New South Wales Chris Minns in Sydney. Wang noted that New South Wales has always been at the forefront of China-Australia exchanges, playing an exemplary role in cooperation between the two countries. According to the Chinese foreign minister, the most significant impression he had during his visit to Australia was that no matter from the ruling or opposition party, the business community or the circle of strategists, governments or the general public, people all voiced their support for strengthening dialogue and cooperation between China and Australia in various fields. Wang conveyed China's commitment to strengthening collaboration with Australia in traditional sectors such as energy, minerals, and agricultural and dairy products. China is also ready to cooperate with Australia to tap new growth areas such as scientific and technological innovation, climate change response, and green transition, as well as to boost people-to-people exchanges in fields such as education and tourism, Wang said, hoping New South Wales to continue its pioneering role in deepening China-Australia cooperation. Minns said that New South Wales has reaped numerous benefits from China's economic growth and Australia-China cooperation, and supports the improvement and development of Australia-China relations. New South Wales is looking to further enhance exchanges with China at the sub-national level and increase cooperation in economy and trade, education, tourism, and natural resources, said the premier. Minns also expressed his welcome for more Chinese students and tourists to the state. MOSCOW, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Russia will use all available legal mechanisms and will retaliate if the EU moves forward with plans to use profits from frozen Russian assets to arm Ukraine, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday. "We will use all possible judicial mechanisms, those that are available now and those that will become available in the future," Peskov said. His statement follows a proposal made by EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on Tuesday to use revenues from Russia's frozen assets to provide military assistance to Ukraine. Borrell suggested using 90 percent of the profits generated from Russian assets to supply Ukraine with arms via the European Peace Facility. "On the basis of reciprocity, we will not deliver a mirror response but will choose other response measures that will correspond to our own interests," Peskov said. Western countries have imposed sanctions on Russia since February 2022, freezing sovereign and private assets. Russia's currency reserves were frozen to the amount of roughly 300 billion U.S. dollars. Imagine having a sick child with no way to get to the doctors office or having to pass on a job offer because you lack the transportation needed to get to work. Imagine always relying on friends to drive you to the grocery store or on public transportation, which is desperately lacking across Tennessee just because you couldnt pass the drivers test. Refugees and newly arrived immigrants who eagerly work to establish their new life in America face many barriers they must overcome. But the inability to pass the drivers test simply because translation or interpretation services are not in their native language is an unnecessary burden and cruel obstacle they face in their journey to economic self-sufficiency. For over 10 years, community groups have pressed for language access in drivers license tests. In 2022, a group of grassroots organizations came together to form the "Our State, Our Languages" Coalition. Column: Nashvilles population is exploding. A three-hour commute proves it Language access is a civil right Language access, as recognized by the federal government through the Title VI program, entails providing individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP) meaningful access to the same services as English-speaking individuals, in their own languages. These guidelines help agencies receiving federal funding meet the needs of the communities they serve. A non-compliant agency risks losing federal funding. "English-only fails" was the cover story of The Tennessean on Jan. 23, 2009, after voters defeated a referendum to limit the language of government to just English. Tennessee currently has the drivers test in only five languages: English Spanish Korean Japanese German. The last three of those languages were added as car companies opened manufacturing sites in Tennessee. According to the U.S. Census Bureaus 2022 American Community Survey data, 8.1% of working age Tennesseans speak a language other than English. Of those: half speak Spanish. But language diversity in our state does not stop at Spanish with over 30,000 Tennesseans speaking Arabic. This represents 10 times more LEP speakers than Japanese, and between two and three times more LEP speakers than German and Korean, respectively. Other common languages include Chinese, Vietnamese, Kurdish, Thai, Somali, and Amharic. More: She survived explosions and fear. Now, this Iraqi refugee is finding purpose in Nashville Better language access is good for the economy The hospitality and manufacturing industries inject tens of billions of dollars annually into our state's economy. Immigrants who are legally able to work make up an integral part of both workforces, but many have difficulty getting to work. As housing costs escalate, pushing people farther away from their workplaces, the strain on businesses intensifies. Better access to drivers licenses will provide much needed relief to those industries in dire need to fill staffing shortages. Some legislators want English-only drivers license bill At a time when Tennessee needs to expand language access to drivers licenses, our state legislators want to take us backwards and only offer the test in English with Senate Bill 1717 by Sen. Joey Hensley, R-Hohenwald. Critics often push back against language access in drivers testing saying that people should just learn English. However, mastering a language is a time-intensive process, and families often need to achieve self-sufficiency within a mere three months of arriving in our state. Critics also say that our roads are safer when drivers know English. Yet, theres a stark contrast between the language proficiency necessary for passing a written test and comprehending road signs. Fifteen years ago, Nashvillians decisively rejected an English-only referendum because they understood that the bill would not only make our city unwelcoming but have a detrimental economic impact. Regrettably, the lessons learned 15 years ago have not been considered by the sponsors of the current Senate bill. Kentucky, Alabama, Texas, and Florida, recognize the value of making the drivers license test accessible in the languages truly reflective of the communities in their state. Its time for Tennessee to catch up and drive us forward by expanding language access for drivers tests, and not limiting it. Medical interpreter, Diana Sanchez-Vega, stands in her home in Hermitage, Tenn., Friday, March 4, 2022. Sabina Mohyuddin is 'Our State, Our Languages' Coalition founding member. Diana Sanchez-Vega is 'Our State, Our Languages' Coalition supporter. Our State, Our Languages Coalition include: American Muslim Advisory Council, Asian & Pacific Islander of Middle Tennessee, Ethiopian Community Association in Nashville, Never Again Action Tennessee and Somali Community of Middle Tennessee. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee driver's test should be offered in more than just English TOKYO, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Japan's trade deficit shrank by roughly 60 percent from a year earlier to 379.4 billion yen (2.5 billion U.S. dollars) in February, helped by record exports, government data showed Thursday. Exports rose 7.8 percent to 8.25 trillion yen, up for the third straight month to hit a February record, as shipments of cars and auto parts increased, according to the Finance Ministry's preliminary report. By destination, China-bound shipments went up 2.5 percent while exports to the U.S. and European Union climbed 18.4 percent and 14.6 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, imports inched up 0.5 percent to 8.63 trillion yen, increasing for the first time in 11 months, the report said. Shipments of clothing and accessories grew 27.5 percent, while energy imports, which had boosted the value of overall shipments into Japan, continued to fall, with coal tumbling 39.6 percent and liquefied natural gas dropping 21.1 percent. (1 Japanese yen equals 0.0067 U.S. dollars) From the Techne on The Dispatch Editors Note: We hope you enjoy this edition of Techne, a new newsletter by Will Rinehart dedicated to unraveling the complex forces shaping tech policy and innovation. To learn more, check out the introduction Will wrote two weeks ago, and be sure to sign up here to receive future editions in your inbox. Welcome back to Techne! This week Ive been reading the haikus of novelist Richard Wright. He wrote thousands of them but this one caught my eye: Spring begins shyly / With one hairpin of green grass / In a flower pot. Notes and Quotes SpaceXs Starship reached orbital speed last Thursday, a milestone for the largest and most powerful rocket built to date. SpaceX hopes to prepare the Starship for a new launch by May. Democracy: 1 | Lobby: 0 I welcome the overwhelming support from European Parliament for our #AIAct the world's 1st comprehensive, binding rules for trusted AI. Europe is NOW a global standard-setter in AI. We are regulating as little as possible but as much as needed! pic.twitter.com/t4ahAwkaSn Thierry Breton (@ThierryBreton) March 13, 2024 Andrew Marantz documented the Bay Areas AI scene in a recent New Yorker feature titled Among the A.I. Doomsayers. Cystic fibrosis was once an early death sentence, but a new cocktail of drugs is giving patients decades longer to live. Scientists from Stanfords Regulation, Evaluation and Governance Lab are analyzing troves of aerial photographs to recognize when farmers are illegally spreading livestock manure. The White House published the National Strategy on Microelectronics Research, which outlined a plan for an enhanced workforce and a strategy for microelectronics research. The document outlines what is still needed to make the $52.7 billion CHIPS Act a success. One year ago, Congress failed to extend the Federal Communications Commissions spectrum auction authority for the first time. Now the agency is asking how to release this key asset used for mobile phones without explicit authority. Amazon Web Services new data center will be powered by a nuclear power plant, much as Dwarkesh Patel predicted. Unpacking the TikTok Ban People gather on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on March 22, 2023, for a press conference about their opposition to a TikTok ban being considered by lawmakers. (Photo by BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images) TikTok is a perfect villain. The app seems to be connected with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Its where Osama Bin Ladens manifesto picked up traction and where antisemitic tropes run amok. TikToks impact on kids isnt heartening, and its data security problems are serious. Still, Ive got some trepidation about the TikTok bill that just passed the House by a vote of 352-65. While House Resolution (HR) 7521 doesnt repeat problems of previous bills, supporters are downplaying what it represents. If passed, the bill would effectively ban a platform on which 170 million U.S. users gather to make money, share ideas, and unwind. While some of its defenders have portrayed the TikTok bill as just a divestiture, its ultimately backed up by a ban. Now that its headed to the Senate, no one should shy away from pointing this out. Supporters should be forthright about the tradeoff HR 7521 makes against speech in favor of national security. And for what its worth, sometimes the scales do need to be tipped to favor national security. Theres no question that China and the U.S. are locked in an ideological competition. Easily the biggest change in my own thinking over the past five years has been my increasing concern about the Chinese government. Xi Jinpings rule over the CCP has led to the Chinese government growing more aggressive in its own borders, enacting a plan of thought eradication on the Uyghur population, cracking down in Hong Kong, and supporting corporate espionage, all while also moving forward with plans to completely rid itself of Western technology under Document 79. So much of Chinas political program centers on closing the country off to foreign ideas, shutting down dissent, and bending the populaces will to the political elite. Thats antithetical to the American ethos. Our political culture is messy, but our ideas are argued in public. And to the chagrin of the CCPand even some of our European alliesthe United States puts First Amendment concerns above all others. Its not unassailable, but there are clear and high hurdles for doing so. TikTok is no saint either. Ive been following all the drama with TikTok for a couple years now, and earlier this year published a policy paper on the issue. (Id encourage you to read through it and get a sense of the layers of regulation and actors involved.) So its frustrating that merely suggesting that this bill might pose free speech problems or that it could set up a bad precedent can get you branded a China shill. I hold no allegiance toward TikTok and wouldnt be at all heartbroken if it disappeared tomorrow. But I do hold dear the ideals of free and open dialogue, and this tradeoff isnt being thoroughly discussed. Sign up for Techne Whats in the bill? HR 7521 has two main aims. First, it prohibits foreign adversary controlled applications (FACAs) from operating in the U.S. Second, the bill makes it illegal for websites, marketplaces, and other apps from hosting FACAs. FACAs, in turn, are defined as any website, desktop application, mobile application, or other immersive technology application that is: controlled by a foreign adversary; and run by TikTok or its parent company ByteDance; or determined by the president to present a significant threat to the national security of the United States. If the House bill becomes law, FACAs will have 180 days to divest or face a ban. The president would determine compliance and would be required to issue a public notice and a report to Congress to trigger review. As currently written, the bill only applies to applications coming out of Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran since those are foreign adversary countries. In practice, the president would be vested with new power to ban apps like TikTok, which would be in addition to the power that already exists to split up TikTok. Could the government have solved this problem already? Little mentioned in this debate is that the executive branch still hasnt closed its 2019 investigation into TikTok under the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) process. A 2018 law granted it the power to oversee data-driven cases like TikToks. As I explained previously (with emphasis added): Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen oversees CFIUS, a committee made up of members from the State, Justice, Energy, and Commerce Departments, among others, that investigates national security risks from foreign investments in American firms. CFIUS is a secretive intragovernment committee that has the authority to review any transaction that could result in the control of a US business by a foreign person or entity, regardless of the size or value of the transaction. It also has the power to investigate transactions that have already been completed. CFIUSs legal hook with TikTok came about because ByteDance merged Musical.ly into its existing TikTok app. In the summer of 2022, ByteDance, TikTok, and CFIUS seemed to be on the verge of a deal. According to Forbes, the agreement would have given the Department of Defense and the Department of Justice wide latitude to examine TikToks U.S. facilities; block changes to the apps U.S. moderation policies; and even temporarily stop TikTok from functioning in the United States. The draft deal included a number of provisions that CFIUS has often demanded, such as auditing and monitoring datasets and algorithms. It also included language that tied corporate officers to the United States. As Ama Adams, a managing partner and CFIUS expert at Ropes & Gray, told Forbes, setting up a structure that has allegiance to the United StatesIve never seen language, per se, to that extent. Even still, the Department of Justice, and specifically FBI Director Christopher Wray, wanted more. James Lewis, a scholar at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told Bloomberg last year that though there was a working agreement, the DOJ and FBI didnt like it, they didnt think it was tough enough, so [FBI director] Wray did the typical Washington thing, which is to take the deal back to the table. If TikTok truly posed an imminent threat, why not outright halt the 2019 deal with Musical.ly? Its no secret that CFIUS ordered Grindrs Chinese owners to relinquish control of the app. Why not do the same for Musical.ly? The cynical read is that the executive branch doesnt want to deal with the legal challenges to CFIUS authority. Only one case has been successfully tried to reverse a CFIUS ruling and that was before CFIUS got expanded powers in 2018. Still, its odd to me that the executive branch hasnt closed the Musical.ly case or done anything else it said it was going to do to better understand TikTok, including issuing a detailed report on the company. But how dangerous is TikTok, really? Matt Yglesias captured a common argument floating around the internet by comparing TikTok to CBS. As he wrote last week, Heres the analogy I like to use. Its 1975 and a state-owned Soviet firm wants to buy CBS. What happens? Well, what happens is they wouldnt be allowed to. The FCC would block it. The Committee on Foreign Investment in the US or its predecessors would block it. If they didnt have the power, congress would write a new law. And even if it wasnt CBS, if it was a chain of local TV affiliate stations, the outcome would be the same. There would be no detailed factual analysis or demand for gold standard evidence that a Soviet-owned television statement might do Moscows bidding or that television is capable of influencing public opinion. Wed reject the idea out of hand. And rightly so, because the downsides would be very clear, and the upside minimal. Thats how the TikTok situation looks to me. But TikTok isnt CBS and Soviet Russia isnt bankrolling the acquisition. CBS is a broadcaster where opinion is overt and explicit. On the other hand, TikTok is a platform where influence is subtle. TikTok also isnt owned by the CCP in the way people understand ownership. Roughly 60 percent of the firm is owned by institutional investors like Blackrock, General Atlantic, and Susquehanna International Group; another 20 percent is owned by the companys founders, who are Chinese; and the remainder is owned by its employees. The connection that the CCP has over TikTok comes with the golden share. Officially known as special management shares, these stocks cropped up in 2013 as a way for the Chinese government to loosen control over the business sector without giving it full autonomy. The CCP retains a 1 percent stake in Douyin, another company owned by ByteDance. Whether the CCP is trying to tip the scales with the algorithm remains an open question. Not only is the CBS analogy deeply anachronistic, it fails to capture the subtleties in the technology and the financial ties that make understanding TikTok difficult. TikTok isnt blameless. For the past couple years, theres been a steady trickle of concerning news: Interestingly, FBI Director Wray has never been specific about the exact national security threat from TikTok. In fact, when asked by Sen. Marco Rubio if TikTok could sow dissent by subtly changing how videos are served, Wray was clear that the different kinds of influence operations youre describing are extraordinarily difficult to detect, which is part of what makes the national security concerns represented by TikTok so significant. Moreover, the recent push on TikTok legislation isnt being driven by new revelations that havent been released to the public. Instead, as the Wall Street Journal has reported, The surge in momentum to ban TikTok in Congress isnt due to specific new classified information, according to congressional aides and former intelligence officials familiar with the matter. Instead, the heightened interest reflects the culmination of years of outreach to lawmakers by U.S. national-security officials who have long argued there exists a potential for the app to be used by the Chinese government for nefarious purposes, according to congressional aides and former intelligence officials familiar with the matter. Even more important, Rep. Jim Himes was among the slim minority of members in the House who voted against the bill, which he explained in a statement: As Ranking Member of the Intelligence Committee have more insight than most into the online threats posed by our adversaries. But one of the key differences between us and those adversaries is the fact that they shut down newspapers, broadcast stations, and social media platforms. We do not. We trust our citizens to be worthy of their democracy. We do not trust our government to decide what information they may or may not see. I suspect that there is a way to address the challenge posed by TikTok that is consistent with our commitment to freedom of expression. But a bill quickly passed by one committee less than a week ago is not that way. Some potential future scenarios. HR 7521 faces an uncertain future in the Senate. President Biden has been supportive and has said that hell sign the bill if it reaches his desk. If the bill were to become law, TikTok will likely find it difficult to secure a willing buyer. Like others, Ygelsias suggests that, Most likely, it ends up getting sold to a big American tech company. But I think thats unlikely. As I explained previously, both the Trump and Biden administrations have made this outcome unlikely. Chinese officials have said they would oppose a divestiture due to an export ban on algorithms. It seems as though the Chinese government has been making laws specifically to complicate a TikTok divestiture. The inclusion of algorithms on the CCPs restricted list of technology occurred in August 2020, just after the Trump administrations ultimatum to either sell TikTok or face a ban. In recent months, the Chinese government has been ramping up the kinds of algorithms that are restricted. So expect hurdles there as well. Crucially, prohibiting TikTok would eliminate the subtle leverage the U.S. market might have in influencing one of the worlds most significant tech enterprises. Indeed, the company appears to be struggling to distance itself from its Chinese origins. Every minor adjustment made to appeal to a vast international audience has sparked controversy in China, leading to the companys founder being regularly denounced as a traitor of China, a coward, and an American apologist. And for reasons that arent entirely clear to me, the companion bill to the TikTok divestiture hasnt gotten more attention. HR 7520Protecting Americans Data from Foreign Adversaries Actwould go a long way to resolve concerns people have with TikTok because it restricts the sale of personal data to China. It just passed the full House without much fanfare. Of course, if the divestiture bill were to pass, it would likely be blocked on First Amendment grounds. As I mentioned above, I think that would be more than warranted, especially since the Department of Justice hasnt disclosed exactly whats got them worried. For a great primer on the First Amendment concerns, check out Jennifer Huddlestons recent essay. All in all, it is hard not to describe the two weeks that it took to get the bill passed as a process foul. Given that the bill would ban TikTok, its imperative for Congress to conduct thorough research and substantiate the necessity of this drastic measure. In Junger v. Daley, the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals held that for the government to give preference to the national security concerns over those of free speech, the concern must be real, not simply posit the existence of the disease sought to be cured. Call me old-fashioned, but I think that the government needs clear evidence of serious national security problems before passing a bill that takes away a massive platform supporting speech. Sign up for Techne Research and Reports A paper by Erica R. Bailey et al. confirms a belief that I have long held. Most everyone overestimates how often others engage in political debate: We found that Americans systematically overestimated how often others engage in debate. This overestimation extended across debate partners (family members, good friends, acquaintances, coworkers, and strangers) and contexts (in-person and online; ps < 0.001, ds > 0.98), most strongly overestimating how often Americans debate strangers online. This misprediction may be psychologically costly: overestimating how often Americans debate strangers online significantly predicted greater hopelessness in the future of America. Together, our findings suggest that Americans may experience a false reality about the landscape of debate which can unnecessarily undermine their hope about the future. Colleen Baker and James W. Coleman write: Our article makes at least two contributions. First, it expands the minimal analysis of metals derivatives markets in the legal scholarship. Indeed, to the best of the authors knowledge, this is the first law review article to focus primarily on these markets. Second, it explores the role of metals derivatives in preparing for the transition to a clean energy future. We provide a brief overview of metals derivatives, including new markets in development, and their regulation in Parts I and II, respectively. In Part III, we explore the central role of metals derivatives markets in securing a clean energy future. Pablo Pereira-Doel et al. write: Increased water pressure was strongly associated with reduced water use an effect that can be amplified even further by installing smart timers to inform users of their shower duration. 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. TIMELINE: Rounds of rain from the Gulf of Mexico to move into the Tampa Bay area TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) An area of low pressure will cross the Gulf of Mexico and help increase moisture across Florida late Thursday. Heres a look at the forecast over the next few days: THURSDAY It should stay mostly sunny and warm in the afternoon. A stray shower or two is possible this evening. THURSDAY NIGHT Clouds increase as the low gets closer to Florida. Spotty showers are possible after midnight. FRIDAY MORNING The first round of heavy downpours arrives from the Gulf of Mexico. This may impact the commute to work and school. Frequent lightning and strong winds are embedded in these downpours. The overall severe weather threat is low, but some isolated strong storms are possible. The main threat will be damaging wind gusts that reach 50-70 mph. A stray tornado is possible, but the threat is low. FRIDAY There will be breaks in the downpours at times, but it remains windy all day. More rounds of rain are possible as the area of low pressure arrives. SATURDAY Passing showers are still expected during the day. The threat of severe weather is lower, but it will be a breezy day. Theres a 50% chance of a quick downpour. Rainfall totals during the entire event (Friday and Saturday) should be significant. Most areas accumulate at least an inch of rain, but areas where the heaviest downpours set up may get 2-3 inches. SUNDAY Humidity is slightly lower, and it will be mostly sunny. Highs remain in the mid-70s. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Max Defender 8 Weather Alerts For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) The Tennessee legislature is on track to pass a bill that would prohibit anyone from combating climate change through atmospheric dispersal within the borders of the state. Rep. Monty Fritts (R-Kingston) and Sen. Steve Southerland (R-Morristown) have a bill that would bar the intentional injection, release, or dispersion of chemicals, chemical compounds, substances, or apparatus within Tennessee for the express purpose of affecting temperature, weather, or the intensity of the sunlight, or the process commonly known as geoengineering. Fritts said there was widespread documentation of attempts made to manage climate change and manage solar impact through chemical compounds, and he sought to protect Tennessee air and water from unintentional consequences of those efforts. There is not currently credible evidence that the U.S. government practices geoengineering; rather the idea is only being debated. Read the latest from the TN State Capitol Newsroom We just felt like that was a good place to drive the stake in the ground, that not in Tennesseewere not going to do this, he said during a House subcommittee. Fritts added he worked with representatives from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) to word the bill in such a way that it would not interfere with legitimate industry within this state. The measure was opposed by Nashville Rep. Justin Jones, who said a lot of the purported evidence for Fritts bill was based on conspiracy theories. Tennessee Senate vote on SB2691 Mon., March 18, 2024. (Source: Tennessee Senate) Much of the basis for concern stems from a June 2023 report issued by the White House that details potential plans for solar radiation modification. While the report details research and planning to look at how to reduce solar radiation in an effort to combat climate change, the Biden Administration stressed that the report does not include or indicate any change in policy or the actual practice of geoengineering happening currently. Instead, the report states it was released in accordance with a Congressional mandate Read todays top stories on wkrn.com The measure has already passed the Senate on a party-line vote March 18, with no discussion of the measure on the Senate floor. Fritts version of the bill is set to go before the House Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee Wednesday, March 27, according to the Capitol website. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. The Tennessee Senate passed a bill Thursday that would vacate the board of Tennessee State University and leave it to Gov. Bill Lee to appoint new members. The passage of the Republican-backed bill comes amid years of scrutiny over the historically Black university's finances and leadership and as it searches for a new president. The results of a forensic audit, commissioned last year by lawmakers, are still pending and expected out at the end of the month. The Senate passed the measure in a 25-6 vote after only five minutes of discussion. All six senators who voted against the bill were Democrats. The bill has stirred intense controversy over $2.1 billion in historic underfunding of TSU by the state and disparities in how TSU has been treated by lawmakers. University leaders have pleaded with lawmakers to extend the current board and allow it to build upon the progress it has made in the last year. Sen. Jon Lundberg, R-Bristol, speaks to the press about a bill that may vacate the board of Tennessee State University, after a Senate Government Operations Committee meeting at Cordell Hull State Office Building in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024. Sen. Jon Lundberg, R-Bristol, who filed the amendment to the bill that would vacate the board, has repeatedly pointed to financial issues at TSU over the years. As the bill advanced through the Senate last month, he spoke about the incomplete forensic audit, saying the firm did not yet have the documents and other items it needed from TSU. University leaders, including President Glenda Glover, maintained that they have gone to great lengths to cooperate with auditors. In what may have been the board's final meeting last week, Board Chair Deborah Cole said she's proud of the work they've done and praised her colleagues for helping improve the university's finances, increase its endowment and build up its reserves, all while navigating multiple audits. More: Tennessee State University board holds what could be last meeting as Republicans push to vacate it Sen. Oliver presses underfunding issue, urges colleagues to vote no The House version of the bill is at odds with the newly passed Senate version, instead moving to keep three of the board's 10 members, along with its student and faculty trustees. Sen. Charlane Oliver, R-Nashville, whose district includes TSU, urged her fellow lawmakers to vote against the measure Thursday and consider the House's proposal. While she recognized that there have been issues with university leadership over the years and that the debate over it often got heated and personal, she also pointed to the issue of the underfunding. We all want (TSU) to thrive, but we also need to recognize that we cannot underfund an institution for decades on decades and starve our system and then accuse it of not working," Oliver said. Sen. Charlane Oliver, D-Nashville, looks on as Pam Martin, vice chair of the Tennessee State University Board of Trustees, speaks to the Senate Government Operations Committee in the Cordell Hull State Office Building in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024 Push for compromise: Tennessee House committee advances bill that would only vacate part of TSU board She also argued that vacating the board would remove valuable institutional knowledge, be detrimental to the presidential search process and leave the next president to "pick up the pieces." In a Senate Education Committee last week, Sen. Kerry Roberts, R-Springfield, who first introduced the bill, said it's important to act quickly to vacate the board and appoint new members to minimize disruption. While he expressed his appreciation and love for many of the TSU leaders, he also said it was time for a change. When the measure was first proposed to vacate the TSU board, Rep. Harold Love, D-Nashville, said he worried that talks would not move quickly enough to reach a compromise. He backed the amendment to retain three board members, along with the student and faculty trustees. TSU has also expressed its support for the amendment as a compromise, while maintaining that it does not believe any board members should vacated. "The truth of the matter is I dont think that the board members actually thought that this would happen," Love, who is a TSU graduate, said in a news conference last week. "None of us really did." Sandra DH Hunt wears her Tennessee State University attire during a Senate Government Operations Committee meeting in the Cordell Hull State Office Building in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024. TSU 'disappointed' by Senate decision The university released a statement after the Senate vote Thursday, saying it was "disappointed" by the outcome and expressing hope that a compromise could still be reached to extend the board. "The extension of the board would avoid disruption of TSU governance during a critical time for the university and, most importantly, for our students," the statement read. "TSU will continue to push for more favorable legislation that would better serve our university family." What's next for the TSU bill The House version of the bill is set for a full House vote on March 28. Want to follow along? Visit capitol.tn.gov and search for HB1739 for more information. The bill is set for a vote during the House floor session on March 28. The session is set to begin at 9 a.m. A livestream of the session can be found at wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/LiveVideo. If the House version passes, the bill will go to a conference committee to negotiate the differences between the two chambers. If the House and Senate do not reach an agreement on the bill, the measure would fail, which would effectively terminate the existing board this summer. Since the TSU board was already set to disband on June 30 due to a measure lawmakers passed last year, that means the university would be without an independent board until the legislature forms another one. After Thursdays vote, Sen. Bo Watson, R-Hixson, indicated the Senate is prepared to play hardball in negotiations with the House, even if it means TSU is without an independent board until at least next January when state lawmakers reconvene. Watson said the Senate believes the "only way to fix" issues at TSU is to replace the board. "The Senate is resolute in its position, and failure to pass that bill in the form that we think is best will result in the termination of the board completely," Watson said, acknowledging this would have "many, many ramifications" for TSU. Watson suggested current board members should step aside and usher in a new board to avoid termination. A separate bill, SB2109/HB2346, that would transfer the university's governance to the Tennessee Higher Education Commission if the board terminates has passed the Senate but is still working its way through the House. The House Government Operations Committee will hear it on Monday. Melissa Brown contributed to this story. Reach children's reporter Rachel Wegner at RAwegner@tennessean.com or follow her on X, Threads and Bluesky @RachelAnnWegner. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee senators vote to vacate TSU board, at odds with House bill FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) -With the recent discussion of a disturbing $2 million bonus for the CEO of Valley Childrens Hospital, Todd Suntrapak, community members may be left wondering how he has contributed to childrens healthcare. Todd Suntrapak is known as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Valley Childrens Healthcare. The hospital is just one of 13 free-standing pediatric specialty healthcare systems in the nation. Disturbing salary and bonuses at Valley Childrens Hospital: Councilmembers want investigation Suntrapak has a Masters Degree in healthcare management and has played a vital role in shaping a wide range of broad hospital policies like COVID-19 and payment reform, according to Valley Childrens Hospital. For over 25 years, Valley Childrens says Suntrapak has worked in various leadership roles within the facility such as clinical operations, strategy, and business development. He was first named Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in 2005 before beginning his current position in 2012. Suntrapak has reportedly advanced the hospital into a comprehensive delivery network that currently serves 1.3 million children. He leads a team of 670 physicians, 3.500 staff, and nearly 800 volunteers and Guild members. The hospital says under his leadership, they have maintained an AA rating from S&P Global, continuous Joint Commission accreditation, recognized as one of the Best Childrens Hospitals in the country, and considered one of the top places to work in healthcare. Officials state that Suntrapak also serves as a leader in the following organizations: California Childrens Hospital Association (including three terms as Chair) California Hospital Association (Executive Committee 2018-Present) The Hospital Council of Northern & Central California (Chair2019-2020) The American Hospital Association Region 9 Policy Board A Mentor for the Carol Emmott Fellowship for exceptional women leaders in healthcare The hospital reports he also uses his leadership to advance local childrens efforts such as: Cradle 2 Career Marjaree Mason Center; serves children and families affected by domestic violence The Preterm Birth Initiative; efforts to improve access to mental health care for our children The Fresno Philharmonics Board and childrens music programs Under his leadership, Valley Childrens says Suntrapak has launched the Center for Community Health, a center powered by a $5 million donation from the hospital Guilds uniquely positioned to improve child healthcare. He also leads the organizations annual investments of almost $1 million to support local community programs and services for childrens health. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47. State Rep. Tom Oliverson on Thursday announced a surprise challenge to Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan, condemning his fellow Republicans dysfunctional leadership as he fights for political survival in a May runoff. Oliverson, an anesthesiologist from Cypress in his fourth term, pitched himself as the right man to realign the lower chamber with the priorities of the Republican party, which he said Phelan too often ignored. He criticized Phelan for appointing Democrats to chair some House committees and pledged to end the longstanding tradition if elected speaker. The Texas House is a collegial body, but there is a difference between collegiality and capitulation, Oliverson, 51, said. The majority must not be held captive by the will of the minority. Phelan has defended the practice, arguing that it allows the Legislature to function free of the gridlock seen in Congress. His defenders also say that Democrats who chair eight of the Houses 34 standing committees have not used their positions to hold up conservative priorities, most of which flow through committees overseen by Republicans. Oliverson also slammed Phelans secretive handling of the impeachment of Attorney General Ken Paxton, which he said was sprung on members with insufficient notice. It was Oliversons first major broadside against Phelan on the issue: the day before the impeachment vote, he told the Dallas Morning News that nobody is above the law and said we need people of high moral and ethical standard serving in public office. Oliverson was the only House Republican who did not cast a vote on Paxtons impeachment on corruption and bribery charges last year, sidestepping an issue that has driven a wedge between Phelans allies and the partys right flank. Phelan, who received no forewarning of Oliversons bid, said in a statement that his attention will remain on helping his House incumbents prevail in their runoffs and winning his own race. Thats the job of the Texas Speaker, and thats where my focus is and will continue to be, Phelan said. In an interview with Spectrum News, Phelan criticized Oliverson for announcing his bid while multiple House contests including ones that involve mutual allies of Phelan and Oliverson hung in the balance. He also pointed to Oliversons ties to Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Phelans political rival who shares a political consultant with Oliverson. "I think the timing is not appropriate, Phelan said. I don't know why [hes running]. I know who his neighbor is. His neighbor is Dan Patrick." The announcement was a political betrayal of Phelan, who in 2021 appointed Oliverson chair of the House insurance committee and hopes to continue as speaker. But the voters of Phelans Beaumont-area district may not even send him back to Austin. David Covey, a little-known but well-funded challenger, forced Phelan into a runoff in House District 21. Worse, Phelan received fewer votes in the first round, and second-place finishers rarely win runoff elections in Texas. He may become the first House Speaker since Rayford Price in 1972 to lose a primary. But even if Phelan does manage to eke out a victory, some Republicans believe he is too weak to continue as the chambers leader. His critics say the results of the primary, in which nine House Republicans were ousted and eight were forced into runoffs, are a repudiation of Phelans leadership. Oliverson said he decided to announce for speaker after seeing the dramatic change in the first round of the primaries. It sort of answered the last question in my mind, which was, did leadership know something I didn't know? he said. When we saw what we saw, it became clear to me that the status quo is too dysfunctional to continue, and that change from top to bottom was needed. Democratic Chairs The debate over Democratic chairs emerged as a major flashpoint in the primary, evolving from a pet issue of a small but vocal minority to a mainstay item in hardline candidates stump speeches. Some candidates sided with Phelan in defending the tradition. State Rep. John Kuempel argued at a candidate forum earlier this year that Democratic chairs arent a thing. They exist, but they do not disrupt the flow of conservative legislation. Kuempel, R-Seguin, was forced into a runoff against challenger Alan Schoolcraft, a former state lawmaker. The issue served as a sort of litmus test of Phelans speakership, with some of the speakers most ardent critics speaking out against the practice. But some of Phelans House allies demurred when asked directly if they would support him for another term with the gavel. Oliverson said he has a track record of extreme bipartisanship, though he said he would also push to ensure that the next speaker is elected solely by Republicans, rather than a two-party coalition that selects a more moderate leader. Speaker Joe Straus, last elected in 2017, used this method to remain in power though some Republicans viewed it as a betrayal of conservative voters. Democrats have been in the House minority for 22 years, unable to pass bills on their own, but they are not entirely powerless. Establishing a quorum, passing the state budget and proposing constitutional amendments all require a two-thirds majority, which Republicans do not possess. Trying to further diminish the influence of Democrats prompting them to retaliate by withholding support for any of the above risks injecting the kind of partisan dysfunction into the Texas House that plagues the federal Congress. Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer, D-San Antonio, was quick to pounce on Oliversons comments. "As Rep. Oliverson takes his campaign to the body, I look forward to debating him on his new-found hate for bipartisanship in the Housename the time and place, said Fischer, the House Democratic leader. "Bottom line is that the Texas House is, and always will be, a deliberative body that employs the talents of all people from all walks of life. The Peoples house doesnt belong to any one partyit belongs to those who want to make a difference." Phelans first challenger Jockeying for the speakers gavel has been going on behind the scenes since the primary results were tallied two weeks ago. Oliverson is merely the first candidate to go public with his intentions. That he did it before Phelan has officially been defeated and 10 months before the House will convene to elect the next speaker suggests he believes he can quickly consolidate support among the 150 House members who select the speaker. Covey and a handful of GOP nominees who knocked off Phelans House allies attended the announcement, including Mitch Little, the former Paxton impeachment defense attorney who unseated state Rep. Kronda Thimesch of Lewisville, and Hillary Hickland, who defeated state Rep. Hugh Shine, R-Temple. Also in attendance was Wes Virdell, who won the seat vacated by state Rep. Andrew Murr of Junction, who led the impeachment effort in the House. Republican state Sens. Bob Hall of Edgewood, and Kevin Sparks of Midland also looked on. Oliverson was unopposed in his own Republican primary, and will face Democrat Brett Robinson, a progressive graduate student at the University of Houston, in the November election. The northwest Harris County district is reliably conservative, so Oliverson is likely to win. Among Republicans in the House, Oliverson is viewed as a reliably conservative, genial, hardworking member who brings unique expertise as a medical professional. House leadership leaned on these traits last year when they put forth Oliverson as the face of Senate Bill 14, which banned gender-transitioning care for transgender minors. In floor debates on a topic that can easily become emotionally charged, Oliverson maintained the countenance of a doctor explaining something to a patient, avoiding the bombast that can make Republicans vulnerable to accusations of bigotry. He did not emerge entirely unscathed from the debate, however, drawing flak from the right for supporting an initial proposal to exempt children who were already receiving puberty blockers and hormone therapies. Though Oliverson argued that the science was unsettled on the effects of rapidly withdrawing these medications from a patient, the exemption was ultimately stripped. He is also a vocal supporter of private school vouchers, aligning with Gov. Greg Abbott and a majority of House Republicans on the other top issue that has divided the Texas GOP. He said as speaker he would be committed to shepherding a voucher bill through the House. Phelan did not cast a vote on vouchers, but has been attacked by some pro-voucher Republicans for not doing enough to get the legislation passed. He previously told The Texas Tribune he would have supported a scaled-back version of a voucher program. Oliverson said the bloodbath for House incumbents in the primary was the speakers fault for not being a leader on the issue. I believe leadership missed an opportunity to protect members by allowing that bill to fail, said Oliverson, who serves as vice chair of the Texas House Republican Caucus and briefly led the group when it was between chairs in 2022. Oliverson helped Phelan secure the gavel in late 2019 as one of 83 lawmakers who initially backed the Beaumont Republicans speakership bid. He donated $10,000 to Phelans campaign in early February. 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. MADISON Democratic Gov. Tony Evers on Thursday took action on bills designed to overhaul the state's system of elections, barring abrupt closures of polling places while rejecting others that would have required elections to fill vacancies in constitutional offices and changed voting policies in nursing homes. In all, Evers took action on 54 bills Thursday. Here's what Evers signed and vetoed: VETOED: Requiring elections to fill vacancies in constitutional offices Evers vetoed a Republican-authored bill that would have required him to call special elections if a state constitutional office becomes vacant before that officeholder's term expires. The bill would eliminate the governor's ability to fill vacancies in the offices of secretary of state, treasurer, attorney general, and state superintendent of public instruction by appointment and without confirmation of the state Senate. The legislation was introduced in response to Evers' appointment of Sarah Godlewski as Secretary of State shortly after newly reelected Secretary of State Doug LaFollette abruptly retired. "This bill is a purely partisan reaction," Evers said in a veto message. VETOED: Limiting distance between ballot counters and election observers to three feet Evers vetoed a bill that would have reduced the area between election observers and election workers from three to eight feet to no more than three feet. Violators of the provisions under the bill could face imprisonment for up to 90 days and a fine of up to $1,000. Three feet is a closer distance from which the average person could read and observe all public aspects of our voting process including voters address and signature, Bill co-author Paul Tittl, R-Manitowoc, said at a public hearing. Eight or more feet is quite far even for those with perfect vision. But in his veto message, Evers said Wisconsin's existing election laws already provide "robust election security measures to ensure persons who wish to observe our elections have the opportunity to do so." Evers said the bill increases "the potential for observers to interfere with or intimidate eligible voters casting their ballot as well as election officials performing their critical responsibilities." SIGNED: Barring local officials from closing more than half of polling places within 30 days of an election Milwaukee resident Jennier Taff holds a sign while standing in line to vote at Washington Park High School in April 2020. The City of Milwaukee reduced its polling locations to five during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Under a bill Evers signed into law, closing even one polling location within 30 days of an election now requires the support of the clerk and a majority of the city council, town board or village board. Public notices are also now required for those closures, and a person would have to be stationed at the closed site to inform voters of the new site under the law. The bill was introduced in response to the chaotic April 2020 election, when City of Milwaukee officials cut their polling locations down to five in the earliest weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic. SIGNED: Strengthening protections for election officials Under another new law, personal identifying information of election officials is now exempt from public records requests. The law, which takes effect in 2025, also gives election officials whistleblower protections if they report election fraud or irregularities. It also creates a new felony crime of battery to an election official. That penalty would apply if the victim is an election official, election registration official or county or municipal clerk acting in an official capacity. The law also makes changes to the campaign finance system, requiring local candidates to submit their reports to the Wisconsin Ethics Commission, rather than local clerks. VETOED: Changes to voting in nursing homes and rules for incompetent voters Racine County Sheriff Christopher Schmaling claims staff members Ridgewood Care Center, located in Mount Pleasant, mishandled and mislead residents who caste ballots in the 2020 November election. Evers vetoed two bills that would have overhauled how residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities could cast ballots, and for voters who are determined to be incompetent. The sweeping piece of legislation was introduced in response to the 2020 election, during which poll workers known as special voting deputies were barred from entering such facilities leaving residents with guidance from nursing home workers. That resulted in a number of allegations within one Racine County facility of residents with cognitive issues casting ballots, leading to an investigation by the county sheriff but no charges were issued. It is not illegal for people with mental deficiencies to vote. Only a judge can declare someone unfit to vote. Among the provisions in the bills, nursing home officials could not bar such poll workers from their facilities in the future, except during a public health emergency. In that event, the facility must allow personal care voting assistants to help residents vote. It also barred employees of political organizations from serving as poll workers. Evers said in a veto message he objects to "delegating important election authority and responsibilities to retirement home and residential care facility employees who have minimal training in election procedures." He said he also objects to "creating any additional barriers that prevent eligible Wisconsinites from casting their ballot." Under a second bill, a circuit court would be required to notify the state Elections Commission, the voter, and the voter's guardian if the voter is determined by a judge to be incapable of understanding the election process and is declared ineligible to vote. The state elections commission would be required to change the person's status on the state's official voter list within three business days and, likewise, restore the voting status in the same time frame if a court restores the person's right to vote, among other provisions. Evers said he appreciates portions of the bill related to voters declared incompetent but vetoed the proposal because the bill requires nursing home administrators to contact residents' emergency contacts if that person intends to vote using assistance from special voting deputies."Every eligible Wisconsinite should be able to cast their ballot without fear or interference or intimidation including aging and order adults," Evers said in a veto message. He noted state law already allows such administrators to notify residents' relatives when a resident requests absentee ballots. VETOED: Requiring state auditors to review each general election Evers also vetoed a bill that would require the state nonpartisan Legislative Audit Bureau to examine the administration of each general election. The governor said he vetoed the proposal to prevent Republican lawmakers' "ongoing efforts to interfere with and usurp control" of elections and because state law already requires audits of election processes through the Wisconsin Elections Commission. Molly Beck and Hope Karnopp can be reached at molly.beck@jrn.com and hkarnopp@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Evers took action on election bills. Here's what he signed and vetoed The "Heart-to-Heart, Word-of-Mouth" limited gift box launched by L'Oreal Paris in collaboration with China's Jingdezhen Longzhuge. (Source: L'Oreal official Weibo account) L'Oreal Paris collaborated with China's Jingdezhen Longzhuge, a century-old porcelain brand, to launch the "Heart-to-Heart, Word-of-Mouth" 60th Anniversary Limited Gift Box, which includes a French red lipstick and a pair of porcelain cups. PARIS/NANCHANG, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Fine lines of blue and red shaped an Eiffel Tower on the surface of a pure and thin porcelain cup, integrating elements with distinctive features from both China and France. To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, these types of cups were packaged into exquisite gift boxes with French cosmetics. This gift box recently attracted the attention of Europe as soon as it was unveiled at an exhibition of porcelain artworks from Jingdezhen, east China's Jiangxi Province, at the China Cultural Center in Paris. As a witness and promoter of the friendship between France and China, L'Oreal Paris collaborated with Jingdezhen Longzhuge, a century-old porcelain brand, to launch the "Heart-to-Heart, Word-of-Mouth" 60th Anniversary Limited Gift Box, which includes a French red lipstick and a pair of porcelain cups. Alexis Perakis-Valat, president of the L'Oreal Consumer Products Division, told Xinhua that this collaboration embodies the diverse cultural craftsmanship of both nations, transcending borders, cultures and time. The collision of traditional Chinese art and French fashion colors reveals to the public the beauty of cultural diversity. In the Yishan Industrial Zone in Jingdezhen, white porcelain cups with the Longzhuge pattern on the bottom were produced on the production lines. This historically significant pattern has new connotations and has become an essential symbol of Jingdezhen's cultural and creative products. In history, Longzhuge was one of the important back stamps for Jingdezhen's exports. Emblazoned with the logos of European royal families or social groups, etc., various types of armorial porcelain were made by craftsmen in Jingdezhen during the Ming and Qing dynasties to meet the requirements of overseas clients, including the French royal courts. "Jingdezhen has long played the role of 'cultural exchange envoy' between China and France," said Weng Yanjun, director of Jingdezhen Imperial Kiln Museum. Exquisite blue and white porcelain was transported thousands of miles across the sea along the Maritime Silk Road, enriching European cultural life. The living room of the House of Victor Hugo in Paris is decorated with a "Chinese porcelain wall," an example of the common pursuit of beauty between China and France. Jingdezhen is home to an extensive network of supply chains and state-of-the-art facilities. Today, it pays more attention to creative design and innovation, said Gang Hao, general manager of Jingdezhen Towyi Cultural Development Co., Ltd. "The dreamy linkage between the two brands of Longzhuge and L'Oreal Paris represents the integration of international aesthetics, creating a unique aesthetic identity," said Gang. "Beauty is a heritage that transcends different cultures. We firmly believe that beauty has the power to preserve cultural heritage, stimulate innovation, foster social and economic growth, promote diversity and inclusiveness, and contribute to harmony with life," said Fabrice Megarbane, Chief Global Growth Officer of L'Oreal Group. "Our goal is to continue being a friendly ambassador in all fields of Sino-French exchange," said Megarbane, "especially in the cultural and economic areas." Former President Donald Trump renewed his call to the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday to dismiss charges against him, asserting that presidents enjoy near-total immunity from criminal prosecution. In addition, as a deadline loomed for briefs in the case, 18 Republican-led states filed an amicus brief Tuesday urging the Supreme Court to reverse the lower courts and grant Trump blanket immunity. Oral arguments before the high court on the immunity question are scheduled for April 25, and federal district court proceedings have been halted until the Supreme Court issues a ruling. Trumps lawyers, led by D. John Sauer of St. Louis, in a 52-page brief argued that a strong executive with virtually no criminal liability from the judicial system was intended by the framers of the Constitution and part of a 234-year unbroken tradition of not prosecuting presidents for action taken while in office. The justices should weigh that tradition and dismiss the federal charges accusing Trump now the presumptive presidential nominee of the Republican Party of conspiring to overturn his reelection loss in 2020, they wrote. U.S. Department of Justice special counsel Jack Smith oversaw an investigation into Trump that led to the criminal charges that the president spearheaded a multipart conspiracy trying to avoid leaving office. President Donald Trump speaks on stage during a campaign rally at the Target Center on Oct. 10, 2019 in Minneapolis. But Trumps attorneys have argued that those charges should be dismissed under a doctrine of absolute presidential immunity, which they said presidents must have to properly exercise their powers. The President cannot function, and the Presidency itself cannot retain its vital independence, if the President faces criminal prosecution for official acts once he leaves office, the attorneys wrote in the briefs opening paragraph. That view is in line with how framers of the Constitution saw the presidency, they said. Even if some level of Presidential malfeasance, not present in this case at all, were to escape punishment, that risk is inherent in the Constitutions design, Trumps attorneys wrote. The Founders viewed protecting the independence of the Presidency as well worth the risk that some Presidents might evade punishment in marginal cases. They were unwilling to burn the Presidency itself to the ground to get at every single alleged malefactor. Impeachment The only exception to absolute immunity is a president who is impeached by the House and convicted in the Senate, Trumps lawyers said. Trump was twice impeached by the House while in office, but acquitted in two Senate trials that required a two-thirds vote for conviction. A majority of senators with seven Republicans joining all Democrats voted to convict him in 2021 on charges similar to those he faces in criminal court related to his efforts to subvert the 2020 election results. Trumps lawyers argued, as they have in previous filings, that federal courts should never be able to review the conduct of presidents who havent been convicted in an impeachment trial. They asked the court to reject an argument that another exception to presidential immunity could be made for criminal charges stemming from a presidents desire to stay in power. Because virtually all first-term Presidents official actions carry some, at least partial, motivation to be re-elected, this exception to immunity would swiftly engulf the rule, they wrote. Prosecuting or not prosecuting a president is inherently a political act, Trumps attorneys said. This observation applies to former Presidents as well and it applies most of all to a former President who is the leading candidate to replace the incumbent who is prosecuting him, they wrote. Trump has amassed enough delegates to win his partys nomination and face President Joe Biden in a fall rematch of the 2020 election. A Feb. 6 decision by the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals upholding a lower courts ruling against Trump noted that the charges allege criminal action that emanated from an effort to unlawfully retain the presidency. Trump appealed that decision to the Supreme Court. Red states line up behind Trump Attorneys general from Alabama, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and West Virginia signed a brief to the court filed Tuesday, accusing the governments timing of the 2020 election interference case as politically motivated. After waiting 30 months to indict President Trump, the Special Counsel has demanded extreme expedition from every court at every stage of the case. His only stated reason, the public interest, is so thin its almost transparent, the attorneys general wrote. In the 54-page amicus brief, the state officials allege that the prosecutions failure to explain its extraordinary haste suggests one troubling answer: That the timing of the prosecution is designed to inflict maximum damage on President Bidens political opponent before the November 2024 election. The attorneys general argued that the threat of liability could distort a presidents decision-making and lead to a worse job performance, citing several cases, including 1997s Clinton v. Jones. The attorneys general, led by Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, further accuse the lower courts of mistreatment of concerns over opening the proverbial floodgates for future partisan prosecutions. Marshall has taken a lead role in advancing a string of legal arguments surrounding election rules likely to boost Trump. The court below also underestimated the risk of a torrent of politically motivated prosecutions on the ground that this is the first time since the Founding that a former President has been federally indicted, the attorneys general wrote, citing the appeals court. Glaringly absent is the fact this case is the second of two federal prosecutions against President Trump, who also faces two state prosecutions. How can the risk possibly appear slight? The state officials pointed to state and civil cases against Trump in Georgia and New York as evidence that the 2020 election interference case is not the only one to raise concerns of partisanship. Another view, from Ohio, Alaska and Wyoming Another brief, signed by only three Republican attorneys general, called on the court to assert a more complex legal standard that would still provide broad immunity on a sliding scale. The three Republican attorneys general told the U.S. Supreme Court that the justices should take a broad view of presidential immunity when the court hears Trumps attempt to dismiss criminal charges related to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost led a brief to the court that was also signed by Alaska Attorney General Treg R. Taylor and Wyoming Attorney General Bridget Hill. The Republicans argued not for absolute immunity, but a two-part test that would still allow for broad immunity. Arguing more about legal theory than the specifics of Trumps case, Yost, Taylor and Hill said the judiciary must balance the need for a president to exercise wide discretion in executing the offices powers with the need for accountability of a rogue executive. Very broad, but not limitless, presidential immunity is dictated by our constitutional structure, they wrote. The three attorneys general proposed a two-part test to settle a claim of presidential immunity. First, the courts should determine how closely the alleged acts are tied to the presidents core constitutional duty, they said. As an example, they said presidents should be given more latitude in conducting foreign affairs than in investigating a political rival because conducting foreign affairs is a central constitutional duty. Courts should also determine the urgency of the situation surrounding alleged crimes by a president, they said. For example, a president seizing property of political opponents should be considered differently than a president seizing property during a war. The attorneys general did not say how courts should decide Trumps case, suggesting instead the Supreme Court simply announce that it is adopting the two-part test and leave the trial court responsible for determining how to apply it to the facts of the case. A Supreme Court-sanctioned test would help the trial court conduct unprecedented proceedings and could also give the public confidence that the trial was nonpolitical, they said. Other arguments Several other interested parties submitted briefs Tuesday, the last day for so-called friend-of-the-court briefs in Trumps case before the high court. Senate Republicans campaign arm, the National Republican Senatorial Committee, led by Montanas Steve Daines, wrote that the court should adopt the absolute immunity standard, worrying that a decision otherwise would create a cycle of political prosecutions for every future president. The D.C. Circuit opinion is akin to a loaded gun lying on the table that future prosecutors can now wield against Presidents (and former Presidents) of all political persuasions, the NRSC wrote. The D.C. Circuit seems to believe that partisan actors will be able to resist the temptation to use that weapon against their political enemies; anyone who pays the slightest attention to American politics knows better. Mark Meadows, Trumps White House chief of staff during the 2020 election and his subsequent efforts to overturn the results, also wrote to the court to ask that a decision in the case reinforce the legal principle giving lower federal officials immunity from state prosecution. Meadows, a former U.S. House member from North Carolina, is among Trumps co-defendants on state charges in Georgia related to the effort to overturn the 2020 election. The Louisiana Illuminator is an independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization driven by its mission to cast light on how decisions are made in Baton Rouge and how they affect the lives of everyday Louisianians, particularly those who are poor or otherwise marginalized. This article originally appeared on Gonzales Weekly Citizen: Trump, GOP states argue absolute presidential immunity to Supreme Court BEIJING, March 21 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Education on Thursday announced the launch of a national online platform dedicated to debunking rumors within the education sector, an initiative aiming to foster a cleaner online environment within the educational sphere. The platform, accessible at http://jypy.jyb.cn, is specifically designed to swiftly debunk and expose various rumors related to education. It will serve as an authoritative resource for identifying, verifying, and dispelling misinformation in the sector, as stated by the ministry in an official release. Among various sections on the platform is a debunking ranking section, which will highlight select debunked education-related rumors on a monthly and yearly basis through images or short videos. BEIJING, March 21 (Xinhua) -- During an international forum on democracy in Beijing on Wednesday, experts discussed how rapid technological advances, such as the internet, big data and artificial intelligence, present both opportunities and challenges to democratic practices. Epoch-making technological innovations will lead to transformations in the content, forms and operation of the law, which will greatly promote democracy, Yang Xiaolei, deputy dean of the Institute for Artificial Intelligence of Peking University, said at a sub-forum of the third "International Forum on Democracy: The Shared Human Values." Smart technologies break through traditional social strata boundaries and therefore help the general public better leverage legal tools and improve judicial transparency, Yang said. The practice of "digital justice," such as digital platforms for lawsuits available at all hours, demonstrates China's accelerated progress in areas such as the digital infrastructure for legal governance, according to Huang Wenyi, dean and professor of the Law School, Renmin University of China. "This represents a promising new stage in the proceedings of democracy in China." While hailing the important role of digital technologies in broadening the channels for practicing democracy, attendees of the forum also warned of potential risks posed by such technologies. Former President of the Peruvian Constitutional Court Cesar Landa voiced his concern regarding how technological advances pose multiple challenges to Western-style elections. He said it is necessary to regulate the use of the internet adhering to the principles of transparent politics and information diversity. The forum, attended by more than 200 guests from home and abroad, was hosted by the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council Information Office, and co-organized by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, China Media Group and China International Communications Group. Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits a campus of Hunan First Normal University, and learns about the university's efforts in putting resources related to the Party's heritage to great use and its adherence to fostering virtue through education, in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, March 18, 2024. Xi inspected Changsha, capital city of central China's Hunan Province, on Monday. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi) CHANGSHA, March 21 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping has called on central China's Hunan Province to stay committed to reform and innovation and follow a realistic and pragmatic approach to write its own chapter in advancing Chinese modernization. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks during an inspection tour to the province from Monday to Thursday. Xi urged Hunan to build itself into a national hub for important and advanced manufacturing industries and a sci-tech and innovation center with core competitiveness, and continue to be a pacesetter for reform and opening-up of China's inland regions. On Monday, Xi first inspected Hunan First Normal University in Changsha City, where he visited an exhibition featuring Mao Zedong in his youth and chatted with students and faculty members. Xi stressed the role of schools in fostering virtue among students and guiding them to serve the country. Later, Xi inspected a Chinese-German battery materials joint venture. He said sci-tech innovation and high-quality development are the key to enterprises' growth and success. He said China will keep opening its door wider to the world and welcome more foreign companies to invest and develop in China. On Tuesday, Xi visited a cultural street in the city of Changde, where he pointed out that the country's diverse traditional cultures with local characteristics constitute a splendid Chinese civilization. Hunan is one of China's 13 major grain-producing provinces. When visiting a village in Changde, Xi said as China has over 1.4 billion people, the country must ensure its own food security. He stressed the importance of increasing grain production and quality. He also called for efforts to let farmers become rich by producing grains. Upon leaving the village, Xi said the Party leadership will take solid and effective policies and measures to turn the blueprint of rural revitalization into reality. On Thursday, after hearing the provincial Party and government authorities report their work, Xi gave acknowledgment to Hunan's work. He called for reinforcing the principal position of companies in sci-tech innovation, and promoting deeper integration of the chains of innovation, industries, capital and human resources. He also called for advancing major technology and equipment research and further developing advanced manufacturing. On deepening reform, Xi said the focus should be placed on resolving problems that are holding back the fostering of a new pattern of development and high-quality development. He said reforms must provide impetus and vitality to economic and social development. Xi also urged Hunan to be deeply involved in the Belt and Road cooperation, develop well the pilot free trade zone with high standards, and strive to build a pilot zone for deepening China-Africa economic and trade cooperation. Xi asked Hunan to take on the responsibility of safeguarding national food security and accelerate breakthroughs in core technologies in key fields such as the seed industry and agricultural machinery. He also called on the province to promote deep integration of culture and tourism, and strengthen Party building. Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, accompanied Xi on the inspection tour. On Wednesday, Xi met with military officers from troops stationed in Changsha. Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits a campus of Hunan First Normal University, and learns about the university's efforts in putting resources related to the Party's heritage to great use and its adherence to fostering virtue through education, in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, March 18, 2024. Xi inspected Changsha, capital city of central China's Hunan Province, on Monday. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi) Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits a campus of Hunan First Normal University, and learns about the university's efforts in putting resources related to the Party's heritage to great use and its adherence to fostering virtue through education, in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, March 18, 2024. Xi inspected Changsha, capital city of central China's Hunan Province, on Monday. (Xinhua/Ju Peng) Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits a campus of Hunan First Normal University, and learns about the university's efforts in putting resources related to the Party's heritage to great use and its adherence to fostering virtue through education, in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, March 18, 2024. Xi inspected Changsha, capital city of central China's Hunan Province, on Monday. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi) Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, talks with teachers and students while visiting a campus of Hunan First Normal University in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, March 18, 2024. Xi inspected Changsha, capital city of central China's Hunan Province, on Monday. (Xinhua/Wang Ye) Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, talks with teachers and students while visiting a campus of Hunan First Normal University in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, March 18, 2024. Xi inspected Changsha, capital city of central China's Hunan Province, on Monday. (Xinhua/Ju Peng) Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits a battery materials joint venture and learns about local endeavor to accelerate the development of new quality productive forces and promote high-standard opening up, in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, March 18, 2024. Xi inspected Changsha, capital city of central China's Hunan Province, on Monday. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi) Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits a battery materials joint venture and learns about local endeavor to accelerate the development of new quality productive forces and promote high-standard opening up, in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, March 18, 2024. Xi inspected Changsha, capital city of central China's Hunan Province, on Monday. (Xinhua/Yan Yan) Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits a battery materials joint venture and learns about local endeavor to accelerate the development of new quality productive forces and promote high-standard opening up, in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, March 18, 2024. Xi inspected Changsha, capital city of central China's Hunan Province, on Monday. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi) Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, learns about the restoration and utilization of historical and cultural blocks, and the comprehensive management of urban water environment while visiting a cultural street in Changde, central China's Hunan Province, March 19, 2024. Xi inspected the city of Changde in central China's Hunan Province on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Ju Peng) Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, waves to citizens while visiting a cultural street in Changde, central China's Hunan Province, March 19, 2024. Xi inspected the city of Changde in central China's Hunan Province on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Wang Ye) Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, learns about the restoration and utilization of historical and cultural blocks, and the comprehensive management of urban water environment while visiting a cultural street in Changde, central China's Hunan Province, March 19, 2024. Xi inspected the city of Changde in central China's Hunan Province on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi) Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, learns about the restoration and utilization of historical and cultural blocks, and the comprehensive management of urban water environment while visiting a cultural street in Changde, central China's Hunan Province, March 19, 2024. Xi inspected the city of Changde in central China's Hunan Province on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Wang Ye) Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, talks with citizens while visiting a cultural street in Changde, central China's Hunan Province, March 19, 2024. Xi inspected the city of Changde in central China's Hunan Province on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi) Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspects spring farming and its preparation work while visiting Gangzhongping Village of Xiejiapu Town, Dingcheng District, Changde, central China's Hunan Province, March 19, 2024. Xi inspected the city of Changde in central China's Hunan Province on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Yan Yan) Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspects spring farming and its preparation work while visiting Gangzhongping Village of Xiejiapu Town, Dingcheng District, Changde, central China's Hunan Province, March 19, 2024. Xi inspected the city of Changde in central China's Hunan Province on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Yan Yan) Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspects spring farming and its preparation work while visiting Gangzhongping Village of Xiejiapu Town, Dingcheng District, Changde, central China's Hunan Province, March 19, 2024. Xi inspected the city of Changde in central China's Hunan Province on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Wang Ye) Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspects spring farming and its preparation work while visiting Gangzhongping Village of Xiejiapu Town, Dingcheng District, Changde, central China's Hunan Province, March 19, 2024. Xi inspected the city of Changde in central China's Hunan Province on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Ju Peng) Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspects spring farming and its preparation work while visiting Gangzhongping Village of Xiejiapu Town, Dingcheng District, Changde, central China's Hunan Province, March 19, 2024. Xi inspected the city of Changde in central China's Hunan Province on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Ju Peng) Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspects spring farming and its preparation work while visiting Gangzhongping Village of Xiejiapu Town, Dingcheng District, Changde, central China's Hunan Province, March 19, 2024. Xi inspected the city of Changde in central China's Hunan Province on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Ju Peng) Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits Gangzhongping Village of Xiejiapu Town, Dingcheng District, Changde, central China's Hunan Province, March 19, 2024. Xi inspected the city of Changde in central China's Hunan Province on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Yan Yan) Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, learns about the improvement of grassroots governance efficiency while visiting Gangzhongping Village of Xiejiapu Town, Dingcheng District, Changde, central China's Hunan Province, March 19, 2024. Xi inspected the city of Changde in central China's Hunan Province on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Yan Yan) Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, talks with villagers while visiting Gangzhongping Village of Xiejiapu Town, Dingcheng District, Changde, central China's Hunan Province, March 19, 2024. Xi inspected the city of Changde in central China's Hunan Province on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Ju Peng) Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, meets with military officers from troops stationed in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, March 20, 2024. Xi made an inspection tour to Hunan Province from Monday to Thursday. (Xinhua/Li Gang) The main priority of the U.S. Congress is to finalize the governments 2024 budget, but attention will be paid to aid for Ukraine and other American partners soon afterward, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson said at a March 20 press conference. Congress faces a March 22 deadline to pass the budget, with a government shutdown looming if unmet. Johnson noted that budget agreements are nearly finalized, expecting a vote this week. Read also: House Speaker Johnson to unblock Ukraine aid but with significant differences Once budget issues are resolved, focus will swiftly shift to additional support for American allies, ensuring no further delays in the process, Johnson assured. Swiftly, however, is a relative term. Read also: Polish PM Tusk slams House Speaker Johnson for endangering Ukrainian lives with aid delay Following the deadline, a two-week hiatus in House sessions will occur, likely postponing aid legislation for Ukraine, Israel, and other U.S. partners until after April 8. The U.S. Senate passed a bipartisan Ukraine aid bill on February 13, meaning that it will have taken the U.S. House nearly two months to begin deliberations. Johnson shed light on the discussions surrounding the REPO Act, legislation aimed at utilizing assets seized from Russian oligarchs to contribute toward Ukraine's aid. He also touched on ongoing conversations about offering aid in the form of loans. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Cattle at Pete and Meagan Lannans Barney Creek Livestock operation, based on the Jordan Ranch in Livingston, Montana, on May 23, 2022. (USDA/FPAC photo by Preston Keres) The U.S. Senate easily passed a resolution Thursday to repeal a Biden administration rule allowing for beef to be imported from Paraguay. The measure, introduced by Democrat Jon Tester of Montana and Republican Mike Rounds of South Dakota, passed on a bipartisan 70-25 vote. The resolution was made under the Congressional Review Act, which allows Congress to undo executive branch rules within a certain timeframe. The resolution targets a final rule the U.S. Department of Agricultures Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service issued in November that allowed for importation of Paraguayan beef that met certain conditions, including that foot-and-mouth disease had not been diagnosed in the region for at least a year. Until then, the U.S. had not allowed Paraguayan beef imports since 1997. Tester and Rounds, who represent major beef-producing states, filed a Congressional Review Act resolution this month to reverse the rule. They each took to the Senate floor Thursday to advocate for the measure. Though the risk of foot-and-mouth disease may be low, the effects of just one outbreak would be disastrous for beef producers, Tester said. The truth is the administration butchered this decision, Tester said. I have serious concerns that Paraguay does not currently meet the animal health standards that are in place to award access to our markets. American producers work tirelessly to produce the safest, highest-quality and most affordable beef in the entire world, Rounds said. Our consumers should be able to confidently feed their families beef that has met the rigorous standards required within the United States. A similar resolution has been introduced in the House by Rep. Ronny Jackson, a Texas Republican. Last U.S. case in 1929 Foot-and-mouth disease is a virus that affects animals with split hooves, including common livestock like cows, pigs and sheep. The U.S. last had a reported case in 1929, but other countries have seen more recent outbreaks. Paraguay reported an outbreak in 2012. As of September 2022, cattle in South America were 98.6% free of the virus, according to the Pan American Health Organization. That was up from 85% in 2010. The rule requires that meat can be exported if foot-and-mouth disease has not been diagnosed in the region for at least 12 months, if the meat comes from premises where the disease has not been present during the animals lifetimes and if the animals were inspected before and after death. Geopolitical concerns President Joe Bidens administration opposed the congressional resolution, saying the USDA had gone through a robust review process and determined Paraguayan imports were low risk. In a statement of administration policy, the White House said the rule would have minimal effect on domestic beef production and that overturning it would harm relations with Paraguay. The resolution would mark a significant setback in the United States-Paraguay bilateral relationship, the Tuesday statement read, noting that U.S. adversaries including Russia and China ban Paraguayan beef over geopolitical disagreements. This resolution would amplify the false narratives pushed by our adversaries that the United States is not a reliable economic partner, the administration statement said. Tester, who is seeking reelection this year in a state that has trended increasingly Republican, has often bucked his party on issues affecting rural interests. He said geopolitical concerns were driving the administration move. I think the State Department is having a lot of influence on this decision, he said. Tester, the chairman of the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, said he is appreciative of the need to work with allies. But he said that objective shouldnt compromise food safety. I share my colleagues concerns about whats going on in China and Russia right now, he said. I understand the importance of strengthening alliances with partners all over the world, including Paraguay. But Im telling you that we shouldnt do it on the backs of hardworking American ranchers. Under the November rule, Paraguayan imports would be subject to the same quota level applied to countries in Latin America and elsewhere, the White House said. In part due to the quota, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service expected about 6,500 metric tons of Paraguayan beef would reach the U.S. annually. U.S. inspectors havent visited Paraguayan sites since 2014, Tester and Rounds said in their speeches Thursday. The post U.S. Senate in bipartisan vote blocks Biden rule to reopen Paraguayan beef imports appeared first on Daily Montanan. U.S. Sen. Ted Budd of North Carolina told reporters Thursday, March 21, 2024, that he planned to try to add the House-passed Laken Riley Act to the spending package before Congress this week. Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student in Georgia, was allegedly killed by an immigrant who was in the country illegally and had been cited for shoplifting. The bill has become a lightning rod for Republicans as immigration remains a focal point in the 2024 election cycle. (Screenshot of Senate Republican press conference.) Quality Journalism for Critical Times WASHINGTON U.S. Senate Republicans want to tie an immigration bill named for a slain Georgia nursing student to a massive spending package lawmakers must pass by Friday night to avoid a partial shutdown. Senate Republicans, led by Ted Budd of North Carolina, told reporters Thursday theyre proposing to attach the House-passed Laken Riley Act as an amendment to the $1.2 trillion spending bill slated to fund crucial federal government functions, including the Department of Homeland Security. The legislation is named for 22-year-old Augusta University nursing student Laken Riley who was killed Feb. 22 on a running trail on the University of Georgia campus. Police arrested a 26-year-old Venezuelan man, Jose Ibarra, for her murder. Ibarra entered the U.S. unlawfully in 2022, according to U.S. immigration authorities, and had been previously arrested in Georgia on a shoplifting charge and in New York for driving a scooter while unlicensed and with a child who was not wearing a helmet, according to news reports. Budd, with several GOP senators at his side Thursday, blamed the Biden administration for a complete lack of enforcement at the border that results in situations like the accused Ibarra not being detained on the federal or local levels. We simply dont believe that another American family needs to experience a tragedy like the one that befell the Riley family. And thats why we need to pass this Laken Riley Act today, Budd said. When asked by reporters if he thought the spending package would be an appropriate vehicle for adding the immigration measure, Budd said he believes the amendment meets the germane standard needed to add a measure to an appropriations bill. If you look at the content of it, we would hope all of them would support it, but if you look at the reality, thats not our expectation, he said. Campaign issue The tragic killing has become a lightning rod for Republican lawmakers as 2024 GOP presidential front-runner Donald Trump campaigns on immigration. Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia wore a t-shirt bearing Rileys name at the State of the Union address and tried to hand President Joe Biden a pin with her name as he entered the House chamber. Ongoing tensions over U.S. immigration policy grew particularly fierce in early February when months-long bipartisan Senate negotiations for tightened immigration laws in exchange for Ukraine aid went bust after Trump urged congressional Republicans to oppose it. In a 251-170 vote on March 7, House lawmakers approved the bill named for Riley, which would require Homeland Security officials to detain immigrants charged with local theft, burglary or shoplifting. The bill would also authorize state attorneys general to bring civil lawsuits against the federal government on behalf of residents harmed by a failure of federal officials to enforce immigration laws. Thirty-seven House Democrats joined Republicans in passing the legislation. The messaging bill was never expected to gain traction in the Senate, where Democrats hold a slim majority. Budd and Sen. Katie Britt of Alabama asked on March 14 for unanimous consent that the legislation be brought to the Senate floor. But Majority Whip Dick Durbin objected, while acknowledging that Rileys death was a horrible crime and a heartbreaking loss. However, Durbin said, the sweeping approach proposed in the bill would eliminate the discretion of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, to prioritize the most dangerous individuals and require ICE to treat those arrested for shoplifting the same as those convicted of violent crimes. Let me repeat that require ICE to treat those arrested for shoplifting the same as those convicted of violent crimes. This would overwhelm ICEs capacity and facilities and make our nation less, not more, safe, Durbin said on the floor. The post U.S. Senate GOP seeking to attach immigration measure to massive spending bill appeared first on Florida Phoenix. The U.S. Capitol Building. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom) WASHINGTON U.S. Senate Republicans want to tie an immigration bill named for a slain Georgia nursing student to a massive spending package lawmakers must pass by Friday night to avoid a partial shutdown. Senate Republicans, led by Ted Budd of North Carolina, told reporters Thursday theyre proposing to attach the House-passed Laken Riley Act as an amendment to the $1.2 trillion spending bill slated to fund crucial federal government functions, including the Department of Homeland Security. The legislation is named for 22-year-old Augusta University nursing student Laken Riley who was killed Feb. 22 on a running trail on the University of Georgia campus. Police arrested a 26-year-old Venezuelan man, Jose Ibarra, for her murder. Ibarra entered the U.S. unlawfully in 2022, according to U.S. immigration authorities, and had been previously arrested in Georgia on a shoplifting charge and in New York for driving a scooter while unlicensed and with a child who was not wearing a helmet, according to news reports. Budd, with several GOP senators at his side Thursday, blamed the Biden administration for a complete lack of enforcement at the border that results in situations like the accused Ibarra not being detained on the federal or local levels. We simply dont believe that another American family needs to experience a tragedy like the one that befell the Riley family. And thats why we need to pass this Laken Riley Act today, Budd said. When asked by reporters if he thought the spending package would be an appropriate vehicle for adding the immigration measure, Budd said he believes the amendment meets the germane standard needed to add a measure to an appropriations bill. If you look at the content of it, we would hope all of them would support it, but if you look at the reality, thats not our expectation, he said. Campaign issue The tragic killing has become a lightning rod for Republican lawmakers as 2024 GOP presidential front-runner Donald Trump campaigns on immigration. Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia wore a t-shirt bearing Rileys name at the State of the Union address and tried to hand President Joe Biden a pin with her name as he entered the House chamber. Ongoing tensions over U.S. immigration policy grew particularly fierce in early February when months-long bipartisan Senate negotiations for tightened immigration laws in exchange for Ukraine aid went bust after Trump urged congressional Republicans to oppose it. In a 251-170 vote on March 7, House lawmakers approved the bill named for Riley, which would require Homeland Security officials to detain immigrants charged with local theft, burglary or shoplifting. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US The bill would also authorize state attorneys general to bring civil lawsuits against the federal government on behalf of residents harmed by a failure of federal officials to enforce immigration laws. Thirty-seven House Democrats joined Republicans in passing the legislation. The messaging bill was never expected to gain traction in the Senate, where Democrats hold a slim majority. Budd and Sen. Katie Britt of Alabama asked on March 14 for unanimous consent that the legislation be brought to the Senate floor. But Majority Whip Dick Durbin objected, while acknowledging that Rileys death was a horrible crime and a heartbreaking loss. However, Durbin said, the sweeping approach proposed in the bill would eliminate the discretion of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, to prioritize the most dangerous individuals and require ICE to treat those arrested for shoplifting the same as those convicted of violent crimes. Let me repeat that require ICE to treat those arrested for shoplifting the same as those convicted of violent crimes. This would overwhelm ICEs capacity and facilities and make our nation less, not more, safe, Durbin said on the floor. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post U.S. Senate GOP seeking to attach immigration measure to massive spending bill appeared first on Arkansas Advocate. For the second consecutive meeting, University of California regents delayed action Wednesday on a controversial proposal to tighten controls of political expression on campus websites, such as criticism of Israel, amid sharp disagreement about moving forward when myriad questions over how it would be rolled out and enforced remained unanswered. Fallout from the Israel-Gaza war was evident throughout the Board of Regents meeting Wednesday at UCLA. UC President Michael V. Drake and board Chair Rich Leib, in prepared statements, decried rising acts of antisemitism on campuses. Drake said UC had begun to work with Hillel International on training senior campus leaders to address antisemitism and other forms of bigotry and hatred. During public comments, several Jewish speakers condemned growing harassment against faculty and students who support Israel, including a "barrage" of unjustified negative student evaluations of faculty, classes disrupted by protests, swastikas painted on buildings and signs calling Jews "the new Nazis." On the other side, one student urged regents to divest UC funds from firms that support the "ongoing genocide and ethnic cleansing" of Palestinians. Several others called for Palestinian freedom and later temporarily shut down discussion of the website proposal, chanting, "Shame on you!" as Regent Jay Sures tried to present it. Tensions have spiraled on campuses since Oct. 7, when Hamas militants unleashed the worst attack in Israels history, killing about 1,200 people and kidnapping more than 240 others. Israel has retaliated with massive military campaign that Gaza health officials say has killed more than 31,800 Palestinians. Read more: Violent protest at UC Berkeley triggers federal investigation into alleged discrimination The proposal would ban commentaries from an academic unit's main homepage and require them to be placed on a separate opinion page with a disclaimer that the comments don't represent the university's position. Before publishing statements, campus departments must put them to an anonymous vote of their members and explain on behalf of whom the opinions speak. Departments also will be required to develop standards to govern the process. Sures, vice chairman at United Talent Agency, has pushed for such action for the last few years, previously saying he has been troubled by abuse and misuse of departmental websites featuring anti-Israel sentiment and other opinions that do not reflect official university views. The UC San Diego ethnic studies department, for instance, posted a statement grieving the loss of lives on both sides during the Israel-Hamas War and supporting calls to end Israels occupation and dismantle the apartheid system that creates the suffocating, dehumanizing conditions that can lead to resistance. The department also has posted statements opposing racism against Black people, Asian Americans and Muslims, along with caste-based discrimination. It now displays the comments on a section of its website marked "statements and commentaries" and includes the disclaimer that they "do not necessarily represent the views of all faculty and graduate students at the Department of Ethnic Studies, the Regents of the University of California, or the University of California, San Diego." Sures has said he supports free expression on UC website spaces clearly marked as opinion pages, but not on landing pages, which should display official information such as course offerings and campus activities. He reiterated his commitment to free speech Wednesday. "We have made it crystal clear that preserving academic freedom and freedom of speech are absolutely imperative ... if we put a policy in place and in fact it is core to the mission of the University of California," he said. But his remarks were repeatedly disrupted by pro-Palestinian protesters. One accused him of trying to silence those who speak out against an "apartheid state carrying out a genocide." Read more: Israel-Hamas war roils UC over the line between free speech and unacceptable behavior UC Academic Senate Chair James Steintrager told regents that faculty leaders had rejected an earlier iteration of the policy over concerns that it was too ambiguous, lacked clear measures for implementation and enforcement and still potentially threatened to limit academic freedom. He said he was pleased that the latest proposal incorporated more content from a systemwide faculty committee review of the issue in 2021, triggered by a controversy over anti-Israel statements on a UCLA website. The review concluded, in consultation with university attorneys, that departments had the right to weigh in on political and social issues, although they cannot endorse candidates. The Senate provided guidelines, such as making clear statements represented faculty members or groups and not the university and ensuring that minority or dissenting views are not squelched. But Steintrager noted that the current proposal, which has been revised at least twice since the initial draft was presented in January, had been posted just two days earlier and urged regents to delay action to give Senate members time to review it. "I felt today it was still underbaked," he said later. Several regents concurred, including Drake, who said the policy was not yet "ready." Regent John A. Perez, without mentioning Israel, said the timing of the proposal has led to the perception that the policy is not "content-neutral," which undermined efforts to create rules seen as fair rather than a reaction to specific issues. "We have a trust and a distrust problem," he said, adding that UC needed to invite broad-based engagement with stakeholders to solicit ideas "on what can make a rule less offensive, less problematic." Leib, however, said the intent of the policy was "not about any single topic." "The time to act is now because we aim to be responsive to concerns expressed by our university community about the increasingly common practice of posting opinions that may be offensive to some and which might inaccurately represent the views of the University and the views of some students and faculty within the department," he told The Times in a statement. Read more: Israel-Hamas war roils UC over the line between free speech and unacceptable behavior Ultimately, regents serving on a joint committee voted to delay action until its next meeting in May. Math admission requirement Regents also discussed an Academic Senate working group's recent report that found three popular data science courses would no longer substitute for Algebra 2 because they lacked enough advanced math content required for admission by UC and California State University. The decision overturned a practice that had been in place since 2013, when UC first approved a data science course submitted by Los Angeles Unified School District as a move to expand math options for students. UCs faculty admission board reviewed the courses and revoked approval for them last summer amid questions about the proliferation of data science classes and attempts to give the field more prominence in Californias new state framework for math instruction adopted last year. After the working group affirmed that decision last month, UC notified high school counselors and other educators. Although the issue has stirred widespread controversy, regents did not challenge the findings on the data science courses. UC officials told regents the decision would not have a significant impact on admissions. Only 387 of about 130,000 California first-year applicants last fall had taken data science without an Algebra 2 or equivalent integrated math class. Among them, 169 were admitted and 63 enrolled. Regent Joel Raznick asked whether the data science courses could be revised to include enough Algebra 2 content to count for admission. Ani Adhikari, a UC Berkeley teaching professor of statistics who chaired the working group, told him the three courses in question would need to be "very significantly modified" to do so but in general it was not out of the question. "It's possible," she said. "Is it easy? Will it happen quickly? I'm not sure." Regent Lark Park raised the broader question of how to make math more meaningful and relevant to students. "If we're trying to instill a love of math, we're not succeeding," she said. She called on all sides to work together because the issue "appears to be more of a war than it should be." 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. The Russians continue to concentrate their operations in Donetsk Oblast, but they have limited success. Source: UK Defence Intelligence review dated 21 March, as reported by European Pravda UK intelligence indicates that in recent weeks, the advancement of Russian forces has slowed, likely partially due to significant losses during the offensive campaign in Avdiivka. Analysts say that the Russians attempted to expand their control zones to the northwest of Donetsk through a series of villages, including Orlivka, Tonenke, Pervomaiske, and Nevelske. Quote: "The situation remains unstable, with Ukrainian shortages of personnel and munitions likely limiting their ability to hold positions," the intelligence says. Background: In a previous review, the intelligence stated that Russia is making efforts to expand and improve its use of camouflage to mitigate the heavy losses suffered by its Black Sea Fleet and Aerospace Forces over the past two years. Earlier, UK intelligence reported that Russia's Ministry of Defence had to intensify its efforts to safeguard its fleet in the Black Sea, as Ukraine continues to seek opportunities to conduct long-range strikes. Previously, UK intelligence assessed the appointment of Alexander Moiseyev, the new commander-in-chief of the Russian Navy, instead of Nikolai Yevmenov, and the tasks he faces after a series of losses of Russian ships due to attacks by Ukraine. In early March, UK intelligence analysed Russia's losses in the Black Sea over the past five weeks amid the sinking of the Russian patrol boat Sergei Kotov in the region. Support UP or become our patron! LONDON (Reuters) - British opposition Labour party leader Keir Starmer urged people on Thursday to leave Kate, the Princess of Wales, alone after she has become the focus of speculation, rumour and bizarre conspiracy theories since having abdominal surgery in January. Speaking on Channel 5 television, Starmer said he was speaking "as a human being" rather than as a politician when he expressed his view that Kate deserved privacy following her surgery for a non-cancerous but unspecified condition. For weeks she has been the centre of online rumours and her apology this month for editing a photo taken by her husband William of her and her three children sparked further intrigue. A number of British newspapers such as the Sun have run stories calling on the public to stop the speculation. Asked whether he felt sorry for Kate, Starmer said: "Yes, I think that we should leave her alone. She's had a difficult operation and she deserves privacy. "As a human being that we should just butt out and leave her alone ... It's a human response." Since her surgery, Kate's office has stuck to its official line that the princess was recovering well and that it would only provide significant updates, in keeping with the royal mantra of "never complain, never explain". Kate was last seen when the Sun published a video on its website showing the smiling Princess of Wales walking and carrying shopping bags alongside William, the heir to the throne, at a farm shop in Windsor near their home. On Wednesday, Britain's data watchdog said it was looking into a report that staff at the hospital where Kate underwent her surgery had attempted to access her private health records. (Reporting by Elizabeth Piper; Editing by Alex Richardson) VIENTIANE, March 21 (Xinhua) -- The Lao government is cooperating with other Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states to improve the tax collection system to ensure better integration and to reduce the tax burden. Representatives from the member states of ASEAN gathered in Lao capital Vientiane to attend the 18th meeting of the Working Group on ASEAN Forum on Taxation and the 15th meeting of the ASEAN Sub-Forum on Excise Taxation, which are taking place from March 20 to March 22, Lao national TV reported on Thursday. Participants will discuss the completion of a double taxation agreement among ASEAN member states as part of the ongoing bilateral tax treaty network, and an action plan for withholding tax best practices, including moving to tax administration of the future through digital transformation. The participants will also discuss the application of digital solutions to administering excise taxes. Adnoc has signed a 15-year Heads of Agreement (LNG agreement) with SEFE Marketing & Trading Singapore, a subsidiary of Germanys SEFE Securing Energy for Europe, for the delivery of 1 million metric tonnes per annum (mmtpa) of liquefied natural gas (LNG). The LNG will primarily be sourced from Adnocs lower-carbon Ruwais LNG project, currently under development in Al Ruwais Industrial City, Abu Dhabi. The Ruwais LNG plant has been designed to run on clean power and will leverage the latest technologies and Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to drive efficiency. This is the second long-term LNG supply agreement from the Ruwais LNG project, following the 15-year agreement with Chinas ENN Natural Gas signed in December 2023. The deliveries are expected to start in 2028, upon commencement of the facilitys commercial operations. Fatema Al Nuaimi, Executive Vice President, Downstream Business Management at Adnoc said: This LNG agreement, the first with a European company from the Ruwais lower-carbon LNG project, underscores Adnocs position as a reliable and responsible global energy provider. Gas accounts for almost a quarter of Germanys primary energy use, and we look forward to supporting its efforts to diversify its energy sources and enhance its energy security. This LNG supply agreement reinforces the Energy Security and Industry Accelerator (ESIA) agreement, signed by the UAE and Germany in 2022, further strengthening bilateral cooperation in energy security, decarbonization and climate action. It builds upon Adnoc's delivery of the first LNG cargo from the Middle East to Germany in 2023. Frederic Barnaud, Chief Executive Officer of SEFE Marketing & Trading and Chief Commercial Officer of SEFE, said: SEFE and Adnoc have a long and productive partnership, spanning over 15 years. This LNG supply agreement for the Ruwais LNG project, set to be one of the lowest-carbon intensity LNG projects in the world, marks the start of a new chapter. We aim to further build on our existing relationship and explore joint low-carbon energy developments. Natural gas plays a crucial role as a transitional fuel, generating lower-carbon emissions compared to other fossil fuels. The Ruwais LNG project is set to be the first LNG export facility in the Middle East and North Africa region to run on clean power. When completed, the project, which consists of two 4.8mmtpa LNG liquefaction trains with a total capacity of 9.6mmtpa, will more than double Adnocs LNG production capacity to around 15mmtpa, to help meet increased global demand for natural gas. The project is being designed to leverage AI, digitalization and the latest advanced technology to drive efficiency and safety across the new facility. The LNG agreement is contingent upon a final investment decision (FID) on the project, including regulatory approvals, and the negotiation of a definitive Sale and Purchase Agreement between the two companies. --OGN/TradeArabia News Service An Israeli tank maneuvers amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict near Nir Am, a kibbutz in southern Israel, on March 21, 2024. the Hamas-run Ministry of Health in Gaza said Thursday in a statement that the Israeli army killed 65 Palestinians and wounded 92 others during the past 24 hours, bringing the total death toll to 31,988 and injuries to 74,188 since the Israel-Hamas conflict broke out on Oct. 7, 2023. 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 were taken hostage. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua) GAZA, March 21 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 31,988, the Hamas-run Ministry of Health in Gaza announced Thursday. The ministry said in a statement that the Israeli army killed 65 Palestinians and wounded 92 others during the past 24 hours, bringing the total death toll to 31,988 and injuries to 74,188 since the Israel-Hamas conflict broke out on Oct. 7, 2023. This comes as the Israeli army continues its operations in the Shifa hospital in Gaza City for the fourth day, during which about 600 Palestinians have been apprehended, and more than 140 others have been killed, the Israeli army said in a statement Thursday, claiming all of them are militants. "Several weapons and intelligence documents" were discovered during searches in the hospital, according to the statement. 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 were taken hostage. Airdropped humanitarian aid falls toward the Gaza Strip amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, seen from near Nir Am, a kibbutz in southern Israel, on March 21, 2024. the Hamas-run Ministry of Health in Gaza said Thursday in a statement that the Israeli army killed 65 Palestinians and wounded 92 others during the past 24 hours, bringing the total death toll to 31,988 and injuries to 74,188 since the Israel-Hamas conflict broke out on Oct. 7, 2023. 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 were taken hostage. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua) Smoke billows in Gaza amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, seen from near Nir Am, a kibbutz in southern Israel, on March 21, 2024. the Hamas-run Ministry of Health in Gaza said Thursday in a statement that the Israeli army killed 65 Palestinians and wounded 92 others during the past 24 hours, bringing the total death toll to 31,988 and injuries to 74,188 since the Israel-Hamas conflict broke out on Oct. 7, 2023. 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 were taken hostage. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua) An Israeli tank maneuvers amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict near Nir Am, a kibbutz in southern Israel, on March 21, 2024. the Hamas-run Ministry of Health in Gaza said Thursday in a statement that the Israeli army killed 65 Palestinians and wounded 92 others during the past 24 hours, bringing the total death toll to 31,988 and injuries to 74,188 since the Israel-Hamas conflict broke out on Oct. 7, 2023. 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 were taken hostage. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua) An Israeli tank is seen amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict near Nir Am, a kibbutz in southern Israel, on March 21, 2024. the Hamas-run Ministry of Health in Gaza said Thursday in a statement that the Israeli army killed 65 Palestinians and wounded 92 others during the past 24 hours, bringing the total death toll to 31,988 and injuries to 74,188 since the Israel-Hamas conflict broke out on Oct. 7, 2023. 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 were taken hostage. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua) Photo taken on March 21, 2024 shows a view of destroyed buildings in the Gaza Strip amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, seen from near Nir Am, a kibbutz in southern Israel. the Hamas-run Ministry of Health in Gaza said Thursday in a statement that the Israeli army killed 65 Palestinians and wounded 92 others during the past 24 hours, bringing the total death toll to 31,988 and injuries to 74,188 since the Israel-Hamas conflict broke out on Oct. 7, 2023. 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 were taken hostage. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua) An Israeli tank maneuvers amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict near Nir Am, a kibbutz in southern Israel, on March 21, 2024. the Hamas-run Ministry of Health in Gaza said Thursday in a statement that the Israeli army killed 65 Palestinians and wounded 92 others during the past 24 hours, bringing the total death toll to 31,988 and injuries to 74,188 since the Israel-Hamas conflict broke out on Oct. 7, 2023. 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 were taken hostage. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua) A man stands on the rubble after an Israeli airstrike in Maghazi refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, on March 21, 2024. The death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 31,988, the Hamas-run Ministry of Health in Gaza announced Thursday. (Xinhua) People are seen among the rubble after an Israeli airstrike in Maghazi refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, on March 21, 2024. The death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 31,988, the Hamas-run Ministry of Health in Gaza announced Thursday. (Xinhua) People are seen among the rubble after an Israeli airstrike in Maghazi refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, on March 21, 2024. The death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 31,988, the Hamas-run Ministry of Health in Gaza announced Thursday. (Xinhua) People stand on the rubble after an Israeli airstrike in Maghazi refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, on March 21, 2024. The death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 31,988, the Hamas-run Ministry of Health in Gaza announced Thursday. (Xinhua) People are seen among the rubble after an Israeli airstrike in Maghazi refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, on March 21, 2024. The death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 31,988, the Hamas-run Ministry of Health in Gaza announced Thursday. (Xinhua) People are seen among the rubble after an Israeli airstrike in Maghazi refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, on March 21, 2024. The death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 31,988, the Hamas-run Ministry of Health in Gaza announced Thursday. (Xinhua) People are seen among the rubble after an Israeli airstrike in Maghazi refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, on March 21, 2024. The death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 31,988, the Hamas-run Ministry of Health in Gaza announced Thursday. (Xinhua) People stand on the rubble following an Israeli raid in the Nour Shams Palestinian refugee camp in the city of Tulkarm, on March 21, 2024. Six Palestinians were killed Thursday by the Israeli army in several West Bank cities, according to Palestinian sources. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua) RAMALLAH, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Six Palestinians were killed Thursday by the Israeli army in several West Bank cities, according to Palestinian sources. Among the six Palestinians, four were killed in clashes during an Israeli army raid in the Nour Shams Palestinian refugee camp in the city of Tulkarm. Two of them were killed by live bullets fired by Israeli troops, while the other two were killed in a drone bombing, according to Palestinian Red Crescent Society and security sources. Israeli media outlets said that the two Palestinians attacked by drone were posing a threat to the army by firing at Israeli vehicles during a military operation in the refugee camp. Large Israeli forces, accompanied by military bulldozers, stormed the city of Tulkarm and the refugee camp earlier today, imposing a strict siege on it, the Palestinian News Agency WAFA reported, citing local sources. In two other incidents on Thursday, Mohammad Salhiya, 19, and Sameh Zaytoun, 63, were killed by Israeli forces in the Al-Amari refugee camp near Al-Bireh and near an Israeli settlement south of Bethlehem. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli army on the two incidents. Since Oct. 7, 2023, at least 450 Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli army in the West Bank, according to Palestinian statistics. A man inspects a damaged building following an Israeli raid in the Nour Shams Palestinian refugee camp in the city of Tulkarm, on March 21, 2024. Six Palestinians were killed Thursday by the Israeli army in several West Bank cities, according to Palestinian sources. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua) People inspect a damaged building following an Israeli raid in the Nour Shams Palestinian refugee camp in the city of Tulkarm, on March 21, 2024. Six Palestinians were killed Thursday by the Israeli army in several West Bank cities, according to Palestinian sources. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua) People stand on the rubble following an Israeli raid in the Nour Shams Palestinian refugee camp in the city of Tulkarm, on March 21, 2024. Six Palestinians were killed Thursday by the Israeli army in several West Bank cities, according to Palestinian sources. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua) A man inspects a damaged building following an Israeli raid in the Nour Shams Palestinian refugee camp in the city of Tulkarm, on March 21, 2024. Six Palestinians were killed Thursday by the Israeli army in several West Bank cities, according to Palestinian sources. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua) People inspect a damaged building following an Israeli raid in the Nour Shams Palestinian refugee camp in the city of Tulkarm, on March 21, 2024. Six Palestinians were killed Thursday by the Israeli army in several West Bank cities, according to Palestinian sources. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua) A woman inspects a damaged building following an Israeli raid in the Nour Shams Palestinian refugee camp in the city of Tulkarm, on March 21, 2024. Six Palestinians were killed Thursday by the Israeli army in several West Bank cities, according to Palestinian sources. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua) COPENHAGEN, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Two commercial jets on their way from Denmark's capital to Norway's Stavanger had to return to Copenhagen airport on Thursday evening due to alleged bomb scares. A Scandinavian Airlines jet had entered Norwegian airspace when it was asked to turn back, and a Norwegian flight was told to return shortly after takeoff. The airlines confirmed to Norwegian radio NRK that all passengers had been evacuated upon landing. Danish police told the Swedish radio in Copenhagen that the aircraft would be searched for dangerous objects, but declined to comment on how they had found out about the alleged danger. US Speaker of the House Mike Johnson will invite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address Congress. Mr Johnson, who leads the Republican-controlled House, told CNBC they are "trying to work out schedules". The news comes as the relationship between Israeli leaders and leading US Democrats has grown tense. Top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer has called for Israeli voters to replace Mr Netanyahu, who he has deemed a barrier to peace talks in Gaza. "I would love to have him come in and address a joint session of Congress," Mr Johnson told the network on Thursday. "We'll certainly extend that invitation." He added that he had personally been invited to address Israeli lawmakers in the Knesset, calling it a "great honour". Mr Schumer, who is Jewish and a supporter of Israel, delivered a 40-minute speech on the Senate floor last week calling for Israel to hold new elections to replace Mr Netanyahu. He criticised Mr Netanyahu and his conservative government for his handling of the war in Gaza, saying he "has lost his way" and argued that he stands in the way of peace between Israelis and Palestinians. Mr Johnson on Thursday criticised him for those remarks. "To suggest to our strongest ally in the Middle East, the only stable democracy, that he knows better how to run their democracy is just patently absurd," he said. In response to Mr Johnson, Mr Schumer's office released a statement saying he did not object to an address by Mr Netanyahu. "Israel has no stronger ally than the United States and our relationship transcends any one president or any one prime minister," Mr Schumer said. "I will always welcome the opportunity for the prime minister of Israel to speak to Congress in a bipartisan way." Mr Johnson's comments on the invitation come a day after Mr Netanyahu delivered remarks behind closed doors to Republicans in the Senate. Mr Schumer turned down a request from Mr Netanyahu to speak to Senate Democrats, saying any address should be done in a bipartisan fashion. Mr Netanyahu last spoke to the US Congress in 2015, when both chambers were controlled by Republicans. He used the opportunity to criticise then President Barack Obama, a Democrat, for pursuing a deal with US allies and Iran to curtail that country's nuclear programme. Mr Netanyahu's possible address also comes as an aid bill for Israel appears to have stalled in Congress and as Israel prepares for an operation in Rafah, a city in southern Gaza that Palestinian refugees have fled to. An Israeli delegation is due to visit Washington to discuss the planned assault next week, according to US officials. They were invited by President Joe Biden, who has attempted to discourage Israel from going through with the operation, in a recent call with Mr Netanyahu. Mr Biden, who is running for re-election in November, has come under political pressure from his party's left wing to do more to convince Israel to limit its war in Gaza, which began when Hamas gunmen stormed into southern Israel on 7 October, killing about 1,200 people and taking more than 250 others hostage. More than 31,000 Palestinian civilians have died since the war started, according to the Hamas-led health ministry in Gaza. The death toll has drawn international concern and condemnation. Sign up for our morning newsletter and get BBC News in your inbox. A federal judge shut down former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevichs (D) latest attempt to regain ballot eligibility by quoting Dr. Seuss, underlining the former governors fall from political star to laughingstock. Blagojevich sued the state of Illinois in 2020, alleging the General Assemblys decision to remove him from office and bar him from running again violated his civil rights. The former governor was impeached and convicted on corruption charges stemming from alleged attempts to sell former President Obamas vacated Senate seat. U.S. District Judge Steven Seeger denied Blagojevichs arguments, ruling in an unusual narrative-driven opinion that his case should be dismissed. The complaint is riddled with problems, Seeger wrote. If the problems are fish in a barrel, the complaint contains an entire school of tuna. It is a target-rich environment. The complaint is an Issue-Spotting Wonderland. The bottom line is that the judiciary has no power to unimpeach, unconvict, and unremove a public official, he continued. The legislature taketh away, and the judiciary cannot giveth back. Blagojevich was sentenced to 14 years in prison for his crimes and served eight, after having his sentence commuted by former President Trump in 2020. He sued the state to be able to run again just months after gaining his freedom. Seeger delayed publishing the opinion for months, with the verdict coming just over a year after the last motion in the case. Citing clear constitutional arguments against Blagojevichs case and jurisdictional problems, the judge summed up the story by spinning a colorful narrative, laced with a quote from Dr. Seuss. The case began with great fanfare. Surrounded by microphones and cameras, with a gaggle of press in tow, Blagojevich announced to the world that he might want a sequel in public life, Seeger wrote. The book is closed. The last page already turned, and the final chapter of his public life is over. The case never should have been filed. Top Stories from The Hill The judge then added a quote from Dr. Seusss 1972 childrens tale, Marvin K. Mooney Will You Please Go Now. The time has come. The time has come. The time is now. Just Go. Go. GO!, the quote reads. I dont care how. You can go by foot. You can go by cow. Marvin K. Mooney, will you please go now! The case started with a megaphone, but it ends with a whimper, Seeger continued. Sometimes cases in the federal courthouse attract publicity. But the courthouse is no place for a publicity stunt. He wants back. But hes already gone. Case dismissed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The rainbow flag flies under the US flag at the entrance to the US embassy in Moscow in June 2021 (Dimitar DILKOFF) US lawmakers moved Thursday toward banning the flying of LGBTQ Pride flags over US embassies, a victory for conservatives in a long-running US cultural battle being played out overseas. The prohibition is one of a slew of side issues tucked away in a $1.2 trillion funding package hammered out by lawmakers early Thursday. Both the Republican-led House and Democratic-led Senate are expected to approve the plan to keep the government running ahead of a deadline of Friday midnight when three-quarters of the government will run out of funds. The package says that no funding can be used to "fly or display a flag over a facility of the United States Department of State" other than the US or other government-related flags or flags in support of prisoners of war, missing-in-action soldiers, hostages and wrongfully imprisoned Americans. President Joe Biden is expected to sign the 1,012-page funding bill even though his administration has embraced LGBTQ rights and would likely have reservations about the flag move. In a sharp change from his predecessor, Secretary of State Antony Blinken has not only allowed but encouraged US missions to fly the rainbow flag, which celebrates the movement for LGBTQ equality, in June, which is Pride month. Under former president Donald Trump, Blinken's predecessor Mike Pompeo, an evangelical Christian, ordered that only the US flag fly from embassy flagpoles. The US embassy in Seoul in 2016 tried to work around the directive by putting a rainbow banner on its facade, not the pole -- an option that appears still to be permissible under the new funding package. But the embassy took it down at the same time that the Trump administration ordered it to remove a banner for Black Lives Matter put up after the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer. In one of the most famous public displays for Pride, former president Barack Obama's administration lit up the White House in the rainbow colors in 2015 to celebrate the landmark Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage across the United States. cjc-sct/dw The bald eagle was once considered endangered throughout much of the United States, but has made a comeback A US man accused of killing thousands of protected birds has pleaded guilty to conspiring to hunt and traffic bald and golden eagles. Travis John Branson, 48, shot the birds over several years and sold their parts and feathers on the black market. In text messages sent to a buyer, he bragged about "committing felonies" and going "on a killing spree". He faces up to five years in prison when he is sentenced on 31 July in federal court. On Wednesday, Branson, 48, pleaded guilty to conspiracy, illegal trafficking of bald and golden eagles, and violations of a law that prohibits inter-state trafficking in illegally possessed wildlife. He faces fines of around $250,000 (195,000). From 2015-21 Branson would travel from his home in Washington state to western Montana for the illegal hunt. He worked with an accomplice, Simon Paul, to kill about 3,600 birds on the Flathead Indian Reservation and elsewhere, say investigators. Mr Paul, 42, is wanted on the same charges. Branson was detained in a traffic stop on 13 March 2021 when police found the talons and feathers of a golden eagle in his vehicle. The bald eagle is the national bird of the United States and is depicted on both the currency and the national seal. It was endangered in many places in the middle of the 20th Century due to hunting, loss of habitat and the use of DDT, an insecticide that renders the birds unable to lay eggs with strong shells. DDT was banned in 1972. According to the US Fish and Wildlife Service, just 417 nesting pairs of bald eagles were known to exist in 1963. Conservation efforts led to a strong comeback and the bird is no longer considered endangered. You may also be interested in: This embedded content is not available in your region. In 2000, a US Navy senior officer visiting my ship looked me in the eye and said with absolute certainty, in ten years, all US Navy fighter jets will be uncrewed. Four ranks senior to me and a fixed-wing aviator himself, I had no reason to doubt him. Here we are, some twenty-four years later, and the US Navy has finally taken delivery of the first of 76 MQ-25 Stingray autonomous Carrier Based Aerial Refuelling System (CBARS). These are the first in-service unmanned jet aircraft intended to make catapult takeoffs and arrested landings from and on US Navy carriers. There are two reasons it has taken so long. The first is that landing on an aircraft carrier using an arrestor wire, the US Navys preferred method, is difficult. Given how naval aviators throughout my seagoing career got paid more for doing less work than me I traditionally cut them little slack when it comes to their tales of derring-do, but RAF colleagues of mine who have done fast jet deck landings on exchange with the USN have done a good job of convincing me that it is the hardest thing you can do in aviation, times ten at night. Fair enough. The technical challenge of automating this difficult feat was overcome some time ago, however. The first fully automated deck landing systems fitted to manned jets were trialled successfully way back in 1957, and the technology has been refined through several generations since. The main US Navy fighter jet today, the F/A-18E/F Hornet, has automated landing equipment fitted as standard. The auto-landing equipment has just one serious problem: US Navy pilots and their command structure simply refuse to use it (see Chapter V). The entire punishment-and-reward culture of a carrier air wing is built around the grades awarded to pilots for manually controlled landings, and US Navy aviators measure their stature by the number of manual traps they have made. New pilots are often forbidden to use the automated system by their commanding officers, and any pilot would be regarded with suspicion by his fellow aviators for using it at all often. But its always possible to just do away with the pilots altogether. The X-47B unmanned demonstrator programme made its first arrested deck landing and catapult launch off the USS George H W Bush back in July 2013. These landings were not totally glitch-free, but then neither are human ones. It had been demonstrated that a jet drone with a stealthy shape could indeed conduct arrested deck landings at least as reliably as manned jets on manual could. Not long after this the project passed its other major test, air-to-air refuelling another tricky piloting feat, though not as difficult as arrested traps on deck. Then the X-47B was quietly shelved. Here we get to the second reason for the delay turkeys dont vote for Christmas. The US Navy is a carrier aviation-led institution. Its Nimitz-class and Ford-class supercarriers are all commanded by former fixed-wing aviators, most of whom then go on to become admirals. Why would they be in any rush to implement a technology that makes their entire service community redundant? Its possible that the X-47B project only lasted as long as it did due to external pressure from outside the navy. The US Air Force, probably even more (not surprisingly) dominated by pilot culture, shut down its equivalent X-45 project even faster. As is always the case though, technological difficulties and cultural resistance can be overcome when financial conditions demand it, and this is where we are now with the handover from Boeing to the Navy of the first MQ-25. Operationally, having an automated refuelling aircraft makes a lot of sense. They can stay airborne for longer and carry more fuel than the current solution, F/A-18 fighters carrying refuelling pods (the extra weight of which reduces their airframe life). This will increase the range and duration of strike sorties, increase deck cycle flexibility and free up valuable F/A-18s for their primary purpose strike. It is also one less person to pay, train, keep deck-current and have their ego stroked. Possibly the greatest advantage of unmanned deck landing technology is that you dont have to burn up huge amounts of expensive carrier and jet time qualifying and re-qualifying pilots. The weakest link? F/A-18 Hornet pilots having just landed back aboard the USS George H W Bush in 2017 - Dan Kitwood/Getty The MQ-25 will be able to refuel the F/A-18 Super Hornet, E-2D Hawkeye and F-35C Lightning II. The official announcement doesnt mention it, but it is fair to assume that MQ-25s will also be able to refuel F-35B jump jets as operated by the US Marines and British forces, which is good news from an interoperability standpoint (and given British carriers lack of any refuelling-capable aircraft). The MQ-25s will be fifth-generation stealthy (equivalent to the F-35s, far better than the F/A-18) and will be able to conduct other surveillance and reconnaissance missions whilst airborne. Given that they will be fully automated, ie not remotely piloted, survivability will be interesting particularly when flying in environments where drones are considered fair game: but Stealth will help with this and tolerance for unmanned aircraft losses is much higher than for manned ones. MQ-25s are likely to be the real-world first choice for reconnaissance into dangerous airspace just for this reason. The announcement also confirms what military analysts have known for ages that uncrewed is the unambiguous direction of travel for military aviation systems. How fast? remains up for debate though. Some projects are moving too quickly, such as the UK selling off its crewed minehunter ships in favour of an impressive-but-not-ready remotely operated system: a move which would seem to be motivated by cost savings rather than capability. Development of offensive drone systems above, on and below the waves is an area where Nato navies are moving too slowly. We have practised defending against variations of this for decades courtesy of the Iranian threat, but developing systems of drones for offensive operations is lagging whilst Ukraine demonstrates time after time in the Black Sea that it shouldnt. Lots of teams, units and squadrons are popping up here and in the US to work on this which is excellent, but as ever, funding remains the limiting factor when it comes to pace and mass. The legal and rules of engagement implications of this increase in uncrewed technology is interesting. Often, rules of engagement forbid the use of already existing weapons which decide for themselves whether they have a legitimate target, such as anti-tank and anti-shipping munitions which can be set to simply scan a given area for apparent tanks and warships and attack any they may find. There may not be any requirement for human input in actually operating an aircraft or a ship, but there may well be a need for a human to decide that a given target should be struck. The addition of the MQ-25 to the US Navys already formidable arsenal is a significant development; both operationally but also how it exemplifies the inevitable march to uncrewed systems, no matter how much those making the decisions might not like it. The MQ-25 is not cheap at about $125 million each for the first batch, a price that is more likely to be acceptable if it is seen as a forerunner to a Strike-capable follow-on. How long before plans for these mature (and are released) will be interesting to watch. Arrested landing is no longer a problem which leaves culture and initial funding as the only stoppers. As technology increasingly made aircrew backseaters redundant a senior RN pilot once said, Ive never taken off with an observer/navigator on board when I wouldnt rather have had the same weight of fuel. The acceptance of the MQ-25 into the USN suggests that we are one step closer to this being true of pilots too. 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. Skylar Meade was sprung from custody in a gun battle at an Idaho hospital (-) A white supremacist who was sprung from custody in a hospital shoot-out that left three prison staff wounded was back in jail Thursday after a huge manhunt in the US state of Idaho. Detectives say the escapee and his accomplice were arrested after a brief police chase and were being connected to two homicides that appear to have occurred since the violent jailbreak early Wednesday. Police had warned the public not to approach Skylar Meade -- a member of the violent Aryan Knights gang -- or Nicholas Umphenour, with both men considered armed and dangerous. The drama erupted when Meade -- who was jailed in 2016 for attacking a law enforcement officer -- was taken to a hospital for treatment of apparently self-inflicted wounds. Boise Police Department said as Meade was being escorted out of the medical facility gunfire erupted, seemingly from inside the hospital's emergency department. Umphenour -- who had previously been in prison alongside Meade -- allegedly shot two prison officers, leaving one critically wounded, before the two men fled. Moments later, responding police officers opened fire on another prison officer, mistakenly believing him to be involved. "This brazen, violent and apparently coordinated attack on Idaho Department of Corrections personnel, to facilitate an escape of a dangerous inmate, was carried out right in front of the emergency department," said Boise Police Chief Ron Winegar. Winegar said officers had rushed into the emergency department, believing Umphenour to be inside, locking down the hospital as they searched. The manhunt was extended to encompass the Twin Falls area of Idaho, around 110 miles (180 kilometers) from Boise, where the two men were located on Thursday afternoon. "There was a short vehicle pursuit and the suspects were taken into custody separately," Winegar said. "There were no shots fired." Police gave no further details on the homicides that were being connected to the two men. Meade had been due to be released from prison in 2036, but is now expected to face further charges. No details were immediately available about Umphenour's criminal past. Winegar said all three wounded prison staff are expected to make a full recovery. The US Department of Justice says the Aryan Knights are a white supremacist and white separatist prison gang with over 100 members, founded in the 1990s. "The AK has used violence and the threat of violence to target nonwhite inmates and other targeted inmates," the Justice Department said in a 2021 press release. The AK also has used drug trafficking, extortion and gambling to generate revenue, it said. hg/nro JOHANNESBURG, March 21 (Xinhua) -- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Thursday that threats, intimidation and undemocratic actions will not be tolerated during this year's elections. Ramaphosa made the remarks at the commemoration of the country's Human Rights Day, which falls on March 21, in Sharpeville, Gauteng Province. "The regularity, peacefulness, fairness and integrity of our elections are achievements that we must dutifully protect." South Africa will hold national and provincial elections on May 29 this year. Some opposition political parties have recently threatened to take violent action during the elections. Ramaphosa said they will work to create more space and open up more opportunities for all citizens to have a say in the decisions that affect them by strengthening the consultation processes in government, parliament, legislatures and municipalities. The president also called for unity in working together to build people's power at the grassroots level. "We must support community-based organizations and initiatives, religious formations, women's organizations, and youth bodies." European Council President Charles Michel (R) and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen attend a press conference during the European Union (EU) summit in Brussels, Belgium, on March 21, 2024. Leaders from the EU on Thursday agreed to open accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe) BRUSSELS, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Leaders from the European Union (EU) on Thursday agreed to open accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina. "The European Council has just decided to open accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina," European Council President Charles Michel said on the social media platform X as EU leaders are convening a summit in Brussels. "Today's decision is a key step forward on your EU path," Michel said while extending congratulations to the country situated in Southeast Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also hailed the EU leaders' decision as "historic," noting Bosnia and Herzegovina's progress in enacting crucial legislation, managing migration and fostering dialogue and reconciliation. Bosnia applied for EU membership in 2016 and officially attained the candidate status in December 2022. President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen speaks at a press conference during the European Union (EU) summit in Brussels, Belgium, on March 21, 2024. Leaders from the EU on Thursday agreed to open accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe) European Council President Charles Michel speaks at a press conference during the European Union (EU) summit in Brussels, Belgium, on March 21, 2024. Leaders from the EU on Thursday agreed to open accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe) European Council President Charles Michel attends a press conference during the European Union (EU) summit in Brussels, Belgium, on March 21, 2024. Leaders from the EU on Thursday agreed to open accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe) JERUSALEM, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Israel's army continued its raid on Shifa Hospital in northern Gaza on Thursday, claiming that its forces killed more than 140 people and arrested "senior Hamas officials." Approximately 600 Palestinians have been apprehended, and more than 140 others have been killed, the army said in a statement, claiming all of them are militants. "Several weapons and intelligence documents" were discovered during searches in the hospital, according to the statement. "Islamic Jihad operatives in the hospital complex surrendered themselves to the troops," the army said. The army said that "senior officials" with Hamas, an armed group and movement that runs Gaza, and the Islamic Jihad, a smaller Palestinian militant group, were arrested. No end date for the operation was given. "The forces are continuing to operate in and to search the area, locating weapons and apprehending terrorists in close-quarter encounters," the statement read. The recent operation began early on Monday, with the Israeli forces attacking the compound in Gaza City with tanks and airstrikes. On Thursday, the official Palestinian news agency WAFA reported that Israeli forces blew up the specialized surgical building and that communication with all medical teams inside the medical complex was lost. Shifa, which was Gaza's largest medical facility before the war, is now one of the few hospitals still functioning in the coastal enclave and also serving as a shelter for displaced Palestinians. Israel has targeted the hospital before, claiming that Hamas used it as a command center and hid weapons and fighters in underground tunnels underneath the complex. To say Hector Espinal had a tough upbringing in Brooklyn is an understatement. "When you're walking out on the street in Brooklyn back when I was coming up, it was really dangerous," Hector said in a recent profile on Carisma, The Drive's new YouTube series designed to take you inside the mind of fellow car enthusiasts, diving into how their cars have shaped their passion and understanding of car culture. "Graffiti, crack, bottles, syringes, drivebys... I remember ducking bullets right on Graham Avenue. It was very chaotic," Hector said. He was enticed by the nice cars, the jewels and the gear the boys on the corner were sporting. "Everybody was having nice things. And you know, you get those things the fast way. I've cooked crack. I've stolen cars. I stole my first grade teacher's car, not when I was in first grade but when I was in junior high. One of my mens needed a brand new 92 Maxima and we went and grabbed it, and you know, Murder She Wrote. It was the people that I rolled with that didn't want that for me - the corner boys, the pushers - every time I got into that the person was like, you know what, this is not for you bro, go to school. Don't worry about it if you need money." BROOKLYN, NY - October 1991 in Brooklyn. (Photo by Bill Tompkins/Getty Images) Hector knew he had to get out and saw an opportunity to do so by joining the Navy. He had a 1987 Chevy Astro when he enlisted and he slept in it. "I'd get off the boat, go into my Chevy Astro and change, go to the club or go off to eat." After 22 years of service in the Navy, Hector finally saved enough to buy his dream car, a Porsche 911. Im that Brooklyn kid who chased a dream and then, quite literally, drove it, Hector told Porsche in a profile piece. When I was younger, Id lose myself in Car and Driver magazine not just for the pictures but for the stories. Those pages fueled my ambition, and I said to myself: One day, this 911 will be yours. And now, here we are. Im very grateful. According to the Drive , Hector found a classic 1986 G-body 911 (the last year of the classic 911 that still got the original 915 manual transmission) on the internet at a consignment shop in New Jersey. He started with a stock 3.2 Carrera, caught up on a ton of maintenance, then took a page from Magnus Walker's book and made it his own. Performance mods include a Steve Wong chip tune, WEVO shifter and engine mounts, Fabspeed cat bypass and Supercup exhaust, Zimmerman cross-drilled rotors with Porterfield ceramic pads, Elephant Racing torsion bars, upgraded bushings and bearings, and more. The result is a head turner, one hell of a backroad cruiser, and a ticket to bigger things. WATCH HECTOR'S PORSCHE STORY: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XkrP4wtbHc Hector even ended up connecting with Magnus who gave him tips for dialing in his suspension setup. "I think a car allows us freedom. Its a gateway. With a car, you can get into circles you normally cant get into. You can start conversations with the most random stranger. Y'know, we have our rivalries, BMW guys against the Porsches, stuff like that. At the end of the day, cars are one of those things that always brings people together." READ MORE ON WATM: 'Lone Survivor' Marcus Luttrell went 'John Wick' on the guys who killed his dog | We Are The Mighty 27 FBI photos you must see of the Pentagon on 9/11 | We Are The Mighty 10 most lethal special operations units from around the world A Russian Soyuz rocket carrying three Soyuz MS-25 astronauts is seen on the launch pad on March 21, 2024. Update for 10 am ET: Russia's Soyuz MS-25 launch of 3 astronauts to the International Space Station suffered a rare last-minute abort 21 seconds before launch today. The next launch attempt could occur on Saturday, March 23, pending resolution of the abort issue, NASA has said. Read our full story. A Russian Soyuz rocket will launch three people, including one NASA astronaut, toward the International Space Station (ISS) on Thursday morning (March 21), and you can watch the action live. The rocket is scheduled to launch the Soyuz MS-25 spacecraft from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Thursday at 9:21 a.m. EDT (1321 GMT; 6:21 p.m. local Baikonur time). You can watch live here at Space.com, courtesy of NASA, or directly via the space agency. Coverage will begin at 8:20 a.m. EDT (1220 GMT). Related: International Space Station Everything you need to know Riding on Soyuz MS-25 will be NASA's Tracy C. Dyson, cosmonaut Oleg Novitskiy of the Russian space agency Roscosmos and Marina Vasilevskaya, a spaceflight participant from Belarus. If all goes according to plan, the trio will arrive at the ISS a little more than three hours after launch, at 12:39 p.m. EDT (1639 GMT) on Thursday. You can watch that orbital rendezvous here at Space.com as well, beginning at 11:30 a.m. EDT (1530 GMT). Coverage will resume at 2:50 p.m. EDT (1850 GMT), to show the hatches opening between the Soyuz and the ISS and air welcoming remarks from the orbiting lab's current residents. three smiling astronauts (two women and one man) in white spacesuits sit in front of their national flags against a dark background RELATED STORIES: Soyuz spacecraft: Backbone of the Russian space program Leaky Soyuz spacecraft at space station returns to Earth in speedy landing Facts and information about Roscosmos, Russia's space agency Thursday's launch will kick off the third spaceflight for Dyson, the fourth for Novitskiy and the first for Vasilevskaya. The latter two spaceflyers will be in orbit for just 12 days; they'll come back to Earth on April 2 aboard a different Soyuz, along with NASA astronaut Loral O'Hara, who's wrapping up a 6.5-month stint on the ISS. Dyson will live aboard the orbiting lab for six months, eventually coming home in September with Oleg Kononenko and Nikolai Chub of Roscosmos, who are conducting a yearlong mission on the ISS. The Soyuz mission will be the first of two launches to the ISS on Thursday, if all goes according to plan: SpaceX is scheduled to launch a robotic cargo mission to the station on Thursday at 4:55 p.m. EDT (2055 GMT). You can watch that liftoff at Space.com as well. Matt Embleton, the site director, said nothing was happening to Watford Gap service station Rumours that a service station was going to be demolished have been denied. Managers at Watford Gap Services in Northamptonshire, which was regularly visited by stars like the Beatles and Jimi Hendrix, said the site was "not going anywhere." More than four million people visited the site last year, its owners said. It opened in 1959 and BBC Radio Northampton is planning a display to celebrate its history. Watford Gap services have been offering coffee and fuel to drivers on the M1 for 65 years Media outlets reported last year that Watford Gap was to be demolished to make way for a new travel hub. Matt Embleton, the site director, said clarification about the future had come from the very top. He said: "Reassurance from the CEO - there's nothing happening to Watford Gap, and, if anything was to happen in the future, it would be for the good of the site in terms of making the customer journey much better." "If we ever did change Watford Gap, then it would be another location on Watford Gap premises," he added. Hendrix heard about the venue from other musicians and believed it was a nightclub In the sixties, Watford Gap became famous for welcoming stars like the Rolling Stones and Jimi Hendrix on their way to gigs down south. Hendrix heard so much about the "Blue Boar", as it was then known, that he believed it was a London nightclub. Watford Gap services recorded four million visits last year Jen Roberts, the unit manager at the WH Smith shop, said she still spotted well-known people using the facilities. She added: "I've met Anthony Joshua, Joanna Lumley, Freddie Flintoff - I've met about 60 people and I've got selfies of them all." Jen Roberts, who manages the WH Smith shop on site, said she had met 60 famous people at the service station One thing visitors do not find at Watford Gap is any celebration of its star-studded history, and BBC Radio Northampton plan to work with the owners, Roadchef, to change that. The radio station produced a musical to celebrate Watford Gap's fiftieth birthday in 2009. Matt Embleton said: "There's nothing [on site] at the moment but I think it would be a really good attraction for people to come and see. "Often you'll see people sat looking out of the window over there, reminiscing about what they used to do on their bikes sixty-odd years ago - all sorts of stories." Follow East of England news on Facebook, Instagram and X. Got a story? Email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp 0800 169 1830 KIEV, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Robert Bauer, chair of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Military Committee, discussed support for Kiev during a bilateral meeting, the presidential press service reported Thursday. Zelensky thanked Bauer for his visit, describing it as a strong signal of support for Ukraine. He informed Bauer about Ukraine's priority defense needs, in particular the necessity for additional air defense systems. Zelensky and Bauer discussed opportunities to strengthen the alliance's coordination role in supporting Ukraine, in particular in enhancing its defense capabilities. Besides, the parties exchanged their views on Ukraine's future military potential and its movement toward NATO standards. Ukraine's expectations from the NATO summit, which is set to take place in Washington, the United States, in July, was another topic of the talks. Bauer arrived in Kiev for his first visit since the start of the full-scale conflict between Russia and Ukraine in February 2022. Earlier in the day, Bauer participated in the 16th annual Kyiv Security Forum, according to local media reports. Wells Fargo & Co. plans to close two more branches in the Charlotte region, according to recent filings with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. More layoffs, branch closings ahead for Wells Fargo, CEO says The branches are located at 704 N. Cannon Blvd. in Kannapolis and 1500 Westinghouse Blvd. in Charlotte. They are both set to close on June 12, a Wells Fargo spokesperson told CBJ. San Francisco-based Wells Fargo has previously said that while branches remain important, customers are increasingly turning to digital banking tools. Read more on CBJs website here. VIDEO: No vocal opposition to Wells Fargo plans for Uptown skyline YAOUNDE, March 21 (Xinhua) -- At least 42 people have been killed after armed clashes between rival communities in eastern Chad, the country's Ministry of Public Security and Immigration said in a statement Thursday. The ministry said one village was torched in the clashes and 175 people have been arrested. It did not say what caused the violence. Local media reported that the clashes occurred Wednesday between the Mouro and Birgut communities in Quaddai Province in eastern Chad. Violence between farmers and nomadic herders is common in eastern Chad, and the situation has worsened in recent years with droughts and population growth. In 2019, then President Idriss Deby Into said such violence had become a "national concern." MAPUTO, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Chabane Assuba, a Mozambican poacher, was sentenced to 30 years in prison Thursday after he was convicted of committing crimes against animals protected by law, Mozambique's national Radio Mozambique reported. Assuba, the defendant, was accused of slaughtering at least 42 lions, 20 elephants and four rhinos, and was found in possession of the pieces of the animals in December 2022 in the city of Maputo, the country's capital, and intended to sell the products to citizens of Asian origin, the report quoted a court verdict of the Maputo City Judicial Court as saying. A search was then carried out at the defendant's residence, where more than 600 kg of products of the banned species were seized, said Judge Evandra Uamusse from the Tenth Criminal Section of the Court, quoted by the report. "They correspond to the pieces of prohibited species found in the defendant's house, including 14 lion skulls, 128 bundles of lion tails, 88 lion claws, 57 kg of lion bones divided into three bags, 55 pieces of ivory tusks, 74 elephant bones, and 24 lion jaws," said Uamusse, when reading the sentence. The panel of judges of the Maputo City Judicial Court also imposed a fine on Assuba for the crimes of money laundering, holding prohibited species, and slaughtering prohibited animals. Enditem. Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (FRV), part of Abdul Latif Jameel Energy, and UK-based Harmony Energy have energized and launched Clay Tye, Europe's joint largest battery energy storage system (BESS), by MWh. The move aligns with their mission to contribute to the decarbonization of the UK energy grid. The Clay Tye site is located in Essex and has a total capacity of 99MW / 198MWh, making it the joint largest project of its kind operational in Europe. Clay Tye has enough power capacity to supply energy to more than 300,000 UK homes for 2 hours at a time. Clay Tye will follow in the footsteps of the successful completion of FRV and Harmony Energy's West-Sussex BESS, Contego, which has a capacity of 34MW / 68MWh, and the FRV and Harmony Energy BESS, Holes Bay, which has a capacity of 7.5MW / 15MWh. The project reflects FRV's long-term plan to develop energy storage projects globally in countries such as the UK, Australia, Mexico, Chile and Spain. Clay Tye uses 52 Tesla Megapack lithium-ion batteries, together with Tesla's Autobidder AI software for energy capacity sharing and efficient project management. The Megapack batteries have a capacity of 198 MWh and are connected to the UK Power Networks distribution network, allowing them to store energy from renewable sources and provide on-peak flexibility to the UK's national grid as part of the continued transition away from fossil fuels. The inauguration of the site was attended by senior figures, including His Royal Highness Prince Khalid Bin Bandar Al Saud, Saudi Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Fady Jameel, Deputy President and Vice Chairman of Abdul Latif Jameel, International; Daniel Sagi-Vela, CEO, FRV; David Menendez, UK Managing Director and BESS CoE, FRV; and Peter Kavanagh, CEO, Harmony Energy. The attendance of these high-profile attendees underlines the sites importance in delivering UK energy security and the energy transition and the role of foreign investments and partnerships in achieving this. Fady Jameel, Deputy President and Vice Chairman of Abdul Latif Jameel, International said: "BESS is a highly relevant and complementary component in Abdul Latif Jameel Energys commitment to drive the transition to sustainable energy. Our goal is to build a legacy in the countries and industries where we establish projects, taking a long-term, responsible approach. With the official inauguration of Clay Tye, we mark another important step forward in supporting the UK with its decarbonization and energy security goals. Felipe Hernandez, Chief Innovation Officer of FRV said: "Clay Tye is an important milestone in our ambition to grow in the UK energy storage market. This BESS reinforces the long-term sustainability of our business model and our market leadership position. In doing so, FRV continues to move forward on the path of future assets in the country that are currently in commercial operation, construction and development." Peter Kavanagh, CEO of Harmony Energy, said: "This is another important milestone in our continued growth, and we are delighted to be working with FRV once again. It is one of the largest projects of its kind in Europe and will contribute to future energy security, make energy bills more affordable, while supporting the decarbonization of the grid". "We are proud to begin the construction of one of the UK's largest battery storage in operation per MWh and contributes to the decarbonization of the UK," said David Menendez Managing Director UK and BESS CoE at FRV. --OGN/TradeArabia News Service TUNIS, March 21 (Xinhua) -- At least 58 illegal migrants have gone missing off the Tunisian coasts in the past 20 days as they sought to traverse the Mediterranean Sea towards Italy, the private radio station Mosaique FM reported on Thursday. "During the same period, the number of illegal immigrants arriving in Italy via the Tunisian coasts reached 447, almost the same number as in February," Mosaique FM quoted Islam Gharbi, member of the non-governmental Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights, as saying. According to Gharbi, 1,285 illegal immigrants were arrested by the Tunisian authorities during this period, the majority of whom were from sub-Saharan African countries. Tunisia is one of the main departure points for migrants seeking irregular entry into Europe. In 2023, some 17,322 illegal migrants arrived at Italian shores via the Tunisian coasts. YORK, Maine The Selectboard will decide whether the former Pizza by Paras building at Short Sands Beach is legally dangerous Monday, authorizing them to tear it down. The boards five members will convene at 10 a.m. inside the York Police Station for a quasi-judicial hearing to determine if the long-closed pizzeria at 16 Railroad Ave. is a danger under state law. Town officials say unpermitted work on the building has impacted the foundation of next-door Johnnys Candy Corner, as well as the public street and sidewalk. The former Pizza by Paras building at 16 Railroad Ave. in York Beach is next to Johnny's Candy Corner. Town officials believe unpermitted work at the closed pizzeria has caused damage to the candy store's foundation. The Paras family has claimed the town has been unfair with permitting. Their stores windows are filled with messaging that alludes to a vendetta by town officials against their family. The family will be welcome to share their side at Mondays hearing. Spiro Paras, son owner Eleni Paras, said his mother is not in the country but in Greece with her ill sister. He said his family has never received any notice of town meetings regarding the building including Mondays dangerousness hearing. (Eleni) Paras is 89 years old and the actions taken against her singly, and alone, might well be interpreted as elder abuse, Spiro Paras said Tuesday. Town Manager Peter Joseph said the Selectboard will need to vote Monday on whether to allow people other than the legal owner Eleni Paras or her attorney to speak. Paras husband Ernest died at 94 in 2021. Selectboard Chair Todd Frederick said Tuesday he hoped that Eleni Paras would appear at the hearing. I hope she shows up, Frederick said. If she doesnt, well have to make a decision as the five of us. Deal reached: Ex-teacher, York High School settle lawsuit over alleged anti-LGBTQ discrimination York Selectboard to decide fate of Pizza by Paras building State law allows localities to take control of properties that are deemed a nuisance or dangerous if the municipal officers, such as the Selectboard, can meet several criteria. The criteria include the building is structurally unsafe, unstable or unsanitary; constitutes a fire hazard; is unsuitable or improper for the use or occupancy to which it is put; constitutes a hazard to health or safety. The board previously conducted the same hearing for a beach cottage that burned at 99 Freeman St. in 2022. The board voted that summer to find the building was a danger after town officials said the caretaker of the cottage was conducting unpermitted work and refused to let town officials onto the property. The town ultimately granted her the permits for work, initially concerned the law prevented anyone but the owner from applying for permits. A stop work notice is taped on the front door of Pizza by Paras at 16 Railroad Ave. in York Beach dated 12-21-23 and remains there Feb. 13, 2024. While demolition is one option if the building is found dangerous, board members will consider a wide range of options necessary to make the building safe. Frederick said that could include anywhere from fencing it off to doing work to secure its stability. "The plate of options available is wide open," Joseph said. "Anything necessary to secure the property or to abate the dangerous condition is on the table." New rules for Airbnb and Vrbo rentals? York short-term rental ordinance on the ballot Battle over Pizza by Paras goes back years The community has watched the town and the Paras family stand-off for 14 years over the structures safety, including a trial in 2019. A judge ordered Pizza by Paras to correct violations, and the town has since motioned to enforce that action in 2020 and 2022. Town officials say recent impacts on neighboring property have given the situation new urgency to address the problem. The Biagioni family, which owns Johnnys Candy Corner next door, has said their foundation is being compromised by work on the property that includes a large hole. The town has disconnected the power to the building and put a stop work order on the structure. Frederick said he is hopeful a resolution to the years-long dispute can come from the quasi-judicial hearing. I certainly hope that the matter resolves at a much more timely fashion than it has over, what is it, 15 years? Frederick said. The courts grind slow. This process can move a little quicker than the courts. Nevada Motel: Landmark York Beach hotel reopens in June This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: York Selectboard to rule on fate of Pizza by Paras building CANBERRA, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Urgent investment is needed to prevent Australia's southern states from facing major gas supply shortages from 2025, the market operator has warned. According to a report published by the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) on Thursday, southern Australia is at risk of gas shortages during extreme winter conditions from 2025 as supply struggles to keep up with rising demand for gas-powered electricity generation. The report warned that without urgent investment in new sources of supply, small seasonal supply gaps may emerge from 2026, becoming annual shortages from 2028. It said that affected states would include Victoria and New South Wales -- home to over half the Australian population -- as well as South Australia, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory. The report identified falling gas supply from offshore fields in the Bass Strait, which separates Tasmania from the Australian mainland, as a major factor in the projected shortage. "Gas production is forecast to fall faster than demand in the south, driven by declining production from Bass Strait, which has historically supplied around two-thirds of southern Australia's gas," AEMO chief executive Daniel Westerman said in a statement. "From 2028, supply gaps will increase in size as Bass Strait production falls significantly." Australia is among the world's largest producers of liquefied natural gas but a majority of that produced in the northern states is exported. In southern Australia, AEMO said gas production will fall from 1,500 petajoules (Pj) in 2022 to 700 Pj by 2028. Westerman said that running gas-powered generators on liquid fuels such as diesel could offer temporary relief during periods of extremely high gas demand. NEW YORK (Reuters) -New York state Attorney General Letitia James this month made an official notification of the civil fraud court award against Donald Trump in suburban Westchester County, where he owns property, according to county clerk records, in what could be a preliminary step toward seizures in the case. The former U.S. president faces a Monday deadline to post a bond covering a $454 million civil judgment against him for overstating his net worth and the value of his real estate properties to dupe investors and lenders, or risk state authorities seizing his assets while he appeals. Westchester, just north of New York City, is home to the Trump Organization's Seven Springs estate, as well as the Trump National Golf Course Westchester. James registered the judgments in Westchester against Trump, the Trump Organization and two of his adult children on March 6, according to county records that reflected the official notification. The registrations do not necessarily mean that seizures of the Westchester properties are imminent. But they are a procedural step that would be necessary should James seek to seize them in the future. Trump's lawyers have previously said in court filings that 30 surety companies that would have guaranteed the bond have turned him down. Bonds are typically backed up with a mix of cash and assets equal to 110% of the total judgment and are returned if the defendant prevails on appeal. Trump has said on social media that he could be forced to sell assets at potentially "fire sale prices" to post bond in the case. He is the Republican candidate challenging Democratic President Joe Biden in the Nov. 5 U.S. election. Trump's lawyers and a spokesperson for James' office did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Before a three-month, non-jury trial in Manhattan, Justice Arthur Engoron found that Trump had engaged in fraud by overvaluing properties including Seven Springs, as well as better-known properties such as his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida and his penthouse apartment in Manhattan's Trump Tower. Engoron found that Trump fraudulently inflated the value of Seven Springs by more than 400% in 2014, when he said in his financial statement it was worth $261 million despite a professional appraisal valuing it at or below $30 million. Trump continues having to balance raising money for both his campaign and his legal expenses - costs that are likely to rise as he faces four upcoming criminal trials. Trump has pleaded not guilty in the criminal cases and has denied wrongdoing in all of the cases. (Reporting by Luc Cohen in New York; Editing by Will Dunham) UPMC Childrens Hospital of Pittsburgh is celebrating its 200th living donor liver transplant. At the end of February, Adleigh, 5, and her family traveled from Alabama so that her mother, Haley, could donate her liver to Adleigh, who had been diagnosed with biliary atresia at 7 weeks old. Haley is a nurse and knew about living-donor liver transplantation, which eliminates the need for patients to be placed on the waiting list and offers the opportunity to transplant earlier and when patients are healthier. The procedure was done on Feb. 21, and Haley and Adleigh are recovering well. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: Deadly Jeannette fire: How you can help surviving mom, 2 kids I wish this was a dream: Grandfather of children killed in Jeannette fire speaks to Channel 11 Local funeral director found guilty of abuse of a corpse VIDEO: Local mom who lost son to gun violence bakes birthday cakes for families of other victims DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts PHNOM PENH, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia has recorded two more cases of mpox, also known as monkeypox, raising the total number of infections in the country to 14 so far, said a Ministry of Health's statement released on Thursday. Both patients have currently been undergoing proper treatment at a hospital. "Since December 2023 to date, a total of 14 people had been tested positive for mpox. All of them are men, aged between 20 and 39 years old," the ministry said, adding that almost all of them lived and worked differently in the capital Phnom Penh. The ministry also renewed its calls for people to be extra vigilant in order to prevent the cluster or large-scale transmission of the mpox. Mark Anthony Andrews appears via Zoom from his Yakima County jail cell during a preliminary appearance hearing in Yakima County Superior Court Tuesday, March 19, 2024. He is charged with assaulting his wife during an incident at his West Valley home. Prosecutors say Donald Trump's hush money trial should start April 15 without further delay New York prosecutors have urged a judge to start Donald Trumps hush money criminal trial April 15, saying defense requests for further delays or dismissal of the case because of a last-minute evidence dump are a red herring. WUHAN, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Deals worth 60.6 billion yuan (about 8.54 billion U.S. dollars) covering 58 projects were signed at the 7th China-France Forum on Urban Sustainable Development held in Wuhan, capital city of central China's Hubei Province, on Wednesday. The forum was hosted to mark the 10th anniversary of China and France's signing the joint agreement to build the Sino-French Wuhan Ecological Demonstration City. The project, covering an area of 39 square kilometers, has integrated Chinese and French ecological urban construction concepts and is rising as a popular spot for residents and companies. The deals signed on Wednesday cover the fields of ecosystem protection, green economy and urban construction, and involve 11 France-invested projects. According to a white paper on the development of the Sino-French Wuhan Ecological Demonstration City published on Wednesday, the Ecological Demonstration City has welcomed more than 3,000 officials, entrepreneurs and researchers from France over the past decade. Meanwhile, nearly 20 exchange tours to France were organized as part of the project. The Sino-French Wuhan Ecological Demonstration City has attracted a total investment of 103.5 billion yuan, and its actual use of foreign capital has reached 1.3 billion U.S. dollars, according to the white paper. This photo taken on March 21, 2024 shows the final data of the presidential election on a screen during a briefing in Moscow, Russia. Russia's incumbent President Vladimir Putin won the presidential election with 87.28 percent of votes, final data from the Russian Central Election Commission (CEC) showed on Thursday. (Xinhua/Cao Yang) MOSCOW, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Russia's incumbent President Vladimir Putin won the presidential election with 87.28 percent of votes, final data from the Russian Central Election Commission (CEC) showed on Thursday. According to CEC Chair Ella Pamfilova, 76,277,708 voters cast their ballots for Putin and the voter turnout finally stood at 77.49 percent. Russian Central Election Commission (CEC) Chair Ella Pamfilova speaks during a briefing on the presidential election in Moscow, Russia, March 21, 2024. Russia's incumbent President Vladimir Putin won the presidential election with 87.28 percent of votes, final data from the Russian CEC showed on Thursday. (Xinhua/Cao Yang) Russian Central Election Commission (CEC) Chair Ella Pamfilova speaks during a briefing on the presidential election in Moscow, Russia, March 21, 2024. Russia's incumbent President Vladimir Putin won the presidential election with 87.28 percent of votes, final data from the Russian CEC showed on Thursday. (Xinhua/Cao Yang) Russian Central Election Commission (CEC) Chair Ella Pamfilova (3rd L) speaks during a briefing on the presidential election in Moscow, Russia, March 21, 2024. Russia's incumbent President Vladimir Putin won the presidential election with 87.28 percent of votes, final data from the Russian CEC showed on Thursday. (Xinhua/Cao Yang) 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. POZA ZILEI: Ce primavara frumoasa! Pana si gunoaiele au inflorit la Barlad! | FOTO GUNOIPutine orase din Romania se pot mandri cu pubele de gunoi asezate pe marginea trotuarelor. Si mai putine se pot mandri cu gunoaiele care atarna gratios pe marginea pubelelor sau stau la soare direct pe trotuar. Nu vorbim [citeste mai departe] BEIJING, March 21 (Xinhua) -- "The only person who knows whether a shoe fits or not is the person wearing it," British economist John Ross has said, deeming people's well-being a significant indicator of a political system's success. Given different histories shaped by internal, external and cultural factors across countries, "there is no single form that applies everywhere ... If the conditions of people are improving, it's a good system. If not, it is a bad system," Ross told Xinhua in an interview on Wednesday during the third International Forum on Democracy: The Shared Human Values in Beijing. In China, the government's people-centered development philosophy looks at "the real life of real human beings" in all its aspects, said Ross, also former director of economic and business policy of London. Ross has been studying China's health care for years and noticed that the number of doctors and nurses has more than doubled since 2000. "This is showing the real good improvement which is taking place in the conditions of the people," he said. In Ross's opinion, the best single indicator of human well-being is average life expectancy. Improving it requires economic growth and social policies that benefit people in fields like health care, education and environmental protection. While China promotes people-centered development, he said, the Western political model considers "a tiny and little aspect of human reality," such as whether people can use Facebook. What is "the most important question"? Ross asked. "Can you use Facebook, or do you have enough food tomorrow?" For about one billion people in the world, the biggest problem is "we won't have enough food tomorrow," Ross said. The neglect of livelihoods is related to the current electoral system in Western countries, which is mired in money politics. "Elections are bought. People who have money can control the system. So, naturally, the system runs in the interests of the people who have money, which is a small group of the population," said Ross, describing money's role in the U.S. political system as "grotesque." Ross also found prevalent cynicism among voters in Western countries, as most of what candidates promise is not realized after they are elected. "It's normal that they say one thing in the election and do something completely different later, and nobody pays any responsibility to this." By contrast, in the Chinese political system, results are carried out, said Ross. "So, in the Chinese system, you're responsible, you put it forward, and we will see if you do it all." Despite their deteriorating systems, Western countries, especially the United States, still impose their values on others. "Everywhere they've applied this system, it led to chaos," said Ross, noting that U.S. attempts to transplant so-called democracy in Iraq and Libya have caused hundreds of thousands of deaths and a destabilized Middle East. "You cannot impose a system from the outside for a very good reason, because the main factor in any country is always domestic," he added. The economist said the attempt to impose one system is a disaster. If everybody in the room wore the same shoe size, "it would be terrible," he added. "Some people would (have) huge shoes, while for some people, their feet would be all crushed up." Mai pleaca cateva fete? Rezultatele din sezonul actual, unele care nu multumesc nici suporterii, nici conducerea clubului, par sa fi produs deja mici cutremure la nivelul lotului. Au fost confirmate mutari serioase de trupe, toate efectuate sub expertiza viitorului tehnician Pablo Morel. Gloria a punctat, deja, de opt ori pe piata transferurilor, insa si plecarile vor fi [citeste mai departe] Singaporean company Dyson, a leader in the production of household appliances, is planning an investment in Hungary, Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Peter Szijjarto announced yesterday after a visit to the city. We had a particularly successful discussion about this today, and within a few weeks we will be able to report the details of this investment, he announced. Szijjarto said that many countries are competing for the investments by the company, a producer of the most innovative household electronic devices, headphones, vacuum cleaners, hairdryers and other devices, but Hungary emerged victorious. ******************************************************************************************** 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! Budapest Mayor Gergely Karacsony announced the establishment of a city agency to match renters with home owners at a press conference. Karacsony said the city was working to exploit hidden reserves, adding that Budapest had a lot of vacant, unrented units, creating waste and shortage on the housing market at the same time. The mayor also said it was very important to increase the ratio of municipally owned rental units in the city. The new Metropolitan Home Agency will ensure that rent and utilities bills are paid, taking on practically all of the risk related to renting out flats in the city, said Vera Kovacs, the agencys head. Owners of flats between 20sqm and 100sqm, in good condition, are being invited to join the scheme. Soon, owners of flats in need of repair or renovation will also be allowed to register for the programme. ******************************************************************************************** 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! YORK The City of York will receive $1.5 million in federal funding to conduct a study of its wastewater needs. The U.S. Senate passed a funding package on March 8 that included funding specifically for the city of Yorks future wastewater needs, according to a press release from City Administrator Sue Crawford. Crawford said the City of York applied for the funding through the office of U.S. Senator Deb Fischer of Nebraska. Sen. Fischers office allows cities to propose appropriation committee priorities. Senator Fischer said in the press release, The investments we make today will ensure that Nebraska is well positioned to seize the opportunities ahead. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I will continue to push for the critical, high-impact investments that will support families and business across our state. The citys current wastewater plant began operations in 2018. The plant functions well and can withstand residential and commercial growth, Public Works Director James Paul said. However, some businesses looking to move to York would require a significant amount of Yorks wastewater capacity, said York County Development Corporation Director Lisa Hurley. Without analyzing potential solutions, we cannot look at these potential projects, Hurley said. Mayor Barry Redfern said, We are pleased that Senator Fischer championed our request to study what it would take to build capacity for heavier industrial loads. This is a good time to consider improving the wastewater treatment plant, Crawford said, because it is relatively new, which means that improvements to meet higher levels of demand could be done more efficiently in York than in cities with older plants. COLUMBUS While most people rarely think twice about the bacon sizzling in a frying pan on the stovetop as breakfast is being made, there are others in the Columbus area deciding whether to pay rent or buy medication instead of eating breakfast, or any meal that day. But, thanks to a partnership between Tyson Foods and a local nonprofit, those concerns are alleviated. Simon House, a Columbus-based thrift store and food pantry, installed a walk-in freezer, with a capacity to store a truckload of frozen meat. The first such freezer in rural America Tyson has sponsored larger units in metropolitan areas such as Chicago, Minneapolis and around California thousands of people can enjoy protein as part of their meals, said Lucy Lutjelusche, Simon House store manager/director. The center assists food pantries within a 100-mile radius, including cities such as Omaha, Lincoln, Grand Island and Norfolk. Simon House works with organizations such as Omaha-based Food Bank for the Heartland in offering aid, she said. Lutjelusche sees the need for food assistance every day. Hy-Vee will call us to come and get bread, she said. We have quite a bit of people waiting at the door when we open, because they know on that day were getting bread. Its sad to say that when they come in and get that bread, they know they have something to eat that day. That means a lot to me. Seeing the semi-trailer from United Transport pull up on Feb. 2 with about 32,000 pounds of frozen meat from Tysons Olathe, Kansas, distribution center, Lutjelusche saw a yearslong dream fulfilled. The 500-square-foot outdoor freezer came after a visit to the Madison Tyson plant by Columbus Mayor Jim Bulkly. Learning about a grant program to provide communities with a freezer and a commitment of a truckload of protein on a regular basis, the mayor quickly thought of Simon House. The grant application was delayed for about two years because of the COVID pandemic, but, once the path was cleared, the nonprofit was able to apply for a $110,000 grant. Unfortunately, the freezers cost had increased to $190,000, Lutjelusche said. We sent a letter to the community and residents responded, she said. We also spoke to area churches, and then churches in Schuyler and as far away as David City learned about it, and helped raise money. Within a few months, about $100,000 had been donated for the project, she said. We come from such an amazing community, Lutjelusche said. They just blew it out of the water. This is huge for our community to have, and so, were very blessed. With its installation delayed by supply issues, the freezer was installed in November 2023. All that was needed was the protein shipment. The afternoon of Jan. 31, the phone rang in Lutjelusches office. It was a representative from Tyson Foods. Pallets of frozen meat were available for Simon House, but Lutjelusche had to get a truck to Olathe that Friday. She went to work, calling local trucking companies to see if anyone had a refrigerator trailer available to transport the food. United Transport in Rogers had a trailer available. While it was an answer to a prayer for Lutjelusche, for Dean Krupka, it was just another day in the office. Responding to the request, Uniteds vice president picked up the phone and made one call. He asked a dispatcher if the company could send a truck and trailer to Olathe. Done. We are primarily a refrigerated carrier, Krupka said. We have 130 trucks, so at any time we have 350 to 400 trailers scattered all over. Were down in Kansas City multiple times a day with a trailer. While the companys route is predominantly to Texas, United Transport drivers travel the 48 contiguous states, Krupka said. If the need arises to help Simon House again, United Transport will likely participate. Surprised that a semi-trailer full of food fits snugly in the freezer, which is 20-feet long and 25-feet wide, Lutjelusche said Simon House decided to have its first mobile food drive of the year that weekend. On Feb. 3, hundreds of cars formed a line about a mile long to receive food. Thousands of people benefited from free boxes of canned goods and fruits and vegetables, as well as bags of perishables such as noodles and beans. Added to the haul was bags of frozen protein maple-glazed bacon, chicken quarters, chicken breast, hamburger and pork gifted to Simon House by Tyson, Iowa Beef Packing and other outlets. Some of the 130 volunteers and 12 staff members helped with traffic control and delivering food to vehicles. With a 9% poverty rate in Columbus, the need for food assistance is strong, Lutjelusche said. Families need help, as well as senior citizens on fixed income. Hy-Vee, Super Saver and Walmart donate food items, including canned food, noodles, cereal and beans. Local churches and charities, as well as residents, offer financial donations. With four mobile food drives planned in 2024, in addition to people visiting Simon Houses food pantry, Lutjelusche said she sees the freezer as an additional tool in fighting hunger in the area. Lutjelusche said she was happy that Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen, a Columbus-area resident, reversed his initial decision, eventually accepting a federal offer of $18 million to help provide food assistance for children during summer months. While mobile food pantries are helpful, homebound people face new challenges, partly due to lingering effects of COVID, she said. Prior to the pandemic, volunteers several of them retirees who volunteered their time would deliver food to peoples homes. We have been able to get food to those who are homebound, she said. (Columbus) Area Transit does an amazing job. One way or another, we will get food to the homebound. In addition to providing food assistance, the 32-year-old Simon House helps people with utility payments, rent assistance, gasoline vouchers, physician visits and prescriptions. We can help people in ways other organizations cant because we dont have the red tape they do, she said. In the end, everything Simon House does is focused on the welfare of people. No one, in my opinion, should go to bed hungry, Lutjelusche said. In a startling revelation, a significant security breach has been uncovered in Lutyens' Delhi, raising concerns about the safety protocols in one of India's most secure zones. The breach involves the presence of two SUVs bearing the exact same registration number, prompting swift action from the Delhi Police, who have registered a case in response to this alarming discovery. Discovery of the Breach The breach came to light on March 18, when VIP security personnel patrolling the Tughlaq Road area noticed two SUVs with identical registration numbers parked within Lutyens' Delhi. This immediate red flag led to the alerting of the Delhi Police, who swiftly launched an investigation into the matter. Legal Response In response to this breach, the Delhi Police has registered a First Information Report (FIR) under sections 482 and 471 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Section 482 pertains to the misuse of property marks, carrying potential penalties of imprisonment of up to one year, a financial fine, or both. Section 471 of the IPC deals with offenses related to forged documents. The investigation revealed that the owner of one of the SUVs resides in Faridabad. Interestingly, the license plate in question is authentic and registered legitimately for one of the vehicles. However, the same number plate was found installed on both SUVs, raising serious questions about the authenticity and legality of one of the vehicles. The discovery of two vehicles with identical registration numbers in a highly secure area like Lutyens' Delhi has raised significant concerns about the effectiveness of security measures and the potential loopholes in the vehicle registration system. Such breaches not only pose a threat to the security infrastructure but also highlight the need for stringent monitoring and verification processes. Movie: Ae Watan Mere Watan Cast: Sara Ali Khan, Emraan Hashmi, Sparsh Shrivastav, Anand Tiwari Director: Kannan Iyer Producer: Karan Johar Watch: Amazon Prime Video Rating: 2/5 Stars Movie Review: Ae Watan, Mere Watan could have done well with fine-tuning. In 1942, as Mahatma Gandhi proclaimed his do or die dictum, the resistance against the British Raj reached its momentum. We meet the young Usha Mehta( Sara Ali Khan) the daughter of a barrister Sachin Khedekar. He encourages his daughter to spread her wings and brings her a radio that connects her to the rest of the world. Little does he realise, he has fuelled her curiosity, and given her the tool for rebellion. Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi, and Congress ideology young Usha too, along with her friends does her bit to free her country from its colonial shackles. The leaders of the Quit India Movement are in jail. Her pro-British judge father laments, that only the Raj can discipline India, Usha is a rebel with a cause. Even though her father asks her to choose between him and her mission, she is clear, her heart beats for her country. Along with her close friends and fellow young patriots, Kaushik (Abhay Verma) and Fahad (Sparsh Srivastav), Usha hits upon using the radio as an instrument of rebellion and launches a radio station as her form of rebellion. They get the backing of Congress leader Ram Manohar Lohia (Emraan Hashmi), who has managed to evade arrest. Kannan Iyers Ae Watan, Mere Watan plays homage to Usha Mehta, the founder of the Congress Radio. Usha Mehta, a Gandhian was one of the many unsung yet feisty women who led the struggle for independence from the front. Its sepia-tinted frame evokes nostalgia for the ardour and passion of the youth, where men and women marched along in the fight for independence, but it falls short in its documentation on many aspects. It is slow and falls into the familiar we have seen it before terrain in its storytelling. Despite its rich source material and the premise of a young girl who finds expression and stays true to her conviction, the film lags in its execution. The aspect of using the radio as a form of rebellion could have been cleverly told, but the writing and treatment lose steam, and the dialogues are typical and banal. Sara Ali Khan has had two back-to-back releases. From playing the girl around town in Murder Mubarak, the actor does her best to bring forth the fearlessness and spitfire personality of Usha in Ae Watan, Mere Watan. However, her character along with that of Emraan Hashmis Ram Manohar Lohia, and many others fails to make a lasting impression. Ae Watan, Mere Watan tries too hard and becomes a long monotonous lesson and could have done with some fine-tuning, and does little to bring forth the high frequency of this chapter in history. New Delhi: Shoojit Sircar who has completed more than 20 years in the Indian film industry, is one of the most celebrated storytellers and filmmakers of today's time. Known for his unique storytelling to present ordinary stories through extraordinary narratives with a beautiful message in them, he has given some of the brilliant films like 'Piku', 'Vicky Donor, 'October', 'Madras Cafe', and 'Sardar Udham. He is not only a critically acclaimed director but his films have always been a commercial success as well. Shoojits last film Sardar Udham won 5 national film awards in 2023. After this, Shoojit Sircars next exciting project will release in theatres in 2024. His maiden production house, 'Rising Sun Films', shared the glimpse of his next on their social media. Sharing the video, the production house wrote, "Shoojit Sircars next is a heartwarming tale about celebration of life in its everyday ordinary chaos! It is an emotional journey with an entertaining narrative about a father and daughter who rekindle their precious bond while they navigate through lifes challenges. Shoojits films have always carried a legacy that is a cherished collection of moments that remind us to laugh, cry, fall in love and express all thats within. His next compels us to discover the true value of lifes fleeting moments, learning to cherish each one. Coming to cinemas near you. Stay tuned!" Just like the excellent casting in his previous films, Shoojit Sircar's next has Abhishek Bachchan in the lead role. While the film will have its grand theatrical release in 2024, further details regarding the film will be revealed in due time. It is exciting to have Shoojit Sircar's style of storytelling unfold in cinemas this year. A visitor takes photos of an item on display during the 2024 Game Developers Conference in San Francisco, California, the United States, March 20, 2024. The conference runs from March 18 till March 22. (Photo by Andrea Chen/Xinhua) An exhibitor demonstrates with a motion capture device during the 2024 Game Developers Conference in San Francisco, California, the United States, March 20, 2024. The conference runs from March 18 till March 22. (Photo by Andrea Chen/Xinhua) Visitors attend the 2024 Game Developers Conference in San Francisco, California, the United States, March 20, 2024. The conference runs from March 18 till March 22. (Photo by Andrea Chen/Xinhua) On March 10, 2024, there was a New Moon in Pisces and this astrological phenomenon will continue to have a lasting impact on the 12 zodiac signs for days to come, astrologers share. Also, with the progress of the astrological new year from March 19, people all are worried about how these celestial events are going to impact their lives. To offer light on the same, Pandit Jagannath Guruji highlights how the energy from such celestial events is going to influence your life. Read on. Aries (March 21 - April 19) The New Moon in Pisces allows the Aries native to explore their in-depth emotional side during this phase. It is believed that the energy present due to it shall be pretty helpful in organizing yourself to the best, feeling much better than ever before. Also, you can prefer emphasizing to meet new people as well during this time. Taurus (April 20 - May 20) The influence of the New Moon is Pisces for Taurus natives is that they will find themselves getting more relaxed, calm, and composed. The overhype nature might be seen diminishing, allowing them to enjoy life in a free manner. However, minor health issues can cause some trouble meanwhile. Gemini (May 21 - June 20) For those Geminis who want to work on their intuition, now is the right time. The energy because of the New Moon in Pisces will allow you to gain confidence and focus which can be utilised here. Also, you will feel like you are on top of the world, but dont get over-excited as doing so might backfire for you. Rather, consider taking things slowly ahead. Cancer (June 21 - July 22) Cancerians will find their emotional tendency getting heightened during this phase. As a result, you might get easily attached to people and simultaneously, you may easily get hurt by them as well. Though being sensitive is a good thing, you need to be cautious while meeting people. Leo (July 23 - August 22) Leos creativity skills might be shining again, thanks to the New Moon in Pisces. Get up back on your legs and transform your surroundings with the help of the creative artist who is trying to rise from within. It is the perfect time if you want to bring some changes at home or office. So, without any delay, hop on to the task and see the magic happening. Virgo (August 23 - September 22) Virgo natives will find things back again in their control and the New Moon in Pisces could be a major reason behind it. Since you are feeling great once again, do not let this energy go wasted. Utilize it to improve conditions at home and office along with giving time to yourself, bettering your overall well-being. Libra (September 23 - October 22) Librans will find this phase quite fruitful for their relationship. Be it married, engaged, or dating couples, you will find stars sparkling in your bonding, giving you sheer pleasure from within. Even single people are believed to meet someone with whom they want to establish a healthy love relationship. Scorpio (October 23 - November 21) The energy present around you due to the New Moon in Pisces can impact your subconscious desires, both positively and negatively. Thus, you are advised to keep your mind calm for a few days. Also, do not make hasty decisions as things might get complex for you. Health-wise, things will remain average for you and your family. Sagittarius (November 22 - December 21) Sagittarius folks may find this time not that great in terms of inner peace and attaining spirituality. Your mind may remain confused, probably thinking about numerous things at a time. Try to give yourself a break from your hectic routine and simply relax to get the real you back in form. Capricorn (December 22 - January 19) Some ups and downs could be recorded on the personal and professional fronts. However, do not panic and stress as things will eventually get better. Have patience and act according to the situation. Business owners will be able to achieve their realistic goals, generating good profits. Aquarius (January 20 - February 18) Aquarians social circle might see a sudden boom, making them feel like a star around people. You may feel like you are on top of the world again, but do not get excessively joyous as people might end up taking undue advantage of you. Try to bond with those who seem to be evoking positive vibes. Pisces (February 19 - March 20) Those Pisces natives who are planning to start fresh on the entrepreneurial journey could use this energy by amalgamating it with your planning and strategy. Remember, teamwork is going to play a crucial role during this period. With days passing by, you will see your creative side booming, allowing you to make some ground-breaking decisions. The Enforcement Directorate arrested Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tonight after three hours of questioning in the alleged money laundering case related to Delhi excise policy case. However, the Aam Aadmi Party leaders said that Kejriwal won't resign as the CM of Delhi and will continue to operate even from the Tihar prison. Talking to media, AAP leader and Delhi Minister Atishi said, "Arvind Kejriwal is and will remain the Chief Minister of Delhi." She said that the AAP has made it clear from the start that Kejriwal will remain their CM even if arrested by the ED. Arvind Kejriwal is the first sitting Chief Minister in India to be arrested. According to reports, Kejriwal continuing as Delhi CM will lead to constitutional crisis. Previously, whenever a Chief Minister was arrested, he handed over the responsibility to some other leaders. While Lalu Prasad Yadav had made his wife Rabri Devi the CM of Bihar when he was jailed, Hemant Soren resigned as the CM of Jharkhand before getting arrested formally and appointed Champai Soren as the CM. According to a report by the NDTV, the Union Home Ministry is currently assessing the consequences of Kejriwal's decision not to resign as Delhi CM. According to the report, the Center might need to suspend or dismiss him, considering his status as a public servant. This mirrors the typical protocol for government officials who face arrest; they are promptly suspended from their duties. Arvind Kejriwal was taken to the ED headquarters around 11 pm and he will be produced before the PMLA court around 11 am tomorrow. The ED arrested the AAP leader after over two hours of questioning. It's also likely that the ED may go for cross-examination of Kejriwal and BRS leader K Kavitha who was also arrested by the central agency a few days ago in the same case. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in the alleged Delhi liquor policy scam. According to Zee News TV, the ED will produce Kejriwal before a PMLA court tomorrow. He was taken to the ED Headquarters in Delhi around 11pm after the arrest that took place 9.15 pm. Earlier this evening, a team from the Enforcement Directorate visited the residence of the Delhi Chief Minister for questioning in connection with the alleged money laundering case related to the Delhi Excise policy scam. Senior Delhi Police officials including ACP rank officers and DCP North Manoj Meena were present at the CM's residence when the raid was going on. The security around the Delhi CM's residence was increased before the arrest, paramilitary personnel were deployed and section 144 was imposed in the area to prevent the gathering of AAP workers. Several AAP workers including Delhi Ministers reached the Delhi CM's residence after the ED raid news and sloganeered against the BJP while supporting Kejriwal. Since the Section 144 was in force, the security forces detained several AAP workers. Earlier when the ED raid was underway, senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi said that Arvind Kejriwal won't seek urgent hearing on plea for protection in the Supreme Court. However, soon after the ED arrested Kejriwal, AAP leader and Delhi Minister Aitishi said that the party moved the Supreme Court for quashing the arrest of Delhi CM by the ED. "We have asked for an urgent hearing by the Supreme Court tonight itself," said Atishi. She further said that Kejriwal won't resign from the post and will continue to work from behind the bars. However, the SC refused to hear the matter tonight. Thus, CM Kejriwal will be spending his night in the ED office. ED Raid At Delhi CM: Watch Live Coverage Here The raid began at around 7 pm and around 8pm, additional team of some ED officials and paramilitary forces reached Delhi CM Kejriwal's residence. According to Zee News TV, around 12 ED officials were present inside Delhi CM's residence for searches and questioning. While Arvind Kejriwal's personal phone was not reachable, all landline connections at his residence were also terminated temporarily. Opposition leaders including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav slammed the BJP government saying that the Centre is trying to destroy the democracy in India. Also Read: Priyanka Gandhi Backs Arvind Kejriwal After ED Action The ED's action came after the Delhi High Court today denied interim relief to the Delhi CM in the ED summons case related to the liquor policy. The ED team has reached CM's residence with a search warrant. Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj, who reached Kejriwal's residence shortly after the ED raid commenced, said that he was not allowed to go inside. AAP minister Atishi accused the ED of ignoring the HC order and questioned the central probe agency's rush to arrest Kejriwal. It may be noted that the Delhi CM has moved to the High Court against the ED summons seeking a direction to the central probe agency to not take any coercive action against him. However, while the Delhi HC refused to provide any interim relief to Kejriwal, it also asked the ED to submit its reply in the case by April 22. However, Delhi CM's legal team also moved to the Supreme Court and filed a petition challenging the High Court's order denying interim relief to him in the Excise policy case summons issued by the ED. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also reacted to the ED raid. "BJP's political team (ED) cannot arrest Kejriwal's thinking...because only AAP can stop BJP. Ideology/thinking can never be suppressed," said Mann. Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal alleged political conspiracy. "All efforts are underway to arrest the Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal who is providing world class education-health-electricity-water facilities in Delhi. Arresting him just before the elections in a case that has been going on for 2 years shows political conspiracy. The whole of Delhi and the whole country is with Kejriwal," said Maliwal. NEW DELHI: The Prime Minister of India holds a pivotal position in the country's political landscape. As the head of government, the Prime Minister wields significant authority and is responsible for leading the nation's executive branch. Over the years, India has seen several Prime Ministers, each leaving their mark on the nation's history and politics. Gulzarilal Nanda: India's First Interim PM Among the list of Prime Ministers, Gulzarilal Nanda stands out for his remarkably short tenure. Serving as the interim Prime Minister of India for two brief periods, Nanda's leadership spanned only 13 days each time. His interim roles came in the wake of the deaths of two prominent leaders, Jawaharlal Nehru in 1964 and Lal Bahadur Shastri in 1966. A Congress Veteran And Freedom Fighter Gulzarilal Nanda's legacy extends beyond his brief stints as Prime Minister. A seasoned politician and a dedicated freedom fighter, Nanda's contributions to Indian politics are noteworthy. Despite his affiliation with the Indian National Congress, Nanda displayed a principled stance, even resigning from the party over ideological differences, notably during the Emergency period. Champion Of Labour Rights And Socialist Ideals Nanda's early involvement in the freedom movement under Mahatma Gandhi's leadership shaped his political ideologies. His advocacy for labour rights, evidenced by his role in establishing the Majdoor Mahajan Sangh, underscored his commitment to socialist principles. Moreover, his participation in international conferences further reinforced his dedication to implementing socialist policies in India. Anti-Corruption Crusader Assuming office during tumultuous times, Nanda faced significant challenges, including food crises and political volatility. Despite encouragement to retain the Prime Ministership after Lal Bahadur Shastri's demise, Nanda's reluctance stemmed from his principled stand against power politics. His short tenures limited his ability to enact lasting changes, yet he remained vocal against corruption, exemplifying his rigid adherence to principles. Legacy And Controversies Gulzarilal Nanda's principled persona earned him respect but also invited controversy. His anti-corruption stance and unwavering socialist beliefs clashed with prevailing political dynamics, leading to his replacement by the Congress party. Despite his contributions, Nanda's uncompromising stance and perceived impracticality contributed to his eventual downfall as a political leader. Gulzarilal Nanda's legacy is one of principled leadership and unwavering commitment to socialist ideals. Despite his brief tenure as Prime Minister, Nanda's contributions to Indian politics, particularly in championing labour rights and combating corruption, stand as a testament to his integrity and dedication to public service. New Delhi: In a strong retaliation to Rahul Gandhi, on Wednesday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated that Rahul Gandhi should clarify the source of the Rs 1,600 crore he referred to as 'hafta vasooli'. In response to Rahul Gandhi, who had referred to the bonds as 'hafta vasooli', "Gandhi also received Rs 1,600 crore. He should clarify where he got that 'hafta vasooli' from. We assert that it's a transparent donation, but if he labels it as vasooli, he should provide details," Shah said in a video posted on his X account. Assuring one and all, Amit Shah sternly said, "I assure you, once the details are out, the INDIA alliance will find it hard to face the public." "Electoral bonds were introduced to end the domination of black money in Indian politics, they were brought to eradicate black money... Now the scheme has been scrapped and I fear the return of black money," Shah said. He further stated that there should be reforms regarding the electoral bonds, rather than scrapping it. "I believe that rather than scrapping it, there should be reforms, but it does not hold any significance, as the apex court has given itsverdict and I respect that," he added. "But my personal opinion is that bonds had almost ended black money in politics. This is why the entire INDIA bloc, led by Rahul Gandhi, was against the bonds and they wanted the old system of cut money to rule over politics once again," the senior BJP leader stated. Electoral Bond Scheme The Electoral Bond Scheme served as a means for political parties in India to receive funds while keeping the donor's identity undisclosed. However, the Supreme Court, in a February ruling, invalidated the Central Government's Electoral Bond Scheme and instructed the State Bank of India to halt the issuance of Electoral Bonds promptly. Adhering to the Supreme Court's directive, the Election Commission of India (ECI) recently published data regarding electoral bonds on its official website. This information, provided by the State Bank of India (SBI), encompasses specifics concerning these electoral bonds. NEW DELHI: With the festival of colours, Holi, just around the corner, it's crucial for revelers to exercise caution when indulging in public festivities involving water or colour-filled balloons. This warning comes as a reminder that any unintended harm caused to individuals or property could result in serious legal repercussions, including the filing of FIRs by the police, potentially leading to legal entanglements and hefty penalties. Delhi Police To Lookout For Offenders Authorities have directed all police stations to keep a close watch on individuals engaging in such activities during the Holi celebrations. Additionally, sensitive areas are being monitored closely, especially considering the ongoing election season. Local intelligence suggests that disturbances in sensitive areas due to such activities could escalate, prompting the police to issue advisories to exercise vigilance. Media reports suggest that the police may issue notifications within a couple of days regarding this matter. Legal Action Under Section 188 According to media reports, individuals found violating the rules issued by the police may face legal action under Section 188 of the IPC. This section pertains to disobedience to government orders and carries penalties of up to six months imprisonment or a fine of one thousand rupees for endangering public health, safety, or security. Potential Action Against Offenders' Families Furthermore, children and adolescents often engage in pre-Holi revelry by throwing water or coloured balloons at passersby, sometimes causing inconvenience or harm. In such cases, the families of these individuals could also face police action. Moreover, police forces have been deployed in various areas, including girls' hostels and college campuses, to prevent incidents of teasing and other offences. The police are prepared to take strict measures against those disrupting public peace or engaging in forced colour application. As the festival approaches, it's essential for everyone to celebrate responsibly and respect others' boundaries to ensure a safe and enjoyable Holi for all. New Delhi: In a recent development, China on Thursday expressed its strong disapproval of the United States recognition of Arunachal Pradesh as a part of Indian territory. The Chinese government has stated that the US has no role in the border dispute between India and China. The US has been accused by China of exploiting disputes between other countries for its own geopolitical gains. This reaction from China was prompted by comments made by Vedant Patel, the Principal Deputy Spokesperson for the US State Department, who stated that the US recognizes Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territory. Patel further added that the US is strongly against any unilateral attempts to assert territorial claims through military or civilian incursions across the Line of Actual Control. In response to these comments, Lin Jian, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, expressed Chinas strong disapproval. Lin Jian also emphasized that the boundary between China and India has not been fully demarcated and that Zangnan (the official Chinese name for Arunachal Pradesh) has always been a part of Chinas territory. He further stated that the border issue between China and India is a bilateral matter and the US has no involvement in it. The US officials comments came shortly after the Chinese military reiterated its claim over Arunachal Pradesh following a visit to the state by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang of the Chinese Defence Ministry stated that the southern part of Xizang (the Chinese name for Tibet) is an inherent part of Chinas territory and that Beijing firmly opposes the so-called Arunachal Pradesh illegally established by India. China, which refers to Arunachal Pradesh as South Tibet, routinely protests against visits by Indian leaders to the state in order to assert its claims. Despite Chinas objections, India has consistently rejected Chinas territorial claims over Arunachal Pradesh, asserting that the state is an integral part of India. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs recently reiterated that Arunachal Pradesh has always been and will continue to be an integral and inalienable part of India. New Delhi: On Wednesday, the Indian army, along with the police, reported the apprehension of an individual in the Khurhama area of North Kashmir's Kupwara district. The army stated that acting on precise intelligence information, a coordinated operation was conducted today by the Indian army and Jammu and Kashmir police in Khurhama. This operation led to the arrest of one suspect, who was found in possession of four hand grenades and additional ammunition. In a post on X Chinar Corps, the Indian Army said, "Based on specific intelligence inputs, a joint search operation was launched by #IndianArmy & @JmuKmrPolice at Khurhama, Kupwara, today. One suspected individual has been apprehended. "Four hand grenades and other war-like stores were also recovered," the tweet added. Further interrogation is being done by the Jammu and Kashmir police. With a few weeks remaining in the general elections, Congress has geared up the talks with its INDIA allies to finalise the seat-sharing deal. The Congress' Central Election Committee held a meeting on Wednesday and finalised 12 candidates in Maharashtra for the upcoming Lok Sabha Polls. Maharashtra unit party President Nana Patole said that candidates have been finalised for 12 seats and the party will hold a meeting with Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar today to finalize the remaining seats. Speaking to ANI Nana Patole said, "We have discussed at least 18-19 seats of Maharashtra, we have finalized at least 12 seats and tomorrow morning we have a meeting with Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray. Final discussions will be held and all seats will be announced by tomorrow or the day after tomorrow...'' The meeting of the CEC was attended by former Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Congress general secretary K C Venugopal and other panel members. Rahul Gandhi, who is also a member of the panel, was not present during the meeting. On the announcement of the Maharashtra candidates list for Lok Sabha elections, party leader Ramesh Chennithala said, "We are going to announce some seats and later we will announce other seats also. Maha Vikas Aghadi is intact and we are all going together..." The panel headed by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has been deliberating on the candidates' list for Maharashtra, Gujarat and Rajasthan. On announcing candidates for Lok Sabha elections, Congress MP KC Venugopal said, "Anytime it can be expected." The Congress has so far announced 82 candidates in two lists for the seven-phase Lok Sabha polls beginning on April 19. Amid the swiftly changing allegiances among political leaders in Maharashtra, Bajrang Sonawane, previously aligned with Ajit Pawar's faction within the NCP, made a significant move by joining Sharad Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). The event took place in Pune, with Sharad Pawar and State President Jayant Patil present. Sonawane, hailing from Beed district, Maharashtra, was regarded as a staunch supporter of Ajit Pawar and Dhananjay Munde following the split in the NCP last year. Notably, he accompanied Ajit Pawar when the latter joined the Eknath Shinde-led Grand Alliance government while serving as the NCP president for Beed district. In the past, Sonawane contested against Pritam Munde in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections for the Beed seat, putting up a formidable challenge. During the Pune event at the NCP SP headquarters, Sonawane expressed his decision to join Sharad Pawar's camp without harbouring any expectations. He stated his readiness to undertake any responsibility entrusted to him by Pawar. Sonawane pledged his full support to the NCP's candidate from Beed, highlighting his enduring loyalty to the party. He emphasized that his decision to switch sides was influenced by the sentiments of numerous party workers who felt discontented elsewhere. Addressing the gathering, Sharad Pawar acknowledged Sonawane's return and his past electoral performance. Pawar indicated that the party's senior leadership would deliberate on fielding Sonawane in the upcoming elections. He thanked the party workers for their support and assured them that a decision regarding the Beed constituency candidate would be made after careful consideration by senior leaders. Pawar emphasized the importance of not hastily making political decisions based solely on localized issues and stressed the need for thoughtful deliberation before finalizing candidate selections. (With agency inputs) New Delhi: In a bizarre turn of events, over 50 people were injured when a colony of bees attacked a cremation procession in Mohanlalganj, on the outskirts of Lucknow. The buzz-worthy tale ended up having the mourners nursing for themselves in a local health center. Straight out of a slapstick movie, mourners had no option to flee leaving poor corpse behind. Molhe, aged 80, passed away after a prolonged battle with illness. But as fate would have it, the cremation procession passes under a fig tree housing a surprise bee condo. Somehow, chaos ensues, and over 50 mourners end up nursing their bee stings at the local health center. Thereafter, the villagers evict the bees with a flaming haystack. Later in the evening, Molhe gets a well-deserved funeral, if not peaceful. In 2019, at least 60 students and few guardians were injured on Saturday when a swarm of bees attacked them at a park in Khowai in western Tripura. The injured students and a few parents have been admitted to government hospitals for treatment. "Around 60 students led by few of their parents assembled at the park for a picnic. Around the same time a bird hit a bee hive nearby after which a swarm of bees attacked the gathering," a teacher of the Srikrishna Patsala told the media. Three people lost their lives, and twelve others sustained injuries in a tragic suicide bombing in Kandahar, Afghanistan, on March 21st, as reported by the news agency AFP. The attack occurred outside the New Kabul Bank branch in central Kandahar City around 8:00 am local time. The victims, primarily civilians, were waiting to collect their salaries when the explosion took place. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack. However, Taliban officials have acknowledged multiple explosions since the beginning of Ramadan on March 11th. Kandahar, where the bombing occurred, holds significance as the residence of Afghanistan's Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada and has been a stronghold for the Taliban movement. Inamullah Samangani, the director of information and culture of Kandahar province, provided initial details of the incident to AFP, stating, "A suicide attack occurred in which three compatriots were killed and 12 others were wounded." The area outside the bank was cordoned off by Taliban authorities following the blast, restricting access to journalists. Emergency responders swiftly attended to the scene, transporting the injured to nearby hospitals. Contrary to rumors circulating on social media, Samangani reassured the public that there was no urgent need for blood donations, as the wounded individuals sustained superficial injuries and were in stable condition. Since the Taliban's takeover in August 2021, incidents of bomb blasts and suicide attacks in Afghanistan have significantly decreased. However, the threat from various armed groups, including the regional chapter of the Islamic State group, persists. In a separate incident, a roadside bomb targeted security forces in Pakistan's northwestern area of Dera Ismail Khan, resulting in the deaths of two soldiers and injuring fifteen others, according to media reports. The region, a former stronghold of the Pakistani Taliban in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, borders Afghanistan. The Pakistani Taliban, also known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), is suspected to be behind the attack, given their history of targeting security forces. The group has grown more active following the Afghan Taliban's rise to power in 2021. Recently, Pakistan launched operations against TTP hideouts in Afghanistan, drawing criticism from Kabul. Cross-Border Escalation: Pak Strikes Afghan Amid Rising Tensions Taliban Strikes Back After Pakistan's Border Attacks, Resulting in Deadly Exchange NEW DELHI: As India braces itself for the crucial 2024 Lok Sabha elections, a significant development in the realm of rural employment has emerged, potentially altering the electoral calculus. The Ministry of Rural Development has been authorised by the Election Commission of India to announce revised wages under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) for the upcoming financial year, which has sparked discussions and debates across the political spectrum. The Significance Of MGNREGA MGNREGA, a flagship rural employment scheme of the erstwhile UPA regime guaranteeing 100 days of work each year for every rural household, was enacted in 2005. It holds immense significance in India's socio-economic landscape. Aimed at providing livelihood security to rural households by guaranteeing 100 days of wage employment in a financial year, MGNREGA plays a pivotal role in alleviating poverty, boosting rural incomes, and enhancing agricultural productivity. The MGNREGA was initiated with the objective of enhancing livelihood security in rural areas by providing at least 100 days of guaranteed wage employment in a financial year, to every household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work. Another aim of MGNREGA is to create durable assets (such as roads, canals, ponds and wells). Employment is to be provided within 5 km of an applicants residence, and minimum wages are to be paid. If work is not provided within 15 days of applying, applicants are entitled to an unemployment allowance. Thus, employment under MGNREGA is a legal entitlement. Implications Of The Wage Hike The authorization to announce revised wages under MGNREGA comes at a critical juncture - the Model Code of Conduct is in force across the country and the Lok Sabha elections are just a few days away. The decision to raise minimum wages to Rs 400 per day, if implemented, holds profound implications for millions of rural households dependent on MGNREGA for sustenance. Political Ramifications From a political standpoint, the timing of the wage hike announcement is noteworthy. As political parties intensify their election campaigns, issues related to rural development, farmer welfare, and employment generation take centre stage. The MGNREGA wage hike could potentially sway voter sentiment in rural constituencies, where agrarian distress and unemployment remain pressing concerns. Congress' Guarantees In a bid to bolster its electoral prospects and resonate with diverse segments of society, the Congress party has further unveiled a comprehensive set of guarantees targeting farmers, women, workers, unemployed youths, and backward communities. What Are Major Congress' Guarantees? Farmers: The Congress has promised to overhaul existing agricultural policies, including amending the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime to exempt agricultural materials, redesigning the PM Fasal Bima Yojana to ensure timely compensation for crop loss, establishing a Standing Farm Loan Waiver Commission, and enacting legislation to grant Minimum Support Price (MSP) legal status. Workers: The party has pledged to review labour codes, raise MGNREGA wages, pass a right-to-health law, and introduce an urban employment guarantee scheme. Women: Congress aims to empower women through various initiatives, including social security measures and participatory justice programs. Unemployed Youths: The party has proposed measures to address youth unemployment through skill development programs and job creation initiatives. Backward Communities: Congress has committed to conducting a comprehensive social, economic, and caste census, removing the 50% cap on reservations, and allocating budgetary resources proportionate to the population share of Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST). The confluence of the MGNREGA wage hike and Congress' guarantees underscores the pivotal role of socio-economic welfare policies in shaping the electoral discourse. As political parties vie for voter support, issues of rural development, farmer welfare, and inclusive growth take precedence, setting the stage for a fiercely contested electoral battle in 2024. New Delhi: Rahul Gandhi on Thursday launched a scathing attack on the Central government and said that there's no democracy left in the country and slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the freezing of Congress' bank accounts Coming down heavily on PM Modi, Rahul said that the freezing of the bank accounts of Congress a criminal action by PM and Home Minister Amit Shah against the party. "This is a criminal action on the Congress party, a criminal action done by the Prime Minister and the Home Minister...So, the idea that India is a democracy is a lie. There is no democracy in India today. The idea that India is the world's largest democracy is a lie. A complete lie," said Rahul Gandhi. #WATCH | On freezing of party accounts ahead of Lok Sabha elections, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi says, "This is a criminal action on the Congress party, a criminal action done by the Prime Minister and the Home Minister...So, the idea that India is a democracy is a lie. There is no pic.twitter.com/W9SOKyxU4z March 21, 2024 Further attacking the ruling party and alleging the of democracy in the country, Rahul said that being the biggest opposition party with 20% vote share Congress is not able to pay bills to campaign for elections and alleged that the party's accounts have been frozen to hinder the Congress' ability to contest the elections. "This is not freezing of Congress party's bank accounts, this is the freezing of Indian democracy. As the biggest opposition party, we are unable to take any action - we can't book advertisements or send our leaders anywhere. This is an assault on democracy," he added. Rahul also launched an attack on the Central agencies and questioned if they were working for the country of the ruling party. "There are institutions that are supposed to protect democratic framework but nothing is happening." NEW DELHI: With the Election Commission unveiling the full schedule of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, political parties are gearing up to employ innovative strategies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), to sway voters. Spanning seven phases, from voting on April 19 to results on June 4, the electoral battleground is already ablaze with activity. Rise Of AI In Electioneering A prominent trend in this election cycle is the escalating use of AI-generated content by political entities. Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and others have become fertile grounds for disseminating content crafted through AI methods such as deepfakes and voice cloning. This content serves not only promotional ends but also aims to ridicule adversaries and deliver tailored messages to voters. Impact Of AI On The Upcoming Polls Experts anticipate a substantial surge in AI utilization in this election, reminiscent of the pivotal role played by social media in the 2014 polls. However, the degree to which this technology will sway voter sentiment remains uncertain. Since the year's outset, parties like the BJP and Congress have actively shared AI-generated content on their official Instagram accounts. The intent behind such deepfake content is evident: to besmirch the images of rival party leaders. Deepfakes, Voice Cloning And Targeted Outreach Political outfits are also banking on AI-generated voice cloning to allure voters with personalized messages. An example is the recent reincarnation of M Karunanidhi, the iconic leader of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), using AI for large public gatherings. It's worth recalling that the DMK stalwart passed away in 2018. Urgent Call For Regulation, Oversight Amid the surge in AI-generated content, experts are clamouring for vigilance and regulation. They implore the Election Commission to accelerate efforts to curb the misuse of such technology. The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and National Election Watch advocate for real-time monitoring systems on platforms. While such trends proliferate, the repercussions of resurrecting revered leaders for audiences are yet unfolding. India witnessed the debut of deepfakes in electioneering in 2020 when BJP's Manoj Tiwari endorsed the creation and dissemination of deepfake videos featuring him campaigning in Haryanvi and English, languages he doesn't speak. Experts criticized the video, citing its dissemination without disclosure of AI manipulation. Another quandary in resurrecting a deceased politician is: Who holds rights to the deceased's voice and likeness? With over 60 nations slated to hold national elections in 2024, concerns over potential AI misuse to sway public opinion have ignited a global moral panic, evolving into a pivotal global issue. As the countdown to the Lok Sabha elections commences, the intersection of AI and politics pledges to reshape the electoral terrain, prompting crucial inquiries into ethics, regulation, and the integrity of the democratic process. New Delhi: The Supreme Court dismissed applications seeking a stay on the appointment of two new election commissioners on Thursday. Apex court says it will lead to 'chaos' and 'uncertainty' as the elections are round the corner. Observing that the Election Commission is not under the "thumb of executive", the apex court also refused to grant any interim stay on the operation of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Terms of Office) Act, 2023. The top court said it will examine the main petitions challenging the validity of the 2023 Act and asked the Centre to file its response within six weeks and posted the matter for hearing on August 5. "At the stage, we cannot stay the legislation or suspend it operation. It would lead to chaos and uncertainty and we cannot do it (stay) by way of an interim order. There are no allegations against the new election commissioners," a bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta told the petitioners who have challenged the new law. The petitioners were also seeking a stay on the appointment of new election commissioners. "We are dismissing the applications for stay on the appointment," the bench said. Observing that it cannot be denied that election commissioners should be independent and fair, the bench said polls have been held since Independence and the country has had very good election commissioners in the past. It noted that earlier election commissioners were appointed by the executive and now, they are being appointed under a law. The top court said the 2023 verdict of its constitution bench nowhere said there has to be a member from the judiciary in the selection panel for appointment of election commissioners in the new law. It said the intent of the 2023 verdict, which proposed a selection panel comprising the prime minister, the Leader of Opposition and the Chief Justice of India, was for a period till Parliament enacts a law. The verdict was intended to nudge Parliament to enact law as there was a "vacuum" and it didn't say what kind of law should be made, the bench said. During the hearing, the bench questioned the Centre over the procedure adopted for appointment of two new election commissioners. It said the selection committee should have been given more time to apply its mind on the appointment of election commissioners. "The search committee for appointment of election commissioners should have been given a fair share of time to understand the background of candidates," the bench observed. Retired IAS officers Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu were recently appointed as election commissioners. The appointments came ahead of the Lok Sabha polls starting on April 19. Under the new law, the selection panel has the prime minister as the chairperson, and the leader of opposition and a Union minister nominated by the prime minister are the two other members. A five-judge constitution bench had in March 2023 ruled that the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and Election Commissioners (ECs) shall be appointed on the advice of a committee comprising the prime minister, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and the Chief Justice of India. New Deljhi: In a recent development that has strained diplomatic relations between the United States and India, a high-ranking US diplomat has labeled the alleged assassination attempt on Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a Khalistani terrorist, as a "serious issue" for both nations. Donald Lu, the US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, emphasized the gravity of the situation during a Congressional hearing focused on Pakistan's election. "This is a serious issue..We take it incredibly seriously, raised at the highest level with India. Encourage India to hold accountable those responsible", Lu said. Lu pointed out that the US Department of Justice has implicated an Indian citizen, allegedly acting under the direction of an Indian government official, in a plot to assassinate Pannun on American soil. The administration is taking this accusation very seriously, and the matter has been escalated to the highest levels of dialogue with India. In response to this incident, India has established a committee to conduct a thorough investigation. Lu urged for a swift and transparent inquiry to ensure that justice prevails. The accused, Nikhil Gupta, is currently detained and faces charges of murder-for-hire. The US Justice Department's indictment alleges that an unnamed Indian government employee orchestrated the recruitment of Gupta to hire a hitman for the assassination, which was ultimately thwarted by US authorities. This case has brought to light the complex web of international relations and the challenges of ensuring accountability across borders. Last December, Jon Finer, the US Principal Deputy National Security Advisor, acknowledged the steps taken by India to address the situation, including the formation of a Committee of Enquiry. New Delhi: Two workers died while one was critically injured after an old construction building in the Kabir Nagar area of Delhi collapsed. According to reports of the police recieved a call at around 2.16 am today about the incident after which the Authorities rushed to the spot. Speaking to ANI, Station Officer Anoop said that the rescue teams reached the spot as soon as the police received a call regarding the incident. Three workers were buried under the debris, he added. #WATCH | Delhi: At around 2:16 am, a call was received regarding the collapse of a two-storey, old construction building in Kabir Nagar, Welcome. Two workers Arshad (30) and Tauhid (20) were declared dead at GTB Hospital while another worker Rehan (22) is critical and is being pic.twitter.com/2Zjw6WmgMo ANI (@ANI) March 21, 2024 North East DCP Joy Tirkey said that two workers, Arshad (30) and Tauhid (20) were declared dead at GTB Hospital while another worker Rehan (22) is critical and is being treated. Tirkey said that the investigation in the matter is in progress and a legal action will taken for the same. New Delhi: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination stands as a formidable milestone in the landscape of competitive exams in India, rigorously evaluating the capabilities of aspirants across the nation. Amidst the throngs of hopefuls embarking on this challenging odyssey annually, only a select few emerge triumphant, clinching esteemed administrative roles within the Indian government. One such tale of triumph and perseverance is embodied by the remarkable journey of Sreedhanya Suresh, a trailblazing figure hailing from the Kurichiya tribe nestled in the verdant expanses of Wayanad, Kerala. Enduring the rigors of a childhood fraught with adversity and constrained resources, Sreedhanya's indomitable spirit remained resolute in her pursuit of academic excellence. Her formative years, spent navigating the educational landscape within the confines of St. Josephs College in Calicut, bore testament to her unwavering dedication. Venturing forth into the realm of higher education, Sreedhanya delved into the realms of zoology at Kozhikode, later augmenting her scholarly pursuits with a masters degree in applied zoology from Calicut University. Despite her academic prowess, the scarcity of essential resources posed formidable obstacles along her arduous path. Employed within the corridors of the Scheduled Tribe Development Department following the completion of her postgraduate studies, Sreedhanya's journey took a pivotal turn as she assumed the role of a warden within the hostel catering to tribal students. Yet, despite the semblance of financial stability, an insatiable yearning for a more profound impact impelled her towards a transformative decisionto embark upon the formidable voyage of UPSC preparation. In the annals of 2018, Sreedhanya navigated through the preliminary rounds of the UPSC examination, surmounting initial hurdles with aplomb. However, as she stood on the precipice of the crucial interview round in Delhi, the specter of financial constraints loomed ominously, threatening to derail her aspirations. Yet, in a heartening display of solidarity and camaraderie, her friends rallied around her, furnishing the requisite financial support to traverse this final hurdle. Armed with an unwavering resolve and fortified by the collective support of her allies, Sreedhanya not only overcame these formidable obstacles but soared to remarkable heights, securing an impressive All India Rank (AIR) of 410. In doing so, she etched her name indelibly in the annals of history as the first tribal woman from Kerala to ascend to the exalted echelons of an IAS officer, thereby illuminating the path for countless others to follow in her inspiring footsteps. New Delhi: In the vast tapestry of UPSC success narratives, there exists a constellation of stories that shine with extraordinary brilliance, each casting its own unique glow of inspiration and resilience. Among these luminous tales stands the remarkable journey of IAS Saumya Sharma, a beacon of determination and triumph in the face of adversity. Saumya's narrative is a testament to the indomitable human spirit, serving as a source of motivation for aspirants teetering on the brink of despair. Despite grappling with the profound challenge of hearing loss since the tender age of 16, she steadfastly pursued her dream of conquering the coveted Civil Services examination. Hailing from the bustling metropolis of Delhi, Saumya traversed the corridors of academia, culminating in her graduation from the esteemed National Law School (NLU). However, her path was fraught with unforeseen obstacles as her auditory faculties began to diminish. Despite the earnest efforts of her physician parents, the encroaching silence could not be forestalled. Undeterred by this formidable impediment, Saumya embraced the aid of hearing devices and resolved to chart a course towards her ambition of becoming an IAS officer. Her resolve, unwavering and resolute, bore fruit with resplendent glory as she clinched an impressive All India Rank (AIR) of 9 in the 2017 UPSC Civil Services Examination. Remarkably, Saumya, at the tender age of 23, achieved this remarkable feat in her maiden attempt, a testament to her unparalleled dedication and tenacity. Eschewing the accommodations available to differently-abled candidates, she elected to compete on a level playing field in the general category, exemplifying her commitment to meritocracy. Saumya's preparation regimen was as meticulous as it was distinctive. Investing her time judiciously, she devoted a maximum of six hours per day to her studies, drawing extensively from online resources and immersing herself in the currents of contemporary affairs. Rigorous mock tests and a voracious consumption of daily newspapers served as the cornerstones of her preparation, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the socio-political landscape. Beyond the realm of academia, Saumya's personal life is adorned with another tale of felicity, as she is joined in matrimonial union with IPS Archit Chandak, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in Nagpur City, forming a formidable duo dedicated to the service of society. In the annals of UPSC triumphs, Saumya Sharma's saga stands as a testament to the triumph of human resilience over adversity, illuminating the path for countless aspirants with its incandescent brilliance and unwavering resolve. New Delhi: Dys after the Chinese military reiterated its claim over Arunachal Pradesh following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the state, Washington on Tuesday cleared its stand on the issue of Arunachal and said that the USA recognises the state as Indian territory and strongly opposes any attempts of China to advance its territorial claims across the Line of Actual Control. Speaking at his daily press conference on Wednesday, State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said, "The United States recognises Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territory and we strongly oppose any unilateral attempts to advance territorial claims by incursions or encroachments, military or civilian, across the Line of Actual Control." #WATCH | On China's reaction to the visit of PM Modi to Arunachal Pradesh, Vedant Patel, Principal Deputy Spokesperson, US Department of State says, "The United States recognizes Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territory and we strongly oppose any unilateral attempts to advance pic.twitter.com/hoXXmMX34e ANI (@ANI) March 21, 2024 PM Modi's Arunachal Visit On March 9, Prime Minister Modi dedicated to the nation the Sela Tunnel built at an altitude of 13,000 feet in Arunachal Pradesh that will provide all-weather connectivity to strategically located Tawang and is expected to ensure better movement of troops along the frontier region. PM Modi's visit to Arunachal and the inauguration of the all-weather tunnel irked the dragon and earlier this week, Chinese military reiterated its claim over Arunachal Pradesh. Chinese Defence Ministry spokesman Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang said that the southern part of Xizang (the Chinese name for Tibet) is an inherent part of China's territory, and Beijing "never acknowledges and firmly opposes" the "so-called Arunachal Pradesh illegally established by India". China, which claims Arunachal Pradesh as South Tibet, routinely objects to Indian leaders' visits to the state to highlight its claims. Beijing has also named the area Zangnan. The Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday said it has noted the latest comments made by the spokesperson of the Chinese Defence Ministry "advancing absurd claims" over the territory of Arunachal Pradesh and asserted that the state "was, is and will always be" an integral and inalienable part of India. India has repeatedly rejected China's territorial claims over Arunachal Pradesh, asserting that the state is an integral part of the country. New Delhi has also dismissed Beijing's move to assign "invented" names to the area, saying it did not alter the reality. With the Lok Sabha poll campaign gaining momentum, the political parties and their leaders are actively getting engaged in verbal spats. Be it Congress, BJP or regional parties, no one is leaving any stone unturned to woo the voters. In Jammu and Kashmir, the political campaign is also heating up with the BJP and regional parties attacking each other. Jammu & Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party president and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti cautioned the BJP government against resorting to any means that may undermine the value of votes in Jammu-Kashmir during the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently said that the people of Union Territory should wipe out the three Parivarvadi parties including PDP which did not let democracy flourish in the region. Reacting to this, Mufti said that a systematic campaign of suppression has been made by the BJP to make life miserable for the people of J&K and the party is now trying to impose its A, B or C teams on the people of Jammu and Kashmir by resorting to unfair means during the upcoming polls. Reacting to Shah's statement, National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah said that the BJP doesn't have any issues or problems with the dynasties otherwise they wouldn't have had a recently done alliance with Chirag Paswan in Bihar and Amit Shah would not have met Raj Thackeray. After the Lok Sabha elections announcement, speculations are rife that there may be a pre-poll alliance between Altaf Bukhari's Apni Party and Ghulam Nabi Azad's Democratic Progressive Azad Party so that the NC can be defeated. On these reports, Omar Abdullah taunted and said that this A team and Boo team can do anything and the National Conference is completely prepared for the elections. Abdullah said, "This is not the first time that the people of Jammu and Kashmir will have other parties coming together to defeat the National Conference. In 1977, the entire political parties of Jammu and Kashmir united against the NC founder Sheikh Abdullah, but the party still won. We have fought militancy, boycott and at present the dispensation at the centre is making every bid to defeat us. But we will go through this challenge als." 25 Fascinating Facts About the 2024 Lunar Eclipse You Need to Know- Get ready for an extraordinary celestial event! Here are 25 captivating details about the upcoming 2024 total solar eclipse, set to sweep through Mexico, traverse the United States from Texas to Maine, and conclude its journey by darting across the eastern edge of Canada. First Eclipse in 7 Years: This marks the initial total solar eclipse in the continental U.S. in seven years, with the previous one occurring on August 21, 2017. Alignment of Celestial Bodies: A solar eclipse transpires when the Sun, Moon, and Earth align perfectly, casting a shadow on our planet. Occurs at New Moon: Solar eclipses only happen during the New Moon phase when the Moon aligns between the Sun and Earth. Irregular Frequency: Solar eclipses dont transpire at every New Moon due to the Moon's orbit being tilted compared to Earth's orbit around the Sun. Variable Totality Lengths: The duration of total solar eclipse phases varies due to fluctuations in the distances between Earth, the Sun, and the Moon. Understanding Magnitude and Obscuration: Astronomers measure solar eclipses based on magnitude and obscuration, indicating the percentage of the Sun's diameter covered by the Moon during maximum eclipse. Recurring Cycles: Solar eclipses occur between Saros cycles, recurring approximately every 18 years and 11 days. Partial Eclipse Visible to All: Residents across the continental U.S. will witness at least a partial eclipse, with even a 16 percent coverage visible from Washington's Neah Bay. Importance of Totality: Partial eclipses pale in comparison to the awe-inspiring experience of witnessing totality, where the Sun is completely obscured by the Moon. Optimal Viewing Position: To maximize the eclipse experience, aim to be on the center line of the Moons shadow path. Beginning in Texas: The total eclipse's first contact point in the U.S. will be in Las Quintas Fronterizas, Texas. Path Through 15 States: The eclipse's trajectory crosses 15 states, offering various degrees of totality to different regions. Maximum Totality Duration: The longest duration of totality for this eclipse is 4 minutes and 28 seconds. Conclusion in Maine: Totality bids farewell to the U.S. at the eastern edge of Littleton, Maine. Preceding and Following Phases: Pay attention to the partial eclipse phases leading up to and following totality for unique celestial phenomena. Most-Viewed Eclipse: The 2024 eclipse is anticipated to be the most-viewed due to media coverage, accessible highway systems, favorable weather, and proximity to major cities. Viewing Opportunities in Major Cities: Several large cities along the eclipse path, including San Antonio, Austin, and Dallas, will experience significant coverage. Population Along the Path: Over 31.5 million people reside within the eclipse path, making it easily accessible to a large population. Safety During Totality: It is safe to view the eclipse without protection only during the brief period of totality. Relative Sizes of Sun and Moon: Despite vastly different sizes, the Sun and Moon appear similar in size from Earth, enhancing the spectacle of total eclipses. Naked Eye Observation: Total solar eclipses are visually stunning and can be observed without telescopes. Environmental Changes: As totality approaches, expect changes in lighting, temperature, and wildlife behavior. Maximum Duration Forecast: While this eclipse's maximum totality duration is around 4 minutes and 28 seconds, longer durations are possible in the future. Future Eclipse Dates: Mark your calendars for upcoming total solar eclipses in 2044, 2045, and 2078. Guaranteed Event: Unlike some celestial occurrences, the 2024 total solar eclipse is a predictable and guaranteed event. Get ready to witness an extraordinary celestial event that promises to captivate millions across North America! Total Solar Eclipse Triggers School Closures Across Multiple US States NEW DELHI: In a surprising turn of events, Rohan Gupta, the Congress candidate from the Ahmedabad East constituency, has withdrawn his candidature merely six days after being nominated. Citing his father's critical health condition, Gupta expressed his inability to continue in the electoral race in a statement posted on the social media platform 'X'. "Due to a serious medical condition, my father has been admitted to hospital and I am withdrawing my candidature for the Ahmedabad east parliament seat as a Congress Candidate. I will extend complete support to the new candidate nominated by the party," Gupta said. Due to serious medical condition , my father is admitted in hospital and I am withdrawing my candidature for Ahmedabad east parliament seat as Congress Candidate. I will extend complete support to the new candidate nominated by party. pic.twitter.com/oPVNBd7DqV March 18, 2024 This abrupt decision has dealt a significant blow to the Congress party, intensifying the challenge of securing a suitable replacement candidate at such a crucial juncture, just days before the impending Lok Sabha elections. Gupta, a familiar face in television news debates, was poised to contest from a seat currently held by the Bharatiya Janata Party's Hasmukh Patel. The sudden withdrawal has not only disrupted the party's electoral strategy but has also left Gujarat Congress leaders visibly dismayed and grappling with the urgent task of finding an alternative candidate. Who Is Rohan Gupta? Rohan Gupta, aged 46, emerged as a prominent figure within the Congress ranks, known for his articulate presence in national media discussions. He has been a former head of the Congress's social media team, His nomination on March 13 was seen as a strategic move by the party to bolster its prospects in the upcoming polls. However, Gupta's past controversy, which led to his removal as head of the Congress's social media team two years ago, resurfaced in the wake of his candidacy. Despite this setback, the party endorsed his candidacy, only to face this unexpected setback. The Congress, which had announced seven candidates in Gujarat, including sitting MLAs and former legislators, now finds itself in a precarious position following Gupta's withdrawal. With the state set to vote on May 7 in the third phase of the Lok Sabha elections, the party faces the formidable task of regrouping and reasserting its electoral presence amidst the BJP's stronghold. Countdown To Elections In Gujarat As the electoral clock ticks closer to polling day, the Congress must swiftly navigate the aftermath of Gupta's departure while striving to regain momentum in Gujarat's political landscape. With the BJP's dominant performance in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the upcoming elections pose a critical test for the Congress's resurgence in the state. As the nation awaits the unfolding dynamics of the electoral battlefield, the Congress grapples with the challenge of reshaping its strategy and reclaiming lost ground in the heartland of Gujarat. NEW DELHI: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has reiterated his concerns regarding the erosion of ideology in politics. Emphasizing the decline in ideological conviction among today's politicians, Gadkari lamented the rise of opportunism within political circles. The BJP leader noted that an increasing number of politicians are driven by ''opportunism'' rather than a firm ideological stance, describing them as "neither rightist nor leftist, but only opportunists." Gadkari highlighted the detrimental effects of this trend on democracy, stating that the erosion of ideology poses a significant threat to the democratic fabric of the nation. He expressed worry over the diminishing number of leaders who adhere steadfastly to their ideological beliefs, observing a troubling shift towards opportunistic alliances driven by a desire to align with the party in power. There are people who stand firm with conviction based on their ideology but the number of such people is declining. And the erosion of ideology, which is happening, is not good for democracy, he said. Declining Standards Of Journalism In addition to his concerns about the erosion of ideology in politics, Gadkari also addressed the declining standards of journalism, which he referred to as the fourth pillar of democracy. He emphasized the importance of journalism in providing vision to the populace, lamenting the lack of substantive discourse and the prevalence of vacuous reporting. Gadkari underscored the need for specialized journalists capable of fostering informed debate and critical thinking among the public. He expressed concern over the absence of substantive discussion in media coverage, stating that the real issue lies not in differing opinions but in the absence of meaningful dialogue. ''A specialised journalist can give vision to people. Differences are not our problem. No views (vichar shunyata) is. We are neither leftist nor rightist this is worrisome, the Union Minister stated. Emphasis On Political Integrity And Public Service Throughout his address, Gadkari reiterated the importance of political integrity and public service. He emphasized the significance of politicians prioritizing the welfare of their constituents over partisan interests, citing examples of leaders who exemplified humility and dedication to their constituents. Gadkari praised the simplicity and dedication of former Bihar Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur, highlighting his commitment to serving the people even after stepping down from office. He also acknowledged the oratory skills of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, recognizing the diverse qualities that contribute to effective leadership. Lessons From Political Icons Drawing inspiration from political icons such as former Defence Minister George Fernandes, Gadkari emphasized the importance of humility and integrity in public life. He stressed the need for politicians to uphold the fundamental principles of democracy and adhere to the core values enshrined in the Constitution. Adapting To Changing Times Amidst a rapidly evolving societal landscape, Gadkari urged the media to adapt to changing preferences and priorities. He emphasized the growing demand for substantive discourse on issues such as knowledge, science, environment, and ethics, noting the shifting focus of the younger generation towards global best practices and environmental sustainability. As one of the most influential politicians in the country, Gadkari's remarks underscored the need for a renewed commitment to ideological integrity, journalistic excellence, and public service in safeguarding India's democratic ideals. New Delhi: The Taiwan Ministry of National Defence (MND) has been closely monitoring an uptick in military activity in the region, with 32 Chinese military aircraft and five naval vessels of the Peoples Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) detected from 6 a.m. on Wednesday (March 20) to the same time on Thursday (March 21). Notably, 20 of these aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, breaching Taiwans air defence identification zone (ADIZ) from various directions. In response to these incursions, Taiwans Armed Forces have deployed Combat Air Patrol (CAP) aircraft, navy vessels, and coastal missile systems to track and respond to the activities identified within their jurisdiction. This increase in military presence follows a similar pattern observed the previous day, where the MND tracked 15 Chinese military aircraft and 10 naval vessels. Of these, six aircraft entered the southwest corner of Taiwans ADIZ. However, unlike the recent incidents, no aircraft had crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait during that period. The MNDs reports align with observations by Taiwan News, which has highlighted Chinas growing use of gray zone tactics since September 2020. These tactics involve a series of efforts to achieve security objectives without engaging in open conflict, marked by a gradual increase in the number of military aircraft and naval ships operating in the vicinity of Taiwan. In a related incident earlier in the week, the MND reported tracking ten Chinese naval vessels and nine military aircraft near Taiwan. Among these, a Chinese drone violated the southwest sector of Taiwans ADIZ, and a PLA helicopter was observed in the southeast sector. The consistent monitoring and response by Taiwans Armed Forces underscore the ongoing tensions and the delicate balance of power in the region. Please remember that the headlines and article are crafted based on the inputs youve provided and are intended for illustrative purposes only. Its crucial to ensure that any actual news content published is fact-checked and adheres to journalistic ethics. Mauldin Collection Page 088 (Stars and Stripes Archive) With the combination of acerbic wit and ink drawings, cartoons and comics evoke certain emotions and portray events through a unique lens. They can tell the realities of situations without explicitness and have the ability to shape public perception with the single stroke of a pencil. Mauldin Collection Page 029 (Stars and Stripes Archive) In December 1943, a young cartoonist from New Mexico was assigned to the Stars and Stripes Rome bureau. On Dec. 2, 1943, the first publication of Sgt. William Bill Mauldins cartoon Up Front was published in the Mediterranean editions of Stripes. This cartoon was the launch pad for Mauldins Pulitzer Prize-winning career in cartoon journalism. Drawing from his own experiences fighting in the Italian theater, Mauldins infamous characters, Willie and Joe, became icons in their own right. Rather than clean-shaven, fresh-faced recruits, Willie and Joe were grizzled, unkempt, war-weary infantrymen based on the men Mauldin served with. If he is looking weary and resigned to the fact that he is probably going to die before it is over, and if he has a deep, almost hopeless desire to go home and forget it all; if he looks with dull, uncomprehending eyes at the fresh-faced kid who is talking about all the joys of battle and killing Germans, then he comes from the same infantry as Joe and Willie. Bill Mauldin Unlike many cartoons of the day, Up Front depicted scenes from the frontlines as they were. Careful not to trip the media censors, Mauldin was able to convey the actual experiences and feelings of GIs fighting overseas. American troops often clamored for the latest edition to see what kind of hijinks Willie and Joe were up to and to see themselves reflected in his work. Mauldin Collection Page 404 (Stars and Stripes Archive) In 1944, his cartoon was so popular that his editor arranged for the syndication of Up Front. Soon, his work was published by newspapers back in the U.S. However, not everyone was a fan of Mauldins work. Gen. George A. Patton, commander of the Third Army, was not impressed. He was so offended by the depictions of Willie and Joe and the perceived disrespect toward officers that he tried to ban Stars and Stripes from the Third Army. When Gen. Dwight Eisenhower, Supreme Allied Commander, heard of this, he told Patton that Mauldin would continue drawing and Stripes would continue circulation it would not be censored. Up Front was a morale boost and a way for the troops to let off steam. Mauldin Collection Page 256 (Stars and Stripes Archive) In 1945, Mauldin won his first Pulitzer Prize in Editorial Cartooning for Up Front. As the war ended, Mauldin initially had morbid plans for his two beloved characters. When he approached his editor, he was told that it would not be published if he killed off Willie and Joe. Only twice did they show up after the war once in 1959 upon the death of George C. Marshall and again in 1984 for the funeral of Gen. Omar Bradley. Mauldin went on to work as a cartoonist and journalist for papers such as the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and the Chicago Sun-Times. While he was working for the Post-Dispatch, he won his second Pulitzer Prize for a political cartoon. He stayed with the Chicago Sun-Times until retiring in 1991. Although Mauldin died Jan. 23, 2003, his legacy lives on. The lasting impact of Up Front and Willie and Joe has been seared into the history books and is part of the rich heritage of Stars and Stripes. The pressure on mining companies to find sustainable solutions, meet financial stability goals, and reduce environmental impacts is greater than ever before. Working towards a greener future, long-term energy solutions have emerged as a key driver of change in the mining industry, notes Aggreko, AMEA. Today, these solutions are helping mining companies all over the world implement more sustainable and cost-effective practices. In this blog post, we'll dig deeper into the six ways long-term energy solutions are reshaping the future of mining, what forms they take, and what benefits you can expect from integrating these solutions into your mining operations. Sustainability and a leg up on the shift to clean energy Mining processes still contribute up to 7% of global greenhouse gas emissions. As a result, a more sustainable energy architecture is one of the most pressing priorities for the mining sector. This is mainly because sustainable energy solutions help mining companies to avoid overreliance on either grid-based or off-grid power. In addition, implementing a more sustainable energy architecture also aligns with global commitments to transition to clean energy. According to PwCs Mine report, mining companies should all strive to join the global transition to clean energy. Although the mining sector has already made strides towards adopting renewable and alternative energy sources, achieving the right balance of power across multiple operations and locations remains a significant challenge for the mining industry to overcome. Mining companies are increasingly aligning themselves with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 7: ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. This commitment to sustainable energy, however, comes with challenges such as high costs and grid instability. Reducing costs and carbon footprints The cost of energy is a significant expense for mining companies, accounting for around 30% of their total cash operating costs. However, effective energy management and cutting-edge mine design can reduce this cost by up to 20%. This reduction translates into better cost efficiency, better alignment with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals, a reduced carbon footprint, and a more attractive investment profile. Mining companies must find new and advanced approaches to manage costs while investing in energy solutions. This includes exploring renewable energy sources, cost-cutting methods, and forming joint ventures to achieve economies of scale. This also ties in with the industrys efforts to meet the International Council on Mining and Metals' goal of achieving net zero Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 another major priority for the industry. Flexibility in energy solutions No mining project is the same. As a result, the mining industry today is moving towards flexible and hybrid energy solutions that are more scalable and adaptable. Given the changing dynamics of different mining projects especially in off-grid locations with shorter lifecycles permanent power structures are no longer financially viable. As a result, mining companies are increasingly considering scalable microgrids that provide them with the energy they need while still maintaining flexibility. Phased energy transitions One approach to flexibility involves breaking down a mines energy transition into phases. A phased approach not only simplifies the transition but also reduces the risks associated with rapid change. In addition, it offers savings by significantly reducing diesel usage and adopting alternative fuels like renewable energy, all without compromising operations. Sustainability-focused financing and risk mitigation Financing mining projects can be challenging for several reasons, including high costs; extended project timelines; volatile prices; and the influence of economic, geopolitical, and regulatory factors. To cope with these challenges, financing options for mining companies have evolved, providing opportunities to better manage finances without compromising growth, energy investment, or strategic goals. Examples of mining financing options Venture capital investments While venture capital investments are valuable for established mining organisations, they may not be accessible to newer mines or projects. Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) transactions Investors are increasingly targeting smaller mining companies to expedite returns, a trend observed in regions like Africa. Debt financing Mining companies can use debt financing to access the necessary funds for operations while leveraging future cash flows from mining activities to repay debt obligations. Green financing The shift towards financing built on ESG principles means companies can access credit facilities based on sustainability commitments. It opens up new sources of capital, such as sustainability-related bonds. Overcoming volatility The mining industry is inherently volatile, and its operations are susceptible to economic, political, and social fluctuations. The challenge for mining companies is to embark on decarbonisation while also refining their energy portfolios and remaining agile in a changing market. Flexibility in energy solutions is crucial to adapt to unforeseen changes in project scope or economic conditions. On-demand power generation assets In volatile commodities markets, mining companies must manage their operations flexibly whether thats by altering the size of operations or adjusting a mine's life span. Thats why flexible energy solutions provide on-demand power generation assets, ready to adapt to changing global environments and power requirements. Solving the hybrid energy trilemma The energy trilemma encompasses the challenge of balancing three main factors: sustainability, cost, and reliability of mining operations. Hybrid energy solutions have emerged as a way to overcome this trilemma by combining renewable energy sources like wind, hydropower, solar, and battery storage with the reliability of thermal generators. These solutions offer mines a way to achieve balance across three crucial power supply priorities: decarbonisation, security of supply, and low cost of electricity. Customisation and prioritisation Mining companies must decide which of the three priorities decarbonisation, security of supply, or low cost of electricity is their top focus and build their hybrid power solutions accordingly. This will ensure that the solution meets their expectations, while still complying with regulations. Aggreko's solutions: Pioneering sustainable mining Weve covered the six ways that long-term energy solutions are reshaping the future of mining. But how can Aggreko help in this shift? As a trusted partner in the mining industry, Aggreko offers a range of solutions to optimise hybrid power solutions, reduce carbon emissions, and enhance energy efficiency. Our modular, scalable equipment provides the flexibility to adapt to changing energy needs. We also understand that no one project is the same, which is why we collaborate closely with mining companies to create solutions tailored to them.-- TradeArabia News Service Man in wheelchair preparing to cross the road on pedestrian crossing () A study conducted in 2017 revealed that 25 percent of individuals with disabilities encounter difficulties during trips, in contrast to 10 percent of those without disabilities. With an estimated 1.3 billion people worldwide experiencing significant disabilities, including approximately 12.1 percent of the US population facing mobility issues, ensuring accessibility during travel becomes imperative, particularly in enchanting but potentially challenging European cities and towns. Accessibility definitions vary across Europe, but for this article, accessible refers to spaces easy to navigate for wheelchair users. Given the uncertainty surrounding various factors, planning a vacation can become emotionally draining. Fortunately, numerous cities across Europe are actively striving to cater to diverse abilities, ensuring travelers can enjoy their journeys. To facilitate an enjoyable experience, consider the following steps. Thorough Research : Investigate extensively before your trip to identify tourist areas and attractions that suit your needs, such as avoiding hilly streets in Paris or, opting for wheelchair-friendly sites like Pompeiis ruins over Herculaneum. Selecting Accommodation : Book accessible hotel rooms in advance, considering factors like cobblestone paths, proximity to transportation, and lack of elevators. Seek Advice : Connect with fellow travelers with disabilities who have visited your destination to gather insights and overcome potential challenges. Flexibility : This is nonnegotiable. Remain adaptable to unplanned circumstances and changes in plans. Book Accessible Tours: Many companies offer tours tailored for accessibility. Inquire about options that align with your requirements. Once youve prepared adequately and established contingency plans, enjoy the journey, wrap yourself in the culture of the country, and let the cuisine captivate your palate. Air Travel Tips If flying, adhere to the following steps for a seamless experience. Inform the airline of any assistance requirements during ticket purchase or soon afterwards to prevent delays. Utilize the rights granted by the Air Carrier Access Act, ensuring free wheelchair services on US-bound flights. Learn more about the Act here. Notify the airline at least 48 hours in advance if transporting an electric wheelchair. Arrange for airport transportation assistance if needed. For those uncertain about destination choices, consider the following highly accessible European locations Berlin, Germany : Ironically, the destruction of the city after WWII led to making Berlin an accessible city. Berlin offers wheelchair-friendly museums and hotels, aided by tools like the accessBerlin App for planning accessible routes. Barcelona, Spain : Widely regarded as one of Europes most accessible cities, Barcelona offers accessible beaches, public transportation, and specialized tours aimed at wheelchair users. Rome, Italy : Despite being considered the City of the Seven Hills, Rome features numerous accommodations and cultural attractions geared towards individuals with reduced mobility. Tromso, Norway : This is the perfect city to chase the Northern Lights. Tromso offers accommodations and attractions accessible to those with limited mobility. Salzburg, Austria : Known for its World Heritage-listed sites. This beautiful European destination that inspired The Sound of Music provides a variety of accessible attractions. The Salzburg Tourism page has available a barrier-free vacation brochure to help you plan your trip. London, UK: Rated the most accessible city in 2024, London offers a plethora of accessible restaurants, hotels, and attractions, making it an ideal destination for travelers with disabilities. Feeling overwhelmed? Websites like booking.com and Sage Travel specialize in finding accessible accommodations and assisting with trip planning. By following these guidelines and selecting from Europes accessible destinations, travelers with disabilities can enjoy incredible journeys, experiencing the worlds rich history, culture, and natural wonders without additional challenges. Description Nick & Tonis will host a special wine pairing dinner on Thursday, March 21 beginning at 6:30 p.m. The Espana: From Rias Baixas to Rioja, Our Favorite Producers Stories will feature a four-course menu crafted by Chef Courtney Sypher Barylski and Pastry Chef Kelsey Roden, paired with Italian wines chosen by Beverage Director Chimene Macnaughton. The cost is $135 per person, plus tax and gratuity, for the six-course dinner. Wines from the menu will be available with special event pricing pre-order directly through Jacques Franey of Domaine Franey on the night of the event. "These GETAWAY evenings are designed to be a bit of a departure for all of us ... while we await the longer days and warmer nights of summer; tasting through far-flung wine regions in this progressive, four-course format shows us indigenous grape varieties in their best light; paired with traditional, regional dishes. We're looking forward to welcoming Max Working, Spanish Portfolio Manager from Skurnik Wines on Thursday, March 21st; he'll be our expert guide from Rias Baixas to Rioja. We hope you'll join us!" Honest Man Hospitality Beverage Director, Chimene Macnaughton For reservations go to https://bit.ly/3P2yO2O. The menu, subject to change, is as follows: RECEPTION SPANISH SPRITZ Raventos i Blanc Conca Del Riu Anoia Blanc de Blancs 2021, Bodegas Barbadillo Ataman Vermut, N&Ts house-made almond Grenadine Croquetas de Jamon Crispy Fritter | Spanish Ham | Bechamel FIRST COURSE ALBARINO Granbazan Etiqueta Verde Rias Baixas 2022 Gambas al Ajillo con Uvas Garlic Shrimp | Green Grapes | Toasted Bread SECOND COURSE GODELLO Vinos de Encostas [Xose Lois Sebio ] Mais Ala 2021 Pulpo a la Gallega con Patatas Grilled Octopus | Fingerling Potatoes | Smoked Paprika THIRD COURSE TEMPRANILLO La Rioja Alta, Vina Alberdi Rioja Reserva 2018 La Rioja Alta, Vina Arana Rioja Gran Reserva 2015 Credo Asado en Lena Wood Oven Roasted Iberico Pork | White Asparagus | Romesco Sauce FOURTH COURSE AMONTILLADO Emilio Lustau Rare Escuadrilla Solera Reserva Sherry Torta de Queso Burnt Basque Cheesecake ~ Churros Cinnamon Sugar Fritters IMAGES Credit Kelsey Roden In this article, we will be taking a look at the 20 Countries that Spend the Most on Education. You can also take a detailed look at the 5 Countries that Spend the Most on Education. Education plays a fundamental role in shaping the economic landscape of nations by influencing the skill levels, productivity, and innovation capacity of their workforces. Education serves as a catalyst for innovation and technological advancement, driving growth in industries such as information technology, biotechnology, and renewable energy. Countries with well-educated populations tend to have higher levels of research and development (R&D) expenditure, patent filings, and technological innovation. For example, Finland, renowned for its high-quality education system, has fostered a vibrant technology sector, with companies like Nokia and Rovio Entertainment achieving global prominence. Data from the World Bank reveals that countries with higher levels of education attainment tend to have higher levels of innovation output, with patents per capita and research publications being key metrics. In knowledge-intensive service industries, such as finance and consulting, highly educated workers are essential for delivering specialized services, analyzing complex data, and solving intricate problems. For example, Switzerland, with its high-quality education system and emphasis on vocational training, has developed a thriving financial services industry centered around Zurich and Geneva. Data from the World Bank and IMF shows that countries with higher levels of education attainment tend to have more dynamic and diverse service sectors, contributing to their overall economic resilience and competitiveness. The data highlights that high-education-attainment countries (HEACs) had an average service sector contribution of 70% to their GDP, while low-education-attainment countries (LEACs) had an average service sector contribution of 50% to their GDP. Story continues Besides that, according to UNESCO, during the COVID-19 pandemic, approximately 1.6 billion learners worldwide were affected by school closures, which led to the creation of Edtech platforms. These provided a solution, with online learning becoming the primary mode of education for many. By the end of 2020, there were over 190 million new users on Coursera alone. Data shows that in 2020, the global e-learning market size was estimated to be $200 billion, with projections indicating growth to $375 billion by 2026. However, it is important to note the landscape of education is changing with time with the introduction of various education-technology platforms that aim to provide online learning material for various subjects. One such example is the 2U, Inc. (NASDAQ: TWOU). 2U, Inc. (NASDAQ: TWOU) is an educational technology company that partners with colleges and universities to offer online degree programs and short courses. It is known for providing a cloud-based platform for delivering online education, including course content, learning management systems, and student support services. 2U's clients include prestigious institutions such as Harvard University, Yale University, and the University of Southern California, which adds to the credibility of their platform. Similarly, another such popular platform is Chegg, Inc. (NYSE: CHGG). Chegg, Inc. (NYSE: CHGG) is a technology company that specializes in online textbook rentals, homework help, tutoring, and other student services, which are known to be very useful. The company's services include Chegg Study, Chegg Writing, Chegg Math Solver, and Chegg Tutors, among others. Chegg, Inc. (NYSE: CHGG)s platform aims to support students throughout their academic journey, providing resources to help them succeed in their studies. It is important to note that despite such platforms many countries still continue to follow the traditional schooling methods and use such platforms to complement their existing systems. 20 Countries that Spend the Most on Education Methodology To shortlist the 20 Countries that Spend the Most on Education, we consulted the data from OECD and other sources to gain information on countries that spend the most on education and to learn about the expenditure per student. The list of the 20 Countries that Spend the Most on Education has been ranked in ascending order from countries with lesser spending in USD to countries that spend the most. 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. 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 check details here. 20. Slovenia Expenditure per Student: $10,000 Slovenia's education system is characterized by its emphasis on equal access to education and student-centered learning. With an expenditure per student of $10,400, Slovenia invests in providing inclusive and high-quality education for its population. Education represents approximately 4.6% of Slovenia's GDP. The country emphasizes early childhood education and places importance on promoting digital literacy and innovation in its curriculum. Slovenia's education system also values multilingualism, with instruction in Slovenian and other minority languages. 19. Portugal Expenditure per Student: $10,400 Portugal's education system is focused on improving educational outcomes and reducing disparities among students. At the primary and secondary levels, Portugal offers a comprehensive education system that includes both academic and vocational pathways. Students can choose between general education (ensino geral) and vocational education and training (ensino profissional), depending on their interests, abilities, and career aspirations. This diversity of educational pathways allows students to pursue the route that best suits their needs and goals. 18. Czech Republic Expenditure per Student: $10,700 The Czech Republic's education system emphasizes academic achievement and lifelong learning. With an expenditure per student of $10,700, the Czech Republic invests in providing comprehensive education accessible to all students. Education represents around 4.6% of the country's GDP. The Czech Republic places importance on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, aiming to prepare students for the demands of the modern workforce. The country also values creativity and innovation, encouraging students to pursue their interests and passions. 17. Japan Expenditure per Student: $10,700 Japan's education system is renowned for its rigor and emphasis on discipline and academic achievement. With an expenditure per student of $10,800, Japan invests in providing high-quality education accessible to all students. Education accounts for approximately 3.8% of Japan's GDP. The country's education system focuses on fostering a strong work ethic, respect for authority, and a sense of responsibility among students. Japan also values traditional values and cultural heritage, integrating them into its educational practices. 16. Italy Expenditure per Student: $10,800 Italy's education system is characterized by its diversity and regional variations. With an expenditure per student of $12,200, Italy invests in providing inclusive education and support services for students with diverse needs. Education represents around 4.1% of Italy's GDP. The country emphasizes a holistic approach to education, incorporating arts, humanities, and sciences into its curriculum. Italy also values experiential learning and encourages students to participate in extracurricular activities and community service. 15. France Expenditure per Student: $12,200 France's education system is known for its strong emphasis on academic excellence and centralization. With an expenditure per student of $12,800, France invests in providing high-quality education accessible to all students. Education accounts for approximately 5.9% of France's GDP. The country's education system places importance on language learning, with a focus on proficiency in French and other foreign languages. France also values critical thinking and analytical skills, encouraging students to engage in debate and intellectual inquiry. 14. Canada Expenditure per Student: $12,800 Canada's education system is renowned for its inclusivity and emphasis on diversity and multiculturalism. With an expenditure per student of $13,200, Canada invests in providing accessible and high-quality education for all students. Education represents around 5.5% of Canada's GDP. The country's education system emphasizes inquiry-based learning and critical thinking, aiming to develop students' problem-solving skills and creativity. Canada also values indigenous perspectives and incorporates them into its educational practices. 13. Denmark Expenditure per Student: $13,200 Denmark's education system is characterized by its emphasis on student-centered learning and innovation. With an expenditure per student of $13,300, Denmark invests in providing inclusive and holistic education for its population. Education accounts for approximately 7.4% of Denmark's GDP. Their education system focuses on collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking, preparing students for active citizenship and lifelong learning. The country also values sustainability and environmental awareness, integrating them into its educational practices. 12. United Kingdom Expenditure per Student: $13,300 The United Kingdom's education system is diverse, encompassing a range of educational institutions and approaches. With an expenditure per student of $13,600, the UK invests in providing accessible and high-quality education for all students. Education represents around 5.7% of the UK's GDP. In England, the education system is characterized by its emphasis on academic achievement, standards, and accountability. Students typically progress through primary and secondary education before pursuing further education or entering the workforce. The government has implemented various reforms, including changes to the curriculum, assessment, and accountability measures, to raise standards and improve educational outcomes. 11. Netherlands Expenditure per Student: $13,600 The Netherlands is known for its high-quality education system characterized by inclusivity, innovation, and student-centered learning. The country invests in providing accessible and comprehensive education for all students. Education represents approximately 5.5% of the Netherlands' GDP. It's education system is renowned for its progressive approach, emphasizing creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration. One notable aspect of the Dutch education system is its early childhood education and care (ECEC) programs, which are designed to provide a strong foundation for children's development. These programs prioritise play-based learning and social interaction, fostering children's cognitive, emotional, and social skills from an early age. 10. Germany Expenditure per Student: $13,700 Germany is renowned for its strong emphasis on vocational education and training (VET) alongside traditional academic pathways. The country invests significantly in its education system, allocating $13,700 per student. Germany's dual education system combines classroom instruction with practical training, allowing students to gain valuable work experience. Around 4.6% of Germany's GDP is allocated to education, reflecting the nation's commitment to providing quality education for its citizens. 9. Sweden Expenditure per Student: $13,800 Sweden boasts a progressive education system characterized by a high level of autonomy for schools and teachers. With an expenditure per student of $13,800, Sweden places importance on individualized learning and student-centered approaches. Approximately 6.5% of Sweden's GDP is dedicated to education. The country emphasises creativity, critical thinking, and innovation in its curriculum, aiming to prepare students for the challenges of a rapidly evolving world. 8. Australia Expenditure per Student: $14,100 Australia's education system is known for its diversity and inclusivity, catering to students from various cultural backgrounds and abilities. With an expenditure per student of $14,100, Australia invests in providing quality education accessible to all. Education accounts for around 5.8% of Australia's GDP. The country emphasizes a holistic approach to education, incorporating extracurricular activities and promoting well-being alongside academic achievement. 7. Belgium Expenditure per Student: $14,400 Belgium's education system is characterized by its complex structure, divided along linguistic lines between Dutch-speaking Flanders and French-speaking Wallonia. Despite this division, Belgium maintains high standards of education, investing $14,400 per student. Education expenditure represents approximately 6.1% of Belgium's GDP. The country emphasises multilingualism and cultural diversity, reflecting its bilingual and multicultural society. 6. Iceland Expenditure per Student: $15,200 Iceland prioritizes education as a key driver of social and economic development. With an expenditure per student of $15,200, Iceland invests in small class sizes and personalized learning experiences. Education accounts for around 7.1% of Iceland's GDP, demonstrating the nation's commitment to providing quality education for its population. The country values creativity, environmental sustainability, and social responsibility in its educational philosophy. Click to continue reading and see the 5 Countries that Spend the Most on Education. Suggested Articles: Disclosure: none. 20 Countries that Spend the Most on Education is originally published on Insider Monkey. In this article, we are going to discuss the 20 highest quality Scotch whisky brands in the world. You can skip our detailed analysis of the success of Scotch, the resurgence of Scotch tourism, and the sustainability initiatives in Scotch, and go directly to the 5 Highest Quality Scotch Whisky Brands in the World. Whether it's the sharp burn of single malt or the smooth, woody aroma of a blended Scotch, the scent of whisky is enough to invigorate even the weariest of souls. Part of the popularity of the beloved golden tipple comes from the sheer amount of tradition that it has behind it. Making whisky is an age-old craft, and one that goes back many centuries. Its origin began over a millennium ago, when distillation migrated from mainland Europe into Ireland and Scotland via traveling monks. The Scottish and Irish monasteries, lacking the vineyards and grapes of the continent, turned to fermenting grain mash, resulting in the first distillation of the modern whisky. The Success of Scotch: 2022 was a great year for Scotch whisky and exports of Scotlands native spirit hit $7.5 billion that year, the highest figures ever. Exports by volume also rose substantially, with the number of 700 ml bottles shipped overseas up by 21%, to 1.67 billion. The United States is the largest importer of Scotch whisky in the world, with total imports of $1.28 billion in 2022 an increase of 33% from the previous year. Sales of Scotch have been impacted by various tariffs in recent years, but those were, fortunately, lifted in October 2021. Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) - owned Johnnie Walker has played a key role in the categorys growth, meanwhile, Pernod Ricard SA (OTC:PRNDY)s The Glenlivet was the best-selling single malt Scotch whisky in 2022. Single malt Scotch whiskies are the most expensive whisky brands, with a single bottle of 60-year-old Macallan 1926 even selling for $2.7 million in 2023. The Resurgence of Scotch Tourism: Scotch whisky forms a key part of the national economy, helping to put Scotland on the map and driving tourism from around the world. Over 150 distilleries across the northern country have invested huge sums into new or expanded visitor centers to play up the industrys heritage and allow guests to soak in the sights and smells of Scotch-making. The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has revealed that the number of tourists to Scotch visitor centers throughout the country once again topped 2 million in 2022, signaling a recovery to pre-pandemic levels. Visitor spend per head also increased by 8.65%, with more than $107 million spent in total at sites across Scotlands five whisky regions, up 90% since 2010. Story continues One of the companies that has invested heavily to promote Scotch tourism is the spirits giant Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO). In 2018, the London-based company announced a $233 million investment to transform its Scotch whisky visitor experiences in the biggest concerted programme ever seen in Scotlands whisky tourism sector. Aside from upgrading Diageos existing network of 12 distillery visitor centers, the center-piece of the investment is the new state-of-the-art Johnnie Walker immersive visitor experience based in Edinburgh, bringing to life the story of the worlds most popular Scotch whisky and creating a unique welcome for millions of Scotch lovers around the world. Launched in 2021, the eight-floor building features a state-of-the-art experiential retail space where shoppers can select from rare and exclusive whiskies, fill their own bottles, and have them personalized. The highly immersive site has already been bestowed with a Green Tourism Gold Award the highest sustainability accolade for a visitor attraction. Scotch Goes Green: As one of the most environmentally friendly countries in the world, Scotland is committed to reaching Net Zero balancing the amount of greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere with those taken out by 2045. Piggybacking on the countrys green transition, the Scotch whisky industry also launched its Sustainability Strategy in 2021, which commits the sector to reaching net-zero emissions in its operations by 2040, five years in advance of the national goal. The Scotch sector has already reduced its carbon emissions by more than half since 2009, as it has gone from consuming just 2% renewable energy to 39% renewable in 2022. With no fewer than 28 malt distilleries to its name, Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) has also taken a keen interest in its environmental impact. The spirits giant announced a 10-year sustainability action plan in November 2020 titled Society 2030: Spirit of Progress which aims to achieve net-zero carbon emissions across direct operations and a 20% reduction in water used to produce every drink, while also working with suppliers in order to reduce indirect carbon emissions by 50%. Similarly, Chivas Brothers, the Scotch Whisky business of Pernod Ricard SA (OTC:PRNDY), also announced to invest over $110 million into Aberlour and Miltonduff, two of its strategic single malt distilleries. The investment will go into upgrading sustainable distillation technologies at the Speyside distilleries along with significant production capacity expansions to meet the growing global demand for Scotch. In July 2023, the brand made its carbon-reducing technology available to the wider industry. The move was made after the firms heat recovery technology was integrated at Pernod Ricards Glentauchers distillery in Scotland, lowering the sites carbon emissions by 53%. If it stays on this path of sustainability, Scotch can be at the heart of the blueprint to protect Scotlands unique environment, while also continuing to be a modern, competitive, and successful industry that produces the best whisky in the world. Both Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) and Pernod Ricard SA (OTC:PRNDY) rank among the Largest Alcohol Companies in the World in 2023. With that said, here are the Best Quality Scotch Whiskies. 20 Highest Quality Scotch Whisky Brands in the World Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock.com Methodology: To collect data for this article, we have referred to a number of sources, such as Liquor, VinePair, Mens Journal, our own previous articles, and Reddit, etc., looking for the Best Scotch Whisky Brands in 2024. To make sure we only give you the best of the best, we shortlisted whiskies that appeared multiple times in the aforementioned sources, assigned them a score based on their number of appearances, and ranked them accordingly. 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. Arran Insider Monkey Score: 8 Founded in 1993 by Harold Currie, Arran is a single malt Scotch whisky brand that is produced on the Scottish island of the same name. In 2017, an expansion of the distillery was completed with the installation of an additional wash and spirit still, more than doubling Arrans capacity to 1.2 million liters per year. 19. Aberlour Insider Monkey Score: 8 Owned by Chivas Brothers, a subsidiary of Pernod Ricard, Aberlour is among the Best-Selling Scotch Whisky Brands in the World. The brands single malts are made from expertly crafted new spirit, usually double cask matured for at least 12 years in the finest hand-picked Oloroso Sherry butts and American Oak casks. Aberlour was actually Pernod Ricard's first Scotch whisky distillery purchase. 18. The Dalmore Insider Monkey Score: 9 For over 180 years, The Dalmore has set the standard in multi-cask maturation. Hand-selected casks from the world's finest bodegas and wineries are expertly curated to create a sumptuous and layered whisky of legendary finesse. The Dalmore 12 Year Old ranks among the Truly Extraordinary Whiskeys Under $75. 17. Loch Lomond Insider Monkey Score: 9 Since 1814, the Loch Lomond Distillery has been crafting the finest single malts - every bit as delicious as its landscape is stunning. It produces a wide variety of different whiskies, which range from soft and supple to rich and very peaty - all of which are signified with its trademark complexity and depth. Named Whisky of the Year 2024 by Whisky Exchange, the Loch Lomond 18 Year Old is a perfect representation of the brands signature style. 16. Bunnahabhain Insider Monkey Score: 10 What makes Bunnahabhain unique is that even though it is located on the island of Islay, it focuses on creating non-peated whiskies, putting it more in competition with Speyside and other whisky regions than traditional Islay powerhouses. 15. Oban Insider Monkey Score: 11 The Oban Distilleryone of the oldest and smallest distilleries in Scotlandhas been making fine Single Malt Whisky since 1794. Oban is now owned by Diageo plc. Although it is one of the Best Scotch Brands in the World, Oban is made by only seven workers, meaning every drop of whisky is made by 14 hands. At around $87 a bottle, the Oban 14 Year Old is included among the Best Scotch Whiskies Under $100. 14. Talisker Insider Monkey Score: 12 Established in 1830, Talisker whisky has been made by the sea in the oldest Single Malts Scotch Whisky distillery on the shores of the Isle of Skye. This Top Scotch Brand was acquired by the Distillers Company in 1925 and is now part of Diageo. The Talisker 10 bagged a gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2017, and was also awarded 'Best Islands Single Malt' at the 2017 World Whiskies Awards. 13. Bruichladdich Insider Monkey Score: 13 Bruichladdich is the only major Scotch producer that distills, matures, and bottles their liquid all on the Scottish island of Islay. The company is the largest private employer on the island. Acquired by Remy Cointreau in 2012 for around $75 million, the Bruichladdich Distillery also makes The Botanist Islay Dry Gin, which ranks among the Best Gins Under $50. 12. The Glenlivet Insider Monkey Score: 13 Made in the Scottish Highlands since 1824, The Glenlivet is the worlds best-selling single malt Scotch. Malt from Speyside and mineral water from Cairngorms National Park are distilled in traditional lantern-shaped stills and then matured in oak casks, giving The Glenlivet its smooth, rich, and fruity flavor. Part of the Pernod Ricard group since 2001, the brand is defining new ways to enjoy single malt for a new generation. 11. Bowmore Insider Monkey Score: 14 Established in 1779, Bowmore is Islay's first distillery, crafting a collection of perfectly balanced single malt whiskies which defy expectations. In 1989, the Japanese alcohol giant Suntory bought a stake in the distillery and took full control in 1994 the year after the ground-breaking Black Bowmore was launched. 10. Glenfiddich Insider Monkey Score: 14 In 1963, Glenfiddich became the first to globally market a straight malt or single malt. The marketing worked and today, Glenfiddich is reportedly the second-best selling single malt in the world. Owned by William Grant & Sons, Glenfiddich sold 203,000 9-liter cases in America in 2021, putting it among the Most Popular Scotch Whisky Brands in USA. 9. Johnnie Walker Insider Monkey Score: 15 With 22.7 million 9-liter cases sold worldwide, Johnnie Walker is the #1 Selling Scotch Whisky Brand in the World. Its prestige status was trumped with the launch of the super swanky Blue Label in the late 1980s, but the iconic Black Label also never lost its cache. Across the world today, a bottle of Johnnie Walker Black Label is a recognised currency and symbol of excellence. 8. The Balvenie Insider Monkey Score: 15 Established in 1892 by William Grant, The Balvenie is a unique range of single malt Scotch whiskies hand-crafted in Speyside using centuries-old skills passed down through generations. Over the last few years, Balvenie has become one of the best-selling single malts and demand is growing. Today, the distillery is owned by the fifth generation of William Grants family, making William Grant & Sons one of the longest single-family ownerships in the world. 7. Highland Park Insider Monkey Score: 16 Founded in 1798, Highland Park is Scotland's northernmost whisky distillery, lying just to the North-east of fellow Orcadian, Scapa. The Highland Park Distillery is among the very few in Scotland that only use home-grown grain and one of only a handful to continue their own on site maltings. Edrington, maker of Highland Park, became a billion-pound business in 2023, following a 22% increase in revenues from its core brands that also include The Macallan, The Glenrothes, and the Famous Grouse blended whisky. Highland Park is counted among the Top 10 Scotch Whisky Brands in our list. 6. Glenmorangie Insider Monkey Score: 16 One of the most popular single malt Scotch brands in Scotland, Glenmorangie has been crafting Highland single malt whisky since 1843. As a company within Moet Hennessy-Louis Vuitton (LVMH), The Glenmorangie Company benefits from the resources and 'savoir faire' of the world leader in luxury goods, whilst being entirely independent. Click to continue reading and see the 5 Highest Quality Scotch Whisky Brands in the World. Disclosure: None. 20 Highest Quality Scotch Whisky Brands in the World is originally published on Insider Monkey. BANGKOK, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2023 SMARTIES Thailand Awards, presented by MMA Global Asia Pacific unveiled the most innovative and impactful marketing campaigns across Thailand's dynamic marketing landscape. 2023 SMARTIES Thailand Awards Unveil Marketing Excellence Across Industries The SMARTIES Awards by MMA Global is a prestigious innovation award that recognizes leaders, brands, agencies, and tech providers who use technology to pioneer new approaches in modern marketing. These awards honor outstanding innovation and creativity resulting in significant business impact. This year's Thailand program encompassed five key channels: Marketing Impact Purpose-Driven Marketing Impact Media Emerging Tech Marketing Creative "Launching the SMARTIES Awards in Thailand marks a significant milestone for the program in the APAC region," stated Rohit Dadwal, CEO of MMA Global APAC and Global Head of SMARTIES Worldwide. "The impressive quality of entries from Thailand underscores the dynamism of the region's marketing scene. This program provides a valuable platform for Thai marketers to showcase their creativity and innovation, which has contributed to their business impact and the local marketing landscape." The best and most inventive campaigns of the year were selected by a judging panel led by renowned marketing leaders. The judges awarded 33 trophies in 11 categories and 10 industry awards, including 10 gold, 5 silver, and 8 bronze medals. Digital Agency of the Year was awarded to Brilliant & Million, Thailand while Tencent was named Enabling Technology Company of the Year. Media.Monks was recognized as Specialist Agency of the Year, and Google received the Publisher of the Year award. Leo Burnett stands out as the Creative Agency of the Year, with Wavemaker earning recognition as the Media Agency of the Year. Publicis Groupe is celebrated as the Holding Agency Company of the Year, while Oreo claims the esteemed Brand of the Year accolade. Mondelez International is recognized as the Advertiser of the Year. Story continues And finally, the Grand Prix/Best in Show goes to Winterlands Code Hunt, exemplifying unparalleled excellence in marketing innovation. View the complete SMARTIES Thailand 2023 Winner Gallery here, and the judges' roster here. About MMA Global: MMA Global is the leading global trade association for marketers, providing essential resources and expertise to empower marketers to navigate the complex world of Marketing. With a commitment to driving innovation and effectiveness, MMA Global plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of marketing. SMARTIES: SMARTIES is the prestigious marketing awards program hosted by MMA Global, recognizing excellence in Marketing. The SMARTIES Awards celebrate the most innovative and impactful campaigns that push the boundaries of creativity and effectiveness in the dynamic world of mobile marketing. Find out more about MMA Global at https://www.mmaglobal.com/ Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/2023-smarties-thailand-awards-unveil-marketing-excellence-across-industries-302093903.html SOURCE MMA Global APAC Environics Research study commissioned by Dialogue reveals Canadians are relying more than ever on workplace benefits, with 8 in 10 wanting sufficient virtual care from employers MONTREAL, March 21, 2024 /CNW/ - Canadians are experiencing a decline in overall well-being and are expecting their employers to provide key benefits to support them in 2024. A new report commissioned by Dialogue Health Technologies Inc. , Canada's premier care and wellness platform, and conducted by Canadian market research firm Environics Research , reveals that 71% of working Canadians have become more conscious of their health in the past few years. Despite this, 1 in 3 Canadians feel negatively towards their current state of well-being, notably in the areas of physical and mental health, sleep, and financial wellness, which for many have worsened over the past year. Dialogue - The 2024 state of workplace health and wellness in Canada (CNW Group/Dialogue Health Technologies Inc.) The 2024 state of workplace health and wellness in Canada sheds light on these issues, reporting new trends and insights into the well-being of working Canadians, as well as the perspectives of HR professionals. It also highlights barriers to improving health and the role employers are expected to play. The report reveals that several barriers hinder employees from taking action, including employees facing financial constraints (39%), experiencing a lack of motivation (41%), and simply a lack of time to tend to their well-being (45%). "Taking care of one's well-being goes beyond seeking help when you are feeling unwell. It means maintaining a healthy lifestyle with accessible solutions to reduce stress every day," shared Dr. Stephanie Moynihan, Associate Medical Director at Dialogue. "To get there, Canadians must have the right tools, which range from treatment-based solutions, self-serve resources, habit trackers, and wellness challenges and employers need to make these solutions clear with employees." When it comes to workplace benefits, the report reveals several findings capturing the disconnect between Canadians and their employers. While nearly half (47%) are interested in improving their well-being and plan on using workplace benefits to do so, working Canadians report dissatisfaction with their current level of support: Story continues Half view their overall benefits plan as insufficient or state that they don't meet their well-being needs. 4 in 10 report that their employers do not prioritize employee mental health. Only 18% indicate their managers are equipped to recognize and support employees' mental health. In reality, employees may not always perceive the efforts made by employers to improve well-being. In fact, a majority of HR professionals (86%) affirm their organizations value employee mental health, acknowledging the responsibility, and believing that their organizations are taking appropriate measures to safeguard well-being. Despite the majority recognizing the importance of providing support, 70% still face organizational financial constraints when looking to improve their benefits. "As Canadians in the workforce admit to a decline in their health and well-being, and the impact of workplaces on their well-being, employers must look for what makes employee benefits more accessible, as well as ensure these benefits are properly utilized," said Ahsan Sadiq, Vice President, Health & Wellness at Environics. "Employer-paid services, properly catered to employee needs, can help improve workforce well-being, job satisfaction, work-life balance, as well as improve chances of attracting top talent." Despite significant progress by Canadian employers to offer more accessible benefits, there's a noticeable gap: 1 in 3 employees and HR professionals continue to view their workplace mental health support as insufficient, which can further lead to decreased performance and burnout. More traditional models of benefits provided, such as old-school Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), are also under-utilized; 53% of working Canadians reported having never used their EAP, despite employees citing it as a valuable resource for mental health, family issues, and financial advice. This situation underscores the need for a thorough review and enhancement of workplace benefits. Improving these benefits is crucial for reducing absenteeism, turnover, and productivity losses, and for closing innovation gaps. With 8 in 10 working Canadians expressing a preference for virtual care options, it's clear that modernizing benefits to include such services is becoming increasingly important. Only then can workplaces thrive, as well as address HR teams' number one challenge: talent attraction and retention. The full report can be found here . About Dialogue Incorporated in 2016, Dialogue is Canada's premier virtual healthcare and wellness platform, providing affordable, on-demand access to quality care. Through our team of health professionals, we serve employers and organizations who have an interest in the health and well-being of their employees, members and their families. Our Integrated Health Platform is a one-stop healthcare hub that centralizes all of our programs in a single, user-friendly application, providing access to services 24 hours per day, 365 days per year from the convenience of a smartphone, computer or tablet. Dialogue is the first virtual care provider to receive the Accreditation Canada Primer award, a third-party validation of safety and high-level quality of care. About Environics Research Environics Research is a Canadian market research and consultancy firm that provides organizations with actionable, evidence-based solutions to real business problems. Environics Research partners with clients to understand the business challenges they face and leverage innovative and creative solutions to generate understanding and insights. Founded in 1970, Environics Research delivers evidence-based solutions to clients working in a range of sectors and industries. SOURCE Dialogue Health Technologies Inc. Cision View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/March2024/21/c5195.html By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) is opening a review of how the 10 largest U.S. airlines collect, handle and use the personal information of passengers. The review will look at air carriers' policies and procedures to determine if they are properly safeguarding personal information, unfairly or deceptively monetizing that data, or sharing it with third parties, USDOT said Thursday. USDOTs Office of Aviation Consumer Protection will conduct privacy reviews of Allegiant, Alaska , American, Delta, Frontier, Hawaiian, JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit, and United. USDOT sent letters to the carriers asking about policies on passenger personal information, details of complaints alleging airline employees mishandled personal information, and required employee privacy training. "Airline passengers should have confidence that their personal information is not being shared improperly with third parties or mishandled by employees," Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said. USDOT said if it finds evidence of problematic privacy practices the department could open formal investigations, take enforcement actions, issue industry guidance or adopt new rules. Airlines for America, an industry group, said air carriers "take customers personal information security very seriously, which is why they have robust policies, programs and cybersecurity infrastructure to protect consumers privacy." Major U.S. airlines have spent $36.6 billion on IT systems since 2018, including $7.4 billion in 2023, the airline group said. Buttigieg said the department is working on the review with Senator Ron Wyden, who has long advocated for consumer privacy. "Because consumers will often never know that their personal data was misused or sold to shady data brokers, effective privacy regulation cannot depend on consumer complaints to identify corporate abuses," Wyden said in a statement. Story continues Mishandling consumers private information may be considered an unfair or deceptive practice by airlines and can result in civil penalties, USDOT said. USDOT said in December it was scrutinizing the frequent flyer programs of major U.S. airlines for potential deceptive or unfair practices, the agency said as regulators step up oversight of the airline industry. (Reporting by David Shepardson) MCLEAN, Va., March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Aireon, the leader in space-based air traffic management data products and services, has signed an expanded distribution agreement with Airbus to enable more users access to the Aireon's space-based automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data. Aireon logo (PRNewsfoto/Aireon) Under the terms of the multi-year contract, Airbus will integrate Aireon's global ADS-B data feed into its advanced flight analytics products, as well as the advanced digital solutions that the company offers to its customers. Multi-sourced real-time flight position data is one of the pillars to provide airlines, aircraft lessors and lessees and other aviation stakeholders advanced digital solutions, which will allow them to excel in their mission. Skywise Core users can leverage these solutions covering their fleet right from their private spaces where they can include it in their custom reports and analysis supporting them in operating Airbus products more efficiently and sustainably. Securing the provision of Aireon's global ADS-B data feed confirms Airbus' commitment to its customers to provide advanced real-time solutions to boost their operations and business. This agreement, signed today at the Airspace World exhibition in Geneva, marks the expansion of an agreement signed between the two companies in 2018. Since that time, Aireon has seen tremendous uptick in its data around the world. "Aireon's data holds a great deal of potential for Airbus and its customer base," said Peter Cabooter, Aireon Vice President of Customer Affairs. "The power of, not only of Aireon's real-time data, but also the historical information powers valuable analytic and situational awareness tools for Airbus. We look forward to the next phase of this outstanding partnership." About Aireon LLC Aireon has deployed a space-based air traffic surveillance system for Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) equipped aircraft throughout the entire globe. Aireon is harnessing next-generation aviation surveillance technologies that were formerly ground-based and, for the first time ever, is extending their reach globally to significantly improve efficiency, enhance safety, reduce emissions, and provide cost savings benefits to all stakeholders. Space-based ADS-B surveillance covers oceanic, polar, and remote regions, and augments existing ground-based systems that are limited to terrestrial airspace. In partnership with leading ANSPs from around the world, like NAV CANADA, AirNav Ireland, ENAV, NATS UK and Naviair, as well as Iridium Communications, Aireon is providing a global, real-time, space-based air traffic surveillance system, available to all aviation stakeholders. For more information, please visit www.aireon.com. Story continues Contact: Emily Feliz +1 571.424.5648 Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/aireon-signs-expanded-data-distribution-deal-with-airbus-for-space-based-ads-b-302095784.html SOURCE Aireon (Bloomberg) -- Former Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. chief Daniel Zhang has joined a little-known Chinese investment fund, a surprise twist to a long career during which he oversaw the rise and decline of the countrys highest-profile internet firm. Most Read from Bloomberg Zhang will take up the role of managing partner at Firstred Capital, the investment house said on its official WeChat account. The former CEO will work alongside founder Liu Xiaodan, according to the brief post. Zhang steered Alibaba through one of the most turbulent periods in Alibabas two-decade history, during which it weathered the pandemic, a deep economic downturn and a punishing crackdown on the countrys vast internet sector. He left abruptly in 2023 after Joseph Tsai and Eddie Wu, two of co-founder Jack Mas longest-serving lieutenants, took control of the company. Read More: Alibaba Ousts Commerce Chief, Splits Assets in New Shakeup As part of Zhangs move, Alibaba will become an anchor investor in Firstred, according to a person with knowledge of the deal. The Beijing-based outfit, which maintains a fairly low profile, was founded in 2019 and focuses on M&A opportunities in healthcare, consumer, industrials and technology. It raised 6.8 billion yuan ($945 million) from institutional investors including insurance companies and blue-chip corporations for its maiden M&A fund in 2021, according to Firstreds website. Its since invested in companies including BYD Semiconductor Co., chipmaker Changjing Electronics Technology Co. and pet healthcare specialist Ruichen Pet. When Zhang stepped down as CEO, Alibaba said he will help run a $1 billion technology investment fund on its behalf, though its not clear whether the Firstred move is related. Story continues Since his departure, the e-commerce firm has reshuffled its top ranks, switching leaders of divisions from its core online retail arm to Ele.me., and ramped up investments in AI. Read More: Alibabas Ex-CEO Quits as Jack Mas Lieutenants Take Helm Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. By Roberto Samora SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Brazil is expected to post its third annual increase in coffee production this year, a rare sequence seen only seven times in 144 years of coffee history in the world's largest grower and exporter of the beans, according to data compiled by Reuters. The positive sequence is likely to be extended for another year in 2025, experts say, mainly due to rising production of robusta beans in a country that has historically been a producer of the milder arabica coffee preferred by high-end cafes. Robusta coffee is widely used to make instant coffee. Brazilian coffee production usually alternates years of high and low production, in the arabica biennial cycle. Arabica coffee trees tend to produce less in a year following a good crop, or the other way around. That cycle, experts say, was broken after extreme weather: a harsh drought and then freak frosts that hit Brazilian coffee fields around 2020 and 2021. Since then, the country has been producing larger crops every year. The improvement is due to some post-frost farming techniques, such as pruning and expanded use of irrigation, particularly in robusta fields, to better cope with dry weather. "The growth is a reality. ... No doubt next year's crop will be larger as well, taking this sequence of increases to four years," said Marcio Ferreira, chair of exporting group Cecafe. The growing robusta production in Brazil is seen by analysts as a major contributor to more stable, rising overall coffee production. Robusta trees do not experience the biennial production variation of arabica. "There are no frosts as well in the robusta production areas," said Celso Vegro, a coffee researcher at Instituto de Economia Agricola (IEA), referring to the states of Espirito Santo, Bahia and Rondonia, which are located more to the north, while arabica trees are mostly in Minas Gerais and Sao Paulo states in the Southeast. The average yield of robusta fields in the country increased around 50% in 10 years to 44.2 bags (60 kg) per hectare, according to Brazil's food supply agency Conab. In contrast, yields on arabica fields increased 24% in the same period to 26.7 bags per hectare. Story continues The possibility of four years of production increases would match something that happened only once in history, during 1989 to 1992, according to data from the International Coffee Organization, Conab and the book "150 Years of Coffee." Conab estimates the 2024 crop at 58 million bags, up 5% from last year. Considering its data and projections, Brazil's production would reach 164 million bags in the three years from and including 2022. The robusta expansion in Brazil happens at a time when the variety's main producer, Vietnam, faces difficulties related to adverse weather, which drove prices to their highest in at least 16 years. "At some point, Brazil will likely produce more robusta beans than Vietnam," said Fernando Maximiliano, a coffee analyst at broker StoneX. The harvest in Brazil starts around April for robusta trees, and around May or June for arabica fields. (Reporting by Roberto Samora; writing by Marcelo Teixeira in New York; editing by Jonathan Oatis) Red Sea Global (RSG), the developer behind the regenerative tourism destination, The Red Sea, has announced the imminent opening of further resorts, guest facilities and experiences for 2024, cementing its position as the first of the original Saudi giga-projects to open. The Red Sea welcomed its first guests in 2023, with Six Senses Southern Dunes and St Regis The Red Sea Resort now open. The Red Sea International Airport also receives regular weekly flights, operated by Saudia, from Riyadh and Jeddah, with international flight operations set to commence this year. Upcoming Resorts for 2024 Looking ahead, Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, one of only six worldwide, is already taking reservations for stays from May 26 2024. Located on the pristine Ummahat Islands, guests can dive and snorkel around one of the worlds most untouched, pristine archipelagoes. Shebara, the first RSG-owned and operated resort at The Red Sea destination will also open this year. Surrounded by crystal clear waters, the island features a spectacular 30 to 40-m reef drop-off close to the beach providing the ultimate spot for exploring ocean life. Each space at Shebara has been designed to flow with its environment, with stainless steel villas reflecting the colours of the ocean and sky as they change throughout the day. The resort at Desert Rock remains on track to welcome guests later this year. Set in a hidden valley, Desert Rock offers exclusive luxury with just 60 keys. With architecture fully integrated into the mountainside, guests can choose from ground level dwellings, crevice hotel suites midway up the ridge, and a select number of rooms built within the rock itself. Exclusive Experiences New subsidiary brands Akun, Galaxea and WAMA provide guests with opportunities to explore The Red Sea destinations diverse land and seascapes. Akun offers land-based adventure activities for guests of all abilities including guided tours of historical sites and culinary adventures showcasing the vibrant flavours of Saudi Arabia, as well as outdoor adventures such as mountain, fat tire and electric biking, hiking through nature trails and desert safaris. WAMA and Galaxea will deliver unforgettable experiences above and below water, including diving, snorkeling, kayaking, kite surfing, and sailing. The Red Sea is home to 175 species of corals, 195 species of fish, and protected species like the hawksbill turtle and halavi guitarfish. Guests can stay connected and experience world-leading mobile internet speeds at The Red Sea with the 5G network, now recognised by Ookla. It is fully powered by renewable energy and thoughtfully designed in tune with nature, the network exemplifies the commitment to sustainability without sacrificing performance. Additionally, RSG has invested in providing superior guest arrival experience where every detail has been designed for comfort and convenience. On arrival at Red Sea International airport, guests are transferred to their resort via ultra-luxury, electric vehicle. Those staying at The Red Seas island resorts can opt for a luxury SAF-powered seaplane transfer, operated by RSG subsidiary Fly Red Sea. Sustainable Initiatives As a responsible developer, RSG goes beyond sustainability to have a regenerative impact on the natural environment, delivering a 30% net conservation benefit to local ecosystems by 2040. RSG announced its Coral Commitment during COP28 in Dubai, vowing to protect and regenerate corals in the Red Sea and beyond, and has installed more than 760,000 photovoltaic panels to power phase one of The Red Sea solely by sunlight, with the destination fully off-grid. Upon completion in 2030, The Red Sea destination will comprise 50 resorts, offering up to 8,000 hotel rooms and more than 1,000 residential properties across 22 islands and six inland sites. The destination will also include luxury marinas, golf courses, entertainment, and leisure facilities. - TradeArabia News Service (Bloomberg) -- Apollo Global Management Inc. offered to buy Paramount Globals Hollywood studio for about $11 billion, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. Most Read from Bloomberg The price exceeds the current stock market value of the company, which has two classes of shares collectively worth more than $8 billion. The nonvoting Class B shares of Paramount rose 12% to $12.51 at the close in New York. Paramount also has about $15 billion in debt. Spokespeople for Apollo and Paramount declined to comment. The Wall Street Journal reported on the offer price earlier Wednesday. A sale of just the studio would amount to a breakup of Paramount Global, a media giant that also owns a stable of TV networks including CBS, MTV and Nickelodeon. The Redstone family, which controls the company, doesnt favor a piecemeal sale, viewing the studios, networks and its Paramount+ streaming TV service as better kept together, according to people familiar with their thinking. Board Chair Shari Redstone and her representatives have instead been weighing a sale of her family holding company, National Amusements Inc., which controls Paramount, to independent producer David Ellison. His company Skydance Media, a partner with the company in films like Top Gun: Maverick, would then merge with Paramount. Ellison is the son of billionaire Larry Ellison, co-founder of Oracle Corp. That transaction is complex, however, and other Paramount investors might object to the terms. Company executives said at a March 6 investor conference that their objective is to create value for all of our shareholders. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. (Bloomberg) -- Deadly attacks on Russian regions bordering Ukraine are increasingly bringing home the costs of Vladimir Putins invasion. That doesnt yet mean people are turning on the Russian president over the war. Most Read from Bloomberg Regions including Belgorod and Kursk have faced drone and missile attacks in recent weeks as Ukraine mounts a campaign targeting infrastructure and industrial facilities including oil installations to try to undermine Russias war machine. The strikes are upending civilian life particularly in Belgorod, which has also faced ground incursions from Russian volunteer militias fighting on the side of Ukraine. Regional Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov told ruling party officials that 16 people had been killed and nearly 100 injured in the past week, adding we are evacuating a large number of villages. After winning a stage-managed landslide in the weekends presidential election, Putin is facing a growing clamor to improve air defenses and tighten border security to protect residents. Ukraine is threatening to step up its campaign to damage Russias industrial capacity and undermine public morale to weaken support for Putin with the war in its third year. Our life changed and turned into hell, said Mikhail, 43, a Belgorod resident, who asked not to be identified fully because of security concerns. People began to be afraid and panic. Everyone who could has begun to leave. Read more: Ukraines Drone Strikes on Russian Oil Mark New Phase in War Gladkov late Tuesday ordered the transfer of 9,000 local children to other Russian regions for safety and told schools near the border to shut early for the spring holiday. He also restricted access to six border villages starting Wednesday. Story continues Despite the turmoil, election officials this week said Putin won 90.7% of votes in Belgorod region with turnout reaching 87%, well above the record 77.4% reported nationally. Russia regularly attacks Ukraine with missiles and drones, and carried out a concerted campaign to knock out power infrastructure in the winter of 2022-2023 to try to freeze Ukrainians into submission. Ukrainian air defenses had greater success this winter in shielding key infrastructure. Ukraine said early Thursday that it downed 31 Russian missiles over Kyiv in the first large-scale attack on the capital after a 44-day pause. Missile debris damaged some residential buildings and 10 people were injured. Putin vowed to protect border areas when the attacks on Belgorod were raised at a Kremlin meeting with his election campaign team on Wednesday. There are different ways to do that, they arent simple, but we will do it, he said. The Russian fast food company Vkusno i Tochka, which took over the chain of McDonalds Corp. after the US giant left the country, said it had temporarily closed all of its restaurants in the region for safety reasons. Billionaire Alexey Mordashovs Severstal PJSC, which owns the Yakovlevsky iron ore mine near Belgorod thats less than 100 kilometers (62 miles) from the border, said last week it would provide 310 million rubles ($3.3 million) to support employees working in uneasy conditions. Read more: Ukraine Was Behind Attack on Top Russian Steelmakers Plant The steelmaker has a program of relocating families to other regions until the situation in Belgorod is stabilized, the company said. It also offers free access to the online Foxford school, which is part of Mordashovs group, for children unable to attend school due to the attacks. Three rebel Russian groups the Russian Volunteer Corps, the Siberian Battalion and the Legion of Freedom have claimed responsibility for cross-border attacks into Belgorod. On Wednesday, they warned in a statement on social media that attacks were intensifying and called on the governor to order a full evacuation of the regions civilian population. Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu told top army officials Wednesday in Moscow that thousands of what he called Ukrainian troops were killed or wounded in attempts to capture border settlements in Belgorod and Kursk regions during eight days of fighting. More than 50 tanks and armored vehicles as well as a helicopter had been destroyed in the clashes, he said. Ukraine says the assaults inside Russia are conducted by Russian volunteer battalions, which carry out their own battle plans independently of the government in Kyiv. The attacks on Belgorod are forcing Russia to divert forces from the front line, said a person close to the Kremlin, asking not to be identified because he isnt authorized to speak publicly. War is being fought on Russian territory, the person said. Despite the attacks, most people in Belgorod continue to support Putin, Mikhail said. But among my friends the attitude toward the war and Putin hasnt changed, he said. We understand who started it all and that this is the answer to that. (Updates with Russian missile attack on Kyiv in ninth paragraph) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. OTTAWA, Ontario, March 21, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BioTalent Canada is proud to announce the launch of its I.D.E.A.L ScholarshipTM a groundbreaking initiative designed to promote inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility leadership (IDEAL) in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) studies. The scholarship will encourage equity-deserving groups to enter STEM studies, diversify the bio-economy, and increase enrollment in STEM programs across Canada. The I.D.E.A.L Scholarship an extension of BioTalent Canadas successful I.D.E.A.L Employer Recognition Program embodies the organizations commitment to fostering an inclusive and diverse workforce, and recognizing the need for equitable representation in Canadas bio-economy. The program is tailored to support students entering their first year of study in accredited colleges or universities in Canada, focusing on those pursuing STEM disciplines. "BioTalent Canada is excited to introduce the I.D.E.A.L Scholarship which expands our commitment to diversity in the bio-economy," said Rob Henderson, President and CEO of BioTalent Canada. "By supporting equity-deserving groups in STEM, we're investing in individuals who will be the sector's future. Diversity fuels innovation, and this initiative will fuel that creativity with the talent it needs to succeed." The I.D.E.A.L Scholarship is open to students who self-identify as members of equity-deserving groups, including women, LGBTQ2+ individuals, persons with disabilities, indigenous groups, or newcomers. The focus for the inaugural year will be on candidates from indigenous groups or persons with disabilities, based on the findings of BioTalent Canadas Labour Market Information (LMI) which highlighted these two groups as the least represented in the industry. "By actively promoting diversity and inclusion, BioTalent Canada is endeavouring to foster a vibrant and innovative bio-economy," Henderson added. "Our industry thrives on fresh perspectives and varied experiences. The I.D.E.A.L Scholarship is not just about providing financial support; it's about cultivating a community of diverse talents that will drive the future of biotechnology in Canada." Story continues The I.D.E.A.L Scholarship seeks to address disparities by encouraging and empowering individuals from equity-deserving groups to pursue STEM studies and contribute to the growth of the bio-economy. Successful applicants will be chosen based on a set of criteria that include career objectives, leadership in IDEA principles, learning and awareness of IDEA principles, inclusivity through education and more. Applications for the I.D.E.A.L Scholarship will be opening Spring 2024. Visit biotalent.ca/awards to learn about BioTalent Canada awards and recognitions. The addition of the I.D.E.A.L Scholarship to BioTalent Canadas suite of products, programs and services complements the work already being done through the Student Work Placement Program to ensure equity-deserving groups can gain meaningful employment in Canadas health and biosciences sector. About BioTalent Canada: BioTalent Canada supports the people behind life-changing science. Trusted as the go-to source for labour market intelligence, BioTalent Canada guides bio-economy stakeholders with evidence-based data and industry-driven standards. BioTalent Canada is focused on igniting the industrys brainpower, bridging the gap between job-ready talent and employers, and ensuring the long-term agility, resiliency, and sustainability of one of Canadas most vital sectors. Recently named a Great Place to Work and Best Workplaces in Healthcare for 2023, by Great Place to Work Canada, as well as being listed as a Best Workplace by HRD Canada for 2023 and a 5-Star Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Employer by Canadian HR Reporter, BioTalent Canada practices the same industry standards it recommends to stakeholders. These varied distinctions were awarded to BioTalent Canada following a thorough and independent analysis of the organization. For more information, please visit biotalent.ca. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240321680598/en/ Contacts Media Inquiries: Siobhan Williams Vice-President Marketing and Communications BioTalent Canada 613-235-1402 ext. 229 swilliams@biotalent.ca FILE PHOTO: Climate change activists protest outside of BlackRock headquarters ahead of COP26, in San Francisco By Isla Binnie NEW YORK (Reuters) -A senior BlackRock executive said on Thursday the world's largest asset manager was "dismayed" by a Texas state fund's move to pull $8.5 billion in assets, and urged the fund's administrators to reconsider. Texas State Board of Education Chair Aaron Kinsey said on Tuesday the Texas Permanent School Fund (PSF) was terminating a contract with BlackRock, covering around 15% of its assets, to comply with a 2021 state law that curbed agencies' business with financial firms accused of boycotting energy companies. It was the latest broadside in a tussle between Republican state and federal officials and Wall Street firms over using environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors in investing. BlackRock Vice Chairman Mark McCombe wrote to Kinsey on Thursday that the firm had generated $250 million for PSF since 2006 and repeated previous rejections of the allegation it discriminates against oil and gas firms. "We urge you to reconsider your decision and prioritize Texas schools and families who have benefited from BlackRock's consistent, long-term investment out-performance," McCombe wrote in the letter. Kinsey said he made the move to fulfil his duty to manage money for the energy-producing state. BlackRock said state law did not require the divestment because the funds' outperformance showed "divestment would not be in the best interest of Texas PSF". Letters sent by PSF to BlackRock, dated March 19 and seen by Reuters, requested termination of contracts to manage investments in international equities and one specific fund, without giving a reason. BlackRock had $10 trillion of assets under management at the end of 2023. McCombe said it had $320 billion in energy investments globally, and $120 billion in Texas-based public energy companies. Just last month, Chief Executive Larry Fink appeared with Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick at an event in Houston aimed at stoking investment in the state's power infrastructure. (Reporting by Isla Binnie; Editing by Franklin Paul and Daniel Wallis) (Bloomberg) -- BlackRock Inc. criticized Texass decision to divest $8.5 billion from the asset managers funds, calling the move reckless and detrimental to the finances of the states schools and families. Most Read from Bloomberg Your actions put short-term politics over your long-term fiduciary responsibilities, Mark McCombe, a BlackRock vice chairman, said in a letter Thursday to Aaron Kinsey, chair of the Texas State Board of Education. We were dismayed. McCombe urged Kinsey and the board to reconsider, arguing that BlackRock has worked with the Texas Permanent School Fund for almost two decades and has produced strong investment performance with competitive fees. The firms international investing mandate beat the funds own benchmark during that span, generating more than $250 million for Texas, according to the letter. Read more: Why Texas Is Banning Banks Over Their ESG Policies: QuickTake Ending a long, successful partnership that has been a positive force for thousands of Texas schools and families in such a reckless manner is irresponsible, McCombe wrote. How our clients invest and whom they entrust to manage their money is entirely their decision, but we feel an action of this magnitude warrants transparency and consensus not political-driven decision-making. The Texas divestment is one of the biggest actions taken against BlackRock in the three-year anti-ESG campaign run by Republicans across the US. One of the few comparable moves was in late 2022, when Florida said it would pull $2 billion from the New York-based company. Earlier this week, Kinsey said the funds leadership ended its relationship with BlackRock to comply with a 2021 Texas law that restricts investments with companies that engage in so-called boycotts of the fossil-fuel industry. BlackRock is on a list of firms that state Comptroller Glenn Hegar considers to engage in such a boycott. Story continues Read More: BlackRock Condemns Texas Funds Divestment of $8.5 Billion BlackRock has long disputed this, and McCombe said the $10 trillion money manager holds more than $320 billion of global energy investments, including about $120 billion in Texas-based, publicly traded energy companies. --With assistance from Amanda Albright. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Bombardier Inc. Bombardier is set to host in-person Investor Day on May 1, 2024, at its state-of the- art Bombardier Aircraft Assembly Centre at Pearson Airport in Toronto. The event will also be made available via webcast During Investor Day, Bombardiers executive leadership will provide an update on the company's strategic priorities and outlook MONTREAL, March 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bombardier (TSX: BBD.B) today announced it will be hosting its Investor Day on May 1, 2024, at its Bombardier Aircraft Assembly Centre in Toronto. Eric Martel, Bombardiers President and Chief Executive Officer, and Bart Demosky, Bombardiers Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will be joined by members of Bombardiers senior leadership team to provide an update on the companys strategic priorities and outlook. They will also give more insight into how Bombardier is poised to create significant long-term value for its stakeholders through our strategic pillars such as Bombardier Defense, aftermarket expansion, and our industry-leading product portfolio. Information for in-person Investor Day 2024 attendance will be provided in the coming days. Due to space limitations, the number of in-person participants will be limited, and advanced registration is required. A live webcast of the presentation will be accessible on Bombardiers website starting at 9:00 a.m. ET. Those wishing to attend the webcast are asked to sign up on this webpage (in English and in French). Later that day, Bombardier will proceed with the official inauguration of its Aircraft Assembly Centre at Pearson Airport, marking the official transition from its Downsview facility. About Bombardier Bombardier (BBD-B.TO) and its subsidiaries (Bombardier Group), is a global leader in aviation, focused on designing, manufacturing, and servicing the world's most exceptional business jets. Bombardiers Challenger and Global aircraft families are renowned for their cutting-edge innovation, cabin design, performance, and reliability. Bombardier has a worldwide fleet of more than 5,000 aircraft in service with a wide variety of multinational corporations, charter and fractional ownership providers, governments, and private individuals. Bombardier aircraft are also trusted around the world in government and military special-mission roles leveraging Bombardier Defenses proven expertise. Story continues Bombardier is headquartered in Greater Montreal, Quebec, and through the Bombardier Group, operates aerostructure, assembly and completion facilities in Canada, the United States and Mexico. Bombardier Groups robust customer support network services the Learjet, Challenger and Global families of aircraft, and includes facilities in strategic locations in the United States and Canada, as well as in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Switzerland, Austria, the UAE, Singapore, China and Australia. For corporate news and information, including Bombardiers Environmental, Social and Governance report, as well as the companys plans to cover all its flight operations with a Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blend utilizing the Book and Claim system visit bombardier.com. Learn more about Bombardiers industry-leading products and customer service network at businessaircraft.bombardier.com. Follow us on X @Bombardier. For information Francis Richer de La Fleche Vice President, Financial Planning and Investor Relations Bombardier +1 514 240 9649 Mark Masluch Senior Director, Communications Bombardier +1 514 855 7167 Melbourne, Victoria --News Direct-- BOTALA ENERGY LTD Botala Energy Ltd (ASX:BTE) director and head of geology Peter Grant joins Proactive's Jonathan Jackson to discuss the attractive geological attributes of the company's Serowe Coal Bed Methane (CBM) Project in Botswana. The project consists of around 420,000 hectares of prospecting licences in the Karoo-Kalahari Basin.Grant explains how his previous experience at projects around the globe is expected to benefit Botala in its quest to feed energy-hungry southern Africa. He outlines what makes the region so attractive from a geological point of view and how the company has generated successes to date at Serowe, pointing out that coring work has produced some strong samples. He then discusses the company's near-term plans to advance the project towards production. Contact Details Proactive Investors Jonathan Jackson +61 413 713 744 jonathan@proactiveinvestors.com View source version on newsdirect.com: https://newsdirect.com/news/botala-energy-attratced-by-geological-attributes-of-serowe-cbm-project-809292816 NEW YORK One of the 17 charter bus companies sued by Mayor Eric Adams administration over transfers of asylum seekers to the New York area has agreed to stop bringing travelers known to be migrants to the region, according to court papers filed Wednesday. The agreement comes more than two months after New York City filed a lawsuit against the company, Roadrunner Charters, in response to a surge in migrant arrivals around New Years Day. The Republican-led state of Texas took credit for the operation. Defendant Roadrunner Charters Inc. will refrain forthwith from transporting individuals known as migrants from Texas to New York City, and/or from Texas to the vicinity of New York City, including but not limited to New Jersey, said the two-page stipulation. The agreement, filed in Manhattan Supreme Court, did not cover the other 16 bus companies sued by the city. A lawyer for Roadrunner, Robert Hantman, said that the company is not currently bringing migrants to the city. But he added his client expects to be successful in the major issue: which is that bus companies have nothing to do with planning migrant transports to New York. Roadrunner is simply a charter bus company, Hantman said by phone, portraying his client as caught in a fight between larger forces. He said New York City should be suing Gov. Abbott or the state of Texas, not a bus company. The office of Gov. Greg Abbott, Texas Republican leader, did not immediately reply to a request for comment. Texas, strained by a surge in migrant border crossings in recent years, claims to have sent more than 33,000 migrants to New York City since August 2022. The effort has made Texas one of the drivers of the citys migrant crisis. More than 184,000 migrants have arrived in New York City since spring 2022, and the city continues to shelter about 65,000, according to the mayors office. The city has opened more than 200 shelter sites, and projects migrant-related municipal costs to reach $10 billion by 2025. Story continues At the start of this year, hundreds of migrants were dropped off at New Jersey Transit stations and then rode the rails into the city after Adams barred migrant buses from the city except during 3.5 hour windows on weekday mornings. The citys lawsuit against the bus companies which sought more than $700 million in damages was seen in some quarters as a publicity stunt. But the waves of migrant buses have subsided since the complaint, according to City Hall. On Wednesday, Adams said he was pleased that Roadrunner had promised to stop sending migrant-filled buses from Texas. And he continued to chastise Abbott, with whom he has had a long-running war of words. New York City continues to do our part as we lead the nation in managing this national humanitarian crisis, but reckless political games from the state of Texas will not be tolerated, Adams said in a statement. He cast Roadrunner as a participant in Abbotts scheme to transport tens of thousands of migrants to our city in an attempt to overwhelm our shelter system and shift costs to New York City. But he underlined that he was glad the company had pledged not to bring more migrants. We call on all other bus companies involved in this suit to do the same, the mayor said in the statement. (Bloomberg) -- China may ask its soybean crushers to prioritize local supplies as the worlds top buyer seeks to reduce its reliance on imports. Most Read from Bloomberg Beijing is discussing plans for some crushers to process specific amounts of local beans this year, according to people familiar with the matter. Domestic supplies can often be more expensive than imports, and the people said the government will subsidize any losses incurred by the companies. The National Development and Reform Commission, Chinas state planner, didnt immediately reply to a fax seeking comment. China buys more than 60% of the worlds soybeans and any cut to imports would likely impact major growers Brazil and the US, which have expanded to cater for rising appetite from Asias biggest economy. However, the plan isnt yet finalized and might still change, said the people, who asked not to be named as theyre not authorized to speak to the media. Read More: Xis Food Security Campaign May Backfire for Chinese Farmers The nation has been pushing to expand local output of soybeans to bolster self sufficiency, but cheaper imports often make it harder for domestic producers to compete. China crushes beans into cooking oil and animal feed, particularly for its massive pig industry. Chinas soybean output in 2023-24 was 27% higher than two years ago at 20.84 million tons, according to official data. The country buys over 80% of the beans it consumes from overseas, importing 105 million tons this season. Authorities have previously tried to boost the local market by stockpiling more in state reserves a measure it often employs for agricultural goods but thats had little impact on local prices. Soybean futures traded in Dalian fell to the lowest in more than three years last month. Story continues --With assistance from Luz Ding. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Wen Jian will be sentenced in May. Crown Prosecution Service Jian Wen was convicted of money laundering offense in a court in London on Wednesday. In 2021, police seized 61,000 bitcoin from digital wallets linked to the Chinese takeaway worker. Wen converted the crypto into cash and other assets on behalf of an international fraudster. A former Chinese takeaway worker was found guilty of a money laundering offense after police discovered that she'd converted bitcoin worth billions into cash and big-ticket items including jewelry and properties in Dubai. Jian Wen, 42, was convicted at Southwark Crown Court in London on Wednesday, the UK's Crown Prosecution Service said in a press release. The case unfolded after police seized 61,000 bitcoin from digital wallets linked to Wen in 2021. The crypto haul, which was worth 1.4 billion ($1.8 billion) then and would now be valued at $3.8 billion, the CPS said. Prosecutors said Wen had helped an international fraudster who is still at large to hide the bitcoin, which had originally been stolen from nearly 130,000 Chinese investors between 2014 and 2017. Wen is not alleged to have been involved in that original fraud. Before meeting the woman she described as her "employer," Wen had lived above a Chinese restaurant in Leeds. In 2017 she started converting the stolen bitcoin into cash, jewelry, and two properties in Dubai worth more than 500,000 ($640,000), the court heard. Cash seized by police from Jian Wen's property. CPS Wen also rented a six-bedroom property in north London costing about 17,000 ($20,000) a month and paid for her son to move over from China to attend a private school in the UK. Police became involved when Wen tried to buy multiple properties in London but struggled to convert her bitcoin into cash and to answer banks' anti-money-laundering compliance checks, the CPS said. When challenged, the woman said she'd made the money legitimately through bitcoin mining, and later claimed her employer gave her 3,000 bitcoin then worth about 15 million. "Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are increasingly being used by organized criminals to disguise and transfer assets, so that fraudsters may enjoy the benefits of their criminal conduct," said chief prosecutor Andrew Penhale in a press release. "This case, involving the largest cryptocurrency seizure in the UK, illustrates the scale of criminal proceeds available to those fraudsters." Story continues Adrian Foster, another chief prosecutor, added that the CPS had worked with police to obtain freezing orders to preserve the seized cryptocurrency. "A CPS-led civil recovery investigation is running to establish that the frozen cryptocurrency is criminal property and to seek its forfeiture," he said. Wen is due to be sentenced on May 10. Read the original article on Business Insider Market scan of aerial transit, bike share, autonomous shuttles, ferries, on-demand transit TORONTO, March 21, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Canadian Urban Transit Research and Innovation Consortium (CUTRIC) has released a research report that outlines effective strategies for infrastructure investments in non-traditional transportation systems such as aerial transit, micromobility like bikes or e-bikes, ferries, on-demand transit and autonomous shuttles in Canada. Given Canadas unique transportation challenges, including a growing population, challenging terrain, the need for connectivity within remote and rural communities and ongoing congestion in major cities, exploring alternative transit solutions is critical. Through international and domestic case studies and industry trends, the reports key findings highlight non-traditional transportation systems that can play a critical role in providing transit options for users and enhancing the reach and performance of transit networks. "Traditional modes of public transportation like buses and trains provide the backbone for our networks. Non-traditional options like aerial systems, bike sharing, and ferries offer unique opportunities to enhance and strengthen our transit networks by addressing first kilometre/last kilometre challenges, mitigating congestion and improving the sustainability of our transportation ecosystem," said Josipa Petrunic, President & CEO of CUTRIC. The report also summarizes CUTRICs recommendations for a successful implementation of non-traditional transport modes by: Increasing public trust and awareness of these transport modes by promoting their operation, safety and reliability. Developing clear and consistent regulations by collaborating with regulators, industries and communities. Securing support from the government to develop policies, frameworks and financial support for these non-traditional transit systems. Adopting financing models that align with delivery by creating opportunities to aggregate private capital and share risk. Story continues "Investment in public transit is critical for Canada to support its economy, address climate objectives and connect Canadians. This research, highlighting investment opportunities that can expand our networks, is important for leaders in transit, cities and the private sector to reflect on as we work together to address these goals," said Ehren Cory, CEO of the Canada Infrastructure Bank. This research paper was supported by the Canada Infrastructure Bank with the aim to enhance knowledge across the sector of non-traditional modes of transit as an effective option for infrastructure investment. The CIB is an impact investor focused on connected communities and climate action, investing in the next generation of infrastructure Canadians need. Quick Facts: Aerial transit systems (i.e., gondolas) use suspended vehicles to transport people in areas with difficult terrain and weather. They can carry 4,000 to 6,000 passengers per hour and can be integrated with other transit systems. Aerial transit systems may be able to provide speed, reliability, sustainability, accessibility and cost-effectiveness as a new mobility mode. Shared micromobility solutions such as bicycles and electric bicycles (e-bikes) have great potential as low-cost options for expanding mobility networks. The report focuses on bike sharing as a sustainable transport option that uses electric or traditional bikes to connect people to public transit. Water-based transit options such as ferries connect places across the water. They can be faster, more efficient and more direct than bridges and tunnels and are highly effective when integrated with existing land-based transit systems, especially in regions with inland waterways. On-demand services are a type of transportation that adapt to passenger demands and allows them to ride when and where needed. They offer flexibility, convenience and efficiency in transportation, especially in new communities or areas with lower population density and during off-peak hours. Autonomous shuttles use various technologies to drive without human intervention. They have the potential to improve public transit by using technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to connect people to their destinations. For more information, download the full report: https://cutric-crituc.org/cib-non-traditional-modes-of-transit/ About CUTRIC CUTRIC is a non-profit innovation consortium with a vision to make Canada a global leader in low-carbon smart mobility. Through industry-led collaborative research and large-scale technology integration trials, CUTRIC is working to achieve this goal by focusing on technology development, integration, and standardization of low-carbon propulsion systems and smart vehicle systems, data-driven analytics in mobility, and cybersecurity in transportation. CUTRIC is designated as the National Planning Service for the Government of Canadas Zero Emission Transit Fund. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240321788284/en/ Contacts CUTRIC Media: Andrew Slock andrew@talkshopmedia.com There's no doubt that money can be made by owning shares of unprofitable businesses. For example, although Amazon.com made losses for many years after listing, if you had bought and held the shares since 1999, you would have made a fortune. But the harsh reality is that very many loss making companies burn through all their cash and go bankrupt. So should Cyclopharm (ASX:CYC) shareholders be worried about its cash burn? For the purpose of this article, we'll define cash burn as the amount of cash the company is spending each year to fund its growth (also called its negative free cash flow). Let's start with an examination of the business' cash, relative to its cash burn. See our latest analysis for Cyclopharm Does Cyclopharm Have A Long Cash Runway? A cash runway is defined as the length of time it would take a company to run out of money if it kept spending at its current rate of cash burn. As at December 2023, Cyclopharm had cash of AU$12m and no debt. Importantly, its cash burn was AU$7.7m over the trailing twelve months. So it had a cash runway of approximately 18 months from December 2023. Importantly, though, the one analyst we see covering the stock thinks that Cyclopharm will reach cashflow breakeven before then. If that happens, then the length of its cash runway, today, would become a moot point. The image below shows how its cash balance has been changing over the last few years. How Well Is Cyclopharm Growing? On balance, we think it's mildly positive that Cyclopharm trimmed its cash burn by 6.2% over the last twelve months. And operating revenue was up by 13% too. On balance, we'd say the company is improving over time. Clearly, however, the crucial factor is whether the company will grow its business going forward. So you might want to take a peek at how much the company is expected to grow in the next few years. How Hard Would It Be For Cyclopharm To Raise More Cash For Growth? Cyclopharm seems to be in a fairly good position, in terms of cash burn, but we still think it's worthwhile considering how easily it could raise more money if it wanted to. Issuing new shares, or taking on debt, are the most common ways for a listed company to raise more money for its business. Commonly, a business will sell new shares in itself to raise cash and drive growth. By looking at a company's cash burn relative to its market capitalisation, we gain insight on how much shareholders would be diluted if the company needed to raise enough cash to cover another year's cash burn. Story continues Cyclopharm has a market capitalisation of AU$169m and burnt through AU$7.7m last year, which is 4.5% of the company's market value. That's a low proportion, so we figure the company would be able to raise more cash to fund growth, with a little dilution, or even to simply borrow some money. So, Should We Worry About Cyclopharm's Cash Burn? As you can probably tell by now, we're not too worried about Cyclopharm's cash burn. In particular, we think its cash burn relative to its market cap stands out as evidence that the company is well on top of its spending. Its weak point is its cash burn reduction, but even that wasn't too bad! It's clearly very positive to see that at least one analyst is forecasting the company will break even fairly soon. After considering a range of factors in this article, we're pretty relaxed about its cash burn, since the company seems to be in a good position to continue to fund its growth. When you don't have traditional metrics like earnings per share and free cash flow to value a company, many are extra motivated to consider qualitative factors such as whether insiders are buying or selling shares. Please Note: Cyclopharm insiders have been trading shares, according to our data. Click here to check whether insiders have been buying or selling. If you would prefer to check out another company with better fundamentals, then do not miss this free list of interesting companies, that have HIGH return on equity and low debt or this list of stocks which are all forecast to grow. 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. Daily Mail Journalists at the Daily Mail are braced for job cuts after bosses warned of changes to working patterns as the newspaper group races to adapt to the digital age. In a note to staff, Ted Verity, editor of Mail Newspapers, said the publisher was taking further steps to merge its titles to put digital at the heart of everything we do. He said: Inevitably, this will mean changes to the way some reporters and news desk executives work. Some staff will see a change to their working pattern, job title, line manager or duties. He added that managers will be in touch with affected employees to discuss the proposals. It is believed that some newsroom staff did not receive the email. The overhaul will fuel concerns about job losses at the Daily Mail a year after the company cut dozens of roles as it began merging operations across its daily and Sunday titles. Bosses said the move would eradicate unnecessary duplication as multiple journalists often worked on rival versions of the same story for the publishers print and online output. There is an effort to improve efficiency at publications owned by Lord Rothermere's DMGT - Finnbarr Webster Daily Mail and General Trust (DMGT), which is owned by Lord Rothermere, is now accelerating its overhaul against a challenging backdrop for news organisations. DMGTs online ad revenues fell 3pc last year to 166m, while print ad revenues tumbled 16pc as brands pulled back spend. In January, MailOnline began charging readers for access to a small number of premium articles, mirroring similar moves to GB News. The partial paywall marks efforts by the publisher to reduce its reliance on digital advertising revenues amid a broader downturn in the market. In the email, Mr Verity said the new Mail+ venture was so far exceeding expectations. He added: This is a wonderful vindication of what we have always believed that its the unique quality and professionalism of our world-beating journalists which makes us succeed, in print or on any digital platform. The spectre of job cuts at the Mail compounds troubles in the newspaper industry after Reach, the publisher of the Express and Mirror, slashed almost 800 roles last year. Jim Mullen, chief executive of Reach, has refused to rule out further job losses as the company struggles to offset a slump in ad revenues. 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) -- The digital-asset world is going about business as usual despite some worrisome issues that may be raised by the US Securities and Exchange Commissions probe of the Ethereum Foundation, the organization that supports the second-biggest cryptocurrency. Most Read from Bloomberg The unspecified investigation highlights the long-running debate over whether Ether, a token used on the blockchain, is a security. If declared as such, that would make the token commonly referred to as ETH subject to SEC guidelines that many in the industry have bristled against. Even so, Ether has gained about 5% since Tuesday. Thats a big change from when the threat of pending action by the SEC would often send the prices of tokens lower. Market observers point to a series of legal setbacks suffered by the SEC over the last year that have undermined Chairman Gary Genslers enforcement crackdown. Just Monday, a federal judge accused the SEC of gross abuse of power in pursuing a crypto company known as DEBT Box. Securities law risk is table stakes for any company operating in this industry, said Michael Selig, a partner at the law firm of Willkie Farr & Gallagher. All of this will be litigated in court and may become moot as a result of the upcoming elections. The biggest immediate impact is probably on whether the probe puts in question the likelihood of an approval by the agency of exchange-traded funds investing directly in Ether. A number of issuers, from VanEck to Fidelity, have filed for permission to launch them. Bloomberg Intelligence analysts figure theres only a 25% chance of approval. That would be a very difficult hill to climb in terms of seeking ETF approval because effectively the regulator would be approving an ETF on an asset theyd labeled as illegal, Stephane Ouellette, chief executive of digital-asset platform FRNT Financial. Story continues A security designation could also put pressure on exchanges to delist Ether. When the SEC named 19 tokens as securities in lawsuits last year, platforms such as Bakkt, Robinhood Markets and Bitstamp delisted some of the tokens. Even so, many of the tokens actually saw an increase in trading volume as investors shrugged the designation off. If Ether is designated as a security, that may also create trouble for decentralized exchanges, known as dexes, that run on the Ethereum blockchain. The SEC has few hooks today to enforce against the decentralized finance protocols being run globally on top of [such] chains, said Lex Sokolin, co-founder of Generative Ventures. Perhaps if ETH is a security, they would have further reach to treat the Dexes as exchanges, the lenders as debt issuers, and so on. Other digital assets, like nonfungible tokens such as CryptoPunks and Bored Apes that are minted on Ethereum network and bought and sold with Ether could also be impacted. Still, the so-called floor, or lowest, prices of many NFTs surged in the last 24 hours. Pudgy Penguins floor price increased 20%, and Bored Apes rose by 5%, according to data compiled by NFT Price Floor. The entire ecosystem could take a short-term hit if ETH was classified a security mostly due to the uncertainty it creates rather than it being a blanket cause for every [Ethereum-technology]-based token to become a security, as that would be very unlikely, said Yat Siu, co-founder of Animoca Brands, which invests in blockchain games that use NFTs. Even so-called Layer-2 blockchains, which overlay Ethereum to provide cheaper transaction costs, may need to change their operational structure or compliance measures to meet SEC regulations, said Pedro Herrera, co-founder of PrimeTrader, a gamefied tokens platform. The added regulatory burden could either slow down innovation (due to the need for compliance) or potentially stimulate it, as projects seek to navigate or leverage the new regulatory environment. On the other hand, blockchains that compete with Ethereum, such as Solana, could benefit as some Ethereum businesses and users migrate over, if Ether is deemed a security. The SEC is investigating Ethereum after its 2022 software upgrade drastically altered the way the network orders transactions. The upgrade, called the Merge, allowed people to stake their Ether to earn interest, and that raised fresh questions of whether its a security. Theres also the question of whether a small group of people has an outsized influence on Ethereums development and operations. In last years lawsuit against crypto exchange KuCoin, New York Attorney General Letitia James called Ether a security, saying that Ethers development and growth have been managed by a small number of developers who stand to profit from the growth of the network and the related appreciation of ETH. She said that co-founder Vitalik Buterin and the Ethereum Foundation hold significant influence over Ethereums development. In its solicitations for public comments on the proposed spot Ether ETFs, the SEC asked, Are there particular features related to ether and its ecosystem, including its proof of stake consensus mechanism and concentration of control or influence by a few individuals or entities, that raise unique concerns about ethers susceptibility to fraud and manipulation? Since the Merge, there have been worries of too few entities controlling some aspects of Ethereums operations. This suggests that the SEC may be examining Ethereum governance and upgrade management processes that could reveal control or influence by a few individuals or entities, Ouellette said in a newsletter Thursday. The agency has demanded information from companies about dealings with the Ethereum Foundation as part of a review of aspects of Ether, Bloomberg reported Wednesday. Of course, 2024 is an election year in the US, and depending on the outcome, Gensler may not even be in office in a matter of months. And then there are the courts for crypto companies to fall back on. He is not an emperor, said Michael Terpin, a long-time crypto investor who owns Ether and Bored Apes. --With assistance from Muyao Shen. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. An In-Depth Look at Equity Residential's Upcoming Dividend and Financial Health Equity Residential (NYSE:EQR) recently announced a dividend of $0.68 per share, payable on 2024-04-12, with the ex-dividend date set for 2024-03-22. 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 delve into Equity Residential's dividend performance and assess its sustainability. What Does Equity Residential Do? Warning! GuruFocus has detected 7 Warning Sign with EQR. 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? Equity Residential owns a portfolio of 302 apartment communities with around 80,000 units and is developing two additional properties with 537 units. The company focuses on owning large, high-quality properties in the urban and suburban submarkets of Southern California, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., New York, Seattle, and Boston. Equity Residential's Dividend Analysis A Glimpse at Equity Residential's Dividend History Equity Residential has maintained a consistent dividend payment record since 1993. Dividends are currently distributed on a quarterly basis. Below is a chart showing annual Dividends Per Share for tracking historical trends. Breaking Down Equity Residential's Dividend Yield and Growth As of today, Equity Residential currently has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 4.23% and a 12-month forward dividend yield of 4.30%. This suggests an expectation of increased dividend payments over the next 12 months. Over the past three years, Equity Residential's annual dividend growth rate was 3.20%. Extended to a five-year horizon, this rate increased to 3.80% per year. And over the past decade, Equity Residential's annual dividends per share growth rate stands at 3.20%. Based on Equity Residential's dividend yield and five-year growth rate, the 5-year yield on cost of Equity Residential stock as of today is approximately 5.10%. Story continues Equity Residential'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, Equity Residential's dividend payout ratio is 2.75, which may suggest that the company's dividend may not be sustainable. Equity Residential's profitability rank, offers an understanding of the company's earnings prowess relative to its peers. GuruFocus ranks Equity Residential's profitability 7 out of 10 as of 2023-12-31, suggesting good profitability prospects. The company has reported positive net income for each 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. Equity Residential's growth rank of 7 out of 10 suggests that the company's growth trajectory is good relative to its competitors. Revenue is the lifeblood of any company, and Equity Residential's revenue per share, combined with the 3-year revenue growth rate, indicates a strong revenue model. Equity Residential's revenue has increased by approximately 3.30% per year on average, a rate that outperforms approximately 51.52% 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, Equity Residential's earnings increased by approximately 16.30% per year on average, a rate that outperforms approximately 68.53% of global competitors. Lastly, the company's 5-year EBITDA growth rate of 0.10%, which outperforms approximately 41.53% of global competitors. Concluding Thoughts on Equity Residential's Dividend Profile Equity Residential's upcoming dividend, consistent historical payments, and growth metrics present a picture of a company committed to returning value to shareholders. However, the high payout ratio may raise questions about the long-term sustainability of these dividends. Investors must weigh the attractive yield and growth rates against the potential risks indicated by the payout ratio. Equity Residential's strong profitability and growth prospects may reassure investors, but it's crucial to monitor these factors continuously. Will Equity Residential continue to be a staple in dividend-focused portfolios? The answer lies in the balance of these financial health indicators and market conditions. 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. Ernst Russ (ETR:HXCK) Full Year 2023 Results Key Financial Results Revenue: 226.6m (up 14% from FY 2022). Net income: 55.1m (up 17% from FY 2022). Profit margin: 24% (in line with FY 2022). All figures shown in the chart above are for the trailing 12 month (TTM) period Ernst Russ Revenues Beat Expectations Revenue exceeded analyst estimates by 1.8%. Looking ahead, revenue is expected to decline by 9.1% p.a. on average during the next 2 years, while revenues in the Capital Markets industry in Germany are expected to grow by 3.2%. Performance of the German Capital Markets industry. The company's shares are up 40% from a week ago. Risk Analysis You should learn about the 5 warning signs we've spotted with Ernst Russ (including 2 which are a bit concerning). 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 Kimlun Corporation Berhad is RM1.10 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity Current share price of RM0.97 suggests Kimlun Corporation Berhad is potentially trading close to its fair value Our fair value estimate is 11% higher than Kimlun Corporation Berhad's analyst price target of RM0.99 How far off is Kimlun Corporation Berhad (KLSE:KIMLUN) from its intrinsic value? Using the most recent financial data, we'll take a look at whether the stock is fairly priced by projecting its future cash flows and then discounting them to today's value. This will be done using the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. 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 Kimlun Corporation Berhad The Calculation We use what is known as a 2-stage model, which simply means we have two different periods of growth rates for the company's cash flows. Generally the first stage is higher growth, and the second stage is a lower growth phase. In the first stage we need to estimate the cash flows to the business over the next ten years. Seeing as no analyst estimates of free cash flow are available to us, we have extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the company's last 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, and so the sum of these future cash flows is then discounted to today's value: Story continues 10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (MYR, Millions) RM56.4m RM50.7m RM47.7m RM46.2m RM45.6m RM45.7m RM46.3m RM47.2m RM48.3m RM49.7m Growth Rate Estimate Source Est @ -15.98% Est @ -10.12% Est @ -6.02% Est @ -3.15% Est @ -1.15% Est @ 0.26% Est @ 1.24% Est @ 1.93% Est @ 2.41% Est @ 2.75% Present Value (MYR, Millions) Discounted @ 14% RM49.5 RM39.0 RM32.2 RM27.3 RM23.7 RM20.9 RM18.5 RM16.6 RM14.9 RM13.4 ("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St) Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = RM256m 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. 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 (3.5%) 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 14%. Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033 (1 + g) (r g) = RM50m (1 + 3.5%) (14% 3.5%) = RM492m Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= RM492m ( 1 + 14%)10= RM133m The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is RM389m. In the final step we divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of RM1.0, the company appears about fair value at a 11% discount to where the stock price trades currently. 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 Important Assumptions Now the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate, and of course, the actual 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 Kimlun Corporation Berhad 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 14%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.645. 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 Kimlun Corporation Berhad Strength Debt is well covered by cash flow. Weakness Interest payments on debt are not well covered. Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Construction market. Opportunity Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the Malaysian market. Current share price is below our estimate of fair value. Threat No apparent threats visible for KIMLUN. Next Steps: 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. Rather it should be seen as a guide to "what assumptions need to be true for this stock to be under/overvalued?" For example, changes in the company's cost of equity or the risk free rate can significantly impact the valuation. For Kimlun Corporation Berhad, we've put together three important items you should further research: Risks: Take risks, for example - Kimlun Corporation Berhad has 2 warning signs (and 1 which is significant) we think you should know about. Future Earnings: How does KIMLUN'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 Malaysian 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. Key Insights Union Gas Holdings' estimated fair value is S$0.40 based on Dividend Discount Model Union Gas Holdings' S$0.38 share price indicates it is trading at similar levels as its fair value estimate Union Gas Holdings' peers are currently trading at a premium of 1,737% on average Today we'll do a simple run through of a valuation method used to estimate the attractiveness of Union Gas Holdings Limited (SGX:1F2) as an investment opportunity by taking the forecast future cash flows of the company and discounting them back to today's value. We will use the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model on this occasion. Models like these may appear beyond the comprehension of a lay person, but they're fairly easy to follow. Remember though, that there are many ways to estimate a company's value, and a DCF is just one method. Anyone interested in learning a bit more about intrinsic value should have a read of the Simply Wall St analysis model. View our latest analysis for Union Gas Holdings The Method As Union Gas Holdings operates in the gas utilities sector, we need to calculate the intrinsic value slightly differently. Instead of using free cash flows, which are hard to estimate and often not reported by analysts in this industry, dividends per share (DPS) payments are used. Unless a company pays out the majority of its FCF as a dividend, this method will typically underestimate the value of the stock. The 'Gordon Growth Model' is used, which simply assumes that dividend payments will continue to increase at a sustainable growth rate forever. The dividend is expected to grow at an annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 2.1%. We then discount this figure to today's value at a cost of equity of 5.7%. Relative to the current share price of S$0.4, the company appears about fair value at a 6.8% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Valuations are imprecise instruments though, rather like a telescope - move a few degrees and end up in a different galaxy. Do keep this in mind. Story continues Value Per Share = Expected Dividend Per Share / (Discount Rate - Perpetual Growth Rate) = S$0.01 / (5.7% 2.1%) = S$0.4 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. 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 Union Gas Holdings 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 5.7%, which is based on a levered beta of 0.800. 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 Union Gas Holdings Strength Earnings growth over the past year exceeded the industry. Debt is not viewed as a risk. Dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows. Weakness Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Gas Utilities market. Opportunity Current share price is below our estimate of fair value. Lack of analyst coverage makes it difficult to determine 1F2's earnings prospects. Threat No apparent threats visible for 1F2. Looking Ahead: Although the valuation of a company is important, it shouldn't be the only metric you look at when researching a company. The DCF model is not a perfect stock valuation tool. 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 instance, if the terminal value growth rate is adjusted slightly, it can dramatically alter the overall result. For Union Gas Holdings, there are three important factors you should explore: Risks: As an example, we've found 3 warning signs for Union Gas Holdings (1 shouldn't be ignored!) that you need to consider before investing here. 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! Other Top Analyst Picks: Interested to see what the analysts are thinking? Take a look at our interactive list of analysts' top stock picks to find out what they feel might have an attractive future outlook! PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Singaporean stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. (Bloomberg) -- The European Unions executive arm has proposed putting punitive tariffs on imports of some Russian agricultural products to discourage flows and curb the countrys wartime revenue, according to a senior EU official. Most Read from Bloomberg The duties would hit several items, including grains and oilseeds as well as some of their derived products, the person said. They will be set at 95 euros per ton or 50% of the value, depending on the product, and also apply to crops from Belarus. The proposed measures, which would need the backing of a qualified majority of member states, were first pushed by a group of central and eastern European capitals. The curbs would not apply to goods in transit. Russia exported 4.2 million tons of grain and oilseeds to the bloc last year, and the move is expected to stem flows of the goods, the person said. That amount remains a small portion of the EUs overall imports. Our proposed prohibitive tariffs will make imports of these products commercially unviable, thereby also preventing possible future surges that could destabilize the EU food market, said Executive Vice President and Commissioner for Trade Valdis Dombrovskis. It would also shield the EU from importing any grain Russia has illegally stolen from Ukraine. EU Mulls Restrictions on Imports of Russian Agriculture Products A person familiar with the matter said several EU leaders had been pushing for the duties and noted that it was odd that some were discussing curtailing Ukrainian exports while the bloc continued to import from Russia. European food producers have been pushing back against EU environmental rules and bureaucratic hurdles. They have also been upset by an influx of Ukrainian grain, as the EU seeks to buoy the nations trade during Russias invasion. Poland, Hungary and Slovakia last year introduced unilateral bans on Ukrainian crops bowing to the pressure from farmers who saw prices on their own products drop. Story continues --With assistance from Ewa Krukowska. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Many investors are still learning about the various metrics that can be useful when analysing a stock. This article is for those who would like to learn about Return On Equity (ROE). To keep the lesson grounded in practicality, we'll use ROE to better understand Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd (SGX:S63). ROE or return on equity is a useful tool to assess how effectively a company can generate returns on the investment it received from its shareholders. Put another way, it reveals the company's success at turning shareholder investments into profits. Check out our latest analysis for Singapore Technologies Engineering How Is ROE Calculated? The formula for ROE is: Return on Equity = Net Profit (from continuing operations) Shareholders' Equity So, based on the above formula, the ROE for Singapore Technologies Engineering is: 22% = S$604m S$2.8b (Based on the trailing twelve months to December 2023). The 'return' is the amount earned after tax over the last twelve months. One way to conceptualize this is that for each SGD1 of shareholders' capital it has, the company made SGD0.22 in profit. Does Singapore Technologies Engineering Have A Good Return On Equity? Arguably the easiest way to assess company's ROE is to compare it with the average in its industry. Importantly, this is far from a perfect measure, because companies differ significantly within the same industry classification. As you can see in the graphic below, Singapore Technologies Engineering has a higher ROE than the average (7.8%) in the Aerospace & Defense industry. roe That's clearly a positive. With that said, a high ROE doesn't always indicate high profitability. A higher proportion of debt in a company's capital structure may also result in a high ROE, where the high debt levels could be a huge risk . Our risks dashboardshould have the 2 risks we have identified for Singapore Technologies Engineering. How Does Debt Impact ROE? Virtually all companies need money to invest in the business, to grow profits. That cash can come from retained earnings, issuing new shares (equity), or debt. In the first two cases, the ROE will capture this use of capital to grow. In the latter case, the debt used for growth will improve returns, but won't affect the total equity. That will make the ROE look better than if no debt was used. Story continues Combining Singapore Technologies Engineering's Debt And Its 22% Return On Equity Singapore Technologies Engineering clearly uses a high amount of debt to boost returns, as it has a debt to equity ratio of 2.22. While its ROE is respectable, it is worth keeping in mind that there is usually a limit as to how much debt a company can use. Debt increases risk and reduces options for the company in the future, so you generally want to see some good returns from using it. Conclusion Return on equity is a useful indicator of the ability of a business to generate profits and return them to shareholders. Companies that can achieve high returns on equity without too much debt are generally of good quality. All else being equal, a higher ROE is better. But when a business is high quality, the market often bids it up to a price that reflects this. The rate at which profits are likely to grow, relative to the expectations of profit growth reflected in the current price, must be considered, too. So I think it may be worth checking this free report on analyst forecasts for the company. Of course Singapore Technologies Engineering may not be the best stock to buy. So you may wish to see this free collection of other companies that have high ROE and low debt. 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) -- The global airline industry has long warned passengers theyll eventually have to pay some of the $5 trillion cost of decarbonizing air travel. The moment has come. Most Read from Bloomberg Singapores government has announced a tax on air fares to fund purchases of pricey sustainable aviation fuel, while neighboring Malaysia has authorized carriers to charge people a carbon levy from next month. In Europe, airlines this year lose one quarter of their free emissions allowance, the first in a series of reductions thats already estimated to be adding to ticket prices. Weve entered a new era, said Rico Luman, a transport, logistics and automotive economist at ING Groep NV in Amsterdam. Flying will turn more expensive. While the policies differ from country to country, the common goal is to clean up an aviation industry that for a century has relied on fossil fuels to function. Airline chiefs fret that unless they show theyre serious about cutting emissions right now, theyll face fines, flying limits or worst of all be grounded completely. Sustainable aviation fuel, a cleaner-burning liquid made from waste oils or agricultural feedstock, is the industrys primary means of reaching its 2050 net zero target. But the new fuel is in short supply and can be more than double the price of normal jet kerosene, leaving airlines little choice but to pass the cost onto passengers. It means little price respite for flyers whove been whacked by soaring prices since air travel resumed after the pandemic. Now, theyll have to pay to neutralize aviations carbon footprint, too. That change is expensive, Kiri Hannifin, Air New Zealand Ltd.s chief sustainability officer, said in an interview this week. We do need to start talking to Kiwis about what flying is doing, why its impactful, why weve got to change. Story continues Air New Zealand wants sustainable fuel to account for around 20% of its total fuel consumption by 2030, one of the most ambitious targets of its kind anywhere in the world. Delta Air Lines Inc., Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd., and Qantas Airways Ltd. are among those with a 10% target by the end of the decade. Singapore, Malaysia Sustainable aviation fuel can cut emissions by as much as 80%. The greener fuel is essential to reduce emissions from long-haul flights, the source of most air-travel pollution, because electric planes dont have sufficient range. Hydrogen propulsion isnt expected to make a meaningful impact for decades. With time running out, air-travel levies or mandates to buy or supply sustainable aviation fuel are rippling across the globe from Japan and Singapore to the European Union and the UK. The measures are designed to forcefully accelerate emissions reductions and assure green fuel suppliers that there will be buyers for their new, relatively expensive product. Voluntary measures have largely failed, said Dan Rutherford, director of research at the International Council on Clean Transportation. The most effective policies are those that apply equally to all airlines instead of singling out carriers from a certain country, he said. Singapore, for instance, aims to have all departing flights take off with 1% sustainable aviation fuel in jets tanks from 2026, rising to between 3% and 5% by 2030. The levy will vary depending on the length of the flight and the class of travel. An economy flight to London in 2026 would rise by S$16 ($12) under the policy. Malaysia will in April allow airlines flying in and out of Kuala Lumpur to impose a carbon levy, either to pay for sustainable fuel or to fund carbon offsets. Details of the policy appeared in a local Bernama media report this month that was later confirmed by the transport ministry. Under the European Unions ReFuelEU initiative, conventional jet kerosene must be blended with 2% sustainable aviation fuel in 2025, gradually increasing to 70% by 2050. The UK also plans to mandate SAF use next year. Its not just the price of fuel that passengers will absorb. The cost of buying new, less-thirsty aircraft is also dripping down into fares. Qantas, which has started to receive the first of dozens of next-generation planes on order, last week said its raising fares on most domestic routes by an average of 2% to 3%. Price Hikes According to INGs Luman, this years reduction to aviations free emissions allowance in the EU may be adding 8 ($8.75) to the price of a return flight between London and Rome. The extra cost would be more than 30 in 2026 at current carbon prices, he said. Luman cautioned that its hard to isolate the precise impact of the policy because other factors including a lack of capacity are also pushing up fares. The International Air Transport Association calculates that aviations transition to net zero will require investment of as much as $5 trillion through 2050. Even those with the most to lose are acknowledging that passengers cant escape the bill. It pains me to suggest that travelers are going to have to pay more, Margy Osmond, chief executive officer of Tourism & Transport Forum Australia, said at a renewable aviation fuels conference in Canberra this week. Theres going to be an additional cost to aviation. Thats all there is to it. --With assistance from Ram Anand. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. FedEx Express pilots were out in force Thursday afternoon in East Memphis. About 75 pilots gathered outside the FedEx corporate office at 942 Shady Grove Road on Thursday as their push continues for a better labor contract with the logistics giant. The informational picket was organized by the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), which represents the FedEx Express pilots. With minimal progress achieved during recent mediated negotiating sessions in sections of significant importance to the pilots and no progress on the core economic sections related to retirement and pay, management forced our hand in requesting a release from mediation, said Connor Wilm said in a statement. Wilm is the acting chair of the FedEx Master Executive Council, the governing body of the FedEx unit of the Air Line Pilots Association, International. FedEx founder Fred Smith was on hand Thursday and spoke with each pilot, asking them what they did for a living before they came to FedEx and thanking them for their service. FedEx founder and executive chairman Fred Smith speaks with FedEx pilots as they conduct an informational picket in front of the FedEx executive headquarters, 942 Shady Grove Road in Memphis, to demonstrate their frustration over contract negotiations on Thursday, March 21, 2024. The picket comes nearly two weeks after the ALPA filed mediation release with the National Mediation Board on March 8. That action was considered the first step toward a legal strike to force a new contract. Thursday's picket also coincides with the release of FedEx's third quarter earnings report. A similar picket was also held outside FedEx's New York City office. In a news release, the ALPA said FedEx management has continued stalling and delaying a renewed contract, and as a result, the union is prepared to continue hosting informational picketing events in greater frequency. In a statement earlier this month, FedEx said: "FedEx remains steadfastly committed to bargaining in good faith and reaching an agreement that is fair to all stakeholders. We believe the mediation process under the supervision of the National Mediation Board which ALPA requested remains the best way to achieve that goal." Around 75 FedEx pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, conduct an informational picket in front of the FedEx executive headquarters, 942 Shady Grove Road in Memphis, to demonstrate their frustration over contract negotiations on Thursday, March 21, 2024. Negotiations between the ALPA and FedEx have been ongoing since May 2021. The groups entered into mediation via the National Mediation Board in October 2022. In July 2023, FedEx pilots rejected tentative agreement by a 57% to 43% margin. Story continues The ALPA was founded in 1931 and represents more than 77,000 pilots between 42 U.S. and Canadian airlines. 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. This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: FedEx pilots picket in Memphis for new contract: The latest updates FILE PHOTO: FILE PHOTO: Former FTX Chief Executive Bankman-Fried at the Manhattan federal court in New York City By Luc Cohen NEW YORK (Reuters) -Sam Bankman-Fried is delusional in claiming the possibility customers of now-bankrupt FTX cryptocurrency exchange may recover funds means he did not steal, his successor as CEO said on Wednesday. Bankman-Fried was convicted in November of stealing $8 billion from FTX customers. In a so-called victim impact statement filed in Manhattan federal court, Bankman-Fried's successor, John Ray, said FTX customers will recoup some losses because of the bankruptcy estate's efforts, not because Bankman-Fried did not steal. "Mr. Bankman-Fried continues to live a life of delusion," Ray wrote. "There should be no delusion that because assets have increased in value or that the professionals have been able to recover funds and assets taken or stolen from the estate, that there was no need for the Chapter 11 cases." U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan is scheduled to sentence Bankman-Fried on March 28 in Manhattan federal court. Prosecutors are seeking a 40- to 50-year prison term. Defense lawyers believe a sentence should reflect a "significant" reduction below the minimum 5-1/4 years they say is called for under federal guidelines. The 32-year-old former billionaire pleaded not guilty to seven fraud and conspiracy counts, and has vowed to appeal his conviction. He acknowledged at trial having made mistakes running FTX, but said he never intended to steal funds. Defense lawyer Marc Mukasey has said FTX customers would likely be made whole in the bankruptcy process, and that Bankman-Fried worked diligently after the exchange's November 2022 collapse to recover funds. He was arrested the next month. "The memorandum distorts reality to support its precious 'loss' narrative and casts Sam as a depraved super-villain," Mukasey wrote on Monday night, referring to prosecutors' sentencing proposal. Prosecutors had argued that Bankman-Fried gambled with customers money out of greed, and wouldn't admit what he did was wrong. Story continues How much customers will recover remains an open issue. In court filings this week, several said they would be dissatisfied being paid based on what their cryptocurrency holdings were worth when FTX imploded, because those assets would be worth more now. "Any delays and missed market swings should be attributed to operation of the bankruptcy code and not to Sam's alleged crimes," Mukasey wrote in a separate filing on Wednesday. Ray, who helped manage Enron after the energy trader's 2001 bankruptcy, said Bankman-Fried's theft meant many accounts had fewer assets than customers wanted to believe. He also said FTX equity investors, whom Bankman-Fried was also convicted of conspiring to defraud, were unlikely to recover significant sums in the bankruptcy. (Reporting by Luc Cohen in New YorkEditing by Nick Zieminski and Bill Berkrot) ST JULIANS, Malta, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Gaming Innovation Group (GiG) has announced the signing of a brace of new deals for its new iGaming platform CoreX and sportsbook SportX in Spain and Argentina, as its revolutionary new X-Suite solutions continues to make a powerful impression on operators across regulated markets in Europe and Latin America. The first partnership announced is with established Spanish land-based, online casino and sports betting operator Juegging, who will migrate onto GiG's powerful, full-turnkey X-Suite. The combined X-Suite will grant Juegging the ability to completely revolutionise their sports offering, and greatly expand the number of payment and content providers they can offer to the market. GiG's suite of highly scalable, user-centric and localised features are focused to enhance player acquisition and retention, which will help propel the growth of the brand in the region. Spain is expected to generate close to 2 Billion of GGR, YoY within the next three years according to the regulator, the DGOJ. In addition, a milestone deal will see GiG's new CoreX platform make its entrance into Argentina's regulated space, in a partnership with local land-based casino and slot hall operator, SIGAR S.A. GiG has enjoyed a long established presence in the country, powering brands in 7 regulated provinces. SIGAR's planned online presence will look to leverage GiG's preeminent experience at taking land-based casino operators online, having established many similar successful partnerships in recent years with brands across Europe and Latin America. Revenues for iGaming in Latin America are expected to top USD $3.7bn in 2025 on data supplied by Statista, proving that there is considerable opportunity for operator expansion within regulated markets with experts such as GiG, worldwide. Andrew Cochrane, Chief Business Officer at GiG said; "These signings underscore the demand for of our CoreX platform and SportX sportsbook, to drive innovation and expansion for our partners in regulated markets. The full X-Suite solutions, we believe, sits at the apex of technological advancement within our industry, empowering operators like Juegging and SIGAR to thrive in competitive landscapes across Europe and Latin America." Story continues About Gaming Innovation Group (GiG) Gaming Innovation Group is a leading iGaming technology company, providing solutions, products and services to iGaming Operators. Founded in 2012, Gaming Innovation Group's vision is 'To be the industry-leading platform and media provider delivering world-class solutions to our iGaming partners and their customers. GiG's mission is to drive sustainable growth and profitability of our partners through product innovation, scalable technology and quality of service. Gaming Innovation Group operates out of Malta and is dual-listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol GIG and on Nasdaq Stockholm under the ticker symbol GIGSEK. www.gig.com For more information,contact: Richard Carter, CEO Platform & Sportsbook, richard.carter@gig.com +44 7968 753750 This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/gaming-innovation-group/r/gaming-innovation-group-signs-with-two-new-partners-in-spain-and-argentina,c3949617 Cision View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/gaming-innovation-group-signs-with-two-new-partners-in-spain-and-argentina-302095806.html SOURCE Gaming Innovation Group Cari Garcia couldnt wait for her two-week summer getaway to Spain. With visions of fresh churros and steaming hot chocolate in Madrid, bustling tapas bars in Barcelona and sun-splashed wineries in Andalusia, the stressed-out clinical social worker working in an understaffed hospital psychiatric unit in South Florida submitted her vacation request six months in advance. One week before her departure, her supervisor unexpectedly canceled her paid time off. Garcia says she was not about to get stuck with nonrefundable plane tickets and hotel reservations. So she quit on the spot. This wasnt a request, she told her supervisor at the time. It was a hey, by the way, Im not going to be here so figure it out. Social media is rife with disgruntled workers venting about rebuffed time-off requests and stingy bosses who summon you into work on your wedding day or the day of a family funeral. One poster said she was denied time off for her honeymoon. I was not allowed to be gone for two weeks in a row because I was needed, she said. Instead they got to learn what it was like without me. Another poster who worked as an assistant general manager for a restaurant saved up his PTO all year to take two weeks off after his daughter was born. Two days into his leave, his boss called him back to work. So he went in and quit. Gripes like these are fueling a populist internet meme across Instagram, Threads and TikTok. PTO doesnt mean paid time off, workers say, it means prepare the others. We feel like our right to have a life outside of work is being violated and thats super triggering for people, said Tessa West, New York University psychology professor and author of Jerks at Work: Toxic Coworkers and What to Do About Them. Gap between PTO requests and PTO granted widens If your boss has denied your PTO request, you are not alone. It's harder than ever to get time off work, data shows. Theres always been a gap between how much vacation employees ask for and how much they get. But lately, that gap has been getting wider. Story continues Employee PTO requests have increased 11% on average annually since 2019, but approvals have only increased 9%, according to a new report from BambooHR, a cloud-based HR software company. In the first two months of this year, PTO requests jumped 9% year-over-year. Approvals rose by just 3%. You have this huge friction going on between organizations that are getting slammed with these requests and individuals who feel like they have the right to make them, West said. A monitor lists cancelled flights at Miami International Airport in September 2017. Workers' desire for balance causing scheduling headaches You can blame, in part, a newfound yearning for work-life balance. As the job market tightened, employers expanded PTO and other perks to attract and retain workers. At the same time, workers who used to avoid taking time off because they feared their careers would suffer have changed. Weary of heavy workloads and long commutes, they are taking more vacations than they have in over a decade. Lanikai Beach in Kailua, Hawaii That workplace tension is being stoked by a younger generation that views PTO, not as a discretionary benefit, but as a fundamental entitlement, workplace experts say. In 2023, 44% of employees made PTO requests, up from an average of 37%, BambooHR found. The flurry of time-off requests is putting a squeeze on staffing amid persistent worker shortages. About half of PTO requests are denied each month, according to BambooHR. People often ask for the same weeks off during the holidays or the summer, which can lead to scheduling headaches and low approval rates. So can "less strategic leadership," said BambooHR's head of HR, Anita Grantham. Too few breaks from work can cause burnout, fatigue, poor morale and lower job satisfaction. Studies show that using PTO can significantly reduce stress and improve employee productivity. "I think managers feel like their people aren't able to handle all that's happening and that they need to have their teams work more to keep up," Grantham said. They're in the funny business: Cubicle comedians make light of what we all hate about work Beware the petty PTO tyrants Workers point to another phenomenon behind the wave of denied PTO requests: Petty bosses. West, the psychology professor, says when she worked in retail, her manager played favorites when doling out PTO. It is the ultimate power move when you feel like you dont have power over employees in any other way," she said. Jena Marie DiPinto says it was a controlling boss who tried to veto her time-off request when she was teaching middle school chorus in 2007. She asked for a day or two off to go on her honeymoon. The principal told her she should get married in the summertime instead. DiPinto refused. It's all about clinging to power and policy, she said. In the aftermath of the Great Resignation and quiet quitting, workers are starting to take back some of that control. While still on holiday in Spain, Garcia started applying for jobs. By the time she returned home, she had interviews lined up. I was unemployed for maybe a week, she said. She used to run into her former boss at work-related functions. Each time, shed try to rehire Garcia. Wild horses could not drag me back, said Garcia. Garcia said she eventually decided to get out of the rat race altogether. She turned a hobby into a full-time gig and now is a food blogger who shares Latin American recipes and sets her own hours. Id rather be my own boss, she said. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: PTO denied: Why it's getting harder to get time off work Straits Research Private Limited - Reed Intelligence According to Straits Research, The global noble gas market size was valued at USD 2,596.22 million in 2022. It is estimated to reach USD 4,062.42 million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 5.1% during the forecast period (20232031). New York, United States, March 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Noble gases are odorless, colorless, one-atom chemical elements. They seldom combine with other compounds. Nature's noble gases are Helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon, and radioactive radon. Noble gases are crucial in industries like welding, illumination, and space exploration. Noble gases are cold refrigerants due to their low freezing and boiling temperatures. Helium and xenon are utilized in MRI and sedation. Industrial use of noble gases drives the market. The most common inert gas is pure argon gas, which is abundant (78.3% N2, 1% Ar in air) and cheap. Cryogenics and nuclear reactor cooling utilize Helium's low boiling point. Krypton and Xenon light runways and camera flashes. Download Free Sample Report PDF @ https://straitsresearch.com/report/noble-gas-market/request-sample Noble Gases Gaining Preference in the Healthcare Industry Drives the Global Market Using noble gases in medical tools like MRI and optometry is easy because medical tools have improved, and the government spends more on health care. These gases are great for use in health care because they do not mix with other things and aren't dangerous to people. Numerous uses of noble gases include imaging contrast, testing, home and institutional breathing therapy, tool and equipment cleaning, dentist and general surgery anesthesia, and many others. High Penetration Creates Tremendous Opportunities Helium is used in numerous medical treatments due to its low molecular weight and low reactivity. Noble gas use in healthcare will increase over the projected period, producing a huge market. Argon gas is used in healthcare, industry, and aircraft. In the manufacturing industry, argon oxygen decarburization makes stainless steel by injecting argon and oxygen into liquid steel. In addition, the demand for steel manufacturing is predicted to expand because of industrialization in emerging nations that demands high-quality steel and government efforts like the "Belt and Road" initiative that requires a lot of steel for infrastructure construction. Such factors create opportunities for market growth. Story continues Competitive Players The key players in the global noble gas market are Air Liquide, Air Products Inc., BASF SE, Linde plc, Messer, Taiyo Nippon Sanso Corporation, Norco Inc., Iwatani Corporation, Showa Denko K.K, MESA Speciality Gases & Equipment, and others. Regional Analysis North America is the most significant global noble gas market shareholder and is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of 4.21% during the forecast period. The demand in the region will increase significantly in the next few years because North America is spending a lot of money to improve air separation methods and production technologies. Due to mergers and deals by North American noble gas producers, the market for noble gas worldwide will likely rise over the forecast period. The regional market players can also get a start on plant growth because there are well-known market players with multiple production facilities in the area. In addition, the United States produces a lot of high-purity noble gas because it is used increasingly for medical uses. High-purity gas is increasingly used in critical medical equipment like MRI and CT scan machines, making the market for noble gases in North America grow. In Europe, noble gas is used for welding, cutting, making metal, and printing on semiconductors. It has a big share of noble gases because the main players in the market have strong production and delivery systems. For instance, Messer Group manufactures in Belgium, France, Austria, Switzerland, Serbia, Hungary, etc. In addition, Europe's noble gas business is growing because more facilities are being built, new technologies are being made, people have more money to spend, and they are living better. The market for noble gases in Europe is also anticipated to expand due to their widespread application in the medical industry. Key Highlights Based on products, the global noble gas market is bifurcated into helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon, and others. The helium gas segment dominates the global market and is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of 4.8% over the forecast period. Based on application, the global noble gas market is bifurcated into healthcare, electronics, aerospace, construction, energy and power, and others. The healthcare segment owns the highest market share and is predicted to grow at a CAGR of 8.3% over the forecast period. Based on distribution, the global noble gas market is bifurcated into bulk, cylinder, and others. The bulk segment dominates the global market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.8% over the forecast period. North America is the most significant global noble gas market shareholder and is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of 4.21% during the forecast period. Market News In June 2023, Air Products and Chemicals Inc. and InnoGas joined forces to develop new noble gas extraction and production methods. InnoGas' technology extracts and purifies noble gases from the environment at a lower cost than existing approaches. InnoGas' technology with Air Products' gas production and distribution skills will produce a more affordable and sustainable noble gas supply chain. In April 2023, Linde AG, a big player in the market for industrial gases, revealed a new partnership with ExxonMobil to create new technologies for specialty gases, such as noble gases, with lower emissions. Global Noble Gas Market: Segmentation By Products Helium Neon Argon Krypton Xenon Others By Applications Healthcare Electronics Aerospace Construction Energy and Power Others By Distribution Bulk Cylinder Others By Regions North America Europe Asia-Pacific Central and South America The Middle East and Africa Get Detailed Market Segmentation @ https://straitsresearch.com/report/noble-gas-market/segmentation About Straits Research Pvt. Ltd. Straits Research is a market intelligence company providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision-makers. Straits Research Pvt. Ltd. provides actionable market research data, especially designed and presented for decision making and ROI. Whether you are looking at business sectors in the next town or crosswise over continents, we understand the significance of being acquainted with the clients purchase. We overcome our clients issues by recognizing and deciphering the target group and generating leads with utmost precision. We seek to collaborate with our clients to deliver a broad spectrum of results through a blend of market and business research approaches. For more information on your target market, please contact us below: Phone: +1 646 905 0080 (U.S.) +91 8087085354 (India) +44 203 695 0070 (U.K.) Email: sales@straitsresearch.com Follow Us: LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter The excitement of investing in a company that can reverse its fortunes is a big draw for some speculators, so even companies that have no revenue, no profit, and a record of falling short, can manage to find investors. But the reality is that when a company loses money each year, for long enough, its investors will usually take their share of those losses. Loss-making companies are always racing against time to reach financial sustainability, so investors in these companies may be taking on more risk than they should. Despite being in the age of tech-stock blue-sky investing, many investors still adopt a more traditional strategy; buying shares in profitable companies like Mayfield Group Holdings (ASX:MYG). While this doesn't necessarily speak to whether it's undervalued, the profitability of the business is enough to warrant some appreciation - especially if its growing. View our latest analysis for Mayfield Group Holdings Mayfield Group Holdings' Earnings Per Share Are Growing If a company can keep growing earnings per share (EPS) long enough, its share price should eventually follow. That means EPS growth is considered a real positive by most successful long-term investors. Impressively, Mayfield Group Holdings has grown EPS by 26% per year, compound, in the last three years. As a general rule, we'd say that if a company can keep up that sort of growth, shareholders will be beaming. Top-line growth is a great indicator that growth is sustainable, and combined with a high earnings before interest and taxation (EBIT) margin, it's a great way for a company to maintain a competitive advantage in the market. We note that while EBIT margins have improved from 0.5% to 6.4%, the company has actually reported a fall in revenue by 6.4%. While not disastrous, these figures could be better. You can take a look at the company's revenue and earnings growth trend, in the chart below. Click on the chart to see the exact numbers. Story continues Mayfield Group Holdings isn't a huge company, given its market capitalisation of AU$55m. That makes it extra important to check on its balance sheet strength. Are Mayfield Group Holdings Insiders Aligned With All Shareholders? Theory would suggest that it's an encouraging sign to see high insider ownership of a company, since it ties company performance directly to the financial success of its management. So as you can imagine, the fact that Mayfield Group Holdings insiders own a significant number of shares certainly is appealing. To be exact, company insiders hold 69% of the company, so their decisions have a significant impact on their investments. Intuition will tell you this is a good sign because it suggests they will be incentivised to build value for shareholders over the long term. To give you an idea, the value of insiders' holdings in the business are valued at AU$38m at the current share price. So there's plenty there to keep them focused! Is Mayfield Group Holdings Worth Keeping An Eye On? If you believe that share price follows earnings per share you should definitely be delving further into Mayfield Group Holdings' strong EPS growth. This EPS growth rate is something the company should be proud of, and so it's no surprise that insiders are holding on to a considerable chunk of shares. On the balance of its merits, solid EPS growth and company insiders who are aligned with the shareholders would indicate a business that is worthy of further research. Before you take the next step you should know about the 2 warning signs for Mayfield Group Holdings that we have uncovered. Although Mayfield Group Holdings certainly looks good, it may appeal to more investors if insiders were buying up shares. If you like to see companies with insider buying, then check out this handpicked selection of Australian companies that not only boast of strong growth but have also seen recent insider buying.. 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. Investors are often guided by the idea of discovering 'the next big thing', even if that means buying 'story stocks' without any revenue, let alone profit. Sometimes these stories can cloud the minds of investors, leading them to invest with their emotions rather than on the merit of good company fundamentals. A loss-making company is yet to prove itself with profit, and eventually the inflow of external capital may dry up. If this kind of company isn't your style, you like companies that generate revenue, and even earn profits, then you may well be interested in Pecca Group Berhad (KLSE:PECCA). While profit isn't the sole metric that should be considered when investing, it's worth recognising businesses that can consistently produce it. View our latest analysis for Pecca Group Berhad How Quickly Is Pecca Group Berhad Increasing Earnings Per Share? The market is a voting machine in the short term, but a weighing machine in the long term, so you'd expect share price to follow earnings per share (EPS) outcomes eventually. That means EPS growth is considered a real positive by most successful long-term investors. Pecca Group Berhad's shareholders have have plenty to be happy about as their annual EPS growth for the last 3 years was 58%. While that sort of growth rate isn't sustainable for long, it certainly catches the eye of prospective investors. 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. Pecca Group Berhad shareholders can take confidence from the fact that EBIT margins are up from 20% to 24%, and revenue is growing. Both of which are great metrics to check off for potential growth. You can take a look at the company's revenue and earnings growth trend, in the chart below. For finer detail, click on the image. Pecca Group Berhad isn't a huge company, given its market capitalisation of RM1.1b. That makes it extra important to check on its balance sheet strength. Story continues Are Pecca Group Berhad Insiders Aligned With All Shareholders? It's a necessity that company leaders act in the best interest of shareholders and so insider investment always comes as a reassurance to the market. Pecca Group Berhad followers will find comfort in knowing that insiders have a significant amount of capital that aligns their best interests with the wider shareholder group. Given insiders own a significant chunk of shares, currently valued at RM263m, they have plenty of motivation to push the business to succeed. That holding amounts to 25% of the stock on issue, thus making insiders influential owners of the business and aligned with the interests of shareholders. Does Pecca Group Berhad Deserve A Spot On Your Watchlist? Pecca Group Berhad's earnings per share have been soaring, with growth rates sky high. That EPS growth certainly is attention grabbing, and the large insider ownership only serves to further stoke our interest. The hope is, of course, that the strong growth marks a fundamental improvement in the business economics. Based on the sum of its parts, we definitely think its worth watching Pecca Group Berhad very closely. It is worth noting though that we have found 2 warning signs for Pecca Group Berhad (1 can't be ignored!) that you need to take into consideration. Although Pecca Group Berhad certainly looks good, it may appeal to more investors if insiders were buying up shares. If you like to see companies with insider buying, then check out this handpicked selection of Malaysian companies that not only boast of strong growth but have also seen recent insider buying.. 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. (Bloomberg) -- Owners of HKBN Ltd. are reviving considerations for potential deals for the Hong Kong broadband service provider, including going private or bringing in new investors, after previous attempts failed, people familiar with the situation said. Most Read from Bloomberg Major shareholders including private equity firms MBK Partners and TPG Inc. have restarted a strategic review with the aim of reducing their holding in the company, the people said, asking not to be identified discussing confidential information. Other options include raising cash through some of HKBNs assets, they said. Infrastructure-focused funds and at least one Chinese telecommunications group have been sounded out about a possible deal, the people said. Deliberations are ongoing and may not result in a transaction, the people said. The companys shares jumped as much as 7.1% following Thursdays Bloomberg News report on the deliberations, the biggest gain since Nov. 3. MBK declined to comment. HKBN and TPG didnt have an immediate comment. Shares of HKBN, which listed in Hong Kong in 2015, had fallen 50% in the past 12 months prior to Bloombergs report on Thursday, resulting in a market value of about HK$3.8 billion ($480 million). HKBN has attracted interest from private equity firms including I Squared Capital, KKR & Co. and PAG in the past, but a deal was never reached, partly due to disagreements over valuation, Bloomberg News reported previously. Read More: Hong Kong Telco HKBNs Sale Said to Stall Again on Valuation HKBN offers broadband internet services to residential and corporate customers, as well as other telecom, data center and Wi-Fi services. Its major shareholders also include the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and Singapores GIC Pte, which has sold some of its stake this year. Story continues Ni Quiaque Lai stepped down from his role as HKBNs chief executive officer last month and was succeeded by Chu Kwong Yeung as interim CEO. (Updates with share price reaction.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Jacob Boomsma / Getty Images/iStockphoto Slowing housing markets in many parts of the U.S. are pushing some home sellers to make hard-fought concessions on price or delay their plans to sell until next year in the wake of higher rates. Meanwhile, fewer buyers are qualifying for mortgages, and those with mortgages are struggling to meet monthly payments. Check Out: 5 Types of Homes That Will Plummet in Value in 2024 Read Next: 5 Genius Things All Wealthy People Do With Their Money The market has changed dramatically over the past 5 years, and in 2023, everyone affected by housing ups and downs was feeling the stress. With sellers negotiating power diminished since the days of high demand, and many buyers not willing to negotiate whatsoever, some U.S. markets are seeing houses sit for unusually long periods of time before selling. Learn More: Housing Market 2024 Avoid Buying a Home in These 25 Texas Cities Try This: 7 Florida Cities That Could Be Headed for a Housing Crisis courtneyk / Getty Images The Fastest- and Slowest-Selling Housing Markets in 2024 According to Creditnews Research, finding a buyer for a home in some southern metro areas can take over two months. The independent research house analyzed the top 100 largest metros in the U.S. by population, using Zillow data to figure the number of days before a listing goes into sale-pending status. It also compared how these rankings have evolved since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Seven of the top 10 slowest-selling metro areas are located in the South three each in Texas and Florida, plus one in Louisiana. Austin was found to be the slowest-selling metro area in the U.S., taking 66 days for a home listing to reach sale-pending status. In contrast, the fastest-selling metro areas are all on the East Coast, primarily in Connecticut (the fastest-selling metro area in the U.S. is Hartford), New York (Rochester, Syracuse) and Massachusetts (Boston, Worcester). Trending Now: Barbara Corcoran Says, Forget About Florida, Move Here for Cheap Homes Popular Read: In Less Than a Decade, You Wont Be Able To Afford Homes in These ZIP Codes Sponsored: Protect Your Wealth With A Gold IRA. Take advantage of the timeless appeal of gold in a Gold IRA recommended by Sean Hannity. Story continues KatarzynaBialasiewicz / Getty Images/iStockphoto Correlation Between Housing Inventory and Selling Pace Since the Pandemic While the worst of the pandemic appears to be over, its effects linger and changed the housing markets in certain cities more than others. All of the top 10 fastest-selling metro areas lost a significant amount of housing inventory per capita since the beginning of the pandemic, so houses there are scarcer. The fallout was less severe in those areas identified as slow-selling. The median days-to-pending increased compared to pre-pandemic levels in five metros, four recorded a decline and one remained unchanged. Between January 2020 and January 2024, Austin saw its median listing time jump from 23 to 66 days, a 186.96% change. Additionally, the Creditnews Research study found that housing inventory has increased 29.32% in the state capital as compared to before the pandemic began. cmart7327 / Getty Images/iStockphoto 10. New York City, New York Median Days to Sale-Pending Status: 37 % Change Since Pre-COVID: -50.00% Inventory Change Since Pre-COVID: -50.97% Be Aware: 6 Florida Cities Where Million-Dollar Homes Are Becoming Way More Common Paulo Almeida / Getty Images 9. Deltona, Florida Median Days to Sale-Pending Status: 39 % Change Since Pre-COVID: -4.88% Inventory Change Since Pre-COVID: -10.40% Jacob Boomsma / Getty Images/iStockphoto 8. Colorado Springs, Colorado Median Days to Sale-Pending Status: 41 % Change Since Pre-COVID: 141.18% Inventory Change Since Pre-COVID: 37.43% Murmakova / Getty Images/iStockphoto 7. Cape Coral, Florida Median Days to Sale-Pending Status: 41 % Change Since Pre-COVID: -14.58% Inventory Change Since Pre-COVID: -5.64% Interesting News: Real Estate 2024 Heres the Income You Need To Afford a $500K Home in Every State iStock.com 6. Jacksonville, Florida Median Days to Sale-Pending Status: 42 % Change Since Pre-COVID: 20.00% Inventory Change Since Pre-COVID: -12.09% Larry Gibson / Getty Images/iStockphoto 5. New Orleans, Louisiana Median Days to Sale-Pending Status: 48 % Change Since Pre-COVID: 17.07% Inventory Change Since Pre-COVID: 52.67% Read Up: 5 Signs of Affordable Luxury in Real Estate f11photo / Getty Images/iStockphoto 4. San Antonio, Texas Median Days to Sale-Pending Status: 49 % Change Since Pre-COVID: -9.26% Inventory Change Since Pre-COVID: 2.84% Paul Hamilton / Getty Images/iStockphoto 3. Poughkeepsie, New York Median Days to Sale-Pending Status: 51 % Change Since Pre-COVID: 0.00% Inventory Change Since Pre-COVID: 0.00% DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto 2. McAllen, Texas Median Days to Sale-Pending Status: 53 % Change Since Pre-COVID: -36.14% Inventory Change Since Pre-COVID: 26.12% Real Estate: Rachel Cruze The Easy Way To Pay Off Your Mortgage Early RoschetzkyIstockPhoto / Getty Images 1. Austin, Texas Median Days to Sale-Pending Status: 66 % Change Since Pre-COVID: 186.96% Inventory Change Since Pre-COVID: 29.32% This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Housing Market 2024: It Takes the Longest To Sell a Home in These 10 US Metros PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla., March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- InSer, a pioneering force in reproductive medicine, proudly announces that its Medellin clinic has achieved Global Healthcare Accreditation (GHA) for Medical Travel Services for a second term. This prestigious recognition underscores InSer's unwavering commitment to delivering an unparalleled medical travel experience, marked by excellence in fertility outcomes and comprehensive pre, during and post-treatment care. Dr. Juan Luis Giraldo (3rd from left), Dr. Fidel Cano (5th from left) and InSer's team of specialists. With a rich legacy spanning 29 years, InSer stands as one of the leading fertility centers in Colombia and the region, operating from four strategically located centers in Bogota, Medellin, Pereira, and Cartagena and in one month they open a new office in Barranquilla. Boasting a team of over 11 specialists in the field of fertility treatment, InSer Fertility has been instrumental in facilitating over 20,000 families and achieving more than 15,000 successful pregnancies. Its impact extends far beyond Colombia, reaching families worldwide. InSer's dedication to excellence is underscored by its accreditation from Global Healthcare Accreditation (GHA), a globally recognized leader in medical tourism and health tourism. GHA has developed international standards 4.1 and 5.0, accredited by ISQua EEA and professional norms for medical travel in consultation with leading global experts in the healthcare industry. The GHA accreditation seal signifies InSer's commitment to implementing procedures and policies designed to enhance the patient experience and mitigate risks throughout the medical travel journey. GHA is dedicated to enhancing healthcare quality and safety in the medical tourism industry. Through its accreditation , certification , training , development and optimization and advisory services , GHA promotes transparency, patient-centered care, and continuous improvement. GHA's accreditation process positions healthcare providers to attract and serve medical travel patients, ultimately enhancing clinical outcomes, patient satisfaction, and the organization's business performance. Story continues Dr. Juan Luis Giraldo, Director of InSer, expressed pride in achieving GHA Accreditation, stating, "At InSer we are dedicated to providing the highest quality of care to our patients, both local and international. GHA Accreditation reflects our commitment to excellence and our ongoing efforts to ensure that patients receive the best possible outcomes and experiences. I believe that all the effort and work to meet GHAs standards will take us to another level, not only as a patient-oriented service, but as a regional player in the area of human reproduction. We are honored to achieve GHA accreditation for a second term, through the latest standards 5.0, and look forward to continuing our mission of helping families achieve their dreams of parenthood." Ms. Renee-Marie Stephano, GHA's Chief Executive Officer, lauded InSer's achievement, emphasizing the transformative impact of GHA Accreditation on enhancing patient experiences for medical travelers and bolstering organizations' visibility. She remarked, "InSer's re-accreditation underscores its unwavering commitment to quality and patient-centered care. This commitment to the patient's well-being was evident not only during the survey but also during my visit to InSer's facilities late last year. You are a valued partner, and we wish you continued success as you pursue excellence!" GHA Accreditation not only enhances patient experiences but also elevates organizations' visibility within the global healthcare landscape, facilitating access to quality care for medical travelers worldwide. To raise awareness of the significance of GHA accreditation in enhancing safety and the patient experience, Global Healthcare Accreditation has initiated a comprehensive multilingual consumer and buyer marketing campaigns, available in English, Arabic, Russian and Spanish. The campaigns aim to educate the market about the substantial benefits of selecting hospitals that have achieved GHA accreditation for their medical tourism programs. About InSer: Founded 29 years ago, InSer is the leading Fertility Center in Colombia, thanks to its four centers in Bogota, Medellin, Pereira and Cartagena and more than 11 specialists in the field of fertility treatment. To date, there have been more than 20,000 families assisted and more than 15,000 pregnancies, not only in Colombia but throughout the world. In addition, InSer is accredited by the Latin American Network of Reproduction Centers, which is the organization in charge of validating statistics and good practices. It is also certified by the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities AAAASF in the United States and is a member of the Association of Colombian Human Reproduction Centers ACCERH. For more information visit: https://www.inser.com.co/en/ About Global Healthcare Accreditation (GHA): Global Healthcare Accreditation (GHA) is the recognized global authority in accreditation and certification focused on medical and wellness travel, health tourism, safety, and well-being. Founded in 2016, GHA's initial business purpose centered on improving the patient experience for medical travelers and supporting healthcare providers in validating quality, increasing visibility, and implementing a sustainable business model for medical travel. Since then, GHA pioneers a variety of programs for organizations and individuals, covering the entire spectrum of the care continuum and offering certification and accreditation in all aspects of health and wellbeing. (PRNewsfoto/Global Healthcare Accreditation) Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/insers-commitment-to-excellence-recognized-with-global-healthcare-accreditation-gha-for-medical-travel-services-302095016.html SOURCE Global Healthcare Accreditation Generally speaking the aim of active stock picking is to find companies that provide returns that are superior to the market average. And the truth is, you can make significant gains if you buy good quality businesses at the right price. For example, long term Perak Transit Berhad (KLSE:PTRANS) shareholders have enjoyed a 73% share price rise over the last half decade, well in excess of the market decline of around 0.4% (not including dividends). On the other hand, the more recent gains haven't been so impressive, with shareholders gaining just 17% , including dividends . So let's assess the underlying fundamentals over the last 5 years and see if they've moved in lock-step with shareholder returns. View our latest analysis for Perak Transit Berhad There is no denying that markets are sometimes efficient, but prices do not always reflect underlying business performance. One way to examine how market sentiment has changed over time is to look at the interaction between a company's share price and its earnings per share (EPS). During five years of share price growth, Perak Transit Berhad achieved compound earnings per share (EPS) growth of 1.8% per year. This EPS growth is slower than the share price growth of 12% per year, over the same period. So it's fair to assume the market has a higher opinion of the business than it did five years ago. And that's hardly shocking given the track record of growth. The company's earnings per share (over time) is depicted in the image below (click to see the exact numbers). It's probably worth noting that the CEO is paid less than the median at similar sized companies. It's always worth keeping an eye on CEO pay, but a more important question is whether the company will grow earnings throughout the years. Before buying or selling a stock, we always recommend a close examination of historic growth trends, available here.. What About Dividends? When looking at investment returns, it is important to consider the difference between total shareholder return (TSR) and share price return. The TSR is a return calculation that accounts for the value of cash dividends (assuming that any dividend received was reinvested) and the calculated value of any discounted capital raisings and spin-offs. It's fair to say that the TSR gives a more complete picture for stocks that pay a dividend. In the case of Perak Transit Berhad, it has a TSR of 108% for the last 5 years. That exceeds its share price return that we previously mentioned. The dividends paid by the company have thusly boosted the total shareholder return. Story continues A Different Perspective Perak Transit Berhad's TSR for the year was broadly in line with the market average, at 17%. Most would be happy with a gain, and it helps that the year's return is actually better than the average return over five years, which was 16%. It is possible that management foresight will bring growth well into the future, even if the share price slows down. I find it very interesting to look at share price over the long term as a proxy for business performance. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. For instance, we've identified 3 warning signs for Perak Transit Berhad (2 shouldn't be ignored) that you should be aware of. Of course Perak Transit Berhad may not be the best stock to buy. So you may wish to see this free collection of growth stocks. Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on Malaysian exchanges. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. (Bloomberg) -- The sudden exit of Prime Minister Leo Varadkar leaves Ireland at a crossroads. Unaffordable housing, inequality and political pressures linked to immigration give the nationalist Sinn Fein party an opportunity to take power for the first time in 2025, or sooner. Most Read from Bloomberg In his emotional announcement in Dublin on Wednesday, Varadkar gave little away as to why he chose this moment to step down. The reasons were personal and political, he said, adding he wanted to give his successor the best chance to compete at an election that must be held by March next year. But after he listed his achievements, such as navigating the fallout from Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic, a pause before acknowledging areas in which we have gone backward spoke volumes. The dominant political theme in Ireland is younger voters being drawn to Sinn Feins language on soaring rents and squeezed public services that Varadkars Fine Gael and coalition partner Fianna Fail have struggled to counter. A Sunday Independent/Ireland Thinks poll this month put Sinn Fein at 27%, with Fine Gael at 20% and Fianna Fail at 18%. While that shows a slight drop, it still puts Sinn Fein on track to form the next government, though it would likely need a coalition partner to do so. That would have potentially seismic implications. Sinn Feins core tenet is the reunification of Ireland. It was part of the struggle for independence from the British in what is now the Republic, and in Northern Ireland, it had links with the Irish Republican Army during the sectarian violence known as The Troubles. Its just weeks since Sinn Feins Michelle ONeill was appointed Northern Irelands First Minister. Party leader Mary Lou McDonald said the historical milestone put united Ireland within touching distance. Story continues Still, its success in Irelands election will hinge on which issues dominate the campaign, according to Mary Murphy, senior lecturer in politics at University College Cork. What voters are most concerned with are housing and health and climate change and these kinds of issues, and their judgment will be about whether political parties are able to deliver, she said. Whether a leadership change will help Fine Gael is very hard to measure, she added, though one thing is certain: Sinn Fein will try to exploit this upheaval. A new prime minister is set to be in place by April 5, with two weeks set aside for a potential leadership contest. The current front runner is government minister Simon Harris, although the race could heat up if Paschal Donohoe, who is also Eurogroup president, puts his hat in the ring. About 10 Fine Gael politicians have already announced they are stepping down at the election, almost a third of the partys total in Irelands parliament, the Dail. There was definitely some rumblings within Fine Gael, Murphy said, though nothing that would indicate Varadkar was about to go as well. Viewed from afar, the sources of voter discontent are not immediately obvious. With a population of just over 5 million, Ireland is among the richest countries in the world measured on a per capita basis. That is down to the large number of multinational companies including Apple, Meta, Microsoft and Google who have made it their European base. Warnings that a rise in corporation tax under new OECD rules would lead to an exodus have proved unfounded. Though impacted by global headwinds, the tax windfall was so great that the government set up a sovereign wealth fund. In many ways, Varadkar was the poster child for this rapid progress. The first out gay man and person of color to lead the country, he has been at the forefront of some of the biggest legal and social changes in decades. He was health minister when same-sex marriage was legalized via referendum in 2015, coming out publicly ahead of the vote, and his government legalized abortion during his first stint as premier in 2018. In late 2019, it was Varadkar who persuaded then UK premier Boris Johnson to agree to a Brexit compromise to avoid a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic. Johnson had been threatening a no-deal split from the European Union that was politically advantageous for his standing in his Conservative Party, but would have wreaked havoc on the island of Ireland by ending frictionless travel and trade on the island of Ireland. The governments response to Covid-19 had its critics, but ultimately the coalition emerged with some credit. Ireland has had relatively stable economic growth, unlike many eurozone nations, with almost full employment. But a persistent and acute housing crisis and creaking health system has led to frustration, and Varadkars administration has faced accusations of being disconnected from the underlying issues facing the electorate. Its less than two weeks since the government suffered surprise defeats in two referendums to change outdated language on women and the family, with Varadkar taking much of the flak for misjudging the public mood. In the run up to the vote, the prime minister triggered a backlash online when he appeared to downplay the states responsibility for social care. Fine Gael has long been puzzled by the ungratefulness of the electorate. All the macro economic indicators are good, said Gary Murphy, professor of politics at Dublin City University. They are in significant trouble with the electorate and I dont think that this is going to be a sort of a salve to that, he added, referring to Varadkars resignation. As in many Western nations, tensions have risen in Ireland over the strain on public services after the pandemic. While Ireland had appeared to escape right-wing rhetoric seen in other European countries, there has been a rise in far-right activism and finger pointing at immigration. Protests have broken out where accommodation is allocated to asylum seekers, and the riots in Dublin that took police off guard last year had a strong anti-immigration undertone. The next electoral test for the countrys politics, and the next Taoiseach, come in June when Ireland holds votes for the European Parliament representatives as well as local councils. Both Fine Gael and Fianna Fail are expected to see a drop in support. But the immediate question is whether the coalition government can withstand opposition pressure for an early national vote. Deputy Prime Minister Micheal Martin, Fianna Fails leader, said he expects the government to complete a full term. For Varadkar, his legacy will depend on what happens next, according to Murphy at Dublin City University. There had been a feeling that he would lead his party to greater heights, which apparently hasnt happened. (Updates with leadership timing in the ninth paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. The logo of Isuzu is seen during the 87th International Motor Show at Palexpo in Geneva BANGKOK (Reuters) - Japanese automaker Isuzu Motors plans to use Thailand as a production base for an electric version of its D-MAX pickup truck, with a plan to start exports next year, a Thai government spokesperson said on Thursday. Chai Wacharonke said the firm plans to invest 1 trillion yen ($6.62 billion) in research and development by 2030, including in a testing centre. The electric D-MAX will be exported from Thailand starting in 2025 to countries like Norway, Britain, Australia and others, Chai said. Isuzu will unveil the company's first electric D-MAX pickup truck at the Bangkok International Motor Show next week, according to its website. The company did not respond to a Reuters request for comment on its investment plans in Thailand. Auto makers, led by Chinese brands, are rushing to build EV facilities in Southeast Asia's second-largest economy. Thailand is a regional auto assembly and export hub, which has long been dominated by Japanese brands like Toyota Motors and Honda Motor Co. It has drawn $1.4 billion worth of investment from Chinese automakers like BYD and Great Wall Motor to build production facilities. This month, German automaker BMW began construction of a high-voltage battery production facility in Thailand's Rayong province with plans for an EV assembly plant by 2025. The country is offering incentives, tax breaks and other measures to boost EV production and convert 30% of its annual production of 2.5 million vehicles into EVs by 2030. ($1 = 151.0000 yen) (Reporting by Panarat Thepgumpanat and Chayut Setboonsarng; Writing by Martin Petty; Editing by Kanupriya Kapoor) Kia has recalled almost 50,000 cars for increased crash risk due to potential loss of driving power, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The recall, submitted to NHTSA by Kia on March 14, affects certain EV6 hybrid models. According to Kia, impacted vehicles may experience issues with the Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU), which enables the cars' charging. The ICCU may become damaged and stop charging the 12-volt battery, which can then discharge while driving and progressively reduce motive power, resulting in a total loss of drive power. Certain Kia EV6 vehicles have been recalled. Hyundai recall: Hyundai recalls more than 98,000 cars due to loss of drive power Which Kia vehicle models are recalled? Approximately 48,232 EV6 vehicles with model years 2022-2024 are affected. According to the company, the following are subject to recall: All 2022-2023 model year EV6 vehicles manufactured from November 17, 2021, through February 7, 2024. Certain 2024 model year EV6 vehicles manufactured from November 17, 2021, through February 7, 2024. Customers seeking more information about their specific vehicle should contact the Kia Customer Care Center or their Kia dealer. Kia advises that EV6 cars may give warning signals when something with the ICCU goes wrong, such as the damage that can cause power loss. These signs include audible warning chimes and one or more of the following: Illumination of "Check Electric Vehicle System" warning light. Master warning light. Charging system warning light. "Stop vehicle and check power supply" warning light. Power down (turtle) warning light and /or reductions in motive power. Mercedes-Benz recall: Mercedes-Benz recalls 116,000 vehicles for fire risk: Here's which models are affected How to get your Kia fixed Owners of affected vehicles can go to a Kia dealership to have the ICCU and its fuse inspected and replaced if necessary. The dealers will also update the ICCU software, all for free. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC302. Story continues Check if your car is recalled Consumers can check USA TODAYs automotive recall database or search the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's database for new recalls using their car's vehicle identification number (VIN). This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2024 Kia recalls 48,232 hybrid vehicles: See if yours is on the list Key Insights Using the Dividend Discount Model, Vector fair value estimate is NZ$3.92 With NZ$3.77 share price, Vector appears to be trading close to its estimated fair value The NZ$3.96 analyst price target for VCTis comparable to our estimate of fair value. How far off is Vector Limited (NZSE:VCT) from its intrinsic value? Using the most recent financial data, we'll take a look at whether the stock is fairly priced by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. Our analysis will employ the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. There's really not all that much to it, even though it might appear quite complex. Remember though, that there are many ways to estimate a company's value, and a DCF is just one method. 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. Check out our latest analysis for Vector What's The Estimated Valuation? We have to calculate the value of Vector slightly differently to other stocks because it is a integrated utilities company. Instead of using free cash flows, which are hard to estimate and often not reported by analysts in this industry, dividends per share (DPS) payments are used. This often underestimates the value of a stock, but it can still be good as a comparison to competitors. The 'Gordon Growth Model' is used, which simply assumes that dividend payments will continue to increase at a sustainable growth rate forever. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a company's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In this case we used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (2.6%). The expected dividend per share is then discounted to today's value at a cost of equity of 6.2%. Relative to the current share price of NZ$3.8, the company appears about fair value at a 3.9% 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. Story continues Value Per Share = Expected Dividend Per Share / (Discount Rate - Perpetual Growth Rate) = NZ$0.2 / (6.2% 2.6%) = NZ$3.9 dcf The Assumptions Now the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate, and of course, the actual 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 Vector 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 6.2%, which is based on a levered beta of 0.800. 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 Vector Strength No major strengths identified for VCT. Weakness Earnings declined over the past year. Interest payments on debt are not well covered. Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Integrated Utilities market. Opportunity Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the New Zealander market. Current share price is below our estimate of fair value. Threat Debt is not well covered by operating cash flow. Dividends are not covered by earnings. Annual revenue is forecast to grow slower than the New Zealander market. Next Steps: Whilst important, the DCF calculation shouldn't be the only metric you look at when researching a company. The DCF model is not a perfect stock valuation tool. Preferably you'd apply different cases and assumptions and see how they would impact the company's valuation. If a company grows at a different rate, or if its cost of equity or risk free rate changes sharply, the output can look very different. For Vector, we've put together three pertinent items you should look at: Risks: Consider for instance, the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 3 warning signs with Vector (at least 2 which can't be ignored) , and understanding these should be part of your investment process. Future Earnings: How does VCT'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. The Simply Wall St app conducts a discounted cash flow valuation for every stock on the NZSE every day. If you want to find the calculation for other stocks 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. Professor Saadettin Kilickap, M.D., Scientific Advisor to MAIA Biotechnology (Photo: Business Wire) Acclaimed academic researcher has led 40+ multicenter phase 2 and phase 3 clinical studies CHICAGO, March 21, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--MAIA Biotechnology, Inc., (NYSE American: MAIA) ("MAIA", the "Company"), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing targeted immunotherapies for cancer, today announced the appointment of Professor Saadettin Kilickap, M.D. to its Scientific Advisory Board (SAB). Dr. Kilickap is a professor at the Istinye University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Oncology, Liv Hospital in Turkey. His research focuses on medical oncology and cancer epidemiology, including solid tumors such as lung cancer, breast cancer, melanoma, and gastrointestinal system cancers, as well as targeted therapies and immunotherapy. "Saadettin has served as principal or sub-investigator in more than 40 national and international multi-center phase 2 and phase 3 studies, many of which were related to lung cancer," said Chief Executive Officer Vlad Vitoc, M.D. "He is a prominent voice on medical oncology and cancer epidemiology, with a special interest in quality of life for cancer patients. We are delighted to welcome him as Scientific Advisor as we begin to clear major clinical inflection points this year and progress with our groundbreaking cancer research." Prior to his current appointment, Dr. Kilickap was a professor at the Preventive Oncology Department of Hacettepe University Cancer Institute of Turkey. Earlier he worked in the Department of Hematology-Oncology at Regensburg University in Germany and was a faculty member at the Sivas Cumhuriyet University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, in Turkey. Dr. Kilickap graduated with honors from Gazi University Faculty of Medicine and went on to complete his internal medicine residency training at Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, both located in Ankara, Turkey. He completed his fellowship training at Hacettepe and became a medical oncology specialist in 2009. In the same year, he graduated from the Cancer Epidemiology Master's Program at the Hacettepe University Oncology Institute, Department of Preventive Oncology. Story continues Dr. Kilickap has authored more than 240 scientific articles published in international peer-reviewed journals, and delivered more than 50 poster presentations at international congresses. About MAIA Biotechnology, Inc. MAIA is a targeted therapy, immuno-oncology company focused on the development and commercialization of potential first-in-class drugs with novel mechanisms of action that are intended to meaningfully improve and extend the lives of people with cancer. Our lead program is THIO, a potential first-in-class cancer telomere targeting agent in clinical development for the treatment of NSCLC patients with telomerase-positive cancer cells. For more information, please visit www.maiabiotech.com. Forward Looking Statements MAIA cautions that all statements, other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our or our industrys actual results, levels or activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those anticipated by such statements. The use of words such as "may," "might," "will," "should," "could," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "project," "intend," "future," "potential," or "continue," and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward looking statements. However, the absence of these words does not mean that statements are not forward-looking. For example, all statements we make regarding (i) the initiation, timing, cost, progress and results of our preclinical and clinical studies and our research and development programs, (ii) our ability to advance product candidates into, and successfully complete, clinical studies, (iii) the timing or likelihood of regulatory filings and approvals, (iv) our ability to develop, manufacture and commercialize our product candidates and to improve the manufacturing process, (v) the rate and degree of market acceptance of our product candidates, (vi) the size and growth potential of the markets for our product candidates and our ability to serve those markets, and (vii) our expectations regarding our ability to obtain and maintain intellectual property protection for our product candidates, are forward looking. All forward-looking statements are based on current estimates, assumptions and expectations by our management that, although we believe to be reasonable, are inherently uncertain. Any forward-looking statement expressing an expectation or belief as to future events is expressed in good faith and believed to be reasonable at the time such forward-looking statement is made. However, these statements are not guarantees of future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties and other factors beyond our control that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it was made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. In this release, unless the context requires otherwise, "MAIA," "Company," "we," "our," and "us" refers to MAIA Biotechnology, Inc. and its subsidiaries. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240321173734/en/ Contacts Investor Relations Contact +1 (872) 270-3518 ir@maiabiotech.com Memecoins, NFT Sent to BlackRocks Ethereum Address After Firm Deposits $100M USDC On-chain Blockchain analysts discovered one of BlackRocks wallets after a deposit of $100 million in USD Coin (USDC) on the Ethereum blockchain, coinciding with the firm's filing to offer the BlackRock USD Institutional Digital Liquidity Fund in partnership with asset tokenization firm Securitize. This led to crypto users sending approximately 40 different coins and 25 NFTs to the wallet associated with BlackRock. Notably, the wallet also received 500,000 unshETHing_Token (USH) and 10,000 Realio Network (RIO) tokens, which hold respective values of $13,400 and $12,300. The asset manager's wallet also received significant amounts of Mog Coin (Mog) and notable NFTs like Chungos and KaijuKingz. The wallet now holds at least $40,000 worth of memecoins and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). The BlackRock wallet initially made a $200 USDC deposit on March 5, followed by a $10 test deposit on March 15. Shortly after, a deposit of $99,999,960 was recorded. BlackRock's CEO, Larry Fink, has undergone a notable shift in his stance on Bitcoin and the blockchain industry. Previously, he referred to Bitcoin as an "index of money laundering" in 2017. However, Fink recently expressed his belief that the future involves the tokenization of all financial assets on a single general ledger. The BlackRock USD Institutional Digital Liquidity Fund, tickered as "BUIDL," will enable eligible investors to earn U.S. dollar yields by subscribing to the fund through Securitize Markets, LLC. Apple is flouting a court order intended to reshape the iPhone makers app store in the United States, according to a court filing by rival tech giants including Meta, Microsoft, X and the dating-app company Match Group. The filing accuses Apple of willfully circumventing the spirit of the original order, which was designed to unlock competition by forcing Apple to let app makers communicate with their users about deals and promotions in specific ways. That order was effectively upheld by the Supreme Court earlier this year when the justices declined to hear the case involving Apple and Epic Games, maker of the hit video game Fortnite. But Epic, and now the four other tech companies, say Apples plan to comply with the order is a sham. Apples plan, Wednesdays friend-of-the-court filing said, still contains rules that this Court expressly found to be anti-competitive and imposes new restrictions on app developers that ensure the price competition that the injunction was designed to promote will never materialize. In a motion accompanying the filing, the companies claimed that Apples proposed changes to its app store rules will have broad real-world impacts on all app developers and their users not just gaming apps. The filing was made to lend the tech companies support behind Epic Games, which sued Microsoft in 2021 after its signature game, Fortnite, was banned from Apples app store in a dispute over Fortnites billing method. Epic is arguing that Apple is violating the courts order requiring Apple to revise app store practices that were deemed anticompetitive. Asked for comment, Apple referred CNN to a document it filed with the US District Court for the Northern District of California in January. That document attests to Apples compliance with the court order. A Big Tech rebellion That some of the worlds most visible tech companies are leaping into the debate highlights how the long-running, high-stakes fight concerning Apples app store is far from over, even after the Supreme Court declined to intervene and landmark regulations affecting Apple in Europe have gone into effect. Story continues It also reflects rising criticism of Apple that efforts to regulate the company have triggered a form of begrudging compliance, one in which Apple proclaims to have met its legal obligations but only in ways designed to frustrate others. In the filing, Meta argued it should be allowed to inform users about ways to pay for boosted posts on its platform through means other than Apples in-app purchase system. Boosted posts, Meta said, are typically used by small businesses to promote their products on Facebook and Instagram. In February, Meta announced it would be passing along the costs of Apples fees, effectively hiking the price of boosted posts by 30%. Microsoft said Apples plan prevents it from steering users toward Microsoft-owned payment platforms where it could offer better promotions, discounts, or ways to manage their subscriptions. Apples new proposed commission structure would eat into the revenue of independent content creators, said X. And Match Group said Apples proposal will impact many thousands of other developers and their millions of users, frustrating the injunctions purpose. App store dominance In January, Apple said it would change its app store terms so that apps could include buttons or links with calls to action that direct customers to ways to pay for in-app content other than those controlled by Apple. According to Meta, Microsoft, X and Match Group, however, the details of Apples plan lead to an outcome that is not much different than the status quo. For example, Wednesdays brief said, Apples proposal, which requires app developers to apply for permission to link out to other payment systems, still imposes restrictions that dictate every aspect of how apps can communicate with their users. And although Apple agreed to lower its 30% app store commission as part of the plan, the new fee is still 27%. This alone functionally renders external links ineffective as a means of directing customers to alternative payment options, and directly undermines the Courts goal of creating price competition, the filing said. Under the way that Apples new terms are written, app makers would also still be prohibited from sending customers to third-party websites such as PayPal to complete transactions, the companies added. On Wednesday, Apple suggested that nothing in the courts order prohibited it from designing the proposal the way it did. Apple referred CNN to portions of its January filing in which the company had pointed out: The Court stated it would not micromanage the new framework, and that Apple would be structuring the new terms to safeguard user security and privacy. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com A Celebration of Marketing Excellence - pushing the digital boundaries on Global Stage NEW YORK, March 21, 2024 /CNW/ -- MMA Global proudly announces the winners of the esteemed SMARTIES X Global & North America 2023 Awards. This prestigious program recognizes the most innovative and impactful marketing campaigns across the globe, showcasing the brilliance of marketing professionals who push boundaries and redefine industry standards to #shapethefuture of creativity and innovation in marketing. The SMARTIES X Global & North America Awards recognize the exceptional achievements of agencies and brands driving innovation in marketing. Winners gain unparalleled recognition, highlighting their expertise and building valuable industry connections. Winning campaigns inspire the industry, demonstrating the transformative power of strategic creativity. Additionally, SMARTIES X Global & North America 2023 winners will be featured in the prestigious MMA Business Impact Index (BII), further solidifying their status as leaders in the field. The BII recognizes the best of the best, utilizing a proprietary methodology developed in collaboration with WARC, the global authority on advertising and media effectiveness. This methodology compiles the rankings using finalist and winner data from awards programs across the globe. MMA Global announces the SMARTIES X Global & North America 2023 Winners: A Celebration of Marketing Excellence - pushing the digital boundaries on Global Stage This year, the SMARTIES X Global and North America programs received submissions across six channels: Purpose Driven Marketing, Marketing Impact, Impact Media, Emerging Tech Marketing, E-commerce Marketing, and Creative. Evaluated by 2 distinguished Marketer - only jury panels spanning across the continents, each entry underwent rigorous scrutiny to identify the most impactful and innovative campaigns. The SMARTIES X Global 2023 saw the presentation of 35 Gold, 35 Silver, and 30 Bronze category awards, along with 10 Industry Awards recognizing outstanding achievements across various categories. Dove took the honors as Brand of the Year and Unilever are as Advertiser of the Year, the captivating Louis Vuitton's Destination Aranya is celebrated as the Best in Show symbolizing exceptional creativity and business impact., TikTok takes center stage as Publisher of the Year. CIF is recognized as the Most Resilient Brand of the Year. Story continues AdTheorent is honored as the Enabling Technology Company, while Leo Burnett KSA earns recognition as the Creative Agency of the Year, with Mindshare China and Mindshare recognized as Media Agency of the Year and Agency Network of the Year Global, respectively. WPP is acknowledged as Holding Agency Company. These winners represent inspiring examples of excellence, setting a high standard for the marketing industry. Rohit Dadwal, CEO (Chief Executive Officer) of MMA Global APAC & Global Head of SMARTIES Worldwide, extended his congratulations to this year's winners, stating, " The SMARTIES X Global awards honor the limitless possibilities that marketing offers to foster positive transformation and craft a more promising tomorrow. It fills us with immense pride to acknowledge this year's winners, who exemplify outstanding creativity and pioneering approaches in Marketing Excellence worldwide. Witnessing a collection of marketing and advertising luminaries unite on one of the most esteemed stages everMMA SMARTIESis a source of inspiration. Extending congratulations to the recipients of these distinguished awards is a privilege. Their achievements are genuinely extraordinary" View the complete MMA SMARTIES X Global 2023 Winner Gallery here, and the judges' roster here. In the North American program, SMARTIES North America 2023 winners have demonstrated exceptional prowess in marketing innovation. With 12 Gold, 8 Silver, and 11 Bronze category awards, along with 6 Industry Awards, the region celebrates excellence in marketing achievements. Foundation to Combat Antisemitism is esteemed as Brand of the Year. Ally Financials shines as Advertiser of the Year, Moburst is celebrated as Digital Agency of the Year, while Wunderman Thompson earns the title of Creative Agency of the Year. Mindshare takes the spotlight as Media Agency of the Year, and #StandUpToJewishHate clinches the Grand Prix / Best in Show award, displaying outstanding creativity and business impact. These winners represent the pinnacle of marketing excellence in North America, setting a high standard for the industry. Explore the complete MMA SMARTIES North America 2023 Winner Gallery and delve into the exceptional campaigns that have set the standard for marketing excellence here. The SMARTIES X Global & North America awards continue to be a beacon of recognition for outstanding marketing achievements, celebrating the individuals and organizations driving meaningful change across the world. About MMA Global: MMA Global is the leading global trade association for marketers, providing essential resources and expertise to empower marketers to navigate the complex world of Marketing. With a commitment to driving innovation and effectiveness, MMA Global plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of marketing. SMARTIES: SMARTIES is the prestigious marketing awards program hosted by MMA Global, recognizing excellence in Marketing. The SMARTIES Awards celebrate the most innovative and impactful campaigns that push the boundaries of creativity and effectiveness in the dynamic world of mobile marketing. Find out more about MMA Global at https://www.mmaglobal.com/ Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mma-global-announces-the-smarties-x-global--north-america-2023-winners-302094279.html SOURCE MMA Global APAC Cision View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/March2024/21/c8633.html From white board and batten siding to black frame windows and gables, the modern farmhouse style has begun to dominate our New Jersey neighborhoods. Not only does the style bring sleek exteriors finished off with a large front porch and wood beams, of course but it also comes with a distinct interior design style that has taken over the industry in recent years. In Bergen County, interior designers like Christie Adams, of Christie Adams Design in Wyckoff, have helped bring this trend to the forefront, adding more contemporary touches to the traditional farmhouse aesthetic. "To me, the older farmhouse is like the kitchy kinds of things, like signs that say 'Eat' and 'Gather.' I feel like modern farmhouse is a little more elevated," she said. "It has cleaner lines, is more streamlined and has less clutter. You're not having those word art type things that were really popular when it was more of a dated kind of farmhouse." What elements are in the modern farmhouse style? The goal of the modern farmhouse style is to create an understated space that combines both comfort and function, rather than using bold designs or bright pieces. This is done through the use of neutral colors black, white, beiges and grays and incorporating well-loved items like furniture, dishes, art and other collectibles that are meant to be used. "Incorporating natural wood is another part of it. Wood tones are definitely popular with that modern farmhouse style," Adams said. "For example, wrapping natural wood around an oven hood and things like that are very popular." A Tenafly home featuring the modern farmhouse style, as designed by Christie Adams Design. Adding an accent wall using shiplap, beadboard or wainscot wood paneling that only sits on the lower parts of the wall are other common uses of wood in this style. Meant to encourage a more practical lifestyle, the modern farmhouse aesthetic often includes the use of open shelving, draining dish racks and firewood storage. Story continues Why do people like this style? The modern farmhouse style inside a Wyckoff home, as designed by Christie Adams Design. The modern farmhouse style inside a Wyckoff home, as designed by Christie Adams Design. Ingrid Nkongho of Tenafly, whose home was designed by Adams, said that when she wanted to redesign her living room, she kept gravitating to this style. While she didn't know it was referred to as modern farmhouse, she knew she liked how calm, clean and practical the style was for her home. "I was attracted to it for being very soothing, but also functional," she said. "I wanted everything to be pieces that were not so precious that you can't enjoy it or that our kids couldn't sit on it. But, at the same time, I wanted to look at the space and feel peaceful. I didn't want any kind of jarring colors or patterns or anything like that. So this was just more of a natural look." A Tenafly home featuring the modern farmhouse style, as designed by Christie Adams Design. "I like that it's a clean look, but also cozy," Phillips said. "Some of my favorite aspects about it are just how she took neutrals and used them throughout the room and then had a few pieces pop out. For example, we have kind of a neutral-colored room and then there's these clean black frames where we have really special and meaningful pictures. I like the juxtaposition between the neutrals and the clean black frames, but also just keeping the vibes cozy." The same goes for Lauren Phillips of Wyckoff, another client of Adams. She said that they had just purchased a new home and knew they wanted the space designed in a way that they could keep forever. Where did it come from? The modern farmhouse style inside a Wyckoff home, as designed by Christie Adams Design. The modern farmhouse style inside a Wyckoff home, as designed by Christie Adams Design. The term "modern farmhouse" originated out of Waco, Texas, just about a decade ago. This is when HGTV's "Fixer Upper" icons Chip and Joanna Gaines brought their home renovations in this style to the television screens of homes across the nation. The trend grew and expanded over time, with more designers creating their own shows and lines around this contemporary style. This includes Shea McGee of Studio McGee in Salt Lake City, Utah, where Adams said she gained inspiration for her own work. "I feel like a lot of it is because that's what they're showing you on shows and on Instagram. Like Shea McGee has created a whole empire between her Netflix show and her Target line and her nearly four million Instagram followers," Adams said. "So, I feel like if anyone is just kind of scrolling through Pinterest or Instagram, they're going to come across something that's McGee inspired and that is definitely very much like a modern farmhouse vibe." A Tenafly home featuring the modern farmhouse style, as designed by Christie Adams Design. As of now, the style of modern farmhouse doesn't seem to be going anywhere any time soon. The trend has taken the nation New Jersey included by storm, something that some may say is a timeless aesthetic that is here to stay. "Because the face is such a neutral palette, I feel like it can evolve, which I like because like any trend or style, it can look dated after a while. So I like that it's neutral enough that as I evolve, we evolve as a family or if I get attracted to some other trends, I feel it's easy to integrate, but at the same time, it does have a timeless look to it," Nkongho said. Maddie McGay is the real estate reporter for NorthJersey.com and The Record, covering all things worth celebrating about living in North Jersey. Find her on Instagram @maddiemcgay , on X @maddiemcgayy , and sign up for her North Jersey Living newsletter. Do you have a tip, trend or terrific house she should know about? Email her at MMcGay@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Modern farmhouse design trend gaining steam. Here's how to do it (Bloomberg) -- Bundesbank President Joachim Nagel said hes more worried about Europes economy than that of his homeland using a term coined to describe Germanys post-unification struggles. Most Read from Bloomberg Theres always talk about Germany being a sick man, Nagel whos also a member of the European Central Banks Governing Council told an event Wednesday in Saarbrucken, Germany. Im more worried that Europe is getting sick if we dont finally start doing our homework, he said, citing excessive bureaucracy and high taxes. Germany, Europes biggest economy, is mired in its first recession since the pandemic, according to most analysts, with a recovery later this year only expected to be mild. Its malaise is largely down to the cutoff of Russian energy supplies, weak Asian demand for exports and problems among the countrys car manufacturers in adapting to the green transition. The 20-nation euro zone isnt faring much better, however, with output having stalled for more than a year. Addressing the same event, Bank of France Governor Francois Villeroy de Galhau cautioned that Europe also faces demographic challenges as birth rates dwindle. In a similar vein, Clemens Fuest, who heads Germanys Ifo institute, said Europe must do more for its own economic strength arguing that this would be the most important response to a possible second presidential term for Donald Trump in the US. Over the past two decades, Europe has fallen behind the US economically and technologically due to a lack of economic momentum and innovation, Fuest said Thursday. Its high time to stop this trend. Story continues Putting economic and military strength at the center of political action should be the central theme of the European election campaign and the policy of the next European Commission, he said. --With assistance from Mark Schroers. (Updates with ifo president in last three paragraphs.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. JOHOR BAHRU, Malaysia, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- NEC Corporation of Malaysia (NEC Malaysia), a leading digital transformation technology provider, today launched its Intelligent Center Operations of NEC (ICON) as part of its plans to expand its presence in Johor. The establishment of ICON in Sunway City Iskandar Puteri was a collaborative effort between NEC Asia Pacific (APAC) and NEC Malaysia. (PRNewsfoto/NEC APAC Pte Ltd) The launch was attended by YB Tuan Lee Ting Han, Johor State Executive Council, Mr Takahashi Katsuhiko, Japan Ambassador to Malaysia, Mr Gerard Soosay, Chief Executive Officer of Sunway City Iskandar Puteri Iskandar and Mr Koichiro Koide, CEO and President of NEC APAC. ICON's expansion marks a significant leap, transforming from a humble Sunway Citrine Hub office in Sunway City Iskandar Puteri into a comprehensive center of excellence. This expansion underscores ICON's dedication to job creation and serves as a hub for nurturing local talent, enriching customer service standards across Asia with managed and cybersecurity defense services. Koichiro Koide, CEO & President of NEC APAC, said, "Across six decades of partnership with our esteemed clientele in ASEAN, we've built an unbreakable bond of trust. Some have journeyed with us since the beginning, a testament to our enduring relationships. At ICON, we deliver Managed and Cyber Security Defense Services to our customers with the highest degree of confidentiality. Trust lies at the core of our operations, as it is built upon the strong rapport we cultivate with our clients, considering the profound integration of these services into their IT infrastructure and operations." Mr Koide added, "NEC is focused on providing solutions and supplying the foundational elements vital for transformative applications. To maintain seamless rapport with our valued clientele, we've established ICON as the cornerstone to enhance our customer services, transcending beyond mere product and sales." Story continues ICON offers certified call center agents proficient in handling client demands at the first and second levels. Their Managed Intelligence Edge Services (MIES) dashboard allows customers to monitor real-time complaints, status, and progress. ICON utilises advanced AI-powered automation tools and provides support in eight languages to cater to the diverse needs of our Asian customers. ICON is part of a growing network of Advanced Response Centres (ARC) in the region that integrates service desk operations, network operations center, and security operations center functions in a seamless 3-in-1 concept for greater resource synergies, enhanced situational awareness and overall cost efficiencies. "Johor is aspiring to be the regional hub of integrated solutions; we should position ourselves as an economy striving for digital transformation. Through our commitment to digital transformation, we aim to create a sustainable economic ecosystem that benefits not only the people of Johor but also the wider global community," said YB Tuan Lee Ting Han, Johor State Executive Council. ICON is also set as a center for knowledge transfer, aiming to become a focal point for knowledge exchange. As part of this initiative, the company will onboard Malaysian talents over the next five years, nurturing them into proficient professionals in managed services and cyber defence services. These individuals will gain comprehensive insights into the technology provided by NEC. This comes together with working in ICON and having a smart lifestyle within Sunway City Iskandar Puteri. Sunway City Iskandar Puteri, a well-planned township, boasts modern infrastructure and amenities. Residents enjoy well-maintained road networks, reliable public transportation, and access to various facilities like shopping malls, restaurants, schools, and recreational areas, fostering a desirable work-life balance. For example, Wisma Sunway Big Box has embraced a smarter lifestyle through NEC's solutions, implementing a secure biometric office entry system utilising advanced facial recognition technology. ### About NEC Corporation of Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. As a globally renowned technological innovator solutions provider, NEC Corporation of Malaysia (established as NEC Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. in March 1988) is one of Malaysia's leading digital transformation players. The company is a subsidiary of NEC Corporation, which has a proven track record of technological expertise. It is committed to helping fast-track Malaysia's aspiration to become a Digital Nation. Specialising in areas such as smart connectivity, public safety, managed services, enterprise applications, infrastructure, IP networks, cybersecurity, and multimedia platforms, its presence stretches from Kuala Lumpur to Sunway City Iskandar Puteri. NEC Malaysia's Centre of Excellence in Sunway City Iskandar Puteri, Johor, provides managed services and serves as a call centre operation for customers in the Southeast Asian region. Visit us at: https://my.nec.com/. NEC is a registered trademark of NEC Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Other product or service marks mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners. 2022 NEC Corporation. Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/nec-opens-new-operations-center-to-expand-its-presence-to-johor-302093790.html SOURCE NEC Asia Pacific Pte Ltd NewLake Capital NEW CANAAN, Conn., March 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NewLake Capital Partners, Inc. (OTCQX: NLCP) (The Company or NewLake), a leading provider of real estate capital to state-licensed cannabis operators, announced today that management is scheduled to participate in the following April 2024 investor conferences. LD Micro Invitational XIV Dates: April 8-9, 2024 Location: Sofitel New York Presentation Day and Time: April 9 at 12:30 p.m. ET Presentation Location: Track 4 - Montmartre Webcast: https://ldinv14.sequireevents.com/ Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference Dates: April 16-17, 2024 Location: The Diplomat Beach Resort, Hollywood, Florida Panel Day and Time: Tuesday, April 16 at 1:00 p.m. ET Panel: The Cost of Capital and Timing Strategies, moderated by Anthony Coniglio, CEO, Newlake Capital Panel Location: Stage 2 Webcast: https://www.benzinga.com/events/cannabis-conference/ To schedule a one-on-one meeting with NewLakes management team, please contact your representatives at LD Micro, Benzinga, or email KCSA Strategic Communications at NewLake@kcsa.com. About NewLake Capital Partners, Inc. NewLake Capital Partners, Inc. is an internally-managed real estate investment trust that provides real estate capital to state-licensed cannabis operators through sale-leaseback transactions and third-party purchases and funding for build-to-suit projects. NewLake owns a portfolio of 31 cultivation facilities and dispensaries that are leased to single tenants on a triple-net basis. For more information, please visit www.newlake.com. Contact Information: Lisa Meyer Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary NewLake Capital Partners, Inc. lmeyer@newlake.com Investor Contact: Valter Pinto, Managing Director KCSA Strategic Communications Valter@KCSA.com PH: (212) 896-1254 Media Contact: Ellen Mellody KCSA Strategic Communications EMellody@KCSA.com PH: (570) 209-2947 The Norfolk School Board voted Wednesday on a $671.6 million budget, including staff raises, plans to right-size the division and out of the box initiatives. The budget was approved 5-2 with members Tanya Bhasin and Rodney Jordan voting against. Vice chair Noelle Gabriel said the budget is holistic and prescriptive regarding staff compensation and student needs. Bhasin explained she wasnt ready to support it because she would have liked more positions such as social workers and psychologists and more compensation for teachers in hard-to-staff areas. Superintendent Sharon Byrdsong included funding to pilot four community school models called Equity and Excellence Learning Centers at Booker T. Washington High School, Ruffner Academy and Jacox and P.B. Young elementary schools. These schools will have mental health, emotional support, medical and family engagement services. Roughly $1 million will be used for staffing and other needs. The board discussed possibly expanding the program into other schools after this phase. During the March 1 board retreat, Byrdsong described the centers and possible plans to turn Lake Taylor High into a career and technical public charter school as innovative and bold. The adopted budget includes funding for a feasibility study looking at the structural and curricular needs for Lake Taylor. A comprehensive CTE school has been discussed over the past several years with no definitive action. The budgets executive summary states that several years of planning remain before implementing the program. The school board also is looking at ways to right size the division. Reports show schools operating under capacity have cost the division $81 million during the past 10 years; the board will consider returning some properties to the city. The board is considering moving the alternative program at the Madison School to the former Easton Preschool building. Planning and community engagement on how to move forward is expected to cost $130,000. Story continues Bonuses, raises included in Norfolk Public Schools budget, but teachers disheartened by plan to address pay inequities Staff across the board will see raises, though the increase varies depending on the position and experience. The final phase of the division leaderships plan to address pay compression when the pay gap between more experienced staff and new staff shrinks because of wage stagnation will be implemented under this budget. The budget now goes to the City Council for approval. Kelsey Kendall, kelsey.kendall@virginiamedia.com Key Insights Using the 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen fair value estimate is 1.90 Heidelberger Druckmaschinen is estimated to be 47% undervalued based on current share price of 1.00 Our fair value estimate is 4.3% higher than Heidelberger Druckmaschinen's analyst price target of 1.83 In this article we are going to estimate the intrinsic value of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft (ETR:HDD) by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. We will use the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model on this occasion. Don't get put off by the jargon, the math behind it is actually quite straightforward. We would caution that there are many ways of valuing a company and, like the DCF, each technique has advantages and disadvantages in certain scenarios. If you still have some burning questions about this type of valuation, take a look at the Simply Wall St analysis model. View our latest analysis for Heidelberger Druckmaschinen The Method 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. A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, and so the sum of these future cash flows is then discounted to today's value: Story continues 10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (, Millions) 23.2m 56.7m 46.8m 41.1m 37.6m 35.5m 34.2m 33.3m 32.8m 32.5m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x4 Analyst x4 Analyst x3 Est @ -12.18% Est @ -8.36% Est @ -5.68% Est @ -3.81% Est @ -2.50% Est @ -1.58% Est @ -0.94% Present Value (, Millions) Discounted @ 6.3% 21.8 50.1 38.9 32.1 27.7 24.5 22.2 20.4 18.8 17.6 ("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St) Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = 274m 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 0.6%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 6.3%. Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033 (1 + g) (r g) = 32m (1 + 0.6%) (6.3% 0.6%) = 565m Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= 565m ( 1 + 6.3%)10= 305m 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 579m. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of 1.0, the company appears quite undervalued at a 47% discount to where the stock price trades currently. 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 Important Assumptions We would point out that the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate and of course the actual cash flows. You don't have to agree with these inputs, I recommend redoing the calculations yourself and playing with them. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Heidelberger Druckmaschinen 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 6.3%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.257. 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 Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Strength Earnings growth over the past year exceeded the industry. Debt is not viewed as a risk. Weakness No major weaknesses identified for HDD. 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 German market. Next Steps: Whilst important, the DCF calculation ideally won't be the sole piece of analysis you scrutinize for a company. DCF models are not the be-all and end-all of investment valuation. Rather it should be seen as a guide to "what assumptions need to be true for this stock to be under/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. Why is the intrinsic value higher than the current share price? For Heidelberger Druckmaschinen, we've compiled three important items you should consider: Financial Health: Does HDD have a healthy balance sheet? Take a look at our free balance sheet analysis with six simple checks on key factors like leverage and risk. Future Earnings: How does HDD'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 German 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. (Bloomberg) -- Chinas central bank signaled a potential boost to liquidity for banks while expressing caution on cutting interest rates, after the worlds second-largest economy reported an upbeat start to 2024. Most Read from Bloomberg There is still room to lower the reserve requirement ratio for banks, which is an important tool to adjust liquidity, Peoples Bank of China Deputy Governor Xuan Changneng said during a Thursday briefing. Interest rate policy in the country can become more autonomous as deposit rates trend lower and other major global economies move toward easing, he added, alluding to current limitations from banks thin profit margins and the Federal Reserves elevated rates. Chinas monetary policy space is ample and the policy toolbox is abundant, Xuan said. Financial support to the economy is still solid. The remarks underscore how the PBOC isnt in any rush to cut policy rates right now. Official data pointed to better-than-expected growth in the export, industrial and investment sectors in the first two months of the year, giving policymakers a chance to pause and assess the economys momentum. The idea that officials are in an observation period right now was floated earlier Thursday in Chinese state media, which said recent holds on key rates signal monetary policy is staying put. Investors, meanwhile, have been scrutinizing statements by Chinese policymakers as they look for any clues on potential stimulus this year. Beijing is targeting growth of around 5%, an ambitious rate that some analysts say may require more support. Economists still point to to a higher likelihood for other types of monetary easing down the line including trims to the RRR, which would allow banks to keep smaller reserves and therefore encourage more lending. Story continues A rate cut may be delayed, said Zhang Zhiwei, chief economist for Pinpoint Asset Management Ltd. He cited concerns including more pressure on the already weak yuan and Chinas flattening yield curve, which suggests traders are growing pessimistic about the countrys longer-term growth outlook. Read More: China Yield Curve Nears Inversion in Sign More Stimulus Needed Banks are likely to lower their deposit rates in April, according to Raymond Yeung, chief economist for Greater China at Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. That would help ease the pressure from their narrowing profit margins and open up space for lending rates to fall. He also forecasts a cut to the RRR in the second half of the year. Earlier this month, PBOC Governor Pan Gongsheng also stressed that there was still room for the central bank to cut the RRR. Neither he nor Xuan gave any indication of when another trim may come. In January, Pan announced a 50 basis point-reduction in the RRR during a live press briefing. That cut was larger than most analysts expected. A liquidity boost would help the market absorb an upcoming 1 trillion yuan ($139 billion) issuance of special ultra-long sovereign bonds, which is part of the fiscal stimulus plan that policymakers have outlined for 2024. China plans to issue the notes mainly through public auctions in the interbank market rather than through targeted sales, Bloomberg News reported earlier. That could lead to liquidity pressure, as a wider pool of banks will need to set aside cash to make purchases. What Bloomberg Economics Says ... Comments by Peoples Bank of China Deputy Governor Xuan Changneng at a press conference Thursday struck us as mildly dovish. He said the PBOC is trying to spur credit expansion with lower reserve requirements and taking into consideration actions by other central banks when setting interest rates. Considering credit growth has pulled back and the next move by the Fed almost certainly will be down, Xuans remarks suggest the PBOC will deliver more stimulus. David Qu, economist Read the full report here. Xuan signaled the PBOC is satisfied with the growth of credit and money supply for now and will maintain ample liquidity, even as loans expanded at the slowest rate on record in February. He explained that credit growth of at least 8% is in line with the nominal economic growth target of about 8%. Speaking at the same briefing, Vice Finance Minister Liao Min said the government has been front-loading fiscal spending. Chinas actual spending in January and February as a percentage of its budget expenditure for the entire year was the fastest for the period in nearly five years, he said. Thats translated into a deficit as the year kicks off. Augmented fiscal spending rose 2.7% from the same period a year earlier while revenue fell, leaving the nations broad deficit to 311 billion yuan the largest for the January-February time frame in more than three decades, according to Bloomberg calculations based on Ministry of Finance data. --With assistance from Colum Murphy and James Mayger. (Updates with additional details throughout.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. (Bloomberg) -- Portugals center-right leader Luis Montenegro was named prime minister after his coalitions narrow election win this month, presenting him with the challenge of trying to govern with a minority administration. Most Read from Bloomberg Montenegro has a chance to strengthen his position by forging a deal bringing in far-right party Chega, but hes so far ruled out an agreement to get its backing. The populist party, led by Andre Ventura, grabbed much of the spotlight in the March 10 vote, when it quadrupled its number of parliament seats. The lack of a majority will make it harder for Montenegros new government to push through the transformative measures his party says are needed to strengthen the economy and boost living standards. He may be forced to compromise on key policies and budgets to try to get support in parliament. Montenegros AD alliance won the most seats in the election, narrowly beating the Socialists, whove governed for the past eight years. President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa named Montenegro, 51, as premier early on Thursday after meeting all political parties. Minority governments in Portugal have tended to be short-lived. In 50 years of democracy, only two have survived a full four-year term. Montenegro will present his ministers to the president on March 28 and the new government will be sworn in on April 2, he told reporters after a meeting at the presidency in Lisbon. Hes attending a European Peoples Party meeting in Brussels on Thursday morning. No Deal Ventura said Monday that Montenegro cant ask him to vote in favor of a budget without wanting to negotiate with his party. The Chega leader said hell keep pushing for an agreement. Story continues A day later, Socialist leader Pedro Nuno Santos said its practically impossible that his party would agree with an AD governments 2025 budget proposal, due to be presented in October. Still, the Socialists may do deals on specific issues, such as an amendment to this years budget to improve the wages of teachers and some other public workers. Montenegro has said that he hopes the Socialists and Chega wont join forces to block the new government. Santos says the Socialists wont support the AD, but they also wont back any motions to oust the group from office immediately. The change in government is unlikely to mean a radical shift in fiscal policy. While the AD wants to cut some taxes, it also aims to keep lowering the countrys debt ratio. Thats been a focus for successive administrations since the euro-area debt crisis, when Portugal needed a bailout. Montenegro has led the PSD, the main party in the AD coalition, since July 2022. While hes never served in government, he was the PSDs parliamentary leader from 2011 to 2017, when it was in power implementing the bailout program. During a February debate, Santos accused Montenegro of lacking experience. I was coordinating a government action that saved Portugal from bankruptcy, Montenegro said in response. --With assistance from Henrique Almeida. (Updates with Montenegros attendance at a meeting in Brussels in sixth paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. CHICAGO, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Pritzker Military Museum & Library (PMML) will host the in-person and live stream 2024 Pritzker Military Symposium: Assessing Global Security, sponsored by Geico Military, PenFed Foundation, and WTTW/WFMT. The event brings together sixteen renowned academic, government, and military experts for a day-long discussion on the historical context, current effectiveness, and future role of the U.S. military in global security in four panels: Pritzker Military Museum & Library (PRNewsfoto/Pritzker Military Museum & Library) Panel 1: Global Partnerships & Treaties Russia's war with Ukraine brought greater awareness of the U.S. being drawn into foreign wars through alliances like NATO. Moderator Dr. Paul Poast, author of Economics of War and Arguing About Alliances, will guide the panel to examine the strengths, weaknesses, and changing needs of U.S. treaties and alliances in three hot spots: U.S. Army and Cold War historian covering Russia and Ukraine, Dr. Sean Kalic, U.S. naval historian, China war strategy expert, and author of Red Star over the Pacific, Dr. James Holmes; and author of Oil, the State, and War: The Foreign Policies of Petrostates, Dr. Emma Ashford, to cover Middle East alliances. Panel 2: Competition for Foreign Military Sales & Training The U.S. is supplying military equipment and training in Ukraine and Israel and competing with other nations to supply countries in Africa and the Indo-Pacific, particularly Taiwan. This second panel will examine the effectiveness of these different strategies. Moderator, Dr. William Reno, principal investigator of the U.S. Department of Defense's Minerva research project on improving foreign military training, joins fellow Minerva researcher, Dr. Jahara "Franky" Matisek,(Lt. Col. USAF), and Russian and Ukraine expert, Dr. Renanah Joyce, to discuss foreign military sales in Ukraine, Africa, and the Middle East. Colleague Dr. Alexandra Chinchilla will expand the discussion into military aid for Taiwan to counter China. Story continues Keynote Lunch: Dr. Craig Symonds, PMML's 2023 Lifetime Literature awardee and author of seventeen naval history books will present, "Red Sky at Morning: The U.S. Navy and the China Challenge." Panel 3: Global Security in China and the Indo-Pacific Today China poses serious opportunities and threats. Dr. Craig Symonds continues the keynote discussion in this panel to articulate the current tensions with China and our allies from the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) to the new security consortium The Quad. Maritime strategy and defense policy legend who taught at over 60 academic and defense organizations worldwide and is currently teaching in Singapore, Dr. Geoff Till, will provide an international perspective; founder of the China Maritime Studies Institute at the U.S. Naval War College and China expert, Dr. Lyle Goldstein, illuminates the costs of this power competition with China and how the U.S. might navigate staying out of war in the region; and U.S. Army Colonel Christopher Wehri, formerly on the Joint Staff as the Deputy Director for Politico-Military Affairs for China, Taiwan, and Mongolia, will share the Army's security strategy lens. Panel 4: Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence The final panel examines how cybersecurity and artificial intelligence are reshaping military capacities and revealing new blind spots. From hackers and misinformation to new autonomous weapons and precision targeting systems, the future is changing rapidly for the U.S. and many nations. Retired Admiral Stephen Evans, Founder, Chairman, and CEO, Flag Bridge Global Solutions, LLC, will moderate the conversation with the White House's first National Cyber Director, retired Brigadier General John (Chris) Inglis; strategist Dr. Thomas X. Hammes, retired Marine Colonel, and founder of the Norwich University Applied Research Institute training the next generation of cyber warriors, Phil Susmann. In-person tickets include breakfast at 8:00 a.m., lunch during the keynote presentation, and book signing at 5:00 p.m. Live stream options available. Event Date: April 27, 2024 When: 9:00 a.m. CDT- 5:00 p.m. CDT Where: Pritzker Military Museum & Library 104 S. Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL 60603 Info: For more information on the 2024 Pritzker Military Symposium: Assessing Global Security visit https://www.pritzkermilitary.org/2024-pritzker-military-symposium About Pritzker Military Museum & Library The Pritzker Military Museum & Library aims to increase the public's understanding of military history, military affairs, and national security by providing a forum for the study and exploration of our military - past, present, and future - with a specific focus on their stories, sacrifices, and values. With national and global reach, these spaces and events aim to share the stories of those who served and their contributions as citizen soldiers, helping citizens everywhere appreciate the relationship between the armed forces and the civilians whose freedoms they protect. A non-governmental, non-partisan organization, the Museum & Library features diverse collections, scholarly initiatives, and public programs from its flagship center in downtown Chicago to its world-class research center and park in Somers, Wisconsin. Media Contact April Smith-Miller Director of Marketing asmith-miller@pritzkermilitary.org (312) 374-9378 Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pritzker-military-museum--library-will-host-a-military-symposium-on-global-security-with-16-renowned-experts-for-a-one-day-only-discussion-302096438.html SOURCE Pritzker Military Museum & Library China urges U.S. to stop poisoning public support for bilateral ties Xinhua) 08:13, March 21, 2024 BEIJING, March 20 (Xinhua) -- China urges the United States to stop poisoning the public support for the bilateral ties, and correct its wrongdoing of harassing, interrogating, and deporting Chinese citizens without just cause, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday. The Washington Post recently published a special report on the interview with six Chinese students and two visiting scholars who were harassed, interrogated, and deported without just cause when entering the U.S. border. The report gave details on what happened to some of them and received much attention in the United States. In response to a related query, spokesperson Lin Jian said China has repeatedly stated its solemn position on the U.S., without any just cause, harassing, interrogating, and deporting Chinese citizens, especially students and scholars. The United States frequently adopts discriminatory, politically motivated and selective law enforcement against Chinese students, which severely violates the legitimate and lawful rights and interests of the persons concerned, disrupts normal cross-border travel between China and the United States, runs counter to the U.S. commitment to facilitating and supporting cultural and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries and contravenes the common aspiration of the two peoples in carrying out friendly exchanges, Lin said. "We urge the United States to earnestly listen to the voice from various sectors in the two countries, stop poisoning the public support for the bilateral ties, correct its wrongdoing of harassing, interrogating, and deporting Chinese citizens without just cause, and thoroughly look into the cases to offer an explanation to the victims," Lin said. China will continue to adopt resolute measures to safeguard the legitimate and lawful rights and interests of Chinese citizens, he added. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) March 21 (PROTOCOL VILLAGE EXCLUSIVE): The team behind Fluence network, which describes itself as "a decentralized serverless platform and computing marketplace powered by blockchain economics," announced that the Fluence Cloudless Platform is now live, "offering a cloudless and decentralized alternative to enterprise cloud computing providers such as AWS and Google Cloud," according to the team: "The platform leverages a decentralized serverless compute network to provide a solution that is resilient and auditable while offering flexibility and cost-efficiency to providers and users." Fluence Network overview (Fluence) Movement, for Move-Based Chains, to Collaborate With DeFi Platform Thala March 21: Movement, a network of Move-based blockchains, announced that it's planning to expand the Move DeFi ecosystem through a collaboration with Thala, a leading Move DeFi platform, according to the team. "Movement will bring Thala's DeFi suite, including its DEX, stablecoin and launchpad, to the Ethereum ecosystem via M2. This will allow Thala to tap into the vast EVM user base and liquidity pool, while still leveraging the security and speed of the Move language. Morph EVM Raises $19M in Seed Round Led by Dragonfly March 21: Morph, a fully permissionless Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) layer 2 for value-driven dApps, announced the close of a $19 million seed round, led by DragonFly Capital with additional participation from Pantera Capital, Foresight Ventures, The Spartan Group, MEXC Ventures, Symbolic Capital, Public Works, MH Ventures, Everyrealm, with an additional $1MM raised in an angel round. According to the press release: "The innovative technology is built within three key pillars decentralized sequencer, optimistic zkEVM integration and modular design." Blockchain Project Elastos Announces 'BTC Oracle' for Bitcoin L2 March 21: Elastos, a blockchain project, announced BTC Oracle, "a radical new solution that will enable every EVM-compatible blockchain to be a Bitcoin L2, the most comprehensive solution for cross-chain operability involving Bitcoin and EVM blockchains yet." According to the team: "The BTC Oracle is part of Elastoss BTC L2, 'BeL2,' the first BTC L2 to enable the direct development and management of Bitcoin-native smart contracts. Elastos BTC Oracle acts as a zero-knowledge proof data feed that provides real-time Bitcoin information to EVM smart contracts. A prototype is now available to illustrate how you can stake ELA in return for Bitcoin rewards." Story continues Espresso Systems Raises $28M in Fresh Funds, Led By A16z Crypto March 21: Espresso, a leading specialist in the emerging blockchain field of "shared sequencing," has raised $28 million in a series B round led by venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz's a16z Crypto, according to a press release. The investment round closed in February, and the funding will be used to continue to build out Espressos products, invest in the broader rollup ecosystem, and hire additional people for Espresso. Babylon, Nubit Collaborate on Bitcoin Data Availability March 21: Babylon and Nubit announced a collaboration to integrate Babylon's Bitcoin staking and timestamping protocols, to enhance Nubit's Bitcoin-native data availability layer. According to the team: "Through this collaboration, Bitcoin L2s, DeFi, indexers and other systems that want to use Bitcoin for security and data availability will find a native and efficient solution. The partnership will leverage tech advancements to improve Bitcoins utility and accessibility, aiming to inherit Bitcoins complete censorship resistance and economic security to ensure a robust and resilient infrastructure for Bitcoins future growth." Nubit claims on its website to be the "first Bitcoin-native data availability layer." Schematic from Nubit Core Foundation Unveils Venture Network for DApp Development March 21: Core Foundation has unveiled Core Venture Network (CVN), "comprising a community of 50 venture capitalists and other investors dedicated to offering resources, funding and strategic counsel for dApp development on Core Chain, the blockchain secured by Bitcoin and EVM-compatible (Ethereum Virtual Machine). Alongside its launch, the Core Venture Network announces $15M in regional ecosystem funds. Notable members of the Core Venture Network include Foresight Ventures, Marin Digital Ventures, Brinc VC, Mexc Ventures, CoinSwitch and others." XPLA, Matter Labs Collaborate to Advance 'zkXPLA' March 21: XPLA, a gaming-focused blockchain based on the Tendermint consensus engine, and Matter Labs, a software development, engineering, and cryptography company developing software for zkSync, announced a collaboration designed to advance the development and deployment of Web3 games through the newly created zkXPLA ecosystem. According to a press release: "The zkXPLA mainnet is designed to support Web3 games and projects expanding to the Ethereum ecosystem while offering interchain integration, as well as facilitating the onboarding of new gaming titles, entertainment experiences, as well as public projects with financial companies and government agencies. The hyperchain infrastructure on zkSync will further optimize the deployment of games by publishers and developers via zkXPLA and offer a seamless end-to-end gaming environment with enhanced security, transparency, and lower transaction fees. Bitcoin Layer 2 'Mintlayer' Upgrades Staking Program March 21: Bitcoin L2 Mintlayer is announcing an upgrade to its staking program UI to make it easier to use and more accessible, according to the team: "Its simplified staking program is integrated into a combination of its block explorer and Mojito wallet browser extension, which enables Mintlayer users to stake their ML tokens and earn rewards. Aside from being used to secure the Mintlayer network through staking, the ML token is used to pay transaction fees on the Bitcoin sidechain." VeChain Announces 'Meatless' App for Sustainable Food Products as Hackathon Winner March 21: VeChain announced the winners of its most recent hackathon hosted at the University of Cambridge in partnership with EasyA and with participation from BCG. According to the team: "The hackathon encouraged the development of the VeBetterDAO platform, a sustainable ecosystem designed to incentivize enterprise and individual positive impact and resulted in 50+ X-2-Earn projects. VeChain track winner: Meatless, an app that incentivizes buying sustainable food products BCG track winner: EcoNex, an app promoting eco-friendly travel Pitch-a-thon track winner: LogiQ, an app designed to streamline trucks freight-sharing." Protocol Village is a regular feature of The Protocol, our weekly newsletter exploring the tech behind crypto, one block at a time. Sign up here to get it in your inbox every Wednesday. Project teams can submit updates here. For previous versions of Protocol Village, please go here. Also please check out our weekly The Protocol podcast. Emerging Functional Fitness Franchise to Open New Studio Location in the Sunshine State TAMPA, Fla., March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pvolve, the omni-channel fitness company with an innovative, clinically-backed method that pairs functional movement with proprietary resistance equipment, is making its Florida debut next winter after signing its latest franchise deal with Tampa Bay local Bijal Patel. Official logo of the Pvolve franchise (PRNewsfoto/Pvolve) After over a decade spent practicing law within the healthcare industry, Patel was searching for a new passion and another professional pathway. That search led her to Pvolve. Patel visited both the Los Angeles and Chicago studios to experience the class and began to research the franchise opportunity. She believes Pvolve meets an unmet demand for this kind of workout in Tampa. Unlike other fitness concepts, Pvolve is a workout that prioritizes longevity and sustainability, without sacrificing effectiveness. Recently, the company announced the preliminary results of its Healthy Aging study , which demonstrated that Pvolve is more effective in improving strength, flexibility, energy, and quality of life for women over 40+ than the recommended 150 minutes per week of cardio and strength training, which constitute standard physical activity guidelines.* "I am excited to bring Pvolve to the Tampa Bay area. There is nothing quite like it here," said Patel. "My hope is that the Pvolve studio can serve as a community for individuals in the area who, like me, want to build strength, tone and change their bodies through functional movement with effective, low impact and high intensity workouts." Patel is targeting South Tampa as the location of her new studio, which she anticipates opening in early 2025. "This marks an exciting milestone for Pvolve as we introduce the first studio in Florida," said Pvolve President Julie Cartwright. "We are thrilled to welcome Bijal to the Pvolve family as our newest franchisee. Between her professional experience and passion for health and wellness, she will play an integral role in developing our footprint in Southwest Florida." Story continues As the fitness industry continues to evolve, Pvolve's functional fitness modality stands out for its untapped potential in large markets. The growing demand for holistic fitness solutions positions Pvolve for continued expansion, due to its innovative, effective, and clinically-proven method. In addition to this new deal, Pvolve is aiming to strengthen its ties with the Tampa Bay community through the introduction of five or more studio locations in the year ahead, as brand awareness grows nationally and locally within the region. For the latest news about Pvolve and its franchising opportunities, please visit https://pvolvefranchise.com/. About Pvolve Pvolve is an omnichannel fitness company with a science-led method that pairs low-impact, functional movement with patented resistance equipment to sculpt, strengthen, and restore the body while enhancing mobility and flexibility. After being introduced to functional fitness in 2017, founder Rachel Katzman was determined to help others experience an approach that respects the body's holistic needs while making you look and feel great. The Pvolve Method is supported by a Clinical Advisory Board of doctors, as well as highly credentialed trainers, to offer effective workouts that help you break a sweat, not your body. In June 2023, world-renowned actress, producer, and director, Jennifer Aniston, officially partnered with Pvolve after falling in love with the method as a member. Through its hybrid fitness model, Pvolve can be experienced through a streaming membership that offers over 1,300 on-demand classes, a two-way, live virtual studio, and targeted series, all available via the web and mobile apps. Additionally, Pvolve has physical studio locations in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and franchises across the US and Canada, with more than 40 locations in development. For more information, please visit https://www.pvolve.com/. *The 12-week clinical trial conducted by the University of Exeter and Pvolve included 72 women ages 40-60 years old, comparing 4 Pvolve workouts per week of 30-55 minutes in length to standard physical activity guidelines of 150 minutes per week. Media Contact: Seth Goodman, Fishman Public Relations, sgoodman@fishmanpr.com, (224) 723-9645 Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pvolve-set-to-make-florida-debut-in-tampa-302095442.html SOURCE Pvolve This retired teacher was tossed out of her Houston home of 45-plus years heres how others may be at risk too A retired teacher from Houston has found herself in real estate limbo after being unceremoniously kicked out of her home without warning. In September 2023, Wanda Jacksons belongings were abruptly dumped on the front lawn of her house, leaving her with nothing but a few pieces of furniture. Don't miss Let US retail giants like Walmart, Whole Foods, and Kroger provide YOU with passive income become a 'grocery landlord' with this 1 simple move Cost-of-living in America is still out of control use these 3 'real assets' to protect your wealth today, no matter what the US Fed does or says These 5 magic money moves will boost you up America's net worth ladder in 2024 and you can complete each step within minutes. Here's how Jackson, who had lived in the home since 1977, hadnt put the property up for sale, nor did she have any intention of moving. As it turns out, a winding series of questionable real estate transactions had left the retiree in an increasingly vulnerable situation. Let me just say, [Im] pissed off, she told ABC13. Heres how the situation unfolded and what you can do to prevent something similar from happening to you. What happened Jackson told ABC13 that, just as the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, her home had been in dire need of repairs nothing too major, but enough to inspire her to seek out a handyman. At first it seemed like kismet when a church friend recommended a man named Malcolm Pryor. According to documents reviewed by ABC13, Jackson paid for several repairs out of pocket before falling seriously ill for several months in 2021. But, the repairs were made and Jackson thought nothing else of it. However, on Aug. 12, 2022, Pryor alleged that Jackson never paid him for his work and filed a mechanics lien on her house via his company, SDP Development. Unbeknownst to Jackson, one month later, paperwork for her property was deeded over to another company owned by Pryor, South Victory Group, LLC. Story continues I dont remember signing anything with him, she said in an interview with the media outlet. Because I was going through therapy, trying to get over COVID, trying to learn how to walk again. And I was not necessarily feeling good. Two days after Pryor took legal possession, he sold the property to a local investor for a mere $50,000. A few months later, in February 2023, the investor sold the property back to Pryor for $262,500. Records obtained by ABC13 revealed that Pryor paid for it by taking out a hard money loan from Noble Mortgage, a local financier. However, records show that Pryor never made a single payment on the loan, forcing Noble Mortgage to foreclose on Jacksons house within two months. Within that seven-month timespan, Jacksons house had had four different owners all without her knowledge. That changed in April 2023, when a shocked Jackson received an envelope in the mail detailing the foreclosure and asking her to vacate the premises. Read more: Generating 'passive income' through real estate is the biggest myth in investing heres how you can do it in as little as 5 minutes No satisfying resolution Although Jackson scrambled to find a lawyer to take on her case, she wasnt able to fight the eviction before she was forced to leave the home shed owned for more than 40 years and move into a small apartment. Making matters even worse, Jackson revealed shed also hired Pryor to make repairs to her late mothers home, which had been left to her in her mothers will. Through similar documentation that Jackson also doesnt remember signing, she lost her mothers house. It has since been sold to investors. A follow-up report from ABC13 reveals that on March 13, the Houston Police Department criminally charged Pryor with a second-degree felony for filing a false statement to obtain credit. In court documents, investigators allege he used fake bank statements to secure the loan from Noble Mortgage, which he then defaulted on. But the unfortunate reality is that even as Pryor faces charges, Jackson is unlikely to ever get her home back. Her property has already been sold to another investor. How to protect yourself against home title fraud Home title fraud may not be as common as other types of scams against seniors like sweepstakes scams or robocalls, for example but its still a possible threat. Data from the FBI says 11,727 individuals in the U.S. amassed real estate losses of $396 million due to fraud in 2022. Theyd also noted that real estate fraud specifically had increased by a whopping 64% between 2020 and 2021 alone right around the time Jackson would have first met Pryor. These types of scam artists know that many older people boast a valuable asset: homeownership. Be wary of anyone pressuring you to get a reverse mortgage, for example. Or, as in Jacksons case, someone offering home repairs especially if they contacted you directly and offered to arrange the financing on your behalf. According to Forbes, there are several ways to protect yourself from home title theft, including being careful with your personal information, keeping track of your mail and getting owners title insurance. As for Jackson, ABC13 visited her former home and noted that new windows were already installed and the red brick was painted white. Im mad at everybody concerned, she said. You do not walk around and take peoples property just because you can. What to read next Rich young Americans have lost confidence in the stock market and are betting on these 3 assets instead. Get in now for strong long-term tailwinds Car insurance premiums in America are through the roof and only getting worse. But 5 minutes could have you paying as little as $29/month 84% of ultra-rich Americans boost their wealth through this 1 'private' asset class get access within minutes even if you don't have millions This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. Sekur Private Data Ltd. MIAMI, FL and TORONTO, ON, March 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NewMediaWire -- Sekur Private Data Ltd. (CSE:SKUR) (OTCQB:SWISF) (FRA:GDT0) (Sekur or the Company), a leading Swiss hosted secure and private communications platform, is pleased to announce that it has added distinguished tech veteran Mr. Michael Giuliano to its Board of Advisors. Mr. Giuliano delivers over 20 years of direct hands-on results and experience on the world's largest technology stages. He adds unparalleled expertise and strategic vision to Sekur's disruptive approach to new and unique privacy and cybersecurity solutions. Michael Giuliano is an American entrepreneur and scholar that has independently designed, developed, patented, and commercialized products in excess of $2B USD. He has a mastery level in the areas of Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Neural Networks, Quantitative Analytics, Predictive Analytics, Business Intelligence, Organizational Change. Michael started his career at tech-giant Intel as a microchip manufacturing engineer earning distinct Engineering honors spanning some of the highest-profile product launches on record in the digital and mobility spaces (including X-Box, Apple, and Pentium4) and served as Intel's First Lean Content Expert at their Flagship Plant. He is an active board member for top echelon leadership organizations including Special Forces, Cyber, Tactical, and Corporations. He is also an active volunteer and board member at many top Universities. More information can be found on his LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/01of01/ . This strategic partnership signifies Sekur's commitment to revolutionizing the cybersecurity and privacy landscape, leveraging Mr. Giuliano's invaluable perspective, insights, and industry connections. Michael Giuliano said, "This one is special and will be fun, I truly enjoy working on solutions completely outside of Big-Tech; nothing owned or operated on by the likes of Microsoft, Google, or Amazon can be a game-changer, trust in both protection and privacy are big, Sekur does both right now." Story continues Alain Ghiai, CEO of Sekur Private Data, said: "Michael Giulianos expertise will be instrumental in guiding our company towards continued growth and success in an increasingly complex digital landscape. We certainly look forward to leveraging Michael's wealth of experience and vision for continued growth and success. We are seeing a dramatic increase in cyber-attacks in the USA at the present time, and due to the current presidential election campaign for the November 2024 presidential elections. This increases the USA as a main cyber-attack target for all things from infrastructure hacks to healthcare organizations being hacked, as well as enterprises, businesses and individuals being compromised on a daily basis. We are happy to offer the only Swiss-hosted, proprietary, private and secure communications platform that does not rely on big tech infrastructure, open-source coding or data mining, therefore reducing exponentially the risk of cyber penetration. Our prime directive is to provide private and secure communications for everyone, individuals, businesses and enterprises. Sekurs Data privacy solutions are all hosted in Switzerland, protecting users data from any outside data intrusion requests. In Switzerland, the right to privacy is guaranteed in article 13 of the Swiss Federal Constitution. The Federal Act on Data Protection (FADP) of 19 June 1992 (in force since 1993) has set up a strict protection of privacy by prohibiting virtually any processing of personal data which is not expressly authorized by the data subjects. The protection is subject to the authority of the Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner. Under Swiss federal law, it is a crime to publish information based on leaked secret official discussions. In 2010, the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland found that IP addresses are personal information and that under Swiss privacy laws they may not be used to track internet usage without the knowledge of the individuals involved. About Sekur Private Data Ltd. Sekur Private Data Ltd. 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 Ltd. sells its products through its own website, https://www.sekur.com, approved distributors and telecommunications companies worldwide. Sekur Private Data Ltd. serves consumers, businesses and governments worldwide. On behalf of Management SEKUR PRIVATE DATA LTD. Alain Ghiai President and Chief Executive Officer corporate@sekurprivatedata.com For more information, please contact Sekur Private Data at corporate@sekurprivatedata.com or visit us at https://www.sekurprivatedata.com For more information on Sekur visit us at: https://www.sekur.com Forward-Looking Information This news release contains certain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws ("forward-looking statements"). All statements other than statements of present or historical fact are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "anticipate", "achieve", "could", "believe", "plan", "intend", "objective", "continuous", "ongoing", "estimate", "outlook", "expect", "project" and similar words, including negatives thereof, suggesting future outcomes or that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. These statements are only predictions. These statements reflect managements current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations; they are not guaranteeing future performance. Sekur cautions that all forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond Sekurs control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to the future of the Companys business; the success of marketing and sales efforts of the Company; the projections prepared in house and projections delivered by channel partners; the Companys ability to complete the necessary software updates; increases in sales as a result of investments software development technology; consumer interest in the Products; future sales plans and strategies; reliance on large channel partners and expectations of renewals to ongoing agreements with these partners; anticipated events and trends; the economy and other future conditions; and other risks and uncertainties, including those described in Sekurs prospectus dated May 8, 2019, filed with the Canadian Securities Administrators and available on www.sedarplus.ca . Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, Sekur undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information. SINGAPORE, March 21, 2024 /CNW/ -- The Government of Singapore and the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain signed a bilateral Treaty on 20 March 2024 to establish a new Bahrain International Commercial Court (BICC) in Bahrain and a designated body in Singapore to hear appeals from the BICC. Singapores Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law, Mr K Shanmugam SC and Bahrains Minister of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Waqf H.E. Mr Nawaf bin Mohamed AlMouada at the virtual signing ceremony on 20 March 2024. (Photo courtesy of Ministry of Law Singapore) The Treaty was signed by Singapore's Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law, Mr K Shanmugam SC and Bahrain's Minister of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Waqf H.E. Mr Nawaf bin Mohamed AlMouada in a virtual ceremony on 20 March 2024. Innovative Nature of the Collaboration The features of the collaboration include: a. Cooperation between the Singapore International Commercial Court (SICC) and the Supreme Judicial Council of the Kingdom of Bahrain to establish the BICC; and b. The hearing of appeals by the SICC from the BICC, which will provide parties with a transnational commercial dispute resolution option. The collaboration will also provide opportunities for the development of commercial jurisprudence. Major Milestone in Bilateral Ties The signing of the Treaty marks another milestone since the Singapore and Bahrain judiciaries signed the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation and Memorandum of Guidance as to the Enforcement of Money Judgments when The Honourable the Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon (Chief Justice Menon) led a delegation to visit Bahrain in May 2023. Minister Shanmugam said, "We welcome this collaboration with Bahrain to set up an appeal mechanism from the new Bahrain International Commercial Court to the Singapore International Commercial Court. This collaboration can advance our shared interests." Chief Justice Menon said: "Today's signing of the bilateral Treaty between Singapore and Bahrain to establish the BICC marks a significant milestone in our ties with the Bahrain judiciary. This collaboration would not have been possible without the excellent partnership between the Working Groups set up by the respective Singapore and Bahrain teams. I am deeply grateful for their tremendous work on this project, and look forward to the launch of the BICC." Story continues Visit https://go.gov.sg/sgcourts-singapore-bahrain-sign-bilateral-treaty for more details. Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/singapore-and-bahrain-sign-bilateral-treaty-on-appeals-from-the-bahrain-international-commercial-court-302095618.html SOURCE Supreme Court of Singapore Cision View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/March2024/21/c2026.html Company exported 440,000 doses to Thailand, marking its entry into the Southeast Asian market and the Southern Hemisphere market. Company has obtained marketing authorizations in 12 countries, with additional approvals underway in 10 countries to expand its market worldwide. BANGKOK and SEONGNAM, South Korea , March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- SK bioscience, a global innovative vaccine and biotech company committed to promoting human health from prevention to cure, announced today that the company has shipped approximately 440,000 doses of SKYCellflu to Biogenetech in Thailand from its vaccine manufacturing facility 'L HOUSE' in Andong, South Korea. SK bioscience exports influenza vaccine, SKYCellflu to Thailand, entering southern hemisphere market. The vaccine, the company's self-developed cell-cultured influenza vaccine, contains the recommended composition of influenza virus for use in the 2024 Southern Hemisphere influenza season announced by the World Health Organization (WHO). Starting with the export to Thailand, SK bioscience expects to extend its sales not only in the Southeast Asian market but also in the Southern Hemisphere market. Thailand is affected by both the WHO's Northern and Southern Hemisphere flu vaccination guidelines due to its elongated geography from north to south. Recently, Thailand Department of Disease Control has launched a vaccination campaign aimed at workers in 31 major tourist areas in efforts to prevent influenza after the COVID-19 pandemic. SKYCellflu is the world's first cell culture-based influenza vaccine to obtain WHO Pre-qualification (PQ) certification. Last year, the company resumed production of SKYCellflu and secured first place in the national immunization program bid for the 2023-24 season after a three-year hiatus due to the production of the COVID-19 vaccine during the pandemic. Compared to the egg-based vaccine, SKYCellflu is safe for people who are allergic to eggs and does not require antibiotic or preservative administration. Furthermore, it is more suitable for rapid production in response to pandemics. Story continues SK bioscience intends to expand its global market through procurement contacts with international organizations such as the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). SKYCellflu has already received marketing authorizations in 12 countries globally, including Malaysia, Singapore, Mongolia, Pakistan, and Chile. It is currently or will soon be approved in ten more countries, clearing the path for a full-fledged expansion of the export market. According to Grand View Research, the global influenza vaccine market is projected to expand to approximately $12.58 billion by 2030, with an average annual growth rate of 6.98 percent. Jaeyong Ahn, CEO of SK bioscience, said, "The export of SKYCellflu to Thailand serves as a stepping-stone for entering the Southeast Asian and Southern Hemisphere markets and expanding into the global market." He added, " In addition to diversifying our existing product markets, we are committed to developing vaccines with blockbuster potential, such as our next-generation pneumococcal conjugate vaccine candidate, which is expected to enter phase III clinical trials this year." Meanwhile, SK bioscience continues to push ahead to explore new sales channels by obtaining regulatory approvals for its self-developed vaccines globally. SKYTyphoid, its typhoid conjugate vaccine, has received WHO PQ certification, while SKYVaricella, its varicella vaccine, has obtained marketing authorization in Mexico. Furthermore, the company is accelerating its 'Globalization' project, which transfers its R&D and production capability to other countries to establish region-specific manufacturing hubs for stable global supply. Last July, the company signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government Pharmaceutical Organization (GPO), a state-owned pharmaceutical company, to transfer manufacturing technology for influenza vaccine. - SK bioscience Website - SK bioscience Linkedin Contact SK bioscience Communications Team Changhyun Jin(jin99@sk.com) Jeannie S. Pak(J.pak@sk.com) SK bioscience (PRNewsfoto/SK bioscience) Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/sk-bioscience-exports-influenza-vaccine-to-thailand-entering-southern-hemisphere-market-302095547.html SOURCE SK bioscience (Bloomberg) -- Global investors and Sri Lanka officials expect to start negotiations aimed at restructuring $12 billion in defaulted global bonds next week, according to people familiar with the matter. The nations dollar bonds rose. Most Read from Bloomberg A group of bondholders, known as a steering committee, will begin talks as they weigh a proposal from the government to rework the overseas debt that has been in default since 2022, the people said, asking not to be named because negotiations are private. The goal is to reach a deal quickly, the people said, particularly as Sri Lanka is scheduled to hold presidential elections later this year. The nations dollar bonds jumped across the yield curve. The notes due in 2027, 2029 and 2030 each climbed more than 1.8 cents on the dollar, making them the best performing hard-currency bonds across emerging-markets, trading at the highest since 2021. The nations central bank governor and treasury secretary are due to travel to Europe for discussions with bondholders, President Ranil Wickremesinghe was cited as saying in a statement Wednesday. G-20 Meetings After we get a declaration that Sri Lanka is free from bankruptcy, we also expect to have joint discussions with the International Monetary Fund and World Bank in April, Wickremesinghe said, according to the statement. I expect to complete all these matters by June-July. Rothschild & Co., which advises the bondholders, and Lazard Inc., an adviser to the government, didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. The prospect for a deal in Sri Lanka comes as creditor talks in two other stalled restructurings Ghana and Zambia are also gaining traction. Breakthroughs in those cases would mark a victory for the International Monetary Fund and G-20 leaders ahead of next months meetings in Washington, where the topic of debt burdens for poor countries is on the agenda. Story continues Read more: Zambia and Creditors to Restart Bond Restructuring Negotiations Last month, Sri Lanka sent a proposal to holders of dollar bonds as part of its plan to overhaul $27 billion of foreign debt, including bonds and loans. The restructuring is critical to ensure financing from the IMF bailout keeps flowing. The government has already struck deals with official creditors, including China, India and the Paris Club as well as with holders of its local debt. --With assistance from Asantha Sirimanne and Anusha Ondaatjie. (Updates with the dollar bond performance in third paragraph) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. In this article, we will take a look at Top 15 Countries to Migrate from India. You can skip our detailed analysis and go directly to the Top 5 Countries to Migrate from India. India, recognized as the largest origin of international immigration, grapples with various challenges, including economic disparity among its 1.4 billion population as of 2021. Many Indians migrate away from their homeland primarily seeking better economic opportunities. According to World Bank data from 2022, India leads in remittances, receiving approximately $100 billion, highlighting the significant impact of migration on its economy. Indian Diaspora The Indian diaspora spans globally, with a notable concentration in Western and Middle Eastern regions. In 2020, over half of the 17.9 million Indian emigrants resided in Persian Gulf countries, with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) hosting approximately 3.5 million Indians by 2021. Latest data indicates that around 10 million Indians reside across six Gulf Cooperation Council countries, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. The primary motivation behind these migrations is employment opportunities, with approximately 70% of Indians working in the construction sector, holding positions such as cleaners, domestic servants, and drivers. The Indian workforce comprises a diverse range of individuals, encompassing low and semi-skilled workers to professionals in fields such as technology, healthcare, and engineering. Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala are recognized as key areas for Indian emigration. Immigrants from northern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar predominantly fall into the category of semi-skilled and unskilled laborers, whereas those from southern Kerala and Tamil Nadu tend to possess higher levels of education. Additionally, Indians are increasingly migrating to the Western side. According to Forbes, the number of Indians immigrating to Canada has more than tripled from 2013 to 2022, with the Indian population gaining permanent residency in Canada rising from 32,828 in 2013 to 118,095 in 2022, marking a 260% increase. Story continues Indian Immigration to the United States The United States has emerged as the second most favored destination for Indian immigrants. As of 2021, there are 2.7 million Indian immigrants residing in the US, constituting 6% of the total foreign-born population. According to data from the US Census Bureau for 2015-2019, California is the most populated state by Indians (20%), followed by Texas (10%) and New Jersey (10%). Additionally, data from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services revealed that in 2023, 59,100 Indians were naturalized, constituting the second largest group. Indians also dominated the issuance of H-1B visas in 2021 for highly skilled workers, accounting for 74% of all approved visas. Furthermore, Indians represented the second largest group of international students, with approximately 199,200 enrolled in US higher education institutions, constituting 21% of all international students. With the extensive involvement of Indians in the United States, it is unsurprising to witness their prosperity and attainment of prestigious positions, as well as success in entrepreneurship. Companies such as Nutanix, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTNX) serve as a testament to this phenomenon. Nutanix, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTNX) is an American cloud computing company founded in 2009 by Dheeraj Pandey, Mohit Aron, and Ajeet Singh, all of whom hail from India. Since its inception, the company has experienced consistent growth. Recently, Nutanix, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTNX) and Wipro Limited (NYSE: WIT) expanded their partnership, aiming to assist customers in their digital and hybrid multi-cloud endeavors. Other Indians have also achieved remarkable success in the land of opportunity. Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT), stands as a notable example. After a six-month search to replace their retiring CEO, the software giant Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT) appointed the 22-year Indian veteran to lead the company. Sabeer Bhatia is another Indian entrepreneur who made a significant impact in the US. His "Hotmail" email service, later acquired by Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT), revolutionized the way people communicated globally. Top 15 Countries to Migrate from India Methodology To compile our list of the Top 15 Countries to Migrate from India, we utilize data from India's Ministry of External Affairs website, focusing on the total Overseas Indian population, which is comprised of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs). We identify the top 15 countries by ranking them in an ascending order for total Indian Overseas Population. Let us now have a look at our list for Top 15 Countries to Migrate from India. 15. Nepal Total Indian Overseas Population: 600,000 Nepal is one of the countries where Indians have chosen to migrate in large numbers. Following the Treaty of Peace and Friendship, skilled, unskilled, and entrepreneurial Indians moved to the country to take advantage of the economic development. The Indian population in Nepal amounts to 600,000, which is solely comprised of non-resident Indians. 14. Singapore Total Indian Overseas Population: 650,000 Singapore, a well-developed nation, ranks among the top countries that fulfill most human development indicators, offering a comfortable and convenient life for its residents. As a result, many people, including a significant number of Indians, have chosen to relocate to this country. Currently, 650,000 Indians have established themselves here, contributing to a sizable Indian expat community that can assist newcomers in integrating into the society. Hence, Singapore holds great potential as one of the top countries for Indian immigration. 13. Qatar Total Indian Overseas Population: 746,550 With a thriving economy, this Gulf country has become highly appealing to individuals worldwide seeking a better life. The Indian community within the country comprises a significant number of Indian expatriates, with a substantial presence of non-resident Indians (745,775). The employment opportunities and high standards of living, attributed to robust human development indicators, make Qatar an attractive destination for Indians considering migration from India. 12. Oman Total Indian Overseas Population: 781,141 As part of the surge of Indian migration to Gulf countries, Oman has emerged as a viable option for Indians seeking employment opportunities. Despite a reduction in the Indian influx due to the government's policy prioritizing local employment, Oman still boasts a significant population, primarily comprised of non-resident Indians (779,351). For Indian laborers seeking gainful employment and a high quality of life, Oman remains an attractive destination. 11. Mauritius Total Indian Overseas Population: 894,500 As one of the largest human migration witnessed in history from 1834 and 1923-- when the Indians were brought in as indentured labor to work in the sugarcane estates of Mauritius-- the country has been hosting Indians for a long time. Now persons of Indian origin amount to 884,000 while non-resident Indians total 10,500. Thus, Mauritius emerges as one of the top countries to migrate to from India. 10. Kuwait Total Indian Overseas Population: 1,029,861 In recent years, Kuwait has emerged as a preferred immigration destination for the Indian population, evident from the substantial number of Indians residing in the country. Approximately 1,029,861 Indians have been recorded as living in Kuwait, with non-resident Indians constituting the largest share (1,028,274). The presence of an established Indian community serves as a significant attraction for further migration to the country. Additionally, Kuwait's high level of human development, ensuring a superior quality of life for its residents, serves as another compelling factor drawing individuals to relocate there. 9. South Africa Total Indian Overseas Population: 1,560,000 The relationship between South Africa and India traces back over three thousand years. In recent times, Indian migration to South Africa initially occurred through temporary work visas, eventually transitioning to permanent residency. Despite India's restrictions on dual citizenship, many immigrant Indians have obtained South African citizenship and have integrated themselves into influential positions within the country. The strengthening of this relationship is evident in the trade benefits both nations stand to gain from each other. South Africa hosts a substantial population of Indian origin people (1,500,000), outnumbering non-resident Indians, with the total Indian population reaching 1,560,000 and making it one of the top destinations for migration from India. 8. Sri Lanka Total Indian Overseas Population: 1,614,000 Indian migration to Sri Lanka began around two centuries ago, primarily for work in the tea plantations, a occupation many still remain in. The majority of migrants to the country originate from India and Malaysia. Indian migration proved especially significant during Sri Lanka's construction boom, with laborers contributing to large-scale infrastructure projects such as highways, ports, and airports. These immigrants typically resided in Colombo or near their workplace. With a total Indian overseas population in Sri Lanka reaching 1,614,000, there exists a substantial Indian expatriate community. Hence, South Africa emerges as a potential destination for Indian migration. 7. Canada Total Indian Overseas Population: 1,689,055 Canada has been experiencing huge inflow of immigrants, among which Indians have also steadily increased, migrating to Canada over the past decade or more. The country's high demand for labor and its reputation for offering a highly developed and quality life have attracted many Indians to its shores. A total of 1,689,055 Indians have relocated to Canada, with the largest proportion consisting of persons of Indian origin. 6. The United Kingdom Total Indian Overseas Population: 1,764,000 As a one-time colony of UK, India's ties with the country continues in the form of people migrating to the country. Similar to other developed nations, advanced economies such as the UK offer significant opportunities for individuals from emerging economies. This disparity between India and England is evidenced by the substantial number of Indian immigrants arriving in the country. Hence, UK is also one of the top countries for Indian migration. Click to continue reading and see our Top 5 Countries to Migrate from India. Suggested Articles: Disclosure: None. Top 15 Countries to Migrate from India is originally published on Insider Monkey. Image source: Upsplash/The Motley Fool Shopping at Costco doesn't just give you better prices -- it can give you a better way of life. Maybe that sounds like fanboy hyperbole. 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Costco gives you not just "cheap" groceries, but delicious food, my all-time-favorite paper towels, lots of organic options, and a fun range of items to discover, like flavorful hummus or a big box of fresh-baked cookies. 2. Surprising finds on high-end items Speaking of fun discoveries: shopping at Costco often feels like a treasure hunt. You never know what surprisingly low-priced high-end items you can find. Whether it's a big screen TV, a new MacBook laptop, a new refrigerator, a gas grill, or luxurious patio furniture, Costco can outfit your home with the level of comfort and convenience that you desire. One of my favorite purchases that I've ever made at Costco was a piece of furniture: a futon couch that my family sits on every day in our TV room. It's a versatile, supportive couch that converts easily to a flat bed for guests to sleep on. It's one of the most durable, comfortable, longest-lasting pieces of furniture I've ever had, and we got it at Costco. Story continues 3. 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I want to support companies that treat people right, where the employees can build careers and get pay raises and actually get ahead in life. Costco seems to be one of the best. Bottom line Whether you want to save money on groceries, tires, appliances, or even healthcare, Costco can be a great place to shop. But for me, it's not just the low prices, it's the high-quality shopping experience that makes Costco so great. Costco membership only costs $5 or $10 per month, depending on your chosen membership tier. This is a price worth paying. Costco can improve your personal finances -- and your entire life -- in surprising ways. Alert: our top-rated cash back card now has 0% intro APR until 2025 This credit card is not just good its so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a lengthy 0% intro APR period, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee! Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes. We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Top 5 Ways Shopping at Costco Makes My Life Better was originally published by The Motley Fool Theres a new challenge to Massachusetts housing crisis: bare minimum compliance to the state's MBTA communities zoning law. Local governments that are in the next phase of the Multi-Family Zoning Requirement for MBTA Communities rollout will decide this year whether to do the "bare minimum" to comply with state law or follow the intention of the 2021 act and create significant opportunities for more housing. Many are caught between conflicting pressures from the Healey administrations threats to punish non-compliance and residents concerns over potential neighborhood changes. A recent town discussion in Ashland about the law brought up familiar sentiments of worry, frustration and confusion. The Nines is a new apartment complex on William Street in Wellesley, March 18, 2024. The town is using it to comply with a new state law requiring that multifamily zoning be allowed within a half-mile of a public transportation stop. 'By right': MBTA communities must have zoning where multifamily housing can be built I have concerns about like everyone our schools, and the rapid development thats taken place and overcrowding, one Ashland resident said. The town should be banding together and fighting this, said another. Ashland Planning Board chair says town will take 'low-hanging fruit option' Town Planning Board Chair Tricia Kendall told residents that Ashlands plan to comply with the laws Dec. 31 deadline to develop new zoning regulations doesnt represent a housing overhaul. The town is undergoing a separate process to determine what housing, transportation and other local priorities will look like in the coming decade. We're kind of taking the low-hanging fruit option, Kendall said during a recent meeting. The fact that we have a comprehensive plan project in process kind of makes me lean toward not making any big decisions now. Housing experts and advocates say this approach which they also call "minimal" or "paper" compliance hinders the MBTA Communities Acts effectiveness at tackling the statewide housing crisis. The state zoning regulation requires cities and towns served by the MBTA to outline at least one zoning district, within a half-mile of a public transportation stop, where it's legal to build multifamily units such as apartments or triple-deckers without special permits or age restrictions. The Legislature passed the law to encourage increased housing development and public transit use. Story continues Boston University public policy professor Katherine Levine Einstein said the state got involved in zoning policy which is usually left to cities and towns because local government worsened Massachusetts housing crisis by making construction extraordinarily difficult and cumbersome. MBTA Communities overrides local governments control over land use and forces them to change these policies, Einstein said. So we can actually start getting closer to building to meet demand. State files lawsuit against Milton after residents reject compliance plan The state recently revoked funding from Milton and filed a lawsuit against the town after residents there voted down a compliance plan in February. Housing is a top priority for our state, Gov. Maura Healey said in response to a question posed during a recent State House press availability. While we have withheld funding, and we will continue to enforce the law, we will also work with communities to get them into compliance. But Greg Reibman who represents the interests of businesses and nonprofits west of Boston as president of the Needham-based Charles River Regional Chamber recently wrote in Commonwealth Beacon that he worries some Commuter Rail communities wont follow the intent of the law. The Nines is a new apartment development on William Street in Wellesley, March 18, 2024. The town plans to zone it as a "transit-oriented district" to comply with a state law requiring multifamily zoning within a half-mile of a public transportation stop. Critics say such a move is merely "paper compliance," and is against the spirit of the law to create more housing. 'No way we could not embrace it': Commercial real estate plays vital role for MBTA Communities law Reibman wrote that Wellesleys plan to zone an apartment development called The Nines as a "transit-oriented district" to fit MBTA Communities requirements demonstrates paper compliance instead of meaningful change. The apartment is already under construction and separated from the closest Commuter Rail stop by the Charles River. You literally would need a canoe or a bathing suit to get to work every day if you were going to take the T without a pretty long walk, Reibman said in a recent interview. It's counting existing units, rather than creating opportunities for new homes. Wellesley Planning Director Eric Arbeene said the town already had enough land allowing multi-unit construction to meet and exceed the requirements set by the act. The towns plan for compliance updates Wellesleys zoning laws to remove special permit requirements for multifamily housing. We're not creating any new districts," he said. "It's the addition of a definition and changes to a few other parts of the bylaw. We're not rezoning any single-family neighborhoods or anything like that. Wellesley officials say compliance doesn't mean it's 'done with housing' Like Ashland, Wellesley has a separate Strategic Housing Plan to study its needs and receive community feedback on next steps. Compliance with the MBTA law doesnt mean the town is done with housing, Arbeene said. But Reibman said long-term town planning programs wont move fast enough to address the immediate need for more housing in Massachusetts. It could really be years before we see any new housing opportunities, he said. This housing crisis is not one of those things that we can really afford to wait. Wellesley Town Meeting, which starts March 25, will vote on its MBTA Communities plan. 'Cannot build what's not allowed': To help with housing shortage, new rules aim to up density near public transit Einstein and other researchers found in 2019 that local government meetings about zoning and housing are often co-opted by residents who passionately oppose new development, but dont reflect the views or interests of most of the local population. These residents usually wealthy and white participate effectively in municipal politics to prevent or slow new housing construction, according to the researchers book. Civil rights attorney says lack of multifamily housing reinforces racial segregation Civil rights attorney Jacob Love said the resulting lack of affordable, multifamily housing in Massachusetts reinforces racial segregation. When towns say, We don't want multifamily housing, they know that they're preventing the creation of opportunity for low-income people who are more likely to be people of color to be able to move there, Love said. A 2021 investigation from nonprofit research center Boston Indicators found that local governments in Greater Boston have historically used zoning to exclude people of color, low-income residents and any newcomers/outsiders at all. A Commuter Rail train makes a stop in Framingham inbound to South Station. Planning & Community Development Director Sarkis Sarkisian said the city already has plenty of multifamily housing, but he plans to present new ideas for MBTA Communities compliance. But Jeff Semon, a conservative commentator and former Republican congressional candidate, said equating local opposition to housing construction with purposeful discrimination is "not a fair characterization. To jump to racism immediately is probably just silly, Semon said. Its usually the first reactionary statement that an advocate would do to cast aspersions on people who dont want to go along with their plans. Semon said the MBTA Communities Act should be more flexible, so cities and towns can shape development to their local needs. The state made revisions to the law in 2022 and 2023 to incorporate feedback from municipalities. In Framingham, planning officials are looking to be ahead of the curve on MBTA Communities compliance by considering how to increase housing opportunities and further the citys economic development goals, according to District 1 City Councilor Christine Long, who chairs the council's Planning & Zoning Subcommittee. We're trying to work on ways to get creative in our housing, she said. Framingham plan may include housing district near Shoppers World Planning & Community Development Director Sarkis Sarkisian said Framingham already has plenty of multifamily housing, but he plans to present ideas for MBTA Communities compliance that could encourage more housing construction and strengthen the citys economy. He discussed one idea with the City Council to create a small multifamily housing district near Shoppers World, which is near a Logan Express shuttle stop. Why couldn't we have some multifamily housing there? Sarkisian said in a recent interview. The folks that work at Logan could live at Shoppers World, because not only could they have housing they could have free transportation to get back and forth to work. 'Family stopping place': Shoppers World's 1951 opening started Framingham's history as a shopping mecca Sarkisian said opportunities to incentivize mixed land-use with commercial and residential buildings could promote transit-oriented, affordable housing options and help local businesses. Long said finding consensus for a MBTA Communities zoning plan will be hard work. Theres a lot of people that dont want to see more housing, she said. I think the biggest challenge is finding the areas that everybody is going to agree on. Advocacy groups say some see creating more housing as 'smart' Advocacy groups like Citizens Housing and Planning Association and Abundant Housing Massachusetts facilitate community conversations about the state zoning requirements to inform residents about the law and encourage dialogue. Citizens Housing and Planning Association engagement manager Lily Linke said residents at local meetings often responded negatively to news about the MBTA Communities Act at first, but some felt differently after multiple rounds of open conversation. At first meeting, people are upset, they're confused, they're angry, Linke said. I've seen just how much people's perspective can change when given the time to learn more, connect with people and feel a part of the process. Linke said although some local governments remain reluctant to do more than the bare minimum to comply with the states multifamily zoning mandate, others will recognize that making serious efforts to make housing more abundant and transit-oriented is the smart thing to do. Communities who do choose to take it a step further are going to see the benefits of that, Linke said In the next five to 10 years, I hope that other communities nearby feel inspired. This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: MA affordable housing law sees towns settling for bare minimum Ms Frazer has previously said she is 'minded' to refer the takeover to an in-depth phase two investigation - Anadolu The United Arab Emirates has clear political and broader commercial incentives to influence the editorial line of The Telegraph, media regulator Ofcom has warned. Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said the regulator has found that RedBird IMI, which is majority backed by UAE vice-president Sheikh Mansour, could look to exert influence over the newspapers output, particularly in matters relating to the Middle Eastern country. In a letter to RedBird IMI, Ms Frazer said Ofcom had concluded that this influence could negatively affect the accurate presentation of news and free expression of opinion. It came as the Government published an amendment to a bill that will block foreign governments from buying or investing in British newspapers. RedBird IMI has previously said it would reconsider its pursuit of both The Telegraph and The Spectator once the new laws were published. Ofcom highlighted concerns about the Abu Dhabi funds access to vast economic resources and the imbalance of financial contributions in the proposed deal. UAE-owned International Media Investments (IMI) is providing 75pc of the funding for the joint venture while RedBird Capital, a US private equity firm, is contributing just a quarter. Ofcom said: These factors alone could give IMI the ability to exercise influence over editorial decisions by TMG [Telegraph Media Group] so as to adversely impact the accuracy of news and free expression of opinion. The regulator also pointed to significant links between RedBird IMI and members of the UAE government. Sultan Al Jaber, a leading UAE politician who is the minister of industry and chairman of the Abu Dhabi Investment Corporation, chairs both IMI and RedBird IMI. Mr Raad has previously pledged unmatched investment in The Telegraph if RedBird IMI's bid was successful - Rani Raad Rani Raad, the chief executive of IMI, is also an operating partner at Redbird Capital. Jeff Zucker, the former CNN chief, is fronting the RedBird IMI bid. The Culture Secretary said she had also considered Ofcoms conclusions that there were notable differences between the motivations of a powerful private individual and those of a state. Story continues It said: All else equal, a state or government owning, or holding a majority interest in, a newspaper would put it in a position to use its influence on that paper to further its foreign policy, commercial, reputational, or other ambitions. Ofcom cited previous findings against ADMC, a state-owned broadcaster that is under the control of the same royal family as IMI. It said that on three separate occasions, ADMCs programming appeared to align with the interests of the UAE government but was in breach of UK broadcasting rules. Ms Frazer has said she is minded to refer the takeover to an in-depth phase two investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). The full reports from Ofcom and the CMA are expected to be published on Friday. RedBird IMI has until 9am on Monday to make any representations. The Government is drawing up separate laws that would ban foreign state ownership of British newspapers, effectively blocking RedBird IMIs bid. The new laws, outlined in an amendment to the Digital Markets Bill tabled by Lord Offord of Garvel, will block direct investment in newspapers of any size by a foreign power. This will refer to any head of a foreign state or foreign government that has the ability to control or influence policy at a newspaper or news magazine. It is understood that the Government will introduce an exemption for passive investments by sovereign wealth funds such as that of Norway, which holds stakes in UK media companies including ITV and Reach. Such investments will be allowed below a certain threshold, thought to be in the region of 10pc. The bill is scheduled for its third reading in the House of Lords on Tuesday and could become law within weeks, superseding the CMA investigation. RedBird IMI has been 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. (Bloomberg) -- Unilever Plc is considering selling its majority stake in Qinyuan Group Co., a Chinese maker of water purification equipment that it acquired for an undisclosed sum in 2014, according to people familiar with the situation. Most Read from Bloomberg London-headquartered Unilever is working with an adviser to gauge interest from potential buyers, the people said, asking not to be identified discussing a private matter. A sale could value Qinyuan at about $300 million, they said. A representative for Unilever declined to comment. Read More: UK-Dutch Rivalry Returns for Unilever Ice Cream Listing Founded in 1998, Qinyuan makes water purification products under the Truliva brand. The acquisition of the Ningbo-based company was Unilevers biggest in China for more than 10 years and helped double the size of its water purification business in the country, it said at the time. Unilever, which also owns water and air purification brands Pureit and Blueair, is considering the Qinyuan sale as other companies also reassess their exposure to China due to a range of uncertainties, from geopolitical tensions and trade barriers to regulatory challenges and sluggish economic growth in the country. The consumer goods conglomerate has just announced plans to separate its ice-cream division as new Chief Executive Officer Hein Schumacher seeks to reverse years of lackluster performance. Shedding the unit that includes Ben & Jerrys is part of a wider plan to drive growth, boost profits and unpick a legacy of overexpansion, missed opportunities and failed mergers and acquisitions. (Updates with background details on Unilever in last paragraph.) Story continues Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. HANOI, Vietnam (AP) Vietnam's Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan will serve as acting president after the previous president's resignation a year into the position, a Communist Party newspaper reported Thursday. Analysts said a permanent candidate was unlikely to be selected soon, underscoring the growing concerns among foreign investors about political instability in the Southeast Asian nation that is a growing manufacturing hub and sits at the middle of the U.S.-China competition for global influence. Xuan, 54, became vice president in 2021 and she will be serving as acting president for the second time, the Tuoi Tre daily reported. On Wednesday, President Vo Van Thuong resigned due to unspecified violations that hurt the perception and reputation of the party and the state, the Communist Party said. Thuong's predecessor Nguyen Xuan Phuc had resigned last year to take political responsibility for corruption scandals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the violations were not detailed, analysts said the party's language made it clear he was implicated in the anti-corruption campaign. That the youngest president in Vietnam's modern history, once considered the protege of Communist Party chief Nguyen Phu Trong, 79, became its shortest-tenured is a political earthquake, said Nguyen Khac Giang, an analyst at Singapores ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute. And it is likely to be followed by a very complicated succession within the party that'll likely last until the all-important National Congress in 2026 the party's most important meeting when the successor to the Trong, Vietnam's most powerful politician, will be determined. The ideologically conservative Trong has held the position since 2011 and Thuong's departure highlights the reach of the anti-corruption drive that has been Trongs most important legacy, Giang added. Concerns about Trong's health mean the largely ceremonial position of the president is crucial. The position is ranked third in terms of political power but is second in the official hierarchy and in line for the top job, Giang said. Story continues Until now, no one ... wanted to take the presidency position as it lacked power. But at the same time, that position will put someone in a very good position to run for the next party's leadership position, he said. Thuong resigned days after the former head of central Vietnams Quang Ngai province was arrested on allegations of corruption that date from Thuong's time as party chief in the province. The former head was part of an investigation into a real estate firm Phuc Son Group for alleged forgery. The fact that the alleged violations were reported by the Central Inspection Commission, the Communist Partys mechanism for carrying out the anti-corruption campaign, implied that Thuong was implicated in the anti-corruption campaign, Giang said. Police are investigating two projects by the Phuc Son Group and say they've found evidence of tax evasion of over $14 million, including the redevelopment of an old U.S. air base. Vietnam has tried to strike a balance between its larger neighbor China and the U.S. while positioning itself as an ideal home for businesses looking to shift their supply chains out of China. Last year, it was the only country that received both President Joe Biden and Chinas President Xi Jinping on state visits. The newly disclosed investigation is part of an anti-corruption drive Trong has described as a blazing furnace, and it has meant greater power for both state and party enforcement agencies. It also has helped cement the top leaders authority, but Giang said party factions have also sought to use it to purge rivals. Analysts have warned that the anti-corruption drive has hurt Vietnams business environment, making foreign investors jittery about unpredictable economic policies. Rumors of a potential political change flared after a state visit to Vietnam by the Dutch royal family was postponed due to due to domestic circumstances, according to a statement from the Dutch Royal house. The World Bank president likewise put off a visit planned for this week. LOS ANGELES, March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Wayfinder Family Services, formerly known as Junior Blind, recently honored one of its longest-standing board members, Dr. Harold A. Davidson, at The Conversation. The luncheon and panel event, co-presented by Wayfinder Family Services and the Aspen Institute, gathered over 200 guests at the Jonathan Club in downtown Los Angeles. Wayfinder Family Services logo (PRNewsfoto/Wayfinder Family Services) Philanthropist and president of Los Angeles investment counseling firm Harold Davidson & Associates, Inc., Davidson has served on the Wayfinder board of directors for nearly 35 years, continuing the legacy of his parents, Charlotte and Davre Davidson. In his acceptance speech, Davidson shared his family's history with the organization, "My parents were inseparable my father followed my mother and became involved with what was then known as the Foundation for the Junior Blind. My father soon joined the board and chaired for many years, providing great insight and vision The most important years of service for me were when I served simultaneously with my father, Davre Davidson on the board. I learned how to effectively help a charity and nurture the development of the organization." The family's multi-generational service continues with Harold Davidson and his nephew, Scott Farkas, currently serving simultaneously on Wayfinder's board of directors. The Davidsons are the namesake of Wayfinder's Davidson Program for Independence which opened in 1970. This comprehensive residential rehabilitation program transforms the lives of adults who are blind or visually impaired, many with recent vision loss. It is the only one of its kind in Southern California and a national model for many programs. Jay Allen, Wayfinder's president and chief executive officer, presented Harold A. Davidson with the Wayfinder Award and shared, "Wayfinder wouldn't be who we are today without Harold and his family I'm proud to present this award on behalf of the hundreds of thousands of Wayfinder families the Davidson family has helped throughout the years." Story continues Davidson expressed his appreciation for Wayfinder's leadership, "The major reason for success of the organization is that we've only had four chief executive officers in 70 years. That's amazing! I'm excited for the future of Wayfinder, each CEO has enhanced our programs and developed new ones, putting their own stamp on their term. It's the reason for the success and longevity of the organization." About Wayfinder Family Services Wayfinder Family Services is the place to turn for people facing the greatest challenges. The organization provides expert, individualized support and services to children, youth, adults and familiesfrom people with vision loss and developmental disabilities to children in need of temporary shelter, foster care and adoption. Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/wayfinder-family-services-honors-harold-a-davidson-302095423.html SOURCE Wayfinder Family Services Newly Launched Phones Engineered to Boost Workplace Communication Leveraging Award-Winning Technology TALLINN, Estonia, March 21, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Wildix, a pioneer and leading provider in UCaaS solutions, today announced the launch of its new phone series, designed to elevate user comfort, security and functionality in diverse professional roles. This launch follows the company's recent achievement of receiving gold at the Merit Awards, underscoring its commitment to excellence and innovation in telecommunications. The new lineup features four distinct models, each tailored for specific user needs: ForcePro 5: Tailored for customer-facing staff, this model boasts a large, adjustable screen, up to 45 Busy Lamp Field (BLF) keys for superior call management, video stream support (e.g., door phone), and integrated WiFi and Bluetooth for broad headset compatibility. WelcomeConsole 5: Upgraded for optimal switchboarding with a large color display plus two LED screens, offering up to 106 BLF keys (42 instantly accessible), this model simplifies handling numerous calls concurrently. WorkForce 5: Designed for office workers with moderate phone usage, this phone features a vibrant colored display for easy monitoring of status, 21 BLF keys and a USB port for connecting either a WiFi dongle or a Bluetooth headset, ensuring a versatile work experience. Start 5: The perfect entry-level option for shared spaces, providing user-friendly functionality with 4 BLF keys and the ability to be wall-mounted for maximum convenience. "In the fast-paced world of business where making swift decisions and staying seamlessly connected are key, Wildix is meeting these needs by introducing our latest desk phone series," said Elena Kornilova, product marketing manager, Wildix. "With everything from the feature-rich ForcePro 5 to the user-friendly Start 5, we're turning office communication into a crucial strategic advantage. Wildix isn't just helping our partners to keep up but is enabling them to lead, ensuring their clients have what it takes to stand out in a crowded marketplace." Story continues This diverse range of phones is part of Wildix's ongoing effort to redefine workplace communication, offering advanced features and unparalleled ease of use. Visit the Wildix VoIP phones page here for more information. This announcement comes on the heels of Wildix receiving gold at the Merit Awards, further solidifying its position as a leader in the UCaaS industry. Wildix's continuous innovation and dedication to quality have been recognized globally, setting new standards for communication and collaboration technologies. For further information about Wildix and its award-winning solutions, please visit wildix.com. About Wildix Wildix is a global provider of unified communications solutions that enhance the efficiency and productivity of businesses, especially in sales-oriented environments. With a strong focus on innovative technology and user-friendly design, Wildix aims to transform how businesses communicate and collaborate. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240321963185/en/ Contacts Deliah Mathieu, Communications Specialist deliah.mathieu@wildix.com The exterior of Uptown Slice on Michigan Avenue as seen, Wednesday, August 2, 2023, in Sheboygan, Wis. SHEBOYGAN Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez visited Sheboygan last week to better understand the local business scene. During the visit, Sheboygan Mayor Ryan Sorenson and City Administrator Casey Bradley accompanied Rodriguez to meet with 3 Sheeps Brewing Company owner and brewmaster Grant Pauly, Longhouse Axe Bar owners Jeremy and Nikki Reynolds, and Uptown Slice owners James Owen and Jerry Feger. Sign up for the Streetwise newsletter Click here to get all the business openings and closings news right in your inbox They discussed successes and challenges entrepreneurs experience in Sheboygan, specifically ways to grow and develop a robust workforce. Rodriguez also met with Sheboygan County manufacturers Old Wisconsin and Rockline Industries to discuss challenges with recruitment caused by housing shortages. Future of historic Plymouth hotel: Plymouth's 52 Stafford Hotel up for sale. Here's what we know. Their insights shed light on the intersection of housing availability and talent acquisition, highlighting the need for collaborative solutions, a news release said about the companies. Sorenson said in the release: "We are honored to have Lt. Gov. Rodriguez visit Sheboygan and engage directly with our local business community. Her commitment to understanding the challenges and opportunities facing our city is commendable, and we look forward to continued collaboration to ensure Sheboygan remains a vibrant and thriving community for all. Bradley said the discussions with local businesses underscore the resilience of Sheboygans business community and the importance of strategic partnerships between the public and private sectors. Bank expanding: Oostburg State Bank breaks grounds on third bank in Sheboygan County Contact Alex Garner at 224-374-2332 or agarner@gannett.com. Follow her on X (formerly Twitter) at @alexx_garner. This article originally appeared on Sheboygan Press: Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez visits Sheboygan businesses We are past the Oscars, which means it's time to turn our attention to what's new and coming soon. And there are a lot of options available. Up first, we have an interview with Jonathan Sanger, producer of the new film "Cabrini," which is drawing solid reviews from critics and moviegoers alike. We also catch up with correspondent Miles O'Brien, who talks about the new PBS documentary "NOVA: A.I. Revolution," and what advancements in medicine helped him after he had to have an arm amputed. Also up for discussion: A very Nebraska-centric teen comedy called "Snack Shack" that should resonate with Gen Xers growing up in the early 1990s. There is also a new program for Apple TV+ starring Kristen Wiig, Carol Burnett and Ricky Martin called "Palm Royale" that debuted March 20. And we are on "Star Wars" watch as the new trailer for "The Acolyte" dropped on Tuesday. That series takes places before the Skywalker saga most fans know best and offers a new look at the Jedi. The show will debut June 4 with two episodes and brings another series into the fold as "The Bad Batch" wraps in early May. Contact us! We want to hear from you! Email questions to podcasts@lee.net and we'll answer your question on a future episode! About the show Streamed & Screened is a podcast about movies and TV hosted by Bruce Miller, a longtime entertainment reporter who is now the editor of the Sioux City Journal in Iowa and Terry Lipshetz, a senior producer for Lee Enterprises based in Madison, Wisconsin. Movies in a minute with film critic Bruce Miller Movies in a Minute: "Late Night With the Devil" Movies in a Minute: "Snack Shack" Movies in a Minute: "Cabrini" Movies in a Minute "Dune: Part Two" Movies in a Minute: "Drive-Away Dolls" Movies in a Minute "Bob Marley: One Love" Movies in a Minute: "Lisa Frankenstein Movies in a Minute: The Greatest Night in Pop Movies in a Minute: "Poor Things" Movies in a Minute: Best Actress nominee Sandra Huller Movies in a Minute: "Mean Girls" Movies in a Minute: "Anyone But You" Movies in a Minute: "The Color Purple" Movies in a Minute: "The Iron Claw" Movies in a Minute: "Wonka" Movies in a Minute: "May December" Movies in a Minute: "Wish" Movies in a Minute: "Next Goal Wins" Movies in a Minute: "The Marvels" Movies in a Minute: "The Holdovers" Movies in a Minute: "Five Nights at Freddy's" Movies in a Minute "Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour" Movies in a Minute: "Killers of the Flower Moon" Movies in a Minute: "The Exorcist: Believer" Movies in a Minute: "Fair Play" Movies in a Minute: "Expend4bles" Movies in a Minute: "A Haunting in Venice" Movies in a Minute: "My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3" Movies in a Minute: "The Equalizer 3" Movies in a Minute: "Blue Beetle" Movies in a Minute: "Gran Turismo" Movies in a Minute: Mid-year wrap-up Movies in a Minute: "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem" Fans in Mumbai celebrate new Rajinikanth movie Movies in a Minute: "Haunted Mansion" Movies in a Minute: "Barbie" Movies in a Minute: Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning Part One Movies in a Minute: Joy Ride Movies in a Minute: Indiana Jones And The Dial Of Destiny Movies in a Minute: No Hard Feelings Movies in a Minute: "Elemental" Movies in a Minute: Transformers: Rise of the Beasts Movies in a Minute: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Movies in a Minute: "The Little Mermaid" Movies in a Minute: Fast X Movies in a Minute: "Book Club: The Next Chapter" Movies in a Minute: Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 Movies in a Minute: "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret." Movies in a Minute: "The Covenant" Movies in a Minute: "Renfield" Movies in a Minute: "Air" Movies in a Minute: "Dungeons and Dragons" Movies in a Minute: "John Wick Chapter 4" Movies in a Minute: Champions Movies in a Minute: Creed III Movies in a Minute: 80 for Brady Twelve of 14 people who spoke during a public hearing about Stafford Countys proposed budget encouraged the Board of Supervisors to stop giving lip service about the value of education, particularly during campaign season, and to fully fund the School Boards request. Michele Wickman, a Stafford educator for 10 years, said the supervisors should have been able to hit the easy button on this years budget. The School Board requested $15 million above the current funding amount, for a total of $157 million, and County Administrator Randy Vosburg included the full amount in his proposed budget. It would have required a 94-cent real estate tax rate. Members of the Board of Supervisors voted to advertise a 91-cent rate instead, which meant the schools would get about $13 million in new funding, according to the proposal. I cant for the life of me figure out why an option to fully fund the School Board request wasnt even considered when you advertised the tax rate, Wickman said. It is the epitome of lip service when members of this board claim to prioritize education but make decisions that dont align with that value. No action was taken on Staffords fiscal 2025 proposed budget, which exceeds $1 billion for the first time. The board is scheduled to approve it, and the real-estate tax rate, on April 2. However, the Board of Supervisors did vote on Tuesday to advertise a higher rate for personal property tax, which includes vehicles and business equipment. The rate initially was set to remain unchanged, at $5.49 per $100 of assessed value. But as the countys financial team has gotten recent information on vehicle values, theyve noticed a severe depreciation after the way values skyrocketed during COVID-19, said Supervisor Crystal Vanuch. As a result, the board is advertising a 40-cent increase in the personal property tax rate, to $5.89 per $100 of assessed value. Thats to cover an expected shortfall of about $4 million, said Board Chair Meg Bohmke. Commissioner of Revenue Scott Mayausky said that by April 2 his team will have more precise information on vehicle values, and the board can set the personal property tax rate from there. None of the residents who spoke during the public hearing commented on the possible change to the personal property tax rate, but Supervisor Darrell English called it a shock to the system. There also were confusing aspects of the presentation of the budget, which by definition can be difficult to absorb. Supervisors Monica Gary and Pamela Yeung pointed out that the presentation by Andrea Light, director of Staffords budget and management department, didnt include updated information. It showed Vosburgs proposal, with the schools receiving the requested amount and the Sheriffs Office getting five new positions. Supervisors had decided against both of those measures, Yeung said. I feel like thats not going to be helpful to people looking at it, Gary said about the slide. But Light said the Board of Supervisors hadnt given enough information on what would need to be cut, which she said totaled $5.4 million. Theres a lot of places that could be cut, Light said. Theres impact to the general fund and possible impact to the schools depending on what the board decides to approve. The Board of Supervisors and School Board are scheduled to have a joint meeting on the budget at 4 p.m. Tuesday at the Gordon Government Center. The two boards had planned to meet earlier in the month, but the supervisors cancel that gathering. Joshua Meade, who said he could always tell it was campaign season because thats when supervisors listed education as a priority, had a few suggestions for where the supervisors could conduct their meetings. He said maybe theyd like to sit on the floor in the hallway because theres no space in classrooms or outside in a trailer without restrooms or running water the way county students do. You should be ashamed that the 19th-wealthiest county in the United States makes their school system fight on a yearly basis for enough funding to keep the lights on, Meade said. Don Gray told the supervisors he didnt have any students or school staff members in his family, but that he was just a taxpayer who wants to provide a good education for Stafford Countys students. He asked for competitive salaries to attract and retain personnel at all levels; new schools in a timely fashion to avoid modular classrooms; and maintenance of existing schools in a cost-effective manner. The audience was filled with people wearing shirts or holding signs advocating for full funding of schools. One man near the front row held a poster that read: WTF, as in Wheres the Funding? When audience members applauded early on, Bohmke asked them to refrain so the board could get through the public hearings and other items on the agenda. After that, school supporters did their version of silent applause and waved their outstretched hands after comments such as Grays. Janice Davies, the wife of former Fredericksburg Mayor Lawrence Davies, died at the couples home in Mayfield on Wednesday morning. She was 95 and a model of grace and steely determination, according to those who participated in a 2017 tea in her honor. When Davies made her way to the podium that Sunday afternoon in November, the audience clapped along to the tune of When the Saints Go Marching In. Shes the closest thing I know to a saint, Gaye Adegbalola, a Fredericksburg musician and longtime friend, said at the event. On the day of Davies death, Adegbalola said, I was so blessed to have her love, her wise council and wisecracks, her laughter, her time. Pamela Bridgewater, a Fredericksburg native who became a foreign services diplomat, organized the tea because she couldnt remember a single recognition given solely for Janice Davies. Bridgewater felt it was time to honor the wife and mentor, mother and caregiver, quiet leader and intuitive listener who preferred to work quietly from the sidelines. Her deep and abiding faith in God, her unconditional love of family and community and her commitment to positively transform the lives of humankind, especially the most vulnerable, have left an unmatched legacy, Bridgewater said in a text message Wednesday. She will be remembered for thousands of acts of kindness, known only to the recipients. Janice and Lawrence Davies came to Fredericksburg in 1962 so he could become the pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church (Old Site). He led the congregation for 50 years and considered his work there his greatest accomplishment, he said during a 2017 interview. He and his wife were named to The Free LanceStars Difference Maker Hall of Fame that year. Lawrence Davies became the first Black city councilman in Virginia in 1966, Fredericksburgs first Black mayor in 1976. He was called Mayor Davies for 20 years, and many still address the 93-year-old by that title. When he needed inspiration on how to lead as a pastor or shepherd the city through racial struggles and financial downturns, his wife provided the perfect example. Janice Davies taught school in Washington for 12 years and helped integrate the school system. She was one of a handful of Black teachers sent to a white school, and she knew change wouldnt happen overnight. She won them over with her persistent approach, he said, adding he took that lesson to heart. I found the quiet example was a good way to go. One of the mayors most well-known quotes illuminates his philosophy in life. He said: You can either curse the darkness or light a candle. I choose to do the latter. During the 2017 interview, he said that as he was working to light the way in the city, his wife was keeping the home fires burning. I was absent a lot, and she made it possible for me to do these things. Janice Davies took care of the couples three daughters, and later, her aging parents. When their child Lauren developed sickle cell anemia, a disorder that affects AfricanAmericans and those from the Mediterranean and Caribbean, the couple helped found the Fredericksburg Area Sickle Cell Association. That was more than 50 years ago, and the Virginia association elected the couple to its Hall of Fame in 1999. Janice Davies kept Lauren involved in community activities even as the disease took its toll. Lauren suffered 13 strokes and needed blood transfusions every six weeks for 19 years. She was 36 when she died in 1993. The couple lost a second daughter, Karen Davies Ward, to the disease in 2020. Ward, a teacher and counselor who was quiet and unassuming like her mother, was 59 when she died. Throughout the ups and downs of caring for her loved ones, Janice Davies found a way to minister to others when she couldnt get out into the community. Each week, she sent out dozens of cards and letters of encouragement, always in her telltale cursive writing. As the years went by, and Mayor and Janice Davies became the ones who needed care, their surviving daughter, Sharron Davies Jeffrey, has been at their side. They continue to be the first family of Fredericksburg in many respects: leadership, activism, inspiration, care and support, according to a page in their honor on the citys website. They lead by example. Fredericksburg Mayor Kerry Devine offered condolences to the family. Janice Pryde Davies was a remarkable woman and a quiet leader in our community, she said in an email Wednesday. May her legacy continue to inspire us all. A Colorado judge has granted a defense request to delay the criminal case of two Colorado funeral home operators accused of letting nearly 200 corpses decay in a decrepit building in some cases for years The Colorado Springs Utilities Board of Directors on Wednesday increased the pay of the agency's CEO by nearly $42,000, the first adjustment in compensation for the executive position since 2018. Following an hourlong closed session during which the board discussed Travas Deal's 2023 year-end performance, members in the open session that followed said the raise was deserved. Deal was appointed to the role last February. "We just did an evaluation of our CEO. His scorecard came out to be 'exceeds expectations.' When you look at the amount of accountability and responsibility that the CEO carries, and the buck stops with him. ... We appointed him to take that responsibility and that accountability," Board Member Yolanda Avila said. The board reviewed options for increasing Deal's pay ranging from $521,640 up to $661,788 based on market research of CEO compensation at private and public utilities as well as recent pay raises given to other Colorado Springs Utilities employees, presented by the agency's Chief Human Resources Officer Renee Adams. The board voted unanimously, with Councilwoman Nancy Henjum absent, to raise Deal's salary to $521,640. The rate includes salary adjustments of 5% and 3.5% that all Colorado Springs Utilities employees except the CEO received in 2023 and 2024, respectively. The salary increase is the first for Deal since he took the role last year. He was hired at a rate of $480,000 annually, the same salary as former CEO Aram Benyamin. Benyamin was also hired at that rate in 2018, but when Utilities officials in the spring of 2022 reviewed options for increasing his salary, the former CEO said he was not interested in a raise. The board's regular review and adjustment of the CEO's pay is a standard industry practice, Adams said. It allows the utility to keep pace with the market and maintain its competitiveness to retain talent. The lack of increase in the CEO's pay for the last five years has caused pay compression, or a decreased percentage in the amount of pay between Deal's role and the utility's highest paid officer, she said. "Over time, especially in the last few years from 2022 to 2024, the percentage has decreased significantly," Adams told the board. Before the approved raise, the difference in salary between the highest paid officer and the CEO is about 25%, dropping from just over 60% in 2022, a staff presentation showed. Among seven staff recommendations to increase or make no change in CEO pay, the board's final decision Wednesday was to choose the third recommended option. Sign up for free: Gazette Business Receive a weekly roundup of business news around El Paso County. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Featured Local Savings Staff's top recommendation was to increase Deal's pay to $608,961, which would have brought his salary in line with the 60th percentile for pay in 2022 at comparable utilities, because Utilities targets that range for other positions. Before voting to approve Deal's new salary, Board Member Mike O'Malley suggested an eighth option: increase Deal's salary by the same 3.5% other employees with the agency received this year, or up to an annual salary of $496,800. That rate is almost double the 2% wage increase the City Council, whose nine members also serve as the Colorado Springs Utilities Board, approved for city employees in Colorado Springs' 2024 budget, O'Malley said. "I think 3.5% is very fair and in line with the rest of the employee workforce," he said. Adams said a CEO salary increase at that rate would still result in "a significant compression issue." "The utilities industry is very different, from a compensation perspective, than municipal government," and the salary increase is necessary for the utility to remain competitive, she said. Board Member Randy Helms said the board needed to consider that Colorado Springs Utilities is a public, city-owned enterprise. "In some cases, we have to measure that compared to the rest of our city employees," he said. Board Member Dave Donelson said increasing Deal's annual pay rate to $521,640 amounted to less than a 2% annual increase over five years, the last time the CEO salary was adjusted. The rate increase amounts to $41,640 in additional compensation a year for Deal. "We're trying to balance two things here: to give fair compensation to our CEO and show support for him," Donelson said, noting he is "pleased" with Deal's performance in the role. "I also support this option ... as the right amount for Colorado Springs." One of the top prosecutors in the now-dismissed Barry Morphew murder trial said in a new court filing that he failed to speak up when he saw that his boss planned to look into domestic abuse allegations against the presiding judge in the case. Mark Hurlbert submitted the filing on Tuesday with the state agency in charge of disciplining lawyers. The filing was a response to recent complaints made against Hurlbert, accusing him and two other members of the Morphew prosecution team of going after former 11th Judicial District Judge Ramsey Lama based on a Change.org petition started by a YouTuber. Hurlbert told the Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel that he did not voice disapproval of DA Stanleys plan to have an investigator interview Iris Lama because he felt that Judge Lama was biased against him. The OARC is an independent arm of the Colorado Supreme Court. Iris Lama, now Iris Diaz, agreed to be interviewed by a Fremont County DA investigator on April 15, 2022 and denied that there was any domestic abuse during her marriage to Ramsey Lama. The domestic violence issue was dropped by the Morphew team and Diaz did not file a grievance about the interview. Nine days before trial was to begin, at a pre-trial readiness conference on April 19, 2022, Lama, the judge, granted the prosecutions request to dismiss the case without prejudice and Barry Morphew walked out of the courthouse a free man. Dismissed without prejudice means that the case is finished, but it can be refiled at any point. Though the case is officially classified as having gone cold, Suzanne Morphews remains were found last fall in a field in Moffat about 45 minutes from the family home. To date, the results of her autopsy report have not been made public and the family has not been notified as to the results, according to Suzanne Morphews sister, Melinda Moorman Balzer. Hurlbert was brought into the case in July 2021, a month before the preliminary hearing. Weiner was brought into the case in November 2021 to help out in the months leading up to the trial. A month before Lama dismissed the high-profile Morphew case without prejudice, the three top prosecutors discussed the possibility that he should recuse himself based on a theory presented by 11th Judicial District Attorney Linda Stanley. March 12, 2022 Stanley suggested in a text chain that the team interview Lamas ex-wife to find out if he abused her. During the conversation between Stanley, Hurlbert and prosecutor Bob Weiner, she asked them to read a change.org petition started by a YouTuber named Julez Wolf, who suggested that Lama be taken off of the case because his ex-wife was an advocate for victims of domestic abuse, which could represent a conflict of interest. Prosecutors theorized in court that Suzanne Morphew was a victim of domestic abuse. Featured Local Savings You guys might want to read this, Stanley texted. Hurlbert responded, That is very interesting. I was thinking about a motion to recuse. He later texted that Lama was obviously biased. Holy crap! Yes, lets go after him! He should have disclosed this, responded Bob Weiner. Weiners behavior is also under investigation with the Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel. In his response, obtained by The Denver Gazette, Weiner admitted to participating in the March 12, 2022 text message chain, explaining that the texts speak for themselves, but added he felt that potentially interviewing Iris Lama was appropriate. He denied having anything to do with the actual interview, which was done by Chief DA Investigator Andrew Corey, saying, Respondent denies he communicated with Mr. Corey in any fashion related to any interview of Ms. Lama conducted by Mr. Corey. Both complaints against Hurlbert and Weiner were made by Morphews defense attorney, Iris Eytan. The attempt to have Lama recused was not Eytans only issue. In her complaints, she alleged the the two prosecutors also failed to turn over evidence of Morphews innocence, misstated facts in court pleadings and violated court orders. Hurlbert and Weiner denied those claims. Its now up to the presiding disciplinary judge to set separate hearing dates for Hurlbert and Weiner. The agency filed a complaint in October against Stanley. Her nine-day hearing starts on June 11 and will see witnesses, testimony and exhibits. What is different from a regular trial is instead of being heard by a judge, three individuals will hear the case, according to Office of Regulation Counsel Jessica Yates. The presiding disciplinary judge and the hearing board together make findings of fact, and the presiding judge makes all legal rulings. Punishments could range from disbarment, to censure, or the panel could dismiss the original complaints. Yates told The Denver Gazette that nine days is longer than a typical disciplinary hearing. A Jefferson County man who took part in the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, was sentenced Thursday to more than five years in prison. Jeffrey Sabol, 53, from Kittredge, was sentenced to 63 months in prison, three years of supervised release and ordered to pay more than $32,000 in restitution. Sabol was convicted in August 2023 of three felonies at a bench trial. Those charges were: Obstruction of an official proceeding and aiding and abetting Federal robbery Assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers with a deadly or dangerous weapon and aiding and abetting Sabol went to Washington to attend the "Stop the Steal" rally, according to court documents. He had packed a helmet, a trauma kit, a buck knife and zip ties, the facts in the case state. Featured Local Savings After the rally, Sabol went with others to the Capitol building. He ended up on the West Plaza and was on the front of the line of rioters confronting police officers, court documents say. Just after 2 p.m., Sabol and another rioter pushed a third rioter, who was holding a riot shield, into a line of police officers. Sabol kept pushing forward and slammed a police officer's riot shield, court documents say. A U.S. Capitol Police officer pushed Sabol back, causing him to fall down some stairs, according to the stipulated facts in the case. Sabol then made his way to the front of a mob of rioters who were confronting police on the west side of the Capitol, court documents say. He rushed the line of officers and pushed against a riot shield held by an officer. Sabol and the mob were able to break the police officers' line causing officers to fall back and the mob to rush the south side of the West Plaza, court documents say. Over the next two hours, Sabol continued to engage law enforcement near the Lower West Terrace Tunnel, where some of the most violent attacks on officers occurred, court documents say. Federal officials said Sabol violently wrestled an officer's baton out of their hand while the officer was on the ground trying to protect themselves. For more on this story, and others, visit The Denver Gazette's news partners 9NEWS.com. Jon and Carie Hallford, the owners of Return to Nature Funeral Home, are expected to go to trial in October following an arraignment hearing on Thursday morning. Both Hallfords are facing hundreds of charges related to the discovery of 190 bodies improperly stored at the Return to Nature Funeral Home in Penrose. Return to Nature Funeral Home came under a multi-agency investigation in October after reports of a complaint about a foul odor in the area. Investigators said they found more than 180 bodies in various states of decomposition inside the building that were not properly stored. The two were arrested in Oklahoma in November 2023. Both appeared in court and had cash bonds set at $2 million. Although the arraignment hearing on Thursday was continued, attorneys agreed to tentatively set Oct. 14 for the beginning of trial, which lawyer Michael Stuzynski said he expects to last about four weeks. Jon and Carie Hallford will return to court on June 6 for a second arraignment hearing, where the couple is expected to plead not guilty. Despite attorneys for both Jon and Carie Hallford agreeing to continue the hearing and tentatively set for trial, they noted their objection to the motion to have the cases joined and tried together. Prosecutor Rachel Powell informed the court that the motion to have the cases joined had been filed, but Judge William Moller did not rule on it Thursday to give the defense time for the filing of a response. The couple both appeared to court out of custody after posting the $100,000 bond to be released from custody earlier this year. Carie Hallford's bond was recently called into question after the 4th Judicial District Attorney's Office informed families earlier this month that she had allegedly missed a required sobriety test, one of the requirements of her bond. Stuzynski on Thursday informed the court that the alleged missed test was a misunderstanding, and that Carie Hallford had actually appeared at the facility on the date in question to take her sobriety test but was asked not to by staff. He continued that Carie Hallford has been compliant with all other factors of her bond thus far, including GPS monitoring. A staff member for Embrave also provided a written letter to the court to explain the misunderstanding and confirming that Carie Hallford did appear at the facility to take her sobriety test, Stuzynski said. The prosecution had nothing to add to Stuzynski's record, and Judge Moller ruled to make no modifications to Carie Hallford's bond. Featured Local Savings Powell did, however, request to readdress Jon Hallford's bond over allegations that he lied to the court. Powell claimed that Jon Hallford lied to the court about his son being enrolled in school in Colorado Springs, a reason that Jon Hallford's attorneys gave to the court as a "tie to the community" factor to be considered for bond. Powell stated that it became known to the district attorney's office that Jon Hallford's son is no longer enrolled in school in Colorado and now lives in Oklahoma with his grandparents. She went on to argue that if the court considered Jon Hallford's child's school enrollment as a factor of bond, then the court should raise his bond. Adam Steigerwald, Jon Hallford's attorney, claimed that Powell was misinformed and that when he made that request he was referring to the Hallford's 17-year-old daughter who originally was enrolled in school in Colorado, but due to the publicity of the case she now resides and attends school in Florida. Judge Moller did not rule on raising Jon Hallford's bond, stating that he would give Steigerwald 14 days to respond to the people's motion before determining if a new hearing on bond will be scheduled. Heather DeWolf and her son Austin were in the courthouse lobby following the Thursday morning arraignment hearing. Heather's son and Austin's brother, Zach who died in 2022, has yet to be identified as one of the individuals discovered at the Penrose facility. The two expressed their frustration about waiting until October for a trial. "Its frustrating that theyre pushing it back to potentially October. But Im confident that the only reason that theyre doing it is they (the Hallfords) have no defense," Austin DeWolf said. Heather DeWolf expressed her frustration in the alleged lies told by Jon Hallford regarding the statements provided to the court that his children were actively in school in the area as a means for his bond to be lowered. "There are no words. To use his child like that is unthinkable, and he needs to be held accountable for that as well," Heather DeWolf said. Samantha Naranjo, who's grandmother was discovered inside the Return to Nature Penrose location in October, echoed Heather DeWolf's desire to hold the Hallfords accountable. "Obviously, they lied to us and now they continue to lie to the court. It shows their integrity," Naranjo said. Police say one person has been shot in northeast Colorado Springs on Wednesday evening. The Colorado Springs Police Department said that officers responded to a call in the 3600 block of North Academy Boulevard around 4:20 p.m. where a person arrived in a private vehicle suffering from a gunshot wound to the torso. Police say the person sustained a serious but non-life-threatening injury. Officers later learned that the shooting occurred in the 3600 block of Jeanine Drive. Police told The Gazette news partner KOAA they are looking for suspects in the area of 3680 Jeannine Drive. The investigation is ongoing, according to the CSPD. Widefield School District 3 students are continuing to call for the removal of members on the district's board of education. A group of Mesa Ridge High School students, parents and faculty members staged a protest outside the school Wednesday, calling for the resignation of District 3 board members David Dock, Greg Fisher and Tina West. It is the latest call for resignations following alleged comments by Dock, Fisher and West overheard at an IHOP restaurant in November that were derogatory toward special needs students in the district and LGBTQ+ students among other topics. Outside Mesa Ridge, about 30 students gathered with signs reading phrases like we are skipping our lessons to teach you one and honk for disability rights. The demonstration was monitored by school staff to ensure student safety. A similar walkout occurred at the school last month, while students and community members have voiced their concerns to the board at subsequent board meetings. The demonstration was planned shortly after a Q&A session with Fisher, Dock and students at the high school earlier this month. The words that were said before were really insensitive, said Mesa Ridge student Dean Pucci, who helped organize the walkout. But mainly what prompted this walkout was what was said during the Q&A. During the Q&A, students asked the board members questions pertaining to LGBTQ+ student needs, banning books, special education and services to special needs students in the district. In an audio recording obtained by The Gazette, Dock told the students he had recently visited Pinello Elementary School to learn more about the school and districts current services for significant support needs (SSN) students. Dock also said that he had suggested that all SSN classrooms in the district be moved to a single location where the real professionals can deal with them before learning theyre required to integrate them into the schools. (I) found out thats a federal law, Dock said. I didnt know that at the time. One student who asked to remain anonymous said that they and others thought the Q&A session was an attempt by board members to save face that ultimately had the opposite effect. Featured Local Savings If anything, it basically confirmed what we already knew, the student said. Elizabeth Ward, who attended the protest, is the parent of a special needs and LGBTQ+ student in the district. Ward said she believed that many voters during the last election were unaware of the candidates' stances on multiple issues at the time. She said the recent actions have brought more community awareness to both of these areas. A lot of people have said we dont understand trans people. Well, you dont need to understand someone to support them, she said. (Or) to make sure that they have access to the services they need or that theyre treated like everyone else. District 3 Communications Director Samantha Briggs said in an email to The Gazette that the district was made aware of a social media post announcing the planned walkouts Wednesday morning. We always support peaceful actions to stand up for what you believe in, as they are great ways to learn. At the same time, schoolwork is important too, she wrote. We do not condone missing instructional time, but we understand that being active in the community can help you become a good citizen. Neither Fisher nor Dock could be reached for comment by the time of publishing of this story. During the January regular board meeting, where multiple community members attended in response to the alleged comments, board president Fisher read from a statement that it was, not in the best interest of the board to refute or argue the statements made and that the board collectively apologized for the negative interpretation of our conversation felt by the students. On Wednesday, students eventually dispersed and returned to class upon the insistence of school faculty and received tardy notices after about two hours. Ward said that they will continue to advocate for the board members resignation and that efforts may include students intentionally failing their upcoming CMAS tests and local voters petitioning for a recall election. Multiple students said they plan to hold more protests. Most definitely, Pucci said. The one thing that I want to make sure, even if its not me organizing the protests, is that my community doesnt forget that this happened. (Reuters) - Alabama Governor Kay Ivey signed into law on Wednesday a ban on diversity, equity and inclusion programs in public schools, making the state one of a few to enact broad measures against what she and other Republicans call a leftward tilt in U.S. education. The bill, which passed Alabama's Republican-led legislature on Tuesday, bans public schools from maintaining diversity, equity and inclusion offices or teaching what the bill calls "divisive concepts" about race and identity, such as that of holding people of one race responsible for actions committed by the same racial group in the past. It also requires public institutions of higher education to designate bathrooms as only for males or females, a move that counters transgender rights advocates' push for gender-neutral bathrooms. "My administration has and will continue to value Alabamas rich diversity, however, I refuse to allow a few bad actors ... go under the acronym of DEI, using taxpayer funds, to push their liberal political movement," Ivey said in a statement. The law is due to take effect in October. Republicans have rallied around opposition to DEI initiatives in U.S. schools, asserting that diversity-focused curricula and hiring practices are part of a liberal agenda to sow division and, in some cases, to discriminate against white people. Supporters of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives say they aim to promote equality for underrepresented groups. "This is not only a form of classroom censorship," the American Civil Liberties Union of Alabama said in a statement opposing the legislation. "Its an anti-truth bill which curtails an education on systemic inequities, racial violence, and the historic efforts to gain civil rights and civil liberties for marginalized communities throughout our nations history." Texas led the charge with anti-DEI legislation by forcing public schools to close their diversity offices last year. Utah's governor signed similar legislation earlier this year, and several other states have introduced anti-DEI bills during their current legislative sessions. (Reporting by Gabriella Borter; Editing by Howard Goller) By Giulia Paravicini, Jonathan Saul and Abdiqani Hassan MOGADISHU (Reuters) - As a speed boat carrying more than a dozen Somali pirates bore down on their position in the western Indian Ocean, the crew of a Bangladeshi-owned bulk carrier sent out a distress signal and called an emergency hotline. No one reached them in time. The pirates clambered aboard the Abdullah, firing warning shots and taking the captain and second officer hostage, Chief Officer Atiq Ullah Khan said in an audio message to the ship's owners. "By the grace of Allah no one has been harmed so far," Khan said in the message, recorded before the pirates took the crew's phones. The company shared the recording with Reuters. A week later, the Abdullah is anchored off the coast of Somalia, the latest victim of a resurgence of piracy that international navies thought they had brought under control. The raids are piling risks and costs onto shipping companies also contending with repeated drone and missile strikes by Yemen's Houthi militia in the Red Sea and other nearby waters. More than 20 attempted hijackings since November have driven up prices for armed security guards and insurance coverage and raised the spectre of possible ransom payments, according to five industry representatives. Two Somali gang members told Reuters they were taking advantage of the distraction provided by Houthi strikes several hundred nautical miles to the north to get back into piracy after lying dormant for nearly a decade. "They took this chance because the international naval forces that operate off the coast of Somalia reduced their operations," said a pirate financier who goes by the alias Ismail Isse and said he helped fund the hijacking of another bulk carrier in December. He spoke to Reuters by phone from Hul Anod, a coastal area in Somalia's semi-autonomous northeastern region of Puntland where the ship, the Ruen, was held for weeks. While the threat is not as serious as it was in 2008-2014, regional officials and industry sources are concerned the problem could escalate. "If we do not stop it while it's still in its infancy, it can become the same as it was," Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud told Reuters last month at his highly-fortified art deco palace, Villa Somalia. Over the weekend, the Indian Navy intercepted and freed the Ruen, which was sailing under Malta's flag, after it ventured back out to sea. The European Union's anti-piracy mission, EUNAVFOR Atalanta, said the pirates may have used the ship as a launchpad to attack the Abdullah. The Indian Navy said all 35 pirates aboard surrendered, and the 17 hostages were rescued without injuries. Cyrus Mody, deputy director of the International Chamber of Commerce's anti-crime arm, said the intervention of the Indian Navy, which has deployed at least a dozen warships east of the Red Sea, could have an important deterrent effect. "This intervention does show that the risk/reward is very much against the pirates, and hopefully that will make them think a few times over," he said. A Bangladeshi foreign ministry official, however, told Reuters the government was "not in favour of any kind of military action" to free the Abdullah. The official, who asked not to be named to discuss a sensitive matter, cited the pirates' advantages when operating close to the Somali coast. RISING COSTS The waterways off Somalia include some of the world's busiest shipping lanes. Each year, an estimated 20,000 vessels, carrying everything from furniture and apparel to grains and fuel, pass through the Gulf of Aden on their way to and from the Red Sea and Suez Canal, the shortest maritime route between Europe and Asia. At their peak in 2011, Somali pirates launched 237 attacks and held hundreds of hostages, the International Maritime Bureau reported. That year, the Oceans Beyond Piracy monitoring group estimated their activities cost the global economy about $7 billion, including hundreds of millions of dollars in ransoms. The current rate of attacks is significantly less, with the pirates primarily targeting smaller vessels in less patrolled waters, maritime risk managers and insurers said. Since November, they have successfully seized at least two cargo ships and 12 fishing vessels, according to EUNAVFOR data. But the mission - which as of February had identified up to five so-called pirate action groups active in the eastern Gulf of Aden and Somali Basin - has warned that the end of the monsoon season this month could see them push further south and east. Their raids have extended the area in which insurers impose additional war risk premiums on ships. Those premiums are getting more expensive for voyages through the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea, adding hundreds of thousands of dollars to the price tag for a typical seven-day voyage, insurance industry officials said. Growing demand for private armed guards is also driving up prices. The cost to hire a team for three days jumped around 50% in February month-on-month, to between $4,000 and $15,000, maritime security sources said. While of limited use against Houthi missiles and armed drones, the guards have proven an effective deterrent against pirate hijackings. No ransom payments have been reported, but the pirate financier, Isse, and another source familiar with the matter said negotiations had taken place about a payoff in the millions of dollars to release the Ruen. A spokesperson for NAVIBULGAR, the Bulgarian company that manages the ship, said it could not comment on ransom negotiations but was grateful to the Indian Navy for freeing its seamen. A spokesperson for the Abdullah's owner, SR Shipping, said the pirates had made contact through a third party, but the company had not received a ransom request. FLAGGING RESOURCES Security experts say there is no evidence of direct ties between the Houthis and Somali pirates, though Isse said the pirates had been inspired by the militia's attacks. In response to the raids over a decade ago, shipping companies beefed up security measures on board, and international navies joined operations led by NATO, the European Union and the United States. As many as 20 warships from 14 different countries would patrol the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean shipping lanes - an expanse the size of the Mediterranean and Red Seas combined - at any given time. The measures practically eliminated pirate attacks. But as the threat receded, participating countries cut back the number of warships, said John Steed, former head of the counter-piracy unit at the U.N. Political Office for Somalia. "Countries' ships dip in and out of the various missions and back to national command," he said. EUNAVFOR, the U.S. State Department and the British navy said they were committed to helping Somalia tackle piracy. They did not respond to questions about whether patrols were stretched too thin or whether they would commit additional resources. Steed said another issue was the lapse in 2022 of a U.N. resolution that authorised foreign vessels to patrol in Somali waters. President Mohamud said the key to containing the threat was bolstering Somalia's law enforcement capacity at sea and on land, "not sending a lot of international ships". According to Somali government data, the coast guard has 720 trained members, but only one of its four boats is functional. The capital, Mogadishu, Puntland and the breakaway Somaliland region also have maritime police forces with limited resources. (Giulia Paravicini reported from Mogadishu, Jonathan Saul from London and Abdiqani Hassan from Garowe, Somalia; Additional reporting by Ruma Paul in Dhaka and Krishn Kaushik in New Dehli; Editing by Aaron Ross and Alexandra Zavis) By Makini Brice WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A U.S. House of Representatives panel has subpoenaed the head of an activist group that pressures companies over environmental, social and corporate governance issues to appear for a March 28 deposition, according to a letter seen by Reuters on Thursday. The Republican-led House Judiciary Committee is conducting a probe into whether ESG efforts violate antitrust laws. It has subpoenaed BlackRock Inc and State Street Corp for documents and communications as part of the same investigation. The committee said it was issuing the subpoena to compel the deposition of Andrew Behar, the chief executive officer of As You Sow, as part of its probe into antitrust laws. A spokesman for the group said it had provided documents and testimony since receiving the panel's initial request and that Behar had already agreed to a voluntary interview to be held on March 28. "Yesterday's subpoena, ordering him to appear on the same day, was duplicative and he looks forward to appearing before the Committee in Washington as previously planned," the group said. ESG efforts have faced a backlash from conservative U.S. politicians in Washington and in various states, who claim that executives have been distracted from the goal of making money as environmentally and socially conscious shoppers, business partners and investors seek ambitious ESG goals. The panel said it had sought transcribed interviews with multiple executives with the group, but had only been able to obtain an interview with Danielle Fugere, the group's president and chief counsel. Fugere in the interview testified that she did not know or did not recall the answer to the questions posed "well over one hundred times - including about matters in which she was personally involved," the letter said. The committee said it had tried to arrange an interview with Behar but the plans collapsed. The group also said it had provided documents, but the committee said they were insufficient. "As You Sow's dilatory tactics, which have persisted for more than three months after our initial request for this voluntary interview, have impeded and obstructed the Committee's legislative oversight efforts," the letter said. (Reporting by Makini Brice; Editing by Scott Malone, Daniel Wallis and Mark Porter) One of President Joe Biden's judicial picks appears to be in serious trouble. Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) said Thursday that he thinks federal appellate court nominee Adeel Mangi has zero chances of confirmation in the Senate after Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) backed out of supporting the Biden administration's pick, marking the second Democrat to do so this week. "I believe that the nomination is dead. It's as dead as Jimmy Hoffa," Kennedy told the Washington Examiner shortly after Manchin said he would oppose Mangi's nomination, a move that could dash Biden's hopes of confirming the first Muslim American to a federal appellate court. I dont think he has any bipartisan support, Manchin told reporters of Mangis confirmation prospects one day after he announced he would oppose any of Biden's nominees that Senate Republicans are universally voting against, multiple outlets reported Thursday. The Washington Examiner caught up with Manchin later Thursday afternoon, where he reiterated his commitment to the filibuster, adding, "I am not any way shape or form as long as I'm still here going to be able and do that and vote for a lifetime appointment when you can't even get one Republican because they don't even ask them." Manchin's decision spells trouble for Mangi's prospects after Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) said in a statement on Tuesday that she "cannot support this nominee." No Republicans have yet signaled they intend to support Mangi's confirmation; given the Democrats' thin 51-49 majority and the opposition of Manchin and Cortez Masto, Mangi will now need some level of GOP support to get confirmed. Mangi's nomination to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit has become a point of contention on Capitol Hill following revelations that Mangi co-mingled at academic events and conferences with people who have openly sympathized with Palestinian terrorists. The nominee also serves as an advisory board member of the Alliance of Families for Justice. Kathy Boudin, one of AFJs founding board members, pleaded guilty to felony murder for her role in a Brink's armored truck robbery that resulted in the death of two police officers in 1981. Cortez Masto cited Mangi's affiliation with that group when announcing her decision not to back Biden's appellate court pick. The Washington Examiner reported earlier this month about Mangi's participation in the 2022 conference for the National Association of Muslim Lawyers alongside a Rutgers University director. One of the panelists was Lena Masri, litigation director for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, which federal prosecutors named an unindicted co-conspirator of Hamas in a 2009 terrorism financing case. Days after that story, Mangi sent a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee to apologize for not disclosing his participation in the conference, the Washington Examiner reported. Featured Local Savings Republicans have also highlighted letters from law enforcement organizations elevating concerns about Mangi, in addition to revealing his prior membership on a controversial advisory board at Rutgers. During a Dec. 13 confirmation hearing, Mangi said he only advised the school's Center for Security, Race and Rights on academic research issues and said he wasn't involved in nor aware of the fact that the center held a controversial commemoration of the 20th anniversary of 9/11 in 2021 that featured terrorist sympathizers. The conservative judicial activist group Judicial Crisis Network announced Thursday it is launching a new ad campaign against Mangi, highlighting his ties to groups that attempted to "defund the police and free convicted cop-killers from prison," according to the organization's president, Carrie Severino. "Individuals like Adeel Mangi who have ties to antisemitic and anti-police groups don't belong on the federal bench," Severino told the Washington Examiner. "Mangi would be bad news for the rule of law in this country, and it sounds like some Senate Democrats recognize that." Earlier in the day, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said Republicans will continue to oppose the nominee who has repeatedly chosen instead to mingle with supporters of terrorists and cop killers. McConnell suggested Biden should fill the appellate vacancy with Zahid Quraishi, who was appointed to the District of New Jersey in 2021 by an 81-16 confirmation vote, making him the first Muslim life-tenured federal judge. Meanwhile, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin (D-IL) on Thursday highlighted Mangi's support by the Anti-Defamation League, which called public scrutiny of the nominee inappropriate and prejudicial in a Jan. 9 statement, characterizing it as blatant Islamophobia. To accuse a nominee of being anti-Semitic is heartbreaking when its not true, and in this case it clearly is not true, Durbin said. The White House has similarly defended Mangi by claiming the nominee has come under fire by "hateful forces," according to spokesman Andrew Bates. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER Meanwhile, Republicans ramped up opposition against another Biden nominee to the 6th Circuit on Wednesday. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) said the White House had abandoned its tradition of consulting home state senators about judicial nominees when Biden nominated Kevin Ritz, who has served as the U.S. attorney for the Western District of Tennessee since 2022, to the 6th Circuit. The Washington Examiner contacted the White House for comment on the growing Democratic opposition to the appellate nominee. President Joe Biden said he won't "demonize immigrants" during the first of two campaign stops in Dallas on Wednesday night as Donald Trump, his GOP opponent for president, blames him for the chaos at the southern border. "Unlike Trump, I'm not going to demonize immigrants," Biden said to cheers of "Four more years!" from supporters in the Lone Star State. "The problem isnt just going back to where Trump had the country. Its where he wants to take us now." "Look to what hes saying," he continued. "I hope were all going to take it seriously. He means what he says. As crazy as it sounds, he means what he says. Biden also accused Trump of wanting to "do away with NATO" and of downplaying COVID-19 and said Trump would pardon those involved in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. "Our standing in the world is the greatest threat" Trump poses to democracy, Biden added. His comments come in a state that has become the political epicenter of the border crisis. Texas officials and Biden's Department of Justice are sparring over whether the state can temporarily enforce a law that permits law enforcement to arrest and detain people they suspect of illegally entering the country, a controversy the former president addressed earlier in the day. "When I am president, instead of trying to send the state of Texas a restraining order, I will send them reinforcements," Trump said. "And I'll use all necessary military and law enforcement resources to defend the United States of America." Featured Local Savings Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX), a member of the House Homeland Security Committee, appeared on Fox News to fault Biden for skipping the border during his Texas stopover. "He hasn't really been down to the border since he's gotten elected," McCaul said. "He went down one time for a photo op, and that doesn't really constitute [a visit]. And [Vice President] Kamala Harris, the border czar, hasn't been down there at all. I think it's really offensive to people in my state, particularly those who live on the border who deal with this problem day in and day out." Biden has visited the southern border twice since taking office, most recently on Feb. 29, when he stopped at the border city of Brownsville, though both visits were brief. He tried to flip the script on the issue during the fundraiser, saying Trump contributes to immigration chaos. He has repeatedly blamed the former president for helping tank a bipartisan border deal negotiated between the White House and Senate. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER Trump didnt just bring chaos to Americans," Biden said. "He also brought chaos to the American border. Organizers claimed the first fundraiser, held at the home of prominent trial lawyer Russell Budd, pulled in $2.5 million. A massive funding deal between Congress and the White House includes a ban on funding for the primary humanitarian aid organization in Gaza for one year. The deal, which was supported by President Joe Biden on Tuesday, would cost the United Nations agency millions of dollars and require other countries like Saudi Arabia to make up the gap. The ban on funding the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East was not mentioned when the White House stated support for the deal on Tuesday. It comes as millions of civilians in Gaza are facing starvation amid Israels war with Hamas. "This [agreement] will undermine the effort to assist starving Gazans and potentially further weaken regional stability," the UNRWA told CBS News in a statement on Wednesday. The deal would delay funding until March 2025. Before the war, the agency largely operated schools and provided health services to millions of Palestinians. But they have since become the main resource on the ground for delivering all kinds of aid, including food. The deal comes after the Biden administration temporarily paused funding for the organization in January after Israel claimed the agency employed 12 people who participated in the Oct. 7 terrorist attack. Featured Local Savings Not a single taxpayer dollar should go to UNRWA after the serious allegations of its members participating in the October 7th attacks, Sen. James Risch (R-ID) said in a statement to the New York Times. Risch is the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee. The agency said it has fired nine of the 12 accused employees, and two others were dead, but White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said more reform would need to be made. There is no other organization that has the reach, the tentacles, and the distribution capabilities that UNRWA has in Gaza. Thats just a fact, Kirby said. Obviously, UNRWA is going to have to reform itself, clearly, because thats just unacceptable behavior by anybody. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER Although the change in funding is a significant drop for Palestinians, the U.S. military has been airdropping food into Gaza and is in the process of building a floating dock 3 miles off the countrys shore to deliver additional aid. The text of the deal, which still needs to be passed by Congress, has not been released so far but is expected in the next 24 hours. If passed, Biden has vowed to sign it. Attorney General Merrick Garland dismissed the idea that he should have withheld then-special counsel Robert Hur's report on President Joe Biden's mishandling of classified documents. Speaking at a press conference, Garland said his release of the full report was in line with the traditional approach and necessary for transparency. He said his actions reflected his promise at the beginning of his tenure to release all special counsel reports. "It's consistent with the precedents, the full disclosure of all special counsel reports in the entire 25 years in which the regulation has been in effect," Garland said. "It's consistent with a common practice during the previous period of the independent counsel statute. The idea that an attorney general would edit, or redact, or censor the special counsel's explanation for why the special counsel reached the decision that the special counsel did? That's absurd." He added that his ability to release the report unredacted was a testament to Biden's promise to restore the independence and integrity of the Justice Department. "When the president announced my nomination, he said to me directly and then to the American public that he intended to restore the independence and the integrity of the Justice Department and that he wanted me to serve as the lawyer for the American people, not the lawyer for the president," Garland said. "I sincerely believe that that's what he intended then, and I sincerely believe that that's what he intends now." CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER Garland avoided commenting on whether he believed Hur's characterization of Biden as a well-meaning old man with a poor memory was appropriate. Biden and many Democrats took issue with Hur's characterization, claiming that Hur was inappropriately inserting politics into the report, outside the scope of his assignment. House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) said on Wednesday he plans to invite President Joe Biden to testify on Capitol Hill "in the coming days" following a lengthy impeachment hearing that involved several of Hunter Biden's associates. "In the coming days, I will invite President Joe Biden to the House Oversight Committee to provide his own testimony and explain why his family received tens of millions of dollars from foreign companies with his assistance," Comer said in a post to X. "Comer knows 20+ witnesses have testified that POTUS did nothing wrong. He knows that the hundreds of thousands of pages of records hes received have refuted his false allegations. This is a sad stunt at the end of a dead impeachment. Call it a day, pal," White House spokesman Ian Sams said in response to Comer's plans. Comer's announcement comes after House Republicans held their second public impeachment inquiry hearing on Wednesday, which featured testimony from GOP witnesses Jason Galanis and Tony Bobulinski. Hunter Biden and former business partner Devon Archer declined to attend. House Oversight Democrats invited Lev Parnas, a former associate of Rudy Giuliani, to appear as their witness. Oversight Republicans kept a seat at the witness table empty with Hunter Biden's name to showcase his absence. Featured Local Savings GOP leaders used the testimony as a public showing of the materials they've gathered over the last six months, while House Democrats spent most of the hearing blasting Galanis and Bobulinski and arguing that the GOP has not produced any impeachable evidence. That hearing was embarrassing for House Republicans," Sams told the Washington Examiner. "A total waste of time. Its time to move on from this sad charade. There are real issues the American people want us to address." CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER There has been little to no evidence to indicate that the inquiry will lead to the impeachment of Joe Biden, as House Republicans have yet to turn up proof that the president definitely engaged in or profited from the foreign business dealings of his family members. However, Comer has said previously that the inquiry could lead to legislative reforms or criminal referrals instead of an impeachment vote. If President Biden declines, it is unclear if the committee would attempt to obtain his testimony through another means, such as a closed-door interview request or subpoena. The House Freedom Caucus has reportedly removed one of its members from the hard-line Republican group, just days before the lawmaker is set to retire from Congress. The caucus voted Tuesday night to remove Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO), according to the Hill. The group decided to oust him over claims that the Colorado Republican has not been in good standing with the caucus and has not regularly attended its meetings in months, the outlet reported. Buck confirmed his ouster to Politico on Wednesday, saying he was informed of the decision the night before. A representative for Buck declined to confirm the Colorado Republican's removal to the Washington Examiner. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER Bucks removal comes just days before he is set to step down from office on Friday, retiring early due to what he considers a dysfunctional House that has devolved into bickering and nonsense. Bucks early retirement also contributed to his removal, according to the Hill. One source told the outlet he hasnt been with conservatives on several major issues and is leaving the conference hanging with a historically narrow margin. The Georgia state Senate hosted Laken Riley's father, Jason Riley, in its chambers, and he asked it to act on the over a million immigrants "making families nervous." The University of Georgia student's body was discovered on campus on Feb. 22. Riley was allegedly murdered by Jose Ibarra, an illegal immigrant living near campus who has been arrested in connection to her death. Ibarra faces charges of malice murder, felony murder, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, false imprisonment, kidnapping, hindering a 911 call, and concealing the death of another. "God gave me a beautiful daughter to father protect, provide for, and nurture. A man with an evil heart stole her life. He was in this country and in this state illegally," Riley told the senate. "My vision for every senator in this chamber is that you protect citizens from this illegal invasion. Please recognize over a million illegal aliens are in this state and making families nervous." Riley acknowledged the actions taken on Riley's behalf, such as the passage of House Bill 1105, which allows for local authorities to detain immigrants for deportation should they find they are not legal residents. Should any office not report the legal status of an immigrant in its custody, they could "be subject to the withholding of state funding or state administered federal funding" per the bill. The legislation was drafted by six Republicans and passed 97-74. Only one Democratic member voted for the measure. "Please recognize Athens Clark is a sanctuary city, and this policy and the lack of action led to the murder of my daughter," Riley said. "Gov. Kemp, please declare an invasion to detain and report criminal illegals so we can prevent future families from those tragedies." CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER Gov. Brian Kemp (R-GA) has not responded directly to Riley's demands but wrote on X on Thursday that "Joe Biden doesnt need an act of Congress to make his Department of Homeland Security do its job." Athens, Georgia, where Riley was killed, has been a sanctuary city since 2019, when the government passed a resolution declaring all immigrants welcome regardless of if they were legal. Former President Donald Trump is reportedly considering Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), his one-time rival, as a running mate in his reelection battle against President Joe Biden. Several sources confirmed to NBC News and CBS News that Rubio's star is rising among the ever-growing list of vice presidential candidates who could join Trump's 2024 campaign. But Rubio is among a list of Republican candidates that includes fellow Floridians such as Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) and Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL), whom Trump is eying to join his ticket. Other running mate contenders include Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Gov. Kristi Noem (R-SD), and Rep. Majorie Taylor Greene (R-GA). ELECTION 2024: FOLLOW LATEST COVERAGE Trump has repeatedly praised Scott in particular on the campaign trail. The former president told Fox Newss Laura Ingraham during a town hall event last month that Scott has "been so great. Hes been such a great advocate." He has been much better for me than he was for himself," Trump continued. "I watched his campaign, and he doesnt like talking about himself, but boy, does he talk about Trump. Rubio and Trump campaigned against one another during the 2016 GOP presidential primary before Trump vanquished the Florida senator in his path to claim both the GOP nomination and presidency that year. The Florida senator would be a boon to Trump's campaign as it seeks to increase support from Hispanic voters, but federal laws bar electors from voting for presidential and vice presidential candidates from the same state. If Rubio were to join Trump's ticket, one would need to change residency from the Sunshine State. Trump previously claimed New York residency but updated his homestead to Mar-a-Lago during his presidency. At 52, Rubio would also make for a generational contrast against the 77-year-old Trump, whom voters have said may be too old for another four years in office. (Voters have also made the same criticism against the 81-year-old Biden.) Rubio would also become the first person of color to join a Republican presidential ticket as the son of Cuban immigrants. Rubio's campaign directed the Washington Examiner to a recent interview where the senator elaborated on the vice presidential rumors. Featured Local Savings "Anybody who gets a chance to serve as vice president of the United States should consider that an honor," Rubio told Glenn Beck. "I have never spoken either to President Trump or anybody on his campaign about this or anybody else that they're considering for vice president." "What I do know is that unlike the Democrats, President Trump will have a lot of good options available to him," he continued. "And I'm confident he's going to make the perfect and right choice. The Trump campaign did not respond to the Washington Examiner's request for comments. Trump's first running mate, former Vice President Mike Pence, recently announced he wouldn't endorse Trump's 2024 campaign. It should come as no surprise that I will not be endorsing Donald Trump this year, Pence told Fox Newss Martha MacCallum. During my presidential campaign, I made it clear there were profound differences between me and President Trump on a range of issues," he added. "And not just our differences on our constitutional duties that I exercised on Jan. 6. Donald Trump is pursuing and articulating an agenda that is at odds with the conservative agenda that we governed on during our four years. Pence's deep conservatism stabilized Trump during the 2016 cycle when he was coming to the forefront as a presidential candidate. But the subsequent fallout after the 2020 campaign, the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, and Pence's own presidential run against Trump have driven the two running mates irrevocably apart. Trump flippantly responded he "couldnt care less about Pence's snub. We need patriots. We need strong people in our country," Trump continued. "Our country is going downhill very fast, very rapidly. We need strong people in this country. We dont need weak people. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER While much attention has been spent on Trump's running mate, the former president has also mused that his pick may not make that much of a difference for voters. The one thing that always surprises me is that the VP choice has absolutely no impact, Trump said during the Fox News town hall. Its whoever the president is. Ridgely, Maryland, commissioners suspended the town's entire police force pending an investigation, leading to speculation from residents. Ridgely commissioners announced the suspension on the town website last week without any further explanation. They reached an agreement with the Caroline County Sheriff's Department to fill the void as the investigation continues. "The Commissioners of Ridgley ... suspended with pay the entirety of the Ridgely Police Department ... effectively immediately, pending investigation by the Office of the Maryland State Prosecutor," a statement on the town website reads. "The Commissioners are currently developing a temporary agreement with the Caroline County Sheriffs Department to guarantee uninterrupted public safety services for the citizens of Town of Ridgely." The Washington Examiner reached out to Caroline County Sheriff Donald Baker for comment. Ridgely's police department has six law enforcement personnel listed on its website. Featured Local Savings The small town of about 1,600 is famously safe violent crime peaked in 2010 with 41 incidents reported, according to the Associated Press. Despite this, residents are anxious about the opaque nature of the investigation, with many viewing it as a betrayal of trust. Whats very concerning is that they didnt communicate with us in an honest and open way, resident Laura Cline told the outlet. Treat us with respect. Were adults thinking, rational adults who deserve the truth. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER We were blindsided, resident Holly Justice told the outlet. It makes you question the integrity of people who are supposed to protect and serve. Ridgely has not revealed any clues as to the reason for the suspension of the police department. The town commissioners will hold a closed-door meeting on Friday, WMDT reported. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reassured Senate Republicans that the greatest part of their operations in Gaza is complete during a video conference on Wednesday. Netanyahu gave Senate Republicans an update on the status of the war, speaking with them for about 10-15 minutes before taking questions. The prime minister's virtual meeting with Senate Republicans comes in the wake of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's (D-NY) comments last week where he criticized the Israeli prime minister, saying he "has been too willing to tolerate the civilian toll in Gaza." Netanyahu made it clear that Schumers speech last week, calling for new elections in the country, was not well received in response to a question, according to accounts from several GOP senators following their meeting. Clearly the prime minister was not happy with Sen. Schumers speech nor was he happy with President Bidens praise for Sen. Schumers speech, but I think the Prime Minister understands the politics of all of it, said Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA), speaking with reporters on Wednesday. Kennedy emphasized that Netanyahu said they have their plans set and that they will not be deterred by a speech on the floor of the United States Senate. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) said Netanyahu told Senate Republicans that the largest part of their operations in Gaza are finished. He clearly wanted to give the impression that theyre nearing the end here, Hawley said, speaking with reporters Wednesday. Meanwhile, Schumer rejected a chance for Netanyahu to address Senate Democrats at their caucus lunch Wednesday, telling reporters that he denied the request because when you make the issue partisan, you hurt the cause of Israel. The New York senator, the highest-ranking Jewish official in the U.S. government, continues to defend his speech and the criticism of Netanyahu, claiming he gave it out of a real love for Israel. We called only for there to be an election after hostilities declined after Hamas was defeated, Schumer said during his weekly press conference on Wednesday. Theres a growing group of Democrats sounding the alarm about humanitarian concerns in Gaza. Nineteen Democratic senators led by Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE) sent a letter to the Biden administration, urging it to establish a two-state solution and recognize a nonmilitarized Palestinian state following the war in Gaza. Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) was part of that letter. I dont feel good about [Israels] relationship with our political party. I think if Israel does not take steps to alleviate the pending famine, it has consequences for Israels alliance structure all over the world, Murphy said on Wednesday. Featured Local Savings My hope is that the consultations Netanyahus team has here in Washington will moderate his views on the Rafa invasion and we will have more humanitarian access, he added. My belief is that they need to suspend a military campaign right now. The situation is so desperate on the ground, they need to pause the military campaign and focus on relieving humanitarian suffering. Senate Republicans continue to slam Schumers speech from last week, accusing him of attempting to influence Israeli politics, and are trying to portray Democrats as anti-Israel. There is a sad reality playing out, which is todays Democrat Party is becoming more and more deeply anti-Israel, said Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX). It used to be there was a lot of focus on the 'Squad' and a handful of antisemites in the House who would make outrageous comments and repeat anti-Jewish tropes. But now what is particularly worrisome is that these sentiments are now reflected in supposedly mainstream Democrats, including Chuck Schumer, the Senate majority leader, and Joe Biden, the president of the United States. That is an incredibly dangerous dynamic, Cruz added. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) also had sharp criticism for his Democratic counterpart for the hypocritical attempts to influence Israeli domestic politics" in a speech on the Senate floor earlier on Wednesday. Theyre an affront to the very independence of the state of Israel, a sovereign nation, a robust democracy, and one of Americas closest allies and friends, McConnell said. Republicans have been forced to confront former President Donald Trumps comments that Jewish people who vote for Democrats hate Israel and their religion. I think that is incredibly, incredibly wrong and an awful statement, said Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), speaking with reporters on Tuesday. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) said he had a lengthy conversation with Netanyahu on Wednesday and is considering inviting him to address Congress. We didn't talk about those logistics, but it's one of the things that we have in, in mind, and we may try to arrange for that, Johnson said, speaking with reporters Wednesday. I think it's very important for us to show solidarity and support with Israel right now in their time of great struggle and, and we certainly stand for that position, and we'll, we'll try to advance that as in every way that we can." Pizzerias and bakeries are getting burned in New York City because a new law could cost business owners some serious dough. NYC tops the country in serving the most expensive piece of pizza. This new emissions law requires bakeries and pizzerias with wood- and coal-fired stoves or cooktops to cut emissions by 75%. It could cause the price of the decadently flavored triangle to skyrocket even more as businesses are plagued with a massive expense. "The law and the order is not necessary, Rep. Marc Molinaro (R-NY) said. Mayor [Eric] Adams and Gov. [Kathy] Hochul should be focused on their sanctuary city policies. They should be focused on high cost of living. They should be focused on the lack of security and safety in our communities, but instead, they're picking on a bunch of small businesses. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER Molinaro questioned why Adams and Hochul didn't put a bigger focus on ensuring the city government itself is not further polluting the state's natural resources. Adams stood firmly behind the new law at a press conference and claimed it'll make a massive difference for the environment. The law targets stoves and cooktops that were installed before May 2016 for both pizzerias and bakeries. The new law is set to go into effect on April 27. Terrain Hoppers are set to roam Colorado Springs-area trails again this summer. It will be their second full summer under El Paso County parks department's Trailability Program, based out of the Bear Creek and Fountain Creek nature centers. Each center is home to a Terrain Hopper, appearing like a mini ATV "off-road mobility vehicles," the county calls them, "that allow members of the community and visiting guests with disabilities to experience trails previously inaccessible to them." Starting April 2, people can reserve a summer or early fall tour spanning 1-3 miles around the meadows, woods and wetlands from either nature center. Slots can be booked online: communityservices.elpasoco.com/trailability. The tours are free and accompanied by a county staffer or volunteer, alongside friends and family Terrain Hopper riders might bring along. The Trailability Program is set to run May 2-Oct. 31. The Front Range outdoor world had its collective head turned to Staunton State Park's first Trackchairs in 2017. In 2021, upon the park's 1,000th trip in the all-terrain transport, a coordinator described the Trackchairs as "more impactful than I think any of us could have imagined." Colorado Springs' parks department last fall announced acquiring two Trackchairs to run a program similar to the county's. Details have yet to be announced, but Red Rock Canyon Open Space has been discussed as a possible spot for the program. On Tuesday, I got to do something so scary and cool I just have to tell you all about it. I got to ride in a Black Hawk helicopter. A real one, with a National Guard flight crew and everything. I had the utmost faith in the flight crew, mechanics and ground crew, but I had never flown in a helicopter, and I was a little scared. I had agreed to this insanity a few weeks earlier when chatting with former 1133rd Transportation Co. Cmdr. Dan Fehr. He's a volunteer with the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve and invited me to an employer outreach day with the lure of a ride in a helicopter. I held it together nicely and told Fehr I would love to attend. Privately, I had concerns. Should you ever get the chance to fly in a Black Hawk, try to sit next to Mason City Police Chief Jeff Brinkley. That helped me keep my composure. No one wants to embarrass themselves in front of the chief. There was a safety briefing in the hangar before we boarded. We trundled out through the high winds to get inside and buckle up. A Black Hawk has a four-point harness system similar to a toddler's car seat. The helicopter is not designed for comfort. It's also not designed for good camera work, so you'll occasionally glimpse the edge of the window in the video I put together. Inside, the instrument board and displays were lit up. For the pilots, it was a routine flight, but the longer we waited the more certain I was I had made a mistake. But now I was buckled up and waiting to fly over the area I so often drive through. It was a smooth take off. A Black Hawk helicopter taxis for a short distance before liftoff, and it was silky. I thought the ride would be a piece of cake. Then we banked to leave the airport, and for a brief moment I thought I was going to fall out. Thanks to the harness, I did not. It took me a few seconds to orient myself as we headed out along Iowa Highway 122 toward Clear Lake. After a mile or so, I saw what Mason City looks like from the sky and started picking out landmarks. It was windy Tuesday. Having never flown in a helicopter before, I was unprepared for the amount of floating involved in flying. I've experienced turbulence in an airplane, and that funny feeling in your stomach can turn into panic if you let it. I expected helicopter turbulence to turn me into a screaming meemie, but the bouncing, scooting, sliding feeling never overwhelmed me. We came to Clear Lake and flew over open water. We heaved a bit, but watching the wind play on the surface of the lake as the light lit the waves like diamonds, I forgot I had been nervous for weeks ahead of this moment. I forgot to be scared. We finished our tour of Clear Lake and floated east along the neatly divided farmland and brilliant blue ponds of rural North Iowa. We took a pull to the north as we came to southern Mason City and then circled downtown. As we touched down back at the airport, my nerves had returned. Our hosts had warned me to dress warmly for the flight, and I may have overdone it. Chief Brinkley, on the other hand, seemed as fresh as when we boarded. As we landed, I had to watch the ground to be certain we touched down. It was as gentle as could be, no hint of the strong winds on the tarmac. As we disembarked, my body was tired and sore. Regular boaters at Clear Lake are probably familiar with the feeling that comes with making constant tiny movements to balance yourself during travel. My legs took a moment to remember how they work, and my neck is still stiff. I've never made a bucket list, so riding in a helicopter wasn't on it. I do, however, have a list of things I've seen and done in North Iowa that make me grateful beyond words, and this is one of them. ZEARING, Iowa Four members of a rural Iowa family are accused of abducting and abusing an 18-year-old relative who had been handcuffed to a bed and beaten so badly that he had brain bleeding and multiple broken ribs, and who was so malnourished that he weighed just 70 pounds when he showed up at a hospital earlier this year, court documents say. Gary Graham Jr., 44, Danielle Graham, 42, Aaron Williams, 20, and a 16-year-old girl, all from Zearing, Iowa, were charged Monday with first-degree kidnapping and willful injury. They face a preliminary hearing March 29. Court records show that a judge issued an order preventing them from having contact with the alleged victim. The teen girl is charged as an adult, but The Associated Press is not naming her because of her age. A supervisor for the public defender's office for Story County said defense attorneys will be assigned, but they haven't been yet. The house sits at the end of a residential street in Zearing, a community of 500 people about 50 miles north of Des Moines. Farmland, windmills and dirt roads are nearby. Stickers adorned the front and side doors of the ranch-style home, and Christmas lights still hung along the roof. A dog barked from inside, but no one answered when a reporter knocked on the door. The allegations stunned the community, Story County Sheriff's Capt. Nicholas Lennie said Tuesday. It's tragic. It has our whole area in shock, and rightly so, Lennie said. It's not a common thing for one human being to treat another this way, let alone a family member. Sadly, the victim in this case endured months of abuse and being restrained in what most of us consider our safe place our homes. Court documents do not state specifically what relationship the teenager had to the other family members, but an application for a search warrant said Gary Graham Jr. is not the teenager's biological father. Lennie declined comment on the specific relationships. The teenager is now out of the hospital but is still recovering and will be for quite some time, Lennie said. A hospital in Ames alerted the sheriff's office on Jan. 27 of an 18-year-old patient who was severely malnourished with multiple injuries that included bleeding on the brain, rib fractures and bruising and wounds throughout his body. An affidavit filed in the case said the teen arrived at the hospital in a semi-conscious to unconscious state. Medical workers determined that the injuries were in various stages of healing, indicating that they didn't all happen at the same time, the document stated. Danielle Graham told police that the teenager had left home in November after turning 18, and hadn't been heard from until he showed up at the home on Jan. 26 in such bad condition she feared he would die, according to the court document. She said she and Williams drove the teenager to the hospital. But the affidavit said a search warrant revealed cell phone messages, videos and photos indicating that the 18-year-old had never left the home, and that he was abused by his relatives. The teenager told investigators that he was physically abused by Gary Graham Jr. and Williams. He said he would be handcuffed to bed during the night, and often during the day, and no one would help him. Police said an Amazon.com order under Danielle Graham's account showed the purchase and delivery of handcuffs, shackles and a handcuff key. In the search warrant application, an officer wrote that a guidance counselor said the teenager was doing his schooling online but apparently sought to attend classes in person. The counselor provided police with an email from Oct. 19 in which the teenager asked the counselor to email my mom and ask if I can come to school for classes, adding, don't say it was my idea please and thank you. A week later, the teenager wrote to the counselor again, stating, They won't have me go unless it is required, followed by, Can you require me to go to school, the search warrant application stated. Court records show that Gary Graham Jr. spent two years in prison after a conviction for domestic abuse-second offense in 2009. Separately, in 2017, Gary Graham Jr.'s divorce agreement with another woman was amended to give the woman sole custody of a child due to the abuse perpetrated by Graham. Salter reported from O'Fallon, Missouri. Summer Ballentine in Columbia, Missouri, and researcher Jennifer Farrar in New York contributed. WENTWORTH Incumbent Rockingham County commissioner Kevin Berger held on to a paper-thin margin of victory Tuesday in a recount of votes from the March 5 Republican primary an election widely seen as a referendum on commissioners support last year for a proposed major casino complex in Rockingham County. The casino initiative, which ultimately failed in the General Assembly, was spearheaded by Bergers father, N.C. Senate leader Phil Berger. Three votes secured Kevin Bergers win. Seven Republicans vied for three commissioners seats in the GOP primary, and election results put Berger in fourth place behind former commissioner Craig Travis of Reidsville by a mere seven votes. Then on March 12, after provisional and absentee votes were added to the count, Berger eased into third place by three votes, according to staff of the Rockingham County Board of Elections. Tuesdays recount confirmed that result. Im gratified that while our race was extremely close, voters ultimately judged me by my record and saw through the lies and inappropriate allegations hurled at me and my colleagues over the past several months, Berger said in an email Wednesday morning without providing specific examples of criticisms. Moving forward, we look forward to reducing the tax rate, continuing to bring in higher-paying jobs, and providing better opportunities for the citizens of Rockingham County, Berger said in the email. The elections board conducted the recount in response to requests by Travis and fifth-place finisher, newcomer Greg Ziglar of Mayodan. The process, run by 17 officials and streamed live on a county website, took about five hours to complete, according to staff who said 15 voting machines were used to process ballots for a second time. The casino initiative was part of a draft bill attached to the state budget that would have greenlighted development of casinos in four rural counties in North Carolina. In Rockingham County, the complex was proposed for a site near Madison, adjacent to the countys Camp Carefree, a nonprofit, medically-staffed getaway for children with complex chronic and terminal illnesses. The plan, touted as a way to revitalize the countys tax base and create jobs through the gaming industry, required rezoning 192 acres off U.S 220 from agricultural to commercial. Commissioners voted unanimously for the change last year, inflaming thousands of community residents. That discontent sparked a grassroots campaign by residents that featured rallies by outspoken opponents of gaming, town hall meetings and yard signs and petitions against the initiative. Finally in September, the push for the casinos died after the bill failed to get enough bipartisan traction in the General Assembly. Candidates Travis, Ziglar and another newcomer, Jeff Kallam of Madison, had campaigned as a trio opposing casino plans. Kallam finished with 6,103 votes, roughly 18% and the highest tally in the primary. Three-term incumbent Mark Richardson of Stokesdale kept his seat with 5,613 votes, or 16.54%. Bergers final count was 5,509 votes, or 16.23%, compared to Travis in fourth place at 5,506 votes, or 16.22%. Ziglar won 16.16% of votes with 5,483, while incumbent Don Powell of Reidsville placed sixth with 4,678 votes, or 13.78%. Gary Corns of Madison, new to the ballot, finished last with 1,046 votes, or 3.08%. A commissioner since 2016, Berger has historically enjoyed wider victory margins, taking 23.45% in the 2016 general election and nearly 24% of ballots when voters went to the polls in 2020. Elected chairman of the commission in 2017, Berger was elected vice chairman in 2020. Kallams first-place finish pleases Dick Thomas, a nursery owner in the Bethany community near Madison. Were disappointed that we couldnt get all three in, but Greg Ziglar was a virtual unknown and he did very well, Thomas said of the fifth-place Mayodan candidate. We hope (politicians) take notice of the fact that the people are angry, said Thomas, a member of the anti-casino group Concerned Citizens for Good Growth of Rockingham County. A lot of people were against the casino and against the way they (politicians) went about it, said Thomas, 61, a grandfather, who described casinos as features of a community that are not family-friendly. They didnt have a say in it, and people feel like they need to be involved, Thomas said. () In some ways, the mom n pop store and Guam have a lot in common: on the outside, you might see a weather-beaten building with a strange name, but once you go in, you will find no shortage of surprises. Every village has one, most have many. On the counter next to the register you will find sweet, salty, and spicy never-fail favorites. From Yigo to Merizo, and A (almost) to Zif you believe in exploring culture through food, this is the place to start: Ah Market in Mangilao Blueberry Mart in Malojloj Chode in Hagatna Dededo Retail Econo Mart in NCS Fine Store in Dededo Gangnam Mart in Tamuning Happy Mart in Barrigada Imma Market in Yigo John Bs in Dededo Kim Chee Agat LP Water Ice and Mart in Barrigada The Mini Camachile Store in Yona New Campus Mart in the gateway to the University of Guam OS7 Mart in Mangilao Prime Mart in Dededo Song Market in Chalan Pago Tokyo Mart in Hagatna or Tamuning UR Market in Dededo Victoria J in Mangilao Wusstig Market in Yigo Ypao Market in Tamuning YY Mini Market in Deded In a pickle Like the olde candy shop, the counter of the mom n pop shop is lined with bright orange and green jars. Instead of sweets, however, these unmistakable crocks are swimming with pickles. Besides the usual pickled cucumber, you will find eggs, papaya, mango, daigo, and other rotating seasonal experiments. If you have yet to dare, the pickled egg is less crazy than it sounds. Slightly rubbery in texture, it has a strong and distinct eggy taste, but gets better as your taste buds adjust. Say hello to Hello Mart in Chalan Pago to get pickled eggs for 75 cents each, and eight pickles for a dollar. The usual brine has a vinegar and boonie pepper base. Since the spiciness varies from store to store, each taste is a bit of an adventure. Baked (so) good The little baggies of Chamorro Chip cookies they hand out on the plane are just the tip of an icing-covered iceberg. Look for munchkin-sized lamai donuts made with breadfruit and covered in powdered sugar, banana-based bunelos aga, and yam-based bunelos dagu. One of the most popular fried dough balls is the classic Typhoon Donut, a minimalist recipe of baking soda, coconut milk and flour that can be scrapped together after a storm. Beside these sweet, cakey munchies, look for the crunchy sugar covered cookies in Chodes down on 9th Street in Hagatna. Rosettes are the delicate-looking flowers covered in cinnamon sugar, and like the swirl-shaped rosketti, they are made with a cornstarch base. Being very dry, rosketti are made to melt in your mouth. Guyria, the hard knuckle-shaped cookie, is sometimes packaged to be given as a souvenir, but like any dessert it also makes a fine gift for yourself. Dont call It a hand pie A favorite leftover from the Spanish era, the Chamorro empanada is quite distinct from what you will find in Mexican or Cuban cuisine. With achiote powder in the crust and in the filling, you will know it at once by its bright orange color. The shredded chicken and red rice filling has a bit of a kick from more boonie peppers and is fried to a crisp in its tortilla-like shell. Try to get empanadas before 8 a.m. when they are still hot. And good luck finding empanadas in the afternoonTenorio Home Industry only delivers them once daily and runs out fast. Sandwich of the rising sun The mom n pop shop usually has simple tuna and egg salad sandwiches like you might make for yourself at home, but in the next basket over there lies the musubi. A Japanese snack food, musubi is as quick to eat as a rice sandwich, which it kind of is. Typically, you will find Spam or tuna salad on top of this seasoned rice cube, wrapped in a crispy nori leaf. There may also be fast food sushi in a roll or cut in slices, filled with Spam or tuna salad, daigo, cucumber, rice, and egg. For a full Japanese Bento, visit Tokyo Mart by GPO in Tamuning, which also serve hot plates twice daily. This oishi carry-over food is a picture worth putting on a postcard. Last, but not least Endemic to the Mariana Islands, kelaguen is a must-have. Though it can be made with deer, steak, crab, and shrimp in the mom n pop, you will most likely find the timeless lemon-marinated chicken kelaguen, wrapped in a flour tortilla. Try something different every time you visit the mom n pop shop, and there will be no missing it. Whenever someone gives you directions, they will use the storewhichever is nearestas a landmark. You will either go past the store, or turn at the store, and if you get to the other store, youve gone too far. Since you are already there, you might as well stop and get a bite to eat. The Guam Guide website . . . - 2019- . , . , . A solitary tree, brushed in lavender, stretches its branches skyward. A fish swirled with a colorful aurora throws a sideways glance out from the paper that holds it. A vibrant rainbow of lines and shapes spiral around a face with downcast eyes. Hung collectively along the gray slatwall is a rather interesting family of art pieces. But behind the frames and underneath the paint is a family of artists that are even more interesting. Were a very interesting collection of people and its an interesting collection of art, said Sherrie Opitz, a local artist. How many people can say that we love art so much that we do it even if we arent professionals? We do it for fun and because it feels good. Throughout March, Queen City Framing & Art Supplies is hosting a collective art show, called 4 Generations. The show features the works of Opitz and eight other artists, ranging in age from 87 down to 7, who together comprise one unique blended family. If you go ... What: 4 Generations Collective Art Show When: The month of March. Queen City Framing is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Where: Queen City Framing & Supplies, 400 Euclid Ave. in the Lundy Center Cost: Free Contact: 406-442-2760 Info: qcframingandart.com The initial idea for the family art show stemmed from Sally Angove, a beloved Helena artist and the matriarch who binds four generations of artists together. About six months ago, while attending another art show at Queen City featuring work from her grandson, Sally first vocalized her idea. Well as long as weve got so many talented people in the family, we should do a group show, said Sally. To say that artistic tendencies run in Sallys family is quite an understatement. Sherrie Opitz, who is a friend and the mother of several of Sallys grandchildren, has always sought refuge in her art, especially beadwork, which she does under the business name of Wild Orb Weaver. I had a difficult upbringing so for me art was a good escape, said Opitz. Even to this day this is how I process stuff. Art is my healing time and where I unwind my mind. Sky Angove, Sallys grandson, has pursued a profession in the arts. Largely a self-taught artist, Sky has spent the past 10 years building a unique body of largely abstract works. He has secured a following both regionally and outside of the U.S. His work was even shown in South Korea during the 2018 Winter Olympic Games in South Korea. I like emotional art art where you are pushed to make your own opinions about it, said Sky. Youre forced to feel it out. From Opitzs beadwork to the thought-provoking abstracts of Sky, each member of Sallys family has dabbled in the arts in some form. But it all started with Sally. Before she had grandchildren or the idea for a family art show, Sallys artistic endeavors and influence long contributed to the vibrant tapestry that is the Helena art community. Sally has been a member of the Helena Art Center for many years, often serving on the board. Her work has been accepted into art shows throughout the region, and she is a signature member in the Montana Watercolor Society. She is the last of the founding members of the Upper Missouri Artists Gallery of Original Art in Helena, which has since changed its name to Mountain Sage Gallery. She also enjoys Sumi-e an oriental style of brush painting of which she has taught classes in and done demonstrations of. Like many great artists, Sallys entrance into her artistic profession had simple beginnings though. I started drawing as a kid, shared Sally. My mom always made sure I had crayons and drawing materials. Sally said her parents encouraged her artistic abilities early on by enrolling her in a correspondence course in high school with the Art Instruction School in Minneapolis. She later attended Montana State University in Bozeman where she studied art and graphic design. While Sally planned to go into the field of graphic design, she was compelled to put her art on the back burner after getting married and starting a family. It wasnt until years later, while watching a Sumi-e demonstration during the Electrum Art Show for adults and children at the civic center, that Sallys artistic flame was reignited. I liked the simplicity of it, said Sally of the Sumi-e style of painting. Its simple yet theres so much philosophy behind it. Years of passion-driven artistic pursuits by Sally and those in her family culminate in the current family exhibit at Queen City Framing. The finished exhibit, 4 Generations, was finally unveiled during an opening reception at Queen City on March 8. It features over two dozen pieces that present a sampling of work from Sally and eight other members of her family. Sally has the most art on display with six total pieces, including a few done in the Sumi-e style. Opitz has two pieces featured a trio of floral nature photographs and a colored pencil drawing titled Many Phases. The Many Phases drawing, which Opitz described as very surreal, proved to be a healing piece for her that was years in the making. Opitz shared that several years ago she suffered an injury that prevented her from working and doing art for a long time. She has only recently returned to her beading and artwork. I have gone through so much on this journey of getting better, reflected Opitz on her Many Phases piece. Its been a very slow process coming. But through patience and dedication of returning to her craft, Opitz found solace once more in her artwork. Its about the power of creation, said Opitz. Its just like a really cool place where you let go and its not just you. Its like you are entwined in spirit and just going for it. The exhibit features two small abstract pieces by Sky. The meaning behind my art is not immediately distinguishable, said Sky. You have to take it in and make your own decisions about it and whether it compels you and how it makes you feel. Its part and parcel to my own emotional and spiritual journey. Its both a cathartic and therapeutic thing. Also featured in the exhibit are works from Sallys other grandchildren and 8-year-old great-granddaughter, Alove Harper. According to Opitz, her daughter Violet Opitz chose to create a work specifically for the exhibit called My Favorite Bouquet, that features six small watercolor drawings of the birth flower of each of her siblings. From young kids just starting to tap into their artistic side to grown adults striving to make a living as professional artists, the flame of Sallys legacy continues to burn brightly on through the generations. Seeing so many loved ones in her family rally behind her idea of a family art exhibit has been a dream come true for her. Its just the fact that we can come together on common ground and enjoy each others company, said Sally. I just feel so fortunate that Ive got my health and can be around to enjoy having this happen. That blessed feeling is one that is shared mutually by those in Sallys family and those who know them. Sallys investment in my art and her interest in it was always a huge push for me, said Sky. Shes always treated me like a peer I wasnt just a kid to her who was starting out. That feedback is invaluable. Theyre very supportive of each other and theyre just so creative in different ways and theyre ok with that, said Deb Parsons, one of the owners of Queen City Framing. They just support what each persons interests are. I think its kinda trickled down from Sally encouraging that. The 4 Generations art show will be on display at Queen City Framing through the end of March. I hope people will think its great that a family can carry on the art tradition and that they enjoy the art even if its not quite what they really like, said Sally. Its a cool, interesting feeling to know that all our work is in one little area, said Opitz. Its almost like were over there having a family gathering but were not really there. Theyre such an interesting family and I think Sally is a treasure for the Helena arts community, said Parsons. Its just fun to support a family like this. I think its a good example for other people to teach your kids some art. Maverik-Adventure's First Stop announced the opening of what the company said is its first Montana location in Helena on Thursday, offering "opening deals" to customers through April 4. The new Maverik station is on 4.6 acres at 3196 Colonial Drive in Helena and will be open 24 hours with RV and truck lanes. It is near the roundabout at Colonial and Saddle drives and by the South Helena interchange at Interstate 15. At one time, the project was estimated to cost about $4.9 million. Maverik in Helena offers an RV dump, picnic area and assisted-checkout registers, with an aim of serving guests on their way to outdoor activities like hiking Mount Helena, going to Holter Lake or heading toward MacDonald Pass, the company said in an email. The 5,900-square-foot location also has made-to-order food options like burritos, tacos, quesadillas, sandwiches, salads, pizza and more. For those who join the Adventure Club or become a Nitro Member, some of the opening day deals the store is offering are a free BonFire Burrito, a one-time use, free fountain refill, a one-time use, buy one get one free on certain bottled drinks and more. Maverik features a broad distribution of stores across the Intermountain West, the part of the country that enjoys significant exposure to outdoor recreation and adventure activities including hiking, mountain climbing, biking, camping, off-roading, canoeing and playing in the abundant State and National Parks," Chuck Maggelet, CEO of Maverik, said in a news release announcing the grand opening. Maverik officials said the store is focused on giving back to the communities it serves in areas like education, local hunger and affordable housing. Last year, the company donated more than $2.6 million to 30 charities across the Maverik footprint. The new Maverik location held its grand opening about a week after the new Butte-based Town Pump location on Montana Avenue opened. Maverik has been approved for a station in Butte. Although officials tout the Helena location being the first in Montana, the company had a store in Bridger built in 1974, but officials said the company decided to close it down in 2018 instead of remodeling it. Maverik has nearly 400 locations across 13 western states Montana, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, New Mexico, Nebraska, Nevada, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. In 2023, Maverik acquired Kum & Go and together the two brands serve customers in over 800 locations across 20 states. Editor's note: This story was updated to clarify that Helena was not the first Maverik location. Wells Fargo has decided to delay closing its Helena Fuller Avenue branch from Wednesday to July 10, a company spokeswoman said. The bank at 415 Fuller Ave. had been set to close at 11 a.m. March 20. The branch will now close 11 a.m. July 10, Jessica Ngai, communications lead for Arizona, Idaho and Montana Wells Fargo public affairs, said in an email. Until then, customers can use the branch and bank with us as they always have, she said. Ngai did not say why the closure was delayed. Employees at this branch will remain employed until then, she said. After that, our leadership team will review staffing needs, and they will make every attempt to place employees in positions in other branches, Ngai said in an email. The Fuller Avenue branch is the only Helena branch that offers an automated teller machine. Once Fuller Avenue closes, customers can use the Helena Downtown branch at 350 N Last Chance Gulch, a few blocks away. Wells Fargo also has a branch at 2950 Prospect Ave. We apologize for any inconvenience this might cause, Ngai said. She was asked about the future of the Last Chance Gulch branch. We are still exploring all the options. No decisions have been made yet, she said. In December, Ngai said that over the last several years, Wells Fargo has rightsized our branch network, and we may continue to combine two older existing branches into one better situated location. Doing so does not take away the importance of our customers and the communities we serve." A Helena nonprofit that has provided workforce development to low-income people for nearly 41 years has announced it will close, saying the states decision to switch from them and go with a for-profit, out-of-state corporation to administer TANF and SNAP funds has forced it to dissolve. It is with a heavy heart and great sadness that I write this, Jasyn Harrington, executive director of the Career Training Institute (CTI), wrote in a March 20 letter to community partners. She said the change has had a devastating impact on CTIs ability to sustain its other programs. And they have met with the new provider, Maximus, and it was apparent that subcontracting would not be feasible. Therefore, after 4+ decades of successfully providing workforce development in the tri-county area, the CTI Executive Board had to make the difficult decision to begin the process of dissolving the Corporation, Harrington wrote. Harrington said CTI had gotten funding from DPHHS to administer Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) since their inception in the 1990s and had worked hard to provide excellent services to clients. We have literally helped thousands of community members to improve their lives, she wrote. She said CTI for decades had a seat at the table during policy discussions, program improvements and data system changes. In August of 2023, DPHHS made a surprising announcement that they were changing direction: letting a pay-for-performance RFP (request for proposal) to contract with a single entity to provide statewide services. She said the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services has said to expect the transition of clients and files to occur sometime between April 1 and June 30. It was reported in February that DPHHS said the overall aim is to instill efficiencies and accountability. Once contract negotiations are complete, DPHHS is excited to partner with Maximus to re-invigorate programs that will put more Montanans back to work and drive their self-sufficiency, DPHHS Director Charlie Brereton said in a statement on the agencys website. The Montana Free Press reported in March that the state will move from about a dozen local providers that were delivering employment and training services around Montana. Under the new model, Maximus plans to have five physical offices, in Helena, Missoula, Great Falls, Bozeman and Billings, and 16 part-time locations across the state. Services will be provided through a mix of in-person meetings and digital platforms. Maximus says on its website it has worked with state, federal and local governments for more than 40 years to provide communities with critical health and human service programs. We leverage our extensive experience to develop high-quality services and solutions that are cost effective and tailored to each communities' unique needs, it says at https://bit.ly/3TmIIhg. Maximus states it gives governments the ability to implement programs rapidly with scalable operations and automated systems. From Medicaid and Medicare to welfare-to-work and program modernization, our comprehensive solutions help governments run effectively and efficiently to achieve their goals, it says. A group of Democrat state lawmakers warned in February that outsourcing could cut 100 jobs at local nonprofit agencies and restrict access to people in need. The governors decision to abandon the local, community-based nonprofits and instead opt for a distant, for-profit Virginia company will close these nonprofits in many cases and harm families across Montana, state Senate Minority Leader Pat Flowers, D-Belgrade, at a news conference in Butte. The lawmakers said Gov. Greg Gianforte waited until late last summer, months after the legislative session was over, to announce his intentions to pay an outside vendor $15 million over the next year to 18 months to run the programs. The governor's office said Thursday he was "encouraged by the reforms DPHHS is putting in place to promote self-sufficiency and get Montanans back on their feet when they fall on hard times." "He's also encouraged that the reforms emphasize a result-oriented partnership with local providers to increase self-sufficiency," a spokeswoman said. Maximus said Friday it has been "successfully operating" in Montana since 1995. In addition to their work for TANF and SNAP with DPHHS, they said they "administer the Montana Recovery Program for the Montana Department of Labor and Industry. Maximus also provides financial consulting services for Montana government agencies and supports local higher education institutions with federal grant compliance." The state said Friday in an email that Maximus works with local providers to meet the needs of TANF and SNAP. "Maximus has already reached out to every current provider, as well as other nonprofits. They continue to welcome opportunities to meet with any community organization that is interested in subcontracting with them," Holly Matkin, DPHHS communications officer said in an email. "Maximus is confident they will have several subcontracts both with some current providers and some new organizations that are in Montana, but not part of the current program," she said. Harrington said CTI, which has 19 employees, did not apply for the contract with the state because it not could not provide services to all of Montanas 56 counties and that a pay-for-performance contract was not feasible for a nonprofit agency. We communicated our concerns with DPHHS, other state agencies, legislators, congressionals, and community members, but to no avail, she wrote. The news of the impending closing of CTI, at 347 N. Last Chance Gulch, brought shock Thursday to some people attending Hometown Helenas weekly meeting. Kelly Cresswell, a former CTI board member, told people at the meeting of Harrington's letter. Jim Smith, meeting moderator and former Helena mayor, noted the lack of several groups that helped people after closing. This is getting kind of old, he said. Helena Industries is gone, the mental health center is gone. Now CTI -- all in the name of sufficiency, centralization But there is a lot to be said for a decentralized, community-based nonprofit organizations that are home-grown and serve people. Harrington, who has been with CTI for 33 years, said in a telephone interview she was still trying to wrap her head around what is happening. A final day has not been determined. Its almost like the end of an era of community-based organizations being a force for helping people improve their lives in the work force, she said. She said she has received a lot of outcry from the community. We see people on the streets who say that You helped me 20 years ago and I would not be where I am at. This place has changed a lot of peoples lives. In a telephone interview. Harrington said they are concerned about their clients and this new direction by the state. The folks we are seeing have several barriers, she said. I hope the new system will help. She said CTI had the only YouthBuild program in the state, in which low-income youth help rebuild their communities and lives. Harrington said CTI had a 20 station state-of-the-art computer lab and had developed a package of services for people to reach their goals. She said she was proud of the work that she and her co-workers have provided. But she fears for the future. I, and many others, have great concerns regarding the new service delivery model DPHHS has chosen and its potential devastating impact on clients, Harrington wrote. Editor's note: Story updated Friday to include comment from state regarding Maximus. Story earlier incorrectly attributed comment from state to Maximus. United Way of the Lewis and Clark Area has launched a fundraising campaign to gather $5 million to purchase the 48-unit Helena Inn to be used for transitional housing. The Housing First Capital Campaign states it is focused on working to provide stable living for people with permanent supportive housing and wrap-around services on site. Organizers plan to fundraise $5 million. The campaign deadlines aim to make an escrow deposit by March 31. There are various levels of sponsorship, with $100,000 to sponsor a suite, which organizers said would transform lives. Those who donate $10,000 are sponsoring a kitchen, which gives recipients a sense of home. Donors can sponsor a bathroom for $2,500, a bed for $750 or a key for $250. To make a donation, go to https://unitedwaylca.org/. The permanent supportive housing model uses a mix of affordable housing and supportive services to help vulnerable people and housing as a platform for health, recovery and personal growth, supporters said. United Way, in a packet describing the fundraiser, said there are 164 unsheltered people living in Lewis and Clark County and 100 people with housing vouchers searching for a place to live. Nearly 70% of low-income people are rent cost burdened. Earlier this month, United Way officials announced they were under contract to purchase the Helena Inn at 3200 N. Oakes St., next to Interstate 15 north of Cedar Street, to be used for transitional living. Emily McVey, United Way director, said at the time they would need about $4 million to buy the inn. She said in early March that discussions are continuing and she was excited about working with other agencies on the project. The United Way fundraising packet notes nine people died in 2023 from causes due to being unsheltered. They said it costs about $27,000 for emergency services of unsheltered people per year. United Way folks also referenced a statistic from a Washington Post from April 2022 that listed Lewis and Clark County as fifth-highest in rent increases in the nation. The rent increased 36.5% to an average rent of $1,263 in Lewis and Clark County. They said the Helena Inn site would provide a permanent supportive housing model and offer stability, allow for the use of vouchers and provide housing for kids aging out of foster care. It would also provide immediate use, affordable rents, room to grow and transitions for clients in Helena-area programs such as YWCA, Family Promise and others. The permanent supportive housing model would also help support vulnerable populations, improve employment rates and overall well-being, and save money on emergency medical services and incarceration costs. And supporters say it would improve community safety, empower self-sufficiency and prevent recidivism. They said the projects relationship adds a vital fourth leg. The model targets households headed by people experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness. The tenant household would ideally pay no more than 30% of their income toward rent. It would also coordinate with key partners to address problems resulting from substance use and mental health and other crises, with a focus on bringing housing stability. United Way of the Lewis and Clark Area was founded in 1941. Originally known as the Community Chest, the program's goal was to raise money to help support other local nonprofit programs. Attorneys representing Montana state officials on Wednesday defended a so-called "double voting" law bearing felony charges for anyone caught registered to vote in two or more places. The Republican-led bill codified criminal charges for anyone who votes in Montana in the same election that they cast a ballot in another state. Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen and Attorney General Austin Knudsen are defendants in the lawsuit. The bill was the first of its kind to be passed in the country, and in October the Republican National Committee joined the case to defend it. Plaintiffs in the federal court case argued Wednesday the measures in House Bill 892, passed by the state Legislature with some bipartisan support last year, should be stalled while the court case plays out. The states biggest union and a left-leaning student organization are challenging the provision that subjects a person to a criminal charge for remaining registered to vote in more than one place. Plaintiff attorney Aria Branch of Elias Law Group, a firm that claims to be the largest legal supporter of Democratic causes, argued on behalf of the plaintiffs. Branch said students in particular could unknowingly run afoul of that provision while exercising their right to vote. In Oregon, that state has an automatic-registration system the state elections office refers to as an opt-out method rather than an opt-in. A freshman student at a Montana university from Oregon may not have opted out, or even known to, when they register on campus in the Treasure State. U.S. District of Montana Chief Judge Brian Morris presided over the hearing Wednesday. "Particularly in this day and age, the fights over election integrity, making sure people aren't double voting is critical to the confidence of our citizens of democracy, he told Branch. "Why isn't outlawing double registration a reasonable step to enforcing the prohibition on no double voting?" The state has already outlawed double voting, Branch said. "If the state has an interest in (banning) double voting, fine, but the law we challenged must be narrowly tailored to meet that interest," Branch said. Branch represents the Montana Public Interest Research Group, an organization that maintains a large voter registration presence on college campuses, and the Montana Federation of Public Employees, the state's public employee union. Those groups say the law has had a chilling effect on their voter registration work. Thane Johnson of the Attorney General's Office made the arguments Wednesday for Knudsen, Jacobsen and Commissioner of Political Practices Chris Gallus, also a defendant. He told Morris on Wednesday the provisions from HB 892 that are currently in place have not led to declines in voter registrations and that the 2023 municipal elections were still a success. In arguments Wednesday, Johnson jumped to referencing Jan. 6, 2021 almost immediately. "Jan. 6 was such an important date because ordinary citizens of the United States feared for the integrity of our voting system," he said. "Literally, neighbors of mine from Kalispell flew all the way to D.C. to participate in that protest. And ordinary citizens did stupid things, I'm not going to give them any passage on that all out of fear of the election integrity of that election." The state has a compelling interest in bolstering that citizen confidence in elections, he argued. Johnson pointed out instances of election integrity issues as troubling to the public: A Boulder man in 2022 intentionally altered his signature to test the system. Timothy McKenrick, a Republican who ran for the state Legislature that year, was caught doing so and pleaded guilty to felony election tampering; he's currently on probation. Two teachers from the Philippines were working in Dodson on temporary visas and cited with falsifying their voter registration prior to the 2021 municipal election. Morris pointed out the laws enforcing election integrity in place prior to HB 892's passage appear to be functional. Ultimately the plaintiffs shoulder the burden of proving the bill harms voters for Morris to grant the injunction. The judge said an order on the injunction request would be forthcoming. SEELEY LAKE Pyramid Mountain Lumber may still have a chance to stay open, but it would take nothing short of a miracle. The company, which announced its impending closure on March 14, said it needs one of two things to stay in business: tens of millions of dollars in investment into automation, or roughly 50 more employees to return the mill to full operational output and increase revenues. The closure will affect about 100 employees and their families. While the money for automation is non-existent within the company, the lack of employees stems from Seeley Lake's longtime standoff with the county government over a community sewer system that's stifling affordable housing. "Without a sewer in this town, (housing) is not a real addressable issue," Pyramid Plant Manager Todd Johnson told the company's contractors during a meeting on Tuesday. Closure appears imminent, but Johnson told the Missoulian there are groups interested in keeping the mill alive. Any action must likely come in the next 60 days. The sheer cliff seems almost insurmountable for Seeley Lake's largest employer. Residents are sounding the alarm of a potential economic backslide for the region, which largely relies on the lumber industry and tourism. Many residents also pointed the finger to septic restrictions imposed by the county. One real estate expert said no duplex or multiplex has been built in the last 30 years in part because of the restrictions. The health department told the Missoulian that such restrictions are necessary to limit groundwater contamination from nitrates, and doubled down that the real solution is a public sewer system. Either way, the effect of septic restrictions has contributed to the mill's closure, which threatens to impact town businesses, schools and could limit logging ponderosa pine across Montana. Closing history Pyramid Mountain Lumber has operated for more than seven decades, founded by Fred Johnson and Oscar Mood in 1949 before electricity or paved roads in Seeley Lake. Pyramid has stayed in the family, with Roger Johnson later succeeding Fred as the president. His son, Todd, has worked as plant manager for the last few years. Todd Johnson said Pyramid has tried to stay open in recent years despite worsening financial troubles. The mill has operated short-staffed for the last 10 years, which Todd Johnson said is the real reason for the closure. "The only way we can increase revenue is if we increase production, but we can't do that with no one to work," he said. Johnson also expected more employees to leave the company soon. More than a third of the remaining mill workers are older and likely to retire in the next two or three years. Mill controller Wendy Dalrymple said Pyramid attempted to modernize its system during the COVID-19 pandemic to maximize output with fewer people, using revenue from the increased price of wood to make millions in investments. But Johnson said during a stakeholder meeting that the older layout of the mill still requires a larger number of workers. He said a new facility would have to be built for an automated mill. Meanwhile, the price of wood has dropped from its peak in 2021. The index price of lumber spiked at $1,700 per 1,000 board feet in May 2021 then went down to $607 as of March 20, according to Trading Economics. It just didn't make sense to keep operating, Todd Johnson said, but he added that the main underlying issue is the lack of a sewer and strict septic restrictions in Seeley Lake, creating a chokehold on the town's affordable housing. Special management Missoula County imposed a Special Management District over most of Seeley Lake in 2015 to limit nitrate contamination from septic systems. The area encompasses the central town area and Seeley Swan High School. The health department said restrictions are necessary to protect the area environment, while local business leaders said the district is too restrictive of development. Jeanna Miller, an environmental health supervisor with the health department, said the county must balance private property rights and the health of the groundwater, meaning restrictions on the town are necessary. "A lack of a public sewer system has really limited people's options," Miller said. Seeley Lake had the opportunity to build a $12 million sewer system and $5 million collection system in 2021. The proposal included more than $10 million in grants and would require residents to pay about $29 a month. Voters defeated the proposal, with some residents saying the prices were too high. That has left the county with no forward path forward, Miller said. Nitrates, or hazardous minerals that come from septic systems, were charted above state-approved levels around the special management area in a recent 2023 study. The end result is a strict septic permitting system just updated last fall. New construction must have a higher level of nitrate prevention, which in turn increases the cost of a septic system. Some new systems would cost upward of $60,000, though the county does not ban any housing projects in the area. Pyramid attempted to build affordable worker housing, or a "man camp," in 2021, but the project did not go forward because of the septic costs, Todd Johnson said. "It would have cost us $800,000 just for the septic. It just wouldn't be feasible and was really just a Band-Aid to the problem," Todd Johnson said. Pyramid is not a part of the special management area, but all septic permits in Missoula County go through permit application and fees. A majority of the mill's employees do live in the management area, and new housing in the SMA is hard to come by. Kevin Wetherell is a Realtor with Clearwater Montana Properties and tracks the area's home prices and sales. He said while the housing market cooled last year, Seeley Lake stagnated because of zero growth for new housing. He said 14 houses have stayed on the market for the last few months, all single-family homes. Wetherell said property covenants across the area restrict multi-family homes, part of the reason no duplex has been built there in 30 years. Wetherell also said the county's recent tightening of septic restrictions has limited growth opportunities. He said his recent subdivision, Alpine Trails, will likely not get developed because of the more expensive septic prices. "The health department is exercising a discretionary rule for septic system permitting, recently rendering over 50 vacant lots to be cost prohibitive to build," Wetherell said. "Many are the same lots that Missoula County approved for construction using more affordable septic systems only two years ago." Seeley ripple effects Shawn Holmes is principal of Seeley Swan High School, whose roughly 100 students come from Condon to Ovando. He said the school will likely take a hit from the loss of mill employees. He said enrollment has dropped since its 180-student peak in the 1990s, but he has concerns it will drop even more after the closure of Pyramid, although the effects might be delayed a year or two. "We will lose population," Holmes said. "Parents will move out and no one is planning to move in. It really stagnates us as a school." It is unclear how many families the closure will affect, Holmes said, but he did note that many of Pyramid's employees are older with no school-age children. He said he talked with the Superior Public School District, which dealt with a local mill closure in 2021. While student enrollment dropped for three years, the head count eventually rebounded. At the same time, the SSHS is struggling to keep its employees because of high housing prices. Holmes said the school planned to create teacher housing on its property, which stretches into the woods around the school building. But the new special management restrictions ended those plans, as Holmes said the project would be too expensive. "Apparently we are in the special management area and the price for a septic system would be $60,000," Holmes said. "There's no way I could swing that." The expensive housing has changed who is coming into Seeley Lake, Community Council Chair Tom Browder said, as the lack of good-paying jobs has led to more retirees and remote workers. "Everyone knows Seeley has a layer of retirees in the community," said Browder, a retiree himself. "Those folks can bring some money into the community, but they are not always there or creating local jobs." The other group is smaller, but Browder said remote workers have also started to call Seeley Lake home. He said hospitality workers will become the No. 1 industry, but the tourism market is mainly in the summer. The council will try to address the loss of Pyramid by bolstering these three groups, Browder said, including looking to improve internet access and building a more robust health care system, which currently consists of a weekday-only clinic. Seeley Lake Community Foundation Executive Director Claire Muller said the closure could create an economic disaster for the town, as many of the local businesses work together to meet the community's needs. Seeley Lake is unincorporated, meaning it has no local government. It is too early to see how the closure will affect programs like the foundation's annual fundraiser, Muller said, but she noted the people of Seeley Lake are very generous, and fewer people around could make helping people with food or utilities more difficult. "It's important to hold a space for grief right now; we need to recognize in the aftermath that there is a lot of fear and uncertainty," Muller said. Logging ripple effects During a one-hour meeting between Pyramid and contracted loggers on Tuesday, it became clear the closure would hurt independent loggers and the future of the ponderosa pine industry. About 57% of the mill's logs come from outside contracts, according to Pyramid Resource Manager Gordy Sanders. That means groups from around the state will need to find a new place to send their logs, with the next closest location likely hundreds of miles farther than Seeley Lake. More than 60 truckers, loggers and forestry health experts listened in silence to the Pyramid lumber team. Pyramid is also the largest producer of ponderosa pine in western Montana. Only two other mills even accept the species, but neither heavily processes it. Johnson said ponderosa pine is a challenge, but Pyramid has been doing it for years. Currently, 33% of the company's wood output is ponderosa pine and, at times, that figure reaches over 50%. Ponderosa pine is one of the most prominent trees in western Montana, but lumber mills generally avoid the wood because other trees are easier to process. "Without this mill, the value of pine logs of western Montana will decline drastically to say the least," said Dalrymple, the controller. Some forest managers are now concerned that it won't be cost effective to manage many of western Montana's forests, leaving the potential for wildfires to burn more powerfully with more fuel on the ground. "Anyway you cut that, it's a bad economic choice, it's a bad social choice and it is bad for the environment," said Dave Atkins, president of the Montana Forest Owners Association. Pyramid also provides byproduct like wood chips and other residual from logs that is then sold to other companies to create plywood and other products. There are still many unknowns, including what will happen to the mill site if the closure is finalized this year. Todd Johnson, who has worked for Pyramid all his life, hopes somehow that it doesn't come to that. "You try to separate the emotions, but you can't because it's personal," he said. "This is a family business; my grandfather started it with his partner, so the emotional side of it is there, whether you like it or not. It's the end of a legacy." Over a century ago, Teddy Roosevelt became president of the United States. He and his friend, Congressman Joseph Dixon from Montana, shared a dream. They wanted to curb the overbearing power of corporations and return political power to average citizens. Their plan included putting the Initiative and Referendum Process (I&R) into every state constitution. Rep. Dixon liked to answer critics of the I&R with: the remedy for the evils of Democracy ... is more democracy. The broader the foundations of all things political, the surer the foundations, and the less opportunity for commercial politics. In Montana, a like-minded Democrat led the effort to give Montana the I&R Gov. Joseph Toole. He said of the I&R, I know of nothing more in accord with the genius and spirit of democratic institutions than what is popularly known as Direct Legislation.....It is a sure weapon with which to fight the briber and the lobbyist and drive them, like Hagar, into the wilderness. In the winter of 1903, the Amalgamated Copper Co. abruptly shut down its extensive operations. A panicked state Legislature went into special session in an effort to reopen the mines. This blatant display of corporate power and its implications were apparent. There would be only a short time for Montanans to find a way to counter the complete corporate control of state government. The Line is Drawn in 1905 Montana was no longer a frontier. Its modernizing society needed to change outdated laws to address new economic realities. If Montana fell completely under the sway of a powerful corporation, the government would function more like a colony than a state. The corporations already had powerful lobbyists in Helena. Each was skilled at promoting corporate interests and blocking any legislation that threatened corporate power. Their methods were astonishing. One tactic was subtle but almost always effective. A company-leaning legislator would offer up an emotional but meaningless red herring bill to draw attention away from important legislation. In the 1905 legislative session, the lobbyists came prepared to see that an amendment to the Constitution establishing the Initiative and Referendum would not be placed on the ballot. They considered it an easy task. The bill needed two thirds vote in each house to put it on the ballot. Gov. Toole opposed the company lobbyists and saw this session as pay-back time for the humiliating mine closure fight. The I&R amendment was introduced as House Bill 1. The corporate lobbyists urged friendly legislators to introduce I&R bills of their own. One became known as the Closely Guarded Initiative. It required a high percentage of signatures and distribution quotas. Then other legislators filed dozens of amendments to really muddle the debate. Right on schedule the red herring appeared. It was a bill to place the site of the new equestrian statue of Territorial Gov. Thomas F. Meagher just outside the back door. Back of the hand comments mentioned something about him being Irish. In early February, the House debated the statue most of a day while the newspapers faithfully reported every mind-numbing detail. And at the end of the day, the House postponed the debate because they still could not decide where the statue would go. However, the I&R proponents stayed focused, sorted through conflicting amendments, and presented a workable compromise. After hours of debate, a vote on compromise Bill 1 died, one vote shy. Repercussions The Helena Daily Independent headline read: "INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM MEASURE SHY ONE VOTE ON ITS PASSAGE." The Havre Plaindealer reported: It is probable that no initiative measure will be passed by the legislature despite all political parties declaring for it in their platforms. Dismayed Montanans took action. They filled the House balcony every day. Reporters described them as disgruntled then restive. Finally, derisive became the adjective when large, burly men occupied the front row of balcony seats. Montanans back home sent petitions demanding passage of an I&R bill. Under constituent pressure, the House debated other I&R bills. In late February, the representatives found language that was acceptable in HB 286 and dubbed it the Closely Guarded Initiative. The final vote in the House and Senate was unanimous in favor of putting the I&R Amendment on the ballot! When the session closed on March 2, 1905, Gov. Toole celebrated with a grand ceremony to announce that the I&R amendment would be on the November 1906 ballot. On Dec. 7, 1906, when he proclaimed the passage of the I&R amendment, he said that, except in the case of certain laws, the people were made paramount to the Legislature and governor. Looking back Looking back over 110 years, the Initiative and Referendum in Montana failed to curb corporate excess. This was because the original I&R bill was significantly altered then defeated by corporate lobbying. However, the Montana I&R is a success. Citizens have shaped laws with the I&R that addressed changing times, especially when the Legislature refused to act. Initiatives equalized taxation so the mines would pay their fair share, provided for farm loans, established open primary elections, allowed voters to select Senators, established the 10-year university mill levy, regulated lobbyist, and addressed many other important issues. The Referendum process was used to reverse laws that would abolish the open primary, expand the use of the state militia in 1912, charge $25 for a marriage license in 1935, overpay agents who insured public buildings, increase taxes by $78 million, and many other unpopular laws. Epilogue: In 1976, a new Montana Constitution strengthened the Initiative and Referendum process and allowed for the Local I&R and Constitutional Initiatives. And, the Statue of Territorial Governor Meagher was placed in front of the Capitol where it was always meant to go. Nothing ever stays the same, and if we look at agriculture and beyond, the world has undergone tremendous change over the last two centuries. What has been the most important and impactful invention for agriculture the last 150 to 200 years? Geopolitical analyst Jacob Shapiro answered that question during his presentation at the Professional Dairy Producers (PDP) Business Conference held last week in Madison, Wis. The most important invention of the past 150 to 200 years is not the iPhone, its not semiconductors, its not the internet, its not cars, he stated. Its fertilizer. Shapiro, a partner with Cognitive Investments, shared a graph showing that nitrogen fertilizer usage really took off around the time of World War I. Total world population started to grow as fertilizer production expanded, and that is why Shaprio said this invention was so important. Today, about half the worlds population is completely dependent on food products grown with fertilizer. One by-product of fertilizer use and agricultural efficiency is that, as farmers produce more and more food, the price of food goes down. We continue to produce more with that fertilizer, and we are feeding more and more people, but ironically, the more milk you produce, and the more corn you grow, the lower your price goes and the harder it is to stay in business, Shapiro recognized. Shapiro said we have known about this problem for quite some time. In fact, when Herbert Hoover was head of the U.S. Department of Agriculture prior to his presidency, he saw a big opportunity for farmers who were struggling to make a profit selling to only U.S. consumers because of advances that had bolstered productivity. He recognized the need for food in Europe, where the agricultural complex had been destroyed by World War I. He also thought by supporting Europe, he could kill two birds with one stone and nip the rise of communism and fascism in the bud. That did not happen, Shapiro said, but he did save the U.S. farmer. Since then, export markets have been a big part of U.S. agriculture. However, Shapiro noted that the world, specifically the global food system, is undergoing fundamental change that hasnt been seen in 100 years. The global food system, he explained, was set up for a unipolar world, where the U.S. was the dominant power. The U.S. has been the dominant global power for the last 35 years, and for the 60 to 70 years before that, Shapiro said the world was bipolar, with the U.S. and Soviet Union standing as the most powerful countries. Shapiro believes we are now headed toward a multipolar world, where no one country is dominant. The last time we truly had a multipolar world, Shapiro said, was in the 1890s. He explained that exports are not going away, but there are countries that have chosen to import food rather than grow it because they could import it inexpensively. If we become a multipolar world, some of these countries may decide they dont want to rely on imports anymore and will produce more food themselves. For too long, we thought of the world as a single market, Shapiro explained, where low prices and friendly relationships would mean we always had buyers for our products. But today, it is not one global market, and export opportunities will depend on where the U.S. has advantages and good political relationships. You may think geopolitics has nothing to do with U.S. agriculture, but I will tell you, it is right at the core of everything, Shapiro said. To comment, email your remarks to intel@hoards.com. (c) Hoard's Dairyman Intel 2024 March 18, 2024 Australia is blowing so many R&D opprtunities to its detriment. Photo: Shutterstock Chipmaker Nvidias breakneck growth is yet another massive missed opportunity and a reminder of the failures of an Australian R&D and advanced manufacturing ecosystem that, one science leader has warned, urgently needs bold investment in ideas and innovation. That particular opportunity, president of Science and Technology Australia (STA) Professor Sharath Sriram told the National Press Club, came 25 years ago when the Victorian Government invested millions in a Chip Skills program designed to build a domestic industry for microprocessor design. With the support of RMIT University where Sriram leads the Functional Materials and Microsystems Research Group and international partners in Korea, Japan, Germany and elsewhere, the program grew from 30 students to over 200 per year and was poised to make Melbourne a world leader in chip development. Yet despite government rhetoric and industry hopes, Australia which was caught in the death throes of domestic computer manufacturing failed to back its skills investment with domestic chip manufacturing capabilities. The engineers it trained were lured offshore by international partners, who backed out of Australia within a decade turning instead to more progressive countries where billions in early investment have fostered thriving semiconductor ecosystems that have become national industrial and economic assets. The recent explosion in value of Nvidia the American chipmaker whose shares have more than doubled since January as it barnstorms the emerging market for infrastructure to enable compute-heavy artificial intelligence (AI) systems highlights just how badly Australia squandered what Sriram called a massive missed opportunity. Microchips are at the heart of every advance our country is prioritising and investing in, he said, including quantum computing, AI, digital health, advanced manufacturing, and clean energy. Noting OpenAIs plan to raise $US7 trillion for AI chip manufacturing, Indias recent approval of three new semiconductor facilities worth $23 billion (US$15.2 billion) and Singapores announcement this month that it will invest $1.13 billion (S$1 billion) in AI infrastructure over five years as it seeks to become the Silicon Valley of Asia Srirath said this is what Australia has missed out on. Imagine what we could have been doing if we were making microchips here and supplying the world. Australian innovators jumping ship Sriram joins a chorus of academics, business, research and technology leaders who believe Australia has consistently mismanaged its R&D spending and priorities underfunding growth areas, reversing investments made by earlier governments, and avoiding the long-term commitments necessary to thrive in fiercely competitive global markets. With many policies focused on building skills pipelines and letting the industry take care of the rest the new National AI Centre, for example, has been criticised for the governments minimal investment entrepreneurs continue to abandon Australia, with Canvas founders recently saying they will list on US sharemarkets because Australian investors dont understand tech as well. It's a story that Sriram a research translation expert who specialises in finding commercial applications for fundamental research discoveries in fields such as electronics, communications, and biomedicine has heard time and again. He cited the example of Melbourne innovator Sleeptite which worked with RMIT University to develop printable sensors that could be embedded into rubber, and attached to sheets to monitor aged care residents as yet another victim of Australias misaligned research and manufacturing priorities. While Melbourne researchers spent over two years advancing their technology from concept to product, Sriram said, when it came time to manufacture Sleeptite prototypes, the company had no choice but to look overseas. There was a lack of prototyping facilities locally, he said, so we had to send it overseas and risked valuable intellectual property by sharing it and it was not a secret anymore. With Australias R&D spend just 1.68 per cent of GDP barely half the OECD average of 2.7 per cent and a country mile behind top performers like South Korea (4.9 per cent) and the US (3.5 per cent) Sriram said we cannot escape the fact that woefully low investment in R&D is holding our country back, leading to our best ideas going overseas to our international competitors. Noting that our undiversified economy is still based on digging demand-sensitive commodities out of the ground, Sriram echoed recurring industry concerns that despite being the worlds ninth richest country, lack of ambition, and inadequate investment vision had left Australias economy ranked 93 out of 133 countries becoming less complex over the past decade as other countries leaped ahead. While many countries realised the value of science through the COVID-19 pandemic and invested in sovereign capabilities to buffer themselves from global supply-chain risks, Sriram said, Australia did not and as a consequence we fell further behind. But can we right the ship in time? If Australia was investing 3 per cent of GDP in R&D right now, he said, the economy would be $100 billion better off, with an additional 42,000 high-value jobs [that] would transform Australias economy. But Australia is now so far behind, he said, that it urgently needs deep investment, bold investment in ideas and innovation, and to talk about the cost of failing to use our potential, and the damage it will do to our future prosperity. Scientists embody humanitys timeless curiosity and are continuing to find innovative opportunities for economic growth but without a deep, long term and sustained funding strategy with boldness, he said, Australias intellectual property will slip through our hands. We cant let history keep repeating. Ideas are precious, Sriram continued. They are the source of future jobs and growth. They really are our national inheritance but all the research done here is creating enormous companies, billionaires, and thousands upon thousands of jobs elsewhere. And when we give up our ideas, theyre never coming back. ANTIOCH, Calif. For one afternoon, on Antiochs main street and tranquil riverbank, the fragrance of burning incense was paired with the sound of Buddhist and Tao chants. Their cumulative calming energy was meant to be a balm of sorts to soothe the racial and religious hate that cast a shadow on Antiochs legacy. Antiochs dark past, specifically its horrific mistreatment of early Chinese immigrants, motivated about 200 Buddhists to undertake a recent pilgrimage to the city of about 115,000, tucked deep in the delta that drains into the San Francisco Bay. Their goal was to supplant the negative with the positive by reconciling a dreadful past and anxiety-filled present both time periods when Asian Americans nationwide have faced hate and discrimination with the hope for a more egalitarian and harmonious future. In the 1800s, thousands of Chinese immigrants came to the area during the gold rush to work in mines, and build railroads and levees. Those who lived in Antioch were subject to sundown laws and used secret tunnels to commute to and from work, according to local newspaper reports. Eventually, the citys Chinatown spanning a couple of city blocks which also housed a Buddhist/Tao temple where new immigrants congregated was burned down. On Saturday, the group of Buddhists gathered for the pilgrimage, an event they titled May We Gather. It was intentionally scheduled on the third anniversary of the Atlanta mass shooting when a white gunman targeted female employees at Asian American massage parlors because he saw them as sources of temptation. Six of the eight victims were women of Asian descent. Duncan Williams, a Soto Zen priest of Japanese descent and one of the events organizers, said the Atlanta killings bore eerie similarity to Antioch in 1876 when raging locals burned down the homes of Chinese women branded as sex workers. In 2021, Antioch became the first U.S. city to issue a public apology for the mistreatment of early Chinese immigrants during the gold rush. Williams, who also is a religion professor at the University of Southern California, said event organizers desired not just a political reaction, but a Buddhist response that draws on our teachings and practice, which aims to honor ancestors and heal racial trauma, past and present. So in Antiochs El Campanil Theatre, a gathering of Buddhist monks and leaders from across the diaspora engaged in a process of karmic healing. They offered chants and prayers at the altar of the thousand-armed Guan Yin, the goddess of mercy and compassion. Four tablets rested at the altar bearing the names of victims of hate and violence. The Buddhists in attendance came from various countries and traditions Chinese, Vietnamese, Japanese, Korean, Laotian, Thai, Tibetan, Indian and Sri Lankan. Holy chants rang out in multiple languages including Pali, the antiquated language closest to what the Buddha himself spoke. Grace Song, an ordained minister and a department chair at the Won Institute of Graduate Studies in Warminster, Pennsylvania, said she had never been part of a peace-building event that celebrated diverse Buddhist traditions until now. I hope we get closer, build solidarity and support each other as we deepen our roots in this country, she said. Khenpo Paljor, a Tibetan lama from Des Moines, Iowa, offered prayers at the Birthplace of Antioch marker erected in 1850 by the first European settlers. Here, attendees placed multi-colored Tibetan kata, which are traditional prayer scarves. Williams said the colored scarves reflect a Buddhist scripture that speaks of pure souls as colored lights shining in unison, with none canceling out the others. For Cristina Moon, a Honolulu-based Zen priest, karmic healing is the process of changing our relationship to what happened and the ways in which we can control how to act in the future. Its important we recognize what happened and acknowledge its uncomfortable, she said. Its about not getting stuck in a painful past but moving forward in a positive manner. Russell Jeung, co-founder of Stop AAPI Hate, sees these Buddhist ceremonies as Asian Americans reclaiming their traditions to recover in the face of moral injury. When Trump mocked Asians and stigmatized the group by calling (COVID) the Chinese virus, that really is a case of moral injury, where we as Americans are betrayed by our elected officials, Jeung said. Hatred of the Chinese during the gold rush was fueled by political rhetoric as well. The only article that addressed a racial or ethnic group in Californias constitution, which was ratified in 1879, stated that no Chinese shall be employed on any State, county, municipal or other public work, except in punishment for crime. The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 barred Chinese laborers from immigrating. Kaishin Victory Matsui, a priest at the Brooklyn Zen Center, said faith can be used as a way to heal the harm of racism. We come to these historic sites where trauma has occurred to bring peace and healing, she said. The idea is to remember the past so it is not forgotten. This event connects Asians across time and ethnicity, and reminds us of how vast and powerful we are. Bhikkhunis (Buddhist nuns) Hyokeun and Hyung Jeon from the Korean Borisa Zen Center in Las Vegas, offered a white, ceramic lotus to Guan Yin during the ceremony. The lotus flower is sacred in Buddhism because it maintains its purity and beauty despite growing in the mud, Hyokeun said. Hatred cannot solve hatred, only compassion can. Tao Master Eman, a priest from the First Taoist Foundation in Arcadia, California, performed a ritual on the riverbank as participants walked silently around the block where Chinatown and its temple stood nearly 150 years ago. Eman said he called on traumatized spirits and comforted them, so they can move on to a better place. For some like Myokei Caine-Barrett, who leads a multi-ethnic Nichiren Shu Buddhist temple in Houston, coming here was about healing her own trauma. She is half Japanese and half African American, and said her faith has given her the foundation to claim all of myself. Buddhism teaches us that we cannot control how people receive us, but we can control how we respond, she said. Not all Asians look alike, but we are all still Asian. Our goal is recognizing and respecting each other, period. One of the attendees was Sasanna Yee, who has been speaking out about anti-Asian hate since her 88-year-old grandmother, Yik Oi Huang, was fatally beaten in January 2019 in a San Francisco park. Authorities charged a then 17-year-old boy in the attack. Huang died the following year. Yee, who offered prayers and a memorial tablet at the altar where her grandmother was memorialized, saw the event as healing. This is a really beautiful solution to move us into the future where we connect over shared hopes and dreams, she said. Long-time Antioch residents viewed the event as necessary for the city to move away from its traumatic past and become more inclusive. Antioch made headlines recently after several civil rights lawsuits involving 20 plaintiffs alleged they were victims of police misconduct, excessive force and racial profiling. Karen J. Oliver said she was horrified but not surprised to learn about how her city had mistreated Chinese immigrants. We all need peace and reconciliation and whatever road we can find it on, we need to take that road, she said. Frank Sterling, who has Indigenous roots, saw the Buddhist rituals as a major step in healing the entire community. You cant do that until you acknowledge the past and there is a lot for us to move on from, he said. This is a good start. Annual McGill barbecue The 18th annual barbecue at McGill Baptist Church, 5300 Poplar Tent Road, will be from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., eat-in or takeout. The cost is $12 for a plate or for three sandwiches. David Childers will be entertaining at noon and 5 p.m. Carolina The Band in concert Lowesville Gospel Concerts will hold its next concert Saturday, March 23, at 5 p.m. and will feature Carolina The Band. Carolina The Band is high energy for sure, will be a blessing, will keep you laughing, just dont be late for this one. Hey seniors, if you are 45 minutes away or less from us, you should get home before dark, so bring it on. All our concerts are no admission cost, so bring a friend and come enjoy. Everest Grill will be open to serve you before or after the concert, which will be at Vineyard Church, 1062 NC 16 Business, Stanley (Lowesville). Friend Day at Rodgers Park Rodgers Park Baptist Church will host Friend Day on Sunday, March 24 at 10:45 a.m. A covered dish meal will follow the service. The church is located at 309 E. 24th St., Kannapolis. Palm Sunday at Mt. Mitchell Palm Sunday worship at Mt. Mitchell Global Methodist Church will be March 24 at 11 a.m. A covered dish meal and Easter Egg Hunt will follow. The church is located at 6001 Old Salisbury-Concord Road, Kannapolis. Calvary Lenten retreat A second Lenten retreat will be held at Calvary Lutheran Church from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 23. All are welcome to attend this first of two Lenten retreats as we learn about incorporating healing actions into our lives. Calvary Lutheran Church is at 950 Bradley St., Concord. Refreshments will be served. New GriefShare program A GriefShare program will be hosted by Cold Springs Global Methodist on Sundays through April 21, from 3:30-5 p.m. for those dealing with life stresses following the loss of a loved one. For more information and to register, go to griefshare.org/findagroup or call the church office at 704-782-1811. Oak Grove starting GriefShare program GriefShare support group spring sessions will be Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Oak Grove Baptist Church, room 23, through May 11. Register at GriefShare.org, use ZIP code 28075. The church is located at 200 Sims Parkway, Harrisburg. For more information, call 704-455-2763. Maundy Thursday and Good Friday Maundy Thursday service will be observed March 28 at 7 p.m. at Mt. Mitchell Global Methodist Church. Good Friday service will be held March 29 at 7 p.m. The church is located at 6001 Old Salisbury-Concord Road, Kannapolis. Calvary Maundy Thursday Maundy Thursday worship at Calvary Lutheran Church will be Thursday, March 28 at 7 p.m. Our eyes will be on Jesus healing action of washing his disciples feet on the night before his crucifixion. Calvary Lutheran Church is at 950 Bradley St., Concord. Grace Church Maundy Thursday Grace Church of Concord A Global Methodist Community will have Maundy Thursday service on March 28 at 6 p.m. at the Grace Church Worship Center. Upper Room Communion will be served to tables of twelve. The church is located at 28-B Branchview Drive NE, Concord. Grace Good Friday service Grace Church of Concord A Global Methodist Community will observe Good Friday on March 29 at 6 p.m. Good Friday service will be held at the barn at Green Leaf Farms. Pastor Mikes message will be The Old Rugged Cross based on Luke 23:32-49. All are welcome to join us as we progress towards a triumphant Easter Sunday. Good Friday prayer vigil A Good Friday prayer vigil will be held at Calvary Lutheran Church Friday, March 29, from noon to 5 p.m. Come by for quiet prayer in the sanctuary. Devotionals will be provided. Calvary Lutheran Church is located 950 Bradley St., Concord. Good Friday Tenebrae worship The Good Friday Tenebrae worship service will be at 7:45 p.m. Friday, March 29, at Calvary Lutheran Church. In the light and darkness of this service we experience what Jesus went through to bring healing, wholeness and salvation to all creation. All are welcome to join us for this powerful service. The church is at 950 Bradley St., Concord. Calvary Easter Sunrise An Easter Sunrise service will be held at 6:30 a.m. Sunday, March 31, at Calvary Lutheran Church. Meet us at the outdoor chapel (or outdoor shelter if raining) as we watch the sun rise and begin the celebration of Easter. Calvary Lutheran Church is at 950 Bradley St., Concord. All are welcome. Easter worship service The Easter worship services at Calvary Lutheran Church will be at 8:30 and 11 a.m. Sunday, March 31. Celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. Calvary Lutheran Church is at 950 Bradley St., Concord. Easter Sunrise service Mt. Mitchell Global Methodist Church Sunrise service will be observed March 31 at 7 a.m. Breakfast will be provided following the Sunrise service. The church is located at 6001 Old Salisbury-Concord Road, Kannapolis. Easter Worship Services at Rodgers Park Celebrate Resurrection Sunday on March 31 at 8 a.m. with Jerry Harris, and breakfast to follow at Rodgers Park Baptist Church. Sunday school is at 9:45 a.m. Easter worship service begins at 10:45 a.m. There will be no night service. Rodgers Park Baptist Church is located at 309 E. 24th St., Kannapolis. Apocalyptic Bible study James Fore hosts an Uncovering Apocalyptic weekly Bible study every Monday at 1:30 p.m. in the parlor at Calvary Lutheran Church, Concord. All are welcome. How Great Thou Art drawing class James Fore leads a weekly drawing class, How Great Thou Art, every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall at Calvary Lutheran Church, Concord. All are welcome. Bring paper and pencil. Call the church office at 704-782-6923 for more details. Fresh produce and more The Bulb Market at Grace Lutheran Church is open every Friday from 3-4 p.m. with fresh produce for the community. Cabarrus Rowan Community Health Center will be offering primary care and basic health screenings on-site at the church on the second Friday of each month. Grace Lutheran is at 58 Chestnut Drive, Concord. Sportscenter weekly Bible study Join Calvary Lutheran Church for its Sportscenter weekly Bible study. Pastor Debbie Frye hosts the study every Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. at the Sportscenter, 233 Country Club Drive NE, Concord. Centering Prayer weekly via Zoom This Centering Prayer Group meets every Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. via Zoom. All are welcome. For the Zoom link, check the Calvary Lutheran Church Facebook page or website http://www.clconcord.org, or call the church office at 704-782-6923. Nearly 50 people protested the appearance of a former Israeli Defense Force officer at the Agape Faith Church in Clemmons, saying that Israel is committing genocide in its war with Hamas militants in Gaza. The demonstrators carried signs and banners while they stood on the sidewalk in front of the church. A banner said, Free Palestine, From the River to the Sea. They chanted slogans such as Occupation is a crime and Palestine will be free. The protesters gathered in front of Agape Faith Church because former IDF Col. Dany Tirza, a chief planner of the Israeli border fence on the West Bank, was the scheduled speaker Tuesday night at the church. A tense moment happened when Annalise Sattler of Walkertown, a demonstrator, stood in the churchs driveway, blocking a car from traveling to the churchs parking lot. A few minutes later, two Forsyth County sheriffs deputies approached Sattler who held a sign saying, End the Genocide. One of the deputies told Sattler to stay on the sidewalk with everyone else. Sattler initially didnt move and continued to block the car. Both deputies then physically moved Sattler to the curb, and the cars driver drove her vehicle into the churchs parking lot. The deputies didnt arrest Sattler. Sattler said later she was willing to be arrested. If they arrested me, thats nothing compared to the systematic starvation of civilians, the bombing of hospitals, the abduction of journalists and the myriad of war crimes committed against the Palestinian people. Many churches and evangelical Christians, particularly in the United States, are among the strongest supporters of Israel, viewing it as the fulfillment of biblical prophecy. Officials with the Agape Faith Church couldnt be reached Tuesday night to comment on the protest. Famine is imminent in northern Gaza, where 70% of people are experiencing catastrophic hunger, according to a report Monday that warned escalation of the war could push half of Gazas total population to the brink of starvation. The Gaza Health Ministry said Monday that at least 31,726 Palestinians have been killed in Israels offensive. The ministry doesnt differentiate between civilians and combatants in its count, but it says women and children make up two-thirds of the dead. Palestinian militants killed some 1,200 people in Hamas Oct. 7 attack into southern Israel that triggered the war, and took another 250 people hostage. Hamas is still believed to be holding about 100 captives, as well as the remains of 30 others, after most of the rest were freed during a cease-fire last year. In Clemmons, the demonstrators chanted their criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Joe Biden and U.S. Rep. Kathy Manning, D-6th. Netanyahu, you cant hide. You are committing genocide, the protesters said. Biden, Biden, what do you see. You are on a killing spree. The demonstrators also chanted, Kathy Manning, youre a liar. We demand a cease fire. Biden and Manning say they support Israels right to defend itself. The protesters also chanted their support for Gaza and Palestine. Mir Yarfitz of Winston-Salem, a demonstrator, said he participated in the protest as a member of the group, Jewish People for Peace. It is very important to me as an American Jew to make it clear to the public in Winston-Salem and to this church that not all Jews support the genocide of the Israeli government to the Palestinian people, Yarfitz said. Yarfitz also defended the protesters chanting the slogan From the River to the Sea, which some critics say is anti-Semitic. Yarfitz acknowledged that the slogan is controversial, but to me as a member of a people who has experienced genocide, we dont claim to be unique victims of genocide. We should stop all genocide. Palestinians use the slogans to express their desire to be free from oppression, he said. Sarra Alqahtani of Winston-Salem said she joined the demonstration to express her displeasure with the church. Im upset about what the church is doing here, Alqahtani said. There is genocide going on, and they are honoring Israel. N.C. House Rep. Kevin Crutchfield and Holly Edwards, who both lost close Republican primary races earlier this month, have filed election protests with the Cabarrus County Board of Elections. Cabarrus County Board of Elections director Carol Soles acknowledged that both Crutchfield and Edwards filed protests. Crutchfield is concerned that the Cabarrus County Republican Party exercised undue influence over primary voters by encouraging them to vote for certain Republican candidates over others. I filed the protest to defend the voters right to a free and fair election, Crutchfield told the paper in a statement. He noted the election was directly influenced and altered by the deceitful and improper conduct of his opponent Brian Echevarria and certain members of the Cabarrus County GOP Executive Committee. A We The People yellow flyer detailing a sample ballot of which GOP candidates to vote for was heavily promoted by certain Republican candidates in the runup to the primary election and distributed to people as they prepared to vote. Political parties, both Republican and Democratic, are not allowed to endorse or show favor to a particular candidate in the primary. Crutchfield, who is the N.C. House District 83 incumbent, told the paper that he heard from someone that the flyer was even taped inside a voting booth at one of the precincts. The paper cannot independently verify the claim, but Soles, the election director, said Holly Edwards called her to make her aware that a voter saw the flyer inside a voting booth at the Valor Preparatory Academy precinct. Crutchfield said that We The People is not a registered Political Action Committee or any other organization; it is simply the name that a handful of individuals involved with the Cabarrus County GOP came up with. Yet the flyers likely had incredible influence over voters, he said. The sample ballot gives every impression to a typical voter that it came from the Cabarrus County GOP or, at a minimum, from an actual organization with the ability to endorse candidates. Another form of the flyer, which was shared with the paper, declared that it was the Official Cabarrus Republican Primary Yellow Sheet. Crutchfield alleged that the yellow flyers were passed out at polls by supporters of Echevarria and that they routinely told voters that the Cabarrus County GOP officially endorsed the individuals on the sample ballot. The paper cannot independently verify these claims. Echevarria told the paper the election is over and he is focused on November, when he will face off against Democratic candidate Sabrina Berry in the general election. Echevarria added that he wishes for Kevin and his family to achieve their highest aspirations. We The People-Cabarrus is a Facebook page with the goal of supporting the most conservative local candidates while opposing the so-called establishment. One of its posts includes a link to a Cabarrus.Vote We the People website, which lists several examples of politicians who are deemed part of the establishment. These include Crutchfield and Edwards. It is not immediately clear who created the website or Facebook page or if they are directly related to the flyers. The Independent Tribune obtained a photo of Cabarrus GOP Chairman Lanny Lancaster holding a We The People banner with several local GOP candidates who ended up winning their respective races, including Echevarria. Crutchfield, in an previous interview with the paper shortly after he lost, alleged that the yellow flyer was conspired by the Cabarrus County GOP chair, the vice chair, my opponent and several other people. Lancaster told the paper that he shared every Republican candidates information equally on the partys Cabarrus Facebook page, including Crutchfields. I did not favor any one candidate, he said, noting he had nothing to do with spreading the We The People flyers. I support all Republican candidates. He added, I never even said the word endorsement because I know better than to do that. Edwards, a former chair of the Cabarrus County Board of Education, told the paper that she has received numerous written and verbal complaints from voters alleging possible misconduct by her opponent and the local GOP leadership. The evidence of misconduct, in my opinion, is substantial, and it is clear to me that these alleged irregularities and misconduct possibly affected the outcome of the election, Edwards said. I look forward to a fair and thorough review of the protest and documentation that has been filed and I will, of course, respect the outcome of its consideration. Brian Echevarria and Jonathan Almond, the respective opponents for Crutchfield and Edwards, were the candidates that We The People encouraged voters to support. Echevarria edged out Crutchfield by 167 votes for the District 83 Republican primary, garnering 50.92% of the electorate. Almond defeated Edwards by 586 votes for the District 73 Republican primary, garnering 53.46% of the electorate. Of the 22 candidates that We The People endorsed, from the presidential contest to the Cabarrus County Board of Education race, only one candidate, Jay Wagner, who ran for U.S. House of Representatives District 6, lost, according to election data. I fought for election integrity and I will continue to fight to bring to light the unscrupulous backroom activity and attempts to interfere with voters ability to take part in a free and fair election process, Crutchfield said. The Cabarrus County Board of Elections will hold preliminary hearings regarding the protests Monday at 12:30 p.m., Soles said. The board will just see if there is reason to go forward with a full hearing, Soles said, which would involve looking into if the allegations regarding impropriety are true. Soles noted that protests are filed often, but are not usually successful. AI is a hot topic right now, but EXL chief digital officer Anand Logani says you need to start by looking at the outcomes you want to deliver, the value you want to get out of it, and then work backwards to the technology from there. Anand Logani is the chief digital officer for EXL, a data and AI-led company that's been in business for 25 years. Yet, it didn't begin this way; the company began life performing business process outsourcing but has pivoted over its history because it sharply saw future trends coming and recognised the importance of analytics, digital expertise, and data in seeing transformation efforts come to fruition. In fact, Logani explains, EXL saw that many companies around the world were not achieving the transformation and innovation goals they wanted, unless they looked at their data. "Many companies look at process," he says, "throughout, bringing technology in ... but they miss opportunities at times by not looking from the lens of data." From its inception, EXL has brought strong domain expertise and deep experience in many verticals such as healthcare, insurance, banking, retail, and utilities. It brings this industry capability and AI knowledge to customer data to deliver outcomes at speed - and ethically, and responsibly, too. "We see tremendous potential with AI, and believe it will be a significant game changer for clients," Logani said. "We're very excited about the journey, and it only feels like we're getting started." That "getting started" is already well advanced; EXL has deployed 15 generative AI solutions to clients already, with another 30 in pipeline. This includes an Australian insurer for whom EXL has delivered a claims solution, a ChatGPT solution, and a search solution. As you watch and listen to our conversation, it's clear the vast experience EXL and Logani bring to bear, as well as the sensible, right-mindedness of their approach. Some companies, he explains, "look at GenAI like a hammer chasing a nail. They want to deploy AI and experiment, but you need to look at the outcomes you want to deliver, the value you want to receive, and work backwards." When it comes to advice on how Australians can responsibly and sustainably adopt AI, Logani has much to share. Industry knowledge is not trivial, he says. You must think through the structure and the implementation. And, you need engineering to bring it together but must remember "at the end of the day this is to deliver outcomes and deliver value, not simply to use tools for the sake of using tools." Additionally, Logani warns of the pitfalls of ignoring AI biases and misinformation, and thus the need for guard rails. But, at the end of the day, "we believe human and AI perfect collaboration makes Gen AI more useful," he says. "It's not a replacement. You still must have the human in the loop." It's a fascinating talk, and you can hear it from Anand Logani himself here: GUEST OPINION: Most people dont think about data centres during their day-to-day lives. Even as they use the internet for entertainment, directions, banking, shopping, and more, they dont consider that there are physical buildings somewhere that enable all of that. The term cloud computing actually has some believing all of that magic is happening somewhere out in the atmosphere. Since today is International Data Centre Day, its the perfect opportunity to share the integral role data centres play in our modern society and economy. Data centres enable everything from content streaming and social media to automated manufacturing and global logistics. There are also many ways that data centres impact local communities throughout the world. Supporting the local economy Many peoples first direct experience with data centres comes when they hear that one is scheduled to be built in their community. And that brings up all kinds of questions: 1. Is this facility safe? 2. What is going on in there? 3. Will its presence negatively impact my housing value? There are many ways data centres benefit communities. Perhaps the most obvious way is by providing jobs in a stable, fast-growing industry. Within every new data centre, there are a wide variety of solid, well-paying roles that need to be filled, which could include: 1. Operations and facilities management roles such as property manager, logistics manager, HVAC technician, and cable technician 2. IT roles such as hardware engineer, network engineer, and cybersecurity analyst 3. Business roles such as sales and marketing, business development, and account executive Data centre jobs are not just for those who fit the stereotypical profile of a tech worker, with a certain educational and professional background. Anyone with the willingness to work hard and learn along the way has the potential to succeed in this industry. In fact, the industry is growing faster than the current job market can support. Data centres are often willing to look for talent that other companies traditionally overlook. At Equinix, we started a Career Pathways Program to bridge the gap between under-represented groups and equitable job opportunities. This includes military veterans and their spouses, those looking to make a career transition, and those looking to return to the workforce after taking time off to care for family. Seeking job candidates with something unique to offerregardless of their backgroundis part of our strategy to create a stronger, more diverse workforce. Great career opportunities exist in this industry for anyone who wants to pursue them. Benefiting the local business ecosystem The benefits to the local economy start before the new data centre even opens its doors. Designing and building a data centre takes a wide array of skilled labour and professional supporteveryone from engineers to architects and general contractors to electricians. After theyre operational, data centres continue to drive economic benefits and opportunities for local businesses. A data centre is so much more than just a box for storing data. Its a platform for capturing the full value of dataparticularly in the case of colocation data centres such as Equinix International Business Exchange (IBX) facilities. Think of a colocation facility like an airport for data. Just like an airport brings together multiple airlines in one place, a colocation data centre brings together various digital service providers. And just like an airport connects passengers to the world, a colocation data centre connects local businesses with partners that help them move their data anywhere it needs to go. Colocation data centres can also be more efficient. Rather than individual businesses running their own private data centres, a colocation data centre essentially allows them to pool into a single facility, thus using fewer natural resources. Closing the digital divide The digital divide is a complex problem with multiple causesand no easy solutions. Addressing it requires an ecosystem of different partners working together toward a common goal. Data centres can be the hub where these partners come together to collaborate and share their services and become more than the sum of their parts. Developing digital literacy and skills is a prerequisite to succeed in our tech-driven economy. Unfortunately, traditionally marginalised communities are less likely to have access to skills-building opportunities and the resources that technology enables. As a result, theyre at risk of falling even further behind. Ensuring equitable access to digital connectivity will be essential to creating healthy, functioning communities in the decades to come. Equinix is dedicated to working with our own ecosystem partners to help ensure digital inclusion. One way we do this is by giving our partners free access to our services. For example, we piloted a program to offer qualified internet service providers (ISPs) free connectivity to Equinix Internet Exchange in Michigan, New York, and Texas. In turn, the ISPs used this connectivity to help bring affordable internet access to underserved communities in those states. Weve also partnered with companies like Dell Technologies and BT to co-fund organisations working in digital equity and inclusion. We also take a community-based approach and support a variety of nonprofits, social enterprises ,and educational institutions working to promote digital inclusion in the communities where we operate. Through the Equinix Foundation, we are funding organisations in 34 of our metros around the world, as well as many regional and global nonprofits. Through our matching gifts and volunteer reward program, Equinix encourages employees to live their values and make an impact in their own communities. Every day, not just on International Data Centre Day, Equinix is dedicated to enabling big possibilities for our global customers, while also making a positive impact across all the communities where we operate. This first appeared in the subscription newsletter CommsWire on 20 March 2024. Global people platform for shift work, Deputy, and Express Employment Professionals, a global staffing provider, have announced a landmark strategic partnership that they say will transform the employee experience for shift workers. Deputy says its intuitive technology is set to play a critical role in digitising and transforming Express' operations. This partnership is tailored to address the needs of an increasingly digital-native, mobile-first workforce engaged in casual employment significantly impacting businesses relying on Express for staffing solutions. Deputy's platform will enable these businesses to manage their workforce requirements more efficiently while also empowering their workers to manage their schedules and work lives seamlessly using the Deputy app, says Deputy. Deputy notes that Express Employment Professionals was established in 1983 by Robert A. Funk and William H. Stoller and has grown into one of the largest privately held staffing companies worldwide - and with more than 860 franchised locations across North America, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, the company is committed to connecting individuals with meaningful work opportunities and providing businesses with skilled professionals. Their mission is driven by a culture that values purposeful work and finding the right fit for both people and companies, notes Deputy. The strategic partnership between Deputy and Express is unique and rooted in shared history and values. Deputy's founding as a technology solution designed for the staffing needs in the Australian aviation industry, as well as its expertise in complex labour and compliance environments, resonates deeply with Express. Todays workforce is on the go, and employees are looking for a schedule management tool that will keep up with them, said Bill Stoller, Express Employment International CEO. We are excited that by establishing this relationship with Deputy and their platform, both the client and associate experience will transform to be more efficient and streamlined. Deputy says the strategic partnership marks a significant step for the company in its global expansion efforts, and the potential activation of new Deputy users will further amplify Deputys impact on the world of shift work. "Today marks a significant milestone in Deputys journey. Our partnership with Express is not just a collaboration, it's a fusion of shared values and vision, said Silvija Martincevic, CEO of Deputy. We are beyond excited to join forces with a company that is as committed as we are to creating thriving workplaces in every community. Together, we're not just reimagining the future of shift work, we're actively shaping it to be more flexible, empowering and responsive to the needs of tomorrow's workforce." Experienced chief executive and Australian policy leader Ryan Winn is to lead Science & Technology Australia (STA) as its new Chief Executive Officer. STA announced that Ryan Winn joins the nations peak body for scientists and technologists after a long and distinguished career within the Australian Public Service driving complex policy issues, including within both the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Department of Education. Winn is currently the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Council of Learned Academies (ACOLA), a role he has held since 2019, and will start his new role with STA in May. STA notes that Winns deep policy expertise includes work on higher education, research infrastructure, early childhood education, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander affairs, and he was instrumental in the design and delivery of the 2016 National Research Infrastructure Roadmap and subsequent Research Infrastructure Investment Plan, which laid the groundwork for significantly enhanced investments in Australias research ecosystem to improve access to cutting-edge research and innovation. Im excited about this opportunity and cant wait to get started as CEO of Science & Technology Australia, Winn said. Im looking forward to leveraging my leadership skills and networks within Australias research ecosystem, working with government and non-government organisations, and representing STAs vast membership of more than 225,000 scientists, technologists, mathematicians and engineers. Australias science and research system is at a significant juncture, with increasing demands on current and future skills, innovation and knowledge. STA is unique and critical to this cause as the voice of the sector. We need practical experience from the lab bench to the boardroom to inform policymakers on the programs, policies and regulations we need now and into the future. We need government, business and the university sector to work together to better incentivise R&D and powerfully boost investment. And, there is a crucial role to play in inspiring Australias future scientists as Australia looks to further accelerate our innovation economy. No other organisation than STA has the reach, membership and capacity to activate scientists all the way from early career researchers up to industry leaders to help Australia create the future it wants for itself. STA President Professor Sharath Sriram said the organisation had secured a CEO who will continue to build on STAs powerful work. Ryan is an outstanding policy leader with deep experience and the perfect person to lead STA and represent the nations scientists and technologists. His recruitment speaks volumes about the organisations influence and importance. He will be a powerful and influential advocate for the sector and warmly welcomed by the nations scientists, technologists, policymakers and public servants. Telstra CEO Vicki Brady announced Shailin Sehgal has been promoted to group executive global networks and technology. Brady said Shailin's deep technical competency with strong strategic, execution, and leadership skills equipped him well to lead the Telstra global networks and technology strategy and team. Shailin joined Telstra in June 2019 and has been leading the Telstra network, applications, and cloud engineering team. He introduced innovative fixed and wireless technology as well as cloud-hosted products and managed services, including security services, to benefit customers across different market segments. Previous Shailin was with Mavenir systems and Genband. He holds a Masters of Computer Science from the University of Texas and a Bachelor of Engineering with Honours in Electronics Engineering from Nagpur University. "In a world where demand for connectivity and data is accelerating, Shailin's strong track record and experience will be invaluable in delivering our network ambitions," Brady said. [Provisional translation] On March 20, the Indonesian General Elections Commission (KPU) officially announced that H.E. Mr. Prabowo Subianto, the incumbent Minister of Defense, won the presidential election held on February 14. Following this result, Mr. KISHIDA Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan, sent Mr. Prabowo, the President-elect, a congratulatory letter on March 20. In this letter, Prime Minister Kishida extended his congratulations to President-elect Prabowo, and conveyed his intention to work together on bilateral cooperation in a wide range of areas as well as on regional and global issues, touching on the bilateral relationship that was elevated to a Comprehensive and Strategic Partnership last year when the two countries celebrated the 65th anniversary of their diplomatic relations. Sign up for the daily JWR update. It's free. Just click here. Even as Sam Bankman-Fried faces decades in prison at his sentencing hearing later this month, the cryptocurrency market he promoted is staging a historic comeback. Since October, when a federal jury convicted Bankman-Fried of conducting a massive fraud, the price of bitcoin has more than doubled. The world's leading cryptocurrency could shoot even higher next month ahead of a scheduled market event called "halving" that will reduce by half the supply of new bitcoins being produced. Bitcoin prices have soared so high that Bankman-Fried's old firm, FTX, which lost billions of dollars in customer funds, could ultimately pay back customers and creditors in full, based on the increased value of its investment holdings. That prospect is certain to be part of Bankman-Fried's plea for leniency on March 28 when he faces a federal judge who could impose a sentence of barely six years or less, as Bankman-Fried has requested, or the 40 to 50 years that the feds say he deserves. More broadly, the bitcoin boom highlights the growth of retail participation in the markets. A new generation is being drawn into speculating on stocks, options and alternatives like crypto, which are digital files created as artificial currencies and traded on electronic platforms worldwide. The boost in activity stems from a combination of temptingly rising prices, new smaller-scale products and technology that makes accessing the markets as simple as making a phone call. This page has pushed for stronger rules and greater transparency in the crypto market, which we consider full of potential as well as peril. Established exchanges and trading firms are just beginning to bring order to what was a free-for-all. If cryptocurrencies were a crying baby at this point last year, they have developed into a willful toddler that's finally getting some adult supervision. A welcome milestone occurred in January when cryptocurrencies became available as exchange-traded funds. ETFs are common investments these days and subject to sensible regulations. So even though the underlying crypto is still a wild card, it's a blessing to see responsible "big kids" like Chicago's CME Group and Cboe Global Markets playing in the same sandbox. At the recent Futures Industry Association conference in Boca Raton, Florida, established players pleaded for clearer rules governing upstart markets like crypto. It's no surprise to hear Rostin Behnam, chair of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, say he needs more authority from Congress to expand his agency's toolkit. Appearing at the same event, however, free-market advocate Ken Griffin of hedge fund giant Citadel said he also sees room for improvement: "When you have regulatory clarity, you'll bring the big players into the space." Meanwhile, Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Gary Gensler is forging ahead without additional authorization, bringing dozens of enforcement actions that equate crypto and other digital assets with securities like stocks. Congress, frustratingly, continues to dither, despite what appears to be bipartisan support for updating the relevant laws. Those updates are way overdue. Even as Congress fails to act, youthful investors continue to pull out their smartphones and jump into the fray. If the past is any guide, these newbies could lose big in the end. When markets go up and up, risks tend to multiply and the same people who think they're making easy money trading Nvidia options or bitcoin ETFs can get a rude surprise if prices suddenly tumble. Behnam's CFTC just published a report that deserves credit for stating a blunt fact about inexperienced amateurs who dare to trade in venues dominated by pros: "In general," the report says, in a reference to regulated futures markets, "we find that retail traders lose money." The CFTC report goes on to note how getting burned can turn off a generation of amateur traders. Representatives of Cboe, which has seen retail trading of its options contracts on more conventional investments surge, say they're confident sufficient safeguards exist to protect investors. The real test will come if when? the market heads south in a hurry. The Bankman-Fried sentencing will provide a reminder of just how wrong things can go when regulations fall behind reality in the marketplace. His FTX collapsed in a matter of days at the end of 2022. Investigators found billions of dollars in customer funds were missing, and a federal jury swiftly convicted Bankman-Fried of seven felonies. The crypto market's rebound is good news for FTX victims, but no one should think they weren't victimized just because the market rebounded. As Judge Lewis Kaplan prepared for Bankman-Fried's sentencing, he received a letter from Indiana resident Stephen Salmen, who identified himself as a former Cboe trader. Salmen wrote that he had never written to a judge previously but felt compelled when he heard the argument for leniency based on FTX account holders eventually being repaid in full. When Bankman-Fried's company collapsed, no one knew crypto prices would soar again so soon, and many victims had to sell assets at a loss to meet their obligations, Salmen wrote. "They were harmed and will never be made whole." Salmen got it exactly right, and we hope Kaplan gives Bankman-Fried a sentence that reflects the outrageous facts of the FTX case. That would provide yet another public warning that anyone stepping into the financial markets needs to beware: Prices can go down much faster than they go up, regulation is lagging and investors should never put a penny more at risk than they can afford to lose. (COMMENT, BELOW) SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY JWR UPDATE. IT'S FREE. Just click here. When a wave of migrants began arriving in Democratic-run cities far from the Southern border two years ago, officials welcomed them with open arms. Now they're limiting aid to new arrivals as their instinct for compassion confronts hard budgetary realities. In recent days, New York and Chicago - two of the nation's largest cities - have instituted substantial changes to their shelter policies. In Chicago, the city began evicting migrants who had overstayed a new 60-day time limit, saying it did not have the resources to meet the need. In New York, migrants had benefited from the city's unique right to shelter, which guarantees emergency housing for as long as anyone needs it. Last Friday, those rules were significantly altered for migrants without children, the culmination of a months-long struggle by the city to curtail its legal obligations to new arrivals as their number surpassed 180,000 and the cost of shelter soared. Similar dynamics are unfolding elsewhere: In Denver, officials began closing some migrant shelters in recent weeks and reinstated time limits for stays. In Massachusetts, which has also seen an influx of migrants, the legislature is moving toward instituting a cap on how long people can stay in shelters. For deep-blue cities with long histories of embracing immigrants, the latest influx of newcomers - many of them seeking asylum - has produced a sometimes-painful reckoning with their stated values. The impulse to welcome new arrivals is "deep-rooted, but it's expensive," particularly in cities with steep housing costs, said Muzaffar Chishti, a senior fellow at the Migration Policy Institute. Cities rapidly learned that the current wave of migrants - some of them traveling on buses paid for by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) but many finding their own way - is of a different order, Chishti said. For instance, New York Mayor Eric Adams (D) initially cast himself as the "anti-Abbott," Chishti said, but his rhetoric shifted dramatically as the number of arrivals skyrocketed, along with the costs of helping them. "This is where you would say that the politics of the Democratic Party were changed by this chapter in U.S. migration history," Chishti said. Democratic-run cities and states have begged for more help from the federal government, including pushing for a legislative deal to overhaul the immigration system. In January, nine Democratic governors wrote to President Biden that cities and states "cannot indefinitely respond" to the influx without congressional action. But the issue remains caught in a political impasse in Washington, even as immigration has emerged as a top issue in the presidential campaign. Cities have warned that the budgetary strains caused by the migrant influx would oblige them to cut services. New York has already implemented some budget cuts, including to spending on migrants, but is still set to spend more than $4 billion on the crisis in the current fiscal year, a city official testified in February. In Denver, where more than 40,000 migrants have passed through the shelter system since the end of 2022, the city recently made budget cuts in response to the increased spending on aid to newcomers. The cuts included reducing hours at community centers and eliminating some recreational programs, drawing criticism from local leaders. Denver Mayor Mike Johnston (D) said in an interview that while the city remains committed to helping newcomers, it needed to strike a balance. Residents would be "upset with us if we were not to provide a single service to migrants," he said, "and they'd be mad at us if we cut all our city services." Advocates warn that rolling back assistance to migrants - many of whom have made difficult journeys from Central and South America - will exacerbate what is already a humanitarian crisis for thousands of people who are trying their best to make ends meet and leave overcrowded shelters. In Chicago, Mayor Brandon Johnson, a liberal Democrat who took office last year, announced his shelter eviction policy in November but delayed it multiple times as subzero temperatures gripped the city and advocates denounced the plans as cruel. The rules, which instituted a 60-day limit on shelter stays, took effect Sunday. The city initially said 34 migrants would be required to leave, but only a handful did while the others were granted last-minute extensions. In a statement, Johnson said that Chicago remained "committed to compassion" and that limiting migrants' time in city shelters would encourage them to find housing elsewhere. The city, he said, is "advancing a pathway to stability and self-sufficiency." Annie Gomberg, a lead organizer with the volunteer network supporting Chicago's migrant population, said people already have plenty of incentives to find alternative housing. "Every person I've talked to wants to leave the shelter," she said. "But they lack the pathways to do so." Most new arrivals face steep hurdles and a long wait for work authorization - at least six months for asylum seekers - and cannot access rental assistance. Many don't speak English and lack a credit history, all barriers to securing long-term housing, advocates say. Gomberg fears that migrants who are evicted from city shelters will end up on the streets. "The idea that we could ever just say, Okay, you're on your own' to anyone who is enduring this level of difficulty is not the kind of society we want to live in," Gomberg said. But as costs mount, cities and states have found themselves facing difficult choices. In Massachusetts, the only state that guarantees emergency housing to families with children, the shelter system has been overwhelmed in recent months, with migrants representing about half of the occupants. Last year, Gov. Maura Healey (D) instituted a cap on the number of families able to receive shelter. The emergency housing program cost about $250 million in the last fiscal year, but that figure is expected to balloon to nearly $1 billion in the current fiscal year, said state Rep. Aaron Michlewitz, a Democrat who chairs the legislative body's ways and means committee. When negotiations over a bipartisan border deal in Congress collapsed in February, Massachusetts legislators realized that "the cavalry was not coming," Michlewitz said. This month, the state House passed a budget measure that would limit the length of time in shelters to nine months, with some exceptions. The current average stay is 14 months, Michlewitz said. Healey is open to limiting the length of stay in shelters, said Karissa Hand, a spokeswoman for the governor, since it is a "temporary, emergency action and we are facing severe capacity concerns due to federal inaction on immigration reform." In New York, the migrant crisis recently forced an unprecedented adjustment to the city's right to shelter rules, established by court orders going back to the 1980s. The rules require the city to provide shelter to anyone who needs it, a framework credited with nearly eliminating street homelessness. Since 2022, the city has opened more than 200 emergency sites exclusively to shelter migrants, commandeering hotels and converting spaces into dormitories. There are about 65,000 migrants in New York's shelter system, a little more than half of the overall total, the city says. On Friday, the city announced that it had reached a settlement in a legal battle over its shelter obligations. From now on, migrants over the age of 23 without children will be entitled to an initial stay of 30 days in city shelters. After that, they will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and must demonstrate certain "extenuating circumstances" to remain. New York's right to shelter "was never intended to apply to a population larger than most U.S. cities descending on the five boroughs in less than two years," said Adams, the city's mayor, in a statement. Friday's settlement "grants us additional flexibility during times of crisis." Robert Hayes, the lawyer who brought the landmark 1979 lawsuit Callahan v. Carey that led to New York's right to shelter, called the agreement a "Faustian bargain." Hayes said he was relieved that the underlying right to shelter was preserved, but "it pains me to have two separate and unequal systems for people based on where they're from." The new conditions apply to adult migrants who arrived in the United States after March 15, 2022, and are afraid to return to their home countries. "The red line I worry about is Day 31, when people are put on the streets," said Hayes, who is now president of the Community Healthcare Network in New York. In the absence of a negotiated agreement, a judge might have made more drastic changes to the city's obligations to the homeless or even jettisoned the right to shelter altogether, said Joshua Goldfein, a staff attorney at the Legal Aid Society, which represents the plaintiffs in the right-to-shelter case. Now the group is gearing up to monitor whether the city meets its responsibility to assess individual cases. "They have every incentive to not do this properly and try to chase people out," Goldfein said. "It certainly creates a lot of work for us." (COMMENT, BELOW) Opposing West-monopolized democracy, int'l experts call for diversity of political opinion Xinhua) 08:21, March 21, 2024 BEIJING, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Western countries should inwardly reflect on their malfunctioning democracy instead of weaponizing democracy against others, experts said at an international forum on democracy here Wednesday. Fretting about the monopolization of democratic values by the West, especially the United States, participants at the third International Forum on Democracy: The Shared Human Values called for cross-border dialogue and respect for political diversity. AILING WESTERN DEMOCRACY "The glorious season in which the democratic principle was 'one head, one vote'" has gone, and the new principle is "one dollar, one vote," said Massimo D'Alema, former prime minister of Italy. He warned that modern media control enables overpowering money to manipulate political opinion. D'Alema was one of many speakers who expressed concerns about money politics. Anthony Carty, an Irish professor of international law, told Xinhua that widespread "financial plutocrats" across Europe and North America have corrupted media and politics to serve their interests, leading to distrust between the public and the political sector. Inequality poses another major threat to Western democracy. Citing a survey from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, Georgios Katrougkalos, former Greek foreign minister, said that today majorities in all Western countries believe that their governments are not acting to promote the general interest but to "promote the interests of the wealthy and the powerful." However, despite the "ubiquitous, pathetic scenes" of illicit drug abuse, street vagabonds and looting of shops in U.S. cities, "the bipartisan legislators on the Capitol Hill seem to remain unperturbed," said Ong Tee Keat, former deputy speaker of the lower house of the Malaysian Parliament. D'Alema said Western countries should rebuild democracy with public policies that can relieve inequality and social injustice and limit the power of money. For his part, former Peruvian Foreign Affairs Minister Cesar Landa underlined the risk of social networks to Western democracy, as social networking platforms can be used "to manipulate voters, sometimes in an emotional and irrational way." "Given the manipulation of personal data in the last U.S. election campaign, there is serious concern in the world that the elections could be won not by the candidates with the best policy proposals, but by those who use and control technology," he said. WEST-MONOPOLIZED DEMOCRACY Despite their deteriorating systems, some countries continue to wave democracy as a flag against other countries, trying to build a "new Berlin Wall," said D'Alema. Electoral democracy is widely touted as a West creation and has ever since been made "the one-size-fits-all benchmark" for democratic rule worldwide, which is a "fallacy," said Ong. "The cohesive transplant of electoral democracy, either through military intervention or brutal regime change, as was initiated by Washington in the developing world, has only added more failed states and ensuing humanitarian disasters to the lists," he said. "Everywhere they've applied this system, it led to chaos," British economist John Ross told Xinhua, noting that U.S. attempts to impose so-called democracy in Iraq and Libya have caused hundreds of thousands of deaths and a destabilized Middle East. "You cannot impose a system from the outside for a very good reason because the main factor in any country is always domestic," said Ross, also a former director of economic and business policy for the mayor of London. The underlying intention of the United States, Ong said, is to use democracy as a weapon "against geopolitical challenges, or potential adversaries in the global power play." Western countries underwent a long "peculiar historical process" in democracy, which is precisely why the West should see that its model "cannot be exported and imposed in other parts of the world, as the experiences in Afghanistan or Iraq or in the Middle East have shown again in recent years," said D'Alema. HARMONIZING DIFFERENCES THROUGH DIALOGUE With diverse levels of modernization and development, trajectories of nation-building, and history of nationhood across the developing world, the practice of democracy varies, which, nevertheless, has "consistently been the blind spot" of the developed West, said Ong. For instance, China has "a better system for hearing the people and a better system for responding to them," said Stephen Perry, president emeritus of Britain's 48 Group Club. "Chinese democracy and governance works. We should be studying in China, not trying to lecture China," he said. Participation and governance matter most regardless of form in the practice of democracy, said Ong. Peter Mwangi Kagwanja, president of the Africa Policy Institute, said the international community is calling for a more multipolar world given the "glaring democracy deficit." For democratic global governance, an equal multipolar world requires "equal rights, equal opportunities and equal rules for every nation" and countries that "are not grouped according to their strength," he said. Essam Sharaf, former prime minister of Egypt, called for mutual learning, dialogue and inclusiveness among civilizations to tackle global challenges. "We can break cultural barriers by harmonizing differences," Sharaf said. "Different colors and shapes ended up with one beautiful painting." (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) In the past year, the Supreme Court has tackled four sets of cases that raised pivotal questions about online speech. Together, the cases once appeared to have the potential to dramatically reshape the legal landscape around social media and reinterpret the First Amendment for the digital age. With Monday's oral arguments in Murthy v. Missouri, the court has now heard all four. Given that the court has yet to rule in two of them, it would be premature to draw firm conclusions. Still, close observers are starting to sense how the justices are thinking about social media in relation to the First Amendment. The Tech 202 talked with three legal experts who've been following the cases to get their takeaways. Looking for 'scalpels, not sledgehammers' When the court last year took up a pair of cases that appeared to threaten Section 230, the social media industry's prized liability shield, many wondered if "they were going to come in with a sledgehammer" and rewrite the rules of the internet, said Evelyn Douek, a professor at Stanford Law School. But from early in those arguments, it became clear that a majority of the justices were wary of blundering into uncharted territory. "We really don't know about these things," Justice Elena Kagan admitted at one point. "You know, these are not, like, the nine greatest experts on the internet." In those cases, Twitter v. Taamneh and Gonzalez v. Google, the court ruled for the tech companies and sidestepped Section 230 altogether, largely maintaining the status quo. They've continued to tread carefully in the subsequent cases, Douek said, appearing "more interested in trying to find a scalpel and proceed more cautiously." Steve Vladeck, a professor at University of Texas School of Law, agreed. "They're viewing it as actually thorny and nuanced," he said, "which I think is not necessarily what folks might have hoped or feared when they started jumping into these cases last year." Distinguishing between content moderation and censorship Several of the cases the court has taken up arise from a conservative-led project to cast online content moderation as an insidious form of censorship that deprives Americans of their First Amendment rights. That's especially true of the cases involving state laws in Florida and Texas that would limit tech companies' ability to suppress users' posts, which the court heard in February, and Murthy v. Missouri, which questions the Biden administration's communications with tech companies about the coronavirus and election misinformation. That project has resonated in some lower courts and with Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel A. Alito Jr. One conservative Louisiana district judge found that the Biden administration had carried out "the most massive attack against free speech in United States' history." But so far, a majority of the court seems to view it with skepticism - including Trump appointees Brett M. Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett and at times Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. All three asked questions that suggest they're inclined to view social media companies as private actors with their own First Amendment rights. And they compared social media to traditional media rather than to utilities such as phone companies that are regulated as common carriers. Reviewing the Florida and Texas laws, in cases known as Moody v. NetChoice and NetChoice v. Paxton, Roberts remarked that the First Amendment prohibits the government, not private companies, from censoring speech. And when Alito said during the Murthy v. Missouri argument that he couldn't imagine government officials pestering the New York Times the way they did Facebook, Kavanaugh and Kagan - both former White House lawyers - were quick to disagree. "Like Justice Kavanaugh, I've had some experience encouraging press to suppress their own speech," Kagan quipped. The bid to recast tech firms' content moderation as illegal censorship "is already in the middle of failing, and I think is going to fail," Vladeck said. "This is a court that grew up with a very, very rigid understanding of where the line is between government and private corporations," he said. "Even if there are two or three justices who might be inclined to move that line a bit, there aren't four." Balancing the speech rights of users, platforms and the government After sidestepping Section 230 last year, the court in the more recent cases turned its attention to the relationship between online speech and the First Amendment. Those cases involve tensions between the speech rights of users, the rights of platforms to decide what appears on their platforms, and even the expressive rights of government officials. Last week, the court ruled in two such cases, Lindke v. Freed and O'Connor-Ratcliff v. Garnier, which involved public officials' right to block constituents on social media. Rather than establishing or denying a blanket right, the court adopted a "middle of the road position," Vladeck said, which is that it depends on the context. "That's going to create a lot of headaches for lower courts. But it reflects the fact that the two extremes in most of these cases really are pretty extreme." "I think all of the cases involve a delicate balance between the protections of the First Amendment and the ability of the government to govern," said Alex Abdo, litigation director for the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University. "I think the recent hearings suggest that the court appreciates this balance and is attempting to navigate it in good faith." And in Murthy v. Missouri, Abdo added, "They really seemed to appreciate the important role of government in persuading private actors of all kinds," as long as that persuasion isn't backed with coercive threats. "The court seemed to recognize that the First Amendment imposes an important limit but doesn't erect a complete barrier between the government and the platforms." While we still don't know exactly how the court will rule on the Florida and Texas laws and Murthy v. Missouri, Douek said, it seems safe to say that this court is not prepared to fully embrace the right's campaign against content moderation. "A year ago, we might have said everything's up for grabs" in terms of how the court could overhaul online speech, she said. As of today, "It seems much more limited than that." (COMMENT, BELOW) SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY JWR UPDATE. IT'S FREE. Just click here. At a campaign rally in Dayton last weekend, Donald Trump said something that released a tsunami of outrage and scorn from Democrats and the left-leaning media. During a Supreme Court oral argument two days later, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson said something that released a tsunami of outrage and scorn from Republicans and the right-leaning media. In neither case was there anything scurrilous or shocking about the remark in question. What was reprehensible was the way the remarks were willfully misrepresented by ideological partisans who didn't scruple to distort the truth in order to advance a political narrative and discredit a political foe. What Trump said was that "it's going to be a bloodbath for the country" if he doesn't win the presidential election in November. Seizing on the word "bloodbath," a liberal chorus instantly raised an alarm. "It's clear this guy wants another January 6," President Biden posted on X, as his campaign released an ad raising the specter of civil unrest. Politico headlined its story "Trump says country faces 'bloodbath' if Biden wins in November." Similar headlines appeared above stories on NBC, CBS, and The Guardian. Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaii, a Democrat, advised the media to pile on: "Headline writers: Don't outsmart yourself," he urged on X. "Just do 'Trump Promises Bloodbath if he Doesn't Win Election.'" Presidential historian Michael Beschloss, a frequent TV talking head, told MSNBC that Trump's comment was reminiscent of "fascism and totalitarianism and in Germany's case the Holocaust." There was just one thing wrong with this apocalyptic keening: Trump's "bloodbath" reference had nothing to do with riots. It was a metaphor for the disaster that, according to Trump, awaits the auto industry and the US economy if Biden's policies continue. He wasn't inciting violence. He was denouncing free trade and anticipating economic misery if he isn't elected to pursue harsh protectionist measures. In context, Trump's meaning was unambiguous. "We're going to put a 100 percent tariff on every single car that comes across the line and you're not going to be able to sell those," Trump told his Dayton audience. "Now if I don't get elected, it's going to be a bloodbath. . . . That'll be the least of it. But they're not going to sell those cars." Trump's syntax was klutzy, but the audience understood him. In video of the rally, the crowd can be seen applauding enthusiastically at his talk of crippling tariffs; the "bloodbath" line got no reaction at all. Even MAGA loyalists who revel in Trump's red-meat rhetoric knew he wasn't saying anything provocative at that moment. Perhaps the worst thing about the feeding frenzy over "bloodbath" is how pointless it was. Trump routinely makes comments that are genuinely shocking and indecent. On multiple occasions he has encouraged violence or predicted ugly brawls if he doesn't get his way. His behavior on Jan. 6 was appalling, as is the way he continues to defend the Capitol rioters. So why whip up a storm over something atrocious that Trump didn't say? All that accomplished was to reinforce the conviction among Trumpians that the man they idolize is a martyr. Just as shameless was the right-wing bashing of Justice Jackson that followed Monday's oral argument in Murthy v. Missouri. The case deals with the Biden administration's pressure on social media platforms to suppress posts containing what it deemed wrong or harmful information. Was such pressure an unlawful infringement of free speech? Or was it permitted government engagement with the tech firms? During a colloquy with Louisiana Solicitor General Benjamin Aguinaga, who argued that the Biden administration had crossed a constitutional line when it pushed social media platforms to remove certain content, Jackson said: "My biggest concern is that your view has the First Amendment hamstringing the government in significant ways." Instantly, the conservative/Republican spin machine blew up over the word "hamstringing," bewailing the failure of a Supreme Court justice to understand the function of the Bill of Rights. "Free speech is on trial at the Supreme Court, but Justice Kentanji Brown Jackson is no fan of the First Amendment," reported The Federalist, a prominent conservative website. "The Constitution, you see, limits the government. But leftists want unlimited government which is why they hate the Constitution." Senator Mike Lee, a Utah Republican, snorted: "The whole point of the First Amendment and of the Constitution is to 'hamstring the government in significant ways.'" Fox News rounded up a cornucopia of condemnations making the same point. Typical was the statement issued by the State Freedom Caucus Network, a well-connected conservative group: "'I'm concerned that the Constitution is limiting the power of the government' is a completely insane thing for somebody to say who sits on the highest court in the land." In a TV interview, Representative Jim Jordan of Ohio, the Republican chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, went even further. He called Jackson's remark "literally one of the craziest things I've ever seen" and added: "That is frightening. Because if she really believes that, that is scary where we are heading." But like the left's furor over Trump's "bloodbath" comment, the right's furor over Jackson's "hamstringing" required ripping her words out of context. The crux of the case before the court is where, under the First Amendment, the line should be drawn between unlawful government actions meant to penalize speech and permitted government efforts to influence speech. At one point, Jackson posed an extreme hypothetical designed to sharpen the issue at stake. Suppose young people were caught up in a new social media challenge one "that involved teens jumping out of windows at increasing elevations," she said. Imagine that kids all over the country had started doing this and were "injuring or even killing themselves." In such an alarming scenario, could the government put pressure on the tech platforms to take down the dangerous posts? No, replied Aguinaga. "The moment that the government tries to . . . pressure them to take it down, that is when you're interfering with [First Amendment] speech rights." That the absolutist position taken by the lawyer arguing before the court was what led Jackson to wonder whether the Constitution really mandates the "hamstringing" of the government in such circumstances. Her qualms reflected not a leftist hunger for unlimited government but a prudential grappling with how to square protection of free speech with the obligation of government officials to protect the public from harm. Some of the court's conservative justices, including Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett, appeared to share some of the same qualms. In short, Jackson was doing what Supreme Court jurists are expected to do analyzing a challenging issue in order to interpret and apply the words of the Constitution. Her critics, by contrast, were engaging in ugly demagoguery, twisting her meaning in order to score some cynical soundbites and pour a little more lighter fluid on our incendiary political discourse. On a personal level, Jackson and Trump aren't likely to suffer from these dishonest cheap shots. America's democracy may be a different story.The nastiness of our civic dialogue is more toxic now than it has been in a century. How much lower can it sink before recovery becomes impossible? Jeff Jacoby is a columnist for The Boston Globe, from which this is reprinted with permission." A significant drop in incentive pay lowered the 2023 total compensation of First Bancorp chief executive Richard Moore by 14.1% to $1.2 million, the bank reported in a regulatory filing on Wednesday. Moore was paid $525,000 in base salary (up 0.1%) and $60,000 in incentive pay (down 69.3%). The bank provided Moore with stock awards valued at $585,000 on the date they were awarded as well as $72,971 in other compensation that included: $51,134 in dividend payments on restricted stock; $19,800 from the banks deferred contribution plan; and $1,987 in company-paid life insurance premiums. First Bancorp reported the CEO pay ratio for Moore is $21.25-to-$1 compared with its median employees compensation of $58,484. For the full year, net income was $104.1 million compared with $146.5 million in fiscal 2022. First Bancorp, based in Southern Pines, has 118 branches, including four in Forsyth, six in Guilford and 17 overall in the Triad. As has been the custom the past five fiscal years, bank president Michael Mayer has been paid a higher base salary than Moore. Mayer received a 7.3% boost in base salary to $765,385, a 62.8% decline in incentive pay to $130,490 and total compensation of $1.7 million, down 15.5%. Gregory Currie, chief banking officer, received a 33.3% raise in base salary to $500,000, a 65.2% drop in incentive pay to $56,125 and total compensation of $810,900 (down 4.5%). Elizabeth Bostian, chief financial officer, received a 32.3% raise in base salary to $450,000, a 65.2% decrease in incentive pay to $25,526 and total compensation of $706,023 (up 16.4%). The bank will hold its shareholder meeting on May 2 at its main office in Southern Pines. There is no shareholder proposal on the agenda. A judge sentenced a Winston-Salem man to federal prison Wednesday after he was convicted last year of one count of distributing child pornography, the U.S. Attorneys Office in Greensboro said. Judge Loretta Biggs of U.S. District Court sentenced Kierre Anthony Cutler, 19, to serve seven years and three months in prison, the U.S. Attorneys Office said. After his prison term, Cutler will serve 15 years of supervised release. Biggs ordered Cutler to pay $13,000 in restitution to the victims, and $1,100 in special assessments, the U.S. Attorneys Office said. Cutler pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of child pornography on Oct. 5, 2023, in federal district court. Winston-Salem police executed a search warrant on Cutlers personal devices in Oct. 27, 2022, according to a federal court record. Investigators found more than 700 images of child photography. Cutler admitted to investigators that he had downloaded child pornography, the record said. In April 2023, police received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and they executed a search warrant on a Discord Inc. account associated with Cutler, the U.S. Attorneys Office said. Discord is a voice, video and text communication social platform used by more than 100 million people, according to its website. Investigators then discovered the account had been used to upload and distribute an image depicting sexual exploitation of an infant under 1 years old. The FBI, the State Bureau of Investigation and Winston-Salem police investigated the case, the U.S. Attorneys Office said. Ambassador Katherine Tai, the U.S. trade representative, will discuss the Biden-Harris administrations economic agenda Thursday at Forsyth Technical Community College, the college said Wednesday. Tai will join Christopher Chung, the chief executive of the Economic Partnership of North Carolina, at 5:30 p.m. in the Strickland Center on the Forsyth Tech campus, the college said. Tai will talk about the importance of workforce development and how she, as the presidents top trade negotiator, is working for a better deal for North Carolinians in the 21st century global economy, Forsyth Tech said. Tai was sworn in as the 19th U.S. trade representative on March 18, 2021, according to her biography. As a member of the presidents cabinet, Tai is the principal trade adviser, negotiator and spokeswoman on U.S. trade policy. Prior to her unanimous Senate confirmation, Tai spent most of her career in public service focusing on international economic diplomacy, monitoring and enforcement, her biography says. She previously served as the chief trade counsel and trade subcommittee staff director for the House Ways and Means Committee in the U.S. Congress, according to her biography. Tai, who is fluent in Mandarin Chinese, received a bachelors degree in history from Yale University and a law degree from Harvard Law School. Admission is free, but an RSVP is required at: https://explore.forsythtech.edu/event/522054. Novant Health Inc. is establishing an endowed chair for its breast health department as the result of a $1 million donation from Bank of America Charitable Foundation Inc. The bank provided Catherine Bessant, president and chief executive of the banks Foundation For The Carolinas, the donation in recognition of her 40 years of service. The funds were designed to go to a charitable group of Bessants choice. Bessant chose to donate the funds to Novants Presbyterian Medical Center Foundation to create the endowed chair with Dr. Peter Turk, the surgeon she credits with saving her life in 2010, as the inaugural appointee. When I received my breast cancer diagnosis, after doing research, I had no doubt that I could receive incredible, expert care right here in Charlotte at Novant Health. I didnt think twice about going anywhere else, Bessant said in a news release. I am excited for the potential of the endowed chair and the additional lives we can impact through this generous donation from Bank of America. The fund will support four initiatives: training and education for Novant Health clinical leaders; acquisition of equipment and technology for oncology care; research and innovation to include clinical trials, ensuring patient access to emerging therapies; and holistic patient care and outreach. The Presbyterian foundation changed the name of its cancer institute support center to honor Bessant. The Center provides on-site services and programs to support patients and their families before, during and after cancer treatment in a comfortable, home-like setting close to the hospital campus. The center was originally named in honor of Charlotte banker Buddy Kemp, former president of North Carolina National Bank, who passed away of brain cancer in 1990. NCNB formed the core of what today is Bank of America. A fugitive accused of stealing close to $1 million while employed as a business manager at a medical business and church in Western New York was arrested earlier this month when she applied for the same role at a business out of state. Federal and Erie County authorities tracked down Lisa Noble when she interviewed at an adult care facility near Raleigh, N.C. She had been missing for about four months after not appearing at two fall meetings with court officials and evading police attempts to find her. She was arraigned Wednesday morning in Erie County Court on 11 felony charges in a grand jury indictment, which all connect to thefts when she worked as a business manager for a Audiology Service Associates in Amherst and at St. Amelia's Catholic Church in Tonawanda. Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn said Wednesday that Noble allegedly stole more than $500,000 from Dr. David Nelson's medical business and about $465,000 from the Catholic church between 2016 and 2023. "This is stealing from God this is the worst of the worst," Flynn said at a news conference. As alluded to by a family in Wake County, N.C. that had hired Noble known to them as Julie Wilson as a nanny, Noble acted as if she were being tracked. Federal marshals tried to arrest Noble at her second interview at the adult care facility, but the fugitive had other plans. She conspired with a man who drove separately to the interview and entered the facility first as a prospective resident, Flynn said. When the man noticed U.S. marshals in the facility, both he and Noble fled in separate vehicles. Marshals arrested Noble a few days later when she was at East Regional Library with two children from the family for which she babysat. Noble appeared in court dressed in bright orange prison garb and wearing black-rimmed glasses, with much of her hair dyed a purple-reddish hue. She did little more than answer "yes" and nod her head to questions asked by Judge Andrew C. LoTempio. LoTempio sided with the prosecution when Noble's attorney asked if she could be considered for bail. Noble was remanded in the Erie County Holding Center until a judge could be assigned to the case. Chief prosecutor Gary M. Ertel, a county district attorney, said in court that Amherst police looked for Noble when she did not appear on Nov. 20, 2023, the second scheduled meeting with attorneys that she missed. When police arrived, she had already departed her residence, Ertel said, leaving a goodbye note to her mother and teenage daughter. Ertel argued to LoTempio that Noble was a second felony offender, presented a flight risk and should not be eligible for bail. Michael Dwan, a defense attorney representing Noble, said he does not believe she is a flight risk because she has family and friends in the area. Dwan said Noble had not been indicted at the time of the 2023 court meetings and that she did not attend one of them because she was hospitalized. He did not specify why she was in the hospital. Flynn shared details on the four felony counts of second-degree grand larceny, one of which stemmed from alleged theft from Audiology Service Associates and the other three from alleged stealing from St. Amelia's through cash, checks and bank transfers. The single count of third-degree grand larceny came from her use of the church's credit card. Noble is also charged with three counts of second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument and three counts of first-degree falsifying business records at St. Amelia's. Flynn gave an example of Noble's actions in these two sets of charges. "After she allegedly forged the pastor's signature and benefited from the checks, she went into church records and tried to hide it," the district attorney alleged. Noble acted quickly when she was hired at St. Amelia's she allegedly took $50,000 in the first month she was employed. "She got busy right away in April 2023," Flynn said. Flynn said he believes Noble spent all of the money she's alleged to have stolen through a lavish lifestyle, which included gambling. Noble spent $20,000 on tickets and a limousine to a Taylor Swift concert in Kansas City, he said. Joe Martone, a spokesperson for the Buffalo Diocese, on Wednesday afternoon thanked federal marshals and county District Attorney's Office for their efforts. "It has been a long and arduous process, and we also would like to thank parish staff and diocesan internal audit department for uncovering the crime last September," she spokesperson said. "Policies and protocols put in place by the diocese have resulted in swift identification of financial irregularities in parishes." A judge has found probable cause to send a 36-year-old man's felony charges on to district court in a case that involved an officer-involved shooting in a Lincoln hotel parking lot in November. Garrett Hanika was shot twice and ended up facing seven felony charges. At a hearing earlier this month, his attorney, Brett McArthur, argued that there was no evidence at the preliminary hearing showing that Hanika had intentionally or knowingly run over a woman who had gotten out of his car and ended up pinned under the Jeep he was driving. "There's no reason why he would intend to do that or really know that he's doing that. He's being shot at by an officer. It seems the intent would be to get away and not get shot," the defense attorney said. As for the 10 ounces of methamphetamine found in the Jeep's backseat, McArthur said there was no reason to believe Hanika knew it was there or had any connection to it. It wasn't his Jeep. "Our position is the state has not met its burden," McArthur said. Deputy Lancaster County Attorney Eric Miller said it's pretty clear what happened here: When Lincoln Officer Nicholas Vest was trying to make contact with Hanika, who was wanted, Hanika rammed Vest's cruiser, then started driving at Vest, who pulled his service weapon and started shooting. Hanika stopped, his female passenger got out, and he backed into the cruiser again. "And Mr. Hanika, while he was playing bumper cars with the cruiser, ends up trying to get away from the officer and runs her over. Whether or not it was intentional, probably not. But it certainly was reckless," Miller said. He said there certainly was probable cause to show Hanika committed second-degree assault. The woman is paralyzed now as a result of getting pinned by the Jeep. According to testimony at the hearing earlier this month, a flyer had gone out a day or two earlier alerting officers to be on the lookout for Hanika in an orange Jeep. Lincoln Police Investigator Matt Franken said Hanika was wanted on a federal warrant tied to a local investigation into the theft of three firearms in a backpack from a car in the parking lot of a north Lincoln Walmart. He said Vest saw the Jeep with the license plate number listed on the flyer at around 12:20 p.m. Nov. 21 and made a traffic stop in the parking lot of the Microtel Inn & Suites. Vest parked his cruiser about 10 feet behind the Jeep and then made contact with Hanika at the driver's side window, after which Hanika accelerated rapidly in reverse and violently crashed into the police cruiser, Franken said. "What I see on the video then is Mr. Hanika moving forward towards Officer Vest, Officer Vest engaging him in gunfire as that's happening, the vehicle pausing, Miss (Cristina) Miller getting out of the vehicle, the vehicle then backing up into Officer Vest's cruiser again and then more gunfire as it's moving towards him and Miss Miller," he said. Franken said Miller was getting out of the Jeep and moving toward Vest when the Jeep started coming back toward them and up onto the sidewalk. "Unfortunately for Miss Miller, she was in the path of travel at that point," he said. Franken said Hanika ran over Miller, who was trapped under the Jeep where it came to rest on the sidewalk. Vest hit Hanika twice, once in the head and once in his lower body, according to police. He was treated for his injuries at a local hospital, then went to jail on charges of second-degree assault, attempted second-degree assault on an officer, use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony and resisting arrest with a deadly weapon. Prosecutors later added possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver, possession of a stolen firearm and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. Franken said Miller was left with a significant cut to her skull, her right lung was bruised and ribs broken, and she had a ruptured spinal vertebrae. He said police found the methamphetamine and one of the guns that had been stolen from a vehicle at the Walmart parking lot, in the Jeep. Vest was temporarily put on administrative leave pending an investigation into the shooting but returned to the streets in December. In the end, Lancaster County Court Judge Laurie Yardley said there was probable cause to prove that Hanika had recklessly caused bodily injury to Miller. And she sent all of the charges up to district court for his arraignment next month. Review of police shootings in Lincoln since 2013 1. Douglas DaMoude, May 30, 2014 2. Tyson Hubbard, March 5, 2015 3. Tareik Artis, Sept. 22, 2015 4. Zachary Grigsby, Nov. 29, 2015 5. Germichael Kennedy, June 26, 2016 6. Thomas Sailors, Jan. 5, 2018 7. Christopher Brennauer, Dec. 29, 2018 8. Joseph Francis Cimino, Oct. 8, 2019 9. Hailey Stainbrook and Christian Alexander, Feb. 20, 2021 10. German Pedraza, Nov. 24, 2021 11. Chace Abney, May 1, 2023 12. Stephen Kafka, Oct. 17,2023 A Lancaster County judge has ruled retroactive portions of the criminal justice reform bill passed by the Legislature last year unconstitutional. "The court emphasizes the narrowness of this declaration," District Judge Susan Strong wrote in a 20-page order, which followed a challenge by the Nebraska Attorney General's Office. She declared two specific parts of Section 57 which retroactively applies to prison inmates whose sentences became final on or before Sep. 2, 2023 unconstitutional. "This judgment does not affect any other part of LB50," Strong said. Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen, who is obliged to defend the constitutionality of state laws by virtue of his office, filed notice of appeal Wednesday. But he declined to comment, as did Attorney General Mike Hilgers. The appeal is likely to bypass the Nebraska Court of Appeals and go straight to the Nebraska Supreme Court, where the Attorney General's Office initially tried to file the case in October but was turned away. At a Jan. 25 hearing in Lancaster County District Court, Deputy Solicitor General Zach Viglianco argued that the two portions of the law amounted to clemency, which is reserved to the executive branch and the Board of Pardons by the constitution. Attorney Bob Bartle, who represents Evnen, argued it changed how the sentences were served, not the length. While LB50 covers a wide range of issues, the challenge focuses specifically on parole eligibility requirements that would allow some inmates who already were serving their sentences to become eligible for parole earlier. Lawmakers made it clear they intended for the law to apply retroactively as well as going forward, in part to reduce prison overcrowding. While it didn't change the state's good-time laws, Viglianco argued that offenders paroled under the retroactive sections of the law would receive more good time than they would under the law in effect when their sentences became final. He said the credit would shorten, and therefore commute, their sentences and asked Strong to declare them invalid. One section accelerated parole eligibility for offenders. The other established a new form of parole, geriatric parole, for qualifying offenders who are 75 or older. Before the law went into effect, the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services and Board of Parole sought an opinion from the attorney general regarding the constitutionality of the retroactive applications. The Attorney General's Office issued an opinion finding that the two sections were "likely unconstitutional." The legal challenge followed. In January, Bartle said the opinion hypothesized that the law would likely empower the parole board to change convictions, but "that's not what you're supposed to do as the attorney general." "That's a hypothetical too far in our estimation," he said, arguing there was nothing on the face of LB50 that gave the Board of Parole any different power than it had before and to let the law stand. In a March 8 order, Strong said that while the powers of the three branches of government sometimes overlap, the power to commute sentences lies exclusively with the executive branch. "Thus, any exercise of the commutation power by another branch of government violates the separation of powers," she said. Strong said she also considered whether she could find that the sections could apply retroactively to offenders so long as the Board of Parole did not credit them with additional good time. But she did not believe she could because it effectively would create a new kind of parole. "Courts have the power to declare that a law, or a part thereof, is unconstitutional," the judge said. "But courts cannot rewrite laws to make them constitutional." Strong said that given the Legislatures concern about offenders "jamming out" (or serving their sentences without ever being on parole), that new kind of parole might be a good idea. "But that is a question for the Legislature, not this court," she wrote. In a message to the Journal Star, Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha said "the opinion is well thought out and provides an easy legislative fix to clear up any constitutional issues." Today in history: March 20 1852: Harriet Beecher Stowe 1922: USS Langley 1969: Yoko Ono 1976: Patricia Hearst 1995: Aum Shinrikyo 1996: Erik and Lyle Menendez 2014: Barack Obama 2018: Vladimir Putin 2021: VCU Members of Nebraska's congressional delegation on Wednesday railed against new vehicle emissions standards the Environmental Protection Agency announced, with U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts vowing to introduce a resolution to block the standards from taking effect. The new standards, which apply to light- and medium-duty vehicles with model years of 2027 through 2032, are expected to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the coming decades, according to the EPA. Ricketts and other representatives have referred to the rule as an "electric vehicle mandate," though EPA representatives have pushed back on that characterization. The EPA predicts that, by 2032, manufacturers would have to produce fully electric vehicles for about 30% to 56% of all new light-duty vehicle sales, and about 20% to 32% for medium-duty vehicle sales to comply with the new standards. In a joint statement with Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, Ricketts called the rule "delusional" and said the Biden administration was attempting "to get rid of the internal combustion engine without congressional authority." "Current EV technology will not work for states like Nebraska or Alaska," the statement said. "Extreme cold, isolated communities, and long-distance drives will make car graveyards a reality across America." According to the statement, Ricketts will introduce legislation under the Congressional Review Act to overturn the rule in the coming weeks. The CRA requires agencies to submit final rules to Congress, at which point any member of Congress can introduce a resolution of disapproval. A simple majority in both chambers would be needed to send the resolution to President Joe Biden's desk. If he vetoed the resolution, a two-thirds majority in both chambers would be necessary to override the veto and nullify the EPA's rule. U.S. Rep. Mike Flood, who represents the state's 1st Congressional District, vowed to work with his colleagues in the House to overturn the rule and "protect our way of life from President Biden's government overreach." U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer issued a similar statement, saying President Joe Biden "should abandon this attempt to appease climate activists and allow the market to take its course." Officials from dozens of Nebraska car dealerships also signed on to letters urging the administration to "tap the brakes" on the regulations, alongside more than 5,000 dealerships across the country. In a statement sent to dealerships Wednesday by EV Voice of the Customer, the group organizing the letter campaign, organizers said the standards would be unrealistic given the current consumer interest in electric vehicles. "The regulations would require an increase in sales of electric vehicles that is far beyond the consumer interest we are experiencing at our dealerships," the statement said. "Despite generous government, manufacturer and dealer incentives, our customers continue to bypass EVs over concerns about affordability, charging infrastructure, performance in cold weather, and resale value." The light-duty standards apply primarily to passenger cars and light trucks, while the medium-duty standards encompass most large pickup trucks and vans. Heavy-duty vehicles, like semitrailer trucks, are not addressed in the EPA rule change, but Ricketts said in a statement the administration is expected to unveil heavy-duty vehicle rules in the "coming weeks." According to the EPA, the final 2032 standards would represent a 50% reduction in projected average greenhouse gas emissions for light-duty vehicles, and a 44% reduction for medium-duty vehicles. This report contains material from the Associated Press. Top Journal Star photos for March 2024 Less than a week after the Nebraska Supreme Court said state agencies can impose a special service charge to cover the cost of non-attorneys reviewing public records to determine if they can be withheld, the Legislature stripped them of that authority. On Thursday, state lawmakers gave final approval to a measure (LB43) that Lincoln Sen. Danielle Conrad said includes a host of remedies to our states public records laws to reset the balance in favor of the citizens of Nebraska. Inside LB43, a package bill designated as a priority of the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee this year, was Conrads LB366, which lengthened the amount of time state agencies must provide free work for citizens who request records from four hours to eight hours. The bill also requires the custodians of those records to attest under oath to any estimate they give for fulfilling a voluminous public record before providing that estimate to the requester, and allows for a potential waiver of the fee if the records are determined to be in the public interest. LB43 also differentiates between resident and nonresident requesters those from outside the state and how they can be assessed fees. And it prohibits state agencies or other governmental bodies from assessing a special service charge or fee for attorneys and non-attorneys who review the requested records seeking a legal basis to withhold them from being made public. Conrad said that provision of the bill, which passed final reading 39-0 on Thursday and was sent to the desk of Gov. Jim Pillen for his signature, was in anticipation of the issues raised in last weeks Supreme Court decision. In its 23-page order, the state Supreme Court said state lawmakers had previously prohibited agencies from charging requesters for the services of an attorney, but not other staff. Had the Legislature intended to exclude time spent by any employee reviewing the records for a legal basis to withhold them, it could have done so, the court wrote. But the statute specifically limited the exclusion to services of an attorney. And we cannot read those words out of statute. The issue of what and how state agencies can charge media organizations and others for access to public records arose when Flatwater Free Press, a nonprofit news outlet, sued the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy after the department estimated it would cost more than $44,000 for five years of records related to drinking water and nitrates. At trial in Lancaster County District Court, the state argued that state law allowed for agencies to charge for time spent reviewing records to determine if they could be legally withheld; an attorney for Flatwater said that provision was not a part of state law. The court said reviewing was intrinsic to the act of searching for and identifying records, reiterating state statute did not prohibit agencies from assessing special charges for those activities as long as they were not performed by an attorney. Under LB43, the fee for records shall not include any charge for the services of an attorney or any other person to review the requested public records seeking a legal basis to withhold them. I think that these are very important updates to our public records law, Conrad said, who added she planned to introduce an interim study to see if additional changes to the statute were needed. The bill passed with an emergency clause, which means it will take effect if Pillen signs it. Top Journal Star photos for March 2024 The Legislature on Thursday advanced a proposal that aims to expand veterans' access to problem-solving courts in Nebraska. The bill (LB253) from Sen. Tom Brewer of Gordon would give judges across the state the option to connect veterans who wind up in court with services to help them deal with their underlying traumas. "I do not think being a veteran should be a permit to commit crimes, but I think we need to make sure the system works to address those issues," said Brewer, who spent 37 years in the military and deployed into war zones multiple times. Brewer's bill directs the Nebraska Probation System to create a veteran justice program essentially a problem-solving court in each district in the state that allows judges to order veterans who commit crimes where probation is a possible sentence to follow a case plan. Veterans who commit crimes a judge deems unqualifying for the program would not be allowed to participate, and a victim of the veteran's crimes would also be given a chance to address the court during the process. If assigned a case plan, veterans would receive supervision and treatment to help address post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injuries, military sexual trauma or other conditions tied to their service in the armed forces. Once veterans successfully complete a case plan, their case would be dismissed. While that sounds simple, Brewer said the model plans are intense. "This is no free ride," Brewer said. Omaha Sen. Justin Wayne, who has worked closely with Brewer on the issue after former Nebraska senator and Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel brought the proposal to them in February, said the Legislature had a chance to show that it cares about veterans in Nebraska. "It's easy to support a veteran on Veterans Day, it's easy on Memorial Day to say we support those who serve our country," Wayne said. "What's hard is when they make a mistake that is directly tied to what we put them through." Wayne said the bill "puts probation on the front end" in an effort to help give veterans who commit a crime and make a mistake a second chance. If they fail the program, those individuals would be sentenced for their crimes, he added. The Legislature advanced the bill 38-0 on Thursday, Day 48 of the 60-day legislative session. But some senators expressed concerns that while these programs are successful in the state's largest three counties, there might not be resources available in smaller counties in rural areas. Wayne, the chair of the Judiciary Committee, said he planned to work with other senators and advocates to make changes to the bill early next week before it comes to the floor again. Top Journal Star photos for March 2024 As we get closer to Easter on March 31, egg hunts and other family activities are offered in this area: Full moon Easter egg hunt Friday, March 22: The Paddock Lake Area Lions Club is hosting a Friday night egg hunt for youths, ages 11 to 17. The After Dark Egg Scramble starts at 7:30 p.m. Friday, under a full moon, outside Paddock Lake Paddock Lake Village Hall, 6969 236th Ave. Participants are encouraged to bring a flashlight for extra chances to find the elusive bigger prize eggs and a bag to contain their treasures, organizers said. Every egg will contain cady or other treats. Among the special prizes are sporting events tickets and gift cards to area businesses. The cost is $7 per participant. Proceeds will be used to local and state Lions projects. For more details, call 262-332-0023. Note: If the weather is bad, this will shift to a drive-through event. Small Business Bunny Hop Saturday, March 23: Downtown Kenosha businesses are hosting this event, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.. Participants are welcome to visit the participating businesses to collect Easter eggs, filled with candy and stickers for children. Adults will receive eggs filled with coupons and other special offers. Eggs are available while supplies last. Bonus: The Easter Bunny will be at the Rhode Center for the Arts, 514 56th St., also from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to meet with kids and pose for photos. Bonus: Free popcorn and face painting. This is a free event. Bonus II: As part of the Downtown Bunny Hop event Saturday, the citys streetcars will be FREE to ride all day, from 10:35 a.m. to 6:15 p.m. The electric streetcars take riders along the Lake Michigan shore, on a two-mile loop through the Downtown area. Bristol Easter egg hunt Saturday, March 23: The Growing with Bristol community organization is hosting an Easter egg hunt starting at 11 a.m. Saturday in Hansen Park, 19806 86th Place in Bristol. Bring your camera for photos with the Easter Bunny. More than 20,000 eggs, stuffed with a variety of candy or small toy prizes, will be scattered for children to collect. There will be a staggered starts of the different age groups, up to age 10. This is a free event. Note: Hansen Park is off of Highway 45, south of Highway AH in Bristol. Bonus: FREE cookies are available, while supplies last. Somers egg hunt Saturday, March 23: The Somers Fire & Rescue Association is hosting an Easter egg hunt for children up to age 12. Adults can enjoy free coffee or hot cocoa while the kids hunt and collect five eggs. This is a free event, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., in Somers Memorial Park, located directly behind Village Hall, 7511 12th St. (Highway E). Note: Leashed dogs are welcome. SENSE-ational Egg Hunt Saturday, March 23: Hope City Church in Racine its annual SENSE-ational Egg Hunt for families of children with special needs on Saturday at Racines Festival Hall, 5 Fifth St. This is a family-centered event focusing on active participation for children with various disabilities or limitations. Participants will have the opportunity to hunt for eggs and explore sensory areas in a stress-free, accepting space. Children with special needs, along with their siblings and parents/guardians can participate in this hunt. Activities include cookie decorating and making egg shakers. For the sense of sight, there are opportunities to hunt for eggs in a special blacklight room. Each station will have an activity leader, activity crew and sanitation crew. This is a free event, but registration is required. Register online at ourhopecity.com/events. Union Grove Easter egg hunt Saturday, March 23: The Union Grove Kiwanis hosts this event in School Yard Park, 1399 State St. in Union Grove. The Easter egg hunt starts at 10 a.m. There will also be pictures with the Easter Bunny. Admission is free. Country Bunny fun March 23-24 and March 29-30: Apple Holler, 5006 S. Sylvania Ave. in Yorkville, hosts its Country Bunny activities. Activities include a Country Bunny Express train ride, Bunnyville egg hunt, pictures with the Country Bunny, a goody bag, visits with farmyard animals, an Easter cookie, apple cider and what Apple Holler calls Farm Park fun. The cost is $12.50 per person. Reservations are required; go to appleholler.com or call 262-884-7100. Nature Centers EGG-stravaganza Saturday, March 30: The Pringle Nature Center, 9800 160th Ave. in Bristol, hosts its EGG-stravaganza! for children up to age 10. There will be photos with the bunny and nature activities. Note: The free program is full, but a waitlist is available at pringlenc.org/events (register by March 29, in case spots open up). Zoo Eggstravaganza Saturday, March 30: The Racine Zoos annual Eggstravaganza runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Racine Zoo, 2131 N. Main St. Children can bring their own basket for a hunt for cluck-cluck doors throughout the zoo to collect candy and stop by the trunk hunt, with local businesses handing out goodies. Activities will include cookie and egg decorating and egg crafts. Photos with the Easter Bunny are $5. Train rides are $2. The event is free, with zoo admission of $11 for adults, $10 for seniors (62 and older) and $9 for ages 3-15. There is no charge for ages 2 and younger. racinezoo.org. A day of Easter fun Saturday, March 30: A day of family-friendly Easter events, hosted by local organizations, takes place in Wind Lake. The Wind Lake Lions Club will host a Breakfast with Easter Bunny from 9 to 11 a.m. at Norway Town Hall, 6419 Heg Park Road. Tickets cost $3 in advance through Norway Parks & Recreation or $5 at the door. (Note: Vision screenings will be conducted for all those who want one.) After breakfast, Norway Lutheran Church hosts an Easter egg hunt in Colonel Heg Memorial Park, 6300 Heg Park Road. The Great Easter Egg Hunt Saturday, March 30: The Kenosha County Teen Task Force is hosting The Great Easter Egg Hunt from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 30, at Kemper Center, 6501 Third Ave. on Kenoshas lakefront. The egg hunt, starting at noon, will feature four Golden Eggs with special prizes inside. Food will be available for purchase. Bring your camera to take a photo with the Easter Bunny. The cost is $2 per person. Easter egg hunt Saturday, March 30: The Easter Bunny kicks off the event 10 a.m. at Living Faith Church, 2915 Wright Ave. in Racine, by inviting everyone to Fellowship Hall for crafts, cookie decorating and photo ops. The Easter egg hunt countdown starts at 10:30 a.m. Admission is free. Downtown Candy Hop Saturday, April 6: From noon to 2 p.m., more than 30 Downtown Racine businesses will pass out candy. There is also a scavenger hunt for kids. Free candy bags and maps of the event are available at Downtown Racine Corp., 425 Main St. This is a free event. RACINE The Racine County Board approved the use of a $400,000 grant from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services to the Racine County Jail for opioid abatement at its March 12 meeting. The money will go to the Medicine Assisted Treatment program, which helps inmates with opioid addictions recover, according to Racine County Sheriffs Office Public Information Officer Lt. Michael Luell. MAT, which is a federal program, involves administration of multiple medications, including suboxone, methadone and vivitrol, he said. According to the DHS, the one-year grants are funded with the states share of the National Prescription Opiate Litigation settlement received in 2022. DHS is distributing $3 million of the $31 million received to law enforcement agencies. 1. Yes. The area is still in a drought, and long-range forecasts are predicting a hot, dry summer . 2. Yes. Despite modest rainfall, area lake levels are far below normal. Restrictions are likely. 3. No. Frequent rainfall has helped this spring. Unless summer is unusually dry, it should be OK. 4. No. The area was very hot last summer, but water restrictions never reached Stage 3. 5. Unsure. Its hard to say without seeing how much rain the area gets in April and May. Vote View Results Valley County Sheriff Casey Hurlburt has agreed to surrender his law enforcement license as part of a plea agreement for committing insurance fraud. According to a plea agreement filed by the Nebraska Attorney General's Office on Tuesday in Valley County District Court, Hurlburt will surrender his license in exchange for no additional charges being filed. Prosecutors also agreed not to seek jail or probation time during a sentencing hearing. Hurlburt was scheduled to appear in court Wednesday to formalize the agreement. Hurlburt agreed to plead no contest to providing false information in an insurance claim after a vehicle crash. The Nebraska State Patrol arrested Hurlburt in October on suspicion of fraudulent insurance acts, a felony that typically carries penalties of up to two years in prison, one year probation and/or a $10,000 fine. Hurlburt filed a claim in January of 2023 regarding a crash that involved a 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, according to the criminal complaint. The complaint accused Hurlburt of stating in his claim that the crash occurred on Oct. 11, 2022, instead of "the actual date of the accident," March 23, 2022, in order to receive full coverage of the repair costs. Hurlburt obtained full coverage on the vehicle in April of 2022 from State Farm Insurance. The Valley County seat is Ord, located about 64 miles northwest of Grand Island. CALEDONIA The Hoy Audubon Society is hosting a free program on bald eagles. The program is 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 4, at River Bend Nature Center, 3600 N. Green Bay Road in Caledonia. Beth Berger Martin, a longtime volunteer for the Bald Eagle Nest Watch program, "will share her experience over years of watching various eagles and their nests and seeing them rebound after avian flu affected them," organizers said. The bald eagle was pushed to the brink of extinction by the effects of pesticides and other dangers. By 1972, just 100 nesting pairs were left in the entire state of Wisconsin, experts said. "Since then, in one of the greatest conservation successes our country has seen, the population has rebounded," Hoy officials said. "Today, they continue to thrive, but still face a variety of threats." In 2018, Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance (formerly Madison Audubon) began a citizen science program in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to better understand how bald eagles are doing in Wisconsin. Everyone is welcome to this free program. No reservations are required. For more information about Hoy Audubon, go to hoyaudubon.org. KENOSHA The 39 Steps the latest show in the Lakeside Players' 50th season continues with three more shows at the Rhode Center for the Arts in Downtown Kenosha. The show, a comic version of the classic spy thriller, tells the story of a suave British man who is swept up in a mystery, an alluring spy who knows too much, and an adventure that spans numerous set pieces with a countless cast of characters. This version of the story takes all the pieces of the story and flips them on their head. Directed by husband-and-wife duo Steve Mattner and Clara Tappa, the play is a high-energy, comedic retelling of the 1935 Alfred Hitchcock film. With a cast of just five actors, plenty of costume changes plus a mix of audience imagination and set creativity viewers are sent on a trip to 1930s Europe. Tappa and Mattner have been with Lakeside Players for about three decades. They even met each other through the group. Community theater, powered by volunteers, has managed to continue in Kenosha for so long because of a fantastic theater scene in the area and great audiences, Tappa said. When you have a good audience thats really reacting to your show, whether its laughing, crying or surprise or just appreciation of the story and the arts, thats whats really important, she said. We encourage all audiences to be animated and vocal in their response to the show. Community theater gives local actors a chance to get on stage in front of live audiences, Mattner said. Theres nothing like the feeling of the audience reaction when youre on stage, he added. Every show is going to be different because something changes, just slightly here or there, so it becomes new again every night. Mattner and Tappa encourage everyone to come see the show. You will laugh, guaranteed, Tappa said. As serious as everyday life is today, youll laugh. The cast The plays lead actor is Sean Collier, playing Richard Hannay. Erin Tetour plays the three main romantic interests: Anna Bella Schmidt, Pamela Edwards and Margaret. The show also features Holly DeYoung, Willow Henry and Monica Stark-Brautigam as the three clowns, who play every other character in the show, requiring quick costume changes throughout the action. Collier and Tetour said the show is incredibly fun to rehearse and the whole cast enjoys working together. Tetour encourages people to bring the family and Collier invites people to come turn your brain off and have a laugh. What: The 39 Steps, a comic retelling of the 1935 Alfred Hitchcock spy thriller film. Where: Rhode Center for the Arts, 514 56th St. When: The final three performances are 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday, March 22-24. Cost: Tickets are $16 for adults and $14 for students and senior citizens. Tickets are sold in advance at rhodecenter.org and also at the door. The free monthly community meal will be held Monday, March 25 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Viroqua from 5 to 6:30 p.m. The meal will be hosted by Vosseteig Funeral Home and will be catered by Country Chicks Catering. All are welcome to attend the meal and enjoy good conversation. The Come to Supper Community Meal is served on the fourth Monday of each month at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. The first meal was served in March of 2023. The church is located at 504 S. Main St. Campaigns and political advertisements using artificial intelligence-generated video or audio must now include disclaimers that the content was AI-assisted. Democratic Gov. Tony Evers on Thursday signed the bipartisan measure into law, which comes as AI-assisted political communications some with disclaimers, others without see increased use across the country, often with the apparent goal of deceiving voters. One recent example in New Hampshire featured a computer-generated voice similar to President Joe Bidens requesting Democrats not to vote in the states GOP primary earlier this year. Last year, a super PAC supporting then-presidential candidate Ron DeSantis used AI to create an ad campaign featuring a computer-generated voice of former President Donald Trump criticizing Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds. Rep. Clinton Anderson, D-Beloit, said in a statement the new law marks a significant step towards preserving the integrity of our electoral process. By enacting this legislation, we establish transparency in political messaging by mandating disclosures on AI-generated content within advertisements, Anderson continued. This law empowers voters to discern authenticity, fostering informed decisions at the polls while upholding impartiality towards content. The new law requires AI-generated video or audio to include disclaimers that the content was AI-assisted. It also creates a $1,000 fine for each violation. Speaking about the bill on the Assembly floor last month, Rep. Adam Neylon, R-Pewaukee, said the measure was an important first step that gives clarity to voters, adding that more action will be needed as the technology evolves. Both Evers and Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, last year launched task forces aimed at studying AI, including its impact on the states workforce, and the responsible and ethical deployment of the technology. The nonpartisan AI, Algorithmic, and Automation Incidents and Controversies database, which tracks the misuse of AI, found that the number of AI incidents and controversies has increased 26 times since 2012. That growth is evidence of the greater use of AI technologies, as well as awareness of the possibility of misuse, according to the database. The organization found that policymakers have taken note: An analysis of legislative records in 127 countries found the number of bills referencing artificial intelligence signed into law grew from just one in 2016 to 37 in 2022. Today in sports history: March 21 1941: Joe Louis KOs Abe Simon to retain the world heavyweight title. 1945: George Mikan scores 53 to lead DePaul to NIT semifinals 1959: Oscar Robertson records first triple-double in NCAA tournament's Final Four history 1964: UCLA completes unbeaten season, gives John Wooden his first of 10 championships 1990: Brett Hull of St. Louis becomes sixth player in NHL history to score 70 goals in a season 2008: Alex Ovechkin becomes NHL's first 60-goal scorer in 12 years 2008: One site, one day, four upsets 2010: Teemu Selanne becomes 18th player in NHL history to score 600 goals 2010: No. 12 Cornell first Ivy League school in 30 years to advance to round of 16 2011: Courtney Vandersloot becomes first D1 player - man or woman - to record 2,000 points, 1,000 assists 2013: Julia Mancuso races to her record 16th title 2013: Harvard earns its first NCAA tourney victory, an upset of No. 3 New Mexico The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is now accepting entries from third- to fifth-graders for the "Air, Air, Everywhere" poetry contest. Now in its 13th year, the annual DNR-sponsored contest is designed to raise awareness of the importance of good air quality in honor of Clean Air Month in May. The DNR encourages teachers and parents to submit original poems and riddles created by their students. The three winning poets will have their work featured on the DNR website and social media channels. Requirements: Open to all third, fourth and fifth grade students in Wisconsin. Any form of original poetry or riddle is acceptable. Entry must be 200 words or less and describe air and/or the importance of clean air. Writing must be the original work of the student. Each entry must include the authors name, the name of the parent/teacher and the parent/teachers email and phone number. Entries can be submitted as a Microsoft Word Document, PDF or written in an email. Google Document links will not be accepted. Email entries to DNRAirEducation@wisconsin.gov. The deadline to submit entries is Friday, May 3 . Contest entries will not be returned and will become the property of the contest sponsor. The DNR's 72-page Air, Air, Everywhere Teacher's Guide at https://widnr.widen.net/s/7bw6q8wxlz includes 10 activities to get students thinking about the air in Wisconsin. As part of the "Where's the Air?" activity (https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/sites/default/files/topic/AirQuality/AAE_2010_Activity1.pdf), students will complete simple sensory experiments to discover the characteristics of air and then write a poem or riddle describing air. Be sure to check out the Wisconsin air quality facts and information guide athttps://dnr.wisconsin.gov/sites/default/files/topic/AirQuality/WIAirQualityFacts.pdf to help students complete their riddles and poems. This resource is filled with facts on Wisconsins air quality history and its current status to help students understand the states air quality. More information on the Air, Air, Everywhere contest is available on the DNR website at https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/AirQuality/PoetryContest.html. In 76 Photos: Whitewater Lake Segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, Walworth County IAT American Pokeweed.jpg Ice Age National Scenic Trail - Boardwalk in Whitewater Lake Segment IAT Bridge and Boardwalk.jpg IAT Common Selfheal.jpg IAT Creeping Bellflower 2.jpg IAT Delicate Fern Moss.jpg IAT Erect Hedgeparsley 2.jpg IAT Giant Chickweed.jpg IAT Motherwort.jpg IAT Pine Cones.jpg IAT Sign.jpg IAT Tall Hairy Agrimony.jpg Ice Age Trail yellow blaze marker IAT Trail View 2.jpg IAT Trail View.jpg IAT Whitewater Creek 2.jpg Ice Age Trail Ascent.jpg Ice Age Trail Bird's Foot Trefoil.jpg Ice Age Trail Black Raspberry.jpg Ice Age Trail Black-Eyed Susan.jpg Ice Age Trail Boletes fungi (mushroom) on forest floor.jpg Ice Age Trail Wild Parsnip.jpg Ice Age Trail Yellow Blaze with Trail View in Pine Plantation.jpg Ice Age Trail Yellow Blaze with Trail View.jpg Ice Age Trail Common Chicory (Blue Dandelion).jpg Ice Age Trail Common Crownvetch.jpg Ice Age Trail Common Mullein (Aaron's Rod).jpg Ice Age Trail Common Yarrow.jpg Ice Age Trail Creeping Thistle.jpg Ice Age Trail Deptford Pink.jpg Ice Age Trail Emerald Ash Borer .jpg Ice Age Trail Emerald Ash Borer 2.jpg Ice Age Trail Evening Primrose.jpg Ice Age Trail Fallen Tree .jpg Ice Age Trail False Solomon's Seal.jpg Ice Age Trail False Sunflower.jpg Ice Age Trail Flowering Spurge.jpg Ice Age Trail "Flowing Well" in Town of Whitewater.jpg Glacial deposits on Ice Age National Scenic Trail Ice Age Trail Gray Dogwood.jpg Ice Age Trail Hoary Verbena.jpg Ice Age Trail Illinois Tick Trefoil 2.jpg Ice Age Trail Panicledleaf Tick Trefoil.jpg Ice Age Trail Marker Post.jpg Ice Age Trail Mile Marker Post.jpg Ice Age Trail Morrow's Honeysuckle.jpg Ice Age Trail Nodding Thistle.jpg Ice Age Trail Northern Catalpa.jpg Ice Age Trail Oriental Ladies Thumb.jpg Ice Age National Scenic Trail overlook view Ice Age Trail Oxeye Dairy.jpg Ice Age Trail Perennial Sowthistle.jpg Ice Age Trail Pine Forest.jpg Ice Age Trail Pine Plantation.jpg Ice Age Trail Pinnate Prairie Coneflower.jpg Ice Age Trail Prairie Fleabane.jpg Ice Age Trail Prarie Clearning Under Power Lines.jpg Ice Age Trail Queen Anne's Lace (Wild Carrot).jpg Ice Age Trail Rock covered with Schreber's Big Red Stem Moss.jpg Ice Age Trail Rock Deposits.jpg Russulaceae fungi on the forest floor along the Ice Age Scenic National Trail Ice Age Trail Scenic Lake Overlook 1.jpg Ice Age National Scenic Trail overlook Ice Age Trail Shrub Lespedeza.jpg Ice Age Trail Smooth Sumac.jpg Ice Age Trail Soapwort.jpg St. John's Wort blooming along the Ice Age National Scenic Trail Ice Age Trail Steep Climb.jpg Ice Age Trail Thistle Field with feeding Great Spangled Fritillary butterfly.jpg Ice Age Trail Trichaptum fungi on tree.jpg Ice Age Trail View from Bench.jpg Ice Age Trail Walking Path in Forest.jpg Ice Age Trail Whitewater Lake.jpg Ice Age Trail Wild Bergamot.jpg Ice Age Trail Red Spotted Purple Butterfly.jpg This article appears in the March 22, 2024 issue of Executive Intelligence Review. International Peace Coalition Meeting Crack s i n th e Facad e of Wester n Hegemony [Print version of this article] While we should not pay less attention to the dangerwhich is increasing daily, one can sayit is also clear that if there is a decisive action, there is hope that we can turn the situation around. March 15The 41st meeting of the International Peace Coalition (IPC) convened today, and provided a very interesting contrastone could call it a dissonancebetween despair and hope. On one hand, several participants conveyed a sense of despondency due to the impression that the IPC and the peace movement more generally are trapped in an echo chamber, with few people in the general population getting the message. On the other hand, many participants reported on exciting initiatives designed precisely to break out of the echo chamber and build a bigger base of support for the IPC process. Based on remarks from several speakers, it is also evident that there is a growing revolt in the Global South against the arrogance of Western hegemony and the centuries of colonial policies that have impoverished their nations and destroyed the hopes and dreams of their people. Helga Zepp-LaRouche began the proceedings with a strategic overview that indeed demonstrated this growing revolt by the Global South and the effects it is having on political layers in the West. Of great importance was Pope Francis recent demand that Ukraine have the courage to negotiate a peace settlement with Russia. In the United States, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on March 14 spoke from the Senate floor, demanding that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu resign and that Israel hold new elections, saying that Netanyahu does not serve Israeli security by making Israel a pariah state. In Berlin, during a joint press conference between German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Ibrahim blasted Scholz in regard to the Palestinian genocide, essentially accusing him of racism. In Denmark, the Ambassador of the Palestinian Authority, Prof. Dr. Manuel Hassassian, in an interview with the Schiller Institute, endorsed the LaRouche Oasis Plan for economic development throughout the region. Zepp-LaRouche emphasized throughout her opening remarks that in no way has the threat of nuclear war diminished. She made it clear that only by changing the underlying axioms that continuously lead to failed geopolitical solutions to the war danger, and adopting a new paradigm of development exemplified by the Oasis Plan, is there any hope for peace. The next speaker, Colonel Richard Black (ret.), former chief of the Pentagons Criminal Law Division, characterized the current historical dynamic as moving closer to our 1914 moment, referring to the events which triggered World War I, leading to the deaths of 14 million people. Based on various political moves being made in Europe and the U.S., he sees the emergence of a war consensus with the potential of NATO troops entering into direct conflict with Russia. This is World War III, he said. Despite the impossibility of Ukraine winning the war, the Western elites are determined to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat which will inevitably lead to a nuclear exchange. Terry Lodge, an attorney from Ohio and long-time member of Veterans for Peace, discussed the open letter he authored warning State Department officials that they are engaged in criminal activity by providing Israel weapons to carry out its genocide against the Palestinians. He aptly expressed the dissonance of the current period with his opening statement: As dark and difficult as the last couple of years have become from an international human rights and war-making perspective, what has happened is that planetary citizens are coming together in gatherings like this, to talk sanely and talk rationally, and kind of reawaken awareness to the fact that humanity is struggling and trying to provide guardrails for the conduct of human behavior at a societal and national level. He called the Biden administrations arming of Israel a ghastly, dark comedy, but believes that there are cracks that are occurring in this facade; that people, like the numbers of you on this Zoom meeting, can take some credit for having caused those cracks. Richard Sakwa, Professor Emeritus of Russian and European Politics at the University of Kent in the UK, began his remarks with an analysis of the now-ongoing Russian elections. Prof. Sakwa recounted an interview by well known Russian media figure Dmitry Kiselyov with Russian President Vladimir Putin, in which Putin expressed his belief that the Western vampire ball is ending and that 500 years of Western dominance is over. Putin believes that a new epoch has started and that Russiaas in the Soviet daysis the leader of the new, anti-colonial era. In regard to Ukraine, Putin stated: For us, the Ukraine conflict is a matter of life or death. For them [the U.S. and NATO], its a matter of improving their tactical position globally and in Europe. If the U.S. tries to play chicken, Moscow is prepared to use nuclear weapons and considers its arsenal more advanced than anyone elses. Sakwas assessment is that the current strategic situation is far more dangerous than the first Cold War. Essentially, the West is playing nuclear chicken and as Putin made clear, the Russians dont play that game. Zepp-LaRouche asked Prof. Sakwa, given the gravity of the situation, what must be done to penetrate the mainstream brainwashed population? Sakwa, although not having a definitive answer, pointed to the peace movement of Sahra Wagenknecht in Germany and the election of George Galloway in the UK as a sign of hope. Zaher Wahab, a prominent Afghan-American and Professor Emeritus of Education at Lewis and Clark College in the United States, began by thanking the Schiller Institute for its relentless efforts on behalf of humanity to promote peace and development everywhere. Prof. Wahab expressed his belief that because of the deep economic, political-diplomatic, moral and social crises in the West, while the Global South continues to rise, this heightens the danger of nuclear war. He endorsed the Oasis Plan, and enthusiastically called for its extension into Central and South Asia. Jack Gilroy, a member of Veterans for Peace and Pax Christi, announced a very important initiative: On March 18, Pax Christi, in collaboration with a coalition called Christians for a Free Palestine, are spearheading a national day of action to deliver letters to all U.S. Senators and Representatives on the failure of Christian churches to speak out on the atrocities in Gaza. In her closing remarks, Helga Zepp-LaRouche stated that the enemy of humanity is not nation states, but what she called super-national structures; structures of the neoliberal financial system which rely on war to maintain their existence. She fully endorsed the March 18 day of action and suggested the IPC mobilize for May Day demonstrations in Europe and elsewhere. She also urged everybody to encourage parliamentarians everywhere to endorse Mexican Congressman Robles letter against nuclear war. Zepp-LaRouche concluded by stressing the urgent necessity of implementing the new international security and development architecture, because it throws out the idea of geopolitics, by putting the idea of One Humanity first, and that the new architecture has to take into account the interest of every single country on the planet. This article appears in the March 22, 2024 issue of Executive Intelligence Review. Worl d Hunger Grow s: Farmer s Demand End to Cartels Irish Famine Ag Policy [Print version of this article] March 15World hunger is increasing. In the forefront are the desperate situations in Gaza, Haiti, Sudan, and certain other locations. Overall some 2.3 billion people suffer from some degree of unreliable, inadequate food suppliesnearly a third of the worlds people. Of these, over 900 million are heading to serious food insecurity this year, of which over 300 million are in acute need already. These are the summary estimates of the combined recent reports from the various updates by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, World Food Program, and World Health Organization, and others. The geography of hunger is indicated in the map shown here from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which has a whole division of statisticians following the worsening world situation, instead of collaborating with other nations and agencies to reverse it. The map, though done in 2022 to give a snapshot of only the increase in hunger after two years of COVID-19, is still up to date in indicating the general extent of the food crisis. Behind the Patterns of Hunger There are three patterns which stand out among many indicated in this snapshot picture. First, the largest number of people lacking food are in Africa. This is a testament to the intentions of Western policy of the last half century, to keep down the economies of the 54 nations of that continent. The means to do that include, besides the actions of the banking nexus of the IMF, the agricultural-financial complex that has enforced predatory trade patterns and prevented both modern farming, and the construction of infrastructure for water, power, transportation and industry in Africa. In recent years, Russia and China have been intervening against this with critical development projects at many key sites in Africa, such as the newly inaugurated Nyerere Hydropower Dam in Tanzania. Second, the severe situation and the emergencies of Gaza, Haiti, Sudan, Afghanistan, Yemen, and elsewhere directly result from the decades of Western geopolitics and militarism. In Gaza there is now a daily death toll from starvation and dehydration, and over 2 million people lack food. FAO-WFP Early Warnings on Acute Food Insecurity View full size UN Food and Agriculture Organiation, World Food Programme View full size View full size The FAO-WFP Early Warning map shown here, issued twice a year, gives some idea of the location of the worst food crises as of the November 2023 to April 2024 period. Third, the record of the United States, and Canada, of not only tolerating, but even promoting hunger in their own back yards in the Americas, is miserable. Haiti right now needs emergency food for at least four million people out of its 11 million people suffering chaos from years of all kinds of anti-development, geopolitical actions by the U.S. In Cuba, on which the U.S. has kept sanctions since 1959, the government this month has had to request emergency milk powder from the UN World Food Program, for the first time. This is to ward off child malnutrition. The irony is that in the U.S., dairymen are currently in the lead of family farmers shutting down, because they cant continue to operate at a loss. This one example demonstrates how the general pattern is that, in recent decades, the U.S. has acted against both its neighbors and its own food and agriculture needs, through hostile measures of free (rigged for looting) trade deals and sanctions. Mexico, for example, was a self-sufficient, grain exporting nation as of the 1960s. But since the 1990s, from the introduction of free trade with the U.S. and Canada, it has suffered worsening hunger, destruction of its agriculture, and import-dependence. The agro-financial complex has intervened in countries from Peru to Costa Rica, to impose systems of low-cost production, for the cartels to sell in the U.S. market. This has reached the point that, statistically, the U.S., for the first time ever, has become a net food importer (in money terms) in the past few years. Farmers Protest the Famine System The uprising of farmers in Europe and India, and the crossfire of support with the farmers and ranchers in the Americas, are, in effect, mobilizations from the food producers side of the world crisis, to end the famine policy now in effect from Western power centers. What is needed is a new economic system in the interests of all nations, not the looting system causing hunger and ruining food producers. The dynamic behind the common slogan in Europe is clear: No Farmers, No Food, No Future. In Europe, there has been no meaningful response to the farmers clear demands from the European Union institutions so far this year, even in the face of the mass numbers of farmers and allies from all sectors, in the streets since January. In February, the EU heads of state summit of 27 nations came and went, and then the agriculture ministers did likewise, with only a few concessions, but no new policy direction. The farmers are continuing their fight. In the Americas this month, there are key actions. In Mexico, there was a meeting today, March 15, of the new organization (from Spring 2023), National Front to Save the Mexican Countryside, led by farmers from 20 states, which is meeting in Sinaloaonce called the Granary Stateto confer on mobilizing to stop the dynamic destroying agriculture. They have the support of farm leaders in many parts of the U.S., who have signed a joint statement of Common Purpose with their Mexican fellow farmers and ranchers. The agenda of the Mexican meeting shows the universal concerns of food producers. They will take up three main areas: (1) the world food crisis and the fraud of free trade agreements, (2) parity pricing and a national agricultural plan, and (3) building major water infrastructure and water management projects to deal with drought. St. Patricks Day Dedication To End Famine Also this month, in the United States, the independent LaRouche candidate for the U.S. Senate from New York, Diane Sare, put forth the necessity to end world famine and defeat the forces causing it, as the concept of her message for St. Patricks Day, March 17. A week in advance, she released her statement personally, campaigning in Syracuse. She then held a discussion today on the weekly online Sare for Senate Symposium titled, From Ireland to Palestine: Celebrate St. Patricks Day by Ending Colonialism. The following is the full text of the March 9 statement by Sare (with citations spelled out and linked). In the Spirit of the Irish, Abolish Hunger Across the Globe, from Palestine to Port-au-Prince It is now known that as many as 1.5 million people died of starvation and disease in Ireland between 1845 and 1851, exactly the number of Palestinians being threatened with death by starvation right now in Gaza. In Ireland, the famine was caused, not by a potato blight, which is a cover story, but by theft of food from starving people! An opinion piece by James Mullin entitled, The Irish Famine: Complicity in Murder (Washington Post, September 26, 1997), reported: According to economist Cormac O Grada, more than 26 million bushels of grain were exported from Ireland to England in 1845, a famine year. Even greater exports are documented in the Spring 1997 issue of History Ireland by Christine Kinealy of the University of Liverpool. Her research shows that nearly 4,000 vessels carrying food left Ireland for ports in England during Black 47, while 400,000 Irish men, women, and children died of starvation. Shipping records indicate that 9,992 Irish calves were exported to England during 1847, a 33% increase from the previous year. At the same time, more than 4,000 horses and ponies were exported. In fact, the export of all livestock from Ireland to England increased during the famine except for pigs. Other exports from Ireland during the famine included peas, beans, onions, rabbits, salmon, oysters, herring, lard, honey, and even potatoes. The so-called Irish Potato Famine was not caused by blight, but by the willful intent of the British Empire to kill millions of Irish through starvation. Today, the same thing is occurring in Gaza, Sudan, and even Haiti. This is not because the people who live in these places are too backward to feed themselves, as racist anthropologists would have you believe, but each case is mass murder by design and intent of a dying Anglo-Dutch Empire. View full size UNRWA The case of Gaza demonstrates most clearly the murderous intent. Israeli wanna-be dictator Bibi Netanyahu seized upon the horrific terror attack of October 7 as the rationale for the ethnic cleansing of the entire population of Gaza, a crime known as collective punishment and a violation of the 1948 Convention on Genocide. This will not make Israel safer or more secure, nor will it bring back the lives of those killed on October 7, but merely inflames the region and puts the world at risk of wider war, while endangering the lives of the hostages, whom Netanyahu clearly considers expendable. After giving 1.9 million people in northern Gaza 24 hours to evacuate, Israel leveled the area, leaving virtually no building, school, mosque, church nor even hospital undamaged. As people fled to the south, they were bombed en route, and while that occurred, food, water, and energy were cut off. All of this has been carefully documented in the case presented by South Africa at the International Court of Justice. Now over 30,000 Palestinian people are dead, including over 12,000 children. Thousands more are yet unidentified, buried under the rubble, and 70,000 others are injured with no resources to receive care. Over 90% of the 2.3 million residents of Gaza are now homeless and starving, while hundreds of trucks carrying desperately needed food and medical supplies are barred from entering by the Israel Defense Forces, and the airstrikes continue. The United States vetoed a UN Security Council Resolution calling for a ceasefire for the third time, and then blocked the condemnation of the massacre of starving northern Gaza residents who were trying to get flour from two trucks that were finally allowed in. Over 100 Palestinians were killed and 800 were wounded in what is now known as the Flour Massacre. In 184551, the Irish experience with the British Empire was similar, including the refusal to distribute food that was readily available. As we celebrate St. Patricks Day by eating, let us remember and act on behalf of the millions who have none. Every death from hunger is a death that could have been easily prevented. The United States once had a revolution against the murderous British Empire, and we were right! Never forget that! Lets turn our swords into plowshares and end hunger everywhere in the world, including right here in Syracuse, N.Y. This editorial appears in the March 22, 2024 issue of Executive Intelligence Review. [Print version of this editorial] EDITORIAL The Wisdom of St. Patrick: Development Is the Way to Peace March 17It is too early to say that Irish-American citizens are turning against President Joe Biden to the degree that Arab-Americans and students are. But protests and alternative St. Patricks parades for Palestine in greater New York and in Philadelphia show that the intense support for Palestine in Ireland itself, is infecting Irish-Americans. Despite its governments very long-standing reliance on American political leaders, Ireland is rivaling South Africa in its demands for immediate ceasefire and its denunciation of the genocidal acts of Israel in Gaza. Demonstrations in Dublin in late February involved more than 100,000 people (1.52% of the Irish population). Bidens White House St. Patricks Day celebration was attended only by Leo Varadkar, the Taoiseach (First Minister) of the Irish Republic; other leaders in the delegation, including Northern Irelands First Minister Michelle ONeill and Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald, stayed away. Irish-Americans for Palestine had called on the delegation to boycott the White House on St. Patricks Day. Its amazing how much things can change in a year, said Aodhan O Riordain, a Member of the Dail Eireann (the Irish Republics lower house) who welcomed Biden in April 2023 to address both Houses of Parliament, where the U.S. President of Irish descent was lionized. O Riordain told CBS News March 16, If that happened today, there would be nobody in the chamber. What we see is a very well-equipped, well-armed, powerful nation exact revenge on a very beleaguered people. Irelands Attorney General Rossa Fanning gave one of the strongest denunciations of Israels war crimes in Gaza, to the public hearing of the International Court of Justice Feb. 22, and called on the European Union not to enter economic agreements with Israel until justice has been established in Palestine. The history of how the Irish finally ended a British genocide, and then recovered from it, tells us why Ireland supports Palestinians now; but more importantly, why the LaRouche Organizations Oasis Plan economic development outline is so essential to achieving peace in Southwest Asia. Beginning with the 18451850 Irish Faminethe nadir of centuries of British efforts to reduce the Irish to slavery or eliminate themIrelands population dropped continuously for 75 years, and by 1920 had lost more than half its 1840 level of 67 million, falling to 3 million! What ended that disaster, beginning the 1920s? First, the boycott, import substitution, and self-industrialization policy of Sinn Fein, the party founded just 18 years before it wrested a sovereign Republic of Ireland from the British in 1922. Sinn Fein based itself on the works of the American System economist Friedrich List. The Irish Republic then replaced boycotts of British goods with strong tariffs on them, through the 1950s. Second, the Republic of Irelands immediate adoption of a national waterworks and infrastructure development plan, the Shannon River Scheme, which was carried out rapidly and completed by 1929. A worthy predecessor to the American Tennessee Valley Authority, the Shannon River Scheme was perhaps the first integrated national electricity system in the world. Providing about 90 megawatts installed capacity, it electrified the entire country. It was engineered by Siemens, conceptualized by Irish Siemens engineer Dr. Thomas McLaughlin, and funded by one-fifth of the entire Irish Republic budget for seven years 192329. From the 1920s onward the population of Ireland rebounded, slowly at first but reaching back to 6 million by the 21st Century, a population which now accesses a standard of 6,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity per capita per year. The economic development given by the Shannon River Scheme and other smaller works was essential to help stabilize the period of a two-state solution (the Republic and Ulster) which was very uneasy, to put it very mildly. Only with the Good Friday Agreement of 1998 did the two-state solution become formally recognized by both, and laid open the possibility of eventual unity. Economic development is the essential path to peace. Register and organize for the Schiller Institutes April 13 international online conference, The Oasis Plan: The LaRouche Solution for Peace Through Development Between Israel and Palestine and for All of Southwest Asia. On 20 March at least 15 people were killed in attacks around Haitis wealthy residential Port-au-Prince suburb Petion-Ville, according to reports from local news outlets such as Le Nouvelliste. 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 On 20 March the lawyers of, who is accused of killing Rio de Janeiro city councillorin 2018, sent a statement to the Brazilian press in which they announced they would step down as Lessas legal counsel and criticised the decision to sign a plea bargain, which was announced by authorities the day before. End of preview - This article contains approximately 384 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options Aid groups warn that famine, a widespread lack of food, will soon strike two troubled places: Gaza and Haiti. In Gaza The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) is an organization that follows hunger worldwide. On Monday, the group warned that more than one million Gazans could face famine if Israel expands its offensive in the southern city of Rafah. About half of the territorys people are crowded into the city. The report says almost all of them are struggling to get enough food already. This is the largest number of people facing imminent famine in the world today, and it has only taken five months to occur, said Matthew Hollingworth, the acting World Food Program country director for the Israeli-occupied territories. The European Unions foreign policy chief Josep Borrell called the expected famine entirely manmade, adding, starvation is used as a weapon of war. Aid groups say that international efforts to ship food by air and sea are too small and too few. The IPC reported that famine could happen in Gaza any time between now and May if fighting does not stop. In Haiti In Haiti, four million people need help with food and about 1.4 million others are on the edge of famine, reports the United Nations World Food Program. Aids organizations compared the situation in Haiti to a war zone. Criminal groups, or gangs, control many parts of the country and prevent aid from reaching its people. Only a few aid organizations have been able to restart operations shut down since February 29. That is when gangs began to attack. They burned police stations, shut down airports and raided prisons, freeing more than 4,000 prisoners. Less than two weeks later, Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry announced that he would resign from office. Haitian citizen Erigeunes Jeffrand spoke to the Associated Press about the conditions in his country. He said he used to make a living selling sugar but the recent gang activity ended that. Criminals forced Jeffrand and his four children to flee their neighborhood. My home was completely destroyed and robbed, he said. They took everything I have. And now, theyre not even letting me work. Jean-Martin Bauer is the Haiti director for the World Food Program. He said last week, We have supplies for weeks. Im saying weeks, not months. Bauer added, That has me terrified. What is famine? The IPC was developed in 2004 during the famine in Somalia. Worldwide, the group says nearly 158 million people face crisis hunger situations or worse. The group says famine is when an entire population or a sub-group of a population is without food, possibly causing death in the short term. In famine, 20 percent of households would have an extreme lack of food, 30 percent of children would suffer from severe malnutrition and at least two adults or four children per every 10,000 people would die each day because of starvation, malnutrition and disease. While the depth of the food crises in Haiti and Gaza is new, the underlying conditions are not, said Tobias Stillman, a director of the aid group Action Against Hunger, via email. Even before the war, 80 percent of Gazans depended on humanitarian aid and about half of all households did not have enough food, he said. In Haiti, millions were already dealing with emergency levels of hunger and crisis levels of food need. Death from starvation can come surprisingly quickly, Stillman said. Without food, the body uses carbohydrates and fats first. When those are gone, muscle and organs begin to break down. Body systems, including digestion, start shutting down, which makes it harder to take in nutrients. Many times, people without food die of common infections. If that does not happen, organs shut down and the heart stops. Children younger than five, pregnant and breastfeeding women, old people and people with underlying health problems are most at risk. I'm Gena Bennett. Hai Do adapted this story for VOA Learning English based on The Associated Press news reports. ____________________________________ Words in This Story imminent - adj. happening very soon occur - v. happen zone - n. an area that is different than other areas disgestion - n. the process by which food is changed inside the body after it is eaten An Afghan education official says the ruling Taliban group might permanently close girls' secondary schools. The official said the Taliban is instead supporting religious schools known as madrasas. The Taliban shut down girls' secondary schools in 2022. The group gave "religious and cultural" concerns as the reasons. Taliban officials defend the ban. They say they are working to create a correct educational environment for older female students. Schools may never be reopened the way they were under the occupation, an official at Afghanistans Education Ministry told VOA. The official was referring to 2001 to 2021, when the U.S. military was in the country. The official said there is no major difference between a traditional school and a madrasa. The official did not wish to be named because the Taliban have banned its members from speaking to VOA. The official added that madrasas serve the purpose of education just as well as traditional schools. However, the United Nations and human rights workers worry that madrasas cannot fully replace traditional schools. They say madrasas deal too much with religious studies and do not teach enough subjects. U.N. concerns about madrassas U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed this worry in a report to the U.N. Security Council this month. He said the madrasas do not prepare boys or girls well enough for higher education and professional training. Students need higher-level education and training to join an effective workforce in the future, he added. The U.N. reports there are over 7,000 registered madrasas in Afghanistan with about 380 for girls. Taliban officials have said there are no age limits for girls attending the religious schools. In his report, Guterres noted that employing new teachers for madrasas has continued. In July 2023, the leader of the Taliban ordered the hiring of 100,000 new madrasa teachers by the end of last year, the report said. Pashtana Dorani is a U.S.-based Afghan womens education activist. She said the Taliban has already replaced traditional schools with religious ones. They have created their own system, Dorani told VOA. In addition to closing secondary schools for girls, the Taliban has banned women from most jobs. The group also does not permit women entry to some public places like parks and sport centers. Last year, the all-male Taliban cabinet banned womens beauty parlors. Taliban officials say their rules agree with what Afghans want for the future. Last year, education ended for more than 330,000 Afghan girls as they passed grade six exams. Aid agencies said they joined more than 3.7 million girls who are banned from secondary schooling. Experts worry about the long-term effects of the Talibans education policies. Afghanistan has one of the highest levels of maternal deaths during childbirth in the world. Experts warn that restricting education will lead to even worse public health problems. The U.N. childrens agency, UNICEF, estimates keeping girls out of schools causes $500 million in economic losses for Afghanistan each year. The Taliban ruled Afghanistan from 1996 until October 2001. After 20 years of war, they returned to power in August 2021. Im Andrew Smith. Akmal Dawi reported this story for VOA. Andrew Smith adapted it for VOA Learning English. __________________________________________________ Words in This Story beauty parlor n. a business that provides women with services meant to beautify their hair, skin and fingernails A growing number of American libraries are struggling to offer users digital versions of books because they cost a lot more than physical copies. Public demand for digital materials including books called e-books as well as audiobooks has been rising at U.S. libraries since the COVID-19 pandemic. But libraries have had difficulties meeting demand. This has forced many librarians to put users on waiting lists to borrow digital materials. Associated Press (AP) reporters recently spoke with library officials about the problem. One library they visited was in the community of West Haven, Connecticut. There, library workers noted big cost differences between physical and digital books. Most libraries are currently not permitted to buy e-books for a set price like individuals who purchase them online. This is because libraries offer the books to many people to borrow. One example is a work by bestselling writer Robin Cook. A physical, hard copy version of Cooks latest book costs the West Haven Library $18 to buy, the AP reports. But the cost of leasing a digital copy of the same book costs the library $55. Library officials told the AP lease prices are set by book publishers and generally cannot be re-negotiated. Such leasing agreements end after a limited time. Usually this means the lease lasts for up to two years or until it has been borrowed a set number of times. The cost of the leases is putting financial pressure on libraries. Officials at West Haven Library told the AP they do not have a large budget. But they said they had to spend more than $12,000 over the past three years to lease 276 additional digital books that were not available within a larger library network. The officials said 84 of those books were no longer available. And they noted that if the same $12,000 had been spent on paper books, the amount would have paid for about 800 copies. Imagine if a playground was built at a school with tax dollars, only to be taken down after two years of use," librarian Colleen Bailie said at a recent public hearing on the issue. Publishers say their agreements with libraries are fair. They say that, while libraries pay a higher lease rate, they can make the books available to many users over time. Librarians in several states have been pushing for legislation to reduce high costs and restrictions on digital materials. This year, lawmakers in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Illinois, Hawaii and New Hampshire all proposed bills aimed at lowering costs. But the measures have faced strong opposition from the publishing industry. The industry argues the proposals do not effectively respect intellectual property owned by copyright holders and would harm the publishing businesses. Libraries Online Inc. is a digitally connected library group operating in Connecticut. The organization says it currently spends about $20,000 a month on e-books for its 38 members. The cost of renewing expired e-books takes about 20 percent of the groups budget, e-book committee chair Rebecca Harlow told the AP. If we replaced all of the content that has expired this year, the cost would exceed our entire annual budget for e-books, Harlow recently told lawmakers. We have completely lost the ability to build a library collection, she added. In Illinois, a legislative proposal would cancel contracts between libraries and publishers that include certain rules. These include restricting a librarys right to decide loan periods for licensed electronic material. Massachusetts and Connecticut are considering similar proposals. Last year, groups representing publishers, booksellers and writers formed a group the Protect the Creative Economy Coalition to oppose state measures. But Julie Holden, assistant library director for the Cranston Public Library in Rhode Island, said she thinks legislative action is needed. Otherwise, local librarians will continue to face financial pressure and will need to keep examining long lists of expiring digital leases to decide which ones can be replaced. Holden added, Taxpayers who fund our public libraries deserve better. Way better. Im Bryan Lynn. The Associated Press reported this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the report for VOA Learning English. Quiz - US Libraries Struggle to Pay for Costly Digital Books Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz _____________________________________________ Words in This Story library n. a building containing a large collection of books and other materials that people can read and borrow lease n. a legal agreement in which a person pays money in order to use something intellectual property n. property such as inventions, research and media that carry rights for the owner to use, sell or gain from the property expire v. when a document, agreement, etc. stops being valid exceed v. to be more than a particular number or amount licensed adj. having official, documented permission to do something deserve v. to earn the right to do or have something YIMBY sounds nice. YIMBY stands for "Yes in My Backyard." It's a positive-sounding rejoinder to NIMBY, "Not in My Backyard." The NIMBY label is being used to stigmatize defenders of zoning laws, with the goal of bulldozing the rules. Needless to say, real estate developers are all for YIMBY -- though not necessarily where they themselves live. The YIMBY movement has gained steam as a solution to the alleged shortage of "affordable" housing, a vaguely defined concept. Its backers now comprise a diverse group combining the left and the right for not always the same reasons. But it is a blunt tool and bad politics. Zoning is intended to serve local needs and desires. The best examples consider geography, history and existing infrastructure. But states are now bullying towns to just build, build, build. Look, America is a big place. We don't all have to stuff ourselves into a handful of urban corridors. This is not a defense of all zoning laws. Good arguments can be made for easing regulations to let homeowners build accessory apartments, often sweetly referred to as "granny flats," or to rent an apartment over the garage. Duplex (two-family) homes can be a nice addition to a neighborhood of single-family houses. And in many places, a case can be made for allowing taller structures near rail stations. That kind of building happened naturally around Dallas' 93-mile commuter rail line. But at the time of the lines' construction, many of the stations were surrounded by open land. Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte got a bunch of YIMBY hugs when he pushed through a law forbidding local governments to enact zoning laws. (Anything goes? I don't know.) A photo on Bloomberg News showed a sign heralding a future 82-house development outside Culbertson, Montana. The sign was surrounded by empty land to a distant horizon. Montana isn't Connecticut. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul's plan to force building in already congested suburbs is being jeered for good reasons. The townspeople don't want high rises to obliterate their familiar downtowns. The argument for trading quality of life for cheaper housing is a loser. Hey, if you really want to build more housing in Manhattan, why not erect towers on all that wasted land in Central Park? Imagine how much cheaper housing would become in Paris if they leveled all those six-story Belle Epoque buildings and erected apartment blocks in their place. A battle rages in San Francisco over plans to put a 24-story apartment building at the foot of Telegraph Hill, whose steep streets and quaint cottages grace a jillion postcards. A group backing it, YIMBY San Francisco, represents developers claiming their dedication to affordable housing. But only a fraction of that project's units would be "affordable" -- and 10 of them would go to people earning up to 120% of the area's median income. So much for "granny flats." Towns in densely populated eastern Massachusetts are mad about the state's MBTA Communities Act. It imposes strict demands to build multifamily housing in towns served by transit. In a letter of protest sent to Gov. Maura Healey, the Select Board of Wrentham argued it was not against adding to the housing supply, but that the bill would force the town to increase its population by as much as 13% without any state funding. Wrentham doesn't even have municipal sewage. The Wrentham selectmen stated well the threat they see in the housing requirement -- that it "will lead to the destruction of the small-town New England charm we've come to love." "Yes in My Backyard" so often means "Yes in Your Backyard." But no. We don't have to roll over for developers. The award ceremony for the Macau-wide English Essay Competition (MEEC) took place at the Macao Science Centre and prizes were awarded to 61 young writers among 1,600 students from 47 local schools. The competition, which aims to promote understanding of the UNs 17 Sustainable Development Goals, is now in its third year. This years theme, Nature and Me, prompted participants aged 9 to 25 to explore the relationship between humanity and the natural environment. The essays were evaluated by a panel of judges through blind judging rounds. Feng Du Wen from the University of Saint Joseph won first prize in the college category for his essay on economic growth and its impact on climate change. Other first prize winners included Cheong Lok Ian from high school, Ho Tak In from middle school, and Lao Chi Tou from primary school. The chair of the MEEC Organising Committee, Sandy Leong, praised the students choice of topics, noting that they went beyond the typical subjects of nature, biodiversity, and animals to discuss economy, responsible consumption, and food. The event also provided students with the opportunity to deliver speeches and discuss their compositions. The prize giving ceremony, organized by the Macao Professional Speaking Association (MPSA) and two other local associations, was attended by various guests, including Leong Cheng I from the Cultural Affairs Bureau and Keith Buckley, the chairman of the British Chamber of Commerce. Staff Reporter The Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng reiterated the importance of actively promoting construction efforts within the Greater Bay Area and enhancing market integration within the area. Speaking at the recent Spring Banquet of Guangdong Province 2024, Ho called for the joint participation of enterprises from Guangdong and Macau to foster international economic cooperation and competition. Ho pledged that further efforts would be made to advance the Guangdong-Macao Intensive Cooperation Zone in Hengqin and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. He also stressed the importance and significance of furthering Guangdong-Macau cooperation across a broader range of fields. Meanwhile, Chief Executive and the Governor of Guangdong Province, Wang Weizhong, said in his speech that throughout 2023, Guangdong and Macau had worked together in unity, jointly promoting exchanges and cooperation in various fields. The development and opening-up of Hengqin accelerated, and the construction of the Greater Bay Area showed new vitality and a new outlook, he said. Staff Reporter Uncertainty and draconian regulations have drastically raised risks for foreign businesses in China, a report by a European business group said yesterday. The lengthy paper by the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China urges Chinas leaders to do more to address concerns that it says have grown exponentially in recent years. This report comes at a time when the global business environment is becoming increasingly politicized, and companies are having to make some very tough decisions about how, or in some cases if, they can continue to engage with the Chinese market, it says. The study, compiled by the chamber and the China Macro Group consultancy, echoes concerns that have been raised by European and American companies operating in China. Foreign investment fell 8% last year from a year earlier as companies recalibrated their commitments in the worlds second largest economy. EU Chamber officials said Chinas changing business environment partly reflects moves by Beijing to minimize risks due to trade friction and dependence on imports of key commodities or industrial products. Thats especially the case given trade friction with Washington and discussions about decoupling supply chains from China after the disruptions that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. But they said European companies also must manage their own risks. China has sought to emphasize its openness to foreign companies and investment. Its commerce ministry spokesperson said the country was working to ensure 100% access to manufacturing by eliminating remaining trade barriers. On Tuesday, the State Council, Chinas Cabinet, issued an updated version of an action plan announced in July to promote more foreign investment, especially in high-tech areas favored for growth such as computer chips, biopharmaceuticals and advanced equipment. It promised tariff exemptions and called for stopping practices that discriminate against foreign companies. But other actions have run counter to that spirit of openness. Raids on foreign businesses in China, unclear state secrets laws and tightening rules on handling of data have generated unease among many foreign business people in the country. The number and severity of risks companies find themselves having to navigate has grown exponentially in recent years, Jens Eskelund, president of the European Chamber in China, told reporters in a briefing before the reports release. At the same time, Beijing has not addressed many of the issues raised by foreign businesses, among them access to government procurement contracts, which are vital given the huge role of state-owned companies in the economy. Its particularly difficult for medical equipment companies and research and development. Meanwhile, pharmaceutical companies are quite alarmed by data security regulations that make clinical trials impossible, said Markus Herrmann Chen, co-founder and managing director of the China Macro Group. We are still the odd guys out, and this needs to change, Herrmann Chen said. Part of the challenge results from Chinas increased focus on national security in terms of reliance on technologies vital to its own industries. In part, such strategies are driven by U.S. moves to cut off business with Huawei Technologies and to prevent sales of leading edge computer chips and the equipment needed to make them. American companies have expressed similar concerns. Sean Stein, the chair of the American Chamber of Commerce in China, said recently that China has made progress in addressing some issues but not others. The business community would like both sides to be much more clear about the definitions of national security and how its determined, he said in an interview before an annual chamber banquet with Chinese officials. Because what we need is predictability, and we need certainty. One sore point for European business: a Chinese announcement of plans for anti-dumping investigations into three French brandy producers: E. Remy Martin & Co., Martell & Co. and Societe Jas Hennessy & Co. Its hard to see how 300 euro ($330) bottles of XO can be accused of dumping, Eskelund said. For its part, China is unhappy with an ongoing European Union investigation into subsidies for electric vehicles in China and whether they have given Chinese makers an unfair advantage in European markets. Meanwhile, with regard to cybersecurity, Eskelund said weve seen some very draconian new regulations being published in China. He said Europes approach to trade and investment issues was targeted, very limited and very focused on eliminating critical dependencies, not at competing with China. But companies still must hedge against risks or potentially be blindsided by policy shifts. At the same time, companies also face risks in cutting back and must bring their best game to China, while others feel too exposed, especially after the shocks of the pandemic, when entire cities were ordered into lockdown and factories suspended production at times. Chinas market has become less predictable, reliable and efficient, the report says, partly because the business environment is more politicized. Eskelund called on China to restore predictability to the regulatory environment. ELAINE KURTENBACH & KEN MORITSUGU, Beijing, MDT/AP A man has been arrested for allegedly selling illicit substances in Macau, the Judiciary Police (PJ) announced to a press briefing yesterday. The man, aged 38 and a non-local worker from the Philippines, has been charged with the crime of illegal production and transactions involving narcotic and psychiatric drugs, the police added. It was also disclosed that the man works as a warehouse assistant at a local courier company. Following intelligence, the police became aware that some drug traffickers would send illicit substances to Macau by mail. Under the assistance of the Macao Customs, the PJ managed to lock down a suspicious parcel. In the evening on Mar. 19, the police saw the suspect collecting a parcel at the shop located in the Central district. Inspectors intercepted him and searched the parcel and found 30.7 grams of unprocessed cocaine. The unprocessed narcotics were contained in three handbags for camouflage purposes. Later in the operation, the inspector found 15.6 grams of methamphetamine in the suspects residence in the Northern district. Apart from the narcotics, the inspectors also found tools for dividing the narcotics, a digital weighing scale and a stove believed to be used for extracting and refining the narcotics. The narcotics found were worth about MOP400,000, the police said. During interrogations, the suspect admitted to conducting drug processing and dealing, the police disclosed. He claimed that he followed instructions from those higher up in the hierarchy to collect the parcel. Refining the narcotics before selling them is also part of the set of instructions, the suspect further claimed. The suspect also said that for each parcel collection, he would earn MOP500. Police disclosed that the suspect said he had only been performing these acts for two weeks. Despite the confession, the suspect has declined to provide further details of the drug processing and dealing, such as the origin of the narcotics and his superintendents, the police said. However, the police were convinced that existing evidence is sufficient to press charges against him. The police also explained that, after processing, raw cocaine can expand three to four times in weight. Fatal traffic accident The Public Security Police Force (PSP) is seeking witnesses to a fatal traffic accident that took place early yesterday morning in Ilha Verde District. The police received a report about the accident at 5 a.m. At the location, a greening area, police officers saw a heavy motorcycle and a male motorcyclist. Upon arrival, police officers could not detect signs of life from the man, who is a local resident. Preliminary investigations suggested the man lost control of the motorcycle and crashed into the greening area. To assist in investigations, the police are calling for witnesses to the accident. Any information can be directed to the Traffic Department of the PSP at 2837 4214. Lawmaker Ella Lei previously called on the government to review management mechanisms for public works subcontractors. In response, the bureau responsible for such matters replied that it would carry out an in depth study where they would seek to identify the general consensus between different sectors. In a written interpellation, the lawmaker warned of the negative effects of poor management of public works subcontractors and called on the government to impose measures to safeguard them. However, in a brief reply following Leis extensive request, the Public Works Bureau (DSOP) remarked that it had an open attitude and when there is general consensus between the different sectors, a more in-depth study will be carried out. The lawmaker had reiterated to the government that when work is undertaken on a large-scale, it necessarily involves a large number of subcontractors. This can cause a problem of hierarchy between contractors and, if there is a lack of a good adjudication and supervision mechanisms, conflicts easily arise in relation to payment for the works such as due to delays and non-payment between subcontractors. This will affect the progress and quality of the works. Over time, many small and medium-sized companies in the construction sector have been complaining about imperfections in existing laws and mechanisms, as well as the lack of instructions and mechanisms defined by the government to ensure payment for works, Lei stated. Subcontractors are often unable to receive money for works within the defined deadlines and even encounter situations in which they do not have the means to demand payment, which results in large losses, and these situations also occur frequently within the scope of public works, she added. Lei has also questioned the government as to how it would improve situations to prevent the works from remaining unfinished and prevent the contractor from leaving after receiving the money. Lei suggested the government require public works contractors to adopt the necessary measures to ensure that the works are carried out by subcontractors with professional capacity, experience and good reputations. Staff Reporter Visitor arrivals soared by 106.7% year-on-year to 3,293,564 in February, recovering to 92.9% of the level recorded in the same month of 2019, according to data from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC). The increase in the number of arrivals occurred amid the Chinese New Year holidays when the city wrapped up the 10-day long holiday with 1.5 million people. Last year, these holidays fell in the last week of January. The figure represents a rise of 15.1% month-on-month. Same-day visitors (1,867,660) and overnight visitors (1,425,904) leapt by 148.9% and 69.1% year-on-year respectively. Also, international visitors totalled 176,192 in February, back to 71.6% of the figure in the corresponding month of 2019. Macau has a budget of MOP235 million to attract more visitors from outside Greater China in a bid reduce the citys economic dependence on the mainland Chinese gaming market. Regarding the Southeast Asian markets, the numbers of visitors from the Philippines (39,837) and Indonesia (12,471) exceeded February 2019 levels, rising by 26.2% and 3.2% respectively. Numbers of visitors from Malaysia (12,265) and Thailand (8,973) returned to 91.7% and 92.9% of the corresponding levels in February 2019. In relation to the Northeast Asian markets, numbers of visitors from Korea (41,844) and Japan (11,442) recovered to 48.6% and 52.6% of the respective levels recorded in the same month of 2019. In relation to long-haul markets, visitors from the USA (9,903) rebounded to 70.0% of the February 2019 level. The government has held roadshows in different regions outside the mainland to promote the SARs tourism offerings. Meanwhile, visitors from mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan in February rebounded to 95.7%, 92.5% and 71.9% of the corresponding levels in the same month of 2019. In the first two months of 2024, the number of visitor arrivals expanded by 105.8% year-on-year to 6.16 million Analysis by Leanda Lee* Humans can be odd. There is a whole range of theories about what motivates individuals and groups to act in certain ways. One would reckon a few theories would suffice but incentives come in many forms and the way we value the outcomes is determined by a range of group norms, cultural factors and value-laden concerns and preferences specific to individuals. In the late 90s, it was fashionable in human resources to provide flexi-hours. This was nothing like working from home during and since Covid-19, but then the technology was not available to support such work or for the monitoring and measurement of on-line productivity. One of the largest retailers on earth had implemented core working hours from 10am to 3pm at their head office during which time everyone was to be in the workplace. Beyond those hours, provided staff were at work 8 hours a day, they could come and go freely. It was a dismal failure. Employees were still turning up to work at 7am or leaving way after 7pm, not taking advantage of the program regardless of the pressures they had said they felt from a lack of work-life balance. We sent a team in to investigate. Staff said they gratefully perceived the organizational support, but two big hurdles gradually revealed themselves. Some senior managers regularly worked until very late and would have conversations with their staff at that time which anecdotally led to desirable projects and promotions being allocated to the staff who stayed back. Then, there was the car park. Some of it was under cover and sealed, other spaces a long walk away were graveled dusty on hot days or muddy on rainy ones. The early risers got the good parking spots; pure logistics (and maybe high heels!) brought people to work early. Authorities might believe they put valid incentives in place, but there are hidden hurdles. Macau residents and businesses have been known to have a lackluster response to opportunities made available in Hengqin. There are lessons here for integration into the Greater Bay Area. Not all great ideas are great for everyone. There are the enticements, and eventually stronger directives, but between these lie an appreciation for existing structural hurdles to achieve desired outcomes. This is where we currently appear to be moving in the incentivization of people towards GBA integration. There is a news article on the Social Security Fund website reported upon in The Times which suggests that while residents are encouraged to study, work, run businesses and live in other areas of the GBA, there was a structural disincentive in place against Macau residents moving to the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth cooperation zone in Hengqin. Regulations stipulate that residents need to be in Macau for at least 183 days a year to access their rights and interests under the two-tier social security system. From 1 March 2023, upon application, time in the Hengqin Cooperation Zone can be deemed to be time in Macau for these purposes. Another hurdle removed. In another realm, obstacles to the development of Macaus telecommunications industry as part of the GBA integration policy were raised by Rui Marcelo, Vice President, General Assembly Macau Communications Development Association, in these pages last week. He said the adoption of new ICT legislation would create certainties which would encourage investment in infrastructure such as high-capacity fixed networks, fair competition, security and safeguards for both industry and users around how new technologies can be implemented. This would help create an active and innovative hub. Uncertainty slows innovation and development, unless the returns by far outweigh the risks as seen in the gaming industry, but that is not the normal state of play. Local authorities will need to ensure key development industries are offered a clear runway with obstacles removed and not just the promise of blue skies. Structural and institutional certainty and a clarity of vision will help clear the way for new investors and SME entrepreneurs alike. The recent announcements at the 14th National Committee of the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference for continued consultations, discussions, exploration and recommendations for economic and social development of the GBA are critical promises that we will eventually experience integrative mechanisms. Removal of physical barriers and ease of travel, however, between Macau, Hengqin and other areas in the GBA is a base level of convenience required for human interaction, social and community development and business coordination, not to mention access to larger markets for businesses on all sides. Mobility of goods and services, human movement and interaction are all tangible signs to the population that integration is happening, that it has momentum and is coming to fruition. Each time another permit scheme is implemented these messages are bolstered and confidence improves. Examples can be found in the recent northbound travel program for private Hong Kong vehicles, and the seamless integration between Macau and Hengqins Intensive Cooperation Zone recently strengthened by the tax-free status of goods from Macau. The inclusion of parcels and luggage in this mix speaks to the goals of normalization of life for Macau residents relocating there: more incentives for real people without barriers. Impediments will continue to come to light. For instance, not all Macau residents are yet equal under these schemes. This might result in Macau employers hesitating when hiring for cross-border enterprises as the pool of skilled labour they can hire from will be restricted to a subset of the local workforce. Employers may be inadvertently forced to discriminate against those Macau residents not offered full and equal access to the GBA. Systems change is complex but with careful monitoring these and other impediments will be ironed out before inequities and unintended consequences become entrenched. *Contributing editor and scholar The Green Forum at this years Macau International Environmental Cooperation Forum and Exhibition (MIECF) will revolve around carbon neutral urban development, the government announced in a statement. This edition of the Green Forum will focus on important international environmental issues, the government underlined. It aims to contribute suggestions and proposals for how green and low-carbon social development policies might be achieved. At Session 3, titled Creating a Plan for a Carbon Neutral City to Combat Climate Change, there will be discussions on the implementation of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality, which has become a widely-discussed and debated topic at an international level in recent years. It is also a key matter in the promotion and development of Chinas socioeconomic and environmental sectors. Among other speakers, the session will see speeches and opinions from Cui Dandan, associate counsellor of the Department of International Cooperation of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the Peoples Republic of China, and Isabella Huang Loh, president of the Singapore Environment Council. The session will be held on the morning of Mar. 29 in the Sicily Meeting Room of the Venetian Macao. Speakers will address topics such as Towards a Green and Low-Carbon Urban Future, in Synergy with High-Quality Cooperation under the Belt-and-Road Initiative, Deepening Cooperation between Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau in Ecological and Environmental Protection to Build a Great World-Class Beautiful Bay, Observing Green and Low-Carbon Urban Development from a National Pilot City, and Green Cities of Portugal: Lisbon & Guimaraes Examples of Carbon Neutrality for Climate Action, the government further explained. AL On the Agenda In Guangdong province, a vibrant job market is anticipated this year, buoyed by a resurgence in overseas orders and a growing demand for labor in manufacturing and cross-border e-commerce sectors. This optimistic outlook was shared by companies and local officials at an employment fair, as reported yesterday by China Daily. Zhuhai Gree Electric Enterprise Ltd, a key subsidiary of the appliance giant Gree Electric Appliances Inc., has seen a 10-20% increase in production in recent months. The company, located in Zhuhai, Guangdong, is on a hiring spree, looking to add over 100 new members to its workforce, according to a human resources manager named Wu. With positions like equipment operators and technicians on offer, the company promises competitive salaries between 5,500 to 7,000 yuan and free accommodation. The job fair, which took place in Guangzhou, and the manufacturing hub Dongguan, showcased over 70,000 job opportunities from 1,300 companies. Over 400 manufacturing firms participated, offering a plethora of technical roles that constituted around 45% of the jobs available. Guangdong Xinbao Electrical Appliances Holdings Co Ltd, another prominent participant, expressed a strong demand for workers due to a solid order book in the first quarter. The Foshan-based company plans to hire 50-60 people for various technical and managerial positions. Guangzhou Mino Equipment Co Ltd, a leader in intelligent manufacturing solutions for the automotive sector, anticipates a 50% surge in output value this year, resulting in a need for 160 to 200 additional workers. The company, according to its general manager Luo Lei, values problem-solving skills and comprehensive abilities, including language proficiency for its expanding international market. The job fair also showed a significant demand for cross-border e-commerce talents, especially those proficient in languages such as Spanish, Vietnamese, Russian, and Japanese. Guangdong Soxi Intelligent Equipment Co Ltd, for instance, is expanding its footprint in markets like Vietnam, Thailand, and Spain, seeking professionals with foreign language expertise. The Chinese government continues to focus on employment, especially for young people. It aims to create over 12 million new urban jobs and maintain an urban unemployment rate around 5.5% this year. In Guangdong, over 90% of migrant workers have resumed work post-Spring Festival, reflecting a stabilizing employment environment. Australia received its most senior Chinese leadership visit in nearly seven years yesterday with stability a key theme of the discussions between the countries foreign ministers. Chinas Wang Yi met with his counterpart Penny Wong in Canberra on his tour of Australia and New Zealand. It was the highest level meeting in Australia between the nations since 2017 and comes as relations continue to thaw after a tumultuous period under Australias former government in which trade measures were imposed on a raft of Australian products and security tensions were escalating around the region. A stable relationship between Australia and China doesnt just happen, it needs ongoing work, Wong said at a news conference after the meeting. And this was the latest meeting in that process. Wong acknowledged important differences remained between the countries, but work to uphold their common interests would continue. Australia will always be Australia and China will always be China. However, we will cooperate where we can but disagree where we must and to manage these differences wisely, she said. Among the differences raised yesterday was the case of detained Australian Yang Hengjun, who was found guilty of espionage in a closed trial and sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve in February. Wong said Australians were shocked by the sentence and the government would not walk away from our advocacy for Doctor Yang. Also discussed was the removal of the last trade tariffs on wine, rock lobster and some abattoirs that China imposed in 2020 during the most recent nadir in the bilateral relationship that has cost the Australian economy an estimated 20 billion Australian dollars ($13 billion). Were very proud of our wine and our lobster and our beef and we think Chinese consumers would benefit from all of those products having access to the Chinese market without any impediments, Wong said. We think its in both countries interests. Earlier, Wang said Australia and China could learn from their past tensions. The past twists and turns over the decade leave us with lessons to draw on as well as valuable experience, he said before his meeting with Wong. Relations are now on the right track, so we shouldnt hesitate, we shouldnt let it veer off course and shouldnt go backwards. Outside the Chinese Embassy in Canberra, dozens of protesters cloaked in Tibetan and Uyghur flags protested Wangs visit and urged the Australian government not to overlook the human rights situation in China. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported that police removed several people who tried to get inside the diplomatic compound. Wang is the most senior Chinese official to visit Australia since then-Premier Li Keqiang met with then-Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull in 2017. Plans for current Chinese Premier Li Qiang to visit Australia were on track, according to both foreign ministers. It is expected in mid-2024. Wang briefly met Prime Minister Anthony Albanese before travelling to Sydney for further meetings. In New Zealand, Wang met counterpart Winston Peters, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and the countrys trade minister. KEIRAN SMITH, SYDNEY, MDT/AP The 2024 Macao International Parade will happen on the streets of Macau this Sunday (March 24) and an additional outreach program will be held over the week, mostly on the weekend. A total of 64 local groups and around 20 performing groups from different countries and regions will present a series of performances in the community. These performances started on March 17 and will continue until March 23 (Saturday), the day in which more events will take place. The interactive exhibition Confessing in Springtime designed by the Three People Art and Literature Club is one of these extended activities and will be held from March 21 to 24 at Jorge Alvares Square from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Three performances of the Dynamic Rhythm Wooden Dummy are also expected to take place on Saturday (March 23) but this time at the Rotunda de Carlos da Maia (popularly known as Three Lamps). This performance combines Red Boat Wing Chun (Kung Fu) and the beats of gongs and drums in Cantonese opera and will be presented by Macau Wu Jun Fu Yueju Opera Role Association. On the same day, a Street Art Carnival will be held in the central district from St. Dominics Square to Tap Seac Square from noontime until 4 p.m. This activity includes a parade procession composed by local and foreign art groups including Afuma, African Masks, Dodos, Little Comma Theater Company, Cal y Canto Teatro, Grande Cantagiro Barattoli, Macau Anglican College Primary Percussion Ensemble, MGRASSU, Odilia Nunes, Dulce Duca, and A La Fresca, and will showcase their skills and present a spectrum of performances including African stilt-walkers, colorful mask dances, bewitched dodo birds, Mulan gatecrashing, dolls in one orchestra, Oolong nannies, kite-flying, acrobatics on roller skates, miniature musical puppets, and musical flash mobs in anticipation of the full parade that will take place on the following day. From 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Tap Seac Square, experienced puppet-maker Mike Troxel from Norway will also perform with his peculiar puppets while the Autin Dance Theatre from the United Kingdom will stage a performance that includes rolling a giant wheel. Voters for awardees, photo contest entrants invited The festival will feature auxiliary, popular awards as well as a photography contest, for which public participation is invited, the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) said. The IC elaborated that eight awards would be available for over 80 art groups participating in the Parade to compete for, including the Most Popular, the Most Energetic, the Most Creative, and the Best Performance, among others. The photography contest, meanwhile, requires entrants to take the theme of the parade this year and feature shots of the performances, atmosphere, performers and events. The contest is open to all Macau residents aged 12 or above, and each participant can submit up to five photos before Apr. 8. The contest offers a Champion Award, a first Runner-Up Award, a second Runner-Up Award, and 15 Merit Awards. Lawmaker Si Ka Lon calls for the acceptance of Macau Health Voucher in medical venues in Hengqin. Trying to explain the necessity, Si said that the government had promised to consider data linkages between local health centers and the center in Hengqin. He also raised the fact that Hengqin Hospital and the Macau University of Science and Technology Hospital are jointly operating a medical facility in Hengqin. Si says that the reason behind the proposal is that medicines approved in Macau and Hong Kong but not in mainland China are allowed in Hengqin with proven clinical needs. Related This story contains spoilers, in case you havent yet watched the latest episode of Top Chef. The first episode of Top Chef: Wisconsin, which aired Wednesday night on Bravo, provided the frenetic drama typical to the 18-year-old reality cooking show along with postcard-perfect shots of Milwaukee. Milwaukee shows off The Pfister Hotel, where the contestants went downtown for a meet and greet and drink, was in all of its glory, as were the views of Lake Michigan. The show started with new host Kristen Kish, the Top Chef: Seattle season 10 winner, introducing herself to the cheftestants and saying the applause gave her goosebumps. She told the group of 15 chefs that she grew up on the other side of Lake Michigan, in Kentwood, Michigan, a suburb of Grand Rapids. So this kind of feels like a homecoming in more ways than one. What Wisconsin food would you like to see used by Top Chef contestants? This season of Top Chef is based in Wisconsin. Pick the state favorite that you would like to see them make. You voted: Cheese curds Hotdish Venison Bratwurst Brandy Old Fashioned Braunschweiger and Limburger Cannibal sandwich Vote View Results Back Cheftestants compare awards Many of the contestants talked about how many times theyd been nominated for a James Beard Award. Dan Jacobs, the chef/co-owner of Milwaukees DanDan and EsterEv restaurants, the first Wisconsin contestant in the shows 21 seasons, said he was nominated for a Beard Emerging Chef award and has been a five-time Beard semifinalist for Best Chef: Midwest. The contestants were asked if theyd ever worked in a Michelin-starred restaurant and many of them raised their hands, but Jacobs didnt. Contestants face immunity plot twist Kish told the contestants that first impressions are important in the competition, but that they wouldnt be making one that day because they were scrapping the normal lead-off quickfire challenge, something introduced in season 12. Quickfire is the first competition in an episode when contestants square off and the winner gets an advantage in the elimination round, which is the second part of the episode when they face off against other competitors. The loser packs their knives and goes home. In this episode, the immunity normally given for a quickfire win was to instead go to the winner of the elimination challenge, which one competitor called a plot twist. Immunity means that the winning contestant cant be sent home in the following challenge. It just gives you more incentive to keep cooking gangster food the entire time, Kish said. One soup, one pasta, one chicken Contestants drew knives with the three judges names on them to divide into teams. One team needed to make a soup. Another, stuffed pasta. The third had to roast a chicken. The contestants were given $200 each and 30 minutes to shop at Whole Foods Market. The next day they had two hours to cook. They served their dishes to the judges at Milwaukees Lupi & Iris restaurant. The local Milwaukee judges, joining Kish, and longtime star judges Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons, were Paul Bartolotta, co-founder and owner of The Bartolotta Restaurants, and Adam Siegel, executive chef and owner of Lupi & Iris and a Beard Award winner. He does Italian food. Good luck, guys, Jacobs piped in. One chef appeared to be struggling David Murphy, chef/co-owner of Shuggies Trash Pie + Natural Wine in San Francisco, was the contestant who seemed to be struggling the most. Kish asked the Texas native with the cowboy hat, necklaces, and arm and neck tattoos if he had a plan for his dish as he scurried around the kitchen. I dont know what Im doing. I dont have a vision for the dish, Murphy said as he produced a bowl with poached shrimp, Sungold tomatoes, a coconut-cilantro broth with a green curry sauce. A warning: Keep things simple In the judges discussion, Colicchio said the chefs needed to keep things simple. Im surprised theres still so much going on in these dishes. He described Murphys dish as stuff that he just put in a blender, and gave a whirl to see what happens. Kish gave the final decision: David, please pack your knives and go. While Top Chef is focused on Wisconsin this season, only one of the contestants calls the state home. Dan Jacobs is one of 15 contestants on the show. He co-owns the restaurants DanDan and EsterEv in Milwaukee. Jacobs was a competitor in "Beat Bobby Flay" in 2020. The Chicago native has lived in Milwaukee since 2011, according to the bio on his restaurant's website. Jacobs took courses at what is now Le Cordon Bleu before starting as a chef, and he worked at several Chicago restaurants. When he moved to Milwaukee, he started as a sous chef at the restaurant Roots. In 2014, he became the executive chef at Odd Duck, according to his bio. A year later, Jacobs left to open DanDan, a modern Chinese restaurant, with chef Dan Van Rite. They later opened EsterEv. Jacobs was diagnosed with Kennedy's disease, which is often confused with ALS, according to his bio. He and Van Rite host an annual event to raise money to combat the disease. He is married to ceramics artist Kate Riley. What Wisconsin food would you like to see used by Top Chef contestants? This season of Top Chef is based in Wisconsin. Pick the state favorite that you would like to see them make. You voted: Cheese curds Hotdish Venison Bratwurst Brandy Old Fashioned Braunschweiger and Limburger Cannibal sandwich Vote View Results Back More Top Chef: There is no traditional front desk. Instead, guests at Madisons newest hotel check in at the bar. And if there is a need for an extra towel, more shampoo or an iron, theyre all located in self-service metal cabinets illuminated by purple neon lights in the hallways of each floor. But when the 151-room Moxy Madison Downtown hotel opens Thursday at 823 E. Washington Ave., guests will also notice its music-themed decor, bright furniture and a dumbwaiter that shuttles drinks from the first-floor bar to the second-floor lounge and library. The hotel, where rates will range from $140 to more than $500 per night, is also one of the narrowest in the city. Its shoehorned into a 60-foot-wide lot across from Festival Foods between the Rabinia Courtyard and American Family Insurances nine-story Spark office building. We made it work. Its a tight footprint but its a brand that can work on this footprint, said Andy Inman, NCGs chief development officer. Its a great location. Across from Breese Stevens Field, same block as The Sylvee and all the other good stuff going on in Cap East. There was a time when the Capital East Neighborhood was filled with used-car lots and vacant industrial buildings. But since 2011, the corridor has been transformed with apartment towers, office space, restaurants and performance spaces. A joint venture group, Kleuter Master Tenant LLC, opened the 144-room Hotel Indigo in April 2019 on the former Mautz Paint site while closer to the state Capitol, NCG opened the 165-room AC Hotel Madison in 2017. The Moxy is also on the same block as The Sylvee, a concert venue that can hold 2,500 people, and the event space Tin Smith. Meanwhile, some Moxy guests will be able to see and likely hear concerts at Breese Stevens Field from some of the hotels balconies. This corridor and Downtown Madison offer a lot for the guest to experience the best of Madison, Inman said. The (Moxy) brand is not geared toward a business traveler, per se. Its more geared towards that fun seeker. The Moxy brand was created in 2013 in a partnership of Marriott International and IKEA, although the hotels do not have furniture from the Swedish retailer. The first Moxy opened in Milan, Italy, in 2014 and over the last 10 years the Moxy brand has grown to 150 locations around the world, including 39 in the U.S. The Moxy Madison Downtown is the first in Wisconsin and the second for NCG, which opened a Moxy in Omaha, Nebraska, in October. National profile NCG has 28 other hotel properties around the country under flags like Courtyard, Hampton Inn & Suites, Homewood Suites, Tru by Hilton and Hyatt House. It also partnered with the Milwaukee Bucks to open the Trade Hotel next door to Fiserv Forum in 2023, owns a conference center in Brookfield and Liberty Station American Tavern & Smokehouse at Rimrock Road and the Beltline in Madison. In April, NCG will also open the Saddlery, a 45-room, extended-stay hotel in a historic, four-story building at 317 E. Wilson St. and a newer two-story building at 323 E. Wilson St., both that had been used by Rubins Furniture. The property, with views of Lake Monona, is expected to offer a mix of studio and one- and two-bedroom units, spacious rooms highlighting the existing historic warehouse structure and finishes, a rooftop patio above the two-story building for guest use, first-floor commercial space along East Wilson Street, and a fitness room and guest laundry. When travel came back (after COVID-19), it came back with a real focus on people wanting to experience their travel and experience the communities they travel to, Inman said. At the Moxy, standard rooms are fairly basic and encourage guests to lounge in the hotels common spaces, whether its in front of the fireplace, at the bar or in the atrium on the first floor or the second-floor lounge and library. A restaurant, yet to be named, is scheduled to open later this summer on the hotels eighth floor with balcony views of East Washington Avenue, Breese Stevens Field and glimpses of Lake Mendota. On the other end of the floor will be a 1,250-square-foot event space that includes a balcony and sweeping views of Lake Monona. A music theme is carried throughout the hotel, including lockers that resemble cassette tape mixes and a wall of compact discs at the check-in area of the bar. Album covers provide hints to which floor guests are on when they exit the elevators. The sixth-floor albums include Ed Sheerans No. 6, and On the 6, the debut album from Jennifer Lopez. The second floor includes Boyz II Mens Legacy, the greatest hits from 2 Live Crew and Queen II. Paying tribute The Moxy project gave Heather Beal, NCGs interior design and procurement director, creative license to decorate a property with a musical flair. One of her signature projects at the hotel is the two-room Rockstar Suite. It includes an electric guitar above the bed, a mirrored headboard and a near life-size leopard statue wearing a studded collar at the foot of the bed. In the lounge area of the room is a series of shelves with memorabilia paying tribute to Pink Floyd, Dolly Parton, the Rolling Stones and Madisons own Garbage. In a corner is a small shelf with the Moon Man from MTV while a tiny turntable serves as a centerpiece on a table. This room was a lot of fun to design. I could use as much of my imagination as possible, said Beal, who was wearing a Johnny Cash T-shirt under a jean jacket during a tour of the hotel. There were no limits. There were no rules. It took a while to figure what I wanted to do and a lot of shopping trips, but I think it ended up to be a really unique space in Madison. Photos: Moxy Madison Downtown hotel The Madison School District is ending early release Mondays at high schools next year, due to Metro Transit busing changes. Madison schools have long dismissed students about an hour or so early every Monday, which allows time for staff development Monday afternoons, and the bus schedule shifts accordingly. But while middle and elementary students use First Student yellow buses to get to and from school, Metro Transit provides bus service for high school students. And keeping the current bus routes and schedule next year is not possible for Metro Transit, which is in the middle of a systemic overhaul that is significantly shifting routes and schedules, the school district announced in an email to parents Monday afternoon. To maintain federal funding, daily Metro schedules need to be consistent across the week and year-round, the school districts email said, meaning the city would have to continue running early release Monday routes every weekday, through the year. Adding additional daily routes would double the cost and present additional staffing challenges for Metro. Like other places throughout the country, Madisons city transportation and school district have struggled to hire enough bus drivers to cover all routes. Weve considered moving high school transportation to yellow bus service, however, that would not be a viable option at this time, Interim Superintendent Lisa Kvistad said in the email. Increasing our routes with Metro would put a financial burden on the district that would also not be sustainable. As a result, high schoolers next year will have the same schedule Mondays through Fridays. Elementary and middle school students will continue having early release Mondays, a school district spokesperson said. The busing change means high school staff will lose their Monday afternoon development time. To compensate, the school district is adding three professional development, non-school days to the high school schedules. For the 2024-25 school year, those will be Sept. 16, March 10 and April 14. The district last fall changed school start and end times for middle and high schools in response to consistent busing delays as the district switched to a new transportation provider. The change ended most significant delays, although parents and teachers had only two weeks to adjust their work and childcare plans. Responses to the Wisconsin State Journals candidate questionnaire. Four candidates are seeking three seats on the village board. Incumbent Cody Bratton did not respond. The election is April 2. Cameron Bjorklund Age: 33 Family: Married, one child Job: Lead product manager at Singlewire Software Prior elected office: Trustee of the village of Cross Plains, two years Other public service: None Education: Bachelors degree in Computer Science, UW-Eau Claire Matthew Meinholz Age: 31 Family: Married to Kelly Job: I am a production machinist for Plastic Ingenuity Prior elected office: None Other public service: 10 years on CPFD as a volunteer firefighter Education: Associate degree from Madison Area Technical College in machine tooling technics; additionally, Wisconsin certified firefighter 2 Michael Pomykalski Age: 50 Family: Single Job: Self-directed investing Prior elected office: Village of Cross Plains trustee, 2017-19, 2020-present Other public service: Rosemary Garfoot Public Library Board 2017, 2018, 2021; Cross Plains-Berry Fire Board, 2018, 2020, 2022; Cross Plains Sustainability Committee, 2019-21, 2023-present; Cross Plains Finance Advisory and Enhancement Committee, 2023-present Education: Bachelors and masters degrees in mechanical engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Q&A What unique expertise or experience would you bring to this office? Bjorklund: I have a wide breadth of experience working for municipalities and their emergency service groups in the public sphere, to growing businesses and teams in the private sphere. Ive honed a collaborative leadership style that ensures inclusive decision making that pulls in all sides and viewpoints, and Im very good at leveraging that to solve incredibly difficult problems. Meinholz: I have an outside view on almost every subject and I feel that is a beneficial perspective. I enjoy debating, and I feel I have a lot of life experience packed into my years. Pomykalski: Having served as a village trustee for six years I know the issues and projects the village is currently considering and will use this experience coupled with practical and pragmatic decision making, an eye for detail, and public involvement to position the village for a happy and prosperous future. What is the most pressing problem facing the community, and how would you fix it? Bjorklund: The cost of water in the village of Cross Plains. That sounds strange in 2023, but I have combed through municipalities throughout Wisconsin, and I cannot find a single one that pays more per month on their water bill than the residents in the village of Cross Plains. I will continue to fight for a lower water bill in Cross Plains. Meinholz: Lack of a sense of community is a huge problem. I love small towns and friendly neighbors. I want to lead by example with a smile and a helpful hand. Pomykalski: The operating budget is on track to run into the levy limit if spending continues to increase as it has in previous years. In order to avoid a referendum, spending has to be carefully examined and made as effective as possible in order for the village to continue to provide the amenities and services it currently does. What do you most want for your community? Bjorklund: Intelligent sustainable growth. We have to scale up our existing infrastructure, like our village hall, police station and pool to accommodate the growing population. This needs to be done creatively to ensure the best financial and long-term return for the residents and families of Cross Plains. Meinholz: Freedoms, community involvement and middle ground we can all stand on. TULSA, Okla. Tulsa County's top prosecutor said juvenile charges are not warranted in connection with a fight at Owasso High School involving a 16-year-old who died the following day. Sophomore Nex Benedict, who identified as nonbinary and preferred masculine or gender-neutral pronouns, said the incident in the school bathroom Feb. 7 involved girls the 16-year-old identified as bullies. "From all of the evidence gathered, this fight was an instance of mutual combat," District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler said in a statement released late Thursday. "I do not have a reasonable belief that the State of Oklahoma could sustain its burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt if charges were presented for prosecution." Benedict's death became a rallying cry for LGBTQ+ advocates over a week later when a blogger's story went viral, leading many to believe the Owasso student was fatally beaten. Kunzweiler, who said his office received a full autopsy with the toxicology report, noted trauma was found but did not contribute to Benedict's death. A summary report of Benedict's autopsy cites suicide as the cause of death, with a combination of two prescription drugs found in the 16-year-old's system. In his statement about the case, Kunzweiler cites the discovery of suicide-related notes written by Benedict that were reportedly found during Owasso Police Department's investigation. "Although the notes do not make any reference to the earlier fight or difficulties at school, the parents indicated that Benedict reported being picked upon for various reasons while at school," he said. In an interview shared by Owasso police, Benedict told a school resource officer that verbal antagonism with a group of girls escalated to physical aggression after Benedict poured water on them in the bathroom. The officer told Benedict and their parent that throwing the water constituted assault, so pursuing charges for the fight may not go the direction you want it to go. The district attorney said he is "in agreement with (the Owasso police) assessment that the filing of juvenile charges is not warranted." Kunzweiler said the civil court system remains an option, where "the burden of proof is significantly less" for wrongful death cases. Owasso Police Department directed further questions to the district attorney, adding the case is closed from the agency's perspective. Kunzweiler said Owasso police did a "thorough and comprehensive" investigation and sent its report to the DA's Office "for review only, and not ... requesting charges to be filed." The district attorney alluded to the country's growing suicide crisis, calling Benedict's death "a tragedy" leaving many questions that "may never be answered to the satisfaction of the people affected." An attorney for Benedict's family, Jacob Biby, said he didn't expect the family to comment Thursday on the district attorney's decision. In a statement last week, however, the family called on schools, administrators and lawmakers to come together and push for reforms that seek to end bullying. Reforms creating school environments that are built upon the pillars of respect, inclusion and grace, and aim to eliminate bullying and hate, are the types of change that all involved should be able to rally behind, Benedict's family said. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Photo gallery: Vigil held for Nex Benedict in Oklahoma City NEX BENEDICT OWASSO STUDENT DEATH NEX BENEDICT OWASSO STUDENT DEATH NEX BENEDICT OWASSO STUDENT DEATH NEX BENEDICT OWASSO STUDENT DEATH NEX BENEDICT OWASSO STUDENT DEATH NEX BENEDICT OWASSO STUDENT DEATH HIDE VERTICAL GALLERY ASSET TITLES The Wisconsin Department of Justice is investigating an incident in which a Mishicot police officer injured a suspect amid an altercation Tuesday. Mishicot officers were dispatched to the 200 block of South Main Street in Mishicot just before 4 p.m. for a reported domestic dispute. When they arrived, police were approached by someone in the driveway who was acting aggressively, according to a statement from the DOJ. After officers' verbal attempts to de-escalate the situation failed, they deployed non-lethal force to keep the person under control, which distressed the person. Officers provided lifesaving measures and an ambulance later took the person to a nearby hospital. According to the DOJ, that person has yet to be released from the hospital. No other people were harmed in the incident. The involved officers, who were wearing body cameras, are on administrative duty amid the investigation, the DOJ said. How spending on public safety and policing has changed over the last 40 years How spending on public safety and policing has changed over the last 40 years Spending on public safety in cities in the US has doubled since 1980 Police funding has remained about half of public safety budgets consistently for 40 years Even with ballooning public safety budgets, many cities allocate more money to the police Some cities have reigned in police spending, while others have tightened overall public safety budgets Organizers of a recall effort against Assembly Speaker Robin Vos have fallen woefully short of the minimum signature threshold, Vos asserted in a challenge filed Thursday with the Wisconsin Elections Commission. Vos, who earlier this week described organizers of the recall as whack jobs and morons, also claimed in the challenge that petitions submitted to the commission earlier this month were plagued with fraud and criminality, providing examples of at least 20 individuals named on the petitions who claim their signatures were forged. This failed effort has proven to be what I said it would be from the beginning a waste of time and resources, Vos said in a statement. That is especially true for the residents whose identities have been stolen and the local officials who must now investigate these matters. The recall effort was launched in January by Republicans frustrated that Vos had refused former president Donald Trumps request to overturn the 2020 presidential election, something the speaker is not empowered to do under state law and the Constitution anyway. Organizers said last week they submitted more than 10,000 signatures to the Wisconsin Elections Commission. However, an initial review by commission staff found the group appears to be more than 900 signatures short of the 6,850 needed in Vos old Assembly district to force an election. Vos was elected in the 63rd Assembly District, but new maps signed earlier this year by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers place Vos in the new 33rd Assembly District. Whats more, some of Vos previous territory now falls in the new 66th Assembly District. Regardless of the number of signatures collected, its unclear which legislative district hed run in after the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled late last year that maps used in the 2022 election are unconstitutional, barring their use in any subsequent election. New maps signed into law earlier this year dont go into effect until November. In his challenge, Vos argues a recall can only take place in the new 33rd Assembly District. This recall effort was doomed from the start, as it was initiated three weeks after the Wisconsin Supreme Court explicitly stated that the prior Assembly Districts were unconstitutional and thus could not be the basis for a recall (or any) election, Vos challenge states. Because the recall cannot proceed in the 63rd Assembly District, the recall was improperly initiated and must be rejected out of hand. The Wisconsin Elections Commission has asked the Supreme Court to clarify which boundaries should be used for the potential recall a decision that could determine how many signatures are needed or deemed valid. The court in a split decision Tuesday offered all parties in the case until Thursday to file a response to the commissions motion. Racine County Other questions about the recall effort have come from Racine County District Attorney Patricia Hanson, who said last week her office began receiving reports of suspicious signatures just days after the petitions were submitted to the Elections Commission. The Racine County District Attorneys Office has had numerous calls to report theft of identifying information from electors whose names appear on the recall petitions, but did not sign a petition personally, Hanson said. Vos previously had expressed suspicion that the recall group illegally paid people to sign the petition and engaged in other wrongdoing, including collecting signatures outside his current district. Jailhouse stroke? In his recall challenge, Vos pointed to 21 people who signed affidavits alleging their signatures were fraudulently included in the petitions, as well as fraudulent signatures for at least three minors. Vos also alleges petitions include names of people who are ineligible to vote and someone who was being held in the Racine County Jail at the time they allegedly signed the petition. This may just be the tip of the iceberg, the challenge document states. Speaker Vos challenges all of these signatures and respectfully requests that WEC make appropriate criminal referrals for the election fraud committed by the circulators responsible for these crimes. In addition, Vos alleges 471 signers did not provide their correct municipality and 831 signers provided illegible or incomplete address information. Recall signers must include a complete address. Organizers of the recall effort in a statement Monday attributed suspicious signatures to sabotage committed by people from outside the state. Organizers said they meticulously followed every rule, adding later that despite our vigilance, a few unverified petitions slipped through due to a volunteer oversight, a regrettable yet isolated incident. Today in sports history: March 21 1941: Joe Louis KOs Abe Simon to retain the world heavyweight title. 1945: George Mikan scores 53 to lead DePaul to NIT semifinals 1959: Oscar Robertson records first triple-double in NCAA tournament's Final Four history 1964: UCLA completes unbeaten season, gives John Wooden his first of 10 championships 1990: Brett Hull of St. Louis becomes sixth player in NHL history to score 70 goals in a season 2008: Alex Ovechkin becomes NHL's first 60-goal scorer in 12 years 2008: One site, one day, four upsets 2010: Teemu Selanne becomes 18th player in NHL history to score 600 goals 2010: No. 12 Cornell first Ivy League school in 30 years to advance to round of 16 2011: Courtney Vandersloot becomes first D1 player - man or woman - to record 2,000 points, 1,000 assists 2013: Julia Mancuso races to her record 16th title 2013: Harvard earns its first NCAA tourney victory, an upset of No. 3 New Mexico Assaulting a Wisconsin election official could result in 18 months in prison under a bipartisan bill signed into law Thursday by Gov. Tony Evers. The governor also signed a measure that prohibits municipalities from closing more than half of its polling places within 30 days before an election. But the Democratic governor vetoed several other election-related bills, including Republican-authored proposals seeking to curb the governors power to appoint replacements for elected executive branch officials who resign and reduce to 3 feet or less the distance election observers can stand from where voters announce their name and address and register to vote. The first measure Evers approved, Senate Bill 822, creates a penalty for assaulting an election official in Wisconsin and bars the release under the states open records law of clerks personal phone numbers or addresses. The law, which comes as local clerks across the country report increased harassment since the 2020 presidential election, would also provide election officials who report fraud or irregularities with whistleblower protections. Almost two of every three local election officials nationwide say false information is making their jobs more dangerous, according to a 2023 poll by the liberal Brennan Center for Justice. Asked the biggest reason retiring clerks wouldnt continue in their jobs, the top answer was, Too many political leaders are attacking a system that they know is fair and honest. Under the bill, physically attacking election officials would be raised from a misdemeanor to a Class I felony, subjecting offenders to up to 18 months in prison and two years of extended supervision. The penalty for publicizing election officials phone numbers, addresses or other personally identifiable information would be raised from a fine to a misdemeanor if the person knows releasing that information would lead to officials receiving threats or physical harm. The measure goes into effect on July 1, 2025. Another measure approved by the governor, Assembly Bill 298, bars cities from closing more than half of their polling places within 30 days before an election. City officials also would have to post public notices in advance of any planned closures. The new law follows decisions by a handful of communities to close polling locations in the April 2020 election due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In Milwaukee, all but five of its 182 polling places ultimately were closed, leading to long lines to vote. Sen. Andre Jacque, R-De Pere, said the law will prevent city officials from disenfranchising their citizens with surprise polling location closures. This bill will protect our right to vote by making sure local officials notify us early about proper polling locations so we can submit our votes on time, Jacque said. Bills vetoed Evers struck down several other measures sent to him by the Republican-led Legislature, including Assembly Bill 476, which would have required special elections in most cases to replace executive branch officials who resign. The measure comes in response to Republican objections to how the administration handled the replacement of former Secretary of State Doug La Follette, who resigned last year just two months into his 11th consecutive term. La Follette stepped down after narrowly defeating former Republican Rep. Amy Loudenbeck of Clinton. Evers then replaced La Follette with Sarah Godlewski, a former Democratic U.S. Senate candidate, to serve out the rest of La Follettes term. Under the proposal, special elections would be required to replace a secretary of state, treasurer, attorney general or state superintendent of public instruction. The only exception would be if an official resigned from office in the same year that position was up for election. In that case, the governor would be able to appoint a temporary replacement, subject to Senate confirmation, to serve out the rest of the term. In his veto message, Evers wrote that he opposed the Legislatures continued, widespread efforts to infringe upon executive branch authority. The provisions of this bill could result in long-term vacancies in these critical positions, disrupting continuity of government, and resulting in the absence of leadership and accountability within core state government agencies and constitutional offices, Evers continued. Another bill, Assembly Bill 543, would have allowed election observers to stand 3 feet or less from where voters announce their name and address and register to vote. Current law allows observers to be between 3 and 8 feet from voters. But some observers argued they could not see ballots being handled during recounts for the 2020 presidential election, according to the bills sponsors. I cannot support legislation that could enable voter intimidation and prevent election workers from effectively and efficiently carrying out their important duties without interference, Evers wrote in a veto message. More action Other bills vetoed Thursday include: would allow residential care facility and nursing home employees to serve as voting assistants during public health emergencies. would require election officials to notify families of relatives who plan to vote with the aid of a special voting deputy, an official who assists voters at nursing homes or assisted living facilities. would have required public and independent charter schools to schedule a time every school year upon request from a federally chartered youth membership organization to allow the organization to visit the school and encourage students to join the organization. would require the Legislative Audit Bureau to conduct a performance audit of election processes after every general election in the state. Other bills signed: adds catalytic converters to the list of vehicle parts considered major. The change turns catalytic converter theft into a felony punishable by up to three years and six months of combined prison and extended supervision, $10,000 in fines, or both. increases the minimum fine issued to a driver who fails to stop for a school bus with its flashing lights activated from $30 to $500. The maximum fine for such violation increases from $300 to $1,000. Today in history: March 21 1685: Johann Sebastian Bach 1952: Moondog Coronation Ball 1965: Rev. Martin Luther King Jr 1997: Bill Clinton 2006: Jack Dorsey 2007: Al Gore 2012: Kofi Annan 2012: Sean Payton 2016: Raul Castro 2017: Chuck Barris 2017: Neil Gorsuch 2019: Donald Trump If youre reading this, the world is a better place with you in it, reads Kadynce Neitzkes new sign that sits on the side of I.B. Perrine Memorial Bridge. Kadynce is a senior at Twin Falls High School. For her senior project, she chose to raise awareness about mental health, an issue that affects almost everyone in one way or another. On Wednesday, the community gathered at the visitors center to support Kadynce at her signs ribbon cutting ceremony. Organizations that work to spread mental health awareness, like Jaes Place, Crosspoint Family Services and Magic Valley Suicide & Awareness Prevention, also showed their support and shared information with guests. On average, 49 out of 100,000 young adults die by suicide in Twin Falls, according to St. Lukes Hospital. The overall rate in Idaho is 20.9 suicides out of 100,000. I put (the sign) up on this side of the canyon because most people in crisis tend to go on this side of the bridge, she explained. The sign features the number to the National Suicide Hotline, 988, and a purple and teal ribbon to honor suicide awareness. It took Kadynce a while to create a design for her project and determine the signs foundation, but after that, the process went by smoothly. Its been a really great experience and Im really thankful that I got to do this for my senior project, Kadynce said. After graduation, Kadynce will head to Idaho State University with a double major in criminology and psychology to help more people in her community, one step at a time. 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. Every business, interest group, civic organization, legal group, education entity, government agency and living-and-breathing human being in the Gem State should take heed of the chronic shortage of experienced and competent lawyers seeking to be district judges. It has become harder each year to recruit good candidates for district court positions because of a variety of factors low pay, high stress, burnout and the prospect of having to gain the office through a contested election. The situation will only get worse if Senate Bill 1347 is approved by the Legislature this session. For those who may not know how Idahos court system is organized, there are three components. Magistrate courts, which currently have 101 magistrate judges, handle civil trials where up to $10,000 is at stake, plus domestic, traffic, estate, misdemeanor and a variety of other cases. District courts, with 49 district judges, handle the full range of felony and higher-stake civil trials. The appellate courts, with a total of 9 judges, handle and decide appeals from the two trial court components. Candidates for magistrate judge are thoroughly vetted and appointed by regional magistrate commissions. Lawyers seeking positions on the district and appellate court are vetted by the Idaho Judicial Council, which sends a list of the best candidates to the Governor, who appoints from the list. These largely non-political appointment mechanisms have made Idahos court system one of the best in the nation. Former Governor Otter reported on numerous occasions that he regularly received praise from other state governors about the high quality of Idahos judiciary. Former Idaho Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger Burdick also received accolades from his counterparts in other states for the recognized excellence of Idaho judges. To keep an excellent judiciary up and running, lawyers must be incentivized to step forward and apply for judicial positions. Most will take a pay cut of more than 50% from what they can make in private law practice for the privilege of serving as a judge. I did and I do not regret it. But, if it appears to potential applicants that the burdens of the job substantially outweigh the privilege of being able to perform public service, few would be willing to step forward. That is where Idaho is with district court positions. Appellate positions the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals still have enough well-qualified applicants to fill court vacancies, despite the bargain basement compensation package. The same applies to the magistrate courts. The district courts simply dont have enough competent, seasoned applicants to fill and replenish their ranks. That poses a serious danger to the ability of the district courts to do their work, and to the public that depends on those courts to decide cases quickly and competently. Magistrate judge openings often get at least twice as many applicants as district judge openings because they are assured of a merit-based appointment process, the pay disparity is not substantial and magistrate judges do not have to face the prospect of an election contest. On the other hand, district judges presently have a merit-based selection process that the sponsor of Senate Bill 1347 wants to largely disable by requiring district and appellate openings to be filled through contested elections. The sponsor wants to eliminate a retirement benefit that was put in place in 2000 as a recruitment incentive for district and appellate judges, even though she would leave in place a similar recruitment incentive that was adopted for magistrate judges in 2006. Lawyers could be excused for not wanting to apply for a district court position under such uncertainty as to job benefits and whether the benefits would be subject to future revision during their service. The failure of the Legislature to give all Idaho judges the 7% cost-of-living increase that all other state employees received in 2022 did not go unnoticed by those lawyers. But there is yet another significant consideration for district courts the workload. District judges have the highest-pressure job in Idahos court system. They deal with heavy-duty felonies, like the Daybell and Kohberger murder cases, as well as complicated and high-dollar civil disputes that are litigated to the nth degree by deep-pocket parties. Handling the everyday work of managing a complex case and responding to the incessant demands of the lawyers involved takes long hours nights and weekends, which leads to stress and burnout. Who would want to take a pay cut of more than 50% for that kind of miserable job? Legislators should be considering measures to make all court positions more attractive to a broader range of competent, seasoned lawyers. Special emphasis should be placed on getting more applicants for district court positions, because that is where the recruitment problem has reached crisis proportions. Pursuing measures designed to discourage accomplished lawyers from applying for district court positions, where they are needed the most, does not make sense. The Stand up for Courts group, composed of Butch Otter, Patti Anne Lodge, Denton Darrington, Phil Reberger and a host of other concerned citizens, is urging that Senate Bill 1347 be stopped in its tracks in the Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee to help preserve Idahos excellent judiciary. I have heard some say that joy is their favorite word. By definition, joy is a great pleasure, happiness, success, or a sense of well-being. We choose to find joy each day. When we get bogged down with work pressures, how do we find joy? Everyone can relate to days at work, regardless of your job title or industry, where you get bogged down, stuck in the mire if you will, with the pressures of day-to-day operations. We have all been pulled in many different directions; at the end of the day, you might feel frustrated that you did not accomplish what you started. This has disconnected us from the joy weve found in our careers. Joy connects people, and joy fuels further success. Harvard Business Review did an article on making joy a priority at work. Their findings were that employees were more likely to find joy at work when they felt harmony, impact, and acknowledgment. A lot has been written that employees who feel their companies make a positive social contribution feel more personally committed to achieving the companys vision and strategy. Pursuing happiness sets the direction, but feeling joy provides the daily contribution that we are where we should be. At various times throughout our lives, we may feel stuck or lost. These feelings often come from numerous pressures all at once. It could be personal, professional, or world event-related. For example, when on 9-11, I was working at a liberal arts college in Washington State. Many co-workers were numb; they went through the motions each day, trying to process what was happening in the world. Covid is another example of how everyone had to work at finding joy as we coped with these and other challenges. Quote Pursuing happiness sets the direction, but feeling joy provides the daily contribution that we are where we should be. Finding joy is not about striving for perfection; it comes from taking advantage of our strengths and being courageous, authentic, grateful, and connected. It is about taking a risk and betting on you! Use these three ways to get joy back at work: Build your strengths into your day. Your strengths are natural energizers and building them into your working day boosts you. First, identify your strengths. Keep in mind that what energizes one person is different from another. For example, one team member might find energy in coming up with new ideas, while another might find great joy in organizing and planning. If you need to know your strengths, ask mentors and trusted friends. Their answers might surprise you, as others see us more clearly than we see ourselves. Focus on your professional growth. One of the best things you can do as a leader is to spend time developing yourself. Personal growth does not have to be career-related, and it energizes you. For example, some find growth in exercise as they push themselves to beat their previous goal. Others find growth in developing a hobby such as painting. Some see growth in attending seminars and networking with others. There is no end to the limit of personal and professional development, but you must seek it, work at it, and be consistent. Positive relationships. Everyone needs cheerleaders in their lives. Living authentically isnt only about understanding yourself; it also requires that we feel secure in the environment we live and work in and feel safe sharing our thoughts and ideas. Identify a few people within your work whom you trust and can open up to. Share your aspirations, hopes, and goals with them. Joy is contagious. It strengthens our bonds with others through positive behavior, such as being kind and friendly. Joy is a choice we make each day. When we seek the positive, our world and challenges look brighter. We then can increase our problem-solving skills, be more creative, and have the capacity to inspire those around us. Collection of Leading Off columns A collection of Leading Off columns by Cheryl Viola. - Advertisement - The Aboitiz Group earmarked P153 billion for 2024 capital expenditures, or more than double the amount it spent in 2023. It said in a statement majority of the budget would go towards the groups renewable energy (RE) projects, reflecting the companys commitment to developing cleaner and more sustainable energy sources for the country. Our substantial increase in capital expenditures is a clear reflection of our commitment to renewable energy. We believe that investing in sustainable energy sources is not just good for the environment, but also makes good business sense. As a techglomerate, we intend to redefine the meaning of industry and community in the digital age, said Aboitiz Group president and chief executive Sabin Aboitiz. Aboitiz Power Corp., the groups power subsidiary, will receive the largest share at P73 billion, representing 48 percent of the total capex. The substantial increase supports the companys ongoing and upcoming RE projects, with a target of reaching 4,600 megawatts (MW) of capacity within the next decade. The holding company will receive P44 billion, with P40 billion earmarked for the acquisition of Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines Inc. (CCBPI), a significant step in the groups diversification efforts. - Advertisement - Aboitiz InfraCapital (AIC) will get P25 billion to strengthen its existing infrastructure portfolio across various sectors, including economic estates, water, airports and digital infrastructure. Union Bank of the Philippines, its lending arm, is poised to complete the integration of Citibanks consumer banking business by the end of March 2024. Investments in technology refresh, cybersecurity and system integration comprise the majority of UnionBanks capex this year. Pilmico, the Aboitiz Groups food and agribusiness arm, would get nearly P4 billion for its ongoing expansion projects. These include the construction of new feed mills in China and Vietnam and the further development of its The Good Meat stores across the Philippines. - Advertisement - Cebu Pacific Air (CEB) has announced a one-month suspension of its flight operations at Pagadian Airport starting April 15. The suspension is due to runway surface repairs by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), which will be completed by May 15, 2024. As safety is of paramount concern, operations will be suspended until the works have been completed and we have assessed and confirmed that the runway is safe for landing and take-off, the CEB management said in a statement. The airline will cancel flights to and from Cebu and Manila, including Flights DG 6639 and 6640 (Cebu Pagadian Cebu); Flights DG 6641 and 6642 (Cebu Pagadian Cebu); Flights 5J 771 and 772 (Manila Pagadian Manila); Flights 5J 773 and 774 (Manila Pagadian Manila). However, the management is planning additional recovery flights to Ozamiz, where the affected passengers will be automatically re-accommodated. These are Flights DG 6795 and 6796 (Cebu Ozamiz Cebu) and Flights 5J 3191 and 3192 (Manila Ozamiz Manila). - Advertisement - Affected passengers can also rebook flights to Dipolog and Ozamiz, including Flights DG 6603 and 6604 (Cebu Dipolog Cebu); DG 6605 and 6606 (Cebu Dipolog Cebu); DG 6791 and 6792 (Cebu Ozamiz Cebu); DG 6793 and 6794 (Cebu Ozamiz Cebu); 5J 703 and 704 (Manila Dipolog Manila); 5J 705 and 706 (Manila Dipolog Manila); 5J 781 and 782 (Manila Ozamiz Manila) and 5J 783 and 784 (Manila Ozamiz Manila). CEB offers passengers the option to make flight rebooking or rerouting, store a travel fund in a valid CEB wallet, or receive a full refund of their ticket. CEB is working closely with CAAP regarding this matter. We thank our passengers for their patience and understanding, it stated. - Advertisement - President Marcos highlighted this week the need for the government and private companies to effectively collaborate in navigating and averting persistent cybersecurity problems, which he described as the darker side of technology. The Chief Executive issued this statement during his conversation with Google Philippines country manager Jackie Wang at the World Economic Forum (WEF) country roundtable hosted by Malacanang last Tuesday, March 19. We have many instances where there are scams, there is hacking. We, in terms of actual security, we also have beenhave fallen victims to great many of these nefarious activities. And so, yes, those were the areas that we worry about, he said. President Marcos stressed the importance of solving these issues, so the Philippines can sustain its economic growth, which has been boosted by an active digital economy. According to Wang, the Philippines digital economy has reached $23-billion (roughly P1.3-trillion) since 2023 in terms of its growth merchandising value and has a compound giga growth of 16 percent. - Advertisement - In line with this, President Marcos encouraged the private sector to help the government in improving the countrys internet connectivity and fortifying critical infrastructures against cyber-attacks. Well, we are still at the level where we are worried about connectivity and we are working very hard because being an island nation that becomes a real factor, that becomes a real challenge, he said. Citing state-commissioned surveys, President Marcos revealed that 95 percent of Filipinos have been using the internet to conduct businesses, and only five percent of them are relying on it for government services. In terms of payment, for example, clearances and all that, 95 percent of the activity is over the internet. The last five percent was the government and thats why we still are falling behind, he pointed out. - Advertisement - Meulaboh, IndonesiaIndonesian authorities rescued at least 69 Rohingya refugees who had been at sea for weeks and were taking them to shore on Thursday after their boat capsized a day earlier. The refugee groups wooden boat and another vessel trying to help them both capsized on Wednesday, with survivors estimating around 150 Rohingya had been on board with dozens swept away. Rescuers had rushed to save the group of Rohingya after they spotted them in the water, stranded and holding onto an overturned boat off the coast of western Aceh province. The mostly Muslim Rohingya are heavily persecuted in Myanmar, and thousands risk their lives each year on long and expensive sea journeys, often on flimsy boats, to try to reach Malaysia or Indonesia. The total victims rescued (alive) is 69 people, 42 of them are men and 18 are women, and nine of them are children, the Banda Aceh search and rescue agency said in a statement. - Advertisement - Footage from the boat seen by AFP showed men, women and children being taken to safety by the local search and rescue agency. Id been at sea for 15 days, but there are others here who have been here longer than that. Some have been here for a month, said a 27-year-old survivor who gave his name as Dostgior in broken Indonesian. Why did the boat capsize? There was heavy rain. He said he had travelled from Coxs Bazar in Bangladesh where many Rohingya have fled persecution into squalid camps. In Bangladesh, I met someone who could take me to Indonesia. My goal in going to Indonesia is to pay someone to take me to Malaysia. Once in Malaysia, I will pay someone else to enter, he told AFP. Other refugees said they are from Myanmar and had tried to reach Thailand but were rejected, West Aceh fishing community secretary-general Pawang Amiruddin told AFP Wednesday. The United Nations refugee agencys protection associate Faisal Rahman said it was waiting for the evacuation team to arrive back to land to get clear and firm data on those rescued. On Wednesday, six Rohingya from the same vessel were rescued by fishermen. One of those survivors said dozens of refugees had been swept away by currents and were missing or feared dead. He said the boat took 151 people. Once the boat capsized approximately around 50 people maybe missing and passed away, Rahman said. We are still coordinating with respective government agencies to do our best to save as many lives as possible. Local police and the regional government did not respond to requests for comment. From mid-November to late January, 1,752 refugees, mostly women and children, landed in the Indonesian provinces of Aceh and North Sumatra, according to UNHCR. Hundreds remain in shelters. The agency said it was the biggest influx into the Muslim-majority country since 2015. Some Rohingya boats landing in Aceh in recent months have been pushed back out to sea as sentiment towards the minority group shifts in the ultra-conservative Indonesian province. Many Acehnese, who themselves have memories of decades of bloody conflict, are sympathetic to the plight of their fellow Muslims. But others say their patience has been tested, claiming the Rohingyas consume scarce resources and occasionally come into conflict with locals. AFP - Advertisement - CanberraThe United Kingdom and Australia inked a new defense agreement in Canberra on Thursday, as they try to boost a fledgling nuclear-powered submarine program with the United States. UK defense minister Grant Shapps signed the agreement in Canberra with his counterpart Richard Marles, establishing a legal framework that makes it easier to host troops and share military intelligence. The agreement stops short of a full mutual defense pact, which would bind one side to intervene if the other was attacked. But it does include a commitment to consult about emerging threats and establishes a status of forces agreement, which makes it easier to host soldiers from the other nation. It is extraordinary, actually, the United Kingdom and Australia didnt already have a defense cooperation treaty in place, Shapps said after the signing ceremony. - Advertisement - Alongside the United States, Australia and the UK are members of the fledgling AUKUS defense alliancea landmark pact aimed at curbing Chinese military expansion in the Asia-Pacific. Barely two years old, there are already signs the AUKUS programme is under threatand some fear Donald Trump could scrap it completely if he returns to power next year. Australian National University security analyst David Andrews said Thursdays agreement gave the stalling AUKUS plan some much-needed momentum. If there was a Trump administration at end of year, and for whatever reason they were not interested in pursuing the agreement, or not in the same way it is envisioned now, there is potential for a heavier bilateral pathway, Andrews told AFP. A major pillar of the AUKUS pact is a promise to help Australia build and acquire a fleet of potent nuclear-powered submarines, one of its biggest-ever military upgrades. Thursdays agreement would make it easier, for example, for Australian sailors to train on the UKs nuclear subs, or for British crews to be based in Australia. This is a reflection of increased engagement between our two defense forces, said Australian defence minister Marles. And it will greatly streamline the ability for us to work together. London and Canberra have pledged to consult each other if looming regional threats start veering towards conflict. I think one of the most important elements is it describes a mechanism by which we consult when either of our countries are under threat, said Shapps. Australia is deeply involved in US-led efforts to counter Chinas increasingly assertive behaviour in the Asia-Pacific. Among a host of other initiatives included in the deal is closer collaboration on undersea warfare, and greater UK contribution to Australian-hosted joint military exercises. Australia has also agreed to join a coalition with the UK and Latvia that aims to supply drones for the Ukrainian war effort. The UK has been a major backer of Ukraine in its grinding war against invading Russian forces. High-level talks are slated to continue on Friday, when UK foreign secretary David Cameron meets Australian foreign minister Penny Wong in Adelaide. Earlier this week Australia played host to Beijings top diplomat Wang Yi, who returned to the country for the first time since 2017. AFP - Advertisement - JeddahThe United States has circulated a draft UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire linked to the release of hostages in the Gaza Strip, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said. The diplomat made his announcement whilst on a tour of the Middle East that will include a stop in Israel. Key Israel backer the United States has vetoed previous UN Security Council votes on the nearly six-month war, objecting as recently as in February to the use of the term immediate in a draft submitted by Algeria. In recent weeks, however, Washington has upped the pressure on its ally, while insisting that Hamas militants must immediately release the hostages seized by militants during its October 7 attacks on Israel. Well, in fact, we actually have a resolution that we put forward right now thats before the United Nations Security Council that does call for an immediate ceasefire tied to the release of hostages, and we hope very much that countries will support that, Blinken said in Saudi Arabia. - Advertisement - I think that would send a strong message, a strong signal, he told Saudi media outlet Al Hadath on Wednesday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to destroy Hamas in retaliation for the Oct. 7 attacks. Of course, we stand with Israel and its right to defend itself but at the same time, its imperative that the civilians who are in harms way and who are suffering so terribly - that we focus on them, that we make them a priority, protecting the civilians, getting them humanitarian assistance, Blinken said. US officials had been negotiating an alternative text since blocking an Algerian draft resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza at the end of February. That alternative, focusing on support for a six-week truce in exchange for the release of hostages, had little chance winning approval, according to diplomatic sources. A new version, seen by AFP, stresses the need for an immediate and durable ceasefire to protect civilians on all sides, enable the delivery of essential humanitarian aid, and alleviate suffering in conjunction with the release of hostages still held. No vote has yet been scheduled on this text. Blinken met Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and then held talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman soon after landing in the kingdom on Wednesday on the first leg of a regional tour that will include Egypt on Thursday and then Israel on Friday. Blinkens tour, his si xth to the region since the war began, runs parallel with talks in Qatar, where mediators met for a third day on Wednesday in a renewed effort to secure a ceasefire but with little indication of an imminent agreement. The plan being discussed in Qatar would temporarily halt the fighting as hostages are exchanged for Palestinian prisoners and the delivery of relief supplies to Gaza is stepped up. The latest fighting has included an Israeli assault on Gaza Citys Al-Shifa hospital, a vast complex crowded with patients and people seeking refuge, where Israel says Palestinian militants are holed up. The Israeli army said over 300 suspects had been apprehended in the hospital raid that began Monday, including dozens of senior terrorists and those with key positions. Israel said its forces have killed approximately 90 terrorists since the start of the raid, and army chief Herzi Halevi said the objective was not to allow such a place to be controlled by Hamas. Hamas condemned Israeli crimes at Al-Shifa for the third day in a row, the executions of dozens of displaced persons, patients and staff. The health ministry in the Hamas-run territory said at least 70 people had been killed in Gaza overnight. UN agencies have warned that Gazas 2.4 million people are on the brink of famine, and UN rights chief Volker Turk said Israel may be using starvation as a method of war. Blinken had earlier warned that Gazas entire population is suffering severe levels of acute food insecurity. Riyadh announced as Blinken arrived it would donate $40 million to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, which has been central to aid operations in Gaza but has faced massive funding cuts and calls for its abolition spearheaded by Israel. UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini warned that siege, hunger and diseases will soon become the main killer in Gaza. Rafah, the last area in Gaza to remain free from a large-scale invasion, is now home to some 1.5 million Palestinians, many of them sheltering in tents along the Egyptian border after fleeing from other parts of the coastal territory. Washington wants Israel to hold back from a full-scale ground assault, citing concern for civilians, but Netanyahu has repeatedly said it was the only way to eradicate Hamas. Israel has continued to bombard Rafah and said on Wednesday it had eliminated senior Hamas operatives in the city. Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant will visit Washington in the coming week for talks with Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin, although neither side gave a date. Netanyahus office said a separate delegation would visit Washington at the request of US President Joe Biden to discuss the planned Rafah assault. The bloodiest-ever Gaza war broke out after Hamass attacks resulted in about 1,160 deaths in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures. Militants also seized about 250 hostages, of whom Israel believes 130 remain in Gaza, including 33 who are presumed dead. Israels military has waged a retaliatory offensive against Hamas that has killed almost 32,000 people, most of them women and children, according to Gazas health ministry. The talks in Qatar this week have given little indication of an imminent agreement. A senior Hamas official based in Lebanon, Osama Hamdan, said Israels response to the groups latest proposal was largely negative and constitutes a step backwards. The plan would temporarily halt the fighting as hostages are exchanged for Palestinian prisoners and the delivery of relief supplies is stepped up. Tensions have also flared in the occupied West Bank, where Israeli forces and settlers have killed at least 437 Palestinians since the Gaza war began. The toll includes two Palestinians killed in an air strike who the Israeli military said had posed a threat to its troops during an operation in the Nur Shams refugee camp in the West Banks northwest early on Thursday. AFP - Advertisement - The leadership of the House of Representatives expects the Senate to act with dispatch on both the resolution on economic constitutional reform and the bill revoking the franchise of Swara Sug Media Corporation, which operates as Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI). The House on Wed nesday night ordered the immediate transmittal to the Senate of the two measuresthe Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No. 7 and House Bill (HB) 9710after passing them on third and final reading. RBH 7, which mirrors RBH 6 being deliberated in the Senate, seeks to amend specific economic provisions in the 1987 Constitution concerning public utilities, education and advertising by inserting the phrase unless otherwise provided by law to give more flexibility regarding foreign ownership and participation in certain investments. Speaker Martin Romualdez, who co-authored RBH No. 7 with several other House leaders and members, said the proposed economic constitutional amendments represent the final component of the investment measures pursued by the administration of President Marcos. These changes, if ratified by our people in a plebiscite, will greatly boost these [investment] measures, including our Presidents investment missions abroad which have generated actual investments and pledges in the billions of dollars and created thousands of jobs, Romualdez said. - Advertisement - He said the approval by Congress and by the people of the proposed amendments will send a powerful message to foreign investors and the international community that the Philippines is now fully open for business and for investments. The final approval of RBH 7 followed two weeks of thorough plenary deliberations, which were preceded by equally rigorous and extended two weeks of Committee of the Whole House hearings. For her part, Senator Imee Marcos said the passage of RBH 7 should not affect the pace and manner by which the Senate conducts its deliberations on RBH 6. I think one very important issue that should be addressed is the set of Rules that will govern the voting procedure of the Constituent Assembly, Marcos added. Senator Grace Poe related the Upper Chamber has started deliberating on the issue even before the transmittal of the House. We have always taken into consideration the other Chambers priorities but the Senate has never been in the tradition of railroading any measure, Poe added. Meanwhile, HB 9710 effectively repealed Republic Act No. 11422, which extended the franchise granted to Suara Sug for an additional 25 years in August 2019. The renewed franchise was originally scheduled to expire in 2044. The revocation of SMNIs franchise was prompted by a series of violations, including spreading fake news, involvement in red-tagging, and committing serious corporate offenses, the House said. Romualdez said the revocation of SMNIs franchise was a decisive action that underscores our commitment to uphold the integrity of broadcasting standards and the publics trust. We are only fulfilling the mandate assigned to us by the Constitution and the people. Nothing personal here. We are only doing our job, the Speaker added. SMNI openly admitted to transitioning from a non-stock, non-profit corporation to a sole corporation under Pastor Apollo Quiboloy in 2006. Later, in 2023, the controlling stake was transferred to Bro. Marlon Acobo, with both transactions taking place without obtaining congressional approval. Section 10 of RA No. 11422 stipulates the requisite congressional approval for such changes, explicitly prohibiting the sale, lease, transfer, or assignment of the franchise without prior congressional consent. - Advertisement - Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Thursday pledged full support to the military and that the soldiers sacrifices were not overlooked. Your sacrifices have not gone unnoticed, and it is our duty to ensure that you are supported in every possible way, Romualdez said during the Luzon leg of the House of Representatives-Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) fellowship at Clark Freeport in Angeles City. AFP officers led by Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., including those from the AFPs Eastern and Western Mindanao commands, and House members attended the event. Romualdez said Congress has been proactive in ensuring that our armed forces are sufficiently equipped to safeguard our nation, while also prioritizing the welfare of both retired and active-duty personnel. He said the House has approved several bills that are a testament to the value and respect we hold for the noble service rendered by our uniformed personnel. - Advertisement - Your dedication enables the peace and security that allows our nation to thrive. Rest assured, the House of Representatives, and I personally, are unwavering in our commitment to support and honor the sacrifices of our uniformed personnel. Just as you have steadfastly served our nation, we pledge to steadfastly support you, the Speaker said. The leader of the 300-plus-strong House congratulated the military and its officials for winning the proverbial battle for the hearts and minds of our countrymen is over. Based on recent survey results, he said the AFP has successfully shed its tarnished image of old. In its place is the image of the model soldier, worthy of the highest respect and trust of the Filipino people. This achievement is a product of everyones discipline, dedication to duty and sacrifices. For this, the Armed Forces of the Philippines has my utmost esteem. Congratulations everyone. Do carry on. He stressed however, that the fight for a better Philippines continues. The Armed Forces of the Philippines plays a critical role in this fight, providing the stability the nation needs to sustain its forward momentum, he added. Romualdez cited several measures the House has acted upon to address the soldiers concerns, including challenges associated with sustaining the military and uniformed personnel (MUP) pension system. He informed them that in the early days of the 19th Congress in 2022, he filed a bill on MUP pension reform, with great personal commitmentunderscoring the deep respect and concern we hold for our uniformed personnel. The bill has successfully passed third and final reading in the House and is currently awaiting Senate concurrence. House Bill 8969 sets the mandatory retirement age for uniformed personnel at 57. It contains provisions for the automatic indexation of pension and survivorship benefits. These benefits will be adjusted in line with the salaries of active-duty personnel of equivalent rank, subject to specific conditions. Furthermore, the bill ensures the continuation of the one-rank promotion benefit upon retirement. Financial sustainability of the pension system is a key focus of the bill, which identifies revenue sources such as the lease, joint development, and disposition of government properties, as well as the income from trust funds created for this purpose, Romualdez said. He said the measure aims to establish a reliable financial foundation for the pension funds dedicated to the Armed Forces and other uniformed personnel services. He said legislative initiatives for the military also include numerous bills that seek to enhance support for uniformed personnel. He cited the enactment of Republic Act 11939, a law that facilitates the continuous policy development and modernization of the Armed Forces, thereby eliminating the cyclical nature of the promotion system. He said the House is likewise advancing legislation like House Bill 7793, which proposes an increase in combat duty pay, and House Joint Resolution 19, aimed at raising the subsistence allowance for uniformed personnel. Additional legislative efforts are underway to provide uniformed personnel with complimentary legal assistance and to establish high-quality medical clinics in every command and province, furthering our commitment to their well-being, he said. The Luzon leg of the HOR-AFP fellowship followed similar events in Visayas and Mindanao. - Advertisement - President Marcos condition is improving and anticipates resuming full public engagements, depending on the advice of his doctor, the Presidential Communications Office said on Thursday. The illness forced Mr. Marcos to miss the 50th Anniversary Presidential Luncheon with the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) yesterday. The President and the First Lady (Liza Araneta-Marcos) continue to experience flu-like symptoms but with improvements, maintaining stable vital signs. They are advised to continue medications, rest, and hydration for full recovery, the PCO said in a statement. The President continues to work in his residence, handling correspondence and directives within medical advice. He anticipates resuming full public engagements soon, per his physicians clearance. Meanwhile, according to FOCAP, the PCO said a new date will be set with Mr. Marcos. The First Couple were reported to have developed flu-like symptoms following their full schedule these last few days and were advised to take fluids and medication to alleviate their symptoms. - Advertisement - They have been advised by their attending physician to get some rest to ensure their speedy recovery, the PCO said. Mr. Marcos and the First Lady arrived last weekend from Europe after conducting successful visits in Germany and the Czech Republic. The President had full schedules on March 18 and 19 including attending the World Economic Forum and welcomed US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday. Earlier, doctors said the President and the First Lady continue to experience flu-like symptoms but with improvements, maintaining stable vital signs. They were advised to continue medications, rest, and hydration for full recovery. - Advertisement - Beijing warns Manila, but spox says it is not a threat China warned other countries Thursday that it would be dangerous to tinker with its Taiwan issue amid its maritime dispute with the Philippines over some parts of the West Philippine Sea. The Taiwan question is not and should never become an issue between China and the Philippines as it is starkly different in nature from the maritime differences between Beijing and Manila, the Chinese Embassy in Manila said in a statement. The embassy also said that its issue with the self-governing island is purely an internal affair and does not brook any external interference. China had raised alarm after the United States, Manilas treaty ally, announced plans to build a second port on Batanes Island, just 200 kilometers away from Taiwans southern end across the Taiwan Strait. The Armed Forces of the Philippines also announced plans to hold Balikatan military exercises with the US and other allied troops in the countrys northernmost province. - Advertisement - China, however, assured the Philippines it is not a threat after President Marcos expressed concern about the risk of Beijings continued actions in the West Philippine Sea. China has accused the Philippines of making provocations in the disputed waters, stirring up troubles at sea, and spreading disinformation. China poses no threat to any country, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Jian Lian said, adding that China has long had territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea. Meanwhile, nine Chinese maritime militia ships and a Chinese Coast Guard vessel massed along the Philippines Pagasa Island as it followed two Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources ships doing resource assessments at Pagasas cays, the Philippine Coast Guard said. In another development, PCG spokesperson Rear Admiral Armand Balilo said there is no strong basis to speculate that the Chinese nationals recruited to the Coast Guards auxiliary force were spies. We have no solid basis to accuse them of being Chinese spies. We also had a vetting process when they applied. They have been helping the Coast Guard for a long time but for humanitarian assistance and donations only, Balilo said. He said the PCG also required the Chinese recruits to submit clearances from the Bureau of Immigration, the Philippine National Police, and the National Bureau of Investigation, were not involved in their sensitive operations, and were just ordinary businessmen recommended by their Filipino-Chinese peers. If there were reports that the Chinese nationals are spies, Balilo said the National Security Council will monitor and deal with them. Beijing stressed that the maritime differences between China and the Philippines can be compared to (a) spat between neighbors, while the Taiwan question is completely domestic. Distinction between the two must not be blurred, the Chinese embassy said. Beijing made the statement after it said it noticed certain individuals in the Philippines acting in contravention of the one-China principle under the disguise of economic and trade cooperation and people-to-people exchange. It said the individuals statement undermined Manilas long-time stand of implementing the One-China Policy, which recognizes that the Government of the Peoples Republic of China is the sole legal government of China; that there is but one China; and that Taiwan is an integral part of Chinese territory. In his January reiteration of the Philippine position on the one-China policy, President Marcos said that Taiwan is a province of China, and the manner in which they (Chinese mainland and the province of Taiwan) will be brought together again is an internal matter, the embassy recalled. The embassy said Beijing appreciates President Marcos statement. As long as our two countries follow the principled consensus reached between the heads-of-state of the two countries, keep to the correct direction of the development of bilateral relations, respect each other, properly resolve differences and cooperate for mutual benefits, China-Philippines relations will steer a steady course for the profit of the peoples of the two countries, the embassy stressed. The Philippines has long rejected Chinas accusations, saying its activities in the waters, including resupply missions, is part of its rights in the West Philippine Sea under international law. Mr. Marcos, in an interview with Bloomberg, warned of Chinas threat, referring to its claims over the whole South China Sea. But the President said the Philippines efforts to assert its sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea, a part of the South China Sea, do not mean poking the bear. What has recently escalated the situation concerning the South China Sea issue between China and the Philippines is that the latter has frequently made infringements and provocations, stirred up troubles at sea, and spread disinformation to mislead the perception of the international community, Lian said. According to the Chinese official, Chinas actions are only in line with safeguarding its interests but it also has striven to properly handle maritime disputes through dialogue and consultation. - Advertisement - Thai actor Win Metawin is set to jet off to Manila this April to meet his Filipino fans. In a post shared by 28 Squared Studios, the Thai superstar is returning to the country as part of the promotional tour of his latest film, Under Parallel Skies, alongside Filipina actress Janella Salvador. Under Parallel Skies star Win Metawin is coming to the Philippines this April! Our Parin is ecstatic to see his Filipino fans! the post read. Under Parallel Skies will mark Wins first international film project, and Filipino audiences are eager to see him team up with Janella for a cinematic love story. Directed by Sigrid Bernardo, Under the Parallel Skies is a cross-country romantic comedy film that promises to showcase the undeniable chemistry between Win and Janella and the beauty of cultural exchange. - Advertisement - Win rose to fame through the boys love (BL) series 2gether The Series, alongside Bright Vachirawit. The official details about the promotional activities havent been released yet, but Win is expected to walk the red carpet for the films premiere night next month. Under Parallel Skies is set to hit the cinemas nationwide on April 17. - Advertisement - WWF-Philippines tapped SB19 leader Pablo as the official Earth Hour music ambassador for 2024. In a post shared by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines, it said that the P-pop artist is set to headline the annual switch-off event happening in Manila on March 23. On the other hand, Earth Hour Philippines National Director Angela Consuelo Ibay said the reasons why they chose Pablo as this years ambassador. Pablo, for us, represents the passion and resilience of Filipinos, and we want these qualities to be front and center for the annual Earth Hour celebration, which will be the 16th anniversary in the Philippines, stated Ibay. Ibay also recognized how Pablos music reflects environmental issues important to the country. - Advertisement - As SB19s songwriter, creative director, and CEO of their label, Pablo has masterfully infused his music with Filipino culture, flavor, and style. Earth Hour is a global grassroots movement for the environment and we celebrate it in our own unique Filipino way. Pablo is the perfect ambassador for Earth Hour, she added. The director also emphasized that the Philippines is expected to face the effects of climate change such as flooding and droughts. Earth Hour serves as a valuable platform to promote environmental causes to the public. In collaboration with the Manila City local government for its 16th year, the annual Earth Hour event will be held at the Kartilya ng Katipunan in Manila City. The global lights-off event will occur from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. local time. In addition to Pablo, performers like Ched and Lirah Bermudez will also be part of the event. Over the years, more than 190 countries have joined the global lights-off movement in support of nature. Earth Hour was first observed in the Philippines in 2008, following its initiation in Australia the year before. - Advertisement - K-pop girl group TWICE is set to return to the Philippines for a fan meet in collaboration with the snack brand Oishi. The snack brand announced TWICEs upcoming return to the country through a video posted on their official social media pages. In the video, the groups members expressed their love for their fans and urged them to take part in the event. The event will serve as the groups first fan meet in the country in collaboration with the food brand. The last time TWICE was in the Philippines was for their fifth world tour Ready to Be stop in Manila, which was held on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 last year at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan. According to the snack brand, further details regarding the event will be revealed on their official social media accounts on March 22. The girl group was first revealed to be Oishis celebrity endorsers in September 2023 with a commercial that split them into four groups to feature some of the brands iconic snacks. - Advertisement - TWICE is composed of Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, Sana, Jihyo, Mina, Dahyun, Chaeyoung, and Tzuyu. The Martinsville Fire Department, in cooperation with the American Red Cross, spent a few hours on Saturday afternoon visiting with residents in the city and installing smoke alarms where needed. Firefighters installed 105 working smoke alarms in homes over a three hour period, making the annual event another success. We started this in October of 2014 in Danville and in Martinsville in 2015, said Disaster Program Manager Ralph Lawson with the Blue Ridge Virginia Chapter of the American Red Cross. The Red Cross provides the free smoke alarms and an education bag instructing people how to get low and go, and to always know two ways to get out of a room. Lawson said the smoke alarms come with a sealed 10-year battery, and are professionally installed at no charge by trained firefighters. We take care of putting them wherever you need them in your home, whether its an apartment or house, Lawson said. Our goal is to make the home safer, so we know when we leave that day, youve got plenty of working alarms and that home has been made safe. Lawson, Red Cross volunteers, and firefighters with the Martinsville Fire and EMS Station on West Church Street in Martinsville first went to apartments on Corn Tassel Trail, where they had been the day before responding to a fire at an apartment building. There was a fire at Corn Tassel on Friday at Building 701, said Lawson. A lot of times, when its high on peoples minds, they think my neighbor did have a fire yesterday, am I safe and so they go in and test the alarms that they have right now and make sure theyre working and if they are, then you know your home is safe and we leave you an education bag. If you need alarms, then we put in alarms. The red ladder truck pulled into a parking lot on Corn Tassel Trail with Lawson following in an official American Red Cross vehicle, and firefighters immediately got out and started knocking on doors. Some residents were a little leery of the presence of the group, but quickly warmed up once they learned why they were there. Is your mom or dad at home? asked one of the firefighters to a child that had answered the door. Nobody is in trouble or anything, I just want to talk to them about your smoke alarms. In addition to fire safety instructions, the education bag includes a refrigerator magnet that provides and easy-to-find fire escape plan. Lawson said the Martinsville Fire Department is responsible for installing over a thousand fire alarms in homes every year. These guys are great partners and every month they are installing smoke alarms, Id say thousands of them a year, easily, said Lawson. Our territory in the Blue Ridge Chapter includes 14 jurisdictions out of the state of Virginia and Blue Ridge is always number one because of the thousands that get put in here. Lawson added that the fire departments in Henry County participate in the same program for county residents. Every year the Red Cross has an annual kick-off day where they bring in extra volunteers to help the department canvass the city and put up smoke detectors free of charge, said Martinsville Fire Chief Dan Howell. We canvass the streets for two or three hours and install them where needed. This vignette is an educational moment in American history. It is about those who made a difference during the Revolutionary War era and how they served our country. Occasionally, a generation will experience an exceptional person who has the needed innate talents for the time. Such a person was Henry Knox. On July 25, 1750, Henry Knox was born in Boston, Massachusetts, to Mary Campbell Knox and William Knox. William was a shipyard laborer and traveled to earn a meager living. When Henry was 12, William died while working overseas. This problematic situation forced Henry to leave the Boston Latin Grammar School to help support his mother and brother. These abysmal situations led to his helping to create the United States. Working as an apprentice bookbinder, Henry had access to books covering many subjects, including military strategy and weaponry. Henry also studied Sharpes Military Guide and Julius Caesars Commentaries. His extensive understanding led Knox to engineer, build and tactically place military redoubts, troops and weaponry. During this time, Knox continued to work with books. By his 21st birthday, Henry opened the London Book Store in a stylish Boston area. Henrys shop became popular and profitable, attracting politicians, aristocrats and others because he sold numerous items. Besides books and related materials, medicinal remedies were available for headaches, memory issues, deafness, rabies and venereal diseases. Henry also supplied flutes, telescopes, cooking and measuring tools. Befriending John Adams, among others, Henrys military knowledge, personality and connections led him to become an officer in the Boston Grenadier Corps. In 1775, Gen. Washington ordered Knox, now an artillery colonel, to transport cannons from Fort Ticonderoga, N.Y., to Boston. Knox, his troops, and 100 teams of horses and oxen hauled 56 cannons and mortars to Massachusetts. This multi-month expedition included a difficult 300-mile journey over obstructed roads, paths and rivers using wagons, sleds and skiffs. His incredible feat, remarkable leadership skills, and knowledge of weaponry gained Knox a higher position: Gen. Washington designated Knox as the Chief of the Continental army [sic] artillery. With his artillery regiments, Col. Knox forced the Redcoats from Boston. Because of his brilliance, principled behavior and gallantry, Knox earned Washingtons trust and admiration. Knox fought in many key Revolutionary War battles as a confidant to Gen. Washington. Not only was Knox with Washington crossing the Delaware River, but he commanded vital troops and artillery units during the battles of Trenton, Princeton, Brandywine, Germantown and others. Due to his actions, Knox was promoted to brigadier general. Over the next several years, Knox was involved in many significant events. He was a member of a court-martial board of British Major John Andre, who conspired with Benedict Arnold. Knox also commanded artillery placement for the victorious siege of Yorktown. Knox was promoted to major general for his steadfast leadership and loyalty. In 1782, he was rewarded by being assigned to West Point and later was its commanding officer. The following year, Knox helped create the Society of Cincinnati, a fraternity for Revolutionary War officers. From 1785 to 1789, Knox served his pinnacle as the last secretary of war under the Articles of Confederation and the first secretary of war under the United States Constitution. On Oct. 25, 1806, Henry Knox died from an infection caused by a chicken bone caught in his throat. His final burial was at Elm Grove Cemetery, Thomason, Maine. This astonishing patriot is honored by accolades: the United States Bullion Depository, Fort Knox, Kentucky; Knox County, and Knoxville, Tenn., and a United States postage stamp to name a few. As the countdown clock ticked down, the Stanford School of Medicine class of 2024 milled about the Li Ka Shing Center with nervous energy quite literally not knowing where they were going. Soon they would learn where they had matched for their residencies and which cities they would move to for the most advanced phase of their medical training. Around the country, graduating medical students engaged in the same Match Day ritual. After dozens of applications and months of interviews, students and residency programs submit their preferences to the National Resident Matching Program, which uses an algorithm to make the optimal matches. The results are unveiled on Match Day. [Read Match Day 101: How does the medical residency match work?] Its such a privilege to recognize this incredibly distinguished class, said Lloyd Minor, MD, dean of the School of Medicine and vice president for medical affairs at Stanford University, offering a moment of reflection amid the excitement. You bring such vibrancy, such intellectual rigor and passion to the work that you do, and thats what makes it so meaningful for us as faculty and what makes our research and our patient care mission more meaningful as well. Not just MDs In this years graduating class of 73 students, only 17 enrolled four years ago, in the early, uncertain months of the pandemic; 28 have been here for five years; and another 28 have called Stanford home for six years or more. Many will be collecting multiple degrees, including 15 MD-PhD students in the Medical Scientist Training Program. Altogether they matched in 20 specialties, ranging from orthopaedic surgery to psychiatry to radiation oncology. Ethiopias largest bank is reportedly endeavoring to reclaim over $40 million following a technical malfunction that permitted customers to withdraw funds exceeding their account balances. Upon discovery of the issue at the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, extended queues formed at ATMs nationwide, as stated by local media outlets. According to the banks CEO, Abe Sano, the news of the glitch was disseminated on social media by university students, who withdrew a substantial portion of the funds. While the bank has not disclosed the exact amount withdrawn, Abe informed journalists that approximately half a million transactions occurred during the glitch. However, a local newspaper indicated a loss of 2.4 billion Ethiopian birr ($42 million). Ethiopias central bank attributed the problem to a routine system update and inspection rather than a cyber attack, as stated in a released statement. During the resolution of the issue, Ethiopias banking system experienced a temporary shutdown, causing inconvenience to customers unable to access their funds. Having served 40 million customers since its establishment in 1963, the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia is the nations premier banking institution. Abe emphasized that the bank is collaborating with law enforcement to recover the lost funds and declared that no charges will be filed against students who withdrew excess cash. Efforts to reach a bank spokesperson for comment were unsuccessful. In recent weeks, Tsholofelo Moloi has joined the queues of South Africans in Johannesburg seeking water amidst an unprecedented collapse of the citys water system, affecting millions across diverse neighborhoods. This severe scarcity, exacerbated by scorching temperatures and neglected infrastructure, poses a significant challenge for the ruling African National Congress ahead of a pivotal election. The term water-shedding, mirroring electricity load-shedding, underscores the widespread scarcity. Moloi, residing in Soweto, expresses skepticism about enduring the crisis, as residents citywide await municipal tanker deliveries, resorting to desperate measures like seeking water from nearby establishments. Purchasing water proves burdensome, particularly for a population where over a third are unemployed. We are struggling, Moloi shares. We require water for cooking, education, and basic hygiene. Its immensely stressful. While water shortages arent uncommon, this crisis spans the region, prompting urgent calls from water management authorities to curb consumption to avert a complete collapse. Outraged activists and residents decry years of infrastructure neglect, directing mounting frustration at authorities, even in affluent neighborhoods. Protests erupt as residents face prolonged dry spells, with councilors like Lefa Molise voicing doubts about a swift resolution. Thabisile Mchunu, an elderly resident, recounts resorting to manual water collection amidst uncertain access. Uncertainty looms as Rand Water urges conservation amid dwindling reservoir levels, compounded by challenges in the electricity system. Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda acknowledges the multifaceted issues faced by the city, underscoring the urgency of addressing both water and electricity infrastructure deficiencies.